Disclaimer: Hunter X Hunter is merely a favourite of mine, not owned by me.

Author's note. As usual, the first thanks goes to Relaxing Pikachu. Thank you for all the encouragements! It really motivates me. Thanks! Umm...I'd just like to inform...that this chapter makesnearly all the current characters seem a little...umm...pathetic...sorry!

'Aniki?'

'Yes.'

'Where are you?'

'Everywhere around you.'

'Cut the crap!' Leorio spat, quickly getting up.

'Jumpy, aren't you?'

A soft knock on the door sounded, causing all four of them to jump and glance nervously at each other again. Gon breathed through his mouth.

'Go get it, Leorio.'

'No.'

'Get it. He'll come anyway, open or not. So might as well you open the door, prevent him from blasting the door. At least we won't have to pay for a blasted door!' Killua spat out angrily – angry at himself for being afraid of his brother and angry for not knowing what will happen to the four of them. No matter what, he will not allow his brother to hurt his friends; that is for certain.

Leorio cursed silently and slowly made his way to the door as the others gazed at him, except Killua. His eyes were wide and staring at the white knuckles of his hands clutching at the blanket. Leorio laid his hand on the knob of the door and quietly signaled to Gon with his eyes, to stay close and comfort Killua, and if possible, protect him. Thankfully, Gon was not in his I-am-the-dense-kind-of-people mode, and understood immediately, thus moving closer to Killua. Kurapika merely watched the two younger ones, his chain already materialized around his right hand, and poised for action.

Another knock sounded, this time more impatient.

Leorio turned back to face the door. He knew what was waiting outside, and he knew everyone knew; at least, they can guess more or less what was waiting for them outside.

He took a deep breath and wrenched the doorknob, then pulled back the grey door.

'Hello,' a quiet voice greeted him. Leorio, on the other hand, kept quiet and narrowed his eyes in dislike.

'Are you not going to invite me in?' the pale figure in dark royal blue asked patiently. Leorio opened his mouth with every intention to retort, but someone else interrupted him before he was able to do so.

'Do come in, aniki,' Killua's voice, a little shaky, sounded, and he appeared beside Leorio, smiling but noticeably paler than usual in the light that filtered in through the open door. Leorio's eyes widened in surprise as he glanced down at the silver haired boy whom he had always teased. Behind him, he heard more shufflings of feet and knew that both Gon and Kurapika had joined them.

'Thank you,' Ilumi answered graciously and stepped into the room. As soon as Ilumi had entered the room, Killua wrenched the doorknob from Leorio and hurriedly closed the door, as if afraid that someone might happen to pass by and see them acting suspiciously. Leorio gazed at the back of Killua for a few more moments, who had remained facing the door after closing it, before shifting his gaze to Gon and Kurapika. The both of them shrugged, and their eyes spelt of fear and worriment.

Exactly at that moment, Killua turned around to face the others, his shaky smile still in place, and startling his companions. Gon moved, wanting to get Killua's attention, but was promptly stopped by Kurapika.

'He is your friend. Do what a friend should do. Don't force him. Let him take things in his stride,' Kurapika whispered. Gon's eyebrows furrowed. He knew that Killua was scared, and he wanted to go to Killua and comfort him in whatever way he could, but he also understood the truth in Kurapika's words, so he nodded and relaxed a little.

Killua took a step forward, still smiling, and gazed at his brother who was standing in the middle of the room with his back to Killua. Ilumi gave no reaction although he sensed his younger brother staring at him. Thus they remained, unmoved, for a few minutes – Killua staring at Ilumi, and Leorio, Gon and Kurapika rooted awkwardly in the middle.

Finally, Gon, as impulsive as he always, could stand it no more.

'Fine, out with it! What is your intention of coming here?' he half-yelled, causing Leorio and Kurapika to jump a little. Killua dropped his smile and blinked blankly.

'Gon, this room is not soundproofed, you know that as well as anyone here do, so don't just yell your head off,' Killua calmly teased.

'Killua! I'm not joking!' Gon protested, half-grinning in frustration and hands balled into fists. Killua returned his grin, but the next thing he knew was Gon slammed and pinned to the opposite wall and yelling out in pain.

'Gon!' Leorio and Kurapika yelled in unison.

Killua's eyes widened in fear and shock although he remained silent. Ilumi, still in his previous posture, laughed lightly.

'Killua, you know exactly what aniki wants, don't you?'

Leorio and Kurapika glanced at Killua, then back at Ilumi, gritting their teeth in anger. Still, they took no reaction. They sensed it; this is something that can only be solved between the two brothers, and Gon's life is the price.

'Killua, I've told you before. You can never have friends, because you are the heir of the Zoaldyeck family, whether you like it or not. You're destined to be alone, forever and ever, because your friends and those close to you, other than our family members, servants and acquaintances assigned to you, shall meet with unhappy, unexpected ends.'

Killua did not answer, but stared at his eldest brother, whom he had respected, loved and even admired once.

'Don't…l-listen…t-to…to him,' Gon gasped as he fought to breathe. Killua's sight shifted briefly to Gon before he lowered his head.

Gon was the first person to accept him for what he is and did not reject him. Gon taught him to believe in hope and miracles; he was never afraid of him, not even from the start. It was Gon who had really taught him how to enjoy life although he had acted like he had all along. His image as a cheeky boy before he met Gon was merely a mask he had donned on to hide his fears and pains, but Gon taught him to live like the way he had always wanted. Gon is more than a friend; he is his teacher. Gon cannot be hurt.

'Father allowed me to go with them,' Killua finally answered, trying to buy more time as he struggled to find a way to save Gon.

Ilumi laughed gently.

'Ototo, father had entrusted you to me since you are still a child. All along, you had no one to accompany you in any situations except for me. So, in a way, I, too, have a control on your future. I don't remember giving my agreements yet, daro?'

Killua bit his lips.

Kurapika moved, his irises red, as it was apt to when he was angry. He silently extended his right hand, and the chains entwined around his fingers clinked. This man in front of him was involved in the massacre of his tribe, and now he is threatening not only one, but two of his closest friends, friends so close that he can call them his family. He won't allow the same man to harm them; he can't, or his wound will open again.

Ilumi made no movements, but chuckled again as Gon gave another gasp, pale.

Leorio stood, uncertain of what to do. If he does not attack, he is a coward and had left his friend to death, but if he attacked, Ilumi will definitely end Gon's life there and then.

Kurapika was about to launch his attack, when a hand lightly touched his left shoulder. Kurapika glanced sideways. Killua's pale face, illuminated a little by the bright moonlight, greeted him.

'Killua?' he asked, suddenly uncertain, the red in his eyes slowly subsiding.

Killua grinned at him.

'Don't hold back if we ever come face to face with each other some day, okay?'

Kurapika's eyes widened as Killua lifted the pressure on his shoulder and walked towards Ilumi.

'Ki…Killua…!' Gon stammered. Leorio could only gape.

'This is the only way. Let's go, aniki.'

'Can you ever forget them?'

'No, I can never, nor will I ever attempt to.'

'Then this is for them?'

'Yes.'

Silence. Ilumi gazed sideways at his younger charge that was staring up at him, jaws set, eyes blazing with a strong inner fire. A frown passed swiftly through his face. Those blaze of fire…he had never seen them in Killua's eyes before. Ilumi could also see, the desire to keep the other three safe was so strong in Killua, although he was taught to make his own life and desires his first priorities since young. Gon, Kurapika and Leorio definitely have a big influence in the young assassin's life, ever since they crossed paths.

'It doesn't matter. That's good enough.'

Ilumi turned around and walked to the door. Killua followed, eyes glittering. No one tried to stop them. As Ilumi closed the door after them, Killua managed to give his now ex-companions a brief, friendly wink, a wink that seemed to wish them goodbye, good luck and may they continue their journey as well as they can, all at once. That was all. The door closed with another snap that night.

Gon's body fell forward to the floor, and both Kurapika and Leorio hurriedly stepped forward to assist him. As Gon slowly sat up, a gulp was audible.

Two drops of tears dropped on the tanned knuckles of Gon. Leorio gave Gon's shoulder a light squeeze. As if weakened by that contact, Gon pitched forward, into Kurapika as he began to sob fitfully.

'He promised that he will go through everything with me.'

Kurapika did not answer, but allowed Gon to stay as he was. He understood how painful Killua's departure was to Gon. No matter how close he was to Gon, or Leorio to Gon, their relationship was not as deep and close as Killua and Gon's. They had protected and fought each other as best as they could, and endured much of everything together, and that pretty much sealed their friendship.

'Gon…Killua wouldn't want to see you this way, considering how he sacrificed for us,' Leorio tried to pacify the younger one.

'Stupid Killua!'

So...do leave a review, please - good or bad...preferably bad ( heh...I think I need some of these, after all the praises from Relaxing Pikachu ). Thank you!