Author's Note: Sorry I am over a month late. Life got super stupid busy. 80 hour work weeks OP... Hopefully that won't be happening anymore. Thank you for your patience.

Enjoy!

Reviews always welcome.

Chapter 14: Stone Claws and Iron Wings

Riven silently watched the wisps of steam curl through the cool air from the hot tea within the tiny glass cup resting before her. The Noxian's eyes shifted up from the cup to focus on her host sitting across the table from her.

The Will of the Blades' eyes had closed once more and her posture was still perfect as ever.

Riven started to feel that odd warmth tingle within her chest as she silently looked over the details of the Captain's body. The exile wasn't used to physically feeling the pulse of her heart thump against her ribs as it pushed blood through her veins a little faster than usual. As of late, the Ionian Captain's mere presence was the source of this reaction more often than not.

Irelia's obsidian locks were long and elegant with not a single hair out of place. The way the dimmed sunlight from the window reflected off the silken strands made her hair look soft to the touch; a touch Riven felt tempted to test.

Irelia, in comparison to some of the other Ionian Champions like Karma and Lee Sin, had a much lighter skin tone.

Riven's focus shifted to where a set of irises capable of testing the beauty of Mother Nature's finest emerald gemstones that remained hidden behind closed eye lids. The exile felt slightly thankful that they were hidden or else she may catch herself awkwardly staring into them like a creep. However, the combination of dark hair and lighter skin complimented Irelia's jade irises well. She was, indeed, a beautiful person.

Irelia's body was slender, but Riven knew better than to underestimate the strength and fighting skill that hid behind the Ionian's delicate framework. Riven silently watched Irelia take another sip of the sweet smelling liquid. She could feel the slight warmth collect in her cheeks once the Captain lowered the cup from her lips. The exile's gaze focused upon the warm and tender pink lips of her friend, feeling as if she almost wanted to…No. Riven caught herself starting to lean slightly forward and swiftly snapped her spine back up straight. Riven shook her head in an attempt to sort out her wandering thoughts.

The Noxian looked down at her own posture. She was still sitting there, half naked, with her legs crossed and forearms resting upon her knees. To be fair, she at least wasn't slumping anymore, but that was no excuse to make up for her horrendous table manners. Outside of the households of Noxian Nobility and the occasional Officer's gatherings for the military, Noxians like herself weren't exactly raised under the impressions that etiquette was anything important. This didn't necessarily mean Riven ate like a slob or was a messy table guest, it was more the fact that she was far from used to sharing a dining table with another person. It was uncomfortably intimate.

Riven quietly examined the way Irelia was sitting one more time. The exile remained silent as she began to shift her weight around so that she would sit in the same manner as her host.

Irelia quietly opened an eye once she heard the sound of Riven's shifting. The Captain blinked in slight surprise seeing the Noxian attempting to sit the same as she.

Riven silently looked down at her own hands as her palms pressed into her thighs; she could feel Irelia's gaze upon her which made Riven begin to uncomfortably fidget.

Irelia leaned to her side a bit as if trying to see Riven's face from beneath the shroud of snowy bangs. "Your tea is going to go cold if you let it sit too long, Riven."

The exile involuntarily flinched once Irelia spoke her name. Riven lifted her head back up to look at Irelia once more.

"Don't worry, the cup won't bite," Irelia smiled kindly towards her guest.

Riven's attention turned back to the small glass cup that lacked a handle still sitting undisturbed upon the table. Riven's eyes focused on how Irelia was cradling her own tea. The cup seemed to fit within the Captain's fingers perfectly; one hand wrapped around the cup while the base of the cup rested within the supporting fingers of her other hand. Riven awkwardly placed her hand on its side upon the table next to the stark white glass cup. Her battle hardened and calloused digits slowly wrapped around the cup.

"It's made from a material that uses the natural heat from your hands to warm the cup and helps the tea stay hot longer," Irelia explained while Riven was attempting to properly hold the cup.

Riven nodded in response and nervously lifted the cup of hot liquid from the table. The Ionian tea cup was rather petite in the Noxian warrior's larger hands and Riven was internally praying that her grip wouldn't break the glass. The exile managed to quietly cradle the cup within her hands.

The Captain expressed a reassuring smile towards her friend and fellow League Champion. Irelia held her soft smile as she raised her cup slightly. It was a simple gesture, one that acknowledges the presence of good company.

Riven began to feel herself start to slouch just before Irelia raised her cup at her. The exile quickly straightened her posture back up and swiftly raised her cup in the same manner- a mistake.

The scalding liquid sloshed.

"Ah!" Riven hissed from being taken off guard as the hot tea ran down her knuckles. Her hands involuntarily dropped the cup as Riven gripped at her stinging joints.

The Captain's jade irises quietly shifted down to the now broken pieces of the cup resting within the spilled liquid.

"S-Sorry," the exile stammered in embarrassment while she quickly tried to gather the pieces.

"Careful!" Irelia warned.

A look of discomfort took a hold of Riven's expression. A fragment of razor sharp glass had pierced into the flesh of the exile's palm. Riven watched the droplets of crimson begin to trickle down her palm from the wound. The Noxian frowned and brought her other hand up to remove the shard. Riven instantaneously froze feeling a pair of gentle hands touch her own. One of the Captain's hands rested beneath the injured hand while the other gently touched the tanned and calloused fingers gripping the shard in soft protest. A mellow heat crept across the fair haired warrior's cheeks. Riven lowered her head in an attempt to hide her blush. Stupid…stupid…stupid! She internally scolded herself like a disgruntled parent would to a naughty child.

"Don't pull it out," Irelia's tone was gentle, "it will only make you bleed worse once the shard is removed; Sit tight." Irelia got up from her seated position and walked into another room.

Riven remained frozen even long after Irelia's hands had ceased from touching hers. Even though the room had fallen completely silent, her head was far from it. The platinum haired fighter felt her heart pulsing in her ears; stronger than ever before. What is this nonsense…please…enough of this, Riven tried to regain control of her own body through tapping into her extraordinary disciplinary skill but even that was proving futile. Unfamiliar warmth seemed to linger upon the places where Irelia's hands had once made contact with the exile's; feeling as if the Captain's hands were still there. Riven quietly looked at the details of her hands, I don't understand…Why do I feel this way…?

"Alright," Irelia said as she stepped back into the room once more, "let's take care of that hand of yours, shall we?"

Riven's eyes looked up to Irelia as the Captain set down a saucer of hot water that contained a soft rag along with a small medicine tin and a fresh roll of bandages.

"May I?" Irelia offered warmly, extending her hands towards Riven's.

"No," the Noxian growled defensively and involuntarily pulled her hand away protectively; an old habit. Riven had always cared for her own injuries, even back when she was a Commanding Officer in the military. Only from the results of losing consciousness would she ever willingly let another being dress her wounds. The amount of times field medics would scold her about not seeking proper medical care was far more that she cared to remember. She was outrageously stubborn; this part of her would truly test Irelia's patience.

Irelia frowned slightly and sat back on her heals, slowly retracting her hands away.

Riven's eyes darted between her hands and Irelia. The exile noticed the frown and realized she had been somewhat callous toward Irelia out of old habitual practice. Her expression became slightly somber as she watched Irelia get up once again.

"Well, everything you need is there," Irelia said flatly. Her frown turned back into a supportive smile before she turned around and exited the room.

"…" No wait…stay! I didn't mean to be rude! Riven frowned; watching the Captain step out of the room while the lump in her throat blocked all of her attempts to protest Irelia's departure. The exile grit her teeth hard enough to give herself a headache. She was growing agitated with these feelings and bodily reactions that she felt she had no control over. Riven's expression showed no signs of discomfort as the shard sunk deeper into her palm from her fingers curling down to form an fist from the frustration. Not even the familiar feeling of pain was strong enough to distract the Noxian from these unwanted feelings playing with her emotions.

"What're you doing?"

Riven's growing frustration seemed to dissipate hearing Irelia's voice again. The exile looked up at the Captain who now had a towel in her grasp.

"I leave to get a towel to wipe up the mess on the table and you're still in here bleeding all over the pla- Irelia cut herself off and blinked in confusion as Riven silently extended her bloodied hand out towards her.

Riven's eyes remained diverted away and a soft tint of pink shaded her cheeks while she held her hand out. Her lips were pulled down in a stubborn frown while she, impatiently, waited for Irelia to tend to the pierced flesh of her palm.

Irelia smiled softly and laid the towel down over the mess on the table. The Ionian Captain quietly sat next to her Noxian guest and examined the damage.

At this point, Riven had her head turned so far away from Irelia that only the snapping of vertebrae would allow it to turn any further. The rising heat in her face felt hot enough to burn her flesh as she felt the gentle digits of Irelia tenderly touch her wounded hand.

"It's in there pretty good…this may hurt a little," Irelia commented as she looked over the injury.

Riven didn't respond, still hiding her face from the Captain.

Irelia noticed Riven's odd behavior and raised one of her raven brows curiously. The Captain's lips curved into a semi-complacent smirk, "Riven, no need to hide in embarrassment," Irelia teased.

Riven quickly cranked her head back around, "I am NOT hi-

Irelia's head cocked off to the side. Her slight smirk continued to only grow larger from the exile's flustered reaction.

"…ding," Riven swallowed hard; her completely flushed face was exposed. Riven turned her head away once more, "I'm just…not used to letting someone help me," she muttered.

"Uh huh..."

Riven's head snapped back forward as a shock of pain radiated through her arm; she hissed in discomfort.

"You're embarrassed. No need to lie."

"Warn me next time before you yank things out of my skin, damn it! I knew I should've just done it myself!"

"Oh, stop being such a baby," Irelia chuckled as she pressed the warm cloth against the open wound and dropped the bloody piece of glass into the water saucer.

Riven grumbled and exhaled aggressively through her nose as she diverted her eyes away like a defiant child. Her flustered state of mind faded into one of curiosity from hearing the soft humming of a tune. Without turning her head to face her honorary care taker, Riven simply watched Irelia from the corner of her eyes.

The Captain's expression was warm and content, focusing on her task while she cleaned Riven's injury. Irelia continued to hum the little melody while checking the intensity of the bleeding in small intervals.

I feel nothing for them! Riven flinched slightly from the remark she had made towards the summoner regarding her friends the night before. Don't start this with me; not now, Riven mentally growled.

The Captain noticed the flinch and looked up to Riven, "Sorry, am I pushing too hard?" Irelia's expression began to fade into one of concern, realizing the exile's trembling shoulders. "Riven, are you alright?"

Seeking help is a sign of weakness!

Are you sure you feel nothing for them…?

Stop…Riven internally pleaded as her head started to become crowded.

…for her?

Enough… Riven squeezed her eyes shut. The voice that spoke next was dark and aggressive, causing Riven to shake harder.

There is…

No room…

For the meek…

In Noxus!

"I am not meek!" Riven shouted, her arm slamming down on the table.

The glass shard that was once resting in the pool of the now spilled water dish clattered as it slid across the table and landed onto the floor.

Riven continued to shake as she sat there silently.

"No, you aren't," Irelia's voice was soft.

The exile turned her head and looked down at her fist, feeling the gentle touch of another upon her hand. "I'm sorry…" Riven mumbled, relaxing her uptight figure.

"Don't be sorry," Irelia reassured the exile with a soft smile, "You need to stop being sorry, Riven, none of this is your fault."

Riven allowed her fingers forming her fist to uncurl, feeling Irelia's fingers motioning them to do so.

In an attempt to change the subject away from Riven's mental struggles, Irelia couldn't help but ask Riven questions. "So," the Captain began as she quietly started to wrap the medicated bandage around Riven's hand, "What do Noxians do in their free time?"

"We train."

Irelia raised a curious brow, "and?"

"We spar."

"…and?"

"We eat."

"…that's it?"

"We sleep."

The Captain sighed deeply, knowing Riven wasn't going to tell her anything. It's like talking to a brick wall... An idea sparked within Irelia's mind and her slightly disappointed frown curled up into a small playful smirk, "What kind of training?"

Riven seemed interested, yet curious, in this question, "All kinds, with all manners of weapons."

Irelia tried to stay interested but felt the urge to yawn as Riven babbled on and on about Noxian weaponry until there was a small break in the exile's speech, "Hand to hand combat?" Irelia interrupted.

"Of course…why wouldn't we train that? A weapon in merely an extension of one's strength…" Riven responded flatly. Riven's attention turned down to her freshly dressed injury and cocked an eye brow as she examined the bandages. Her hand was starting to feel slightly numb, "What medicine did you put on this?"

Irelia stood up from her seated position and looked down at Riven, "I challenge you to hand to hand combat, Riven. I've never seen a Noxian fight without a weapon, care to, enlighten me with some sparing?"

Riven's expression consisted of nothing but complete confusion, "What're you doing…?"

"Well…just because we are on leave from the Institute doesn't mean we have to be lazy, right? We might as well take advantage of sparring while there are two of us," Irelia smiled.

Riven sat there for a short while as she thought it over. The exile sighed and stood up, only to freeze half way through the motion as Irelia spoke up once more.

"Ah, ah, there's a catch," Irelia said.

Riven hung her head and shook it slightly in disbelief, I should have known. The fair haired champion finally stood up straight and looked at Irelia, "Alright, what's the catch?"

"If I win, I'm allowed to ask you one question and you have to answer it," Irelia established.

The Noxian frowned, "and if I win?"

"I will cease to bother you with questions for the duration of our stay in Ionia," the Captain replied.

A heavy silence lingered as the two champions simply stared at one another.

Riven's eyes quietly looked over the details of Irelia's outfit. It was certainly traditional Ionian clothing. The pants were made from black silk, semi baggy, and tucked into simple tanned leather boots that lacked laces. Her top was wrapped like a traditional robe and crafted from the same black silk like the matching pants. The sleeves cut off at her elbows and the edges were embroidered with gold accents. It looked comfortable. The exile's crimson eyes shifted to the odd and unique weapon that quietly floated at the Captain's side. Her wandering attention snapped back to Irelia, hearing the Captain speak.

"So, do you accept the terms of my challenge?" Irelia tilted her head off to the side while she waited for Riven's response.

"Where shall we do this?" Riven asked.

Irelia smiled, "Out front."

Riven quietly nodded and followed the Ionian Captain out of the home. The exile's eyes squinted as the rays of blinding sunlight shined bright down upon them both once Irelia slid the front door open. How late did I sleep in today? Damn, Riven thought as she rubbed her eyes. Despite how late in the day it may have been, Riven couldn't deny that she felt well rested for once. The exile quietly took in her surroundings. It was nothing less of tranquil in nature. Riven stopped once Irelia had done so.

Irelia turned around and looked at her soon to be opponent, "Does here suffice, Riven?" Irelia's gaze was studious in nature as she looked over the physical details of the Noxian woman. The Captain knew better than to under estimate Riven's speed despite the exile's hardened and stocky muscular physique. A well trained and disciplined body, however, Irelia couldn't help but feel that Riven wasn't one that trained without her weapon. Noxian's likely used basic hand to hand techniques that were designed to disarm an enemy to even the playing field then use their raw strength to overpower the opponent. So, how would one fare against a developed and technically sound fighter?

Riven's toes gently clawed at the earth beneath her feet as she tested how solid the ground was since they were relatively close to the water. The exile would hate to make an aggressive move just to have the ground give way under her feet which could result in defeat against a good fighter. "Here is fine," Riven said calmly, determining that the ground was solid enough.

The Captain smiled warmly, "Excellent." Irelia took a deep breath and closed her eyes. The Ionia bowed respectfully before opening her eyes to look at her opponent.

Riven brought her legs together and stood up tall and straight. The Noxian's hands curled into fists, fingers facing up towards her upper body, and pressed her wrists against her hips. The exile closed her eyes and took a deep breath and bowed in return. Riven brought her arms up in a standard guard as her right foot slid back to take on a readied stance.

Irelia relaxed her stance a bit seeing Riven's standard guard; a stance like that is as useful as one would use in bar fights. She raised an ebony eye brow in slight confusion as she watched Riven, whose eyes were still closed; continue to stand there in silence.

A pair of fierce blazing irises revealed themselves as Riven exerted an aggressive grunt and lunged at the Captain.

So fast! "Ngh!" Irelia swiftly brought up her arm and blocked the strike with her forearm. Her surprised eyes shifted to the hand of her opponent's recently blocked arm.

The hand was no longer formed into a fist. Instead, the fingers were curled in a tight manner that left the palm of the hand open.

T-Tiger claw technique…interesting, Irelia's wrist immediately twisted and gripped at the wrist of Riven's blocked arm in order to gain control of their current position. The Captain nimbly blocked the second incoming tiger claw strike as the exile's free arm swung forward; hand positioned in the same style.

Riven twisted and pulled her arms free and struck again. Every strike was powerful and accurate but Irelia's defensive techniques were swift and evasive. Riven swung her arm forward.

Irelia blocked the strike once more and pushed outward, effectively deflecting the motion of Riven's swing and opening the exile's gate. Irelia retaliated with an agile strike and she swung her hand back, striking Riven across her jaw with the back of her hand.

Riven turned with the force of the strike and stumbled away slightly. The exile growled viciously as her hand came up to wipe away the blood from her split lip. The exile lunged once more, driving her legs and hips forward as her arms and upper body cocked to the side. Riven's muscles were tight and loaded with power before throwing her upper body forward, driving both palms toward Irelia.

The Captains' hands came close together as she weaved her arms between Riven's and pushed them outward. This opened the exile's gate once more but also hers as well. Irelia grit her teeth realizing Riven was already about to strike once more.

Riven swiftly pulled her arms back in and jumped up. The exile pulled her arms back and bent her spine back as well, preparing to strike downward with all of her might.

Irelia realized she was exposed and if Riven was able to strike down upon her shoulders, her arms would easily dislocate from their sockets. The Captain had no choice but to go offensive at this point. The Ionian bent her knees and prepared a back round-house kick. Irelia swiftly spun her leg around and drove the heel of her foot right into Riven's side, knocking the exile from the air and sending her sideways and slamming to the ground. The Captain softly brought her feet back together and took a deep breath. Irelia turned and looked at Riven, who was lying on the ground motionless, "R-Riven? Are you alright?" Irelia's worry dissolved into confusion hearing nothing but soft chuckling as a response.

Riven rolled flat onto her back and began to laugh. Her forearm came to rest over her eyes as she spoke through her laughter, "It's been so long since I've legitimately gotten my ass handed to me like that! Good fight!"

Irelia sighed in relief realizing that Riven was going to suffer nothing but a split lip and some bruises, though, her own forearms were definitely feeling sore from blocking the exile's powerful strikes. The Captain felt herself beginning to chuckle as a result of Riven's laughter. This was the first time she had ever witnessed what seemed to be pure joy from the Noxian, an emotion Irelia thought she would never see. Irelia felt a small blush creep across her face seeing Riven smile.

Riven pulled her arm from her eyes as she caught her breath and sat up, "Your white crane form is amazing, Irelia. You predicted everything I threw at you. You're a really impressive fighter," Riven continued to smile as she complimented the Captain.

Irelia's cheeks darkened, "I-I'm not that impressive," she stammered.

"You're being modest; take a complement," Riven sighed.

"Thank you for the compliment, Riven," Irelia smiled. "I must admit, I was not expecting you to know Ionian Tiger fighting style…" Irelia said as she sat down in front of Riven, "you caught me off guard with that."

"Well…I was stranded here long enough. Just because I'm Noxian doesn't mean I'm a complete idiot when it comes to this country," Riven replied. "I have some culturing...even if I'm still used to cups having handles."

"It suits you, Tiger form that is," Irelia chuckled. "Emphasizing strength and power is definitely your style."

Riven's lips were still holding a small smile as she nodded. "Well, you won fair and square; Which, I guess, means you won the right to ask me a question."

As much as Irelia wanted to ask a question, she also didn't want to ruin this moment of happiness for the exile, even if it might be brief. "I forgot what I was going to ask," Irelia sighed.

"Irelia…"

The Captain looked at the exile once she was addressed.

"Have people ever told you that you are a terrible liar?" Riven chuckled, "just ask the damn thing while I'm in a good mood, would you?"

That is precisely why I do not want to ask you… Irelia sighed once more and rubbed the back of her head. She knew Riven was stubborn and was just going to continue to tell her to ask. "They say behind every scar there is a story…"

"Uh huh, go on?" Riven said as she curiously raised an eye brow.

"Which one of yours is the most significant?"