Hey guys! Really loving the positive feedback. Spoil me moar, plox! 3 Just kidding! Not entirely sure what I'm doing, but apparently you people like it? Not complaining, no, but I certainly wasn't expecting this!

My internet has been out the past two days, so I've really been on an art, writing, and Animal Crossing spree. I'm already partially done with the next chapter! :)

I'm also working with digital art, so you may or may not see some goodies pop up in my tumblr. (I can't even remember if the link to my blog is even on here but whatever)

If not digital art, it will most certainly be a sketch. I love sketches. Sketching is love. Sketching is life. So is Zed x Ahri. (Jk)

I am very hyper now from having my internets returned to me, so I'll go return to that chapter five now. 3

Enjoy! Bon apetite! (did i even spell that right)

Wait, what?

Ahri was somewhat struck by this. Oh yes, she knew she was capable of defending herself, but she was well known for being the cause of reckless behavior in others as well.

Zed didn't seem to be reckless, no, but you never really knew what he was up to.

He is very difficult to read, and the mask most certainly does not help at all.

Ahri turned to face the Summoner who had addressed her. Normally, they wouldn't ask her of anything, being a trouble maker herself. While she isn't violent unless necessary, she can be rather bothersome at times. Namely because of her looks, and how much she teases others. Ahri took this as a sign of trust, and decided to oblige. Thankfully, that does not mean she can't have any fun.

She turned once more, looking to the Assassin. "After you." She said, a coy smile at her lips.

Zed grunted in response, and made his way out of the lounge. Ahri followed suite, humming softly to herself as she did so. Several servants were pushing along carts of breakfast meals for those who were waiting as the two were departing. Ahri made sure to snatch a pair of peaches when they were in reach.

The hallway was mostly quiet in the mornings, and since there were no matches taking place today, many were merely taking advantage of the time to relax and enjoy their leisure.

Ahri hurried to the wall opposite of the doorway to the lounge, and leaned against it. Zed took his place nearby, but still kept his distance from the Nine Tailed Fox.

She pursed her lips, and inched closer to him. Ahri raised one of the peaches in front of Zed's face, waving it about as she purred.

"I got an extra, in case you were hungry."

The Assassin turned his head away, but otherwise gave no response.

Ahri frowned deeply, at this. Shrugging her bare shoulders, she spoke.

"All well, more for me!"

She sunk her teeth into the soft flesh of the fruit, and tore away with ease. When Ahri had finished off the first, she looked up at Zed.

To her surprise, he was watching her through the corner of his mask. Ahri was unsettled by this, for she was very familiar with the nature of those longing, hungry stares. His crimson gaze dropped to rest at the leftover peach in her hand shortly after. Ahri eyed the peach for but a moment before she offered it to him once again.

There was a long pause.

"I do not accept charity." He stated, bluntly. His voice sounded metallic from his mask, and all the more intimidating. The soft growl of his stomach was just loud enough for Ahri to hear.

Ahri smirked, looking at him doubtfully.

"It's not charity if we are equals."

Zed scoffed lightly at this. "We are both far from being equals, fox."

Ahri began to toss the peach up and down in the air, catching it in her palm. "Well, while we are most certainly different, Assassin, that doesn't mean we don't share something in common. If anything, we are both quite deadly. My looks could kill as much as your blades," She giggled at that before continuing on. "We don't share the same interest, no, but we are both quite capable of killing to get what we want. So why don't you, for once in your life, get off that high horse you're riding on and while you're at it, stop with the arrogance. If you keep up the act, people will begin to think you're ignorant, and take you less seriously. So, for now, take the damned peach and enjoy yourself."

Zed seemed to have become quite tense at this, his glare threatening to gouge her own eyes out if they could. He swiped the peach from her before it could land in her palm.

Ahri leaned back against the wall, smiling contentedly with herself.

The Assassin rolled his eyes, using his free hand to partially lift his mask and take a bite from the fruit.

Ahri, curious, pursed her lips as she snuck a glance at him. Under the shadow of his mask, she could make out some very fine scars lining along his jaw and chin, but that was about all she was able to see. She supposed that Zed didn't care if she saw part of his face, since he was eating right there in front of her.

Ahri resumed minding her own business.

When he was done, Ahri was eager to strike up a conversation. Letting her curiosity get the better of her, she looked at Zed to speak.

"Say, are you mad because of the match from last night? Or does that one Summoner just really tick you off?" She had asked, her nine white tails swishing slowly back and forth like a pendulum behind her. One of the tails came into contact with Zed's calf, making him pause and look directly at Ahri.

Zed was, to be honest with himself, not entirely sure why he was irritable; at least, more so than usual.

However, the presence of the Nine Tailed Fox was putting him on edge. His mind felt abuzz, and it took more effort to think than normal. He found he could no longer ponder over Ahri's question.

This whole ordeal was beginning to bother him, for he normally had an astounding amount of control. But now, there was a strange wanting that grew inside of him. There was only one thing Zed had ever craved, and that was to be more powerful.

More powerful than his master.

More powerful than Shen.

But now a feeling, a feeling that he has not felt in quite some time, has returned to plague his consciousness.

Sweet, sweet Desire.

This desire, however, was different. Not only was it a lustful feeling, but it made him weak. It almost seemed to pull him towards the fox woman. Almost like…

…her spell.

The very same enchantment that cost him the rest of the match.

His anger only re-ignited upon this revelation.

"Ahri," He began, growling. The Nine Tailed Fox was surprised by this response, though fear also began to settle upon her fair features. She figured she had struck a nerve, but soon found out it was something else entirely.

"Cease this magic at once. I know not what you are up to, but it will not end in your favor." He said, looming over her. If he had his weapons, they would be drawn, and at the Gumiho's throat within a moments notice.

Ahri shook her head, though her fearful gaze turned into determination.

"I'm doing nothing of the sort, Assassin. I do not use my magic unless I am out on the Fields of Justice." She said, her tone turning serious.

Zed's temper only rose, at this.

If not her, then what? Ahri was notorious for being a trickster, and temptress. What else could it be?

Zed's attitude was beginning to tick Ahri off. He was quick to anger, but she was surprised at the amount of restraint the had. Despite this, she was fearful that she would only send him over the edge, for the Summoner known as Matthias seemed to have done quite a bit of damage to his mood.

"You ought to calm down, Assassin. If you attack me, or anyone here within the Institute for that matter, you will be punished with severe consequences." She whispered fiercely at him,

Zed only laughed at her. "I need not attack you here, Fox, but if we are to meet out on the fields, I will be sure to make your demise as painful as possible."

Ahri sneered at him, baring her sharp fangs. "I'd like to see you try."

Zed's vision became clouded with a red haze, the anger conflicting with the magic buzzing around in his mind. His body felt alight with fire, the same kind of fire that sent adrenaline through his veins in fierce combat.

He had the urge to strike her where she stood, the overwhelming emotions only egging him on. What he did instead, however, was quite shocking to those who had heard their bickering and had gathered to observe.

Ahri gasped when the back of her head collided with the wall, stars bursting before her eyes. A harsh force was pressing against her, and keeping her pinned. She began to struggle when her senses started to return, but found them to be futile. Something was planted fiercely on her mouth, and her heart nearly skipped a beat upon realizing what was happening.

It was a most startling development, but somewhat exciting, if not scary. Ahri wasn't exactly expecting something of the sort to ever happen, but she still wasn't entirely sure what to feel. Angry? Thrilled? The Nine Tailed Fox was most certainly at a loss, and could only wait it out.

When the pressure had left, and she was freed, Ahri had to blink repeatedly before she could see properly once more. Her head still throbbed in pain from the impact, but Ahri was much more focused on the masked assassin, who stood much too close for comfort. He had replaced his mask before she had regained her vision, yet still he lingered. She could feel his breath through the slots of the strong metal, brushing against the soft skin of her face.

It smelled of an herbal tea, and peaches.

Ahri raised her piercing yellow gaze to his intimidating crimson, her own breath coming in short, shallow gasps.

The intense moment between the two seemed to drag on for ages, their gazes locked securely.

Their heated reverie was broken by a whoop from a familiar voice.

"Oh yeah! You get her, tiger!"

It was the voice of Jinx, her maddening giggle unmistakable. The two broke eye-contact, looking at the small gathering.

Jinx, Alistar, Lux, Ezreal, Wukong, Kennen, and several other Summoners had witnessed the whole thing. Zed and Ahri were too caught up in their conversation and bitterness to have noticed the onlookers beforehand.

Wukong dropped his magic Bo staff, cupping his face in his hands as he stared incredulously at Ahri. The Monkey King seemed quite heart broken at the sight.

"Grab her boobs! Grab her boobs!" shouted Jinx, cackling wildly. She was cut off from a quick strike to the back of her head by Alistar. "Silence, wild one." He said gruffly, and in annoyance. The Loose Cannon stuck her tongue out at the enormous minotaur.

"Nyeh!"

Alistar ignored her, grunting. He lost interest in their affairs, and moved on.

Ezreal quickly lead Lux away, both looking back over their shoulders frequently before they rounded a corner and out of sight.

Kennen, being so short, was less noticeable. But when Zed took notice of the Yordle, Kennen speedily zipped down the hall. Most likely to inform the other two Kinkou: Akali, and of course, Shen.

Zed, with an eerie calm, turned to Ahri, and spoke, lowly.

"What has been done, cannot be undone."

With that, he walked away. Several Summoners parted to give the Assassin room to pass, keeping their heads down.

Ahri continued to stare after him, even when he vanished in a veil of shadow. Her gaze swept across the crowd, already beginning to disperse, to land on Wukong. Who, with sagging shoulders, and bowed head, had begun to walk away, Staff being dragged behind him by his tail.

Ahri started to call out to her dear friend, but his name caught in her throat.

Her Fox ears drooped a fraction, watching him go.

She bit at her bottom lip, ashamed and embarrassed. But what also nagged at the Nine Tailed Fox, was the feeling that something very strange, and wrong was happening here within the Institute.

Ahri was correct to feel this way, for, little did she know, something within the Institute was beginning to churn. Something very wrong, and very strange.

What Ahri did know, was that this was only the beginning.