A/N: Okay so first off I want to apologize for not updating yesterday. I know you are all used to me posting at least one new chapter every day. I slipped up in my consistency. I decided to actually go have a life and hang out with friends and I didn't get home until really late. Also another thing, somebody asked in a review what happened to Dark and why is he so weak all of a sudden? To be honest, I agree with you here. In Dark's defense he WAS caught off guard and didn't see it coming. One second he was lolly-gaggin around and the next he getting his ass whooped. I completely agree with you that the fight between him and Sheik was weak. Um, I kind of wanted to cut to the chase. Sheik was supposed to win the fight and I didn't feel like writing a really long fight-scene. The point was for Sheik to win… and he did. So I apologize for being lazy and I promise next time Dark gets his ass whooped I will make sure he goes down like a beast and not some nancy-boy. Thank you for pointing that out. I noticed it while I was writing and simply said 'What the hay! It'll be fine.' But I realize I can't half-ass my story. ;D You people deserve the good stuff. Hope you enjoy chapter 17!
Chapter 17: Aftershock
Link glanced quickly behind Sheik to see a badly beaten Dark struggling just to stand in the distance. His hat was gone and he was shirtless with horrible purple bruises along his jaw and a large dark contusion covering his entire chest. Along with this, he had various minor scrapes and cuts covering every inch of skin that happened to be showing and his pants were now stained an awful shade of pink from his blood. Link noticed the makeshift bandages around his torso Dark had made from his own tunic and his heart broke instantly; he couldn't stand to look at him in this state. Dark looked so frail standing there with all of his horrible injuries all while soaking wet, but the power and strength in his eyes made it seem as if he was in no pain at all.
"What's the matter, Link? You look like you've just seen a ghost?" Dark chuckled. It was so like Dark to be cracking jokes when he was this close to death. Link started to sprint in Dark's direction but Sheik held out an arm to keep him from going any closer.
"What's wrong with you?" Link shouted while shoving him away, "Look at him!"
"It's alright, Link. I'd rather you stay out of this," Dark replied propping himself up with his hands on his knees, "This is between me and him." Link's jaw dropped from shock and he stared at Dark as if he had just declared his death wish. Sheik remained silent as Link fidgeted beside him uncomfortably. Sheik gazed towards Dark with eyes filled with utter hatred and a slight twinkle of disbelief. He had no idea that the man was this strong and he never expected him to make it this far.
"Dark, what happened to you?" Link shrieked frantically while he looked him over, expecting Dark to collapse any second. Dark looked up at Link while still hunched over and gave him a bloodied smile and a wink. Why was he acting as if this whole thing was a joke? Link knew he was trying to be strong for him, but was this really the time for that?
"You know," Dark started, turning to face Sheik with a devilish stare, "After you left me to bleed to death up in Gerudo Valley, I had every intention of murdering you cold once I found out where you were." That's when Link remembered the voice he'd heard last night before he was ambushed. He knew this whole situation had something to do with Sheik, he just couldn't remember what had happened. It was all coming back to him now and Link stared harshly at Sheik with eyes filled with rage and bewilderment; however, Sheik kept his eyes consistently on Dark, "I was going to use all my strength, down to my last breath to make sure I dragged you to the fires of hell with me… but I was thinking it over." Dark continued now mustering enough strength to stand up straight again, "And I decided to spare your life." He finished with a sly grin.
"Well, that's unfortunate," Sheik replied coldly drawing Dark's sword from its sheath and pointing it in his direction. Dark noticed Link move, knowing he was going to try and stop him but Dark wouldn't have it. This was his battle to be dealt with by him, and him alone.
"Stay where you are Link." Dark ordered and Link froze where he stood. He looked to Dark wearily, knowing in the back of his mind that this whole predicament was bound to end horribly. Sheik glanced to his left without moving his head realizing Link was about to ambush him and tensed with agitation. He was irritated that Link was trying to defend this abomination.
"I have 2 reasons not to kill you," Dark stated grabbing the dagger within his boot and pointing it at Sheik as well; however, he only did so in self-defense. The irony of the two men pointing the other's weapon at each other was chilling, "One: Unlike you, I care about Link's feelings and what he wants in his life. Unfortunately, one of those things happens to be you. If I killed you, he would never forgive me. I can't say you feel the same way." Dark stated smugly, "Second of all, I know why you're so bitter." He finished with a smirk, "The hero doesn't love you back."
Sheik's blood was boiling as Dark said this. He was always known for his grace and composure but now, this conceited man has brought him to his breaking point. He charged at Dark at lightning speed holding out the sword in front of him. He was ready to make him pay for his words. Dark stood his ground willfully and lowered his hand which held the dagger to his side showing no indication that he was going to attack Sheik back. Just as Dark had predicted Sheik had stopped just as he approached him, with the sword only a mere couple of millimeters away from his throat and Sheik breathing fiercely inches from his face.
"You aren't going to kill me Sheik." Dark said in a pitied tone, "You know Link over there wouldn't appreciate that very much." He added as he spat a mouthful of bloody saliva to the side, "He'd probably be so angry in fact… that he wouldn't even finish his quest. Are you going to kill me to risk the fate of all of Hyrule and have your dearest love despise you for the rest of eternity?" He whispered so close to Sheik's ear his cold breath sent chills down his spine. Sheiks face twitched in fury as he debated whether not he should move the sword only an inch closer and slide it swiftly to the side, slitting this witty man's throat and finishing him off with his own sword. Link couldn't hear what they were saying to each other or see the expressions on their faces but he was growing nervous as he saw the blade dangerously close to Dark's neck. If Sheik were to kill him, Link wouldn't have a lick of a chance to control himself.
Sheik scowled and let out a loud scream of frustration while violently throwing Dark's sword to the ground. He turned to face Link with a look of betrayal and resentment.
"Why?" He bellowed clenching his fists, "What is it about this man? Why must you keep him around?" Link remained silent as he stared at Sheik with pity, his arms crossed. The air around them was still and silent creating an unnerving atmosphere.
"I saw him heading towards Ganon's castle! He is evil, Link! You mustn't put yourself in danger!" He screamed waving his arms to emphasize his frustration.
"How long have you been watching us Sheik?" Link stated coldly ignoring his questions and advice. Sheik stared at him in disbelief then began to walk towards him.
"Why are you ignoring what I'm saying? He is siding with the Dark Lord! Open your eyes!" Sheik cried shaking Link violently by his shoulders. Link grabbed his wrists and pulled them away.
"Dark told me about his meeting with Ganondorf. Obviously, you hadn't followed him inside or you would know the truth about what really happened. If Dark wanted to kill me, he would have done it in the Water Temple, he could have left me to burn alive in Death Mountain, and he could have done it in my sleep on many occasions while he was lying right next to me." Link protested boldly, "He's had plenty of chances if that is what he wanted."
Sheik had a disgusted look on his face and his eyes were seething with rage.
"You are making a huge mistake." Sheik muttered hatefully.
"You made the mistake when you attacked Dark." Link replied, "Unless you have information about how to help me save Hyrule, I don't want to speak with you again. You have broken my trust." Link finished and then pushed past Sheik and started to walk towards Dark.
"You look terrible…" Link whispered softly tracing a finger across a purple bruise on Dark's jaw.
"Sorry I couldn't clean up for you," Dark joked with a silly grin. Sheik continued to stare at the pair sickened by their affection they showed towards each other. He began to walk towards them and as soon as Dark heard his footsteps he pushed Link behind him and held up his dagger pointing the tip towards Sheik's face. It was ridiculous how even as wounded as Dark was he was still trying to be Link's protector. At this, Sheik's eyes somewhat softened suddenly realizing the powerful feelings of love and determination that seemed to be radiating off of Dark. He blinked away his sympathies and replaced them with the same cold stare he'd grown accustomed to since he had met Dark.
"If you ever," Dark stated strongly, "Try to take him away from me again, the next time I won't be so forgiving." His voice was shaking with pure agitation as he warned Sheik for the last time. Although he would have loved nothing more than to stab that dagger into Sheik's neck he knew that wasn't an option, "As much as I hate to admit it, I can't help but sympathize for you Sheik… because i understand why you hold so much resentment against me. I felt the same way about you."
"…and what is it that has eased your mind? Why do you no longer hold hatred towards me?" Sheik replied seriously. Sheik had to know, if Dark really despised him as much as he did Dark, "How can you stand here and not cut my throat, this second? Because I want nothing more than to finish you off."
"…Because Link cares about you," Dark answered scratching at the corner of his mouth with his thumb as if he were thinking, "I would never do anything to hurt him." Sheik grimaced as he saw the truth in Dark's statement. He then glanced to Link and even with the cloth covering his face you could tell he was stricken with grief as he noticed the pained look in the hero's eyes. Link loved the both of them and he couldn't stand to watch them fight.
"I… I'm sorry Link." Sheik whispered softly while looking towards the ground and clenching his fists, "If… if this is what you truly want I'm done trying to change it. But as for you." Sheik turned to face Dark, "I swear if i find out that you are planning something with Ganon I'm going to-."
Dark sighed with frustration and closed his eyes as he listened to Sheik ramble on about his nonsense theories. What did he have to do to prove to this idiot that he wasn't on Ganon's side? Dark looked up, his eyes burning with annoyance, then reared back his right arm and powerfully slammed his knuckles into Sheik's left cheek. Link's eyes widened as he watched Sheik fall to the ground with a thud. He was about to open his mouth to speak but Dark beat him to it.
"You are such an idiot! How are you so dense? What do I have to do to prove to you that I'm not going to hurt Link?" Dark screamed while pointing a finger in his direction, "I would gladly take my own life before I ever took his! Quit being so fucking ignorant!" Dark's little outburst had done more than drain his energy. He gasped heavily to catch his breath before falling to his knees and then on his face all together. As he lay there on his stomach he tilted his head slightly and glanced once more towards Sheik while resting on the ground, his red eyes glowing fiercely, "W-why… are you… so… stupid?"
Sheik just sat there staring at Dark with bewilderment. Link instantly knelt by his side worried he'd finally croaked, "Dark? Are you okay?" He yelled frantically placing a hand gently on his back lightly shaking him, "Sheik, I think you've over stayed your welcome." Link muttered avoiding his gaze, "Please, leave." Sheik stared at the two men for a moment longer taking in Dark's seemingly lifeless body and the tears starting to form in Link's eyes as he begged for a response from his weakened other half, "Please… leave now…" Link could have sworn he saw Sheik nod his head and bow from the corner of his eye. Then he noticed a flash of light knowing he had vanished in one of his infamous escapes. Link gently turned Dark over on his back and placed his head in his lap.
"Dark, I'm so sorry…" Link muttered under his breath as he cradled his head. He felt so guilty for everything that had occurred. He gazed down at Dark's frail body. It had finally given up on him. He'd put on quite a front even though Link knew he was bound to keel over at any moment.
"I told you… that Sheikah would come and kill the mood…" Dark said hoarsely without opening his eyes. Link smiled through his tears knowing that even in Dark's last breath he would have to crack some sort of witty remark. Link searched frantically for the bottle of potion he'd used to soothe the burn on Dark's hand earlier. He knew that only a half-bottle of potion would not fully heal his injuries but it would bring him back from death's reach.
"Open your mouth." Link ordered. Dark complied and Link lifted his head slightly and let him slowly sip the potion until the bottle was empty.
"Link…" Dark mumbled wearily.
"Yes?" He replied twirling a strand of Dark's midnight hair in his fingers.
"That potion tastes like shit…" Dark grunted twisting his face in disgust. Link chuckled softly and removed Dark's makeshift bandages to see if his stab wound had healed. Luckily, the potion must have treated the most lethal injury on his body because the gash was gone and all that was left was a sunken in scar exactly on top of the one left behind from when he had been impaled in the Water Temple; however, the large contusion on his chest, the bruises along his jaw, and the various random scratches and cuts remained intact. He wasn't worried about those, they would heal on their own although he was taking him to a Fairy Fountain as soon as they left, "I look like a shmuck, don't I Link?"
"Noooo," Link lied, "You just look like… you were having a really rough day."
Dark opened one of his eyes and smirked, "If I look as bad as I feel… you must really believe in inner beauty…"
"Dark, maybe you should shut up and rest." Link suggested while rolling his eyes, "You look like you could die at any moment…"
"Ha, I knew you were lying. And what are you talking about? It's only a scratch…" Dark bluffed still lying in Link's lap. He reached up and cupped his hands lightly around Link's face pulling him close, "Now kiss me and make me better."
A/N: Pffft… I didn't really like this chapter… but after I got that review from deadaleta I was like… oh god… I better update. :P Man! And after I just vowed to not half-ass my writing… blech. Oh and to answer your question Dani… I forget what chapter it is but it's after Dark finds out Link kissed Sheik and he's all butt hurt Link tells Navi to go wait in the forest for him. I think it's chapter 10 or 11? Okay I just checked… it's 11.
