Hola, people! I feel so proud of myself for this chapter that I decided to write an AU (author's note for people who don't know.) It's a minimum day when I started this. Don't judge me! Ehem, anyhoo, this story WILL…uh, well, why don't you just find out yourself. ; P

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Seeing Truth

Chapter 18: Not Here At The Moment

"What!" I exclaimed as I stood up, glaring at Link angrily, "You can't do that!"

"I'm sorry, Jade, but I have to do this." He said calmly.

"Do what? You'll just have to come back here to find out where to go next. Zelda didn't find where the Triforce piece is just yet."

"But I have to go and look."

"Zora's Domain? There? At the bottom of that lake? Are you crazy…? Without me? You're out of your mind…" I crossed my arms and plopped back onto the couch.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go alone. It's too dangerous."

"What's so dangerous? It's not like you're going into any dungeon or anything…Okay, maybe a couple of skeletal fish. I can swat those to dust in a second."

I swear I heard a cricket chirp. I turned to Link who had an eyebrow raised and was staring at me like I just did something very. Odd.

"Right… Anyway…" he said as he stretched on the couch, getting all comfortable like I wasn't even there. I mean, of course a lot of people do that, but that was back home. This is now, is this place some sort of mix between modern and past?

"Are you serious, though?" he turned and faced me, "About leaving tomorrow morning."

"Yeah. I'll be back as soon as I can, though… Well, anyway…goodnight." Link stood up and walked towards the door. My eyes followed his figure confusedly. Realizing what he was finally doing, I jumped up and went in front of him.

"Just like that?" I asked, shocked.

"Like what?" he said confusedly, crossing his arms.

"I don't believe you. You just want to get out of here, don't you?" then it hit me. A sly smile formed on my lips and I turned to him, "And I know why?"

His expression turned from confusion to shock in a second, "Know what? You don't know anything. I have a pretty good idea where it could be."

"Link of Hyrule doesn't do stupid stuff like that…wait…no…you do, actually, and that just gets people pissed off."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing." I said wryly, "Goodnight, Link."

"Goodnight…" he said suspiciously.

Once the door closed, I began laughing hysterically…in my mind… What?

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I practically jumped out of my bed. I swear I heard something. My eyes followed a dark patch as it streaked across my room, disappearing in a dark corner. I hated being in situations like this. My breath caught and my eyes widened. I did not want to move an inch; my brain told me to run, but nothing seemed to work. The curtains on the French door swayed slightly and only then did I realize that the glass doors were open. Strong breezes began to sweep in and I shivered. I never remembered leaving those open; I never even went outside… Then another realization hit. Without thinking, I crawled off my bed and stumbled to the door. I swung it open and made a run for Link's room. I swear I saw something. I don't know anymore…

I banged on the door with my fist, trying to calm down at the same time. It wasn't working. I continued glancing around as I banged absentmindedly, not even noticing the door had swung open with an angry Link on the other side.

"Whoa…" I felt him grab my wrist and pull me in to his room. Did I mention it was much bigger than mine? He closed the door than stared at me angrily as I rested my hands on my knees.

"What the heck is it, now?" he said irritably.

"I-I saw something in m-my room."

"What? Like a bug?" I stared at Link with wide eyes; you HAVE to be kidding me!

"L-link, you don't seem to be understanding me. There's a freakin' guy in my room!" Link stared at me confused, but after a few seconds, I think he got the message. He turned around and ran to a nearby corner where his sword was sitting. He unsheathed it then ran past me. I knew he'd get it. Maybe a minute went by before I decided to follow him, realizing I was in a dark room, yet again. I began to enter my room when I bumped into Link.

"What?" I whispered, "Did you find anything?"

He shook his head then answered, "Just remember to close the door to your balcony. Maybe that just made you think someone was there."

"Link, I never opened my balcony door and I know I saw something."

"There's nothing there, I checked."

"In a minute?"

"Just go back to sleep, okay. Everything will be alright. Okay?" he was talking to me like I was a baby.

"Are you crazy? I'm not going back in there again. What time is it?"

"Two o' clock."

"Oh, I think I'll go down to the library then. See ya'." Before I could leave, he grabbed my arm and pulled me back, "Hey."

"Dressed like that?"

"My pajamas? Yeah, it's not that cold."

"Yes it is, and I'm not talking about that."

"Then what?"

"You can't go out in public in your nightgown."

"It's not in public, it's downstairs in the library. Still inside, remember. At least it was the last time I went there."

"Remember, you're not at home anymore." That just hit a soft spot.

"…Fine, I'll change…Wait, weren't you in your pajamas last time?"

He thought for a moment, "Um, don't think so…" then walked off.

"Ch, liar…"

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I'll admit this wasn't the best idea as my footsteps echoed in the large library, making my way through its long rows of bookshelves. I was dressed and out of my room in less than five minutes, or was it two? Anyway, the place was too dark for me to see, so when I ran into a wall or bookshelf, you can't say that would be the last time…

I rubbed my noise in annoyance then stretched my arms out, and palms forward. The small candles on the walls were the only light I had, and seemed to be the only one I needed to get where I was going, but no one said it was going to be peaceful. I finally found the window seat I was looking for. Sighing in relief, I sat down and got comfortable. The scenery was just as beautiful as I had last seen it. I leaned back and closed my eyes. Why was it that such a huge, dark, deserted library with a secret trap door gave me comfort? I couldn't tell how long it had been since I began to doze off, but when footsteps began to sound not so far away, my eyes shot open and I jumped up.

"Calm down, it's just me." A familiar voice said as Link came out from the shadows. I sighed in relief then plopped back down on the window seat.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as he sat down next to me.

He shrugged, "I couldn't sleep."

"I can tell." I said, motioning with my head to the sword strapped to his back.

"Just in case."

"Better safe than sorry." I whispered as I closed my eyes. After a few minutes, I began thinking of the Triforce pieces. Out of all these books, there had to be one that contained information, unless… the one we're looking for might be in that room…great… I hate that feeling of guilt. My eyes shot open as I sat up straight. Link jolted from his position, ready to ask something like…

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I think I know where we might find some information on the Triforce pieces."

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"You're kidding me, right? How come you didn't tell me?" Link asked for the hundredth time as we searched for the door that had led us through to that room.

"Because, Link, I didn't think it was that important. I'm sure people were already aware of that room and would only laugh about it if I told them, or you."

"Fine, but how are you so sure it could be those books."

"I'm not sure, but it's just that gut feeling and you just have to find out no matter what." I turned to face Link who was currently concentrating on something in the shelves.

"Jade, I think I found-…" before he could finish his sentence, the door opened and he lost his balance before I could even reach out to him. The shelves took their original place and I was left to stand there…alone. I would have pushed myself through after him, but I wasn't ready to climb that wall again…just yet. He could find his way out, right?

I shook my head in frustration. No, Link is my friend and I won't let him down. I turned around and reached out my hand to pull the book back when I began to hear footsteps. They echoed off the walls and I jerked my head back. I only caught a glimpse of a shadow as it disappeared. If it were Zelda, she would say something, and if it were a soldier, I would hear metal clanking, so why wasn't I hearing any of those? I began panicking, but still didn't have the heart to turn around and push myself through the door. My hand brushed against the book I was looking for before I was pulled back with my collar. I skidded to the ground in a heap as my heartbeat and the footsteps mixed together. I glimpsed upwards as a shadow loomed overhead. The library was dark, but I could still make out a pair of ruby-red eyes as I felt someone grip my neck and lift me upwards. I struggled under the pressure, hardly gathering enough energy to pry the fingers from my neck. My feet lost contact with the floor as my back hit a bookshelf. Books fell around me, and it gave me the best idea I have ever had. Instead of prying the grip on my neck, I reached out for anything.

I dropped the first book, but I only grabbed the next one. With as much energy as I could gather, I smacked the book square on the side of the head. The man's grip loosened and I fell in a heap on the floor. The man's body was behind me as I crawled away and coughed at the same side. He grunted and rolled over and that was when I finally got up and stumbled to the main entrance. The door was so close but so was the man behind me. I reached for the knob, but it wasn't there. I tried pushing it, but it didn't work. I was trapped with some crazy maniac trying to kill me. Great, just great… I sidled to the side, waiting for him to reach out to me again. He went up to me until we were only a foot apart. He just stared at me with his ruby-red eyes. I knew I had seen them somewhere before. I began thinking back, all the way until…this afternoon. Kenny. It had to be him, but it was too dark to be sure, but I tried anyway.

"Kenny?" that was all I had time to say before his eyes narrowed. He grabbed my collar and I was thrown onto the couch in the main area of the library. The sofa creaked, threatening to topple and break under the sudden pressure.

"My name is not Kenny." He sneered. It talks!

"Th-then who are you?" I asked as I tried to back away. The moonlight shone through the windows, creating a small patch of light on the couch as I backed away from it. He walked closer. His figure slowly appeared in the light and I gasped. Everything of him reminded me of Kenny, but the only difference was that he looked just a bit older. His eyes were a ruby-red, his hair a jet-black.

"My name is Ryuichi." His smirk even matched Kenny's. What is this! "Nice to meet you, Jade. I've heard a lot about you."

"R-really?" I forced a whisper.

"Yes, you have become quite famous around the market. After that incident in the market on the night of the festival, you have started quite some rumors. I hope you realize how important you have come to be?"

"Uh…" I was at loss for words. What did this guy want?

"You must be wondering why I am here, and talking to you, of all people?" he stepped closer, kicking the coffee table away. It skidded only an inch on the carpet then tipped over, knocking the contents to the floor with a crash. I jumped from my place, my words caught in my throat as he neared me. My eyes slowly traveled back up to the man now inching closer to me.

"Well," he began as he reached out and grabbed my neck before I could move away. My hands shot to his wrists and to his fingers, trying to pry them from my neck. His grip only tightened as he lifted me off the sofa. My legs kicked only air as I searched desperately for sold ground, "I, have been searching for something so powerful that can only be obtained by one person…" he walked forwards, his grip still on my neck. My back hit the wall and I gasped in pain- as much as I could. I wanted to cough, I needed air, but it wouldn't enter my lungs. I felt dead inside already.

"I was so close to it even of I had others following behind me…but when you showed up, those chances went to a low again, and the only way to have that power go back up again…you…" he slid me against the wall, "have to be gone…"

He let go of my neck, but only to be forced into the first bookshelf on the other side of the room. I groaned in pain than began coughing, trying hard to get the sweet air back into my lungs. I was too busy trying to breath again and at the same time trying to get up that I had not heard a sword being unsheathed. My breathing was raspy, but I had to get up. I began crawling on my hands and knees towards the door, but something pushed me back down. I craned my head just enough to see through the corner of my eyes that he had placed his foot down on my back. I grunted, trying to push him off, but it was of no use. A sharp, pointed object just barely gleamed off of any light and my eyes widened.

"I'm sorry, Jade, I wish I had gotten to know you better before I had to do this, but you understand, don't you?"

I shut my eyes tight and forced out something to say. I had to say something. It was the only way to keep him from killing me, and hopefully enough time for Link to find a way out. I knew I wasn't like this really, but hey, you never know what could happen.

"I would think that someone of your status would be a bit more respectable." I said. What am I thinking? I had no idea what I was saying, but tit was better than nothing. His sword lowered a little for its current position.

"And what do you mean by that?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.

"Nothing, nothing, go on with your little scheme." I said with a hint of distaste at the end. From the corner of my eye, I saw him shrug and raise the sword again. Well, great…wait, no, I couldn't give up yet, even if every part of my body ached and his boot was jabbing my back, I had to keep going.

I rolled my eyes and sighed, "You seem to enjoy this…"

"What?" yup, he was that type, thank you!

"Nothing, it's just that for someone who is trying to get rid of me is taking his precious time. I mean, you never know who can barge in any moment."

"Trust me, Jade, I know what I am doing."

"Right…"

He growled and his boot drove deeper into my back and I gasped, it was too painful to scream. What is he wearing? Cleats!

"I am already tired of you, Jade. And again, sorry…"

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Well? Well? How did everyone like this? Ooh, what's going to happen next? Isn't this the worst- I mean best cliffie ever? I was planning on ending this at the first part before she started talking again, something I would SO not be able to do. I'd be scared out of my mind! Anyhoo, how was this chapter? Good? Bad? Please review! Thank you for all the wonderful reviews!