I know, I know, this isn't much of a gap between publishing and adding a second chappy, but honestly, I just like getting my writing out there too much!

So this fic already has a favorite and a follower (yay!), and I'm pretty pumped about that.

Anywho, on with the show!

An hour or so after the business outside of his room and his conversation with Link, Snake arrived at the Arena showered and with a lot on his mind. Not long ago at all-about three miles into his run-he had noticed something was amiss. Though the immediate area was vacant except for him, Snake's heightened perception was buzzing nervously and he slowed down as he cast his brown eyes around him.

Though Snake was used to being looked at with varying degrees of suspicion and wariness, when he glanced up towards the outside of the women's dormitory and saw the masked face in the window he was very much caught off guard. She was only there for a moment before the curtain was yanked back into place, but the moment Snake had locked gazes with those wide crimson eyes he knew who it was.

Sheik.

Even now, with much time in between, something about those eyes had left a mark on Snake that he couldn't stop thinking about. He was confused to say the least, not having been affected by something like that since… well, never. We've never even met, he thought as he made his way into the stadium-style seating area, unless those times I talked to Zelda actually count.

Shrugging inwardly, the soldier glanced up and scanned the already-crowded seats until his sharp eyes found an empty area where he'd be able to sit and watch the Brawl in peace. After making his way over to his seat, though, he almost immediately realized that a number of people were getting up as if to move closer.

Moving smoothly and wordlessly as if he hadn't noticed anything, Snake drew out his pistol and proceeded to 'inspect' it, with the barrel quite obviously pointed at the approaching miscreants. The tactic worked, intimidating the other Brawlers and keeping them at a safe distance. He then went back to watching as the four swordsmen down below warmed up for their Brawl.

"Very classy, Snake," said a female's voice just behind his head. Though most people would've jumped halfway out of their skin, he had already known someone was there and also had a pretty good idea of who it was.

"Samus," he said with a nod to the seat next to him. Dressed in her usual black, this time with a close-hugging turtleneck over jeans, the blonde bounty hunter smiled as she hopped down and got comfortable. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Oh, nothing," she said as she tucked a strand of unruly hair behind one ear. "You just looked like you could use some company." Rolling her eyes at his grunt, she went on, "Don't even be like that, Snake; we've been pretty good friends ever since you came here, even when you were still in that 'look at me and I'll pump you full of lead' phase." He smirked as she went on, "I know you better than anyone, and I can tell when something's on your mind." Sighing loudly when he refused to make eye contact, she opened her mouth again to add something else but was cut off when he suddenly shushed her.

Finally looking over at her, he bravely ignored her 'I-swear-to-God-I'm-going-to-smack-you' expression and said in his trademark flat tone, "The Brawl's about to start."

Groaning in frustration when she realized that he was correct, Samus sat forward in her seat as the match began.

Snake smirked as the blue Astro-turf floor began to convulse, shift and transform until it had taken on the appearance of one of the most difficult stages for melee fighters, the Bridge of Eldin. While it's a very simple layout, when all the combatants are close-combat fighters things get chaotic fast. Toss in some explosions, random warriors and the occasional bridge collapse, and you've got one hell of a fight ahead of you.

When the ground was still and things were all ready to go, the four fighters took their places. With only one life each and no items, the winner would be decided entirely based on his skill with a sword.

The entire Arena, even the primary array of seating reserved for visitors, fell into dead silence for a few tense seconds before, with the clang of a bell, the fight was on.

The first attack came from Ike, who'd turned and swung his massive blade in a horizontal arc directed at Link's head. The Hyrulian ducked as he raised his shield, the blow glancing off and giving him the opportunity to stab forward, the edge of the Master Sword clipping Ike's side. Though the mercenary was off guard for a moment, Link didn't have the time to take advantage of the situation before he saw Meta Knight dashing towards him.

Snake leaned back in his seat as the Brawl split into two separate duels, one between Link and Meta Knight and the other between Ike and Marth. While Link and Meta Knight were matching each other blow-for-blow, the battle royale between Ike and Marth was a much more volatile match; even the hardened soldier almost gasped when Marth, using his superior speed, managed to slip past his opponent's guard and almost sent Ike's sword out of the larger man's grip.

Though all fought valiantly, it only took ten minutes or so before Link stood victorious. Ike, whether through luck or incredible skill, had parried one of Marth's attacks so well that the latter was sent right into the path of one of Meta Knight's drill attacks and was sent flying clear off the stage to a roar of applause. After a heated battle between the bluenette and the masked puffball, Ike again managed to KO his opponent, but was then blown away by the fourth fighter's incredible swordplay.

Man, Link has some serious skill, Snake had thought as he'd watched Ike fighting for his life under a barrage of slashes and stabs from the green-clad warrior. No wonder he managed to save the world like it was nothing… Glancing over at Zelda immediately after the Brawl's conclusion, he could clearly see the adoration in her eyes as she watched him shake his sword over his head in ecstatic victory. "Hey, Samus?"

Looking away from the stage the suit-wearing heroine replied, "What?"

"Why aren't Link and Zelda together yet?" When Samus' jaw dropped, he went on with a sigh, "I mean, it's pretty obvious there's somethin' goin' on there."

She was quiet for a moment, but then she smiled. "Wow, Snake, that's very perceptive of you!"

"I'm not an idiot, you know; after all, one doesn't just pick up a gun and save the world a couple of times." He paused, but when he saw Samus looking like she was about to apologize he butted in, "Besides, perception's pretty handy to have when you're being chased across a minefield by rabid dogs."

Samus rolled her eyes, already exerting a great amount of effort to not smack Snake upside the head. "Whatever you say; I mean, I know that there's more to you than the others can see, but it's just…" she paused, as if nervous about his reaction. "You've never been one for caring about emotions, I guess."

He shrugged. "They cloud your judgment, they break your focus… emotions are distractions, Samus, and often cause more pain than joy; you should know that more than most." Seeing the bounty hunter flinch, Snake sighed. "I'm sorry, Samus; that was harsh."

Putting on a sad smile, she laughed. "I don't mind, really. Besides, all you just did is prove that you care more about emotions than you let on!"

Though he slowly shook his head as she smiled at him again, once she turned to stand Snake couldn't help but smile. Maybe she's right, he thought.

As he stood and made his way out through the opposite exit, Snake sighed again as he closed his eyes. What the hell is happening to me… I'm not a man, I'm a killing machine. I was right about what I told her before; emotions are distractions, nothing more.

Eyes closed as if from exhaustion, Snake slowly walked towards the men's dorms, his feet leading the way across the packed earth. Deep in thought, the lone soldier never noticed the eyes watching as he passed out of sight.

He didn't even notice when it started to rain.

I know this one's short, but it's kind of a segway into the excitement of Chapter Three, plus the sad stuff spoke volumes. That much characterization of Snake doesn't need to be drug out, am I right?

Yeah. I'm right.

(Review, please! And ideas for new Brawlers are all appreciated!)