As Link grew more accustomed to his new family, weeks bled into months, and soon enough he was twelve years old. He was completely used to living in Kakariko, and growing up with siblings now only felt natural. He learned the code of siblings and the rules to follow, such as personal space doesn't exist, your things are their things, and snacks are to be defended with your life. He learned the Sheikah customs that the loyal tribe lived by, things like devoted prayer to Hylia, utmost tidiness, and the fact that dirty shoes were never allowed in the house. The complete dedication of each member to their role, duty, and never ending training never ceased to amaze Link, as he felt he always had an amazing example to follow. They were very reserved, quiet people as a rule, although they always found time to loosen up every once and awhile for fun. Different festivals and dances celebrating different historical events in the complicated past of ancient Hyrule were very commonplace in the cozy, devout village.

As much as he had healed over the past year, the wound of his parents' death was still there. Although, the fact that Cato had taken Link twice to his parents' grave over the years had brought Link much closure. Link placed both times a bouquet of Hyrule's prettiest flowers on Zarya's grave, and a wood carved royal broadsword, his father's favorite weapon, on Alvar's.

The death of Zarya at the hands of the Yiga Clan's blade gave Link an intense hatred for the wicked clan, and he was in good company. All the true Sheikah hated the Yiga, as it was a clan started by evil Sheikah, selling themselves to Ganon, whose daunting presence ever loomed closer to the beautiful land of Hyrule. It was a mark of shame on the Sheikah, a part of their race that they hated. Due to the Yiga's diabolical deeds constantly wreaking havoc on innocent people and towns, people nowadays looked at a Sheikah person differently, a feeling of broken trust showing through as a sad passing glance.

Cato felt the brunt of the pain and distrust the majority of Hyrule seemed to share for some of the innocent Sheikah, who shared a strong loathing for the Yiga Clan just like everyone else. As the Royal Advisor to the Royal Family of Hyrule, he was a very respected, and disrespected figure among the residents of Castle Town. He was greatly respected due to his great work, loyalty, Sheikah insight, and service he offered to King Rhoam, as well as the rest of Hyrule. But others who had suffered under the Yiga's curved blade hated him due to the fact he was simply a Sheikah man.

On several occasions Cato would come home later than usual after a long day of working in Central Hyrule with a new scar, mark, black eye, or blood stain on his clothing. Akilah would always be the one to stitch him up and get him healed up in no time, as she was given lots of practice when it came to playing the part of a medic. Whether it was Impa and Link scratched up from their crazy athletic antics, Purah tripping over her own feet or causing some accident in the research lab, to Cato getting beat up in fights, she always had her hands full.

But no matter what, Link never lost his love for his Hylia given gift when it came to the art of swordplay. Link never forgot his father's teachings and the training he learned from the experienced general. He continued his training, but was getting bored of the same old stuff. He wanted to learn new things, new moves and techniques. Link was still one of the best sword fighters of the village, his name as a child prodigy of fighting still stood. But that was better known in Hyrule, and now he was in Kakariko Village, where the Sheikah could manipulate any object with their bare hands if they truly tuned in on their capabilities.

When Link trained, he did it off to the side, by himself. He felt he wasn't getting much better, yet was too shy to ever work up the courage to ask to train with the other Sheikah warriors. But the opportunity for him to further cultivate his ever growing talent in new ways was about to take place.

"Link I swear to Nayru if you flick one more piece of wood shaving in my hair I'll-"

Link laughed, "Alright alright I'll stop! Hehehe sorry."

"No you're not sorry!" Purah snapped back at him.

"I wouldn't be sorry either," Impa suddenly added, snickering behind her book cover.

Purah turned around quickly to give Impa a look, "No one asked for your input now did they halfwit?"

Impa shrugged and went back to reading her book, and Link warily gathered the wood shavings that were thrown around Purah, doing his best to avoid eye contact. Purah simply readjusted her glasses and continued her drawing. After the noise had settled back down, the only thing to be heard in the cozy room was the scraping against Link's whittling knife and his newest wooden sparring sword.

"Hey Linky, what do you think of my picture? I finally finished it! I know that the people look a bit wonky but ignore that," Purah said excitedly, handing Link her picture. Link put his sword and knife down and carefully took the paper from her hands, lest he tear it on accident.

Link looked at the skillfully drawn picture. Everything was very detailed, as Purah had always favored fine tipped colored pencils. The paper depicted a scene that seemed to take place on top of the West Necluda Mountain. A younger man and woman, clearly Sheikah due to their gray hair and traditional Sheikah garb, stood next to each other on top of the mountain. They both appeared to be smiling, while the young woman held a Sheikah slate and seemed to be controlling a guardian skywatcher. The sun was setting over the peaks of the Gerudo Highlands, and the mountain was decorated by different flowers and clusters of blue nightshades.

"Wow Purah that's really impressive! That's some beautiful imagery. You drew the people just fine. I think that's one of my favorite drawings of yours!"

"Awww thanks Linky! I like this one too. Here Impa, what do you think of it?"

Impa placed her book down and gently grabbed the picture from Purah's offering hands, "Great hecking Hylia. That's fantastic! You should pin it on our bedroom wall, I like that one a lot!"

Purah blushed, "Awww that's so sweet. I will pin it on the wall, but I do think we are going to run out of wall space pretty soon here."

Purah got up and got a tack from Akilah, and proudly pinned her artwork on the wall. Afterwards, she walked back in the living room and plopped on the couch space next to Impa.

"Hey Impa, whatcha readin?"

"A book."

"Oh I thought you were reading a shovel. Yes I know you're reading a book, but which one?"

Impa sighed, "It's called 'Where Loves Lasts'."

"Ewww, you're reading that romance novel again. Gross," Purah fake shuddered, and Link pretended to gag.

Impa giggled, "Indeed."

After a few more minutes passed, Link broke the silence and spoke in a timid voice, "Hey Impa, I know this is random, and you don't have to say yes... But, I was thinking. When it comes to my own training for knighthood, I know I'm still pretty young and I can't really teach myself that well. When I go off to work, I don't learn anything new, and I really want to get better! So I was wondering, perhaps, maybe, would you mind if I could start training with you and your dad?"

Impa dropped her book in her lap, completely disregarding her page number, "You mean it?! You'd really like to start training with us!? Oh that's great news! I'd love to help you learn and develop your talented skills, and I know dad would love to help teach you as well! I've been waiting for you to ask!"

Link tilted his head, confused at Imp's joyful reaction, but the excitement of the upcoming challenges ahead showed through his beaming smile, "Wait, you were?"

"Yes! Us Sheikah may not train like you Hylians, but it's pretty similar. Even though you are young, you still have such great potential! It will be very hard on you, we will push you harder than you are used to pushing yourself, but as time goes on you will become accustomed to it. There is so much more to fighting than just fancy sword swinging, I can tell you that. But it will be great!" Impa ranted eagerly, bouncing up and down on the couch. Purah giggled, it wasn't often Impa got this bubbly and excited.

Impa's enthusiasm seemed to rub off on Link, who was now getting all excited, completely oblivious to how much this training was actually going to hurt.

"When can I start?"

"I'll talk to dad, but I think the sooner the better. I say you start tomorrow. Oh and you might want to kiss your days of sleeping in goodbye, cause those are going to be no more," Impa said with a sly smile.

Link's jaw dropped, "Wait whaa-?"

"Hey, you want to train, you have to be devoted from the moment you get up. That's the way of a true Sheikah warrior. Sacrifices will be made, but it's worth it! You start with a run, do chores, fool around like normal, but toward the end of the day you train! Break a sweat before dinner, and get a good workout in!" Impa said proudly, and flexed her right arm muscle to show off the results of all her previous training and hard work.

Link sighed, "Ugh, fine. I guess this is gonna be harder than I thought."

Purah laughed, "I wish you luck Linky! Don't feel too bad about having a rough start though, you shoulda seen Impa when dad started training with her. Three days in and she felt, looked, and acted dead. She only moved fast when it was for meals and-"

"Ok thanks for that Purah, he gets the point," Impa chuckled.

*This time skip to bright and early the next morning is brought to you by that one time eight year old me thought it would be a great idea to tie my dog's leash to my smol bike cause clearly my dog would pull my bike so I wouldn't have to actually pedal my lazy butt up and down the driveway*

"Wake up Link! Rise and shine! Welcome to your first day of hell!" Impa cackled as she ripped the blankets off Link's unprepared self. He sat up, blinking in confusion, and then remembered what he had agreed to the day prior.

"Wait how early is it?" Link moaned, dragging his feet off the edge of the bed.

"It's a bit before sunrise, perfect weather and plenty of light for a morning run. Now hurry up and get ready for a two mile run around Kakariko. I'm going to be outside, don't keep me waiting."

With that, Impa walked out of Link's room cheerfully. Link shut the door, muttering and complaining his way through getting his gray pants and shirt on. He stumbled his way through the house and out the door to where Cato and Impa waited outside, stretching. Link wondered how they looked so ready, without a trace of morning haze in their brown eyes.

"Hey Link, welcome to your first day of misery! Hahaha, just kidding, kinda. Well for starters I'm glad you started working with us, I promise you won't regret it! So since you're in relatively good shape already, Impa will start you off with two miles. As you become stronger and condition yourself, you will run longer. But starting with two miles is a fair start. Impa will stick with you, but I'll finish our normal five if you don't mind. Good Luck you two!"

With that Cato ran off toward a path leading up over the village. Link looked back at Impa, "So we just run two miles to start, and complete the rest of our training later in the day, before dinner?"

"That's right! Alright no more procrastinating! Go!"

The view of Kakariko Village in the morning was very pretty. The early morning dew still hung on the blades of grass, and the sun was just rising over the West Necluda Mountain. The small village wasn't awake yet, but all the little wildlife still lingered, not yet frightened away by the residents of the pleasant village. Small families of deer still grazed in the empty, quiet fields, and little brown rabbits still lingered on the beaten pathways that wove around Kakariko. The morning air was fresh and cool, and had a lingering scent of all the blossoming flowers that surrounded the area.

As beautiful as the scenery that surrounded him was, Link was doing anything but enjoying it. He kept up with Impa all throughout the first mile, but as the second one set in, he wanted to give up and not move for the rest of the morning.

"Are we-Are we almost done yet?" He panted.

Impa chuckled, not having even broken a sweat, "Almost. Finish strong, no more walking! This will get easier as time goes on, I promise!"

When Impa called the two mile mark, Link fell straight to the ground and stretched his sore limbs over the cold, dew covered grass.

"I don't ever-ever want to do that again," Link said in between gasps for air.

Impa laughed heartily, "You're doing it tomorrow."

Link pretended to cry in his arms, causing Impa to laugh harder.

"Alright alright. Let's go get breakfast."

Link immediately jumped up off the ground, "Sounds great to me."

The rest of Link's day went the way his days usually played out. He went home and ate a big breakfast. He completed all his daily chores, and wandered around the village. Sometimes he'd offer assistance to anyone in Kakariko who needed it that day, and occasionally he would even drop by the little Sheikah research lab that Akilah and Purah worked in. Other times, Link, Purah, and Impa just explored the area around them, talking and enjoying each other's company. He was still taught all the academic lessons he would need by Cato and Akilah, but sometimes his 'sisters' would give him his school work for the day, for the wise girls made surprisingly excellent teachers.

But the second part of his new daily training started when Cato came back home from Central Hyrule. After getting his wits about him and switching gears from his position in Central Hyrule to his position in Kakariko, Cato took Impa and Link to a still, serene place near the outskirts of the village. Impa knew this specific field very well, as she visited it every day. The lonely, peaceful area offered an excellent background for her daily training which demanded full focus.

"I can see why you guys train in this place, it's really nice and quiet here," Link commented as he looked around his surroundings.

Cato grinned, "Yes, it's the perfect place for hard work that insists on concentration. I took Impa here for the first time when she was, oh how old were you?"

"I think we started my training when I was eight."

"That's right. Well anyway, enjoy the scenery now, cause you won't be enjoying it in a second buddy. Hehe, I can tell you that."

Cato closed his eyes for a split second, and put his hands together to form a specific sign movement with his fingers. Link jumped back in surprise when Cato's slim and tall figure disappeared, but then reappeared with him sitting on a nearby apple tree, which stood only a few feet from an astounded Link.

"As you know, the Sheikah tribe can perform many tricks a Hylian can not. We can teleport, control metal, and stop objects in time using only our bare hands. We can summon explosions, and can create clones of our being. As impressive as this is, these ablitiies are very, very difficult to unlock. Not every Sheikah is able, or even tries for that matter, to fully unlock their Goddess given potential. Now of course since you are a Hylian, you can't do any of this, which of course is just fine. But the reason I brought it up, since all this might seem irrelevant to you, is to point out the fact that when we Sheikah start our training, we don't start with the actual powers themselves. We build ourselves up, strengthen every muscle and prepare our minds, to ready ourselves for the power. We must train to train, if that makes sense. The same goes for you, a little beyond talented swordsman in the making. You must condition yourself, your mind and every muscle in your body, before you can truly learn to master the art of swordplay."

Cato repeated the same intricate symbols with his hands and disappeared, then reappeared standing a few feet in front of Link, this time standing on solid ground. He moved his short and messy gray hair out of his handsome face that was blown about by the soft breeze that rustled through the surrounding area.

"In conclusion, there is a lot more to sword fighting than strong arms."

Link nodded, taking all the information in with earnest, "So I'm guessing for the first part of this training I won't even need my sparring sword."

Cato chuckled, shaking his head, "That's right soldier, swords and katanas against the tree both of you. Impa knows the drill."

"Do I ever," Impa said cheerfully, skipping to lean her two wooden katanas against the nearby apple tree. She took off her sweater and folded it neatly, so she only wore long grey pants and a breezy, navy blue shirt. Link put his hand carved sword next to Impa's weapons, wondering what the next few minutes would have in store for him.

Pain.

Lots of pain.

Cato put Link to work with multiple exercises, each testing the endurance and strength of his arms, legs, stomach, chest, and determination. Link had never done hardly any of them, although it did bring memories of his father's harsh training on his soldiers. He was reminded of when he was younger, and how he would often watch his father drill his fellow soldiers, trying to prepare them for whatever may threaten the land of Hyrule. The memories that suddenly flooded his tired head seemed to fuel him, to get him through the painful sensations that seemed to control his sore body. They inspired him, to push himself and to not give up. He looked to Impa, who was completing the training session with ease. She was already so hardened and trained. He felt his spirit lighten and his motivation levels rise, for he wanted to live up to her example too.

After what seemed hours, although in reality it was only forty-five minutes, Cato announced that the exercise part of the daily training session had ended. Link let his exhaustion take over him momentarily, and fell on the grass. His whole body ached, which frustrated Link. Impa and Cato appeared totally fine, hardly sweating as profusely as he was. He was used to being the best and beating his competitors, and yet here he was, at loss. His pride felt wounded, along with every other physical aspect of his being. And yet, all this anger and frustration was strangely empowering.

Cato looked at Link and wiped the sweat off his own forehead, catching his breath before speaking, "So Link, how do you feel?"

"Broken."

Impa stifled a chuckle and Cato laughed, "Good, that's how you're supposed to feel. I'm glad you're honest at least. But it's when you're tired and broken that your training starts to matter. Your broken muscles will break down, and grow back tougher and stronger. And that's just what we want. Right!"

"Right!" Impa responded enthusiastically.

Link could only muster a nod.

Cato grinned with a mischievous look in his hazel brown eyes, "Excellent. Now for phase two, the final part for today. Now, we spar. Allow me to clarify, you two will spar each other. Three short and simple rounds. You both know the rules, weapon to the neck or any other vital part of the body is how you win. No hitting, just simply holding the weapon against the area will do, as you both know. No cheap shots, and when I call the game's end, that's final. Link, do your very best. Impa, I give you no restrictions on your Sheikah abilities."

Impa was visibly taken back. She had expected her father to rule out many of her powers, not allow her to use them all. She gave Cato a confused look, wondering why he was going so hard on Link, as it was only his first day.

Link gave Cato more than a confused look, "Wait no restrictions! That's not fair!"

Cato smirked, "Isn't it though? Answer me this; when you go off to be a knight, do you think any Yiga you encounter will restrict his power before trying to take your life? I think not. I see and know of your great potential, you just have yet to fully unlock it. I want you to learn, and be prepared. If you can learn to fight a trained Sheikah warrior, then you can take down any pathetic Yiga clan member. And then, any monster or ordinary Hylian will become an easy battle for you. You'll be fine, this is for your own good."

Link hated to admit Cato was absolutely right. He sullenly shook his head and went to grab his sword from off the apple tree. He squared up in front of Impa, clutching her two katanas in a readied stance. Link looked into her light brown eyes, and took some reassurance in the fact they seemed tired. She was sore too, just like Link, although not as sore. And Link knew he was in for it.

Cato's shrill whistle began the first match.

Impa and Link circled around each other, never once breaking eye contact. Link was tired, so he waited for Impa to make the first move, and she did. After a few fast symbols with her two hands, Impa disappeared. Link remembered that years ago when he spared her, she always reappeared behind him. Link stood facing in front of him, yet prepared his sword to lash out backwards. Lucky for him, Link was right. Within a few short seconds Impa reappeared behind him, but Link lashed his sword, striking her stomach. Impa was clearly shocked, but hardly fazed.

She flipped backward, and clutched her katana in her left hand, contemplating her next move. Suddenly, Impa smiled, alerting Link tremendously. She had a plan, and he already didn't like it. Impa closed her eyes in great concentration and her right hand seemed to twitch, then she charged forward with her Katana pointed toward Link, and her right hand started to glow a distinct yellow color. As Link deflected her katana with ease, Impa snapped her glowing hand, causing Link to freeze in time. He watched in vexation as she put her katana against the neck he could not move. With another snap of her hand, Impa released Link from the stasis and he fell to the ground.

Link jumped off the ground, crossed his arms, and turned to face Cato, who was watching the battle play out with great interest, "See! It's easy for her to win, since she can teleport and stasis!"

Cato smiled, "During that, did you notice how she closed her eyes before she could use stasis? How her hand seemed to twitch? It takes Impa great concentration and strength to summon her ability. You did fine, guessing and being prepared for her to reappear in any direction when she teleported. But when she prepares herself to use an ability like stasis, use that moment of weakness to your advantage, remember that."

Cato's shrill whistle began the second match.

As Impa formulated her next plan, she knew magnesis would be no good, so that left her telaportaion, stasis, and cloning. She was not going to summon any explosions, she obviously didn't want to hurt Link. But since this was Link training, she decided Link should prove whether or not he learned anything when it came to combatting a stasis attack. Impa rushed toward him, trying to get an opening or throw him off with her katanas. Link was slightly pleased, weapon to weapon combat was his expertise. He skillfully deflected each blow, and jabbed her at every opening he got. Impa was tiring out and sweat ran down her forehead, just like it did for Link.

Impa shut her eyes for the attentiveness she needed to summon her stasis, and her hand started to twitch once again, but this was the opening Link had been waiting for. In her moment of weakness and disarray, Link hit her leg in the back of knee, causing her to lose balance in her surprise. Link seized his chance, hit the katana out of her weak hand, and in one final swift movement brought his sword's tip to her throat.

Link panted, but now he was smiling. He had won a match. Impa smiled back at him, for she was happy he was learning. Cato wore an approving look and grinned, also clearly pleased.

"See that? You got it in you kid, ya just need to practice. Way to go for both of you, I'm very proud. One more match and we're done for the day, so give it your best."

Cato's shrill whistle began the third and final match.

Impa and Link's faces were both red from the heat and the work. But they pushed their soreness away, driven by the fact that they were so close to ending their work for the day. Link was tired of constantly having Impa make the first move and letting her set the pace, so instead he attacked her first. But due to the weakness and pain in his arms, his spin attack came off as rather flimsy, so Impa avoided it easily. She hit him back with her katanas twice, for his failed attack left him wide open. Link fell over, but jumped back up quickly, lest he lose again.

He swung his sword, causing distance between the two, although Impa appreciated the extra space. She did something Link forgot she could do. Impa backed up and smiled, muttered some words under her breath, and with a few intricate movements with her hands, two clones of her own being appeared behind her.

Link gasped when he caught sight of the two clones. They looked exactly like her, yet they seemed more like blue spirits. He noticed that they copied Impa's every move, when she moved, they did.

Link laughed in spite of himself. I'm so dead this round he thought to himself.

He decided he'd charge anyway. But with Impa and her 2 blue spirits, it was extremely hard. Link decided on the strategy of taking them out, one at a time. He saw that the real Impa looked exhausted, since the energy she was using must have been truly taking a toll on her. And it was. Link swung his sword hard against the leg of one of the clones. The clone disappeared, as Impa could hardly sustain the energy to power it anyway, and she clutched her leg.

So what I do to the clone, I do to Impa too? Link pondered. But he didn't have time to ponder long, because Impa had one clone left. Link circled the two, looking for an opening to strike. But suddenly, he got one. Link was a bit confused, Impa was leaving her clone perfectly unguarded. Link lunged his sword's point at the clone, and in the exact moment the clone dissipated, he felt the blade of Impa's katana against his neck. It was a trick, and Link fell for it.

Impa lowered her blade, and so did Link. Both were gasping for air, but they still smiled and shook hands, congratulating each other. It was a good fight, and a great start.

Cato clapped, "Well done both of you. I'm very impressed. Link, you put up quite a fight for your first day. Impa, great job. Alright, that's it for today, let's go home. I'm sure Akliah has dinner ready by now."

Impa gathered her things and fast walked home, eager to rest. But Link stayed back with Cato, and the two slowly walked back together. Link was very tired, and he couldn't help but feel bad about his loss.

"Just because you didn't win today doesn't mean you won't win later. The beginnings are always the hardest, but if you stick with it, you will be leaps and bounds above your future competition. I'm glad you started training with us, really. Way to go, I know your parents would be very, very proud of you," Cato said kindly, as he patted Link on the back.

Link looked up to him and smiled, "Thanks Mr. Cato, that's really encouraging. I'll stick with it. Thanks for helping me."

Cato smiled back, "Of course."

When Link and Cato reached the house, Link limped to the couch in the living room and collapsed.

Purah walked into the room, looked at Link's figure sprawled out on the couch and giggled, "Yep, that was Impa's response on her first day too."