Note: As a reminder, the ages of characters whose ages were not stated explicitly in the anime, shall be based on their appearances. Hence, Shalnark and Shizuku being in the same grade as Neon and Kurapika.

DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own HxH and the All the Pretty Little Horses

…

CHAPTER 8: Pencil

TapTapTapTapTap

"Ms. Freecs." The tapping paused, and Gon stared at Satotsu. "Why not try listening when you're awake in class rather than tapping the poor pencil on your…" He unceremoniously turned his eyes at the graphite residue. "…supposedly impeccable desk?"

"Sorry."

And she did stop. But she was so restless she couldn't pay attention nor could she sleep.

She was so, so very, worried for her friend.

Flop

She blinked at what felt like something light had been thrown behind her back. She looked back and thankfully Satotsu was starting to write a long list of… something…on the board. The first person she saw was Killua, who pointed somewhere down her, and her sight followed his direction.

There was a piece of paper, which apparently Killua threw at her. She blinked and took a few seconds to load what it meant before she picked it up, curiously unfolding it. "Idiot Worrywart" It said and she couldn't help it…

"Pfft—"

But then Satotsu turned to them mechanically and, without warning, went to her and took the paper. "My, what is this?" He asked, as if he didn't already know, and Gon and Killua stared at him nervously.

"S-Satotsu-sensei."

"Idiot worrywart? Is that supposed to be your new nickname, Ms. Freecs?" They gulped and he turned his back to continue writing on the board. She realized that it was, apparently, a list of names.

Soon enough her new nickname appeared on the board. A few chuckles were heard, including Gon's, but then soon enough Satotsu revealed what it was about. "If you recall correctly…, a few days ago, you took a short and uneventful diagnostic exam." Gon recalled she was not fond of the questions.

"Here's a list of your year-long study partners, based on your scores and how they complement each other—that is, the upper half paired with the lower half." He paused and Gon looked at her name (or nickname). She wasn't paired with Killua. And she felt very disappointed. She wasn't sure who her partner was.

In any case, she skimmed the names. He was paired with Bisuke.

Her hands flinched.

"Well, better get to know your partners, then."

…

Everyone found their partners, and Gon was still looking for hers. She looked again at the name on the board. In retrospect it was familiar, slightly, but she didn't know who it was.

Bisuke and Killua were already sitting together, chatting, and Gon found herself scratching her cheek. She recalled Kurapika's words. Jealousy.

She was jealous, she knew that. But she shouldn't bother anyone else with it. It was selfish. So she continued looking for her partner. Eventually, she found a girl with glasses. She looked a little older than she was and she didn't look like she was with anyone. So Gon approached her.

"I'm Shizuku. I'm older than you but I was homeschooled." She introduced immediately, and followed by "Are you Junie-san?" Gon shook her head. Gon only introduced herself and Shizuku's partner appeared a few seconds after that.

"Ms. Freecs." Satotsu-sensei called again, but she was glad he wasn't as serious as he was earlier. He talked with a low voice, but she heard him despite the chattering that resounded across the room. "You're paired with the top of the class. You know what that means, don't you?"

Gon slumped down at that and nodded. "…that I'm at the bottom."

"Indeed." Satotsu smiled softly. "I expect that you put more effort—especially when you had this opportunity. Is that understood?"

She nodded.

"Now…," He said, looking around. Something told her that her partner wasn't inside the room at all. "Begin with finding your partner and convince him to help you out."

…

It was lunch time and everyone was in their usual spot. Except Kurapika. Bansho said she accepted some extra work by the professor and would be unable to join that day's lunch. But whether or not that was true, Neon wasn't speaking at all. Everyone knew he was seriously worried for the girl as well.

They tried to relax the mood by discussing the study pairs. "Oh I remember that." Banshou smiled. "It was one of the reason you and Shalnark got close right?"

"Speaking of which… he's a smart kid, why not add him as a member as well?" That was Vaise and Bisuke shook her head.

"We didn't get recommendations from above." Bisuke answered. "I'd rather play it safe."

"But Neon-bocchama—"

"—Will be the one and only exception."

Banshou grinned cheekily. "Well, aren't you glad?"

"Whatever." Neon shrugged and continued his silent streak. Bisuke sighed and decided to continue with their topic. She sighed in disappointment at what it was.

"Well, I certainly would've preferred someone cuter as my partner." She said and looked at Killua who only rolled his eyes. He then looked at Gon.

"We were unfortunately in the middle percentile (remind me to do better next time)," he said. "What about you Gon?"

"Bottom." She chuckled light-heartedly and scratched her head. "I got paired with the top of the class."

"Well that's what you get from sleeping pretty much the whole class." Bisuke said. "Perhaps this is a wake-up call." She paused and laughed. "Get it? 'Wake-up' call? As in—"

"We get it old bag. It just wasn't funn—"

BAM!

And once again, Killua was sent to the top of the nearest tree (which was more or less two meters away), and soon hanging on one of the branches slightly above them. Bisuke sighed to calm herself and looked at Gon, resuming her normal smile again. "Feitan-kun, right?" She said and looked up, thinking. "I didn't see him in class today."

"Yeah. Who is he?"

"All I know about him…" Bisuke answered, "Is that he has a height problem."

"Huh?"

"I think he's the dude that made the speech in the opening ceremony." Killua said from above, gracefully interrupting Bisuke (much to her annoyance), before effortlessly jumping down. "The one you slept through."

"Ah!" Gon exclaimed at the recollection before freezing. "You forgave me for that already, right?"

"Yeah. Sure." He said nonchalantly without looking at her, teasing. Gon pouted in response, and they could only chuckle.

"Mou…"

…

The period after lunch was Hanzo-sensei's. But he wouldn't be able to come to class. And as Killua, Gon, and Bisuke huddled together, the older woman whispered it was because he tried to peak at Menchi's bath so he was kinda half-dead. He probably wouldn't be able to go to classes the next day either.

And soon enough, a teacher came in to tell them it was free period.

Gon took the chance to look for Feitan, who still wasn't there. "Can I come?"

"N'aw~ Killua-kun, as my study partner, you should accompany me in my review." Killua's eyes twitched. This old bag was just trying to get to his nerves!

And Gon…

"It's fine." She said. "I don't want to trouble you. Ja."

"Whoops." Bisuke whispered teasingly. "Too bad she agreed."

And Killua frowned. "Shut up."

...

Gon went by Satotsu's room in the faculty hall. He was there, thankfully, and he said that he saw Feitan roaming around campus that lunch, eating a small piece of bread. "Thanks, Satotsu-sensei!"

"No problem." He said. "And would you like a hint?"

"Think of yourself in his shoes."

"Eh?"

Satotsu only smiled. "Good luck."

…

'If I was too smart to go to class… where would I go?' That was the primary question that was in her head as she looked for her partner. She blinked at an idea, and ran to wherever he probably was.

And, after some bloopers and dead ends, she realized she was right. She found him sleeping in the library. It wasn't easy though. She had to scour the whole place, which was seriously large by the way. There were bookshelves that were two stories high, and there were two mezzanines filled with shelves.

She saw him somewhere in the first mezzanine, at the corner, and there was no one in sight. Feitan was lying on his back, on the soft library carpet, letting his arms be his pillow. It was cold there, unsurprisingly, because of the air-conditioning and no one warming up the place with their body heat. How'd she find him in a short time, she wondered, especially when he was so… scentless. But she pushed the questions to the back of her mind instead.

"Excuse me, Feitan-san?" She said, almost in a whisper. There was no answer. So, knowing it's rude to wake someone (she did not know) up, just sat at a good distance and waited.

And waited…

And Gon being Gon… she, too, fell asleep.

And the next time she opened her eyes, she blinked as she sensed someone staring. It was Feitan, it seemed, and he was just sitting a meter away from her, and soon stared stoically at the carpet again. "How long are you going sit there?"

"You were awake?"

"You wouldn't really know." He shrugged. "You fell asleep a few seconds after you arrived."

"Uhm…" Her eyes crossed and they stared at the same spot on the ground. Gon felt guilty for sleeping so quickly. "...sorry."

"And who could sleep in such a place?" He finally said, obviously in (monotonous) sarcasm, and she shivered at the weak breeze that passed by and that he wasn't wearing any jersey. Was he really that immune to cold? But she recalled when she first saw him, he had it on…

It was then she realized she wasn't as cold as she thought she was. Her head automatically looked down and saw a jersey carelessly covering her. His jersey was on her.

Gon didn't say anything and looked at Feitan. He didn't really seem to care what she thought, so she only smiled lightly and handed him her jersey. "…thank you."

Still, he only stared at her, and his sharp expression did not change. She watched him put in on again. They were silent the whole time.

It was then when he turned to her, and he said. "You're small."

"Eh?" But then she recalled what Bisuke said. Feitan had an issue with height. "Oh."

After a few moments of silence, and Feitan staring stoically at her face (which eventually did make her, the girl not easily put in that situation, a little awkward) "So…what did you want from me?" He asked with an odd accent that made her even harder to absorb what he just asked. Eventually, she did. Fortunately.

"Ah! Satotsu-sensei asked me to find you." She said, then beaming innocently. "We're study partners!"

"No."

"Eh?"

"You probably a lot of work."

"Ah." She muttered. She couldn't really deny it, now could she? But—"But I'll try harder I swear!" She said and unconsciously scooted closer. "C'mon please?"

He just looked away, and eventually ignored her pleas. Feitan was, apparently, very good at tuning people out as if they weren't there. Anyway, giving up was simply not on Gon's vocabulary. And then she remembered what Satotsu said. He had a height issue so he probably wasn't eating bread to diet.

"I can cook you some bento every day in exchange." She said and he turned his head to her. She twinkled at that. Ah-ha! A response! She mused. Finally!

And for a moment there, he looked like he was really considering it. But then he sighed. "It's probably inedible. Or poisonous."

"Mou!" She pouted, but still whispering. They were still in the library after all. Nevertheless, Feitan twitched. "My friends say I'm pretty good." She defended, and finally—Feitan succumbed. Sort of.

"Whatever."

…

He was only an inch taller.

Gon tried not to stare, and for the most part she succeeded. The rest, she couldn't stop—even if it was just her peripheral view. He was quite small for a guy, but he had the stance of someone way older. Gon was very curious about her partner. Very curious, indeed.

In any case, they soon arrived at the music room assigned to them before she could start interrogating him. "You two are late." The professor said the moment they opened the door. Her soft voice was very appealing though. It was mother-like, and Gon found herself less nervous than she should be. Whether or not that's a good thing.

"Sorry." They both said, although Feitan still sounded vapid. The professor only nodded and looked at where they were supposed to sit. She must be Senritsu-sensei. She too was very small, almost like a dwarf, but she was very, other than her voice, and for teh lack of a better adjective…warm. She also had an odd appearance, but Gon didn't really note them much. All she knew was what the professor felt like, so she relaxed.

What she noted was the nice room with the rows of different elevations, almost like the seats in auditoriums. And then she saw Killua and Bisuke, and she could only smile awkwardly in embarrassment.

"Gon-chan, would you like to sing us a song?" Senritsu asked before they could even take a seat. Everyone blinked and stared.

"Eh?"

But Senritsu only smiled gently. It was an unfaltering smile, however, which told Gon she was serious. Gon gulped before nervously remaining standing, despite her partner already taking his seat.

"We were studying notes. You sound like a mezzo." Senritsu held out her hand, and after blinking she went to her professor as she was wordlessly asked to. "Don't be nervous." She said and Gon nodded. "Have you sung in front of people before?"

She shook her head. It was true. She only sang when she was bored. And that meant only when she was alone. Gon gulped again and looked at everyone in her class. They were staring at her with a mix of anxiety, curiosity, and pity. However, her eyes met with Killua's. He then smiled at her and made a thumbs-up.

Gon smiled back, almost chuckling. She quickly closed her eyes after. You can do this, she mused, imagine you're alone in the house again…with nothing else to do but stare into deep space.

She paused. So essentially, she was recalling what it felt like to be lonely.

But right now, she wasn't. She was singing because someone requested her to, and people were watching. People were waiting for her to sing. And perhaps, it would be a way for her to remember her past.

She opened her eyes and then, slowly, her mouth, and allowed the familiar tunes to escape her mouth.

Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.
When you wake, you'll have cake,
And all the pretty little horses.Blacks and bays, dapples and grays,
Coach and six-a-little horses.
Hush-a-bye, don't you cry,
Go to sleepy, little baby.

Silence

Gon blinked at hearing it, assuming one could hear silence. How did she do? Did she suck?

"That's very lovely, Gon." Senristu said, patting her hand. "Thank you and you may have a seat."

"A…ah." She said and sat down beside her partner. Her head was spinning a little. They did clap for her as she looked at her seat, but she wasn't sure if it was a customary thing. She wondered if they hated it.

"I'm surprised." He whispered. She turned her head to him. "Maybe if you had the academic skills as you have singing, we wouldn't have much trouble." She blinked and stared at him, before beaming.

"So you think I sing well?"

"I didn't say anything like that." He responded immediately.

And Gon could only chuckle.

...

(After classes)

Killua, with his hands coolly on his pocket, looked around the club's hanging spot, and stared at Bisuke, who was then sitting seiza on the grass. "Where's Gon?" He kind of wanted to compliment her singing earlier.

"She asked for a break today." Killua stared and she opened her eyes to look at him, her sly smirk quickly her face. "Since her… study partner…," Bisuke paused for effect, and her smirk widened at Killua's increasingly transparent expression. "…asked her to.

Bisuke almost laughed, but stopped herself. "What-cha gonna do about it?"

He only stared at her for a while, and as if on cue the Nostrade's bodyguards arrived, pulling the boy from an embarrassing silence. Killua glared at her afterwards.

"…nothing." He said, before turning around and used Ten. The two bodyguards looked at each other in puzzlement.

"It's none of my business."

…

Gon and Feitan were in the study hall, with various History books occupying the wooden surface they called the torture table. And barely an hour since they begun, Gon's head was already smoking.

"Give up?"

"No…!" She pouted. "I can still do this!"

Gon pondered at something that'll help her remember all these names and events... "…er…."

Feitan, still lazily resting his chin on his palm, which was supported by his elbow, sighed. "Use associations."

"Like…" She thought hard. "Meta…er…"

"Metaphors."

"Ah." It was then she suddenly remembered something similar she heard somewhere. "Ne, Ne, Feitan. Which kind of pencil are you? One with graphite on both sides, or another with erasers?"

Feitan stared at her, expression unchanging, and sighed (again). "Go back to work."

"Mouu—just answer the question!"

Thinking about it, and the fact she recalled by metaphors, the first one probably referred to people who make no mistakes. But in the end everyone did it—these types of people would cover their mistakes with more works and treat it like it never existed. And those who had erasers on both sides, perhaps, were too much perfectionists or had committed too many mistakes. That type would not be able to move on.

The first one was unfortunate, the second one was stupid. He used to be the latter.

He closed his eyes. "You could just take off the eraser on one side and sharpen it." He shrugged and when he opened them, they were quickly met by Gon's beaming face, shortly followed by an enthusiastic gasp.

"That's it!"

One of his eyebrows rose. "What?"

She looked at him and smiled brightly before holding his hand, as if it was the most natural thing to do. He almost flinched, and he expected himself to. And yet he didn't.

"I have to tell this to Kurapika!"

"Who?"

"Thanks Feitan!"

And without another word—she stood, and quickly disappeared from his sight.

…

Kurapika was sitting in her room then, alone, thinking of when she'd regain the face to show her club. She felt heavy, guilty, and embarrassed. And she did not want to move.

Everyone … expected much of her. The bad thing was that she was supposed to be able to meet those expectations. But she let her emotions overcome her thoughts… and failed.

She thought she brood for a while then, and frankly she had no energy to try otherwise. However, her depressing reverie was quickly cut by a sound of a chair moving. Her characteristic cerulean eyes blinked and she whipped her head to where it came. To her surprise, Neon was suddenly on his seat, his back looking broader than usual.

"What are you still doing here?" She asked and got enough sense to look around the room. The only thing she found out was that Vaise and Banshou were nowhere to be found.

"No one really minded, Kurapika." Neon said out-of-the-blue, still without looking at her, and she only looked at him for a while. And then she smiled.

"Thanks for worrying about me."

He quickly turned his head to her at that, his cheek turning red. "I-I wasn't!"

Kurapika could not help but chuckle at this. She knew she was lucky to have him as a friend. And for some reason, he blushed even more. "S-Stop laughing damnit!"

"…I'm sorry." She responded with a smile, and he looked away again, this time hiding his face by looking down. Neon didn't say anything after that, and neither did she. But the silence didn't quite feel as lonely, anymore. If anything… it felt warm.

The moment lasted for a while, only to be interrupted by another familiar voice calling out her name. "Kurapika!" She and Neon looked at the door, and there she was—looking disgruntled, but the excitement in her face was unmistakable.

"G-Gon?"

"You *huff* should be a normal pencil—not the second type!"

Kurapika's eyebrows furrowed in puzzlement. "Pardon?"

Gon then breathed deeply to regain some energy, and literally stomped to Kurapika's seat. Gon then raised her hand, trying to show her something.

It was a pencil she was carrying, and apparently while she ran. Kurapika almost nagged her about running in the halls with such a sharp pencil but Gon was too hyped up to even pause for another breath.

Gon, in her excitement, accidentally threw the sharp pencil at Neon, but was caught by Kurapika. "Be more careful Gon."

Neon only stared.

"Ah. Sorry." Gon said, grinning awkwardly at Neon, before whipping her head back to Killua. "See?!" She yelled and even pointed at Neon. "What would've happened if you're not with us! We could've died!"

Kurapika's eyes widened, and there was a pregnant pause that followed. And a few seconds later, Kurapika let out her internal tension by laughing heartedly. The other two couldn't help but stare at the pretty sight she made.

"You're exaggerating, Gon!" She said in between the laughs. "But… thank you."

"Hehe." Gon smiled and shyly scratched her cheeks. "But, Kurapika, will you tell us what really happened?"

Kurapika stared for a while. She was very much hesitating but… this was Gon. There was just something about this girl that was extremely, and utterly, trustworthy.

And she unconsciously showed that she would tell, and her eyes met with Neon's. He flinched immediately, but the moment he looked away, closed his eyes, and stood. "I'll take my leave now."

Kurapika blinked. Neon misunderstood. "No, it's fine, Neon." She said and he looked at her with disbelief. "Stay."

This time, it was Neon's distinctive emerald orbs that widened in surprise. He gulped in an attempt to hide his reddening face, and pulled a seat to Kurapika's table, as Gon did the same.

And for what felt like an eternity, Kurapika told them her story.

It wasn't something he'd wish on his greatest enemy, let alone her.

But—despite the shock, confusion, and anger that was roused as she narrated the experiences in her life she usually would not share—In the end…, he knew Kurapika placed her trust on him… enough to tell him such a deep secret.

And he could not be any more grateful.

.
.

END OF CHAPTER 8

Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 9: Winning

REPLIES TO ANGELS

Ageha-chama – Mah, there'll be more soon. I couldn't find anywhere to squeeze it in this chapter tho. (I think your review got cut). And really?! Now I just miss VK. xD Thx for the comment~

Chamcha- lololol. And your wish is my command~! xD I hope you don't mind me choosing Feitan tho. Hahahhaha. And thank you for the comment~!

Yuki Candy Heart- Thank you for the review~! So glad you thought it was a nice chapter by the way! XD

Phoenix Thunder- Banzai~! I'm so relieved that I wrote Killua's character well. *wipes sweat* And yay~! Gosh. That prophecy took a while to make and I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the review, btw~~

AsukaSaru- Ahahaha, thank you for the review~! And you thought the chap was awesome? YAY! And whew~! Glad I managed to do decent action scenes! Totally out of my comfort zone. xD And here's the chapter~! It lacks action but I hope you liked it anyway xD

A- …and thank you for reading and reviewing it~! ;) Hihihi and I'm glad you liked how I portrayed Kurapika~ xD

Pika Yuhi-chan – Vote noted~! I put in few eye pair moments here~! Hope you liked it and thx for the comment! ;)

Freedom s fun- Thank you for the review~! I am very glad to know you like my story so far~! Kuroro will appear in a few chapters, btw, but I hope you liked these chaps anyway. Hihihi

Tochiotome-chan- Hahhaha. Oh my~! Killua went tsuntsun and killed you?!hahah. Tell me you're not dead. xD Oh! I'm glad you liked the chap and thx for the review! ;D (p.s. you changed your penname?!)

Kuroneko nnch- Ah~ Not yet. Kuroro's still in the conference. And in a sense yes. I'm retaining many concepts in the canon. I'm super glad you're excited and thank you for reviewing! XD

FivePastTwo- Whoa! You've pointed out a lot of things ne? I'm super happy to know you liked my story, pointed out what they are, and I appreciate that. I know many of the things I should keep doing. And finally, thank you for the wonderfully long review. :D

…

THANK YOU FOR READING~!

I hope you enjoyed, but whatever you thought
I'd be really really glad to know.