Himmels: Woohoo! This update was quicker then usual! Be proud my reviewers! Be proud!

Draculina: Yeah, believe it or not, but things calmed down a little since the last chapter. Only a little though. On a scale from 1 to 10 we are still at about a 13, but that is ok!

Himmels: We are happy! Even Draculina! That is all that matters!

Chapter 21

A Future Search

This is a story of a girl,

Who cried a river and drowned the whole world.

And while she looks so sad in photographs

I absolutely love her

When she smiles.

This is a story of a girl,

Her pretty face she hid from the world,

And while she looks so sad and lonely there

I absolutely love her

When she smiles

--Nine Days

From what I concluded from all the things my family and friends, I've been recuperating at Dark Link's home for a long time now and he has been watching over me with Saphiraugen and Ivan. OK, I can understand Saphiraugen ad Ivan caring for me, but Dark Link? He hates me, I know it. He wouldn't let me stay if he had a choice in the matter and I doubt that he did. Impa would have torn his head off if he refused to let me stay. I actually wouldn't mind seeing that…

Impa says I have to stay longer here to regain my energy. That is just great! I don't want to be stuck in this house with Dark Link! Ugh, I hope Saphiraugen can stay and keep me company. If not Saphiraugen, I'll just stick close to Ivan and avoid Dark. I'll ignore him completely until I have to leave. I'll never thank him even if he did help me…He is a vile, despicable, pompous, man! And I hate him!

"Are you hungry or thirsty or anything?" asked a bored voice in the doorway.

I blinked out of my thoughts and glared at Dark Link. We both leered at each other and he raised his eyebrows as if saying 'Well?'

I turned my head away in answer.

"Fine." And he walked out.

I sighed in relief when he left; his presence is never welcome around me. Whenever he comes near me I get angry at him. I've held a grudge against him ever since we first met and he acted like such a jerk. I'll never like him…

Never…

Growling, I walk back down the hall. What is her problem?! Shouldn't she be thanking me for helping her? She should be happy I let her stay here! Why does she hate me so much? I admit, I wasn't as nice to her as she was too me when we first met, but that isn't a reason to hold a personal vendetta. I grumbled and walk into the living room to see Saphiraugen and Ivan discussing something. They had serious faces, so I assumed it was about Shema.

"Dark Link…" Saphiraugen turned to me.

"What?" I said gruffly.

"You should be a part of this conversation also." He says to me.

I slowly walk over and say, "What is it?"

"Sit." He points to the seat next to him.

I frowned but listened.

"Since Shema is getting better," he started, "There isn't any need for me to be around anymore…"

He paused so I confirmed, "So you are planning on moving out?"

"Yes," he answered.

"Hyrule, right?"

"Yes," he repeated.

'Which part?"

"I think I'll either go to Lake Hylila or Kakariko. Ivan told me about them."

I nod and said matter-of-factly, "You better tell Shema or she'll get angry with you…and never speak to you again…" I added quietly and darkly.

Ivan narrowed his eyes at me looking as if he was trying to figure something out. Sorry, little one, but there isn't anything to figure out about me.

Saphiraugen also gave me a suspecting look because of what I added then said, "I plan on telling her everything so she knows where I am in case she wants to contact me."

"Do you have an ideal day?"

"I was thinking tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, I'm not sure."

I nod again and say leaning back in the chair, "You better tell her now then. I think she thinks that you were going to stay with her."

"Why do you say that?" asked Saphiraugen.

"Well…she's only spoken to you since she woke up, so I assume…" I explained.

He sighed and said somberly, "That is true…But I can't stay here when my wound has healed fully and I have the energy to leave."

He had a point; he didn't want to wear his welcome thin….eh…thinner.

"Promise me this though…" he says quietly. He raised his head and gave me obstinate look, "You have to protect Shema to your fullest and let no harm, even a finger prick, come to her."

I repressed the strong urge to roll my eyes and replied as calmly as I could, "I will, Saphiraugen, do not worry."

My voice was very strained, I know, but right then, he got on my nerves. Of course, I would protect her! It doesn't take a genius to know that it is my responsibility.

He nodded with the same resolute face and got up and walked to the back of the house towards Shema's room.

"He is really devoted to her." Ivan stated.

"Yeah…" I clenched my teeth and glowered at Saphiraugen's back.

"What's that look for?" asked Ivan confused.

"Nothing…" I say and followed Saphiraugen.

I didn't open the door and walk in, but I did stay in the hall and listen to what he is saying to her.

"Dark, eavesdropping isn't good!" Ivan conceited.

"I'm just curious…" I asserted.

Ivan still looked nervous, but he stayed on my shoulder where we listened to the conversation between Shema and Saphiraugen.

My eyes went wide; he wasn't going to stay with me as I ameliorate? I can't stay here with just Dark Link! Even if Ivan is around, I doubt I'll be about to handle that atrocious shadow!

"I'm sorry, Shema, but I can't stay here if I'm alright." He tried to explain to me.

"Why not?!" I asked.

"Because…it isn't polite and Dark Link never really took to me."

"Oh, who cares about him?"

"Well, it is his house…" Saphiraugen said gravely.

I sigh and lean back against the bed frame. He was right, it was Dark Link's house and he can do as he pleased.

"Where will you be so I can visit you?" I asked him trying to make both of us a little happier.

He smiled and blushed, "I think I'm going to go to Lake Hylila. Ivan made it sound so beautiful there."

"You'll like it in Hylila," I say with a soft smile, "The Lake is huge, there is a place to fish, the professor there is nice even though he can be a little strange, and you can meet the Zoras whenever they come to check on the Water Temple."

He beamed at the thought of meeting the Zoras and with glimmering eyes said, "Don't think I won't visit you here in the meantime though!"

A big smile appeared on my face rather unexpectedly, I usually kept a straight one easily during serious conversations, but I was delighted that he said he would visit me!

Saphiraugen's face suddenly became wistful and almost loving, "You and that glowing smile."

My cheeks inflamed and I looked down laughing shakily.

He placed his hand on my head in his usual caring way making me look up then said, "Don't hide that smile."

He brushed my cheek with his knuckles before he got up and walked out of the room. My eyes were pretty big from the whole ordeal, but I relaxed and sighed when I heard his footsteps.

Luckily, Ivan and I made it to the living room in time so Saphiraugen wouldn't catch us spying on him and Shema. When he came into where we were his face was a tad dispirited and he moved rather tediously. For a second I felt a twinge of remorse for him, but that quickly went away when I realized what I was thinking. He sat down with a sigh on one of the chairs and remained silent for the longest time.

"I'll move out tomorrow." He said to me suddenly.

I looked up from my Sheikah mind trap that I had taken out when Saphiraugen looked as though he wasn't going to speak and blinked, "If that is what you want."

"It is." He said dourly.

I nod blankly and get up to walk to the bookshelf that I kept. I didn't read much, but I liked how it looked. If that makes sense…I got a map down from the top shelf and gave it too him.

"You'll find everything on this map. There is even a written path for a way back here." I say expressionlessly.

For some strange reason, I couldn't help but help him find a way back here. Maybe because I knew Shema would be sad if he never came back…No, that can't be it…Maybe I finally took a liking to this man…no…that can't be it either…

"Thank you, Dark." He said sincerely.

"Sure." I replied, not knowing what to say. I don't get thanks all that often.

He thought before he smiled and said, "You know…I still plan on trying to find this riddle maker."

"What? Why?" I asked thrown.

"Aren't you just as interested as me as too who led you straight to Shema?" he asked.

"Well, yeah, but…Shema is awake now…It shouldn't matter…But…" My face went sullen with confusion.

Saphiraugen smiled again, "Would you like to search with me?"

I was astonished that he would ask me to search with him. I was sure he disliked me just as much I did him. Hmmm…Well…What harm is it? Why shouldn't I travel with him? There isn't anything wrong with that…

"Uh, thank you, Saphiraugen." I stutter to him, "I guess, I'll go."

"Great!" he said genuinely thrilled. He yawned abruptly and laughed, "Well, do you mind if I hit the hay?" he pointed at the window, "Besides," he laughed again, "The sun is coming up! Doesn't that mean 'time to sleep'?"

I gave him one of my rare and wry smiles and asked surprised, "You can tell?"

He nodded, "Yeah, after living here for a while you get used to things. I'll probably get back on my regular sleeping schedule when I leave. You know, sleep at night and get up in the day."

"I never understood that…" I admitted to him.

"You don't have too. You are a shadow, aren't you? It isn't unusual that you are different then me."

"Yeah, true," I say distantly then narrowed my eyes at him, "How are you going to sleep if you are suddenly this hyper?"

"I'm not hyper!"

I gave him an are-you-kidding-me look.

"I'm not!"

"Whatever."

At that we both prepared for bed. I felt Ivan crawl into my hair…great…

Himmels: Yeah, so the chapters haven't been very long lately...

Draculina: I think they noticed that...

Himmels: We are still trying to get adjusted to this computer. Once our laptop gets fixed the chapters will be longer again.

Draculina: Yeah, I can't wait for the laptop. This computer is so weird! The size 12 font looks like size 16! What the hell?

Himmels: We will appreciated if you review!

Draculina: See ya!