A/N: hi its Friday... no wait Saturday at about 12:30am. i just finished this next chapter and thought that i would be nice and update, instead of waiting a week or so. so here enjoy. sorry its another shortie.

pure hope- dang those puppy eyes, heres your update

maeko14- thank you for trying to come up with something, and i dont really like how those knights are so hope this will help right the ballance

Macky- as always, thank you

linkinparkfangirl - ya, i was hopeing that it would be a little longer too, but theres only so much that you can put in that dosent make it seemed cramped, next chapter should come out soon.

Chapter 14: Challenger

"Come quick, come quick! There's a new challenger!"

"And not just any challenger. It's a woman!"

"Are you sure that it's not General Sora?"

"It's not 'cause I passed her not more than two minuets ago, she was headed for the kitchens."

"What are we standing around for? LET'S GO!" Van had to smile at the enthusiasm that the stable hands had when there was any hint of a new challenger.

Van was in the stables saddling up a couple of horses for him and Hitomi. He was nearly done and about to go and find Hitomi to ask her if she wanted to go riding, when the two squires came to inform their friends of the new challenger. Of course curiosity got the better of the raven hared king.

As he approached a silent hush of awe spread over the crowd and he heard a sword hit the ground.

It was a Fanelian made sword that slid half way across the arena.

"Now don't look so shocked. I gave you fair warning that I wasn't going to go easy on you." Van knew that voice. But it couldn't be. Could it? "Now go pick up your sword and lets have a real fight." The crowd began to mumble about what they saw, or didn't –depending if they blinked or not.

"Did you see that? She disarmed him using a move that I've never seen before."

"Where is she from?"

"Where did she learn such skills?"

"IF there is to be another war, I hope that she is on our side." That comment generated many nods and mummers of approval.

"Bitch" the knight spat.

"Now, now. You'll have to be more creative in name calling if you want to get under my skin." The challenger politely said, which only made the knight even more exasperated.

The challenger's back was to Van, so she was unaware that he was there, and she was wearing a helmet, with all of her hair tucked up inside, so he was uncertain if it was truly who he thought it was. And it was all he could do to stand there, dumbfounded, and mouth gaping open when she called him a name that would make even a sailor blush.

As soon as the enraged knight picked up his sword he charged at her, intent on killing her. She must have been expecting it for she blocked effortlessly, then countered with her own set of attacks. The fight didn't last long, the challenger having the upper hand the entire time.

She had managed to disarm the knight once again, but this time the knight's sword stuck straight up in the ground, right in front of Van. She had her sword in the 'kill' position at the man's throat.

The crowd was silent.

She lowered her sword from the knight's throat, and put it away. Her sword was something that the king had never seen before. It shone like silver, but it withstood all the attacks. He made a mental note to ask what it was that her sword was made of.

Her back was still mercilessly toward Van, as she took off her helmet. Sandy blond hair came tumbling out, and then the king knew for sure who this mysterious new challenger was…

"Hitomi?"

Slowly she turned around, green emerald eyes wide in shock.

"Van."

now come on people tell me what you thought, every little bit helps