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 The veteran sat down roughly once they had returned to camp. His hair dripping in Pink. Most of the other guys in the camp had their jabs at him. The rancher kept his mouth sealed and just smiled. after the Captain made his own joke about how you should drink your potions not wear it. The leader, the old man seem to be about the only one quick to ask in a caring way if there was something he should know. "No." and with that he was left alone. Once all the joking was done, the topic turned to what everyone had gathered, along with giving everyone a shock when Captain had stated that the Traveler and him had taking on a large group of monsters on their own. "what now?" The oldest leader of the group stated after that statement. "Yeah we found them all." the soft wavy hair Traveler said. "They're tough, but no problem for us. Nothing a potion can't help." he then continued with a flashing smile. The captain brushed his fingers a cross some scratch marks left from the fight. "Sure only after we ate dust a few times." the captain replied to that statement. Smiling and chuckling. Few members of the group gave concerned looks. The captain brushed off his shoulder a bit, which still slightly hurt from being bashed in earlier. His eyes then looked over at sky and he just grinned at the pouting youth, "if only we had some back up." jokingly toward them. "Then don't run off without me." The youth sassed back. Not really in the mood.

 With all said, Food was served out to each other by their talented chef and wild one. The topic had turned to what their next move was. They had seemed to finally come into an agreement that they should fix up their weapons for what may come next. which was always a unknown for them. It seemed like these enemies appeared out of nowhere and with a few dull blade and broken ones, probably best they get those taken care of, along with making sure to hit up the town that the Rancher and Four had walked through. No real need to rush out quickly. Legend felt slightly less embarrassed now that the focus was off of him. His mind wandered into the conversation he had had with the rancher earlier. How could this guy know or share such common feeling as he has about losing the most important person in his life, enough that it slightly altered how he was. He eyed the Rancher who was chuckling at something the young sailor who seemed animated about some of the epic fighting The leader and had done while in search for some answers.

The guy is so stoic, humble, and clearly as mischievous in a playful way. A lot like their leader. How could he share such a common with him? A girl? The guy seem to be able to read most of the group like a book. Now that his own suspicions were confirmed, who else knew? Wolfie and the Rancher were the same being? However the whole "girl" thing, and sharing that,  had he himself experienced a loss as such? none of the guys really got talkative about that kind of stuff besides Sky and their Leader. The Captain mostly just mentioned how he has had a few women in his life. However the Rancher only once jokingly brought up his heart being broken. Beyond that. Nothing. They all had their secrets. That's fair to say. The chef wasn't shy to sharing stuff. However the rest of the guys, just didn't talk about certain subject. Relationship stuff more so. however what reason was there to talk about that sort of thing?

The night was getting late, each one of them pulled a stick to when they would do a watch in the night. The rest would go to sleep and then wake when needed. For once the Rancher chose to do the last of the watch and with that went off to go sleep beside the horse. Sort of away from the rest of the group. Odd. Legend shrugged. Captain took first watch for the night. Legend just bundled up on his blanket and closed his eyes. slowly drifting off to sleep. His dreams softly washing him back to the time of when he met the fine red head that rescued him that day. A single tear gently escaping his closed eyes and down his cheek. It was all my fault! Twilight's loyal horse companion Epona gently nuzzled him as he laid beside her. He had curled up, his face covered slightly by his blanket. It's amazing how much an animal can sense when something is wrong with their companion. She rested her head near his. Twilight wasn't great at hiding his emotions, however this moment, he wanted no one to see him in this state. Not even the old man. However he knew full well they knew.

Before Time had gone to sleep, he walked over quietly to just check on the pup. He sensed there was something to be said about what happened and why the Veteran's hair was pink. Twilight's facial markings were that from the dark crystal he uses. However there seemed to be something deeper that went on. The fact he chose to sleep away from the group was particularly unlike him. He eyed the bundled up youth. face hidden from view, so he could make out from the little light the camp fire gave out. He wish he knew what ate at him. Though the two often spoke in private and he shared quite a bit with him. there were things he didn't know. He knew as much as the Pup was willing to share of his experiences on his own journey.  

 In the Morning once everyone was fed a bit of food, then Four, Captain, Sailor, Traveler and Legend are set to fix up the Wild one's sword. and whoever else's blade needed a fixing. Sky went and settled down under the shade of a Tree nearby and pulled out the harp. gently plucking away at the notes. Playing it more drearily then before. Their leader came over listening carefully before saying something about it. He looked over at the youth who still playing "I'm a bit home sick." the sky child solemnly. The Older gentleman softly smiled at the youth. The older hylian then set his blade aside, "no...I don't believe so.....those notes tell a different tale."  a single off sounded pluck came from the younger hylian. "I miss her." He finally opened his eyes and looked up at the sky. Then resting his head back and closing his eyes, imagining her beautiful face. he smile. Her laughter. he let out a soft sigh, "Everyday away from her is torture." The elder was off looking in the distance, knowing fully how they felt. Missing his wife was never easy, however he always felt assured he would return home to her. He fidgeted with the ring on his finger slightly. The sky child shifted and looked over at them. "you do, don't you? How do you handle it? How do you handle being so far away from your wife for so long?!" The younger one asked. Time looked over at them at the rush of questions thrown at him. He then moved over closer to the sky child, laughing "oh- the heart of youth."

"ITS TERRABLE!" Sky Pined raising his arms up slightly.

 Time leaned over and clapped the lad on the back, as sky rested his head in his hand. "Let age mature you and your heart will calm itself." The elder spoke. Sky was unconvinced and replied "That's good to hear, but what about now?" looking mournfully at them. The elder reach his hand out to them, "well...spend this time while apart to question yourself. Sure, you can swing that sword around and ward of demons. But what are you without it? what are you to her?" Sky's eye widen at the very honest question being asked of him. what am I to her, without this blade?

 Twilight had taken to doing some sword practice on his own after he ate. Thinking maybe practicing would help focus and balance his mind from the conversation The veteran and him had the other day. I will never see her again. hit a particular spot for him. He himself wasn't very sure what even was he to Midna when they were together. He knew she was his companion, forcibly by things out of his own control. She wasn't particularly nice to him, however being the person he was. He continued to show her kindness despite all her insensitive way. Often mocking his world, the people, and him. Like somehow her world was by far more superior then his. Though after some time, she actually started to change her views and thoughts of those of the light world and for a moment the two seem to connect. He raised his blade up, closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath and letting it out. Centering his mind, blade and body are one. He flourished his sword a bit, before getting into a stance and focused once more. Then moving in quickly for a jab, next moving fluidly of to do a side swipe. He stumbled a bit. shit, not focused enough. come on. focus.

Legend walked in just as it seemed the Rancher was swearing at himself it seemed. Stumbling a bit doing what? Meditative sword work? Sure the guy was a good swordsman in their group. That was no doubt about that. Just seeing him like this though? He stood there a bit more, seeing that the ever so quick to noticed something was off Ranch hand was in another realm in itself. The way they handled their sword, was one that very unique. it was like it was one with him. However right now, kind of looked like he was trying to hack and slash at annoying little bugs. He smirked. "I think I'd leave the fancy foot work to the Captain." He joking stated, to grab the older youth's attention. Rancher looked over, the blade in his right hand and the glare across his face. "Right." he muttered. Legend back up slightly, "whoa there. Sorry." Twilight sighed and sheathed his sword. He let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "I am sorry. was just trying to center myself like the smith suggested. However right now, that is not easy task." He crossed his arms in frustration at himself. The smith seem to know how to truly balance himself. There was a time where he himself could do it without a thought. Now, with being around all the others and them sharing their own experiences. He had so much running through his mind. Though in battle he usually didn't let interfere with what he was doing. Usually, that's because his job is to protect the group like how he was so focused on protecting people he cared about. These eight members were like a whole line of family to him.

"You are so out of sorts, after the little talk we had the other day. what happened to the whole 'that's a wound for another day.' motto." The veteran said giving Rancher a worried look. "I sense this has nothing to do with your 'dark magic' thing now, but about a whole slew of stuff. one being about sharing a common sense of losing someone." The Rancher's lips were tightly shut, jaw clenched. He let out a long exhale out his nose. "I don't know what to think at the moment, if I am quite honest."  

what were we? She's not returning He had a lot of mixed feeling. Legend stood there quietly watching as he watched the Rancher's eyes seem to dart about as if he was working something out in his mind, then grow in to a almost frustrated look at time. Who was this someone he lose to get him all worked up? Legend sighed. he moved forward and placed his hand gently on Twilight's arm. "Look, you helped me out the other day. I think this wound or whatever you are processing, need to be addressed a bit. You don't have to get into much of it, just enough for me to understand." The Rancher softly smiled and let out a sigh. "Fair enough." he replied. The both took a seat on the ground. Twilight searched to how to explain what Midna was and who she was. "So, I may have joked about having a broken heart. I may say that wasn't in part of anything romantic. Matter fact I don't honestly know what to think of what I was to this person. One, she was a Princess from another realm all together. Two, I am a nobody really." a nobody, if that was he thought of himself? Legend thought as he listened closely. a quiet pause, the rancher rubbed and tugged at the tension on his shoulders.

"when I first was introduced this the princess, she was in a form not of herself. She was full of bitterness for our world and mainly had her own agenda. I at first kind of fought with her, however after some time I felt it better to just kill her with kindness. She soften after some time and had a major change of feeling after some time. We bonded fairly closely. Almost like a tight friendship at the least. However more of the mutual agreement we were helping each other. To return our worlds to its rightful ways. when all was said and done, her true identity revealed. Like you, her true form was far more stunning then I had imagined. She then left. sure she wanted to say some parting words to me, but instead she just said 'see you later' shattering the gateway to both our worlds. I was left with this empty feeling." He placed a hand to his chest. He let his hand fall back to his lap. His companion is what we share in common then? thought quietly to himself. this was the most open the Rancher had been about something. what was he to say?

Sky after having such deep conversation with their leader is wondered by pure accident into the Rancher and Veteran seeming to have a very heartfelt conversation. He stayed back a bit. Twilight seem to be at war over something to do with his guide is what he sensed, but the way he talked out them. it sound as though the bond between the two was rather close and He was conflicted on his personal feeling about them. after a bit of awkwardly plucking at the grass Legend cleared his throat. "sound like she never left you with anything to say anything more of what you two were. that sound pretty frustrating and I am sure she had her reasons. Sure you could ask yourself a million what ifs. However at the end of the day it seems like this, she knew something through the kindness you had shown that she really couldn't return that back. also smashing the gateway to each other's worlds probably for the better then have something like what happened ever happen again." Twilight looked at Legend and nodded. "I think I have to agree with you on that." he replied. "That doesn't make you a nobody though. I am sure she hold you close in her thoughts and thankful in the end for all you had done. However there was not much of anything else." Legend finished. Twilight softly smiled at the veteran. "thank you."  Legend smiled back and then stretched. "I think its best we get back to the others."

"I think that's a good plan." The rancher got up, he lent a hand out to help the veteran up. which he playfully smacked away, "I am not busted like the old man." as he got up. they both just chuckled as they dusted off and walked their way back to camp. Sky then showed himself as they made their way back. Causing Both of them to draw their swords. "Hylia!" barked Twilight. "Scared us there little bird." he said as he stored his sword away. "sorry didn't mean too." his hands up ready to block. Legend shook his head and sheathed his own sword and flung and arm around Sky, "You you ease dropping on Rancher and I?" the veteran ruffled sky's hair a bit as he held him in a head lock. "n-no, no ease droppin', I was just bird watching." Twilight and Legend eyed each other and laughed. "Okay then."They said in unison. The three of them walking on back to the Camp. "so what you thinking the others maybe up too?" asked sky. "Oh Goddesses for bit anything too intense. I could do with some light hearted discussions right now." Twilight stated. "Yeah wouldn't want anymore past related topic to pop up. like split timelines or some sort." Legend Jokingly added. "Right." the three of them laughed.

-fin-

Sources:

characters from- @linkeduniverse @jojo56830

copied text:

“Its complicated”  

A girl  

“Its Terrible”  

“enemy within” 

Jojo: “There will be some sweet hearts in lu eventually. All other relations major or minor characters alike are about Family Friendship and community. Not shipping. not shipping wars.”