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Rated Adult for paw indulgence.", "writing": "Dealing with Doubt by Pent Ghelsburg \n\nDisclaimer: The characters depicted in this work are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves combat that features underaged characters You have been warned.\n\nLove is a fickle thing. To each person who finds themselves in the clutches of its grasp, its meaning is different. One that cannot be halted except by mischief or some other act of miscreants. However, true love will always find a way, even when times may seem their darkest. Those who inhibit it must be squashed out so true love can prevail.\n\nThe weekend came and went rather quickly as if often did for the young yordle. The alarm woke the boy up as it always did on weekdays. Hailun roused out of bed and looked at the clock. He didn't usually look forward to school but it had been a few days since he had seen his friends. He was especially looking forward to seeing Kennen, a boy with who he had formed a special relationship that he was finding himself liking more with each passing day.\n\nHailun hopped out of bed and rushed to get dressed. He wanted to be earlier than usual today so he could catch up with whoever he could find. Wasting no time changing into his school uniform before making his way to the kitchen. The young cub arrived to see his mother already making breakfast. She looked back at him. His arm had finally healed enough to take it out of the sling, a change he was happy to embrace as he stretched.\n\n\"You're ready bright and early today. Something you're looking forward to today?\" She said suspecting the obvious.\n\nHailun nodded. \"Yeah, I wanna hang out with my friends before school.\"\n\n\"Are you sure it's not anyone specific...that boy perhaps?\" The woman said with a sly grin on her face as she couldn't quite remember his name.\n\nThe boy stomped his paw on the carpet. \"Mommm....\"\n\n\"Okay, okay. What do you want for breakfast? The usual?\" She asked chuckling at her half-joke.\n\nHailun hummed. \"Can I get some oatmeal and fruit? That sounds good.\"\n\n\"You got it, champ. Did you finish your homework for the weekend?\" The mother began working on making him the food.\n\nThe cub nodded. \"Yeah, mom. I promise.\"\n\n\"Good boy. I'll make you a deal if you want, Hailun.\" She said while still focusing on the meal in front of her.\n\nThe boy looked at her curiously. \"Huh? Deal?\"\n\n\"Yup, I know you have a test this week. Get at least a B and I'll let you go over to that boy's house or let him come over for a sleepover.\" She figured that would be incentive enough to get him to work hard.\n\nHailun huffed. \"His name is Kennen, mom.\"\n\n\"Yes, yes. Kennen schmennen. Do we have a deal or not?\" She finished making him the meal and handed it off to him.\n\nThe cub chirped happily. \"Yeah, mom. I will...I promise.\"\n\n\"I know you will. Now eat up and you can head out. Your father already left for the morning so I'll mention it to him later. Have a good day, hon.\" The woman said before showing herself out of the kitchen.\n\nHailun was convinced he just had to get a B on that test, no matter how hard it was. He knew it was on Tuesday so he had one more day to worry about it. The cub rushed through his food, making quick work of it. The boy grabbed his bag before shouting to his mother.\n\n\"Bye mom, I'm going to school.\" The red panda shut the door and began his walk toward Bandle Academy.\n\nKennen had already arrived at the school as he was on the school kendo team. The yordle had been a member of the sports team from the time he was a tyke. The team met a few times a week and always released a little time before school started so that they could relax before classes began. Kennen hadn't bothered showering that day as he felt like he hadn't sweated that hard that day. He changed back into his school stuff and grabbed his bag before beginning to walk around school looking for Poppy to check on her.\n\nIt didn't take him long to find the girl as she often hung around in the same spot in front of the school. As was usual she sat at the base of the big oak tree outside the front of the school. He waved to her as he made his approach.\n\n\"How's it going, Poppy? Did you have a nice weekend?\" Kennen asked as he tried to take interest in her life to be a good friend.\n\nShe nodded. \"Yeah. How did your little date with Hailun go?\"\n\n\"I guess it went alright. I kinda screwed up at first but after that, I think it went well.\" Kennen blushed a bit as if embarrassed about it.\n\nThe girl smirked. \"So...are you two a couple now?\"\n\n\"No...we're just friends. What makes you think that?\" Kennen said as he reached around her and held her in place.\n\nPoppy smiled. \"I heard you two were naked at the lake, heh. Is that true?\"\n\n\"Wait what? We weren't naked...how did you know that we were at the lake?\" The boy sounded a bit alarmed.\n\nThe girl pointed behind Kennen. \"Vex has been going around spreading rumors about you two. I didn't believe what she said but that might not be the case with everyone else.\n\n\"She what? Did she see us? We were just...relaxing. We didn't do anything.\" Kennen looked behind him and saw Vex chatting with Veigar.\n\nPoppy reached forward and grabbed his ankle. \"Just watch your anger. You can't afford another detention. You can tell me all about it later.\"\n\n\"Right, I will. I'll be back.\" Kennen walked out of her grip and began to head towards the two dark yordles.\n\nJust as he was about to be close enough to them to talk he overheard an announcement. \"Hailun and Kennen to the front office.\"\n\nKennen sighed, he didn't even recall having done anything. He looked back over at Veigar and Vex who stuck their tongue out at him. The yordle looked around for Hailun and there were no signs of him. It seemed he would have to deal with whatever the issue was alone for the time being. The boy made his way towards the front office, his mind wracked with possibilities of why he had been called there. His mind only wanted clarity and to know why Veigar and Vex were spreading rumors about him and Hailun.\n\nKennen approached the door and showed himself inside. The man at the front desk pointed him toward the counselor. The door to the counselor was wide open, allowing him to go right inside without stopping. The boy looked over at the woman who eyed him warily as entered her office.\n\n\"Sit down, young man. Where is your friend?\" She asked as he made his way to the center of her office.\n\nKennen looked around the office was small and stuffy. Filled with pictures and plaques of the female yordle's accomplishments.\n\n\"He's not here yet. I don't think. I haven't seen him yet anyways.\" Kennen sat down at one of the chairs in front of her desk.\n\nShe twiddled her fingers as she stared at him. \"Rumor has it that you and he are close. Is this the case?\"\n\n\"Maybe but why does that matter?\" The cub crossed his arm defensively.\n\nThe woman waved her finger at him. \"Don't get snippy with me, mister.\"\n\n\"Fine, yes he is a good friend of mine.\" Kennen rolled his eyes trying to play along.\n\nThe counselor leaned into her desk. \"Just a friend, eh? The kids are saying it's more than that. That you and he were found naked at the park.\"\n\n\"We weren't naked...I swear. Vex and Veigar are just making this nonsense up to get us in trouble.\" The boy pleaded with her, even sounding desperate.\n\nShe eased back into her chair. \"Be that as it may. I think it may be best to separate you two for the time being.\"\n\n\"What? Why? It's not like we did anything on school grounds.\" Kennen's mouth open agape in shock.\n\nThe woman shook her head. \"Right, well that doesn't change that you two are students of the school and we can't have students going around gallivanting like that.\"\n\n\"What the heck? You all let Teemo and Tristana have a relationship. Why does it matter what I do with Hailun on my own time?\" Kennen could feel himself tearing up a bit.\n\nShe sighed. \"It's out of my hands. The decision has been made. You two will have different schedules today. You are not to be seen around each other on school grounds until further notice.\"\n\n\"What? What kind of punishment is this? That's just silly...please he's my friend. Please don't change our schedules...\" Kennen got on his knees and begged, quite upset.\n\nShe waved her hand and turned her chair around. \"Get him out of my sight and give him his new schedule.\"\n\nKennen was dragged out of the counselor's office, still beside himself. Grabbing the paper with his schedule on it, he determined that he would fix it. Wiping his face as he picked himself up. The blood boiling inside him, paying no heed to anyone else. Telling himself that Veigar and Vex would pay for this. He passed right by Hailun who he paid no mind. The other cub could tell he looked upset, unsure what it could be about.\n\nKennen made his way to Vex and Veigar who were hiding out in a dark alcove of the school.\n\n\"What the heck did we do to you? Why did you spread those stupid rumors?\" Kennen tried to maintain his anger as he dealt with the sorrow building up inside him.\n\nVeigar grinned. \"What rumors? What we tell is only the truth.\"\n\n\"We weren't naked at the park and we didn't do anything like what you suggested.\" The bigger cub continued to try to appeal to the perpetrators.\n\nVex reached her hand out. \"I spoke your soul and this is what it told me.\"\n\nThat's nonsense. How do you even speak to someone's soul...is that even possible?\" Kennen couldn't help but be curious about it.\n\nThe girl grabbed his hand and closed her eyes. Kennen suddenly felt a cold chill run through his body as he shivered a bit. The sensation reminded him of the feeling he had felt at the park. The feeling dying down before long.\n\n\"Your soul speaks of uncertainty and insecurity.\" Vex said softly.\n\nKennen huffed. \"Well...what...how did you?\"\n\n\"As I told you, I spoke to your soul. It only speaks the truth.\" The girl tried explaining herself again.\n\nThe bigger boy sighed. \"We weren't naked...we went swimming in our underwear....\"\n\n\"Maybe it's because I was not close then...\" Vex asked looking over at Veigar who looked just as confused as she was.\n\nKennen looked down at the ground. \"I think you're making it up to get me in trouble.\"\n\nVeigar grumbled. \"We would\n never...\"\n\n\"So...then you going to tell the school you made it up? So I can have my old schedule back with my friend? Please...?\" Kennen tried reasoning with them.\n\nVeigar looked over at Vex and whispered to her before speaking again. \"Under one condition.\"\n\n\"Anything.\" The bigger boy was prepared to do anything to return things to normal.\n\nVeigar pointed behind Kennen to Hailun who was watching them. \"You're friend must tell the same story.\"\n\n\"Fine, I don't think he wants this spread either.\" Kennen didn't want Hailun to know about it.\n\nVeigar nodded. \"Deal.\"\n\nKennen walked over to Hailun and tried explaining the situation. \"Look...Veigar here thinks we were naked at the lake. Can you please set him straight? The school is trying to separate us because of rumors that he and Vex started.\n\n\"Huh? Yeah, sure. Of, course.\" Hailun was a little confused as to what was going on but wasn't about to turn down Kennen's request.\n\nHailun approached Veigar and Vex looking at them. \"So, uh. Why am I here?\"\n\n\"Because you and your little friend were inappropriate at the lake and we didn't much like that.\" Veigar crossed his arms defensively.\n\nThe red panda cocked an eyebrow awkwardly. \"Because we went swimming in our underwear? Why were you spying on us anyways?\"\n\n\"We weren't spying on you. Vex peered into your friend's soul and...\" Vex hit the other boy on the arm stopping him short of spilling the beans.\n\nHailun couldn't help but be curious about what they were talking about. \"You peered into Kennen's soul? But I still don't understand why...That's kind of creepy.\"\n\nVex didn't ask permission and extended her hand out touching Hailun's hand. The red panda experienced the same chilling feeling across his form as she possessed him. A few seconds later and she released him.\n\n\"He speaks the truth, Veigar. Perhaps we have made a mistake.\" She asked him awaiting an answer.\n\nVeigar peered at Hailun and looked him over. \"Let us go correct this then. Think of it as a way of us making amends.\"\n\nVex and Veigar walked off together toward the office. Kennen sighed in relief but still felt like the ordeal wasn't over with.\n\n\"Why...do I have to put up with this..?\" Kennen sighed dejectedly.\n\n\"Why did they think we were naked anyways?\" Hailun wasn't sure how that could have been possible with them covered by the leaves.\n\nThe bigger yordle hesitated before answering. \"Look...maybe we should be apart for a while.\"\n\n\"Wait...what? Why?\" The red panda stood there in shock.\n\nKennen turned around. \"I don't want to be a couple. I don't want to be anything.\"\n\n\"But we're not...\" Hailun was interrupted by the other cub.\n\n\"Goodbye, Hailun.\" The other boy walked away, clearly in no mood for any of this.\n\nHailun began tearing up as he broke down on the floor falling to his knees. The rest of the yordles looked on but said nothing as started to tear up. Teemo touched him on the shoulder, knowing it wouldn't be enough. He tried to hold it in but the emotions were too much. He picked himself up and ran to the courtyard to be alone.\n\nThe first class bell rang and Kennen's schedule remained unchanged. He no longer cared about it and decided to leave it be. Figuring that he would make new friends. The boy saw no signs of Hailun, convincing himself that it was good to end the relationship. Some of the other kids stared as he entered the class as if he was a newcomer. That and they had heard of the rumor and were wary of him.\n\nHailun continued to pour his eyes out in the courtyard. He felt completely alone. All of his friends were in class and he had no one to turn to. Figuring he needed to go to class so he didn't get detention and end up after school. Wiping his eyes one more time, the red panda picked himself up and headed to class. Arriving at the class a few minutes late but luckily for him, the teacher didn't care. The boy didn't bother looking around for Kennen and instead sat next to Amumu.\n\nAmumu smiled at the other boy. Looking at him the green yordle could sense his sadness. His red eyes were puffy and wet. It was evident he had been crying. He decided to wait until they could talk to ask about it. Class started and the instructor went on about wayfinding, passing each of them a compass. It was an old device that had long fallen out of use. Hailun stared at the thing and fingered it with his claw.\n\n\"You alright?\" Amumu couldn't wait to ask anymore as he wanted to show he cared just as much as his friend did.\n\nHailun continued to look down. \"Yeah.\"\n\n\"Are you sure? We can talk about it if you want.\" The green yordle asked just to be sure.\n\nThe red panda shook his head. \"It's fine. Don't worry about it.\"\n\n\"Alright.\" Amumu grabbed the map that had been placed on their workspace and looked at it as if he had never seen one before.\n\nThe two were tasked with going outside to see if they could find their way to a hidden treasure using only a map and a compass. The instructor had hidden a small foreign trinket he thought the kids would get a kick out of. Hailun decided to play along to try to take his mind off what had happened. Hailun acted as the Navigator and Amumu as the guide as the two began to walk around looking for signs of the treasure.\n\nTeemo and Tristana already had a jump start on the two boys. Teemo was a skilled tracker who knew how to use the devices all too well, despite their antiquated nature. They ended up finding the treasure before the rest of the group. The rest of the group groaned as they announced their finding. Still, Teemo wasn't about to keep the thing to himself. Showing it off, it was an old rotary clock necklace hanging on a chain.\n\nTeemo puffed out his chest proudly, handing the trinket back to the teacher. The teacher showed a little magic trick with the thing, making it disappear before pulling it from behind one of the kid's long furry ears. Pleased the instructor decided to give them the rest of the class for free time. Teemo noticed that Hailun was hanging around Amumu, which wasn't odd this time of day. Still, he couldn't help but wonder where Kennen was.\n\n\"Where's your bud at, Hailun?\" Teemo approached the bigger cub as he considered him a friend now.\n\nHailun pulled Amumu closer to him. \"Right here.\"\n\n\"You know who I mean...where is Kennen?\" The smaller cub sensed something different about the other boy but wasn't sure what it was.\n\nThe red panda folded his arms. \"His schedule got changed.\"\n\n\"It did? Because of what happened?\" Teemo had heard the rumor and wasn't sure whether to believe it or not.\n\nHailun sighed. \"Nothing happened, I promise.\"\n\n\"I believe you but I guess the school didn't?\" The smaller boy figured something else had to be behind it.\n\nThe bigger boy shrugged. \"I dunno but it doesn't matter. He doesn't want to be friends anymore.\"\n\n\"Wait, what? Did you guys have a fight or something?\" Teemo couldn't believe his ears.\n\nThe other yordle looked down as if disappointed. \"I guess.\"\n\n\"Well...let me know if I can help you out, alright? Even Tristana and I have our fights occasionally.\" The smaller boy wasn't sure what to make of the situation and decided to talk to Poppy about it later since he knew the girl knew both boys.\n\nTeemo returned to Tristana's side and went about things as normal. Amumu and Hailun hung around for the remainder of the class. The red panda was glad to have someone around that cared. When the class was dismissed the students saw themselves out of the room. Hailun stopping by the teacher to check out the trinket one more time. The teacher gladly showed him how the trick worked since he had shown little interest in it. The boy thanked him and went on his way.\n\nTeemo stopped Tristana outside and explained to her the situation. She didn't care as much as he did but tried to play along all the same.\n\n\"So, what do you think we can do to help?\" Teemo asked as he couldn't come up with a good idea to help them mend their fence.\n\nTristana tapped her foot. \"Why do you care so much about them anyways? Just let it be. It isn't meant to be.\"\n\n\"Come on, Tris. I just want to help out. They were such good friends...\" Teemo said trying to disconnect himself from the ordeal a bit.\n\nShe rolled her eyes. \"Look I know you like to play the knight in shining armor or whatever but it's not going to work this time.\"\n\n\"How do you know?\" The boy just wanted to help.\n\nTristana pointed down the hall. \"Because if Kennen wanted it then he wouldn't have acted the way he did at the restaurant. Did you forget?'\n\n\"No, but he changed his mind didn't he?\" Teemo was certain he had set things right.\n\nShe grabbed his shoulder, gently touching it. \"It's nice you want to help but maybe just let them solve their problems?\"\n\n\"I guess your right. Well...I'll see ya later, alright?\" He gave her the scout salute and kissed her on the cheek.\n\nThe girl waved to him as Teemo made his way down the hall. Teemo began looking for Poppy, finding her hanging out under one of the stairwells of the school.\n\n\"Oh, hey Teemo what's up dude? How's Tristana?\" She asked since Tristana was also a friend of hers.\n\nTeemo smiled warmly. \"She's good. We're going to go to the Rift Gala together. Did you find someone yet?\"\n\n\"Ah, Nah. I'm not into the whole dance thing anyways. I hope you guys have fun all the same.\" Poppy fixed her pigtails which were coming out of her hair ties.\n\nTeemo thought about it for a second. \"That's cool. Maybe one day.\"\n\n\"Don't count on it, champ.\" She hit him playfully in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.\n\nTeemo caught his breath after a second. \"I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something?\"\n\n\"Sure, what's up?\" Poppy folded her arms casually.\n\nTeemo put his arms behind his head. \"I was just wondering. Did Kennen tell you about a fight he had with Hailun earlier?\"\n\n\"No, why? Did something happen?\" The girl thought about it for a second.\n\nThe boy nodded. \"I think they fought. Hailun said they aren't talking anymore.\"\n\n\"Maybe\n it's about the whole rumor thing? Kennen didn't seem too happy about it. Just what happened at your double date with them anyways?\"\n \nTeemo looked over his shoulder to make sure Tristana wasn't watching them. \"Nothing, Kennen had a bit of a melt but I think it went fine after that.\"\n\n\"I know he tends to overreact a bit...so maybe he's just having another episode.\" Poppy wasn't sure and took her best guess.\n\nThe boy sighed. \"I guess your right. Tristana was right then.\"\n\n\"What did she say?\" The girl was curious about what her friend thought about it.\n\nTeemo shrugged. \"To just let it be and let it work itself out.\"\n\n\"That might be best but you should listen to your heart.\" Poppy hit him on the shoulder again.\n\nThe boy grunted. \"Thanks...\"\n\nThe next bell for the following class began. Hailun made his way into the class alone. It was alchemy and he normally sat next to Kennen. Teemo was one of the last ones in the class. The other boy usually teamed up with Rumble but decided that Hailun could probably use a friend. He sat down next to the cub without asking.\n\n\"Hey, Teemo.\" Hailun greeted the boy again.\n\nTeemo grabbed the other boy's shoulder. \"I figured you could use a partner.\"\n\n\"It's alright. I can work alone.\" The red panda didn't like to be a burden on anyone.\n\nThe smaller cub shook his head. \"I insist.\"\n\nTeemo found himself tongue-tied for the moment, uncertain of what he wanted to talk about. The class started before long. Today's lesson was truth serum, a long-standing tradition of the yordles to get people to talk without the pain that came with other methods. The teacher handed out the ingredients to the tables. The smaller cub found it ironic that the lesson played right into what he thought he needed.\n\n\"So...do you want to be the guinea pig, Hailun?\" Teemo asked, rather hoping he would say yes.\n\nHailun was again distracted, looking at his paws and unresponsive. Teemo tapped him on the shoulder.\n\n\"Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry.\" Hailun hadn't even heard what the other boy asked.\n\nTeemo allowed the other boy to mix the stuff to distract him a bit. He had never messed with the stuff before but knew it lasted a short amount of time before wearing off. The cub knew he had to make it count. Teemo formulated a plan before helping the other boy to burn the herbs over the open flame they had been giving. Mixing the goo into a liquid-like paste.\n\n\"Go on then, so I can take notes for our assignment. Drink up...\" Teemo held the little bowl up to Hailun's mouth to make sure he drank it all.\n\nThe instructor was still walking around. Teemo kept a close eye on him to make sure what he was asking wasn't heard. He had decided to ask rotating questions to play it safe.\n\n\"How...do you feel?\" Teemo asked after a few minutes to make sure the solution had taken effect.\n\nHailun stared blankly at the other boy, his eyes glazed wide. \"I...feel alone.\"\n\n\"Did he hurt your feelings?\" The boy figured he knew the answer to that but he needed to be sure.\n\nThe red panda's eyes began to tear up a bit. \"He...made me cry.\"\n\n\"I guessed as much. Do you...have any plans for the weekend?\" Teemo shifted topics as the instructor walked past them.\n\nHailun remained still. \"Not anymore.\"\n\n\"Not anymore? Did you have some before he upset you?\" The conscious yordle continued to take notes as if he was doing the assignment.\n\nA few tears dripped down his face. Teemo reached over to wipe them from his face. \"I'm sorry.\"\n\nHailun remained silent for the moment as the statement was not a question.\n\n\"What did you have planned?\" The smaller boy was running out of ideas about what to ask and wasn't sure where to go from there.\n\nThe bigger boy frowned. \"I wanted to invite him over for a sleepover. I even asked my parents.\"\n\n\"Did...he mean a lot to you?\" Teemo wasn't sure if it was puppy love or true love.\n\nHailun smiled a bit. \"He made me feel warm inside.\"\n\nTeemo looked at the clock knowing he had to be running out of time. \"Do...you want him back?\"\n\nHailun's eyes regained their color as he stood there regaining his capacity to answer his questions, though he didn't remember what Teemo had asked.\n\n\"How did it go?\" Hailun asked wiping his face, wondering why he had cried.\n\nTeemo played along as if nothing odd had happened. \"It went fine. You told me about your plans for the week and stuff. I was going to ask you about the Rift Gala but you woke up.\"\n\n\"The what?\" The red panda had no idea what he was talking about.\n\nTeemo was surprised the other boy didn't know about it. \"You know the yearly ball where couples go dancing.\"\n\n\"But I have no one to go with, heh.\" The boy had never been to a dance before and had no idea how to dance.\n\nThe smaller boy hummed. \"I'm going with Tristana but if you want, I don't mind teaching you how to dance.\"\n\n\"I appreciate it but I still have no one to go with.\" Hailun tried to not sound disappointed but it still came through his composure.\n\nTeemo grabbed his friend's shoulder. \"Just give it some thought, okay? You don't have to go with anyone. You'll need a ticket if you decide to go.\"\n\n\"Thanks, Teemo. I'll think about it.\" The cub said it to pacify his friend but had no thoughts of planning for it.\n\nThe other cub nodded, letting the issue go for the time being. The two continued to work on their assignment. When Hailun asked Teemo if he wanted to volunteer next, the other boy simply chuckled. The class ended on a good note. Hailun found himself in a better mood now than when he was in class. He wondered where Gnar might be hiding but figured he wouldn't see the orange yordle til lunch. The red panda decided it would have to wait since there was still one class left before the break.\n\nTeemo stopped to think to himself. He wasn't sure if he should take the issue any further. He felt bad about prying Hailun with questions. Still...he had the answers he wanted. He just didn't know what to do with them. He was half tempted to confront Kennen but conflicted on how that might end up. He wanted to press forward but thought he had overstepped his boundaries. He couldn't help but think Tristana was right.\n\nTeemo sat alone near one of the plants outside in the courtyard. He wanted to think to himself to decide what to do. Yet, no longer how he sat on it he couldn't decide what to do. A familiar voice soon spoke to him.\n\n\"Why is the oh-so-popular Bandle Scout out here alone?\" Veigar cackled and approached the boy from behind.\n\nTeemo tried paying him no mind as he knew Veigar liked to mess with him.\n\n\"Oh? No answer for me? Such a shame. We could be of use to one another.\" The dark yordle sat right next to Teemo despite not being invited.\n\nThe other yordle stood up. \"What do you want?\"\n\n\"I want nothing...I just find it strange you are not with the girl. Perhaps you had an argument?\" Veigar secretly hoped as he had a thing for Teemo for some time.\n\nTeemo shouted. \"Get lost. I'm not interested.\"\n\n\"Perhaps you will be if you hear my deal.\" The dark yordle twiddled his fingers.\n\nThe light-furred yordle pushed his foot into the gravel. \"Nope.\"\n\n\"You don't even want to hear it? I think you should know who it involves...\" The black-furred boy had concocted a plan to get exactly what he wanted and wasn't about to let it be foiled.\n\nTeemo turned around. \"I don't care who it involves. I'm out.\"\n\n\"But it involves your little friend...Hailun.\" Veigar dangled the carrot hoping it would entice his crush.\n\nThe other yordle hesitated a second. \"Out with it then.\"\n\n\"I knew that would change your tune.\" The black yordle had employed Vex to look into Teemo's soul and knew the boy was invested in Hailun's happiness.\n\nTeemo turned around and tapped his wrist. \"You have 2 minutes. Get to your point.\"\n\n\"Your friend has lost his beloved, no?\" Everything was going according to plan for Veigar so far.\n\nThe light-furred boy leaned in and grabbed Veigar's collar. \"No thanks to you.\"\n\n\"Such a violent fellow. All I ask...is a dance.\" Veigar squared his face up with Teemo and looked into his eyes.\n\nTeemo moved away to put some space between them. \"And?\"\n\n\"You're friend's so-called friendship shall be restored.\" The black yordle rippled his fingers together, waiting for an answer.\n\nTeemo thought about it for a second. \"And...the catch?\"\n\n\"There is no catch, this time. I assure you. You have my honor.\" Veigar held out his hand flat.\n\nTeemo shook his head. \"I don't believe you. You have no honor. You're black magic always has a catch. Forget it.\"\n\n\"Time will not heal their souls, Teemo. Kennen is forever scarred by his insecurity and Hailun will struggle to trust anyone ever again.\" The black yordle made up an ultimatum hoping it would be enough to change the other boy's mind.\n\nTeemo made his way out. \"You should stop trying to manipulate people. If you did, maybe people would like you more. I'm not interested. Goodbye, Veigar.\"\n\n\"The die is cast and so too must the chess piece make its move on the board. Checkmate shall soon be mine.\" Veigar faded into a shadow and disappeared.\n\nKennen had been dealing with his demons the entire day. His body was cold and he found he couldn't think straight. All he knew was that he wanted to be alone. Nothing mattered to him except that. Kids had been pestering him the entire day, or so he believed. Constantly badgering him about Hailun had how they had been found naked at the lake. He was tired of it.\n\nKennen had no desire to go to class. He went through the motions to avoid getting in trouble. The instructors churned out their lessons and all he heard was gibberish. The yordle found he had no room for focus. His eyes were wide and black as if distant. Often staring at nothing in particular, trying to zone out the constant bluster he was facing. Yet, what he did not know was that it was all an illusion. An illusion conjured by Veigar to prey on the boy's insecurity.\n\nEven Poppy, his trusted best friend had fallen for the same nonsense. Wholly believing\n the lies created by Vex and Veigar. That Kennen and Hailun were a couple...and had been naked. It made him sick. He wanted nothing more to do with any of them. Friendship was fleeting and so too was his sense of propriety. Normalcy and an idea that seemed all too foreign to him, and yet he yearned for it. Letting it consume his very being as he went through the day with little else on his mind.\n\nThe final class before lunch began anew with the bell sounding over through the halls of Bandle Academy. Kennen looked at the paper he had been given earlier with his new schedule on it. Being away from Hailun had given him little solace. The constant chill in his form had become yet another part of the dull reality he now called life. He made his way into the class and didn't bother to check to see if anyone. He simply didn't care.\n\nVeigar and Vex were members of the class and they saw the distraught cub enter class. The black-furred boy grinned as Kennen entered. The bigger yordles face was empty and without emotion. His fur seemed matted and knotted as if it had not been groomed. Kennen showed no interest in introducing himself as he entered, making his way to an empty desk away from anyone else.\n\n\"Perhaps this has gone too far, my lord? The darkness seems to be consuming his entire existence.\" Vex looked over at Kennen and could tell it was eating him from within.\n\nVeigar cackled. \"Nonsense. It is what he deserves. If I cannot be happy then no one can.\"\n\n\"This will not win you Teemo's heart, my lord. This you know.\" The girl rubbed her face with her hand.\n\nThe boy folded his arms. \"Of course, it will. Everything is going according to plan.\"\n\n\"Or so you tell yourself...\" Vex was certain this was not the case but she wasn't about to show her disapproval.\n\nShe looked back over at Kennen who sat there idly looking in front of him. The girl knew full well the power of darkness over the soul. There was no doubt the darkness was winning the battle with the boy's soul. She suddenly felt a duty to act. Time was ticking before the darkness consumed what little of him was left. Vex remained at Veigar's side. She would have to wait until the class was over so she could act without suspicion.\n\nThe class they were in was magical practices. A specialty of Vex and Veigar who always twisted it to their design. Vex played along to make her lord believe she was still a good little \"minion\". Yet in her head, she began to work a plan out. She had never freed anyone from the darkness. The strongest mage she knew other than Veigar was Lulu and she didn't exactly have a good relationship with the other girl. Looking back over at Kennen, the boy sighed and dug his face into his hands.\n\nVex knew she needed to try. The clock was slowly ticking by. Much slower than normal. The girl tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. She had already finished the assignment and was in no mood to put in any extra effort. The bell finally rang and she picked herself up from the chair.\n\n\"Requesting leave, my lord? Lulu has requested my presence for lunch.\" She asked him permission as she often did as a sign of respect.\n\nVeigar nodded since it was just a ceremonial matter. Vex waited outside the door to make sure Veigar was gone. The black-furred yordle boy floated down the hall, seeming rather satisfied with himself. She spits on the floor behind him. Moments later Kennen appeared, slowly walking out of the room. Vex grabbed him without asking. She knew the boy was in no shape to put up any form of protest. She whisked him away to the courtyard.\n\nVex knew that Lulu hung out in the courtyard for lunch. The other girl was a bit of a nature fiend, well known for being kind to all the forest critters. The dark-furred girl soon heard whistling approaching her from a nearby hall. It wasn't much longer before the purple-furred yordle made her appearance. A huge smile on her face as a squirrel skittered up her shoulder.\n\nVex tugged on Kennen once more and arranged him so he was sitting on one of the benches. His pupils were large and completely black.\n\n\"Lulu, have you got a second?\" Vex announced her presence to the other girl as she saw Lulu was focused on giving the squirrel a nut.\n\nThe purple-furred girl walked back a bit. \"Why are you here? You are not welcome.\"\n\n\"Look, I'm not here to make friends. I know we're not on good terms but I need your help.\" Vex walked up to her in hopes of appealing to her helpful nature.\n\nLulu pushed Vex back a bit. \"And what makes you think I'll help you? All you do is hurt people.\"\n\n\"This isn't about me. Veigar cast a spell on this boy and he's been consumed by the darkness.\" Vex pointed over at Kennen was still as lifeless as before.\n\nThe purple yordle made her way past Vex and touched Kennen's forehead. \"What have you done now, Vex?\"\n\n\"I've done nothing. Veigar is behind this, I swear. Just please help him...before it's too late.\" Vex walked next to her side.\n\nLulu could feel no heat emanating from the boy. \"His body heat has entirely left him. I'm not sure I can help him anymore.\"\n\n\"Please, just try. I'll do whatever you want.\" The grey yordle tugged on the other girl's skirt.\n\nLulu looked back at her. \"I'll help you but no more hanging out with Veigar. This has gone too far.\"\n\n\"Fine. What do I need to do?\" Vex wanted to be as much help as she could.\n\nLulu pointed. \"Fetch me a casting wand and some water. We don't have much time. Lunch will have to wait.\"\n\nVex went into a nearby magical lockbox, popping the thing open without issue. Returning with it and a small bottle of water she kept in her bag. She figured her own needs could take a backseat for a while. Vex wanted nothing more than to correct this mistake, even if it cost her the friendship of the one person she knew.\n\n\"Here. What else?\" Vex handed off the stick to Lulu who took it with her paw.\n\nLulu hummed. \"Candles, a match, and incense. That should be all.\"\n\nVex received the requested items before again returning to Lulu's side.\n\n\"Help me lay him down on the ground. I'm sure he's pretty helpless by this point.\" Lulu could sense the darkness inside him brooding.\n\nVex and Lulu eased Kennen onto the ground so he was flat on his back. Lulu proceeded to place the candles around his still form in a circle before lighting them.\n\n\"Hold this under his nose.\" Lulu handed Vex a lit-up incense stick.\n\nVex hated the smell of incense but she put up with it since she figured she was helping out. Kennen sniffled a bit. Lulu leaned down and poured some of the water onto the cub's head. She stood back up before raising the staff. The purple yordle began chanting in an ancient tongue. One that had been passed down to her by her parents. A spell to cast away evil and she hoped it would be enough to dispel whatever harried the boy.\n\nLulu began waving the wand and dancing. Vex couldn't help but feel the whole ordeal was ridiculous. Looking back at Kennen she was reminded of the purpose of her task. She kept her laughter to herself. Lulu kept this up for a good few minutes. The boy remained still and lifeless as his form continued to show no signs of recovery. Lulu stopped to look down at the boy to check on him.\n\nKennen's body began to shake and writhe. The entirety of his body was tremoring against the floor. The leaves beneath him creaked and crumbled against his weight. Kennen's eyes closed for a moment, only to open seconds later. Burning bright blue streaking small sparks of electricity. Kennen screamed out in agony as pain coursed through his body. Tears flowed through his eyes as the electricity flowing through them caused his fur to stand on end.\n\nKennen's mouth remained agape as the boy lost his voice. A shadowy visage emerges from within. Slithering out, waving back and forth as it took shape. Vex stepped back as the visage became realized before it. Kennen passed out as the thing emerged entirely from his mouth, standing on top of him.\n\n\"Burn Bright Expectoliarmus!\" Lulu screamed out loud as she struck her wand out at the thing.\n\nThe silhouette cried out as a beam of light shot through its core. The figure dissipates into dust in but an instance. Vex stood there, stupefied. She knew the other girl was one heck of a mage but this was much more than she expected. Looking back at Kennen the boy lay flat on the floor, his eyes and mouth closed. His body was covered in ash.\n\n\"Will he be alright?\" Vex asked as she wasn't certain.\n\nLulu dusted herself off of some of the ash that had fallen on her. \"Time will tell. Let's get him to the clinic.\"\n\nVex and Lulu dragged the heavy cub to the clinic. When asked by the nurse they explained that the boy had over-expended himself. The nurse telling told them she would do what she could. The two girls knew it was in her hands now. Making their way back out of the clinic, Vex stopped Lulu.\n\n\"Thanks, Lulu.\" She said holding out her paw in a show of gratitude.\n\nLulu hesitated before shaking Vex's paw enthusiastically. \"Certainly. Just make sure you don't hang out with Veigar anymore. He's bad news.\"\n\n\"I promise. He went too far.\" Vex scratched the back of her head.\n\nLulu pulled her hand behind Vex's head. \"Come on, let's go have lunch.\"\n\nVex forced a smile, not about to turn down a new friend, no matter who it was.\n\nHailun and his friends were still having friends while all of this happened. The red panda was in the middle of eating with Gnar when the rumor spread of a conflict in the courtyard. Of course, it got around to him that Kennen was badly hurt. The red panda didn't hesitate for a single second before excusing himself and making his way to the clinic.\n\nGoing as fast as his legs would take him, he ran into the clinic and burst out questioning the front desk.\n\n\"Where is he? Where is Kennen?\" He said, seeming frantic.\n\nThe nurse seemed confused. \"Who? You mean the boy who was injured recently?\"\n\n\"Yes...where is he?\" Hailun said trying to control\n his own emotions.\n\nShe pointed. \"He's right...\"\n\nBut before she was finished the boy had bolted into the room. Seeing Kennen covered up in the light blue bed sheets of the infirmary.\n\n\"Oh, Kennen. What did you do now?\" The red panda pulled a chair up next to Kennen's bedside.\n\nHailun hadn't even finished lunch but he didn't care. All he wanted to know was that Kennen was alright. Seeing him there motionless made him even more worried.\n\n\"Please be okay...I don't care if you hate me...just please be okay.\" Hailun contemplated taking the boy's paw in his own but hesitated.\n\nThe red panda remained there alone at the other boy's side until the bell rang for the next period. The nurse came in to check on him since he knew the other boy was in there as well.\n\n\"You know it's time for class, right?\" The woman folded her arms expecting him to leave.\n\nHailun looked over at her. \"I know.\"\n\n\"And...are you going?\" She fully expected him to comply with the school's rules.\n\nHailun shook his head. \"I'm not going anywhere. My friend needs me.\"\n\n\"I'm sure he does but you need to get to class or you will get detention.\" The woman warned him.\n\nHailun began tearing up a bit. \"I don't care. My friend is more important to me than detention.\"\n\n\"You know you will likely be serving a couple of days if you stay in here the rest of the day, right?\" She warned him one final time.\n\nHailun said nothing and turned back around to look at Kennen's restful body.\n\n\"Stubborn, aren't you? I tell you what...help me tend to him and I will get your sentence reduced to one day instead.\" The older yordle figured he would comply with that.\n\nThe cub sniffled. \"Anything to help him.\"'\n\n\"You're a sweet kid. Alright, I'll have you start by getting him to drink some water. Likely, he hasn't had any in a while and I couldn't get him to take any from me.\" She said hoping that the boy would play along.\n\nHailun nodded. \"Okay, yeah. I can do that...thanks.\"\n\n\"Good boy. Get to work.\" The nurse let him be figuring he could handle it himself.\n\nHailun padded over to the bathroom and grabbed a cup before filling it with cold water. He brought it back over to where Kennen was resting. Easing his mouth open with one of his fingers, he tried to get his friend to drink.\n\n\"Please drink...Ken. You need water to get better.\" The conscious cub eased the cup into the boy's maw while holding his lips open.\n\nSure enough, the boy took it down, sip by sip. Only a bit escaping his mouth. Hailun smiled as he wiped the beads of water from Kennen's mouth. He walked back over to the nurse's desk, feeling proud of what he accomplished.\n\n\"What next? I got him to drink some water.\" Hailun said with a smile on his face.\n\nShe looked at him shocked. \"Oh, wow. Nice job. Get him to take this. It's pain medication. His pain readings were off the chart when I checked them.\"\n\nThe nurse handed him a small vial of purple liquid. Hailun nodded and took it back to his friend and proceeded to give it to him the same way. Kennen coughed and hacked but took the stuff down. The cub continued to follow the nurse's directions for the rest of the day. Kennen was still out cold and Hailun had done everything the woman had asked. Disappointed his friend had not awoken, Hailun returned to her desk to report to detention.\n\n\"I'm ready for my punishment. Shall I report to detention now?\" Hailun said with his eyes pointed towards the floor.\n\nThe nurse had reconsidered. \"I think you have done enough. I will tell your teachers that you were ill. Just don't go telling your friends, alright?\"\n\n\"Really? Thanks!\" Hailun chirped happily.\n\nShe held out her finger. \"Under one condition.\"\n\n\"What's that?\" Hailun was always willing to lend a helping hand.\n\nThe nurse leaned into the desk. \"That you help me tomorrow. You can't stay the entire day but you can check in periodically. I will let them know you're helping.\"\n\n\"Deal. Can I stay a bit longer? I just want to say goodbye before I go home.\"\n\nThe woman smiled. \"Sure kid, but you gotta go home soon alright? I promise he'll be alright with me. His parents are coming to pick him up anyways.\"\n\nHailun made his way back to Kennen's bedside. The other cub still appeared to laying there lifeless. The red panda took his hand into his own.\n\n\"How is he?\" A familiar voice asked from behind.\n\nHailun did not let go of Kennen's hand. \"Oh, hey Teemo. I dunno he's been pretty blah all day.\"\n\n\"You've been here the entire time, haven't you?\" The smaller cub approached his friend and touched his shoulder.\n\nThe red panda nodded. \"Yeah, well he needed me. I don't care if he wants my help or not.\"\n\n\"You know...he's very lucky to have you as a friend. \" Teemo couldn't believe that Hailun still liked Kennen even after everything that had happened.\n\nHailun began to tear up again. \"I'm sorry.\"\n\n\"Why are you sorry?\" The other boy reached around to hug the other boy.\n\nThe red panda couldn't help but feel a bit of comfort. \"Because...I wasn't there for him when he needed it most.\"\n\n\"Well...he didn't exactly want your help. Veigar has been manipulating him the entire day.\" Teemo released his friend as he didn't want it to get awkward between them.\n\nHailun sniffled. \"Why?\"\n\n\"Because he's jealous and...because he's a jerk but don't worry...Poppy set him straight.\" The boy left out the obvious parts he didn't want to include.\n\nHailun broke down in tears again unable to speak.\n\n\"Come on, let's get you home. I'll take you. I promise Kennen will be fine.\" Teemo tried reassuring him and pulled on his hand a bit.\n\nThe red panda pulled back a bit. \"Wait...\"\n\nHailun stood up and leaned over the bed kissing Kennen's forehead. \"Get better soon...\"\n\nTeemo smiled. \"Come on, the nurse yells. Besides...I have a surprise for you.\"\n\nThe bigger boy stepped away from Kennen. \"You do?\"\n\n\"Yep, but it's gonna have to wait until we get you home. Deal?\" Teemo winked.\n\nHailun nodded. \"Alright.\"\n\nThe two headed out of the clinic. Hailun made sure to wave to the nurse who happily waved back to him. The nurse had never seen anything like it before but she wasn't about to turn down the help. She prepared for a long night as she had been charged with looking over Kennen until his parents showed up to pick him up. She figured it couldn't be that long as the prime work period was now over.\n\nTeemo and Hailun walked out of the school together. Hailun wiped his eyes one more time to make sure there were no more tears. He didn't want to appear weak in front of his friend. He figured he would have to thank Poppy later, but he didn't know who was truly behind his friend's redemption.\n\nIt was already dark out and so the two friends rushed to get Hailun home. Teemo felt responsible for the boy since he'd been in such bad shape all day. The smaller boy just wanted to see him happy again. Teemo wasn't sure how it would all turn out but hoped it would Hailun led until they arrived at his front door.\n\n\"Thanks, Teemo.\" He said shaking the boy's hand.\n\nTeemo gave a thumbs up. \"No problem, dude. Cheer up alright? And...don't forget about scouts this weekend! You missed our last meeting and I told them you were coming.\"\n\n\"Oh my...I forgot. I'm sorry. I promise I'll come this weekend.\" Hailun couldn't believe he forgot.\n\nThe smaller boy slapped his friend on the back playfully. \"It's alright. Right then, I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and hold your paws out.\"\n\n\"Okay.\" Hailun did as the other boy requested.\n\nTeemo pulled out of his pocket two pieces of paper and put them in the other boy's hand. \"You can open them now.\"\n\n\"Thanks...but what are these?\" The red panda had never seen them before and looked at them.\n\nTeemo winked. \"It's tickets to the Rift Gala.\"\n\n\"Wait really? But these are expensive aren't they? What about you and Tristana?\" Hailun suddenly felt bad for Teemo.\n\nTeemo grabbed Hailuns hand, covering the tickets. \"Look, I want you to invite someone. I'm not worried about Tristana and I.\"\n\n\"But what if they say no?\"The bigger boy frowned, already knowing who he wanted to invite.\n\nTeemo released his hands. \"You don't know unless you try, alright? Please try?\"\n\n\"But, I don't know how to dance.\" Hailun said looking down seeming disappointed.\n\nThe smaller cub lifted his friend's chin. \"Who cares? Just go for fun. Just promise me you'll invite someone, okay?\"\n\n\"I promise...thank you, Teemo.\" Hailun leaned in and hugged the other boy.\n\nThe smaller boy pushed away. \"Okay okay...enough. I need to get home. Cya dude.\"\n\n\"Thanks again, Teemo.\" The red panda gripped his paw closed and waved.\n\nHailun closed his paw with the tickets inside them. Immediately he began thinking of himself dancing with Kennen. He had no idea what it looked like, figuring he would have to ask around to see if he could get someone to show him how. He let himself inside and pocketed the tickets. Hailun would ask about it later. His stomach rumbled.\n\n\"You're home late, everything alright?\" His father asked, hearing the boy entering the home.\n\nHailun looked over to his father. \"Oh, Kennen got hurt so I hung around with him in the clinic.\"\n\n\"That's nice of you but next time you need to let us know. We were worried about you.\" The older red panda walked up to him trying to seem sincere.\n\nThe cub looked down. \"Sorry, dad. I forgot.\"\n\n\"It's alright. I know you care for your friend but we care about you too. We just don't want anything to happen to you.\" The father rubbed his son on the back.\n\nHailun nodded softly. \"I know, dad.\"\n\n\"Good. Dinner is waiting for you in the kitchen. Get some sleep. You have school tomorrow and it's already late.\"\n\nHailun went into the kitchen, glad he didn't ask about his day. As positive as the boy was about it, he still had mixed feelings about how it had gone. The cub made quick work of dinner, not worrying about the desert for a change. He couldn't help but think about how Kennen was doing but knew it was out of his hands now. Yawning and stretching\n the boy decided to turn it in for the night.\n\nThe next day Hailun returned to school, excited to see his friends. Thinking that Kennen would return. Yet, what he did not know was that Kennen was still in bed at home recovering. He wouldn't figure that out til later in the day. In the morning, Hailun looked around for him but saw no signs of Kennen. Deciding that he would hang out with whoever he can find around the schoolyard. The Rift Gala was on his mind, wanting to figure out who could teach him how to dance.\n\nHailun reported to the nurse's office to do what he said he would do. The clinic was vacant of patients and she waved him off until later. It wasn't usual that she got anyone known until later in the day anyways. Hailun went about his day like normal trying to figure out what who he could talk to about it. He decided to ask Poppy later since she seemed to know most people around the school better than he did.\n\nHis first class was nothing special, hanging out with Amumu as he often did for the ordeal. The green yordle seems to be happier than normal. They had been tasked with working on creating signal smoke. The cubs were sent outside and expected to communicate by smoke alone.\n\n\"You seem in a good mood today.\" Hailun couldn't help but notice the green yordle's constant smile.\n\nAmumu nodded. \"Yeah, I made a new friend.\"\n\n\"Oh? You did? Who's that?\" The red panda was glad that Amumu had found someone else to hang out with.\n\nThe smaller boy grinned. \"Rumble.\"\n\n\"How come you didn't tell me?\" Hailun asked as he was surprised it was the first time he had heard about this.\n\nAmumu scratched his head. \"Cause I just met him.\"\n\n\"Well, that's cool. I'm glad you made a new friend.\" Hailun patted him on the shoulder.\n\nAmumu looked away. \"I was going to ask him to the Rift Gala. He mentioned wanting to go.\"\n\n\"Oh? That's cool. Do you know how to dance?\" The red panda couldn't help but wonder if the smaller boy was the solution to his problem.\n\nThe green yordle smirked confidently. \"Yeah, I can dance pretty well. Better than Rumble, I bet.\"\n\n\"Oh? You can? Maybe you can help me out then?\" Hailun's smile grew wider on his face hopeful the other boy would teach him.\n\nAmumu hummed. \"How's that?\"\n\n\"Well, I wanted to go too but I don't know how to dance. Can you show me?\" The red panda said as his tail wagged behind him slowly.\n\nThe green yordle nodded. \"Of course. You've been very nice to me. How can I say no? Meet me after school in the courtyard.\"\n\n\"Cool thanks, Amumu.\" He was tempted to hug him but didn't want to make it weird.\n\nThe two proceeded to continue with their little project making smoke signals to another group of cubs who were in distance. Both groups were expected to translate the messages and see if they were accurate to whatever the intention was. Hailun worked on making the smoke signals while Amumu watched for the other groups and wrote down whatever was shown overhead.\n\nWhen the ordeal was over with the groups convened. Amumu and Hailun found plenty of issues on both sides. Still, both groups of cubs couldn't help but laugh. The instructor checked in on them, asking about their success. Celebrating what they had done all the same. It wasn't much longer until the class came to a close. Hailun told Amumu goodbye and that he'd see him later in the day before they parted.\n\nThe rest of Hailun's day wasn't very eventful. Teemo checked in on Hailun who seemed to be in a good mood. Teemo couldn't help but be happy that things had improved for him. Hailun hung out with Gnar at lunch, the two catching up since it had been a few days since they last got caught. When asking about the Rift Gala, the orange yordle had no idea what he was talking about. Hailun explained the event to him but left out who he was considering inviting.\n\nWhen the end of the day came, Hailun waited in the courtyard for Amumu. He didn't know what time to meet him but figured he'd have to show up. It wasn't long until the green yordle popped his head out of the school. Hailun could see him hanging with a blue-furred yordle. He assumed the other boy had to be Rumble. Amumu waved over at Hailun who beckoned him to where he was.\n\n\"Cya Rumble, we'll catch up later. I told Hailun I'd help him out.\" Amumu parted from his new friend.\n\nHailun waited until Amumu was at a more personal distance from him. \"So are we just going to do it here?\"\n\n\"Yep, I brought something to give us more of a mood.\" The green yordle reached into his bag and pulled out a small trinket.\n\nThe red panda looked at it. \"What is that?\"\n\n\"It's old Shuriman technology. It plays music.\" Amumu tapped it twice and a tune began to play.\n\n\"So what do I do?\" Hailun had no idea where to start.\n\nAmumu put the device down. \"Follow my lead. Give me your paws.\"\n\nHailun put his hands into Amumu's as the other yordle began to move back and forth. The red panda tries to mimic it but steps on Amumu's feet a few times.\n\n\"Sorry.\" The bigger boy blushed a bit.\n\nAmumu shrugged. \"It's fine. Keep at it. I'm not worried about you stepping on my feet.\"\n\nThe two continued to dance back and forth. Formulating a waltz against the backdrop of the waltz. Hailun making more than a few mistakes but making progress all the same. After about an hour or so, he was starting to get the hang of it.\n\n\"If you want, we can continue this tomorrow but I need to go home. By the way...do you know the dress attire for the Gala?\" Amumu asked since Hailun had not spoken of it before.\n\n\"No, I don't. What do you have to wear?\" Hailun asked as he figured his formal stuff may have been ruined from the other day.\n\nAmumu pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket. \"Crystal Rose Garments.\"\n\nHailun looked at it. The garments were naught but pure white suits and ties with matching slacks and shoes.\n\n\"Heh, looks expensive. Is there somewhere I can rent a set?\" Hailun had no idea where they sold products like that.\n\nAmumu thumped his finger against his head. \"The school is renting them out. It doesn't cost anything as long as you have tickets.\"\n\n\"Cool, thanks for your help.\" Hailun waved to the other boy and said his goodbyes.\n\nYet another thing Hailun needed to do, he told himself. Two days came and passed like the wind. Hailun had gone to school like he normally did, showing off his test grade to his parents to allow him to go to the dance instead of what he previously planned. Continuing to work on his dance with Amumu until he felt ready. Picking up a set for himself the day before the Rift Gala. Kennen still had not shown up and was apparently out from what he had been told by friends. Hailun was getting nervous that he'd have no one to go with and began thinking of other options.\n\nIt was the day of the dance. Hailun's Crystal Rose attire had been cleaned and pressed by his parents. They couldn't believe he was going to the ball, but they weren't going to stop him. After all, he had done what they asked. Hailun showed up at school, he was nervous and had mixed emotions about all of it. He was certain Kennen would still be out of school. But then...just as he was about to go into school he saw the other boy approaching the building.\n\nHailun smiled and scampered over. He had brought the Rift Gala tickets with him every day. He felt as prepared as he could be to ask the other boy.\n\n\"Hey, Ken. How are you feeling?\" Hailun hesitated to touch the other boy as he wasn't certain where Kennen was mentally.\n\nKennen squinted a bit. \"I have a bit of a headache but I'll be fine.\"\n\n\"Welcome back...I...\" The red panda stopped short of telling his friend that he missed him.\n\nThe cub grabbed his head holding it as if it bothered him. \"Thanks.\"\n\n\"You're not still mad at me are you...?\" Hailun asked as he wanted to make sure it wasn't the case.\n\n\"What are you talking about? I was never mad at you.\" Kennen seemed to have completely forgotten what happened.\n\nHailun sighed in relief. \"Oh, good. Uh...do you have any plans tonight?\n\n\"No, I'm probably just going home and resting. I'm not feeling great right now.\" Kennen said trying to relax a bit.\n\nThe red panda frowned. \"Aw, okay.\"\n\n\"Why?\" Kennen knew nothing about the ball since he hadn't been at school the past few days.\n\nThe smaller boy smiled and reached into his pocket ready to pull out the tickets. \"I was thinking we could go to the Rift Gala together.\"\n\n\"That stupid thing? I don't want to...sorry, I'm not feeling up for it I'll see you later. I'm going to the clinic for my medicine...\" Kennen showed no interest and walked away.\n\nHailun felt a huge sense of disappointment as he sighed. Dropping the tickets onto the floor, he stepped on them. Teemo had watched the boy afar, sensing something had happened. Waiting until the cub had left to go hang with his friends. The yordle went to pick up the tickets and cleaned them off. Looking at them closer he saw the two boys' names with a heart between them. Teemo huffed as he pocketed the tickets and made his way into the school.\n\nTeemo looked around for Kennen and saw no signs of him. After asking around a bit, he learned the boy had reported to the clinic. Teemo had his way to the infirmary and showed himself in. The nurse noticed his entry.\n\n\"Feeling alright?\" She asked, assuming he was ill or something.\n\nTeemo nodded. \"Where's Kennen? I need to talk to him.\"\n\n\"Oh, the boy from the other day? He's right in room one, resting.\" She pointed to the room with the other boy inside it.\n\n\"May I enter?\" He asked to make sure he had permission from her.\n\nShe motioned him to go in. Teemo saw the boy on the bed, flat on his back, his head panned toward the ceiling with his eyes closed. The smaller cub pulled up a chair next to him. Kennen was resting and didn't notice the other boy had come inside.\n\n\"We need to talk.\" Teemo said as he was still rather intent to make things right in his mind.\n\nKennen turned his body to the other side. \"What do you want?\"\n\n\"I don't\n care if your a jerk to me but the way you treat Hailun is such garbage. I don't know why he likes you.\" The sitting cub tried to reason with the other boy.\n\nThe resting cub remained silent for a second. \"Why do you care so much?\"\n\n\"Because. He's my friend now whether you like it or not and even before he knew me, he told me about you. It's clear he likes you more than he lets on.\" Teemo stood up, raising his voice a bit.\n\nThe bigger boy huffed. \"Look. I'm not feeling well. Can you please just let me rest?\"\n\n\"No, I can't. This isn't about you. You might not remember this but you have been bedridden for several days now.\" The smaller cub leaned over the bed.\n\nKennen sighed. \"I guess that would explain why I don't remember anything.\"\n\n\"Right. Do you know who was at your bedside when you passed out...?\" Teemo grabbed the boy's side and pulled him back over on his back.\n\nKennen didn't say anything.\n\n\"Correct. You know full well who it was, even if you don't remember. Hailun wants you to go to the Rift Gala with him. Please reconsider going with him.\" The boy continued to try to reason with him.\n\nThe bigger boy cocked an eyebrow. \"How do you know what I said anyways?\"\n\n\"Because he threw away the tickets I gave him. I told him to invite whoever he wanted and I know he invited you. Look.\" Teemo handed Kennen the ticket with the writing on it.\n\nKennen looked at it a second holding it in his hand. \"Hailun did this?\"\n\n\"Yes. Who else do you think would do it? This is his name after all.\" The smaller yordle was certain that would be enough for the other boy to change his mind.\n\nThe laid-down cub remained silent for a second, still staring at the ticket. The paper was tattered and dirty but still legible.\n\n\"I'll think about it.\" Kennen still felt pretty crummy and his head was throbbing.\n\nTeemo sighed. \"Thanks. You can keep that ticket in case you decide to go. I'll make sure Hailun gets the other.\"\n\nKennen clutched the thing over his chest and rested his eyes. Teemo smirked as he felt like the deal was sealed. Yet he knew that Kennen was conflicted and that nothing was guaranteed. Now all that was to get Hailun a ticket back.\n\nIt wasn't until lunch that Teemo got to talk to Hailun again. Kennen still had isolated himself in the clinic and so the other boy was still under the impression he wasn't going. Amumu was in line in front of him. The green yordle had taken notice of his friend.\n\n\"Still going tonight?\" Amumu had heard rumors that Hailun had changed plans.\n\nHailun shook his head. \"Nah, the person I asked didn't want to go.\"\n\n\"Maybe you can go just to hang out? I wouldn't mind having you there.\" The green yordle was a little disappointed Hailun wasn't going even knowing he was already going with someone.\n\nThe red panda shrugged. \"Sorry, but I threw away my tickets, bud.\"\n\n\"Nah, you didn't. I have your ticket right here. Did you think I was going to get let you out of it so easily?\" Teemo said from behind him holding out the ticket in his paw.\n\nHailun seemed surprised. \"Thanks but where's the other?\"\n\n\"Don't you worry about that. I gave the other to someone else who wanted it.\" Teemo stopped short of saying who he gave it to.\n\n\"Alright, I'll help you out Amumu. No problem.\" He took the ticket back, smiling at the green yordle.\n\nTeemo smirked as the plan had worked without a hitch. Now it was all a matter of waiting to see what happened at the Gala ball.\n\nThe rest of the day went normally for young Hailun and his friends. He still wasn't much looking forward to going without Kennen but he knew he had agreed to help Amumu. Besides the other boy was often pretty sad and he wasn't about to let things go back to the way they were. Hailun arrived home and changed into his Crystal Rose attire.\n\nHailun looked into the mirror. The set fits him well despite being borrowed. A pure white tuxedo with good tassels and enblazened gold shouders. A single blue rose near his lapel.\n\n\"You turned out well.\" His mother complimented her son.\n\nHailun looked back at her. \"Thanks, mom.\"\n\n\"Going with Kennen tonight?\" She was certain this would be the case.\n\nThe cub looked disappointed. \"No, just with friends.\"\n\n\"Oh, alright. Well, try to have fun, alright? Ready to head out?\" The woman had prepared the portal for the anticipation of his readiness.\n\nHailun puffed out his chest. \"Yup.\"\n\n\"Alright, in we go. Good luck.\" She guided him into the portal.\n\nA flash of bright light blinded the young cub as he entered it. Portals were an old yordle technique but one he seldom got to use. He could see the school getting closer with each passing second as his body levitated through the stream of the portal.\n\nHailun arrived at the school and saw a bunch of people already assembled near the entrance to the arena. The arena had again been repurposed for the use of the event. It now took on Pearline rafters with golden rims draped with roses and other flowers throughout. He could hear the faint sound of music pouring out from within. He couldn't help but feel nervous as he had never been to anything like this before.\n\n\"Oh, I'm glad you came. I was worried you wouldn't show up.\" Amumu spotted the other boy and greeted him.\n\nHailun smiled. \"Nah, I said I'd come. I'm here to help you out.\"\n\n\"Cool, thanks. Ready to head inside? Stuff will begin soon, I think.\" The green yordle said pointing to the door.\n\nThe red panda nodded. \"Yeah, where's Rumble?\"\n\n\"He's inside. I told him I went to go look for you.\" Amumu led him toward the main entrance of the pavilion.\n\nA plush red carpet had been rolled out with magical spotlights streaming against the sky. The air smelt like fresh flowers. Several members of the school's administration stood at the entrance checking tickets as the students made their way inside. Hailun and Amumu showed off their tickets and were allowed inside the main complex.\n\nInside the arena had been redesigned from floor to roof. No longer were bleachers adorning the side. A large open dance floor lay across the center of it all. A stage at the front with a band blaring out tunes of all sorts. A small table with refreshments was pushed off to the side with some kids crowding around it. Hailun made his way over to it to grab himself a drink. Large stacks of cups lay strewn all over the place as he picked up one and poured some punch into it.\n\nHe saw Amumu had returned to Rumble and waved over at the two. It made him smile that the two had caught on so quickly. It made him yearn a bit for Kennen but he didn't let it bother him that much. He sat down at one of the free chairs near the table. Unsure of what to do. Everyone was already dancing and he didn't have a partner to dance with. He began sipping away at the drink in front of him.\n\nTime began to pass. Hailun was growing restless and bored. He had considered leaving a few times now. Looking at a clock on the wall he saw it was late. Not near his bedtime but that didn't change the fact that he just wasn't into the whole ordeal. He looked back at the dance floor. Everyone was smiling, rocking back and forth with each other. He decided to make his departure, feeling he had been there long enough.\n\n\"You are not leaving are you?\" Teemo asked, grabbing Hailun by one of his wrists.\n\nHailun hesitated. \"Yeah, why?\"\n\n\"Because I figured you'd like to dance at least once.\" The smaller cub placed his paw behind the other boy's back and tried to ease him onto the dance floor.\n\nThe red panda felt himself being pushed forward. \"No, I'm alright Teemo. You can go enjoy yourself with Tristana.\"\n\n\"It's fine. She doesn't care. Come on.\" Teemo led the other boy clear across the dance floor, going right between all of the other kids.\n\nHailun had no idea what was going on. They were now clear on the other side of the dance floor. Looking over at Teemo, the boy stepped to the side. The red panda then saw the boy he had been hoping for all along. Kennen had made his way into the ballroom. The red panda picked up the pace and immediately walked over to him.\n\n\"You...came...you...changed your mind?\" Hailun couldn't believe his eyes.\n\nKennen huffed as he gritted his teeth. \"May I have this dance?\"\n\nHailun didn't say a word. He took the boy's two hands in his own and began swaying with him back and forth.\n\n\"Happily ever after, Teemo?\" Tristana said as she slapped him on the back.\n\nTeemo flinched. \"Not quite, yet. Come on...let's continue.\"\n\n\"You're a stubborn fool, you know that right?\" Tristana whispered into his ears.\n\nKennen pushed his arms around Hailun and the two attempted to dance. The bigger boy had no idea how to dance. Hailun tried leading the other cub into it but Kennen was awkward and clumsy. Still, his heart was beating rather fast. All he cared about was that Kennen was there now. He didn't care that the other yordle didn't know how to dance.\n\n\"You look nice.\" Hailun complimented the other boy.\n\nThe bigger boy grunted putting up with the tight clothing. \"Thanks. You look handsome yourself.\"\n\nHailun blushed profusely as his face turned red. The music slowed down and the two continued to do their version of a dance. Kennen's feet were starting to hurt. The clothing he had been given was the last set and too small for him. Still, he was putting up with it because he knew Hailun wanted him there. Suddenly Kennen stopped and pulled Hailun in so their bodies were square with one another.\n\n\"You alright?\" Hailun said as he stood there idly standing on the other boy's arm\n\n\"Shh...\" Kennen leaned forward and pushed his lips directly into the other boys. The two shared a rather lengthy kiss that lasted several seconds.\n\n\"Now, Teemo?\" Tristana said as she had been watching them occasionally just as Teemo had.\n\nTeemo nodded. \"Yup.\"\n\nHailun and Kennen remained locked in each other's embrace for a few moments until they finally pulled apart. Both boys with red faces and were rather flustered. Hailun reached over and took Kennen's hand,\n looking into his eyes.\n\n\"I love you, Kennen.\" Hailun finally confessed his full emotions to the boy.\n\nKennen hugged the smaller boy. \"I love you too. Let's never be apart again.\"\n\nThe music began to die down as it was almost the end of the event. Kennen shuffled his feet still feeling rather uncomfortable with the small wardrobe.\n\n\"Wanna go hang at the garden or something? This clothing is stuffy.\" Kennen suggested as he just wanted to change into something more casual.\n\nHailun nodded. \"Yeah, sure.\"\n\nThe two made their way out of the arena and back into the entrance area of the school. Yordle cubs of all ages were spread out everywhere. Kennen figured no one would be at the garden or so he hoped. He led to the rear entrance of the school under the vinyl lining that led into the school's garden area. The place smelt of produce and flowers. Kennen picked one and handed it over to Hailun.\n\n\"For you.\" Kennen said with a corny smile.\n\nHailun fastened it along with his other one. \"Thanks.\"\n\nKennen sat down on one of the wooden benches and began taking his shoes off. \"That's better...haha.\"\n\n\"Were they small on you or something?\" The bigger boy folded one of his socked feet on his leg.\n\nKennen nodded. \"Yeah. It's all they had left. I wasn't going to miss out because of small shoes.\"\n\n\"Here, let me help.\" Hailun squeezed himself in next to Kennen on the bench.\n\nHailun moved the socked paw on his legs. \"Go ahead and put the other one up here too.\"\n\nKennen didn't know what he had in mind and slowly lifted his other leg so that both of his feet were on top of the other boy's upper legs. Hailun reached down and began rubbing one of them with his hands.\n\n\"How does that feel?\" The red panda asked as he had never done this before.\n\nKennen smiled. \"That feels nice.\"\n\nHailun continued to rub the boy's feet. Stroking into them with his fingers and claws. Stroking them back and forth as the fabric of the sock extended back and forth. Before long Hailun reached in to take the socks off, one by one. Kennen's furry feet were on full display in front of him as he wiggled his toes. The red panda could smell something, certain that it was his friend's feet.\n\n\"I hope they don't smell bad.\" Kennen figured the other boy might have stopped because of that.\n\nHailun smirked a bit. \"They don't smell bad.\" The boy discovered he wasn't averse to the smell and it sort of reminded him of the other day after the lake.\n\nHailun continued rubbing his friend's feet, stroking along the other cub's sole and threading between his toes. Kennen couldn't believe that this had gone so long. Kennen's feet certainly didn't ache anymore but it was evident Hailun might have been enjoying this. Lifting the foot that Hailun was not touching, he planted it square on the boy's nose, to be funny. Hailun felt the boy's other toes wiggle right in front of him. The scent was stronger now. There was something different about it. Hailun had stopped touching the other foot, clearly distracted by the one on his nose.\n\n\"Do...you like this?\" Kennen was certain that was the case.\n\nHailun put his hand under the boy's foot as if to keep it there. Taking a few more sniffs of it as the smell became stronger in his nose. He closed his eyes and blushed. He wasn't sure what he liked about it but he wanted more of it.\n\n\"Hehe, you're cute when you blush.\" Kennen wiggled his toe again, touching the other boy's wet nose as he leaned back and tried to relax a bit,\n\nHailun pushed his nose right against the other cub's warm sole. The smaller cub closed and took an elongated sniff, a little bit more audible this time. Little did he realize the act was turning him on even if he hadn't gotten stiff yet. Kennen kept it there for a few moments before removing his foot. Hailun takes a few seconds to regain his senses.\n\n\"Well, looks like I know how to pay you back now...haha.\" The bigger boy said before readjusting himself in his seat.\n\nHailun's face was still red beneath his fur. \"Sorry if I made it weird...\"\n\n\"It's fine. I think I've made it weird plenty of times. Besides...I don't mind.\" Kennen said as he shrugged.\n\nThe smaller cub shrugged. \"Thanks. You won't tell anyone will you?\"\n\n\"Oh, Nah. Whatever we do stays between us. So I was thinking...\" The bigger boy trailed off a bit.\n\n\"About what?\" Hailun grabbed Kennen's shoes as he wanted to help him out.\n\nKennen poked Hailun on his wet nose. \"I was thinking we could be boyfriends.\"\n\n\"I would like that. You don't mind if people find out?\" The smaller yordle didn't want his friend to be uncomfortable.\n\nKennen blushed a bit. \"I'll manage. I made a promise to you before and I intend to keep it. Come on it's getting late. Let's go home.\"\n\nHailun nodded and helped his friend up off the bench. The two walked to Hailun's home as he lived closer. Kennen managed to deal with his small clothes, though walking barefoot. The couple holding hands and seeming rather happy with how things turned out. Both boys' hearts soared high even despite Hailun's confusion over why he liked Kennen's feet so much. Still, at least he knew the other boy would never let anyone in on their little secret.\n\nThey arrived at Hailun's house and hung outside the front door a bit. Hugging and kissing lightly one more time before Kennen waved to make his way home, handing the rented shoes back to him. Watching him as he left. Once he treaded back into the house, Hailun's parents checked up on him. Surprised to find out that Kennen had shown up. Even going as far as telling them about dancing with him but leaving out the more intimate parts.\n\nThey of course suspected more but didn't inquire further. Figuring it would only be time before they were a couple. Hailun grabbed dinner with his family. They treated him to some takeout they had ordered earlier. The cub gladly partook in it before retiring to his bedroom. Looking out his window, thinking about how beautiful the sky looked. Stars sparkling back at him as the moon shone overheard. Slipping into bed, his heart still soaring high and eager for a new day.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Dealing with Doubt by Pent Ghelsburg

Disclaimer: The characters depicted in this work are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves combat that features underaged characters You have been warned.

Love is a fickle thing. To each person who finds themselves in the clutches of its grasp, its meaning is different. One that cannot be halted except by mischief or some other act of miscreants. However, true love will always find a way, even when times may seem their darkest. Those who inhibit it must be squashed out so true love can prevail.

The weekend came and went rather quickly as if often did for the young yordle. The alarm woke the boy up as it always did on weekdays. Hailun roused out of bed and looked at the clock. He didn't usually look forward to school but it had been a few days since he had seen his friends. He was especially looking forward to seeing Kennen, a boy with who he had formed a special relationship that he was finding himself liking more with each passing day.

Hailun hopped out of bed and rushed to get dressed. He wanted to be earlier than usual today so he could catch up with whoever he could find. Wasting no time changing into his school uniform before making his way to the kitchen. The young cub arrived to see his mother already making breakfast. She looked back at him. His arm had finally healed enough to take it out of the sling, a change he was happy to embrace as he stretched.

"You're ready bright and early today. Something you're looking forward to today?" She said suspecting the obvious.

Hailun nodded. "Yeah, I wanna hang out with my friends before school."

"Are you sure it's not anyone specific...that boy perhaps?" The woman said with a sly grin on her face as she couldn't quite remember his name.

The boy stomped his paw on the carpet. "Mommm...."

"Okay, okay. What do you want for breakfast? The usual?" She asked chuckling at her half-joke.

Hailun hummed. "Can I get some oatmeal and fruit? That sounds good."

"You got it, champ. Did you finish your homework for the weekend?" The mother began working on making him the food.

The cub nodded. "Yeah, mom. I promise."

"Good boy. I'll make you a deal if you want, Hailun." She said while still focusing on the meal in front of her.

The boy looked at her curiously. "Huh? Deal?"

"Yup, I know you have a test this week. Get at least a B and I'll let you go over to that boy's house or let him come over for a sleepover." She figured that would be incentive enough to get him to work hard.

Hailun huffed. "His name is Kennen, mom."

"Yes, yes. Kennen schmennen. Do we have a deal or not?" She finished making him the meal and handed it off to him.

The cub chirped happily. "Yeah, mom. I will...I promise."

"I know you will. Now eat up and you can head out. Your father already left for the morning so I'll mention it to him later. Have a good day, hon." The woman said before showing herself out of the kitchen.

Hailun was convinced he just had to get a B on that test, no matter how hard it was. He knew it was on Tuesday so he had one more day to worry about it. The cub rushed through his food, making quick work of it. The boy grabbed his bag before shouting to his mother.

"Bye mom, I'm going to school." The red panda shut the door and began his walk toward Bandle Academy.

Kennen had already arrived at the school as he was on the school kendo team. The yordle had been a member of the sports team from the time he was a tyke. The team met a few times a week and always released a little time before school started so that they could relax before classes began. Kennen hadn't bothered showering that day as he felt like he hadn't sweated that hard that day. He changed back into his school stuff and grabbed his bag before beginning to walk around school looking for Poppy to check on her.

It didn't take him long to find the girl as she often hung around in the same spot in front of the school. As was usual she sat at the base of the big oak tree outside the front of the school. He waved to her as he made his approach.

"How's it going, Poppy? Did you have a nice weekend?" Kennen asked as he tried to take interest in her life to be a good friend.

She nodded. "Yeah. How did your little date with Hailun go?"

"I guess it went alright. I kinda screwed up at first but after that, I think it went well." Kennen blushed a bit as if embarrassed about it.

The girl smirked. "So...are you two a couple now?"

"No...we're just friends. What makes you think that?" Kennen said as he reached around her and held her in place.

Poppy smiled. "I heard you two were naked at the lake, heh. Is that true?"

"Wait what? We weren't naked...how did you know that we were at the lake?" The boy sounded a bit alarmed.

The girl pointed behind Kennen. "Vex has been going around spreading rumors about you two. I didn't believe what she said but that might not be the case with everyone else.

"She what? Did she see us? We were just...relaxing. We didn't do anything." Kennen looked behind him and saw Vex chatting with Veigar.

Poppy reached forward and grabbed his ankle. "Just watch your anger. You can't afford another detention. You can tell me all about it later."

"Right, I will. I'll be back." Kennen walked out of her grip and began to head towards the two dark yordles.

Just as he was about to be close enough to them to talk he overheard an announcement. "Hailun and Kennen to the front office."

Kennen sighed, he didn't even recall having done anything. He looked back over at Veigar and Vex who stuck their tongue out at him. The yordle looked around for Hailun and there were no signs of him. It seemed he would have to deal with whatever the issue was alone for the time being. The boy made his way towards the front office, his mind wracked with possibilities of why he had been called there. His mind only wanted clarity and to know why Veigar and Vex were spreading rumors about him and Hailun.

Kennen approached the door and showed himself inside. The man at the front desk pointed him toward the counselor. The door to the counselor was wide open, allowing him to go right inside without stopping. The boy looked over at the woman who eyed him warily as entered her office.

"Sit down, young man. Where is your friend?" She asked as he made his way to the center of her office.

Kennen looked around the office was small and stuffy. Filled with pictures and plaques of the female yordle's accomplishments.

"He's not here yet. I don't think. I haven't seen him yet anyways." Kennen sat down at one of the chairs in front of her desk.

She twiddled her fingers as she stared at him. "Rumor has it that you and he are close. Is this the case?"

"Maybe but why does that matter?" The cub crossed his arm defensively.

The woman waved her finger at him. "Don't get snippy with me, mister."

"Fine, yes he is a good friend of mine." Kennen rolled his eyes trying to play along.

The counselor leaned into her desk. "Just a friend, eh? The kids are saying it's more than that. That you and he were found naked at the park."

"We weren't naked...I swear. Vex and Veigar are just making this nonsense up to get us in trouble." The boy pleaded with her, even sounding desperate.

She eased back into her chair. "Be that as it may. I think it may be best to separate you two for the time being."

"What? Why? It's not like we did anything on school grounds." Kennen's mouth open agape in shock.

The woman shook her head. "Right, well that doesn't change that you two are students of the school and we can't have students going around gallivanting like that."

"What the heck? You all let Teemo and Tristana have a relationship. Why does it matter what I do with Hailun on my own time?" Kennen could feel himself tearing up a bit.

She sighed. "It's out of my hands. The decision has been made. You two will have different schedules today. You are not to be seen around each other on school grounds until further notice."

"What? What kind of punishment is this? That's just silly...please he's my friend. Please don't change our schedules..." Kennen got on his knees and begged, quite upset.

She waved her hand and turned her chair around. "Get him out of my sight and give him his new schedule."

Kennen was dragged out of the counselor's office, still beside himself. Grabbing the paper with his schedule on it, he determined that he would fix it. Wiping his face as he picked himself up. The blood boiling inside him, paying no heed to anyone else. Telling himself that Veigar and Vex would pay for this. He passed right by Hailun who he paid no mind. The other cub could tell he looked upset, unsure what it could be about.

Kennen made his way to Vex and Veigar who were hiding out in a dark alcove of the school.

"What the heck did we do to you? Why did you spread those stupid rumors?" Kennen tried to maintain his anger as he dealt with the sorrow building up inside him.

Veigar grinned. "What rumors? What we tell is only the truth."

"We weren't naked at the park and we didn't do anything like what you suggested." The bigger cub continued to try to appeal to the perpetrators.

Vex reached her hand out. "I spoke your soul and this is what it told me."

That's nonsense. How do you even speak to someone's soul...is that even possible?" Kennen couldn't help but be curious about it.

The girl grabbed his hand and closed her eyes. Kennen suddenly felt a cold chill run through his body as he shivered a bit. The sensation reminded him of the feeling he had felt at the park. The feeling dying down before long.

"Your soul speaks of uncertainty and insecurity." Vex said softly.

Kennen huffed. "Well...what...how did you?"

"As I told you, I spoke to your soul. It only speaks the truth." The girl tried explaining herself again.

The bigger boy sighed. "We weren't naked...we went swimming in our underwear...."

"Maybe it's because I was not close then..." Vex asked looking over at Veigar who looked just as confused as she was.

Kennen looked down at the ground. "I think you're making it up to get me in trouble."

Veigar grumbled. "We would
 never..."

"So...then you going to tell the school you made it up? So I can have my old schedule back with my friend? Please...?" Kennen tried reasoning with them.

Veigar looked over at Vex and whispered to her before speaking again. "Under one condition."

"Anything." The bigger boy was prepared to do anything to return things to normal.

Veigar pointed behind Kennen to Hailun who was watching them. "You're friend must tell the same story."

"Fine, I don't think he wants this spread either." Kennen didn't want Hailun to know about it.

Veigar nodded. "Deal."

Kennen walked over to Hailun and tried explaining the situation. "Look...Veigar here thinks we were naked at the lake. Can you please set him straight? The school is trying to separate us because of rumors that he and Vex started.

"Huh? Yeah, sure. Of, course." Hailun was a little confused as to what was going on but wasn't about to turn down Kennen's request.

Hailun approached Veigar and Vex looking at them. "So, uh. Why am I here?"

"Because you and your little friend were inappropriate at the lake and we didn't much like that." Veigar crossed his arms defensively.

The red panda cocked an eyebrow awkwardly. "Because we went swimming in our underwear? Why were you spying on us anyways?"

"We weren't spying on you. Vex peered into your friend's soul and..." Vex hit the other boy on the arm stopping him short of spilling the beans.

Hailun couldn't help but be curious about what they were talking about. "You peered into Kennen's soul? But I still don't understand why...That's kind of creepy."

Vex didn't ask permission and extended her hand out touching Hailun's hand. The red panda experienced the same chilling feeling across his form as she possessed him. A few seconds later and she released him.

"He speaks the truth, Veigar. Perhaps we have made a mistake." She asked him awaiting an answer.

Veigar peered at Hailun and looked him over. "Let us go correct this then. Think of it as a way of us making amends."

Vex and Veigar walked off together toward the office. Kennen sighed in relief but still felt like the ordeal wasn't over with.

"Why...do I have to put up with this..?" Kennen sighed dejectedly.

"Why did they think we were naked anyways?" Hailun wasn't sure how that could have been possible with them covered by the leaves.

The bigger yordle hesitated before answering. "Look...maybe we should be apart for a while."

"Wait...what? Why?" The red panda stood there in shock.

Kennen turned around. "I don't want to be a couple. I don't want to be anything."

"But we're not..." Hailun was interrupted by the other cub.

"Goodbye, Hailun." The other boy walked away, clearly in no mood for any of this.

Hailun began tearing up as he broke down on the floor falling to his knees. The rest of the yordles looked on but said nothing as started to tear up. Teemo touched him on the shoulder, knowing it wouldn't be enough. He tried to hold it in but the emotions were too much. He picked himself up and ran to the courtyard to be alone.

The first class bell rang and Kennen's schedule remained unchanged. He no longer cared about it and decided to leave it be. Figuring that he would make new friends. The boy saw no signs of Hailun, convincing himself that it was good to end the relationship. Some of the other kids stared as he entered the class as if he was a newcomer. That and they had heard of the rumor and were wary of him.

Hailun continued to pour his eyes out in the courtyard. He felt completely alone. All of his friends were in class and he had no one to turn to. Figuring he needed to go to class so he didn't get detention and end up after school. Wiping his eyes one more time, the red panda picked himself up and headed to class. Arriving at the class a few minutes late but luckily for him, the teacher didn't care. The boy didn't bother looking around for Kennen and instead sat next to Amumu.

Amumu smiled at the other boy. Looking at him the green yordle could sense his sadness. His red eyes were puffy and wet. It was evident he had been crying. He decided to wait until they could talk to ask about it. Class started and the instructor went on about wayfinding, passing each of them a compass. It was an old device that had long fallen out of use. Hailun stared at the thing and fingered it with his claw.

"You alright?" Amumu couldn't wait to ask anymore as he wanted to show he cared just as much as his friend did.

Hailun continued to look down. "Yeah."

"Are you sure? We can talk about it if you want." The green yordle asked just to be sure.

The red panda shook his head. "It's fine. Don't worry about it."

"Alright." Amumu grabbed the map that had been placed on their workspace and looked at it as if he had never seen one before.

The two were tasked with going outside to see if they could find their way to a hidden treasure using only a map and a compass. The instructor had hidden a small foreign trinket he thought the kids would get a kick out of. Hailun decided to play along to try to take his mind off what had happened. Hailun acted as the Navigator and Amumu as the guide as the two began to walk around looking for signs of the treasure.

Teemo and Tristana already had a jump start on the two boys. Teemo was a skilled tracker who knew how to use the devices all too well, despite their antiquated nature. They ended up finding the treasure before the rest of the group. The rest of the group groaned as they announced their finding. Still, Teemo wasn't about to keep the thing to himself. Showing it off, it was an old rotary clock necklace hanging on a chain.

Teemo puffed out his chest proudly, handing the trinket back to the teacher. The teacher showed a little magic trick with the thing, making it disappear before pulling it from behind one of the kid's long furry ears. Pleased the instructor decided to give them the rest of the class for free time. Teemo noticed that Hailun was hanging around Amumu, which wasn't odd this time of day. Still, he couldn't help but wonder where Kennen was.

"Where's your bud at, Hailun?" Teemo approached the bigger cub as he considered him a friend now.

Hailun pulled Amumu closer to him. "Right here."

"You know who I mean...where is Kennen?" The smaller cub sensed something different about the other boy but wasn't sure what it was.

The red panda folded his arms. "His schedule got changed."

"It did? Because of what happened?" Teemo had heard the rumor and wasn't sure whether to believe it or not.

Hailun sighed. "Nothing happened, I promise."

"I believe you but I guess the school didn't?" The smaller boy figured something else had to be behind it.

The bigger boy shrugged. "I dunno but it doesn't matter. He doesn't want to be friends anymore."

"Wait, what? Did you guys have a fight or something?" Teemo couldn't believe his ears.

The other yordle looked down as if disappointed. "I guess."

"Well...let me know if I can help you out, alright? Even Tristana and I have our fights occasionally." The smaller boy wasn't sure what to make of the situation and decided to talk to Poppy about it later since he knew the girl knew both boys.

Teemo returned to Tristana's side and went about things as normal. Amumu and Hailun hung around for the remainder of the class. The red panda was glad to have someone around that cared. When the class was dismissed the students saw themselves out of the room. Hailun stopping by the teacher to check out the trinket one more time. The teacher gladly showed him how the trick worked since he had shown little interest in it. The boy thanked him and went on his way.

Teemo stopped Tristana outside and explained to her the situation. She didn't care as much as he did but tried to play along all the same.

"So, what do you think we can do to help?" Teemo asked as he couldn't come up with a good idea to help them mend their fence.

Tristana tapped her foot. "Why do you care so much about them anyways? Just let it be. It isn't meant to be."

"Come on, Tris.  I just want to help out. They were such good friends..." Teemo said trying to disconnect himself from the ordeal a bit.

She rolled her eyes. "Look I know you like to play the knight in shining armor or whatever but it's not going to work this time."

"How do you know?" The boy just wanted to help.

Tristana pointed down the hall. "Because if Kennen wanted it then he wouldn't have acted the way he did at the restaurant. Did you forget?'

"No, but he changed his mind didn't he?" Teemo was certain he had set things right.

She grabbed his shoulder, gently touching it. "It's nice you want to help but maybe just let them solve their problems?"

"I guess your right. Well...I'll see ya later, alright?" He gave her the scout salute and kissed her on the cheek.

The girl waved to him as Teemo made his way down the hall. Teemo began looking for Poppy, finding her hanging out under one of the stairwells of the school.

"Oh, hey Teemo what's up dude? How's Tristana?" She asked since Tristana was also a friend of hers.

Teemo smiled warmly. "She's good. We're going to go to the Rift Gala together. Did you find someone yet?"

"Ah, Nah. I'm not into the whole dance thing anyways. I hope you guys have fun all the same." Poppy fixed her pigtails which were coming out of her hair ties.

Teemo thought about it for a second. "That's cool. Maybe one day."

"Don't count on it, champ." She hit him playfully in the chest, knocking the wind out of him.

Teemo caught his breath after a second. "I was wondering if you might be able to help me with something?"

"Sure, what's up?" Poppy folded her arms casually.

Teemo put his arms behind his head. "I was just wondering. Did Kennen tell you about a fight he had with Hailun earlier?"

"No, why? Did something happen?" The girl thought about it for a second.

The boy nodded. "I think they fought. Hailun said they aren't talking anymore."

"Maybe
 it's about the whole rumor thing? Kennen didn't seem too happy about it. Just what happened at your double date with them anyways?"
 
Teemo looked over his shoulder to make sure Tristana wasn't watching them. "Nothing, Kennen had a bit of a melt but I think it went fine after that."

"I know he tends to overreact a bit...so maybe he's just having another episode." Poppy wasn't sure and took her best guess.

The boy sighed. "I guess your right. Tristana was right then."

"What did she say?" The girl was curious about what her friend thought about it.

Teemo shrugged. "To just let it be and let it work itself out."

"That might be best but you should listen to your heart." Poppy hit him on the shoulder again.

The boy grunted. "Thanks..."

The next bell for the following class began. Hailun made his way into the class alone. It was alchemy and he normally sat next to Kennen. Teemo was one of the last ones in the class. The other boy usually teamed up with Rumble but decided that Hailun could probably use a friend. He sat down next to the cub without asking.

"Hey, Teemo." Hailun greeted the boy again.

Teemo grabbed the other boy's shoulder. "I figured you could use a partner."

"It's alright. I can work alone." The red panda didn't like to be a burden on anyone.

The smaller cub shook his head. "I insist."

Teemo found himself tongue-tied for the moment, uncertain of what he wanted to talk about. The class started before long. Today's lesson was truth serum, a long-standing tradition of the yordles to get people to talk without the pain that came with other methods. The teacher handed out the ingredients to the tables. The smaller cub found it ironic that the lesson played right into what he thought he needed.

"So...do you want to be the guinea pig, Hailun?" Teemo asked, rather hoping he would say yes.

Hailun was again distracted, looking at his paws and unresponsive. Teemo tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, yeah. Sure. Sorry." Hailun hadn't even heard what the other boy asked.

Teemo allowed the other boy to mix the stuff to distract him a bit. He had never messed with the stuff before but knew it lasted a short amount of time before wearing off. The cub knew he had to make it count. Teemo formulated a plan before helping the other boy to burn the herbs over the open flame they had been giving. Mixing the goo into a liquid-like paste.

"Go on then, so  I can take notes for our assignment. Drink up..." Teemo held the little bowl up to Hailun's mouth to make sure he drank it all.

The instructor was still walking around. Teemo kept a close eye on him to make sure what he was asking wasn't heard. He had decided to ask rotating questions to play it safe.

"How...do you feel?" Teemo asked after a few minutes to make sure the solution had taken effect.

Hailun stared blankly at the other boy, his eyes glazed wide. "I...feel alone."

"Did he hurt your feelings?" The boy figured he knew the answer to that but he needed to be sure.

The red panda's eyes began to tear up a bit. "He...made me cry."

"I guessed as much. Do you...have any plans for the weekend?" Teemo shifted topics as the instructor walked past them.

Hailun remained still. "Not anymore."

"Not anymore? Did you have some before he upset you?" The conscious yordle continued to take notes as if he was doing the assignment.

A few tears dripped down his face. Teemo reached over to wipe them from his face. "I'm sorry."

Hailun remained silent for the moment as the statement was not a question.

"What did you have planned?" The smaller boy was running out of ideas about what to ask and wasn't sure where to go from there.

The bigger boy frowned. "I wanted to invite him over for a sleepover. I even asked my parents."

"Did...he mean a lot to you?" Teemo wasn't sure if it was puppy love or true love.

Hailun smiled a bit. "He made me feel warm inside."

Teemo looked at the clock knowing he had to be running out of time. "Do...you want him back?"

Hailun's eyes regained their color as he stood there regaining his capacity to answer his questions, though he didn't remember what Teemo had asked.

"How did it go?" Hailun asked wiping his face, wondering why he had cried.

Teemo played along as if nothing odd had happened. "It went fine. You told me about your plans for the week and stuff. I was going to ask you about the Rift Gala but you woke up."

"The what?" The red panda had no idea what he was talking about.

Teemo was surprised the other boy didn't know about it. "You know the yearly ball where couples go dancing."

"But I have no one to go with, heh." The boy had never been to a dance before and had no idea how to dance.

The smaller boy hummed. "I'm going with Tristana but if you want, I don't mind teaching you how to dance."

"I appreciate it but I still have no one to go with." Hailun tried to not sound disappointed but it still came through his composure.

Teemo grabbed his friend's shoulder. "Just give it some thought, okay? You don't have to go with anyone. You'll need a ticket if you decide to go."

"Thanks, Teemo. I'll think about it."  The cub said it to pacify his friend but had no thoughts of planning for it.

The other cub nodded, letting the issue go for the time being. The two continued to work on their assignment. When Hailun asked Teemo if he wanted to volunteer next, the other boy simply chuckled. The class ended on a good note. Hailun found himself in a better mood now than when he was in class. He wondered where Gnar might be hiding but figured he wouldn't see the orange yordle til lunch. The red panda decided it would have to wait since there was still one class left before the break.

Teemo stopped to think to himself. He wasn't sure if he should take the issue any further. He felt bad about prying Hailun with questions. Still...he had the answers he wanted. He just didn't know what to do with them. He was half tempted to confront Kennen but conflicted on how that might end up. He wanted to press forward but thought he had overstepped his boundaries. He couldn't help but think Tristana was right.

Teemo sat alone near one of the plants outside in the courtyard. He wanted to think to himself to decide what to do. Yet, no longer how he sat on it he couldn't decide what to do. A familiar voice soon spoke to him.

"Why is the oh-so-popular Bandle Scout out here alone?" Veigar cackled and approached the boy from behind.

Teemo tried paying him no mind as he knew Veigar liked to mess with him.

"Oh? No answer for me? Such a shame. We could be of use to one another." The dark yordle sat right next to Teemo despite not being invited.

The other yordle stood up. "What do you want?"

"I want nothing...I just find it strange you are not with the girl. Perhaps you had an argument?" Veigar secretly hoped as he had a thing for Teemo for some time.

Teemo shouted. "Get lost. I'm not interested."

"Perhaps you will be if you hear my deal." The dark yordle twiddled his fingers.

The light-furred yordle pushed his foot into the gravel. "Nope."

"You don't even want to hear it? I think you should know who it involves..." The black-furred boy had concocted a plan to get exactly what he wanted and wasn't about to let it be foiled.

Teemo turned around. "I don't care who it involves. I'm out."

"But it involves your little friend...Hailun." Veigar dangled the carrot hoping it would entice his crush.

The other yordle hesitated a second. "Out with it then."

"I knew that would change your tune." The black yordle had employed Vex to look into Teemo's soul and knew the boy was invested in Hailun's happiness.

Teemo turned around and tapped his wrist. "You have 2 minutes. Get to your point."

"Your friend has lost his beloved, no?" Everything was going according to plan for Veigar so far.

The light-furred boy leaned in and grabbed Veigar's collar. "No thanks to you."

"Such a violent fellow. All I ask...is a dance." Veigar squared his face up with Teemo and looked into his eyes.

Teemo moved away to put some space between them. "And?"

"You're friend's so-called friendship shall be restored." The black yordle rippled his fingers together, waiting for an answer.

Teemo thought about it for a second. "And...the catch?"

"There is no catch, this time. I assure you. You have my honor." Veigar held out his hand flat.

Teemo shook his head. "I don't believe you. You have no honor. You're black magic always has a catch. Forget it."

"Time will not heal their souls, Teemo. Kennen is forever scarred by his insecurity and Hailun will struggle to trust anyone ever again." The black yordle made up an ultimatum hoping it would be enough to change the other boy's mind.

Teemo made his way out. "You should stop trying to manipulate people. If you did, maybe people would like you more. I'm not interested. Goodbye, Veigar."

"The die is cast and so too must the chess piece make its move on the board. Checkmate shall soon be mine." Veigar faded into a shadow and disappeared.

Kennen had been dealing with his demons the entire day. His body was cold and he found he couldn't think straight. All he knew was that he wanted to be alone. Nothing mattered to him except that. Kids had been pestering him the entire day, or so he believed. Constantly badgering him about Hailun had how they had been found naked at the lake. He was tired of it.

Kennen had no desire to go to class. He went through the motions to avoid getting in trouble. The instructors churned out their lessons and all he heard was gibberish. The yordle found he had no room for focus. His eyes were wide and black as if distant. Often staring at nothing in particular, trying to zone out the constant bluster he was facing. Yet, what he did not know was that it was all an illusion. An illusion conjured by Veigar to prey on the boy's insecurity.

Even Poppy, his trusted best friend had fallen for the same nonsense. Wholly believing
 the lies created by Vex and Veigar. That Kennen and Hailun were a couple...and had been naked. It made him sick. He wanted nothing more to do with any of them. Friendship was fleeting and so too was his sense of propriety. Normalcy and an idea that seemed all too foreign to him, and yet he yearned for it. Letting it consume his very being as he went through the day with little else on his mind.

The final class before lunch began anew with the bell sounding over through the halls of Bandle Academy. Kennen looked at the paper he had been given earlier with his new schedule on it. Being away from Hailun had given him little solace. The constant chill in his form had become yet another part of the dull reality he now called life. He made his way into the class and didn't bother to check to see if anyone. He simply didn't care.

Veigar and Vex were members of the class and they saw the distraught cub enter class. The black-furred boy grinned as Kennen entered. The bigger yordles face was empty and without emotion. His fur seemed matted and knotted as if it had not been groomed. Kennen showed no interest in introducing himself as he entered, making his way to an empty desk away from anyone else.

"Perhaps this has gone too far, my lord? The darkness seems to be consuming his entire existence." Vex looked over at Kennen and could tell it was eating him from within.

Veigar cackled. "Nonsense. It is what he deserves. If I cannot be happy then no one can."

"This will not win you Teemo's heart, my lord. This you know." The girl rubbed her face with her hand.

The boy folded his arms. "Of course, it will. Everything is going according to plan."

"Or so you tell yourself..."  Vex was certain this was not the case but she wasn't about to show her disapproval.

She looked back over at Kennen who sat there idly looking in front of him. The girl knew full well the power of darkness over the soul. There was no doubt the darkness was winning the battle with the boy's soul. She suddenly felt a duty to act. Time was ticking before the darkness consumed what little of him was left. Vex remained at Veigar's side. She would have to wait until the class was over so she could act without suspicion.

The class they were in was magical practices. A specialty of Vex and Veigar who always twisted it to their design. Vex played along to make her lord believe she was still a good little "minion". Yet in her head, she began to work a plan out. She had never freed anyone from the darkness. The strongest mage she knew other than Veigar was Lulu and she didn't exactly have a good relationship with the other girl. Looking back over at Kennen, the boy sighed and dug his face into his hands.

Vex knew she needed to try. The clock was slowly ticking by. Much slower than normal. The girl tapped her foot on the floor impatiently. She had already finished the assignment and was in no mood to put in any extra effort. The bell finally rang and she picked herself up from the chair.

"Requesting leave, my lord? Lulu has requested my presence for lunch." She asked him permission as she often did as a sign of respect.

Veigar nodded since it was just a ceremonial matter. Vex waited outside the door to make sure Veigar was gone. The black-furred yordle boy floated down the hall, seeming rather satisfied with himself. She spits on the floor behind him. Moments later Kennen appeared, slowly walking out of the room. Vex grabbed him without asking. She knew the boy was in no shape to put up any form of protest. She whisked him away to the courtyard.

Vex knew that Lulu hung out in the courtyard for lunch. The other girl was a bit of a nature fiend, well known for being kind to all the forest critters. The dark-furred girl soon heard whistling approaching her from a nearby hall. It wasn't much longer before the purple-furred yordle made her appearance. A huge smile on her face as a squirrel skittered up her shoulder.

Vex tugged on Kennen once more and arranged him so he was sitting on one of the benches. His pupils were large and completely black.

"Lulu, have you got a second?" Vex announced her presence to the other girl as she saw Lulu was focused on giving the squirrel a nut.

The purple-furred girl walked back a bit. "Why are you here? You are not welcome."

"Look, I'm not here to make friends. I know we're not on good terms but I need your help." Vex walked up to her in hopes of appealing to her helpful nature.

Lulu pushed Vex back a bit. "And what makes you think I'll help you? All you do is hurt people."

"This isn't about me. Veigar cast a spell on this boy and he's been consumed by the darkness."  Vex pointed over at Kennen was still as lifeless as before.

The purple yordle made her way past Vex and touched Kennen's forehead. "What have you done now, Vex?"

"I've done nothing. Veigar is behind this, I swear. Just please help him...before it's too late."  Vex walked next to her side.

Lulu could feel no heat emanating from the boy. "His body heat has entirely left him. I'm not sure I can help him anymore."

"Please, just try. I'll do whatever you want." The grey yordle tugged on the other girl's skirt.

Lulu looked back at her. "I'll help you but no more hanging out with Veigar. This has gone too far."

"Fine. What do I need to do?" Vex wanted to be as much help as she could.

Lulu pointed. "Fetch me a casting wand and some water. We don't have much time. Lunch will have to wait."

Vex went into a nearby magical lockbox, popping the thing open without issue. Returning with it and a small bottle of water she kept in her bag. She figured her own needs could take a backseat for a while. Vex wanted nothing more than to correct this mistake, even if it cost her the friendship of the one person she knew.

"Here. What else?" Vex handed off the stick to Lulu who took it with her paw.

Lulu hummed. "Candles, a match, and incense. That should be all."

Vex received the requested items before again returning to Lulu's side.

"Help me lay him down on the ground. I'm sure he's pretty helpless by this point." Lulu could sense the darkness inside him brooding.

Vex and Lulu eased Kennen onto the ground so he was flat on his back. Lulu proceeded to place the candles around his still form in a circle before lighting them.

"Hold this under his nose." Lulu handed Vex a lit-up incense stick.

Vex hated the smell of incense but she put up with it since she figured she was helping out. Kennen sniffled a bit. Lulu leaned down and poured some of the water onto the cub's head. She stood back up before raising the staff. The purple yordle began chanting in an ancient tongue. One that had been passed down to her by her parents. A spell to cast away evil and she hoped it would be enough to dispel whatever harried the boy.

Lulu began waving the wand and dancing. Vex couldn't help but feel the whole ordeal was ridiculous. Looking back at Kennen she was reminded of the purpose of her task. She kept her laughter to herself. Lulu kept this up for a good few minutes. The boy remained still and lifeless as his form continued to show no signs of recovery. Lulu stopped to look down at the boy to check on him.

Kennen's body began to shake and writhe. The entirety of his body was tremoring against the floor. The leaves beneath him creaked and crumbled against his weight. Kennen's eyes closed for a moment, only to open seconds later. Burning bright blue streaking small sparks of electricity. Kennen screamed out in agony as pain coursed through his body. Tears flowed through his eyes as the electricity flowing through them caused his fur to stand on end.

Kennen's mouth remained agape as the boy lost his voice. A shadowy visage emerges from within. Slithering out, waving back and forth as it took shape. Vex stepped back as the visage became realized before it. Kennen passed out as the thing emerged entirely from his mouth, standing on top of him.

"Burn Bright Expectoliarmus!" Lulu screamed out loud as she struck her wand out at the thing.

The silhouette cried out as a beam of light shot through its core. The figure dissipates into dust in but an instance. Vex stood there, stupefied. She knew the other girl was one heck of a mage but this was much more than she expected. Looking back at Kennen the boy lay flat on the floor, his eyes and mouth closed. His body was covered in ash.

"Will he be alright?" Vex asked as she wasn't certain.

Lulu dusted herself off of some of the ash that had fallen on her. "Time will tell. Let's get him to the clinic."

Vex and Lulu dragged the heavy cub to the clinic. When asked by the nurse they explained that the boy had over-expended himself. The nurse telling told them she would do what she could. The two girls knew it was in her hands now. Making their way back out of the clinic, Vex stopped Lulu.

"Thanks, Lulu." She said holding out her paw in a show of gratitude.

Lulu hesitated before shaking Vex's paw enthusiastically. "Certainly. Just make sure you don't hang out with Veigar anymore. He's bad news."

"I promise. He went too far." Vex scratched the back of her head.

Lulu pulled her hand behind Vex's head. "Come on, let's go have lunch."

Vex forced a smile, not about to turn down a new friend, no matter who it was.

Hailun and his friends were still having friends while all of this happened. The red panda was in the middle of eating with Gnar when the rumor spread of a conflict in the courtyard. Of course, it got around to him that Kennen was badly hurt. The red panda didn't hesitate for a single second before excusing himself and making his way to the clinic.

Going as fast as his legs would take him, he ran into the clinic and burst out questioning the front desk.

"Where is he? Where is Kennen?" He said, seeming frantic.

The nurse seemed confused. "Who? You mean the boy who was injured recently?"

"Yes...where is he?" Hailun said trying to control
 his own emotions.

She pointed. "He's right..."

But before she was finished the boy had bolted into the room. Seeing Kennen covered up in the light blue bed sheets of the infirmary.

"Oh, Kennen. What did you do now?" The red panda pulled a chair up next to Kennen's bedside.

Hailun hadn't even finished lunch but he didn't care. All he wanted to know was that Kennen was alright. Seeing him there motionless made him even more worried.

"Please be okay...I don't care if you hate me...just please be okay." Hailun contemplated taking the boy's paw in his own but hesitated.

The red panda remained there alone at the other boy's side until the bell rang for the next period. The nurse came in to check on him since he knew the other boy was in there as well.

"You know it's time for class, right?" The woman folded her arms expecting him to leave.

Hailun looked over at her. "I know."

"And...are you going?" She fully expected him to comply with the school's rules.

Hailun shook his head. "I'm not going anywhere. My friend needs me."

"I'm sure he does but you need to get to class or you will get detention." The woman warned him.

Hailun began tearing up a bit. "I don't care. My friend is more important to me than detention."

"You know you will likely be serving a couple of days if you stay in here the rest of the day, right?"  She warned him one final time.

Hailun said nothing and turned back around to look at Kennen's restful body.

"Stubborn, aren't you? I tell you what...help me tend to him and I will get your sentence reduced to one day instead." The older yordle figured he would comply with that.

The cub sniffled. "Anything to help him."'

"You're a sweet kid. Alright, I'll have you start by getting him to drink some water. Likely, he hasn't had any in a while and I couldn't get him to take any from me." She said hoping that the boy would play along.

Hailun nodded. "Okay, yeah. I can do that...thanks."

"Good boy. Get to work." The nurse let him be figuring he could handle it himself.

Hailun padded over to the bathroom and grabbed a cup before filling it with cold water. He brought it back over to where Kennen was resting. Easing his mouth open with one of his fingers, he tried to get his friend to drink.

"Please drink...Ken. You need water to get better." The conscious cub eased the cup into the boy's maw while holding his lips open.

Sure enough, the boy took it down, sip by sip. Only a bit escaping his mouth. Hailun smiled as he wiped the beads of water from Kennen's mouth. He walked back over to the nurse's desk, feeling proud of what he accomplished.

"What next? I got him to drink some water." Hailun said with a smile on his face.

She looked at him shocked. "Oh, wow. Nice job. Get him to take this. It's pain medication. His pain readings were off the chart when I checked them."

The nurse handed him a small vial of purple liquid. Hailun nodded and took it back to his friend and proceeded to give it to him the same way. Kennen coughed and hacked but took the stuff down. The cub continued to follow the nurse's directions for the rest of the day. Kennen was still out cold and Hailun had done everything the woman had asked. Disappointed his friend had not awoken, Hailun returned to her desk to report to detention.

"I'm ready for my punishment. Shall I report to detention now?" Hailun said with his eyes pointed towards the floor.

The nurse had reconsidered. "I think you have done enough. I will tell your teachers that you were ill. Just don't go telling your friends, alright?"

"Really? Thanks!" Hailun chirped happily.

She held out her finger. "Under one condition."

"What's that?" Hailun was always willing to lend a helping hand.

The nurse leaned into the desk. "That you help me tomorrow. You can't stay the entire day but you can check in periodically. I will let them know you're helping."

"Deal. Can I stay a bit longer? I just want to say goodbye before I go home."

The woman smiled. "Sure kid, but you gotta go home soon alright? I promise he'll be alright with me. His parents are coming to pick him up anyways."

Hailun made his way back to Kennen's bedside. The other cub still appeared to laying there lifeless. The red panda took his hand into his own.

"How is he?" A familiar voice asked from behind.

Hailun did not let go of Kennen's hand. "Oh, hey Teemo. I dunno he's been pretty blah all day."

"You've been here the entire time, haven't you?" The smaller cub approached his friend and touched his shoulder.

The red panda nodded. "Yeah, well he needed me. I don't care if he wants my help or not."

"You know...he's very lucky to have you as a friend. " Teemo couldn't believe that Hailun still liked Kennen even after everything that had happened.

Hailun began to tear up again. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" The other boy reached around to hug the other boy.

The red panda couldn't help but feel a bit of comfort. "Because...I wasn't there for him when he needed it most."

"Well...he didn't exactly want your help. Veigar has been manipulating him the entire day." Teemo released his friend as he didn't want it to get awkward between them.

Hailun sniffled. "Why?"

"Because he's jealous and...because he's a jerk but don't worry...Poppy set him straight." The boy left out the obvious parts he didn't want to include.

Hailun broke down in tears again unable to speak.

"Come on, let's get you home. I'll take you. I promise Kennen will be fine." Teemo tried reassuring him and pulled on his hand a bit.

The red panda pulled back a bit. "Wait..."

Hailun stood up and leaned over the bed kissing Kennen's forehead. "Get better soon..."

Teemo smiled. "Come on, the nurse yells. Besides...I have a surprise for you."

The bigger boy stepped away from Kennen. "You do?"

"Yep, but it's gonna have to wait until we get you home. Deal?" Teemo winked.

Hailun nodded. "Alright."

The two headed out of the clinic. Hailun made sure to wave to the nurse who happily waved back to him. The nurse had never seen anything like it before but she wasn't about to turn down the help. She prepared for a long night as she had been charged with looking over Kennen until his parents showed up to pick him up. She figured it couldn't be that long as the prime work period was now over.

Teemo and Hailun walked out of the school together. Hailun wiped his eyes one more time to make sure there were no more tears. He didn't want to appear weak in front of his friend. He figured he would have to thank Poppy later, but he didn't know who was truly behind his friend's redemption.

It was already dark out and so the two friends rushed to get Hailun home. Teemo felt responsible for the boy since he'd been in such bad shape all day. The smaller boy just wanted to see him happy again. Teemo wasn't sure how it would all turn out but hoped it would Hailun led until they arrived at his front door.

"Thanks, Teemo." He said shaking the boy's hand.

Teemo gave a thumbs up. "No problem, dude. Cheer up alright? And...don't forget about scouts this weekend! You missed our last meeting and I told them you were coming."

"Oh my...I forgot. I'm sorry. I promise I'll come this weekend." Hailun couldn't believe he forgot.

The smaller boy slapped his friend on the back playfully. "It's alright. Right then, I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes and hold your paws out."

"Okay." Hailun did as the other boy requested.

Teemo pulled out of his pocket two pieces of paper and put them in the other boy's hand. "You can open them now."

"Thanks...but what are these?" The red panda had never seen them before and looked at them.

Teemo winked. "It's tickets to the Rift Gala."

"Wait really? But these are expensive aren't they? What about you and Tristana?" Hailun suddenly felt bad for Teemo.

Teemo grabbed Hailuns hand, covering the tickets. "Look, I want you to invite someone. I'm not worried about Tristana and I."

"But what if they say no?"The bigger boy frowned, already knowing who he wanted to invite.

Teemo released his hands. "You don't know unless you try, alright? Please try?"

"But, I don't know how to dance." Hailun said looking down seeming disappointed.

The smaller cub lifted his friend's chin. "Who cares? Just go for fun. Just promise me you'll invite someone, okay?"

"I promise...thank you, Teemo." Hailun leaned in and hugged the other boy.

The smaller boy pushed away. "Okay okay...enough. I need to get home. Cya dude."

"Thanks again, Teemo." The red panda gripped his paw closed and waved.

Hailun closed his paw with the tickets inside them. Immediately he began thinking of himself dancing with Kennen. He had no idea what it looked like, figuring he would have to ask around to see if he could get someone to show him how. He let himself inside and pocketed the tickets. Hailun would ask about it later. His stomach rumbled.

"You're home late, everything alright?" His father asked, hearing the boy entering the home.

Hailun looked over to his father. "Oh, Kennen got hurt so I hung around with him in the clinic."

"That's nice of you but next time you need to let us know. We were worried about you." The older red panda walked up to him trying to seem sincere.

The cub looked down. "Sorry, dad. I forgot."

"It's alright. I know you care for your friend but we care about you too. We just don't want anything to happen to you." The father rubbed his son on the back.

Hailun nodded softly. "I know, dad."

"Good. Dinner is waiting for you in the kitchen. Get some sleep. You have school tomorrow and it's already late."

Hailun went into the kitchen, glad he didn't ask about his day. As positive as the boy was about it, he still had mixed feelings about how it had gone. The cub made quick work of dinner, not worrying about the desert for a change. He couldn't help but think about how Kennen was doing but knew it was out of his hands now. Yawning and stretching
 the boy decided to turn it in for the night.

The next day Hailun returned to school, excited to see his friends. Thinking that Kennen would return. Yet, what he did not know was that Kennen was still in bed at home recovering.  He wouldn't figure that out til later in the day. In the morning, Hailun looked around for him but saw no signs of Kennen. Deciding that he would hang out with whoever he can find around the schoolyard. The Rift Gala was on his mind, wanting to figure out who could teach him how to dance.

Hailun reported to the nurse's office to do what he said he would do. The clinic was vacant of patients and she waved him off until later. It wasn't usual that she got anyone known until later in the day anyways. Hailun went about his day like normal trying to figure out what who he could talk to about it. He decided to ask Poppy later since she seemed to know most people around the school better than he did.

His first class was nothing special, hanging out with Amumu as he often did for the ordeal. The green yordle seems to be happier than normal. They had been tasked with working on creating signal smoke. The cubs were sent outside and expected to communicate by smoke alone.

"You seem in a good mood today." Hailun couldn't help but notice the green yordle's constant smile.

Amumu nodded. "Yeah, I made a new friend."

"Oh? You did? Who's that?" The red panda was glad that Amumu had found someone else to hang out with.

The smaller boy grinned. "Rumble."

"How come you didn't tell me?" Hailun asked as he was surprised it was the first time he had heard about this.

Amumu scratched his head. "Cause I just met him."

"Well, that's cool. I'm glad you made a new friend." Hailun patted him on the shoulder.

Amumu looked away. "I was going to ask him to the Rift Gala. He mentioned wanting to go."

"Oh? That's cool. Do you know how to dance?" The red panda couldn't help but wonder if the smaller boy was the solution to his problem.

The green yordle smirked confidently. "Yeah, I can dance pretty well. Better than Rumble, I bet."

"Oh? You can? Maybe you can help me out then?" Hailun's smile grew wider on his face hopeful the other boy would teach him.

Amumu hummed. "How's that?"

"Well, I wanted to go too but I don't know how to dance. Can you show me?" The red panda said as his tail wagged behind him slowly.

The green yordle nodded. "Of course. You've been very nice to me. How can I say no? Meet me after school in the courtyard."

"Cool thanks, Amumu." He was tempted to hug him but didn't want to make it weird.

The two proceeded to continue with their little project making smoke signals to another group of cubs who were in distance. Both groups were expected to translate the messages and see if they were accurate to whatever the intention was. Hailun worked on making the smoke signals while Amumu watched for the other groups and wrote down whatever was shown overhead.

When the ordeal was over with the groups convened. Amumu and Hailun found plenty of issues on both sides. Still, both groups of cubs couldn't help but laugh. The instructor checked in on them, asking about their success. Celebrating what they had done all the same. It wasn't much longer until the class came to a close. Hailun told Amumu goodbye and that he'd see him later in the day before they parted.

The rest of Hailun's day wasn't very eventful. Teemo checked in on Hailun who seemed to be in a good mood. Teemo couldn't help but be happy that things had improved for him. Hailun hung out with Gnar at lunch, the two catching up since it had been a few days since they last got caught. When asking about the Rift Gala, the orange yordle had no idea what he was talking about. Hailun explained the event to him but left out who he was considering inviting.

When the end of the day came, Hailun waited in the courtyard for Amumu. He didn't know what time to meet him but figured he'd have to show up. It wasn't long until the green yordle popped his head out of the school. Hailun could see him hanging with a blue-furred yordle. He assumed the other boy had to be Rumble. Amumu waved over at Hailun who beckoned him to where he was.

"Cya Rumble, we'll catch up later. I told Hailun I'd help him out." Amumu parted from his new friend.

Hailun waited until Amumu was at a more personal distance from him. "So are we just going to do it here?"

"Yep, I brought something to give us more of a mood." The green yordle reached into his bag and pulled out a small trinket.

The red panda looked at it. "What is that?"

"It's old Shuriman technology. It plays music." Amumu tapped it twice and a tune began to play.

"So what do I do?" Hailun had no idea where to start.

Amumu put the device down. "Follow my lead. Give me your paws."

Hailun put his hands into Amumu's as the other yordle began to move back and forth. The red panda tries to mimic it but steps on Amumu's feet a few times.

"Sorry." The bigger boy blushed a bit.

Amumu shrugged. "It's fine. Keep at it. I'm not worried about you stepping on my feet."

The two continued to dance back and forth. Formulating a waltz against the backdrop of the waltz. Hailun making more than a few mistakes but making progress all the same. After about an hour or so, he was starting to get the hang of it.

"If you want, we can continue this tomorrow but I need to go home. By the way...do you know the dress attire for the Gala?" Amumu asked since Hailun had not spoken of it before.

"No, I don't. What do you have to wear?" Hailun asked as he figured his formal stuff may have been ruined from the other day.

Amumu pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket. "Crystal Rose Garments."

Hailun looked at it. The garments were naught but pure white suits and ties with matching slacks and shoes.

"Heh, looks expensive. Is there somewhere I can rent a set?" Hailun had no idea where they sold products like that.

Amumu thumped his finger against his head. "The school is renting them out. It doesn't cost anything as long as you have tickets."

"Cool, thanks for your help." Hailun waved to the other boy and said his goodbyes.

Yet another thing Hailun needed to do, he told himself. Two days came and passed like the wind. Hailun had gone to school like he normally did, showing off his test grade to his parents to allow him to go to the dance instead of what he previously planned. Continuing to work on his dance with Amumu until he felt ready. Picking up a set for himself the day before the Rift Gala. Kennen still had not shown up and was apparently out from what he had been told by friends. Hailun was getting nervous that he'd have no one to go with and began thinking of other options.

It was the day of the dance. Hailun's Crystal Rose attire had been cleaned and pressed by his parents. They couldn't believe he was going to the ball, but they weren't going to stop him. After all, he had done what they asked. Hailun showed up at school, he was nervous and had mixed emotions about all of it. He was certain Kennen would still be out of school. But then...just as he was about to go into school he saw the other boy approaching the building.

Hailun smiled and scampered over. He had brought the Rift Gala tickets with him every day. He felt as prepared as he could be to ask the other boy.

"Hey, Ken. How are you feeling?" Hailun hesitated to touch the other boy as he wasn't certain where Kennen was mentally.

Kennen squinted a bit. "I have a bit of a headache but I'll be fine."

"Welcome back...I..." The red panda stopped short of telling his friend that he missed him.

The cub grabbed his head holding it as if it bothered him. "Thanks."

"You're not still mad at me are you...?" Hailun asked as he wanted to make sure it wasn't the case.

"What are you talking about? I was never mad at you." Kennen seemed to have completely forgotten what happened.

Hailun sighed in relief. "Oh, good. Uh...do you have any plans tonight?

"No, I'm probably just going home and resting. I'm not feeling great right now." Kennen said trying to relax a bit.

The red panda frowned. "Aw, okay."

"Why?" Kennen knew nothing about the ball since he hadn't been at school the past few days.

The smaller boy smiled and reached into his pocket ready to pull out the tickets. "I was thinking we could go to the Rift Gala together."

"That stupid thing? I don't want to...sorry, I'm not feeling up for it I'll see you later. I'm going to the clinic for my medicine..." Kennen showed no interest and walked away.

Hailun felt a huge sense of disappointment as he sighed. Dropping the tickets onto the floor, he stepped on them. Teemo had watched the boy afar, sensing something had happened. Waiting until the cub had left to go hang with his friends. The yordle went to pick up the tickets and cleaned them off. Looking at them closer he saw the two boys' names with a heart between them. Teemo huffed as he pocketed the tickets and made his way into the school.

Teemo looked around for Kennen and saw no signs of him. After asking around a bit, he learned the boy had reported to the clinic. Teemo had his way to the infirmary and showed himself in. The nurse noticed his entry.

"Feeling alright?" She asked, assuming he was ill or something.

Teemo nodded. "Where's Kennen? I need to talk to him."

"Oh, the boy from the other day? He's right in room one, resting." She pointed to the room with the other boy inside it.

"May I enter?" He asked to make sure he had permission from her.

She motioned him to go in. Teemo saw the boy on the bed, flat on his back, his head panned toward the ceiling with his eyes closed. The smaller cub pulled up a chair next to him. Kennen was resting and didn't notice the other boy had come inside.

"We need to talk." Teemo said as he was still rather intent to make things right in his mind.

Kennen turned his body to the other side. "What do you want?"

"I don't
 care if your a jerk to me but the way you treat Hailun is such garbage. I don't know why he likes you." The sitting cub tried to reason with the other boy.

The resting cub remained silent for a second. "Why do you care so much?"

"Because. He's my friend now whether you like it or not and even before he knew me, he told me about you. It's clear he likes you more than he lets on." Teemo stood up, raising his voice a bit.

The bigger boy huffed. "Look. I'm not feeling well. Can you please just let me rest?"

"No, I can't. This isn't about you. You might not remember this but you have been bedridden for several days now." The smaller cub leaned over the bed.

Kennen sighed. "I guess that would explain why I don't remember anything."

"Right. Do you know who was at your bedside when you passed out...?" Teemo grabbed the boy's side and pulled him back over on his back.

Kennen didn't say anything.

"Correct. You know full well who it was, even if you don't remember. Hailun wants you to go to the Rift Gala with him. Please reconsider going with him." The boy continued to try to reason with him.

The bigger boy cocked an eyebrow. "How do you know what I said anyways?"

"Because he threw away the tickets I gave him. I told him to invite whoever he wanted and I know he invited you. Look."  Teemo handed Kennen the ticket with the writing on it.

Kennen looked at it a second holding it in his hand. "Hailun did this?"

"Yes. Who else do you think would do it? This is his name after all." The smaller yordle was certain that would be enough for the other boy to change his mind.

The laid-down cub remained silent for a second, still staring at the ticket. The paper was tattered and dirty but still legible.

"I'll think about it." Kennen still felt pretty crummy and his head was throbbing.

Teemo sighed. "Thanks. You can keep that ticket in case you decide to go. I'll make sure Hailun gets the other."

Kennen clutched the thing over his chest and rested his eyes. Teemo smirked as he felt like the deal was sealed. Yet he knew that Kennen was conflicted and that nothing was guaranteed. Now all that was to get Hailun a ticket back.

It wasn't until lunch that Teemo got to talk to Hailun again. Kennen still had isolated himself in the clinic and so the other boy was still under the impression he wasn't going. Amumu was in line in front of him. The green yordle had taken notice of his friend.

"Still going tonight?" Amumu had heard rumors that Hailun had changed plans.

Hailun shook his head. "Nah, the person I asked didn't want to go."

"Maybe you can go just to hang out? I wouldn't mind having you there." The green yordle was a little disappointed Hailun wasn't going even knowing he was already going with someone.

The red panda shrugged. "Sorry, but I threw away my tickets, bud."

"Nah, you didn't. I have your ticket right here. Did you think I was going to get let you out of it so easily?" Teemo said from behind him holding out the ticket in his paw.

Hailun seemed surprised. "Thanks but where's the other?"

"Don't you worry about that. I gave the other to someone else who wanted it." Teemo stopped short of saying who he gave it to.

"Alright, I'll help you out Amumu. No problem." He took the ticket back, smiling at the green yordle.

Teemo smirked as the plan had worked without a hitch. Now it was all a matter of waiting to see what happened at the Gala ball.

The rest of the day went normally for young Hailun and his friends. He still wasn't much looking forward to going without Kennen but he knew he had agreed to help Amumu. Besides the other boy was often pretty sad and he wasn't about to let things go back to the way they were. Hailun arrived home and changed into his Crystal Rose attire.

Hailun looked into the mirror. The set fits him well despite being borrowed. A pure white tuxedo with good tassels and enblazened gold shouders. A single blue rose near his lapel.

"You turned out well." His mother complimented her son.

Hailun looked back at her. "Thanks, mom."

"Going with Kennen tonight?" She was certain this would be the case.

The cub looked disappointed. "No, just with friends."

"Oh, alright. Well, try to have fun, alright? Ready to head out?" The woman had prepared the portal for the anticipation of his readiness.

Hailun puffed out his chest. "Yup."

"Alright, in we go. Good luck." She guided him into the portal.

A flash of bright light blinded the young cub as he entered it. Portals were an old yordle technique but one he seldom got to use. He could see the school getting closer with each passing second as his body levitated through the stream of the portal.

Hailun arrived at the school and saw a bunch of people already assembled near the entrance to the arena. The arena had again been repurposed for the use of the event. It now took on Pearline rafters with golden rims draped with roses and other flowers throughout. He could hear the faint sound of music pouring out from within. He couldn't help but feel nervous as he had never been to anything like this before.

"Oh, I'm glad you came. I was worried you wouldn't show up." Amumu spotted the other boy and greeted him.

Hailun smiled. "Nah, I said I'd come. I'm here to help you out."

"Cool, thanks. Ready to head inside? Stuff will begin soon, I think." The green yordle said pointing to the door.

The red panda nodded. "Yeah, where's Rumble?"

"He's inside. I told him I went to go look for you." Amumu led him toward the main entrance of the pavilion.

A plush red carpet had been rolled out with magical spotlights streaming against the sky. The air smelt like fresh flowers. Several members of the school's administration stood at the entrance checking tickets as the students made their way inside. Hailun and Amumu showed off their tickets and were allowed inside the main complex.

Inside the arena had been redesigned from floor to roof. No longer were bleachers adorning the side. A large open dance floor lay across the center of it all. A stage at the front with a band blaring out tunes of all sorts. A small table with refreshments was pushed off to the side with some kids crowding around it. Hailun made his way over to it to grab himself a drink. Large stacks of cups lay strewn all over the place as he picked up one and poured some punch into it.

He saw Amumu had returned to Rumble and waved over at the two. It made him smile that the two had caught on so quickly. It made him yearn a bit for Kennen but he didn't let it bother him that much. He sat down at one of the free chairs near the table. Unsure of what to do. Everyone was already dancing and he didn't have a partner to dance with. He began sipping away at the drink in front of him.

Time began to pass. Hailun was growing restless and bored. He had considered leaving a few times now. Looking at a clock on the wall he saw it was late. Not near his bedtime but that didn't change the fact that he just wasn't into the whole ordeal. He looked back at the dance floor. Everyone was smiling, rocking back and forth with each other. He decided to make his departure, feeling he had been there long enough.

"You are not leaving are you?" Teemo asked, grabbing Hailun by one of his wrists.

Hailun hesitated. "Yeah, why?"

"Because I figured you'd like to dance at least once." The smaller cub placed his paw behind the other boy's back and tried to ease him onto the dance floor.

The red panda felt himself being pushed forward. "No, I'm alright Teemo. You can go enjoy yourself with Tristana."

"It's fine. She doesn't care. Come on." Teemo led the other boy clear across the dance floor, going right between all of the other kids.

Hailun had no idea what was going on. They were now clear on the other side of the dance floor. Looking over at Teemo, the boy stepped to the side. The red panda then saw the boy he had been hoping for all along. Kennen had made his way into the ballroom. The red panda picked up the pace and immediately walked over to him.

"You...came...you...changed your mind?" Hailun couldn't believe his eyes.

Kennen huffed as he gritted his teeth. "May I have this dance?"

Hailun didn't say a word. He took the boy's two hands in his own and began swaying with him back and forth.

"Happily ever after, Teemo?" Tristana said as she slapped him on the back.

Teemo flinched. "Not quite, yet. Come on...let's continue."

"You're a stubborn fool, you know that right?" Tristana whispered into his ears.

Kennen pushed his arms around Hailun and the two attempted to dance. The bigger boy had no idea how to dance. Hailun tried leading the other cub into it but Kennen was awkward and clumsy. Still, his heart was beating rather fast. All he cared about was that Kennen was there now. He didn't care that the other yordle didn't know how to dance.

"You look nice." Hailun complimented the other boy.

The bigger boy grunted putting up with the tight clothing. "Thanks. You look handsome yourself."

Hailun blushed profusely as his face turned red. The music slowed down and the two continued to do their version of a dance. Kennen's feet were starting to hurt. The clothing he had been given was the last set and too small for him. Still, he was putting up with it because he knew Hailun wanted him there. Suddenly Kennen stopped and pulled Hailun in so their bodies were square with one another.

"You alright?" Hailun said as he stood there idly standing on the other boy's arm

"Shh..." Kennen leaned forward and pushed his lips directly into the other boys. The two shared a rather lengthy kiss that lasted several seconds.

"Now, Teemo?" Tristana said as she had been watching them occasionally just as Teemo had.

Teemo nodded. "Yup."

Hailun and Kennen remained locked in each other's embrace for a few moments until they finally pulled apart. Both boys with red faces and were rather flustered. Hailun reached over and took Kennen's hand,
 looking into his eyes.

"I love you, Kennen." Hailun finally confessed his full emotions to the boy.

Kennen hugged the smaller boy. "I love you too. Let's never be apart again."

The music began to die down as it was almost the end of the event. Kennen shuffled his feet still feeling rather uncomfortable with the small wardrobe.

"Wanna go hang at the garden or something? This clothing is stuffy." Kennen suggested as he just wanted to change into something more casual.

Hailun nodded. "Yeah, sure."

The two made their way out of the arena and back into the entrance area of the school. Yordle cubs of all ages were spread out everywhere. Kennen figured no one would be at the garden or so he hoped. He led to the rear entrance of the school under the vinyl lining that led into the school's garden area. The place smelt of produce and flowers. Kennen picked one and handed it over to Hailun.

"For you." Kennen said with a corny smile.

Hailun fastened it along with his other one. "Thanks."

Kennen sat down on one of the wooden benches and began taking his shoes off. "That's better...haha."

"Were they small on you or something?" The bigger boy folded one of his socked feet on his leg.

Kennen nodded. "Yeah. It's all they had left. I wasn't going to miss out because of small shoes."

"Here, let me help."  Hailun squeezed himself in next to Kennen on the bench.

Hailun moved the socked paw on his legs. "Go ahead and put the other one up here too."

Kennen didn't know what he had in mind and slowly lifted his other leg so that both of his feet were on top of the other boy's upper legs. Hailun reached down and began rubbing one of them with his hands.

"How does that feel?" The red panda asked as he had never done this before.

Kennen smiled. "That feels nice."

Hailun continued to rub the boy's feet. Stroking into them with his fingers and claws. Stroking them back and forth as the fabric of the sock extended back and forth. Before long Hailun reached in to take the socks off, one by one. Kennen's furry feet were on full display in front of him as he wiggled his toes. The red panda could smell something, certain that it was his friend's feet.

"I hope they don't smell bad." Kennen figured the other boy might have stopped because of that.

Hailun smirked a bit. "They don't smell bad." The boy discovered he wasn't averse to the smell and it sort of reminded him of the other day after the lake.

Hailun continued rubbing his friend's feet, stroking along the other cub's sole and threading between his toes. Kennen couldn't believe that this had gone so long. Kennen's feet certainly didn't ache anymore but it was evident Hailun might have been enjoying this. Lifting the foot that Hailun was not touching, he planted it square on the boy's nose, to be funny. Hailun felt the boy's other toes wiggle right in front of him. The scent was stronger now. There was something different about it. Hailun had stopped touching the other foot, clearly distracted by the one on his nose.

"Do...you like this?" Kennen was certain that was the case.

Hailun put his hand under the boy's foot as if to keep it there. Taking a few more sniffs of it as the smell became stronger in his nose. He closed his eyes and blushed. He wasn't sure what he liked about it but he wanted more of it.

"Hehe, you're cute when you blush." Kennen wiggled his toe again, touching the other boy's wet nose as he leaned back and tried to relax a bit,

Hailun pushed his nose right against the other cub's warm sole. The smaller cub closed and took an elongated sniff, a little bit more audible this time. Little did he realize the act was turning him on even if he hadn't gotten stiff yet. Kennen kept it there for a few moments before removing his foot. Hailun takes a few seconds to regain his senses.

"Well, looks like I know how to pay you back now...haha." The bigger boy said before readjusting himself in his seat.

Hailun's face was still red beneath his fur. "Sorry if I made it weird..."

"It's fine. I think I've made it weird plenty of times. Besides...I don't mind." Kennen said as he shrugged.

The smaller cub shrugged. "Thanks. You won't tell anyone will you?"

"Oh, Nah. Whatever we do stays between us. So I was thinking..." The bigger boy trailed off a bit.

"About what?" Hailun grabbed Kennen's shoes as he wanted to help him out.

Kennen poked Hailun on his wet nose. "I was thinking we could be boyfriends."

"I would like that. You don't mind if people find out?" The smaller yordle didn't want his friend to be uncomfortable.

Kennen blushed a bit. "I'll manage. I made a promise to you before and I intend to keep it. Come on it's getting late. Let's go home."

Hailun nodded and helped his friend up off the bench. The two walked to Hailun's home as he lived closer. Kennen managed to deal with his small clothes, though walking barefoot. The couple holding hands and seeming rather happy with how things turned out. Both boys' hearts soared high even despite Hailun's confusion over why he liked Kennen's feet so much. Still, at least he knew the other boy would never let anyone in on their little secret.

They arrived at Hailun's house and hung outside the front door a bit. Hugging and kissing lightly one more time before Kennen waved to make his way home, handing the rented shoes back to him. Watching him as he left. Once he treaded back into the house, Hailun's parents checked up on him. Surprised to find out that Kennen had shown up. Even going as far as telling them about dancing with him but leaving out the more intimate parts.

They of course suspected more but didn't inquire further. Figuring it would only be time before they were a couple. Hailun grabbed dinner with his family. They treated him to some takeout they had ordered earlier. The cub gladly partook in it before retiring to his bedroom. Looking out his window, thinking about how beautiful the sky looked. Stars sparkling back at him as the moon shone overheard. Slipping into bed, his heart still soaring high and eager for a new day.", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Dealing with Doubt", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "0", "views": "393" }