1/31/06 - Yes this used to be a seperate story, I've re-written a significant portion of it and I also decided to clean up the that mess o stories - on my profile page

Yes…sad I know…more pointless fiction from me. Can't help it though. Hope you enjoy this and to answer an emailed question: In these little one shots – I don't, in general, say what anyone looks like or how old they are on purpose. I figure you got a picture in your head and I probably shouldn't mess with that.

Afternoon
by: Achitka

"Come on Aryll," Link said as he came bursting out the door. Lunch was done and he was in a hurry to get to Orca's. "We're gonna be late!" Hopping up on the rail, Link turned to see his sister slowly come out the door. "Could you be any slower?" he asked shaking his head.

Looking past him, Link's younger sister ignored his taunt as she walked calmly by. About time, he thought, and turned to jump down on to the grass only to be greeted by Jasper and Jake. Aryll's seagull 'friends' caught Link completely by surprise as he lost his balance and crashed down on to the porch.

"Come on, Link," Aryll said turning back to him and imitating his earlier tone, "Were gonna be late, can't you get off the porch without falling?" Laughing she skipped away.

Link let his head fall back on the porch. "I'm gonna get you two for that," he said menacingly. The birds looked down at him from the rail, squawked in a way that sounded a little too much like laughter and flew off. Link sat up and heard the door open behind him. He didn't need to look back to see his Father standing there, No doubt with a smile on his face.

"You all right?" his father asked.

"Yeah."

"You know, Link," he said helping him up. "That's the third time in less than two weeks she's caught you like that."

"Tell me something I don't know," Link muttered to himself as he started to walk away. If his father heard him, he made no comment but asked a different question instead.

"Have you been sleeping? It took forever to wake you up this morning."

Link stopped but didn't turn around. He thought he hadn't disturbed anyone, but obviously he did. "Just a bad dream, no big deal."

"Well if you want to talk it out I'm not due to ship out for another week." When Link made no reply he continued, "Well, you'd better get going."

Link didn't need any further prompting and bolted off the porch toward the old warriors house. Link enjoyed his sessions with Orca, mostly because he didn't have to think. Practice was practice and thankfully, it didn't leave his brain anytime to worry about stupid dreams. The harder he worked the less likely he was to dream of anything at night, so he pushed himself all the harder. He was finishing up his seventh round of Orca's prescribed form when the old man called him to a halt.

"I think we'll call it a day, Link. " Seeing the boy's dejected expression Orca said, "Why are you pushing yourself so hard?"

"I just want to get the 'flight of gulls' form down."

"You've had the 'form down' for over a week now."

"Can't I go through it one more time?"

"No."

Link knew that tone so did not protest further, he bowed to his teacher and walked slowly out on to the front porch. Aryll was waiting for him with Jake and Jasper.

"I didn't think you were ever gonna come out of there," she said.

"Why are you here?" Link snapped in a tone that was surlier than he meant to use. He sighed when his little sister looked down at her shoes, noticeably hurt.

"I'm sorry about earlier," she said frowning.

"It's alright, I shouldn't have shouted at you," Link said pointing at her companions. "You'd think I'd have learned by now, what happens when I threaten 'their' friend. Come on kiddo, lets get home. Its almost dinner time and Grandma making soup."

She nodded then stopped. "Link?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I tell you something?

"Sure."

"Do you promise not to tell Grandma or Dad?"

Link turned around and for the first time noticed his sister tears. "Well if its that bad, lets go to the rock," he said and guided her the path to the cliffs. Sitting atop a large rock overlooking the bay, he wondered what she wanted to tell him. She was such a thoughtful kid. "So what's up kiddo?"

"It's about Dad," Aryll said as she absently pet Jake's head. "I've been having these awful dreams lately."

Link felt a moment of dread. "Yeah?"

"Like something bad is gonna happen the next time he goes out to sea."

Link didn't want to tell her he'd been having the same kind of dreams for almost a month now. "What should I do?" she asked looking over the bay. "I want to tell Grandma, but I know she'll just tell me I'm being silly."

"I don't think your silly."

Moving closer to him she hugged him and said into his shirt, "You've been having them too."

When she looked up, he hesitated then nodded. Aryll shivered. "I don't want him to go."

"It'll be okay."

"You don't sound like you mean it."

"Yeah?" Link asked with a playful tug on one of her braids. "How bout now?" She batted his hand away and giggled. They sat in silence for a while until Link said finally, "Come on, let's get home, I'm hungry."

Aryll hopped off the rock, Jake and Jasper close behind. Link watched his siter as she disappeared around the bend of the path; he looked back out over the water. It'll be okay, he thought, and got up and ran after her.

No really this stuff just get all stuck in my head. I think I need a vacation - Achitka