They were still fighting when they got to the castle. Lena had left them to hash it out in their room, as she went to get the king. She felt nervous as she closed their door, afraid they might actually start hitting each other.

"It's a good opportunity, Link! He's obviously working close to Yuga. I can get information out of him." Kai said, his arms crossed and his hip cocked.

"Yeah and what will he want in exchange? To choke you with his tongue again? Or maybe something more." Link yelled, exasperated. It's like Kai couldn't understand what he was trying to get across.

"Honestly you're so hung up on just a kiss! It's not a big deal."

"Not a big-did you see how he was looking at you?"

"If I didn't know any better I'd think you were jealous, Hero."

"Jealous? Of him? Ha!" Link blushed And his voice softened "I'm sorry. I'm just worried about you. He knew you for less than an hour, and was kissing you like that. What would he do after a date?"

"You don't have to worry. I can take care of myself. I won't go any farther, he can kiss me all he wants. It's just a kiss."

Link's jaw dropped. Maybe it was because he had never had his first kiss that they seemed to be special to him "Just a kiss?"

"Oh for Goddesses sake." Kai walked up to the Hero, and leaned up onto his tip toes and kissed Link. He made a noise of surprise, as Link took the lead deepening the kiss and taking control. Their tongues touched and much like the copy, Link began mapping Kais mouth out with his tongue. Kai couldn't help himself, and wrapped his arms around Link's neck, and let the blonde dominate his mouth. He moaned into the kiss as he felt Link wrap his arms around him, and slowly trail his fingers down.

"Well, you're a busy boy, Kai." Lena said from the door.

They quickly broke apart, their faces flushed. They had completely missed hearing the door open.

"Oh, don't let me stop you. Please, continue." She said with a grin. She waited before frowning "You two aren't any fun. Well after you compose yourself and..ahem, calm down," she glanced pointedly to between their legs "come meet us in the study." She closed the door.

"What...what was that?" Link asked turning away adjusting his baggy pants.

"J-just a kiss. Like I said. It's not a big deal." He wouldn't look at Link, his cheeks were still pink. His body was thrumming. His heart was pounding. His tight jeans were now excruciating. It felt like kissing the copy, but something more was there.

Link wanted to retort. To say he had felt something more. To bring up the moment they had in the inn. But the words died in his mouth. "Right." Was all he could say. Obviously, to Kai, it was only a kiss.

"For the record," Kai said before opening the door, willing himself to calm down "you both kiss alike." He walked out, and closed the door behind him.

"I'm going to ram my fucking sword down that copy's neck. I swear to the Goddesses!" Link growled while stalking after the boy.

"So, it appears we have a month to either diffuse the situation, or wage war against our own people?" Nathan asked, sounding sad. His eyes glanced down to his folded hands.

"If the copy is to be believed, then yes. He wants to...take me on a date. I plan to go, and get as much information as I can out of him." Kai said.

"Are you sure it's safe? We don't know anything about this copy."

"Oh, thank the Goddess. Finally someone with some sense!" Link said "The last time I've seen a copy of myself was in the water temple. If he's anything like that, then we are in big trouble. I almost didn't walk away from that fight!"

"The Water Temple?" Lena asked

"Yes, when Link went 7 years into the future he had to break the curses on the temples to awaken the sage's." Kai answered "but if this copy was from 7 years in the future, he would have been created by Ganon, who is currently sealed away in the sacred realm and isn't getting out of it anytime soon."

"What if...what if it wasn't created by Ganon?" Link asked.

"Maybe I can ask the replica?"

"That's a good idea. Not much is known about the Hero of Time out this far. We know of him, but not where he was born and specifics like that!" Lena said excitedly.

"That could work. See just how much he actually knows of the part he's chosen to play." Nathan said.

"It still doesn't explain how he has the Hero's face. They could have chosen anyone to play the hero with the right clothes. Even a replicated sword. But how does this particular boy look just like him?" Kai asked.

"Perhaps an advanced magic?" Lena asked.

*Princess Zelda had used advanced magic to seal her soul and become a Sheikah boy during the great war. Perhaps this is a type of magic that allows him to look like me?"

"Only Hyrule, Termina, and other kingdoms, you have been to know what you look like. They are allies of Hyrule,no doubt they would have described you down to how you smile. No form of magic could somehow make him look like you. If someone knew that much, I don't think he would have black hair and red eyes." Kai said.

"Red eyes? Like a Sheikah?" Nathan asked.

"Do you think.." Kai looked over at Link "they could pull off something this advanced?"

"They?"

"The Yiga!" Link said.

"Excuse me," Lena interrupted "Yiga?"

"The Yiga started as a clan of Sheikah deserters and slowly became more. They began to despise the Sheikah, and allied themselves with dark forces, such as Ganon. Perhaps they have allied with Yuga, and gave him a Hero of Time replica to boost the people's spirits? I guess I'll just have to see what he says tomorrow."

Nathan frowned "That's the best plan we have so far. I'm sorry to make you do this Kai."

"It's quite alright. I've done much worse. Trying to get information from someone while on a date is the easiest task I've ever had."

"I still don't like it." Link said, crossing his arms.

That night Kai could feel the chill of the cold shoulder Link was giving him. It's not like he had asked this dark copy to like him. This was perfect, they could get some information. But ever since the copy had walked up to him Link was angry, jealous even. It was time to get to the bottom of this.

"Hero. Hero!" He should have known calling him hero wouldn't work. "Link, look at me please." He pleaded.

"What?" Link turned to him, but wouldn't meet his gaze.

Kai sighed "What is this all about? Why are you so angry?"

Link groaned "Are you really that dense? It's because I..I," he sighed "You're my friend. You annoy me to no end, but on this trip, I've seen sides of you I didn't know existed."

*I'm as surprised as you are."

"What?" Link finally looked at him.

"Let me tell you a tale. When I was younger, Princess Zelda handpicked me to be her personal bodyguard. My family, the whole clan, they were all so proud. So proud, that I was selected. I knew it was a big deal. Tradition, training, everything said this is what I wanted. In a sense, I became arrogant. I'm sure you noticed. But, I became what was expected of me. The Sheikah in charge of the Princess. Confident, with a cool head, and fiercely protective of Zelda. But what I didn't learn is, who am I? I love Zelda, don't get me wrong. She's my charge, she's like a sister to me. I'm a great protector, but I'm severely underdeveloped as a person. Who am I? What am I?"

Once again, Kai was assaulted by the Hero. He was tackled to the bed. Enveloped into a tight hug, crushed underneath his weight.

"You're my friend. You're a good person. You're only a little uptight, but that's ok."

Kai broke, and started to laugh. Out right laugh, hard. Link sat up, still on his lap, looking at him curiously. And then, he started to laugh too.

*Thank you, Link." Kai said, looking up at the hero, and wiping tears from his eyes. *Now could you move? You're crushing vital equipment."

Link blushed "Oh! I'm sorry!" He went to sit next to the Sheikah

"It's quite alright, Link." He smiled at the boy, grasping his hands gently

Link felt his heart skip a beat. That smile was just so cheerful. And Kai had never looked so happy. It was actually really sweet. All these emotions were just building up inside of him. Then realization dropped on him. He was jealous. Jealous of the dark copy for going after Kai like that. Because, he was...in love with Kai. And the Triforce of Courage did not work for matters of the heart. When it came to how he felt, Link was a coward. It wasn't right to drop that on Kai right now. He was finding out who he really was. So, he locked away his feelings. He would wait until the right time, to tell Kai how he really felt. Even if that meant actually never telling him. It wouldn't be right. After this mission, they would return to Hyrule. Link would continue diplomatic relations and travel, and Kai would go back to the Princess to guard her. He couldn't let feelings like this disrupt the natural order. Even if, deep down, it would hurt.

A lot.