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Don't Let Me

Chapter Two: Lionhearted and Tenderhearted

Seung Mina and Yun-seong had returned from getting some food. Of course, Seung Mina had made Yun-seong carry the food by himself. As part of his punishment for running away, Seung Mina promised to make his life quite a struggle until they get home. Then she would allow Hwang to take care of the rest.

"We're back!" piped Mina as she opened the door for her companion to walk by.

"Oh, good," replied Talim. "Did you have any trouble getting any food?"

"No, we just had a bit of trouble since Mr. Fussy over there can't handle a few sacks of food."

"They're not just a 'few sacks of food'," let out Yun-seong, "these are heavy. Jesus, Mina, what did you put in these things? Rocks?"

"Oh, quit complaining! You'll have more things to do once we get back home."

"Damn you…"

"Anyway, how are you feeling?" asked Mina as she looked at Link.

"I'm fine," replied Link as he stopped massaging his arm.

"Why is your arm like that? I thought the healer managed to fix you up. Did something happen to you?"

"No…nothing happened to me. I guess the healer forgot to see this."

Link smiled to reassure Mina of his situation. Upon hearing that, Siegfried's sapphire eyes opened widely. Someone took the blame for me? he thought. What's his catch? He has to want something if he protected me like that. Siegfried's face just scowled as he pretended to ignore them. Link's eyes slowly landed upon Siegfried's figure then back to the food that Mina had brought them.

"It looks rather good," said Link as he eyed the chicken.

"Grab as much as you want," said Mina, "Yun-seong will get more if you need any."

Yun-seong just gave Mina a glare.

"I would, but first, we should ask him over there," said Link as he pointed to Siegfried.

Once Link had said that, Mina stood quiet. Yun-seong's glare softened as he turned away. Talim cleared her throat a bit as she shuffled her feet. The silence just told Link that none of the others did have the courage to ask the German warrior if he wanted anything to eat. Link summed up his courage and began to walk towards Siegfried.

"Hey," he spoke softly, "are you hungry?"

"Not really," replied Siegfried as he didn't bother to move from his spot.

"Are you sure? I am not too sure if you ate anything and I…"

"I said 'not really!'"

Just then a growl rose up from Siegfried's stomach.

"You're lying," said Link, "you have to eat something."

"What if I don't want to!" snarled Siegfried as he rolled on the bed and glared at Link.

"Then I'll just have to wait until you do." Link glared back.

"Listen here and listen well," growled Siegfried as he got out from his bed. "I don't care what you do, as long as it doesn't involve me."

"I'm sorry," replied Link, "but I can't do that. I can't let you suffer like this, Night…" Link stopped himself before he could finish the sentence.

"What…were you going to call me?" asked Siegfried as he glared at Link with a dark stare.

"I…I don't know what to call you…"

"Pathetic elfin freak," said the German warrior, "you're just as ignorant as the others. Yet there is no need to tell you my name. I'm leaving and heading off myself to get Soul Edge."

"Why do you want to get that thing!" shouted Link. "It's the thing that nearly killed you, wasn't it? Why would you want to go back and get that thing?"

"Because…" spoke Siegfried in a dark and calm manner, "you wouldn't understand the chaos that sword can bring if it fell into the wrong hands."

"If you're the only one that can handle it, you should wait until you're fully healed. That way you can be stronger than the sword and not fall for its dark power again."

Siegfried stood silent. His back was still turned on Link, but once the elf had stopped talking, Siegfried slowly turned around. His dark sapphire eyes fell down on the frail form of the Hylian hero. Everyone around the room stood still as they looked at what the German warrior was going to do next. What happened next surprised everyone.

"What is there to eat?" asked Siegfried.

Link's face beamed with happiness as he gave out a soft smile. Siegfried looked down at the warm smile and felt rather embarrassed. He turned away from the elf and pretended not to see the soft smile. Link got the hint and began to make his way over to Seung Mina. He took up the sack from her hands and walked over to Siegfried.

"Well," said Link, "we have quite a few things to eat here. We have this meat and some bread and a couple of fruits. What do you want?"

"I'll take whatever," replied the German warrior, "as long as it's edible."

"Let's see….I think you'd want a hardy meal and all."

Siegfried didn't reply. Link reached inside of the sack and pulled out a turkey leg. He offered it to the German warrior, who grabbed it. Siegfried took down a huge bite out from the leg and ate silently. Link took out an apple and began to eat it vigilantly. The other three warriors slowly walked out from the room, out from the inn, and began to make their way to the pub in front of the inn.

Yun-seong opened the door to the pub and led the ladies in. Inside of the pub were drunken men, loose women, and a couple of people stuffing their faces. The smell of alcohol and sex filled the pub. Yun-seong's face scrunched up, but he tried to ignore the smell. Talim, on the other hand, felt very uncomfortable to be around in this area.

Seung Mina placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder and smiled at her. Talim smiled back a bit. Just then a rather large man walked up to the ladies. His stomach was round and pudgy and stuck out from his pants. Hairs covered his navel which made it look rather grotesque. His face was rather greasy and a strange smell emitted from his entire body.

"Hey there," he slurred, "how much for a night with you women?"

"I beg your pardon?" asked Talim.

"How much do you want to fuck with me?"

"I'm not a harlot. Just please, leave me alone."

"Sorry, but you are quite the innocent one. Innocent ones turn me on." The drunk man took a hold of Talim's wrist.

"Let go of me!" shouted Talim.

"I guess you are for free."

"Let her go!" shouted Seung Mina as she slapped the man.

"Shut up, bitch!" shouted the drunk man as he slapped Mina hard enough to make her fall down.

"Is there a problem?" asked Yun-seong as he appeared before the man.

"It's none of your business, you brat."

"Oh, you're handling with my friends, so that does make it my business."

"Listen you little piece of shi-"

Just then Yun-seong let out a punch to the man's face. The drunken man spit out a tooth followed by blood before he fell down to the ground. Just as the bartender was about to say something all of the sudden, a random man from nowhere punched another random guy and started a chain reaction of fights. In the mist of the fight, Yun-seong took a hold of Mina and Talim. All three warriors hid behind the counter where they waited for the fights to subside.

"You guys are such trouble makers," said the bartender.

"We're sorry for this," said Talim.

"Eh, forget about it. Every now and then someone starts out with some shit like this."

"So, is it okay for us to wait it out?" asked Yun-seong.

"It's fine with me, as long as you protect me. Last time, one drunk came over here with a broken bottle to my face."

"What happened?" asked Mina.

"The man was too tipsy to hold himself up that he just fell over and passed out."

It took them a while, but all four people began to let out a laugh. The fight raged on with blood flying through the air, men breaking chairs on their head, and finally the ones that passed out. The sounds of fighting flew through the air and reached the inn. The sounds were a bit faint, but both Siegfried and Link were able to hear them. Upon hearing that noise, Siegfried's eyes harden as he stared at the door. Link stood on edge as he took his bow and arrow and waited.

Both warriors stood ready to fight anything for about fifteen minutes. When nothing happened, both of them began to relax as they lowered their weapons. Siegfried let out a mixture between a sigh and a growl, which startled Link a bit. He relaxed as he saw his companion go back to eating the turkey leg he had. Link let out a soft giggle. This guy reminds me of that earth beast known as a lion, he thought. I think it's either the hair or the fact that he growls like one.

Link had never seen a lion until he had traveled through parts of this world. When his eyes saw a beautiful lion behind this cage, his sapphire eyes beamed with curiosity and excitement. He had never seen such a beautiful creature before. When he tried to touch it, the owner told him that a lion had the power to rip him to shreds.

Surprisingly, Siegfried reminded Link so much of that lion. So beautiful and strong, yet he could see the comparison of both. Both were trapped in some sort of a cage and wished to be free. That's why behind the cold stare, Link could sense a hint of sadness. The elfin youth didn't notice that he was now staring at the German warrior and it made him rather suspicious.

"Is there something wrong?" asked Siegfried. "Or am I offending you?"

"Oh!" let out Link as he finally realized what he was doing. "I'm sorry…I was just thinking."

"Hmph…"

"I'm sorry if it really did offend you."

"You don't have to be sorry…"

"Really? I mean…I feel like I'm annoying you and all."

"Actually," said Siegfried, "you are."

"Oh…" Link frowned at the comment.

"However, I can tolerate it."

"Thanks," Link let out a soft smile.

Siegfried looked at Link and questioned himself about the elf.

"You're welcome," he replied.

For a while, both warriors stood in silence once more. None knew what to say to each other and none knew what to do. Link's sapphire eyes slowly moved up from his hand over to Siegfried's body. His eyes landed upon the German warrior's face. Just then, Siegfried's eyes landed upon Link's own. Both stared at each other for a while. Link felt his blood rush up to his face. A blush appeared upon his face.

"Um," said Link as he tried to break the silence. "I wanted to ask you something….but I wasn't sure if I should."

"What is it?" asked Siegfried.

"Listen," Link got up from the bed, "I know you probably wouldn't want to talk to me of all people, and I know you wouldn't want to talk about what happened, but I must know. Please….can you tell me about Soul Edge? You see, I'm not from this world. I came from a place far away from here. In fact I don't know where it is. I was sent here to find and destroy Soul Edge. Now that, that's done, I have no use to be here anymore, yet I'm afraid I can't get home. I was wondering….if you'd know anything about Soul Edge's power."

"Hmph," replied Siegfried, "just because I was Nightmare, doesn't mean I know everything about Soul Edge. Back when I was Nightmare, I wasn't myself. Another entity entered my body and took over it. My will and my soul couldn't do anything. I was trapped inside of my subconscious. At times I was awake to see what monstrosities Nightmare was doing, yet I couldn't do anything to stop it.

"I do know some powers of Soul Edge. Those that carry ambitions, even if they are pure hearted, will slowly fall into madness and soon, Soul Edge takes over your body and your mind. There is nothing you can do once it is done. Only one with a strong will, will you be able to overpower Nightmare, at least for a time being. When I had enough strength, I stopped myself from killing that Frenchman and stopped Soul Edge. However, I might not be so lucky anymore."

"If Soul Edge was able to control your body," said the Hylian hero, "why do you want it back?"

"Because," responded Siegfried, "Soul Edge isn't destroyed completely. It is still there: just that Soul Calibur just neutralized it. Both powers opposed each other: therefore, they cancelled each other out. The evil entity known as Nightmare isn't inside that sword, but I fear that it may come back one day. I have to be strong enough to stop it."

"You're different from what people have said about you. All I heard were tales about a monster known as Nightmare. He killed without remorse and no mercy for human lives. Yet, when I see you, all I see is a man with remorse."

"All the tales of Nightmare are true. Nightmare killed without any remorse, mercy, or love for human lives. I, however, am not Nightmare."

"Then," said Link as he let out a small smile play on his lips, "who are you? I don't know what to call you or anything. I don't know the real you."

"I used to be a knight," said Siegfried softly, "I used to be one of the best knights in Germany. My father…he was a knight as well. I go by the name of Siegfried Schtauffen."

"Sieg…fried Sch…tuaffen?" Link tried to pronounce his name without stuttering or anything.

"Yes," said the warrior.

"It is an odd name," said Link, "yet it sounds rather nice."

"What is your name then?" asked the German warrior.

"My name is Link."

"Link what?"

"Just Link…I never had a surname."

"I see….a peasant?"

"Yeah….plus orphan."

"Hmm…"

"Um," said Link softly, "what about you? I know it's not my place to talk about things….but do you remember the ones that took care of you?"

"The ones that took care of me?" asked Siegfried.

Siegfried stopped eating for a moment then looked up at the ceiling. His memory was a bit fuzzy, but he remembered seeing a faint figure. A warm smile fell upon the lips of the figure as it stretched out a soft arm towards his face. Siegfried could still feel the warmth of the soft skin of his mother. Her soft emerald colored eyes shimmered as she felt nothing more than motherly love for her son. Next to her stooda lean looking man. His sharp blonde hair and dark blue eyes were cold and stern, much like Siegfried's own.

"Yes," replied the German warrior, "I remember them. I was born into a family of a knight. My father was a reformed knight turned farmer once he married my mother. I was their only child. Father taught me how to fight, but I created my own style after I was able to wield a sword. I remember my mother's soft, sweet skin. She would often hold me when I would have a nightmare and lulled me to sleep."

"Reminds me of Saria…" replied Link. "I never had a mother…but I was raised for a bit by Saria. She was my best friend, but fate had a way with us and so we never saw each other again after an unfortunate incident."

"Did she die?"

"No….it was something else."

"I see…"

"So…was there anyone else?"

"Yes…my father. My father was a strong man. People always said that when I would grow up, I'd look like him, but with my mother's soft face. My father taught me everything I know but…"

"But?" asked Link.

Siegfried's eyes soon turned to stone as he remembered that unfortunate night. He could feel the fires next to his body. He let out a laugh--no--it was Nightmare that let out that horrible cackle that sent a chill down his opponent's spines. His claw then took a hold of Frederick's, Siegfried's father, head. Blood fell from Frederick's mouth as he glared at Nightmare.

"Siegfried…" coughed Frederick, "why are you doing this?"

"Heh," cackled Nightmare, "you truly believe that I'm your son? I am the spirit of Soul Edge and I love your son's body very much. He has such unusual strength for being such a young man. You have served your purpose….now it's time for you to become part of one of the greatest thing in the world: Soul Edge. Your strong soul will feed its hunger."

"Siegfried…please wake up. Siegfried…."

Siegfried….

Siegfried…

"Siegfried?" asked Link as he looked at the German warrior with much concern.

"Hmm?" let out Siegfried as he looked at Link.

"You looked like you were lost…what was happening?"

"Nothing…." replied the blond as he looked away, "nothing happened."

Link wasn't reassured about that. He could tell by looking at his companion that something was wrong with him that he wasn't willing to share. Did something happen to his father? he thought. He seems like he regrets something. Unless….he killed his own father? Did he really do that? He didn't seem to be hurt when he spoke about his mother.

Link slowly got up from his bed and began to make his way over to Siegfried. The German warrior didn't bother to look up at elf. However when he felt a soft hand touch his shoulder, Siegfried slowly looked up at the elf. Link's face was soft and tender. His soft blue eyes were quite stunning and mesmerizing. He had never seen anything so soft in his life.

Link's mouth parted a bit as he looked into Siegfried's blue eyes. Behind the ice layer that was before him, there was a soft blue haven behind them. Link felt a strange burning feeling arise in his body. His cheeks burned and his heart began to race a bit. For them, it was as if time itself had stopped for them. Link's soft hand trailed from Siegfried's shoulder and over to his face. He cupped his cheek. Link bent down to examine the warrior's façade.

Siegfried was amazed about two things. One was the fact that Link was getting close to him without any hint of fear or hatred for him. The other was the fact that Siegfried hadn't pushed away the elfin youth by now. His body completely froze as he first felt the soft hand upon his cheek. He could feel his heart begin to race as well.

Siegfried's face was only mere inches away from Link's face. Siegfried could feel Link's hot breath upon his lips as the elf breathed in softly. The blood in Siegfried's body began to rush through his body. His heart was really pounding as he felt himself close his sapphire eyes. Link moved over to Siegfried's eye and lightly placed a soft kiss upon his scar. Siegfried recoiled a bit.

"Why?" asked the German man. "Why did you do that?"

"I don't know," replied Link, "it just happened."

"If you value your life," said Siegfried softly, "you'd refrain from doing that again."

Link moved a bit away to look into Siegfried's eyes. His sapphire eyes remained cold and stoic.

"Did I offend you?" asked Link.

"No," replied Siegfried, "you didn't offend me."

"Do I repulse you then? Do you wish for me to go? Because I shall go to leave you be."

"It's all right….just please, don't get close to me. Nothing good would come out of being around me. That is why I have to leave you all before something would happen."

"Please," the elf spoke softly, "don't leave….stay for a while."

"I doubt your friends would want me around any longer. I don't wish to be a burden any longer."

"You're not a burden or anything…"

"Look at me!" snarled Siegfried as he grasped Link's wrist. "I'm a monster! Thanks to Soul Edge I am marked as a monster! Do you wish to have the burden of being close to a monster?"

"You're not a monster," said Link, "unless you let it be."

Siegfried's strength had managed to bring Link down to his knees. The German warrior hovered over the Hylian hero as he glared at him. Link felt a breath of doom creep down his spine. He felt that he should be afraid of the man before him, but instead he didn't feel it. Link just looked back at Siegfried with the soft eyes he had before.

Their faces were still rather close. Their lips were just mere inches away from each other. The grip that Siegfried had on Link loosened a bit. Siegfried closed his eyes a bit as he leaned in a bit and connected their lips together. Link's eyes were wide open as he felt the rather rough, chapped lips of the German warrior. Link slowly closed his eyes and kissed back.

Siegfried slowly brought his hand up and grabbed Link's short blond hair. Link brought up his arms and tied them around Siegfried's neck. Heat rushed through both their bodies as they continued to kiss. The soft hands from Link sent a chill down Siegfried's spine as they touched his bare skin. Slowly, the German warrior brought Link down to the floor, without breaking the kiss.

He placed one leg in between Link's legs and began to caress the elf's side. Link let out a soft moan as he felt the rough hand upon his skin. Just then, someone knocked on the door. In that instant, Siegfried pushed Link away from him and looked away. Link felt a bit hurt about the current action. However, what happened between them gave the elf a warm feeling and a rush through his body.

"Forget what I did," Siegfried said flatly.

"Why?" asked Link as he felt a bit hurt by the comment.

"Just forget what happened. What happened between us never did happen and will never happen again. If you are wise, you'd keep your distance from me."

Before Link could protest, the door to their room had opened. Siegfried had managed to get up from the floor and get on his bed. Link quickly got up from the floor and sat on his bed. In a moment, Mina, Yun-seong, and Talim walked inside. Yun-seong looked rather roughed up, but nothing too bad. The other girls seemed to be okay. Link let out a small smile at them as they greeted each other.

"So, what happened?" asked Link.
"A crazy fight spread out in the pub," said Mina, "we were stuck, so we had to use Yun-seong as protection here."

"You're evil, did you know that?" asked Yun-seong as he glared at the older woman.

"I'm just glad that you're okay, Yun-seong," said Talim. "Do you need to be healed?"
"Huh?" let out Yun-seong. An idea had managed to hit his mind as he let out a fake yelp. "Ow! I think that last hit really hurt my arm and all. I might need some tender loving carering." Yun-seong let out a small grin before he changed back to his hurt face.

"Okay, I'll bring you some medicine over to your room and I'll mend you from there."

Mina just let out a sigh and rolled her eyes. She could see through his ruse, but decided not to say anything. Let's see how far he gets with her, she thought. I doubt it can be really far: however, this might be something worth watching. Talim then looked over at Siegfried and Link and noticed how silent they were. Concern grew with the young woman.

"Link," she said softly, "something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing is wrong," said Link.

"You sure? I can feel some sort of a sadness aura around you….as well as confusion."

"I guess it's because I'm homesick that's all."

"Okay."

Talim's brown eyes looked over at Siegfried. Siegfried's sapphire eyes looked over at Link then quickly turned his view away from the blond elf. Talim wasn't sure of what was going on, but she could get a bit of a hint that it had something to do with the both of them. Thinking that it was wise, Talim didn't pursue the manner anymore.

"Anyway, I hope you guys are feeling okay," said Talim.

"I feel a bit better," said Siegfried, "can you please take me to Soul Edge?"

"We can't…not until you feel better. I know you're still in hurt…I can see it in your face."

"I may be in hurt, but I can withstand it. I don't wish to burden you all anymore. It is best if I take the sword and leave."

"How do we know that you won't use the sword anymore with its power?" asked Yun-seong.

Siegfried just shot Yun-seong a glare.

"You don't have to trust me," he replied, "I don't expect any of you to trust me. After all….I am a monster to you all."

Mina, Yun-seong, and Talim remained quiet about the situation.

"I really don't think you're a monster," said Link softly. "I've told you that before….but I guess having someone like me telling you that isn't good enough…"

"Link?" asked Talim.

Siegfried didn't reply. He just looked away and then laid on his bed. Just a couple of more days, he thought. Then I shall be out of here and continue my journey. I can't allow myself to drag them with me or get close to them. Siegfried slowly moved his hand to his lip and touched them softly. Stupid kid…what was he thinking? Or better yet, what was I thinking?

Link slowly lay back down on his bed and turned his back to Siegfried. Link bit down on his own lip and tried to hold back a single tear that dared to fall down his cheek. He could still feel the warm of Siegfried's lips upon his. When they kissed, Link felt his heart flutter, but when Siegfried told him to deny what happened, something broke in the elf.

What am I feeling? asked Link. Why do I feel like I'm breaking? When Siegfried kissed me…I felt such a sensation, but now….I just feel the cold. A bit of blood trickled down his lips and landed upon the pillow. Link released his hold on his lips and licked the blood off. The metallic taste of it, made the elf wince. He closed his eyes and began to sleep.

End Chapter.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I did a lot of work for it.