Heh Killua...
Pairings: Killua/Gon, minor Kurapika/Leorio
Spoilers: This takes place after Greed Island. It begins after Gon and Killua get the chance to spend one month with Kaito studying new species. The Chimera Ant Arc has not yet happened.
What to Expect: This fan fiction requires adult readers ;) . In order to depict certain themes, I have examined difficult subjects, crude realities that, although usually avoided in fiction, happen only too often in real life. I only emplaced them to fictional characters to portray them in-depth. This is why you will find adult language and situations, along with fluff, but also scenes of abuse, psychological, physical, and yes, sexual, with all the complexity and damage it carries. I promise to put a warning at the beginning of each chapter as to the nature of the content, so that more sensitive readers may skip it if they feel like it.
This chapter in particular has no warnings.
Review Guidelines: Constructive criticism is always welcome; flamers claiming how same-sex relations are against nature- or how sexual abuse is in any crevice of the realms of ethics a possibility- aren't welcome.
Summary: What is your limit Killua? What can someone like… him expect from life? He hadn't had to worry about those answers -not anymore- from the day a black-haired boy stumbled in his way. Once long gone he had nothing to lose, now he'd do anything to protect him. Even if his past returns...to push him to the limit. Killua/Gon. Minor Kurapica/Leorio in advanced chapters.
CHAPTER 1: x THE MISSION x
...
We could rule the world on a silver platter
From the wrong to the right light, to an open stream
With a crash and burn, we can make it better
Turn it upside down, just you and me
We are the dream, no other way to be
We are young! We are strong!
We're not looking for where we belong
We're not cool! We are free!
And we're running with blood on our knees...
Mika-We are Young
Two bright faces stared at Netero with wide eyes.
The white-haired boy was taller than his raven companion.
Netero observed them, a fluttering thrill rising the beat of his old heart. It was beautiful to observe.
His eyes had seen the rise and fall of empires. Heroes and spirits were born and bred, never one alike the other, and too many of these friends hadn't lived but on his heart. Pain and woe throughout a life that had been longer than any mortal had ever been granted could have suffocated the childlike wonder. For even Netero had once been a child. And as such he knew loss... However, his ability to discern whenever he was in front of something completely new and never written, it had never gone astray. Right now, for instance, he wondered at the hidden poetry that gathered opposites, that gave friendship a new golden luster. That made him remember what was it like to observe the world, from child eyes.
"You may sit down."
The youngsters did not sit, expectant. Netero proceeded to feign a serious expression.
"You have been summoned here… And the reason should be celebrated." As he spoke he took careful note of their expression. Both of the kids were wide-eyed, yes, yes. But one radiated anticipation, while the other was pretending to act indifferent. One was already accepting any challenge to be proposed, whatever to come. The other was imperceptibly covering both of their backs.
"... Since the motive of our meeting is celebratory, I ordered suitable beverages. Have you ever tried champagne?"
Netero presented a tray with flute glasses filled with clear sizzling liquid. "Now, I'm aware of your young age. But it is a special day. And we are celebrating because of your age after all. Would you like to try—"
The raven had already taken the glass from the table far too curious for the speech to finish. He sniffed it and dipped in a finger to taste the liquid. The boy had probably never had the luxury hear the name of such a beverage.
The paler child had looked at the tray with catlike eyes and a smug grin, as if champagne was known and welcome.. Considering his past job, the boy had probably enjoyed the taste in the company of special élites and dark festive gatherings. He was now sipping the drink quietly, probably by default having checked with sight, smell and taste that it wasn't poisoned.
Such a difference.
Both boys were looking at Netero with curious, huge eyes, violet and caramel. They elicited in the old man a low grumble, sure the young ones on the other side of the desk would recognize the poorly concealed laughter.
Almost simultaneously, Killua and Gon said, "What is it?" They looked at each other, then back at the hunter committee president, wondering why this old geezer of a man was laughing, and how come he took so long for such a bad introduction. Gon was actually also wondering why they always spoke at the same time.
Killua cleared his throat. "Old man, if you don't begin soon, I'll serve myself more than my share before you notice" He pointed smoothly to the rest of champagne on Netero's desk. "We are kids, and that shouldn't happen under your care."
Renowned hunters, Killua thought. Particularly OLD renowned hunters. Geez, it's like each one's crazier than the other... I wonder how it will be when we find Gon's father... His thoughts were interrupted by a tremulous voice that sounded disturbingly close.
"How dare you act like that in front of Netero-sama?"
The short phlegmatic assistant had presented both boys to the president earlier that evening, having lectured them on etiquette for an hour before the reunion. He continued his annoyed claim "You... you don't speak without his permission. You should say 'What is it, Mr. Netero, or 'What is the cause of your laughter, Your Excellence Mr. Netero'.And you should thank him for the champagne before drinking it, and of course wait for his cue. Weren't you paying attention?"
Netero, with an ample smile, waved his hand to silence his agitated assistant.
"Leave them be, they are quite amusing. However, I will require privacy. I thank you in advance"
The short being, understanding, bowed three times and left, still fumbling about the incident.
"Young hunters, you must be wondering why are you here, and what is the cause of our celebration" He paused. "We are celebrating because you are being assigned your first Hunter Association mission. Considering your age, this is an enormous achievement and therefore I congratulate you on the nomination. It is now up to you to accept the challenge" The old man eyes glinted, as he observed attentively.
A light sparked in Killua's eyes for the first time in the conversation. It was not because of Netero's praise; This boy had heard about his youthful competence many times before. It wasn't even the professional compliment of being assigned a mission. He didn't care where he was going. He would get adventure, something he'd grown to fancy. He got to stay with his friend as well. He was undeniable sure Gon would love whatever Netero planned for them to do.
The chairman could already see Gon imagining all sort of epic fights and monsters and adventurous scenarios. So Netero added, patting the raven boy's head, "Don't get ahead of yourselves. This is a reasonably simple mission. Actually, one of the most simple I've given as a chairman." He could see both faces dropping in disappointment. The old man chuckled.
"However, it is my duty to inform you that you are indeed the youngest hunters to get assigned a Hunter Association mission in 120 years. And I have never met anyone that has achieved such potential and talent in such a short span of life... Twelve years of age if I'm not mistaken?" He gazed at them "You are unique. It is my duty to inform you so. Let's cheer this."
Netero raised his glass, and affected surprise when he saw that both kids had drunk the champagne from their glasses long ago. They had nothing to cheer up with and looked doubtful about what to do next. The old man, asked, amused, "Did you like the champagne?"
"No," both boys replied in unavoidable synchronization.
Netero had already considered this as he smiled, regretting his own fondness, while taking a pitcher of cranberry juice he had under his desk. He raised his glass. "Cheers."
"Cheers!" Gon chirped
"Cheers" Killua said, successfully hiding the fact he was almost as excited as his younger friend.
All participants in the room drank.
Netero put his glass down. "Your mission falls in the animal hunting category. I have received excellent recommendations regarding your abilities in this field. This assignment will be extensive; Accordingly, you will be provided two full years to complete it. You will receive a map with different locations to be studied, and be given all the facilities and financial aid to travel to these places."
That sounded surrepticiously nice. Gon looked up humbled, unsure if he deserved this.
"Your work will be to sample all the rare species that you find there. We are only interested in new species, so you will be given a camera to check this, like the ones that I believe a fine young hunter named Kaito presented to you not so long ago."
Killua watched him open a drawer on the side of his desk. Gon grabbed one of the shiny black cameras inside, leaving Killua to take the other, satisfaction etched on their expressions at their new toys.
"Nature...it is the embodiment of unending change and surprise, isn't it?...Humans worldwide have registered more than one point six million species" He took delight in the sparkle in both the boys' eyes as they examined the black devices.
"Even though that is quite a number of species, specialists believe there are many, many more yet to be discovered. They estimate that the number of hidden species exceeds—"
"They exceed the 10 million" Gon interrupted out of the blue, eyes bright, almost out of breath. Killua stared at Gon in disbelief.
"You are correct," Netero pointed, and the taller boy rolled his eyes with a faint smile.
"You're interested?"
"Yes!" Gon claimed before Netero was finished. "Yes Mr. Netero." He tried to mend, his pitch still a notch too high to the annoyance of Killua.
"And you? Are you interested?" Netero asked Killua with interest. The amethyst eyes looked up.
"Is there payment?" He asked cheekily- and bit his tongue with certain delay…
It had sounded too… Zoldick-ish.
"We will finance all the expenses of your trips, including food and, travelling media. Accomplishing a hunter committee assigned mission is also in itself a reward, since it will get you ranked higher as hunters" Netero observed.
Killua looked at Gon.
"I'll do as he does," he shrugged coolly.
Netero could tell that the older boy was actually quite excited, only pretending safe nonchalance. The old man chuckled and ruffled his hair. This one tensed. The look on the boy almost froze him- it would have if he hadn't been used to stares as such in the dark hunter world. The expression though was gentler. It read on the lines of a we're-not-children- grimace.
Netero unfolded a world map.
"The locations are the ones pointed in red dots. You should first look for species in west Yoruba around the selected regions." He held up the map. "Then you'll go to an isolated chain of islands in the Big Flat Ocean on a special seven-decker cruise." Netero did think it a bit extravagant for two children, but what was the point of being a venerable hunter without being able to throw around a little money now and again?
"And finally, I have a surprise for the two of you. Whale Island and Kukuruu Mountain are classified as the two of the least-studied ecosystems in the world. You'll get to study wildlife from your homelands"
Netero appreciated for a moment how Gon's face glowed at the thought of going to Whale Island. Then he noticed the stunned expression on Killua's face. It lasted but a second, swiftly replaced by cold impassive dead eyes. The friendliness that had softened his boyish features had dissapeared. He sipped his cranberry juice in calculation. Netero was about to speak for he could read the boy had taken it as a punishment. One that he believed he deserved. But Gon had interjected before any of these observations lasted a second in Netero's mind.
"Netero-san, if we have a problem with visiting some of the locations, what should we do?" Gon set down his glass and looked directly at the chairman. Killua was effectively derailed, a second of surprise as he observed Gon, before his bangs hid his eyes. Netero considered them
"All these locations are subject to modification, of course. Should there be any problems, we can redirect our hunters... But..."
Netero exhaled. He turned to open the windows behind, not looking at them to proceed.
"…But one of the lifelong goals of a true hunter is to learn to face it all. Even the hardest and the deadliest. The real fears reside inside us, not on locations. It would be a pity if you had a problem" Netero observed the cloudless sky gravely. He knew very well he had to push them a little.
The old hunter looked back at them, adopting easily the cheerful semi-senility he always displayed to his fellow Hunters. "But you are kids, after all; if you are that afraid of the storms around the Big Flat Ocean, you need only to inform me and I'll send you somewhere else." His old hands were clasped " For the moment, I suggest you to analyze the feasibility each location when the time arrives" he tilted his head.
Netero could almost perceive the cold radiating from the older boy's chest. It was a saddening gaze. He hoped his advice would be taken wisely.
"As you have been assigned an extensive mission, you do not have to work all days of the month, or even all months. You only need to have the assignment complete within two years."
Killua and Gon nodded slowly. This time not synchronized. But they did answer together. "We will."
"Please know that whatever trouble you run into, you can count on me."
Netero observed them. A flashback presented to his eyes, of the times he was just a kid as well…and the many adventures and troubles and fun he'd' ran into… In what kind of adventures would these two rare children get into?
"Do not forget this. You can count on the president of the association. I give you my word" He opened his smile benignly.
"I wish you luck in your travels." He winked at them, his tone of voice warm. He gestured the door to let them know their meeting was over.
The two boys managed to evade the assistant on their way out, and went quietly for a while in a pensive silence. Gon eyed Killua. But this one stared ahead decisively.
Suddenly the pale boy broke the silence. "Gon?"
"Yes?"
Killua looked at him. "Let's do this."
There was fire on his eyes. They reflected the one alight on Gon himself.
"Hai" Gon smiled and stared ahead.
This chapter was beta-ed by wonderful and amazingly bright Bushwah. You make everything shine. Thanks to my beta and my inner obsessions, I hope you continue to enjoy this ride, readers.
2016 EDIT: I began this fic years and years ago. I've become a better writer since. There are many things I would like to change that I can't. One of this is the slow upbuilding. I was so young! I was scared to get to the point... well, here is a guide that may help you peruse this story
Chapter 1-5: Small chapters with characters presentation, personal quests, and group dynamic. Killua is burdened with a problem.
Chapter 6: Presentation of the conflict. Warning.
Chapter 7-10: More buildup of character's background, personal quests, group dynamics, Killua's mental process. Chapters get longer.
Chapter 10: Void.I like to imagine this chapter is painted black. After this there is no going back. Warning.
Chapter 11-27: Spiral into denial, hopelessness, hope and love, a more complex outlook on friendship, evasion, lies, fear ... with the increasing knowledge bit by bit of the characters about killua's situation. This is interwoven with flashbacks that piece up a second story, of when Killua was a child.
28-Onwards: we will be arriving to a resolution that may take some five chapters or so to be completed.
THEMES explored on this fic
-The powerful strings that laces a victim of abuse to silence. All it may take for them to speak.
- Friendship as a challenge, Friendship as a shelter, Friendship as a surrogate family.
-Awareness.
Read if interested!