I know I shouldn't be starting another multi-chapter with one already going, but the lack of reviews for all three of my stories has provoked me to begin another. Dunno why.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Fire Emblem.
Ike walked down to the forest near the Greil mercenary's fort, listening to the clanking of his armour, of which he wore little. Entering the forest, he observed the worn path that lay in front of him, he took this path at dawn everyday, always for the same reason. A duel. He always knew his partner, he always knew what stance to take, when to attack, and what his partner would do. This was not down to intuition, it was down to consistency.
"Hey boss!" Mia exclaimed as her commander entered the clearing, the same clearing he entered every day.
"Mia, you ready to lose again?"
"Nope, I'm gonna win this time, I'm sure of it!"
"You say that everyday, and you still lose."
"Well, maybe I will actually win this time." Mia drew her sword from its sheath and threw the empty sheath on the ground. Her commander drew his sword from the sheath on his back. Both duelists circled each other, sword in hand, ready to strike.
It was Ike to make the first move, utilising the short distance between him and Mia to make an attempt at thrusting Ragnell into her shoulder. The would be victim easily dodged the attack and countered with a slash to the chest, which was parried.
"Heh, not bad, boss!" Mia teased as they circled once more. Ike made an attempt to slash her leg, which was pulled out of the line of fire just in time.
"Close Mia, close."
"Not close enough, boss!" The peppy girl replied as she made an attempt to skirt round Ike's defenses and stab him in the side, but to no avail. Ike retaliated by deliberately slamming his sword into Mia's, causing it to vibrate violently, in turn causing Mia to lose her grip on it. Seeing this, Ike kicked the hilt of the sword, letting it fly out of his partner's hands and onto the ground.
"Guess you didn't win this time, eh Mia?" Ike taunted as he relaxed his stance.
"Guess again!" Mia raised her leg and her foot made solid contact with Ike's groin, causing him to bend over and drop Ragnell.
"That's...Not fair." Ike wheezed, clutching his private parts.
"You're being bigger than me isn't fair, but I don't complain." Mia sat next to her companion, who was still bent over and holding his groin. "Stop complaining! It can't hurt that much!"
"You have no idea!" Ike managed to sit next to Mia at remove his hands from between his legs.
"Whatever."
"Hey, Mia, that's the first time an exclamation mark hasn't been put after what you said, you OK?"
"Well, it's just that...Oh, forget it!"
"No, please, tell me." Ike put an arm round Mia to comfort her.
"It's just that, have you ever felt like you need to say something, but can never find the words to say it?"
"I have." Ike stated matter-of-factly.
"Really?!"
"Yup."
"What about?"
"Elincia."
"Oh right." Mia tapped the side of her nose and smiled knowingly.
"Precisely." Ike smiled back and looked up at the sky. "It's getting light, we'd better be getting back."
"Yeah, you're right." The both of them got up and retrieved their swords, re-sheathing them and walking back to the fort together.
At the breakfast table Mia sat between Ike and Titania, whilst Ike sat between Mia and Soren.
"So, how long have you had a crush on the queen?" Mia inquired, her curiosity and gossip loving nature getting the better of her.
"Keep it down, I don't want anyone else to know." Ike said in a hushed tone, whilst looking around nervously.
"Alright, but why'd you tell me when you don't want anyone knowing?"
"'Cause it's not really a subject I like to discuss."
"Then why'd you tell me?" Mia asked with a mouthful of egg.
"I dunno, I guess all those sparring sessions mean we really know each other." Ike replied. "So you're the only person I really trust."
"Awww, boss, I'm touched." Mia laid a hand on her chest with a mocking smile.
"Don't be."
"Oh, well, don't you trust Soren."
"I would, but he tend to write a lot of stuff down. Ashera know why."
"That's Soren for you." Mia glanced over Ike's shoulder at the small mage. "What about Titania, surely you can trust her." She gestured towards the paladin sitting behind her.
"I can, but if just feels weird confiding in an older person."
"So I'm not actually the only person you can trust."
"No, I did tell you not to be touched. Anyway, you're the only person I can trust with this."
"Oh, so I'm not older than you."
"Did you think you were?" Ike raised an eyebrow.
"I dunno, how old are you?" Mia cocked her head and gave Ike a 'you'd better not be eighteen' look.
"Twenty two."
"Huh." Mia mused.
"Why? How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
"Really?" Mia looked shocked at this.
"What? You think I'm older?"
"No, younger."
"Really, what age did you think I was."
"Listen, can we carry this conversation on I my room?" Ike said as he got up to leave.
"I guess I don't have a choice in the matter?" Mia asked, also getting up.
"Nah." Ike replied with a small smile.
"Fine then."
Ike entered his room and sat on the bed, Mia sitting in the chair by the desk.
"Seventeen." Ike blurted out.
"Seventeen?! Mist's fifteen!" Mia screamed.
"I'm sorry, you just look younger than nineteen." Ike put his hands up by his chest.
"Well, I suppose I can take it as a compliment." Mia looked at the mirror sitting on the desk.
"Do, if that's what gets me out of the situation." Mia let out a small laugh at this.
"Anyway, since when have you fancied Elincia?"
"It's more love that a simple fancy." Ike explained.
"Oh, get over it! It's just a crush." Mia said playfully.
"Hardly." Ike snorted.
"It doesn't matter anyway, 'cause everyone knows the queen and Geoffrey are in love."
"What?!"
"Oh, I'm sorry I thought you knew." Mia looked apologetically at Ike. "Well, I'd better go, I've got tons of stuff to do in town." Mia got up to leave.
"I'll come with you." Ike said, jumping up.
"What do you need to do in town?"
"I need to speak to Elincia."
"Ike, please don't be hard on her." Mia looked at Ike with pleading eyes.
"I won't,I just need to see how she feels." Ike said, opening the door to let his companion through.
"Alright, but please don't get angry if she rejects you."
"I said I won't and I mean it." Ike said, closing the door behind him and striding down the hallway, Mia having to take two steps to math each one of his.
There, first chapter, R&R please, it's greatly appreciated and I'll reply to every one.