I clung to him as long as i could, feeling the shadows grasp at me once again. I had forgotten how cold they were as i listened to link's voice slowly slip away. I couldn't help but smile in the end, partly to comfort him, but mostly for my own reasons. I felt...happy, to see him so sad to watch me go, but in the end i had managed to comfort him and give him what he needed. I was surprised to not notice the pain, staring up at him seemed to keep it at bay. Is this the power of which my master had always spoke, the power this seemingly simple child possessed? I was always expecting some physical strength or hidden ability, who'd have thought even a heartless creature like me could fall for this power of his. It's no wonder master is so fearful of him, and i believe even he will fall in due time. I look forward to seeing that day from whichever dark world i reside.

It took quite some time to regain my conciousness. For what seemed an eternity i waited in emptiness. I felt nothing, returning to the state of my birth, numb to the world. The first sound i heard was a shout, like a battle cry, followed by the flutter of a dying heart. Soon after i began to see, wincing at the brightness of the new world surrounding me. The earth beneath me was a dull, dark color stained with patches of red. The air was thick and hot, nothing like the room in which i once spent my days. It took me a moment to realise why i was seeing the world from such an odd angle, then i looked down, disbelief taking a hold of me. There was the golden hero, covered in blood, both his and another's. Looking further i found what remained of my now deceased master and realization hit me. I'm free, his bonds no longer tying me to his magic realm. I could feel the nearby shadows inviting me in. I nearly jumped at my chance to run freely but stopped myself when i saw the look of anguish on my hero's face. His usually shining blue eyes now dull as they stared off to some unknown location. I wished to reach out to him, but seemed unable to leave my shadow form, my strength still quite lacking. A good thing, i suppose, as the wretched princess, with her ability to command light, was not far behind us now.

She approached us slowly and i couldn't help but wonder if she could sense my presence now residing within Link's shadow. The look on her face showing her failed attempt at hiding the horror she felt. What's the matter pretty princess, don't like getting your hands dirty? Is the real world too much for your pampered self? Heh, so pathetic, i couldn't stand her being so close. Her hand reached out to Link's shoulder, trying to comfort him i suppose. I simply sneere at her, though neither of them seem able to notice. How dare she lay her hands on him, she isn't the one he needs! Regardless, i'm no help right now so i just sit back and watch as they share a few solemn words and Link rises to follow her away from this tattered ground. I wonder just how long it will take to fix this place up, it looks like an utter disaster. I have no choice but to follow, not even needing to exert my own energy as Link does the walking for me. They continue to talk as they follow down some path to yet another mess of what used to be a town. I listen in here and there, not paying much attention until they are standing just beyond the drawbridge.

My intrest grows as i hear the woman mention something about sending Link back to his own time, back to being a child to live out his life normally. What becomes of me if this happens, do i go back with him? Will i be a child too, would he even remember me? These questions and more stop short as i watch my hero take hold of the blue noise maker and take it from the princess, refusing to return to his childhood. That's my boy, you tell her what for! Who want's to go back to being some four foot sprout anyways? He mentions something about it being odd to remember and have no one to tell, and he had grown fond of this time. He also mentioned having an old friend he wished to see again and i had quite a feeling he meant me. As it stands now, i haven't the strength to show myself. Even if i did, i hate to admit, that woman would remove me in an instant, her light being able to pierce my shadows with ease. I'm simply not strong enough to go against her at the moment, and honestly, i don't have the desire. Too lazy i suppose. Regardless, i need to find a way to build my strength so i can show my hero i'm here, and see if it really is me he misses. Listen to me, sounding like some sap. This boy really is powerful, even if not in a more logical sense.

Before long Link finds himself someplace to stay, after debating amongst himself for hours on where to go. It seems i'm not the only one he has managed to win over, in the course of a month or so of watching over him at this little ranch, i come to find the little red head is quite infatuated with him, though he seems a bit oblivious to it, or at least to what degree. Regardless of that, he spends his time working hard both at the ranch and in some remote location just beyond the trees near his old home, the Kokiri forest. I can practically feel the emotions that run through him in the time i spend living as his shadow and learn quite a bit about him in that time. He has this little quirk where he counts during his training. I suppose, in some odd sense, it helps him but real battles are nowhere near that calculated. He also talks to himself at night, pretending i'm there sometimes. I often feel bad for him, but can do nothing more than lay next to him or wrap him tight with my shadows, of which i know he notices but doesn't quite understand. It's so frustrating at times, particularily when he wakes in the night, his eyes wide in shock, his body dreanched in sweat. I watch as his panting slows to a normal pace before he attempts to return to sleep, wishing i could comfort him in some fashion.

These people are all far too cheery for me, with the exception of that Ingo, but he's not really my type either. I can't help but wonder why it is they seem to put a smile on my hero's face, they personally bore the hell out of me. Either way, it's none of my concern, and all the time Link has spent in the woods with that Talon was spent building a new home for him. I must say i quite enjoy the fact he has picked some place secluded, no annoying people, plenty of privacy to get as loud as we want. I chuckle at the thought of all the delightful fun we will have, and it appears the house will be ready soon after i return to my normal strength. How delightful, i will be able to give him a proper housewarming gift. I watch each day as the house nears completion, growing more eager at the sight. I watch his strength first hand, those muscles working hard to lift all that heavy furniture. I must say, i quite enjoy the sight, admiring his newly built body. He looked good lean but that bit of muscle tone also suits him well. Being his shadow, i nearly always have the best view too, how wicked i am. The time is nearing, and soon he will be to himself. I can feel myself nearing completion all the while, and decide i have enough strength to meet him face to face, in a sense. I watch as he drifts to sleep, easing him gently with my presence. I'm sure he will be rather happy to see me but tonight i will simply visit him in a dream.

"Hello hero, i see you've been thinking of me." i speak to him softly, "How sweet, and here i was thinking you would have rather forgotten about me altogether." I watch as he searches for me, confusion plain on his face. A certain sadness takes over him for a moment and i decide to tear him from those thoughts. "Don't concern yourself with finding me, as i have already found you. I've been watching over you for some time now, waiting for an opportune moment. I do believe i shall reveal myself to you soon. That is, of course, if you're up for a bit of fun? Don't worry hero, you'll have what you desire soon." I say before releasing him from his dream and watching him wake with a start. Again his eyes open wide in shock, his chest heaving as his heart races. I can't help but smile at the effect i have over his body, and i hardly did a thing. It seems he is having a hard time believing the words i just spoke to him, fighting with himself yet again. I watch as he calms himself and tries to sleep again, deciding to leave him be for the rest of the evening, as he needs his rest. Tomorrow will be the day he will get what he wants, tomorrow i will be there before him and we will see just how he truely feels about me.

My patience is running thin, my excitement taking its place entirely. Link is almost mine for the taking, just a few nit picky details to the house left and then Talon will leave us to ourselves. Of course there are still a few things we will have to manage ourselves down the road, like a means to cook indoors and some more comfortable furniture. At least the bed is halfway decent, that's good as i'm sure the hero and i will be spending plenty of time on it. Ah, but thinking those thoughts only makes me more impatient and for now i must behave, no fun at all. The hours stretch by, Link and Talon exchanging words now and then that i pay little attention too. I try to daze off as Link does, to no avail. I can't seem to get my mind off the boy and all the fun we will have. Then again perhaps jumping him off the bat isn't the best idea. I suppose i should keep an eye on him first, evaluate how he will handle me in general. With my lack of understanding on how these emotions work i could easily be misinterpreting how he feels towards me, and then it would be my head. That certainly wouldn't make for a good reunion now would it?

Time continues to pass slowly, dragging on like it did in my watery grave. If i never see that place again it would be all too soon. For now i enjoy watching the hero, busy at work as usual. It seems almost everything is finished up, which is good as my patience has practicaly run out. I don't seem to handle boredom well at all, but i behaved despite that. The sun is now well on its way down, nearly touching the horizon in the distance. Link and Talon have another chat before waving each other goodbye. Talon leaves behind some odd creatures before parting and i'm half tempted to tease the noisey things before Link walks off, patting his horse on the nose before walking back to the house. I have to admit, they did a good job on it. It's rather small but we haven't much need for a large space anyways. Its simplicity suits the hero and the surrounding environment, of which i get a decent view of as we head out back. A small stream flows lazily by, the sight of the water almost making me sick, if it weren't for my newly piqued curiosity. Link pulls out some rod, throwing the attatched thread into the stream before sitting near the bank and resting. I don't quite grasp the concept until i watch him pluck a small fish from the water, another following suit minutes later. With that, he starts a small fire and cooks his meal, enjoying it before turning in for the night. Now's my chance, finally, to see my hero in my truest form.

I watch my hero drift to sleep, his body more at ease than any night at the ranch. All my waiting was soon to pay off, and the thought of finally touching him made my stomach feel rather odd. Regardless, i was ready, and decided to begin within another dream. "Finally you find some peace. I have to say, it seemed a bit stuffy in that house, and those people. Well i'll just be polite and say they weren't my type, though that girl seemed to have quite a thing for you." i smile, a teasing tone hardly noticed by the hero. Again he searches for me, this time i decide to oblige him with a gentle brush across the shoulder. The look on his face makes me stifle a chuckle and i return to grasp a bit of that golden hair i love so much. Deciding this is just too much fun, i pick at him some more. Bumping into his left leg before poking him square in the back. I could hardly hold back the laughter as i amused myself. I wonder what it is about him that makes me smile, everyone else seemed to get on my nerves but the hero here takes so little. I haven't long with those thoughts as i watch Link's face go from confusion to defeat.

"Quit teasing me Dark, that's not nice." he says, so quiet i can barely hear him. I hold back another laugh as i think of his responce, since when have i been nice? I am an evil being, created from his very shadow, darkness is my very nature. Nice isn't really a part of my agenda.

"Oh but being a tease is so much fun Link, especialy with you." i say, failing to pull off an innocent tone as i chuckle to myself. I use the shadows to take a hold of him, his wrist firmly in my grasp. He looks down, his expression telling me he was still a bit confused. "Come on Link, i know you're a bright one. You can figure this out, i'm sure. Find me and i'll be yours." i smile, knowing that he couldn't resist such a challenge. I can hear his thoughts loud and clear in this place. He can hide nothing from me here. The thought flits through his mind in reaction to my words, thinking how odd a thing it was for me to say. I decide to cut him off mid thought, "Usually the other way around?" He seemed almost upset that i interrupted him, making me grin my typicaly wicked way. I think back to all the fun we had, and that last time when he had me, we never quite finished what we started had we? "Why yes, you were mine for quite some time, but remember how you took me in the end, making me all your own for a moment? I decided i liked that, and am rather in the mood for it again." my tone growing more seductive as the memories flooded me. I watch as he goes deep into thought, so many things slipping by. He hasn't much of a talent for quieting his mind and focusing, i liked watching the flashes of our time together zip by. It was odd seeing it from his eyes, but i enjoyed it nonetheless. Oh, and the blushes that managed to sneak by him as he thought back were just too adorable.

"So you know what i'm thinking," his blush deepening at the thought, "you find me in your dreams. You say you have been watching over me for some time now, knowing where i have been." he says, though it had dawned on him he had no need to speak some time ago. I smile again, knowing he's simply doing it so i can hear his voice.

"Yes go on, you're getting close. So very close, now whose being the tease?" i mock, letting him smile in my stead, my wicked grin somewhat suiting him. In an instant it clicks and he figures out what i have been hinting at all the while.

"You've been with me this whole time haven't you?" he asks, looking into the shadows as if staring directly at me. I knew he was a clever boy, though it took a bit longer than i expected.

"Well i am your shadow after all, created from a piece of yourself some time ago. It only makes sense that i would return to you after my death." and with that i reveal myself before him, a smile spread across my face. I never though i would look directly into those blue eyes again, but now was not the time to revel in the moment. He had to wake up to see me in reality, it was time to finaly feel him again. "Wake up Link."

"But...if i wake up, you'll just be gone again. Haven't i lost you enough times already?" he asks, and i can see his struggle, evident in his eyes. I never expected to touch anyone with my existence, but to this degree is something i found nearly impossible.

"You won't lose me Link, by all rights i never left your side. I was there, living beside you, as your shadow once more." and with that i smiled, letting him fall away from his dream to meet me once again. At first he refused to open his eyes, his fear somewhat understandable. He always was a stubborn one, always put up some sort of fight. Looks like i'll have to lead again, not that it bothers me. I lean in close, gently taking his lips for myself. The look of surprise he gave in return made me chuckle. He looked me over as if not believing i was really there, kneeling over him in his room. After a moment i decided to break the awkward silence. "Hello there, did you miss me?" i laugh, and with that i suddenly find him holding onto me for dear life. I simply sit there, letting him squeeze me tight, wondering why i seemed to mean so much to the boy. I decided to stop questioning it as i doubt it will ever make sense to me. I can just imagine all that is running through his mind at the moment, relieved that ability only works in the dream realm as i'm sure i'd get lost in all the confusion. For now, he seems to have no more words for me and we lay next to each other, his arms never so much as loosening their grip. I watch as he drifts off to sleep yet again, and follow suit after his breathing settles to a steady pace. Tomorrow, i expect a barage of questions, let's hope i am well prepared to answer them all.