Chapter 1 - Stammering:

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Tapping her foot on the ground in boredom, Ahri gazed blankly towards a marvellous-looking view, yet she paid no mind to it. Once again, her thoughts were elsewhere, pondering what it means to be human.

Although she'd adopted human customs, they were still alien to her, unnatural for her.

Suddenly, a new thought crossed her mind, "I'm in the League of Legends, where the warriors o mwho represent their city-state, represent what their respective ideals. They're the pinnacle, the symbol of who they represent, and their ideals!" Ahri thought excitedly.

Slapping her forehead for not recognizing this earlier, Ahri rose from her wanderings, and left her own room rather enthusiastically.
Agonizing over how to approach her fellow Champions, a rather subtle method would have to be utilized. Seduction was hesitatingly ruled out, due to an odd surge of her neglected morality crying out against such cruel manipulation. Or maybe it was just her survival instincts protesting towards such a suicidal decision, against incredibly dangerous foes. Just maybe.

"Perhaps a more...direct method would be more preferable," taking a glance at where she ssubconsciously walked to. The Noxian portion of the Institute of War. "Great..." she said in a deadpan tone, though no one heard.

Even for a former animal born in Ionia, the Noxian champions would harbour some distaste towards her, after Noxus' defeat in the rematch between them and Ionia.

Resuming her pacing amidst the Noxian section of the Institute, her thoughts were swayed by the Sinister Blade. The elder Du Couteau's violent and passionate temperament during battle, her unwavering devotion to Noxus, and her legendary aggressiveness. "Definitely human-like characterisics," thought Ahri

Unbeknownst to her, she'd accidentally stumbled upon the door of the Sinister Blade's room. Looking sideways, she put on a brave face, and knocked on the dark chestnut door. Nervously staring at the door in trepidation, the dimly lit corridors were paid no mind, as the door opened, revealing the irritated face of the Sinister Blade.

Gulping rather slowly, a bead of sweat slowly trailed down Ahri's face, as the stunning beauty of Katarina Du Couteau assaulted her. "Odd me of to do such a childish trait," Ahri thought to herself in confusion.

Pushing such strange thinking to the back of her mind, Ahri cleared her thought, while the Sinister Blade immediately prepare to shut the door.
"If you're going to waste my precious time by dragging me from my training, you better hope that whatever you have to discuss is important," the Sinister Blade stated in a dismissing voice.

Donning another courageous facade, Ahri replied, "Just out of curiosity, why are so loyal to Noxus? How are you so passionate in battle? And-" slipping into a sultry tone, "would you be willing to...show me?"

Unfazed by any of what she had just said, an intense glare was given, before the door slammed shut, jarring Ahri's ears.

Once that entire mess had concluded, Ahri cursed herself for acting like a pup. However, her determination to become more human wasn't deterred, and she decided to continue her crusade for knowledge the next day. Walking away from the Noxian area of the Institute, Ahri's thoughts were focused on a mental image of the Sinister Blade, wearing a set of entirely black clothing, drenched with sweat, hugging every inch of her curvaceous body.

Katarina, commonly called, the Sinister Blade, kept a monotone look upon her face, as she methodically chewed on an exquisitely prepared steak, in an exclusive Noxian dining establishment, one of the finest in Valoran.

Blankly staring into nowhere as she ate, her reflexes kicked in instantly, grabbing a luscious tail from behind her. Moaning erupted from behind her, and Katarina sighed in annoyance, as the Nine-Tailed Fox whispered in her ear, "No need to be grabbing me so roughly. Unless you want to take this elsewhere..."

Blushing ever so slightly, Katarina was slightly embarrassed by the Kumiho's display. Shoving the Nine-Tailed Fox away, Katarina was intent on leaving the restaurant immediately, hoping to retreat to the sanctity of her room at the Institute.

Sadly, the Sinister Blade's misfortune wasn't concluded just yet.

Balling her fists in frustration, the endless, flirtatious pestering pouring from the Nine-Tailed Fox's mouth was irking her to no end. Thankfully, at least for Ahri, the League would kick her out for decimating another Champion outside of the matches. Finally, she almost snapped when the Kumiho tenderly rubbed her arm against Katarina's. Murderous rage blossomed within the Sinister Blade; tension rippling throughout her muscles. However, the Kumiho hurried away after seeing Swain approach Katarina, a harsh, steely glare directed at the Kumiho, asking her to leave. Inadvertently saving herself from the harsh retribution of the Sinister Blade.

"Du Couteau, could we take this discussion," glancing around passively, "to somewhere more secure?" asked Jericho Swain, but coming from him, it was more of a demand, than a request.

Replying with a nod, they both continued to the Noxian section of the Institute.

Finding the silent walk rather dull, Swain asked abruptly, "From what I could hear, is there something going on between you and the fox?" His eyes were full of mirth, a strange expression, on his normally cruel and condescending gaze.

"Shut up Swain," was her curt reply, as Swain chuckled in amusement.

"Can I rely upon your support, in becoming Grand General?" asked Swain, standing underneath a massive Noxian banner, which blanketed the entire wall.

"I suppose you'll have our assistance. Preferably with payment, as such services aren't handed out on a silver platter," replied Katarina, rolling her eyes at the obviousness of her answer, it was a guarantee that the House of Du Couteau would back Swain, if it was assured that they'd gain considerable power in the process.

Preparing to leave Swain's room, her gait was interrupted.

"When I usurp those ancient, derelict fools, I expect you to be not too distracted, by anything, else repercussions will be in hand," Swain said.
Normally, Katarina would've been infuriated by any order from Swain, and retorted with a biting remark, but the Sinister Blade wasn't in the mood, and merely clenched her teeth, and nodded in acknowledgement.

Waking in her bed the next morning, Kararina decided to hear the fox out, hoping to alleviate the mounting irritation the fox was piling onto her.
Tumbling out if her comfortable cot, she thought to herself, "The damn League is softening me."

Grabbing her knives from the top of her drawer, Katarina closed her eyes, and pivoted towards her target, the head of a training dummy 30 meters away. Hearing the dummy collapse onto the ground, Katarina opened her eyes, to see the glint of a knife, embedded in the dummy's head.

Sighing in exasperation at the lack of genuinely challenging training exercise for herself, Katarina left the her room, for course, with clothing on.

Yawning, Ahri crawled from the darkness encasing half her bed, to the sunlight seeping past the slits in her curtains. Languidly stretching her limbs, a wonderful symphony of cracks resonated from herself.

Pulling herself from the heavenly throes of her bed, Ahri decided to retrieve one of her favourite books from her extensive book collection, which adorned the numerous bookshelves that decorated her room.

Opening the curtains slightly, to allow a sliver of light through, Ahri lowered herself onto the enormous velvet chair, when a knock interrupted her peaceful reverie.

Grumbling in disappointment at not being able to vanish within the world of her book. Open the door wide, Ahri was greeted by severe look of Katarina. Ushering her inside, the door closed with a resounding click.

Returning her attention back to her guest, the infamous Sinister Blade, Ahri motioned for Katarina to sit on a dull pine green, loveseat sofa.

Noticing Katarina's discomfort, Ahri prepared to ask her a question about why she was here, but the Noxian beat her to the punch.

"What were you going to ask me two days ago?" Katarina questioned bluntly.

Concentrating on the calm and flirtatious persona that she usually projected, Ahri replied jokingly, "So that I could lure you to my room."

"Really? Because it didn't seem that way before," referring to her flustered state when first talking to Katarina, "Anyways, you wanted to discuss something with me. Now spill."

Deciding to be upfront, and as honest as possible with this, else the consequences would be quite severe, Ahri replied, "Well, I was wondering about your passion in battle, just how could I emulate such emotion, and be more human-like," fidgeting with her hands, her calm tone was unexpected for Katarina.

"And would you consider showing me that passion in bed," joked Ahri, in a flirtatious manner.

Ploughing through, Ahri continued, "And why do you feel such loyalty for Noxus? Although I was born in Ionia, I don't share the devotion that has enraptured Irelia, or Lee Sin, that coerced them into serving their country. So I'm confused as to why there is so much death for a mass of land, and it's name. It really seem quite pointless to me."

Caught off guard by the onslaught of questions, Katarina raised a finger to cover Ahri's mouth, hoping to halt the heap of questions. Tempted by the idea of just leaving, Katarina silently fasted that thought into the abyss of her mind, as procrastinating on something isn't appealing to her.

Pretending to contemplate the questions, she feigned hesitation, before answering.

"It's because I'm human, allowing me to experience fickle things, such as feelings, and feel pain. Happy? Anyways, why me?

Looking confused, the Kumiho replied with an crass, "Huh?"

"Out of anyone at the League, you ask me, an assassin, on how to be more humane? Damn, you must be quite insane to be stupid enough to do that," said Katarina, an unfitting selection of words, for a member of the Noxian nobility.

Feeling indignant, Ahri remained quiet, leading to an awkward tension in the room.

Having only analyzed the basic layout of Ahri's room, the finer details were ignored, as having them would be pointless. However, not willing to break the ice, Katarina scanned the spacious room, its walls covered entirely by bookshelves, straining under the crushing weight of all the pieces of literature, loaded upon it. Parallel to the entrance of the room, was a singular piece of glass, functioning as a wall. Otherwise, the room only contained a bed, a loveseat sofa, and an excessively sized wing chair. The room, devoid of any sense of emotion, wasn't personalized whatsoever.

While Katarina was partially distracted, her attention was still somewhat directed to Ahri, a maelstrom of emotions and thoughts swirled inside Ahri's mind. Yet no matter how chaotic her mind appeared to be, her thoughts were on tied to the Sinister Blade. Drawn in by the intoxicating sensations of the Sinister Blade, Ahri boldly and impulsively exclaimed, "I have secret about Noxus, and unless you want them to spread like a rat infestation, you'll teach me close-quarters combat!"

Merely raising an eyebrow a at the strange demand, the Noxian replied, "And why shouldn't I kill you from where you stand? What's stopping me, huh?"

Finally realizing her impulsive mistake, Ahri clamped her mouth shut with her hands, and looked fearful.

"Even though the League doesn't tolerate violence outside the Fields of Justice, no one will be too suspicious of a little accident involving you, will they?" said Katarina, in an ominous and foreboding tone.

Snickering at the panic-stricken expression on Ahri's, Katarina stopped, and responded to Ahri`s expression, "Just kidding. All I wanted, was to bait out a hilarious reaction, and that I did. Anyways, you're bluffing, I've had decades of practice, you've only had a couple years, at best, and the tell-tale quickening of your pulse, and gathering perspiration, make it quite obvious that you`re fibbing. Though I am interested in your magic, so perhaps I could study, or learn your essence draining magic. I imagine it could use endless versatility in battle. So, my offer is a exchange of knowledge. You teach me your magic, and I'll instruct you in close-quarters combat. Agreed?"

Befuddled by the lack of hostility directed to her, Ahri dumbly nodded, and shook hands with the Sinister Blade, but all she felt was the tingling shock that ran up her arm, an electrifying, and addictive sensation.

That was painful to write. Anyways, I had an idea, an this is what I struck.

Merciful, Chapter 7 will be delayed, because of problems with my computer, as it`s stored there. Right now, I`m just using a backup computer, so oh well.

My depiction of Ahri was strange, but hopefully, it was explained proficiently.

Enjoy.