Disclaimer: Not mine! It's all tamora pierce's.
As Neal woke near sunrise, he heard only a few birds chirping on this winter morning. Things seemed at ease as he rose from bed groaning for another day working in the infirmary. It was a daily routine, get up, wash face, and get dressed. Today it was very annoying, he loved to live life sporadically yet he found that he started each day out the same. This all was about to change.
Pulling a loose cotton white shirt over his chest and a pair of tan breeches, he saw something white out of the corner of his eyes. Walking towards his door he noticed that someone had shoved a note under his door. At this his heart leapt, maybe his dear Yuki had sent him a love letter. It had been so long since he had seen her last, at Raoul's wedding, and he really missed her.
Unfolding the letter he saw it was from Yuki, but just from the way she had signed it there was a gloomy feeling to the whole thing. He read through the letter and his frown deepened, it was all he could do to keep from outright crying.
***Kel***
The glaive swung in a circular pattern and she completed the most complicated pattern dance she knew, ever since she had been at New Hope she had gotten more and more time to practice her weapons. With so many people around there was hardly anything for her to do.
Just as she finished she heard the bell, it was time to go and get breakfast. After she had gotten her food she was walking through the mess hall looking for Neal's familiar face, but she couldn't see it in the crowd. Dismissing that she finally found a table with Sergeant Dom and Sir Merric of Hollyrose.
"I saw you out there practicing that pigsticker of yours out side this morning," Dom said, using Tobe's words for her glaive. "You look amazing, it all flows together."
Her feelings towards Dom were present just like always and his complement towards her made her blush. Realizing this she remembered her Yamini training and made her face conform to her will.
Unfortunately Merric had seen and decided to poke a little fun, "What was that Protector of the Small, have you finally found someone you can't tame?"
Instead of responding to let Merric have his fun Kel stood up with her food and walked out of the hall. Neal hadn't shown up for breakfast at all and this was incredibly unlike her best friend, never would he miss a meal.
Walking up to her friends door she heard a strange noise and at first she couldn't place the noise, but as she got closer she realized that someone in Neal's room was crying. Not just crying gently, but full out sobbing. At this she walked right into his room forgetting to even knock.
There on the ground lye Neal tears flooding his eyes, around him was a small puddle, showing that he hadn't moved since he started crying. He hadn't heard her enter so she decided it was best to speak first,
"Neal," she said as she shook him. Finally he looked at her and she continued. "What is wrong? Please calm down for just a moment."
All he could do was hand her the letter and lean against her as she read it:
Neal,
I am sorry to say but no matter how much I love you I cannot marry you. By the time you get this letter I will be on a boat back to the Islands or maybe I will be home already, but the point is that I am leaving. My family sent news that they need me at home, a family friend has just lost everything they have and I am to marry the friends son. He will be nice enough, I grew up with him and know that I can care for him. I am sorry but I don't have the heart to deny these people of help.
From the beginning I believe we both knew that this couldn't work, we are from separate worlds. It was just a fantasy that I hoped would work out, but it didn't. I hope you will be as lucky as I was and find another person that will be able to marry you.
Best wishes,
Yukimi
As she finished up the letter, she was in complete shock. They had seemed perfect for each other, but in the back of Kel's mind she new that it was likely that every Yamini girl would get an arranged marriage. Yuki was lucky to have waited so long before hers.
She had lost Cleon and she knew that the best thing for Neal right now was a friend to talk to, something she hadn't had at the time.
"Neal? You want to talk?" she asked in her most soothing voice.
"Ya, I think I do. I guess that all along I knew that she wasn't the one I would marry. Things were great, but it wasn't special. I thought I was in love because I didn't know what love felt like, but now I'm not so sure. The reason I didn't break it off earlier was because I didn't want to make the wrong decision," Neal said after he managed to stop crying.
By this time Kel didn't know quite what to do, she had her best friend leaning on her shoulder and he was in pain. Usually she could handle pain but this wasn't something she was used to. Instead of answering she put her arm around him and leaned back on him.
As his head rested against her body he could smell a sweet fragrance, the kind of smell that a guy would never smell like even if he was wearing the same perfume and used the same shampoo. This smell was a trademark of a girl, and up till now he never noticed that Kel was really and truly a girl. Sure he had always known, but she had been a friend in his eyes and nothing else.
They sat like this for till the lunch bell rang, just talking pleasantly and enjoying each other's company. Forgetting all their troubles and the work they were supposed to be doing. Hearing the loud bell ring scared Kel and Neal, they realized how long they must have been sitting there.
Kel came back to reality first in noticing how far behind she was on her daily schedule and decided that it was time Neal left his room, "Neal, why don't you leave your room to come with me and get some lunch."
"Alright wait just a second let me wash off my face, my dear cousin need not know what happened," Neal replied as he got up and went into his bathroom.
Although she was slightly disappointed at being disturbed from such a comfortable position, Kel's stomach clearly needed to eat again. Neal walked out, and from just a glance no one would notice that he was so sad, but Kel looked into his eyes and it was clear that it would take more for him to get over this.
"Kel, Thank you. You really helped me out," Neal said. And with that he pulled her closer and kissed her.
At first Kel returned the kiss, he felt so nice to touch that way and a part of her really liked it. Soon however it registered what was happening and she pushed him away. Rarely did she have a temper, but that was just too much, "Neal! I will not be your rebound. This isn't a game, you can't just kiss any girl that walks into your room."
With that she slapped him and stormed out the room.
Neal stood in his room puzzled for a few minutes. 'Whatever had just happened didn't go so well. I think its safe to say that you should always think before you act.' In all that had just happened it seemed like Kel had pulled in for a second also, was there something he was missing in this picture?
She went straight to the dining hall, not stopping to look back. The only problem was that she wasn't looking forward either, it wasn't long till she had run into someone.
Afraid of letting someone see her tears she walked around them saying, "Sorry, excuse me."
Instead of letting her pass like her plan the man grabbed her arm and lifted her chin. As she looked him in the face she realized that it was Dom.
"Not going to give an old friend more than a Sorry? Now I know that Neal taught you better," Dom joked, but then he gave her a closer look before continuing. "Kel, what's wrong? Don't tell me it's one of your sparrows."
Usually she would have giggled and joked back at his sarcastic remarks, but now the only emotion she could show was a very forced smile. Water sliding off a rock, just like her Yamini teachers had drilled into her head so many years ago and now she made herself remember.
Looking at her face Dom knew that she had been away from the islands to long, or maybe he just knew her too well to not fall for her fake mask. There was something wrong, but instead of letting her know that her emotions betrayed her he followed her into the dining room. This conversation could wait until after lunch.
Getting a full platter of food, Kel sat across from Dom and next to Merric along with several generals of the regular army. Unlike usual she could barely shove four bites down her throat, it seemed to have swelled ten times the normal size.
Noticing her odd behavior Merric decided best to mention something, "Not up to eating, mother," He joked using their nickname for her. "You really do need the proper dose of vegetables to grow, not that you need to grow. You're almost tall as me."
"No, just a little problem with my throat," she lied, well arguing with herself she decided that it wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.
Dom, looking concerned quickly replied, "Well maybe you should go to the infirmary."
Tiring of the conversation she snapped back, "No I think that will be the last place I would go for this problem." And with that she calmly walked out of the room leaving every one but Dom completely at shock. That was the second time today she had done that exact thing.
Deciding now would be the best time to inquire about Kel's strange behavior he stood up politely excusing himself and went after her.
You like? Ok I seriously need you to tell me what you think on this one! I have a goal for where I want this story to go but I'm not so sure how to get there. Kinda short but I think they will get longer.
REVIEW! Please.
As Neal woke near sunrise, he heard only a few birds chirping on this winter morning. Things seemed at ease as he rose from bed groaning for another day working in the infirmary. It was a daily routine, get up, wash face, and get dressed. Today it was very annoying, he loved to live life sporadically yet he found that he started each day out the same. This all was about to change.
Pulling a loose cotton white shirt over his chest and a pair of tan breeches, he saw something white out of the corner of his eyes. Walking towards his door he noticed that someone had shoved a note under his door. At this his heart leapt, maybe his dear Yuki had sent him a love letter. It had been so long since he had seen her last, at Raoul's wedding, and he really missed her.
Unfolding the letter he saw it was from Yuki, but just from the way she had signed it there was a gloomy feeling to the whole thing. He read through the letter and his frown deepened, it was all he could do to keep from outright crying.
***Kel***
The glaive swung in a circular pattern and she completed the most complicated pattern dance she knew, ever since she had been at New Hope she had gotten more and more time to practice her weapons. With so many people around there was hardly anything for her to do.
Just as she finished she heard the bell, it was time to go and get breakfast. After she had gotten her food she was walking through the mess hall looking for Neal's familiar face, but she couldn't see it in the crowd. Dismissing that she finally found a table with Sergeant Dom and Sir Merric of Hollyrose.
"I saw you out there practicing that pigsticker of yours out side this morning," Dom said, using Tobe's words for her glaive. "You look amazing, it all flows together."
Her feelings towards Dom were present just like always and his complement towards her made her blush. Realizing this she remembered her Yamini training and made her face conform to her will.
Unfortunately Merric had seen and decided to poke a little fun, "What was that Protector of the Small, have you finally found someone you can't tame?"
Instead of responding to let Merric have his fun Kel stood up with her food and walked out of the hall. Neal hadn't shown up for breakfast at all and this was incredibly unlike her best friend, never would he miss a meal.
Walking up to her friends door she heard a strange noise and at first she couldn't place the noise, but as she got closer she realized that someone in Neal's room was crying. Not just crying gently, but full out sobbing. At this she walked right into his room forgetting to even knock.
There on the ground lye Neal tears flooding his eyes, around him was a small puddle, showing that he hadn't moved since he started crying. He hadn't heard her enter so she decided it was best to speak first,
"Neal," she said as she shook him. Finally he looked at her and she continued. "What is wrong? Please calm down for just a moment."
All he could do was hand her the letter and lean against her as she read it:
Neal,
I am sorry to say but no matter how much I love you I cannot marry you. By the time you get this letter I will be on a boat back to the Islands or maybe I will be home already, but the point is that I am leaving. My family sent news that they need me at home, a family friend has just lost everything they have and I am to marry the friends son. He will be nice enough, I grew up with him and know that I can care for him. I am sorry but I don't have the heart to deny these people of help.
From the beginning I believe we both knew that this couldn't work, we are from separate worlds. It was just a fantasy that I hoped would work out, but it didn't. I hope you will be as lucky as I was and find another person that will be able to marry you.
Best wishes,
Yukimi
As she finished up the letter, she was in complete shock. They had seemed perfect for each other, but in the back of Kel's mind she new that it was likely that every Yamini girl would get an arranged marriage. Yuki was lucky to have waited so long before hers.
She had lost Cleon and she knew that the best thing for Neal right now was a friend to talk to, something she hadn't had at the time.
"Neal? You want to talk?" she asked in her most soothing voice.
"Ya, I think I do. I guess that all along I knew that she wasn't the one I would marry. Things were great, but it wasn't special. I thought I was in love because I didn't know what love felt like, but now I'm not so sure. The reason I didn't break it off earlier was because I didn't want to make the wrong decision," Neal said after he managed to stop crying.
By this time Kel didn't know quite what to do, she had her best friend leaning on her shoulder and he was in pain. Usually she could handle pain but this wasn't something she was used to. Instead of answering she put her arm around him and leaned back on him.
As his head rested against her body he could smell a sweet fragrance, the kind of smell that a guy would never smell like even if he was wearing the same perfume and used the same shampoo. This smell was a trademark of a girl, and up till now he never noticed that Kel was really and truly a girl. Sure he had always known, but she had been a friend in his eyes and nothing else.
They sat like this for till the lunch bell rang, just talking pleasantly and enjoying each other's company. Forgetting all their troubles and the work they were supposed to be doing. Hearing the loud bell ring scared Kel and Neal, they realized how long they must have been sitting there.
Kel came back to reality first in noticing how far behind she was on her daily schedule and decided that it was time Neal left his room, "Neal, why don't you leave your room to come with me and get some lunch."
"Alright wait just a second let me wash off my face, my dear cousin need not know what happened," Neal replied as he got up and went into his bathroom.
Although she was slightly disappointed at being disturbed from such a comfortable position, Kel's stomach clearly needed to eat again. Neal walked out, and from just a glance no one would notice that he was so sad, but Kel looked into his eyes and it was clear that it would take more for him to get over this.
"Kel, Thank you. You really helped me out," Neal said. And with that he pulled her closer and kissed her.
At first Kel returned the kiss, he felt so nice to touch that way and a part of her really liked it. Soon however it registered what was happening and she pushed him away. Rarely did she have a temper, but that was just too much, "Neal! I will not be your rebound. This isn't a game, you can't just kiss any girl that walks into your room."
With that she slapped him and stormed out the room.
Neal stood in his room puzzled for a few minutes. 'Whatever had just happened didn't go so well. I think its safe to say that you should always think before you act.' In all that had just happened it seemed like Kel had pulled in for a second also, was there something he was missing in this picture?
She went straight to the dining hall, not stopping to look back. The only problem was that she wasn't looking forward either, it wasn't long till she had run into someone.
Afraid of letting someone see her tears she walked around them saying, "Sorry, excuse me."
Instead of letting her pass like her plan the man grabbed her arm and lifted her chin. As she looked him in the face she realized that it was Dom.
"Not going to give an old friend more than a Sorry? Now I know that Neal taught you better," Dom joked, but then he gave her a closer look before continuing. "Kel, what's wrong? Don't tell me it's one of your sparrows."
Usually she would have giggled and joked back at his sarcastic remarks, but now the only emotion she could show was a very forced smile. Water sliding off a rock, just like her Yamini teachers had drilled into her head so many years ago and now she made herself remember.
Looking at her face Dom knew that she had been away from the islands to long, or maybe he just knew her too well to not fall for her fake mask. There was something wrong, but instead of letting her know that her emotions betrayed her he followed her into the dining room. This conversation could wait until after lunch.
Getting a full platter of food, Kel sat across from Dom and next to Merric along with several generals of the regular army. Unlike usual she could barely shove four bites down her throat, it seemed to have swelled ten times the normal size.
Noticing her odd behavior Merric decided best to mention something, "Not up to eating, mother," He joked using their nickname for her. "You really do need the proper dose of vegetables to grow, not that you need to grow. You're almost tall as me."
"No, just a little problem with my throat," she lied, well arguing with herself she decided that it wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.
Dom, looking concerned quickly replied, "Well maybe you should go to the infirmary."
Tiring of the conversation she snapped back, "No I think that will be the last place I would go for this problem." And with that she calmly walked out of the room leaving every one but Dom completely at shock. That was the second time today she had done that exact thing.
Deciding now would be the best time to inquire about Kel's strange behavior he stood up politely excusing himself and went after her.
You like? Ok I seriously need you to tell me what you think on this one! I have a goal for where I want this story to go but I'm not so sure how to get there. Kinda short but I think they will get longer.
REVIEW! Please.