Disclaimer: I do not own Zelda or anything I could be sued for
Link slowly held Epona as Saya climbed up with Ryu. Turning to Epona, Link gently stroked her head. "Epona…" Link said gently as the horse looked at him. "I need you to take these two to Lake Hylia and I'll meet you there, ok?" Epona shook her head as if brushing off a fly from her face saying she understood and she turned around. "Link!" Saya called as Ryu turned Epona to the direction of Lake Hylia. "But…how will you…?" Link smiled as he waved good bye. "Don't worry about me!" he called. "I'll meet you there! Just ask for the professor, he knows me and he'll give us a place to stay!" Ryu nodded and Epona began to gallop away. As Ryu and Saya disappeared off into the distance, Navi grinned as she watched Link watch Saya go. "Hey Link…" Navi said as she grinned at him slyly. "I think somebody thinks he likes a certain blue and silver haired giiiiiirrrrlll!" Link stopped watching and blinked. As what Navi said began to sink in, Link choked and practically shouted, "I do not! Just because she's my friend and…she's my friend!" Navi snickered as she flew around Link's annoyed head in circles. "You love Saya!" she teased. "You do, admit it!" But Link only grumbled something about stupid annoying fairies and pulled out the ocarina and played the Serenade of water.
Water…flow through my fingers…take me to the place where I'll see my friend again…
***
"Link!"
Link slowly opened his eyes to see Ryu and Saya standing next to the teleport stone, an angry look on Ryu's face. Both of them we a bit dirty but they had clean faces. As Link slowly walked down from the platform, he met Ryu's look with one of his own. "Hey Ryu." Link said flatly as he reached them. However, smiling at Saya's confused look, he said, "Hey Saya…are you alright?"
I was so sad when Navi found your home…
Saya blinked out of her confused daze and smiled. "Yes…" she said quietly with the same smooth voice as she had when she was a child but to Link's ears, more lovely. "The professor said that I was a bit bruised, but because you got me out of the fire so fast, I didn't get hurt. Thank you Link. For saving me." Blushing and smiling, Link waved a hand in the air. "No…no it was nothing!" he said as he grinned. "I guess you could say it's my job now."
Something about you…makes me wonder…
Ryu rolled his eyes and looked away. "Loser…" he muttered as he left for the bridge. "Saya…" Ryu said over his shoulder. "We need to talk later…" then looking at Link, he frowned. "In private."
Saya, are you really going to run away with some stranger?
Saya blinked after him as Ryu walked away. "Uh…sure." She said as Ryu began to cross the bridge. Then turning her attention to Link, Saya smiled. "So, Mr. Hero, we meet again." Link laughed as he watched Saya smiled at him with her eyes. "Yeah I guess so!" Link chuckled. "But I didn't think you would be so beautiful- I mean, oh gods…" Saya laughed as Link looked away and blushed a red she had never seen so deep before. "It's alright Link." Saya said as she watched him silently beat himself up. "I don't mind."
You don't…?
Link instantly turned around. "You don't? I mean…you…don't." he stammered. "Maybe I should just shut my mouth." Saya laughed as she walked up to Link. "Link…where did you go?" she asked. "For seven years I couldn't find you anywhere. After a lady found us in the street and took Ryu and I in, I looked for you, but I still couldn't find you." Link sighed as he pulled out the ocarina. "This…I'm the Hero of Time. And with this, I can thrust myself forward in time seven years or backwards. That's why." Saya gasped as she pointed to Link. "You?!" she exclaimed. "You're the Hero of Time? All along and I never even suspected!"
Well…that's not entirely true…when we first met…I knew I sensed something
Did you lie to me?
I didn't lie to you…I just couldn't tell you…
Link sighed. "Yeah, well don't." he said roughly. "It gets boring after a while. Hero of Time this, and Hero of Time that."
No, you just couldn't tell me…for my own protection? Or other reasons?
If people found out you have a connection to me, they might try to hurt you…
Saya nodded as she smiled at Link. "I promise I won't tell." She said. "Speaking of promises, remember the promise I made to you seven years ago?" she said as she brought her face up close to Link. Blushing, Link stared at Saya trying to think of words to say. "Uh…yeah…on the roof…" he gasped. Saya smiled as she quickly grabbed Link's shoulders and kissed his cheek quickly.
Saya…I…
"Well I don't break promises." She said as she pulled back and turned away leaving Link stunned and a hand on his cheek. "See you later!" she called waving to him.
And I never do…I keep my promises to everyone.
Link nodded as a goofy grin came over him and his hand pressed lightly on his cheek. "…Bye…" he said as Saya disappeared down the bridge. Navi slowly descended down through the air as she quivered with laughter. "Link!" Navi giggled. "You fox you!" But Link didn't listen as he turned to walk away. But he was so stunned; he didn't see the edge of…
SPLASH!
Saya turned to see Link surface at the water gasping for air. "Navi!" he yelled as he floated near the edge of the island. "Why didn't you tell me I was going to go off the edge?!" On land, Navi was laughing so hard she could hardly fly. "Link…" she squealed. "Link…!" was all she could get out. As Link pulled himself out of the water, Saya grinned. "Link…" she whispered. Then smiling to herself and turning, she went to go see what Ryu's "special talk" was about.
"Ryu?" Saya asked as she met up with him on the other side of the bridge. "Ryu, you wanted to talk?" Ryu sighed as he turned away from Saya. "Saya…" he began. "I…I don't like Link. I think we should go back to Kakariko village and stay there to help out with the repairs." Saya sighed as she looked away. "You know I can't abandon Link." She said. "He's my friend."
Ryu, understand…please for once…really understand me and my feelings…
Angry, Ryu turned around and pointed a finger at Saya walking up to her and angrily yelling in her face. "Why is it?" he yelled as he burned his eyes into Saya's scared amber ones. "Why is it always Link this and Link that? Why must you always say something about Link in our conversations? Why do you always take his advice and let him save and help you and I stand by the sidelines? Huh?! Why is it that way Saya?! Can't you see that I…"
Can't you see that I love you?
That you what?
As Ryu looked away, he sighed, calming down and backing away from Saya. "Nothing." He said as he began to walk away.
I can't tell you…
Ryu! Tell me what's going on! Why are you angry at Link?
"Ryu…" Saya pleaded as she watched his back move farther and farther away from her. "Ryu wait…tell me why are you so angry!" Slowly, Ryu stopped and turned his head around to look at Saya from his right side. "Saya…" Ryu breathed as he stared at her with his green eye. "I…nothing…" and then, he turned his back on her and left.
I hate doing this to you…but I can't stop…don't cry for me…
Are you always going to leave me alone?
"Ryu!"
***
Back at the little island over the warp stone, Link stared at Saya sadly as she bowed her head and closed her eyes. "Navi…" Link said as he watched Saya sit down on the ground and draw water shapes with her finger. "Why do you think Ryu is so angry with me all the time?" Sighing as Saya made out herself and stared at it for a minute, Navi fluttered down to Link and landed on his shoulder. "I can hear his pleas in his head. They radiate from him so loudly, it's hard not to hear." she began. "He wishes for Saya to realize his true feelings for her, but he lacks the self-confidence to say it for himself." Link sighed as Saya angrily smacked the Saya figure floating in the sky, making it smear and then fall to the ground as water.
Saya…do you love Ryu? Or do you love me? I…
"Navi…" Link asked choking a bit. "Do…do you think Saya loves Ryu? As in more than what I want to believe?" Navi shook her head as Saya slowly got up and concealed herself in a water bubble, then splashing down into the lake, sinking to the bottom. "I think…" Navi said as Saya disappeared from view. "She should tell you that herself."
Ask her…
***
Link sighed as he bent down and strapped on his iron boots and shoved his Zora tunic over his head. Then, gently slipping in the cool water again, Link felt himself sink, farther and farther down. As he descended closer, he saw Saya, inside her bubble, her head in her knees, and her arms holding her knees, Link could tell she was crying.
Why must Ryu always do this to me?
Does he do this to you often?
As he hit the ground, Link slowly walked over to the bubble and was about to tap it, but thought better of it. "Gllleeeey!" (Hey!) He called as best he could underwater. "Bleaha! Bleaha, can you glear me?" (Saya! Saya can you hear me?)
Link?
Slowly, Saya looked up from her crying, and seeing Link, she nearly fell over in shock. "Link!" she called her voice clear. "What…How did you get down here?" Link grinned as he pointed to the shoes and tunic. "Glese." (These.) Saya giggled through her tears as she watched Link. "Blue looks good on you." She said laughing. "But I think green is best."
You always did make me smile…even through my toughest times…
Link smiled as he watched her get up and walk to the very edge of the bubble. "Ahh! Bleaha! Bon't gop the blubble!" (Ahh! Saya! Don't pop the bubble!) But Saya laughed as she touched it. "It won't pop that easily." She said reassuringly. "It's not your ordinary bubble you know. You can come in if you want. But if you do, you're going to have to swim in quickly!"
My water…my secret…
Water…flow through my fingers…take me to her…and sweep us away off our feet…
Link nodded to show he understood. Saya nodded too as she closed her eyes and concentrated. Instantly, a small hole appeared in the bubble enough for Link to get through. Rolling, Link quickly got in and the hole disappeared behind him.
"Wow…" Link said as he brushed himself off and took off his shoes to change into his regular ones. "This would be handy when I dive." Saya smiled as Link stood up again in his normal shoes, not really wanting to change his tunic in front of Saya. "I know." Saya said as she put a hand on the surface. "It's pretty strong too." As Link remembered why he was there, he slowly turned to Saya. "Saya…" Link began. "I came to ask two things. One, do you want to go to the Lon Lon Ranch later today? They have some milk that might help you recover…" Saya nodded as she smiled. "Sure. No problem with me." She said as she kept her gaze on the bubble. "And the other question?" Link could feel his insides knot as he asked, "Do…do you love…someone?"
…Link…
…Saya…
Saya gasped as she turned to face Link, her blue and silver hair twirling with her. "What?" she asked sharply. Link, getting the message that she didn't want to talk about that, instantly tried to make it up. "No! I meant…uh…do you go out with anyone? Oh, no…um…" As Link struggled again with words, Saya smiled a bit. "Link…" Saya said as she watched him cringe. "I could tell you if I loved someone…but then I'd have to kill you."
Do I care for you?
I care for you…do you care for me?
***
On the far reaches of the castle, an adult Lencel growled impatiently. He looked the same, with his long red hair and violet eyes, and his evil smirk. "I can't take it anymore!" An angry Lencel screamed, kicking his chair across the room. "I want to bring back my father and get my power NOW!" By the doorway, a soldier stood shaking, his knee barely holding him up. "B-But s-sir!" he stammered. "We are to w-w-wait for the time…" But Lencel glared down at the soldier and grabbed his throat, lifting him high in the air. "I don't care!" he screamed throwing the poor soldier aside. "I want to kill her NOW!" Then, as he pulled out his bow, Lencel fitted an arrow into the string. "I warned you once not to question my orders…" Lencel grinned widely as he pulled back the arrow. "I warned you…but you didn't listen did you?" The soldier immediately picked himself up and started to dash for the door. "Forgive me!" he screamed as Lencel took aim. "For-!" But there was no more as a thud of a body sounded and Lencel laughing at his own kill.
"Now," Lencel smiled as he pulled an arrow as black as night into the string and pointed into the sky. "Now I can get my powers faster than I thought." Shooting back an enchanted arrow, Lencel laughed as it flew off in the direction of Lake Hyilia. "Link!" Lencel laughed as he stared at the sun. "You will pay for what you did to my father! I'll make sure of it."
***
Tell me what to do…
Water…
Smiling Saya walked up and reached for Link. "Link…I…wanted to say…"
That I care…
But Link never got a chance to answer because then, an thick black arrow shot out of the water from above, piercing the bubble making it pop. "Saya!" Link cried as the water rushed in. Thankful, he still had his tunic on, Link quickly grabbed Saya and with his longshot aimed it above his head. "Come on!" Link thought as they both began to float painfully slowly upwards. "Hit something!" But as the longshot fell back down to him, Link angrily put it away and started to swim upwards. As he looked down, Saya had her eyes closed and her hand over her mouth, slowly beginning to choke.
Link hurry! I may control some water, but I can't breathe!
Saya…please hang on!
Frustrated, Link pulled out and tried again with his longshot, but like last time, nothing connected. Angry, Link reeled back in the longshot and tried again, and this time, Link heard the faint "click!" for connection. But it was still too slow. Link could feel Saya slowly weaken in his arms. "Saya!" Link cried in thought as he held onto her tighter. "I can't make this go any faster and I can't put the tunic on her…I'd have to let her go…what do I do?!"
What do I do except…this…
Then, as if he meant to do it all along, Link pulled Saya's head up to him and firmly planted his lips on hers, breathing into her to give her air. Saya, who was about to die in few seconds, slowly opened her eyes and saw Link's closed ones, trying to save her in the oddest way.
…Link…I…I…
Saya…I think I love you…
Closing her eyes too, the two kept this up until the longshot finally was finished.
***
Meanwhile, when Saya and Link were talking inside the bubble, Ryu sat down at the edge of the water, sticking his feet in. "What am I doing?" he asked himself as images of Saya floated through his mind. "I…I've loved her for so long"
As far back as I can remember…
"And now Link…what if I lose her to him?! I sensed he was the Hero of Time, right when I saw him." As he angrily shook his head, Ryu pounded the ground with his fists. "No!" he shouted as he felt tears come. "I won't let that happen! I love Saya and I'll fight to keep her…even if it means…the Hero of Time…"
Even when we were children…
Then, above him, a black streak shot out from the sky and flew into the water. As air began to rise to the top, Ryu gasped. "No!" he cried getting up and diving in the water. "Saya!"
Don't go!
***
Back in the water, Link and Saya had pulled away from the other close to the surface, staring at one another through the water, the longshot still in place.
Why did I do that?
With a good yank, Link managed to pull the longshot from the log it had connected to. "Thank you Faeore…" Link thought as he waited for Saya. As Saya surface, she took in a much-needed gasp of air, coughing a bit afterwards. Shyly, Link surfaced too, though keeping his head a bit underwater. "Link…" Saya said, as she blushed a bit. "Thank you…that's the second time you've saved me…"
Do you mind saving me? Am I a burden?
I almost wish you would be in danger again…so I could save you one more time…
Link only blushed harder and sank a little deeper under the water. "You needed help." He said. "You need all the help you can get." Saya laughed as she splashed a bit of water at Link. "Yeah, I know." She said as Link sprayed a bit back. "But really…thank you…this must be getting boring having to come help me when the whole world needs you." Link shrugged as he rose from the water a little bit. "I don't mind saving you." He said. "In fact…" as he felt himself blush some more, Link finished quietly, "Sometimes, I enjoy it."
Sometimes, I wish you could read my thoughts…
Link…why are you always the one to be at my side?
***
In the castle, Lencel growled dangerously as he felt no sensation of water energy coming for him. "She must have survived!" he roared, throwing the bow aside. "She lived with the help of that damned LINK!" Pacing angrily in his chair, Lencel thought for a moment. "But…" he realized as his smirk returned. "That other guy…Ryu. He loves Morpha's daughter too doesn't he? Yes…I can sense his care for her. Foolish boy. Not even comprehending what the girl really is. But maybe, I can play this rivalry into my own plans for Link's defeat." As Lencel laughed, he walked back over into the balcony. "I must wait…" he thought as he stared at the sun. "I must wait for the night. And when the daughter is not around so much water, lest she does tap into the full extent of her power. She is only not even at a sliver of her real strength. And I hate waiting." Looking down at his once faithful servant, Lencel sighed and then grinned. "I may have lost my pastime," he began as he headed for the door. "But who knows what other animals are caught out at night?" And then grabbing his cape, Lencel headed out for more death.
***
Saya smiled at him, as she too blushed a bit. "Link…" she said softly.
"YOU!"
Link turned around just in time to see Ryu land another punch in the side of his head, catching his ear, making it ring. "Get away from her!" Ryu screamed as he aimed again.
I won't let you take her!
But this time, Link was ready. Keeping his head turned sideways still and his eyes closed, Link quickly caught the fist that was meant to hit him, a split second before it would have been to late. "Ryu…" Link said as he gritted his teeth and a small red spot of his cheek began to appear. "You have insulted me, been rude to me, go so far as to hit me, and now you think I'm hurting Saya? I'm losing my patience with you Ryu; don't make me fight you!" Ryu glared as he struck with the other fist. "Well I'm gonna make you, you damned piece of shit!" Angry, Link caught the other fist as the two struggled to fight in water. "That's it!" Link cried as he pushed against Ryu. "Now I AM going to fight you and I am going to beat you!" Ryu growled as Link quickly pushed him to the side, dunking him underwater. "Link!" Ryu screamed as he surfaced his bright green eye wide with anger. "I'll make you pay for taking Saya away!"
How dare you! You're going to be very sorry!
I have no wish to fight, but you have pushed me to my limit! Forgive me Saya…
No! Ryu don't fight!
Quickly, Ryu slammed his fist sideways, but Link ducked underwater, coming up again and striking Ryu in an uppercut. Ryu fell back, holding his chin for a minute and then swam underwater, quickly grabbing Link's leg and pulling, Ryu waited until Link was thrown under Ryu and without hesitation, slammed his fist down in Link's face.
Link, stop!
Saya…I'm doing this to protect you…I care about you and I won't let Link take you away!
Saya…do you hate it when we fight…? Or do you enjoy the attention?
"Guys!" Saya called as she watched both men surface, still pounding on each other. "Stop it please!" But Link and Ryu weren't listening as Saya continued to plead with them to stop. Then, with a good strike to the face, Ryu flew backwards and into the water. Reaching out quickly, Link grabbed Ryus foot as he slid back and pulled him forward, hitting him again, making blood begin to trickle from the corner of his mouth.
I hate it when you fight!
Give up Saya, she's mine! Give up now!
I don't want Saya to be hurt…that look on her face…she hates us when we fight…but I have to make Ryu see that he's making Saya sad!
While both men struggled in the water, (Link was winning) Saya quickly used her water power to break up the fighting by wrapping water binds around each of the two and pulling them apart. "Stop you guys!" she shouted as both struggled to get out of the water ropes to kill the other. "Please, don't fight with each other!"
Enough!
But Ryu, too full of rage to care, broke through his water bind, and he quickly swam over to Link who was still struggling to be freed. "You!" Ryu screamed as he grabbed Link's bangs and started to beat on his face making blood flow. "I'll kill you! I will!" Seeing this wasn't working, Saya quickly swam over to Ryu and grabbed his fist. "Ryu!" she cried as she held Ryu's hand back. "Don't! Stop please!"
Ryu, don't make me sad again!
But Ryu spun his hand around, pushing Saya off him. "Get off me!" he screamed as his fist flew back hitting her head. "Saya!" Link cried as he watched her fall back into the water, unconscious.
I'm going to finish this!
Ryu…why…?
As Ryu went back to pummeling Link, the water bonds broke, and Link and Ryu were once again free to move. As Link watched in horror, Saya slowly slipped underwater and began to sink deeper back into the lake. "Ryu!" Link cried as Ryu grabbed his hair and began to pull. "Ryu! Saya's going to die! Don't you care?!"
You don't care for Saya…you're a fake…!
Ryu hit Link one more time as he said, "What?" Link slowly brought his head up to match Ryu's. "Ryu!" Link cried. "Saya's under the water! We've got to save her! You knocked her out!" As Ryu looked down, he saw Saya's dress slowly fading away. Realizing what he had done, Ryu quickly ducked under water after a few painful minutes of tense waiting, Link finally saw Ryu surface with Saya in his arms. "Saya!" Link called happily as he began to swim up to Ryu. But a glare from Ryu stopped him. "Link…" Ryu said as he slowly swam to the closest thing on land, which was the small island. "Is there a place we can rest besides here?" Link nodded silently as Ryu carefully set Saya down on the ground. Then, to Link's amazement, Ryu began to take off his tunic and he slowly put it over Saya, keeping her warm. Turning back to Link, Ryu glared at him. "What are you waiting for?" he shouted. "Let's go!"
I thought…you didn't care…
***
Malon quickly set down the milk carton she was carrying. "This thing…!" she grumbled as she wiped her brow. "Weighs more than a cow itself!" As a familiar neigh was heard over the clearing, Malon smiled to herself. "Well…I guess Link is here for some more milk." As Epona, Link, a purple haired man, and a sleeping girl came through the entrance, Malon laughed. "Building a travel service Link?" she asked. "I hope you're not hurting Epona too badly." Laughing, Link quickly got off and dashed up to Malon. "Malon, listen to me," Link said in a rush as Malon stopped laughing. "I need a few bottles of milk and a room to stay in for the night. I don't care if it's a stable, I just need some space." Looking past Link to the girl, to the man, to Link's urgent face, Malon nodded. "All right…this way," she said as she opened the door to her house. "I can watch the girl while you two either hang out here or the barn. You're in luck that Mr. Indigo is on vacation and we have an extra room. Link smiled gratefully as Malon opened the door for Ryu to walk through. "Thank you Malon."
That evening as Link and Ryu were sitting down to dinner, Malon was upstairs checking on Saya. "Ryu?" Link asked after ten minutes of solid silence had passed. "I'm sorry." Ryu stared up at Link as Link picked at his food. "What?" he asked. "Why are you sorry?" Link looked down again in embarrassment and even a bit of shame.
I thought you were a fake…you just wanted to hurt Saya and she let you…
"Because I made you think I love Saya." Link replied shifting his weight a little. Looking down at Link, Ryu frowned. "Answer me this truthfully Link." Ryu said. "Please…do you love Saya?"
I don't need to ask…I know the truth…
Link instantly shot his head up and stared sadly into Ryu's unwavering eyes. "Well?" Ryu asked Link without moving. "Do you?" Not sure of what to think, Link gave a very small nod. "With all my heart." He finished. With that, Ryu put his napkin on the table and got up. "Then…" he asked with a hint of sadness in his voice. "What are you sorry for?"
I hate you.
As the door slammed behind Ryu, Link sighed and put his head in his arms on the table.
***