Gon awoke the next morning to a pleasant surprise: Killua was tucked against him like a little baby kitten! The hybrid couldn't help but smile, he was glad he had woken up first today! Otherwise Killua probably would have moved before he could see.

The silver haired assassin must have moved while he was asleep, because rather than facing away from Gon like he had been at first, he was curled up against his chest. His tail was wrapped around Gon's waist, too, and they were sharing the same pillow. The tan boy sighed and buried the lower half of his face in Killua's mop of fluffy hair. He wanted to tighten his sleep-lackened grip, but if he did Killua would wake up and Gon didn't want him to move.

Focusing on keeping his breathing in check so Killua wouldn't notice, Gon's mind began to wander. Last night, Leorio had acted as if it was weird that he and the Valkyrie were sleeping in the same bed… or rather, pile of bedding. Was it really that strange?

Gon didn't think so.

They were best friends! Isn't this what best friends did?

Gon supposed that he wasn't really the best person to be making assumptions about what friends did, as he had never had any up until Killua. It just felt so nice to have the other boy so close. On Whale Island, he and Aunt Mito were in contact all the time. Mito would hug him, kiss him on the forehead, playfully ruffle his hair. On the night before he had left Gon had slept next to her one last time before his journey. It was the same way with his Grandmother. Isn't that what all close people did?

He then thought back to how the other boys on the Island would react when Gon would kiss his Aunt Mito on the cheek before leaving for school. They would always make fun of him, and call him a child. They said that 12 year olds didn't do stuff like that, and that only 6 year olds kissed their "mommies" goodbye. But even back when I was 6 they still made fun of me for stuff like that…

Gon had asked Aunt Mito about it, and she had said that the other boys were just being rude. So it was normal! Right?

Then why had Leorio acted that way? Kurapika had seemed fine with it… but then again, even Killua had acted a little differently. He had seemed defensive and embarrassed when Leorio had questioned them, but had relaxed once Gon had defended their sleeping arrangement alongside him. Did that make Leorio just like the rude boys back on Whale Island? According to Mito's logic, it did. But… Gon didn't think Leorio was like them, he was different.

This was such a head scratcher.

If he thought about it for too long, he'd start smoking at the ears.

But it wouldn't stop bothering him.

I thought that all my worrying about the other kid's opinions was over once I left Whale Island… but I guess this just proves that it's still stuck with me.

Gon was distracted by rustling from across the deadened fire, and had to suppress his jerk of surprise as not to upset Killua's slumber. Kurapika and Leorio were awake. The two of them rummaged around, putting their things away and starting to clean up the remnants of the fire. They were completely silent, and Gon could tell from his heightened spatial sense that they were not looking at each other.

"Hey… Kurapika?" Leorio asked in a small voice.

"What," the Elf responded, sounding aggravated.

Gon continued pretending to be asleep, listening to the conversation.

"I'm really sorry about what I said last night. That wasn't fair of me. I didn't mean what I said, and I shouldn't have gotten defensive and insulted you. The truth is that I admire you for taking revenge for your Clan. It's an incredible goal, and something I could never have the courage let alone the strength to do."

Gon sensed Kurapika's aura soften. "Thank you, Leorio. I accept your apology.

"Oh good! Er, I mean… I'm glad. Cause I just feel like… the four of us are all friends now, and I don't wanna mess that up by being an idiot."

Kurapika chuckled, "Very honest of you, thank you. Now, about your goal. You do not seem like the person to chase after money just for the sake of wealth. What is your real goal?"

Leorio was quiet for a moment before answering. "The truth is… where I grew up, safety was never a guarantee. Especially from diseases and infections. When I was younger, my friend got really sick… only problem was, his family couldn't afford medical treatment. He ended up dying… and there had been nothing at all I could do for him. So now, I wanna become a doctor, a medical specialist. And I wanna make a traveling hospital that you don't have to pay for. But in order to do so, I need a shitload of money… and that's why I'm going to Yorknew City. For both the money, and for medical school."

"That is a noble cause, Leorio. I wish you the best of luck," Kurapika said with a smile in his voice.

Yay! They made up! I'm glad they got over it so quickly.

The two of them fell silent for a little while as they finished cleaning up their things. Gon returned his attention to Killua- who was awake! He blinked as amber eyes met eyes of sapphire. The Valkyrie's pale cheeks flushed, and he tensed up. Gon blinked once at him, a smile tugging at his lips. Killua flicked an ear.

Did you hear them? Gon had silently asked.

Yes. Had been Killua's response.

Gon loved their silent conversations so much. Never in his life had he been close enough to someone that he could read their mind, and here he was with Killua. Speaking through glances and subtle motions. He smiled warmly, and Killua blinked as his cheeks darkened.

He sure does blush a lot. I wonder why? I know he gets embarrassed easily… is he uncomfortable because we are so close right now? I think it's fine, but what if Killua is embarrassed because he is uncomfortable-

"Kurapika! Kurapika look!" Leorio whispered, a whole lot quieter than before.

Gon and Killua blinked simultaneously, agreeing to continue pretending to be sleeping. They both closed their eyes back, and got their breathing back in check. All of a sudden, Gon was far too aware of everywhere his skin touched Killua's. Was this normal? Was this okay? He thought this was normal, but what if it actually wasn't? Gon's mind was a tangle of anxious thoughts, anxious thoughts that hadn't pestered him since Whale Island.

A small gasp was heard from Kurapika.

What are they looking at?

"Look at them!" Leorio all but squealed.

"They're so cute," Kurapika cooed.

Gon and Killua both snapped their eyes open, Kurapika and Leorio were talking about them! The Valkyrie sat up all of a sudden face red. "Who are you calling cute?!" he demanded. Gon sat up after him with a small chuckle.

"You guys!" Leorio declared. "You were all snuggled up like a pair of puppies!"

Killua squirmed and twisted his tail anxiously around Gon's waist.

There he goes, being embarrassed again.

"You two are very close, aren't you?" Kurapika asked.

"Well, yeah!" Gon answered, a bit of his nerves slipping into his words.

"It's refreshing to see such a close friendship between two humanoids," Kurapika said with a distant look in his eyes and the ghost of a sad smile on his lips. "I've spent so long all on my own… hating this world and the people within it. Seeing the two of you interact brings me hope for humanity itself."
Gon blinked at Kurapika, along with Killua and Leorio.

"That was… deep," Leorio said.

"I'm glad to make you feel that way, Kurapika!" Gon declared.

Killua squirmed a little before saying: "Yeah, it's super sappy though."

"Now then," the blonde Elf said with a clap of his hands. "What are our breakfast options?"

…

The group was back to running after Satotz again. It had been four hours so far, and two more people had been left behind. The Valkyrie, the Elf, the Goblin, and the hybrid continued running side by side, keeping as close to Satotz as possible. They led the rest of the pack, egged on by Satotz's morning announcement that they would arrive at Yorknew City at midday tomorrow.

One more night in these tunnels, and then they would be there.

Gon was giddy with anticipation!

But he was feeling other things too.

He trotted over to Kurapika, leaving Killua to where he was arguing with Leorio over something or the other. The Valkyrie was clearly enjoying aggravating the daylights out of the Goblin, Gon was glad that he had taken to their friend group so easily. However, it didn't seem like Killua was as close with Kurapika as he was with Leorio… though it didn't come across that way on the surface, what with how much they bickered.

But Killua's closer with me than anyone. He's my best friend… and that's why I've gotta ask…

"Kurapika?"

"What is it, Gon?" the blonde asked as they ran.

"Do you think it's… weird that me and Killua sleep in the same bed?"

The Elf blinked, taken aback by the question. "Of course not, why would it not be okay?"

"It's just that," Gon sighed. "Well, Leorio acted all weird about it last night! And Killua acts kinda weird too! Like he blushed and stuff! It's not like he doesn't blush ever, he gets embarrassed really easily! Especially when I compliment him! And at random times too, so his blushing isn't that out of the ordinary now that I'm thinking about it- ah I'm rambling!"

Gon rubbed his face with his hands, as if trying to physically clear his scattered thoughts. Because of this, he missed Kurapika's raised eyebrows, and the inquisitive flash in his eyes as he heard these things about Killua. He also missed the quick look the Elf gave in the assassin's direction.

"What I'm trying to say is," Gon continued, "that Killua seems a little embarrassed about it too. Anyways, it's not weird to sleep in the same bed then? Cause I never thought it was. I mean, Killua's my best friend, and I always sleep better when I'm beside him."

Kurapika hummed, and his words calmed Gon's tempest of clashing thoughts and emotions. "There is nothing wrong with sleeping in the same bed as Killua. You are correct, he is indeed your best friend. Some people are just closer than others, and everyone shows their bonds in different ways. Also, ignore anything Leorio says, he is a dunce."

Gon giggled lightly at the jab at Leorio. "So… I'm not weird for liking to be close to Killua?"

"Of course not. If you don't mind my asking, were you raised in an affectionate household?"

Memories of sleeping in Aunt Mito's arms, dancing by the fire with his Grandmother, and hundreds of other tender little moments flashed across Gon's mind. "Yes, we always acted that way!"

"As I thought," Kurapika said with a nod, golden hair swishing against his cheeks. "You are just a physically affectionate person, and there is nothing wrong with that. Do not let others impede you, Gon. You and Killua are best friends, and that is all that matters right?"

Gon grinned, all of his anxious feelings melting away. "Yeah! Thanks so much Kurapika!"

"Of course," the Elf said with a gentle nod.

With a grin, Gon ran back to Killua's side as he and Leorio's latest bickering match came to a close. The hybrid grinned at his friend, and a pair of sapphire eyes met his own with confusion.

"What's all this smiling about?" Killua asked.

"Oh, nothing! Just you!"

The Valkyrie huffed and looked away with pink cheeks, a reaction not unnoticed by Kurapika. The four of them continued their running, staying at the front of the pack with ease. When they stopped to rest that night, Satotz announced that because of their brisk pace, tomorrow morning they would arrive at the gates to Yorknew City rather than noon.

…

The group of four sat around their second fire, lost in thought. All of them were considering what their next moves would be once they arrived in the city. They all had different goals, and as much as they hated to admit it, would have to part ways. Kurapika had to admit, he had really gotten attached to these three humanoids over the course of these days of running. He really would be disappointed to have to part with them so soon. He was even sad about leaving Leorio, which said a lot.

Which was exactly why he was able to make a crucial decision: he officially trusted these three males, and wanted to keep them close. Not for any strategic reason, just for personal preference. He was sick of being alone, and if they were in agreement, then he would love for the four of them to stay together throughout the duration of their stay in Yorknew. For if he shared this sensitive information with them (as he was about to) they would undoubtedly have their paths intertwined for the foreseeable future.

"Hey, everyone?" Kurapika asked the others. He set his empty bowl down beside him and eyed the three other males from across the fire. The orange light threw them all into a warm color palette, the light reflecting in eyes of black, amber, and cerulean blue.

"What is it?" Leorio asked, eyebrow quirked. He could sense the seriousness in Kurapika's tone.

The Elf dove right in. "The three of you have specific goals you wish to fulfill while in Yorknew City. Leorio, you want to earn money and a doctor's degree. Killua and Gon, you want to acquire information as to Ging's location." The three males nodded, quizzical expressions on their faces. Kurapika eyed them all with a knowing look in his tawny eyes, "How exactly are you going to achieve these goals?"

He watched them all open their mouths to answer, then close them, contemplate, and finally fall into expressions of realization. None of them had any idea what exactly they were going to do once they reached the city. They probably had no idea how to get around, and on top of that Kurapika sincerely doubted that they were aware of the true nature of this city.

They will be in for quite the culture shock.

"As I suspected," the blonde said with a sigh. He continued before they could dissolve into a scrambling panic, "What if I told you that I know of a way for you to attain both substantial money and delicate information all at the same time?"

Gon's eyes sparkled with that edgy amber light, and Killua raised an eyebrow. Leorio's eyes twinkled with greed, "I dunno, what if?" he asked with the beginning of a smirk.

"Allow me to share an incredible secret with the three of you," Kurapika said.

The three males leaned in, interests piqued.

"Know first that I tell you this because you have earned my utmost trust and respect. I consider the three of you allies and friends, and have decided that you are worthy of this information."

"Yeah, yeah, just get to the good part!" Leorio declared, squirming in anticipation.

Killua rolled his eyes, and Gon sweatdropped with a sheepish smile. Kurapika gave the Goblin an annoyed look, and though he was inclined to now refuse to share the information, he suppressed the petty urge with a shake of his head. "Anyways," he began, "As you all know, I am traveling to Yorknew City in order to find information on the Phantom Troupe and the Scarlet Eyes. I am doing so by going to a very special place. A place where enormous sums of money as well as sensitive information are handed around like an infectious disease. It is a place in which your success is dictated by your skill in battle. If you can fight, then you can gather all the money, fame, and information you desire."

Leorio was practically drooling, "Money you say? Easy money?"

"This place sounds super cool!" Gon declared with sparkling eyes.

"Sounds sketchy to me," Killua grunted.

Kurapika paused for dramatic effect before finishing: "It is called the Heavan's Arena."

"Woah!" Leorio and Gon yelled at the same time, far too excited than necessary.

"Heaven's Arena?" Killua asked for clarification, clearly the only of the three with any common sense.

"Yes," Kurapika said as he continued his explanation. "Heaven's Arena is a place nestled in the center of the dark underbelly of Yorknew City. It is where the strong come to do battle, it is where anyone can achieve success by strength alone. In Heavan's Arena humanoids sign up for no cost of attendance, and fight their way to the top. By the top, I mean to the top of the tower. The Arena is an enormous skyscraper that shoots thousands of meters into the air. From the bottom to the top, different floors are arranged with scheduled battles between members. With every victory and floor cleared, contenders are rewarded with fame and fortune."

"Sounds like my kinda palace!" Leorio declared in his goofy voice.

"This place sounds so awesome! I could get so much stronger fighting there!" Gon practically yelled.

"Hey, keep it down would ya?" Killua scolded. "Clearly this place isn't something we should be readily sharing with everyone in the general area. It sounds like this is the kind of place that's beneficial to keep secret. If it really is that easy to get rich, then the more people who know about it the more people you have to fight to get your prize. That's why you're being so secretive, isn't it?"

Kurapika nodded. "That is correct, it is the way of Arena members and will-be-members to keep the place as secret as possible. This is not a culture for the faint of heart, for that is exactly what it is: a culture. Warriors from all across the globe attend the tournaments held in the Arena as they chase fame and fortune. It is a very complicated concept, and I will be able to explain how it works further once we arrive… that is, if the three of you are willing to come with me? I wanted to ask if you all wanted to stick together when we arrive in Yorknew, and if you want to fight to the top of Heavan's Arena with me. It will be beneficial to have a group."

"Of course-" Gon started, only to be interrupted by Killua.

"-you said that this is a place where information is handed around. Yet all you've been talking about is fame and money. How do you get information at this place?"

Kurapika gave the Valkyrie a dark smile. "Leave it to you to get straight down to business. As for information, Heaven's Arena is likely the only place where information about Ging will be. Fighters can attain sensitive information by making bets with spectators, and by making deals with the gangs that make money off viewing. It is a breeze to get a contract while at the Arena, however, the good information lies in wait at the top. The general goal of the battle royale tower is to make it to the top to challenge a floor master. Floor masters are the highest level of battle, you see. If you are able to defeat or impress a floor master in battle, then you are given a choice between handsome compensation and a reading by the renowned witch, Neon. Neon is a powerful sorceress with the ability to find any information you seek, and if you can make it to the top, you can ask her for Ging's whereabouts. She will give them to you with ease."

Gon's expression turned serious, "I can conclude my journey. Just like that."

Kurapika watched as Gon and Killua shared an intense look and a nod.

"We'll go with you," Killua said. "I assume that you will be fighting to earn a reading from Neon as well?"

"Not quite," Kurapika said. He hid his eyes beneath his bangs. "The truth of Heavan's Arena - and one that directly affects me - is that the floor masters… are the Phantom Troupe."

"What?!" Leorio, Killua, and Gon all exclaimed in unison.

"The people that killed your clan on a job?!" Gon squeaked.

"The renowned Spiders who kill and steal?!" Killua snarled.

"YOU GOTTA BE SHITTING ME!" Leorio yelled.

"Keep your voice down!" Kurapika snapped at Leorio. "And yes, that Phantom Troupe. I discovered Heaven's Arena at a bar in the Arabia-Saudi desert. I earned information from a certain… we'll say unseemly figure. He informed me that the Phantom Troupe's last stunt had been taking over Heaven's Arena. They killed the previous floor masters and took control. They are using it as a money maker, it's genius really. Heaven's Arena is the place where the most money passes from hand to hand in the entire world, and taking control is the biggest money maker in all existence. That's why I'm going. Because if and when I fight one of the members, I will demand the location of the Scarlet Eyes."

"Woah," Gon breathed.

"That's badass," Leorio said."

Killua eyed the Elf, and Kurapika met his intense sapphire gaze. "Thanks for telling us. This really is the perfect place. If all you need is strength in battle, me and Gon are set."

"Woah, woah, woah," Leorio said. "Are you two really sure about doing this? I mean, I'll be fine, and Kurapika sure as hell will be. But you guys? Aren't you a little young and scrawny to be entering in a place such as this?"

"We're eighteen! Only a year younger than you two!" Gon said with a glare.

"It would be in your best interest not to underestimate us," Killua said. He smirked, "If anyone is set for success in Heavan's Arena, it's us."

Leorio glared at the spunky boy, "What's that supposed to mean? Look at you two! You shouldn't be going to such a dangerous place."

Killua smirked. "Gon's super strong. He has a neurotoxin that can kill just like that," he snapped for effect. That evil grin widened. "And I'm the most powerful out of all of us."

Kurapika gazed at the silver haired boy quizzically. What's he getting at? He's clearly a hybrid, that tail is a glaring indication. Does he have some particularly strong blood mixed in? I had assumed that he was part pixie.

Leorio scoffed, "I doubt that!"

Killua swished his barbed tail, "I never did properly introduce myself, did I?"

Kurapika saw Gon conceal a snicker out the corner of his eye.

"My full name is Killua Zoldyck." Zoldyck? "And I am a Dragonite Valkyrie."

Leorio burst out laughing, "A Dragonite Valkyrie?! You're hilarious, kid! I understand wanting to come off as tough, but COME ON! This is clearly made up! Everyone knows that Valkyrie's have wings!"

Killua sighed and lifted his shirt up, exposing a twisting nest of tattoos wrapping around his chest and stomach. He was also ripped as hell. He's more muscular than I am, Kurapika thought, feeling his pride being bruised. Wait.. those tattoos… I knew he had some because I saw them on his neck, but I didn't realize what they were! Those are wing sealing tattoos!

"I got these tattoos to seal my wings away, that way no one knows what I am. Not to mention who, for as I'm sure you know, Valkyrie's of royal blood are told apart by their wings."

Leorio sputtered, "Royal blood? What's that supposed to mean?"

Killua's face morphed into one of annoyance, and Kurapika had to admit that he was annoyed as well. Leorio was painfully dense. "I'm a Zoldyck," Killua clarified. "That is the royal family of the Dragonite Valkyrie Clan. My father is the Chief, Silva Zoldyck. I'm the Crown Prince. I ran away from home cause I hated it there so much. I conceal my species so my brother can't hunt me down and drag me back."

Leorio continued his laughing, but was starting to look a little concerned. "Come on! You gotta quit joking like this, Killua!"

Gon frowned, "But he's not joking! Killua's a prince! And he's super strong and smart! He's stronger than I am, and that means he's way stronger than you are!"

Kurapika raised his eyebrows. It's not every day that you see the hierarchy built into humanoid's blood seeping into our conscious mind. Gon really respects Killua. He's truly offended that Leorio won't acknowledge his rank. They really are close.

"As if! You see these muscles? Pure-bred Goblin power!"

Killua rolled his eyes and brought the nonsense to a close. He stood up, and chills ran down Kurapika's spine as a sudden surge of aura rolled off of the boy - no, the Valkyrie's body. Killua outranked Kurapika by a long shot, and his body's reaction to the other males aura was a strong indication. Leorio was realizing the same thing, and his eyes widened in instinctual terror.

Aura was less of an energy and more of a gas. Every humanoid - except for plain humans - had aura glands. Those glands doubled as aura producers and sensors. The more powerful the humanoid, the more intense their aura. When a humanoid released a wave of aura, their aura glands would produce an invisible cloud of chemicals only detectable through aura glands. When a weak humanoid was assaulted with a wake of intense superior aura, they were overcome with instincts to run and obey. All humanoids were naturally ranked by a biological hierarchy, no one could ever rebel against that hierarchy. It didn't matter how proficient a fighter was, if they were of a weak species then they could be defeated by a single glance if it was the glance of a higher ranked humanoid.

That was exactly what Leorio was experiencing at that moment. He was just a Goblin, and Killua was a Valkyrie. A Dragonite Valkyrie, no less. There was, however, a loophole in the aura glands. One could shut off the instinct to back down through intense practice. With that accomplished, a weaker humanoid would be immune to the effects of a higher ranking aura. A powerful aura gained the fear and respect of lower ranking humanoids, but a lower ranking humanoids could attain that same respect from higher ups if they had the ability to resist their aura.

This was exactly what Kurapika could do. After months of intense and incredibly painful and strenuous training, Kurapika was one of the select weaker humanoids immune to their superiors' aura.

Kurapika was not sure which category Gon fell into, but from what he could tell Killua's aura had no effect on the hybrid. He clearly could sense it, everyone could. He just was not adversely affected by it.

Killua nodded in Kurapika's direction with a smirk, an instinctual acknowledgement that Kurapika was strong. Leorio on the other hand…

"AHHHH, okay okay I believe you! Can you cut that out pleaseeeeee," he whined and yelled while rolling around on the floor. Killua complied with a cat-like grin, and shut off the flow of his aura. Their group was getting a few confused and annoyed stares from their travel companions.

Impressive. Killua only allowed his aura to reach our group. None of the others were able to detect it. That is proof of a skilled and dangerous humanoid. As I expected from Dragonite royalty. Gods, I still can't believe he's the crown prince of the Dragonite Clan. It's insane.

"So you will all be joining me entering in Heavan's Arena?" Kurapika asked.

"Yes!" the other three declared in unison.

Kurapika grinned at his friends, tawny eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I look forward to it! I am glad that the four of us will be staying together throughout our stay in Yorknew City."

"Me too!" Gon exclaimed.

The hybrid and the Elf smiled at each other, until the Goblin and the Valkyrie shared a glance of agreement and interrupted the moment. "Alright, let's hit the hay!" Leorio drawled.

"Yeah, can't deprive the old man of his rest," Killua quipped.

"How many times do I have to tell you! I'm a teenager just like all of you!"

Kurapika shook his head, and settled into his sleeping bag with a chuckle. He watched as Gon grabbed Killua from behind and dragged him down into their mountain of blankets. The Valkyrie's face flushed, and his tail went rigid for a moment. He quickly composed himself, but Kurapika did not miss the reaction. He also did not miss the soft shimmer in those sapphire eyes whenever he looked in Gon's direction.

Killua, do you…

With a growing smile, Kurapika turned his back on the fire and went to sleep.

AN: finally decided to fully explain how aura works in this universe haha