Author's notes: Hello chapter 3 here! How was chapter 2? Did you guys get a good feel of Raiha's character? Was Gon and Killua OOC? Dying to know. Hope to hear from you guys!
Disclaimer: Don't own Hunter x Hunter.
"Killua. " She felt disoriented. How would she begin to explain exactly?
Killua's head was a jumble of unanswered questions, but the biggest one so far was, "Why did you leave? "
After their first meeting, Raiha stuck to Killua like glue. Killua had been taken aback with her saying she was his bride to be since he really didn't understand what a bride exactly was. His father had taken the two and explained to them briefly that Raiha was what Kikyo, his mother, was to his father, and Killua was what Raiha's father was to her mother. That they were two people who were married and would raise children together. Clearly, the two had no concept of playing house and had never really known what a mother figure or a father figure was, well the stereotypical kind at least. Killua had made a horrible face when he heard that Raiha would be like his mother. He didn't like his mother much, but Raiha didn't seem like her anyway. They didn't really understand what was explained to them. His father had said that Raiha would be staying there for a while, so they could get to know each other and 'play.'
They didn't really know what 'play' meant though. They mostly ran through the obstacle courses Killua's father and brother had trained him with when he was five. Played with the various weapons in their vault. Mixed poisonous substances so they would change color. He would throw daggers at Raiha sometimes and she would avoid them and then take her turn. Killua had never been with other children his age. His brothers didn't play with him. What they did, it all seemed normal enough to him. And Raiha didn't complain so he thought it must have been normal for her too.
For a good two months or so, Killua was a kid. Or as much a kid as he ever could be, being born into the life he had. But it all ended the day she left.
Raiha contemplated on what she could tell him. Was it better to be short and sweet? Did she have to explain to the last detail? She didn't feel like unearthing all her personal issues right now, let alone here. It felt awkward to suddenly spew out her innermost insecurities in a place that was all pastel colors and sugary smells. She decided to keep it short and sweet.
"I went away to train. I'm sorry I never told you, or said goodbye at least. "
"Train? What the hell do you mean train? What did you need to train for? " Killua was surprised at the...anger he heard in his voice. After all these years, he thought those two months they spent together when they were nine didn't matter. Why should they matter anyway? It barely made a dent in his life. Was there something he didn't remember? All he could think of was constant running around they did, the games, how he felt...he'd like to think, like a normal kid. But maybe he was putting too much thought into it. For now he would get answers.
The anger in his voice made Raiha uncomfortable. She wondered how much he remembered. Although the time she spent at his house had changed her, much more than he knew, she had to admit that she didn't remember everything that happened back then. It was such a long time ago. "I told you didn't I? "
He had asked her if she was an assassin like him. She shook her and said she was a body guard, or she was going to be one. Whose he had asked, and she answered, 'My brothers.'
"Silva, are you sure about that girl? Is she even good enough for Killua? " asked Zeno, Killua's grandfather and the other Zaoldeyk family member aside from his father that shared his white hair.
"She's a child prodigy just like him, from the Kanakiri. "
The Kanakiri family. One of the most, if not the most, influential Yakuza families. Yakuza, a mafia, a syndicate. But theirs was no ordinary mafia. It was a corporation. Elite. It was no exaggeration to say that it controlled most of the weapon trade both underground and mainstream.
"You know that women are treated as basically next to nothing in that family. But that girl is different. Even at her age her father saw her value. She's a natural. Not a natural killer maybe, but her instincts in combat are exceptional. Not as good as Killua, not nearly, but she has never been trained. I saw her when I talked to her father. She caught an arrow aimed at one of her brothers. A lot of potential"
"That's just reflexes. "
"But she has not been trained like Killua. She doesn't know what she can be capable of. But she will. Her father will not let that talent go to waste. Especially as it can protect his precious heirs. I told him that they, to make something of the girl. "
"My brothers are heirs to the family business. I can't inherit it because I'm a girl. Doesn't matter. I'd rather just protect my brothers till they get strong enough anyway. My father told me it would be a job just for me. And who'd want to deal with ugly old men? "
She sounded so sure of herself then, and the words had rolled off of her tongue like they were easy for her to say. That it truly didn't matter and that she truly just wanted to be a bodyguard. That it was a job just for her, tailor made. Well the part about not wanting to deal with ugly old men was true.
"I was never strong like you Killua. I might have had potential, but I needed to cultivate it. I needed to be stronger. I had people to protect, and I couldn't just let myself stay the way I was. The time I spent at your house, you remember how much you taught me? Stealth, weaponry. I never knew any of those. And I needed to start as early as I could. One day, my father had contacted me and asked me if I had wanted to start training formally. And I did. Being around your family made me realize how weak I was. And Illumi -."
She stopped. She didn't need to explain that part. It wouldn't have done any good anyway. Killua looked at her expectantly but when she didn't say anything more, he simply said,
"Well, did you bring a souvenir at least? " He still wasn't looking at her, but the hurt had lifted and his tone was different. And his aura, lighter. To be honest, he still wasn't satisfied with her explanation. He felt like there was something she wasn't telling him. And did she just mention Illumi? But, he couldn't stay angry at her. At least not right now. Now when he was hungry, and he could feel her arm warm around his. He was in a weakened state. Why was he so disoriented with this girl?
She smiled and nodded. She was relieved that he had changed the topic into something lighter. Luckily, she did bring something for him. She had been carrying it around for quite a long time now. She put her hand in her bag and took out an electric blue yoyo. 'I don't know if you still play with this.'
"I haven't in a while but it's cool. " He took it in his hand. "It's heavy. "
"Had it customed made. Figured I'd make it nice and heavy so if it ever fell on your head during one of your tricks, it would have made a mark. " she teased.
"Or maybe it still wouldn't have, knowing how hard headed you are. " She couldn't help adding the last part. The atmosphere in the room, the atmosphere between the two of them was so much better. She wanted to make the most of it.
"Remind me again why I just let you slide by without talking to me for eight years? "
"Oh, um hey I have some exotic sweets too! " Perfect for damage control.
"You should have just started the conversation with THAT. "
He greedily took the candy in his hand. From a rather aloof looking seventeen year old, he looked like he was five.
"Still the same as ever. Hey, can I ask you something? "
"Mmmhmhmmhmh. Yeah shoot. " Candy candy candy. He had to hand it to this girl. They hadn't seen each other for eight years but she knew what his weak spot was.
"Did you ever get a girlfriend while I was a way? " As soon as the words left her mouth she wanted to kick herself. Why did she say that? She didn't know she was even thinking about something like that til now.
"No. " That was awfully blunt of her Killua mused.
"Why? " Raiha's eyes widened. "Don't tell me - you've discovered you swing for the other team and, " gasp "You and Gon? "
Almost choking on his candy, Killua glared at her. "Yes. I've been in love with Gon since we were twelve. "
"You don't seriously mean that? " Fear was in her eyes.
"Of course not. Hell, why would you even doubt me? I'm not gay. Jeez woman. "
"Oh okay. I mean, it' just, why didn't you? Get a girlfriend. " How far was she going to push this topic exactly? She wanted to avoid any awkwardness but she seemed to be bringing it unto herself.
"You're already bothersome enough as it is, why would I make life harder for myself? " And he moved his attention from her back to the candy, his cheeks ever so slightly pinker than before.
