Chapter 2: Revelation

Gon sighed, breaking the tense silence. "Hey Killua, how long do you think it will take them?"

Killua shrugged, eyes scanning the expression of their captor for any hostility. None detected.

"I'm bored." Gon declared, shifting uncomfortably in his restraints. He had never been chained up before and he certainly wasn't having a great experience with it so far. His arms were sore from being chained behind his back for so long and the anticipation was eating him up.

"It's been two hours." Gon complained again. "What do they have us here for anyway?"

Killua closed his eyes, simulations running in his mind. Since no nen had been added to them, he could definitely break his and Gon's restraints with ease. The main problem was the man sitting by the door, covered head to toe in seemingly unnecessary banadages. He knew the same trick wouldn't work again... What could be his nen ability anyway?

Killua further strained his mind. He had been taught to be calm and collected even in the most stressful situations... He couldn't falter now. There had to be a way out... He couldn't just let them make Gon join the troupe or worse-

A knock at the door. "It's Machi. The boss has sent me to bring them."

"Finally..." Gon mumbled under his breath.

As the four neared the main hall of the building, Killua felt his chest tightening. He took a breath to steady his nerves but no air seemed to get in. A glance at Gon and he frowned. How the hell is he so calm? Their next interaction with the troupe was going to be a make or break situation. A single mistake and their heads would be rolling on the floor.

A barely noticeable flare of aura beside him and he realised his partner wasn't calm either. A scowl on his face, his hands were curled into tight trembling fists.

"Mind your aura, kid." Machi warned, leading the group. The bandaged man at their back began walking closer.

Killua had a horrible feeling about their meeting. Another corner turned and he could see the dim candle light peeking through the entrance. A deep shaking breath. Another. Another. An-

They entered the hall.

His eyes scanned the room full of now-familiar. A total of twelve troupe members, of course excluding the now dead one. His eyes lingered for too long on the blonde woman, a shudder running down his spine when he recalled her abilities. She blinked back and he decided to turn his attention to Hisoka- nothing more than amused. Son of a bitch. Wasn't he interested in Gon? Couldn't he help them in some way?

"Pakunoda." The Spider's leader's clear and calm voice interrupted his thoughts. As he focused his eyes on him, his intimidating presence seemed to swallow him up. A single mistake and their heads would be rolling on the floor. "Go ahead."

The blonde took a step forward, stopping Killua's heart. They were so screwed. Damn that Leorio for running his mouth.

"Huh? We already told you we don't know who the Chain User is?" Gon yelled. "What's up wi-"

A blur of purple and yellow, and the woman had him shoved into the wall, a palm pressing to his mouth.

"GON!" Abandoning his senses, he ran forward, reaching out a hand. Something hard slammed against the back of his head, registering a second later as he hilt of a sword.

"Easy, kid." A shoe dug into his spine, pinning him to the ground.

"What are you hiding?" The woman asked.

Killua pushed up, determined to get off the floor. They were gonna kill Gon. Maybe even torture him for revenge. They were gonna use him as bait to draw Kurapika out. He had to save him. Grab him. Make a run for it. Die in the process. It didn't matter how. He couldn't let him die.

"Quit it, kid." The pressure on his spine doubled. "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. We'll let you go, okay? Just-"

"Oh."

"What?" The pressure on his spine decreased. "You found something, Paku? What is-"

"The kids know Hisoka. This one even fought him at Heaven's Arena. Managed to get four points against him but lost of course. They first met him at this year's Hunter Exam. Nothing more. The kid's clean." A small thud as Gon landed on his feet.

Nobunaga whistled. "You got four points against Hisoka?"

"What's there to be impressed about?" Machi rolled her eyes. "He was obviously going easy on the kid."

"Of course I know that! Still-"

Hisoka chuckled.

"Oi! What was that?!" He growled.

"Paku." Chrollo's clear voice sounded once more, dissolving all tension. "Try the next one."

Nobunaga finally stepped off of him, mumbling something under his breath.

Killua closed his eyes, waiting for the inevitable. At least, Gon was safe. A hand on his throat and, in a flash, he could feel the wall behind him.

"What are you hiding?"

What am I hiding? The words echoed in his mind as a strange calming aura, previously unnoticed, began slithering around his body. He squeezed his eyes shut tighter, trying his best not to think about it. Just keep your head empty. Empty. Empty.

The strange aura kept wrapping itself tighter and tighter around him.

Gon managed to pass the test. If he could too, it'd all be over and they could go home. He wondered what would happen if she did figure out that he knew who the Chain User was? Would they let Gon go anyway? Only punishing him? He really hoped so. Still, they would be bating Kurapika with him, wouldn't they? Not to mention, he doubted Gon would leave without a fight.

Kurapika's scarlet eyes flashed in his head. He really would be very upset. Everyone would be so angry. They'd certainly hunt the troupe down. Would they be able to defeat it? Probably not. They'd end up dead. Everyone would be dead.

Would he really deserve it though? Would he really be worth it?

The strong hold of the aura suddenly disappeared and he found himself back on his feet, with a small trembling. His brain felt hazy. Odd. Like he'd just awoken from a deep sleep. He really really wanted to fall asleep again. Just closing his eyes back up for a second wouldn't hurt, would it?

He couldn't even remember when he opened them in the first place... Huh...

A distant voice called his name but it was already too late.

[A/N: It has been a few more months since I last updated. I've just been so wrapped up in other things, mostly school.

Anyways, thanks a lot ReinRain37, Mrs Oikawa, and DiamondHero for your comments. I'm glad y'all are interested. Without them, I would have probably not even written this chapter.

I look forward, once more, to writing more, although I can't promise anything.]