Epona snorted, obviously very uneasy. Link reached down, petting her neck in a comforting manner. He knew why she felt uncomfortable here. Almost eight years ago they were attacked in this very forest. Link would be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit uneasy as well.

Sheik on the other hand yawned laying his head onto Link's back, again. His lover decided to leave at first light, and Sheik wasn't a morning person at all. He despised mornings ever since he was a child. A sense of duty always got him out of bed, but this was a vacation. Apparently Link had no understanding of the word.

After awhile they came to a cave opening. Link stopped Epona, and climbed out of the saddle. He reached up, and stroked her neck looking into her big brown eyes. He ran his fingers over the white patch on her forehead

"You remember the way from here, right?" He asked his horse.

She have him a nod. She truly was a remarkable, and smart horse.

"All right. I'll meet you outside of Clock Town after we get a room. You can graze until I call for you." He pet her once more, before calling his half asleep boyfriend to life.

"Come on, Sheik. Grab your pack, Epona can't go this way."

"Why can't we go with her then?" Sheik asked, stifling another yawn.

"Because, sleepy, this way is much quicker. It will take us to the inside of the clock in the middle of town."

Sheik grabbed his pack, and leaped gracefully off the horse.

"Be safe girl." Sheik said to her. He had grown quite fond of the chestnut horse during their travels. She was strong, smart, and protective. He saw why Link loved her companionship.

She took off, and Link grabbed the younger boys hand, dragging him into the cave. It was dark, and barely lit. Sheik navigated with no problem. He had eyes of truth, and could see perfectly in the dark. Link cursed bumping into things, and almost missed the ledges. Sheik would grab him just in time. After a while of climbing, and navigating they stopped at a weird looking tree. Sheik bent down to get a better look at it.

"This tree looks, almost sad. I feel a strange aura from it."

Sheik looked up seeing an array of emotions cross Link's face.

"It's the Deku butlers son. The corruption of Majoras Mask took his life. That was one I could not undo."

Sheik reached out, and touched Link who was trembling. He grasped his shoulder tightly, and shook him gently.

"Hey it's ok. You can't hold yourself responsible. You did your very best."

Link nodded solemnly. Sheik was right, he did do his best. So many lives were lost on his trip in Termina. Now he could remember why he stayed the hell away from here. Too many painful memories.

They resumed walking. Sheik heard a faint ticking that was growing louder and louder. They walked upon a water way looking area.

"This place is way less creepy without that Happy Mask Salesman here" Link said.

"Like the one in Castle Town?" Sheik asked confused.

"Kind of. You'll see what I mean, eventually. He taught me the Song of Healing on this piano thing he pulled out of nowhere."

Although it all seemed farfetched, Sheik really had no reason to doubt Link. His thirst for music though, needed to be sated.

"Song of Healing?"

"Get out your lyre. Who knows it might come in handy one day."

Link pulled out his Ocarina, and played a melody. It sounded sad, full of regrets and sorrow. There's no way this song could heal anything. Sheik listened, and played the melody back.

"Sorrowful, makes me feel like the song was written to soothe regrets" Sheik said still strumming the strings of his instrument.

"You have no idea." Link said, putting his ocarina back.

"What's that ticking noise?"

"We are currently standing in a clock, of a town aptly named, Clock Town."

A blonde brow quirked up "A clock? Clock Town?"

"Come on. It would be better to see. Come on."

Link pushed open the door. They winced from bright light. Once they adjusted, Sheik let out an audible gasp. He looked behind them, and up. There was a giant clock ticking away with a door underneath the clock head.

"What's that door for? Obviously repairs can be made from where we came." Sheik was excited.

"The door only opens at midnight, on the eve of the carnival." Link said, smiling at Sheik. "It leads to the very top of the clock."

He made to grab his hand, but Sheik pulled away. He was glancing around nervously. There were a lot of people around.

"Sheik," Link whined "It's okay here. I promise."

Sheik was nervous, but he trusted Link. They laced fingers, and walked hand in hand. Sure enough there wasn't a single hateful comment, or strange look. People smiled and waved at the couple.

"Come on. We have to go to the Stock Pot Inn, in East Clock Town. This place is broken up into four quadrants. North, South, East, and West. It's pretty simple. We will visit it all I promise."

Link pulled Sheik along until they stood in front of the door to the inn.

"The hotel owners name is Anju. Just try to keep your cool when you see her okay?"

As Link opened the door, Sheik rolled his eyes. What, was she some kind of beauty? Link should know he had his heart fully, but as he saw the red head standing behind the counter he tightened his grip on Link's hand. This woman looked just like the cuckoo lady in Kakariko Village. Where the heck were they exactly? The girl behind the counter smiled warmly.

"Welcome to the Stock Pot Inn. How may I help you?"

"Hi Anju," Link said with a smile "May I get a room, please?"

"We have some rooms available Mr..."

"Link."

She gasped "You couldn't be?"

He just smiled at her

"You are all grown up. Just look at you! Yes, I kept your room reserved in case you ever showed back up. Oh, it's been so long! Who's your friend?"

Link tugged Sheik closer "This is my boyfriend, Sheik. Sheik this is Anju."

Sheik froze in horror. Link just blurted out their big secret. He looked at Anju, she didn't even bat an eyelash. She continued to smile warmly. He nodded curtly.

"Oh wow," she breathed out "I thought my husband only had that color of eyes. Goodness, I'm seeing red eyes everywhere. Either I'm missing my husband, or red eyes are more common than I thought."

"Red eyes?" Link questioned her

Anju nodded "Mhm, two boys with red eyes came here yesterday. Actually come to think of it they looked a lot like you two."

"Anju, what room are they in?" Link was feeling excited. Maybe, just maybe, Termina had more Sheikah than he thought.

"Room next to yours."

"Sheik, grab the keys I'll be right back."

Sheik eyed Link curiously, but did as he asked.

Link ran up the stairs, and promptly knocked on the door. He waited, excitedly bouncing on his heels. This was so exciting. Maybe Sheik could meet more family. That would be so amazing. Maybe it was a copy of Sheik! He chuckled at the thought, and knocked again

The door opened and both boys gasped taking a step back in perfect unison.

"Link." The boy who opened the door said

"Dark..."

A/N) Here ya go everybody. Chapter one of A Different Kind of Vacation. I'm so excited to finally get this going. This story creeped into my head about 20 chapters in to my last story. I don't want to be "that guy." I've seen so many wonderful stories start with Link and Sheik in Termina, and not get finished. So my loyal fans keep me working on this. This story has potential I just know it does! Hope you enjoyed this!