OKAYOKAYOKAY SO first of all, I got a couple of people saying that I should definitely use FoxGhanti, but I'm still not sure how it's gonna work so I'll think about it. Also I want to give a shout-out/ public thank-you to my Guest reviewer for directing me to Shadow of the Hero by Bookwrm389 - it is AMAZING and I urge you to check it out. Onto the story then.

Clock Town, Termina

Sheik felt like she was seeing Termina through different eyes. The bustling Clock Town was not something that she was used to seeing on her frequent visits here, but she instantly fell in love with it. Dogs barking, children playing, and a cheerful tune played in the distance. Although, there was a nervousness in the pit of her stomach. They were going to visit Aveil and Viscen today, to make sure no more attacks had been made on them. She feared, though neither Link nor Auru had been able to see through her disguise, that either of the Terminian rulers may see through to her real identity.

"Ever been to Termina, Sheik?" Ghanti's voice broke into her daydream.

"Um... yes, a very long time ago." Sheik thought a moment, as if recalling one of her memories that did not exist. "It was such a long time ago... I don't really remember."

"Oh really..." Ghanti responded. "I've never been. It's nice, though."

"I was here once..." Link said.

"Alright, everyone." Auru interrupted. "We're not tourists. We'll find an inn, and tomorrow we have an audience with the prince and princess."

"It's in the east part of town," Link explained. "The Stock Pot Inn."

Link led the group to the inn. It was a small building, quaintly decorated with patterned flags and masks that hung on the walls inside.

"Link!" A young, red haired girl stood at the counter. She was tall, and quite pretty, Sheik noted, wearing a simple green and brown frock. "It's been too long!" She said, grasping Link's hands in her own.

"Anju, it's good to see you," He said. "How's your husband?"

"He's absolutely wonderful!" She answered gleefully. Sheik breathed a sigh of relief. "Kafei!" Anju called.

A short, indigo-haired gentleman emerged. "Link!" He suddenly exclaimed. The three, evidently, old friends, exchanged pleasantries and chattered on.

"Listen, Anju," Link said after they chatted. "I know it's short notice, but we need three rooms," He explained.

Three rooms? Sheik thought nervously. Three rooms would mean...

""You don't mind sharing a room with Link, do you Sheik?" Auru asked, interrupting her thoughts.

"Aah, no, not at all." Sheik said calmly, though her insides screamed.

"Three rooms?" Anju repeated, making notes in a leather-bound book on the desk in front of her. "It shouldn't be a problem," She said. "And any friends of Link's will get a discount, of course!" She got three keys from a drawer and led the group upstairs. Ashei and Ghanti shared a room, Rusl and Auru got another and, of course, Link and Sheik shared the last. By the time everyone was settled in, the sun was just beginning to disappear over the horizon.

"Link!" Rusl's voice boomed as he rapped at his room's door. "Link!"

Link hurried to open the door. "What's wrong?!" He asked frantically.

"Where can a man get a drink in this town?" Rusl asked, clearly exasperated.

Link's expression became somewhat irritated. "Milk Bar. Not too far from here-" Before Link could finish his sentence, Rusl had waved his thanks and was on his way.

"Well," Sheik said. "I think I'll go and... see the town. I want to explore it," It was true in a sense. As Zelda, she rarely got to walk around the Terminian village without being surrounded by crowds of curious onlookers or guards. Besides, she didn't want to stay alone with anyone for too long, let alone Link. The paranoia of someone recognizing her occupied her thoughts.

"I'll come with you." Link said. "I think I could use some relaxation after everything that's happened." His tone was almost melancholic. "Not much else to do."

In the lobby, the two found Ashei and Ghanti chatting with Anju.

"Oh! Link, Sheik!" Ghanti exclaimed. "Auru and Rusl already found their way to the pub. We were going for a walk. Wanna come?"

"Why not?" Link said.

"Then let's go now, yeah?" Ashei said.

"Don't stay out too late, okay?" Anju said cheerfully as the four set off.

The town, Sheik decided, was much more lively and full of character than she thought. Lanterns hung from balconies lined the walkways, colorful flags decorated every corner, and groups of children, evidently in rival gangs, ran up and down the paths cheerfully.

"The is an astral observatory in the eastern part of town. I wouldn't be opposed to visiting. Anyone?"

"I'll come," Sheik said, her nervousness wearing down. She was more comfortable, even around Link, becoming confident in her disguise.

"I'm going to head back, yeah?" Ashei said. "Didn't get a lot of sleep."

"Actually, I think I'll go with her," Ghanti yawned. "You boys have fun!"

Sheik cringed at the word boys, but she couldn't blame her. At least the disguise was working.

The walk to the observatory was long and unusual, and Sheik was having second thoughts. But she did not want to arouse his suspicion by leaving suddenly. So she pressed on, putting her trust in Link.

"It's not too much further," He said.

Link had led her through a damp and dark path, but when they arrived at the observatory, she was in awe. A bright, colorful staircase spiraled up towards an enormous telescope. The walls were painted brightly in a rainbow of colors. The room was small, but it amazed Sheik. How had she not seen this before? She followed him in silence up the staircase, taking in everything about the quirky and colorful room.

Sheik peered into the telescope. She had always loved the stars. Silently she mapped out constellations she learned as a girl in her studies at the castle. After a moment, she stepped away, breathtaken, and let Link take his turn at the telescope.

"It's wonderful, isn't it?" She asked.

"It is." He answered without looking up.

"I love the stars," She commented absentmindedly after a small, silent pause. "I love the sky,"

Link looked up at Sheik.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Mm, nothing," Link said, shaking his head. "You just remind me of someone I know."

"Oh," was all Sheik could say. Secretly, she wondered if it was Zelda.

Link went back to the telescope and the room got silent again.

"You're very wise, you know, Sheik." He smiled. "Yep, you definitely remind me of her."

That night at the inn, Sheik waited until she was sure Link was asleep before ripping off her mask and binding that hid her feminine form. She hid it well, but wearing the stuff for so long grew quite irritating. She brushed through her long hair and redid the braid and washed her face and feet. It was refreshing and somewhat liberating, though she had to do it silently so as not to awaken Link.

Link, she thought tiredly. She still wondered if it was Zelda he had been talking about before. How she wanted to rip off her mask and talk to him. She wanted him to see her. Tell him she was safe.

But she knew she could not. It would be unwise, and she did not want to put him in danger. It must've been almost midnight, she thought, when she finally rewrapped her binding. She kept the mask off, though, and wore only a loose sleeping frock. I'll have to wake up before him, just to be safe, she thought, blowing out the last candles and pulling the blankets over her face.

She had her nightmare again that night.

Okay so Chapter 9 is coming really slowly and I wanted to have it finished by now, but it's not so it might be a little late and I will write on my profile if it will be uploaded late. So if Ch9 isn't up by the usual time on Friday then check there, please. Okay. Sorry about all that. Review? Please? Yeah.

Uploaded on 4/26/13, 10:10pm EST