... Everywhere there's snow. The wind blows softly, brushing against my already chilled face. My cloak fluttered slightly as I trudged through the snow, every step bringing me closer to her.

It had been about two and a half years since I last saw Elise, but even then, the event was still burned into my mind.

'Why...' I thought sadly.

It was a simply question that produced infinite answers in my mind.

I'm snapped out of my own self-infliction when I feel a pair of hands grab my hand from underneath my cloak along with a voice that had soothed me over the years.

"It's because she loved you Curtis," is all the voice whispered to me.

Due to me and Ahri's bonding from 2 years ago, she and I can hear each other's thoughts, ones that we allow publicly to each other anyway. When we were in the company of other people we tried not to communicate telepathically because I felt like it detached us from the conversation… needless to say we still did it more often than not in amusement.

I look over next to me to the woman who had given everything to me so willingly. She had sacrificed pretty much however long her life would last just to be with me.

"You could have left Ahri," I murmur softly. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't mask the sorrow and discomfort of losing her. If she had left me, I highly doubted that nothing would have stopped me from drowning in my own loneliness.

"If I had the choice again I would still make the same decision," she stated without a hint of doubt. Her voice was like a blanket, wrapping around me and bringing warmth to me like no other.

"I love you too."

I finally turn towards her and she's looking at me from underneath her brown cloak, her golden orbs looking into mine with hope. Even despite the slight dark tint from the hood of her cloak I could still see the smile on her beautiful face.

"Yea...Yea your right Ahri...And I love you too," I finally reply after a minute. Among other things she had taught me, one of those things was to have hope. As childish as that sounded it gave me a sense of calm, if only for a short period of time.

So we continued through the seemingly forever white tundra of snow. The sky was growing dark, the sun taking whatever little light it showed beneath the constant rain of snow. Not too long we came to a pretty thick forest.

We stopped as I checked the map as well as the magic rune that acted like a compass I had embedded into the parchment to make sure we were going in the right direction.

Along the years I had somewhat mastered my magic capabilities with the help of Ahri. I say somewhat because there was a small part that I just couldn't bring myself to tamper with as those powers had Elise's presence all over them. Every time I tried to call them forth my mind would be instantly assaulted by the same spiteful memory of Elise that haunted me when I slept sometimes. It wasn't so bad though as Ahri was right alongside me every step of the way.

"What do you think the institute of war is like?" Ahri asks me after awhile.

"Probably unbelievable," I say simply. "If what the rumors we heard of the place are true then it's probably filled with all kinds of different creatures and people."

"You think there will be another like me?" She asks with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"I'm not sure but I certainly wouldn't rule out the possibility," I reply coolly.

She seems to accept the answer before she jumps to another topic.

"Hey Curtis...I'm kind of hungry," she admits rather timidly, her voice filled with obvious embarrassment.

I turn to her and wrap an arm around her, bringing her closer to me. She was unbelievably when she was embarrassed on a subject-which happened rarely.

"Pick a spot," I reply without missing a beat. Now that she mentioned it I was kind of hungry too. It had been a couple of hours since we last ate something.

I loosen my grip before she runs off and stands underneath a single tree in a small clearing. Her tails whirl impatiently behind her as I closed the distance between us. As I plant my two feet in the ground firmly next to her, I shoot her a wolfy grin.

"And what would my foxy lady like to eat?" I ask in the cockiest voice I could muster. I could tell she was amused by it because she hides a quiet laugh behind the sleeve of her coat in a cute fashion.

"I'm not sure," she drags out purposely, a small smile playing on her lips. A slim finger strokes her chin as she looks to be pondering about what to eat, but I already know what she wants.

"I heard pasta with asparagus," I jest, laughing as her whole facial expression turns to genuine disgust. Before she could her voice her displeasure at the mention of her most distasteful food I quickly add," just joking."

She punches me in the shoulder without much effort, a gesture of mild amusement and irritation rather than the act of inflicting pain.

I outstretched my hands and focus arcane magic in them. I could feel it travel through me, electrifying my blood through my veins all the while. After I'm positive I've built up enough energy for the spell I abruptly stop the flow of magic, trapping it in my hands.

"Conjurar."

As a result from uttering the one word, a torrent of arcane energy exploded from my hands, massing in front of me. It swirled in front of us before emitting a bright white light. I close my eyes for only a second before I feel the light's presence leave, opening them back up to be rewarded with the site of a personal sized camp.

The personal camp was nothing special. It had a pretty small tent underneath the tree with a small lantern next to it. What was the most important part of it however was the wood table decorated with freshly cooked various trays of fish along with rice and wine.

"So-" I began as I turn to Ahri but I'm surprised when she's nowhere to be found.

"Thanks for the food."

My eyebrow twitches involuntarily as I turn to the food, Ahri in turn already gulping down a red dawn fish.

"Someone sure was hungry," I mummer with a grin as I take a seat across from her.

She tries to retort but her voice is muffled from the food in her mouth. I couldn't help laughing as she seemed to have been choking on the food comically. She quickly picks up the cup of wine and downs all of it. I would make a comment about the wine if she hadn't thrown the wooden cup at me after she was done with, a frown adoring her face.

"Where's your table manners?"I joke playfully, earning an "hmph" from her. I stop smiling as I feel...hurt roll off her.

"You shouldn't have laughed at me while I was choking," she angrily before returning to her plate of fish (eating noticeably slower).

"Ahri," I say, my tone containing a bit of hurt and irritation. "You know if you were really in danger I would have leaped across this table and saved you."

This is all I say before I start to eat my food. I'm not sure if I had subconsciously signaled that I didn't want to talk to her or if she was to angry to talk, but silence ensued upon us for the better part of the meal, both of us no saying a word (or thought publicly to each other) .After awhile though I sucked it up and formed a apology. I knew that it wasn't my fault but among the boundless things I learned, it's that you should always apologize to your girlfriend or wife, even if it wasn't your fault.

"I'm sorry Ahri," I apologize in such a genuinely sincere tone that it shocks even me a bit.

She sighs before she stands up and walks over to me. I'm expecting her to walk pass me and into the tent, but instead she plops down next to me, laying her head against my shoulder.

"I'm sorry for overreacting Curt," she whispers to me, her voice so soft it was barely noticeable as it bounced in my head.

"Don't sweat it Ahri," I reply, wrapping my arm around her and hugging her closer to me.


After our little argument we had continued eating for a bit before retiring into the little tent. I had placed the lantern in a small corner so we could have a little light as we talked.

During our many travels together I had come to discover that Ahri liked to talk, more so in the crack of night. Much to my dismay at first, I slowly adapted so that I could stay late up with her. We didn't have to worry about people or animals' discovering us as the tent was masked with arcane magic to allow it to blend in with its surroundings.

I'm lying down on my back, hands behind my head and eyes closed. Lying next to me of course was Ahri, cuddled close with hers wrapped around me. Her warm breath tickled my neck, sending shivers through me. Even after almost three years, she still, had this effect on me, though I'm not complaining in the slightest.

We lay like this for some time before Ahri sparked a conversation, like many times before.

"I can't wait till we get to the institute of war," she whispers, her tone otherworldly.

"To hear the Maven of strings play?" I reply smoothly. In truth I was also anxious to hear this prestigious woman play music.

"That and other things," she says happily.

"To see another of your kind as well perhaps?" I ponder curiously. She didn't need to answer because I could feel the anxiety roll of her. I wrap an arm around her and hug her gently.

"You're not alone Ahri," I state-my voice clear and sincere-before I plant a kiss on her bed of black hair.

"I know, I know," she begins happily before her tone turns slightly dark."I just wish I could fit in, you know...be human," she finishes depressingly.

The words sink in and I can't help but feel that I am partly to blame for her current way of thinking.

"I'm sorry Ahri." I began.

"No Curtis its nots~Awah~"

In one swift motion, I sit up and hoist Ahri in my lap so she's facing me. She's blushing as red as a cherry as I stare at her with stone conviction.

"I love everything about you Ahri."

She tries to interrupt me but I press on.

"I love that you're different," my eyes scanning her face as I see her glance down in a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty.
I lift up her chin and peck her lips.

"Look at me Ahri," I whisper huskily.

She glances up for me for only a minute before I smash my lips against hers.

"I love you. I don't care if you're human or a sexy fox/human. You're all my..." I pause as this is extremely embarrassing to say the least.

Ahri at this point, is looking at me expectantly with a bright and cheeky smile on her face. Her arms wrap around my neck and I knew what she wanted.

"Lover," I finally say my face probably red as hell. No matter how many times I say, it was still embarrassing to say it.

"You know just what to say sometimes Curtis," she coed before planting her lips on the crock of my neck.

My member made its presence known as it was begging for release from its confines, unfortunately the night had other plans for us.

Ahri's body visibly stiffened and she stopped kissing my neck. I was about to ask what was wrong when she pulled me to the floor with her and held a finger to her lips in a silent "shush". I complied with a nod and silently hovered over her as we waited.

"There's something out there," she whispered mentally as if whatever was out there could hear us if she spoke too loud.

"You know if it's a bear or something-"

"I know, it can't see us but this thing is different. Its scent is mixed," She interrupted, pausing in thought. "It smells like a human…and a lion," she replied after a minute.

"That's a…Awkward combination."

"So are a fox and a woman," she replies with in a quiet tone.

"A beautiful woman," I corrected her, along with flashing her cheesy smile.

"I think it knows where here," she thinks grimly, but I could still tell she liked my earlier comment.

We stop our mental discussion and both tune our ears. All I can hear is silence at first, but then I start to hear faint but obvious padding of footsteps against the snow from Ahri's mind. They seemed to be growing steadily louder and at this point I detach my arms from Ahri and rest one hand on the zipper of the tent. I mimic the same motion Ahri did before I unzip it slowly, arcane magic gathered in my right hand as I did.

My eyes strain as I try to look out into the dark, only being able to see the shadows of the trees and the little puddle of light casted down by half-full moon. I cast a glance towards my arcane table; if it was a wild beast they would have been ransacking it. Still sitting idle-by, our dishes seemingly untouched, which meant we were dealing with a sentient being if Ahri's sense of smell was correct. I step out at this point, making sure to zip the tent back up just in case something happened. I feared Ahri would be in the way if I were to tussle with something, especially in the case of this thing being part lion.

"See anything?" I hear Ahri ask quietly.

"Not at the-

I was interrupted as I hear a loud rustle of movement, followed by a roar behind me. I immediately teleport 5 feet away and spin on my heel to what appeared to be indeed a mix between a human and a lion.

The man had a lion-like head with something covering his eye. He had a cross between some sword and some dagger in his left arm, poised to strike at a moment's notice. He had spiked leather shoulder pads and had a metallic claw on his right arm. The last noticeable piece on the strange and intimating hybrid was a necklace harboring teeth on it. He had something akin to a snarl as he looked at me fiercely.

"Why are you trespassing amongst my hunting ground?" he seethed, doing horrible to cover his obvious anger.

"I am sorry for intruding upon your hunting grounds sir lion-man but-"

"You dare mock me prey!" he roared before leaping towards me towards me with ferocity. "I shall have your head!"

As he jumps towards me, blade outstretched, I summon an arcane blade in my left hand and block the attack with somewhat ease. I say somewhat because the force of his blow made me stagger a bit underneath his force, my feet digging into the snow. Time seems to slow as we both look into each other's eyes. I couldn't tell what he was seeing in mine, but what I saw in his was…enjoyment? I didn't have time to dwell on it as I see his right arm come around in an attempt to stab me in the throat. I forcefully release a pulse of arcane magic from my body, knocking him away back first into the snow. I teleport towards him and hold my sword towards his neck.

"This fight is over," I say coldly. My eyes narrow after he shows a toothy grin and lets out a chuckle.

"On the contrary," he says before disappearing right before my eyes. I slam my hand into the ground in a late attempt to see if were still their but of course to my annoyance he wasn't. To make matters worse I hear Ahri's voice ring into my head.

"Curtis are you ok?" she asks worryingly.

"Ahri just stay inside ok," I command rather then ask.

"Hmmm…you're not the only one here are you?" his voice laughs out. "A fox and a human female…interesting.

I wasn't planning on hurting him but I couldn't risk putting Ahri in danger. I immediately slam my hand to the ground and call forth my spiritual magic. Blue spirit fire burst forth around me before 4 blue wolfs appear around me.

The four wolfs are all similar in size and appearance. They have bright red eyes and a blue mane that was constantly ablaze with fire.

"I give you to the count of three whom-ever you are to come out and talk about this… or die. I'm sorry if I trespassed on your lane but I don't want to kill anymore…so please," I practically beg at this point.

"One."

He doesn't respond; all I hear is the dead of night and my spirit wolves emitting low growls.

"Two."

My hand tightens as I felt like the only choice here would be to kill.

"Such cowardness," I hear from in front of me. I narrow my eyes before I see the lion-man scratch his head, his dagger already sheathed along his belt." You are not worthy of adoring my wall," he says with distaste.

I dismiss my wolves and bow before him, much to his surprise.

"I'm sorry for trespassing in your territory. I was unaware that this was yours to begin with. We were just passing through."

"Yes you and your fox woman I presume?" he asks, curiosity hidden in his voice as he notices Ahri come out of the tent.

"Her name is Ahri," I corrected him, seemingly much to his annoyance. "We were going to rest here for the night before arriving at the institute of war tomorrow morning.

The lion-man stiffens before outright laughing. I'm confused to say the least and I cast a side-ways glance at Ahri. She shrugs her shoulders before giggling at big and making a short of odd-motion towards me with her hand.

"You wouldn't arrive at the institute for probably another week at the least on the route you're taking if my assumptions are correct," He says after a minute before asking if I had some sort of map. After I whip out the map we both scan over it (including Ahri who's peeking over my shoulder) as his finger trails along the map.

"We are currently in the howling marsh, you probably thought we were in the marshes of kaladoun," he says with a quiet chuckle.

"I told you we should have been seeing bear-turtles by now," Ahri whines.

I and the lion-man both look at Ahri before she shoos us away with a hand, her face slightly red in embarrassment.

"Well thank you for at least clearing it up for us, I must have read it wrong," I admit truthfully. "My names Curtis," I say quite late before extending my hand.

"Rengar," the lion-man now known as Rengar replies as he shakes my hand with his furry hand.

As I dismissed the map I turned to Rengar.

"We will be taking our leave, sorry again for bothering you," I say before respectfully bowing again and turning towards Ahri.

"Wait," he calls and we both turn towards him. "If you want, I can teleport you to the town along the institute of war. I cannot transport you there directly as the magic means of entrance is closed after so late but I can help you out enough to the point of it being a short walking distance in the morning after finding a hotel in the town," he says with a pleasant smile…as far as Rengar goes.

"That would be greatly appreciated Rengar," Ahri chimes merrily.

I nod in agreement.

He waves us in close to him, while pulling out a brilliant sapphire stone.

"Hold onto me."

After we both come into contact with him the stone glows immensely. I stay calm as it only lasted for a short while before we were standing in the middle of the supposed town close to the institute.

The town itself looked like no subtle town to say the least. Buildings upon buildings had some sort of fancy glowing sign or some sort of attention grabber. There was oil lamps positioned along the both sides of the sidewalk, all of them burning quite brightly. Perhaps unfortunate for Rengar, there were still people scattered about walking to wherever they were or rather, were walking to wherever before their eyes fell upon him.

Much to Ahri's amusement and my annoyance, Rengar lets out a roar; freighting all of the civilians and making them disburse.

"Look at them run," he says with a laugh.

"Thank you for teleporting us here rengar. I think me and Ahri will be taking our leave," I say begrudgingly, not wanting to be in the company of the crazed lion-man any longer then I necessary.

"I must ask a question first Curtis," he asks with such a serious tone that I can't help but be on edge by it.

He walks up close to me, laying both his hands on my shoulders. His gaze seemingly scanned my face, as if he was looking for something.

"You have so much power and yet..." he trails, his tone taking on an air of something of a mystery. He shakes his head and backs off a bit. "With so much power you should revel in the joy of killing," he grins crazily.

I couldn't help but shrug off his hands and turn towards Ahri. "I've done enough killing to last me a lifetime," I say sadly, giving him one last glance before standing next to Ahri. She grips my left hand, trying to comfort me probably, and I silently thank her.

"The only reason you did not fall to my blade," Rengar begins, his voice like a creeping cold making its way throughout my body. "Is because you had more power than me," he finishes quietly.

I turn around but all I see is a white light explode before fading as quickly as it appeared. My hand grips tighter to Ahri and I can't help but feel like we just had a talk with the devil himself. I sigh wearily before Ahri's voice plays through my head.

"What a weirdo."