After a very, very long hiatus, I return! My mental and emotional strength has been sapped and drained these past few months, and I couldn't even lift a few neurons to produce a grain of creativity. Studying in a university could get you that. Somehow, I finished with this chapter. I really wasn't able to edit this one (as usual) so if there are any errors, etc, please tell me so that I may take care of 'em. When I have time again, I'll be editing and updating this. Don't worry, because I will finish this one, I swear. Though this fic is quite depressing, I still hope you have fun reading. Heehee.

Disclaimer: HxH could never be mine. Even in an alternate universe, that'd still be impossible. Gah! I hope Togashi gets better.

Swift Contact

"Stay with me"

I told you then and you did

It was a promise

Now you're gone

Should I have asked instead,

"Stay with me forever"?

The young nen-user heaved a lonely sigh. Indeed, that was all he seemed capable of doing now. It was amazing how three months ago he would never have imagined himself to be so down as this. Three months ago, he would not be traveling rough places alone; there was always that cat-eyed companion of his. His best friend…naturally, often much more…

Gon Freecs was alone. And never had he wanted so much as a familiar face.

And that was precisely what brought him to the bleak alley. The few lamp lights flickered in the darkness. It didn't help that the cold smell of dawn was making his nose itch. He sighed again and took a tiny folded paper out of his wallet and squinted. His apartment should be around here somewhere…

Incessant knocking echoed throughout the room and the disheveled, dark-haired man sprawled on the top of a cheap mattress growled. Blearily opening one eye, the alarm clock's face swam into view and he hollered a curse: 12:30 AM. Who the fuck would want something with him in such an ungodly hour? He had barely had 15 minutes of sleep—the surgery he handled was just too long—and he was having such a fine dream, too!

The knocking persisted and he sighed. It must be very important if they'd bother to make such an impromptu visit. Could it be a patient? What if some person was dying precisely at his door, and he was not able to do anything just because he failed to acknowledge the visitor? This thought jolted him slightly awake.

Muttering something about duties and keeping his vows, the man, wearing nothing but a very thin shirt and a pair of boxers stretched up and made for the door. He looked down to see the face of one he had not expected to see, not in a few years.

"Gon?" he whispered, too shocked to speak any louder.

"Hello, too, Leorio," grinned Gon. "Mind if I bunk in?"

Half an hour later, Leorio handed a mug of hot chocolate to Gon across the table. He took the liberties of preparing some instant miso soup, too. While they waited, he helped himself to some coffee and observed his old friend critically. Gon had grown taller but he was still a midget for his age. His naturally tanned skin was just the same hue as his kind, chocolate-brown eyes. His finely built body emitted that same strong but warm aura that earned everyone's trust. Leorio smiled—Gon was exactly the type of kid girls would die for.

Despite these facts, there was something unnatural about him as well. His gait was slumped and his eyes lost their usual cheerful glow. And Killua—why was Killua not with him?

As his mind drifted to these things, Gon spoke ruefully, "Your Ten has improved."

Leorio have him a wide grin. "Course! Heh! What—you think I'd spend all those years just studying and curing people? I wouldn't want to waste my other potentials! I can't wait to show you my Hatsu!" He guffawed and Gon smiled. They were silent for awhile but it was a thoughtful silence; both too occupied with their own thoughts.

"Here." Leorio pushed plastic cup of steaming miso to Gon. "Ain't too much, but it's pretty tasty when it's steamin'. You look like you haven't been eating much."

"Thanks," was his only answer. They both ate silently, each of them drowned in their thoughts. Leorio scrunched his brows at the very intent expression on his companion's face. It was years since they met, but the young doctor knew that Gon only held such an expression when something very grave had occurred. For some reason, he felt the night's occurrence was cataclysmic—his instincts, sharper than ever told him that.

"I just don't feel like it, recently."

"Huh?" said Leorio, snapping from reverie.

Gon looked up from his half-empty bowl and smiled. "You said I don't look like I haven't been eating much. Well, that's 'cause I don't feel like it." He paused and Leorio waited; he was not disappointed because the boy continued. "You know, that feeling… the stuff that I used to enjoy seem so—tasteless. It's like an illness, but it isn't. It's just…" He sighed again.

Mulling this over, Leorio slurped up all his remaining miso, not caring if it scalded his tongue. Wiping his mouth, he smirked. "Sounds like love sickness to me, kiddo."

"E-eh?" stammered Gon, red-faced. He smiled sadly down at his miso and continued sipping it silently. "I guess. I guess you're right."

Leorio plopped down his makeshift bed with a huff. He forced Gon to used his own bed, despite the protests. He was too frustrated with Gon's silence. Why wouldn't he tell him anything? Through the darkness, he squinted at the huddled form of his friend on the bed and sighed. Gon would tell stuff in his own time. A long time ago, he would've pestered the little guy until he spit all the juice but now… Leorio chuckled to himself softly, murmuring. "I'm getting too old."

Just as he was dozing off, his mobile phone vibrated; these days, he kept it near him just in case an emergency came up. He opened the message and read:

Good morning. Forgive me for disturbing you but I'll be coming around at 0500H. I hope I won't be a nuisance. –Kurapika

Leorio whistled, torn between surprise and pleasure. "Well, I'll be damned. Heh. Gon will be so surprised in the morning." He checked his watch and upon seeing that there was still a few hours before his blonde friend's arrival, decided to set an alarm and dropped off to sleep.

Gon's eyes felt heavy but his thoughts refused to let him sleep. Memories haunted him.

A groan passed his parted mouth. He knew leaving Killua would be difficult but he didn't expect it to take such a toll on him. He missed him sorely. Often, he thought whether or not Killua understood his reasons. But no matter. He had to leave—it was no good for the Zaoldyeck heir to stay with him.

"Killua is not here, Illumi," said Gon, watching the Killua's eldest brother with apprehension.

He smiled cryptically. "Don't worry. I know that my younger brother is ten minutes away from this area.. But for the moment, he is not my concern."

"What do you mean?"

Gon inhaled sharply, bringing him back to the present. He often dreamed of that night—the night Killua and he had been racing to the Central Park on the Trilobite mission. He closed his eyes and concentrated his thoughts from that memory, in vain.

"Don't be alarmed. I won't be doing anything to you," whispered Illumi. That blank expression remained etched on his face. "Not yet."

Gon stepped back defensively. "What do you want?"

His stiff costume crackled as he stepped forward. "Stay away from my brother."

The words made Gon furious. "You still haven't given up on that? Killua will do as he pleases. He is his own person. He will not be anyone's puppet."

"You don't understand," he shook his head, as though conversing with an imbecilic child. "You will stay away."

"I will not."

"Why?"

"Because he is my best friend."

"Best friend?" Illumi laughed; it was an unpleasant sound. he stopped abruptly before adding dryly. "You've been together for years now. I daresay he is much, much more than a 'best friend'. Tell me, how far have you gone? Do you renew friendship vows while fucking for hours?"

Gon found his face reddening in embarrassment and anger. It was true that they have "gone far". But he will not allow anyone to just ridicule their friendship. "I will not answer you. But if you speak another filthy word, I will fight you, whether or not you are Killua's eldest brother."

Illumi raised a mocking brow. "Oh? A threat?"

In a burst of feeling, Gon said, "I care for Killua, and I will protect him the best I can. I won't let anything—anyone—stand between us."

"He is the heir of the Zaoldyeck. The whole of our clan stands between." He disappeared and came up from behind Gon, whispering softly in his ear. "And I know how to hurt him best."

With a growl, he swiped an arm behind him but Illumi was too quick. It didn't help that Illumi's words were starting to disturb him.

"You shouldn't feign ignorance, Gon Freecs. You know well what I mean," said Illumi, appearing some feet from Gon. The tight-lipped smile illuminated by the lamps chilled the young boy's heart. Then and there, he knew he had to make his choice.

And the only choice he was allowed froze his insides with despair.

The faint scent of coffee woke him up. Rather, he thought it was the scent of coffee that woke him up. It took some minutes of stillness and voice recognition to realize what exactly it was that got him awake.

It was sound of muffled moans from the kitchen area.

Alarmed, Gon swiftly jumped off the bed and was about to run for the kitchen. But he halted immediately as he heard a distinct "twack" and the clear ringing voice of a friend he had not heard of in years. "Leorio, if you meant to be romantic, I'd rather you tasting like fresh earl grey tea than that cheap coffee and dried saliva."

That got Gon sitting back down on the bed, wondering what exactly it was that happened in the other room. But then, he wasn't sure if he really wanted to know.

Leorio's soft growl could be heard from where he was sitting. "Aw, c'mon. Such a kill joy."

"Kill joy? I better leave then."

"WHAT? You're leaving? After making me wait up to this ungodly hour? After—mmpf." More muffled moans ensued. Slowly comprehending the "situation" in the other room, Gon blushed hotly under his natural tan. But it also got him thinking about Killua.

Plunging his head back onto the bed, he closed his eyes and muttered. "Killua, what could you be doing now?"

Three months. It has been three months since Gon left him and around two months since the encounter with Karuto in the Fine Isles. The hide of his thick boots crunched in the forest dirt. The scent of the forest reminded him too much of what he lost—often his stomach would churn in nostalgia. But he decided to travel this way; since Gon was being stealthy, he too had to be stealthy. He knew Gon was taking forest and mountain routes such as these and sighed. Searching for Ging was a piece of cake compared this search. For one thing, there was no rush—and the days were mostly fun. That was more like a game. But this…this stemmed too much desperation, too much emotional ties. It was tiring, and in no way fulfilling. The road seemed too far, and even he knew that the journey has hardly started.

He could remember the afternoon he left Zhocolát. The old man Arthurio was so weak and drained from Karuto's puppet technique that he had to nurse him back to health for a week. As much as he wanted to go, his conscience berated him. Gon would have stayed. That thought alone made him active. After all, it was his family's fault that the owner of the famous shop was in a pinch.

"What do you plan to do now?" asked the Arthurio. That last afternoon, the old man's health was back to full bloom. He even served some newly baked éclairs and a mug of hot choco loco to the Zaoldyeck.

"I'm going to look for Gon. I won't stop looking for him," he said resolutely.

"Even if he doesn't want to be found?"

Killua found himself in an eye-contest with Arthurio. After a full minute, he sighed. "I don't fully understand why Gon left. I'm sure it has something to do with…but that doesn't matter. Gon wants to protect me. I hate it that he has to suffer—that we both have to suffer like this. He needs me. Even if he runs away, I'll find him and force myself if I have to—just to make him understand that he's not alone in this."

The elder sighed and sipped on his cup of mocha. "When you meet him, can you say all this so calmly? Even if you don't admit it readily, I understand that you are deeply frustrated and angry with the situation. 'Why didn't he tell me? Why did he leave me? Was there no other way? Doesn't he trust me?' Those questions are undoubtedly running through your head whether or not you are aware of them. So you must be ready when you face him. Else your emotions might get the better of you."

"Don't be ridiculous, old geezer," he said lightly; both of them knew he wasn't try to be offending. "That won't happen to me."

The man raised his brow. "Really? But even the best nen-users have their moments."

"Zaoldyecks don't have moments," he scoffed.

Fiodor Arthurio shrugged. "We'll see. We'll see."

Killua pulled his pale hair back into an untidy pony and slung his bearskin backpack wearily. Traveling alone made him reflect. The old man's words weren't empty warnings and he knew he was a fool for ignoring them. But he didn't want to think of those things now. All that mattered was finding Gon.

As the days came and went, Gon seemed to step farther and farther from him. In desperation, he decided to enlist Kurapica's help a week ago. He knew he should have done it earlier, but pride and self-sufficiency prevented him from making an early call. Vaguely, he supplied the minced details and asked to be contacted in case the blonde would manage to contact Gon. He also mentioned that he would be visiting Leorio, and even suggested that he stay there and create the search team. Thinking about it now, Killua's chest felt lighter. It sounded pretty much like old times. Except that Gon was not there with them…

Stepping out of the canopy of trees, the pale lad emerged on a top of a hill. Gingerly, a map was pulled from his breast pocket and flattened at his palm. He peered down at the city of Peorth below—which looked more like a rural district than anything else. Now, all he had to do was look for Leorio's house, have some breakfast, and everything would be peachy…

"WHAT?!"

Gon jumped at the screech from the kitchen. He was just dozing off, too. Rolling on his hips, the teen flattened his feet on the floor just as Kurapica barged into the room.

"G-Gon! You're here!" he stammered. The boy looked up at him wide-eyed and surprised at the other's reaction before grinning toothily.

"Hullo, Kurapica! Nice to see you, too." With that, he jumped over to the blonde, laughing and punching the other's chest playfully.

Recovering, Kurapica closed his fingers onto Gon's wrists and pronounced seriously. "You're still the same kid back then."

"Really, huh?" said Gon sheepishly.

"Well, no," murmured the older man softly. "You've changed."

Gon didn't know how to respond to this. Leorio entered just as Kurapica said, "Where's Killua?"

His brown eyes widened like saucers at the mention of the name and he quickly pulled from the blonde's grasp. "Did he talk to you?"

He didn't answer. Leorio looked from one to the other and said. "Gon, I don't really understand what's happening but I've been thinking about it since last night. Not once did you mention Killua. Where is he? Did you have a fight?"

Gon bit his lip until the iron tang seeped into his mouth. "I'm sorry, Leorio, but I can't tell you."

Kurapica and Leorio shared a look of disbelief. After all, Gon was never the one to be mysterious and secretive. Unless… "Does this have something to do with his family?" asked Leorio.

The dark-haired teen looked away. Kurapica's clear and gentle voice rang in the silence. "Tell us some, at least. We'll listen."

The three sat down in the dining area. The scent and fog of steaming coffee wafted in the air, giving the room a smoky atmosphere. Gon clasped his mug and spoke. "We—didn't argue. I just had to leave."

The two didn't speak, so Gon added. "The heir of the Zaoldyecks must spawn a child at the age of sixteen. It is the rule among them. Killua is the heir. By now, he should have one."

"So…?" muttered Leorio slowly. "What's this got to do with you?"

Gon merely looked down at his cup before continuing. "I'm in the way. So I left."

There was a stunned silence. Leorio angrily banged his fist on the table. "Who the fuck fed you these shitty ideas?"

"Shh. I think there's more to that, right Gon?" said Kurapica, casting a glare at the doctor.

Gon shook his head, as though swimming in a far off dream that was too hard to shake. "Killua…if I'm right, he's a father now."

"How could Killua be a father? That's not possible," heaved Leorio, rubbing his own head frustratedly.

Kurapica shook his head at his companion's sluggishness. "If he's old enough to have sex, it is not an impossibility. Since Killua is a healthy adolescent, the sperm count can also be assumed--"

"I know that," glowered Leorio. "But Killua and Gon obviously are...heck! Gon, who told you these things?"

"If I stay with him, they'll hurt the mother and their child," he continued, ignoring the question. "I can't let that happen. You all know what their family is capable of. I don't want Killua to blame himself for those deaths. He's gone so far from that part of himself that he wanted to overcome—it might destroy him."

"Gon, who told you these things?"

Looking up at the steely gaze, he whispered. "Illumi."

The doctor's jaw dropped. "FUCK! You listen to that asshole?"

Kurapica held onto the Emission user's arm. "Leorio! Shut up!"

Gon stared at his fuming friend and bit his lip. He knew they would be angry if he said anything. What in the world compelled him to speak out, anyway? Pushing himself up, he turned away and secretly asked them forgiveness before speaking chillingly. "I knew it. What was the point of saying anything when you guys wouldn't understand?"

They were dumbstruck at the tone. Only now did they hear the boy use such a cold voice on them. Kurapica tried another tactic. "Gon, please, calm down. Leorio is just frustrated. We are all worried about what's happening. This is not like you."

"I'm sorry. I just can't tell you any more than this at the moment," murmured Gon apologetically, clenching his fists. Now was really not the time to waver. He chose this path after all. And why was his head hurting like that? It seemed close to bursting. It seemed to be screaming incessantly—calling to him to Run. If he doesn't run, he'll hurt them all with his selfishness.

With that, Gon calmly made his way back to Leorio's room and, before his friends could make another move, he was back in the kitchen. The wearied bag was once again slung over his shoulder.

Leorio's face darkened. "Gon! You can't be going already!"

The young boy's face was set. "I must go now. I shouldn't have visited in the first place—not when things are still a bit nasty."

Kurapica raised a brow. What did he mean by that? "You mean…you want to take care of all this alone?"

The tanned nen-user didn't answer; they knew it was a 'yes'. "Then," said Leorio. "You won't give us a choice? We're not even allowed to help an old friend. I can't just let it go at that!"

"There's no other choice," said Gon earnestly. "You must understand. I can't involve you guys—especially you, Leorio. They'll not just come after you—they might even use your patients. They won't stop. They'll never stop."

Kurapica shook his head. "Gon, that's why you need our help. You will not be able to resist the Zaoldyecks by denying our assistance. By running away from your friends, by abandoning Killua—"

"I had to! If I didn't I—" Suddenly, the hairs on Gon's nape rose in alarm. Wide-eyed, he murmured. "Killua—he's coming here!"

"Yeah—Kurapica, weren't you telling me earlier that Killua would be—" The blonde's warning glare shut Leorio immediately. But the meaning already dawned on the boy's expression. Without a parting look, he jumped for the front door like a hunted deer and sprinted.

I'm sorry, everyone!

Goosebumps rendered the alert Zaoldyeck paler. It has been sometime since he felt that familiar presence. His mouth parted into surprised words. "Gon, He's here."

Killua could feel the blood pumping in him, almost screaming for contact. Even his alter ego, dominated and folded away, seemed to acknowledge the aura of the lost partner. Everything about him was yearned for Gon. He had to reach him.

So concentrated was he in this need, he overlooked and completely forgot the presence of his old friends in the area. He hardly cared that the air crackled with energy where he passed by, causing faints and mild shocks to innocent passersby. All he cared for was running after that fleeing light-footed doe. Just as Fiodor Arthurio predicted, his emotions were getting the better of him. And, against his own will, he could feel the months of pent-up anger and frustration flaring within him as he felt their distance widen. Gon, you selfish bastard...

Something cold wound thrice on waist and twice on his wrists. Glowing chains of nen bound him—even the fierce energy running within him seemed to become heavy and weak. He wrestled against the chains to no avail and growled at the Kurapica, who gazed at him evenly.

"I don't care if you're my friend," he began dangerously. "But if you refuse to release me now, I swear I'll kill you."

"Is that a threat?" said Kurapica, eyes glinting slightly. Changing his tone, he murmured calmly. "Stop leaking all that energy. We won't be able to catch him if you do that."

"'We'? So there's a 'we' here? If you're really concerned about catching Gon then you should release me now while he's still near enough to catch."

Leorio finally came from behind, huffing and catching his breath. Loosening his collar, he growled at Killua. "Oye, there. Stop this now, kiddo. Can't you see the damage you're doing? You're sucking out the air in this place!"

Gon's aura was getting farther and farther away. In the coldest tone he could muster, Killua said, "Move away."

Kurapica tightened the chains. "The inhabitants of this city will suffocate if you go on like this. Their bodies cannot adapt and—"

"MOVE ASIDE!" A blast of pure nen crackling with electricity shot out in an even circumference, draining energy and air as it came. Just as Kurapica readied himself for the current, a nen shield appeared in front of him. It was Leorio who conjured it just in time.

"Leorio! When did you—"

Leorio turned to him and grinned. "You can thank me some other way later."

"Show off," Kurapica muttered in breathless relief. Recovering from the attack, they looked up to see Killua seething in his chains. His eyes were beetle black now, and they knew he had lost control.

Leorio looked around at the narrow street and frowned. He could sense the wide range of Killua's energy and the adverse effects it was giving to the people in the area. This madness has got to end. "Make sure you hold him in place," he ordered Kurapica.

"What do you intend to do?"

He turned to him again and winked cheekily. "That shield and medicine ain't the only thing I learned these 4 years."

Kurapica watched amazement as Leorio altered the shape of the shield. To normal people, it would only appear as a fuzz in the air but any seasoned nen-user would see that the shield had transformed into a glowing nen sword. "Whatever you do, don't let go of the chains."

The blonde answered this by slipping an additional coil around the Zaoldyeck's body. With that, Leorio ran and rammed the energy sword into Killua's chest. The boy's eyes widened in shock and fell listless. The shocked Kurapica released the chains as Leorio's sword dissolved into balls of light and returned to his body.

"Killua—Killua! Wait, he's still alive. What did you do? Your hatsu—" said Kurapica as he cradled the younger boy, more confused than frantic.

"My hatsu's kinda cool, huh? I can use my nen as an energy shield and sword. The guy who taught me said that I'd be able to use it simultaneously through practice."

"You ran your sword in his chest…but there's no blood."

"Ah. That's another thing about it. The objects I create only absorb energy, enough to weaken but not to kill. He'll wake up later, but he'll feel a bit drained." Leorio bent over to take Killua from Kurapica's arms but the blonde shook his head. "I'll carry the kid back to the house so stop fussing. Look around and see if the citizens are okay, will you?"

"Yeah. I'll do that. But, do you think Gon is…"

"He'll be okay. We can't run after him like this. Also, I can sense that he's hidden himself completely and has gone far now. We'll find him together later."

"Hmph. All right then." Kurapica piggybacked the unconscious Killua and went off for the direction of the apartment when Leorio stopped him. A too-happy grin was plastered on his face. "Well? I deserve a reward right?"

Kurapica raised his brow. "For a job sloppily done? I'm sure Killua will want to blast you later for running a blade through him."

Leorio placed his hand at the back of the blonde's head and pulled their mouths together. Their mouth's wrestled furiously for a minute until they broke contact; Leorio huffed and Kurapica flushed. "You morally corrupt medical practitioner!"

"Not up for PDA?" he grinned, ruffling the shorter man's head until the hand was swatted away.

"Certainly not. Your kiss never does improve," Kurapica retorted.

"What the—for your information, the girls I used to date enjoyed making out with me." The blonde gave him a chilly stare. Sheepishly, he added. "And you were clearly enjoying it!"

"Well, I am clearly not a girl." Tiptoeing lightly, he whispered something at the doctor's ear which brought a pleasant shiver up his spine. A red flush spread across Leorio's ears and neck. Smiling at his victory, Kurapica adjusted Killua on his back and made for the apartment. "Later then."

Shaking his head, Leorio muttered. "That blondie will be the death of me." As he walked on the streets to check on the affected population, his thoughts returned to Gon and to the sleeping Killua. He absolutely couldn't understand Gon and certainly pitied Killua.

"Wherever you are, Gon, I hope you know what you're doing."

Yey! Other characters to the rescue!

Yeah, I know Leorio and Kurapica are a tad bit mushy. But they really struck me as a couple in the series. You know, the type of couple that'd be squabbering through time. The story is getting weird, but I'm weaving slowly through the plot. Does that mean I'm weird, too? Hahaha.

Anyways, I just invented Leorio's hatsu. For those wondering, materialization and emission operate on similar principles and have similar outputs. However, that of the materialization is much more rigid (has lotsa rules and deals).

So, don't forget to read and review! Thanks!