'Usagi, you had better not upset Storm. She will surely send her rage down to my Village!' Hisako urged Usagi through the gates, eyeing Taro and Link with a sly grin. 'This woman is clumsy, watch out for her.'

Before Usagi could react, Hisako had slammed the gates behind the trio and speedily headed for her castle.

'Clumsy? I am not clumsy, Hisako!' Usagi yelled, puffing up in anger.

Taro and Link looked at each other silently. Taro shrugged, while Link just shook his head.

'So,' Usagi said, turning towards them. She had on a triumphant smile and placed her hands on her hips. 'Shuron is very dangerous…' she eyed them both seriously. 'So I will lead the way!'

Link opened his mouth to protest, while Taro just nodded his head. 'Usagi is a brave woman. If she wants to lead, I will follow.'

Link glanced at him with a confused look. 'What is we are attacked?'

Taro grinned, patting his side. 'I'll be ready for it.'

Link only frowned and turned to Usagi. 'You are fine with this decision?'

Usagi nodded her head quickly. 'Do not worry! I have a few tricks up my sleeve, no?'

p

'Swamp,' Usagi murmured, a scowl plastered on her face. 'I have had bad experiences.'

Link peered ahead.

Before them was a large bog with muddy water and tattered lily pads. It looked as though a bridge had once stood, for the remains were scattered around in mere splinters.

Usagi halted, picking up her robes to reveal her bare legs. 'I just know I'm going to lose my sandals,' she muttered, bracing herself.

'Allow me to help you,' Taro declared, picking up the shorter woman and pacing into the water.

Usagi instantly flushed. 'T-thank you.'

Link, however, was left behind to trudge through the mud by himself. (AN: I know, that's a little harsh!)

Taro stopped at the other side, mud drenched into his clothing. He carefully put Usagi down, who quickly smiled and bowed her head. Link walked up, mud splattered across his whole front and face. Usagi stifled a laugh, while Taro raised an eyebrow.

'I slipped,' Link spluttered.

'Wait,' Usagi said, gently wiping the mud off his face with her sleeve. She eyed him with a helpless smile. 'Are you hurt?'

Link shook his head.

Usagi nodded and whipped around. 'Then we shall continue!'

p

'A bombchu… I can take care of this one!' Usagi raised her fist in the air triumphantly, smiling back at both Taro and Link.

'Are you sure?' Link asked, grimacing at the Bombchu's size. 'It's pretty big… It'll make a giant explosion…'

Usagi tossed back her head and laughed ironically. 'Fear not, Sir Link! I will protect my followers as you would me! Ha!' she jumped forwards in a fighting stance. 'Come and get me, you oversized rat!'

Taro smirked in amusement, while Link paled slightly, eyeing the creature with uneasiness. 'Don't get hurt.'

Taro nudged Link and chuckled. 'She's not a girl; she's a woman! Usagi can handle herself, especially if she thinks she can…'

Link scowled slightly. 'If she gets injured, I'll never forgive you.'

The Bombchu's eyes gleamed sneakily, preparing to ram into the taunting woman before it. Usagi dodged to the side as it ran, landed gracefully on its head, and instantly thrust her hand down, aiming for the head.

BOOM!

Link gave a horrified cry and blocked the shattered pieces of debris with his arm, but Taro stood firmly, crossed arms.

When the dust had cleared, Link's eyes darted frantically in every direction in search of the sage.

'Looking for me?'

Link squinted upwards and settled his eyes on Usagi's form, casually sitting on a branch with her feet happily dangling off the side.

'I knew you could defeat that hunk of dynamite!' Taro cheered, clapping his hands with a wide grin.

Usagi reddened slightly and hopped down. 'I need no sword,' she exclaimed happily. 'And I am NOT clumsy! Hear me, Hisako? NOT clumsy!' she waved her fist in the air.

p

Usagi fanned herself with her hand, breathing rather heavily as a bead of sweat dribbled down the side of her face. 'We're obviously near Storm, ' she whispered hoarsely. 'She lives right at the heart of Shuron's volcano.'

'Here,' Link appeared beside her, holding out a glass bottle of milk. 'It's not good to dehydrate.'

Usagi looked at him gratefully and carefully clasped the jar with both hands. 'You're very kind…' she took a small sip, then another, and hastily wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. 'Thank you,' she said, handing the remainder to him with a smile.

Taro nudged Link with a goofy smirk, mouthing, 'Competitive Hyrulian.'

Link raised his eyebrows as Taro gently took Usagi's hand. 'You look very tired, let me carry you, and you can sleep.'

Usagi flushed as Taro plucked her off the ground, her long robes draping behind her. 'But… Taro…'

He laughed and gave her with a flashy smile. 'Just relax.'

p

Usagi's eyes fluttered open as she felt a light tap on her shoulder.

'We have arrived at the top, Usagi,' Taro said, gently placing her down.

Usagi let out a long yawn, stretched, and peered ahead. Three large boulders blocked the way, allowing Usagi to heave a sigh and turn to Link. 'Explosive, please.'

Link hesitantly handed her a small, black bomb. 'Be careful.'

Usagi nodded with a bright smile and held up her index finger. A small flicker of fire appeared at the end, and she held it up to the wick.

'Wall, be gone!' she cried, flinging the lit bomb at the boulders.

A loud explosion erupted, and when the dust had cleared, the boulders had disappeared. A large, black hole was in its place, along with a rather large Dodongo.

It snorted loudly and observed Usagi with its flickering eyes.

'Crap,' Taro mumbled pacing forwards.

'Stop,' Usagi commanded blankly, placing her arm in front of him. 'I can handle this… I'm not hesitant…'

Taro eyed her with curiosity. Her blue eyes were now glazed over with a blazing sensation, intensely focused on the massive beast.

And before either could protest, Usagi had already leapt ahead, practically flinging herself towards the awaiting creature.

The Dodongo gave out a long, low growl and took one heavy step forwards.

Usagi stopped herself a hair before its face, taking only a mere second to stare death straight in the eye, with anger unleashing in her own.

The Dodongo simply stared back, debating on whether it should slash out at the girl or just gulp her down whole.

Usagi smirked ironically. The massive reptile before her was stalling. 'Go back to the depths of hell, demon,' she breathed.

The Dodongo unexpectedly responded with a flick of its tail, and a powerful slash, directed towards the young sage.

Usagi inhaled sharply as the vast tail struck her square in the stomach. A gigantic bolt of pain heaved through her body as she sailed backwards.

Taro reacted quickly, swiftly catching Usagi before she could land. Her robes were now tattered and slashed from where the Dodongo's tail had hit.

Link had already thrust out his sword, blinded with rage. He let out an angry cry as he charged forwards and brought down his sword with all the force he could assemble.

The Dodongo howled wearily and slumped to the side, obviously defeated.

Link slowly drew out blood-coated sword and tossed it carelessly to the side with a hollow clank. 'It is my fault,' he thought wrathfully. 'Now she is wounded…'

Snapping out of his thoughts, Link whirled around and peered out for Usagi.

Taro was knelt beside her limp form as her chest rose and fell rapidly. She spread her hand across her chest, desperately struggling to calm herself.

Link dashed towards the two and collapsed beside Usagi, gazing at her in horror. Her lids were partially shut, as if she were effortlessly drifting off to sleep.

Instead of drawing breaths, she drew out long gasps and wheezes. 'So…' she uttered weakly. Link grimaced at her suffering. 'So… This is what pain feels like… Surging through your body like an endless tidal wave… And…' she paused. 'It hurts…'

p

Well, that is another chapter done… Usagi seems to be pretty hurt! I wonder what should happen next…

ChibiBear: Oi! Don't kill her off!

What do you think, readers? Read and review, Onegai!