Hope you like the long chapter! :) On the down-side, it might be the last one you'll get for awhile. This week and some of the next, I have final exams and two summer courses that's going to take place on the same days….so yeah, I'm going to be a bit busy. I might not have time to update, but I will if I can. Hopefully I'll be finished next Tuesday, when my last test ends, and can start daily chapters again.

The Month of Storing (November) Age 8

Week 1

Monday was probably one of the worst days of my life. It started out normally, with all of us practicing how to forge neopoints so realistic and it can trick any banker. Unfortunately, none of us were doing that well. All of the coins looked curdled and dented, not very convincing at all. The trouble started when Juliet put one in her mouth.

"AAAAGH!" She wailed. "This does not taste like the chocolate wrapped in gold wrappers! Help! HELP!" Pretty soon, her twin started yelling too, and the whole class was uproar.

"Will you settle down?" The Kyrii snarled. "I've seen worse than this before. Open your mouth and I'll take it!"

"No way!"

"Yes way!"

"At least wash your hands first!"

"Ugh!" The Kyrii grabbed both of her arms, only to be grappled by Julius.

"Let go of my sister, you mangy guard!" He shouted.

The Kyrii looked at him indecorously. "What? But I'm not a- OW!" He was hitting the teacher with his fist. Juliet bit the Kyrii's paw until he screeched. Yup, just another day in class.

Until the Lupe came.

He was big and brawny, the kind who you would see in pictures of the Gallery of Heroes or beauty-muscle products. His scarred face looked sly and clever, with blood-red eyes demanding your respect; even if you are being harassed by sugar-rabid twins. The Kyrii straightened up and pushed Julius and Juliet away gently but firmly. He was scowling. "What are you doing here?"

He pointed at me. The class gasped. "Hanso hasn't done anything wrong!" Razor cried, to my surprise. He was the last person I'd think of to stand up to anyone this scary.

"Mm-hmm," the twins said in unison.

"I agree," the Kyrii said. "Though he's been a bit of a troublemaker, he doesn't deserve…"

The Lupe barked a laugh that made my blood freeze. "Don't worry; I'm not here for my usual business…though if he really is naughty perhaps I will. No, I'm here because Kanrik wanted me to fetch him."

"What would Kanrik want to do with Hanso?" The Kyrii interrogated, keeping a firm paw on my shoulder.

"Beats me. No one ever knows what the Big Bad Boss wants to do. Just what he wants, period. So hand 'im over, and let's get the whole matter sorted, shall we?" The Kyrii growled his denial. "Oh, and did I mention I have a note from him?" The Lupe passed it to the Kyrii. His eyes widened, and slowly his grip loosened.

"I'm afraid you better go, Hanso," he sighed, but not without shooting the Lupe a glare of resentment. "Though I'm not happy with it."

"It's okay, guys," I said to my fearful class. "I'm sure he just wants to praise me for my brilliant work or something. I'll be back in no time."

"Hopefully," the Lupe added.

"Definitely," I countered.

He just shrugged. "That's the spirit." He led me through the corridor in a familiar, old office. It looked just like it had a few months ago except there were a lot more notes on the bulletin boards like there were more problems going on. And Kanrik wasn't even half-smiling. Something told me that this wasn't a social visit.

"Hello, Hanso," he said in a principal voice- strict and contained. "Sit down."

"Actually, I'd rather stand." I backed away from the chair, until I bumped into the Lupe. He gave me a knowing smirk. "On second thought, I guess it'll do me good to rest."

"Do you know why you're here?" Kanrik asked steely. I shook my head. "Well, let's review. Why were you here a few months ago?"

I shrugged. "For giving Razor the Illusen staff?"

"For being too generous," he corrected. "For showing weakness. And do you remember what I said if you ever did it again?"

I started sweating, but tried to mask it with a sheepish grin. "Um, I forgot?"

He raised his eyebrows. "You don't forget things, Hanso." He waited, his hand gripping the sides of the chair as if he could barely be contained.

"You, er, would get me back from the cake thing?" I replied weakly.

Then. He. Exploded.

"I SAID YOU WERE GOING TO BE FIRED! BUT I LET YOU OFF EASY! YOU WERE YOUNG, YOU MADE ONE MISTAKE, IT WAS JUST FOR A FELLOW GUILD MEMBER!" When he finally stopped, breathing hard, even the Lupe was a little freaked out. "No harm done."

"Yeah. That's what you said. No harm done; I didn't really do anything." I smiled innocently.

He glowered at me. "Well then, Hanso, I supposed you don't know anything about Miss Brynneth of the Guards?"

"Nope, not a clue," I denied. But I guess I wasn't good enough at that yet.

"Based on my spies' notes, she was accused this morning of being your accomplice for bringing down the guards. It could easily have been the other way around."

My jaw dropped. "You think I would try to bring down the Thieves' Guild? I'm eight, for crying out loud!"

"But very smart. And Hanso, the Thieves' Guild has many enemies. It wouldn't be too difficult for them to persuade a little boy to join."

I looked daggers at him. "Alright, she got accused. Is that your only proof?"

"No," he answered. "I wish it was; perhaps then you would have gotten another warning. Razor has already commented before how easily Miss Brynneth caught you. Oh, he didn't step forward," he added. "They were simply a few idle remarks. It was Miss Kayley who dropped the bombshell- she saw you greeting her, you returned a necklace back to her mother, and attended her birthday." I remembered in class earlier, when everyone was trying to defend me- and she didn't join in. I instantly hated her again. He went on and on about saying 'how disappointed he was' and 'how he expected better from me' and all the usual adult stuff. I used the time to think of an excuse.

"You done yet?" I asked after about a half an hour. He nodded curtly. "Alright, I admit I did help her a little, but it wasn't because I liked her or anything. It was so…I can earn her trust and all. I actually hold a lot of influence over her. I mean, you must have also heard how easily I escaped, right?" The lie tasted bitter in my mouth; I hated using Brynn's past mistakes against her, but at least the Lupe and Kanrik were buying it.

"Well, that is a plan worthy of a thief," Kanrik considered. "But that doesn't explain how she captured you so fast."

Darn, the one thing I didn't think of. I decided to go with the truth this once. "She was good. Really good."

"She was good," The Lupe repeated. It was the first time he'd spoken since we'd entered; I didn't think I'd like what he was about to say. "Are you sure about that?" I nodded. "Then I propose that we should see how good she is next week, Master Kanrik." He turned to him. "If he is fibbing and she's just lousy, we kick him out. If she really is brilliant and all that, we'll…think about it. Fair?"

"Hey, that's not what I had in mind!" I burst out. "I mean, sure she's good, but she can't tackle grown-ups!"

"Tough luck, kid," he replied. He and Kanrik shook hands. "Is that it?"

I looked at him pleadingly, but he only returned it with cold, merciless eyes. "Actually," he said, "Let's call Zida. In case the kid's too masterful for us to handle." They laughed. And just like that, I got sent back to class.

It was ending when I arrived. Kayley had mastered it, as usual, while the rest were still trying to spruce up theirs. They Kyrii sighed and waved them away. "We'll pick up where we left off later- let's break for lunch." Everyone started enthusiastically talking, until Razor spotted me.

"Hanso! Hey, are you okay?" He asked, slightly concerned.

For once, I didn't pay any attention to him. I marched up right to Kayley, who was trying to look at anything but me. "You told."

"Yes."

"Why?" I spat the word out. "What did I- she- ever do to you?"

"She's a guard, Hanso," she said, continuing to pick up her books in a maddingly calm way. "She would have been dangerous. I did what I thought was best."

"Best? Best for what?"I sneered. I knew I was making a scene. The twins, who were never fascinated by anything that couldn't keep up with them, actually came and watched. But I didn't care. "Me? The Thieves' Guild? Or your reputation?"

"All of the above," she replied primly, but with a hard edge this time.

I was seething; the only thing that I wanted at that moment was to wipe that smug little look off her face. But Razor stopped me. "Hanso," he said warningly. His voice was strangely soothing. "Come on. You promised to go to the library with me, remember? Please. Leave it alone."

I shook him off, but agreed anyway. Before we reached the door, though, I turned back and told Kayley, "Just for the record, Brynn was a much better friend than you."

And then she pounced. Before I knew what was happening, she landed two blows at my arm; they still sting, even now. She just came at me, slashing and attacking like a maniac. I ducked before she could pull another punch and went on defensive mode, all the while thinking, This isn't fair; I can't hit a girl! But it sure looked like I would have to. Grabbing a chair, I pushed it as she tried to kick me. She was thrown backwards to the wall. Scowling, she pushed herself with force and threw herself at me.

"WHAT IN NEOPIA IS GOING ON HERE?" The Kyrii cried, rushing in. Razor had called him, but we were still rolling around. He separated us by grabbing the back of our collars.

"He started it!" She claimed, pointing at me.

"She started it!" I yelled, pointing at her.

"I don't care who started it!" The Kyrii shouted. "I am going to end it! Miss Kayley, I would never have expected such behavior from you! And Hanso, right after I defended you from that- that fiend! You should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you want me to call the guild leader?" We both shut up then, me because I knew I was treading in thin ice with Kanrik already, and Kayley probably didn't want to damage her prestige. "I don't want to see you two fighting again, got it?"

"Yes, sir," we both sulked. He left us then, still muttering stuff about us being worse than a couple of drunk pirates. Kayley ran off, too, without gathering her stuff.

"Okay?" Razor asked. "You know, I did think she began this whole mess. She did it without hardly any provocation-"

"Hey, buddy, would you mind going to the library without me?" I interrupted. "I don't feel like going to lunch."

"Oh. Okay. Sure." He drooped sadly. On any other day, I would've run after him, but I couldn't. I felt like I going to be sick. As pathetic as it sounded, all I wanted to do was to lie in bed while my mom told me everything was going to be alright. I couldn't believe that just two months ago, everyone was happily eating cake off me in that very room.

Week 2

We all met the marketplace; the Lupe, which I learned whose name was Vlade, Zida, a grey, skinny Zafara, Kanrik, and me. I was praying that Brynn was going to be out sick, but no luck. I saw her near the shoe stall with that Usul from her party, appearing very bored. I would have smirked if I wasn't so nervous.

"That her?" Vlade asked.

I hesitated in answering, instead looking at Kanrik. Deep down all that meanness, I was pretty sure that somewhere was that guy who liked throwing cake at me. I hoped that it would be enough for him to call the whole thing off, but he didn't. He did say, though, "Don't be too hard on her."

"I thought the kid said she can take care of herself," Vlade pointed out. "If it were up to me, I'd give her all I got."

Kanrik glared at him. "We are thieves- not murderers. No one gets killed today." My skin crawled; did I hear right? This guy actually killed people?

"But-"

"That mistake nearly cost you before. Don't do it again." Vlade just grumbled and shot me a face that told me he wasn't happy. "Now, Hanso," Kanrik continued. "Lead her to the wall- we'll take it from there."

"How am I supposed to do that?" I tried to delay.

"Get her to try and catch you," he instructed patiently. "Now." Okay, not so patiently. I just took a deep breath, knowing I would hate myself for doing this- but it was a her-or-me situation. This time, I couldn't afford kindness. In plain sight of Brynn, I knocked an old Scorchio lady over and stole her purse, then raced like the wind. As expected, Brynn followed me, along with her friend. I sped to where we agreed to meet, then stopped, still not facing her.

"I'm going to catch you this time," she warned in a deadly voice.

I turned around, trying to hide my worry beneath a smile. "You seem rather certain of that, Brynneth."

"I am rather certain about that," she replied confidently.

"Yeah," the Usul added. "Brynn and me could down the whole Thieves' Guild with our eyes shut!'

I grinned again, only this time it was a little genuine. Oh, the irony. "Really? How about three of the best?"

Kanrik and the others stepped out of the shadows. The girls whirled around, hands poised on their sounds. Brynn, however, stood rigidly when she saw Vlade, her face paling. What's with her? The Usul noticed and squeezed her hand. She whispered something to her, and Brynn pointed him.

The Usul nodded and squared her shoulders, as if preparing for something- then ran at Vlade! The idiot! I cursed in my head, especially when all three were attacking her at once. I hoped Brynn would help her, but she was rooted on the spot.

"Aren't you going to fight?" I asked, trying to wake her up. "You don't seem like the kind of person who'd just stand back and watch something like this." She didn't answer, to my annoyance. It's not everyday when the thief has to prod the guard into action. "That guy," I gestured to Kanrik, "He's the leader of the Thieves' Guild."

She seemed to come to herself a little. "And that guy," she said softly, gesturing to Vlade, "I've had dealings with before."

I was shocked, remembering what Kanrik said about him killing people. Dread poured in to me. "When? He's a Master Thief! How do you know him?"

Brynn just kept staring at her friend. She was pinned against the floor, and Zida was pulling his dagger out despite Kanrik's protests. "Say goodbye!"

In that moment, something struck inside of Brynn. Quickly and silently, she put her arm around his neck, placing her sword tip near it. I mentally cheered her on. "How about you say yours?" They turned to face her, astounded. No one, not even adults, probably ever tried to stand up to them together. Then the Usul kicked Kanrik, and all Moltara broke loose.

She jumped up and drew her own sword out, and together she and Brynn cornered them against the wall. The grown-ups all had expressions of disbelief, amazed that two eight-year-olds could get them into such a position. It took all my willpower not to shout, In your face! I knew it wouldn't last, though. Sooner or later, they'd recover and the girls would have to pay- and there was nobody this time to stop it.

Then the Draik whom I recognized as Brynn's teacher appeared. Well, I guess he could. "Brynneth! Violet! Thank goodness you're safe!" Behind him, backup of the guards was coming. He beamed at them. "These are some tough guys; I'm pleasantly surprised at how well you've done. However, this is a job for us." Pretty swiftly, they had the three in shackles. Then he glanced at me. "Girls, do you think you can take Hanso?"

I promptly jumped over the wall…leaving the Master Thieves behind.

Week 3

"This is all your fault," Kayley told me. There had been no lessons because all the grown-ups were too busy panicking, not knowing what to do without Kanrik around. Even my parents had to go, and all us kids had to stay inside the classrooms until about seven p.m., when our moms and dads would take us home to rest. Then the same thing would happen the next day.

I glared at her. "How is it my fault? Even I didn't know she was that good!"

"If you hadn't started hanging out with her in the first place-"

"Shut up, Kayley," I snapped. "You know I didn't. And you were the one who tattled."

"I had to!"

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"Did not!"

We carried on until I heard one of the twins say, "They're worse than us!" And coming from them, that was really, really bad. We both quieted, not speaking to each other.

Week 4

No news. Kanrik's still in custody; Thieves' Guild still in chaos. We were told we're all going to have to pitch in now that everyone's so busy, though they didn't tell us what to do yet. I hope it wouldn't be too unpleasant. One thing's for certain, though; I wouldn't be seeing either my guild leader or Brynn for a long, long time.