Chapter Text
Usan had left.
Usan had been thrown out. Whatever. Point was, Usan wasn't there anymore. And Shen didn't know what to think of it.
On one hand, he understood the why of it happening: with Noxus growing more and more hostile everyday, the stress must've gotten badly to Usan, and he had seeked other ways to push them back. But the dark magic that was kept sealed under Thanjuul... wasn't it. And his desperation and anger did not justify what he had said to Yevnai, what she had cried to Shen about the night after he had left. Shen wasn't sure of how he was supposed to feel about Usan, so he didn't.
What he did feel was was severely annoyed that, now that Usan had left, his father was acting like he had never been there. Which meant Shen was back to being his heir, which was facilitated by how he always had spiritual powers. Which meant Shen was back to having to hide how he felt constantly. Which meant Kusho was back to pretending he saw Shen as his son, as if he hadn't figured out Kusho considered him nothing more than a burden and bargaining chip when he was a teenager.
And it didn't help that the two had a... drastically different opinion on how to deal with the Noxus situation.
"All I'm saying is that you were maybe too harsh with Usan." Shen said, keeping his eyes on the floor. He was currently kneeling on the ground, his father reprimanding him for the actions he had been taking. "He was just trying to help."
Kusho frowned down at him. "Are you defending him? After everything he's said?"
"... I..." Shen took a deep breath. "No, I am not. What I am doing is telling you that, instead of throwing Usan out for wanting to help people, you could have explained to him how the magic he wanted to use was dangerous."
"I don't have to explain myself to either you or your peasant friend." Kusho almost hissed. He then groaned in exasperation, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "What have I done to the gods to be saddled with such ignorant disciples? Why are you both so intent on disrupting the balance?" He asked, and something... snapped inside of Shen.
"'Why?'" He hissed, hands tightening where they gripped his knees. "You dare to ask why I put my fellow's lives before the notion of balance that you dictate?"
Kusho narrowed his eyes. "Watch your tone when you speak to me-"
"I am watching my tone." Shen answered, starting to rise up. He was slightly surprised when Kusho had to tilt his head up to stay face to face with him. Have I always been this tall? "It's why I'm not screaming at you. As for respect, I only give you the same you're giving me." He leaned forward. "Stop treating me like I'm a child."
"Stop acting like one, then." Kusho answered back. "It is not our duty to go to war. What is our duty is preserving the balance-"
"But the foreigners are threatening the balance." Shen cut off. "Their battles are killing humans in throve, and their seizing of our lands are upsetting the spirits. I'm not even trying to stop them, just slow them down."
"It is not our role to do this, Shen." Kusho answered. "Our role is merely to watch. Or the balance risk-"
"You aren't listening to me!" Shen snapped. "It was already bad enough that you merely had Jhin imprisoned, but I could overlook that. What I can't overlook is how the Noxians are actively threatening the balance. I'm not saying to take up arms against them, I'm-"
"Jhin?" Kusho asked, confused. "It's been years. Are you really still caught up on that?"
"Yes, I am!" Shen admitted, his voice rising in pitch. "And so was Usan, and I was so caught up in trying to be like you I blinded myself to how he hasn't been doing well ever since. I blinded myself to how my friend started slipping away from me, to what was important!"
Kusho bristled. "The balance is important-"
"And yet, you're just standing here, letting it be upset by people who care nothing for either spirits or humans! You can call yourself the Eye of Twilight all you want, Father." Shen hissed. "But if, after everything that's happened in the past few months, you think that the balance isn't in danger? You're not only blind, you're a fool!" And with that, he turned around and left the room, ignoring his father calling after him.
His gaze was dead focused as he pushed past passing members of the Kinkou, set for his room.
He had bags to pack, and a friend to find.