Title: Branded

Pairing: Ike x Soren

Summary: Soren finally tells Ike the entire truth about his past. How will Ike react when he hears the truth? I just twisted up that entire part, surprise, surprise! Major spoilers inside, you've been warned. IxS

Warning: Do I have to say that this is Yaoi? Yes, it involves two boys kissing and many other things. If you feel uncomfortable with this sort of thing, then hit that back button right now. Don't expect me to react to flames, I just ignore them, but I welcome those lovely reviews. Enjoy the story.

A small note: If you have not gotten Soren's support level to an A, this will spoil the story for you. You've been properly warned.

Disclaimer: It's obvious that I don't own any of the characters, no matter how much I want to.

Chapter 1: Secrets

Large scrolls and maps covered the small wooden table in the center of the small tent that, itself, lied in the center of the Crimean Army's camp. Night had fallen, and the air got cold, most of the soldiers and those of the Greil Mercenaries has already turned in for the night. Despite that rest is important for those fighting in this fierce war between Crimea and Daein armies, the young tactician and mage was pulling an all-nighter, looking over current statistics from the last battle. He didn't even have enough room on the table to properly spread out the papers for him to see easily. Many were overlapping others and practically falling off the edges. Soren was just looking over the list of weapons that needed replacing when he heard footsteps pacing outside of his tent.

Gently placing down the scroll and running a slender hand through his raven locks, he moved from the table to the doorway that led outside and to those footsteps. He pulled it aside and saw the commander of the Greil Mercenaries or now the general of the Crimean army, his dear friend, Ike pacing frantically in front of him. He obviously didn't see Soren come out for he didn't stop walking. Though he was surprised that Ike was outside so late, the young mage kept his usual neutral expression on his face. Shifting his weight onto one foot, he called out to the blue haired warrior. "Ike? What are you doing out here? It's late."

Stopping dead in his tracks, Ike turned to stare at Soren. His blue eyes wide from shock and a small bead of sweat forming on his forehead from nervousness, he walked hurriedly to meet the mage. "Ah…Soren! I couldn't sleep. What're you doing up?" He scratched the back of his neck, nervously. Shrugging, the black mage moved to the side, pulling aside the cloth that covered the entrance to his tent so he could show Ike exactly what he was doing.

"I was looking over our current conditions from after that last battle. Just like you, I couldn't sleep. But you, Commander, should be getting some sleep. There's no possible way you can function properly and fight without a good amount of rest."

"Yeah, I guess that's true, but you're no different. I need you to help me out, if you don't get some rest soon, how can you be sure that you can put together battle strategies without any energy?" Ike asked, crossing his slightly muscled arms over his chest. A small smile, though hard to see, graced Soren's features and he closed his red eyes.

"Yes, you're right. If you like, you can help me out with this and perhaps that might let you pass some time better than pacing outside my tent." With that said, he turned and walked back inside. The young general followed him, and his eyes widened when he saw the mess of papers and scrolls covering the small table. This was the first time he's ever seen Soren's room so unorganized. Back when they were just mercenaries, he would sometimes hang out in the younger man's room. He remembered how organized it was, never any loose papers or anything out of place. To see this is quite a shocked and he let out a small laugh.

Upon hearing Ike laughing, the longhaired man looked back at him. "Something funny?" His tone was just as neutral as his expression, but with a small amount of curiosity mixed in. He walked over to the table and grabbed the only other chair that was around it.

"No, nothing in particular. Just it's rare to see your room this…messy." Ike laughed again, sitting down in the chair. Soren blinked and sat down himself, going back over the weapons.

"Hm, I guess, but this isn't as big as my old room. I can't really put much anywhere…" He mumbled as he carefully examined which weapons needed replacing more than others.

Probably around an hour passed and Soren finished looking over weapons, food, vulnerary stock, and what was recently added to the convey. He was about to look over the new recruits before he stopped and looked up at Ike, who was concentrating hard on whatever he had. A thought came to mind after staring at the young man for a moment. If he couldn't sleep, why was he pacing in front of Soren's tent when he could've easily had taken a walk around the camp? Did Ike really have something he wanted to ask Soren or tell him? He sighed before putting his paper down and leaned back from the table. "Ike, why were you in front of my tent earlier?"

The blue haired warrior looked up from his own paper. "Earlier? Um…" He ran a hand through his messy hair, all strands falling back into place. Ike put down the paper in his hand and crossed his arms over his chest, contemplating if he should ask the question he initially came to ask. The last time he and Soren had a chance to talk alone was when the younger man explained to him about his family. He always seems to be hiding something about himself. Not knowing the next chance they'll have to be alone, Ike decided to ask even further. "Soren, can we continue from the last time we talked?"

As the question left his lips, Soren's red eyes widened then narrowed at the man sitting across from him. The palm of his hand made contact with the paper-covered wood, before scooting out of his chair. "Curse you, Ike! Can't you leave me in peace?"

Ike's own blue eyes widened at the sudden flare of emotion that came from the normally mild tempered mage. It's very hard to make Soren angry, but from the way it seemed, he wasn't mad at Ike. 'He seems to be mad something that he must've done or happened in his past…' Though it hurt to have Soren yell at him, Ike didn't want the small mage to have to feel the need to hide anything from him. Slowly getting up from the hard chair, the older man walked over to the trembling Soren and put his hands on his shoulders, looking down into his fiery eyes.

"Soren, I know that there is more that you want to tell me. Why are you so afraid to tell me?" His voice was gentle; to reassure the dark haired man that he could always trust him. His anger began to wash away, the trembling ceased, and Soren closed his eyes solemnly.

"That's true, but no beorc or laguz can stand to know what…no nevermind" He shook his head slowly and then looked at the dusty floor. The warrior tilted his head to the side.

"What is it? You know that you can trust me, Soren. I always have and always will. You aren't alone." Soren gaped at the comment, unable to think of what to say.

"Ike…I…I am…." He began, but forced himself to stop. Regardless of what the other said, this secret that he keeps deep within him must not be revealed. Ike is the only one who ever treated him equally, next to the late Greil. Soren was used to people hating him for what he is, but if Ike despised and looked down at his filthy secret, he wouldn't be able to bare it. He looked back into Ike's soft gaze and shook his head.

"No, forget it." He turned and walked away. Narrowing his eyes, the young commander glared at the back of the mage's head. He was determined to find out what the smaller man was hiding. Taking a few small steps, he stopped just behind Soren.

"Whatever this is that you're hiding, it's affecting everything you do. You keep on putting yourself down, Soren. And for what reason? I'm your friend, Soren, and I want you to trust me as much as I trust you."

Small slender fingers reached up to his forehead and gently brushed the red marking there. The mark upon his forehead that fooled people as well as made them hate him. The mark of the Branded. His fingers began to tremble slightly once Ike's words registered in his mind. 'He doesn't think I trust him? I trust him more than anybody. Dammit, I can't believe I'm going to say it…' Slowly closing his garnet eyes, the black mage took a short intake of breath. "Alright…I'll tell you."

Ike smiled when Soren turned around to look him into the eyes. Red eyes against blue, the young swordsman gave him a reassuring nod for him to continue. Soren briefly bit his lip, clutching his hands at his sides. "I am…I'm a Branded…"

Chapter End

A/N: Hahaha! Short chapter! xDD Actually, I had writer's block and had no idea what to do! You know when you get an idea and when you're working on it, you just blank out? oo Yeah...me neither, but we'll just say that happened. xD

Anyhooo! Review, please! Tell me what'cha thought!