Chapter Six

It was very loud in the gymnasium as Zelda tried to focus on the Basketball game. It was the Hyrule Knights vs. the Zora Fins at the Zora School. Beside her was a cheering Midna, and she was cheering with good reason; the Knights were ahead by ten points as the final quarter counted down. Behind her was Sheik, he was not as loud, he was too busy eating food that he had bought at the concession stand before it closed. It reminded her of her days playing softball in eighth grade, the cheering of the fans as she was a strike away of finishing the game, or when she made a fantastic play at third base.

Shaking her head softly, she watched as Link passed the ball to another player, who shot a perfect three pointer as the Knights headed back to their half of the court to defend the basket. She did not have as much care to the game as she did softball, but she was there only because Link asked her to come, win or lose he and Zant were going to go to Pizza of Twilight for a meal. As much as she wanted to refuse, she found herself agreeing to go to the Christmas Break game of the year.

There was only a few minutes left now as Zelda watched deafly, the crowd worked up. The lead had been cut down to only a few points, but Zelda was not paying attention. Her mind reeled, when some soda of Midna's got dumped accidentally onto her, on how she would have to get her cloak cleaned when they got home. Before long, the buzzer sounded for the game's end, and the crowd roared. The Knight's won. Zelda found herself being pushed by Sheik to the outside while Midna raced to hug Zant, since he managed to get the last shot in.

The writer drove to the Pizza of Twilight, telling her the others would catch up once things calmed down at the gym. The light of the full moon shining on the untouched snow only matched the brisk winter air gave her calmness despite her internal struggle. After a short trip, the duo entered the restaurant and reserved their spots. Zelda grabbed a salad before sitting down with Sheik. A few minutes later a waiter came by.

"Ah, Sheik, how did the game go?" the waiter asked. Zelda took note that this woman looked a bit like Midna.

"Zant got the winning shot in," Sheik said with a smile in his voice. "The gang should be here in about half an hour."

"Shall I pop in the usual or wait until they show?" the woman asked.

"I'd wait, I think Link was planning something different for today."

The woman nodded, noting the member to his side, but does not regard her. Zelda was glad for that, yet at the same time was slightly surprised. All over this city, she was regarded as a normal person, even Link, who has seen her hood-less, did not treat her any different than the others.

The next half-hour flew by, and before Sheik realized it the rest of the group had arrived and Link had already ordered the pizza. The talk was not about the game, rather it was just general talk, talk that Zelda tuned out because it reminded her painfully how she got into her state of being.

"What you guys planning on doing when school resumes?" Sheik asked as the pizza was delivered.

"The obvious would be homework," Zant grunted, "and making it to practice on time."

"I'll probably be shovelling on my free time," Link commented. "Neighbors have asked me."

"I've got a new painting started, that will have me busy." Midna said with a soft smile. Her eyes drifted at Zelda briefly before looking away. The glance did not go unnoticed by Zelda, who let loose a silent sigh. It has been another hour now as the group of friends talked, no one ever prying Zelda into the conversation. She was grateful, but also felt slightly left out. They had moved on in their talk, having it now reverted to mindless talk. Zelda's eyes soon wandered to where the pizza laid, only one-piece remained.

How long has it been… she wondered to herself. Looking around at the group, no one seemed to notice it was left. Slowly, her hand started to reach for it. Do I really want it?

Yes, you want it. A new voice broke in her head. A small smile broke her face as her hand grasped the slice and pulled it back to her plate. As much as she hated it, as much as she didn't want to, her true spirit was surfacing slowly from padding friendship from Link and his friends. She did not want it to resurface, because she knew it would only become further damaged, but right now, she found she did not care anymore.

"You want a drink with that?" Link's voice cut in. Zelda's head jumped up slightly, and she realized she had taken two bites of the slice. She thought for a moment, trying to remember what her favorite drink was before she replied with:

"Pepsi."

…Painting Scars…

Entering the home she now called her home away from home, Zelda plopped herself on the couch and stared at the far wall. Link entered behind her at a more reserved pace, putting his wallet and keys on the phone stand. After a few minutes, Zelda got up and headed to where Link's washing machine was, only to be stopped by him.

"Your cloak needs to be wash, right?" he asked. She merely looked up at him.

"What makes you figure?"

"When the light hits the spots just right you can see the spot," Link replied. He tried to make eye contact, but it was hard to see with the shadow of the hood. What he could tell from what part of her face he could see she was juggling with a decision. After a moment, she simply removed her hood and handed it to Link, dull green eyes locked with his deep blue eyes.

"Here, you wash it then," She whispered, before heading down the hall to her room. Link watched her retreating back, from his angle he could not tell that she was cursed, her mid-back length brown hair covering her neck. The only exception were her ears, he could just make out those odd black lines.

Yet he could not help but smile. She had willingly removed her cloak, and actually locked eyes with him briefly. He was making headway faster than he had expected, but he knew he still had to be careful, he knew how fast trust could break, and he was not about to lose what headway he had.

After all, he could not ignore the new feeling growing within him.