- Mountain Song Part 2 -

Chapter 31

A Starry Sky

Killua sat high in the trees just in reach of the butler quarter's back garden. The fresh, chilly night air wrapped around him and reminded him that it was newly spring. The garden was still pretty sparse, yet flower bulbs were still beginning to rise from the soil and the evergreens masqueraded the area in timeless beauty. The large water fountain bubbled faintly as the garden lights began to slowly flicker on.

He had no clear reason for being out so late, and it surely wasn't because of the new butler that had come to the mountain just a few days ago. Besides, it only slightly interested him that she was around the same age as him and just happened to know the shadow step.

He even thought it was impressive (though however small) that she was able to take down one hundred intruders, let alone a pro Hunter. So… in the midst of him not actually caring anything about her, he just had to know one thing… why weren't they allowed to be friends?

Killua was only six years old and his playmate nowadays happened to be the grouchy looking Gotoh now that his baby sister was locked away. He just couldn't understand why he was allowed to play with Gotoh and not Canary… If they were both butlers, then it shouldn't have even mattered!

Yet, he could honestly care less… Which is exactly why he was staying guard outside of the butler's quarters where she was known to frequent late at night. Sure, it drove his mother crazy for him to be out so late, but this side of the mountain happened to be his grandfather's territory, and he always seemed willingly enough to let Killua do exactly what he wanted… Whenever he wasn't away on missions anyway.

Suddenly, the night air began to pick up and Killua noticed one of the bedroom windows straining open. He tried not to strain his neck to see, yet he noticed it was the girl from before creeping around outside to sit on the roof.

Her pigtails swayed slightly and she clung to her knees which were pushed into her chest as she sat outside her open window. Killua could feel a certain sadness radiating from her, which made him even more curious, that's all, as he jumped down from his tree and approached her. He couldn't just sit around while one of his family's workers were sad, couldn't he?

Killua slowly walked through the garden, and as a true assassin, he kept to the shady corners of the yard before appearing before her window. It didn't take long for her to notice him, as she almost instantly perked her head up and jumped to the ground to meet him. She bowed to him and he never let his eyes leave her face.

"Master Killua." She simply stated as she rose and refused eye contact. He noticed some tear streaks there that made him realize she had been crying, and for some reason it perturbed him.

"You're the new butler here… why are you outside?" He asked plainly.

"I just thought I would enjoy the night air, Master Killua." She replied easily.

Killua seemed unsatisfied as he continued to assess her body language. She was dressed in neat, pressed pajamas, and her shoulders were drawn in as she held her hands politely. Her cane was now missing, which probably added to her anxiousness and her eyes remained lowered. It seemed she had an adroitness for holding it all in and that bothered him too for some reason.

"Is it because you were crying?" He asked suddenly, which didn't even receive a glance as she simply nodded.

"Yes, Master Killua."

"Tch, you don't have to say that so often."

"I'm sorry, Master Killua."

"Ugh." Killua groaned as he suddenly felt angry at the girl. He wanted her to be happy to see him. He wanted her to smile at him and stop being so sad. He wanted her to look up at him and suggest something for them to play for once. For some reason, that's all he wanted.

"Just… never mind. Do you want to see something cool?" He asked instead, which finally caught her attention.

The surprise on her face couldn't be hidden as quickly, as her eyes darted to the side in solemn retaliation.

"I am sorry, Master Killua, but I have been forbidden in being your friend-"

"You're not my friend. You're a new butler here, and I just want to show you something cool. Who gave you those orders anyway?"

"Gotoh san has…" She replied, though Killua had other suspicions.

"You can just say it was my mom. I know she's crazy about me not having any friends."

Canary refused to respond as her eyes once again lingered towards the ground.

"So, are you coming or what? My grandfather watches this side of the mountain and he refuses to have my mother's surveillance around here when he's home. You won't get in trouble. I promise."

Canary fumbled as she considered his deal, though she just couldn't shake this bad feeling away from her…

"Just say I made you do it. You're my new butler, after all." He answered slyly with a hint of a smile. Canary stared transfixed at it, knowing it was the first time she's seen it.

"Then I suppose I cannot refuse." She responded lightly with a ghost of a smile on her face as well.

The two children followed each other through the mountain side, though slowly, as there seemed to be an inner awareness to take as much time as possible.

Canary followed her young master in mostly silence, when she noticed they came upon a cave. She admitted it carried a faint glow as they approached even closer to it.

"Okay, now close your eyes." Killua warned as they neared the mouth of the cavern.

"I want it to surprise you." He continued as he then took her hand and led her forward.

Canary was surprised by the sudden contact, but did as she was told as she could tell they were entering the cave opening.

After a long winding walk into the darkness, a glowing light could be seen through her eyelids as the night was left behind them, and her master let go of her hand. She held her hands together instantly, already missing the unfamiliar touch.

"Okay, now open them." He instructed with a new level of excitement pitching in his voice.

Canary slowly opened her eyelids, and as she looked around, she noticed the entire cave ceiling was littered in millions of glowing blue dots. She looked ahead and behind her, and she further noticed that they were so far into the cavern that the opening was nowhere in sight and even her master was undetectable; just them and a sea of stars. She gazed at them in full amazement as she assessed them with her mouth slightly ajar.

"What are they?" She asked breathily as her neck continued to crane skyward in awe. She somehow felt that they were transported to a new world, a galaxy where they were both floating in space and time. A place where she could float peacefully amongst the aether.

"They look like stars."

"They're glow worms." Killua answered simply with a laugh. "They glow because of bioluminescence. My sister and I used to play in this cave."

"Bioluminescence?"

"They make their own light. Like fireflies."

"Fireflies?"

"You seriously don't know what fireflies are?" Canary shook her head, though she realized he couldn't see her in the dark, so she responded.

"No. Meteor City never had them…" She responded, which somehow left a strange aching in the pit of Killua's stomach.

"Well, that sucks… They fly around and light up in the summertime. It's fun to catch them. Maybe we can do that together sometime?"

Canary didn't respond to this as she continued to look around the cave.

"So, what's Meteor City like? Did you have any friends there? What did you even do for fun?" He asked.

Killua felt his curiosity getting the best of him as the new girl had never even seen fireflies before. Even Alluka knew what they were.

"It's… very hot." Canary managed. "It's a dumping ground in the desert that people just happen to live at. I had a friend… Sera. She had red hair. We'd make trash tunnels and scavenge for fun."

"Sera… Did she die?" The cave was uneasily quiet before Canary decided to answer.

"Yes."

"Oh, sorry…" Killua responded quietly as even the magic of the cave couldn't contain the sadness creeping in.

Canary didn't understand what was making her talk so much. She decided it was probably the darkness of the cave that made it so easy. Besides, the last time she could speak so easily was with Sera.

"It's okay." She responded feebly, though inside she knew it was not and probably would never be.

"Thank you for showing me this tonight, Master Killua, but I believe we should be leaving soon." She rushed.

"Wait – I just wanted to know, do you feel better now? You know, after crying? I used to take my sister Alluka here to cheer her up sometimes, but now she's…"

Canary waited patiently for Killua to continue, but once realizing that he had no intention of doing so, she finally answered.

"Yes… I was just homesick. That's all."

"Oh… I've never actually been homesick before…" Killua admitted, which made her suck in her breath.

Though she was grateful to be able to live on Kukuroo Mountain, she had to admit that the family squabbles were a lot more than she bargained for. Well, at least it was more than what she was used to before. For now, she would not pry into her master's private life and would leave his little sister Alluka to remain a mystery... Maybe one day she would actually get to meet her, but she knew that was only wishful thinking...

"Well, remember your promise then. You told me you'd give me a tour of Meteor City sometime and I really expect to see it." Killua continued.

"Of course, Master Killua!" Canary responded with a much more cheerful air about her. Killua seemed to have noticed the shift as well because even he was smiling.

"But first, before we go…" Killua dawdled as she noticed he crept closer towards her.

"Just say my name. Just once."

"Master Kil-"

"Don't worry. It's only us here and I won't tell! I just want to hear you say it."

Canary paused in the dampness of the cave and sighed. She supposed if her master was telling her to do it, then she should, right? This cave had a way of making her do some crazy things…

"K…" She began, though the hint of his name brought an uneasiness about her that she couldn't explain. All she could remember was her master Kikyo's unnerving glare through her binoculars the first day she guarded the front gate.

In the end, she blamed the cave for it. "Killua."

At once, she felt the young boy's hands enclose around her own. She could tell he was smiling widely as the rock walls around them seemed to even crawl with the electric excitement.

"Okay, we can go now." He resounded as he continued to carry her hand.

"I bet I can beat you to the entrance!" He called.

Canary had no problem keeping up with his pace as they ran through the dark cave. She didn't even mind that he never let go of her hand as they laughed along together.

The cave was even quicker to get out of than going in thanks to their racing feet, and as they breathed in the fresh air, their chests rose and fell haphazardly. Canary turned to Killua with a large smile and was surprised to see one just as big smiling back at her.

"Kil, what are you doing." A voice suddenly rang out around them.

Canary quickly dropped her young master's hand and bowed completely as both Illumi and Zeno stood before them. It was unsettling just how undetectable they were.

"Big bro… I was just showing Canary the glow worm cave. Why, is that against the rules?"

"No, but it is rather inconvenient…" He answered instead as his large, unfeeling eyes looked her over.

Canary felt as though her body was being seen through as she refused to respond.

"Well, do you have nothing to say?" Illumi asked her, though she merely kept her head bowed and her mouth zipped shut. It was then that Illumi seized her arm.

"What happened in there?" He further prodded as Canary felt his fingertips digging into her flesh and she groaned in pain.

Illumi suddenly paused as he noticed a certain creeping feeling emitting from his baby brother. A feeling so dark and murderous that it permitted him to instantly drop Canary's arm right on the spot. He made sure not to break eye contact with Killua as the feeling began to slowly fade away.

"Look, Kil, you shouldn't be making any friends with the butlers, or anyone at all. You don't need them."

"She is not my friend." Killua bit out with only a hint of the same aura as before. "I was just showing our new butler around. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Oh…?" Illumi paused dramatically as his eyes continued to dig into his brother now. "Then whose idea was it to hold hands? I suppose that wasn't your idea too?"

"It was. I was just helping her out of the cave." Killua cringed as his murderous aura suddenly dissipated and his throat now felt very tightened.

"Enough of this, Illumi. This is my turf, after all..." Master Zeno finally spoke up as Illumi's hold released on the young boy. "I'm sure it was very innocent. Thank you Canary san for obeying my raucous grandson's orders. I'm sure you are very tired by now. Please, let Gotoh san direct you back to bed."

Canary simply nodded and continued to bow as Gotoh suddenly appeared beside her. His bow always seemed much more regal than hers was, even in his pajamas and matching night cap.

"Please forgive me, Master Zeno and Master Illumi. I was aware of the act, yet I did nothing to stop it for it being Master Killua's orders."

"I understand." Master Zeno responded. "I'm sure his father and mother will have a few words with him tomorrow about the importance of our butlers' rest for their training. Until then, goodnight."

"Yes, Master Zeno." Gotoh responded as he continued his posture. Illumi, seemingly to have grown bored with the situation, flipped his short hair back and continued to walk away, yet not before eyeing Canary very closely…

"I will have her in bed again very soon. Please, excuse us." Gotoh continued as he directed Canary to walk ahead of him.

She couldn't help but to feel Killua's eyes lingering on her as she disappeared into the forest, and in her mistake of looking back, she noticed he looked like he wanted to cry.

When Gotoh finally directed Canary back to her bedroom, he made sure to shut her window, but not without a long sigh.

"Gotoh san?" Canary asked as she timidly entered the room and sat on her bed. She felt her hands clamming up and she distinctly remembered this anxious feeling from living in Meteor City for so long...

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, it is not your fault. Though in the future, I would advise you to refuse Master Killua's orders and to heed my advice only for the time being."

"Yes, Gotoh san…"

Gotoh seemingly sensed the young girl's apprehension as she sunk down into her bed even further. He never witnessed her smile so widely until tonight… He sighed once more and stood before her.

"I'm sure there will be a punishment for this, yet I will fight my best to make it as light as possible. But until then, Canary… Know that even I couldn't resist seeing you happy tonight, so therefore I kept my distance. Goodnight." He ended as he slowly exited the room before shutting the door behind him.

Now alone within her bedroom, Canary couldn't help but to smile once more with such a bittersweet feeling of hope rising in her chest.

"We have got to stop his cavorting with that girl! She is a danger to his growth! Oh! I just can't stand her smugness! They were holding hands?"

Kikyo professed to her husband later that night as her faithful older son delivered her the devastating news of Killua cozying up to the new butler. To Silva, it seemed only a matter of time and quite normal childhood behavior, obviously.

"I knew this was a mistake! Why did we tell them we would train her here?"

"Hush, women, hush… Do you really want to see them upset by refusing? I assure you, it's all going according to plan…" Silva answered calmly in his low lit room where he came to do all of his serious contemplations. It seemed only now that his wife was simply trampling in it.

"We had better just carry out our plans as before and keep the children in the dark about it. Until then, we'll just worry about keeping Killua occupied and away from her as she continues her training, as promised."

"I see no reason in preventing the inevitable." A gravelly voice then spoke out. Silva acknowledged his father as he emerged from the darkness.

"I do realize their training is important, but they both must realize something special about the other. It's only a matter of time before we can no longer control them. Besides, wouldn't it be better if they trained together?"

"No. Though, it would be ideal, it is not her family's planning for them to be together." Silva answered.

"And it certainly is not mine!" Kikyo answered feistily. "No one is good enough for my Kil! Nobody! I will die before I see that girl -"

"My dear, please rest."

"Might I suggest that you think of the children? Not them now, but the ones they could bring into the world…"

Silva flashed his father a rather knowing look, which expressed that even he had previously entertained the idea.

"They would be fierce in both strength and skill… Our combined families would certainly flourish..." Silva began. "I do not object to it, but it's their training now that matters most. We should suggest the Battle Arena to my son. It will allow him to have the fun he's been so desperately seeking out and she will be out of his mind in the time it takes for him to reach the top floor. In the meantime, her family will hopefully warm up to the idea."

"Hm, I somehow doubt that. I believe there would be a full blown war before they allowed them to ever be together." Zeno quipped.

The room was quiet, though not without the ragged sound of Kikyo's anxious breathing before Silva interrupted the room once more.

"Then let it come. It has been a while since our family's have crossed paths into hell, after all."