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Side Quests

"Link! Behind you!"

Link ducked at the sound of Midna's shout, and felt a breeze whistle past the tips of his ears. Whirling, he kicked out his hind paws at the shadow beast he'd been facing, and leaped at the one who'd attacked him from behind. His teeth connected with the monster's exposed neck, a snarl rattling in his throat as his lupine fangs sunk into the rubbery, putrid flesh and tore a chunk from the creature, sending it crashing to the ground.

That was close. A second slower, and its vicious claws would have taken his head.

"Over there!" Midna cried, her knees digging into his flanks, her weight leaning to his left from her perch atop his back. He spun in the indicated direction to find two more of the beasts pinned in place by crackling spears of Midna's magic. Link didn't hesitate. He pounced, breath expelling from his lungs in a cloud of steam with his victorious bark, his fangs and claws savaging the fight from the howling darklings.

All around them, the glowing, sizzling walls of twilight barriers hemmed them in, melting the snow on the ground and preventing escape until all of the shrouded twili had been dispatched. Link spat the gut-wrenching taste of the monster's blood from his mouth, and fought down the small pang of pity he felt for the fallen creatures. They'd once been intelligent, living beings like himself, now twisted and perverted by the magic of the demon king. Now, they were no more than primal abominations to be slain.

Feral screams rang in his ears, alerting him before Midna's cry to the presence of more shadow beasts. Link circled, bouncing the twili girl clinging to his back as he sized up the three beasts which had fallen through the shadowy gate hovering in the sky overhead. These ones were larger than before, looming with greater menace. Even as he stalked towards them, a snarl on his muzzle, the one in the middle reared up, beating its four arms against its chest in challenge.

This is... new.

"Be careful, Link!" Midna cried. "I'm sensing a surge of magic from them, and I don't think I can block it!" Even as she spoke, bolts of orange shot out from above Link's head, spearing all three of the beasts. Instantly, the crackling energy dissipated, the beasts shaking it off like an irritating fly.

That could've gone better. Here goes nothing.

Link charged, feinting left, then leaping for the throat of the one on the right. The beast's stone mask hurtled towards him, its twisted symbols shimmering with unearthly light. His ears flattened against his skull, attempting to blot out the creature's awful shriek.

The world... folded. All colour and light seemed to be sucked away into the swirling portal in the sky.

Link never made contact with his foe. Or the ground, for that matter. He dove headfirst into a sea of black, all of his senses extinguished. Gone was the scent of sweat and fear and torn earth. Gone were the beast's howls and the swirling wind and Midna's warnings. Gone was the sky, the trees, the magical barriers. Gone was the weight of Midna on his back, the crunch of snow beneath his paws. Link fell into an endless dark, his stomach roiling at the impression of motion without reference.

Is this their spell, or something else?

What sort of magic could have done this to him? At first, it had felt like one of Midna's teleportation spells, but they always arrived at their destination much sooner than this. He was falling, yet not moving. Spinning, yet still. Link cried out, hoping to hear his own howl at the very least, but was met by only blank silence.

Where am I?! Midna!

She cannot hear you, a tiny, sourceless voice whispered. You are alone. You will always be alone. You are no hero. You are weak, powerless. You could not save the children. You are nothing.

No! Link thought back, growling at the voice. I rescued them! They're safe in Kakariko now!

You are no hero, the voice repeated. Worthless trash. You can have no friends, no lovers. The beast within you will not allow it. You will destroy those you seek to save and protect. You call yourself hero, yet you leave blood and death in your wake. Charlatan. Monster. Murderer.

No! It's not true!

You are no hero. You will always be alone...

Link fell through the darkness, railing against the voice only he could hear.

~~~

That, Amaterasu thought with a frown, should not be here.

The white wolf stood on the edge of the cursed ground, examining it with a critical eye. Objectively, intellectually, she knew it was impossible. Yes, Yami had only been defeated, and he could never be fully destroyed. Yes, such soiled regions had occasionally popped up in the year since her battle with the lord of darkness. Yes, dealing with them was part of her self-appointed duty here in the celestial plain.

But, it shouldn't be here.

All of the cursed zones she had purified in the past had appeared in the physical world of Nippon, with a reflection in the celestial plain. Cleansing them had been as simple as it had been back during her travels across the mortal realm. This one was no mere reflection. It was here, in front of her face, with all of its rot and death and stench fouling the warm summer air. An impossibility. One that she would need to discuss with Waka at the earliest opportunity. First, however, she needed to get rid of it.

Amaterasu sat on her haunches, took a deep breath, and shifted. Power surged outwards from her in a wave, and when she looked up, the world had stopped, frozen in place. To her eyes, the scene before her had taken on a distorted, grainy texture. Her canvas, ready for the brush.

Concentrating, she summoned her celestial tool, the large calligraphy brush hovering over the cursed zone in her mind's eye. Spirit ink dripped from its fibres, gleaming in the ethereal light. It took no more than a few practiced strokes to cover the cursed patch in ink, sealing away its corruption into the void, and sending her power in to repair the damage. Amaterasu was about to dismiss the brush, trusting in the ink to do its duty, but, upon consideration, added a pair of characters to the spectral image. One for purity, one for protection. She nodded, inspected her handiwork, then released her hold on time, snapping reality back into place.

Before her eyes, the decaying earth folded in on itself, disgorging a foul scent into the clean air. Greenery sprouted from the rot, superseding the fleeing corruption in a burst of sweet-smelling grass and budding wildflowers. The change also revealed several large mounds, appearing on first glance to be dark boulders, but upon closer inspection...

And four freed monsters. Wonderful.

Three of the beasts that had appeared with the inversion of the soiled space reared and snarled at her, shaking long, braided hair loose of garish stone masks. They dropped to wickedly clawed knuckles like apes, shuffling towards her with dreadful shrieks ripping from their throats.

As if it would be so easy, Amaterasu thought, eying the demon creatures with cold distaste, and readying her Solar Flare reflector. Behind the first three beasts, the fourth picked itself up to all fours and shook itself, apparently gaining its senses. Its head turned, and Amaterasu saw with a start that it was no demon like the others. It was another wolf; storm cloud gray where he wasn't mottled black or striped with white. Eyes as blue as the morning sky met hers, groggy at first, then clearing and filling with horror, the other wolf's muzzle dropping open.

"Look out!" a deep, masculine voice yelled in her mind.

"Do not fear," Amaterasu sent back. "I can handle the likes of these." With that, the avatar of the sun took a breath, and shifted. Spirit ink spattered, thin lines tracing a path from her reflector through all three advancing horrors.

She snapped the change into place.

Flames as hot as the sun shot through the air, blooming in the path she'd laid out. The three monsters squealed in pain and fear as their dark centers were pierced, purifying fire consuming them from within. They appeared to deflate like pricked balloons, leaving behind no more than a despairing wail and a small puff of black flecks to scatter on a passing breeze.

Problem solved.

Hiding her grin, Amaterasu turned back to the newcomer, her eyes sweeping him up and down as he approached. He was sturdily built, muscled in the way any fit wolf should be, and the markings on his face and sides gave him a certain roguish appeal. As did the blue earrings matching those captivating eyes. Around one of his forepaws, an iron shackle and several links of chain trailed, seeming to be no more a hindrance than any decorative bangle. In fact, he seemed to wear it almost as such, a certain confidence to his step that didn't suggest a cowering mutt, but a full-fledged warrior in his own regard.

And helloooo, you. Where in the world did you come from?

~~~

Link examined the other wolf as he shambled towards her, careful to keep his posture as neutral as possible. After seeing how she'd destroyed the shadow beasts with apparently no more effort than he might use to wag his tail, he had no desire to be on the wrong side of this mysterious female.

She's got that same look in her eyes Midna gets sometimes. Wonder if all females do that, and if it has a purpose beyond making males nervous?

Hesitantly, he tried once more to reach out to her with a thought. 'Hello? Can you hear me?' He shook himself once more, trying to settle his fuzzed fur. He could still hear that voice from the darkness...

'Yes. Why is it such a surprise? Not used to the attention wherever you're from?' This came with a slight curve to her muzzle which could only be a smirk. Was she making fun of him? Still moving slow and cautious, Link padded to within a few feet of the other wolf, his eyes taking the trip up and down her body.

She was slightly smaller than he was. Less muscular, more slender in the belly and not so deep in the chest. Yet, her skin stretched taut over muscles clearly accustomed to running and fighting, evidenced by the rippling grace in her steps. Her fur seemed almost the complete opposite of his own: white as new-fallen snow, save for the curious, blazing red swirl markings flowing across her face and flanks.

Above her back, what appeared to be a flaming mirror floated, held aloft by some form of magic. Stranger still were the almost wing-like masses which extended from behind her shoulders and from the bush of her tail, swirling with dark splotches like clouds, and presenting the illusion of fluffy softness if one were to touch them.

'More like I'm not used to talking to anyone while I'm in this form,' Link replied, dragging his eyes back to hers. The amber depths were locked on him, pinning him in place as surely as Midna's magic might. 'Might I ask your name, miss, and how you managed to bring me here?' He glanced around, suddenly struck by a pang of concern. 'And there should be one other here with me. A girl, quite short? Green and white skin? Big eyes?'

'One thing at a time, M __r. Mysterious_ ,'_ the white wolf said with a musical chuckle. 'I gather that you are a changeling then? Human most times, and wolf when required?'

It was near enough to the truth. 'Yes. My name is Link.'

She nodded, her cloud-like markings swirling. 'Welcome then, Link, to the celestial plain. I don't know how you came to be here -I certainly didn't do it. All I know is that I healed a cursed zone, and there you were, along with those monsters. Never happened before, and I don't expect to see it again, if I'm honest. Which I always am.' Her tail flicked in amusement, her amber eyes twinkling. 'I haven't seen a girl, yet, but-'

"Liiiiink!"

Link turned, and saw Midna struggling to her feet from where she'd apparently fallen amongst a particularly dense bed of flowers. The twili girl's stone crown was askew, and she adjusted it with a frown as she walked towards the two wolves. Link sensed more than saw the white wolf stiffen.

'Is this your... companion?!'

'Yes,' Link replied, regarding the other lupine in puzzlement. 'That's Midna. She's a... friend, for lack of a better term. What's wrong?'

The white wolf's hackles were raised, her lips curled back in a snarl. The mirror/weapon/thing rotated, flames licking at the edges of the reflective surface. The wolf's fur began to shine, an aura of brilliant light surrounding her until she was nearly impossible to look at. 'She is a being of Yami!' growled the white wolf. 'Look! Her very steps leave a mire of darkness behind! What have you done, bringing her here?!'

"Liiink?" Midna said, coming to a stop beside him and grabbing the scruff of his neck. "What's going on here? Who's your growly friend, and why is she pointing that at me?" The twili girl licked her lips, raising a hand to shield her eyes against the glow from the white wolf. "Tell her she'd better stop, or I'll have to break out the fused shadows and teach her not to be such a bad doggy!"

Regardless of his doubts about Midna's capability to follow through on her threat -though she would certainly try- Link imposed himself between the two glaring females, snapping at both of them, 'Enough! No one is fighting anyone! Would you both stop, please?'

'I am Amaterasu,' growled the white wolf, her gaze still locked on Midna. 'I am the avatar of the sun. I am the mother of all life. I am the queen of the dawn. I am the ?kami, the saviour of Nippon, the scion of the mortal realm, the shining goddess! I will not suffer this creature of shadows to tread my domain unchallenged!'

'Look,' Link said, maintaining a level tone. 'We are sorry if we offended you-'

"Someone's still being a baaad doggy!" Midna said in a sing-song voice. Orange energy began to crackle in her palms, the edges of her form blurring into shadows.

Amaterasu's rumbling growl dropped in pitch, an icy hardness entering her gaze. Her flaming mirror began to slowly rotate, light bouncing off the weapon and highlighting Midna in a targeting halo. The flames licked higher, sparks crackling and popping with the scent of burnt metal.

'STOP!' Link shouted, raising his hackles and letting out his best snarl at both of them. Two pairs of eyes fixed on him, a mix of shock and chagrin in one, surprise and smouldering anger in the other. Amaterasu's glowing weapon slowed its spin, the light from it dimming to no more than a normal reflection of the warm sunlight.

'Amaterasu, sun goddess, and, uhh, all that other stuff? We're sorry we dropped into your world like this, but please believe me when I say it was an accident, and we'd just as soon be getting back home to Hyrule,' Link said, fixing the white wolf with his gaze, attempting to project his sincerity with dropped tail and relaxed posture. 'Please forgive Midna for her attitude. We've... been through a lot, and she doesn't take kindly to being snarled at, as I'm sure you yourself wouldn't. She is indeed a friend, even if she looks... different.'

Amaterasu eyed the twili girl, then Link, then Midna once more, a twist of distaste on her muzzle. Slowly, her mirror lowered, the otherworldly glow in her fur winking out. 'My apologies appear to be in order as well. I might have overreacted. I am unaccustomed to calling a being of shadows 'friend', however, so please excuse my skepticism.'

"That's more like it!" Midna said, breaking into a toothy grin and hopping from one bare foot to the other with a soft giggle. "You should tell her that I like good doggies, Link, and maybe we can figure out how to get out of here!" She looked up at the clear sky, sobering. "I don't like this place. It's too bright! Worse than Hyrule even."

Link began to relax as the hostilities between the two appeared to have run their course. The last thing he needed was to be between his feisty, mischievous partner and an angry sun goddess who could set fire to things with a thought. He was sure that no matter who won, he would be a scorched and crispy loser.

'So then, Link,' Amaterasu said, pacing a bit closer, her lithe form rippling with feral grace. 'You are a warrior, yes? From this... Hyrule? And you don't know how you came here either?'

'Yes,' Link replied. 'To all of it. And we need to get back as soon as we can. We're sort of in the middle of saving the world.' Unbidden, his eyes were following the curve of Amaterasu's flank, tracing the markings there. What did they mean? She was close now, almost near enough to... His neck stretched towards her passing haunch, his nostrils quivering, trying to catch that tantalizing scent lying there just out of reach...

"Link!" Midna hissed, her tiny fist digging into his ribs. Link started, jerking back, shame burning in his ears. Curse the instincts of this body! Had he really just tried to smell under Amaterasu's tail?

A sharp, frigid breeze whisked along his belly, drawing a line of ice from his navel to the base of his tail, yanking a short whimper from his throat. By the golden goddesses, that was cold! His eyes flicked to the padding Amaterasu, a ball of spiders crawling in his belly. Had she noticed his lapse? No, her expression remained smooth. But, was that a twinkle of amusement in those amber eyes? And he could've sworn he saw her nose twitch, as though sampling a particular scent. No, impossible. Coincidence, surely.

'I will certainly do my best to return you to your land,' Amaterasu was saying, continuing to pace back and forth in front of him. 'But, perhaps upon the 'morrow would be best. My power is greatest at the height of the day, as opposed to the onset of evening. Besides, your world will surely not crumble to dust this very night, will it? I consider myself enough of an authority on world saving to make such a claim.'

'No, I suppose one night of rest can't hurt,' Link said cautiously. 'It seems to be safe here, and it would be nice to be able to sleep without worrying about monsters attacking, for once.' He turned to Midna, catching the twili's attention and indicating the white wolf, then pantomiming sleep. 'What do you think? Any objections?'

Midna's lips pursed in a frown, her hands resting on her hips. She glanced at Amaterasu out of the corner of her eye, her lips curving down. "A word, Link? In private?"

'Umm, okay, I gue-hey!' he yelped as she seized him by the scruff and dragged him away from Amaterasu. The white wolf chuckled, but didn't follow, instead sitting on her haunches and watching them go. 'What's gotten into you?' Link demanded when there was enough distance between them that Amaterasu wouldn't overhear. He shook himself free of Midna's grip, jumping back and glaring at the twili girl. 'You're acting like a child! More so than usual, that is.'

"Stop that, Link!" Midna hissed. "I don't know what that wolfy's been saying to you, but I don't like it! I don't trust her. She's too... too shiny and growly!"

'Shiny and growly? I think you just don't like the fact that she's against darkness.'

"I mean, look at you," Midna continued as though he hadn't spoken -which, seeing as she couldn't understand his wolf-speech, was essentially true- "First female to come along and bat her eyelashes at you, and you're falling all over yourself to do as she says!" She poked his chest to emphasize her point, her tone dropping in register. "I. Don't. Like. It."

'You sound like you're jealous of her now.'

"Males!" Midna threw up her tiny hands, bouncing into the air on a swirl of dark flecks and crossing her arms with a huff. "I don't care if she is acting like a slut-mutt for you! We should get out of here as soon as possible!"

'No.' Link growled, widening his stance. 'I agree with Amaterasu. One night here won't hurt. You can stick around, or you can try and go back on your own.' Spinning, he stalked back towards the white wolfess, leaving a fuming Midna to stomp the air impotently and follow with a ferocious scowl on her face.

'Interesting discussion?' Amaterasu said, a faint grin tugging at her muzzle.

'Fascinating,' Link ground out. 'Now, where are we staying the night? I'm starting to get a little hungry.'

'Follow me,' Amaterasu said, turning and bounding away through the grass. 'I know just the place.'

~~~

The cave was much cheerier with a blazing fire warming its stone walls. Amaterasu, Link, and the darkling girl Midna sat around the crackling logs, absorbing the heat and trading glances, each expecting the other to begin some thread of conversation. With a fair bit of shuffling, Amaterasu had managed to sit herself next to Link, despite Midna's attempts to situate herself between the two wolves with multiple dirty looks shot Amaterasu's way. For his part, Link hadn't seemed to notice the non-verbal sparring match between the two females, and had shifted aside to make room for the sun goddess without comment.

I win this round, girl, Amaterasu thought, hiding a smug grin, And you'd best not try to get in my way on the next. The very thought of that impish creature's grubby hands touching the gray wolf set her hackles rising, only a supreme effort keeping a growl from rumbling in her throat. There was more to this than met the eye, but the two were no more than companions -friends at best. The scent of Link she'd inhaled earlier confirmed what she'd already suspected. He was untouched -or, at least, he hadn't had any females for the last six months or so, which was good enough.

For now. She couldn't prevent the grin from tugging her muzzle upwards. Aloud, she said, 'I have plenty of food for us to share, Link, but I'm not certain about your Midna. What does she eat? Bread? Fish?' She refrained from adding, 'the souls of babes.' Somehow, she figured that would not go over well with the other wolf.

'Oh,' Link said absently, 'anything a human could eat is fine. I think she likes fish, but they can be hard to find. I don't usually have time to go to the fishing pond at the bottom of Zora's basin, and lake Hylia's fish are too quick for me to catch even in human form.'

'Fish. Check,' Amaterasu said, smiling at him. He had a certain innocent naivete that was charming to observe. Almost as though he would be more comfortable herding goats than ranging across the land dealing with monsters. Concentrating, she shifted, and drew a large bag of raw beef and one of fish out of her astral pouch, placing them on the floor at her feet. When she snapped back into reality, Link started at the sudden appearance of the food, his eyes widening slightly.

'Is it always like that around you?' he asked. 'Things popping into existence out of nowhere, or vanishing without a trace?'

'I've had a lot of practice. You get used to it.'

'Remind me not to get on your bad side,' Link muttered.

Amaterasu chuckled, then speared the fish with a stick and set it over the fire. 'I think you'll be on a few sides of me before we must bid each other farewell, but I don't expect my bad side to be one of them.' The meat followed the fish, another sturdy stick serving as an impromptu skewer. She glanced over at Link, smirking at his puzzled expression.

'I'm not sure what to say to that, but regardless, I'm grateful to you for helping us.'

'My pleasure. Really.'

"You two," Midna interjected, scowling at them, "Are turning into quite the pair of natterbirds over there. She crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pursing. "I knew I should've learned how to speak doggy at some point." Her eyes zeroed in on Link, giving him a dour glare. "You'd better not be talking about me behind my back, Mr. Hero of Hyrule! I'll have to smack your nose if you are!" She shook a tiny fist, bouncing slightly into the air on those wisps of darkness that clung to her.

Amaterasu quivered with the urge to blast the girl with a beam from her reflector. To think: all that time fighting the denizens of Yami, and now she was forced to provide dinner to one! At least the black aura oozing from the creature didn't seem to stick to what it touched. If it had, not even Link would have been able to talk her out of cleansing the corruption.

'She tends to get a bit... excitable,' Link commented. 'I hope you don't take her too seriously.'

'Oh, I'm sure she's perfectly charming. Just the sort anyone would want by their side to help them save the world.'

'She has her moments. Even if I wish she'd let me be at times, she really does have a good heart. Not to mention she's saved my life more times than I can count.'

'And you hers.'

'Maybe,' Link acknowledged with a shrug. 'But, I feel like it's more the other way around.'

'How did you meet, if I may ask?'

Link held up his paw -the one with the chain attached. 'I was pursuing monsters which had attacked my village and kidnapped several children. What I didn't know at the time that there were far larger problems happening in the world. Our land was being invaded by dark creatures from another world, seizing portions of our kingdom of Hyrule and converting it into a shadow land. I was taken by surprise -dragged in and cursed with this form.' He shook, indicating his wolf's body.

'Doesn't seem like much of a curse to me, but go on.'

Link's muzzle quirked upwards. 'Thank you. To make a long story short, I ended up a prisoner in the corrupted castle of Hyrule. Midna snuck into the cells and set me free, guiding me out to meet with the Hylian princess, Zelda. There, I learned that what I'd assumed to be a curse was actually a way for me to heal the invaded lands. In this form, and with Midna's help, I could freely walk through the darkened territories and restore the guardian Light spirits, which then banished the invaders back to their world.'

'Sounds like a hard journey, but seeing as you're still here, one that you've learned much from.'

'Yes.' Link's eyes slid over to Midna, then down to the floor. 'Not all of them were fun lessons, but I can't deny I've grown stronger because of them.' He looked up, meeting Amaterasu's gaze again. 'And we're so close! We're nearly ready to cross over to the twilight realm, and take the fight to the usurper king himself.'

Amaterasu nodded gravely. 'A noble goal, certainly, and one that you seem well... equipped for.' Her eyes wandered down the muscular contours of his body, catching on the meeting of belly and haunch. If the firelight would only stretch out a little further, she'd be able to see-

No. No spoiling the surprise now. Reluctantly, she dragged her gaze back up to his face, meeting those mesmerizing blue eyes. There was a question written within them, but she ignored it, instead nodding towards Midna, who was now floating on her side and watching them with a pensive frown.

'I must ask though. Are you certain that one can be trusted? I may not know either of you well, but as a goddess, there are certain things I am permitted to see. In you, Link, I see a purity of spirit governing your actions. You may have been touched by darkness, but it will never consume you. Her, on the other hand...' She glanced over at the girl once more, her ears flattening. 'I don't know what she's told you, but her goals aren't the same as yours. Her intentions may be pure, but trust me: she intends to manipulate you to her own ends, whatever those may be.'

Link's eyes narrowed, hardening to chips of ice colder than the peaks of Ezofuji. 'With all due respect,' he growled, 'You don't know her at all. I'm well aware she needs to use my power to aid her. I agreed to it willingly. Her kingdom's fate is tied with mine, and her people are in danger of being wiped out by the usurper king. I have no intention of letting that happen, and I will do everything in my power to help her save her people.'

His gaze pierced through Amaterasu, stealing away what she'd been about to say. She blew out a long breath and nodded, relaxing her stiffened stance. 'I understand. I too, once had a partner in my journey. Many that I met did not see his value, and even I at first only wanted him out of my fur. But, eventually, I came to see that he was as important to me as my weapons and celestial brush.'

Link smiled, nodding agreement and relaxing as well. 'Can't live with them, can't live without them, right?'

Amaterasu laughed. 'Indeed. Especially when they insist on riding on your nose at the most awkward of times.'

'Can't say I've had to put up with that, but she does seem to enjoy making me uncomfortable.'

The scent of cooking meat and fish was beginning to waft through the air, and both Link's and Amaterasu's bellies chose that moment to growl, prompting mutual chuckles. Amaterasu seized the stick with the fish in her maw, and trotted around the fire to offer it to the floating Midna. As she passed Link, she flicked her tail upwards -the briefest, teasing flash- but timed so that even the most oblivious male couldn't have missed it. Let him get an eyeful, as well as a whiff. He was as good as hers.

"Oh, is that for me? Why thank you!" Midna said, floating lower and taking the stick from Amaterasu's jaws. "I guess you can be a nice doggy after all. Still need to work on the growling though." She giggled, blowing on the fish to cool it before taking a bite.

Amaterasu turned back and picked up the other skewer, carrying it carefully over to Link, and balancing it on a convenient rock between them. The darkened beef dripped juices, a heavenly aroma rising from the lightly charred meat. Amaterasu smiled at the other wolf, nodding to the meal.

'I figured it was enough for us to share. Dig in.'

Link needed no further urging, setting to his half of the steak with gusto. Amaterasu wasn't far behind, her efforts with the cursed zone and the beasts of earlier leaving her with a hefty appetite. Between the two of them, the beef rapidly disappeared. The last few bites ended up the focus of a small tugging match, neither of them willing to give up the larger portion, playful growls rumbling in their throats, tails wagging. It only lasted a few short seconds before the beef gave way, tearing apart and leaving Amaterasu victorious with an additional bite of the tender meat. She swallowed it with glee, a childish joy bubbling up inside her at the dejected act Link was putting on.

'Sorry, handsome, but sun goddesses usually get what they want.'

Link's ears shot up, his eyes widening. 'Not that I'm complaining, but I'm sure you could've taken all of it if you'd used your magic.'

'Yes, but then I wouldn't have gotten to see that look on your face. Not nearly as much fun.' Giggling, she pranced a step towards him and planted a lick across his upper muzzle, earning a surprised yelp and a shiver from the male. She pulled away with no more than a teasing touch of her tongue, taking her time licking her own chops as though sampling an exotic flavour. 'You had some grease there,' she said. 'Figured I'd take care of it for you.'

'How... considerate of you,' Link mumbled, hunching over slightly. His ears had flattened against his skull, though his tail was beating a tattoo on the floor of the cave that told her everything she needed. The trap was set in place. Now all she needed to do was spring it. But first...

"Would you two knock that off?" Midna burst out, drawing the attention of both wolves. The girl floated with her hands on her hips, glowering first at Link, then at Amaterasu. "Don't make me lock you two away from each other. You -white doggy! Paws off, you hear me? My wolfy needs to save his strength for more important things, and more to the point -he's my wolfy! So, keep your flirty-paws to yourself!"

'Flirty... paws?' Link said, staring at Midna in consternation. 'Your wolfy?'

Amaterasu eyed Midna, considering. That one would interfere if she tried to make a move without dealing with her beforehand. Simple enough. Midna couldn't stand bright light, could she? She would give her a light bright enough to burn the message into that stone crown of hers. Paws off indeed!

'Oh, Link?' Amaterasu said, smiling, projecting the image of perfect innocence. 'Would you mind taking a few steps this way, please?' She gestured with a paw towards the opposite end of the fire from Midna.

'What? Umm, sure, I suppose.' Rising, Link padded to where she'd pointed, standing with a look of confusion on his muzzle. 'Why?'

'Because we're about to need some privacy.' Amaterasu drew in a deep breath, and shifted. The crackling of the fire faded away, the world settling into the slightly grainy texture of her celestial canvas. Amaterasu willed her brushstrokes into being, tracing a massive barrier between Link and herself, and the floating girl. Amaterasu shot a smug grin at the frozen Midna, the other female's eyes seeming to burn with an inner fire even in the paralysis of the brush's power.

That's right. He's mine. At least, for tonight.

Amaterasu added a grand circle to her barrier, finishing it with bold rays emanating from its core. Let the infernal girl try to get past this!

Her spell complete, Amaterasu released the canvas. Reality snapped back into being.

Mine.

~~~

"No!" The cry wrenched from Midna's throat as a brilliant wall of light slammed into place between her and the two wolves. She threw up her hands, shielding her eyes from the blaze, a whimper in her throat. Curse that wolf-bitch to the demon king! That thing was as bright as the Hyrule sun! Worse, she'd made off with her wolfy!

When I get my hands on her, the fur is really going to fly, Midna thought darkly. Spinning around, she closed her eyes, drawing forth the hidden strength of the recovered fused shadows. With a hot meal in her belly and the ancient magic of her people in hand, she felt strong enough to beat that lying moblin, Zant, from one end of the palace of twilight to the other!

Across Midna's eyes, a stone visor rotated into place, dark lenses protecting her from the blinding glare. Gauntlets formed around her fists and forearms, carved all over with the seemingly random patterns of the twili, and brimming with barely suppressed energy. Midna allowed herself a nasty grin, turning back to the glowing wall and floating around the fire towards it. So, the slut-mutt thought she could lock her out, did she?

Rearing back, Midna drove both gauntlets at the shining barrier with all of her strength. The blow connected, a jolt rattling up her arms and clacking her teeth together, narrowly missing her tongue. Sparks hissed from the point of contact, the dark power in her fused shadows burning where it touched the blazing wall. The harsh scent of ozone tickled her nose, almost making her sneeze.

Growling in primal fury, Midna drew back and let loose another thunderous blow. Another. Again. Sparks flew like the striking of a blacksmith working his forge, each mighty blow recoiling into the muscles of her shoulders. The shining wall trembled, but held, not so much as a measly crack appearing for her efforts.

Come on, she can't be that strong! An assault like this would knock down the main gates of Hyrule castle! Midna steeled herself and attacked, pummeling the wall of light.

Something tickled her ankle.

Midna paused, looking down. A vine coiled up from the cave floor, its vibrant green sticking out against the stone. Before her eyes, it moved. A shriek tore from Midna's throat as the plant tightened around her ankle, yanking her back away from the barrier. Before she could blast the thing with a withering bolt of darkness, more vines burst out of the rocky ground, seizing her arms and other leg, pinioning her to the floor like an insect trapped in a spider's web.

Midna screamed in pure frustration, arching and thrashing against the sturdy bonds, to no avail. The grip of the vines might as well have been steel shackles, young, strong plantflesh resisting her flailing efforts with ease. Midna banished the gauntlets, thinking to summon herself a knife or a sword -something to show these pesky plants who they were messing with!

That dirty, cheating -ah!

Heat flushed her cheeks. Another vine had crept up her leg, its tip tickling across her inner thigh. She could feel it growing, curling up the curve of her thigh, the touch of its slick flesh sending shivers up her spine. Unbidden, her mind jumped to one of her many nighttime fantasies -one of her in this very position, only with Link sitting between her spread legs, a seductive twinkle in his lupine eyes as his muzzle lowered to meet her exposed sex...

No! This isn't my wolfy. He's in there with that back-stabbing, man-stealing skank, getting who knows what done to him! In truth, she had a pretty good idea, but she didn't want to entertain the thought for long. She had to get in there, preferably fast.

Sword sword sword. I need a sword! The image coalesced in her minds eye, shadows taking form and firming into being-

"Oh!"

She couldn't contain the gasp, her back arching as the vine nudged its way upwards, kissing her vulnerable entrance and teasing her with the promise of pleasure to come. All she needed to do was submit, and-

No! Sword!

The vine twitched, sliding against her mound. Tiny tendrils sprouted from its surface, tickling Midna's sensitive lower lips. Several of them zeroed in on the tiny nub of her clit, prodding the firm bud and drawing a long groan from Midna's throat.

No, she had to concentrate on... on...

Another vine, sliding across her belly, feeling for all the world like a moist, canine tongue. Midna's eyes drifted closed, a soft coo of pleasure escaping her. As if responding to her desire, the vine between her legs began to nudge and prod, gently spreading her entrance, kindling her growing arousal.

Oh, Link...

Midna's struggles ceased, the remaining stone of her magical weaponry vanishing into motes of shadow. Her lips curved upwards, her fangs gleaming in the firelight. She still planned to pay Amaterasu back for this betrayal, but such things could wait. At least until morning. Her mind supplied her all of the images she needed -her handsome, perfect wolf, standing over her, attending to her pleasure in every way she could possibly imagine.

In the back of Midna's day-dreaming mind, the seed of a perfectly wicked idea began to grow.

~~~

When the spots cleared from Link's eyes, he found himself standing before a brilliantly glowing wall, its borders extending to seal tightly against the cave's stone. A low hum, barely audible even to his ears, vibrated through the air, focusing his reeling mind on a single thought.

Midna!

His hackles rose, and he rounded on Amaterasu, his lip curling back in a ferocious snarl. 'What have you done? Get rid of that thing! You'd better not have hurt Midna, or...' he trailed off in a dark growl, fixing the sun goddess with a stern glare. How could she do such a thing?

The white wolf, for her part, appeared unruffled by his display, a smug grin on her muzzle. 'Calm down, Link. There's no reason to be so aggressive -though I'll admit, I'm rather impressed. I wonder what you would try to do, exactly?'

The question struck Link like a hammer blow between the eyes. He knew he was hopelessly overmatched in a fight. He had none of his weapons, and Midna was trapped on the other side of that wall. Her magic couldn't help him either. Snarling, he spun, facing the blazing barricade, his haunches tensing. Was it his imagination, or had it rippled? Midna, trying to break through from the other side, perhaps? He had no idea how much damage he could do to it, but-

'Stop that!' Amaterasu stepped in front of him, blocking the path of his leap, her expression hardening. 'I apologize if I've alarmed you, but I swear upon my word as a goddess that your friend is unharmed. Good enough?'

Link eyed her, wary. It didn't take a genius to know that calling a goddess a liar was probably a bad idea, but she had also intentionally trapped him here. After a tense moment, he nodded, taking a cautious step back from her. 'I guess it has to be. But, why?' He kept an eye on the barrier, hoping to catch those ripples once more, but they appeared to have vanished. Perhaps it had been his imagination after all?

'Young and naive is such a charming combination in a male.' Amaterasu's voice had dropped, coming out in a husky purr. She glided forward, matching his retreating steps with a flowing grace. 'Don't tell me I need to explain what it is that I want from a strong, noble hero like yourself? Why I might want to get him alone for a time?'

'I think I have an idea. I'm not that naive. But, we only just met, and you're a goddess! You could have anyone you want, couldn't you?'

At some point, the mirror weapon hovering above her back had disappeared. She looked a touch smaller without it, but the gleam in her amber eyes as she advanced on him made the spiders crawl about in Link's belly far more than the weapon's presence had. The goddess looked... hungry.

'You would be surprised, but I did tell you that goddesses tend to get what they desire, didn't I? I saw something I desired today, and now I want to experience what it has to offer. Is that so strange?'

He'd seen that look in Midna's eyes sometimes. Usually when she talked about what she wanted to do to Zant for his crimes against her kingdom. But, occasionally, when the twili girl thought he wasn't paying attention, he'd seen it directed at him. Link danced back another few steps, only to have the white wolf mirror his movement, hemming him in like he were a frightened goat she intended to nibble upon. His tail touched stone, his paw halting midstep.

So much for the tactical retreat idea.

'I don't think you understand,' he said, desperately attempting to stall while he looked for a way out of his predicament. She was standing right in front of him now, blocking escape, and even if he were to make a bid for freedom, who knew what sort of magic she might employ to halt him in his tracks? 'I'm not anyone particularly special. I'm nothing more than a farm boy who got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, and ended up being pulled into something far larger than myself.'

Amaterasu fixed him with a flat look. 'Do I look like I care about where you came from? None of that matters in the slightest, 'farm boy'. If you were the son of the emperor or of a cheap geisha_, I'd still want you.'_

Tiny, ethereal fingers traced through the fur of Link's flank, making him start. Amaterasu's eyes bore that mischievous twinkle, informing him beyond a shadow of a doubt as to the source of the touch.

'Do you have any idea how difficult it is,' Amaterasu said, sidling closer to him, 'to find a male as well suited to my needs as you? Few men of Nippon will consider a wolf as a lover, and fewer still of those who I would allow to touch me.'_Her lip curled, showing a flash of fangs. _'As for the animals, they are willing enough to attend me, but they are not much for the playful conversation that truly makes such a union enjoyable. Or foreplay, for that matter. They are far too anxious to spill their seed to bother seeing to my desires.'

Heat burned in Link's ears. He'd seen enough in the goat breeding pens to have an understanding of such matters. Not to mention the further 'education' he'd accidentally received in the seedier areas of Hyrule castle town. 'H-how do you know I'll be any better?' he stammered, fighting the instincts of his body which were screaming at him to stop arguing with her. His nose quivered, scenting the air, which now bore a hint of that subtle, exotic spice he'd caught earlier. 'I've never actually... been with anyone before. Certainly not in this body.'

'Relax, my noble warrior,' Amaterasu crooned, stepping closer, her nose mere inches from his. 'You will manage well enough, and where you lack, I will teach you. You have seen many trials, and I would offer you a chance to forget about them for a time.' She giggled, the distinctly feminine sound perking Link's ears. 'Though, I cannot promise much rest for you tonight.' Another set of invisible fingers ran down Link's side, dipping low on his haunch this time, teasing the cream fur of his inner thigh before sliding away. It promised far more intimate contact to come.

Link swallowed hard, unobtrusively trying to keep his body turned so his rear remained in shadow, hiding his swelling maleness from the white wolf's eager gaze. 'It doesn't seem like I have much of a choice.'

'I don't think you do. But, would you truly object?' Amaterasu said, slipping herself next to him and leaning against his side. The warmth of her body felt like a furnace, both warding and attracting at once. But her fur... Oh golden goddesses, her fur. He wanted nothing more than to bury his nose in the nape of her neck, and run his paws through that luxuriously soft pelt.

Amaterasu's muzzle butted up beneath his, her forehead resting against his throat. 'I didn't think so,' she murmured, the words coming in a soft, breathy sigh. Her tongue flicked out, dragging slowly along his lower jaw. 'Kiss me, Link.'

A shiver rolled down Link's spine.

Midna's going to kill me. It's probably worth it though.

He lowered his muzzle, and met her tongue with his. She took the opportunity to press upwards, delving between his parted lips. Flavour exploded across his tastebuds, sensations rocketing through his mind from the gentle caress of her agile tongue. He could taste the lingering flavour of their earlier meal, as well as a certain foreign savour which stirred his body's primal instincts.

A growl rattled in his throat, and he leaned into the kiss, tilting Amaterasu's head back to expose her neck. She moaned, her posture relaxing into a submissive pose, the sight and sound pleasing the feral beast rising up within Link. He pressed his advantage, plunging his tongue into Amaterasu's open maw, exploring the warm confines and gathering as much of her provocative flavour as he could reach.

Soon, Link couldn't contain his primal desire any longer. He pulled away from the delightful oral embrace, his fur bristling. Amaterasu's eyes slid open, her amber gaze meeting his with an intensity that could've struck sparks. She moved to capture his muzzle again, but he jerked aside, growling a hoarse command. 'Turn around.'

'Oh? Think you can play the alpha male with me, do you?' Amaterasu giggled, the sound summoning a snarl to Link's muzzle. How dare she mock his dominance! He took a step forward, stiff-legged, intending to butt her shoulder to enforce his point.

'Very cute, but that's not how this works, Farm Boy,' Amaterasu said, raising a paw and bringing it down hard on the tip of his nose. Surprised, and a touch hurt, he stumbled back, a bit of the lustful fog clearing from his mind.

She smirked at his shocked expression, resting back on her haunches and looking him up and down. Her odd, wing-like plumes swirled like stormclouds in a high wind, betraying her outward calm as a facade. 'I admire your courage, Link. Even feral pack alphas know better than to try and order me around. They take what they're given and are quite happy with it.' She tilted her head to the side, considering. 'How about a bit of a compromise?'

'Compromise?' Link's guard rose, the calculating expression on the goddess' face scattering his earlier confidence. He felt a tinge of shame at his own forwardness, but Amaterasu seemed more amused than offended. 'What did you have in mind?'

'Oh, nothing painful, don't worry. If you're a good boy and let me play with my prize for awhile, I'll treat you to something I don't give most of my partners. Deal?'

As in most of the dealings he'd had so far with this goddess of the sun, he didn't seem to have many options -not that there was much for him to object to. 'I suppose,' he muttered, his ears and tail drooping in submission.

'Good. Now, on your back.' She waved an imperious paw at him, grinning like a mad-wolf, her tail beating a tattoo on the cave floor.

Link heaved a sigh and dropped to his belly, wincing at the cold stone on his swollen sheath. Grumbling under his breath, he rolled over, exposing his underside to the white wolf's gaze. Unbidden, his tail curled up between his legs, attempting to gain some meager protection in this vulnerable position. A white paw quickly slammed down on the bushy appendage, drawing a yelp from his throat.

'None of that now,' Amaterasu said sternly, still grinning wider than an off-duty guard at Telma's bar. 'I like what I see, and I won't have you trying to hide it from me.' Her tongue flicked out, licking her lips suggestively, that hungry gleam setting her roving eyes ablaze.

All of Link's instincts screamed at him to curl up and protect himself, to roll over and not expose so many choice, soft targets to such a dangerous female. With a supreme effort, he fought them down, relaxing and submitting to Amaterasu's lustful ogling. The wolf in him didn't like it, and the human wasn't overly fond of it either, but he had given his word...

'See? Not so bad,' Amaterasu said, giggling. 'Such a good boy. He deserves a treat, don't you think? But, I'm not quite done looking. Such lovely markings...'

The tantalizing, spicy scent in the air was growing stronger, prompting Link to look down the length of his body and take in what view he could. She sat on her haunches between his spread legs, conveniently trapping his tail beneath one of her hindpaws. Link's eyes slid down the curve of her belly, taking in the places where the thick fur thinned slightly, allowing a pert pink nipple to peek through. Lower down, her fur grew in a V shaped pattern, pointing the way to a thick tuft of fur in the center, which apparently served its purpose to frustrate his efforts at gaining a little ogling of his own.

Still pretty though. Feral instincts aside, he couldn't deny that a part of him -the one that wasn't inwardly blushing crimson- felt a little proud at the open admiration she was giving his body. Most of the people he met in this form were more inclined to scream and run away rather than compliment his appearance. His animal half proclaimed wholeheartedly that, in terms of desirable mates, he had landed himself the cream of the crop here, and his human half struggled to disagree with the assessment.

If a powerful, beautiful sun goddess wants to have me as a lover for the night, who am I to say no?

'My my, what have we here?' Amaterasu murmured, breaking into his daydreaming. One of her paws slid across his belly, tracing a circle and making him shiver. Her gentle touch dipped lower, claw-tips dragging through the thinner fur around his sheath, sending tiny pinpricks of pleasure into his loins. Link felt his maleness stir, swelling in response to the she-wolf's insistent coaxing. Cool air met warm flesh, the red, tapered tip of his canine tool sliding out of its home, exposed to the goddess' whims.

'I knew you could be a good boy if you tried,' she cooed, her paw teasing across his bulging sheath, forcing a grunt from his throat. 'It's been far too long since I had the chance to play with one of these. Indulge me for awhile, would you?'

'Ummm, I don't exactly have anywhere else to be.'

'That's the spirit.'

Her head dipped down, her lips parting, preparing to move from drinking him in in a figurative sense to one much more literal. Link's breath caught in his throat, his trapped tail trying to wag. Amaterasu's tongue flicked out, grazing his exposed flesh, sparking a flash of pleasure that made Link's haunches twitch.

'So eager,' she said, chuckling. 'Not that I blame you. Try not to thrust too hard though, hmm? I wouldn't want to nick you by accident.' Leaving him with that warning, Amaterasu's muzzle dipped, her tongue dragging across his entire package from sac to tip, encouraging his growing length.

Link's maw dropped open, his tongue lolling in a pant as the goddess bathed his intimate regions with her heavenly tongue, each stroke across his sensitive flesh prompting a barely restrained buck of his hips. Gradually, she drew the entire length free of his sheath, the dark fur pushed back behind the emerging bulge of his knot. His revealed tool twitched, aching for more of Amaterasu's skilled tonguework, a bit of clear fluid dribbling down the shaft where it leaked freely from his tapered head.

'You seem to know your way around a man well enough,' Link grunted.

'Practice, love. I've been around a little longer than you.' She licked her lips, then caught the escaping fluid on the tip of her tongue, skillfully cleaning it from his bobbing tool, leaving it slick with her saliva. 'Care to see something that takes more practice?'

'I think-'

'Too bad. You don't have a choice.' Grinning, she opened her maw wide, lowering her head. Link's eyes widened, a whimper escaping his throat as her fang-filled jaws closed around his precious tool. Soft warmth engulfed him, his nerves flaring with the sudden sensation of entering a welcoming passage. He stared in silent wonder at the view of Amaterasu's muzzle engulfing his shaft, her cheeks bulging slightly as she swallowed, treating him to the incredible sensation of her heated mouth contracting around him.

The intricate details of her maw pressed in around his aching meat, her agile tongue undulating along the bottom of his shaft, grinding it against the firm ridges along the roof of her mouth. Link gave a long groan, his hips practically burning with the need to thrust wildly until the pleasure overwhelmed him.

She began to bob her head, suckling and swallowing down his leaking pre, filling the cave with the lewd sounds. Had he in fact died in the battle with those shadow beasts? Was this his eternal reward? Not how he'd pictured the afterlife, but, sometimes surprises were a good thing.

The incredible pleasure rose ever higher in his loins, his shaft throbbing and twitching inside Amaterasu's expert maw. Link's forepaws clutched at the air, desiring to hold on to something -anything- and drive himself deeper into that amazing cavern. He could already feel his knot swelling, his sac drawing tighter to his body, quivering with its turgid contents.

'Uhmmm, I don't know how much longer I can hold it back,' he gasped, staring at the ceiling, his hips shuddering. Would she really allow him to... to let it go in her mouth?

Abruptly, the warm, suckling environment around him vanished, Amaterasu pulling off of his twitching, spurting shaft with a wet shlick! Link nearly burst into tears, despite his inability to do so in his current body. He'd been so, achingly close!

'Calm down, handsome, I'm not the sort to leave my good boys unsatisfied,' Amaterasu said, giggling. 'I think you can put that tongue of yours to better use, however.' Standing, she stepped over him, turning around and straddling his body. His view filled with a glorious sight: the goddess' white-furred rump, her tail raised high, exposing the triangular folds of her sex, its pale lips parted slightly to reveal a hint of pink. Link could only stare, the elusive, spicy scent wafting into his nose, flaring his arousal to a white-hot blaze.

Amaterasu's hips lowered, bringing her nether lips down to meet his muzzle in a deliciously mischievous kiss. 'Looking is fine,' she said with another of those surprisingly girlish giggles, 'but I'd much rather have you touch, I think.' Link wasn't about to argue; especially not with the heady scent seizing control of his instincts, prompting his neglected shaft to flex and spurt more of his clear pre across his belly. His tongue darted out, flicking across those gorgeous folds, collecting a sample of the spicy nectar leaking from their depths.

Guess she really does enjoy having a 'good boy' to play with.

He didn't hesitate, burying his muzzle into his lover's snatch, his nostrils quivering as he drew in deep whiffs of her erotic perfume. His tongue drew across her swollen vulva, the wide appendage pressing the delicate petals apart and tickling the pink treasure within. Above him, Amaterasu let out a breathy moan, her hips grinding down into his tongue.

'Oooh... You don't beat around the bush, do you? I like males who know how to get to the point, so long as -ah!' This last came when his tongue slid across a small, firm nub just inside her folds.

Intrigued, Link prodded the spot, eliciting a shiver from the goddess, and a fresh wave of her nectar across his palate. Grinning, he pulled back, licking his lips clean. 'What was it you said? 'My, what have we here'?'

The she-wolf snorted, her tail slapping across his forehead none-too-gently, making him blink in shock. 'Don't get cocky, 'doggy'. Remember that I have my own toy to play with as I please.'

Underlining her point, her head dipped down between Link's legs, her tongue drawing a sensuous line from his taut sac to the base of his throbbing shaft, then circling his knot in a slow, teasing lick that made him draw in a sharp, hissing breath. It turned to a whimper when that incredible touch retreated, leaving him once more aching and frustrated.

'Or I can amuse myself by watching you rut the air for awhile. Annoying, isn't it? I'm sure you know that I'm fully capable of keeping you on the edge for a very long time, if I wish it, hmmm?' Her rump wiggled, shoving into his muzzle pointedly. 'If I were you, I would see to it that the sun goddess gets what she wants, so that she might be more inclined to be generous.'

'You have a point,' Link muttered. Dutifully, he resumed his efforts, unsuccessfully trying to contain his growing eagerness. It was surprisingly fun to discover which strokes of his tongue drew those sensuous moans from the white wolf, and which ones made her hips jerk of their own accord. The tiny nub he'd found gave him a bit of both, along with generous splashes of her feminine nectar, far more than he could drink down.

Before long, his muzzle was soaked, a steady stream of the exotic fluid dribbling out of the goddess' blushing snatch, matching the string of moans and murmured encouragement from her other lips. Instincts as old as time told Link that his goal was near, evidenced by the tremble in the she-wolf's haunches and the intensified scent of her arousal.

Trusting the urge, Link allowed the wolf inside him to take the lead, and plunged his tongue as far inside the goddess as he could reach. A stifled 'Ah!' reached his ears, and the warm, velvet flesh surrounding his tongue squeezed firmly, trapping him inside.

Something soft and wet flickered across Link's still-hard shaft, sending another bolt of pleasure up his body. Hot breath wafted across the sensitive flesh.

'You've convinced me of your resolve,' Amaterasu crooned. Once more, her maw wrapped around his throbbing length, welcoming it into that sweltering, luscious, incredibly textured cave. Link tensed, a long groan rumbling from his throat.

A little more, just a little more...

Unwilling to neglect his duties, Link rolled his tongue across the clenching inner folds of the goddess' quivering body. He felt his loins straining, the ecstasy surrounding his sensitive flesh drawing him as taut as a bowstring. His turgid balls twitched, his knot engorging to its fullest and bumping against Amaterasu's closed lips with his involuntary buck. In desperation, Link curled his tongue, the tip hitting a spot on the roof of her passage with a slightly different texture. Above him, Amaterasu went rigid, her maw tightening around his buried meat. As one, they groaned in pure canine ecstasy.

Link's climax struck him like a thunderbolt. His shaft twitched, his loins tensing with each mighty spurt of rich seed, the creamy salvos shooting deep into the she-wolf's waiting maw. Around his tongue, the muscular walls rippled, clamping down on his tongue in rhythmic contractions, dousing both his tastebuds and his muzzle in a fresh wave of feminine honey.

Link's eyes closed, several squirts of the hot liquid spattering his forehead, the heady scent all but overpowering his sensitive nose. He both felt and heard Amaterasu swallowing repeatedly, her maw squeezing and milking his spurting length for every drop of cream. Something soft and fluffy swished across his ears, back and forth, making them flick. Her tail, he realized absently, mirroring his own furious wagging.

Wow, Link thought, gradually coming down from the orgasmic high. So that's what it feels like. No wonder those girls were trying to charge me five hundred rupees.

His neck was beginning to grow a touch sore from craning upwards. With his tongue now freed from the powerful grip of Amaterasu's inner walls, Link withdrew, a lewd slurping noise following his tongue's retreat. Between his spread legs, Amaterasu released his softening wolfhood, her tongue darting out to clean a final dribble of seed from the receding tip. Cool air embraced his spent meat for only a brief moment, before it slid neatly back into his sheath, once more protected from both the elements and the prying eyes of lustful sun goddesses.

'I think someone,' Amaterasu said, giggling, 'has learned his lesson well.

Link licked his lips, cleaning what he could reach of the savoury juices and inspecting his handiwork. 'My teacher seems to know how to inspire her students.' The she-wolf's folds were puffy, the snow-white fur surrounding them matted with spilled juices. Instinct prickled the back of his mind, and he stretched up again and began to gently clean the fur around her entrance, smoothing ruffled tufts and lapping up lingering nectar.

'Mmm, and he even knows how to be a gentleman without being told. There are some things that can't be taught -that's one of them.' Her paws kneaded his belly, eliciting a grunt. 'I'm glad I was right about you, but there's also no sense in doing the same work twice now, is there?' She stood, pulling away from his cleaning and stepping off of him, allowing him to roll onto his side.

Link took a moment to catch his breath, watching the she-wolf curiously. She shook, ruffling her fur into place, then took a step away from him and halted, looking back over her shoulder. Her eyes met his, that wicked gleam returning to her amber depths. 'Well? Do I need to tell you what comes next?'

'Already?!' Link said, incredulous, his ears flattening against his skull. 'Don't I get to rest a bit first?'

'Afraid not. Up, Farm Boy! I haven't finished with you yet.'

'But-'

'Link,' Amaterasu said, her tone lowering into a dangerous register, 'You have two choices. Either come over here this instant, or learn exactly how... persuasive... I can be with my celestial brush.'

Link groaned, rolling to his paws, finding his balance a touch unsteady from so long on his back. He padded towards the waiting goddess, trying to still his unease. He already felt the urge to lie down and sleep, and even the erotic sight of the she-wolf's flagged tail and come-hither look did little to stir his quenched arousal.

Link paused behind Amaterasu, his chest brushing her flank. 'Well, I'm here, but unless all you want is more of my tongue, you'll need to wait at least a few minutes.' The withering look she gave him made him wince, his tail curling between his legs. 'Please?' he tried.

'Must I do everything?' Amaterasu grumbled.

Heat suddenly infused Link's groin, drawing a surprised yip from his throat. His tail whipped away from his masculinity, a river of lava seeming to flow from the tip of his tail, through his dangling sac and sheath, and pool in his belly, radiating impossible warmth through his loins. Immediately, he felt his sheath beginning to swell, all traces of his previous exhaustion vanishing like fog in the summer sun.

Golden goddesses... 'What did you do to me?' he yelped, his hind paws dancing with sudden nervous energy. Now, the enticing sight of the presenting female before him was the only thing on his mind, his renewed arousal snapping his attention to those exposed, sopping petals.

'A little bit of rejuvenation works wonders, doesn't it?' Amaterasu said, her voice smug. 'Now, stop stalling and mount me already.'

Link didn't need to be told twice.

~~~

Amaterasu braced herself, widening her stance in readiness for her lover. Unbridled lust gripped her like a consuming fog, the fire in her loins demanding that she quench it immediately. Her muscles quivered, the cool air on her exposed nethers fanning the blaze to a white-hot inferno.

By the spirits, what is it about this wandering warrior? she thought, struggling to pick through the pieces in the fog. His musky scent, combined with the lingering salty flavour on her tongue, intoxicated her as surely as a drink of eight purification sake. I haven't felt this wanton since... since...

A heavy weight on her back scattered the forming notion, her paws sliding slightly before her taut haunches held up the added burden. Her head tilted back, a soft whine in her throat, encouraging her handsome suitor.

'Yes, that's it. Show me what you can do with that impressive sword of yours, hmm?' Another time, such sordid words from her mouth might have shamed her, but right now, she was prepared to say or do whatever it took to have him inside her, filling that aching need.

She felt him shifting, his hind paws scrabbling on the stone floor as he shuffled forward, resting more firmly on her back. His deep chest fit perfectly against her bowed spine, his muzzle burrowing into the thick fur at the nape of her neck, hot breath washing over her scruff. She heard him snuffling, taking in her scent. Yes... let him smell her need. Let it burn in his primal instincts and drive him to fill her with all of his strength!

Hefty paws wrapped around her waist, locking in across her belly and drawing her snug to the hard muscle of his body. Amaterasu swayed back with the tug, allowing her unprotected rump to grind against his crotch, teasing his eager wolfhood. She felt the tapered tip slide through the fur of her haunch, its warm, slick firmness drawing a line of fire against her skin.

Yes! Don't hold back, give it to me!

Link's hips prodded, seeking her trembling entrance. Hard male flesh ground against her rump, striking first high, then low. His grip on her waist tightened, his weight leaning forward. A meaty spear jabbed her haunch -two quick thrusts- then pulled back, adjusting his aim again. Amaterasu held still, gritting her teeth. Her previous lover had been a mastiff. A large mastiff, to be sure, but still woefully short. She'd had to lower herself in a most indignified squat for him to manage the feat. Still, he'd been satisfying enough. What he'd lacked in skill, he'd made up for in raw zeal.

And he'd been able to get the damn thing in!

Link's next thrust came high -far too high- prodding against her unguarded tail entrance. Thinking he'd hit the mark, the eager male surged, grinding his tapered head into the sensitive pucker. Amaterasu's temper cracked like a whip, her hackles rising. 'Not there!' she snapped, whipping her head around to glare at him. 'Wrong one!'

Immediately, the frantic pounding halted. Link's ears flattened, shame filling his blue eyes. 'Sorry,' he muttered. 'I'm trying, but-'

'Try. Harder,' Amaterasu growled, deceptively calm, belying the annoyance fizzling through her lust-filled mind. 'I'm quickly starting to feel more persuasive than generous.' She probably shouldn't be so irritated with him, but, virgin or no, how could anyone be so inept at such a simple task?

'This isn't as easy as it looks! I can't see what I'm doing.'

'You shouldn't have to! They're made to line up -it's a natural damned fit!'

'I...' Link shuffled his hind paws, his hips settling against hers. His bulging sheath dragged across her rear, the peeking tip settling in on the target and slipping into the notch of her swollen petals. A second of realization passed, neither wolf daring to move.

'Oh,' Link muttered. 'There it is.'

'Yes! Was that so hard? Now stop talking and stick it in before you lose it again!'

He muttered something she couldn't quite make out under his breath, but his paws tightened on her waist, and he leaned into the thrust, the first inches of his thick shaft greeting her awaiting folds and spreading them wide. A long groan left Amaterasu's throat, her aching walls rippling in delight as the firm, pulsing wolf-flesh stroked across their velvet surface.

Mating instincts as old as the moon kicked in, and Link's hips began to pound swiftly, rocking her body with enthusiastic fervour. Deep inside the haze of passion and wanton ecstasy, Amaterasu's rational mind recognized the panting, frantic rhythm. His feral needs urged him to breed his bitch, to spill his seed within her as fast as possible and be done with it. Amaterasu's upper lip curled in a snarl, despite the raw joy of the sensations fizzling inside her needy sex.

Not a chance, Farm Boy! The sun goddess stretched her will out through the fog of lust and seized hold of reality.

Shift.

Two quick, bold slashes of the celestial brush cut through the air, etching the summoning character for the veil of mists. She released her hold, snapping the spell into place.

Time slowed to a crawl. Amaterasu's perception felt immeasurably sharper, every sense rioting to full alert. She could feel Link's power, the bunching and tensing of heavy muscle, his weight driving his thrusts in deep. Her sodden nether lips stretched to accommodate his hefty girth, his wild hunching slowed to an excruciatingly precise, erotic glide.

Now she could experience each throbbing inch of his hot, firm breeding tool, the veiny flesh stimulating her clenching folds in all the right places. Wet, suggestive noises became aphrodisiac music at this slow tempo, the splashes of his thin pre aiding his wild thrusts, adding to her own steady flow of nectar. Their hips met, the thick bulge of his knot grinding insistently into her already stretched lips, gradually weakening their resistance.

Ecstasy seared her, shooting through her hyper-sensitive tunnel and up her arching spine. This was what she'd needed! The utter satisfaction that only a properly endowed lover could provide. The fire which had been steadily burning inside her flared up, demanding the gift of her lover's essence. It wasn't a matter of want, or even lust. Her body -her entire being- craved this sacred completion.

Of course, she thought, her mind floating distantly on the cloud of pleasure. I should've recognized the signs. A new spirit will be entering the world soon, and I shall bring it forth this very night.

The spell broke. Time rippled back to normal speed.

Link's bulging knot ground into the she-wolf's petals, the turgid flesh stimulating her exposed bud. The air smelled of sex and sweat and canine arousal, the aroma tickling the she-wolf's nose and adding to the ambrosia of sensation. Amaterasu tilted her head back, a low howl rattling in her throat, her eyes closing. Her passage undulated, trying desperately to draw the grunting male deeper. She gyrated her hips, meeting Link's frantic thrusts, slamming his turgid length into her eager depths.

'More,' she panted, 'more! Link, fill me!'

'Working on it!' he grunted, his panting breath a hot wind across her neck.

The reassurance wasn't good enough. Amaterasu shifted, whipping frantic brush strokes into place, her tongue lolling from her maw. The spell snapped, sturdy vines popping into existence from the cave floor before her, wrapping around Link's hammering rump and drawing tight. He yelped in surprise. Amaterasu leaned back into the mighty shove, gritting her teeth as her straining petals stretched lewdly, forced to make way for the pulsing invader. A little further, just a little bit... there!

With a clearly audible slurp, the huge bulge of Link's knot slipped inside her, neatly plugging her spread folds.

Pure, unfiltered bliss bubbled through Amaterasu's senses. She laid her head back and let loose a long, victorious howl, wordlessly expressing the primal joy. Her walls rippled, spasms rhythmically milking Link's embedded wolf-hood, a veritable cascade of her juices wetting his shaft. With a supreme effort, she reached out, and shifted.

The brush strokes were sloppy, but it didn't matter. The veil of mists snapped into place.

Stars and moon and sun...

Every nerve ending in her body crackled with the glory of release. His buried tool stood out in exquisite detail against her squeezing passage, its tumescent length quivering on the verge. She felt his muscles tensing, the contractions in her tunnel massaging the male's sensitive knot, prompting his own ecstatic climax. Deep inside her, his tapered tip flexed, tickling the slightly parted entrance to her receptive womb.

All of it. I need more! The irrational urge to plunge him further inside seized her, prompting her to grind her rump forcefully into his quivering embrace. Her walls suckled eagerly on his trembling length, granting him the unspoken permission to consummate their union. The very air about her felt charged with feral energy, and heavy with the erotic scent of their lovemaking.

Hot, thick liquid gushed forth, painting her depths with potent bursts of life-giving seed. Amaterasu crooned, wordlessly thanking her lover for the gift, urging him on. Her stuffed tunnel quickly filled, her rippling walls suckling the spurts deeper, until the heavy load had nowhere else to go, spilling and pooling in the safety of her awaiting womb. The sun goddess shivered, the warmth of her mate's progeny radiating from her canal like the rays of the morning sun, bearing the promise of new life.

Thank you, Link...

Time slipped back to normal, leaving the pair panting, locked together in an intimate embrace.

Link's tongue tickled the back of Amaterasu's neck, breaking into the fuzz of her afterglow.

'I hope that was as great for you as it was for me,' he mumbled, his weight shifting on her back. 'Golden goddesses, it felt like you were trying to wring me dry, but I've never felt anything so... so...'

'Wonderful?' she murmured, punctuating with a firm squeeze.

'Wonderful,' he agreed, grunting. His buried shaft twitched, adding another spurt of heated cream. His tongue flicked along her ear, absently grooming.

Amaterasu's muzzle tilted upwards, a smirk curving on her lips. 'You did very well, my fine young swordsman. But, I hope you're not presuming us to be finished.'

'What?!' The chagrined cry was well worth the panicked tug on their mating tie. 'I barely have the energy left to clean up! Even if you pull that trick again, I don't think-'

Shift.

Amaterasu considered her options. Rejuvenation was well and good, but she had another goal in mind at the present. He wasn't going anywhere anytime soon if she had anything to say about it!

Concentrating, she visualized their union, smirking as her perception shifted to display the unquestionably erotic view of Link's rump. He really was a well-apportioned male. Her mind's eye swept lower, zeroing in beneath his raised tail, slipping between his spread legs. The image of her own stuffed folds was slightly surreal, the lips of her vulva closed tight about the base of his knot, her mound obscenely swollen with its virile contents. His sac nestled against her burgeoning sex, the twin orbs drawn tight, unloading their potent offering deep inside her.

Yes, that should do nicely. Her grin stretched wider, the wicked notion drawing a giggle. You're not going anywhere until I truly have milked you dry, boy. She was quite certain that the first endowment of seed he had given her had done its job, but it never hurt to be certain. Snickering, she drew a thin, wavy line, starting in Link's proudly dangling jewels, and swirling up through the length of his buried shaft.

Reality snapped into place.

'Oh, goddesses!' Link moaned. 'Again?!'

'Yesssss,' Amaterasu crooned, an ecstatic shudder running down her spine. Deep inside her, Link's twitching wolf-hood surged, a fresh torrent of heavy cream splashing into the goddess' womb. The pressure building in her abused passage grew too great for even the mighty seal of Link's knot, a trickle of wolf seed runnling down Amaterasu's rump, staining the fur of her inner thigh. She didn't care.

Shift.

Another water spout. Almost as an afterthought, she added a splash of rejuvenation. The spells snapped. Link let out a whimper, shuddering, his entire weight bearing down on Amaterasu's back.

'I think you'll be surprised at how much you have in there, with a little help,' she murmured, casually giving him an encouraging squeeze.

He whined, mumbling something about, 'Goddesses' and 'promises'.

'Come now,' she scolded, giggling. 'Look at it this way. After this, you'll have an excellent idea of the limits of your endurance.' Considering, she added, 'I did tell you that you wouldn't be getting much rest, didn't I?'

'Yes,' Link moaned, 'But you never said you meant to nearly kill me.'

'Oh, don't be such a baby,' she chided, stretching out her forepaws and lowering her chest, easing the balance of the male's weight atop her. His forepaws met the cave floor, but his knees immediately buckled, dropping him on top of her with a grunt.

'Watch it!'

'Sorry,' he mumbled.

Amaterasu scowled. The last spell was beginning to wear off, the heavy spurts of cream slowing to a weak trickle. In this position, little could escape, the bulk of Link's gift pouring into her distended womb. Amaterasu could feel her belly expand ever so slightly with the liquid weight, the sensation sparking an unmatched thrill through her being.

'Hang on, Farm Boy,' she said, licking her lips. 'We'll be done when I say so, but until then, you have work to do.'

'Oh please no-'

Shift.

~~~

'No more,' Link groaned, his throat parched. 'I can't do any more.'

Amaterasu didn't seem to hear him, her eyes closed, her head tilted slightly to the side, a blissful expression on her face. The goddess let out a long, satisfied sigh, her hind leg twitching against his. At some point, she had at least allowed him to flop to his flank and curl around her, his aching and spent shaft still firmly tied to her massaging sex. The fur of their crotches was becoming quite sticky and matted, promising a need for a long bath later.

How many had it been? He'd lost count somewhere around the time the climaxes had begun to run together. Somehow, he doubted Amaterasu had been keeping track either. All she seemed concerned with was his ability to attend to her needs. Those vines of hers around his legs had certainly driven the point home, when she found his zeal to be wanting. 'Persuasive' wasn't exactly the word he would have used, but...

In the future, Link thought, Any deals with immortal beings are going to have very clear terms!

Amaterasu mumbled something incoherent, her walls squeezing around him, drawing an aggrieved moan from his throat. Funnily enough, it never seemed to have the decency to grow numb and let him suffer from nothing more than exhaustion. No, each of those infernal renewal spells of hers left him fully capable of feeling everything all over again.

It was all well and good at first -his tiredness gone in the blink of an eye, replaced by the lustful vigour driving his feral instincts to breed the she-wolf with every ounce of his strength. But, the moment she squeezed the release out of him -the act of which she could also apparently control on a whim- cruel reality came crashing home. Didn't she realize he had a limited amount available to give? His poor, abused wolfhood felt like it had been wrung out like a dishrag, twinges of pain gritting his teeth with every squeeze and shift.

At the base of his tail, Link felt the by now familiar sensation of searing warmth radiating through his loins. He whimpered, tugging weakly on the engorged tie in a futile attempt to escape. Did she intend to kill him after all? Use him until he dropped; a slow, painful death by exhaustion?

'Not again,' he ground out, even as his buried length surged, quivering at full attention once more. 'Haven't you had enough yet?'

'Mine,' Amaterasu murmured. 'Just a little more.' One of her forepaws rested atop of his, guiding it down to her lower belly and pressing gently. Beneath his pad, the skin felt stretched and taut, squishing slightly under the pressure of his paw. Link's eyes widened, taking in the barely visible swell of the she wolf's abdomen. He knew she'd milked a lot from him, but surely more of it would have leaked out?

'Do you see now?' she crooned, her head craning back to nuzzle under his chin. 'We have created greatness together. A final endowment of your strength will seal the bond.' Her silken inner walls chose that moment to massage his aching, tender flesh, drawing another whine from his throat.

'I... don't know what... you mean,' Link gasped, panting. For now, she seemed content with his renewed swelling, her passage gripping him firmly, but not with the crazed, frantic suckling of before.

'Because you're not looking properly.'

Warmth poured into Link, radiating from the supine goddess like the rays of the sun, filling his entire body. His maw dropped open, soundlessly trying to form words, but none came. The fabric of reality seemed to shift, and with it, his sense of time and perception of the world melted away.

There was no pain. Merely a mildly unsettling sensation of peeling out of himself. His vision drew back, floating slowly into the air above where they lay, affording him the somewhat disturbing view of his own body stretched out and motionless. He tried to look around, but he was unable to move. He no longer seemed to have eyes, or a body of any kind. He was perception itself, and firmly in the grip of this strange spell, powerless to affect his surroundings.

All went dark.

Touch returned first. Cool air on bare skin. The hard floor beneath his hip. A warm body, cradled in his arms. His rigid manhood, wrapped in an embrace of slick velvet. Silken threads tickled his chin, standing out in stark contrast to the smooth, soft skin resting against his bare chest and legs.

Link opened his eyes.

He lay on his side, curled next to a small, olive skinned woman, their limbs sensuously entwined. Her entire being was suffused with an ethereal light -a glow which seemed to radiate from her very core, rich with the boundless energy of life. It was not blinding like the sun, but the sharp contrast with their darkened surroundings made him blink stars from his vision. The soft sounds of her breathing reached his ears, slow and relaxed, almost as though she were asleep.

Is this her true form? Was this what she wanted me to see?

Enraptured with the sight, Link traced the delicate curve of her belly with his fingers, wondering at the supple texture. A gentle scent tickled his nose -a sweet, natural perfume, distinctly feminine. As his wandering fingertips neared her navel, her back arched, the muscle beneath his touch drawing taut. She quivered, pressing herself tight to his loins, a gentle croon leaving her throat.

'Sugoi...' she whispered. Link didn't understand the word, but the sentiment was unmistakable.

The pain had faded in the shift. Here, Link felt only the ecstasy of her luscious walls gripping his straining manhood, her undulating motions sparking his own silent need. Link rolled his hips, meeting the goddess' passionate efforts with his own, driving deep into her spongy folds over and over.

Link's hand slid higher, finding the pillow-like swell of her bosom, cupping the firm mound. His fingers brushed a pert nipple. Following his instincts, he gently pinched and tugged the firm nub, drawing another breathy moan. The goddess trembled in his embrace, her long, dark hair swishing across his chest. Her passage rippled, clutching at him as though to keep him inside.

Goddesses, but she's beautiful. No matter her form, Amaterasu's feminine charms enchanted him, fuelling his excitement into a roaring inferno. His thrusts sped up, driven by the need to once more know the ecstasy of their mutual peak. Amaterasu's pleased moans and the corresponding grip of her sex encouraged him, drawing him to the brink of that heavenly climax. His only desire was to offer himself completely to her, mind, body, and soul.

Link's eyes closed, the inevitability of release crashing down upon him, his groin tensing. He tightened his grip on his quivering lover, pressing as deep within her as he could reach, and surrendered completely. Pure bliss took hold, his skin tingling, each powerful spurt gushing into the goddess' clenching folds sending a fresh burst of pleasure up his spine. Their bodies shook, sharing the joy of their union in perfect harmony, sharing their essence, sharing their fevered passion and their strength alike.

Amaterasu's tiny hand gripped Link's, squeezing tight. His eyes opened, gazing down at her, acutely aware of every glorious detail. A final squeeze of her inner walls drew out his last, dribbling surge, leaving the pair of them sated and spent. A light sheen of sweat coated his chest where her back pressed against it, and he could see beads of perspiration dripping down between her breasts as well, his fingers drawing lines in the moisture. In unison, they sighed, both expressing their wordless satisfaction in their act.

'Arigato,' she murmured.

"Amaterasu," Link breathed, trying to find the right words to express his thoughts. None came, so he settled for breathing in her delicate scent. It reminded him of cherry blossoms, even tinged with the salty tang of sweat and the sharpness of her fulfilled pleasure.

Her hand guided his, tugging it to rest once more on her belly. His gaze followed, languid, admiring her small, yet athletic form. Looking lower, he wandered down the trail of short, dark hair around her mound, and paused to drink in the arousing sight of her spread petals, her spongy lips kissing the hilt of his buried shaft. The delectable sight stirred something foreign inside him: a surge of pride and accomplishment. Not merely in himself, in his ability to please his lover and lay his claim upon her body, but in the act that they had performed. Regardless of the circumstances, what they had done held a sacred significance.

A shimmer beneath their joined hands caught his eye, drawing him back from their coital bond to her abdomen. At first, it seemed a figment of his imagination. A fancy brought on by the haze of afterglow and his lazy pondering. But, upon a closer look, he saw it again -a mere flicker, but as real as the woman in his arms.

Another pale glow poured from under their entwined fingers, pulsing in time to the beat of Amaterasu's heart. It stood out against the goddess' own natural radiance -the moon in the sky at midday. Warmth kissed his fingertips, promising strength and courage and wisdom at once -the surge of new life, sparked into being by their intimate union.

Link's lips moved, his shock stealing away his breath.

Darkness swam up to claim him.

~~~

Midna paced back and forth outside the cave entrance, muttering under her breath. The sun had been up for two hours already, and those naughty doggies still hadn't poked their noses out!

The night before had been hazy. She didn't recall much past the point when she'd surrendered to the tender care of the vines, but she'd woken up sticky, a touch sore, and more well-rested than she'd felt in weeks. The glowing barrier remained in place, and she hadn't bothered trying to break it down again. Instead, she'd wandered outside and found a stream nearby to clean up in, the water icy cold in the dawn, and shocking all traces of sleep from her mind. She'd even found a tree with some sort of orange fruit growing on it, which served as a cold, yet satisfying breakfast.

Now, she was anxious to leave this too-bright, foreign land. Not to mention, try out that delicious little spell she'd cooked up. Her lips curved upwards in a wicked grin. That flirty slut-mutt would be in for a surprise!

Midna's ears perked at the sound of padding footsteps. She bounced on the balls of her feet, floating a few inches off the ground and peering into the dark interior of the cave. Finally! If she was forced to spend a single minute longer here, she might have to scream in frustration.

The white wolf emerged first, wearing a supremely smug expression and all but prancing out of the den. Was it her imagination, or did the sunlight grow brighter in the wolf's presence? Whatever the case, the lupine's fur all but glowed in the dawn, forcing Midna to squint.

Her gaze fell on Midna, and, impossibly, her lupine grin widened, the radiance about her fading to something less blinding. She stretched, showing off her lithe form, and turned slightly, flicking her tail aside to display a glimpse of her rump. Midna's eyes narrowed, her jaw clenching. Now, that was just rude.

I get it, I get it! You got laid, you're a happy doggy now, and you think you've won. No need to rub it in. It really was a shame she wouldn't get to see her revenge enacted in full. But, the knowledge that it would surely wipe that cat-who-got-the-cream look off of the bitch's face was enough to satisfy. Controlling her seething temper with an effort, Midna inclined her head in the slightest of nods.

"I hope you're proud of yourself. You may have taken his first, but that doesn't mean he's yours!"

The white wolf shook, her fur ruffling into place, and let out a yip that sounded suspiciously like laughter. Midna's fist clenched, orange energy crackling in her palm. She hated having to be this patient! If it weren't for Link, she would cheerfully smack the irritating female into the nearest lake!

Speak of the devil.

Behind the sun goddess, Link stumbled out of the cave, his vivid blue eyes blinking in the bright morning sun. He took one look at Midna's dour expression and immediately dropped his ears flat, slinking over to where she floated. He moved with slow deliberation, swaying a little with every step, looking for all the world like he was the sole survivor of a long and brutal battle.

"About time you finally showed your face," Midna snapped, propping her fists on her hips. No matter how tired he was, she was in no mood to be gentle with her wayward hero. It served him right for chasing after a flipskirt! When they got back to Hyrule, they were most definitely going to have some words. "I'm sick of this place, and you made me wait out here forever! Can we please go home now?!"

Link gave a sullen nod, still refusing to meet her eyes. Upon closer inspection, Midna noticed how disheveled his coat had become, sticky and matted in places with who-knew-what. Ick. She was not riding on that. First thing he was doing was going for a swim in lake Hylia!

The white wolf barked, gaining their attention. She turned, padding off in the direction of the stream Midna had discovered earlier, looking over her shoulder to ensure that they were following before picking up the pace. Link nearly tripped over his own paws in his haste to follow, a slight limp in his gait. Honestly, what had that floozy done to put her wolfy in such a state? She wasn't sure whether to be angry or impressed.

"I'm not going to say I told you so, Link," she whispered, floating closer to his ear as they walked. "But, I will say I'm certainly not going to carry you!" A wicked thought struck her, and she had to fight not to grin. "You know, on second thought? Maybe we should stay here another night. It would give you more time to rest up! Isn't that a great idea?"

The look of pure horror he shot her made all of her frustration of the past day worth it. Almost. She giggled, winking at him. "Kidding, silly!" In a sing-song voice, she added, "I have better things in mind for you!"

If he could have turned pale, she was quite certain he would have done so. His ears flattened, his tail tucking in tight between his legs. Midna flashed him a grin, showing teeth. Let him chew on that for a bit.

Ahead of them, the white wolf stopped at the edge of a small pond, its far side protected by a curious tree that draped long, thin, hanging branches into the water, each one in full bloom with white blossoms. They dotted the dappled surface of the pond, floating undisturbed by wind or current, appearing like tiny boats in a calm harbour. It was a peaceful spot, one Midna perhaps wouldn't have minded spending time in. At least, if it were time alone with Link, without the other female getting in the way.

Before Midna's eyes, the surface of the pond shimmered, the placid water swirling about in a tight vortex in the center of the small pool. A green shaft of light shot up to the heavens from the center of the vortex, quickly vanishing in the light of the sun. Midna stared, her eyes widening. This was like one of her portals! Only, everything about it was a little bit wrong. It was light where it should have been dark, and dark where it should have been light. But, if it would get them back home...

The she-wolf looked at Link, a silent moment of communication passing between them. He gave a slow nod, glancing back at Midna, then to the other wolf. Now that their moment of departure was upon them, Midna caught a hint of sadness in the white wolf's eyes, though it was tempered by a curious pride when she met Link's gaze. What did that mean?

The sun goddess stepped towards Link, pressing her muzzle to his. Midna quickly turned away, rolling her eyes and scowling. Hearing them slobber all over each other was bad enough. She didn't need to see it too!

Once the sounds of slurping died down (an interminably long time, by Midna's estimation), Midna turned back around and prodded Link's side with her foot, breaking into their session of gooey eyes. "Ready, my Wolfy?" she said, pointedly emphasizing the possessive. "We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome now, would we?"

Link gave a nod, followed by an amused sounding bark from the white wolf. Midna eyed her, holding back a wicked grin. She kept her hands innocently folded behind her back, preventing the other female from seeing the crackle of power building there. "It's been fun, sunny dog, but we have kingdoms to save. Bye now!" She floated backwards out over the pond, nearly bouncing with impatience. It was nearly ready!

A final, long look passed between the two wolves. Then, Link turned, bunched his haunches, and leaped out over the water. Midflight, his left forepaw lit up, the triforce marking etching itself into being. A golden beam streaked out to strike the pillar of green light, warping and fusing with the portal like a golden thread. A beacon, Midna realized, guiding them home. Link's front paws hit the brilliant shaft, and his form seemed to stretch for a brief instant, elongating and thinning to a dark band of fur, before vanishing in a sparkle of green motes.

Taking that as her cue, Midna bounced into the air, flying for the column of light. She fixed her gaze on the white wolf, who sat watch by the edge of the pond. Midna's mouth twitched in a mischievous grin. Her power surged, calling forth the strength of her fused shadows. She flung out her hands, releasing the spell, just as her back hit the beacon.

She just had time to see the expression of shock on the white wolf's face as two massive stone golems erupted from the earth behind her, their heavy, carven hands reaching out to seize the off-guard canine. Midna giggled, even as the light claimed her, sucking her into the sky and back to the safety of Hyrule. She'd had plenty of time to think on her revenge, and what better parting gift for a horny puppy, than a pair of equally horny, extremely well-endowed males? Just let her try blasting them apart too! She'd quickly find that twili magic didn't dissipate the same way a shadow beast did.

Have fun with those, wolfy! You don't need to thank me. It's truly my pleasure.

~~~

Link's eyes fluttered open, the scent of sweet grasses filling his nose. He looked up, finding himself to be in wolf form still. Tall trees surrounded them, light streaming through in golden shafts, promising a good day for adventure or rest alike. Given the various aches and general exhaustion he felt, the latter sounded like a much better option.

He rose to his paws, shaking the grass from his fur. They'd landed in the Faron woods, from the looks of things. Nothing to complain about there. Amaterasu had claimed that wherever he envisioned would be where they ended up, but something about the way she'd said it made him think it would be all to easy for them to end up dropping in atop Death Mountain, or into a horde of shadow beasts. The trip back had been considerably more pleasant too. No more whispering voices, no dark dreams.

A muted pop off to his left caught his ear, and he turned to see Midna floating a few inches off the ground, facing away from him. She was posed in an oddly... victorious stance, and as he watched, she bounced up into the air, giggling with a childish giddiness.

"Ha! That'll teach her to-" She caught sight of Link and cut off, her mouth snapping shut. Link eyed her suspiciously, noting the faint crackle of orange energy fizzling out from her palms.

'Midna? What did you do?'

"There you are, my handsome wolfy!" she cried, ignoring him as usual and dipping low to throw her tiny arms around his neck, hugging tight enough to make him cough and shake. She giggled, pulling away and giving him a pat on the forehead. "Sorry, got a little carried away."

Link stared. Just when he thought females couldn't get any stranger, they proved him wrong every time. Shaking his head, he turned, padding off towards the path leading out of the woods. His belly was beginning to make its needs known, and he knew a great spot to hunt rabbits.

"Uh-uh, where do you think you're going, mister?" Midna floated in front of him, wagging her finger. "We have business to attend to, and you have some serious apologizing to do."

She hovered closer, a gleam in her orange eyes that sent a chill up Link's spine. It was the exact same look Amaterasu had given him, right before ordering him to roll over and... He shook his head, clearing the thought. No, surely Midna couldn't mean that, could she?

A small hand gripped his ear, pulling his head down until his nose nearly touched the twili girl's, filling his vision with her toothy grin and that intense, predatory gaze. Her free hand traced his muzzle, cupping his cheek with a certain delicate poise he'd never seen his partner exhibit. His nose twitched, catching a whiff of something sharp and foreign.

"First, I think you need a bath," Midna murmured, her voice dropping to a low, mellifluous purr. "A long scrub in a Goron hot spring. Yes, that will do. A private hot spring, understand?"

Link swallowed hard. The hand around his ear tightened, tugging on him with a possessive, commanding grip.

"Then," Midna cooed, "we'll talk."

~~~~

FIN

Merry Christmas, Sofurry!