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A/N

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Chapter 29

Syndra awoke and once more questioned if what she had was real. Naruto lay beside her, nestled close to her naked form. She enjoyed his warmth too much to allow him sleep with clothes. Naruto was thankful that she let him sleep with his boxers on when their nights weren't spent tangled together under the sheets in sex. Syndra grew used to sleep without clothes after the first night he slept with her to keep her warm and had now made her thing of sleeping without a shirt or bra on. Since she did want to feel his warmth she did make the change to sleep with her panties on and on rare occasions, shorts.

Two weeks had passed since their night of love making and while she grew used to the feeling of having a relationship, Naruto grew used to accepting the cold truth about his own problems. He wasn't going home. Syndra admitted sadly that the magic and knowledge of said spells required was beyond her. She explained that just because they could pinpoint Naruto's original world, that didn't mean they found the correct one. Pulling someone from another world through summoning wasn't as easy as it was originally believed and sending them back as even harder. If the method used to bring him here was through a summoning then they had to find out which world he came from, and since they were doing it blindly, they didn't have the best places to start looking. As Cho'Gath had told them a long time when he joined, the universe was bigger than they thought.

It wasn't all bad. Syndra was helping him come to terms with his problems and she in turn was coming to grips with the thoughts of being nicer to the Elders of Ionia. She stilled hated them with a passion and if Naruto ever left she was going to go down and crush them. She didn't say it out loud, but Naruto seemed aware of it and while not supportive of it, was willing to admit that they had done her wrong. In the short time they had been together on the floating temple Naruto had left four times. He had returned to Karma and visited, saying that he was still looking for himself out there and even admitted to accepting that he wasn't going home. He told Syndra that Karma broke down crying when he confessed his age and accepted how long he had been in their world. To her and those around him, it was the start of his acceptance and probably the biggest breakthrough with him that had happened in a long time.

The second and third time he left it was to visit a friend. He brought his friend up on the third visit and though not at all shocked, Syndra laughed when Zed tried to act tough in front of her and was put down by his friend. Since Zed was also a banished individual like herself, Syndra took a liking to him and allowed him access to her temple to keep herself from being lonely when Naruto was away. He had left last night for a small series of matches and was due to arrive again today with her and Zed. Syndra tried to mind read Zed and confirm that he had no knowledge of the attack or what happened on the day of his attack to the Kinkou. Zed's scouts had proven their worth and brought the Institute to the table as an offer of making him believe their master. Naruto accepted the idea and agreed to sponsor Zed for enrollment as a Champion. Today was the day Zed would get his Judgment and after that, Naruto would have his proof of Zed's innocent of guiltiness. Either way, Naruto couldn't turn his back on his friend.

Stretching, she looked over the sleeping form of her lover and spied Konohamaru sitting up, tilting his head, and wagging his little tail. Yawning, she pulled herself from Naruto and floated towards the door to let him out. He didn't make a sound as he zipped out the tiny crack made and began doing his business. She shut the door and floated to her dresser to get some clothes for the day. She had matches today and they were going to be leaving together with Zed. Hastily she made her way to the bathroom and prepared the bath water. She had grown too accustom to the clones doing it for her that it took her a little longer to set things up. When she did, she relaxed in the water and began preparing for the day.

She finished up quickly and joined Naruto at the kitchen table as he finished making breakfast for her. Konohamaru ate scraps. As soon as Naruto was finished eating he made some clones and jumped in the bath to clean up and get ready. Syndra watched Konohamaru devour an entire bone he'd saved from last night as a snack when she felt the presence of another on her temple. Hovering to the door, she greeted Zed with a sinister smile. He returned it with a slow and annoyed nod. She liked him, but not enough to say he was her friend… yet.

"He's finishing up. We'll be leaving in a bit," Syndra told him as she floated back to the kitchen. Zed wondered in and looked around the room again. He always saw something different that made him question whether it was something she added or if Naruto brought in. Maybe it was just that without Naruto around he felt more threatened than he should and looked for viable escape routes in the event she decided to attack him. "Stop sizing up my room. It's disturbing." She pulled a stool out. He shook his head and waiting in what he thought was the safety of a dimly lit room. "So why are you wearing all white?"

Zed switched to his former training clothing from his time in the Kinkou. He grew out of the original ones, but still kept buying the same set when he needed more. He didn't always like looking like some sort of metal ninja, though he did give up a lot of armor and protection to wear something like this. Just meant he was faster and more flexible. Not that he really needed it when he could just use someone's shadow to appear behind them and kill them. "I wanted to," he said without any real thought behind his answer. She shrugged and finished her coffee. "Do the Elders know about you and him?"

"No and we're keeping that way for a bit. He wants to try and bring Karma up here one day to make her see that I'm not that bad," Syndra half-lied. She looked for some more coffee. She didn't find any. "He said he wants to wait until after Ionia is unified again. Once that's happened, he wants me to sit down with her and try to work things out."

"Are you going to?"

"For him? Yes." Konohamaru barked. She knelt down and grabbed him up. He licked her face and made a disgusting look. He stopped and looked to the masked man. "Go attack him." She dropped him on the ground and he charged Zed. Zed didn't flinch as the little wolf bit into his ankle and barely got through the armor he wore around his shins. Zed gave him credit though; he was still trying, despite the armor being tougher than his fangs. "I don't care if you killed those people or not," she said heatedly, "but if you ever attack Naruto, I will kill you."

Zed chuckled, accepting the challenge. "Well… if I get into the death game today, how about we see who would win?" Syndra wondered how much he knew about the Institute. Could he possibly know about the restrictions that they place on people like Zed? Sure they made Shen tougher and Akali sharper and Kennen stronger, but for people like Zed, they'd find a way to limit his all destructive powers. They did it to Naruto and Jax and they do it every other mage that joins as Champions. "If I win, I get to have you let me people come up here for more training."

"And if I win?"

Zed paused and tried to think. Honestly, he was going to win. So what was the point? Finally, he blurted out, "I'll give you the services of the Order of the Shadows. Deal?" She shook his head before he could think on what he just walked himself into.

"I can have you do whatever I want, right?" She could think of some things. Death was the last thing on her mind. She was just going to humiliate him. Naruto had some good prankster memories. She wondered if Zed could deface an Ionian monument in broad daylight wearing an orange jumpsuit. She'd pay to see Naruto do it. If Zed could do it, she might just have more respect for him. "Well I hope you're ready to be humiliated if you get access to the Fields of Justice because I will win."

The two held glares and were only stopped when Naruto walked in with a mighty yawn. Zed blinked at Naruto's attire. Syndra snickered and floated around him. He was wearing black baggy pants with tap on the ends of them and open toed sandals. A white and orange trim robe shirt that was under an opened green vest with a high collar. Around his neck he wore the scarf Ahri made for him. He pulled his hair into a ponytail. Both hands were covered the gloves Kennen had given him not too long ago and were decked out the knives Katarina had provided him as well. Tugging at the scarf, he looked at his floating girlfriend and flashed her a smile. "Do I look like a scary ninja?"

"Ninjas don't wear scarfs," Zed said without waiting for her say anything. Syndra raised a hand, threatening him with magic. He stood his ground. "I forbid my men and women to wear scarfs! That's stupid."

"You're stupid. Scarfs are cool." He tugged at it some more. "Come on let's go. I gotta check up on a friend of mine that was hospitalized about three weeks ago. You might like him, Syndra. His name if Fluffy. Oh! And there's a giant cat in the League now. I don't remember his name, but he's a giant cat that hates a giant Void bug. He's also a Champion too." Zed was confused and Syndra nodded like she understood. Zed gave her props if she did. "Come on, I don't wanna miss the boat. Zed, do you still get sea sick?"

"No."

"Awesome! I'm pranking you then." He picked up Konohamaru and the three were off.

Grumbling, he followed a giggling Syndra. He hoped this day got better. He didn't need any more things to go wrong. Traveling with a hyper Naruto was probably the worst thing in the world to do.

(-)

Irelia marched through the halls of the Institute with calculated steps as she made her way to the Summoning Chambers. She finally did it. She was a Champion in the League of Legends and today was the start of her first set of matches. She was going to show the world the true strength of Ionia. She understood how it worked. She saw enough matches to know how it was played. She died once before. Dying here would be no different. Karma tried to warn her that death here was different. Pain was amplified and only those strong enough to endure it truly became Champions of Legend. She was going to be better than them.

Her first set of matches were going to be within a few hours. She knew that Naruto was coming back. He sent a letter to her to congratulate her and promised he'd show her the ropes. Jax was even lending his own hand in making her stronger here. That spoke volumes for him to her. But she didn't need their help.

She passed by the doors to the Judgment room and spied an Ionian Summoner grumbling something. She ignored him and found her teammates for the first training match. She was partially in luck that she got paired with Shyvana and Ashe, but was unfortunately paired with Syndra and Thresh as well. She waited in the very center of the platform. Thresh leaned forward and said, "Scream all you like. It makes this more fun," as a blinding light engulfed her. She wanted to scream as something bore into her mind. It took her a moment to regain her composure. Thresh pointed to the right and said, "That's your lane. Have fun~!"

Coughing, she watched as Thresh and Ashe departed for the lane on the left. Syndra went up the middle. Shyvana fixed her armor and said, "I'll support you as best I can, but we're facing another unknown Champion out here as well. Don't worry; I'm good at clearing out the Jungle. Just don't die."

She coughed once more and walked past her. "I'm stronger than I look. By my blade, I will not falter." Shyvana snorted and left. Irelia calmed her breathing and felt the probing mind of another inside her. "So who are we up against?" she asked out loud.

"You need only think it, and I will respond." It was another female in her mind. Irelia was pleased. "Do not be so quick to assume I'm someone you can comply with. I'm Noxian. Not Ionian." Her heart sank. "Just keep your head down. You're up against Naruto at top. I trust you know how to fight him?" There was a brief delay and then a chuckle. "You honestly think you can beat him here? I enjoy playing with him. He's… entertaining to watch. As I'm sure you're already aware of…"

"Just shut up." She made her way to the top lane. It was time for her lessons in combat here.

(-)

"I turned up nothing when reading his mind for the Judgment."

Naruto leaned against the tower admiring his kunai. Relivash handled Zed's Judgment and turned up nothing. Zed literally had no memory of the attack on the Kinkou. Well it wasn't all true. He had some memories of it. It wasn't like the memories had been erased from him. They didn't exist up to a certain point. He had memories of going into the chamber with Shen's father and then after that coming out and ordering their deaths. Anything in between was gone. It didn't exist in his memory, meaning someone else had either possessed Zed or Zed found some really powerful magic to make him forget something as big as that. The scream was the only thing that was stuck in the memory that Relivash watched. Zed was openly shocked that Naruto had doubts about his story, but after hearing it from Relivash; he seemed willing to admit his own wrong doing and believe in his friend again.

Still, there was a great many questions to be had about the ordeal. Why did Zed continue his war against the Kinkou if he didn't remember killing Shen's father or truly ordering their destruction? He came out of the temple and ordered it, that part was in their clear as day. But something else was odd about it because Relivash said he felt a pull in the memories suggest tampering with Zed's mind. Someone or something might have left orders in his brain to control him when he should return. But as to why was unknown. It didn't explain the gap in his memory, only the reason why he hated the Kinkou.

"I do find it odd that Zed's mind might have been altered to allow this to happen. Given his own mental strength, one would think such a thing is impossible. Clearly I was wrong."

"You're usually wrong about a lot of things, Relivash." Naruto pushed himself off the tower as he saw Irelia approach. She stopped just short of the tower and looked at him. "You know I can reach out and stab you or throw you under this tower, right?"

"Honor would prevent you from doing that." Naruto chuckled and suddenly was on top of her. She gasped when his hands grabbed her arms and he flung her under it. A bolt of light came down from the scepter in its hands and struck her once. She dashed at him, receiving a second bolt in the process. Naruto showed some measure of kindness and pulled her out of range for a third shot. He grabbed her wrist that controlled the blade, punched her in the stomach and stuck a kunai in her chest. A look of shook was reflected in her eyes. "But…"

"Listen to me, Irelia," his voice was calm and there was something odd in his eyes, "throw away your honor and your pride. In here, its kill or be killed. This is a battlefield, not some childish play fighting. It's no different here than it is out there." He pushed it further and pierced her heart. She coughed blood and fell backwards dead. A blue light took her away and Naruto was left feeling slightly dirty. "Who's in control of her?"

"Summoner Nikko," Relivash sounded unhappy.

"So I've basically just done something that she should have been warned about? Great…"

"You promised to explain things to her on the battlefield. What better way is there than this?" Naruto picked up his kunai and cleaned the blood off it. His eyes darkened and suddenly Relivash grew worried. "You're going to take this serious?"

"If she wants to liberate Ionia here on the Fields of Justice, she has to learn how to fight again. I'll show her by being cruel and become a Demon if I have to." He pocketed the kunai and felt her rage boiling through the air. She returned a minute later with a sour look on her face. Her minions were already pushing. She glared daggers at her friend. Naruto smiled and flicked a kunai her way. She leaned back and avoided it, something that surprised her. "I'll give you one more piece of advice, Irelia. Mages are stronger here and people like us are weaker. They may boost you in some way, but ultimately, the things we can do off the Fields of Justice are different than here. We both know that if I threw that at you outside of this place, you'd be either dead or missing an eye. Take that into consideration."

"Are you here to explain things to me or help me learn this corrupt system?"

Smiling, he grabbed another kunai and flung it at her with all his might. She barely had time to block it. "I'm here to fight you with all that I have to make you understand how this place works. Don't worry; by the time this match is over, you'll understand what it's like here. What it's like to die again and again." He killed one of the weakened minions and his eyes became serious. "Now fight like your life depends on it, Irelia. No holding back. Your enemies won't!"

(-)

This, Syndra thought with glees, is too easy.

Her opponent was Zed. He was new to the death game that was the League of Legends. He was, at this very moment, still coming to terms with the fact that he couldn't move his shadow from one spot to another. He was still coming to terms with the fact that he could only make one shadow. And he was still coming to terms with the fact that he could only switch spots with that one shadow once. That was just him using his normal shadow. Not a shadow that would also be created when he grew angry and converged on one person to try and kill them, giving him only two shadows to jump between that he could only jump to one time each. He was used to having less strength, speed, endurance, and stamina. That part was already well taken into account for. But his shadow thing was something that was currently driving him insane and into a losing streak.

Syndra could see the gears in his head turning as both he and his Summoner tried to figure out a way to work around her awe inspiring power. Before the might of the self-proclaimed Master of Shadows, Syndra's power was unbeatable. He couldn't get close to her, even when she allowed him to. The minions blocked him or pushed him back on their own. Zed was her mercy and she liked it. She was going to crush him and get her reward for besting him. Even if Naruto was kicking the crap out of Irelia at top and Quinn and was being decimated by Shyvana at bottom with the aid of Ashe and Thresh, she knew that all she had to do was beat Zed. She'd already killed him five times. He hadn't even managed to touch her yet. It was a great day.

Zed stood in front of his tower watching his minions get mowed down as he glared daggers at Syndra. He backed himself into a corner. Before he even figured out what his weakness were here, he'd already set himself up for failure. Naruto hadn't told him anything. The jerk! He was giving Irelia more information than he had his best friend. He knew there'd be some amount of decrease in his abilities, but nothing to this extreme. How did Naruto deal with this? He could make thousands of clones on a whim. How many could he make here? A hundred? Zed hoped that he could only make one. That would make him feel better.

Zed tapped his foot as he waited for the minions to get closer. Once they were within striking distance of the tower, he cut them down and then watched as she effortless cut down his minions without the need for the tower. It was sickening to know that she was besting him. She, a woman and a mage, was besting him, the Master of Shadows and greatest assassin that Runeterra had ever known, was being beaten by a woman. It was… inspiring really. Zed had known she was strong but had never seen her in action. His first League match he ever watched was the one with Naruto in it. All he had on her were stories. They did her no justice here.

Syndra picked up one of his minions with her magic and flung it at him. He quickly dodged and looked at it with worry as it wobbled back up to challenge her. If it were a real person, he'd commend the thing for trying. He also feared that she could do that to him. What was stopping her right now from dragging him out from under the tower with her power to throw them at her own? Maybe she couldn't do it.

Zed clenched his jaw and tried to think of a solution to stop her in her tracks. His Summoner was useless. Well… not as useless as he thought, but still useless. How could this man not know how to fight Syndra? Was he new? Zed had started trying to think on his own when the Summoner grew concerned and started asking for help. Currently he was communing with the other Summoners to think of a solution. Zed was promised one, but he had yet to see anything to show help was on the way. He felt like he was going to lose. Quinn wasn't doing so hot at bottom with Taric on her side. Their fifth, someone Zed had not gotten the name of, was in the jungle ripping everything to pieces. He was a werewolf and that was all Zed really knew about him. He didn't seem helpful at all.

"What's the matter?" Syndra's empowered voice range out over the shuffling of feet, "is the little ninja scared of me?"

Zed snorted, arms crossed. "Hardly," he puffed his chest. "I'm just waiting for an opportunity to present itself where I can crush the life out of you." She laughed at him and summoned more orbs around her form. Zed felt a tingle in the back of his mind. His Summoner screamed something and there was a blast of magic from the tower. Zed looked and saw no minions within range. Suddenly he was very hot and he turned just in time to see a flaming dragon crashing down through the damaged tower. It crumbled away and he was pushed back. Fire dripped from the dragon's maw and with a single howl fire shot forth.

"RUN!"

Zed felt his skin burn and something clawed at his arm. He looked and noticed it was gone. Blood sprayed from his missing limb and he screamed. The transformed Shyvana raised a clawed hand and smashed it down on his form. He coughed and screamed some more. She gave him credit for surviving that. Not many people could. When she pulled her hand back, Zed was getting to his feet and screaming something at her. His other exploded off his body and suddenly he fell silent. Shyvana backed away as a purple and blue orb went through his chest. He stared open jawed at the orb before it sailed back and took his head. He vanished in a pillar of blue light.

"That was easy," Shyvana said as she returned to normal. She brushed a small burn mark on her shoulder where the tower's magic had struck her. Syndra floated away and returned to their base. Shyvana shook her head and looked to where Naruto was fighting Irelia. She wasn't going to dare challenge him now. He was too strong. He'd had too much time to prepare and farm. She would certainly die if she openly challenged him, even with Irelia's aid. She could go back and aid Ashe, but she didn't have the strength to dive a second tower. There was a brief warning in the back of her mind and she jumped away as something grey appeared and swiped at her form. Warwick had arrived. Too little too late, but he his arrival and her weakened state meant she was easy prey for him.

There was a whooshing sound and suddenly Warwick was dazed and on the ground and almost knocked unconscious. He shockingly got to his feet and growled as ice formed around his features. Shyvana bolted and returned to base. Syndra was in the process of leaving. Irelia appeared a moment before Shyvana left and she looked almost as livid as the day Noxus invaded Ionia. Sighing, she grabbed the woman's arm and yanked her forward, "He's you're enemy! Kill him dead! Or don't challenge him at all! You're making this more difficult than it has to be!" She threw her back and shook her head. "I thought you said you were strong. You're just a weak human girl to me!" She left, fire burning along the ground as she walked.

Irelia punched the ground and felt a cold chill run through her. She was going to beat him! She was going to destroy Naruto before this match ended.

There was a brief pause in her connection to Nikko and suddenly all the magic that was in her drained away. A feeling of death consumed her and a throbbing headache formed. She looked ahead and the crystal at the heart of their nexus cracked and then shattered. They lost? How did they lose?

"We surrendered to them," Nikko informed her. Irelia balled her fist up. "Take this and learn for your next match. Naruto is right. Throw away your honor and pride and you will win more matches here. I say this not as a Noxian, but as a Veteran Summoner for the League."

Irelia felt the pull of Nikko's mind leaving her own and suddenly she realized she was on the floor of the Summoning Chamber. Syndra and Shyvana left first. Thresh shook his head, twirling the sickle part of his chain. He whistled a happy tune as he strolled out. Ashe helped her to her feet and shook her head. "The first one is always rough."

"Is it really?"

"Yes. You'll get used to it." Ashe opened the door that Thresh had closed on them. "I'd advise you watch a few more matches. Talk to some of the other Champions before your next match. If this is how you're going to fight to liberate Ionia, give up now. You'll lose." Irelia's eyes burned darkly and she grabbed Ashe by her collar. Queen or not, she wouldn't dare speak ill of her power or intentions. Ionia would be free with or without this system. One way or another. Ashe put a calming hand on her wrist and gently removed it. "I have another match. If it finishes quickly enough, I'll come give you more pointers. I see that traitor didn't tell you anything."

"He's been gone."

"Figures. He is a traitor and murderer."

Irelia wanted to say something to her, but Ashe left before she could. Grudgingly she made her way to the cafeteria. Naruto should be there. He told her to meet him there. She was slow to find him. He found her and they both sat at the closest table to the trashcan. She didn't ask why. He grabbed it and put it beside them. "Sorry that I to be rough with you," Naruto paused to think about that and then said, "Actually, I'm not sorry. What the hell were you thinking through that entire thing? I told you fight me like I was your enemy. And you disregarded that? Why?"

Irelia glared at him. He rolled his eyes. A man in white moved past him. Irelia recognized him as Zed. He was a new Champion. They made eye contact. She glared. He shrugged and looked away, continuing his journey to get food. "I couldn't bring myself to fight you like that." Naruto slapped her. She jumped up and her blades sprang around his neck. Naruto clapped and smiled. "Do you want me to kill you? That's how you end up dead!"

Motioning for her to sit, he said, "That's how you need to fight. How else are you going to win matches against your friends? You think I haven't fought my friends here? You know how many times I've killed Akali, Karma, Shen, Kennen, or Ahri? Thousands of times! Do you know how many times they've killed me? About the same… You need to fight like I'm your enemy. Fight like you're friends' are you enemies. You were paired with Syndra, Thresh, Ashe, and Shyvana. Not all matches are going to be like that. Your next match could have you paired with Noxus soldiers. Are you going to be nice to them? You'll have to work together to achieve victory. It's the only way to win."

"I'm only here to represent Ionia. I'm not here to fight it!"

"You're not fighting Ionia! That's what you're thinking. These matches aren't important in the long run. These aren't political matches. They're training matches. I signed on to help you by fighting with you and against you. I'm even showing another new Champion the ropes as a result of this. Look, you can't assume that all you're matches are going to be against people you hate. You'll fight people you like. I never wanted to fight you on the Fields of Justice because I never wanted you to join. But guess what I did today? I had to kill you over and over again. I killed you eighteen times. How many times did you kill me? None. You were fighting like this was a sparring contest. It's not."

"I'm not like you. I can't throw away my honor or my pride just at the drop of a hat!"

Naruto leaned back in his chair. He put his hands on his face and wanted to scream. Irelia could see that in him. She sighed and silently screamed at herself. This wasn't at all how she envisioned her first match. She wanted to win. She wanted to prove to everyone that she was great and that Ionia was a nation to be feared. If she could best the strongest and the most feared Champions in the League, she could make her mark. But she lost to him. Shyvana even mocked her. Ashe scolded her. Thresh seemed to enjoy her suffering and Syndra was probably laughing up a storm at the thought of her own defeat at his hands.

Naruto sighed and said, "Look, hopefully I'll be on your team for the next match and I can help you further. But you can't fight like this. You have to fight like everyone on the other team is your enemy. Even friends. You can't let your friendship get in the way. That's why me and Jax see it as a game to see who's stronger. We made our own game out of it. I mean, right now I'm in the lead for most kills against him. How do you think he feels? He's gearing up for a rematch against me through one of these. Look at it like that. Make a game out of this. This one didn't count. If I fight you again, it's a game. First person to ten kills makes the loser buy the beers." She laughed and put her head on the table. "I'm serious. Find someone and make a game out of it. It's the best way to keep your friendship and it makes some fun moments later on." Naruto stood up when Jax came over to him. "You owe me a beer by the way. I reached eight hundred kills on you."

"Did you really?" Jax seemed shocked. "Damn it. I was hoping I could get you first. Oh right. Tonight?"

"Tonight…" Naruto patted his shoulder as the announcer called for the masked fighter for hire. "Go knock him dead." Jax nodded with a snicker. He patted Irelia on the shoulder as he left. "See? That's the kind of game we have going. You should do that too."

"Can Uzumaki Naruto and Zed please report for your next match?!" An announcer called out of the speakers.

Naruto groaned. "Damn it. Thought I had more time." He looked to Irelia and said, "Sorry, find someone else to give you a pep talk. I have another match. Just watch this one." He left with the white clothed man from before.

She watched them disappear around the corner and looked to the monitor. Their enemy team was Master Yi, Quinn, Teemo, Poppy, and Veiger.

(-)

"This," Naruto said with the widest of grins, "is a match made in heaven."

"You're an idiot."

"This is a match made in heaven!"

"Shut up!"

"This is seriously an awesome match!" Naruto almost jumped for joy as they waited for the match to start. They were finishing giving everyone time to adjust to the next Summoners that were controlling them for the first time. Akali didn't look thrilled. "Seriously?! What's wrong with this team, Akali? Look us!"

Akali looked back and sighed. Yes. Part of the team was good. Shen was here. Kennen was here. Naruto was here. And then there was the fifth one: Zed. If she wasn't going to stab Naruto in the back of the head for being so hyper about having his traitor friend along for the ride, she was going to stab Zed repeatedly in the eye. He kept looking at her with an odd stare. Shen kept glaring at him with his hands on his swords. Kennen had wisely moved closer to Naruto in fear of their team fighting each other instead of the enemy. The only plus side to any of this was that they were fighting a team of mostly Yordles. She was going to cut Teemo's head off today and smash Poppy with her own damn hammer. If she could get her hands on Veiger she was going to strangle the life righto out of him and call him small while doing so.

Zed kept his arms crossed as he waited for the blue barrier to drop. He was going top. Naruto promised to aid him and he was going to hopefully get aid from the others. If Shen would stop glaring at him, he might actually consider helping and being nice. Considering was the big word in that situation, though.

"Why did you bring him here?" Shen asked Naruto. The blond was busy picking his teeth with a knife. Akali was on the verge of punching it up into his skull. He stopped and looked at his friend and then to Zed. The two looked puzzled by the statement. Too many secrets for one day were being kept by Zed. Naruto already perfected the art of just not carrying when this was on the table. "He's a traitor."

"Shen," Naruto pocketed the kunai and put his arm around his friends' shoulder. Shen felt disgusted, but knew that Naruto was probably about to give some long winded speech about friendship, his desire to forgive and forget, and something about not looking back. "Shut up and deal with it. He's a part of our team and he's a part of the League. At least now, he can't attack the Kinkou. Sorry Zed. Forgot to mention that one tiny part." Zed shrugged. He was going to speak with Naruto about that anyways. Relivash had said something like that earlier to him during the Judgment. "Would it help you if I told you I didn't talk to him until recently?"

"No!" Akali hissed. The gate fell. Their Summoners that had remained quiet finally spoke up. "We are going to talk after this match is over! Believe me; I'm not leaving my weapons at the door." She marched down to her lane with furious stomps.

Zed titled his head as he watched her go, admiring the view of her rump as she popped it back and forth. Kennen slapped his knee and shook his head. "She's dating Shen." He pointed to said man. Shen looked even more furious than he did a moment ago. Zed smiled behind his mask and whistled a happy tune as he walked for top. Kennen watched Shen depart with all haste. Kennen sighed but was stopped when a thought hit him. "Is that where you've been recently?"

Naruto felt his Summoner groan as he thought up a lie. "I said I was finding myself, Kennen. I never said where. But no. I wasn't spending time with him." Naruto looked to the jungle and took a deep breath. "I suppose getting help from anyone on this team today is out of the question, huh?"

"I'll help you. I actually support the idea of Zed trying to make amends with us. So if this is what you aim for, I'll help." With that, Kennen ran down to his lane and began farming.

Naruto rolled his eyes. Yeah, he thought bitterly, that's totally what I'm planning.

(-)

Akali slammed the door as she entered Naruto's room. The force was loud enough that it knocked over his paperwork that had piled up on his desk. Konohamaru jumped up and barked in warning. Akali sent it a frosty glare. It whimpered and buried himself under the protection of the comforter.

"You," she jabbed her finger into Naruto's chest, "talk! Now!"

"Hi. My name is Naruto Uzumaki and I like ramen. What's your name?" She raised a hand to slap him. Shen caught it and glared at her in warning. She tore her arm free and went to strike Naruto again. This time he blocked it and his look became sour. "You're angry, but don't take this out on me. I just told Ahri that she can bring up our former relationship. Don't go hitting on her either. Or we will have problems."

"We won't have problems because we already have problems!" Naruto's gripped tightened and she dropped to her knees. He let her go and moved to his desk. Kennen was outside speaking with someone else. He wanted no part in this.

"You're angry I brought Zed into the League. Deal with it. We won because of him. Even though it was just a training one. We won. That should count for something."

"Naruto, why did you bring Zed into the League?" Shen put his hand on Akali's shoulder. She was furious. If he hadn't swiped her weapons before entering there'd be blood on the walls. Chances were it wouldn't be Naruto's. "I appreciate the subtle protection we now get from this, but that still makes me wonder why you even go that far? Are you protecting us or protecting him?"

"I'm protecting both of you." Naruto pulled Konohamaru out from the blanket and began to pet him. He had to go see Gnarr after this. The little guy was ready to go and explore the world. Too bad other Yordles didn't like him. Teemo feared him and wanted the little guy dead. That was probably because Tristana took a liking to him. Sad that he was seen more as a pet than an actually person when compared to most Yordles. "Don't think for a second I did this just for him. I wanted information and I got it." He pulled the letter from his pocket and threw it at Zed. He skimmed it over and held it up with a look of annoyance on his face. "Sorry, forgot you never took the time to learn my language. He was asking for help. So I came."

"Wait," Akali took it and looked the envelope over. "He got this into Karma's place. I saw this letter on top of the packages! He could have killed her."

"But he didn't," Shen told her. Akali still looked angry. "I'm listening, Naruto. What did he want and what did you learn?"

"Zed's been losing people to Noxus. They've been taking his people and doing something with them. He's been raiding their camps and outposts trying to find his people. So far he'd turned up nothing. His Judgment was done by Relivash and I asked him to give me information on Zed's involvement in the attack on your group all those years ago. Turns out, Zed has no memory of it and there's evidence to believe someone tampered with his mind. He has memories of talking to your father in the hut and then being in a daze as he ordered the Kinkous destruction. Right now, as far as I'm concerned, he's innocent."

"He is not innocent! He killed hundreds of our people that day!" Akali snapped. "How could you forget something like that?"

"I moved on."

"Where?! Where can you be now that you would forget something like that?!"

"I moved on, Akali!" Naruto stood up and pointed an accusing finger at her. "You've killed your fair share of his people and even a greater number of others. You've killed people from Noxus, Piltover, Zaun, Demacia, Bandle City, and even Freljord. How about their families? Huh? Do you think they've moved on from the people you killed? The last person you killed before any of that happened was in Freljord and I've spoken to the people that lost their loved one to you. Do you know what they're like right now? They're happy. They moved on! I've moved on. I lost some friends and I was angry with Zed, but even if he's guilty still, he truly does regret what he did. So I'm willing to stick my neck out for him. If you hate me for that, fine! But don't you dare take this out on anyone else but me. That's means you leave Ahri and everyone else out of this!"

Akali screamed at him and stormed out. Shen shook his head. "You could have handled that better." Naruto snorted and sat back down. "I'm not angry with you. You're not a member of the Kinkou. Not anymore. You quit a long time ago. So your actions aren't controlled by us. But still, you're putting too much faith in a man that tried to kill us. Is still trying to kill us."

"When was his last attack against you?" Naruto didn't mean to snap. Shen was his friend and far more patient than his ex-girlfriend. "Look, I'll support you as well, but I'm not picking a side. That's why I'm staying out of this conflict now between Noxus and Ionia. If this rematch is going to happen, I can't be involved. Karma has already asked me to trust in this. So I am." He scratched at his head and said, "I'm sorry if you're hurt by this. But I've been looking for a way to move on with my life. I know you probably heard, but I admitted how long I've been here now. I even admitted my age. I can't let go of the past that easily, Shen."

"I know. But I wish you would have asked me about this first. I miss Zed as well. He was a good ninja. And even better friend… More so than you." He lightly joked. Naruto cracked a smile. "If Zed really is innocent in all of this and was controlled, it's just more proof that his power is dangerous and needs to be handled carefully. If the day does come that we can stand shoulder to shoulder outside of this place and not being trying to kill each other, I would like that. But until then, Zed is my enemy and I will fight him with everything that I have." Naruto nodded. Shen walked for the door, stopping only to say, "Gnar has fully recovered. I think the League intends to make him a Champion as well. I'm not sure that's wise. You should go see him when you can."

Nodding to his friend, Shen slipped out of the room. The moment he was out Zed appeared in the room from a shadow on the ground. "I'm not stopping my war with them," he informed him. Naruto closed his eyes. "They have to be shown that they're path is wrong. I'll do it, even if it means their destruction." Taking a deep breath, Zed turned to leave, but stopped when his hand reached for the knob, "Do you think he meant it?"

"That's up to you." Zed looked at the door and then departed. Naruto collapsed onto his bed and shut his eyes. I'm not fixing your messes. I'm just trying to move forward with my life. I want my friends near me. He scratched Konohamaru behind the ears. "Life advice, don't get friends. It's too complicated." Konohamaru yawned and put his head on Naruto's stomach. "For a puppy you sleep more than you play. You know that?" Naruto took a nap and waited for the next match that he'd be in.

(-)

The sound of gentle knocking on his door woke Naruto from his sleep. He grumbled and found Konohamaru nestled against the pillow, curled up into a tiny ball almost. Yawning, he opened the door and stared into the eyes of Irelia. She looked tired and only barely managed to offer a greeting as she stumbled in. "Can't find your room?" he asked. She yawned and collapsed on his bed. "I guess you finished your matches?" He checked the time and saw a note posted on the back of his door. His next set of matches were canceled. Kayle was out. She was sick with something.

Irelia huffed and said, "They've agreed to the rematch. We've worked out the deal. We'll be fighting in roughly a week. I'm nowhere near ready for this."

He pulled up a chair and patted her on the back. "It's okay. I wasn't there for it either the first real public match I had. It wasn't against Katarina after we became friends. She put me through the same ordeal I put your through. Just be happy you're not fighting a friend for this political match." Irelia rolled over, waking the sleeping demon wolf. He yawned and jumped down. Naruto summoned a clone to take him out for his business. "Irelia, I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't be so hard on you. I just want to make sure Ionia has a fighting chance here. I want to it as it was before the war. I only got to see part of it and not for long. That's why I was pushing you in those matches."

"I know," she said softly. She sat up on her elbows. "Does it ever get better? I mean fighting your friends? Were you serious about making the game?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah… I'll play the game with you as well." She shook her head. "You don't want to play with someone like me?"

Irelia laughed. "You're too competitive." He chuckled, accepting her truth. "I have someone else in mind. She joined a while back. She was trying to escape her own past. I think you might like her if you haven't met her yet. She's a good person. Ionia owes her a debt that I don't think we can repay right now. While you were fighting and helping us with supplies, she was giving me information on future attacks. She even stopped some of them cold. I'd like to meet her one day. She's not here. But maybe you'll see her in a few days. She promised to watch our rematch. She's cheering for us."

"Sounds like a nice person."

"She makes me feel special. No man ever looked at me the way she does at times. She wants to help. I thank her for that. I just wish that she wasn't…" Her voice trailed off. Irelia got to her feet as the clone walked in with a happy Konohamaru in its arms. "listen, when this is over, will you come back to Ionia as one of its Champions? You don't have to answer me now. I'm just curious. I think you deserve a chance to settle down after this. I mean… you did admit your age." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Ionia wouldn't be the same without you. I think we all don't wanna lose you."

"You're not losing me any time soon, Irelia. Just… keep an open mind on things. You're not as high strung as you were before my last job. So if this friend of yours is responsible, I wanna met her." Irelia patted him on the head. He laughed. "That's my thing." She nodded and gently pat his back as she walked out. "You can sleep here if you want."

"And let you're golden hands work their over me? No thanks, naughty girl." Naruto laughed. "Ahri asked if we can put that off until after this is done. Are you okay with that?"

"Of course! I follow the orders of the mightiest beings alive."

"You don't respect us that much."

"I respect you more than you think I do. All women in my life can kick my ass. Not a single one out there can't not beat me up. Besides, a woman brought me into this world. Chances are one is going to take me out. I mean being born and dying, of course." Irelia rolled her eyes and walked out the door. "I'll be heading out again but I'll watch the rematch. I'll be cheering for you, Irelia." Konohamaru yapped as the clone disappeared. "And Konohamaru! We'll both cheer for you." She shut the door and left. Naruto smiled and ruffled his pet's hair. "Come on. Let's go see Gnar. Don't eat him!"

A confused whimper was the reply Konohamaru gave.

A/N

So obviously not a lot really happened this chapter. It's more of a filler than anything else simply because the next chapter is glossing over the rematch they had. Naruto is obviously not involved in this and will only watch it. Now, I've read Zed's lore and I really do think that he's not innocent but also not guilty. They said they heard a scream that came from Zed and then after that he walked out holding his Master's head in shaky hands. Now, this leads me to believe that we're not getting the whole story. I think something happened that day and Zed was forced to follow someone else's will instead of his own. Maybe he was possessed. Maybe he wasn't and the weight of his actions carried guilt that he showed when he raised the masters' head. I don't know. Obviously we don't have a show to see Zed's group beating the crap out of the Kinkou and making war with them, so I can't just say, "He's evil and killing them!" Naruto is a ninja and he understood things about his world like this. He took that and brought it here in the sense that he doesn't see them as enemies and only as friends, kind of like how he saw Gaara after the Suna invasion. So to him, this is just two clans/nations fighting each other over something stupid.

Another thing came to my attention because I made a joke a while back about Annie's parents not being in the League. Obviously because they'd be forced to fight their daughter at some point and it would come off as cruel. That said, how do people that are friends with other in the League of Legends fight their friends? I looked at like this: If you and your best friend were dropped into this world and put into this situation, obviously you might fight like you want to kill each other. But could you really do it? I think that some of them can in this sense, but not all. That's why I had Irelia and Naruto fight the way they did. Irelia couldn't see Naruto as anything more than a friend and as a result, couldn't fight him at her fullest.

I know a lot of you have left reviews and as of today it's still acting weird. I can't reply for some reason and there's just too many to actually get to so I'm going to say it here: Thank you for your reviews! And I'm also going to ask why someone asked if I could make this a harem and change the pairing to Jinx and Naruto? Really? I'll admit, that if I wanted to, I could make this a harem, but it still wouldn't include Jinx or Ahri. I am not making a harem story. I support all forms of relationships and even though I know this is a story, I've state it once and I'll state it again; I'm writing something I wanna read. So sorry if that ruins anything for anyone else. But I liked the Syndra Naruto pairing and I just never really saw any on the site so I made one. Not saying they don't exist, cuz I'm sure they do and I just didn't look hard enough, but I like this pairing and I like how I have my story because it's something I wanted to read. So I wrote it.