Chapter 7: Leaving x on the x Cenberry

Days past with no news from Kuff Lawrent or any other hunter forwarding information to Killua about any rescue attempt in the North Islands. Killua knew the gist of how things worked amongst the hunters. Days of departure to the islands were random so the rebels couldn't predict their plans and stop them beforehand. Arrivals on the shores were short and brief, quick and silent. They slither in towards the shores like snakes, picking up whoever was ready to leave, then leave not waiting for more. Whoever was late or didn't come out on time, had to wait until the next deploy of hunters. Whenever that would be.

Killua and his comrades experienced these occurrences many times before. There were small windows of opportunities for them to succeed and bring refugees to the mainland. Killua now experienced the reverse first hand, his comrades left him behind among the burning village with the wailing baby. He remembered seeing the scared looks on the people's faces. They didn't want the baby's cries to reveal their location, with the rebels treading behind them.

In the meantime, Killua helped with the chores around the house. This wasn't to his dismay, he liked to be kept busy. He caught fish, sheered sheep, made wine, and bartered for feed and other goods with fellow neighbors. His smooth talking swimmingly came in handy. All those years of making ransom calls finally paid off. The father was extremely impressed.

"The key is to show them that we don't need their business, we have better options hanging in front of us. Since we have what they need, they'll then feel inclined to get back our attention, subsiding to our demands," Killua caught the last word he said, an old habit from his assassination days, "to our offers."

The father nodded his head appreciatively. "You could be a traveling merchant. No one will cheat you out of a deal."

And no one ever has, thought Killua.

But the days kept grinding down on him, waiting for a notification from Kuff. The sun was beating down on the earth heavily today. Its warmth penetrated through the sky, clouds, and land. Fractures of light shimmered on the water and blades of grass. Killua could feel his shirt sticking to his skin, and sweat trickling down his neck. He let out a sigh.

He grabbed the ends of his shirt and lifted it up, passing his stomach, chest, and then shoulders. When he finally lifted it above his face, Illena was standing a few feet away from him. She was holding a basket of clothing that finished baking in the warmth of the sun and immediately turning her back to him, hiding her flustered face. Her shoulders tensed upward.

Killua saw the basket of freshly dried clothing, "Can I have one?"

Illena didn't turn her back, but she mumbled something of a slightly incoherent 'yes.' She quickly tossed a shirt over her shoulder, high in the air. It fluttered down several inches from where Killua was standing, but he easily caught it before it hit the ground.

"Thank you."

Illena mumbled something of an incoherent 'you're welcome.' She scurried back into the house. Her face still flustered. As she passed through the screen door, Yanny emerged, with a limp in his step. Still recovering from his brawl with the rebels several nights ago.

"Why's your face all red?" He placed the back of his hand to her forehead, "It feels like you have a fever."

Illena scoffed and angrily walked back into the house, and fiercely closed the door behind her. The hinges on the door irritably squeaked, and a few chips of paint fell off the wall from the impact.

"I only wanted to know if you were okay." Yanny said in defense. Illena peered through the screen door, looking at a crochet version of the world. Not until, she had a change of heart, and opened the door a second time, flinging a towel at Yanny with all her might. "Wha-What did I do?!" He exclaimed. He looked at Killua, baffled, hoping he would explain the unexplainable occurrence.

"Don't look at me," Killua shrugged. "I have no idea."

Yanny sat down on the porch, confused. He looked up towards the sky aggravated, "Why!" he shouted. He said it to no one in particular, but Killua was the only one there beside him. He would be stuck in this entangling conversation. Maybe if he quickly walked into the fields to watch the sheep, he could get out of this situation. Killua took one step away and Yanny began to talk. He cursed under his breath.

"Is there something troubling your mind?" Killua said, exasperated.

"Can't she just talk to me like how we used to."

"I haven't been here long enough to really know in depth of your relationship, but hey, make it work," alright, that was a subtle and yet neutral response to scurry out of this conversation. Killua took a few steps back, until Yanny gestured with his hands. He had another question that needed an answer. Only one that Killua could give.

"Does she hate me?"

"Illena?"

Yanny nodded, fearing Killua's response.

"No, I don't think so. I mean, you could turn it around and say that she threw that towel at you quite affectionately." Killua laughed out the word. It is how people see the situation that can hold different perspectives. He could list a thousand different ways of Illena wanting to ring Yanny's neck with that towel, it's all about perspective.

"I always offer to help her and then she always shoos me away like I'm some pest or something."

"She'll come around, eventually." Killua snorted. Not really thinking she ever would.

"What am I doing wrong?" Yanny looked up at Killua with sad, puppy dog eyes. It reminded him of Gon. How on earth someone that innocent even existed, boggled him. Killua felt an artery burst in his brain. The resemblance to Gon was uncanny.

"You're making her feel useless, that's what you're doing."

"I want to show that I'm grateful to be taken in by her family. They didn't have to do that for me."

Killua dipped his head to the side, "That's all?"

"And…that I care for Illena too, a lot." Yanny leaned his head into his crisscrossed arms, muffling his response. Yanny is a hopeless idiot in love. Killua shook his head, disapprovingly.

"She's a tough girl, she can take care of herself. Like during that rebel attack, fire was burning in her eyes. I swear, she was going to claw that guy's eyes out."

"She probably thinks I'm an even bigger loser." Yanny wiped his hand on his face, trying to push away his anxiety. "I couldn't even protect her."

"Give her space, if she comes back around towards you then celebrate, if not you always have the sheep to keep you company."

Yanny's jaw dropped.

"They're fluffy, don't talk back to you only with the occasional neigh, and are always up for cuddles." Killua laughed. Only intensifying Yanny's unwavering feelings. Suddenly the door flung open, Yanny turned around and could have sworn that a demon with red eyes and horns was staring down on him, incinerating him in his seat. It was only Illena.

"I can hear you both talking about me from inside the house! Get a new hobby!" With that said, she relentlessly hurled the entire basket of clothing at Yanny. He was caught off guard, venting his feelings to Killua. Now he was impaled by bloomers and trousers from head to toe.

"But we can't help it," said Killua, "You're so lovable."

Illena was scouring the ground, looking for another item to throw. Instead, she took off her shoe and hurled it at Yanny.

"Why only me?! He deserves one two! Throw something at him!" He pointed to Killua, trying to end these relentless attacks directed solely towards himself.

"No, you started this conversation." Killua smirked, "I am simply an innocent bystander." He held up his hands in the air, feigning innocence.

They heard laughter coming from the fields where the sheep graze.

The little kids were pretending to do their chores, but they were horrible at it. They weren't secretive about hiding their horseplay and jubilant laughter. They were running through the fields, playing tag among the sheep. Using the sheep as obstacles to avoid one another while the other ran around them. The sheep were munching on the grass, they could care less.

Suddenly, the sound of crying cut through the laughter, the mother opened the door with one arm, while holding the baby with the other. Its face was all red and scrunched up, with tears jetting down its plump cheeks. It had its arms outreached towards Killua.

"I think he wants you," she said.

Killua complied and cradled the baby, but it was still crying. An idea flickered in his head, he walked over to Yanny and plucked off a small cloth from his head. "Don't mind me."

He sat down on the porch steps, balancing the child with one arm and holding the cloth in the other. Killua put the cloth over his own face, and waited a couple of seconds before unveiling himself.

"Surprise!" Killua whipped the cloth from his face, crisscrossing his eyes with a ridiculous smile. The tears slowed from the baby's face, un-scrunching his eyes and mouth. A smile was beginning to form. Killua covered his face with the cloth again, waiting a couple more seconds, and then unveiling himself. Revealing an absurd face mimicking a pig. A smile broke out from the baby. Killua placed the cloth over his face again, and the little one couldn't hold in its curiosity. What silly face will the man make again? It cumbersomely reached towards the cloth, wanting to unveil the face himself. Killua felt the baby's fingers fumbling at his nose, trying to grip the cloth. "Don't ruin my act." The baby laughed when Killua revealed yet another comical face, borderline resembling a walrus.

Yanny walked over and kneeled at the baby, and tried making a funny face himself.

The baby frowned, unimpressed.

Killua laughed.

And Yanny sulked on the porch steps with his basket of laundry.

"I'm sorry Yanny, but not everyone has the gift," laughed Killua. He remembered fondly of his childhood. Him playing with Alluka in their little sandbox in their backyard that became much more than just a box of dirt. It became a vast dessert or an ice cold tundra or the crater filled surface of the moon or all of them put together. What adventures they would travel and risk themselves in. Of course they would bring snacks with them, what kind of astronaut-eskimo-explorers don't. Alluka always loved Killua's funny faces. It was a sure fire way to make her smile.

From the corner of Killua's eye, he saw the children frolicking in the fields, holding something. Something that belonged to him. It was his communicator and he swore he heard the hazy static of a connection coming through. The kids squealed with laughter and started talking into the microphone. "Hello, who's this?"

"This is dispatch leader, Kuff Lawrent, leader of the B-9 group. Is a receiver on the line?"

The kids jumped up with glee, "Hi! Are you a secret agent?"

"What? Who's this?"

"Do you have those cool gadgets like in all those spy movies? You're voice sounds funny." They laughed.

"What-I barely know you."

Adrenaline spiked in his veins. Killua immediately ran up to the kids and clutched his communicator out of their hands. They frowned. "Kuff-Kuff, it's me, Killua. Leader of the T-18 group."

"Ah-right. Where are you located?"

"I'm near Kalamati."

"Good, there will be another rescue attempt at midnight tonight. Don't miss it." Kuff's voice fizzed out, leaving empty static behind him. Another rescue attempt. Tonight.

Killua looked back to the house, basking in the warmth of the sun. It had a sunny golden halo surrounding it. He saw Yanny and Illena having a conversation and it looked like Illena was winning. Killua held the baby in his arms, he was looking up at him with his amethyst eyes. Something stirred in Killua, telling him not to leave, but he shooed it away. He would be leaving tonight.

It would be up to Killua to figure out the rest of the details.

"You're leaving?" asked Yanny.

The sun was setting and they were all inside the house, sitting at the kitchen table. The one where Killua shared many meals with the family. Kerosene lamps brightened up the room from the inevitable arrival of the darkness, nightfall. He was beginning to think he overindulged in this fantasy. A simple family that loved each other. He wasn't part of this world.

"There will be a boat taking refugees to the mainland tonight in Kalamati," he looked at the baby, "and we're leaving with it." Yanny nodded, knowing all too well that many people left the islands to escape persecution. Killua felt a twinge in his stomach, "If any of you want to come with me, you can. If not, I don't know when another attempt will be made."

The room fell silent, then Illena spoke up, "We should all go with Killua, we've seen what the rebels are capable of and they're not stopping anytime soon." All eyes fell onto her, she was right, but silence still slithered in the room.

"Will we even be able to make out a life out in the mainland, it's not exactly a perfect kingdom," said the father.

"It's better than here."

"And how do you know," he paused, "my grandparents grew up here, my parents lived in this house, I was born and raised here, and I will die here," he said furiously. He looked at his family, hoping to see sympathy in their eyes. It wasn't there. The little boy started crying, trying to hold in his tears with forced breaths.

"I don't want to force anyone to make that decision," said Killua. "But it isn't safe here, Illena is right, you'll have better chances in the mainland. It's not perfect, but it's the best for now." Killua held the baby in his arms. "If you want a safer future for your family, this is a small window of opportunity and I don't know when another one will arrive."

Shortly after, the family packed their belongings, which wasn't much to begin with. Traveling light was their best option anyway. When the family was ready to leave, Killua would be escorting more refugees to the harbor, hopefully they will all make it there.

The baby was bobbing up and down in Killua's arms, a smile was spreading on its face, unaware of the seriousness of the situation. Killua looked at the little one, with sad eyes and stroked its back, you'll be with your family soon, he thought.

Gradually, baby's smile faltered, and then it turned into a frown. It leaned its head in towards the crook of Killua's neck, its face scrunched up quickly. It gripped Killua's shirt. He was wailing profusely. Killua didn't understand what could unsettle the infant so quickly.

Suddenly, Killua felt a strange quality to the air, it felt heavy and intense. He concentrated his aura into En and found bizarre nen approaching the home. He could tell that it was a belligerent group of people, no more than 20. It was nightfall, and all the kerosene lamps in the house were ablaze. The only lit home in miles of empty dark fields. They were a lamp post attracting flies.

They heard the guard dogs barking.

Hurriedly, but too late, they blew out the flames of the lamps. The smoke drifted through the air then disappeared. If only they could too. Killua carefully peered out the window and saw shady figures of men bearing weapons, silhouettes of them were produced from their own lit torches. Unpleasant language could be he heard from the outside, the mother covered the children's ears. Suddenly a lit flame was thrown in the house through the window, shattering the glass. Spreading the broken shards and flames across the tile floor.

"Through the back door!" said the father, he picked up his youngest child, and the mother gripped hands with both her kids. They all ran outside through the screen door, its squeaking sound from the hinges was not in their favor. Yanny held Illena tightly as they ran out through the fields, escaping. All of a sudden, Illena pushed away from Yanny, but he still held on to her. He wouldn't let go.

"Yanny!" She looked at him with desperate eyes.

"I won't let you get hurt!" As he said that, he saw the fiery determination in her eyes. She was scared, definitely scared, but was still brave. Knowing the consequences for her actions. Every muscle in Yanny's body told him to hold on to Illena, not let go of his most precious friend. It hurt him so much to let go of her hand.

Illena ran with all her might to their pack of guard dogs tide with ropes outside the barn. Her dress flapped against the wind, beating against the long strands of grain growing in the field. The dogs were growling and snarling and bearing their fangs to the intruders. The only thing holding them back from working their jaws on fresh meat was the rope around their necks, tide to the barn door. Every muscle was aching in her body, she refused to slow her movements when she heard shots being fired. The dogs didn't attack Illena as she dashed beside them, they knew her for years. She was a pleasant human to them. She quickly untied the ropes, immediately unleashing the built up fiery within the dogs. As if she was the catalyst to this reaction, the dogs sprinted from their posts, free from their shackled leashes.

The guard dogs were in charge of protecting the livestock of the barn, the cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens from harm. They were also in charge of protecting their owners, the ones who raised them since they were pups. This was their last job to this family. They would perform diligently and swiftly. They bared their fangs and pierced flesh.

Killua decided that he liked those dogs.

Illena ran back to Yanny and the others, as soon she reached them, Yanny embraced her with open arms. Their embrace was short lived, as they started to run away from their home, now bearing flames reaching towards the darkened sky.

They receded into the woods. More shots and screams could he heard. They were fleeing a place that was once their home, now becoming the candle wick of the ever growing flame.

When they reached the harbor in Kalamati, the place where Kuff told Killua that there would be a rescuing of refugees tonight. He and the rest of the family waited in the shrouds of houses. Killua directed them silently closer to the harbor. He received another notification in his ear piece that a boat would be arriving shortly. They observed the water of the bay, shimmering in the moonlight. There was no fog, so there will be no camouflage tonight. Then he saw ripples in the water, slowly building up, then oars, then boats, and then fellow hunters. The hunters emerged from the shores, and Killua stalked up with his crew.

Killua flashed the oarsmen his hunter license, and evidence stating that he was a dispatch leader in the Kukan'yu expedition team. To his surprise, it was Kuff Lawrent, the guy who really couldn't take a joke in this line of work. He was short, but brawny and had slick black hair that was starting to thin hidden under a cap. He silently nodded to Killua, and all of them boarded the boat.

"It was about time," said Killua, snarky.

"Take it up with management if you're so displeased," said Kuff. Then he looked at the infant in Killua's arms. He raised an eyebrow for a brief moment then continued rowing.

The boat rocked against the waves, as it was being rowed by Kuff. Clumps of elodeas clumped onto the oars with every push and pull against the waves. Kuff scoffed. Killua held the baby within his arms, it stopped crying since the rebels set the home on fire. The father, mother and children stayed silent on the boat. Yanny and Illena were sitting next to each other, closely. She leaned into him as he was caressing her shoulder. They knew they would never be returning to their farm house again.

Killua could see the ship in the distance, floating on the waves in the harbor. They were almost there. Their escape to freedom. Suddenly a bright, white flash went off in the corner of his eye. The waves burst with energy, toppling their boat upside down. Killua and the others were lunged into the water, air bubbles flittering around them. Under the water, Killua held his breath and could hear muffled screams. He swam up towards the surface, holding the baby even tighter. Waves splashed against his face. Screaming was all around him. Explosions were going off in the water by the dozens. Rebels stormed the shores of the water, throwing in explosives.

Another group of refugees that were in still in close reach to the shore became prey to the monsters.

Killua looked around, being pushed and pulled against the torrent waves. The family was floating at the surface, and they looked scared. A lifeboat from the main ship leveled down into the water. Killua screamed at them, "Swim towards the ship!"

They followed swiftly as told by Killua. He did a side stroke in the water, holding the tot in one arm, while the other was propelling him through the water. The little one was crying, it did not like the water. A lifeboat, this time with an engine, steered towards them, first picking up the family then Killua and the baby.

As they pulled him in, Killua sank down to the floor of the boat, lying with this back on the ground, and his chest heaving up and down. He was taking in long, deep breaths. Then he immediately sat back up and patted the baby's back. It was coughing up water. Killua relaxed when the baby started crying again, with its lungs inhaling and exhaling. It was breathing. He brought up the child closer towards himself, to his heart. He nestled its head against his ear, caressing the little one's back.

"It's okay, it's okay, everything's fine," he was saying to reassure not only the baby, but himself. He never knew how fragile life could be and how easily it could be lost, until now.

Killua stood in line at the Human Resources sector of the refugee camp. He swore he waited in line for hours, until his number was called. When he first arrived, he and the baby were soaked from head to toe in water, and water weeds clung to their skin from their early morning dip. He snatched a towel and wrapped it around the little one, the fans in the room were working excellently, propelling cold air throughout the crowded rooms. He made sure to wrap the towel thoroughly around the infant, not wanting it to catch a cold.

Killua's clothing dripped water onto the floor, drip after drip, and the person's behind him rolled their eyes, frustrated not only with the long wait they had to endure, but also the slippery wet floor made by the young man. Killua glared at them. They backed off.

Yanny, Illena, and the rest of the family parted ways with Killua. They were, luckily, left uninjured from the events, only left with minor cuts and bruises. They thanked Killua for helping them, then said their goodbyes.

When Killua's number was called, he walked in front of a receptionist with overly painted nails and a giant cup of coffee in front of her. It had bright red lipstick stains at the rim of the cup, there was even a stack of empty cups beside her. This was not her first cup of coffee and from the tired look on her face with bags under her eyes, it was definitely not her last either.

"Hello, Mr.…"

"Killua."

"Right. You put in a request, ugh….." she looked over her giant stack of papers trying to organize her hazy thoughts. Her name tag read Loraine. Loraine has worked non-stop in the Human Resources department for a full eight hours without a break. She was exhausted. Dreadfully exhausted. She looked over to see yet another full room of person's she had to meet with, she lifted up her glasses, she sighed.

"It was an hour ago, I put in a request wanting to find out if anyone enlisted a missing person's report for an infant," he said, irritated. Despite the hustle and bustling of the lobby, the baby was fast asleep.

Loraine looked back at her files, clicked and scrolled through some documents on her computer. "From the East Islands?" she asked.

"No, the West Islands. A little baby boy, eight months old, with gray-purple-ish eyes. Amethyst eyes, if that helps."

Loraine huffed then looked back to the screen, typing in more buttons. "No such reports have been made."

"Try looking again," he demanded.

Loraine sighed, but did another attempt at searching for such a report. Again, she said, "I did a second search, and no reports have been made. Since that child has no legal guardians left, take him to the children's homestead, they'll assist you from there." She stamped Killua's number card. "Next!"

When Killua arrived at the Children's Homestead, he thought that the woman should have said orphanage. That's what this place was. The room was crowded with children, each with blank stares on their faces.

When Killua met with another receptionist, the man spoke up. "Hello, how can I help you?"

Killua gulped, "I found this infant all alone in the Kukan'yu Islands." He gestured to the sleeping baby. "First I went to Human Resources, but they couldn't find any traces of family members for him."

"No one claimed him?"

"Yes."

"We have lots of abandoned children that come from the Islands," the receptionist sadly said. The word abandoned stung in Killua's mind. Killua looked back at the children sitting about, they were there, but virtually lifeless. "You said that child has no more family left."

"Yes."

"Than the child is now legal property of the Kukan'yu Kingdom." The receptionist reached out his arms towards the baby to take him, "He'll be placed here in the Homestead."

Killua didn't move his arms, stiff as a statue, "And then what will happen?" The baby sluggishly opened its eyes and yawned. It tried stretching its arms above its head. Killua looked down then back up at the receptionist.

"Hopefully, an adoption will come around, he is an infant, so his chances are pretty high."

"High? Rebel outbursts are occurring here in the Kukan'yu Kingdom too. Who the hell is going to adopt him?" He said infuriatedly.

The receptionist was silent, he had nothing to say.

Killua looked around the room to see children, victims of war. The rooms have overreached their limit capacity, but that didn't stop the amount of children piling up in them. He even heard muffled cries.

The receptionist still had his arms outreached to grab the baby, Killua hesitantly reached out his arms. Then the baby smiled up at him, and in that moment he couldn't allow himself to hand over the child, sending him here. To lose his smile. To be all alone. To become like Killua, himself.

He pulled back his arms, with the baby tight in them.

"Actually, can I see those papers over there?"

The receptionist complied.

Killua bought two tickets for the cenberry train, leading out of Kukan'yu Kingdom. He sat on a red plush bench made of dark brown wood with another empty bench facing across from him. The rumbling of the engine resonated through the empty rows. Morning was arriving and there were barely any passengers on the train, except for the few really early morning stragglers.

Faded blue light was shining through the window, reflecting off of Killua's hair and face. The baby was wide awake, and was smiling up at Killua. He gently touched strands of Killua's hair, not tugging on them at all. Just brushing. Just smiling.

Killua just now noticed that the baby and he had strands and leaves of water weeds, elodeas stuck to their skin, Killua plucked some out of his hair, and saw one on the little one's face. He removed the leaf.

Before, while returning back to the Human Resources center, and Children's Homestead, Killua filled out two lengthy documents. Much to Loraine's dismay of having to deal with another client, he submitted his resignation letter for the Kukan'yu Expedition Team. At the Children's Homestead, it took him a while to finish all that lengthy paperwork, but he was able to submit the adoption form within a few hours.

Killua removed another water weed from the baby's face.

An elderly woman was wobbling up the aisle, until she stopped and spotted the adorable little baby. She turned towards Killua and smiled, "What a beautiful child you have."

"Thank you."

"What's its name?"

"Elodea." Killua looked down towards him and smiled. "His name is Elodea."

In the kingdom full of political rebellions, beautiful flora, and water weeds as far as the eye can see; the cenberry train left Kukan'yu that morning carrying two important passengers on it.

Killua, and his son, Elodea.

Thank you for reading! Part 1 has ended, now part 2 has officially begun!

I cried a little when I wrote this T.T ( but then again, I'm a sensitive person and cry to almost everything...) I've been holding in the baby's name for so long, it was killing me! ah, but I'm really happy now that the cat is out of the bag XD

Thank you for reading, reviewing, following, and faving. I really appreciate it.