IS92: Hey peeps! XD I find that kinda ironic because I'm writing this so close to Easter. I'm sorry that I just left off at a bit of a cliff hanger last time. I just had to wrap the chapter up before it got too long. Besides, the fight to come deserves a chapter that can fit it all, ne? Well, anyway, no own, no sue, and on to the angst! XD It just seems as if that's all this fic is sometimes, this chapter included.

Ch. 11

As the door opened, a certain foreboding filled me. What was beyond this seemingly ordinary door that filled me with such fear?

"Link…!" I gasped, we've got to be careful… There's something dangerous in there." I could barely believe my eyes nor my ears when I realized he was laughing.

"You shouldn't worry so much." He said, "I've gotten this far on my own, haven't I?"

"So says the guy who nearly fell to his death down a bottomless pit." His overconfidence was going to be his demise at this rate.

"You are never going to let me live that down, are you?"

"Not until you stop being reckless." I replied, rather short with him.

The room was shrouded in a thick layer of mist, immediately making me feel as if I was in a dream. Or, more appropriately, a nightmare, as that foreboding feeling was still there despite the apparent emptiness of the room.

"I followed link across the room, sighing when he decided to try to open the door despite the heavy iron bars that were in the way. This was going to be a long dungeon, I could feel it now.

"You didn't see a switch anywhere, did you?" He asked, stepping back and scratching his head.

"I'd think it impossible, seeing as this mist is covering everything in sight." I replied. With a sigh, he turned around, walking back towards the entrance.

"I guess we're can't get through for now. Let's check back later." He said.

But something didn't feel right.

The whistle of a blade through the air was the only warning we had.

"Link! Look out!" I cried, tackling the Hero to shove him to the side. A searing pain shot through my side as the blade intended for Link hit me in the ribs. I clutched at my side as I removed myself from where I'd landed, covering the red splotch that was blooming across the cloth of my armor. It had sliced through it cleanly, showing only a small patch of my skin.

Link looked at me and blanched. I could understand, as I was sure this was the only time he'd seen an ally wounded in combat.

"I'm fine! Get up and fight!" I shouted, trying to snap him out of the daze he was in.

He shook his head and drew his sword, looking for his opponent, who was hiding in the mist at the moment.

"Coward! Show yourself!" Link shouted into the mist, "Are you so weak that you only attack an unsuspecting opponent?"

"That's rather backwards, now isn't it?" a cold, sibilant voice replied from the mist. I couldn't place it, but I'd heard it before somewhere.

"After all, I'm you." A figure stepped from the mist, a perfect copy of Link, other than the fact that this man was darker, and from what I could tell, much more evil.

"How are you supposed to be me?" Link asked.

"Shut up and fight, Hero." The dark Link replied, his blood red eyes flashing dangerously.

It was then that I'd finally placed the voice.

A presence appeared behind me, but I couldn't move to face it.

"You're next, Sheikah boy." A soft sibilant voice said from behind me.

The voice was that of the specter in my dream. The foreboding that had filled me when we had entered the room was nothing compared to the pure unadulterated fear that coursed through my body now. I pushed myself up on my free hand, trying to get up but failing. I was losing blood fast, despite how superficial the wound had seemed. I did my best to staunch the flow of blood and stay quiet, as any distraction from me could cost the Hero his life at this point.

The two fighters raged across the water-covered floor. Each time Link would attempt to attack his shadow, the apparition would counter with a similar move. It was graceful in a way. The two were involved in a dance that would end in the death of one of the dancers. Neither opponent was showing any mercy, which I expected. It really drove it home that these two were fighting not only for some distant seeming cause, but also for their very lives.

It was something that worried me greatly, although it didn't stay at the forefront of my mind for long.

Because soon after the thought entered my mind, I felt a new presence in the room, something very familiar that I never thought I'd feel again.

"Hey."

The familiar voice brought tears to my eyes. It… It couldn't be…! I turned to look at the speaker, and when I confirmed the suspicions of my disbelieving mind, I felt as if I couldn't breathe.

"V-Val. Is it…? Is it really you…?" I breathed, unable to speak any louder than a whisper.

"Yeah. It's me, babe." He said, the same warm smile crossing his face that I would never forget for the rest of my life.

"How…?" I asked, "I… I thought you were dead…!" I couldn't believe it. He was really alive! But something still didn't feel right. I couldn't place it, but it felt wrong. Was it really him?

"I don't know." He replied, "That's the funny thing. Did you know I've been looking for you for the last who knows how long? You're not an easy man to find, Sheik."

"You've been looking for me? After I left you for dead?"

"Yeah. I'm the one who told you to run, don't you remember?"

"Better than you would imagine."

"Do you really think that I'd just give you up? After all we'd been through?"

"I'd hope not. You were my first love, Val." I reached out towards him. "I don't want you to ever leave me again."

"Then I won't." He said, reaching back towards me. I pulled him closer, finally feeling safe again. I couldn't believe it. I was in Val's arms again. I could feel his warm embrace surround me, putting back together my broken heart. I didn't want to leave his side for anything, ever.

But I've said it before, haven't I? The Goddesses didn't seem to want the two of us to be together.

One moment, I was safe in Val's arms again. And the next, a new warmth was spreading over me. A warmth that made me cringe. I looked up at Val to see that the light in his eyes was gone. His throat had been slit, and his blood was seeping out over me. I removed myself from his grasp, fear and hysteria taking over. Over Val's body, the dark Link stood, holding his bloody sword. I wanted to scream. I wanted to run. Panic was setting in.

"It's your fault, you know." The dark Link stated, calm and collected as ever. "If you hadn't shown up, he wouldn't have come out of hiding. Truth is, I've been waiting to kill him for months now. And you're the one who lured him out. I should thank you." The shadow laughed, a sinister sound.

But it ended when a blade pierced his heart, erupting through his chest. Black blood coated the tip of the master sword, evaporating as it was exposed to the air.

"Very good, Hero. But I'm not going to die that easily." The shadow said, returning to his battle.

"I know." Link replied, a fierce look in his eyes. He yanked the sword through the shadow's body, ripping his torso in two. The battle was over, and the Hero was victorious.

"Are you alright, Sheik?" Link asked as the mist faded, revealing a simple, empty room.

I couldn't speak. Why? Why did this happen? Why again? Why now that I was just beginning to cope with his death? All I could do was hug my knees to my chest and cry.

"What's wrong?" Link asked, putting an arm around my shoulders to comfort me. "Come one, you can tell me." I shook my head. "Yes you can, now please talk to me." I couldn't control myself. Even though I'd spent years trying my hardest to seem as if I'd had no emotions at all, there was no way I could contain my grief at having happiness ripped from grasp once again. I cried for what seemed like ages before I could speak. And Link, the amazing guy he is, was so patient with me. I was grateful for that.

"I had a lover once. Someone I was so in love with I'd have died for them. And he loved me back just as much. Well, just a few years back, when the princess was being moved, we were attacked. He –his name was Valamaiel- he was with us at the time. He saved me at a time that I couldn't have saved myself. But in doing so, he gave his life. Or so I thought. But… But he was here! I saw him!" As I spoke, the tears filled my eyes once again. "And then… And then HE killed him! Right there, right after I'd just got him back!" I pointed to the spot where I had been before, where Val had been.

"Sheik, there's no one there." Link replied.

"What?" I asked, stunned, "He was there! I know it! He was… there…" I stared at the spot where Val's corpse had been.

"There was never anyone there." Link said, "I'm sorry. This person meant a lot to you, I can tell. But there was never anyone there." I looked up at him disbelievingly.

"Then… how? How did I see him so clearly?"

"I don't know. But I think it has something to do with this room. It seems to reveal the darkest parts of a person. That dark Link didn't leave a body either. He was an illusion. Perhaps this pain you have because of Valamaiel was your darkness."

"You're probably right. There was no way Val would have escaped, anyway. I shouldn't hope for something to be real when it's impossible." Link shook his head at me, seeming a bit frustrated.

"That's not what I mean. I mean that you've mourned him for long enough. If he was the kind of person it seems he was, then I'd imagine he'd tell you that, too." Link said.

And he was right. I'd mourned Val for more years than I'd thought to keep track of. I needed to come to terms with the idea that he was dead, that there was no way he could have survived. I gasped slightly as I felt strong arms surround me in a gentle hug. As Link drew back, he held onto my shoulders, looking me in the eyes.

"You know, I'll be here for you. I don't know how good I'll be as far as advice goes, but I'll definitely be here to listen if you need to talk." A warm feeling flooded me at his words.

But could I really depend on him? Although the sincerity in his eyes said that I could, the apprehension that was twisting my stomach in knots said that I couldn't.

But, by the Goddesses, I wanted to! I already cared about him, that was true. He… He had almost made me forget Val. And… If I were to be honest with myself, I didn't know how much longer I could stand to exist this way. I had been used to loneliness before, that wasn't the problem. Ever since Val's… death… however, that loneliness had been replaced by something else. It felt like… emptiness. Perhaps… Perhaps it was time that I learned to trust again.

I gazed into the Hero's eyes for a moment, then wiped away the tears that still clung to my face.

"I'll remember that."

He gave a small chuckle, his expression as warm as ever. I absently wondered how he managed to stay so cheerful. He saw so many horrible things in his life. It took a lot of courage to keep smiling during such difficult times.

"If you're okay, then let's get moving." He said, still smiling, "Even if it is for a good reason, I don't want to spend too much time here." I nodded and got up, wincing slightly.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, worry overtaking his expression. I nodded.

"It's nothing I can't bear." I replied, examining my wound, "It's bloody, but it's not as deep as it looks." I pulled out a spool of thread and a needle from the bandages beneath my tabard. "If you give me a few minutes, I'll be finished fixing myself up."

"Alright, but how are you gonna… Oh." The hero winced watching the needle slide into my skin. I would have laughed, but it would have pulled the stitches I was carefully sewing through myself, bringing the two sides of the wound together.

"It's not as painful as it looks." I said, tying the last stitch, "I promise."

"When did you learn about stuff like that?" Link asked, eyes wide with curiosity.

"The healing arts and arts of war are equal in importance when one acts as a bodyguard." I stated, "It is well enough that you can defend yourself and your charge, but you won't live long if you cannot heal your wounds. Since I was to be a bodyguard for the princess, I was educated in both arts since childhood. Besides, I had plenty of time to learn more while I was waiting for you."

I think I embarrassed him, because he flushed a little. It was the first time I'd really seen him blush like that. It confused me, though, as there was no reason he should be embarrassed as far as I could see. What I'd said was the truth.

"Alright. Let's get moving." I said, "I'm finished trying to fix myself up, so we don't need to stall here any longer."

"R-right." he said, quickly turning to the door.

My mind wandered. Why had he become embarrassed, just because I'd answered his question? I didn't know if I'd ever understand the blue-eyed boy in front of me.

The next room was very small compared to the one before. It was relatively bare, with only one visible door… the one we had entered from. A treasure chest sat on a raised dais in the middle of the room.

"Awesome!" Link shouted, his eyes lighting up, "It's got to be an item!" He ripped open the chest like a child at Yule, smiling when he pulled out the contents.

He held it high above his head, and it was some sort of contraption I vaguely remembered seeing before, although I couldn't remember where.

"What did you find?" I asked, and he held it out towards me.

"It's like my hookshot." He stated, "Except it looks like the chain is longer. And the design is a little different. But other than that it's pretty much the same. I think I'll call it… the Longshot." He grinned widely, proud of himself for naming it.

"I do hope you're a good marksman with it and it doesn't become a longshot for you to win with it."I smirked, chuckling at my own bad pun. He flushed a bit, flustered.

"That's not what I meant." He replied flatly. I couldn't help but smile. When he acted like that, getting all flustered and frustrated, he was just… just too cute! My mind was wandering again…

No! No! Bad Sheik! Bad! I thought, mentally hitting myself in the face, He doesn't think of you that way!

"Ah… Sheik?" My eyes widened as my stomach sank. What did I do now? Link continued as I slowly looked up at him. "Why are you hitting yourself?"

I was so embarrassed I could have died. I couldn't tell him! If he knew… If he knew how I felt about him… Goddesses knew what he would think.

"You need not be concerned." I replied, putting on my usual cold demeanor. When he raised an eyebrow at me, I continued. "Really, it's nothing." He shrugged at me as if to say, "if you say so" and started looking around the room. His eyes widened in pleasant surprise as he approached the back of the room.

What exactly was he doing? For a moment I thought he was injured when he disappeared altogether behind the platform.

At least, until the knocking noise began.

I heaved a sigh as I saw him lying on the floor, knocking on an irregular floor tile, listening intently.

"Link, what are you doing?" a squeaky voice asked. It took me a moment to realize that it was the fairy speaking. Navi, I believe her name was. I wondered where she had been all this time.

"Navi, do you recognize the design on this block?" He asked.

"Why?" the fairy replied. I could almost hear her eyes rolling.

"You remember the windmill, don't you? When we ended up there after racing Dampé? There was a block just like this one." He said. The fairy bounced in realization.

"Oh yeah! I remember! You made it disappear with the song of time!" She squeaked. I swear, her voice was worse than nails on a chalkboard.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I asked. The mischievous glint in Link's eye made me wonder if I shouldn't have kept my mouth shut.

"It means that this…" he said, stomping on the block, "is our door."

For a moment, I thought he was joking. But when he pulled out his ocarina and began to play the song of time, I realized he was completely serious.

With reckless abandon, he jumped down the hole left by the banished blocks. I gasped as he rapidly descended to the stone floor below. He took the fall well, landing with a roll.

"Are you crazy?" I shouted down at him, "You could have been killed!"

"You don't need to worry!" He replied, "The cliff by the shop in Kokiri Forest is higher than that, and I jumped off that all the time!" My stomach fluttered as I gauged the distance to the ground.

"Come on, you'll be just fine!" He promised, "I'll catch you." Sadly, he was missing the point. Although I didn't mind the offer. Heights did not usually bother me. It was the idea of falling that distance onto stone that did. Dirt and grass weren't a problem. They were soft enough to not give such a jarring effect. But stone was hard and cold, and could easily mean a broken bone. In fact, if I hit the floor from this height, I was sure it would. But he did say… he did say he would catch me.

Well, I had to get out of that room somehow.

I took the leap, freefalling through the air to what could have been my doom.

But it wasn't.

Because moments before I hit the ground, a strong pair of arms broke my fall.

Just like he's promised, Link had caught me.

"See? That wasn't so bad." He said, giving me a smile.

I had to agree, and, returning the smile, I realized that my apprehension earlier had all been for naught. I could depend on him after all.

IS92: Well, dang! That one took a really, really long time. I was expecting this one to be done a long time ago, but you know how it is. I start writing and I get about halfway through and writer's block decides to rear its ugly head.

Sheik: It wouldn't do that so much if you weren't so picky about what you wrote. Or as fickle with your mood.

IS92: And there's the pot calling the kettle black. You do realize that it's because of your fickle moods that this fic exists, right?

Sheik: No it isn't!

IS92: Whatever you say, Mr. Pot. Anyway, review please! I'll try to have the next chapter up soon!