Pieces of a Broken Heart – Prologue
Kurapika headed towards a house with a smile on his face. The breeze felt great in Whale Island and the people there were very welcoming. Ever since Leorio confessed, he quit his job and decided to live with him.
It was strange, honestly, because it used to be the four of them; Gon, Killua, Leorio, and himself. When Killua left with his sister to explore the world, Gon was left alone and he's been trying to work hard just as he had always been. The trio wasn't as lively like it used to be, and Gon was doing everything in his power to get it back.
But sometimes, things don't turn out for the best.
"Kurapika!" Leorio's voice called out from a distance.
The blonde turned and looked at the older young man, "hey. How was work?"
"Eh, so, so," he replied, adjusting his glasses. "The kids were looking for Gon like the usual, but the kids know that he's always gone on Fridays."
Kurapika smiled slightly. "Your patients seem to have grown fond of our Gon."
"Yeah, of course. He's the brightest one among the three of us."
Kurapika and Leorio stopped walking when they reached a large white house. It was a two-story house, four rooms at the top, and three at the bottom. The black steel gates to the garage were open, which meant Gon was already in there. Leorio's head perked up, sniffing the aroma of ramen coming from the inside of their house. They followed the path to their front door and entered after removing their shoes.
"We're home!" Kurapika and Leorio said together.
"Ah! Leorio, Kurapika! Welcome home!" A woman called out form upstairs.
The two of them looked up and waved at Mito with a smile on their faces. "Gon is in the kitchen, making you guys food. So just drop off your stuff at the living room!"
"Okay, thanks Mito-san~"
Leorio opened his cellphone after he dropped off his bag on the couch. Kurapika watched him as he dropped his messenger bag next to his. Leorio's eyes widened and Kurapika raised his brows in curiosity. The blackhead gaped.
"What's wrong?" Kurapika asked.
"Uh… Killua just texted me…"
"Oh," he crossed his arms against his chest. "And?"
Leorio continued to read the contents in his phone then stared at Kurapika's brown eyes. "He just got back to his house, said Alluka wanted to fix things with their parents and now he's free to do whatever he wants."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Kurapika blinked.
"I guess, but how will he react when he sees Gon? He said he wants to come over tomorrow."
"It's not like Gon will stay that way forever…" Kurapika frowned. "We just need to find a way to get him back to normal."
"And how exactly will we do that?" The taller one growled. "Gon already looks like giving up."
"If there's a will, there's a way, Leorio."
Sighing in defeat, Leorio and Kurapika headed to the kitchen where Gon was supposedly in. Kurapika's eyes widened in surprise when he saw the meal that was prepared for them. Gon did all of these!? Amazing! They looked at the sink where the person responsible for the delicious looking food was.
She had a beautiful long black hair that passed her bottom and a streak of green on the left side. Over her red apron, she wore a green shirt and a green tank top, which showed her collarbone and broad shoulders. The young woman was humming, slicing egg rolls to add more to the dish.
"Did you get the cake?" Leorio whispered on Kurapika's ears.
Kurapika nodded and pinched Leorio's nose. "I told you on the phone this morning that we'll take it out after lunch."
"Take what out after lunch?" the girl said turning around with a smile on her face.
"Nothing!" Leorio waved nervously. "How was your search going?"
She shook her head and smiled sadly. "They said they haven't seen her since Ging and her split. Some lady said she knew my mom back then, but she left when Mito-san was threatened…"
"Oh…" Leorio patted the girl's back and rubbed it comfortingly. "It's alright, we'll continue to help you find her."
"Thanks, Leorio! Now, shall we eat?"
"Yup!"
"Mito-san! It's time to eat! Call grandma too!"
"Alright!"
When everyone gathered on the table, they all clapped their hands together and bowed their heads.
"Itadakimasu!"
XXX
Leorio rubbed his stomach and exhaled. "That was amazing! Your cooking skills really have improved!"
The young woman laughed. "Thank you~ Kurapika stayed up with me last night to help me. This is the least I can do for all the things you have done for me…"
Mito picked up the empty plates and placed them in the sink. The black-haired girl stood up quickly, reaching for the sponge. "I'll do it Mito-san!"
"Let me do this! This is the least I can do to your special day!"
In defeat, the girl closed her brown eyes and smiled in content. "Okay, if you said so."
In the background, Kurapika elbowed Leorio and he growled in pain as a response. He glared at the blonde. "What was that for!?"
"The cake," Kurapika whispered.
"Oh yeah…" Leorio stood up and walked to the fridge. "We have something for you!"
"Sit down at the center, hold on…" Kurapika walked up to the girl and covered her eyes as he lead her the way. "Sit… here."
This made the black-haired girl uneasy. "O-Okay…" she reached for the green streak of hair and began to play with it as she patiently waited for whatever it was that is to come.
On Kurapika and Leorio's hand, they prepared the cake in front of the girl. She was completely oblivious to it, and Mito chuckled while her friends lit up the "16" candle. The candle was green, and the cake had chocolate chip mint inside, it was her favorite flavor.
"Okay… You can open your eyes now."
And so she did, she opened her brown eyes and they widened when everyone looked at her with smiles on their faces. She felt her heart grow light yet heavy at the same time from the tears that suddenly began to swell in her eyes. Kurapika and Leorio looked at each other, and the doctor winked while the blonde slightly blushed but shook it off to give their complete attention to the birthday girl.
"Happy sixteenth birthday Gon!"
The girl, Gon, closed her eyes and made a wish. A wish she knew that would never happen and she would never want to happen during a situation like this. Gon knew that turning into a girl has been a great burden for everybody, for one, she was a girl and was ten times weaker than she was back when she was a boy with no nen. It was foolish to think she could get it back by over working herself, and turning into an adult Gon once more backfired.
There was more to the story, but it'll come on sooner or later. As for now, it was her birthday, and even though her gender has bent, it didn't change the fact that she was Gon or the wish that she wanted for this very day.
I want to see Killua.
XXX
Killua sneezed when he went back inside his room. He scratched his head then stopped in front of the mirror to look at himself before he sighed and threw his whole body to bed. He was finally home, he was finally free. It sure was fun being with Alluka and went through places he has never been before but being away from his friends left him empty and yearning for their presence. He held back for so long because he had a duty as Alluka's brother, but now things have changed.
He texted Leorio two hours ago and he haven't replied yet. Leorio and Kurapika was his only connection to Gon now because the guy stopped talking to him for almost five months now. Something must have happened, he doesn't want to pry and neither Leorio nor Kurapika told him of Gon's situation, which made him see the guy even more.
A knock on his door came and he sat up, revealing a shy Alluka coming into his room. "Nii-chan?"
"What's wrong Alluka?"
His little sister hopped on to his lap. "You're leaving soon right?"
Killua's face softened. He began to play with Alluka's hair then ruffled them playfully. "Yeah. I have to see someone very important to me."
"Am I important to you, nii-chan?"
"Of course you are; how many times do I have to repeat myself that you're a very important person to me?"
Alluka smiled and nodded, snuggling closer to her brother. "You're a very important person to someone too… and she's very sad right now."
"She?" Killua tilted his head. "Are you sad Alluka?"
"Not me," she giggled. "Someone else, and she's a very important person to you too."
"I don't know any other girl besides…" the white-head was confused. "Biscuit… How do you know this?"
Alluka stared at her brother. "In my sleep… she said… I want to see Killua… She was very sad. She had long black hair and sad brown eyes… Her eyes were red from crying at night and every morning she gets up she smiles for everybody so they don't worry. You need to make her happy again, nii-chan."
Killua was held back by his little sister's description. That was definitely not Biscuit. Who had long black hair and brown eyes? When he closed his eyes, the only person he could picture was Gon during his adult self and he gave a painful pound in his heart. He knew no other girl than Biscuit and Palm has a black hair… but her eyes were purple. Who could it be?
"I have to see Gon first, Alluka. Do you think this person will be able to wait for me?"
"I don't know if she can, but she's been waiting for you for a long time now."
"Do you know her name?"
The youngest Zoldyck child shook her head. "She tries to avoid her name because it makes her sad."
With a sigh, Killua hugged his little sister. Maybe a new journey has embarked for him, and he doesn't even know it. As for now… seeing Gon is his top priority.
XXX
Gon slept peacefully but her phone rang, stirring her up from her sleep. She reached for her device and looked at the caller ID and held it to her chest. The phone continued to ring, and ring, and ring… but all she could do was cry. Tears continued to drop on her phone, refusing to answer it.
Incoming Call
Killua
The rain poured down heavily that night. She wished she could wash away her tears along with the raindrops that left traces in her windowpane.
XXX
The birds were chirping and it was music to her ears. Gon opened her swollen red eyes, breathing in the smell of her tear soaked blanket. She paused there for a while; letting the scene of Killua calling her flow back to her mind, then shook her head. It was a new day, and she had to keep looking forward like everything was okay.
"Okay," she told herself. "I should go to the temple and pray."
It was a daily thing she does before she heads to Leorio's office to help out with his patients, especially kids. Ever since Gon turned into a girl, she had a stronger attachment to children. She thought of Kite and how much it pained her that he had to go through hell and back for him. There were many things she wanted to fix, but not like this.
Gon washed her face and tied her hair up in a ponytail, the green streak visibly appearing on her left side. Her bangs were hanging messily on the sides and she leaned in closer to the mirror to fix herself. She never thought that being a girl was such a drag!
And when the menstruation week comes, it gets worse. But if you're a girl, surely everyone goes through it. Gon learned how to deal with it over time.
She took her nightgown off and dressed back to her usual attire. Green shorts, tank top, and boots. She felt herself again, everyone in town have been trying to cooperate with her, including her friends and family. They've been really kind to her, so she's trying her best not to make any more trouble to everyone. What happened to Ging? Well, ever since he told her to go back home, she decided to just let him do whatever he wanted. Her mind was clear that when she needed her dad, he would be there.
When she was done preparing herself, she walked down the stairs but ran back to her room. She felt stupid. Gon looked at her in the mirror once more and made an ugly face, taking off the ponytail tied to her hair and let her hair down. She ruffled her own hair, making it long and messy once again then resumed to walking down the stairs.
Her brown eyes widened when she spotted a white spikey hair sitting down on the couch. She stopped in her tracks, taken back by surprise. It couldn't be who she thinks it is… could it? Gon began to think of ways to explain herself if he does turn…
But Kurapika comes out from the kitchen with tea and four cups in the tray. With the serious look on Kurapika's face, Gon knew he must be up to something. Leorio soon followed after, and caught Gon standing at the stairs. The older man jumped but motioned her to come to him; she quietly walked past the white-tuffed guest and tip toed to Leorio's ear.
"That's Killua huh?" Gon whispered. She felt Leorio cringe.
"Yeah… I didn't reply to his text yesterday, we wanted to focus on you since it was your birthday and all…"
"What are we gonna do?" Gon hissed, panicking.
Kurapika already knew that Gon was there, and Kurapika already had a sense of feeling that Gon didn't want Killua to find out. Killua looked the same, shorts, turtle neck with a long sleeve inside… His bag… everything was the same. He hasn't changed much. Maybe the fact that he's older and a little bit taller that Gon might have to tippy toe to reach him… but there wasn't much of a change.
Gon looked down on herself and thought about how much she changed compared to Killua. Leorio noticed her mood drop and patted her. "It's going to be okay, buddy."
Gon could only nod.
Leorio and Gon walked towards the couch. Leorio sat next to Kurapika and Gon chose to sit next to Killua quietly but smiled at him. Killua could only smile back, but he was curious as to who the girl was.
Kurapika cleared his throat. "Killua, this is Kin. She's been with us since Gon left."
Gon blinked by surprise; Kurapika is covering up for him and from the looks of it, Killua bought the introduction. But his eyes were searching for something else—it was searching for answers. She bowed to him. "Hi, Killua-kun."
"Nice to meet you, Kin." He grabbed her by the hand and shook her hand.
Gon froze, Killua blinked by surprise and looked at her brown eyes. Her hand feels… kind of familiar… Kurapika and Leorio looked at her nervously then Leorio butted in.
"Kin's been looking for her mom," Leorio started. "Her father left her since she was a child and he hasn't told her anything about her. Gon left to help."
Killua released her hand and Gon let out a relieved sigh. "Oh, that's why he left?" He looked down in disappointment. Guess he should head home. Then he looked back up. "Do you have any idea where he went? Or where he is right now? I want to visit him."
Kurapika looked at him calmly and Leorio looked at Gon who looked down on her shorts and clenched her fists in guilt. She wished they didn't have to introduce her that way, don't they trust Killua? "We don't know where he is, he doesn't exactly use his cellphone."
That wasn't exactly a lie either. Gon barely looks at her phone ever since she stopped talking to Killua. The only reason why she kept it to begin with, was to be able to communicate with him despite the distance. Ever since he transformed into a she, things got a little complicated and he didn't want to make it more complicated that Killua would have to head back and disappoint his little sister.
Unfortunately, to destroy Gon's relief, Killua brought out his phone and started to dial on his keypad. Kurapika, Leorio, and Gon exchanged glances and Kurapika's eyes looked down to Gon's pockets where he detected Gon's phone. He had a bad feeling about this.
A few seconds later, Gon's phone started to ring. Killua blinked in surprise and looked at the girl while he waited for his. "Aren't you going to answer that?"
"I-I… yeah I will… Sorry, excuse me…" Gon stood up nervously, heading out of the house, and looked at her caller ID. Killua, she gasped and panicked.
Leorio stood up as well. "I have to make a call, I forgot to tell my medical receptionist that I'm not coming." The young doctor opened his cellphone, and actually dialed Gon's number.
Relief flooded over the girl's head when she answered Leorio's phone call instead.
"Hello?" Gon started, Killua started at her then at Leorio.
"Hey, Sora. Look I can't come over today, I have some family matters to attend to." Leorio said on his side.
"Oh, yeah. Definitely. I'll come over and help you out." Gon played along.
"Thanks, put it on my tab. I'll take you out to dinner or something. You're the best." He then hung up and walked back to his chair. He looked up at Gon then at Killua who was watching her suspiciously then looked back down to his phone when Gon didn't answer his call.
Kurapika smiled sadly and reached for Killua's leg. "He'll answer one of us someday."
"Okay. See you later!" Gon ended the phone. Leorio, Kurapika… You're my lifesaver!
Gon's face saddened when she looked at her missed call log. Killua. Oh Killua….
"He didn't answer," Killua said sadly, completely unaware of what Leorio and Gon had just done. "But you're right… He'll answer one of us someday. Hey, Kin?"
She sat up by surprise. "Y-Yes, Killua-kun?" It was so weird calling him by –kun.
Killua shook his head, "call me Killua. Kurapika and Leorio calls me by Killua. Gon too."
Gon felt her stomach turn with more guilt. She reached for Killua and pulled him into a tight hug, shoving his head on her chest. Killua was startled with her sudden action, but it was a good thing that he didn't see Gon on a verge of tears. Kurapika and Leorio were trying to make her smile and she did.
"It's Killua…" Gon thought happily. "He's back…" then she glanced at her friends once more. She nodded and mouthed 'thank you' before giving Killua a peck on the lips.
Killua felt something familiar with this girl. When he stares at her, there was something that remembered him of Gon, but he just couldn't tell what. There were many extraordinary things that had happened to him today—that slight peck on the lips for instance. He didn't know why that happened. "W-What was that for?" he said, trying to hide his face which was bright shades of red.
Gon laughed, "I got caught up in the moment… I guess."
Killua gasped. "Are you that kind of person!?"
"Eh!? No! You're the only one I've done that with so far!"
"So far!? You meant to say you're planning on doing it to others as well!"
"What? No! I—you… gah!"
Kurapika laughed at Gon's frustration. "Kin's trying to tell you she likes you."
"Oh," Killua grinned. "I like you too. I hope we could be good friends."
Gon smiled sadly. We already are good friends…
Killua asked if he could stay with them and Kurapika and Leorio didn't complain. Gon didn't either although at the same time she was afflicted with her feelings. He suggested sleeping downstairs due to his urges to walk during the night, and everyone let him.
"How long do you think he's going to stay here?" Gon asked Leorio.
"Mmm, dunno," the doctor, answered honestly. "There's a possibility he might stay until he sees Gon again."
"Oh… That… might not ever happen," she said softly. "We should have considered him dead… what if I never turn back?"
Leorio slightly smiled and playfully hit his friend on the arm. "Don't think like that. We'll find a way bud. We still have to find your mom, you know?"
"We?"
"Yeah," he said looking straight ahead. "We know you've been alone, Gon. With nothing to do but school and everything; have you considered maybe going on another journey with us?"
"But I'm weak," Gon protested, closing her hands into a fist. "Even if I wanted to go on another journey—I won't be able to protect myself, even worse, those who are important to me."
"Aw, Gon…" Leorio scratched his head. "Don't look down on us that way. Kurapika and I already decided to leave in two days."
Gon was startled. "Why so soon!?"
"The sooner the better," he said with determination. "We can train you on the way too. Meet up with old friends. You've been gone for too long."
"Yeah… You're right… How about Killua?"
"We have to ask him to come along with us. You know that he's the one that wants to see Gon the most. He'll definitely say yes."
XXX
Night-lights were on, journals were opened, and thoughts were pouring through the pen. Gon hummed the song she remembered that originally came from her mother. In two days, she'll search for her mom, in two days she can finally put the pieces together, and maybe put things back to how they used to be.
Her phone rang around the same time like last night. It was Killua. She reached for her phone and opened it, waiting for the light to dim. He never did give up on finding out how she was doing. What could she do to relieve his worries? Then she remembered her mom's song; she unlocked her phone and opened a new message screen.
XXX
"I close my eyes and you are here;
Your smiling face shines down on me.
I am alone, but never lonely.
You're by my side and I could clearly see;
That though the road into tomorrow is long
My mind is clear, my heart is strong." (1)
Killua's heart leaped with joy. Kin was right above his room; he looked up at the ceiling and thought of what she could possibly be doing. He thought he oughta let her know about Gon, but he decided to tell her the news that he replied tomorrow. Pure joy was swelling up inside because a huge part of him has been yearning to see
He heard something drop from upstairs. The white-haired teen raised his eyebrow and walked upstairs to see if Kin was awake.
After two knocks, Kin was awake; she opened the door and she was wearing a white night gown and her long black hair was messy like this morning. Her brown eyes were wide open, which meant she hasn't slept yet nor was she tired. Kin was really pretty; everything about her was natural. Killua thought of something because they were just staring at each other in silence. "Um, is everything alright?"
Gon blinked and she nodded. "I dropped my journal, I was just about to head out and get some fresh air."
"Oh, I was just about to go too… Would you like to take a walk with me?"
Gon and Killua walked side by side as they walk up a hill where the moon was brightly shining along with millions of stars. The gust of wind was playing with the grass and they fluttered along with the air that brushed through them. Gon stood up at the top of the hill while Killua was still at the foot. He watched the girl look at the stairs with sparkling eyes.
At first, he saw Gon smiling brightly with a sheepish look on his face. Killua's eyes widened then blinked only to refresh the scene with Kin looking at him, confused. "Is something wrong? She asked him.
He shook his head, walking closer to her. "No, you just reminded me of Gon for a moment."
Gon could only smile sadly. She sat down on the grass then laid herself down to look at the stars some more. "Would you join me?"
Killua obediently followed, smelling her hair that was mix of grass and marshmallows. He watched her stare at the stars, while her focus was completely focused on stargazing. The white-haired boy stared at her beauty and she put her bangs back to her ears.
"Killua… do you think my mom is looking at the same sky as we are?" she asked quietly.
Snapping out of being drawn to her beauty, Killua looked at the stars as well, his blue eyes glowing. He thought of Gon, and that's all he's really always done. He thought about how his best friend was doing, and how much he missed going on an adventure with him. There was a lot of trouble, he knows… but he cherished Gon so much. Gon's value in his heart is far too high a price that no one can take it.
But Gon, most certainly, is looking at the same sky as he and Kin are.
"Yeah," Killua said softly. "Your mom must be thinking of you."
Gon smiled painfully but played with the grass, grabbing them and releasing her grip. She really did wonder if her mom was looking at the same stars, the same sky as she was. She really did wonder if her mother thought of her. There was no damage done to her life, Gon was just an empty cup. Ever since her nen left, she realized that her heart was never fully complete.
"What happened with your mom anyway?" Gon looked at him. "I-I mean, if it's personal, you don't have to tell me. We just met so I understand…"
"No, it's okay." Gon sat up and turned to avoid his gaze. "My mom was a Hunter like us, but she was special. I mean, special like a specialist. You know—Kurapika being a specialist with his nen and everything. Her power was so powerful that many people were afraid of her. But my dad didn't think so, and he fell in love with her… That's how you know—they had me." She giggled.
Killua sat up, attentively listening. "You sound like you did your search well."
Gon nodded and started to play with her hair. "I asked people who knew her; how she was, where she was, but apparently they left when she was young. Just like my dad. The only person who returned to town was my dad, and there was no trace of my mom ever since. All I was left with was a memory of a song that she used to sing to me—when my parents and I were together."
"I'm really sorry your parents had to split that way," Killua said, patting the girl on the head.
"They didn't split," she said softly. "My mom had to look for someone, he was a specialist like her. But he was evil. She was given the mission to defeat him—cause she's the strongest specialist amongst the good ones."
"Oh…did she—"
"No, she just disappeared." She said, choking back her tears. "I have high hopes that she's alive."
"Do you feel her?"
Gon was surprised. "Yes… actually I do."
Killua smiled. "Gon told me… that when you feel them—"
"They're never actually gone… just a little distant from you, but reachable." Gon finished for him.
Blue eyes looked at brown ones and spar ignited. "How did you… know that?"
"I-I… Gon! Gon told me that before he left!"
"Oh…Of course." Killua didn't ask any more questions. "Did you find out what your mom's name was?"
"Mmm, yeah. Onodera. Her colleagues said she was very patient, strong willed, and preserving. Just like her name."
"Onodera… It's a really nice name."
"Yeah… So… where have you been?"
"I've been traveling with my little sister. She noticed that I haven't been myself…" he shrugged. "I felt bad at first, but she argued with me through it. In the end she won and here I am. I wanted to see Gon really bad. I guess that'll have to wait."
There was nothing more that Gon could say to relieve Killua of her presence. She breathed deeply and looked at the stars.
"Well… you know… if you feel them… they're never actually gone."
The silver-haired Zoldyck nodded. "I feel like he's next to me right now…"
That's because I am… Gon thought. "Hey, Killua? Would you like to come with me, Kurapika, and Leorio to go search for my mom?"
"Sure, why not? You sure it's okay with you though?"
"Of course!" She extended her hand. "Let's be good friends!"
Killua felt like this has happened before, and strangely enough, he took Gon's hand and shook them. The familiar feeling of love and strength has returned. And Killua and Gon's journey has started anew once more.
Author's Note: HI! I wanted to pick myself up for discontinuing Songs of the Past. I lost my inspiration (meaning someone important to me has passed away) so I gave up but I'm sorry for letting that get the best of me. ANYWAY! Side commentaries-
(1) The text that Gon sent Killua is a song from Level 5 and Studio Ghibli's game Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. It's called Fragments of Hearts (English Version of course)! If you've played the game, I'm pretty sure you'd have an idea on how my story will set out to but if not… please patiently wait for the next chapter!
This was a long beginning, but yes! Female Gon for a while! Please bear with me and their journey and please leave reviews! Thank you so much to those who have favorite and followed my other story! Your reviews and love is very much appreciated.