Ike's POV

I walked with Master Hand along the hall and we reached our final destination (Hahah final destination? See what I did there? Yeah brilliant...I know), his office. I wasn't scared but interested in what's gonna happen or my punishment is what I should say......

-A few minutes later-

Ok, so turns out I didn't get in trouble but, he knew they were Samus' "acquaintances". Master Hand apparently knows every one of us like the back of his han- er..... glove or finger?? Anyway, disregarding that, he did have one request for me. I was pondering over it for a bit but I didn't complain and I plainly accepted it. My job was to make sure Samus never feels isolated from our "Smash Family". I don't know. Those are exactly his words. Not mine, that hand is as almost as crazy as Crazy Hand. I said ALMOST! Anyway, may the gods help me with this task.

As I ask myself this as I stroll down the hallway into the main hall and run into Link whose smirking at me. I rolled my eyes as he's clearly up to no good. "You look weird with that smirk.....Maybe a goofy grin will fit you better." I say clearly forcing him to go into angry Link mode. I chuckle and follow up my comment with a "I was kidding dude.....calm down"

Link sighs and looks at me.

3rd Person POV

"So Ike.....I see your getting nice and cozy with Samus.....Congrats man!!" Link says

"First of all I'm not getting "cozy" with that girl. I'm pretty sure we're friends-"

"Are you? I'm thinking it's more than that my friend....."

"Oh, shut up Link....."

"Do I see a blush, buddy?" The Hylian smirks as he says it knowing he's starting to piss the Crimean mercenary off.

"Link, I swear I'm going to actually hurt you if you- You know what? Nevermind.....I'm not giving into your teasing." Ike replied calming down at the end.

Link furrowed his brows and then frowned after he relaxed his them. "So, you done anything dirty with her yet? Is she just as much as a badass in bed as she is in fighting? Or is she totally different? Does she sound like this? Ohhhh Ike! I want more! So good..... "
The blonde Hylian frantically makes movements as he tries to mimic Samus in a higher toned voice than his own.

Ike growls lowly and his hands turn into fists. "Didn't I tell you to shut up? Maybe I should teach you a thing or too NOT TO PISS ME OFF LINK!" The mercenary's voice grows with strength as he draws his large golden sword.

"Wait, Wait.....Ike you know I was just teasing right? We're on good terms right? Oh my god.....he isn't happy...come on, you're my best friend!" The Hylian starts off running as he doesn't have his sword on hand at the moment for some swordplay.

"Yeah, that's right!! You-" Ike was cut off by a sweet but bitter cold voice

"You sure seem to be having fun...." A blonde with crutches and beautiful light blue eyes stared at the angry mercenary with a almost invisible smirk

"Sure, seemed to get a smile on your face, regardless if it was fun for me or not...." The taller of the two replied

The blonde gave a faint gasp, turned her gaze almost instantly, and had a very small blush on the fair skin of her cheeks.

Samus' POV

What was that? What did that idiot just say to me?! I swear I'll have him choked by my plasma whip in a matter of-

"Heh, cat got your tongue Blondie? Well you don't have to take it to heart" I watched as he interrupted my death threat from inside my head but, not only that....the guy is smiling triumphantly like he's something!!

"Grrr.....You piss me off you blue haired....w-weakling! And don't EVER call me that!" I turned on my heel only to remember I was injured. The pain wasn't as bad as the embarrassment I was about to get from that dummy. I thought about catching myself but then I'd just make the pain worse.....He'll laugh....Make fun of me......It's not like I haven't felt it before....I closed my eyes for the impact and then....BAM!!

Ike's POV

I looked at her expression and smiled at her reaction to what I had replied. Man, she's something....I swear....Just as she went to turn and walk away she tripped over her injury and I panicked and quickly, and we can't forget gracefully of course (Hey, I may be a bulky armored and great sword wielder but I'm not ungraceful), caught her in my arms before she hit the ground. I breathed a sigh of relief and now read into the situation I'm in. Her face was slightly flushed as we kept eye contact for what felt like forever. It was at that moment where I really took in her...Everything about her....her eyes, a pure shade of  blue like the clean shores of a tropical island or like the clear skies on a beautiful summer day, her full lips, painted a natural light pink. She turned her head and looked down, face still painted a powdery pink.

"You can let me go at any point you know....." She then said quietly

"Right..." I agreed and carefully let go after getting her back on her feet. Once that was done I rubbed the back of my neck not liking the awkward aura floating around.

"Um....thanks...." She said while looking away, that shade of pink darkening ever so slightly.

I, myself was taken aback by the sudden word that came out her mouth. I simply nodded and cracked a small smile. It's was weird. I don't smile much. Nor do i care too. Marth and Link always tell me to smile more, so do girls, they say I have a nice one but, who needs to smile when your purpose is to become stronger to defeat and protect? Speaking of those two, they tell me I need love....Love, Tsk....It's just another worthless emotion that i don't need, or have. The only absolute NEEDED emotion that everyone needs is seriousness and sanity.
But, here I am giving a smile....I imminently stopped that smile and sighed while thinking a bit....nothing in particular either....

Samus' POV

He looked lost in thought and my cheeks were slightly warm....It's a nostalgic feeling.....Oh, I remember now....those happy times.....I clenched one of my fists recalling those moments, not a care in the world, where all I could do was smile, even though the world in my life had already fallen. I still smiled...or he kept me smiling...

I looked down as a warm liquid spread across my eyes threatening to fall. I turned around and walked away forgetting the presence that had been in front of me.

-Night Time (7:30 pm)-

I lie in my bed alone without any other roommates in the room.

"Why does it have to be him if anyone? Why does he give off the same comfort feeling as Adam...." I cringed at that name. One I hadn't said or thought in years.....

I don't have anything against Ike it's just....I have NEVER associated with him. Even before all these new smashers came. Or even when he was a newcomer himself. I didn't I have a need or want too.....Am....I lying to myself? Ugh, NO NO NO! There is no way. See it's all his fault....great now I'm blaming him. To be honest we are similar but I just....I'd rather not have to deal with him....and it's not that I hate him I just want to be left alone. I have enough on my plate with Peach and Zelda. They honestly all I need right now. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"Samus, there is a party welcoming the newest Newcomers. Are you going to go? I made sure I was the one to ask instead of Peach because I know how your feeling right now." Asked Zelda as she now stepped through the door closing it behind her. She walked towards me and sat on her bed right next to mine.

"No, I'm good. I'd rather not associ-"

"Please don't say things like that Samus. I'm not the best social butterfly like Peach but it's nice to get to know your fellow comrades or fighters. Um, aren't you one of those people to say it's easier to defeat them if you know them like a book?"

"I guess...Alright fine. Only because you almost never ask anything of me."

"That's good to hear. Oh, and one more thing. Don't stress so much on them. "

"Huh? Them? Zelda, what do you mean?"

"You know what I mean....and you know who they are. Give one a chance and forget the other if he causes you pain. Your strong. It isn't like you to run away and then hold onto pain."

"How would you know who he was or how he made me feel.....He was the only one besides tho Chozo to comfort me from the loss of my parents and planet!!" I said pretty loudly while tears dropped from my eyes. I couldn't hold them anymore.

"Samus, I'm sorry....I didn't mean to strike a sensitive spot I really am sorry...."

"Go, just go...."

-a few minutes earlier-

Ike's POV
I was on my bed. The top bunk of my and Marth's bunk bed. Link insisted on him having his own bed so Marth and I just agreed to share a bunk together. Speaking of Marth he asked me if I wanted to go to a newcomers welcoming party. I'd honestly rather train or do something more productive but I did hear these newcomers were supposed to be pretty big hotshots. I should see what I'm up against.....

But, whenever I think of something. A certain blond pops in my head.....She suddenly just ran away after I helped her up. I felt like she had enough of me so I didn't chase after her. I guess you could say I'm worried. But don't take a turn you shouldn't, it's nothing like that. I just have a natural feeling inside me to help someone when they're down or hurt....She might hate me but I do want to know what's wrong. Otherwise it will gnaw at me all night and day.

And with that I removed my hand from my face and hopped down the ladder while grabbing Ragnell of the wall and heading upstairs towards her room, closing my rooms door after I left it.

Once I got to the room I heard her usual nonchalant and serious voice sounding not at all like it should, instead it was shaken and slightly raspy. I didn't know who it was until I heard Zelda's after say sorry. So it was Zelda she's yelling at....that's really unusual.... I walked in the door as soon as she said "Go, just go....."

"Samus, you shouldn't talk to your closest friends like that. She's only trying to help" I said

Zelda looked at me with slight hurt eyes. "No, it's alright Ike. I shouldn't have went into her personal life like that. It's what I deserve....I appreciate it though. " She smiled at me but I knew it was fake. Then she left......

I looked at Samus with a hint of anger showing. And I knew it. Oh I knew it was showing.....Because I was really angry at her.

She looked at me as tears still dropped showing anger as well. "Shut the hell up, Ike. This isn't even your place to speak! What you just did....is called Eavesdropping. I can't stand people like you. You don't know what I've gone through or who Adam was. How dare you tell me-"

"Oh really? Trying to help you is bad? I wasn't at the door forever. Literally I only heard a minute of it. I came here to see what was wrong earlier. Look, I get you have your issues. So do I but, don't take it out on Zelda. She just wanted to help you"

"Oh, sure. You can't possibly have it worse than me. My parents were killed by my enemies who now just tried to kill my comrades! How do you think that makes me feel? And I wasn't trying to take it out on Zelda. I just snapped." Samus wiped her eyes while explaining parts of her feelings.

I put my hand on my chin and nodded.
"Mhm, Mhm. Yeah, and was your mother who you loved with all your life killed by your father by a damn Medallion. I can't even say it's name because....the memories burn inside. How do you think that made my father feel? And on top of that he got betrayed/killed by his own apprentice. I told you that already. But, the worst part. I was left to take care of my younger sister, and the Greil Mercenaries. Samus your not the only one. And honestly...." I breathed out and opened my eyes while looking at her.

"Honestly what Ike?" She was taking in what I said and feeling a bit of regret from what she said earlier

"I wish you wouldn't bottle yourself up about this...."

"You wouldn't know. Mr. No Emotion Strong Swordsmen! You do the same thing I do!"

"...."

"Exactly. Nothing to say after. Don't tell me something if you don't do it yourself."

"Fine, maybe I was wrong. I thought I could come through to you.....I thought you were different."

"What is this? Trying to guilt trip me?"

"NO! I was trying to explain that your not the only one. That you can trust me! I care. But Nevermind. This is the exact reason I don't ever say anything....I'm done here." With that I turned around and started for the door. She hadn't said anything after so I just left.

Samus' POV

I got up from my bed and looked down deciding I needed a walk. I just grabbed my crutches and walked out. I had a pissed off aura around me so I should not be bothered. I finally got outside the smash mansion and started my walk. After a while I found a nice quiet spot on the edge of Smashville near a forest with a waterfall and river. I sat down on a patch of grass and thought.
  
Why was it that he cared about me? I don't need anyone to care about me or share my thoughts with!

I guess I am acting kind of selfish. I mean....no one has ever experienced what I have so I never thought to share my feelings with them because they won't get it....Maybe Ike was right.... I sighed and looked at the waterfall as snowflakes started to fall. I couldn't be out here for long but I'd rather be out here than back in there, honestly. I looked at the snowflakes. 'It's so -'

"Pretty"

Someone finished my my sentence for me. I turned around to see the man I was just upset with.

"You'll freeze out here Samus." He took off his large cape and wrapped it around me. Gently so he couldn't hurt my injuries as well. For a big guy he's oddly gentle, when he wants to be at least.

That made me laugh slightly. Thank god he didn't notice.

"You can't talk....you have less on than me. Look. Now your arms are exposed. "
"I'm used to this. My homeland is pretty cold sometimes. And when we had jobs and it would suddenly start to pour rain, hail, or even snow we couldn't just stop. We had to keep going"

I nodded and started to get warm from his cape.

"Ike"

"Samus I" we both talked at the same time

"Oh sorry you"

"No no Ike" we did it again.

We both smiled and looked at each other. After realizing what happened we both turned away

The mercenary in front of me cleared his throat and started to speak.
"Sorry. I just got carried away, I really wanted to complete what Master Hand assigned me but I just lost it when you said I'm the only one."

"Master Hand assigned you?"

Ike then turned away again and started to deny he ever said that. "What do you mean? "

I narrowed my eyes and looked at him "yes. You just said that...Ike don't play this game with me"

"Ok ok. You got me. He assigned me to make this place feel like family to you. I don't know why he assigned me but I'm starting to see why."

"Id rather it have been you anyway" I mumbled.

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Just thinking. Anyway, I'm sorry as well. I was a jerk and I only put what I felt forward. I didn't give anything you said a chance. "

He nodded and lied back in the snow. "We're on the same page now?"

"I think so"

"Good. I don't like particularly like fighting. Brings back weird memories"

I looked at him and shook my head signaling a 'ok then'

After a good while of talking about weird things to just our lives he started to drift off.

"Ike?...are you asleep? How worthless can you be sometimes?" I listened to his steady breathing and sighed.
He's gonna catch a cold....I wrapped part of his cape on him as well so we shared it. And after w good while....I fell asleep too.

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Hey everyone. Sorry it's been so long. It's summer so I'm gonna try to write more now. I was going to make this chapter into two but I just made it one long one. Anyway enjoy. I'll have the next chapter up soon.