Horizontal rules now mean a shift in perspectives. While it's still technically third person, the narrator is just explaining things from another point of view. I'm not entirely sure how this will work with some people, considering I'm still learning. If it proves to be annoying and confusing, I will stop and try to stick with one perspective per chapter. (Though it will be rather difficult for me. I like explaining things from everyone's point of view, like how they feel, or what they're thinking.)

And yes, I am aware that my writing isn't perfect. I am aware that this 'ship' isn't popular. But I think there might be something there, and, while taking their personalities and histories into consideration, I'd like to see how I can get this to work. It's called Temptation for a reason, mind you. I have an idea of what will happen, but sometimes stories tend to have a mind of their own when they're a work in progress. ;)

Anywho, I hope whoever reads this finds it entertaining. I sure do. Just know that even if you tell me to stop (I'm looking at you, anon), I will continue to do what I love: writing.

Enjoy!

Defeat.

While Zed has certainly lost matches in the past, he found this most recent one to be rather irksome. Not only did he look to be a bumbling fool, but he lost his focus entirely. Not completely his fault, however, given Ahri's spell was rather enchanting. Enchanting enough to even affect the most stoic of men and even women of the League.

The Nine-Tailed Fox had gotten an early advantage over him, and thus, put him far behind. Their so called 'Jungler' was even more annoying than the girl herself, bouncing around with that trident of his. Their teamwork combined overcame Zed's efforts, and thus, made him more irritable than normal.

Zed quickly departed from the Summoning Hall, though most of the Champions took note that the deadly Assassin was quite temperamental and kept their distance. He made sure to keep his composed, intimidating image, of course. His Summoner, a middle-aged woman donned in deep violet robes, kept up with his pace.

"What happened out there, Assassin? After Ahri had gotten the better of you, your efforts greatly waned."

Zed remained quiet. The Summoner's presence, he did not mind as much as most. For she kept quiet, but was still useful when needed. However, she could still be a burden, especially when trying new tactics that did not always work. She was rather annoying at times, but she always chose him for most matches; her voice, and presence in his mind was just something he got used to, even though he didn't necessarily like it.

She looked up at him through the shadowy contours of her hood as she spoke once more, breaking the silence. "It would be best for you to not dwell on what happened, lest you want it to hinder your fighting in any upcoming matches."

"It's over and done with." he responded, partially a growl. Zed was most definitely not in the mood for her motherly nitpicking, quickening his pace. The Summoner still seemed very intent on speaking with Zed, despite this.

"Zed, your composure says otherwise. I've spent enough time in that dark little mind of yours to know this. What bothers me, is how you're handling it. You've fought Ahri many times before. Why now? What is it about this fight that made you lose your focus?"

Zed grunted in annoyance, ignoring her question.

"Enough, woman. What's done is done, now lets just leave it be." He said, before vanishing in a puff of smoke and shadow.

The Summoner stopped in her tracks, sighing irritably. "Incorrigible as always." She muttered under her breath.

"Minerva."

She turned to see a fellow Summoner who had also partook in the match. The man bore a rather confused expression on his fine, tanned face.

"What was that all about?

Minerva removed her hood, nodding in greeting to the man she knows as Matthias. "I am unsure. Zed has always been the brooding sort, but this match seems to have had a rather negative impact on his mentality," She glances about to the other Summoner's, and the few Champions that lingered. "Perhaps we should discuss this in private."

Matthias' confusion only deepened. "It was just a match, Minerva. You've told me before how difficult he is to deal with after a loss. What makes this different than any other?"

Minerva's gaze dropped to the carpeting, a frown settling onto her lips. "I'm not sure. Ever since the first exchange with Ahri, something felt different. He's angry, yes, but there's something else there. Something I can't quite put a finger on."

Matthias laughed lightly, at this. "There might have been an imbalance of energy coming from the nexus. It happens sometimes. Many others who were also in the match reported having felt something shift in the air. Some Summoners will be dispatched to patch it up if need be, so don't worry about it." With that, he departed, robes flowing behind him.

Minerva watched him leave, though she did not seem quite relieved by his optimism. She too, went on her way.

Little did she know, Zed was in the rafters above.

He heard the whole conversation. He did wish that the Summoner would simply leave him alone, but he knew quite clearly what it was she spoke of to her colleague. Nimbly, Zed hopped from beam to beam, until out in the main chamber that connects every wing of the League grounds. His shadow appeared directly below him, and swapped places. He headed directly to the Ionian wing, where he and others from his homeland had set up their quarters. Down the large hall, he saw Ahri conversing with the Monkey King.

Wukong sat atop his staff, expertly balanced as he partook in casual chit chat with the fox woman. Ahri and Wukong had always been somewhat close. There had been rumors of them being in a much closer relationship, though they showed no sign of it.

Zed's stomach felt light upon seeing the Nine-Tailed Fox; the sensation being foreign to Zed, he nearly faltered in surprise. He kept moving onward, setting his gaze directly in front of him whilst he returned to the solitude of his quarters.

Wukong, head tilted out of curiosity, had spotted Zed stealing a look over at Ahri before he passed. "Hm-hm! You know you're doing something right when metal-face starts staring you down!" he had said when they were out of ear-shot.

Ahri gave a cheeky grin to her friend. "I overheard that he's quite hot and bothered from the last match."

Wukong chuckled giddily at this, shaking his furry head. "Don't you have that affect on everyone, Ahri?"

She laughed softly, her long, fluffy white tails swishing back and forth. "Most of the time, yes. Though Zed is difficult to read with that mask of his. Color me curious, though, he's never really paid me any mind outside of the rift. I wonder what happened?"

Wunkong slid down from his staff, and landed nimbly at his feet. "I wouldn't look into it! From my fights with him, he is very violent, and nasty! He is bad news, yes?"

Ahri shrugged her bare shoulders, crossing her arms over her bust. "I suppose it's best to let sleeping dogs lie," she said, letting loose a sigh. "Speaking of sleep, it's about time we all get some rest."

"G'night, Ahri! I Wish you luck with your matches tomorrow!" He said, smiling over his shoulder as he made for his own room.

Ahri returned the smile to her friend as he left. When he was gone, her piercing yellow gaze drifted towards the dark door that lead to Zed's room. She indeed was quite curious, and that wasn't always a good thing. Most especially when it came to brooding, masked assassins. The Kinkou were fairly friendly, if not as sociable as most, but Zed was the polar opposite. No one really knew much about him except what they learned from Shen and the other ninja's. He rarely ever spoke to anyone, but did socialize with Syndra on occasion. Despite this, all anyone really knew was that he was violent, cunning, and reserved.

Why the League allowed such a villainous figure into the ranks was unknown to her. Then again, Zed wasn't the only questionable character around here.

Most champions represent a faction, like Noxus and Demacia, and fight each other on the Fields of Justice instead of having full scale war-fare, which would cost the lives of many. Zed represented his academy of shadow ninja's, and the part of Ionia that wishes to break the balance.

Ahri, even though her homeland is Ionia, could care less about the disputes. As long as she remained human, she was very content.

However, her curiosity has yet to be sated.

Ahri lingered in the vast hall until the crystals that illuminated the hall just below the rafters began to dim. Very few Summoners, and even fewer champions were still about. She glanced both ways to make sure no one was near before padding across the width of the hallway, and quietly approach Zed's door. It was a shoji, a sliding paper door, traditional to Ionia. The entire Ionian wing had similar architecture to make any Ionian feel more at home.

She turned her head slightly, tall black ear angled towards the shoji. There was a dim, flickering light filtering through the tan paper, but not much else.

Ahri could hear nothing, either. She waited for but a moment, before deciding to leave. In fact, she felt a little flustered by the fact she was doing this at all. Ahri turned on her heel, and nearly let loose a startled shriek. She cupped her hands over her mouth, biting down on her tongue to hold back her voice as she stared in complete shock at the figure before her.

The Eye of Twilight stood tall. His bright, emotionless eyes seemed to gaze right through her being.

Ahri's fright quickly faded, and she let loose an airy sigh of relief. Despite said relief, her face was flushed in a deep red, ashamed for being caught.

Shen motioned with a quick nod of his head in the opposite direction of Zed's door.

The Nine Tailed Fox took this as a signal that she really should leave.

Hurriedly, with her stomach in knots, Ahri silently dashed away. She was screaming internally at herself for being so foolish. She swore she wasn't doing any harm, but at the same time she felt that reducing herself to such non-sense was inexcusable. It wasn't unusual for men, and even sometimes women to spy on her, but the fact she went to their level was quite shameful. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Shen staring at the door to Zed's room, before he himself walked away.

Ahri returned to her room, still quite red in the face. She didn't have to worry about Shen saying anything. In fact, he only spoke when necessary, or asked a question. What she was worried about, was if Shen would begin to ask her questions. Ahri decided that she would mind her own business from now on, since she didn't want to prompt the Eye of Twilight to start bugging her.

She took off her shoes, wiggling her toes freely, before she set foot on the tatami flooring. Ahri lit a few candles, and then proceeded to undress herself, and don a light evening gown. It was relatively short, but quite comfortable.

Unfortunately, she was still unable to really relax. She lay down on her bed, limbs sprawled out, and tails covering much of her like a blanket.
Thoughts still swirled around in her head, and the more she thought about things, the more questions she had. The more questions she asked, the more confused she felt.

Why?
Why did I do that?
Is Zed interested in me?
He hasn't shown any sign of interest before…
Will Shen be suspicious of me? What if…

What if…

What if…

What if…

Before Ahri really knew it, her mind and body began to doze. Slowly, but surely, slipping into the sweet comfort of sleep.