Chapter 16

"Malon, I'm sorry that I have to leave so soon," Link said in a low voice. The girl's eyes opened midway, barely comprehending what was happening. "I truely appreciate what you have done for me, but there's something I must take care of..." Malon nodded slowly, then fell back asleep. For along time he stared at her, asleep on the floor. This girl who had welcomed him to her home in both wolf and Hylian form. She looked so peaceful, lying there. Though a faint memory, he recalled the feel of her hands against his fur. No one had touched him as a wolf, let alone caressed him. Part of him ached to curl up against her, to surrender himself to her caressing. But another part resented, almost feared it. He was no pet...no dog before his master's feet. He wouldn't be caught dead doing it...would he? Link suddenly felt very awkward.

It was almost too easy to find Dante. The dark haired boy had just come back from his nightly errands–apparently he had left when Malon had–yet there was nothing about him that could suggest that. He was good at covering his tracks.

"Well, aren't we a little ill-dressed this morning?" Dante mocked when he looked over Link. True, Link had thrown a blanket around his waist. Unfortunately, there weren't any fresh clothes lying around when he had changed back. The blanket had to do. "How did things go with Malon last night? She wasn't scared, was she?"

"She isn't afraid of me," Link muttered, looking strangely at Dante. "She's different from the others, and I wish there were more like her." The other boy nodded.

"Speaking of Malon, where is she," Dante asked, looking around, "usually when I get back she's working on something." After a few more unsuccessful glances he resumed attention on Link.

"She's resting up in the barn," Link said, then he sighed out as if he were tired. He suddenly looked away, agonized.

"What is it?" Dante asked, now taking more note than before. Link then told him of what had happened last night, carefully excluding Malon's little incident as to not anger him. As he told him, Link grew increasingly troubled.

"When I was fighting this werewolf, I caught the scent of Princess Zelda on him,"he said quietly. Although faint, the scent was undeniably hers. Blox couldn't have had direct contact with her, but enough contact to mean he had once been in the same room as her. "She's in trouble, and I have to help her." Dante looked more shocked than anything.

"So that's it? You're leaving?" he asked, sounding strangely hurt. Link nodded once.

"I've been resting for too long now, Dante. Each hour that ticks by the danger on her life is increasing, and not just hers, but the werewolves' and Hylians' alike. This is an issue I created, and an issue I must resolve," he expounded. "No one should suffer for a mistake I made." Dante was silent for a while, now looking impressed. A smile appeared on his face.

"It's foolishness that you're going to tackle this mess alone. How can you simply stride in there, with no plan or anything? You might as well crawl on your belly and offer your throat," Dante said, his smile widening, "that's why I'm going with you." Link couldn't believe his ears.

"You're what?" he asked, bewildered. "I thought you said– "

"Forget what I said," Dante interrupted, "And besides, you need someone to keep an eye on things, incase you fuck things up." Link grinned at him, yet the troubled look in his eyes had done anything but disappear.

"First things first," Dante disappeared into one of the houses near the entrance of the ranch. When he returned he had a bundle of clothes. "You need to get dressed. And I guess that's it. You better get going."

"I thought you were coming with me," Link said as he took the garments.

"This is your journey remember, I'll catch up with you later. But you need to go, before the scent trails dies out. With all the rain from last night you'll be lucky to find any at all," Dante muttered. He turned his back and began to walk in the direction of the barn. He paused. "I hope you said your good byes to her." Link smiled gravely.

"Yes, I did. I hate to leave her but this is more important," he replied. Dante sighed.

"You understand the risks you're taking, right? That saving the people doesn't guarantee that they will welcome you back with wide open arms," Dante warned. "I mean, over here you have a girl that loves you very much. Would you really want to throw all that away?"

"There are things I must sacrifice if I am to correct this mess. I'm afraid that's how it works," Link muttered. Dante nodded, then continued walking. How strange it was of Link to express concern over the werewolves like that. Dante had always had the impression that Link disliked him, disliked his kind. Maybe he was putting too much thought into it, but could Link have finally...'Something has changed in you Link,' he thought, his mind reeling. 'And it seems too much to be true.'

- - -

As Dante approached the barn he was suddenly greeted by someone at the door. Malon had woken up, and had just caught Link exiting the ranch.

"Where...is he going?" she questioned. Dante didn't answer. He simply stared at her. "He didn't just leave, did he?" Though faint, Dante nodded. Malon felt as if her heart had been crushed.

"But why would he do that?" she asked, looking terribly heart-broken. "Doesn't he like it here? He didn't even say goodbye..."

"He did, most probably you were half-asleep or something," Dante finally muttered. "Malon. A lot has happened to him. And staying here will not make things any better for him. He had to leave."

"This isn't about him being a werewolf is it?" Malon sobbed, tears stinging her eyes. Dante shook his head.

"Not at all. But something he committed," he explained. "I have decided to leave as well, to help him."

"Then take me with you," Malon said, taking a firm hold on Dante's arm. His amber eyes stared worriedly into hers.

"Malon...I can't, it's too– "

"Take me with you!" she cried. She was serious. To her, letting Link go was far too much for her to bare. To her, Link needed all the help he could get. "I'm not afraid of them. I know he's off to fight some werewolves somewhere, I can feel it. But I'm not afraid of them." Dante felt trapped. Should he take her with him? Would she be any safer at the ranch than at his side? After a few minutes Dante finally agreed.

"He isn't going to be too happy about this..." he muttered, looking guilty. "Well Malon, you better pack whatever. We have a long and dangerous road ahead of us."


Note: What the...sure leave the ranch and get savaged by some werewolfies. A real smart move. Lol. Dante has definitely figured it out with Link. Have you? It's kinda obvious, really. Oh, and I no like this chapter much. Too much conversation.