Disclaimer: GrimGrave does not own the characters or Super Smash Brothers. They belong to Nintendo and Shigeru Miyamoto. GrimGrave does not make money for writing fiction.

It...is...done! Gah! Took me long enough... Enjoy. :)

And Brawling is Half the Battle

Part 2

/She had made her way to the training area behind the mansion, stopping only when she reached one of the benches that were available. Exhausted from running and overcome with emotions, the Hylian princess slumped down with her face buried in her hands, allowing the tears to soak her gloves.

The Bounty Hunter hadn't meant it like that. It was just who she was; a lone wolf who only fought together with others when the situation called for it. It was only natural that she strayed from others whenever possible.

And yet those words the Hunter had uttered cut deeper than anything. The realisation that she – Zelda – had hopelessly fallen in love with a Samus – a woman – who had rejected her before she even had come to realize her feelings was creating a void in her heart.

A void that only the blonde could fill.

Zelda clutched at her chest.

"There is little room for private life."

"Not even love, Samus?"

"Especially love."

That conversation replayed in her mind over and over until the Hylian couldn't feel the sting of tears any longer. The Bounty Hunter had a weight on her shoulders, and as long as she was determined to carry it by herself, she wouldn't let anyone in to her heart.

"You don't have to do it by yourself…" Zelda whispered to herself. "I'm here…"

That's right – she was here. And as long as she was around, she couldn't very well sit here and do nothing.

Wiping the tears away with the back of her gloved hand, Zelda got up on her feet, determined. She loved Samus and you support your loved ones, right?

But first, it was time to train – the princess needed to be strong both mentally and physically in order to be able to truly stand by her woman's side…/

X.x.X.x.X

"This is unusual."

The brunette fell limply onto her back, limbs akimbo and chest rising with each ragged breath. Azure eyes locked with those of the space cadet whom eyed the Hylian curiously. "You usually train as your alter ego."

The blonde crossed the distance between the two, never taking her eyes off the princess on the tiled ground. With the sun up and scorching hot, Zelda had to wonder how the Zero-Suit wasn't causing Samus to suddenly combust. The Bounty Hunter crossed her arms, her expression impassive.

Goddesses, the way her suit hugged her body and accentuating her curves set the brunette's heart racing. It hadn't crossed the princess' mind until recently just how attractive her fellow Smasher was.

"You've avoided me these past few days."

Was it her imagination or did Samus sound almost… upset? "Not avoiding, dear," the princess of Hyrule replied. "But busy. I've decided to start training as ´me´ as well. It's been one thing after another."

Thin flaxen eyebrows knitted together in a frown. "I'm glad you decided to put some more time in training, but it does seem like you've done your best to avoid confronting me." She paused. "Is this about our conversation last time?"

"Who knows," Zelda replied. She began anew to do sit-ups despite the ache in her back. "I could be inclined to tell you, if you were to tell me something about yourself."

She smiled playfully at the Hunter who peered puzzlingly back, arms crossed.

"So it is about earlier…" the blonde replied. "Why do you want to know more about me? There's nothing worth mentioning, nor is it necessary."

"That's where you're wrong." The brunette shot her object of affections a frown. "It is important – more than you'll know. And if you still don't understand, then you're going to have to learn the hard way."

Samus blinked. "Understand what, exactly?"

The princess of Hyrule sighed and stopped, pausing for a deep breath before she got up. "I need to take a shower. Perchance we could talk later? Let's say, at the plaza in about an hour?" she said with a smile.

Samus eyed her curiously. "…Alright. At the plaza, in one hour."

The brunette's smile widened. "Perfect. I'll see you later then!"

As she left, the Hylian's cheeks blushed scarlet. She was making progress.

X.x.X.x.X

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," the Bounty Hunter stated.

"You're right on time," Zelda replied, smiling. "Come, I want to show you something."

"Weren't we supposed to talk?" the space warrior inquired. "And what's in the basket?"

"I can't show you something as we talk? As for the basket, it's a secret to everybody," Zelda replied. She was leading Samus through the plaza in front of the mansion – it was a wide marble-tiled area with various shops and a fountain in the middle – to the outskirts where the gardens were and making their way through until she reached a meadow a stone throw away.

The meadow was encircled by trees and left untouched save for a few benches and a statue – depicting a Smash Ball – in the centre.

"Well?" Zelda began. "Isn't this lovely? The view from here is wonderful, no?"

Her friend didn't say anything at first. Samus looked around, her expression unchanged. "It's… peaceful, to say the least. But I don't see the need drag me all the way out here just to talk."

"There's nothing wrong with privacy," Zelda said. "Besides, I want to know more about you – and now you don't have to worry about others listening in."

Samus didn't say anything. Her eyes strayed from the brunette's for a moment until she finally spoke up. "This is about our conversation last time… I didn't mean to upset you, Zelda. But why are you insisting on knowing more about me?"

"Is it wrong for wanting to get to learn about your friend?"

She didn't respond, instead glancing down at the basket by Zelda's side. "What did you bring with you?"

"A thermos," the Hylian princess replied. "The weather is pleasant, so why not enjoy a cup of tea?"

"There are cafés at the plaza-"

Zelda cut Samus off. "I told you, I wanted privacy. You're enjoying it as well, no?" She handed her a cup filled with the apple-and-cinnamon-scented beverage. "Here you go."

"Ah… Thank you." Bringing the cup to her lips, the blonde sipped the tea. "It's good."

"I'm pleased that you like it." The brunette smiled. "I asked Peach for advice. I'm happy that it turned out great."

With the Bounty Hunter merely nodding in response, it became silent. The duo sat there and enjoyed the weather, though the silence was becoming awkward and intolerable.

"So…" Zelda began. "What's on your mind, Samus?"

Zelda's heart sank when the space cadet didn't reply. Instead, Samus just stared off into the distance, occasionally taking a sip of her tea.

"Ignoring me won't make it better." The Hylian frowned, gloved fingers clenching the cup tightly. "I care about you, Samus. And I can tell that you've got a heavy weight on your shoulders and, as friends, I want you to trust me." Azure eyes glanced over to blue ones – the look in those orbs startling the princess with its brief vulnerability – and the princess gasped. "Samus…?"

The Protector of the Galaxy opened her mouth but no words came. She was struggling. "I…" Samus began. "…I've never had anyone to really call ´friend´. There are people I trust, but that's about it. I'm not used to friendship – you and Link are the closest things I have to it."

That was... surprising. The Hylian had hoped for progress, but this was still alarmingly unexpected. "Samus-"

"That's all you need to know." The way those words were said in that steely voice sent a shiver down the Hylian's spine. If was as if a parent was telling a child off.

"There's more to it."

"Nothing you need to know." The space cadet downed the rest of the hot beverage and put the cup aside as she got up. "I need to be going. Thank you for the tea, Zelda."

Samus left without any more words, leaving the brunette alone with a lukewarm cup of tea in her hands.

Had her determination faltered? No. Zelda was as determined as before, if not more so.

The walls had begun to crack.

X.x.X.x.X

"I thought you would be one doing the avoiding."

The Hunter didn't look around to see the new arrival in the room, focusing on repairing her helmet. "What makes you believe that?"

"I haven't seen you around today," Zelda said as she crossed the room towards the blonde. Since Samus had left, the Hylian had been unable to track her down. "And you left rather abruptly earlier."

"I told you I had to go," the space cadet replied, still not turning around.

"Was it perchance because I was asking questions?"

Samus ceased repairing her helmet, but said nothing for a moment. Zelda waited with bated breath, until the silence was broken by a soft; "Perhaps. But don't misunderstand, I don't mind you asking. But I won't answer."

The Hylian princess didn't know where that surge of courage came from, or why she suddenly felt so compelled to envelop her arms around the slender space cadet, but she did so. The blonde stiffened and tensed in her embrace, the sound of a sharp intake of air following suit. Zelda leant against Samus, ear-to-ear.

"What are you doing." It wasn't said as a question – the Hunter's voice was more impassive than anything.

"I'm showing you that I care. I want to support you, Samus. If only you'll let me."

And she meant, with every fibre of her being. The brunette squeezed tighter, guiltily savouring the warmth of Samus' body against her and the indescribable smell of those blonde locks.

More silence. The Bounty Hunter wasn't even moving.

The princess' heart beat an anxious little beat. "Samus?"

A sigh. "You should leave."

Zelda's heart sank and her embrace loosened, but nonetheless did she comply. She had to get some fresh air, clear her thoughts, and hold back the tears that threatened to escape.

X.x.X.x.X

That night, the princess laid restless and anxious, desperate to fall asleep but couldn't. Her mind was filled with thoughts of the blonde woman, and remembering her words made Zelda's heart ache. It was like a cycle of pain she was going through, to end up hurt and saddened by the person she loved the most.

She had not given up – not by a long shot – but the pain was too real to ignore.

X.x.X.x.X

"Are you alright?" a blonde woman, clad in a shockingly pink dress, said, baby-blue orbs looking at her with concern.

The Hylian sovereign smiled at her friend, not wanting to worry her. "I'm well, Peach. Don't fret." It was a lie, of course; Zelda had been unable to fall asleep, having instead tossed and turned to no avail.

Peach pouted at her. "There are dark bags under your eyes, dear. You need to take better care of yourself. Maybe you should take a rest?"

"I'm fine," the brunette insisted. She couldn't very well rest now when there was a possibility she was to be summoned into battle at any moment?

For all her Wisdom, Zelda was also stubborn – particularly as of late regarding her object of affections…

Just then, as if on cue, she felt herself being summoned and her surroundings changed from the mansion's main hall to the cluster of islands and ruins up in the sky – Temple.

Zelda's opponents – team Green – appeared on the opposite side; a gruff man with a bandana, and the blue "hedgehog" (honestly, he didn't look anything like his animal namesake.)

With it being a team vs team match, Zelda knew all too well who'd appear by her side-

"Samus," the Hylian said, forcing herself to smile. "Looks like-"

"No time to talk. We have a battle to fight," was the immediate reply as the Hunter readied her arm-cannon, poised to strike.

As much as it hurt to admit, Zelda knew her teammate was right – they didn't have time to talk now. But once this was over, she would not let the Bounty Hunter get away.

X.x.X.x.X

The fight had gone on for what felt like an eternity. Zelda and Samus fought on, but the other team had proved to be just as determined to win as them.

This was Zelda's "last life" so to speak. The other team wasn't fairing any better, but it hadn't been thanks to the princess; she was exhausted, well beyond how she usually felt during a match, and her head was spinning.

´So tired…´

This wasn't good. If this kept up, she'd be an easy prey.

Just barely able to stand up, the brunette channelled magic in her hands and sent a small spark flying across the ruins, successfully hitting Sonic who burst into flames and was sent flying, a trail of smoke in his wake.

The princess smiled. As long as she could attack from a distance, she'd have a chance. She had taken enough damage as it was.

Another Din's Fire crossed the stage, this time exploding upon Snake. Zelda had the advantage; her enemies were on the opposite side. She could keep them from advancing while Samus attacked.

"Keep at it, Zelda!" Azure eyes widened from the Bounty Hunter's voice. "We almost have them!"

The Hylian's chest swelled with elation over the praise, but the joy of the moment was quickly turning into fright as Zelda caught glimpse of Snake from the corner of her eye. The man in bandana and camouflage-coloured suit was dashing towards the distracted space cadet, a bomb firmly in his grip.

It all happened too quickly.

The bomb was flung directly at the blonde at such a close distance – Samus wouldn't have reacted in time – and the Hunter hadn't sustained as much damage as the princess. Praying to Farore, Zelda warped, crossing the distance, and appeared behind Samus; the latter was the better fighter, after all.

"Zelda-?!"

Better save her so they could win the match.

The last thing Zelda remembered was the scorching heat and the wind crashing against her as she sky-rocketed into the heavens.

Then everything went black.

X.x.X.x.X

Zelda woke up, finding herself in a comfortable bed. The room was white from floor to roof – was she in the hospital? – and a drapery was hanging to her side.

How long had she been here? Rather, why was she here in the first place? Participants in the tournament were automatically healed up after each match.

And yet her body ached all over, but she could still move. Maybe she could get up and-

"Don't move." The soft-yet-passive voice was unmistakable and the Hylian tensed up as the blonde stepped into her field of vision. "You need to rest. You were badly injured."

Zelda stared right at Samus. "I don't understand why I'm here, though."

"Neither of us does – Master Hand speculated that it might be a combination of the automatic heal-up and the fact that you were "under the weather" before the match." The Hunter pulled up a seat, arms firmly crossed over her chest. "But that's neither here or there. Why did you do it?"

The princess of Hyrule swallowed hard. "Did what?"

"You know what I mean," Samus replied, her brow furrowed. "You took a hit for me, despite being severely damaged. That was a stupid thing to do."

A sigh. "I couldn't let you get hit, Samus – we're teammates and, more importantly, friends. I told you that I care about you. There's nothing I wouldn't do for you. Inside and outside of battle…"

Silence. The space cadet just stared at Zelda with widened eyes, lips slightly parted as if to speak, but she said nothing. She looked away, arms still crossed, and the Hylian's heart sank.

It was starting to look bleak – had she wasted her time? By now Zelda knew what her heart desired and it looked like that thing was out of reach.

Of course, Love is not easy; it is something you fight for, earn, and share without asking for anything in return. And the princess of Hyrule would do anything for Samus Aran – she knew that now. Despite the pain of not having her feelings returned, she could still be by the Hunter's side and loyally support her – and perhaps that was good enough – but this silence, to be ignored, cut deeper than anything.

´Say something… Anything…!´

The brunette had to hold in the tears that threatened to run down her face.

´Please…´

A hand caressed a milky cheek and Zelda looked up, azure orbs meeting blue ones. Samus' touch was comforting and warm to the touch, and her expression was apologetic, somber. "When I was 3 years old, my home was destroyed by Space Pirates. I was orphaned, and would've died had I not been found and brought to another planet, called Zebes."

Zelda, astonished by Samus' words, barely managed a nod as the Bounty Hunter continued, her eyes straying from the Hylian's. "The one who brought me in was a native to Zebes, called Old Bird –one of the Chozo race. He… was like a father to me; he infused me with Chozo blood and trained me to become strong. It was also he who gave me the Power Suit."

She paused again. Her expression darkened even further. "I have since then been alone. I rarely see him, or anyone else – I fight, travel, and live alone. I barely had to worry about anyone else." She glanced back at the brunette. "What you said earlier… regarding that you would be there for me, I mean… I…" She paused. "I can't say I dislike the idea; with you being by my side and all."

Zelda swallowed hard. "You… You don't? But you've-"

"I can't afford to show weakness. I can't afford to be weak – physically or emotionally," Samus said. "And with you around, I… I feel different. I'm not myself. I can't focus – I always have to double my efforts when I'm around you. I… do care about you. And I'm not used to this feeling."

Silk-clad fingers squeezed the suit-covered hand on Zelda's cheek. "Love is not a weakness unless you make it so. If anything, it will support you, and strengthen you more than ever. I want to support you Samus."

Blue orbs widened and for a moment, allowing a brief moment of vulnerability slip through the otherwise stoic mask that the Hunter usually wore. "There's no point. The day this tournament is over, you'll be back in your world, as I will be back to mine. We can't stay together."

"There'll be more tournaments," Zelda replied with a smile. "We'll see each other then. And if not, then we'll find a way."

The Hunter stared at her, expression passive. Then she sighed. "The way you say it makes me want to believe you. Honestly, what do you even see in me? I'm no more feminine than the men."

"You're wrong... The soul and the heart... those two components of a woman will always be her feminine side. No matter how hard you exterior, your barriers, are... You will always be, at the end of the day, a woman. And that softness and warmth will always be the things I'll cherish the most. And one day, your walls will crumble, and I will be there for you. More than ever."

The uncharacteristically look in Samus' eyes told Zelda everything; more than words, more than… anything.

That's why, without hesitation, the Hyrulian sovereign closed the distance between them and kissed her.

There would be hardships ahead – Zelda knew this – but it would be worth it. No matter what the future would bring, they would tackle them together.

I love you.

X.x.X.x.X

Time flies. Veterans and newcomers alike stood before the Smash Mansion for the first time a long time, eager to prove their worth.

The young Hylian gazed up at the front of the building, smiling as she reminisced. How long had it been now? She didn't know. Nor did she care.

Not when a pair of slender arms wrapped around her midriff from behind, embracing the brunette tenderly. "It's good to be back."

"Yes," the blonde whispered into a pointy ear. "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," Zelda replied. She spun around, lips quirked up into a radiant smile as she hugged her lover back.

FIN.