And here it is Chapter 2! Whoo! Enjoy y'all!

Chapter 2

I sat quietly at the dining table as the newcomers around me chatted and ate happily in celebration. After dinner there was a big party which I didn't feel like attending. All I could do was pick at my food and eat slowly. Peach beside me noticed this and leaned in to whisper in my ear.

"Zelda? Is everything alright?" She whispered in concern.

"Yes Peach, everything is fine." I stated lowly. Peach was uneasy with my answer however but shrugged it off and continued eating. Once many smasher were finished eating they hastily made their way to the ballroom where the party was to be held. I, barely sneaking past the others, hurried off to my room with my head lowered. I had unknowingly ran into what I thought was a wall, but I dismissed the thought as I felt two strong arms catch me as I fell backwards.

"Oh!" I gasped as they lifted me back to my feet. When I looked up, I realized my face was only inches away from the charming mercenary's.

"Careful there princess." He murmured with his small smirk. I attempted to pull away, but failed as my body grew weak from the sweet honeyed smell of his warm breath. He merely chuckled pulling his head away and releasing my arms, though I wished he hadn't out of the fear that my knees would fail me. He then started off down the hall without another word and I knew that small smirk still lingered on his lips.

Zelda! What are you doing? Keep walking, don't you dare look back!

As I walked slowly yet clumsily to my room, I tried desperately not to look back at where I had my encounter with Ike. Once I was in my room I sighed heavily in relief.

"Where do you plan on staying for the party?" I jumped at the surprise of Peach's voice that came from across the room where she stood with her arms crossed. I could only grin sheepishly at the pink princess. That's just great, now I'll be dragged off to some party that I'm not even in the mood to attend. With a huff I turned around and opened the door again with the smiling Peach who skipped along beside me.

"Must you always drag me around with you?" I asked the humming princess. She merely replied with a head nod and a giggle.

"Well of course! It's my job ya know."

"You couldn't 'take off' every once in a while?" When she shook her head I smiled to myself. Of course that would be her reply. I don't know why I even asked. I only listened to her cheerful humming the rest of the way until we had reached the doors of the ballroom. Already the music was thudding loudly and many smashers dancing. In a way it felt strange how the population of the mansion expanded. Once the smashers of melee that didn't make it to brawl had made their leave, it seemed quiet and peaceful yet very lonely. I sighed at remembering how much fun it was. Though Marth had snapped me out of my thoughts as he approached handing peach and me a glass of wine.

"Oh, why thank you sir!" Peach giggled taking his arm. Marth only laughed knowing Peach was about to drag him off. As Peach did he turned to look at me.

"Sorry Zelda, I'd stay to chat but I'm being stolen." He sighed with a grin.

"Oh it's no bother, but thank you for the wine though." Marth smiled in answer because Peach gave him no time to reply. Oh, maybe this wouldn't be as bad as I thought. Soon after scanning the entire dimly lit room, I spotted Link who sat at a table beside Marth. It wasn't a surprise that Peach ran off already. When I looked around sure enough she and Sonic sat across the room at a different table. Peach listened intently to Sonic as he made large gestures with his hands. He must be telling her about his many great pranks in the past. I sighed and shook my head making my way over to the table where Link and Marth sat.

"So Marth, what was that about a chat?" I laughed nudging his shoulder gently. He laughed and shook his head.

"Well, I didn't expect her to run off that quickly." He replied with a small grin. As I sat in the chair across from them, I hadn't noticed that I sat beside another man who I didn't even realize was there.

"Well hello there princess." Once again Ike's low chuckles gave me butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't comprehend why, but strangely enough I liked it. I looked over to him and smiled dreamily.

"Hello to you as well Ike." Barely noticing from the corner of my eye, Link and Marth exchanged questioning glances, but shook their heads and leaned back comfortably. I took a slow small sip of my wine and set down my wine glass awkwardly. "So Link," I started to break the silence. "Has Midna sent a letter yet? I know many received letters today and I was wondering if you had gotten one."

"No I didn't receive one, I hope that means she's coming tomorrow." He grinned to himself by the thought of seeing her again. I knew she meant a lot, but gosh, the look in his eyes told me more. Even though I previously had feelings for Link, I knew he was happy now. That's all I'd wish upon him. As the table fell awkwardly silent again, I noticed Ike lean back in his chair and lay his arm against the back of mine causing me to sit up straighter in hopes of being farther away from his touch. I glanced up at the clock which read 9:30 and let out a fake yawn.

"My it's getting late, I think I'm going to get some sleep. I will see you all tomorrow." I stood up slowly and felt Ike's gaze bore into me. Marth and Link nodded their heads.

"Night Zels." Link grinned. Slowly I made my way out of the room and down the hall. I thought again about Ike and these feelings I kept getting. I was definitely attracted to him. It was just something about the way did things. But I vowed to myself I would NOT make the first move no matter what. I was so lost in thought I completely passed up my room and arrived in the training hall. I figured why not get some training in. It would be good practice. I approached the first crack door and immediately froze as I heard a man's grunt. Swiftly I peaked in to find Ike by a dummy swinging his golden sword at it. I watched closely as every time he swung the muscles in his large arms flexed and showed even more definition than I observed before. I bit my lip in anticipation for when he'd swing again. It seemed as he effortlessly swung the gigantic sword around making his strength stand out even more than I realized. I only stood in awe watching the mercenary's every move. It puzzled me though as to why he stopped and chuckled.

"Are you going to stand there all day or come in princess?" He asked turning in my direction. I felt my face flush as I pushed open the door nervously and his eyebrows raised while I made my way over to him. I knew my face was red.

"I thought you were at the party." I stated slowly avoiding eye contact with him.

"Parties aren't my thing." He stated simply. I looked up at him with a questioning expression. He seemed to understand and chuckled. "I only went because Marth invited me."

"I see, well I'm sorry to bother you on your training." I sighed and turned to leave, but was stopped as his gloved hand reached out for my arm.

"I didn't say you were a bother." Something in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. I turned back trying my hardest not to smile like an idiot.

"Would you mind me joining you then?" He shook his head with a small grin.

"I wouldn't mind at all. I just can't picture you to be a fighter." He inhaled deeply and stretched his arms out behind him. I noticed the muscles in his chest tense up which made me blush at my longing to see them under the shirt. I cleared my throat and stood up straight regaining my posture.

"I'm actually better than you think." I stated calmly. He raised an eyebrow with a look that told me he wanted proof.

"Really now?" He chuckled.

"Yes really, you don't believe me?"

"Now I didn't say that. I just feel like actions say more than words." He lowered his gaze shortly and looked back up with a sly expression.

"What?" I asked with a blush. I pulled my hands up to my chest and looked away from him. Ike truly was getting to me, and in ways I never thought I'd let anyone get. He only shook his head and grinned more.

"Nothing."

"No there's something." I crossed my arms across my chest and glared at him. He only laughed aloud.

"What's that look for?" He asked through fits of laughter.

"I hate it when people don't tell me things like this." I stated looking away. He nodded his head slowly.

"You really wanna know?"

"Of course!" He took a deep breath and chuckled again.

"You know you're cute when your mad." I stopped and looked up him again in awe. He laughed once more and relaxed smiling warmly at me. It was silent for a long while before he stepped back and yawned.

"It's getting late." I stated. He nodded his head. "You should get some rest for tomorrow."

"That's right, the match is in the morning." He sighed heavily and chuckled. I looked at him in question. "You didn't hear about the match tomorrow?" I shook my head.

"No, but now I know." I giggled as he rubbed through his spiky blue hair. It looks so lush... I thought to myself resisting the urge to run my fingers through it.

"Anyway..." He yawned again and moved towards the door. I moved with him and blushed as his eyes contacted mine. "I suppose I'll see you in the morning?"

"Yes, I suppose so." I walked over as he opened the door and motioned for me to walk through.

"Ladies first." He chuckled. I grinned and walked ahead of him in silence, eventually he caught up with me and was silent as we reached the end of the hallway. We both walked off in our opposite directions without another word to each other. When I had finally arrived to my room, I exhaled deeply and slowly changed into my night gown. Laying down in bed I curled up underneath the coolness of the satin sheets. It was comfort I always enjoyed. Eventually though, my eyes drooped shut and I fell into my world of dreams now filled with a certain blue eyed mercenary.