Chapter 4: A Guardian

Shen noted the oddities in Mordekaiser's behavior. The first thing he noticed was the giant's change of location. Why was it that he was now staying at the institute? He was always happy in staying in the Noxian slums. The festering bodies and sickened people were an ideal place for one such as Mordekaiser. His reason for staying at the institute, it must have been for some sort of reason.

Even Shaco's behavior seemed to change. He came with Mordekaiser to the institute, requesting a place to stay. Of course, the summoners couldn't turn away the two champions. Shen had no clue to what the jester was up too, but his non-presence was not something Shen enjoyed, even on the fields of justice. The fact a serial killer was around the institute un-noticed was unnerving for more than just Shen.

The scariest part was their supposed obsession for trying to kill Akali on the battle field. Any chance the duo got in attacking the woman, they did. Shen had always been there to keep her safe. Even Akali knew the dangerous situation that could happen if she were to die and took careful steps in trying to stay safe. Her pregnancy was a secret to even the summoners, though it wouldn't stay a secret for long.

Shen decided it as time he spoke with The Master of Metal. As Mordekaiser walked the hallways, Shen approached him.

"Mordekaiser," Shen said, bowing slightly to the hulking figure.

"Shen," Mordekaiser responded, giving a slight nod.

"Do you mind if I take a walk with you?" Shen asked.

"I do not see your reason for doing so, but if you must, I can't tell you otherwise," Morsekaiser replied, continuing his walk. Shen bowed his thanks before walking alongside The Master of Metal. Mordekaiser's metal greaves echoed loudly as they clanked during his steps. Shen's tabi barely made a noise.

"I've noticed a change in your behavior Mordekaiser. I am not one to beat around the bush so please answer me a few questions," Shen requested. Mordekaiser nodded slightly.

"Go on," he replied.

"Why have you come to the institute? Your needs are not ones that can be fulfilled here," Shen said quietly as the giant suddenly stopped.

"What does it matter to you where I sleep or where I tread? If I so wish to stay here, then I will," Mordekaiser responded. Shen had to admit that The Master of Metal was right. He could easily come and stay at the institute if he wanted too.

"My question is not whether you want to stay here or not. I'm simply stating that you have needs that cannot be fulfilled here, so why waste your time staying in a place where sickness is not much of a factor?" Shen responded. He immediately felt a cold point of a knife pressed against his back. He had no way to turn to see the source of the knife.

"Shen, Shen, Shen tsk tsk tsk, always getting into business you shouldn't be," Shaco said. The jester's high pitched voice was almost impossible to not recognize.

"The safety of Akali is my business. Don't take me for an idiot, I've seen you two divert from tactical formations to single her out. What is going on?" Shen's eyes now darted from Mordekaiser to Shaco's arm which was now wrapped around Shen's neck.

Mordekaiser lifted the mace off of his shoulder and let it crash to the ground. "If we told you, then I would have to punish you. Spare me the effort and be on your own way. Shaco, let him go," Mordekaiser's deep voice echoed in the large hallway.

Shen tugged himself free of Shaco's grip and looked up at the giant figure. "I am not letting you hurt Akali in any way," Shen's eyes narrowed as he met the burning red eyes of Mordekaiser. The Master of Metal simply motioned towards the direction they had come from.

Akali watched from a distance away as Shen and Mordekaiser talked, then out of nowhere, Shaco had appeared behind Shen. He held a knife to Shen's back and soon after, he let Shen go. The man walked away after Mordekaiser pointed in her direction.

As Shen got closer to Akali's hiding place, she curled up tighter trying to avoid detection. She would have succeeded if Shen wasn't so aware of anything around him. He stopped as he got near her and looked directly at her. He made a motion with his hand indicating for her to follow him. His decision was now made. He would protect Akali along with his child. Akali nodded at Shen before he disappeared from sight.

It was decided, Shen would protect Akali until her child would be born. Then he would judge the child when it matured and its apparent ambitions. The child deserved life and Shen was not one to deny any natural rights given to any living being. As he treaded back to his quarters, Shen realized this.

_ _

It wasn't long before Akali arrived in Shen's chambers. He was there to greet her before closing and locking the door. He watched Akali's confused look as he leaned on the door. "I vow to protect you at any cost. Mordekaiser and Shaco, they plan to bring you harm. I don't know the reason, but I will not let it happen," Shen said solemnly, "You should stay here from now on. With Shaco around, you are not safe alone."

"Shen, I can take care of myself. A mere low life assassin of the slums is not going to harm me," Akali stated. Shen replied with silence before finally speaking.

"This lowlife assassin of the slums has no jurisdiction," Shen responded before turning on his heel and heading for his bedroom. "I am not forcing you to stay here, but I do highly recommend it."

Akali watched as Shen entered his bedroom and closed the door behind him. She felt a cold hand lay on her shoulder. "He's so serious at times, it's almost unnerving," A high-pitched voice almost whispered. It was followed by a laugh. Akali immediately turned around to see that Shaco's face now held an even wickeder version of his perpetual grin. She was unarmed but not completely helpless.

"What you doing here demon jester?" Akali asked firmly standing in a position ready to fight. Shaco bursted into laughter.

"I was simply checking in on my two friends," He said before his grin widened. "We are friends, right?"

"You kill innocent people…You don't deserve to even be allowed to walk the streets. We merely tolerate your existence because of your status in the Lea…."

"Ohh boo hoo. So what if a few people come to me for jokes? Who am I to deny them such things?" Shaco interrupted before walking closer to Akali. The woman's body stiffened, ready for any sort of attack.

"Shaco, I think you need to leave now," Shen said, his voice low but echoing in the small room. Shaco looked over at him.

"Of course master Shen, I will be on my way," Shaco said, bowing mockingly towards Shen, the entire time chucklingly. "I am out…NOW!" and with that, he disappeared in a cloud of orange smoke.

Akali's guard remained up as she watched around her; almost sure that Shaco was still present. Reluctantly she let her guard down as she approached Shen. The man simply stepped aside as she entered his bedroom. He would be her guardian, her watcher, her sentinel; until he found out what it was that was truly happening. However, a small suspicion popped into his mind, but was quickly dismissed.

"No…I am not allowed to think such foolish things," Shen told himself quietly. What he didn't know, his suspicion had been accurately placed.