A/N: I had so much fun writing this chapter. In fact I wrote most of this in speech class today. First off, I'd like to say that I will continue to write more chapters on this story, since you guys love it so much. Second, I'd like to remind you, that I hand wrote these chapters in a composition journal and then I type them up. As of now, I've used up 56 whole pages writing this fiction. I had to get a new journal since my old one was so filled up! Wow! As of now, I'm on page 59 writing chapter nine, so I'm on page three of it, but I stopped, because I wanted to type this one up! I hope you guys enjoy it!

The days went by in a blur for Deryn Sharp. She was no longer lonely, since she had Newkirk to keep her company. Things were easier between them and she and Newkirk were growing close, that there were rumors aboard; that Alek had did something unforgivable. Deryn liked having Newkirk with her, but she was afraid, that he saw more to their friendship than she did, so she tried to keep things at bay with. No more pecks on the cheek for him, she thought.

Speaking of Alek, she never really saw him anymore. Occasionally, she would see him but he would give her a blank stare and Newkirk a cold one. What's his problem? He never wanted me, all because I'm a lass. And Newkirk, here, has accepted me, regardless of my gender, She thought.

"Deryn," Newkirk whispered. She jumped up, momentarily forgetting that he was there. She looked around the corridor and then said, "You ninny, don't call me that out here, where someone could here."

"Sorry, I forgot," he blushed.

"What?" She asked.

"What, what?" he replied.

"You called my name, remember?" She pointed out.

"Aye, that's right," he blushed a deeper shade of red. "I was going to ask you what you were thinking about."

"I was thinking of our, dear daft friend, Alek," she said simply.

"Of course, you were thinking of him," he grumbled.

Deryn glanced over at him and saw his face darken. If his face gets any darker, he'll bust a vein, she thought.

"What's your barking problem, Newkirk?" She questioned.

"Nothing," he shrugged.

"No…really. Every now and then you get all moody like some home-sick lass," she chuckled to herself.

"I do not!" Newkirk protested.

"Sure you do," Deryn corrected.

Newkirk shook his head furiously.

"Suit yourself," she finally said.

The two walked in silence for the next three minutes. Newkirk glanced at Deryn and followed her gaze outside the window. She was staring at the clouds with a dreamy expression. Suddenly she flashed her pearly whites. She's probably thinking about that bum-rag prince. She's still in love with him, despite the fact, that he clearly doesn't want a commoner like her…but I do. She's a hero to my people, Newkirk thought.

"Newkirk," Deryn met his eyes.

"Aye, what is it?" He replied.

"You never told me your name, that is your real name, I mean," she cleared her throat.

"It's Graham, Graham Newkirk," he beamed.

"An interesting name, that one," was all Deryn said.

They continued walking, and suddenly Deryn whipped her head towards Newkirk, her eyes shining with excitement.

"Graham, I've got a brilliant barking plan she breathed, grinning from ear to ear.

"What might that be?" Graham questioned, already knowing what she was going to ask.

"Remember when you said, you'd talk to Alek for me?" She reminded him.

"Aye, I do…what about it?" Newkirk asked, dumbly.

"I want you to do it, you ninny," Deryn said. When Newkirk didn't respond, she added, "Will you?"

"NO!" Newkirk yelled.

"Why on earth not?" She yelled back.

"Because…because I love you," he finally let out, "and I want you to pick me instead of him."

Once again Deryn was flabbergasted.

"I won't tell him, because I love you, Deryn Sharp. I've been madly in love with you forever," he continued.

Deryn walked over to him and slapped him across the face and hissed, "I can't return those feelings!"

"Just like Alek couldn't for you, right?" Newkirk said and grabbed her shoulders.

"Let go of me you bum-rag, or-"

Newkirk interrupted her by bringing his lips upon hers furiously. Deryn fought for control, pushing him away, for fear of someone seeing them. The boy had an iron grip when he want too…perhaps he wasn't as weak as he made others to think about him. Suddenly his weight was lifted off and she heard a crunching noise.

"Ouch!" Newkirk cried.

"God's wounds! What are you doing to her?" Alek questioned coldly, his hand in a fist.

"Why in the blazes did you punch me? You ninny!" Newkirk spat blood out of his mouth.

"You, sir, were molesting this young lady!" Alek accused pointing his finger at Newkirk.

"I was not! I simply kissed her because I love her and you do not!" Newkirk hissed.

Deryn gasped as if someone had punched her. That last comment had stung. Alek threw her a worried glance and she saw his green eyes were toxic with rage.

"Well?" Newkirk questioned. "You don't love her, right?"

"Graham, stop," Deryn whispered.

"You wanted me to talk to him for you and you wouldn't shut up about it, so now I'm doing it!" Newkirk retorted.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that!" Alek chided, getting closer to Newkirk.

"You ninny. All this time that I've been with Deryn, she was always talking about you. In fact I think she was thinking about you too. She barking loves you! Obviously you do not, so I'm here for her!" Newkirk snapped.

With that last statement, Alek, the Alek that had master to control his emotions, lost it right there and then. He tackled Newkirk to the ground.

What's he doing? He doesn't know how to fight, but yet he goes after a soldier that id trained in combat, Deryn thought.

The two boys were tangled on the floor rolling all over the place. Suddenly Deryn couldn't take this anymore.

"Stop, Stop this madness right now!" She snapped.

The boys ignored her, both lost in their apparent new found hatred for each other.

A light bulb went off inside Deryn's head. She knew what she had to do. She jumped in the fight and attempted to break the two apart. There was scratching, pinching, slapping and punching. At one point Deryn got kicked in the stomach that she gasped like a girl and the two boys broke apart upon her cry of pain.

She stood up, all bruised and her left eye swelling. "You BUM-RAGS!" She hissed, spitting blood out of her mouth.

Alek and Newkirk whipped their heads in her direction. Their faces quickly morphed into horror as they realized what had just happened.

"Are you okay?" Newkirk, the idiot he was asked a question that was oh so obvious.

"No…" she mumbled.

"I'm sorry," Alek said and came up to her and placed his hand on her equally bruised face.

Deryn flinched at his touch.

"Shh, I won't hurt you," Alek cooed as if he were talking to a baby.

"Like you haven't already," Newkirk huffed.

Deryn quickly jumped into Alek's arms and sobbed. "Where has my ship buddy been all along," she questioned.

"I'm here…I'm here," he said gently.

Graham Newkirk, sensing his presence was unwanted, grunted "Traitor," in Deryn's direction and stormed off, leaving Deryn and Alek all alone.

"Come with me, Deryn," Alek said, reaching out his hand.

She gladly accepted it and went with Alek.

Alek must love me, even though he claims not. His actions today have well betrayed him, Deryn thought.

A/N: Did you guys like that? I hope ya'll do. Well anyways I'd like to remind you that I'm writing more chapters to this fiction. As of now, I'm on page 7 in my composition book, writing chapter 9! I so can't wait to share that one with you guys. So, so far this story has taken me a full 63 pages to write…I don't think I've ever written this much before, but I love writing this. Don't forget to review, because I'll most likely post chapter nine tomorrow! xP