Welcome to Chapter 10 of ToS: RD and the first chapter of the 2009 year! Sorry for taking so long, but I was on hiatus for the holidays and I've been contributing to Sno Phoenix, a ToS Collaboration group. Check it out; I have a link on my profile. We have the likes of Twilight Scribe, Sage of Spirits, and I.K.A. Valian contributing, so it's BOUND to be good. Now then, I believe I had you guys hoping that a certain mercenary was to show this chapter. Well, read on and find out if he appears.

Chapter 10: Blue Flames of Passion

A couple of days have passed since Sheena, Lyre, and Decus joined the Regeneration Group for their own separate reasons: Sheena, due to a deal she made with Lloyd and Colette; Lyre, because Mia and Ranulf were in the group as well; Decus, to search for his beloved Alice.

Currently, the group was on their way to Luin to gain access to the Tower of Mana. According to Sophia, Boltzman's book of healing artes was inside. This book contained the cure for Pietro's illness, which is what they wanted. Also, it is believed that a seal or at least clues to the seals reside within the holy site that overlooks the Tower of Salvation.

The group had split off into three smaller groups: Kratos, Mia, Lloyd, and Sheena were in the front, discussing random topics. Genis and Colette were in the middle, listening to Decus describing how great his precious Alice is. In the rear resided Raine, Lyre, and Ranulf.

"Lyre, can I ask you something?" Raine inquired.

"As long as you don't go trying to probe me again," she growled, recalling the 'experiments' Raine tried to do in Hima.

"From what Mia and Ranulf have told me, most, if not all, laguz are too proud to fight with weapons, magic, and/or martial arts, relying instead on their claws, talons, beaks, or dragon breath," Raine recalled. "I have been around Ranulf long enough to know that he's pretty much open-minded to just about anything, so he's kind of an exception to the rule. You, on the other hand, seem to carry yourself with a sense of pride, so it doesn't make sense to me why you would rely on archery and black magic to defend yourself. And from what I've been told, your sister is one of the most prideful and stubborn of the laguz. Surely, some of her has rubbed off on you. Care to explain?"

"Hm… well, you're right. My sister and I are proud of being laguz," Lyre answered. "However, I am not stubborn like my sister. I see advantages in the beorc fighting ways and I use them as needed. Need a mage? I may be a novice, but my black magic is powerful. Need a sniper? My bow is ready to go. Need someone to rip out some organs? I'll transform and happily do that for you. I try to be as versatile and useful as I can."

"That does make sense," Raine nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I remember when I first met you, Lyre. You were just as stubborn as your sister. Actually, you still are," Ranulf smirked.

"Captain!" Lyre blushed.

"Hahahaha. Well, you were. But after spending time together, I got you to open up and understand that just relying on one thing will only get your but so far," Ranulf recalled, a smile on his face.

"…Yes. If not for you, Captain, I wouldn't be who I am today. I wouldn't have taken archery lesson from that Rolf kid or learned the arcane artes from Pelleas. And I wouldn't have met such a great teacher, captain, and friend," Lyre fondly sighed.

"I think I get it now. You still have your laguz pride, but Ranulf has been the biggest influence on your life, shaping you into the person you are today," Raine noted as she wrote that down.

"Uh, why are you writing that down, Raine?" Ranulf asked.

"I'm writing bios for each member of our group in order to keep track of abilities, skills, reasons for being on this journey, et cetera," Raine explained.

"Is that so? May we see them?" Lyre asked.

"Not yet. I'm not quite done. So far, I've only got Lloyd, Genis, Colette, and myself done. Mia and the two of you are the ones I'm currently working on. Then I still have Kratos, Sheena, and Decus to do. And then I have to do the bios of Ike, Soren, and Ilyana after they join up with us," Raine informed them.

"You better not say anything bad about me," Lyre warned.

"Don't worry; everything is done objectively. It won't go one way or the other," Raine assured her.

"Okay, but I'm watching you," Lyre glared at the healer.

"So, then… Raine, how much further is it to Luin?" Ranulf changed the subject.

"If we continue this pace, we should be there sometime this afternoon," she answered.

"Good. Because I think Mia's about to lose it," Ranulf informed the girls.

The three looked to see Mia trying to break off into a full sprint to Luin, but Kratos, Lloyd, and Sheena were all holding her back. Yet, she was dragging all three of them, making slow progress.

"Let me go! I have to get to Luin! Boss is there!" Mia shouted.

"Mia, you have to stay with the group!" Lloyd argued as he gripped her legs.

"Going off by yourself is dangerous in these parts," Kratos warned as he had her locked his arms around her shoulders.

"Don't be foolish. We'll get there soon enough! Just be patient, will you!?" Sheena chastised as she firmly latched herself on Mia's waist.

Raine and Lyre both sweatdropped at the sight.

"This is what has become of the Hero of Blue Flames' star pupil? Embarrassing," Lyre slapped her forehead.

"Mia must have some psychological issues. Perhaps I should give an examination," Raine wondered as she went deep into though.

"I think I know what the problem is; it's love," Ranulf answered, a sly grin on his face.

Realization dawned on the two women and they nodded in agreement.

"Guys! I think Lloyd and the others need your help!" Genis shouted to them.

Colette and Decus had joined in trying to restrain Mia, but even with five people, Mia was still making some progress.

"Come on. Let's go snap her out of it," Ranulf chucked.

Outside of Luin, five bandits had ganged up on a single, blue-haired swordsman. They all charged him at once, their axes craving blood, but were soundly defeated by his golden blade. As he stared at the dead bodies and cleaned off his sword, his crimson cape fluttered in the breeze, as if to signal something.

As he prepared to slice the heads off in order to collect the bounty, he heard a rustling from nearby bushes. He immediately was back on his guard.

"Come out or you will face my blade!" he shouted.

A person emerged from the bushes. She had indigo hair held back with a white headband. She wore an orange sleeveless trench coat and held a magnificent white blade in her hand, apparently using it as a machete to get through the brush.

The two locked eyes for a moment, lost in thought. Then they both gasped.

"Mia!?" the man shouted.

"Boss!?" the woman shouted.

Before he knew it, Ike was being glomped by the girl with all her might.

"Boss! I'm so happy you're okay! I was so worried sick about you!" Mia sobbed into his chest.

"Mia, you know that I'm not going to kick the bucket that easily. And I'm glad you're okay as well," Ike smiled as he stroked her hair. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. Everyday, I was worried sick about you and the others," Mia sniffed as she dried her eyes.

"Well, we've reunited, Mia. Everything will be okay now, I promise," Ike assured her.

"Thank you," she smiled. "Boss?"

"Yes, Mia?" he asked.

"I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time now," she confessed. "And being apart for all this time has made me more certain of what I want to tell you. Ike, I just have to tell you that I…"

"Mia! Where did you go!?"

A familiar voice to Mia called out from the bushes, eliciting a low growl from the swordswoman.

"Mia, who's that?" Ike asked.

Before Mia could answer, Lloyd and the rest of his came stumbling out of the brush.

"There you are!" Lloyd exclaimed. "…Uh, who's that guy you're hugging?"

Mia blushed as she realized she was still holding Ike. They quickly broke apart.

"Ike! How are you?" Ranulf said as he slapped Ike on the back.

"General. I am pleased to see you safe," Lyre bowed.

"Ranulf? Lyre? You're both here as well? Wonderful!" Ike grinned.

"…This is Ike, the man that Mia's been telling us about for weeks now?" Lloyd asked, clearly interested.

"Yep! Everyone, this is Ike Gawain, head of the Greil Mercenaries, Hero of Blue Flames, and the grandest swordsman Tellius has to offer," Mia said.

"It's a pleasure to meet everyone," Ike waved.

"Okay. Let me introduce everyone to you, Boss. First off, the one in red and possessing two swords is Lloyd," Mia pointed.

"Hello! I've heard a lot about you," Lloyd grinned.

"The girl with blonde hair and clad in white is Colette," she continued.

"Hi! I'm so happy to meet you! And I'm happy you're safe! Mia was so worried about you!" Colette chirped.

Mia blushed slightly as she continued, "The kid with white hair's Genis."

"You're so… big…" Genis gasped.

"The woman with white hair staring at Ragnell right now is Raine, Genis' sister."

"Astounding! With the exception of color, Ragnell appears to have the same composition as Alondite!" Raine, in Ruin Mode, noted.

"The red-head grouch is Kratos."

"Humph. Anyways, it is always a pleasure to meet a fellow swordsman," Kratos greeted Ike by shaking hands.

"The girl in purple with the big assets is Sheena."

"Mia! You use THAT to describe me? I expect that from a certain someone, but not you!" Sheena yelled.

"And the dude with the white coat is Decus."

Decus and Ike stared at each other for a moment.

"You remind me of a younger, long indigo haired, smaller me," Ike observed.

"You look like what I could become in a few years," Decus replied. "Anyways, nice to meet you. I have to ask; have you seen this girl? I'm looking all over for her."

Decus pulled out Alice's photo and showed it to Ike.

"…She kinda reminds me of Mist. However, I have not seen her, Decus," Ike answered.

"…Oh …okay. Thanks, anyway," Decus sighed.

"Who is that girl?" Ike asked.

"She's the girl he loves," Mia replied.

"Hmm." He nodded in understanding.

"So, what's with all these bodies?" Raine asked.

"Bandits. I've been hired by the town to take out a group of bandits," Ike explained.

"I see," Raine muttered.

"How about we go back into town? That way, I can get the bounty on these criminals and we can talk somewhere a bit more comfortable," Ike offered.

"Sounds like a good idea! Let's go to the inn!" Lloyd grinned.

Ike then proceeded to behead the corpses, which make Lloyd, Genis, and Colette gag, and Raine and Decus wince. The group then made its way to Luin, with Ike, Mia, Ranulf, Lyre, and Kratos each carrying a head.

After collecting the bounty, everyone regrouped back at the inn. There, Ike was caught up with all the events that had occurred up to now.

"Okay… So, Soren and Ilyana are still out there somewhere and you guys are going around, helping the Chosen of Regeneration in her journey. At the same time, you all have to deal with the Desians," Ike summarized. "And it seems that my old buddy, Volke, is allied with the Desians as well."

"Yeah, that's the gist of it," Lloyd replied.

"I think I have an idea of what's happening now," Ike muttered.

"So, Boss! I have to ask you, would you join us? Please?" Mia's puppy eyes glittered with the hope that he'd reply in her favor.

"Of course I'll join you. If you, Ranulf, and Lyre are helping these people out, then I should as well," Ike nodded, smiling at her.

"YES! I'm glad to have you back Boss!" Mia cheered.

"So we have yet another in our group…" Kratos sighed.

"Well, now that we've settled that matter, we should discuss our next goal: The Tower of Mana," Raine advised.

"The Tower of Mana? That place north of here?" Ike asked.

"Yes. We need to get inside that tower," Sheena responded. "There's a book inside that we need."

"That, and we think a seal, or at least some clues to the seals, is there as well," Genis added.

"I see…" Ike nodded in understanding.

"We have to go see the head priest here," said Colette. "He's the one who has the only key to the Tower."

"The head priest?" Ike paused. "Uh… I think I may have some bad news regarding that."

"Bad news?" Decus repeated.

"Yeah. The head priest here has left on a pilgrimage; I remember talking with him right before he left."

"Well, this complicates things," Ranulf sighed.

"You wouldn't happen to know where he was heading?" Lyre asked.

"If I recall, he said Asgard," Ike replied.

"The City of Ruins!? We MUST go!" Raine demanded, her eyes lit up in Ruin Mode.

With the exception of Ike, everyone else's head drooped from embarrassment.

That night, Mia found herself sitting at Luin's fountain, smiling fondly. She was so happy that she had finally found Ike. Yes, she was still worried about Soren and Ilyana and was grateful that Ranulf and Lyre were fine, but Ike was the one she missed the most. He was her boss, her friend, her teacher, her partner, her love…

So many things had gone wrong. The storm that sank the ship, everyone getting separated, getting involved with the Desians, Volke and the Renegades…

Yet, things had also gone right. She met Lloyd, who was a like a little brother to her. The Journey was well on its way and Colette was becoming an angel. An enemy had been persuaded to switch sides. They had found Ranulf and Lyre. And they had found Ike as well.

While Mia was so happy that she had found Ike, a part of her was upset. Twice now, they had come so close to becoming a couple; both times had been thwarted, preventing romance from blooming.

"Maybe it's fate. Perhaps I'm not supposed to confess so that I won't experience heartbreak. …Is fate trying to tell me that Ike doesn't love me?" Mia talked to her reflection in the fountain.

"I mean, I've known Boss for four years now. I remember when I first met him. It was in that old Crimean fort. It was just him and five others against a whole battalion of soldiers led by General Petrine, the most sadistic of the Four Riders. Inspired by his courage in the face of those odds, I joined him. We managed to hold out long enough for Ranulf to rescue us. The courage and skill displayed that day inspired me to stick with him, even when I was told I didn't have to," she flipped her hair.

"After that, so much happened. Meeting the dragon prince of Goldoa, defeating Duke Tanas' forces and reviving the Serenes Forest, Nasir's betrayal at Daein Keep, joining forces with General Geoffery, Ike beating the Black Knight at Nados Castle, then slaying Ashnard…" she happily sighed.

"That year, I learned a lot from him. Humility, Strength, Courage, Friendship… I also learned his sword style and adapted it to my own. He taught me so much about swordsmanship and of life.

"Then the war against Bengion three years later. We had to face old friends, like Jill, Sothe, and General Tauroneo. Even as the Maiden of Dawn refused your help, and the pain of fighting old friends grew, you stayed strong and it was during that time that I began to think of you as more than Boss and more than my teacher.

"I realized that it wasn't your swordsmanship that I admired." She paused, realizing what she had said. "It was the man holding the sword. His integrity, loyalty, the way he moves with his sword, his compassion and understanding… I fell in love with Ike without even knowing it.

"After that, I spent as much time with him as I could to prove myself to him and to learn exactly what it was that I was feeling. We worked so well together; our styles seamlessly blending together, forming an unstoppable duo. Not that we weren't before, but our teamwork got so much better after my feelings began to grow.

"Then came Ashera's judgment. So many people were turned to stone, yet we managed to escape that fate. Everyone put their differences aside to help Yune free Tellius. I was worried that we'd be separated when the teams were formed, but then we were put on the same team, making me very happy! It meant I could spend time with you!

"As we made our way to the Tower of Guidance and fought off the Disciples of Order, I could sense your desperation to save everyone. I remember comforting you so that the weight of the world wouldn't crush you. You seemed so grateful for my support and that made me so happy.

"As the final battle began, we charged the Tower of Guidance and defeated Lekain. Then Ike faced down his eternal rival, the Black Knight, one last time. After his death, I remember that he gave me Alondite and that we nearly kissed and would have too, if not for Sothe. It was then that my feelings for him really evolved.

"After defeating Ashera and making sure that Tellius was stable, Ike wanted to leave to explore and find new lands. Soren, Ranulf, and I absolutely refused to let him go alone and we bugged him until Boss caved. Then Lyre joined us because she didn't want to leave Ranulf's side. Ilyana also joined us; she CLAIMS that she joined us on the promise of exotic foods, but I think it's because of a certain icy mage of ours."

"We ventured to Hatari and from there, we took a boat to explore the world. Then the storm struck and sank the boat and we were all washed away. I remember waking up alone on the beach. For the first time, I found myself truly worried about him. My heart felt so empty, like I was stabbed with my own sword.

"After joining Lloyd, I saw so much of you in him. I resolved to teach him so that he can realize his full potential. Training Lloyd helped ease the pain of worrying about you. I know you are more than capable of handling himself, but I've never been so worried about anyone or anything before.

"Then as I was telling Ranulf and Lloyd about what happened in the Tower, I realized something; I realized that I love you. I had been denying it to that point, but it was in that storytelling that I knew exactly how I felt about you.

"Earlier today, when I finally found you, I wanted to tell you so badly that I love you, but Lloyd and everyone else interfered. Our kiss was prevented and I couldn't tell him how I feel. I'm beginning to think that fate only wants me to be a student and friend to you. Am I not worthy of your love? Am I destined to have unrequited feelings?"

"Well, personally, I feel that a person shapes their own destiny, Mia," a voice called out to her.

Mia whipped around to see that Ike, the object of her affections, was standing right behind her. She turned a deep red, her throat swallowed all the words and sounds, but it was too dry for anything else. Finally, her speech came to her, but it was shaking as much as her body was.

"B-B-B-Boss!? W-What are you doing here?"

"Lloyd and Ranulf told me that you wanted to see me," he replied.

"Those bastards…" she cursed under her breath. Then another realization struck her. "H-H-How much did you hear?"

Ike seemed uneasy for a moment as he looked at Mia.

"…To be honest, everything. I heard it all," Ike looked down in embarrassment.

"No!" Mia looked in the ground in shame. "Boss, please forget everything you heard, okay? I… I don't want to ruin our relationship because of my feelings."

"I… I just can't forget something like that…" Ike whispered.

"I see…" Mia began to tear up. "Forgive me, Boss. I know that there's more worthy people out there for you, like Micaiah or Elincia or Lethe. I am only your student and fellow mercenary. What could I possibly offer someone as wonderful as you?"

"Mia…"

"Forgive my insubordination and recklessness, Boss. I shall take my leave now. Good night," Mia fought back the tears.

Mia forced herself past Ike and began to run back to the inn; with her back turned to him, it felt safer to let her tears overwhelm her. However, she didn't even make it ten steps when someone roughly grabbed her arm. She turned and saw that a very blurry Ike had taken her arm.

"Boss… Please… Let me go…" Mia begged.

"No, Mia. I'm never going to let you go. Not now or ever again," Ike vowed.

"What are…"

Mia's question went unfinished as Ike yanked her into his arms and crashed his lips against hers in a kiss. Mia was completely shocked by this action; she was so shocked that she didn't bother kissing back. After a minute, Ike pulled his lips away from Mia's.

"B-B-B-Boss!?" Mia stammered, her face coated in tears and a red blush.

"Mia… You've always been there for me as a mercenary, a student, and as a friend. For that, I am eternally grateful. But when you gave me that speech at the Tower of Guidance, I realized that I saw you as more than that; I saw you as someone I never want to be without. Someone I knew who would want to take the journey that I so desperately desired with me. Someone whom I deeply care for and I can trust with my life. Someone I… I could love," Ike said.

"What!?" Mia gasped.

"Mia, I… I love you. And I never want to be without you again," Ike whispered.

"Ike!" Mia sobbed into his chest.

He held her tightly and lovingly against his body, sheltering her from the problems of the world. Mia lifted her head from Ike's tear-stained shirt and looked right into his eyes.

"Ike… I love you. I love you so much and I'm a fool for taking four years to realize this." She chuckled as she hugged him.

"I love you too, Mia," Ike stroked her hair. "I'm just as much the fool as you, but that doesn't matter anymore. All that does matter at this moment is you, me, and our love."

"Ike…"

With that, she leaned up to passionately kiss Ike. The man who had hired her, taught her, befriended her, and trusted her, now became the man who loved… no, loves her.

No matter what challenges lay ahead for Lloyd, Ike, myself, and everyone else, I know that we will persevere. We have a bond. Whether that bond is between friends, family, or lovers, that bond we all have cannot be broken. And I will protect those bonds, especially the one I now have with Ike, with my life, were Mia's final thoughts as she continued to kiss Ike with all the pent up passion inside of her.

Hidden in the brush nearby, two figures hid in the trees, spying on the new couple.

"After that, do you think she's gonna kill us, Lloyd?"

"I don't think so, Ranulf. She looks pretty darn happy. So happy that she'll forget about us sending Ike to her, and us interrupting her earlier today."

"I hope you're right."

"What exactly are those two doing?"

Ranulf took a look and saw that Mia and Ike were on the ground, kissing more passionately than ever.

"Um… They're showing each other how much they love the other. Now, let's get to bed; I'm sleepy."

"And what about them?"

"They'll be fine."

The two then took off so that the newfound lovers could have some privacy.

The next morning, everyone met up outside the inn.

"So, then, what's our next destination?" Lloyd asked.

"Well, seeing as how the head priest is now in Asgard, we should head there," Kratos replied.

"Yes! I cannot wait to study those ruins! Asgard is rich in history!" Raine squealed.

"Sis… You're embarrassing," Genis slapped his forehead.

"Actually, if possible, I would like to take a detour," Ike said.

"A detour? What for?" Lyre asked.

"The mayor hired me for one last job and I was paid in advance for it. He says that there's a group of suspicious people at Lake Umacy and he wants me to investigate. If they're hostile, I'm to eliminate them."

"Lake Umacy is to the east of here. It wouldn't be too much out of the way to go there first," Decus replied.

"True. And if it's the Desians or the MEG, who knows what they could be up to," Sheena added.

"Plus, the lake is said to be a holy site. I won't allow anyone to desecrate it," Colette vowed.

"So, to Asgard via Lake Umacy then?" Mia asked.

"Very well," Raine nodded.

"Then we should get moving," Kratos added.

He, Raine, and Colette then exited the city. Sheena, Decus, and Genis followed right behind them. Lloyd and Ranulf were about to follow as well when Mia called them out.

"Guys…" she stared them down.

"Um… We can explain…" they held up their hands in defense.

Mia then suddenly pulled the two boys into a bear hug.

"Thanks you two. Thanks for everything."

"You're… welcome?" a confused Ranulf replied.

Mia released the two from the hug. The two seemed relieved that they weren't going to die. Suddenly, Mia smacked both of them in the back of the head.

"Ow! What was that for?" Lloyd rubbed his head.

"THAT was for interrupting me when I tried to confess to Ike yesterday and then causing him to hear my inner most thoughts," she scolded them, wagging her finger.

"Sorry!" Lloyd and Ranulf sobbed.

"Just don't do it again, okay?" Mia warned.

"Got it!" They saluted.

The three then saw Ike and Lyre standing just outside of hearing range, waiting for them. Mia ran up to Ike and jumped on his back.

"Oooof! Mia, what was that for?" Ike asked.

"What, I can't have any fun with you?" Mia smirked.

"True, but…"

"From your actions, I see that you two are now together. Congratulations," Lyre smirked. "I also see that last night was full of passion for you two lovebirds."

The two sword-wielders feverously blushed and suddenly became very interested in their boots.

"Before you ask, I know because I can smell the scent of one on the other," Lyre grinned. "I can tell that you two didn't go doing the horizontal tango, but you two obviously had some fun."

"Lyre!" Mia shouted.

"Hey, don't blame me. I learned my witty banter from the master," she slyly replied as she walked off to join the others.

"Ranulf…" Ike shook his head as he saw the aforementioned laguz, along with Lloyd, attempting to get away before Mia was inspired to punish them some more.

"Let's get going, Ike. We still have Soren and Ilyana to find, not to mention Decus' love, and completing this journey as well," Mia kissed Ike on the cheek.

The two then held hands and ran to catch up with their friends.

And there you have it. I've kept you waiting for awhile, so I certainly hope I didn't disappoint. Now then...
Ike has been found, joined the group, and has gotten together with Mia! :D
Things sure are looking good for the Regeneration Group. However, will the gang's brief detour to Lake Umacy prove disastrous or fruitful? And will they track down the priest and get that key? Tune in for the next chapter!