A.N. Update!

"Talking"

"Thinking"

Flash backs

Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Just the Rain

Link was curled up under the eves at the Stockpot Inn sleeping lightly. Moray was wide awake watching as a soft rain fell in the early morning light, forming a patter noise all around them. Glancing back at the hero she flinted off letting the rain fall numbly through her. The purple haired girl walked silently into South Clocktown not glancing at the workers who muttered worriedly about the weather. Her hands clenched into fists as she went fighting to control the turmoil that raged inside her.

"SHADOW! Shadow come here! You're nothing but a shadow…"

Stopping where she was she shut her eyes in attempt to clear her head.

"Shadow, shadow, shadow……"

"I'm not just a shadow!" she screamed hitting her head with both hands. "I'm not, I'm not, I'M NOT!!" Suddenly her legs gave out and she crumpled to the ground, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Realization hit her and she looked up eyes wide. Crying…she was crying… She staring at her open hands, disbelief covering her face as tears rolled down her cheeks. After a moment she forced herself to stand stumbling forward into West Clocktown feeling strangely lost and alone. Her feet dragged her up the street slowing as she neared the bomb shop. Outside it an old hunched women with grayish white hair leaned weakly on the wall trying to catch her breath. Moray watched with dead eyes as the shop door opened and a tall skinny man walked out. Upon seeing the distressed women he ran to her and helped support her.

"What happened?" he asked looking her over for any injures but found none.

"I was robbed," the old women replied tiredly. "He got the shipment of Large Bomb Bags…I'm sorry…" Frowning slightly the young man helped her toward the store.

"It's okay," he assured her in a low tone. "As long as you're okay Mother." The door shut leaving Moray by herself once again.

"Father…What ever happed to Mother?" a young Moray turned to look at Majora who glared at her in return. Shrinking back slightly she turned back to the window watching as the dark clouds broke and water cascaded down.

"She wasn't strong enough," Majora said darkly. "That is why you must be!" the little girl felt a surge of fear course through her but nodded despite the pin-prick of pain she felt in the left side of her chest.

Another torrent of salty tears dashed down her face but she hurried passed the bomb shop head bowed in obvious pain half running to North Clocktown. Here she found Jim playing a quick game of tag with his society buddies not noticing the rain. Giggling one of the boys ran right through Moray but she wasn't seeing them. Her eyes had a far away look to them as a scene played before them.

Moray, a little older now ran down a step of stone steps leading to the training room of the castle. In the center of the room two forms were grappling each other, both looking for a hold. Finally the shorter of the two hooked his arms around the other's waist and with a grunt rolled him over his shoulder. The bigger barely hit the ground before receiving multiple kicks to the head and face.

"That's for calling me weak!" the first roared running a hand through his sweat streaked purple hair. As he turned matching red eyes meant and he smirked. "Enjoy the show Princess?" Moray returned the grin with a curt, "I always do Dark."

Emerging from her dream like state, Moray blinked looking around with a frown. The rain was getting heavier and Jim motioned for the boys to head home.

"Can't risk you guys getting sick," he explained as they ran off. Her ponytail rustled as she started running for North Clocktown, tears flying off her, disappearing into the rain. Pausing by the arch Zelda's shadow observed to men standing in front of the Mayor's Office deep in an argument. The chief carpenter Mutoh and Captain Viscen of the guard were exchanging hushed comments but their voices were steadily rising.

"We should evacuate the town!" Viscen insisted crossing his arms.

"No, no, no!" Mutoh nearly shouted. "The Carnival of Time is a tradition!" Eyebrows creasing Moray thought back to the argument this reminded her of.

They were a little older, both a little taller. Moray's hair was longer, braided simply and tossed over her shoulder. Carefully she worked at wrapping cotton bandages around Dark's forearm which was bleeding rather heavily. He was covered also by many other cuts and scrapes a few of which were already bandaged.

"You really should be more careful!" she reprimand quietly tying the edge of the covering off.

"I won didn't I?!" Dark hissed angrily. "That's the point isn't it?" Moray pursed her lips moving to his back and slipping his tunic over his head. His back was a picture of black and blue bruises crusted with half dried blood. Brushing her hand over it she felt like crying. Gently she leaned forward placing her cheek against the large of his back just between his shoulder blades.

"Is it?" she asked in a whisper causing Dark to jerk away. She looked at him, worry reflecting in her amber colored eyes but he roughly shoved her back.

"Power and winning is all that matters!" he shouted down at her. "Anyone who thinks otherwise is not only weak but a coward as well!" Hurt Moray curled into herself shaking at the words.

"Some Princess of Shadows you turned out to be!" he spat in her face stalking off. "I never want to see you again!" She wanted to call out to him but her voice had failed her.

"Come now gentlemen let's continue this inside." Moray hadn't noticed the Mayor appear and usher the men inside for when she looked up they were gone. Letting her face fall into shadow she kept going, headed back to where Link was sleeping. Halfway there she heard the Stockpot Inn's door open and out walked Anju the innkeeper. She opened her umbrella and stepped out into the rain watching the sky with a sad expression.

"Where are you Kafei?" she murmured. "Was I not good enough? Was I not STRONG enough?" The words hit Moray like a ton of bricks causing her to gasp holding the left side of her chest.

They were older still. The night was filled with stars that winked down at her. Moray sat atop the castle's wall watching as Dark hefted his backpack higher. He didn't look up at her, just started walking the long road to the Water Temple to battle his counter part, a young man named Link. They hadn't spoken since the argument a year before but she could not help but fret over him. A Deku Scrub waddled up behind her catching her attention.

"Master Ganondorf wishes to speak with you," it informed her in a dry voice so Moray stood and followed him to the throne room. It was no longer her Father she would meet but the human born of pure evil sitting high on the throne. Bowing stiffly she asked why she had been summoned.

"I assume you have noticed Dark leaving?" She nodded slowly. "I also assume you realize that none of my servants who have faced Link have returned…" She glared at him but kept her jaw locked firmly in place. Ganondorf's laughter filled the room. Dark was different, she told herself, Dark was strong. Dark never returned.

Her tears were gone now, and her mouth was set in a firm straight line. Maybe she was just a shadow…maybe being strong WAS all that matter….and maybe, just maybe she wasn't strong… "No," she thought bitterly. "Dark believed that and he lost." Clenching her fists she thrust her chin in the air.

"I'm not just a shadow I am Moray, and I am strong!" Behind her Link stirred and she cast him a glance over her shoulder. "Crying is for the weak! I would never cry! It was just the rain," she insisted to herself trying to forget the fact that the rain was still falling through her.

A.N. Not much to say here. I'm proud of this, especially the flash backs!

R&R No flames please!

TheLastRose