Chapter Two: Choices
"Neal!" she called to him. He was a ways in front of her, heading down the hall to his room.
He spun around and, upon seeing her, snapped, "What do you want?"
She didn't answer. This was the first time in all the years that they had been friends that he had actually talked to her like that. They had never even fought. Something was wrong.
When she didn't answer, he walked into his rooms, slamming the door behind him. She waited outside in the hallway for several moments, listening for the click of the lock. It never came. She tested the door. It was unlocked. Pushing it open, she walked into the room.
Neal was leaning against a wall, his head in his hands. Hearing the creak of the door, he looked up. When he saw who it was, he gave her a small, bittersweet smile.
"I want to know what's wrong." She told him. He didn't answer. Finally, she sat down beside him. "Neal, what is the matter?" Her voice was full of concern for her friend.
"I'm not sure." He answered, voice muffled.
"Not sure about what?" She questioned, knowing what he meant.
"I'm not sure I want to go through the wedding." His voice was shaky and filled with fear.
"Oh, Neal." She sighed and brushed a lock of hair out of his face.
They sat in silence. She didn't know what to say to him.
"What should I do?" He asked suddenly, looking up into her eyes.
"I don't know." Kel answered truthfully before asking, "Do you still love her?"
He hesitated. "Yes. No. I'm- I'm not sure." Neal let out a long sigh.
"You can't play with her heart, Neal. How do you think she would feel if you told her that when you where walking down the isle? You need to decide- for both of you. What if you marry her, and find out that you don't love her? You won't be able to get out of it." She stood up and patted his shoulder before leaving, knowing that he needed time alone to think.
Gods, He thought, Kel's right. Another part of his mind added, As always. He had to tell Yuki how he felt. Otherwise, well, otherwise, things wouldn't be too great.
Sighing, he got up and walked the short distance to Yuki's rooms. Knocking lightly, he thought of how he was going to tell her.
The door quickly opened, and Yuki gave him a small smile. She looked beautiful, in her pale peach kimono with her long black hair swept back. Her beauty doesn't affect me the way it normally does. Or the way it used to. He noticed, causing a frown to crease his brow.
"Umm, could I come in? I need to discuss something with you," He told her, nervous but sure.
With a smile, she moved out of the way to let him enter. After closing the door, she took a seat in a comfortable looking armchair and gestured for him to sit down, too. He ignored her and instead paced in front of the fire, choosing what he was going to say.
"Neal, you wanted to talk?" She gently prodded after several moments of silence.
"Hmm? Oh, yes, of course. I wanted to talk about the wedding." Neal said finally.
"What about the wedding?" Yuki asked, wary.
"I was wondering if we could delay it for a little while longer." He told her, almost timidly. She had an awful temper, and he wasn't sure how she would react to this one. After all, the wedding had been delayed several times already because of the war.
Her face became Yamani smooth. In a calm, even tone, she asked, "Why do you want to delay it? Are you having second thoughts?"
He didn't say anything for several moments, knowing that he couldn't lie. He really didn't want to hurt her. "Yes." His voice was almost a whisper, hardly able to hear.
"Fine. You have a choice to make. We can get married as we planned." She paused.
"What is the other choice?" He asked, hoping it was the better one.
"Or, we can not get married at all and forget the whole thing."
I am currently putting the finishing touches on the next chapter, so it will hopefully soon be up! Again, I know, it's very short, and out of character, but, I'm trying my best! If there are anywhere were confusions, I must apologize. I am very bad about that! Unfortunately for me, my beta has yet to read the Tamora Pierce books, so I am lost and alone. I'm all alone, there's no one here, beside me! Sorry, had to do that!
Oceanspike- Thanks for the faith!
Nolee of Stone Mountain- Yes, that was me! Damn you and Cami of Queenscove! I used to hate Kel/Neal fics, but I read your story and her Underneath the Surface, and now I love Neal! But I only like them if they are out of character enough, like hers, or like in yours when Yuki was still there, but something happened. It wasn't like she just disappeared from the face of the earth.
Maikai Tenshi-I loved yours! It was sad, though! Thanks for the review! Ah, i loved your new story too! Your name is Minuiko, right! I wasnt sure.
Alianne Cooper-It is rather short, huh? Im sorry! I figure Yuki trusts Kel and Neal, and has no reason to suspect anything-or didnt.
Pinky-Thanks!
The WildMage-I tried! I just wasnt as fast as I had hoped. Sorry!
Alex-Thank you! What did you mean, send it to you? I wasnt sure. Sorry! (I seem to be saying that a lot, huh?)
Sarlit Horess-Thank you very much! They are rather short, arent they/Ive been trying to make them longer. Thanks for the encouragement, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter!
