Killua watched Gon walk down the winner's tunnel, his heart soaring in his chest. Gon had won his rookie debut! And he had done it super bad-ass as well! Killua remembered how Gon had started the fight: with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He had leapt and dodged around in the picture of superiority and nonchalance.

Just like me. He was copying me.

Killua's face flushed.

Kurapika tapped the Valkyrie's shoulder, shaking him out of his stupor. The Elf looked down at him from where he was standing with a knowing smirk on his face. Killua glared up at the Kurta.

"Shut up," he growled.

"Don't just stand there, kid!" Leorio yelled from the end of the row. "We've gotta go meet Gon at the cash-out desk! Time to see how much money he made!"

Killua rolled his eyes and stood up. He followed Mamapika out of the row and up the stadium stairs. They exited through a dimly lit ramp, the echoes of the next battle ringing through the cramped passageway. With his hands shoved in his pockets, the silver haired mercenary swished his tail behind him casually. His peace was ruined, however, by the mother hen.

Kurapika brushed his shoulder against Killua's to get his attention, and leaned down to murmur into his ear. "You wanna tell Leorio?" the smile was audible in his voice.

Killua glared at the tawny eyed menace. "Absolutely not."

"Why not?" Kurapika prodded, grinning like a fool. For once looking like the 19 year old that he was. "We can team up to help you out!"

Killua sighed through his nose and cast his eyes downward. "I'm not telling Gon. Not now or ever. There's no way he returns my feelings, and I don't want to mess up what we already have. This'll go away… you'll see."

The blonde gazed at the tailed assassin with compassionate tawny eyes. "Oh, Killua."

"What're you two mumbling about back there?" Leorio scolded over his shoulder. "Pick up the pace, slow pokes! We might miss all the action!"

Killua shoved his anxious feelings aside to assume his new favorite pastime: annoying Leorio. "Come on, old man! There's no early bird special for the cash-out desk! Relax, you can set aside your retirement-home PTSD."

Leorio's ear twitched. "Killua, I swear to the gods!" he screeched.

Killua snickered and trotted out of Leorio's reach when the Goblin marched over to attack. Kurapika pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Boys! Enough! We really will be late if we dilly dally in this hall for too long!"

Killua and Leorio immediately ceased their horseplay and stood at attention. "Yes, mother!" they declared with crooked grins on their faces. Kurapika glared at the two trouble makers, and turned on his heel to the door while shaking his head. Killua and Leorio dissolved into snickers and high fived, before following their mother like the obedient little ducklings they were.

Gon danced from foot to foot as he waited off to the side of the cash-out desk. He didn't want to check his status until Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua got there! That battle had been so fun! Grumpy opponent and altercation with Hisoka aside, the hybrid had had the time of his life! Heaven's Arena was so fun!

He skipped over to the large window on the far wall. Gon watched the traffic of cars and people as they milled about the navy colored roads and sparkling sidewalks. The Heavan's Arena block of Yorknew City was Gon's new favorite place! Everything here was so incredible! The cars were so fast and awesome, the light bulbs were so efficient and fascinating! The hybrid was particularly enamored with the trees that grew from the sidewalks! Even in this metal metropolis, nature still shone through. That would never cease to amaze Gon.

A surprised shiver ran up Gon's spine as he suddenly felt breath against the shell of his ear. "I've got a bit of a problem after watching your fight~ Want to help me with it, Gon-dear?" Gon squealed in surprise and jumped a whole three feet into the air. He whipped himself around mid-air and swiped his leg towards Hisoka's head in a frantic kick–

"Killua?!" Gon shrieked as a mischievous Valkyrie instead of a slant eyed clown man hopped out of his leg's reach.

The silver haired trouble maker threw his head back in laughter.

"I thought you were Hisoka!" Gon yelled in a mixture of surprise and residual fear.

"I know!" Killua swished his tail in glee. "I make quite the good impression, don't I?"

Gon shuddered, more relieved than Killua could ever know that it had been his breath against his ear and not Hisoka's. The hybrid marched up to his friend with an annoyed and aggressive smirk on his face. "Asshole!" he declared as he swiped at Killua's head with a play-punch.

Killua cracked up in laughter as he dodged Gon's half-hearted attack with ease.

The horned boy chased his foul-humored friend up and down the hallway. Their laughter echoed against the navy blue walls, and several bystanders had to dart out of the way before being trampled. Killua was a shadow of silvery hair and an inky black tail. His musical laughter tickled Gon's ears, and drew snickers out of him as well. It was contagious.

I like hearing Killua's laugh! He's usually so composed, and he fake-laughs all the time. But his real laugh is so light and carefree.

"Alright, I think we've caused enough of a scene for one day," Kurapika called from where he was standing beside the cash-out desk. Killua stopped obediently, and Gon trotted to a stop behind him. As he passed the Valkyrie, however, he stuck out his foot and tripped him! With a surprised exclamation, Gon lost his balance and fell to the black carpeted floor.

Killua laughed again, and Gon glared back up at him. "Really?" Gon asked, barely managing to stifle his grin.

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself," Killua snickered. He held his hand down towards Gon, and the hybrid took it. Killua hauled Gon to his feet, and quickly released his hand with a tint to his cheeks.

Huh.

The two boys walked back over to the cash-out desk to join Kurapika and Leorio.

"You are Gon Freecss I presume?" came a cheerful voice from behind the desk.

"Yup!" Gon answered politely, stepping forward to receive his reward.

Behind the desk was a Fae-male with shimmering white skin and dazzling teal eyes. He had a shock of pink hair, with brown roots showing at the crown of his head. He had that usual Fae glow about him, and his preternatural beauty was enough to make Gon's heart beat a little faster.

Wow! It's not every day that you come across a Fae outside their homeland. It's considered a sign of good luck!

He smiled warmly at Gon. "Perfect! Congratulations on your win, by the way."

"Thanks a lot!" Gon chirped, basking in this man's praise.

"You earned a grand total of 120 battle points! Yay!" The cheerful man tossed a handful of golden confetti and glitter into the air, and Gon giggled lightheartedly as sparkles dusted his cheeks. "You have been moved up to the 199th floor! A 52 floor advancement!"

"Yay!" Gon cheered, the Fae-male's joyous air contagious.

"Yay is right!" He declared with a clap of his hands. "Are you ready for the best part?"

"Yes!" Gon answered without hesitation.

"Since this is your first time collecting compensation, I get to explain to you how money is awarded! Coinage is earned on a scale similar to the battle point scale, only a lot more generously! Money can be earned by swiftness of victory, flashiness of victory, fabulousness of victory, and the hype of the audience during your fight! There is even a category for impressing floor masters! If one of our floor masters happens to watch your fight, then bonus points on the money scale can be added depending on their impression of you in battle! There are also several categories for opponent damage points and the amount of blood spilled!" The pink haired male glanced at his computer screen. "It seems that you collected your fare share of compensation points in that category!"

"Yeah, I bet I did," Gon commented with a sheepish smile and a hand behind his head.

"You collected 175 compensation points for cranial matter spill alone! Someone's a flashy fighter!" Gon chuckled at the praise, and his stomach gave a little flip when the shimmering teal eyes met his own from where they had been trained on the computer screen.

The Fae leaned on his elbows across the desk, and Gon met his grin with a grin of his own. "Are you ready for your grand total?"

"Yes!" Gon felt himself leaning forward over the desk, allured by that shimmering white smile.

"You earned 10,000 gold for your first battle!"

Gon gasped, "That's a lot!"

"Damn right that is!" Leorio squeaked from behind him.

"That's a shit ton," Killua commented, a strange shadow in his voice.

"Entirely in gold! That's incredible, Gon!" Kurapika exclaimed.

"Yes! A dazzling fortune for a dazzling young man!" the cash-out desk worker declared flirtatiously. Gon felt himself blush a little at the statement. With a flourish and flick of his wrist, the Fae whipped a black card out of thin air. "This is your official Heaven's Arena debit card! It is linked directly to your bank account, and you can use it to make purchases anywhere in Yorknew City! Every establishment accepts Visa, Mastercard, , and Heavan's Arena Chip! You have a balance of 10,000 gold at the moment, but I'm certain that will increase exponentially in the near future," the male concluded with a wink.

Gon took the card from his outstretched hand, and gazed down at the reflective black thing. It had a good weight to it, and seemed to be made of some sort of metal rather than plastic like it appeared. There was a metal chip in the corner, as well as Gon's name, a serial number, and the Heavan's Arena logo. On the back was a shiny black strip, a bar code, and more numbers.

"Woah! This thing is so cool!" Gon said.

"Yes! Spend your money wisely, or then again, don't! Treat yourself! There is money in leaps and bounds for talented young warriors like yourself!"

Gon grinned, "Thank you so much!"

"Of course! Now, before you fade off into the horizon I have a gift for you!"

"A gift?" Gon asked, with his head cocked to one side.

"Yes!" the Fae said with another dazzling grin. "You've earned a gold star!" with that he stuck something to Gon's nose. The hybrid felt his face flush at the sudden tap to his nose, and picked whatever it was off to inspect it. Sure enough, it was a tiny gold star sticker! Something about the tiny metallic thing gave Gon a sense of accomplishment.

"Woah!" Gon exclaimed with a growing grin. "Thank you! I love it!" He stuck it to the front of his jacket for all to see.

"Yes, the highest of honors!" the Fae joked with a laugh as he set a sheet of more gold stars back on his desk. "Oh! Before you go, take this pamphlet!" He handed a thick paper fold-up advertisement to Gon. "There are a plethora of activities and sights to see here in Heavan's Arena! Now that you have the money to attend, I wouldn't want you missing out!"

"Woah! Thanks again!" Gon said as he looked at the cover of the pamphlet.

"Any time! My name is Rohan, by the way, and I'll see you four later on, won't I?" he giggled with a wave in Killua's direction. The Valkyrie's eyes widened a little at the sudden attention, and he huffed while shoving his hands into his pockets.

"It's so nice to meet you, Mr. Rohan!" Gon declared in his usual cheerful way.

"Please, you flatter me!" Rohan said with a dramatic bow. "Just call me Rohan!"

"Okay! I'm Gon, but you already know that! This is Kurapika, Leorio, and Killu–"

"Alright, that's enough," Killua interrupted, he stepped behind the hybrid and put a hand over his mouth to stop his words. The Valkyrie started dragging Gon down the hall by the hand while keeping his mouth covered. Gon stumbled over his feet a bit as he was tugged along, why was Killua pulling him away? Rohan was nice!

"See ya later, or whatever," Killua called over his shoulder with a dismissive wave of his hand, the hand that had previously been over Gon's mouth.

"Yeah, see ya later!" Gon called out excitedly before he was pulled around the corner.

Rohan laughed as the four disappeared around the corner, what a lovely bunch!

"Killua, you can stop dragging me now."

"Oh, sorry," the silver haired boy stuttered as he dropped his friend's hand.

Seriously. That Rohan guy really ticks me off.

Killua felt the prickling gaze of Kurapika on the back of his head. He looked over his shoulder to find twinkling tawny eyes and a quirked blonde brow. Killua promptly flipped him off. The Elf only chuckled in response.

The Valkyrie turned back forward, satisfied that he had killed the conversation before it could begin. Killua hadn't liked the way that Fae dude had been looking at Gon. On top of that, he didn't like the way Gon had been looking at that Fae dude! Sure he was super handsome and his stupid sparkling Fae skin was just begging to be touched and his stupid glimmering Fae eyes were deep enough to drown in, but that didn't mean Gon could suddenly act all ooey gooey!

Wait. He WAS acting all gushy and stupid around that guy, is it possible that he's?

Killua glanced at his friend out of the corner of his eye. Gon was marching along beside him, having to walk at a faster rate than normal to keep up with Killua's long legs and unnecessarily brisk pace. He waved to almost everyone he passed, and his grin grew when a scarlet haired, female Serpentine Elf waved back at him.

Killua narrowed his eyes.

No. There's no way. See? He's being heterosexual right now.

Stop getting your hopes up over nothing.

"Rohan was quite the catch, wasn't he?"

Killua almost tripped when he suddenly had to force down a thick wave of Dragonite aura.

The Valkyrie whipped his head back to Kurapika, who was starting shit on purpose!

"Please, I'm way sexier than him," Leorio bragged.

Kurapika sighed in exasperation. "You're delusional, as always, Leorio."

"Um! Rude!" the Goblin yelled. "I'm the most attractive being in existence and YOU'RE just too jealous to admit it!"

"I dunno, Leorio. I think Rohan has you beat," Gon said with a sheepish grin.

Killua snapped his head in Gon's direction. What–

"Traitor!" Leorio shrieked.

Kurapika shoved Leorio away from him with a glare, "Not directly in my ear!"

"Treasonous devils! Killua, you have to take a side! Take a side right now!" Leorio yelled in that goofy voice of his as he scrambled over to Killua. The Goblin shook the Valkyrie back and forth by the shoulders, and Killua was too busy processing the possible implications of what Gon had just said to protest.

Gon thinks Rohan is attractive–

What. Why him?

I'm right here, and Valkyries are WAY more attractive than Fae!

"Rohan? That lightweight's nothing special. I bet he has a tiny dick," Killua found himself retorting.

"HA! Yes! Finally, a fellow man of culture!" Leorio cheered as he slung his arm around Killua's shoulders. He was an entire foot taller and had to bend over to reach, and looked like an absolute idiot. The Goblin rotated himself and Killua to face Kurapika and Gon, walking backwards in front of the other two. "See? KILLUA agrees with me!"

Kurapika pinched the bridge of his nose and Gon smiled in exasperation.

"Killua, that's not a very nice thing to say," the hybrid commented.

"Yes, Rohan was a perfectly nice man, there's no reason to be so rude," Kurapika added.

"I call it like I see it," Killua stated simply.

Leorio laughed out loud and jostled the silver haired assassin. "Take that! Killua's the most qualified out of any of us to make calls on character! Listen to your superior!" Killua had to admit that seeing the Goblin reacting to his superiority and defending his higher up was very satisfying… even if he was doing so to further his own agenda.

Kurapika shot back immediately, always taking the bait when Leorio was involved: "The size of a man's… er… genitals has nothing to do with his character!"

"Why are we talking about this," Gon sighed. Killua found this particularly amusing. Gon would talk about weird assed shit all day long but this was where he drew the line? The Valkyrie snickered.

"You wanna put that up to the test?" Leorio taunted in the Kurta's direction.

Kurapika scoffed, face coloring. "And how exactly would that even be done?!"

"I bet that Killua's assessment of Rohan is correct! If anyone can successfully test the theory it's me–"

"NO," Kurapika ordered, stopping the Goblin right there.

"Too scared of being proven wrong, Mamapika?" Killua snickered, reveling in the chaos.

Kurapika sputtered over his words, face getting redder. "No! I'm not scared of being 'proven wrong,' it's just that we are not seducing Heaven's Arena staff members to assess their size!"

Killua threaded his arm around Leorio's shoulders and swished his tail behind him mischievously. "Mamapika doesn't like talking about sex!"

Leorio released a spout of laughter. "HA! I bet he's a virgin!"

"That's not the–" Kurapika stopped and took a deep breath, face reddening both from embarrassment and frustration. "The topic of conversation is not the issue here. The issue is you two being disrespectful of a perfectly kind man!"

"Mamapika changed the subject! Logical fallacy!" Killua cried out, gathering several confused glances from passers by.

"Oh, he's definitely a virgin!" Leorio declared with a wicked grin. "Gon, do you think Kurapika is a virgin?"

"Um–" Gon started, only to be interrupted by Kurapika slapping his hand over his mouth and wrapping his arm around his head to cover his ears.

"Do NOT rope Gon into this!" the flustered Elf ordered, losing his regained composure.

Leorio and Killua dissolved into laughter.

"Conversation over!" Kurapika declared, releasing Gon. The blonde grabbed the hybrid's hand and marched his way to the front of the group. Leorio and Killua untangled themselves and fell into line behind the other two.

"Whatever you say~" Killua said in a sing-song voice.

"Not another word!" Kurapika ordered as he turned over his shoulder to fix the two trouble makers with his tawny gaze. "We're going to the 123rd floor and we are going to wait peacefully for my fight, and you two are going to behave!"

"Yes, mother," Leorio and Killua said, barely managing to get it out through their laughter.

Kurapika faced forward, shaking his head. "I'm so glad to have you, Gon. I think I'd lose my mind if all three of you were trouble makers like those two."

Gon giggled sheepishly, "Yeah, I try to be on my best behavior–"

"-When he's not committing arson and homicide," Killua called out.

"Arson?" Kurapika asked, voice dark and concerned.

"Okay, I'll have to tell you guys the foxbear story…"

Killua sighed in contentment as Gon launched into his tale about poachers and foxbears. He was glad that everything was normal like this… Killua had been afraid that with his newly realized feelings for Gon he wouldn't be able to have fun like normal. But this was nice.

The Valkyrie had to admit that he enjoyed having Kurapika and Leorio around. He hadn't been sure of them at first, but now he was glad that Gon had decided to rope them into their group. He pestered Leorio to no end, but it was all in good fun. It was so great to have a fellow trouble maker around! He knew that Kurapika wasn't particularly fond of being called "Mamapika," but Killua had the feeling it was growing on him. It was like he'd found a sort of big brother figure in the Elf… much better than any he'd had before.

And certainly better than Illumi.

I'm so glad Gon brought me along with him on his journey. This. This adventure, this exploration, this excitement, really has been everything I was missing in life.

Red Neko-blood stained the flawless sheet of snow. Heat faded from a freshly killed corpse, and glassy feline eyes gazed eternally forward, fixed upon the boots of her murderer. He stood tall against the wind, leathery wings held casually behind him. The wind chill was nothing to this man, he'd grown up among the mountains and frigid temperatures associated with high altitudes.

Standing upon the very edge of the cliff, he slipped the set of needles back into their assigned pouch. He gazed out over the expanse of golden grass with a hungry look in his eyes, hungry for the moment of contact between a predator and its prey. He brushed a long strand of ebony hair away from his eyes, and swished his tail triumphantly.

"Yorknew City, then?"


AN: once again had way too much fun writing this chapter (Rohan is my new personal favorite :3 is his name a Jojo reference? ... perhaps)