Happy birthday to me.....wow, I'm actually posting when I said I would! First I'm writing a serious fic and then I'm doing what I say I'm going to do? This is very strange..... Thanks so much to all who reviewed, here are some double chocolate chip cookies that I am *sharing* with you all! See, I shared! Happy now, BBLX?! ^_^ Oh, and, not that this has anything to do with anything, but I also think that Somewhere I Belong is way overplayed. There are 13 songs on the CD and they can only play that one on the radio?! It's a good song, but come on! And I like Session, too. The beginning reminds me of the Forest Temple. Anyways, thanks very much for those cookies, even though you made me share them, you're still the best, BBLX!

Disclaimer: Not only do I not own Zelda, I don't own anything. I figure maybe I'll get used to it. Maybe.

The Missing Link

Chapter 3: Stains of Crimson

Numbly, Navi thought that he should probably leave the treehouse and go tell someone what was happening. But although his mind told him to move, he stayed stationary, floating in front of the sun that streamed through the window above the ever-empty bed. As he stared blankly at his surroundings, the realization slowly dawned on him that this could be the beginning of the end. Hyrule's so-called savior had disappeared and with no one else to combat the evil, the land was surely doomed.

Navi shook uneasily and tried to tell himself that he was being ridiculous and far too pessimistic. Just because the hero wasn't here didn't mean that he was missing. He might just be running around Kokiri Village or in the Lost Woods. After all, he was a kid. Most children had boundless energy and wouldn't be seen inside or even sitting down for a period of more than two minutes. Also, as far as Navi knew, Link didn't know he was destined to save Hyrule. It's not like he would sit and wait around for some fairy to come and tell him to go save the world. He had to be out playing in the forest somewhere and if Navi went looking, surely he'd find the savior.

[Of course. How far could a child get, anyway?] Navi tried to reassure himself but his attempts were futile. Somehow, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was something much more complicated going on here. No matter how much he wanted to make himself believe that Link was just out running around like a normal kid, he knew deep inside that that wasn't the answer at all. Something terrible had happened here in this forest, in this room, and it was evident that the very existence of Hyrule depended on Navi finding out what.

Navi sighed as he finally decided to leave the treehouse. It was clear there was nothing left for him here. Or so he thought. If Navi had not been so distraught, so lost inside his own troubled mind, he might have seen that something was not quite as it should have been inside Link's home. He might have taken notice of the piece of torn black cloth that looked out of place against the weathered wooden floor planks. And he could have seen the red that mixed with the white of the tattered bedspread. The deep crimson that stood out glaringly against a pale milk background, clearly showing that certain life-threatening events had taken place. And not long ago, either. For a closer look showed that the drops of color were still full, still wet. Whether from friend or foe, the blood was there. And it was threateningly fresh.

***

Saria watched as Navi left Link's home and headed towards the Lost Woods. Her brow furrowed in concern. [What's going on? Why was that fairy looking for Link?] she wondered, twisting strands of her emerald green hair worriedly. [Something's not right.] she thought as she turned to look at the lone treehouse. It looked even more deserted and silent than usual. Saria bit her lip and her heart began to quicken. She raced towards the ladder and quickly ascended it, only to find herself alone again.

[Where is he? Where's Link?] Saria became more and more afraid as she looked around frantically, seeing nothing but emptiness. She couldn't remember seeing Link at all this morning and she'd assumed that he was simply sleeping in. After all, the two of them had been up late last night, sitting and talking on the ledge that overlooked Kokiri Village. She could still remember every word of their conversation.....

***Flashback***

Saria looked over at Link, watching his feet swing rhythmically back and forth. He'd been unusually quiet tonight and there was a hint of solemnity in his deep blue eyes that she had never seen before. Or at least never noticed. Saria suddenly felt a stab of guilt. She knew she'd been neglecting to spend time with Link lately, what with working so hard and all. Times were tough in the village and people needed her help. But as she studied his melancholy expression, she realized that maybe he needed her even more than they did.

He was always so quiet, so reserved, not well-known among the villagers like she was. She knew part of it had to do with him not having a fairy like everyone else. [But what does it matter? Really, why does everyone make such a big deal out of such a trivial thing?] Saria thought, almost angrily. Link was such a wonderful person with so much going for him, just a bit shy. If they'd stop letting their differences blind them, then they'd realize what she had already figured out. She'd always sensed that Link was different from the rest of them, but she had long ago stopped caring. So he didn't have a fairy. It mattered to everyone else in the village, but it never had and never would matter to her. Sure it had shocked her when they first met, but she had never really thought about it again because it wasn't important. Their friendship, that was what was important. Unfortunately, she hadn't been showing that lately.

Saria sighed inwardly, ashamed, and pulled herself out of her thoughts. She had come here to talk to him and that's what she was planning to do. "So Link, how have you been lately?" she asked, knowing it sounded nonchalant and wishing it didn't

"No different than usual. I'm doing fine, Saria." Link avoided her eyes. He hadn't looked at her for the past several minutes, instead focused his eyes on the white orb in the midnight sky. The hurt was apparent in his voice, however much he didn't want it to be.

Saria sighed again, aloud this time. "I'm sorry, Link." she wondered how he would take her apology. Link hated receiving any kind of sympathy. It actually relieved him when the villagers disliked him for not having a fairy, rather than pitying him endlessly.

"You don't have anything to be sorry for. Why are you apologizing?" Link responded apathetically, still looking away. After all, he was the one at fault, the one who started problems simply by being different. Why should he expect her to spend time with him when she had better people to be with? [People with *fairies*.] Link thought bitterly. He realized that he was pitying himself and hated himself for it. He'd never cared about being different before. Why now?

It tore Saria apart that he wouldn't look at her. How strong was their friendship if it could be broken by a few days of neglect? [But real friends don't desert each other.] Saria told herself sourly. [Real friends aren't *supposed* to neglect each other. Link isn't at fault here. I'm the one who forgot about him.] "Yes, I do. I haven't seen you or talked to you in days, and I'm sorry." His face stayed closed and empty, as if he didn't care about what she was saying, or didn't think she really meant it. "I care about our friendship, Link. I don't want to ruin it." Still nothing. No response. This was driving her crazy. "Please look at me, Link. Please." Saria begged desperately. The pained look on his face was more than she could bear.

Link turned and eyed her solemnly. He saw her let out a breath she'd been holding and loosen her tense muscles when he made eye contact. She was relieved. Thought maybe she could still salvage what was left of them. "I'm not angry with you, Saria. And I know you care about our friendship." he paused, as if there was more he wanted to say but wasn't sure whether or not he should say it.

"And..." Saria prompted, anxious to hear what he had to express after not talking to him for over a week. She knew he meant what he said, that he wasn't angry. It wasn't like Link to get angry. But truthfully she might have preferred rage to the tired sadness that was painfully apparent in the clear blue of his eyes.

"I just wish you'd show it." Link whispered to the ground. This was ridiculous; he knew Saria cared about him. She had just been busy and that was all. Why were they having this conversation? He was afraid that at any moment she'd start sympathizing him, and he wouldn't be able to take it.

He wanted her to show it? Was that what he had just said? Saria was about to retaliate, wanted to say that of course she showed it. But then she thought back to the events of last week. She'd see him sitting outside his house in the lush grass and occasionally she'd rush by with a smile or a wave which he always returned. But she'd never stop. She'd just keep rushing, just keep going. How many times had he tried to call out to her, and she hadn't stopped long enough to listen? How many times had he come by her house only to be greeted with the usual "I'm busy" and gotten shrugged out of the way? And then the last couple days he hadn't even been outside. He'd given up on her the way he thought she'd given up on him. How could she do those things to him and say that she'd been showing that she cared? She couldn't. No matter how stubborn she was, she couldn't try to prove him wrong.

"I'm sorry, Link." Saria repeated. It sounded completely sincere and heartfelt, but somehow it wasn't enough. Was "sorry" all she could say? Was it enough to justify her actions? It wasn't, she knew, but she didn't know what else to tell him. She looked at him almost pleadingly, hoping that he would accept that it was the best she could do, her eyes telling him everything she couldn't find the words to say.

Link looked into her piercing blue eyes and he knew she truly was. He smiled at her, his first sincere smile in days, and she was relieved to see the smile reach his eyes. He understood, and he forgave her. Their friendship couldn't be broken after all. "I know you are, Saria." he said quietly. Saria smiled to herself as they watched the stars twinkle in the infinite blackness. That was just like Link. None of the polite statements friends usually used when patching up a fight, things like "Oh, I'm sorry, too" or "I'm so glad we're still friends". Those kinds of things were too fake for Link. He never said anything just for the sake of saying it. His words always had true feeling and deep meaning, and she wouldn't want it any other way.

They sat there silently watching as the moon reached its zenith and dominated the sky. This time the silence was friendly, peaceable quiet. The tight tension between them was gone and they were simply enjoying being with each other. Saria felt foolish for thinking that their friendship could ever be destroyed. Both of them cared too much to let that happen. And she herself would make sure it never did.

***End of Flashback***

Saria felt tears sliding down her cheeks and the bitter taste of salt against her pale lips. They had just made everything right last night and now Link was gone. Why would he go, knowing how much she cared about their friendship? And where? Kokiri had no home but the forest. Where else could Link possibly have to go? Saria shook her head to clear her confused mind. [I'm jumping to conclusions. Just because Link isn't at home doesn't mean he just got up and left. I'm sure someone in the village has seen him. I'll just ask around before I start worrying about him.] Saria told herself.

But it was too late for her not to be worried. As Navi had done before her, Saria stood in Link's deserted house and knew that something terrible had happened. As a Sage, she was sensitive to these kinds of things, perceptive to any evil that might be taking form. And as she stood on that worn carpet, staring out that solitary window, every fiber of her heart and soul told her that something was wrong. Somehow she knew that Link was supposed to be here and yet he wasn't. The thing she didn't know was why. But she was determined to find out, and she knew one place where she might find the answers.

Saria turned and walked silently out of Link's treehouse, descending the ladder. She began to run in the direction of help, knowing that she looked like a complete and total wreck. Her dark green hair had come lose of its ponytail and was whipping around her face as she ran. Single strands stuck to her face where her tears had dried out like sand, leaving imprints still in her cheeks. Her eyes were dark, baggy, and red-rimmed. She faintly heard voices around her and saw heads turning to watch her as she ran but she didn't stop. Last time she had ignored Link and hadn't stopped for him because she was too preoccupied with helping them. This time she ignored them, didn't pause for them, because she was going to help Link. And that was what mattered. Right now, that was all that mattered.

Back in Link's empty house, the wind blew through the window, causing the shred of black cloth that was unnoticed by both Navi and Saria, to tumble across the floor. The drops of deep red had dried to a dull brownish color, making them less noticeable and seemingly less threatening. But still, they were there. They had gone unseen by everyone who had passed through the house that day, but they still sat waiting to be noticed. Because they wouldn't ever go away, wouldn't ever disappear. They had permanently stained that bedspread and tainted the hands of the one who'd crossed over that threshold with thoughts of murder. What had been done was done and no one had the power to undo it. The past was gone, the present was changing, and the future was coming far too fast for anyone to stop it. Not that anyone could. It would come when it came, and there was no telling what it had in store.

Yay, my longest chapter yet! A little too touchy-feeling for me, but whatever. This is serious fanfiction, after all. Oh, and this is NOT going to turn into a Saria/Link romance! Do you see romance in the genre?! They just have a very strong friendship. And hopefully I'll be able to keep it that way. If you *really* wanted it to be a S/L though, maybe I could *think* about it. Currently, I'm not promising anything! Anyways, please review! See ya!