Wild-Roze : Hi all , I am really sorry that I haven't updated for yonks , but I have been away , and it has been sunny where I live , and I can't resist at least tryingt oget a tan . But it's not like it matters , cos this fic is a little crappy , and its not like anyone reads it . But if u do read it , could u please R&R , thankz a bunch !!!!

Disclaimer : I don't own the Zelda games , but Zaila is MINE MINE MINE

Partners ?

As Zaila rode away from the ranch , she felt a naggin guilt in the pit of her stomach , and she wondered why . Link had deserved everything she had said , he was a long eared , blonde haired , very handsome jerk !!!

*Wait ! Did I just think that ?! What is the matter with me ? But , I'm not really sure why I was SO mean to him *

*It's because you like him* Said a voice in the back of her head . She grumbled something inaudible .

*You can't hide stuff rom me , I'm part of you , the nice part . Would it be so bad to give Link a hand in saving Hyrule ? He is headed for the forest . Didn't that Shiek person say something about a firey mountain ? Lets go check out deth mountain , cummon what do you say ?!*

Zaila didn't reply , that little voice was right , she DID like Link , a little more than she would admit . She sighed , running her hand through Tairo's silky mane . She turned him towards Kakariko Village .

Info was livid , a girl had just walked into his ranch and stolen one of her finest horses . He was red in the face and his small black eyes looked like they were about to pop right out of his head . He slowly turned , his furius gaze resting on the girl's companion who she had left behind .

Link could see that Ingo was ready to explode , so he would have to tread carefully , and pick his words wisely .

"Uhh , I was wondering.........Could I ride one of your horses ?" He asked .

Ingo glared at the boy . He couldn't throw him out of the ranch , because as of yet , he had done nothing wrong .

"Fine !" He spat , "But you have to pay , and you have to ride inside the corral , I don't want you pulling another stunt like your friend !" He hissed .

Link nodded as he was led to a pale sandy coloured mare , it looked underfed and poorly cared for . He turned away from the pathetic looking beast , and put his ocarina to his lips .

The melody he played , had been taught to him by Malon , Epona's Song echoed sweetly around the corral . And in the corner , one horse , with a firey red coat and a white mane tossed her head , and galloped towards the source of the notes .

Link looked up happily as Epona raced to his side , the last tiem he had seen her was when she was a foal . He swung up onto her back and cantered around the corral , the other horses darting out of their way .

Ingo watched . The kid was certainly talented at riding , an idea came to him .

"Hey , Kid !!" Link veered towards Ingo , coming to a hault infront of him .

"Your getting pretty good at this , how about we have a little race ."

Link nodded .

"If I win , you can pay me 70 rupees , and if you win............"

"I can keep the horse ?" Link suggested hopefully .

Ingo looked at him as if he was crazy , no horse was worth 70 rupees , but then again he didn't have 70 rupees , so if he lost he would be in trouble , but he did have plenty of horses . And he didin't plan on loosing to some forest kid .

"Alright then your on !" He said

Both the horses were led outside the corral , Ingo on one , and Link on Epona . They stood on the starting line , awaiting the signal .

"3..."

"2."

"1.."

"GO!!!!!"

Screeched Ingo . Both horses launched away , each trying to get an early lead . Link willed Epona to speed up , metally assuring her that if she won then she would be able to leave the Hellish Ranch forever .

Link managed to get the lead , now he was able to cut Ingo off whenever he attempted to get past him . He urged on the panting horse as she sped around the perimetre of the corral . He urged Epona on with his heels , coaxing her to run faster . Ingo was directly behind him , slowly catching up . The finish line was ahead .

"Cummon !" Hissed Link .

Epona whinnied in determination , and put on an extra burst of speed , clearing the finish line , barely metres infront of Ingo .

Ingo was stunned , he had never lost a race before , he couldn't believe that these two strange kids had just turned up out of nowhere , tamed and claimed his two wildest , most stunning horses . If Lord Ganondorf found out about this then it would be his neck !

"Heh , heh , heh ! I told you you could keep the horse , but I never said you could leave this ranch ! Your staying here , make your self at home , kid !" He hissed . The high metal gates closed behind him , trappin Link in the ranch .

The elf couldn't believe it ! Ingo was locking him because he won fair and square ! He growled and then remembered how Zaila had escaped from the ranch . He smirked at Ingo , and turned Epona so she was facing the high wall of the Ranch !

Ingo realised his mistake !

"No ! You little bastard ! Get back here with my horse !" He yelled .

"MY horse !" Yelled Link over his shoulder as he urged Epona into a gallop , and braced himself as she charged the wall , clearing it in one powerful jump .

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Link stood in the graveyard in Kakariko Village , panting . He never knew ghosts could be so quick ! Dampe had surely given him a run for his money , but he had just managed to keep up with the dead graveyard keeper . And he grinned at the object that lay in his hand .

The Hookshot !

Now he would be able to get insde the Forest Temple , then he would go on to the Fire Temple up in Death Mountain !

He grinned , mounting Epona he set out towards Kokiori Forest .

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Link's blue eyed gaze dated warily from picture to picture . This Phantom Ganon , as proving quite a handful . He heard dry chuckling from behind him , and turned in time to deflect the ball of energy that the creature fired at him , before the creature vanished into a painting on the wall . He pulled out the bow and arrows he had discovered in the Forest Temple . He had got lost many times in the twisting corridors and confusing hallways .

He watched as the black horse with its rider launch from a painting , he fired an arrow ,causing the monster to retreat behind the canvas .

He looked around as the black rider appeared in a different picture ,and another one as well . Now there were two of them riding towards him in two different pictures , he had no idea which one was which . He gulped , and took a chance . He aimed an arrow at the one on his right , praying that it was the correct one . He was wrong . The butt of a spear , carried by the Phantom Ganon hit him from behind . it had come out of the picture on his left , and it laughed cruely as the elf fell unconcoiuss to the floor . He turned the spear around , so the needle sharp point was aimed at the base of Link's head .

He was about to throw when an arrow sung through the air and burried itself it the creature's hand , pinning it to the spear . Suddenly the confused spectre was wrenched off the horse , which swiftly galloped into a portrait .

It's red eyes squinted around in confusion , and saw the source of the trouble . A tall girl , with white hair stood glaring at the Phantom , and she swiftly drew her sword .

The creature snarled and hurled itself at her . But it a pretty stupid move , all the girl had to do was raise her sword and the beast ran stright onto her blade .

The monster howled in agony as the metal pushed its way in between its ribs . It raised its rad eyes to the cold black ones of its slayer , before its body vanished in a lavender firestorm .

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Link groaned and slowly opened his blue eyes . He sat up , he was sitting outside the tumbled down Temple of Time . He glanced around o see someone he didn't expect to see .

"Zaila ! I thought you said you never wanted to see me again !"

He breathed .

"Yeah , well . I'm not so cruel as to just stand by and let you get killed by some weird Phantom monster am I ?! Oh , and here you go !"

She tossed him two medallions , one was a shining emerald green , and the other was a ruby red .

"What are these ?" He asked her .

"They are the fire and forest medallions . I went to the Fire Temple in death mountain while you were in the Forest Temple . I turned up at the last minute when that freaky creature was about to make a necklace out of your eyeballs ! Your pretty lucky Blondie !" She said , standing up . She showed him her own two medallions .

"Daruna and Saria sent you their regards ." She told him , offering him a gauntletted hand to help him up .

Link took it happily .

"And there was me thinking you didn't care ! Thankyou Zaila ! Partners ?!" He asked .

She looked at him for a second , his handsome face radiated kindness and trust , also bravery . She allowed a rare smile to grace her face , making look even more beautiful than usual .

"Partners !" She agreed .

Wild-Roze : YAY !!!! Zaila has finally come to her senses , and it looks like she has a tiny , itty bitty crush on our favorite pointy eared sword swinger . (God where did that come from ? What am I on ? Lame pills ?!) Ahem ! Anyway , I'm really sorry for the lateness of the update , and I tried to space it out a bit more , please send in your reviews !!! Now I am free to continue my plan of World Domination using only a tape measure and a can of insect repellent !!! IF YOU DON'T REVIEW YOU WILL BE THE FIRST ON MY HITLIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!