A/N: Sorry my disappearance and sorry for the short chapter. I'm alive, if only just.
I vanished for awhile after losing my uncle, and I wasn't in the right headspace to write this...or anything.
But now I've returned; despite Long Covid wreaking absolute havoc with my daily life, I'm here and fighting the good fight, writing onward.
With my sixteen year anniversary on this site rapidly approaching, I find myself reflecting on the little things in life. What was once a lazy pastime meant for me and a few friends really grew and evolved over time. There are days when I look back on the last fifteen years here and I wonder if anyone will remember me; if I made an impact, despite never making a single cent on any of these stories. Some days were happier than others, and some stories I enjoyed writing WAY too much; to the point where I'd stay up all night working on them.
And of course, there are times when I look to the future and wonder what will become of things when I'm gone.
Of course, I try not to dwell on the latter overmuch; I'm still alive and still writing; this is my passion, something I enjoy, despite the ups and downs and not making a single cent off any of this.
In an ideal world, I'd like to keep writing forever. But old age is catching up to me and these days, the world is filled with so much madness and death. Feels like everyone's lost their minds sometimes. Even before that, so many friends and fellow writers I once knew are gone, now. Will I still be here in twenty years? Ten? Five? Its a chilling thought. But for now, I'm still here, still writing. So here we go. The fate of this story depends on you, the reader. Your feedback determines the fate of this tale, and many others.
I'm just a humble author trying to make his way in this wild world, one word at a time.
Time and feedback will determine if this remains a story. Simple as that.
May it make you laugh~!
Slight spoilers from Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity in regards to Mipha's fighting style.
"Its a sad truth. Those who shine brightest often burn the fastest.
But the embers remain...the sparks they leave behind.
Their legacy."
~?
Fourth Breath
Mipha enjoyed cuddling.
She reeeaaallly liked to cuddle.
And she was devastatingly good at it. Who knew?
It wasn't a sudden thing Naruto found; not by any means or measure; in fact, it was so subtle that he didn't entirely realize she was up to...at first. It was the little things, ya know? A lingering touch there and a kind word there, the subtle way she'd stick close to him after a long walk, or her body would brush up against his, not just in a fight, but even when they were out and about in the Zora's domain. Gradually, she became something of a constant presence as time passed; she would sit close to him at dinner and share meals with him, sleep in the same room, even. Never in the same bed thankfully, but still, she was seldom pushy about it.
Mipha never once forced the issue; though he knew she certainly could've.
Until one day she surprised him, as she often did. She was good at that, too. Surprising him.
You see, Mipha had taken to training with him at as of late; her skill had improved by leaps and bounds since. Her height as well. Perhaps it was the constant training or the daily, steady exposure to his chakra, but Naruto could've sworn she was taller than he remembered by at least a head. Still small compared to him, yeah, yet still...
But let us return to the surprise, dear reader.
It was a lovely evening atop the falls, tonight; all the world asleep, and a perfect time to train. Her peerless Lightscale trident whirled through the air wreathed in watery moonlight, each strike the very picture of grace. Time and again her weapon sought him out, each swipe closer than the last. He swayed back from them all, careful not to let her come to close, yet mildly amused by her progress all the same. He still marveled at just how far she'd come.
Left, right, center.
Weave, weave, weave again.
Thrust, jab, sweep for his feet, block the rush of water that surged in.
It was a dangerous dance on their part he knew; a single slip might see him badly injured or worse; if he mistimed a counter, he might break her bones. Easily healed on his part, but still, if they weren't careful they could badly wound one another. A deadly game indeed. Yet he'd asked for this. Had to keep his skills sharp, ya know?
And just as a writer excels when faced with a looming deadline, so too did a warrior improve when facing danger.
A wry smile bloomed across his whiskered face as he evaded another barrage of blows.
She'd upped her game. Nothing could take her down, now...
.
..
...well, nothin' that wasn't him, but that didn't count.
On a whim, he deiced to pipe up. "So far you've only managed to get me wet...
Mipha made startled Mipha noises and her next swipe went wide. As he'd expected.
He ducked, chortling softly as that glistening edge missed his face by a country mile. The lapse was momentary.
Raising his heel, he caught the spoke of Mipha's trident with a metal-shod boot and diverted it with a quick kick, only for the wily warrior to reverse course and swing the haft at his head. He grabbed it, but the moment he did she raised her free hand and-
Her smile was nothing short of euphoric. "Got you!"
Anything else she might've said dissolved into muffled syllables as he found himself propelled backward, encased in a sphere of water.
'Hmm.' blue eyes briefly drifted shut as he indulged in a rare moment of childish nostalgia. 'Now doesn't this bring back memories?'
This girl would've given Zabuza a run for his money back in the day. He had nothing but the highest praise for her.
Still...
He tapped a fist against the interior of his prison and beamed when he failed to break the surface. Another attempt yielded the same results. Another facet about her he'd come to recognize, she had remarkable command over water, even among the Zora. Her sheer versatility over her given element would put many shinobi to shame.
And yet.
Mipha's blurry, indistinct form waved a hand at him, doubtlessly asking if he'd give up. As if he'd do such a thing!
He could hold his breath for a terribly long time, but that wouldn't be any fun now, would it?
Alright. His eyes flashed gold. Time to try.
He brought his hands together with a rising shout and flared his chakra to its full extent. The world blazed around him as his prison burst like a soap bubble, sending water flying in every direction. The sheer shockwave of his sudden exertion blasted Mipha backwards, sending her flying out over the dam with a startled yelp.
.
..
...or rather, it would have, if he hadn't caught her by the hand and reeled her back in.
"Its my loss, then." her head hit his chest. "Well done. It seems I'm no match for you even, now."
She hadn't let go of his hand, Naruto noticed. Her fingers felt so small against his. Frail. Like she'd shatter if he let her go now.
And besides, this felt kinda nice, ya know? He wasn't in any hurry to back away himself.
Stoic Silence stretched between the two of them, stilted and awkward.
He broke it with a cough. "So you're really older than me, huh?"
"Strange, isn't it?" his words did the trick; Mipha's gaze lit up as she looked to him. "You're nearly twice my height and could best me with the flick of your wrist, yet between the two of us, I'm considered older."
She snuggled closer, arms wrapping tight around his torso.
Naruto's brow shot straight into his hair.
"Uh...Mipha?"
"I find myself...quite fond of you." she buried her head into his chest, suddenly shy. "Yet I do not wish to chain you down anymore than I already have." her voice hitched a little, taking his heart with it. "I've been far too selfish as of late...
Heat speared through his face and he looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "Oi, you're not chaining me to anything-
"No?" the Zora Princess looked up to him and titled her head. "Then tell me how long you've been here."
"Is that all?" He scoffed. "That's easy! Its only been a few...
Naruto opened his mouth...and closed it.
How much time had he spent here?
A good long while, surely.
Long enough for his hair to start growing out, long enough that he'd stopped keeping track of time. Wasn't like watches were a thing here. He remembered...a lot of sunrises and a plenty of sunsets. And Mipha really was taller than he remembered. Noticeably so. When had he stopped keeping track of time? He no longer remembered the exact date.
"Do you see, now?" she patted his chest. "You've grown comfortable here; begun to forget your purpose.
It wasn't a question.
"A little." He shrugged one shoulder. "Its nice, here. Peaceful, even."
"But peace is not for you. You're restless."
Urk.
"I wouldn't exactly say that, "he looked away, uncertain of where to put his hands on her, or if he should at all; didn't wanna touch her without permission, ya know?
"I would." Imagine his surprise when she took hold of his hands and guided them to her hips." You are a fighter. You were born and trained to fight. Sitting idly by while the darkness comes is not your way."
"Hey, I've done good here...
"You're being kind." her voice hitched again, hurting him. "I appreciate it but you needn't be. You are not bound to this place any more than I am. If you wish to leave, you've but to ask." She releasedhim and wrung her hands, fin drooping atop her head. "I don't want to keep you her against your will...
She looked so small in that moment, sounded so sad, so alone...
Was this because of him? What had he done wrong?
He couldn't help himself. "Hey! Don't cry!"
"I'm not crying because I met you, silly." she hiccuped a little, laughed, then wiped a tear from her bright eyes. "I'm crying because I'm afraid."
He planted his hands on her shoulders. "I know you are, but-
"No," Mipha stood on the very tips of her toes, reached up and pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him. "You misunderstand. "She regarded him a small, sad smile. I'm afraid its too late."
His sixth sense shrilled, yet he didn't sense any danger. There was no attack.
Mipha took her finger from his lips.
In return, something cool and soft caged them.
As far as first kisses went, it was a memorable one; a moment that would be forever burned into his brain. Almost unbidden, he found himself dipping his head down to return her affections, hands settling gingerly against her waist. Mipha made a noise caught somewhere between a sob and sigh and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down, drawing him deeper until he felt like he would drown. All he could see was her, all he could think of was her, he wanted to hold her tight and never let go.
But all good things in this life are fleetng.
Mipha let him and retreated out his grasp, hands clasped behind her back.
"I love you." the words rattled him to his very core, if only because it was the first time he'd heard them from her before. "I have for a terribly long time, now." heat seared through her face as she flushed. "My father he has given me leave to...you and I...we could...
Naruto gulped, unable to form words. "Could?"
"M-Marry." she forced the words out through a brief stutter. "I've been fashioning armor for you in secret...
Naruto's brow shot into his hair all over again.
By the sage he needed another drink right about now-no! Drinking was what had gotten into this mess in the first place. He couldn't entrust all his life choices to a bottle, no matter how tempting it might be. He needed to be sober for this, must be sober for this, no matter how uncomfortable he felt. No, not uncomfortable. He felt downright giddy.
Love.
Someone loved him.
Mipha had said she loved him.
He wanted to shout! He wanted to tell everyone! He...!
"You should come with me." the words burst out of him in a start. "When I leave, ya know?"
She blinked, somewhat startled. "You wouldn't mind such a thing?
He took her hand in his, thumb stroking her damp palm. "Not at all. I'd love-
A distant shout cut through the haze.
"My lady!" a guard burst out the fails, wasted and gasping for air. "There you are! A horde of monsters approaches from the cliffs! They crept up when we weren't looking...!
Naruto thumbed his chin. "Monsters, eh?"
An idea dawned.
(.0.0.0.)
"Monsters, eh?"
Mipha had never seen Naruto like this before. Even when he'd fought the Lynel he had been calm, content even, But this...it made her shiver, and not necessarily in a bad way. There was a sudden chill about him, cool, yet not frigid, the focus of a warrior alerted to danger.
He patted her once on the head and turned to face the distant horde. His right hand wove in the air, fingers trailing light alongside the left. Motes of red and blue light gathered in his palms.
Her eyes widened. "What is that...?"
"Oh, right."he looked back her way with a grin. "I never showed you this before, did I?"
"Show me what?
Naruto's grin grew. "You'll see...
His voice, was calm as a whisper, yet cold and crushing, indomitable as a glacier.
...what happens when I stop holding back."
A hand rose. His body blazed gold.
He took aim...and fired.
"Bijudama."
Mipha's world went white.
Her mind conjured a singular thought.
Three little words, a simple set of syllables along the lines of...
.
..
...I want that!
A/N: Aaaaand scene.
Mipha is precious and must, must, MUST be protected. That is all.
Would you like this story to receive weekly updates? Yay or nay? Do let me know!
As ever, the Embers rule persists. If folks don't like this? Well, I won't continue it. So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter! Really, they do! That's no joke. I don't have days off anymore -two jobs will do that to you- and I'm working myself to the bone.
So by all means, speak up! Raise your voice! Make yourself heard! Your reviews matter!
That's no joke! I can't write without feedback. Guess that makes me weak...T_T
So in the Immortal Words of Atlas... ...Review Would You Kindly?
And enjoy the previews! Potential ones at that. Mind you, they're all rough and condensed to save space!
(Previews)
Embrace the fear, princess. Quiet it. Find the stillness...and let go.
Found you~!
...am I the bad guy here?"
He was still pondering that when the door burst open and a great big barrel-chested man stalked into the room.
this the one, then? You've cause quite the ruckus, young man. I've half a mind to throw you in the dungeons...or I would," he amended quickly at his flat glare, "if you hadn't trampled most of my guards the last time you were here. Who are you, stranger? Where do you hail from?
"Well, that's a bit of a long story...
He told them.
By the end the king was stricken silent and the Sheikah sisters were looking at him in a decidedly different light.
Well, Purah was looking at him but she seemed more curious than anything else. "What's this about scrolls..?
That's the part you focus on?
Lemme see! Oh, wow. We don't have anything like this. You're...really not from this word, are you? Doesn't seem it.
The king coughed into a fist. And yet you've displayed prodigous power, strength unlike anything we've seen. What say you? Will you aid us against Calamity Ganon?
...what is Calamity Ganon?
"You're pretty strong for a little guy!"
"Hey, hey! Easy with the back slaps! You'll knock me into the lava!"
Naw, that wouldn't kill you! You're built of sterner stuff than that! I can tell!
"I'd rather not find out!
So you can fly? Huh. Neat. As expceted of a birdman!"
...you're mocking me, aren't you?"
"No, no, not at all.
Rivali preened. Yes, that is one of the many skills I possess-ha?!
He turned back to find the blond hovering in the air as if he'd been born there, bathed in golden fire.
"What manner of skill is that?! You're not even flapping your arms!
"Don't need to~!"
"Listen, Link. Zelda cares about ya. Stay close to her, ya hear? You're the only one who can deal with Ganon."
"...!"
Hey, hey! Don't gimme that look. You're the hero here, not me. Of course I'll help if things get bad. He remembered what Mipha had said and thumbed his chin, considering. "I think I've got a way to help that princess of yours unlock her powers...
The master swordsman perked up.
...only problem is, it involves putting you and her in an awful lot of danger. You still up for it?"
Link seized his wrist.
"I'll take that as a yes, then!"
EDIT: Thanks for reading! Hope you all have a great day~!