Sooooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyy…..
Here's the long awaited chapter for Night Fire!
It will have quite a bit of fluff that many of you have been waiting for (Including myself)
I tried making it extra-long (13 pages) than usual as apology for the wait - *Hides behind Zakara and Killua* - I'll keep making all the chapters at least 12 or so pages long. And since I finished school for the summer, the next update will be much sooner than this time.
Freeze me Death, Game of Life or More than it seems will be updated next.
Hope you enjoy and review!
Animemangaobsessed - *blushes* Thanks, hope this one is as good as the other chapters so far.
Llyrica – Yeah, I like to plan ahead of time to make sure they have reasonable weaknesses. Thanks for all the comments, as I noticed you commented on quite a few.
Cyannel – Me too, I love the natural relationships. I hope this chapter does it some good justice.
Animesarecool – Thank you! Yeah, I think it's been a looooong time too, thus the chapter now. I thought it would be easier to explain why Zakara acted, so I put those in to explain for anyone who didn't know why.
Chibichibi98 – I personally adore Zakara too, I was originally planning for Vectus and them to actually save her but I thought, "Zakara isn't the type to just take it" so she did almost everything herself. :D
Anony – Hope this doesn't disappoint either! I love the adorableness between Zakara and Killua, but I'm going to have the others get some moments too.
Sleepypuppy – Quite so, I was curious to how I would write this out, so here it is! :D
Arrow-chan3 – Yes, evil Elgin is dead from your many slaps and Zakara's clan is returning slowly. Hope I showed their cuteness well enough! XD
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Zakara's eyes searched the woman whom had fostered her in her childhood. The familiar, warm and knowing smile raised Rashinen's lips. The weary wrinkles of her face were more distinct, as the woman had to be nearly two hundred years old. Rashinen's hand raised to touch Zakara's face, her bright eyes dimmed over the long years and her red hair thinned and dulled. She laid weak and frail in the giant, queen-sized bed. Despite this, Zakara didn't doubt that she could spring up with the strength of a tigress if the moment called her to be.
"I am glad I was able to see you, after so long. I doubted I would still be alive before you found us." Her voice cracked, her Haryuiq quivering briefly. Zakara smiled, realizing that her mother-figure was likely to pass away soon.
"Tyrekrs told you that he would send me into the future?" Zakara asked, glancing over her shoulder at Vectus and Creve, who were whispering quietly to each other. Both who were definitely unable to realize Reshinen's fate was about to finish. As half-blood Yorunohi's were not as connected to their fire as full bloods were, they could not designate other clan members time of death. That itself was rare, however, as most members died in war and not from old age. And full-bloods could only sense it if the death is going to occur within three years, but Reshinen would likely not last for longer than a month or two.
"Yes, I'm glad he did. So that you have a change to live out of the war that everyone else had to, so that you can have a life to dream and achieve." Reshinen rasped. But what right did I have, to be the only child given this chance? Zakara thought, reaching up to clasp Reshinen's hand in her own. Reshinen continued, as if reading her thoughts, "The other children had already broken, they knew nothing other than war and would have nothing other than war. To send them with you would only destroy them, you had the best chance out of the other children to adapt."
As always, Reshinen responded to her thoughts, attuned to the mind she had molded. "Why?"
"Because you survived when you're previous Keshiuki perished in battle, unlike most of those who were ever raised like us." The two simultaneously frowned and clutched each other's hands. "The only reason I've lived this long is because my Keshiuki gave me some of his flames before the war that destroyed the rest of our people who did stayed behind." Her sigh was heavy and trembled in the emotions from her flashing memories. "But they have slowly left me to join his soul in heaven, it will soon be my time to join him."
While flames can still reproduce when the host dies, giving Keshiuki's their flames is like giving a portion of their soul. Flames of half-bloods only reproduce for a year, whereas flames as a full-blood will for ten, what Elgin didn't know was that after the time was up, the flames would disperse or explode, depending on the type. However, by separating a part of their soul to give to their Keshiuki, the reproducing his instead switched to give that Yorunohi increased longevity. Flames of another Yorunohi cannot reproduce in a separate host, unless it is a nonliving container like the glass Elgin had kept mine in. The increase in longevity is only possible with partners, his or her Keshiuki.
"Zan told me to survive, that's what I've done for the past three years without him. While he was not by biological brother, Zan was always with me. My Keshiuki now has a similar aura to him." Zakara smiled fondly, tugging slightly on her link to Killua.
"He made a mistake that he had no control over." Rashinen spoke wisely, her silver-red flames curling at her hair briefly. "Even knowing he had left you vulnerable, you still adore him. You remind me too much of your father." Zakara said nothing. She never met her father, but Reshinen seldom mentioned him.
"Our clan has changed this last century." Zakara spoke, switching the topic. Reshinen sighed, as if the thought was both for the better, but painful.
"We are finally free of the monsters that have targeted us, we are at peace and families are no longer broken or split apart. Yet, customs have changed and these younger generations have made their own changes in culture and daily life. It is no longer as how we remember it, in a good way." She smiled. "Children and families no longer worry about war or famine."
"They are very lucky, I feel that it is safe here for them all." Zakara mentioned, remembering the ease in which the villagers trusted and how they lived in peace.
"Yes, but this is not for us. The last of us remaining find it difficult to join in or change with them. Of the five of us, three left to wonder the world we have been cut off from and the others simply wait in meditation for our death to come. It is a sad existence, without our Keshiuki and to be the only one's belonging to an existence and culture that is forgotten."
"I am grateful that you raised me, you showed me how to survive. Perhaps the children of this generation will not be as strong as we were, but they have lives without the necessity of death and the probability of our extinction." Zakara rested her hand on Reshinen's thin shoulder. "Would you like me to release you?"
"It would be an honor. Jenasi is waiting for me to join him, I wouldn't want to make him wait." Reshinen whispered, her voice cracking with relief and joy. "Come here for a second, before I leave." Her voice called for the other two, her son taking her other hand in his. "Take care of the clan in my absence, Vectus. Don't let them get lazy or weak, don't let them forget those who sacrificed everything for them to get here. Creve, you'll get your growth spurt sooner or later, try not to drown in the amount of milk you drink to get there." Reshinen croaked in amusement, the short teenager snorting in half-hearted indignation with his cheeks and the tips of his ears burning red.
"I will see you much later in the future, Zakara. Live long and find the things you love, don't follow me into heaven too soon. You have to be at least 90 before I let you in or I'll sick Zen on you." Reshinen threatened, As if she held the keys to the gates of heaven. Zakara chuckled and leaned down to whisper in her mother's ears.
"I love you." Zakara covered Reshinen's eyes and covered the woman in her gastly flames, watching silver-red flames flow from her heart, and into the air. The tiny sliver of her Keshiuki's golden flames leading her, the two dispersing into the empty air of the cabin.
All was silent.
OoO
Yuyami flew, her wings strong and swift as she followed her mistress' signal. She had grown over the time when her mistress had decided to keep her. No longer was the hybrid fragile and helpless. Instead, her wings grew twice her body length and her talons grew sharp and precise. Yuyami could find a needle in the haystack with a simple glimpse, her ears could track a mice through a storm and fog, and her tail helped her balance and move swiftly through the air, whenever her mistress commanded it. Yuyami had grown strong at her mistress' homeland and had plenty to hunt and learn from the other wildlife creatures that she had never seen before.
But now, her mistress and her companions were depending on the hybrid to find her and return to lead her mistress's partner and comrades to her. Yuyami would not fail them, she wouldn't flee like when Elgin had attacked. She wouldn't let anyone hurt her mistress.
OoO
Zakara started out of her thoughts as a tapping on the window started, the welcome sight of her beloved hybrid greeting her from her sad reminiscing. Opening the window, Zakara giggled as Yuyami licked her ecstatically, almost knocking her over. The hybrid sang in the song of owls as she greeted, almost three times larger than how she used to be.
"So you found me, Yuyami? Do you know where the others are?" The cat-owl hybrid's eye's shown with intelligence as it nodded its head and cooed happily. "Is Killua safe? Is he mad at me for being weak?" At the hybrid's doubtful expression, Zakara smiled. "Can you bring them here for me?"
Zakara watched Yuyami preen her feathers and then puff out her chest proudly, taking flight through the window. Tiredly, Zakara looked back at the comfortable window seat she had used and thought of all her clan records and historical scrolls left in her island.
Turning away, Zakara left to finish her work.
OoO
The breathing of the large, fox-like hound filled the silent, dark room. Killua sat on the strange seat as his father stared down at him with the same white hair and blue eyes as himself.
"Kil. I heard you've made some friends?" His father sat relaxed on a pile of large pillows, his voice much deeper than his sons.
"Yeah."
"What sort of people are they?" Killua stared at the floor and repeated the question, slightly surprised by his father's interest.
"They're people I enjoy being with."
"How was the exam?" The atmosphere was strangely calm, somewhat awkward and stifling around the two.
"It was easy."
"Kil, come over here." Killua started, the surprise showing clearly on his bruised face. "I want you to tell me more. What did you do during the exam? Who did you meet? How did you feel?" Killua restrained himself from shaking in surprise. His usually distant father was actually curious to what he had done away in the outside world. "You can tell me anything…"
"Okay."
OoO
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Sorry, sweetheart, but this ain't happen'n." A familiar voice called out in a funny accent, pulling her from the aisles of the Yorunohi private library. Zakara allowed the older teenager to pull her away and turned to study her.
Tilting her head, Zakara marveled at the teenager's platinum blonde hair and pupil-less eyes that seemed to reflect different colors depending on where she stood. As she leaned against her desk and tapped on the keyboard of the high-tech computer, her eyes shifted between the silver of her laptop and the dark brown of her mahogany desktop.
"Even though all of 'em Yorunohi's are 'llowed in here, members with destructive fire types like you sugar cause to many fires. Even accidently, this is my place and I'd rather you'd keep it spotless." She flicked her wrist and pushed up squared glasses on the bridge of her nose. Not bothering to listen to her response, the teen continued with her work. Stacks of paper seemingly floated magically around her as she gestured, multitasking and effortlessly typing a storm. Unlike Zakara, the teen had no problem with technology.
"How are you doing this?" Zakara managed, trying to avoid falling into a daze of awe like a child. Perhaps she normally would have with Killua, but she couldn't afford to act so childish without Killua to warn her or drag her out of her daze.
"Transparent flames, sweet cheeks." The teen's fine, thin eyebrow lifted when she glanced up at Zakara's befuddled expression. "Just like 'em old tim'in folks, shocked to see a new flame type. Sweet cheeks, this fabulosity is the product of human and Yorunohi occasionally. Though only when it's Yorunohi with green flames."
Zakara nodded, green flame users had more resistance to Salviek water than the other types, which also could actually form physical things from fire or trap Salviek water. With a green flame user and a human, it would increase the resistance. Perhaps due to human's being flameless, when combined with green, it changes it to become transparent. "What can you do with it?"
"Control'in whateve's surrounded in it; paper, people, animals. Only physically 'course, make things seem like their float'n. Quite funny with 'em clueless 'umans, 'cause they don't know about our flames. Though it's not 'ery hot, that nasty water don' stand a chance. Now, sweetheart, what'cha need here in ma' library?" Finally, she stopped typing and gave her full attention to the younger Yorunohi, who was staring at the smaller, transparent Haryuiq in her chest.
"Oh! Um… I found some our clan scrolls and tomes with Elgin- the human who kidnapped me- and I decided it should belong here with the clan. I don't have much use for them, as I grew up where the clan members taught us about it, and the younger generation shouldn't forget the information on these. I also have more books, scrolls and things from our island that I am currently hiding from humanity." Zakara paused, wondering if her last words made her sound like a fugitive on the run.
The other teen didn't seem to notice, as a pleased smile lit her face and she eagerly left her seat. "I could call for some tan-flame users to transit' it safely if you lead 'em to the islan'. Me ma spoke of the legen's of the Yorunohi home island, but it was blocked off by 'em greedy 'umans when it was found. Ya say 'er block'n them from the island? Good, 'dem 'uman's need to stop try'n to take what's ours."
Zakara interrupted before she could continue, "I can summon them here without having to cause all that trouble. I'm waiting for my human Keshiuki to come find me, Vectus doesn't want me to leave by myself."
"Ya mean to give you're Keshiuki a good beat'n for leave'n ya? Ya were in bad shape before 'em other white-flame users shared with you. Still got'a few bad wounds to recover from, ya shouldn't let your Keshiuki be forgive'n so easily, sweet heart. But ye better show Vectus the way to our island, he's been want'n to see it too." The teen pulled her to another room eagerly, transparent flames moving and shifting books out of the way to make room. "Okay, sweet cheeks, le'me see what'cha got."
Zakara let her white flames drip over the floor and expand, figures taking shape as she summoned them. She collected her flames back as the floor was filled with old books, scrolls, tomes and other historic items. While a few had cracks or small tears in the historic items, they still showed the culture of the old Yorunohi.
The teen instantaneously forgot Zakara's existence and swayed on her feet, looking ready to pass out from joy. Zakara grinned, remembering back when Killua gave her chocolate and other kinds of foods that she was now enamored by. The transparent-flame user touched everything as if it was made of glass, holding the items like they were more precious than her own life.
As Zakara turned to leave, content to leave her clan's stuff in the safety of a member who appreciated it much more than she could have hoped, the teen called out for her. "Thanks sweetheart, the names Kalera, just so ya know."
A minute later, as she was walking through the rocky paths, Zakara remembered back at the child who had vaporized the Salviek water before she passed out in the cave and why Kalera's voice sounded so familiar. Kalera was one of the people who saved her from Elgin's cave and the child must have been another transparent-flame user.
The flame capable of vaporizing the hated water of the Yorunohi.
The child of a green-flame Yorunohi and a human.
Zakara smiled.
OoO
"And guess what Gon said next!" Killua told the story, his voice tinted in amusement. "He didn't want his legs cut off, but he didn't want to surrender either!" Killua held out his hands like Gon was hopeless as his father's deep chuckle echoed slightly in the room. "He's so self-centered, Zakara nearly fell over laughing."
"Sounds like an interesting boy."
"Then his opponent pointed a blade at Gon's forehead, but Gon still-"
"Kil." His father interrupted, "Do you want to see your friends?" Killua went silent and he's hands fell into his lap, rerunning the memories that he had shared with his father and the faces of his friends. "You don't need to hold back, tell me the truth." His father looked down into his hands, "Thinking back, we've never had a father-son chat before. I was raised by my parents to be an assassin and I raised you the same way. You and I are different. I didn't realize until you left home." He rested his hand on Killua's head.
"You are my son. But you are your own person. Live as you please. If you get tired, you can come home." His father leaned closer. "I'll ask you one more time. Do you want to see your friends?"
Killua nodded against his father hand, "Uh-huh, I need to find Zakara."
"I understand. You're free now, but…" He bit his thumb and drew a bead of blood. "Promise me one thing, never betray our friends. Understand?" Killua nodded and drew his own blood, his hand dwarfed by his fathers.
"I promise I'll never betray them. Never." Thumbs pressed together, their blood mixed and the promise was made. Killua pulled back as Zakara's flames sprung forward to heal the tiny prick on his thumb, healing it over instantly. For a moment, he cradled the flames in his hands, promising another thing to himself and to her.
OoO
Zakara bit her lip, staring disappointedly down at her crudely drawn map of the Yorunohi Island, then to her directions to get there. Apparently, directions were not her strong point either. Though, considering the fact that she barely has left the island for more than a couple months – most of which during the hunter exam, she could hardly be faulted for knowing directions.
Then again, she really had no idea where Jinbai village was. The giant map of the entire world was completely new and unfamiliar, as were the names and landscapes. Zakara wasn't very good at thinking ahead.
In the end, she would likely end up leading them there herself. She didn't want to leave and return with news that Killua and the others had visited and decided to leave her here or something. Zakara couldn't stand being left behind, especially by Killua.
She blinked as a hand reached over her shoulder and pulled the papers from her grasp. Zakara had felt him come in, but hadn't expected him to disturb her. Vectus snorted at her drawing, causing her cheeks to tinge red in embarrassment. Pouting briefly, Zakara flinched when he roughly ruffled her hair.
"Nice try, your trees are nicely drawn, but I think you'll have to work on your stick figures." A young boy giggled, hidden by the girth of Vectus' back as he clung on, looking at Zakara's maps over Vectus' burly shoulders. As the child's hair was silver and his eyes a matching red to Vectus', Zakara assumed he was Vectus' son.
"Is the little one your son?" Zakara asked, reaching up and bringing a tiny white flame into her hand, watching as the young toddler giggled with glee and grabbed for her fire.
"Yes, his mother is a sliver-flame user, two of my older children are at home." He pulled his youngest into his arms, smiling as the boy tugged on his beard. "Kalera was very ecstatic with the things you brought. Once she was out of her daze – well that was just for a moment- she wanted me to thank you."
"Stories and teachings are meant to be shared. Don't let any humans see it, many have details and information that could be used in order to capture us." Zakara warned him, leaning over to drink from her tea. Relaxing back, Zakara shifted the topic, deciding to get it out of the way sooner rather than later.
"I want you to protect the island in my stead. It will let you sense the way back to the island, no matter where you are." Zakara closed her eyes and leaned back in the chair. "AS I was severely weakened previously, my shrouding flames around the island were quite weak. The humans that persist are much closer than I would normally allow."
"You have regain you're strength, and your Keshiuki is likely on your trail. Why do you want to give it to me?"
"There is nothing left for me there, it has no use or sentimental values to me, as the place where almost everyone I loved died." Zakara sighed, she was tired of shrouding an entire island with her flames that had nothing for her. Besides, everything she loved was here.
Killua, Gon, Kurapika and Leorio.
"You could stay with us, with the Yorunohi in this village." Vectus tried, but Zakara just shook her head.
"Of those I met, they are kind and happy. Everyone here has a purpose and a life, I am merely a stranger and outsider of a clan that has changed and adapted. Perhaps I am easily accepted, but I do not feel like I belong. I don't want to stay, only waiting for my death like our mother did." She stood and hugged him, though her arms only managed to reach halfway around the beast of a man. "Sorry, Vectus. You're the clan leader now, you don't time to worry about me."
She stepped back and smiled, "I'll hand over the rights of the village when Killua- my Keshiuki- comes with our friends. Until then, were can I stay?"
OoO
Zakara couldn't sleep, likely because she was used to having a companion to be with. Of the few times when Killua was busy, Gon stayed with her until he returned and they all ended up in a tangled mess when they woke up. Zakara smiled, remembering back when they had all tried to get up at the same time and ended up falling off the bed and all over each other.
Zakara wanted to hug Kurapika and to annoy and sit on of Leorio's shoulders again, even if he complained the entire time. She wanted to share some of the legends and stories she was reading in Kalera's library with Kurapika and to get a group of clan members to chase Leorio around.
Curling in the giant bed, Zakara curled up into a ball and simply let her mind wonder through her memories.
A younger Zakara grunted as she rolled roughly, ignoring the throb of pain on her shoulder has she crouched, pulling her fists up to protect her face as Zen rushed over. Dodging his kick, Zakara spun, clutching his foot and flinging him towards the wall. Zen's dark purple flames softened his crash, pushing her back into the opposite wall as his flames spread around the training room.
His flames lifted him off the floor, crashing into Zakara as the two fell back and Zakara's flames absorbed her into the ground, leaving the body to transform into his flame being to avoid being crushed along with the wall. Reshinen's loud laughter made his face turn bright in embarrassment, lighting his feet with flames and speeding over the walls and ceiling. He rolled his eyes as Zakara's blast of white flames rolled over his skin harmlessly and his own did the same to her.
Then the scene changed and Zakara was in Reshinen's lap by the fireplace, listening diligently to her studies.
Then, she was leaning against her Keshiuki, Zen. Zen was singing in their language, holding her hand and reassuring her that everything would be alright. Zakara accepted and turned to reassure him, hugging him protectively.
Then, she was training in groups, rounds. Over and over, until her limbs refused to move and the other children fainted from exhaustion of their flames and when her flames lashed out at the teachers who were pushing them so far.
Again the scene changed, but instead, Zakara was in a group. In three straight lines, the children stood like soldiers, staring ahead at Gernam, their hand-to-hand combat teacher. Beside him, Yorunohi yellow-flame healers rushed through their base, helping the multitude of injured. Gernam yelled out orders as screams echoed past their base, sending the children soldiers out to fight against monsters. Zen was beside her, as usual, his purple flames dragging the enemies to and fro, working like the wind.
Lastly, she was alone. White flames were raging, with a mind of their own, destroying and obliterating everything as her screams went unheard by anyone other than the wildlife that fled. Arms covered in blood, she felt despair, and a void of emptiness.
Cocooned in the covers, Zakara wished she could have saved Zen. A minute later, she wished Killua could have met him.
OoO
Creve shifted in his seat, glaring down at the ground. Beside him, Nasasham hovered uncertainly beside her husband, her hand resting over her round stomach. Her husband, an orange-flame user clearly debating Zakara's words.
The said white-flame user laid at the window seat, looking as unconcerned as a cat would. Vectus was rubbing the bridge of his nose, clasping his hands together as his wife sat faithfully beside him, her silver hair pulled back in an elaborate braid.
"You can't just let your Keshiuki go unpunished, the last record of a human's betrayal killed the Yorunohi clan member." Creve growled angrily, slightly flinching when the girl glared at him.
"Killua didn't betray me, nor was he the cause of my injuries. His brother threatened to kill Gon and take me if he didn't comply. Not only do you not have say concerning my Keshiuki, you have no hold on me. I am not a citizen of this village that Vectus rules and neither are you a leading figure of influence." Zakara huffed, clearly surprising the other occupants of the room. "Any punishment you inflict upon my Keshiuki will be return back, no matter who you send or what you do."
"We will not wound your Keshiuki, Zakara. Creve, if Zakara finds her Keshiuki not deserving of any punishment, than nothing will happen. Understand?" Vectus told them firmly. Creve let out a breath angrily and leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms like a child on a tantrum.
"Fine." He hissed, "But someone should at least tell him the dangers of what else could have happened if Zakara didn't set off your explosives Vectus. I doubt he knows anything about what a Keshiuki is or what is means to be one."
"I'll do it." Nasasham spoke up, taking a step away from the protective hold of her husband. "As you all well know, humans naturally respond calmer to yellow or orange-flame users. Zakara-chan, you're Keshiuki Is male, right?" At her nod, Nasasham continued, "Creve will likely put him on edge with the tone he will take. You are not her guardian or brother, Creve, you will only make it worse, even if you only want to avenge Zakara."
Zakara raised an eyebrow, looking back at the fuming Yorunohi. "I apologize, Zakara-san, for Creve's inconsiderate words and actions." Vectus's wife, Natali, explained calmly. "His father is the son of one of the remaining from your time and he was raised as strictly as his father. They are raised to guard the village from threats that might slip in from outside and any who might hold Salviek water. His father was one of the few betrayed by their Keshiuki and he has seen the effects up close."
Creve snarled and stormed out of the room, but Zakara could see the anguish creasing his face. Frowning, now unsettled, Zakara nodded her appreciation to Natali for the information. "Perhaps I have never experienced the same, but I lost my previous Keshiuki. I will not lose this one or my reason for living and Tyrekrs' use of the wormhole has become useless."
Nasasham nodded in understanding, "I perceive that what a Keshiuki is and means will be enough as punishment for him, considering what could have happened or what could at any given moment." She carefully sat beside Zakara, holding her stomach tenderly. "I hope that you will return and visit us time to time. I would like you to meet my first born someday." With this Zakara smiled, curiously ogling the roundness of Nesasham's stomach.
OoO
The four sat in the small siting compartment on the orange train, Kurapika keeping an eye out or Yuyami, who was flying in the same direction as the train. "Huh? You're here on a tourist visa? Didn't you pass the Hunter Exam? You could've just used your Hunter License. It lets you stay in other countries for as long as you want." Killua explained incredulously.
Kurapika and Leorio slumped over in their seats, sighing, "That's what we said too."
"But I already decided." Gon spoke, as if it was completely normal. "I'm not using the license until I've finished what I need to do."
"What do you have to do?" Killua asked, leaning forwards.
"Um... The tag that Hisoka gave me!" He held up the tag, "I'll return it to Hisoka after we get Zakara and I punch him in the face! Until then, I won't use my Hunter License. I can't go back to Whale Island, either." Hold it, his eyes shown in determination.
"Well, Yuyami says were almost where Zakara is at, so then it just comes down to finding Hisoka…" Killua looked pointedly at Gon, "So do you know where Hisoka is?"
"Uh…" Gon smiled innocently, causing Killua and Leorio to sigh.
"I knew it." Leorio muttered to the side.
"I know where he is, Gon." Kurapika told him as calmly as ever. As he explained, the train moved towards town, another step closer to Zakara.
OoO
She found Creve after an hour of mulling around the markets, sitting in a rocking chair on the deck of his quiet house. She sat in the rocking chair beside him, giving him a moment of silence between them before speaking up. "Sorry for taking my anger out on you, Creve. It's been a long while since I've been with my Keshiuki and I couldn't tolerate anyone speaking like that about him." After another moment, Zakara questioned, "Who is your Keshiuki?"
"Nasasham, she healed me when I was young and we bonded." Creve's voice was softer and much calmer than before. Zakara mentally hit herself for not noticing it sooner, Keshiuki's Haryuiq were tied together if they were both Yorunohi. Zakara has been too busy in her own mind and problems to notice the tie. She supposed they were like family, then. Brother and sister, as the Keshiuki bond was over a broad range of relationships. Friends, family, lovers, husband or wife.
"My original Keshiuki died. We were overwhelmed by the enemy's sheer numbers and were trapped when the commander called for retreat. He helped the others escape before he was trapped with another inside a cave. Ever the hero, he tossed the child to me and was killed." They both fell silent. "I wouldn't choose my next Keshiuki so carelessly. White flame users can sense it in their partners, we are more attuned with their being than the others. Killua would never betray me, or anyone of our other friends."
"What was your original Keshiuki's name?" Zakara smiled, standing up.
"Zen Yorunohi." He followed her off his deck and into the crowd of their people and humans. For a moment, Zakara sensed Killua. Turning, she found him and her friends. Moving, she found her flames crying out, as if alive in her chest.
OoO
Killua vaguely felt his body freeze, the air almost physically kicked out of his lungs as he scanned the girl he had come to know well. At her healthy disposition, he felt an overwhelming surge of relief wash over him, closely followed by a raw and bitter bite of guilt. His chest radiated in pain, and he clutched his hand into a fist over his shirt, barely recognizing the chatter of his friends come to a halt beside him as they too saw her.
Seemingly able to sense them, she looked away from who she had been speaking too and straight at Killua. For a moment, Killua felt as if the world had frozen, despite the townspeople moving through the markets. Zakara's eyes lit up with the familiar white spark of flames and the grin he had missed spread over her face, making her features soften in affection.
Next thing he knew, her arms were around his waist, clutching tightly to him and his arm enclosed around her shoulders. Tears stung his eyes as he hid his face in her shoulder, breathing unsteadily and pulling her as close as possible. At this moment, he hated himself even more for having abandoned her, and resented her for forgiving him so easily. How could she greet him with open arms after he had left her? With his leaving, she had weakened and hurt. How could any of them forgive him for the pain she went through because of him?
The resentment, he found then, was not directed towards her. Killua fought the urge to punish himself for her injuries, as that would only upset her further. He pulled away to examine her for injuries, brushing his thumb over the faint bruise on her jaw. He probed the bandage over her collarbone, finding more over her left shoulder and felt the bandages under her shirt that wrapped around her waist and sides.
"Sorry…" Killua whispered as he realized with faint horror that it must have hurt her when he hugged around her shoulders. Zakara's expression showed no signs of anger or accusations towards him, instead leaning forwards to hug him closer and resting her hand on the back of his neck, combing gently throwing the white curls. He heard her hum slightly and smile over his shoulder at the other three, who he just remembered were present. The other three came closer to greet her, relief clear and happily hugging her, each sandwiching her in the middle until it was a big cluster of hugs.
Their words were indistinct as Killua dropped his head on her uninjured shoulder, burying his face in her hair and breathing in her distinct scent of fire smoke and chocolate. He felt the vibration of her voice against his chest and the clear, strong beating of her heart. Without moving, Zakara's flames brushed warmly over his remaining wounds from Milluki's punishment. Lulling him further into peace, he felt her heal over his bruises and scratches until her flames simply created a thin shield over his skin.
An unfamiliar voice startled him out of his refuge, the question directed at Killua. "Are you Zakara's Keshiuki?" While the word was foreign and unfamiliar, Killua knew he was the Keshiuki by how the stranger was scrutinizing him. Killua glared up from Zakara's shoulder, hugging her tighter as the stranger strode over. His green eyes had the same glow to them as Zakara's, with dark black hair that seemed highlighted green in the sun. Instinctively, Killua knew that this person was somehow related to Zakara. Which brought a point to mind that at most half of the civilians in the area where connected to Zakara as well.
"Yes, he is my Keshiuki, Creve." Killua felt a slight hint of satisfaction when Zakara didn't bother to glance back at the teenager, rather content to stay with him. Killua pulled her up automatically, falling back into their usual routine and holding her koala-style.
Creve's eyebrows drew close and he frowned, obviously displeased with how Zakara was acting. Still, he seemed to relax as a beautiful woman brushed past him and smiled down at the group, chuckling as the two youngest gasped at her stomach.
"Would you please follow me, you four?"
OoO
Zakara woke as Vectus walked in, shutting the door quietly behind him as he took in the sight. Killua was entirely hidden by the bed covers, but he was hugging her around her waist, with his head resting against her stomach and his legs entangled with hers. His hold was a bit too tight, as it was slightly hard to breath, but Zakara was finally at peace. Her hands moved through his hair to comb out the tangles and pet his fluffy curls.
After they had changed into night clothes, both almost instantly fell asleep in the room provided in Vectus' home. Without any words, other than Killua's continuous moments of sleep murmurs that whispered apologies and names.
"I want you to protect the island in my stead." Zakara whispered, repeating what she had spoken to him beforehand. She didn't look up from Killua, tracing he features of his face affectionately.
"Are you sure?" Vectus watched her curl on her side, pulling Killua up so that he rested next to her collarbone and snuggling closer to her Keshiuki. She didn't respond for a moment, as he heard faint murmurs come from Killua that were quickly eased by Zakara's humming. Vectus was only somewhat surprised that the young assassin hasn't woken yet from his disturbance, but as he looked closely, he found the two enshrouded in her white flames.
"Yes, my home is with my friends."
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YES, I DID IT!
I don't really know why, but I kind of see Killua as someone who tends to blame themselves and believes he deserves the pain for the things he does.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but tell me how you think I did with Killua's portrayal.
Also, Killua seems to be the possessive type when it comes to Gon in the anime, with strangers and the like. So, I figured, Killua would likely be possessive of anything he viewed as precious or of worth to him.
Also, Kalera's accent is really hard to write, comment if you would like a translation, but I tried to make it as simple as possible.
And seriously, was Killua's father siting on a bed or a bunch of giant pillows….? Killua's father doesn't seem like the type to inquire further on Zakara. As bringing up her people would remind Killua that Illumi was interested in taking her for that reason and because of her flames. Illumi probably told him about Zakara anyways, but I'll let them meet personally sooner or later.
Purple flames: Acting more like wind, rather than fire, users can increase their speed and even fly using the wind. They can reel in enemies using whips of wind-like fire. Zen, for instance, would corral a large number of Salviek monsters together and Zakara would use her destructive flames to kill them.
Keshiuki: Basically like partners. There can be more than one at a time, of any age and gender. Though, generally, the bond is made between best friends, childhood friends, people the same age, or someone who is at least 80% compatible.
But yeah, I literally wrote most of this today (5/31/2015), from morning to night (with a few interruptions – a lot). A shout out and thanks to Ileinko, who managed to make me motivated enough to write for you all.
I want to see if I can get at least to 70 comments before I try to update again.
Anyways, Comments are a pleasure!
P.S. There will actually be more fluff in the next probably.
P.S.S. There will also be a flashback or something with their conversation with Nasasham, since I'm too lazy to write it right now and I want to upload it finally.
