Disclaimers: I do not own Zelda or any of it's characters. :'( Oh woe is meh...

Warnings: This is shounen-ai. That means that Link and Sheik are all googly over eachother. And I consider Sheik to be male, so NYAH! XP No actual yaoi in this one, sorry. Teh smex is in part two! So...go read part two! Rated T for mild language.

Notes: PLEASE REVIEW! Pleasepleasepleeeeease! This is my very first fanfic ever and my first posted one. So pleeeeease review. I'd love to hear what every one thinks. AND I'd like to know how I can improve! I'm not sure I've got a hang of how to do things around here... Plus It"ll make me feel all yummy to know that some one out there likes what I do. :) Love ya'll!

Lostal


Hero of Mine

Chapter Four: A Horse and a Secret

Link grinned broadly as he rode down the slope and away from Lon Lon Ranch on his new mount: Epona. He pulled her up and patted her flanks; if it wasn't for her unusual jumping skills, they'd still be trapped inside that awful place…And poor Malon…Link felt for her, and wished he could do something more to help. But at least she could be happy knowing that her beloved horse was now in good, caring hands.

Link softly urged her forward into a comfortable walk. Moving around Hyrule would be so much easier now, not to mention Link had always dreamed of owning a horse! He breathed in deeply, taking in the sweet scent of morning. He wished he didn't have to find the other Temples…because he knew after he did, he'd have to return to his real time. Link had, after all, missed seven years of his life. He was still a ten-year-old boy, trapped inside a seventeen-year-old body. But he wasn't complaining. It was nice being strong, and much more able-bodied.

And then there was Sheik…Link felt so happy when ever Sheik was around; even if there were only ever together for a few minutes. And their last encounter Link had really enjoyed. He could still feel Sheik's lips on his own…the crater wasn't very well lit, and even though he'd pulled down Sheik's face-mask to kiss him, he still never saw the boy's face. That covering was beginning to annoy Link.

Epona snorted and side stepped slightly, dancing where she stood. She tossed her head a little, then suddenly shied away from the tree they had just approached. Link steadied her and soothed her with his voice.

"Easy, girl…what's wrong? It's just a tree…" he trailed off and looked up. It was a large tree, thickly leafed and covered in crows, pecking and clawing at something within. A voice cried out, obviously trying desperately to shoo the ominous birds away. It was light…and very familiar.

"No! Get away, you filthy vermin! Get—ah!"

A branch snapped somewhere within, and Link heard a scream, then a harsh thud as Sheik toppled down. He landed on his back, momentarily unconscious, giving the crows enough time to begin pecking fiercely at his clothes and face. Link quickly dismounted, drawing his sword.

"Hey! Get away from here!" he yelled, slicing at the birds. One crow cut in two was enough to finally get them to leave. Link sheathed his blade and knelt beside Sheik. He wasn't moving. The birds' pecking had pulled Shiek's face-cover down, and Link finally saw the boys face.

He was beautiful…no other word could describe him. The lines and angles of his face were elegant and smooth, and completely flawless…save what the crows had done to his tanned flesh. Link reached out to brush aside the hair that still covered one eye. There was something familiar about his features…

Sheik suddenly grabbed his arm and twisted at backwards, sitting up as he did so. The expression on his face was that of pure loathing. But it turned to shock as soon as he realized who he grabbed. He quickly released him.

"Link! W-what are you doing here?" He grimaced, as though talking was painful. Without that cover to muffle his voice, Link could tell it was a little deeper than it had sounded before. Link rubbed his arm.

"Helping you. I heard you yelling in the tree and came to see what was wrong. Then…you fell out. I chased off the crows." He stared at Sheik's lips. He thought he'd never get to see them. When Sheik realized what Link was gawking at, he quickly pulled the cover back over his mouth and nose. Link immediately glared at him.

"Why do you always do that? You have a very beautiful face and you always keep it covered!" Sheik looked at him calmly, then looked away, turning his head.

"My face…is not something that was meant to be seen," he said softly. Link watched the back of his head as it turned towards him. Something gold shined down Sheik's back. He smiled wryly.

"Was your hair…?" He reached out and gently took hold of the one lock of Sheik's golden hair that had freed itself from inside the wrap around his neck and face. It fell past the small of his back. "Everything about you is gorgeous, isn't it?" He grinned, running his fingers through the silken strands. Sheik glanced at Link with such venom it made him drop the hair and nearly shudder.

"Stop it," Sheik hissed. He reached over his shoulder and stuffed the strip back in with the rest of his hair.

"Sorry…" Link said softly. "I just don't understand why you hide yourself all the time. You're very beautiful…" he trailed off as Sheik looked away.

"Like I said…I'm not something that was meant to be seen," he said quietly.

Link watched in pity as Sheik, groaning softly, leaned back against the tree. He felt his face and flinched, then ran his hands down his torso. His eyes slowly checked his wounded body; his arms; his chest; his legs. The crimson-stained outfit was torn in places with huge gashes underneath, and his face was smothered in blood.

"Why were those crows attacking you?" Link asked in concern. Sheik smirked.

"Crows indeed…those were Ganondorf's minions. I…displeased him…" he ended with venom in his voice, his eyes averting Link's.

"Displeased…" Link began in confusion, but then realized, "You work for Ganon? But you…I thought…You lied to me!"

Sheik looked fiercely into Link's eyes. "How could I have lied to you when I never told you who I worked for in the first place?" he asked softly. Link's expression softened, and he reached out to gingerly place his hand on Sheik's shoulder.

"Sorry…but why didn't you tell me?"

"You would have killed me."

Link opened his mouth to protest, to tell Sheik that he would never hurt him, but stopped himself and thought;

I would have killed him if he had told me when we first met…I didn't have these feelings for him then…

"I guess you're right…" was all he said.

Sheik placed his own hand on top of Link's for a second, then pushed Link's hand off his shoulder and stood, carefully.

"I have to go. Thank you for saving me. We'll meet again…soon." He began limping towards the north. Link quickly stood.

"Wait, I can give you a ride," he said, gesturing towards Epona, who stood grazing at a distance. The mare snorted.

Sheik stopped and glanced over his shoulder. "No. I'll be fine."

"But your wounds—"

"No, Link," Sheik repeated sternly, starting towards the north again. Link sighed and mounted his horse.

As he walked, Sheik suddenly heard a sharp, pounding of hooves grow louder behind him, then a searing pain shot through his body as Link grabbed his arm and pulled him up into the saddle in front of himself. Epona slowed to a soft walk and Link smirked down at him.

"You really shouldn't be moving with wounds like that, you know." Sheik frowned furiously at Link.

"Well now they hurt worse than before!" he hissed. Both of his legs were swung over Epona's left side, and Sheik thought of sliding off onto the ground, but Link tightened his grip around his waist.

"They may hurt," he said, "but at least without you walking they can heal properly."

Sheik wanted to argue, but could find nothing worth fighting with. Link was right; with him walking, the wounds wouldn't be able to close, thus the bleeding would persist. He sighed and leaned back, relaxing on Link's arm.

"So where are you headed?" Link asked.

Sheik closed his eyes. "Lake Hylia," was all he said.

Link glanced down at Sheik for a moment, then looked forwards as he urged Epona north.

"What happened to those annoying deku nuts of yours?" he asked with a smirk.

"He took them. But don't worry…I can get more…" Link only scoffed.

The smooth gait of their mount and the soft beating of hooves soothed Sheik, and he soon dozed off, his head rested softly against Link's chest.

Sheik awoke with a start and a tiny yelp. They were still moving at a steady pace, and from the slothed rhythm of Epona's hoof beats, it sounded as though the mare was exhausted. Night had fallen. Sheik looked up to see that Link had dozed off himself. Seeing this as his chance, he carefully positioned himself to jump. Link's arm suddenly tightened around him and he winced.

"Ha! I knew you'd try to escape," Link said with a wry smile. Sheik scowled.

"I didn't know I was your prisoner," Sheik retorted. Link started to protest, but Sheik continued. "I must depart here; we're already at the gates before the lake. Besides, you still have your next temple to find."

Link couldn't think of any good reason to make Sheik stay, so he reluctantly gave in. Hopping down his horse, he carefully helped Sheik down.

"I could take you to get help. Those wounds look pretty nasty," Link said concernedly.

"Nonsense," Sheik replied, limping forward. "You need to find the next temple." He stopped in front of the gates, searching for a way across.

Link suddenly realized something. "You know where it is. You know everything I have to do!"

Sheik didn't even glance over his shoulder. "Well how the hell could I help you if I didn't?"

"Then tell me!"

"No."

Link glared at the boy as he sighed and leaned heavily against the gate. Epona snorted her weariness.

"Well why not?" Link finally asked.

"Because it amuses me!" Sheik snapped, clutching his side. He sighed again, looking down, immediately feeling horrible for yelling at Link. "I swore I wouldn't tell you…" he said softly.

Link leaned against Epona, who's head was bowed in slumber. "Well if you know it all, why don't you do it?" he asked, crossing his arms.

Sheik laughed, an obviously painful action. His chuckle soon turned to bloody coughs. "Because, fool. You're the only one who can wield the Master Sword at it's true power. And besides…I'm no where near as strong as you."

Link opened his mouth to protest, but Sheik cut him off.

"Just go already. I'm serious…"

Link scowled but mounted Epona. "I'm going back to my time, to visit Saria. I need time to think." Though his face was masked, Link could still tell Sheik smiled slightly.

Epona snorted as she was awakened and stomped a hoof in protest. Link patted her neck and urged her forward, keeping her at a soft walk. He suddenly remembered something and halted her, turning in the saddle.

"Oh and Sheik, I—" he stopped short as his eyes fell on the gates leading to Lake Hylia.
Sheik was gone.