Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update, but things kinda just got in the way. I hope you guys will enjoy this chapter. Also - the cucco will not be named this chapter. I will pick in a future chapter, just so you know! I'm also getting back into the groove of things.

Now please enjoy!

Link was the last one to reach the top of the stairs. The hero had rented out the room in the cucco house so he and Navi could have a place to rest. But now this room was occupied by a new life. Sheik was the first one up the stairs, due to his ability to jump extremely high. He had made the stairs before Link could put his right foot on the first step. The blond walked into the room slowly - the air had a sudden burst of tension, making him not want to breath in fear he would break the golden silence.

Navi hovered above an incubator, giving the glass a blue tint. "Listen." She said quietly. It was first time she said it and it wasn't an annoying howl in his ear.

Chirp

Link heard his partner gasp. He himself was in awe. He had never witnessed the miracle of birth before. Grabbing the Master Sword had given him adult knowledge in his seven year rest; but that was nothing next to actual experience...

Sheik was the first to move, lifting his hand cautiously towards the container. He lifted the glass and placed it gently on the side of the desk. He peered down at the tiny little chick that was among a pile a straw and broken eggshells.

Chirp

Link stayed silent, just watching Sheik tentatively pick up the baby chick. It was a charming and warm sight to behold.

"... this... is the first newborn I've seen..."

Link gave Sheik a baffled expression. "Sheik... what are you talking about?" He asked. He wasn't a fan of the tone he used.

The sheikah took in a pessimistic breath, then exhaled poorly. "Since the reign of Ganon, there have been no new born children. No one dares to raise a family in this time of darkness." He informed his heroic friend.

Link snorted back a laugh.

Sheik winced. "What is so funny? That isn't something to laugh about." He scolded, feeling insulted.

"No!" Link said, still laughing. "The fact you haven't seen a new born chicken in years!" He snickered. "You just compared the people in Kakariko to cuccos!"

Sheik quickly turned his head in a snit. "W-well I was merely-"

"You're trying too hard to be mysterious, Sheik!" Link told him with a crooked face. His laughs cooled into short giggles. "Pftt. I can see it now - Ganon cursing Kakariko into Kukkuriko!" His laughs returned wholeheartedly.

Sheik had had enough. "Oh shut up!" He said. "You are very impulsive and fatuous! I hope you realize that." He grumbled. He placed the little chick back down on the table.

"And you," Link shot back.", are not very smooth! Sit back and take a joke, Sheik. Laugh it up!"

Sheik flinched. "You.. you..." He blushed and looked away. "You are impossible..." He muttered, crossing his arms. "The fate of Hyrule rests in the hands of nothing more than a mere jester!"

Link couldn't help but feel pleased with messing with the usually cool and level-headed sheikah. It seemed he liked to have things under his control, but didn't know how to gain that control back when he lost it.

Being raised and brought up by immortal children, he at least knew how to be social and not be bummed when he was one-upped verbally by a friend.

It seemed Sheik didn't have that kind of social upbringing. In fact - he seemed sort of reserved and shy, hiding behind political civility, reluctant kindness, a mysterious facade, and the teachings of his sheikah heritage.

Link made it his personal mission to break the shadow person out of his shell.

"Go to bed." Sheik told him. "You're apparently silly when you're tired."

Link finished his snerks and coughed in his hand. "Haha. Nah. Come on, Sheik. I was just joking, and besides! Riding Epona here took a whole afternoon, but that doesn't mean we should just go to bed now. We slept back at Kokiri Forest!"

"That was to help you regain your strength after battle. This is to help you be ready for the temple tomorrow."

XXXX

Navi fluttered around. Night time had come around quickly, and the boys needed to get some shut eye before heading to the next temple.

Except things didn't really happen that way.

Navi had stayed quiet as the two bickered. She couldn't help but wonder what the heck happened at the Forest Temple! It was a shock to even see the sheikah at all! Let alone the two of them bickering like they've known each other for years...

That temple must have brought them pretty darn close. Must be something about nearly dying, that has the ability to create comradery between two warriors in the blink of an eye.

She had watched as the two argued who would get the bed and who would get the floor. Somehow, Sheik won the argument. He had jumped out the window before Link could get another word in.

The grown Kokiri was sleeping peacefully in bed. He had undressed from his usual green garments and wore a sky-blue pajama set. Malon had been very kind and lent the hero clothes to sleep in. She had brought a dark orange for Sheik, but he was already gone. Not a hair to be found of him. Link had been very upset that he did that, going on how he would tie him down to the bed next time and possibly torture him as punishment.

While everything he said had come off as sexual, Navi was sure he had meant it in a different light.

The blue fairy flew out the window, leaving her sleeping partner behind. She followed the moonlight, and flew high up. The view of the ranch underneath, and the rest of the world around her. She hovered for a bit, taking a look around.

She found him. She swooped down and chased after him. Hyrule Field was large, but also very flat. Sheik was walking towards Zora's domain in a steady pace. She flew as fast as she could without tearing her wings off, after the sheikah boy.

"Hey! Stop!"

Sheik's back snapped into a straight line, and quickly looked over his shoulder. "Wh-what?!"

He was face to face with an upset fairy.

"And where the heck do you think you're going!" Navi shouted.

"Where's Link." He wildly looked around.

"Sleeping. I came out to look for you on my own. Why the heck did you leave! Link wasn't very happy that you jumped out a window! And neither am I! I thought you planned on helping us! Instead you just run off without consulting us. Well? What's your excuse?"

Sheik couldn't believe what was happening... he was getting chewed out by a fairy. The last time he was scolded was by Impa. At least Navi didn't have throwing knives...

"I..." Damn... what was he supposed to say? "I am helping." He started. "Link needs all his strength to purify the temples. I'm just giving a head start. I won't run off somewhere you can't find me. I am merely checking Zora's domain. I will return after I have checked the Domain."

Navi just fluttered, unsure whether to believe him or not. "... I'm coming with you."

Sheik blanched. "What? You... you belong to-"

Navi flew angrily into his face, bonking his nose a few times. "I am not an object to be owned! Now shut up and accept the fact that I'm coming with you!"

'Pushy...' Sheik thought. "Very well." He sighed, defeated. By a fairy no-less...

"Good!" Navi dinged. "Now come on!" She flew past him. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can go back to the ranch."

Sheik eyed the fairy as she flew past, her lights falling and glittering, leading the way. He couldn't help but finding it rather amusing. A fairy... a fairy was telling him what to do.

Does Link have to deal with this often? Probably.

The shadow person walked, following her without another word. Not that he wanted to invoke the wrath of a mighty blue fairy or anything.

The walk had been quick, yet uneventful. There were octorocks, but the sheikah had dispatched them quicker than when they popped out. Sheik took the higher route, avoiding the water. The monsters couldn't get him from so high up. It was a short minute until Sheik reached the bridge, crossed it, and found his way over the waterfall.

"How are we getting inside? We don't have an ocarina." Navi asked.

"Like this." Sheik answered, pulling out his harp. He strung the notes of Zelda's lullaby. The waterfall split and made way to them. Sheik hopped in, Navi following after in haste. She did not want to be crushed by a roaring waterfall!

Sheik walked into the domain and... froze.

Why was it getting cold all of a sudden? Zora's domain was full of warm water - the place had a constant humidity! It would not be natural for it to be cold.

"Navi. We need to go see the king!" He said, dashing forward onto the path to the Zora king. He made his way up, higher, higher, higher! Until... until...

Navi stopped midflight and hid inside Sheik's cowl in pure fear. "Sh-sheik..."

Sheik's flaming eye grew wide, his mouth was open, ready to say anything but said nothing.

In front of him... standing before the King of Zora's and his daughter... was Ganondorf. He didn't seem to notice them, his attention on the Zora royal family denying his proposals.

"Navi. Run. Go back to Link." He whispered.

"N-no." She said. "I can't... can't leave you here!"

"This isn't up for discussion!" He whispered harshly. He pulled out his needles.

Navi gasped. "You can't take him on! Are you nuts!?"

"Look, fairy. I have too!" He told her through gritted teeth. "I at least need to try."

"ENOUGH!" Ganondorf's voiced boomed, frightening the pair behind him. He looked so much more dangerous in person. His body was covered in armor, and he was HUGE! Much taller than the sheikah himself. Sheik barely reached Link's height, and he himself had a slight feminine touch to his body. This man could snap him by his waist if he so wished. "For your foolishness, you will all be frozen forever! This shall teach you all to deny the great and powerful Ganondorf!"

The Gerudo king lifted a hand, and a spell weaved out of his fingers in the form of red ribbons, towards the zora king and mixed into the water at his feet. The liquid froze, spreading like a disease until all was infected by the black magic. The entire domain became a winter wonderland that would never end. In the process, King Zora was trapped in red ice.

Ruto screamed in horror. "No! Father!"

"That is the punishment for defying me!" Ganondorf bellowed in a powerful tone. "And now," He lifted his hand. "It's your turn..."

Sheik and Navi stared in horror of what the King of Evil was capable of doing. Sheik couldn't stay idle much longer - he leaped into action! With a swift flick of his wrist, he shot his needles. All six had met their mark. In the back of Ganondorf's skull. Princess Ruto shrieked, and ran out of the room.

The Gerudo man fell forward, face first into the shallow ice. His body was motionless. He... was dead?

Sheik couldn't nearly believe it... it could not be that easy! There was no way he could take away the Hero of Time's kill...

Navi fluttered about, closing in on the body. "Sheik I... I think you... killed... him?"

Sheik looked around. "No way." He said in disbelief. He shook his head. He looked around. "The spell didn't wear off... the domain is still frozen... the king is still..."

Ganondorf twitched. "Urgehn..."

"EEK!" Navi jerked away from the body and flew back into Sheik's cowl. She made a tingling sound as she shook in fear.

Sheik's entire body had a complete shut down on his nervous system. He couldn't move. Not. An. Inch. He had just challenged the wielder of the Triforce of Power. Now he was either going to die, or get his ass beaten and dragged around the four corners of Hyrule as punishment. His legs had turned to jelly and were threatening to collapse in on himself. His voice was completely gone - if he spoke, it would be in a high pitched squeak.

"Who dares to strike me." He spoke in a demonic tone.

Sheik was tempted to end his own life then and there. How easy it would be to jab a needle into his temple and just end it all.

The man filled with evil glowered at him with pure hate. "A little sheikah boy?" He said, as if utterly miffed and confused. "Phantom wasn't lying; I thought I killed all of you..."

Sheik gulped at that statement.

"Time to correct that." The dark skinned man grinned viciously, unsheathing his blade. "Come here little boy... come and meet your fate!"

Sheik started running for his life.

Gone was the feeling of jelly, but arriving was the wild instincts of survival. The sheikah wanted nothing more than to run to Kakariko Village and hide behind Impa. His teacher. His care taker. His idol. His leader. His mother.

Gone from his head was the sheikah traditions. Goddesses be damned if his people called him a coward for not accepting death! He would not just stand around and wait to die! He was only seventeen, dammit!

Navi whimpered. "Sheik! He's right behind us!"

This made his adrenaline pump faster!

Ganondorf cackled madly. "Run! Run little boy! It will make your capture that much sweeter!"

A sword struck over his head, nicking the bandages he wore. His head-wrappings came apart, and allowed golden hair to fly out like a gilded river.

Sheik very well knew that Ganon was literally on his ass and could take his head off at any second.

In a desperate attempt to shake him off, Sheik ripped his bodies attention off the winding path, and made a suicidal jump over the side. He gracefully landed on the ice and prayed his little idea worked. He didn't bother to look back, and instead ran towards the ladder - jumping it and only then looked back.

His idea had worked.

Ganondorf, being a man of the desert, was not suited to walking on ice. He slipped, giving the sheikah time to create much-needed distance between them. But his victory didn't last long, as the Gerudo wizard started to fly.

Sheik bolted, making a mad dash towards the domains exit. He jumped, his body going through the waterfall, and dived into the river, letting him get swept by the current. He wasn't sure how far to run, but he would rather not take chances!

His head broke through the waters surface, and his lungs greedily took in as much air as it could. The soaked fairy nuzzling his cheek spoke. "Sh-Sheik! Th-there was a secret passage to the Lost Woods you passed by!"

Crap. He really wasn't thinking clearly! If he had taken that route, no doubt that monstrosity would lose track of him. And he just lost his chance...

Suddenly a bolt of electricity had struck the water. It both caused an explosion right next to Sheik, but also caused electricity to surge through him.

"AHHHHHH!" He shrieked, feeling a white hot pain hit every nerve in his body! It was unbearable. If he wasn't already trained to deal with such pain, he knew he would have passed out and drowned.

Navi somehow avoided the electrocution and gasped in horror. "Sheik!" She touched his cheek and tried to shake him with all her tiny might. "Snap out of it!"

Sheik grunted, alerting her that he was still conscious and breathing. "I-I'll be fine, fairy."

"Navi! My name is Navi..." Her voice was slowly getting drowned out by the splashing water.

"Come and meet your fate, little boy!" Ganondorf shouted, launching another blast.

Sheik dived under the water, trying to escape. Fruitless effort as it still got him, making him lose his air. Why was... everything... going... dark? No...

XXX

Ganondorf landed on a patch of grass where the stream ended. He narrowed his eyes and walked up the trail, red orbs never leaving the stream. He wanted to see the dead body of the sheikah float by with his own eyes.

Except there was no body. Nothing.

He growled. That little brat actually managed to escape...

XXX

Sheik held Navi against his chest, while he himself held his breath. He sat at the bottom of the streams end, trying to keep as much air as he could... but it was getting increasingly difficult. He was caught between two evils; either get killed by the man waiting for him, or die of lack of oxygen. He tried to keep his air swallowed down, but the carbon was building up in his cheeks, just pushing and begging to slip between his lips. The urge to gasp was clawing at his chest - he felt like his body was ready to explode! He definitely was going to make a vow - never challenge Ganondorf ever again! Or at least slice his neck before he gets up next time... if he had a next time.

His hands gripped - he prayed he wouldn't crush the poor fairy in his hand - but it was getting harder to breath! He screwed his eyes shut. Waiting felt like an eternity! Sheik was very patient - but he wasn't sure how long he could last.

He couldn't take it anymore! He needed to go up for air! He hoped the golden goddesses would spare him and not have that Gerudo monster standing above him.

He broke through the surface and started inhaling air as if it would be his last. He couldn't stop choking! His limbs thrashed, trying to grab onto solid ground. His golden hair was sticking to his face, and curved his quivering lips.

Navi flew out of the water and near his face. Thankfully, fairies didn't need to breath. But she was worried for the mortal that did. She took a look. That evil man was no where to be seen.

A good sign.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

Sheik crawled out of the water and laid on his back. He let the suns warmth dry him.

'He spent a night, chasing me.' He thought, seeing the sun slowly rising. The morning was cold - and it didn't help he was soaking wet.

"I'm going to go get Link-"

"No!" Sheik quickly responded. "He should..." He took a breath. "... rest. I am not of importance. The temples are mor-"

Navi bonked his nose. "How could you not be important! Link is supposed to save us all! And that includes you mister!"

Sheik slowly blinked. He swallowed a bit and took out his harp. "Navi... get back in my clothes. I'm going to teleport."

Navi retreated into his soaking cowl. "We should just go back to the ranch."

"No. What if he's watching us? He might try to follow us there... I would rather take the long way around, than risk leading to our only savior." He strummed the tune he first thought of. Serenade of Water.

It would be quite the journey to walk from Lake Hylia to Lon Lon Ranch, but Sheik wouldn't complain. Not after THAT nightmare of an event. However, he DID wonder what Link would say if he heard this story. He just hoped he wouldn't overreact...