A/N: Hey guys! Welcome to chapter 4! I had a complaint earlier about my story. First, I was told that Larsen can't be from Pirate's Swoop. Well, I haven't read Alanna or Daine, so I didn't know about the family. If it really worries you, I'm sorry, but that's just how it goes. Just ignore it, it's slightly AU anyway. Second, Yuki and Neal were already supposed to be engaged. I forgot completely about that, I'm sorry. Just ignore that section. Third, I was told I needed to fix the breaks in Chapters 1 and 2. I knew about that, I tried and it didn't work. I'm sorry, but you'll have to try and follow that as best you can. Fourth, I was asked about the pages. Bear with me, it's coming in the next chapter or two. Now that I've addressed these…

Chapter 3 was mainly Yuki and Neal, hope you enjoyed it! This one should be a bit more of a mixture. By the way, later in the chapter it mentions a pregnancy test. I should tell you that I have no idea how they really work, so that part is entirely fictional. (I doubt they would use magic anyway : D) Just a fun factoid, I based Sarara and Doran's activities on two of my friends who are going out's activities at school. Anyway, enjoy chapter 4!

Chapter 4

As the sun rose over the horizon, it shone through Neal's window onto Yuki's contented, sleeping face, waking her. She slowly opened her eyes, still slightly disoriented due to sleep. Where am I? she thought, This isn't my bed… She looked to her right to see Neal looking at her, a tender look in his eyes.

"Good morning sunshine. How are you this morning?" he asked.

"I'm well, my dearest. And you?" she replied.

"Good, good."

Someone knocked on Neal's door, startling Yuki, who jumped. Neal stroked her velvety, cobalt hair to calm her.

"Neal, time to get up! We're going soon!" called Kel from outside his door.

"Right Kel, I'll be there soon!" he replied. Kel's footsteps faded down the hallway.

"Yuki, I have to go. When are you coming back to Corus?" he asked.

"I'm coming back with you, silly! Everything is packed and ready to go!" she laughed. She climbed out of bed and began to retrieve her clothes. Neal watched her for a few moments, then climbed out of bed and began to dress.

"I have to go now Neal, I'll see you later, my love!" she said, tying her obi. She waved and exited.


"Larsen, I…well, I'm flattered, but…" Tamsin stuttered.

"But?" he pressed her.

"It's not you Larsen, you're a lovely guy, and you'll find a girl someday. It's just…I was hoping that Niralo might…well, anyway, I'm really sorry Larsen." She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, because Larsen was looking a bit sad, "Thank you for asking though."

They walked in silence to Doran's room. Niralo looked up as they entered, but he was the only one, as Sarara and Doran were now kissing in their armchair.

"Hi everyone, sorry, I couldn't find my book," said Tamsin.

"Hey Tamsin! Don't bother interrupting them," he indicated towards Sarara and Doran, "they're too busy." Tamsin and Larsen laughed.


Yuki hurried across the courtyard towards the infirmary, looking around to make sure no one was watching. She didn't want anyone asking about her visit to the infirmary. Luckily, the courtyard was deserted. Everyone was at breakfast. She hurried through the door to find Duke Baird of Queenscove tending a patient. He looked up as she entered.

"Lady Yukimi, what can I do for you?" he asked.

"My lord Duke," she curtseyed, Yamani style, "may I speak to you? In private?" she added, glancing around at the occupied beds in the infirmary.

"Of course," he said, "Right this way." He led her into his office, closing the door behind them.

"Yukimi, what seems to be the matter?" he asked.

"Well, my lord, I was wondering if…"she pulled out her shukusen, "if you could run a pregnancy test on me?"

"Of course. I need a urine sample, please. If you would be so kind as to step behind the screen?" He held out a vial. Yuki took the vial and stepped behind the screen. As she made the sample, her feelings began to tumble and whirl inside her. She stepped out from behind the screen and handed the vial back to Duke Baird.

As Duke Baird worked his magic on her urine, the green glow of his Gift surrounding the vial, she felt nervous and excited, all at once. I hope I am pregnant. I would like to have a child with Neal. Maybe I should swear my lord to secrecy for now. I would hate rumours to get around… she thought. Thoughts similar to these tumbled around her head, until Duke Baird sat down again.

"Yukimi, I have concluded the test."


"Larsen, try drawing it on a set of axes. You should be able to read the answer off the graph," instructed Tamsin.

Larsen began to draw a set of axes. Tamsin sat on the floor, between Larsen and Niralo. She felt torn between the two. On one hand, she liked Niralo a lot. He was kind, warm, caring, funny, charming and good looking, with his dark hair, chocolate brown eyes, muscular body and a few freckles scattered across his nose. On the other, Larsen liked her. Tall, with long, dark brown hair, deep blue eyes and a muscled chest. Kind, caring and thoughtful. I'll talk to Sari later. And if she can't help, I'll write to Mother, she thought.

"Is this right, Tam?" Larsen's voice jolted her back to reality. She stood and crossed to peer at Larsen's parchment.

"Yes, well done Larsen!"


"Yukimi, I have concluded the test. Congratulations, Lady Yukimi, you have a healthy embryo," said Duke Baird.

"I-I'm pregnant?" she asked. She pulled out her shukusen to hide her emotion, as was the Yamani way.

"Yes, Yukimi, congratulations!"

"Thank you, my lord Duke! May I ask you something?"

"Of course you may, Yukimi."

"Please, my lord, will you keep this a secret? I would rather that there were no rumours spread."

"I promise I will, my lady."

"Thank you, my lord!" Yuki curtseyed again, Yamani style, and left the infirmary.

"Is everybody here?" called Kel.

"Yuki's missing, Kel," Neal replied, "She should be along in a few minutes."

"Thanks, Neal."

Kel surveyed the company. Neal, Tobe, Seaver, she mentally checked off, Jump, Nari and flock, Dom, she felt a pang of sadness, then shook it off. Duty came before personal life, Dom and squad, Mio, she was riding back to New Hope, then to Corus with them, packhorses, Yuki and Mio's servants…Everyone's here except Yuki. She looked anxiously around and, to her relief, spotted Yuki hurrying out of the lodgings, having rushed in to change into her riding attire after her consultation with Duke Baird.

"Sorry Kel, I'm ready now," she said hastily, as Kel was giving her a look of mild annoyance.

"Alright, mount up," called Kel, mounting Hoshi. Then she rode out through the gates of Fort Mastiff, the rest of her group following behind.


"Alright, bye then!" Tamsin waved, "Come on Sari." Sarara kissed Doran, then left with Tamsin.

"Hey Sari, can I get your advice?" Tamsin asked, walking down the halls, Sarara at her side.

"Sure, what's up Tammy?" replied Sarara, "Come in." They had reached Sarara's room.

"Well, I have a romantic dilemma, and I was hoping you could help…" Tamsin shut the door and sat on Sarara's bed. Sarara pulled her desk chair around to face Tamsin, and sat in it.

"I'll try. Tea or coffee?" offered Sarara.

"Tea'd be great, thanks. Well, I'm feeling torn between two guys. One likes me, and he'd be a nice lover, but I like-"

Sarara cut in, "Niralo." She poured boiling water into two cups.

"H-how did you know?"

"I can tell. The way you look at him when you think no one's looking…"

"Oh, well, anyway, Larsen asked me to be his lover earlier, but I told him that I like Niralo, and now I'm wondering if I did the right thing. What would you have done?"

Sarara handed Tamsin a cup of tea. "Well," she sipped her tea, "I would have told Larsen that, although he's a nice guy, I liked Niralo a lot, but if Niralo didn't work out, I'd be happy to be his lover."

"Well, that's pretty much what I did, but…" Tamsin drank some tea.

"But?"

"But I didn't say that last bit. Do you think I should have?"

"I don't know, sorry Tammy." Sarara sipped some tea.

"Thanks anyway Sari. I'll see what Mother thinks, she may be able to help."

"Do you want to write to her now?"

"I think I will, thanks, and then I'll head off to bed." Sarara handed Tamsin a piece of parchment, a bottle of emerald green ink and an eagle feather quill, then moved her chair back to her desk for Tamsin to sit on. Tamsin sat at the desk, drank some more tea, then picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink and began to write.

To dearest Mother,

How are you? How is the rest of the family? How are things at Cavall? Have you heard from Uncle at Fort Mastiff?

My page training has been going well of late. Padraig, our training master, says that my hand to hand combat is getting better, and today I began learning to tilt! It took me a while to get it right, though, and as a result I am black and blue all over! Sarara and Doran are now lovers, and they seem to be very happy. Speaking of which, dear Mother, I have need of your advice, and this part of my letter is for your eyes only.

Today, Mother, Larsen asked me if I would be his lover. Now, I like him as a friend, but my heart likes Niralo better. However, if I could not have Niralo, I would gladly be Larsen's lover. This is my situation, and I must admit that I am at a loss for what to do. What should I do?

I would be most glad if you were to write back to me, with your advice, post haste. Thank you ever so much, my dear Mother.

Lots of love,

Page Tamsin of Cavall.