Disclaimer: Riot Games owns all of this, you know?
Author's Note: Surprise! An update! And this time it wasn't a month long wait!
Some of you gave feedback without login in. I wanted to reply, but I couldn't! Do try to login and I can reply to your inquiries and doubts (if your interested in such things).
Now, I shall not divert your attention anymore. Here's the new chapter! Enjoy and Review!
Chapter 7 - Showtime!
It was just another day in the Institute of War. There was simply nothing of relative importance to be noted about that day, except perhaps that it was the day for the follow-up of the vaccine the Summoners had recently administered to the champions after the outbreak of the undisclosed disease. The Summoners were not very cooperative with disclosing details about the disease, what it entailed, its symptoms and more importantly, its effects. They were asked plenty of times by several different envoys but they remained obstinately tight-lipped. Only Kayle, The Judicator, was fore-coming to the media about some details and even then they were meaningless and simple. This created many doubts and distrust from outsiders of the Institute towards the Summoners. This was reflected inside to the point that most champions didn't really care what happened to the Summoners as long as it didn't involve them, though it wasn't any different compared to the beginning of the League.
As they had done previously, the Summoners petitioned the expert medical hand of the Kinkou to overview the process of carrying on the follow-up in case of any adverse effects to the various metabolisms they had. This necessitated an expert hand, since each Champion was unique and their race made a huge difference in the possible after-effects of the vaccine. The physiognomy of Trundle was way different than Veigar, for example, and the vaccine needed careful tuning to answer the problem and not cause any new ones.
This turned out to be a menial labour of asking simple everyday questions to them and taking some simple data they could do in any of their own personal rooms and later on procure to them.
They were not very thrilled with this.
And they had to interview all the champions in a day, so it needed to be done hastily.
Thus, it had been for several hours already that the three ninjas, with the organizational aid of the lower tier Summoners, had been carrying the relatively brief meetings in the medical wing of the Institute.
"Hello~!" A cheerful voice called, marking the advent of another champion. Soon enough, Luxanna Crownguard, the Lady of Luminosity entered the cubicle. Her ever bright clothes and hair were already a trademark of the petite Demacian, as well as her optimistic view of life. May hap a tad too optimistic, according to some. "Is it my turn?" She asked smiling and leaning back and forth on her feet.
The Fist of Shadow, now donning her medical garbs gave her a quick once over. The first thing to take note of was her lack of mage armour, something also normally associated to the blonde, and then the lack of her usual robes, having been replaced with simple everyday clothes. Her opinion of the exalted blonde was neutral. Since she dealt very little with her, she only had the grapevine to what were her dealings, and that was not the wisest thing to do, considering the warping power of gossiping. Thus, the ninja wisely decided to not keep any opinion at all and would form one once she actually had to interact.
The brunette checked her position in the queue on her dashboard where the list and order of all the champions was written. "Yes. Please do have a seat." She said motioning to the only bed in the room. Aside from that piece of furniture, there was a big cabinet filled to the brim with medical implements, a big desk topped with neat but tall stacks of papers and books, and a small bed-side table where a tray with everyday first-aid items laid. It was not a personal office, but she had everything she needed there and close by.
"Oka~y!" The Demacian mage quickly obliged. A courteous smile plastered on her lips, a constant feature of hers.
"Now," Akali started, sitting on the chair placed in front of her interviewee, a leg over the other and used as a makeshift table for her board. "I'll just ask you a few questions."
"Of course." Lux nodded her assent.
"Have you had any sort of itch in the past two weeks?"
"Mh... Not really, except an itchy nose before sneezing."
"That's perfectly normal." Akali noted something on her board. "Any sort of rash or welt anywhere?"
"Nope."
An assent and something more was written. "Good. Did you have any joint pain? Whatsoever?"
"Not at all. I do exercise often." Lux replied with a confident smile.
"It is a good thing to do." Akali replied writing again. "Final question for now before a simple check-up, any sort of weird behaviour, unusual cravings or attitudes?"
To this, the light mage got a pensive look for a few moments, a finger under her chin. "Now that I think about it... Brother did say I was eating more than normal..."
"Any particular food?"
"Not that I know of. Just more of the same."
"Hm... Okay. It could be a late growth spurt."
Lux's face lit up instantly. "Really? You think so?"
"Or pregnancy." Akali said before she held herself in check. What?! Why did I say that?
The Demacian's face was as red as her crimson suit in an instant. "B-but I-I..."
Akali immediately understood two very vital things. Why the petite wizard was fidgeting nervously and why Sinister Blade enjoyed making others blush. She had to hold back the chuckle and instead plastered a serious frown. "It's OK. It clearly can't be that." She said trying to fix her screw up with a helpful tone. It was not a strange thing for her to know who was sexually active among the female champions who decided to confide in her, considering she was the go-to medic for them. None felt very thrilled with confiding with certain aspects of womanhood with Shen or Kennen or any of the resident medical Summoners, and some needed questions about biology answered.
An awkward silence stretched between them. Lux just didn't know how to break it and Akali was patiently waiting for her to return to her normal exuberant self.
"Um... So, what's next?" Lux asked meekly, still her face red and her gaze never landing on the medic. A quick change of topic was needed.
"Something simple. I just need to measure your height, weight and blood pressure. For your chart." The Ionian turned around instantly and took an engraved stick and an equally engraved bracelet from the tray next to the bed.
"Ok." Lux smiled and stood up, already having went through this several times.
Taking the offered bracelet, the blonde placed it on her arm, where instantly holographic numbers came from it. Akali quickly took note of them and removed the bracelet after a few more readings.
"Everything ok?"
The Ionian smiled reassuringly. "All's normal."
It was when she was placing the stick on top of the Lady of Luminosity's head that she heard a rustle behind her coming from the curtains and took notice of Lux's eyes looking over her shoulder and widening in panic. She sighed mentally. What now? Couldn't she work in peace for at least a full hour? It had already been a long day and she couldn't wait for lunch break to grab a bite and chill down a while. And all these interruptions did not help her mood in the slightest. She'd have to place a banner or something asking for no disturbances.
"Hello, Princess." A husky and familiar voice whispered to her ear from behind, a pair of arms quickly circling her waist and a pleasant shiver ran down her spine. A common salutation that Akali was already used to, having had to deal with it every day for the last month and so. To the point she had to physically refrain from leaning back into the warm embrace.
"S-Sinister Blade!" Lux said in surprise and more than a little distrust. The redhead woman always put her on edge, whether it was in the Fields or outside, with her imposing aura of command and stark attitude that bit at anyone that dared to get too close for her liking. She had seen the woman literally get drenched red in blood during a particularly vicious fight and simply laugh as the crimson liquid covered her features and she continued her onslaught. Her sleep had been haunted for plenty more than a fortnight, waking up in the middle of the night with cold sweat.
Yes, it was no secret Luxanna Crownguard feared Katarina Du Couteau.
The Noxian eyed the blonde languidly. "If it isn't the Crownguard brat." She stated in that contemptuous tone she always used when speaking with a Demacian. Even with the grudging respect she had for the Might of Demacia, it did not mean she had to be civil or speak courteously. "Came here for some growth potion? Everyone knows you need it."
Lux's already red face turned even darker in embarrassment and anger. But she dared not act against her words, fearing any sort of reprisal. Du Couteau was a trained assassin after all. "I-I…" She stuttered and she mentally kicked herself at her obvious lack of self-control.
Katarina seemed to smell her fear when a Cheshire grin split her face and as a predator, pounced on her defenceless prey. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?"
"Kitty, play nice." Akali spoke suddenly, slightly disrupting the atmosphere and forcing a pout on the redhead's lips.
"Aw… come on… Let me have some fun…" She replied shaking the Ionian slightly with her arms. Normally this would be dangerous with her forearm protectors, but today it seemed she had foregone them. It was a pleasant change for the ninja to feel the redhead's warm arms around her stomach. An instinctual shudder to get them closer ran over her.
"She's my patient now. Play nice." She finalized and continued with her task of placing the runed stick over the blonde's flabbergasted head. It must have been strange to her to seem the like this. "What are you doing here, Kitty?" She asked as she waited for the readings that soon jumped out and began writing them down.
Placing her head on the ninja's shoulder, she cooed. "Can't I come visit my girlfriend now?"
What?! "Girlfriend?!" Lux exclaimed suddenly. A Kinkou and a Noxian together? It was unprecedented! How the hell did this happen?
Katarina's bright green eyes glued a death glare to her blue, a dangerous glint in them. "Yes, Crownguard. Girlfriend. Is that a problem?" She almost growled defensively, straightening her back and raising her head to her normal place.
Immediately Lux gave a step back in fear. "N-No!" She replied shaking her hands in front of her dismissively.
A hand gave a sharp slap on Katarina's arm. "I said play nice." Akali said slowly and imposingly, having left her board on the bed-side table.
"Hey!" Katarina let out, indignated.
Her brunette girlfriend simply ignored her outburst. "But I am pleased that you visited. Even if we saw each other half an hour ago." A small smile spread on her lips as she continued to work.
Watching the two interact so naturally and socially spoke volumes to Lux that maybe this wasn't such a strange relationship, though it was remarkable they had managed to keep in wraps considering that things never stayed secret in the Institute. Eying the pair more thoroughly, there were certain dubious details, like the glint of Sinister Blade's eyes or the faint ghost of a smirk on the Fist's, things that stood out only if you were actively watching for them, but that did nothing to break the image both women gave of an interactive and healthy relationship. But just how in the blazes could blood-thirsty and anti-social Katarina Du Couteau manage to get the professional and no-nonsense Akali as a girlfriend? This was very suspicious. There had to be something more that she was missing, something-
"You're done, Lux. You're okay." The Ionian interrupted the blonde's internal monologue with a smile. It was clear the Demacian was distressed with Katarina's presence there and she needed a quick out. Sometimes the blade-master could be very oppressive.
"Thank you." Lux said, meaning more than just fulfilling her duties as medic. With one last wary but calculating glance at the pair, the blonde hastily stepped out.
When she was well out of earshot, Katarina let out a hearty chuckle and let go of Akali before plopping down on the bed. "It is so easy to annoy that little girl."
"That was not very nice." The brunette's brows furrowed.
"And complaining publicly about the noobs among the Summoners is?" She pointed out, her own brow raised.
A blush spread over Akali's cheeks. "Well, I… That's not the point!"
"And what is?"
"You can't harass Lux like that all the time!"
"Not my fault she's a meek and spineless mage." She shot back, leaning back on the bed and closing her eyes carelessly.
The brunette's eyes narrowed dangerously but she kept silent for a few seconds, staring intently at the beauty lying down on the bed. That annoying smirk on the redhead was back full force. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
A loud laugh. "You got me!" Katarina grinned at Akali and stood back up. "Come on, let's go have lunch." She added and instantly took Akali's hand in hers and pulled her out.
"H-Hang on a second! Let me leave this!" She said halting the Noxian for a second and leaving the measuring stick and bracelet on her desk. "Now, I'm ready."
Both left the cubicle hand in hand.
This lunch would certainly be interesting.
"The report we got yesterday indicated that the Noxian forces are mobilizing, but we still are not privy as to where-"
"Brother!" A shout interrupted the report from the Might of Demacia to the prince of Demacia, Jarvan the Fourth, and the king's personal bodyguard and friend, Xin Zhao. The three men had gathered a few tables away from the main gathering of champions and summoners, their sensitive topic was not for public ears. It would be disastrous if word got out that the Noxian military was on the move. They would raise their security measures and their information flow would trickle down to nothing.
The three men halted their reunion and instantly took notice of a distressed Lux almost running to them from the main door of the mess hall, some people taking notice of her current actions and some also pointing her out. She soon made it to their recluse table, halting next to them and taking deep breaths of air.
"Luxanna, this is an important matter, this interruption better be worth it." Garen's low voice held a distinct note of authority, something he only used with her when he was either disappointed or he was preoccupied with something of greater significance. His words clearly pointed towards the latter.
Lux gulped nervously but before she could speak, Jarvan interrupted. "At least let her regain her breath."
The blonde shot a grateful look to the Prince, who returned a smile instantly, and addressed her now frowning brother. "I have important news, brother." She paused to take another deep breath. "Today is the follow up of the Summoner's Shadow Vaccine and I went to take mine." The Shadow Vaccine is the name she had come up when everyone failed to explain to her what disease it attacked and how it worked. Since everything was hidden, she dubbed it easily.
"I sincerely hope that's not-"
"It is not." Her tone held a hard edge very seldom associated with the Demacian mage. The three men eyed her more directly, a testament to the rarity of a serious Lux moment. "Let me get to it." She added instantly more calmly. The blonde took a last focusing deep breath. "In the middle of the follow up, we were interrupted very rudely by Sinister Blade and there I found out a secret I am surprised we weren't informed of." She shot a pointed look at her brother, who peeked over her shoulder for a second.
"Brother, you have to know that Sinister Blade..." But it was no use. He was completely lost to her words, as he was now intently looking at a particular table, his mouth agape in utter disbelief. The other two men instantly took notice of his state and followed his path of sight, only to lose control of their jaws as well.
The Demacian mage didn't have to turn around to know what was happening.
Sinister Blade and the Fist of Shadow were officially together.
"Are you ready?" The redhead asked giving a quick glance at the brunette holding her hand. This was it. The moment of truth. After this, there was no point of return for them, and especially for her. It was here that her plan was solidified and she would be forced to carry on towards the end, soldiering onward until the goal of a better Noxus was within her grasp, be it at Akali's side or holding the chain around her neck. It made no difference.
"Yes." Her voice reflected a resolve that simply was not truly there. Oh, she was decided that this was truly the best course of action, but that didn't mean she didn't feel any apprehension at having to face the bulk of the people she interacted daily all at once. But, in the end, it was better to just do it all in one go. Like a removing a band-aid, it was better if it was in one quick yank.
"Well, then." Katarina squeezed her hand, trying to convey some semblance of assurance and proceeded to valiantly and proudly walk into the mess hall. Akali hesitated the first step but then decided to throw caution to the wind and match the Noxian's devil-may-care attitude pace by pace. Let them come.
Their entry of the mess hall went without any fanfare; it was not interesting at all to see people enter and barely anyone paid any heed. After a quick scan of the room, the redhead motioned towards the food, intent on getting something in her growling stomach. The brunette easily acquiesced and fell into place, both soon reaching the end of the line were a mass of people and champions were gathered to order their meal.
"-maybe blue would be a more decent colour for the folds?" A gruff voice said just ahead of them. It was easy to identify the mass of muscles and metal that was the Barbarian King, his hulking form covered in his plated pants and a simple shirt was void of his usual helmet or giant two-handed blade he wore into battle. His long onyx hair was tied in an unruly pony-tail formed at the base of his neck. He was calmly gesticulating something as he spoke to his companion, who was unsurprisingly the only archer in the whole pantheon of champions that wore a cowl and was themed in ice, the Frost Archer Ashe. Her snow-white hair was a stark contrast to her black cape and her soul-piercing ice-blue eyes were always seemingly sparkling with intelligence.
It was Ashe who first took notice of them and gave the customary stiff nod as a salutation to which both assassins replied in kind.
The movement was noticed by Tryndamere who turned around to face them. "Sinister Blade." He growled. "Fist of Shadow." Akali's title was said with more respect and less resentment.
Expected, considering Noxus' barbarian pacification campaign a while back. It was a rather gruesome endeavour for both factions, both sides suffering heavy losses when the Demacians decided to end it and sent their troops, which unfortunately turned the scuffle into a three-way free-for-all skirmish. It was the most chaotic war any of the three had ever entered and would certainly be the only one for a long time to come. That kind was avoided like the plague. You didn't know from where an enemy would pop-up, or if enemies from multiple sides appeared at the same time, things would spiral out of order and the soldiers had to battle on multiple sides at the same time. Even the strategists called it the "Nightmare War", trying to cover all possible scenarios that would only be discarded as the battle quickly deviated from their plans.
"Barbarian." Only the brunette dignified him with a response, Katarina preferring to cheekily keep silent and stare back.
Tryndamere's jaw clenched but said nothing. Glancing from one to the other a few times, his brow furrowed, their eyes conveyed nothing but at the same time shouted untold secrets. There was something different about them as well, something more... Innate. His mind finally clicked and he understood what it was. Just as he opened his mouth to comment on it, his eyes spotted their joined hands. His mouth closed and a malicious smirk stretched over it. "Well, well, well... I never figured you two..." He let his sentence hanging, leaving a confused Ashe and two uncaring assassins looking at him. "What? No witty response?"
Their constant silence irritated him more than any possible comeback they could have made. "Speak!" He bellowed, some of closer people looking their way in surprise.
"We do not have to talk about anything, Barbarian." Akali replied calmly and nonchalantly.
The warrior's back straightened to his full height in an intimidating pose, his eyes sparkling with anger. Ashe read the signs of an obvious eruption and placed a calming hand on his arm. He immediately looked at her, a pair of stoic and cold eyes glued to his own, their message clear. A sigh escaped him and he calmed down.
The assassins were equally surprised at the control the Archer had on the explosive Barbarian. Just a touch and a look and all his resolve crumbled. Was this why she was chosen as the Queen for the Avarosans?"Pardon my husband." Ashe said in her typically frosty voice.
The redhead simply waved her free hand dismissively, knowing the sharp-eyed Freljordian would look at both her hands out of reflex.
Ashe raised a curious brow a second later, like clockwork. Hesitating just for a split-second, she spoke. "Are you two...?" A finger was pointed at one and then directed at the other several times, universal sign for a couple.
Katarina grinned and circled her arm around Akali's shoulders. "She played hard to get." The Ionian instantly shot her a disbelieving look. The nerve of her!
Ashe just blinked at such a direct response. "Congratulations, I guess?" She added.
"Heh. I had some respect for you two. Never thought you'd turn out to be a pair of rug-munchers." The Barbarian pointed out acidly, an attempt to get a rouse out of them.
The death glare both sent them (as well as the very displeased stare her wife sent him), were enough proof of his success. Du Couteau was still a hot-head, but she seemed to hold some restraint now if her lack of bark at his comment was anything to go by. A curious change.
"And I suppose a big, strong man like you would show us what it's really like?" Even Akali herself was surprised at the barb she sent. Katarina did smirk in pride. Maybe she was rubbing off on her more than physically after all.
Tryndamere shrugged nonchalantly. If they replied, who was he to stop the trade? "My words exactly."
Akali bristled at the cheek the man had to actually insinuate such an outrageous thing. That she'd soil herself with such a dirty, uncouth... "Forget it. You never stood a chance in the Fields, you'll have less out of it."
Contrary to what would usually be a snarling reply and an angry charge, the hulking man guffawed in mirth, surprising both assassins and drawing a small smile on her wife's face. "I knew you couldn't have a stick up there all the time." He joked/sent the backtalk with a grin. "But you have to admit those battles are close." He added with a wink.
The sudden change in atmosphere to a more amicable surprised but eased the recent girlfriends. "That they are. Though you should be more wary of kiting." The Ionian decided to let slip his last comment if he was willing to be more friendly and less bursty.
He frowned. "And you're telling me this... Why?"
A dark grin split her face. "Handicap."
This produced another boisterous laugh from the Barbarian. Nodding a confirmation to himself, his hand fell on Akali's shoulder rather heavily, making her wince slightly. "Keep that stick out of your ass, this attitude suits you better." He then placed his other hand on Katarina's shoulder, to the same reaction, and stared firmly to her green eyes. "And if you fuck up with her, you'll regret it forever."
The redhead was silenced to inaction by the sudden prophecy the usually dense man gave. What did he know? And what could he see? A future for both of them together? There would be no future once she manhandled Akali to the Noxian High Command.
Tryndamere's hands fell from their shoulders. "So much speaking made me hungry!" He turned around, missing the snorts, and walked off to the food vendors with a yell: "Is it my turn already, you cheaters?!"
"Is he always like this?" Katarina asked the archer, who nodded back.
"He strongly believes that transparency and directness are the ways people will prospere and understand each other." She explained quickly. The redhead withheld from squirming guiltily at her words. The Avarosan glanced over her shoulder at her King. "It's our turn. See you around and congratulations again." She trotted off to get one of the two trays of food Tryndamere was holding.
"That's a side of him I'd never seen..." Katarina commented a minute later when they got their own food, sending a glance in the direction of the Freljordian royalty.
"Oh, I was equally surprised, Kitty. Where do we sit?" Both were standing abreast and scanning for good empty seats.
Looking around, the blade-master's attention was drawn by someone waving secretly at her. "There. Cass saved us a few seats in her 'Plateau', as she calls it."
Akali gave a forlorn look at the empty table she usually occupied with her fellow Kinkou, but they opted to have their lunch at the clinic. A lump grew in her throat as their latest discussion was replayed in her mind and their decision. She was still feeling disjointed about it, but somehow Katarina's never-changing attitude made it easier to bear, a constant in this ever-warping life of hers. Looking around, she noticed the redhead had gone a few steps ahead of her while she brooded.
"Plateau?" She asked when she rejoined Katarina.
"Yeah. According to her, it has a vantage view of all the hall and its happenings. She likes to be in the know and take care of her little grapevine."
"Cassiopeia's a... Gossip?" Akali asked incredulously. She had never taken the time to actually get to know the other Champion's hobbies other than those she interacted with, but to find the Noxian gorgon to be a gossiper, took her completely by surprise.
Katarina snorted. "Gossip? She redefines the word nosy."
Their chatter was soon cut short when they arrived to their destination, many eyes having turned towards the unusual pair now reaching an unusual place, comments and speculations soon erupted all around, initially in hushed tones but gradually less concealed.
"Cass." Katarina saluted familiarly and sat down.
"Sssissster." The younger sister nodded curtly back. Giving the newcomer a thorough once-over and a profound check-out, a glint surged in her eyes that Katarina knew would amuse her to no end. "I must say, those clothes accentuate your figure, but I prefer how you look in one of my sister's bedsheets."
All of Akali's blood rushed to her face in the blink of an eye. "I-I-" She stuttered, her mind coming blank at the sudden intimate comment from the gorgon. She glanced at her girlfriend for support, only to see her holding her stomach in peels of laughter.
Between laughs, the redhead spoke. "You broke her, Cass!"
The jeweled serpent smiled at the reaction she produced and her sister's reply. It was good to know she still had it.
Just when it was about to get awkward and was going to consider leaving, the redhead calmed down and circled her waist with an arm. "Sit, Princess. She's only joking."
Akali mutely obeyed and placed her tray before sitting down. Just how deep was she in the lion's den? Dealing with comments like that from the blade-master was not hard, knowing that they had seen, touched and even tasted each other's naked bodies, but the serpent making that kind of comments did not sit that well with her.
"Now that you're sitting, good day again, Akali." Cassiopeia said, her green eyes, which shared Katarina's shade, were still dancing in mirth.
"I- Good day as well, Serpent." She replied unsure, her previous distrust of the younger Du Couteau receding slightly.
The gorgon tutted. "You're my sister-in-law now, so none of that Title thing. Again?"
The Ionian blinked. What? "Good day again... Cassiopeia?" She offered and a pleased smile split the jeweled Serpent's face. What's her game? She acts so strange...
"Good enough. Now, how's the follow-up going?" She said diplomatically.
"Really, Cass? Really? Can't you ever stop gossiping?" Katarina said, a fork with some food pointed accusatorily at her younger sibling.
"You know me, sssissster." She replied, raising her hands in apology.
"You could at least stop when I present you my girlfriend, Cass."
"Oh, don't be like that, dear sssissster."
"Why do you speak so strange?" Akali blurted out, drawing their attention mid-discussion. Feeling their stares, she nonchalantly awaited their response and grabbed a bite. She wasn't really intimidated by this chatty Grim Sisters, more outlandish things had happened to her.
"I do not speak weird!" Cassiopeia exclaimed all of a sudden. She crossed her arms and frowned, much like a petulant child that didn't have their way.
"You keep stressing the 's', but only in 'sssissster'." Akali pointed out flatly.
The sisters shared a look. It was a pseudo-personal matter, but should they speak of it to someone they would eventually stab in the back? Cassiopeia's shrug was all the clearance needed. It did gave short pang of betrayal at how simply Cassiopeia shrugged it so easily.
"To put it simply, it's our endearing names. I call her 'sssisster' and she calls me 'Cass'." The gorgon explained matter-of-factly.
Curiosity about the backstory for such names spread through her, but Akali decided not to push it. Who knew the Grim Sisters had pet names for each other? It gave the unapproachable women an unseen endearing light. Her hand gave Katarina's a light squeeze and shot her a small smile. So the blood-thirsty actually had a very real mellow side. Even more than the glimpses she caught in their intimacy and interactions.
Katarina' lip slightly raised to a side in response. It was strangely pleasant for a rather out of the blue action.
"Oh, oh." Cassiopeia warned suddenly. "Captain McIdiot incoming."
Slumping her head, Katarina groaned. That was their codename for the senior Crownguard. What exactly did he want now? Every single time they interacted, it quickly devolved into a shouting match with threats and promises of pain thrown into the mix.
Soon enough, a tall and big shadow covered the elder Du Couteau. The three women paid no attention, one out of curiosity how it would turn out and the others out of a few seconds in silence, the owner of the shadow cleared his throat loudly, his patience waned.
Katarina slowly turned around and looked high up to Garen's stoic and frowning face. Just one look and she already wanted to bash it in."Yes?"
The Demacian's scarf and ever-present armour shielded most of his expressions from the three. "Her." He pointed a gauntlet-ed finger at Akali. "She isn't normally in your presence. I find that Noxians and sudden changes don't go well for others. What are your reasons for associating with a Kinkou?"
The inquisitive and almost tyrannical questioning from Garen spiked her fury from within like never before, as if a hidden burst of pure wrath surged through her veins, scalding her and incensing her even more. She was actually having a good, fun and rather enlightening day until this moron decided to show up. Raising to her feet, she eyed the soldier with a hard glare and an uncovered snarl. "And just who do you think you are to judge who I 'associate' with? Don't act so high and mighty just because you are a Demacian." Her sudden tirade was received with shock, if Garen's widened eyes were anything to go by. "If I decide to strip Akali and fuck her right here and right now, guess what you'll be able to do?" The Might of Demacia's brow raised in surprise. Was she ever so defensive or vulgar of his questionings? "Nothing! That's what! Now get out my face and take your little entourage with you. All of you are annoying and this is lunch time." She added motioning to the other three behind him now staring wide-eyed at the sudden and crude outburst from the redhead. She was normally acid and had a viper's tongue, but she was never so on guard, leaving time for others to reply so she could squash their words and continue her onslaught, just like in the Fields.
The elder Crownguard's jaw clenched with frustration but he knew that with those eyes he'd get nothing out of the fuming blade-master. But he couldn't resist having the last word. "This isn't over." He turned around and left under the constant glare of the Du Couteaus, followed by his fellow Demacians, who were eyeing him concernedly. Many onlookers that were already discussing the sudden closeness between the two most renowned assassins now had more fuel for their suppositions and inquiries, their volume once again raising to a noticeable murmur.
The three women watched them go in silence for a few seconds and then Katarina huffed and sat back down in a fit of anger.
"That bastard always pisses me off!" She stabbed her food viciously with her fork and savagely twisted it, imagining it was Garen's face.
"Sssissster..." Cass said soothingly, but it had no effect. The usual call for reason and calmness from the serpent was normally enough, but this time her anger was too great. It wasn't until Akali held her hand between hers, brought it to her face and, completely out of character, blew on it that she visibly calmed down and after a few seconds looked at the ninja blankly, almost asking what it was she had done and why. The ninja just stared back with amused eyes and didn't let go of the hand.
Cassiopeia watched the exchange and somehow couldn't avoid the pang in her heart that she was being replaced in her sister's world. She had been there from the start! She had proven her love for her sister over and over! Years and years the two sisters had been alone against the world, facing its harshness and unwelcoming people. Noxus was a hard place to live in as a woman, and for her militar training, Katarina had endured several stressing times that only she had been witness and confidant in. Many times she had suffered almost torturous treatment from her teachers and would-be peers, but her support and constant words of courage had hardened her heart to the point that she could simply shrug off any kind of verbal harassment. And now, some girl from way far decides to usurp her place? She had half a mind to rip the ninja to shreds just for her audacity and grab her sister back to her clutches.
Her eyes widened.
Was she actually resenting the person they'd condemn to an unlife?
The youngest Du Couteau mutely watched as Akali hugged her sister close and buried her head on the redhead's shoulder. Katarina glanced at her guiltily and encircled her arms around the Ionian and pulled her closer.
Their smile did not go unhidden and that was proof enough. The lump in Cassiopeia's heart clenched painfully as well as her killing intent.
She was horribly jealous of the ninja.
Final note: Did not expect that, did you? I am sure more than one of you are flabbergasted at the last scene. So Cassiopeia is green with envy because of the faux-closeness the two assassins now share. How would you react if the closest person to you left you in the sidelines just like that? I'd be pretty pissed too. However, her jealousy is conflicting with what she knows of the plan, and knows that Akali's freedom is coming to an end soon enough. Will she actually act on it before, though?
This chapter was meant to be way longer, but of the many interactions I wanted the duo to face, there were many redundant ones and the minority will come around in the next chapters, so it's a moot point. I admit it was a bit rushed and needs a bit more polish, but I wanted to get it out a lil' faster and let you speculate as you will.
Next chapter's title: Battle! Take what you will from that. It's a fun chapter, so I'll actually try to get it soon enough. Also, Smut returns! Aren't I good with you, guys?
Give me a shout what you think of this chapter and what you like/dislike and forget to login so I can reply!
Later,
Soulcry.
