Hey guys. Here's the fourth theme, Exhaustion.

School just started so updates may start to become slower (depending on my homework amount).

Also, if you are reading this story and you like it or you don't like it, please tell me. I'm trying to become a better writer and the only way to do so is by feedback. So, yeah. Tell me what you liked. Tell me what you disliked. Tell me what I could change. Tell me what I should keep doing. Don't be shy. :D

Thank you, Flame Falcon, for the story idea.

Enjoy! :)

"Come on, Samus! Just one more match! Please?" I begged the blond warrior.

"Sheik, we've been training for hours. I know you like a challenge, but I'm tired," Samus responded, removing her helmet. She had beads of sweat on her forehead.

"But I have to keep training. I need to become faster and stronger," I said. I knew I was getting nowhere. Once Samus made up her mind, it was final. It was near impossible to change her decisions.

"You're a fucking ninja. You're already fast enough. It's hard to keep up with you." She put her helmet on a bench, grabbing a water bottle. "And I can't afford to strain a muscle, especially since I have a match tomorrow," she replied. She elbowed me, a sly grin appearing on her face. "Hey, why don't you train with your boyfriend?" Samus pointed at Ike on the other side of the training room. He was sparring with Marth.

"Why don't you train with yours?" I said, indicating towards Marth. Samus's cheeks turned a light shade of pink.

"He's not my boyfriend," she said. "Yet," I coughed. She smacked me on the back of my head.

"Hey! What was that for?" I said to her. "Nothing in particular," she shrugged.

"HEY IKE!" Samus called out. "What the hell are you doing?" I quickly covered her mouth.

She winked at me. "You'll see."

Both Marth and Ike came walking towards us, swords in hand. They had sweat running down their faces and their hair clung to their face.

"What's up Samus?" Ike asked, his giant sword resting on his shoulder. How does he even carry that?

"I was wondering if you would trade sparring partners with me. I'll take Marth, you take Sheik. We need to change it up a little to improve our fighting tactics," she said.

Ike thought about this for a moment before nodding his head. He looked towards Marth who nodded as well. "Sounds like a plan."

Samus smiled. Marth and Samus both walked to the other said of the training room, leaving me alone with Ike. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded.

We headed to a larger of the training room with platforms and obstacles. I'm sure we would start with simple warm ups before we started to fight against each other.

I felt Ike's sword slam against me, knocking me off my feet. I gave him a confused look. "What?" he asked. I drew my leg up, causing him to trip. He got up and brought his sword crashing down. I rolled out of the way, quickly dashing back in to attack. He saw this coming and parried, but I ducked out of the way of his sword. We were constantly blocking each other's attacks and trying to find new ways to counter. I had to work twice as hard to get out of range from his long sword. One hit was enough to do more damage than 3 of mine. We battled in sync, each of us taking turns to attack while the other would block or sidestep and perform theirs. It was like the whole fight was planned, like we knew what the other was going to do. My body became sticky with sweat as we continued to train for 3 hours with one break. Ike had asked me if I was tired while we relaxed for a moment. I didn't want to seem weak to him so I told him I wasn't tired. I wanted to prove to him that I could handle his best. I needed to prove that I was strong enough to take on anything. At the end of the 3 hours, both of us were exhausted but neither of us wanted to give in. We both continued fighting even though our muscles cried for us to stop. Ike stood on the opposite end of the training room, breathing hard. I had removed my cowl because it was too hot. I saw Ike begin charging up his sword, ready to come flying at me. I was too tired to dodge and the powerful sword slammed into me sooner than expected. I felt my body leave the ground as I hit the wall and bounced off, slamming right into a solid obstacle. My body than returned to the floor as I crumpled into a heap.

"Sheik! Are you okay?" Ike said, his voice coming closer to me.

The wind was knocked out of me and I gasped for air. I regretted it, feeling my ribs throb in protest. My back ached from the impact. Time seemed to go by slower as I lay there. The floor seemed more welcoming the more I stayed on it, and before I knew it, my vision went black.

"I thought I told you not to push her too hard!" I heard a loud smack, causing me to flinch. "Don't you know how to treat a lady?"

"She said she wasn't tired, so we kept training. I didn't think she would faint!" I heard Ike say.

"Of course she wouldn't say anything about it!" I heard Samus mutter, trying to whisper yet show her fury.

"Then how was I supposed to know? Do you expect me to read her mind?" Ike replied. There was a brief pause. "Besides, Dr. Mario said she's just exhausted and needs rest. It's nothing major."

"Whatever. When Zelda come's back from her little outing with Link, she's going to flip shit." The door creaked open. "Call me back when she wakes up. I'm going to make sure she learns her lesson about overtraining."

The door closed, leaving me alone with Ike. I'm guessing he had brought me up to my room. I felt the blankets under me and the annoying sun stream through the window. I need to Zelda to get us better curtains.

"I know you're awake. I saw you flinch," I heard Ike say. Don't move I thought. Ike sighed. "Oh well, I guess I'll just have to call Samus back-"

I opened my eyes, staring at Ike in bewilderment. "Don't you dare."

He gave me a wicked grin before winking. "See, I knew you were awake."

I sighed and sat up, feeling my muscles scream in protest. I could feel them throb at the simple task of pulling myself up. "I really should have taken Samus' advice." If she heard me say that, I'm sure she would never drop it.

Ike came to my bedside and helped me. I winced as his grip tightened around a bruise. "Sorry," he murmured. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked.

"Just tired," I murmured "and thirsty." He handed me a cup of water from the nightstand. I nodded in thanks and downed the whole cup. Ike seemed to watch in amusement.

"Care to explain why you didn't tell me you were tired?" he asked, as he took the empty cup from me. I sighed, trying to avoid eye contact with him as I stared into my lap.

"I didn't realize it until I was out," I mumbled, folding my hands in my lap.

"Were you trying to impress me?"

I felt my face redden. It only seemed to redden more when I noticed I didn't have my cowl on. "T-that wasn't exactly my plan," I stuttered. Fuck, how does he know?

I briefly looked up and saw that his face was also red and he wore an awkward smile. I felt my stomach flip and my heart skipped a beat. All I wanted to do was hide under my blankets.

"Well, you don't have to. Really Sheik. I think it's great that you're trying to impress me, but you already have, even without training," Ike said. I felt his eyes on me, and I slowly looked up, feeling my breath hitch.

"Really?" I whispered. Is this real? Or am I still unconscious?

"Honest. You're the bad-ass ninja from Hyrule. How can I not be impressed by that title?" he winked.

I bit my lip, trying to repress the smile that was trying to take over my face. I honestly can't believe this is happening.

"Thank you, Ike. Those are the kindest words anyone has ever said to me," I said, allowing the smile to show.

He returned it, and I got lost in his gaze. He was so kind and funny, why couldn't he be mine?

The door flung open and Zelda rushed in with Samus trailing behind her.

"I thought I told you to call me when she wakes up!" She smacked Ike on the back of his head.

"Can you stop doing that!? It still hurts from the last time you did it!" Ike said.

Zelda ignored both of them and came to my bedside. "Are you okay? Nothing broken, fractured, or sprained?" she asked, concern in her blue eyes.

"I'm fine. I just passed out because I pushed myself too hard," I murmured in reply.

"Yeah, and didn't I tell you not to? I think you need to start listening to me," Samus said, folding her arms across her chest.

"Sorry, Samus. I should've listened," I muttered half-heartedly.

She nodded. "Good. If this happens again, I'm not letting you near the training room unless you ask for permission," she added. Zelda chuckled lightly. "Empty threat," Ike coughed. He then received a warning glance from Samus and he quickly straightened.

I rolled my eyes. Something's will never change.

Hope you enjoyed! Next theme: Burning. Reviews are appreciated. :)

P.S Any mistakes, please notify me.