Chapter 10

The tournament is finally starting up again and I have been ignoring Link as much as I can. Things have become awkward between us and I hate it but I am not really helping with the situation either. Every time I see Link coming down the hallway I walk the opposite way and so on. I have grown to loathe eating at the dinning table. I can feel Link's stare as I look down at my food. Yet, ignoring Ike is something I can not do.

"Faster." I block Ike's hits and try to hit him back to no avail. We have been practicing for at least three hours now and I have been able to keep up. "You have improved." I smile in satisfaction.

"Don't get a big head, we need to be ready for the tournament." I can see the glimmer of a smile on his face and it just makes me smile more. We have not talked about the kiss and I am glad it has not really changed our relationship like Link and I. Yet, I wish it did. I have not stopped thinking about that kiss and I am curious to why he did it.

"Why do you want to win the tournament so badly?" Ike looks down at his sword before carefully putting it away.

"To win." I roll my eyes at his comment.

"There must be a deeper meaning to that, right?" I watch as Ike looks down at the floor. Thinking carefully of his next words.

"I promised myself after my father's death, that I would never let anyone that I love die because I was to weak." I see pure emotion in his eyes and I am taken back by them. I have never seen Ike so vulnerable before.

" My sword fighting skills were given to me by my father. If I stay true to them I cannot lose."

"Then let me help you." I smile up at Ike and he looks at me bewildered. I grab his hand and squeeze it gently. I feel him return the gesture. I never expected Ike and I would ever be in a situation like this let alone be partners. I feel my face begin to flush as he looks at me.

"Well, I must be going." I quickly move my hand and start walking to the door. "See you tomorrow at the tournament." I see him smirk before I leave the room.

"Zelda, get up!" I open my eyes and see the outline of Peach. I rub my eyes and cringe as the light hits my face.

"Time to get up sleepyhead." I change into my dress. Today is the day that we have been training for and I don't want to let Ike down.

"So have you chosen?" I look at Peach confused.

"Chosen what?'

"Your boy silly." I feel my stomach drop.

"Peach, you know it is not like that." I rub the fabric of my dress with my fingers.

"Well you need to at least talk to Link."

"I know I was planning to today." She nods and continues to get ready for the day. Truth is I really did plan to talk to Link today but I still have not figured out exactly how. I hurt his feelings and I am not sure how to face him. As we begin to head to the arena I see Link in front of us. I say goodbye to the girls and run to catch up with him.

"Link." I grab his arm as he turns to look at me.

"Oh, Zelda." I can see the worry in his expression

"Can I talk to you?" He nods in agreement and we stop at a bench near the garden. We sit there for awhile waiting for someone to say something first.

"Im.." We both say at once and look down from embarrassment.

"You go first." He says, being the gentlemen that he is.

"I am sorry for hurting you." My hands clench my dress and I can't meet his eyes.

"No, I am sorry." I look up to see Link's sad face. "I was selfish and I put my feelings out there expecting you to feel the same. I am sorry."

"I should not have lashed out on you like that. We both made mistakes and it is important that we both know we forgive each other." He smiles at me and I smile back

"You like him don't you?" I feel my face heat up at his question.

"Yes." It took me awhile to admit it but it is true I have grown feelings for Ike ever since I met him.

"If he ever treats you bad I will set him straight."

"Were not even together Link." He flashes a grin. We both get up and head to the arena.

"You know your pretty when you smile." I look at him confused. "Don't worry it is just a compliment." I hit him on the shoulder and he looks at me shocked but I know he is just kidding. We both laugh and continue walking to the arena. The arena is decorated with balloons and streamers. Music blasts in the room as well. We see everyone sitting on the bleachers and they are glad to see us.

"Are you guys excited?"

"I would be if I was fighting." Peach crosses her arms in frustration.

"Don't worry Peach. You will get the next one." Link says and she puffs her cheeks and looks away. The teams are now shown on the screen and Ike and I are against Fox and Snake. The others learn who their competition is and we get ready for the brawl. Everyone beings to depart and I wave Link goodbye. Only Ike and I are left.

"So you made up with him?"

"Yeah I don't know if we could ever go back to how things were but it is a start."

"I hope your happy together." I see him scowl as he walks away. This only leaves me hurt and confused. Together? I bite my lip as I walk away from the bleachers to the entrance of the stage.

"It seems you made Ike really angry." I turn to see Marth with Samus, shoulder to shoulder.

"I didn't do anything. He is the one that stormed away." Marth and Samus exchange glances.

"Well any jealousy guy would be."

"Really?" They both nod and smirk at the same time.

"You guys have become scary close."

"Really? I wonder why?" Marth moves his arm and Samus stiffens hers. He gives her a gentle smile and she gives up revealing that the two are holding hands.

"So dose this mean?"

"That were dating." Samus blushes and Marth continues to smile. "Samus has not got use to saying it yet.

"Hey!" He kisses her on the cheek and she rolls her eyes.

"Well I am happy for you two." I give them a hug and say goodbye as I enter the stage.

Delfino Plaza

I emerge to a bright sunny island. I land on a flying stage. I see Fox emerge arose from me and Ike and Snake above me. The announcer beings to count

"3, 2, 1, GO!" I run to meet Fox but he jumps above me to where Snake and Ike are. They begin to work together to battle Ike.

"I see how it is get the stronger brawler first." I will make them regret that decision. Ike blocks Snake's and Fox's attacks. I jump and twirl to hit the two brawlers with my magic and they both fly of the mini stage. They are able to get back on and we continue the brawl. As we fight the flying stage takes us across the island. If I was not fighting I would love to travel her. Ike kicks Fox off the stage and powers up his sword with fire waiting for his return. While Snake shoots me with his grenade launcher and I barley have time to use my magic shield. I shoot a fire ball but it misses Snake and he kicks me, flipping me over. I fall face first into the ground. I get up quickly before he can flip me over again. I see him running towards me and I extend my leg and trip him. He grabs the edge of the platform before he can fall off. I see him drop down only to rise to the sky thanks to his cyper.

"Coming down." I turn around to see Fox slamming into the platform. Ike smiles at me from above and I jump to the higher platform. I feel my face begging to burn from the wind contacting my open wounds. We suddenly land on a small island east of the town. I feel the platform disappear under my feet and I land on the island's sand. I see Fox running trying to create a surprise attack but I deflect it and hit him with my own attack. He is sent deep in the water and begins to struggle for air. Ike grabs Snake and throws him into the sand. He brings his sword higher to deliver his last blow but Snake is faster and hits him into the water. I feel the sand under my feet diminish as the platform returns. I look to see Ike struggling to get on. I begin to sprint to him but I stop when I reuliaze I am surrounded by bombs. Snake must have planted them when we were on the island. I feel the pain of a laser on my back and jump up to avoid Fox's gun. I transport to the sky as the bombs blow up. I groan in frustration as I see Snake with his stupid flying machine coming after me. Fox is right under me and I use my leg and slam into him. He almost falls out of the stage but sadly the platform lands and he is saved. This time we land near the pier and I have to jump to the other side to not get wet. The area is much smaller than the island and it is much easier to lose this way. Fox charges at Ike who easily picks him up and throws him in the air. I am caught of guard and Snake grabs me from behind and I feel my body become weak. I fall into the water and I can feel his weight on me.

"Give up princess." I can barley breath as he holds me down in the water. My mind flashes back to the lake in Ordon and how weak I was. I see Ike's figure as he comes to rescue me.

"Not this time." I gurgle from under that water, I use my free leg and kick Snake off me. I take a deep breath as air fills my lungs. I put all my strength into my magic and hit his in the stomach. The impact of my magic sends him flying out of the stage.

"DEFEATED" I crawl over the side of the wall. I am drenched in water. I try to squeeze the water out of my dress. The platform begins to appear and I am barley able to get on before we are flying through the sky once more. I see Fox coming my way. I try to get up but my body is to tired to do anything. I hold on tightly to the edge hoping I will be able to stay on.

"DEFEATED" I open one eye.

"Did I lose?" I see Ike's arm extend for me.

"No stupid I just saved your life." I grab his hand and he helps me on to the platform.

"So that means-" I feel my mood brighten.

"We won." I scream in excitement and jump into Ike's arms. I can feel him tense up from the contact but eventually I feel his arms wrap around me.

"You guys did great!" Peach gives me a big hug and so dose Samus. I smile at both of them.

"You have gotten so much stronger Zelda." Link pats me on the shoulder. I smile awkwardly. Ike grabs my arm and take me away from everyone.

"We need to fix your wounds." I look back at everyone who look misplaced from our sudden departure.

"Hold still." I close my eyes bracing myself. Ike rubs the ointment onto my wound and I yelp in pain.

"You can handle almost drowning but not medicine?" I see the amusement in his eyes and I glare back at him. "Your done." I hop of the counter and look at my face in the mirror. I see Ike putting away the medicine in the mirror's reflection.

"What was that comment about earlier?" I watch his movements in the mirror as he continues to clean up.

"What comment?" I roll my eyes at his useless attempt of delaying his answer.

"When you said I hope you will be happy together." He makes no falter or hesitation in his task as he closes the medicine box.

"I meant what I said." He begins to walk to the door of the health office. The distance between us seems a mile long.

"Why did you kiss me?" I cross my arms and stare at him. I can see he is stumped at my question.

"I can't-" I don't let him finish as I capture his lips with mine. I feel him tense up and my stomach drops. I have never been so nervous in my life. To express my feelings towards this mercenary in such a bold fashion is new to me. To explain my feelings to him with words, while he continues to make up excuses is not possible. I put my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss. I feel him react and my stomach burst with butterflies. Ike is kissing me back. Ike, the mercenary I use to hate and wanted nothing to do with. I feel his tongue slid across my lips asking for entrance. I let him in as we fight for control. Of coarse Ike wins no doubt. He holds my waste and brings me closer. Soon we come up for air and we connect our foreheads.

"I only want you. It has always been you Ike." I feel his heart beat racing like mine.

"That is good then because I am not letting you get away." He begins to kiss my neck and I feel pure pleasure from every kiss.

We hear a knock on the door and quickly separate from each other.

"Can I come in?" I hear Daisy's voice and I have to cough before I can say my first word.

"Yes." She opens the door and welcomes us with a warm smile.

"Congratulations you two! You made it to the finals!"

"We did it!" I jump into Ike's arms once more, this time he holds me tighter and spins me around.

There is nothing else I could ever want then to be here with Ike. He is all I want and need.

I am sad to say that this is the second to last chapter not including the epilogue. I am so grateful for all the lovely reviews. I am so glad you guys like this story. I will be doing the story from Ike's point of view soon but there are some other stories I would like to work on. I have a harry potter one shot I would like to finish and other ideas. Please review and please tell me if you catch any grammar mistakes. : )