Disclaimer: Obviously, we still don't own these characters 'cept Benno and Jakar

Disclaimer: Obviously, we still don't own these characters 'cept Benno and Jakar. Lucky us!!!

Author's Note: Brace yourselves. This is like no other story!!!!! Sorry, Kel/Neal fans; we told you that this wasn't like any other story.

P.S. We had WAY too much sugar when we wrote this, so it gets REALLY strange.

Thanks to all those who reviewed this! Please, if you're going to review it, PLEASE don't send flames. We need any self-confidence you guys can give us.

Chapter 2

"Benno, gimmee another pint," said Kel, raising an empty tankard over her head.

"But my lady, that would be your fourth!" replied Benno, the bartender at the Dancing Dove.

"My day shucked. Jush give it to me, damnit!" yelled Kel, her eyes bloodshot and words slurred. What her good friend Benno didn't know was that Cleon dumped her because she wasn't beautiful or "intimate".

"No way, missee. Jakar over there is gonna escort you back to the palace before you kill yourself."

"That wouldn't be so bad," replied Kel before she fell into a dead faint.

The man who went by Jakar picked up Kel with a deep grunt and threw her onto Peachblossom's back for the long ride back to the palace.

"Kel! Gods! Are you alright?" asked Raoul. He ran his fingers through his hair as he stared at the teary, yet peaceful, face of Kel.

"It appears m'lady had a wee bit more ale than 'er body could stand."

"Gods," Raoul repeated. He then threw a silver coin to Jakar, who bowed and left. Raoul heaved Kel into his arms and brought her into her room. As her tenderly set Kel into her bed, the drunken Kel sleepily awoke. She turned to look at her former knight-master, tried to smile, and failed horribly. "What's the matter?" he asked.

"Nothing's wrong," she replied shakily, trying to compose herself.

"Yeah, then why are you crying? I don't think I've ever see you cry." Raoul came and sat next to Kel. "Come and tell: you know you can trust me, Kel."

Drawing a deep breath, Kel said, "Cleon dumped me today." Raoul gave a small start as she continued, "He more or less said I wasn't—what was the word? —oh, yes, 'intimate' enough for him. He also needed a girl who was more beautiful than me."

"I'm sorry, Kel. Is there anything I can do?" Raoul asked.

"I really don't know. I was pretty surprised." Kel gave a small, bitter smile. Another tear trickled down her cheek.

Raoul did the only thing he could: he put his arms around her. She leaned into his chest and sobbed. Gently, he stroked her hair until her tears subsided. Raoul wished passionately that he could do more, but he knew this would show Kel the extent of his feelings for her.

When the last of her tears had been cried, Kel looked into Raoul's face, and whispered, "Thanks." Unconsciously, Raoul's arms tightened their grip on her. He bent his head until his face was right next to Kel's. He kissed her lightly. To his surprise, Kel kissed him back. They kissed again-this time much more passionately.

"I love you, Kel," Raoul murmured into Kel's hair. Her only response was to snuggle closer to his chest. And so the night passed.

Shinko stood in one of the many hallways, facing Cleon. "You asked for me?"

Cleon bowed. "Yes, your highness. I must tell you something. It concerns you…and Kel."

Shinko frowned. "What does that miserable girl have to do with me? We had a fight, and we're no longer friends."

"I dumped her. I suppose I was a bit harsh and cruel but what I said I truly felt. I couldn't be with her. Not when I saw your face every time I looked at her. Not when I felt your lips, not Kel's, when I kissed her. Shinko, I have been in love with you ever since I looked upon your beautiful moon-lit face."

Shinko gasped, then her lovely red lips curled into a smile. Her voice was soft, but flirtatious, when she replied, "Oh Cleon! I have always loved you too. You are carefree and funny, not the stiff and polite man that my husband is. You are the type of man I never saw in the Yamani Islands."

Cleon leaned forward, shyly kissing her. He smiled, then kissed her passionately. "My love, my dewdrop, my blooming lotus, where is Roald?"

Shinko, with a seductive smile, slowly said, "I believe he is riding through the city with the rest of the royal family. They shouldn't be back for another hour."

"Then what are we waiting for?" asked Cleon as he lifted Shinko into his arms and headed towards the royal bedchamber.

The bright sunshine filtered through the castle window woke Kel. She slowly opened her hazel eyes to see the dark eyes of Raoul staring intently at her. When he saw that she was awake, he smiled softly. In a flood, Kel remembered what happened the night before; she blushed.

"Good morning, Kel," Raoul said. "I hope you don't regret what we did last night." Kel thought for a moment, and realized that she had enjoyed the night. She smiled at him.

"I don't regret a thing," she replied. They rose, and Raoul made his way towards his clothing. They quickly dressed, and embraced once more.

"Aww, how cute," drawled a voice behind the couple.

"Neal!" gasped Kel, who blushed fiercely and ran into her bathroom.

"What brings you here, young Queenscove?" asked Raoul, his own face a bit red.

"I trust you will tell me what is going on her later, hmm? King Jonathan sent me to tell Kel that he requests, actually demands, her presence at the midday bell. War against Scanra has officially been declared. I'll see you later, and do try to get Kel to come see me before she leaves." With that, Neal turned and left.

Raoul softly knocked on Kel's door. "Kel, we're needed at the war front. You're to meet King Jonathan at noon. Neal wants to talk to you, but I don't think we have enough time for friendly conversations." He kissed Kel, then said, "I'll see you later."

Kel paused then asked, "Raoul, what about Buri?"

Raoul smiled grimly. "I'll deal with her right now."

Raoul ran towards the Buri's room. He hesitated as he reached her room, then wiped his sweaty face and knocked on the door. Buri's petite face soon peeked out of a crack in the door.

"Yes Raoul?" she said crossly, "Perhaps next time you could remember that I do my YOGA at this hour!"

"What I have to tell you is much more important that meditation and upward-facing dog positions. To make it short and simple, we're over. You're too short, and besides, you remind me of a tree. See you on the battlefield!" Raoul yelled as he started running again, this time to Captain Flyndon's chambers.

"I'll get you for interrupting my time with my spiritual side! And for calling me a tree!" cried Buri furiously after his galloping figure.