Poisonsnake23 Thank you for the review. It made me smile!
A new challenger approaches!
The boys raced each other through the forest, trying to one up each other. Gon used his knowledge on the area to navigate the forest; Killua used his speed to run ahead, while Daniel used his weapon to swing ahead.
The moment one got ahead, the third boy took his place. Navigating through the forest, Gon took the boys to a cliff side which overlooked the sun set. The sun barely setting lit up the sky, creating a beautiful colour which lit its surroundings.
To Daniel it made Gon's smile even harder to look at, the boy glowing too brightly. With Killua it added a hint of colour to his skin tone, but Daniel was more interested in something else... his smile.
Killua's smile made him looked serene, peaceful like nothing could disrupt his happiness. He was having way too much fun, and nothing, could ruin this day for him.
And even if there was something, Daniel wouldn't stop at nothing to make sure Killua's smile never ended.
Gon ran, jumping into the water below, creating a large splash of water. Killua grinned following after the boy as Daniel could only smile at the shadow that was once Killua. He could never stop enjoying the boy's smile, wanting to see it grace the Killua's lips for every second of the day.
But a sense of sadness over came him, hitting him hard in the chest once he realised Gon was making Killua smile... not him. Not wanting to be left out, Daniel jumped off the cliff, following the boys into the water below.
"~"
The fishing trip that Gon took his friends on was well rewarding. However Daniel caught virtually none of them. And Killua couldn't stop the fits of laughter when Daniel was ready to go Indiana Jones on the fishes, whipping them out of the water if they so as much came within two feet from the water's surface.
The evening soon crept up on them and Gon was leading the others to a great stargazing spot.
As the boys were traversing the forest, Gon came to a complete stop.
"What's wrong?" Daniel asked in concern, looking at Gon for a clue to what was running through the black haired boy's mind.
Gon looked around the area, turning to focus on a track he picked up "Oh, I think I found where the father and daughter may be headed."
Having head that, Killua pointed in a different direction to where Gon was looking "Come on, let's keep exploring. They should be fine..."
Gon pouted at Killua, finding the sudden change of expression in Killua a little concerning. "But Mito-San said we should drop by!" Gon whined, already starting to walk with a bounce in his step.
Killua frowned at Gon, begrudgingly following after the boy. Killua seriously didn't want another person to be a part of the group. It's bad enough Daniel was there, following the two of them like a lost puppy. Although, Killua felt like Daniel was slowly growing on him, til the boy decided to either tease or embarrass said boy. But by then, Killua was already planning where to hide the body.
The crunching of leaves soon brought the boys to a small section of the forest, startling someone nearby "W-Who is it?" someone squeaked, sounding a cross between a boy and a girl.
As the boys looked around, trying to spot the person; the same voice called out, this time a little more peeved "Above you!"
The boys stopped looking around, this time focusing on who was above them.
Above the boys was a large net, holding a young girl and a middle-aged man. "How's it hanging?" Daniel grinned, showing off a tooth to the strangers.
"Ha-Ha, very funny! Can you help us down? The rope is tied to the tree on your right."
"First off..." Killua glared at the person, pointing an accusing finger at the girl "who falls into an obvious trap?"
"One, who obviously wasn't paying any attention to her surroundings..." The girl spat back, infuriated at the white haired boy. "Now can you cut us down...?"
"Killua," Gon whined, shifting his gaze to the rope which held the net up. "We'll help you!"
"Gon, they could be spies!"
Gon looked at the girl, asking her casually "Are you a spy?"
The girl fell quiet, over thinking the question "Who casually asks that?!"
"Gon Freecss!"
"It was a figure of speech, Gon..." Killua rolled his eyes at the boy.
Daniel shook his head at Gon, amused by how direct the boy could be. With a sigh, Daniel slowly walked towards the rope "I'll cut you down..."
Daniel whipped out Wolfbane, only to be stopped by the girl "You not gonna just drop us like a sack of potatoes?!"
"No..."
"Do it!" Killua flashed a smirk.
"Killua!" Gon frowned slightly, staring up at the father and his daughter trapped in the rope "Is your father ok?"
"Not really... he has been passed out since he went vertigo."
"Ahh..." Daniel stopped at the rope, holding in his hand while pressing the blade to the rope "He passes out when his sense of direction suddenly changes?"
"That's what I said..."
"Don't get your panties in a bunch..."
"I'm not wearing panties! I mean... I don't wear panties. SHUT UP and cut us down!"
"Ungrateful..." Killua growled under his breath, seriously looking at the people trapped in the net.
"Say, Killua... should I drop them like a sack of potatoes...?"
"No!" Gon pressed his lips into a thin line, looking angrily at the boy for even suggesting it "Mito-San says we shouldn't be mean to girls!"
"I'm a boy..."
"Eh?" Daniel freak out from the sudden news, cutting through the rope by accident. Daniel immediately grabbed the rope before they could hit the ground. "What you mean you're a boy? Aren't you the same girl and father that went into the forest?" He slowly let the rope go, lowering the person and their father to the ground.
"About that..." the supposed boy mumbled as he was lowered to the ground. The moment they touched the floor, the supposed boy flicked the net off them, revealing an androgynous looking child. She (he) wore a burgundy skirt and loosely fitted, white, buttoned up shirt and a pair of boots that were a cross between hunting and Ugg boots.
They immediately blew the hair out of their face, fixing up frizzled hair.
The girl's (boy's) hair was medium length, stopping just at the shoulders. She (he) also had two stands of hair that hung on the sides of their face, barely hiding their ears.
Although, a barely noticeable, tuff of hair stood up, bouncing as if it was attached to their personality "My name is Sakura Furawā! Thanks... for saving me and my dad, Aroebera."
"Sorry, but I just have to ask." Daniel immediately raised a finger, pointing out Sakura's attire "If you're a guy... why are you dressed as a girl?"
"Is it wrong from me to dress however I like?"
Daniel wanted to object, but immediately stopped once he remembered his past "Yeah... I'm not gonna step into THAT dangerous territory."
"The wh-"
"Hush, Killua..." Daniel raised a finger to his lips, stopping Killua from asking anymore about that topic. "I do not want to talk about my childhood... dilemmas..." He looked shifty eyed to the left and right before glancing back at Sakura. "So... what are you going to do now, Gon?"
"Huh...?" Sakura looked confused at the boy, wondering why he was asking another boy instead of her (him) directly. "Don't you mean-"
"Look, Sakura... no matter if I ask you or not, whatever you choose, I guarantee Gon will have his own ideas."
"Huh..." Sakura focused her (his) attention on Gon, wondering why the boy had complete control on the say.
"Well..." Gon hummed, thinking seriously on what they should do.
From the corner of Daniel's eye, he saw Killua slowly get irritated with each passing second.
Gon raised a finger "We could take them to Mito-San. We have a spare room for-"
"Hold on!" Sakura raised her hands, objecting to Gon's plans "You've already helped enough as it is. I can handle-"
"See Gon, he's fine. Let's g-"
"It's fine." Gon smiled between Killua then at Sakura, making the young girl (boy) blush slightly. "Then Sakura can-"
"No way, I am... I have to make sure my dad is... ok..."
Gon looked at Sakura, whining at the young girl (boy) "Ehh?"
"Look at this way, Gon." Daniel raised his hand "If your dad... mum... Mito-San was hurt, you would want to be by her side too, correct?"
"Yeah, that's true. Ok, we'll take you to Mito-San and then-"
"Continue with what we were doing?" Killua asked, a hint of hope flashing between his eyes.
"Yeah!" Gon smiled, flashing a smile and thumbs up at Killua. "Are you sure-"
"He is perfectly fine with he's decision, Gon."
Gon looked at Daniel, hoping the other would object "Daniel...?"
"Sorry, Gon... I'm with Killua on this. Can't change an Ox's mind..."
"So I'm an Ox now?" Sakura asked while glaring at the boy.
"YEAH..." Killua smirked, slowly looking at Daniel to add something else to the topic "Well, I would say more like a..." Killua looked towards Sakura before finishing "bull..."
"Arrgh... can't believe you two boys!"
"Well," Gon smiled "I think Sakura is more like a swan... because, he's pretty."
Sakura started to choke, gasping for a breath of air after being caught completely off guard "You..." Sakura stamped her (his) foot, irritated at the situation "you three are mean!"
"Two maybe... threes..." One look at Killua made Daniel change his mind immediately "On second thought, Gon's mean too. Day- Nightlight is burning! Let's get Sakura to your house and then go back on our way."
"Yeah, Gon..."
"Okay..." Gon looked worried between Killua and Daniel before looking back at Sakura "Sakura do-"
"I'll give her-him a lift..." Daniel offered out a hand, smiling sincerely in Sakura's direction.
"How sweet of you... for someone who just called me an Ox and messed up my gender..."
"I can be a gentleman... when I want to be. As for gender... you could seriously pass off as a girl. Better than I could ever attempt. And I'm the one with long hair...!" Daniel held out a hand, bowing down to Sakura. "Now, if it would please you..." Daniel then bent his knee, lowering himself so that Sakura could climb on top of him.
Gon frowned, walking over to the Sakura's father, Aroebera. "I'll hold Sakura's dad I guess..."
"Wait!" Sakura looked between both boys, multiple thoughts clashing through her (his) mind "Wouldn't Daniel be better off holding my dad? He did after all... which, I'm still trying to wrap my head around; hold us both up."
"Gon and Killua are just as strong as me." Daniel looked at Killua "Hell, Killua's stronger than both of us combined."
Killua blushed from the compliment, looking away completely before taunting back "W-Whatever..."
"Anyways," Daniel looked back towards Sakura "We all are capable of carrying you and your father. Now, do you need a boost or are you more than capable to walking on your own?"
"I..." Sakura held out her hand to grab Daniel's own, looking in his eyes before continuing "Would like the help..." Sakura had been blushing in embarrassment from asking for help. For some reason, Sakura had just reminded him of Killua. Even the most mundane of things were now reminding Daniel of Killua.
He was curious to know why Killua would not get out of his mind. Why, was Killua occupying his mind about everything? All he promised to do was protect Killua. Then it escalated to making sure the boy smiled. What's next...?
Daniel could only dread for what came next.
Once Sakura had climbed up on Daniel's back, he boosted her (him) up, pushing Sakura so that she (he) was slouching over his back. "Ready, Gon?" Daniel paused, looking at the boy for guidance.
Although Gon had just picked up Sakura's father, he was already walking in the direction of his home, slowly pacing his movements so the others could catch up to him. Even though the silence was brutal between them, Sakura decided to ask a question that had been plaguing her mind "Seriously, you two... are you in a relationship?"
"Which two...?"
"You and Killua..."
"N-"
"Sure! Is it wrong for two guys to be in a relationship?"
"You... didn't just twist my words on me?"
"Yup...!"
"Are you lying about the relationship?"
"YUP, why you ask?"
Killua shot Daniel a dark glare, infuriated from the boy abusing an old topic he thought they settled weeks ago.
"It's just... I don't know... You give off this weird... vibe."
"Believe me Sakura... you aren't the first to say that. And you certainly won't be the last..."
"Seriously, Daniel... if you so as much mention 'that', I'm going to bury you... alive."
"Noted..." With a quick smile in Killua's direction, the boy had unexpected blushed. That... worked better than I had hoped...
"~"
After arguing longer than they had hoped, the boys finally departed with Sakura, leaving her (him) behind with Mito-San to deal with. On closer expectation, Sakura managed to sprain her (his) ankle, most likely from the trap Sakura and Aroebera had sprung.
Sakura was in no condition to be walking about. And Sakura had made it very clear; she (he) didn't want to ruin the others' already planned events. Even after departing, Gon showed clear signs of guilt for leaving Sakura behind. Even if one of them didn't want an extra member added to their gang.
The area was serene where they decided to setup camp. The crickets could be barely heard, and the crackling of the fire gave off enough light for the boys to see around them.
They laid side-by-side, each with questions plague their mind.
"Hey, Gon..." Killua spoke first, wondering what came next. "What are you going to do now?"
"For now, I'll rest up here while I gather information... The information I'll need before I go to Yorknew to look for my dad."
"Hmm... what about you, Daniel...?"
Daniel looked at Killua, too many questions crossing his mind at the moment to make a proper statement. "Whatever you plan on doing Killua, I'll be following you... even if I have to stalk you."
"Oi, Oi..." Killua pushed himself up; looking at the boy in hopes it was a joke.
Daniel however didn't want to admit it was a joke. And neither was it a joke to him. It was a real plan, but poorly executed "I'm serious Killua... I don't plan on changing my plans. I want to be around you, Killua..."
"G-Gon...?"
"What, Killua? I like the idea of Daniel sticking around..."
Killua frowned between both boys. The fact that they were willingly complementing or calmly admit about wanting to be near Killua, was something he wasn't about to get used to anytime soon.
"Arrgh..." Killua grabbed at his hair, almost ripping it out. He moved on, pressing his head back against the floor "What am I going to do... or what should I do...?"
Daniel failed to hear Killua's question, but Gon heard it, and he questioned the boy "What do you mean? You should stay here and then go to Yorknew with me! You too Daniel!"
"Yeah, I'm coming with... WAIT! Why is he coming?"
"Would you rather I stalk you guys...?" Daniel wiggled his eyebrows mischievously at Killua, amused at the boy's delayed reaction.
Killua glared at the boy, unable to think of a retort. He turned away, looking towards Gon and completely ignoring Daniel's presence "AS I WAS ABOUT TO SAY..." Killua let out a brief sigh before continuing on "that wasn't what I meant earlier..."
"The 'me' coming part...?"
"I rather sink you to the bottom of the ocean and-"
"Remember me for all eternity?"
"Sure... as the guy I just sunk. Now, stop interrupting me. What I was saying..." Killua sat upright, focusing completely on the stars "I was thinking that you, Gon; are sort of admirable."
"And I am...?"
"Annoying!"
"Awesome..." Daniel responded sarcastically, a frown spreading across Daniel's face.
"There's nothing I really want to do... I don't really have anything I want to do like you do." The moment Killua locked eyes with Gon; all the other boy could do was blink in disbelief. Killua smiled at Gon before looking away towards the water "Though there are plenty of things I don't want to do. I don't want to stay in that house... Or inherit the family business. I guess I'm a little jealous... even of you Daniel."
"How sweet of you, Killua..."
"And now you just ruined it."
"Runs in the family... Or maybe it's a genetic thing..." Daniel rubbed his chin, pondering the thought.
"Killua... I think it's fun to be with you."
"Wh-What's" Killua scooted back "that's about?"
"Whale Island is a place for fishermen to stay during extended outings. There aren't too many native residents. Not including Sakura, there's one other kid here that's around my age, and she's a girl." Gon turned, facing Killua with a smile "So you're one of my first few friends who are the same age as me."
"My situation was similar..." Killua sighed "Struck in that house all day. I spent all my time learning how to kill."
Daniel's aura flared, angry about Killua's past situation.
"But, you were my first friend... and I guess Daniel is one too..."
"I feel loved... slightly..."
"Do you have fun when we're together?" Gon asked with a smile.
"I guess, yeah... until Daniel ruins it..."
Daniel's smile twisted into a half assed frowned when he faced Killua. I'm not that bad...
"Then let's stick together! The three of us! We can travel around and see the world together!"
Killua stiffened at the thought "Don't... Don't you ever feel embarrassed for saying that stuff?" A slight blush spread across Killua's face, making Gon laugh lightly and Daniel smile sincerely. It was both adorable and cute, to see Killua arguing over something so simple.
Gon looked up at the sky, smiling widely at the stars "I'll be looking for my dad. Killua will be looking for what you want to do. And Daniel is going to protect Killua!"
As Killua blushed madly, shaking his hands at boy; Gon stuck his tongue out at Killua, smiling genuinely at the boy.
"Wh-What? Daniel can't protect me... He couldn't protect himself!"
"Oh... is that right... I say I did a damn fine job at protecting myself. If I had a fraction more of my aura, I would have definitely... beat him! But if we really want to use that example, I'm still thankful for my B-"
"DON'T YOU DARE..."
"O-"
"I'm warning you!"
"Y-"
"I will do it!"
"...friend."
"I'm gonna kill you!" Killua got up, chasing Daniel into the forest.
"First you got to catch me..." Daniel sung playfully at the boy, using the forest cover and the night to his own advantage.
Gon smiled in the direction at the boys, whispering barely under his breath "This is gonna be a blast!" Gon leaned back against the floor, focusing up on the stars "I wonder what Sakura is doing..."