AN: Another chapter already?! Eh, I'm getting sort of impatient to hear what you guys think of the new content that I'm posting the unchanged chapters quicker to get to the new stuff. Hope you enjoy and I look forward to reading your reviews!

Disclaimer: I still own nothing!

Link

Kagome

"Spirit People"

Spirit


In no time at all, the two warriors found themselves in front of the sacred pool in Kakariko, the giant bird of light waiting for them.

Heroic warriors...

North of here, across the plain and past the great stone bridge, in the lands

Guarded by the spirit Lanayru...

You shall find one who you seek...

"'One who you seek'," Kagome repeated before turning to Link. "Could the spirit mean your friend?"

"Ilia? I think so."

The sound of feet pounding on the dusty ground caused them to turn and see the remaining inhabitants of the village. The children all spoke at once, asking their hero about his adventure. Link laughed before squatting down in front of them.

"I will tell you all about my adventures when this is all over, but for now, Kagome and I need to get going. We may have found a lead concerning Ilia's location."

The children were all shocked into silence. It was Colin who was the first to speak.

"Link... Ilia... You've got to save Ilia! Those monsters left me with the other kids, but they must have taken her somewhere else! Whenever I thought I couldn't go on, I would think of you and Ilia and hold on, Link... See? I...I'm fine now. Remember what I told you back in Ordon, Link? When I grow up, I'm going to be just like you, Link! So you don't have to worry about me anymore! Go help Ilia!"

Link smiled sadly at the brave boy, and ruffled his hair affectionately.

"We'll do our best to find her, I promise."

Hearing Epona neigh, Link looked up and saw Kagome preparing her for the journey ahead. After saying their goodbyes, Link hoisted himself and Kagome onto the strong mare. Renado came forward.

"Leave the children to me. I will watch over them, I swear it. Do not let their fates trouble you. Go to those who need you. In Hyrule, countless tales are told of the ancient hero...and your deeds bring them all to mind. May the graces of the great goddesses who shaped Hyrule bear you on your way."

Kagome smiled down at the man, "Thank you for all your help."

With one last parting wave, the three made their way through the North Gate, toward Lanayru Province.

~* Scene Change *~

They had journeyed half the day by the time they reached the Bridge of Eldin. Kagome looked on in awe.

"It's beautiful," she breathed.

"I understand that the bridge overseeing Lake Hylia is much more impressive, but I agree."

Kagome thought for a minute.

"Isn't this the bridge you said you rescued Colin from?"

"It is."

"That poor boy."

"Luckily he was unconscious the whole time."

"Thank goodness for small miracles."

Lightly spurning the horse, they once more began their trek. They had just passed over the bridge when a loud rumbling came from behind them.

"Oh, what now?!"

They both turned just in time to see a large portion of the bridge being teleported away, and then watched as more monsters fell from the same portal.

*Cue crickets*

"Are you serious?!"

"Well, at least they waited till we crossed before destroying the bridge."

Link's optimism was rewarded with a punch in the shoulder. Chuckling, he slid down from Epona before turning back to Kagome and offering her his hand.

"Shall we take care of these monsters, my lady," he asked in a posh voice.

Giving a small laugh, Kagome placed her hand in his.

"Indeed we shall, good sir."

It was definitely harder to fight the creatures as humans, but they eventually won.

"I think I prefer fighting them as a wolf."

Link sheathed his sword.

"I have to agree with you on that."

Getting back on Epona, they continued on their way. It was another hour or so before the path became suddenly dark. It would seem that the light in that area was overshadowed by a familiar looking wall.

"Truthfully, I'm not all that surprised that we came upon another of these."

After dismounting Epona, the two warriors made their way to the wall.

Oh look, it's our favorite imp!

"Ah, we're finally here. There's only one Fused Shadow left... So this is the last of the twilight you'll see, I guess. Whether or not you accomplish your final task and survive is up to you... Eee hee! So what will you do? Want me to let you into the twilight?"

Kagome fixed an annoyed look in the imp's direction.

"Midna, you know very well we need you to let us in, otherwise we wouldn't be here, now would we?"

With a mock sigh, Midna replied.

"All right then, I guess I'll have to help you! But what a shame, that this is the last of the twilight... I had become so fond of seeing it covering this world... Or... is it really the last you'll see? Eee hee! So, shall we get going?"

The floating shadow just laughed before launching herself into the wall behind her. And just like before, Link and Kagome found themselves gripped by a large orange hand and roughly pulled through.

~* On the Other Side *~

Once more, the two found themselves in the hauntingly beautiful twilight.

You know, that time the change wasn't so bad.

The large wolf looked down at the smaller female.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I actually missed being a wolf.

Kagome bumped her head on the underside of his muzzle.

Come on; let's find the Guardian Spirit so we can turn this place back to normal.

Link waited a moment before he felt the familiar weight upon his back. Now that his passenger was seated comfortably, Link leading the way. It only took a short while before they came across a small bag on the road, the strap broken.

Link stops short and stares at it.

Link, what's wrong?

Completely focused on the bag, the large wolf stepped towards it and lowers his nose, trying to find the scent. The image the scent portrays in his mind is that of a young woman with short hair. Her image triggers a memory in Link's mind.

"But, Link... Can you at least promise me this? Just come home safely."

Link…LINK!

Hearing the shout shakes him from his trance.

It's Ilia's.

What is?

The bag, it's the one she always kept on her.

That's great, now all we need to do it follow the scent to find her!

Kagome had barely gotten the last word out of her mouth before Link shot away as if the dogs of hell were following him.

That stupid idiot is going to get himself killed, she grumbled before shooting off after him. She followed him as he weaved through various creatures until they came upon a draw bridge.

"Hey, haven't we seen this castle before? Eee hee hee!"

Midna seemed particularly gleeful for some reason.

"So, we finally made it back here! Well, only a little farther, so hang in there! Or so I'd like to say, but... The going's a lot harder from here on out... Eee hee hee! All right, then... Let's get started."

She's in here somewhere.

Well, lead the way.

Once more, Kagome followed her companion through the town. Avoiding the ghostly figures and traveling through back alleys. As they made their way through, Kagome heard snippets of conversations.

"…Zora child collapsed near here!"

"…typically found up north…"

"…bar…on southern road."

"…Telma's bar?"

Link?

Hm?

What's a Zora?

Why?

Those women back there were saying something about a Zora child collapsing near here and are now at a bar owned by someone named Telma.

Zora's are water creatures. They live way in the north and very rarely come down this far. If a child is here, then something must have happened.

They stopped and listened to an older couple, hoping to learn more.

"The water level of Lake Hylia has gone down, and you can't cross to the spirit's cave."

"If the people who came to worship from far away heard that, they'd be very disappointed..."

That's not good.

For them, or for us?

Both. Lake Hylia is the primary water source for Hyrule.

This could be problematic.

Yes, it could.

The two wolves and the imp continued to follow the scents trail through a door located in one of the back alleys. It would appear that they have stepped into some sort of tavern.

This must be the bar we heard those people talking about earlier. What do you think? Link? Link!

The large male didn't even hear her. His attention was solely focused on the group of people located in the corner. The group consisted of a red-haired woman, a child with blue skin and a young woman with short hair.

Ilia.

Completely ignoring the female wolf by his side, Link cautiously stepped over to the group. Kagome watched as the younger woman turned to the older.

"This boy... Can you save him?"

The red-haired woman smiled down at her.

"All right, little lady, try to settle down, OK? I just now sent for the doctor!"

She looked at the unconscious child with a thoughtful frown on her face.

"But this is strange... A child of the Zora's... I wonder if this is at all related to the incident the soldiers were talking about in back..."

Midna appeared before Link, looking more gleeful than before, if that was even possible.

"Aw, what an emotional reunion! Yes, a girl and her wolf! Eee hee! Sorry, but you know how it goes! These folks can't see you, either... Eee hee hee!"

Choosing to ignore her, he slowly stepped over to his childhood friend. Seeing the worried look on her face, he tried to nudge her with his muzzle, but just passed through her. He stepped back from her with a whine, his ears drooping. He barely noticed Kagome come sit next to him.

I know you want to stay with her, but we know she is safe and we have to find the Spirit.

I know, but where do we start?

Those people in town were talking about a Cave in Lake Hylia, and I thought I saw a map on the table over by those soldiers.

Alright, let's check it out.

They arrived over to the group of soldiers just in time to hear their commander yelling at them.

"We've had a ton of complaints from citizens who can't send prayers to the spring spirit of Lake Hylia. Go there! The location is the one I showed you on the map earlier! Got it? What? Study it and know it well! I told you! The citizens are upset that they can't pray to the spring spirit of Lake Hylia! The location is written there on that map on the table! Have you figured it out yet? Study it well! And don't even THINK about shirking your duty! I've received orders from above to investigate why we can't go to the spirit's spring in Lake Hylia! Got that?"

The pair just stood blinking at the group in awe.

Is it just me or…

Was that entirely too convenient?

Yes.

It's either that or these guys are just stupid.

Truthfully, I don't know which scares me more.

I agree. Oh well, never look a gift horse in the mouth. Let's take a look at that map and head out.

They took a quick glance at the map, and Kagome found herself even more annoyed with the soldiers.

Link?

Yes?

According to this map, the road leading straight to the lake is just outside the drawbridge, right?

It appears so, where are you going with this…why are you growling?

Link found it impressive that her next statement sounded like she was saying it through her teeth.

The entrance to the path leading to the lake is about 100 feet away from the drawbridge, AND THESE IDIOTS NEED A MAP TO FIND IT?!

Link was hesitant to approach the irate female.

Maybe they…

Maybe nothing! It's no wonder that this Zant character took over! These soldiers are idiots!

Well, that's a bit harsh.

His companion fixed him with a glare that dared him to repeat that statement. Thankfully, Link was never one to be considered stupid.

Why don't we just head to the lake?

Good idea, get me away from these morons.

Link spent the walk amusing himself by listening to Kagome mutter to herself about 'stupid guards', and hearing the name Sesshomaru thrown in repeatedly.

If you're quite done, I have something to tell you.

What's that?

Welcome the Great Hylian Bridge.

Kagome's ears perked right up.

We're here already?

And indeed they were. Before them lay a great stone bridge, which seemed to glow in the twilight that covered the area.

You can admire it later; we need to find a way down to the lake.

You promise?

Yes, now started moving woman.

I'll get you back for that comment.

And I'll be waiting for it.

The pair made it to the middle of the bridge before something on the other side of the bridge caught their attention.

Is that a bulblin?

Who cares what it is, why does it have a flaming arrow?

It was Midna who discovered an important detail.

"...Hey, do you smell anything funny?"

I have a bad feeling about this.

They watched as the creature set his arrow and let it fly. To their horror, it was not aimed at them; it was aimed at the strange smelling liquid that covered the bridge.

It's oil, run!

There's another one on the other side!

"Oh no! We're trapped! Get out of here!"

Kagome, help me push this box.

What?

We're going to have to jump. Hurry, the fire is getting closer!

Alright.

The two wolves worked together to push the box against the wall of the bridge. Climbing up onto the box, they looked down.

Is there enough water?

We're just going to have to chance it. Now, JUMP!

Together they jump from the bridge just as the fire engulfed the box they were just standing on, the water below them rushing up to meet them.