Wow, it's been over a year since I first uploaded this story. It's been crazy, considering it's easily been one of my favorites to work. I know that sounds ironic considering how often I upload, but it's more of an irl time to actually do this stuff.

We're on the final stretch, and I am going to try something different. I will try shorter chapters but uploaded more often. The idea here is that I have time to write small things but not so much time to write larger stuff, and I like to do things in one sitting.

Let's see how this works out. Thank you everyone who has still been waiting patiently for this to update, and hopefully this tactic will help me update more often.

Final thing, since I'm nearing the end of this fic, I'm open to suggestions for other fics to work on. So toss me some suggestions and I'll see if I got good ideas for expanding them into their own fic.

Alright now back to the story.

Akali's world flared into focus when Zed impaled her. When she was thrown off the train, she saw the grass and rocks spinning towards her at an alarming speed. A dozen lessons from her mother on how to land on her feet flashed through her mind, but her broken body refused to contort itself in the proper configurations. This is going to hurt. She thought as she decided to try for a tuck and roll to avoid breaking every bone in her body.

Then her vision became partially obscured, and tinted purple. She felt arms cradled around her and a familiar warmth. She glanced up and saw him. Shen had saved her.

He landed on the ground rather roughly, but on his feet. He slid to a steady but long stop, kicking up a large cloud of dust as he traveled.

Akali couldn't move, but the mask she always wore over her mouth kept her breathing somewhat steadily. With the immediate threat of possibly breaking her neck out of the way, her other injuries bubbled to her awareness. The pain in her stomach became unbearable, and she passed out.

She woke some time later, propped up against a tree. Her pain was now a dull ache, and she looked down at saw bandages wrapped around her chest and stomach. She sighed, thankful to be alive.

"I'm glad you're alright." Shen walked beside her and sat down next to her.

Akali smiled but felt her mask over her face. She reached up and tugged it off. "You bandaged me, but you didn't take off my mask?" She smiled, feeling the cool air against her face.

Shen pulled off his mask in response and grinned sheepishly. "I didn't want to nullify the station of the Fist of Shadow." He grew more somber. "Your mask is as much a part of your role as is your weapons. By removing it during a mission I felt I would dishonor you."

"You decide if something is honorable or not now," She gingerly moved her legs and wiggled her toes inside her boots to confirm she could still walk. "We're all that's left Shen. You, me, and Kennen. We're not much of an order anymore. I think we can ease on some of the more strict codes."

Shen took a bit before responding. "I used a potion from the healer we saved in the other town."

"Soraka?"

He nodded. "How does it feel."

Akali put a hand on her chest. "It feels good, compared to what was before."

"I'm glad."

Akali gave Shen a sidelong glance. "Shen?"

Shen turned and looked at her directly. "Yes?"

Her breathing slowed. "Thank you. For saving my life."

"What?"

"I heard what you was telling Caitlyn. That you were willing to sacrifice me to complete the mission. But when Zed carried through his threat you moved to save me."

"Oh. I was trying to bluff him. I thought it would work." Shen's face was shadowed with guilt. "I can always recapture Jhin and Jinx. I could never replace you. I can't help but feel selfish for my actions."

Akali's heart beat a little faster. She reached out and placed a hand on his. "I know how you are feeling, Shen. For the longest time, I've seen you trying to run the Kinkou order like Kusho did. He was willing to do a lot of things to complete the mission. But when it comes to certain people in your life, you're not willing to sacrifice them."

"I suppose you're right. You and Kennen are very important to me."

A soft breath escaped from between Akali's soft lips. "You're very important to me as well."

Shen's eyes sparkled brighter than the sun. "Akali…"

"Don't speak." Akali whispered. "Just act."

Shen leaned towards her carefully, as if he was afraid to harm her.

Akali moved towards him, closing her eyes and preparing for a gentle pressure on her lips.

She felt Shen's arms around her, as he hugged her tenderly. "You and Kennen are my closest friends. I don't want anything to happen to either of you. In fact, if I was forced to save one of you, I'd die trying to save you both. You're completely equal in my eyes."

Akali's excitement deflated almost instantly. She slumped in his embrace as she muttered, "Thanks."

"You're welcome. Now let's catch up with the train."

"It should be long gone by now."

"I can sense Kennen's ki, it's more than enough for me to teleport to him. Just hold on tightly."

Akali put her arms around Shen and felt an ethereal buzz traverse her entire body as Shen moved them both through the spirit realm.