A/N: Here's chapter 9 and although it's hard to believe Link and Midna's situation actually get's worse.
This night was darker than any other, it seemed that only sadness filled the cool air. Mayor Bo dug a hole next to Link's grave for Rusl's burial, and Ilia was kind enough to prepare a coffin made of branches, wheat, and cobblestone. Everyone watched as the coffin was lowered into the hole.
Colin couldn't bear this sight and began pounding the ground in an angry frenzy. "I'm so sorry this had to happen, Colin." Uli cried.
"Yeah, it was them, and none of us villagers." Jaggle said in a pathetic, yet successful attempt to shift the blame from himself.
Auru, Shad, and Ashei arrived at last. They were confused of what was happening and why a coffin was being buried, until Bo explained Rusl's tragic fate.
"I told you we needed to kill it!" Ashei shouted.
"...We should have listened to you, Ashei." Auru whispered under his breath.
"If only we could have known." Shad murmured with his head hung low, trying to keep his eyes from shedding tears.
"What do you speak of?" Mayor Bo inquired.
"Rusl came to us earlier with a shadow beast imprisoned in a small cage. I suggested that it be killed immediately, but these soft men couldn't do it." Ashei explained, giving an evil eye towards Shad and Auru.
"So it's your fault!" Colin screamed, picking him self up from the ground.
"Rusl agreed that we should wait, so don't completely blame us." Auru remarked. "While we do share blame for this, Rusl could have said no and done away with it." Colin stood staring in anger for a moment, but then dropped back to the ground to continue his hate-filled mourning.
"It was those dark creatures that did this, Colin. They are truly the ones to blame." Uli added.
"It's okay Colin, we will avenge your father." Bo commented as he put his hand on Colin's back.
"NOW!" Colin spoke.
"What honey?" Uli asked, tears still draining from her pupils.
"I want...to avenge him...NOW!" Colin continued.
"Is that really what you want?" Uli asked.
"YES, it is!!" Colin answered, drawing his sword as he stood up.
Uli looked around for approval, and no one was against Colin's will. After rushing through the Ordon funeral, everyone prepared to track these monsters down and destroy them. Everyone gathered any kind of weapon they owned or what could be used as one and prepared for their search.
"Listen here, no one knows how to track down someone or something as well as I do. If you follow my commands and leadership, we will quickly find them," Ashei stated. Everyone nodded in agreement, and they began their hunt. The first clue to the beast's location was the horse tracks imprinted by Epona.
"Follow me." Ashei commanded.
Renado's house was more than peaceful, yet Link and Midna could not fall asleep. Linda was sleeping in Midna's arms, and Azarael's was laid on her lap.
"We've never been in a spot as tight as this." Midna murmured.
"I know, but we will find a way, Midna. We always do." Link tried to comfort her.
"I'm not so sure this time." Midna began to cry as she hugged Linda tighter.
"We will, Midna. We just need to think this through. When we put our egos together, there's nothing we can't accomplish." Link confirmed.
Midna rested her head on Link's shoulder, and Link kissed her forehead. "The first thing we need to figure out right now is where we are going to live." Midna sighed. "Somewhere that we won't be bothered, somewhere hidden." Link thought aloud. At that moment, Link and Midna's mind instantly clicked "Hidden Village," they spoke at the simultaneously.
"Well at least now we know where we're going to live." Link sighed in relief.
"Now the question is when are we going to make our trip?" Midna added.
"Well I think we should leave just before the sun rises tomorrow. Everyone back in Ordon has probably began their search to exterminate us." Link concluded. Midna smiled, and Link kissed her. "Now get some sleep, I'll stay up to watch for them, just in case they come earlier than we expect." Link advised. Midna nodded and dozed off into dreams with her children.
After a few hours, Link could see the sun about to rise. He awoke his family for it was time to make their journey. Renado had already awoken and was sitting in a chair next to the fire.
"Link? I thought I was the only one to awake this early." Renado chuckled.
"Renado, me and my family are heading off to the Hidden Village where we are to attempt to live our lives." Link seriously foretold.
"But Link, I told everyone that you are harmless. There's no need for you to move." Renado confusingly remarked.
"Rusl somehow died and I got the blame for it. There's no way for you talk me out of this one." Link continued.
"They even burned our house down." Midna added.
"You could stay with me if you'd like." Renado suggested.
"They'll find us eventually if we do." Link sighed.
"Well at least let me make you breakfast before you leave." Renado finished as he stood up and headed for the stove.
The villagers followed Ashei's lead until they ended up in the quiet Kakariko village. Bo immediately spotted Epona next to Renado's house.
"Oh no, they're after Renado!" Bo shouted. The villagers swarmed to the front door swiftly, but Colin had a feeling he was going to meet his enemy at a less obvious spot, so he wandered to the back of the house. Bo began using Rusl's sword to try to open the locked door.
"It's no use, but if we don't do something quick, Renado will be murdered!" Aura stated.
Link thought he heard some noise at the front door, so he walked up to it, planning to open it slightly to see who was there. Bo heard footsteps on the other side and pulled the sword back ready to stab through the door.
Renado was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast, when he saw what Bo was about to do. With no restrain, he forced himself over to his friend and shoved him out of the way. The sword pierced through the door and stabbed Renado in the chest. Renado fell instantly to the floor in a bloody death. After Link saw that he was dead, he panicked and planned for him and his family to escape through the back window. The villagers finally were able to break down the door to see Renado dead on the other side.
"It's too late, the beasts have already attacked!" Bo moaned. The villagers swarmed in to search for them
and finish them once and for all. Link and his family dove through the back window, Azarael in Link's hands and Linda in Midna's. Link was relieved until he looked up to see Colin standing before him.
"You're not escaping this time." Colin commented in a cold rage, drawing his sword. Link handed his son over to Midna, and drew his blade, prepared to give Colin the fight he wanted.
