I don't own any of the characters or setting, those belong to our beloved TP

I think the fact that I'm posting this as a fanfic under Tamora Pierce is evidence of that

Chapter 1

Kel placed one last item in her already overstuffed bags, then, she fumbled with the clasp trying in vain to close it. A familiar smell filled her nose, as Neal helped her clasp her bags shut.

"So where are you headed?" Neal asked casually.

"back to New Hope," Kel answered.

"So what do you need all this for?" Neal asked motioning to her bags

"Neal, I'm not going to be back till midwinter" Kel said softly, not looking Neal in the eye

Neal's eyes widened, "but that's nearly a year!"

"I know," Kel said moving to the window to feed her hungry birds, "but, I have a duty to those people."

Neal sat on her bed watching his friend feed her flock of birds. I guess it's now or never, Neal thought and opened his mouth to say something, but closed it again. I can't, Neal thought, I just can't.

Kel could feel Neal looking at her, he's been acting strange lately, I wonder what's wrong.

"I guess I'll be going now," Neal said getting up, and heading out the door.

"You had better come back in one piece," Neal said once he was outside the door.

Kel stared after Neal, when did he become like that? Then shrugging, she went back to feeding her birds.

Neal walked to his over crowded room, to be greeted by a furry of questions.

"Did you do it?"

"What happened?"

"What did she say?"

"Whoa, stop, I didn't ask," Neal said sitting down on his bed.

Sighing, he put his head in his hands, "she's leaving, she's not going to be back until mid winter."

Dom looked at his cousin, and said "so what are you going to do about it? Are you going to just sit here and just let her slip through your fingers again?"

"what am I supposed to do?" Neal said laying spread eagle on his bed.

"Mithros Neal, I can't believe I have to call this pathetic loser my cousin!" Dom cried.

"Thanks, that's a wonderful pep talk, I've never felt better in my life," Neal said highly sarcastically.

"Neal, what's wrong with asking her? What are you scared of?" Merric asked slightly annoyed at his friend's dilemma.

"I can't ask her, she'll think I'm crazy, or joking, or she'll hate me forever,"

"will you listen to yourself?" Yuki asked, "you sound like a love sick fool!"

"But I am a lovesick fool," Neal grumbled.

"You are completely hopeless!" Yuki yelled and stomped out of the room.

Neal sighed and thought she's right.

In case you anyone was wondering, I'll explain why yuki and Neal aren't betrothed in the next chapter

Ha I fixed it

Kinda forgot about new hope, I haven't read the book for 2 years

I was rereading the whole series for the story, but didn't get to the last 30 pages of the last book which is where new hope is mentioned, ah well, all fixed now