Seeing Truth

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Chapter 30: Realization

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The door that led onto the second story balcony inside the courtyard was already open, allowing the faint sound of music to float down the hallways. I stepped onto the balcony, trying to make as little sound as I possibly could. The sound of the music grew louder, and I edged toward the railing and peered below. I recognized a green kokiri hat instantly and quickly backed away. Link was sitting on a stone bench playing his ocarina while Kenny leaned against the stonewall not too far away with his arms folded across his chest and his eyes closed.

There was no way I could get past them without being noticed. I didn't want to be noticed, didn't want to be seen, didn't want to be talked to. I didn't need company, didn't want any, and if someone talked to me I swear I thought I was going to cry. I breathed in slowly, realizing if I wanted to get over this I was going to have to face them sometime. I allowed the flow of music to drain all my thoughts as I made my way down the steps to the courtyard. I didn't stop to acknowledge anyone as I made my way toward the open door that led to the world outside the castle. Link stopped playing the soothing melody, and I didn't have to see to know that their eyes followed me out the castle gate.

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The cold ocean breeze bit me to the bone, but it was just what I needed. I had no clue what to do anymore. I didn't know what was going on, either. What the hell happened to the stupid marriage plans? How was Kado? I wanted desperately to know how Kado was, and how he was feeling, but I was too afraid to ask. Maybe I was too ashamed. I couldn't stand the realization of what I had done. I had never killed anyone in my life, and the one I had just taken the life of happened to be Kenny's brother. No matter what they did, I took someone's life. How can anyone live a normal life after they do that?

I kicked the sand under my bare feet as I walked toward the wet sand that lined the edges of the beach. The cold, soft sand oozed through my toes, and I continued to move forward until the tide completely covered my feet. I walked farther, the slope almost making me trip face first into the water. By now, the seawater was up to my calves, and I stopped, allowing the water to numb my lower body. The tide pulled away, back into the ocean, forcing me to step farther. The tips of my fingers trailed across the water as the first bits of rock and coral scraped against my bare feet. The clear blue water from the first day I saw it didn't seem to exist anymore. The water was a murky, stormy blue, as if the gods of this world new how I felt so they decided on making the weather to fit. Well, it didn't matter to me anymore. The dark gray clouds hovering above the horizon weren't what I cared about; I was too hooked on the water, and the way it caused my dress to float around me. The water was inviting… too inviting, and I would have stepped farther, allowing the water to envelope me hadn't I heard a faint and distant voice calling my name.

I snapped my head the direction of the shore. Link stood there, watching me with worry etched on his face. I furrowed my eyebrows, confused at his expression. I glanced down, realizing that the water had reached my thighs. I turned my body around and began the walk up the shore. The tide pulled away once again, forcing me to step back. Link's hand shot out in front of me, and I held on as he pulled me out of the water completely.

"Jade, what were you doing in the water? It's freezing." He asked, as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder to support me from falling.

"I-I'm fine, Link." I stuttered as I folded my arms across my chest, not realizing until then that my teeth were chattering.

"You'll get ill." He continued as he led me towards the post where I had tied Kane. Without warning, my knees gave way. I fell to the sandy ground in a heap. "Jade!" I heard Link call as he moved my arm over his shoulder before picking me up. Ugh, poor Link…having to carry me, I thought as my head lolled to the side.

"Sometimes you do the stupidest things…" I heard Link mutter as he continued to walk towards the three horses tied to the post… three?

"Name one…" I whispered, closing my eyes from the blinding sun.

"Well, this for example…" I opened my eyes and glanced up at him as he thought, "And when you agreed to that bet with Pierre Rayne…"

"What ever happened to him? I mean, we haven't seen him in a while." I thought loudly, trying to change the conversation I had been apparently losing.

"We outran him. The idiot has no clue where we are." He replied, a grin forming on his lips.

"Aren't I too heavy to carry?" I asked, my voice sounding presumably weaker.

"Not at all. You're at the brink." He said, chuckling, and I narrowed my eyes, wishing that I had the energy to sock him.

"Where was she?" a familiar voice asked from only a few feet away. I turned my head to see Kenny walking toward us with the reigns of my horse in his hand.

"In the water." Link replied, and I rolled my eyes before he handed me to Kenny. I narrowed my eyes at this.

"She's soaking wet." I retorted at the way they were talking about me. "What am I?" I remarked, not realizing I had wrapped my arms around Kenny's neck as if for dear life, "I'm right here, you know?"

"We know." Kenny smirked, his ruby-red eyes gleaming as he watched me. I glanced away, not sure of what to say as he slowly placed me on my feet. I swaggered a little, but in time I was strong enough to mount Kane.

"How did you know I was here?" I asked as we finally made our way back to the castle.

"It was just a hunch." Kenny replied, and I took that as enough of an answer. He never cared to explain everything in full detail anyway. It was only the feel of the need to explain everything in more detail to satisfy the point of his story or other, or if I ended up asking him constantly about the subject. That was Kenny for you; he was someone who didn't show much of his feelings to others and it baffled me constantly, and I suddenly felt the need to talk with him about what happened last night no matter how I felt about the situation, or what exactly he had told me this morning- I mean, afternoon. So, when was I going to have the guts to actually talk to him?

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"I think you should go see him." Kenny said for about the tenth time as we sat in the library watching the rain pelt away at the window.

It had only been hours since the little visit to the beach, and only minutes after we had walked into the safety of the castle it had begun to rain. It took me about half an hour to bathe and find some new clothes. Unfortunately, the servants had considered the specially made clothes a lost cause, and I assumed they had been thrown away. Now, all I had were these chests full of dresses. And, now, I wore one of them…again. A dark blue with sleeves puffed in mid-forearm before tightening around my wrists. The collar was square and had gold trimming all around the edges. The bottom half considering of two layers- the first one containing a slit to the side. And all of it was rimmed in gold. My worn and torn black shoes now rested somewhere under my bed since I was afraid the servants would also take them if they were out in the open. Yes, I was that paranoid. I wore slippers now. They were thin, but comfortable enough that I could last. That was the update on my doomed wardrobe, so back to us in the library…

"No." I replied once again after Kenny's constant deliberation to get me to visit Kado. I folded my arms across my chest as I stood up from the chair I had been sitting on.

"Jade, he's not going to stop bothering you about this." Link said lazily as he grabbed a book from the bookshelf behind me.

"And I'm not going to stop saying 'no'." I said, walking around the library soundlessly.

"Why are you so stubborn?" Kenny called as I disappeared around the many rows of bookshelves.

"Funny. I would have asked you the same thing!" I remarked, as I continued to walk, but paying no attention as to where I was heading.

"Then go see him." I jumped, Kenny's voice now next to my ear.

"Don't do that!" I exclaimed as my hand shot to my chest to try and calm my racing heart.

"Then you stop going off and trying to kill yourself." He remarked as he stepped closer to me.

"I can't promise that." I muttered, staring off into a different direction.

"You were nearly pulled into the ocean." He continued.

"Don't exaggerate." I countered, turning my head to glare at him.

"It's true. And you're getting a fever." He said as he brought his hand up to my forehead. I stepped away, but he quickly caught my arm and pulled my forward.

"Hey, Link!" he called as he pulled me after him.

"Let go, Kenny!" I whined as I tried to wrench my arm away from his grasp.

"What is it?" Link asked as he walked casually toward us.

"Jade's getting a fever." I raised an eyebrow curiously at the sound of his voice; he was definitely hiding something.

"Oh, no I'm not! Stop lying!" I exclaimed angrily, "I'm fine! It's just a col-d!" my voice rasped, and I had to clear it to continue, but it didn't work. My throat had been sore a bit earlier, but to lose my voice for one cold was insane.

"See what I'm talking about?" Kenny rambled on as he dragged me out of the library with Link trailing close by behind us.

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It wasn't too long after that we reached two large, wooden doors guarded by two soldiers. I didn't have much time to react as the soldiers opened the doors for us. I was dragged in without much force after giving up on escaping Kenny's solid grip. Kado's quarters were probably the size of my entire house, and for that I was completely amazed. The rooms were made of solid stone like all the others, but curtains of different rich colors hung from the walls that were lit by candles almost everywhere you looked. A large doorway to my left allowed the cold gusts of wind to enter, sending the curtains around the balcony entrance flying, and the flames of the candles flickering. Ahead of me there stood a stone fireplace at least twice the size of the one in my room. The furniture and rugs had been set at least a couple of yards away, and I definitely understood. Above the fireplace hung a painting of what I assumed to be the three goddesses in the form I had seen so many times in the video game, Ocarina of Time. The Triforce floated above their heads, but the picture was inaccurate. They had forgotten the fourth piece of the Triforce. On both sides of the fireplace, hanging on ropes from the ceiling, were two identical dark green flags. The design was of a paw with sharp claws; a line swirling like a vortex decorated the palm of the paw. It looked familiar, and I wondered in a fleeting moment where I had seen such a familiar thing.

I shrugged at that as we passed the living area of the room, and into another- the bedroom. It was smaller than my room in the castle, but it was still just as beautiful. Another fireplace was lit in the nearest left corner of the room, which was something I could see just as we entered from the right. On the far right corner was another balcony. It was smaller and the dark rich burgundy color of the corners blocked any possible light to seep through. The curtains wafted in the rhythm of the wind, making irritating flapping sounds, but that wasn't what was bothering me any longer.

In the four-poster bed to my left laid a brunette; his eyes were closed, adding so much calmness to his sharp features. Light from the fireplace lit the curve of his cheekbone and the slight curve of his nose and shadowing part of his neck. His skin was much paler, and I stopped in my tracks to gaze at him more. His chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing and I suddenly wanted to be next to him. My eyes soon traveled to the foot of the bed where a large white furry wolfoe rested. Yoshi, Kado's "dog" was as faithful as any other dog on my planet. The wolfoe's ears twitched slightly, but he seemed to give no interest to the visitors.

I heard the sound of a door close behind me and I swirled around to see the door that led to the main area had been closed shut. I had been too busy with my thoughts of Kado to notice the leaving of my two friends. I bit my lip and turned back around. Yoshi watched me with his blue eyes as I walked forward. My footsteps were mere pitter-patters on the bare stone until I reached the soft rug near the bed.

I didn't want to wake him, afraid that if I did I would hurt him in some way, but I had to see and know for the last time the boy that had plunged me into a whole new meaning of life. Yes, it was melodramatic, but it was friggin' true! I slowly raised my hand to stroke the side of his face then to push away the stray strand of hair from his face. His eyes shot open suddenly and I backed away, but his hand reached out and grabbed my arm quickly. He inhaled deeply as his eyes traveled to my face.

"Jade?" he whispered, as if in pain. I furrowed my eyebrows worriedly as he loosened his grip on my arm.

"Hi…" I replied softly, my voice gradually growing stronger as I slowly took hold of his hand and placed it back on the bed. His lips curved into a smile, his eyes gleaming.

"Hi…" he repeated, the word sounding completely foreign in his mouth.

"How are you feeling?" I asked softly as I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear absentmindedly.

"I'm fine…I…suppose…" he muttered, trying to sit up. He grunted from the pain, gritting his teeth. I pushed him back down as delicately as I could. He obliged.

"You should rest." I suggested, fixing the covers over his bare chest. He grabbed my wrist lightly, and I didn't flinch. Instead, I watched him as he pressed his lips to my fingertips. My heart raced, and I wanted to free my hand just so I could calm myself down.

"I never had a chance to thank you." He whispered as he gazed up at me, his eyes flickering from the firelight.

"Kado, anyone would have done it." I countered, heat rising to my cheeks. He smiled as he slowly extended a hand toward me, tracing the edge of my lower lip with his thumb while his hand held my chin so I could look at him straight in the eyes.

"But it wasn't just anyone." He remarked softly. I looked away as I bit my lip to keep from smiling. It soon faded though, after I realized what I had done to save him.

"Kado…" I began slowly as I placed a hand on his shoulder, my gaze now focusing on the rich color of the fabric of the covers, "I…I killed someone yesterday… and no one seems to notice how much of a big deal it is than me."

"Jade…" he whispered.

"I know it's stupid…" I continued, glancing up at the ceiling.

"It's not stupid…" he contradicted, but I was too busy in my thoughts to listen.

"But I took someone's life, and I don't know how to deal with it anymore." My gaze traveled to the bedpost.

"Don't think about it. You did what you had to do." I heard him say through shuffling.

"I try, but…" I stopped in mid-sentence when I felt Kado's lips press against mine. His one free hand entangling in my hair as he pushed me closer to him while the other hand supported him, pushing him upward. It was short, sweet, and full of his pain as he parted away from me. He fell back down on the bed, breathing heavily.

"Oh, my God. Kado, what the hell!" I exclaimed, my voice suddenly raspy again as I began panicking over him, my hands shaking as I tried to find something to make him feel better, "Why did you do that?"

He smirked as he ran a hand through his disheveled hair, "You wouldn't shut up." I smiled, suddenly having the urge to embrace him, and not let him go, but I doubted in his condition, that would be happening anytime soon. I sighed, watching him helplessly as pushed the covers further down onto his abdomen.

"It feels like it's summer once again." He muttered, and I realized he was beginning to sweat. Perspiration dotted his forehead and glistened on his chest. I looked away.

"Maybe you have a fever." I murmured, my voice hoarse as I tried to rid myself of a cough building in my throat. I placed my hand on his forehead; his skin was burning under my hand, and I quickly pulled it away. "You definitely have a fever." I said before clearing my throat.

"Thank the goddesses…" He muttered. I narrowed my eyes at him confusingly.

"What do y-ou m-ean?" I asked, my voice breaking off unevenly.

"The wedding has been postponed until I am feeling better. From the looks of things, it won't be very soon." He replied, his lips curving into a small smile.

"Won't Isabella come to see you, then?" I asked, dread edging the tone of my voice.

"I don't know. I think she's afraid to come and see me." He said, glancing toward the balcony.

"Why would she be afraid?" I raised an eyebrow curiously.

"Of the story you told her." He remarked, as if I should know more about the subject.

"Oh-h." I chuckled, which soon lead on to coughing. I cleared my throat quickly though, as Kado took my hand worriedly. "I'm fine." I muttered, patting his hand.

"Can I ask you something?" he said, his eyes seeming a bit hopeful as I noticed his body tense.

"Yes, of course." I answered.

"The story you told Isabella…" Well, I know where this is going, I thought. "Is it true?" he asked.

I grinned sheepishly before replying, "It's supposedly bad luck, but it's never really proven or anything. Kenny and I just made the story up about the couple. Just don't tell Isabella unless you want to see her or something." He relaxed, and my smile widened.

"That's a relief." He breathed before closing his eyes.

"I'll go get you some water. You don't look so good." I said, reluctant to leave the awkward moment, but miserable to have to leave his side. He loosened his grip on my hand, and I smiled before walking out the door.

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After an interrogation from Link and Kenny, and a dreadful conversation with a maid about bringing a large bowl of water, a pitcher full of water, a cup, and a cloth I was back in Kado's room. I had returned to find him passed out on the bed, and I couldn't help but roll my eyes at how innocent and adorable he looked. It was a hard concept to consider since he always acted so cocky all the time. I noticed an empty bottle lay on the ground next to a half full mug of water-or was it half empty? I pushed them aside and placed the tray that contained all the tin items I needed on the floor as soundlessly as was possible before soaking the cloth, winding it to remove all the excess water then placing it on his forehead. He shuffled slightly and moaned, and I froze; I waited for him to return to his peaceful slumber before beginning my search for a chair. My eyes traveled to the large, oak chest at the foot of the bed to the dresser standing against the wall to the desk with a chair near the balcony. Papers lay in a heap to one side of the table while next to it sat a small inkpot with a long, black quill resting inside.

I walked toward the desk quietly, eyeing it the entire way until I finally reached the piece of furniture. The light pitter-patter of raindrops could be heard in the distance, calming me slightly as I began leafing through the pieces of parchment. Most of them were blank while others held small notes. Only a few caught my attention. Two of them actually looked like contracts, and after more observation- I realized they were treaties. I wasn't able to read Hylian, but I knew that the picture of the sharp claw had to be Meyenn's emblem, and their flag. I hadn't paid much attention before, when I had first met Kado; I mean, how could I? I was still contemplating if I was either having a nervous breakdown, dreaming, or actually sucked into a video game? Now, I knew that they were all false. This entire place was real. If it weren't it wouldn't have had such an effect on me, right? And hell, dreams wouldn't last this long!

The designs of the signatures at the bottom of the papers drew my attention. On the first paper, I recognized Meyenn's and Hyrule's emblem, and below, four signatures had already been filled out, leaving one blank. The treaty behind it had Meyenn's emblem imprinted on one side, and on the other was what I assumed as Loronna's emblem- a star that had a very close resemblance to a starfish. Below, four signatures had been signed, leaving one missing. I compared it to the other, and in the other, the signature was there clear as a bell.

"So, you found those, ay?" I heard Kado's voice whisper in my ear and I jumped away.

"Don't do that. You scared me…" I said, but my voice seemed to falter too much. I don't think I was scared at all.

"Sorry." He said, glancing down at the papers in my hand.

"What are you doing out of bed…? You should be…resting." My eyes traveled over him, and I realized for the first time that only his lower half had been covered by bed sheets. I felt heat rise to my cheeks and I turned away, which oddly began a pounding headache. I heard him chuckle as he slowly grabbed the papers from my hand.

"See. Look." I turned my head to stare at the paper with Hyrule's crest, "This was the treaty used when you were going to wed me. The only person left to sign this was you."

"Via the empty signature…" I muttered as he flipped the page to the one with the starfish crest.

"This one is between us and Loronna. I'm the only one left who has to sign." He pointed to the empty space in the middle. He flipped through the parchments boringly before tossing them on the desk.

"Why haven't you signed it, yet?" I raised an eyebrow curiously.

He shrugged, and then turned to gaze at me through the locks of his hair, "I guess I just want to buy as much time as I can." I nodded in understanding.

"What would happen if that signature between Hyrule and Meyenn were filled?" I asked curiously after flipping my hair from the heat and a sudden dizziness.

"Well… it was never overruled, so there could be a possibility for the treaty still to be legal." He leered, stepping closer.

I smiled sheepishly, backing away, "What a possibility."

"I know." He cocked his head.

"You know, you shouldn't be out of bed. Your in no condition to move." I said nervously.

"Neither are you." He remarked. I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion, not really sure of what he meant until my back made contact with the cold stone of the wall. My heart rate accelerated as he reached a hand out to stroke the side of my face.

"Y-you know…" I began as he walked closer so that we were only a few inches apart.

"Yes?" he urged, his face only an inch apart from mine.

"Um…" I bit my lip as I tried to find something else to stare at rather than the brunette in front of me. He raised my chin to face him again. My heart raced as his lips pressed against mine. Without much thought, I wrapped both my arms around his neck as I felt him wrap his arms around my waist. Wait…not good…this…is…not…good…… I pushed him away instinctively, but he didn't budge. His back was bare, and I could feel his heartbeat, and hear my own. I tried to think of something, maybe to get away or find some excuse, but something in the back of my head told me not to stop. Maybe it was the feeling of being with him like this, or the pounding headache that seemed to increase every second that didn't allow me to think straight.

"What's wrong?" I heard him whisper as I felt his lips trail down my neck.

"I… um…" I couldn't even believe it. I was out of words!

"Are you alright? You're really warm." he asked before kissing my forehead. I blinked as a sudden lightheadedness overwhelmed me.

"I don't…feel… so well…" I murmured, resting my head against his chest to stop the dizziness. The last thing I could remember was his hand stroking my hair and his soft words echoing in my ears. Blackness encased me, and I welcomed it this time, not taking any chances to fight something that was going to get the better of me anyway.

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Well, how did everyone like this chapter? It was a bit…hmmm… mushy, and dramatic, but how would you feel if you just killed someone? It wouldn't feel too great, right? Well, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter, and don't forget to review! I will definitely have the last chapters up in the following weeks. So, stay posted for the ending.

Also, I want to thank all those who reviewed my last chapter, and hope you stay around for the next!

And for those people who reviewed who I couldn't reply to…

Indigo rose: Thank you so much for reading my story. I'm glad you liked it. And to your question about why all the female characters hate Jade- well, really only two female characters hate her because both of them were interested in Kado. Isabella, being the "bride" and Sophie just cause she basically dislikes Jade and she knows just exactly who she is, and what relation she has with her brother, Pierre. Malon and Zelda? Well, it's more that Jade isn't too fond of them, but she makes friends with Zelda and Malon in the end anyway. I made Malon a talker in this story, and Jade's just kind of the person to zone out that kind of thing, and Zelda- she's a princess, and Jade's a bit envious, but that's all I think. Lol. I hadn't planned to make that so long. Ah, well. : D

True Blue: Thanks so much for reviewing my story. I'm really glad you liked my story, and I hope you continue to read on. Yeah, poor Jade almost has another mental breakdown here. The next might be a little more…mushy…blegh, but everything kind of finally caves in and…well. You guyz will just have to read on to find out what happens. I'm actually excited to finish up this story. : p

So, thanks again to everyone who reviewed. You guyz are awesome and it really makes my day to know all of you enjoy my story. I hope you guyz won't be disappointed with what's next :D So, stay posted.

xbluxmoonx