"Ever heard of taking a break?" I would ask her lightheartedly, but sometimes I really wondered if she did. This week alone Sheik participated in four Squad Strikes and had agreed to a match against Kazuya. It was going to be her toughest one yet, but nothing could quell her fighting spirit, devoting herself more and more to training. She hid it well around the others but I knew just how competitive she could get.

I never liked admitting it, but I was the same way, always wanting to push myself further. Although I never backed out of a challenge I also knew my limits, as all fighters should. She liked to work hard, which was admirable, but I hope she remembers how nice it can be to be able to relax, too.

We weren't ones to shirk responsibilities, but I've come to learn that life is so much more than just fighting, and deep down she had learned that, too. Best of all was when we discovered life's little pleasures together.

The next day we went to our special spot atop the hill overlooking the lake to rest up between matches. As we comfortably laid on the grass Sheik had suddenly dozed off. She was more tired than she realized. I couldn't help but smile, taking in the peaceful look adorning her face. The other smashers were going to give us an earful for being late, but would you just feel that warm spring breeze…and I let my own eyelids fall in gentle slumber.