Killua is a thirteen year-old boy, almost fourteen.
Killua is an expert killer from a clan of assassins going back many generations.
Killua is expected to carry the Zaoldyeck name with honor ever since his father died, leaving him the head of the family.
Killua is, as far as he is aware of, the only member of his family to ever become weary of being an assassin.
This is Killua's story.
"Hey, Mom, can I take the Hunter Exam this year?"
Kikyou looked stunned at the idea of Killua leaving to become a Hunter, but she quickly recovered to reply to him calmly.
"Oh, Killu, why would you ever want to leave? Isn't your home enough for you?"
Killua was aware he was fighting a losing battle, because his mother was so attached to him, that if it were her choice, Killua would not be allowed to leave their home ever, except when he was on a mission. Nevertheless, Killua chose to tell the truth this time, believing he would have a good chance with his real reason for wanting to go take the exam.
"I want to go and play. The Exam sounds like a really fun game, and I'll be able to observe lots of different and possibly stronger people."
At the mention of 'stronger people,' Kikyou began to show hints of her fears and replied with a simple plead. "Don't you understand that you're special to your mother?"
Here we go again.
"You've always been our little prodigy. I don't want you to put yourself in danger just because you're bored."
Uh-oh. Bringing up Silva, even indirectly, meant that she would end up going apeshit on the nearest object that looked like it might be able to move. Especially the first time...
"Your father would be ashamed of you, doing such a thing..." She continued, although Killua's mind already had started to wander.
Killua suppressed a grin. Using the inheritance money his father left him to buy a ton of candy as soon as he died was probably not the most tactful thing he could have done, but it tasted so good- plus it was chocolate!
Luckily, Killua snapped back into the present before his mother would get too out of hand. Hopefully, he'd be able to get in his best arguments before she got too annoyed and profusely refuse him.
"But I'm not doing this because I'm bored," Killua said. "...Or at least that's not the only reason, mom. You told me before that I should be engaged to a strong fighter- someone who could help me raise my children in the Zaoldyeck tradition."
Killua relaxed as he watched his mother calm down and digest what he was saying. All that embarrassing practice in front of the mirror had been worth it.
"The Hunter Exam would be a perfect place for me to find such a person since there are so many contestants, and only the strongest receive their license."
It took Kilyou a few moments to gather herself and speak to him again.
"My little boy is all grown up now... I suppose I would have to let you go someday, no matter what. Your father chose the next head of the family well."
Killua internally winced at that, but his mother seemed more sad than angry or frustrated.
"You have my blessing."
Walking away from his mother, Killua realized that what he said to convince her to let him go had meant that he'd pretty much have to come home with a 'special someone' the next time he got back home. Oops.