Leaves in the Water
Timeline: The Ocarina of Time, several years later
Continuum: Sister story to "Spiritual Attraction"
Note: This story is submitted as a lemon, yet I have clearly marked
the actual lemon part so that you can choose whether or not you want
to read it. The lemon part is no necessary to understand/follow the
story, being an added bonus at the end.
******************************
I watched listlessly as tiny fireflies danced through the leaves,
mixing and mingling with the fairies and other mysterious creatures of
my realm. Someone not born or raised in these woods would not even be
able to distinguish the many different species. For them, they would
just be spook spheres of light. There was nothing spooky about them
though. Actually, right now, I envied them. They all knew their place,
knew their task in the cycle of life. A simplistic life that knew only
that which was important for themselves.
No cross-race interaction, no greater fate that took you away
from home, set you apart from those you called kin.
I sighed softly, closing my eyes, listening to the sounds around
me, feeling the atmosphere of the place I had called home for several
long and innocent years. Yes, back then it had been innocent. Without
care for the future, for what awaited us, we had no idea. Sure, I
always had had a special connection to the Lost Woods, the spirits
within, however, I would not have imagined the source turning out to
lead to such a... sad fate.
This was no good. Usually I could go anywhere in the Lost Woods
and get my mind off my problems, to wash away the melancholy that at
times settled into my soul. Today though, today nothing had the
ability to lift my mood. He wasn't here anymore and he might as well
never come back now. Why should he? He led a different life now, had
for some time already, and while I shared the same destiny with him,
we still lived in two different worlds. Before today, I had always
managed to lure myself into the false belief that maybe, just maybe
there might still be some hope, that nothing had changed, that we
could stay the way we were in younger years forever. He had been my
last anchor, my last "link" to my childhood days. And he was gone now,
beyond my reach. These days were over and would never return.
I blinked my eyes open, noticing a ripple in the clear surface
of the small pond. I had settled down here, feet dangling in the
water, since the meadow was invoking even more memories right now.
Startled I scooted backwards a little as something emerged from the
water, sending a spray of the cool liquid sprinkling over my body. For
a moment I stared transfixed at the graceful form of the other. The
water was glistering on her bluish skin, giving it a kind of sparkling
effect, enhancing the exotic beauty of its owner. She had matured into
a prime specimen of her kin, that was something I could freely admit.
Having dealt with different species and their physiologies over years,
that had been one of the easiest things to adjust to after becoming a
Sage. Those different races outside, Hylians, Gorons, Zoras,
Gerudos... They were all unique but all of them were also living
beings that should be respected for what they were instead of
measuring with one's own common standards.
"There you are," Princess Ruto, Sage of Water, stated
matter-of-factly, placing her hands on her hips. "I figured you'd be
here pitying yourself."
A groan rose to my lips, averting my gaze quickly, not quite
sure what had made me stare in the first place. "Leave me alone. I'm
not in the mood," I grumbled, albeit knowing it was foolish. It had
been an odd... friendship... that had formed between us. Yes, I
suppose you could call it friendship, or maybe a kinship. Most of the
time I was actually glad for the company of the slightly bossy and
haughty Zora Princess. She wasn't really a bad person, once you got to
know her. Most of her attitude came from a great deal of spoiling in
her youth, or that is what I suspected, and often her open and direct
expression of feeling was a refreshing counter for my bouts of
depression. That didn't stop it from being annoying most of the
time...
Ruto looked crossly at me for a moment. "Right, that's what I
figured." I expected some kind of lecture to come and inwardly
prepared myself but what really came I was unprepared to hear from the
young Zora. "Why didn't you drop that disguise by now?"
For the second time since her arrival I found myself staring at
Ruto, this time with disbelief. "How did you...?"
She gave me a hurt look. "Everyone, even 'She'," the pronoun was
used with a distinctive disdain, "I think, does. He would see through
it to if he wasn't so blinded by appearance and memories."
I sighed audibly, acknowledging defeat. Deep down I had known
that the only ones important to me that I was probably able to fool
were the other Kokiri. Of course the Sages would see through it. "That
is why it would have never made a difference," I replied sadly, at the
same time letting the magic of the illusion spell around me dispel, my
body seemingly growing mysteriously to that of a young teenager, woman
nearly. My green hair fell long over my back, past my shoulders and
nearly reaching my waist.
The admiring stare from Ruto was a little disconcerting.
******************************
By Nayru! I was by far not an expert for Hylian or other
human-like species' beauty attributes but... When the Hylian's admired
Zelda for her beauty, they'd probably go crazy seeing Saria now. Oh,
there wasn't that much of a superficial difference, concerning
features and whatnot. However, what had before been cute child that
even I had found somewhat adoring on first glance, had now transformed
into a woman whose body was well-developed to a degree that could easy
rival the stereotype beauty of Hyrule's beauty or the dominating, kind
of exotic appearance of Nabooru. Of course, I was still prettier
but... she was really coming close.
While I had been able to tell that she had woven a spell around
herself to maintain her appearance of a young child, I had not been
able to really look through it. I suspected that was because it wasn't
really an illusion. Maybe more like an ability, switching as she
pleased. I would sometimes give a lot for that. Would be a need way to
escape the numerous royal duties or father's pressure on me to find a
suitable mate.
Now, with today, my last excuse had been taken away with the
wedding that just a few minutes ago had drawn to a close. I had
actually expected Saria to slip away early. I had barely been able to
endure the entire thing smiling with the forced dignity of royalty.
Let the public say what they want about the "perfect match", about the
"best royal couple ever", the "fairytale wedding". To me it was a
farce, it was a mistake. I could not understand why it wasn't
prevented, why especially Rauru hadn't said a word. I had read about
this long ago. The lines of hero and princess should never be
united... And yet the wedding had taken place, leaving behind the two
remaining other suitors with empty hands and broken hearts.
It hurt, to see them so happy, knowing that the possibility was
far beyond my grasp, had always been. It had been a child's fantasy,
innocent and ultimately meaningless. I had acknowledged that to myself
already, yet the little glimmer of a last feeble hope was there.
Unfounded surely, but one could dream, right?
Her, though... She had every right to be depressed and it pained
me to see it. All that had stood between them was the age problem, the
racial difference, or so I had thought. Now though, Saria's comment
made me rethink that theory. If this really had been all, she would
have had no reason to hide this from him. "Are you so sure about
that?" I asked with a little doubt but also curious.
Saria shifted uncomfortably, making me aware that I was still
staring at her, no more like... evaluating. Shifting my gaze away
slightly, I chastened myself mentally for that unconscious reaction.
This wasn't helping her to relax at all.
"I will always be the little girl, the best friend. This," Saria
gestured at her grown form, "is just physical. It doesn't change what
is in the heart."
'And if he had decided for her just because of the physical
aspect it wouldn't have been love,' I finished the unspoken in my
mind, sympathizing with the logic but at the same time seeing it as a
great shame to not at least try. She was just too kind, too
good-natured for that, probably had told herself that someone of his
own kin was better for him to begin with, that their relationship was
doomed.
If you asked me that was nonsense. Seven years ago, when all
this started, I probably would have been frightened by myself for
admitting that but... If anyone deserved Link it was Saria. She was
the only one who I would have readily been happy for. Not that
mismatch, that illusion he and Zelda were celebrating today. They had
no idea what they were doing to that innocent child who had her whole
existence turned upside down by the events, by her awakening as a
Sage. At least most of us could still live pretty much normally.
Saria, however, had lost so much, the bonds to her own realm, to the
childhood she had grown up in had been severely strained. To a degree
I could understand that or at least I tried to.
Well, I wasn't here just to contemplate all that. I never was
good at that kind of stuff; thinking I mean. Saria was my friend, as
odd as the association had started off and been until now. If anyone
should be qualified to understand and share her pain, it should be me.
And as that, it should be me who helped her to get over it.
Fortunately I had a sure and fail proof method to do so.
******************************
The devilish grin appearing on the Zora's face was the only
warning I got. I barely managed to shield myself from the sudden spray
of water and the next moment I was already drenched, feeling the cool
liquid on my bare skin...
Wait a second!
I glanced down at myself mortified, just standing there for
several long seconds before my brain even managed to process the
visual information properly. I was sitting there in the grass of the
pond area butt-naked!
In a flash I was on my feet, leveling a death glare at the
apparent - and only available - evildoer. My jaw dropped slightly as I
saw the Zora Princess waving a bundle of clothes in one hand, looking
quite pleased with herself. My clothes!
"Hmm, didn't think it would work that well," Ruto contemplated
thoughtfully, then, as if just noticing my agitation, shifted her
gaze. "Oh? You lost something?" And before I could react a sprout of
water catapulted her into the air and over my own form. I whirled
around but she was already moving again. "Come on! Catch me, if you
want them back!"
Damn, how could she run that fast? On land? I had moved before
the command had really formed as a conscious thought. "Come back here!
I know what you are trying to do!" Oh yes, I did. That was just the
sort of thing I expected, feared and maybe, maybe hoped for just a
little bit. Not in such an extreme form though!
Ruto giggled and accelerated a bit more. "Really? Why are you
going along with it then?" Right now I was really angry with myself
not to get used to this body. I was accustomed to the pace of a small
child, not this adult form. "After all I thought you Kokiri were too
innocent to have qualms about running around nude once in awhile." She
was actually right about that but I would surely not admit that,
besides contact with the outside had influenced my ethics just a
little bit.
The Zora Princess was weaving a path through the forest maze now
but somehow managing not to get lost even once. It shouldn't really
surprise me. Anyone sensitive enough should be able to follow the
hidden path. I skidded to a halt in one of the clearings, not sure
which way my quarry had taken. Something caught my attention but when
I had turned Ruto was already off again, abandoning her hiding place
behind one of the boulders.
"Stop that!" I shouted in vain protest, knowing it was futile.
"What if someone sees us?" Many had seen us already. The fairies and
other creatures inhabiting the woods. They didn't care all that much
though and I think the other Sage knew that all too well.
"Lighten up, already!" Ruto shouted back and continued to run.
She was making her way back to the pond I noticed.
Adrenaline was pumping through my veins and I felt the knot of
depression unwind, the bubble of sadness ready to burst any moment.
She was doing it again and while I did not - and usually never did at
first - agree with her method, I felt genuine gratitude. I could see
over the short distance that Ruto was enjoying herself just as much as
she was trying to bring me to enjoy myself. There was that teasing
gleam in her eyes, slowly mingling with a sense of victory as she must
have noticed my resolve faltering.
"Give..." A giggle. "... them back..." Light, tickling laughter,
brewing just underneath the surface to erupt any moment. "...
already!" I couldn't help myself. Laughter spilled from my lips as I
continued to chase the elusive Zora through the Lost Woods. It was
refreshing. Free and genuine, just like back then with Link, before
all this had started and afterwards when she had come to cheer me up
this way.
Somehow Ruto had always managed to draw it out with her
playfulness. I envied her for that, that despite growing up,
shouldering all those royal duties, she still managed to maintain some
of this childlike innocence, that playfulness. Others might find it
foolish, unsuited for someone of her standing. I found it simply
refreshing.
We had reached the pond again and while I was bathing in the joy
of the moment, the unrestricted freedom, the harmony between two souls
estranged from their own kin through circumstances beyond their
control, I was still aware enough to identify the attempt for what it
was. Not stopping to concentrate I muttered a few words just as Ruto
dived down into the water, heading for the warp portal, connecting
mine and her realm. Without hesitation I jumped after her, not even
taking notice of the actual target lying on the ground next to the
pond...
******************************
Just as I expected. She was following. It seemed the usual
routine was working again, thankfully. I had half-expected her to get
really angry, as uncharacteristically as that might be. The ceremony
must have provoked a deeper pain when she was showing. Saria was the
kind of person who rather kept her personal problems to herself, in
favor of not wishing to worry those around her. As much as that might
be admirable at times, it was also self-destructive. And I could not
just stand by and watch.
Glancing behind me I saw her breaking the surface and moving
with a surprising agility. Another thing that had come as a pleasant
surprise. Unlike Link who never was that good a swimmer without Zora
items to assist him, the Forest Sage was much more talented. And
faster. 'Not that she can catch me if I don't want her to,' I thought
smugly, speeding up a little, only to almost smash into the force
field emitting a faint, nearly transparent glimmer.
"Clever," I admired and waited just a little longer for Saria to
catch up before I twisted my body into a sharp turn maneuver, slipping
past underneath her. For a brief second our gazes locked and I could
see the happy, carefree sparkle in blue eyes. That alone was worth it.
A smile was briefly formed and answered, before I shot past her, back
to the surface and dry land.
My eyes widened in amazement when the other girl managed to
nearly copy the maneuver perfectly, keeping close on my tail. For
someone not natural and equipped to the element this was quite
impressive. Realizing that there was little point in trying further
and seeing that I had reached my goal already, I decided to let Saria
catch up the rest of the way, just as we broke the surface again. The
pond was too small to give me any greater advantage and with the warp
portal blocked there was no other option. Oh, I could have warped by
myself but that was cheating and where was the fun in that?
Giggles burst forth from both us, chasing away the melancholy
and depression that had claimed us since the ceremony earlier on. I
might have not shown it as much as she had but seeing them getting
married had been just as painful for me, and thus this moment of
untainted joy was just as refreshing for me as it was for her. Saria
had tackled me from behind and now had her arms tightly around my
slippery body. I guess I probably could have slipped away but I didn't
want to. A tingle ran up and down my entire form and I was all too
aware of it. This felt good. Not the liberating laughter. That too,
but also the closeness, the kinship... maybe more.
"Now that is better," I said seriously, grinning like the winner
I felt being. And even though Saria might have caught me, that had
never been the true goal of the chase. The true goal I had already
achieved. I doubt the wedding or Link even crossed the other's mind
right now.
"You are incorrigible," Saria giggled, trying to tickle me
without much success. Zora-skin wasn't all that sensitive to the
beloved human friendly torture method. Not that either of us cared
very much.
I wasn't quite sure what made me say it this way. Okay, maybe in
the back of my mind where had been a plan, an option pursued and
analyzed, yet the words slipped out without much conscious thought.
"You are much more beautiful when you are happy." And Link was an
idiot for spoiling that so badly.
Saria blushed, obviously becoming quite aware how close we were
with her being naked - a concept that never held much worth for us
Zoras. She averted her gaze slightly, simultaneously trying to pull
away but I was quick to turn around and entangle her legs with my own.
"Why are you always trying so hard with me? After all we are supposed
to be rivals," the Forest Sage asked quietly.
"Were," I pointed out. "Besides, that never was the point
anyway." I favored her with an affectionate smile and in that moment a
decision was made. There was something between us that I couldn't
ignore anymore and if I was honest with myself, I didn't even want to.
Reaching out I cupped the other girl's chin with one hand, forcing her
to look at me as I leaned forward. "Maybe I simply like you."
Not hesitating a second I crossed the last bit of distance, lips
meeting in a soft, promising contact. Pleasantly surprised I noticed
not the tiniest bit of hesitation on Saria's part. She melted into the
kiss just like that, falling against me as my arms came around her
form, pulling her close. This wasn't really passionate, it wasn't
exactly long either but... it was a promise. A promise for something
more, something better to come. Solace, salvation, maybe it wasn't
much more right now but it could become more.
"Maybe I just like you," I repeated when we parted, our faces
just inches apart, "A lot."
******************************
Lemon
******************************
This was quite surreal. By all means I should be freaked,
freaked at the absurd calmness I suddenly felt. That calmness in our
closeness, the contact of naked skin and the kiss, too. I didn't
though and that was what... confused me, on a superficial level at
least. Maybe it was the unexpected action... Or was it really
unexpected? Something had begun to... stir when we had begun to spend
more time together. This feeling was different from what I felt for
Link. New, somewhat confusing, intriguing... and refreshing. After all
these years of holding onto a hopeless concept, this new feeling was
like a tiny but continuously growing ray of hope.
And now it wasn't hidden anymore, it was an almost blinding
bright light that couldn't be ignored any longer. What was I supposed
to do? How was I supposed to react. Ruto was always so... open, so
direct. I wasn't like that, I knew that. And maybe, maybe she was
right that this latest character trait - because I hadn't been at all
like this when I was younger - might have cost me any possible chance
with Link. I still believed I did the right thing but then again, she
did have a good point, too.
As I said, this new feeling was refreshing, in many ways. Ruto
managed to bring forth traits from me I had thought long discarded or
at least carefully hidden away. And she especially managed to break
through the shields and barriers that I had built up since coming into
my role as the Forest Sage.
Which made my reaction so ridiculously easy to decide - which it
hadn't just a few minutes ago - because I felt a lot more open than I
had in a long time. More free and... younger. Unbound by rules, both
self-imposed and others.
I think the Zora princess was a little startled when I pulled
her into another kiss but the surprised look quickly changed into one
of excitement as she returned the action in equal fervor. 'This is
mad,' I thought to myself with a mental giggle as I caught the Water
Sage's tongue with my own, noting the exotic taste and smell, 'but I
don't care right now.'
My hands trailed down the Zora's sides, mesmerizing, testing the
various reactions. Contrary to believe we Kokiri were not... oblivious
to the meaning, nature or mechanisms of sex. To explain further would
go too far here but let us just say, innocence was not something that
could be explained with just a label for the physical aspect. However,
Ruto was a whole different species after all. Kokiri and Hylians were
more or less similar in the physical sense, yet while the Zora's were
also humanoid there were some clear differences, like other erogenous
zones.
For example, the fins as I noted quickly at the sparkle of bliss
appearing on the Zora's face as I brushed over them. The reaction was
almost immediate as she separated from the kiss and began to trail a
path down to my neck, gentle but insistent. Her hands became bolder,
finding my breasts, the slippery digits moving over them in teasing
circles that made me groan in frustration.
"Ruto," I pleaded but gasped again when the princess sucked
lightly on my throat and tweaked one of my nipples sharply. Violet
eyes peered up through a hooded gaze that made me shudder in
anticipation and the next moment her mouth was on my chest, licking,
sucking and downright devouring. While I might have initiated this
stage, I realized that Ruto had managed to reduce me to nothing more
than a passive receiver. And she was taking great delight in it!
As much as that galled me, all I could do was rest against the
shore of the pond and endure while the young Zora paid rapt attention
to her work. My hands tangled in her 'hair' - or whatever you could
call it -, finding no real grasp in order to anchor myself against the
strong sensations.
Lost in the intensity of Ruto's ministrations, I almost missed
the sudden splash if not for the fact that Ruto in the process of
diving underwater had pretty much let up on what she was doing. I
looked down in momentary confusion before jumping slightly when I felt
the Zora's hand gently parting my legs. Before I could as much as
react, only able to stare down into the clear water and watch in rapt
fascination, a sudden jolt made me squeal in delight which quickly
turned into a languished moan.
Grasping onto the solid surface behind me, I tried to hold on as
a good as possible as unbelievable pleasure shot through my body in
shorter and shorter waves as Ruto's tongue literally danced between my
legs. I clenched my eyes shut, yielding to the incredible bliss and
just waited for the explosion I could feel just a breath away...
******************************
If I were to point out one thing about myself that I believed to
be a positive character trait, it was being persistent. True, that had
also brought me into some uncomfortable situations and I was well
aware of the reputation I had earned of being... bossy. But I never
was one for longwinded discussions and carefully weighing pro and
contra. Something that always brought my father close to a mental
breakdown. I wasn't haughty. That I would always decline with
vehemence. I was used to royal etiquette and usually getting what I
wanted, yet if that should be all the criteria to label one as haughty
I found that rather pitiful.
But persistent, yes, I would readily sign that. So, while
Saria's initial move had clearly surprised me, not having expected
such a strong and immediate reaction - yet being thoroughly delighted
about the openness - I was quick to respond on my own and take charge
of the situation. Because that was what I was best at, thus I might
even agree with bossy even though it was too negative for my taste.
Doing this with a human - well, Kokiri, but the physical
differences were hardly noticeable - was different from what I had
experience with before. Oh yes, I did have experience with other
Zoras, that was part of my training, bridal training to be exact. With
some of them I had made good friends and it had been a lot of fun - as
it should be, I never understood these petty inhibition concept of the
land tribes - but that had been it, no further personal attachment.
This was more though, and that was why I gave the young Forest
Sage my full attention, she deserved no less anyway after the rough
time she had had lately, and especially today. Since she was obviously
ready to advance this new twist to our relationship faster than I had
anticipated, I would make sure that she was neither going to regret
nor forget her first time soon.
She was close now, very close. I had read a bit about human
anatomy, mostly because of Link and thus respectively about Hylian
males but I had also took the one or other curious glance at the other
gender. Time to put that knowledge and the newfound trust and openness
of the other girl to a test. I was really curious about how far Saria
was willing to go.
I retreated my tongue much to the displeasure of the Kokiri girl
as I noted when I reemerged from the water in a spray of liquid but
that was quickly remedied when I slipped two fingers between her
folds. Saria bucked hard and I moaned in delight when her hands
suddenly grabbed onto my tender butt cheeks. Using my free hand to
grasp onto green hair I pushed Saria into a hungry kiss, adding a
third finger into her tight but by now well-lubricated passage until
all of them rested just against the final barrier of her physical
innocence - something we Zora did not possess. I understood this was a
delicate matter for any human or human-like girl and so I stilled my
movements, locking my eyes on her blue ones, silently asking.
There was the briefest flicker of doubt, of hesitation, and then
a firm resolve, a deep, calm trust that was overwhelming and
heartwarming. Before I could act on the silent compliance, Saria
actually grinded down onto my fingers which tore away at the
obtrusion, now fully connecting me to my friend, fellow sage and now
also - finally, a small, long silent part of myself admitted - lover.
******************************
End Lemon
******************************
THE END (for now)
Author's Notes
To be honest, I started this last year at some point (can't really
remember) and then kind of left it almost finished. Actually all I did
was just do superficial corrections and add the lemon bit. I think it
started on another strange notion of my totally weird (and that is
putting it mildly) muse. I am actually a strong Link/Saria supporter
and so this was rather new for me. And should I ever get to expand
this little continuity...
But no, I shouldn't tell. First because I would create false hopes and
second because it would spoil the fun.
There is a sister piece to this fic, basically in the same continuum
but you can read it separately or you don't have to at all (unless I
decided on connecting them later through another story). It's called
Spiritual Attraction and is of another strange pairing. You'll have to
go and see for yourself. ^_^
Hope you liked this new, odd piece of mine. I had fun writing this and
the other one, so let me know what you thought. All kind of feedback
is welcomed and desired.
Ja ne, yours
Matthias
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