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(Moments after Yasuo's rescue)

"Fist of Shadow!" Shen called out in fury. He was not one to get angry, however Akali's actions had brought him to that point. Even if Yasuo was indeed a traitor, there was no excuse for the way she went about her duties. A slight shiver ran through him as images of the prior scene surfaced.

"Eye of Twilight." Akali stood before Shen, eyes closed and head bowed.

"Explain to me how you took care of the issue" he said, voice firm and demanding, golden eyes piercing through the brown ones beneath him.

"I simply exterminated the man, who was identified as Yasuo the Unforgiven, Eye of Twilight" she replied, fidgeting slightly.

"'Simply exterminated'? Is that really what you did, Fist of Shadow?" The glow in his eyes brightened in anger.

"Yes."

"Explain to me how you killed Yasuo."

Akali's face went pale. She slowly lifted her head so that she was almost eye level with Shen, hands slightly shaking.

"I stealthed and went behind him while he was off guard, and slit his throat. With all due respect Eye of Twilight, why are you asking me this?"

Shen's eyes lit up to a glow that Akali had never seen before. Frightened, she slowly took a step back. Shen followed accordingly, each dreaded footstep toward Akali making her heart race in fear.

"Never would I have thought that you were such a coward." Shen spat out with disgust. Akali's back was now against the wall, Shen only inches away from her. She gasped when he shortened the space even more.

"W-what are you talking about?!" she squeaked out in fear. Suddenly, two firm hands grabbed her wrists and pinned her against the wall.

"How dare you lie to me, to my face!" he roared, his muffled breath hitting her face. "Who do you think you're trying to fool?! Aren't you aware of all the emotional training I went through to earn this title?! I had to watch my own father get tortured before my very eyes! What makes you think that I can't tell if you're telling such a pathetic lie?!" Shen was breathing heavily now, slowly releasing his grip on Akali's hands.

"I-I-" Akali could barely speak, Shen's outburst like nothing she had seen before. "I'm sorry Shen! I was stupid!" she yelled, a light sob escaping her mouth. Shen slowly drew back, releasing her wrists. He was surprised that she had dropped the respectful mannerisms and called him by his true name. The once bright light in his eyes dimmed to their normal glow. Akali slowly slid down the wall and fell to her knees, tears dampening the mask below her eyes.

"The man he killed… Was someone that I held dear to me Shen" she said in between sobs. "Long before I joined the kinkou order, I was trained by that man. As a child, it was rare for any place to accept me since I was young, and well I'm a woman." She brought her hand to her face attempted to wipe the tears off her face. "And the one person who looked past my age, past my gender and saw me for the talents I held was that elder Shen. If it wasn't for him, I would never be where I am today…" she sniffed, wiping her eyes again and bringing her gaze back to Shen. "The moment those samurai told me that they had found Yasuo, the only thing that I could think about was making Yasuo suffer in the worst way possible… It was as if an entirely different entity consumed me in that very moment. I dont know why I was so violent… So determined to kill someone in my entire life. It scared me Shen, those emotions."

Shen slowly sunk down to Akali's level, placing his hands over his knees for support, resting his chin over his arms. He sighed, gently closing his eyes in deep thought. These things she's describing… these emotions are too familiar.

Suddenly, it hit him. The one name that stirred the exact same thoughts and emotions popped up.

Zed.

He slowly opened his eyes once more, once enraged eyes softening into a more caring gaze. "I'm sorry, Akali" he murmured. Akali's eyes widened: he addressed her by her true name as well. They were on the same level. "I… I guess I can say I was also out of line when I confronted you." He smiled ever so slightly under his mask. Akali's face gently lit up, her tense body finally relaxing.

"I want you to know that I understand how you are feeling… These emotions are the kind that seek justice… Revenge… These are the most dangerous types of feelings that will cloud your mind and take over your body without you even being aware."

"But I need you to hear me out, Akali." Akali nodded, and brought her gaze back to Shen's. "I need you to trust me when I say that Yasuo is not the one that killed him."

Akali's eyes turned into ones of confusion. How could it not be Yasuo?

"How is that when practically all the evidence is pointed against him, Shen?"

Shen sighed, slowly adjusting himself upon his feet once more. "As you were returning to the temple, Kennen and I were trying to find Yasuo's body in hopes that he was still alive. When I found him… My assumptions about him were only heightened. I did not see a murderer in those eyes. I saw someone who was suffering, someone who was wronged and framed." He took Akali's hand, and together they stood up.

"I managed to save his life Akali. He is currently staying in my room recovering. All I ask of you is to gather the courage to apologize to him whenever you can."

"It is the least I can do, after what I've done" she said, straightening her posture and bowing.

"Raise your head Akali."

A look of questioning washed over her face, however she complied.

"I no longer want to address you, or anyone else close to me with such mannerisms. I want…" he averted his gaze in the slightest "... A more friendly atmosphere in this temple. Please, if you need to talk to me about anything Akali, feel free."

"O-ok then Shen" she said, confused. However, she smiled. She's been wanting to return to the days before the Kinou Order where people actually had companships more than anything. "I'd really like that, thanks."

"No Akali, thank you."