(Author's Note: Hey, thanks to my new favorite reviewer, Karlminion. Haha, you scared me at first when you said I was mean. Thanks a lot for the reviews. As to my other reviewers… hey, as long as you're reading the other stuff, I guess I can forgive you. But Karlminion rocks my socks for now. Ciao.)
Naoll and Sakina practiced as many times a day as they could fit in. Originally, Naoll was simply amused by Sakina's determination, but as the years progressed, she found Sakina was every bit her equal and one day found them being watched by a crowd of their closer companions and a few other interested spectators.
"Come on, Naoll! Are you gonna let this little eleven-year-old forest-girl beat you?" Zahmora egged on jokingly. The other watchers were wagering on the victor. None of them had ever seen such a sword fight since that between Naoll and Heltzaku. Swords weren't the tribe's forte at all, but they were always intrigued by its subtle actions and its loud screaming.
Naoll found herself locked in a position that she had taught Sakina two years ago. It was called the Hylian Loss Lock. The only way one would ever want to be in that position is if one had instigated the lock. Naoll knew right then that Sakina had her. Sakina whipped her away and held her sword-tip to Naoll's back. There was a general murmur and then applause for appreciation of both females' skills.
Naoll turned to Sakina and smiled proudly.
"The student has surpassed the teacher." Naoll bowed.
Sakina was aghast at this idea.
"But…."
"You have defeated me over ten times in sequence, Sakina," Naoll said, striding purposefully towards her pupil. "And truth-be-told, I've always been partial to the spear." She threw her arm around Sakina's shoulders. "To dinner, my child!"
In the mess hall, Sakina went to get portions for herself and the rest of her table, which was a requirement of any student once they rose through the levels. She was worried that she had gone too far too quickly, being eleven and beating a thirty-one-year-old at the sword. At the table, her friends awaited the food and discussed her new accomplishment.
"Honest to Nayru," Naoll said softly, so that her three friends had to lean in to hear what she had to say. "I think that young Kina is better than the all-mighty Heltzaku."
"For sooth?" Zahmora grinned.
"And verily," Naoll nodded.
"Great!" Zahmora clapped her hands together and looked towards Heltzaku. "I've wanted to see that smug look wiped off her face for awhile now, and if young Kina can take it off… heh heh…."
"She'll probably get kicked outta the tribe!" Kynthia said worriedly.
"Nay, she can't be booted until she's a woman," Nokomis said, looking towards Sakina, who was talking to Saba before coming over. "And that's five years yet. And by then she'll probably be ready to move anyway. She is not meant to stay with the Gerudos. You've heard her tales."
"Aye, Nokomis has a good point, but… that reminds me," Naoll spoke, "on an evening you will find Kina awaiting at the Temple of Time in Hyrule Market. She waits for her male friend, Link. If he is what she says, by the time she is sixteen, he will be available meat for her to take. Once she has a man, she is permitted to return any time she deems worthy."
Kynthia, Zahmora, and Nokomis nodded in agreement.
Sakina was on her way back to the table, so the women converted their conversation to other matters.
"Sakina, you have the gruel. Good girl," Nokomis helped Sakina distribute it. "Eh? Your sleeves are a bit short now, aren't they?"
Sakina nodded, blushing.
"We're gonna hafta get you another sort of clothing, aren't we?" Nokomis continued. "That tunic is hardly fit for a Gerudo warrior."
"Yes, we'll get you another." Zahmora said. "And if I'm not mistaken, your breasts are coming in?"
Sakina blushed even more. There had definitely been a little jiggle.
"No reason to be embarrassed, m'dear," Zahmora laughed, "We're all women around here." She drank some of her water. "Eleven years of age, when was your birthday again?"
"Two days ago," Sakina admitted.
"At twelve I'm gonna insist you get rid of these forest braids. They're getting' too long, kiddo." Naoll said, tugging at one. They reached past her waist.
"What do you mean?" Sakina asked defensively.
"You'll need to graduate to one braid. You ain't gonna be a child much longer."
"Oh." Sakina laughed.
"And Sakina," Naoll started, "I'm gonna be busy tonight, so you're gonna need to get yourself to the Temple, eh?"
"Okay," Sakina said.
Saba, Misae and Neona, mistresses of the arrows, walked behind Sakina. Saba bent over and whispered in Sakina's ear.
"Heard you've mastered the sword. Hope your archery can say that much in a couple of years. Come by after dinner and I'll give you something to practice with at the Temple." Saba clapped her shoulder and walked on. Misae took the time to ruffle her hair before following.
"Why does everyone play with my hair?" Sakina asked in a falsely grumpy voice.
"Cause you're our little baby." Zahmora teased, reaching across the table to do the same.
"Oho, now, Zahmora! I thought we were just discussing that she would soon come into adulthood?" Nokomis grinned.
"Yes, but until then, that's what she is." Zahmora laughed.
That evening, Sakina swung by the archery area, where Neona waited for her.
"Saba's busy, but she told me to give you this." Neona handed her an old bow, a bunch of practice arrows, and a target. "We're gonna test your skills tomorrow to start a regime for you. After all, arrows are better than the sword for a lot of things." Neona said proudly. "Go on now! You don't want to be at the Temple for too long, now do you?"
Sakina left with her arrows and bow slung over her shoulder next to her sword. The only way she had found to comfortably keep her sheath on was by tying the belt over her shoulder and leaving the sword over her back. The target was rolled up for easier transportation. Sakina left the Gerudo village and walked alone into Hyrule field. She had a flash of memory that she hadn't been permitted to have for two years. There was too much time spent with the Gerudos at practice. At night she would have to sleep and nothing else. Sometimes the old nightmares would come back to haunt her. Today, she was alone and there was naught but silence.
Her scars had faded from the harsh red to a barely visible white, given time to heal. However, her memories had been choked every time she wanted to think about them. Through the field she trumped, tears finally springing to her eyes, something that hadn't happened for two years. She could cry now. No one would call her a weakling now.
She remembered holding a small hand in her own, curling around a small figure in a bed fearful of the shadows, laughing while floating downstream, and carrying a limping figure from the Dodongo's Cavern. Sniffing hard, Sakina tried not to cry, but couldn't help it anymore.
"Link is still alive."
She hustled towards the Temple of Time, thinking that today might be the day that he came back from behind that wall. Today, however, Hyrule Market wasn't empty as it usually was.
"ReDead," she whispered in terror. Swallowing hard, Sakina slid past them through the shadows. They moaned and shifted slowly around the courtyard. Her heart pounded with fear she hadn't felt for so long. Their coming must have meant something! Maybe Link would be back! Sakina slipped carefully into the Temple of Time and found that the wall was still there.
She dropped her things, furious with herself for getting her hopes up so high.
"Link… I miss you a lot right now." She said to the wall. "Are you on the other side? Have you forgotten me? I don't have much time anymore, but there isn't a day… that… I don't think of you." Sakina moved her hand up to her brand mark. Ganondorf will pay, by my hand or yours, I don't care.
There was a rustling sound from behind. Sakina whipped around and yanked her sword to her aid.
"Who's there?" There wasn't a response. "Show yourself, coward!" She was more angry that she may have been caught crying than the fact that someone had been spying on her.
Someone came out from the shadows, dressed from toe to chin in black. Only the person's eyes were revealed, blue, just like every Kokiri's had been. Same went for the distinguished Hylians. Sakina didn't lower her weapon despite a sense of familiarity. This person was about her height, maybe slightly taller, but that could have been because he/she was dressed completely in black. On the unknown person's chest was an eye dripping a tear of blood.
"Sakina," the female finally spoke. "I thought you looked familiar."
"Who are you?" Sakina asked, hand shaking. This person had advantage over her, knowing who she was and not the other way.
"My name? You wouldn't have heard it, but I have heard tell of you." The female spoke quickly.
"Give me your name," Sakina demanded through gritted teeth.
"Sheik, I am of a dying race of the Sheikah."
"Oh," Sakina slightly remembered Impa, the Sheikah that had taken care of Zelda. "From who have you heard my name?" Sakina asked, lowering her sword cautiously.
"Princess Zelda." Sheik explained.
Sakina's mouth fell. "So she is alive? It figures as much." Sakina scoffed.
Sheik lifted her eyebrows. "I had thought you and the princess were friends."
"I didn't know friends abandoned one another," Sakina spat. "But I suppose sisters might."
"Wh-what?" Sheik took a step back. "Are you implying that the princess is your sister?"
"Or so the all-mighty Ganondorf claims." Sakina touched her neck again.
"What color are your eyes? Green?" Sheik asked, stepping carefully forward.
"Yes, what of it?" Sakina stuck her chin out.
"She said that you had died. Her twin."
Sakina laughed, a harsh and unwelcoming sound. "What? Was she giving you the rundown of her life? Great. While I was being captured, she was enjoying a nice cup of tea with the Sheikah."
"Not quite," Sheik said, frowning. "She was avoiding capture as well."
"Was she? That's swell. I'm glad to hear that she managed all right. Send her my regards, won't you?" Sakina turned and picked up her target. When she looked back, Sheik had snuck out. Sakina set up her target against the wall and unleashed her fury on it with some poorly placed arrows. On the bright side, she managed to hit the target every time, even if it never made the bull's eye.
"Link, will you ever come back?" She whispered as she left.
"Come on, Sakina!" Sabu hit her over the head none-too-gently. "You'll never be hittin' any deer with a shot like that!"
Sakina was quite frustrated. "I have trouble enough drawing the string! Can't I cool it on the aim for now?"
"No you cannot!" Sabu shouted in her face. "Now! Hit the target in the center!"
Sakina, shaking with fury, forced her hands to remain still and focused wholly on the eye.
FWISH!
"Better, much better!" Sabu looked at where the arrow had gone. It was splat in the middle.
"Can I go to dinner now?" Sakina growled. She was faintly pleased with her progress but more hungry than happy.
"Yes, but I expect you to practice tonight too."
"I will." Sakina assured her. At dinner she collapsed next to Nokomis and across from Naoll who was just finishing her stew.
"How are the arrows goin'?" Nokomis asked, grinning playfully.
"How do you think?" Sakina grimaced and wolfed her meal down. "I've made the total of ONE bull's eye."
"Hey, one's better than none." Nokomis said brightly.
"Hah. Tell that Sabu." Sakina swallowed her water gratefully.
"She let you go, didn't she?" Naoll smiled. "Obviously, one is better than none."
"Fine." Sakina tore her bread apart hungrily. "Oh, that feels better." She slumped onto her elbows comfortably. She looked out the window at the position of the sun. "I should get going."
"Oh, Sakina," Naoll spoke before she left.
"Yes?"
"Try to get some rest tonight."
"Don't I always?" Sakina asked curiously.
"You're fighting Heltzaku tomorrow."
Sakina's heart dropped.
"Oh," Sakina forced a smile onto her face, which felt like plaster. "Thanks for telling me."
"No prob," Naoll grinned, sensing Sakina's terror. "Have fun sitting around."
Sakina left.
The Temple was empty as usual. Sheik hadn't returned since her initial visit. This gave her time to either practice or sit and stare hopefully. She decided that she liked having Naoll with her to distract her more. All this waiting alone gave her too much time to think, too much to fear and hate. Why hadn't Link waited for her? He had abandoned her. Zelda had never returned. Sakina was the one who was left to die. Did she matter in this mystical equation at all?
She wiped her eyes and set up her target shakily. Gods, why had he left her? He had been her best friend! She'd lost so much. But she had gained the Gerudos, which was something. She nodded to herself. She wondered how everyone was doing. Thinking back to Malon, she resolved to visit Lon Lon Ranch before returning to the Gerudo Valley. Her archery was steadily improving, she noted with some satisfaction. Before Sakina left, she wrote a note on the pedestal with the three floating jewels with a stray piece of rock.
Link, if you come out while I'm not here, go to GerudoValley. BE CAREFUL! Kina
Sighing, she left the Temple and snuck back out of Hyrule Market past the ReDead carefully. Her tunic was making her irritated and she was finding difficulty in moving. When she successfully emerged, she sat down and ripped her tunic to make it more comfortable. Even her boots were becoming crammed with her ever-growing feet. Kokiri weren't meant to grow!
"You're not a Kokiri," she reminded herself aloud. The sun was about to set, so she sprinted up the hill to Lon Lon Ranch, arriving out of breath and sweaty. She entered and saw Mr. Ingo inside his house eating stew. She knocked on the door to another building, hoping that perhaps Malon was in there.
The door opened and a fearful red-head with a face full of acne peeked out.
"Malon?" Sakina asked cautiously.
"Sakina!" She whispered, grabbing Sakina by the arm and dragging her in. Then, to Sakina's shock, she started hugging her tightly. "Oh Din's flaming arms! You're still alive!"
Sakina nodded, trying not to cry.
"What's going on at the ranch?"
"It's horrible," Malon sniffed, looking Sakina in the eye tearfully. "Mr. Ingo used to be almost nice… but now… he's not." She finished lamely. "Where have you been staying? There was a decree against housing you!"
"The Gerudos took me in." Sakina whispered nervously.
"They didn't!" Malon gasped. "He's a Gerudo too!"
"Yeah, I heard." Sakina shrugged. "They don't like him much. Look, I can't stay long, but I'm here to make a promise to you."
Malon looked hopefully at Sakina.
"One day, I'm going to save your ranch from that beast you call Mr. Ingo."
"Oh, Kina!" She fell forward and hugged her again. "Visit whenever you can, okay? Just don't come before evening, 'cause Mr. Ingo will be angry if he sees you."
Sakina nodded, sniffling slightly. "I'll come back, okay?" She slipped out of the door and said a hasty goodbye to her friend. Sakina's heart lifted slightly at having seen her friend. They had never been particularly close but this change in Hyrule brought them together.
When she returned to the Gerudo Valley, darkness had already set over the valley. Sakina feared that she might be in trouble. She snuck into her rooms, where Zahmora and Kynthia awaited her arrival.
"Agh! Child! What took you?" Zahmora was wringing her hands, and uncanny action for her.
"Sorry, I saw an old friend." Sakina admitted.
"Well, you must get your rest! Tomorrow! The break of dawn! You're outside fighting Heltzaku!" Kynthia insisted. "What happened to your tunic?"
"It's too tight. I had to rip it." Sakina said, rinsing her face in a water basin.
"We really need to get you those new clothes." Kynthia said yawning.
"Sleep, Sakina, sleep," Zahmora threw her playfully onto her bed and pulled the covers over her face. "You'll need all your strength, dear."
"What will it mean if I win?" Sakina asked eagerly, leaning on her elbow.
"That Heltzaku loses. And that's enough for me." Zahmora sneered. "Sleep." She said again, and blew out their candles.
The next morning began with the rise of the blood red sun. Sakina was awoken by Naoll, Kynthia, Zahmora and Nokomis shaking her into alertness. They led her into the bath chamber, to her surprise.
"This is a big event," Naoll explained. "You must be properly prepared."
They took her hair down and bathed her in lavender-scented water. When she was done with her bath, she dried herself and combed her hair out.
"Where is my tunic?"
"We pitched it." Zahmora said bluntly. "That thing was old and shredded anyway."
"What? What will I go out it?"
"You're not fighting nude, if that's what you're thinking. I found you an old outfit of mine." Naoll said. "And since you're so partial to green, I thought it would suit you."
Sakina took the loose pants and half-top that wrapped around her back, covering her breasts and tying at her neck. They gave her traveling boots to wear. They tied up just to the middle of her calves. Nokomis tied her hair in a warrior's decorative braid that wrapped around her head. Sakina felt her throat go dry as she looked out of the window. The Gerudos were assembled on the practice grounds, sitting eagerly, whispering away. The Gerudo women took her downstairs. Sakina turned to Zahmora.
"I don't think I can do this."
"Yes you can." Zahmora pushed her outside.
"But I've never fought in front of so many people!" Sakina trembled. "Or in this type of garb!" The belt of her sword-sheath touched her bare stomach.
"Don't be a ninny! Get out there and fight!" Naoll shoved her outside. "I fought in that outfit at your age. You'll do fine."
Sakina nodded. "Fine." But she didn't feel fine. In fact, she felt as though she might vomit at any moment. The whispering Gerudos silenced themselves and looked at Sakina with varied looks. Some of disdain, others with pride, a few with surprise and Heltzaku… she emerged, a splendor in a white outfit embroidered with the Gerudo colors of orange and gold.
Naoll was required to walk between them and speak.
"This is a fight of competition. Nothing less than that. Simply to find who is the best swordswoman among us! I give you, Heltzaku! Present leader of our tribe!" The Gerudos cheered wildly. Sakina got a glimpse of Zahmora, Kynthia and Nokomis clapping only half-heartedly. "And I give you Sakina, the Forest-Hylian we have taken into our arms." There was much more pensive clapping at this thought. The Gerudos seemed to have such mixed thoughts on her being there.
"YEAH!" Zahmora cheered raucously for her. "That's Kina!"
Kynthia and Nokomis whistled. The other Gerudos laughed softly.
"Draw steel!" Naoll instructed. She pulled their blades so they crossed. Stepping away to join the crowd, she cried "begin!"
Pace, pace, pace. There was a rule, Sakina knew, and it was to allow the elder to take first swing, if the combat was only for practice.
"Hyah!" Heltzaku struck, aiming for Sakina's belly. Sakina blocked quickly, very much expecting that type of strike. Sakina quickly parried, trying to see what Heltzaku's weaknesses were. Sakina heard Naoll's voice inside her head, though the words did not belong to her.
"See how she holds the sword more towards her right? That means that she depends more-so on her left and guards the right-side heavily. If you strike for the left side, she will be slow to react giving you time to point her heart."
Sakina nodded to these self-made instructions. Drawing Heltzaku's weapon to her left side as planned, she got her sword to the warrior's right and, to everyone's amazement, had the tip of her weapon at Heltzaku's breast.
Heltzaku's eyes were wide. Sweat dribbled down her forehead. They had fought for exactly nine minutes, a long rally by most standards, but the fact that Sakina had remained so poised and thoughtful, said a lot about her. Heltzaku's face transformed from shock to fury, but she forced herself to bow, none-the-less.
"You have bested me," she said.
Sakina returned the bow. She didn't speak for fear of adding insult to injury.
Zahmora had grabbed Kynthia's hand and was squeezing it with repressed excitement.
Naoll walked purposefully over and grabbed Sakina's hand.
"The victor has been named!"
There was a polite round of applause and murmuring to accompany it. Heltzaku nodded to Sakina and walked off. Sakina was grabbed by an eager group of her surrogate mothers.
"Sakina! You were brilliant! BRILLIANT!" Zahmora was still cheering hours after her initial victory. "That will make Heltzaku think twice about being cocky!"
"Archery time," Sabu said, pointing to the sun outside. "Come on, kiddo."
"Aw, really?" Sakina was enjoying resting with her friends.
"Afraid so, come on." Sakina was dragged from inside by Neona, Misae and Sabu. In the archer's field, she practiced her archery with tips from Neona, adjustments by Misae, and speculation from Sabu.
"Good, you've been practicing," Sabu nodded in approval. "I hope you'll practice at the Temple tonight too."
"You know I will." Sakina ran off with her supplies to the temple. She passed by Lon Lon Ranch and kept going. She caught her reflection in the pool outside of the Temple and smiled. She looked almost Gerudo. If she didn't have the fair skin of a Hylian, she could almost pass for one. Once inside the Temple, she practiced her archery and told the absent Link about her success of the day.
"Oh, if only you could have seen it! You would be so proud!" She sighed. To her surprise, her arrows made the bull's eye almost every time. Her day was made by that. She touched the wall and left.
Malon was waiting for her outside of the ranch, a beautiful palomino horse by her side.
"Ah! I'm glad you came… Sakina! What are you wearing?" Malon giggled, for what must have been the first time in a long time.
"Hey, I think I look good!"
"You look like a Gerudo child! Only… too dark and pale." Malon shrugged.
Sakina told Malon all about her day with excitement. Malon grinned at this.
"You deserve it," Malon said after Sakina finished. "After all that stuff with Ganondorf… how's your neck by the way?" She whispered.
"The brand is white now." She showed Malon. "Have you seen the castle at all?"
"No, why?"
"It's horrible. It's broken down and there are ReDead everywhere." Sakina shivered.
"Why do you keep going back then?" Malon frowned.
"I'm waiting… waiting for Link." Sakina admitted.
"Do you think he'll come back?"
"I sure hope so."
"MALON! WHERE ARE YOU?" There came angry shouting.
"Oh no! I have to go!" Malon turned and ran. "Come back tomorrow."
"I'll try!"