Chapter Fourteen: Articulation Point Part 1 of 8

Day ? ? ?

She is dreaming, because this is a courtyard of a place that does not exist. He is not down there training, but could she even face him if he was? It has been a long time. She comes for a few minutes every night to see him, but he hasn't seen her in months.

(But that's… not right, is it? She hasn't dreamed of this place in months. Not since she… since she… What happened again?)

Twilight Princess Link bursts through the doors, marching into the center and looking around like he's on a mission. She's above, on the top of the wall looking down. Her brain keeps circling around that she can hear his heavy breathes and soft footfalls and the wind that picks up in the dreams. She is unnoticeable, but she notices all the senses and doesn't understand why this is important.

She is unnoticeable and his eyes pass over her three times before he looks to the sky and shouts 'Come out, Yin!'

Fear and remorse shoot through her. She doesn't move and doesn't answer, because it's been too long and what if-

'I'm not angry,' he says, face twisting in regret. 'Please I… I need you. Please.'

She appears on the ground in a blink, but still goes unnoticed. Hesitantly she reaches out a hand that doesn't touch him. She is afraid.

'I love you,' he tells the open air. 'Please, don't go.'

"I love you too," Yin whispers. He turns and grabs her visible self, pulling her tightly yet comfortably against his chest. "What happened?"

'You were injured,' comes the whispers in her mind. She doesn't feel any pain. 'I came as soon as I could. I would have come sooner, but something's been keeping me away.'

"You didn't have to come," Yin says slowly, enjoying their hug. It's warm and she didn't realize how cold she was. "I would have been fine."

'I know.' He whines against her neck. 'I've missed holding you like this.'

Her head slowly rises as she tries to piece together that meaning. It's been months since he's seen her- no. It's been months since… since they've shared DrEaMs.

Yin wakes up with a sharp gasp, which turns into a scream when her body protests her sitting up. The warm, furry body beside her switches to above her and tries to hold her arms down. Blue eyes pierce into hers as she struggles to breathe. "Link?"

"Get off her," snaps Simoné. The wolf obeys, but doesn't stop watching from her bedside. "Yin, I need you to take a few deep breathes and tell me what hurts."

"Everything aches." The woman replies, slowly moving. She's assisted in sitting up and is given a glass of water. Her reflection does a good job at portraying just how awful she feels. And what she remembers- "What day is it?"

"137," Simoné says, watching her closely.

Yin doesn't react yet. "How long was I out?"

"Barely a day. You and a bunch of people have been missing since the Yiga attacked everyone."

"Everyone?" Yin blinks and swallows the real water. "Can you catch me up, please?"

"Of course, hun," Simoné pats Yin's hand, ignoring the other woman's shudder and switching to grasp it. "But first, you'll need to convince your saviours that staying here is the best for you."

"My… saviours?" she looks to Twi, who is helping Chu'thulu onto her bed. The wolf shakes his head and twists to look out the stable. Two Lizalfos hover on the outskirts, hissing whenever people get to close. "Oh."

(Thank you.)

Day 138

Simoné and Yuki have her doing exercises from what they remember of their days in physiotherapy and other healing from past injuries. Her once-broken arm has full use, but the bone and muscles pull and ache from forced healing. Her once-sprained wrists and ankles need rest, but every couple of hours she must stretch out the leg that had cracked and the knee that had come out of socket when she impacted. Her once-dislocated shoulder just needs rest, so she really is invalid and has to let the others feed her for the few days it takes for her body to adjust to the healing.

(How am I alive? Yin wonders that more than once.)

Her bruised ribs make it hard to lie down, but Twi is always there keeping an eye on her. He helps her stay alert, but he has yet to say a word. Yin's already recounted her story to everyone who asks. She learns he had absorbed the Horse Charm and Simoné had tucked the key away in Yin's dimensional pocket when they had to strip her to make sure everything was healing.

Lost in thought, but wondering for a while, she finally asks, "If I could get your things from the other world, would you be alright with me going to search?"

He blinks a few times, then abruptly stands and glowers at her. She takes it as a no.

"I'm offering," Yin says quietly, turning away to look at the bustling stable. "I won't do it without you knowing."

He calms and moves to rest his head on her unhurt shoulder. Yin smiles and tilts her head on his.

The peace is broken when Cain rides up, fearful expression turning into one of relief when he sees her. Yin smiles a bit sadly, unable to wave but greets him nonetheless. "Long time, no see."

"I hate you," he tells her and wipes his eyes. "You're going to make me grey before I'm thirty again."

"I'm not trying for that, I swear."

"I know," he whispers and sits on her free bedside. "Izzy is happy you made it back. I want to know what happened."

"Make yourself comfortable. And I want to hear what happened with you all."

Day 140

Yin finally has permission to walk so long as she doesn't strain anything. Opaque and Grasshus stopped by for a visit, and she spent another hour explaining to them that under no circumstance are they to kidnap her and keep her deep in monster territory. She promises to start training again in a week.

Two humans ride up to the stable; two dainty and aristocratic women. Yin's glad everyone seems to have learned at least basic Hylian by now, since neither her nor Simoné or Yuki can translate. The healing woman stays on her bed while the others talk, gently petting Twi (real, it feels so real out here). Simoné gasping has her leaning a bit to see what caused it. Twi growls a bit, eyes locking on the doorway while his ears twitch in reply to whatever Simoné whispers. Yin gets ready to shift, but the wolf nudges her back into relaxing.

When Simoné pull out her slingshot and hands it over, Yin tilts her head and wonders. She doesn't have to wait long. He leaves the humans to talk and makes his way inside, practically floating over the floorboards in his ghostly form.

Skyward Sword Link nods his head at Twi, who continues to growl softly but nods back. The Hero of the Sky stops in front of Yin, smiling a bit sleepily and shrugging. 'Hi.'

"Hello," Yin raises her eyebrows. "You're Link?"

'Call me Sky,' he shrugs, his ratty outfit adding to the image that he rolled out of bed recently. 'Have we met before?'

"No," Yin replies and holds up her not-broken-anymore arm to make the Beetle appear. "But I'm pretty sure this is yours."

He stares at it almost unbelieving. Twi looks interested as well; his growling cuts off to silence. Sky hesitantly reaches out a hand. 'I think you're right.'

Yin holds it out further. It feels odd, the item turning into white particles as soon as Sky touches it. When it's all gone he steadies himself against the bed, breathing hard and staring into space. Yin just waits, knowing by now how this strange power surge goes.

'I'll write you letters,' Sky says suddenly, quietly. Yin glances over to meet a soft, wondering gaze. Yin goes to reply when the staring goes on too long, but he's sifted to talk to Twi. 'Keep her away from Hyrule Field.'

"Pardon me?" Yin asks a bit shrilly. Twi nods like whatever was implied was obvious. "Do I get to know why I'm not allowed an up-close visit with the castle?"

'No,' Sky answers while Twi shakes his head. Then Sky hugs her gently, making Twi growl again. 'Thank you for helping me.'

"I wasn't going to leave you there," Yin scoffs, patting his semi-solid back. "I look forward to hearing about your adventures."

Twi immediately sidles up to her side when Sky lets go. He glowers at the Hylian's retreating, but sinks into her touch when she runs fingers through his fur again. Yin watches and knows. There's some jealousy and anger that flares before she squashes it back and chuckles at the sight of Sky twirling one of the women around. They look so happy and the love on the human's face-

(Friends, she reminds herself and crushes the hope that had been growing. We'll be friends. It's better than anything she could have wished for.)

Yin just smiles cheekily when Sky shoots her a wide-eyed look after the woman he swings kisses him. The healing woman is more worried about Simoné, who quickly excuses herself and sits on Yin's free side. She leans close to the sling and hesitantly wraps her arm around Yin's waist.

(Meeting your hero can hurt a lot; she knows.)

"He didn't even look twice at me," Simoné whispers with a disappointed sigh. "I shouldn't have had expectations."

"We're still here," Yin whispers back, motioning to herself, Twi, and Chu'thulu. "I'm not a hero, though."

"You're better," Simoné chuckles and pats Yin's leg. She kisses Yin on the cheek, making the other woman raise her eyebrows. "Never change."

Twi attempts to not glare at the obviously crushed woman, which Yin appreciates. The shorter woman leans her head on Simoné. "It would be boring if I didn't, though."

"Then never change for me."

"Of course, hun."

Day 141

Yin manages to convince them she doesn't need a sling. Today she stands taller and makes small talk with the others who work at the stable. Twi eventually urges her back to the bed, but it was productive. It took her mind off her worries and fears.

Most importantly, it stopped her from thinking about travelling. She doesn't want to go back to the silence, but there are others out there still missing in the constructions. Maybe going back to scavenging will rid her of the urges to move and be productive. Maybe getting into a routine again will stop the jumpiness building the longer she sits in bed. Maybe it would stop the Yiga from finding her.

She blames Sky and Twi's little conversation yesterday. In a few days she'll forget all about it, but now she wants to know what's in Hyrule's fields. What does the castle look like up close? Can she make it to the ruined towns and come back alive?

She isn't stupid. The Guardians swarm central Hyrule and she has no wish to meet them. However, there are routes around Hyrule that ignore the Guardian's surveillance paths. Phantom's letter about Purah comes to mind. The only thing Yin would have to worry about are the monsters along the routes. Those are easily avoidable if she rides a horse. She'd have to talk with her teachers about skipping lessons, but she could would be gone a week at most. Nothing too consequential. This time everyone would know she's left.

Twi gets up to hunt dinner for the stable. Yin watches him go off, and then puts Chu'thulu on her head while she goes to talk with the workers again.

"That has to be the strangest thing I've seen," drawls a voice behind her.

Yin turns with a dry smile. "Hi Casey, hi Win. Lovely to see you both."

Win smiles and waves from where he floats above them. Casey's mean-toothed grin falters when the semi-solid ghost says, 'Hi big sister!'

"I thought I was your older sibling," Casey grumbles.

'You are,' Win floats down, trying to appease them. 'You are older courage sibling. Yin is older power sibling.'

Yin doesn't get to hear his side of the conversation and raises an eyebrow when Casey relaxes. "So, who's wisdom?"

'Kiki.'

"I am glad to see you both," Yin breaks in, pretending like she isn't hauling horse feed to the workers. "How have you been since the attacks?"

"A bit scared," Casey admits. "Win protected me when they came, and we've been staying away from Zade while he recovers."

"Oh?"

"He's really grumpy all the time. I haven't seen him smile since before the attack."

"Oh?" Simoné pops out of nowhere with a raised eyebrow and a displeased expression. "Do you think I should pay a visit again?"

Yin blinks. "You went to Lurelin?"

"Please visit again," Casey deadpans earnestly. "He's reverting back to how he was before you talked to him."

"Now this I have to hear."

(If Twi's immensely disproving about coming back to find her outside by the fire, he says nothing still and sits next to Win.)

Day 142

"Oh my gosh," Yin gapes.

Simoné snorts and gets up to greet the new arrivals. "It's about time. They apparently showed up at Highland Stable a few days ago."

The groupies ride up with unimpressed glances and covered in sweat. In Ruto's case, fluffed up hair. The humidity is doing nothing for them.

"I think this is my time to make an escape," Yin mutters to Twi. The wolf looks unconvinced. "I'm feeling a lot better, and the less I have to see them the better." Second impressions may be better than first impressions, but she's not taking that chance. "I'll meet you at the entrance?"

He huffs but slinks into the shadows to avoid the new people as well. Yin reaches into her pocket dimension and pulls out the EX key necklace. As she slips it on and tucks it away in her leaf-woven crop top, she notices something else in the pocket. Hesitantly, Yin slips it out and cradles it delicately. "Well I'll be…"

Maybe this is why he hasn't been speaking. Yin gently puts the Twilight Princess: Link Amiibo back in her pocket.

It's easy to slip around the stable and tell Simoné, Yuki, and the stable hands goodbye. Yin almost feels sorry when she hears the broken Hylian of the groupies. They couldn't have started learning the language until they came down from the Great Plateau, and Link up and ditched them. Still, Yin won't be staying when a perfectly good situation has come around for her to get out. "Ready to go?"

She, Twi, and Chu'thulu walk back. Yin greets the monsters they pass, even stopping to thank Xeron for getting her rescuers to her in time. She gets a letter to pass on to Isabella. With a wave and after picking a few mushrooms, they continue on.

"Thank you," Yin tells Twi, not looking when he glances up. "I found what you put in my bag. Thank you."

He looks back at the path, a soft huff leaving him.

Yin checks on the crevice. It looks untouched and cold, but it's still home. She hangs up the wet clothing to dry, and then sighs. "Time to face the music."

Isabella almost mows her down. Cain laughs at the sight while the girl sobs her relief. "You aren't allowed to disappear again!"

"Of course, dear," Yin replies, soothing the girl's hair. The woman looks up and smiles, and notices. Maybe she's too paranoid, but Phanna's relief is a little too much. Almost like guilt. She brushes off the thought, but the look doesn't fade from the other woman even as she smiles. "Now, how about you catch me up with everything and I'll tell you what happened."

Yin stays with Perosa long after the others have heard the story and gone back to work. The older Hylian smiles curiously, grabbing the younger woman's hand and holding tightly. "I am glad you are safe."

"Same," Yin's smile falters when she forces the question from her throat. "Why is Phanna guilty?"

"That girl," Perosa sighs and releases the hand. "She's done nothing, dear. Every now and then she believes in the sins of her parents, but she holds no claim to any of them."

"Perosa?"

"Her mother was a Yiga member."

That… well it hurts and thank goodness Twi is dropping off Chu'thulu with its herd because that is not a can of worms she wants to deal with. "But she's not?"

"No, her father got her out."

Yin nods slowly and gets up. "Thank you for telling me."

"Don't be hard on her."

"I won't."

Yin comes up behind Phanna when the woman is cleaning out the horse stalls. She makes sure she is noticed, sees the guilt, and holds out her arms in a clear indicator for a hug. "I don't blame you for anything."

"What-"

"Perosa told me."

The stable hand slumps like her wires have been cut. "I swear I don't talk to them. I haven't told them anything."

"I know you wouldn't," Yin keeps her arms out and in place, "because you're our friend. It just hurts that I didn't hear it from you."

"I'm sorry. I will tell him."

"He won't care, you know. Neither of them will, just like I don't."

"I'm sorry," Phanna steps forward and hugs her. A few tears leak through, but no one will tell. "If I had known-"

"I don't want you anywhere near them," Yin tells her. "So don't blame yourself if they ever do something like this. Ever."

They sit down and have a long talk. Then they sit down with Cain and Isabella. It's a long night, but they're all better for it.

"Don't hate her," Yin whispers when she tells Twi everything later. "She had no part to it."

I know, he seems to grumble. Just give me time.

Yin nods and curls up under her blanket. "I'll just be gathering supplies tomorrow. Nothing exciting if you want to… go."

'I'm not leaving you,' he promises in her dreams.

A/N: The next chapter's going to be long, so it will be awhile until the next update. Thanks for reading!

Thank you, Satrinity, for your review! Keep an eye out, the Silent Realm may still come up. The masks really are amazing, and the side quests to get some of them were a lot of fun. Stealing items from monsters with the whip is always great, especially when you can see the item you need on their belt. I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you so much for your review!

Thank you, Wolf and Leopard, for your review! I'm glad to hear! I'm glad things aren't confusing, hopefully I can keep it up with what's coming. Thank you so much for your review and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Thank you, TheParadoxicalOxymoron, for your review! Definitely some wolf hugs; the Link's need to step up for the harem already… I'm so glad to hear that! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter and thank you so much for your review!

Thank you, NewCanvas, for your review! Thank you so much! I really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and thank you again for your review!

Thank you, Goldenfightergirl, for your review! That means a lot to hear, thank you! Link doesn't know who the other six potential interests, so I'm putting the current list below. Thank you for your review, and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Have an amazing week

The people with a Romantic Interest in Yin (in alphabetical order):

- Cia

- Link: Breath of the Wild

- Link: Skyward Sword

- Link: Twilight Princess

- Phantom Ganon: Ocarina of Time

- Ravio: A Link Between Worlds

- Simoné