This is part 2. This takes place several years after Chapter four. Koru is now...eh, about fifteen years old. In the middle of the Imprisoning War with Ganondorf. As you will find out, there has been no contact with Link, Ganondorf, or anything. Basically, the Gerudo are living in solitude without any idea of what is going on. Mina has yet to return, and I'll give you a hint: Mina is alive. Sorry for late update once again. It's all posted on this other Zelda site...I have to find it again but the whole story is otherwise posted on that site.

-PART 2-

Chapter 5

"What's wrong, Koru?" Tarah asked, leaning forward on her spear.

I stiffened a bit and shook my head. "Nothing," I murmured. My eyes were fixed upon the Dark Tower, and a sort of jolt, or sensation of some sort went up my back. Of course, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"Koru..." Tarah said impatiently, "I've known you all your life, I think I'd know if something is bothering you. And besides," she added, "Gillian would want to hear of what you feel,"

"Gillian is a fool," I muttered darkly. Tarah had indeed known me all my life, but there was some sort of bond that was missing. Something only Mina and I shared. It had been five years since Mina's departure. Five years since Link had left. Five years since Nabooru disappeared. Five years since the Dark Tower rose. "Let's just get out of here. Our duty is done,"

Tarah nodded and followed me as I marched back to the castle.

"Keep your chin up, you fool," Gillian hissed as she grabbed one of my fellow guards and twisted her neck up violently. "You should be looking intimidating. Not warm and fuzzy,"

I bit my tongue to keep myself from retaliating.

Gillian's head jerked toward Tarah and me.

"What did you see?"

"Nothing out of the ordinary," I said coldly.

There had been a silent war between Gillian and me for years. Ever since Nabooru had disappeared, Gillian had taken charge. Ever since Gillian had taken charge, she was convinced that I wanted her position as leader. I, of course, wanted nothing but the return of our rightful leader and my dear friend. I had been training for five years to keep Gillian satisfied. I was always out on the archery field, pushing myself further and further until I was far ahead. This earned me a position on the Elite Guards enforcement. Tarah was always one step ahead of me, and every chance she got, Tarah would always prove that she was better.

"Koru," Gillian whispered, "they will never come back,"

That was another thing. Though Gillian had not improved in any way possible, her hatred for me grew.

I had been planning my escape for months. I was to go search the Field for Ferah. I was determined that if Nabooru didn't return, Ferah would. Surely, if Ferah returned, there would be a mutiny against Gillian. For five years I stayed at the Fortress and trained. I trained until my hands bled from the blisters of the arrows and spears. I trained until my eyes grew heavy with fatigue. I trained until the moon would dip into the sky and the sun would rise again.

I trained until my heart couldn't bare the absence any longer.

"Lulu, tonight is the night,"

"You're really....leaving?" Lulu dared to ask me.

I nodded confidently, "Yes. I have been stalling for some reason which escapes me. But now I know that I am ready to find our leader, Lulu,"

"She's gone...Koru, you saw her die yourself,"

"I saw her being captured by witches," I said heatedly, "In the dream, the Forest Boy was far older than he was five years ago. If the dream was a prophecy, then the disappearance of Nabooru has not occurred yet."

"But I saw her being sucked into the sand..."

"I don't understand it all either, Lulu." I muttered, "Just be sure that you not tell Tarah or Gillian or any of our fellow Gerudo about this,"

I wrapped my cloak around me and tucked my sword under my sash. Lulu sighed, but in the end nodded.

"Just...come back, okay, Koru?"

"Don't worry about me," I said, "Just worry about the future of our tribe,"

"If you find...Ganondorf..." Lulu whispered, "What does that mean...?"

"It means," I started, "that he is a backstabbing bastard,"

Jin, one of my fellow Gerudo who was very old and very wise, lent me her map of Hyrule. I tucked the map safely in the inside pocket of my cloak and departed that night.

At first, everyone assumed I was a guard. But, when I began to slowly slip into the shadows towards the entrance, the guards caught onto me.

Thus began a chase.

I swiftly jumped over the boxes and hurled myself over the edge of the Gerudo Fortress. I slammed into the ground, a sharp piercing pain going up my leg. I bit my tongue to keep from howling in pain, only to have the taste of warm blood fill my mouth. I continued anyway.

I heard them shouting for me to come back, that they couldn't bear anything else happening. My heart ached, but I reminded myself that this was for Nabooru, this was for Mina, and Ferah. I needed to find Link and the witches and see to it that their little games were put to an end.

I scrambled across the bridge and cut the ropes with my sword. They couldn't continue to give chase.

"Koru," I saw Gillian separate the crowd and approach the edge of the bridge. I narrowed my eyes. She glared at me, but knew she wouldn't dare try and jump across to reach me, "they will never come back. I am leader, now. Things are fine. They always have been,"

"Come back!" some of the Gerudo pleaded.

"Not until that thing is banished."

I didn't get a response, so instead I spat down at the raging river below and left the Gerudo Valley forever.

I silently cursed myself for being so stupid. I didn't even bother to get a horse...I didn't even bother to get a horse!

The night was still young, and I could hear singing in the distance. I didn't dare follow it, however. I pulled out my map and read the markings carefully. I made up my mind. I was heading for the castle first thing.

I kept my eyes on the tall mountain the loomed before me, rings of fire surrounding its peak. I was tempted to visit the place, but instead, I kept my path for the Castle. The singing I could here must've been coming from that Ranch. It was Lon-Lon Ranch, the place where many Gerudo's began to steal horses, supplies and foods ever since the King had banned us from the marketplace. Again, I was tempted to stray away from the path and examine the area. The wind was cooler and warmer here, very unlike the harsh winds in the valley. I wrapped my purple scarf around my face to keep any stray traveler that could be nearby from recognizing me as a Gerudo. The soft tinkle of water came from my right, and I decided that I would pause and fill a canteen before proceeding.

As I knelt before the small stream and splashed some of its cool water on my face, I saw my reflection. It had been many moons since I had last seen myself, and I was a bit taken aback. My eyes were big and dark as the rest of the Gerudo and my hair was long and fine. What scared me was the look in my eyes. The horrible look of desperation and anger. It frightened me a bit. As I stared into my reflection and prepared to dip my hands into the water once again, I felt the cold end of a sword touch my neck.

"Trespasser,"

I froze and didn't dare to move.

"Turn around and face me,"

I stood up slowly, my hands in the air. How could someone have sneaked up upon me? Had I been so absorbed in my reflection to even notice the soft patter of their footsteps?

I turned around and was met by a pair of piercing gray eyes.

"Who are you?" the tall woman hissed. She looked far older than me, her gray hair pulled back into pigtails. She had red war paint drawn on her face, her stance was strong and intimidating.

I took a step back and wrapped my cloak around me tighter. Suddenly, I was cold. "My name is Koru,"

The woman wrinkled her nose in disgust. "You are a Gerudo."

"No!" I protested loudly, but the woman only pressed her sword further into the tender skin where my shoulder and neck met.

"Liar," she hissed, "I can see through you,"

I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth. The sword was cutting into my neck; I could feel my warm blood slowly dribbling onto the sword.

"What did you come here to do exactly, Koru?"

"I-I came to find…to find the murderer of my people." I choked out, my eyes still closed as the sword continued to dig into my flesh.

I opened one eyes slowly to see the woman frowning at me. She heaved a sigh and hesitantly pulled her sword away. I winced as the wind nipped at my wound, sending shivers down my spine.

"Why are you here outside of my village?"

I blinked blankly. "Village?"

The woman snorted in response, "Kakariko Village. It is up there, beyond those steps," she motioned towards a gruff, old looking staircase which was encased with vines and various weeds. "I am Impa, guardian of Kakariko, and I do not take well to strangers,"

"So it seems," I mumbled as I tenderly touched my neck. "I do not mean any harm; I am only here to find my leader's murderer and my friends, who have disappeared. I mean to investigate the Dark Tower,"

Impa eyed me warily. "You plan to go to the Dark Tower?"

I nodded, "My friend Mina was sent there years ago, and never returned,"

"It is not wise," Impa muttered darkly, "to go near the Black Castle,"

"You…you know of it?"

Impa snorted. "I know more than you'll ever know,"

I shifted my weight uncomfortably, glancing desperately at my sword, which lay tied to my side. If I moved quickly, I could probably overwhelm her for a moment and flee out into the dark. The odds were against me, however...

She must've followed my eyes, for she commented, "Do not even think of getting away, you damned thief. I know you and your Gerudo,"

"What of the Gerudo?" I asked desperately, "You've seen Gerudo?"

Instead of answering me, however, Impa only smirked, "Are you skilled with the blade?"

I nodded, "But more skilled with a bow,"

"I see not a quiver on your back," this woman had dared to say to me, "Do you intend to steal from our village again, thief?"

I had no idea what she was talking about, nor did I have the time for this. "I must go to the tower,"

Impa frowned, bringing her sword out again, "I cannot allow you to see your master,"

"Master?"

"You are young and reckless, and probably under his control," Impa muttered fiercely, "Or perhaps—being a sister of Ganondorf—he has spared you free will and you commit your acts dutifully?"

This woman would not shut up.

Finally, I lost all patience and scrambled for my sword and held it with two steady hands, my feet digging firmly into the earth below me. I would not allow this fool to stay in my way. I pushed forward and thrust out my sword, causing her to quickly jump backwards to avoid me. I pushed out my right leg, which tangled with hers and she fell onto her side, dropping her sword.

"Great Goddess," Impa stared at me, a new look in her eyes. Was it...admiration? "...You're far more experienced then I assumed!"

I was still not satisfied. As long as her mouth continued to move, I would not be done.

I let out a cry of rage and jumped at her again, sword raised over my head. Once again, my blade hit hers. I towered over Impa, who lay on her back, pushing me back with both hands and her teeth bared.

"Give...up!" I hissed, leaning all my weight against my sword.

Impa, however, showed no signs of giving in. "Young and reckless...trained only as a thief. Nothing more, nothing less," Impa grunted with effort as her shaking arms pulled back momentarily and then thrust back out, sending me flying back into the ground. I hit the ground with a dull thud and moaned. My head was spinning and my heart was racing.

"You're nothing but a dirty little thief," Impa whispered darkly as she loomed over me, "Just like your master. Just like Ganondorf,"

My eyes flashed wildly, "Ganondorf?!! What has become of him?"

"Don't play stupid!" Impa murmured, "Your wicked leader is the one that rose and resides in the Dark Tower this very night! The evil seed himself executed the King of Hyrule, and drove out the only living heiress!" She spat at me, "You and your people have been terrorizing us! The people of Hyrule live in fear, never knowing where or when Ganondorf's horde of demons or thieves will attack!"

(You and your people...have been terrorizing us...the people of Hyrule...)

"The Gerudo are also Hylians!" I screamed, "We are no different!"

"My blood be clean!" Impa roared in a rage, "You thieves are nothing but Ganondorf's brainless bodies!"

Did this fool not realize that the Gerudo women have been banned from Hyrule? That none of us even dared to step out into the field since the Dark Tower touched the heavens?

Several things happened at once.

Impa raised her sword and prepared to bring it upon my neck. Almost instantly, I saw a Poe appear beside Impa, its yellow eyes upturned in joy as it cackled. It was raising its dim burning lantern in a ghostlike way, preparing to strike Impa. On instinct, I pulled out my bow and aimed, letting my last arrow take flight. My aim was clear and true, striking the lantern the vile Poe had, shattering it to pieces with the Poe long gone.

I was breathing heavily, staring at the low ember of the flame, still clutching my bow.

Impa too, was gasping for air.

"W-what just happened?"

"Poe," I breathed, keeping my eyes lowered.

Impa suddenly seemed to gather her wits together and glare at me dangerously. She brought up her sword to rest on her shoulder and snorted, "Just because you—"

"Indeed. She has saved your life, Impa," A voice said, interrupting her, "You owe her, as much as you would hate to admit it,"

"W-who's there?" I demanded, spinning around in all directions with my guard up. Too many strange occurrences for one night....

"...Sheik..." Impa whispered.

HEY! Stick with this story. It's just getting started...