Chapter 10: Competition of Hearts

" Link, you must hurry!"

" What if I'm too late?"

" You won't be…I'm sure of it. We have gotten word that Takara was seen at Kakariko Village, Impa is already down there. She may need your help."

" Right."

" Katrina is dead, and Nabooru is missing, we must make sure that no more lives are taken…."

" I won't let you down, Zelda, I promise."

" Hey! Malon!"

Malon lifted her head as she shook her hair away from her face. She wiped away the piece of hair that had gotten caught in her mouth and watched as Anju walked over toward Malon away from her pen filled with Cuccus.

Malon greeted her friend before placing a bottle of Lon Lon Milk in front of the house. It had been a long time since she had last been to Kakariko Village. Anju loved Cuccus even though she was allergic to them. Malon and her became good friends, but since she barely saw her, good friends were all they were.

" Anju, it's good to see you again," Malon smiled back at the tall red-hair woman in front of her.

Anju nodded, eyeing the basket of milk that Malon had by her feet. " Why are you delivering milk? Isn't it your father's job?"

Malon sighed deeply. Her smile quickly turned into a frown. Anju noticed the change in her mood. " My father is ill, so I have to do the deliveries for him."

Anju seemed disconcert that Talon was sick. She relaxed her shoulders letting her long arms fall to her side. " I'm sorry, how long has he been sick?"

" For about two days. We don't know what it is. Hopefully nothing serious." Malon bent down and picked up the basket with both of her hands holding it in front of her. " At least I get to get out of the ranch for a bit."

Anju nodded, " Yes, that's true."

" Hey Anju, who's your friend?"

Malon and Anju turned their attention to a young gentleman who had walked out of Anju's house. He warmly smiled when his honey brown eyes fell upon Malon, and quickly walked down the steps over toward the two ladies. He was dressed in raggedy old loosely brown pants with a white undershirt. His rough, spiked brown hair bounced in every direction as he made his way closer to Malon and Anju. He was much taller than Malon, and just a couple of inches taller than Anju. Malon didn't want to guess his age, but the gentleman didn't appear to be that much older than her. He was built, and had a pocketknife taped to his left leather black boot.

Once reaching the girls, he had introduced himself as Darien. Anju replied by saying that Darien was her younger cousin who lived over at Lake Hylia. He came over to Kakariko Village, to visit and catch up on old times.

" I've never seen you before," Darien commented turning his attention to Malon.

" I'm doing some milk deliveries for my father," Malon replied politely.

Anju nodded switching glances from Malon to Darien. " Her father owns Lon Lon Ranch, I'm sure you've heard of it."

Darien nodded, his gaze never leaving Malon's face. " Yeah, in the center of Hyrule. The finest milk on the land."

Malon chuckled, beginning to blush. She didn't know why she was embarrassed. She knew that if Darien continued to stare, then she would turn so red, that they would be able to notice. Anju could already tell the big grin on her face had given it away. Once Darien had softly laughed shaking his head, Malon knew that her face was as red as an apple.

" W-well, I must be going." Malon quickly hurried past Anju to get the rest of the stores and houses in Kakariko Village, before heading home. " I have more places to go."

" Good-bye then Malon!" Anju waved.

Darien nodded placing his hands in his pockets. " Nice meeting you. I think you should deliver milk more often. I wouldn't mind seeing your beautiful face again."

Malon's eyes widened as she abruptly stopped when he finished his sentence. Her heart felt like it skipped a beat. All that went through her mind was what Darien had said. He had said that she was beautiful, it was the first time that anyone had said that to her. She couldn't even remember a time when Link had told her she was beautiful. It was seriously too good to be true.

Malon courageously turned around and found Darien still looking at her, with a smirk on his face. Anju shook her head and began to walk back over to Malon, probably to tell her to leave already before things start popping into Darien's head. Malon failed to see that Anju was heading in her direction. All she did was sheepishly smile, looking directly into Darien's honey colored eyes.

" Let's go Malon, I'll help you with your deliveries." Anju grabbed a hold of Malon's arm, pulling her in the opposite direction.

" What for?" Malon asked; her voice spoke as if she was in a trance.

" Before Darien says something like—"

"—Hey Malon, why not stay a bit before heading back to work," Darien suggested interrupting Anju. " You should take a small break."

Without hesitation, Malon agreed handing the basket of milk to Anju. Anju held her mouth open, watching as Malon quickly hurried over toward Darien. Her eyes widened as she tried to think of an excuse to get Malon to go back to work.

" What about Link?"

" What about him?" Malon questioned back, as she began to get in a conversation with Darien.

Anju bit her lip looking down at the entrance to Kakariko Village. She felt hopeful when she noticed a man in green standing right near the gate.

Link yawned as he quickly walked into Kakariko Village, looking around desperately for Impa. He had only gotten three hours of sleep last night, after it took him more than two hours before actually falling asleep. He was surprised to find Princess Zelda waking him up in her nightgown, to tell him that Takara was finally free.

Looking over by the well that sat in the middle of Kakariko Village, Link noticed that Impa was no where to be found. Takara was last seen here, but everyone was going on with their usual routines. Everything was calm, and no one panicked that they had seen a witch, or any danger for that matter.

Link put his sword away, and walked deeper into Kakariko Village thinking that Impa is over at the graveyard by the Shadow Temple. Takara could be over there, and possibly could have done something to Impa just like she did to Nabooru. It's strange that Nabooru is missing. After having an army of Gerudo's head to the Desert Colossus, all they find is Katrina's lifeless body. Nabooru was nowhere to be found. And what's worse…

Impa could be the same way.

" Link!"

Link stopped and watched as Anju ran in his direction. He sighed looking over at the entrance to the graveyard, and crossed his arms putting his weight on one leg. Whatever Anju had to tell him better be good, he had to find Impa and Takara.

" What is it?"

" Malon is here," Anju quickly answered, with a small smile. " I just want you to know that she's with my cousin Darien."

" Darien?" Link repeated, making a baffled face. Malon was here, and she's with some guy named Darien?

Anju grinned knowing that she had gotten Link's attention. The look on his face, gave her the impression that he wasn't happy. " Come on, I'll show you."

Link watched Anju for a moment, watching as she ran over toward her house. Link's eyes fell upon the entrance to the Graveyard again, before heading back to Anju. He sighed and began to follow the redhead, knowing that the situation with Malon was more important to him than the graveyard.

" So, your father's ill?" Darien repeated softly, feeling a little sorry.

Malon nodded, rocking her feet as they sat in front of Anju's house on the edge of the cliff. Darien sat with his hands resting behind him, while Malon placed her hands in her lap. They both sat close, their clothing lightly brushing. Malon had even smelled his scent; she smelled the ocean, the water from Lake Hylia, wishing that she would head there one day.

" My father died a long time ago, when I was baby," Darien explained. He spoke softly as if talking to himself, but loud enough for Malon to hear.

" I'm sorry."

" It's okay…really." Darien forced a smile, knowing that he couldn't be upset around her.

" How did he die?" Malon knew it would be a difficult question for him to answer.

Darien opened his mouth to speak, but was cut-off by Link's impatient and stressful voice. Malon turned around watching as Anju walked over to them, with Link stomping his way behind her. She couldn't believe Link was here; she pictured him still at the castle with Princess Zelda. Why hasn't he come back to visit?

Malon and Darien stood to their feet when they noticed the duo behind them. Malon quickly walked over to Link, ignoring his terrible attitude. His blues eyes were weary and filled with a little anger at the same time. She could tell he hasn't gotten any sleep for a while.

" Link? When did…why are you here?"

" I should be asking you that," Link replied keeping his arms crossed, his demanding gaze never leaving Malon.

" I'm delivering milk for my father." Malon answered. " He's sick, you know."

Link calmed down when he heard that Talon was sick. He loosened up, and slowly frowned, seeing the hurt on Malon's face and hearing it within her voice.

" How long has he been sick?"

" For two days, you would know if you stopped by." Malon remarked, speaking harshly.

Link sighed feeling guilty. " Mal, I—" Link stopped when he noticed Darien carefully watching their every move. He looked back down at Malon then up at Darien, remembering Anju mentioned something about her cousin. " Who are you?"

" Darien, Anju's cousin," Darien replied with a shrug. " And you are?"

" Link…" Link answered, his eyes fell back down to Malon. " This is the guy you've been with?" He whispered.

" What are you talking about?" Malon exclaimed as her eyes widened by Link's actions. " I just met him."

Link crossed his arms again. Darien chuckled walking closer to the two. Anju kept her distance, noticing the feud between Link and Malon. " Look, I'm not trying to take your girlfriend from you, if that's what you're worried about."

" What?" Link raised an eyebrow perplexed.

Malon laughed turning to the side so that she was facing Darien. " He's not my boyfriend. We're just friends."

" Oh?" Darien seemed surprised. " Really?" Link nodded. Darien grinned, getting that smug look on his face. He lightly grabbed Malon's arm, pulling her back to the spot where they were before. " Then I guess you won't mind me taking her for a bit."

Link snapped into action grabbing Malon's free arm, pushing Darien away from her. He didn't know what came over him. Seeing Darien pull Malon away from him had gotten him irritated. He had a weird feeling develop within him, like someone had stabbed him in the chest, where his heart was located.

Was he jealous?

" No! I don't think so."

" Link?" Malon seemed confused.

Darien let go and crossed his arms, giving Link a disturbing glare. Anju hurried over to Darien to calm him down, as Link grabbed Malon's hand pulling her away from them.

Malon had to admit, she loved the sense that Link was holding her hand, and enjoyed the thought that Link might be jealous, but seeing the hurt on Darien's face, made her feel like it was her fault. She wasn't too upset by it, her heart still belonged to Link, but thinking that someone else cares for her…she didn't know what to do.

Once away from the view of Darien and Anju, Link finally let go of Malon's hand. He crossed his arms and sighed deeply leaning up against the building behind them. Malon placed her hands on her hips waiting for Link to say something. She got nothing but silence, Link even refused to look at her.

" What was that about?"

" I don't know!" Link confessed.

" So all of that was nothing?" Malon asked, crossing her arms as well.

" Malon, I just didn't' like seeing you with him."

" Why?"

Link opened his mouth, but stopped. He sighed again and shook his head, not prepared to answer. Malon prayed deeply that he would say because he was jealous, but knew that it wasn't going to out of his mouth. Either he was afraid to admit it, or didn't feel that way.

" Link…" Malon lowered her head taking small steps toward him. She developed enough courage to cuddle next to him, causing him to wrap his arms around her. She leaned her head against his chest, smelling his scent and feeling his rapid heartbeat. "…I missed you…" She finished.

Link closed his eyes holding on tightly to her, not wanting to let her go. He rested his cheek in her hair, smelling the ranch, now noticing how much he wanted to go back. " I was worried about you…it's too dangerous for you to be here."

Malon lifted her head, causing Link to look down at her. She continued rest against him, since Link was refusing to let go. " What do you mean?"

" Takara is free…" Link answered, " And she is here."

Malon gasped shaking her head. " No!" She whispered.

Link nodded. She didn't want to believe it, but occurring to Durnal, the time was right.

Look…how sweet. The Hero of Time and his girl together, it's too cute…

Hearing Takara's voice was all the proof she needed.

A/N:

This chapter…well…nothing really happens except that you get to see how jealous Link is when he finds Malon with another guy. I had to put it in there, since we're getting closer to the end of the story and I want some Malink in it just to see how closer they have become. Don't worry there is more to come! More of them together! I'm not going to say when or what happens either. So hate me then! I don't care! LOL.

One other thing, I don't really like how this chapter had turned out, I feel like I totally rushed it, and I'm really upset. Since I don't have time to rewrite it, I'm just going to leave it like it is, and hope that you all, the readers, enjoy it. I promise I'll make the next chapter better; I have to after the way this one had turned out.

Xakattack: Thanks a bunch for you review. My first reviewer always to a new chapter. Yes, I did notice my errors and hopefully there weren't any in this chapter. I try hard to make a perfect chapter, but so far that hasn't happened. I'm still reading your what you had sent me, I'm not finished yet, but when I do I'll let you know overall how it is. Also thanks for updating, your story! And, if you want, I could send you my story that I'm hoping to get published, only if you want me to, but the same rules would apply to you too. LOL.

NoOnSh: I will always mention my reviewers at the end of my chapters. I do kind of update a lot, but for you that's a good thing, right? Haha! Thanks for the review!

Fire god101: Changed your name? About time you reviewed again, LOL. Yes since Takara is free, I wonder what the witch will do, hmmm…

Shiru23454: Wow, you gave me a lot of reviews! Almost one for each chapter! Thanks so much! I'm glad you really like the chapter! Thanks for putting me on your favorite authors and, all of those boxes you checked. LOL. This chapter goes out to you! For all of the reviews, I decided to update the story a lot sooner. Thanks!

Liz0888: I hope this chapter helps you too. School is very stressful, I will admit. Thanks!

Harrypotterfan: Thanks!

Mandy: Thanks for your review!

Until Next Time!