Warning: Uh, angst and some fluff? A bit of dark thoughts as well.

Disclaimer: I own not the game or all that is contained in the game that is The Legend of Zelda - Ocarina of Time and Majora's mask. I do own everything else in this story.

A/N: Yes, I know, I updated!


When we arrived at Lon Lon Ranch, the sun had just set. Link seemed to be rushing however, and I think it was because he thought I couldn't handle myself. It had to be because of my death. He's so paranoid that he'll lose me here too… It was touching, yes, but also becoming slightly annoying. I could handle myself! Especially against some stalchildren!

"Comon She…ena." Link said with some hesitance.

I rolled my eyes at the unfamiliar name but followed Link. We had decided to use a different name for the time being due to the fact that Sheik wasn't exactly a common name among Hylians, nor was it exactly feminine. Luckily, due to the fact that my ears were just long enough, that I could pass off as a Hylian. Of course, my ears weren't as long as Link's but, he told me that ear sizes vary. I idly touched my ear at the thought of that. Impa's ears weren't as long as mine and she was my aunt…

"Sheena!" Link yelled and I sighed and picked up my – Malon's – skirt and ran towards him.

"You know Link–"

"Link!" Malon yelled as she ran towards us and looked at me with a slight pause. "Oh! Who is this?"

Why is it that whenever Malon sees me, she utters 'Oh!'? I thought before bowing lightly. "Pardon our intrusion." I said and I raised my voice ever-so-slightly.

"Ah, well she found me on my journey. She says she has some family in Kakariko, but as you see it's too dark to head over there right now. I do feel bad for asking, but can we stay the night?"

"I'm sure Dad will say yes, these are harsh times after all."

I winced. I was helping that happen, and neither of them knew it. I was helping Ganon destroy the land and its people. Nobody could know of the dirty deeds the Sheikah have done. All that surrounds my people needed to be hidden in shadows, because some of those deeds were darker than the shadows that hid them.

Malon had returned with her father who had a smile on his face.

"I hope you find our quaint ranch accommodating." He spoke to me.

"Any shelter is better than none." I said sweetly. "However, I'm certain that your ranch is quite lovely. Thank you for having us." Why did females have to act like this? I preferred being a male…

Talon took us to his dinner table, and I was able to glance at the house in more detail than before. It was made for four people, and I presumed that the fourth person was Malon's mother. I did not know much about this family, so I did not know if Malon's mother left or she was deceased. Regardless, it was not my business, and I didn't want to know – in case that knowledge slipped back to when I believed that I was loyal to Ganondorf.

"We were just making supper. You came just in time!"

However, I noticed a flaw in our plan. It was fine when it was just Link and me but when eating around other people, I couldn't simply take off my mask and turn around.

So, when I stared at the food in dismay while everybody began to eat, it was only expected when Malon asked, "Sheena?"

"Why won't you eat sweetie? You can take off that mask to eat can't you?" Talon asked gently.

I had to come up with something quick – but I couldn't lie. "Well… it's custom where I'm from to show as little of your person as possible…" Sheik started. "A-And when he attacked, I was separated from my family. I know my aunt was heading towards Kakariko Village, and I met Link."

"Oh! I know!" Malon burst out. "Sheena you can eat in my room. Com'on!" Malon grabbed my hand and a plateful of food before rushing me off to her room.

I looked at her as she shut her door and locked it, looking around cautiously. "Sheik – oh, I guess I should call you Sheena now, but I want to warn you about something. Ingo has been acting weird ever since two old ladies came by and asked for shelter. He's… he looked at a cucoo funny for a bit and last week we had to burry it… Dad says that the cucco had to go… but it was healthy and happy. He has been looking at you funny ever since you came here as Sheena. I don't want him to do anything to you, so I'm going to see if you can sleep in my room tonight. My door has a lock and only Dad knows where the extra key is. Dad will be okay with it, I know!" Malon winked at me with a smile on her face. "I'll let you eat though and I'll ask Dad." She said and rushed back down to the kitchen table.

I winced at those words, something definitely wasn't right with Ingo. Two old ladies? Didn't Ganondorf's "mothers" come to the castle recently? So it's true that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree… The Twin Rova sisters couldn't be his biological mothers (or at least one of them) since they claimed to be a couple centuries old… but still. I sighed though, because I was helping those of malicious intentions secure their hold on Hyrule. Nobody, nothing was safe from them. Guilt filled me because even though I knew that what I was doing was for the greater good, it still caused all of this. It caused the sorrow on Malon's innocent, pure face. I didn't know if I was redeemed of my sins because I was ensuring that Hyrule had a fighting chance in the future, and I suppose I would only know when I died…

Another wince graced my masked features. I will die, and sooner than I had expected. That was why Link was here, wasn't it? To stop my premature death. Of course, in my line of duty, I knew that death always crept around the corner, but I still felt some shock at the prospect of it being set in stone. I would never see that my wrongs were righted; I would never see the fruits of my treacherous labour…

That is, unless Link and I succeeded in our quest to kill Cethin. Was it wrong to sacrifice a life for my own? Was it wrong to kill for what seems best? One life for a thousand? No… two My mind corrected. I still remember the look of terror on the woman's face. And there will probably be dozens more… I couldn't help that fact, I couldn't deny my heritage. I was a warrior within the shadows, I was a pawn for the light. Although I did resent that, I had come to terms with it. It was no wonder why Impa found it easy to convince me that I hated the royal family…

I have to admit that the idea of really playing my role, of changing sides, had crossed my mind often within these past few days, I cannot deny that the taste of potential promise of freedom on my lips was appealing. To truly be Ganondorf's lackey, to never have to answer to another again… But then I realized how much of a risk that Impa and Zelda had by giving me – a child – such a mission. They probably already knew that there was a potential that I would disobey them.

And then an ominous thought darkened my mind. Was that why I died... was it because I had no other option… was it because they had found out? Did Link come here on his free will, unknowingly letting a beast live when it should die? My body shook in fear before I drove the thought from my mind. It couldn't be that. What life would he have after betraying Hyrule?

Malon had returned and I forced a smile on my face – not at all feeling the emotion – and she immediately bombarded me with questions.

Now I knew why Navi complained last night…

.+++.

That night I asked Malon for a few favours: to bring both Link and myself to visit the horses and to try and convince her father to let us use the horses to quickly get us to Kakariko Village. The former wasn't all too difficult, because apparently Link was friends with one of the horses, and with the grin that the girl gave me in relation to the lending of horses reassured me that she had her father wrapped around her little finger but it also disturbed me. Girls are scary.

In the morning, I had the chance to meet Link's horse-friend. From far away, I was scared of her. She was just a filly but the way she reacted to Ingo was very dangerous. Why was such a horse still alive on the ranch? Usually people would put down a horse if it was that disobedient. But as Malon approached the roan-coloured horse there was a calamity that overcame it. "And Sheik, this is Epona."

Link's face lit up as the filly approached us – him – and then Epona nuzzled his neck. "Hey there girl." The would-be hero said with a giggle.

Friends? I thought and blinked at the scene before me. Malon said that he only met Epona once and yet the horse knows exactly who he is… And even more, she treats Link like she would treat a master…

"Wow Link!" Apparently, I wasn't the only one amazed and Malon continued. "Epona's sure warmed up to you since your last visit!"

"Wow Link!" Malon exclaimed. "Epona's sure warmed up to you since your last visit!"

Link smirked and gently rubbed the filly's mane.

I don't know why I reached out my hand out to Epona, but Malon gripped my arm. "I wouldn't do that Sheena. Epona's quite the wild one."

The animal looked me over with what seemed to be curiosity in her eyes before sniffing at my hand – an action that surprise Malon. Then, Epona looked off to the side and snorted.

The action set Link off into a rolling laughter. As he calmed himself, he said, "It's alright She-ena. I think Epona just said that she'd put up with you."

I blinked and raised an eyebrow before realizing too late that it wasn't shown. However at Link's reassuring gaze, I trusted him. Upon the contact of my hand upon her mane, I realized that Link was right. It did seem that Epona was simply putting up with me.

"Wow." Malon observed. "Other than Link and me – you're the only one that Epona will allow to touch her. With her it's usually love or hate, and more than likely hate. This is the first time that I've seen her simply put up with another person."

Link had this knowing smirk on his face and I wondered what it was about it. I'd ask him about it later. First we'd need to get my horse and convince Talon, btu something told me neither task would be too difficult to achieve.

.+++.

"So remind me again why we're riding towards Kakariko Village and not The Lost Woods which – if I may state – is our destination." I said with a frown.

"I can't remind you because I haven't told you yet." Link said and smirked.

I swear – he hasn't changed since the Epona incident. "Fine, tell me."

Link smiled as he looked at me and the reason of my irritation. Malon was the one who informed me that it was unlady-like to be riding a horse in a dress without shorts or something similar underneath. And seeing that I was just going to Kakariko Village there was no need to borrow Malon's only riding leathers that were made to fit her. There was also the fact that the only other clothes I had would just ruin our attempts at disguise, so I had to ride side saddle.

"Because both you and I hate lying Sheik, not to mention that it would be suspicious. We can get to the Lost Woods through Goron City though, so just think of it as a detour." Link said with a less-cocky smirk than before.

Okay, there was something Link was leaving out. "And?"

Link sighed. "And I don't want to enter the village again. When I went there… they mocked me."

His mood had fallen and Link seemed distraught. I decided I didn't like seeing that expression on his face – it was worse than that cocky, knowing smirk. Much more so.

"Hey Link?" I asked in an attempt to change the topic because I didn't know how to comfort Link. When I got his attention, I asked another question. "Why did you find Epona's reaction to me so funny?" Even if it would be at my expense… if Link could smile again I'd do it. And once I saw the smile return to Link's face, I felt myself smile. Yes, it was definitely better when Link smiled.

"Ah… well," a small chuckle escaped Link, "that's how Epona treats you in the future. It took her awhile to get used to you – but she learned that she just had to put up with you. So, I think she remembers the future."

Link's words gave me something to think about. Epona had to grow accustomed to me? Did that mean I was around Link a lot? But… I was only to be his guide – not his companion. Perhaps was that why Link is so upset with my death?

"Ah." I said, trying to distract both myself and him from my musings.

If I had succeeded in distracting Link, I wouldn't know because Link fell quiet and we continued our way to Kakariko. Upon reaching the staircase Link had dismounted Epona and motioned me to do the same. "We're going to have to walk with them until we reach the Lost Woods." Despite his earlier quietness, Link had a smile on his face.

Yet, I still found that smile not quite true, and I didn't know what was really bothering Link. Navi really only spoke when necessary, and asking outright didn't seem very probable. So with a silent nod from me, we continued on. I don't know if Link felt it, but to me the air was tense. What was bothering this child-hero, this hero-from-the-future? Was he always like this when something was bothering him and if I was his companion in the future, what did I do when he was like this? Did I ignore it, did I help, did I somehow encourage it? I didn't know if I had remembered what I was supposed to do, or if I was still under the illusion that was my guise. The duo from the future never gave me any hints…

Link wasn't entirely silent though, but when he spoke, it was only when he had to. He still had that smile on his face but even that fell once the Gorons suggested that he visit 'Big Brother'. Link had declined politely at the offer, saying something about an important quest.

By then, my worry was becoming too much. I had to speak up. "Link?" I reached out my hand and put it on his shoulder but he ignored both my question and my hand. Didn't Link say comfort was holding another? Why was he walking away from the contact? I just wanted to help…

"It's over here." Link's voice even sounded solemn now, all pretences had vanished after that 'Big Brother' was mentioned.

Whatever was bothering Link had to deal with that 'Big Brother', I was sure of it. Once again, I reached out for contact, and this time I wouldn't let Link ignore it. I don't know why I wanted to see Link smile again, but somehow it felt better to have Link smiling. Perhaps it was because Link was the hero, and I didn't want him to be preoccupied with emotions, perhaps it was for an entirely different reason, but the fact remained that I wanted to comfort him, I wanted him to feel better, I wanted him to smile again. My hand grasped his wrist and gripped it tightly. "Okay Link. What is it?" I looked sternly into his eyes once he turned to look at me in question. Even if he could not see my eyes, even if the mask covered my expression, I think he felt it.

When Link smiled it was mostly false – but I saw some truth behind it, a glimmer or something and it gave me a spark of hope. He shook his head before he gestured to the tunnel and then his hand twisted and grasped my wrist.

I knew that I should have coiled at his tight grip, but something told me that I should let him do it. (Although there was also the fact that I didn't want to remove my hand from his wrist.)

The walk out of the mountain, through the tunnel, and into the woods was a short one – even though logically it should be much longer.

"Sheik." Link turned and offered another one of his weak smiles. "Be wary of the forest. Do not listen to it, stay with me. This place is called the Lost Woods for a reason. If you want, you can change back into your normal clothes as well – Ganondorf's influence shouldn't have come here just yet." Link reached into his magic pouch again and handed me the clothes. "Only those who know the forest can traverse the maze and are safe. The Kokori tend to stay in the village, so we are fine to be ourselves here and we are fine to speak freely."

Why did it seem that whenever something was bothering Link, he always acted like an adult, and yet when he was having fun he was a child? Was this because he had to accept responsibility so quickly, that he held so many burdens on his shoulders? Was this because the only times he had fun were as a child, and as an adult there was only pain and sorrow? I took the clothes from his hand and let go of his hand. Link, in turn, had let go and looked off in a different direction. I appreciated that he respected my privacy.

"It's alright now Link." I said once my clothes were back on my body. The small smile that appeared on his face at my usual attire was unexpected, but it was nice. It was no longer fake. It was genuine. I handed the clothes and the mask over to Link, although slightly worried. Why was Link happy to see me in my clothes? Was it because he couldn't immediately recognize me, that he couldn't be one-hundred percent sure that it was me following him? Did my death affect him that much? Honestly, I couldn't tell how well the would-be hero was dealing with the fact that I had died – that I would die again if we don't do something. The only thing I knew was that he desired revenge, that he desired to save me. Revenge… revenge entailed killing Cethin, but if Cethin killed me and Link is here…. Suddenly my stomach felt uneasy. Cethin was already dead once, and we had to kill him again…. I pushed away the emotions, I pushed away the thoughts. Link, I had to concentrate on Link, and there was something bothering him. I needed to comfort him.

When Link placed the clothes into the bag, my hand shot out and took hold of his hand. My grip was not tight, it was not rough, it was practically nonexistent, but it was there. Contact – I was trying. "Can we talk about it now?" I asked softly. Soft – I was gentle.

Something twitched at the corners of Link's mouth. "I guess." He said before me guided me over to a hollowed out tree trunk and sat down. He still held my hand as I sat down beside him, our horses standing nearby. "I remembered when Epona was searching for you after you…" He trailed off, not wanting to say my future fate. "And then, when the Gorons suggested that I see Darunia, I couldn't. Yet, I also couldn't tell them why… It would hurt them to hear it, and it still hurts me to think about it. But if I actually saw him… the pain would be too much – in my time he's gone… I couldn't save him, I can never save him." Link's other hand came out to encase my hand within both of them. "But I can save you."

I couldn't help but smile at Link's words. The sensation that filled me at his sentiment… was it just happiness… was it something else? I brought my hand to the pile and squeezed his hand back. "Then let's hurry up."