[Izuna POV]

Izuna hesitated at the bridge; exploring Faron woods had long been a goal of hers, but unless she found the main road soon, she would be well and truly lost. Dare she go further? If this turned out to be the wrong way, she would lose more precious time. Before long, the snow in Tabantha would make her journey to the fountain treacherous, if not outright impassable. She almost regretted leaving Koro behind. Almost. She had already snuck past a camp of monsters hiding out in platforms among the trees. She shuddered at the thought of what might've happened if they'd spotted her. Going back toward it wasn't ideal, but what choice did she have?

Her eyes drooped and she wiped the sweat from her brow, grimacing at the soot smeared across the back of her hand. Izuna glanced around the area, taking in the ancient structures, stilling as a flash of red caught her eye. Another bokoblin? She drew her bow and nocked an arrow, crouching low in the lush greenery. Her hands shook. The murmur of voices drew her closer, and she crept along the river to get a better view. People! Perhaps they could give her directions-!

The chill of a blade against her neck froze Izuna in place. "Not a step further, Sheikah."

Her breaths came out in shallow pants as her mind raced to comprehend what was occurring. More Hylians? "W-wait – I-"

"Not another word." Her assailant clapped a gloved hand over her mouth, silencing her speech. "You're going to answer my questions, got it?"

Izuna bobbed her head once, wincing when the blade nicked the delicate skin of her throat. Her attacker pushed her to her knees and bound her wrists, and tears threatened to spill from the healer's eyes. Why couldn't she catch a break? Red shoes moved into her periphery, and she jerked her head up. A Yiga footsoldier – her eyes widened. While their sex wasn't readily apparent, they were slim and well-built. Perfect for assassinations and disguise.

"What is one of your kind doing so far away from home?"

Izuna trembled at the hate in their voice. "Don't you know who I am?"

The footsoldier scoffed. "Why in the name of Lord Ganon would I know a dog of the royal family? Answer the question before I decide to cut your throat."

Her heart sank. Izuna didn't expect every Yiga warrior to know who she was – after all, no one truly knew how large the clan was – but of course it would happen that the one time she needed someone to recognize her, they didn't. "I-I'm travelling-"

"So far south? And you just so happened to stumble across us-"

Us? There were more Yiga lurking about? Hope bloomed anew. Surely one among their number would recognize her! "I swear, I didn't know you were here-"

"Let's say I believe you and you're in the wrong place at the wrong time," they mocked. "That only makes my job is easier, doesn't it? Without any backup, I can just kill you and rid the world of one more speck of trash-"

Izuna had heard enough. Stumbling to her feet as they raised their demon carver, she bolted past the hostile footsoldier. She didn't dare look back, focusing only on her gasping breaths and the voices that were getting louder with every step. The air was thick and humid, making her hair stick to her forehead and the back of her neck. Soot and sweat stung her eyes but she was almost there!

She stumbled into the clearing, hesitating only for a moment at the sight that greeted her. The largest group of Yiga clansmen she'd ever seen were... picking bananas? A few of their number turned to stare and a flash of irritation shot through her. Izuna wanted to scream; that footsoldier was ready to murder her for potentially interrupting their banana picking?

"A Sheikah?!"

"Hey Akari, you let one get away from you?"

Izuna then glanced behind; her pursuer was close, swinging their weapon and – her foot caught a root sticking out of the ground and she tumbled into the foliage, unable to slow her fall. The footsoldier didn't stop fast enough and tripped over her, jamming their foot into her ribs as they sprawled into the shallow pond nearby. Izuna moaned in pain.

Pulling herself to her feet, a difficult task with bound wrists, her heart hammered when the nearby Yiga drew their weapons and stalked closer. "Wait," one hesitated, lowering their sickle, "isn't that... that's the healer!"

[Sooga POV]

Sooga set the bananas he'd picked into the crate beside the tree, pausing at the clamor of raised voices. Had another argument broken out among the soldiers so soon? He'd only settled the last dispute - about shady picking spots - scarcely an hour ago. Their voices reached a new decibel while they argued and exclaimed; he would be surprised if the royal family didn't hear it all the way in their castle. Drawing closer, their words became clearer.

"Healer? What are you talking about-?"

"Wait, seriously?! She's the healer?"

His ears perked up. What about the healer?

"Step away from her!" Came Akari's hostile bark.

Moving past a large leaf, he took in the scene before him. A drenched Akari sloshed through calf-deep water brandishing her demon carver toward one of the soldiers in her squad – Mito.

"Akari, you don't understand – she's the healer everyone's been talking about-"

Sooga frowned, scanning the clearing until his gaze rested on a figure covered in soot and ash on the ground behind Mito. His brows rose to his hairline. What was she doing so far from home? And how had she gotten into such a state? The pack on her back suggested traveling, but what could've possibly sent her from the safety of her home out into the wilds of Faron?

Akari snarled, "Sure she is. Can any of you actually verify her identity-"

"Stand down, Akari," Sooga ordered, stepping into the open. "She is not our enemy."

"M-master Sooga!" Akari stuttered, taking a step back. "But she's a-" He crossed his arms and she cut herself abruptly, uttering soft, "as you order."

Sooga crossed the distance to the Sheikah to kneel beside her, nose twitching at the scent of fire wafting from her. Her wrists were bound tightly in a length of special rope that all footsoldiers carried. He pulled out a kunai and sliced through it; Akari would have to replace it out of her earnings, but that was the consequence for nearly murdering the only healer in all of Hyrule that would treat their people without treachery or exorbitant fees. The healer rubbed her wrists, letting out a shaky breath. Heavy shadows that had nothing to do with the filth that covered her hung below her eyes. He extended his hand, pulling her to her feet.

"Are you alright?" She nodded wordlessly. Turning around, he scowled behind the mask at his subordinates. "What are you all doing? Return to your tasks!"

They scrambled to get back to work, though he knew their efforts were half-hearted at best, as they stared at the healer when they thought he wasn't watching. Only Akari hesitated, clutching her weapon in an iron grip. "Master Sooga, I-"

"I know well-enough your aversion to Sheikah, but that does not excuse you from following orders. Return to your task with the others." His tone brooked no argument, and she turned on her heel with clenched fists. He could picture her rage perfectly, even with her mask on. He was well acquainted with her temper. The healer watched her with wary eyes, wearing a troubled frown. "Come with me," he said, pulling her attention away and gesturing for her to follow. Sooga returned to the tree he'd been picking from, far away enough from prying eyes to give privacy but close enough to monitor their progress.

She shrugged off her pack, letting out a soul-deep sigh and rubbing her eyes. "Thank you," she murmured. "I don't think I could've..." The healer shook her head. "I didn't mean to intrude – truly. I was only trying to find the road."

"What happened to you, if I may ask?" He busied his hands with picking the Yiga's favored fruit, ignoring the twinge in his arm. "Why have you strayed so far away from Kakariko?"

The healer squared her shoulders and stared up at him, a mixture of defiance and exhaustion in her slate eyes. "Before I answer that, I have a question of my own." He inclined his head. "You said you were going to verify what I told you last we met. Have you?"

"I have," he said with a nod.

"And?" she pressed, annoyance leaking into her tone.

He smirked behind the mask. "And I found you to be truthful, hence why I did not allow Akari to harm you."

Her face twisted with annoyance. "I see. I was waylaid by monsters during my travels, but I'm fine."

Even by his standards, she was stretching the definition of fine, but he let it go. "Indeed. What travels bring you to Faron?" He inspected a brown spot on the bunch in his hands, placing it in a separate crate beside the emptier one full of 'pristine' bananas. Only the best for Master Kohga. She tensed, glancing at her pack. "Relax, healer. I'm not going to hurt you."

She bit her lip, seemingly coming to a decision, and nodded. "Every year as autumn and winter approach, I make a pilgrimage to the Great Fairy fountains in Hyrule." She picked a loose thread from her sleeve.

"Great Fairies? I didn't realize they were more than legends... I can't say I've ever encountered one."

"You'd know if you had." A hint of a smile graced her features, as if enjoying a private joke. "But I'm not surprised. They tend to remain hidden in their fountains."

"I see. Why brave the dangers of Hyrule alone to visit them?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"I meant no offense," he chuckled. "Mere curiosity."

"Oh." She scratched the back of her head, offering him an apologetic smile. "Sorry. It's just..." she yawned. "It's been a long trip already. You could say I have an agreement with the fairies. My family is bound to make yearly offerings to their fountains."

He stopped his work completely, turning toward her in rapt attention. "Bound? What is the nature of this offering? Blood?"

The healer scoffed outright. "It's nothing so barbaric, I assure you. The great fairies desire rupees above all else."

He tilted his head to the side. "Strange for magical beings that remain hidden to want money."

"Maybe," she said with a shrug. "Then again, I think they must have some kind of magic for the fairies to desire them in such vast quantity. That or they enjoy surrounding themselves with shiny things."

One of his blademasters, Jiro, stepped through the foliage. "Master Sooga? May I request a moment with the healer? It's about Toki."

"Make it quick."

"Toki?"

"Healer, some days ago, you aided my comrade but he's very sick now."

She ran a hand through her short white hair, streaking more ash through it, deep in thought. If she kept that up, her hair would be grey, if not black like a Yiga's. "What's happened? Can you describe his illness?"

Jiro nodded quickly. "Yes, healer. His wound has festered and he's feverish..."

The healer rubbed her chin. "What medicine has he been given? Or have poultices been applied to the wound?" When Jiro shook his head, two splotches of red warmed her cheeks. "Well, no wonder it's infected! Did he refuse or something?"

"We do not have anyone skilled in the healing arts, nor regular access to medicine," Sooga interjected before she made more fuss. "My warriors either recover or succumb to their wounds on their own." Her horrified expression might have amused him had the topic not been as grave.

"Please, healer, can you help us?" Jiro asked, bowing low at the waist. The healer took a step back, cheeks darkening to scarlet as she glanced between him and Sooga. "I know it is irregular to make such a request of you, but-"

"No - it's fine, you don't need to bow..." she mumbled, offering a bow of her own. "I am honored to help those in need of my care." Straightening, she moved to her pack, pulling out a leather satchel and taking a seat while she searched through the contents. Sooga kneeled beside her, but the only attention she paid him was a brief glance before returning to her supplies. She laid a few herbs and a jar on an oiled cloth. "The best way to assist Toki's recovery is to boil willow bark and cool safflina together." She pointed to a pile of brown bark and a bundle of blue sprigs he vaguely recalled having seen near the hideout. "They will ease his pain and reduce fever. This," she pointed to a small jar of sparkling purple liquid, "must be applied to the wound morning and night for three days. It will cleanse his body of the infection."

"What's in it?" Sooga asked, inspecting the jar. The substance seemed to glow from within.

"Great fairy tears."

"And... you are you certain this will work?" Many merchants had attempted to sell their snake oil at great cost but with little effect... He didn't want to doubt her expertise, given that she'd been truthful thus far, but Toki's life was on the line, and so was their bankroll.

She raised a brow. "Assuredly. He will live and recover full use of his leg, unless the infection has already spread to the rest of his body. If that's the case," she frowned, "then only the gods can save him." It seemed they had no choice. Their coffers weren't empty by any means but running the Yiga clan was costly. They couldn't afford to be swindled. He breathed a sigh, bracing himself for her price. "How many rupees do you require for this medicine?"

"There is no need for that," she murmured softly. Had he heard her correctly? While he stared at her in disbelief, she turned to Jiro and instructed, "Please take this medicine to your friend as quickly as possible. It's better not to allow infection to fester longer than necessary."

With another bow, the blademaster took the cloth-bound medicine and formed a hand sign, disappearing in a puff of smoke. "Are these 'great fairy tears' not valuable, healer?"

"You think anyone would buy something like this from a Sheikah?" she huffed. "I'm sure they'd fetch a high sum if people took me at my word, but it's not my way to put a price on life."

"How do you put food on the table if you don't charge for treatment or medicine?" His gaze fell to her wrists, no bands. No husband then, was she independently wealthy? Or perhaps she lived with her family?

She shrugged. "I manage." The healer rested against the tree. "I can't justify extorting those who are desperate to live for my own gain."

"Then what of your offerings to the fairies? You said they covet rupees – how can you provide that if you're giving... charity?" His lip curled at the word. It's not that Sooga didn't believe in the virtues of charitable giving, but what of taking care of one's own needs? Or the needs of those dependent on oneself?

She laughed softly; it was a breathy sound, hardly audible over the cicadas. "I don't need help finding rupees – they're everywhere if you know where to look. Besides," she glanced at him, "no offense, but the Yiga clan has nothing to offer someone like me."

He shifted, returning to the banana tree, picking the fruit with sharp, agitated movements. "You're rather battered from your run-in with monsters," he grumbled. "We could offer you protection for the duration of your travels. It's the least we can do-"

"No."

He paused, placing the last of the bananas for Master Kohga in the crate. "Why not? Hyrule is a dangerous place for a lone Sheikah as it is. By helping us, you're putting yourself in greater peril. Will you not allow us to protect you from those who would seek to bring you to harm?"

"Doesn't the Yiga clan have better things to do with its time?"

Clenching his fists, Sooga swallowed his pride and bowed his head to her. "We owe you too much not to acknowledge and repay our debt in some way."

"Please... don't," she glanced around, biting her lip. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but there is no debt between us. I have my reasons for healing your people," she muttered, eyes downcast.

"Regardless of your reasons, your enemies won't share your empathy."

"I'd like to think I don't have any, thank you very much," she sniffed, though her eyes drifted toward where the other soldiers – and Akari were hard at work harvesting fruit.

He crouched in front of her, taking in her battered form. "Your current state tells a different story, little healer."

Her fingertips ghosted over the skin of her neck. Dark purple streaks stretched up from beneath her tunic. Someone had tried to harm her, that much was apparent, but it wasn't Akari. That was the kind of bruising resulting from strangulation; based on the coloration, they were at least a couple hours old.

She averted her gaze. "I was staying in a Hylian settlement for the night when bokoblins attacked and razed it to the ground."

Bokoblins didn't often attack villages openly without provocation. Perhaps the prophet was right about the return of the calamity after all. "And this?" he asked, pointing to the bruises around her neck.

"What about it? I was injured while trying to get away-"

"Bokoblins don't strangle their victims," he deadpanned. "Something - or someone else – did this to you."

"What's it to you?" she snapped. "Your own soldier was ready to kill me because I'm Sheikah – what does it matter that a Hylian tried to do the same?!"

"You will not be harmed again – not by my people, healer. That I can assure you." She nodded stiffly. "By the way," he said after a moment of silence, "what should I call you? None of my warriors know your name..."

She hesitated, pulling her lower lip between her teeth. He raised a brow. It was a simple question... unless she had something to hide? At last, she murmured, "Izuna. My name is Izuna."

"Very well... Izuna." He stood, picking up the crate full of bananas and stepped away through the foliage, leaving her alone under the shade of the banana tree. "Akari, with me! Yiga clan," he boomed, "time to go!" They scrambled to grab their crates and bundles before disappearing in multiple puffs of smoke. His eye twitched at how motivated they were to escape, compared to their slothful harvesting.

"You called for me, Master Sooga?"

He inclined his head and handed her his crate. "Take these directly to Master Kohga." Akari hesitated, floundering instead of following his orders. "Are my instructions unclear?"

She shook her head at once, spluttering, "No of course not! It's just... aren't you coming back too? What should I tell Master Kohga of your whereabouts?"

He rolled his eyes at her nosiness. "I have business to attend to here."

"With the 'healer?'" she snarled. "You don't need to waste your time – I'll gladly dispose of the filth for you-"

"You forget yourself Akari," he interrupted coldly. "She is valuable to the clan, and you will not harm her. Return to the hideout at once." Without another word, she disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Sooga returned to where he'd left the healer only to stop short. The sun filtered through the leaves, resting on Izuna in soft golden rays. Her eyes were closed, and her lips were parted, chest rising evenly. Perhaps he would allow her to rest a little longer. She needed it, if the shadows under her eyes were any indication.

[Izuna POV]

Izuna's eyes snapped open with a start as something shook her shoulder. Her eyes opened to Sooga's cracked mask and she jerked back, only to smack her head against the tree. "Ouch! Wha-?"

"Izuna, have you rested enough to travel again?"

She rubbed the back of her head, soothing the throbbing ache. The sun had already begun its descent behind the horizon, when had it gotten so late? The clearing was quiet, not a single Yiga in sight aside from the one in front of her. How long had she been asleep?

"Have you been here this whole time?" Sooga nodded. "Why?"

"Did you expect me to abandon you while you were vulnerable?"

"I don't know, maybe? What have you been doing this whole time?" Her cheeks reddened at the thought of him having watched her sleep.

"Meditating."

Izuna breathed a sigh of relief. "Well, thanks for watching out for me. I should be going though," she muttered, shouldering her pack and rising. "I have a lot of ground to cover between here and-"

"I will take you to the edge of the forest."

"-Tabantha..." she trailed off. "Thanks for the offer, but I'm good."

"I mean no offense, but I have little confidence in your ability to defend yourself in your current state."

It was a fair point, but Izuna wasn't rested enough to admit it. "You know, I'm not suddenly helpless now that there's a big strong man around. I can take care of myself," she grumbled without any bite.

"I have no doubt," he said, voice tinged with amusement. "But there is wisdom in travelling in numbers."

"Then you shouldn't have sent all your soldiers away."

He chuckled lowly; laughter was well-suited to his deep voice. She ignored the pleased flip in her stomach. It wouldn't do to be distracted. "Perhaps not. You shall have to do then."

She blinked. Did he just... make a joke? Her lips quirked into a small smile. "If I must."

"Hm. We should get moving. You won't want to spend the night here."

"Yeah." And staying in one place too long would be dangerous, if Koro was on her trail. "I bet the ruins are eerie at night too." They exited the clearing, turning onto the path that would lead them out of the forest.

"They're only stone. Monsters should be your concern."

"I know that, but I've heard stories about strange happenings in these ruins – especially at night."

He looked down at her. "Such as?"

She shrugged. "Whisperings in a forgotten tongue, mysterious fires that disappear when you approach, lingering spirits..."

Sooga snorted. "Superstition."

Her cheeks suffused with heat. "Perhaps. But from what I've heard, the people who built these structures disappeared suddenly and without warning. It's so mysterious... I wonder what happened to-"

A growl from the left interrupted her musing and Sooga drew his blades, sliding into a defensive stance in front of her. Izuna drew her bow, nocking an arrow and training it on the black moblin blocking their path. Her eyes flitted from side to side in search of other enemies, but it was alone. Or so it appeared. One never knew if other monsters lurked hidden in the shadows; many a traveler had fallen prey to hidden adversaries. The moblin roared and swung its club in a downward arc, but the blademaster countered it, grunting at the impact. The monster, however, had the advantage of height and pressed the club down harder. There was a tremor in Sooga's right arm – was he injured?

Izuna loosed an arrow as the moblin raised its leg to kick him, the shaft ramming deep into its thigh. It roared and turned its murderous gaze on her, springing away from the blademaster. The moblin grabbed a nearby stone and hurled it at her as if it weighed nothing. Izuna dropped to the ground, covering her head and wincing as the stone splintered a tree. Other monsters were bound to hear that and come looking. It rushed forward with heavy footsteps and all she could do was watch in petrified terror.

A burst of smoke obscured her vision, revealing Sooga thrusting his blades forward and ramming them deep into the moblin's belly before slicing upward, gutting it. Having performed many surgeries, Izuna wasn't squeamish by any means, but the sight of the bright teal stomach bursting and the accompanying smell had her repressing the urge to gag.

Pulling her gaze from the gore, she scrambled to her feet and ran toward her savior. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, it failed to land a blow."

"That's good, but I meant your arm."

He stiffened. "You have keen eyes, but it's nothing that won't heal with time."

"If you don't overdo it, yes, but I really should look at it just in case-" Izuna reached for his arm, but he pulled it away as her fingers brushed the bindings.

"I assure you, it's fine."

"Quit being stubborn!"

"Leave it be," he growled.

"Oh, so you trust me with the lives of your people but not with your arm?" she retorted hotly. "There is no shame in taking care of your body." Warriors and their pride. Some things were the same across all factions; plenty of warriors in Kakariko would wait until a minor injury became serious before visiting her out of some misplaced sense of invulnerability.

Sooga clenched his fists, letting out a frustrated sigh. "If it will ease your mind and make you stop – gah!"

Izuna grabbed his forearm, squeezing the muscle with a gentle but firm grip. "Uh-huh," she muttered, sending him an unamused look as she focused her energy until her hands glowed blue. She ran her hands over his arm, noting the torn muscle and strained ligament. Sooga leaned closer and her technique flickered, but she pulled her focus back to the injury at hand. Focus. Unseen to the eye, his injury knitted itself back together until his arm was good as new. Izuna slumped against him, blinking slowly as her vision blurred. "Better?" she mumbled.

"Your use of the ancient arts for healing is impressive, but you shouldn't overtax yourself when your body is weak from exhaustion."

She huffed, pointedly ignoring the warmth he exuded. "You're welcome."

Sooga cleared his throat. "Thank you. Where did you learn to heal?"

Blinking slowly, she moved a respectable distance from him, head swimming only a little. "These techniques have been passed down in my family for generations."

"Then you can trace your lineage directly to the ancient Sheikah?" She shrugged. "Hm. Why didn't you use this method on Toki? You could have spared him suffering." His voice wasn't exactly accusatory, but there was a note of suspicion she could not ignore.

"I would have," she conceded. "But his injury could have healed on its own. I try not to rely on this technique too much, if I can help it."

"Why?"

She nearly rolled her eyes. Everyone wanted her to use "the magic" on them. "Besides the exhausting nature of using ancient arts? It's better for the body to overcome injuries on its own, where possible. I didn't expect you not to have access to medicine."

"Then why use it on me?"

"You saved me – it's the least I can do. If you don't mind my asking, how did you get hurt in the first place?"

"A training accident with Master Kohga."

She allowed herself a moment to glance over his physique; the thought of someone defeating this brick wall of a man was staggering to her. "He must be incredibly powerful," she mused.

Sooga shifted uncomfortably. "Quite. Training can be... chaotic."

Apparently so.

Sooga directed her along paths hidden by thick vegetation that bypassed the camps she'd passed before, and they encountered only a few stray bokoblins which he dispatched with ease. His battle prowess was undeniable; there was no question that he was one of the elite. They walked in companionable silence until the trees thinned, indicating they'd reached the edge of the forest. By the time the wide plains of Hyrule were in sight, Izuna was dragging her feet and struggling to remain awake.

"This is as good a spot as any to make camp," she mumbled, plopping herself on the softest patch of grass under the most cover and shimmying her pack off. Izuna furrowed her brow when he made no move to leave. "Is something the matter?"

"Rest, Izuna. I will keep watch."

She would have protested, but the prospect of arguing why such a thing was unnecessary was too great an effort. Instead, she spread out her bedroll, and settled in, turning on her side so he remained view. Sooga had taken a seat nearby, leaning against a tree with a knee pulled up to his chest, the other leg stretched out in front of him. He glanced down at her, and her cheeks warmed despite the cool night air.

"Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"No..." If he wanted to harm her, he'd had plenty of opportunities already. Instead, he'd protected her and helped her find her way. If anything, she might sleep better with him watching over her. "Thanks for coming with me... I appreciate the company." Never mind that she'd have been hopelessly lost without his help.

"It was no trouble."

"Won't you be missed with your clan?"

He shook his head. "They'll manage."

"What's it like being in the Yiga clan?"

"You could join and find out."

She snorted. "I couldn't do that." Even though she'd left Kakariko, likely forever, Izuna couldn't betray Impa that way. It was one thing to heal the Yiga, but another matter entirely to join them. Plus, there was the whole business with the Calamity. "I've heard things about your people." The stories she grew up on painted a grim picture of the prodigal faction that split away to pursue evil, but... while most of the Yiga she'd met were normal, that didn't make her eager to join their ranks.

"What have you heard?"

"It's not flattering..." she trailed off, biting her lip.

"Indulge me."

"As long as you promise not to skewer the messenger."

Sooga chuckled. "You have my word."

She exhaled. "They say your people are bloodthirsty demons and that you worship Calamity Ganon like a god. Oh," she added, "and that you eat children who venture too far from the village or don't go to sleep on time."

"Do you believe that?"

"Of course not." Her mind drifted to the stories Azumi told her of the schism between their tribes and the cause. How the Sheikah groveled before their Hylian overlords, martyring themselves for 'peace' while the Yiga turned their backs on their oppressor, siding instead with the enemy of their enemy. "Do your people tell stories of us?" she asked hesitantly.

He shifted and the mask turned away from her. "You should get some sleep." That was a yes.

"Indulge me?"

"As long as you promise not to shoot the messenger."

Izuna snorted. "Wouldn't dream of it."

"Very well. We do have stories of the Sheikah, but nothing like the fantasy your people fabricated to scare children. Our children learn of the might our ancient Sheikah ancestors once wielded, that they are heirs to a strong bloodline, and how the Sheikah today sacrificed their birthright to appease the filthy Hylians."

"Ah," she breathed.

"Your people are a shadow of what they once were, what the Yiga clan is, and even we cannot deny that much has been lost."

His assessment stung, but he wasn't wrong. Although the more prominent Sheikah families, like hers and Impa's, retained the knowledge of their secret arts, most of the Sheikah had adapted completely to the idyllic farming lifestyle the Hylians forced on them. Aside from their long life-expectancy, many Sheikah were indistinguishable from Hylians – save for their white hair, though even that was beginning to lose prominence.

At last, she replied, "You're right, but all is not as lost as it seems."

"Indeed. Your healing arts are a testament to that, yet you use them for our benefit. Why?"

"Why should I perpetuate our people's suffering by denying help to someone in their hour of need?" The same way it was denied to her and her family.

He inclined his head. "A word of caution then. This balancing act cannot last. What will you do when you're forced to make a choice between saving the life of a Sheikah or Yiga?"

Her lips pulled into a bitter smile. "Somehow, I doubt it'll come to that."

"Don't be foolish. There will come a day when you must choose a side or be caught in the crossfire."

"I'll cross that bridge if I get there," she muttered dryly.

He nodded sharply. "In the meantime, sleep. It's a long way to Tabantha from here."

[Sooga POV]

It didn't take long for Izuna to fall asleep and Sooga passed the night in meditation, undisturbed by monsters or wayward travelers. When she woke at dawn, he bade her farewell, citing the need to report to Master Kohga. Disappearing in a puff of smoke and tags, Sooga reappeared in his workroom, only to find the person he sought lounging in his chair, mask askew and sound asleep.

Sooga rolled his eyes and shook him awake. "Master Kohga."

Kohga woke with a start, knocking his ornate mask onto the floor with a clatter. Sleepy red eyes blinked rapidly as he struggled to orient himself. "Sooga? You're back... what time is it?"

"Just after dawn."

"Ugh, so early. Or rather late in your case, don't you think?" He squinted at him in suspicion. "Where ya been?"

"With the healer. She's travelling and ran into trouble."

"Huh... sounds like bad news. Is she okay?"

The angry bruising around her throat came to mind. "For the most part." Sooga unstrapped his swords, hanging them on the hooks in the walls, resolving to clean them later after he'd slept. He removed his mask, rubbing his tired eyes.

"How's your arm?"

"Fine. Izuna took care of it."

"Izuna?"

"The healer."

Kohga sat up straighter, grinning slyly. "Oh, on a first name basis now, huh?"

"You're ridiculous," Sooga said with a snort.

"Hey," he put his hands up in a gesture of surrender, "you can't blame me for wondering. Gone all night with someone, come back feeling better – what am I supposed to think? Anyway," he changed the subject as Sooga opened his mouth to retort, "how did she fix your arm?"

Sooga explained her use of the esoteric arts to heal wounds while Kohga listened silently, amusement draining from his boyish face, leaving it uncharacteristically serious. When he finished, his master sat back, frowning pensively.

"And she said she wouldn't join us?"

Sooga shook his head. "She refused. Granted, I asked her in jest, but she said she couldn't."

Kohga nodded solemnly. "Persuade her. I don't care what you have to do – find a way to get her on our side. Send a few more spies to Kakariko for reconnaissance – we need to know more about her."

"Understood, Master Kohga." Having her in the clan would be a boon – especially if she could teach their people to use the ancient arts for healing. Even if she couldn't, having consistent access to her could only benefit them long-term. In the meantime, protecting her was one of their highest priorities – whether she agreed to it or not.

[Izuna POV]

Izuna kneeled in the grass, stitching a footsoldier's midsection. She had only just crossed Lake Hylia into Central Hyrule when they appeared in her path, supported by two of their comrades. They'd been struck by an arrow but luckily for them, it hadn't hit anything vital. Tying off the ends of the thread, she dabbed a paste over the wound to numb it and fight infection.

"All done. Make sure someone cleans it every day and changes the bandages." Izuna didn't mean to sound patronizing, but after the revelation that the Yiga were incompetent with wound care, she dared not leave anything to chance. "Come to me if it shows signs of infection, okay?"

"Yes healer-"

"And no training until it's completely healed," she ordered, hiding her amusement at the way they tensed. "If you tear the stitches, it'll only be more painful and life-threatening."

"Y-yes healer..."

Izuna stood, brushing the grass off her knees. "Well, I'll be going then-"

"Wait!" She paused, eyeing them curiously. "Master Sooga told us to offer you protection while you're on the road-"

Master Sooga. Akari, the Yiga who'd attacked her, had referred to him as master as well. How highly did he rank among them? Was he equal to Master Kohga? "Thank you, but you need to focus on healing. And your friends ought to keep an eye on you."

"B-but Master Sooga said-"

Izuna shook her head, softening her voice, "I am honored by his concern. But I think you three have better things to do than travel with me."

They shifted, fidgeting with their sickle uncomfortably. "Of course not, healer... guarding you would be a privilege and an honor-"

"No. Please return home and recover, okay?" she said as gently as she could muster. "And tell Sooga that he doesn't need to waste your time escorting me. I'll be traveling for a while and would hate to keep you from your families and friends." She didn't need a guard detail; if Izuna wanted that, she could have easily enlisted a number of Sheikah. Juba might even be proud of her.

The footsoldier slumped. "If that's what you want... but is there nothing we can do for you?"

She tapped her chin. "How about you tell me something about the Yiga clan?"

They tensed, looking at the ground. "Like what?"

"You referred to Sooga as 'master,' but I thought there was only one master of the Yiga clan."

"Oh." They relaxed. "Well, Master Sooga is Master Kohga's right hand man."

Her cheeks burned in mortification. That's why his name had sounded familiar when they first met; Izuna had overheard Koro talking about the Yiga clan's lethal general. And she had sassed him. "Ah." She hastened to change the subject. "How do you tell who's who under the masks? I hardly know which of you I've treated." She scratched her head, abashed.

Their shoulders shook with silent laughter. "We don't wear our masks at home, healer. Well, except Master Kohga and Master Sooga," they amended. "And when we do wear them, we can usually identify each other by voice."

She blushed. "Oh. Forgive me for my assumption..." she mumbled, helping them to their feet.

They shook their head. "Don't worry about it. My name is Mito, by the way." If she could see their face, she was sure they'd be grinning.

"I'm pleased to meet you." She offered a bow, as was custom. Mito made to do the same, but Izuna stopped them at once. "Don't rip your stitches!"

"Ehh... I almost forgot about them. I don't feel a thing!"

"That's because of the paste I used. It'll wear off in a couple hours so you should get home and rest before that happens."

Mito nodded. "Yes healer. Are you really sure you don't want at least one of us to come with you?"

Izuna smiled. "I'm sure. I'll be fine."

[Sooga POV]

Sooga looked up from the latest report from the Kakariko unit as a wounded footsoldier stepped into his workroom. Removing his mask, the soldier kneeled gingerly, waiting to be addressed. Sooga frowned, though it went unseen by his subordinate. If he was here then that meant... "Mito, I assigned you to protect the healer. Why have you returned?"

Mito bowed his head. "She refused, Master Sooga. She also said..." he trailed off, keeping his eyes trained on the floor.

"Speak freely. Her words are not your own."

Mito nodded sharply, though he wore an uncomfortable expression. "She said that you shouldn't..." he swallowed, "waste our time escorting her."

Sooga exhaled slowly and drummed his fingers against the desk. Izuna was proving to be as stubborn as she accused him of being – he ought to have known she'd refuse their help. "And where is she now?"

"On the road past Lake Hylia."

Izuna would be heading west soon, toward Tabantha, if she was telling the truth. "She may not want our protection, but she will have it regardless. Rotate the squads to keep an eye on her and stay out of sight."

"As you order, Master Sooga." He replaced his mask and stood carefully, leaving the room.

Sooga returned his attention to the report with a frown. According to the Kakariko unit, the little healer snuck away without telling anyone, leaving the village in an uproar over her disappearance. With what he knew of her healing abilities, her absence would surely be a blow to their enemies. But why the secrecy? Was the pilgrimage a lie? Or did she run away for another reason?

There was something else that bothered him as well... Why had the Sheikah not reported her disappearance to the royal family? Recovering her would be easier with the resources at the Hylians' disposal – and it would behoove them to do so, especially since her abilities could benefit more than the Sheikah. Something wasn't adding up.