Navi whizzed around Link's head, keeping track of their environment and annoying Link as much as she could with each breath. Link had gotten used to it, but it didn't matter either way. He had his mind on other, more important things. He strolled across Hyrule Field on auto-pilot, and Navi continued to drone on.

The last time Link had been at his home forest, he had an "encounter" with his best friend Saria. Just thinking about it made Link blush and feel home sick. Saria was always there for Link, even when the entire village was turned on him. Those feelings developed. Link still didn't know how to feel though, as he was going to eventually become an adult. Saria wouldn't. No time to dwell, Link thought.

As the pair arrived at the forest entrance, Link stopped. Navi continued to fly forward, oblivious to the fact that there was a log in front of her. She hit it with a "thump".

"Link?" Navi said. "Why are you waiting? Don't you want that blood off of your clothes? I also want to see home, you know. It's been too long since I've been surrounded by trees. The singing of the birds, the chirping of the insects..." Navi tried to encourage Link, but he was too lost in thought to notice.

"Look, Link, if you're worried about the kiss..." Link snapped back into reality and turned a deep shade of red. Navi smirked. "I see... You know, Link, Saria has always liked you? I've been around the village and it's pretty obvious. You shouldn't be worried. I'm sure she'll be ecstatic to see you."

"Maybe..." Link shook his head and strode forward. It shouldn't bother him this much, but it stuck in his mind. A kiss. Why did it mean so much? He couldn't lie that there were a lot of emotions piled into that moment, but he couldn't say what they were. He was confused. Everything up until now was so easy... Well, apart from that mysterious voice. Not now, Link thought.

The forest was a welcoming sight. The Kokiri frolicked around the grassy hills and went in and out of the buildings that were made out of giant tree stumps. The Kokiri had very inventive ways to survive in the forest. Wooden rope bridges connected the roofs of some of the houses and shops, and people used them as express lanes to buy and transfer items and furniture. It was almost like a little industry, except on a much smaller scale.

Link looked around for the green haired girl. He wondered if she would be in the lost forest right now, and that would be more work for him. He hoped it would be easy to find her. Link asked around about her. They said she was in the forest. Link sighed, and headed into the maze of trees. Navi ended her small expedition around the village to join him.

Link arrived at the temple with both bruises and blood that wasn't from a lizard monster. Fighting was difficult in his small body. He had to get used to it, no matter how inconvenient it was to be a kid again. He forgot sometimes that this was his second run through.

Link looked near the center of the small area, and there she was, playing her ocarina. Saria. Link sometimes forgot how cute she could be when she was so wistful. He shook his head, he was here for a reason. He couldn't go adventuring in ab bloody tunic. It was heavy and unflattering. Navi flew next to him and winked. Link cleared his throat.

"Saria...?" Saria jumped and the music stopped as she looked over at Link. She fell over the stump and quickly backed away.

"Stay away, beast! I-I can fight! I'll kill you!" Link frowned and approached Saria. She covered herself with her arms. Link hated seeing her like this.

"Saria. It's fine, it's me. Link." Saria looked up and saw Link's face. She turned beet red and jumped to her feet, brushing herself off. The red of her face continued to deepen.

"L-L-Link! Hi, hey, hi, um, how are you? I mean, I'm, what are you doing here? I mean it's not like I don't want you here, it's just that I'm surprised and... And... I'm a little bit embarrassed because of, well you know, what happened last time..." Saria was spewing out words and stuttering like crazy. Link was also nervous, but he held his composure. He reached forward and grabbed her hands. Saria stopped talking immediately. Link also began to turn red. He inhaled deeply.

"Hey, look. I know a lot happened last time and that I've been gone for a while. We can catch up soon okay? I'm just happy to see you." Saria stared forward, her eyes flicking from Link's face to their joined hands. She looked like she would feint at any moment. Link let go of her hands. She regained her composure.

"Hey, I need to get my clothes clean. You can see why. I was wondering if you could help?"

"Yeah, I mean... I guess, but..."

"But what?"

"What will you... Y'know...wear... while I'm cleaning them?" Link stopped in his tracks. That had completely slipped his mind. His mind ran at a million miles an hour, trying to comprehend what she had said. I don't have anything to put on, Link thought.

"I mean, I could borrow something from the others, couldn't I? Saria?" Saria had her hands together and was blushing profusely. Link opened and closed his mouth, trying to find words to say. Saria nodded. Link sighed, and headed back to the village.

Once Link returned, Saria told him to change behind a curtain of vines that covered one of the corners. He retreated behind them and began taking off his bloody clothes. Link heard the vines rustling, but he ignored them. Once he was done, he handed the clothes to Saria and she dunked them into a small creek nearby. He sat down on a stump a short distance away and played Tic-Tac-Toe with Navi.

After his tunic and hat were cleaned and he had changed back, he prepared to head off. Saria stopped him.

"Do you have to leave so soon? It's been a long time since I've seen you. And after what happened last time I had so many things to say. I've always hoped we could be more than friends, Link. I've always liked you..." Link turned around and look at Saria.

"I liked you too, Saria. But I have things I have to do. I have a mission, a destiny. I don't like giving up my life, but it's not like I have a choice. I need you to be strong too, Saria. It may be hard, but it's the only way any of us can be happy in the end." Silent tears began falling down Saria's face. Link hated it. Must all the goodbyes end in tears?

"Saria, don't cry..." Link cupped her cheek, and she looked at him with expecting eyes. Link softened. "I won't be gone forever. I can visit like I did today, it's not like I'll be gone forever. I just need you to be strong." Link wiped the tears off of her face. She put her hand up to his hand and kept it on her face.

"I can be strong, Link, if you do something for me."

"Of course, anything."

"Kiss me again."

"Wha...?" Link was startled, but Saria just stared at him. She put her other hand up to her lips, and she smiled.

"When you did it last time, it was like floating on clouds. I had wanted that for so long... Just do it again, once is fine." Link recomposed. He stroked Saria's face with his thumb. He pulled her closer, and closed his eyes as their lips met.

They pulled apart, breathing slightly heavier than normal. Saria kept her eye closed and gripped Link's hand. He pulled away.

"I have to go now. Bye, Saria." Saria put her hands together and looked at Link. She opened her mouth and closed it again. Then, she spoke.

"Link..."

"Yes?"

"I... I love you."

Link didn't know what to say. He had felt towards Saria, but he couldn't say for sure what it was. What she had just said had struck him like a back of bricks. He didn't want to hurt her, at all, but he didn't know if that was love.

"I... I'll miss you, Saria. I really will." Saria smiled and waved. Link walked away as Navi trailed behind, not daring to say anything. Link exited the temple and eventually the forest itself. He sighed as he reached the entrance to Kokiri forest.

"I won't be back for a while. At least I made the best of it." Link strode into Hyrule Field to continue his quest.

[Author's Note: Well, this chapter made me sad inside. That's not unusualthough. I always write myself into despair. At least I'm writing regularly now. Yay me. Next one soon. -BoyAwesome]