Snow blanketed the land, that's all one could really see. The land was frozen, and it was dying. The flowers, which had only bloomed, were covered with thick layers of ice. Their stems could not reach for the sun. Life was forever in a dormant sleep. Never again would the plants, the grass and the mountain feel the warmth of the sun as they had long ago.

The wind, with its ceaseless howling, was yet to be calmed. The mountains and the people were bound by a timeless eternity in this everlasting winter. Their hearts, still thawed, hoping spring would one day return, thrived on.

Inuyasha let out a sneeze as he stood glaring at the fallen snow. This had been the thirteenth time that damn cold got to him, and he was fed up. "Damn snow!"

"Where do we even look?" inquired the demon slayer. Unlike her silver-haired friend, she wasn't the least bit bothered by the snow, though it was proving to be difficult to walk through.

"There's a sign up ahead," replied the monk.

Goron Village ahead.

Beware of the White Wolfos!

Pleased that they were getting somewhere, Inuyasha marched onward. While he walked ahead of the others, Sango and Miroku glanced at one another.

"It says to beware of Wolfos…" The demon slayer doubted they ever came upon a creature.

"Seems like they're common around here if they've posted a warning sign," Miroku explained before looking back in the direction their friend departed in. "Let's hurry or else we'll lose—" Before the monk could finish, he glimpsed something to his right. "Sango, we've got trouble."

The sound of snow crunched under Link's boots the moment he exited the house. He needed some air and some time to think. He couldn't fathom all these strange events; it upset him. Only yesterday he had been wondering about the forests like any other day, but those people appeared from a blinding light. Apparently, they were going to save this land and no doubt return to their own world to destroy someone named Naraku. If he couldn't save that land from danger, then how could they?

"A land destined for destruction will suffer, no matter how many times it's saved. Peace will not last forever, I'm afraid."

"You must save the land of Termina from destruction," was her reason. "If you do this, the Goddesses will grant you a wish, but be warned that the wish must be pure, and only the genuine hero must make it."

The Great Fairy wanted Inuyasha and his friends to save Termina. Only someone with a pure heart can vanquish the evil. Only the genuine hero can bring peace to the land. Was he not the hero that saved Termina four years ago, or was he considered just like the rest who have stopped the land from dying only for a certain amount of time before another arises? His soul must not have been pure because even he lacked the innocence to smite evil.

This got him thinking. Just who was the true hero? Had the Goddesses made a mistake when they thought he could save Hyrule? Was he only a normal Hylian? Did he waste his life to rid the land of evil?

Sighing, Link set off toward the frozen lake. Just up above that high mass wall covered with ice was the grave of Darmani, a Goron hero. He was the fastest among all the Gorons. Four years ago, during the event in which the evil mask had tormented the people, placed a curse on the mountains. Darmani, the bravest out of all the tribe, set off to defeat a monster lurking in the temple in Snowhead Mountain. Unfortunately, he was blown from a ravine along the way by immense winds. It is said that his spirit still watches over his people. (Poor guy never had a chance! T^T)

For a minute, Link thought back to the time, after he saved Termina, or so he assumed he did, when he gave each of his masks away. Yes, it was probably best just to throw them away, and yet it may have been a loss of all that he achieved in Termina. What was he going to do with all those masks, anyway? It wasn't like he was ever going to need them. So, he gave them to the mask salesman before he disappeared.

The mask, which the masked salesman longed to have in his possession; Majora's mask vanished along with him. Evil that once plagued everyone was gone. Was it really? Of course, Link wouldn't be at all surprised if Majora still lived.

A shout broke Link from his reverie, and he turned as soon as the sound of footsteps crunching through the snow reached his ears.

"Link! Why did you leave?" Kagome asked. 'Is he distancing himself from us?' Kagome could not fathom why he would just leave, unless he wanted to prove to the gang that he could kill the monster terrorizing the people. Sure, he may have been familiar with the Dodongos, but this was a monster the size of a house!

Serena, who fluttered by idly, flew between both humans. She knew Link enough to know that he would not answer her. The moment he left the house, she quietly observed him. He was lost in thought again. It was his usual habit. "He left because he doesn't enjoy being confined for too long."

"Confined?" This was strange coming from the fairy. Her expression soon fell. It wasn't like they were locking him up. Inuyasha wanted them both to stay, mostly because he worried. "Do you mean you're both leaving?" They wouldn't leave just like that, would they? Here she was, hoping to get the chance to know her new companions.

"He's a wanderer. Being cooped up in a house for so long irritates him," She explained. "Besides, he's not used to taking orders from others." Noticing the sadness and worry washing over her, the fairy sighed. "No, he won't abandon you guys. Please. Link has more honor than that."

Breathing a relieved sigh, the priestess approached Link. Wrapped around her shoulders was a blue blanket, which she calmly removed. Without hesitation, she stepped closer to the boy before wrapping the blanket around his shoulders. "It's cold out here, so you'll need this." Her gaze softened. "Come back inside soon, okay?"

Link accepted it, though he turned his back to her the moment she stepped away. Fingering the blanket absentmindedly, Link turned to look back at the girl, only to find her heading back to the cabin. 'I don't understand. Why does she worry so much?'

"Link?" Serena began as she fluttered in front of him abruptly. "Maybe you should go inside. Your face is awfully red!" she pointed out.

Hearing her concern, he waved her away before turning.

Watching as her partner searched his surroundings, Serena grew red. "Hmpt! Don't come to me crying when you catch a cold!" She muttered under her breath. For two years, she's been with him, and her partner never acted like that.

Inside the cabin where a nice warm fire warmed the inhabitants, Gabora went about cleaning the room, with help from Kagome, of course. Zubora disappeared a while ago down in the cellar, doing God knows what; probably hiding.

Shippo was busy coloring in a book with his crayons. Kagome gave him a while back. When Link had yet to return, he became puzzled. "Kagome. Why is Link out there?"

As she swept the floor, Kagome looked out the window. There was no sign of the boy, and he'd been out there for a good twenty minutes. "I don't know. I guess he's keeping watch. Serena told me he's a wanderer and doesn't enjoy staying cooped up too long."

"A wanderer? Link?" Shippo was puzzled. "Why is he out on his own? Aren't his parents worried about him?" he asked, startling the priestess from her musings. After his father was killed by the thunder brothers, Shippo joined Inuyasha after they avenged his father's death. Even though he was a demon, Shippo was better off staying in a group, rather than on his own.

"Wait, he's fifteen?"

That meant they were the same age! And here she thought he was older than her. Kagome was also curious about his family, but judging by what she'd observed since she first met him, he seemed lonely. Was he truly all alone?

"Ugoh!"

Realizing that she was zoning out, Kagome gave Gabora a small smile. "Sorry Gabora. I shouldn't be leaving you to clean by yourself." She resumed her sweeping.

A village in slumber greets the three travelers. Large caverns are carved deep within the mountains that surround a tall rock with rings descending around it, leading to the top. Mounds of snow balls are gathered around the tall rock tower. Altogether, it appeared as if the place was deserted.

"So this is the village?" Inuyasha asked to no one in particular. "There's nothing here!"

Seeming quite puzzled, the monk scratched his chin. "This is Goron Village." Miroku had to agree with his friend, the place was empty, and there were no signs of life what so ever. "Perhaps they have taken shelter from the snow?" If that were the case, then where would they seek shelter?

"What's that?" Sango asked a distance away. Her eyes were set upon a tall dome like structure. Engraved on the door were strange symbols unknown to the slayer. "Seems like a door."

They set about looking for another way in, but this was the only entrance inside. All that stood before them was a giant dome with a door with strange red engravings etched onto the surface. Whatever the symbols meant, it must have been a secret code for unlocking the door, or it was their language.

"I say we bust our way through it!"

"Come now Inuyasha. Instead of destroying everything in our path, why not ask or simply knock?" Miroku inquired, though Inuyasha merely grunted with annoyance.

"Fine!" Before either Sango or Miroku knew what to think, the half demon aimed his fist for the door, and with all his might, hit the rock repeatedly. "Hey! Open up! It's damn rude leaving us out here to freeze to death!"

Both sweat-dropped from his words.

"What are you doing, Goro?" A voice echoed from the area, startling the group, and halting Inuyasha's repeated actions of trying to pry open the door with his claws.

Perplexed by the voice, the group turned their sights upward. Above the large pillar of rock appeared a Goron, covered with snow on its head and shoulders. This Goron was trembling from the cold. At first the Goron wasn't sure what to make of the newcomers, but they didn't appear like a threat.

"What do you want, Goro?"

"We need access inside to meet with your people!" Sango shouted.

Hearing this, the Goron questioned, "You won't hurt anyone, will you, Goro?"

"No! We simply need to talk with the Goron in charge!" Miroku confirmed, earning a nod from the Goron above.

Suddenly, the Goron wound itself into a ball and before the group knew what to expect, its entire body leaped into the air before dropping back to the ground, unleashing a loud impact. When it did this, the door in front of the three started going up, revealing the entrance inside.

"Thanks!" Miroku shouted as he followed Sango and Inuyasha inside. "Strange way of opening the door, but interesting," he muttered.

After several minutes of walking up the spiral walkway up the tip-top room of the dome, they stood on the uppermost level. A red carpet led to a room in the back, guarded by two Gorons, who were jumping in place while rubbing their arms. A ramp of some sort led off behind them over a chandelier.

Inuyasha approached one of the Gorons stationed near the entryway of the room. "Where's your leader? We have some business to discuss with him!"

"Goro? Inside the room. It's so cold!"

Happy that they would not make it hard for them, they entered the room, following the red carpet until they reached a one room with a huge throne made of stone. A tall, robust Goron sat on the throne, surrounded by many of his peers and what appeared like guards holding spears.

"Who're you?" The Goron asked from his seat. He narrowed his eyes at the three strangers. "What business do you have here?" The moment he spoke, all eyes fell on the group with questionable stares.

"Name's Inuyasha! We're here for the pendant! Now hand it over!" He decided it was best just to get to the point, rather than stand listening to useless chitchat. Inuyasha knew his friend Miroku would go into a long dialogue about what they were after, and then the Gorons would no doubt introduce themselves and he just didn't have the time and the patience for it.

Surprised, all the Gorons in the vicinity gave a jump and began talking amongst themselves in loud whispers. Their expressions revealed fear and surprise. Those that aligned the walls were frantically looking between them and the bigger Goron.

This tribe of Gorons has small black eyes, and enormous mouths, which conceal their square teeth. Their round bodies resemble that of boulders. Ridged stones trail their backside. On the side of their arms, a tattoo appears in a shape of a stone.

Angered, the larger Goron crossed his arms as he loomed over the group. "How is it you outsiders know of the pendant? Only those in the Royal Family know of it. Surely you are not messengers?" He glared as he ordered his men to surround the exit. "Just what are you? Clearly you are not Terminan," he explained as he eyed Inuyasha with interest.

A twitch developed itself on Inuyasha's head. "What the hell do we look like you, overgrown—"

A cough interrupted the half demon. "Sorry, our friend likes to get to the point and doesn't realize how impolite his words are." Upon noticing he had the elder Goron's attention, he continued on. "Pardon the intrusion, but my name is Miroku; I'm a monk, and this is Sango; a demon slayer. You've already met our friend Inuyasha. Inuyasha is a half demon, and we are human."

Intrigued, the Goron began circling the three. "I don't see your kind, but I have heard rumors of those with rounded ears. Are you certain you're not Gerudo? Of course I've never heard of men with rounded ears."

"A Gerudo?" Sango asked. "No, we're human. We've traveled far from our home and seem to have gotten lost."

Nodding, Miroku continued. "We were asked of the Great Fairy to retrieve all four pendants from the four regions. She fears the end may be near," he hoped this was enough to satisfy their questions, and he hoped they were not aggressive. 'They don't seem trustworthy of outsiders. I wonder why?'

A fury of widespread uproar startled the group.

"The Great Fairy?" A Goron asked his neighbor.

Nodding, the Goron scratched its head. "The end is near then?"

Another turned to its partner. "What do we do?"

"I don't know…"

With all the noise vociferating in the room, the elder Goron gave a shout that cringed each individual. "Quiet!" After his order, everyone immediately silenced, so he continued. "Surely you must be the one they speak of in the legend. I'm sure the Great Fairy has told you already, but the end is drawing near. Peace returned four years ago, but then it vanished as an unknown threat appeared." Of course, he considered the three heroes, but were they who they said they were?

"Yes," Miroku explained. "We need the pendant in order to quell this land of evil."

Pleased that they meant no harm, the Goron suddenly gave a laugh. "Yes. We've been waiting for you! I'm the elder of this tribe. As you see, this is the entirety of our tribe," he explained as he held his arms outward toward the few remaining Gorons in the room. "A strange winter has blown upon the mountain, and we have lost many Gorons due to it."

"We heard from some villagers nearby that a monster was lurking about causing trouble," Miroku began, noticing the dreadful expression deepen upon his face. "However, we have yet to come across such a beast."

"You heard correctly," he explained. "It's difficult tracking this beast; we have tried and failed. We keep ourselves closed off inside here, and so far we are safe. But as long as we hide inside here, we cannot get food."

"What do you eat?" Sango asked.

"Rocks," was his simple reply.

Of course, hearing this, the three were shocked. These rock people actually ate rocks. Was that natural? Well, if it worked, it worked, they guessed.

"Now," the elder began as he scrutinized the three. "You want the pendant, but unfortunately I will not hand it over so easily."

Knowing something like this would happen, the half demon unsheathed his sword, causing the elder to laugh out loud, much to his annoyance. "I figured as much! It's always something! Let me guess, you want us to kill that monster and then you'll reward us with the pendant?"

"Correct! Now do not fret. The monster you're searching for, you will not find, but it will find you. We're counting on you three!" was his reply and after that, the three found themselves outside in the cold winter snow.

"Figures we have to help someone!" Inuyasha growled.

Nodding, Sango thought about the elder's words. "He said that the monster will find us, but we won't find it."

Miroku's expression faltered. "I have a feeling that our friends are in trouble."

"What makes you say that?" Inuyasha asked, though he also had the same feeling nagging him.

"I believe it's best we return to the cottage before something—"

Inuyasha's ears suddenly twitched at the sound of a female scream. He recognized the scream and cursed. "Damn it! Too late!"

Before either of Sango and Miroku knew what to say, their friend had run off in the cottage's direction. Fearing the worst, they followed.