A/N: I LOVE LOVE LOVE MY REVIEWERS! Thank you guys so much, you inspire me to continue, and help to restore my dwindling self-confidence. If ANY of you ever need anything from me I would be more than happy to oblige, just send me an email! And without further ado, onto replies:

Elerrina: I did too! Which is why I wrote this fanfic! Well, that and the fact that I wanted to try to write an original fic. And this seemed like a good idea.

Rockin Chick: Thank you! And may I just say that you are awesome to review my story?

Chisakami Saiyuki: joins in jumping yay! I agree. I guess this update wasn't exactly quick, but please believe me, I have been busy as hell and I just didn't have time hangs head in shame oh well, I hope that this lives up to expectations.

Lady Knight 1512: Fluff will come soon I promise!

HyperLittleCat: Hey you signed in this time! I'm sorry, but they had to fight It just had to happen. But now they will be happy.

Dreamerdoll: Yeah about those emails? Yeah, still not answered. Answer them!

Arcadia: Hey I have an idea! I'll eat and type at the same time! You know, just attach an extra hand… Hahaha anyway, thank you for your compliments, although they're somewhat warped, I love them!

FanFictionFantom: I'm glad you're amused. . I think that it has something to do with all of us writers trying to have a plot but feeling very unoriginal.

Stormy Writer: That was a TON of good advice! I think I'll have to give you the "most detailed reviewer" award. But yeah, I'm too lazy to change it now, but if I ever do go back to it, I will make sure to make that part clearer. Thank you so so so much for your reviews, and the way that you really think about each and every one of them.

Pussin Boots: I know that it's short! But I don't really have time to write more, and if I did, the updates wouldn't happen anywhere near as often!

Lady-of-tormentdeath: I know to both the length and the update. I'm just so busy! I get home at 9 each day, and homework has to take priority!

Virgo: Don't worry, I was planning on the friendship! But friends can still flirt!

Guacamole13: Fluff fluff fluff. It's coming! Soon! Maybe this chappie, maybe next, we'll see! But really soon!

Scottish Wish: Have fun at the race! Or if it already happened, I hope that you had a good time! I know that this update wasn't soon! I'm sorry!

Ok, before I get to the chapter, I have two important things to address:

1) I know that I didn't update quickly! Try balancing water polo, band, theater, and three physical therapy visits (for my knee) a week and see how much time you have to write! So please please don't get mad! I really am sorry!

2) Kel is going to be a little different! You see, because she spent the four years with Alanna, and not getting treated like an inferior whore, she is a little more relaxed. Sure she still has her Yamani mask, but she is a little more open to jokes and teasing than she was. So feel free to tell me about her being out of character, but don't say that I didn't warn you!

Disclaimer: All TPs. Can I make this one count for all of the other chappies as well? This is kinda getting old…

And FINALLY onto the story.

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Kel loosely gripped Peachblossom's reins as she pondered the events of that afternoon. Plenty had happened since that fateful tackle. She, Neal, Alanna, and Hakuin had had to quickly bury the bandits. No matter how much they didn't like the men, all four of the company knew that they couldn't leave the bodies for the animals. So their departure had been delayed. Now Alanna led the group onwards in the gathering dusk, with Hakuin taking up the rear, his dark eyes piercing the shadowy woods. Neal rode aloof, steering clear of the girl who had avoided him since the attack. Kel fingered the leather in her hands. There was plenty for her mind to think about. So why did it keep coming back to Neal?

Images besieged her mind. She saw his kindness and sensitivity as he saved her. She felt his warm hand grip hers, offering more than just a hand up. He offered friendship, a mending of their previously awkward relationship. He was willing to try a new and better companionship. And, semi-consciously, she had accepted, only to put distance between them once again.

Kel tried to think about what had caused the distance in the first place. Had she done it, through her extended rudeness? She thought back to that first meeting, searching for some flaw that he had exhibited, a reason that she would have to hate him. Yet the harder she looked, the clearer it became that she had done it. Her coolness had chased him away. And now, he had tried to reach out, and she had cut him off again. It was her turn to extend a hand.

So she did.

Flicking her reins, she caught up to Neal. He looked surprised to see her next to him, and looked at her questioningly. Raising one eyebrow, he looked at her waiting for her to speak.

Kel licked her lips. She knew that she had to say something, but she was afraid to admit her own failings. She tried to gather the courage to speak her mind. Shaking, she opened her mouth.

"Thank you."

Neal's second eyebrow rose in shock. "Excuse me?"

"Thank you. For saving me. I, I, I really appreciate it." There. She had said it.

But Neal didn't understand. "No problem milady." He turned back to gaze at his steed's back. He obviously thought that she was just trying to remedy her debt. That she hadn't meant it. So Kel needed to say more.

"Neal. I mean it. You didn't need to save me. There was no reason that you should have wanted to. I've been so mean to you and I'm sorry. I guess-"

She paused, meaning to stop there. Neal's brows were now furrowed, and he motioned for her to continue.

"Well, you don't understand what it's like. Knowing that all you have is one chance. And knowing that most of the people that you meet want you to fail. It's hard to deal with. And when you came and took away the one person that believed in me I think that I grew defensive. However, I shouldn't have taken it out on you." She looked down, ashamed at her past actions. However Neal's voice made her look at him again.

"Kel," he said, looking her directly in the eyes. "I understand. I promise that I will never take Alanna away from you. And just to let you know, I am in the minority that wants you to succeed. And," suddenly he grinned, "I'm pretty sure that you will. I've seen you fight. You have a bright future! Maybe you'll even help me out."

Kel laughed, and, finally, everything was all right. She turned to her new friend Neal. "So you wanted to be a healer? Why did you quit?"

Neal answered, and their small talk soon became a full-fledged conversation.

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Alanna listened to two youth behind her. They discussed everything, from history to future to ethics to fighting styles. She smiled. She had understood Kel's bitterness. However, she had known more than Kel had about Neal. His father had told her of Neal's loneliness, how the other boys in his level. Oh, he had had some friends, but for the most part he had had no support. She had hoped that these two kids, each struggling for a different reason, would help each other. She grinned as she heard a timid chuckle from Kel joined by loud, rambunctious, masculine laughter from Neal. She enjoyed the continuous conversation that lasted deep into the night until they finally reached the fort. She sighed contentedly as she fell into her bed.

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Kel woke early to birdcalls. Sunshine was just beginning to creep through her curtains, and she sat up, groaning. She had only gotten a few hours of sleep due to their late arrival. Still, she knew that now that she was awake, her body would refuse to succumb to sleep once more. She decided to use the time before breakfast for some pattern dances. Grabbing her glaive, she headed toward the practice courts, pausing as she passed Neal's door. I know that he's trying to get serious about being a knight. Maybe he wants to come. She took one fist and rapped at Neal's door.

"Neal?"

An intelligible noise came floating back to her.

"Neal!"

A load moan was emitted next. Then came an exclamation of, "what!"

"Neal, I was just wondering if you wanted to come to weapons practice with me."

"What time is it?"

Kel sighed impatiently. "I don't know. And hour after dawn?"

An anguished exclamation was followed by, "and you woke me up!"

"Yeah, I wanted to know if you wanted to work out before breakfast."

"Ahh. You are a crazy girl! Leave me alone!" The last word was muffled against a pillow.

Kel shrugged and continued on her way. I guess he's not a morning person.

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As the morning neared afternoon, a freshly showered Kel made her way to breakfast. She was feeling exhilarated due to the beautiful morning, and the exercise had made her feel alive. However, her wonderful happiness was accompanied with a biting hunger.

She entered the mess and let her eyes gaze around the room. A tousled Lioness yawned next to a large, very large, man. A man known to some as the Commander of the King's Own. She knew him as simply Raoul. They had become close during the numerous time that she and Alanna had been called to assist him and his troops. Kel liked him. He had always treated her with respect.

Hakuin sat chatting with other men that looked like they belonged to the King's Own. She grinned as one of them with dancing blue eyes waved her over. She had also met Domitan of Masbolle during Alanna's numerous stints with the King's Own. He had protected her as some of the men tried to harass her. Instead he joked around with her, until she forgot her humiliation. It was because of him that she had made so many friends in the King's Own. He had also taught her many tricks with knives, which she had been forced to use quite a few times. All in all, she was delighted to see him, her adopted big brother.

"Dom!"

""Hey Kel! Come sit with us!"

She answered his question by sliding in across from him, and they were busily engaged talking when Dom noticed a presence over Kel's shoulder. He grinned.

"Meathead!"

Kel quickly glanced back and saw a sleepy Neal standing behind her, glaring at Dom.

"The name is Neal, Dom. I would think someone related to me would know that."

Dom laughed as Kel looked confusedly at Neal. "You guys are related?"

Neal narrowed his eyes as he sat down next to Kel. "Unfortunately. I am ashamed to admit that I am cousins with this disrespectful lout." He filled his fork with food and stared at it for a few seconds, before another thought dawned on him. "Wait. How you YOU two know each other?"

Dom tousled Kel's hair as he replied, "I'm her older brother. Or at least, I pretend to be."

Kel scowled as she flattened her hair. She looked at Neal's still stationary fork, then at his plate. Pastries filled one section of it, leaving the rest of the tray vacant.

"Neal, is that all you're eating?"

Neal blinked and rubbed his face. "Yes."

"And you want to be a knight?" Kel heaped the remainder of her fruit onto his plate and gave him an evil grin. "Eat up." She waved goodbye to Dom and went back to her rooms.

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A/N: Okay, I know that you all will ask this and be all worried. THIS IS A KN STORY. Dom is, and will remain, her big brother. He'll just add a little spice. And about the lack of fluff, as Virgo says, they have to be friends before they can be lovers. First friends, then flirtatious friends, then more. Yay! Also, I've had some reiveiws for some chapters saying that they're not as funny as the other chapters. Are my stories really that funny? I mean, I try to include some humor… But it's not like a comedy or anything. Is it? Anywho.

Please please please REVIEW! I would really really appreciate it.

Love till next time!

PrincessPeach