Sorry about the delay in updating this. I got busy with other projects.

Chapter Two

Even though the day was warm and the sun shone bright, Saria felt herself grow cold. They had traveled to the place known as LonLon ranch where she knew Link had been staying. They had reached it just as the sun rose and had gone around it so that they entered from the side where a tall tree grew. The sound of people coming up the path from the direction of Hyrule castle had caused Saria and Kai to hide behind the large tree. What she had seen next made her freeze in shock as she stared.

Link walked hand in hand with a woman who was slightly shorter than he was. The woman had long red hair that glowed like fire in the bright sunshine. Her blue eyes were filled with laughter and she smiled as she looked at Link. Holding onto Link's other hand was a young blond haired boy. He looked to be about the same age as Link had been when he went off on his quest. His features were so like Link's that she was sure that he had to belong to Link. Saria knew she was too late and could only watch as they walked past her hiding place.

She wasn't sure when her tears had begun to fall or how long she stared at the entrance to the ranch after they were out of sight. Saria felt pain well up inside her that no Kokiri had ever felt before and staggered back. She sank to the ground as she buried her face in her hands and cried in angry sobs. Why had she left the forest for this? She should have just stayed there and always wondered what might have been.

She felt Kai brush her ear and whisper, "So, is this what you wanted, Saria?"

She felt like screaming at the world at the top of her lungs, but Kai was the only one there, "Just leave me alone, Kai!"

There was silence for a moment, but then, "Saria, What will happen if Link comes back out and sees you?"

"Go Away!"

"How will you explain your presence here?"

"Be Quiet!"

He was silent for a few minutes, much to her relief, but then, "Saria . . . I think you should . . . "

She turned to glare at him and saw that the boy crouched not far from her. His wide blue eyes were filled with sympathy as he watched her. A slight breeze ruffled his golden locks and tugged at his green tunic. For a moment, Saria reflected back to another time and another young boy. Her thumbnail went to her mouth as she chewed upon it and scooted away from him.

He settled onto the grass crossed legged and stared at her, "Are you hurt? Or lost? Is that why your crying?"

Kai flew close to her ears and whispered, "I was trying to tell you he had approached us."

She forced herself to remain still and look at him, "I . . . I–I'm fine, just . . . upset."

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" His face was as solemn as his father's had been.

She found herself vigorously shaking her head. He looked thoughtful for a moment and then a grin spread across his face, "If it would help, I could go get my parents–"

She sprang to her feet and held both of her hands up, "Really, That wouldn't be a good idea!"

He frowned at her, "But if you're sad . . . "

Saria chewed on her thumbnail and wondered what to tell him. Then she glanced at Kai and idea began to form in her head. She looked back at the boy with a sweet smile, "I'll be all right. I just need some time by myself, but I can't have that time with my fairy along."

"Saria . . . " Kai stared at her, "What are you up to?"

The boy glanced at Kai with interest, "My father once had a fairy. Her name was Navi."

Saria nodded, "Yes, I knew them once. Since I want to be alone for a while, would you mind taking care of Kai for me? I'll come back for him one day."

Kai brightened with astonishment, "SARIA! What are you . . . !"

The boy gave her a wary look, "I thought the forest children couldn't give away their fairies."

She shrugged, "I'll admit it is unusual, but I need time alone, to think . . . "

The boy looked at Kai with a raised eye brow, "I don't think he likes the idea."

Saria just wanted to be rid of both of them so she could sit alone and cry till she had no more tears left. She looked at the boy, "If you tell me your name, I'll make sure he stays with you."

Kai flew in front of her face, "Saria, this isn't what you should be–"

She pushed him away and focused on the boy, "You do have a name, don't you?"

"Sure, I'm called Sheik."

Saria smiled slightly at this. Link had named him after the alternate identity of Princess Zelda. She looked at Kai, "Kai, I want you to stay with Sheik until I come back!"

Before he could protest or change her mind, She turned away from them and ran off down the road toward Hyrule Castle. Tears streamed once more from her eyes as she allowed grief to flood her. Behind her, She thought she heard Kai yell, "Don't do this, Saria! You'll forget who you are!"

She glanced over her shoulder and her breath caught in her throat at the sight of Sheik with Kai. They looked so much like Link and Navi that she couldn't face them. She turned away and allowed her legs to carry her faster down the road.

Back by the tree that stood at the entrance to LonLon Ranch, Sheik watched the green haired girl run away. He wondered what had caused her to be so upset that she would give away her best friend, Kai the fairy. Sheik glanced over at the fairy who seemed to droop in the air, "She called you Kai, Didn't she?"

The fairy bobbed once as if to say yes.

Sheik crossed his arms and gazed down at the ground, "I don't think she'll come back, Kai. She was really upset."

Kai let out a long sigh, "I wish she had just remained in the forest. We were almost happy and now we're miserable."

Sheik looked at the fairy and tried to smile for him, "Maybe you could try to be a little bit happy with me? I'm not a Kokiri, but I'll treat you like a friend."

Kai turned to look at him, "She did say to stay with you until she returned . . . "

"She could've left you by yourself, but at least she left you with someone."

Kai chuckled, "That she could have, but there's just one thing we'll have to do, Sheik."

"What's that?"

"Let's not tell either of your parents about this or about me. It'll hurt your father badly."

Sheik nodded and the two of them turned to enter LonLon Ranch.