~ Disclaimer ~ Shhh.Link is still asleep! I have to whisper so he doesn't wake up. You know by now that I don't own any Nintendo products so we need not go through the red tape.

Okay, the dedications: Looking back on them all, I feel loved! ^_^

Have I fixed that review problem yet, Shadow Knight? Hope so. And Thanks, jelie36 for reviewing again! I did read your story and it does have potential! Also, Gsfreak is back! Hmmm.he had a Link-type fic as well. Now, of course I'm going to be checking that out sometime.

Link: Ugh.my head.. Wait, I remember now!

0_0; Uh-oh.

Link: Why you little.Where is my sword?!?

^_^; Well, it was all dirty so I sent it to get cleaned!

Link: WHAT?!?

Ah, umm.Well, look at the time. On with the chapter!

*Runs away with Link chasing, waving his fists*

~~~~~~~

~ A Promise is a Promise ~

It was morning of the next day and indeed Link was well awake and aware of his new situation. He had agreed to become Crystal's sparring partner and had to honor his promise. Gramps looked out the window with a mysterious smile on his face as the two fighters faced off in the grass. Desert Diamond and Epona both decided to graze on the yard grass and watch their owners duel.

Despite it was a practice duel, blood was shed on the occasional overdoing or slips but neither was gaining ground. Then again, neither was trying all that hard. Link used the sheer length of his gilded sword to block the flashing daggers in Crystal's lightning-fast hands. Link could barely keep up with defending so he pressed his own attack, switching to offense.

With a quick thrust, Crystal was forced to back away and Link crouched and jumped at her, blade held above his head. He was not worried for he knew she could defend herself. Just in time, Crystal raised both her daggers and let the blades absorb the impact as Link landed on his feet.

The blade was stopped a fair seven inches from Crystal's head but when she thought she had beaten Link's attack, he grinned and shifted his weight to one foot, pulling his sword away and twisted around just enough to deliver a quick kick to her side. Crystal was pushed back but refused to fall. She looked at Link, amazement whirled in her eyes. Link shrugged but said seriously, "You need to look for any sign of attack from your opponent. Don't just watch the weapon. Watch the whole person. Shifting weight is a good sign that they are going to try a sneak attack." Crystal nodded rather eagerly and smiled.

Comparing her to a student, Link laughed lightly. Crystal demanded to know what was funny but Link waved it off and took on a fighting pose once more. Crystal followed suit and they were ready to continue.

Gramps let the curtain fall and chuckled to himself. If only he had as much spunk as those youth then he could again train young Crystal. All he was able to do in his feeble age was teach her with words but experience was the better teacher. He sighed heavily and sipped at the cup of milk. Lost in memories of the past once again.

-- Flashback --

Gramps took the tiny Crystal by the hand, she sucked on her other thumb and looked up at him. He smiled warmly at her but then turned to the brash, young boy before him. At the age of three, Crystal didn't know it but her life was changing as once again the five-year-old boy shook his head stubbornly. Already the boy was suited with a short sword sheathed at his side given to him by his favorite tournament champion at the Springtime Festival.

Gramps tried to reason with the child but again was denied. Growing angry now, he told his ultimatum, "If you do not come now, then you WILL remain a stranger to this young girl. Would you give her up just for your thirst for swordsman skills?" The boy hesitated, the look of firm stubbornness was replaced by thought.

The thought of losing Crystal forever was deeply shaking. He gritted his teeth, anger and frustration flashed through him until he yelled and began to run towards the castle, not knowing that even that simple act changed his own life. Crystal gripped Gramp's hand a little tighter and let out a whimper; the boy's yelling had startled her. Gramps knelt beside the small girl and patted her black hair saying, "It will be all right. I'll take care of you." Soothed by the soft words, Crystal embraced the man and he lifted her up easily and carried her to her new home.

Andrake stopped running and looked back just once more as the two figured walked the opposite way. He felt like fire burned in his throat, choking off all his breath but forced air into his lungs and said, "Goodbye, Baby Sister."

-- End flashback --

Gramps looked out the window once more, those two were at it will all their power. He did regret the past but what would've happened if he had told Crystal about Andrake's relation to her? The obvious effect was he'd be accused of breaking his word. Another was Crystal would not be so far along as she was without Andrake's chiding and pushing her to greater distances he himself could not take her.

He was amazed that Andrake could live with Crystal never knowing who he really was to her but that was his choice. Gramps took a long drink of milk and said aloud, "Those two are unusual, though. One would think their similarities are obvious."

Hearing his voice, Shekro looked up from near the hearth and listened to him. Gramps continued, "Andrake with his gifted feet and the ability to breach Crystal's gift. Well, I guess breaching her sight of souls is nothing too special as this boy also has that skill. But Crystal.Andrake's feet are obvious. How can what Crystal is saying be true? Can she see into an animal's heart? I find it hard to believe but if she can.perhaps there will be an end to all this wolf business." Shekro answered with a lazy yawn and stretched. Gramps laughed, "I feel the same way, Boy. I feel the same way."

The door opened and Link went on inside, complaining only of thirst. Crystal came in after him complaining he was just stopping cause she was winning. Link grinned to himself, indeed the girl was good but could she defend herself against a spin attack? Surely there was some magic in this land and he'd need to prepare her for it! After all, magic, both good and evil, was everywhere.

Gramps scratched Shekro's head as the Wolfos sat beside the old man and watched the two. Link washed his face in the small basin and dried himself with a towel. Crystal soon stopped her complaining and turned all her attention to Shekro. Shekro wagged his tail and panted at her as she knelt on the floor with him. Already the Wolfos was as tall as she was on her knees (about 3 foot, 4 inches). To Crystal, he only grew bigger everyday.

Link also scratched behind Shekro's ears and said to Gramps, "Well, Crystal is getting better but I am still the best." Gramps cocked an eyebrow, surprised by the boy's courage. Crystal stood up quickly, her hands in fists (fortunately the daggers were left in their holsters) and glared evilly at Link, "I dare you to say that again." She said almost hissing. Link looked over at her but faced the wall, "I said, 'I'm still the best' or has your hearing dulled already?" A grin grew broader on Link's face with each word until it seemed his face might have split in two. Crystal growled and rebuked fiercely, "If you were half the fighter I was then-"

Gramps cut in with a loud cough, "I was thinking that when you two were done fighting, we would go into town. Supposedly, the Springtime Festival is going to begin today. Crystal's anger flew away replaced by barely contained joy. She grinned, her eyes sparkling blue, "Please can we go now!?!" Gramps laughed at the sudden mood swing and Link grew crest- fallen. He had wanted to get Crystal fired up to teach her a new lesson on not letting her anger get the best of her but a festival did sound quit inviting.

Before Gramps could get anymore housework done, Crystal was verbally coaxing him onward and physically pulling him while Link set up the harness for the elder nag. Crystal pushed and pulled and finally hoisted Gramps up in the driver's seat and with the old man laughing at her giddy eagerness (which he experienced every year) he gave the reigns a quick snap and they were off.

Link decided to ride Epona, hoping there would be races or horseback archery. Crystal went into detail of every main event and every delectable treat served at the fair. The performers, veteran knights, the princes from far away lands, and the singers and dancing (but she confessed she sat out most of the dances). She went on while Link listened attentively to the tales of flying flags of all vibrant colors and of delicious smells of fresh baked bread and all the exotic breeds of horses ridden and competing in all sorts of events. A lot of them he hadn't even heard of.

"What is jousting?" He finally asked when she was in the middle of a fantastic tournament description. Mid-sentence, she stopped and stared at him in disbelief. The wagon stopped and Link felt like there was no other sound but of his question lingering in the air. He shrugged widely, "What? So I've never heard of it!" Crystal shook her head sadly as Gramps got the old nag wandering again toward the castle, a look of deep concentration on his face. Crystal leaned over toward Link, "Boy, you need more teaching than I do!" Link was still confused but he stayed mounted and Crystal continued where she had left off.

~~~~~~~~~~

Link, are you calmed down yet?

Link: Humph! _ (Has his hands crossed and doesn't look at Shadow Girl)

*Sigh* maybe the festival will shake him out of it.

Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it and I really hope it answers a lot of questions. Thickens the plot though, doesn't it? I don't take full credit for creating that twist for it was a team effort between CrysSton16 and myself. Thank you and good night.

Till next time!