A story in which Sheik is stubborn and refuses Link at every turn.

Sheik grew up as a future sex slave/used to bribe noblemen candidate. His mother knew that if her child was male, he would be killed on the day of his birth. Hiding the fact that he wasn't female by working together with the other women, she prayed for the day he would leave her and live a normal life.

"Kaylan, your baby..." A baby was pressed into the shivering woman's arm and she knew, right then, that her baby was male.

Crimson eyes, a rarity and sought after, looked up at the older midwife. "Please, do not tell our master."

The elder sighed. "If he were to find out, it would mean trouble for us both.

"Then help me convince the others to hide the truth as well. If we all work together-"

"Kaylan..." Sorrowful grey closed as she shook her head. "It won't work."

"He's my one and only child. You know as well as I that I cannot have any more." Tears steamed down her face as she clung to the small bundle. "He is a miracle!"

A sigh left the older woman. "If Master ever finds out-"

"I'll take full responsibility!"

Wide, red orbs stared up at the stern face examining the small child. A cute smile and a giggle had the man smiling, though it wasn't because he was smitten with the child. No, the man knew this babe would grab the hearts of every man. "She's lovely, Kaylan."

"As promised, Master." The young woman's voice was close to breaking. If he had looked closer at her, he would have seen her whole body shaking.

"Hopefully, she is fertile. I'd love to have more that are as cute as this one." The whole room breathed a sigh of relief as he straightened up and left.

Rooftops flew by me, my dress flying in the wind as I jumped skillfully across them. "Sheik, child! Stop running!"

My legs carried me further as my mother shrieked behind me. The marketplace was so close I could smell the various stalls and hear the crowds shouting over each other. Just one more leap and I would be there.

Colors, sounds, people.

I jumped down to the street by the house I was on and sprinted for the end of the alleyway. Immediately, I was surrounded by people. Okay, not what I thought it would be.

My arm was grabbed and I prayed it wasn't my mother. She would take me back and I did not want to be stuck in that place all my life. Master said it was okay for us to leave, as long as we came back. If I didn't, I'm sure he would kill my mother. Her only use right now, in his mind, was raising me.

Instead, I looked to find two pools of water looking me over. The boy paused in his eye exploration to glance into my own. A smirk turned up his lips when I did not look away. "You're amazing."

"Wha-"

I was cut off as the crowd parted and royal guardsmen surrounded us. "Prince Link, your sister is worried and wishes for you to come back to the castle."

"Sheik!" My mother broke through the crowd, gasping for breath.

The now dubbed prince cocked his head to the side as he looked at me. "Sheik?"

"Ah, my apologizes." A firm hand landed at my neck and I knew my mom would punish me when we got home. "If my child ran into you, I am forever sorry and shameful."

The almost dazed look left the prince, Link's, face. "What? Oh, no. I was simply taking in the name of this beautiful doll before me. If I may."

A hand was held towards me by the prince and, at my mother's hand lightly pushing me forward, I gently took it and bowed my head. "Your highness."

"Come. Have tea with me, Sheik." He seemed so formal, then he pulled me closer and whispered in my ear. "I wish to know all there is to about the beauty that stole my heart."

I picked at the much too fancy cake and cookies before me. What the hell is wrong with this prince that he decides a tomboy, or so my mother tells me to call myself, is worthy to be in the castle.

"Leave us." Startled from my thoughts, I glanced up to see the prince shooing everyone else from the room.

Those deep seas caught me watching him and a smile turned up a mouth that moments before was frowning. When the door closed behind my mother, Link sat in his chair with a sigh.

"Fuck. I thought they'd never leave." My eyes widened and Link laughed. "What? Princes cuss too."

A blush warmed my cheeks. "Well- I-"

The prince winked and it stopped me in my tracks. "So, do you often go running on rooftops?"

I sputtered. "Wha- How- You saw that?"

"My father told me to keep an eye out for someone that catches my fancy and I must say, I've never met anyone like you, Sheik." Link gave me a long, hard look. "So, what do you say?"

"S-Say? Say about what?" I had a feeling I would regret being caught up on the roofs.

Bigger hands reached out to take mine in them. "Allowing me to court you."

Oh, damn. I made sure to pull away slowly. "Weeeeell... I'm not sure I would care to settle down. What with my adventurous nature."

The prince quickly captured me again. "Please, consider it."

"There are so many things to think about. My mother-"

"I'll inform her tomorrow when I send for your things."

"But I can't-"

"She can stay here in the castle with you."

"And if courting me does not work out?" "Would you be willing to offer me compensation for wasted time? If not, do not bo-"

"I'll pay your price. Given it is within my princely budget."

I bit my lip. This could be what saves my mother. I reached forward and gave Link a determined look. "Pinky promise. And don't dare break your promise or I'll bite off your pinky."

"Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." We hooked our pinkies and nodded. Then Link did something crazy.

He, quick as a snake, grabbed my wrist and pulled me across the small table. "This mouth should be used for better things than that." My eyes widened, because I knew what the jack-arse was about to do, and then he kissed me.