Here we go, second chapter! Thanks for the reviews you guys, it's really encouraging! Especially since I see some readers of my other stories :D I've missed you guys –waves- Anyways, tell me if I'm going too fast. I don't want to do that .

Disclaimer : I DO NOT OWN KA. I wish I did.

Chapter 2: Boy VS. Girl Round 2

Kana walked quietly down the path that led to the training grounds, where she would be facing that arrogant young knight her father had introduced to her yesterday. The previous night she had been unable to sleep very well, anticipation making its way into her mind. But now today was finally here, and she could get this over with. As she entered the area where they would be fighting, she caught sight of the young Lancelot conversing with his fellow knights quietly.

"Look who decided to show up," he drawled, smirking.

Kana snorted and shrugged her cloak off, draping it over the fence. "Come on, let's just fight and get this over with," she mumbled, grabbing one of the wooden swords.

Lance snorted as well, and grabbed a wooden sword for himself as his companions snickered at him. He held it at the ready, pointing it at Kana, who held a confident posture. I better win this or they'll laugh at me he thought bitterly.

I better win this or they'll tease me Kana thought, not knowing Lance was thinking something similar to that. She waited for a moment, and then threw the first stroke, their swords thudding against each other. As Lance fended her off, she took a swing at his legs, which he quickly jumped away from.

Taking the opportunity, he spun around, slicing downward at her shoulder. A sense of surprise made its way into his eyes as she blocked his attack and leapt to the side, her sword pointed at him. Clearing his throat, he got back into his stance, waiting for her.

Kana took a deep breath, and lunged. Her sword missed him as he stuck out his foot, tripping her. She cried out in surprise as she landed face first in the mud. The knight roared with their laughter at the poor girl as she struggled to her feet, her entire front splattered with mud.

"Want to go home now?" Lance asked, laughing with them.

This only heated Kana's anger even more as she glared at him. "No," she growled, striking out at him. However, he only tripped her again, sending her right into a mud puddle. Now wet and muddy, she looked horrible, and her pride was certainly damaged.

"That wasn't a challenge," Lance said, spitting off to the side. "Stay in the tavern with the other girls." He strutted past her, his head held high in his arrogance as he stopped by his knights.

"Kana!" Vanora's voice rang as she ducked past the knights, going to her friend.

Kana looked up at her, feeling even more ashamed. "What are you doing here?" she asked, getting to her feet with Vanora's help.

"Bors invited me to watch Lancelot fight a match with someone. I had no idea it was you," Vanora answered quietly. "Look at you, you're all muddy."

"Yeah, I know I am. I'm going home," Kana muttered and shrugged Vanora off of her as she walked towards the gate, grabbing her cloak while she did so. The laughter of the knights had tampered off to a chuckle.

"Better luck next time!" Lancelot shouted after her.

"Oh shut up, Lancelot," Vanora growled, glaring at him. She turned on her heel and walked after Kana.

Lancelot snorted, and turned back to the other knights. "Women," he mumbled.

"Kana wait up!" Vanora yelled, running to catch up with her friend.

Kana didn't heed Vanora's words, continuing to walk. She just wanted to be alone for a little bit, although she should've known Vanora would never let that happen. "What?" she asked irritably as Vanora managed to catch up.

"Don't listen to Lancelot. He thinks he's got balls but he doesn't," Vanora said softly, trying to comfort Kana.

Kana paused for a moment, and sighed. "All I did was make a fool out of myself. And my father wants us to be friends, but that'll never happen. Of all the knights, he had to pick the most arrogant. Why am I stuck with all of the arrogant guys?"

Vanora laughed softly. "I'm not sure," she said. "Like I said, don't listen to him. You have your strengths."

Kana shook her head, and smiled slightly at her friend.

&&&&&

"Kana, we need more bread. Go get some from the bakery, along with some fruit," her mother ordered as she handed Kana a handful of coins.

"Yes, Mother," Kana said obediently, grabbing her cloak. Kana hadn't seen hide nor hair of Lancelot for the past couple of days – much to her relief. She was sure he was off gloating about it, or making himself stronger to show her up again if they ever decided to have a re-match.

She walked out into the streets, taking a right to go towards the bakery. She could pick up the fruit on the way back. "Ah, here we are," she mumbled to herself as she got to the doors of the bakery. Opening one, she was greeted with the smell of baking bread and flour, which caused her stomach to rumble.

"Ah, 'tiz thee Mizz 'Ana," the baker said joyfully. "I am azuming your mothe-r iz wanting zome fresh bread?"

"Yes, please," Kana said, smiling at the baker's accent.

He handed her a loaf of bread, which she happily paid for before bustling back out onto the streets. She loved the baker and his family – such kind people.

"Alright, fruit. Mother didn't specify which kind of fruit, so I'm assuming it's the usual," she mumbled to herself, going over her mental checklist of what she needed to get. She scurried to the other side of the street, holding her bread close, but not tight enough to squish it.

"What will it be?" the merchant at the fruit stand asked.

"Um, a few apples, few oranges, and, um, some pears please," Kana said, counting out her coins before handing them to the merchant.

"Anything else?" he asked politely.

"No, thank you." She grabbed the fruit, carefully balancing them in her arms as she made her way back towards the tavern. The streets were awfully busy today, and she wondered what was going on. She suddenly grunted in surprise, falling backwards to the cobblestones as someone ran into her. A curse left her lips as her fruit went rolling.

"You know, a lady shouldn't speak that way," a familiar voice said as the person picked up an apple.

Kana took it, and looked up to see Lancelot's face glowering down at her. She huffed, glaring back at him as she got to her feet, balancing the fruit again. "Well, then you shouldn't have run into me," she said.

"Would you like some help back?"

"No, I don't need your help."

"You truly are a stubborn mule." Lancelot smirked as Kana flushed red, not having a snappy come back to his words.

"I take pride in that," she mumbled, snatching a pear from him as he brought it out from behind his back. "Now, I must be getting back before my mother wonders where I've gone."

Lancelot snorted softly, and didn't say anything as she pushed past him, heading towards the tavern. He rolled his eyes until something caught his gaze. Oh great, she had left her bread. Leaning down, he picked it up as well and turned around. "Hey you forgot-," he started but stopped as he saw she had disappeared.

"Here, Mother," Kana said, putting the fruit on the counter.

"Where's the bread?" her mother asked.

Kana's eyes widened. "Oh no, it must be-."

"Right here," Lancelot said, causing Kana to whip around.

Her eyes held a sense of relief, but also narrowed. He just seemed to be everywhere now, popping up at the most random of times.

"What do you say?" her mother asked, causing Kana to scowl.

"Thank you, Sir Lancelot," she growled, taking the bread from him before setting it on the counter.

"It is no problem, Lady Kana," he said, bowing politely, causing Kana to roll her eyes.

Her mother, on the other hand, smiled. "Such a gentleman."

Kana made a gagging noise, but then fell silent at her mother's look. She snorted in distaste, and nodded. "Such a gentleman," she repeated, glaring at Lancelot behind her mother's back.

Lancelot smirked at her, but then bowed. "I must head off to my training. Good day, ladies," he said, turned on his heel, and left the tavern.

"You should hang out with him more, Kana. He seems to be a polite boy," her mother suggested, smiling at her daughter.

"Oh you have no idea," Kana said, hiding the sarcasm in her voice. After a moment, she gently grabbed her mother's hand. "Mother, you should go rest. Father strictly said you shouldn't push yourself."

Her mother laughed. "You sound like me, but alright. Don't forget, Vanora wanted you two to hang out later today."

Kana nodded and watched her mother leave to go rest like she was supposed to, leaving the girl to think. How could they even remotely think of Lancelot as a gentleman? That disturbed her. Shaking her head, she put away the food she had just bought.