Disclaimer: None of it's mine. I also forgot to put a disclaimer on Joren's Ordeal, but that's not mine either. :(
"Kel's coming to the Progress tomorrow," a dry voice remarked. Yukimi noh Daiomoru spun around, her hand automatically going to the shukusen hidden in her sash. Her hand had already closed around the deadly fan when she realized that Nealan of Queenscove had been the speaker.
"Why are you telling me this?" Yukimi asked, drawing her decorative fan instead of the shukusen.
"You asked me to," Nealan replied.
"When?" Yukimi asked, twirling the fan between her fingers. She quickly dropped the fan to her side as she realized that the twirling betrayed her nervousness.
"Yesterday," Nealan answered, seemingly oblivious to the fan's motion. "You asked when she would be arriving."
"Oh yes," Yukimi said, tapping the fan against her leg. "And you came running up to tell me as soon as you found out, Nealan?" Nealan stiffened.
"It's Neal," he snapped, avoiding her question, "unless you want to go back to being referred to as Lady Yukimi."
"Neal it is then," Yukimi answered, unfurling her fan with a satisfying snap.
"Good," Neal snapped.
"Yuki!" a voice called from inside a nearby tent.
"The princess beckons," Yuki informed Neal.
"I have ears," Neal muttered, turning away from her. Impulsively, she caught him by the arm. When he turned back, she pushed forward and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. With a half-smile, Yuki walked back to the Princess's tent, a little bit faster then necessary.
"Yuki, where have you been?" Lady Haname asked. Yuki heard the trace of exasperation hidden under the woman's tone.
"Getting fresh air," she replied, fighting to keep the anger out of her own voice.
"Leave her be Hana," Princess Shinkokami snapped. Yuki turned to Shinkokami in astonishment. "I'm under a lot of pressure and you were gone, Yuki! The banquet is in half a bell," Shinkokami sighed, correctly guessing her friend's look. "And we can be free with our emotions here."
"We can eat dogs and cats in Tiaharma, but that doesn't mean we should," Hana replied.
"We're not in public anyway," Shinkokami said, her voice shaking. Yuki stepped around a stool to take Shinkokami's arm. She walked her over to the bed and sat them both down.
"What are they doing to you Shinko?" she asked, letting sadness creep into her voice. She didn't want to seem cold now, and as Shinko had said, they were in private.
"I'm just so tired," Shinko answered, laying her head on Yuki's shoulder.
"Are you not sleeping well?" Hana asked, bringing Shinko a cup of water.
"No, I'm not," Shinko answered.
"Worried about the wedding?" Yuki asked, beginning to style her friend's hair.
"Worried about everything," Shinko confessed. "I never expected to be a queen someday!"
"You'll make a great one," Hana soothed.
"And you'll always have us," Yuki told her. "We'll be your handmaidens." Shinko giggled.
"I'd rather be called a lady-in-waiting," Hana said with a smile.
"Waiting for what?" Shinko asked.
"For me to come back from my breath of fresh air of course!" Yuki cried.
"You two are the best friends a princess could have," Shinko said solemnly.
"Don't tell Kel," Yuki whispered to Hana. That sent them all into gales of laughter that eased the tension off their tired faces.
Yuki bit her lip, wondering how she'd face Neal again. She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to calm her heart.
'Why am I so stupid?' she thought dismally.
"Hello," a voice called from the shadows. Yuki smiled in relief and horror; the waiting would end, and it was time to face him.
"Good morning, Neal." It was harder then usual to keep her voice normal. "Enjoy the banquet?"
"Yes." As Neal slid into the light, Yuki could feel her heart speed up again. "I just wanted to tell you I'm leaving for five days," Neal said, shifting around. Yuki nodded, noticing his riding clothes for the first time.
"Now?" Yuki asked, wincing at how immature she could sound with just one word.
"In ten minutes actually," Neal answered. His eyes flicked to Yuki's face, away, and then back to Yuki. "The Lioness wants to expand my knowledge of healing while we're in the area," Neal continued, making a face.
Yuki laughed, wondering what it was about Neal that made her looser with her emotions.
"Kel will be sad she missed you by only a few hours," she commented finally. Neal stared at her, turning slightly red.
"Will you miss me?" he asked. Yuki smiled slyly.
"Of course! It's just not the same without you," she answered, starting to walk away. "Squire Meathead."
"Have you been talking to Dom?" Neal yelled to the retreating Yamani's back. Yuki didn't answer as she disappeared inside her tent.