Disclaimer: Hunter X Hunter is merely a favourite of mine, not owned by me.
Author's Note: Yo! Hee…I'm feeling kinda gleeful now, although I'm not why very sure myself. Anyways, I'd like to thank Relaxing Pikachu and Kansu for their reviews. Honto ni arigatou gozaimasu! Thanks to Relaxing Pikachu for the praise; I'll try to update A.S.A.P.! As for Kansu-san; I'll remember your advice and try harder! Thank you!
He bobbed on the balls of his feet and stretched his neck as far as it allowed, eyes straining to catch any signs of his eldest brother. For a few minutes, light entered those deep blue eyes as they scanned around hopefully; but it faded away as the owner dropped back on his feet.
Not even a single sign of his eldest brother on the winding pathway leading up to the Zoaldyeck mansion situated at the top of the Kukulu Mountain that he inhabited with his family. Eyes downcast, Killua held the umbrella that Goto-san had given him when he was about to go to the gate to wait for his eldest brother closer.
Goto-san had gazed at him and ruffled his hair affectionately when Killua went to him to tell him of his intentions to go to the big gates, and pushed the umbrella into his arms after forcing him into a raincoat. Goto-san even suggested asking Kanaria to go with him, but he had declined, because he knew that his mother would not have approved and may even punish Kanaria. Killua did not want that to happen, because the only other servant that was close to him in the house besides Goto-san was Kanaria.
The wind blew harder, causing the rain to spray at his face. Shivering, Killua pulled his raincoat around him tightly, nearly dropping the umbrella, but managed to catch it before it hit the ground. Moving a few steps to his left, he leaned against the cold, steel gate. His leg felt numb after standing in the rain for the past few hours.
The Zoaldyeck mansion, being situated at the top of the Kukulu Mountain, always had a lower temperature than that of other places, even in the summer. It was even worse during the winter, and not to mention, during the raining season as well, the temperature sometimes reaching as low as 15 degree Celsius.
'Samui…' Killua groaned silently.
The wind decided to blow again, and the rain fell a little harder, as if trying to warn Killua that he should not be grumbling, as conditions could have been worse. Killua sneezed, and the cap of his raincoat slipped to his shoulder, exposing his thick shock of silver-lavender hair. Realising that, Killua quickly moved to set the umbrella on the ground to correct his cap, but before he could even move, a hand tugged at his raincoat and corrected his cap from behind.
'What are you doing out here on a rainy day, Killua?" a voice accompanied the action. Killua's eyes widened with delight, and he promptly whirled around, dropping the umbrella to the ground.
'Aniki!'
The figure with long black hair that had greeted his sight smiled at him. Happily, Killua gave him a tight hug around the knees, childlike.
'Aniki, you're all wet!' Killua exclaimed when he released his eldest brother. Indeed, the dark royal blue figure was all soaked from head to toe, his curtain of black hair dripping. Killua quickly turned back, picked up the umbrella from the ground and handed it to him. His eldest brother smiled at him as he took the umbrella from Killua's hands, and he returned it. For a few moments, they stood that way, with the rain pattering, creating a monotonous but peaceful atmosphere.
Suddenly, a deep voice from the background broke the harmonious silence. Silva's voice. Their father's voice.
'Ilumi, get him back in here.'
Killua blinked, little drops of rainwater entering his eyes as he stared up at his brother. Ilumi smiled briefly at him, the opened the umbrella.
'Now, then, father's calling. Shall we return to the mansion?' Ilumi said, extending a pale hand towards Killua, which he took happily, and they trudged back to the mansion.
- - -
Before he could even open his eyes, his body had already jerked up involuntarily. Killua sat of his bed, breath uneven, cold sweat drenching his body, causing him to shake although it was a warm night. He stared forward, eyes wide open, for some time. He took in the dark outline of the two chairs and table in front of his bed, the glass door with heavy red curtains illuminated by moonlight on his right, Gon's body beside him on the same bed and the outline of his other two close friends on the other two smaller, separated bed. Killua felt a small smile tugging at his lips as he recalled how the four of them had argued over which bed they wanted. Both Gon and he had insisted that they take the two smaller beds whereas Leorio and Kurapika shared the bigger bed this time, but was hit over the head by the two elder ones. They had launched back their own counterattack, but was then yelled at by someone next door who said something unclear, as if like he did not put on his dentures, but sounded like, 'Would you shut the hell up there?!'
Then, the smile faded and Killua slowly closed his eyes and ran a hand through his tousled hair. His other hand automatically moved forth and tugged at the blanket entangled around his slender legs, causing it to tighten a little.
Why is it that he still haunts him in the dreams? Why would Ilumi not let go of him? Even father agreed that he join Gon and the others. Why is it that Ilumi would not let him go?
As Killua opened his eyes, he slowly let go another gasp of breath. Slowly, he pulled himself inwards, the blanket falling off and hugged his legs. Placing his forehead on his knees, Killua whispered softly, as if comforting himself, 'Iie…aniki wouldn't be in the alley.'
'So, my guess was correct,' Gon voice suddenly sounded, followed by a jacket placed on his shoulders. Killua started, his head jerked up.
Since when was he awake?!
Killua felt the bed move as weight shifted around, then felt a body leaning against his back. More movements ensued.
'You could have told us.'
'Yeah. We could have helped you check.'
Leorio and Kurapika. They climbed into the bigger bed and sat cross-legged beside him.
'Didn't you trust us?' Gon asked, his voice soft and caring as he tilted his head back, leaning even more on Killua.
Killua kept silent and lowered his head; his silver bangs shading his eyes, at the same time seemed to glitter in the bright, sombre moonlight that poured into the room, reflecting the atmosphere.
'Didn't you?' Leorio echoed Gon's question.
Silence.
'I don't dare to make any conclusions, but I personally believe that you should have told us, not kept it to yourself,' Kurapika broke the silence. Again, Killua did not answer. All of them remained that way for some time.
'I'm tainted.'
'Eh?'
'I've been trained to kill since young, and had done that a lot, so much so that I can kill someone without having any feelings unless I choose to. I am stained with blood all over, and the stench of blood surrounds me everywhere I go…blood so red and stench so strong that nothing in this world can ever eradicate them.'
'You've stopped. That is sufficient,' Gon countered.
'But the stain remains.'
'So? We do not mind, please bear that in mind and stop wallowing in self pity.'
'Leorio's right,' Kurapika's voice sounded.
'It still matters,' Killua shook his head.
'It doesn't!' exclaimed Gon, sitting upright in his haste to make his best friend understand.
'Of course it does.'
Killua's head snapped up, as did the others.
'Now, now, there's no need to panic, is there?'
Killua's eyes widened as he whipped around to look his friends. Fear was clearly written on Killua's face – his pale features.
'Aniki,' he breathed.
Umm…so what do you think? Do review, pls!