Link gently tugged on Epona's reins, coaxing her up the stone steps that led to the large town of Kakariko. It was here, supposedly, that Link would find the tool he needed to enter the first of the Temples that the Sheikah man had told him about. But Link had other reasons for coming to the village. From the small clues that were given to him by Ingo, he had a strong feeling that he would find the outcast Talon somewhere in this village. That was his first objective.

His first impression of the village after so many years was just as grim as the others. This was no longer a self-contented little place. The people were not glad to be here, there was a thick taste of fear in the air. But, he realized as soon as he walked in through the large gates, the refugees from Castle Town had fled here, to their neighboring village.

Standing by the tree were the two brothers, still arguing about something or other as they always had been before. Behind them were meandering villagers, some the original inhabitants to Kakariko, some from desecrated town to the northeast.

Link set his mouth in a grim line and walked forward, pulling Epona along with him. The mare tossed her head, the steel in her reins and bit jangling, and she followed complacently.

The first house that one saw in the village had its door propped open and, as he neared, he noticed there was a delicious smell coming from it. The sun was just setting behind the horizon and he realized he hadn't eaten all day. The aroma made his mouth water and his stomach churn painfully. He ignored the pangs of hunger and continued on.

He rounded the corner and climbed the other step of steps near the Skulltula house and turned towards the windmill and the cucco coupe. Standing in front of the bustling coupe was the lady that had always tended to them.

He was taller than her now, but other than that there was no apparent change. She looked exactly the same as she had years ago. She saw him and smiled kindly. He paused, Epona halting beside him and she kept his gaze.

"Hello," she said. "I've never seen you around here before. Are you a survivor of Castle Town?"

Link began to negate this, then thought it over and nodded. Technically it wasn't a lie. He had survived his experience in the new, horrifying place that was known as Castle Town. She nodded along with him understandingly.

"There have been a lot of new people around here through the last few years." She sighed. "My name is Anju. I tend to the cuccos around here. It's kind of my passion. I love the little guys, even if I wasn't supposed to do this with my life."

"Why wouldn't this be what you were supposed to do with your life?" Link asked.

Anju shrugged idly and looked lovingly down at her charges. "My father was never too crazy about the idea. He always thought I was wasting my time with a bunch of 'dumb animals.' And besides, I'm allergic to them. I can't really touch them."

"You're doing what you love. There's nothing wrong with that," he replied matter-of-factly. "There are many who would give what they have to do the same."



Anju smiled slowly, the words comforting her. "Thank you. And you know, they aren't dumb. Cuccos know more than people give them credit for. These little guys are smart. They always end up getting out of the pen, no matter how many times I upgrade it." She gave a little laugh, remembering something. "There used to be a little boy who would run all around town and collect them for me. He was a kind boy, quiet and well-mannered." Her eyes met Link's and he held her gaze hypnotically. She looked him over. When she spoke next it was in a quiet, awe-struck tone. "But that was a long time ago."

She looked away and glanced back at her happy birds. When she turned back there were a million questions on her face, but she spoke none of them aloud. She walked towards the end of the pen and came back with a bundle in her arms cradled protectively. She looked up at him.

"I bred a new kind of miniature cucco. It doesn't give me allergies. I don't know why, but I get the feeling you're good with cuccos. This little guy is about to hatch and with all the other things to tend to, I might not be there to see it. I think someone should be there when he comes out. Would you… do you want to take him?"

Anju held the package out to him and revealed it for what it was. Between the layers of blanket was a small, warmly nestled egg. Link hesitated before reaching out and carefully taking the egg. She smiled, almost relieved.

"When it hatches, you can bring it back to me. Maybe, if you make it happy, I'll give you something," Anju said slowly. She smiled. "Good night."

Link gave a small nod. "Good night."