A/N: ...double update, but I'm not in a good place at the moment. Sorry for this.

I recently lost a dear family member in an auto accident. Some young punk hit one of my uncles on the road...and the impact killed him. Just like that. He's gone. I knew him for so long, and suddenly, he's been taken away.

I didn't even get to say good bye...

Literally woke up to the news, and its driven me down to a dark place I haven't been in twenty years.

What do I do with this pain? With this rage? I'm truly beginning to hate this year, no that's not quite right I f***ing DESPISE it. 2023 has taken so many loved ones from me already, with no end in sight. So much pain. So much death. Now, my uncle has joined them. When will it end? When will it stop? Will it ever? Why does this keep happening? What's the point?

Trying to shake it off and bury myself in work. Hopefully it helps...and I fought off writer's block to get back here, sorry about that.

With my fifteen year anniversary on this site finally here, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.

And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.

Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing. In an ideal world, I'd like to keep doing so for as long as I can. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing.

So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.

I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.

Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.

You're not prepared for this quote. Hope it makes you laugh~!

Mipha really stole the show here...

I also feel the need to remind everyone, once again, that despite her size she's actually older than Naruto.

Still having trouble wrapping my head around it, but apparently that's a thing. Shocker, I know!

Zora ages are a strange thing indeed...

"Question!"

"Sure thing, sweetie."

"When did you and mama get married?"

"Urk. Too clever by half, I swear. Look, wasn't for awhile.

"But mama says she fell in love with you at first sight. Why didn't you get married right away?"

"...ah. I see. Your mother said that, did she? I'll need to be havin' a word with her about that...or several...

"Can you ask her for a little brother while you're at it? I have too many sisters. Maybe the stork can come early this year."

"ZEPHYR!"

~Father and Daughter, a.k.a. future scene.

Third Breath

"Mipha, no."

"Mipha, yes! Won't you give it a try?"

Naruto heaved a sigh. "Ain't the trying I'm worried about."

He looked up at the towering wall of water -waterfall!- looming before him; a massive flowing edifice of liquid with no conceivable way past. It would be simple enough to go around he supposed, but therein lay the rub, as it were. Mipha didn't want him to go around it; rather, she wanted him to try something he'd never considered before.

"I'm telling ya, it can't be done." he gazed down at his reflection from where he stood on the water's surface, "I can't walk up a waterfall."

"And how would you know that?" she puffed out her cheeks and sank lower into the water. "You've not even tried."

She gave no response to that, only the mighty crash of falling water before them.

"And I thought I was stubborn...

Naruto clicked his tongue and shook his head, treading upon the bay as though it were solid ground. Pure, determined girl. Must protect at all costs. She could be pushy about the strangest things; but he'd take that as a sign; that she'd come out her shell since their first meeting. Truly, she'd improved by leaps and bounds in days past. Now if only she wasn't so curious!

"Look," he pivoted to face her, "It ain't that simple, Mipha-

His breath caught a little in his throat at the sight of her. Her red-on-white skin glistened wetly in the water as she bobbed in place, pale body practically shining in the light of the full moon. Her head tilted just so to regard him, bright amber eyes shimmering a little as she clasped both hands before her face. Urk. His heart skipped a beat and he wasn't quite sure why-no, that was a lie, he knew why, but he didn't know what to do with these fledgling feelings beating in his chest.

"Please?" she pleaded, voice rising but a little. "Won't you try just this once? For me?"

His gaze lingered a moment longer before he mastered himself.

Kurama cackled. "See something you like?"

Someone, more like.

This wasn't like his drunken antics with Urbosa back in Gerudo Town; here, he was fully cognizant of this place as much as it people; of the young woman trying to get him to do something so terribly silly he was certain it would fail. That he was even considering it at all was a testament to their budding friendship. He'd been given ample time to bond with Mipha, and not just her, but her people. Naturally, it helped that none of them were trying to capture him, but still!

One look at Mipha and he knew she wouldn't let this go.

She was soft-spoken but not shy, quiet, yet with a core of steel.

He looked back to the waterfall, considering it as one might their most fearsome rival.

How did one walk on moving water? Could it even be done? He'd never thought to try it before; never even considered it, really, much less running up a waterfall. Why should he? That wasn't a normal waterfall, it looked harsh and angry, the current roaring and ripping with such force that he didn't even want to consider testing it.

And yet...

.

..

...he felt compelled to try.

His time with the Zora had been spent in relative peace up until this point; as such he'd admittedly lost track of time. How long had it been? Weeks? A month? Maybe longer? Whatever the case, he'd managed to resist the overpowering, nay overwhelming urge to drink for awhile now; though he suspected that had less to do with himself and more the distinct lack of stress since he'd landed in this watery domain.

Maybe...that was for the best.

King Dorephan claimed those of the Zora did not drink often, but when they did, they could drink a man under the table. He'd been adamant on that. Regardless, his people had welcomed him with open arms, delighting in his presence and protection. They seemed to find his ability to walk on water fascinating; the skill to simply walk up walls even moreso. Quite a few had tried to learn from him, only to be turned away. He wanted to teach them, he really did, it just wasn't possible without chakra. And while he liked these people, he wasn't sure they were prepared for that kind of power. No one was.

Ah, but Mipha!

Mipha, Mipha, Mipha!

She was not so easily dissuaded.

And the way she was looking at him right now...

"...Fine." he heaved a sigh. "This won't end well, but...here goes!

He braced himself, dropped into a pointed crouch, flared his cloak and threw himself at the waterfall with a whoop.

Turns out he was right.

It did not end well.

"Gah?!"

Water pounded him down and drove him into the depths, deafening him for a moment. Bubbles burst past his lips as he righted himself and glared up at the surface. Mipha remained where she was, but he could see her shoulders shaking from here, feel the faint vibrations in the water. A powerful kick sent him rising back to the surface at speed. Up he came, spitting and spluttering.

Mipha's laughter greeted him, sweet and musical.

"Oh, my!" She hid a delicate laugh behind one hand. "I'm sorry, I just can't help myself...

"Yeah, yeah." he sprawled onto his back and let himself float beside him. "Laugh it up. I'll get you back for this."

"Hmhmhm." Mipha stifled one last giddy giggle against her palm as she looked to him, elbow brushing his side. "Are you hurt? I can heal if you, if need be."

"Just my pride." he huffed up at the moonlit sky and expelled a bit of water from his mouth. "No amount of healing can fix that. How the heck do you Zora swim up waterfalls like that?!"

"Practice." she hummed in retort, looking back to the falls. "It takes a great deal of strength to swim against the current."

"Sounds like it.

"Indeed."

They drifted in silence for a moment more, basking in one another's company.

He knew the quiet couldn't last of course; the nice moments seldom did these days.

Mipha was the one to break it first. "There is...a certain armor that can help you swim up waterfalls, if you were so inclined. I could craft some for you...

"Armor?" He raised his head from the water. "I'd love some new armor. What kinda armor are we talkin' about?"

Mipha went red.

"N-Nothing you need concern yourself with." she squeaked out her reply and changed gears just a touch too quickly, he noticed. "I don't suppose you can walk on air, then?"

Kurama scoffed. "She knows nothing...

"Its called flying." he winked her way, idly wondering why she suddenly looked so red. "And that, I can do."

It was very much the wrong thing to say-and yet so very right, because the princess's gaze absolutely sparkled with glee.

In hindsight, that was the moment everything changed. He should've known better. Mipha could be quite sneaky when she wanted to be.

"Truly? I should very much like to see that." She looked back to the waterfall and something gleamed into in her gaze. "...would you be opposed to a race?"

The implicit promise of competition got Naruto's attention like no other. He flared his chakra and pulled himself out the water, standing atop its surface once more. "To the top?"

Mipha followed his gaze to the high cliff above. "Yes."

He cracked his neck. "We betting anything?"

That drew a blink from her. "Betting...?"

"Well," he shrugged one shoulder. "We're I'm from, folks usually place wagers on this sort of thing."

Mipha floated just a bit straighter in the water. He didn't miss her wide eyes. Oho? He had her attention now, did he? Adorable.

...then," she paused for a moment, plucked up her courage, then barreled on. "Should I win, I would like you to...to try on that armor I mentioned."

"Sounds fair." his head bobbed in agreement to her terms. Sounded like a win-win to him. "And if I win..."

He considered it, then gave up. Ah, what the hell. What was the harm in it?

...You have to share a drink with me."

Mipha's gaze eyes lit up. "I should like that very much."

How strange. He could sense her excitement clear as day; it burned in his sixth sense. He wondered why.

"Dense son of a brick...

"Hey!" shunting aside his partner stinging remark, he loped forward."Sounds good to me!" he was eager to reclaim his honor after the waterfall trounced him anyway. "On three, then?"

"Very well." she drift closer. "I shall swim up the falls, while you shall fly up them. No holding back?"

He offered her his hand, fingers splayed. "No holding back. And no tricks?"

"Agreed." she hummed happily. "No tricks...

Their open palms collided in agreement.

And then Mipha's lips quirked just so.

...well, perhaps just the one."

She yanked him down.

"OI?!"

Back into the drink he went with a yelp, and the moment he did, Mipha was gone; rocketing past him then up the waterfall at speed, little more than a shimmering blur beneath the surface. Naruto blinked at her retreating form, briefly stunned, then proud, oh so very proud indeed. Cheeky girl. Seemed he was rubbing off on her after all. He flared chakra and righted himself quickly on the water's surface, took a moment to admire her little prank as she ascended, then laughed.

"Been a long time since somebody managed to prank me...

"What're you doing?"

"Givin' her a head start." he shook himself dry. "S'only fair."

"She's going to win at this rate. You put yourself at a disadvantage for no reason!"

"Nope." he took on a runner's stance, flared their chakra cloak, gathered his legs beneath him and launched himself into the air after her. "Now its fun."

In an instant they were neck and neck.

He could've sworn he saw Mipha's eyes widen under the water, but that might've been his imagination. With a merry grin, he snapped off a snarky salute. Then he was past, roaring up the waterfall at speeds that would've made Minato himself proud. He heard rather than saw Mipha redouble her pace, for all the good it did her.

Wasn't even a contest after that.

He crested the top of the falls with ease and landed easily, one fist pumped into the air.

"Victory is mine~!"

To her credit, Mipha was only three seconds behind. In a battle between that may as well have been an eternity but here? It was good clean fun. Not content to merely lose, she soared through the air after him, scattering water droplets like so much dew to alight gracefully at his side. Her eyes were very wide, chest hitching as she gasped for air.

He'd bested her. They both knew it. He hoped she could accept defeat gracefully...

.

...

...much to his surprise, she did.

"To outrace a Zora in the water," she touched a hand to her bosom, still panting. "Just what are you...?"

Many things, none of which he really wanted to say for fear of jeopardizing his friendship with her.

Instead, he clasped both hands behind his head. Just your friendly neighborhood shinobi."

Mipha looked at him for a long moment, looking like she desperately wanted to say something. She took a quick step forward and laid a hand on his arm. Her lips parted. "Would you be willing to-

A low roar rattled the world behind them.

"Oh, dear." his companion went very still, her question forgotten. One hand slid to her trident, nestled firmly against her back. "Not that awful beast again...we'd best leave before we attract its attention."

"Beast?" his brow furrowed. "What beast? What're ya talkin' about?"

She swallowed once, gulped really. "That, would be a Lynel."

Naruto tilted his head. "And its dangerous because...?"

Mipha told him.

It wasn't a terribly long story to tell at that; by the end of it he was feeling fit to spit.

"So what you're telling me," he thumbed his chin, "Is that this Lynel's been causing you all trouble?

"Yes," she faltered a little under his steadfast gaze, but rallied. "We've tried to drive it away many a time, but its proven too powerful, and we're weak against the shock arrows its wields."

An idea dawned. "Lemme take a crack at it."

Mipha balked. "You can't mean to fight such a beast, surely?!"

"Meh," he waved a hand. "I've dealt with lightning a time or two in my day. A little zappy-zap ain't gonna scare me."

Still she dithered, still uncertain. "...are you certain you can best such a beast?"

"Sure can." He thumbed his nose. Take me to it."

She did, albeit somewhat reluctantly.

In all fairness the Lynel wasn't hard to find; it wasn't exactly hiding from them, either. Not that there was anywhere to hide at the top of the cliffs. Even then, seeing the creature up close unmanned him for a moment, if only for the sheer horror of it. He'd known it was a monster by the way but this...what was it, a centaur? Some mad union of man and lion and horse with tanned skin, a wild red mane andohcraphereitcomes!

It saw him and charged headlong with nothing but hate in its eyes.

His hesitation died with its charge. This creature was evil, its heart full of mindless madness. He didn't feel any pity. For all its strength and rage it was a mindless beast with little sense for tactics, unknown to any real semblance of strategy. He dropped his cloak -didn't need it for this- and stepped in to meet it. A chop to the beast's neck staggered it first, accompanied by a slapping block to keep the sword from biting in, followed by a right hook. From there he parried its blade again, bashed aside its shield and swung himself onto its back.

"Hey, there." he grinned at his startled prey. Mind if I hitch a ride?

The beast went berserk.

"Raaargh!"

Snarling and spitting, bucking and braying, it made every attempt to kick him off...all for naught. He clamped down with chakra clad feet, latched onto its mane with one hand, reared back aaaaaand-

"RASENGAN!"

The spiraling sphere smashed into the Lynel's back and tore it out his grasp, forcing him to backflip away as the jutsu drilled it own into the ground. He watched the crater form beneath its bulk, saw the beast slump into it, and considered it a job well done. Dusting his hands off, he turned and walked away. He never got tired of the classics, ya know? So much better than burying him in shadow clones. Shame it went down so easily, but still, this was fun-

A shadow fell over him.

Mipha cried out. "Behind you!""

His hand snapped backward, lazily catching the beast's blade.

"You're still alive?" He peered over his shoulder at it, blue eyes mildly bemused. "Huh. Sturdy bastard."

The Lynel roared its defiance at him and wound up for what it would thought would be a decapitating blow. Key word, there. Thought.

Naruto offered a merry whistle in return and Kurama roared back, towering over him in all his gilded golden glory to leer down at the abomination. "Hello, dinner!"

Just like that, the monster's cry trailed off into a startled squeak.

Needless to say, the Lynel did not die well.

When all was said done, and Kurama finished licking his chops, he turned to face Mipha, grinning ear to ear. "That takes care of him~!"

She was silent. Almost eerily so.

He waved a tan hand before her face. "Hey, you okay? Hello? Anybody in there? Mipha? Earth to Miphaaaaaaaack?!"

His words piqued into another yelp as she slammed headlong into him and latched on tight, babbling happily.

"That was amazing! How did you do that?! Teach me, teach me, teach me~!"

A/N: Aaaaand scene.

Mipha is precious and must, must, MUST be protected. That is all.

Would you like this story to receive weekly updates? Yay or nay? Do let me know!

As ever, the Embers rule persists. If folks don't like this? Well, I won't continue it. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! That's no joke. I don't have days off anymore -two jobs will do that to you- and I'm working myself to the bone.

So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!

That's no joke! I can't write without feedback. Guess that makes me weak...T_T

So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... ...Review Would You Kindly?

And enjoy the previews! Potential ones at that. Mind you, they're all rough and condensed to save space!

(Previews)

Mipha liked to cuddle. Who knew?

He was still pondering that when the door burst open and a great big barrel-chested man stalked into the room.

this the one, then? You've cause quite the ruckus, young man. I've half a mind to throw you in the dungeons...or I would," he amended quickly at his flat glare, "if you hadn't trampled most of my guards the last time you were here. Who are you, stranger? Where do you hail from?

"Well, that's a bit of a long story...

He told them. By the end the king was stricken silent and the Sheikah sisters were looking at him in a decidedly different light.

Well, Purah was looking at him but she seemed more curious than anything else. "What's this about scrolls..?

That's the part you focus on?

Lemme see! Oh, wow. We don't have anything like this. You're...really not from this word, are you? Doesn't seem it.

The king coughed into a fist. And yet you've displayed prodigous power, strength unlike anything we've seen. What say you? Will you aid us against Calamity Ganon?

...what is Calamity Ganon?

Embrace the fear, princess. Quiet it. Find the stillness...and let go.

"You're pretty strong for a little guy!"

"Hey, hey! Easy with the back slaps! You'll knock me into the lava!"

Naw, that wouldn't kill you! You're built of sterner stuff than that! I can tell!

"I'd rather not find out!

So you can fly? Huh. Neat. As expceted of a birdman!"

...you're mocking me, aren't you?"

"No, no, not at all.

Rivali preened. Yes, that is one of the many skills I possess-ha?!

He turned back to find the blond hovering in the air as if he'd been born there, bathed in golden fire.

"What manner of skill is that?! You're not even flapping your arms!

"Don't need to~!"

"Listen, Link. Zelda cares about ya. Stay close to her, ya hear? You're the only one who can deal with Ganon."

"...!"

Hey, hey! Don't gimme that look. You're the hero here, not me. Of course I'll help if things get bad. He remembered what Mipha had said and thumbed his chin, considering. "I think I've got a way to help that princess of yours unlock her powers...

The master swordsman perked up.

...only problem is, it involves putting you and her in an awful lot of danger. You still up for it?"

Link seized his wrist.

"I'll take that as a yes, then!"

EDIT: Thanks for reading! Hope you all have a great day~!