Chapter Eleven: Fights and Cuckoos
small note: Cuckoos are similair to white chickens
Usagi opened her eyes slowly as she tried to decipher what had happened. "Usagi, are you alright?" A ten year old Link asked worried.
Usagi got to her feet and looked over at the boy her mouth dropping open in the process. "Link?" She questioned.
The boy nodded, "I told you, Usagi. We've gone back seven years."
Usagi gasped and looked down at herself. "I'm a little kid again!" She squealed.
Link was about to say something when Usagi threw herself at him giggling. "Thanks for letting me go to the past with you, Link!" She said with a grin. She looked over at Link and began to walk around him.
Link blinked, "Usagi, what are you doing?" He asked a trace of worry in his voice.
Usagi turned and a smile graced her lips. "You're cute as a kid," She informed him as she smiled at his blush.
Link awkwardly took her hand, "Usagi, we have to go to Kakariko Village so I can play the 'Song of Storms' in the windmill."
Usagi nodded in agreement and then looked around her. "Link, do we have to go by those zombie creatures again? Don't you have some sort of song you know that will take us to safety?"
Link began to chuckle and Usagi scowled at him. "Follow me, Usagi," He requested gently leaving the temple. Usagi watched him go for a moment and sighing prepared herself for another encounter with the zombies.
Link waited outside for Usagi and smiled encouragingly at her. "It's not dark?" Usagi asked in a tone of wonder looking around herself in confusion. "It doesn't have the same spooky feeling," She observed walking behind the child Link.
Link turned back towards her and held out his hand. "Let's go together, okay?" He asked fighting to hide the smile on his face.
Usagi nodded and reluctantly placed her hand in his. They walked down the stairs and Usagi gasped. "People! But?" She turned to Link her eyes full of questions causing the boy to laugh.
"Seven years is a long time Usagi. This is how things are when I was younger. This is Hyrule Market." He smiled at her. "You good with a sling shot?"
"Sling shot?"
Link nodded. "Yes, sling shot. If you are you can win us tools."
Link grinned as the girl flushed and lowered her head, "I'm only good with a discus or boomerang," She explained.
Link nodded as an idea occurred to him, "Wait here," He ordered before running into a nearby building.
Usagi watched him go and giggled as a dog ran to her feet. "Hi puppy, what's your name?" She asked kneeling down and letting the small animal get closer.
Link came out of the building grinning broadly a sling shot in his hands. He stopped and stared as he saw a group of dogs surrounding something. He frowned in confusion and jumped startled as he heard Usagi's laughter coming from the bottom of the furry pile. "Usagi?" He asked.
Seconds passed before the dogs moved and Usagi's head stuck out and she smiled at Link. "You're back!" She greeted trying to navigate her way away from the dogs.
Link handed her the sling-shot and Usagi looked at in confusion. "But don't you need this?" She questioned.
Link simply smiled and pulled out his own. "I challenged the slight shot game owner to a match. The prize was this. Don't worry though. He has more than one of these lying around."
Usagi beamed at Link and kissed his cheek. "Arigato, Link!" She said while grabbing the slight shot.
The two walked through the marketplace with Usagi bouncing around looking everywhere. "This is so cool, Link!" She giggled.
Link blinked, "You're saying you're cold?"
Usagi sighed, "I mean it's neat," She explained with a giggle. Link nodded still confused.
Usagi walked over the drawbridge and brought out her ocarina. "What are you doing with that?" Link questioned.
Usagi looked over at him a puzzled smile on her face, "I'm going to call Epona."
Link shook his head, "No, Usagi. She's only a filly in this stage of her life. We have to walk."
Usagi's eyes widened, "Walk!" She squeaked in indignation.
Link nodded then looked up at the sky. "Usagi I want you to crouch down right now with your Hyrulian shield covering you. Do you understand?" He asked seriously.
Usagi nodded and crouched to the ground just as she saw the sun sink. She looked over at Link and noticed him walking away from her. "Link, where are you going?" She asked in sudden panic. Link turned towards her placing a finger on his lips signaling for her to be quiet.
Usagi watched shocked as a skeleton erupted from the ground in front of Link. She couldn't tear her eyes away as she saw Link and the skeleton fight. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief however two more skeletons appeared. "I have to help him!" Usagi thought and sprang to her feet.
Link turned towards her alarm on his face, "Usagi, get down!" He ordered running towards her.
Usagi pulled out her boomerang, "Don't worry, Link, I'll get them," She promised.
Link ignored the skeleton's bony and sharp fingers slicing into his skin as he ran. A giant skeleton appeared behind Usagi and laughing raised it's arms for the death blow. Link leapt forward and pushed Usagi out of the way. The giant skeleton's claws ripped through his skin and he instantly blacked out from the pain.
Usagi slowly turned towards Link and fear appeared in her eyes as she saw him collapse. "Link!" Usagi screamed taking out her boomerang and throwing it. She watched as the skeleton merely swatted the wooden weapon away. Usagi rushed to Link's body and picked up his fallen sword. She stood over his still body prepared to defend him with her life.
The giant skeleton sneered at the child and reached for her sword. Usagi's eyes filled with supreme hatred and with a cry of rage she attacked the skeleton viciously hacking as tears streamed down her cheeks. The skeleton collapsed under her onslaught and all that remained was a blue rupee. Usagi picked it up and knelt by Link's side allowing her tears to fall freely.
Navi circled around the young boy. "Usagi, you have to find a fairy quickly!" She commanded.
Usagi sniffled, "Where?" She questioned.
Navi pointed to a clump of grass. "Cut it down. If we're lucky there will be a fairy. If we're not..." The fairy let her words trail off.
Usagi rushed to the grass and began to viciously hack at the grasses. "They're all green bottles, Navi!" She cried. Usagi noticed another cluster of grass further off and she ran to it. She fell onto her knees and yelped. She struggled to her feet and rushed to the grass.
Her attempts were less vicious then before and her strokes came slower. Usagi gasped for breath and cried in outrage as only another green bottle was revealed. "Please," She whispered staring at the last clump of grass. Her sword sliced through it easily and her eyes lit up as she saw a bright red fairy flying in the grass. She picked it up and rushed back to Link.
Usagi looked at Navi for guidance. "Place it on him," Navi instructed. Usagi obeyed and she watched amazed as the tiny fairy flew over Link and red powder fell on his chest.
Link groaned in pain and sat up. "You're ok!" Usagi gasped hugging him tightly.
Link didn't answer but held her shaking body close to him. "Usagi, are you alright?" He asked.
Usagi nodded, "Oh, Link I was so worried!"
Link looked up at the sky. "It's safe to travel again. It's daytime." Usagi looked up startled and nodded.
Usagi helped Link to his feet and her face turned white as she saw his wounds. "It's all my fault you were hurt, Link. If I hadn't tried to fight that monster you'd still be okay."
Link noticed that Usagi was looking at the ground and the boy frowned. "Usagi, you didn't know that only swords can be used against the skeletons. I didn't have time to tell you before it was too late. Let's just get to the village. Don't worry about me. I'll buy a couple of fairies and be as good as new. Alright?" Usagi turned to him twin trails of tears on her cheeks. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and started her walk across Hyrule field.
Link looked at the crying Usagi and he took her small hand in his. "Don't worry, Usagi. I won't let you get hurt," He promised.
Usagi sniffled and frowned at him, "That's just the point, Link! If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't have been hurt in the first place!"
Link shook his head, "You didn't know that only steel could stop them," He explained softly trying to comfort her.
Usagi sighed and looked around her with a frown. "Link? We've been walking for awhile and that bridge still looks a very long way away."
Link nodded, "We still have a day or two of walking ahead of us since we can't travel at night."
Usagi gasped, "Day or two!"
Link nodded, "Remember before we were on Epona. Walking takes much longer."
Usagi whimpered, "That means we have to fight those monsters again tonight?" She asked fighting to keep the fear out of her voice.
Link glanced over at her. "Don't be scared, Usagi. I'll protect you. I won't let the skeletons get a hold of you again."
Usagi looked up at the sun and a cry of despair tore at her throat. "Link! The day is already half over!"
Link looked at the screaming girl and tightened his hold on her wrist. "Let's try running for a while. Tell me when you're tired," He advised before beginning to run.
Usagi yelped and struggled to catch up to Link's speed. Navi flew ahead of the two on the lookout for any monsters or enemies.
"Be careful, Link," Navi advised as she looked around. Link nodded and continued running.
Usagi gasped for breath and looked up at the sky. "We're never going to make it!" She cried in distress.
Link looked up and scowling stopped. "Get on my back, Usagi," He demanded. Usagi blinked but obeyed.
Usagi got onto Link's back and she noticed him stagger slightly under her weight. "We could just walk," She offered. Link shook his head and holding onto her feet began his running once again.
Usagi watched the terrain go by as she sat atop Link's young shoulders. She blinked as she realized Link was much stronger then he had looked. Link came to a stop and gently lowered Usagi to the ground. "We're almost there. If we walk we'll come to the bridge in a half hour," He paused. "However if we want to get to Kakariko village around sunrise we'll have to travel all night." He looked at her, "I wouldn't ask you to put your life in danger if it wasn't for the sake of Hyrule."
Usagi looked at his serious face and made a decision. 'It's my fault he was attacked before. I won't hold him up anymore.' She smiled at him, "Alright, Link let's go and save Hyrule," She encouraged.
Link smiled at her and kissed her on the cheek. "Thanks, Usagi! Like I said before however, I won't let the skeletons harm you. I have my sword and we can always run from them if we have to," He informed her with a smile.
Usagi nodded and blushed from the kiss placed on her cheek. "Alright, Link I'm ready. Let's go," She announced smiling shyly up at him. Link smiled back and the two headed off towards the bridge.
Usagi watched the sun set a flicker of fears appearing in her eyes. 'I will be brave. I will help Link save Hyrule. I'm not going to run this time,' she coached herself in thought. Usagi turned as she heard the scrabbling of dirt and the skeleton arose from the ground.
"Watch out!" Link cried seeing the bones rise from behind Usagi. He pushed her behind him and stood defiantly. The skeleton's fingers reached out as claws and Link easily swiped the bones with his sword. A loud metal clang sounded and then Link stepped back and plunged his sword into the creature. An inhuman howl erupted and the skeleton fell to the ground in a pile of bones.
Link grabbed the rupee and grabbed Usagi's arm in his own. "We have to run!" He ordered keeping a firm hold on her and beginning to run.
Usagi gasped at Link's pace but she forced herself to continue. After only a few minutes she realized she was slowing down and Link's grip was slipping. She could see the bridge was not that far away but she knew she couldn't make if much farther than that.
Usagi's fingers slipped a little more from Link's grasp. Link turned and turned pale as he saw not just one or two skeletons but twenty or thirty of them after him and Usagi. He struggled to tighten his grip knowing if he let go Usagi would be killed. "Hang on until we get to the bridge!" He called over his shoulder.
Usagi heard Link's words just as her hand slipped away from his. She felt something sharp pierce her leg and she looked down to see one of the skeletons had arisen from underneath her and had a firm grip on her. 'Don't come back Link just run!' She pleaded mentally as she screamed in pain.
Link heard the cry and turned. "No! Usagi!" He screamed seeing the girl was caught.
"Link, we can't save her. If you die too who will save Hyrule?" Navi demanded as she saw the boy take off towards the numerous skeletons.
Link looked over his shoulder his young eyes filled with inner pain. "I'm going to save her, Navi. I promised I wouldn't let her get hurt and don't worry about Hyrule I'll do whatever I have to save it and Usagi," He vowed before issuing a war cry and running at the skeletons.
The mass looked up their red eyes gleaming with malice. The bruised, battered, and bloody body of Usagi lay in the center of them and they were gloating over their victory. How could a child like that one stop them?
Link pulled out his sword and attacked one skeleton after another attempting to forge a path to the still Usagi. Link wasn't even conscious of the marks their sharp bones were lying on his skin as he battled. "I'll save Usagi!" He screamed his left hand lighting up with a golden triangle. Link stared down at it startled at the same time the skeletons did.
Navi watched shocked as the golden light covered the area and bathed the skeletons. One by one they fell to the ground in piles of dust leaving rupee after rupee behind them. Navi gasped as the last one fell and her eyes filled with wisdom, "So that's why the Great Deku Tree chose him," She whispered her eyes focusing on the golden triangle. "I believe it's courage he possesses."
Link ignored the rupees and knelt next to Usagi's body. He felt hot tears sting his eye lids but he ignored them and gently reached down and was relieved to find a pulse. He gently moved a stray piece of Usagi's hair from her forehead and stared puzzled at a bright yellow crescent moon that had appeared. His gaze focused on his hand and without really knowing why he took his left hand and laid it on Usagi's forehead. The golden light again appeared and forced Link to look away.
Usagi's eyes opened and she saw that Link was covered from head to toe in scratches. "Moon Healing Escalation," She whispered softly taking her fingers and lightly touching Link's cheek.
Link turned startled and saw Usagi was smiling at him. He leaned down and hugged her. "Usagi! I was so worried that you weren't going to make it!" He cried.
Usagi simply smiled at him. "Did we make it to the bridge?"
Link looked around and nodded, "We're only a couple of feet away from it. I think the skeletons will leave us alone for the rest of tonight."
Usagi giggled, "You were great, Link. I watched you came to my rescue." She smiled brightly, "My very own Prince in green cloth," She teased.
Link looked at her puzzled. "Prince? What are you talking about, Usagi?"
Usagi sighed and shook her head as she got to her feet, "I'll explain it one day, Link," she replied with a chuckle.
Link nodded taking her hand, "Shall we go?" He asked politely. Usagi nodded and the two crossed the bridge.
Navi stared at the two children for a moment. 'Because of Link's desire to save Usagi his triforce of Courage revealed itself,' she thought. 'But wait a minute. If Link has the triforce of Courage then who has the triforces of Wisdom and Power?' Her thinking again took another turn, 'Oh no! If Link has the triforce of Courage then that means Gannondorf will want it so he can rule Hyrule!'
A plan developed in her mind and she let her gaze rest on a laughing Usagi. 'Yet, if I can make Gannondorf think someone else is the triforce of Courage's wielder then perhaps Link can save Hyrule.' Navi nodded to herself, 'I'm sorry, Usagi, but for the sake of Hyrule your life will have to be sacrificed. I can not let Link be captured the fate of Hyrule depends on you being captured,' she thought with regret.
Usagi was oblivious to the fairy's thoughts as she crossed the bridge with Link her hand tucked in his. She swung her arm a couple of times forcing his to follow the motion. "So how different does the village look at this age, Link?"
Link smiled at the happy and healthy girl. "It's a lot quieter and there's this carpenter who has three sons. They're building what will become the shooting gallery." He stopped as an idea came to him. 'While I go to the windmill and play the song I'll have Usagi catch the cuckoo's,' he thought glancing at his companion.
Usagi grinned at him, "I can't wait to see it, Link!" She gushed. Link smiled at her than looked up.
"Hey, Usagi, Look! The sun is starting to rise," He observed. Usagi followed his gaze and she watched the golden orb rise into the sky. Her gaze swerved in front of her and she squealing in happiness.
"We made it, Link! We're finally here!" She announced hugging him tightly. Link nodded and hugged her back. Usagi sprang away and dashed up the stairs. Link watched her go and smiling followed.
Usagi skid to a stop as she noticed a soldier standing guard. "Who are you?" She asked in awe.
The soldier turned to her and smiled kindly, "I am the town's watchman. The time is currently six o clock."
Usagi grinned at him. "Arigato!" She squealed.
Link finished his climb up the stairs in time to see Usagi dash into the town. 'Who ever thought she was that fast?' he wondered.
Usagi rushed into town and stopped startled as she saw a giant of a man laughing in front of a tree. Before she could go up and talk to him she noticed Link coming through the gate. Link smiled warmly at her, "Usagi, why don't you explore why I go play that song?"
Usagi nodded, "Alright, Link, but you have to come get me when you're finished!" Link nodded and Usagi took off.
Usagi noticed a chicken and giggling she began to chase it. "I'm going to catch you!" She said through her laughter. She threw herself forward and secured a hold on the bird. She held it up in the air and hooted.
The bird began to squawk and flap it's wings. Usagi looked at it startled and smiled mischievously. She gave a war yell and ran towards a house. She saw a set of stairs next to the house that led to a high hill. She giggled and raced up the stairs. The cuckoo indicated it's distress and constantly flapped it's wings trying to get away from the squealing child. Usagi ignored it's protests as she continued holding it into the air. She marked off around twelve feet from the ledge and with one last war whoop she ran towards the one story drop and jumped.
The cuckoo flapped it's wings even more violently and managed to force the pair to a glide. Usagi let go and gently dropped to the ground. She grinned at the bird. "What a useful trick!" She kissed the startled bird on the top of it's head then ran off to explore some more.
Usagi noticed a house nearby that gave her the creeps. Without a second thought she entered it. She heard a scratching sound and whirled to see a giant skulltulla that looked almost human. "What are you?" She demanded eyes wide in shock.
The skulltulla looked at her, "You're not the boy who is helping free my children. Who are you?"
Usagi blinked, 'Free children? It has to be the work of Link,' she thought with a smile. She looked at the creature and forced her repulsion out of her mind. "I'm Usagi. I'm traveling with Link."
Link came out of the Windmill after playing the song of storm and he leaned over the railing to see that the well had dried up. At the same time he looked up he noticed Usagi leaving the House of Skulltula. 'I wonder what she was doing in there,' He thought.
He hurried down the stairs and to her forgetting about the dried up well for now. "Usagi, I'm going to go down in the well. I want you to help that lady over there get her cuckoo's back," He instructed.
Usagi blinked at the seriousness of his tone. "Alright, Link," She responded almost afraid of him. Link smiled sweetly at her before climbing down the well on a ladder. Usagi watched him go for a moment before she turned around and walked to the lady who appeared to be in distress.
"Oh, please little girl. Help me get my cuckoos! You see I'm allergic to them so I can't catch them myself. I promise to give you something precious when you've caught all eight," She vowed.
Usagi nodded and smiled brightly at the lady. Usagi noticed one of the birds was beside a fence to the left of the well and curious she went to retrieve it. Usagi bent down to pick up the bird when she heard another one squawking. She looked around startled and saw yet another cuckoo on the other side of the wooden fence. She lifted the first above her head and looked around.
"Maybe if I jump off that fence beside the windmill," She pondered out loud. She picked up the cuckoo and rushed up the stair and hopped onto the fence.
The bird grew violent in her hands its flapping getting stronger and stronger. Usagi noticed only one corner where she could even think about making it. She took a deep breath and holding the cuckoo tightly jumped.
The bird flapped it's wings as hard as it could and managed to help Usagi sail through the air to the corner she had been aiming for. Usagi noticed a that there appeared to be a ladder where the other cuckoo was at so she threw the first over the small fence and watched it fly to the ground and fluff out it's feathers in agitation. "Gomen!" She called before racing to get the next bird.
Usagi skid to a stop as she noticed a hole in the ground. The cuckoo was on the other side of the hole looking over at her. Usagi growled at the bird and jumped. Usagi made the mistake of looking downwards and she screamed as she plummeted into darkness.
Instead of becoming a pancake on the ground she was floating in the air held by a golden light. She looked down and realized she was stepping on something so bright she had to look away. She stepped off of the bright pedestal and a butterfly flew away from in front of her. Usagi giggled softly and noticed a small pond. She crouched down and watched fascinated as a small fish swam oblivious to her presence. "What a neat little place," Usagi said in awe as she looked around. She noticed some grass nearby and pulled at it. She screamed as three little bugs appeared.
Usagi screamed as the little creatures scrambled around one crawling over her boot. With one last scream she whirled and ran back to the golden light. As soon as her foot hit the pedestal she felt herself be lifted in the air and she jumped out of the hole to land beside a startled cuckoo. Usagi grinned and picked the creature up ignoring it's protests.
Usagi raced around the hole and up a small flight of stairs to where she arrived with the first cuckoo. She threw the second over the fence and started to go over the fence herself when she noticed another cuckoo on her side of the fence just to her left and it appeared to be teasing the first two. With a sigh she raced back down the steps. She grabbed a hold of the offending bird with a firm grip and she heard an odd clucking above her head. Startled she looked up to see another cuckoo on top of the hill where the ladder was next to. She glared at it.
"Just wait and see! I'm going to get you next!" She promised shaking the cuckoo in her hands at it.
The cuckoo above her just clucked once and ruffled it's feathers settling into a deep sleep. Usagi glared at it a moment longer and once again climbed the stairs. This time when she threw the bird over it almost flew into the well. "AAH!" Usagi yelped in horror as it appeared the bird would drop into the dark pit. Usagi breathed a sigh of relief as the bird flapped it's wings once and sailed over the well.
Usagi whirled and for the final time raced down the stairs. She looked up at the fence and with a small sigh climbed it. She picked up the sleeping cuckoo and traveled around the back of the windmill until she realized she was just in front of the cuckoo pen. With a grin she held the cuckoo in the air and jumped off the two story edge. Usagi giggled as she and the outraged bird sailed into the cuckoo cage. She hopped out and proceeded to round up the remaining three birds who appeared to be enjoying their freedom a little too much. She turned to the lady who was smiling happily.
"Only four more left," She announced.
Usagi nodded and remembered seeing one of the birds near the entrance to the town. So she jogged back to the exact spot. She picked up the cuckoo and noticed another one just above where she was able to jump to. She scowled for a moment then noticed a ledge near were a building was being constructed.
"Hey! Wait a minute! That's where the shooting gallery is in seven years!" She announced with a smile. Clutching the cuckoo tightly she raced up the stairs and jumped off the platform landing beside another startled cuckoo. She picked it up underneath her other arm and hopped down from her perch. She ran back to the pen and threw in the two troublemakers.
Usagi leaned over and held her knees as she struggled to breathe. "Baka birds," She whispered brokenly. "Why did Link want me to help this lady again?" She wondered letting her eyes travel to the well.
"Only two left!" Called the lady. "Please help me find my cuckoos!"
Usagi sighed and at a slower pace then before walked back towards the front of the village. An odd sound similar to clucking was coming from a crate but Usagi decided to ignore it for now and climbed up the stairs.
"Maybe one of those crazy birds are up here," She mused out loud. Sighing she climbed the rest of the way towards what she remembered to be the bazaar. She stopped startled as she saw a cuckoo hopping around a soldier wearing a bright yellow mask that appeared to be shaped like a fox's head.
"Hello, you must be a friend of Mr. Hero's," The soldier announced with a smile.
Usagi looked up her face scrunched in confusion for a moment. "You mean Link?"
The soldier nodded, "Yes, that fine boy went to town and got this kee... something or other mask for me so I could give it to my little boy. He loves this little creature. Keaton! That's the name!"
Usagi giggled at the man before picking up the wandering cuckoo. "I have to go now," She announced before running off the valuable bird in her hands.
Usagi reached the stairs and started her walk down when she tripped and fell. The cuckoo flew out of her arms and landed on the crate below. Usagi meanwhile was falling heads over heels down the stairs. With a last whimper she crashed into the crate revealing the final cuckoo. Usagi groaned in pain and picked up the feathered creatures and hobbled back to the cuckoo pen. With a sigh of weariness she flung the birds back into the pen and turned to the lady who was smiling brightly.
"Thank you so much! You dear, sweet, girl. Take this," She announced handing over a purple rupee. Usagi blinked as she took the item.
"Wow, Usagi I didn't think you would get all of the cuckoos that fast," Link announced from behind her. Usagi pivoted on her heel and with a cry of delight tackled Link in a hug.
"Link! You're alright!" She squealed hugging him tightly.
Link blinked and looked down at her hiding his expression of discomfort. With a small shrug he hugged Usagi back and stared at her startled as she pushed the purple rupee into his hands.
"Here you go, Link. Did you get what you needed down there?" She asked her eyes wide with apprehension.
Link nodded and pulled out what appeared to be a mirror. "It's called the 'Lens of Truth' I can see all of the super natural with it. I also can see hidden treasure chests, demons and traps," He announced with a proud smile.
Usagi giggled and hugged him a final time before stepping away. "Now what?" She asked.
Link looked over at her and put the 'Lens of Truth' away. "Now we go back to the Temple of Time and become adults again so we can play the Nocturne of Shadow," He explained.
Usagi nodded and looked Link's arm with hers as he pulled out his ocarina. He put the instrument to his lips and he played the song Usagi was beginning to know so well. With a golden flash the two vanished back into the Temple of Time.