A/N: Ee-gad! I haven't been putting my little disclaimer the past couple of chapters! I'm so glad I noticed because I wouldn't want my story to get deleted. -.- I'd be so pissed. Any who I was reading my previous chapters earlier to make sure I was following the storyline well enough and I noticed a bunch of typos. D: and what makes me so mad is the fact the words aren't even misspelled! It's just a wrong word! Gah, anyways hope that hasn't bothered you guys to wits end like it has me. Enjoy!

I don't own legend of Zelda or any of its characters.

Chapter 11: Truth and Trust

"So what is your answer, Dark Link?" Ganondorf asked raising a golden ruby encrusted goblet to his lips, "Will you join me again?"

Dark just sat silently deep in thought. His eyes were wide with confusion, shock, and anger. Link did not know how he felt about him, so he had no reason to be upset about the kiss. Dark couldn't explain how or why he felt the way he did either so that too contradicted any reason he had to be upset. Except that the kiss was from that back stabbing Sheikah who was always throwing Dark to the dogs. Link sat there and let him fill his head with lies about Dark and was constantly trying to turn Link against him. Yet, Dark was no better. He was doing the same thing about Sheik, telling Link that he didn't care about his feelings and that he treated him worse than dirt.

Every reason Dark could come up with to be angry with Link he reasoned out with another explanation. He was so lost. He looked down, and noticed he was still wearing Link's goron tunic. It was soft and worn from Link wearing it during his battles. It even still smelt like him. Dark wanted to burst into tears as he clutched at the fabric that didn't belong to him. Did the act between the two really mean that he was choosing Sheik over Dark? That's surely how it felt. Besides, Sheik had proven his innocence and kindness to Link so that left Dark in the dust. He had so many unanswered questions that he had to talk to Link before he made any decisions. The only reason he was even considering helping Ganondorf is because he was longing for a purpose. He thought that he had one, but it seemed that opportunity was now gone.

As usual the Dark Lord had read the poor young man's mind and spoke up, "You don't have to answer me now Dark. In fact you don't even need to come back and give me a response. I will leave it up to you to decide over the rest of Link's journey since I know you will run back to him as soon as you leave this place. You have the upper hand Dark. You can betray him right under his nose and he won't even see it coming! You decide when and if you are going to follow through and if you don't… it will be a good fight between the three of us in the end." Ganondorf concluded. He waved towards the door, "Now leave my castle. Your sappiness is making me sick."

Dark stood to his feet and bowed towards the Evil King. Even though he was out to rule the world, he had to admit he had been exceptionally kind to him. Giving him a choice and then allowing him to leave so easy… he must be very confident in his abilities if he wasn't worried about fighting against Dark and Link in the end. As Dark started to walk towards the door he slid out a hand and knocked the glass ball Ganondorf used to spy on Link off of the table and crashing to the floor. It shattered into a million sparkling pieces but among them all scattered across the ground he could still see Link in the Temple of Time… smiling.

Ganondorf just smirked, "I have other ways Dark." And those were the last words from the Evil King, Dark heard before he left the castle. He walked slowly and solemnly towards the direction of the sacred Temple of Time, finally letting his tears fall.

Link had fallen asleep sitting against the wall like some sort of lost warrior, but his eyes shot open as soon as he heard the iron doors of the Temple of Time open. He looked down to his side and picked up his sword and ran to see who the visitor was. He sighed with relief when he saw Dark walking towards him. His eyes were red and puffy, still glazed over with remnants of tears. Even in this state, Dark forced a smile when he saw Link standing just a few yards ahead of him.

"Dark…" Link whispered, "How did you find me?"

"It's a secret." Dark replied with a pathetic smirk. If only Link knew the truth in that statement. Link smiled weakly and walked towards him slowly while sheathing his sword, "Are you still angry with me?..." Dark muttered looking at the floor. I hope you know I'm dying on the inside…

"No…" Link replied lowering his eyelids, "Not at all."

Dark looked up at him in shock. He was sure that after Sheik had proven he'd cared for Link that it would make Dark look like a liar and a traitor, "But wh… why not?" Dark had to know why Link was all of a sudden so forgiving.

"To be honest… I'm not sure. I feel like I've found a new happiness inside my heart… it makes me feel at peace." Link answered smiling lightly, his blue eyes sparkling with a new profound feeling of harmony. Dark almost choked on his breath as he heard Link say those words, "Dark… are you okay?" Link asked worried. He placed a hand on his friend's shoulder but he pushed him away. The room began to spin and Dark felt nauseous. He stared at Link and then thought of Ganondorf's face.

"I need to leave." He muttered as he ran out of the door of the Temple of Time. Link ran after him but Dark was too quick, if he had not been wearing Link's red tunic he would have disappeared into the night. Dark ran past the redeads with ease but as soon as Link came within a few feet of one nearby, he suddenly froze. A horrible groan started to echo throughout the ruins of broken down buildings, causing Dark to turn around. He saw Link standing right in front of an oncoming redead yet he wasn't moving. He stood there panicking with beads of sweat dripping from his face. His eyes were filled with fear as he watched the mummified creature approach slowly.

This wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been so careless. He was focusing too hard on catching up to Dark that he hadn't even noticed the monsters that lurked. The creature was disgusting, with gaping black holes for eyes and a mouth and skin that looked as if it had been rotting for eternity. Link tried to move; even the slightest movement would help him. If he could only blink he could snap out of it but the force of the impending torturing evil was too strong and he stood helpless.

The monster was now so close to him he could feel its hot breath tickling his neck. He shuddered as he awaited the monsters bite, which would suck the blood and energy right out of him. Just as the beast was about to latch onto him it cried out in a horrific moan. Link gasped and then looked down to see a black version of the master sword's blade sticking through the creature's torso and almost stabbing Link himself. Dark pushed his blade to the side cutting the redead in half, then to make sure it was surely to die he stabbed his blade through it's skull and twisted harshly for finality. Dark continued to look down at the abomination and didn't even give Link a glance. He spun on his heels and continued to walk away.

Link followed him close behind and when they had reached the field, out of harm's way he called after Dark.

"Hey, wait up!"

Dark stopped still but didn't turn to face him. He was so hurt he couldn't bear to even look at Link.

"Dark, what's wrong? Why are you so upset?" Link asked now just a few inches from his other half. Dark remained silent, not only did he not want to look at Link he didn't want him to see him crying either, "You don't have to leave… I'm sorry for what I said before…" Link trying to apologize only made Dark's heart break even more so and before he knew it he fell to his knees sobbing uncontrollably. He doesn't even know… that saw what happened. Link suddenly became very nervous; He'd never seen Dark cry before and to this intensity was mind boggling.

"Dark! Please, what's wrong? You can tell me…" Link whispered wrapping his arms around Dark, hugging him gently from behind. Your touch is only making my pain ten times worse… Dark thought, yet he didn't pull away, "Navi, why don't you leave for a while. Go to the forest… I'll come to you when I'm ready." Surprisingly she did not hesitate or question him and took off in the direction of Kokiri Forest. Link continued to rub Dark's back and brush his mop of black hair away from his face so it would not stick to his cheeks from his hot tears. He didn't ask him why he was crying again instead he encouraged him to walk alongside him towards the direction of Kakariko village.

Dark stumbled over his feet as he walked beside Link. He was still wobbly and shaky from his intense sob session. He'd never felt such an ache from inside him, having feelings was not all it was cracked up to be. He'd much rather be a soulless monster. He still had not said a word to Link because in actuality he didn't know what to say. If he told Link he saw Sheik kiss him, he would ask him how he knew since he was obviously not in the Temple at the moment. Then he would have to tell him about his meeting with Ganondorf which would only lead to disaster. He wouldn't bring it up.

"We can stay at the inn until I leave tomorrow…" Link whispered to Dark as they crossed the bridge that led to the village. Silence. Dark was still staring at the ground, walking only because Link was almost pulling him along, "If you want, I can put off the shadow temple one more day…?" Link asked, almost pleading for him to respond. Dark lightly shook his head. That was the best response he'd gotten in a while, "Well, why not? We can do whatever you want to." Dark only thought of the last time him and Link had spent time together and that Sheikah had to come and ruin things. He curled his lips inward as he remembered his and Link's lips pressed together. He shook his head 'no' again. Link sighed and slid his hand down Dark's arm and into his palm, lacing his fingers around his.

"I don't know what has gotten you so upset Dark, but if I knew I would destroy it."

Dark looked up at him with weary eyes and then back down at their entwined hands. You already had your chance… Dark recalled as he remembered Link cornering Sheik with his sword drawn, ready to kill. Dark wanted nothing more than for that sorry ass Sheikah to suffer as much as he was at this very moment. How did he feel Link…

When they arrived at the inn, Link had to basically break down the door before the keeper answered it. He knew that it was late but he didn't care. Maybe once they were together alone in a comfortable setting, Dark would finally cave and tell him what was wrong. The inn keeper was a bit peeved, but was obligated to help the Hero of Time and after a few minutes they had a key to their room. When they walked inside Dark slumped against a wall instead of lying on the bed like any other person would have. He took off his hat and placed his sword and shield to the side. He pulled up his knees to his chest and pressed his face against his palms. Link sat in front of him after placing his weaponry beside Dark's and started to unlace one of Dark's boots. Dark allowed him to do so but keeping his hands to his face.

"If you tell me what's wrong, I'll tell you a secret." Link finally said after he had managed to get both his and Dark's boots off. He started to take off his gauntlets as he awaited Dark's answer. Of course he didn't respond and Link felt this was his time to go first, "Okay well, seeing as how you are my other half, I trust I can confide anything to you. I want to get it off my chest… it may seem kind of strange…" At this Dark looked up with full attention on what Link was about to say. He wanted Link to admit what had happened.

"After I had returned from the past, Sheik was waiting for me in the Temple. He came to speak to me about my sudden change in character. I have to admit, your words really messed with my head. I couldn't focus and I was irritated constantly. I even had this weird flashback right after our argument… but that's another story." Link continued. He held out his hand as if to ask for Dark's. He complied and Link began to take off his black gauntlets as well. Dark waited impatiently for Link to finish and after he got Dark's other glove off he did, "Anyway, what you said about Sheik isn't true. I don't think that he's trying to be rude to me. I believe he is only concerned for the safety of Hyrule." Dark bit his lip trying to fight back any rude come backs, "I came very close to hurting him Dark… all because of what you said." Link looked up into Dark's ruby eyes with hurt, "But I didn't and when I tried to apologize he… he" Link stuttered trying to force out what he was trying to say. He looked at Dark once more and his cheeks were beginning to flush. Dark couldn't take anymore.

"He did what, Link?" He muttered bluntly staring intently at Link waiting to hear the words he wanted to be said so badly. Link gasped in shock when Dark spoke, but then he smiled faintly, glad to hear his voice.

"He… he kissed me…" Link mumbled looking away with an embarrassed expression. Dark didn't answer instead he just stared at the floor the way he had been the past hour, "I… I don't know how I feel about that." Link finished.

"What do you mean?" Dark asked dully still gazing solemnly at the ground.

"Is… isn't it wrong?" Link asked slowly.

"I don't understand what you are asking." Dark replied.

"Well, I've only seen him as merely a friend…" Link explained, "And… and he's… well he's a man." Dark glanced over to Link and stared into his sparkling sapphire eyes. There was an awkward silence before Dark finally spoke again.

"Do you love him?" He asked directly showing no emotion in his voice. Link gulped, taken back by Dark's question.

"N-no! I… I don't think so?" Link squealed with huge eyes.

"I don't suppose it matters if he's a man or not, if you love him. Who's to say you can only love a woman?" Dark answered hopelessly, "Love can't be defined by rules. It is what it is." Link thought deeply about Dark's response and smiled.

"I suppose your right," He smiled, "However, even still I don't think I'm in love with Sheik… actually I'm quite positive that I'm not." He answered with affirmation and a nod. Dark couldn't help but smirk but he was still hurt, "Are you going to tell me why you were so upset now?" Dark's grin quickly faded as he realized he was going to have to tell Link the truth.

"I'd rather not… I'm feeling much better now actually." Dark responded avoiding eye contact with Link.

"Oh come on!" Link laughed, "You have to tell me! I just told you something extremely personal… I'd die of embarrassment if anyone besides you knew." He sat there smiling his one in a million smiles at Dark and he couldn't bear it any longer.

"Well, technically you already know…" Dark muttered barely below a whisper, "I mean… you are already aware of the reason as to why… I'm upset." Link raised an eyebrow in confusion. He wasn't making any sense.

"What do you mean?" Link asked.

"Why I'm upset… the reason. It's what you just told me…" Dark answered looking at his feet.

"I just told you that… you were upset before?" Link stuttered confused.

"I saw everything, Link."

He'd finally confessed.

A/N: Thank you guys SO much for your reviews! I always enjoy reading them and I would send you each a pm to show you how much I care but most of you guys are anonymous… -_- but that's okay! That's why I'm writing this now. You know who you are. ;D I love you guys! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.