Ike woke up with a start. The house was quiet.

Very quiet.

His first reaction was Ashera struck, but then he stopped himself. Ashera was defeated. She and Yune were at peace with one another now. Unless something else happened, they should be back in the Serenes forest—or where ever they said they should be.

That made Ike wonder. With the whole Goddess issue that happened back in their country, what happened here? Were the people of this continent affected the same way?

From the looks of it everything seemed normal. Then again, it had been two years now since the incident. Everything would have been normal now.

Ike sighed as he rolled over onto his side, looking outside. The sun was high shining. They should be up by now… He thought to himself. Then why was it so quiet?

Slowly, he got up out of bed stretching a little. Could it be because their father was here? No it couldn't. Mira had explained what their father's schedule was like: Getting up, leaving for some place, and then coming home late at night, sometimes drunk, other times just angry. But Ike didn't understand. Every day it was like this and everyday the three, even Nina, would tense whenever it was time for their father to come home. What could have happened that cause them to be like this? Was he just an alcoholic, which was why the children feared him? Ike didn't feel that was the case, especially with how Allia treated him. Many times Ike attempted to ask, but as soon as he found the moment, he decided against it. Mira already had enough stress on her, with dealing with her younger siblings and her bed-ridden mother. He didn't want to bring up anything that might trouble her.

Ike sighed walking over to look out the window. Yesterday had been a weird day. He noticed Nina was grumpy for some reason. And Mira was strict with them forcing them to go to bed earlier.

Well… time to get up now.

He put on some clean clothes that Mira's mother had given him. By now he had his own clothes. Mira had bought him a few pairs the week before, saying he must have been getting annoyed of wearing other peoples' clothes. Ike had always assumed that he was wearing their father's clothes, but after seeing the laguz, he knew it was impossible for them to be his. That man was huge and there was no way the clothes Ike had been wearing were his unless they saved his old clothes from years before.

With a final stretch, Ike headed out of the room.

Outside the room, it was still quiet and it felt empty. Ike couldn't hear a single sound. Had he gone deaf? That or he was finally going insane after all these years of war. He smiled at the idea.

Where is everyone? He wondered. He arrived to the living room where he found Mira, sitting on the couch cross-legged. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun and her face was hidden behind a book. This surprised Ike. He always saw her running around doing work, yet now here she was sitting relaxed, reading. Ike walked over leaning over her shoulder to see what it was about. Surprisingly she didn't notice him so he decided to try and see how long till she did and while doing so, tried to see what she was reading.

Unfortunately he couldn't understand the book because it was written in the ancient language. Damn it…why didn't I pay more attention when I was learning with Volug? He let out a sigh of frustration.

Mira, hearing something behind her, spun around to find Ike leaning over her shoulder reading.

"Holygoddesssaia!" Mira jumped. The book slipped out of her and fell to the ground closed.

Ike stood there and clapped his hand slowly. "Nice going there." He remarked.

"Ike!" she gasped.

"Morning," he yawned.

"When did you get up? I didn't even hear you get behind me," she replied picking up the book.

"How could you have? You were so much into your book," he remarked laughing.

Mira just frowned flipping through the pages, "Too bad you made me loose my page…I was at an interesting part too."

"Sorry." Ike apologized.

Mira just sighed turning the pages, slowly skimming it to see if she found it or not.

Ike tried to read along but failed. "I didn't know you guys still read in the ancient language." he remarked.

"The what?"

"The language you're reading in. In Tellius we call it the ancient language since no one speaks it by us," Ike explained.

"I see…It's pretty common here though most people are now changing to the modern language." she explained, "I don't mind either, but the ancient language is easier."

"Uh huh…" Ike nodded. Some of the words he could make out, but overall, he failed.

Mira continued to skim through the thick book until her face lit up, "Ah here I am!" she announced happily she then continued on to read.

"You're a dedicated reader aren't you?" Ike remarked.

"Of course! Who wouldn't be?" she replied her eyes still on the page.

"Yet I've never seen you pick up a single book till today," he
continued.

"Well I mostly do reading at night. I mean it's hard to when you have Nina and Seth running around. When they're off at school, I can sit home and read before getting started with chores."

"So that's where they're at. I was wondering why it was so quiet." Ike replied looking around.

"I bet you panicked when you didn't hear Nina barging into your room," she smirked.

"You could put it that way…" Ike shrugged. That was one of the reasons why he thought the goddess struck. Since the war had ended, Ike suddenly felt relaxed and since he had come here, Nina had become a little like his alarm that woke him in the morning and when she didn't come running in, Ike was certain that something had happened.

Mira just smirked shaking her head flipping the page. "You always did look a little annoyed after being awoken by Nina like that. So I decided to let you sleep in." She explained.

"Oh well thanks, but to tell you the truth, I'm normally up before sunrise." He chuckled rubbing the back of his head.

"Oh really? Well looks like you're getting lazy." Mira laughed, looking up at him, before turning back to the book. Ike smirked. She was like Soren when reading, capable of having a conversation while reading. He then saw her face fall, "Aww that's so sad…"

"What?" Ike asked leaning over trying to see what it was.

"This part I'm reading. It's where the girls little brother dies."

Mira replied with a sad look. She turned the page Ike just looked at her confused.

Mira looked up from her reading. "Oh I'm sorry. It's just I get so much into the books that I tend to zone out." she apologized.

"So I've noticed. Must be an interesting book," he remarked.

Mira nodded her head, "it is," she replied, "It's about a girl who was part of a royal family and the family was killed in a fire. Only she and her brother survived and they struggled on the streets where bandits attacked them and her brother was severely injured. While they were saved by a mercenary group, the brother was on the verge of death and finally died."

Ike just nodded listening, "Seems interesting." Though the two had two different genres of reading. Soren was more of the nonfiction reader. Mira seemed to like adventures.

"Oh yes." she nodded, "You should read it. I think you might like it."

"Sorry." Ike laughed rejecting, "I'm not that much of a reader."

"What? How can you say that?" Mira glanced up at him, surprised.

"Well excuse me for never having time to read." he replied.

Mira just shook her head, "Well you should make time to read. Reading is important if you want to succeed in life."

"Yeah yeah, whatever." He waved it off, "Besides there's no way I could read that book."

Mira looked at him, "You just said you were interested. There shouldn't be a problem."

"Yeah but…well…" Ike sighed trying to put it in words without sounding dumb. "I can't read the ancient language," he confessed.

"That's too bad. You really should learn. It's good to have," she replied.

Ike shrugged his shoulders, "yeah… but no one speaks it in Tellius anymore. The only ones that can read it are some laguz and then the mages, but even the mages don't know what they're reading."

Mira shook her head, still reading, "that's a shame. I feel I need to teach you now."

Ike smirked, "don't bother. Someone already did try to. I don't remember much from their teaching," he remarked, thinking back to when Volug did try to teach him. He was pretty sure there were many times where the wolf cursed him, but Ike didn't understand.

Mira shook her head, "well I'm going to make sure you learn," she decided.

Ike just sighed leaning against the sofa. "So where's breakfast?" he asked hearing his stomach growl. He placed a hand on it, hoping she didn't hear it.

"Over there on the table." She pointed to the kitchen, never looking up from her reading. Ike peered over the railing that separated the living room from the kitchen. There were pots and pans everywhere but no breakfast.

"I don't see anything." He replied.

"It's there." Mira replied.

"Where? All I see are pots and pans." He asked again. He glanced over to see her reading. "Mira are you even listening?" he poked her head.

"Yeah…" She replied turning the page. She then looked up, "Look in the pots, then you'll know what's what."

Ike sighed, walking over to the kitchen to look at what was there. He lifted one of the lids to the pot to see what it was. It was something yellow, which Ike could not make out.

"You know it doesn't help when I don't know what's what." He called back to her.

Mira just made a humming noise in response.

"And then what is this supposed to be? How do you eat it?" Ike asked as he stirred around what was in the second pot.

Again Mira made a humming noise in response.

Ike frowned realizing he was being ignored. Now she was going into the stage where she would just zone everyone out. Ike couldn't help but think of Soren when he looked at her. He sighed thinking of the tactician. It made him wonder what they were all doing, but then his stomach growled. Looking over at Mira, he saw she hadn't moved. He walked back over to where she was and reached over grabbing the book from her. "Hey!" Mira protested trying to grab it, but Ike already had the book over his head.

"Ike! Give that back!" she exclaimed jumping up to grab it.

"Not until you give me breakfast." He replied.

"At least save the page!" Mira protested jumping to reach the book.

"Don't worry, it's marked." Ike assured her, raising it higher out of her reach. Mira then frowned crossing her hands in front of her chest. "Not fair."

Ike just laughed. It was amusing to see how short she was compared to him. She came up to his chin and seeing her realize this was even more amusing. "Give me breakfast." He said.

"No, you're a big boy, get it yourself. Everything is out on the counter, just take what you want." She crossed her arms turning her head away. Now he could see the relation between her and her younger sister. She was acting just how Nina was the previous day with the school issue.

"I have no idea how you eat that stuff. Seriously, you guys have weird food." He replied with a smirk. Mira let out a groan taking a step back. "Fine you win." She muttered walking into the kitchen. Ike just followed behind her with a grin.

"You're such a baby." She muttered as she took food out of the pot and placed in a plate.

"Hey, not my fault I don't what's where." He replied throwing his hands up in protest. Mira just mumbled something, placing the plate down in front of him. "There happy?"

Ike smirked looking up at her. "Very. Thanks. Here's your book again just like I said." He added handing her the book.

Mira just rolled her eyes taking the book. "I'll be right back from upstairs. I have to go check on mother. Don't do anything stupid." She warned.

"I shall resist." Ike replied.

Mira just shook her head grumbling something as she headed upstairs. Just how Nina had the day before.

Now Ike definitely saw where Nina's stubbornness came from. But whom did the two take after? Their mother? No, that wasn't possible. Their mother was a very kind, patient woman. She was always asking Ike how he was and if he needed anything. Mira did that every now and then, but Nina? Never…

After breakfast, Ike found himself sitting there on the couch with an elbow resting on the armrest and his head resting on his fist. He had nothing to do. Right now Nina would be jumping in front of him telling him about her 'adventures' as she called them. From what he saw, life was pretty simple for the people here. There weren't any problems with bandits. But then again, it had only been a week since Ike was here. It could be the bandits were recovering. That or the ruler of this country was very good at controlling them.

Ike then yawned. It was a very obnoxious one too.

Right now he was wishing for a good spar. If only Mia or Boyd were here… They were always good people to spar with. Even though Mia wasn't as strong, her speed made up for that and Boyd may have been strong, but he was slow compared to Mia, but they always got something out of it. Here Ike could see the same. Even though Nina was much younger, Mira was still at a disadvantage since Nina was a laguz. He also noticed that even though he had hit her hard the other day, Nina hadn't been affected by it. It showed how they were still preparing for just in case.

Just then, a thud brought Ike back from his thoughts. He looked up to see Mira standing there with a basket full of clothes. She was looking at him expectantly. That's when Ike realized she had been talking to him.

"Huh?" he sat up.

"You didn't hear anything I said did you?" Mira frowned.

"Eh heh… sorry, I was zoned out…" he apologized getting up.

"Obviously." Mira rolled her eyes picking up the basket.

"What are you doing?" Ike asked getting up.

"Laundry. Also I need some help chopping wood, do you mind?" she asked.

Ike's sat up hearing that. "No not at all. Not like I have anything to do."

Mira's face brightened, "Phew good. That means I don't have to use force. Eh… Now then! Come on then let's go. We have an axe that you can use." She said.

Ike blinked. She said the last part so fast. He felt he missed a huge chunk. But instead of asking, he just nodded his head as if he understood and got up, stretching before following. Normally he wasn't the one that chopped wood, but in a way it would be exercise to him. Especially since he hadn't been able to work out properly since he had come here. He needed to do something to keep himself in shape.

"So what trees do I have to chop?" he asked getting up.

"Well, how about we go outside first? Then I'll show you." Mira offered as she picked up the basket again. Ike nodded following her. They arrived to the back door where Ike remembered. "Wait, what am I supposed to cut with?" He asked.

Mira laughed, "Use you're sword Ike. It's not like we have an axe." She replied sarcastically. Ike looked like he was about to protest but Mira continued on, "We have a barn out in the back with a couple axes in it." She replied, trying to shift the basket in one hand so she could open the door.

"Hey no need to get sarcastic." Ike protested as he stepped forwards to open it for her.

"Thanks. And it should be obvious Ike. How do you think we would have gotten wood in the past?" she asked.

Ike shrugged. "Thought you might hire someone." He replied. Outside there was a small breeze that made the two shiver slightly. It wasn't frigid cold, but it was much colder than yesterday had been. "Did it just get chilly all of a sudden?" he asked.

"Yes, winter will be coming soon. That's why I wanted to get the firewood so that we would be prepared ahead of time." Mira explained.

Ike nodded his head, looking up at the sky. Wow… winter already… Normally around this time he would they would be preparing as well. Ike would have some men going into town, buying supplies, more food, and herbs. Ike would be stuck in his office, dealing with paper work. For some strange reason, people thought that during the winter time, the Greil mercenaries was some sort of business where they could go for all their problems. When they said mercenary work, it normally meant dealing with bandits, or other issues like that, but when winter came along, it was more of, help with firewood, or fixing something.

Ike being who he was normally accepted the work, since they did get paid for doing the work, but Soren would always disapprove of it.

They arrived to where the barn was. Ike looked at it impress. It wasn't the small little dingy type that he thought it would be. The barn was a descent size.

"Do you guys have horses?" he asked looking around. He then looked forwards where Mira stood next to some axes.

"We used to have horses." She replied.

Ike raised a brow. He was going to ask where they all went, but when he looked at her more closely, he then noticed the frown and instead just nodded his head.

"A couple years back, there was an incident with bandits in which horses were stolen from this stable. We tried to fend them off, but there were too many." She explained.

"We?" Ike asked.

Mira nodded her head, "We as in, Nina, and a couple people from the village and me. We tried to reason with them, but they didn't care. They ignored us and went on with their business." She explained.

Ike glanced at her. He could tell she didn't like what she was remembering. He just walked forwards, looking around the place. He then let out a sigh as he found the axes hanging on the wall. "All right then." he nodded as he picked up the axe. It was heavy, compared to the ones he used at home. His brows furrowed as he went to the next one picking it up. It was heavier. Either these people were super strong, or Ike was very out of shape.

"What's with it being so heavy?" he grunted as he swung it over his shoulder.

"Oh is that too heavy for you?" Mira asked turning around, "I have lighter ones. I just figured that like Keoji, you'd be able to handle that one."

"Who?" Ike blinked hearing the name.

"Keoji. You know, the one who helped me carry you back… oh wait, you were unconscious at the time…" Mira trailed off remembering.

Ike just stared at her confused.

Mira shook her head, "He's a really good friend of mine. He's the leader of a Caravan that normally passes through the town a lot. He's normally the one who helps me chopping the wood." She explained.

"I see…" Ike nodded.

"Speaking of which, I believe they'll be passing by soon," she remembered.

Ike blinked, "really now? How soon?"

Mira shrugged, "within this week. Usually they send a message the day before or the day of their arrival," Mira explained.

Ike nodded his head.

"Though I'd be a little cautious." She frowned remembering.

"Cautious?" Ike echoed again.

Mira nodded her head, "Keoji isn't a big fan of the country Tellius."

Ike narrowed his eyes, "Why so?"

Mira just shrugged, "I'm not really sure, but if you haven't noticed many that recognize your scent aren't that fond of you either." She explained.

"Hmm…" Ike nodded his head thinking. Now that he thought about it. There were times when he was with Nina and Seth and people gave him looks. Even in the beginning when he first met the baker, he seemed hesitant.

"Oh well…" Mira sighed and clapped her hands. Ike jumped and looked to see her smiling. "Don't worry about it too much. They have yet to learn that not everyone is the same. Right now we should get working. We have to pick Nina and Seth up from school afterwards and I hate having to stop in the middle of chores.

Ike blinked and nodded his head. "uh… yeah good idea." He agreed and then followed behind her.

The rest of the morning had gone with Ike cutting down trees and making wood, while Mira had gone a little off towards the stream to wash the clothes. Now they were in the village, on their way towards Nina and Seth's school. Ike was actually curious to know how the school looked. He was curious to know how it may have been here.

The streets were crowded. Ike had to make sure Mira was in his sight or else he'd get lost.

As much as Mira told him not to worry too much about it, Ike couldn't help but notice what she said was true.

Even now as he walked passed them, people did give odd looks and he could tell some were hesitant. Though not all of them showed it, only certain people.

Ike just sighed and decided to look ahead as he walked, following right behind Mira.

"That's the school." Mira pointed out.

"Huh?" Ike looked up too see an average size building. It looked much bigger than the other buildings and out in the courtyard, the younger ones had gathered, all waiting for someone to pick them up, while the elder ones were off on their way already.

"Sis! Ike!" they turned to see Nina and Seth coming towards them. Seth arrived first, giving Mira a hug. Mira smiled patting his head, "Hey you." She ruffled his hair.

Ike smirked watching him. Suddenly Nina was calling out his name

"Ike? IIIIke?" Nina called to him, "Hey! Losersaywhat?" She yelled really fast.

"Huh?" Ike blinked realizing the young cheetah jumping in front of him

"Awww you were supposed to say what?" Nina frowned.

"What?" he asked confused.

"Hah!" she grinned.

Ike raised an eyebrow watching the girl jump away. He then turned toward Mira, "Why?"

Mira just closed her eyes, shaking her head. "Nina where did you learn that?"

"Learn what?" Ike asked again.

"Haha he said it again!" Nina laughed.

"Nina!"

"What?" she looked at her older sister.

"Haha you said the word…" Seth snickered.

Nina blinked, then frowned. "It doesn't count!" she pouted.

Seth just laughed, "Yes it does."

"I am so confused…" Ike muttered, trying to figure out just what Nina had said.

"It's better if you stay confused, now come on. We have get home. Mother will be wondering where we ran off to." Mira decided.

"Right…" Ike nodded following her.

"Come on, we should head home now. Mother will be waiting." Mira started. That got Nina and Seth's attention.

"Right! Onwards to Mother's!" Nina cheered and then started to hurry on with Seth right behind her.

"Hey! Don't get to far ahead now!"

"Hurry up then!" Nina called back.

Mira sighed as she ran her hands through her hair. Next to her, Ike looked on with amusement.

They had come back from the town. Their mother had made dinner for them. It was amazing.

Now he sat there on the ground, in front of a small table, with a chessboard out in front of him. He was playing chess again and at the moment he was stuck. He had been boxed in. Any move he made would lead to him losing.

Who was his opponent? Not Seth, but his older sister; the one he considered a ten-year old, but was actually thirteen…

Nina.

Ike let out a sigh. That made it even more frustrating. First a six year old and now a thirteen year old, though Ike felt that it didn't matter now since his dignity had already been stripped when he lost to the six year old. That was embarrassing.

"You should move the archer." Seth suddenly spoke, pointing to a piece that was a little off from where Ike was focusing..

Ike blinked as he looked at Seth. Surprisingly, the six-year old was sitting next to him, giving him tips. So far they hadn't been that helpful.

Ike shook his head, "that's not a good idea."

"Yes it is." He nodded.

Ike shook his head again, "No… it's not."

"Yes… it is." Seth replied in the same way, except with a nod.

"Hey, stop cheating!" Nina suddenly protested.

Ike and Seth looked up, "I'm not cheating!" Ike protested while Seth said, "He's not listening to me."

They then both looked at each other.

Nina blinked as well. She then sighed, "You know, you should listen to him." She commented.

Ike narrowed his eyes, "Why, I'm just leaving an opening for you're eagle to attack." He stated.

Nina shook her head, "No… you move this guy here and then you could move this guy here and then this one here…" she was listing all of the moves. Ike blinked trying to keep up with the speed she was speaking and moving.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, wait… speak slowly." He suddenly spoke up.

Nina blinked as she stopped talking. "I am talking slow."

Ike shook his head. "Noo… you were talking very, very fast."

"No I wasn't!"

"Yes you were…"

"Was not!"

"Were too!"

Suddenly they heard a small thud. Looking up, they saw Mira standing up. She had been sitting on the couch that Ike had been resting against. While she was technically supposed to be watching at Nina's request, Mira had quickly lost interest and began reading. She had zoned them out, leaving the two to bicker with Seth keeping them quiet to remind them their mother was sleeping.

Mira now stood over them, "Alright, time to sleep now."

"Aww… now?" Nina whined.

"Thank goodness…" Ike muttered.

"I still won," Nina stuck her tongue out.

Ike would have protested had Mira not stepped in, ignoring their conversation.

Mira nodded her head, "Nina, time for bed. Seth?" she glanced at the boy.

"But Sis…" Even he was protesting. Ike couldn't help but feel it was because they wanted to watch him lose again.

Mira didn't seem to care and shook her head, "Look, Keoji and the Caravan are coming soon, maybe tomorrow. The only way we can check is if you guys actually go to school, or else I have no reason to go into town, meaning we may miss seeing them before things get busy."

That made both Nina and Seth's face brightened. Nina then sighed, "Fine… let's go Seth." She decided as she ran up the stairs. Seth followed behind her.

Ike then chuckled, "You have your ways huh?"

Mira shrugged, "They do anything to see the Caravan. You should sleep too now. I have some work for you to do tomorrow please."

Ike yawned as he felt the tiredness drift over him. He nodded his head, "Yeah… I think I'm out now. Night."

"Good night, Ike. Thanks for the help." She said as she headed for the stairs.

Ike shrugged, "No problem. Glad to help." He said as he headed for his room.

Mira watched him enter his room and then headed up the stairs to get ready for bed.

Ike lied in bed, staring up at the ceiling. His eyes were following the small design on the ceiling. The family was an amusing one. He really enjoyed his time there, but Ike realized something. Just what was he doing there?

He should have left by now. It had been about a month since he had been staying there. The first two weeks had been spent, allowing the wound to heal and for the poison to be flushed out of his system; the third week had been spent allowing his body to recover and strengthen. The desert had paid its toll on his body when it dehydrated him. Ike was surprised by how long it had actually taken him to heal.

Now this was the fourth week. He didn't have a reason to stay anymore. He was fully recovered, but Mira's mother never gave him the okay. Then again, she stopped coming to change bandages, or give medicine. He didn't need it anymore. Instead he was just relaxing and enjoying the time at the house, helping out if needed.

Ike wondered if he should ask Mira about it. He wasn't sure how much of a burden he was being, but then again, Mira was constantly asking him to help her, going into town for her, and doing many other outdoor chores for her. So at least he wasn't mooching off of them.

Ike then yawned. Right now he was tired. He would have to use this week to plan out his next course of action and discover more before actually continuing the journey.

That was something he should have done from the beginning rather then just walking into the desert like that.

It was thanks to this family he was alive. He needed to find a way to thank them.

As he thought this, Ike felt his eyes start to droop and soon he was asleep.