Author's Note: I do not own Hunter x Hunter!

Chapter 27 - Forgive and New Beginning

There were big stones everywhere, in short the ruins of what used to be the home of the Himiki family for years.

Leorio and Kurapika looked around for Gon and Kaori, hoping they weren't buried in the rubble now.

"Gon!" Leorio calls.

"I think he's fine, he must be around here..." the blonde kurta says reassuringly. "Let's say Kaori was injured, then maybe Gon had to support her?" he says theoretically.

"Gon was pretty hurt too, but I didn't want to bring it up just yet..."

"..."

...

They both then heard footsteps and what sounded like someone moving rocks or something.

A spiky haired boy came into view not far away, two other people on his back.

"Gon!" Leorio called out in concern and quickly ran to Gon to help him. "Kaori! And…" the man in the suit frowned.

"This is Kaori's uncle..." Gon says wearily as he carefully puts them both down.

"Huh? You saved the guy too, why? You had no reason to."

"So…-"

"There they are!" another voice called, interrupting the spiky haired boy. It was Tanju. Together with Naizen he went to Gon, Leorio and Kurapika.

"Kaori." The old man spoke. "Thank you Gon Freecss."

"No problem!" Gon grins and carefully touches his arm. "Leorio, can you have a look at my arm later? And can you take care of Kaori too?"

"Yes. Yes! I'll do it!"

"Hm..." The blue-haired girl mumbled and slowly came to her senses. She slowly opens her eyes and looks around. She sighs in relief. "You did it, Gon...thanks."

"How are you feeling, Kaori?" Naizen asks, slightly concerned for his granddaughter.

"I've never felt so… before. I can't even describe it." She says honestly. Her green eyes shine with hope.

But then she remembered something and turned around quickly, ignoring her current pain and looking at her lying uncle with concern.

"Uncle Yahiko..."

Naizen frowned. "You saved him too, why?" he asks Gon.

'This is Yutaru's little brother...' Tanju carefully observed the situation and listened to the conversations silently.

The spiky haired boy looked at everyone seriously. "When I got into the castle to save Kaori before it fell down, she tried to help him before." He explains. "Kaori was trying to support her uncle to carry him out."

"What?" the blonde kurta looked at the blue haired girl in amazement. "After everything your uncle did and would do to you, did you still want to save him?"

"Yes."

...

"But...why?" Yahiko, slowly regaining consciousness, carefully sat up to face his niece. A thoroughly confused look was on his face, he just didn't understand his niece's action.

Naizen was also curious and observed his son and granddaughter with a scrutinizing look, he too was curious to see what Kaori would answer.

"I… I didn't want to let Uncle Yahiko down. I just couldn't leave it there in the castle knowing it's about to collapse." She says tentatively. "Besides... he's with grandfather, the only one in my family who's still alive..."

"That's why?" Yahiko asks his niece in surprise. "Only because of 'family' ?"

The blue-haired girl nods. "Family just doesn't hurt one of the family! I know that my father would have saved you even in such a situation! ...he would have just done it... because my father always saw the good in you, uncle..." she says sadly, almost in tears.

"Tse... you really mean Yutaru saved me?" he asks derogatory.

"…Yes. After all, you were brothers… You were always important to my father, he always worried about you until he died."

"You lie. You had no idea back then! How could you have known such a thing?"

"Yahiko that's enough." Naizen finally spoke. "Stop asking." He says sternly.

Gon, who had been listening attentively to Kaori, put a comforting hand on her arm and stroked the arm lightly. His brown eyes looked at her lovingly. She smiles gratefully at his care.

Tanju walked a little closer to Yahiko to look directly at him. A serious expression on his face. "You have no idea what Yutaru was like. When he was with me back then, he always said good things about you!" he says a little loudly.

"Hm?"

"I don't know what changed you. But according to Yutaru, you weren't as fixated on that monarchy then as you are now. Why did you want to give the Himiki family such a strong status right now? Why did you kill your older brother? Why did you torment your niece like that?" he asks with a steady look. "Tell me, you...!"

"..." the green-haired man was silent at these questions, humiliatingly looking at the floor as if he would find the answer there somewhere.

Naizen nodded. "Maybe I did something wrong. If you got like this because of me, Yahiko... Then I'm sorry, really." He says. "But...I still want to tell you one thing...Yutaru wanted to say peacefully until the end that he wanted to end our status,...but...-"

"I killed him at the time..." Yahiko says. "We discussed it at the time…. And you know the rest, father. He wanted to end it peacefully and I wouldn't let him... how selfish." He says with a sad smile.

"Uncle Yahiko..." Kaori looked at him sadly. "Are you finally regretting it?" she asks hopefully.

"...maybe." The green-haired man says with a sigh. "But how am I supposed to atone for my actions now? I've done too much... to you too." He looked questioningly at his niece.

"...we can't change the past." The blue-haired girl says honestly. "We can only try to do the best we can in the future."

"…what will you do?"

"Me?" she asks. "I do not know…"

"We'll be traveling together from now on, Kaori!" Gon replies quickly and smiles broadly. "Please stay with me!"

"Huh?" she quickly turns to Gon, a surprised look on her face. "Gon? What did you just say?"

"I want you to travel with me again." The spiky haired boy smiles naively. "There is still a lot we can see! We need to see the stars again at night."

Leorio and Kurapika smiled at each other as they watched Gon testify.

Kaori smiles happily and turns back to her uncle. "I will be free from now on and travel with Gon."

"I see..." Yahiko stood up slowly.

"What... what are you up to?"

"What am I supposed to do? I'll use the life you both gave me to take a closer look at the world now... I'll try to do good." He says honestly. "Listen Kaori, I'll try to do good deeds...and when I know I've done a lot of things right...then I can face you again."

"Uncle…"

"Yahiko..." Naizen smiles proudly at his son. "I hope...I will experience it too."

"Yes...father."

… … …

"I hope for you, you take me with you!" another voice suddenly spoke, causing everyone to look around in surprise and confusion.

Kaori scowled at the shadows. "You've been hiding long enough! Come out, Jinsei!" she commands.

"Okay..." the black-haired man slowly came out of hiding.

"Jinsei!" Gon and Yahiko yelled, surprised on the one hand and slightly shocked on the other.

"Yo. I've been recovering from our fight, Gon." He smiles mischievously.

"You've been here for a while." The blue-haired girl crosses her arms. "Because I hadn't seen Sumaro in the castle... you carried him out, didn't you?"

"Exactly." Jinsei answers simply. "But, I should leave him to his own devices after a good distance... he's a funny guy." He murmurs. "Also I'm supposed to give you both a message, Gon and Kaori."

"A message?" the spiky haired boy frowns.

"What is it?"

" 'Keep the two of you ready at all times, if we should meet again, there will be an aftermath' "

The two twelve-year-olds looked at each other briefly, then nodded resolutely.

"We understand." Gon smiles determinedly. "Thank you Jinsei."

"Tse. You're a weird boy too." The black-haired man grumbled slightly, then turned his gaze to Yahiko.

"What did you mean earlier with; 'I hope for you, you take me with you'?"

"Well. You have been my master for many years. You saved me, gave me a home somehow. And letting you go off on your own now doesn't feel right to me. That's why I want to accompany you on your journey! It's easy, isn't it?

"Hm... you still want to come with me, even though you can be free now?" Yahiko asks seriously.

"Naturally! Then we are no longer masters and servants!" Jinsei smiles. "Give yourself a jerk and let me accompany you! After all, I also have a lot to do well."

The green-haired man sighs in defeat. "OK. Come with me, Jinsei." He slowly walked away from the group.

"You want to leave right now?" Naizen asks him.

"Yes. I want to leave as soon as possible. Father, Kaori...we'll see each other again sometime. Take care."

"See you soon, Yahiko."

"We will meet again,...Uncle Yahiko."

With that, Yahiko and Jinsei disappeared into the shadows...

...

Kaori looked briefly at the sky, she sighed briefly and then quickly went up a mountain.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Leorio called after the blue-haired girl.

"Before we go back, I'd like to see something else..." she says sadly and walks on.

"Then wait for us, we'll come with you!"

Naizen smiled knowing where his granddaughter is headed.

...

~ further away from the ruins of Himiki Castle…~

On a small hill were two tombstones and what looked like a small shrine.

When Kaori saw that, she smiled sadly. "When was I last here?"

"Two months ago." Naizen replied. "Before you ran away."

"….Yes."

Kurapika looked around. "Tombstones...are those...?"

"These are Kaori's parents." The old man says, whereupon Tanju also approaches the tombstones.

"Yutaru and Emiko..." Tanju lowered his head respectfully. "May you finally find your deserved rest. ...my two best friends..."

Gon watched Kaori carefully. "You miss them, don't you?"

"Yes." She smiles at the spiky haired boy. "Thanks Gon,..." she turns to the others. "Leorio, Kurapika…, Tanju-san and grandfather. Thank you all for your support. Finally I can live as I please." Kaori spoke honestly.

Everyone smiled brightly.

But Naizen lowered his head again. "Listen Kaori..."

"Hm?"

"There's a little box in the shrine... your father told me a few years ago to give it to you if something changed in the family... and now it's finally time."

Kaoris' green eyes widened. "Something from my father?" she carefully looked at the shrine and took out the small box and slowly opened it.

Inside the box were several pictures, a bracelet, and a letter.

"This letter..." she murmurs, folding the letter to read it. "I think that's what my mother and father wrote... that's their writing..."

The blue-haired girl read it calmly:

~ Dear Kaori… ~

~ I'm writing you this letter because I know I don't have much longer to live. I just wanted to write to you to always believe in yourself, build your own future, I'm proud to have such a wonderful daughter like you. If someday you're lucky enough to meet a boy who means as much to you as I did when I got to know your father, then in time you'll be happy because I'm sure the one you mean to you give hearts, he will love you too.

Even if I can't be there for you anymore, I'll always be in your heart.~

~Your mother~

The blue-haired girl genuinely smiles, then read the other part of the letter.

~ Dear Kaori… ~

~ For a long time I didn't know if I should really write this letter, but your mother begged me to follow her intuition and practically forced me to write this letter! -_-

Anyway... I hope you get the letter when our long family problems are finally resolved. I want at least you to lead a normal life. I may never have been a good father to you, but believe me, since the day you were born I have been lucky to have you. You're a spitting image of your mother and sometimes I feel like you don't have any characteristics of mine at all, but I know... the most important thing you have is your hope and your good nature. Go on living your life, share it with someone! We will always have your back no matter where we are.~

~Your father~

...

"Kaori?" Gon looked at her worriedly as tears welled up in the blue-haired girl's eyes.

Tanju had to laugh. "That reminds me of me back then!"

"Are you okay?" the blonde kurta asks.

The blue-haired girl hums happily. "I've got everything sorted now...we can go."

"Good idea!" Leorio grins broadly. "Finally we can rest!"

"Haha…!"

...

~Tatsu Dojo…~

~Gon's and Kaori's room...~

After the group finally got back to the Tatsu Dojo, Gon immediately went to his room to lay down on his bed and sleep. He was really exhausted!

Leorio quickly used the time to treat the spiky-haired boy's injured right arm.

...

And Kaori?

The blue-haired girl sat at the table and enjoyed a delicious meal. Her green eyes literally shone with joy.

"That is delicious! You can't believe how good Shiro can cook!" she tells the blond kurta who was sitting across from her drinking tea.

"Yes, I have to admit it's really tasty." He says calmly. "You haven't had anything real to eat for a long time, haven't you?" he asks her, slightly worried.

"Well…" she smiles sadly. "A stale bread, with a bit of mold and a glass of water was left for me. I guess that was my punishment for escaping..."

"Now you're free. Gon has come this far especially for you. You can do whatever you want now, Kaori."

"Yes. Let's see what life has in store for me." She says dreamily. "What will you do, Kurapika?"

"Me?" the blonde kurta looked serious. "There are still many personal things I have to do." He closed his eyes.

"I understand. I hope for your success!" the blue-haired girl says honestly and turns back to her food.

Kurapika opened his eyes again. 'Kaori has changed a lot in a short time... At first I didn't want to trust her, but now she radiates something different, something beneficial... Gon will be fine with her...'

Leorio, who has just tied Gon's bandage, smiled when he saw the food and sat down with the two.

"How's Gon?" Kaori asks worried.

"Everything okay!" the man in the suit gave a thumbs up. "The wound will heal quickly and he was just tired. When he's had a good night's sleep, I'm sure he'll feel like nothing ever happened."

"I'm glad... Thank you, Leorio! You really are a great doctor!"

"Hey! Hey!" Leorio blushes slightly. "I'm still in training. So please save these compliments until I become a real doctor."

The blue-haired girl hums at the statement.

...

"Where is Naizen anyway?" Leorio asked curiously. "I haven't seen him in a while."

"I think grandfather wanted to look around in the area. He's probably thinking about what to do next..."

"Ah… yeah he hinted at something like that once." Leorio mumbles thoughtfully. "To be honest, I'm a little worried about your grandfather, Kaori."

"Believe me, I'd like to know how to help him." The blue-haired girl spoke calmly. "But… in the end it's still his decision what he's going to do now. I don't want to get involved..."

The blonde kurta nods. "We should still try to talk to him. Even if he regrets a lot, there must be a solution for everything."

"Hm…"

...

...

Later there was a knock on the door.

"Kaori, it's me." Naizen's voice spoke. "I come in."

The dark green haired man entered the room and closed the door behind him, his granddaughter getting up from her seat as he looked at her.

"Grandfather... what..." she hesitates briefly while Leorio and Kurapika watch her calmly. "Now what are you going to do next? Where do you want to go?"

"Why do you ask?" he asks while walking near a window to look out. "Unlike you… I don't have any particular plan as of now. I don't know how to atone for my past deeds."

"...that's not what I'm about. You shouldn't think that you should atone for anything! I just want you to be able to live in peace now too. …do you understand what I'm getting at?" The blue-haired girl looked at her grandfather worriedly while his back was turned to her.

"…Kaori. You don't know what I did while I was king. I fought wars, killed many people, including the innocent and bystanders... and gave your father a strict upbringing... he was meant to be just like me..."

"But you didn't succeed! My father was decent!" Kaori smiles sadly. "Listen, I know what you thought of my mother back then... but later you got a piece of your heart back... you're a real person! You're not a bad person, grandfather!"

Naizen slowly turned to his granddaughter and saw her determined look. Then he looked at Leorio and Kurapika, who just nodded.

"Let's finally start over. This will be for both of us… a new beginning." Kaori says and slowly walked closer to the older man.

He looked thoughtfully down at the blue haired girls.

"The status of the Himiki family cannot be changed overnight, that is a fact. There may even still be many enemies out there who want to hold grudges, but we will get through these times. I just believe in it..."

"..." Naizen sighs, slightly annoyed. "I think I have to agree with you, otherwise you'll keep trying to talk me into it..." then he looked at Leorio and Kurapika. "And you started these conversations back then in the castle. I can really do without something like that." He waves his hand slightly.

Leorio grins. "That's just how we are!"

The blonde kurta nods in agreement. "This new beginning will definitely satisfy you at some point, you'll see."

"…Oh yes?"

...

...

Then there was another knock at the door. Kaori quickly walked to open the door and Tanju was standing outside, smiling slightly.

"Tanju-san? What is it?" she asks politely and lets him in.

"I just wanted to discuss something... with Naizen." He says seriously.

"What should there be between us that we need to discuss?" the old man frowns.

"...Yutaru." Tanju says, slightly sad. "I don't know what you're going to do now, Naizen. That's why I'm asking you... stay here in the Tatsu Dojo for a while!" he bows slightly.

"Why?"

Kaori, Kurapika and Leorio also looked slightly confused and looked at each other.

Tanju looked determined. "I told Yutaru at the time that I would like to train people in a dojo, I think he liked the idea at the time. If you have always believed in your son, then help us here...for Yutaru! You would be doing us all a great favor..."

"What... what did Yutaru have to do with your dojo?" Naizen asks in surprise. "He was never here, was he?"

"No, not that... but...if you really want to do a New Beginning... then start again together with all of us... with Shiro, Komei, Kazu and me right here in the Tatsu Dojo!" Tanju says optimistically. "I bet that would live on another part of Yutaru's dream... of a father having an open heart for others again..."

Naizen's eyes widened at these words. "Did he ever mention that when you were together?"

"Well.. that's how I always interpreted it." Tanju spoke honestly. "My dojo isn't the best... sometimes I'm scared of not enough students... so I would appreciate your support... I just want to try to help you start a new chapter in life!"

The old man smiled slightly. "I didn't know that everyone here is so annoying. You're all going to keep talking to me until I give in, right? All right, Tanju...you won. Lead me into my new life. But… if it gets too boring, I'll leave immediately and without another word!" he says, amused.

"Is that supposed to be a challenge?" Tanju asks, smiling broadly. "Don't worry, you won't get bored."

"Hmph..."

...

Kaori smiled to herself at the whole scene. Her face was brighter than ever.

'I'm happy for you, ... grandfather... Do you see that, father? He will be fine, both grandfather and Tanju... they support each other from now on...'

...

...

~~ A few hours later… ~~

Gon finally opened his eyes again after a few hours, stretching, recovered. A wide smile graced his lips.

"Morning, Gon." A voice called.

The spiky haired boy turned to the voice and saw Kaori. The blue-haired girl was now wearing a purple blouse and dark blue trousers.

"Good morning!" Gon called. "Wait... did I really sleep that long?"

"Well...yes." She shrugs. "Can you be blamed? You were finally exhausted."

"Hm..." he got up from the bed. "Where are Leorio and Kurapika?"

"Ah… they must have guessed that you would wake up soon and are just getting something to eat. I wanted to wait here until you wake up. ...was that okay?"

"Yes."

"..." A small blush appears on Kaori's face. "From now on... I would like to travel further with you..."

"Naturally! We'll stay together from now on!" the spiky haired boy says innocently. "After all, there's something we definitely still have to do!" he spoke out of nowhere.

"Huh?" the blue haired girl tilted her head in confusion. "Something we need to do? I'm not following right now... what do you mean exactly?"

"You forgot?" he asks surprised.

"Uh..."

Kaori's confused look made Gon chuckle slightly. "Then... I'll surprise you!" he says mysteriously.

"Surprise?" °-°

...

...

~at night…~

Gon led Kaori onto the roof of the Tatsu Dojo, gently holding her hand while telling her to keep her eyes closed.

"Gon…how much longer? When can I finally open my eyes?" Kaori spoke nervously. "I'm starting to get suspicious of this surprise..."

"Soon, please wait a moment." He calms her with a soft voice.

...

When they reached the roof, Gon nodded. "Okay, you can open your eyes now!"

When that was said, the blue-haired girl sighed in relief and opened her eyes. A questionable look, until it suddenly occurred to her.

"….Gon? That…" she looked up at the night sky and her eyes shone with admiration. The sky was full of stars!

"Surprised? I can't believe you forgot we wanted to see the night sky again."

"Well…" she awkwardly scratches her head. "I had a lot on my mind..."

Gon just grinned wider. Leorio and Kurapika also reached the roof with an intriguing expression.

"Wow..." Leorio spoke slightly in awe. "It is true. The stars are really beautiful."

The blonde kurta sat down on the floor. "I can only agree. That's a really good end to our last days here." He spoke casually, which didn't go unnoticed.

"Huh?" Both Gon and, surprisingly, Kaori looked over at the blonde kurta, slightly shocked.

"You leaving soon?" Gon says sadly.

"Yes. After all, I still have a lot to do." Kurapika spoke resolutely. "Please understand, Gon."

"Of course!" the spiky haired boy nods. "And you...Leorio?"

"Unfortunately I have to leave as soon as possible." The man in the suit shrugged his shoulders slightly. "I want to be a doctor."

"Hm..." Gon smiles at his two friends. "Okay. It might have been short...and a little different than expected, but at least we were able to do something together for a little while. We should enjoy that until the end."

"Yes."

"You can bet on it."

...

...

After Gon and Kaori sat down and admired the stars, the blue-haired girl dared to lean on Gon's shoulder.

"Thank you Gon... for this moment..." she whispers tenderly while closing her eyes.

He hums at the statement and saw Kaori slowly drift off to sleep. "Kaori? are you sleeping? Really?"

Leorio looked at Kurapika with a gentle smile. "Gon will be fine, right?"

The blonde kurta nods with great confidence. "I'm sure."

...

...

Because from now on, Kaori will start her new life with Gon with joy and without worries...

What will the future bring for both of them?

...

To be continued...

Neo-Digital: The next chapter will be the last of the story

Gon: Wow...really?

Kurapika: Finally we're coming to a conclusion!

Leorio: Anything new planned? For Gon? Or any of us?

Neo-Digital: Yes. But that's a secret for now. You will see soon.

Gon: See you in the next chapter!