In Love with My Best Friend

Chapter Eight: Confrontations of the worst kind

This chapter is dedicated to a wonderful writer and a supportive and umm....interesting reviewer, to say the least. Thank you, Nolee. I do not know what I would do without your sarcasm and wit, not to mention your supportive and kind reviews. I hope you enjoy the chapter.

(The next morning)

She practically slammed down her tray at the table, making everyone around her jump. It was not a good sign when Kel, the person who hardly ever showed anger, was mad. And, if her expression said anything, she was furious.

Her friends traded glances, silently saying that they would not ask, for none of them wanted to be faced with her temper if they did. Finally, Dom was chosen to speak for the group. He made a face at them before turning to the lady knight.

"What's the matter?" Dom asked gently.

She just glared at him, but he didn't back down. "Neal wouldn't accept Yuki's apology, and they are both upset with me for 'meddling' as they called it." She frowned. "Of course, if they had forgiven each other, they would have been fine with my suggestions, which they asked for." Though Kel didn't raise her voice above a low murmur, it seemed as if she was shouting.

Neal suddenly walked up, throwing his best friend a rather dirty look. Her face went blank as she picked up her food and carried it, uneaten, to give to the dish washers before stalking out the door.

"Neal, lets talk." Dom told him after Kel had left. He nodded his head before following Dom out the door, snatching a muffin as he went.

After they reached his rooms, Dom snapped, "What in the realms of the black gods is wrong with you?"

Neal watched him, confused. "What?"

"You know bloody well what I mean!" Came the annoyed reply.

"No, I have no idea." Neal, by this time, was scowling, annoyed with his cousin.

"Oh, of course not." His voice was extremely dry. "So, why don't I clue you in?"

Neal nodded his head and moved to get more comfortable in his chair, sure that he was in for a long lecture.

Dom waited for a few seconds before beginning. When he spoke, his voice was much calmer. He was trying to keep his temper with the younger man. "Do you know that Kel came into the mess hall this morning, furious, and if you ask me, rather sad? When questioned about it, she said that you and Yuki had yet to make up. Well, that explained why she was sad, but not mad, as she was." Dom stopped to watch his cousin.

Neal didn't say anything, so he continued. "She continued to say that both you and Yuki were upset with her for 'meddling' in your affairs. Well, then, it was extremely clear why she was so furious."

"What?" Neal asked, knowing that his cousin was blaming him. He knew inside that it was his fault, like everything usually was. But that didn't mean that he would admit it, even to himself.

"You know bloody well what." Dom had lost his patience with the younger man. "You had asked her for advice, hadn't you? Just like you always do. Then you get mad at her for giving Yuki, who is also her friend, advice that could have helped you both if you weren't so pig-headed. Kel doesn't know why you decided to split up with Yuki. You didn't tell her anything besides that you weren't sure. So how was she supposed to know not to tell her to talk to you? She wouldn't! And you got bloody furious with her for it!" By this time, Dom was past being nice. He was sick and tired of having to control his temper, and was showing it by yelling at his younger cousin.

Neal just watched him, and he could read nothing in the green eyes. "What is the matter with you, Neal? You used to love Yuki, then suddenly, you arent sure. Then, you don't tell either Kel or myself what exactly is wrong! I don't know if its another woman, or what! Tell me what's wrong!"

Neal's control, too, was gone. Enough to tell his cousin the truth, no matter how unwise it might have been at the moment. "Fine! Do you want to know the truth? Okay, here it is! I've fallen in love with Kel, and decided that I didn't want to marry Yuki! I was upset because she sent Yuki to bother me, ask questions about who I loved, and make me feel guilty!"

The room went silent. Neal let out a breath. Dom's jaw had long since hit the floor, and he was now trying to recover his senses, and trying even harder not to reach out and punch his cousin.

Finally he said in a deadly whisper, "You claim to love Kel. You've 'loved' her for the last three months. You have developed feelings for her, despite the fact that you know that I have had feelings for her since practically the day I met her!"

Neal didn't say anything. Finally, he understood completely what he had done. He might have ruined things for everyone. He and Yuki had been happy together, and then he had fallen for Kel. Dom had loved her, and it had seemed as if she might have had feelings for him, too. And, to top it all, his cousin, one of the people that meant the most to him, might not ever speak to him again.

Dom was sick of the silence. He wanted an answer. He wanted Neal to see how angry he was, how hurt that his cousin had done this to him. "Isn't that right, Nealan?" He was back to the yelling.

Neal flinched at the use of his name coupled with the tone it was said in.

"I'm sorry."

"Isn't that right?" Dom was more furious than he had ever been in his life. He was sick of the question being avoided, he was sick of this foolishness, he was sick of all the anger that had boiled inside him since Neal had told him. He wished that he didn't know now.

Neal looked down. "Yes." He mumbled, refusing to meet Dom's blue eyes. He didn't want to see the pain that was in them again. "What should I do?"

He looked taken aback by the question. For a few moments, Neal thought he wasn't going to answer. Finally, he answered quietly, "I think you need to talk to Kel."

Neal could see, could hear in his voice, how much it hurt Dom to say that. He loved Kel, and advising his cousin to talk to her about how Neal felt wasn't something he had wanted to do. But, it was right.

With a nod of his head, Neal stood up. "Thanks, Dom." He clapped his cousin on the shoulder and reached for the door.

Dom's voice said from behind him, "Neal, be careful. You don't want to wreck your friendship. And just so you know, if you hurt her at all, I will kill you, and no amount of healing from your father will be able to help you."

(Just so you know, this little argument took place in Dom's rooms)

She slammed her lance into the quintain, hitting it perfectly. A servant standing nearby hurried to reset it. She went again. Suddenly, a throat cleared behind her. Turning Peachblossom towards the person, Kel cleared her face when she saw Neal standing there.

She made no move to talk to him, and instead turned back to continue her practice. After hitting the shield a few more times, she dismounted and, letting herself out of the practice yard, led Peachblossom to the stable.

Neal left the practice yards with a shake of his head. He knew better than to follow her right now. She was bloody furious with him. Instead, he left her a note on her door telling her to meet him in the gardens later.

Kel returned to her rooms, in a slightly better mood than she had been when she left that morning. It faded quickly, however, when she saw the note on her door.

Kel,

Meet me in the gardens as soon as you get this. I have some things I need to talk to you about.

Even if she hadn't have known the handwriting by heart, she would've known who it was from. She scowled at the piece of parchment in her hand before setting her lance down on the bed and heading for the practice courts to talk to her best friend.

Neal got up from the bench and began to pace, unable to stay still. He was nervous, more so than he had ever been in his life. He was going to tell Kel how he felt. Depending on what happened, this could ruin his friendship with her. He hadn't thought about that as much as he should have over the past few weeks. Then, Dom had mentioned it. Suddenly, he had realized that there was more to fear than rejection. He might just loose his best friend because of this. Part of him, of course, had known this, but he had refused to accept it. Now, it was being forced on him, and he wasn't sure what to do.

Footsteps walking towards him brought Neal out of his thoughts. He turned to see Kel, still sweaty from practice, standing. She watched him, wary, and he flinched inwardly. He had realized how much he and Yuki had hurt her the day before, and wished that he hadn't said that to her.

"What did you need, Neal? I have a lot to do, and can't really be bothered at the moment." She was annoyed with him, he could tell, though her face was perfectly calm.

Of course she is mad at you, you idiot. Part of him said. Remember what was said to her last night? He pushed the nagging little voice away, and gestured for her to take a seat before sitting down himself.

"First, I wanted to apologize. Yuki and I were both out of line last night. We didn't have the right to say that to you, because we both asked for your advice. You didn't do anything besides trying to help us when we needed it."

She nodded her head curtly. Obviously, she wasn't going to forgive him yet. That was okay; he wasn't finished.

"I was upset because I thought you should have known how I felt, even though I hadn't told you anything. I'm sorry." He looked at her face, but she still showed nothing.

"How do you feel?" She asked suddenly.

He began to explain to her. "Remember when I told you I wasn't sure?" Kel nodded he head. "Well, I wasn't sure I loved her anymore. You see, over the last few months, I had developed feelings for someone else." Her eyebrows rose. "I fell in love with that person." Her eyebrows were in danger of disappearing into her thick brown hair.

"Well, you could have told me this, Neal. But, you know, all I told Yuki was that she needed to talk to you, nothing more."

"The reason I didn't tell you was because I was afraid you would want to know who it was." He looked down at his hands, waiting for the next question that was sure to come.

"Why would you be afraid that I would want to know?"

"Because I just was." He didn't know how else to answer that question.

"Who is she, Neal?" Her voice was soft, gentle, and comforting.

"Kel, I, well, I mean, I love you." He was blushing, and he knew he sounded like a bumbling idiot.

Her jaw nearly hit the ground. Had he- no, she couldn't have heard him right. He could never say that. This just wasn't possible. She needed her hearing checked, or something.

They sat in silence for several minutes. Finally, he asked, unsure, "Are you going to say anything?"

She nodded her head dumbly, and he let out a nervous laugh, making her jump. "You know, most normal people go into shock during battle, or when someone dies. Not when their best friend confesses their love." She laughed along with him, but stopped suddenly when he tilted her chin up with a finger and looked deep into her hazel eyes, searching for something. Obviously, he found it, for the next second he was kissing her, his warm lips pressed to hers.


Ah, now that was a cliffie. So there. I hope everyone enjoyed all the THREE chapters I wrote. By the way, this was my longest chapter! 2052 words! So there!

Chicken-puffs- thanks, glad you liked it. Glad for the warning. I don't think this should count as a cliffie, do you? No, its not, I swear. Hope you enjoyed the new chapters!

Nolee of Stone Mountain- My most sincere apologies. I meant no offense by making oceanspike's acknowledgment longer. Yes, you are one of my biggest fans. And probably the most entertaining, too. You are the one who loves both me and my fics, and of course you like my fics better, for you don't really know me. However, you have read almost all of my fics. I apologize for my callousness, and my awful behavior, and I sincerely hope that you will forgive me.

I am super glad that you liked the chapter. I hope you liked these ones, too. I hurried, I really did. And I got three. You should be glad. And, if you remember correctly, threats are the last resort of a man (or woman) with no vocabulary. Ah, I love Neal. And, btw, it is not polite to threaten me with something so serious! Well, anyway, I hope you liked your acknowledgment, which happens to be the longest one (I made sure of it) and I hope that you liked the chapter, too. Now, you need to update on some of your K/J fics too! Or I shall be sending you rude and threatening letters! Well, I wouldn't call them threatening, because I have a very good vocabulary. Just update!!! I need more Joren! I love Joren. And Neal, and Dom, of course. They are soooo awesome. Joren's really hot. So are Neal and Dom, of course. I think I'm obsessed. The first step is admitting it, right? Yeah... umm.... Anyway, bubyes!!! BTW: yours is over ten words longer than Alianne Coopers. So there!!!

Pinky- glad you liked. I feel more sorry for Dom. I was half wanting to make it a Kel/Dom after that scene earlier, but I couldn't do it. I hope you liked the chapters!

Wake-Robin- Ah, all your questions I hope were answered. Glad you liked the chapter, and I updated as soon as I could. Actually, Ive had the sixth chapter ready since I posted the last one, but I wanted to finish seven and eight before I posted, for I wanted them all together.

TheWildMage- Glad you liked. Of course it will stay a K/N story, though I had some thoughts about changing it. Of couse, I immediately got rid of them. We couldn't leave Neal without Kel, no matter how much Dom loves her and I love Dom!

Keladry of Masbolle- Glad to know that you are going to review. I love reviews. Glad you like the story. I updated! And I am pretty sure I reviewed...not sure... ah, by the way, I absolutely LOVE your name! Dom is the best!!!!!!!!

Lilliana-Rose- I am sooo sorry for not mentioning you. I must have skipped over your name. Unless you reviewed after I updated or something. So sorry for forgetting you. I am almost positive you reviewed. Glad you liked the story. What did you mean, what will she end up as?

Queen-of-sapphires- Glad you liked. I would hate for Neal and Yuki to get into a huge gigantic fight. I figure that Neal and Kel both already have feelings for the other, and Neal, well, Neal is less reserved. Actually, in my opinion, he is really anything but. He never knows when to shut up!

VampiricEternity- I know, I am soooo evil. I love cliffies. But only if I'm writing them. Glad that you are excited, and I hope you liked!

Kore Yan- No, Yuki didn't see. Maybe she will, however. That would be very fun to write.

Alianne Cooper- I love it when he argues with himself. Not only is it fun to write, it cracks me up every time I read it. That's pretty sad, but it does. I wanted to do this mainly from Neal's POV because most people don't. And it's interesting to see how he thinks about everything. Scaring people is also fun. As long as its not me you're scaring. Then it's just mean. I love the list. It came to me immediately, and it was extremely fun. Fun is always good. I thought I needed Kel kissing him. It was an important part in the story, to me. I didn't want Yuki to know anything about Kel and Neal then. It would just be a bad step. At least, she doesn't need to know until they tell each other. I would be bloody terrified to fight someone who wielded a glaive as fast as she does! Glad you liked! Id write more, but Nolee was griping at me because she got a shorter acknowlegment last time, so now she has to have the longest. She's fun. And extremely funny. And likes to harass me, I think. Or so it would seem from her last few reviews. Having people harass you, however, is fun, because then you can do it right back. Of course, that's only if they know how to. Lots of people don't, and then I have to trade petty insults with stupid idiots, not well worded retorts. Ah, I blabber. Bubyes!

PsuchoLioness13- I know, it was rather short. My deepest apologies. Glad you thought it was sweet. I love sweet.