CHAPTER ONE: FIRST BEAT

The spike-haired youth shuffling through the now empty park in the middle of the night could easily scare off a chance by-passer. Though he looked ordinary at a glimpse with his attire of black, long-sleeved turtleneck, plain shorts and travel boots, there was still about him an aura that latently suggested something unspeakable.

After all, ordinary can never justify a realistic description of an assassin. Especially if he's a Zoldick.

The midnight sky was bleak and the air heavy and gelid with the coming rain. The thick clouds seemed to have accumulated in commiseration to the ostensibly harrowed spirits of the kid. He walked on, head bent low and hands dug deep in his pockets. His steps were almost staggering, suggestive of the heaviness of the gall he was carrying inside--that which had filled his heart with resounding vacuity.

The wind blew pass him, ruffling the spikes of his hair. But even this playful attempt at thawing his passivity yielded no change in his emotion. Or rather, his lack of it. He seemed to have no idea where he was or how long he had been walking. Not that he cared. After all, nothing mattered much to him anymore. Ever since the one thing he had learned to treasure the most was swept by the cruel hands of death right before his very eyes, he knew life would never be the same for him again.

"Gon…" he didn't mean to say it, but his lips seemed to have a mind of their own and uttered the one name that could deftly bring tears to his eyes. And it could've done so at that moment, but there were no more tears to cry. All the tears had gushed out from his eyes, and yet the loneliness stayed etched in his heart. In his soul. In his whole being.

A faint sound close to a sob escaped his throat, but he ignored it along with the bitterness that it brought. He couldn't let this feeling get the best of him anymore. With the death of his bestest friend in the world, all hope and possibility of his ever changing into a different being--a normal kid--vanished as well. It had been quite a while since he turned his back on the person he used to be and was supposed to be. Now it seemed to be his only escape out of this agony... this misery... this pain...

For there was no use anymore to try to be normal. His attempt at being a normal kid had but denied him (almost completely) the glory and serenity of lobotomy--the inability to feel.

It was time to be back to who he really was.

And as though unanimously agreeing to his abrupt decision, claps of thunder roared through the sky. Slowly, he raised his head and looked ahead, his eyes reflecting the devilish side of his being. He stopped in his tracks upon seeing an approaching figure. A potential victim walking straight into his trap. An evil sneer began to curve his lips. His hand itched with the kind of thrill he felt whenever he was about to kill someone.

That was what he was about to do right now. And he wasn't doing this for money or for anybody else. He was gonna do this… for himself.

After all, he was Killua Zoldick.

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Meilin had caught sight of the kid when the first bolt of lightning blazed the midnight sky. But she didn't feel the numbing chill until the ensuing thunder rumbled through the heavens. She could swear she saw the kid's eyes flash with virulence as he looked straight at her. The expression on his face seemed to spell something sinister--a deadly omen undoubtedly meant for her.

And why the kid suddenly stopped walking about a yard away from her with that infernal smile on his lips, she could only begin to guess. All she knew was that things were getting really freaky, she was starting to regret she ever thought of coming here in the first place.

SYAORAN! she wanted to cry out, but had to stop herself when her legs suddenly froze, refusing to take another step. She actually had to struggle to regain her balance and keep herself upright. Oh no! she thought in a panic as she cast her frightened eyes at the kid who had now begun advancing toward her. She could already feel her heart thumping in her chest. Her breaths became rugged as cold, paralyzing fear flooded her nerves. She knew she shouldn't let this get the best of her, but what was she to do? It's true that she was trained in martial arts and may have a chance at kicking this guy's ass should he try to start something with her. And she would actually do just that right about now, if only he weren't looking at her as though he was thinking of maiming her and drinking her blood to satisfy his devilish thirst. Her senses were slowly deteriorating, but she still had enough left to know she absolutely was no match for this creature from hell.

She knew she had to get out of there fast! If only her legs would start cooperating…

Then she realized she was beginning to get a little too panicky. Maybe the kid didn't mean to give her that look at all. Maybe she was just making too much out of the situation. Suspecting an innocent stranger out on a leisurely walk in the park… well yeah, it was just like her all right.

But why wouldn't his ghastly smile disappear? The murderous look in his eyes which were unwaveringly locked on her? And why was he out so late in the night? For crying out loud, why was she?

She couldn't help but sigh over the matter. She only needed space. A quiet, peaceful place where she could think things over and somehow be able to rid herself of all the bitterness and pain that had been occupying her heart for quite a while now. She never expected to be met by such an acquaintance. All she wanted was to be alone. Even just for a while, she thought imploringly as she closed her eyes tightly. I need time to think, to clear my fogged up mind…

…To treat my dying heart…

She absolutely didn't need to be bothered by a demented kid, whoever he may be or from what part of hell he came from. Why wouldn't guys just disappear so she could have some peace of mind? Syaoran. And now this monster! The fear she was feeling a while ago dissolved into the hatred that began to rise to her head. Her brows crossed with fury as her fist clenched in rage. She wouldn't ever let any guy hurt her anymore. Not Syaoran, nor this kid, nor any of the billion other jerks roaming around the planet.

She would show them all what Meilin Li was all about.

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The look that the girl gave him when she opened her eyes rattled Killua's senses. He stopped short of thrusting his clawed hand into her chest. His whole body froze--his legs in lunged position and his right hand aimed for the kill. NO! he thought with a start as his eyes shed off the deathly look. His lips gaped open as he looked straight into those eyes. Those eyes that were so full of anger and determination. And courage. Almost as if he was looking into… his eyes.

His heart began thrashing violently around his chest. "G… G…"

A strong gush of wind blew pass them causing one of the girl's waist long ponytails to brush against his cheek. Black… Black hair! "GON!" he muttered under his breath, as tears began to well in his eyes.

Above them, the second bolt of lightning streaked the dark sky.

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Meilin couldn't contain the anger any longer. The moment her eyes snapped open, her wrath had risen up to a level that was now impossible to pacify. She needed to show this punk what she could do.

She felt a burning heat run through the nerves of her right arm down to her clenched fist. How dare this stranger think he could just barge here and pick a fight with anybody? How dare he think of picking at her, of all people?

She didn't know when her arm began to swing toward the kid's face. The next thing she could remember was the pain on her fist and the figure of the kid flailing helplessly in the air. The groan that escaped his throat as his body hit the ground several inches away blended with the rumbling thunder.

For a moment, Meilin thought the kid was gonna stand up to retaliate. But he didn't. He wasn't even flinching, for heaven's sake! At this point, Meilin felt a little anxious. She only meant to give the guy a lesson. Not kill him!

She instantly ran to his limp body and was taken aback when she saw him… Crying? There was blood oozing from his nose and mouth, but Meilin didn't notice this as much as she did the tears dropping off the sides of his eyes. She didn't know why but she suddenly felt sorry for hurting him. Perhaps it was the bitterness that she saw in those cat-shaped eyes that were gazing blankly into the sky. Like… Like… he had just lost something, or someone important. Just like her…

She dropped to her knees beside him… And cried with him, their stifled sobs adding acrid notes to the pelting of heavy raindrops on the ground.