The bar's wooden door swung shut with a dull thud. Under the protection of the brick archway Ilia quickly unfolded the umbrella and set out through the town.

"What was that all about?" Midna demanded, still in Ilia's shadow.

"What are you talking about?" Ilia murmured, pulling the umbrella lower over her face in an attempt to hide her burning cheeks.

"You know. What's up with that guy, Ching or Chang or whatever his name was?"

"His name is Chien. And he's Renado's nephew, who sent him to come help out the Resistance, which I am now part of." She changed the subject. "Which exit should I take, where's Link?"

"You? The resistance? Right." Midna snorted. She was still bitter over Ilia's distrust over her. "Take the east exit; Link's in the field by Kakariko."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's got some pretty bad wounds that might be infected, and he might be sick or something. I'm not sure, I'm not a doctor. That's why I came and got you."

"Why didn't you get the town doctor? He knows more than I do."

"You saw how he treated that Zora kid."

"What? You know about that?"

"Yes." Midna sighed heavily. "I know everything from right after you were kidnaped to after you got your memory back. Anyway..." Midna's voice hardened. "That guy isn't fit to be a doctor no more than you're fit to be in the Resistance."

"Very fit, then." Ilia shot back. People were now watching curiously from the walkways. The two didn't realize how loud they had been arguing.

"Great. Now it looks like I'm arguing with myself."

"You'll get used to it, Link did."

"Whatever." Ilia rolled her eyes as they reached the eastern exit. She started to push the heavy wooden door open when a guard came up from behind her and caught her arm.

"Miss? Are you seriously trying to leave town alone? In these times? I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that."

"No-you don't understand-" Ilia stuttered, trying to explain.

"Are you aware that Princess Zelda, who was under the best security possible, was kidnaped from the castle and hasn't been seen since?"

Midna groaned. At this rate they'd never make it to Link...She popped out of Ilia's shadow, right between her and the guard so no one else would see her. Floating up to his face, she jabbed a finger into his chest.

"Listen. You let us through the damn gate. Now. We have business much more important than your petty little life will ever amount to, m'kay? Got it? Good. Now get the hell out of here and, by the way, you saw nothing." She bared her teeth, making sure her fang was prominent. The guard stared in horror, wide-eyed and jaw agape.

Midna charged past him, pushed open both of the hefty wooden doors, and continued on her way without looking back. She could hear Ilia hurrying behind her, her sandals slapping against the watery bridge.

"This way." She continued towards the blurry form of Death Mountain in the distance, which was barely visible through the dark skies and heavy rains.

The freezing rain stung her exposed skin but she felt none of it. She didn't...care...anymore...all she wanted was to see Link's blue eyes sparkle in the sunlight, to see his choppy, golden-blonde bangs fall in his eyes when he laughed, to kiss his soft, soft lips. No...it wasn't a want, but a need that constantly gnawed away at her heart, a perpetual reminder of the love Midna now knew they both shared. If only she had told him sooner...they could have...but now...

"Is that him? In that tent over there?" Ilia's piercing voice broke through the howling winds and the clamorous patter of rain, obstructing Midna's thoughts. The tent was mere yards away. Motioning for Ilia to follow she dashed over to the tent and, seizing the flap of material that served as a door, entered.

She crawled over to Link, who was still unconscious and in the exact same position she had left him in. She brushed his hair out of his face and heard a soft gasp behind her; Ilia had finally caught up with her. She crawled up next to Midna and took Link's limp hand, and Midna had the sudden urge to curse her into oblivion.

"How exactly was he injured?" She asked quietly, gently caressing his fingers. Midna's brow furrowed as she stared at Ilia's fingers on Link's.

"Not sure." Her eyes didn't leave the intertwined hands.

"Weren't you with him, though?"

"No." Midna sighed, annoyed. She knew it wasn't Ilia's fault, but Midna was sick of explaining things to her. "He was fighting a battle somewhere else. A friend brought him to me." She kept it simple.

"Oh." Ilia accepted that. At this moment, she didn't need to know all the little details. She tried to explain to Midna. "See, I just need to know what type of environment he was in so I know how to treat him-" She stopped. Link was squeezing her hand. "Link? Are...are you...awake?"

Midna's jaw fell open as Link lightly stirred. "Link! Link, can you hear me?"

He nodded weakly and his eyes, the clear, vibrant blue eyes Midna missed so much, opened. He gazed at her for a moment, and the slightest hint of a smile appeared on his lips.

"Missed...you..." He whispered, barely audible.

Midna felt languid and weak with relief. He's okay, he's okay...warm, luminous, tingling joy spread throughout her body, taking place of the fear that had once plagued her. She took his hand, which had long since left Ilia's, and whispered, even more softly:

"I missed you too..."

Hope that the humor in the chapter didn't clash with the more serious stuff at the end. Reviews are loved!

-Peaches