Helloooo! How was everyone's Halloween? I wanted to have this done before Halloween, but I got sidetracked. But yeah, here it is. And it's considerably shorter than my other chapters. Sorry.

Chapter Nine: Birthdays and Gerudos

"Link! Reena!"

Lera threw her arms around Link, nearly knocking him over. He laughed, putting his arms around her. Next to the two Reena shook her head.

"It's good to see you too, Lera!" he said, smiling broadly.

"If you're gonna kill him there are more interesting ways," Reena remarked. Lera took her arms from around him and smirked at her.

"Don't worry about that," she assured, a mischievous look in her eyes. Only then did Link see something different.

"Whoa, hold up!" he said. He motioned at the scabbard on her back. "Just what is that? That is not the 'wimpy' practice sword I remember!"

"This is my pride and joy," Lera said, pulling a magnificent sword from the scabbard and presenting it to the two. "I just received it for my sixteenth birthday!"

"Great," Link muttered, running his hand over it. "You might be able to do some damage to me."

"It'll help in the least," Reena answered, nodding in approval at the blade. "That is a nice weapon."

"Worthy of its bearer," Link agreed. "And happy belated birthday."

"Thanks," Lera said, sheathing the blade. "And thanks to you're advice, Reena, my instructor can't keep up with me anymore."

"Well, that was expected," Reena said airily. "Come on, I want to see just how much you've improved over all this time."

"Great, I'll make a fool out of myself," Lera said, leading the two to the castle.

Link and Reena gave the King and Queen a quick hello before continuing to the training arena. Reena pulled her blades out and Link watched as the two girls sparred. It ended with Reena winning after a half hour.

"Not bad," Reena said, wiping the sweat from her brow. "You've definitely improved."

"Thanks," Lera answered breathlessly as they sat down next to Link. "Now you two can go against each other and I'll watch."

"Okay," Reena said, standing again.

"Are you sure you're not too tired?" Link said, a hint of worry in his voice.

"Please," Reena said, rolling her eyes.

"If you want to have a chance to win, you had better go against her now," Lera said.

"You can be quiet, Lera," Link said. He stood, Reena running to the other end of the arena. He pulled his sword out, ready to fight to the death. "First to draw blood wins."

"Alright," she answered. A back-flip answered his attack and Reena landed a few feet away on one hand. Metal ran and sparks flew as their swords met. Reena faltered somewhat, feeling herself pushed down.

"Are you sure you want to spar?" Link asked.

"Nope," Reena answered. She grabbed his hat and ran out of the room, laughing.

"Reena! Give it back, now!" Link cried, chasing after her. "Stop taking that thing! Reena, come on!"

Link whipped around the corner, having to fall backwards to avoid mauling the King and Queen.

"Sorry," he said, jumping to his feet and gripping his sword better. "Reena needs to die. Reena! Come back here!"

"She has your hat?" Lenaya asked, trying hard not to laugh.

"Yes!" Link exclaimed. "I swear I'm going to burn it! You hear that Reena? Burn it!"

"That'll be the day!"

"Just watch me!"

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Whoa," Reena muttered, looking at the sight in front of her.

It seemed as though she had stepped back into the past. Gerudo Fortress seemed to be exactly as it had been. Rubble no longer littered the land and a grand fortress stood instead.

"When did they do this?" Link wondered aloud.

"I dunno," Reena admitted. "It happened fast though!"

"You can say that again," Link said as they approached the new fortress. They were given nods by the Gerudo and Link was eyed. Reena tried hard not to snicker and continued inside. A knot formed in her stomach. Nabooru would kill her. If accepted her for that matter. She jumped slightly as Link laid a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay? You just went really pale," he said.

"Yeah," she said quickly. "You forget I haven't come here in a very long time. And… I promised I'd visit often."

"You're as good as dead," Link decided.

"Yeah, I know," Reena moaned. She stopped, trying to decide where Nabooru might be. It wasn't much different than the original layout. A passing Gerudo was able to point them in the right direction. With a bow, she left and Link and Reena navigated the halls. Reena could tell Nabooru's room down the hall and slowly approached it. She rapped on the encrusted door.

"Come in!" Nabooru's familiar voice barked.

Reena took a deep breath. Link put a hand on her shoulder. "You go first. If you die, I'm running."

"Thanks," Reena muttered and opened the door. She closed it behind her and bowed. Something clattered to the ground and Reena heard footsteps coming towards her.

"Is that who I think it is?" Nabooru demanded. "Because if it is, I have to kill her!"

"Er… then no," Reena answered, staying in the bow. Nabooru made her stand straight and Reena saw the same Nabooru as always. Her arms were crossed, but immeasurable joy was in her eyes.

"You know, I ought to kill you right now," she said, pointing a threatening finger at her. "I gave you an order to visit often! Did you listen? No!"

"I know, Nabooru," Reena said, swallowing hard. "But… you would lose your head if you heard everything that was going on!"

"I have heard actually," Nabooru said. She eyed Reena. "And what are you wearing?"

"Uh…," Reena trailed off. "Well… with winter… I can't wear my original clothing. They are still held in great honor in a safe place. I can't submit them to anymore damage."

"The Gerudo is gone," Nabooru sighed.

"Not entirely," Reena said, a smirk coming to her face. "I've got some pieces in my saddle bag you'll drool over."

"How can I be sure?" Nabooru asked, eyeing her.

"Zora pieces," Reena answered.

"Zora?" Nabooru asked, stunned. "How?"

"Must you ask?" Reena demanded, putting a hand over her heart in hurt. "Nabooru, you can't take the Gerudo out of me. It isn't possible!"

"That is definitely true!"

"Link, I suppose you are to blame for her absence!" Nabooru called through the door.

"Uh…," Link trailed off. "I'll be outside, Reena. I choose life."

"Come on in, Link," Nabooru said, rolling her eyes. The door opened and Nabooru sized the two up. She shook her head at their appearances. "You're rubbing off on her."

"I resent that!" the two cried at the same time.

"I didn't want to freeze!" Reena exclaimed.

"Sure," Nabooru said, eyeing her. "Well, let me see these pieces."

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Well, it is a relief that you're still you," Nabooru admitted as she sifted through the loot. Reena had brought an immense amount from her horse and most of the objects were of unbelievable worth. Reena smirked, letting her hair down and getting it wet in the water. She slid deeper into the tub, letting the water sooth her.

"It amazes me how quickly this place was rebuilt," Reena said, looking around the room. "And that you made a room for me. I really am sorry, Nabooru. I meant to return so much sooner, but… things really got out of hand."

"Yes, we came back and many Gerudo came from Termina to help," Nabooru said. "Aveil was eager to get us out I think."

Reena smirked. "You were never comfortable around water."

"And you would know why," Nabooru said. "We're the desert tribe so swimming isn't a top priority."

"Imagine that," Reena said thoughtfully. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting old memories take her.

"So, what have you been up to?" Nabooru asked. "A lot must have happened if it's take you so long to return!"

Reena smirked. "Yes, a lot."

Nabooru listened intently as Reena revealed her and Link's many adventures of the years. The stories lasted many hours for Nabooru insisted upon detail. Finally, all of them were told and Reena took a deep breath.

"The end," she said with a yawn. She took the bathrobe on the ground next to her and stepped out of the large tub, slipping into the robe. After tying it shut Reena sat next to Nabooru who was just looking at her. "What?"

"You have been up to a lot," Nabooru said, nodding her head. "Imagine if Link had faced all of that alone."

"Like he hasn't before," Reena said with a shrug. However, she did think of the consequences of if he had done it alone. He probably would have been dead by now. Reena tried not to shiver at this thought and held the robe around her tighter. "How has everything been here? No attacks?"

"None yet," Nabooru said. She eyed Reena. "So, how many new injuries?"

Reena only laughed and shook her head. "You don't want to know. I've lost count."

Nabooru rolled her eyes. "You're impossible. Right, well, you look dead on your feet. Tomorrow I expect you to be ready for a rematch. Last time I slipped."

"Alright," Reena said, standing. "Send Link in, will you?"

"…I wondered why you were only wearing a bathrobe," Nabooru said, leaving.

"Nabooru!" Reena shrieked. Laughter answered her cry of distress and Reena had the urge to send a curse after her. She went behind the screen as Link came in. She threw the bathrobe over the top of it, changing into her tunic.

"Uh… could you have called me once you were done changing?" Link asked.

"Oh, stop being immature," Reena said hotly.

"Okay, obviously Nabooru got you mad," Link said, trying hard not to laugh.

"I don't know what you mean," Reena said, emerging, her face bright red. She sat next to him on the ground.

"Are you going to share?" he asked.

"No," Reena answered immediately. Link eyed her. "You don't want to know, trust me."

"I'll take your word," Link said, having a feeling that it was true.

"Anyways, I was hoping we could stay here for a bit," Reena said. "Nabooru demands a rematch from an old fight. Just to make her happy, I conceded."

"That's fine," Link assured. "I'd much rather stay here than most places."

Reena smirked, knowing his reasons why. Her eyes washed over the room and shock took her. Many of the things in her old room were back. A smile came to her face at the clothes she once wore as a child. Memories swarmed about her of her days in Gerudo Valley.

"Hello? Are you there?" Link asked, waving a hand in front of her eyes.

"Sorry, a lot of memories are coming back," Reena said. She stood and walked over to a jade statue that was on a shelf and smiled. "This was the first piece I ever stole."

"Not bad… for an amateur ," Link said critically. "I guess stealing is something you need practice with."

"You annoy me to no end," Reena said, putting it back.

"Then one wonders why you're still helping me," Link said, eyeing her.

"I'm going to kill you in your sleep one day," Reena said.

"I figured there was going to be something like that," Link said thoughtfully. "I'm surprised you haven't done it sooner."

"I wanted the allusion that I was your friend," Reena explained.

"Eh, you're not doing to good of a job," Link said with a smirk. "So, I'll be dying when?"

"Oh, I'm keeping it a surprise," she said.

"The wait is killing me," Link said. "Really, it is. Anyways, Nabooru didn't take lightly that you beat her, I take it."

"Huh?" Reena asked, pulling herself away from a relic of her past.

"You mentioned a rematch," Link explained.

"Oh, that," Reena said, rolling her eyes. "Yeah, she insists that there was something that made her trip. She just can't take the fact that I beat her."

"Does she usually win?" Link asked.

"No, we always tie," Reena said, shaking her head and sitting down again. "Have you ever sparred against her?"

Link smirked. "Yes. But it wasn't a spar. It was a fight for my life."

"Well, this will be interesting," Reena said, listening intently. "What happened?"

"Well, it was an honest mistake, really," Link said. "She didn't recognize me. Last time she had seen me was when I was eleven. And then I showed up again at sixteen. She thought I was some imposter and I had plenty of Gerudo attack me. I was able to get passed them all and Nabooru. Finally, she recognized me. Thank the goddesses too."

Reena smirked. "I don't remember that…"

"You wouldn't," Link said. "You probably weren't there. I didn't see you there either. I have a feeling that you were probably on a raid."

"I have a feeling that might be so," Reena agreed with a smirk.

"You know, with your disguises, you probably saw me often," Link said thoughtfully. "That's why you didn't kill me when I told you my name. Didn't you recognize me?"

"Forgive me that it was dark out," Reena said, rolling her eyes. "I usually attack and ask questions later."

"Yeah, I know," Link muttered, eyeing her. "But, how many times had I seen you before hand?"

"Oh, geez," Reena said, trying to remember. "A lot. You talked to me a few times. But I couldn't tell you what disguises in case I ever need to use them again."

"Alright, fine," Link said, acting hurt. Reena patted him on the head, taking his hat in the process.

*astrix astrix astrix*

"Come on, it's your turn," Link prodded, narrowing his eyes intently which made Reena laugh.

"Alright, alright," Reena said, racking her brain. "Uh… When I was twelve I hid Nabooru's swords and when she found out it was me… I had to run away… for two weeks."

"That was not smart!" Link said, grinning broadly. In front of the fire, the two curled their hands into fists, shaking them three times.

"And sword beats paper any day," Reena said with a smirk. "You had better make this one good."

Link looked into the fire, trying to think of something that would satisfy Reena. "Here's something. At ten years old I was nearly decapitated by a skull child. After that, I never felt sorry for killing them."

"You felt sorry for them?" Reena demanded, beginning to crack up. Again they went at rock-paper-sword and Reena won yet again. Link glared at her.

"I'm running out of things," he admitted. "After playing this forty billion times I'm running low on secrets."

"The first time I have to agree was the best," Reena said.

"Yes, because it was the second time we met when we were finally official friends," Link pointed out. "I can't believe you thought you were a goddess!"

"I am, thank you," Reena said, glaring at him.

"But really! Goddess of the Spirit Temple?" Link asked with a snicker.

"Nabooru always said I had extraordinary spirit," Reena said defiantly. "I was young, alright?"

"You were fourteen!" Link protested. "And don't even deny it! You said you were fourteen! That's only what… four years ago?"

"Three and a half! You forget you're a half a year older than I am," Reena said. "Come on, you've got to say something."

"Uh…," Link trailed off. "I've never kissed anyone."

"Don't look at me, Stalker," Reena said, sliding away from him. Link rolled his eyes and shook his head. Reena eyed him disbelievingly. "You're kidding. With all your girlfriends you've never been kissed?"

"Shut up," Link said, narrowing his eyes at her. "What about you?"

"Link, do I need to answer that?" Reena demanded. "Think about it!"

"Who knows, it could all be an act," Link said, eyeing her warily.

"Yes, I'm married," Reena said, rolling her eyes. "In your dreams. Marriage is worse than death in my eyes."

"In all Gerudo eyes," Link corrected.

"True, very true," Reena agreed. They played again, with Link winning.

"Hmm… something interesting," Reena wondered aloud. "Okay, here's something that you'll enjoy. I can not draw to save my life."

Link laughed. "I have no art skills either. Except the arts of combat."

"You came off as one of poetry," Reena mocked.

"That is as outrageous as you getting married!" Link exclaimed.

"A never will be!"

Seriously, I think Link is the kind of person to be writing poetry. Some deep, dark depressing poetry about being alone. I have realized that in, like, every scene Reena, at some point, steals Link's hat. That's a really weird habit that I've gotten into writing, maybe I shouldn't put that in as often. Hm. Maybe I should have Link steal something of Reena's... euh, then again, that's not the smartest idea. Maybe I'll give Reena some competition, someone else that enjoys stealing Link's things