Story 2: XL Chocolate Part III

A month.

It passed by like a bullet.

Killua had always known time flew when you weren't looking forward to something. That's why he tried to remain nonchalant. But he couldn't help it. After several negotiations and wild goose chases around tight schedules and flights being cancelled, he was finally arranged to meet this weird Ametista person. For the first time. And he was expected to propose to her. On the same day.

What the hell?

The idea was so ludicrous the clouds were laughing and decided to rain on this exact date. Maybe she'd have hydrophobia and just stay home. Then he'd be excused from that one month deadline. This morning, that was the only thing Killua had left to hope for. Only to have those hopes crushed when he was shooed out the mansion anyway. Then he resorted to thinking the women would get shot or chewed alive by . That would've been too awesome. He concluded as her pink completely unharmed silhouette appeared in the distance.

Now, he was left loitering on a hideously extravagant bench. Expensive jacket and all the possible dirt on the wood were the least of his problems. He was told to take her shopping at one of the most expensive malls in the country. They were both rich so it didn't matter. A pristine restaurant that was president approved followed before meeting back at the dance hall his mother had booked for them. It would with no doubt be filled to the edges with the rarest jewels and overpriced flowers, not a single piece of chocolate in sight.

There, the Gioiello family would wait to meet him with open arms. Or guns, depending on if Ametista liked him. That was where he was supposed to present her that pink diamond ring. Since he refused to buy one himself, the trinket was actually one Kikyou had ripped from her old dress and stuck on a used gold earring. How romantic. Gotoh would be there with a bunch of other butlers, making sure the heir had done just that. And if the night concluded badly, Killua had no clue. Silva ended his sentence there.

The boy was brought out of his thoughts when an excited squeal pierced his ears. He looked up to Ametista who, with quite a dainty manner, sped walked to him while holding up the ruffles of her skirt to avoid the dirt below.

"Killua-sama! Isn't this amethyst beautiful?"

If it was chocolate, maybe. "…Sure, why not."

She stared at the jewel longer before turning back to him. Immediately, that familiar scent of expectance was sent his way from her purple eyes. Ametista Gioiello was an expensive girl. She only had an eye for expensive things to the point of it being comedic. Everything about her spilled out value, from the color of her irises to the long dresses and high heeled leather boots she wore. Men everywhere could read how high of a catch she was. Killua couldn't care less. He was almost certain the girl and her parents assumed several things about him that weren't true. His suspicion was confirmed when all she did was stutter. "A-Aren't you going to buy it for me?"

"Why?" His tone took on something sharp. Something like he was challenging her.

Just like everyone else Killua had ever met, she squeaked. Then hiding the stone behind her back, shyly countered. "Never mind!" And ran off to put it away. Her figure disappeared behind the white shelves of the boutique not moments later.

Killua blinked. Then let out a bored sigh. Was he actually expecting her to say something back? To fight with him over it? Even force him to buy it? It wouldn't have been boring if she did. But she didn't. He leaned back and stared at the white sanitized ceiling. Unconsciously, a scowl marred his face.

That's it?

The day was going by, and not once did Killua utter more than three words to his date at a time. She was the polite type. Though he had a sneaking suspicion from her immediate blush when she saw him that it was all an act. He was trained to be an assassin for something. It meant he could read anyone in a heartbeat. Almost anyone.

He groaned. Without warning, that thought rocketed his bad mood to an even worse one.

He hadn't appeared before Killua again since that night.

Many times, Killua had the urge to drop everything to find him again. But he knew he couldn't. And what would he do if he did? If he could see those brown eyes and wagging tail again, what would he say? He never had such an overwhelming need to talk to someone before. Somehow he couldn't help but think everything would just end badly. And that conclusion never ended well with Killua. His eyes which were once cold would be forced into a state of grief, their usual storm looking more like a pathetic mist. His laid-back demeanor sagged further into the chair. Almost like burying his own heart further into a patch of soil. And for one second, Killua felt himself overcome with anger, annoyance, and…longing?

Shaking his head, he inwardly cursed.

Stupid Gon.

-H-H-H-H-H-H-

The awkwardness between them lasted into the evening. And Killua did everything in his power to keep it that way. He was certain there was not a moment he could recall when his shoulders weren't crouched and eyes narrowed like he would blow up the first thing that touched him. Which happened to be his tailor.

Nevertheless, he found himself in a nearly empty ballroom, Ametista and a purple tie much too tight on his neck at his side. They were an hour early because they couldn't find anything they both wanted to do. Killua couldn't help but feel he had missed his only opportunity to venture outside without being watched. At the same time, he just wanted to get this over with which didn't involve extending their outing for as long as possible.

Knowing Gotoh and the guards would show up any second, he allowed Ametista's gloved hands to latch onto his arm. She held a faint blush on her pale cheeks. It only grew as some of the more punctual guests, all dressed like they were at a tea party for five year olds, began to arrive. It was clear she was excited and nervous.

Killua impatiently curled his toes and stared at an ant on the wall. He on the other hand felt restless and didn't know why.

People were quickly cramming in. The Gioiello family was not a small one. From a crowd building beside them, he noticed a brunette in a pumpkin mermaid dress approach with a forced smile on her face. Ametista beamed at the sight of her, yet the other's nen was spilling out contained jealousy in ugly waves. Killua didn't move when he felt Ametista leave his side to huge the orange-clad girl in relief.

"Topazio! I'm thrilled that you came!"

"Of course. Are you suggesting that I would miss the chance to meet my little's cousin's betrothed?" Her forced grin tensed, gazing at the white-haired teen in lust and Ametista in envy when she thought neither was looking. Killua rolled his eyes. So no one cared what he thought about this marriage. Not even his own fiancée and deranged would-be step cousin.

He understood the second he stepped in. It was the parents and hit men who did all the mafia work as the girls stayed pretty at home without the slightest clue how to control their auras let alone fight. It was a disgrace to think the Zoldyck family would ally themselves to such…weaklings. At least that's what Killua thought. But as he's learned countless times, what he thought didn't matter.

"Ametista, you're really lucky to marry such a handsome and influential man."

"Oh," she blushed, sudden happiness at the realization filling her, "thank you."

"In fact, it's too good to be true." Ametista looked shocked at the sudden quip. Yet the overconfident crony found the need to continue. "Oh, excuse me! I am a horrible girl. It's just that I've met many men in the past who reminded me of Killua Zoldyck. Tall, handsome, strong, and powerful. Do not even get me started on the eyes and hair. They just can't keep their hands off every woman they see!"

"Um…" Ametista started only to laugh uncomfortably when Topazio burst out into giggles herself.

"I'm joking, girl! Don't take everything so seriously or you'll grow grey hair." She fanned herself under the heat of the lights, sending Killua one last sly look, and turning back to her cousin. "Seriously though, be careful." It was the last thing out of her bad mouth before they watched her saunter off to a blonde woman halfway across the room.

"K-Killua-sama." Ametista marched back to the boy with keen ears and an unreadable expression on his face. It scared her in many ways. "I'm really sorry about that. M-My cousin can be inappropriate sometimes."

When he didn't reply, she fell silent; opting to grab onto his arm again just to have it shaken off.

"…Your cousin," Killua started, no longer caring how he chose his words nor that he was speaking a full sentence, "called me a gigolo. And you agreed with her."

"H-Huh?" She looked cornered. Her face paled under his stern gaze.

"She called me a whore and you didn't do anything about it." A flash of a scene he'd never forget. It was weeks old, yet to Killua seemed like just happened yesterday. The satisfaction, confusion, and revelation of someone going so far to defend him was still fresh in his mind. And it honestly made him happy.

Ametista looked close to tears. Not because she was hurt. It was her way of dealing with things in the past. "I don't understand. What did you want me to do, Killua-sama? Hurt her?"

"That doesn't matter." He snapped back. Yet his way of avoiding the question made the answer clear to both of them.

"Th-That would be ridiculous, Killua-sama!" Even though they were fighting, the shorter girl was slowly cowering behind her own bangs. She'd never had someone expect so much from her and honestly didn't know what to do. "I will become your wife soon. If I had the reputation as someone who would resort to violence so easily, your reputation would be ruined as well!"

Killua swore he nearly seethed. Nearly yelled at her and everyone around them. The whole day he was dealing with this impossible obedient girl who had no fight, no determination, and did everything she was told. It was dumb. He shouldn't be so pissed in that description fit under being the perfect fiancée. By Zoldyck definition, he should've been thrilled.

Then why am I so mad?

Killua found himself trying not to lose his temper more than he should have the past few hours. He still held his tongue before. But not this time. This time the assassin was one-hundred percent certain Gon wouldn't hesitate to punch that Topaz-woman in the face. And here was his supposed girlfriend, the one he would be claiming to be his closest person just minutes away, standing there like a moron while it happened. In other words, she was half of everything he couldn't stand about the Zoldyck family. This decision shouldn't have been so hard. And despite years of trying to live up to what his parents wanted, what he did next was automatic.

"W-Where are you going?"

Killua was one step out the door, without looking back once.

The hall was nearly as detailed as the main ballroom. Decorated by gold as carvings of angels being eaten by devils littered every wall. Pillars of pearl white clay were constructed by the finest artists and danced around the paintings like an intricate maze. All of this went unnoticed by the white-haired teen. His goal was to go straight through the doors leading outside, pocketing the awful tie as he walked.

Only to be stopped by a group of men in black, all clad in suits yet with completely different styles. They were clearly the guards hired to ensure the night went by smoothly. Even with their Zetsu, Killua could sense how strong they were from a mile away. They were still a lot weaker than him. But as a group could do some damage. "And where are you headed, Mr. Zoldyck?"

"Out." His lips moved on their own. Killua subconsciously prepared himself in an offensive position. Maybe this could be settled through talking. "Away from here."

"We can't let you leave. We're being paid a bucket load for this job, you know." And that was the end of the talk. Just a second before Killua was about to leap forward to escape. A second before he would jump into possibly being injured to do it, an unseen force filled his senses. By instinct he stopped mid-pounce but the guards ran forward. A violent wind rushed past them. And, just as quickly, they all fell to the ground in a pool of blood.

Killua straightened himself, disbelief lacing his voice. "…Gotoh? Kurapika?"

The two addressed appeared from behind a pillar. The familiar coin still danced between the head butler's fingers. A ruby bounced from the Kurta's left ear. Both wearing strange looks, neither seeming upset nor happy as they closed the distance towards him. They were clearly leagues stronger than the moneybags from before, taking them all out in the blink of an eye. If Killua had to face them to escape, it wouldn't be a possibility. He was sure he would be injured. Common sense dictates he quietly retreat.

Yet when Silva's stern stare flashed in his brain, Killua made up his mind instantly. "I'm leaving." Then a small bundle of black fur. "And I'm not marrying her."

He was shocked speechless. Instead of a blade to the throat and chain choking the life out of his arms, the assassin was met with small smiles. Of all things. Even a light chuckle from the normally composed blonde with red eyes, their color quickly draining back to a grey brown. "We figured we couldn't stop you."

"There were about a hundred more men waiting outside. They're taken care of, master Killua." The addressed blinked. Then realization sunk in. Kurapika and Gotoh knew he'd be leaving. And they sided with him. Despite every question that swam inside Killua's head, he let nothing out but a grateful smirk.

"Thanks." And left. For the last time.

-H-H-H-H-H-H-

"Is there someone on your mind, Killua? Don't wait until it's too late."

The assassin was fumbled and flustered. Those were Kurapika and Gotoh's last words to him. And just as his quick mind registered those words, Killua found himself blushing cherry red down to his neck. It wasn't even because they held a deeper meaning or coded tease. That question just catalyzed a jolt of realizations to sink in. Like he'd been exposed to a whole new page to connect the dots. Knees nearly met ground from the heavy weight. Killua would like to think he was good at hiding his emotions. But clearly they saw through them all. It was only at the last second did his shoe catch itself on gravel midway and stop. Then, confused and irritated, said a shaky goodbye and left the two men who cared about him on the block.

There was someone on his mind. That someone wouldn't leave the whole month, not during harsh training practices, not on dangerous missions that involved life or death, not even during the date with miss rich and cry. Gon wouldn't budge from his pretty spot in his brain. And Killua wasn't sure if he actually liked it.

It was fun being around Gon. They barely knew each other yet formed a trust between them that no words could explain. The two became instant best friends. He was neither scared to butt heads with the assassin nor uncomfortable crossing boundaries around Killua. When it came down to it, the puppy would throw down whatever risk there was to save his owner. He sometimes went overboard. But just how strongly Gon was willing to act against what he didn't like would always make Killua feel light-headed and warm. Though he refused to admit it. And just until now, didn't think to know why.

No one could make him happy so instantaneously before. No one could trust him unconditionally like that. And as he felt the cold air hitting his cheeks on the deserted walkway, the reason why he was so pissed about the wedding slapped him in the face. So pissed that his wife would be the Gioiello girl. His excuse was twisted, but sounded right. She wasn't Gon. No one else could be.

Does that mean he loves Gon?

Killua choked. His foot nearly tripped against a crack in the sidewalk. He felt like such a pervert. For the love of chocolate, Gon's a dog! That didn't stop red from coloring pale skin or his heart from beating faster when he thought of him. It's not like he wanted to kiss him passionately. Or do anything kinky like everyone else would when they claimed to love another man or woman. Killua just…wanted to be with him. More than as a boy and his dog, yet not lovers either.

Not a second later, the boy felt stupid.

He'd heard sayings. They all said that trust was something easily broken.

Gon's house and home were stripped from him, that little girl who the dog obviously loved murdered. No matter how strong a bond they were about to form was ruined by the simple fact that Killua was an assassin. It would be asking for the world and more to think Gon didn't hate him. And even if he didn't, that budding friendship between them would never be the same. Killua would have to rebuild it from miniscule scratches.

But it wouldn't be nothing. It wouldn't be the nothing he had when in his home.

Ex-home. He knew his family and butlers wouldn't come looking for him. Killua was given one last chance by his father, and this was his answer. An abandoned child and disgrace to the Zoldyck family was all he was now. But that didn't matter. He was free to do whatever he wanted now. To feel that happiness, he was free to search for Gon again.

An unknown euphoria suddenly filled every part of his being. And everything seemed brighter.

"Yeah…" The cold breeze halting, Killua smiled. "I guess I do love Gon."

-H-H-H-H-H-H-

He walked the path he memorized by heart. His first stop was to see Satotz, the owner of Café Chocorobo. It was around that corner where he had split up with Gon a month ago and it was possible the man may have seen the dog loitering around. Maybe, quite possibly, know where the collie had run off to. To his luck, the tall awkward owner knew that and much more.

"Gon-kun? Yes. He came back one day and wouldn't leave the porch no matter what. He became a bit of a guard dog for me. However I could never coax him into moving from his spot; even in the rain."

Killua frowned. Satotz went on to talk about how a friend of his volunteered to take Gon in. Yet it was clear the albino's mind was somewhere else. He hadn't visited the café once since their split up. Illumi and the rest of his family were so disgusted by what happened to Aoi that they wouldn't give him the time of day to go out. He'd been a bird in a cage, a rat in a basket, a turtle stuck on the back of its shell, and reduced to whatever other metaphor there was for weeks.

He had no doubt Gon was starving and had probably wandered on their mansion by mistake the first time. Then as he was brought out of the Zoldyck Estate, was purposely put to sleep to prevent any resistance. So Gon had no idea where Killua lived. And here he was, the whole time they were apart, waiting for him in the next best place. The place of meetings. It took time to take this new bit of information in. But the first thing that came to mind let Killua release the breath he didn't know he was holding.

Does that mean…he forgives me?

Without thinking, Killua dashed out the store after being given the address, not bothering to listen to the rest of the man's explanation. It was the aftermath of a downpour. Everything was wet and still smelled like dew. When he heard the booming splash of his foot against the drying puddles, he didn't even care he was faltering from his assassin's stride. All on his mind were chants of I can't believe it!

Finding Gon would be easy. He didn't think of himself as blessed when it came to keeping friends. He was always alone because he was Killua. And left it at that. But the theory had instantly done a one eighty on itself.

The euphoria he described only grew ten times.

When Killua reached a new part of town, sounds of crickets blasted him akin to a breath of fresh air. He ignored the symphony in favor of rushing down the street like he was a business man late for work. If a piece of paper was crumpled between his fingers, it would've been thrown away. But the address was already burned in his memory. In minutes, his feet carried him to an unknown teal building with round windows at the end of the crossway. It was like a dream. He almost through it was. So an indescribable sense of relief washed over him as he neared closer and realized it wasn't.

Just on the other side, Gon would be waiting for him.

The structure looked uncared for from the endless dandelions sprouting between jagged rocks. A rusty sign was painted above the canopy which resided one of the rare dry spots protected from the storm. Without bothering to read it, Killua rudely stepped in the sliding doors. He wasn't aware of the sudden smile threatening to spill from his mouth. With it came the one name he'd been dying to call out.

"GON!"

Only to be met with an empty waiting room. In the middle stood an old-looking man, a doctor's coat wrapped around his shoulders. Used pens hung from his shirt pocket and every part of him screamed that he belonged in the medical field.

"Oh, you must be Killua." The teen stopped, confused. "I'm Doctor Leorio Paladiknight. Let me explain."

-H-H-H-H-H-H-

It was near midnight when he finally left the clinic. It was raining again. But its sounds were drowned out by an engine that greeted him outside. The modest car it belonged to wasn't shocking. However the person standing next to it was the last thing he expected to see. Yet his eyes remained stoic even as the shorter figure motioned him inside.

Killua complied without protest. He didn't buckle his seat belt. He was sick of staring at autopsies and posters of smiling children. The silver door halted from being slammed just long enough for one phrase to slip out.

"It's been a while, Kill."

"Don't…" Killua felt weak. Against odds he managed to continue. "…call me that."

The old man didn't say anything. Simply pivoted himself to the other side so he could take the wheel. Killua could only register a fly on the window with a missing leg that retreated as the vehicle started up. Everything else passed by like a blur. From the shining street signs, the sudden rain and thunder that decided to pour, and the homeless parents on the streets begging for money. He couldn't move. Not even to look away from the window. It was a miracle he could function long enough to get in his seat just minutes before.

"You should know." The silence faltered when the driver decided to speak. "I only agreed to taking you in because I owe Mister Gotoh and Satotz some favors in the past, and they told me you'd be here…"

So that's what happened. Gotoh, Kurapika, or Satotz looking after him again. It was surprising, that Gotoh knew where he was the whole time.

"And because you're my equally crazy grandson, of course."

Zeno went on to talk about where he lived. A small town in the middle of a peaceful island. Then he went on about how he planned to enroll him at a public school instead of taking in any tutors. Whatever the old man jabbered next, Killua decided to tune him out. They were both run away's now; outlaws to the Zoldyck name.

It wasn't that he didn't like his grandfather. No, the old fart was probably the only one in his messed up family that gave him the time of the day back when he was around. He was sure that if he did pay attention, his thoughts were too forgone to register any of it. He was still trying to comprehend what took place just half an hour ago.

"What…What do you mean?"

"Take a look here, Killua. It was a mystery at first what caused all of this. After a few X-rays I managed to figure it out."

"Then why didn't you fix it?!"

Killua felt his finger twitching from under his thigh. It was starting to fall asleep.

"Rotational Head Injury cannot be treated. If it wasn't for the sudden internal bleeding from the nerve fibers no one would have noticed it. He would've died whether we caught it or not."

Temper flared. "And what caused it?"

A tingling sensation overtook his palm. But he still refused to move. He was just playing around back then. He didn't know.

"In this case, a blunt strike on the neck. The dent in his spinal cord is a little over a month old. Can you recall an accident where this happened?"

Thunder crashed far off to set his quick revelation. He could recall exactly. It was then, a month ago. Ice cream in hand, Killua felt nothing more than the overwhelming need to return to devouring it. His playful first encounter with the dog that quickly won over his heart was as good as dead the moment he met him. The moment he struck the Border Collie unconscious with his own two hands.

"…WHAT THE HELL?!"

And before he knew it, tears were running down his blank face.

"Gon…" Killua whispered under his breath. The sky above shone without a single star. "I'm sorry."

He would never be more than a murderer at heart.

-H-H-H-H-H-H-

A few weeks passed before the start of school.

He was told by Zeno that everyone else was on something called summer vacation. But Killua didn't lag behind. He still trained his nen every day, lifting the largest boulders he could find in the mornings and visiting the alleyway famous for criminal activity at night. The rest of the time was spent in his new room, video games blaring at full volume and chocolate never put away. Even though it was a change of pace, he found himself not minding any of it.

One thing made him uncomfortable. He was free to go out and do his normal routine, but not once had attempted to make a single friend. The shady parts of the island were memorized like the back of his hand. They did live there after all. But that area beyond the borders where Killua's school lay and the other kids his age were, he avoided like the plague.

As Killua stared at the cozy building, he could only wonder what he was so scared of.

His day went by and school wasn't anything like he expected. The uniforms were comfortable. The classes were still boring, and surprisingly easy. Some of his classmates and teachers knew about nen but only few were better than him. No one looked at him in fear. If anything, they continued staring at him all period. No matter if they were boy or girl, they all admired or asked him out on the first day. Creepy. But he'd take this over another Aoi tutor in a heartbeat.

The ex-assassin kicked a pebble lying on the grass. It was lunch hour and he felt grumpy. He knew he should be happy with his new life. But something felt missing. He still hadn't made a friend and somehow it was bugging him. Making him restless. His bored sapphire eyes panned across the street before landing on something unexpected that made them widen simultaneously. Then all Killua could do was stare.

"Even I don't know how or why. This place is just like that."

Too many memories…

Despite his mind telling him to stop, his body carried him across the road and into the door in minutes. He ordered and paid the cashier, paying no mind to his surroundings as he plopped on the first seat he saw. Bringing the cup to his lips, Killua drank his hot chocolate as slowly as possible. The warm drink on his throat stung.

He didn't know how long he sat there staring at nothing. Birds could be heard chirping from outside. Children laughing. Coworkers complaining about work. One of the younger kids from his school spilt coffee on their backpack and the girl passing by helped him out. Everything was just so unbearably happy compared to him.

Sometime halfway, he stopped sipping and glared at his own cup.

Why am I here?

"You're crying."

Shocked, it took the white-haired boy a full second to realize someone was speaking to him. Without taking his eyes away from the swirling chocolate, he answered. "…I am?"

"Yeah, why?" Killua felt a crumpled tissue being shoved in his face. Then his ears made out the screech of this person taking a seat across from him. Suppose he should've found the question rude. Or be suspicious at this noisy stranger. But he was surprised that he didn't mind.

In this rare moment of trust, Killua told as much of the truth as he could. The words still choked off his tongue like needles. "This place…was the last one." Then shut his mouth in favor of silence.

"Oh." It was the only answer he received for an awkward minute. Then, the voice spoke up again. "Café Chocorobo…it's where people meet after not seeing each other for a long time, right?"

Killua nodded, feeling dumb, embarrassed, and like crap for confiding in a complete stranger. He couldn't stop himself from running his own mouth. He'd been a handicap to the Zoldyck family for that very reason since he was born. It was the one thing he couldn't control, at least until recently. To think just a while ago he was so close to becoming as uncaring and apathetic as Illumi.

Now all he could do was wipe those stupid tears away.

"You're soiling your hot chocolate." For a second, Killua thought the voice was mocking him. But the clear un-judging tone it held dispelled the idea as soon as it came. When he peered down, he realized some of his salty tears really had dripped away to be caught by the gaudily colored cup below. "Here."

He blinked when he heard the sound of a bag unzipping. Just as the tissue was, a warm thermos was thrust towards him this time. The only explanation Killua got was that it was hot chocolate. Instinct telling him there was nothing wrong; the albino uttered 'thanks' and carefully opened the lid.

"I was told that the hot chocolate I make can stop anyone from crying! But you know what else helps too?"

As soon as the drink entered his mouth, an overwhelming warmth of nostalgia overtook his senses. When it swished against his cheek, he felt his tight shoulders relax and restless body deflate. As the mysterious liquid made its way down his throat, Killua was left wondering why it tasted so familiar.

Then, just like a train, it hit him.

"A hug." Before he knew it, the ex-assassin felt arms wrap comfortingly around his form. The action made him blush red. His last tear shed at the remaining bitter sweet taste on his tongue. When they parted, Killua could only look up to meet honey brown eyes looking at him like they were best friends.

-H-H-H-XL-Chocolate-End-H-H-H-

Sorry for the delay. University's a jerk.

For those wondering, human!Gon and dog!Gon are not the same person. Killua was told Gon the dog was killed by him and there's nothing that can change that. But that's what second love is for, right? Hope the ending was satisfying enough.