Eifion talks about a job he's offering the boys. But they'll have to be hush, hush about it… and agree to certain rules, like not give in to temptations.

A\N: I'm back with a new chapter. My finger is mostly healed; however, I wouldn't be surprised if I have a few scars after it's finished healing.

So, after this long break I was trying to write when I could so I didn't lose interest in writing, it was difficult at the start… Although, I had some awesome ideas… while in the shower ironically, so last week when I was just taking another week to recover, I not only wrote two chapters, for the next two weeks, but I have another three chapters of ideas lined up, and another two future events planned, both of which are really far away.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Killua broke the silence after the door closed. Eifion was offering them a job, or a mission he needed help with. If both parties agreed to the rules and conditions, it may be something they can use to pry another deal out of Eifion.

Also, provided it didn't rely on them leaving the school grounds, they're willing to play a part in this.

Killua's biggest concern was keeping Daniel alive. Seeing as they knew nothing about Victor's whereabouts, there was no way to assure his partner's safety… let alone his own. If he must push the boy aside to protect him, he'd do it within a heartbeat.

If he stays behind to protect his partner, the boy may not listen to him, to run back to Alluka and keep her safe, while he loses Victor in the city.

The other problem was they may not even like the details of the mission, but knowing Daniel… He'd readily accept the task. As much as the boy wouldn't like to hear it, Daniel was trying to follow in Vastorie's footsteps.

The boy was trying to make a difference in other people's lives, to leave a lasting impact. Now, he may believe he's following Nathaniel's footsteps, but right now… he was following Vastorie's, except the man was doing to make up for his past mistakes…

Daniel… was trying to make up for Vastorie's mistakes with Madelyn. He may even try to make up for his own mistakes after causing a rift between the two girls. That was a possibility he was dreading because he knew how his partner will go about fixing it.

Until Daniel brings it up with him, given that they were being more open with each other, he may not like the deal he'll, unfortunately, go along with.

Eifion held his hands together, clasping his fingertips after holding out a hand for the boys to take a seat, "So, I have a dilemma… a private problem I shouldn't be bringing up with you."

"Ok…" Daniel looked at his partner with concern.

"Now, I would have brought it up with your father, but he's dealing with another issue… the Victor issue."

"Right…"

"This one will require you to…" The man rolled his wrists as he tried to think of the best way to put it. But there was no way, other than saying what they'd need to do "go undercover as drunk teens."

"Say what now…?" Killua asked with a deadpan tone. They were young teens… there was no way Daniel, let alone himself, will be able to mingle with drunken idiots. They'd get kicked out without a second notice, "You do realise we're thirteen, going onto fourteen… if we were sixteen, maybe we could get away with it."

"I was afraid of you saying that… but under these circumstances, it would be better to involve you, then a teacher. The students know the teachers… the person I want to draw out will be spooked if they saw a teacher. With you, at least I have a chance…"

Daniel gave Killua a nod, letting his partner know they should listen to what the man had to say, "We should hear him out at least…"

"Alright, but I should be the one to judge if we should take it on or not…"

"You're the better judge in these circumstances. Please, continue Eifion…"

"You should be referring to me as Mr Mattocks, but I'll let it slide." He gave the boys a coy grin, "Anyways, a student or teacher… let's not rule anyone out here, someone is drugging students. Now, before you freak out… it looks like none of the students has come to harm, but they woke up in their bed with no memories of the previous night. I think they're being used as test subjects."

"For what exactly…?"

"I don't know… and there lies my problems. I don't even know if they're experiencing a different kind of harm, like side effects. We had doctors and nurses check the students, but there was absolutely nothing wrong with them. Nothing noticeable at least…"

"What do you expect us to do about the person going around drugging students? Take them out? Bring them in…?"

"I want an ID at least, so I can question them myself. I want to know why they're doing it? Whether is out of selfish needs or… I don't want to even think about that possibility."

"What possibility?" Daniel asked more so for the knowledge, to try and understand why the man looked disgusted from his thought.

"Sexual gratification…"

As Daniel looked away, Killua's expression stayed neutral. Daniel would now want to get involved, not because of what the man said… his partner wasn't a fan of those who took advantage of others. Whether it be his family or like Yannick, that boy believing he knew what was best for another "What's the difference between that and selfish needs?"

"Given that we've found no physical or mental harm to the victims, it's possible that a someone was doing drug trials on people under the radar. People we wouldn't suspect. Students go out for a fun time, get hammered wake up with a hangover, it's a natural thing that you can't really… stop. But we try to make sure those people get back safely at least. These people, however… the ones getting back safely, we aren't sure how they're getting back. Also, we aren't sure how many victims there have been… not everyone comes forward."

Eifion held out a finger, "But then again… the ones that we do know about… could also be the only victims in this."

"You mentioned you can get permission to do drug trials here…" Killua crossed his arms, "are students aware of this?"

"Yes…" Eifion gave a nod of his head, "Given the school's resources and connections we have thanks to teachers and people like Vastorie, it's part of the curriculum. Provided, that it's safe to test, and they are within reason, we can do animal trials."

Killua hummed to himself as he mulled over the news, uncrossing his arms, he tapped his chin as he thought about his next question. Given the facts they know, where do they go from this information, "So this person… does he have a specific target."

"Mainly girls… but there are a few… men with feminine traits that got mixed up into this mess."

Killua looked at Daniel before turning back to Eifion, "Nope… I'm not letting Daniel get involved here."

"Look, I'm not expecting either of you to get wasted or hammered," Eifion interjected; at the start he expected them to play pretend as they move about. Plus, he trusts that as Pro-Hunters who been involved in situations they've survived, this would be an easy task to manoeuvre "I'd rather you remain sober for the entire night. I just want an ID on anyone acting suspiciously. Are you willing to help out?"

Killua drummed his fingers against the desk, the way Daniel looking at him, his expression was screaming for him to say yes, but there were too many glaring issues. They'd need to drink, or at least pretend to while they mingle with the crowds.

He'd be fine… he should be able to drink litres without getting hammered due to his training with various chemicals and poisons… Daniel, however, would not.

"The risks are too high… you do know that, Daniel. You could be a target, given that they targeting mainly women or feminine men."

"I promise I won't take a sip. I want to help him out… he's not asking for much."

Killua sighed in defeat, "Fine, but I have several conditions…"

"Name them."

"First, I should be able to drink. If we're going to act the part, one of us should be drinking… and I can handle any form of poison in my body… which will include alcohol."

"Alright… but if you get tipsy, or Daniel notices your motor skills decreasing, you are to stop immediately. Agreed?"

"Agreed…"

"Next?"

"We want a reward for finding them. One wish or request to be granted."

"As long as it's within my power, sure."

Daniel interrupted, "which I want to cash in."

The two raised an eyebrow, given that the mission hadn't been completed, let alone started… Daniel was already asking for something. With the perp still on the rise and the boy not bringing this up with his partner earlier, made the request unnatural.

Daniel could sense his partner's concern, "I'll tell you the details later, Killua… I promise. Eifion, I'll bring it up with you as well because you need to agree. But I want one day, of our choosing… for full access to a Nen room for a day."

Eifion rubbed his chin, that was easily doable, but it seemed like a waste. But then again… Daniel may come up with a reason as to why he needed it. But for now, he'll agree to the basis. However, he wanted a full report as to why the boy wanted that, "Alright, but I want all the details within a week."

"I can agree to that…"

"You mean, we…" Killua interjected, a little worried with a request. If it has to do with who he thinks it does, he may not even like the reason as to why Daniel wanted this as their reward.

Daniel gave a nod in response to Killua's words.

Eifion sighed as he leaned into the back of his chair, rubbing his temples. He closed his eyes with a deep sigh "this is gonna be the end of my career…" sarcasm dripped from his words, but the possibility could be very real, especially if the person was drugging others for malicious reasons.

"I want this kept on the down-low. No approaching the person or forcing their hand. Understood?"

"Crystal clear!" The boys agreed in unison.

"Also, I'm not expecting you to find their name… try to get me at lease a description. But if you do find out their name, that would help me find the person quicker. If you can, try to find out if there are multiple culprits. I'm not exactly sure how many people are involved… if it's one, or a few involved in this scheme."

Killua pressed a hand to his side, "What exactly are we dealing with here…? Do you have any more information to go by? Are they alone? With friends… besides feminine qualities, does the perp have any other preference?"

Eifion shook his head, "It's random at best. Whether they go with friends or not, the only thing is apparently, going by what friends say is their personality just erupts out of nowhere."

"Erupts how…?"

"Well, if they were reserved, they turn into a party animal. Quiet… they become loud and obnoxious… passive emotionally… they're proud of who they are."

Killua pressed a hand to his chin, "So, they turn into open books… It might not be a specific drug. At least, not one I can think of…"

The man looked at the boy with a questioning gaze, "What else you think could be involved? It has to be natural, given that using Nen is impossible. There's no way a manipulator could be involved."

"What if it's a teacher…?"

Eifion looked confused for a moment. Killua was right, if a teacher was involved it wasn't out of the question, "You'd be right in that case… but there are only a few Manipulators on the roster… none of them is capable of… this?"

Killua hummed at the statement. He understands what the man is going through, the stress from the whole situation. But at the same time… they don't have all the information with them," In any case, I'm not sure what's at play here… Whether it's Nen, drugs or something natural, we'll try to find out what it is."

"Thank you… for assisting me here. It means a lot. It'll make your parents proud of you, Daniel… can't say the same for Killua. I don't know them personally."

"Let me put it this way… they'll be mortified," Killua stated with a childish grin; his parent would be livid at the idea of him helping others, rather than outright taking a life for a quick paycheque.

Daniel frowned slightly. It's not that he doesn't believe Nathaniel or Vastorie would be proud of him of his current achievements. He just doesn't see why his distant father would praise him over this, "It's not that I don't believe you…"

Eifion turned to look at the boy, taking a mental note of the boy's quietness.

"It's that I don't see my father praising me for this task. Nathaniel, sure… but Vastorie… I don't see it."

"I understand…" The man held out his hand to the boy, "The more people you'll meet, more you'll hear others say this, not just myself. But Vastorie tends to hide his feelings under brutal words. Don't let his words get to you… focus on his actions, what he does for you during and after his comments…"

"Right…"

"Now, to answer Killua's question…" Eifion turned back to the boy, answering his earlier questions "I can't tell you if the person will show up to a specific party or time, so I'll send you a list of the parties I'm aware of, including their starting times for you to scope out. Let's hope you get lucky before the next report…"

"If we can't find them?"

"I'll give you something for your time."

Killua ran a thumb over his chin, "Anything else you think could help us?"

Eifion shook his head, "Nothing… Sorry I can't give you more information to narrow it down."

"It's ok…" Daniel spoke with a smile, "at least it's something to go by, right Killua?"

"While it's nothing concert… it just means we'll have to show up at the earliest time, hope we find someone suspicious moving around. Maybe we can even try to grab someone who had been affected by whatever was slipped into their drink and bring them to you. It could help us find them, provided, the drug doesn't get flushed through their system instantly."

With a nod, Eifion agreed that finding someone under the effects of this drug would help them narrow down the suspect.

"~"

The boy now had a game plan, a mission to deal with; they have a few dates to select. Given that there was no set frame between the drugging and the report of a victim, they'll be in it for the long haul.

That means from when the moment the party starts to the next following day, they'll need to be on high alert.

Not only that, they'll have to view it case by case. If a drink is being handed to another person, they could be the next victim. At least with the information the boys have at their disposal, they could narrow down the pool of potential victim by the person's physique, given that the targets tended to have feminine traits.

That means Daniel has the possibility of being the next victim.

Killua wanted to voice his concerns about the mission, but his partner was eager to help. He needed to bring this up with the boy, but more importantly… he needed to find out why Daniel wanted a full day in the Nen training room.

"Hey… we need to talk about our request with Eifion?"

"I know…" Daniel smiled at his partner, even though he was sure his boyfriend could see a little bit of sadness in his eyes. Daniel knows what he wanted and intended to do will upset his partner, but, if he was planning to go through with it… he needed to be honest with his partner. He was going to give a good case why they should reveal certain things they wanted to keep hidden "First off, I'll say we need to come up with an agreement because you won't like what I'm about to say."

"Uh, huh…" Killua raised a curious eyebrow, looking for any signs of discomfort. They may be comfortable with each other, but certain things were uncomfortable to talk about. Certain aspects of their past, as well as things they know, will upset the other.

Daniel made it clear, that he'll be upset with what he was about to argue for or asked of him. But, if there was one thing he learned, over the months of being together, these things could be debated. Nothing was final or set in stone. His partner could be reasoned with, if, the idea was a bad one "Daniel, I trust you… enough to know what we're doing or telling each other, while it has its limits, we need to work through it as a unit, to maintain this trust system. You asking for something from Eifion without alerting me, while it doesn't make me immediately lose my trust in you… it does worry me. It makes me worried, that you were unable to talk about it before meeting Eifion."

"I…" Daniel closes his eyes, pain evident in his face. It wasn't that he didn't want to talk about it with Killua yet, in fact, he planned to do so. It was just Killua asking for anything they desired and Eifion agreeing to it, had presented the perfect chance for him to get that ball rolling.

However, Killua was right in this scenario… he should've brought it up with him on the way to meeting Eifion, "I want you to know I would've told you sooner, I just didn't predict you to ask for: we want a reward for finding them. One wish or request to be granted. Eifion agreeing to that was the perfect opportunity to ask for it…"

"So, if you knew about him fulfilling any wish, you would've told me before I found out the hard way?"

"Yes…"

Killua ran a hand over his partner's back, smiling, "I'm still worried… but now I'm a little relieved to hear you weren't keeping this from me on purpose. So, why do we need a day in the Nen training facility?"

"You may not like certain aspects of this… but I think we should tell Madelyn everything."

"Everything…? Are we talking everything, or you going to omit some of the truth?"

"Everything… Alluka, you, me, Vastorie… Victor… everything…"

"That'll put their lives in danger."

"We'll have to omit something, like Victor's looks. Considering they don't know what he looks like, I don't think we'll need to worry about them becoming his next target."

Killua let out a sigh of frustration. He was a little upset, mainly because it didn't look like Daniel intended to keep his sister's ability a secret. Rubbing his face, he took in a deep breath, "And you think keeping Madelyn hostage will help us… how?"

"Not just her… Clarisa too."

"This just got worse… you wanna tell Clarisa… and Madelyn, all our secrets?"

"I will agree to omit somethings…"

"But not everything…?"

"I want to level the playing field between the two girls. Clarisa hasn't said anything to me. She hasn't even put a request to Eifion to ask us to be her Nen practitioners… I think Madelyn saw Clarisa and I talking, the two got into a fight over it and it's all my fault."

"Hey…" Killua gave Daniel a firm pat on the back, "It's not your fault for how Madelyn reacts. Sure, you knew it was a possibility…"

"Which, doesn't make me feel better about it."

"Hey… let me finish."

"I'm sorry…"

"Again, it's ok…" Killua stopped to hold Daniel's hands, "we agreed to be open with each other. We agreed… to tell each other about our problems. We should be better at reading the situation, especially, when the other is worried about something. This is something that's made you worried… not just about our students… but the friends we made along the way. I'll listen to you, and if I don't like some of the things you tell me, I'll let you know. As long as you promise me that you won't go ahead and tell them about it anyway, I'll be okay about this…"

Daniel's mouth opened in surprise. Killua was giving him a chance, a chance to do the right thing… he'll just have to agree with his partner about what should be remained hidden "Alright…"

Daniel squeezed his partner's hands before letting go. With a smile, he pointed out to the open fields, "let's find a quiet place to talk."

The two wandered further out into the open school fields, finding a lone tree surrounded by lush grassland. No one should be able to sneak up on them, but that doesn't mean they should talk louder than need to over each other over the deal.

Daniel started with the similar stuff first, "I think we should balance out what we say to them. Start small, talk about Nen, it's capabilities. Show them what we're capable of."

"Okay, that's fine. Talking about something Madelyn knows about and Clarisa doesn't, should make it possible to then introduce to the girl something she's not aware of. As long as Madelyn feels like she knows more about the situation… she may be willing to listen."

Daniel gave a nod, "Exactly… but the next thing I wanted to tell them will definitely, throw it out of balance. We should tell the girls our real name. Clarisa may already know… but Madelyn doesn't."

"Yeah… Madelyn will be upset at Clarisa for not only being aware of who I am… it'll make it impossible for that girl to see reason within in your next words. It's going to be a hard game to balance… you do know this, Daniel?"

"Yeah, I do… but once we get everything out in the open, we can back her into a corner where she'll need to tell us everything."

"An eye for an eye…" Killua hummed, "Alright, what other topics did you want to talk about?"

"Vastorie distancing us, the constant threat of Victor lurking in the shadows… your family and…" Daniel offered a weak smile to his partner, "Alluka's ability."

"Uh, uh… we're not talking about that."

"I think it's the only thing that will force Madelyn to talk."

"But this is my sister we're talking about."

"I know…" He reached out to touch Killua's hand, but the boy jerked it away, frustrated at him for wanting to reach out during a time like this. He was only doing so because it's something he was used to doing. He can get his point across with words, but through his gentle touches, he could also prove he's not doing it for selfish reasons.

Killua was upset at him… it was understandable, but there were things he thinks could sway his partner over to his side, "which comes to the thing I want to omit, we should tell her that the requirements for fulfilling a wish are body parts."

"That would make Alluka, no… Nanika look, like a monster in Madelyn's eyes. I don't want that. I don't want her to look at my sister with disgust, over something she can't change about herself… She didn't ask for this ability… she didn't beg to be used by her family for selfish reasons… She got the ability, and our family abused it for their own selfish needs."

"I understand…"

"Do you…?" Killua shot his partner a glare. His partner should know that this was something they should actively be hiding. Nanika should never be put into the limelight, to be granting wishes left, right and centre.

Daniel pulled back, tears now filling his eyes. He should've known. He should've already known Alluka is precious to her brother, a world of gifts the boy had known far longer than him, "I'm sorry…" The boy sobbed into his hands, "I'm sorry for not thinking about it harder. I should've realised the possibility of Madelyn abusing this information. I-"

Daniel felt a press of lips against his own. It was too short to count for anything, but it meant the world to him, especially, the words that followed, "Stop… I know why you want to do it, but you have to understand my feelings about it too."

Daniel offered a nod in his hands, unable to stop the tears just yet.

"I know it'll help get Madelyn onto our side, but it's the one thing I can't allow everyone to know about. I don't trust Madelyn to not abuse my sister's powers. I'm not completely upset at you for suggesting the idea… In an ideal situation, this information will force Madelyn to reveal everything. But the girl is far from acting realistically… between who we are and what Nanika is capable of doing, I wouldn't be surprised if she started rumours. Now, I'm not about to end what we have over the suggestion."

Killua paused, letting his words sink in before he continues, "Before Illumi took the memories away from me… I met Gon… I met you… Before I even got to know the two of you, Alluka meant the world to me. The only reason I told you and Gon about her ability, was because I trust the two of you to not make a wish with her. You're not selfish… Madelyn, however… is."

"I… I understand."

"Good…" Killua pulled his partner in for a side hug, letting the boy rest his head onto his shoulder as he massaged his partner's back.

Eventually, Daniel was able to calm himself down, but his partner's constant ministrations did help. The problem is where do they go from this… what can they tell Madelyn that'll force her to reveal her past to them, "we won't be able to get Madelyn to admit her past, so the whole situation will be useless…"

"Then a lie which is part of the truth."

"What do you mean…?"

"We don't outright say Nanika can grant wishes… we say I have a bond which allows only me, to be able to get wishes granted."

"Kind of like… a shrine maiden or prophet that speaks to their god on behalf of others."

"I guess so… it'll make it so I'm the shrine maiden…" Killua blushed at his admittance, "and Nanika, or in this case Alluka is the god granting wishes."

"Wouldn't Madelyn call bullshit?"

"I'll double down… given that I'm from a family of assassins… I'll make her terrified to accuse me of lying."

"What if Clarisa tries to protect her?"

"I won't use Ren… just my intense gaze will make her think twice. Clarisa going in to protect Madelyn will prove a theory, but it may help their friendship improve. Madelyn right now is stronger than Clarisa, so the weak trying to protect the strong…"

"Will make Madelyn see her in a new light?" Daniel paused to look at his partner, "Like what happened with us?"

"I guess…" Killua agreed, his cheeks visibly growing brighter, "Or it could backfire and Madelyn will accuse the situation of being a setup."

"Right…" Daniel sighed at the possibility, given Madelyn's paranoid tendencies to accuse others of making her feel that way, "Again… I'm sorry for trying or forcing you to get your sister involved in this mess."

"It's ok… I understand your reasoning. Just… with these things, we need to be more open with each other about. We shouldn't be springing these kinds of topics onto each other out of nowhere."

"I understand…"

"Good…" Killua's expression softens as he slid closer to his partner, opening his mouth to talk about something else they talked about earlier, but his partner had something else to say.

"You're handsome… you do know that?"

Killua's cheeks turned a brighter red, caught off guard by the compliment after a serious conversation, "Wh… What?"

Daniel turned to face his partner, smiling widely as he leaned closer to the boy, lips inches apart, "When you get serious while we're talking about these things… your personality makes you handsome."

"T-That's not possible. Handsome isn't a verbal trait… It's a physical one…"

"Exactly… When your features soften right after a serious topic, you become handsome to me." Daniel kissed his partner on the lips once, "you're willing to humour my ideas, even if you don't like them…" the boy kissed his partner again, "You're willing to discuss them as though they have merit…"

"You-" As Daniel pulled back again, wanting to say more on the topic, Killua pulled him in, sealing their lips together.

Killua didn't like being teased with words, especially when it was being accompanied by physical affection. He doesn't like short kisses, especially those accompanied with heartfelt words.

He took the time to draw his partner in, savouring his sensors going to overdrive, how his partner's hug tightened the longer they held that position. Daniel glowed with a smile when they caught a breath, Killua looking expectedly at him to continue, even when his eyes were declaring he had something else to talk about.

He'd rather wait for Killua to speak, given that it was him who had a question.

"About what you said earlier after Eifion left…"

Daniel removed himself from Killua's hug, swinging his leg over his sitting partner. Taking a seat on the boy's lap, he smiled as he wrapped his arms once more around Killua.

Pressing his lips into his partner's again, the two kissed on the open field. The need was replaced by affection, sharing their comfort for one another via a kiss. The hug only made Daniel melt in his partner's grasps.

By Daniel pressing against Killua, he showed his partner what he was open for later that night, but just in case his partner needed to hear it verbally, "I'm up for whatever you feel like tonight…"

Even though just minutes ago Killua was angry at him for a suggestion involving spilling details about his sister, the boy's next action proved it was no longer the case. Have Killua reciprocate his actions, showed that all they needed to do was talk about it, to be open with one another about what they were prepared to share to Madelyn and Clarisa.

This was only the beginning, considering what they had to do first before dealing with Madelyn and Clarisa, was to find out who was drugging students, and how were they doing it…