Chapter 26 - Light x And x Dark
"Since it's getting dark out here, why don't Master Killua and Master Illumi head inside the estate and then continue with your conversation." Canary suggests from the side.
However, Illumi mercilessly throws a dagger directly at her and pierces through her right arm.
"Canary!" Killua starts to run toward her, however, his brother interrupts him.
"If you take one step and leave your current position, I shall take that as the signal for the beginning of our fight."
"You already know I'm stronger than you! I beat you just four days ago." Killua says.
"Are you, now? You only beat me then because you knew my abilities and you were sure that you could beat me. That's the only reason why you made your move. Exactly the way I taught you. Only fight when you know you can defeat your enemy. But right now, you're not moving you're not attacking, because you're scared. You know you don't have a 100% chance of winning. Dad and I drilled this into you." Illumi hesitates, but then, "Kil, no matter what you say or do, you can't change who you are."
"Back then… you said I couldn't make friends. But I made one, didn't I?" Killua mutters.
"No, Gon's not a true friend." Illumi says darkly.
"Huh? What do you mean he's not a true friend?! We've spent almost one-third of our lives together!" Killua suddenly bursts in rage upon hearing the insult to their friendship.
"If he's a true friend, he wouldn't have let you come here alone, by yourself. He definitely would've come with you." Although he faced against Killua's anger, Illumi still maintains a calm composure.
"He-he didn't come because he's seriously injured! He wanted to calm, but I told him to not to! I didn't want him to get hurt more!"
"That just shows you think he's a burden. If he's your true friend, you would've asked him to come with you so you can help him recover. Not simply just to ask someone to take care of him for you."
"You… you're wrong!"
"Am I? You ditched Gon because you think of him as a bother, not a friend. You're by yourself, which means you prefer moving alone. Exactly the thinking an assassin would have."
"Illumi's argument….actually makes sense... is it actually because I don't think of Gon as a friend?"
"Gon...It can't be." Killua quietly whispers as he looks up toward the stars in the sky. It's night time, the sun has already finished setting into the horizon.
"Kil, do yourself a favor. Or rather, do a favor for your 'so-called friend'. Don't go back to him again. You'll end up murdering him yourself."
"I just...want to live..a normal life with Gon. I want to hang out...with him. I want to...travel and see the world with him." Tears begin to flow down his cheek.
"That's impossible. Kil, just face it, the reality is cruel. You were born into the Zoldyck family, we've all been assassins for generations! And that won't change! You, just by yourself, won't and can't change it!"
Killua ignores his brother's words and continues, "I want to hear Gon speak, my heart aches softly just by hearing his words. I want him to pat me on my back, even though it's a simple slap, it reminds me of all of the time we spent with each other. Both happiness and sorrow we shared together. I just want… to be with him."
"That's what you think on the outside, however, deep in your heart, all you care about is how to kill."
Once again, paying no attention to Illumi's words, Killua continues, "All those time we could've gotten your own hotel rooms. But I said I wanted to play pillow fight with him. But that's just an excuse! The real reason is that I just simply wanted to be next to him!"
"Kil, you can only dream about being his best friend. In reality, you're nowhere close in his heart."
"If you're not going to support me through my desired friend, you're not qualified to be my brother!"
"Do I need a qualification to be your brother?" Illumi asks.
"Do I need a qualification to be Gon's friend?!" Killua shouts. "I'm don't care who stands between me and Gon. Even if it's you, I'm not going to let you stop me!" Killua places his right foot forward, and approaches Illumi.
"You moved from your original position. That's the beginning of our battle. Kil, you there's no fire in you, all there is is just darkness. You might claim you're Gon's friend. You might have the wood to start a fire, but you don't have the spark."
Suddenly, someone approaches behind Killua and says, "And I'm the spark Killua needs, I'm right here, right next to him. Now, he can start a fire."
"Gon! How did you...? The wound on your throat is gone? You can speak now?!" Killua asks in confusion.
"Four days can be a really long time to recover with." Gon says as he half-limps to Killua.
"You came here while walking like this?! Man! That's gotta be rough."
"I couldn't leave your side. See, it turns out I was right. Illumi's giving you more trouble."
"Gon, I just want to say I'm sorry." Killua quietly mutters. "I shouldn't have abandoned you. I threw away our friendship and left you. I'm really sorry!" Killua kneels onto the ground, however, Gon quickly helps him get back up.
"Remember what I said to you?" Gon asks with a huge smile on his face. "You can betray me all you want, but I'll never give up on you! Besides, that wasn't even a betrayal! You did it for my own good! You didn't want me to get hurt! I should be the one thanking you!"
Gon and Killua's friendship resembles light, it shines so brightly, there is no room for Illumi's darkness and shadow to exist. Sensing there is no way he can break the two friends' bond, Illumi slowly retreats back into the estate.
"Darkness fades before light."