3/18/17 First I uploaded this chapter...then I deleted it...then I uploaded it again...I'm sorry, but I'm feeling with self-conscious about this chapter...

Attention: I recommend buckling in your hypothetical seatbelts to this hypothetical roller coaster of a story because its going to be a WILD ride. Thank you.

Chapter 23: The x Water x Weed

Today's the day.

Killua rummaged through the kitchen as he laid out dozens of pots and pans and utensils across the counter and stove top. He mopped the floors that were already sparkling clean. He vacuumed the carpets that were already lint free. Not to mention, he did the laundry that already smelled like the indoors of a homey convenient store. And all before noon! What a productive day!

Killua woke up exceptionally early, but not for the purpose of eagerly pursuing the infinite joys of spring cleaning. He was frantic. He was nervous. Today is that one day. Today, he would tell Elodea the truth. There was no backing out of it. He wouldn't allow himself too.

Until then, he had to keep himself busy. Before he knew it, he was ironing his socks. Since when does he even iron his socks? Since when did he have an iron?

Over and over again in his head, he was rehearing what he had to say. Over and over again.

"Shit!" He yelped as he immediately lifted the steaming, hot iron off of his freshly singed pair of cashmere socks. The smell of burnt wool and smoke rose into the air. He held the pair in front of him. His blue eyes peeked through the holes. Several of them to be precise, the size of pennies and quarters and dimes.

He sighed. This was his favorite pair too. What a shame. He tossed them in the trash can and just stared down at the iron, as if he was waiting for a miracle of some sorts to happen.

Or for the blasted thing to combust into flames, he hated the contraption. Then he thought he was turning into that bizarre hunter he roomed with all those years ago, in that stuffy, cramped, and humid motel room in Kukan'yu.

How was he going to start off, I was assigned to the Kukan'yu Expedition team during the uprising of rebel groups on the islands. One night, out on patrol, I found you abandoned in a burning house…. Abandoned? Should he even say that? Killua didn't know himself if Elodea was actually abandoned or not. There were so many casualties. Elodea was just alone in the fire. What happened to his biological parents? Who are his biological parents? He tried finding out, but even with a hunter's unlimited access to information. He couldn't find anything.

Killua ran his hand through his hair and backed away from the ironing board. Today is going to be a long day.

Elodea ran into the living room, with a smile plastered on his face. He didn't cease his motion even when he was struggling to put his sneakers on. "Good morning!" He said, cheerfully. Then he smelled the scent of burned wool and asked, "what happened?"

"This iron decided to wage war against me," Killua said.

Elodea peeked into the trash can and eyed the pair of defeated fabric. "I'm sorry that it won."

"Me too."

"I can pick up another pair when I'm out."

"It's okay," Killua said. "You're going to the antique shop again?"

"Yup," said Elodea. "You wouldn't believe this, but we actually have a customer. A regular customer. Wilburton thought, sooner or later, he'd have to close the shop. This guy practically saved the place." Forget about the piano lessons for just a second. The guy even buys antiques when he's there. The last time he visited, be bought a coffee table with a glass psychedelic alligator adorned underneath it. It cost five thousand Jenny, and the man didn't even flinch at the price for such an odd creation. Elodea is theorizing that this guy is secret zillionaire or something because no sane person would ever spend that much money on such ugly piece of furniture.

Elodea finished tying his sneakers and prepared his backpack with all the essentials. His cellphone, a couple of snacks (because all the food in the vending machine at the shop is as old as the shop itself…. Wilburton keeps all the old-fashioned candy in it, simply for the aesthetic appeal), some music sheets (like The Dark Sonata piece he hasn't played yet), and his log book. With the names of all his piano students. Well, more like one student. Illumi was his name.

"You teach piano to complete strangers, but you've never taught me."

Elodea perked up, "Do you want to learn?"

"I lack the patience to learn."

"Well, I could teach you, y'know for the right price." Elodea said, as he rubbed his index finger and thumb together.

"I'll give you a stick of gum and you'll be a happy boy."

"Thank you for your patronage." Elodea pretended to tip his hat as he picked up his skateboard. It was yellow and had a long green arrow painted down the middle, with red wheels. It used to have been his father's when he was young. "I'll see you later dad."

"Alright, have a nice day."

"Bye!" Elodea waved as he parted through the door and closed behind him. The skateboard met the ground and carried Elodea through the streets.

He was excited to get to the shop.

Even more so, he was excited to see Illumi.

Illumi ended up staying longer than the intended lesson, but Elodea didn't mind. (Neither did Wilburton, the young man bought another piece of (hideous) furniture! A store owner couldn't be happier.)

Elodea continued the conversation with Illumi about the cosmos, "The skies of NGL are so clear, and it was the best location to obverse Kimble's asteroid shower. It was beautiful."

"With the smog in Diamond City I can barely look out my window." Illumi laughed, "You don't travel by yourself now do you?"

"Oh no," Elodea shook his head. "My dad and I travel together."

"And what does he do for a living?" Illumi asked.

"Freelance photography." Elodea lied. He knew the dangers of a hunter's job and the unwanted attention it could bring for his father. Elodea was eloquent at telling the lie. It sounded believable to those who've asked.

In return, Illumi gave a believable response. "That's lovely. I was always interested in photography, but the most I can do is take selfies of my food." He shrugged, sadly.

"Nowadays, people can actually make a living out of that."

"That doesn't sound so bad. Maybe I should take up a career change."

Wilburton interrupted, "And what is it that you do for a living, Mr. Illumi? May I be so bold to ask."

Illumi looked towards Elodea, "Freelance as well. But I'm just a plain and boring businessman. Nothing extravagant."

"That does what exactly?" Wilburton questioned. He desperately wanted the find out if this man was a zillionaire dressed up as a pauper. That silver cane Illumi always carried looked quite expensive and stylish too. Wilburton was determined to milk it out of him. "Real-estate agent, banker, stock broker? A businessman can mean anything." Then he smiled, but it pained him to say, "I'm just old, help me understand better."

Illumi wanted to whack this old bat with his cane; but he didn't, miraculously. "Interpersonal affairs. People contact me when they need problems revolved, from disagreements to lawsuits to trivial matters that have fallen out of the hands of court."

"So, you're a wannabe lawyer?" Wilburton wanted to clarify.

"In laymen's terms. Then yes. I'm a wannabe lawyer."

A rich one too! Wilburton thought, happily. He could almost feel his boyhood returning. Almost. Then he remembered something important. He pulled out a card from his desk and quickly scribbled in it. Then walked over to Elodea and handed him the card. "Happy birthday." Then patted Elodea on the back.

"Thank you, that's so-" Then Elodea looked into the card and decided to continue play acting. The card did not say 'Happy Birthday' but 'Congratulations! It's a Girl!' in pink, swirly letters. At least, Wilburton signed his name at the bottom or at least Elodea thought he did. His signature kind of looked like a hotdog bun with wheels and a toaster…. on fire…. It's the thought that counts, right? "-nice. I really appreciate it."

"You're welcome," Wilburton gushed to his only employee. Maybe Wilburton will remember to give Elodea a card with the proper greeting next year. But Elodea knew that would never happen. Because he won't be here next year. Because hunters don't stay in one place for too long. They travel, always.

Then Wilburton proceeded to show his highest paying costumer, the most recent shipment of antiques to arrive at the shop (A.K.A 'Wilburton's Treasure Trove of Miscellaneous and/or Significant Antiques' established however long ago you checked your ATM balance.) Wilburton, in his prime years of youth, was a real-estate salesman himself. He was an excellent seller. Even he could sell the unsellable. Because as of right now, he was trying to sell a broken umbrella and he cleverly attached a story that it belonged to The Queen. He didn't specifically say what queen, but it could have belonged to any queen.

When he popped open the umbrella, a mouse (still alive) and a scrunched-up plastic bag of chips fell onto the ground. The mouse scurried away, hurriedly. With the chips.

The umbrella could have also belonged to a hobo.

Elodea held in his laughter and so did Illumi. Illumi said that he would think about the once in a lifetime offer and maybe buy it another day. Then he spoke.

"Elodea, it's your birthday? I had no idea." Illumi turned his back and looked out the window and saw a small ice-cream stand across the street. "May I treat you? I feel guilty for being unprepared."

Elodea waved his arms in front of him, "You don't have to-

"But I insist. Plus, I also want to thank my teacher for helping me relearn a difficult instrument. Let me thank you properly."

The shop was about to close early, and no sooner Elodea held a cone of vanilla ice-cream in his hands. Illumi had a cone of chocolate ice-cream with chocolate sprinkles on top.

"Whenever I have chocolate, I tend to think of my younger brother. When he was younger that was all he would eat. Give him a plate of chicken and broccoli. No, he wouldn't accept it. Give him a plate of macaroni and cheese. He wouldn't even look at it." Then Illumi said, "But give him a chocorobo. He's your new best friend."

Elodea laughed, "I swear, my dad's the same way. He has this insane sweet tooth. You should see how he prepares chocolate milk."

"Everyone loves chocolate milk," Illumi said, "except the lactose intolerant, bless their poor souls."

"But he does the exact opposite. He pours the whole glass full of chocolate syrup, then adds a teaspoon of milk."

Illumi stopped, baffled. "That's inhuman. And his cholesterol?"

"Normal."

"And blood sugar?"

"Healthier than a horse."

"He defies the laws of science."

"So far, the government hasn't stopped by to study him. I wouldn't be surprised if they did. Welcome, we've been expecting you. Come in and make yourself at home." Elodea humored, "They would be the surprised ones."

So they kept talking and talking, walking down the streets of Diamond City. Until they reached as far as they could, where the streets were blocked off with yellow tape. Elodea gazed unto the nightclub, that was once full of dancing and laughter.

Now, the halls of the building echoed with nothing, but silence. The windows were dark and lifeless. The establishment was still closed off to the public. Police officers and detectives still struggled to gather clues from the crime scene and unravel the mysterious murder of a young woman named Madeline Nojoff. Elodea breathed, barely. He heard about the tragedy on the news. It was so sad, so to see these kinds of things that only seem to happen in movies. He remembered watching an interview with the parents, seeing them on screen made him feel just as they did. They were distraught. Broken. Shattered. They demanded that Diamond City give them justice to their only daughter. Her brother, who works in the police force, said he would dedicate every waking hour of his life to finding the culprit and send them to prison to rot for eternity.

So far, they have no leads. Just one clue. Of a single puncture wound to the back of the head. They said the blow was instantaneous and quick; and the murderer who did it was skilled in their craft. The act was deliberate. Assassination, they were thinking.

"I hope they catch whoever committed that crime soon." Elodea said. He could tell that their aura, her parents, her brother, rung of unimaginable sadness and grief.

Illumi held in a snicker. He wondered why people tend to exaggerate the smallest of petty crimes. Why publicize the death of a young, beautiful girl? While, on the other hand, there was no coverage in the news of Nicholas's death. (another assassination he completed shortly after Madeline's…after Nicholas paid of course) He was murdered while relaxing in his home, drinking a glass of wine. Or so the news minimally said. Nicholas just received a small blurb on the morning news, once. While Madeline was on every news network from morning to dusk. If Illumi remembered correctly.

Illumi passed by an officer and wished them good luck with the case and that they apprehend the monster who did this unspeakable crime very soon. The officer smiled, thanking him for wishing the task force at hand luck, and nodded his head to the fellow civilian of Diamond City. Oh, if only he knew.

That the monster in sheep's clothing, who committed the dreadful act, was standing right in front of him.

Soon after, while chatting some more and now in the park. Elodea bought a bag of bird seeds and did as one would so with these unique treasure troves.

He fed the birds!

Elodea sprinkled some on the ground, but he also held many seeds in his hands. One by one, birds came flocking towards him, sitting on his hands, and wrists and arms, and occasionally his head and shoulders. He had a pleasant aura and tinkered it so that the birds found it calming.

Then he looked towards Illumi and the silver cane clutched in his hands. Illumi caught his stare and Elodea felt shameful. "I'm sorry."

Illumi shrugged, "Don't be. I did this to myself." He tapped his cane against his leg, mournfully.

"It wasn't you're fault," Elodea said. No one ever should ever place blame unto themselves, especially things outside of their control.

"You are very kind, but it was."

It was then that Elodea had the brilliant idea of giving seeds to Illumi. The young man looked rather odd, with his slick black hair and fluffy white birds adorning on top of it. Then Elodea realized that it was time for him to go home. He said goodbye to Illumi, and that he looked forward to the next piano lesson.

Illumi smiled and waved with the dozens of birds flocking around him. He saw Elodea skate away on his yellow skateboard, until he was out of sight and no longer to be seen.

Illumi's smile slowly faltered. His eyes darkened, becoming darker than the shadows around him. He cracked his jaw, irritated.

Slowly, he reached towards the back of his neck. Delicately. Precisely. Accurately. As he has practiced so many times in the years prior to this day. He used the nails of his fingers to grasp the nib of the needle and slide it out of the back of his neck, above his axis bone.

It didn't take more than a microsecond for the birds to flock away. They flew away, terrified, from the putrid anger and vile hatred that seethed out of this man's body.

This malicious aura that was as thick as the smog that perpetually surrounds Diamond City. Unbearable. Intolerable. Unlivable.

One by one, he slid out needles from his spine. Freeing his body from these invisible, constricting chains. Finally, he stood up. Leaving his façade of a cane lying on the bench. He pressed a button on his cane, revealing a small compartment. A compartment to place his needles. He stretched out his legs, and the knots in his muscles that ached him.

He smiled a horrible smile. And laughed a horrible laugh.

His invention worked, perfectly; and his acting wasn't bad either. He stumbled over, laughing hysterically. Folding his arms over his stomach, hunched over. The boy believed him. That infectious, worm of a child believed his little act. Elodea thought he was friendly. Elodea thought he was nice. Elodea thought many things that Illumi was entirely not.

Oh! How Killua raised him to be so innocent and so pure!

Illumi was wise to listen to Hisoka who told him about the child's inherent skill of aura resonation. How Elodea can instinctively know someone's intent just from the sound of their aura. Hisoka detailed the experience at the Hunter Association conference all those years ago. How Elodea was able to notice Hisoka's bloodlust, spontaneously without even trying.

When Illumi found out, he pondered the situation for a long, long time. He already planned to get close to the child, he was going to take Killua's precious family apart from the inside out. Simply getting rid of the child, like he did with Madeline and Nicholas or any other assassination with the flick of his needle, wouldn't work. Killua would only loath him more, he'd only resent the Zoldyck's more. He'd seek vengeance, the usual vendetta of the struggling and overly righteous hero and so on. It would only turn Killua away even more from his true family.

So, Illumi thought of a plan, but the worm's ability changed everything. He had to start over from scratch. Illumi, knew himself far too well.

He hated the worm, with all his heart; cold and black as the ominous side of the moon. And his aura was a dead giveaway. Hatred. Spite. Malice. It was all there. It seethed out of him, endlessly. The worm would see through his façade. Although, he wore his hatred proudly, like armor. It was nothing he could get rid of.

But it was something he could control. And that made him all the more sinister and cunning.

Needles have been his specialty for a very long time. What was the allure that he saw within them? For their precision? Yes. For allowing him to attack point blank? Definitely. They suited him, perfectly.

It took him a while to harness the correct raw materials, and an even longer amount of time to manipulate their structure for the proper function he needed.

Illumi twirled a needle around and between his fingers, at a slow than lighting than slow rate again. How he adored his creations. His mad creations. If he could control the aura of his needle men, then he could do the same with his own.

The needles acted as aura suppressants.

When placed correctly into his nervous system, more specifically the back of his neck, a powerful aura hotspot. The flow of his aura significantly decreases. Think, aura flows and moves like steam. His is now more like molasses on a cold winter day. Barely flowing, barely moving, and most importantly, barely audible. Through research, he's learned that movement gives aura a distinct sound. His aura, with the needles, transforms into a perpetual state of stagnancy. Allowing him to get close to the child, without any worries. He was the perfect wolf in sheep's clothing.

Suddenly, Illumi jolted downward, his legs giving out. He scoffed, disgustingly.

But of course, there are drawbacks to even the greatest of inventions. His was no exception. The tole it has on his body, destroys him. Debilitating his muscles and limbs. He can't even walk properly. He can't even use his aura to protect himself if need be. He's completely and utterly defenseless. If Killua were to know of this, he'd easily take Illumi out of the picture. He'd would have to withhold from seeing his younger brother, but he will in due time.

But, he doesn't care. So what if he destroys his body in the process? Destroying his muscles and tissue and veins. It is for the greater good of the Zoldyck family. It was his duty as the eldest to set those astray back on the path. It was his duty to train Killua to be the heir.

That was the purpose of his existence.

Illumi scoffed, Killua was never fit to be the heir. In fact, Illumi thought he deserved it much more than Killua. But not everyone sees it that way. Illumi gritted his teeth, angrily. No, he can't focus on the past. He can only look towards the future.

Since Killua feeds lies to Elodea, then so will he. He will become a player in this absurd game. Since he set the game in motion, it is his duty to end it as well. After all, he was the one who prompted Killua to lie in the first place.

But it will take time. A great deal of manipulation too.

Manipulation, besides needles and assassination and business, was Illumi's true specialty.

Killua skewered an orange pepper and was currently toasting it over the blue flame on the stove. The skin of the pepper browned and crisped. When it was done, he set it down on a plate along with the twelve other peppers he roasted, and the chicken he baked, and the beef stew he broiled. He removed his apron, and pulled out a chair at the table and sighed.

Okay, now that's he's finished being the 21st century version of Snow White, he looked over the vital documents in front of him.

The adoption certificate and the immigration document.

Killua also received advise from Leorio. Leorio has patients who are adopted and has helped them with some of their problems. One, it is never recommended to tell a child they are adopted when they are adolescents. The idea of adoption should be gradually spoken to them when they are toddlers. Thus, the idea settles more comfortably with them as they grow older.

But waiting too long has consequences. Which Killua has blatantly ignored until now. He so was close to telling Elodea before, but he couldn't go through with it. Now, he was through with telling lies. Elodea deserves to know the truth.

The truth Elodea's been deprived of, for a very long time. Truth he desperately quenched, like water in the desert.

Killua's phone buzzed. He received a text from Elodea, "I'll be home soon."

"See you then."

Then Elodea sent a picture of an amazing treasure he won at the convenient store. Killua's eyes popped. Elodea bought a chocorobo, but the best of all. He won the sapphire-blue robot toy inside!

Chocorobo Incorporated has recently expanded their merchandise. Years before, winning the golden chocorobo was the best prize, but as its popularity diminished, the company knew they had to act fast.

So, there are now four different rare robots to win! A special surprise in each box! There was the rose-gold robot, the platinum-pearl robot, the sapphire-blue robot (the one Elodea just recently won) and the emerald-green robot.

They were a hit with the public. And the chocorobos, yet again, reclaim their spot of favorite candy among children ages 10-15.

Killua soon found that he was scrolling through years' worth of photos and videos in his phone. He tapped a video and smiled to himself. This was taken when Elodea was five years old and first learning how to ride a bicycle. Elodea smiled brightly, revealing a freshly lost baby tooth. Elodea was so happy when he learned to ride his bike, the video played then it got to the part where Elodea neared the end of the block.

Elodea realized one important and crucial fact. He didn't know how to turn. He ended up falling off his bike in the process, yelping a "I'm okay" as he laid on the grass that cushioned his fall. The camera was shaking as Killua sprinted to Elodea's aid. Elodea only had a few scrapes, and a few colorful bandages to cover them.

He learned to turn the exact same day. The joy that radiated from his little face, "I'm doing it daddy!" he said as he made circles around Killua.

Killua then turned off his phone and walked to the counter. He felt his clammy palms and wiped them on his pants. No, he shouldn't be nervous. Everything will be alight.

Elodea will still love him.

"I'm home."

Elodea entered as he placed his back pack unto the couch. Then he stretched his arms out and yawned, sluggishly. Suddenly, a tangy aroma dispersed throughout the air, and he couldn't help himself from smiling.

Roasted peppers!

"I'm in the kitchen." Killua shouted.

Elodea reached into his backpack and pulled out another, unopened box of chocorobo's. He got one for Killua too. At the convenient store, Elodea tried to peak into the box, to see if he could find a rose-gold chocorobo, because Killua was plagued with always getting the platinum-pearl ones. Elodea weighed the contents in his hand and concluded that it definitely-most-likely could be rose-gold. He had a knack for these kinds of things.

Elodea walked into the kitchen and his eyes feasted on the mountain of food in front of him. "Are we having a party or something?" Elodea lifting the lid of the pot revealing a piping hot beef stew with carrots, potatoes, and celery. Then a pot of roasted chicken garnished with lemon juice and oregano! And peppers charred from the stove top fire!

Killua simply shook his head, "No, I just felt like cooking."

"Oh, dad." Elodea said, "I got you something." Then he tossed Killua a chocorobo box. Which Killua caught, happily.

Elodea practically dusted off his own shoulder, "I wouldn't be surprised if its rose-gold."

"Let's find out," Killua removed the plastic wrap then opened the paper box, revealing a simple and plain platinum-pearl robot.

Elodea looked shock, has his gift deceived him! "No way, I swore it was rose-gold." He examined the box sideways and front ways, suspiciously.

Killua shrugged, "I'm only in it for the chocolate anyway." He plopped a piece of chocolate into his mouth, then gestured towards Elodea, "go long."

Elodea practically jumped back, and Killua threw the chocolate in the air. Which Elodea caught it in his mouth, triumphantly. He felt victorious as a football player scoring the winning touchdown at the end of a game.

"Then later, do you want to go see a movie? Or go to the arcade?" Killua said, "or how about Diamond City's amusement park?" Diamond city has many different types of attractions, including its own amusement park. It may not be as great as the one in Saherta (known for their outlandish and crazy roller-coasters) but they are a good second best.

Elodea looked around. The delicious food. Plans to just hang out and have fun. Something was up. His birthday was weeks ago. Their vacation was over. Elodea put down the chocorobo and frowned, "Dad, are we moving again?" If they're going to be leaving, he has to tell Wilburton and give a believable excuse about his dad's freelance photography job.

"No, we're not moving." Killua said then patted Elodea on the back. "I just want to spend quality time with my son."

Wow! What was Elodea thinking! Today just keeps getting better and better.

Soon both Killua and Elodea set the table with utensils and plates full of delicious food. Elodea had his knife and fork in hand and was ready to chow down.

Elodea cut into the chicken, lifting up the fork toward his mouth.

Killua spoke, quickly, "After dinner let's go the amusement park. Also, Kurapika called and asked how're you're doing. He said he's doing fine and wants to stop by if he's in the area, but knowing his crazy work schedule, we might just chat online. Aunt Alluka wanted to thank you for being so nice with Gen. She say's you're all he's talking about and he cherishes the bracelet you gave him. He won't take it off. Oh, the amusement park, one of those new attractions opened with the giant spirally-thing, whatever it's called. It seems interesting. And you're adopted. Okay, let's eat."

Elodea's fork dropped down on his plate. The sound of metal against glass silenced the room. Piercing his ears. His mouth open. Eyes frozen, staring blankly.

The chicken in his mouth was first mouthwatering and delicious. But now it was sour and bitter and disgusting.

And it would be a taste he would remember for a very long time.

Killua, for the first time, told Elodea a story that was true.

His mother was not mean or ugly or unkind. There was no mother.

His skin was not ripped by a falcon, giving him his scars on his sides. There was no falcon, only a fire.

A fire in Kukan'yu where Killua found him. A baby swaddled by the ever-growing flames, abandoned.

He was a member of the Kukan'yu expedition team, on a mission. That was where Killua grew to love him and named him after the waters weeds.

The Kukan'yu Islands, the land where Elodea was born.

Killua showed Elodea the adoption certificate. Which Elodea stared and stared and stared at, holding it in his hands. He saw his name, his small inked footprints and handprints. His name in bold letters. Which he just stared at silently.

Killua kept telling him that he loves him so much. He knew, from the moment he held Elodea in his arms, that he was his son. He kept telling Elodea that over and over again. And how sorry he was for not telling him sooner, because he was scarred. He only wanted to protect his son.

Elodea tried to swallow, but his throat was so dry. It made him choke on his own breath. Finally, he spoke, "I forgot my logbook at the shop." That was all he said, as he stood up. His chair screeched against the tile floor, unpleasantly.

Killua gently took Elodea's hand. "We should talk about this more."

Elodea didn't look at him. He was solely staring at the ground, "I forgot my book."

"Leave it. You'll get it another time." Killua held Elodea's hand, gently.

"I need my book." Elodea's voice cracked.

"We still need to talk-

"Let me get it!" Elodea screamed, staring down at the ground. He ripped his hand out of Killua's. His breathing, audible.

"Elodea."

Elodea breathed and said softly, "I forgot my book at the shop. I need to get it." That was a lie. His book was in his back pack. "Please."

Killua went back to hold Elodea's hand, but he flinched at the touch. Finally, Killua said, "be quick."

Elodea said nothing as he left his home in a disorientating haze. The door shut behind him, fiercely.

Killua leaned onto the table, rubbing his hands against his face.

His eyes wet beneath his hands.

He was solely to blame.

Elodea was skateboarding down the sidewalk. He wanted to run. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs. He wanted to yell at the world. He wanted to be far away from his father. Everything he believed was a lie.

He passed a woman walking her dog, he passed a group of kids on their way home from school, and he passed a boy his own age who sprightly made a comment about Elodea's skateboard.

How it looked so cool. But Elodea coldly ignored him.

Soon his vision blurred. He couldn't see the faces of those around him. He couldn't see the names of the streets signs he turned on. He couldn't see the pot hole in front of him.

He fell off his skateboard, unto the concrete, tears streaming down his eyes. Mucous dripping down his nose. His face, scrunched up and red. Pathetic.

A young woman came up to him, panicked. She bent down towards him "Are you all right? Can you walk?" She looked towards her girlfriend who was calling an ambulance, "We should take him to the emergency center." She went to put her arms around him, to help him stand.

But Elodea only pushed her away and ran.

He ran as far as he could.

His skateboard laid broken on the concrete. The paint was chipped. The wheels were scratched and ruined, still turning.

Forgotten.

His eyes were brimmed red, wet with tears. His voice hitched with every breath he drew. His cries echoed throughout the forest.

He screamed.

He yelled.

He threw rocks. Slamming them against the bark of trees. He had no control over his actions. He was on a rampage.

Sharp branches scratched him, leaves swatted in his face. Then he tripped over an uplifted root. Stumbling on top of moss and mildew and decaying leaves.

He stared down at his hands, sullied with mud and water.

The aura of the trees and the leaves and the flowers and the animals spoke to him. They rung in his ears.

Elodea pulled his knees toward his face. Shutting his eyes, tight.

The aura kept getting louder.

"Shut up," his voice quivered.

The aura spiraled all around him, closing him in. He was alone. He was abandoned. He was different. The fact that he can hear all these things was proof enough! He never belonged. What a fool he was for thinking he did! Killua was not his father. Gen was not his cousin. Gon was not his uncle. Alluka was not his aunt. Neither was Mito or Granny Freecs or Kurapika or Leorio.

He was not his father's son.

He was a water weed.

He was a pesky weed among beautiful flora. A weed that grew for too long in a place it never truly belonged. But even worse, it was a naïve weed. Oblivious to the differences it had inside. And in its heart, thinking that it one day could belong among the others. The agonizing hope it clutched onto, desperately

The aura kept getting louder.

"Shut up." He wrapped his hands around his head, around his ears to shut the noise out. The sounds that he used to love, their sweet melodies. His solace.

But now they trapped him. Seeping through his hands. Pounding against his ear drums, mercilessly. He heard it all. He hated it! He hated it! It wouldn't stop! It wouldn't leave him alone! He hated it!

"SHUT UP!" he screamed. He curled into a ball on the ground. Hands pressed tighter and tighter against his ears.

The tears kept falling.

The aura kept playing.

His dreams kept breaking. The image of his mother, etched into his mind. The fantasy he's come to adorn and cherish and one day pursue. Burned in front of him. It charred and smoked and wrinkled into nothing but ash.

He was the boy born from the ashes of a fire that failed to consume him whole. He was never his father's son. He will never be his father's son. Strangers knew him better than he did himself. He doesn't belong anywhere. He never belonged anywhere.

The realization sunk into his heart. Fast and deep.

It terrified him as he laid on the ground, trembling. He clenched the sides of his head. Pulling on his hair to the point of ripping it out. He kept muttering, over and over, begging for the sound of the aura to go away. To leave him alone in silence.

It never did.

Okay, take deep breaths. Maybe drink a glass of water? Hug a teddy bear? Good?

One, this was a heavy chapter and it definitely moves the plot forward. Since the very beginning, you all knew that Elodea was adopted. In fact, everyone knew! We already saw, from before, Elodea had insecurities. And because of this, they just magnified exponentially. I like to think of this chapter as the 'point of no return,' because none of this is reversible now. There will only be consequences for withholding the truth, and even more, the repeated use of lies. And the effects on a person who already felt lost. This is the bulk of part 3.

So, you thought Illumi's invention was for Elodea? Noooooooo. It was for himself...Now that Illumi's part in the plot finally begins. His goal is obvious (y'know get Killua to be the heir, nothing new) but his true motive behind it is not. Right now, I made them very vague, but they'll be revealed in part 4 of the story. What do you think of our big bad villain?

This chapter is so important! Please, tell me what you thought in the reviews. I LOVE READING THEM! How do you feel for our poor little baby? How do you feel about Killua, who was only lying to protect him? Do you want to push Illumi off a cliff? (would you like him to receive the fate of most Disney villains XD falling off a cliff, oh come on they all do! Gaston, Maleficent, The Evil Queen, Scar... who else is there?) How did this chapter make you feel?

Even if you don't have anything to say, (you can say "thank goodness for Wilburton" b/c he's the only source of comedic relief in this chapter XD) (or "Love Elodea") Let me know that you're here.

On a happier note, please tell me this...

Which robot would you like to receive in a Chocorobo candy box?

1) rose-gold robot

2) platinum-pearl robot

3) sapphire-blue robot

4) emerald-green robot

or

5) don't care what robot it is, just want the chocolate XD

See you next time! Bye!