As the months passed, Killua's love for Kurapika grew stronger as did her's for him. No day was complete without sharing a few moments together, no night was complete without sleeping in each other's arms; sex was not a requirement yet. Killua took her everywhere, whether it be a meeting with a client or an assassination, much to Sylva's dismay. He discouraged Killua from bringing any extra load so an assassination won't become an attempt. But Kurapika was perfect. She could protect herself excellently, hide herself well and blend in unnoticeably. She was as silent and swift as a cat and was a better than any fighter, save for the Zaoldyecks, even with her weighted clothes.

He trained her and with her on the days when training was required. She sat quietly in a corner when 'intense training' (a.k.a. torture) was expected of him and Zeno and Sylva were there to 'train' him. There was not a moment when she left his side or when Killua did not bring her along his trips. She was perfect.

Killua decided to take it to the next level.

He took her one night, gently and lovingly, on the eve her birthday, which was on April 7th. It was the best night of their virgin lives. (1) They woke up to the perfect morning in each other's arms, although the rest of the day demanded more training and meetings. And again went to bed, nestled in each other's arms. They had sex again two days later when the bliss from their first time had worn off.

A few months later, Killua's 19th birthday was fast approaching. He wasn't as excited as he was before. Nothing better could be given to him after the gift he received from the Kluta tribe on his last birthday. Kurapika couldn't decide what to give him. She wasn't expected to give him anything, but she wanted to. Killua only grinned and kissed her when she mentioned this to him.

"You do realize you're treating me like a child. I am six years older than you," she reminded.

"Hai, hai, Kupi. Demo, you're so kawaii," he teased. Kurapika glared at him before he captured her lips in a kiss that left much to be desired. "Not now, Kupi" he told her when she tempted him. It took all of his willpower to overcome her charm, he managed it eventually, by making her sit down on the couch in his room as he sorted out, on the bed, the business his clients have given him. After a few minutes he looked at her to see her watching him. "Let's take a bath," he suggested. Kurapika nodded, calling to her maids to set up the bathroom. When all was ready, half an hour later, they adjourned to the huge bathroom with a sunken bathtub filled with slightly hot water.

Least to say, they spent the better part of supposedly cleaning themselves, making out. It took them fifteen minutes to wash off the dirt and grime they had acquired from training, before sliding into the bathtub. Kurapika settled onto the built in bench with a small sigh. Killua followed suit beside her, licking off the droplets of water that ran down her neck.

"Kurapika-chan…" he murmured.

"Hai, Killua-sama?"

"I love you."

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Killua walked around the mansion that day, grinning like an idiot. His father had called for him and Killua was on his way to see him, something about important matters. Killua couldn't care less. Kurapika was out in town, with his permission, getting him something for his birthday. He was a bit uneasy about that. It would be the first time they separated since they met. He allowed her however; she could take care of herself. He also couldn't wait for her gift. Next to her, it was most likely the second best thing he would ever receive, something thought of and given to him by his beloved.

Sylva watched Killua enter. He had on his usual stoic mask that was expected of him, but his eyes held a distinct sparkle that was never there before, ever. He was starting to wonder if he made a mistake of choosing the Kluta for Killua, or worse, the mistake of choosing the Kluta for Killua and not for himself. She certainly had an effect on his heir.

"Killua, as you know your nineteenth birthday is coming up. These four years are the most crucial stages in a Zaoldyeck's life. The eighteenth is when you are marked as a man and given a woman of your own. The twenty-first is when you take over the Zaoldyeck name. The nineteenth in when you are to be engaged, and twentieth—to be married" Sylva stated simply and straightforwardly. Killua blinked, losing the sparkle in his eyes as his father's words dawned onto him.

"Married?" he asked. Sylva nodded. "To who?" Sylva waved his hand and his slave lead the way for a young girl of sixteen. She had long, glossy black hair, beautiful amethyst eyes and a slender figure at a height of about five foot eleven. She was no doubt beautiful, but Killua had eyes only for Kurapika. Besides… "KALLUTO?!" he yelled, jumping back, "But she's my sister for fuck's sake!" (2)

"This is how it's been done for centuries, Killua. Zeno did it, I did it and now you'll do it. Accept your destiny, my son. Kalluto has accepted her's" Sylva told him.

"I can't… I WON'T!"

"It's already been settled, Killua. Your birthday will be your official engagement. Next year, you are to marry. You aren't required to love her. You aren't supposed to love her, much less anyone else" Sylva told him pointedly. It was obvious as to whom he was referring to. "You need not even bed her frequently. The only requirement is that you have at least two children, a male and a female." Killua's eyes widened in disbelief and in shock. He ran out of the room. "Make sure he doesn't leave" Sylva ordered sternly. Kalluto nodded and followed Killua out.

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"You're being childish" Kalluto muttered, catching up with Killua's stride easily.

"Go away, Kalluto. It's none of your business" Killua growled. Kalluto smirked. Her brother was so predictable.

Greatest Zaoldyeck? Yeah right she scoffed. "You're being childish" she repeated, "Why can't you just accept our family's traditions? Your slave accepted hers. Do you think, if she weren't forced to, she'd ever want to be your slave? Please. Do you think, if it weren't her duty, she'd ever live to please you? Nobody wants to be a slave, Killua, but she learned to live with it. So must you." Killua stopped. Right on target, she thought. Killua turned to her.

"You have no idea what you're saying" he said and resumed his pace. Kalluto smirked yet again, not following him this time.

Her brother was too easy.

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Killua reached his room and slammed the door shut, throwing himself on the bed. He didn't show it to her, but Kalluto's words brought a new realization unto him. What if what she said was true? What if Kurapika didn't love him at all? It couldn't be, could it? He hadn't given her any reason to hate him. He never raised a hand to her. He never shouted at her. Hell, he treated her like a goddess.

Nobody wants to be a slave. Kalluto's words kept ringing in his head.

Should I set her free? he wondered, Kalluto, you bitch, you just had to ruin everything didn't you… He rolled over onto his stomach, buried his head in his arms and took a moment to think. I can't marry Kalluto… he decided finally.

He sat up, burying his face in his palms and staying like that or a moment until Kurapika came back. She knocked softly on the door to Killua's room. It wasn't necessary, but she did out of respect. She heard a vague grunt of acknowledgement from Killua from inside so she deemed it correct to enter. The smile she had when she had entered immediately disappeared when she caught sight of Killua brooding on the bed.

"Daijoubu ka?" she asked softly and concernedly. Killua looked at her and beckoned her to come closer. Kurapika promptly obeyed, sliding onto the bed in front of him.

"Kurapika-chan, if you could go anywhere in the world, no restrictions whatsoever, where would you go?" he asked sullenly. Kurapika blinked but leaned forward, their foreheads pressed together.

"Anywhere you'd be" she murmured, threading her fingers in his hair.

"Would you obey me no matter what?" he asked again, holding her at arms length to look into her eyes. Kurapika was confused. Why all the questions? She however answered Killua properly, ignoring her own questions running through her head.

"Hai, Killua-sama."

"Are you willing to give up your name and heritage… for… for us?" he asked again. Kurapika was starting to feel nervous. She was starting to piece together what little information she had gathered from his questions, however she needed to know what had gone on in his meeting with his father.

"Hai" she nodded frowning, "Killua, what happened?"

"Kurapika, if we stay here, I'll be forced to marry someone else… Kalluto… I… I can't do that…" Killua stammered, drawing her in, holding her close.

"It's inevitable, Killua-sama…" Kurapika replied, realizing the implications of his statement, "Even so, I'll still be yours, no matter what…"

"Iie, that's not enough. We have to leave," he decided finally. Kurapika pulled away.

"And where in the world will we go?!" she demanded. Killua stopped for a moment, thinking.

"To Whale Island. We'll seek refuge from Gon." Kurapika had no choice to obey, not that she didn't like it. A life with Killua, just the two of them, was very tempting. Killua helped her up.

"Do you have anything that isn't heavy?" he asked.

"Hai" she pulled him to her room to get changed while Killua pondered on their escape.

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(1) Of course they're still virgins. Kurapika's birthday is on April 7.

(2) Yes, this is incest. Let's just assume that genetic mutation does not occur when their genes mix. (Although Killua has a seemingly genetically mutated brother but we will overlook this.)