It took Zed a lot of convincing before he was able to sit alone with Shen without the company of Ven or Hei-An, they feared Zed would have an outburst of anger in an attempt to either kill, or seriously harm Shen. There were much bigger issues than personal affairs happening in Ionia current, and although it was not entirely Zed or Shen's responsibilty to take control, they knew Ionian elders would do nothing about it, partially because they were terrified.

They sat opposite each other in a relatively small room opposites Zed and Syndra's bedroom, it was well lit, and like everywhere else in Zed's order, it was well furnished. A small coffee table sat between the two of them with a cup of tea in each other's hand as if it were a friendly meeting. They were both silent as they sipped their boiling hot tea, until Shen began the conversation.

"Zed, it is customary for Ninja's to remove their masks entirely when meeting formally you know."

Zed didn't sigh, he only continued sipping on his tea, choosing to ignore the seemingly unecessary comment. Shen's frown grew, as did his frustration. He had already removed his mask. He had dark brown short hair and lightly tanned skin, Shen had no visible scars on his face, only on his arms.

"Zed." His voice was much more firm this time, Zed decided to look up, being careful to not lift up his mask too much. Shen raised his eyebrows which made Zed moan in a frustrated way.

"You're still a child I see."

"Shen! I am not like a child! I'm a grown man.." He resumed sipping his tea.

"Take the mask off, Zed."

"Fine.." After much hesistation, Zed placed his cup of tea down and slowly lifted off his mask, only to reveal a scarred but still recognisable face. Zed's white hair was soft, and it flowed gently down his face as the mask was removed from his head. He kept his head low, trying not to show his face in shame.

"You've been in a lot of battles since we last met it seems, brother."

"Unfortunetly.." He lifted his head, showing Shen the full extent to his scarred face. "..I have been in a lot of battles, brother."

Shen stared at Zed's face, unable to comprehend the scar running down his eye. It confused him, yet he didn't feel sorry for Zed at all, not after what he had done, and after what he tried to do.

"Where did you get the big scar from?" Shen questioned, sounding mundane as ever.

"Nocturne."

Shen spat out his tea in shock.

"Nocturne? Zed what were you doing near Nocturne?"

"I was trying to see him out. No one knows the origins of this power.." Zed conjured a shadowed shuriken, one that can be seen when Zed is at the Institute of War and on the Summoners Rift, Shen watched with intent, but tried to not look too enthusiastic.

"So you went to him to do what exactly?"

"Ask him if he made the box so that humans could use the shadows."

Shen sighed at Zed's blunt attitude, he knew him all too well - He would always say things as they are, and Shen hated it, but nonetheless, Shen decided to continue with his brief interrogation.

"And what did he say?"

"Nothing. I never got to ask. He tried to kill me in an instant."

"Oh." was all Shen could muster. It was clear to shen that Zed didn't want him to be here, nor was he interested in the current war with the Shadow Isles, but the concern was more or less Shen's troubles.

"Zed, we need to discuss.. What it is we're going to do, we need a plan, a strategy, anything."

"Brother, forgive me, but, we have no place in this War, it should be up to the institute what happens and-"

"Zed, enough. The war is happening on our home soil, and you are choosing to ignore it."

Zed leaned up onto the coffee table and began to shout.

"I am not ignoring it! You seem to think you can appear in my village, asking for a truce so that we can sort out Ionia's problems? You're just as vain as Father was!"

Shen also leaned up onto the coffee table and began shouting.

"Do not speak about Father in that way Zed, without him, you would be dead. Your lowly order wouldn't exist!"

Outside the doors...

Syndra and Hei-An were listening with their heads in their hands, ashamed and impatient.

"I knew this was a terrible idea.."

"That is was, Hei, that it was.."

Hei-An placed a hand on Syndra's shoulder.

"I think you should.. Talk to shen for the time being, you are neutral in all of these matters, even though you are on Zed's side."

"I understand, but, will Shen listen?"

"He's not as.. Stubborn, as Zed is. Shen will listen to anything you have to say, Syndra."

"WELL IF YOU HADN'T SHOWED OFF EVERYTHING YOU WERE TAUGHT THEN MAYBE I WOULDN'T DESPISE YOU SO MUCH!" Zed roared at the top of his lungs. Syndra opened the door just as Zed was about to lunge Shen, she quickly raised her arms and cast Zed in the magical bubble that she had used on him in the first encounter, disabling any form of movement.

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she slowly began to channel a sleeping spell. She moved Zed across the small room and onto the sofa that was leaning against the wall.

"Zed, I'm sorry but, you need to calm down."

"Syn..a.. ..ll..." Zed's words could hardly be heard, let alone understood as he drifted slowly away from consciousness. After she was sure that Zed was defintely asleep, Syndra removed the bubble and reassured Shen that Zed was out cold.

"How on earth did you do that?" Shen questioned as he and Syndra sat back down. She giggled.

"I'm a mage! I can do.. Just about anything, actually."

"Impressive.. Wait.. You're not in the Institute of War, are you?"

"No.. I'm not.. I wouldn't have thought I'd have qualified, but-"

"You most certainly would with that skill set. Plus, championships and Pro-games are coming up soon, meaning the Summoners will be back for their yearly tournament.."

Syndra shook her hand in disagreement.

"I-I'm not sure it's what Zed would want for me! He hates seeing me fight.." They both turned their heads to the sleeping Zed, who's hair glistened just as much as Syndra's did in the dark, orange candle light.

"How long have you two been together then?"

"Let me think.. Just under three months."

"Seems like an awfully short amount of time."

"What do you mean?"

"From what I've seen, you both seem so.. Comfortable around each other."

She giggled.

"We have a lot in common. More than what people would think, even though we both have.. Shall we say, different ethereal views. I personally believe balance is the key to domination and will, whilst Zed seems to think balance is weakness.. BUT! We all agree to disagree sometimes, don't we?" She looked back at Shen and smiled. He smiled back.

"You know, Syndra, I perfectly understand why Zed is so attached to you. You're powerful."

"He isn't with me just because I'm a powerful mage.. Or is he?" She sounded worried.

"No no no no! That's, not what I meant.. What I meant was, you're powerful with your... Magic." He shivered.

"I can feel it all around me. But your personality, your aura.. It's so potent and cheery. Something Zed didn't have in the early stages of his life. Being raised as a ninja meant little time for your own needs, and more for the needs of the Order that you were a a part of, hence, mine, Akali's, Zed's and everyone else in this order's mundane attitude. We are all trained in the same way, but are taught different ways."

"I-I.. Don't know.. What to say.." She blushed. "Thank you, Shen."

He smiled at her.

"But I'd now appreciate it if we were to discuss this.. Matter that you are so concerned about?"

"Yes, Syndra.. The Blood Moon."

A/N:
spiderwilliam13: BRUH, DON'T WORRY. AINT NO NINJA GONE' DIE ON MY WATCH3
I intend to keep EVERYONE ALIVE. Maybe kill off some minor characters later on for the #banter, but you'll have to wait! ;)