A/N: Sorry it took so long to update, but I found a new way, so I might update faster. I bought a TI-84+ SE, so I'm trying it on the calculator. Three quarters of this was written on there. And seeing as it was on the calculator, there may be a few mistakes.
I also want to apologize to my friends whom I've talked about this so much they'll probably hit me next time I mention it to them.
Luckily for what readers I have, I have a lot ofpieceswritten on it, including several major parts, of which I've also been talking my friends' ears off nonstop. Well, enjoy this chapter.
Chapter Fifteen - Ruto
Link looked at Navi. "What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly what I said. As Saria changes, so does Ruto. Since she's only shrinking, I figure Ruto will look at least similar to the one you knew. I can take you to her."
"Works for me," Link replied. "Where to first?"
"I assume we'd go upriver past Kakariko and to the base of the river?" Zelda asked.
"I see someone's brushed up on their geography?" Navi returned.
"Freakishly tall woman forced me to."
"Ah. You've met Impa I see," Navi replied with a laugh. "Well, in any case, you are right. The river starts in the Zora Domain and flows through the area to Lake Hylia and also fills the castle moat. Shall we go?"
"Yeah," Zelda responded, but stopped as a shadow covered them.
"Planning another escapade, I see. I will tell you, as I have told you countless times before, that your father has ordered you to stay here." The shadow belonged to a tall woman dressed in strange armor, a giant eye etched on it. Due to the position of the sun, the three of them could not see who she was. Navi, however easily recognized her.
"Aw, come on Impa! You're not really gonna stop us, are you? Especially since I'm here, something must be important."
"I agree, but the fact is that she has been ordered here."
"Pretty please?"
Impa rolled her eyes. "No, princess, stop, come back, please," she said in a monotonous voice and followed with a wink. Zelda and crew took off running.
-
"This it?" Zelda asked.
"Looks like it," Navi replied. "Let's go."
Zelda, Link, and Sarah quickly followed Navi into the first waterfall. A pathway curved around a bend inside, but Link was paying more attention to the giant waterfall cascading from above, drowning out almost every sound. Link hurried along to catch back up with the others Navi led them up a path and into the room that was the source of the waterfall. In front of them, atop a platform, sat a giant fish-like thing. Navi and Zelda moved forward, stopping on a raised area. The giant fish spoke.
"Ah, Princess Zelda. What warrants your gracious visit?"
"I came to see Ruto," she responded.
"Ah. I am afraid my daughter is indisposed currently."
"I am sorry to hear that. Indisposed how, may I ask?"
"She has been overcome with an illness," the king said, avoiding the question.
"An illness? Pray tell, what kind of illness has befallen the poor princess?"
"I am not sure, but it is not anything you need to worry about."
Suddenly, Link jumped in front of Zelda. He drew his sword and pointed it at the king.
"What did you do with Ruo? Where is she?" Link shouted.
"Normally, you would be put to death for such an atrocity, but in light of your services, I shall forgive you," he said. The king then sighed. "My daughter is probably at the shop. She seems to be in a state of shock. Maybe you can cheer her up."
The four of them followed the path to the shop. They walked in and instantly were asked if they needed any help. Zelda shook her head and looked around. Her gaze fell upon a person huddled up in a corner.
"Ruo?"
The person stood up, and Link was even shocked. Instead of the Ruo he knew, she had drastically changed. Her skin, light as it had been, had become abnormally white with deep blue sploches. To add to the surprise, she also seemed to be growing fins of some sort, and it was obvious that she was not enjoying these changes.
"Whats happening to me?" she asked in a whisper.
"You're transforming."
"I figured as much, but into what?" she responded.
"A fish-thing?"
"That sounds lovely," Ruo remarked sarcastically. She slumped onto the ground, leaning against the wall.
"Maybe it won't be that bad."
"Thanks, Link, but what's so good about a fish-thing?"
Sarah slowly walked forward. "Yeah, well, look at me."
"Whoa. What happened to you?"
"Same thing as what's happening to you. I'm reterning to normal."
"You call this normal? Last time I checked, neither shrinking nor growing fins is exectly what I call normal."
"Actually..." Sarah started, and proceeded to tell Ruo what the Deku Tree had told them.
-
"So, I'm supposed to be a fish-girl?"
"Seems so. The problem is, our memories are still shifting back, so we only remember bits and pieces for now."
"Did it ever occur to anyone that I don't want to be a fishy?"
"Ruo, like I told you, this isn't something we can just stop. Soon, you'll be just like all the others, with a few exceptions, of course."
"A few exceptions? Like what?"
"You'll see..." Sarah replied and started to walk off.
"Wait up! What do you mean I'll see?" Ruo shouted after her.
"Well then..." Zelda remarked. "Now what?"
"Follow me." Link took off up the stairs.
Once they reached the top, Link ran up to the edge of the giant waterfall. He looked at Zelda then backflipped off the edge.
"Link!" Zelda shouted, running to the edge. Down below, there was a resounding splash that echoed throughout the cave.
"Come on, Zelda!" Link shouted back. Zelda jumped off the edge toward Link.
"Ha! You can't catch me!" he taunted.
"Oh really?" she fired back, rounding on him.
He only smiled as he dived down. Moments later, Link resurfaced under her, wrapping his arms around her stomach. Pulling her close to him, he leaned forward and whispered "Yeah, really." He held her there, close to him for only a second more, then released her, heading back underwater.
Zelda, however, was too fast for him. She grabbed his leg and pulled him back up. "Noone bests me and lives!" she shouted in mock rage. She flung a sheet of water at him. Ever the agile one, Link dived quickly and resurfaced out of range. In responce, Zelda dived. Link looked for any sign of where she would come up, but before he could react, Zelda surfaced directly under him. Instead of being pushed away, Link ended up perched on her shoulders. She fell back, dropping him into the water.
"Having fun, are we?" a voice asked. "Either way, my princess," it said, grabbing Zelda, "you're coming with me!"
A/N: Enjoyed it, I hope. The story shall continue soon...
