A/N: Sorry this one is short the chapters get longer from here.
The following day I awoke exhausted. I barely made it through the day and passed out as soon as the shop closed. Nothing could have awaken me from that sleep, not even the demon hunter. I slept like a baby.
As our game was wrapping up that night, the four of us chatted in the square for a bit before walking home. By the time we were done, I was worn-out from all the play and social interaction. As we said goodbye, Ceron and I began walking off in the same direction.
He made casual conversation with me, asked how I was and what I'd been up to when not hanging out with them. I told him the usual: helping my parents at the bakery. As we were exiting the square, I glanced up at the sky and noticed something on the roof of one of the buildings. I nearly gasped. Thankfully, Ceron was rambling about something else and didn't notice. I stopped dead in my tracks for a moment. The demon hunter, perched on a roof top, was staring directly at me. Or at least, I thought he was. I returned his unwavering stare. Almost as if time stood still, we acknowledged each other and I ran to catch up to Ceron. We continued home together, making light conversation all the way.
He insisted on walking me all the way home, so reached my abode, and I said goodbye to him. He stood in front of me as if expecting something. I questioned him. He admitted that he liked me and asked if I wanted to go out with him. Internally, I shuddered at the thought. It wasn't as if I disliked him, I just wasn't interested. While Ceron was a great friend he wasn't really my type. As I was about to outright reject him, I heard a thud from behind me. It was the sound of wind flapping and a heavy object hitting the ground. It cast a shadow before me, and I knew who it was.
Before I could turn around, Ceron, who was facing us, shouts, "Eden watch out!" and pulls me behind him.
I sighed to myself watching their interaction. Ceron glared at him and didn't seem to be afraid. The demon hunter towered menacingly over him as he stepped closer.
"You can go home," I tell Ceron calmly.
He looks back at me with shock. "And leave you alone with this demon!? No way."
"It's okay, he's not dangerous."
I step out from behind Ceron and approach the demon hunter.
"Have you not learned the dangers of being out here?" he growls lowly at me.
"Stay away from her!" Ceron shouts and runs between us. I step back reflexively.
The demon hunter grabs him forcefully by the neck and looks down at him. "You should have listened to-"
"Let go of him!" I shout.
He looks at me curiously, and then gives a smirk. He let go of Ceron and turned to me. Without another word Ceron gives me a look of concern and then returns home. When he was gone, I wanted to scold him for trying to harm my friend.
"Why did you do that? And what are you doing here?" I confront him. Though I wasn't angry about it, I pretended to be. I was quite elated that he would follow me.
He wasn't wearing a blindfold tonight, and the green light inside the sockets shone even brighter. His expression was that of anger, but I knew better there must be something behind it. What reason would he have to be angry with me? "You should not be wandering the streets this late," he grumbles alluringly. Ah, so the emotion behind it was concern. Or rather, was it that of jealousy? I giggle internally at the silly thought.
"What I do is not your concern," I reply nonchalantly. The truth was, I wanted him to care about me. While he already expressed it, I unconsciously tested the strength of it. How far does his care for me go?
He takes a step toward me; it was the closest I had been to him before, but not close enough. I look up at him with frustration and curiosity. He leans in and says, "Do you have no concern for your life?" He mocks my retort. "Do you know how many smugglers in this city would love to get their hands on a girl like you?" I stare in shock at him and take a step back, offended. It was only around ten, and besides I walked home with a friend. And what exactly did he mean by 'a girl like me'?
"Sorry?" Confusion was all I could sputter out in response. His reaction scared me, and not just because he looked scary. I garnered the courage to add, "I wasn't even alone though."
"You think that mortal can protect you?" he scoffs. "I would like to see him try." His eyes seethe with fel fire and his hands clench into fists. I furrow my brow in confusion, both at his words and his reaction. Of course, the answer was simple. I knew not who this man was. I knew not a single thing about him. To pretend to myself that I had become infatuated with someone I barely knew was silly. He might be the most evil and uncontrollable person on Earth, but I couldn't say a single trait about him as I'd known him only two days. I tended to delude myself when it came to someone attractive. Still, I couldn't help but feel something was different with him; and the only way to get to know him was to show him I cared. He quickly regained himself and returned to normal frustration levels.
I see an opportunity, and say shyly, "Good thing I have you to protect me then."
His expression softens after my comment; that seemed to calm him down even more. "Hm," is all he says, his gaze fixated on me.
Before he could say anything I add, "But since you're protecting me as you say, what name should I call for when I need you?"
He smirks at my question. It was an honest attempt to get to know him. I knew nothing about the man before me, yet I desired him... I shook my head. It was something about his eyes that drew me in. "Illidan."
"Ah. Illidan," I respond with a smile. "Thank you for looking out for me."
He looks away, as if asking himself why he followed me in the first place. Why else would he have unless he cared for me?
"Well good night," I say quietly and turn to go inside.
Illidan says nothing in return, but I hear his footsteps depart as I open the door to the bakery and head inside. I wasn't sure what to make of that encounter, but I felt like slowly I was learning more and more about him.