Author Notes: The plot bunnies hit me and wouldn't let go. Yes, I will continue this fic. I promise. As of right now I don't have a regular updating schedule,(the internet here's been really spotty...) but if I work one out I'll post it on my profile. Enjoy!

Warnings: Yes, this is Soren as a female. My reasons will become clear soon enough. I've tied it into his past. Yes, he is paried with both Ike and Kurth, though it will be one-sided on both ends for… a while. Why Kurth? He's Rafiel's twin; awesome and ignored. Naturally, spoilers are present. This ocurs before they take off to distant lands.

I know Soren is OOC. I'm working on it…

Disclaimer: Rights. Don't have them yet, etc.

"Sir Ike, you will be present at tonight's dance, won't you?" Elincia asked, casting her eyes down as the other walkers in the palace gardens stopped to stare at them. King Kurthnaga glanced at the dazed mercenary behind him and shook the man's shoulder lightly. When Ike finally refocused, the dragon whispered, "beorc dance," under his breth.

"Um… yeah. Sure," the general gave Elincia a smile, who in turn nodded cordially.

"Of course, you're welcome to attend as well, King Kurthnaga," she added smoothly, her expression changing ever-so-slightly to a shade of annoyance as a crowd gathered around her. "I've another meeting to attend, but make yourselves at home here…"

Ike grunted in reply.

"Your hospitality is always appreciated, Queen Elincia," Kurthnaga responded. "I know my coming was… unexpected, to say the least."

The Crimean queen dismissed the comment with a wave of her hand, her jade dress billowing. "Don't trouble yourself about it."

Kurthnaga turned to Ike as the crowd around them decreased in pursuit of the queen, knowing something was on his mind- he'd been more attentive during the war. The weight of his proposition didn't sit well with the young king, either- who was he to chase after his sister's son?

"She's much more at ease," Ike finally commented.

"I think that's due to your presence, Ike."

"And having the dragon king to intimidate nobles doesn't help?" Ike asked, leaning back against a garden statue of himself. "I'm just glad someone around here is willing to forsake titles. Any more of Bastian's talk and I'll have to run off to the lost continent early."

The dragon king smiled, keeping a careful eye on those still listening. "Oh, Ike, you know you were always meant to be a laguz-" Chuckles erupted from the former general. "Reyson's taken to politics, last I heard- it'd be a nicer face to see. I don't think he's forgiven Sanaki, though. All your beorc queens have it rough, don't they?"

Ike raised an eyebrow as he realized what the king was implying. "Pelleas quit?"

He nodded. "A couple of weeks back. He wasn't Almedha's child, so he surrendered the throne to Miciah as fast as he could."

"Then who's Almedha's son?"

I thought he would've guessed… Kurthnaga thought, taking a deep breath. "There's a theory."

Ike frowned. "Who?"

"Your staff officer."

The hero's eyes lit up in astonishment. "Soren? That's the reason you came?" Kurthnaga winced as their onlookers stopped in their retreat, setting a grimace on his face.

"Would you prefer Almedha? Nasir recommended I deal with this personally, as she is… clingy, to say the least. Right now, Goldoa is making a fuss over losing so many royals- as much I as… highly respect my sister," he coughed before continuing, "she's causing a disturbance among the people. She's convinced your staff officer is her son. And she may be wrong- I'm not particulary thrilled about meeting one of Ashnard's offspring, myself- but it's in my interests to check." He met Ike's eyes seriously. "I'm not asking him to believe me, but will he agree to hear me out?"

Uncertainty crossed the hero's features before he finally spoke. "It's a sensitive subject. He won't believe you, much less act on it. Honestly, he might be angry at you for even asking…"

"I suspected as much," he said with a sigh. "Still, I'll give it a try. Ask him for me, won't you?"

"Sure…"

Absurd was the first word that came to mind when Soren reached for the red fabric. She had a plan- it was almost flawless- but the rational side of her mind kept fighting it. Just once- to see what happens- she shook her head, glaring at the figure in the mirror. The gothic, male, tactician. Who am I kidding? All it will be is a waste of time, making my voice high pitched to imitate the frivolous noblewomen around me. Ike's never looked twice at a girl. As much as that thought made her happy, it didn't make things any easier. As much as she hated to admit it, Ike was her hope. As she wouldn't let go of it easily.

It was just by luck that the two had been placed in a room belonging to a recently deceased girl of the noble class. After waiting for Ike to return from speaking to Enlicia- whom the hero never stopped talking about- for hours, she'd found everything needed to attend that night's gathering- right down to an elaborate, jewel-encrusted headband that perfectly covered her brand. The rebel inside her had asked, why not? And from there the day had been a blur.

The infernal mark had been covered by a band aid of makeup after hours of trying to blend it with her already-ghostly skin color, and with the black and red headband from the dresser, everything else was set. Her hair, though uncooperative, was clean and crackled with static- and the dress- "elegant" was the only word to describe it. But her mind still protested the idea. It wasn't as easy to throw away years of playing the boy.

That was necessity, her mind countered. And still is.

Cutting her hair to avoid being whipped to death? Yes, changing genders was a necessity. It was a means for survival. No one wanted a Branded woman- they couldn't be traded. Beorcs could be traded and ransomed; children were profitable of that blood. No one wanted more Branded blood. It was that simple- at the time. Yet even after telling Ike snapshots of her past, she couldn't say it all. She couldn't put words to the weakness she felt before playing the part of a man.

Going back would be the hardest thing of all. And she'd only do it for Ike.

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Author's Notes: Flames are welcome; they will be used for my science project. Click a button to let me know you didn't just click the link and run screaming, please...?

Special thanks to WET NOODLES for reading this when I experienced technical difficulties, and for catching my mispellings.