Chapters 5 through 9 were written by Redbrush, not by me. He adopted the story when I abandoned it a while back, but since he has disappeared from ffnet I have taken the reigns again. All other chapters are written by me, with some brainstorming help and suggestions from Kenju.

Before the door even opened, Link heard the footsteps from outside. He rose from the cot with his sheathed sword in hand, which had been resting next to him in his slumber for obvious reasons, though he had been awake for quite some time. He relaxed as light poured into his small room against the backs of several familiar figures. Despite his tortured dreams, they all looked more tired than he was, and he wondered whether they had stayed up to discuss his fate while he slept.

"Get up," Samiyah commanded, and Link didn't bother hiding the annoyance on his face as he looked at her. Still, he didn't bother asking why they pointed blades at him. "So, you think you're Oni, huh?" she asked, voice hard.

"I told you last night that I'm not." Link muttered, though it was loud enough for them to hear.

"You'd better hope you are. We have a test to find out who you really are. Only a Gerudo or a god can pass our membership test."

"I'm not a god." Link repeated for probably the third or fourth time since he'd came here. "I can bleed."

"So can Oni. His sisters, the goddesses, imprisoned him in flesh in the mortal realm, so it's conceivable that one might be Oni and not know it."

This was getting him nowhere. Link sighed as he decided just to go with it. He didn't have much of a choice anyways, and what was the worse that could happen? He technically was a member of the Gerudo. His became a member when he was the Hero of Time, after rescuing those carpenters. Of course, that was in the alternate timeline, but he at least knew that he fit some of the qualifications, so he might be able to pass this test.

"Take your equipment with you. You'll likely need it." Link pondered what they might have in mind for him as he strapped his blade on his back and slung his shield over it. After equipping a few potions to his kilt and magical pouch, which stored most of his items, the four escorts led him back through the maze of hallways and back out into the sunlight and outdoors.

Link immediately squinted his eyes and had to shield them from the harsh, bright sun. The heat difference was immediately felt as soon as he walked out form the fortress. Part of him liked to think he might have started getting used to it, but it was still pretty harsh. Part of him kind of regretted not packing the Goron's Tunic, but he quickly reminded himself of his mission. Better understand the people of the Gerudo and attempt to understand their needs... yeah, except that this was getting horribly sidetracked.

He sighed as he tried to walk in the tight formation, between his 'escorts'. It may have just been him, but for some reason he could swear they were even closer. Close enough for him to bump into them awkwardly a few times when he fell out of walking sync... though he noted that he didn't get any kind of dirty looks, or even a sign of discomfort. It really was as if he wasn't there with them. He wouldn't be lying if he said he kind of liked their previous demeanor more than this silent treatment, and that definitely said something.

Needless to say this was taking a toll on his patience, but he set it aside and decided to just deal with it. After last night, it would be in his best interests to do what they say and pray they will let him live. He was in their territory and he wasn't exactly a welcome guest at this point.

Link bit his lip as he tried to guess where they could be taking him... membership test, huh? He regretted joining the Gerudo the way he did. Sneaking around the Fortress obviously wasn't their plan for him. They were headed to the direction of the desert...

The hero was pulled from his thoughts and into reality as he felt a moderate shove to his back. He raised his head, and saw the oversized gate into the Desert for the second time in his life. Well... first time in this life.

A hookshot came sliding from Link's side and halted at his foot. He looked over at the Gerudo who kicked it towards him. She was an old, petit woman with notably gray hair. She was of the Purples, as well.

She cut off his train of thought as she spoke. "Use that hookshot at your feet as needed. It's almost necessary to complete the first step in our Membership Test. You might want to get familiar with it in advance, before you're sent out here." Link rose an eyebrow.

"My name is Ladina of the Purple, and I have run these Membership tests in the rare events that someone wants to join the Gerudos of the Desert for quite some time. You would do well to remember my name in the future... if you succeed in becoming one of us, that is." She spoke with obvious pride and confidence. She looked Link over carefully before nodding her head and continuing. For some reason, Link couldn't say that he liked the way she looked him over. "There is simply one task that you need to complete in order to be considered one of us.

"In the far side of the Desert lies the Spirit Temple which, at the moment, serves as the nest of Twinrova. I'm sure you know why I'm telling you this. Only a soul with the blood of a Gerudo would be able to navigate the Desert to the Temple. Anyone else would be lost and devoured by the winds."

Link sighed quietly as he dropped his head briefly. He remembered the last time that he did this. It wasn't an easy task- that was for sure. He remembered the harsh winds of the Desert and the excruciating heat. It wasn't anything to be fooled with and needless to say, he wasn't looking forward to it.

"I'm telling you this to warn you in advance, boy. Pay attention, or you will die out there." Link's head snapped in her direction. She leaned in close to him, whispering to him- to make him listen. "Only the spirit of a true Gerudo can make it to the Spirit Temple. After you get past the markers that we placed, and that isn't exactly easy either, you're on your own."

Link noticed as the gate behind her started to rise slowly, though she didn't stop speaking. "If you're truly a Gerudo, you'll be guided to the Spirit Temple. If you're not... well, I don't need to explain it."

The elderly woman stepped to the side as she motioned with her head for Link to get going. The Hylian sighed as he stepped forward- his escorts had left him at the scene. He didn't have much of a choice but to step forward and tackle the challenge that was in front of him.