Disclaimer: As it has been a few years I have more or less lost 90% of the original intentions I had for this story, so if the story looks like it took a change in direction or slight inconsistencies do arise, I apologize for this in advance. I will do my best to keep the feel of the story the same as it was back when I had started this.

(_) = A change in settings/character pov/something like that (until I can find a better way to distinguish it, Fanfiction is giving me trouble ;s.)

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The Greil Mercenaries had begun their ascension up the treacherous mountain pass before the sun had awoken from it's slumber to reach Nevassa to reach the first checkpoint before noon. The checkpoint was set up by previous hikers who had traversed the mountain trails. Titania organized the rest of the mercenaries into a less than strict marching formation to allow ease walking up the mountain roads. With Titania in the front leading the pack, carts and wagons were pulled in a single file formation with the mercenaries in groups of two walking along the carts. Ike and Ranulf were walking side by side along one of the wagons the mercenaries had brought with them. Ranulf seemingly unaffected by the brisk air, something Ike quickly began to envy.

"It must have to do with him being a laguz," Ike thought to himself.

Ike's thoughts were interrupted by Ranulf's voice, "So Ike," Ranulf started with a smile spread across his face,"Is there any reason why you were so embarrassed yesterday after I caught you and Mia playing around on the ground?"

"Embarrassed? My dear Ranulf you are mistaken; there was a flea on your head. I was simply being a courteous friend and removing the insect from your presence," Ike sarcastically stated.

Ranulf chuckled and replied, "Oh well do forgive me then, How could I possibly have misunderstood. Surely I am a fool."

"Now you and I are on the same page," Ike quipped.

Past the two males was the front of the pack where Titania was on her horse leading the way up the mountain pass. Titania shouted to the rest of the mercenaries signaling to them that the path narrowed off and watching their footing would be advised.

Mist and Soren were sitting inside one of the covered wagons. Mist was spacing in and out of reality huddled up in fur coverings. Soren was simulating battle tactics on a small table with random pieces of clutter as members of the Greil mercenaries. He muttered incoherent words to himself as he discovered holes within his strategies. Oscar, who was sitting at the front of the cart guiding the wagon with his hands on the reigns, smiled brightly to himself appreciating the comical value of the situation.

Ike and Ranulf had pre-occupied their time by taking turns naming things in alphabet order.

"Apples," Ike said dully.

"Breasts bouncing blissfully," Ranulf said smiling to himself.

"Creeper," Ike stated in response.

As the mercenaries continued their hike, the temperature had dropped a good 15 degrees from the base of the mountain. Many of them started to put on extra layers to combat the cold, other than Lethe and Ranulf.

"How can you not be freezing," Ike questioned.

"It's the tail." Ranulf responded.

Ike wasn't sure if he was being a smart ass or entirely serious. He allowed the thought to part from his mind.

He began dwelling on what him and his men witnessed at the destroyed village. A single man obliterating an entire town baffled Ike's mind. Who was this person and were they still lingering around when the Greil mercenaries got there. Could he be tailing them? Was Soren actually wrong and it wasn't a single man? Questions assaulted Ike's thoughts as he wanted to know more, for the safety of the people he cared about

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"Aahhhhh, this is so boring!" Mia exclaimed a few hours into the climb, "I'm going to go crazy!"

"You are long past that point Mia!" Rolf said happily.

Mia's face contorted upon hearing this reply, "You sure like to make jokes don't you Rolf. Please don't refrain yourself from eating to your heart's content tonight, I'll be helping Oscar with the food." Mia smiled brightly at Rolf however he sensed evil intentions radiating off of her. Mia looked forward but caught Rolf shiver in the corner of her eye. Pleased with herself, she walked a little faster looking to converse with other members of the group.

She looked forward to see who was next to the wagon in front of them and saw Ike and Ranulf walking side by side. Upon getting closer she noticed that Ike looked sullen and out of it. Mia frowned seeing her boss looking so concerned.

She quietly snuck up behind Ike getting within arms reach of him, then began to walk on the tips of her toes so she was as tall as Ike, inching closer to him until her lips were next to his ear.

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Ike was lost in his thoughts still unsure of how cautious he should be to protect the people he cared about. What could he do against someone with power so fierce, could he save the people he swore to protect? How could he -"Hey Boss."

Ike's thoughts were sharply interrupted by a soft whisper only he could hear. The warmth emanating from this person's breath gave him shivers that shot down his spine as the heat traveled along his ear. The voice soothed him of his worries relaxing yet making him anxious at the same time. Each breath exhaled close to him quickly built the tension growing inside of him, the moments between each exhale causing his entire body to ache. He started to lose focus on his thoughts, what was he worried about again?

After a few moments Mia pulled away and looked at him with an innocent smile, unaware of the endeavors he was just put through, or so it seemed. Ike took this time to collect himself and made a mental note to revisit this later in the night when he had time to properly think about how he was reacting.

"Hey boss. You were looking down so I came to see what's up," Mia pondered with an index finger on the edges of her lips.

Ike cleared his throat and replied "Ah hey Mia, I didn't realize I spaced out, just thinking about what happened back at the village. I'm worried about the safety of the guys." Ike's face had once again began to droop in worry.

Mia frowned at this. Ike was always looking out for others and she respected him greatly for that, but it bothered her that it always came at the cost of his own happiness.

"Don't worry about it too much boss, I'll take him on if he tries to hurt any of us!" Mia exclaimed proudly giving one of her signature smiles to Ike.

Ike's facial expression lightened up a bit pleasing Mia. "Haha, I'll be sure to warn him not to take you lightly for his own good," Ike replied. Mia gave him a thumbs up and continued to smile.

Ranulf, sensing the atmosphere excused himself silently from the two and walked away to find Lethe to converse about matters pertaining to Gallia. Ike and Mia small talked for the remainder of the hike to the first checkpoint.

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Welp! Thanks for reading guys, please do reply and let me know if I captured the general feel of the story and the personalities of the characters! I'm also aware that the humor may be a bit more mature as well as some of the actions of the characters, hopefully it doesn't detract from the feel of the story. All in all, I hope you guys liked it!

R&R 3.