The Past, The Present, and the Future (But Mostly the Past)

Chrollo: We meet again.

Silva: You remember me?

Chrollo: How could I forget? You killed one of my people.

- Hunter x Hunter (2011), Episode 52

The End.

Fuck. Fuuuuck. They were so fucked.

The ground looked hazy as she lifted her head up. The bigger issue was that her head pounded and her vision was shaking from the pain. But still, she needed to fight. She spat out the dirt and blood in her mouth and willed herself to get up. It was a tedious process. First, the right arm. She brought her right arm close to her body, propping her shoulder up. The effort it took was tremulous and she had to bow her head from exhaustion. She caught a glimpse of her arm. There were numerous scratches, each fresh, bleeding, and susceptible to infections. And it was raining too. Her elbow dug into the mud as she rested weight on it. She growled. She was going to need antiseptic after this… if she lived after this. She looked up again.

She tried to get her left arm to move, but it only shot pain through her body. That wasn't what she wanted. Fuck. Another attempt to draw her arms close to support her body only caused her to collapse entirely; her pain tolerance only went so far. Fuck.

"I suppose you deserve credit for lasting so long."

"H-Ha… and I'll last a lot longer… than you… once you're dead." Not a good comeback. And a lie too, probably. She was the one lying on the muddy ground, red pouring from every inch of her body like a fountain. He had few small bruises all over his body and large cuts on both his arms, nearly deep enough to expose bone, but he looked like the epitome of health compared to her. His expression betrayed nothing of pain. Monster, she thought, almost jokingly.

"I like your attitude," he smirked, crossing his arms as he stood in front of the dying girl. "It's a shame you had to die so soon."

"Tch, don't feel bad… you picked the job…" she tried to laugh bitterly, but only coughed up more blood. She was really dying.

Still, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. He was doing his job and she had been doing hers. It was regretful he did his better.

"Hey… is she really… dead?" she gritted out, wincing at the pain it took to even talk.

She meant the other girl. The man was silent as he spared a glance at the other one, also black-haired and covered in numerous cuts. She lied underneath a tree, eyes closed, motionless. They looked exactly alike, the two girls. He had not been able to distinguish between them earlier, when he was purely working off of the pictures his client gave. "Mayu has blue eyes and Aya has green eyes." It appeared to be the only difference, up until he began fighting them. Their attitudes and actions… it was apparent they were complements more than copies of each other.

The eyes looking up at him now were electric green though they appeared darker now under the gray sky. "Yes. She's dead."

The information appeared come with a finality that allowed Aya to resign completely. It was like he just stomped out the light of a dimly lit cigarette. The proud smile she wore at the beginning of the fight withered away, leaving in its place, a faded memory.

"I deserve this then…" It barely came out as a whisper.

"No," he corrected her. If Aya still had the energy to emote, she would have probably looked surprised. The man stared into her half-closed eyes. If she had lived longer, was wiser, got stronger, then perhaps she would have had a chance. He knelt down beside her. "You didn't deserve to die today, but such is what the fates dictate. At least, you will be able to join her."

Her.

"Mayu…" Aya didn't want to go to a place where she could see Mayu again. She didn't want to sit on top of some cloud, trying to avoid Mayu for the rest of her afterlife. Even if Mayu forgave her, she couldn't forgive herself. She wouldn't know what to do with an eternity of clouds and having everything she ever wanted, but nothing she needed.

Then again, who said they were going to the same place? She's done much worse things than Mayu. It was enough to put the difference between heaven and hell between them.

Though honestly, she'd prefer thinking there was nothing after life. Just a void. You just disappear into the space that was once a living being—vanish on the spot. If that was the case, she'd never have see Mayu again. And she'd never see him again either.

Him? He came to her like a tangential afterthought. His image suddenly flashed in her mind, unclear and unreadable. Just like him. She didn't want to dwell on him. He was nothing but broken trust now. A liar and a thief. Emptiness wrapped in paper and ink and blood and bones. She didn't want to die thinking about him.

"Ahhh, it hurts…" she moaned childishly. She'd welcome the pain if it took him off her mind.

The man said nothing. "I'll end the pain quickly now." She could sense a concentrated amount of Nen forming in his right arm. It was his explosive orb, though smaller and weaker than what he had used in the earlier fight. Well, she supposed he didn't need too much power to kill her now.

She couldn't fight now. She closed her eyes and relaxed her body. Sheaccepted.

As his Nen orb drew closer, one last thought crossed her mind.

Who ordered the kill?

These were her last moments and she understood nothing about them.

The Beginning. Ten Years Ago.

Meteor City welcomed everything, but it was not a hospitable place for anyone.

The mafia's presence was a given and of course, one naturally expected high rates of disease and poverty. Even the softest of citizens (if they could even be called that) were often made desperate enough to kill for food and money. It was a scary place for anyone and even scarier when you were an eight-year old girl.

Aya needed money… or food. She'd prefer both, but she'd take what she can get.

It's been four years since she and Mayu, her sister, got here. They were both orphans, of course. They couldn't remember how they got to Meteor City, but a few people attested to seeing a black car drop off two toddlers on one hot July day. That was it. They came knowing just their names and how to cry for a mom that, for some reason, never came anymore.

But that was years ago and they have since grown up… just a little.

"Mayu, stay here," Aya instructed as she put down the switchblade she had been playing with, "I'm going to get food."

Mayu looked up from her book. "… Alright. Stay safe," she replied softly.

Aya nodded, tucking the switchblade in her pocket. "You too."

She never liked leaving Mayu alone, but taking Mayu along these theft missions was more dangerous. Mayu wasn't as fast as she was and she had a habit of looking back a lot—probably out of guilt—which slowed her down even more. When they first got here, they scavenged for food. But it wasn't an efficient solution. Sometimes, days of searching would pass by without so much as an apple core turning up. So Aya figured taking was better than waiting. But the first time they decided to steal together, Mayu nearly got caught when she tripped after looking back at the angry shopkeeper chasing them. Aya had to run back for her and they only barely escaped when Aya grabbed some steel pipes from a heap of scrap metal and threw them at the shopkeeper. They managed to make it back to their Spot safely though Mayu had bruises on her hands and knees. Aya made the conscious decision Mayu wasn't suited for thievery. That was three years ago.

Their Spot was where they were now. It was located in one of Meteor City's designated junkyards for cars. The cars there were stacked on top of each other in a line like bricks. Their Spot was one jeep that had its back door ripped off; if you just climbed up five other cars, you could reach it. They found it three years ago and it has since been known as their "Spot." It wasn't completely safe with how it sometimes shook under their weight nowadays, but it kept them reasonably dry when it rained and provided at least some place for them to sit and store items they find. It was almost enough to call a home.

Aya climbed down from their Spot, all the while trying to figure out where to go. It'd be nice if she could take back enough for a week so she could stay with Mayu until they ran out of food again. She took another look at Mayu out of concern only to see she was sitting with her leg was dangling out of the jeep. She looked to be content and at ease, but it made Aya want to smack herself. Couldn't she sit any less conspicuously? This was what made Mayu such an easy victim.

"Hey, keep out of notice while I'm away," Aya called. She couldn't hear if Mayu replied, but it was clear she assented when her leg withdrew into the vehicle. Aya breathed a sigh of exasperation. Her worry was not totally alleviated, but she could finally begin walking towards the city area where the buildings all were.

The city wasn't exactly far, but Aya was sweating by the time she got there. Meteor City was hot this time of year and the effect needed to be experienced to be understood. Aya wiped off a bead of sweat. Guess we'll need water too. I'll have to make two trips.

When she got close to the market area, she hid in one of the dark, narrow alleyways off of the main street. Where now?

She couldn't exactly bring back a slab of uncooked beef so she probably wasn't going to the butler's stand. Bertha sold medicinal herbs, which Aya didn't need, but Bertha was also elderly and half-blind so Aya could just steal her cash and run. But that meant she wouldn't be able to return to the main street to use that money for the rest of the day since everyone would have seen and recognized her. That defeated the purpose. Okay, it had to be food; she could come back for the money another time, after they've gotten the food.

"Hmm."

Cherry had her fruit stand open. Some peaches would be a nice treat in this kind of weather and Mayu loved sweets. A small smile emerged. "Sorry, Cherry," she hummed as her muscles tensed. Her bare feet dug into the dry earth and she left a distinct footprint even in the hard ground as she dashed.

It took Cherry a second to register the shadowy figure she had seen in front of the stand was the little girl that was now running north with several of Cherry's peaches in her arm.

"HEY, COME BACK HERE, YOU BRAT!"

Aya snorted and as she veered left, she noticed the bakers' stand was an arm's length away. Thinking quickly, she reached her arm out and grabbed a loaf of bread from the bakers' stand before disappearing into another alley. By the time Cherry got there, no trace of Aya was seen.

"Che," Cherry sneered, "Worthless brats." She walked back to her stand.

Underneath the hot sun on the rooftop across from Cherry's stand was a boy who had been watching the moment Aya arrived, though the fact was left unrealized by everyone. He watched until Aya disappeared from behind the seventh building book he was reading was momentarily forgotten.

"She's fast."

"Mayu!" Aya came back to their Spot wearing just the slightest smile. The mission was a success; she even got a loaf of bread which she hadn't planned on taking. This was perhaps one of her greatest thefts. Mayu peeked out of the vehicle.

"Welcome back!" Mayu beamed. She gave Aya a quick onceover and seeing no noticeable injuries, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Catch!" Aya tossed up the peaches one by one. There were five in total. Mayu caught them all and stowed them in the jeep. Once Aya's hands were free, she stuck the bread between her teeth and climbed up.

Mayu offered a hand when Aya got closer, but Aya shook her head and simply pulled herself up with ease.

"You've gotten stronger. I still need your help when I try to get up on my own," Mayu commented, retracting her arm. She took the bread from Aya and placed it behind the seats where the peaches were.

Aya scoffed and dismissed her worries with a wave of her hand. "Just give it a few months. You'll get there."

"I don't think I'll ever catch up to you," Mayu said with a fond smile. She grabbed one of the peaches from the back to eat and offered another to Aya.

"No, thanks. I already ate one on the way back so help yourself," Aya declined with a smile. Not true, but Mayu didn't need to know that. Mayu needed the nutrition more than she did. "And don't worry about it. You can leave the food worries and money stuff to me. Go read your books or whatever, nerd."

Mayu giggled, biting into her peach. "Alright, one book, coming up." Holding the peach in her mouth, she picked up her book and resumed reading.

Aya watched her flip the pages silently. The sun was beginning to set now and the orange hues gave Mayu a lovely glow. She looked feminine. Even the way she ate the peach seemed delicate and ladylike. In ten years, she'd probably be beautiful and if she wasn't in Meteor City, Mayu could have even been normal.

Aya always wondered what would have happened if they lived normally. They'd have a normal house, white picket fence, and a mom and dad who would love them and give them food to eat. Maybe they'd have a backyard where they could play ball together. Or perhaps not; Mayu was never really the running and jumping kind of kid. It was a shame since Aya liked that sort of thing; she was good at it. Maybe Mayu could have stayed inside reading lots of nice books, especially the romance ones she liked, and help their imaginary mom bake and cook. Aya could go climb trees on her own and get yelled at later when she broke an arm or something. That would have been nice.

Well, even if we don't live in a normal place with a normal family, Mayu can still relax and read, Aya thought as she leaned back and stretched her legs. Aya would just have to work a little harder and protect her. That was fine; she was the older sister anyway. She should be able to do at least that.

"It's hot, isn't it?" Mayu suddenly said as she tossed the peach pit away.

"Yeah—oh, fuck, that reminds me," Aya said, springing up from her seat with haste. "I was supposed to make a second trip to grab some water bottles." The enormous success of the first mission left her forgetting her second objective. She should have been more careful.

Mayu instantly looked uncomfortable. Of course. She didn't like taking without paying, even if she wasn't the direct committer. But she couldn't stop Aya from stealing; there was no way they'd survive otherwise. It'd be best if they could grow up quickly, find jobs, stop stealing, and lead normal, healthy lives.

"Aya, you can do it another time. We're fine now. Besides, the sun is setting. It's dangerous at night," she called after her sister who was already making her descent.

"No, it would be better to at least grab a couple of water bottles now. Water is heavy so I'd need to make multiple trips anyway. I should get a couple today and go back tomorrow."

Mayu looked uncertain, but Aya was already on the ground.

"Wait, I'll come with you," Mayu suddenly said. She put away her book and began to climb down after her sister, much to Aya's confusion. She didn't like the idea of it. Mayu would be taking an unnecessary risk.

"No, stay here. There's no need for you to come," Aya insisted.

"I can help you carry the bottles. Water is heavy and if you tried to carry it by yourself, you won't make it back by nightfall," Mayu said sternly. Aya rubbed the back of her neck. It was her turn to feel uncertain now.

"I'll carry less, if you want, but you should still stay here."

"No, nonsense! It's about time I stretched my legs. Let me go with you," Mayu pouted. She was being stubborn, but Aya didn't seem ready to give in. Concern was written all over her face and as nice as it was to have a dependable older sister who cared a great deal for her, Mayu didn't want Aya to do everything alone. Having Aya bearing the physical and mental burden of providing for the two of them was unfair enough. But for Aya, the biggest concern possibly of putting Mayu in danger and in turn, losing her.

They remained at a standstill until Mayu broke the silence.

"I won't be a burden. I just want to help you carry the bottles. You can tell me where to stand and wait for you. I won't go near the shops if you don't want me to. I just want to make sure you're back by nightfall," she said softly, almost shyly.

Aya bit her lips. Mayu was being particularly persistent, though Aya could understand her worries. "Alright, but you listen to everything I say. And I mean everything, okay?"

Mayu's expression instantly brightened. "Okay!"

"Stay here," Aya instructed. They were five junkyards away from the shopping district which was a fairly safe distance away. Aya planned on walking a little further up so as to give her more distance and time to lose the shopkeeper if they chased after her.

Mayu nodded obediently and with such earnest, Aya was left with the impression Mayu really didn't grasp how dangerous it could get. What if the shopkeeper chased them? What if they were armed? Aya could probably handle them herself; she knew the usual tactics—running zig-zags and creating distractions by improvising items—but Mayu didn't.

Well, Aya had only been shot at three or four times. It was pretty rare. Most weapons belonged to those dealing with the mafia so shopkeepers and civilians didn't usually have them.

Still…Aya looked around. This junkyard had a lot of scattered furniture. Mayu should hide behind something. Mayu was vulnerable to attacks if she was left out in the open; angry shopkeepers and mafiosos weren't the only threats. There were many gangs in the city that would attack anyone for food or money and some specialized in forcefully taking young girls for whatever unsavvy business they indulged in. Mayu would be an easy target.

"Hide in there," Aya pointed at a refrigerator wedged in a pile of trash.

"Okay," Mayu rushed over and closed herself off inside. She didn't seal it completely because of course that would be a stupid way to die.

Aya loitered for a minute longer to make sure the area was clear and no one was watching them. Satisfied, she ran to the marketplace. The unsettling feeling still weighed heavily in her mind, but try as she might to get rid of it, she knew it wouldn't go away until they got back to their Spot—until Mayu was safe. Let's get this over quickly. She disappeared behind the buildings.

By pure coincidence, the rooftop boy managed to catch the entire scene while on his way back to an inn. He had concealed his presence instinctively when he noticed the two of them approaching and waited motionlessly on the roof of a nearby building as he watched out of curiosity.

"So there are two of them," he observed. They looked fairly similar, though he deduced it was probably the green-eyed one he had seen earlier. She seemed to be protective of the other one so it couldn't have been the other one he saw running alone earlier. He tapped a pen to his chin. They were rather young. Orphans, probably. Those weren't uncommon. Surviving siblings were rare however; usually at least one would die from the harsh conditions of Meteor City.

Hmmm… He decided he'd like to see what else they could do. He leapt over to the next rooftop to observe the green one.

He found her after a minute. She was the fluttering shadow at the end of the alleyway.

"It's Zetsu," he noted with surprise. Years of stealing must have taught her how to conceal her presence. He hadn't sensed her, though her hair shifting slightly in the breeze gave her away. She should tie it or cut it.

Even under his watchful eyes, she was fast. It was over in ten seconds. The theft took two seconds and it took another second for the clerk to notice. The chase lasted seven seconds before he completely lost the girl.

"Impressive." She was almost as fast as he was.

She was already heading towards the junkyard where her sister was waiting. He followed after her.

AN: The plan here is to start a lot of stories and don't even get halfway through them before starting another.

Hunter x Hunter is new (actually old) obsession (resurrected obsession to be honest). Reread Yu Yu Hakusho, reread Hunter x Hunter, and now I'm in the middle of watching the 2011 anime!

Anyway, this story is a little weird just because I have two OCs (and a few more minor ones). I usually try to limit the number of OCs in my... OC stories, which sounds a little silly considering you already added one OC so... why not more? I hope it's not too much.

Please review! I will update you soon since I already have the next chapter written.