It didn't work.

It was the only hope, and it failed.

He had tried his best, but it wasn't enough.

Alluka and Nanika were the only chance Killua had of getting Gon healed. To that end, there was nothing he wasn't willing to do. He threatened his family, he fought with his brother, he brought together everyone he knew to help him guard Gon while he was healed. But Gon didn't heal.

Dealing with people had never been a particular strong suit of Killua's, he usually could manage when Gon was there to break down any uncomfortable atmosphere that there might have been. His main strength lay in killing, it was something he was well aware of and was trying to change.

"In the end, killing is all I can do. I can't even protect my best friend." Killua spoke to himself before turning to Nanika, "Nanika, I don't want to live in a world without Gon. I want to be somewhere where I can put this useless strength of mine to use and actually help somebody."

"'Kay." Nanika responded simply, a black aura covering her body as she granted the wish.

A bright light clouded Killua's vision, forcing the young assassin to close his eyes for a couple of seconds. As he re-opened his eyes, he was greeted by the sight of a thick forest stretching as far as the eye could see.

"Huh? Where am I now?" Killua wondered as he glanced around his surroundings, attempting to get a grasp of where he was. "First thing's first, I need to find a source of food and water."

Deciding to explore the area, he began walking in a random direction, using his claw-like fingernails to mark the trees along the path he took, ensuring he wouldn't start walking in circles.

After about half an hour of walking, the white-haired boy found himself at a lake filled with beautiful clear water. Cupping his hands in the water, Killua took a sip of the water, "Well, I can drink this. But I still need to find food… maybe there's some fish in this water?"

Activating his nen, he sent a large bolt of electricity through the water. If any fish were in the water, they would be killed immediately. But nothing floated up. "Tch, I need to find food soon or-"

His thoughts were interrupted by a low growling from behind him. As he looked behind him, the assassin was surprised by what he saw. It wasn't any animal he had seen before, if anything, it was more like the monsters in Greed Island. It looked like a lion, only with two giant horns coming out of its head and three red eyes.

Lunging forwards, the beast attempted to bite at Killua, only for the boy to easily didge to the side. "I'm not sure what you are, but it looks like I won't have to search for food now!"

Extending his claws, Killua charged the beast from the side and buried his claws deep in its body and ripping out its heart. The creature collapsed to the ground immediately, dead. Killua quickly went about gathering wood to cook his newly acquired meat, keeping himself busy. Using his nen to create a small spark, he lit a fire and roasted the meat.

"Urgh, I burned it." Killua complained before reluctantly taking another bite if the blackened meat, "But, it's not like I have any other options… I need to get better at cooking."

After eating his disgusting meal, Killua decided to occupy himself with training, starting off by activating his nen and sprinting around the edge of the lake, attempting to increase his endurance.

After a good while had passed, Killua found himself face to face with a group of strange, chimera-like creatures. Clearly, they thought that the assassin was encroaching on their territory and wanted him dead, something which Killua found rather amusing.

"What's wrong? Come at me, you'll make for some good training!" Killua smiled as he rushed into combat with the strange creatures.

3 years later…

"Get back here!" Tatsumi rushed through the dark forest, chasing after one of the bandits that raided his camp. Barely able to see his target, Tatsumi kept as close to them as he could as he ran after them.

It was sudden, Tatsumi couldn't see why but, the bandit stopped running and collapsed to the ground. As he ran towards the collapsed man, he noticed the pool of blood forming around the man's body and a large hole in his chest.

Feeling bloodlust being directed towards him, Tatsumi drew his broadsword and attempted to locate the source, "A danger beast?!"

He held his sword tightly, ready to slash at a moment's notice, waiting for any indication as to his new enemy's location. Knowing he wouldn't be able to see his opponent in the current darkness , he closed his eyes and focused on trying to hear them or sensing their presence.

"If I can't take them down in one hit, they'll disappear again and then they'll just wear me down." Tatsumi focused all of his strength, "Then I'll put everything behind this one swing!"

"Now, where are you? You… are… there!" Tatsumi yelled as he swung his sword with all of his strength towards the sound he could hear behind him. However the sight before him shocked him, it was a young, white haired, boy leaping towards him, one of his arms outstretched to strike him.

"I win!" Tatsumi thought as his sword collided with the boy's palm, only for the boy to grab the blade of the sword and crush it in his hand. "What the hell?!"

Almost instantly, Tatsumi found himself pinned to the ground and, feeling a blade at his neck, he stopped resisting, lest he have his throat slit.

"Who are you? Why are you here?" the boy asked.

"The name's Tatsumi. I was heading for the Capital with my friends, then our camp was set upon by bandit's and we got separated while we were chasing them. The other guy was one of the bandits." Tatsumi spoke honestly, knowing that lies wouldn't help in this situation. "And you? Who're you?"

The boy hesitated for a moment before speaking again, "Killua… I'm Killua."

"Well then, Killua, do you think you could let me go?" Tatsumi asked, to receive no response from Killua, "Come on, without my sword, do you think I can beat you?"

"No, but I don't trust you, you could have a concealed weapon." Killua began patting Tatsumi down, searching for any weapon, "What's this?"

Killua pulled out a small wooden object from Tatsumi's chest, "Hey, give that back!"

"What is it?" Killua looked over the object, not seeing it as something too important.

"It's a gift! From the head of my village! He gave it to me when we were leaving!" Tatsumi yelled at Killua, causing the boy to put the object on the ground as he released Tatsumi.

"Erm… sorry." Killua apologised as he took a step back from Tatsumi.

"It's okay." Tatsumi held the wooden structure to his chest for a moment before turning to Killua. Finally getting a good look at him, Tatsumi noticed a number of things, firstly, Killua's clothes were in a horrible state, filthy and very stretched out. "How long have you been living out here?"

"About three years, I think."

"Three years?! But what about the danger beasts?!" the idea of living out in the wild alone for so long was completely unthinkable for Tatsumi.

"Danger beasts? Is that what you call them?" Killua pointed to where a group of large, lizard-like creatures were feasting on the body of the deceased bandit.

"Yeah, I think we should probably leave before they finish eating, or we'll be next on the menu." Tatsumi started running away from the area, Killua following shortly after.

"So, Killua. You want to come with me to the capital?" Tatsumi asked as they ran.

"The capital?"

"Yeah, it'll be fun, I promise. Besides, you broke my sword, I'll need some protection until I can get another one." Tatsumi smiled joyfully.

"Heh, sure, I'll protect you." Killua assured him as he sped up, "If you can keep up, that is."

"Hey! No fair getting a head start!" Tatsumi began chasing after Killua.

Merry Christmas! I felt like doing this story, let me know what you think or would like to see :P