Chapter 35

Link rubbed the sleep out of his eyes as he sat up. He twisted and stretched till he heard his back crack. Two weeks of sleeping on the hard dirt would make anyone's back stiff. The air grew colder and colder with each passing day. Link groggily stood up and looked up. The sky was an icy blue color, his gaze shifted to the thick, dark clouds forming on the horizon. With a sigh he began the slow trek towards the town.

The boy was tired and weary, his feet moved without much thought. He had walked this path so much he didn't pay much attention. He was left with more time alone with his mind. His mind wandered with different ideas each day, today it was the guardians. It was a frequent topic that came up nearly every day. Link was afraid what might happen if he didn't find them. He was afraid of what might happen if he did.

He made the usual rounds and walked through to the center of town. The dark clouds drew nearer and by the time he finished his first lap, the clouds were upon them. People nudged each other and pointed up, then occasionally one person would hurry of towards their house. They were dark, heavy clouds that if it was slightly colder, would mean snow.

More people came to the center in a hurry, all eager to get their supplies before the rain came. Soon it became too difficult for Link to navigate through the crowds and he settled down on a bench of to the side. The boy rubbed his fingers together and, not for the first time, wish he had gauntlets that covered his entire hand. He shook his head at how foolish the thought was, the fingerless leather's benefits much out way the drawbacks. As he shook his head, out of the corner of his eyes he saw a flash of ginger above the crowds. His head snapped up and scanned the swarm of people for it once more but could not find it.

The heavens opened up and big, heavy, cold drops of rain fell from the sky. After a minute of searching, he climbed up onto the bench for a better view. One of his feet slipped and he scraped his knee. But he paid no mind to it as he searched the crowds again from his new vantage point. He sent a silent pray to the goddesses that he did not image it, as he looked. For what seemed like an endless minute he saw nothing odd.

Then off to his left he saw it again, the color wasn't as vibrant as it once was but it was the incredible cloud-like texture that was recognizable anywhere. Link jumped off the bench and ran into the crowds, determined not to lose it.

"Fox!" he called out once he had made his way closer, but someone had bumped into him and pushed him back. Once he regained his footing he couldn't locate it. He spun around once and saw it a little was off making its way of to the other end of the center. The blonde took after it, struggling to weave though the ever growing crowds. He could see the murky brown coat with its collar popped up that was attached to the ginger mass.

"Fox!" He called out again. If he was heard, the figure gave no indication of it. The crowds seem to be pushing against the boy, but he would not be deterred.

In desperation, he called out, "McCloud!" A name that Link only had called him. There was the slightest hesitation in the figures pace, one that did not go unnoticed. It was raining harder, the figure had reached the edge of the mass of people now. By the time Link reached there, the figure had turned a corner down one of the alleyways. Link hurried after it, slipping on the wet cobblestone path. Link turned a corner and he caught a glimpse of the murky brown coat turning another corner.

This happened each time and Link could only hope he wouldn't be eluded. He ran through a maze of brick walls, the storm seemed to suck out all the bright colors from earlier leaving a gray mass. Eventually he came to a longer passageway with foggy windows midway. The blonde didn't see the figure and pushed his legs harder. Suddenly he was lifted off his feet and the air was knocked out of him.

Link found himself looking into a freckled face. Dark gray eyes born into his blue ones, the once bright red hair had dulled to a ginger. His hair still held its unnatural cloud-like shape with impossible fluffiness that was not effected by the down pour. The gray eyes looked him up and down then settled on his face searching Link's eyes. The figure had an arm across his chest just below his neck, pinning Link to wall, his face inches from the man's.

Neither one moved for a moment until the man's eyes soften, "You're really him, alright." He said almost accusingly. Link had to swallow hard before replying.

"McCloud?" With a heavy sigh, the man released him none too gently and stepped back.

"I've told you, kid, don't call me that." He turned and for the first time Link could clearly see where they were. Where the windows on the long alley were so was another small passage. It didn't go into too deep, only ten feet or so. McCloud had him pinned against more windows. To the left of the windows was a door and above that and old creaky sign, with a broken hinge. The words were too worn to read.

"I knew it was you," Link said as he got off the ground, "You're alive!" He still couldn't get over what a relief it was to find him but another emotion grew in his gut, one Link couldn't quite understand.

"Hmmp," McCloud crossed his arms, "Thanks for noticing." There was a hard edge in his voice and he narrowed his eyes at the blonde, "You're alive. How?" Link stepped back at the accusation in his tone.

"What-" he began.

"Raven's dead." Link felt as his stomach drop. He's known his father has been dead for five years yet no one had quite put it so bluntly. "I've assume that much from the silence after all these years. Most others are. But you …"McCloud took a step towards him, "I assumed you shared his fate. Yet, here you are. How?" He didn't try to hide the indictment in his voice.

"Others? Who else is left? Where are they?" Hope grew in his voice in spite of himself. Maybe, just maybe he wouldn't have to save the world on his own.

"Oh no," McCloud took a step back towards the door, "Don't even think about it kid. Just leave this place and forget you ever saw me. Don't get caught up in the same fool hardy hopes, go on with your life. You never saw me." Link felt like a hammer had been dropped on his head. McCloud opened the door.

"What?" Link asked incredulously as he followed McCloud, "Do you know how long I've been looking for you?" They were in a restaurant and, like the sign, was old and worn. A few wooden tables were scattered along the floor, with unoccupied chairs around them. A wooden bar was along the wall across from them and to the side of it was a staircase. Behind the bar were large barrels, Link had a guess as to what was in them. At the far end of the room at large black pot hung in the fire place giving the deserted place a warm smell.

"Why are you still here?" McCloud asked annoyed.

"Who's here?" a voice from the other end of the room called out. He sat in what Link had thought was an empty table. His skin blended in with the chipping, white paint behind him. He turned and moved towards the pair. Link thought he was very short until he released he was in a wheelchair. He wheeled towards the two smiling at McCloud.

"Who'd you bring with you-" he froze when he saw Link. His brown eyes went wide as he took the boy in. Link couldn't help but stare at the man before him. Large bulging strong arms each held a wheel. A tattered pink blanket laid across his lap, but that couldn't entirely hide shriveled forms that were his legs. A massive hand adjusted the small glassed on his sharp nose. Just above a whisper he said, "Raven …"

Hi guys! I've got another chapter for y'all!

Thanks as always for your reviews and support!

I know that McClouds hair is really strange but it was the only way I could get the name to make sense.

Still taking suggestions for an official name for the Guardians.

I can't spell to save my life.

I don't own anything. It's a FANfic (duh).

Till next time!