44 plus 405 equals 449
Wusai
Author's Notes: Some feelings I wanted to translate into writing. I think I can improve on the last sentence, though…and I've hardly ever written Hisoka or Gon, so feedback on their characterization is appreciated, as well.
Number 44 was a strange person. He had blue hair and looked like a clown well past his prime. He was constantly flipping his playing cards and staring off into the distance, a bored look on his face.
Number 405 was a young boy of about twelve, armed with a fishing rod. His black hair looked as if he had just climbed out of bed, as only bed hair has that ability to defy gravity so resolutely.
Number 405 sat next to Number 44. A moment of silence passed, punctuated by the shuffling and flipping of playing cards.
Suddenly, Number 405 turned to Number 44 and said, "Is there anything wrong?"
Number 44 looked surprised and replied, "No, not really."
Number 405 said, brow furrowing, "Is there anything I can do to help make it a strong 'no'?"
Number 44 paused and considered his options. After a moment, he smirked and said, "Give me a hug."
Number 405 beamed and said, "All right!"
With that, he hugged him. He didn't really understand why he was doing it—he hardly knew the fellow, and he was kind of creepy—but he did it anyway.
Number 44 laughed when they broke apart. At first, it was a pleasant laugh, and Number 405 laughed along. Then, Number 44's laughing became more maniacal and more like a cackle. At this point, Number 405 stopped laughing and stared in wonder at Number 44, wondering what exactly was so funny (though he supposed that this meant that Number 44 was considerably happier now?). Number 44 continued laughing until he choked and gagged, then wiped away the tears from his eyes.
"Thank you," he said. The sudden and complete switch to such calmness was a bit alarming. Number 405 beamed again.
"No problem!"
Sure, Number 44 was rather creepy.
But, for some reason, Number 405 wanted to hug him again.
Word Count: 313 words
Date Written: 11/22/2005