Disclaimer: I don't own Nintendo or anything involving Legend of Zelda, but I am attempting to write a story about things that involve them for entertainment purposes only. Not for the money thing. That's bad.

It Won't Stop Running Down My Hand

Eternal darkness blotted out Link's vision, as he could feel himself floating within the vast nothingness. He could feel nothing on himself, or even his own body. It was as if his mind had faded away.

"I can't even move my own arms and legs," Link thought aloud, only he heard no sound escape his mouth.

"I can't even feel the vibrations in my mouth as I speak," he thought again, eliciting no sound. Then suddenly, as he began to assume he would spend the rest of eternity feeling this way, a flash of bright light erupted into his eyes. Letting out a moan, he closed his eyes tight.

"What is this?" he heard a ragged whisper come from his throat as he attempted to move his body. Vaguely feeling his hands as he attempted to clench them into fists, his senses began to flood back into his mind. With his newfound feelings though, he began to experience a feeling that most could do without.

"It hurts so bad…" Link trailed off, as he could feel his entire body hurting, along with the vibration in his throat.

"Is this Hell? Have I defeated that army of beasts, only to die of blood loss?" Link mumbled to himself, as he slowly began to open his eyes to the bright world that lie before him. What lie before him however, was hardly any Hell, but it was close. The sick or dying bodies of countless young men filled the room that Link was in. While Link and a few others were on beds, most of the young men were merely lying on the ground or sitting against walls. Realizing that the battle was over, and he somehow lived, Link looked down at himself to see that his body had bandages all over it. Lying next to his bed was his tunic, swords and gear.

"I lived?" he questioned to nobody in particular, however an answer came back to him.

"You sure did, boy!" a gruff and elder voice shouted to his left. With a look of surprise in his eyes, Link looked over at the voice. Finding the smiling face of an older man with jet-black hair and a rough face with a beard was hardly what Link expected to see.

"The doctors here just couldn't let the 'Army Slayer' die on us, eh?" the older man questioned with a look of arrogance on his face.

"Army slayer? What do you mean?" Link's fragile voice asked the old man, who for some reason found it funny, since he began to laugh after he asked the question.

"Modest boy, aren't you?" he asked the confused young man. Link was far too exhausted and weak to bother playing games with this soldier who was old enough to be his father.

"What's your name, boy?" asked the older man.

"Link…" he trailed off with a soft voice.

"Link, huh? Well my name is Kastu," he smiled with a look on his face, which showed his years of experience. Link, for some reason, felt calmed by this older man who was showing such kindness to him.

"Three hundred and seventy two, huh?" Link asked himself as he turned his head to look up at the ceiling. Voices echoed around him, but he didn't bother to acknowledge them. As he stared up at the plain colored ceiling, he could feel his eyelids growing heavy, forcing themselves down over his eyes, and blacking out his world.

Opening his eyes again, Link could see a large town stretch out before him. The familiar town had wide stone roads with small houses along them. This town depicted a typical settlement that wasn't involved with wars or groups of bandits. The children and even the elderly walked without a care in the world. However, there was one thing that they seemed to avoid, a rather large young boy, sitting in the middle of town, devouring some sort of small animal. With a large frame, dirty blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, blood smeared across his face, and muscle mass that seemed to hide his young age, this child appeared to be some kind of monster. As Link walked a little closer, realization struck him, as his eyes grew wide.

"That's me!" he thought grimly, as he looked around at the villagers that passed by. No matter who it was, each villager passed by him, like he wasn't there.

"Mommy, why is the devil in town?" a small child asked his mother who tightly held his hand as they passed by the young version of Link.

"I wonder why that filthy little beast is even here," a rough man asked a shopkeeper, who was staring at the young Link. Everyone who saw him, stared with morbid fascination, as the boy pressed his face into the carcass of the animal he had recently caught. Suddenly, a gasp was heard in the crowd, and they ceased whispering. The young Link looked up from his kill, to see a small girl stand before him. She was about his age, with golden blonde hair that showed she bathed regularly and emerald green eyes that shined in the light. She wore a beautifully regal dress, which was colored with very bright pinks and purples, and on her neck was a necklace of a golden triangle. No words were spoken between the two of them, as they locked eyes and stared at each other. Link could feel his face growing red under her stare, as if she was looking into his soul. Finally, a smile appeared on the young girl's face, and young Link couldn't help but return one, himself.

"This is what happened, all those years ago," the normal Link spoke to himself aloud. Before normal Link could even contemplate his feelings, a commotion began around his young self.

"Stay away from that little girl, you demon!" an old voice cried out as it rushed towards young Link. Before the old woman could take a step closer, Link had grasped at sword that lie to his side, raised it in the air, and prepared to bring it down on stop of the old woman's head.

"Don't do it!" a cry shot out through the confusion, stopping Link's sword from finding it's target. The point that the blade stopped at couldn't have been any closer, as it nearly touched the old woman' neck. Silence once again registered in the town, as everyone realized that Link had listened to the little girl, and spared the old woman.

"Why would you want to kill someone?" the little girl asked the young Link, with tears filling her eyes. Young Link could only stare at her with wide eyes, unable to speak. A guilty expression covered his face as he suddenly realized what he must do. In the mountains, when he was faced with something he could not defeat, he would run away in the hopes he could defeat it another day. As adrenaline was pumped through his body, he forced all the strength he had into his legs, and he bolted off with his sword, towards the mountain. The only thing he left behind was his nearly finished off food, and the tears that ran down the young girl's face.

"But… It doesn't end here; there was one more thing I did, which would eventually alter my life forever…" adult Link trailed off, as he felt his world turn black. When his world came back into view, he could see his young version, sword in hand, standing by a tree with blood on his small green tunic. Hugging him and crying, was the same girl as before. At their feet was a dirty looking man, with a slash across his back.

"I'm sorry…" young Link trailed off, now releasing his grip on his sword and hugging her back. After a few minutes, they stepped away from each other, red in the face.

"It's okay, since he was bad. I don't think I could ever like someone who kills good people," she stated to the young version of Link, who suddenly became thoughtful.

"I'm afraid I have to leave for home soon, but I want you to have this," she began, as she took her necklace off and gave it to Link. The golden triangle seemed to shine in his hands, surprising them both.

"It seems like it likes you," she smiled to Link as he stared at her, unsure of what to say.

"Nobody has ever given me anything…" he trailed off, still staring at her.

"It's a gift, showing that we'll always be friends!" she cheerfully laughed.

"Thank you…" Link softly said, wishing he had something to give to her. All he had were the clothes on his back and his sword. He had nothing that could possibly compare to such a wonderful necklace like the one Link now held in his left hand. As he gazed at the present, he could feel a presence leaving him. Looking up, he saw the girl walking away from him and his existence.

"Tell me, where do you live?" Link shouted to her, desperate for her to stay with him even a few more moments.

The castle town of Hyrule," she smiled to him one last time and then waved goodbye. Link was positive that if he didn't leave, he would never see her again.

"It seems so strange that I was instantly taken with her," adult Link spoke aloud, but it seemed that his voice could only be heard by himself and not his youthful self.

"She was the only person who had smiled at me, and opened her heart to me, since mother and father had died…" Link trailed off, remembering things that he had long since buried.

"She looked the real me, the primal and rage filled me, right in the eyes and smiled. She didn't think I was a devil at all…" Link looked over to his young self, to see him walking away.

"I held unto that necklace so tight that night, but in the morning I still lost it," he began, only too look down at the ground, "like everything else in my life…"

The flashbacks that filled his senses then washed away, as a bright morning light crept over his body. Opening his eyes, he could see sunlight streaming through the window, as the sky seemed a beautiful blue color.

"As long as it isn't red," Link smiled to himself out loud, feeling better. As he spoke this, he realized that young men no longer surrounded him and that he was the only person in the room now. Stepping out of bed, and putting his gear on over his bandaged body, he stepped out of the room, only to see the surprised face of a small female nurse.

"I'm awake now," Link smirked at the tiny woman, deciding she was shocked that he was out of bed so soon. Of course, she only seemed so petite because she was standing next to Link, who was a monster among Hylians.

"It's about time, it's been two days now…" she trailed off and then stood up and motioned for Link to follow her. Suddenly Link's confidence slipped away, realizing that his cocky smile must have looked dumb.

"Where are you taking me?" Link asked the nurse, who had been walking him around through castle corridors.

"To see her royal majesty, Princess Zelda…" she smiled, glancing back at the handsome Hylian that walked behind her in green.

Author's Notes: I told myself that I would try not to ramble on and on, because people tend to like the stories, and not the notes that the author throws in. I just wanted to say thanks to two people, (well maybe three,) for their special reviews. "Some Guy" gave me my first review that wasn't just praise. It may seem like he told me lots of problems, but his constructive criticism was further proof that I still need practice. My only thing to say to you "Some Guy" is to just be patient, as everything will be revealed in due time. The other review, which could be considered to be from two people was from Raiyne of Gailin (I think I spelt that right.) It had to be one of the funniest reviews I've ever received. All my reviews are important to me, and make me want to write more, but I wanted to thank these two (or three,) people who put extra thought into them. Thanks again everyone!

Extra Author's Notes: In the review by Raiyne of Gailin, I had never before heard the phrase "Linkie Torture," which I find very funny. Thanks!

Extra Extra Author's Notes: Any questions or comments that I don't get to in the story, will be covered in my final author's notes.

Extra Extra Extra Author's Notes: Ha, and I said I wouldn't ramble…