Welcome to chapter three!
Sorry about how long this had taken to get out.. LOTS has happened between now and chapter two that kept me from writing..I do have EVERY intention of finishing this story guys, no worries there ;D
Try as she might, Ichinora couldn't force herself to stay the entire day in Scholazar Basin. With her bags only half full, she conceded defeat and trudged her way to the flight master to pay for a ride back to Dalaran. While the heavy, humid air of the basin had been a nice distraction at first, the drudgery of her task hadn't been enough to occupy her thoughts. Soon the druid was all she could think about. A few times she had nearly jumped out of her own skin when she thought she had spotted him spying on her from behind a tree. There was also a few more dead panthers littering the ground than completely necessary after her visit.
On the ride back, Ichinora was consumed with ideas and plans to fix her problem. She couldn't just hide in horde cities, plus there was no gold to be made there, or interesting enough jobs to keep her and her gold pouch satisfied. Not to mention, that would be the equivalent to hiding. Ichinora clenched her jaw, grinding her teeth at the very thought. Deep down, the night elf was no better than a thief and a stalker, he had to be brought to justice!
When the spires of the city were in view, Ichinora sat a little straighter in the saddle, schooling her facial expression into a stern mask and prepared to land. By the time she had sat her feet on the ground, the sun was only half way on it's path to the horizon. Her bags told a sad tale of bitter defeat in her day of gathering herbs and other things valuable enough to sell at auction. Ichinora entertained the thought of skinning a particular night elf, wondering just how much gold a druid's hide would fetch. The thought brought a smile to the rogue's face as she stepped through the portal to Orgrimmar.
The rest of her afternoon was spent haggling and hawking her wares in the auction house. Due only to her manipulative ways and experienced hand, she managed to earn herself enough to go back to Dalaran and rest easily without too much guilt. A bitter cloud still hung over her head however, when she thought of just how much gold this predicament had really cost her, and all could be blamed on that damnable night elf. He really owed her a pretty copper, she thought with a grim expression.
The only question left then was how would she make him pay her back. She couldn't exactly beat it out of him, he'd already proven to be more than match for her in a fair duel. Ichinora stepped into her inn as she finally concluded that it wouldn't be fair, not for him at least. Her mood had considerably lightened by the time she closed and locked her room's door for the night. Evil, devious plans circled her head as she took her time undressing and washing up after her long and sweaty day. A large bowl of water and a soft sponge were hardly enough to really wash away her grime, but she'd long ago learned how to use it to it's full potential and she didn't want to use the communal bath house. After drying and blowing out the extra candles, Ichinora nearly vaulted into bed and pinched out the last flame on her night-stand. She could hardly keep her smug grin at bay as she finally decided on her next course of action. That thief was going to get what was coming to him.
Ichinora was dressed and out of the inn by mid morning, her satchel slung over her shoulder and a satisfied smile curling the corners of her lips upward. It was going to be slow day and a long night if everything went according to plan. There wasn't much work to be done as long as he followed the obvious trail she was about to lay out. Hopefully he was feeling cooperative today. Not like he didn't seem unwilling to work with her, as past encounters seemed to go.
On her trip to the bank, Ichinora kept her eyes scanning the crowds she passed through, hoping to catch a glimpse of her prey in the swarm of bodies. Instead of going to the north bank like she usually did, she took the long way around to the south bank, known for being frequented by alliance members. She didn't feel worried about not spotting the druid, but as the day marched on Ichinora began to worry that her little plan may have to wait. She didn't think he'd have ran away so soon. The thought surprisingly troubled her the more she thought about it, which in turn made her rather angry. She should be glad to have a day free of angst and misery caused by sneaky perverts! Darkness fell across the mage city as Ichinora walked into the warm glow of her inn. All sorts of patrons filled the dining area as the rogue found an empty stool at the bar. As soon as she slouched down, a familiar prickling sensation tickled the back of her neck. Resisting the urge to turn and see who might have been staring a hole into the back of her head, she instead casually ordered her wine and tiny sandwich.
Slowly she ate her dinner, the entire time ignoring the urge to rub the skin of was finally her chance to lay the beginnings of her trap. She mentally rubbed her hands together with a devious little laugh. When the last her sandwich went down her gullet, she stood and dashed down the final gulp of her wine. At the same time she casually let her eyes flick across the dining area. She had been so certain the entire time she ate, that there was a certain amount of devastation when she didn't see him sitting behind her. A tiny crease appeared between her brows as she stood motionless at the bar, a little confused on how to further proceed. She exhaled a long sigh and turned back to the bar feeling crestfallen. Clutching the edge of the counter, she looked for the barkeep, who was down at the other end serving up a drink to a familiar looking man.
A painful lump of air seemed to become stuck in the rogue's throat as she suddenly caught the druid's eye. He gave her a ridiculously cocky little wink as he downed his dark beverage. She probably looked like a rabbit being charmed by the dance of a snake as she stood there, dumbfounded for what seemed like forever. She heard his glass hit the counter, which must have broken the spell. She blinked and shook her head to clear it, but when she looked at the spot where he had been standing a second ago, he was gone. She had the unsettling feeling like perhaps she had been the prey all along. Wrinkling her nose in disgust, she raised her hand to catch the bartenders attention. The pretty blond blood elf walked over a little too slow for her liking, rubbing his white cloth along the bar as he did. When he finally reached her, Ichinora's expression had morphed into a mask of rage, which seemed to unsettle the waiter.
"C-can I help you?"
"Yes you certainly may! I won't be here for the next two days as I'm heading to Booty Bay for some important herbalist work, so I'm paying up my room!" she announced grandly, with sweeping hand motions and all. By the time she was finished a good half of the room was well aware of her plans, but Ichinora didn't notice as she slapped down the coin and marched up the stairs, turning her back on a rather shocked bartender. Stomping her way up the staircase, she knew for certain that the dastardly night elf heard the whole thing. Slamming her room's door shut, she launched herself onto the bed, feeling very smug about her plans. There was no way he'd let this pass, she thought to herself.
Slim grey clouds slid across the pink morning horizon as the young rogue clutched for dear life to a tawny windrider as it dropped from the sky, landing gracelessly on the withered plank decks of Booty Bay. After paying the flight master, Ichinora turned, straightening her tunic and myriad satchels and peered across the bay at the huge goblin city. A self-satisfied smile curled the bloof elfs cupid bow lips. She had to admit to herself, she was a genius. Puffing out her chest, she sauntered down to the Salty Sailor tavern. She had the whole day to set her trap, but she'd have to be extra sly about it, she thought, as she still had the unsettling feeling that the night elf had been watching her the entire day before. She self-consciously rubbed her neck, trying to shake off the memory.
Slinking up to the tavern's bar, she caught the eye of Skindle, the innkeeper. After a quick transaction, she had her room paid for the night and the rest of the day to do her evil deeds. Remaining as quiet and invisible as possible, Ichinora made her way to the rooms, built into the remains of an old pirate's ship hull. From here on out she decided to stay in stealth until she reached the man she needed to speak with. Stepping up onto the small bed her room was furnished with, she pushed the window open and paused, straining her tall, slim ears for any sound and thus indulging her paranoia. Only after she was satisfied that there were no unusual sounds to be heard, she squeezed herself through the small window and scaled up the side of the ship to the the roof.
Sticking to the tiny ledges behind the buildings, she slowly and stealthily made her way to the 'contact', as he liked to be considered. The 'contact' was a large, beefy troll with the palest blue skin she'd ever seen. He'd be handsome, she thought, if he wasn't so muscular. He also had the penchant for over drinking, and being one hell of a mean drunk, which was exactly the reason she was in Booty Bay. She always had troubled pronouncing his full name, so she'd come to call him Baju, which he seemed to tolerate since he'd been lusting after her since they first met. Baju was always complimenting her 'nice round ass', indeed uttering those words at least ten times in every conversation. It was something she'd gotten used to tuning out, as he was valuable in his resources and getting the jobs done in a timely matter.
Baju's second home was a tiny, dingy bar that was nearly floating on the surf during high tide. Water often seeped through the cracks of the floor boards during those times. During the periods between repairs, you really had to watch your step for danger of falling through the wet, rotten wood and into the water. Dropping to the lowest level of the bay city, Ichinora poked her head into the nearly deserted bar, wrinkling her nose in disgust at the stench of salt and alcohol and whatever had been overcooked in the back kitchen. Despite the early hour, Baju was indeed perched on a bar stool, nursing a tall glass of whatever drink he was favoring.
Ichinora dropped her stealth after the door swung shut at her back. A groggy eyed orc blinked sluggishly over his shoulder at her from a small table at the side of the room. The rogue wasted no time as she advanced right up to Baju's side, who seemed at least half asleep.
"Ba-..Baju!" she snapped her fingers at the side of his face. His long, curved tusks seemed to be the only thing keeping his head up as they rested on the bar. "Hey wake up!" she barked in his long blue ear.
"Hassshh..a lon' nigh'.." he grumbled, barely coherent.
Ichinora's frown tugged at her lips for a moment before she hailed the bartender. She ordered a glass of water from the busty orc woman, which was handed over quickly enough. Resisting the urge to splash it directly in the troll's face, she pinched his ear hard enough to earn an indignant yelp of pain. Using the moment to it's full advantage, she poured as much as she could into Baju's open mouth. He sputtered, swallowing most and coughing the rest over the bar, for which Ichinora was thankful.
"Crazy woman!" he yelled, wiping his face with his bare arms and patting the open cotton vest his wore afterward.
"Well since I have your attention now, I have a job for you. Think of it as paying me back for all things I've done so nicely for you," she smiled sheepishly, batting her eyelashes at the red faced troll. Baju eyed the blood elf suspiciously for a moment.
"What kinda job, eh?" he grumbled, still wiping at the water on his body.
"A job that was made just for a strong man like you!" she spoke cheerfully, grinning widely at the skeptical look on Baju's face. "There will be delivery tonight, brought by a tough guy, a night elf. Rumors tell he's strong, maybe..too strong for you, eh?" she waggled one long brow at Baju, who huffed and smirked while flexing his chest muscles. Ichinora suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "I highly suggest bringing at least one or two of your strong men Baju.. and he'll be here tonight, I haven't scoped out the exact location, but I believe it'll be around this area.
"He a rogue?" Baju asked before grabbing his mug and taking a long drink from it.
"A druid, feral," she answered quickly
.
Baju groaned, setting his glass back on the old wood bar. "Cats..I hate'em.."
"Well, I trust you can handle this? Remember all the jobs I did for you, out of the kindess of my own heart Baj?" Ichinora turned on the charm once again, leaning just a bit towards the troll in her earnesty.
"Ya ya Ichi.. I'll do this fo' yah.."
Ichinora clapped her hands, the loud, sharp noise seemed to startle the lone orc at his table. She thrust her hand towards Baju, who shook it once before tightening his grip, "aft'o'wards, you buy a drink fo' me," he stated, before releasing the blood elf's hand.
"Fine fine..ya drunkard," she said rather offhandedly as she slid off the stool, "I'll be back here at nightfall, be waiting at the door and I'll tell you what I've found out about his location."
Baju turned his back to the bar, propping his elbows on the wood as he reclined. "Mmk Ichi, now walk real slow out da door, will yeh?"
She finally allowed herself to roll her eyes at the troll before exiting at a normal pace. She heard his chuckle as the door closed. Instead of stealthing, she walked at a leisurely pace back to the inn. She wanted the druid to know she was up to something. She had kept a good eye on the door the entire time she was talking with the troll, so she was mostly sure the transaction had taken place without any sort of eavesdropping. A familiar, excited fluttering could be felt in the rogues stomach, the excitement of a plan gone right. The rest of the day could be spent at her whim, she thought with a sigh. As long as the night elf saw her walking to the bottom level of the city, and followed as she expected, everything would fall exactly in place. Baju and his dogs would sniff him out easily, she believed.
She was somewhere in the forests of Stranglethorn. Stripped of her daggers and the essential pieces of her leather gear, left mostly defenseless. She was coming to realize that she had little knowledge of unarmed combat and the shadows of the forest were starting to writhe and twist with life. The distant echo of a roar met her ears and sent a cold slice of fear slithering down her spine. Shadows began to edge away from the dark bushes, stalking towards her before growing, taking the forms of large, prowling felines. A chorus of growls began to start, rising from the shadow cats as they circled their prey. They made a whirl pool with their bodies, their eyeless faces always focused on the blood elf. She was startled to feel hands smooth along her arms, running up to wrap around her chest. Her heart began to beat furiously in her chest, her breath caught in her throat as she felt lips ghost across the bottom of her ear. His hands caressed down her chest, one lingering to cup her breast as the other fell lower until his fingers were pushing between the hairless folds of her mound. Opening her mouth to speak, no words could find their way out, but she wasn't even sure what she wanted to say. No? Yes? Stop? Go? An all too familiar coiling began in the pit of her stomach as he explored her body, his fingers deftly playing across her skin.
Ichinora thrashed in the thin sheets of her inn's bed. She panted, sweat slicking her body and she was sure something had startled her from sleep. Wide, green eyes scoured the details of the room, but nothing could be seen, nothing was changed. Trying to quickly catch her breath, she could feel her cheeks burning red as she peered out the window across the bay. The sun was beginning to set, and she had work to do. She fished out her most prized set of leathers, pulled them on and checked herself in the mirror for a long while, until everything was exactly in place. She thought she looked quite intimidating, the enchanted armor lending her the air of something deadly that should be avoided at all costs.
Descending the steps of the tavern, Ichinora exited through the main room. She got a few more glances than she normally did, perhaps because she looked rather out of place in a small tavern inn dressed up like she was ready to go slay a few hundred dragons. Stepping out into the warm glow of the setting sun, the rogue paused for just a moment, straining all possible senses to pick up any hint of the druid. A pang of fear that he wouldn't show, or had picked up on her little trap fretted through her mind. Walking to the edge of the deck, crossing under the giant shark hung by its tail, she looked down into the ocean water. She stood there for a moment, knowing she had to take her time and keep looking for any sign of a stalking feline druid. She slowly turned her back to the ocean, letting her eyes follow the stumpy form of a patrolling bruiser as he passed before sweeping her gaze across the tiny, crowded buildings built along the cliff wall.
Just as she was turning to head down the ramp leading to the lower levels, a small flock of birds lifted off in unison from one of the many roofs above. The movement was just enough to catch her attention, and lead it to the large shadow that suddenly darted down into the shadows between the structures. While she couldn't be certain it was her prey, old rogue's intuition told her it was more than likely. He'd been sneaky enough to evade her detection so far, and it was possible that he had startled those birds on purpose, but he wasn't about to worm out of Baju's punches, she thought with a grim sort of smirk.
The lower level of Booty Bay wasn't as crowded as it could be, Ichinora noted thankfully as she passed a smelly old human as he slowly reeled in his lure. The area was a lot darker than the main deck, with most of the light provided by the orange glow of lamps and candles. Making her way to Baju's hideaway, she could once again feel the prickling of hairs rise on the back of her neck. She smoothed her hand along the sensitive flesh, not bothering to hide the movement. It wouldn't be long before she wouldn't have to worry about that annoyance anymore.
Baju was waiting for her at the door, just as she asked. He seemed sober, acknowledging her approach with a little nod of his head. "Whatcha got to say, Ichi?"
"He's on this level, probably near," she spoke quietly, a crazy sort of nervousness suddenly erupting in her stomach. She tried to calm her pulse as she schooled her facial expression into neutrality. "I just need you to rough him up a bit, then hold him for me."
Baju responded by looking over his shoulder, nodding slightly before moving past her, followed by a goblin and his pet worg. Ichinora eyed the hunter speculatively, suddenly feeling a bit worried by the obviously novice accomplice. Apparently Baju only figured on needing help flushing the druid out, since he was only a warrior. He was renowned among the horde as an exceptional combatant, taking many prizes in the arena rings, but it didn't do much to qualm Ichinora's fear that the druid would be more than a match for him. Biting her lip, she followed them at a distance, not wanting to interrupt the team as they worked. She watched as the large worg dashed ahead at the command of the goblin. She stood in the shadows behind them, wondering idly what the animal was told to track. She knew a hunter's pet was supposed to be exceptionally smart, but did it know how to search for a stealthed druid? She sighed, forcing her heart to slow and muscles to relax.
Leaning her shoulder against the nearby wall of a plank wood shanty, Ichinora kept her sharp gaze on the hunter and Baju as they moved slowly after the worg. It wouldn't be long, she thought, he had to have been trailing her close behind. As those thoughts went through her mind, however, the prickling sensation on the back of her neck returned in full force, this time accompanied with the immensely unsettling feeling of having someone standing right behind her. Ichinora cleared her throat, fear rooting her feet in place as she watched Baju and the hunter disappear behind a turn. Right as her lips parted to let out a warning yell, a warm, rough tongue pressed hotly against her cheek, dragging upwards across her flesh. Ichinora yelped, the sound coming out strangled from her tight throat as she stumbled away from the feline. She got a glimpse of him, perched on the wooden banister the ran between the support beams that held up the second level of decks.
As she fell back onto her buttocks, the hunter's worg suddenly appeared, barreling around the corner with a howl, leaping up and latching his teeth into the dark druids hind leg, dragging him from the banister. Baju suddenly rounded the turn with the hunter not far behind. The warrior dashed foreward, knocking the hissing and growling druid into a short alleyway, lit by a single orange lantern. Ichinora blinked dazed eyes as she followed the hunter into the small opening. The area was shaped like a circle once they were past the trash and debris that mostly hid the area from view. Baju was hacking and slashing his axes at the druid, who seemed to be easily dancing just out of his blades path. The worg was already dead, having perished somewhere the time it took Ichinora to reach the alleyway after falling.
The druid suddenly set his eyes on the poor goblin, striking out and nearly killing him when he stepped too close. The hunter shouted loudly, stumbling back several feet, clutching at his bleeding chest. He roared, spouting out some obscenity before making a mad dash for the exit. He was cut short however, barely making it past Ichinora before the druid pounced, cutting his exit off and slashing out, killing him quickly. The night elf locked eyes with the rogue, mere feet from Ichinora now. A heated sort of anger lingered there before he turned back to the obviously winded warrior who was bleeding profusely and staggering dazedly towards the night elf. She hadn't even seen how serious the troll was damaged until then. Stealthing as he slinked back to Baju, the warrior howled angrily, raising his axes in the air as he did. Striking from behind, the druid paralyzed him and with a vicious sort of roar, then went into a deadly rampage, cutting Baju down mercilessly.
Before Ichinora could even think to move, the druid had once again pounced, placing himself between the rogue and her only exit. He stalked foreward, the typically stoic feline face twisted into a snarl. She had no choice but to back peddle away, keeping a hand against the wall to maintain her balance. He transformed back into his night elf form, where the snarl changed to an intense scowl. Branches suddenly grew from the wooden planks at the rogues feet, trapping her in place. She nearly toppled backwards, but the druid's hand shot foreward, gripping Ichinora's wrist, pulling her foreward and into his chest. The roots fell away as he pushed her back into the wall, nearly crushing her between his steely chest and the hard wall of the shanty house.