(Fanart by @prue_cacchiaro. I did spell that correctly, right?)

You know what, I'm mad at myself for taking this long to upload a filler. And I'm mad at myself for leaving my coursework till last minute, because if I didn't, I'd have more time to do this. I am so sorry that you had to wait this long, guys. I should really learn how to manage my time better. I'm only 18, and I already feel the grey hairs coming through, hehe...

Well anyway, I got it out regardless... I hope you guys enjoy it, even if it is a filler.

Oh, and one more thing

Hehehe... completely unrelated to this chapter... totally...

I'm not fooling anyone, am I?

I continued to run through the darkness; I didn't know what else to do since it was the only thing surrounding me. I could hear things, though... the ringing clash of metal in the distance, but where was it coming from. Who was fighting? Should I help? Should I interfere? The questions just kept swirling in my mind as I struggled to even place one foot in front of the other in the pitch black.

"ARGH!!"

I turned to my right when hearing a sudden scream, this time certain what direction it came from. Not only that... but I could actually see something- someone. They were one the ground on their knees, doubled over in what looked like a pool of blood. My eyes narrowed to see better, only widening when spotting the blue coloured clothing this person was wearing. That was all I needed to know who he was.

"Link!" My voice echoed through nothing as I ran to him, and dropped to my knees to push him upright by the shoulders. He looked pale, and the gash across his abdomen couldn't be ignored. My breath grew shallow at the sight, "What happened...?"

The boy's eyes slowly opened, their blue colour intensely contrasting with his washed out skin. He winced when taking a breath, as if it was too painful to do even that, and shakily unwrapped his hand from the sword laying beside him to point a stained red finger to the side.

"H...Him..." he managed to wheeze out "I...It was... him..." he winced again and leaned forward into me.

I began to sweat. This was bad... I had no idea where we were, so I didn't know how far help was...

I opened my mouth to call out.

"Oh come now, don't you know by now it's hopeless to call for help?"

My breath caught in my throat... oh no...

Low, malicious laughter reached my ears sending a shiver through my already quaking body. I held Link close as soon as I realised we were close to a cliff - how did I know that? Because a gigantic hand had reached over the edge and grabbed onto it, followed by another, and soon enough followed by the titan body they were pulling up. Everything up to their waist could be seen as they loomed over us, murderous eyes glowering down at our frightened, tiny forms.

"Hello again, Y/N..." He jeered.

"K-Kory..." Link whispered, voice weak as he shakily reached for his bloody sword. However I stopped him.

"Don't. You're too weak."

Kory grinned down at me "Aww, but he can't help it~, after all you're the one his trying to protect..."

I growled and pulled the injured boy closer "Leave us alone, Kory!"

"And why should I do that?" He asked mockingly "I have no reason to; and I don't see any threat to push me away either... I only see the hero, unable to fight... and my weak little target, ready for the taking."

Despite my shaky, near petrified state, I grabbed Link's sword and held it in front of both of us, while keeping Link tucked into my side with my other arm "I'm not tied down this time! I won't let myself be taken by you again!"

Kory sent me a weird look, as if I had said the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard, and burst into hysterical, booming laughter. "Do you really think it would make a difference whether you're tied up or not?! Please, you're too much, Y/N!"

My hand faltered "What...?"

"The truth is, you suck. You're a kiss up. You're too soft with your weapon, and you don't even know how to use the sword you've raised against me." His glare was cruel, and his words and smile were even crueler "It would be a waste of time if I even humoured you by challenging you. I doubt you can even protect that sad little blonde from my wrath."

My eyes lowered, trying not to let him get to me "You're wrong..."

"Pfft, no I'm not!" He scoffed "And I'll tell you why; you took your eyes off me."

I gasped as the sword was knocked out of my hand with one flick of his finger, and held back a groan of pain as he seized my arm with his large hand. Everything from my hand up to my elbow was being squeezed inside his palm as he held me in place, not even fazed when I pounded my fist against his pinky finger. The redhead chuckled mockingly and reached for Link with his other hand, who was close to defenceless as he weakly attempted to keep me in his grasp. But it was useless. Kory's hand closed around his frame, tearing him from my own hold and pulling him up to meet the redhead's murderous eyes. Link struggled all he could, and his legs helplessly kicked and dangled beneath him, but he couldn't break free.

Kory lazily tossed me aside, and sent me rolling a couple times until I lay facing my friend and his captor.

"No..." I tried pushing myself up, but as I began crawling forward something coiled around my legs. I looked behind me to see multiple strings of red rope growing from the ground, beginning to latch themselves onto me. I gasped when they wrapped around my wrists and pulled them behind my back to bind them together, they became the only thing holding me up until more of it snaked around my waist and chest, and tightened around me so my upper arms were secure against my sides. I was dropped onto the floor like a toy that was no longer wanted, but I writhed against the bindings in hopes of getting to Link. I couldn't let this happen again... I can't succumb to helplessness anymore!

"That's better... all wrapped up and ready for delivery..." Kory teased when staring down at me, his eyes travelling to Link after "Okay, boy time!"

I grit my teeth and tried moving towards them, but my fight against my bindings embedded in the ground seemed pretty one sided. All I could really do was yell, and so I did. Or... at least I tried to. "Put him down, now! He's not the one you want!"

"Ah, but you're forgetting something Y/N..." Kory muttered as he sent me one final smile, false innocence all aver his face "You're the one we want... and he's the one we want Dead."

He lifted Link's body over his head and proceeded to launch him towards the far ground.

"No!" I gasped, sitting up from my makeshift bed. Ragged breaths escaped my lips, my chest rising and falling as I slowly regained my senses. I was no longer in a sea of nothingness. A jumbo sized Kory wasn't right in front of me, cackling insults. I wasn't tied up, rather tangled in the blanket Link had obtained somewhere between Damia's visit and our trip to the Akkala lab. And Link...

I glanced over at the hero, who still slept soundly with his back turned to me. I sighed in deep relief to see he wasn't in the state I saw him in my dream. No signs of injuries, and not in the grasp of a bloodthirsty maniac. He was okay... but I definitely wasn't.

I groaned quietly and fell back into my folded Champion garment, which had been my makeshift pillow any night we didn't spend in a stable or inn, and pulled my blanket up to my chin as I stared up at the stars peaking through the tree branches we rested under... That nightmare wasn't new; I've had it every night since Kory and those other two mask wearing morons attacked Link and me. And that was three days ago. Three days of travelling to the volcano with hardly any sleep, and a strong sense of paranoia. Trauma works in cruel ways, huh? Especially since it seems to increase your fear by size, which is probably why that red onesie wearing cinnamon stick was so damn huge... ugh.

Do you really think it would make a difference whether you're tied up or not?

I clenched my jaw and pressed the heels of my palms against the sides of my scalp. Surely that was just my lowered self esteem talking...

Scoffing, I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes "Shut up, Kory..."

I tried to fall asleep again, it would be another early start after all... but every noise in the night made me flinch. Every soft breeze made me shiver, and not because of the cold. With my eyes closed it was worse, because the lack of sight heightened my senses and unease... with me here, laying all snug in bed, completely unsure of what would happen... it felt like he was watching me the entire time, his body looming over mine with that deceivingly golden smile. It felt like he could take me at any moment...

I kicked my blanket off and sat up to rake my fingers through my hair, realising trying to sleep was hopeless. I felt too helpless right now... too... weak.

Weak... a word I was all too familiar with...

My eyes trailed over to where Link slept once again, but landed just to the left of him. On his sword...

You don't even know how to use the sword you've raised against me.

Growling silently, I left the warmth of my covers and shuffled over to the sleeping hero. I'll show Kory, dream or no... I shook Link's shoulder lightly to try and stir him awake "Link... Link. Link."

The boy mumbled and rolled onto his back, eyes scrunched closed as he rested his arm over them "Mmmh... yeah...?"

I paused. Maybe this wasn't a good idea...

But what about in the future? What if we get ambushed, and I wasn't strong enough for it...?

I sighed and lowered myself to kneel, my hands rested on my knees as I spoke "I... can't sleep."

"Again...?" Link lifted his arm slightly to peer at me with sleepy eyes "We... *yawn*... might need to get that checked out... three nights in a row doesn't sound healthy..."

I averted my gaze "No, I guess not..."

He rolled over to face me, tired yet curious "So, anything we can do about it that you know of...?"

"I, umm..." Stammering awkwardly, rather embarrassed, I looked further away from the boy "Could we spar? It seemed to really help you when you had that nightmare, so I thought maybe it could help me too..."

Help me grow less weak, that is.

Link seemed surprised by my request, but agreed without complaint regardless. "Sure, yeah. Course we can." He said as he pushed himself to sit up, and rubbed the sleep from his eyes before grabbing his blue tunic and slipping it on over his undershirt. As he did that, I slipped on my shoes and hood, and waited for him to finish getting ready. "Aren't you grabbing your spear?"

I glanced down at the Sheikah weapon by my messed up blanket and shook my head "I wanted to spar with a sword today."

"You mean train with a sword?"

"No. I meant spar."

Link frowned uneasily and bit his lip "I don't think that's a good idea, Y/N... sparring with a weapon you aren't familiar with isn't very safe."

"Yeah, but I'll get accustomed to it faster." I shrugged.

"I... don't think that's how it works." He muttered, mostly to himself. I continued to stare at him expectantly, which made him shift under my gaze. After a moment he sighed and combed a hand through his let down hair "Okay, fine. But we're doing it with sticks in place of swords."

"Wha—"

"And then we'll move onto swords when you show you're ready." He stared back at me sternly "That's my offer; take it or leave it."

Scoffing I turned away; wouldn't this just slow things down? But, I suppose it's better than nothing, wood can knock people out after all... After a moment, I reluctantly nodded and turned back to Link. "Fine..."

"Good." His sword landed with a clang onto the grass when he allowed it to slip off his shoulder. He looked around for a moment, lip between his teeth, before trudging towards a nearby tree and jumping up to grab two similarly sized branches. Pressing his foot against the trunk he began to pull, and with a snap the sticks broke right off. I was tossed one of them, which I caught with one hand thanks to my heightened reflexes, and followed Link into the field.

I could tell he was uneasy about this, but I'm glad he agreed. Even though it was probably due to my persistence...

Link stopped and held his hand out behind him, signalling me to stop, before pivoting to face me with his 'weapon' ready. I also took a stance, though it was far less confident than it would be if I was holding a spear.

"Y/N, before we start," Link spoke up, as I was looking not so confidently at my stick "Are you holding it in your dominant hand?"

My eyes widened when I realised I wasn't, and quickly switched over to my left/right hand. Somehow, I felt slightly better like this. With one swift movement, Link tossed his weapon and caught it with the hand matching my dominant one. I stared at him in surprise, "I didn't know you were ambidextrous!"

He shrugged sheepishly "Well, biologically I'm a lefty, but I think since most people are right handed, I learned to use both so I could train with others! I mean... I think that's why I learned."

I chuckled to myself; almost feeling entirely better about the whole situation. Only Link would be able to do that...

I took in a long breath, held it for a few seconds, and then exhaled to prepare myself.

"Don't hold back!"

The boy realised we were starting and only smiled back half heartedly before closing his eyes, but when he opened them I almost flinched back. The dark glint in his eyes resembled that of a hardened warrior - which was what he is... I tend to forget that. His legs were bent and his stance was wide, as he held his weapon in front of him and held onto my gaze with his. I gulped down my nerves and tried to copy his stance, nodding to him to show I was ready.

Thing is, I wasn't ready.

Link rushed forward with little to no hesitation, his running strides barely making any noise, until I realised that he was right next to me. Somehow I reacted in time and our sticks clashed together, the force zipping up my arms like a jolt of electricity making me flinch.

"Nice reflex," Link commented "For a stiff grandma waving around a cane."

I scoffed "I don't think captains should insult their trainees."

"Yeah, but you're not my trainee," he pushed back and took another stance, twirling his stick around his hand before grasping it again, "You're my opponent, who still thinks she's fighting with a spear!"

"Come again?"

He nodded at my stick "You can't hold a sword by both ends, unless you want to lose a hand. It's two hands - or one holding the hilt. Thank Hylia we're using sticks, right?"

I growled at my own fault and slid one hand down the stick, so it grasped just above my other hand "F*ck off..."

"You're welcome." He responded sarcastically, "Now where were we?"

"Around the point where I kick your ass!"

Or not.

Link's block was fast, and almost as brutal as his strike, but I still pushed against his weapon to try getting closer. Link smirked at my hardened expression; as his grip on his makeshift weapon tightened. He pushed our sticks over our heads and back against mine, causing me to stumble backwards. Before I could even comprehend it, I had a damp tree limb pointed at my throat.

"Stop smirking, " I sulked as I swatted him away, only to back up and retake my stance, "Again."

Link shrugged "Aight."

This went on for awhile. We attacked, blocked and dodged each other, Link being more creative due to his experience, while I just stuck with what I could handle without pulling my arms out of their sockets from swinging too hard... But, the thing is, Link's force didn't seem nearly as powerful as when we sparred last, however that was probably due to him being tired. Or I was growing accustomed to a sword quicker than we thought... I still didn't feel all too comfortable with it though...

I blocked him as he made a swing for my chest, but my hand shook against his force. Did he suddenly get stronger? Or was I just getting tired? My breathing had started to grow uneven, and I could feel my hair stick to my forehead from the sweat I had built up. However, looking up at Link, I could see that he hadn't even broken a sweat... that can't be ri—

Link suddenly made a thrusting motion. In panic I moved my head to the side, but the sharp edge from where the stick had been dismembered scraped against my cheek, leaving a shallow cut across it. I winced, but to my surprise Link recoiled immediately, his eyes wide with shock.

"S-Sh*t! Y/N I'm sorry - I got too into it, a-and—"

"Wait," I cut him off, eyes narrowed "What are you talking about, that's only the minority of what you could have..." when he looked away from me with a hint of guilt, I came to a rather infuriating realisation. Of course it wouldn't have been as evenly matched as it was, had he been giving it his best effort. My jaw clenched "You were going easy on me, weren't you...?"

Link flinched, and his eyes squeezed shut as if my words had delivered a blow on their own "I... well..."

"Weren't you?!" I repeated, almost hostile.

"Okay, yes, I wasn't going all out!" The boy admitted, apologetic yet slightly aggravated "But that's because I know you won't learn anything otherwise! Your stance has been off this whole time, you have a shaky hand, and you keep going back into a spear wielding position! As for me, I may not know much about myself - but I definitely know about fighting, and I know I wouldn't have the skills I possess unless I trained since I could stand! You wouldn't stand a chance if I went all out!"

He's right, I wouldn't. But... even if I knew I wouldn't magically know everything about sword fighting the minute I held one in my hands, his words had caused my pride and shame twist into an unhealthy anger. Growling, I caught him off guard by jabbing the end of my stick against his chest.

"I don't give a monkey's ass about that bullcrap." I hissed between my teeth.

Link stared me down as his eyes narrowed. His hand lingered over my practice weapon, but made no attempt to move it just yet. He only maintained eye contact with me. My scowl deepened as I spoke up again "We're in the wild, Link, do you think monsters would give it a second thought when we're on the business end of their weapons? Do you think the Yiga clan would care if our skills were lower than theirs? Of course they wouldn't; this isn't a game, this is war - and I have to get stronger if I want to keep up. What if we run into a situation, and your unable to fight? I have to get stronger, because Hylia forbid what will happen if Kory comes back and—,"

"Wait, hold up." Link cut me off, finally pulling my blade away from his chest "What does Kory have to do with this, Y/N?"

I froze. God, even his name makes me feel useless...

"Tch," stepping back, I watched Link's unmoving form with an expecting glare "We're going again - and this time give me everything you got. I'm not weak."

With how I was acting... I was betraying myself.

His fists clenched at his sides, and the grip on his weapon tightened as he gave me a conflicted stare "You'll get hurt from this, Y/N. You're basically signing yourself up for a beating, and I'm not saying that because I have little faith in you, but because I have a lifetime's worth of experience with a sword and you have none." His cerulean gaze lowered. He says he does have faith in me, but...

"Yeah," I sneered bitterly "We'll see about that."

"Y/N—,"

"Don't 'Y/N' me! Just fight me, dammit!"

Why am I like this? I'm just hurting him now. God, I'm pathetic...

"You really want me to fight you..."

No...

"Yes."

Shut up, Y/N! You're past this! Don't be the bad guy again!!!

Link's jaw tightened, as if it was hard for him to say his next words. But, he said them anyway "We do a best out of four..." he muttered, not even bothering to look at me "If I win the majority, we're ending this."

My eyebrows furrowed "Those are your conditions?"

"Yes," He peered through his bangs "Are they acceptable?"

My lips pursed together. If I lost, I probably wouldn't get another chance like this to become stronger... but if I won, I'd most likely go on acting like this. Was that even a win? I suppose it wouldn't matter, I know I don't stand a chance against him. However, my pride was pushing me to agree.

"Fine." I took my stance "No holding back. Three, two, one, go—!"

My stick was whacked from my grasp, but before I could react Link had the end of his pressed against the center of my chest. He hadn't even hit me, but I still somehow felt the air leave my lungs. He didn't even bat an eye...

"One..." he practically growled, taking a step away from me so I could fetch my stick. My fingers lightly touched where he attacked, my heart could be felt hammering through my rib cage from the fear. When retrieving my weapon, I stood in front of him again.

The second round ended as quickly as the last. Link had ducked under my arm as soon as I made a swing, grabbing it in the process to twist behind my back. Once again, his weapon was against my throat.

"Two..."

Dammit...

I shoved him away, angry with myself for not reacting in time. Surely, he wasn't that unpredictable... Link met my glare with an unwavering blank stare, and lowered himself into a pouncing stance. Maybe... just maybe if I get his stick away from him, I could somehow get close. The hero seemed to notice my sudden interest in his weapon, and took this as a chance to charge forward.

Okay... okay this is fine... just get the sword off him, and he'll be approachable.

I raised my weapon, ready to smack his away, my eyes locked on his hand as it clenched the broken branch tightly. The opportunity will be clear soon, just as he raises it—

Wait, why is it going down?

My eyes widened as they watched Link let go of his weapon, leaving it behind to fall to the ground. In fact, I was so shocked, I hadn't even noticed the blonde still heading towards me until it was too late. He had ducked down and grabbed a hold of my waist, taking me back until my back harshly collided with the trunk of a tree. My eyes squinted open, but squeezed shut again in pain when he grasped my hand holding my weapon, and pulled it down so it lay across my throat.

I was being restrained by my own weapon...

"That's three..." Link muttered, as he watched my try and pry his hand off mine and my stick "I'd say I won fairly... but there was nothing fair about any of that."

My eyes slowly opened, expecting to see frustration, or even a tad of satisfaction from victory... but all I saw in his ocean blue eyes was pain... I couldn't even bare to look... I did that, after all...

What is wrong with me? This wasn't sparring, this was unnecessary punishment... for both of us.

My free hand reached up to lightly pat his arm. "Alright, I give; thrown in the towel... you can let me go."

He didn't let me go straight away, but his grip did soften so I was slightly more comfortable in his... cage. My eyes still on him, I slowly lowered my stick from my neck and let it drop to the floor. I didn't need it anymore, anyway...

"Well...' I gently pushed him away "That really sucked, but inevitable, like you more or less stead, heh..." my gaze was averted as I tried to scurry past him "Y-Yeah, sorry about that, hehe... I'm just gonna go—,"

His arm extended out to catch me, preventing me from going any further.

"Link, what the..."

He took my shoulders in his hands and made me face him, even if I couldn't quite meet his gaze "We aren't done here."

Oh boy, here we go.

"But we are done." I frowned "You said the sparring will end if you win, and you did win, so..."

"That's not what I meant by 'we're ending this', Y/N."

"Then what did you mean?"

"This, I meant whatever this is." Link's grip on me tightened slightly "Your inability to sleep, your sudden obsession to get stronger, mentions of... him. I've tried to convince myself that it's none of my business, but now I'm too worried to keep out. So I'll ask you this; What's going on, Y/N?"

So wait, he had been keeping out of it this whole time? Maybe he really had listened to me when I said I wanted to figure some of my problems out on my own... and this is how I repay him... my eyebrows furrowed as I reached up to gently remove his hands from my arms, and pulled them down to stare at them.

"Strange that you always seem to be holding on to me, whenever we have a conversation like this..." I muttered, though it was mostly to myself. Link allowed his hands to slide off from mine so they took their place at his sides.

"Sometimes it feels like the only way to get you to listen... you always have been a difficult one."

"I know, I am trying to work on that." I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest, finally bringing myself to meet his eyes. Telling people what troubled me really wasn't one of my strengths... but I did it anyway. "I've been having nightmares; about Kory..."

Link's eyebrows rose in slight surprise, but after a minute he grimaced "Okay yeah, that's pretty understandable actually..."

I tilted my head "It is?"

"Yeah, honestly... he can make anyone feel paranoid and weak from just that damn look of his. You know the one, right? This one?" He pointed to his face and tried to imitate Kory's creepy grin, which failed, but the thought made me shiver regardless. Link cleared his throat and continued, "So what happened in these nightmares? If you don't mind sharing, that is. Though, I don't know how I can help otherwise..."

"How do you know what we were doing just now didn't help?"

"Because that won't help anyone, no matter the reasoning. Trust me on that."

"Yeah, I guess you're right... I do feel like absolute sh*t, which is my own fault." He really was right. As prideful as I was, I knew throwing myself straight into a match with a pro was a bad idea... and yet I did it anyway, because I hated the feeling of uncertainty. Maybe that was why I did it - not to make myself stronger, but to prove to myself that I was weak...

Maybe that's why Kory's words hurt so much. Because I tell myself the same thing daily.

"I think..." I began, only pausing to think over my next words "I think that maybe it was my conscious taking the form of Kory, because it knows he's someone I'm unable to ignore. He was... big, the size of the Temple of Time, and you were hurt in my arms. Kory was saying things, bad things that I didn't want to believe, but they wouldn't be in my dream if I didn't think about them myself."

"What did he say?" Link asked.

"A bunch of stuff real him had already told me, when he kidnapped me... but what really stuck was when he said I couldn't protect you, because I didn't know how to use the sword I was holding... And..."

"And...?"

I scoffed at myself and turned on my heel "Forget it, it's pathetic."

Link followed close behind as we made our way back to the camp, only forcing me to stop when we weren't too far from the campfire "I won't forget it. Getting stronger? Weak? Pathetic? Are you even hearing yourself right now? Y/N you and I both know the only reason you couldn't fight was because you were—"

"Tied up?"

"Yes! Exact..." he noticed my expression and allowed his face to fall "Does all this have something to do with that?"

I averted my gaze in resistance, but his hand sliding under my chin turned it back up "I know what you're thinking, but I can tell you that whether it's my business or not, I will help you whether you like it or not."

This guy... he literally has my heart in his hand, and he's squeezing it mercilessly... How long can I go without stuttering?

"So I'm the difficult one, huh?" I jokingly scoffed.

"I'm persistent, there's a difference!" He retorted, but as he did I noticed his cheeks glow slightly pink. It made me smile at the cute sight, but only a bit before sighing in defeat.

"He said it wouldn't have mattered if I was tied up or not," I muttered, voice meek "I would've been useless either way."

"And you believed him?"

I only shrugged "How can I not? It's hard not to when he was saying exactly what I was thinking..."

"Y/N..."

I chuckled humorlessly and stared up at the sky "I don't really know why I'm so hard on myself... It's like I'm my own bully or something."

Link had grown silent. It seemed he had opted to just listen to me until I was done. When I was done, however, he began thoughtfully on his bottom lip, probably contemplating on a solution. Honestly, with how intense he looked, I was slightly worried he might get a headache.

"I'll train you." He claimed after an eternity of silence "I'll teach you how to use a sword, because I can see how bothered you are by this. But—," he held up a finger, unnecessarily close to my face "We do it my way. No more unfair sparring, you got that?"

I stared at him with wide eyes. He was still willing to put up with this? Regardless, I nodded once, causing him to smile and step back, his index still up.

"Okay, lesson one!" He declared.

"Wait, we're doing this now??"

"Why not? I mean, it's mostly going to be feedback from our previous fight anyway?" He shrugged, his hand finally dropping to rest on his hip "For example, I noticed that you were only focussing on your 'sword', when you already had certain skills that could have thrown me off guard."

"Really?"

"Yeah! For example—," He clenched his fist and launched it towards my face, but I was quick to block and catch it in my palm. I stared at it for a moment, but then I realised what he was getting at.

"Oh..."

"Oh indeed." His lips curled into a smirk "So, lesson number one; don't forget about your non weapon related skills, because they might end up being your advantage."

"You mean like that move you did in our third round? Because that was epic - could you teach me how to do that?!"

"When you're ready for it, why not." He chuckled, which had me slightly bouncing off my heels in excitement. "Oh! One more rule before we begin properly."

"And that is?"

"No more putting yourself down, or else the session instantly stops until the next day."

"What?! How the hell am I gonna do that?! I told you it's hard to ignore it!!"

"Sorry," he crossed his arms "There shall be no bullsh*tting in my class. Or would you prefer it if I made you stand still while I shower you with compliments instead?"

Oh sh*t he knows my weakness!!!

"Okay fine, no self loathing..." I caved with a groan "Why you gotta do me like this, Limp Noodle?"

"Trust me, you'll thank me in the long run." He replied instantly, smug apparent in his tone "So then... shall we get started?"

—-

"Okay..." I breathed out, almost completely exhausted as I collapsed onto my 'bed' "Now I'm afraid of what the 'non basics' are..."

Link chuckled from behind me, and I felt him kneel down beside me to lightly pat me on the back "Didn't Damia give you this kind of treatment when he trained you?"

"That's different,"

"How so?"

"His methods made me want to punch him in the face."

"...In other words he flirted."

"Bingo." I sighed and sat up, so I could be level with him "Suppose I should be thankful though... he did help me a lot, as you are now."

"I'm glad..." Link smiled softly as he shifted, now sitting cross legged beside me "Are you still bothered by the nightmare?"

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair "A little bit, but I think that'll take time. This is the sort of thing I've dealt with for years, which I've somewhat normalised and ignored. but now my mind has a face that will most definitely get my attention..."

"We'll work on that too, don't worry." He lightly patted me on the shoulder "A strong fighter requires a controlled mind."

"Understood, Sensei."

"Uhhhh, what?"

"Ehhh, nevermind." I sighed, picking at the grass I sat on "Sooo, um... Are... you mad at me for waking you up in the middle of the night, just so I could yell at you and wave a stick around?"

The boy blinked, before holding his chin to make it seem he was in thought "Let me think.... Yes!"

I yelped when he wrapped an arm around my neck into a headlock, and pulled me into his side only to start grinding his knuckles into my skull. Despite my squirming, he would not budge.

"Okay okay! Uncle, uncle uncle, I give up!" I yelled out, heaving out a breath when he finally released me. He was grinning evilly as he watched me attempt to smooth down my now knotted up hair, pouting, "A noogie, really?"

He laughed out loud, which despite my annoyance, it still left a pleasant and welcome chime through my ears. I couldn't help but smile back at him, but it was short lived as my mouth stretched into a large yawn. A hand curled around the back of my head and guided me down, so now I was laying rather comfortably on Link's lap. Well, comfortable, apart from the hammering in my chest.

"L-Link?" I stammered out, turning my head to meet his eyes. He put a finger to his lips to signal me to relax.

"This way I'll be alerted if you have another nightmare," he explained softly, his hand beginning to glide through my hair "You're tired, so go to sleep..."

"W-what about you?"

"I'll be fine." He leaned back against the tree trunk "I can sleep sitting up just fine."

"Well... if you're sure..." Despite my efforts, my eyelids began to droop from fatigue. At some point, I felt my blanket being draped over me for warmth, and then Link's hand returned to my hair. I felt safe like this... Unlike earlier. Kory wasn't haunting my mind, and besides - Link had done a number on him, so hopefully we wouldn't see him anytime soon... "Hey, Link...?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you..." I yawned again, my voice drifting off with my conscience "For... tonight..."

Link's hand ceased movement for a moment, but continued up again soon after. Though, this time it was much more tender, and he had even begun to pull a few strands of hair from my face.

"... Anything for you..."

—-

"So... six potions would be 300 rupees, correct?" Link questioned the stable hand, counting up the rupees in his pouch. Meanwhile, I was preparing for Pan to be boarded with the man behind the corner.

"That's right," the lady replied cheerfully. She had called us over when overhearing our plans to trek up Death Mountain, and offered to sell us some fireproof elixirs to help us out... after lecturing us on how unprepared we were, of course, "With this many split between you, I have no doubt you'll make it to Goron City without suffering from the heat. Oh, but tuck away any weapons made out of wood, they burn easily up there."

"Noted," my partner nodded and placed the rupees into her hand, before gratefully taking the elixirs from her and tucking them away "Thanks for this, by the way, we kinda forgot about our previous warnings about the heat."

The girl raised an amused eyebrow at him, but shrugged it off and picked up her broom "Well, I'm happy I could help. We don't get many visitors anymore, not that it's a mystery why..." She gestured to the volcano, where a mechanical Beast had been circling "That weird lizard thing would make me want to avoid getting near as well, if I didn't work here, that is. You two be careful, y'hear?"

"We will." I spoke up, after handing Pan over to the staff (not before giving him nose scratches, of course) "Ready to head off, Link?"

Link turned to me and smiled, nodding as we bid the woman farewell and made our way down the path. An arch stood over us as we stared up at the mountain, grimacing at the rocks that spiked outwards and the lava running down a little further up. This wasn't going to be an easy trip... A cool breeze brushed past us, which I opted to relish, as it would probably be the last I'd feel until we were done here...

"Okay..." I sighed, looking over at Link. "Are you ready?"

He nodded "You?"

"Yup... Let's go omae wa mo shindeiru this thing into oblivion."

"Yea—.... wait, what?"

"Don't worry about it, let's go!!!"