Hello everyone!

Just a quick update before we begin. First of all, I'm incredibly sorry for the late upload. I finally got the cast on my wrist removed, so typing is so much easier now! I will certainly begin to update more frequently.

Please remember to leave a review. It really helps me whenever I get any sort of criticism, I wont be hurt by it!

Thanks for reading, and enjoy.

A dim, throbbing pain traveled through Yasuo's head. He slowly fluttered his eyes open and took in his surroundings. What the-. The samurai examined what seemed to be a traditional yet luxurious Ionian bedroom. Bamboo walls adorned the tatami flooring, alongside the windows fitted with rice paper film. Everything was very simple and neat, all the furniture was made of high quality polished wood. A small low lying table held a tiny vase with burning incense, the sweet yet smoky smell filling the room. He breathed in the scent, reminiscent of the times he spent at home. Sunlight began to fill the room, Yasuo squinting at the contact. He rubbed his eyes, pushing him out of his grogginess. He shook his head, his memory was hazy after Akali had ruthlessly attacked him. He recalled seeing the Eye of Twilight aiding him, but he was sure it was just a dream. There was no way that the one that sent Akali to kill him would save his life.

But if it wasn't him, then who was it? He sat up in the large bed and pushed himself to the side, allowing him to escape the comforter that kept him hostage. He stood up on the cream colored floor as a wave of dizziness overtook him. He shook his head in an effort to rid himself of the annoyance. It suddenly hit him; he had been unconscious for a while. He examined the room again, looking for the owner or any human being for that matter. But whenever he tried to take a step forward, the same feeling would come creeping back. "Where the hell am I?" he muttered to himself.

"Welcome to the temple of the Kinkou order." a low, monotone voice replied.

Yasuo quickly looked toward the direction of the voice, only to find Shen leaning nonchalantly against the opening of the door, arms folded. The samurai's eyes widened, looking straight at the ninja. Yasuo could've sworn that the door was closed.

"There's no way…" Yasuo rambled. Shen cocked an eyebrow, his eyes seemed to glow brighter in amusement. He let out a breathy chuckle.

"You probably think that I sent Akali to terminate you" he said, golden eyes meeting deep brown ones. Yasuo nodded slowly. "Well" he adjusted himself so that he stood up straight "that, Yasuo, is certainly not the case."

"Then why would she try to kill me?!" he said, raising his voice. "I thought that you were the one that had to approve of these actions before the said person was 'terminated'."

Shen's eyes slowly dimmed, the glowing orbs meeting the floor. "Much like you Yasuo, I made a mistake" he murmured. His eyes met Yasuo's once more. "I thought I could allow Akali to make a decision on her own for once, but that proved to be a grave mistake."

Silence fell between the two. Yasuo looked into the golden eyes, thinking of what to say next.

It wasn't long, or hard to come up with a reply.

"No, it wasn't" Yasuo said without hesitation. "I deserve to die, right? I don't understand why you would save my life." Shen walked toward him, footsteps so light you could barely hear him walk across the floor. He placed his hands on Yasuo's shoulders, the samurai flinching at the contact. He motioned for him to sit down at the low table. Yasuo was confused at first, but he obliged, lowering himself upon the pillow-like cushions that surrounded the table. Shen sat next to him, facing toward him. He let out a gentle breath, and adjusted himself into a criss-cross position.

"No" he stated simply. "You most definitely don't deserve to die." Yasuo looked at him as if he'd gone mad, eyes holding millions of questions. Before he could ask one, Shen continued. "I have heard your story many times Yasuo. From what I've heard I know for a fact you are not guilty of what you're accused of." He examined Yasuo, watching his expressions carefully. "The reason I believe you is because I know someone who holds as much pride and honor, someone who has mastered a technique that no one in ages has been able to master, would never do something as pitiful as such."

Yasuo's jaw started to slowly drop.

"We have both mastered things no one else has, Yasuo. You had no reason to kill that man. And I know very well that people like ourselves think multiple times before we inflict harm upon another person. You have been framed, and wronged."

Wait, he believes me?! Emotions swarmed the samurai's body; it was a feeling he couldn't describe. It was no wonder no one believed him: they did not understand what it was like to be him. Understanding overcame him. Even if only Shen understood, it was at least someone. Tears began escaping his eyes and streaming down his face, chocolate eyes looking down toward the floor.

Shen scooted closer toward Yasuo. He wasn't the best at comforting people, but he thought he should at least try. Shen placed a hand on Yasuo's shoulder, rubbing it gently. Yasuo looked up at the yellow orbs, and smiled wrily. "All these years… And no one has believed me" he choked. Shen gripped his shoulder harder as even more tears escaped him. "Thank you" he murmured, sobs beginning to surface. Shen nodded in return. "I know what it's like to be betrayed, Yasuo." he said quietly. "After all, the man whom I believed to be my own brother did so to me. However, I managed to mend most of the damage he has caused." He sighed, returning his hand over his knee once more. "I want to help you Yasuo. I want to end the pain you're going through." Yasuo couldn't believe the words he was hearing. However, he was certainly grateful. It was as if his prayers were answered the moment he was going to give up. He would have to find a way to show his gratitude later on.

The samurai let out a small chuckle and looked the ninja in the eyes once more. "Words cannot suffice for how grateful I am in this very moment" he shifted into a kneeling position, and bowed his head to the floor, a form of utmost respect. "Please, let me know how I can repay you, Eye of Twilight."

"Shen is fine" the ninja assured. "And please, raise your head Yasuo."

Yasuo was confused at first, but then he understood: he considered Yasuo to be on the same level as himself, hence the acts of respect being unnecessary. He lifted his head, and he was reminded of the extreme dizziness he was experiencing before.

"Shen…" the word seemed foreign; it was rare he spoke to people of such prestige in this manner. "Exactly how long was I out for?"

The ninja crossed his arms and let out a short, quiet laugh. "About two weeks. You suffered some pretty severe injuries that put your body on lockdown." His eyes seemed to sadden in the slightest bit. "Clearly you haven't fully recovered. Please, rest some more. I assure you you'll be fine soon."

The ninja stood up and offered a hand to Yasuo. He instantly took it, and was helped off the ground. Shen moved Yasuo's arm so that it draped over his shoulder as he carefully placed Yasuo upon the bed once more.

"I can't thank you enough Shen" he murmured. "For the help, the hospitality…" he looked into the golden orbs that were fixed onto his face. For once, it seemed someone cared about him, someone actually wanted him to live. He smiled for the first time in what seemed to be years. "And for keeping me company. I missed the feeling of companionship Shen. You truly have turned my life around."

Yasuo hated that the majority of Shen's face was covered because he couldn't see how he reacted. However, the one hint that he was saying the right things was that the ninja's eyes seemed to glow brighter at the words.

The ninja placed a gentle hand on top of his, the warmth emanating on to the limb. Yasuo silently relished in it, the feeling of human contact that wasn't a threat something he longed for. He closed his eyes as the two sat in silence. After a few minutes, Shen seemed to figure out what he wanted to say.

"You know" he began. "I should really be thanking you, Yasuo." Yasuo slowly opened his eyes and looked at the ninja in confusion. Thanking me? He learned that a lot of things Shen said didn't make sense, but with time they'd be answered.

Shen slowly turned around, eyes focusing on the door. "Let me try and speed up the healing process. I will return shortly with the supplies."

Yasuo nodded slowly, and rested his head slowly against the pillow allowing it to sink in. However when he looked for Shen, he was gone. He smiled. Typical ninja. He slowly placed his hand on top of the one Shen did, and closed his eyes. He finally felt safe, he finally had a friend. And with that in mind, he drifted to sleep once more.