Oh em eff gee! (OMFG, you simpletons! XD) An update! An actual update! Let me remind you that the art contest deadline is on the 31 of this month. That's about two weeks, ladies and gents! I'll update my website... when I have chosen the winners and e-mailed the awards. THEN I'll update. Maybe... Anyway, it's reply time!

Dc16: Mystus... That was MY bad. I meant Dameus, and I wrote Mystus! I corrected it as soon as I could, but I don't think it went through in time. Anyway... Of course Kaze will go back to the good guys! But I'm gonna put him through hell first! And I didn't WANT to get rid of him! It's just that... there were too many characters! And poor Lor is losing status fast.
Blondie91: You ever get high off candy corn? I do! That's the best thing about Halloween! Update faster, you say... It's been, what, two weeks? More? I'm losing inspiration... You saw that picture? The cherry blossoms one is my very favorite. So pwetty!
Da marshmallow: Chocolate DOES look like poo. It's just that the taste detracts from that characteristic.
JMG: Yeah, basically.
Mxedcherub (who couldn't use a real review for some reason): I AM the Mistress of Cliffhangers!

Oh yeah, and some replies to my new story "WTF!" because I need to get them out of my mailbox... (No time to write out all the names...)

You really think it's that funny? I love writing comedy! Miroku WILL be afraid of women... I decided that a long time ago. And Sesshomaru... you guys just wanna torture him! Slut? Pop star? Yeesh! NARWHAL! Just wait for the porpoise... Hmm... saintly Miroku is another option. Oh, and I just LOVE Hitchhiker's Guide! Those were the best books ever! To have my writing compared to that is like having God walk up to me and say, "You wanna take over?" Kitty, I must tell you... My name is NOT really Ed. GASP! Yes, I know, shocking. Actually, I'm female. Oo; -looks around for prowlers- Okay, Cheese... WHAT! Yesh, the randomness... Ramen and Waffles! How did you know I was gonna make Inu-kun a hippie? The not-teacher WAS awesome. When I read it I laugh so much my mouth hurt! He must come back! OMG! Silver Ferret! You're THE Silver Ferret! Wait... Yeah! THE Silver Ferret! Hey everyone! THE Silver Ferret reviewed MY fanfiction! I feel happy! Ryuho? What about Kazuma? Can I... do stuff to Kazuma? Squash Naraku... -writes down- "Squash... in... strange... and... terrible... way." Got it! Don't know Dragon Knights! Google it! But as for Rath-kun... MINE! -claims Rath-kun-

Phew, okay! Time for the real deal, the STORY!

Chapter 6: Ravaging Storm

"I'm not sure about this," Kaze muttered, standing before the entrance to Zora Domain. He took a deep breath and entered. Dameus had told him to retrieve the Spiritual Stone of Water from the Zora people. Kaze, of course, had objected adamantly. Then Dameus used his trump card: the fulfillment of Kaze's wish.

The Gerudo thief had requested several things as his reward for aiding Dameus. He wanted respect among the people of Hyrule, so no one would doubt him again. He wanted strength beyond that of Link or Hieke, so he would have reason for his respect. He wanted a celebration and a lavish home and so much else. Dameus had warned that the fulfillment of so many desires would require his absolute loyalty and obedience without question of his commands. Foolishly Kaze had agreed.

He entered the Zora Domain quietly. Here he was again, trying to steal the Water Stone a second time. The first time his conscience had gotten the better of him, but this time he had stuffed his conscience into a corner of his mind and could not afford to listen to it. Silently he crept up the winding trail that led to King Zora's chamber. He peeked around the corner and, seeing that the king was out, slipped inside.

The Zora Sappire was situated on a recently-added pedestal beside the throne. It was too easy. Regardless, Kaze took the Stone in hand and stuffed it into his leather bag, then made for the exit. However, there was an encumbrance. "Kazy!" squealed the hindrance.

Kaze shifted his bag to his other shoulder as Princess Ruto hugged him. "Get off!" he demanded, pushing the girl away. She looked upset. "But… it's nearly been seven years! You've been gone for so long, and I missed you! How's Link been?" she inquired eagerly. A malicious grin spread on Kaze's lips.

"He's married to Hieke," he lied casually. He could almost hear Ruto's heart wither and die. "Really?" she whispered. Kaze nodded with a yawn. "Yeah, they've been married about two years. Link's sired four of Hieke's kids. They're quite happy."

Ruto burst into tears and ran away, screaming, "Lies! It can't be true! Link is my true love, not that wench's!" Kaze huffed bitterly. How dare she call Hieke a wench! But it mattered not, for he had the prize he had come for. He patted his leather bag and departed from the Domain. No doubt he would next be sent for the other two Stones. He knew from his experience with Mystus that the three Spiritual Stones, when brought together, could create multitudes of unbridled power.

His heart cried out that everything he was doing was wrong. He knew Dameus wasn't at all the kind man he let on to be. Kaze gritted his teeth. Maybe he could overpower the white-haired man if he gained enough strength…

---

Lor shivered and recoiled. He felt as though his knees would give out any moment. But Link had insisted he see the Guardian Tree for himself. At first he had thought of it as merely a big tree, but he soon felt the tremendous evil pulsating from the Tree's core. He knew at once that Kuro was contained within.

"Why are we here?" he asked for about the fifth time since their arrival. Hieke gave him a sympathetic smile. "Link told us to wait here while he sees Zelda," she reminded. "I wish he'd get back soon," Lor grumbled. He shuddered again and sat down against the base of a statue. Why did Link need to talk to the Hylian queen anyway? What was so secret that he and Hieke couldn't come as well?

A gentle rain began to fall, soon growing in intensity. Hieke soon took Lor's arm and dragged him beneath the Guardian Tree, despite his protests. Link soon returned with a cloak pulled about him to shield him from the rainfall. He tossed a rain jacket to Hieke and Lor as well, who eagerly tugged the garments on.

"Zelda says she hasn't sensed any disturbance in Hyrule," Link sighed. "She says she hasn't had any dreams, and the land is as peaceful as ever. When I told her about Dameus, she shrugged and said that I was paranoid."

Hieke bowed her head. "But we know that he's evil. He took Kaze from us and is using him. Why doesn't Zelda see this?" she murmured to herself. Then she looked up and set her gaze firmly on the silhouette of Death Mountain. "Let's go to Kakariko and talk to Impa," she suggested. Link nodded in agreement and departed for the city. Lor followed closely behind, beyond relieved to be leaving the area.

The boy sighed as they crossed a small bridge over the castle moat. I wish I could be home now, he thought as he glanced at his watch. For some reason, it didn't work anymore. He recalled Hieke saying something about how time moves more quickly on Earth than in Hyrule, and he sighed again.

"Something wrong?" Link inquired as he looked over his shoulder. Lor shook his head and looked up at the clouds. The rain fell relentlessly, mercilessly. However, the town called Kakariko was nearby, and with a city came shelter from the storm. He couldn't help but smile in reassurance when they came upon an inn.

---

"Damn storm!" Kaze cursed as he cast a pebble onto the path. He was taking shelter in a nook in the side of Death Mountain. The rain was an incredible impediment; Kaze could hardly see the edge of the cliff, let alone the road in front of him. There was no way he'd be able to steal the Goron Ruby in this weather. A blast of icy wind whistled past, and Kaze hugged his knees to his chest and closed his eyes against the cold.

"If it wasn't for my blasted desires, I could be in Hyrule Castle with Link and Hieke right now," he mumbled remorsefully. For the thousandth time he doubted his actions. What he was doing had to be wrong. However, he had already resolved to overthrow Dameus before he did anything evil. At the time being, all was well. But how long it would stay that way, Kaze had no idea…

---

"I saw a young man like that going up Death Mountain," a waitress commented as she walked by. Link, Hieke, and Lor had been discussing Kaze's whereabouts in the dining hall of the inn. The ex-hero glanced at his friends with a gaze that clearly said, "Let's go." Hieke placed a handful of rupees on the table and followed Link and Lor out of the inn.

It was only a matter of moments before they reached the grotto in the side of the mountain in which Kaze was taking shelter. The torrents had slowed to a meager drizzle, enough to dampen your clothes but not enough to impede your progression up the mountain. "Kaze," Hieke murmured. Kaze narrowed his eyes and took a few steps backwards up the trail. "I don't want to fight you," he declared. Lightning tore the sky in two, and thunder roared across the peaks of Death Mountain, echoing throughout Hyrule.

Lor spotted the shining blue gem in Kaze's loosely fastened bag. "Isn't that the Spiritual Stone of Water?" he asked, recalling text from the book Drakar left for him. Kaze gasped and quickly pulled his leather sack shut. Link drew his sword, a handsome blade crafted to look and handle similarly to the Master Sword, and sliced the straps binding Kaze's pouch to his back. It fell to the ground with a light thump and the Zoras' Sapphire emerged from its depths. Again thunderbolts illuminated the cloud-mottled sky, and with them came the revival of the storm.

Hieke frowned and covered her head with her arms while Lor pulled his jacket up over his ebony locks. Link stood in the midst of the downpour like a statue. Kaze matched his stance warily. Hesitantly he bent to pick up the Water Stone, but Link interrupted him with a quick slash at his fingers. Kaze jumped back with a gasp.

"Please stop!" Hieke begged as she clasped her hands together over her heart. "You're friends! Remember? Link, you helped Kaze to defeat Kinan and Mystus! Kaze, you helped Link to bring me back from Kuro's side! Please, please stop!" Her sobs were easily silenced by the thunderclaps that penetrated the very air they breathed. Lor looked on helplessly, watching retort after retort and wishing he could do something.

Kaze drew a sword that was rather mundane in appearance: a black hilt, a steel blade, and a silver band connecting the two. However, Link could see that the blade's performance was anything but mundane. The edge was insanely keen and the steel was lightweight, making for easy handling. No doubt whoever opposed the wielder of such a weapon would have a very worthy adversary on their hands… and the same goes for Link.

The Gerudo thief lunged with a brief battle cry, beginning his relentless striking. Link parried every blow with tremendous ease, being so very adroit in the field. A slight slip on Kaze's part enabled Link to advance and adopt an offensive tactic. As his questionable friend was being cornered, a humanoid figure descended from the sky and spread its arms before Kaze, effectively shielding him from Link's attack.

The being turned to Kaze with compassionate gray eyes. "Are you all right?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Aiko," Kaze smirked.

WHOOOOO! Review please! And don't forget that the deadline for the art contest is October 31! See my profile for details!