The two separate groups enjoy a meal together, idolising their own conversations.

It was so weird being around new people, people you've just met who have ungodly levels of comfortability. Even so, he now understands why Leorio would drop him into the bogs located millions of kilometres out of his comfort zone.

Gon and Sakura were like nomads, roaming from one place to the next. While he hasn't moved far from the United States of Saherta, they way they spoke, reinforced those ideas. He listened carefully, Sakura detailing his adventures from location to location, the wonders of nature having no stone unturned when it came to its hidden secrets.

Whereas Gon's adventure detailed his stories of danger, wonder, and unimaginable treasures. But the way he spoke, two names kept popping up from time to time, Killua and Daniel. His heard Leorio utter them constantly as if they were a thorn in his backside, but it would always be filled with a fatherly or brotherly love and affection by the end.

He did want to find out more about them, but he had no idea how to ask for something he wasn't comfortable with yet, so he would settle on the details he was given.

But one thing he struggled to understand was why was Gon always smiling, even when sadness echoed in his words, his smile would never falter in the slightest.

Gon finally had finished, brushing up on the missing details of his adventure with his friends, arm slung over Sakura with his unchanging smiling, "I'm sorry for boring you…"

"N- No," Iason offered a weak smiling, the hours of information still sinking in his consciousness, "you've had some crazy adventures with your friends."

"Yup, but they're off on their own adventures now, even Leorio is starting one of his own now."

"Yeah…" Iason's voice faulted from his feelings, forced to tuck a stray hair behind his ear. He really wished he could still travel beside Leorio, but letting go was the right thing to do. "My brother talks an awful lot about Kurapika…" an evil glint glowed in his irises, a wicked smile soon growing "makes me wonder otherwise."

"Hmm…?" Gon tilted his head a little, curious about that little piece of information. Leorio has always been upset about Kurapika being hard to reach, even going as far as to be upset for his lack of presence when he was in his coma. But now Leorio has a way to connect, and hopefully, he can reach out to the other man. Even so, when Iason spoke, he had this strange charm.

Not once has he heard about Iason's earlier childhood. His life began around when he met Leorio, but before then, he avoided it like the plague. Maybe he had amnesia, or his just talking about Leorio because it's something they can connect with, "Oh, Iason, we haven't heard much about your childhood, before you met Leorio. What was it like?"

Iason bit his lip, trying to think of a way to get out of it. He wasn't ready to discuss that part of life, maybe when he was older, more mature… or comfortable around the two of them, "I… grew up in an orphanage, had friends, the usual. What about you? You spoke so much about your adventures, I haven't heard a thing about Sakura's or your mum. What were they like?"

Gon's smile brighten up, Iason wasn't ready yet, but he won't let that get to him. They just met, so it was ok for the boy to be a little dismissive of his past if he wanted to "I grew up with my aunt, but when my dad was about to talk about my mum on a cassette we found, I stopped it."

"Why…?" Iason asked before bringing his curiosity back, the feeling of hypocrisy running through his mind, "no, forget I asked."

Gon shook his head "No, it's fine. I didn't want to know about my biological mother, because to me… Aunt Mito is my mum! I love her so much, that I feel hearing about my birth mother wouldn't do much for me… it wouldn't feel right to just seek out and accept her into my life."

"Oh…" Iason murmured, feeling a sense of dread for stepping into this unfamiliar territory of trust.

Sakura offered a weak smile to Iason, "I don't know about my mum, and my dad did dance around the topic a lot. Maybe he was just uncomfortable around the topic of his wife. But he did show me a picture of her, and she was really pretty. My dad says I take after her looks… as well as uncaring nature towards gender. Sure, I may say I identify as male, but the way I dress, says otherwise in some people's views."

"Ah…" Iason murmured under his breath, now feeling really bad for his question.

"Although, my dad got flustered whenever I asked about who this guy was in some photos. My mum really didn't care how others perceived her."

Iason laughed at that, a sense of comfort slowly building within him. He's learned a lot about his two new companions, yet they've learned so little about him, nor was he going to make up some fake stories about himself. He briefly looked up, noticing the time on the wall "What, it's so late!"

Gon turned around, looking upon at the clock. 8:57 PM, no wonder his stomach was grumbling. Turning back around to his new friend, Gon offered an apologetic smile "Sorry, I got lost in the conversation. Well, I may not be the best chef, but I can make some basic meals. Nothing too amazing…"

"I can help…" Iason offered with a smile while standing up with Gon.

Gon shook his hands "No, it's fine. It's not fair to a make your cook after I talked your ears off for hours."

"I… I like to cook."

Gon features soften at the words, he stood close to the boy, giving a quick hug. He didn't want to let it linger for too long, but he almost didn't feel right with just shaking the boy's hands. Resting both hands on Iason's shoulder, he spoke, words filled with love, "Sakura and I are glad to have met you, so… welcome, and I hope we can be your friends."

Iason felt uncomfortable when Gon hugged him, but because it was quick, he'd let the boy get away with it, at least only for now. But those words of comfort, to hear the joy in Gon's voice as he told him how happy he was to meet him, made his cheeks flush. Gon came off as sweet and caring, reminding him so much of why he gravitated towards Leorio… and why the man gravitated towards him. "Y- You're welcomed."

When he turned away to look away, his eyes fell on Sakura who had remained unfazed towards Gon's advances. The boy must be naturally that bad, but when Iason turned to look away, Sakura stood up, "Alright," resting both hands on Gon's shoulders, Sakura directed him into the kitchen, "Mr No-boundaries, we don't want to let your new friend starve…"

Iason's eyes widened. Friend…? How was he a friend, they just met. When he turned to look at the boys walking into the kitchen, their playful banter had made him bite his lip, wondering why he was already considered a friend.

Gon picked up Sakura, holding the boy closely as he peppered him with kisses, a brilliant smile remaining as his partner blushed and hurled words of disgust in the boy's direction. Even as Sakura hurled words at Gon, the giggling of the boy as well as the lack of attempt to struggle out of Gon's grip showed him that they did care for one another, even if in his mind he saw it as a weird relationship.

Offering a weak smile of his own, Iason join the others, helping them out with preparing meals. True to Gon's words, he really did know mainly the basics. The boy tried to work with what Gon and Sakura had in the fridge, adding anything he could use to improve the meal.

With what they had wouldn't be enough to improve the overall taste, but it would be a little better than what they originally have. Maybe, Iason could offer the others to buy a few different types of seasoning. Maybe some tofu also while he was at it, the texture works wonderfully in some dishes, maybe he could even work it into a sauce.

As Iason smiled at the idea, continuously working, Gon peering at the boy to see what he was doing. Seeing the sweet unconscious smile made him happy. If he could continue doing this, the boy would trust them eventually, and when that happens, he was sure he could help Leorio with his original goal…

To help Iason solve his sleeping problem…

"~"

Daniel hummed, chopping whatever ingredients Killua asked him to. He made sure to follow Killua's rules and issues, keeping only to the boy's commands. When it comes to cooking, it was never his forte.

Sure, the boy could bake, but he didn't see himself doing so in the near future. Maybe for Alluka or Killua if they asked, but that's about it. Shifting his weight, a question dawned on him.

Cooking wasn't his only weakness, besides killing, there was another he wondered about. It was Killua's movements, they were silent just like his steps. That could be a leftover from Killua's assassination training if he was forced into it…

But if he did have some of that training still left over as a residue, could it also affect another skill he might have mastered? "Hey, Killua…?"

"Hmm…?"

"Have you learned Zetsu and In, by chance?"

"Zetsu, sure? As for In, I know the basics. But I haven't really practised a lot in that area… why?"

"Oh, well… It's the way you move. I can't hear whenever you move around the kitchen. One second your chopping, the next second I hear the fridge opening."

"Yeah…" Killua's cheeks brightened for haven't Daniel pay attention to him, but soon the colour faded as he was reminded that the boy was asking it unconsciously as if he no longer knew about him.

"I just… always struggled with Zetsu, you know…"

"Sure, and you think I could help you?" Killua tried so hard to hide his smile, but it cracked like a rising dawn, struggling to hide it as he kept his back turned to Daniel.

"Maybe… I don't really know. I can use In, surprisingly, but I don't think on a massive scale. The journals just happen to retain the same effect, or more like strength needed to keep it hidden. Although, I think someone with a skill Gyo would see right through it and read any notes I've hidden."

Ahh… you're trying to peek my interest, to see if you can get me to read your journal, right? "Why are you bringing this up?"

"I was just curious as to your silent steps, nothing more…"

Killua let out a long sigh, a little frustrated. Something is clearly on Daniel's mind, and his refusing to break the true question on his mind. "This is about the first page in your journal…"

"No…"

"Daniel…?"

"Maybe…"

"Daniel…"

"Alright, just a little. But I'm not saying jack, it's my problem to deal with. Not really your concern…" Daniel whispered the next part under his breath, "at least for the moment…"

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing! So, I've chopped the broccoli, carrots, red and green capsicum for you. Need anything else?"

"Nah, the sauce should be about done. I'm just going let them sizzle a little in the mushroom cream sauce, then everything should be fine for dinner. If you don't mind, can you wake Alluka for me?"

"Sure," Daniel stepped over to the sink, washing his hands before drying them. He circled the corner, entering Alluka's room. The girl was mumbling in her, small noises of snoring soothing the boy's worried heart.

Killua may be good at hiding his steps, but not his concern. He could tell in one way or another, the boy was worried about him. To what degree, he wasn't sure about it. Hopefully, it has nothing to do with the joke Killua was forced to play a part of by his parents.

Daniel soon shook those thoughts away, closing the distance between himself an Alluka. He pressed both hands into the girl, gently rocking her awake. The girl groaned mumbling in her sleep as she swatted at the boy's hands.

Daniel only chuckled at the girl's reaction, continuing to rock the girl "Wakey, wakey sleepy."

"Five more minutes…"

The boy found himself cracking a smile, never stopping for Alluka's sake. She should really eat something before sleeping, no matter how little. Plus, Killua cooked a lot considering their training, so there should be some incentive for the girl to try her brother's cooking for the first time, "Alluka, your brother has finished cooking."

Alluka stirred at the words, yawning a little, sleepy eyes slow waking to the living world "Brother cooked…?"

"Yup, and his going to eat it all without you."

"Nuu~, I want to try big brother's cooking!"

The way she slurred made the boy laugh, smiling as he swept the girl up into his arm. Alluka groaned slightly as she was forced to wake up, but she didn't protest with the hug, instead of humming from the warmth.

Alluka so badly wanted to tell the boy he should be doing this with Killua, but she knows not to do so out of fear from ruining whatever grounding the two of them have built so far. But she can't deny that Daniel's hugs brought the same amount of warmth Nathaniel's had, "You hug the same way as your father."

"Oh…" Daniel allowed a crooked smile show from the words, aiming to press his lips against the girl's forehead, however, the action made him step back in surprise, stopping only with mere inches to spare. His heart felt heavy, like his feelings constricted, begging him to remember something.

Sorrowed eyes looked at Alluka, the girl's worried voice snapping him out of those thoughts, "Daniel, are you ok?"

"Y- Yeah, I'm fine. If you want to go back to sleep, you can, I'll cover you before I go. I'll make sure ask Killua to put some food aside for you just in case."

"No…" the girl shook her head with a smile, "I want to taste Killua's wonderful cooking."

The comment made Daniel chuckle, fingers ruffling the girl's hair. She really loves her brother… I can see it in her eyes, and hear it in her voice. Patting the girl's back, he forced her to go after her brother, Daniel smiling until the girl left her room. As she had done so, he found his smile dropping for a moment, a question swirling in his mind…

Why do I feel jealous? Before he could ponder the thought, the boy was forced to leave the room when Killua calls out to him, heading out to enjoy a meal with Killua and Alluka.

"~"

Gon smiled as he stuffs his mouth full of food, a mild exotic flavour layering his taste buds. It was subtle, but it was there, noticeably from Iason's tampering of the dish. Even Sakura by his side seemed to notice a little difference, a smiling tugging at his lips.

Iason kept to himself, eating in silence until he was forced into a conversation by Gon, his mouth full of food when Gon made the first audible gulp, "I love how you altered a dish, Iason!"

The boy's cheeks reddened at the compliment, Iason almost choking on the food in surprise. He knew Gon was forward, he just hadn't expected him to be forward 99.9% of the time. "Uh- Uh, thanks…"

Gon shook his head with a smile "No, thank you. The meal is delicious! Where did you learn to cook?"

Iason's eyes dropped slightly, a white lie forming at the tip of his tongue, "I learn a few tricks when I was a child."

Sakura nudges the boy to his side, quirking his head in Iason's direction with a finger to his lips. The boy might have not noticed it, considering he had almost hidden it well, but Sakura has seen the expression once or twice in the mirror, his own gazed expression giving away the sadness.

Something about the boy's body language made Sakura want to hug the boy close, but their friendship wasn't at that point yet, and he wanted Gon to pick up on the subtle change in emotion.

Gon nodded, changing the topic slightly. He wanted Iason to be as comfortable around them as possible "Well, I want you to teach me some of your tricks sometimes."

The words forced Iason to look up in shock, his mouth opening and closing like a fish, "Wh- What?"

Gon nodded, his beaming smile acting like a lighthouse, providing comfort to the boy. He found himself cracking a smile, until Gon's reaction made his expression change to a more neutral one, "You look really cute when you smile."

Iason huffed, looking away slightly, wondering why the hell Sakura doesn't get annoyed. Though he didn't have to wonder for long, because Sakura seemed to make the situation worse, "Aww, that smile was adorable…"

The words made Iason choke in surprise, but when he looked at Sakura, he was blushing slightly. Although, it might have been from Gon bouncing off Sakura's comment "You both have wonderful smiles!"

"G- Gon!"

Sakura's sputter made Gon giggle, Sakura's constant nudging making Iason's lips curve a little upwards, not enough to be noticed immediately, but he was happy slightly at the scene unfolding. Gon praised everyone in a friendly manner. It made him more likeable, approachable in sense.

The gentle prodding of Gon with Sakura made him open up a little, not so much about his past, but more so about his future, "I… really like cooking. Ever since hearing about Hunters from my brother, I had humoured the idea of being a Gourmet Hunter on a few occasions."

Gon's smile brightened at the words "Oh, one of the examiners was a Gourmet Hunter. She made us cook a Great Stamp for her, however…" Gon smiled awkwardly at the thought, "She failed us because none of us could please her taste, except for Zaikaria. She's Daniel's sister. She rejected passing for her brother's sake. But then the chairmen interfered, and she redid the test, making us try a different kind of dish. We ate Spider Eagle eggs! They were very delicious! I wish I could take you to try one, but they're only found on Mount Split-in-Half."

Iason nodded, remembering how Leorio explained the process to obtain one. Gon's keen sense of smell had been the key factor for obtaining them. "Leorio told me, which is why I wanted to be one… it would be cool finding all these amazing ingredients."

The way the boy had spoken, Gon found his smile widening further, "You would be an amazing Gourmet Hunter."

"N- Not really… I just like cooking."

Gon shook his head at that, looking at Sakura for confirmation. He wasn't expecting Sakura to compliment the boy, just a little agreement, "Well, I liked you cooking, you should help out."

"I was thinking…" Iason paused a little, the look the two in the eyes before speaking. Seeing Gon's curious gaze somehow reminded him of a curious puppy, "Well… I was thinking you should expand your ingredients, with a couple of seasonings… Like Turmeric… or Paprika… maybe even some garlic or lemongrass."

The two boys nodded before turning to Iason, "we would love for you to help out."

Iason forced himself to turn away in embarrassment, but his lips quirked upward a little, butterflies in his chest making him smile. "Sure… I'd be happy to help out a little."

"~"

Daniel enjoyed his meal, the sauce having a slight sweetness to it. He didn't remember Killua adding any kind of sugar to the sauce or something that would affect the meal in such a way.

He wanted to ask, but watching Alluka distracted him, the girl's smile radiating like how his father or Gon's would. Humming at the smile, Daniel forced himself into the placidity, "How did you make it sweet?"

Killua looked up slightly, wondering the same thing, he didn't know how he did it, just that it had happened "I really don't know…"

"Well, I really like it."

Killua's cheeks flushed at the compliment, but he forced his mind to pay no attention, that was until Daniel continued, "It's like a part of you merged with the dish."

"Gah, don't be a weirdo!"

Daniel stuck his tongue out at Killua, but the boy refused to budge on the matter, his cheeks stained the same colour as a setting sun. Alluka didn't help the matter either "Big brother should become a chef! He makes a delicious meal."

"Alluka, you can't say that… I've only cooked once."

"Well, I believe you should."

Killua chuckled slightly as a thought crossed his mind "Killua Zoldyck's Hideaway," the boy gestured with a hand motion, extenuating every word, "where I kill your taste buds with flavour… yeah, that could totally go well."

"Heh," Daniel nudged the boy's side playfully, "More like, stay for the killer looks, the flavours are just a bonus."

Killua pushed Daniel roughly, cheeks flushed at how comfortably Daniel was willing to compliment him on his looks "Why would you say that."

"Hey, I'm willing to admit you're attractive… in a sense. Don't tell your boyfriend I said that."

"Oh," Killua got a wicked grin, feeling more playful than usual. Yeah, the words kind of hurt, but Daniel doesn't know the truth, the painful truth, "I'll make sure to tell him. I just can't promise you won't wake up in an unmarked grave."

"I'll like to see him try!" Daniel smacked his arm triumphantly, a crooked grin only showing for a second. He managed to slap the wrong side, whining a little once he realised he hit his broken side "Ow, ow…"

"Hey, doofus, the wrong side to smack!" Killua tried to not show his worried side, but he made have let it slip through his voice. Hopefully, Daniel hadn't picked up on it, "Oh, shi- are you ok?"

"Yeah, slapped the wrong side… minus two to manliness points."

Killua cracked a smile, "As long as you're ok."

"Yeah… Actually, I was wondering a little. Or thinking… you may have unconsciously used your Nen while cooking."

"Oh…?"

Daniel nodded as he continued, "Wing, one of the first people to teach me about Nen pointed out that Transmuters alter the taste of water during a divination test. Since you're a Transmuter, maybe you could alter the taste a little, maybe make it a fraction sweeter."

"Maybe…" Killua hummed, noticing Alluka's cheeky smile. The boy fumed at his little sister, disliking what may have been roaming around her mind. It was like she was secretly re-shipping them! Oh god, had his fat piggy of a brother corrupted her mind without his know-how, or was she smiling because she knew how much Daniel meant to him. Yes, he was dating Daniel before he lost his memories, but there was no need for the conniving 'you two should go out' look she was giving.

Either way, his sister shouldn't be smiling like that!

"Although, I don't know how I would feel having put my life energy into making the food taste better…"

"Honestly? I wouldn't have an issue with that… Food tastes better when it's made from the heart…" Daniel thumbed his chin, thinking that comment over as Killua blushed, "or would it taste better with seasoning?" With a shrug, Daniel returned to his food once more.

Killua's gaze looked over to his sister who had an even bigger smile now. Rolling his eyes at her, he mentally asked if she was happy with the response? Alluka gave her brother a nod before returning to her food, Killua now left to look at food while in deep thought. Daniel had made an unconscious compliment, but considering the circumstances, that's all it was now… an unconscious compliment.

He felt his heartstrings being pulled by his thoughts, how much he wanted to have the old Daniel here, at the table right now. Soon… the boy thought before finally returning to his food, a sombre silence filling the room. Soon…