"The Yiga?" Link asked, his Gerudo Voe armor shining a bit in the sunlight that showed in sectioned rays through the tree leaves. The rustling of tree leaves filled the air as winds blew around them, the soft patter of rabbit-like steps filling the ambience as the glowing animals ran around the two figures at a safe distance. The Sheikah, standing a few paces before the Hylian knight, nodded.

"He said he was the last remaining one that wasn't captured," Dorian said, stroking the spiky sides of his beard. "Besides me. He asked me where you and the Princess were headed off too, but I stayed silent. He began to get angry, spouting nonsense about how you and Princess Zelda will pay for your crimes against Master Kohga and Calamity Ganon."

"Sounds like the usual nonsense," the knight said, crossing his arms with an unimpressed look. "Is it just the one?"

"Sounds like it," Dorian said. "From what I've heard, you've captured the rest of them. Still though, he doesn't seem normal. At least for Yiga terms he doesn't."

"Not normal... how?" Link asked slowly. "You don't mean he had malice, do you?"

"No, not from what I could tell," Dorian said, waving the idea away. "But, he seemed more crazy than even Kohga. Deranged."

"And what happened when you didn't say anything?" the knight asked curiously.

"I told him to beat it," Dorian said simply before shrugging. "I would have fought him to try and capture him, but he ran off. I guess I'm getting older."

"Well, I'll just have to keep an eye out," Link said coolly, seemingly glancing around the forest casually. Though his demeanor was calm and collected, his blue eyes filled with concentration as he looked through the calm flowing leaves. "How long ago did you see him?"

"About a week ago, honestly," Dorian said. "It was right after you had left with the princess after her haircut."

"Right... Impa did cut her hair after all of that," Link said, losing a bit of his concentration to the memory of the day Zelda had cut her hair. While the new look definitely suited her, he couldn't help but always be reminded of that day she had cut it and the reason as to why. "Dorian... why couldn't Zelda hear this?"

"I mean, more for your sake really," Dorian answered. "I've heard stories as to how... brash the princess could be. I figured I'd pass the information to you first. It could be part of your next trial for all we know."

Link sighed at the sound of that, still looking around the forest for any sign of a stocker in their mist. "I can't argue that. It very well could be part of the trial, or its just a spare Yiga that got away," he said before taking a deep breath. He really couldn't tell what was what anymore. "Still... I was a bit harsh on her. I've just got a lot on my mind, a lot to handle-"

"No need to explain to me, Hylian Champion," Dorian said, waving his hand in dismissal. "I know what it's like having to hide things of importance. My family still doesn't know my history. There are just some things you keep to yourself until you're ready. But... you need to make sure they feel loved."

"Feel loved..." Link muttered, placing his hands on his hips. "Yeah. I need to make sure I don't distance myself too far."

"Or maybe, not at all?" Dorian said questionably. However, Link frowned.

"I... may need some distance. I dunno," he said, scratching the back of his head. "I just... I'm going through a lot right now."

"Well, I trust your judgement," Dorian said, closing his eyes and nodding as he folded his arms. The large Sheikah stretched before turning, beginning to head towards the elongated wooden bridge that crossed over a small river to the clearing they stood in. "Well, I'm going to head back. I hope you can clear that last one for us."

"Of course," Link said confidently, still staring at the trees. However, soon as Dorian was out of earshot, he couldn't help but very quietly mutter something else. "I'll have him cleared out by the end of tonight..."

...

"Welcome to Enchanted! Oh!" the Sheikah woman at the front counter called in surprise at the sight of a young Hylian girl walking through the door, clutching onto what seemed to be a folded up, white outfit in her hands. "Why, you're the one our old elder, Impa, told us about! Your Princess Zelda, right?"

"Just Zelda is fine," the girl responded, however her voice didn't seem to be invested in the encounter. In fact, the girl hadn't made much eye contact with the shop owner before beginning to view the clothing items in the store. After a moment's pause the green eyes lit up at the sight of what seemed to be a darkened, tight looking outfit that sat in the corner.

"Why, that there is one of my best sellers from the Claree Collection!" the shop owner with a gleeful smile. The curious girl continued to stare at the clothing before turning to the shop owner in slight confusion.

"Claree?" she asked. "Who might that be?"

"We, darling, that's me," the shop owner said happily. Zelda stared at the woman for a moment before her eyes grew wide, her face turning slightly red from embarrassment.

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry! I-I'm Zelda, it's nice to meet you," Zelda said with a quick bow. "I didn't mean to brush you off, I was told I should come here for quality stealth suits and-"

"No need to apologize, girl, I understand!" Claree said with a roar of laughter. "I get it often. Well, then Zelda, that outfit is specifically hand crafted by me personally. It's one of the stealthiest outfits you could have in your wardrobe."

"Will it make me undetectable?" Zelda asked, looking around the mannequin the garb sat on, inspecting its white strap accents and the red Sheikah eye on the chest. Claree nodded.

"While complete detection is only possible by how skilled the user is, this will most certainly help a novice like yourself with things like hunting and getting past a few bokoblins," she explained. "Though I wouldn't rely too much on it for any task larger than that if you don't know proper stealth skills."

"I see," Zelda mumbled. "I'll take it. How much?"

"One thousand, eight hundred rupees," Claree said with a smile. Zelda felt a little bit of color drain from her face. She quickly went to her waist, bringing a small bag out of one of her belt pouches before looking through the gemstones she had collected from mining escapade a few weeks ago.

"That's quite a lot..." Zelda murmured to herself. The shop owner chuckled.

"It's really something to hear a princess say that," Claree said cheerfully. "However, those aren't easy to make. You know how to sew as well don't you? Didn't you make that Champion's Tunic Link wear all the time?"

"Y-Yes, I did," the Hylian said with a deep sigh. After a moment however, Zelda raised an eyebrow before looking out the window. When was the last time she saw Link wear his blue tunic she had made him?

"Well then, you should understand what it means to make special fabrics and materials," the store owner said. "Especially ones that give you certain abilities like those stealth clothes you want."

"Y-Yes, I do..." Zelda said, returning her attention to the Sheikah garb in front of her. With one final sigh, the girl emptied her wallet into her hand. She walked up to the counter, placing the right amount of rupees in front of the store owner, unable to hide the slight bit of disappointment in how much she was spending for this. The store owner smiled with glee.

"Lets get a size right for you, shall we?" she asked cheerfully. Zelda gave a small smile.

"T-thank you..."

...

Evening had rolled around as the sunset light shone through the mountains, illuminating the small hidden village in a peaceful light. While the Sheikah enjoyed the evening outdoors, cooking, painting or finishing up their pumpkin farming; one Hylian girl remained indoors, sitting on one of the beds on the second level of the elders home inspecting the new outfit she had gotten only a few hours prior.

"Um... P-Princess, I really don't think this is a good idea," a small voice said from the corner of the room. Zelda, still sitting on the bed, glanced up at the stuttering girl sitting on her knees, who had been watching her from the desk for a few hours now.

"Paya, he's been gone for hours!" the Hylian said, now standing and pacing the room, still dressed in her silk desert outfit. "He said he wanted to leave to Rito Village today, but he went off with whoever that Sheikah was and hasn't returned."

"I b-b-believe he left with Dorian, one of the guards of this home," Paya stuttered out nervously, playing with her fingers as she watched the Hylian walk towards the bed to prod her stealth outfit. "I saw Dorian come back a little bit ago while I was cleaning the statues. Maybe L-L-Link had to go take care of something."

"I wish he would tell me what it is he's dealing with before just running off..." Zelda said sternly as her eyebrows furrowed.

"Maybe t-t-there's a reason he can't tell you?" the Sheikah girl responded quietly. "Grandmother said that if he doesn't return, you can sleep here in her bed tonight. It's quite possible she'll fall asleep on her pillows downstairs as she usually does."

Zelda frowned as she picked up the clothing from the bed, folding it and laying it on the floor next to the bed. She straightened up, sliding off her sandals before sitting on the bed. "Paya?" she asked suddenly.

"Y-Yes?" Paya responded, still playing with her fingers.

"Have you been trained in any kind of stealth?" Zelda asked curiously. Paya blinked, processing the sudden question.

"W-Well, I know a bit of basic stealth skills that have been passed down from my grandmother," Paya answered honestly. "B-but I'm not too confident in my abilities..."

"That'll do," Zelda said, laying her head down on the pillows. "You're going to come with me and gather information on Link tonight if he doesn't show up."

"M-M-M-Me?" Paya stuttered out in surprise. "B-B-But, Princess, I really think Link should have time to himself! It seems like he's really hurting..."

"Don't you want to figure out what's going on with him also?" Zelda asked, lifting her head up as she propped herself on her elbows. "We could try and help him, and learn more."

"But, he told you before he wanted his space didn't he?" Paya tried to argue. "It doesn't feel right to intrude..."

"If he is, then it has to do with his trial, and his trial possibly leads to whatever is going on with the Master Sword," Zelda said, laying her head back down on her pillow. "I won't be left out."

"But, Princess, I really don't believe this is a good way to go about it..." Paya said. "It's only been a day hasn't it? What if it's personal? Maybe he just needs a little bit more time-"

"I'm sorry, Paya," Zelda said, turning over in bed to face the wall. "But... I... I can't lose him again. If I don't do anything he'll continue to distance himself and I just got him. I finally got him. I'm sorry. I need to do this."

Paya stared at the girls now visible backside. It was clear to her now. The trials and the Master Sword were all just an excuse. That last part was the true reason she wanted to do this. Paya groaned, debating what the right choice was before sighing nervously.

"I-I-I'll g-go with you," Paya stuttered. "But you're r-really sure this is okay?"

Zelda didn't look back, her gaze remaining on the wooden wall. "Positive."

...

"And where have you been all day?" Impa asked as the knight walked into the barren living room, the moonlight shining through the windows. Link looked up before giving a small smile.

"What do you mean? I was just out-'' Link began, however Impa raised her hand to stop the boy from continuing.

"Link, are you well?" she asked suddenly. Link raised an eyebrow, his smile disappearing at the sudden question.

"Of course I'm well. Why do you ask?" he responded.

"Zelda came in and gave me a brief explanation of what's going on," Impa said sternly. "And even if she hadn't, I'd recognize the pain in your features the moment you came through that door. I may be the Impa you knew back then, but I'm old now, child. I've raised children and led this village. I can see when one of my family is in pain."

Link stared at Impa before staring down at the ground. "Sorry, Impa. I... I can't tell you. It's-"

"Too painful to tell?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. A flash of surprise appeared on the knight's face before he took a small breath.

"Is she here? Zelda?" he asked. Impa inspected Link's features before nodding.

"Upstairs, either studying or sleeping," she said, gesturing her old hand towards the staircase. "Will you also be resting?"

"No, I just wanted to check in with her, say a few words," Link said, beginning to walk towards the staircase. "Dorian gave me news. I've been out looking for someone and I haven't found them yet. I think I'm on their trail though."

Impa nodded as Link began to walk past her and her pillow set, however, just as he placed his foot on the first step Impa spoke a few more words.

"She doesn't blame you. She passed on happily. Please do not blame yourself."

Link stood for a moment, his face covered by shadow before heading up the stairs. He slowly walked up, clearing each step before entering the second floor room. There, Paya remained sitting in her usual spot at the desk, writing in her journal as another figure remained laying in her bed.

"Good evening, Paya," Link said quietly. The girl slightly jumped, giving a small gasp before turning to see Link, dressed in his Snowquill tunic.

"Link! I didn't think you'd come back! It's good that you did, the Princess-" she began, however Link shook his head, causing the girl to stop.

"I won't be staying," he said with a disappointed smile. "I still have something to do, I just wanted to tell Zelda something. However, she looks sleepy now..."

"I... I..." Paya said, nervously looking between him and the girl. Eventually, with a red face, she soon turned back to her journal and began writing much more ferociously than before. Though Link did find this quite unusual, he turned his attention to the sleeping girl in the bed across the room. With a few steps, he soon stood at the side of the bed Zelda now slept in, her back still turned to the rest of the room.

"I guess I missed you," Link whispered, bringing his fingers up to brush the girl's hair. He stared down at her sleeping features before sighing quietly. "I know it doesn't mean anything if you're asleep, but I'm sorry for today. I've just had a lot going on in my mind. One day, maybe even soon I'll tell you. I'm just really glad you're here. I'll be back soon. Promise."

With that, he turned, heading down the staircase he had appeared from only minutes earlier. However, after a few minutes of silence the girl in the bed sat up, her face stern before looking over at Paya. The Sheikah, hearing the girls shuffling, turned with almost a saddened expression to look back into the girl's green eyes.

"You're still going to go along with this plan, aren't you?" Paya asked defeatedly. Zelda stared into the Sheikahs eyes before looking down at her knees, Link's words to her repeating in her head. After a moment, the Hylian took a deep breath, steeling her face before looking back at Paya.

"We leave in a few minutes. Help me get this stealth outfit on."

...