Chapter 22: Realization

He woke up with a severe headache. His whole body was sore and he could feel bandages on his left arm. He squinted as the memories he last held came at him. He last remembered seeing the last mirror piece.

"You're awake!" Midna screeched as she jumped on the bed, "How dare you make me worried! You took a whole day to wake up! Why would you think it was a good idea to jump down to a dragon's back and stab it!? Don't you ever do that to me again! You're also too heavy! Are you still carrying that ridiculous ball and chain?!"

He sat up too quickly and embraced her with his good arm, "I'm okay. Thank you for worrying. And yes, it's still in my pouch."

She slapped his chest but didn't push him away. That was too close for comfort for both of them compared to their other battles. Her eye softened as she let him hold her.

"Oh sorry, I can come back."

They both pulled away to see Kagome standing on the doorway with a tray of food and a hot tea. Midna shook her head, "No, I already gave him a piece of me. He's all yours!"

And with that she disappeared. Link shook his head at his friend's antics before his eyes went to the woman that was approaching. She set the tray on the small nightstand next to his bed.

"How are you feeling?"

"My head feels like multiple Gorons are dancing on it. My left arm still hurts."

She looked at his bandaged arm where multiple healing lotions were placed to help with the burns. She healed him greatly, but he needed more. Likely, he would have scarring from the burn.

"I'm sorry. I know you wield your sword with that one."

He chuckled, "Thankfully Rusl taught me to use my right arm. I'll be fine."

They stayed in silence, Kagome fidgeting her fingers at the hem of her shirt. She discarded the leather corset for the meantime to rest after their ordeal. He shifted in bed to make more room for her, "Sit."

She looked at him, and slowly sat down.

"I know you don't want me to bring it up," she grimaced, "But after all the time I've spent with you, I know there's something else that's eating you and you're not telling me. Do you trust me?"

She turned her head in shock at the question, "Of course!"

"Then tell me," his tone left no room for argument.

She took in his current form. Sitting with a sleeveless white shirt, arm covered in bandages, another one on his head, making his blonde hair spike up to different places. His vibrant blue eyes seemed lighter. The shape of his sharp jaw and nose, his lips. She breathed in his scent which seemed to make her warm. He was fierce and loyal, kind and generous. He looked so worried and so serious as he stared intensely at her.

"I met Ganondorf."

If it wasn't for his hearing, he would've missed it. He sat up straighter and got closer to her as he hissed, "What?"

She flinched at his tone but continued, "After… After I saw you two, I ran to the graveyard. It was only a few minutes."

It was taking everything in him to maintain control, "Did he do anything to you?"

His eyes widened when she saw her eyes holding back the tears, "Kagome what did he do?"

She wiped the tears that fell, "He knows where I'm from," her voice broke, "He showed me my brother, saying that he heard me. He knows Link. That's why I can't do this," she motioned to the two of them, "I have to go back. He asked me to join him, but I said no. They're in danger if he knows where I'm from."

She was shocked the moment that he pulled her against him, holding her tightly and securely. She could feel his body trembling, and deep within his chest she could feel the growl that wanted to escape his lips.

The way that man looks at you, it's different. He is willing to defeat anything and anyone. He is willing to kill whoever tries anything against you. His eyes are like a wolf, don't underestimate what he feels for you.

"Goddesses, can he go at a great speed!" Telma exclaimed loudly inside the inn as they prepared dinner, "None of the horses I've ever ridden were that fast! Epona is magnificent but he was so quick!"

"He is a different type of animal," Shippo said from his spot on the counter eating an apple. That earned him a hit to the head from an empty bottle.

"Yo runt, are you gonna keep blabbering or continue helping the Gorons?"

Inuyasha was on the doorway, carrying two boxes that clearly said dynamite on them. With that, he continued on his way.

Shippo rubbed his head but followed him outside. Telma chuckled while Uli shook her head, "You can tell he loves that little boy."

Sango snorted as she came down the stairs, "Don't let him hear you."

Uli smiled at her, "You guys ready to set off?"

She nodded, "It's been two days. I'm sure they're expecting us. You guys have everything ready if an evacuation happens?"

Telma nodded, "Absolutely honey. I ain't worried however. Things will be just fine."

Uli grabbed Sango's hand, "Please tell Link he has to come home in one piece. His sister needs him."

"I will."

"That sheikah garment looks great on you," Telma complimented, "You look like a true Hyrule warrior."

Sango looked down at herself, where indeed, she wore the garments of the ancient sheikah. Renado had found the garments long ago, keeping them safe until the time came. The material was similar to her old suit, but this one seemed more breathable. It was different shades of blue, with a halter on her right thigh where her blade laid. There was a red eye on her chest, which Renado called the Eye of Truth. She had armor on her shoulders as well as her forearms and shin guards on her legs. Her boomerang sat on her back as her hair was in a high ponytail.

Sango bid them farewell for the meantime and stepped outside. Her eyes landed on Miroku and she couldn't help the blush that set on her face as she paid attention to what he wore.

He had discarded the monk wardrobe days ago, wearing just loose pants and a shirt. However it seemed The General was adamant on him wearing proper attire for the upcoming battle.

He was wearing well fitted dark purple pants adorned with brown leather boots. He wore the chain link over a white shirt with a purple shirt matching the pants. He had the metal arm guards over his shoulders like the soldiers around them. He still held the piece of his robe that covers his wind tunnel and his rosary wrapped around his hand. She's never seen him on anything fitted so indeed, it was making her heart flutter.

He smiled at her as she came up to him, "You're ready to go?"

She nodded, "We need to start getting to Kakariko Gorge like Midna said."

He tightened the strap on Epona, "All right, let's go."

They both mounted the mare to see Inuyasha waving his hand over. Without another word, they took off.

Inuyasha took the lead, getting rid of any monsters that were still left with his fang. It thankfully didn't take them long as they did not have civilians with them this time. They dismounted Epona as they looked around.

Sango brought out her map, "Midna marked it here, we're in the right place."

Inuyasha was starting to grow impatient until finally, the familiar portal opened up. Miroku only hoped that Epona could make her way back.

As they opened their eyes after the uncomfortable feeling of being teleported, they found themselves at the Mirror Chamber.

"Guys!"

They turned around to see Kagome running up to them, jumping and grabbing all three on a hug. Miroku and Sango returned it, with Inuyasha putting a hand on her head.

"Are you okay?" Miroku asked as he looked at her.

She nodded, "Yes I'm fine. You would never believe, a dragon had the last shard!"

"A dragon?!" Inuyasha exclaimed, "Fuck I should've gone!"

Midna crossed her arms as she looked at Link bitterly, "Someone decided to take it for a ride."

Link gave her an exasperated look, "You're still on with that?"

"But you got it?" Sango asked. She couldn't believe it was almost over.

Kagome nodded again, "Yes."

"Everything is set back in Kakariko," Inuyasha looked at Link, "Zora's were also informed. King Ralis is sending some of his troops but he'll be closing off Zora's Domain until this is all over. Kakariko is packed right now with refugees, Castle Town is basically a ghost town now."

Link went up to him, placing a hand on his shoulder, "Thank you."

Inuyasha did the same to him with a nod. They all turned to Midna who seemed to be intensely looking at the piece that remained on the stand.

The moon shined above them as the imp brought out the three missing pieces. They floated carefully until they were each in their rightful place.

Symbols appeared brightly from the mirror, the chains holding the giant piece of rock started glowing as well, until they vanished. The piece of rock landed on the sand, shaking the earth beneath them. The mirror started to reflect itself with the moonlight on the rock, which glowed immensely with the Triforce symbol in the middle of the circle, until it started to create a portal.

Midna's eye seemed somber as she looked at the entrance of her home, "Some call my realm the world of shadows, but that makes it sound unpleasant. You've all seen it, whenever the twilight sets in this world. In mine, it holds a serene glow to it like it does here. That glow is on my people there, gentle and pure… But all of that changed when that foul power fell upon my world and I was casted away."

"Midna," Kagome said softly as she looked at the imp.

Inuyasha and Link turned around as they suddenly felt a presence. The sages made themselves known.

"It was our fault."

"We overestimated our abilities as well as Ganondorf's, thinking we could put an end to his tyranny."

"We hope you can find yourself to forgive us for our ignorance, Twilight Princess."

Majority of the group gasped as they looked at the imp that was looking down at the floor. Link was shocked to hear, "Princess?"

She closed her eyes, "I… yes. I'm the rightful heir to the throne of the Twilight Realm," she looked at the sages again, "For someone that fled her people, I am disqualified to forgive you."

She took a shaky deep breath, "That night months ago, as I refused to join Zant, he transformed me into this," she looked ashamed of herself, "I was weak and could not use my magic as before. I crawled my way to the entrance of my realm, with a piece of the Fused Shadow on me," she pointed at her head, "I was filled with vengeance. So I left. In our world, there's a legend of a hero that would appear as a divine beast. I was there that day, when you were pulled into the twilight Link, and saw you transform. I was selfish and all I wanted was to use you for my own personal gain. I wanted my world to be normal again, I wanted myself to be normal! Then I learned of Zelda's sacrifice, then all of you appeared out of my portal… I've seen everything you've all gone through, the sacrifices, the battles," Her eye was brimming in tears now as she made eye contact with Link, "I now know that I need to help save this world too and get all of you back home. I'm sorry for hiding who I really am…"

Link went up to her and hugged tenderly, now understanding fully her bitterness and selfishness at the beginning of their journey. He couldn't blame her. Everything got taken away from her. By how she's talked about her people, about her realm, he knew she loved them deeply, but she learned to love the realm of light as well.

As they pulled away, she continued.

"If we defeat Zant, the curse on myself will be lifted. Then we can go and help Zelda."

"Kagome is the only one that can go."

They all turned to Inuyasha with questioning looks, "Think about it. Neither of you two have been in the twilight, you'd just become spirits. Remember in the spring, the moment I stepped into the twilight I almost turned into a full demon. We don't want that to happen again."

The last comment was directed at Link who looked serious. He looked at Kagome, who also seemed deep in thought as she looked at the portal.

He knew that Zant had a target on Kagome for what she could do. Taking her would mean putting her in danger's way immediately. He was controlling a full kingdom after all. Some of the twili creatures were relentless. Her spiritual energy would flare in the world of twilight however. She's gotten stronger over the course of the time she's been there. She was a great shot with her arrow. But he may also be taking her straight into a trap. The others didn't know she had already met Ganondorf, meaning he was in Hyrule, somewhere waiting.

His head snapped back up wide eyed, "Waiting! Of course! Goddesses I'm an idiot!"

They all jumped at his sudden increase of voice as he paced. Miroku went up to him, "Are you okay?"

"Ganondorf is already in Hyrule," Link started, "He's just hiding, waiting. But think about it, where would a Demon King be waiting for when the time is right? What is the one place we can't reach right now?"

Sango looked horrified, "Castle. He's in the Castle already."

"How do you know he's there?" Inuyasha asked, "I haven't smelled a new scent around. I'm sure I'd be able to catch his stench."

Kagome looked up at the sky, "The night at the graveyard, before you all came. He was there. He asked me to go with him because he could return me home. He showed me my brother."

"What the fuck Kagome," Inuyasha snarled, "You didn't bother to say anything? You could've gotten killed!"

Sango had her arm around her, "Stop it Inuyasha."

"Do you still have them?"

Kagome looked confused, "What?"

"The shards, do you still have them?"

She put her hand deep within her shirt and pulled out a small flask that had four broken shards in it.

"Kaede showed me a trick," she said softly, "How to blend them with my own aura. Probably why he didn't feel them."

"Thank fucking Kami or we'd be even more fucked right now."

Midna looked at Kagome, "The jewel of your story right?"

She nodded, "Even one shard could give someone more power."

"You can't come with me Kagome," Link finally said, "Zant already has a target on you. I take you, I'm taking you into a trap. Who knows how the two of them work together, but I can't risk you getting taken to Ganondorf and I'm the only one there. You'll be safer with them."

"But this is Midna's people!" she yelled, "Just because someone has a target on me doesn't make me defenseless! What if you get injured there and I'm not there?"

"Think about it Link," Miroku said, "If we're facing Ganondorf right after, you gotta be at your best. You need her."

"She's not going," he firmly said, "I can't risk you."

"Link," Midna started, "Zant may not be focused if she's there."

His furious blue eyes turned to her, "Don't start."

"Don't let your personal feelings cloud your thinking," she hissed, "This girl can do things I didn't even think it's possible. If she's purified one of the shards before from its dark magic, who's to say that she cannot help my people?"

Link was aghast by her comment, because deep down he knew the stubborn imp was correct.

Kagome clapped her hands, "It's settled then! Inuyasha, you and Kirara can patrol around Castle Town, but don't get close. Have everyone be ready in case he shows before we're back. You think you can hold him off?"

Inuyasha growled, "Did you forget who I've killed before? I know I can't kill the bastard with my sword, but that doesn't mean I won't make him bleed."

"Please be careful," Sango begged, "I hate that we can't go with you again."

Kagome cocked an eyebrow, "What do you mean again? Last time you willingly stayed behind. We will have a conversation when I'm back about that. Bunch of plotters…"

Miroku chuckled, "It's all with good spirit."

Midna raised her hands, "I'll open up the portal to take you back to Kakariko Grove, but it'll only be open for maybe a minute so be ready."

The portal opened above them just as steps appeared leading into the mirror's reflection. With a final look, each group turned around and walked to their prospective destinations. Both sides depended on them whether it was on offense or defense, Hyrule depended on it.