The stage was set.
In the midst of a wide green field stood a large, stunning mansion, home to many different fighters from many different universes. Whether human or animal, monster or deity, hero or villain, this world they had all gathered to, the world of Smash, was unlike any they had ever experienced because everyone lived in accordance and amity, but of course that didn't mean there were no rivalries. Tournaments were held very often, testing their various unique skills and abilities. Needless to say, everyone loved a good brawl.
When no matches were scheduled the fighters went about their daily routines and lifestyles, spending their leisure time as they liked. Sometimes just hanging out together, watching movies with snacks and laughs and smiles all around, playing board games, or just simply napping under a warm sun was enough, but to two certain fighters there was no such thing as taking a break.
The simulator was booted up: Final Destination, one on one. Time to train.
Even when the moon had long settled itself in the starry sky, even when all the fighters had long curled themselves within the soft cozy sheets and pillows of his or her bed, peacefully snoring away, there were two fighters who just didn't know the meaning of "stop" or "that's enough for one day".
3…! 2…! 1…! GO!
Samus was the first to move, swiftly dashing across the stage, her fierce crystal-blue eyes locked onto her opponent. Using her jet boots the bounty hunter propelled herself forward and executed the first attack but as nimbly and gracefully as a cat Sheik dodged it, jumping into the air, performing a down aerial kick with precise aim. A successful hit! In retaliation, Samus shot a Plasma Whip from her gun, trapping the warrior in a grab and letting loose a flurry of strikes followed by an upward throw and aerial kick. But Sheik saw the maneuver coming and quickly dodged, using the momentum to fall down fast and upon landing on her feet she jumped and unleashed a forward aerial attack.
"Off your game today, it seems," taunted the warrior, her powerful ruby-red eyes showing the smirk her scarf hid. But the bounty hunter gave her a smirk of her own and before she knew it Sheik was caught in a torrent of electrified energy and was promptly double-kicked away.
"Just getting started," Samus grinned, wiping the trail of sweat from her chin. They exchanged looks of determination, resuming their heated fight. The bounty hunter and the warrior were truly the best of training partners.
One tournament long ago, what started as a free-for-all survival with Captain Falcon, Samus, Bowser, and Sheik, ended up as a one-on-one match against the women after the F-Zero pilot and Koopa King were eliminated. Both of them daunting and skillful, the bounty hunter and the warrior fought with lightning-quick speed and techniques, each wanting to best the other. The very idea of being outdone by the other sparked an intense rivalry between them, one that burned like a great flame that awed all the fighters witnessing the match and were sure the women would end up killing one another. But of course there could only be one victor, and without her power suit on what Samus lacked in strength she made up for with agility and was able to deliver the decisive blow. But at the end of the fray the two fighters were very impressed by one another and respectfully shook hands, and since then they turned that passionate rivalry into a friendly one, always having training sessions.
This session was no different from the others.
After landing another attack Sheik rolled away and prepared her Needle Storm but before she could launch it the golden-haired hunter dashed at her and performed an upward smash attack followed by a backward aerial kick. Wasting no time she unleashed a Flip Jump, but much too carelessly, and this allowed the warrior to retaliate by executing her Vanish technique, disappearing in a shroud of smoke then suddenly reappearing and grabbing Samus, pummeling her a moment before kicking her backward. Grunting, the bounty hunter regained her balance and turned around, charging her paralyzer before shooting.
But in the time it takes to blink Sheik came at her with her Bouncing Fish technique and caused the bounty hunter to fly off to the edge of the stage. Samus landed on her feet, staggering a bit. The power behind that hit told her Sheik was not messing around. Samus smiled to herself; she expected nothing less from her training partner and that's just the way the bounty hunter liked it. She took a moment to take in what had happened so far, some of her bangs clinging to her damp forehead: with that last Flip Jump failing she'd have to try a different approach.
Samus became aware of how heavily she was breathing, how much her heart was pounding; being so into these training sessions made her forget everything else. Sheik was the very same way and would solely focus on fighting; she too was breathing heavily.
It had been four hours since they started the session, their longest one yet.
Once engrossed in their training, the two would never give up. Fighting like this was what they lived for.
They dashed toward one another, relentlessly blocking and parrying attack after attack, trying to read one another's moves while looking for ways to counterattack. Attacks fiercely locked in a stalemate, the fighters then pushed hard against one another.
"Had enough?" hissed Samus through gritted teeth.
Sheik's expression was full of intensity. "Not nearly! Give me your all!"
Samus intended to. Jumping away in order to distance herself, she then ran and landed a brutal knee kick straight into Sheik's stomach followed by a quick punch combo, causing the warrior to flinch and let out a painful groan. She was open now, this was the bounty hunter's chance!
"You're mine!" she said triumphantly before shooting her Plasma Whip and grabbing her, pulling her in close for another attack…
…Much, much closer than anticipated.
Their chests were pressed right against one another, faces merely inches apart, and suddenly Samus gasped, suddenly she realized the heat Sheik's body had been giving off from all their training and how good that heat felt, and suddenly, as she looked fully into the warrior's veiled face, her strong ruby eyes, she saw an allure to her she had never seen before.
Suddenly, for what was the most frightening, exciting, strangest moment of her life, Samus felt a burning blush overwhelm her face. She had the warrior right where she wanted, ready to deliver one last attack that would secure her victory…yet all that completely dissipated from Samus's mind, instead focusing on that wonderful body heat…
A fist connected hard with the side of her face, instantly waking her up as she stumbled away. How could Samus let herself become so open to attack? Sheik wondered that because it wasn't like her training partner to hesitate but the warrior took that to her advantage. Not giving the bounty hunter even the slightest chance to recover she grabbed her and pummeled her a few times, threw her forward with a shoulder slam, and then topped it all off with a roundhouse kick.
Samus got the wind knocked out of her.
GAME!
The Final Destination stage simulator ended, returning the training room to normal. As Samus got up to her feet, inwardly mad at herself for losing so gracelessly, she rubbed her sore cheek.
"You really packed a little extra zing in that punch, didn't you?" Samus said rather sheepishly, catching the bottle of water Sheik tossed at her while she opened a bottle of her own, lowering her scarf a moment in order to drink.
"Mind telling me what happened back there?" The warrior began afterward, eyeing her carefully, and Samus couldn't help but glower in the other direction. "You could have finished me off, you know."
"Hey, I'm more tired than I thought," the bounty hunter said coolly, guzzling her water. "Cut me some slack."
"I see…" said Sheik, going up to her and placing a hand on her shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Try not to push yourself too much. We must take our training slow and easy; come, no more for tonight. I know you are just as exhausted as I am."
Samus agreed, shrugging off that weird uncomfortable feeling and nodding confidently. Next time she would make sure to really give Sheik one hell of a fight. "Could we go to the kitchen first? I'm starving."
The warrior playfully nudged her and the two shared a quick laugh as they took their leave from the training room.
Life at the mansion was normal: tournaments were held here and there, Pikachu, Yoshi and Kirby napped, lazily sprawled on the sofa, Ness, Villager and Pac-Man ran around the halls in a game of tag, and Mario, Ike, Pit and Little Mac competed to see who could do the most push-ups. Peach and Palutena giggled and teased them, but of course Wii Fit Trainer utterly surpassed them all by doing two hundred push-ups, reprimanding the men and lecturing them about the importance of stretching.
"Tuck in those glutes!" she asserted while smacking Little Mac across the bottom. He blushed in embarrassment, rubbing his bottom while the other guys laughed at him, especially Captain Falcon, but the fitness trainer came up to all of them and pulled them by the ear. And she was not afraid to reprimand Ganondorf, either.
"Away with you, wench! You are in the presence of a Gerudo king! Now bow down before me or face the wrath of…" but before he could finish Wii Fit Trainer pinched his ear and hauled him away to exercise with the other men. By this time Zelda walked in with a tray of sandwiches for everyone, shaking her head and giggling at the sight of the guys all grumbling and crying from the humiliation of their yoga poses. But then she noticed a lone figure standing by the window, gazing at the far-off beautiful lake that was surrounded by forest.
"Samus, hello. How do you fare this afternoon?" began Zelda, coming up to her.
"I have a match coming up against Fox later; I'm just resting a while before I get ready. Hmm, is that bologna with mayo?" She took the sandwich and began to eat it, thanking Zelda for it. The princess of Hyrule was just glad to see someone appreciating her cooking for once, smiling to herself. While she ate Samus quietly studied her features and noticed something she had never thought about: Zelda's eyes were such a brilliant azure, a stark contrast to Sheik's deep crimson ones, but in a way they complemented each other nicely. By some strange magic, in this universe of Smash the princess and the warrior were two separate individuals. Samus had heard that they both resembled one another very much, which would make sense since they were two sides of the same coin. Yet Zelda and Sheik were completely different. Fighting styles, attire, personalities…everything.
The more Samus thought about it, the more she liked even the most trivial of differences between them, from the way they walked to the way they spoke, Zelda more civilly while Sheik more bluntly. Zelda's coffee-brown hair, Sheik's honey-blonde braid… Whereas Zelda's skin was fair, Sheik's was lightly tanned. The list went on…
The more Samus thought about it, the more she thought about Sheik, the more she thought about that look in the surface of her ruby-red eyes during their last training session, so focused…
…So captivating.
"Samus, is anything the matter? You seem troubled…" Zelda said with concern, never having seen the other woman appear so lost in thought. "No need to worry about the match. Fox is a great opponent, yes, but you are just as proficient! I wish you the very best!"
Samus blinked at her and quickly smiled. Yeah, the match… That's what she needed, a good scrap to take her mind off things… Now she really couldn't wait until the fight!
The crowd roared and cheered as the match went on, the bounty hunter and Star Fox leader battling it out, delivering blow after blow. Performing a Flip Jump, Samus struck true and her opponent was consequently buried into the arena. She landed on top of one of the platforms of Big Battlefield and prepared to execute an attack but suddenly Fox lunged up and kicked her. She immediately broke her fall and dashed at him as the crowd continued to shout and applaud. What a heated battle!
Other fighters were present as well, rooting for the two combatants. Link, Zelda, Shulk and Pikachu cheered for Samus while Falco, Lucina, Luigi and Peach cheered for Fox.
"Yeah! Go right, go left! You can do it! That way! Aim that way! Way to go! Woooo! Yeeeah! Show 'em what you got! Don't give up! Go, fight, win! Let's-a-go! Pika-chuuu! You're really feeling it!" came the din of all their voices at once. Fired up from all that cheering, Samus attacked tenaciously and was totally in control of the match; with resolve surging deep within her and with analytic calculations of Fox's each and every move the bounty hunter moved in for another jet-boosted double kick, knocking Fox away. He retaliated by firing his blaster at her but she answered his shots with her paralyzer, stunning him where he stood and allowing her to come in close, nailing him with a punch. He backed away and scoffed, showing off his canines.
"Come on!" he taunted before engulfing himself in flames, charging at her at full speed. She smirked and swiftly sidestepped out of the way, then kicked him to the edge of the stage. Just as she planned.
"Is that all?" the woman taunted right back and instantly rushed at him, ready to end the match right then and there with a Boost Kick, but it was then something… no, someone…caught the corner of her eye and she turned her attention away from her foe. There in the audience was Sheik, a spectator amongst the rest. She would always come watch her matches, but why did it feel so different this time to Samus?
"I got you now! Fire!" A sudden shout startled her from the trance Samus didn't even know she was under until it was too late, struck by Fox's attack.
"What the hell…?" The bounty hunter muttered wide-eyed, taken completely by surprise. No! Fox now had the upper hand and was turning the match around to his favor, striking her with quick jabs and kicks, which she answered with attacks of her own but they were proving to be ineffective.
Damn it all! It can't end like this! Not now, not now…! Samus mentally growled, trying to regain her posture but it was futile, she had lost all concentration! Get a grip, Aran! Come the fuck on…!
Fox performed his Illusion attack at an alarming speed, unleashing an upward smash attack that sent her into the air where he then kicked her, launching her away. Crying out in pain, she crashed hard onto the arena, rolling from the sheer momentum. That was it.
GAME!
The audience gasped, their initial shock of the turn of events fleeting as the winner was soon declared, the air filled with crazed screams and applause. Fox raised his hands up high and wore a proud grin on his face as everyone chanted his name; and no victory was complete without a pose, so he took out his blaster and spun it expertly before aiming it at the crowd.
"Mission complete!" he declared.
Instead of congratulating Fox on the win, just as she would always do for any fighter, instead of regarding anyone else as Link, Zelda, Falco and the rest of the group gathered around and celebrated, Samus quietly picked herself up, holding her aching side and limping away to the teleportation machine, returning her to the mansion. However, from the shadows Sheik watched her as she left.
"Hmm…" a hum of suspicion rumbled in her throat.
Almost every match since then Samus had been fighting rather tactlessly, as though that grand zealous flame that burned in her was slowly dying out. With every loss Samus mentally reprimanded herself. That match with Fox…how could she just drop her guard like that? It was unlike her. She always kept concentration and would never let anything get to her. She wasn't known to show mercy, either, no matter how beat up and battered her opponents became.
That was her style: to go in for the win.
But lately she wasn't winning. And lately she was thinking about Sheik, more than what Samus cared for and could control. She found it difficult to even glance in the warrior's direction without a blush appearing on her face.
Why can't I get her out of my mind? What is it that I want?
One night it was time for another training session. To warm up, Samus, clad in nothing more than an orange workout bra and matching sweat shorts, was punching at a sandbag with a little more force than what she intended.
Soon her training partner arrived, ready to get started. She was wearing casual workout clothes as well: just a simple dark blue tank top and black leggings, but she still had her scarf on. Samus closed her eyes and drew a long deep breath to try to relax. She didn't know why her heart would start beating fast like this, but she did know one thing: it happened every time Sheik was around her or when she was around Sheik, or even just hearing her name, even just saying it, or just seeing it on display on the tournament schedule board…
The bounty hunter just couldn't understand why. It never happened before, so why now? After that last training session they had long ago, why were things so damn difficult now?
Relax, Aran, relax…
"I'll go start the simulator. The usual stage, right?" Sheik couldn't wait to begin their training session, but there was more to it than just that. These sessions were their special moments together, moments just for them, and Sheik had come to really value that. She had always deemed the bounty hunter the most capable and skillful fighter in the mansion. To her, no one else could have been a better training partner than Samus. The warrior respected her not just for her fighting prowess but also for that go-getting personality.
"No…" began the bounty hunter, not bothering to turn and regard her. "Let's do something…different for a change."
"Oh? What did you have in mind?" The warrior cocked an eyebrow, interested.
The answer came lunging right at her in the form of Samus about to strike her with a punch but the warrior sidestepped and gave her a low sweep kick. Just like that a wild flurry of kicks, jabs and punches were exchanged between the two and the training session commenced.
"You better give me a better fight this time!" remarked Sheik.
"Shut up. Just come at me," that and an uppercut was all the response she received from the other woman. Just the way the warrior liked it: nothing but attitude and fists coming her way: now that's the Samus she knew. That's the spirit she admired so much.
And just look at those toned abs… It's clear she takes good care of her body. I must admit she's got quite the figure… the warrior couldn't help but also admire the more…intimate qualities of the woman as well.
This was going to be an interesting match.
So the two continued on fighting, no needles, no paralyzer, nothing but close combat. The bounty hunter was very aggressive in her attacks, her crystal-blue eyes unwavering as she stared at that face…then at that scarf that partially hid that face, and suddenly she wanted to rip that damn thing off.
An impulsive growl escaped Samus. Anger began to drive her now.
Why did Sheik insist on covering her face? Did she really look like Zelda that much? Why did Samus even care now? She had always respected the warrior's choice of attire ever since they met…but why did she feel this awful aching urge to just grab her and be rid of that scarf?
Beads of sweat trickling down her face and to her neck, ponytail swishing behind her with all her rapid movements, Samus went for a sharp right hook which connected with the warrior's abdomen…then another attack, then another, all of which were so ruthless that Sheik had to work twice as fast and hard just to counter. She wondered what had gotten into Samus all of a sudden but would not inquire about it.
This session was different from the others.
Meanwhile, Samus's breathing was becoming heavy as she just kept on attacking, staying purely on the side of offense. Frustrated, annoyed, maybe even a little…desirous…
Then she recalled the tournament with Fox again, how weak and pathetic she felt for having dropped her guard like that, a mistake that cost her the match… All because Sheik was there, watching her, maybe even thinking about her, too…
Somewhere along the training session Samus found herself studying every little detail of the warrior's body: muscular arms, attractive legs, plait of honey hair she so desperately wanted to undo, firm ass oh so accentuated in those leggings, but more than anything she was drawn to those stunning red eyes…
She looks incredible… Why haven't I ever noticed it before? She looks so damn incredible…
She's sweating, too… She's not wearing those bandages around her breasts… She looks so incredible…
I want something…something…something!
"Would you stop doing this to me?!" she suddenly snapped at the other woman.
"Wh-what…?" The warrior stepped away in vain before being caught in an onslaught of punches and kicks. Just when Samus was going to finish it, to finally win, with a white-knuckled punch to Sheik's face, the bounty hunter stopped herself, gasping in alarm, realizing what she was about to do.
Shame burned upon her forehead, lowering her gaze to the floor.
"…We're done for tonight." With those words leaving her lips a shaky whisper Samus was gone.
Still in a bit of a daze, Sheik just stood there, rubbing her painful arm. What was that all about? Come to think of it, she's been acting differently around me lately…and just then, that look she had… No, I must have just imagined that…
Later that week Samus was inspecting her power suit, polishing it and making sure everything was in working order when she heard a knock at her door.
"Come in," she called without turning to look. As soon as she said that she regretted it.
"Samus? Can we talk?"
The calm voice alone made the bounty hunter swallow. Maintaining focus on her power suit, she began to calibrate the arm cannon.
"…What is it?" she said in a serious tone. Sheik stepped inside but lingered by the door with her arms behind her back, hands on the knob; suddenly she was a little unsure but despite that spoke with firmness.
"I've been watching you and you haven't been acting like yourself. Is it your tournaments? You did very well in the last team battle with Marth, but at times your strategies were reckless."
"Just trying out some new styles, that's all," was the neutral reply.
There was a short pause before the warrior continued, unconsciously gripping the knob a bit tighter. "Is it…me?" She almost didn't want to hear the answer.
Upon hearing that Samus paused from her work to stare at the window without truly looking at it.
"Why are you really here?" she then asked warily.
"I'm just worried about you."
"Worried about what? That I'm 'off my game'?" This time the bounty hunter turned to glare at her. "That I'm going to cost us and everyone else every fucking match? Just go ahead and say it: you think I'm weak."
"You have exceptional skill and your heart is full of good: you're the strongest person I know. Don't you ever tell me otherwise."
"I've been slowing everyone down and you know it! What's the point in fighting if I can't prove myself? What's the point in fighting if I don't win?"
"Where's all this coming from?" Sheik spoke sternly. "Why does it always have to be about winning with you? Why are you so angry?"
"Who said I was angry?"
"Don't give me that. Stop being so damn stubborn and just tell me what's been bothering you. We need to talk about this whether you like it or not." The warrior's gaze upon her hardened.
Gritting her teeth a bit, Samus averted her gaze, looking at the floor now. "I'm fine, okay? Just drop it."
"Why are you doubting yourself like this? Just let me help you."
Starting to lose her patience, the bounty hunter resumed checking her power suit. "You want to help me? Start by leaving me alone," she told her coldly, refusing to look at her anymore.
Another moment's pause.
"…So it is me, then," the twinge of hurt in Sheik's voice dealt a horrible pain to Samus, face giving shape to guilt. But she tried to dismiss the feeling, absentmindedly pushing some buttons on the arm cannon. "Please, Samus… Let me know the truth."
No response. Heavy silence fell between them.
"You didn't even show up for our training session three nights ago, nor last night's," the warrior continued after a moment, solemnity in the surface of her crimson eyes. "It isn't like you at all to shirk training; you've always said it means everything to you. Whatever happened to that, hmm?"
"Wow, you know me so well," the bounty hunter said sarcastically, tinkering with the helmet.
"No, apparently I don't. But you know what I think?" Pausing, Sheik lowered her gaze a bit, saddened. "It isn't training you're avoiding…"
When Samus heard the door close she turned around to realize the warrior was gone. Ashamed of herself, the bounty hunter sighed; they had never argued like this before. It felt awful. Sheik was right about everything she said: Samus was angry and she was neglecting their training sessions…
Back then, that last session… I did lose control, didn't I… she thought dejectedly. Not wanting to think about it any further, Samus returned her attention to her power suit.
For the next couple of days the mansion was calm. No tournaments were planned so everyone had to find something to do. One late afternoon, however, things were getting out of hand. Bowser Jr. and Wario were causing havoc with all their incessant pranks and Kirby, Pac-Man and Yoshi had eaten all the food…again, meaning Zelda had to go out shopping…again. She invited Palutena, Peach and Rosalina to accompany her so they could all have some girl time together and have a night of fun out in Smash City, and invited Samus as well. Though the bounty hunter smiled and agreed some time away from the chaotic mansion would do her some good she declined the offer.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay here. I'm not much of a 'partying' type."
"It's all right, then," smiled Zelda. "But I shall bring you something nice, I promise!"
"For your sake it better not be a dress," sighed the bounty hunter, crossing her arms. The princess only giggled and after giving her a parting hug she joined up with the rest of her friends outside and left.
"I mean it!" Samus called out as she waved goodbye. Looking over to the woods, she decided a nice walk would really be refreshing, so she started down the unpaved road. The orange glow of the setting sun was so beautiful and peaceful to look at… Nature was alive everywhere, from the chirring of insects and calls of birds to the thick green thickets, the summer air felt divine, and the pine trees smelled so uplifting.
"I could spend a whole day out here," Samus couldn't help but sigh, admiring the beauties around her. There was more to life than training and fighting, she came to appreciate, but that didn't mean she would give any of it up. The world of Smash was just too good to let go.
As the bounty hunter continued down along the trail a peculiar sound reached her ears. She listened… It was a lyre, and it was being played superbly. Following the sound, she soon happened upon the large majestic lake, its surface shimmering in the sunset. And there upon an old log sat the source of that soothing music.
It was a scene of utter enchantment to Samus, features soft with wonder. How could hands that belonged to a fighter as strong and fierce as Sheik produce such exquisite music? Her fingers delicately strummed away at her lyre, eyes closed and body slowly swaying in time to the rhythm.
Then came her calm voice, eyes still closed and fingers still plucking at the strings, filling the air with a gentle, rather melancholic song.
"You don't plan to just stand there and gawk, do you? Come, sit with me."
Always the alert one, that Sheik. Some things never change. The bounty hunter couldn't help but chuckle. She sat next to her and for a good long while the two stayed like this, allowing the music of the lyre to ease their minds. And Samus, for the first time in so long, finally felt at peace, softly sighing while watching the warrior play. She looked at her in a whole new way, a way she never had before, a way she had never thought about, until now. It actually made her smile a little to herself.
Samus was no longer angry, she was no longer afraid.
When the song was over Sheik wistfully gazed beyond the lake.
"Time passes, people move… Like a river's flow, it never ends… A childish mind will turn to noble ambition… Young love will become deep affection… The clear water's surface reflects growth… Now that you have listened to the Serenade of Water, I hope you can reflect upon yourself…"
Samus was moved. "I didn't know you could be so philosophical."
"It's hard for me to explain but sometimes I feel inspired by an era of legend long before our time… Tell me, did you like the song?" she asked her, looking at her.
"Hmph, as if you need to ask," replied the bounty hunter, flashing her a pearly grin.
"I'm glad to see you're in better spirits." Sheik smiled behind her scarf.
Samus gazed at the sunset. It really was beautiful. "About that… I'm sorry for how I've been acting, and…for arguing with you the other day. I've been angry at myself, but it wasn't fair of me to take it out on you like that."
"I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have been so hard on you." The warrior then pensively looked down at her lyre. "I just…didn't want to lose a good friend."
The bounty hunter cast her soft gaze to her, shaking her head in an assuring way. "You could never lose me," her voice was full of warmth.
Deeply gladdened to hear that, the warrior met her sapphire eyes and smiled again. Samus was smiling, too. It just occurred to the two of them that they never really quite spend time together like this. Suddenly the training sessions didn't seem like enough.
Thinking back on everything that happened, the golden-haired woman sighed in embarrassment. "Man, I've been a bigger knucklehead than Captain Falcon and should rightly get my ass kicked for it."
The statement made the warrior laugh; the sound of it made Samus smile to herself. She never realized how nice it was to hear Sheik laugh. It made her want to hear it more often.
"Just remember, if there's anything that ever troubles you, you can always tell me," a hand found Samus's, grasping it warmly. "And if you don't, then I have the liberty of beating it out of you."
It was Samus's turn to laugh, interlocking her fingers together with her friend's. "Fair enough."
The stage was set.
Final Destination, no time limit. No breaks, no turning back.
3…! 2…! 1…! GO!
Enjoying herself for the first time in so long, Samus ran and quickly performed a knee kick, her jet boots briefly lifting her up in the air. An opportune moment! Sheik did a low sweep and brought her foot up with the intent of slamming it down on the bounty hunter, but Samus merely scoffed and dodged just in time.
"That the best you got?"
In an instant the warrior launched her Needle Storm before performing a forward smash attack. "You haven't seen anything yet!" The two were intensely immersed in the battle, blocking, evading, counterattacking… It was more of a dance than a fight, the way they moved so thoroughly, so deftly and spiritedly.
The combatants then jumped away to create a space of distance between them, observing one another.
The corner of Samus's mouth curled into a self-assured smirk as she prepared her paralyzer.
"Ready for round two?"
Sheik chuckled behind her scarf, shifting into a fighting stance as she beckoned her opponent.
"Always."
Just like that the two were battling again, honing and testing their skills, stamina and resolve with each and every attack, but more than anything they were having the time of their lives, their faces not only aglow with sweat but also with sheer exuberance.
Wasting not a second more Samus rushed in and executed a vicious kick but Sheik seized her by the ankle with one hand, halting the strike. Thinking ahead, Samus jumped and spun in the air, freeing herself and using the momentum to unleash a series of rapid kicks. The other fighter was not deterred, however, as she landed a Bouncing Fish, causing the two of them to fall and roll across the arena. The bounty hunter had the warrior pinned down by the wrists as they struggled for control over the other.
But after a while they stopped, only staring at one another, both of them out of breath. Their breathing slowly relaxed, and suddenly, there it was again…that inexplicable attraction, and just like that the two fighters were spellbound, their gazes alone dealing far more impact than their fists could ever accomplish, fiery ruby and magnetic sapphire just like the arena they fought on.
Samus couldn't stop herself. Her fingers gently, almost tentatively, touched the side of Sheik's face, and all the while the warrior inwardly shivered, blushing beneath her scarf. She felt as those fingers continued to caress her, lower…down to her scarf, lightly tugging at it…
This jolted Sheik back to reality and, just before Samus could even begin to pull it down, she hastily rose.
"F-forgive me…but let's end th-the session here…" she stammered, going over and turning off the stage simulator early and returning the training room to normal. She was about to stride past Samus when the bounty hunter stopped her, gently grabbing her by the wrist.
"You're nervous. Are you okay?"
No response. The warrior refused to look in the other woman's direction.
"Look at me," Samus was adamant.
"Please…don't do this to me…" ruby-red eyes were hidden in the shadow of her hair.
"What am I doing to you? What are you so afraid of that you can't look at me? It's not like you…"
"Let go!" Sheik angrily twisted her wrist free and left the training room.
As she watched her leave a familiar desire overwhelmed the bounty hunter's senses. This feeling that had been bothering her for so long now, she finally understood what it was.
Pure arousal.
I don't want something, I want someone… I want her.
The mansion was quiet. Everyone was sound asleep, the full moon outside shining its soft silvery light through the large windows. The door that led into the showers opened and closed.
Even now my heart's still pounding… Some time alone should help me relax… thought Sheik, shedding from her clothes, ridding the bandages and scarf and untying her braid, long honey hair falling about her back. Upon feeling the cold tile flooring beneath her bare feet she sighed, stepping into the stall and turning on the showerhead. Soon she was under a bracing deluge of warm water, the showers filling up with thick steam. Unwinding, Sheik commenced scrubbing her scalp, head tilted back slightly and eyes closed, body slick and lustrous as the water soothed her aches away.
The door opened and closed.
"Mind if I join in?" The sensuous voice alone sent a shiver up the warrior's spine but she tried to remain calm.
"Do as you like," she said.
The showerhead adjacent from hers turned on. She caught sight of Samus, who had undone her ponytail. It was the first time the warrior had ever seen her with her hair down, finding herself captivated by how stunning she looked. Disregarding the feeling, however, Sheik resumed showering, turning her back to the bounty hunter.
They showered in silence, the only constant steady sound coming from the streams of water. Whenever the opportunity arose Samus discreetly looked Sheik's body up and down, up to her muscular back and down to that round ass of hers…
Her crystal-blue eyes followed that tiny teasing droplet of water that slowly, slowly slid its way down to that lusciously round ass…
That was it. That was all it took to throw Samus over and beyond the edge.
When she felt a pair of arms snake around her waist from behind, pulling her into a warm embrace, Sheik was caught by surprise.
"S-Samus…" she softly gasped.
"Look at me…" the golden-haired hunter murmured against the other woman's ear, giving her an encouraging squeeze. "I'm not afraid of you… Don't be afraid of me…"
"I…I'm not…" Sheik timidly bit her bottom lip, blood rushing to color her cheeks red again. It made her a little nervous not having her scarf on; it was absurd to think but she felt vulnerable without it. She didn't feel like herself. She knew she looked like Zelda, but that wasn't the reason why she wore her scarf. Having it on gave her an air of mysteriousness that she liked.
Feeling Samus squeezing her again, the warrior let go a small gasp of pleasure. Being in the other woman's arms… Why did it seem so natural? Why did it feel so good? Sheik couldn't believe how soft and warm Samus's skin felt against her own heated skin, how much she was craving to feel more of her…
"Just…just what are we doing…?" she breathed, leaning back against the other woman who, in return, held her closer as she murmured into her ear again.
"You can't hide it from me… You want this, too, don't you?"
Did she? Thinking about it now, during all those training sessions… Sheik would admire Samus's body, wouldn't she? Such a well-toned, gorgeous body… Having that body pressed up against her this very moment, the warrior could not deny her own carnal desires any longer. If Samus was ready to take it a step further, why shouldn't she be, either?
"…Don't you?" she heard the bounty hunter repeat.
She did.
Turning in place, the honey-haired warrior looked at her, and the bounty hunter seductively smirked; how she loved the sight of the usually proud, composed woman like this, modest and so shy. Samus found it quite adorable.
"There, now that wasn't so bad, was it?" she said, hugging Sheik tighter so that their breasts were pushed together.
That scarf was gone, too. Samus was at last able to look at the warrior's face and see for herself just what everyone meant about her and Zelda looking alike. It was true they both shared the same long Hylian ears and facial structure, but goodness, what a cute little nose…and what soft-looking lips…but most of all, those eyes… There was just something about them, something so attractive to Samus, that was simply incomparable. To her, no one could ever come close to the allure Sheik had.
"You're beautiful. You know that, right?" the bounty hunter said in a serious yet loving tone. The warrior was taken aback hearing that, not because it came from Samus, but because it came from anyone at all, not even Zelda. The princess was not at all narcissistic, but she had always told Sheik she admired her for her determination and frank outlook on things. These were distinguishing qualities that made the warrior who she was. Sheik never really strived for something like beauty nor did she ever think about it. Whether she had achieved it or not, it never really mattered to her. But now… It was probably because it did come from Samus that the warrior suddenly felt her body grow quite warm.
"Samus…" the warrior softly began, wrapping her arms around the bounty hunter's neck while searching into those sapphire eyes. "If we do this, then what will that mean…for us?" The two women shuddered in one another's embrace, mouths so close. "I don't think…things will go back to being the same…"
"If it means holding you like this…then I don't want anything to be the same."
"But are you sure…you're okay with me?" Mouths so tantalizingly close…
"Hmm…" Samus hummed in feign contemplation. "What does this tell you…?" Saying nothing more, she leaned in and claimed Sheik's lips (and how right the bounty hunter was. Such soft lips…) in a deep, longing kiss. Slowly, thoroughly they explored one another's softness, relishing one another's taste…sweet, intoxicating. They just couldn't get enough of each other's mouths, making out in a hot, sultry display. Samus took Sheik's bottom lip between her teeth and pulled on it, causing the warrior to moan into the kiss. The instant she did her mouth parted just enough for the bounty hunter to slip her lithe tongue inside. Swirling it around her delicious irresistible mouth, she coaxed Sheik to do the same and soon their tongues were passionately wrestling.
They could have gone on like this much longer, would have, too, had the need for air not become too great and they had to pull away, a thick string of saliva lewdly connecting their mouths.
The ruby-eyed woman was the first to speak, voice lightly trembling. "Th-that you're very brazen…"
The golden-haired beauty simply chuckled, maneuvering herself down and closing her mouth around her left nipple, sucking on it hard. When she heard Sheik huskily groan in pleasure she looked up at her.
"You like that?" she purred with a sly grin, biting down on her nipple.
The warrior could only nod and give a shaky sigh, grasping Samus's head and stroking it encouragingly, in that way telling her to continue. So of course, not wanting to disappoint, the bounty hunter resumed her ministrations, flicking her tongue across the nipple repeatedly before taking it in her mouth again. After a while she switched to the other nipple to give it as much attention as she could. She marveled at how, despite Sheik's breasts being a little smaller compared to her own, they were so incredibly soft and round. In fact, it had always been impossible to tell just how big her breasts were because of all the bandages that restrained them.
But now… Samus was at a complete loss as to how unbelievable it was to see Sheik like this, nothing hiding, nothing wrapped, everything exposed, everything true.
The bounty hunter, eyes burning with desire, moved back up to face her and holding the back of her head she captured that delicious mouth again.
"You have no idea how much I've wanted you…" Samus murmured to her in between the kiss. There was a look of bliss in the warrior's eyes before she closed them, hungrily kissing her back. How they loved this new, wondrously addicting session their tongues engaged in, tasting one another's rich, succulent flavor again, moaning together at the sweet sensation of their hot breaths mingling. The two women were utterly filled with mutual ecstasy; holding one another as they were, their naked bodies fit together like a perfect jigsaw puzzle.
Groaning deeply, Samus buried her face into the side of Sheik's neck, assailing the skin there with many avid kisses. A hand slowly glided down the warrior's well-toned abdomen to her moist, shaved pussy, index and ring finger widely parting the folds as the middle finger went to work on that sexy clit, vigorously rubbing it in a circular pattern. Then she dragged her middle finger up and down her dripping slit, earning nothing but lustful gasps and moans from the other woman. More of her juices poured forth, now dripping down her inner thighs and drenching Samus's hand.
"Damn baby, you're so wet…" the bounty hunter said hotly, looking into her face. "You're so beautiful… I better see you more like this, without that scarf and all those bandages on."
Hearing that made Sheik blush, returning Samus's gaze with her own lust-filled one. "O-only if you keep t-touching me like this…"
The bounty hunter's lips curled into a rather wicked grin, voice low and seductive. "Deal. But you know…" then, still holding her close, she turned the warrior around while keeping her right hand cupped around her breast. "You weren't fair sometimes. This…" and she firmly smacked and kneaded her left buttock with the other hand, causing a shameless moan to escape Sheik, "seriously kept distracting me…"
Another hard smack. The warrior hissed and moaned deeply, reaching her left arm around to grab the back of Samus's head as her other hand joined hers at her breast, aiding in squeezing it. The hand that had smacked her moved down to find its place between her legs again. Samus allowed her fingertips to caress her inner thigh, once in a while touching her wet folds ever so lightly, deciding to tease her a little first. It pleased her seeing Sheik growing so impatient for more of her touch, slowly rocking her hips to try and grind against her fingers. The bounty hunter mischievously chuckled to herself, unable to resist.
If she wants it that bad then I'll give it to her…
Samus thrust two fingers in, drawing a magnificent moan from the other woman. With each pump of her fingers, each twist and curl as they breached those tight inner walls, she sent pulsating jolts of pleasure all over Sheik. Hearing the hot way she was moaning turned Samus on so much she couldn't stop herself from moaning, either. Her own shaved pussy was sopping wet, but it would have to wait; right now, Sheik was much more deserving of all her attention.
Especially if it meant Samus could keep listening to all those sexy sounds cascading out the warrior's mouth. "Mmm, keep moaning for me…" she said lustfully against her ear, planting a sweet, lingering kiss upon her temple. She added a third finger, and how the warrior did moan, mouth hanging open. "Yes… Let me hear how beautiful you sound…"
Samus drove her fingers in deeper, deeper… Out, in, then out, then right back in, increasing the pace by degrees. Soon her fingers found what they had been so diligently searching for: that prized, ridged spot…
"Th-there…! Right there!" the warrior gasped and trembled.
"Tell me what you want…" Samus demanded, giving her breast a good firm squeeze, tugging her nipple harshly as she continued ramming into her, hitting that spot over and over again…
"Oh Samus…!" Sheik moaned breathlessly, pressing her body back against her lover more, the pleasure really starting to flare up inside her. "M-more… I want you to fuck me more…!"
Hearing her talk like that was just about the hottest damn thing Samus had ever heard. Even more aroused, the sapphire-eyed woman huskily groaned as she intensified her thrusting, savoring the warrior's lovely cries of pleasure, curling her fingers even deeper inside her wet pussy.
"Ooooh! Oh yes… K-keep going…! Fuck me harder, harder…" Sheik never felt this good before, a look of pure lust glazed all over her face. Her whole body was just begging to be sent far over the peak of glorious release. She wanted it, needed it, so badly…
The heat of pleasure soon reached a whole new level and Samus picked up on it upon feeling the warrior's hot pussy walls tighten around her fingers. The bounty hunter went faster, harder, deeper, rubbing that sensitive ridged spot while applying as much pressure as she could to it. Before long, the warrior's legs began to quiver, threatening to give in on her. But Samus was there to hold her steady, cooing encouragingly into her ear.
"That's it, baby… Come for me…give me all you got…"
In a rush of exploding pleasure Sheik let out a long, deep groan as she squirted hard, her juices forming a thick puddle upon the floor, mingling with the water. Giving her warm wet pussy a few last pumps, Samus slowly withdrew her glistening fingers, looking them over with a pleased grin. She then offered those nectar-coated fingers to Sheik's lips.
"Taste it…" she purred, and the ruby-eyed woman gladly obeyed, slithering her tongue around the nimble digits, surprising yet delighting the bounty hunter when she took them into her mouth to suck on. It was fascinating, how sweet yet mildly tangy her essence was, wondering if Samus tasted this good…
Under the warm, steamy spray of water the two women washed one another. Caressing and exchanging little kisses, they couldn't wait to see where this night of passion and lust would take them next. Before they knew it they found themselves in Samus's room, illuminated by the gentle orange glow of the lamp. The warrior laid the bounty hunter upon the bed, pinning her down by the wrists in a similar position they were in earlier. This time, it was Sheik's turn to be in control, taking Samus's mouth in a passionate kiss. Not that Samus had any objections; in fact, she could get used to this. Sheik soon intensified the kiss, demanding entrance, so Samus happily complied, granting her sweet access.
After a while the warrior broke the kiss to pepper many little ones down along Samus's neck, every now and then replacing them with forceful bites that made the bounty hunter gasp and writhe a bit. Her lips parted in a low husky moan when she felt her lover's tongue slowly lick the skin of her collarbone. Her heartbeat soared when she then felt that wonderfully hot mouth envelop her right nipple and suck hard, letting it go with a wet pop but immediately closing around it again.
At length Sheik switched to the other hard pink nipple and first swirled it around with her tongue, getting it nice and wet before sucking on it, eyes glancing up to observe her lover, wondering what would happen if she did this…(nibble on it).
"Aaah…!" Samus arched her body. And this…(suck on it harder). "Mmm…" she licked her lips and moaned softly.
My, my, how sensitive she is… But the fun has yet to begin.
As she continued to suck on her nipple her hand traveled down Samus's toned stomach before settling upon her inner thigh. She pressed down with her palm, coaxing her to part her long slender legs. Her mouth was eager for a new task so she shifted herself lower until her face was only inches away from that luscious-looking pussy, feasting upon it with her eyes first. Spreading apart the slick folds, she glided her tongue up against her pussy before, feeling a little playful, blowing into it. Samus shuddered at the sensation.
"D-don't tease me like th-that…" her voice trembled. But tease again Sheik did, breathing hotly into the deep pink flesh, spreading the folds even more as she then traced the opening of her deliciously dripping pussy with the tip of her tongue. This was too much for the bounty hunter, head dizzying with pleasure. She gasped and shivered when she felt her pussy being blown on again. "Sh-Sheik…!"
The warrior gave her a brief little smirk. "Yes?"
Samus was unbelievably wet, heart pounding furiously in her chest. "Damn it, st-stop teasing me," she could barely find the words that became trapped in her throat. "Just…give it to me already…"
"Oh? Is this what you want…?" And the warrior dove her face deep into her pussy, taking her clit into her mouth and sucking on it. A long, pleased hiss rolled off Samus's lips as she threw her head back into the pillow. She spread her legs wider to give Sheik more access to her wet inviting entrance. Appreciating the gesture, the warrior thrust her tongue inside and vigorously wriggled it around her inner walls. Nose pressed right against her sexy pink pussy, Sheik deeply inhaled the strong scent that wafted up her nostrils, utterly intoxicated by it. Samus tasted even better, however, and the warrior knew right then she was addicted.
Meanwhile, Samus's mouth hung open in a series of sensuous moans. She couldn't believe just how incredible this pleasure felt… More, she had to feel more… Blushing deeply, the golden-haired beauty grasped her lover's head and began to rock her hips against that supple, moist tongue.
"Oh baby, yesss…fuck me just like that…" Samus lustfully groaned. She let her fingers entwine themselves in those soft, honey tresses as she stroked her head, and in return Sheik showed her approval by moaning into her erotic-smelling pussy, licking her clit, wrapping her lips around it, slithering her tongue along her folds…
Deep, titillating pleasure built up inside Samus, stirring every last nerve in her body. Moments later her back arched and then, all at once, the fiery waves of pleasure consumed her whole, her symphony of moans reaching its glorious crescendo as she herself reached the pinnacle of ecstasy. Sheik hungrily lapped up the delectable nectar that gushed out, savoring every last drop of it. Licking her lips, the warrior cast her ruby gaze up to her, grinning deviously.
"I'm not done with you just yet…"
The second those words were spoken she sat up, not giving Samus even the slightest chance to catch her breath as she positioned herself between her legs so that their pussies were pressed together. Holding the bounty hunter's leg up in the air and using it like an anchor, Sheik began to gyrate her hips, causing sweet friction between their warm slick pussies. Both women let out seductive moans as their clits rubbed together and their juices mixed.
Samus had such a beautiful look of lust painted all over her features, hair tousled all over the pillow. The pleasure from earlier had not yet fully subsided and now by degrees it was heightening to an overwhelming level, driving her nerves into overtime and sending countless little jolts that had her brain in a lust-clouded daze. Samus was panting heavily, barely able to keep up with the other woman's movements.
"Sheik… It's…it's too much… I don't th-think I can t-take it…" she managed to stammer in a breathless voice.
"You can," the warrior gently told her, having found the perfect rhythm. "I know you can. Do it for me… Let me make you feel good…"
And so Samus tried to hold on a bit longer, not truly wanting this phenomenal pleasure to end. She fondled her own breasts, tugging at her sensitive nipples and making herself moan. To her delight she was soon rocking her hips up and down in time to Sheik's own pattern. Just the response the warrior was looking for from Samus's body, grinding deeply yet slowly to keep her pleasure going… Samus bit down on her knuckle to stop herself from being too loud, driven mad with lust.
"No," she heard her honey-haired lover say to her, opening her sapphire eyes to look at her. "Don't you hold back on me now… Scream for me, beg for more."
And then, it happened once again…the heat of pleasure picking up from embers inside of Samus, who was now entirely focusing on the wondrous feel of the warrior's soft, wet pussy… This time, the bounty hunter didn't hold back.
"S-so good…! So good!" she pinched her swollen nipples even harder, crying out into the air. "Oh Sheik… Oh baby, you feel so good…! I can feel it, I'm so close! Don't stop…!"
Seeing Samus let go, the warrior moaned herself. "Good girl…" she praised, picking up speed.
Sheik continued to grind into her gorgeous lover, leaving a trail of small, tender kisses along the delicious skin of her leg, making sure to give that sexy clit of hers plenty of attention. And when she stroked it just right…
Samus swore the whole room spun as her mouth opened in a long, beautiful scream, a flow of her juices erupting from her pussy like a geyser. Feeling that spray all over her own pussy was enough to set off an equally strong orgasm in Sheik, moaning along with Samus. The two women rolled their voluptuous hips against one another as they rode out their orgasms together, heated naked bodies glistening in a delicate mixture of sweat and intimate fluids against the soft radiance of the lamp.
Their lovemaking long over, both of them exhausted but utterly happy, the bounty hunter and the warrior were spooning, the bed sheets draped over them. Samus kissed the back of her shoulder, and in response Sheik peacefully sighed.
"Samus?" she then began.
"Yeah?"
"Thank you for tonight."
The bounty hunter snuggled closer against her. "It doesn't have to end with tonight…does it?"
"Hmm…" Sheik craned her head back and gave her lover's nose a quick little peck along with a rather sly grin. "What does that tell you?"
Samus really had to smile at how cute that was. "That I have nothing to worry about." And the two felt quite hopeful for the future.
"One last thing."
"Mmm?"
"Does this mean you're going to go easy during our training?"
The golden-haired woman playfully scoffed. "Not a chance."
"Good," the ruby-eyed warrior smiled. Relaxing in one another's warmth, they then succumbed to blissful slumber.
Life at the mansion was normal: tournaments were held here and there, Pit and Link practiced archery out in the field, Fox and Falco raced in their arwings, and Ike and Captain Falcon arm-wrestled while Lucina, Zelda, Palutena and Peach cheered them on, placing bets on who would win, but of course Wii Fit Trainer utterly destroyed them when she joined in, launching Ike away and nearly breaking Captain Falcon's arm, then she proceeded to reprimand them for not doing enough exercise.
To get away from all the mayhem of the mansion after the tournaments were over two fighters strolled off hand-in-hand to their secret little spot by the lakeside. They were sitting on the old log as Sheik played her lyre and Samus listened to the serene music, the two exchanging contented smiles. And because the warrior didn't have her scarf on, seldom wearing it now, her features appeared much brighter and softer, something the bounty hunter loved since it meant looking at her beautiful smile and face.
Several nights later the two were deep in the middle of a training session. The warrior (wearing her scarf since she didn't like fighting without it) ran and performed a dash attack but the bounty hunter dodged by doing a Flip Jump. She then performed a low sweep, causing Sheik to fall but the warrior was sharp-witted, countering with a down smash attack which launched Samus away. Landing quickly on her feet, she shot her paralyzer and stunned the warrior, giving her enough time to dash in and strike back with an uppercut followed by a Boost Kick. Then she unleashed another Flip Jump which spiked the other woman down into the Final Destination arena. Sheik got right back up and wiped the sweat from her forehead before shifting into a fighting stance, looking at the bounty hunter who was in a stance of her own.
"That last attack was really something else," the warrior smirked. "I love it when you go all out."
"There's more where that came from; and don't worry, after I kick your ass I'll kiss it all better later," a mischievous smile formed on Samus's face as she winked at her.
"J-just come at me!" Sheik asserted, her scarf failing to hide her blush as she charged in for an attack.
"You're so cute when you're impatient; fine then, let's go!" Samus immediately dashed forward, and just like that they resumed their fight. Training sessions had become quite…stimulating, to say the least, but the two partners wouldn't want it any other way.