Sorry for the long wait. Life.
Recap: With Phinks being in a perilous state from the last mission, the Troupe decides what to do next.
The hideout got chilly in the morning.
They were gathered in the treasure room. Gon hadn't been here since the first night he met Chrollo, which despite being less than two days ago was beginning to feel a lot longer. Now the Troupe leader was sitting beside him, as always his eyes engorged in a book under candlelight. Shalnark and Feitan were engaged in quiet chatter on the other side of the room; Bonolenov, Nobunaga, Pakunoda, and Franklin were playing some card game (the invitation to which Gon had refused) while Shizuku quietly snored beside them; and Kortopi, as typical, sat silently observing. Hisoka was in the far corner of the room, fidgeting with his deck of cards.
Everyone was here, except two.
They turned their attention when at last Machi stepped in the room. Her gait lacked her usual grace and when she stepped into the dim light of the room Gon saw the bags under blue eyes, the paleness of her face, and the flickering of her ten . It was the first time anyone had seen her since she had locked herself with Phinks and dedicated the entire night to his treatment.
The room swelled with anxiety.
"So?" asked Feitan in a low voice, even for him.
Being in a room full of powerful nen users all on edge was not a good feeling, Gon decided. The air felt piercingly cold and heavy. It was all he could do to not bring out his aura as protection. But he knew better than to show weakness.
"I have to admit," Machi said in a weary voice. "I underestimated his injuries. But, I think he'll make it. As long as we keep a close eye on him. I've done all I could, he just needs some time."
"How much time?" Chrollo asked.
"A week, a month. I don't know. It's up to him. Enough that I'm sure It'll mess with our plans."
"Yes," Chrollo mused. "It seems that way."
"He's the only one who could have made it through something like that," Machi said looking down. "It can't happen again."
Chrollo set his book down. "Gather 'round, let's discuss this."
As he had told him he would, Chrollo had Gon explain everything to them. When he finished his story, they all watched him intently chewing over what he had said.
"This Mato's ability," Shalnark mused. "It seems to force a one on one."
"A perfect ability to take on a group then isn't it?" said Nobunaga. "He forces his opponent into his fighting style and takes them out one by one."
"I don't think so," Franklin interjected. "That would have been true if he only enthralled his current target. Remember, Gon was transported along with Phinks into that faux reality. He was able to see everything."
"I bet Mato wasn't expecting that sort of resistance from the boy," said Pakunoda. She looked at Gon. "He made some rash assumptions about you."
"And now all his cards are on the table," said Shalnark.
"Yes," Franklin agreed. "The real threat is his status, not ability. A double star Hunter being here means rumors were more than true. The mafia has gone all out." He turned to Chrollo. "Boss, this next heist will be especially. They surely brought many fierce Hunters aside from this Mato."
"They seek to eliminate us," Chrollo said matter of factly. "It's not about whatever little treasure they have left. It's just pride now."
Shizuku tilted her head. "So then are we still going to steal it Boss?"
"Wait," said Feitan. "Forget the treasure." His eyes narrowed at Gon. "That girl , the one who brought you here. Where is she?"
Gon couldn't say. With all that was happening he never had a chance to consider what happened to her since they arrived at the hideout. He had never even learned her name.
"She left while I was tending with Phinks," said Machi. "I should have stopped her. I'm sorry."
A momentary silence grew over the Spiders.
"What now Boss?" Shalnark said. "If they find her the whole Mafia will know where we are. That Hunter has already seen her."
"That's if he hadn't already followed her," added Nobunaga.
"I…I tried to make sure we weren't followed," Gon said.
Feitan glared at him. "Yes 'cause we can tr—"
Chrollo put up his hand. Feitan's glare melted away under his gaze. "You shouldn't be so quick to blame Feitan. It was your intel that trapped us in this mess."
"About this girl, it's true she is a big potential risk," Chrollo mused. He pondered for a moment. "Kortopi," he said, looking at the short Spider. "Create a few extra buildings, just in case."
Kortopi nodded.
"But I have my doubts if the Mafia is truly interested in that sort of attack," Chrollo continued. "They went through all the trouble of instigating another underground auction to bait us. Nonetheless," Chrollo said. "We'll wait. There's still some time 'till the next auction."
"Wait?" Nobunaga asked impatiently. "How long?"
"Enough that we can be sure they don't intend an attack here. If the Mafia wants to come here and get this treasure back, we'll be prepared. Otherwise it will give Phinks some time to heal, and for us more time to gain real intel. It all works out," Chrollo smiled.
"Gon?" Killua said meekly when he entered the room.
The former assassin looked nigh forlorn as he sat on the floor slumped against the wall. His white hair was more unkempt than usual. His shirt and shorts were dirty and stained with dried blood. The large gash on his face was completely gone but the splint on his left leg was still there, lying it awkwardly stiff on the floor. It made Gon a little satisfied that Phinks, the one responsible for it, was suffering in the other room.
A little.
What really enraged Gon wasn't any feature about his friend's state, it was the fact that he was here at all , being held against his will. They have no right!
"I brought you breakfast," he said, carrying a bunch of old snacks he stole from the Troupe's stores. He felt embarrassed to be calling it breakfast.
"Smells delicious," Killua said with a dry smile.
They sat together in silence for a few minutes as Killua ate. Watching him closely, Gon figured his first impression may had not been entirely accurate. Killua still carried himself with the same edge he remembered. Quick, deliberate and precise, being trapped for days had not dulled him a bit.
"What're you looking at?" Killua mumbled, shoving the last robot in his mouth. "This?" He flexed his broken leg. "I've been through a lot worse, you know that. He studied him closely. "I'm more worried about you. They've been training you haven't they? I heard the noise."
"Training? No that was just a little…no that was nothing." Killua wouldn't be thrilled to hear how he had almost died in a mere sparring match.
"Then what've they been making you do? There's something different about you Gon." Killua narrowed his deep blue eyes. "And it's not that stupid getup."
Gon sighed and quickly explained the previous day. Though he wanted to keep his friend on the same page, he left out details he figured Killua wouldn't like to hear. Like all the times he was hurt, or how he had caused that disaster on the road, or how he had escaped Mato. He instead simplified it to "he let us go on his own''. Gon couldn't help but feel a little guilty, more so about the lie than what he was trying to hide.
"You got lucky," Killua said. Then he shook his head. "Sorry, nothing about this is lucky." He looked at the door as if to check if anyone was there. "Gon I've been trying to think of a plan, but this room, whoever placed this ability here is truly powerful."
Killua channeled his ren and punched the concrete floor, immediately with a grunt his fist lurched backwards as if flinching from touching something very hot. On the ground, a strange rune, enveloped in aura, appeared momentarily then faded away, leaving the floor as it was. Gon wondered which member's ability this was.
"It's impossible ," Killua spat.
He gave him a desperate look. "You have to escape yourself Gon. From what you're telling me it should be easy. Just get out the first chance you get. Get to Leorio, if you can reach Kurapika, I'm sure he'll think of a way to get me out of here. But at least—"
"That isn't happening," Gon shook his head. "They'll kill you before I reach anybody."
"But—"
"The boss promised me Killua! He said he'll let us go when—"
"Are you insane?!" Killua said, lurching over him. He had that ' you idiot ' look that Gon had seen many times before. "He's just saying that to keep you in line! They'll say whatever they need to keep you from running off! How long 'till you're dead in one of their stupid missions ? They're using you! You're seriously going to trust their word?!"
Gon thought back to when Chrollo made him the promise.
"...Yes," he said firmly. "There's something about him, Killua. I know he's not lying this. He has no reason to. It's not like I would ever abandon you here in the first place."
"Gon don't forget these are the people that—"
"I know who they are. I know them better than you. And when we get out of here I promise we'll get them back for everything! But for now we have to play along, trust me!"
Killua did not respond. Instead he turned away with a scowl like he always did when he lost an argument with Gon. Which was often.
"Besides," Gon added quietly. "There's also something else."
"What?"
"Another plan. But it's not worth talking about now."
"Then why mention it?" Killua pouted. "You just trying to get my hopes up idiot?"
"Yes," Gon smiled. He pulled his friend into a light embrace. They held together for a few warm moments. After they separated, Gon looked him in the eye. "This will end Killua. I promise."
Killua nodded begrudgingly.
"I have to go now." Gon stood.
"Wait," Killua said when Gon was at the door. "About Kurapika—"
"We've been over this. I haven't forgotte—"
"It's not that. The thing is I…" Killua thought for a moment. "...I'll tell you later."
Gon didn't press further. His time was up.
ScarletEyedChainUser: Yes I'm sorry for the slow updates, I'm just busy with a lot of things on top of being a slow writer. I also love your story btw. Thank you for the commentating on every chapter.
Lilphantomtroupelady: Lol Thank you