(A/N): Hello again readers! Sorry about the mishap with the wrong document before. I have no idea why you guys have been getting error 404 whenever you tried to read but I think it's been solved now considering it's been viewed quite a few times.
Here's the next chapter of the fic! I hope you're all enjoying it so far and please! Reviews are appreciated!
Nothing More Than Memories
Akali
"Everything alright?" I asked.
He looked up at me from his meditative position and nodded. I sat beside him in front of the fire and began to warm myself.
"It's a cold night tonight," I said.
"Quite," he agreed.
I scooted next to him and snuggled into his arms for some much needed warmth. He embraced me, his warm viridian sweater giving me extra warmth. It was three months since we went on our first date. Unfortunately for us, they almost always seemed to end badly because of the school's watchful guards. After our sixth date, I still hadn't given him a kiss and lately, the League has been very active which kept us apart a lot of the time. I decided to go with him to the Placidium at spend the weekend with him at his home. About a week ago, Takashi met one of his few remaining family members, his first cousin Nia.
Nia was a very beautiful girl, 14 years old and for some reason, reminded me a lot of my mother. He took her into his home and made a habit of visiting every three days to ensure everything was ok. This was the first time he would be spending any lengthy period of time in his own home in a very long time.
His house wasn't a large one but it was easily capable of accomodating four people. It was traditional Ionian architecture that really highlighted the natural side; his yard was large and there were many trees and flowers spread out in it. It was difficult to believe that he chose the Kinkou School which wasn't anywhere near as nice as this place.
We entered the house and Nia came running to see who it was.
"Hey Nia, I brought a friend," he said.
Nia looked at me for a few seconds and smiled.
"Nia, this is Akali," he said.
The girl's eyes widened.
"Akali as in the Fist Of Shadow from the League Of Legends?" she asked in disbelief.
"The one and only," he said with a chuckle.
She squealed and gave me a polite bow.
"It's such an honor to meet you!" she said.
"Nice to meet you too," I replied with a smile.
"I watch your matches all the time! You're probably my favorite out of the entire lineup," she said with a smile.
I began to blush from her rain of compliments.
"I've never seen you without your mask...you're really pretty!" she asked.
My face felt hot and I was positive that my face was as red as the tanktop she was wearing. We were saved by the phone going off and she zipped off to answer it.
"A little blunt isn't she?" I asked.
"She just likes to be honest and quite frankly, I agree with her," he said.
He gave me one of those smiles of his, the kind that only he could do. He led me to my room.
"It's not the biggest room but I hope you like it," he said.
It was much bigger than my room at the school. It was fully equipped with a bathroom, dresser and ample space for me to excercise should I get the desire to. I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you," I said.
He scratched the bacl of his head nervously.
"I'll get started on lunch," he said.
"Thank you for everything," I said.
He turned to leave.
"Thanks for coming; you really didn't have to," he said.
He stepped out of the room.
Two Hours Later
Takashi
"So you have a field trip tomorrow to Piltover?" I asked.
"Yes but I'm not really keen on going," said Nia.
"Why's that?" asked Akali.
"It's very far away and we're going to museums and things like that," she replied.
I chuckled.
"I think you should go because it gives you a chance to see the world," I said.
Nia looked at me with a bitter pout. I raised my hands.
"I agree with him; Piltover is a nice place and a refreshing change from Ionia with all it's technology and things like that," said Akali.
Nia looked at Akali for a few seconds before smiling.
"Is it really that different from here?" she asked.
"It's a nice place in moderation as with all things," said Akali with another smile.
Nia nodded.
"Alright I'll go then," she said.
"Get to bed then because you have to get up really early," I said.
Nia gave me a hug and I pulled out something out of my pocket.
"Show this to the gift shop and they should be really nice with the souvenirs," I said.
I handed her my Summoner's Seal.
"Don't lose it or you're gonna be in big trouble," I said sternly.
She squealed and hugged me again.
"Thank you Takashi! You're the best!" she said.
"One more thing, I'm going to go to the bank and withdraw some money for you to blow while you're there," I said.
She looked at me in disbelief.
"You'll never get there in half an hour," she said.
I grinned at her.
"You forget that I'm a summoner," I said.
I turned to Akali.
"Watch over her till I get back," I said.
She nodded at me and I chanted a teleportation spell.
Akali
He disappeared in a flash of blue light. Nia was very lucky to have such a caring first cousin who would entrust his Summoner Seal to her care; without that seal he cannot participate on the Fields Of Justice.
"So how long have you known him?" asked Nia.
"Nearly three years," I replied.
"You like him...don't you?" she asked.
I looked down and for the first time since I first started dating him, I began to analyze my feelings.
"I rejected him once before..." I said with regret in my voice.
Two Years Ago- Takashi's Room
Akali
"Settled in nicely I see," I said.
He nodded as he continued to clean his sword from it's heavy use in a mission for the school.
"Reiko sent you out on an assassination mission already?" I asked.
"He wanted me to prove myself worthy of learning by Pruning The Tree," he replied.
I smiled behind my mask; he was already learning.
"It felt strange to slay those men though they attempted to murder a woman and her child when I found them," he said.
The Kinkou was not about preserving justice or righteousness; it was focused on maintaining balance which meant that every now and then, we had to remove innocent individuals.
"Do you regret coming here?" I asked.
He removed his mask and looked at me.
"Not one bit," he replied.
I could sense that he half lied when he said that; he didn't like to take innocent lives and it would be a struggle for him to do so when the time comes.
"You don't have to accept the missions; Reiko is supposed to assign them to Kennen, Shen and myself," I said.
"I have to learn one way or another," he said.
He rose to his feet before holstering his sword on his back.
"Akali...I want to ask you something," he said.
The look on his face was unlike any I had seen before...almost as if he were struggling with something on the inside.
"We've been friends for a while now and I was wondering...if maybe we could go out sometime?" he asked.
He didn't sound nervous but he put his mask back on to hide his likely crimson face.
"Why with me?" I asked in a demanding tone.
Many men had ill intentions whenever they asked a question like that and despite knowing him for a year and growing somewhat close to him, I was still suspicious of him.
"Because I feel at ease when I'm with you...I don't feel pressured by the school and I like it when we spend time together," he replied.
I still didn't trust him though I knew his words were sincere.
"You're one of, if not the most beautiful girl I've ever met and...I want more," he said.
I wanted to believe his words. I wanted to trust in him because he has done nothing to make me think he can't be trusted as an individual. I wanted to learn to care about him...but I couldn't imagine myself as a Kinkou with a relationship like that.
"It is forbidden...you need to learn that," I said coldly.
I didn't even notice him approach me in my train of thought.
"No one has to know," he whispered.
Even though his face was hidden beneath his mask, his eyes were sincere.
"I can't...find someone else," I said.
I left the room without a further word.
Present Time
Akali
"You didn't trust him? How could you not?" said Nia.
"Back then I didn't know what it felt like to be cared for apart from my mother's love..." I replied.
"So you rejected him because you couldn't understand the feeling?" she asked.
I nodded and she smiled brightly at me.
"I don't know him that well because I've only been with him for a little more than a week but...he's a good man," she said.
She took a breath.
"I didn't think I would be living here in his home...I thought for sure that once my parents died that I would be alone but I have the nicest cousin a person could ask for...it's very soon to say this but he's the closest thing I have to a father," she said.
My heart softened at her words.
"Make him happy; you're all he thinks about," she said.
As if on cue, he reappeared holding a small bag. He picked up a large jar on top of the fridge and filled it with gold before turning to Nia.
"I refilled the grocery jar so you can stock up next week and here's money for your trip," he said.
He handed her a small pouch.
"How much did you put in here?" she asked.
"The trip is 1000 pieces correct?" he replied.
She nodded.
"4 times as much," he said with a smile.
She almost tackled him with a hug.
"Thank you so much! I'll definitely bring back something for you," she said.
"Alright get to bed," he said.
She nodded and zipped up the stairs. He turned to me.
"Give me a few minutes? She likes to get tucked in," he said.
"I'll be in my room," I said.
He nodded as he went upstairs. I decided to take a much needed shower while I waited for him.
Takashi
"Takashi?" said Nia.
I looked at her as I brought in a blanket.
"Are you and Akali boyfriend and girlfriend?" she asked.
I laughed nervously.
"I'm not really sure to be honest," I replied.
"She loves you," she said with a suddenly serious tone.
"How do you know?" I asked.
"She told me everything from the day you stepped into the school," she said.
"Love is a very strong word Nia," I said honestly.
She didn't seem fazed at my attempt to weaken her belief.
"She's had a life of following directives and having to hide in the shadows all the time but despite that, she's still a girl," she said.
"Since when did you get so wise?" I asked with a chuckle.
"Since you told me how you feel about her and I want you to be happy...just like how you made me when you found me and took me in," she said.
I smiled at her.
"Get some sleep now," I said.
She sat up and opened her arms and gave me those puppy dog eyes of hers. I rolled my eyes as I gave her a warm hug.
"Let her know; she's not going to reject you again," she whispered.
I left the room after turning off the light.
Akali
That cold shower was very much needed to clear my mind. I pulled on a pajama pants and a tanktop to sleep in and I started to brush my hair. Sometimes I really wondered why I don't cut it a bit shorter; it was murder to maintain at times. It wasn't long before I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in,"
Takashi entered the room and closed the door behind him before joining me on the bed. He had clearly taken a shower judging from his still damp hair and the fresh scent of lavender coming from his body. He wore a sleeveless black shirt with pajama pants. It was refreshing to see him not dressed in the usual ninja's outfit.
"Enjoying your stay so far?" he asked.
"Yes thank you for everything," I said.
"I hope you enjoyed dinner," he said.
I smiled at him.
"It's refreshing to not have to eat the same thing everyday at the school," I said honestly.
"I didn't think you would be a fan of beef considering you eat so much fish," he said.
"I'm open to anything really though I don't have much of a liking for bitter things," I said.
He chuckled.
"I'm glad I didn't mess it up then,"
We continued to talk for the next hour about anything that came to mind. He expressed interest in traveling to Freljord to see the sights and I honestly wouldn't mind going with him; I've heard a lot about how beautiful the nights can get there and the cold weather is a nice change of pace than the practically tropical weather Ionia usually experienced. He also asked me to teach him how to make origami cranes; it was an avid hobby of mine whenever I wasn't on missions for the Kinkou. He also expressed interest in learning what I know about medicine, something no one has ever done before. It wasn't long before there was a pause. He cleared his throat.
"Akali?...I never got the chance to say that...I'm sorry about how forward I was before..." he said.
"What're you being sorry for?" I asked.
"For not respecting your life as a Kinkou...and for ignoring you when you told me no," he replied.
I smiled at him and put a hand on his.
"I should be sorry for not giving you a chance," I said.
"It's forbidden for there to be any intimacy between Kinkou shinobi," he said.
I knew why he was saying this; he was making it clear that he wouldn't make any sort of move that I was prepared for and that he wasn't willing to risk my place at the Order Of Shadow because of his desire to be with me...no matter how overwhelming it was.
"Takashi...it's memories long gone...and you know that I forgave you a long time ago," I said.
He didn't seem convinced and gazed briefly at his watch.
"I didn't realize it was this late so I guess I'll leave you to sleep," he said.
He rose to his feet but I immediately grabbed his hand; I had to let him know how I felt because I was at my breaking point of holding it in.
"Takashi...wait," I said.
He turned back to me and sat on the bed.
"Stay...please," I pleaded.
His face lit up with surprise but he climbed into the bed with me.
"Okay," he replied.
I snuggled against his chest, relishing in the warmth from his body and the comfort of his embrace. For a while we remained in that position as I tried desperately to clear my hazy mind of all doubt.
I took a breath before I looked up at him.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
I turned to face him and put my hands on his cheeks. His body stiffened for a brief moment as if in disbelief.
"Kiss me...I want you to kiss me," I said.
There was an all out war in his eyes as he gasped.
"But...I thought you said-" he began.
"I know what I said and I don't care...I need to know something and I need you to kiss me," I said.
He slowly processed my words as he closed his eyes.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
I began to get very annoyed with his undying concern but I couldn't blame him; what I was asking for was an automatic expulsion from the Order Of Shadow if we're ever discovered.
He slowly put his hands on my waist and fulfilled my request by pressing his lips against mine. I was immediately assaulted with a gigantic wave of pleasure and happiness and for the few seconds he maintained the contact, I regretted not doing this on our dates. He moved away but not far. I finally felt free to let him know how I felt about him.
"I love you Takashi...I love you so much..." I whispered.
Takashi
Were my ears playing tricks on me? Was I dreaming? Was Akali possessed by a ghost or a demon? My brain was assaulted with so many different questions at those three words. I had no air in my lungs to reply to her so I did the only thing I could think of at the moment. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her passionately. I poured all the love and affection I bottled up inside of me for the years I've longed for her into the kiss and she moaned softly down my throat but kissed back with equal passion. Her arms wrapped around my neck and her legs straddled me as she pushed me down gently to my back. My hands held onto her waist as I poked her lips with my tongue. She allowed me in and I tasted her for the first time. She moaned down my throat and hastily stuck her tongue inside my mouth as her hands moved to my shirt and grabbed fistfuls of it. I stopped for a brief moment in hesitation.
"You...you want to..." I said.
She responded by crushing my lips again.