Alluka is concerned about Killua, as Iason and Sakura interact with each other, planning out the goal to revive Gon's Nen back. Vastorie gives in, finally fulfilling an old promise he made to his son…

The sounds of pots and pans resonated in the kitchen, Killua humming as he moved along the room, trying to place everything back in their location. They leave tomorrow in the afternoon, leaving the area where Daniel's original tormentor lies in wait.

He hadn't really mentioned anything to Daniel or Alluka, just like Zaikaria had asked, the guilt barely lying in wait, not that he had an actual moment to ever say anything. They were quiet literary tangled up, limb-for-limb that evening, barely having enough time to pack their bags.

He couldn't complain, enjoying the moment in its entirety, although, he did learn something valuable from the lesson. Besides Daniel is more on the submissive side, he harbours a real fear, his trying to understand…

Vastorie…

He shares too many similarities he wished weren't true. If he had to point to a single culprit, it would be the fear of becoming like his father. Much was still unknown about Vastorie's past to Daniel, so this adventure would be to understand the man.

Yet, even still, if Daniel learns something he doesn't like, Killua had no idea how his boyfriend would take it. He barely says anything, probably because he believes Killua understands everything that's going on in his head, but he doesn't…

He only knows what's going on from the breakdowns, which isn't much in his opinion. He isn't used to reading minds in this sort of department, those mushy feelings he gets in the pits of his stomach from time-to-time, but for Daniel, and even Gon, it's like second nature to them.

So far he has learned:

Daniel feels disgusted with himself, whenever he enjoys something, specifically bedroom activities, he would see his father enjoying.

He is scared of breaking like his father, lashing out at whoever is a part of his life.

Killing anyone…

Those are the man issues he feels he could see being Daniel's main breaking points. It's not something he really wants to see happen, but if he does, like with his sister, he'll comfort the boy.

Packing the last of the cooking ware away, Killua proceeded to grab two cups, filling them with water before heading over to the couch to join his sister in front of the TV. She was already packed, along with himself and Daniel.

The only reason Daniel wasn't on the couch with them, was because he was in the shower, cleaning off their afternoon mess. The boy placed his sister's drink on the table before taking a drink of his own, mindless watching whatever his sister was watching. He jumped in the middle of the cartoon, so he had no idea why there was a pink, blue and green little girl with no hands, beating up a monkey.

And he wasn't about to ask what she was watching either, it was mindless fun to her, so it's good enough for him.

"Big brother…?"

"Yeah," Killua ran his free hand over his sister's back, massaging it gently as he took a drink. It had to be the worst decision of his life, his sister has completely caught him off guard, interrogating him on one of his more intimate, tender moments.

"Are you ok? You were making a lot of noise in the bedroom…"

The boy spat his drink out, "Wh- WHAT?" coughing and choking on the remainder of the water clinging to his throat, the boy tried to recollect himself, preparing for a way to get out of the bird's and bee's talk. He wasn't going to have this discussion with his sister; she was too pure for the topic, "What you mean I was making n-noise…?" Shit, she may have heard me moaning like a symphony… Damn it! I should have used a pillow to cover my mouth!

"I heard you groaning, did you hurt yourself?"

"Not per se… " Where's Daniel the white liar when you need him…? "I…"

"Was knee deep in trouble," Daniel made a comment as stepped out of the bathroom; covering for what he assumed was his blushing boyfriend. He only caught the tail end of the conversation, hoping that he hadn't missed too much of it to make any point at all.

"Big brother was groaning a while ago, what did you do to him?"

"I gave him a deep massage, as a thank you for sticking by me…" Daniel's cheeks warmed as he looked down, continuing to rub the towel over his head, drying out his hair, "Your brother forgave me… even after how I treated him. It wasn't really fair considering I called him a perv. He was just trying to look after me…"

Alluka beamed slightly, smiling at both Daniel and Killua; the boy was being sincere, telling her how he was trying to redeem what he said and did to Killua while he was unaware of how much he cared for her brother.

Killua remained quiet, face buried behind his hair. He was just valuing Daniel's sincerity, even with the outright lie to her face. The boy did give him a massage, but not of the kind Alluka was thinking about.

It's times like these, he values his ability to make up lies that sound reasonable, "There you go sis. Daniel was giving me a massage… Ignore the mess I just made, your question just caught me off…"

"It's ok big brother… I'm just happy for you and Daniel. What will we do, once we get rid of Daniel's curse?"

"Daniel, what you think…?"

"Something calm and relaxing… how about school?"

"Ah, yes… because when I think of relaxing, my immediate thought is tests, love letters, homework, and smelly judgmental kids talking about girls…"

"Considering what we've been through, smelly judgmental kids talking about girls are the least of our worries… We've been through hell and back, no test on the planet could ever come close to Chimera Ant war…"

"Touché…" Killua hummed, idly turning his attention back to the TV, "It's gonna be so hard not killing kids our age…" Especially those who give you or Alluka love letters… The boy immediately shut those thoughts out right after the thought. He's only thinking like this, because of what he knows, and is keeping a secret from two of the people he cherishes.

Daniel nodded before heading to their room, preparing for bed. He could see something weighing on Killua's mind, but he trusted the boy enough to know when the time is right, he'll tell him. After what he's done, it's the least he can do for Killua.

Tonight is the last night before they make a trip to the Kakin. Although just to be safe, Killua brought a ticket that stops in another country, which they then have to then board another flight, before their flight to Kakin.

He couldn't be too careful. He doesn't even know if Victor is going to come and follow them, so the extra two flights is a fool-proof way to get out of trouble. The first stop is the last flight of the day, and they managed to score the last three seats of that specific flight.

Victor will be a complete idiot to attempt to board that plane.

Now all there's left to do is wait, and hope that nothing happens tonight.

"~"

Iason and Sakura laid cross-legged, Gon off doing something they hoped would keep the boy busy for hours. Iason needed to be careful, not infringing too much on the two's relationship. He only chose to sleep at Sakura's side the night before, because something crossed his mind during their conversation.

If his ability does have the power to recover Gon's Nen, he should try to manage the amount of time he spends sleeping with the boy. He is afraid that unlocking all that built up potential is going to crush the boy.

He is aware of a large chunk of the information, about the way aura, Nen and Hatsus intermingle with one another, altering the driving people's aura potential forward; but his not exactly sure to the true reason why Gon lost his Nen. He'll feel bad if he doesn't ask Gon directly, but he'd rather wait for the boy to tell him, just in case it throws up any red flags.

How Gon lost his Nen, could change the method they need in order to revive it. If it was on purpose, maybe just constantly holding Gon as they slept would bring it back, but the dire consequences could mean hell for the boy.

It could resurface and then crush him, before mellowing out once more. It's been building up all this time, which means unconsciously, Gon is tapping into it somehow, building up his aura reserves without his know how.

That was the point of this conversation; he needs an idea of what Gon's aura was like in the past, without delving too deep into the reason for the loss.

"So, how much do you know about Nen?"

"What I know is with Nen, people can be superhuman, like crushing boulders with a pinkie."

Iason chuckled at the example being presented, but it's an oversimplified explanation. It's more like a supernatural talent that can't be explained naturally, without bringing up willpower, "Kind of… Nen is more like a supernatural power. Depending from person to person, each and every one of us falls into six different categories. Five of those are self-explanatory; while the six is more like I don't know, so let's put you here, type of category. I won't say any more other than that, because it'll be way too much information that needs to be covered first before the categories. Let's take it step-by-step, ok?"

"Alright… you're the teacher."

"Ok, so let's start with the basics. Ten, Zetsu, Ren and then, Hatsu; Hatsu will be when we find out your category. Ten is where we'll begin, for now, focusing mainly on that."

Iason takes a breath, preparing his thought process of how best to explain the way Ten works with Sakura.

"So, Ten, simplified is a kind of defensive category of Nen. It allows for one to protect oneself from Emotional attacks that could crush a human spirit. Naturally, all of us have access to Ten, it leaks through our body as we grow older, but maintained, it can provoke our metabolism from deteriorating and growing old. It is the main reason why some people in their 60s can look like they're barely touching their 30s. That's probably why Gon doesn't have blemished skin, and that 'cute' baby-faced, chubby cheeks. Oh, but its main potential isn't to make you look pretty, or young it's to provide a balance for your body to maintain the life energy, known as 'aura' for you to control and maintain without… you know, dying."

Sakura blinked a few times, Iason already continuing before he could ask any questions, "Think of it as force field covering a planet, it stops the bad things coming in while providing life on the inside for every little aspect of yourself to mature."

Sakura opens his mouth, but Iason hadn't exactly finished yet, "The people inside the planet are the little flecks of life that provide the power needed for the force field to manage the necessary strength to keep the planet alive, and if too many people die, then the force field breaks down, making it susceptible to outside damage. But if the people don't regularly look after the planet also, the whole thing will collapse in on itself. Ten is kind of like evolution, making sure to provide constantly, while also testing a few new features for the planet to try out. Constantly providing without worrying about what it has lost... until it's lost everything, and then boom, no need to worry about- ahhh… I'm rambling a little, aren't I?"

"A little…" Sakura pinched his fingers together, Iason blushing out of embarrassment for flooding the poor boy with way too much information. His eagerness got the better of him, that time, unable to stop the tide of information he knew about the topic. He felt like he just drove a boatload of information into the poor boy's brain.

Sakura instead grasped the boy's hand, pulling his attention back to the topic, "its ok… Iason, I… I think I understand. Tell me if I make a mistake. So, if Ten is the life force energy, the equivalence to how I understand the topic would be… If we were like a flower, we draw in the sunlight, water and carbon, using that as a process to funnel through our body, and I guess the by-product, oxygen would be our aura, but rather than releasing it like we normally do, we keep it flowing around our body, keeping it protected at all times. Photosynthesis would be the process of learning the aspects, or forms of Nen… I believe…"

Iason hummed the situation in his head, thinking the scenario over; he guesses it could be put like that. He really ham-fisted him with information from a Botanist point of view. It could work for this scenario, as long as he understands using his own terminology "Sounds about right. Ten is the entry level of learning how to wield your aura, so yes, I guess you would be correct there."

"Yay!" The boy cheered, earning a small unconscious upward smile from Iason, "So, how do we learn Ten is it similar, do we draw it from nature…?"

"No…" the boy chuckled, holding out his hands to shake that thought away, unable to stop his smile from widening at his friend's eagerness. Friend… Iason found himself stopping for a moment, considering the thought.

However, he was unable to ponder it for long, Sakura's voice drawing his attention back, "Iason, are you ok?"

"Oh, yeah… sorry… If you want to learn Ten, meditating is the safest route; there is another, but it's considered taboo… nor do I wish to perform it. But simplified, I force open your micropyles, also known as aura nodes. You can learn Ten quicker… but you can die in the process if you fail."

"Right, bad… So is there a specific way to meditate, one where it doesn't draw Gon's attention? I'm sure his meditated before…"

Iason hummed the situation over, trying to think of a way to get out of the situation. For a few days, he can help sneak in a few study sessions with Sakura, while working his way up to distract Gon for Sakura…

So far from what he can tell, if he can get Gon to go out at least an hour a day, even to spar, maybe like today, it could benefit Sakura in the long run…

Gon likes a challenge, he knows that much, but he is unsure to what degree. Maybe he could get more information out of Sakura, "Leorio says Gon likes to challenge people, right?"

"Yeah, he does… he likes to push himself further. It's probably why Killua and Daniel were both so close to him."

Iason nodded, questioning the news. He keeps hearing Daniel and Killua being brought up, but he is unsure how to ask about them, "Maybe if we can get him to go out more frequently like he did today with the Gym, we could sneak in some time with you."

It would be their best bet, to drag Gon far away from Sakura, whether that be via exercise, the gym, sparing, it didn't matter, as long as Sakura had the time, he could practice without worrying about being caught.

The boy nodded, his fingers tentatively running along Iason's dorsal, while the other cupped the boy's palm, he couldn't be more thankful for the help. "Thank you… this means so much for me…"

"Right…" Iason turned away, feeling the combined heat and warmth of Sakura's touch, feelings bubbling from within. Ever since that night, that mistake… touching both Gon and Sakura, he felt a connection between the three of them. He was unable to shake that feeling, but at the same time, he didn't understand the full context of the situation, at least not yet "I promised I would help…"

Right now he learning a little bit more about Sakura, and honestly, he is as every bit as the boy was described. He was a giant, nerdy, bookworm when it came to Botany. He was able to take his long-winded explanation of Ten, and twist it to the point he could understand.

He feels like the boy could connect with him on an emotional level, and that right now scared him. Not in a fearful manner, but in a sense of the unknown. He didn't know how he should feel, with someone would able to read his worries with just one look.

The boy chuckled as he took his hands away, "You're right about that…"

"Since we have some time left, how about I give you a couple of pointers, to see if I can help you to learn a bit about Ten."

Sakura eagerly agreed, Iason's hand now guiding the boy though some simple touches, "I want you to close your eyes and focus, imagine you have all these tiny holes in your body where I touch, to picture them as little miniature gates you want to open." Every time he felt his hand touch Sakura, his skin suddenly felt hot. Was it his cheeks, or from somewhere deep within.

It was so hard to pinpoint what he was feeling at these times. It wasn't one of those reach forward and kiss kind of moments… THANK GOD, it was a sense of joy, something flip-flopping from within.

It was unable to be denied, 'I want to be hugged' kind of feeling. Especially with Gon, maybe it was the way Leorio hyped the boy up, but even in his really tired state, if he were to think about it logically… he'd felt like within that moment, he was being protected.

Either way, he was worried about Sakura… Gon… even, himself…

Once Sakura has at least been able to open and control the flow of aura around him, then Iason job to completely distract Gon will be the next step. He needs to make sure Sakura is able to control his flow before they move to the next step.

It will be a crucial step, as Zetsu, will stop Sakura from being a target, while also giving him the advantage from hiding from Gon if the boy is ever in a pinch. The last thing they needed, was the moment Gon becomes hyperaware for what they are doing, his ability to pick up on Sakura's aura flow.

When the time is right, he was sure Sakura will tell Gon of his desire to help, and how much his trained. Maybe by then, Sakura will no longer need him, and those feelings that have collected so far will dissipate…

If they do… what would he feel within the moment?

Will he be happy…?

Will he be sad…?

Until then, there was a long road ahead of them, the end goal to revive Gon's aura…

"~"

Vastorie held his gaze at the window, making hopefully the last call. He made a mistake with his family, and while he can't directly call them to apologize, he can at least alter the course of the situation.

It's time he completes his promise, he is sure Nathaniel marked down this name, and hopefully, it's not too late. He doesn't exactly know what Daniel's state of mind is right now, unable to keep tabs on his son, just in case his father is watching his every move.

Kurapika has already made the mistake of attempting to follow the man; he won't make the same… but he can adjust his son's fate slightly, even without getting into contact with the boy… "Piiick up Eif-"

"Hel-"

"Eifion Mattocks!"

"Wait, Vastorie…? This is a pleasant surprise to hear you call. It's been so long…"

"I know…" the man let out a sigh of relief. It gave him a taste of nostalgia. To hear the younger man's voice was great, it reminded him so much of his younger years, and how he would have to drag the poor guy out of school shenanigans. But the reason for his call had to be quick in a sense. He can't let his father catch wind of this "Unfortunately, this won't be much of a pleasant call…"

"Oh…" there was a brief pause, fingers now tapping at a computer "What exactly did you call for? Hopefully not any documents you want me to dig up out of my Uncle's archives… Most of its public news anyways…"

"Actually, it's a more, calm request. I would like to enrol three students."

"Right now…? It's a little late in the year… We don't even have dorm space-"

"Use the special dorm, the one that's a locked off for reserved students; there should still be space… right?"

"There is… a lot to be exact…" A pause followed suit, some more typing before the man spoke, "who do you want me to enrol?"

"Daniel, Alluka and Killua…"

"Daniel, Alluka and Killua, what…?"

"No surname, under the radar enrolment."

"Right…" the man quickly typed, leaving the surname field blank for the moment, once he finds out the relations, he can make up a surname on the spot "So do you know roughly when they plan to start?"

"I'm unsure… so file it away on your system for now. You'll know who they are, once you meet Daniel."

"Ok… I can't wait to meet them. Let me guess, you want me to put them through the special course?"

"Alluka, leave that up to Killua, as for the other two, I'm sure they won't disappoint you."

"Vastorie, I know it's been ages since you last taught me… but I want you to know, the kids missed having you as a teacher, myself included…"

There was a quiet chuckle through the receiver, "Well, those kids I guarantee, will receive a sense of nostalgia once they meet Daniel. He won't disappoint them…"

"I'm glad to hear that. Say hello to your husband to me, the kids miss him as well."

Vastorie closed his eyes, the face of the man he betrayed and hurt, lost due to his own anger, was unable to dissipate from his mind. He committed himself to this hell, so there was no turning back until Victor was gone; he was willing to walk this sad and lonely life "I will…"

He hung up before the door could be opened, already well aware of the presence of two outside. Judging by one of their wavering aura, they hadn't been there for long, maybe the last three sentences at most. Kurapika and Leorio were standing at the doorway. He held his features still, Leorio grumbling under his breath, "I'm doing this for Kurapika, Daniel, Killua and Alluka… not you!"

The man allowed a smirk to follow, "fine by me…"

Kurapika drew his fingers along the older man's back, drawing his attention to him, "Remember Leorio, if you can't convince Cheadle, our friends' lives are in danger… He already knows what they look like; it's just a matter of time before he strikes. If we can't get her, to back off…"

"I know… I still won't forgive him! Not until he apologizes to them."

"And you know why he can't…"

"I know…" Leorio grumbled. Drawing his fingers under his glasses, he rubbed the tiredness away. What the man was doing was still wrong, but he could understand why Vastorie is choosing to cut ties with his family. Kurapika made it very clear, that under all, that stiff, joking exterior was a broken man barely willing to walk a lonely path, just to make sure his family remained safe.

It was selfish but understandable…

A/N: On the 17th of December, will be the last chapter I'll post for the end of the year. Between work and all the Christmas parties, I'm hoping to use my free time to at least have a couple of chapters ready for the first Monday next year. If I have more than three chapters built up by January the 7th, I'll post one per day until I have a few remaining backed up.

So as my plan, for now, chapter 31 will be the last chapter for the year.