DA: Wow, this is the very first time I've uploaded another chapter to anything within a week...I didn't think that was possible...
Neko: It's because you love me so much, isn't it?
DA: Yeeeaaaah...Suuure. If you want to see it that way, then be my guest.
Neko: Hey! Well if you're going to be THAT way, then I'm not doing the disclaimer for you!
DA: Fine by me. Hey Ayame! Would you mind doing the disclaimer for me?
Ayame: Yay! DarkAmber does not own World of Warcraft! But she brought us to life anyway, so we all appreciate her hard work!
Neko: Tch, suck up.
DA: Shut up, Neko. Now, on with chapter 2!
Chapter 2: Her Purpose
The two elves had finally arrived to their destination. Ayame, who hasn't seen the Night Elf capital before, was busy gawking at every detail within Darnassus's walls.
"You guys have a bank that's shaped like a bear?" the blonde asked excitedly. "That's so cool! Ooooh, look at all of the different buildings! What's that really big one over there?"
"That's the priest's temple," Riku smiled at him. He really is just like a little kid…
"Really? Woooow…So, where are we headed?"
"Well, first of all, I have to deliver this package to one of the Guards…then maybe after that, they'll send me on another quest of some sort…"
"What if they don't have another quest ready for you right away?"
"Then I'll probably end up just doing some research…"
"On what?"
Riku's features saddened. Before she could reply, a female Darnassus Guard ran up to them.
"There you are, Riku! I've been waiting for you! You still have the package with you, right?"
Riku nodded, and held it out to her. "It's right here."
"That's good. Really, all I needed was to see that you still have it. I would really appreciate it if you would take it to my friend in Stormwind, ok?"
The hunter's eyes widened. "All the way to Stormwind? I dunno, I've only been there once, and I forgot to open the flight paths-"
The Guard's pleading look cut her off. "Oh, please! I don't know anyone else I can send right now! I promise I'll pay you a good price!"
Damn, why do I always fall for the look?
Riku sighed, "Well…I guess I could…"
"Great!" she grasped Riku's hand firmly. "I'll be awaiting your return to distribute your pay. Make it easier on yourself, and remember to open all of the flight paths this time!"
The hunter rolled her eyes. "Yeah, all right."
"By the way…" the Guard's eyes had finally fallen on Ayame. "Who's your friend?"
The Blood Elf smiled, "I'm Ayame! I'm going to be protecting Riku from now on!"
"Oh, really?" she smirked in Riku's direction. "Is he your boyfriend?" she whispered to her. "He's awfully cute!"
Riku blushed, "Huh? No, no, we're not going out…I helped him out of a tree, so now he's following me around. Nothing's going on!"
"Are you sure? You're sounding defensive!"
The blush deepened, "Y-yes, I'm sure!"
It was the Guard's turn to roll her eyes. "If you say so. I suppose I should let you guys be on your way, then. Be careful out there in the wetlands, ok?"
Ayame and Riku saluted her in unison. Just as the two of them and Neko were walking in the opposite direction, the guard popped up with one last statement that made the three of them freeze in their tracks.
" Wait a minute, hold up! There's something funny about you, Ayame!"
Both Elves went as pale as a ghost. "Wh-whatever do you mean, M-Miss?
The Guard looked at him hard in the eye. She then examined him with utmost intensity. Riku's heart was beating a mile a minute.
This is bad, this is very bad! What if she finds out he's a Blood Elf? What would happen to him? She can't possibly see through his disguise, can she? I don't think I'd be able to tell the difference…
Neko was even tensing up a fair amount. Ayame getting caught would mean loosing the hand that feeds him as well! He couldn't let anything happen to Riku!
But as the Guard took another breath to speak, everyone snapped out of their own thoughts. "I thought something looked different about you!"
Oh no!
"…How in the world do you get your skin to stay so soft looking?"
…Huh?
"Seriously! I've tried every product known to Elf! Nothing works! You wouldn't happen to be a Herbalist, would you?" Ayame nodded. "Great! Do you think you could whip up whatever you use for me sometime?"
"Um, I guess-"
"Awesome! It doesn't have to be now, I have to go anyway. I'll see you guys when you get back, ok? Bye!" With that, she ran off.
Ayame turned to Riku. "She's kind of scary…"
The hunter nodded, "Tell me about it…"
That was WAY too close! I guess this means we're going to have to be pretty careful from now on…
Neko nudged his owner's hand. Riku looked at her cat, and scratched him behind the ear. "Well, I suppose we better stop at my place first. I need to pack a couple of things before we head out."
"Ok."
Riku's place wasn't huge, but it could probably house at least two people. It had a small kitchen, one bathroom, a medium sized living room, and two small bedrooms. Various paintings and posters decorated the walls, most of them containing some sort of critter or beast.
Ayame grinned, "I see you really like animals!"
Riku smiled back, "Yup! Why else do you think I became a Hunter?" she leaned down to give Neko a quick hug. "I don't exactly know how well I'd be able to tolerate this guy if I didn't have any love for him in the first place!" The Nightsaber licked her face in response. Ayame kneeled by Riku and started petting Neko as well.
"You know, I like this side of you."
Riku blushed a deep crimson, "Wh-what do you mean?"
"When I first met you, I kind of got the impression that you were more of a serious person." Ayame slapped a hand on the Hunter's shoulder. "But while you were talking just now, I realized how easy it is to be around you! I think it's going to be a lot of fun if we stick together, don't you?"
She lowered her head a little in an attempt to hide her ever reddening face. "U-um, y-yeah," she shook her head, and stood up. "Well, I'm going to my bedroom to get my stuff. Feel free to wander around, it should only take a minute or so..." and with that, she left for her room.
Ayame walked around the living room with Neko following closely behind him. It wasn't until about his fourth trip around the room that he noticed a picture of Riku and a couple of other Night Elves standing alone on a shelf. It was very well drawn, whoever the artist was had obviously been practicing for a while. Besides Riku, there were five other Night Elves. Two of them appeared to be females, while the other three were males. The six of them stood with broad grins on their faces. The Rouge didn't have to wait long before he heard Riku's door open. He turned to face her.
"Hey, Riku!" he said cheerfully, pointing to the picture. "Are these friends of yours?"
Riku sighed, "I figured you'd notice that..." she turned her head away from him. "Yeah, they're my friends...We had known each other since we were in school training for out classes. We did all of our quests together…"
Ayame gave her a sympathetic look, "What happened to them?"
The hunter brought her eyes up to his, "About a year ago, a huge Horde army invaded Darnassus. Apparently it was one of the worst invasions that our city had endured. If we didn't have the amount of back up that we had, Darnassus would have been done for. Anyway, I fought my hardest along with my comrades, but they ended up getting captured." Her eyes glistened, and she turned her back to the Rouge. "So now whenever I'm not on a quest, I research the different areas and dungeons of the Horde. I have to find a way to get them back…even if they're not alive anymore, I still want to see their faces one more time…They were my best friends…"
Tears were already streaming down Ayame's face. He wrapped the Night Elf into a tight hug. "Oh, I'm so sorry! I promise I will do everything in my power to help you get them back! Don't be sad anymore, ok?" The blonde slowly let her go, and gave her a big thumbs-up. "We're going to do this thing with a positive attitude! So turn that frown upside-down! I refuse to let you be lonely anymore!"
Riku wiped away the few tears that had found their way into her eyes. She smiled at him, "Thanks, Ayame…I really appreciate all that you're doing for me…"
"Aww, no problem!" he hugged her again.
I guess…I guess I could live with having him around. Maybe all of the troubles that we go through just to keep him with us will be worth it…
Neko just sat, and watched the two of them from a distance. He decided he would let them stay like that for awhile longer. As much as he hated to admit it, the Blood Elf may be just the thing his owner needed right now…
DA: Hmm...this chapter seems shorter than my last one...Sorry about that guys, it just seemed like it needed to end here. I promise that I'll try to make the next one longer!
Neko: Hey! Why are you making it seem like I'm ok with that Blood Elf touching my owner! I'm not ok with that! Change it right now!
DA: Ehem, who's the author, here? Your opinions change nothing!
Neko: Rawr! Just for that, I'm not announcing the review thank-you's!
DA: Fine! Lazy cat...Riku, could you take care of that for me?
Riku: Sure thing! Virtual cookies go to: soren333, popcorncomics, ZabuzaHyuuga, and Little Liren. Thank you so much for reviewing our first chapter! You make us feel loved!
DA: R&R, see you next chapter!