Chapter 2: A Theory
"Kennen," Shen spoke, motioning for the yordle to take the top lane of the Twisted Treeline. "Akali and I will take the bottom," He explained. Kennen nodded his understanding, taking no hesitation as he ran towards his destined location.
The two remaining ninjas bought their items before making their way to the outermost turret on their lane. Silence deceived what the two were actually feeling. Shen's mind was filled with tactics as he tried to make a solid plan for their team. Akali's mind was filled with questions. Questions of Shen, her partner Kennen, and even what it was that was plaguing her.
"Uh...Shen. There is something important I think you need to know," Shen's summoner said in his mind.
"I'm listening," Shen responded
"The other two summoners and I are detecting four life forces on our team. We've noted yours, Akali's, and Kennen's but this fourth one is unknown. It's very small and almost undetectable, but it's there," The summoner explained.
Shen merely nodded his head "Understood," he said as he looked at his colleague. The notions he were picking up seemed to be all pointing in the same direction. "Summoner, do everything in your power to keep Akali alive. I don't care if I must be sacrificed to do so; I am forbidding you to let her die."
"I understand sir," The summoner replied. Shen was a very mysterious man, but he usually had everything planned out and wouldn't tell anyone what they didn't need to know. The summoner trusted the ninja.
The minions passed by the two and so the match began. The other team included Singed, Pantheon, and Ryze, who was going up against Kennen. The start was going just perfect, exactly the way Shen had planned. A few kills were made for his team.
As the game progressed it was obvious who was going to win. Shen could hear the summoners speaking about what to do and where to attack and when to retreat. It was satisfying to know that the summoners were getting results.
The game ended with trio being the winner. Akali hadn't died once, Shen was happy about that. The case wasn't the same for him. He died a multitude of times trying to protect his fellow ninjas, but in the end, it was all worth it.
"I owe you thanks summoner," Shen said in his mind. "You protected my colleague at all costs."
"I was just doing what you asked me. It's really nothing," The summoner responded.
"There is always room for modesty, but you must also be willing to give yourself praise," Shen replied before he appeared at the institute once more.
The trio stepped out of the platform which led to Akali heaving and vomiting. A few of the summoners ran straight for her, asking her if she was ok and well. Shen barely batted an eye to her. He was absolutely sure his theory was correct. Tonight he would tell her what he believed, but for now, she needed rest.
A match was enough training for a day. On days where any of them were summoned, he excused them from their regular workout. The summoning process was strenuous on the body, and the matches were tiresome in themselves. The day was still young; allowing the trio to do whatever it was they wanted. Shen could always be found in the garden, meditating with Master Yi and Wukong. Kennen loved to pull pranks on other champions who stayed at the institute. Akali was the only one who didn't partake in her past time. Instead, she headed straight for the medical branch of the institute.
_ _
The night was silent as were Shen's steps as he approached Akali's room. He opened the door, allowing a soft creak to echo. Swiftly, he slipped into the doorway, closing it behind him. At first look, he didn't find the woman and decided to search her bedroom. When he peeked in, he saw her lying in her bed, eyes still open. She was wrapped in a multitude of blankets to warm her through the cold winter night.
Shen's footsteps seemed to be amplified by the silence in the room as he made his way to his partner. Slowly, he sat down on her bed, placing a hand on her shoulder and rubbing it lightly. "Did you do what I recommended?" He asked; his voice not holding the commanding tone so many were used to hearing.
"Yes, the League medics said it could be a stomach virus," Akali replied enjoying Shen's firm touch. She sat up next to him, wrapping her blankets tightly around her to keep warm as Shen removed his hand from her shoulder. "I don't know about it though. It comes and goes which is not something a stomach virus does."
Shen sighed deeply before looking over at the woman, "I have a theory, but you may not like what you hear," he said calmly, trying not to raise the wrong emotions in Akali. When he looked at the woman, her face was full of curiosity. Could he really know what was wrong with her?
"Tell me. I want to know what you think beyond anyone else," Her voice still, but full of worry.
"It's possible you might be having a child," Shen said, looking at his colleague. Her reaction was one of shock to put it mildly.
"No! That…that's not…possible," As she said her belief, it began to seem more and more possible that perhaps Shen was right. The part that really stunned her was the fact that she hadn't been with anyone else other than Shen. Her mind played with the theory. Was she really about to mother Shen's child? "I haven't been with…anyone else…" She admitted.
Shen nodded his head, "I know. Being The Eye of Twilight means keeping an eye on your peers as well," He said to the woman. Her head rested against his shoulders as small tears began to build up in her eyes. Was she ready for such a responsibility? Could she keep up with her duties as The Fist of Shadow and take care of a young one? Would she be able follow in her mother's footsteps? So many questions and so little answers, it was maddening.
Shen's arms wrapped around the woman, pulling her closer to him. Her head rested on his neck, tears ran down her cheek and collected on the cloth of his shirt. He rubbed her back as she let out small whimpers.
"Why do you cry?" He asked gently, kissing her on the cheek. "You have no reason to be sorrowful."
Akali's head lifted from its position, looking up at Shen with watery eyes. "I don't know if I can do this," Her voice quivered as she spoke.
"Doubt and hesitation are the seeds of defeat, as you say. Keep your spirits high and you will find that you are able to do this. We've known each other a long time Fist of Shadow. You are strong," Shen spoke, holding his partner tighter. She wrapped her arms around his waist, sniffling as her tears slowly began to stop their flow. Akali took a deep breath to calm herself and found comfort in her embrace with Shen. But just as she had grown comfortable, Shen pulled himself away from her. Cold air touched her skin when he left her.
"I must go. There are other matters that require my attention," He said, taking a few steps to leave her room.
"Shen, wait," Akali called out. Shen stopped and turned his head back to see what Akali wanted his attention for. "Surely these matters can wait…just a little longer?"
Without hesitation Shen replied "No. These matters are important to our stay here in the institute." He headed out of her bedroom and the lodging soon after.
Akali laid back down on her bed, looking at the wall. She heard her door open and close as Shen left her apartment. For a long time, she stared at various places in her room. Contemplating whether to go to Shen's apartment or not. Her excuse would not be valid if she were caught by Kennen once more. He would notice something was going on between the two.
Not once had she felt such a strong urge for Shen two nights in a row. It was like an itch that grew only stronger the more she ignored it. Finally, her will broke. Akali stood up from her bed, slipping on light clothing. Her steps through the institute's halls were muffled by the sound of her socks on the stone floor.
When she arrived at Shen's room, she found it to be locked. It was possible he was still out, attending to the matters which he spoke of. Desperately, she looked for him. Each step gave a soft sound as the pitter-patter of feet echoed through the large hallways of the institute. She had always seen Shen in the garden, perhaps that's where he was.
Akali wasted no time getting there, but when she arrived, she found Shen. Internally, she felt excited, but it soon died out when she saw another figure standing in front of him. A cloaked figure, almost like a summoner, but in black robes was speaking to her friend.
"I have come to believe that she is having a child," Shen said to the cloaked figure. "To be honest, it is my own child."
"I knew it would happen sooner or later, it was only a matter of time before you two were to warm each other's beds," The figure said, almost in a disgusted tone. The man sounded old.
"With all respect sir, I do not like the tone you are using with me," Shen responded, giving off a threatening aura himself. Akali had come to fear Shen when he was displeased with things, it made her shudder physically.
"To get back on topic, there are a few things we want you to do," The figure spoke.
"Anything the council desires," Shen responded.
"We want-"The figure stopped, looking pass Shen's shoulders. "We are being watched," He said, disappearing in a cloud of smoke. Shen turned around, drawing his ninjato.
"Show yourself," He said flatly. He sheathed the blades when Akali emerged from the shadows. "Hmmm…not the person I would have expected to be spied on by."
"Who was that?" Akali asked, almost angered by the fact Shen was keeping information from his two colleagues. Her face betrayed the anger she truly felt, keeping a calm look.
"He is a representative of the council. He was about to give me instructions before he noticed you," Shen replied, walking over to the woman.
"When will he return?" She asked. To her surprise, Shen didn't answer. He walked passed her and into the institute. Akali stood outside the door, shocked that he would withhold information from her. The three were trusted allies, yet there were things Shen didn't tell them. What else did he refuse to tell her and Kennen?
Angered by his actions, she stormed back to her room, uncaring whether anyone heard or saw her.