Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Zelda, otherwise, I would have made it sure that a certain shadow we all know would have greater parts…

Rated: PG for angst, small language, and whatever my mind thinks of…

Pairing: Only Shounen ai for now. Dark Link/Link. Pending whether or not something will happen in later chapters.

Chapter Four: Unique People

"That was cheap!" Onyx yelped, jumping back from a swinging stick. Another woosh narrowly missed his head, but caught on some ebony locks. Link proudly stood in his newly learned fighter stance, smirking at Onyx while the darker youth picked small pieces of twigs out of his hair. "Well, then. Guess I've underestimated ya, Link."

"It's not my fault if you lose your hair! Remember that!" Link shouted. He jumped, bringing the stick down with childish strength. Meanwhile, Onyx back-flipped, missing the small blow, and came back with a jump kick similar to the attack Link had just stuck.

It hit.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow! Oooonyx! Why'd ya hit so hard?" the blonde whined, crouching down while rubbing his head and peeking up at the brunette through one eye. "This is suppose to be pretend!"

Onyx grinned in a way that you'd think he'd solved the land's greatest puzzle. "If it weren't pretend, you'd be hurting more than just on your head!" he teased, offered a hand to Link. The Hylian took it and soon the both of them were at it again.

The event from the field was either forgotten or chose as an avoidable topic, for the boys had took on more playful dispositions as they made their way into Kakariko Village. Link, never seeing so many people in one place before, was overwhelmed to the point that Onyx had brought his friend to the less crowded graveyard. Here, they settled for a small game of 'good guys and bad guys'. Neither knew who was good or bad because no sooner had that started and completely drop every rule.

"Watch it!" the blonde yelped as he blocked a stick that nearly swiped at his forehead.

"You're faster than this, Link."

"I think you're starting to have too much confidence in me. Ack! That was too close!"

"You're slowing down again," said Onyx. Another swing and Link had fallen back, tripping over his own boots and landed flat on the ground. He shook his head and propped his body up on his elbows. A stick end nudged itself on the blonde's neck. "Say uncle!"

"Huh?"

Onyx sighed. "Say you surrender."

"Oh…no! Never!" Link smirked and kicked out a leg, hoping to trip the brunette. Unfortunately, Onyx fell forward, on top on Link. The ebony haired youth planted himself on the blonde's chest and pinned the other's shoulders to the ground.

"Say you surrender or else you will never walk the lands again!" Onyx's evil smirk suddenly turned into a sheepish grin. "Cause I won't get up and you'll be stuck here under my weight and the mud'll get really uncomfortable and that will just stink." He stuck his tongue out playfully.

"Alright, I surrender," Link chuckled. "What'er your demands?"

Onyx made a confused face. "Demands?"

"Well," Link said, "You won the duel. Doesn't the winner always get a prize or somethin'?"

Thinking it over, Onyx looked around. The grave-keeper had gone into his shack, and the strange kid that was prancing around pretending to be the grave-keeper had gone home; they were alone. "Alright," Onyx said. "My demand…My demand is for you to be quiet. For just a minute at most, and stay still. Okay?"

Link nodded.

"Stay still, or else you break the demand and I get another one."

Link nodded hesitantly.

Then, smiling, Onyx leaned down and kissed Link on the lips. Whether he remembered to stay still or not, it didn't matter, for Link had froze. The shock that Onyx, a male that looked so similar to himself, was kissing him, on the lips, was starting to die down. The Hylian slowly closed his eyes and pushed back.

Now, being children, this was the most romantic and adult thing that had ever happened in their innocent lives. No tongue, touching, or moans, for child innocence doesn't allow such things. With the awareness that someone dear to you is sharing that small intimate touch, that was all that mattered.

The kiss left Link lightheaded. He opened his eyes finally to realize Onyx was hugging him warmly and nuzzling his head into the crook of the Hylian's neck. Link found himself burying his body, as tightly as he could, into the brunette's chest. He breathed out a sigh that he felt he had been holding most of his life. That was it. Moments ago, the last bit of loneliness Link held was gone. He blushed and slowly opened his eyes, breathing in the sweaty, pine smell of Onyx's tunic. He loved it. He loved it because he now knew that scent and felt comfortable with it. Small thoughts swept through his mind about the future, about the one that was holding him, about how plain amazing it felt, and they suddenly meant so much more. A poke on the cheek woke him up from his thoughts.

"You look like a lovesick puppy," said Onyx, smiling down. "You surprised?"

Link slowly nodded. "Yes…I was."

"Are you upset?"

"No...not at all really," Link grinned up at his companion. "Will it work out, though? I've never heard of two boys together. Isn't it against the rules?"

The brunette grinned and stood up, pulling the Hylian with him. "If it is, then I guess we're troublemakers from here on," he said. They gazed at each other for a moment more, their hands carelessly laced with one another.

"Onyx?" Link asked.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"No prob," the brunette chuckled, tugging on one of Link's hands and leading him out of the graveyard. "Now, with that settled, it's time to teach you how to play 'hit and run'."

"How do you play that?" the Hylian asked.

Onyx winked and led him to a cuckoo pen in the corner of the village.

xXxXx

Link held a cloth to his cheek and wiped away some dirt and tears from his face. He turned his head to look at his companion, sitting with him on a crate in an abandoned warehouse. Onyx smiled. "It could've been worse. At least we still have our noses and fingers," he laughed weakly, holding his arm.

The Hylian rolled his eyes.

"C'mon, now. Least I got us out of there, right? Alls we hafta do now is lay low for a little while. I'm sure by then, the lady'll have them all in the pen and it'll be safe."

The blonde nodded and lifted the cloth up. It was dusty, and probably not his first choice to use to cover his cut up, but it was all they could find at the moment. He sighed and placed it back on his cheek. It was a small cut, but it stung nonetheless. In the back of his mind, Link realized he got it better than Onyx. The brunette had tripped while they were running away from the rabid-like birds, and must've landed on something hard. I dunno if I like cuckoos anymore…They're scary, he thought. A small grunt caught his attention. Looking up, Link saw his friend rubbing his arm more firmly, wincing a bit as it made contact with the bruised skin barely covered by the tunic sleeve. "Onyx," he said.

"Hm?"

"Hold still, k?"

The brunette nodded as Link took the cloth he was using for his cut, folded it up into a strap, and tied it gently around the other's arm. Once he double-knotted, he smiled and looked up. Onyx leaned in and nuzzled his nose against Link's. "Thanks. It's feelin' better already." He gave his familiar grin and hopped off the crate, lacing his fingers into Link's and pulling the Hylian with him. "Let's explore! Maybe there's somethin' interesting in here, just waiting to be found!"

Link laughed and gave a squeeze of his hand as the brunette tugged on for them to go.

The warehouse certainly seemed barren, judging from the thick layer of dust that rested on everything. Once or twice, Link jumped and huddled into Onyx, saying that something was in the room. Strangely, the stillness in the air went against his theory and they continued to roam on.

"I think the cuckoos are gone now," the blonde squeaked, clinging to the brunette's sleeve. Apparently he had never heard the saying, 'What you can't see, can't hurt you.' or he simply didn't believe it.

"Would'ja look at this?" Onyx gasped. He had pushed open one of the crates and pulled out a strange looking gadget.

"Onyx, please. I think something's watching us…"

"I've seen this before. No, wait, it was different. And this, wow, this is a downgrade. Hah, look!" he mused cheerfully, aiming the tool up and eyeing it with satisfaction. "It's short, probably…let's say…15 feet…yeah. Wow, though. Didn't know they made 'em any other length…or with this metal." He tested his grip. "Bit weak."

"Onyx!"

"Hello?" The brunette let his arm and the object hang at his side now that his attention had turned.

"Can we please leave? Now? I have this feeling, there's something else in the room and-WHAT'ER YOU, NUTS? DON'T POINT THAT AT ME!"

Onyx laughed and aimed the tool away from Link. "Just kiddin', I'd never hit you. These things hurt. Trust me. The lil' devils shoot out sometimes when you want 'em to stay contracted."

The Hylian rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Let's just leave, and-Onyx don't." The brunette chuckled. "Seriously, that thing looks like it would hurt. Let's go before-"

"Hello children."

"AH!" both Onyx and Link yelped, jumping back and tripping over their feet.

"Do not be afraid," a voice said that most likely belonged to the large, dangling, spider-like being that had scurried down the side of the wall. "I am not a monster. I only ask for your help." It looked like a spider that had a human face smashed in the front and human arms carelessly sewed on the sides to look normal. Sadly, this only made the being look more freakish.

While Onyx was still giving the creature an unsure glare, Link spoke up, "What do you mean? What happened to you? You're…You're like a-"

"A Skulltula? Yes, that is what the curse is. Would you be so kind to help my family and I in our time of need?"

"There are more of you?" asked Onyx, getting up and stepping towards the bewitched person.

"Yes. My entire family was cursed for our greed. Once upon a time, we were Hylians like you."

"Wait, I'm not a Hylian. I'm a Koki-"

"Shh!" Onyx hushed Link. "Go on…er…Miss?"

"Misses if you don't mind. I was married, but now I am a widow due to that horrid war."

Onyx began to chuckle. "Widow spider. A black widow, heh-oof!" He rubbed his arm, thankful that Link hit the one that wasn't wounded earlier that day.

"As I was saying: We await a noble hearted hero to destroy all the gold skullatulas that roam the land and return us back to normal," she said.

"So I assume…you're asking us?" Link said.

The creature licked her lips before speaking, and moved a bit to get a firmer grip on the wall with her many different legs. "Indeed. Would you accept such a quest?"

Link bit his lip and Onyx simply looked bored. His gaze wandered around the room, stopping at the door. A shadow was approaching it.

"Of course you will be dearly awarded. That I can promise. Just come closer so I can tell you more."

Link was about to step forward before the door slammed open.

"Wha the bloody 'ell is goin' on in 'ere? Who's goin' through me secret stash?" yelled a man who looked like he could be the runt son of a very disfigured troll. "You, 'ids. C'mere now! And you, ye damned witch, off wit ya!"

The cursed woman made a small hiss and scampered up the wall, disappearing into a corner. Meanwhile, the boys had frozen where they stood, Onyx dropping the strange object and pushing Link behind him. The disgruntled man limped over and picked it up, pointing it straight at the brunette's head.

"You. You be the one goin' through me stash. Wha else did'ja take, thief?"

Onyx growled. "I'm no thief, you cad! It's your own fault you left all your things just lying around like that like some idiot!"

"Boy," the man said. "I'm not the man ye should mess wit."

This only made the ebony haired boy more determined for an upper edge. "Yeah, well, with a face like that, even the Lord of Darkness would be scared of ya. So just quit yellin' and-Ack!" Onyx cried, his injured arm tight in the man's grip and being twisted around behind his back.

"Ye need to be taught some manners, boy," he said, pushing Onyx's arm closer into the small of the boy's back. "And me tinks I 'ave to be the one to show ya."

The brunette let a groan out from the pressure.

"Wait, please!" Link yelped, finally jumping in and reaching his hands out in protest. "We didn't mean it. All that happened was that we came in here to rest and look around. We didn't know this belonged to anybody, I swear. Please, put 'em down!"

The man thought this over as was Onyx squirming beneath him to try and free his battered arm. "Alright, then. Be off, now, and dun come back to this place. Understood?"

Link nodded, and caught Onyx as he was let go.

"Take dat brat wit ya now, too."

"Who'er you calling a brat, you big piece of-mmph!" The boy's voice became muffled as Link's hand covered his mouth. The Hylian pulled on Onyx's body, and gave a weak smile at the man as they clumsily trudged out.

"Sorry, sir. Won't happen again. Thank you! Um, Bye!" he said as he shoved Onyx out of the building and was closing the door.

"Damned kids takin' me things. Gotta hide it in a better place now. The graves'll do," muttered the man before the door closed out his voice.

"I could've taken him, Link," Onyx pouted, cross-armed.

Link sighed and pulled on the brunette's tunic to simply get away. "Fine, but you didn't have to take him."

The ebony haired boy huffed and subconsciously cupped the Hylian's hand with his. "I didn't want that thing anyway. Mine's much better," he smirked.

The blonde smiled faintly and leaned into the other. "What was it?"

"Nothing."

Link frowned and pushed into Onyx as they walked. "Tell me. What was that thing…" His thoughts wandered. "…And that…spider thing! Who can curse like that? Is it really possible? And that guy! Do you think he was cursed?"

Onyx had already leaned back into balance and was listening to Link ask similar questions. It's possible all right thanks to him, but if you got only a small curse like that, you'd be considered lucky, he thought. "Link?"

The Hylian stopped his babbling and looked over to his companion, absentmindedly eyeing the passing, and momentarily calm, cuckoos.

"Tell me; do you remember what I told you this morning?" The ebony haired youth stopped, yet still held on to the other's hand securely.

"You mean about how you snap when anyone's mean to me and you go all dark and scary?"

"No," Onyx smiled and shook his head. "That wasn't it."

"When you said I wasn't part of the Kokiri, and that I'm just a different and completely better off separate Kokiri?" Link titled his head and swung his arm from side to side.

Again, Onyx shook his head 'no'. "Link, the man in the black armor. Remember now?"

"Oh, yeah! That-eh…yeah, I remember him."

"Repeat what I said," the brunette said firmly.

"If I see him, I need to run, run, run, and when I'm done running, run some more. Just make sure the direction I'm running is away from him. Why?" Link repeated in a monotone voice.

Onyx made a faint smile, but it saddened more than it cheered the blonde. "I'm just making sure you were listening." He shrugged, and tugged on the Hylian's hand as they continued across town in the afternoon sun. The sad smile stayed on his face until Link leaned up, and kissed the brunette's cheek.

"Dummy, I don't tune you out all the time," Link smiled. "I'll stay away from him, I promise."

xXxXx

"Hello?"

"Yes child, I'm here."

"While he's shooting at the archery, I have somethin' urgent to tell ya!"

"What is troubling you, son?"

"He's here. The man, he arrived today with the Royals."

"I feared for this. Thank you, for telling me. I will warn the others that the time is very near."

"…M'lady?"

"Now, dear, you know I detest when you call me that."

"I'm sorry…but do you think it will come true?"

"Are you scared, child?"

"For him, I am."

"Dear Onyx Shadow, you are his guardian now. You even chose this on your own accord."

"…What if he dies?"

"What if he triumphs?"

"…I can't leave him now. Not now. Not while he's back. I need to stay, to protect Link. Please, let me stay."

"I cannot stop a guardian from doing what they're assigned to do. You will stay here with your new name and position. I cannot be sure what your destiny is, child, remember that. Whatever you do may be critical to the upcoming events. Be wise. I know you've been brought up better than a cowardly fly of a pig."

"Thank you. Here he comes. Wish me luck!"

"Choose well, son. May my fires protect you."

"Oh, and say hi to aunties for me!"

"Heh, of course, dear."

xXxXx

"Hey," Link whispered, poking Onyx in the shoulder. "You okay? Wake up, c'mon now!"

The brunette mumbled, his eyes slightly opened, and his body swaying a bit where it stood. Link took the other by his shoulders and shook. "Hmm? Oh, hey! Okay, I'm up!" He blinked again, relieving his eyes of the glazed, glassy look they held earlier.

The blonde gave him a puzzled expression and didn't back off. "Do ya need to sit down? Are you sick?"

Onyx shook his head and looked up. "You know…" he muttered, leaning in and staring into Link's eyes with a serious expression. "You're awful cute when ya worry like that!"

No sooner had Onyx finished his outburst, Link shoved him back into a fence, breaking into a pen. "Really, though. I worry and ya go off and make a comment like-"

"LINK!"

"Hmm?…Oh, no…" the Hylian muttered before Onyx grabbed his hand and made off on a run down the streets of Kakariko Village.

"Hurry and run, they're gaining!"

The cuckoo fence had broken, and it was every man for himself.

A/N:

Hey, hey, hey! Can you fellas name the characters in there? Although, to anyone who hasn't played Ocarina of Time (WTF! IMPOSSIBLE!) the spider lady and the…ugly dude are both characters (funs ones at that) in Kakariko Village.

Review. Now.