Sorry for the wait (I was kinda waiting for my fav reviewer to review...but they never came...) - big chapter ya know - bigger the the last one, over 1400 words without me adding the subnotes eheheh...aaaaaaaaanyways, being a big chapter it's got alot in it, I really hope you like it -grins- it took me hours to do...

Soon it was sunset, the bridge leading into the Kokiri forest was on the horizon, Tala, who was busy gazing at the sky randomly winced, Link noticed this and stopped to watch, "Are you ok?" he asked.

Tala let out a sigh of relief, "Sorry, I was just worried that it was a full moon tonight – rather hard to tell the day after the full moon," how could she forget yesterday? She had other things on her mind, things that had nothing to do with the past, just the present and the future…

Link raised an eyebrow, obviously noticing that the werewolf was in deep thought over something…ignoring the matter, they continued forth, over the bridge and into the Village that Link called home.

The Kokiri folk were busy dancing in front of a large bonfire, telling stories whilst listening to Link's old friend, Saria, as she played her joyous tune on her own orcarina. There was a bit of a party that evening – there always was when the town was happy…and the town had been happy since the day Link had saved it from its terrible fate.

Tala looked around, she had never seen a town like this before…it was the pure essence of happiness, all of the townspeople seemed delighted and everyone wore the same clothing, she smiled slightly when she noticed that she herself was dressed in the same robes – green tainted tunics.

As soon as Link approached the campfire everyone turned around, cheering at Link's safe return, even the usually-grumpy Mido somehow managed to bear a smile, everyone was so absorbed in Link hat it was a while before someone even noticed that Link had brought a friend with him…

"Oooh! Look over here! She came with Link!"

"What's your name?"
"I'm…err…-" Tala tried to answer, but numerous voices butted in.

"Is she a Kokiri?"

"Nah, we would've known"

"She has funny ears"

"Tala…" she managed to answer as the crowd stopped bickering and continued with questions, as if she was some kind of famous movie star and the Kokiri were the paparazzi …

"Nice nam-"

"Are you Link's friend?" Tala simply nodded in reply, not even attempting to speak.

"You're really pretty" another commented as she blushed, Link then came over to tug her away from the crowd, giving her a seat by the fire, the Kokiri, appeared to be 'questioned out' so to speak. They too, took seats around the campfire.

A couple of healing fairies came, probably notified by someone that Link had arrived, they checked him over – twice and removed any wounds he had gotten from last night – he was so lucky he hadn't been bitten. Link then told the fairies to heal Tala as well. She felt a small tingling sensation on her side as the wound Link had given her evaporated from her skin.

Tala smiled and looked up to the stars, watching them as their silvery light twinkled brilliantly – covering the sky in a glowing carpet known as the Milky Way, Link noticed this and joined her in her stargazing, "It's a beautiful night," he admitted, as he grinned at the clear, deep blue.

"Yeah…" said Tala, her mind beginning to wander, she then saw a shooting star fly across the sky, billions of miles away…

"Make a wish," Link told her, still smiling from ear to ear.

"I would," she started, "but I have no idea what to wish for," she didn't seem nearly as happy as he was.

Link looked at her, sensing something was wrong…but what? He had a bit of an idea, "How about that Ganon was gone and could never come back," he suggested, his smile slowly fading from his face.

"Yeah," she sighed, "that'd be nice…" she felt Link's arm wrap around her shoulder, she bit her lip, wanting to lean into him, snuggle closer…anything, but…

"Don't worry about him," Link said firmly, "I promise I'll do whatever I can to keep you safe,"

That's what she was afraid of…

She disdainfully shrugged his arm off and stood, looking out into the blank darkness. Link looked at her quizzically, he didn't understand…whatever – it's probably just a 'girl' thing.

"Let's get you out of these clothes," he said, guiding her to his tree house, "I have something I want to give you,"

They climbed up the ladder and soon they found themselves in a rather cramped little house, nothing more then a tiny bed, a few shelves and some boxes, "Sorry about the state of this place," he apologised and soon began to go through a few drawers until he pulled out a fantastic dress that could've only been worn by royalty.

Tala gasped in amazement at the dress, it had only been worn a few times – as she could see, "Princess Zelda came here…almost a year ago, to visit my village for a few days, she accidentally left this here, next time I saw her I forgot to give it back and she told me not to worry because she didn't want it back," he explained, "so I want you to have it," he said smiling weakly as he went outside, shutting the door as he waited for her to get changed on the balcony. 'No peeking this time' he told himself, despite how much he wanted to gaze at her through his old timber-framed window.

A few soft tumbles of fabric and the rustle of silk against skin meant that it was over soon enough. Tala opened the door, causing Link to almost jump, when he saw her he beamed and came inside again, with a simple gesture he asked her in too, his mind was racing – full of emotion…should he tell her how he felt? He had never really had this strange sense before, it was unusual, strange. Half of him was confident, the other half was not, he was torn.

"You look stunning," he told her as he sat down on his small bed, there was just enough room for her to sit beside him, so she did.

Tala blushed lightly, "Thanks," she said shyly, "this dress is truly amazing…and to think it once belonged to a Princess…"

Link found himself moving closer to her, should he tell her now? Or not? How would she react? Did she feel the same way? Was he good enough for her? Wait. What if she though he was weird…she was a werewolf after all, she was different…or was it he who was different from her? He was so confused…

Link kept on coming closer until his face was almost inches from hers, "Tala…I really want to let you know how much I care about you…" he whispered in her ear, finding it very hard to group his words together, he was so nervous…

Meanwhile, Tala's mind was racing…

"Should I go for it?"

"No! You can't! You've got other priorities…"

"But he's…"

"He's probably gonna die if you try…"

"He means so much to me…"

"That's why you have to keep him safe…you know what's going to happen if you take risks like this"

"But I'll hurt him!"

"Not nearly as much as you will if you keep on going like this…"

"I can't…"

"You WILL!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

"Love him…kiss him, lean into his chest – pray for survival"

"Push him away! Throw him to the ground! Keep him safe!"

…

The battle for Tala's will between her consciences finally ended, resulting in Tala choosing the 'right' thing to do.

Tala pulled back, "Sorry Link, I can't…" she began, finding her eyes beginning to water as she stood up, her back turned to him.

Link couldn't understand…did she hate him? Why? Did he just imagine this? Was it all just some horrible nightmare?

The werewolf turned around to face him, "I'm sorry, sorry, sorry! But I can't…we can't…"

Link hung his head in sorrow, facing his greatest fear – rejection…

"You mean a lot to me too but…if Ganon's still around then…"

"Fine," Link spat – his hurt now turning to anger, "I'm leaving," he said simply as he got up and raced out the door, jumping clear off of the balcony, barely even bracing himself as he landed, Tala sped out the door after him.

"You don't understand! Ganon would use me to get to you…" she called out after him, standing on the balcony as she watched him leave, "Goodbye…" she muttered miserably to herself.

Link kept on running, he sprinted across the bridge out onto the Hyrulian Field, not really caring where he ran – he just wanted to get away from the pain, the hurt...he was more or less thinking on his feet at the moment.

Tala sighed… "Better go after him," she told herself, she had no idea how long he'd last out there with Ganon about…

Ooooh...interesting eh? Do I sense a plot coming? Or did I just stuff it up? Good? Bad? REVIEW! -pokes you with carrot-