"You know, Canary told me she would be my guide and take me here someday." Killua barely voiced, with quite the dim look on his face, staring out the window of the airship. I was looking down at the water that seemed to grow more and more murky the closer we came to my home. Just seeing the gross water made me feel some sort of nostalgia, as a gentle all knowing smile graced my features.
"Seems like your pretty close with the butlers." Gon said, looking at the boy who was sitting beside him, at the window seat, me across from them. Killua crossed his arms with a distasteful expression and a short scoff leaving his lips.
"Well it's only because they're the only sane people in my family, and there not even apart of my family! I didn't really have many options to choose from." Killua complained. Making me finally turn to look at the young assassins childish behavior with a smirk of my own.
"Yea right, you're totally a daddy's boy." I teased, which earned me some annoyed glares.
"Am not! He's just...respectable. Anyways, quit be annoying, we're coming all the way out here to drop you off after all." He retorted.
"Well I payed for the airship tickets with my License, so all you guys are doing is tagging along."
He snickered a bit, his eyes trialing back over to the window with a small smirk. "Touché.." He muttered, which caused a low growl to emit from my throat out of irritation.
'I know I just won that short lived argument, but Killua is really good at making my victories totally feel like he was the one who actually won, he's so annoying.' I thought whilst narrowing my eyes at him before Gon staring at me caught my attention, and I turned to him in expectance waiting for him to ask whatever question was in his mind.
"So Yuko, I was just wondering if you could tell us more about Meteor City? So far it sounds pretty interesting."
I blinked a few times before a small smile lifted my lips a jubilant feeling spreading throughout my chest. "Sure! I was actually hoping you'd ask." I chirped, before crossing my legs on the chair getting myself ready and comfortable, Killua looking at me in slight puzzlement, Gon with a blank expression and intent ready to hear what I had to say.
"Well, I know I told you guys about how our city is basically a dumping ground for other countries, but it's not completely made of garbage, there are a few buildings too. You see our city is run as a, um what do you call it...oh! It's run as a gerontocracy, basically an assembly of old guys oversee everything, and they tend make counter-productive decisions over logic, so yea it's a little chaotic, but they usually live in those buildings. The only reason they can afford it is because a lot of investment form the Mafia community is put into them. Reason being so they can put their assassins and hitman their so no one can find them, because basically everyone who lives In Meteor City doesn't have a personal track record, and not many people even know we exist so it's kind of perfect for them, that's how the Spiders get away with everything."
Gon perked up at the mention of spiders. "Wait, do you know a lot about the Phantom Troupe then?" He questioned.
I snorted looking to the side. "I know a little bit about them. I used to be a pretty big fan, almost joined them when I was 7."
Killua and Gon flinched in surprise.
"Wait for real?" Killua said. I nodded somberly.
"The only reason I didn't was because first of all I had gotten much closer to Kho, second of all once they came back I heard they had annihilated the Kurta Clan, and that wasn't really my cup of tea. And third of all, I guess I missed my chance too, because some other guy filled the vacancy opening soon after, although he died like two years later."
"How do you know all of that, you can't try to tell me that was like Meteor City news or something right?" Killua said.
I laughed. "No it definitely wasn't, even to the people in Meteor City the Spiders are considered a little abnormal to our standard. Even if they still have the privilege of social bonding, they're most definitely not super popular."
"So how do you know so much about them then?" Gon asked curiously.
"Let's just say, a little birdy was giving me that information." I smiled meticulously, placing my chin in my hand. Killua and Gon gave each others confused looks before staring back at me, before I continued talking. "But anyways, people are still weird in Meteor City, we just have a little more compassion then the Spiders, although there is of course a limit to that. We are only compassionate towards each other and people who treat us with care, it's like a rule living there. So as long as you guys are nice, you should be okay. A lot of them know me because I'm always stealing form tourists so I don't think they'll bother you guys. Oh! One more thing you might need to know is, if you happen to see something in the garbage that you like, don't take it. It may not seem like a big deal to you, but it is to us. There's a saying or a motto, whatever you want to call it, "We'll accept anything you leave here, but don't ever take anything away from us." and they literally mean anything, they'll go as far as killing you to get it back. So just be careful okay?"
"Why the hell would I ever want to steal garbage?" Killua said insensitively.
"See that's the kind of attitude that'll get you killed, don't forget we have tons of assassins so it's not like they're amateur killers." I retorted with a glare. he rolled his eyes at me and crossed his arms over his chest like a stubborn child.
"Your making such big deal out of this. Me and Gon aren't toddlers we're not gonna do anything stupid."
"We'll see about that..." I muttered.
"I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet Kho!" Gon said with a wide smile, making me smile in return.
"Me too Gon, me too."
—
Once we landed in the airport, we had to take a small boat there, that I once again ended up having to pay for. Luckily Gon the gentlemen, took the initiative and decided the row the boat himself, and forced Killua to as well as an act of courtesy, which took Gon a lot of pestering and begging for him to do so, which may I add I enjoyed thoroughly. It was beating hot the whole time on the water, and although it was murky and there was quite a lot of sludge, I was able to direct them towards the harbor successfully, only took about 2 hours.
It was incredibly weird to be back home, even if I wasn't actually in the City just yet, I was seeing a lot of familiar faces already. And although it was nice, I was growing a little scared an anxious. Scared because of my two new friends reactions to my home, however super anxious to see Kho again, see how he was doing.
All three of us hopped of the small row boat onto dry land, our eyes scanning around observantly. I sighed, a small smile gracing my features.
'Feels so weird to be home.' I thought before turning around to the two boys with my hands on my hips and a wide grin, making them look up at me in surprise.
"Now we're gonna have to do a little walking!"
Killua groaned and shoved his pale hands into his pockets, Gon looked around in confusion.
"I don't see any city, so I guess that means we're gonna be walking for a while huh?" Gon questioned with a sheepish smile, I copied his expression rubbing a hand on the back of my neck.
"Yea sorry guys..."
_
"Man, no wonder nobody knows about this place. It takes a hell of a lot just to get to then harbor, but then you also have to walk through a forest. This is insane..." Killua grumbled.
I rolled my eyes, turning my head slightly to peer at the two boys behind me in annoyance. "Keep your complaints to yourself, I thought you where supposed to be super self composed or something."
Killua crossed his arms over his chest. " Doesn't mean I won't point out something when it's ridiculous..." He trailed off, peering around at the greenery.
"Yuko I was wondering, where did your live before you where abandoned here?" Gon said out of the blue, making me flinch in surprise at the intrusive question, however I didn't turn around I just continued to walk finding it amusing the Gon had the same amount of filter I have. Killua looked at the back of my head curiously.
I shrugged. "I actually don't know, all I can remember was that it was most likely an island. I only picture the ocean when I think of my home, well my old home. Also dogs, there where a lot of dogs in my town too, although there are a lot of dogs in Meteor City as well. That's besides the point though." I chuckled.
"Sounds like whale Island, maybe you where there?" Gon questioned with an optimistic tone, that I chuckled at.
"There's no way. My Mom didn't like me, but she would never travel that far on boat just to drop me off here."
"So that means it's pretty near by. Ever thought of trying to look for it, or maybe your Mom?" Killua questioned nonchalantly.
I shook my head. "Eh, doesn't really interest me. I doubt she'd want to see me, and I definitely do not want to see her. Besides, I highly doubt she's still alive, I mean she hardily worked. I'm still confused as to how she afforded the apartment, or a boat to drop me off here." I said hopping over a fallen over tree, them doing the same.
"You really going to stay here Yuko? I thought you left because you knew how your life would turn out, and you didn't want that. Has your view of it changed since the exam?" Gon questioned.
I looked down solemnly at my dirtied white shoes "Gon...It's not really a matter of do I want to. It's more like I have to."
"But why?"
"We'll accept anything you leave here, but don't ever take anything away from us." it may just be a motto, but I sometimes think of it as a curse. It's why I had a hard time leaving in the first place, besides Kho. Everyone whose been abandoned to this City, was given more then what they expected, so it's like staying is our equivalent exchange, our way of showing gratitude. That's why leaving is so looked down upon by other denizens in the City, and probably why no one really favors the Spiders. They come and go as they please."
It went silent after that. I felt like Gon wanted to say more, however instead he just stared harshly at the back of my head, probably trying to understand what I said, knowing him he portably didn't get it one bit. I started to think maybe it wasn't such a good idea they where coming, this way it'll be even harder to say goodbye. And I know for a fact, with how stubborn Gon is, he probably won't let me stay without a fight...
"Here we are!" I said, with jazz hands gesturing the beginning of miles and miles of trash. I heard small gasps behind me, feeling my stomach start to rumble with nerves.
"There's trash everywhere!" Gon said innocently.
"Bakaa. What did you expect, she did say it was a City of trash." Killua retorted with his eyes narrowed.
"I thought maybe it was a bit of an exaggeration."
"Nope, wasn't even a little exaggerated. This is it, home sweet home!" I said feeling slightly uneasy, looking around with a nostalgic gaze. The two boys walked up next to me getting a better look around. I saw Gon trying to hold back a cringe from the smell. I chuckled a little bit knowing how sensitive his noes is, and patted his shoulder.
"It's alright, you don't have to act like there isn't miles of trash in front of you, just don't go around complaining and poking fun, okay?" I said eyeing Killua, who turned to me with an annoyed expression.
"And you're looking at me, why?" He said with an eyebrow raised. I quickly turned my head forward crossing my hands behind my back with a smirk.
"Oh, no reason." I said innocently, making him send a glare at me.
"So where is your home?" Gon questioned.
"Follow me, it's only a little ways away." I said walking forward dodging around objects and garbage like the pro I was. 'I had to admit, I never really noticed the smell until now, probably because I've lived here for a while and I became noes blind, but damn this is pretty bad.' I thought, my eyes watering slightly. I could hear small gasps and little conversations between the two boys behind me, gawking at basically everything they saw. Lot's of 'Gon look at that!' and 'Killua did you see that?'. I hoped no one in the City was finding it rude, because I certainly wasn't, I thought it was cute and sweet that they where so excited, it made a warm smile grace my face as I was looking around for a familiar garbage pile my heart beating fast hoping to spot my best friend somewhere.
And then suddenly I spotted him, my heart stopping as well as my legs, making the two boys stop as well eyeing me curiously.
"Yuko what is it, why'd you suddenly stop?" Killua asked, slightly annoyed.
I ignored Killua's question staring intensely at the black haired boy with widened eyes. He was currently sharpening a knife with a rock sitting on his feet completely focused. His clothes had changed, they looked new, probably from a tourist. He was wearing a black sweater regular blue jeans, still a little tattered with dirt but nonetheless new. I could hardily contain my excitement.
"Kho!" I yelled, my hands cupping my mouth. I watched as he slowly turned his head over to me with widened gaze, standing up whilst dropping his rock and knife to the side being completely distracted and most likely trying to see if I was actually real. I could see from a distance he mouthed my name, and I suddenly began running at him at full speed, small tears prickling my eyes.
'Is this dumb to cry about?...Nah.' I thought before I slammed my body aggressively against Kho in a hug making us both fall to the floor with a small "Oof" escaping his lips.
"Your back.." He whispered. I smiled, clenching my eyelids shut.
"I'm back, just like I promised. And your alive, just like you promised." I said with glittering happiness. I could feel him chuckle slightly underneath me.
"Yea, guess so... I-I missed you." He stuttered out, making me laugh myself seeing as his mushy side is still in need of maintenance, but nonetheless it was still sweet.
"I missed you too."
"Could you get off me, you're really heavy now." he grumbled, making me hop off him with a 'humph' crossing my arms over chest.
"Just for your information it's all muscle gain."
"Who are these guys..." He questioned his gaze no longer on me, but on something behind me making me turn around seeing Gon and Killua who where staring with wide eyes. I blinked a few times and then turned to Kho with a wide smile.
"I made some friends during the Exam!"
-
"So then you're a Hunter now Yuko?" Kho questioned, it was probably before noon now and we where all seated around a small fire eating apple sauce that Kho had saved. At least me and Gon, Killua apparently doesn't like apple sauce which is news to me.
I nodded. "Yea, it wasn't crazy hard, it was pretty fun actually." I smiled. Killua nudged me with his elbow giving me a side glance that I lifted an eyebrow too.
"Oi, aren't you like, supposed to introduce us?" He whispered, making me jump in realization.
"Oh Kho, I met these two during the first phase, this is Gon and this Killua there our age." I was so excited to tell him everything that happened, I barely acknowledged the two boys existence.
Kho looked at the two with a blank expression.
"Nice to me meet you Kho, Yuko has told me tons about you!" Gon exclaimed. Kho blinked a few times his eyes widening to Gons out going and loud personality, he was most likely feeling a little shy.
"Uh Yea, nice to meet you..." He trailed off.
"Yo." Killua said in introduction.
"Hey" Kho responded.
It got a little quiet, before Gon decided to continue the conversation.
"Ne, what where you doing while Yuko was taking the hunter exam?" Gon questioned.
"Stealing, worrying about Yuko, playing kick the can. Nothing much." He replied simply. I sweat-dropped, I guess I never realized how anti social Kho was until now, it's a little awkward. However you see Gon wasn't the type to give up so easily.
He learned forward with excitement "you played kick the can? So that means there are more kids around then huh?"
Kho blinked a few times. "Uh, well yea. There are tons of kids, I mean this is a City."
"Could we meet them?" Gon asked. Killua places a hand on Gons shoulder to calm him down slightly, realizing that Kho wasn't sure how to deal with intense people like that.
"Gon let's do that later I still need to catch up with Kho and tell him more about you two."
"Yea, why don't we go find them." Kho said with a small smile. I huffed in a annoyance, he fell victim to Gon just like everyone else does. Then he stood up and wiped himself with his hand staring at me with a smile.
"If they're your friends, I'm sure they're great Yuko." He directed to me.
I slight hue hovered over cheeks and most likely over Killuas as well as I watched him take off his black sneakers and throw them into a pile of garbage.
"Let's go, take your shoes off." He said.
"Won't people try to steal them?" Killua asked.
"only on rare occasion, but most of the time no. Just hide them if your that scared." I said throwing my shoes off Gon doing the same not even caring. Killua grumbled, mumbling "there are shards of glass everywhere..." and "how is this safe..." but nonetheless he took his shoes of as well, and we all followed after Kho into the City.
—
I placed my hands on my hips watching some kids, different ages, playing kick the can as we waited for their round to be over. I turned over to Gon he was smiling wide, his eyes glistening in excitement, and then I turned to Killua he looked absolutely astounded.
"How the hell is this kick the can?! Your just tackling people!" Killua yelled in confusion throwing a finger at the game and giving me a look that said that this was somehow my fault. I snickered a little bit.
"Yea, well one day we couldn't find a can, and we didn't want to steal from anybody so we just used ourselves instead, and it's way more fun that way."
"The rules are everyone creates a circle around the "can" and the can closes there eyes. You have to try to tackle them without creating any noise because if they hear anything they'll open there eyes and can chose 2 people to go back, so yea it's safe to say the rules have changed a little bit." Kho explained watching with a smile seeing the round was ending with one of the guys being tackled to the ground a few laughs leaving the 5 kids mouths.
"This isn't even a little bit like Kick the Can..." Killua deadpanned.
"Hey guys can we join your game!?" Kho yelled to them. One of the kids with shaggy brown hair looked up and smiled.
"Sure thing!"
—-
Somehow Killua ended up in the middle, standing with his hands in his pockets. Just seeing him stand there so nonchalantly made me want to be the one to tackle him to the ground, a small smile of determination was on my face now.
"Hey so am I allowed to dodge?" He asked with his eyes shut.
"Yea but if you decide to dodge you can't open your eyes!" Some kid yelled back. I could see from the distance a small smirk etched on his face.
'Someones getting cocky...' I inwardly grumbled, as everyone including me began to sneak up on him, as quietly as possible.
I peered over at Gon who looked determined his eyes fierce eyebrow furrowed. I would've laughed if it weren't for the circumstances. I love how serious he takes everything.
I turned back forward to Killua who hadn't moved an inch nor taken his hands out of his pockets, and I saw one of the kids who let us play get closest to the white haired boy until he stepped on a candy bag that made a a loud crackle sound making everyone freeze in place. I was holding my breath hoping he didn't hear although I knew he did because I saw him flinch, however he didn't open his eyes.
I smirked. 'He thinks he can dodge, we'll see about that.' I thought getting closer and closer. One of the kids lunged at Killua and dodged easily, a smirk present on his face. Gon jumped in the air ready to tackle him to the ground but Killua dodges him as well.
I stayed back a few more minutes allowing everyone to attack and try to knock him down however you continued to dodge over and over again ,hopping, Turing, ducking over and over no one getting even a little bit close which was clearly pissing Gon off. So I came up with a plan, whenever Gon decides to attack again I'll sneak up behind Gon and wait for him to attack Killua, when he does and Killua dodges, knowing no one else is going to try to attack him I'll pop in and knock him over real quick. Everyone else had realized attacking at once wouldn't work because he was way to fast, so they watched the two of us with amused gazes, thinking it still wouldn't work.
Gon was stalking close up, I got the feeling Killua already knew this because he was still smiling, but we continued forward me hiding behind him. Then when we where face to face Gon pounced at Killua who of course dodged to the other side, which was my opening, and I pounced at him, successfully catching him off guard before tackling him to the ground with an 'oof' from both of us. I started laughing at my success cheers from behind me, as I stared down at Killua who's eyes where opened in surprise.
"What the hell that's cheating!" He said.
"Just because you lost doesn't mean we cheated, you just reacted too slow, guess Gon turned out to be the perfect distraction huh?" I said smirking over to Gon who was sitting up on the ground with a wide smile himself giving me a thumbs up. I snickered and looked back down at Killua who seemed completely unamused, I stuck my tongue out at him and he pushed me off making me flop on my back with a 'oof.'
"No matter, I'll just have to repay the favor, and just for you're information I'm not gonna go easy on you." He said with his hands on his hips and a smirk of his own before walking back over to the rest of the kids who from the distance seemed to tease him, which I could see he was yelling back at them in annoyance which made me smile slightly. I didn't even know the boys we where hanging with, but Killua and Gon where getting along great with them, as if they had lived here their whole life. I found it quite admirable to see how well they could fit into new environments and still socialize. I started to stand up dusting myself off with my hand watching the boys form a circle around me.
'Gon just naturally get's along with new people, but I guess Killua has certain social characteristics as well that he doesn't even realize he has. People are drawn to his uncaring demeanor and he just is naturally drawn to making friends, which I guess in this case goes hand in hand because to my surprise he get's along with new people as well...well as long as he doesn't find them annoying.' I thought a small smile gracing my features as I began to close my eyes readying myself, and then I opened my eyes in surprise and horrification looking up at the white haired boy who was smirking at me with determination. I gulped down some spit.
'Shit.'"just for your information I'm not gonna go easy on you" 'Shitshitshitshitshitshithsithsithsihtrihtishsihsi...how on earth did I forget he's an assassin, he's gonna kill me!'
"Ready...Go!" One of the kids yelled, as I tried to focus my ears. I couldn't hear jack squat, it was so damn quiet. My heart beat was going fast like a million miles per hour as I clenched my hands to my side intensely trying to hear anything. Only a few seconds into the game and I hear a loud crack making my eyes shoot open, to reveal that Killua was inches from me, clearly getting ready to pounce, and everyone else was only a few feet from the starting line. My eyes where wide.
'It had only been a few seconds, and he got over to me so fast and so quietly.'
Killua groaned, and sharply turned his head around to Gon who was sheepishly laughing whilst scratching his head.
"Baka! You know Yuko is going to target me, I was this close to getting her out!"He yelled in annoyance.
"Sorry, I didn't see that bottle..." He trailed off.
I sighed out of relief, and smirked at Killua. "Killua go back, you too Gon." I said, before they both turned back with annoyed expressions. I laughed nervously. 'That was close..' I thought before shutting my eyes again. Someone did the 'okay' to go, and another round began. Once again it was dead silent, I wasn't really sure what do besides listen, although it ended pretty quickly because a few seconds later I felt hands on my shoulders and I was shoved to the ground. My eyes snapped open, I coughed out in pain a little bit after my back hit the ground so harshly and looked up at Killua with a glare. He was smirking down at me with his hands on his hips.
"You're not supposed to push, you're supposed to tackle idiot, haven't you been watching?!" I yelled, helping myself up. his smirk left as a confused glare overtook his features.
"What's it matter? The objective of the game is to make the can fall over right? You're on the ground, so who cares?" he said shoving his hands in his pockets. Everyone gathered around us to hear what was going on.
"Yea but, it's kind of been a rule that you tackle the person." Kho said, with a neutral expression.
"So what? You're telling me we have to restart again?" Killua questioned with disbelief? Kho and all the other kids besides Gon nodded their heads. Killua groaned and we restarted that round again.
And just like you thought, he ended up tackling me down.
We played the game some more, decided to give Gon a chance because no one wanted to try with Killua again which he found annoying but ended up complying. We played the game for hours, all the way until the sun turned red like it always did when it was setting for the day. We all said bye to the boys, still never once asking for their names, and walked home laughing and talking. It was still hot, we where all sweating and their was dirt all over us and our clothes. The dirt most significant on our feet, because we where of course barefoot.
"Hold up why did we have to take our shoes off? The game never had kicking or anything like that?" Killua questioned to Kho.
He shrugged. "It's just been a tradition, no one really knows how it started but that's how it goes."
Killua blinked a few times. "Interesting..." He mumbled.
We where still walking back, and my eyes where focused on the red sun once again. It had been so long since the last time I had seen it, and I guess I sort of missed it. I mean I've always had the sun, but there wasn't one like Meteor Cities, ours was unique. Guess it was kind of fitting.
"That was a lot of fun! Do you guys usually play with those guys?" Gon asked, looking at me.
I smiled. "Probably, I definitely recognized them, but it's not like we know them."
"You don't even know there names?" Gon questioned with surprise.
"No one really cares for names here, or at least cares to know yours. It's just how things are I guess..." I shrugged looking at the stars the where becoming more visible. Gon and Killua looked at me and then looked at the sky curiously as well, eyes growing wide at the beauty theirs mouths agape. Kho shoved his hands in his pockets looking up the sky with his own smile.
"It's beautiful huh? It's crazy, even with all the pollution I wouldn't be surprised if we had one of the prettiest skies in the world..." Kho said breathlessly.
I chuckled at that. Kho hasn't been anywhere in his life, but even so, he was most likely right. This city is so mysterious.
" Yuko." Gon said, I turned to look over at him, he was giving me a serious look that surprised me.
"I really like it here. I'm glad we came, I feel like I'm learning more about you, and where you came from, and I like it, a lot. I'm so happy we came along." Gon said, no smile, no laugh, just serious. My eyes where wide, my inside going a little mushy as I felt a burning sensation I knew all to well in my eyes, that I fought to hold down. He said exactly what I wanted to hear from him, from one of my dear friends. I wanted them to enjoy themselves, I wanted them to know more about me, and I felt great to know that someone other than Kho on this planet, actually knew me. Killua wasn't the type to admit something like that out loud, but the fact that he even came along, meant something to me.
'I'm so happy.' I thought before I allowed my bangs to cover my eyes with a shaky smile.
"Thanks Gon..."
Killua was smiling at the ground with his eyes closed.
-
Kho had grabbed out the King sized mattress from the pile of trash for the two boys to sleep on, it was dirty and it smelled but despite that, the two fell asleep almost instantly probably from being worn out. it surprised me that even Killua accepted the bed so fast, I thought he'd at least complain but no, nothing from him.
Me and Kho decided we'd just sleep on some blankets and talk around the fire for a little bit since we still never really had the chance to catch up. I explained in great detail about the Hunter Exam, as he listened silently a few amused smiles and teases as responses from him occasionally, but for the most part he was listening as if it was a fairy tail story with glistening and focused eyes. I told him about the final phase and about how difficult it was more me to watch Gon and Killua go through the hardships during those times. I told him about how we visited Killuas home and how I met Canary again, and how weird his family was. I didn't say anything about the gas however, I wasn't sure why, but I felt something hold me back. I guess I just wasn't comfortable talking about it at all, I just felt like I shouldn't. I told him how hard it was to get through the gate and how I got stronger from it. I told him about kurapika and Leorio, about how motherly Kurapika was and how silly Leorio was, as well as how goddamn annoying Tonpa was. He listened and he absorbed and he even laughed a few times.
It was nice. So nice.
I never realized how much I missed talking to Kho, he has such a calm presence it feels like he's almost a diary.
I asked him about what he did while I was gone, and he told me how he had talked to a few people and teamed up with them. He told me about that one funny looking tourist he saw one day and how satisfying it was to steal from him. He told me about a little girl he'd met, who he helped a little get started here in this city, before they went there separate ways. he even told me how much he missed me and how lonely it would get here during nights, and he missed having midnight conversations with me.
It was nice. So nice.
We went quiet, staring at the stars together before he turned to me with a plain look.
"When are those boys leaving?" He asked. I blinked and then looked down sadly playing with a rock in my hand feeling an uncomfortable pressure on my chest.
"Tomorrow Moring..." I muttered. He looked at me for a few seconds and then looked back at the sky.
"Do you want to go with them?"
My eyes widened as I squeezed the rock in my hand, knowing he had hit the point spot on.
"You do, don't you?" He asked with a soft tone.
I squeezed my eyes shut feeling my chest tighten. "You know how much a Hunter License is worth? Seven lift times, so...it doesn't matter what I want, it's what we need that's important."
He chuckled slightly making me turn my head at him in surprise. "That's not what I asked you Yuko."
I blinked.
"Do you want to go with them?" He asked again.
I gulped. I did. I did so badly it hurt. I didn't want to stay here, I wanted to go on adventures with Killua and Gon, I wanted to have fun and meet people, I didn't want to stay here, not at all.
"No, no I don't." I lied, bangs covering my eyes. "I need to stay here, with you." I whispered, feeling my heart break slowly. Kho was looking at me sadly, he knew it was lie, he knew how conflicted yet how certain my feelings where.
Kho smiled sadly to the ground, covered himself with the blanket and turned. "Good night Yuko.." He whispered.
"Goodnight." I said sadly.
It was the next morning already, Gon and Killua where standing in front of me, hands on their back packs, Gon's face sad, Killuas confused. I told them once again I was staying and those where there reactions. I understood now that Gon came thinking that maybe he'd somehow persuade me to come back with them again along the way, but sadly it wasn't the case, and he was surprised, and I'm Killua was surprised as well.
"I'm sorry, but I won't leave Kho behind." I said looking down with shame. Kho was standing a few feet behind me watching the scene unfold one hand in his pocket.
"But...Yuko." Gon started, lifting his hand up for a few seconds for dropping it back down.
"You heard her Gon, we can't force her to come with us." Killua said, his expression soft.
I crossed my arms over my chest looking to the side looking somberly at the ground.
This isn't what I wanted.
"Alright.." Gon said, surprising Killua and I as both of our eyes widen at Gon's response. I don't think either of us where expecting him to give in so easily.
He smiled at me, and placed a hand on my shoulder.
"If you ever get bored, just know you can find us at the Tower of Heaven. You're always welcome back, okay Yuko?" Gon questioned.
My eyes where wide, as I carefully nodded.
He turned around a small wave. "Bye Kho, thanks for letting us sleep on your mattress, see you around Yuko!" Gon said before turning around and beginning to walk. Killua who was dumbstruck snapped out of it and began walking himself glancing at me quickly with a slightly sad/confused expression.
"Bye...I guess." He said, before shoving his hands in his pockets and turning around to catch up with Gon.
"Bye..." I muttered, feeling a whole beginning to form in my chest.
-
Killua and Gon where walking through the forest now silently.
"Oi Gon, we really leaving her here?" Killua questioned looking at Gon whose face was determined.
"She's coming." Gon said with a small smile. Killua blinked a few times and narrowed his eyes in confusion.
"Just a hunch?" Killua asked, which earned him an earnest nod from Gon. Killua chuckled slightly and looked back forward with a smile of his own.
'So that's what it was, I knew he wouldn't have left if he didn't have some sort of plan in mind.'
"Alright, if you say so."
-
"Yuko, go" Kho said to me, I turned to look at him in surprise, my heart pace picking up at the suggestion. I clenched my hands shut.
"I already decided Kho, I'm not leaving you again, you said it yourself, you where feeling lonely when I was gone, I won't make you go through that again." I said stubbornly turning around completely to face him.
"I don't need you to feel sorry for me Yuko. I don't want you to feel like you have to put your life on hold for me, surprisingly It's not something I want on my conscience." He said with sarcasm.
"But Kh-"
"Yuko, go!"
I blinked a few times, the sun beating down on my neck.
"Just go." he said, tears prickling his eyes, looking at me with a smile. I swallowed some spit in my mouth as I ran up to him and engulfed him in a bone breaking hug.
"You sure?" I whispered.
"I haven't been more sure about something in my life. Just make sure you visit me when you get the chance." he said rubbing my back. I smiled, feeling a rush of happiness wash through my body, another wave of relief as well.
"I will, you take care of yourself too okay, try to make some friends while your at it."
He chuckled a bit. "I'll keep that in mind. Now go! They're gonna leave you behind Yuko!" He said pushing me off him. My eyes widened remembering they where probably at the harbor already and could be about to take off.
"Ahh you're right you're right! I needa go, shoot, okay okay, Kho take care of yourself, the next time I see you I'll bring you tons of yummy food okay, just remember to stay alive! I'll miss you, stay safe!" I Yelled, whilst running away waving a hand in there are while doing so. He didn't say anything back, all he did was wave himself, which I smiled at, before I got too far to see him.
'Feels like the day I left home to take the exam.' -
"Heyyyy, wait up!" I yelled running at the two boys who where setting up the boat getting ready to row back to the airport, they both looked at me, Gon with a smile, Killua with surprise. I giddy airy feeling was gushing through my body, I felt like I was free from something, not completely sure what, but that pressure I had felt in my chest during our stay here was completely gone, and it felt amazing. It felt amazing to run through the woods the opposite way, it felt amazing to leave home, it felt amazing to start a new adventure.
It felt amazing to have friends. "
"Yea, guess I changed my mind." I said walking to them after reaching a walkable distance, I wide burning smile on my face. I then blinked a few times in surprise.
"Wait...where you...waiting for me?" I asked with widen eyes. Gon nodded with a wide smile.
"Of course we did, we couldn't leave without you!"
My mouth parted as my eyes flickered to both the boys faces, my heart pounding intensely against my ribcage. I smiled tears once again for the billionth time this past month brimmed my eyes as I grabbed Gon into a hug, grabbing the fabric of his green jacket tightly as if it where a million dollars, well it felt like a million dollars.
"Thank you...thank you both..." I said, opening my eyes to also look up at Killua who flinched in surprise and looked away his face turning a light pink, which made my smile deepen.
"Of course Yuko." Gon replied.
"Alright, enough with the hugging and the embarrassing words, we have to go or we'll miss our flight!" Killua scolded.
/watch?v=ELuVDnlB8PE&t=6s (Here's the link to the ending song!)
Hey guys, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter. It took a lot of brain power to write all of this as well as trying to make the characters accurate to themselves, it's especially difficult to do that when I don't have the show to guide me, so I was scared about this chapter, so I hope they didn't seem ooc to you guys. I'm really proud of this, it took forever to write and its a lot too, it even made me cry a little while writing which I know may sound cheesy but when you listen to the HXH soundtrack while reading, it brings in the feelz :*). My new schedule is to post every Wednesday, and if I happen to not get the chapter out Wednesday, Friday is the latest. Sometimes I leave, and forget to keep writing which has happened on several occasions, so I'm just warning you. I really hope you'll comment and continue to support my story! Until next time!