Draculina: -snickers evilly- Himmels wouldn't let me make this chapter, so I bound and gagged her!

Himmels: -trying to speak through the gag- Mmmllllpp eeeeee!

Draculina: A warning. -laughs- There is some cursing in this chapter and Dark Link is being a total jackass, so you are warned! Himmels was so against this, but you all know how I like to stir things up.

Chapter 26

Love and Hate

I hate everything about you

Why do I love you?

You hate everything about me

Why do you love me?

I hate

You hate

I hate

You love me

I hate everything about you

Why do I love you?

--Three Days Grace

The castle town is absolutely marvelous! I walked here from Lake Hylila and passed a wonderful ranch and I saw in the distance Death Mountain that I remembered had a village I had picked second of choice, Kakariko. I hoped I would see the village, but it looked as if I had to climb some stairs to see it. I smiled as I reached the bridge to enter the palace grounds and practically skipped my way inside. I grinned at the guards and pranced into the market place. Vendors sold everything under the sun here! Hey, there's even a mask shop. I smiled a little wistfully at the romantic couple dancing next to the fountain. I've always wanted a relationship like that. Alright, back unto the reason I came; flowers, that is what I came for. I have enough time to explore a little also before I buy them, I guess. What's the rush? I bet Shema is accustomed to Dark Link's nocturnal nature by now.

I made sure I looked at every shop and vendor. I went into a weapon shop, a bazaar, a shooting and bomb range, and even little clothing stores. When I entered the one that sold common street clothes I tired to make note of everything that I might want later. I also made it a point to enter the furniture place and browse for a bed and etcetera. Maybe I can get one of the centaurs to help me cart a few things! I wonder if the Hylians figured out that centaurs were now living in the province. Well, technically they lived in the Lost Woods, but I'm sure they figured it out by now. I eyed the oak bed, dresser, with a set of tables and chairs.

"Can I help you, my lord?" asked a voice behind me.

At first I thought he mistaken the "lord" for someone else, but the young man continued to stand and watch me with a smile.

"Oh, uh, I'm just looking…for now." I added thinking he might shoo me away if I didn't buy anything.

"I hope you find something that interests you." The boy said.

"I have." I replied looking back at the various furniture pieces.

"You aren't from around here, huh?" he asked suddenly, his professional demeanor falling and the boyish wonder replacing it, "You have a strange accent."

"Yeah, I just moved to Lake Hylila." I told him.

"Well, enjoy yourself here in Hyrule." He nodded to me and left to attend to another customer.

I looked at the set one last time before I exited the place and saw the florist sign dangling from the door a few shops away. I smiled delighted to see it and made my way towards the sign with a large sunflower painted on it. I stopped and looked down the canyon that led to the castle. I smiled remembering how I met King Link. Maybe one day I'll even meet the Queen! That'd be great! I stood daydreaming for a while and without paying attention, started to walk forward again with my eyes still on the castle. I gasped and recoiled when I accidentally walked right into someone else. The girl let out a startled cry and staggered backwards, bunches of flowers falling from her arms.

"I'm sorry!" I said earnestly to her.

I tired to help balance her, but she seemed to steady herself fine.

She swept her flaming red hair out of her face and looked up at me with startling blue eyes, "Oh, I wasn't paying attention, its my fault." She said stooping down trying to collect her flowers.

"I wasn't paying attention either, so we are both guilty, I guess. Let me help you." I also crouched down and gently picked up the flowers.

"You don't have too!" she said.

"I insist." I smiled at her and then held out my hand, "I'm Saphiraugen."

She took mine and replied, "I'm Lillà."

I blinked and thought hard as I shook her hand, "Wait, doesn't Lillà mean 'lilac' in Giglioian?"

"You know?" she asked amazed, "I'm from Giglio!"

I grinned, "I'm from Rosestadt!"

Her smile faltered a little and she laughed nervously.

"I know, I know, its nothing to be proud of." I told her.

"I'm sorry, it's not that, but…"

"I'm no longer a bounty hunter. I live here in Hyrule now!" I said to her rather proudly.

"Oh, good."

Without realizing it we picked up all the flowers which now that I look at them were sunflowers. I handed her the bunch I had and commented, "Beautiful flowers."

"Thanks," she said with a smile, "I work in the flower shop, so I try to pick out the good ones."

I beamed hearing this, "You work here? I need to buy some roses."

"You do? Great, I'll show you my best selection." She said and led the way into the shop.

I've always loved flowers, so this place was a little slice of heaven for me. All the flowers, especially the lilies, were gorgeous.

"What color of rose are you looking for?" she asked setting the sunflowers on the countertop and then walking to the stand that held the bouquets of roses.

"Red." I answered.

We walked a little more and then we stood in front of them. I let my fingertips graze a couple.

"You are from Rosestadt, so you must be the rose expert, so I'll let you do your thing." Lillà stepped back with a laugh.

I looked at all of them very carefully before I picked out, what I deemed, the most beautiful in the sets. I then turned and smiled at Lillà and showed her.

"Good choice," she said.

I gently placed them on the counter behind her and started to look through the flowers once more.

"Now what are you looking for?" she asked following my gaze.

"Baby's breath." I replied trying to spot the tiny white flowers.

"Oh, they would be over here," she turned a corner and brought me a small dozen.

"Thank you." I said taking them.

I untied both of the strings that held the baby's breath and the roses together. I then carefully inserted the tiny white flowers into the midst of giant red ones.

"That's pretty." Lillà complimented.

I redid the thin strings and said again, "Thank you."

"You go ahead and take those." Lillà smiled.

"What?"

"Take them. I'm sure they are going to make her very happy." She said.

"Thank you so much! I sure hope so!" I swear I saw her face fall a little when I said that.

"Really, thank you. And it was nice meeting you!" I told her as I exited.

"Come again!" Lillà called and then shut the door.

"Sweet girl." I concluded and weaved through the crowd.

The sun was starting to go down which made my smile even brighter. As I walked through the gates that started to go up almost two steps after I stepped off it, I daydreamed about everything from getting a horse to travel quicker; to the reaction I hoped to get from Shema by the roses; all the way to how I wanted to decorate the house. Once again I passed that charming ranch and trampled through the tall grass towards the entrance to the Forest of Dark Link. I looked at the mesmerizing orange moon above us. It was truly brilliant to look at. I stopped directly in front of the forest and took a deep breath to calm my nerves.

For the longest time before I went asleep, I contemplated whether or not I was going insane or Dark Link was really being kind towards me. I ended up drifting off to sleep soon enough. The sleep was, I think, dreamless. I woke up and started thinking again. I tried to shake away my thoughts as I stood and creaked open my door. I was strangely shy today around Dark. I looked down at myself and tried to smooth away as much as possible. When I peaked around the corner I sighed in relief and made my way into the living room when I saw that he was asleep. I could look at him without blushing slightly. I sat on one of the barstools and watched his tranquil face. I don't know why…but I found it relaxing seeing him so…unusually peaceful. My trance was disrupted when I heard the soft tap of something striking the cave. Something small. I brushed it off, but then I heard it again. I narrowed my eyes and tiptoed my way to the kitchen side window and to my great surprise Saphiraugen was standing out there throwing little pebbles at the house. He stopped and smiled at me when I was in his sight.

"What are you doing?" I whispered as loud as possible.

He just smiled and motioned to me to come out. I withdrew from the window and went to the door. I debated back and forth what to do. I grasped the door knob and took one last look at Dark Link before I stepped out into the strangely chilly air.

When the door shut and I heard feet dash off I let my eyes snap open and I shot up to look out the window. The only thing I saw was Shema run into the shadow of trees. She seemed to be following someone. Is she all right? I stood from the couch and also stepped into the cold wind that was unusual for this forest. I let my lungs fill up with icy air before I darted for the direction Shema went.

"Saphiraugen! Where are we going?" I asked as I followed him deeper into the forest. He just laughed and continued running. I smiled and kept up with him. Actually, I could have easily out run him, but I have no idea where he is going.

"We're almost there!" he called to me.

And indeed we were, for in a few more paces Saphiraugen slowed his speed and eventually stopped. My eyes widened at the beauty of the place he took me; a tiny little glade where moonlight penetrated the darkness. Other then finally seeing light since what felt like forever, one thing topped that: the moonflowers. Flowers that only bloom at night…I've always thought that was just…wonderful. There flowers adorned the willow trees and trailed up a single large boulder that protruded in the center of the glade. It came out of the Earth diagonal so it was possible to sit upon it and dangle your legs a little of you were as short as me.

"This is beautiful, Saphiraugen!" I said to him with twinkling eyes.

"Yes…" he said quietly.

I laughed and danced around in the moonlight. Saphiraugen just smiled and leaned against the boulder watching me. I giggled and played with the moonflowers. I turned to him and smiled when suddenly the questions sprang back into my head.

I stood and walked to him, "Saphiraugen…What are we doing here?"

He looked nervous and started to fidget, "Well, uh, Shema?"

"Yes?"

"You see…I-," he blushed.

"What?"

He took a shaky breath, but didn't seem to gain any confidence, "Uh, you see…"

"What is it, Saphiraugen?" I reached out and touched him arm. He tensed and his breath hitched.

"I wanted to show you this place, and uh, HERE!" he thrust out a bouquet of roses and seemed to tremble.

I blinked and slowly took the flowers from his hands which I noticed have turned clammy. I looked at him confused: all of this just to give me some flowers. He looked like he was about to die from a heart attack!"

"Thank you, they are beautiful." I told him holding them close, "But… Did you really do all this just to give me these?"

He looked stricken and he tried to fine words, but then looked defeated, "…yeah…"

"I appreciate it." I didn't know what to say. His face was so miserable and I didn't know what I did.

"Well…" he said in a dead voice, "You better get back…Dark will worry…"

I started at him with regret for whatever I said or did in my eyes.

"Good bye," he said and leaned against the boulder once more.

I wanted to say something to get the old Saphiraugen back, but I don't know what I did, "Bye…" I said and turned away walking slowly.

I was almost to the woods again before-

"Don't you see how I adore you?!"

I froze in my tracks. My eyes went wide and my heart quickened. I took a deep breath, but couldn't will myself to turn around.

"Oh, whoa." I couldn't help but say out loud. I've been hovering in my thundercloud above this scene since the beginning. How is Dark Link going to take this? I know he is watching somewhere.

"Well…Now the Dark Lady is gin to have even more work to do if these three start hating each other." I mumbled.

Saphiraugen approached Shema slowly still trembling. She seemed immobilized on the spot.

"I've always adored you…" he told her, "I…want you to be the one to share my dreams with. I will do anything to share that special place in your heart. I want you to be the one. I want it so that nobody can keep us apart. Since the day I met you, you were always a mystery to me. You are so strong and yet so delicate. You can be as warm as spring days and then as cold as the winds of winter…sometimes you open up…and then sometimes you…turn to stone. You are…amazing. No words can describe you. Shema, I…I love you!"

During his confession of how he felt about her, Shema turned around to face him. He brought his hand to her so he could lift her chin. He then slowly leaned down and kissed her gently. Even my breath was knocked out when he gained the confidence to do that, but my stomach also did a back flip when I heard something move behind the trees and as I turned, I saw a dark figure running away from the scene. I knew it was Dark Link. I turned my attention back to Shema and Saphiraugen and to my surprise, Shema broke off the kiss.

"Saphiraugen…" she said quietly.

"Yes?" he asked hopefully.

I gasped when I saw a tear slide down Shema's cheek. Tears may fill into a Grey Sheikah's eyes, but they rarely let them fall. When a Grey Sheikah cries, you know they are sad. The tears of a Grey Sheikah also have another power…

I groan and wipe away tears from my eyes, trying to concentrate on them. Tears of a Grey Sheikah make the person who sees them cry also. Plants wilt when the tear touches them and stones crack easily. I watch the moonflower under Shema slowly die as the tear rolled down one of the petals. I looked away from the poor thing to Saphiraugen, he was blinking rapidly trying to get rid of the tears, but there was nothing he could do. Ashamed, Shema quickly wiped at her eyes and backed away from him.

"Saphiraugen…" she repeated, "I don't love you…in the way you want me to love you."

It looked as though Saphiraugen's whole world collapsed on him. Now he let his tears fall without resistance and he bowed his head.

"W-What?" he asked in disbelief, "I- I thought t-that…"

Tears were now also falling rapidly from Shema's eyes. Saphiraugen looked up at her and saw them causing him to turn away as a new reason to weep came forth.

"I'm sorry." Shema's voice broke.

Saphiruagen shook his head and said with a crushed tone, "Don't be. You can't help it…But may I ask you something?"

"Yes."

"Who do you love?"

At that he turned around even though he knew he had to face her tears. Shema looked up at him and said, "No one."

"Why don't you love me?" he asked somberly.

"I do love you, I'm just not in love with you." Shema tried to explain to him, "It tears me apart saying this to you. I'm so sorry."

He nodded and clutched himself trying to get steady, "If that is what you feel…Then I guess I can't change that…" he looked at her and gave her a small smile filled with sorrow, "I'll always love you."

Her face contorted and her breath came in sharply. She turned around quickly and choked out, "I have to leave." Without facing him she held out the roses to give back to him.

"I'll always love you." He repeated and took a few steps back.

Her arm shook a little as her grip tightened on the roses and she slowly brought them back to her. She held them close to her chest like when she first received them and without a word she bolted off into the forest.

Her figure was quickly submerged into the darkness. I watched Saphiraugen stare off blindly, looking empty. He backed up until he reached the boulder and then let himself slide down so he was sitting with his back against it. For the first time in a long time, I wanted to comfort somebody. I wanted to fly down and tell him that it wasn't anything he did.

It was just…Grey Sheikahs don't love.

To get away from the urge to console him, I whisked away on my cloud towards Dark Link's home. I can't even imagine what he is doing now. He is either actually grief stricken or on a rampage…

He kissed her. I ran through the forest repeating those words in my head. They love each other…of course they do. My chest contracted and I felt a pain inside it. I closed my eyes for the briefest time and felt a burning angry course through me. I bared my teeth thinking about the two of them and ran all the more faster. I slowed my pace to a fast walk when my cave home came into view. As I passed I struck a tree so hard in my rage that a lot of the bark fell off. I wretched open the door and slammed it full force making things creak inside. I stood in the middle of the room trying to calm myself, but I just couldn't! My hands fisted making my nails bite into my skin. I started to shake as my temper rose until I felt savage. Trying to release my pent up energy I curled my hand tighter and punched my stone wall so hard that it cracked. I cried out in pain and bent over caressing my hand. The pain only fueled my madness. I knocked over the chairs and brought my foot down on the coffee table so hard that it snapped in two. In the back of my mind I knew I was doing terrible things, but I didn't care. Why should I care anymore?! I ended up breaking a few more things before I backed into the darkness of a corner and settled there. The shadows seemed to embrace my fury and let my hysteria radiate throughout the room. I let my face slacken and I stared at the damage I made to my home. Nothing mattered. All I saw was red. I thought I was going to explode, letting out the full amount of my chaos when I saw Shema silently open the door and walk inside with those fucking roses that bastard Saphiraugen gave her.

I couldn't believe what I saw. The whole room was a ruckus. The furniture was turned upside down, glass was broken and scattered on the floor, the couch had parts ripped as if a knife or sword was drove into it, the wall was cracked, and the coffee table was broken in two. I gasped when I saw Dark Link in the corner consumed in shadows staring at me with his red eyes that screamed death.

"Well, look whose here." He said in a voice that wasn't ordinary.

"Dark, what happened?" I asked.

He slowly stood, but didn't come out of the darkness, "Where's Saphiraugen?"

"What?" I asked, but then dread flowed through me.

Oh, my God…did he see?

"Dark…" I said testily, "What's wrong?"

"What?" he asked finally coming out of the shadows with his arms in a shrug. He looked wild and his eyes were crazed, "Nothings wrong. I'm just asking where your man is."

My man?

"Dark, Saphiraugen isn't my man." I told him.

His face turned sarcastic, "No, of course not. You just kiss him in the middle of the forest. I don't even want to know what you two did afterwards."

"What?! Dark, you are way out of line!" I shouted at him.

He scoffed and continued to stare at me with that strange glint.

"What did you see?" I asked.

"Enough." He answered.

"No, you didn't see enough!" I told him angrily despite my wanting of trying to calm him, "You didn't see what happened afterwards apparently!"

"I don't want to know what you two fuck buddies did afterwards!" he bellowed.

I gasped again. The only sounds were Dark's angered panting. I dropped the roses that I held without realizing it. I took a step back shaking me head in disbelief. No, Dark Link didn't just say that to me…did he?

"What are you still doing here?" he yelled coming towards me.

I backed up not out of fear, but confusion.

"Get out!" he shouted, "Go to Saphiraugen!"

"Dark-," I tried.

"GET OUT!" he raged, "I HATE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU!"

The tiniest hint that Dark Link would get over it and let me talk to him left. My heart towards him turned to stone and the fire in me erupted. I bared my teeth and yelled in return, "FINE!"

I practically pulled the knob off the door when I opened it and I tore away from the cave. A strange mixture of grief and anger was surging through me. I ran nonstop until I was out of the forest and back into Hyrule field. My legs were screaming at me to stop, but I had to continue. I knew I couldn't make it over the mountain back to my family, so I went to the next best place. I knew she would take me in. Maylei.

Without a second thought I sped through the grass and sprang over the fence. I ran up the hill that led into the ranch and jumped up unto a few crates. I grabbed the edge of the roof and hoisted myself up. I walked over silently to the window that I knew Maylei slept and tapped on it loud enough to wake her and not Malon. I waited and tapped again. I heard a bit of shuffling inside and the squeak of the bed of her rising. The image of her was finally lit in the moonlight as she opened the window quietly. She stepped to the side without a word and let me crawl into her room.

She closed the window and turned to me with a smile, but when she saw my face it quickly disappeared, "Shema, what's wrong?"

I couldn't think of what to say. My mouth thinned and I waved my hands in the direction of the forest. I started to tremble again before I finally just fell apart, "Maylei!" I cried and clutched her.

"Shema." she returned my embrace and tried to sooth me, "Shema, whatever it is, it is going to be all right."

She led me to her bed where we sat down, "What happened?" she asked when I calmed down a little.

My tears were making her cry. I hate my tears.

I told her everything.

"He kicked me out and said he hated everything about me." I said.

"I'm sure he doesn't." Maylei told me, "He is just angry right now. He'll get over it."

I shook my head, "But angry about what. He can't possibly think me other then a wounded person in his house."

"He might have feelings for you, Shema, and Saphiraugen saying that he loves you and then kissing you made the darkness in him rise." She explained.

"Why would Dark Link have feelings for me? He said himself one day that I was plain and that the Grey Sheikahs were worthless."

"He was probably trying to convince himself that…" Maylei said a little anger rising into her heart.

"I don't know…"

"Truthfully, I don't either."

I smiled at her, "Thank you. You are a great friend."

We hugged one more time. She really always knew what to say to me, but I was still feeling miserable inside.

Just like when we were younger, we crawled into bed together and fell asleep.

Draculina: For Saphiraugen's love rant, I had to listen to love songs for like an hour to figure out what to say lol. I busted out Marc Anthony and put all his songs on repeat!

Himmels: -manages to get the gag off- How could you do that Draculina?! I was trying so hard to get them together!

Draculina: -ignores-

Himmels: I'm so writing the next chapter! -glares-