I like Zed and Irelia, along with a various other champions. I don't like the main pairings for them that much or at all. Another thing, is that there's only two stories with these two together. So, why not.

Disclaimer: I don't own League of legends

Chapter 1

Irelia was currently hugging tightly to her brother as they and their father were walking to the Kinkou order temple. Their father had received a message from the master of the Kinkou, master Kusho, that required them to meet face-to-face and since he had no-one to babysit his children, he took them along. Irelia, being somewhat shy, was afraid at being somewhere new. Though with her brother, Zelos, there she was willing to partake in the journey. Eventually, after passing through a fog that served as a defense for the Kinkou temple, the three managed to find the temple ground. As they walked on the sacred ground, Irelia was amazed at the various ninjas training and performing acrobatic skills that she found amazing. Her brother looked in envy as he saw them perform moves that he can only dream to do. Upon seeing this, their father chuckled.

"Amazed at the training of the Kinkou ninjas, my children?" Asked Lito. "Do not be so engrossed in their tricks and acrobatics, they can only help one so far."

"And yet, they always helped me defeat you, old friend." Said Kusho as he approached the three with a smile. Seeing his old friend, Lito bowed respectfully as well as his children. "Come, old friend, we have much to discuss, but I'm afraid that your children must stay behind."

"Then what shall we do?" Asked Zelos with Irelia nodding in agreement.

"You may walk around the temple ground, young ones." Said Kusho. "Observe the Kinkou train, but do not venture to far from the temple or proceeded into any restricted areas." With that, Lito and Kusho left the two alone, but not before Lito told his children not to get into trouble. Upon, being left alone, the two began to walk around the temple, taking in the glorious design of the place as well as the ninjas being trained.

"This place is beautiful." Said Irelia as she walked around. Her brother, not as englamoured by the beauty as his sister, wandered off to see some ninjas training. "What do you think Zelos?" Irelia turned her head to find her brother gone. Panicking slightly, she wondered around the temple grounds, hoping to stumble upon her brother. As time passed, Irelia began to panic as she realized she was all alone in an strange place. Trying to find solace, she ran over to a tree and curled up. She stayed there for awhile until she heard a voice.

"What are you doing?"

Few minute ago.

Zed growled to himself as stormed away from his duel from Shen. Once again, their duel ended in a draw. Not only that, but the other trainees went to Shen and praised him and showered him with affection while he received none. Instead, he got some smug glances and glares. Growling to himself, he stormed off in order to get away from all that. It wasn't fair, Shen, being the grandmaster's son, got all the attention and love. If he'd been born as the grandmaster's son, he would get all the attention, but he would have at least acknowledged Shen for his skills. Shen, on the other hand, just accepted the praise, but left Zed with nothing. It infuriated him to no end. At least, the Grandmaster wasn't there so the other students could rub it in his face with how the Grandmaster would focus on his own son rather than him, the boy that the Grandmaster took in. Sighing to himself, he walked to where he would normally go to cool off. To his surprise, when he got there, he saw a young girl at around his age, curled up at the bass of a tree. Blinking in surprise, Zed walked over to the girl.

"What are you doing?" Asked Zed as he got close enough for her to hear him. Upon hearing the voice, Irelia looked up to see Zed standing over her.

"None of your business." Said Irelia as she looked away, embarrassed that someone saw her in the state she was in. Zed just scowled.

"I'm just trying to be nice, girl. So, can you be at least answer the question?" Asked Zed, his already raised temper raising higher as the girl continued to be difficult. Anger getting the best of him, he roughly grabbed her and made her face him. She, of course, struggled, but Zed was too strong for her. "Listen, just let me help." Said Zed, his voice raised. Irelia, realizing their position, panicked and kicked Zed's knee. Growling in pain at being hit on his bruised knee, a result of his spare with Shen, Zed let go as Irelia backed away in terror. Glaring at the girl, his eyes widened in surprise at seeing her curl up again with tears in her eyes.

"Don't do hurt me, please." Begged Irelia, tears glistening in her eyes. Zed, upon hearing that, realized what she thought and looked back on his past actions. Upon realizing what he did wrong, he hung his head in shame. He didn't mean to make her afraid of him. He just wanted to help. Taking deep breaths to calm him down, Zed slowly, but carefully, sat near Irelia.

"I won't do that." Said Zed as gently as he could as he slowly placed his hands near Irelia's own. Irelia, upon hearing the calm, voice looked at Zed and his hands as they approached hers. Gently, he pulled them off from her body and looked at her in the eyes. Seeing the genuine regret in his eyes, she believed he was telling the truth. "I'm sorry for making you feel that way. I just got angry when you wouldn't accept my help."

"Why?" Asked Irelia, curious why this boy would get so upset to yell at her when she refused his help.

"*Sighs* I just got out of a match with the Grandmaster's son. It was a tie, like always." Explained Zed. Irelia's eyes widened at that. Her father mentioned about master Kusho's and how gifted he was. To hear that this boy, managed to match him in skills enough to get a tie between them was amazing in her eyes. But that left a new question for her.

"Why are you so upset at that?" Asked Irelia. "That's something that deserves praise."

"I know." Said Zed in frustration. "But the others don't see it that way, both the Grandmaster and the other students. They just care about Shen and not his opponent. The others would taunt me, say that I would never be like Shen or beat him. I'll just be second-fiddle to him." Upon hearing that, Irelia frowned. No one should say that to someone, who managed to get a tie between him and Shen.

"That's stupid." Said Irelia. "Were you the only one to do so?"

"The only one to ever get as close." Said Zed, remembering how Shen would always beat everyone else, but him.

"Then they should idolize you." Said Irelia, disproval in her voice. "You showed that Shen isn't invincible and that he can be beaten. So, why are they mean to you?"

"I don't know." Said Zed, wondering as well. "Maybe they're just jealous?"

"I think so too." Said Irelia. She then smiled a little, getting comfortable with this boy. "If it makes you feel any better, I say you're a winner in my book." Zed, upon hearing that, looked at her in surprise.

"Why?" Asked Zed. He never heard any praise from anyone, besides the Grandmaster and that would only extend to things that he did well at.

"Because you rival Shen in skills." Said Irelia. "I don't know anything about Shen or how powerful he really is, but I say that you deserve that much praise if you can rival him in skill."

"Thank you." Said Zed, happy that someone appreciated his talents. "So, why are you here?" Asked Zed. Irelia, embarrassed a bit, told him.

"Well, my brother and I were looking around the temple grounds when we got separated. I panicked and crawled here to hide." Said Irelia, cheeks glowing red with embarrassment. Zed, meanwhile, raised an eyebrow.

"You don't seem to be the girl to do that kind of stuff?" Asked Zed. "You seem brave enough."

"Really?" Asked Irelia in confusion. "What makes you say that?"

"You kicked me in the knee when you assumed I was about to hurt you." Said Zed. Irelia just giggled at that.

"I wouldn't exactly call that brave." Said Irelia.

"It is to me." Said Zed. "Do, you want help finding your brother?" Irelia pondered on the offer. It would help to have a second pair of eyes in her search for her brother. Deciding it wouldn't hurt, she agreed. With that, the two wandered around the temple ground for her brother. Along the way, Irelia and Zed made small-talk, which consisted of their favorite hobbies, food, and activities. Irelia would sometimes giggle when Zed, in an attempt at humor, would make a joke. The two had such genuine good time with each other that it was almost tragic when four Kinkou trainees ganged up on them. Zed scowled when he recognized the leader, a white-haired boy with brown eyes that lit up with cruel intent.

"What do you want Ako?" asked Zed as he glared at the boy and his cronies. He knew Ako well. He would, more often than not, taunt Zed for being a weakling and regarding the Grandmaster like a father when he already had a son. Not to mention he would insult Zed that he was nothing compared to Shen and that he would never be recognized by others. But the worst insults that Ako could possible throw at him was…

"Nothing, outsider. Just wanting to put you in your place again." Said Ako with a smug smile.

…brining up that he was brought in by the grandmaster and wasn't born or inducted to the clan through normal means.

"Don't you have better things to do?" Asked Zed, knowing that he would get in trouble if her picked a fight with Ako. Irelia, meanwhile, was glaring at the four.

"Not really." Said Ako as his gang circled the two. "The next training session isn't for another hour and I felt bored. So, why not pass the time with you," He then looked at Irelia with a smirk. ", and your lady friend." Irelia glared at Ako for that.

"Watch it, Ako." Growled Zed as his temper rose. "She isn't a part of this."

"Wrong place, wrong time, Zed." Said Ako as he touched Irelia's dress-covered thigh, who shuddered at the touch while glaring at Ako. "Maybe she would like to hang out with us than you. After all, we're not second-fiddle like you." Zed, having enough, was about to attack Ako when Irelia kicked at Ako's leg, making him yelp in pain. She then pushed his to the ground, getting his uniform dirty. Ako's flunkies and Zed, meanwhile, started at shock at what Irelia just did.

"I would never hang out with people like you." Said Irelia as she glared at Ako, who was getting up. "Unlike you, Zed has some humility and respect to others. Plus, he's far more better looking than you." Added Irelia with a smirk while Zed looked away in embarrassment. Ako glared at Irelia for the comment and was about to attack when a voice yelled out, shouting Irelia's name. They all turned to see Lito, Zelos, and master Kusho running to them. Upon reaching his daughter, Lito embraced her with Zelos in tow. Kusho, meanwhile observed the scene before him. Raising an eyebrow, he turned to Ako and Zed.

"What happened here?" Asked Kusho.

"Zed pushed me and hurt my leg!" Said Ako as he pretended to act in pain and blame Zed for everything like everything else. He also knew that Zed was already on thin ice with Kusho when he attacked Ako for insulting his heritage after a really poor-day for Zed.

"Is this true, Zed?" Asked Kusho, turning to Zed, who simply growled and turned away. No persuasion from him will convince Kusho what really happened. He tried to tell Kusho the truth several times, but he never listened. He just sighed in disappointment and gave Zed a discipline punishment. Sighing to himself, Kusho was about to tell Zed his punishment when Irelia spoke.

"It's not, master Kusho. Ako was insulting Zed. He didn't do anything to Ako." Said Irelia, defending her friend. Master Kusho, upon hearing this, turned to Irelia.

"Really? Then what happened?" Asked Kusho.

"Ako insulted Zed, like I said, called him an outsider and second-fiddle. Zed restrained himself as Ako said those things." Said Irelia as Kusho eyed Ako, who took a step back in response. "As for how Ako's injuries, he touched me in my thigh, so, I kicked him in the leg and pushed him away." Upon hearing that, Zelos glared at Ako and was about to attack when Lito grabbed him and told him to calm down.

"Is this true, Ako?" Asked Kusho as Ako, who was looking nervously at Kusho.

"No, master! She's lying." Said Ako.

"My daughter would never lie, Kusho, I put my honor into that." Said Lito, believing his daughter. Plus, the boy was acting suspicious in his eyes. Kusho nodded as he hummed.

"Very well, Ako and Zed, come with me. We shall deal with this privately." Said Kusho as he escorted Ako to his chambers. Ako's goons, meanwhile, then took off, not wanting to concur the wrath of the Grandmaster. Upon seeing them leave, Zed turned to Irelia.

"Thank you for sticking up to me." Said Zed as he bowed. "I'm grateful for it."

"You're welcome, Zed." Said Irelia as she smiled at him. Lito and Zelos, meanwhile, looked at this in amusement and smiled.

"I must go and confront the grandmaster." Said Zed before bowing again. "I hope we see each other again." With that, he left.

"Me to." Whispered Irelia as she watched his retreating form. With the last Kinkou gone and his business completed, Lito took his children home. As the walked home, Lito looked at Irelia, who was thinking about Zed.

"You think he'll be fine, father?" Asked Irelia as they walked.

"No doubt about that." Said Lito. "He may not look like it, but Kusho's fair and he'll give punishment to those who deserve it" Satisfied, Irelia went back to daydreaming. Chuckling to himself Lito wondered if he should allow his daughter to come with him to the Kinkou temple more often.