Hi everyone! I am back with the second chapter!
I am really enjoying writing this story, so I have big plans for this.

Posting this chapter at nearly midnight when I have three quizzes and an essay due in less than 7 hours. :)

But this is very much worth it! So please don't forget to leave a review. Anything helps! :D

Without further ado, I present to you Chapter 2! I hope you enjoy.

~mk-lite

The sunlight streaming through the open ceiling, Talon felt it's heat against his closed eyelids as he groaned. Opening his eyes, he slowly sat up from laying on the ground as he rubbed his eyes. As his vision slowly came into focus, his memory of last night came streaming back to him.

Katarina's words, her tears, and her rare display of vulnerability were all new to Talon, as she had always been a cold, seemingly emotionless assassin who was bent on killing for the glory of Noxus. Looking around, it seemed that Katarina had already left without a word when Talon was still asleep.

Shakily getting on his feet, Talon brushed himself off as he began walking back to his living quarters to take a much needed shower. Summoners and Champions were just starting to come out of their rooms, as games were to begin in about an hour.

Reaching his room and closing the door behind him, Talon stepped into his bathroom as he pulled his shirt and pants off, revealing his toned body. Turning on the shower water, Talon paused in front of his mirror as the steam began to fill up the room. Absently running a finger down his chest in a diagonal line, Talon traced the scar that crossed his chest. It was Du Couteau's lasting mark on him, on the night that Talon was bested in combat and forced to choose between death or a lifetime of serving Du Couteau under the Noxian High Command.

Ever since Du Couteau had vanished, Talon had nothing but that old photograph and this scar to remind him of the only father figure he could ever remember in his whole life. Shaking the memories away, Talon stepped into the shower as he felt the welcoming warmth of the water hit his face and body. Closing his eyes as the water ran down his head, Talon let his thoughts wander back towards Katarina. He often found himself thinking about her a lot more than usual for some reason, as if he was instinctively drawn to her. The reason unknown, this was just another thing to add to the list of questions that Talon had piling up in his mind. Pinching himself to get his mind straight, he began washing himself.

A couple minutes later, Talon stepped out of the shower as he wrapped a towel around his waist before stepping out of the bathroom. A small cough caused his head to whip to the side in surprise as he reached for a blade.

"If you're going to kill someone, you might want to put a shirt on first." Katarina said with a smirk as she crossed her legs on one of Talon's chairs that were set up in his room. Before Talon could have a chance to reply, his room door opened and Zed stepped in, pausing at the sight of a shirtless Talon and Katarina lounging on one of Talon's chairs.

"Am I disturbing something?" Zed asked in a low voice, his glowing red eyes unnerving as usual.

"Not at all, Talon and I were just chatting. What brings you here, Zed?" Katarina asked as Talon grabbed his uniform and retreated back into the bathroom to change.

"I came to inform Talon that he is required for a game along with myself." Zed replied. Katarina frowned, "Don't the Summoners usually come to the Champion and require their presence in person?" "Yes, but Akali suggested that I try to broaden my social interaction so here I am. I hate it already." Zed said frostily.

Katarina laughed out loud just as Talon reemerged in his usual outfit.

"Let me guess, I have a game first thing in the day." Talon groaned to which Zed nodded.

Grabbing a milk box, Talon turned to Katarina. "We'll talk later then." Talon said to her as he and Zed left to the waiting area.

Walking next to Zed, Talon stood almost at the same height, but coming across a bit shorter. When Zed did take off his mask on the rare occasion, it was easy to think that the two were brothers, much to Shen's dismay. Their matching black hair, physical build, and similar fighting styles made them interesting sparring matches in the Arena.

"So, is she your girlfriend?" Zed asked suddenly, causing Talon to spew out his milk and straw. Glaring at Zed, Talon wiped his mouth angrily. "No, she isn't. She's like a little sister to me, and I feel like she needs an older brother figure to take care of her and watch over her." Talon replied curtly to which Zed took in with silence as they arrived in the waiting area.

Looking around at their teammates, Talon tilted his head in confusion. In the top lane portal, there was Nautilus, the two coy Vastayans Xayah and Rakan in the bottom lane portals, and Zed was fitting himself into the mid lane portal. Turning to his Summoner, who was a short girl with shockingly white hair and big rimmed glasses, Talon knelt down in front of her. "You must have called for the wrong Champion, because the only available slot is jungle. Here, I'll go get Rek'sai for you." Talon stood up to go before he felt a tug on his cape.

The girl shook her head and pointed at him and then pointed at the jungle portal. Talon could already feel a headache coming on as he heard the Announcer's voice call out the ten-second timer to lock in. Growling in frustration, Talon stomped over to the jungle portal and strapped himself in before the game beamed them all onto Summoners Rift.

…

Talon's eye twitched in annoyance as he watched Nautilus teleport back to the top lane, only to be ambushed by the enemy team's Warwick and Darius. Xayah and Rakan were too busy snapping selfies of themselves together in the Rift to pay attention to Ezreal and Taric, who were pushing up the lane to their turret.

Zed was the only one holding his own against Leblanc, who was displaying the common signs of tilt, as Zed had nearly 14 kills on her while she had no kills and 14 deaths. Talon had been invaded several times from Warwick and was on the brink of just quitting the game. Quickly finishing up farming his red buff and recalling, Talon was alerted that a team fight was breaking out in the mid lane. Dashing in, Talon realized he was too late, as he watched on in silent awe at Zed trying to fend off all five of the enemy team. Nautilus was coming down from the side as well as Xayah and Rakan but Zed wasn't going to make it long enough for them to reach him.

As Talon watched, Zed dodged Darius's axe but instead got punctured in the stomach by Warwick's claws. Coughing up blood from his mask, Zed rolled away from the wolf only to get stunned in place by Taric and then blasted by Ezreal's gauntlet. Flying back into a stone wall and crumbling to the ground, Zed gritted his teeth in pain as Darius stood over him to deliver the final blow.

Before Darius could bring down his axe, Talon vaulted over the wall from behind Zed and hurled several shurikens at Darius, forcing him to use his axe to block them. Lifting Zed up on his back, Talon darted back to the safety of their turret. Turning back to face the enemy team as Nautilus, Xayah, and Rakan came to stand by his side, Talon readied his blades.

Staring at him, Darius casually threw down his axe, much to Talon's confusion. "I saw Katarina sneak into your room before game hours this morning, Talon. Care to explain this scandalous behavior from your little girlfriend?" Darius sneered, ignoring the fact that Zed was silently recalling behind Talon.

The assassin stood in silence, his hood shrouding his eyes. "That is none of your business," he said in a deathly quiet tone.

"What? You're too scared to admit that you don't have the guts to make her your own?! What a waste! You know what? I'll help a brother out and take that little girl off your table." Darius laughed with a glint of lust in his eyes.

Talon was unnaturally quiet, as the rest of his team looked at him uneasily. Zed had just finished healing back at his team's base and was making his way back.

"Take that back."

Darius burst out laughing before gripping his axe tightly and pointing it towards Talon. "Come and make me," he snarled, suddenly charging at Talon, smashing his axe where he stood.

When the dust cleared, Darius was surprised to see Talon perched on top of his axe. Slashing upwards, Darius growled in frustration as Talon easily flipped off and landed neatly on the ground. Looking behind him, Talon saw Zed joining them and nodded to the rest of his team silently before Darius and his team charged forward.

Nautilus threw out his hook and latched himself onto Warwick as Xayah and Rakan dashed in on Ezreal and Taric. Zed summoned several shadows around Leblanc as she looked around nervously, clutching her staff tightly.

Talon casually stepped to the side, narrowly missing Darius' attempt to cleave him in half. Kicking his axe aside, Talon lunched forward at Darius, colliding his fist with Darius' nose before flipping around midair and brought his knee to his head, sending the axe wielding Noxian sprawling to the ground face first. Slamming his fist on the ground as he gritted his teeth in frustration, Darius turned his head just in time to see Talon drive his fist across his face, sending him back into the dirt.

Hearing his teammates losing their battles, Darius turned his head slowly to the side to see Warwick's battered body flop next to him. Turning around so he lay on his back, Darius watched as Zed literally explode Leblanc into countless pieces of purple shards. Xayah and Rakan gave each other a loving wink as they walked over the corpses of Ezreal and Taric, who were both impaled with countless feathers.

"This is where everyone will always find you, Darius. Alone, unwanted, unloved, and thrown to the dirt where you belong." Talon's voice brought his attention to in front of him as Talon's blade was pointed directly in between his eyes. "In the end, you will always lose to every single aspect of me. So don't even think about going near Katarina or else my team and I will gladly reenact this exact scenario in the Headquarters where you won't have the luxury of being brought back by your Nexus." Talon said in voice that send a chill down Darius' spine.

Suddenly, there was a flash of metal from Talon's cape and several blades were impaled in Darius' palms, ankles, and stomach.

Darius opened his mouth to scream in pain but the blood filled his throat, rendering him completely mute except for the gurgle of blood that began to spill out of his open mouth. Talon stood over him, an expression of complete rage on his face as he watched Darius slowly choke and suffocate on his own blood.

"Now get the hell out of here and never let me see your pathetic face again." Talon snarled before drawing his arm blade and slicing Darius' head off in one clean slash.

Kicking the head to the side, Talon signaled to the rest of his team to follow him and end the game. All of them followed his orders without a second thought, except Zed, who trailed behind them, his eyes never leaving Talon until they finished the game.

…

Stepping out of the waiting area, Talon stretched outwards as the rest of his team went off in their own directions to carry on with the rest of their day. Zed stayed behind however, his glowing red eyes trained on Talon. Sensing his stare, Talon turned around to face him as he pulled his hood off.

"What is it now?" Talon asked sullenly.

Zed tilted his head slightly. "What you did in that game, was unlike you, to put it bluntly. You were always one to keep your cool and pick off targets efficiently and quickly. That is what the Noxian High Command literally taught you to do your entire life. But after what Darius said, you lost your cool."

Talon raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. "What are you implying, Zed?"

Zed opened his mouth to reply before suddenly Akali appeared behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist, much to his surprise.

"I thought you would never finish that game. You were in there for hours!" Akali whined as Zed gently pried her off.

"It was only a 25 minute game, Akali." Zed replied calmly, to which Akali fidgeted awkwardly.

"Well, it felt like an eternity," she mumbled, before noticing that Talon was even there in the first place. "Oh, sorry was I disturbing something?"

Talon shook his head. Akali eyes lit up suddenly as she clasped Zed's gloved hands in hers. "Ahri invited us to a double date lunch at Morgana's special bakery a couple hours ago. I already made the arrangements so hurry up and get changed into something nice!"

"What? When did I sa-" Zed started before Akali put a finger on his mask, silencing him. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry," she said with a wink.

Talon rolled his eyes and shooed Zed away. "Please, be lovebirds with other lovebirds. Just looking at you two makes me sick," he muttered as Zed sighed.

"I will continue this next time then, Talon," the ninja said before suddenly scooping up Akali in his arms like a princess as she yelped in surprise. Leaning on a pillar, Talon watched as Zed carried Akali down the hallway until they turned the corner, disappearing from sight.

"Aren't they just adorable?" Katarina suddenly whispered in his ear, causing Talon to nearly leap to the ceiling, every single shuriken and blade at ready.

Seeing that it was Katarina, Talon relaxed and landed back on his feet in front of the red haired assassin as he frustratingly brushed himself off. Katarina tried her best to hold in her laughter, but her expression gave it all away as Talon sighed and ran a hand through his brown hair.

"Must you always find some way to get under my skin?" Talon muttered. Katarina playfully punched his shoulder. "Because it's you, silly. I wouldn't do that to anyone else," she said, grinning at Talon as his eyes narrowed.

"Really?" he asked skeptically.

Pulling her fist away, Katarina tilted her head to the side while raising an eyebrow. "What, you don't trust me now?"

Shaking his head quickly, Talon put his hands up in a surrendering pose. "N-no, I'm just glad I suppose." After a couple minutes of confusion, Katarina relaxed and smiled at him. "You must be tired, I'll walk you back to your living quarters."

Scooting away from her, Talon narrowed his eyes. "There is something definitely up for you. You're never this ni-". The assassin never finished his sentence before Katarina's boot was buried in his face.

Laying on the ground, Talon felt the cool marble floor press against his clothes as he sighed heavily. Katarina held out her hand to which he took as she heaved him back on his feet. As the setting sun cast it's dark orange rays through the pillars of the hallway, Talon found himself feeling strangely at peace by Katarina's side as they made their way through the halls.

Normally, when it was just him and someone else, he always felt the desire to either be alone or to not be in their presence in the first place. After all, that's the only way he had learned to live life until he had met Katarina. Throughout all the years they had gotten to know one another, he had developed a bond with her that he shared with no one else.

But now, all these years later and walking by her side at a place like the Headquarters, he felt a different emotion starting to bloom in the cold pits of his heart. Feeling its presence, Talon instinctively felt his chest. "Something wrong?" Katarina's voice brought his attention towards her. Turning to face her as they stopped walking, Talon stared at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.

The scar that ran down her left eye, her strikingly green eyes somehow complimenting her red hair, and thin lips. Talon shook his head slowly as Katarina looked on in confusion. "I-I'm fine. Anyways, I should get to my living quarters," he said as he continued walking down the hallway.

"Um, Talon? This is your living quarters." Katarina pointed to the door she had stopped in front of.

"A-ah. That's right. Of course." Talon mumbled as he hurriedly power walked back to his door. Fumbling with the knob before finally opening it, Talon suddenly turned around back towards Katarina. "W-would you like to stay for some tea?" he asked awkwardly, which was extremely rare for the usual cold and silent assassin.

Katarina looked surprised for a second before smiling and placing her hand on his shoulder. "Thank you, but I have a game soon. Legacy Summoner Faker has summoned me for one of his games and there is no way I can turn down his request. But perhaps I can after my game."

Talon straightened, "I'll be here then. I'll wait for you," he said in a definite tone.

"I look forward to it, then." Katarina said with a coy smile before closing his door and walking back towards the waiting area.

Talon shakily walked back towards his bed before collapsing in it, letting out his breath until his lungs burned before inhaling it all back in to clear his head. Standing back up, he cracked his knuckles. If Katarina was coming over tonight, he should at least clean up a bit. Just as he was about to start however, there was a knock on his door.

Talon was at the door before he even knew it, throwing it open. Looking disappointedly at the messenger at his door, Talon rolled his eyes. "What is that you have for me? Another game notice? A report? What is it?" he asked, the disappointment evident in his voice.

"Actually, it's something a little different." the young messenger said, her bright grey eyes sparkling as she presented Talon with a letter. "Our sources say that this was found in a cave a couple miles away from the capital of Ionia," she added.

"Who wrote it? Why does this have to do with me? The only person I am somewhat close to from Ionia lives here in the Champion Headquarters." Talon asked, getting gradually impatient.

The messenger sighed, as she pressed the letter in the assassins's hands before relaying the last bit of news.

"They said it's written by General Du Couteau."