Yeah, I'm back with another update! I was planning on doing a double update, but this one came back from my alpha faster than the other because of time differences~ Enjoy!

The Shadow that Watches

Chapter 8: What has been. And can be.

"Hey Akali, do you have a moment?"
"Hmm?" Akali raised her eyebrows, looking behind her to see Zed standing at the doorway to the dojo. Akali nodded, wiping the sweat off her forehead as she walked over to Zed. Her white dojo-uniform was blissfully made of cotton, allowing the wind to cool her heated skin after she had been training for so long.

Zed was wearing his normal battle armor, consisting of a black top that hugged his skin, the neck of which could be pulled up to be used as a face mask. Over that, he wore a breastplate and shoulder guards made of light but strong metal. Red cloth decorated various parts of his armor. His pale face beamed at her, his red eyes dimly glowing as always. Through the years Akali had spent knowing him, his eyes had lost that sorrow they had held. They were still quite scary, but they always seemed to soften and brighten when Zed was addressing Akali. His short black hair stood up in every direction, unruly as always as he hid something behind his back.

"What's up, Zed-sensei?" Akali asked as Zed smirked.
"Akali, don't call me that unless we're in training." Zed said, bringing out a white flower from behind. It was a beautiful thing, seeming very fragile and beautiful. It's scent was mystifying as Akali gaped at it with awe. "It's for you." Zed said as Akali gently took it, cupping her hands around it as she watched It with wonder in her young eyes.

"Wow, thanks you so much Zed!" Akali said, looking up happily at the older teen standing infront of her. He gave her a soft smile, patting her head affectionately as he said, "That flower blooms once every 7 years. It only blooms for a day, however, so cherish it while you can." Zed said, as Akali's happiness faltered slightly.

"Why does it die after one day?" She asked, confused. "Because it teaches us that no matter how beautiful or painful a thing might be, like everything, it has an end." Zed said wisely as Akali frowned at it.
"… I don't want an end." Akali said, sniffing the beautiful scent of the flower again. "I think beautiful things should be meant to last forever as long as something nurtures it."

"If only things were like that, Akali." Zed said sadly, ruffling Akali's hair again before looking to his side. A shadow ninja was waiting for Zed to be done with his conversation as Zed's expression became indifferent again. "Now go off and keep that flower safe, Akali."

"Zed, I have one last question!" Akali said just as Zed had begun to walk away. Zed paused, looking back at her with an eyebrow raised. "What's the name of this flower?" She asked as Zed smirked at her.
"It's called a Jundo Hanabira." Zed answered as Akali nodded. Zed left to consult with the shadow warrior as Akali walked back into the dojo. She decided she would bring it back to her room at night, after her mother got back.

...

Akali walked back towards her room quickly, the Jundo Hanabira cupped in her hands. She couldn't wait to show it to her mother as she rounded the final corner and stopped infront of the screen door to her and her mother's rooms. She slid it open happily.

"Mother! Look what Zed…. Has…." Akali trailed off, the happiness dying from her face to be replaced with absolute shock. Her mother lay on the ground, right hand placed over the bloodstained kimono over her stomach, eyes staring blankly up as she lay limp in a pool of her own blood.

"Mo…Mo… M-m-mother?" Akali stuttered, her knees buckling as she fell to her knees, shaky hands slowly reaching up to cover her open mouth in horror.
"MOTHER!" She screamed in anguish as she heard the whisper of wind. She couldn't think, her entire world had come crashing down upon her as she was embraced tightly by the person who had suddenly appeared next to her. Zed held her into his chest, letting her cry as he stared at Akali's mother's corpse in sorrow, shock and anger. He had never heard Akali scream like this, so he had come as fast as he could. Now he knew what had made her scream. The person who had done this would pay for their crime.

"Akali… Shhhh… It'll be okay, I'll avenge your mother." Zed whispered, trying to sooth Akali. Akali, once she realized who was comforting her, screamed in anger, shoving Zed hard. Zed was caught off guard, slamming into and tearing through the screen door as Akali looked at him with loathing.

"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU KILLED MY MOTHER!" She screamed as Zed mutely stared at her. "No, Akali, It wasn't me! But I swear, I'll avenge your mother and kill the person who did this!"

"DON'T LIE TO ME! You never liked my mother!"

"What are you tal-"

"You always didn't agree with her ideals of peace and balance! You always thought she coddled me too much, smothered my progress with her motherly love!"

"I NEV-"

"Don't… Zed, just don't. Maybe you killed her with your own bloody hands or you had your subordinates kill her for you. But the fact is that you failed in your task."

"Akali, I-"

"Did you or did you not promise to keep us safe, Zed?" Akali said, her voice choked with her crying but still firm and strong as she stared at Zed with anger. Zed seemed at a loss for words as he narrowed his eyes in pain and lowered his face.

"Yes, I did."

"Is this your protection? My mother lies dead in her room and IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT!"

"Akali, I promise you, I will kill the man who did this to your mother."

"Yeah, that's all you can do, isn't it Zed?" Akali said scathingly, standing up as she wiped her eyes angrily. "Kill anything that's a problem. You're a monster, Zed, and you'll never change. A cold-blooded killer who kills anything that poses as a threat."

"Akal-"

"You were right Zed." Akali said in a voice heavy with grief and anger. "All things have an end. And every end is bloody and painful." She said, crushing the flower she didn't know she still held in her hands before throwing the remains at Zed. She walked away, leaving Zed to stare longingly after her.

The next morning, Akali had shown up in the assembly of all the shadow ninjas, standing in the middle of the path right infront of the small platform upon which Zed stood.

"I'm leaving, Zed."

"….What?" Zed said, incomprehensibly shocked as he gaped at her.

"I'm done. You'll only bring me pain and death. I-I can't stay here where my mother was brutally killed." Akali said as Zed continued to gape at her.

"Akali, it'll be okay, I killed the man who killed your mother."

"I've heard everything, Zed. You ordered my mother to kill someone, knowing that my mother was an honorable woman who did not kill innocents. She refused and your little soldier killed her for treason."

"I never gave her that order, the target was a member of th-"

"You've never stopped to think why everyone's been leaving you, have you Zed? It's because you're always so focused on killing people. You don't have a heart. You have a blade." Akali said, turning around as she began to walk away.

"Akali, no, stop!" Zed said, stepping off the platform but unable to follow as Akali briskly walked away. "PLEASE, DON'T GO AKALI!" He shouted, falling to his knees as Akali stopped. She turned her face to the side, to look at him over her shoulders. The young Zed looked close to tears, clutching the ground in dismay as he stared pleadingly at her. "Please, Akali, I beg you. Don't leave me. Not you."

"Goodbye Zed." Akali said, knowing she was cutting another part of her heart away as she looked forward again and began walking off, leaving Zed kneeling on the ground infront of all his army. She never looked back.

…

"…Mmmm…" Akali gave a small moan as she shifted in the bed, aware of Zed's body pressing up against her back. His arm was placed over her waist, holding her close as they slept on their sides in the bed. Akali was always happy to find that she fit right into Zed in this position. She sleepily opened her eyes, looking over her shoulder to see Zed also stirring. The morning sun shone down upon them through the window as Zed's red eyes opened to find her smiling at him.

"Good morning, Zed." Akali said as Zed gave her a soft look. Zed leaned in to give Akali a soft and quick kiss, Akali meeting his lips halfway as she also leaned forwards. "Slept well?" Zed asked as he let go of her, allowing Akali to sit up.

"I guess. Just had a dream about the past, that's all." Akali said, stretching. She was wearing a white tank top and a pair of shorts, Zed wearing only black boxers as he lounged on the bed, sheets pulled up to his waist.

"The past…" Zed muttered, pain flickering across his eyes as Akali pulled her hair up into a ponytail, binding it with a hairband off the end-table. "Hey now, don't go brooding about the past again." Akali said, leaning in close to Zed as she used her hands to make him look at her in the eyes. "I'm here now, so focus on the present."

Zed nodded as Akali smiled. "Aaaand It's your turn today to wake them up!"

Zed rolled his eyes as Akali chuckled, walking over to her wardrobe to pull out a dark blue sleeping robe, pulling it one and tying it in place as Zed stood up, yawning and stretching.
"You know, you look beautiful as always." Zed said as he looked at Akali with the same intense gaze he alone seemed to possess. Akali giggled again, rolling her eyes. "Years ago, I would never have thought of you to be such a romantic, Zed."

"Much time has passed with you teaching me how to love, Akali." Zed said as Akali walked out of the room. She was in the kitchen, preparing some breakfast for her family when Zed walked in. "That was fast." Akali said as Zed shrugged.
"Did you threaten them with your blades again?" Akali asked, narrowing her eyes suspiciously at Zed. Zed shook his head as he confidently said, "You underestimate me, Akali."

Just then, a young boy and a younger girl suddenly ran into the kitchen from the hallway. "Moooom, Dad threatened us with his blades again and now Saori's scared again!" The boy said as the girl, Saori, clutched him protectively. Zed stared at the boy as he stuck his tongue out at Zed, turning his head around to look at Akali's disapproving face.

Thunk.

"Did you really need to hit me with that spoon?" Zed mumbled, biting down on the buttered toast he held in his hand as Akali took a spoonful of milk and cereal and put it into Saori's awaiting mouth. Though Saori was quite old enough to eat on her own, she loved to be fed by Akali, as she always stated that a mother's hand made the food taste ten times better. "It's called a ladle, dear." Akali said as Zed muttered a low, "Whatever…"

"Ryuu, please finish your eggs, you know the yolk is the most healthy part." Akali said, still not taking her eyes off her work as she spoon-fed her young daughter, Ryuu scowling and crossing his arms as he stared down at the yellow circle with a pout.
"But it's all icky and gooey!" Ryuu said as Zed looked up at him. Zed mouthed the words 'Blades' as Ryuu paled and began eating the yolk right away.

Thunk.

"It's really getting annoying, dear." Zed said as Akali placed the ladle down, putting Saori's empty bowl into the sink with the rest of the dirty dishes. "I'll stop when you stop threatening our children, Zed." Akali said huffily as Zed sighed in defeat.

About an hour later, Akali was sitting on the edge of the porch leading to her backyard, bare feet enjoying the feel of the grass as she read a book, also keeping watch on her kids who were playing in the back yard with toy swords. Ryuu had his father's looks, with black hair, pale face and already a bit tall for his age. Saori, a year younger than the 7 year old Ryuu, also had black hair but her face held traces of Akali's softer beauty and strength. Both of them had Akali's dark red eyes instead of Zed's glowing bright red eyes, one thing Zed was glad about.

"Good… Neither of them have the eyes of a killer." He had said. Akali felt his presence approaching as she looked to her left to see Zed walking down the hallway. He was dressed in full battle regalia, holding his helmet in his hands as Akali stood up onto the porch.

"Do you have to go?" She asked as Zed stared down at her affectionately. He used his free hand to brush some strands of hair away from Akali's face.

"I have to go, Akali. I cannot leave my army unattended. They need someone to lead them." Zed said as Akali leaned her face into his hand, caressing his palm with her cheek.

"I'm just… Afraid, Zed. Everytime you walk into the battlefield against those hideous void creatures, I'm afraid I might never see you again. I want to fight by your side again." Akali said as Zed leaned down to kiss Akali's forehead.

"Akali, Ryuu and Saori need you to protect them. They need a caring mother to look after them, not a father who knows only how to kill. And I'm fighting against these void abominations to keep you and all of Ionia safe. I will not allow your home to fall like Demacia and Noxus did." Zed said.

"I love you, Zed. Never forget that. And this is not my home… This is our home, Zed. Your home is with me. With us." Akali said as Zed nodded solemnly.

"By your side. Always and forever." Zed said as Akali leaned up to kiss him softly on the lips. This moment seemed to last perhaps an eternity, but it lasted only a few seconds as Zed drew away. He pulled his facemask up as Akali held his helmet for him.

"I need to get moving, Shen and Irelia are waiting for me. To think these abominations were once people we called summoners…" Zed muttered bitterly as Akali handed him his helmet.

"Power corrupts the mind, Zed. You know that. Our summoners wanted more power and were drawn into the void. There's nothing we could do about that." Akali said as a sad smile came upon Zed's covered face.

"I was once lost in the corruption of power. You pulled me out and saved me." Zed said as a small blush came onto Akali's face. She punched his chest softly as she said, "Oh, get going, you."

As Zed began to walk away, Akali stared after her. Zed suddenly stopped walking as Akali looked at him curiously.
"Oh, and Akali?" Zed said as Akali furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

…

"Please wake up."

…

Akali's eyes opened as she found herself staring up at a white ceiling. There was a repetitive beeping noise beside her as she turned her head weakly to the side to see a variety of medical machines, probably top-grade technology from Piltover. There was a heartbeat monitor and even an IV was plugged into her arm, nutrients being inserted directly into her bloodstream.

She felt sore, remembering what had happened. She then realized that she was lying on a hospital bed.

So it was all a dream then… She thought sadly as she simply lied there for a few seconds, trying to digest the sorrow that the dream brought after its joy. She then registered the pressure in her right hand. Turning her head to her right, she looked down to see Zed. He was sitting on a chair right next to the bed, leaning forward. He held Akali's hands with his own, firmly holding them and giving her support while his head lied on the edge of the bed, eyes closed. He seemed to be sleeping.

Akali then realized that Zed looked worse for wear. He looked gaunter than usual, dark circles under his eyes. Black stubble had appeared on his jawline, indicating that he hadn't shaved for quite some time.

"Zed?" Akali breathed, her voice barely a whisper. Her throat hurt from speaking, probably from having screamed so much during her ordeal. But it was enough as Zed's eyes opened, the bright red eyes glowing. It instilled a pang of fear in Akali at how the eyes would never change their predatory aspect. But they softened a great deal as they rested on Akali.
"Akali. You're awake." He whispered, raising his head to look up at her.
"You look like hell." Akali whispered with a small smile as Zed stared down at her in disbelief. He then leaned forward, throwing his arms around Akali and raising her up a bit as he embraced her.

"Ow, Zed, I'm still sore."
"I thought I lost you… I really thought I did." Zed murmured against her ear, resting his head on her shoulder, his cheek against hers as he reassured himself with her warmth. Akali raised her free right hand to embrace Zed as well as she said, "I promised you, Zed. I wouldn't leave you again."

The ghost of a smile appeared on Zed's face as he drew away to gaze deeply into Akali's eyes. But then, there was a commotion outside.

"What the fuck do you mean he hasn't eaten for day!? Does he think starving himself to death is a good idea for her!?"

"Miss Irelia, please, keep your voice down! He refused any food we offered him!"

"You should've fucking spoonfed him! I can't rely on any of you, can I?"

"Miss Irelia, don't d-"

The door slammed open as Irelia entered, seething with anger.

"Zed, what the fuck is up with you starving you-" Irelia froze as she saw Zed and Akali both staring at her. Akali gave a weak wave at Irelia with a feeble smile as Irelia blinked a few times. Then Irelia lunged forward, hugging Akali hard.

"AKALI, YOU'RE AWAKE!"

"AH GOD, MY RIBS, IRELIA GET OFF."

"Sorry." Irelia said apologetically though she had a bright smile on her face. "Shen's a genius. He figured out all the stuff about directing your body's Ki flow so you'd awake sooner. Summoner Jason carried the little trick out. Without that, you would've stayed in your shock induced coma for months."

"Shen… Saved me?" Akali asked, tilting her head.
"Yes… He worked day and night to figure out how to cure a coma with the body's own Ki flow while I sat here without use." Zed said bitterly, holding grudging respect for the man. Akali gave a small smile as she gripped Zed's hands tightly. "You weren't useless, Zed. You gave me support." She said as Irelia glanced between them.

"Am I missing something here?"

"AKALIIIII~" A high pitched voice screamed as a small ball of fur suddenly ran into the room and jumped high, arcing over the room before landing on top of Akali in a great hug.

"I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH, AKALI!"

"AGH IT HURTS, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE."

Kennen was sniffling, his eyes big and shiny with tears as he put his tiny hands onto Akali's cheeks. "I-I-I was so worried, Akali. I thought I-I'd n-never see you!"
"You underestimate me, Kennen." Akali said in a low voice as she embraced her yordle friend, gentler this time. Mentally, she tried to poke the state of her ribs after its hug-abuse. Her ribs told her to fuck off.

"You're awake." A voice came from the doorway as Kennen jumped off Akali, everyone turning their heads to see Shen standing at the door. Shen looked as bad as Zed, the lines on his face much more defined, eyes sunken and dark from sleep deprivation. Even he had brown stubble covering the lower part of his face like a 5 o' clock shadow. Before Shen could say more, Irelia jumped him, embracing him hard and then suddenly smacking her lips against his. Kennen gaped as Akali's eyebrows went as high as they could, Zed's eyebrows also going up in mild surprise.

Irelia finally pulled out of the kiss, both of them staring at each other, panting from the action as Irelia finally said, "Thanks… For saving Akali."

"I… Uh…" Shen stuttered.

"Hey, do I get a kiss too?" Another voice said as Zed sighed. "It's like a damn welcoming party." He muttered as Akali patted his hand comfortingly. Zed didn't like crowds.

The other voice belonged to Summoner Jason, who looked as blonde and smug as ever.

"Don't get your hopes up." Irelia said as Jason chuckled, crossing his arms and leaning against the door, looking into the room. "How're you feeling, sunshine?" he asked.

"My ribs hurt from all the hugs, but I'll live." Akali whispered as Shen turned a stern gaze at Irelia and Kennen, both of who shrunk away guiltily.

"Good to hear. Well, It seems today's the perfect day for what I'm about to say." Summoner Jason said as he brought out a rolled up notice from inside his sleeve. Everyone watched him intently as he read out the notice, "Syndra has been found guilty by the tribunal for kidnapping and torturing another champion and has been put in the Eternum wards for the next month."

"Eternum wards?" Akali asked as Jason smirked. "It's one of the strongest holding cells in the institute. The room is infused with magic from the summoners and from Nocturne, who's also caged down there, so it exists on another dimension parallel to ours. Basically, Syndra is floating around in a sea of darkness inside a runic straitjacket until she gets her shit together."

"And Nocturne is just happy to agree to letting you guys use his power?" Irelia asked skeptically as she raised an eyebrow.

"A neighbor after so much solitude, especially one who's fear and negative vibes you can feed off? I don't see why he wouldn't agree." Jason said with a grin as Irelia looked at him like he was some sort of sicko.
"Anyway, we have to get going." Irelia said knowingly as she glanced at Zed and Akali again. She grabbed Kennen and swung him up onto Shen, who caught the yordle out of pure reflex.
"Dada!" Kennen said in a baby-ish voice as Shen looked down at him. "Drop him and I'll skin you, dearest." Irelia said as she walked by, indicating with her hand for Shen to follow her out of the room as Shen grimaced, carrying Kennen out of the room like a baby. Kennen grinned and winked at Akali as he left, leaving Zed and Akali in the room with Summoner Jason.

"Also, Zed." Jason said as Zed blinked at the summoner to indicate he was listening. "I've managed to procure what you asked me to find. I've also infused some mana into it which kind of works like revival magic, ensuring that it will never wilt or die."

Jason walked over and gave Zed a small white box as he winked. "Also, get something to eat Zed, you look like shit."

"Summoner Jason, we're having a moment, please don't ruin it."
"Aww, I love you too, Zed."
"Aaaand you've ruined it. Get out."

Summoner Jason only chuckled as he left, closing the door softly behind as Akali watched him leave. "You seem to be getting along well with him."

"He saved your life, so it wouldn't be right for me to kill him too soon." Zed said thoughtfully as Akali sighed with a smile. Some things would never change. "So, what's the box about?"

Zed looked thoughtfully down at it before looking at her. "It's for you." He gave her the box as Akali raised her eyebrows in curiousity. She pulled the lace which criss-crossed over the box, untying it and then opening the box. The thing inside took her breath away.

It was a beautiful white flower, looking as fragile as it looked strong. It's scent was overpoweringly sweet yet gentle with a feathery touch. It also looked slightly sparkly, like millions of tiny crystals had covered it's surface.

"Jundo Hanabira…" Akali muttered as Zed nodded. The last time he had given her this flower was 7 years ago, back when he was 17 years old and she was 14. That was also when she had left him to join the Kinkou, after her mother died. Bittersweet memories flashed across his memories as he began to fall into brooding. Akali sensed this by the way his eyes had clouded over and, like she had done in her dream, she reached over, placing both of her hands on both sides of Zed's face and making him look at her.

"Hey. I'm here, now. Focus on me, on the present." She said soothingly as Zed's eyes cleared, nodding mutely. "Remember what this flower teaches? It teaches us to let go. Let go of your past, Zed."

"Let… go…?" Zed breathed. Their faces had come closer without either one of the realizing as Akali realized the beeping of the heartbeat monitor had gone up.
"Yes, Zed. Let go of everything but us… Because like this flower in my hands, we are here."

"Always and forever." Zed finished for her as they finally closed the gap, their lips meeting in blissful harmony. Akali tasted sweet, like vanilla and something mysteriously unique. Akali found Zed to taste spicy, a multitude of tastes impossible to differentiate just like his personality. Their kiss deepened as Akali absently placed the box containing the flower on the endtable beside her bed, lying down on the bed as Zed stood up, placing one knee on the bed. His kiss left her mouth as he began to trail it down her jawline then along her neck, Akali making adorable noises of desire all the while.

"Hnnng… Zed…" She breathed as Zed nibbled on her throat, making her breathing rate speed up considerably. The heartbeat monitor was beeping quite rapidly as well as Zed kissed her along her collarbone, pulling the collar of her hospital gown down a bit to reveal the gentle curving of her collarbone. Akali gasped at the sensitive area where Zed was kissing, arching her back. That, however, caused her pain as she instantly tensed, wincing as Zed stopped, looking up at her. Both of them were breathy, as Akali looked apologetically at Zed.

"I'm sorry. I got carried away." Zed said in a low voice as he stood up, Akali fixing her disheveled hospital gown as she watched Zed with wistful longing. "You need rest." Zed said as he seemed to do something in with his hands. Then, after he was done, he showed it to Akali. It was the red lace from the box he had given her, tied around his gauntlet on his right arm.

"What's that?" Akali said with a smile as Zed looked at her, a slight trace of a smile appearing on his face.

"A reminder."

"Of what?"

"Everything."

I regret to announce that the story is nearing it's end, which will be Chapter 9 or 10. Fear not, there will be more romance and drama and a Lemon. ;) Stay tuned!