[Izuna POV]

Over the next few days whenever she wasn't attending the infirmary, Izuna spent her time sequestered in her quarters. After her run-in with Astor, she wasn't inclined to wander the hideout alone nor was she comfortable asking for an escort. No doubt everyone had their own responsibilities to attend to without her demanding company. To keep herself occupied until the day of Kohga's promised celebration finally arrived, she penned a long-overdue letter to Impa wherein she emphasized that she was doing well, including excessive descriptions of the circle stones in Tabantha and the infernal dune near Tera's fountain. She made no mention of the Yiga clan. Even if Impa would understand, such information was too dangerous to send in a letter. Better to err on the side of discretion should it fall into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, with that task out of the way, the only other activity she could turn to was meditation. However, the problem with emptying her mind was that it made room for thoughts of the Yiga general she ought not entertain.

Izuna stretched out onto her bed, clutching her pillow close. She wasn't blind to the conscientious way Sooga, for lack of better words, took care of her. From personally seeing to her safety on the road to teaching her the transportation technique, as well as the obvious respect and consideration he afforded her, it wasn't difficult to see how much effort he was putting forth. Somewhere along the line though, she had allowed herself to forget his motivation for doing so. It always came down to her gift. He'd said as much in Tabantha and truly, Izuna couldn't exactly fault him for seeking the benefit of his own people; she could, however, blame herself for allowing her heart to chase ahead of her mind into utter foolishness. Sighing, she buried her face in the pillow. As her grandmother often said to her and Azumi, she needed to live in the real world. Idealism and fanciful wishes only ended in disappointment. It would be better to let herself down easy, lest she allow him to break her heart-

A soft knock broke Izuna from her melancholy, and she stilled. "Healer? Master Kohga sent me to fetch you," the muffled voice said. It sounded a lot like Ryo, but she couldn't be sure through the door. She kept quiet. "D'you think she's not in?"

"Let's find out," came a much deeper voice. "Please excuse the intrusion; we're coming in." Izuna closed her eyes, feigning sleep just in time as the door opened and the two Yiga stepped inside.

"Isn't it a little early to be sleeping?" Ryo whispered. "Did she forget about the party?

There was a snort. "She's not asleep."

"Should've known that wouldn't work," she said, abandoning the charade and opening her eyes, finding Seiji and Ryo staring down at her, unmasked.

"It is a great honor to be invited as Master Kohga's guest; it would be a shame to miss this opportunity." Seiji stated blandly. More like, she would not be allowed to skip out on the party.

Considering Izuna wasn't one of them, her presence ought to be inconsequential, but evidently Kohga had been serious about her attendance. "You have my gratitude then for coming to get me," she deadpanned. "I never would've found my way on my own."

His brow rose. "It's fortunate then, that we're here. Come along."

Ryo glanced between the two of them with a vaguely uncomfortable grimace. "Okay... we'll work on the party mood on the way. Master Kohga and Mito spent too much time on this for grumpy attitudes to ruin it."

Frowning, Izuna averted her gaze to the floor as she stood, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders and taking what comfort she could from the soft fabric. "Ah, my apologies. Let's not keep him waiting longer." Hopefully Master Kohga wouldn't be angry with her; no doubt, her tardiness had already extended far beyond that which was fashionable. She followed them out of the room, each step heavier than the last.

With so few soldiers wandering the halls, likely due to the festivities, the Yiga hideout was afflicted with an uncharacteristic sense of abandonment. She hadn't realized how much life the comings and goings of the Yiga brought to this place. The silence between Seiji, Ryo, and Izuna only further exacerbated the strange atmosphere. Even so, Izuna couldn't bring herself to make conversation, instead clutching her shawl more tightly around herself, eyes downcast. Undoubtedly, her little stunt had offended Seiji, and likely Master Kohga as well. It was the same in Kakariko whenever she disregarded the elders' expectations; only, she'd never felt bad about it until now.

It was only when music pulsed faintly beyond the walls that Izuna looked up and took note of her surroundings. The room they had entered was a dead end, yet music and the din of chatter and laughter were audible. Ryo made a hand sign and the next thing she knew, a door appeared in the stone, much like the one at the entrance of the hideout. The two soldiers pushed it open, revealing the celebration in full swing. An enormous crowd of masked and unmasked Yiga were dancing, eating, and drinking with abandon beneath the night sky.

"I'll take you to Master Kohga," Ryo said, their subdued tone contrasting sharply with the gaiety surrounding them.

"Right," she mumbled, shivering. A chill pervaded the night air despite the sheer number of warm bodies. The three of them wove through the crowd toward the tall dais where Kohga lounged on some pillows, Sooga standing dutifully at his side. Both were still wearing their uniforms, setting them apart from their casually dressed subordinates. Izuna averted her gaze from the sensual shadows accentuating Sooga's physique. Before she knew it, they halted before the pair. Whereas Seiji and Ryo took a knee, Izuna merely offered a respectful bow, keeping her eyes low.

"Finally decided to join our little shindig, eh?" His tone was light and teasing. "I thought you'd never make it."

"My sincerest apologies," she said, though her tone fell flat even to her own ears. She cringed. "I was resting, and I must have lost track of time." Seiji folded his arms with a snort in the periphery.

Kohga laughed, shaking his head. "I'll pretend I believe you this time! Now, upsy-daisy," he mumbled, pushing himself to his feet. "Let's get this party started for real! Sooga – help her up."

Sooga hopped down in front of her, and Izuna took a step back, eyes wide. "Please excuse me," he murmured, gripping her waist and hoisting her onto the dais as if she weighed nothing. Izuna clutched his shoulders as she struggled to steady herself from the abrupt movement. His hands were warm and her face burned; she prayed he couldn't see it. All too soon, yet not soon enough, he released her, turning to face the crowd. She did the same, taking in more of what the celebration had to offer from her new vantage. Aside from the pale light of the moon, torches and lanterns cast a warm and inviting glow about the area. Wooden talismans hung from ropes cast across the arena as well as the rocky walls. Tables laden with food and drink formed a perimeter around the partygoers, and a group of Yiga were playing music on a low dais. There was also a pit in the center of the arena, gated off likely to protect the inebriated from injury. It was too dark to tell how deep it was, but it was probably best not to go near and risk falling in.

"Alright, listen up!" Kohga bellowed, waving his hands around to get everyone's attention. Music and conversation ceased at once. "I have a few words to say before we get back to the fun. First things first!" He struck a dramatic pose, pointing to the sky. "To the healer who has tirelessly saved lives since she arrived, if not for you, we'd have lost many more friends and comrades." Kohga placed his hand on his heart, inclining his head toward her. "We thank you, Izuna, friend of the Yiga! To Izuna!"

"To Izuna!" the crowd cheered and many Yiga held up their glasses. Cheeks heating, Izuna bowed, hiding her face.

Sobering, Master Kohga stood taller, looking more like the fearsome Yiga leader many in Kakariko only dared to whisper about. "I know nothing will ever fill the absence of those we've lost, but we must not allow ourselves to wallow. Though we no longer walk together, they live on through us, and their sacrifices will never be forgotten. Tonight, we celebrate them and the cause we've pledged our lives to! To the fallen! For Lord Ganon!"

"For the fallen!" they roared, and a shiver ran down her spine. "For Calamity Ganon!"

"Now let's party!" Kohga exclaimed, jumping down and leaving Izuna reeling from the sudden shift. The music resumed after a beat, and so did the dancing and revelry. Izuna clutched her shawl tighter around herself, knuckles white from the strain. Their people lived and died for nothing. Just as the Hylians spared little to no thought for Sheikah sacrifices, the monster they sought to resurrect cared not for their lives or deaths. Was it the destiny of their divided tribe to be mere pawns in the battles between demons and the lesser evil?

"Do you require assistance?" Sooga asked, and Izuna glanced down at the cracked mask, nodding briefly. She crouched at the edge of the dais and like before, he gripped her waist and lifted her from the platform, returning her to the ground.

"Thanks," she mumbled, unable to meet his gaze. Well, the gaze of the inverted eye, that is.

He hummed. "Are you hungry?"

Izuna hadn't thought about food as much as a healer ought to, and now that he'd asked, her stomach was keen to remind her of its displeasure. "I guess I should eat..."

"Wait here. I'll bring you something."

Her traitorous heart skipped a beat and warmth blossomed in her chest. "Thank you."

He gave her a sharp nod, stepping into the crowd, and Yiga scrambled out of his path. The ease with which he parted the throng was enviable; despite his reserve, he had a presence as loud as that of Master Kohga. And he was almost equally beloved, as far as Izuna could tell from her time among them.

"Healer - I mean – Izuna!" came a familiar voice nearby. A tan, shirtless blademaster, mask askew, stumbled toward her, waving enthusiastically.

Izuna furrowed her brow. "Toki, right?"

"She remembers me! I wasn't sure you would since it's been a while! Master Sooga's been assigning me to so many patrols lately."

A footsoldier she hadn't noticed ducked under Toki's arm, striking a pose. "How are you liking the party?" Mito yelled, eliciting a wince from the taller man. This was the first time she'd seen him without his mask; dark-skinned with hooded amber eyes and a big grin, he was the picture of youthful exuberance. Far younger than she'd expected too – probably in his late teens, if she had to guess. "Have you tried the punch yet? It's really good!" The scent of alcohol wafted from him in pungent waves.

"How many times I gotta tell you?! It's noble pursuit!" Toki exclaimed. "But he's right Izuna – you should try some!"

"I'm not much of a drinker. Thank you though." Even if she was, making a fool of herself in front of Sooga held little appeal. Plus, risking inebriation when Akari or Astor could be lurking about would be beyond foolish

Toki slung an arm over her shoulder, pressing her face into his bare chest. She tried leaning away, cheeks reddening, but his grip was firm. "Aww too much of a goody two-shoes to let loose with the Yiga, huh?"

"It's not that," she stammered, mortified as she pushed against his abdomen. "I just don't feel like it!"

"Alright, fair enough, but you're missin' out!"

"I will have her portion!" Mito vowed, making a fist over his heart.

"Yeah-yeah, whatever Mito. So Izuna," he said, relaxing his hold enough for her to duck out from under his arm, "I've uh, actually been meaning to talk to you."

Izuna subtly stepped out of reach, just in case. "What about? Do you feel ill or are you injured?"

"I-what? No, I'm fine! I wanted to thank you for saving my life. Both times."

Ah. Right, he'd needed medicine after the wound she'd partially healed had gotten infected due to the Yiga clan's lack of supplies. "I'm glad I was able to help you in time."

"Yeah, you definitely did. I-uh... I just wanted to tell you that, and I know my sister doesn't have the best attitude, but she's grateful as well, even if she'll never admit it."

"Your... sister?"

"Ugh. Don't bring her up. You'll bring down the mood," Mito grumbled, face souring. "I need more noble punch." He shoved through the crowd, unsteady on his feet as he retreated to the refreshments.

"Noble pursuit, gods Mito," Toki muttered.

Izuna furrowed her brow. "Am I missing something?"

"Ah yeah." He fidgeted. "Mito's been pissed with Akari ever since the lynel incident."

That made sense; Izuna didn't know the specifics, but Mito's leg had been broken. He could have died too, if the lynel found him- "Wait, Akari's your sister?"

He chuckled awkwardly. "Don't hold it against me."

Izuna blinked once, twice. "I... of course not. You've been decent to me so far."

"Decent, she says." Toki chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. He added, "By the way, I was wondering how long you plan on staying with us. Are you passing through or...?"

That was a good question. Izuna didn't trust her ability transport herself long distances, but if Sooga took her to Akkala, there was no need to worry about a lengthy travel time. She could linger a while. "I haven't decided, but I'm not in a hurry to leave just yet. At any rate, I still need to gather rupees and Sooga recommended I start in the highlands."

"That's a good idea, but you should know it can be dangerous up there, and not only because of monsters. The weather is unpredictable, and it gets dangerously cold. You'll need a guide..." Toki perked up. "If you don't mind, I'd be glad to help you out!"

Izuna bowed. "That's very kind, thank you."

"It's a date!"

Sooga took the opportunity to return at that moment, handing her a plate laden with wildberries, savory finger foods, and one mighty banana. "A what?"

Toki bowed to the taller man. "Master Sooga. Izuna asked for my help searching for rupees in the Highlands." Did she though?

Sooga folded his arms across his chest. "Is that so?"

Izuna shrugged. "You said I'd need an escort, and he volunteered."

"...Very well. Toki, you're relieved of your duties for the duration of her search. Report to Seiji tomorrow for further instructions." His voice was hard when he said, "Do not allow her to come to harm."

Toki made a fist over his heart. "You can count on me!"

Sooga merely grunted in response and gestured at her untouched food. "Please, eat."

"That's a lot of wildberries," Izuna remarked, popping one into her mouth and savoring the juicy sweetness over her tongue. Scrumptious.

"They're your favorite, are they not?"

Her cheeks warmed. "I'm surprised you remember."

"Wildberries are pretty good," Toki interjected, "but nothing beats bananas. Spend enough time around us, and you'll see the light!"

"Eh. To each their-"

"C'mon Toki!" Mito called out, stumbling back to them, clutching a new drink that surely contained far more alcohol than was prudent. Miraculously, he didn't spill a single drop of the noble beverage. "We've got a crown to take!"

"Yeah, Toki! Weren't you saying you'd wipe the floor with us?" someone else cajoled from among a rowdy group of blademasters. Their arms were piled high with bananas. "Time to settle the score on who's the true banana king!"

"The what?" Izuna asked Sooga, brows raised.

Sooga leaned down, explaining in a low murmur, "Whoever eats the most bananas without passing out or vomiting earns the honor of being the banana king."

She snorted. The men in Kakariko had a similar tradition with carrots. Some things didn't change, no matter how much time passed. "Are you the reigning banana king?" Imagining Sooga stuffing his face with bananas was an odd mental image, but it would explain his impressive bulk.

Toki shook his head vehemently, leaning closer to her as well. Izuna shifted away as inconspicuously as she could. "No way – that's Master Kohga! No one's ever beaten him. That's why he's the top banana of the-"

"C'mon Toki, quit being a cucco and get over here!" another blademaster jeered.

"Cucco?!" Toki squawked in indignation. "I'll catch you later, after I mop the floor with these losers, Izuna!" She blinked but didn't otherwise respond. Pulling Mito along, Toki strutted towards the group, turning briefly and waving to her.

"So..." she said, returning her attention to Sooga. "Aside from gorging yourselves on bananas, what else do you guys do at these things?"

Sooga shrugged. "Sometimes, there are contests for clan members to demonstrate their skills, music, dancing, that sort of thing. Master Kohga decides most of the entertainment. He's more gifted in keeping up morale." Sounded to her like Master Kohga did all the fun tasks and left the boring stuff to his general.

"He is rather lively," she said, easily finding the stout leader making dramatic gesticulations in the crowd. "Friendlier than I expected too."

"He's been that way ever since he took me in when I was a child. His ability to inspire loyalty and make friends is unrivaled."

"Based on what I've heard, you inspire your own share of loyalty as well." Izuna paused, eyes widening in realization. "Wait, since you were a child? How old is he?"

Sooga rubbed his chin, humming. "I don't know. But he had already taken the mantle of Master Kohga when I was just a boy."

Some people were young at heart. "And... how old are you?"

"I'm in my twenty-eighth year."

They were only five years apart. "Huh, that's younger than I thought."

That startled a laugh from him. "Should I be offended?"

Her face flushed and Izuna quickly amended, "N-no! I just meant you're young for your position, that's all!" Sooga only chuckled and she averted her eyes, making it her life's mission to finish her food. How mortifying.

After a while, he took her plate and returned some minutes later as the music changed to a familiar lyrical tune, and various Yiga partnered off, taking position for a traditional Sheikah dance. Once, Azumi had performed it during a festival, each graceful movement telling the heartbreaking story of the tragic separation of two lovers. While the steps were mostly the same, there were some differences between what she'd grown up with, particularly the freeing sensuality of their movements, but it suited them. Azumi would have loved it; she had always been looking for ways to give their traditions new life.

Clearing his throat, Sooga held his hand out to her, asking softly, "Would you honor me with a dance?"

Her heartbeat stuttered, and Izuna gulped. This was a dance often shared between couples, or those who shared a close personal bond. For him to be asking her... She pushed that thought away. It was unlikely the Yiga clan followed Sheikah traditions to the letter, especially after so many centuries apart. She couldn't allow herself to get carried away with the fantasy that he might care for her beyond that of an ally. Izuna placed her hand in his, hoping he couldn't feel the tremor. "The honor is mine, Sooga."

Sooga led her to an open space, extending his arm, and Izuna followed in kind, crossing their wrists, palms open to the sky. He broke away, circling her, his steps steady and measured. The music swelled, and Sooga lifted her in time with the rising tempo. The story went that the mountain had fallen in love with the snow at its peak, but as seasons changed, the water was unable to hold her icy form under the scorching eye of the sun, slipping away from the arms of her beloved. Izuna's feet touched the ground and she spun away, Sooga following close behind. The mountain grasped for his lover, catching her in a pool for a time, and Sooga's hands slid over her waist, pulling her back against him.

Even so, the mountain couldn't hold onto his lover for long, and she flowed down a waterfall into the lake far beyond his reach. Izuna caressed the side of Sooga's face, fingertips brushing his earring before sliding out of his hold once again, dragging her fingers down his reaching arms, his palms. But his hand closed around hers, refusing to let her go, and her eyes widened. Izuna glanced at the pairs around them; they were distancing themselves from their partners, arms extended. Reaching. Yet Sooga did not release her, pulling Izuna flush against his body and wrapping an arm around her waist. She gripped his biceps to steady herself.

Heart racing, she whispered, "This isn't how it goes-"

The music came to a sudden halt, a single, mournful note echoing around them. The mountain and water would remain apart until the next cycle of life; although the lovers would be reunited one day, the water would not be the same as she was when he lost her. No matter how hard they wished, some things could not return to the way they were before. But Sooga held onto Izuna, dragging a knuckle down her cheek as the sound faded. "Forgive me; I don't care for a sad ending."

"It's a tragedy..." she breathed, heart hammering against her ribcage.

"It doesn't have to be," Sooga murmured close to her ear, pulling his hand away, and she shivered, mourning the loss of his touch, gloved or not. Where had her resolve gone? Her discipline? Feelings for the Yiga general were a bad idea; but she could scarcely remind herself of that fact while swaying in his arms- "You are a beautiful dancer, Izuna."

She ducked her head. "My sister was better. She could tell the story effortlessly. I actually, uh," Izuna gave a breathy chuckle, "I was jealous of her when I was little because I was graceless and uncoordinated. But even then, she didn't hold it against me. Azumi taught me her favorite parts until I could do it too because-" her mouth snapped shut at once, ears burning. She was rambling and making a fool of herself.

He hummed. "She taught you well-"

A ruckus behind her snapped Sooga to attention, and Izuna turned. Two blademasters grappled by a buffet table, straining to reach the last banana in the bowl. "Good grief," she muttered, rolling her eyes.

"I should break that up," he grumbled. "Please excuse me."

"Y-yeah, of course."

He grasped her hand gently and bowed over it, the wooden mask brushing her knuckles lighter than a kiss. "If you're still willing to assist me in the archives, I'll fetch you from the infirmary tomorrow." Not trusting her voice, she could only nod. "Until then."

Izuna stood there like a fool unable to tear her gaze away from his retreating back until a lively song began, luring more Yiga onto the dance floor. Izuna retreated to the foot of the dais where she had a decent view of Sooga looming above the contrite blademasters, arms crossed. Although they were all bulky and muscled, he stood out as the tallest and strongest, utterly dwarfing them. And the way his uniform fit a little too well was positively sinful; she averted her gaze from his backside, face burning-

"You can't seriously expect me to believe there's nothing going on between you two." Izuna sucked in a startled gasp, whirling around to face Master Kohga. He shook with laughter, clutching his belly. "Jumpy, are you?"

"Only when people sneak up on me," she groused. "Was there something you wanted?"

Shrugging, he moved beside her, looking toward the buffet table where Sooga was still chastising the now bowing blademasters. "Just checking in. That was quite a dance, though I'll have to scold Sooga for leaving so abruptly afterwards. It's bad manners."

She cleared her throat. "I was surprised he asked me at all considering..." Izuna shook her head. "Traditions must be a little different here."

"Not as much as you might think," he said cryptically.

"That doesn't necessarily mean Sooga is interested in me that way."

"Hopeless," he muttered. "Why do I even bother?"

Izuna scowled. "Probably because it benefits you to encourage a match between him and me."

Kohga shrugged. "Fair enough. Having one of Kakariko's healer bloodline join our ranks? That would be a dream come true for us, aside from Lord Ganon's return of course." Izuna winced at his casual mention of the demon's return. "It was a bummer when the Sheikah healer I asked several years ago refused-"

Her stomach dropped. "Who did you try to recruit?" There weren't many he could have asked since her family had dwindled in number, thanks to overuse of the gift, and few other Sheikah were trained beyond administering first aid.

"Arumi? Azuko? I can't re-"

"Azumi?" Izuna took a step back, wide-eyed.

Kohga snapped his fingers. "That's the one! I remember she-" he glanced at her, "-uh, are you okay?"

"How long have you known about me and my family? Did Sooga know?"

"Woah-woah, calm down." Kohga held up his hands in a placating gesture. "I knew there was a family in Kakariko that were renowned as healers, but not much about how they went about it. I suspected it was a secret technique because there wasn't any other explanation for the supposed 'miracles,' but when they..." He scratched the back of his arm, looking down at the ground. "When they passed on and only the grouchy old lady was left, I thought it was a lost cause. As for Sooga, he was about... seventeen at the time? He'd only just become a blademaster, so he wasn't involved, don't worry."

Her shoulders relaxed fractionally. "I see..." Azumi had never mentioned anything... and neither had her grandmother. Wasn't that something that should have been shared with her? If nothing else than for her own safety? Unless Azumi hadn't told anyone at all...

"This may be an awkward question, but how come you're alive? Plague hit Kakariko pretty bad – even the spy I had stationed there at the time didn't make it."

Izuna swallowed the lump in her throat. No matter what the elders said about time healing all wounds, talking about it even after all these years was no easier. "I guess my illness wasn't as bad... My grandmother came back in time to save me, but it was too late for the rest of our family."

"I'm sorry for your loss."

So was she. "Did Azumi say why she refused?"

Kohga inclined his head. "Because of her little sister; I assume that's you, right?" Izuna nodded. "Yeah, she was real fiery about it too. Said she wouldn't 'leave her precious baby sister to join a cult of jumpsuit-wearing crazies.'"

Izuna burst out laughing, relishing the warm reminder of her sister's love and fearlessness. "That sounds exactly like her."

Kohga cleared his throat, stamping his foot in agitation. "Yeah well, it wasn't very nice. No need to laugh so loud."

"My apologies," she said with as much solemnity as she could muster.

"Hmph. I even told her she could bring you too, but she still said no," Kohga pouted.

"No offense, but I'm surprised you didn't kill her for refusing – not that I'm complaining, of course." It didn't fit the bloodthirsty picture her people had always painted of them.

"Wow, rude. I don't just hurt people for the fun of it, you know. I'd hoped she would change her mind after a while. It was a real shame she didn't join us, but not surprising. Very few Sheikah defect anymore. You on the other hand..." He sobered. "I doubt many would look kindly on your mercy, Izuna. You've got a choice to make. Your tribe or Sooga? You can't have both."

It was bold of him to imply having Sooga was an option, especially when the other man wasn't there to consent. Unless Kohga had ordered Sooga to woo her to their side. A shiver ran down her spine. Sooga didn't strike her as the kind of man who would exploit someone's feelings, but in service of his people? There was no telling how far his honor extended. Izuna scowled at the thought. "I'll keep that in mind," she muttered. "But just so you know, I'm not interested in accepting the hand of anyone who's been ordered to court me."

"Sooga wouldn't stoop so low, and I'd never ask it of him. He's an honorable man."

"I... that's good..." Izuna glanced away from him, scanning the crowd, finding the general once more. It was difficult to tell with the mask, but she was sure he was looking right at them. "I should... get some rest. Busy day tomorrow."

Crossing his arms, Kohga nodded. "Ah yes, you'll be in the archives together. Alone, all day," he teased. "Sleep well, Izuna. You'll need all the rest you can get."

Izuna turned on her heel and fled.

Unable to put Sooga out of her mind, sleep eluded Izuna for most of the night, leaving her tossing and turning until she gave up and readied herself for the day at an ungodly hour. He didn't say what time he'd be meeting her, so she arrived at the infirmary just before dawn, intent on throwing herself back into productive work. Mixing salves and preparing medicines was a surefire way of regaining her bearings and restoring her composure.

By mid-morning, she had mixed enough poultices from the limited supplies she found in their stores and ingredients she had on hand to treat a battalion of wounded. Ready for a break, Izuna exited the infirmary only to be greeted by a line of Yiga clan members slouching and sitting alongside the wall. "Um... is there something I can help you with?"

The footsoldier at the front clutched their head, groaning, "Not so loud..."

"I told you we should've knocked," someone else hissed further down the line.

"Hangover?" she asked, lowering her voice, and they nodded. Unsurprising given the level of indulgence the previous night. "Drink lots of water, eat, and sleep it off."

"But healer," a blademaster whined, "can't you do something-?"

Izuna shook her head. "I have other duties today and since you are neither injured nor dying, I have no intention of rescuing you all from the consequences of your own actions," she replied in a clipped tone. "Take this as a lesson on the importance of moderation." There was a collective groan, and a few shuffled away, grumbling under their breath. The might of the Yiga clan laid low by alcohol. "Water, food, and sleep!" Izuna called after them. Raising a brow at the group that remained, she asked, "What's wrong with the rest of you?"

A short footsoldier bravely stepped forward. "I have a terrible migraine, healer."

"Me too," said another. "My head hurts real bad. It's chronic. Always happens."

"And I hit my head during training this morning!" a blademaster complained from further down.

"Can I get a physical?"

"Hear hear!"

Convenient, all these head-related injuries and... that last one. "If I discover any of you are lying, you're going to have a lot more to worry about than a little hangover. Now," she reached for the first person with a blue-glowing hand, "let's see what really ails you-"

They jerked out of reach and backed away, raising their hands in surrender. "No-no, that won't be necessary healer. You said you were busy right? I wouldn't want to bother you!" They retreated down the corridor, the remaining soldiers hot on their heels.

Izuna let out a relieved sigh. That took care of that, at least. It was more or less the same in Kakariko after festivals; there were always those who imbibed a little too much who'd come begging her for a cure – not that she'd had the authority to refuse back home. If someone sought treatment, she was expected to provide it, no matter how small or inconsequential, nor how draining. Approaching footsteps alerted her to another visitor and she groaned as they came to a stop. "I'll tell you the same thing I told everyone else – I am not treating hangovers. Suffer with your choices and sleep it off-"

"I'm honored by your gentle bedside manner, Izuna."

She tensed, smoothing her surprise into what she hoped was a neutral expression before turning around. "Sooga, I didn't see-" Izuna stopped short, mouth suddenly dry, "...you there."

Rather than his uniform, Sooga was garbed in an equally tight sleeveless crimson shirt and loose dark grey pants wrapped at the calves. The firelight cast a warm glow over his sun-kissed skin, and she was struck by the fact that this was the first time she'd ever seen any part of him uncovered. Long white roots darkened to black at his ponytail, which was significantly less styled than usual. The rest of his hair was cropped closely in an undercut. Surprising, but probably easier to maintain under the cowl. He still wore his mask, but pierced pointed ears peeked out the sides.

"Forgive me for startling you," he murmured.

"Um, it's okay." Izuna muttered, gluing her gaze to the floor.

"Are you feeling well? If not-"

"I'm fine!" she squeaked. Heat blazed up the back of her neck and her face grew impossibly hotter. "The archives, yes?"

"...Very well. Follow me."

Like the night before, they passed few soldiers on their way through the hideout; many were likely attending training or other duties, though it wouldn't surprise Izuna one bit if a fair number were still abed nursing their hangovers. Sooga led her down into what she could only assume was a basement, the air growing steadily colder the further they traversed. Shivering, she lamented her decision to leave her shawl in her quarters. They stopped outside a stone wall and Sooga made a hand sign – different than the one Ryo had used. The inverted eye glowed red over the stone, revealing a door and he grabbed a burning torch from a sconce before pushing it open. Izuna followed him into the darkness, wrinkling her nose in the stale air.

One by one, he lit the torches inside, revealing the dank, cobwebbed archive room. Scrolls upon scrolls, books, and sheaves of paper that hadn't been disturbed in many years were stacked on equally dusty shelves. Elsewhere, there were artifacts blanketed in so much dust that trying to identify them would be an exercise in futility. She could only hope Kohga didn't expect them to clean everything from top to bottom...

"What exactly are we supposed to do down here?"

Sooga returned the torch to the sconce in the hallway. "We are reorganizing the ancient texts. The last time Master Kohga was in here, he was in a hurry and did not return items to their proper places." He gestured to an enormous pile of documents on the table in the center of the room. That could take hours.

Her brows rose. "I know you're his best lackey and all, but why is he making you do this?"

Sooga rubbed the back of his neck, turning away. Izuna struggled to pull her gaze from his muscled arms. "...We had a wager."

"Really?" A laugh burst from her, unbidden. "Sorry, it's just hard to picture you gambling."

"He offered me a day off if I could beat him during our spar. Since I did not..."

"Ah," she nodded sympathetically, "done in by a banana peel. Well, I hope I can be of some help, so the sting of defeat isn't as sharp." He snorted and she could almost imagine he was smiling. "Where would you like me?"

Sooga cleared his throat. "... I'll take the scrolls; you can start with books and loose papers."

Izuna set to work at once, carefully pulling books and loosely bound sheaves from the table and separating them into piles by topic. Based on what she skimmed, many of the documents were historical accounts, some pertaining to espionage conducted in key Hylian settlements as well as in Kakariko. It ought to disturb her that the Yiga had maintained a presence among her people even amid the schism, but it made a sad sort of sense. Abandoning one's family was not an easy choice to make, ideological differences aside. Of course, sympathizers wouldn't have broken away as cleanly as she'd been led to believe.

More concerning, however, was the ease with which the Yiga conducted their espionage elsewhere in Hyrule. They'd refined their techniques to disguise themselves so they could pass as normal Hylians, with their victims none the wiser. "Sooga?"

"Hm?" He turned, moving to kneel beside her. "Something wrong?"

Resisting the urge to shift closer to his warmth, Izuna gestured to the logs she'd looked through. "Nothing, just... I wanted to ask you something. Based on these accounts, you guys can disguise yourselves as basically anyone, and there's even been a consistent presence in Kakariko, which no one seems to have noticed. You could infiltrate anywhere, even the castle, but it doesn't look like you've done that."

"These are outdated," Sooga said, gesturing to the pile she was referencing. "Unfortunately, our eyes and ears in Kakariko are far fewer than they once were. As for the Hylians, previous attempts to plant operatives in the castle failed, resulting in the safeguards they now rely on to keep our kind from appearing unannounced. We can still get in of course, but the danger far outweighs the benefit."

"They can... block our transportation technique?" But to do that would require a complete understanding of how it worked. That meant...

"The Sheikah showed them how."

"I see." Izuna ground her teeth at her tribe's shortsightedness. Even if it occurred ages ago, her family had reaped the consequences of those decisions. She hadn't thought much of it before, but it all made sense now. The reason her grandmother couldn't transport herself to and from the castle quickly was because of the Sheikah. Azumi, her parents, and so many others died needlessly because the Sheikah tribe tightened their own leash. "Do they also have a way of revealing your disguises?"

"No, that's something we developed after the schism. However, it takes many years to master it, and no one could hold such a disguise indefinitely. It requires too much energy and the Hylians tend not to have mighty bananas in their diet."

Izuna pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile. "It always comes back to bananas, doesn't it?"

"They are nutritious and delicious; maybe one day, you'll come to appreciate them as much as your wildberries." He stood and moved back to his pile, and Izuna shook her head, returning to her own work.

Many of the remaining sheaves were inventory records of various artifacts in their possession; some were crossed out and others had notes about maintenance and necessary repairs. If the list was to be believed, there were some fascinating pieces of ancient technology that Purah would've killed to get her hands on. The most interesting of which was a slate that would allow the user to use various techniques that normally took years of training; unfortunately, it was listed as broken beyond repair. What a shame.

By the time she'd sifted through most of the documents, Izuna's eyes were drooping. There was only so much she could take after so little sleep. Resting her eyes for a moment wouldn't hurt- "I meant to ask," Sooga began, and her eyes snapped open. "What is the purpose of your pilgrimage to the great fairy fountains?"

Izuna yawned. "It's tradition. My grandmother never told me why, exactly, but I always figured the offering was to give thanks for the gift."

He shifted, turning toward her. "Oh? Didn't your family develop the Sheikah art you use to heal?"

"No, we did, but the gift is... different," she finished lamely, reaching for the last document in her pile. It differed from the others as it resembled a journal more than anything else. She thumbed the pages absently, noting it was filled with sketches of various creatures, some familiar, others not so much. There was a sketch of a blupee that made her smile. "It's said my ancestor pleaded with the great fairies to save someone he held dear. Azumi always insisted it was his lover, but my grandmother thought it was a close family member. Regardless, moved by his impassioned pleas, the great fairies blessed him with the gift, allowing him to draw on his life force to heal. Ever since then, it has been passed down through generations of my family, and we make yearly offerings at each fountain once we come of age."

"Life force?" Sooga asked, alarmed. "Then that means-"

"That I'm shortening my days, every time I use it," she said matter-of-factly. For all the power of the gift, the price of life was always death. "When the royal family discovered we could perform 'miracles,' they made a tradition of binding us in fealty so they could use our gift for themselves. Once bound, their demands could not be refused. The Sheikah art," she held up a blue-glowing hand, "was developed out of necessity to prevent them from exhausting our lives. But by then, the damage was done, and our numbers had dwindled."

"Which is why your village elders are forcing you to marry."

"Yes. The gift can't be taught, only bred, and it's my duty," she spat, "to restore my family, as if that solves the problem that killed them all in the first place. But I guess as long as there are enough replacements, then that's good enough for my tribe."

"Would they not accept you teaching the technique to others as an alternative?"

"I shouldn't have to trade my family's secrets to try getting out of a betrothal they had no right to force me into anyway," she snapped.

Sooga held his hands up. "I meant no offense. I'm only trying to understand the situation."

Deflating, Izuna pulled her knees to her chest. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to raise my voice. To answer your question, it's a little complicated. Some of my family didn't want to share the knowledge because they took pride in serving the royal family. It's also incredibly difficult to teach the technique to someone who doesn't already have the gift, but I have my own reasons for not sharing it."

"Such as?"

"Remember how I injured you back in Tabantha?" Sooga dipped his chin, and she bit her lip, looking away from him. "That's why. As far as I know, I'm the first in my family to use the healing arts like this, but if I taught others..." Izuna let out a shuddering breath, eyes downcast. "Such a technique could be a powerful weapon in the wrong hands. I don't want to bring more pain into the world. There's enough to go around as it is."

Sooga hummed. "Fair enough. But to that point, I'd argue that exhausting your life in service of others causes its own kind of pain, Izuna. If not to yourself, then to the people who care for you."

She hadn't thought about it like that. Azumi was dead, but she wasn't the only person who'd loved Izuna. Impa would be devastated... Izuna sighed. "Well, there's not much to be done about it now. But I don't think I've used it excessively; it's a last resort only when a life is in danger. Although our healing arts are incredibly useful, they can't fix everything, not the way the gift can. The first time I intentionally used it was to save Seiji, actually. He would've died, and Ryo..." she huffed sadly, "well, it wasn't hard to tell how special Seiji was to them. I know what it feels like to lose someone you care about, and I couldn't let it happen, not when there was something I could do to help."

Crossing the short distance between them, Sooga kneeled in front of her, bowing his head to the floor. Her eyes widened. "We owe you a debt we can never repay-"

Scooting closer, Izuna cupped his chin, lifting his head. "Please. How many times do I have to tell you there has never been a debt between us? It was a choice I made freely." His throat bobbed, and he straightened. She dropped her hands to her lap, clearing her throat. "If I'm to exhaust my life healing someone, it'll be my choice, not because someone forced me to."

He reached for the book she held and set it aside. Gently, Sooga brushed a knuckle down her cheek much like he had the night before. "For what it's worth, I'd rather you live," he said softly.

"I'll do what I can," she mumbled, cheeks warming. Izuna brought a hand up to his mask, tracing the deep scratch. If only she could peer through to the face hiding within. "How did this happen?"

"Several years ago, Master Kohga was outnumbered in a fight; I threw myself in front of him to take the blow and ended up earning a scar." Sooga huffed. "He was furious with me for my recklessness and ordered me to tend to my wounds and fix my own gear."

"I would be too," she chuckled. "Though, I promise I'd still patch you up, even if you're being stubborn about letting me help."

"I've learned my lesson not to cross you."

She winced. "I really am sorry about that. I shouldn't have-"

"Don't be." Sooga cupped her cheek, and her heart fluttered. "Regardless of how you view your offensive abilities, it brings me peace of mind knowing you can defend yourself."

"I was never helpless you know," she breathed.

"Indeed. Your performance among the trainees demonstrated as much."

Izuna groaned. "Ugh, don't remind me. Y'know what, maybe there is a debt between us – for forgetting about me. That day was torture."

His laughter did something to her insides. "How would you have me make it up to you?"

"Oh, you know... I was-" she glanced to approximately where his lips would be under the mask, then averted her gaze, face flaming, "-I was kidding." Shoulders dropping, she sighed. Live in the real world.

"Is something wrong?"

"I didn't sleep well last night." Izuna didn't have to try hard to yawn.

"Are your quarters unsatisfactory?"

She shook her head. "Not at all. I've just had a lot on my mind." Sooga tilted his head in question; while his body language was open and relaxed, gauging his thoughts would be a lot easier if she could see his face. "Master Kohga said something last night about how your traditions aren't that different from the Sheikah so, I wondered if..." she averted her eyes to the floor, unable to look at him. Better to address it head-on than to allow herself to agonize over what it could have meant any longer. Then she could put this silly matter to bed for good. "If our dance last night meant anything to you?"

"And if it did?" She stilled, heart hammering against her chest like a prisoner desperate for escape. "It is my intention to court you, Izuna, if you'll permit me."

She was weightless. "Courtship?" Izuna whispered. "But I'm Sheikah."

He chuckled. "What difference does that make? Our tribes were once one and the same."

"I don't even have a full lifetime to offer..."

"And whenever I leave for a mission, there's a chance I could be slain in battle. Our days are not guaranteed."

"That may be, but I've seen the way your people admire you, Sooga. You could have anyone-"

"I don't want 'anyone' else; I want you, if you'll have me." Quietly, he added, "And no matter what you decide, you can count on my support if your tribe tries to force your hand in marriage. You have my word."

Tears pricked the corners of her eyes, and Izuna let out a shuddering breath. She closed the distance between them and brought his hand to her cheek. Kohga's words echoed in her mind, of choosing between her people and Sooga. No doubt Impa would see this as the worst kind of betrayal, probably more so than healing the enemy. But had her tribe not betrayed her first? She had to leave everything she'd ever known to escape her bleak future; why not follow her heart and take something real for herself? There was no one to stop her. Impa would have to understand where she was coming from, even if she didn't like it. "In that case, I accept."

Sooga brushed his thumb over her cheekbone, his calluses rough against her skin. The hands of a warrior. "Close your eyes."

She did so without a moment's hesitation, her heart thundering with such intensity that he could surely hear it. There was rustling and the sound of something solid being placed on the table they'd cleared earlier. Cupping the back of her neck, Sooga pulled her in, stealing the air from her lungs as his lips covered hers, softly at first, then insistently. Izuna gasped and pressed closer, hungrily taking what he offered. It didn't matter that they were in a dusty basement; for that moment, she wasn't the blessed healer, nor he the Yiga general. They were only Izuna and Sooga, and he was kissing her. Something not even Koro had managed, despite their betrothal.

Her hands found their way into his hair and tugged, eliciting a groan that shot through her like electricity. Grasping her waist, he lifted her and stood, setting her on the table and slotting himself between her legs, deepening the kiss. She was helpless against the onslaught of heat blazing under her skin wherever they touched. Wrapping her legs around him as he nibbled at her lip, Izuna let out a whimper. He stilled, and her ears burned.

"Forgive me," he murmured against her lips. "I got carried away-"

"I didn't mind."

Sooga pressed his face into her neck, breathing deeply. She shivered. "Such temptation," he whispered, pressing chaste kisses to her neck, cheeks, then finally her mouth. Izuna smiled into the kiss. Temptation indeed.

"We probably shouldn't do this here," she said between kisses, still keeping her eyes dutifully shut. "What if-" he kissed her again, "-if Master Kohga decides to check up on us?"

Sooga groaned, resting his forehead against hers. All too soon, he pulled away and secured his mask back into place. "You can open your eyes." Meeting the stare of the inverted eye after such intimacies was disappointing, but until the day she looked upon him unmasked, knowing his face by touch alone would have to be enough.

[Sooga POV]

Later that evening, Master Kohga sauntered into Sooga's workroom and flopped into a seat, crossing one leg over the other and resting his hands on his belly. Although the leader of the Yiga clan still wore his mask, Sooga could picture his impatient countenance perfectly, and mentally counted down from ten in his head. He hadn't even gotten to five before Kohga exploded. "Well?! How did it go?"

"We successfully re-sorted the documents in the archive room, as you ordered Master Kohga."

Kohga's fingers twitched. "...Tell me that's not all. You were alone with her all. Day. Long. If you didn't make a move, I swear Sooga I will demote you!"

He barely repressed a snort at the dramatics. "In that case, it is fortunate that I will continue to serve as your general."

Kohga ripped off his mask, his red eyes wide as saucers as he slammed his hands on the desk. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? Tell it to me straight!"

Nodding, Sooga removed his mask as well, placing it to the side. "I asked Izuna for the privilege of courting her and she accepted."

Kohga's excitement dimmed to disbelief. "...In that dusty old closet? Seriously? I thought you'd just kiss her or something." He rubbed his chin. "She must really like you if she said yes."

Sooga scowled, cheeks heating. "With all due respect, if the location was inappropriate for matters of romance, then why did you assign us there?"

"Because I wanted the archive room tidied up, obviously." Kohga shook his head, grin returning. "And clearly you made it work, so job well done! You ought to be thanking me for the monumental effort it took to set you two up, but your future happiness is all the thanks I need. That and the payoff from all those rupees I wagered." He chuckled to himself, rubbing his hands together.

"Hmph."

Unphased by his best lackey's less-than enthusiastic response, he asked, "So what do you plan on courting her with? Jewelry? Letters? A good old fashion fuc-"

"Master Kohga." Sooga pinched the bridge of his nose with a sigh. "I have not yet decided." Izuna didn't strike him as particularly materialistic, and letters were inadvisable given her situation. That, and if he had his way, she would return to the hideout after her pilgrimage had concluded, rendering them unnecessary. As for the last suggestion... Sooga banished the thought from his mind before he could even begin to dwell on her soft curves or the taste of her lips. Not the time. Not the place.

"Hmm, then we'll need to figure something out before she comes back. She's going up to the highlands soon, right?"

Sooga nodded. "In two days." With the winter snow setting in soon, the trip needed to happen sooner than later.

"Can't believe you have Toki of all people escorting her. Shouldn't you be the one protecting her? I'd let you take the time off – courting is important, you know."

In truth, Sooga had considered clearing his schedule and delegating his duties to attend to Izuna during her search but given the short notice and since she hadn't asked it of him, he oughtn't shirk his responsibilities simply because it grated on him to allow another to take his place at her side. "I'm confident Toki will do his duty, as I must do mine."

"Ah, you're so dependable." He wiped a tear from his eye. "But in all seriousness," Kohga said, meeting his eyes, "I'm happy for you, Sooga, and I hope things work out with her. You deserve it."

Heat creeped up the back of Sooga's neck all the way to his ears and he ducked his head. "Thank you Master Kohga."

"Now-now, let's not get all mushy or you know I'll cry! Let's talk courtship..."