Ahri finally opens her eyes after a long slumber, still feeling drowsy from her fever. She only needed to tilt her head an inch to the side to see someone she didn't expect to meet. The image is hazy, but it was without question the boy who cared for her in the past. She could make out his small stature and blue eyes as he wrings out a towel to later place on her head and like usual, he remains quiet. Now the moment of truth weighs heavily on Ahri's shoulders as she contemplates which name to call out. The mystery of whether or not she was still asleep made it especially difficult.

"Would it kill you to say something to ease my aching... Shen? You haven't changed much: Silent and all business."

"... If words could heal aliments, I would spare you a few words. Unfortunately, medicine and solemn silence is still the best treatment for you."

Ahri's eyes clear up and the illusion of a young Shen disappears; In its place, the present-day Shen who sat cross-legged at her bedside. The thought of that small child turning into a tank of a champion made Ahri chuckle to herself.

"How long are you planning to hold a grudge against me, if I may ask."

"That feeling of spite has already faded along with this fever... I was simply taking in what was in front of me, never considering what lied beneath."

"That's an unexpected response."

"Now I feel bad for having hostile thoughts towards you. I mean, you were gullible too, being a child and all." Ahri says, turning her back towards him.

"... Indeed I was."

Ahri felt sluggish from guilt and felt childish for acting on something that occurred ages ago. In the end, she acted solely on emotion, nearly causing someone harm. Ahri slowly curls up into a ball, wanting the day to end quickly. It was only a few seconds later when she felt a nostalgic touch on her head. Shen's large hand lightly rubs the top of her head and between her ears.

"I'm sorry, Ahri. Fate doesn't always precede in our favor and usually doesn't for most. You were suddenly left alone and I'm at fault for failing as your caretaker."

It's not your fault at all...

Ahri felt her eyes swell up, filling up with tears. Holding back to the best of her ability, she sounds out a request.

"T-Then if you wish to pay for your mistake, you must pet me like you did in the past." The request was embarrassing enough to cause Ahri to overheat.

"If that's what it takes." Shen answers in his usual tone, showing no hint of hesitation.

However, Shen wasn't exactly keen on what to do until Ahri slowly crawls over like a fox and lays her body over his legs, all the while avoiding eye contact. Ahri rests her head on his thigh as the rest of her body lays parallel to the floor. Shen starts by rubbing behind her ears causing her to purr and go into a trance. Even Shen had a slight flashback of nurturing Ahri in her animal form. After a few minutes petting her silky hair, Shen runs his hand down her back and over her tails. Repeating the same motions, Ahri starts letting out mews. Ahri truly felt like she was going back to a time of bliss when it was only her, Shen and the forest. Fones may have planted the peach tree she was so obsessed with, but it is gone and replaced with something genuine.

Ahri, in a dream-like state, suddenly pushes herself up and licks Shen's face. The swift realization causes Ahri to lose her cool.

"T-T-That was just p-part of the act, because I was originally a f-fox." Ahri stutters looking away in shame.

"I understand."

Shen's abrupt response disappoints Ahri.

Be a little more humble, baka...

Ahri then decides to push a little more and turns on her back.

"N-Now my b-belly."

Ahri pouts with flushed cheeks while Shen just goes with it, pretending she was an actual fox pup. Ahri waits in anticipation for Shen's hand to massage her torso, but gets rudely interrupted by Akali who grabs his arm. The Fist of Shadow holds an equally sulky expression feeling left out.

"S-Shen, my stomach h-hurts for s-some reason, c-can you... can you rub it for me?" Akali asks in a nervous tone with eyes spinning.

"Huuuhhh!? What are you saying?" Ahri asks in a high voice, clearly angry.

"That's a strange request, Akali. I haven't done that since we were little."

"What!?" Ahri hollers again, this time at Shen.

Flashback: Akali(4 years old) is down with a terrible cold and Shen(14) is by her side rubbing medicine on her tummy. At first Akali saw Shen as a serious and tough figure like her mother, but he was surprisingly sweet whenever she needed help. He was strict yet overprotective.

"Master Shen, if Akali doesn't train, mother will be mad with Akali." Akali says with a weak voice and in the third person.

"Recover first, Akali. I'm currently in charge of your training, not your mother." Shen responds, scooping up another dab of medicine to rub on her stomach.

"B-but..."

Shen doesn't say a word and wraps Akali in another blanket before carrying her towards the fireplace. Placing her on his lap, they both stare at the flames until Akali finally gave in and slept.

That memory made Akali have an adolescent moment, feeling jealousy towards Ahri. During Ahri and Akali's heated exchanged, Kennen observes from the doorway.

Flashback: Kennen(5) stands in front of Shen(17) and between them, a broken vase of great value. Kennen quivers in fear as his carelessness causes an accident. Expecting a severe punishment, he instead receives a pat on the head from Shen.

"Trust me, Kennen. Worse things could've happened."

"Like what, Master Shen? That was a precious heirloom and I broke it." Kennen says, feeling devastated and close to bursting into tears.

"Are you cut anywhere?" Shen asks, with his hand still planted on his head.

"No."

"Then raise your head, Kennen. You feel guilt over a mistake, good. Now, learn from it and refine yourself, otherwise, you won't be the Heart of Tempest as I become the Eye of Twilight." He says in all seriousness.

That statement nearly causes Kennen to fall over, but Shen's faith in him did improve his performance gaining more head rubs.

"Shen-pai, notice me too!" Kennen yells, dashing towards the trio.

Despite having to fight over Shen's attention, Ahri felt glee filling her heart. The boy who saved her many times is now a grown man and sharing a moment with her just like before. Ahri tries her best to push the others away, but they were so persistent. Of course, to no one's surprise, Shen was confused as well as aloof.

"Shen..."

"Yes."

"Let's plant a peach tree."

In a tranquil forest that seemed distant from everything else, a white fox pup sleeps, curled up in the lap of a young ninja who also snoozes peacefully under a peach tree, this one being prodigious compared to the last. A young female ninja rests her head on his shoulder. A group of Yordles are catching some Z's in a tree house. A blooming couple sleeps on the other side of the tree and more youthful champions rest easy in the grass, all free of worries.

I wish this day never ends - Ahri