Hey thar, readers! It's August, and you know what that means! School's coming! May the Daleks destroy us before then! (crossing fingers) I really enjoy having a summer vacation, and once senior year is over, I'll have to go to...college (dun dun duuuuuuuuuuun) I REALLY hate school...I almsot failed English and Algebra, so I don't know HOW I'll survive this year...crud.

Moriko: ouch...and you plan to become a writer? With your grades?

Me: Well, I've had a lot to do! I had to pay attention in the Anime Club, since I'm president this year.

Moriko: Can you handle the responsibilities? (smirk)

Me: Well, Daddy did it, so I can too! (Daddy Tamaki from Host Club. At the beginning of the last school year, we were all assigned names. I was granted the position of Haruhi, Mistress was labeled Daddy/Tamaki, Sanji and Becca were labeled Kyoya, Marmonstein and Sloanesavoy were dubbed Hikaru and Kaoru, and my personal sophomore was named Hunny. We lost our Mori midway through the year.)

Moriko: Wow, you got way off topic.

Me: Silence, infidel!

Moriko: STOP WATCHING JEFF DUNHAM!!

Me: NEVER!! (evil laugh)

Taiki: Again, technical difficulties, so please read the chapter. Thank you.

Chapter 21: Heading Out

Moriko was lightheaded as she reentered her body. She felt as if she'd left something in the sky. Something like her gut, maybe her lungs, but the unease subsided quickly. She felt the Master Sword vibrate in her left hand, giving her a start.

"Wake up, Moriko," a voice called. Moriko nodded and shook her head until she was able to see clearly. As her sight returned, she looked at the group behind her.

"I'm awake, so don't worry."

"They didn't say anything," the voice said. "I did. It's me. Link."

Link materialized next to Moriko, wearing the green tunic of the hero again. "How've you been? I've been stuck watching Kaiser, so I've missed a lot."

"Moriko? What're you looking at?" Tanner asked. Moriko looked at him, then at Link, then back to Tanner.

"You can't see him?" she asked. Tanner, the king, Prince Zenith, and Suzume shook their heads. Princess Zelda, on the other hand, walked right up to Link and smiled.

"It is an honor to be in the presence of the previous hero, Sir Link," she said with a bow.

"You are this era's Princess Zelda, right? It's an honor to meet you…but I see you are not whole."

"Yes…I need the other part of my Triforce, but I have yet to find it."

"Ah, I see. So you are well, then?"

Zelda nodded. "Have you visited Midna recently?"

Link looked down at his feet, his eyes saddened. "No…I have yet to find a way into the Twilight World. And even if I did find a way, I wouldn't be able to go in this form." Link shook his head slightly and looked into Zelda's blue grey eyes. "So I assume that when you gain your other piece, you'll gain the height?"

Zelda nodded, smiling at the thought of being taller. "I certainly hope so, my good friend. If not, then I might not make a good Princess Zelda."

"You might just be the youngest Zelda in history, you know." Link laughed. "Wouldn't that be something!"

Zelda sighed and waved her hand in dismissal, turning to Moriko.

"I assume the Goddesses will hold Kaiser back while you power up the Master Sword?"

"Yes," Moriko said. "I'll set out for the nearest temple today, as soon as I'm restocked."

Zelda nodded in approval, then began walking towards the altar. She came back a few moments later with the Sacred Items, including the Book of Secrets. "May these help you in your quest."

Moriko accepted the items gratefully and bowed before stowing them in her bag. Tanner helped her off the dais, then pelted her ears with questions.

"Why didn't you tell me you were the hero?! You said you were only collecting the Sacred Items! Why'd you lie to me?!"

"I didn't lie to you! I wasn't even told I was the hero!"

"Well, I think it'd be pretty obvious, since you had the Triforce on you left hand!" Navi said, fluttering over to the two of them. Moriko looked at her hand, then flicked Navi.

"I thought it was only a symbol to help me get the items, Navi! And what, you knew I was the hero?!"

Navi rolled her eyes. "Of course I knew! If I didn't know, why was I assigned to you?"

"Don't ask me!" Moriko shouted, throwing her hands up. "No one told me anything!"

"You weren't ready to know for your fate," Navi said. Taiki joined them, completely clueless. "If you had started proclaiming you were the hero, then you would've been killed a while back."

"Oh joy…,"Moriko said sarcastically. "Can we go now? I have to restock for the journey. Wait a minute." Moriko lifted her hand to her head, realizing she was wearing a hat now. "Since when have I had a hat?"

"I dunno," Taiki said. "I just noticed it, too."

"It's a tiny detail, now let's get moving!" Navi said.

"Alright!" Taiki said, punching the air with his tiny fist. "We get to go see more places!"

"Yeah yeah," Navi said with a shake of her head. "Let's just hurry up. I'm sleepy."

"That's right. We haven't slept since Zora's Domain…ugh," Moriko groaned as her fatigue finally hit her. Her steps faltered and Tanner caught her before she fell, but she continued mumbling as he lifted her off her feet.

"I need…potion, shield…food," she mumbled the last part happily.

Tanner brought her back up to her room and helped her get under the covers, as she'd done for him once. He vaguely remembered it, but the memory of her helping him to the inn in Kakariko was solid. Navi floated overhead with Taiki, watching him carefully.

"You know, Kaiser possessed you once," she said. Tanner nodded.

"I remember him being there. He made me fight Moriko, and I saw the fear in her face as she fought me. It tore me apart, so I fought him tooth and nail for control."

"That was brave. I heard from the Goddesses that anyone he possessed usually ended up dead or wishing for it."

"I won't let him do it again," he whispered, smoothing the hair out of Moriko's closed eyes. She smiled unconsciously and took his hand.

"Thanks," she mumbled. Tanner nodded, allowing her to hand his hand.

"No, thank you," he replied, resting his head on his other hand.

They both finally drifted off into sleep, their fingers entwined in each other's.

Moriko awoke to bright lights dancing above her eyes. She blinked herself awake, then saw the lights were Navi and Taiki. They bounce happily around the room, pausing only to check and see if Moriko was awake.

"Good, she's up! Careful when you move!" Taiki shouted. Moriko gave them a funny look, then looked down at her side. Tanner leaned against the bed, one arm cushioning his head while the other hand rested on Moriko's. She blushed. He'd stayed with her all night. He really was sweet, when he allowed it to show.

She sat there, watching him, until her father came in. He paused at the scene in front of him, shook his head, then cleared his throat.

"Ahem. I'm sorry Moriko, but last night, Princess Zelda and Suzume collapsed."

Moriko felt her blood run cold. She went numb. "What…?"

"Well, after you'd fell asleep in Tanner's arms, Zelda and Suzume touched the Master Sword. It was brief, but after Tanner left the room with you, she and Suzume collapsed. They've been unconscious ever since."

Moriko shook Tanner as gently as the situation allowed, urging him to wake up. He did, then stood up sharply after Moriko told him what happened. He left the room in a state of panic, leaving Moriko and her father alone.

Oh no, Moriko thought, biting her lip. He's going to ask me what happened with Tanner last night…oh god, why are there protective fathers in the world?

Daisuke turned to his daughter and sighed. "I know exactly what happened last night."

"No you don't!"

"Yes, I do. You two are good friends, and I can tell he likes you. He just took care of you, right?"

"Uh…yeah," Moriko said warily. "He just helped me get into my room, then he accidentally fell asleep holding my hand. That's all."

Daisuke nodded, watching his daughter fish her things out of her bag. She was growing up right in front of his eyes. Soon she'd be getting married and having kids of her own. He'd be a grandfather, and he'd be sure to be there for her. He wondered what she'd name her kids. Who would they look like? Would they become knights of Hyrule or farmers? Oh, the possibilities!

"What are you smiling at?" Moriko asked, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Just…nothing. Nothing that concerns you yet."

She went behind the changing curtain and sighed. "Dad, I want to know what was so great that it had you smiling. Tell me!"

Daisuke stayed silent until she reappeared, dressed in a fresh tunic, her hair wound into a tight braid. He shook his head and left the room, calling back, "You know where the infirmary is!"

Moriko rolled her eyes and clipped her new sword and shield on, making sure to check it for easy use before grabbing her bag and exiting the room, her fairies glued to her shoulders. She made her way to the infirmary as quickly as she could with out running, but she ended up running down the last hall.

Prince Zenith was next to Zelda's cot, hold his sister's hand without a smile on his face. He looked sad, but any emotions were wiped clean when Moriko stepped inside the doorway.

"What're you doing here?" he asked. Anyone could see he was completely uninterested in what anyone had to say, but Moriko ignored it.

"I'm here to see Princess Zelda and Suzume."

"Hnn…," he mumbled in reply.

Moriko sat in the chair by Suzume and gripped her hand. It was warm, but only just. Suzume was far off, and Moriko needed to bring them back, both of them. She vowed it.

It felt like ages since she moved again, but Moriko got up a few minutes later, heading for the door.

"You finally leaving?" Prince Zenith asked, looking at her with his steely blue eyes.

"Yeah. I need to get a move on, before time runs out."

"Good luck," he whispered, hoping she wouldn't hear it. She did hear it, but left before she broke in a smile. So the prince could show his feelings without the world ending. She glanced over her shoulder at him as she exited the room. He had turned back to Zelda, holding the little girl's hand in both of his. He looked…so sad.

Moriko exited the castle and headed into town, speeding her way through her shopping so she could get going. She picked up a small shield for Gabe, then began her walk to the stables. People on every street cheered her on, shouting words of praise at her. She smiled and thanked them, but her mind was already in the fields, heading for home. The stableman had Meryl ready, and the mare neighed at the sight of her friend. Moriko mounted her horse and urged her into a gallop as soon as they were across the moat.

The fields of Hyrule stretched out in front of Moriko, just as they had before. But there was one difference this time.

Moriko was going home.

Hurray for really short chapters! I'll try and get the next one to be longer.

Moriko: You're really trying with this story, aren't you?

Me: Yeah, but it really helps me when I see how many people have read it and reviewed. Ah, the hits have gone through the roof...I should write a SEQUEL!!

Moriko: Are you serious?! You're daft in the head!

Me: I know! It'll be a oneshot between you and Tanner!

Moriko: (keeling over in a corner) Beware, readers...she has an idea!! DX

Me: Or maybe...a thing in the twilight realm!

Moriko: (still keeling over) Please stop it...

Me: Oh fine...I'll sleep on it. Have a good day/night, readers! See you soon! XD