A/N: I forgot how long this game is! Anyway, hope you like the chapter!

Disclaimer: See previous chapters.

Awaking the next day, Kagome finds herself alone in bed. Looking around her room, there was no sign of Link.

"Must have gone to get the next song," she said to herself. "I should probably get everything ready so we can go when he gets back."

After getting dressed, she leaves her room to go to the bazaar but is stopped as she runs into her father.

"Well," he says jovially. "And just where are you off to this morning?"

"I'm going to the bazaar to stock up on supplies before we head back down below the barrier."

"How is the world below?"

"I like it down there," she says. "It's really calm and peaceful."

'Once you get past the monsters popping up everywhere.'

"That's good." He turned a questioning gaze at his daughter. "You're not causing too much trouble for Link, are you?"

"I would say I am causing him just the right amount," she responds with a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Just don't scare him off," Gaepora chuckles. "You two need to start playing nice if he is going to join the family one day."

"Wait, what?"

"Let's just say that you might see Link a bit more at family gatherings in the near future." With those parting words, Gaepora enters his office and leaves a very confused Kagome in the hall.

"Weird," she says as she continues her way to the bazaar.

Taking the longer route, Kagome takes in the scenery as she enjoys her peaceful walk.

"Wait up!"

Turning back, Kagome sees Link running towards her.

"Finished already?"

"Yeah," he says as he falls into step beside her. "It looks like we're going back to Eldin Volcano."

"I sort of figured that," she comments. "By the way, did you tell my Dad about us?"

"Haven't had the chance to, why?"

"He mentioned something about me playing nice since you'll be joining the family soon."

"He must still be going on about how he wants me to marry Zelda," Link groaned.

Kagome snickers at him.

"Silence woman."

Entering the bazaar, they stop at the shop stall and pick a bigger quiver and a few more odds and ends.

"Should I get a new shield," questions Link. "It's starting to look pretty beat up."

"I say take it to Gonzo," replies Kagome. "See if he can upgrade it, if not repair it."

Agreeing with her reasoning, the two make their way to Gonzo's stall.

"And what can I do for you today?"

"I was wondering if you could repair, or upgrade my shield."

"Hmmm…This is a Sacred Shield from that shop over there, right?" He studies it a bit. "Sure, I can upgrade this."

"Great!"

"I just need three ornamental skulls, five bird feathers, 5 dusk relics, three monster horns, one blue bird feather and 250 Rupees!"

"Um…" Link looks over to Kagome who is currently sending him a very smug expression. Reaching into her pouch, she produces the requested items.

"Here you go Gonzo."

"Thank you…" he stares intently at her for a second. "Hm…Your face looks familiar, but I can't quite place your name."

"It's Kagome," she says with resignation.

"That's right," he says to the astonishment of the pair. "You're Gaepora's other kid. You used to come back here when you were small and try tinkering with Scrapper!" Ignoring their shocked looks, he turns to Link. "I just need the 250 Rupees and an hour or two and I'll have your new shield ready."

Link pays him and they walk off to look around and kill time.

"He remembered me," says Kagome in awe.

"Maybe," suggests Link. "With Zelda not in Skyloft, whatever power she had been using is starting to wear off a bit."

"So it might take a while, huh?"

"I think it will depend on how much time you spent with the people in question."

"We'll know eventually." Seeing a particular stall, an evil gleam comes to Kagome's eye.

"Let's stop over there," she says as she drags Link over.

"The Infusion Shop, why?"

"Two reasons," she says. "One, we need potions."

"And two?"

"I'm going to prove that those bugs and things I have been collecting will be helpful!"

Stepping over to the Shop, Kagome approaches the counter.

"And how can I help you today?"

"Can I get two Heart Potion ++ and two Stamina Potion +, please?"

The poor potioner looks over at his recipes to find the potions in question.

"For the Heart Potion ++, that will be six Blessed Butterflies, six Deku Hornets, two Eldin Rollers, two Sand Cicada and 60 Rupees."

Link and Kagome hand over the requested items and Rupees.

The Stamina + potion will need six Volcanic Ladybugs, four Gerudo Dragonflies, four Sky Stag Beetles, two Faron Grasshoppers and 40 Rupees."

Handing over the items and Rupees, they were told to come back in an hour to pick up their purchases.

"I can't believe I've been drinking crushed up bugs."

Kagome had no pity for him. "I tried to tell you."

"Yeah, yeah," he says. "Since we still have time, how about we check Beetle's Airshop and see what he has?"

"Couldn't hurt," Kagome shrugs.

Entering the Airshop, the look at the merchandise and decide to buy some more pouches.

Going back into the bazaar, they find their items ready to go and leave Skyloft for Eldin Volcano.

Landing at the base of the volcano, Link uses his dowsing abilities to find the trial gate.

"It's over there somewhere," he points towards the bridge leading to the Earth Temple. Following the directions given by Link's dowsing, they soon find the trial gate at a gate! Talk about weird, huh?

Opening the gate, Link drives his sword into the ground and Kagome is once again left behind.

~* Dreamscape *~

"Hi, Gome!"

"Not this time," Gome says smugly. With a snap of her fingers, Kagome is gone.

~* Leaving Dreamscape, Welcome to the Silent Realm *~

Looking around, Kagome finds herself in a warped version of Eldin Volcano. The world is muted gray with the only color coming from the still present lava. Looking around, she sees ghost type things carrying lanterns, as if patrolling the area.

"Kagome?"

"Link, where are we?"

"This is the Silent Realm," he explains. This is where I conduct my trials. But what are you doing here?"

"I don't know," she answers. "I had just fallen into my meditation when Gome just pushes me out!"

"Maybe she wanted you to come with me on this one." Link suggests.

"Maybe," she agrees. "What are we supposed to do?"

"Do you see that red tear over there?"

"The one in front of that giant ghost?"

"Yep. Basically, we are trying to collect 15 of those without getting caught."

"How hard can that be," she asks. "There's no one here!"

"Step outside the circle," Link dares her.

Doing so, Kagome is surprised when the sky turns red and she sees the giant ghost come to life and floats towards her. Her eyes wide, she is frozen as it get closer. Feeling a hand grab onto her arm, she is pulled back into the protective circle and watches as the world returns to its original state immediately.

"And that," says Link smugly. "Is why this is called a 'Trial'."

"So how do you get all the tears?"

Grabbing her hand, he walks to the edge of the circle.

"I told you," he says. "Don't get caught!"

Pulling her along, Link begins to run as the world turns red. Going through a tunnel, he sees a red tear.

"They're gaining on us," Kagome panics.

"There's a tear!" Link reaches out and grabs the tear and the world once more corrects itself.

"Once we grab hold of a tear, it protects us for a short period of time unless we're spotted. So we have to be fast and quiet."

"Alright."

Following Links lead, the travel throughout Eldin finding tears. They had a few close calls…

"Those swords are huge!"

"I told you so!"

But they eventually found the last tear and returned back to the trial gate. Entering the protective field, a flower fades into view before bursting into a swirl of petals. Two pairs of Fireshield Earrings were what was hiding within the flower. These will protect them from the heat of the volcano.

"I needed new earrings anyway," says Kagome as she pops the last one into place. Taking Link's from his hand, she removes his old ones and replaces them.

"Thanks," he says to her. "Now let's go find the last flame."

Wrapping an arm around her waist, they set off to find Din's Flame.