Chapter 8: Calm

"I'm not going to kill anyone." Gon scowls.

"That will depend on the situation." Chrollo smoothly replies.

"No. I am not going to be a murderer like you. Never." Gon presses on, feeling his patience thinning away. Why the hell are these people so damn stubborn?!

"You could never hope to reach our level anyway." Phinks snorts. Gon resists throwing a glare at him.

He's sitting on a couch in the main room, facing the head of the Spider, who wants him to go on a mission along with Nobunaga and Feitan now. It's supposed to be simple enough since it's his first-- steal a jewelled pin from a mansion-- but Gon is fully convinced that, no matter what, it will include killing. He has never killed anyone, only animals for food. Even then, he always made sure to make it quick and painless for them.

These people though... Gon purses his lips, his mind wandering back to how they treated him-- someone they wanted to eventually recruit. How exactly they treat others... he really doesn't want to know.

"Gon." Chrollo's eyes glint with malice. "Killing is a part of being the Spider. When you joined the Spiders, you also agreed to make killing a part of you life."

"You make it sound like I joined willingly. In case you forgot, you forced me to join." Gon shoots back.

"I did give you options."

"Unfair options." Gon corrects. "Anyhow, I'm not killing anyone and you can't make me."

Chrollo raises an eye brow. "Would you rather your friend die then? Don't you value your friend over a mere stranger?"

Gon's aura flares. "Shut up. You promised not to hurt Killua."

"And you promised to join the Spider. If you'll break that promise, it's only fair that I get to break mine as well."

"You have no right to talk about fair or unfair-- not after all that you've done!"

It is useless, utterly useless trying to defeat the man. He is a master in both physical and mental fights. But he is not going to back down. No matter what, he will not take anyone's life!

"Where are you from?" Chrollo abruptly asks.

Gon narrows his eyes. "It doesn't concern you." A wave of bloodlust hits him from the sidelines. Fine. "Whale Island."

"Never heard of it. Where is it?" Chrollo aks, sounding intrigued.

"Why do you ask? You gonna go and rob it too?"

"If it would be worth it." Chrollo replies honestly. "Go on. Lest you want your friend to--"

"Stop threatening me!"

"I'll stop if you'll be obedient."

Gon grits his teeth. Why the hell would he ever be obedient to someone like him?!

"Speak."

"Fine. There's nothing there for you to steal anyway."

Chrollo smiles, the gesture putting Gon at unease. There's nothing wrong physically with the smile, but just looking at his eyes, makes Gon feel nervous. What is this guy?

"Whale Island is not on any official maps." Gon explains. "It's a pretty remote fishing post and mostly only known by sailors around that area. There is a small number of permanent inhabitants but the official population is zero."

"Why?"

"Because the location matters to them, not the people. We have nothing really valuable to trade. The only reason they even come there is for recreation or recruiting sailors."

"Did you become a sailor?"

Gon thinks back to his tenth birthday. Aunt Mito cooked a great lunch for him and everyone got him small gifts. That was also the day he got many invitations to become an apprentice sailor, due to his known natural talent. Aunt Mito had urged him to accept one, but his mind was set by then. He was going to be a hunter.

When he was younger, however, he had always wanted to be a sailor. Life on a simple island felt too constricting for him. He did realise later on however, that life as a sailor would only get him to explore the ocean, making him miss out on the wonders of the land. He was so conflicted back then, but there was no other way for him to leave the island. Finally, he met Kite who showed him the path to be a hunter. He instantly knew what he wanted to be and do. He'll be forever grateful for it...

Gon shakes his head. "Too boring."

"I see." Chrollo thoughtfully says. "By the way, you did grow up on an island, so have you ever killed any animals?"

"Many. But only when necessary."

"Why do you hesitate to kill people then? Animals have lives of their own too. They also feel pain. Are they really that different from people?"

Gon scowls. "I told you I only did it when it was necessary! I always made it quick too!You, on the other hand, kill without reason!"

"I understand. You killed animals to survive. If I asked you to kill an animal during the mission, you would comply wouldn't you? It would save your friend and won't be that big of a task."

"Animals are not people."

"I'll take that as a yes. People are really not that different from animals. The only difference is that you recognise people's feelings but not animals'. I wonder...doesn't that make you a hypocrite..." Chrollo picks up a leather-bound book from the side table and flips a few pages. "You will kill on your mission, Gon. Now, good night."

The healing chain dangles in front of Kurapika.

"Woah!" Leorio's eyes widen. "So cool Kurapika. I don't feel a thing anymore. Damn! You really got quite strong."

Kurapika smiles. His eyes feel heavy, like he hasn't slept in days. His brain is fuzzy and his body feels weak. He really shouldn't have overused his eyes. He took too long to defeat that Spider..

"Kurapika, are you okay?"

He nods half-heartedly. He's fine...

"Hey hey! You don't look so good!" Leorio carefully guides him back to his bed. "You take some rest now, okay? We'll call her later."

Kurapika stubbornly pushes against his arms. "I'm fine, Leorio. Before the Spiders leave Yorknew City, I have to eradicate them. Who knows when they'll come out of hiding again!" He says the last part with so much urgency and passion, that Leorio can't help but feel sorry for him. However, he knows what's best for him and he'll make sure he doesn't lose another friend. He has already failed... twice now... not once more.

"Kurapika, I'm sure the Spiders have left York New already." His eyes moisten without choice. "I know you are upset about your clan and... Gon and Killua. But I am too! I get it! You are the only one who can remove the Spiders from this world. If you barge in unprepared, there will be more unnecessary casualties. Do you really want that to happen!"

Kurapika turns his head away. Flashes of Gon and Killua's... recent states scream in his head. He already lost his parents, Pairo, the village elder, everyone he loved and cherished. He has layed awake for hours in the night, cursing himself and his fate. He should have met up with Gon and Killua earlier and explained him the dangers of the troupe...

Beep Beep

"I'll check the message. Maybe it's from her..." Leorio says, and walks over to Kurapika's phone. A curse escapes his mouth as he looks at the message. "The emoji... have you been in contact with Hisoka?"

"Give me that!" Kurapika abruptly stands up, snatching away the phone from Leorio's hand.

His body slackens and he falls to sit on the bed. A hand above his heart, Kurapika heaves a deep sigh of relief.

The bodies were fake -_-

Gon mutters a complaint under his breathe and shifts closer to the window, as a certain black-haired individual gets into the passenger seat beside him.

"Why can't you sit in the front?" Gon scrunches his nose and glues his eyes to outside the window, not daring to see the look on his face.

"You have a problem?"

Gon clamps his mouth shut before another complaint escapes his mouth. His snark can only get him into trouble here.

The engine whines and the car starts moving. Gon doesn't know much about cars, but he can still tell it's an expensive one. From the way it's paint winks at him, and how smoothly the ride is despite the road, everything screams money.

Money... Killua... has he ever travelled in an expensive car? He made a lot of money at heaven's arena, didn't he? He has always been more interested in chocolate though... chocolate. I'm going out... could i buy some chocolate for him? I don't think I have the money for it though... getting information on them did cost a lot...

"Hey! What the hell are you mumbling about, kid?" Nobunaga's annoyed voice asks from the driver's seat.

He involuntary wipes his mouth with his hand. Damn... I've been mumbling?

"Yeah! And you still are."

Crap. I'll shut up then.

"Good."

I didn't mean to say that out loud too.

A chuckle from the front and a tsk from beside.

An hour pass by and Gon goes weary from sitting doing nothing for so long. His eyelids feel too heavy and his head falls to his knees, arms automatically wrapping around it. He dares to close his eyes and darkness overtakes him.

"Hey!" A distant voice speaks, sounding quite amused. "You sleep like a kitten but you really need to wake up now."

Gon groans as he rubs his eyes. Some yawning and stretching later, he suddenly realises where he is and quickly sits up.

How did I manage to lie on the entire seat. Wait, where's-- oh.

Feitan comes out of the front passenger seat, the same frown stuck to his face.

"Hurry up!" Nobunaga's voice calls and he steps out as well, feeling quite refreshed despite a certain individual's casual bloodlust hanging in the air. Has he gotten used to it already? Not complaining.

He looks up at the sky, blinking. Stars blink back. It's nighttime now. How long has he been asleep for?

"I tried waking you up earlier when we stopped at a restaurant to have lunch. You, however, was sleeping so damn soundly I decided to just leave you there." Nobunaga rambles on. "You really should thank me, you know. Once we got back, you were taking up the entire seat. Good thing the boss has the coin toss rule, otherwise we would have to find a replacement for the number two Spider too."

Gon takes a step back as the two throw daggers at each other with eyes alone. Aren't they supposed to be friends or something? He already starts feeling sick of their unnecessarily intense fights-- even if they are just verbal or bloodlust dodgeball matches.

A coin goes up in the air-- as predicted by Gon. Eventually, the two decide to settle it later, despite the swordsman winning.

"Let's go, Gon. Time for your first mission." Nobunaga smiles. "I'm sure you'll do great. I gave you enough training aft..."

Reality hits Gon straight in the jaw. He will have to steal and then kill someone now. He can't do that! But then... but then... Chrollo will hurt Killua. He can't have that either! But he can't kill someone!

"You look confused. Well, guess it's your first time." A hand ruffles his hair and Gon fights the urge to shove it away. He hates it when he shows affection towards him like he's five. Not because of the five part but the affection one. Doesn't he get that he hates him?

"Damn! You look nervous." The man continues, quite oblivious to Gon's thoughts. "Don't worry. Your target isn't that bad. Even if you mess up, we'll be there to help out."

"Target. So you are going to make me kill someone!" Gon bursts out, stepping away from the swordsman's reach.

"Huh? I thought you discussed it with the boss earlier. Of course, what's a first mission without a good kill. It'll be your first human kill too. That's great! Did you decide on how you are going to kill him?"

Gon clenches his fists. A simple plan pops up in his head and he lets go. He'll pretend to struggle and let them kill him. He knows it's still wrong but there's no way out of it. The least he can do is make sure that they don't make killing a habit of his.

As the three step into the front yard of the majestic white mansion, Gon can't help but feel like something is wrong. A mansion-- especially one with a valuable jewel inside-- should be guarded. Yet, not even crickets chirp, as they make their way to the middle of the well-trimmed lawn.

A deep breathe later, Gon pushes the doors open, and it all goes downhill from there.

[A/N: Sorry for such a late update but I've been busy with my exams. This chapter was more of a buildup. I promise more spice in the next chapter. Poor lil Gon tho I'm really not being very nice to him!

Neodigital: I was a bit nervous about that OC but your comment really helped out. Thank you! There'll be more of her very soon!]