The sun was like a weight on Aiden’s back, and her Sheikah’s garments were getting too hot and stuffy. A bead of sweat trickled down her brow and dripped from her chin. This was not the place to get lost. All she could see around was more desert; sand, heat, and the occasional illusion. She’d given up on chasing after anything that didn’t look like it belonged in the desert. Her leg still bled from having fallen while trying to reach a mirage of an Inn. The gash was starting to scab over in the heat, but still oozed down her leg. The red rock that had cut it was just barely showing out of the sand.

Kneeling she licked her cracked lips and removed any extra clothing she could. She was left with a black lace bra and matching underwear. Too uncomfortable she put her hot and sweaty clothes back on, rolling up the sleeves and pant legs. Her hands shook as she worked, tired and dehydrated. In fact, she was even sweating less. Heat was rising in heat waves all about her, and she knew if she closed her eyes even for a moment she might not ever awaken.

Still, she could no longer force her body to move; even her chipper energy had faded. At first she had looked on this turn of events as an adventure. Normally when she got lost she found some new to greet. Out here though things were looking grim, she hadn’t seen a single person the whole time. She’d even spent some time investigating the native plants and wildlife, but you can only look at so many cacti. Once she even laughed when she’d realized she’d been wandering in circles.

Now the fun was over and her whole body seemed to be weighing down like a ton of bricks. Standing she wobbled back and forth for a moment, the world spinning violently about her, then she toppled back into the soft sand. The sand puffed up around her, causing her body to spasm into a coughing fit. Giggling she sputtered and clasped at the sand beside her, “So warm...” Her voice was rough from the time spent in the heat without any liquids. How long had it been?

“My bonnie sailed over the ocean, my bonnie sailed over the sea, my bonnie sailed over the ocean, Oh bring back my bonnie to me...” The tune started out a little off, but soon she found her pace and her voice. Repeating the song her voice stayed strong, before fading away as her eyes began to close.

Daytime in Tantari Desert can be adequately described in two words; very hot. It was easy to become dehydrated in this desert, and monsters roam through the desert making it a very dangerous place. Water was essential. And lots of cold refreshing water was just what Kon and Kuro were carrying with them.

They were on their way to Ruto Town to visit someone when Kuro abruptly stopped and signaled for Kon to do the same. Kuro had thought he heard something but wasn't sure. "Did you hear that Kon?" Kuro asked.

"No." Kon replied. "What did you hear?"

"A song. It sounded like someone I know." He said as he thought about who it was. "Uh-oh," he muttered under his breath. He pulled out his sword and ran up a nearby dune. Kon pulled his dagger out from under his shirt and followed Kuro. Kuro's fears were confirmed when he reached the top. Aiden had collapsed.

They rushed down to Aiden, put their weapons back to a concealed place under their cloaks, and placed their hands on her back. They prayed a silent prayer and Aiden glowed a bright white meant for healing. Kuro shook her. "Are you alright Aiden?"

Aiden had just given into the darkness clouding her vision when the pair darted to her. He would discover her body was hot and damp from sweat when he reached her. Sand stuck to her clothes and skin like glue to the damp. Her body was limp, even if she were awke her body would not be strong enough to move much. At the sound of his voice her lashes fluttered, but did not open. A soft moan parted her lips and then she fell silent, slipping deep into unconciousness.

The healing preformed would heal any inner damage she had recieved from the heat, but it did nothing for the fact that she was still too hot. Her body was dehydrated and her temperature too high. If she spent much longer in this heat their healing would be pointless, she would die, or at the least recieve more inner damage.

Already her nose and cheeks were red from sunburn, as were her hands, shoulders, lower back, and stomach. If he were to feel her pulse he'd notice her heart pumping at an increased rate; like a humming bird under his fingers. Even her breathing was harsh, her chest rising and falling all too rapidly. Her whole body shook, appearing to be shivering in the heat.

There was no reply to Kuro's question. It was very obvious that she wasn't alright. Kuro felt her pulse. Her heart was pumping extremely fast. "We have to cool her off and wake her up," he said. "How many bottles of water do you have with you Kon?"

Kon opened his cloak. on the inside of it were a total of ten bottles hanging from the cloak. "How many do you want?"

"Two," Kuro replied. Kon handed them over to Kuro who quickly opened them. This had better work," Kuro said as he poured one bottle on her head and the other on her back. As he did this, he silently prayed that she would wake up from the shock of feeling the ice cold water that was poured on her. He shook her again hoping that she would wake up.

Aiden couldn't hear them talk, all she could see was darkness, all she could hear was silence, and all she could feel was numbness. Once the cold water was poured on her head her heart rate jumped up, but then settled at a slower and more natural pace. The bottle on her back really helped to lower her tempature, taking the heat away. With a soft gasp her eyes opened wide with shock. Blinking a few times she was able to focus on Kuro hovering over her. The corners of her lips lifted in an attempt at a smile.

She was slightly confused, she couldn't quite remember what had happened. Taking a few deep gasping breaths she began to remember. It was the sun, she could feel it striking her body even now. She was lost, she had been looking for the refugee camp Saber spoke of. Once she found it she had planned to volunteer wrapping wounds, and singing to cheer the soul, but instead she had gotten lost. Her hand rose from her side shaking like a leaf and slowly went to her now damp forehead. Gently her hand massaged her temples, her head pounding from dehydration.

Her sore lips parted and she spoke, her voice barely a whisper, "Thank the heavens you two found me. I hope I haven't caused any problems."

Kuro let out a sigh of relief. If that hadn't woke her up, he didn't know what would. He knew very little about first aid. "No," he replied to her question. "We were actually going to meet some people in Ruto Town," he explained. He signaled for Kon to give him another bottle. He took the bottle and held it out to Aiden for her to take if she wanted any. "What were you doing out here?" Kuro asked.

Aiden had closed her eyes again, trying to find some inner strength, she felt weak and vunerable, something she hated. Taking a deep even breath she could feel the world spinning around her, but refused to pass out again. Her eyes flew open at the sound of another bottle of water. Hand shaking she took the bottle tightly and fumbling unscrewed the top. In an instant the bottle lid was to her lips and she was drinking it all. Not a drop spilled out and she only pulled it away when the bottle was nearly empty.

Blushing she redid the cap, her hands not as shaky and handed it back to Kuro. "I was looking for the refugee camp, but I'm not going there now. I'd only cause more trouble." Her voice was more sure now and not quiet at all. Slowly she sat up and let out a soft sigh. "Thank you again for stopping."

"It's not a problem," Kon said. "Like Kuro said, we were on our way to Ruto, so it wasn't any problem," he explained. "But before we leave, I don't think I've met you before. I'm Kon. What's your name?"

From the north came a weary figure, pulling a sled made of crudely nailed together planks. On the sled sit a few jugs and bottles, each full of water with cloth tied snugly over the lid. Sweat ran down Saber's face as he moved south, his eyes squinting and the incredibly heat and brightness distorting most of what he could see. It wasn't until he was nearer than 100 feet that he realized there were other people in this desert. Speeding up his shuffling motion, he strained against the harness a bit more and approached the group. Once he was near enough, he was able to identify the form of Aiden--he hadn't seen her for a while, and she had changed--her skin was of a much redder hue now, and it was evident that the desert had gotten the best of her. He dismissed the presence of the other men for now, they seemed well enough; however, his instincts told him that it would be best to get the Bard cared for quickly. His own dry throat rasped out his greeting, "Aiden! Are you doing alright?" His all but closed eyes scanned her form--she seemed weak.

OOC: Happy now? Geeze, I only forgot the topic for a while, it's not like it was our anniversary or anything >.>

Ooc: Thanks Saber!! -gives giant hug-

Aiden's bright eyes focused on Kon for a moment, squintingly she studied his face. Her brain was a bit scrambled, so it took her a moment to recognize Kon. When she did the corners of her lips lifted up in a partial smile. Once or twice she had met him, but never for very long. Just before she could introduce herself someone called her name. Her head spun around to look for the voice's owner, not the wisest thing because it caused the world to spin once more. It had sounded a lot like Saber, but how could that be? He was bound to be off doing his own thing.. After the world stilled she grinned at Saber, for it was indeed Saber's voice she had heard, her lips parting to flash him her pearly whites. "SaaAsaber." Even tired and sore she sang his name full of enthusiasm, although it sounded a little more raspy than it ever should. "I'm ok.. really. I was actually looking for you." When she said really, she looked to Kon and Kuro, they had after all just saved her life. Her gaze once more on Saber she blinked a bit, the water was starting to go through her system, but she was still too warm.

Was he actually concerned for her saftey? He was such the gentleman, the whole group she was with now was. Each one making sure she was ok, even though it was her own silly mistake. She didn't want them to worry. Swallowing hard she slid one leg slowly under her, then the other. Taking a deep breath she shifted into a crouched position, her whole body trembling like a leaf. With a gasp of effort she rose to her feet and stood before Saber wobbling, "See?" She wheezed the question, nearly toppling over from weakness..

OOC: I guess Kuro isn't going to post, so I'll go ahead...

IC: Saber sighed in the sun, looking over his shoulder at the water jugs on the sled. She's hardly in any condition to travel. "Well, you found me." He grabbed a few bottles off of the back, putting them down his tunic and tucking the tunic into his belt, making an improvised sack of sorts. He picked up another bottle and walked over to Aiden, handing it to her before picking her up suddenly, one hand catching her behind her knees and the other supporting her back. He whisked her up easily--she was very light--and winced at the touch of her burning skin against his own pale flesh. "I'll take you back to the booth, I've got plenty of people there who'll be willing to help you..." He took small, even steps towards the sled, putting her down on the sled in a sitting position. He brushed his hair aside and squatted in front of her, looking into her eyes to make sure he was understood. "You need to drink and stay rested. It will take less than five minutes to get back to the refugee center. We can talk there if you want." Standing, he turned to the brothers and nodded. "Thank you for assisting her. I'll make sure she knows not to cross the desert without preparation." With that, he walked to the front of the sled, picked up the rope, and began pulling his charge along with the water supply, back to his booth on the fringe of the woods.

Kon nodded to Saber. "It's no problem. We were passing through anyway," he explained. He pulled put a water bottle and quickly drank nearly half the bottle and poured the rest on himself.

"Well, we had better get going," Kuro said. He waved at Saber and turned towards Ruto Town. He signaled Kon for a bottle as they continued their trek through the scorching desert. He drank the entire bottle in a few seconds. "Good luck!" he called just before disappearing from sight.