A/N: Ok I promise they don't die…I couldn't kill Kel and Dom, never ever! And since you all wanted me to tell you what I have planned…I will. I'm going to…nope sry can't do it…you'll just have to read and find out!

Disclaimer: I uh…umm…ok fine I'll admit it…I don't own any of this it all belongs to Tamora Pierce…but I do own the plot and some future characters…

Review Answers at the bottom! Enjoy!

Kel thought about making a run for it, but realized they would never make it. We might never make it anyway… She said to herself.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, twelve people atop warhorses, burst out of the trees. One spidren fell, with ten arrows sticking out of its ugly deformed body. Another was slashed open by two swordsmen. The last to die was the one directly above the stranded sergeant and squire. It took three spears and five arrows to bring it down. Kel and Dom leapt aside to avoid the falling spidren. Then they turned to face their saviors.

Kel smiled. "Well well, isn't this a nice surprise!"

"Well if it isn't Squire Meathead!" smirked Dom. Kel punched him in the arm.

"Now Dom, be nice! Squire Meathead just saved our lives!" she said with mock sternness.

Neal scowled. "Can't you too ever be nice?" he asked in a slightly whiney voice. Kel and Dom burst out laughing. Behind them, someone cleared their throat.

"If you three are done being childish, I do suggest that we move out before more spidrens arrive…" Alanna reprimanded.

"Or something worse." added Buri. The Riders murmured their agreement.

Neal offered a hand to Kel. She took it and was pulled up into the saddle behind her best friend. Her hand, and the other parts of her anatomy that came in contact with Neal, felt as if they were on fire. It was the same as when Dom had touched her earlier, only more noticeable.

"Uh…Alright b-back there Kel?" Neal said, stammering slightly.

Kel grinned, tightening her grip on his waist. He feels it too. She thought inwardly.

She looked around and saw that one of the female Riders had pulled Dom up behind her. She felt a small pang of jealousy, but it passed as Neal started to ford the river. She hugged him closer, so as not to fall off.

Neal smiled to himself, then stopped abruptly. I can't be having thoughts like this! Kel is my best friend! His head screamed. But these thoughts are so nice… His heart replied dreamily. And besides, she could always be more…

His head and heart argued all the was across the river, with poor Neal stuck in the middle. When the reached the bank, Kel slid off of Magewhisperer, and clambered onto Peachblossom. Dom got off of Fate; Kiya's gelding, and hopped onto Spirit's bare back. Kel rode in between Neal and Dom thinking. "Neal," she said suddenly. He looked at her startled.

"Yes Kel?" he replied.

I was just wondering…" she went on.

When she didn't finish, he gently prodded her by saying, "Wondering what Kel?"

"Well," she said "I thought you guys wouldn't be here at least until tomorrow or possibly the next day, yet here you are…"

Neal chuckled. "I was wondering when you'd ask." he replied. "I was beginning to think you didn't care about your loveable Meathead." he added with mock hurt.

Kel laughed lightly. "Never my dear Nealan. I could never, ever, forget to care about my precious Meathead!" she drawled sarcastically.

"You wound me deeply Kel." he replied, shaking his head.

Alanna sighed. "Honestly, you two are worse than Jon and I ever were as squires. Why did I ever choose you as my squire Queenscove?"

"Because you wanted someone with as sharp a tongue as your own?" Neal supplied.

"Alright Nealan," Alanna replied smartly. "Since you think you're so quick witted, when we get to camp, we're going to spar." And with that, she galloped off.

"She doesn't know the way…" Kel pointed out.

They heard an angry roar from up ahead.

"Apparently she just realized that." smirked Neal.

Kel glared at him. Then grinned and said to Peachblossom, "Peachblossom, bite him."

Peachblossom pulled back his lips, exposing his large teeth.

Neal gulped. "N-no need for that! I'll be good! I promise!" he assured Kel.

Kel sighed. "Well, I hate to take away his fun…but I suppose you do have a spar-date with Alanna and I want you to be in tip-top condition for your whooping…so I suppose I won't have Peachblossom bite you."

Neal sighed with relief. Peachblossom looked at his mistress as if to say, 'Just a little bite?'

Kel patted his neck. "I'll let you bite him later Peachblossom."

The group heard yet another angry roar from Alanna, this time farther to the left…

"Camp's awake." murmured Dom.

The Riders –and Neal- snickered. Kel and Buri didn't.

"No wonder they call her 'the Lioness'." added Neal.

Everyone, except for Buri and Kel, burst out laughing.

"Are you two finished yet?" Kel asked impatiently.

Dom and Neal nodded.

"Good." she said. "Then I'm going to go find Alanna, before she tears the forest apart." She rode off in the direction that the angry shrieks were coming from.

Kel guided Peachblossom –with her knees- through the trees to find the angry Lioness.

When she found her, she was sitting atop Darkmoon, in a cluster of pine trees, looking around desperately in all directions. Kel decided not to say anything just yet, and rode up silently behind Alanna. Just as she was directly behind Darkmoon, Peachblossom stepped on a twig and it snapped. Alanna spun in her saddle, and whipped out her sword in one swift movement. The tip of the blade was to Kel's throat before she could say a word.

She gulped. "Umm…Alanna? It's just me…"

Alanna nodded curtly and lowered her weapon. Kel rubbed her neck, grateful that it was still attached. She rode up beside Alanna. "I wanted to show you the way back to our camp…" she said quietly.

"I appreciate it." Alanna replied coldly.

Kel was very hurt. Her idol, her hero, the one woman she looked up to, was being cruel to her, when all she had wanted to do was help. Alanna seemed to realize she had hurt the young girl's feelings, although Kel was doing a very good job of covering them with her Yamani mask.

"I'm sorry Keladry, I didn't mean to be rude it's just that… if some people knew I was talking with you, they might think that I somehow helped you to earn your shield. And I don't want anyone to treat you badly for it." Alanna looked very apologetic, so Kel decided to forgive her.

"That's ok Alanna, I understand. Although, there's really no one here who would care in the least…and please, call me Kel. I hate it when people call me Keladry; it makes me feel so…old."

Alanna laughed. "And what's wrong with being old Kel?" she asked slyly.

"Hmm…I don't know…I'll let you know when I'm your age!" Kel teased.

"You're so asking for it Mindelan!" Alanna joked.

That was how it went on until they reached the Own's camp. Laughing, talking and getting to know each other.

When they got back, they found that Dom, Neal, Buri, and the Rider group were already back. Dom and Neal were sitting around the fire with the members of Dom's squad, Raoul, Buri, and her Riders. Neal saw Alanna and bolted for his tent.

"Queenscove!" Alanna barked. Neal tentatively poked his head out of his tent, expecting the worst. "Take care of Darkmoon, and then set up my tent." Was all Alanna said, before sitting with her friends at the fire. Neal gaped. There was no way Alanna would have forgotten about their spar, at least not on her own. He glanced at Kel. She was trying desperately to cover her laugh by putting up her Yamani mask. Se was still laughing slightly as she quickly un-tacked Peachblossom and went to her tent. The sight of her laughing figure made Neal grin.

Kel. He thought. She must have something to do with Alanna forgetting our fencing match. Then before he could stop himself, he added, Gods I love her. Neal stopped. Did I just say I loved Kel? It must just be because she just saved me from a duel with the Lioness…He assured himself. But what if that's not the reason? He asked. What if I really do have feelings for her? His eyes wandered around the campsite as he continued grooming Darkmoon. They lingered on his cousin, who was stoking the fire, before resting on Kel. She had left her tent, and was sitting in between Raoul and Buri. He studied her face. She had dreamy hazel eyes, framed by long soft lashes. Her lips were full and perfect, her cheekbones well defined. Her light brown hair, cut just below her earlobes, accented her gorgeous eyes. I can't believe I never noticed how beautiful she was before…He thought as he dazedly stared at his best friend.

The sound of Alanna tapping her foot impatiently shook him out of his inappropriate thoughts. "Queenscove, are you just going to stand there gaping while my mount needs feeding?" she asked, her temper rising. She saw that he wasn't looking at her, and he hadn't started working again, but that he was still staring at something. She let her eyes follow his gaze, and they landed on Kel. She stifled a laugh, all thoughts of anger gone.

Neal turned. "What's so funny?" he asked suspiciously.

She immediately stopped trying to stifle her growing laughter, and let it all spill out. Soon she was choking on her fits of laughter, so she stopped. "Nealan are you really that dumb?" she asked. "You're practically drooling over Squire Keladry! It's obvious that you like her!"

Neal turned beet-red. Am I really that obvious?" He asked himself. I barely just figured out that I like her myself! I don't want anyone to know yet! "Well of course I like her!" he replied, his facial color returning to normal. "She's my best friend!"

Alanna sighed. "That's not what I meant Queenscove. I meant that you really like her!"

Neal opened his mouth as if to speak, but closed it again, unable to think of anything to say to that statement. He tried again. "So what if I do?" he asked defensively. "Who cares whether I do or not, she'll never feel that same, so it doesn't matter!"

"Never feel the same…Bah!" Alanna scoffed. "Haven't you seen the way she flirts with you? Or how whenever you two touch you both turn red…or how she looks at you? Haven't you noticed any of it?"

Neal thought for a moment. "She really does all that?" he asked quietly.

Alanna nodded. "So do you." She said, and walked away.

"Oh and hurry up with Darkmoon," she called over her shoulder. "I want a tent to go into by mid-day!" Neal sighed and finished grooming his Knight Mistresses' mount, trying not to think of his best friend. She went over to Alanna's saddle bags and pulled out her tent. As he was setting up the poles and pulling the fabric over them, the person that he was trying not to think of sat down on the ground next to him. He struggled to get the stubborn cloth over the large poles, but ended up ripping it. Kel giggled, and jumped up to help him. She inspected the tear, and asked, "Do you have a sewing kit?" Neal nodded but stayed where he was. "Are you going to get it?" she asked. He flushed, nodded again and ran over to his saddle bag. He rummaged through it, and then ran over to Alanna's. He pulled out a small, flat, rectangular shaped box, and ran back over to Kel. He handed it to her, and she selected the right thread color and the right size needle. Then she quickly and nimbly sewed a patch onto the rip. Then she helped Neal pull it over the poles, so as not to tear it again. Then they put Alanna's bags and saddle into the tent. Then they set out her bedroll, and put Neal's things in the adjoining part. They laid out his bedroll as well, and when they were crawling out, they're hands touched on the floor. Kel looked into Neal's eyes, and was caught in two swirling green pools of emotion. Neal slowly, leaned forward, and pressed his lips to hers. Then he pulled back to see her reaction. She blushed lightly and put her fingers to her lips. She broke the hold Neal's eyes had on her, and looked down. Then she said, "I umm…have to go…see if Raoul needs…anything." Then she stood and ran out of the tent, settling her Yamani mask into place.

Neal sighed. I always screw things up.

A/N: So? What do you think? Lots of fluff just for you guys! And even a KISS! Betcha weren't expecting that now were you? Hope you liked it! I certainly did…

Review Answers:

Sunkissed Guacamole: Yah yah, no need to rub it in…any further that is…but I fixed it so you should be happy! Wow…in that second review you wrote a lot…a lot a lot a lot! Breathe Hallie! It'll pass…it's just a thought…thoughts come and go…and come and go… and yah…I forgot where I was going with that…btw…you're a dork…

nativewildmage: lol! Well…since you asked nicely…there's your answer! (see above) lol

Shang Warrior Phoenix: Here you go, but you get it on one condition…you have to review!

i-love-vash: I take it that means you like it? I hope so!

Squeakingtwig63: Ok! I did! Hope you luv it! Thanx!

queen-of-sapphires: They are Scanran bandits, sry I have so many errors…I'll try to do better I guess…umm…ok thanks I guess…

x17SkmBdrchiczxx: Well I'm glad you think so! I think so too…Hope you liked this chapter!

lianhuaflower13: Won't work…nothing you can say or do will make me update faster!

FanFictionFantom: Thanx! I love compliments! lol! Ok then! Your wish is my command!

wildace keladry2005: Huh? What do you mean? I'm confused…but glad you liked it, and I definitely will!

USNA: Here's your update! Hope you liked it!

dancer4eva: lol! Here's a slightly longer one…does this one count? Yah…I noticed that too…but there weren't really any synonyms…but I'll try harder next time…promise…

Whew! Now that that's done…hope you guys liked it! Let me know if you did or not…REVIEW!