Raised by the Yiga Chapter 1 - Beneath the Yiga mask A woman stroked her child’s head, her long fingers running through his golden hair. Link turned to meet her gaze. She smiled—her own face as bright as the sun. He grinned back, exposing a couple of missing teeth. She couldn’t imagine a world without him. She lowered her hand to his chubby cheek. It was warm—almost unreal. “Link,” she said. Link’s sapphire eyes met hers, curious. “Link,” she repeated more clearly. “LINK!” The voice then faded as red, fuzzy fabric draped from above, supported by wooden poles forming a makeshift tent. Where am I? he wondered, his thoughts flooding his mind. A lantern flickered beside him, its flame swaying in the dark. For a moment, his mind lingered at the edge of his memory—warmth, softness, the scent of something like roses. “LINK CAN YOU EVEN HEAR ME?” The voice echoed from above. Link rose from his sleeping bag. Before him stood Master Kohga. One hand rested on his hip, the other held a banana. His white mask bore a red upside-down Sheikah symbol. That’s when it clicked. This was the Yiga Clan Hideout—his home for the past ten years. The earliest memory he recalled was wandering a forest, right before they rescued him. “HELLO—are you deaf?” Kohga asked, waving his banana in the air like a weapon. There was a moment of silence before he replied. “Loud and clear,” he said, his voice heavy from sleep as he turned to Kohga. Kohga was snuggling his banana, rubbing it against his cheekbone. “Not this again,” Link said, his chin dropping as he looked toward the ground. His mind drifted to Kohga yesterday… kissing the banana. A small giggle slipped out before he could catch it. Kohga froze. Then glared up. Hard. He stomped: “STOP RUINING MY ONE ON ONE TIME!” Link smirked, raising his hands innocently. Kohga made a fist at him, then flung the tent door open and vanished. Link froze for a second, blinking. Then fell to the ground laughing, kicking his legs into the air like an untamed animal. His laughter faded after a minute, leaving him in silence. Suddenly, an arm poked through the tent flap. Link stopped moving as a Yiga Blademaster fully emerged inside. The Blademaster was tall and muscular, towering to the top of the tent. The fabric swayed from his presence. Link’s eyes flickered upward, noticing the Windcleaver resting in a metallic hoop on his belt. “Master Kohga requests that you come out immediately,” he said, his voice deep and heavy. Link’s blood began to boil as he sprang up. “He isn’t mad about the banana incident, right?” he asked, running a hand through his hair. The Yiga cocked his head, staring. Saying nothing, he turned on his heel and exited. “Make sure to put on your mask, you fool,” the Yiga warned from outside, his shadow looming over the tent. Then he was gone. (continued in notes and credits)
Link eyed the tent to ensure he was away before turning his gaze to his Yiga mask. It lay on the floor next to his green sleeping bag. The upside-down Sheikah eye stared back at him like it wanted his soul, sending a shiver down his spine. Link reached out and grabbed the mask. Why can’t I just not wear it? he thought, eyeing it with unease. He turned it over and placed it on his face. He flung open the tent as extreme light erupted, stinging his eyes. “Blasted sun,” he muttered, lifting an arm to shield the light. “Hey Link, how was sleeping outside?” chuckled a Yiga foot soldier as he strode past. Link clenched his fists and took a deep breath. He couldn’t help being on guard duty last night. He released his fists and focused on the winding canyon. The cliffs were deep crimson, copper, and sun-baked sandstone. The air was thick and dry like the desert, making sweat form at his temples. “Annoying mask,” he whispered. Straight ahead, he saw Master Kohga throwing his hands up at a couple of foot soldiers. One observed the sandstone while twiddling their thumbs. The other had bandages wrapped around their stomach, holding it with one hand. As Link made his way over, Kohga yelled: “I GAVE YOU ONE JOB! THAT WAS TO CAPTURE THE GIRL!” Kohga threw himself onto the ground and began pounding his fists into the sandstone like a toddler throwing a tantrum. Both Yigas fell to their knees and bowed. “We’re sorry, Master Kohga,” they wept, flapping their arms up and down. “I got told Master Kohga wanted to see me?” Link asked, crossing his arms. Kohga motioned for him to wait. After a couple of minutes, he slowly rose to his feet and dusted himself off. “Yes. I want you to capture Princess Zelda,” he answered, shooing away the two failures. Princess Zelda? Blood drained from Link’s face, leaving him pale. “Is something wrong, Link?” Kohga asked as he sucked on his finger. Link shook his head, snapping out of it. “No, it will be done, Master.” Kohga nodded and placed a hand on Link’s shoulder. “You will capture her and bring her here,” he added, then lowered his voice to a deadly whisper. “If you fail, you will be exiled.” Link’s forehead dampened. Death. Usually, Link was assigned small missions—guarding the hideout or stealing things like bananas or jewelry. Nothing prepared him for this. Not even the Yiga themselves. Chapter 2: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1325885940 A/N: I hope you like it! TOOK ME THREE DAYS TO WRITE! Yeah I edited the story like 10 or more times. I also posted this on Fanfiction.net, and might post it on another website as well.
