Best Enemies

A/N: Thanks for all of the reviews! I'm really glad that people actually like my story!

This chapter is fixed to, once again thanks to the wonderful help of Tasha. Thank you so much!!!

Disclaimer: Everything belongs to Tamora Pierce. Duh.

~*~

Ever since Kel had told her friends that she was leaving Tortall and couldn't tell them where exactly she was going, they had stopped being so lovesick and just been plain annoying. To try to escape them, she locked herself in her bedroom. As far as she could tell, it was not working so far.

"Kel!" A determined pounding on her bedroom door awoke her shortly after midnight.

"Where are you going?! Tell me!" Kel growled. This is getting way out of hand. She thought.

"Shut up and go away! I'm not allowed to tell you! Let me get some sleep!" her visitor finally left. Just as she was falling back to sleep, the loud knocking on her door resumed. I've really got to get new friends.

~*~

Needless to say, on the morning of her departure, Kel wasn't in a great mood. Her hair and clothing were unkempt and there were huge bags under her eyes. When she finally arrived at the stables, she was met by a smirking Joren.

"You look like one of those pathetic peasants from that refugee camp of yours. Were you kept up all night by one of your friends?"

Had Kel been just a little less tired, she probably would have killed Joren for suggesting such a thing. As it was, she just decided to give him a taste of his own medicine.

"That must be the reason you always look so good, then. So many long nights of sleep." She retorted nastily. To Joren, this was probably the worst insult ever.

"You little-" he snarled, diving forward to attack her. Kel was afraid of the look on Joren's face. Luckily for her, the King arrived at the stables at that moment. Both Joren and Kel froze.

"Do I even want to know? You better behave better in the Copper Isles or you'll attract a lot of attention and people will become suspicious. Are you ready to leave?"

"Ye-" Their answer was cut off by frenzied yelling.

"Kel! Where are you?! Kel!" Cleon, Neal, and Dom came running over to the stables, looking like idiots. Joren began laughing hysterically. "Kel," Cleon started, "We've been looking all over for you! We wanted to- why are Joren and the King here?" All of them looked curiously around. Kel thought frantically of an excuse.

"The question is why are you here." The King said. "Please go away. We have important business to deal with." When they didn't leave, the King got angry. "If you don't have anything to do, I could send you up north to help out Lord Wyldon. I'm sure he'd be pleased to see all of you." This comment had the desired effect. At the mention of Wyldon's name, the three boys scattered off into the woods. This sent Joren into fits of laughter once again. To think I devoted my life to get this!

~*~

That was a really short chapter, but it was really soon, so don't complain. I might even have another chapter up by tomorrow if my teachers go on strike, which looks really likely at this point in time. PLEASE R&R! I really need reviews!

NiceDay- I updated! Yay! Thanks for the review!

Keita- I hate when Joren is like that too. As you can see, he is definitely not going to be like that in my fic! Thanks for the review!

Siren Porter- Unfortunately, not that much happened in this chapter at all. But I did update really soon. Thanks!

Dark Lady Adrienne- I'm so glad you like it! Thanks for the offer for help, I might need it. Joren is the BEST! Thanks!

I can see that I have two more reviews, but the stupid computer doesn't show them! Grrr... Sorry to you. I'll have a response in next chapter.

Please, please, please review! I KNOW that some of you don't review when you read. I figured that out from my other fic. After I spent all of this time writing a new chapter, it is the least you could do to review. PLEASE!

~ The Dark Goddess ~