The Legend of Zelda, its characters and locations are all property of Nintendo. Any and all OCs and original locations belong to me unless specifically stated to belong to someone else.

Conjecture
Chapter 3

The next three days were pure hell from start to finish.

Impa would force Sheik up before dawn to jog for an hour. Which wouldn't be too bad were it not for the ankle weights she made him wear and the fact that the route was up and down the nearest mountain. They then went back to the house for breakfast, after which most of the day was crammed full of lessons.

Everything from maths to philosophy, from music to calligraphy and everything between. There was no limit to what Impa thought necessary for him to learn.

It seemed his mother had every intention to cram his brain so full of knowledge it would explode at the slightest provocation.

By the time he felt like he was about to pass out from the mental exertion, they took a small break for a small meal, after which he was hurled bodily into the training yard with Dorian and several other of the senior Sheikah who had volunteered to put Sheik through some, as they called it, extra drills.

Physical torment bordering on torture would be a far more accurate term.

They worked on his stamina, physical strength, balance, flexibility, and stealth.

They made him go through every kata he knew with every weapon he'd ever trained with, and if his execution was anything less than perfect, they made him start over.

Over and over.

Until every muscle in his body burned and every movement required every iota of strength he could summon. He didn't as much walk back inside the house as crawl. He'd barely be able to finish his late, late supper and a much-needed bath before crawling back up the stairs and into his futon...only for the process to repeat.

By the time Impa released him from his torment on the third night, he wasn't even sure if he were even awake. Everything was like a haze, which the bath didn't help clear.

"I hope this has given you something to think about," Impa said, watching him shakily work his way up the stairs. "Tomorrow, you will apologise to Link-san. I will be there to observe."

"Uh-huh," Sheik said, which was about all he could force his mouth to produce. There wasn't a single part of him that didn't hurt at the moment. He was even sure his uvula had somehow gotten bruised.

Actually, that wasn't quite true. He couldn't feel his legs, so they technically didn't hurt. Or maybe they were hurting so bad his brain had just decided to shut down the nerves to that part of his anatomy to preserve his sanity.

The Sheikah were a hardy people. They trained in fighting techniques almost from the day they were able to walk, no matter who they were. Sheik was therefore no stranger to physical exercise or harsh training.

This was on a different level entirely. He couldn't ever remember having been this tired, not even during the most gruelling days of his basic training...which had been pretty damn gruelling, being the adopted child of the village chief.

Whether it was because Impa felt she needed to prove she wasn't about to give her children special treatment, or because she wanted Sheik and Paya to prove themselves worthy of the position as her heirs, he wasn't sure, but the training had been never-ending.

He shuffled his way past the door to Paya's room, which was still firmly closed. He'd barely seen hide nor hair of his sister in the last three days. Fleeting glimpses only, and she had not spared him much attention either. Which was odd, because she always took a great deal of pleasure out of Sheik getting punished.

As he did when she was punished, of course. The unbreakable bond of love and hate in equal measure of siblings was a thing of wonder.

But Paya had failed to gloat at him this time. She had gone out for her lessons during the day, and spent her afternoons with her friends, only returning for supper and then heading out again, never returning until just before bedtime. She said her goodnights and disappeared upstairs into her room.

Rinse, repeat.

She was clearly angry with him about something, and at this point he was honestly considering apologising for whatever he'd done.

But that would require them to be face to face at some point.

He considered knocking on her door, but at this point all he'd be able to mount in terms of an apology (or words in general) would be an exhausted "Murrmrrsh..."

And he highly doubted that would make Paya inclined to forgive him.

So, he stumbled inside his own room, shut the door, and crawled into his futon, lying flat on his back as that was the position that hurt him the least.

He closed his eyes and let the oblivion of sleep claim him.

...or tried, at any rate.

He was exhausted, but his brain would not shut off. Because while Impa may think that punishing Sheik in this way would have him consider his actions and maybe find some smidgen of remorse deep within himself, she was very, very wrong.

If anything, this only motivated Sheik further, because when he discovered what Link's plans were and the nefarious nature of them, he could truly milk this cruel and unnecessary punishment for what it was worth.

He loved his mother. He truly did. But she, too, sometimes needed to be brought down a few pegs. Having punished her own son for pursuing a line of enquiry that indeed turned out to be the correct one would probably have that effect.

Maybe prove to her once and for all that Sheik wasn't nearly as stupid as she probably thought he was.

An hour passed, and still no sleep came. He heard Impa make her own preparations for bed, and the door to her room shutting. Another hour passed. It was close to midnight, now, if not exactly.

The idea struck him suddenly and like lightning from a clear sky. This was a perfect moment to spy on the Hylians again. As far as they knew, Sheik was still being punished and would be in no shape to eavesdrop.

What the hell was he doing, wasting valuable time in his futon?

With no small amount of suppressed, teeth-gritted groaning, he emerged from his cocoon and made his way to his window, carefully opening it. The hinges needed to be oiled, badly, but he still managed to open it with barely any noise.

Outside, the village had gone to sleep. The only lights came from the lamps positioned along the streets for the patrolling guards. Sheik went through the schedules he'd memorised and waited until he was absolutely sure no one would accidentally spot him climbing down the outside of Impa's house.

Which was easier said than done in his current condition. His legs were still on the numb side, so it was far less than his usual grace and precision that he made his way down.

He did not fall into the bush just underneath his window. He dove into it. Gracefully. Like a swan.

Luckily, he emerged from the bush no worse for wear, and made his way to the guest house. Every now and then he had to duck behind a wall or other handy object to avoid a patrol, but none spotted him, and soon he was scaling the outside wall of the guest house. He'd had to climb up the east wall, as that was the one with the easiest handholds and a helpful, large rock to give him the boost he needed.

Unfortunately, he hadn't counted on the roof tiles being so slippery. Once more, he did not fall. He dove into the centre garden. And, frankly, that was his destination in the first place.

The brothers' rooms were easy to find, being the only ones with lit lamps outside on the patio. Sheik crawled his way towards it (his legs were still not entirely on the same page as the rest of his body), and he quickly found a semi-comfortable position under one of the immaculately trimmed bushes (he was too busy being stealthy to pay attention to which) near the patio, craning his neck this way and that, hoping to catch the unmistakable murmur of whispered words with his ears.

To his disappointment, there was none.

Apparently, Link's scheming was entirely confined to the day, as there was no light coming from within his room. All Sheik could hear, honestly, was...nothing, honestly. Maybe some breathing, if even that.

Still, he'd come all this way. He'd give it a few minutes before he went back. Mostly so the burning in his muscles could die down a little.

Some part of the bush he was hiding under was trying to invade the slight gap between his shirt and trousers, and he brushed it away.

To his slight surprise, he appeared to have arrived at the exact right time, as he suddenly heard a disturbance from within the rooms. A quiet murmur, too unclear to be the product of someone awake, and the sound of shifting fabric. Tossing and turning.

It was quite a persistent sound, too, but it wasn't until Sheik heard Link's voice clearly that he knew what was happening.

"No...please...don't..."

The Hylian was dreaming. What luck. Sleep talkers had a tendency to give away what they were dreaming about...and since one tended to dream about what had occupied one's thoughts most during the day...

Well, Sheik was probably about to hear some scheming.

He couldn't believe his luck.

Or his bad luck, as it were, as Link's sleep talking only increased more and more in volume, the sounds of movement inside growing more frantic until he outright screamed.

It was so loud, so sudden, so desperate, Sheik almost felt the urge to rush in there and make sure he was all right. Good thing he wasn't crazy, though, remaining where he was as the scream was suddenly cut off, replaced with frantic panting as the voice's owner returned to the land of the waking.

Hah, so he slept badly, eh? Weighed down by a guilty conscience, no doubt. Only natural, given how he was taking advantage of his hostess' kindness to eventually kill her. After killing her son first, of course, for being the only thing standing between them.

Everything was falling into place now. Guilty conscience was just another bit of proof to Sheik that Link was up to something. Sure, it wouldn't matter much to Impa, but it made Sheik certain he'd find something soon that he could present to Impa as tangible evidence.

His musings were interrupted as the sliding door to Link's room opened, revealing the Hylian himself. He shuffled shakily out onto the patio, his hastily donned yukata slipping off his shoulder.

Sheik's breath caught slightly in his throat as Link passed the lantern on the patio, the light revealing the sharp lines of Link's defined, muscular physique as revealed by the slipping yukata. As well as the scars.

Some jagged, some neat, some mere dimples. And that was just on the upper left part of his body.

Those muscles, those scars.

There was no doubt about it. The Hylian was a warrior, and clearly an experienced one, at that. At such a young age, too. Link couldn't be much older than Sheik, if that. Eighteen years old, and already marked like a fighter twice his age.

Sheik realised his mouth had fallen open, and he closed it hurriedly. He could only imagine what the Hylian had been through to gain those markings.

Shivering slightly in the cold of the night, Link pulled his yukata up to cover his shoulder.

Sheik couldn't help but feel a little disappointed at that.

Because he wanted to gain as much information on Link as possible, of course!

Shaking his head, Sheik watched Link sit on the edge of the patio, letting his legs and bare feet dangle just above the soft grass of the garden.

Huh, he was still wearing his trousers. That was...unusual. And suspicious. But then, as a warrior, it was probably ingrained in him to be ready to fight at any moment. Old habits die hard, as they said.

His breathing was still a little ragged, and he was taking a long time to calm down from whatever he'd dreamt about. He wiped his face with the sleeve of his yukata, rubbing his eyes as if...yes, he was drying tears.

What could he possibly have dreamt about?

Before Sheik could speculate, the sliding door to Ravio's room opened as well, revealing the younger Hylian. He was dressed in a yukata too, but not nearly as messily as his brother. His hair was a mess, however, and was incredibly adorable to see.

Sheik half-expected some sort of cute display of a little brother worrying about his elder brother, some desperate pleading for Link to tell him what was wrong. Instead, though, Ravio appeared to take in the sight before him for a moment before sighing and joining Link on the edge of the patio.

Link didn't even look at him, his breathing still shaky.

Ravio watched him patiently, one his hands finding Link's, their fingers intertwining tightly.

Only when Link had finally gained control of his breathing did Ravio speak, asking quietly, "Another nightmare?"

Link nodded. "Yeah," he said hoarsely. "Did I wake you? I'm sorry."

Ravio shook his head. "I wasn't asleep."

The brothers looked at each other in a commiserating way.

"Still seeing the...you know?" Link asked, hesitating when describing whatever plagued his brother's mind.

"Every time I close my eyes," Ravio said, shaking his head. "Like I'm still there, and it's right there in front of me."

"I'm sorry..."

Ravio gave a little snort. He was a lot more verbal when it was just him and his brother (or when he assumed it was only him and his brother, at least). Maybe he was just uncomfortable with speaking around strangers? But then, he was communicating with Ryuji and the other kids just fine...

"It's fine," Ravio said. "Just keeps me awake some nights." He turned to face Link fully, crossing his legs perfectly. "What did you dream?" he asked. It wasn't a question that invited a non-answer. More of a demand.

Link grimaced. "It's...unpleasant," he said. "I saw...them. All of them. Their faces. Heard their voices, screaming." Link shuddered, turning his head to look at the garden.

Sheik curled a little more in on himself under the bush, trying to make his profile smaller and less likely to be spotted. Something sharp scraped against the exposed skin of his arms and legs, but that didn't matter. As long as he wasn't spotted, he'd gladly suffer any sort of discomfort. What Link was saying was far more important.

Whose faces? Whose voices? Whose screams?

People he'd fought? Killed? Murdered?

What, exactly, was weighing so heavily on Link's conscience that it gave him apparently recurring nightmares?

"It wasn't your fault," Ravio said.

"The hell it wasn't," Link murmured, rubbing his eyes tiredly. "I failed them. I failed all of them."

"You didn't fail—"

"I did," the older brother hissed, glaring at Ravio. "I had everything I needed, and I faltered at the last moment, when it truly mattered. I...they were counting on me, but I..." He couldn't suppress the sob, bowing his head and giving a low, keening whine that even made Sheik's chest hurt. "I shouldn't be here," Link whispered, his voice broken.

Ravio didn't say anything, only sitting up on his knees and wrapping his arms around his brother's shoulders.

"It all went wrong, but it wasn't your fault," the younger Hylian said firmly. "No one blamed you for it—"

"I saw it in her eyes, she—"

"She was the one who sent you away," Ravio cut his brother off, his voice eerily harsh for such a young child. "If she blamed you in any way, she wouldn't have done that. You know that. You know."

"I should be dead," Link sobbed.

"No, you're exactly where you should be," Ravio said. "With me."

Whatever control Link had left disappeared at those words, and he broke down, crying into his little brother's chest, sobs muffled by the fabric.

Sheik watched, unable to do much else. He felt like he was intruding on something he had no business watching, despite all the intriguing information he'd just overheard. Still, he couldn't retreat. He'd give himself away if he did. He had to wait and watch as Ravio comforted Link in a reversal of how these moments usually went.

It took several minutes before they relinquished their hold on each other, Link's eyes red and wet, but a small smile on his face.

"Thank you," he said, his voice even rougher now. "I'm sorry for—"

"Stop apologising," Ravio said. "We're in this together. You help me, I help you."

Link chuckled, ruffling Ravio's hair so it stood up even more, causing the younger boy to glare at him.

"What would I do without you, huh?"

"Cry in a sad heap somewhere, I'm guessing," Ravio said, standing up. "Wait here," he ordered, disappearing into his room, emerging a moment later...only to go inside Link's room as well. When he came back out, he had to two objects in his hands.

Link looked unsure. "I don't think I'm in the mood for music tonight," he said, though he still accepted the ocarina that was thrust into his hand.

"Too bad," Ravio said, sitting down next to him with his own ocarina, which was bigger and looked far finer than Link's. There was some sort of golden emblem under the mouthpiece, but Sheik was too far away to see what it was.

If only he'd had more time when he had his hands on their packs...

"We're doing it. It always cheers you up. We'll start with Saria's Song."

"But—"

"We'll start with Saria's Song," the chibi repeated firmly, leaving no room for argument. "I'll lead."

Link sighed, but nodded nonetheless, and put the ocarina's mouthpiece to his lips.

Sheik couldn't believe the mix of bad and good luck he was experiencing. He'd just learned that not one, but both brothers had been involved in some past nastiness, Link's so bad that it haunted him very badly. Chibi wasn't unscarred either, but he seemed to be handling his own trauma far better than Link.

And yet, it was all too vague for him to work with. There was still nothing he could investigate further or, indeed, ask them about directly without revealing his spying on them.

What the hell had these two been through?

Sheik's previous theory of Link having been through some sort of coup at some point was starting to feel like the most likely one...but which side had he been on? Had he been defending the throne, or trying to take it?

Either way, he'd clearly failed, and taken everyone involved down with him. Someone, a woman, had sent him away. For his own safety, or everyone else's? Who was she? A relative? A friend? A lover? A wife, even?

His theorising would have to wait, though, as Ravio began to play. The sound of his ocarina cut through the otherwise silent night, fingers moving deftly along the ocarina as he played a quick, upbeat series of notes. Link joined in a few bars later, playing at a slightly higher pitch, creating a harmonic effect.

It was a song meant to be danced to, that much was certain. Sheik felt the energy of it, his own traitorous body wanting to move along to the rhythm the brothers' feet tapped against the wooden surface of the patio.

It ended all too soon after a few minutes, but the effect it'd had on Link was immense, the shadow the nightmare had cast over him entirely replaced with a soft but genuine smile.

"I think that's one of my favourites," he said quietly. "I miss her."

"I miss her too," Ravio said, nodding.

They shared a quiet moment, smiling at each other.

Miss who? Saria? The one who the song was named after? Or the one who'd written it, perhaps? Was she one who'd sent Link away?

Argh, why did they have to be so frustratingly vague, even with each other?! It was like trying to figure out one of Impa's secrets at this point!

Except he would succeed with this one. He'd yet to crack one of Impa's, but he was damn well getting to the bottom of these two Hylians!

Link was the one who took initiative for the next song. He didn't give Ravio a title, only began to tap his foot for a moment, setting up the beat, and then began to play.

It was a calmer song, its pace slower. It was not a very complicated tune, definitely not of Sheikah origin. It was more like something a maid would sing as she busied herself with chores. Perhaps around a farm of some sort, or a ranch. Ravio smiled at hearing it and joined in a few moments. Not playing, though. Singing. Or, vocalising, rather, as there were no words coming out of his mouth.

It was lovely.

"I like it when you sing," Link said once they'd finished, smiling at his little brother. "You should do it more often."

"I don't really have a good voice for anything other than that song," Ravio said, looking a little bashful. "My turn."

They went through several other songs. Some happy, some sad. All of them very short, never outstaying their welcome. Both brothers were considerably more cheerful by now, laughing and jostling each other between numbers.

"There's one I'd like to play," Ravio said after an impromptu wrestling match. "Seems appropriate, you know?"

"Yeah?" Link said. "Go ahead."

Ravio nodded and tapped the beat. A little faster, this time. A time suitable for dancing, Sheik could tell already. When Ravio began to play the ocarina, however, Sheik froze.

The tune was old. Centuries old. It, along with many other pieces, had been written by a Sheikah composer, and was one of the many traditional pieces that had been shared with the Hyrulian royal family.

He could only watch with his mouth open as the brothers performed the Minuet of Forest in front of him. It was a simpler version than Sheik was used to hearing due to the lack of stringed instruments, but it was unmistakably the same song.

How the fuck did these two know it?

The Sheikah had shared it with the royal family of Hyrule, but that was centuries ago. Music had a tendency to disseminate throughout any given population.

Sheik bit his lower lip so hard it almost bled in frustration. Yet another frustratingly vague clue. Them knowing the song was no guarantee that they were connected to the royal family.

...but...

...it did suggest they were from Hyrule. Or had visited it at some point at the very least and heard the song.

He shifted again, biting back a yelp as he was scraped up a little more by whatever had its hooks in him.

The song ended soon after, the notes lingering in the night air.

Link was frowning a bit. "Why did you want to play that song?" he asked.

"Like I said," Ravio replied, "it felt appropriate. You know, since you learned it from—"

"Right, right," Link said, shaking his head. "I get it."

"It'll be fine, you know?" Ravio said.

"I doubt it," Link dismissed him. "But...since we're playing them..."

"Bolero?"

"Bolero."

Before Sheik could wonder, the duelling melody of the Bolero of Fire filled the air. It was a song that symbolised friendship, and the power it held. It was fast-paced and dramatic. Without a doubt Sheik's second favourite among the old compositions. And they played it flawlessly. Sheik had only heard it played on traditional Sheikah instruments, but the ocarinas gave it a slightly airy quality that was strangely intriguing.

And it only continued from there. They played the Serenade of Water, the Prelude of Light, the Requiem of Spirit...

All performed perfectly.

What the fuck was going on with these two? Where did they come from? What had they been through?

And why, for the love of all that is good and holy, were they here?!

In Sheik's village?

Why?!

When they finished the Requiem, they were both looking quite relaxed...but also tired. They gave each other equally sleepy smiles and evidently decided in tandem that this was the end of their concert.

"Think you can go back to sleep?" Ravio asked.

"Mhm," Link hummed, nodding. "You?"

"I think so."

Link leaned forward and kissed Ravio's forehead. "Thank you for cheering me up."

Ravio smiled. "Likewise."

They bid each other good night and disappeared into their respective rooms, doors sliding shut.

Sheik let out a quiet sigh of relief. He wasn't sure how much longer he could stand hiding. He was itching to walk for a bit, despite his aching muscles, digesting what he'd just learned and heard...but also to get out of this damned bush, because something in it kept digging into his skin and scratching him and...

...he was under a rose bush, wasn't he?

He looked up.

"Fuck," he whispered, realising he had several dozen thorns digging into the unprotected skin of his arms and legs.

This was going to hurt.

He wasn't entirely sure how he made it home and into his futon, his mind spinning a mile a minute as he tried to sort the information he'd just gained in his head, unable to make sense of it. At some point he'd climbed back into his room and slipped into an uneasy sleep, ignoring the stinging of a dozen rosebush-related puncture wounds.

As he slept, he dreamt. What of, he wasn't entirely sure, apart from one thing: Link. The Hylian had a central role in whatever his mind had conjured up, and contrary to what Sheik had expected, he couldn't recall having felt any hostility towards Link at all. In the dream, Link had looked so sad...and all Sheik had wanted to do was help him. Comfort him, somehow. Take away whatever haunted him.

An infuriating notion, which was made even worse when it still persisted when Sheik woke up to the crowing of a cuccoo, absolutely exhausted. And sore. Din above, his poor muscles felt like they'd turned into stone during the night.

Crawling out from beneath his comforter, Sheik surveyed the damage the rose bush had left on his arms and legs. They were bad. He purposefully wore a long-sleeved shirt and long trousers. If Impa found that odd, she didn't mention it as he joined her and Paya at the breakfast table.

"I am releasing you from your punishment," his mother said the moment he sat down. "I think you've learned our lesson, don't you?"

He bowed his head in a theatrical show of contrition. "I have, mother. I am sorry."

Impa nodded. "I am not the one you have to apologise to. I have scheduled a short meeting with Link-san and Ravio-san for you this afternoon. You will make a formal and genuine apology for blinding him with a deku nut then. Understood?"

"Perfectly."

"Good. Let us eat."

Sheik dug in, devouring his portion at a record pace, his stomach threatening to eat itself if he didn't fill it up soon. When he made to get seconds, Paya wordlessly handed him the bowl from her side of the table.

She didn't say anything, but the eye contact and little smile she gave him as he accepted the bow told him that he'd been forgiven for whatever he'd done. Which was interesting since he'd never gotten a chance to apologise in the first place. Or find out what horrible thing he'd done.

When he tried to ask, she just shook her head minutely, giving him a hand signal that meant "Later".

Impa pretended not to notice.

At the end of breakfast, Sheik and Paya had about an hour to themselves before their lessons of the day began. Sheik was excused from the physical training that day, since he couldn't move without groaning like an old man...or feeling like one, at that.

"I am strict, Sheik, not cruel," Impa said.

Which was a lie.

The way she kept throwing pebbles at him to wake him up during their calligraphy lesson was more than proof of that.

The lessons ended at noon, and they had lunch.

While Paya went to the dojo for training, still not elaborating on why she'd been mad at Sheik, he was left to his own devices as Impa had other duties to attend to.

Left alone in the house, Sheik briefly considered finding and spying on Link again, but something made that idea less appealing at the moment. He kept seeing the Hylian's exhausted, grief-stricken face in his mind's eye...

He shook his head. No, he wasn't feeling sympathetic towards a potential enemy. No way in hell. No, Sheik was just tired and sore. He needed a break himself.

So he did what he usually did when he had idle hands and nothing to do.

He sought out Kiro.

Kiro was a about year older than Sheik and had been something of an unofficial big brother to the Sheikah in their age group, leading them on grand adventures when they played together. As they grew older and matured, however, he also became the one they went to for help when it came to matters of romance and more...physical things, as he gained a reputation for being experienced.

It had eventually reached the point where the other villages even knew about him. More than one young Sheikah had sought him out for advice during festivals, leaving a little more knowledgeable and quite satisfied.

The elders weren't very happy with Kiro and his more relaxed approach to romantic relationships than theirs, which was still quite fixated on formal courting rituals. Not that it let that stop him, never turning down anyone who came to him for help.

Sheik found the man himself in the main room of his little home off the main street, writing a letter.

"Am I bothering you?" Sheik asked, knocking on the doorframe.

"Not at all, just gotta finish this," Kiro said, not looking up from his letter but waving him inside all the same, then gesturing to the low table in the corner, where a covered basket stood. "Mana brought over some mochi earlier this morning. Help yourself."

Sheik didn't need to be told twice, making a beeline for the basket and, indeed, helping himself to a treat. Biting into the sweet rice cake, he sighed with delight when he realised there was a strawberry inside.

Mana made the best treats!

He joined Kiro at the low desk, sitting on a pillow next to his. "What're you writing?" he asked. "Secret missives?"

Kiro snorted. "If I were writing secret missives, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Because I wouldn't be here. Because I'm that good."

"At what? Shirking your duties?"

"Among other things," Kiro said with a grin, finishing his writing with a delicate flourish and carefully folding the letter, sealing it with wax. "It's just a friendly letter," he said.

Sheik paused, then the realised. "Oh," he said, grinning a little. "For Risa?"

"No," Kiro said. "For Reno, actually."

"Reno?"

"You know, the one from Hateno? Poor kid's being forced into a traditional courtship with a girl in the next village by his parents. Problem is, he doesn't really like her, and she doesn't like him. Parents don't care, though. So, I'm just writing him a little letter with some advice on how to stand up to them." He patted the letter delicately. "He deserves way better."

"Like you?"

"Hah, hardly," Kiro said with a laugh, giving Sheik a pointed look. "I think we can both agree that better is not a word that can be applied to me and my horrible, horrible influence."

"You're not horrible," Sheik said, patting his shoulder half-sympathetically. "A vile pervert, maybe—"

"Thank you," Kiro said brightly.

"—but not horrible," Sheik finished, scowling at the elder. "You're not supposed to thank people for calling you that."

"Compared to what some of our elders call me, it's practically a glowing endorsement," Kiro said with a snigger, leaning back and regarding Sheik curiously. "So, where have you been for the past few days? Haven't seen you since you decided to blind that poor Hylian...which, now that I think about it, explains your absence, I guess. Impa-sama wasn't happy, huh?"

"Got it in one," Sheik said with a sigh. "I spent the last three days getting run into the ground, both mentally and physically."

"Oh, they made you do maths?" Kiro cackled as he avoided Sheik's hand swatting at his head.

"Among other things, yes," Sheik hissed. "And I wouldn't be so quick to make fun of my math abilities when, as I recall, it took you quite a long time to figure out geometry."

Kiro's grin disappeared, replaced with a scowl. "Geometry is a torture method," he said. "Made to torment and terrorise innocent young minds."

"Ah, so it didn't affect you, then, since I'm pretty sure you never had any innocence to begin with."

"That's just hurtful," Kiro said, eyes narrowed. "I welcome you into my home, share with you my treats, and what do I get in return? Personally attacked."

"I think you'll live," Sheik said, not even pretending to be soothing.

"Hmph, we'll see," Kiro replied, a grumpy grimace on his face. "Anyway, any reason you came to see me? It's rare to see you out and about at this time of day."

"Afternoon off," Sheik explained. "On account of every muscle in my body screaming."

"Hah, I know the feeling."

"Not like this, you don't," Sheik said. "I wanted to ask you something."

"Ask away," Kiro said. "I thought we'd gone over the basics already and then some, but I guess we can run through it again—"

"Not that!" Sheik exclaimed, his face heating up a little. "About the Hylians!"

The older Sheikah straightened up a little at that, a rare atmosphere of seriousness descending on the room. "All right," he said. "What do you want to know?"

"Have you talked to them?"

"I've said hello to the kid a few times when he's been running around with Ryuji and the others," Kiro said, taking a moment to adjust his silver ponytail. "Sweet boy, if not very verbal. Had a long-ish conversation with the older one just yesterday."

"What about?"

"This and that? Just pleasantries, really. Sort of a hi, who are you, what do you do kind of thing. He asked about you, too, actually."

Sheik grimaced. Again the Hylian had been asking about him. What the fuck for?

"I thought it was a bit odd at first," Kiro admitted, "but then I figured I too would be curious about the random guy who flashbanged me out of nowhere one day, so I didn't think to ask why."

Sheik glowered at his half-eaten mochi. "He asked about me before I stunned him, anyway, so..."

"He did?" Kiro said, looking curious. "Huh...interesting."

"I just don't know why he's so interested in me!" Sheik exclaimed, finally allowed to vent his frustration to someone who wasn't about to punish him. "Why? I followed him for an afternoon, and he asked everyone he ran into about me! And when I confronted him about it, he said he wanted to be friends! Like I'm going to believe that!"

Kiro remained silent, letting Sheik keep complaining for a few minutes. A smug smirk had come to his lips, however, which made Sheik pause.

"What?" he asked. "What're you thinking about?"

"Oh, nothing," Kiro said in that fake innocent tone that told him it definitely wasn't nothing. "Just had a random, funny thought. Not important, though. Anyway, you want to know what the village thinks about those two?"

Sheik sighed. Trying to pull secrets out of Kiro was like pulling teeth: painful and miserable, and best done with pliers. Seeing no pliers nearby, he said, "What do they say?"

"All kinds of theories, really," Kiro said. "Some think they're nobles on the run from vengeful relatives, others that they're secret relatives of ours. My rupees, though, are on them being two of Impa-sama's double agents in Hyrule. Their cover was probably blown, and they retreated here, where Impa-sama could protect them."

Sheik considered those options. They could be...plausible. "I'm thinking assassins," he said.

Kiro couldn't suppress his snort. "Assassins? Those two?"

"They could be assassins!" Sheik exclaimed. "Have you looked into their eyes?!"

"Yeah, and they're beautiful," Kiro said wistfully. "The older one's are like looking into the vast, deep ocean..."

Sheik glared at him. "You're thinking about fucking him, aren't you?" he said, his chest tightening with annoyance. "Typical."

Besides, Kiro must've been blind. Link's eyes were more like a summer afternoon sky. Some spy Kiro was.

"Hey, if he's interested, who am I to deny him?" Kiro said, shrugging.

"Eugh," Sheik groaned, standing up. "You're impossible!"

"Hey, hey, look," Kiro exclaimed, grabbing his wrist before he could stomp away. "If you're worried about their intentions, look at this way: You trust Impa-sama, right?"

Sheik glowered. "Of course I do. She's my mother."

"Exactly, and have you ever known her to be reckless or in any way not careful in an utterly paranoid manner?"

Sheik thought about it for a moment. To his annoyance, he did not find a single moment where his mother had not been diligent and thorough in her approach to village security.

"I...guess not," he admitted.

"Then don't you think it's safe to assume that she has done her due diligence in this case as well? That she hasn't just given them the run of the village without absolutely making sure they're no threat?"

"They could have blackmailed her," Sheik suggested, not happy with how Kiro had cut through to the heart of the matter so quickly.

"With what?" Kiro said, laughing. "What could they possibly have on Impa-sama?"

"They could...what if they...and what about..." Sheik tried to feebly find something to counter with, but the idea of someone having dirt on Impa, without her having even worse dirt on them in return, was just...unthinkable. As was the idea of his mother doing as she was told by anyone. Then the idea struck him. "What if she has a secret child somewhere?" he suggested, crouching so he was at eye level with Kiro. "Or," he gasped, "what if that's not even mother anymore—"

Kiro's fist came down swiftly on Sheik's head, knocking him off balance and into a yelping pile at Kiro's feet.

"Now you're reaching and being ridiculous," Kiro said. "Don't jump to stupid conclusions."

Rubbing his head, Sheik glared at him. "Fine, that may have been something of a reach, but still!"

"You know what?" Kiro asked. "I have a revolutionary idea. How about you just go and talk to the guy? Get to know him? Maybe even actually become friends with him? Who knows, he might really be what he claims to be!"

"Preposterous," Sheik said. "He's a villain, and I'll prove it."

Kiro laughed again. "If you say so. In the meantime, grab a pair of mochi, find him, give him one, and bond over sweets. That usually works."

Sheik glared.

Kiro sighed. "Get to know him and make friends with him and you'll be in a better position to find out his nefarious plans."

"That's more like it," Sheik said, heading for the door and pointedly not grabbing the mochis. "Thanks, Kiro!"

"Anytime, my little conspiracy theorist," Kiro called out after him. "Now, to answer Sera..."

What Sheik wanted was distance, from which he could observe. The last thing he needed was getting close to Link, because that might actually falsely convince him that the Hylian was no threat. And that would be the moment it was all over, because Sheik was apparently the only one in the village who didn't think Link was up to something.

Well, it wasn't going to be easy, but Sheik wasn't about to roll over and accept defeat. He'd get to the bottom of this no matter what!

Of course, the distance thing didn't last very long. The appointed time for his apology came far too quickly for his comfort, and it was with no small amount of trepidation that he ascended the steps and stepped inside the guest house, firmly ignoring the amused looks he got from the guards.

Impa was waiting in the entry hall, along with the two Hylians. To his relief, Paya wasn't there. At least, she was nowhere Sheik could see. He had no doubt his beloved sister was secretly watching, taking pleasure in his discomfort and awkwardness, committing it to her memory so she could remind Sheik again and again.

Because Paya was lovely that way.

"Ah, right on time," Impa said, nodding with approval. "Go ahead, Sheik."

Sheik knew the procedure.

This was hardly the first time Impa had made him formally apologise to someone. Granted, even he had felt it was appropriate the time he'd accidentally blown up the millstone, but in hindsight he'd also felt assisting with transporting the new one from two towns over was more than enough.

He sank to his knees and looked up at Link and Ravio.

Link looked supremely uncomfortably, unable to look Sheik in the eyes, his gaze flitting here and there, never settling on a single point.

Ravio, on the other hand, not only met Sheik's gaze, but held it...and in those eyes was the most threatening look Sheik had ever seen. Ravio's eyes said one thing and one thing only: Tread carefully.

Deep within him, Sheik had a feeling he'd be in no small amount of trouble if there was a repeat of the deku nut incident. And frankly, he wasn't keen on finding out what Ravio would do.

Right.

He looked back at Link, taking a deep breath, and said:

"I am very sorry for blinding you, Link-san, and for the words I spoke to you. It was not behaviour worthy of a host...or a Sheikah, at that. Please, forgive me."

He leaned forward, fighting every urge to groan as every muscle and tendon in his body protested against the movement, bending down until his forehead touched the tatami floor.

It was an act of utmost contrition. It was not only an act to lower himself to the level of dirt, but it bared his neck, allowing the one he was apologising to strike his head off his shoulders should his words not be enough.

Plus, it really fucking hurt right now, after the torture sessions disguised as training.

It was an ancient custom, and only symbolic these days.

He had a feeling, though, that Ravio would gladly make use of the opening should Sheik screw up again. Maybe not cut his head off, but at least do extreme violence upon him.

"P-Please, get up!" Link's voice said, startling Sheik out of the mental image of Ravio stomping on his neck. "I forgive you! I'm sorry for following you, I—"

"He started it," Ravio pointed out, his tone merciless.

Sheik straightened up, remaining on his knees, and found the chibi's eyes locked on him. No way in hell would Sheik ever get off lightly for crossing this kid.

How much of that shyness from before had been real, and how much an act? Impossible to tell.

"I believe the following was quite mutual in nature," Impa said calmly, looking between all three of them with what Sheik recognised as her mediating face. The one she used when settling grievances between the various village chiefs and negotiating with merchants. "My son did escalate the situation, however, and ended it in a most inappropriate manner. I, too, apologise on his behalf. Link-san, you are most gracious in your forgiveness."

Oh, the lady knew how to butter people up. It was how she'd landed some very good trade agreements with settlements on the plains below the mountains.

Link certainly seemed to accept it, nodding and giving her and Sheik a tentative smile. "I still hope we can be friends, Sheik...san?" he said, adding the honorific hesitantly.

Sheik opened his mouth to give an apologetic but firm no, but a very loud (for her, anyways) intake of breath from Impa was all the warning he needed to rethink his words very carefully.

"I...am sure we can be friends, Link-san," he said, each word taking an eon to leave his mouth. "With time."

Impa breathed again, this time out, in a way that was very displeased. What was he supposed to do, make promises he couldn't keep?

Link, however, smiled like Sheik had just promised him the moon. "I'm looking forward to it," he said, grinning from ear to ear.

Next to him, Ravio rolled his eyes, presumably thinking his brother forgave too easily.

But then, wouldn't he? In order to continue his spying activities, he couldn't make a nuisance of himself, and being in a tiff with the chief's son wasn't exactly the best way to go about committing espionage.

"Well, then," Impa said, clapping her hands once and gesturing for Sheik to stand up. "I believe that settles the matter. Link-san, Ravio-san, once again you have my deepest apologies." She bowed at the waist. Sheik followed her lead.

"No apologies are necessary," Link said, bowing as well. The guy was doing his best to fit in, apparently. At least it was a well-executed bow.

As they left the guest house, Sheik looked back one last time. Link gave him a resplendent smile that could not possibly be real. Ravio gave him a death glare that very much was.

Then the doors slid shut, blocking them from view, and Sheik was left to follow his aunt at a calm pace through the village. Passing Sheikah stopped to greet their chief, offering a little small talk that Impa engaged in gladly.

Sheik was grateful for the lack of conversation between them. It let him think, consider his next move, and plan ahead. Frankly, this incident had brought him too close to defeat. This apology only convinced him further that he needed to put some distance between himself and Link.

He'd looked tired, in Sheik's opinion. The brothers' ocarina session had calmed him down, but based on the bags under Link's eyes he had not slept much even after they'd gone to bed. Honestly, Sheik was exhausted himself. He doubted he'd be of much use to anyone after supper, his exhaustion already catching up with him.

"Trust me," Impa said suddenly.

Sheik looked up, realising they'd already reached their house, standing outside the door.

"Huh?" he asked.

Impa sighed. "I said, trust me," she repeated. "I don't know what sort of idea you've gotten about our visitors, but they are no threat to us."

Maybe not to you, Sheik thought. The chibi looked like he wanted nothing more than to beat me into a pulp.

"I realise that you, in your own way, only have our best interests at heart," she continued, putting her hand on his shoulder and squeezing surprisingly gently. "But you are going about it entirely the wrong way. Link-san has reached out a hand in friendship, Sheik. I highly suggest you take it."

She gave him no time to answer, disappearing inside the house without another word, heading for her room.

Sheik stared into the air for a while, mulling over his aunt's words...and quickly deciding she was far too kind-hearted about these two strangers. Link had batted his long eyelashes at her, and his aunt had been spellbound.

It was understandable. Link was, despite his Hylian background, a...fairly attractive man. Delicate, but with a firm core of steel. And he was no stranger to a fight, if his scarred upper body was any indication.

He shook his head and made for his room, wanting to catch a quick nap before supper. Climbing the stairs was agony and took him a few seconds longer than usual. To his surprise, the door to Paya's room was open, the girl herself sitting in a meditative pose in the middle of the space.

"How'd it go?" she asked, her eyes closed.

"It...went," Sheik said carefully. He wasn't sure just how thin the ice he was on was, but he'd rather not extend this avoidance. "They accepted the apology."

"That's good." She took a deep breath, holding it for a few seconds, and released it. Opening her eyes, she gave Sheik a considering look. "Sore, huh?"

He grimaced. "To say the least. Discovered a couple of new muscles I had no idea were there, though, so that's interesting."

"Hm," Paya said. "Well, at least there was one benefit to you blinding Link-san." She grinned.

"Laugh it up," he said. "When he reveals himself as an assassin, I bet you won't be lambasting me for the nut incident."

"Still suspect he's an assassin, huh?" Paya asked.

Sheik stared at her. "You don't?" he said. "You were just as suspicious as me when they arrived."

"I'm not sure what I think they are anymore," Paya said, shaking her head. "But make no mistake, I am still keeping an eye on them. Until mother decides to reveal to us their origins, they will continue to be an unknown variable."

"And we don't like those," Sheik said.

"Indeed, we do not." She stood up and stretched her arms, and then easily bent forward to touch her toes, knees straight. "And you? What's your plan?"

"I'll continue as I have, for the most part," Sheik said.

"Ah, so you'll keep flashbanging Link-san until he actually goes blind, then?"

"Very funny."

"I thought so." She sighed. "You might wish to back off a little, though. Let's say Link-san is some sort of spy or assassin—this incident will have alerted him to your surveillance. He'll probably be exceedingly careful in the next few days."

"Yeah," Sheik agreed. "That's what I was thinking. I think I'll maintain my distance for a little while. Might not be in the best condition to spy at the moment, anyway."

"Now that doesn't sound like my little brother," Paya said with a snort. "Admitting weakness? You?"

"Turns out a three-day torture session masquerading as a training programme makes me do the strangest things," Sheik said, yawning. "I'm going to take a nap. Wake me up for supper?"

"Of course, little brother."

"Stop calling me that, you're only six months older than me."

"Six months are six months, little brother."

"Eugh..."