This deep in the forest, everything always seemed so peaceful. It was about as out-of-the-way as one could get in the Deku Woods -- nowhere near Rauru Town or the Dent Family Farm, a good distance from the Great Deku Tree and on the opposite end as the Parapa Passage. Until and unless the boulder blocking the way to Old South Road was destroyed, no one had any reason to come anywhere near here.

Alpha smirked. That was exactly why Yukie would be found here.

The Sheikah wound his way through the trees as his search wore on. Most would have given up by now; it had been nearly an hour since he'd first arrived in the Woods, and he still couldn't find Yukie. But unlike most, Alpha had been able to notice a few odds and ends scattered around the woods -- signs of the Deku living near here. He'd never been to Yukie's choice of home, but he knew he had to be getting close.

He paused as rustling leaves caught his attention, coming off to his right. Not the kind of rustle caused by a casual passerby, either -- no, it was the kind that came from a quick dash from one place to another, the kind of running one would employ to keep from being seen . . .

A flash of light exploded in front of him, mere inches from his face, instantly blinding his sensitive Sheikah eyes. He staggered back a step before his ears kicked in, hearing the sound of someone charging, of swords being drawn. Just one second before those blades would slice right into him --

His hand shot out, past the blades and straight to grab the wooden neck.

". . . Wowsa, Alpha. That woulda impressed even Zaris."

* * *

It took a few minutes for his vision to clear; even afterwards, he felt slightly lightheaded after having his senses disrupted so. A good thing the Shadow Folk had long since learned not to rely solely on vision.

He used that time to explain to Yukie what all was going on: the chance of having his scar removed, the mission he had already completed, and the one that lay ahead . . . leaving out the details of Dogura's involvement. No need to tell anyone about that just yet.

"So whaddya need me fer?" the Deku asked at the end of it. "Sounds like yer gonna need mages, n' magic ain't exactly my choice o' weapons." He patted the twin Deku Swords that hung from his waist.

"I'm aware of that," Alpha replied with a smirk, glancing around at the campsite. So Yukie didn't have a house . . . just a tent that he took with him from place to place. Even so, the clearing seemed oft-used and a bit homely, what with the ring of logs seated around a fire pit -- one that seemed rarely lit. As he'd said, his Fire magic wasn't something he often liked to employ. "The trick is, once I get my group of mages together, I need to find a ship to take us to Eastern Hyrule." He looked back to Yukie. "I was planning to ask Taint to take us."

"Ah, good ol' Cap'n!"

"Indeed."

"So what, ya want me to ask 'im for ya?" The Deku cocked his head to the side. "I know things didn't start out all that great between the two of ya, but I think he'd taken a likin' t' ya by the end of it all."

Alpha leaned back and shook his head. "Maybe, Yukie, but I don't know how well he trusts me, even after all that. You, on the other hand, hit it off with him from the very beginning." He abruptly leaned forward, crisscrossing his fingers and resting his chin against them as he put on a more serious expression. "That's not the only thing, though.

"Near as I could tell, Taint seemed like one who always wanted to fight against evil and justice. From the front lines, if possible. But this enemy . . . well, I'm not sure what magic he knows, but I don't expect it to be much." Yukie raised an eyeleaf, but Alpha just rolled his eyes. "And no, I'm not forgetting that 'Cascade' ability of his. But he needs battle spells if he's to help against this foe, not empowering spells." He paused and let loose a long breath. "I don't know if he'll need convincing, but if he does, you stand a better shot than I."

". . . So you want me there to make sure he don't try t' come with ya."

After a moment, the Sheikah decided the best response was just to shrug and say, "Basically, yes."

Yukie stared at him for a second, then returned the shrug. "Sure thing. Beside, couldn't pass up a chance to see how Cap'n's doin'!" He gave a hearty laugh as he hopped up and over to his tent, dismantling it with quick, practiced motions.

Alpha smiled and rose from his seat. "Thank you, Yukie. You can find Taint up in Tantari, on the eastern boundary with the sea. I've got to start rounding up other members for this expedition." The Deku gave a crisp nod in the midst of folding up his tent, after which Alpha turned back to the shadows and opened another portal within them.

He glanced out to the woods beyond, though . . . something seemed off in the air. But after several seconds of staring at foliage, he decided it not worth his time and departed.