The Missing Goddess

Meeting the Princess

  Link was laying in his bed with a stupid smile on his face. Today was his birthday, and he couldn't wait to take Yuki all over hyrule village, maybe he would even take her to see the castle today. He was equally excited because this also meant he had no training and neither did Yuki, which was a personal relief. Yuki was a kind and gentle girl but she knew how to push him. He closed his eyes to try and sleep some more but that was a complete failure as he was simply to awake from his excitement. So he sat up and quickly got out of his bed to get dressed for the day. He knew he probably should have waited for Yuki to wake on her own but he was bored and he wanted to spend time with her. So he snuck into her room with the intentions of waking her up. He saw her in her bed still sound asleep so he carefully snuck over and climbed onto her bed. "Yuki....wake up." He gently poked her which caused an immediate reaction from her. Yuki's grey eyes snapped open and in two seconds flat link found himself pinned to her bed with a dagger at his throat.
   Link gasped from the shock of it and quickly shook his head "Yuki it's me!" That seemed to have chased the fog away from Yuki's mind and her eyes widened in horror. She had almost hurt her friend, someone she swore to protect. She dropped the dagger and quickly moved away from him. "Link I'm so sorry. I didn't hurt you did I?" She was trembling slightly as she slowly stood up. Link shook his head and sat up as well. "No, you just took me by surprise. I didn't know waking you would cause that and I apologize. But why do you sleep with a dagger?" Yuki frowned as she crossed her arms "Force of habit. I do it at home all the time." Link rolled his eyes, it was probably something her father instead on her doing. "Makes sense. Next time I'll let you wake up on your own." She slowly nodded but kept her distance "anyway, I'll get out so you can change. Sorry I scared you." And with that he left her room. He truly felt bad for startling her. "It's alright link. If anything, I'm the one who is sorry. I attacked you, and that was wrong." Link raised an eyebrow but closed her door. He would explain to her later that what she did wasn't bad.
    He didn't have to wait long for her to leave her room, fully dressed for the day. His eyes widened when he saw her wearing a simple blue dress. He was only use to her wearing her clothes for training so it was actually nice to see her in other clothes. "You look pretty." Yuki blushed as she looked away not making eye contact with him "Yuki, you didn't do anything wrong, and you surely didn't hurt me. You reacted in a way that most others would have. You were vulnerable and half asleep." She slowly nodded as she finally looked at him. "Happy birthday link." Was all she said as she handed him a present. His eyes widened. He had no idea she had gotten him something so he carefully took it. "Can i open it?" She laughed "of course you can, it's your present silly." He blushed and quickly opened it his eyes widening. It was a sword. Not very long, not very wide, it was a simple blade with a simple black sheath. "Yuki...how?" She blushed knowing what he meant "it was mine at one point. I didn't find one in town I liked for you, so I had the entire thing repaired." He looked at her amazed before he realized she probably used all her money "you shouldn't have Yuki." She blinked "but I wanted to." He frowned "wasn't it expensive though?" "No, the blacksmith was actually reasonable. Especially since it wasn't in total ruins."
     Link nodded, he knew that meant it was probably just worn down and needed sharpening and a new handle "thank you." He put the sword down before he enveloped her in a bone crushing hug "li....nk can't breathe!" He laughed before he let go of her and smiled "you left your hair down" she shrugged "I didn't feel like pulling it up." He chuckled again and looked over to see his dad was getting ready to leave "leaving dad?" "Yes." He smiled before ruffling his sons hair and Yuki's "happy birthday son. You need to come outside for this gift okay?" Link nodded and he grabbed Yuki's hand only for her to pull it away.
    Link frowned as he also realized she never even returned his earlier hug. Granted he was crushing her but she could have hugged him as he let go. "Go see what your dad got you." She wouldn't meet his gaze. Guilt was still heavily clinging to her. He sighed and went outside with his father. Yuki followed but kept her distance. And he truly didn't like that. "Yuki come on it's fine." Kaito raised an eyebrow. Even he was now realizing how distant Yuki was "what's fine?" He was standing at the door waiting to open it. Guilt and alarm flashed across Yuki's eyes and a deep fear settled itself in her stomach as she looked at the floor. "I attacked link" she spoke in such a soft voice Kaito was straining to hear her. "What?" Yuki grimaced but repeated what she said.
    She waited for Kaito to yell at her, to scold her, tell her she wasn't welcomed anymore. And it honestly scared her with how silent he was. Kaito looked to Link who simply nodded "it was an accident. I woke her up and scared her so she pinned me down and put a knife to my throat. I'm not mad at her so i don't know why she's blaming herself." He huffed. Kaito sighed and realized the poor girl was also now trembling. "I know Link. She wouldn't harm you to save her life." He walked over and knelt down till he was in Yuki's line of sight "I'm sorry!" She quickly said as she backed away. Kaito frowned and reached out to stop her "Yuki, did you hurt him?" She looked up slightly "no, I recognized it was him when he shouted and dropped the knife." Her grey eyes were filling with tears but it was clear she refused to shed them in front of anyone "then calm down. You're alright. While I'm a bit disappointed, I'm relieved you didn't hurt him, and that you were able to recognize him."
    Yuki hung her head in shame. Link was watching the two but couldn't hear what was being said. "I'm sorry sir, I'll leave....I...I won't bother him anymore." She was trembling badly. Kaito's eyes widened in alarm "Yuki no. That's not what I meant." Yuki didn't listen however and ran out of the house. Link tried to grab her but missed as she easily slipped out of his reach. "Why is she leaving?!" Link was now clearly upset and ready to cry. Kaito sighed "she must think I'm angry and disappointed with her. Link can you explain this morning please?"
   Link nodded and quickly explained and Kaito sighed "I see. So you had already forgiven her." "Yeah, I guess it's cause she does it at home." "Wanna bet it's cause of Gai?" "Wouldn't shock me." He looked at his son and shook his head "she couldn't have gotten far. She's on foot." Link grimaced "Yeah but you forget she's fast at running."
He sighed knowing his son was right "yes but she's also in a dress. Not that, that seemed to hinder her in the slightest." Link sighed and went outside only to stop in his tracks. Kaito chuckled as Link saw what his present was "you...you got me a horse?" "Yes i did. You just need to name her. So while don't you take her and find Yuki, before she gets lost or hurt." Link nodded and walked over to the mare. She had a white mane and a brown coat. He tapped his chin before nodding "Epona." His father blinked and then nodded "let's go find your friend. I owe the girl an apology, especially since now I have the entire story."
   Link carefully mounted Epona and soon took off his father right behind him on his own horse. They looked around trying to figure out where Yuki could have gone when link had an idea. "Dad follow me!" "Don't worry I am!" And with that he urged Epona to run towards the forest where he first took Yuki.
    Yuki had finally stopped running and looked around, she was a bit disoriented and slightly winded but she had hoped she had gotten far enough. She slowly sank to her knees and put her head in her hands before she cried. Low broken sobs left her mouth as the guilt and self hate ate at her. She never meant to do it. She never meant to almost hurt him. She was so lost to her grief that she didn't realize both Link and Kaito had finally found her. In the same spot that the monster had attacked them at not to long ago.
    Links eyes were wide at hearing the broken sobs coming from Yuki so he ran over and embraced her. Kaito instantly felt like he had been slapped. He was gonna need to explain to Yuki what he meant. And apologize. He knew she grew up different and he over reacted. Yuki felt arms wrapping around her and she tried to break free but the arms only tightened. She peeked up just enough to see it was Link who was holding onto her. "Let go." Her voice was weak, tired, broken. "No, not happening. You're not leaving me." He was panicking a bit. He didn't wanna lose her. Not with how much she meant to him. "Yuki this morning was my fault."
    Yuki continues to struggle but soon gave up once she realized that Link wasn't gonna let her go any time soon. Link sighed relieved that she was no longer struggling when Kaito walked over. He knelt down and carefully took Yuki Into his arms and rubbed her back. "I'm sorry I upset you Yuki, I keep forgetting, where you grew up this is normal. For you it's normal. As I've said I'm glad you didn't hurt Link. And I'm glad you didn't get hurt either. But what made you think I would make you leave? Ban you from seeing my son?" Yuki sniffled as she pulled back to look at him "because I was careless. Because I could have harmed him." Kaito ruffled her hair "but you didn't. If anything link shouldn't have scared you awake."
    Link nodded in agreement and she bit her lip "so i don't have to leave? I can stay and still be his friend?" She was trembling again and Kaito felt his heartbreaking. 'Is this what's she's always gone through? Is this how she's always felt? Is this how her own village treated her? Made her feel alone?' He has all those questions but couldn't voice them. She was also only 7 and no child should feel the pain she so clearly felt. "Of course you're staying, and of course you can still be his friend. But i think he's a bit upset that you've been avoiding him." Her eyes widened and she looked at link. Her stormy grey eyes were once again full of tears "I just want a hug." Is all link said before he found himself being tackled by said girl. She held onto him as she cried against his chest.
    He didn't say anything he just played with her hair and kept one arm around her. Kaito watched the two before he slowly stood up. "You two head back home and eat. Come by the castle around noon and we'll all get lunch." Link nodded as he attempted to get Yuki to settle down. It didn't take long before the crying stopped along with the sniffles. She pulled back and link wiped her eyes. "You okay now?" She slowly nodded and Link smiled softly before standing and pulling her up with him. He led her over to where he left Epona and watched her eyes widen "what's her name?" "Epona." He watched as she carefully walked over to the horse and slowly held out her hand. Which caused Epona to nudge her. Yuki giggled before giving Link a watery smile "forgive me?" He chuckled "I forgave you the second it happened."
    Her eyes widened and the next thing she knew is Link had put her on Epona "you can ride her while i lead her back home." She went to protest but the pointed look Link gave her made her go silent. Link gently took the reigns while he walked back home. Epona easily followed and Yuki just watched amazed. "Yuki?" Link asked after the long silence became to much. "Yeah?" "Think you can show me how you did that?" And with that Yuki cracked up laughing. Leave it to link to wanna no how she easily pinned him "sure, I'll show you another day. I promised not training today." He grinned back at her finally happy that he heard the laughter he loved so much. "Sounds awesome Yuki." She smiled as they continued on their way home. "So any idea on what you wanna do?" Link frowned before he smiled "I just wanna spend the day with you."
      At this Yuki blushed and looked away "you're a dork." Link laughed at her reply "I'm your dork." Yuki giggled as how true this was. He was her dorky best friend. Once they got back to the house did he help her get down off of Epona and led her into the house before he went and put Epona in the mini stable. A few moments later he came inside and snuck up behind Yuki and easily pinned her into another hug. Yuki gasped before she once again started laughing "really haven't you learned anything?" He chuckled "Yeah, that you're warm." He teased her as she turned around and poked him. He poked her back before letting her go. She quickly walked into the kitchen and pulled out some food so she could cook for him and herself "we can go buy food Yuki." She raised an eyebrow as he put everything away "Link." "Nope" And with that he dragged her out of the house and down the street to the local bakery.
     Yuki allowed him to drag her inside as she bit her tongue to suppress a giggle. He grinned at her as he led her over to a table before he went and ordered them both eggs and toast. He quickly paid causing the owner to giggle. He came back to sit with her as they were both brought a cup of juice "food will be up soon" link and Yuki both said a quick thank you before they went back to talking "so after this I'll show you around some more." Yuki nodded and smiled. It wasn't long before their food was brought over and they both dug in. The owner watched them with a smile and shook her head "they'll be adorable once they're old enough." She spoke to herself as she went back to baking for the day.
     After the two finished and put their stuff in a pile did they say another thank you and left. Through out the day link took Yuki all around the village showing her some of his favorite spots. She easily realized that be had a sweet tooth as she watched him eye the chocolate in one of the shops so she snuck away while he was preoccupied with finding another place to take her. "Hello?" She called out as she snuck into the store "hello little one can i help you?" The elderly woman looked down at the child with a smile "Yes i wanted to buy my friend some chocolates. It's his birthday today." "Ah you must mean for Link, so you're the infamous Yuki I heard about." Yuki blushed "you two are adorable." Yuki frowned she didn't know why people kept saying that. The elderly woman watched as she looked at the candies before settling on a chocolate set that contained all types. "Can i buy this one?" She smiled at Yuki and nodded before she wrapped it up. "How much?" She laughed "15 rupees." Yuki nodded as she got out the money and paid her. "Thank you little one." "No thank you ma'am." She laughed "call me grandma like everyone else child." "Yes grandma!" And with that she quickly left the store. The older woman laughed as she watched her run over to Link.
     "Link!" He turned around startled and placed a hand on his heart "Hylia, you scared me. Where did you go?" Yuki giggled as she handed him the box. Link was puzzled but took it and opened it with wide eyes before he covered it and hugged her "thank you!" He looked up at the clock and his eyes widened "what's wrong?" "we gotta go meet dad!" And with that he grabbed her hand and they ran for the castle.
    They arrived just as Kaito was coming outside with a little girl, she had long blonde hair and deep greenish blue eyes. She was wearing a simple pink dress and she blushed as she saw both Yuki and Link. "You two made it. You both okay?" They knew what he was asking and they nodded yes. "Good, anyway this is princess Zelda, and if you two don't mind, she's gonna join us for lunch" Yuki looked at link who shrugged "that's fine." Yuki smiled as she went over to zelda and held out her hand "hi I'm Yuki." Zelda looked at her with wide eyes before she smiled and shook her hand "I'm zelda. It's nice to meet you Yuki." Link walked over and also held out his hand "and I'm Link." Again they exchanged greetings before zelda blinked "are you two siblings?" Link and Yuki laughed "no, we're just friends." Zelda nodded before they all left to get lunch.
    Once they were done eating did Link and Yuki decide to explore more but it shocked Link that Yuki also invited zelda who was happy. Link honestly didn't care, he thought the princess was nice and she deserved friends. Especially since she didn't have many friends because people only saw her as a princess. Yuki and Link however treated her like she was a person. As the day drew to an end did they walk zelda back home and headed back to Links house were Kaito was already waiting for them with dinner. "So son did you have a good birthday?" "Yes." He smiled as he saw link eat a piece of chocolate and realized Yuki had bought it for him, especially since he was taking his time. "Thank you Yuki. For being in his life." She nodded "you're welcome Kaito." With that she bid them both a good night and went to her room. Before she could enter Kaito spoke up "oh? And Yuki?" "Yes?" "We won't be telling your dad this happened" Yuki grinned and then went into her room. Link soon followed and went to his own room and laid down both kids quickly fell asleep. Kaito cleaned up and like the two before he was asleep the second his head hit the pillow. He could only wonder what the next day would bring.