The four are forced to have a discussion about everything that has happened, Daniel taking the lead.

It felt like an eternity had gone by, the tears and cries lost in the wind, neither one willing to talk about the past as if it ever happened. Daniel so badly wanted to ask a single question gnawing at his heart, the sounds of his own voice chastising him… threatening him for making a mistake he couldn't see coming a mile away.

Everything was alright now, right…? Sadly the false sense of relief was wrong. Nothing was ok, as long as the enemy was still out there, the one who forced him to forget about Killua.

The boy took a deep breath, "Killua-"

"I get it… we're not going to talk about it. At least, not for now…" Killua hummed, sending chilling breaths along Daniel's spine. "I just want everything to return to how it was… Before Zaikaria… before Yanick… before the shit hit the fan…"

"My father…?"

"Definitely, he has some issues he needs to work out of his system."

"And we don't?"

"Oh, we do… just not right now. Please, you understand why…"

"Jumbled memories aren't helping here…"

Killua chuckled at the false sense of bravado, pulling back slightly, his fingers running through Daniel's hair, sensing for anything broken he needs to mend right now. Daniel was still in pain, although it's not as painful to watch as it was before. He just needed a little time for the memories to soak in, then and only then, could they finally talk about it.

Just not right now…

Not when they needed to talk to Zaikaria…

Not when both of them were ready to break, the moment the bell rings its toll. Killua shifted his posture, hoping that Alluka was ok, unharmed by the time he gets back. He hopes that the woman was irrational, but there's a question he really wants to ask first, before they leave, "Daniel, who were you hoping would come save you…?"

Daniel closed his eyes at the question, cheeks slightly tinted at his thoughts. Killua was going to kill him… if he says it, "You…" the boy spoke softly, his eyes opening to look Killua in the eyes.

They say the eyes are the windows to one's soul, making it impossible to lie, even if they say they believe you. It felt like hours had gone by once more, but if Daniel had to rate the redness in Killua's cheeks; it would definitely be on the reddest side, although, he's not really sure if it was the worst he has ever seen, "Deep down I felt like you would reach me first…"

"OK, no need to explain any further…" Killua buried his face, hoping that his cheeks weren't acting like mini heaters. He was happy, there was not a single like in Daniel's eyes, and the boy really believed he would be first. Nothing could break the happiness he was feeling right now, "I'm glad… Also, I may have warned everyone not to talk about me, so… now I have to tell them that it's ok."

"I'm really sorry…"

"I know…"

As Daniel raised a finger, Killua was forced to grab it, pushing it back down to stop the boy from arguing. All he wanted was a couple more minutes of silence and a simple hug. That's all he was asking for right now. Nothing more…

Nothing less…

Killua brought his arms about around Daniel, pulling him in close, one hand cupping the back of the boy's head; a drip of water hitting him on the head. Oh no… Killua mused to himself, really hoping that it doesn't rain. It would be awfully cliché, something that he doesn't need right now.

When another drop hit him, Killua brought his arms around Daniel, picking him up by the back and legs.

"I can walk… you know…"

"But in terms of speed…" rain began to fall, each drip becoming more frequent than the last, breaking the mood slightly, "I can run." And on that note, Killua ran, back towards Alluka… and the woman who attempted to destroy their relationship once more.

Now she'll be too weak to do any more damage, but tonight… they can have a civilised talk, to find out what Victor looks like, and make plans to avoid him, including… stopping Daniel from falling into a deep sleep. He had Daniel now, and his not going to lose him again…

Scarlet Sutton was their next target, although it was weird Nathaniel wouldn't mention the fact that Daniel's loss of memories can be returned, but not the other aspect… that he can die if the lingering aura remained, cloaked amongst Daniel's endless questions.

Maybe the man just wanted Killua to get back Daniel before he did anything else. Or maybe… he didn't realise Zaikaria would attempt to break them up, that's why he never sent them to Scarlet first.

Whatever he was thinking, at least now, Killua has some good news to bring to the table.

"~"

Zaikaria sat across from Alluka, the snake acting like a protective shield, lying atop of Alluka's pink frilly skirt. It was so awkward having to be the one to apologise, but was more awkward, was that Akshasamat not only chose the right side at the start but was the one acting the most human in the situation.

He saw something that her seething rage from a single situation refused to acknowledge. It's the same thing Vastorie would be going through right now. She should've stopped to think about all outcomes, not just get rid of Alluka and Killua.

"Alluka, I'm sorry for the way I treated you… I was blinded by my anger."

Alluka smiled a little, just for the apology, but there was someone more she needed to apologise to; Killua and her little brother, Daniel. They were the ones, she should be apologising to the most.

There was an awkward pause, Akshasamat now moving away from Alluka, the snake intending to curl up on Zaikaria.

The moment he curled up on Zaikaria, her hand curled along the scaled back, his tongue slivering out between his lips.

The young girl thought she may have seen something more, but Zaikaria talking once more stopped her from addressing the situation, "So, I overheard Killua telling you to avoid me, because of my ability to read minds, correct?"

Alluka nodded, expecting her to say more, but instead, the woman diverted the topic slightly, "Alright, well, you have nothing to worry about then. I've already met someone in your position before, on multiple occasions. You have nothing to worry about there… Just don't ask for girly tips, I'm terrible at being girly. Makeup advice is ok though… it's the only girly thing I can do…"

The light laugh didn't help the mood, but at least Alluka wasn't on edge now, hopefully enough to talk about what she really wants to know… "Alluka, you'd be the most unbiased in this situation… tell me about Daniel and Killua."

"What do you want to know…?"

"Before and after, how did Daniel act around Killua…?"

Alluka paused, fingers digging into the skirt. Should she really be telling her anything? She was acting judgmental towards them, but now she wants details. She found Daniel and Killua, hadn't she…? "Did you find them…?"

"Yes, I want to understand… from an outsider's perspective…"

Alluka smiled slightly, her lips widening at the news. It would be better to ask her brother, but Zaikaria might still be on edge, not able to trust Killua just yet. She can put him in a positive light; hopefully before the two get back, "Well, when I met Daniel… I can't really say I liked him at the beginning."

Zaikaria snorted, the sounds of pitter patter rain starting to fall. It was amusing to hear she wasn't the only one who wanted to break the relationship up, but Alluka has come accustomed to having Daniel in her life, whereas Zaikaria was trying to find a reason to like the boy, "Please, continue…"

"~"

Killua paused at the door, quiet chatter coming from within. It seems Alluka and Zaikaria were talking about something, something he may not like. Just as Killua was about to reach for the handle, Daniel's hand stopped him.

Killua features softening as he looked down at Daniel, the boy still being held in his arms.

"I don't think you should walk in, with me still in your arms…"

"Oh," Killua's lips curled into a sly smirk, so badly wanting to walk in the room with Daniel in his arms, "don't you want to be my little prince?"

"Sure…" Daniel hummed, crossing his arms at the accusation. Something tells him Killua's not willing to let go yet, but the same applies to him as well; he didn't want to be let go of either. Daniel shifted his posture, positioning himself better Killua's arm, forcing Killua to support the boy's head on his shoulder.

Killua pressed the side of his head against Daniel's, wanting a little more than to just simply hold the boy. Daniel roped one arm over the boy's shoulder while the other curled around Killua's back, hugging the boy.

He didn't want to be let go, nor did he want to go into the cottage just yet. He had something he wanted to ask before they went inside, uncaring if his sister might overhear them. "I know you don't want to talk about it, but there's one question I need to ask before we go in…"

Killua looked away for a moment, trying to figure out if answering a question while it's raining is ok? Daniel did look as though he wanted to ask it, no matter what, like he refuses to give up.

The boy took a breath, sighing out in reluctance "Alright, one question…"

"Was there any moment, where I made you feel like you wanted to let go…?"

There was a long pause, Killua closing his eyes as he thought about it. Several times would be the correct answer… but every time he came close to giving up, not only was everyone else telling him: not to give up, but he refused to do so as well.

Daniel was there for him with Gon; seeing his destroyed, bloody figure, only left Killua feeling in distraught, agony…

Daniel was there for him… for Gon…

Even when the butlers were holding him down, Daniel refused to give up.

Killua was the same, even after seeing Daniel's empty gazing eyes directed at him, he wanted to see those eyes full of the love and admiration he was so used to seeing…

He wanted it with every fibre of his being…

He craved it…

"Yes…"

Daniel's head dropped in shame. Killua placed Daniel down on the ground, their foreheads resting against each other once more. As much as he wanted to kiss Daniel, now was not the right time, he needed to do something more important, how he should've answered the question, "but, I want you to know, I never gave up on you…"

When Daniel's gaze met his, Killua offered a genuine smile, "You didn't give up with me…"

"But I treated you like shit…"

"Well, true…" Killua awkwardly turned away, fingers now running awkwardly through his hair, "but I'm not exactly innocent either…"

"Like that time-"

"Exactly!" Killua stopped him before he could mention the time he moaned Gon's name. That was way too awkward to bring up, especially when Zaikaria was inside the cottage. The boy moved to run his fingers along Daniel's cheeks, feeling the heat which possibly matched his own. They were probably burning right now, but Daniel was too focused to notice the difference.

He could see it. The want and desire in Daniel's eyes; the need to be closer. But either the boy was too afraid or ashamed to ask, the act of forgetting about Killua had dampened the boy's need and desires.

Looks like they'll have a lot to talk about during the night, but for now, Killua should focus on looking forward. He has Daniel, and that's all matters right now, "The past is the past… you taught me that, well, you and Gon… I…" Killua's cheeks reddened as his thoughts turned to a more, cheesy, loving tone, now feeling unable to voice his own opinions.

Daniel needed to hear it, no matter how rosy his cheeks got in the process, "I'm just happy to have you here, so there's no need to look back… just forward. But we're not exactly out of the water yet. Zaikaria can't remove the remainder of the ability inflicted on you, which is why we need to move forward, ok…?"

Daniel nodded, the act causing Killua to smile, his hands coming down to the boy's side to rub them in a comforting manner, "Good…" Giving Daniel a quick pat, the boy gestured his partner to the door, "head in and we'll hopefully get out of these wet clothes."

"~"

There was a long awkward silence, Killua and Daniel forced to share a single blanket, and thankfully neither of them were naked. Although, they were really close, wearing only a bathrobe gown one pink, the other white.

Zaikaria wasn't pleased, due to the fact both boys came inside soaking wet. Regardless of whether or not Nen was stopping them from getting a cold, the fact Daniel was soaking wet made her momentarily furious, but the only sane person in the room had calmed her enough to think about the matter.

Daniel had been paying close attention to the Chimera Ant which is now a tiny snake, noticing the subtle actions, including his mannerisms. He'd have to bring that up some time during the night.

"So…" Killua mused, eyes glancing between Alluka and Zaikaria, "are we going to talk, or are you going to spend the rest of the night, hoping that if you glare enough, you'll melt my face off…"

"Zai…"

The woman sighed, "ALRIGHT, I'll back off… for now…"

"ZAI…"

"I said for now, jeez…"

The Chimera ant bent forward, groaning in annoyance. His tongue slithered out of his mouth, accentuating the noise by a few seconds longer than necessary, "Don't you want to make up for your mistakes?"

"Of course… just… Every time I close my eyes, I see Killua holding your bloody corpse, Daniel. You must understand by now what I'm talking about… understand why you shouldn't be around Killua."

"We had this discussion… You lost. I win. End of discussion."

"Killua…" Daniel squeezed his partner's hand, hoping that he can calm the boy, even if he pisses his sister off in the process, "Listen, Zai, I know why you did it… even if I hate you for removing my memories."

"I-"

"You got everything wrong. I remember exactly how it went down like it was only yesterday. Killua didn't hurt me… he was trying to save me…"

The gentle breeze, a boy as young as eight, fingers grazing the sky, drawing little images of animals amongst the flies; he looked up, smiling at his older sister, one hand reaching out to rope his fingers between his sister's.

He was giddy, happy to have a single night out, the starry night sky supplying all the light needed to the evening. It had been a while since it was just the two of them, his sister's over caring nature rivalling Nathaniel's.

Daniel's fingers let go of his sister's, running a little further in, careful to not lose sight of her. He wanted to play a game of 'hide and seek', the trees able to provide enough spots to hide, even if she would catch him in the end, it was the game that was fun, not the never being fun.

There was a nod, Zaikaria beginning to count as Daniel went further in, finding a small cliff that housed a tiny cave, big enough to hide him. He smiled to himself from grand find, hoping that it would take a little longer to find.

There was a slight shift in posture, Zaikaria listening to the boy discussing his memories of the night, the genuine care and admiration he had back then for her. So, Daniel back then had found a cave to hide in, just in reach of her ability, no wonder Daniel was all giddy back then… he was thinking about a cave, hiding just perfectly in range of her.

The boy continued, describing the rest of that night.

It was a wonderful find, yet… also dangerous.

Daniel slugged deeper into the cave, slipping on a rock in the process. There was a thud, followed by moving gravel, the boy slipping further into the cave, just dropping short of another entrance leading out.

Shaken and scared, the boy exited, hoping that he'd be easier to find out in the open. Instead, he stumbled across something else, a smell so foul, putrid, coppery wafting in the wind.

Like a marionette on strings, he was being played, drawn to the location, unaware of the possible outcomes. He was a child back then, too innocent to know the difference of right and wrong, to know if danger was right around the corner.

He stopped, a boy standing there, his back turned to him, wispy white hair flowing in the draft, red liquid dripping down his finger, joining the larger puddle on the floor seeping into the grass.

The boy was shaking, possibly as scared as he was right now, stumbling onto the scene just like Daniel had. Or maybe, the person lying on the floor was their father or mother… it was hard to tell at his angle.

When Daniel took one step forward, the crunch of the stick made the boy flinched. He twisted around to see who was behind him, a look of terror contorting his features.

Daniel froze from the image, the cute little boy, with ghostly white skin, and blue eyes like a deep ocean beach in summer. The moonlight glow accentuated the boy's figure, giving him a slight radiant glow… He was an angel in Daniel's eyes.

Killua's skin flushed red, "What are you, a photographer now?! I did not have ghostly white skin… or deep ocean blue eyes… or look like an angel with a slight radiant glow! Definitely not, if you did stumble across me during a… mission…"

"I'm only going by my memories of that night… what I was thinking… feeling within that moment…" Daniel paused for a moment, looking back on the scene, wondering if back then he would have started to develop feelings for Killua. He sensed none, just a fascination, mixed with feelings of worry and concern, "back then, I wanted to help you. You seemed to be scared, although back then, I thought it was because you thought I was the one who attacked the person…"

Daniel looked up, now directing his attention to Killua, "But with what I've experienced over the years, my thoughts at the time… were wrong!"

Daniel took another step forward, the boy retaliating by taking another step back. He was scared, but the boy gave no reason to make him scared, "Its ok… I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to help…"

"You need to leave, now!"

Daniel was surprised, caught off guard by the boy's demands, "I want to help you."

"You- You can't!" There was a pause, a silent whisper coming from the boy, "No one can…"

Daniel took a few steps forward, only stopping once the boy had looked up, realising his even closer, "stay away! I don't want to hurt you too…"

"Hurt me…?" Daniel tilted his head in surprise, now looking at the figure on the ground. Had he hurt this boy, if so, what the white-haired boy did was in self-defence and not his fault "everything is ok, he won't hurt you anymore… I think… I can protect you…"

Killua chuckled, rosy cheeks still prominent, "You were so innocent… unlike me… I murdered the guy, and you were thinking I did it to protect myself."

"Yeah, totally…" Daniel sarcastically responded, dryly continuing for added comedy, "My first thought totally should've been this boy's a killer. Your beauty overtook the man's senses, blood spraying from his nose like those scenes in animes."

Killua choked on air, eyes widening in terror. He thought Zaikaria would be glaring daggers at him; instead, she had a mild amusement grace her face, holding back the need to laugh. At least she thought that was a joke and not an actual backhanded compliment.

"Al- Alright, continue…"

Daniel offered a smile.

Daniel took another step forward, reaching out for the boy with moonlight hair, his figure seizing up. He was scared, and only when the boy's hand took hold of his, his actions came more erratically.

His fingers sharpened something Daniel hadn't expected at all. When he took a swipe, Daniel's aura flared to life, Ten being the only thing he could do at the time; he has been practising it for a few months since then, the ability providing enough benefits to deter any serious damage.

But Nathaniel's training was the one to kick in the most, fingers grasping the boy's wrist, even though the boy's fingers could still dig into his skin. But from the moment Daniel took hold of the boy's wrist, he had remained frozen.

Daniel took the opportune time to pull him into a hug, "Everything is ok… you're safe with me…"

Fingers dug into the boy's back, needy in feeling. There wasn't a sob or a sound, just hands digging into his back.

"And that would have been when Killua gave you that scar."

Killua gave Daniel's sister the finger, although he has no memory of that night, he could see why he would hug Daniel. It was a need back then… something he craved. Hell, he would hug Alluka all the time because he enjoyed the feeling, but Daniel quoting it as needy didn't help in the slightest, "It couldn't have been me…"

"What do you mean?"

"Even if Daniel was barely trained in Ten, it would've provided enough defence to stop any of my attacks. It probably would've explained why I was scared during the moment. It was something I couldn't understand… Anyways, when we were at Heavens Arena, Zushi could use Ten, and any hits I landed on him, did absolutely no damage to him… he just… got back up… every time…"

"Exactly," Daniel clapped his hands together under the blanket, "back then, you couldn't use Nen, making it impossible for Killua to hurt me back then."

Zaikaria shifted in her seat, uncomfortable by the news. If Killua hadn't, then Illumi was the one to blame… or someone else who was watching Killua at the time. OR, like her original thought, Killua's scared nature would've begged the person looking after him to kill Daniel instead, "Or, he asked for help…"

Daniel sighed, Akshasamat interjecting, "May I be bold, missstressss…?"

"Yesss…" there was a pause, almost smug in appreciation, "sssss"

The Chimera Ant rolled his eyes, "Lisssten to the ressst of what your brother hasss to sssay…"

Daniel nodded at the ant, his eyes now glancing back at his sister, "Akamut is right…"

Daniel held on for what felt like forever, a smile now etched along his face, "What's your-" it felt like something dug into his back, inching it's way along his skin, drawing a thin line between his upper right shoulder and left lower back.

He cried out, the boy in his arms visibly shaken. Moments after, felt like he was bouncing between conscious and unconscious thoughts, a conversation happening without any of his output.

"Why, you could've knocked him out…"

"Kil, I taught you better than that…" the voice was sick and twisted, words without emotion, taking hold of the conversation, sinking nothing but darkness into a tight grip that not even the brightest of moons could penetrate through.

He couldn't remember the words being spoken after, consciousness fading in and out right after. What he, however, could remember were two hands holding him, small in stature. 'Kil?' had picked him up, a draft whistling in his ears,

Daniel's weak voice barely registering through the noise, "I can stop him…"

"You're-" there was a pause, verbal curses being spit out left and right like a mantra, rivalling any sailor's dictionary, "SHIT! FUCK! You're bleeding too much… You aren't doing shit! Hospital… the nearest hospital… I don't know! I need to stop the bleeding! Hold on…"

There was a quiet thud, followed by the sounds of something ripping. Daniel remembered opening his eyes, but his vision was too blurred to see what was happening.

The last thing he could remember was more swearing, followed by the words, "It's too much. I need to find help!"

Daniel blinked, trying to figure out if he could remember anymore, but in all honesty, he couldn't. It was too fuzzy, but Killua at that time was acting frantic.

The boy couldn't deny it. The teen with a cold sickening voice… had to have been Illumi back then; Killua had begged Illumi to let him go. Killua was probably searching for anyone else other than his brother. Also, besides Killua's mother, Illumi was the only one who called him Kil.

Daniel's eyes found Killua's, "I don't feel like Killua was the one intending to kill me, well, because I'm still here. Also, I was kinda remembered screaming for you to save the angel…"

Killua's cheeks flushed at the words, Daniel has called him 'My angel' once or twice in the past. Now with all his memories unlocked, that nickname makes sense.

Even now as Daniel looks back on it, to have that part of his memory taken away was cruel. But, a smile soon found itself being brought back, the flashback made a little more sense now.

So long ago, he cried out for his sister to save a certain boy, the one he originally called: his angel.

And here he was again once more, reunited, his arms roped now roped around the boy he failed to save long ago. Would he ever imagine a situation where the two met, reunite and dating each other, back then, he highly doubted it…

Zaikaria's eyes met Killua's, "Only Killua can vouch for your story now, the missing parts at least. At least stay here for the rest of the night, by morning, you can go… the only way I'll believe Killua is if Illumi's mental block is unlocked… and that's out of my hands right now."

"Wait, you were able to free Daniel's-"

"Only because they were wrapped up in a nice bundle of my design; also, remember, he is still under the effects of Victor's ability…"

"Victor Rushifā Tempest?"

Zaikaria closed her eyes, afraid of hearing his full name. Daniel remembers everything, including, the possibility of what he looks like. "So, you remember his details…?"

Killua's eyes widened, "Y- You remember, including what he looks like?!"

"Yes… but I don't know why I remember two other instances of meeting him. Once in my dreams, while we were on Whale Island-"

"Whale Island…?" Zaikaria raised an eyebrow; that memory must be very far back, sometime after the Hunter's Exam.

"Yes, Gon's birth… more like childhood hometown…"

"Right…"

"The other was when we landed in Alair taus, at the café… we lead him right to my father. I guess Vastorie was right to blame me…"

"Wait, what?!" Zaikaria held out her hand to Daniel, "What do you mean he blamed you for Victor's actions…?"

"Nathaniel… let Victor go a long time ago; dad believed he was dead all this time. His rage… anger… it didn't help at the time of his obvious rejection of never having me. Nathaniel created a list of people we should visit, so I can understand my father better. You, were on that list…"

Zaikaria closed her eyes, a seething hatred brewing. Killua stayed by Daniel's side, even though his father had rejected his son. Killua had unconsciously earned some points from her, "you have my thanks, Killua…"

"I- I'm sorry…" Killua leaned a little forward; unable to hide the smugness in his voice "I couldn't quite hear that…"

Biting her lip, she frowned, "You're pushing your luck now. Just, thank you… for helping Daniel through his memory loss, even though he probably hated your guts…"

Killua awkwardly rubbed his hands together, looking away from everyone. Talk about rubbing salt in wounds. She certainly knew how to hurt him during a compliment, but it's honestly the best his going to get out of her right now, "You're welcome…"

"I know about Victor's alternate memories, but I also know the side of him you never met. Vastorie does love you; it's just hard for him to convey it. He doesn't exactly have a father figure in his life."

Daniel nodded before Zaikaria continued, "So, his memories are attached to another world… but, Avalos, isn't just Vastorie's first crush, it's his ideals…"

"Huh, explain…?"

"I probed his mind once when he wasn't looking… Avlas shares similarities with Nathaniel."

"And…?"

"His free-spirited… something Vastorie doesn't see yet. He just desires to kill Victor, but… Nathaniel didn't tell Vastorie he was still alive, why?"

"He couldn't find him…?"

"Sure, but it's a little simpler than that… Victor is hiding something. I tried searching for his name, but nothing popped up on the Hunter's website. His details are locked."

"Could he be a Hunter?"

"It's possible… maybe even a three-star Hunter. I lost his presence the moment he landed here."

"HE'S HERE?!" Killua and Daniel yelled almost in sync. Why didn't Zaikaria lead with this?

"Yes, and he doesn't want to be found… he keeps hiding. I don't know why, but I'm hoping to find, and interrogate him. I want the truth!"

"~"

There was a pause, a journal falling on the table, a man groaning as he clenched his face between his fingers. There was nothing more to read, the last journal page written by a man who seemed scared…

I'm not me…

I'm nOt mE…

I'M NOT ME…

"Victor… what happened to you on the Dark Continent…?"