A lot of you were already reading and following this story before.. And I want to let you know that basically the storyline will be the same. I'm just going to start over and try to spread things out a bit more, get facts right, etc etc. (: But, instead of rushing things, actually take my time on it. So I hope you guys enjoy the new and improved version of Forbidden.

Chapter 1:

"Go, go, go!" Garen yelled at his men as they advanced towards Noxian troops.

Sweat dribbled down his forehead as he tried to move around them and get a better picture at what was going on. However, no luck proceeded to follow as he scrambled through bodies, both standing and lying on the ground. He cut down a few enemies with the stroke of his sword in an attempt to aide his comrades, but all he could see was petty fighting.

Why are we even doing this? He wondered. Demacia had always been known for its honor: the Royal Vanguard has proven that on countless occasions. But, there had been so many battles as of late that Garen didn't know what to think of the city-state's decisions. He saw fallen men at his feet and his heart ached.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid," he muttered as he found his way to the front lines of battle.

It took everything in him not to call a retreat because of how many of his men had been killed. Angered, he swung his sword at the first Noxian he saw, yelling, "DEMACIA!" at the top of his lungs. They burned shortly after through his prideful yelling and dancing with the enemy. As usual, within five minutes of him being on the battlefield, the Noxians were calling a retreat. Breathing out a sigh of painful relief, Garen turned his back on the enemy who were still in the midst of fighting.

Without a second loss, someone crashed down upon Garen's shoulders. He grunted as he reached up to see who or what was on top of him. His fingers tangled in what seemed to be… hair… With a surprised look on his face, he felt a dagger slide against the tender skin of his neck. Growling, he pulled the person off of his back by their arm and slammed them into the ground behind him. A small groan filled his ears. As he turned behind him, he felt his heart begin to race.

It was a woman he had been sparring with. Needless, to say, he was surprised. She looked up at him with emerald green eyes, full of hate and deceit. With a small turn of his head, she jumped up and crossed her dangers. From that moment, Garen knew she was determined to kill him. Regardless of she was a woman or not, she was the enemy, and he took an oath to protect Demacia against all enemies.

He quickly put his sword in front of his body, ready to attack her. But, she had already lodged two daggers into the chest plate of his armor with an easy flick of her wrist. Garen's blue eyes looked up in surprise and anger as he ripped both daggers from the metal without hesitation. The woman's emerald eyes looked playful as her long red hair danced around her face. It was almost as if… she was enjoying sparring with him.

Garen cried his battle cry and lodged his sword right where she had been two moments ago. The woman jumped out of the way just in time to avoid being hit. She gave him a dazzling smile and drew two more daggers from behind her back. Garen narrowed his eyes and spun in a wave of fury to the woman, but she was already behind him. His blue eyes were like lasers into her: filled with hate and wonder. She noticed and causally pounced over him once more. Her people were calling retreat, and she would be left behind if she didn't follow.

"It was nice to have met you Garen, the Might of Demacia," she said and flipped her hair over her shoulder as she walked in front of him to rejoin her forces.

Garen couldn't help but stare as she walked, his eyes focused on her more womanly parts than the two blades she held that could have quite easily killed him. It felt like forever that he stood with his mouth hanging agape with awe, until one of his Captains, Blake, laid a rough hand on his shoulder.

"Let's go, boss," he said and knocked Garen out of his transfixed state.

"Right," he muttered and turned to rejoin his army.

The following night, Garen tossed and turned in his bed. The house of Crownguard was silent… too silent for his liking. It was times like this when he wished he lived in somewhere that was always chattery and full of noise because the silence made him think. The thoughts that ran through his mind were almost always treacherous and questioning, and he did his best to avoid thinking them at all. But, somehow, just like tonight, they found their way edging into his mind.

The fighting was pointless. It didn't matter how much King Jarvan III thought it would help: the two city-states would always be rivals. Besides, the war brewing on the outside was enough to make anyone go crazy. No one really understood why it was happening or who was behind it all, and it sickened Garen to think that someone in Demacian politics had begun it all. Finally, after hours of political conspiracy thoughts, an image formed in his mind.

It was of her: the red-head. The more he focused in on the creamy white skin, the emerald eyes, and the scar over her right eye, he began to put the pieces together. From somewhere, he knew her. Or he'd at least heard of her. But, that's not what left him breathless. The moment he had clashed blades with her, adrenaline had pumped through his veins like he was facing someone who knew every inch of him: what his next move would be, how he would react, and what he would use to destroy them. He'd failed to notice it before, but it was almost like she'd known him.

Garen pushed himself from the Egyptian cotton blankets and made his way over to the doors to his balcony. With a tug on the handle, both of them flew open to reveal his balcony, looking over Demacia. The gentle breeze fluttered his brown bangs and cooled his warm skin as he moved to lean over the railing. The water lapping at the beaches was enough to make his mind stray away again, and it wasn't long before it was back on that woman.

"I don't know who you are or what your name is, but someday, we will meet again. I hope that it is sometime soon, because I will find you," he whispered to the night.

Out of all the doubts of war and politics in his mind, he knew that one thing was for absolute certain: his mind was toying with an obsession of her now... And he didn't understand why or how. But, there was one thing that the Might of Demacia knew: whoever this woman was, whatever her title was… She was a very worthy opponent.

Katarina Du Coueatu collapsed on her bed the night after battle. She threw her blades down on the ground and nestled herself into her sheets. Before long, she became uncomfortable with her armor, and unstrapped it from her body so she could be more comfortable. Without the heaviness upon her, she felt weak and vulnerable. But, that was how she was raised.

Katarina let her mind wonder around as she tried to fall asleep. Physically, her body was crying for rest. But, mentally, she was wide-awake, and her thoughts followed her everywhere. Something her father taught her was to embrace her feelings and thoughts and use them to her advantage. So, that was exactly what she did.

Garen… the Might of Demacia. Had so many of her friends really fallen to him? From what he had portrayed today, he was an excellent Commander of his forces, but the way that he looked at her when he realized that she was a woman was with shock and surprise. Didn't Demacians make their own serve in the military for three years? Surely he would have seen a woman fight before. But not a woman like her…

Yes, she enjoyed toying with him. She'd heard so much about him from the government and the Noxians that had made it from his clutch alive that she'd been intrigued ever since. He was a lot cleaner than she had expected though. Others had described him with a five o'clock shadow and musky blue eyes. But, when she laid eyes on him for the first time, his stubble wasn't there and his blue eyes were wide and full of excitement. He was both a worthy opponent and handsome: everything Katarina was looking for. She smiled to herself as she fell into a deep slumber.

"You requested my presence, sir?" Garen asked as he stood with his hands behind his back in front of Prince Jarvan VI.

Jarvan looked up from reading the book he had in his lap. "Drop the formalities, Garen."

"I'm sorry, Jarvan," he laughed and immediately was at ease. Jarvan closed the book and set it on the throne beside him.

"How did the battle go yesterday?"

"Well. The Noxian forces called a retreat, as usual," Garen replied, but saw something else on his best friend's face. It was not interest in the battle.

"I head you had an encounter," Jarvan said, his blue eyes staring hard into Garen's. Garen thought hard for a moment, then looked back to Jarvan with wide eyes. "Her name is Katarina."

"Katarina? The Sinister Blade?" Garen asked. Jarvan had spoken about her on countless occasions with loathing, as she alone had taken out many of their men. "You've spoke of her often recently."

"Yes, I have. She has been coming up more and more on our radar as of late," Jarvan explained and leaned back into the throne. He looked as though he was about to go on a ramble, but instead took a deep breath. "Garen, you're the only one who hasn't fallen to her on first sight. Therefore, don't make me sorry I'm sending you to lead a party on Noxus."

"Jarvan, it would be an honor," Garen said and bowed his head in appreciation. "What is the goal?"

"What's always the goal, Garen? Democracy and trying to get them to be less evil and sinister than they are," replied Jarvan with somewhat of a defeated sigh. Garen cocked his head, trying to read his best friend. It was almost as if Jarvan admitted defeat. "We have to get this organized, so I'll let you know when you'll be departing."

"Thank you, Jarvan," he bowed and turned to exit the room.

"I want you undercover," ordered Swain to Katarina. Her eyes rose from the floor, emitting an eerie green light to them. "Tonight – you will sneak into Demacia, and I want you to assassinate Garen Crownguard. I'm sure you're familiar with who that is. If you fail, you know the consequences."

Katarina flashed him a white smile. "It will be done."

"Good, leave immediately," Swain ordered.