Hello readers, chapter 157 is here! This time Link and Impa are going on a date together, but what could come of it...? You'll have to wait and see!
"Now you're going to be on your best behavior today."
"Yes Nemisa."
"You're going to take her out to a fine dinner."
"Yes Nemisa."
"And you're going to not get distracted with any stupid stuff."
"Yes Master."
"I'm serious here!" Nemisa shouted, bonking Link upside the head while helping him get washed up.
"So am I." Link rubbed the back of his head as he leaned back in the bathtub, "I've already made reservations for that restaurant you told me about and everything."
"Well good." Nemisa smiled lightly, "Now hold still while I wash your hair."
"Yes Master." Link repeated, making her bonk him again.
"Hee hee, I remember how nervous you used to get back when you'd get ready for dates." Aviel grinned as she focused on washing his legs, "Now you're looking real confidant!"
"That's because I know what I want to do tonight." Link grinned, "I'm going to give Impa the best day she's had in years, and when the time finally comes.. I'm finally going to ask her."
"Glad to hear that." Nemisa purred, her fingers wrapped over his shoulders, "I'm honestly getting a little jealous of how much you're doting over Impa lately."
"Don't worry. It won't be long now." Link said with a toothy grin, kissing Nemisa on her neck, "When everything's finally over, I'll give you all the children you want…"
"Ooooh…" Nemisa swooned as Link kissed at her more.
"Hey, can we finish up here?" Aviel protested as she was trying to hold Link's legs still.
Link was just finishing putting on his shoes when he heard a knock at his bedroom door. Taking a deep breath and adjusting his jacket, he walked over and opened it up to see Impa.
And his jaw just about fell to the ground.
Standing before him was definitely Impa, but she had dressed up for the occasion. Didn't do her hair any different, still in the braided ponytail as usual. She had on a little make up; nothing too extravagant, but just enough to make her beauty shine through. She wore a black kimono decorated with colorful flowers, and it was tied on enough that it hugged her frame and showed off her slightly curvy figure. She even went so far as to wear wooden block sandals over white stockings.
"Hello Link." Impa spoke, "Are you ready to go?"
"Y-Yeah. You're looking great Impa!" Link said with wide eyes.
"Ah heh… thanks…" Impa spoke with a light blush, scratching behind her ear, "I know it may be a little too much, but I was feeling in a more traditional mood today since we're visiting my home." she looked back to Link and grinned, "You're looking pretty good yourself."
Link had his bleached hair tied back while still loose enough to have some strands and locks hanging down in front. He wore his red jacket with the ruffled collar, though he wasn't wearing a shirt under it. He also wore skintight black pants with matching black shoes.
"Thanks, the girls helped me set it all up." Link said tugging at the jacket collar, "They love when I wear this on dates."
"I see can why." Impa spoke with a smirk, getting a good look at how much more defined his abs were now, "Life in Gerudo Town has been doing you wonders in a lot of ways, my student."
"Heh…" Link grinned sheepishly, reaching out his hand, "How about we go then?"
"All right," Impa smiled and put her hand over his, "Lead the way."
They were about to started walking, when Impa almost tripped over her sandals, but she quickly managed to regain her balance.
"You okay?" Link asked.
"Y-Yes, it's been a while since I wore these." Impa sighed with relief, "Let's just go."
"We made it!"
Link got out of the horse carriage to see the quaint village of Kakariko. In an attempt to go back to more traditional ways of the villages founders, it had been redesigned with a more feudal-era Japanese style to it's architecture and aesthetics. Bonsai trees were growing out and sprinkling the village with blossoms, rivers flowed through that led to a large pond at a park area, even the villager themselves were wearing robes and kimonos.
Link turned as Impa was getting out, and took her hand to help her step down to the ground. She slipped a little on the step with her sandals though, and fell forward. Thankfully, Link's quick instincts allowed him to quickly catch her in his arms.
"Oof, thanks for that Link…" Impa said with a light blush, "Maybe the sandals were too much after all."
"Nah, it's no big deal," Link grinned, a little embarrassed that her chest was pressing against him. Her breasts were tightly packed inside her kimono, and he could tell they were much larger after her pregnancy. He put that out of his mind and set her down on her feet.
The two went to walking down the road, Impa was keeping at a slow pace to avoid tripping, allowing them to take their time seeing the sights and what had changed over the years.
"This is quite nice, my relatives told me the village used to be this way in the time of our ancestors." Impa spoke, "I can see why they'd tell me so much about it, it's quite tranquil."
"Yeah, it's important to think about the future, but I don't see anything wrong with reflecting on the past as well." Link said.
"Heh, good point." Impa nodded.
"Is that you Lady Impa?" spoke up a voice, it was an elderly woman sweeping her home's porch.
"Yes, it's quite nice to see you again." Impa bowed her head politely.
"Oh my, look at you! You're so pretty in that kimono!" chuckled the elderly woman looking up and down at Impa, "I remember when your father would try and make you wear one as a child. You were always so stubborn and grumpy about it! Hohoho!"
Link snickered, but Impa shot him a look to shut him up.
"And who's this strapping young man?" the old woman asked looking up at Link.
"W-Well, it's complicated... He's sort of my… um…" Impa started to speak.
"Ooh, I get it! This is your son, isn't he?" the old woman spoke.
Impa faulted over, while Link held his hands over his mouth as his cheeks were puffed out and swollen, trying his absolute hardest from bursting out laughing again.
"That's not it, he's-!" Impa was about to exclaim, but stood up straight with her arms folded and trying to maintain a calm demeanor, "He's my b-…" her face flushed, "…my finest student."
"Ah, I think I see now." the old woman realized with widened eyes, "Well I'll leave the two of you alone then. Good luck with your training."
"We will, thank you." Impa bowed her head and went off on her way.
As Link began to follow after her, the old woman grabbed the bottom of Link's jacket and pulled him backwards, whispering in his ear,
"Make sure you give her lots of wonderful children, okay dear?"
Link's face turned red and he silently nodded, before following after Impa. The old woman just chuckled lightly as she went back to her sweeping.
"Ah, here we are." Impa spoke, walking up to her first major destination.
It was the old well of Kakariko, the same one that Link had ventured into years ago to find the Lens of Truth, and as he came to learn the previous day, the secret hideout of the Order of Reyahm.
"This place again…" Link spoke, "You sure you want to come here?"
"Y-Yes, I was hoping I could get a better feel for what happened to the seal." Impa spoke, gazing down at the well.
"Right, your family trapped the Order of Reyahm's leader Sokou deep in this place..." Link stated, leaning on the rim and peering between the boards that had been put over the dried up brick hole. He worriedly spoke, "You... don't suppose I somehow weakened the seal by going down there, do you?"
Impa shook her head, "No. What you did with the Song of Storms was merely the secret means of how the Order went down here when the well was full of water. I'm not sure how that man in the windmill came to learn the song…"
"Honestly I can't figure out how either." Link said, recalling the man saying a small child that looked like him played it, even though he had only heard the song when the man played it to him in the dark future. It was a conundrum he tried not to think too much about.
Impa spoke, "...but it doesn't matter. The seal on Sovou was supposed to be permanent, not even you could have freed him using that method. Yet his allies still figured out a means to release him from his imprisonment…"
The Sheikah dug her fingers against the well's brick rim, and hung her head down sadly,
"Seems as though evil always finds a way to survive, no matter how much is lost to put a stop to it..."
"…" Link frowned and put an arm around Impa's shoulder, holding her close to him. Impa was hesitant, but leaned towards him as they both gazed down at the well silently.
"Did you… want to visit them while we're here?" Link suggested.
"Figured it out, huh?" Impa paused, before taking a deep breath, "Okay, let's go."
The two of them soon arrived at their next destination, the Kakariko Graveyard in the back of the village. There many people from both the Royal Family and the Sheikah were buried. Link had disturbed memories of the place from his childhood, but he stayed by Impa's side for her sake.
Link gazed up at a cliff overlooking the graveyard, knowing that was where the Shadow Temple was located. That place always disturbed him, it was supposed to be a holy place of worship, yet it resembled more of an executioner's grounds. He wondered what the Shadow Sage's purpose was for crafting it that way… perhaps a Sheikah training ground, or a place to punish evil? It was another mystery he didn't like dwelling on.
'Guess the Sheikah truly live a mysterious life.' Link thought.
As they walked down the path past numerous tombstones, they noticed a man walking up to them carrying a shovel. He was wearing an odd and creepy wooden mask over his face.
"Halt, who dares approached this sacred land of the departed...?" spoke up the man in a low, deary voice, "If you're here to rob the crypts, I shall show you no mercy..."
"Please, we mean no harm." Impa spoke to the man, "We merely wish to visit one of the tombs."
The man stood there motionless for a moment, before tilting up his mask to get a good look at them, showing he actually had a young face.
"Oh! Hello there, are you from the village?" he asked in a much more lively tone.
"Yes, I'm Impa. I've come out here to pay tribute to my kin." the Sheikah spoke with a polite bow.
"Woah, THE Impa?" exclaimed the young man with wide eyes, "I've heard about your accomplishments from the elders, it's great to finally meet you!"
"Ah ha ha, it's nothing compared to what my family has done." Impa smiled modestly.
"Wait, I think I know you." Link said recognizing the mask, "You're Nuba, aren't you?"
"That right! Nuba's the name, gravedigging's my game!" he grinned cheerfully, tapping his shovel against his shoulder, but then realized what he was doing and pulled his mask back down over his face,,
"I-I mean, quite so… I bury those of the departed into the depths of the earth… I've worked under the apprenticeship of the great digger of graves Dampe for years now…" speaking in a shadier voice again, he glanced over at Link, "Say, do... I know you, sir?"
"You sure do, I'm the one that sold you that mask back when we were kids." Link pointed out.
"Oh… OH! You're that guy!" exclaimed Nuba, his mask flying off his face as he was back to speaking giddily, "I need to thank you again for it! It's cause of this mask I was able to work up the courage to become employed here!"
"What made you so fascinated with this place even as a child?" Impa asked.
"Well, my parents have told me how important it is to honor the dead." Nuba said, pulling back down his mask and glancing at the tombs, "For their spirits to go on to the next world, it helps them stay at ease knowing their bodies are taken back to Din's earth from where they came from…"
"So you're seeing to it that their spirits can move on." Link nodded, "That's pretty noble of you."
"…yes it is…" Impa spoke with a smile, "If you don't mind, I'd like to visit my father's tomb, his name was Alkidal."
"Um, t-that one…?" spoke the young man, looking somewhat bothered, "Well I can show you to his resting place… but I dunno if you'd want to see it right now…"
"Huh?" Impa asked.
"You're kidding me!" Impa gasped out in shock.
Impa and Link both stood at the tomb of Impa's father. For a man of his fame among the Sheikah and the town, they had set up a rather large tomb for him...
But as opposed to most of the tombstones in the area, the one of her father had a large chunk of it broken off, nearly half of it infact. Not even his name was legible from it. The parts broken off were laying about in large pieces.
"Father's tomb… it's…!" Impa spoke.
"What the heck happened?" Link exclaimed.
"Some strange people came by here a while back and destroyed it." Nuba frowned, "I tried to stop them, but Dampe wouldn't let me, he could tell they were too dangerous."
"That's awful…" Link spoke, "Did you get a good look at them?"
"Nah, they were all in cloaks." Nuba spoke, "But they did have some flying little eyeball with them that shot the tomb with a weird beam attack."
"A Patra…" Impa spoke angerly, recalling a certain man who could command the type of eye monster. She clenched her fists, "With that kind of power, it could only be the work of Sokou."
"So he is still around." Link spoke with a sharp glare.
"I'm so sorry, I've heard how great of a man he was…" Nuba sulked.
"Indeed… he was one of the best Sheikah around…" Impa whispered.
She silently got down on her knees, and ran her hand along the remains of the tomb, recalling another heavy moment from her childhood.
Flashback: Forty three years ago
"Father…"
A nine year old Impa trembled as she knelt by her father Alkidal's side. He was laying back in bed being seen by the local village doctor. They had just been celebrating Impa's birthday when he collapsed all of a sudden, and she went off to fetch the doctor.
"I'm sorry, but I've done all I can do with my experience." sadly spoke Truttlo, a young female doctor who had recently took over the Kakariko Potion Shop, "Your injuries were much more damaging than we thought. Maybe I should try calling my master from the Lakeside Laboratory and-"
"Heh heh… that would take far too long, there's no need for concern." Alkidal grinned weakly, "You do fine work Ms. Truttlo. I'm sure you'll go far in this town someday."
"A-Ah, I don't know about that." blushed Truttlo.
"No really, I mean it! You could work miracles for the people!" he said with enthusiasm.
"Father, stop flirting with the health care workers again." Impa sighed.
"Well if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to the potion shop." Truttlo said flustered, "Let me know his condition worsens."
The doctor went on her way and left Impa and her father alone. There was nothing but silence in the room as they remained still. Impa just stared down at her father as he slowly breathed.
"Hey Impa,.." Alkidal broke the silence, glanced over at her, "Did your ponytail come undone again?"
"Uh, sorta." Impa spoke, "I tried to braid it the way you usually do, but I couldn't figure it out."
"Here, let me take care of that." Alkidal said, getting himself up, spun Impa about-face, and started braiding it.
"Ah, hey! Cut it out Father!" Impa squirmed, but the Sheikah man just laughed.
"I swear, you don't like braids, don't like wearing kimonos, I have to force you to wear any kind of makeup for formal gatherings, I'm beginning to wonder if you'll ever grow up into a woman!" Alkidal laughed, he put the finishing touches on it and smiled, "There, you're done!"
"Thanks…" Impa muttered, looking a bit mortified at her father's comment.
Despite that though, she had some tears starting to well up in her eyes, as she had picked up on how shaky his hands were as he braided her hair.
The man laid back in bed silently for a while, before staring up at his daughter.
"Hey Impa…" Alkidal finally spoke up, "Could you listen to your old man for just a moment?"
"U-Uh-huh…" Impa sniffled, having a feeling she knew where this was going.
"The Order of Reyahm was dealt with last year… and Hyrule has felt truly at piece over that time. I think we can finally put our worries to rest…"
Alkidal paused for a moment though and frowned.
"…at least that's what I should say, but I have a feeling there's something else coming… a great evil that will threaten to swallow up this kingdom some day."
"What do you mean?" Impa asked curiously.
"I've been doing an investigation into a kingdom some distance from here known as Vividel… a prosperous land that's being said to rival that of Hyrule… but from what I've heard, they may hold a dark secret deep inside..."
"L-Like what?" Impa asked worried.
"I don't fully know… but I just have a bad feeling…" spoke her father, "Whether it be due to that kingdom... or someone else… that secret could be exploited for a truly evil purpose."
"What can we do though…?" Impa asked, "All that's left of the Sheikah now are you, me and a few others."
But then Alkidal let out a cough before he weakly took her hand, surprising her.
"Impa my daughter, I can tell that you're a very special girl, one with a great purpose for Hyrule." he said, "Whatever that task Hylia has chosen for you may be, I know you can fulfill it, and bring happiness to the future of his kingdom."
"Y-You really mean that Father…?" Impa asked as she felt her fathers hands trembling.
"Every bit of it. I think you're the last, great hope of our people." Alkidal spoke with a warm smile, "And I know you can accomplish anything you set your mind to."
"I…" sniffled Impa.
"Be strong Impa, and remember our creed; 'We watch from the shadows…"
"...over Hylia's bright legacy'." Impa nodded, "I-I know that father."
"I'm glad…" her father smiled, letting go of her hands and laying back, "Thank you… Impa…"
Alkidal laid back in bed and closed his eyes, not even moving a muscle. Impa stared down at him curiously, before she started nudging him.
"Father, are you okay? Father...?"
"FATHER!"
End flashback
"…" Impa continued to stare at the tomb's remains with tears falling down her cheeks.
Alkidal's passing was a tragic one for the people of Kakariko. He was buried in that tomb with a great honor brought to him for all he had done for the land.
The other remaining members of the Sheikah helped raise Impa and train her in the ninja arts, but soon their own injuries and age took their lives as well,
Until Impa herself was the only full-blood Sheikah remaining.
"Impa…" Link whispered.
Nuba spoke, "We've been trying to get the mayor to repair your father's tomb, but they could barely even move the pieces as they're so heavy. And Foreman Mutoh's carpenters are too busy in the Castle Market Town. Dampe tried to do it himself and now he's recuperating from a bad back." he hung his head down, "I wish we could do something about it..."
"No, I'm the one that should be sorry…" Impa spoke sadly, hanging her head down.
In that moment, Link wasn't sure if she was apologizing to Nuba... or her father.
"You feeling any better now?" Link asked as he and Impa were back on the road through the village.
"Yes… I suppose." Impa sighed, "Thank you again for taking me out here."
"Not a problem, I know you've been through a lot." Link said. He looked over at a nearby food stand selling fried Cucco-kabobs, "Hey, wanna get a snack?"
Before Impa could even answer, Link went running off and ordering two sticks, which he brought right back over and handed her one. The two sat at a bench and Link immediately started eating at his stick.
"Mmm... this is good stuff!" Link said, "How about yours?"
"I don't know, I don't think I should be eating this… especially if we're getting dinner later tonight." Impa spoke, rubbing at her rear a little, "I've been trying to keep my weight down after having Shikki… but I tend to give in every now and then."
"Don't worry about it, treat yourself!" Link grinned, eating another piece of meat off his stick.
"Well… okay." Impa nodded after a moment of hesitation, she took a taste of it, and enjoyed the saucy poultry meat, "Mmm… this is good. You got a knack for finding the best food."
"Told ya!" Link snickered.
Eventually the two finished their snack and continued back down the road.
"Hmm, that Cucco meat was great, but maybe I should have a gotten a little more..." Link pondered, "You think I should go back and get another kebob to go?"
"I swear you're such a glutton." Impa rolled her eyes.
She stole another look at his figure, seeing how despite how much of a glutton he was, he still managed to maintain a strong and agile physique. She was somewhat jealous of his metabolism, while at the same time thinking about how good it felt when he embraced her earlier…
Impa felt more of a desire, deep down within her, thinking about how good of a lover Link had been when they conceived Shikki back at the hot spring. And even again when she was so far along in her pregnancy. Despite her mood swings and how fat she looked with her belly, he treated and pleasured her just as well as any young, slim woman...
But then suddenly, a small white feathered thing flew past them at great speed, accompanied by a few others following after it. Link was so startled he stumbled backwards, but Impa stopped him.
"Wha-?" Link exclaimed, seeing the area had numerous Cuccos were running and flying around the area.
"I think your to-go order is a little too fresh." Impa said sweatdropping.
"I have a bad feeling about what's behind this." Link said.
"Oh no! Please come back!" shouted a voice, as they both turned to see a woman come running up, gasping out from exhaustion. She had long red hair and blue eyes, and was wearing a simple brown blouse and blue dress skirt, "Please, don't fly off little ones, I-!"
But then some white feathers from the Cuccos came down and brushed past her nose, causing her face to turn red and her eyes to tear up.
"I… I…" she inhaled deeply, "Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-chooie!" before making little sneezes every which way. She sniffled and noticed both Link and Impa both staring at her,
"Ugh, sorry about that, I-" her eyes lit up, "Oh, it's you Lady Impa! I'm glad to see you back in town!"
"Likewise Mrs. Rifea." Impa nodded, "How's your husband doing as the mayor?"
"Oh he's getting along quite well!" Rifea said cheerily, "I've been trying to pester him to have a child, but he's too swamped in his work, so I've been occupying my time with these other little ones!"
"You mean the Cuccos…?" Link asked watching one fly by.
"Yes, I do raise them, but- but… AH-CHOO!" the girl sneezed again and sniffled, "Ugh, I'm kind of allergic to their feathers…"
"Honestly, if that's the case then why do you keep raising them?" Impa questioned, "Isn't there anything else you'd rather look after, like goats or pigs?"
"But they're so cuuute!" Rifea said with sparkling eyes, "They hop around all day making those cute little clucking noises, they're really smart, and their eggs are so nutritious! I want to raise many more little… little…!" another feather brushed her nose, "Ah-choo! Ah-choo! Ah-choooooie!"
"This girl is hopeless." Impa sweatdropped.
"How about I help you bring them back to your pen, Mrs. Rifea?" Link offered, stretching himself out.
"Oh I couldn't ask you to-" she paused, "Hold on, this reminds me of something…"
"I got this, don't worry!" Link grinned, going off after the Cuccos.
"Wait, let me help yo-!" Impa took a step forward, only to trip over her wooden sandals again. She got herself up, seeing Link was already long gone, and fumed to herself in annoyance, "Never mind."
Impa and Rifea just sat back on a bench and watched as Link went running around the village, chasing after the cuccos as they ran or flew away. He dived at one, only for it to fly off at the last minute and send him crashing into a hay container. He went running after another one by a garden while covered in hay which scared off some crows that had been pecking at it.
"You know that man reminds me of someone..." Rifea spoke, "This young child who helped me a long time ago. Who is he?"
"That's my friend and student Link." Impa explained.
"Wait, really? That Link?" exclaimed Rifea, "He must be the one who helped me back then! He worked to catch all the Cuccos that got lost from my pen, despite how scared of them he appeared to be! He accepted it without a second thought."
"That definitely sounds a lot like him. Despite his fears, he still summons the courage to do the right thing." Impa chuckled lightly, "I go back a long way with him myself, and he asked to come out here with me today,"
"Oh how nice!" Rifea said cheerfully. watching Link going flying past them over the village with the aide of a Cucco he already caught in order to catch another one trying to get away from him.
"The last time I saw him was when he came back from a long journey. He had grown up so well, and even though he still seemed unnerved by my Cuccos, he still helped me catch them again!" she blushed a little with a small smile, "I-I... admit I tried to take him out on a date as thanks... but he declined it."
"Why was that?" the Sheikah asked.
"I don't know, something about me looking too much like a married woman he knew that it made him feel uncomfortable about it…" Rifea pondered, "But he helped encourage me to date a dear childhood fiend of mine instead, and now we're married!"
"Oh, how lovely." Impa smiled lightly, as Link went running by with two Cucco under his arms and a whole flock chasing after him.
"What about you Lady Impa, does he strike your fancy?" Rifea asked with a knowing smile.
"I…" Impa paused, looking back out at Link.
Though the two had a child together, and he had vowed to have more with her, she never really thought about what exactly her relationship was with Link. Was conceiving children just a means to bring back the Sheikah clan, or could their relationship truly go deeper than that…?
She stared down, thinking deeply about what Link meant to her, but then found herself thinking about the last words her father said to her...
"Okay, got em!" Link called out.
He ran up to the two of them with three Cuccos in his arms, one perched on his shoulder, and a fifth on his head. Impa tried to avoid bursting out laughing at how cute he looked.
After Link and Impa helped Rifea get the Cucos into the pen, the young wife bowed to him.
"Thank you again so much Mr. Link!" Rifea said cheerfully, "I wish I had another empty bottle to give you…" she pondered, "...but maybe there's something else you'd like!"
Rifea ran into her house for a moment, confusing the two, before she came out holding a very tiny egg in a nest, to which she gave Link.
"Here, I've been working on breeding a new type of miniature Cucco!" Rifea said, "I call it the Pocket Cucco! I don't get allergies from babies like these!"
"Is that so…?" Link smiled somewhat nostalgically, recalling she did this same thing for him back in the dark future.
"It makes them very happy to crow a loud 'CUCCKOOOO!' especially when it wakes up a very heavy sleeper!" Rifea said, "You look like you're still good at handling Cuccos, so I think you'll give it a good home!"
"Thanks, we'll take good care of it!" Link nodded, as Rifea went off on her way, "Come on Impa, I think it's getting to be about time."
"Time for what?" Impa asked.
"Time for dinner!" Link said with a big grin, "All that running build up my appetite!"
"You're not thinking of doing something with that Pocket Egg, are you…?" Impa asked with a raised eyebrow.
"No not that!" Link said, "We'll be eating at a restaurant!"
"Oh! That makes far more sense." Impa said surprised.
As the two went down the road to the restaurant, Impa glanced at Link holding the egg protectively in his hands, and smiled lightly.
"Hi, I have a table for two reserved, under the name Lifeaf."
"Oh of course, sir! Right this way!"
Link and Impa had arrived at the village's local sushi restaurant, where a kind waitress in a short blue robe escorted them over to a table to sit at.
"Who's Lifeaf?" Impa asked curiously.
"It was Aviel's idea, I'll... spare you the details." Link said, recalling it was the name he used when he disguised himself as a Gerudo woman in the past.
The two sat down on cushions at a low table, where the waitress handed them menus and took their orders.
"I've always wanted to try out this place." Link said looking around at the decor, "Nemisa had a horrible time here when she was younger, but she said the food was still great!"
"Really now...? So does that mean she was coming out here even after the Banishment law was in effect?" Impa spoke with a raised eyebrow.
"Uh oh!" Link realized what he had blurted out, "Wait, I didn't mean that, I-!"
"Ha ha, it's okay. I'm just kidding you. Me and Princess Zelda have already known about the Gerudo sneaking out here into the village to find boyfriends for quite a while." Impa spoke, "I did know about you all going out to Lake Hylia as well, remember?"
"Y-Yeah… guess you did." Link sighed.
"But on a serious note, you do need to be careful about your words when the meeting begins. It's likely the Hylian Parliament will hold anything you say against you." Impa said crossly, "From what I've seen, it's clear to me they have no real intention to make peace with you and the Gerudo."
"Good point." Link sighed, "Ugh, this whole thing has got me nervous."
"It's understandable, this is probably your biggest role as the King of The Gerudo. There's a lot riding on it." Impa spoke,
But then she saw his face shift from nervousness to absolute pale-faced terror. She sighed lightly and put her hand over his to try and calm him, sporting a reassuring smile,
"But don't worry too much about it. From what I saw Lady Nabooru knows exactly what she's doing. You just need to have faith in her."
"Right…" Link blushed a little, "I know that whatever the Parliament tries to throw at us, Nabooru will strike right back. Putting an end to the Banishment Law and forming a peace treaty with has been her life's passion for years now, and I wan to do everything I can to help her with it."
"She's quite a fascinating woman. From what you said before she was opposing Ganondorf even before he was captured." Impa spoke, sipping some tea, "She must have been something special for the higher powers to choose her as one of the six sages."
"I could say the same about you." Link grinned, "Though I'm glad that didn't have to happen."
"Yes…" Impa trailed off, glancing aside somewhat awkwardly.
There was a long pause between the two, until a voice suddenly broke the silence.
"Sorry for the wait!" spoke their waitress, setting down Link and Impa's food, a platter of sushi, teriyaki steak, honey-fried shrimp and spicy orange-marinated Cucco.
"Oooooh!" Link said with wide eyes, "Alright, let's forget about all that for now and dig in!"
"It feels somewhat wrong to be eating Cucco meat when we have that little one right there." Impa said looking over to the Pocket Egg that was on it's own seat cushion. For some reason the waitress had given it it's own tea cup.
"It's alright, Malon tells me Cuccos eat their own eggs from time to time." Link said.
"I could have gone without thinking that." Impa said sweatdropping.
"Now let's eat before it gets cold!" Link said, reaching out to take one of the sushi pieces by his fingers.
He tossed the sushi in his mouth, but looked confused about it as he chewed. He saw a waitress come by and got her attention.
"Uh, excuse me Miss?" Link spoke with his mouth half-full, "I think someone forgot to cook this fish!"
"I swear Link, even after all these years, you can still be so dense." Impa let out a sigh, she took his hands and made him hold a pair of sticks that were beside his plate, "And use your chopsticks to pick up the food."
"Oh right, sorry." Link chuckled lightly.
He fumbled around trying to pick up some sushi without it flying off his grip. He grabbed at one piece, only for it to slip from his sticks and go flying through the air, smacking into the back of someone's head from another table, though they didn't seem to notice the sushi as it remained stuck there.
"Oops." Link said.
"This is going to be a long night." Impa muttered.
It took some time, but Impa finally got Link to learn how to properly hold chopsticks, as well as eat the raw fish without needing it to be cooked. After that the meal went along well, and they left to go back to walking through Kakariko Village. By this point was night, and the lanterns were now lit up to illuminate the path.
"Ah, that was good stuff!" Link said as the two walked down the road of a small park area by a pond.
"Yes, though I think I may have gone too far..." Impa muttered with a small modest burp. She waited until Link was distracted looking in another direction, and discreetly loosened her kimono strap a little so she could have a little more room, "I swear, at times I forget I'm not eating for two anymore..."
"Is it really that big a deal?" Link asked, "You still want to have more kids right?"
"I suppose I do…" Impa spoke distantly.
"What's wrong, having second thoughts?" Link asked.
"Well to be honest, something has been bothering me." Impa said, she gazed out at the pond, "As you know, the Sheikah made a vow to protect the Royal Family when they united. And I've held true to that vow for years, watching over her majesty the Queen, as well as her daughter the princess."
"You've done a really great job at it." Link grinned.
"But after Zelda grew up and Prince Darius has taken to watching over her, I thought I was no longer needed as much, which is why I went through with having Shikki. For the longest time It's brought so much happiness in my life to have a son of my own…"
"So what's the big deal?" Link asked, throwing a pebble and skipping it across the pond.
Impa frowned, "Well, it was after you told us that story about what you experienced in the dark future, that I was prophesied to become the new Sage of Shadow... That I had to leave behind the world… no longer able to watch over Zelda…" she ran her hand along her stomach, "...and I would never had been able to continue the Sheikah bloodline… My people's bloodline really would have died with me..."
"That's a good point…" Link looked down at a pebble he held and clenched his fist, "But that's not going to happen anymore, right?"
"Regardless, it's made me think about how far I would go to protect Zelda… Back then I wouldn't have given it a second thought to do whatever it took to protect them. I would have happily thrown away my life for the princess or her mother…"
She found herself thinking of the time Zelda's mother collapsed from post-birth complications.
"To tell you the truth Link... if I could have been given the chance, I would had gladly died in the Queen's place that day..."
"Impa…" Link whispered.
"Being able to continue the next generation of the Sheikah has brought me great joy… to be able to see my wonderful baby boy growing up and mastering our ways of the ninja, and passing that on to future generations… After the Order of Reyahm almost doomed our people, I could have the chance to bring about a new future for them."
She thought about the words of her father from back when she was a young girl,
"Since the day we united with the Hylians, we vowed to protect the descendants of the great Triforce goddess Hylia's reincarnation. Even if it means the Sheikah's legacy should end someday, we will never yield to those that bring harm to her kingdom!"
"...but by deciding to do it, I feel I've turned my back on Princess Zelda and the Sheikah's creed to protect the Royal Family at all costs…"
She gazed up into the moonlit sky, and tears started to form in her eyes.
"...I dare say that I may value this new life I've been given so much, that I cannot bring myself to sacrifice it for Princess Zelda anymore…"
"So that's what's been bothering you all this time…" Link frowned.
"I don't wish to die… or become a sage… I don't want to give up what I have…" Impa began to sob.
"The Sheikah shall watch from the shadows over Hylia's bright legacy."
"And it's because of that, I've disgraced the creed of the Sheikah… I've dishonored my own father's dying words…!"
Impa clung to Link's jacket, burying her face in his shoulder, and cried her eyes out against him. To see the strong and assertive Sheikah woman suddenly turn so vulnerable was shocking to him.
All he could do was silently hold her in his arms as she cried out.
And that ends things for now. Next time the date continues, where Impa will ultimately make an important choice; will see choose the future of her people, or their creed to protect the Royal Family...?
So just a minor announcement, sadly there will be no chapter next week. Sorry, but I've had a cold all this week and had very little energy to flex my writing juices. As of now I've more or less recovered and going back to work tomorrow, but I want to give myself a little time to breathe before jumping back into things.
In other news, I did finish Tears of the Kingdom's main story. It certainly surprised me in many ways, and the finale was so satisfying, even though there was many implications that worried me before it was all nicely resolved. Thankfully, the plot also didn't really have any long term continuity effects on my own story as far as I've gathered, so things are continuing as planned.
Thank you all for reading! If you're new, please take the time to leave a like or follow. I'll also accept any comments or Private Messages you might send. Your feedback is always appreciated!