Sorry for the delay everyone, I wish I could explain why the delay, but my rl work and problems shouldn't stop you from reading, I promise things will get back to the weekly chapters! Maybe even two, let us go with the new arc! As always own nothing of League of Legends, I only own my OC.

Chapter 30. Not going to be an easy case I guess.

The Institute enjoyed certain activities all the times, the rumor mill had come to a stop with the recent development with the relationship of a certain therapist with a Nine-Tailed Fox. Rumors had stopped to turn into a factible thing. And now such thing was that a therapist was inside a room full of pillows trapped without hope of getting out.

Cid found himself having a hard time. He was currently trapped by Ahri arms and tails as she refused to let go, her cheek was close to his and her whiskers made him feel ticklish.

"Ahri… come on, don't be like this"

Ahri voice was full of yearning and warm. Though her body was more focused on showing her possessive side.

"No! I am not letting you go, why can't you just ditch it for a day?"

The current situation was due to one therapist who had to go back to Noxus due to the deal with Swain.

Cid sighed as he tried to move in the tight embrace he found in and looked at Ahri eyes. Her eyes were focused on him, and he could notice the slight pout in her face.

"I just want to have a date with you today… couldn't you ditch it for tomorrow?"

Cid found himself smiling at her and ended up sighing while he used a free hand to caress her cheek.

"No… but you could come with me, I mean, a day in Noxus is nothing big. Is just me sitting in a room in the house of the DuCoteau family…"

Ahri looked at him and ended up sighing as a smile made her way to her face.

"Okay… let us go then"

Ahri released him from the tails embrace, but not of her own embrace with her arms as she softly kissed his cheek, after that she ended up pushing her cheek against his in a way to show affection.

Cid understood one thing immediately after the relationship with Ahri began just a couple of days ago.

Ahri loved contact.

No matter the type, she liked keeping constant contact with him. Be things as just taking his hand, or staying close to him. Or other actions as keeping her arm linked with his, sometimes she would use some of her tails to hug him. And even in the night he could swear she would visit his office to give him a hug before she went to sleep.

And there was her special position when he was in his office sketching. she would just let herself over his head, making use of her superior height to just stay over him and embrace him with her arms. Her tails would always move in happiness especially in this position.

He had come to accept her constant need of contact. In a way, he had come to enjoy it. He wasn't that physical at times. But he ended up accepting Ahri constant physical affections because they were her own way of showing how much she cared of him.

Wukong had try to be clear with him about something relating to physical contact…

"Whatever happens, just, well grit your teeth and don't yell"

Cid raised an eyebrow behind his glasses hearing this.

"Why would I need to grit my teeth?"

Wukong chuckled as he scratched his back with this staff. He seemed uncomfortable speaking about it.

"Well… Vastayas can get… physical, so I think you should know that stuff seeing as you and Ahri are a couple Cid"

As much as Cid considered he was great at reading people thoughts and body language, he wasn't that good at understanding certain social undertones. And for what he was getting, Wukong meant Ahri would do something at one time. What would it be, he had no idea.

He ended up nodding before smiling.

"Thanks, Wukong, I will remember it"

Wukong waved at him with his free hand while smiling.

"No need for Wukong, you are my friend and rival, so you can just call me Kong"

Cid chuckled before nodding.

"Thanks, you are also my friend Kong, but I am afraid you can't shorten my name, so you will have to stick with calling me Cid"

Both ended up chuckling and resumed their road to try their luck at fishing.

In the road to the summoner to teleport them to Noxus, Cid took notice of someone making a mock salute to them.

Katarina was smirking as she saw them walking in her direction.

"So, rumors were true, you are more into wild girls?"

Ahri didn't like the comment regarding her nature, Cid gentle caress in her hand made her relax and smile looking at him.

"I like Ahri, as simple as that… I hope you don't mind her coming with me today?"

Katarina shrugged. She smirked at him before speaking.

"Not at all, if you don't mind me teasing, I don't mind her in my home"

Cid nodded. Ahri ended up nodding too.

"Well, let's go, Swain told me to stop with him first today, so come on, he doesn't like people being late, and I don't like him being mad"

In a purple flash, they were in the city of Noxus. The path to the command center with Swain was a simple and straight path. Katarina wasn't kidding regarding she didn't want to be late. The conversation had been kept to a minimum. They had chosen the fastest road and the one with less people in it, Katarina explained it was better people didn't see Ahri around. She explained it was better to not attract so much attention.

Ahri shrugged. Cid had offered her a reassuring hand. He knew that while Ahri could act like she didn't care, she did mind the fact she was obviously different to everyone around and that she was seen as such.

While in her thoughts she could hear Cid voice softly.

"Is okay... they don't know what they are missing"

This brought Ahri a smile again. A true smile as her pearly fangs showed up peeking in her smile.

While none of them could notice Katarina was smirking. She found herself smiling at the couple. Noxus was a place of lies and treachery. The strong were favored. But anyone who could show a talent could grow, and under Swain, every talent was groomed until it reached its maximum potential. There were no useless talents in the Noxus of Swain.

Every talent had a use. And every talent deserved to reach its maximum potential.

Sure there were problems, and sure Noxus wasn't perfect. But being under Swain rules sure was better than the past. The wolves did not eat each other anymore… But it didn't mean things were peaceful.

Seeing someone as the therapist and the nine tailed fox who could be so open with their feelings, hiding nothing inside was refreshing. And in a small way, she wondered if she could have that too.

Maybe… just maybe someone in Demacia could start learning to be a bit more open. Or at least to break the rules a bit more.

The future would tell.

Katarina noticed they were reaching the entrance to the command center. After making a salute to the guard she spoke.

"I am bringing the therapist and his partner to Swain, he should have told you about my visit"

The guard nodded and motioned for them to enter.

Ahri had been impressed with the way Noxus changed. From slums to homes full of elegance, to others from colors to gray and black in the buildings. All in a military way. She guessed this was the lifestyle of those who went around conquering around.

The lifestyle of a nation that lived in constant conflict.

Cid was thinking something along the same lines. Swain had turned Noxus into a land of efficiency and simplicity. And speaking of him, he was sitting in front of them on his desk looking at a map.

It looked like a map of Ionia...

Swain sighed looking at it, he took on the presence of Cid and a small smile took place on his face.

"Ah, perfect, my ambassador has arrived in time"

Katarina, Ahri, and Cid all tried to look for the so-called ambassador. Swain ended up chuckling before pointing at Cid.

"Congrats Cid, you are going to be making a trip to Ionia every week until your work here is done"

Cid's eyes opened in surprise. Ahri beamed up. They would be going to Ionia. Katarina was simply confused, why sending them to Ionia?

As if hearing her thoughts Swain spoke.

"While we lost our campaign against Ionia, I wish to make trades with the land, but they refuse to accept anyone who was born in Noxus. So I thought, maybe someone who was born in Demacia and has good relations with the people of Ionia would be a good ambassador for us"

Cid's eyes opened up behind his glasses. Ahri, on the other hand, was excited about the idea of them going to Ionia together.

"Swain… are you sure? I mean, do you think they will receive me?"

Swain nodded his face a semblance of seriousness.

"The glory of Noxus can't be stopped. Sadly, this is not a military battle, this is a battle of smarts, and for that, the best I can send are you and Cassiopeia… I am not well received in Ionia"

Everyone knew Swain would never be allowed to set a foot in Ionia.

"This is a move that has a lot of risks, but I am willing to try it, I rather have Ionia as a neutral land than an enemy"

Cid could hear a "For now" in that phrase, but he nodded. He was a citizen of Noxus. He couldn't refuse Swain orders.

"Understood, when do I go to Ionia?"

Swain smiled.

"Next week, you will be going through the teleportation mediums of the Institute, Cassiopeia will be going with you, I will be writing a document for them to know of your stay. Cid, needless to say, it will be an important task I am giving you. I expect positive results"

Cid nodded.

Swain spoke again motioning for someone else to enter.

"Talon will take you and Ahri to the DuCoteau home, Katarina you are staying"

Talon motioned for Cid and Ahri to follow him. As they went out, the door was closed and Katarina crossed her arms looking at Swain.

"You never told us about your plan to send the therapist to Ionia"

Swain nodded looking at the map again.

"Indeed. It came as something of a chance truth be told. And the therapist will be safer in Ionia… the Black Rose under Leblanc would be trying a hit on him if he was to remain in the city"

Katarina nodded. Rumors went on the street on the anger of Leblanc.

"Poppy got her hard didn't she?"

This phrase, in particular, brought a pleasant smile at the face of Swain.

"Oh indeed… that should teach her to think she can outsmart me… if she thinks she can take Noxus and make it in her playground she is wrong… Noxus won't fall to her… you may go to your home Katarina, make sure Cassiopeia is ready for her trip too"

Katarina nodded and thought on his words.

Swain didn't care of himself. He cared for Noxus. He was truly only seeing for the best of Noxus. And that was what made him so dangerous to Leblanc.

Simple man would fall for power, desire for riches, temptations for the spirit and the body. Not Swain. He abandoned the idea of being a simple man. He was a symbol. A symbol of strength and the might of Noxus. He would do everything in his power to make sure Noxus was safe and that it would prosper.

The fact he wasn't someone that Leblanc could either outsmart or tempt. Was what made him so dangerous in her eyes. And just recently he had obtained a different piece for his chess. A pawn that moved like a pawn, but could suddenly move like a knight if it was in risk. She knew why the therapist was important to him.

But did Swain knew she knew this?

Knowledge in Noxus kept you alive, but to much knowledge could make you a risk. And all risk was dealt with in Noxus.

Thinking about it wasn't worth it. For now, she needed to focus on seeing her sister and telling her she was going to be in Ionia for a while.

It was needless to say Cassiopeia enjoyed the surprise visit of Cid and Ahri. The first one because it was a good friend to her. The second one, because she knew she would not judge her regarding her looks.

Speaking of looks, Cassiopeia looked different. She had requested the help of the Institute. She had requested their help to change her appearance. While the curse would remain and keep her abilities, at least she looked different.

She was wearing a tiara in the middle of her head, keeping her brown locks flowing to the sides of her face. Her torso looked more human without the scales, there were still traces of them to her side and while she still had a tail she definitely looked happier wearing a sort of white cloth acting like a dress covering her chest to the point in which her body and tail fused.

"I am happy to have both of you in my home, please follow me to the study"

Cid smiled at seeing her so happy. Ahri had never seen Cassiopeia smiling, or not looking green either, she was glad of seeing her happy too.

Cassiopeia was happy of her change. And she showed it in her movements and in her speech. Cid took to sit in a couch in the study, Ahri didn't wait long to sit right next to him, Cassiopeia had heard the rumors of the Institute, but seeing it in front of her made her smile.

"I am happy for you Ahri, you sure got yourself a nice suitor"

Ahri nodded while hugging Cid by throwing her arm over his shoulders, making him stick close to her.

"He is the best"

Cassiopeia chuckled coming close to the piano in the studio, she felt like playing and had been enjoying the instrument as of her recent change. As she took to simply play she heard Ahri standing up.

And judging by the voice with her, she had taken Cid up too.

"Let us dance"

Cassiopeia took a quick look behind her and saw Ahri taking Cid in her hands and dancing. It was obvious Ahri knew how to dance, and it was even more obvious that if she wasn't guiding Cid, he would end up in the floor

She chuckled and kept playing a slow piece for the two dancers. Or was it the dancer and the therapist? She smiled at it and kept playing.

Ahri was enjoying dancing with Cid, guiding his steps and keeping him close to her. Cid took notice of how she was the one leading the dance. He simply smiled at himself knowing he wasn't able to guide her, for starters Ahri was taller, and it was just more natural for her as she was the one who moved with more grace too.

Yet the more they dance the slow piece Cid felt he saw something behind the eyes of Ahri. Something a bit more...feral? As if the consciousness of Ahri was also fighting something deep in her. Cid couldn't quite get it.

The time went flowing in soft music and a simple lunch courtesy of Cassiopeia. Talon had been with them for a while before seemingly going away to do whatever he did in his own time. Cassiopeia sighed, she told them there was a time he was more cheerful. Now a days all Talon did was obey orders and walk around without speaking a word if it wasn't needed.

Cid took note of this and decided he would later try to speak with Talon about it. He felt he could help Talon. Especially because he felt he had seen a similar case long before. Even if he couldn't quite put a name on it.

The time went flowing softly and freely. Cassiopeia excused herself saying she felt like reading. Cid decided he might as well simply go upstair to the room given to him and rest. Ahri followed behind him. Cid remembered though a small fact of the room.

It only had one bed.

Cid decided he would point to Ahri he would sleep in the desk. It wasn't uncomfortable to him after all.

He never got the chance to speak about it before Ahri hugged him and threw both of them in the bed. Ahri giggled making sure her tails were covering them as she was over him keeping contact with his eyes.

"Oh no, I know what you are thinking, I don't care how beautiful and comfortable that desk looks, you are sleeping in the bed with your girlfriend"

The way Ahri said those words would be taken badly by many others. But by Cid those words were a clear show she isnt letting him go. He sighed and simply looked her in the eyes

"Is this your definition of a date?"

Ahri smile made Cid blush in embarrassment. Her smile was simple and pure honesty. Nothing but pure feelings of care and love. And it made Cid blush as he saw how her eyes were only focused on him.

"My definition of a date… is spending time with the one I love, and simply staying by their side… I don't need to get gifts, or food, I can have that myself. But what I want in my date, is knowing I can do nothing in it, and just by being close to you I can feel happy. So yes, just you and me right now, is a date, the first of many... I hope"

Cid could notice the hurt in the last words. She was insecure.

Even though he had chosen her instead of Sona, she was still feeling insecure regarding their relationship. That was the reason for contact… she just wanted to show she cared.

"Of course. I have never been in a date before. So I guess both of us will have to try learning"

Ahri smiled before simply hugging him tightly and not letting go.

"I am not going anywhere Ahri…"

He found himself offering back the hug.

"I know… I just want you to feel the way you make me feel"

Cid found himself becoming more red in the face as he felt the warm all over of his face. Ahri simply laughed tightening her grip around him and putting her cheek next to his, the contact with the whiskers of Ahri didn't help Cid feel less embarrassed.

"What's not to love of you, you silly therapist"

Cid found himself unable to hide his face with his hands and could only let out a sigh as he was smiling at Ahri.

What was there not to love of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

In the Institute a woman was baking sweets for her guest. Truth be told, she was making them for her sister. But she could do a bit more for the guest that hopefully wouldn't stay long.

"Elise… to what do I owe this visit?"

Saying pleasure would have been a lie. And Morgana was no liar.

"What? Do I need a reason to visit my friend?"

Morgana expression spoke her thoughts clearly.

"Yes, yes you do as we are not really friends… what brought you here?"

Elise chuckled seemingly looking at her sharpened hands before speaking.

"Someone told me you are friends with a mind reader, I was hoping to know about it"

Morgana chuckled before once again putting more attention to the sweets than to Elise.

"He is a nice gentleman, and a good friend, as for his more magical talents, I am afraid I got little to offer on it"

Elise seemed to focus her attention on it.

"I see… do you think he would be willing to lend his talents?"

Morgana took the recent baked cookies for her sister. And she looked at Elise in the eyes.

"He hates violence, so yes I would dare say he would not lend his talents to whatever you are trying to do… you already got a warning by attacking a summoner. I would be more careful Elise"

Elise seemed to smile at that. A more predatory look in her expression.

"Is that a threat?"

Morgana laughed. A laugh that seemed to release her power around the small room making Elise flinch.

"I do not make threats. I make promises"

The conversation ended at that moment. Elise took to go out of the room, not before speaking.

"Things will change here Morgana, if I was you, I would be trying to be on the proper side by then…"

Morgana laughed ignoring Elise.

"I am on the proper side Elise. Is you who is on the wrong side"

Elise left and Morgana made sure to put the cookies in a bag. Sadly, Elise was right. Rumors had been going around.

Things were going to change in the Institute. For better or worse, she didn't know. But she would be damned if she didnt made sure the people she cared of were safe. It would be an easy work.

She didn't care for many.

Nami and Jax were speaking in the lake as often they did. Sadly this time the conversation wasn't so merry.

"They are putting a lot of people in danger… if something is not done, things will spiral out of control"

Nami sighed at the words of Jax.

"Is not like you can just go around fighting all of them Jax… what's your plan?"

Jax sighed. His fishing cane resting in the still surface of the lake.

"This is something that will be more related to those who manage battles in the shadows…"

Nami tried to cheer him.

"Not the battlefield for a lamp?"

Jax reaction proved it had indeed cheered him up.

"Any battlefield is the field for a lamp"

Nami smiled nodding at him. She looked at the water stillness and spoke focused on it.

"How many?"

Jax kept his focus on the lake.

"Not enough to approve it. But that could change if incidents were to happen"

Nami sighed.

"Then you got a plan?"

He nodded.

"Indeed I have one… we just need to make sure the conflicts stop for awhile… at least until the next voting. That would give us a whole other season to keep this place a float"

Nami nodded in understanding.

"It has managed to stay open for this long… but people are still afraid, the concept is terrifying I guess, a lot of powerful beings, all together in a place. I guess it puts people nervous"

Jax sighed as he kept his gaze on the line of his fishing cane.

"It puts people nervous, and it makes some others get ideas… ideas of the wrong kind"

Nami kept looking at the lake, this time hoping to change the theme of their dark conversation.

"You know I told the fishes to go away as long as you fish here right?"

Jax simply kept still. Not showing any reaction to her words. Suddenly he brought the line up with a small fish in it.

His tone of voice revealed his smugness.

"One will obviously ignore you"

He released the fish back in the lake.

"Things are going to get tough around the Institute. The best we can do… is do our best and try to keep this place going"

Nami nodded before sighing.

"This is not going to be an easy thing is it?"

Jax chuckled.

"That is the only thing you can be sure of"

A storm was building up. And only a few knew about it. A race to keep their home safe was starting. And everyone would have a role to fulfill in it…

CUT!

Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Is good to be back in action, I love writing. Simple as that, I love sharing this story with all of you, I hope to as always read your reviews, or just know that you enjoyed this chapter. See ya hopefully soon with chapter 31.

Chapter 31. The missing knife.