Wheeee! Next chapter!

***

He calmly examined her. Short, slim, and strong. For a girl. But she was no match for him, he thought with a grim satisfaction as he felt her struggling beneath him. Her short black hair was pulled up into a seemingly haphazard ponytail, wispy strands hanging across her face. Stupid girl. Thinking she could sneak past him. But there was one thing that troubled him -- her eyes. Something about those fierce brown eyes tugged at the back of his memories. She looked at him, not with wide-eyed fear and panic, but with an intense, burning hatred. He brushed his thoughts away.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't kill you right now."

Thoughts raced through Mirah's head. She could tell that this boy was serious.  His calm, impassive face was no stranger to death…he had killed many times before, and without hesitation. An assassin perhaps? He would have no qualms about killing her. She cursed herself for her stupid mistake. Hadn't Netsuko always told her to be wary of short cuts? She had been so sure that this would help her. Now she would pay for her folly. She tensed as his fingers closed tightly around her throat. He narrowed his eyes, a cold smile playing on his lips. This was it –

"Killua! What are you doing?!"

Her captor turned, facing his slightly puzzled/horrified companion who had just woken up. The vise-like grip on her neck loosened ever so slightly.

"Punishing the thief." He explained coolly.

"Let her go!"

"Let her go? Let her go and take your hard-earned Hunter Card?"

The other boy blinked, "I'm sure there's a good reason…"

Her captor shook his head disparagingly. "Gon, you're too trusting."

The sharp claws left her neck and she scrambled to her feet, dabbing the thin lines of blood gingerly with her fingers.

Killua crossed his arms disapprovingly as he leaned against the trunk of a large tree.

Mirah glared at them like a cornered animal. She still had the card clutched tightly in her hand. There was no way she could outfight the two of them. The skills of the pale boy were impressive enough. But if she ran for it…

"Why do you want my Hunter Card?"

He seemed almost cheerful, with not the slightest bit of accusation in his voice.

Immediately, she had the queer feeling that she could trust this boy, Gon, with her life. His face was honest and open, without a hint of deceitfulness. Warm brown eyes filled with good intention…she unwittingly found herself spilling her story to him.

"I've never met my parents, never even seen a picture. For as long as I can remember, Netsuko's raised me. But she's dead now. Killed. And I've gotta find my them. My parents. That's why I took your card."

Surprisingly, he grinned.

"I'm looking for my parents too. Actually, just my father. But I know how you must feel. Hey! Why don't you come with us?" He asked, sticking out a callused hand. "I'm Gon Freecs!"

She let out a hesitant smile. "Mirah Reiyu."

"And that's Killua Zoldick." Gon said, motioning at the pale boy who still looked as surly as ever.

Gon yawned. "And I'm tired so goodnight!"

Everything had happened so quickly. One minute she was stealing his card, the next they were, daresay-- friends? And she was now traveling with them? She shrugged and sat down, glancing at the sleeping Gon. Her new friend. What a naïve and innocent boy. But there was no way she could ever betray him. She didn't know why, but she wanted to help him, to be his friend. A shadow interrupted her thoughts and once more, she looked up into the eyes of Killua Zoldick.

"Gon may be trusting. But I'm not. One false move and I will kill you."

He gave her a calculating glance, turned and walked away.