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Chapter 13 The Zodiacs

Pitou slowly woke up but made sure she didn't make any sudden moves, as she used her other senses to feel out her surroundings, the first thing she noticed was that she wasn't lying on a bed or car seat but a comfy couch. The air smelled clean and fresh. 'Am I in a hotel? No, it doesn't smell that clean, I think I'm in some sort of business building. How long was I out, I've never been put to sleep because of using too much nen. I don't think it was too long ago, my body still feels a little worn out from my fight with Illumi and I'm not that hungry.' Pitou then focused her nen a bit. 'My nen is still recovering but I have enough if I need to run but the main problem is the nen that's surrounding me. I can't hear or sense anything outside of the room.'

Pitou then heard a door suddenly open, "You're awake I see." said a voice.

"Well it's kind of hard to sleep with so many nen traps around me," said Pitou as she sat up, opened her eyes, and then froze as she saw the person.

The person tilted their head. "Is something the matter?"

"You're a dog girl."

Cheadle blinked for a moment, before stifling a chuckle. "I suppose I am, but I'm not a chimera ant if that's what you're wondering."

"Uh no, I kind of figured but with everything I've seen recently I didn't put it past that other human-like creatures might exist." As Pitou shifted to sitting cross-legged on the couch. "So where am I?"

"You are currently in the Hunter association HQ."

'Shit,' thought Pitou. 'I do not like my odds here if it comes to a fight. This woman here alone is much stronger than the others I've met, aside from that old guy that fell from the sky. In my current condition, I don't think I could beat her or even run.'

Cheadle could tell what Pitou was thinking and sat down in one of the chairs in the room. "Relax, there is no need to worry. I'm not going to fight you, I simply wish to talk."

"Okay." there was a short pause. "So how should we start this?"

"Introductions would be the best way to move forward," said the dog girl. "I'll start, my name is Cheadle Yorkshire, I represent the dog of the Zodiacs, the head advisors of the hunter association."

"I'm Neferpitou, but you can just call me Pitou," said Pitou with a friendly smile.

"Pitou, I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind."

"Sure, I got nothing to hide." As Pitou knew it was the best option at the moment.

"Very well then let's begin with East Gorteau."

~o~

Outside of the room sat several hunters, including Killua and his butlers who at the moment were trying to calm down the others with little success.

"SO what you're saying is she helped you." said Knuckles slowly but clearly. "And she saved four eyes here."

Gotoh slowly breathed in and out as a giant vein on his head was looking like it was about to pop. "Yes…..sir. This is what we've been telling you for the past hour." His voice dripped with anger and was losing patience.

Knuckle looked at Gotoh for a moment with a blank look for a moment. "Okay, can you take it from the top one more time please?"

"I'm going to kill this man." Killua gave Gotoh a look. "We've been repeating the past events several times."

"No wonder master Killua had so many problems before if you are the people that were helping him." said Canary loud enough for people to hear as she too was getting annoyed with how many times 'the buffoon' needed to hear it.

"HEY!" as Knuckle raised his fist. "You butlers want to go."

"Knuckle calm down," said Morel, trying to calm things down. "Sorry it's just a lot to digest is all. We weren't expecting this at all to happen, it's just unexpected is all."

"Yeah I know what you mean," said Killua as he looked over to Alluka who was still asleep after healing Gon. "The last thing I expected was Pitou showing up right next to our limo. In the end, though she did help us get here and thanks to her we were able to stop Illumi from taking my sister away. I know my word isn't much in the hunter's association but we should give her a chance."

Morel laughed. "Kid, trust me your word has a lot more pull than you might think."

"Indeed young man," said the Dragon Zodiac Botobai. "With your experience and the fact that you were with the chairman at East Gorteau, your word means a lot here and now."

"I still say we lock her up." Kanzai huffed. "She was on the side of the enemy, the same enemy that took the Chairman away."

"We cannot be too hasty with our decision here." Said Sacchio, the horse Zodiac. "While it maybe true, she was on the side of the Chimera ant king, she has helped out our fellow hunters and has saved several civilians in the process."

Mizaistom put his phone away. "Not to mention I just confirmed from the Passel family that she was the one that helped with the bandit attacks in Overvanu."

"Wait, do you mean Magno Passel?" asked Cluck, surprised as were several other hunters.

"I do. He and his family vouch for her."

Killua was slightly confused. "Who's Magno Passel? Pitou mentioned him but I didn't think he was that big."

"Magno Passel is well known around the association. He's helped several who've gotten stuck in the past," said Ginta the Sheep zodiac. "He's even helped some of us Zodiacs. He isn't the biggest fighter but he's well respected amongst the hunter community."

Kanzai hummed with frustration as a part of him wanted to challenge the ant to combat as he missed the chance to before, but he begrudgingly agreed. "Fine."

"Now now, just because things are working out right now doesn't mean she'll have a change of heart later." All the Zodiacs instantly became annoyed as Pariston began to sparkle. "We should still proceed with caution. Who knows what her next move might be?"

"I don't think we have much to worry about really," said Pyon who was using her phone to listen in on Pitou and Cheadle talking. "They're still just talking. Oh yeah and to give you all an update Cheadle has already confirmed everything that Killua told us in East Gorteau, they are now talking about things that happened after she left the country."

Pariston hummed. "Well, I guess we should get back to the election then."

The Zodiacs then went from being annoyed to pissed. "YOU'RE THE ONE THAT STOPPED IT!" Yelled Kanzai.

~o~

Pitou stopped her story. "Oh hey are you okay?" she asked Cheadle. "Your eyes just turned red."

Cheadle closed her eyes and took a breath. "Sorry I just got the feeling that I wanted to punch that man."

Pitou felt a sweatdrop forming. "I'm guessing you work with someone difficult."

"You have no idea."

~o~

Gel put her snake in front of Paristion. "Pariston, You were the one who halted the election because of her, you said it was an emergency."

"Well of course," said Pariston with his usual sparkle. "Many of the Chimera Ants wreaked havoc after they left NGL, and this one, in particular, was there in the battle where the chairman died. Precautions should be taken with this one."

"True," said Mazistrom "or maybe you did all of this because you were on the verge of losing to Leorio."

Pariston kept smiling but his eyes noticeably darkened. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Mazistrom smirked. 'So that's it!' Thought the other Zodiacs think he did this to halt the election before he lost.

Gel slowly retracted her arm. 'So even he thought he was losing his chances.'

'He thinks he can use this as a chance to turn the tides, well he's wrong.' thought Saccho. 'Two can play that game.'

Ginta nodded. 'It might be underhanded but if it keeps Paristion from being Chairman then I'm all for it.'

Saiyu grinned 'We can use this as well, rat.'

Killua then looked around noticing the tension between the Zodiacs before noticing that someone was missing. "Oh speaking of which, where is Leorio?"

"Oh, he's with Knov and Gon." Explained Morel "After he heard Gon was awake he rushed to him, while Knov decided to stick with Gon to explain everything that had happened while he was in the coma. Not to mention with an old friend with Gon I thought it would be a good thing and help Gon keep some distance away from Neferpitou for now."

"Speak of people that are with Gon," Biscuit gave a side-eyed look to Ging. "Shouldn't you be with him right now, hmm?"

Ging had been leaning against the wall with his eyes closed. "I'm a Zodiac, all of us are here right now just in case Neferpitou goes out of control."

"Yeah right." Saiyu gave a humorous grin. "You just don't want to be near that Leorio guy so he doesn't punch you again."

"Excuse me." Ging gave the man an annoyed look. "Are you implying I'm afraid to get hit?"

"No no, I'm just saying you don't want to get glocked again by some no-name rookie like the chump you are, ahahahaha."

"That's it monkey you're dead." As Ging raised his fist at the Monkey Zodiac.

Saiyu brought out his staff. "Bring it on, pig."

"Enough," as Botobai stepped between them. "This is not the time to be acting like children."

"It's not my fault the pig is getting violent." Said Saiyu.

"You started it." pointed out Ging as the two began to argue.

'This is the Zodiacs?' thought Killua as he felt a sweatdrop form on his head. 'This isn't at all what I thought the heads of the Hunter Association would be.' Before his eyes fell on Ging. "And that's not what I expected Gon's father to be like at all.'

Ging stopped growling at Saiyu before turning to Killua. "You need something, kid?"

Gotoh was about to respond before Killua put his hand up. "Sorry, but I'm one of Gon's friends and I've been traveling with him the most and you are not at all what I expected his father to be."

"Ha" Laughed Cluck. "You shouldn't expect much from Ging here, and pray Gon is nothing like him."

Ging gave her a glare. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You're always late and screwing with everyone just so you can have fun," said Cluck. "How you became a Zodiac is a mystery."

Ging was getting annoyed and turned to leave. "I don't need this, there are already enough people here, I'm leaving."

"No, you're not."

GIng looked up to see someone he didn't expect. "Dwun! What are you doing here?"

"He and I are keeping you here," said List, a young-looking man with blonde hair and clean clothes. "We agreed that when we heard Gon was also in the city as you that we would keep you here if he woke up."

"What?" said Ging, getting simultaneously nervous and annoyed. "Look you two are good hunters but there's no way you can stop me."

'DING'

Everyone turned to the elevator before turning to Ging who dashed behind Ginta.

"Killua." Everyone turned back to the elevator to see Gon running out of it with Leorio and Knov walking behind him.

"Gon," As Killua stood up but stopped when he noticed Dwun and List pointing behind Ginta. "Hang on, we got someone here for you." As he gestured to Ginta.

Gon turned to Ginta who waved his hands. "Not me," Ginta got up and moved. "Him.." he pointed to an empty space, before looking around and feeling something heavy on his back where Ging was hanging on. "Hey get off my back," as Ginta reached and grabbed Ging's arm. "And greet your son you deadbeat." As he slammed Ging into the floor.

~o~

Cheadle and Pitou both felt a vibration through the floor. "Uh what was that?" asked Pitou.

Cheadle slowly reached her hand up and rubbed her eyes, slowly breathing in and out. "Excuse me for one second." As Cheadle went to the door but didn't open it and took her phone out. "Pyon, what is happening?"

"I missed a chance to record Ginta slamming Ging into the ground," exclaimed Pyon. "That would have easily trended on the hunter net."

Cheadle grumbled for a moment. "Okay, why?"

"Ging's son showed up and he tried to hide."

Cheadle raised an eyebrow. "That is something I can't get into right now, is everything going alright outside now?"

"Well.." Pyon paused, giving Cheadle some worry. "Gon is now crying to Ging...about Kite and Ging is making a mess of himself."

Cheadle was now even more confused. "Are you recording it?"

"Oh yeah, I'll send you a link after I upload it."

"Very well then I will let you all deal with that while I continue in here." Cheadle then put her phone away before noticing Pitou was now staring right at her. "Is something the matter?"

"I heard the conversation," Pitou pointed to the door. "Gon's outside."

"That is the reason why you're here isn't it," said Cheadle as she took her seat once more. "Let's finish up with the story and a few more questions and we can have you two meet."

Pitou gulped as she became a bit nervous. "Okay."

~o~

"I'm SORRY!" wailed Gon as tears began to stream down his face. "I got Kite turned into a little girl."

"Calm down...calm down." Ging flailed his arms, not sure what he should be doing. "Uh...er...hu…..er Let's just calm down...uh…."

All the Zodiacs were somewhat speechless as they watched. 'He's actually flustered.'

Gon continued to cry as he apologized to Ging. "I should've been the one to die."

Ging fell silent and quickly clapped his hands together hard enough to move around the air in the hallway. "Gon." he said with complete seriousness, silencing the boy. "That isn't true. Kite took you along because he believed in you. He told you to run because he'd underestimated the enemy. If he thought you couldn't handle it he wouldn't have let you accompany him, no matter what you'd said or did. He was the one that misjudged the enemy. I understand you feel responsible and you should partly because you are weak, get strong and don't make the same mistake again. Also, the one you should be apologizing to is Kite, not me. So go and apologize to him, right now."

Gon nodded. "I will." before he stopped crying and turned to the door. "But first there's someone I have to talk to."

Killua stepped in front of Gon. "Gon, relax. The Zodiacs have this covered."

"Killua." Gon gave him a questioning look.

"Look I'm not asking you to trust her but I am asking you to trust me a bit. She did save me and my sister from Illumi so I've decided to give her a chance," explained Killua.

Gon clearly did not like that but trusted his friend. "Alright then," as he sat down crossing his legs. "Then I'll wait right here."

"Yeah you do that," said Ging as he glanced at his son while thinking about if he should leave.

"You're not going anywhere." as Leorio stepped in front of him with his fist raised, ready to deliver another well-placed punch.

Ging looked at him, 'I could hit him quickly but that would just cause more headaches for me to deal with.' As Ging saw the others were looking at him. 'And chances are these guys would help him. Damn this is a drag.'

As all of this was happening Pariston was having a bit of a mental meltdown. 'This isn't how it was supposed to happen. Gon would come and everyone would be overjoyed only for all of us to team up against the ant, making a good show and hopefully causing some drama between the Zodiacs.' Pariston looked around seeing everyone calmly chatter amongst themselves. 'This isn't fun at all.'

~o~

"I see so you used your new ability on Illumi, to turn the tides of the battle." Cheadle wrote down some notes. "If you don't mind me asking why didn't you use one of your older abilities, like the one you used in East Gorteau?"

"Oh I can't use those anymore," explained Neferpitou.

"Why not?"

"Because those were my conditions for my new abilities. After I left east Gorteau I realized my old life is kind of over, the king was gone and I had no idea what to do, then I met Jessica and Magno who both made me realize I wanted a fresh start in a way and my old abilities didn't really help with starting fresh so in exchange the conditions for my new abilities are to never be able to use the old ones, with the expectation being my Connection Thread."

"I see," as Cheadle wrote it down. "Then could you please go over your new abilities, if you're comfortable with that?"

"Oh yeah, no problem." as Pitou gathered how to best explain her abilities. "The first of my new abilities is my Connection Thread. It allows me to make a thread that can connect to different places together to transport things across, everything from people to electricity, but if I'm transporting a person then I have to be holding a part of the string or one of my plushies. The nen it takes varies depending on the object I'm transporting and how much, not to mention it can be a bit of a ride if you don't brace yourself beforehand."

"I see, that ability would be quite helpful to get out of a tight spot," said Cheadle, wondering how well it might work for travel.

"Next would have to be my Cat's Cradle," As Pitou demonstrated by making a small cat's cradle with her nen also testing what Cheadle will do, Pitou looked to see Cheadle barely responded to Pitou's nen and no one was barging through the door. 'I think that's a good sign.'

"Is something the matter?"

"No," as Pitou manipulated the thread. "This ability right here allows me to make and manipulate Nen threads, they're strong and able to hold several cars. The condition for this is that I can no longer use my Terpsichora ability. While that ability did increase my strength and other reflexes, but it also made me fight even if I was unable to continue. I made a promise to my king before he died that I would live and this ability I made was to die for my king if need be."

"I see, you want to live for your fallen comrades and an ability that can be used after death is counterintuitive to your new outlook on life." clarifying Cheadle.

Pitou nodded. "Yeah, I want to live and Terpsichora is no longer needed with my fresh start."

"I'm guessing that your Puppeteering ability and your Freedom String abilities follow the same logic."

"Yep," said Pitou. "Freedom String is pretty much the exact opposite of Puppeteering, It allows me to free anyone who has been put under a nen spell."

Cheadle hummed for a moment. "By chance can your Freedom String exercise other nen abilities?"

Pitou thought it over for a moment. "Maybe, I guess it would depend on the ability itself."

"I see," Cheadle paused for a moment thinking that Pitou might be useful to keep around just in case anyone like Illumi comes around. "Now then move on to your last ability."

"My Plushie Kittens," Said Pitou with a smile.

"Yes, how does it work?"

"Well first off every Plushie Kitten is based off of someone else, in fact, to make a new one I need another person with me. The first condition is that the person has to acknowledge me as a friend, the second is that they have to allow me to use their nen to make the thread for the Plushie Kitten, if they want to at this point they can give the plushie one of there nen abilities if they have one, but this also means they have to tell me how the ability works and the conditions to activate it, it also costs more nen to activate than if they used it and of course any drawbacks it gives them also happens to the plushies and by extension me when the plushies disappear."

"What does that mean you receive all the backlash after you release them?"

"Yep, it all hits me at once," Pitou gave a weak laugh. "Hits like a bomb, so it's not smart to use multiple at the same time, not to mention the base amount to make one is a lot of nen so I can only make about 3 before I have to take a nap, maybe 4 if I'm not fighting someone."

"That ability has a bit more drawbacks than I expected."

"It doesn't end there. Any damage they take I feel once they disappear and the final condition is that I can no longer use Dr. Blite. That was the straw I needed to break to make sure the nen ability worked perfectly."

"So you have no healing ability anymore." as Pitou shook her head no. Cheadle gave a long look at Pitou. 'She really isn't what I expected. She's being honest and has shown true signs of trying to do better, like the other chimera ants I've spoken to when I went to see Gon's condition.' Cheadle then looked down at her notes. 'Then why am I here? We all stopped the election because Pariton thought this warranted the Zodiacs attention and the news put quite a few hunters in a panic. Is he trying to use her for something. He has to be, if he didn't call for this then I'm sure the hunters that were protecting Gon would have kept Pitou secure with the Zoldyck butlers watching her until the election was over. She has the backing of a family with several generations of hunters and even helped Killua save a now very popular hunter.'

Pitou was waiting but gave Cheadle a curious look. "Um, are we done or is something else going on?"

'Something is definitely going on.' Thought Cheadle. "For now it's nothing you need to worry about. I'm all down with my questions, right now though your options are limited. The other chimera ants have agreed to a deal where they are monitored by the association and even willing to work with us."

"And I guess my other option is to just run."

"Several lives were taken due to the actions you and the other chimera's committed, even some of our own hunters have lost lives to what happened in Gorteau. I'm afraid we can't just let you walk around freely but I believe that you can help us if you are willing."

"I'll take it, I'd rather not be hunted for the rest of my life and I do need to apologize to a few people for what I've done," admitted Pitou.

"Well then I am more than happy to offer you that opportunity," said Cheadle before the door behind her opened.

"Knock knock," as Paritson stuck his head through the doorway. "Hi, just checking in on how you girls are doing."

Both of them gave the man deadpan looks. "This isn't a sleepover Pariston."

"Sorry, just trying to break the ice you know." as he stepped into the room with his usual sparkle. "So how is our new friend doing?"

Cheadle gave him an annoyed look before looking over to Pitou who was raising an eyebrow. "This Pariston, he's one of the Zodiacs and current vice-Chairman of the Association."

'This guy is incredibly strong, he might have given the king a good challenge but..' Pitou turned to Cheadle. "Is it normal to get a slimy feeling up your spine when he talks?"

Both Zodiacs froze for a moment before Cheadle couldn't stop herself from laughing. "HAHAHAHAHA."

Pariston kept his face neutral. "Now, now can we keep this professional here."

"Zodiacs," Pitou hummed for a moment. "The Zodiacs are the twelve animals, you're the Rat aren't you."

"Oh how'd you guess?" said Pariston in his usual upbeat tone.

Pitou stared at him for a moment. "Call it my cat instincts."

"PARISTON!" yelled Kanzai as he and the other Zodiacs entered. "What are you doing?"

"What is with looks, I'm just doing what any other hunter would do and checking up on a fellow hunter, is that so wrong."

"None of them like you do they?" Pariston turned to Pitou. "What I'm just making an observation and I can clearly-" Pitou froze mid-sentence as she saw who was behind the Zodiacs. "GON!" As Pitou stood up and took a few steps forward. Pitou made an audible gulp not sure what to say, his mind began to race as to how she should start, but none of them seemed right or good enough. "Sorry," she said quietly.

It didn't seem much but for Gon it was a lot. 'Who is this? This can't be Neferpitou, can it?' Thought Gon.

Killua knew exactly what was going on. 'Gon, you painted such an evil version of Neferpitou after her fight with Kite that the person in front of you looks like an entirely different person.'

Before Killua could say anything Ging stepped forward. "Gon, you can't expect everything to be one thing, things change and you have to be open to the possibilities that you might have been exaggerating to yourself and let your emotions get to you. If someone loses at something they mental make an excuse why they lost and it might not be the case of what happened." Gon looked up at his father. "You lost and made the excuse that she and others were monsters but in reality she just thi-" Ging stopped and blinked for a moment as he saw Pitou, she was not looking directly at him breaking out in a cold sweat, visible shaking. "Miss?"

Pitou was not hearing anything anymore as she stared at a being that seemed impossible to her, it was as if she was looking at a creature she wanted to run away from and hide in fear. 'What the hell is this thing? I've never been so afraid in my life, it's as if my instincts or something deeper is telling me to run, but I don't know why.' It took Pitou a second to realize but deep inside herself, she recognized what Ging was. 'A Predator. My animal instincts are recognizing this man as a predator, a true hunter that is unlike any other. Like one that my ancestors fought years ago on a whole different continent.'

"Are you going to kill me?" asked Pitou not even really sure herself that she said those words.

Ging turned on his heels. "I'll wait outside." as he left. 'Finally, an excuse to leave.'

"Are you alright ?" asked Cheadle.

Pitou started to breathe easier. "I'm sorry but what was that man?"

"That was Ging Freecss, the Boar Zodiac," explained Cheadle. "You two haven't met before have you?"

"No," as she shook her head. "But my instincts started screaming at me as if…"

"He was our natural predator." Everyone turned to Meleron. "You're not alone."

"We both felt the same thing when Ging first showed up today," said Ikalgo. "It was strange, we never met him before but something deep inside us knew him."

"Is that why you guys we're sticking around the corner?" asked Morel.

"Yeah," said Meleron. "We didn't want to interrupt or accuse anyone but that guy isn't normal, no offense Gon."

Gon tilted his head. "Uh I don't know what to say, I just met my dad today so.."

Pitou's eyes went wide. "That was your dad!?" Gon nodded. 'Then this feeling, it's the same I had back when Gon turned into that thing.'

She wasn't the only one thinking this as the other ants and by extension some of the hunters came to the same conclusion, making the zodiacs make plans to talk to Ging about this later.

Killua could tell though this was not the time for that. "Pitou!" as he got her attention. "There's something you wanted to say right?"

"Yes," as Pitou looked at Gon. "I want to apologize for everything when I was first born I followed everything that came naturally to me, protected the king, and kill any who gets in his way. It was my purpose and I chalked up all my actions to that purpose, but in reality, I was just ignoring everything else. I was being a stupid child. Since I have lost my purpose, not even before that when I met Komugi, I started to see things differently and started feeling things I've never felt before, it made me realize the amount of pain I had given so many people, especially you. I know you might not believe it but I'm sorry, for everything, I'm sorry for killing your friend and I'm sorry for turning him into a puppet. I know a simple apology won't fix anything but right now it's all got. If you hate me I understand completely I've done things. I don't think a lot of people would forgive my actions but I'm going to try and do better."

Gon thought it over for a moment but never let his eyes leave Pitou. "I don't know if I can, but maybe if Kite forgives then maybe I can."

"Uh Kite?" she said, confused.

"Oh he's not dead dead but he is a little girl now."

"...Wait what?"

Next Time: Forgiveness |You want to read this now just head over to my page. ~P-A-T-R-E-O-N~ Lorenzo the story teller. There you can read all chapters ahead of time and my exclusive stories.

A/N: I hope you guys like this chapter, I'm no psychologist and writing about people's mental state is harder than it looks. I just hope I did it at least a little bit of justice with this chapter.

Two more chapters to go for this fic, chapter 15 will be the last chapter, hope you guys have enjoyed the ride.

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~Lorenzo the Story Teller