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DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Hunter X Hunter
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CHAPTER 9: Nen X Battle X Injury
Gon was frozen. And that was an understatement.
"If Killua does not like me doing that to other people then I won't."
Gon had no idea why she said that, yet it felt so… natural. She had no doubt she would stand by her word, even when she didn't know why she said so in the first place.
And what made it all the more confusing was what Killua did. They did just have an argument that she could kiss anyone– which was not true, of course – but that didn't explain how she could be so shy about Killua like that. She did feel a bit disappointed when they separated… but it was all blown away when she saw the utter redness in Killua's face that she found very enticing. She realized she was probably showing the same thing.
She recalled a few memories, and wondered if during all those times he looked like that… he was feeling what she was at the moment…?
How confusing…
Then he looked at her decisively, getting her to flinch.
"I won't do that to other people that is not Gon." He said as coherently as he could, he was embarrassed as hell after all.
Knowing this, Gon batted an eyelid before laughing heartily. Killua turned even redder- which wasn't even supposed to be possible. Gon saw the discomfort that she caused and stopped. She pushed back her giggle and wrapped her arms around him, catching him by surprise.
She rested her chin on his developing shoulders. "I love Killua, very much." Gon whispered. She knew that this feeling with Killua was different, and she realized that maybe it had been for quite some time. It wasn't clear how different it was, but for the moment she was just comfortable being… there.
Killua wasn't able to move for a moment, unsure if everything was really happening… and why he was so surprised and disbelieving that it probably was. They were just children hugging, after all.
Why would he be so happy?
Soon enough he caught his strength, enough to hug her back. He let out an awkward chuckle. "Me too." He whispered and placed the crook of his neck above her soft head.
And for a moment there, he thought it would last forever.
That was until-
Grrrooowwwl
A sound of someone's stomach was heard pulling them from their daze. They blinked in surprise… before laughing hysterically.
Gon grinned. "Dinner?" Killua let out a relived chuckle.
"Dinner."
…
CAFÉ
On the tower's ground floor was a sort of food court, with a few expensive restaurants here and there. It was really one of the very few times they went down and mingle with non-contestants, so they were a bit startled at how known they were.
A few fingers were pointed saying 'Hey look! Isn't that Gon and Killua?' and it was annoying as the seconds passed by. So Killua pointed at the most expensive restaurant there. He was hoping that minimal, if any, attention would not be shifted to them.
He was being hopeful, of course, but at least they were more tolerable.
"Hello, kids." The guy by the door smiled, obviously not knowing them and thinking they were lost. "Where are your parents?"
Killua glared and he squeaked immediately. A co-staff noticed this and ran to them.
BAM!
And the oblivious waiter was pounded by a senior staff. The said staff looked at them in anxiety and quickly guided them to their chair. Killua smirked slightly, and Gon remained oblivious. Soon, the senior was dragging the employee by the ear and nagging him that they were important contenders in the tower and that he almost lost them a lot of money.
"Killua." Gon called catching his attention. "What is this?" she asked pointing at a name in the menu. It said 'Kare-kare'. He had never eaten it before but it's orangey look was actually appetizing.
"I dunno." He said. "Want to give it a try?"
"Okay."
Soon the waiter arrived with a band-aid, and they ordered quite a few delicacies, extra rice, and fruit shakes. Dinner was nice. Expensive but they could easily afford it. They actually liked this 'Kare-Kare', it was one of the loveliest taste they had experienced.
"Where did this come from?"
"The pearl of the orient, sir, I came from there."
"Eh…"
"Where is that?"
"Somewhere in Asia, sir."
"Isn't Hanzo from there?"
"Oh yeah." Killua nodded, pushing the irritation that she still remembered that baldy (who almost killed her) away. He even remembered that dreaded sushi exam.
"Maybe we should go to Asia sight-seeing sometimes."Gon muttered, as if she had no one to catch up on… it actually made Killua quite relieved, really, that she was not in a hurry to find her dad. Once she did… he wouldn't know how to tell her he wanted to be with her for a little while longer.
"We would be honoured." He said, and walked away looking quite forgiving of his wounds then.
Gon and Killua then smiled at each other before proceeding to talk about their plans both in the tower. They also tackled they would do before and after York Shire.
"We will get new better accommodation once we have signed up, but the money won't increase though. 200th floor and onwards are mainly focused on popularity."
"Weird…"
"I know. In any case, we will train here for about a few more months, learn about this 'Nen', and then… go to whale Island..." he muttered, and sadly he wasn't able to hide his discomfort for the last one. Gon frowned sadly.
"You don't want to go?"
"Of course I do! It's just that I…" he cleared his throat. "I just don't know what they'll t-think of me."
He caught Gon's stare and he blushed even more. "Ah! Killua's shy!" She laughed, and he did not speak.
"Ne, don't worry Killua Mito-san and Baa-san are very nice people."
He smiled weakly. "I'm sure they are…"
"Killua?"
"…"
"They're going to love you, too."
…
Killua was not only shy, he was scared. What if they didn't like him? Especially given the chance that they find out his background?
What if the force him to stay away from Gon?
He shivered at the thought.
"They're going to love you, too." Gon said and it oddly made him feel relieved immediately despite all the doubts he had of himself.
He grinned. "Thank you."
…
Later that day, Killua and Gon headed up to the second floor to register. It was pretty nonchalant, and the elevator lady seemed like a really nice girl. She was a braggart, but neither of them really cared. Killua was a braggart, too, anyway… mentioning how he reached the floor when he was just 6.
Ping!
It was odd- the moment they stepped into the 200th floor, they felt extremely strong force pulling them down. They tried to fight against it and pushed through but their strength was all too quickly getting absorbed. They looked at each other fearfully. They were very familiar with this sensation, and since they were desperate to know more about it they stubbornly continued on.
They felt weaker every step, but they didn't stop. They momentarily lost all of their foot strength when they saw who was sending the aura to them.
Hisoka.
Gon felt her guard drop down in surprise and she saw the newly-dyed Hisoka slightly flinch. But then the Megane guy appeared from behind them and, to their surprise, he was walking through the mysterious force effortlessly.
"Wing-san!" Gon exclaimed, but he shouted at them in reply. It was startling: how he cool he looked a few seconds before that.
"Get away from here now!"
"Eh?"
"If you don't want to die." He stated. "I'll explain later."
And with that, their eyes met Hisoka's and fled.
APARTMENT OUSTIDE THE TOWER
"Nen is the ability to control one's life force that is called an 'aura'." Wing explained in his and Zushi's inconspicuous apartment room. Killua criticized the fact that he was just teaching it to them now, but let it slide. Gon said he must have his reasons and they should just be thankful that he came to them, anyway.
Tsk. Gon and her very convincing arguments…
Also, they were informed by the 200th floor lady that they only have a few hours before the deadline and Killua would no longer be able to fight since he refused before.
So, Wing reluctantly decided to use Initiation or Baptism which was the fastest way to open their Shokos. The problem was... it would be extremely dangerous and a single mistake on his or discrepancy on their abilities would be fatal. But despite his warnings, the two kids did not wince.
They had no choice but to take the risk, after all, so he prayed that he would not kill them off and took a deep breath. He did not want to be responsible for their deaths, especially when they were still children but they seemed strong. He would just have to trust Netero when he said the two contained unbelievable potential.
He meditated and concentrated the aura in his hands, touching both their backs- forcibly pulling their auras out. It overflew and he felt a strange sensation he had never felt before. He warned them that they need to close the shokos otherwise their life force would be drained out.
He really just told them how to do it. But the control they showed terrified him. As he had heard, most people who dared force their shokos open and survived took a much much longer time to close them off. It took the kids a few seconds.
And in just a few minutes, they rudimentarily learned first basic technique – Ten.
That announcer wasn't kidding when she said they were monsters.
…
Three hours passed and Wing made them practice their ten at least enough so they could pass through Hisoka's strong aura. Now that he thought about it, even when he said that 'naked' people would die if exposed to that type of aura… Hisoka's wasn't really deadly at all. Or rather, for a character like him… he was interestingly holding back.
If he didn't know better, Hisoka took charge of the baptism to help the two kids.
He wondered why. Hisoka was well-known, and he didn't seem to be that type of character. But then again, maybe he just had a soft spot for cute but deadly little children.
200th floor
Gon and Killua once again stood at the elevator, getting ready for Hisoka's baptism. They ignored the elevator lady's rants, and concentrated. They stepped out and again ignored the girl's intensifying annoyance over them.
They reached the spot they were before, but they weren't feeling so weak anymore. They casually passed through his wall and reached him, he grinned.
"Congratulations." He said and Gon immediately challenged him.
"Fight with me." She said decisively. Killua immediately turn to her and covered her mouth.
"Wh-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING!" He whispered vehemently. "You just learned Ten! You're no match!"
"He's right, you know." Hisoka smiled getting Gon to frown and forcefully pulled down Killua's hands and away from her mouth.
"You're just scared-"
"GON!" he yelled covering her mouth again. But then for some odd reason Killua blushed.
Hisoka narrowed his eyes and stared at the two children. He closed his eyes and stood up, catching their attention.
"This is interesting…" he muttered getting Gon to frown even further.
"What's interesting?" She asked and Hisoka stood up before trying to walk closer to them. They stepped back by instinct. He wore his usual creepy smile and leaned down to their height.
"Something's changed with you two… and I don't know why…" he mumbled almost to himself, but Gon decided to answer his question – much to Killua's despair.
"We-" She was going to say 'We kissed, and now we're closer than ever.', and Killua knew this and he almost panicked.
"Gon!" Killua yelled pushing back his ever-intensifying blush and turned to Hisoka.
"That's none of your bus-"
He paused when he saw there was a killing intent in his eyes- not that he didn't always have it. But this time it was different. He didn't want to kill as some sort of habit- he wanted to kill for an actual goal.
Killua's eyes widened for an instant but it soon turned into a glare. Killua unconsciously grabbed Gon's shoulder tightly making her turn her head to him in worry.
"She's mine, you know." He stated not looking at her.
Gon blinked. "Huh?"
"Is that so…?" Hisoka said in his usual piercing voice, but Gon sensed something was… off.
"Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself, boy?" he added pompously. "Tsk. Tsk. When I was your age, all I thought about was playing games."
Killua frowned, and Gon continued to stare in obliviousness.
"You still do, baka."
…
After going past the weird-looking Hisoka, they went to the lady and got the sign-up sheet. After signing up though, they found three strangers stood behind them wearing sly smirks Killua knew all too well. Hisoka already left, so there was no chance he knew these jerks personally.
He shifted his gaze towards Gon… who was also wearing an all-too-familiar expression. She was excited. She knew what was coming, and she would take it head-on. Just like she always did.
The three mumbled about them needing to be on a battle and looking for opponents. Killua knew that they were just the weak types who target newbies but Gon didn't care- she was determined to see what she could do.
"But, Gon-"
Gon just grabbed his hand and smiled at him. "Trust me." And they watched the three laugh and leave them alone in the counter.
This was dangerous, but nothing could stop Gon. Not when she believed only her life and her life alone was at stake…
Killua sighed in defeat.
"Fine." He muttered. "But don't kill yourself."
She pouted. "How rude."
"What? You don't seriously think you're going to win."
"I know I won't." she stated bluntly to the point that it disconcerted him. "I just wanted to know…"
"And risk your life."
"Nah. I won't die, Killua." They smiled and he patted her head. She was a very tough girl… and all he could do was trust her.
And that he would do.
…
And yet… no one was surprised when next day came, and Gon was in the hospital wing… with Wing, Zushi, and Killua nagging her. Wing even said something about using 'Zetsu' and how dangerous it was using it in such a battle.
She had a battle with a robed pig, a manipulator. He was using hundreds of tops and Gon was actually doing unbelievably well until she made the risk of closing down her shokos by Zetsu to sense the moving tops. But that left her in an incredibly vulnerable position.
In the end, she broke several bones and was forced to promise that she would not do anything non-related for 2 months. She even had to wear an odd looking ring that Wing-san said would help her remember her promise. After wishing her well, Wing and Zushi excused themselves to get back to training.
Wing turned around when he saw that Killua, who was seeing them out, didn't plan on joining them. He voiced it out soon afterwards, but Killua just smiled at him.
"I'm going to wait for Gon."
Wing stared at him and shrugged. "Very well. But don't forget to practice your Ten."
Killua waved a hand and turned,
"Hai, Hai."
...
Killua entered her hospital room and caught her staring at the window sadly. Killua let out a deep breath so that he could hopefully remain cool. He nonchalantly sat beside her in her bed, and opened his mouth to speak. She didn't turn around, though, but Killua knew she just made an even more depressed face.
"I screwed up, Killua. I wasted so much time- I even held you back." She muttered apologetically, gripping her hands unconsciously.
Killua just smiled sadly at her and held her hand. Even when she knew she wouldn't win, she didn't see this much damage coming. They underestimated this 'Nen'.
But there was no use worrying about it, it wasn't like her anyway, so he held her hand reassuringly. "We have all the time in world, anyway." He smirked.
"We're in no rush. Are we?"
Gon stared at him guiltily. They were going to meet their friends in less than 6 months and they couldn't afford to be so weak…
"I mean about finding your father." He said and her eyes widened at a realization. Killua flinched immediately at her change of expression.
"Gon? Does it hurt?" he asked worriedly pointing at her plastered hands, he thought the anaesthesia should last at least a few more hours.
Hearing this, Gon made a slight chuckle. "…No. But I'm fine, don't worry."
Killua frowned at her lie and cupped both of her cheeks to turn her head to him. "I know that face, Gon."
"Of course you do."
He pouted. "I mean the face you make when you lie, baka."
"H-How rude!"
"Spill."
"I…"
Gon did not want to say it. It would impose on him, she knew, and she did not want to force him to do anything he didn't want to. "I…"
"Gon, where are you looking?" Killua asked semi-irritably as he watched Gon's pupils move everywhere trying to avoid his prying gaze.
"Around."
"Obviously."
"Why are you asking then?" she asked immediately in sarcasm, albeit she was quite relieved that the topic was changed. For about a second.
"I'm asking you to look at me, Gon. And don't think I forgot my question." Killua said determinedly. "Now, spill."
"I…" she started to mumble again, but this time her face evidently turned red catching Killua off-guard. He turned red too, and he stared at her in anticipation.
"Killua… Killua would leave when his promise is fulfilled…?" she said before turning to him and see that he was all-red. She flinched at the fact that he was getting even redder. Gon thought that she just imposed on him and looked at him apologetically.
Killua's eyes widened at the misunderstanding and wanted to clear it up. But he didn't know the words to say- or more accurately he had no strength to speak. Killua placed his forehead on hers and made a weak grin.
"I'll stay with Gon for as long as she wants me to."
Gon felt happy at the reply, and her eyes showed it. But she didn't want to place a leash on him.
"But that would take forever."
Killua laughed. She obviously didn't realize what he was trying to say.
"Forever it is, then."
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 9
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 10: Recovery X Hatsu X 44
REPLIES TO ANGELS:
CryingMoonLight- I'm very happy to hear that~! Thank you for the review. :D
kits-holds-their-tears - Thanks for the review~! XD I dunno what you mean by ending oddly though. Do you mean the kiss?
JCake- Lol. Hope you liked 'what happened next' haha. Thanks for the comment!
mikiiiihearts- Here it is (the update lol)! I hope I updated fast enough and thanks for the review~
TiraLu- Hahah. I hope this chap made up for the cliffhanger~ XD Thx for the comment~
Sucreteen123- I'm glad you thought so~! Hope I didn't make you wait too long~XD Thank you for the comment!
KuroHana- Thank you for the review! I'll stop before the chimaera ants arc (primarily since I hated it), I dunno how long this story will drag on but I can tell you we're not half-way there yet.
Akela Victoire- (Ch1)Whew! lol. That's a relief. Grammar seemed to be one of my weaknesses. haha (Ch2) That's Gon for you! Lol. Thanks for the reviews~! XD
Frozen Crystal Angel- Haha. No worries (I think)! They barely understand what they just did. LOL. Thx for the review~
Phoenix-Thunder - lol it's fine. I'm happy you're still reading this. XD Thx for the review!
Ikkyou- D'awwww, that's so sweet! XD And I'm happy you thoughts so! LOL. Thank you for the review~
Guest [6/30/12]- Whew! Someone finally commented on the fanart. XD I tried that, btw, but I found two cuter. Haha. Thx for the comment!
TheEbilbunny- Really? AWESOME. Lol. And I agree. In fact Gon's the most adorable type of Heroine for me. hehe. Thx for the review~
SupremeRulerJinOfTheWind- Lol. here it is! Oh gosh, I hope I made it in time! Hehe. Thanks for the review and I don't mind off-topic comments. XD
Guest [7/7/12] - Wahaha. Wow, I'm glad to hear (or read, rather) that! XDDD Thank you for the review~! :D
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