Cora's Camp

Ike listened to them bicker back and forth. They sounded like an old married couple. The princess of Scomparsa....does Kaa realize what he is asking? Ike had poor opinion of all the nobles even though he had only met a few. He had never met the princess who was to someday take the thrown. Being heir though he couldn't help but to imagine her cunning and vicious.

"I have to do this Don....Ike, this could mean saving Scomparsa and Coraggio...I fought her and she thinks that our city is evil and all its people in it. She has been manipulated and lied too by her own father, I know we can save her just as we saved you. She is just as much a victim in this as any of us. Please, come with me...this is our only chance, if you don't do this, she will be damned to the lies of Stall and Dubal. What's worse is, she may be killed in this war not knowing the truth." She thought Coraggio was evil? He had to wonder in what way. It could be she thought the place evil because of the war. Or evil because it isn't apart of her kingdom. Evil was a lose term and they had no idea what she had truly been told.

"Back away....I won't let you do this." Don said. Kaa stopped and glared at Don, "I won't let you stop me. This is for the good of both nations...as heir, shouldn't I try to resolve this peacefully?" Ike flicked Don's shoulder telling him to stay in place. The he sealed the bandages tightly to help the bleeding.

"That nation is beyond peace....this is a death sentence for both of you. I won't let you go through with this, besides, Ike won't do it. Will you?" Don said looking at him.

"Don needs to see Magi now," Ike responded. He went outside and called in one of the soldiers to carry him. He'd wait til Don left despite protests before speaking again. "The war won't end just because you become friendly with their princess....in the end its the King that decides. Peace is a good thing to strive for but I hope you know just talking to her....it won't solve everything," Ike said grabbing his blade. "Let's go."

"Don needs to see Magi now," Ike responded. He went outside and called in one of the soldiers to carry him. He'd wait til Don left despite protests before speaking again.

Kaa watched Ike call for one of the soldiers and Don looked frantically at Ike and then at the soldier coming in, "Hey wait, Ike, stop! You can't..." Don began but erupted into a coughing fit, Kaa looked to his brother "Calm down Don. You need to rest." Don glared at him, "Shut up Kaa! You're going to get yourselves killed!" The soldier came in ready to take Don to Magi. "I won't keep quiet about this! I'll tell Magi and father and Cole!" Don expressed. Kaa shook his head, "We'll be long gone before anyone can stop us." Kaa answered.

"Ike! Reconsider! You'll be killed! You'll be killed!" Don called out as he was carried away. They could hear Don telling the guards to apprehend Kaa and Ike, of course they didn't listen. Kaa looked back to Ike who approached him,

"The war won't end just because you become friendly with their princess....in the end its the King that decides. Peace is a good thing to strive for but I hope you know just talking to her....it won't solve everything," Ike said grabbing his blade. "Let's go."

Kaa frowned at Ike's words, If she could be shown the error of her families ways, she'd be a great boon to their army and maybe she could talk her father down. So that way, things could go back to how they were. So there would be no more suicide missions or deaths like during the invasion.

Kaa knew this was the right thing too do, so why did everyone side against it? Kaa after a moment of reflection nodded to Ike and headed to the exit, making sure no one could spot them leaving camp.

Ike hated doing this. It soured his gut but it was something he was willing to agree to if that meant Kaa would let Don go see Magi. He also knew Don wouldn't stand for this and be behind them as soon as he could.

Ike followed Kaa remaining silent as they made their way out of the camp. As soon as the camp was a speck on the horizon they began running. They had to be there and back as soon as possible. Or at least get there....he wondered if his father would be among those following.

(Return from Intercepting the Scouts Part 2)

The sun had almost completely set at this point, Kaa and Ike wandered in. Two hours had past since they had sneaked out of the camp, most of the camp had turned in early for the night. They were going to be prepared for whatever tomorrow would bring.

"We made it back...camp seems to be settled down." Kaa said walking back towards Ike's tent, Don could be seen sitting on a box in front of Cole's tent. An expression of rage displayed across his face, his tail thumped the sand angrily. He looked well now that he had seen Magi.

Kaa walked over to Don, "It wen--" He began when suddenly Don leaped off the box and lashed his tail around, whipping Kaa in his face. Sending the prince tumbling down, "You stupid fool! Do you have ANY idea what you've done!?" Don said reaching for Kaa's neck and pulling him a fist clenched. Kaa opened his swollen eye and angrily gazed at Don, who punched Kaa in his face once and tried a second time. "You endangered Ike! You endangered our camp! You endangered everyone in here with such a bone head move!!" Don went to punch Kaa again, but Kaa kicked his brother off. Don stumbled backwards and fell on his back, he looked up and Kaa rose to his feet wiping the blood from his mouth.

"I tried SAVING everyone! Do you know what an ally in Scomparsa could do for us? Especially a princess!?" Kaa yelled. Don hissed, "No! You're delusional! Those animals are not able to be reasoned with! Have you turned a blind eye to the invasion? The coronation!? You went ahead with a plan that could have devastating consequences to our army!!" Don yelled. Kaa glared at him, "I didn't do anything you haven't done!! You send Ban, Kemba and Theos to the enemy camp to destroy some catapults!! You willingly endangered them!" Kaa yelled back.

Don hissed and embers sparked from his maw, "That isn't the same thing! Don't you DARE compare what I've done to your pointless idiotic quest for unobtainable peace!!" Don charged Kaa with a roar and leaped on him. Kaa roared back and grabbed his brother tossing him to the ground and sitting on top of him. Punching Don in the face.

Don bit into Kaa's arm and the prince yelped, Don forced himself on top of Kaa and punched him in his face "What I did was a necessary risk! We had no choice! You endangered yourself and Ike for nothing! We gained nothing!!" Kaa raised his arms to block his brothers blows. Kaa growled and opened his mouth, "Blue Prominence!" He fired off a small fireball which hit Don in his chest, the young wise prince gave a small yell and Kaa kicked him off.

"It's no different! You just want to protect Ike because of you love him! That is it! I loved Theos and Kemba and Ban and you sent them away!" Don looked up, surprised by Kaa's words. Don looked away, he knew this sort of thing would happen. He couldn't have a friend without being labeled as trying to be something more.

Don stood up and blue embers sparked, Kaa followed suit. "I should have told Dad...and Cole...I should have made them send you away...but I didn't do it....I didn't tell them because I knew what it would do to you....I'm never good enough for you Kaa. I try and try to be the best...and you just toss me aside."

"You always try to be a smart ass and this time...you decided to ruin this family...I try to find another way, and because it clashes with your genius, you want to throw me to the Garurumon!" Kaa blew steam from his nose.

Don shook his head, "I make the tough decisions so YOU don't have too!"

"I never asked for that!!"

They both looked ready to seriously fight. The guards had poked their heads out watching that were around, unfortunately, Cole and Cora were in the back of the camp and couldn't hear all the commotion.

Ike watched the two fight worryingly. He supposed it was good for them to fight it out. At this rate however he wondered if he should go fetch magi. They would probably just end up putting one another in a cot again. 


"It's no different! You just want to protect Ike because of you love him! That is it! I loved Theos and Kemba and Ban and you sent them away!" Ike cocked his head. Love? He looked to Don's face wondering if it was true...it may explain why he was trying so hard for him.



"I should have told Dad...and Cole...I should have made them send you away...but I didn't do it....I didn't tell them because I knew what it would do to you....I'm never good enough for you Kaa. I try and try to be the best...and you just toss me aside."



"You always try to be a smart ass and this time...you decided to ruin this family...I try to find another way, and because it clashes with your genius, you want to throw me to the Garurumon!" Kaa blew steam from his nose.



"I make the tough decisions so YOU don't have too!"



"I never asked for that!!"



"You both fight for the same family you know...." Ike said sheepishly. "Including one another. I don't have siblings so I don't know what any of this is like......but I'd never want this....you're doing Scomparsa's work for them and like them you have to punch and step on one another to just get a point across....I'll go fetch Magi before you two end up doing something you regret," Ike said walking away. Their fight having take its toll on him. He didn't understand it at all. Why did they have to say everything with fists?

"You both fight for the same family you know...." Ike said sheepishly. "Including one another. I don't have siblings so I don't know what any of this is like......but I'd never want this....you're doing Scomparsa's work for them and like them you have to punch and step on one another to just get a point across....I'll go fetch Magi before you two end up doing something you regret," Ike said walking away.

Don and Kaa listened to Ike's words and Don back down, taking a moment he stopped his embers. Kaa kept his glare on Don, "Ike wait...don't." Don said turning to face him, "If you get Magi...we would have to explain why we were fighting...that will only end poorly." Don said, he brushed his burned scales where Kaa had attacked him.

"It will go away in the morning...I just have to scrub the soot off." Don sighed, disappointed in himself. "I guess Kaa and I aren't as unalike as we think...I got angry and lashed out...it was stupid." Don looked at Kaa, Kaa calmed a little. His body relaxing. "Though I don't forgive you for what you've done, I pray that this foolish attempt at befriending her doesn't hurt us later." Don said turning to walk beside Ike.

Kaa now that he was calm, felt bad. He softened his gaze at Don, "Don I...I didn't mean what I said about...you and..." Don raised his claw to stop him, "Yes you did. We meant every word we said to each other. Let's not pretend otherwise....I get it. Having a friend is an odd thing for me. Just...don't try to lie to make it better." Don turned his head, the pain aching in his chest growing. "I think it's best if we don't see each other until the morning....I will find somewhere else to stay. You can take the tent." Don stated.

Kaa looked briefly at the sand and then to his brother, "You don't have too..." Kaa said. Don shook his head, "I do Kaa...I can't...I can't be near you right now. I'll see if father will take me in for the night. Good night big brother." Don looked to Ike, "Do you mind patching me up again? You are the only one with water..." Don asked. "I won't stay any longer then that..."

Kaa with saddened eyes turned and walked towards his tent, dragging his tail behind him. It seemed all he had been doing since he got here was crying. Was this the future of his family?

"Ike wait...don't." Don said turning to face him, "If you get Magi...we would have to explain why we were fighting...that will only end poorly." Ike stopped looking to Don.


"It will go away in the morning...I just have to scrub the soot off." Don sighed, disappointed in himself. "I guess Kaa and I aren't as unalike as we think...I got angry and lashed out...it was stupid." Don looked at Kaa, Kaa calmed a little. His body relaxing. "Though I don't forgive you for what you've done, I pray that this foolish attempt at befriending her doesn't hurt us later." Ike silently agreed though he might be being bias.



"Don I...I didn't mean what I said about...you and..." Don raised his claw to stop him, "Yes you did. We meant every word we said to each other. Let's not pretend otherwise....I get it. Having a friend is an odd thing for me. Just...don't try to lie to make it better." Don turned his head, the pain aching in his chest growing. "I think it's best if we don't see each other until the morning....I will find somewhere else to stay. You can take the tent." Don stated.



Kaa looked briefly at the sand and then to his brother, "You don't have too..." Kaa said. Don shook his head, "I do Kaa...I can't...I can't be near you right now. I'll see if father will take me in for the night. Good night big brother." Don looked to Ike, "Do you mind patching me up again? You are the only one with water..." Don asked. "I won't stay any longer then that..."



Ike nodded at his request walking with him back to the tent. He started getting everything ready to clean Don's wounds. He came over and started treating him again. He wondered if this was going to become a habit.

"You're not wrong.....but we both could be being bias," Ike said. "We have no reason to trust her though.....and she seemed rather cold. But she was raised in Scomparsa. I suppose that would be natural," Ike talked as he cleaned Don's wounds. A question hanging between them that he refused to ask.

Don walked into Ike's tent and took a seat after lighting a small lantern giving the inside a warm, comforting glow. The flame danced on its wick inside the glass and Don watched it as Ike prepared what he needed. His attention falling on Ike as he came over. He watched as Ike's smaller hand applied a salve to the burn wound Kaa had made, the soot from his burned scales darkening the smaller male's fingers. Don remained silent, letting Ike work and Don's mind wondered if Ike would ask him the question he knew he wanted to ask.

Kaa's insinuation must have left Ike wondering if all this kindness he had showed Ike was because of something more. It always wound up like this. Ike was not his first ever friend as far as Don was concerned. Don remembered three years ago, someone else had made an impression on him. A serving boy, a Snow Agumon. He was the same age and Don found his light blue scales beautiful. Don often played with the lad, and they became friends. Don would take him back to his quarters, and they'd read books. Don came to enjoy that activity, and so did his friend. They would read a chapter to each other and play out the characters.

Kaa and Ban often left them to their whims. It wasn't until the next year, when Yougi and Don got together to talk about a health class Magi had taught that Yougi left. Yougi got to talking about his future with a wife and kids and asked Don what his dream girl would be. Don told him the truth, and Yougi took it entirely different. He left in a rage feeling betrayed, saying derogatory things to him. Don was heavily wounded in his heart, he tried to explain he never once thought about Yougi like that. His brothers had shared Yougi's thought, despite Don's constant dismissals.

Don tried to befriend several more digimon after that. It all ended the same, so he stopped trying. Now...with Ike, it could end the same. Don looked at Ike's face, focusing on Ike's stare as it analyzed each wound. He heard him speak.

"You're not wrong.....but we both could be being bias," Ike said. "We have no reason to trust her though.....and she seemed rather cold. But she was raised in Scomparsa. I suppose that would be natural," Ike talked as he cleaned, but avoided the obvious question. Don didn't like this uneasiness between them. One that didn't need to be.

Don raised his claw and gently gripped Ike's wrist, stopping it's motion just over his heart, the beating of it inside Don's chest against Ike's palm. It was a steady beat, a testament to Don's normal nature. He waited for Ike to look him in the eyes, to look at Don's pained expression. Don's soft gaze spoke volumes before he opened his mouth, "Just ask it...Ike." Don said, frowning.

He let a lengthy moment of silence sit after he released his grip on Ike's wrist to let him continue. The silence only broken by the faint noises of the night creatures. Don gently shifted his stare back to the dancing flame within the lantern as the chill night air blew through the tent flap.

He would answer Ike truthfully when he asked. That's all he had ever done, was be truthful. It seemed he was never awarded for it though, always being painted in the darkest of images. Maybe viewing himself as the silent hero in his story was to much and he'd be much better off writing himself as a villain. A tempting thought, but he loved the role of hero too much to do that. Don was sure he read a book on that once, a tortured hero that would do anything to save those he cared and loved at the cost of everything. I guess that role did fit him better.

"Just ask it...Ike." Ike stopped looking at Don's pained expression.



He let a lengthy moment of silence sit after he released his grip on Ike's wrist to let him continue. The silence only broken by the faint noises of the night creatures. Don gently shifted his stare back to the dancing flame within the lantern as the chill night air blew through the tent flap.


"Do you love me in the way Kaa implied," Ike finally said as he finished. He had allowed Don to prepare his words. He clicked the box shut the tools stores safely inside. The excess put of to one side to be tossed into the trash bonfires. He turned looking to Don for his response.

"Do you love me in the way Kaa implied," Don listened to the question and gave a soft smile without removing his gaze from the flame of the lantern. He didn't know why he couldn't look Ike in the face, he wasn't ashamed. He didn't think he was even embarrassed. It was the feeling of disappointment that might come after the answer, he didn't want to see Ike's expression. He saw it too many times before. The look of disgust and distaste. The judgmental look, he took a moment to prepare his words.

Soon all the light was gone as the last rays of the sun disappeared, now the warm glow from the calm flame was all that gave them a sense of light. It rested along Don's face and gave his eyes a sad look as the fire's reflection was shown in his eyes. "When I first met you at the coronation...you took me by surprise." Don began, "I knew Cole had a son from what father had told me. When Cole introduced you, you were this frail scared looking boy. A boy with a past that left his mind and heart scarred for unknown reasons. You were a mystery and I was a mystery to you much like the kingdom and the way of life we lived." Don relaxed a moment, the very tip of his tail beat the box he sat on.

"I saw someone who I could help...someone I can be a friend too. I wanted to unravel that mystery...then we danced during the ceremony, I got really close to you and you were naked...that moment I thought that you were cute and you were easy on the eyes. Then you got to telling me about everything you had gone through. How much pain and suffering you went through, something I couldn't understand at the time....not to your extent but I had an idea of what you went through because...as far as the kingdom is concerned...the people and nobles...I'm the outcast in the family." Don finally moved his gaze at Ike.

"I was never shy to share my choice...as a result, the people wouldn't let their children play with me. I tried making friends...but it never lasted. Walking down the street became hard, I could see it....in their eyes, behind the fake smiles and empty greetings. The look of disgust and dissatisfaction of the people. Sometimes they'd think I'd have moved on and would talk behind my back or whispered when they thought I couldn't hear. How could a prince of Coraggio be gay? If something were to happen to Kaa and I had to take the throne, they'd often refer to it as the end of the royal family." Don looked to the sand under his feet and his gaze softened.

"I heard some say, that they'd assassinate me if I ever took crown so Ban could replace me. Mothers and fathers would come up with excuses so I wouldn't play with their children." Don chuckled slightly, "Did you know that Coraggio has a school? For those outside the palace to attend. I convinced mother and father to allow me to attend for a day." Don gripped his knees tightly.

"When I was there....I saw the same look in my peers eyes...just as I saw from their parents. There goes the faggot prince...they said..." Don relaxed his claws, "I was rejected...and abhorred...so I stopped leaving the palace." Don smiled, "My family accepted me for who I was....Kaa...Ban...father and mother...that was good enough for me. So I stopped seeking friendship from the people...I stayed in my room and read any book I could. Stories of fantasy and intrigue, I'd make myself the hero. Saving the day and becoming loved by all. I escaped into those worlds...to escape my loneliness...and to heal my heart a little...but every story comes to an end." Don paused a long moment. He took a moment to gather himself and prevent himself from breaking down.

"Kaa and Ban...they were there for me but they couldn't understand...they were adored by everyone. I suppose at some point...I stopped caring about it all. I couldn't make a friend...without people assuming something else entirely...Kaa and Ban were no different. That is where it hurt the most...and still does. Kemba and Theos....they quickly followed their example. I saw the way they looked at me whenever I was around you, I know those stares too well. As soon as I try to get close to someone..." Don looked at Ike,

"I admit...at the moment of our dance, I thought you in that manner but it was short lived. When I told you what I was, and you still chose to dance with me...I thought...maybe I can finally have my one friend. So, that is what I have been trying to be to you. I've been trying to be your friend. I suppose it was only a matter of time before my intentions were made into something else. It always ends this way. After all...I'm just a faggot prince..." Don's eyes teared but he choked them back,

"I'll keep away from you from now on...perhaps if I put distance between us, you won't be looked at any different. You shouldn't have to endure that on top of what you have already gone through. I'm sorry for giving you such a burden. If you're done with me...I'll leave now." Don looked at him, the glow of the lantern only illuminating one side of Ike's body.

Silence soon set in.

Ike listened without a word about his hardships. No matter who one was. Whether slave or prince....there was always something there to break them. It was ad to know that no matter what such a fate couldn't be escaped even with all the money in the world.

"You don't have to," Ike responded. He turned to Don and walked over. "You don't think of me in such a way and hat is what matters. I'll never turn on you or the promise you made to me. You're kind Don.....more people need to see that," he hugged him lightly to let him know it was alright.

"I've never loved anyone besides my mother and father....I don't know what to look for when it comes to loving outside them. Friendship though.....it kind of feels the same," Ike said. He pondered his own words. He was probably being too honest. He'd remain there until Don let him go if he hugged him back at all.

"You don't have to," Ike responded. He turned to Don and walked over. "You don't think of me in such a way and hat is what matters. I'll never turn on you or the promise you made to me. You're kind Don.....more people need to see that," he hugged him lightly to let him know it was alright.

"I've never loved anyone besides my mother and father....I don't know what to look for when it comes to loving outside them. Friendship though.....it kind of feels the same,"

Don looked on surprised at Ike's embrace, he gave a smile and wrapped his arms around Ike. "Thank you Ike. Having at least one person who trusts me makes the loneliness a lot more bearable." He let go of Ike and chuckled, "I never told anyone else those stories...my family has no idea what the townsfolk have been saying about me and I confided in you. I'd appreciate it if you kept that truth to yourself. I do not want to cause harm between the royal family and the townspeople." Don stood up,

"You're really something special Ike. I am blessed to have gotten to know you in this life. You're one of a kind." Don took his index finger and pressed it against Ike's chest plate, just over his heart. "Follow the feeling you get right in here." Don said, "Advice on what to look for when it comes to loving outside of your parents. The unshakable feeling you get in here when you think of the person residing in it. It is warm like the fire in that lantern and fills you with a joy you could never find anywhere else. The feeling of wanting to be with that person every single moment and sharing years with. An inseparable feeling of unity. It is one step further than your parents." Don pressed his full palm against it.

"You have a big heart Ike, make sure she knows that when you find her, okay? Otherwise, she'll have to deal with me." Don chuckled and patted Ike's heart before heading for the entryway, "When Theos and Kemba return, you could ask them for more information. They'd be the experts on that feeling. I've never felt it personally, just read about it. Though if what I read is the be believed, then you'll just know when you've found them...because it is love after all."

Don turned a waved, "I better go find father before it gets any later or I want have a place to sleep. I need to be at my best for tomorrow. I will be helping in the fight, trying to outwit that Stall. Trying to keep my family and friend...safe." Don walked out of the tent with his back turned.

He began towards his fathers tent in the cold darkness of the night. He passed Cole on the way, "Don? What were you doing in my tent? Why are you bandaged?" He asked curiously, "A training session with Blake...I told him not to hold back and I regretted it. Ike was kind enough to patch me up. Going to see father now...I'd like to spend the night in his tent." Don said.

"The King will be doing the night watch tonight...the thought of Kemba, Theos and Ban are keeping him wide awake. He is worried sick, the tent will be cold and empty. What about Kaa? That will be much better off no?" Cole said. Don shook his head, "Kaa and I cannot stay together right now. I can't face him until our family returns home."

Cole crossed his arms, "I see...I'm sorry to hear that...but you two should really make up. It isn't healthy."

"I'm aware...and we will...when we're ready." Don responded, "Very well...are you certain you'll be okay by yourself?" Don nodded, "I'll be fine. Between my scales and a blanket it should stave off the cold."

"Alright then...good night Don." Don waved and continued on.

Cole walked in to the warm glow of the tent, "Hey sport." Cole said, "Don alright? He seemed a bit down...did you lose that badly in his training session? Enough to sleep in a tent alone?" Cole asked walking in and removing his armor pieces down to just his cod piece.

Cole set his armor set against the fabric of the tent wall, close enough that he could dress himself at a moments notice. He walked by and ruffled Ike's hair before laying down, "Ahh...a moments reprieve before the storm." Cole stretched a bit, "I won't be able to sleep for long, but it will be a little compared to the days I haven't slept." Cole looked at his son.

"You can set your armor down next to mine if you don't want to sleep in it. Take it from me, sleeping in armor is a pain in the ass. I'd remove all of it...but it'd be a little awkward for you and for me if a soldier came in for any reason." Cole chuckled a little. He wondered if his son was okay after everything that had happened.

"You okay Ike?"

Meanwhile, Don found his father's tent. He walked into the dark, large tent. The table they used for their meeting was put away against the side of the tent. It was so big, Don had to wonder if it was meant for both Cora and Raja. The open space made the cold more obvious. Don looked around for anything he could use as a blanket, he found a small cloth and grabbed it. He laid down and curled his tail around, "Hmm..." He placed the make shift blanket over him, but it didn't cover his entirety.

"Guess it will have too do." Don said, he stared at the flap of the entryway, a part of him hoping Cora would walk through and curl up beside him.

"Thank you Ike. Having at least one person who trusts me makes the loneliness a lot more bearable." He let go of Ike and chuckled, "I never told anyone else those stories...my family has no idea what the townsfolk have been saying about me and I confided in you. I'd appreciate it if you kept that truth to yourself. I do not want to cause harm between the royal family and the townspeople." Ike nodded his lips sealing. Don had confided in him alone.

"You're really something special Ike. I am blessed to have gotten to know you in this life. You're one of a kind." Ike cocked his head at Don as he touched his chest. "Follow the feeling you get right in here." Don said, "Advice on what to look for when it comes to loving outside of your parents. The unshakable feeling you get in here when you think of the person residing in it. It is warm like the fire in that lantern and fills you with a joy you could never find anywhere else. The feeling of wanting to be with that person every single moment and sharing years with. An inseparable feeling of unity. It is one step further than your parents." One step further? Was there such a thing? Ike thought about it his gaze going down a bit and resting on Don's own chest watching him breath.



"You have a big heart Ike, make sure she knows that when you find her, okay? Otherwise, she'll have to deal with me." Ike nodded. He wasn't sure if it would be a her or not though. The only other person he was close to was Don. He was too shy to go talk to anyone else on a whim. "When Theos and Kemba return, you could ask them for more information. They'd be the experts on that feeling. I've never felt it personally, just read about it. Though if what I read is the be believed, then you'll just know when you've found them...because it is love after all."



Don turned a waved, "I better go find father before it gets any later or I want have a place to sleep. I need to be at my best for tomorrow. I will be helping in the fight, trying to outwit that Stall. Trying to keep my family and friend...safe."


Ike was left wondering about somethings. The way Don has described those feelings it was like he had actually felt them. He may have been quoting a book but it wasn't flat like it should have been from one. Something told him Don knew the feeling more than he was letting on. Maybe not with Ike but with someone. Ike had been prepared for either answer but the more he thought about about both the more he wondered what he would have said if Don did confess. Would it have ended the same?

"Hey sport." Cole said, "Don alright? He seemed a bit down...did you lose that badly in his training session? Enough to sleep in a tent alone?"

"Just in fighting in general," Ike responded.


"Ahh...a moments reprieve before the storm." Cole stretched a bit, "I won't be able to sleep for long, but it will be a little compared to the days I haven't slept." 


"You can set your armor down next to mine if you don't want to sleep in it. Take it from me, sleeping in armor is a pain in the ass. I'd remove all of it...but it'd be a little awkward for you and for me if a soldier came in for any reason." Ike nodded and took off his upper armor as well.


"You okay Ike?"


"Better than most," Ike responded. He sat down by his dad a bit sleepless. "War tends to bring out the worst in people.....I don't like it."