Ah, the joy of being able to write this out. I wonder how many more reactions like Lady.Zayriah's i'll get... that was priceless, almost sounded like one of my school friends.

Chapter Nine

Nearly two weeks have passed since the group enjoyed Zelda's Birthday, and now it was the start of the next vacation, the winter break. During this break there was the Basketball final for the High School level. Zelda entered the home behind Link, who had a skip in his step as he silently cheered over the fact that the Knights were going into the finals. She watched as he dropped his bag and coat onto the couch before heading to the kitchen. She hung up her coat and slowly walked around the parlor area, watching the flames of the wood stove dance with its calming crackle.

When Link re-entered, he tossed her a can of soda that she caught effortlessly. With one hand they both opened the cans. Link smiled.

"I can't wait," he suddenly said. "In my career, this is the first time the Knights have been in the playoffs."

"As you've told me on the way home," Zelda said with a roll of her eyes. Link chose not to hear her.

"We've a strong team, I'm sure we can go far."

"Too bad the team is mostly seniors." She stated. Link glared at her before continuing.

"So? There's bound to be youth in the lower classes, but anyway, since we're this far, we should go the whole way," Link grabbed a baseball and tossed it at her, she caught it swiftly. "You play softball?"

"Back in eighth," she replied, placing her can of soda on the bookcase, "before this mess."

"What did you play?"

"Every position," was the reply. She tossed the ball back to Link, who squatted down to catch it. "You?"

"Catcher and third. You know, you should try for the team this year, I hear the girls are lacking an outfielder," Link tossed her the ball, which she catch, and then just stood there thinking. She then sighed.

"Maybe, it's still some time off," she tossed the ball back to Link, who caught it.

"Look sharp, game time," Link said suddenly, and Zelda looked at Link, who smiled. "Link's just caught the ball on the bounce, the runner is heading for first, he collects himself and throws it," he said, tossing the ball over her head purposely. She reached up to catch it before it hit the ball. "Zelda reaches, she catches, she lands on the bag before the runner, the Knights have won the championship!"

Zelda could not help but laugh. It was a good, heart-full laugh, one she had not had in a long time. She reached back for the wall to support. She could hear Link's own laugh near her, but she did not mind at the moment. When she finally calmed down, she grasped her drink and took a swallow.

"That was nice," she said softly, leaning on the wall. "Reminded me of the championship in eighth."

"Who were you facing?" Link asked, leaning on the bookshelf.

"The Young Knights of Hyrule, actually," she said. "I was on first, so it came down to me to get the last out, just like you said," she was started when Link brushed some of her hair away from her face; she had not been expecting that.

"Cool," he said in a whisper.

She hid her discomfort by finishing her can of soda. Link still played with a strand of her hair. She bit her bottom lip; she did not want to tell him to stop because somewhere inside she did not mind. With the can empty, she placed it on one of the lower shelves. It was then Link moved in closer. Her breathing picked up slightly, even though she tried hard to hide it. He... he likes me. She finally realized. It's more than a friendship now; to him anyway... he likes me despite what I look like!

It's more than looks. A second, darker voice said in her head. He sees you, the one I was suppose to kill off, but I stopped.

Kill off? Zelda thought wildly, as Link's other hand touched the side of her face softly.

I stopped before the end of your sophomore year. The voice replied, You don't deserve anymore, you deserve freedom.

Zelda gave a ghost of a smile. The cursed-spirit was, seemingly, trying to help her. Then she snapped back into her senses as she realized how close Link was. She could feel his breath upon her lips; a shiver went up her spine. He got closer to her, arms slowly wrapping around her. She slowly began to close her eyes.

Then the phone rang.

...Painting Scars...

"C'mon Link, answer the fucking phone already," Zant muttered when the other end rang for the third time. He stood outside the school's gymnasium, using his cell phone.

"Hello?" the other end said. Zant was slightly surprised to hear Link's voice sound somewhat harsher than usual.

"Link, it's me, just letting you know practice is soon, I don't think you heard the announcement."

"Oh, okay," Link muttered.

"Alright then, see you shortly," Zant said, "and sorry if I disturbed anything."

"It's nothing, it's nothing, I'll be over shortly," with that, the line went dead. Zant closed his phone before pocketing it. As he turned around to head inside, he spotted a figure across the street. When a car passed, the figure vanished. Zant thought little of it as he disappeared into the building.

In the alleyway, the man walked. He grumbled under his breath various swear words. Then he burst out laughing. "Friends with sie?" he said, mixing his native language with common tongue. His voice was rough as he smiled, "Oh, my Sklave, soon you'll understand why you don't mess with me. Soon these friends will leave."

His laughter filled the early evening. In Link's home, Zelda sat alone in her room. Her ear twitched, almost able to hear that laughter. She realized that somehow, this vacation was nothing to look forward too. She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself and stared at the far wall, almost afraid to close her eyes. She was scared, for herself, her friends, and for Link.

Her eyes watered up, and with a few blinks the tears began to roll

Please leave a review, and i'll work hard getting the next chapter done
Flameshield