'Where have you been?' lonely charcoal eyes snapped open to the sound of footsteps, gleaming with anger as a young man appeared, his cloak draped over his shadowy face.

'Mistress, I have been keeping and eye out for the sage,' he replied slowly, bowing his head in the process.

The woman lifted her head, allowing her long black hair swish to the side. 'I thought I ordered you to let me do this, did I not?' her voice replied in a snappy hiss.

'Forgive me, Mistress. I have learned of her whereabouts as well as where they are headed.'

'Well?' she snorted, her eyes flickering impatiently.

'Through the Shuron pass, in the mountains,' he responded quietly.

The woman leaned against her throne, a slight smirk on her lips. 'So the sage will visit Storm.' She paused, as if thinking to herself. 'You. Be ready for them. That sage will not succeed.'

'I understand,' he gazed up at her with keen eyes. 'I have located her weak point.'



Usagi muttered something under her breath as she made her way through the marketplace, only to receive a few curious stares and snorts as she passed the people of Kanon.

'Sending me outside like her little slave!' she thought angrily, quickening her pace. 'Ungrateful woman!'

She pushed pass a few people, and reached a market stand many animals held in crates and cages.

Usagi hurried herself over towards the merchant at the front, who held a sly grin as she approached.

Knowing the rules, she bitterly thrust a finger out at a bin of loudly clucking chickens and then held up two fingers.

The merchant nodded smugly, prying open the box and yanking out the two fattest hens he cold reach.

Usagi quickly bowed her head, throwing some rupees onto his counter and stuffing the chickens under her arms. 'Who does that-that woman think she is?'

A light rainfall had recently begun, wetting Usagi and the hens as she scurried towards the castle. The dirt roads had now become muddy, allowing Usagi to lose one of her shoes. Her anger rose as one of the chickens had ferociously bit her hand.



Usagi trudged through the mud, which was now up to her ankles. Both her shoes had fallen off earlier, and her fingers were bleeding from the brutal wrath of the two chickens.

Twice she had slipped and fallen, and her white dress was now soaking with mud and water.

'Why does Hisako need chickens?' she grunted aloud, desperately trying to tame her increasing rage.

Quickly running towards the nearest shelter she could find, which was an old well, she sighed to herself and slumped against the cold stone. 'I must be lost. I wish I hadn't left without a map…' Usagi cried out sadly.

'Troubles, Miss?'

Usagi speedily pounced to her feet, clutching the chickens even harder against her sides. 'Um-Yes. I mean- no! Ah! I shouldn't be speaking!'

The boy who was positioned before her had tousled flaming red hair, done up in a white bandana. His eyes were a faint shade of scarlet, glimmering with compassion and life. He laughed at the worried look she had given him.

'No fear, Miss. I am Taro… You are certainly permitted to speak to me,' he explained, a bright smile on his face.

Usagi nodded slowly. 'I am Usagi, song elf of Hyrule… I have been sent to fetch these two beasts… They're nothing but trouble!' she frowned down at the two chickens.

Taro chuckled. 'I have heard of you as I passed through Hyrule,' he paused and looked out into the rain. 'You seem to be famous amongst the villagers.'

Usagi's cheeks reddened at hearing this.

'Here, allow me to help you with these "beasts",' Taro said, kindly taking one of the fat chickens.

'Just watch out for their biting… It hurts.' Usagi lifted her bloody hand. Cuts and scratches marked her skin, blood escaping from each wound. '-but I'm all right. Scratches are nothing.'

Taro smiled and leaned himself against the well. 'It's awfully rainy tonight. How are you getting back home?'

Usagi sat herself down next to him, placing her single hen into her lap. 'It depends. I might as well just stay put. I am sure I am quite lost… Hisako must be waiting for her chickens…'

'Princess Hisako?' Taro asked, no signs of surprise in his voice.

Usagi nodded silently, stroking the chickens head and cuddling it with her other arm. 'I am an escort of Sir Link…'

'Link of Kokiri Forest? I have heard of him as well… Are you his wife?'

Usagi flushed deeply. 'Of course not. I am only to protect and aid him. That alone is my duty.'

Taro blinked. 'He's popular with the women, so I've heard,' he said with a smirk.

Usagi laughed softly and closed her eyes. 'Perhaps. Hisako has already taken a liking in him,' she scowled. 'She probably sent me out just so I would get lost.'

'Maybe she's jealous,' Taro suggested with a laugh.

'That's ridiculous. That woman is always competing with me!' Usagi stopped herself and continued to pet the chicken. 'Ever since Lord Akuma had abandoned her.'

'Akuma? The King who disappeared?' Taro questioned.

Usagi nodded her head. 'Hisako looked up to him greatly. When he left her, she automatically assumed she had been too weak for her father. She considered herself a disgrace, regardless of what power she held as a princess. Soon Kanon was turned into an even murkier village… She's selfish, that's what she is.'

Taro glanced at her. 'Hisako hates singing, no?'

Usagi bent her head. 'Yes.'

Taro's chicken gave a satisfied cluck and soon lulled itself to sleep.



Usagi woke up slowly. The rain had ceased, and warm rays of sunlight licked the side of her face as she stood up.

Taro, the boy she had met the night before was still leaning against the well, his eyes closed and both chickens rested at his feet.

Usagi smiled to herself and gave a long stretch. Hisako would most likely be furious with her. She had gotten lost the night before, as she had been trapped in a storm.

Her feet were quite sore from losing both her sandals. Her hands were relieved as Taro had mended each with some bandage he had been carrying. She ran her fingers over her palm and sang to herself softly.

Taro snorted and opened his eyes. Usagi was standing in front of him, mumbling a song under her breath and peering out at the castle. 'Were you lost at all?' he asked.

Usagi jumped slightly and swiftly span around. 'No, but if I hadn't stopped, I would be,' she replied quietly.

Taro grinned and ruffled his hair. 'How are your hands?'

Usagi peered at him. 'Thank you.'

He slowly cocked an eyebrow. 'Whatever for?'

Usagi's cheeks tinged with red. 'For tending to my wounds and staying here with me…'

Taro laughed. 'It wouldn't be very polite to leave a woman in the rain with two ferocious chickens.'

'I suppose. Thank you very much.' She quickly bowed her head.

Taro nodded in return. 'I should escort you to the castle. I came on Hisako's command.'

'Hisako ordered you to arrive?' Usagi asked, looking at him questionably.

Taro nodded. 'I come from Sparati. I was beckoned a few days ago with an important notice. I do not know what she wants of me.'

Usagi frowned. 'Sparati Waterfalls? Near Rune Lake?'

'Yes,' Taro replied quietly.

'I have been there many times. It is quite beautiful. At first, I didn't even know about it. I came across the term 'A village behind water,' and I slipped through the waterfall… Right into Sparati,' she smiled to herself. 'The citizens are very kind.'

Taro chuckled. 'We enjoy music.'

Usagi laughed. 'I recall being asked to perform for a ceremony. I was frightened… In front of the whole town!'

Taro grinned and picked up both chickens. 'I will carry them for you,' he explained as she glanced at him uncertainly.



'Where have you been? Link just went out to retrieve you!' Hisako's eyes narrowed as Usagi strode into the room with two fat hens underneath her arms.

'I'm not your slave, Hisako. I was stuck in the storm and lost my way,' Usagi replied, handing the two chickens to a nearby chef.

'You had better go find Link. He left in the middle of the night, and he hasn't returned since,' Hisako said angrily. 'You're filthy. Get changed.'

'Taro from Sparati is here to see you,' Usagi responded, pointing at the door. 'He's in there.'

'Taro?' Hisako glanced at Usagi questionably. 'The mercenary?'

Usagi raised her eyebrows. 'That I did not know…' she bowed her head. 'I must go find Link.'

'Very well. You must return shortly,' Hisako paced over towards her. 'Shuron is very dangerous, no? Maybe a fighter would do you well. Three is an interesting number, Sage.' With that, Hisako exited the room.



'Three? What was she talking about?' Usagi sat down at the edge of the moat, dipping her sore feet into the water. She had changed earlier, and was now a suited in long blue robes with a long bow holding her hair at the back. She had disliked the look at first, but slowly was beginning to get used to the new style.

Taro lay sprawled out beside her, taking in the sunlight.

'You are a mercenary?' Usagi asked softly, staring into the water.

'I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't want to frighten you or anything,' Taro replied, opening his eyes.

Usagi nodded in realization. 'I would have been surprised. You seem too kind for war.'

'Kind, eh? Haven't heard that one in awhile,' Taro chuckled. 'Did you find Link?'

Usagi glanced at him. 'He arrived at the castle. Hisako wished to speak to him, and sent me outside.' She paused. 'Again.'

'Hisako has ordered me to accompany you two,' he announced.

Usagi raised her eyebrows. 'Whatever for? Link is quite powerful… I wouldn't want you to get injured…'

Taro shrugged. 'I have been in many battles. I have had close encounters with death and such… But I've always pulled through, in the end.'

'You remind me of Link…' Usagi said quietly, and then sighed. 'Myself, I am a coward. I do not wish to fight on my own free will and kill for satisfaction.'

Taro shook his head. 'A coward is someone who cares for nobody but themselves. I don't see that in you.'

Usagi slipped back into her sandals and stood up. 'You have not seen me in battle.'

'I don't need to. I can already tell you are caring towards other people. In battle, you are the one who pushes their allies to do their best. That is what I see.'



So, how do you like Taro? I just absent-mindedly made the guy up, but my friend sure seems to like him! I'm going to post the next chappie soon! I want to thank everyone who responded to my fanfiction challenge, and those of you who are interested, please notify me!