Yes! One more chapter before school starts again! After this, we'll have to go back to the old schedule. Darn. Well, I dunno, now that it's getting more and more interesting to write, I'm finding myself writing more and more each time I sit at the computer, so maybe I'll be able to get one chapter a week. Maybe. Here's hoping! (But no complaining if I'm wrong, ok?)

Oh, and thanks so much to all my supporters who've dealt nicely with my plot twists. Really, it's nice to know people appreciate my hard work.

So, yeah. As a reminder, what's Nintendo's is theirs, and what's mine is mine.

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While Link had found himself temporary salvation in the arms of friends, Dark hid himself away into the solitude of his mind. This of course left his body open, so the Thief picked up where he left off and took care of it; eating, sleeping, the likes. They didn't dare leave the apartment building for at least a week or so, fearing the belated wrath of their employer. This left the Thief bored out of his skull. He was the most social of the three and as such craved to talk to someone. But with Dark invalid that only left the other self, and that only left him sorely pissed off, so that wasn't an option. It was probably because of this that the moment there was a knock he raced to the door, not thinking about the consequences that could befall him.

Lucky for him, reinforcement had arrived.

"Hey D, mind if I come in?" asked Ranmaru cheerfully. The Thief nodded with an inviting smile; course, what he was inviting the man to do was up for questioning.

"Yes, of course. Honestly it's been pretty dull around here without anything fun to do," he complained, giving Ranmaru that look. Boy did Ranmaru know that look.

"Alright, what're you doing out Dorobou?" the Asian asked, using his pet name for the Thief. (A.N. it should be Japanese for thief/robber. If not, well, I'm wrong. n.n;;) He sighed and sat on their bed.

"What makes you think I'm not the old man?"

"Because D got over his crush on me when he was fourteen, unlike you."

"My, pretty and smart. Is there anything you can't do?" the Thief quipped as he lay back with his hands behind his head. Ranmaru rolled his eyes at the personality as he leaned against the door, giving him the other look. A look that said "You're keeping something from me." The Thief didn't much appreciate it. "You sure you don't wish to join me? I'll be gentle this time, I promise."

"Dorobou…" Ranmaru sighed. It was certainly tough being a best friend to one self and an ex-lover to another. He never should have made that mistake. But he supposed that wasn't really what mattered now. "You're avoiding my question. Why isn't D here?"

The Thief frowned and closed his eyes. "He's not answering us right now if that's what you're wondering. The old man, being the wimp he really is, has locked himself away up here" – he pointed to his head – "and left the dirty work to us. Course, you know just as well as I that the other self can't be trusted with the body, so that leaves me to sit around this shit hole."

"But why? What happened?" Ranmaru questioned, worried that he already knew. The sigh in response only enforced his fear.

"What do you think? He's gotten himself all worked up because we can't be with our darling detective; wait, no, because he can't be with his love. He's really selfish when it comes to the boy," the Thief muttered bitterly. Ranmaru found himself sighing as well and his shoulders sank.

"I was afraid this might happen. How angry was the Boss?"

"Enough so that the other self could try his hand at throwing him off," the personality admitted. Ranmaru groaned; neither the Thief nor Dark trusted the other self and as such didn't let him out by choice. It was only when they needed him that he came out. The Asian rubbed his temples before crossing his arms over his chest and looking over at the Thief sadly.

"How badly is he hurt?"

"Pretty bad. We've been forbidden to ever see the detective again; unless I'm stealing something and he happens to get in a tussle with me. That could be an interesting option…" the Thief thought aloud, his lips curling into a smile. Ranmaru shook his head.

"Don't be ridiculous. You know how dangerous that could be."

"True. If this is how bad the old man gets about just breaking up with the guy, I'd hate to see him if the detective got killed cause of him," the Thief said sullenly. Ranmaru looked slightly shocked, most likely at the thought that Dark's lover would be killed for their affair, but realized that he should have expected as much.

"So have they officially broken up?"

"Yeah. Initially, when we first got the bad news, the old man was so upset that neither I nor the other self could handle it, so we left him to deal with it himself. I would take over once in a while to get some food in him, but that was about it. But by Saturday we convinced him that he had to let the darling detective know. Course, the lug couldn't handle more then three sentences before hanging up and hiding himself away. We haven't heard from him since, but now Link knows it's over," he explained. Ranmaru's frown deepened as he finally moved from his wall and sat on the bed next to the Thief.

"Does he know why they're breaking up?"

"Nah. Dark ran away, I was sick of doing everything myself, and the other self didn't like him to start with, so no one was left to explain it. Obviously we're short a personality or two," the Thief joked morbidly before he sighed and covered his face with his right arm. "Besides, it's better this way. Better to break his heart quickly and completely then to have to watch it slowly chip itself away into nothing. At least this way he can find someone better and not have to regret our relationship."

"But by doing that you have to carry the burden of knowing the truth alone, and that can't be easy."

"No, it's not, but we have an advantage; there're three of us. Link though… he doesn't have someone to help him. At least, when he was with us he didn't. He's the type to deal with things alone, so as not to burden anyone else," the Thief said. Ranmaru couldn't help but smile a bit.

"Sounds like you." The Thief flushed a bit, looking away from the Asian.

"Yeah, I guess…"

"…Dorobou?"

"Hmm?"

"You love him too, don't you?"

"Who, the detective? Well, he was a good lover…" the Thief reasoned. Ranmaru smiled gently and shook his head.

"But you also love him, don't you? It sounds to me like he's made quite an impression on both of you."

"…Maybe. I don't know. And I'm not sure I want to think about it. Why, you jealous?"

"You wish."

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It was dark. Really dark. So dark that he didn't even bother to open his eyes. Besides, he found odd comfort in the pitch blackness. Here he couldn't see anything, no matter how hard he tried. All the sound seemed to be sucked into the shadows, so he couldn't hear anything either. All there was was him, and sometimes he had to move to make sure he really was there.

This was his hiding place, a corner deep in his psyche that no one else could reach. Not even the voices of his other selves. It was his sanctuary, his life raft, his last resort. Here he was completely alone. All alone…

He curled even tighter, trying to get rid of the pain that suddenly shot through him. He just didn't understand. He always wanted to be alone. Yes, sometimes talking to someone, to feel their support was nice, but the only person he could really trust was himself, right? How many times had this been proven to him? He felt safest alone, where no one could hurt him.

And yet still, there was that stab of pain. What the hell was it? He liked being alone, he liked it! Ah! Goddamn, there it was again. He had never felt this before. He usually found such pleasure in being without thought, without feeling, without anything. But ah shit, this pain just kept coming again and again. He couldn't be completely lost in himself if that infuriating pain kept dragging him away from it. Did it want him to think about his sad excuse for a life? To replay every damn scene over and over, remembering everything that had hurt him, pained him, and torn him apart? Hell, even worse did it want him to remember the beacon of light that finally gave him hope? That soft hair, those bright blue eyes, that warm body, that caring voice…

"I love you…"

He cried out as pain shot through his body like fire, those words like salt on a wound. He didn't want to hear it, he shouldn't be able to hear it, he—

"I love you…" the voice said again, and he screamed. He screamed and cursed, telling it to stop, to go away, to leave him to his solitude. If it kept this up, he'd never be able to lose himself to the darkness. But that's what he wanted, he wanted so be all alone, to feel safe, to not have to deal with anymore of this pain! But the closer he got the more it hurt. Why? Why couldn't he just hide away, run from these fears? Why did it hurt when he used to love being alone so much? Why? Why! WHY!

"I love you too…" He blinked in surprise. Had he said that? He must have because it didn't sound like that voice. It finally dawned on him, and he couldn't but laugh at the irony. Was it really that simple?

Maybe he couldn't enjoy the pleasures of aloneness anymore because he'd touched the ecstasy of sharing life with another. He'd felt the warmth of hearing those soft words, so he couldn't love the chill of silence anymore. And the simple touch of those outreaching hands left him with more joy then the cruel caress of loneliness ever could.

Too bad he couldn't have it anymore.

So he was stuck in between, finding pain alone, but unable to reach his love. What a mess he'd gotten himself into.

But he should be used to it he supposed. As soon as he got comfortable with anything, something had to go wrong and turn things sour. Now he couldn't even enjoy his darkness. It truly was ironic.

Dark Link had betrayed the darkness, so in return it betrayed him.

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"Flight thirty-two arriving at terminal 7B. Flight thirty-two," came the announcement as an airplane made its way towards the building. Link breathed deeply, his hands gripping lightly at the bottom of his jacket. He felt bad about not being excited what with his oldest friends and mother coming to visit, but they just had the worst timing. All he really wanted to do was sit alone in his apartment and think things over. But no, he had to entertain guests didn't he? He sighed heavily as he felt a wave a guilt wash over him.

It would be alright he supposed. Yuki and Rikuo already promised him that he could take it easy at work, take breaks as necessary. He couldn't help but feel the corners of his mouth curl as he remembered the happenings early that day.

He woke up fairly early, more then a little surprised to find his head in Yuki's lap and Rikuo sleeping on his armchair. Far more then a little surprised. Link sat up quickly, his face beet red as he remembered the events of the past day. That explained his sleeping on Yuki, but he still couldn't figure out the lug sleeping in the chair. When had Rikuo gotten here? And why wasn't Link dead?

Well, maybe Rikuo didn't know about what had happened. At least, Link hoped he didn't. Jeez had that been embarrassing... but that wasn't what really mattered. What mattered now is that Yuki was getting closer and closer to the truth of the matter and Link was a little worried to say the least. Would he have to fess up to his friend? He really hoped not, because that would be so awkward…

"Link?" Yuki questioned sleepily, rubbing his eyes as he blinked around the room, his eyes settling on his lover on the armchair. "Rikuo!"

"Then I guess you don't know how he got here either huh?" Link said, sitting back against the couch. Yuki shook his head earnestly.

"No, I can't say that I do. Though I suppose I should have expected him to come check up on me," Yuki admitted, flushing somewhat. Link nodded, yawning lightly as he stretched out his arms and back. The older detective slowly got to his feet, stumbling somewhat but managing to stand up straight. "Oh well. Do you have some coffee in the kitchen?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, in the cupboard next to the fridge. I can get it though," Link offered as he stood up. Yuki smiled warmly.

"I can do it, really. Though you can help me find all the ingredients."

"Sure, no problem," Link replied as the two headed into the kitchen. Link dug around in a box on the counter, grunting irritably before finally producing a coffee pot and maker. He cringed somewhat, blowing the dust off of it. "Wow, guess I haven't had homemade coffee for longer then I thought."

"Link, you've been in New York for over two months and you haven't even bothered to unpack your coffee maker?" Yuki asked awe shocked. Link sighed sheepishly.

"Nah. I only drink it in the morning, and there's coffee at work, so I guess I just never bothered."

"Smart one," Yuki teased as he pulled out some coffee beans from the cupboard and set them on the counter. It took some time as the two washed out the old machine and pot, dried them, put it all together and got the thing going. The last part took the longest since the contraption wasn't Link's to start with; his father gave him their old one. So the two poked and prodded, pushing random buttons until the thing finally started to work, or at least act like it was. But its old age became evident; it was taking forever. Yuki decided that perhaps now that Link had had sometime to relax now was the time to ask. "Link?"

"Yeah?" Link replied, looking over from where he leaned against the counter. Yuki took a deep breath.

"Well… I was wondering if you might be able to tell me about, you know…" Yuki dropped off, unsure of how to refer to Link's ex. The young man looked at him oddly, his brows knitted in confusion. Sighing Yuki continued saying, "I was wondering if you could tell me about the man that Rikuo and I met. You're… ex."

"Oh…" Link said quietly, frowning slightly. "Well I… I'm not sure there's much I can tell."

"But Link--" Yuki tried to say but Link shook his head.

"Yuki, I wish I could, but honestly if could cost me my job, and cost him a hell of a lot more," Link explained sullenly. Yuki shook his head in slight confusion.

"I don't know what you mean. Unless you were a criminal yourself, the Chief wouldn't be able to get rid of you; you're too good at your job."

"What if I was a criminal?" Link asked quietly. "What if I told you that I broke the law? That I did something that went against my morals? What would you say then?"

"I… I don't know," Yuki admitted, leaning against the counter to find some balance. "I just… Let's just not go into that one for now. But why would you care if it cost him a hell of a lot more. I mean, he broke up with you without giving you any reason. How can you still care what happens to him?"

Link gave his friend an almost pitying look. "Because I know him. He's been through hell and back… no, I'm not really sure he's ever been able to get back. He's life is far worse then I ever would have thought possible." Yuki's eye widened, unable to imagine that the smiling, laughing young man they had met could have secrets that painful. Link could read the look on his friends face and nodded. "I know, sounds kind of farfetched huh?"

"W-well I suppose…" Yuki admitted. Link nodded.

"Yeah, I thought so too. But I knew he was telling the truth. I just knew it. Course, then again, I was sure he was telling the truth when he said he cared about me…" Link murmured sadly. Yuki was worried that he was treading on dangerous territory, but still the young man continued. "But that's life. Sometimes you think it's finally going your way, and the next it bites you in the butt.

"Yet… yet I still love him," Link said as he looked up with sad eyes. Yuki swallowed heavily, his stomach knotting up.

"Link…"

"I'll tell you this much," Link replied. "You think about him more then you think." That said he turned back to the coffee maker as it finally finished its job and poured Yuki a cup. "Here, you'll have to tell me if it's any good."

Yuki sighed slightly, knowing he wasn't going to any further today. He took the cup and was about to take a sip when the mug was snatched from his hand. "Hey!" he yelped as he turned around to find himself looking at none other then his lover.

"Thanks babe," Rikuo replied as he put the drink to his lips, taking a sip. The room went quiet as he stared blankly before gulping heavily and gagging. "Uck! Jeez, what'd you do, fill it with dish water!"

"Rikuo! We tried hard to make that. Besides it can't be that bad…" Yuki thought aloud as he took the drink and tried it. He had the same blank stare before gagging and racing to the sink, spitting the liquid out.

"See? I told you so," Rikuo said smugly. Link rolled his eyes and plucked the cup from Yuki's hand.

"Come on you guys, I'll admit it's probably a little strong but it's still coffee," Link reasoned. The two gave him a look that clearly said, "Fine then, you try it." He gulped lightly before tipping the cup towards his mouth. He grimaced, tried to swallow, but found it impossible and pushed Yuki out of the way so he could spit it out in the sink. "Yuck!"

Rikuo started laughing then and even Yuki couldn't help but join him as Link glowered at them. It only grew louder and soon Link couldn't help but smile and laugh right along with them.

Ah, the power of really bad coffee.

Even though it was hours later, the memory still had Link snickering to himself. They were such dorks, but he liked it that way. It was fun. If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?

"Link!" came a cry that shook the young man's thoughts. He looked up quickly, but not fast enough as soon arms were around his shoulders and a familiar face smiled widely at him. He just about fell over, but steadied himself as he laughed.

"Jeez Zelda, try to kill me why don't you," he joked. She gave him a fake pout that hardly lasted a couple seconds before she giggled and smiled again.

"I can't help it. It's been so long!"

"Long? It's only been two months," Link replied. She laughed.

"You mean it's already been two months."

"Linky!" came yet another high pitched squeal as suddenly his mother popped out of no where, hugging him tightly as Zelda moved to the side, clinging to Link's arm. He smiled sheepishly and patted his mother on the back.

"Hey mom, how've you been? You're looking good." She looked up at him with twinkling blue eyes, her brown hair bouncing as she shook her head rapidly.

"Oh no darling, forget me, how have you been? You're looking more and more like your father with each passing day! And… my word, what did I tell you about eating! You've lost weight again! Oh well, I'll have to make sure you get enough to eat while I'm here," she stated. Link sighed. She always thought he'd lost weight, when honestly he hadn't really gained or lost any weight for the last three years. But there was no convincing his mother of this.

"Mom, jeez, I can take care of myself…"

"No, I think she's right Link! Your face is looking a little thin!"

"My, you're right Zelda, it is! And are those bags I see under your eyes? Don't tell me you haven't been sleeping either?"

"Zelda, Mom, please I'm fine. Really, I've just been a bit busy these past few days…"

"But Link--!" both of the women protested in unison when finally some help came to the detective's aid.

"Sister, don't hang on him like that. And Julia, really, you're making a scene," Sheik stated as he walked up, carrying the two women's purses. Obviously in their hurry they had forgotten them on the plane. Link smiled thankfully at the man as the women ruefully unattached themselves from him.

"Hey, long time no see Sheik," Link said. The man nodded.

"Yes, I suppose it has been. It's nice to see you again," Sheik replied. Link smiled.

Thus began one of the longest weeks in Link's life.

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Hah. The plots moving again. Go me. n.n Comment please! Thank you, Happy New Years, and… Oh! And Happy Birthday to Kai19 who's birthday is, tomorrow? I think so. So this one's for you Kai19! Well, her, and all my other loverly supporters. n.n