Author's Note: so, trying my hand at a young Ike/Soren friendship fic. It didn't come out quite as well as I had wanted *scowl*

Ike was the only one who seemed to notice the little shadow of a child. He was walking home from market with Titania and his father and Mist. Greil held Mist in the crook of his right arm, carrying groceries in his left. The scarlet haired paladin was holding on to Ike who in turn, was carrying a wooden sword and batting at the ground. He was looking around absent-mindedly when he caught sight of the tiny figure cloaked in black curled up in a ball against a tree a ways into the woods.
"I'll be right back Dad!" The 6 year old shouted, breaking away from Titania's hand.
"Wait! Blast it Ike!" Greil shouted. He handed the sleeping baby Mist to his second in commander and tore off after his son.

Ike was fast for a child, and it is a known and proven fact that children are much better at navigating the underbrush than large adult men.
"Ike! Get Back here!" Greil shouted. But his words fell on concerned and inattentive ears. The boy reached the tree and began to proceed with what passes for caution when you're six. The "shadow" was actually a cloak. wrapped up inside was a stick-thin boy who looked to be about Ike's age, and from the looks of him, the poor boy hadn't eaten in quite a while.

"Dad! Dad!" he shouted. The black haired boy sat bolt upright and stared at Ike, terrified and angry, but weak. Ike smiled, a concerned and rather silly looking smile.
"I'm Ike." He said with a smile. "Who are you? Are you cold? Are you hungry are you-" he was silenced with a glare from the other. Ike smiled again.
"Here!" he said happily, producing a small apple from his pouch, "Eat it." The little skeleton of a boy snatched the apple away, looking suspicious. But he was starving and took a bite, letting the juices roll down his cheeks and then, to Ike's surprise, he started crying.
"Are you okay?" Ike asked, his brotherly instincts kicking in. Without warning he pulled the smaller child into a hug.
"S-S-S-Soren..." the child said after a moment, his voice was shaky as if it wasn't used very often. "My name is Soren."

"IKE! IKE!" Greil's shouts were getting louder. "WHERE ARE YOU, BLAST IT ALL!!!"
"Uh-oh..." Ike said, smiling at Soren, "I'm grounded..." he stood up and extended a hand to the quivering, tear-stained boy. "Come on Soren. I'll help you home."
"I...I don't have one..." the child said, instantly surly again. Ike looked confused.
"Then you can share mine." He grabbed his new friend's hand and dragged the silently protesting Soren towards his father. "You shouldn't be alone. I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have Dad and Mist and Titania and Shinon and Oscar and Gatrie and.........................." Ike carried on like this for a while, leaving Soren to his thoughts.

I spoke. That was unusual. Ike...he says his name is Ike. Can I trust him? His hand is warm, and clutching mine as if I were going to fall off a cliff. Is this what friendship feels like? Ike...hrm...he's different from the other people I've met. He's nice. He wants to give me a home. Is it a trap? No...I don't think normal six year olds plot traps. Ugh...tears...I don't think I've ever done that before. Who is this guy? I like him. He's friendly, I feel...at ease...its almost a little worrisome.

"Dad! Dad! This is Soren! He's my friend, can he come live with us?" Ike asked, holding Soren's hand and talking to his rather annoyed looking father. Soren was scowling, but holding onto Ike as if at any moment the blue-haired boy might vanish.
"Ike..." Greil said, sighing, "You can't just take people home. Soren's parents will worry."
"He said he doesn't have any." Ike said quietly, "Can he at least come home for dinner?"
"Of course. You and I will discuss anything else later." Greil said, taking Mist back from Titania, "but lets not keep the others waiting." Ike beamed and squeezed Soren's hand.
"Oscar's the best cook in the UNIVERSE!" he excitedly informed his friend. Soren gave him a skeptical look and something that could quite possibly be interpreted as a smile. "Hey, Soren?"
"Y-yes, Ike?" Soren responded, his thin lips carefully forming the words, as if trying to remember how to speak at all.
"You don't have too worry any more. My dad's the greatest man I've ever met, so you'll be living with us now. Provided you're okay with that."
"I...I don't know yet." Soren said.

I want to stay with this person, he's different. He's offered me a home and food, his friendship. Friendship...what a strange idea.