Ok, I didn't get a whole lot of reviews on the last chapter, and I have a feeling the story alert thing got messed up because I deleted one of the updates from when I came back from vacation. No chapters, just the update. So, just in case, make sure you check out Chapter 21: Memory, BEFORE reading this chapter. Otherwise, you will be extrememly confused.

The ranch was surprisingly calm. No fire, no Bokoblins, nothing. The night air was slightly cleaner here, and the sky was actually visible. Link could see the flicker of a lantern glow out from the barn and hear quiet conversation and an occasional goat break the silence. After hopping the gate, he walked to the entrance and let Colin off his shoulders.

"Mom!" He shouted happily as he ran to his mother, who was standing in a circle with the other adults. Uli turned around, her eyes wide and tearing up.

"Colin! Oh, Colin, I was so worried..." She scooped him up in her arms. Link smiled softly. It always made him happy to see a mother and child reunited. Uli's baby girl yawned in her cradle behind them, which was adorned with many warm blankets and had been placed on a small table behind the adults.

"Link...Link, we are indebted to you." She said tearfully, arms still wrapped around her son.

The other villagers acknowledged him with a nod or such. Their expressions looked pained and full of sorrow. Link's smile slowly faded to a frown.

"Is...everything alright?" He asked hesitantly. Bo shook his head and stepped to the side. That's when Link saw what had happened.

Rusl lay on a small cot that was stained with something that looked horribly like blood. Deep gashes dotted his torso, and a particularly nasty wound ran from his knee to his ankle. Bits of bone could be seen in some places. His clothing was singed and there were burn marks up to his elbows.

"He was trying to protect us. But those monsters...there were just too many of them." Bo said, and shook his head sadly. Link's mouth fell open. Shock ran through his limbs. It was only when he saw that he was still alive that he could feel his legs again. Rusl's breathing was hoarse and ragged. Colin twisted himself out of his mom's grip and walked over to where his father lay.

"D-Dad?"

No answer.

"Dad...wake up...you're okay, dad...come on, get up..." Colin's voice was shaking as fought back tears. He was unsuccessful, and the tears dripped down his chin and dotted the cot.

Link felt a tap on his foot and looked down. Midna's hand was sticking out from his shadow, and in it was the half-full bottle of red Chu jelly Link had used the other day. As Link took it from her he saw her shadow rush out into the night. She had left.

"Here." Link began, walking over to Uli and offering her the bottle. "It's Chu jelly. It helps with wounds and should be an okay substitute until he can get professional help. Take it." Uli quietly took the bottle in her hands and held close. She closed her eyes and her lower lip trembled.

"Will you and Colin be okay?"

She nodded. "Yes. I know that the spirits will take care of Rusl. I just know in my heart that he will be fine. Yes." She said, reassuring both Link and herself. He walked over to Colin.

"You hang in there, okay?" He told him as be bent down to his level.

"Are you going somewhere again, Link?" Colin asked simply, wiping his eyes on the back of his hand.

"Yeah. But don't worry about me. Protect your mom, okay? I know you'll do great. You are courageous and strong. You're like a hero yourself." Colin smiled at this.

"I'll see you guys later." Link waved to the others, turned around, and left the barn.

Why is it that the people who deserve the best receive the worst? He thought sadly. He knew that there was a chance Rusl may not make it this time. Those were severe injuries.

No. No, he must be positive, like Uli. If he had faith there may be a chance...

Midna was nowhere to be seen. He still didn't understand why she had left.

Maybe she went to check on things in the village.

After jumping the gate again and walking into the village, he heard a yell of fright.

"HEEEELLLPPP!!" Coro yelled as he sprinted around the village.

Coro! Link had completely forgotten about him. It was an amusing sight, actually. The last Bokoblin in the village was chasing Coro around as the poor guy shrieked, waving his arms around as if he would take off and fly at any given moment. Link relaxed, cornered the monster and defeated it with a single slash.

"Whew...that was a close one. Thanks." Coro gasped, hands on his knees.

"Sorry I left you back there." Link apologized. "The other villagers are up at the ranch. Why don't you up there and meet them?"

"Sure. Good luck out there!" Coro said cheerfully, relentlessly optimistic, as always. He waved and walked up the slope.

Link looked around. The fires had died down and the smoke had lifted. In all, the damage wasn't terrible. A day or two of reconstruction and the village would look exactly like it had. Except for, of course, the black fire that had spread halfway through the village and was continuing at a fast pace. Link didn't worry about it, though. He knew what he had to do. He felt someone grasp his left arm.

"You were great out there, fighting all those monsters." Midna said softly, resting her head against his shoulder.

"Thanks. Hey, why did you leave back there?"

"Ah...no reason, really. I just didn't want to be in that depressing environment." Midna answered quietly. "Is your shoulder okay?"

Link suspected that there was more to her answer, but was too tired to push it further.

"It's...not doing too well. I think I tore it up again when I tried to shoot that Bokoblin."

"I'm sorry. I could've helped you."

"It's no big deal. But I do need you help me now. I need you to stay here while I go to the Twilight Realm and find the place where I'm supposed to play the harp at. The spirit said we have to play the songs at the same time. So, let's say, ten minutes, just incase. Is there a place in the Twilight Realm that's like the Temple of Time?"

"Yeah...Ghalasat's throne room." Midna said bitterly. "I'm not sure how you are going to get into "space" from there. But Link...you are from the light. If you have to go, I, at least, need to come with you. If any of the Twili catch you, they will kill you."

Link faced her suddenly, cupped her chin in one hand and stroked her hair with the other.

"Midna..." He whispered. "If they catch you with me...that will give them even more of a reason to do away with me." He gently kissed her forehead and pulled her into a hug. Midna was frozen with shock. After regaining composure, she said.

"Link?"

"Yes?"

"...you missed." She brought her lips to his. After a few moments she broke the kiss and silently handed him his harp. Link's blue eyes shone and sparkled in the moonlight; they were intense and filled with emotions. I'll be fine, they said. It's okay...They never left her own golden eyes. Midna wanted to tell him everything, to make the pain go away. But they would have to wait.

Link's gaze still on her, he played the Nocturne of Shadow. Then he disappeared and was gone.

--

...Well?

-Peaches732