A/N: Okay, first off I'd like to say I'm in a really good mood. :D Becauseeeee I got two of my most favorite things today. One: Sushi. *dies* ugh I love it it's so yummy! If you ever read my profile description (that's a whole sentence long Lol) you'll know that it is my second favorite thing in the entire world. My first favorite thing is of course Legend of Zelda! I went shopping and saw a green t-shirt with a yellow triforce and literally stared at it for 10 minutes trying to convince myself to spend my last bit of cash to buy it… and eventually I gave in. XD I happen to be wearing it right now! Yay! So in honor of thy splendid mood, I shall blessith thee readas with a new chapta! Letith thou writing commencith! Oh, oh! I almost forgot I got new fancy shmancy pens for drawing. :D I'm so broke after today, it's ridiculous. -_-
Chapter 21: Superiority
It seemed like ages that Dark waited for Link to return. He'd grown impatient and actually fell asleep while lying amongst the platform in front of the entrance to the Shadow Temple. Luckily it hadn't been raining outside. Dark had actually been enjoying his newfound rest after spending so much time in the temple; however, he was brutally awakened when the blonde hero appeared in midair from a blue portal and landed harshly on top of him. He choked upon the impact; the breath getting knocked out of him and opened his weary eyes to see a smiling Link sitting on his torso.
"Not that I'm not happy to see you… but get off of me." Dark groaned pushing Link away and rolling on to his stomach to stand up, "So what did Impa have to say?"
"Not much," Link responded also standing to his feet, "But she told me that Princess Zelda is safe. That's all I need to know." He added with a smile.
"Well, that's good." Dark forced out with a hint of jealousy, "So where to now?"
"Mm… I suppose the desert." Link answered with a shrug as he jumped over the fence on the ledge they were standing on and to the graves below. Dark followed after him and they walked towards Kakariko Village.
"So we're finally going to get some sexy Gerudo action, aye?" Dark asked with a wink while elbowing Link in the ribs. Link frowned at him and swerved around the buildings and people towards the exit, "I'm only kidding…" Dark added after Link hadn't said anything for quite a while.
"Huh?... Oh I know, Dark. Sorry! I'm just thinking about the next temple..." Link replied, "I'm sure they saved the worst for last…" He muttered while walking down the stair set just outside the village that led to Hyrule Field. He pulled out his ocarina and played Epona's song, blowing the notes quickly and not really focusing on making the song sound perfect.
"Well, at least you have me now." Dark assured him.
"Yeah," Link replied with a broad smile, "We were only in the Shadow Temple maybe a day and a half. That's half the time it usually takes me to finish." Dark just grinned in return at the thought of Link admitting he was helpful.
"So what's the plan for now? Are we heading straight towards the desert?" Dark asked as he watched Link mount Epona. Link shook his head ferociously.
"No way! Food and sleep first!" Link shouted eagerly while holding out his hand for Dark to take. He helped him up and Dark gingerly wrapped his arms around Link's waist while eyeing Navi closely to see if she was watching him. She was. Navi sat perked on Link's shoulder facing Dark with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised carefully sighting his every move.
"Turn around ugly!" Dark shouted annoyed with the fairy's burning gaze. Her jaw dropped open and she squealed with fury.
"UGLY?" She screamed angrily while kicking a tiny foot into Dark's eye. He shot an arm up to his face in pain and narrowed his good eye at her, twitching with agitation. Link just kicked Epona slightly harder to make her gallop faster. The quicker they were at their destination the better. Link had planned to stop by Lon Lon Ranch and hopefully get some food out of Malon. As rude and imposed as it sounded, that was one thing that Link never felt bad about asking for. First of all, he never had to ask to begin with. That was one of the things that Malon was really picky about; food. She always made sure that when Link arrived he wasn't starving and when he left that he was full and had something to take with him. Link didn't see it as being a moocher but easing her mind that she would know that he ate something that day.
They soon arrived at the ranch, Dark and Navi still bickering the entire way. Eventually, Dark looked around at his surroundings and he suddenly grew curious and pulled Navi off his head who was clawing and pulling his hair.
"Where are we?" Dark asked but before Link could respond a young woman with beautiful long red hair came running through the gates of the corral.
"FAIRY BOY!" she shouted waving her arms as she approached the two young men. Link dismounted the horse, Dark following behind, and ran to give her a hug. She jumped wildly into his arms and he spun her around in a tight embrace. Dark stood on the sidelines with his head cocked and a raised eyebrow. He wasn't jealous just confused as to where they were at and why this woman referred to Link as 'fairy boy'.
"Hey Malon, how have you been?" Link asked setting her back down onto her feet.
"Oh, you know! The usual… not out saving the world or anything like you have! I'm glad to see you're still in one piece!" She answered while walking towards Epona and petting her mane. She then caught sight of Dark who stood hidden within the shadows and smiled, "Hello! Who's your friend Link?"
"Malon, this is Dark. He's been helping me on my journey." Link replied with a nod in his direction. At Link's words she lit up with joy and clapped excitedly.
"Oh really? How wonderful! It's good to know that somebody is able to help you out! I can't even imagine the pressure you must have on your shoulders." She finished walking towards Dark wrapping her arms around his waist in a quick squeeze, "It's so nice to meet you Mr. Dark." Dark was a bit taken back and simply patted her back in return. Malon was always one for overly friendly greetings.
"Eh… nice to meet you to." He replied with a goofy grin while scratching the back of his head nervously.
"If I didn't know any better, I could have sworn you two are brothers!" She said with a giggle. Dark and Link looked nervously towards each other and laughed uneasily muttering inaudible things under their breath, "I bet you two are starving!" Malon said pointing to them with one hand and the other on her hip.
"YES!" Dark shouted, dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together. He stuck out a lip and pouted while widening his eyes to look as cute as possible, "Please feed me…" He begged in a high pitch tone while scooting closer to her on his knees.
Malon giggled profusely and patted the top of his head delicately, "Well I'm glad to see you aren't shy! Link here would never ask me of anything." She said pointing a thumb in his direction, "Why don't you go put Epona in the pen with the others and then come on in for supper!" She finished with a wink before entering the house.
"I like this girl." Dark said with a sly grin and took Epona's reins to lead her where the other horses roamed, Link following close behind, "And she's easy on the eyes too."
"Well, don't get any ideas. Her father has been trying to get me to marry her since we were children. He'd have a heart attack if he knew anyone else wanted to get with his daughter…" Link muttered jealously while crossing his arms.
"First off, fluff up my hair a little bit and he wouldn't know the difference. Second off, even though green is your color, envy just doesn't suit you buttercup." Dark said cleverly and poking Link in the nose, "Besides it doesn't matter if I think she's pretty. We all know who I want." He smirked seductively, showing off his fangs and giving Link a wink.
"Would you stop talking to Link like he's some sort of sex object?" Navi shrieked buzzing around like a frantic fly, "You know how much it irritates me!"
"That's half the reason I do it, sweetheart." He purred evilly then turned back towards the house eagerly awaiting a hot meal. Navi looked as though her head was going to pop from how red her face was turning and she looked over to Link with her eyes bulging from their sockets. He just stared back at her nervously and ran to catch up to Dark. After approaching the house they could already smell the wonderful aroma coming from within. Dark hurriedly opened the door to see a large pitcher of milk, a huge pot of beef stew, and two loafs of bread. His eyes widened even though he didn't know what half of the food was even called. He knew what was important: it looked good and it smelled good. That definitely meant it was going to taste good. He started drooling and licking his lips frantically in impatience.
"Dig in!" Malon said sitting in one of the chairs and using a ladle to fill a bowl with stew. Dark sat down immediately whereas Link slowly walked to his seat. Dark filled his bowl just as he'd seen Malon do but then began tilting it to let it drain into his mouth.
"Dark!" Link scolded, "Use a spoon." He said holding up the silver utensil for him to take. Dark grabbed it and looked it over.
"Spoon?" He asked confused and glanced over to Malon who was using hers to scoop up the food to put it in her mouth, "Oh…" He muttered and began to do the same, looking towards her for reassurance. She only giggled in return. Dark had already downed two bowls whereas Link was still only munching on a piece of bread when they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Malon! What the tarnation! Why didn't you tell me supper was ready?" A deep yet friendly voice bellowed from the stairs. A large bubbly figure approached the table. He had a bushy brown moustache and a blue pair of overalls on.
"Sorry Daddy, I thought you were still sleepin!" She called to him before making his plate and handing it to him. So this is the guy that wants Link to marry his daughter so bad… Dark thought with a devious grin.
"Link! Buddy!" The man shouted giving him a slap on the back as he walked behind him. Link stood to his feet like the gentleman he was and gave him a handshake.
"It's nice to see you again Talon!" Link replied with a slight bow in respect.
"How's savin the world? Oh- who's your friend?" Talon asked pointing a spoon at Dark, "I'm Talon, nice to meet ya!"
"I'm Dark, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you as well." Dark replied standing up to shake his hand as Link had, "Your daughter is an amazing cook." Link violently whipped his head in Dark's direction as he heard actual polite and intelligible words come out of his mouth. What are you up to…
"Yeah she sure is a catch… shame I can't get anybody worth givin her off to. Link here is too busy playin hero for any romance." Talon replied giving Link a slight glare. He fidgeted uncomfortably in his seat.
"Daddy…" Malon muttered embarrassed with her father talking as if she wasn't in the same room.
"Dark is helping me with saving Hyrule." Link butted in trying to change the subject, "It's much easier fulfilling my duty with an extra hand."
"Is that so? So you're going to be a hero too?" Talon asked Dark while scarfing down a bite, "You know… you even kind of look like Link. Except you got that dark hair… I bet you got women chasing you down the streets with those looks." He added with a wink. Dark laughed heartily and shook his head.
"Actually, it's quite the opposite. I'm just a shadow living behind all this fame that is the Hero of Time himself." Dark replied.
"Well that's a shame. Don't take it personal. You gotta be on a quest to kill the Dark Lord to get any kind of attention around here…" Talon muttered while rolling his eyes, "So… how do ya like Malon here? She's purdy right?" He added with a buck-toothed grin.
"Daddy… stop." Malon whispered trying to suppress her smile.
"Beautiful." Dark purred looking over at the young red-head and giving her a seductive grin. Malon couldn't help but blush and grabbed her empty plate to put away to distract herself. Dark winced in pain as he felt Link kick him from under the table. He narrowed his eyes at him to see Link glaring hatefully back.
"Well, if Linky here never makes the move I think I oughtta give you a shot. Look at her blush! She's so cute. Aren't ya darling?" Talon laughed looking towards Malon who was scrubbing the dishes fiercely. Link sighed then finished the rest of his food quickly.
"I think it's time for us to head out." Link grunted standing to his feet and pulling Dark by the arm, "Thank you for your hospitality." He said bowing to Talon and then his daughter.
"Oh wait, Link!" Malon cried while shoving some scraps of extra food into a paper sack and handing it to him, "I don't want you two to go hungry." She then turned around to get another sack that looked just a bit fuller and handed it to Dark, "Here ya go handsome. Take care of the hero." She whispered standing on her tip toes and giving Dark a kiss on the cheek. She went to hug Link and then ran up the stairs. Link's face was red with rage and Dark couldn't help but snicker. They waved goodbye and exited the house.
"What was that all about?" Link roared once they were out of hearing distance.
"You told me that I wouldn't have a chance in hell of getting that guy's approval or any attention from Malon." Dark replied, "I had to prove you wrong."
"Why?" Link squeaked, "Why must you challenge me at everything?"
"To prove you're not superior!" Dark retaliated throwing his hands in the air.
"What does it matter?" Link asked harshly while pulling himself onto Epona's saddle.
"I don't want to feel like you're better than me at everything." Dark answered honestly while holding out his hand waiting for Link to help him aboard. He didn't but kicked Epona lightly in the sides to get her walking a steady trot, "HEY!" Dark yelled after him. Navi flew to Dark just to stick her tongue out childishly. She then went back to Link and perched on his shoulder crossing her legs and arms and laughing menacingly at poor Dark who was jogging to catch up
"You're walking." Link muttered steering Epona in the direction of Kokiri Forest. Dark's jaw dropped but he refused to argue. He had been sort of an ass and he knew it. If anyone was jealous it was Dark, because Link was always getting all of the attention. He followed him silently all the way to the forest. They'd finally arrived just as the sun was starting to set and Link hopped off Epona and stared at Dark with a hand on his hip. He was still a few yards back because even though Epona was walking a horse is still a horse and she was faster than him. When Dark caught up Link was waiting for him with an irritated expression.
"Do you have anything to say?" Link asked seriously.
"I'm sooooooooooorry." Dark groaned excessively while rolling his eyes. Link smiled. That's all he wanted to hear, "What about you? Don't YOU have anything to say?" Dark retaliated while poking Link repetitively in the chest.
"Um, nope." Link replied with a grin then turned around to walk into the entrance to the forest.
"Nothing? Nothing at all?" Dark shouted after him, "Nothing about making me walk 5 miles… nothing about that?"
Link turned around once more as he was about to walk through the giant hollowed out tree trunk, "Mm… nope." He grinned then walked through, Navi snickering evilly the whole time. Dark ran through after him and jumped on his back.
"Well, why don't you carry me to the house?" Dark suggested struggling to get a good grip on Link's small frame, "It's the least you could do for making me walk for soooo long."
Link's knees wobbled under his weight and he frowned but didn't push him off. He would play along for now. He carried Dark awkwardly on his back watching the Kokiri children stare the entire walk to his tree house. Once they'd gotten there he let go of Dark spontaneously letting him fall to the ground with a thud. He rubbed his head and then followed Link up the ladder to the inside of the house.
"That was rude…" Dark muttered as he entered, "Link, what's wrong?"
Link was standing in the middle of his room staring at something placed on his bed. It looked like a pile of clothes and a letter in a cream colored envelope sitting upon them. He picked it up and looked curiously at it in his hands then put his attention to Dark who stood there with a look of confusion.
"It's for you."