'Cause I'm never going down,
I'm never giving up.
I'm never gonna leave,
So put your hands up
"You want to see young Killua-sama?" the man, Seaquant, says as Zebro pours us all tea again. He has decided to let us stay at the servants' quarters for the night since it was already dark out. Meanwhile, Seaquant starts to laugh. "That's a riot!"
"Sorry, but we're dead serious," Leorio says angrily as always.
"Let me give you a warning: give up, and go home," Seaquant says bluntly. My eye starts to twitch at the negativity.
"What was that?!" Leorio says as I attempted to restrain myself from yelling at the man as well, people like him really pissed me off.
"Zebro told you about the Testing Gate, right? That should give you an idea of what this place is like," Seaquant continues. Gon put his hand onto my shoulder after seeing that I'm seething with anger. I immediately calm down from his touch and smile to him, mouthing a 'Thank you'. He smiles back but that smile vanishes as soon as his attention shifts to Seaquant.
"We understand that it won't be easy. But I'm not leaving. Not until I see Killua!" Gon says determinedly as he glares at the man. He looks back down to his lap. "When Killua was in trouble, I wasn't there for him. If I had been there, I could have helped Rin stop Killua!" Gon says, making me flinch. I was there, I just couldn't do anything no matter how hard I tried. It wasn't like Iris, when I wasn't there. I had the opportunity to stop him, but I couldn't do anything. I refuse to abandon another friend.
"As you just heard from Gon," I say, gesturing to my friend, "I was actually there when he was in trouble. I was just too scared and couldn't help Kil when he need me the most. Do you know how pathetic that makes me feel? That's why I'm gonna pay back Kil a hundred times over for leaving us. You think we should give up, right? Fat chance, Baka~" I emphasizing the word 'baka' with a stupid grin on my face.
Seaquant stares at me, a little surprised at what I said and something else, fangs. I turn to Gon to see him staring at me, surprised by what I said. I smile at him nonetheless, making him smile back happily. "Killua is our close friend!" Gon says, his voice raised but still determined. The room went silent for a couple moments.
Zebro let's out a small chuckle. "We understand. Then why not do some training here?" Zebro ask us. I stared at him perplexed.
"Training?" Gon and I question in unison.
"Hey, Zebro…" Seaquant says worriedly.
Zebro ignores him then turned to Gon and me. "Listen to me, Gon-kun, Rin-kun. You four are allowed to work together to open the door. With a little training, it should be possible. How about it?" Zebro ask, opening his eyes and truly looking at us. Wow, I think that was the first time I've ever seen him open his eyes.
"I don't like the idea of being tested…" Gon starts then look over to Leorio and Kurapika.
"But if there is no other way…" Kurapika continues, meaning it was Leorio's turn.
He opens his mouth to finish, but I cut him off. "We'll just have to do it!" I say enthusiastically. It is Leorio's turn to seethe. He starts to mumble angrily to himself, venting out his anger. I block him out, knowing he is cursing me out.
"Then I'll need you to put these on," Zebro says with a smile then fetches us some black vests. He distributes the vest amongst us. I take mine and thank the man as I slip it on with ease. I adjust mine so it can fit more comfortably. I'm turn to ask Gon to help me, but he is no longer beside me. I look down to see my fellow Hunters on the ground. I sweatdrop at them and ask, "Oi…..are you okay"
Leorio was the first to open his mouth, no surprise there. "Wha-how can you stand like that, these things are heavy!" he complains.
Really, I didn't notice. The rest just stare at me, shocked before I ask, "What do you mean, heavy. It feels like a regular vest?"
"Rin, what are you made out of, steel?!" Leorio questions, flabbergasted once again.
I only grimace remembering all of my training, "Nah, it's just when I was training with my father, he would make me walk around the forest carrying a boulder on my shoulder any time I lost to him in a game as penalty; which was a lot," I explain, remembering of all those complaints. Till I started cheating. I giggle softly.
"He must be a demon." Leorio comments.
I simply stare at them smirking, "Oh he is simply one hell of a demon."
"Well, that is a problem, here put this on as well," Seaquant says handing me another vest, well except this was heavier.
"Oi! Why do I have to get a heavier vest than the rest, unfair," I grumble under my breath as I have a bit of trouble putting it on. Gon quickly comes to my aid and helps me put the vest on. I let out a sigh of relief, then turn to Gon.
"Thanks, Gon. You're my savior," I say.
He smiles his signature grin. "No problem," he says. "This is training, Rin. If you aren't pushing yourself, there isn't a purpose."
I nod my head at his wise words. I then hear a large 'thump' sound. I look past Gon and saw that Leorio had fallen to the ground once he got his vest on.
"How is this so heavy…?" Leorio struggles to say while on all fours. I laugh at this, it was so funny.
"It weighs fifty kilograms, well except for yours, Rin-kun, it weighs a hundred kilograms. Please wear it at all times, except while you sleep." Zebro said, still smiling.
"What?!" I shout at the old man.
"I'll make it heavier as you get used to it," he adds.
"This is so unfair~" I whine.
"Please have some tea," Zebro say as he sets cups of tea down on the table in front of each of us. I stare at the tea before grinning, needing something to take away the dryness in my mouth. I pick it up with little to no difficulty and start sipping on it.
"Ha~ This is so good," I say, smiling at Zebro.
"What the..?" I hear Leorio mutter.
"The cups weigh twenty kilograms. This teapot weighs forty kilograms," Zebro says. I stare at the cup in my hand before looking at the other as the still attempted to pick it up. "All furniture and utensils in this house weigh over twenty kilograms apiece," Zebro explains.
"I see… So this will serve as training," Pika says.
"These are strange living conditions," I state as I examine the cup.
"It's useless." Oh look, he's back, Mr. Fucking Ray of Sunshine.
"Oh~ How so~" I muse in a taunting voice, Suites glaring at me as I drink with ease.
"By the way, we only have one guest room. It only has three beds as well, I'm sorry to say…" Zebro adds. I looked at him blankly.
"W-What?" Leorio stutters.
"So, does that mean… Two of us have to share a bed?" Kurapika asks reluctantly.
"Yes, sadly. Guests are very rare here, you see," the gatekeeper says with a nervous smile.
"Oh, then I'll share with Gon," I claim looking at him and he nods in approval.
The other two look at me with a mixture of shock and confusion. "No, I think Gon and I should share so you get your own bed," Pika states.
I narrow my eyes in confusion. "Why?" I say, cocking my head the side, a bad habit I picked up from Lucy.
"What! What do you mean 'why'. Rin you're a girl, you can't share a bed with boys."
"As long as I sleep with innocent Gon then there is nothing wrong," I say, failing to notice the look at shock that crossed Zebro's face.
"Rin-kun, you're a girl?" he ask as if it's impossible.
"Yeah, I am," I say, turning towards him. I debate on whether I should take off my hood. I doubt we will be leaving here any time soon. Honestly, with the exam being over and everyone here accepting my appearance, there's no reason to keep it on. I shrug and remove my hood, allowing my black and white hair flow to the ground.
"So, I'm sharing a bed with Gon," I state. "Pika and Old Man are getting their own, unless you would like to share, 'cause I'm not letting Gon share a bed with that pervert," I say pointing to Leorio, who yells at me and states he isn't old. I smirk at him, "So you admit your a pervert?" I ask, getting up before he can say anything. I clap my hands together. "Where are the rooms, I'm exhausted."
"Gon, thank you," I say, looking at the ceiling, as we lay in bed.
He turns towards me with a look of curiosity. "For what?"
This time I turn towards him. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have met all these amazing people and became their friends."
He gives me a confused look, as if not understanding what I mean. He opens his mouth to say something, but I cut him off.
"Before any of this, I was alone. I had very few people I could call a friend. I was hated, disgusted, feared by everyone around me. No one took a chance at getting to know me better. Than I met a group of people. I had finally thought I was finally going to have someone I could call a friend, I had set my hopes to high. People disliked me for how I looked, what I could do, and what I was. These people looked over those some of those, and I was grateful. But I couldn't just ignore the look I got from some, I was always sensitive to those.
"Some didn't like me, some accepted me, but none looked over those boundaries. I started closing up from those around me, keeping those I trust at arms length. That changed when I was offered something better. A place I could be myself, open up, and still be befriended by the people around me. I was offered friends, family, and at a small price too." I stop looking at Gon, who was staring at me intently. A small smile graced my lips.
"I had to make friends with someone. Honestly, it sounded too good to be true, but now I see it was all true. I would have never imagine I would have this many people around me, calling me a true honest genuine friend. I couldn't be happier, so thank you." He grinned before pulling me into a hug. Surprised, it took me a while to register what was going on, but when I did, I immediately hugged back.
"But, I don't get it." I slightly pull away from the hug, to be greeted by Gon's confused face.
"What don't you get."
"If they tried to get to know you, why did you shut yourself off." This question I was expecting, but it still caught me off guard.
"It's just….How do I put it… Well, I tried to accept them but, I couldn't. No, that not right. They couldn't, they couldn't see past someone's look, past, and power. I just couldn't be with the people who judge me on something they don't know. I couldn't be with the one's I longed to be with, because none longed for me." I heard something fry and saw smoke rise out of Gon's ears. I laughed. "Don't think to hard about it. I'll explain it more thoroughly next time, but for now let's go to sleep. We have a whole day ahead of us, if we want to get Kil back. I don't want to be without friend that accepted me any longer than necessary." He grins and deepens the hug between us. You don't have to worry about that right now, that's my problem, and when the time comes. I'm going to fix it, with or without you guys.
"Good night….Gon." I whispered and fell into and endless darkness
"OI! WAKE UP!" a loud voice echos through my room, startling me awake. I hear banging on the doors to my room and groan in frustration. I hug whatever is in my reach and pulled my blanket up further preventing me from getting up for its warmth.
"OI! IF YOU DON'T GET UP BY THE COUNT OF 3 I'M COMING IN!" I hear the voice scream, I ignore most of it so it wouldn't hurt, and fall back to sleep.
"1!"
"2!"
"3!"
Bang. "WAKE UP!" I hear whoever came into my room falter.
"Whats up with all the noise, Leorio?" I hear another voice ask sleeply to the first voice who I think is Leorio. Silence, I mentally sigh in happiness and continue my dreaming of nothing.
I pull whatever I was hugging closer. I hear a noise of some sort, but I don't bother paying attention. Just wanna sleep.
When I finally decide to get up, I notice that Gon is still with me, smiling slightly. I shake him a little and he immediately wakes up.
"Ohaiyo~" I say yawning, he smiles sleepily to me and nods before getting up and putting on his vest and heads for the door.
I wrap the cover over my head so my face is the only thing visible. I noticed that my tail was out and I need to hide it before anyone sees it. It usually unravels itself from my torso when I'm comfortable. Like so many times already, I move my tail so it wraps around my upper body.
I throw off the cover and find my sweater, which I threw off before going to sleep. I put on my vest and grab the cover once more to wrap it around me. I head out the room and to where the others are. "Hey~" I call sleepily, yawning as I walk towards the group on the table.
I sit down and dive into the breakfast which consists of muffins, bread and butter, milk, and fish. I stare at the Dead Sea creature in disgust. Who the heck is trying to poison me? It was Suites, I swear it was. I'm going to kill that old man.
"Here," I say to Gon.
I hand him the fish as he looks at me confused before frowning. "That's not good. You should eat your fish," he scolds me. I looked at it sadly before walking off.
"Sorry, I can't do that," I say, laughing dryly. I walk over to Pika and try to offer him the repulsive food. He does the same as Gon and lectures me on the importance of eating right.
I looked towards Leorio and before he could say anything tossed the fish onto his plate. "Try to poison me again, I dare you," I mumble to the man as walk over to the sink and place my dish in it.
"What did she just s- ooh, look, fish," I hear Leorio say as I leave the room. I go back to the bedroom, wondering what we are going to do now. Are we just going to 'train' when Killua is probably in some corner hating himself? I sigh, frustrated I don't have an answer. I collapsed onto the bed and fall back to sleep.
I'm dreaming, I guess.
Well, it's not a dream. More like a nightmare.
It's a pretty realistic nightmare.
A scary one, that I hope never comes true
Kil suspended, upper body bare and limb, almost every inch of his body covered injuries. Of course, the culprit is probably the piggy with a whip in his hand. I guess this is what you call lucid dream, because I knew this couldn't be reality. No words leave my mouth and I can't hold anything as if I'm a ghost.. I figured this out after I try to kick the lump a fat, but my leg merely phased through him, much to my disappointment. Piggy states he was getting bored and leaves. Thank the God. If I had to actually watch that stupid piggy whip Kil, I think I would have pinched myself awake and barged into that mansion myself.
Of course, that probably wasn't the best idea.
Then again, do I really ever come up with the best ideas? Sometimes.
I once again, I look at Killua, noticing he doesn't have that face on, the face he made when Illumi had manipulated him. I feel like touching him, telling him we're coming. I reach out my hand expecting it to go straight through.
Imagine my surprised face when I touched his cheek and for him to feel it. He looks towards my direction for a minute, surprised by the feeling of warmth on his face. He leans into my touch, and he feels cold to the touch. I want to take him down and hold him, sharing my warmth and care..
"Soft…" I hear him mumble. I couldn't help the small smile that comes upon my feature, I retract my hand and pulled myself onto him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him whispering into his ears, "Don't worry, I'm coming for you, We're coming for you." I felt him nod slightly and put his neck in the crook of mine.
"Je t'aime, je t'aime toujours" I whisper to him, feeling myself disappear from him.
I wake up with a jolt, sweat beading down my neck. I saw Kil, I don't know whether or not that was real, but it felt really real. I couldn't help but let the tears run down my cheeks softly drenching my sleeve as I try to wipe them. The only thing I can hear is my pounding heart and the blood rushing through my veins.
I manage to stop the tears streaming down my face. I gaze out the window with puffy eye to see a crescent moon. I don't know whether what I dreamt about was true or not, but I can't shake the feeling that something truly horrible is happening to Killua and I don't know. I refuse to allow another friend of mine to be hurt and I can do nothing as it happens. 'Kil, I promise we will come and get you back, no matter what I-we will.' Upon deciding this I get up, put on my vest, and head towards the bathroom.
Running the water, I stare at the site before me. Must I say, I look awful. Strand of my hair ran wild, My eyes are still red, dried tear stains that I failed to wipe upon my left cheek, and red blood stains on my right. Get a hold of yourself, Rin. You need to be level headed and think about this realistically. You cannot just and waltz in the mansion, you've been told it's hard. You need to train like the rest to become strong enough to open each of those doors and reach Killua. And to do that, you have to focus both your mind and body. Feeling this pain isn't bad, you just need to convert it into power and not useless tears.
Deciding to work seriously, I washed my face and wiped it with a towel I found somewhere.
Brushing my wild maine until it fell flat like before, I put it into two low ponytails. Deciding I look fine, I walked out of the bathroom and went to grab a water bottle from the fridge and head outside to train.
Upon reaching outside, I saw Leorio, and Pika scolding Gon. I walk up to them, none of them noticing me. "Yo," I call, waving a little, scaring them in the process.
"Rin! When did you get here?!" Leorio exclaims pointing a finger to me. I open my mouth to respond but am cut off.
"Nevermind that, listen to this! Gon is still hurt and he's training! Rin, say something that will change his mind, and wait till he gets better!" I stare at Leorio as he goes back to scolding Gon.
I sigh looking at this. "Gon, come with me," I instruct before walking away, leaving my comrades with confused faces.
I walk a little away from the group and turn around to see Gon still with his questioning face on,
"Come on, we have to finish training," I say starting my stretching,
"But aren't you going to stop me from training?" he ask, completely confused by the drastic difference in reactions between Leorio and me.
I look back at him with a slightly annoyed face. "Do you want to stop training?" He shakes his head furiously. "Then let's start stretching or we're going to pull a muscle or something," I say with a grin coming upon my features and he smiles back.
"Yeah!"
For some time, lost count, (only a day or two), the four of us trained like it was own last day to do so. While Pika and Leorio were practicing lifting the heavy stuff, Gon was training in secret with me. He practiced a little when Leorio and Pika went outside to continue their training. I, on the other hand, was training the entire days, just like when I was training with Father; taking a few breaks here and there. (as I said, we only trained for a day or two, all day and night)
We then disced it was time to open the Gate to Hades as a test to see if we even had a shot at making past the other doors. We all stand in front of the gate, staring at the taunting structure. It was just as big, and just as intimidating as the first time we saw it.
Gon steps forwards as if preparing to to open the massive barrier. Leorio stops the young boy. "I don't think so."
"Huh? Why?" Gon protests, disappointed to be denied the opportunity.
Kurapika steps towards him, reasoning, "You should let your arm heal first."
I pat his shoulder with a sheepish smile, adding, "Plus, we won't be able to save Killua as easily if you injure yourself more, you know?" I say the words because I know it is what Pika and Suites want to hear. I then lean in closer to Gon and whisper, "Don't worry I'll let you get to open it if they can." and he started grinning at this.
"As long as the three of us can open it, it doesn't matter. Let us handle this!" Leorio assures him.
Gon sighs sullenly. "Okay..."
"No use... it won't even budge an inch." Leorio gasps after several attempts to open the large barrier. "Damn! But we just started our training. If we work hard enough, we can do it!" Leorio turning to the side only to see Pika next to him. "Rin get over here, and help!" he shouts at me for not participating. I stick my tongue at him, before laughing.
"I'm going to do it by myself, I have to overcome this hurdle by myself, with no help," I say stubbornly, staring at the Doors. I need to work harder, and harder. So, Kil, just wait for me. Wait for us.
I turn to Gon and smile wearily and he gives a sheepish one in return. Seeing as though they can't open it again after trying a few more times. Afterwards, we did even more training, and we only had the gate on our minds. Of course, Gon tried to sneak in some training here and there, but he was scolded. Yet again, I helped him train afterwards.
After some more training, we were finally ready to go back and try again. We stood before the gate, getting into formation, and ready to push. Leorio and Pika try first. Even with all the extra training, the door doesn't even crack a centimeter. It's actually surprising, they should be much stronger. I stare at them in confusion, They are putting all of their strength, then why won't it open? If the doors are really that strong, then I probably won't have a chance…..but I still need to give it a shot, for Kil.
"This will never work," Seaquant says, folding his arms and shaking his head in disapproval. "You kids need to wake up."
"In that case, you should quit watching us and do your job!" Leorio counters, rude as ever.
"Tch." Seaquant and I sighs. I make eye contact with Pika. I press my lips together and nod aggressively to Gon by my side. My eyes are wide and I'm agitated that neither him nor Suites is giving poor Gon a try. Pika sighs and finally gives in to my 'suttal hints'
"Gon is one of us. And he wishes to see his friend. It's only right we should help him," Kurapika says, finally agreeing.
"That's right. Gon's Kil friend!" I comment, earning a grin from Gon. Realizing they forgot about me, as did I.
"Okay, let's give it another shot!"
"Yeah!"
They continued to push and push, but still to no success.
"Man, you can't just mindlessly push."
They stop and looked at Seaquant while I broke away from my thoughts, seeing as this will be useful.
"Match your timing," the gatekeeper commands. "You have to push both doors, with all your strength, simultaneously. Or the gate won't ever open."
They decide to try his suggestion and they pushed at the same time, matching their strengths, and surprisingly, the gate opened at least one inch. The surprise must have made them let go, because soon it shut and they were pushed back by the force. Gon looks amazed as he stares at them with admiration. Gon is really adorable, I gotta say that.
So they decided to try again. Zebro has now allowed them to take off our vests. We all strip ourselves of the weights, myself included. I feel so much lighter, like I can spring off the ground and defy gravity once again. They try to force open the doors again, with all of their strengths combined, they are, once again, able to slightly open the door. I look back and see Gon taking off his vest. His arm already healed? I smile at his ability to heal fast.
"Pika? Leorio? Can you guys move to the side, a bit?" I asked, looking at the two.
"Eh? Why?" Pika ask.
"You'll see."
Kurapika moves just enough for Gon to stand in the middle of him and Leorio.
"That's why." I say, grinning. Gon looks at me and he mouths a thank you.
They protest, but Gon insist he was fine. I roll my eyes at them, why can't they just let him be. He has just as much, if not more, determination to open that door and rescue his friend. If I learned anything from my time in Fairy Tail, it is that you can achieve what people say is unachievable if you have the right motive. Gon's motive, all of ours, is to bring back a friend, which is enough to strive through the most agonizing pain.
The three of them are able to successfully open the doors. Gon accidently falls into the opening, Suites and Pika soon follow. Then once they reached inside the doors inevitably close, leaving me separated from the three males. I smile thinking it is my time to shine, lets hope.
Deciding on how much force I should put, I position my hands on the door, and push with not much strength. At first it moved about half-way. So I decide to use half the strength I worked up training here. The doors successfully open up to gate 2, but I know I could better. I let the doors go, and use all of my strength. I struggle through, but I manage to open up to gate 4. I grin at the males before a cacophony of question and accusation come from the males, mainly Suited, but I ignore them and walk on. "Let's go," I say, looking at the road ahead.
Zebro told us to follow the path up the mountain and that should take us to the mansion. So we decide to continue on our rescue mission. We stay on the path as instructed, but we stop when we see a girl standing at the gate-less fence blocks our way. She has the strangest hairstyle, and wears a suit. Her skin is dark and her grey eyes are as cold and hard as steel, but yet there seems to be a wall.
"Leave," she commands, deprived of emotion. "You're trespassing on private property. I cannot allow you to pass without permission." She states it so calmly yet coldly, she can rival Gray on his worst day.
"We called ahead. And we came through the Testing Gate," Gon reasons, stepping forward.
"The butlers did not give you permission to enter," she counters.
"What do we need to do to get permission? I said I was Killua's friend, but they wouldn't put him on."
At the sound of Kil's name, I saw a waiver and crack on those walls. The walls she put up to conceal her emotions, is cracking. "I wouldn't know, because no one has ever received permission."
"Then we'll have to trespass!"
"I suppose so. In any case, this is where I draw the line. If you take one step beyond this line, I'll remove you by force."
We all got ready to fight, but Gon stops us. He steps forward and is immediately struck in the face. Pissed off, Kurapika takes out his weapons and Leorio his switchblade. I put my hand in the air, pointing it at the girl in a gun gesture. Readying to shoot a pale yellow ball off at anytime.
"Leorio! Kurapika! Rin! Let me handle this... ow..."
I looked at him incredulously. "But, Kil is my friend too! I... I want to help him! Gon, remember what I told you that night! I have to do this!"
Gon smiles calmly and shakes his head. "I'll do this. I know you're frustrated, so I'll save him for the both of us." I take a deep, soothing breath and make the ball disappear and place my hands in my pockets. Looking into his eyes, I can only see determination. He is determined to get Kil back, and so am I. But he wants to do it, for the both of us "Fine, just don't get yourself killed," I mumbled, nothing more than a whisper.
Gon continues to step past the line, and the butler prevent him with ever attempt. I bite my lip. hoping he is going to be fine, only realising I was drawing blood. I stop and instead start fiddling with my sleave, moving it up and down.
"Stop it. Stay away!" she shouted, hitting him once more. "Cut it out! Don't you realize how futile this is?! Why don't you stop him? Aren't you his friend-" she stopped when she saw our faces.
"What's the problem? I'm just here to see my friend. I'm just here to see Killua! Why do I have to do this?!" Gon punches the stone, successfully shattering it to bits and pieces and the girl jumps back. "Hey."
"H-Huh?"
"I crossed the line, aren't you going to hit me?" The girl held her staff and hesitated. Gon gazes at her with his warm auburn eyes, softening. "You're different from Mike. You may try to hide your feelings, but you have a heart. When I mentioned Killua, your eyes softened for a moment."
I walk forward next to Gon and inspect her pleading eyes. Her walls have been shattered, completely.
"Please... Help Killua-sama- "
Before she could even finish what she was saying, she is cut off by a sudden shot and begins to fall to the ground. Gon catches her on time, and our eyes widened in shock.
"Honestly, what was that servant babbling about? She made it sound like we're being mean to Killua," a high pitch raspy voice says in disappointment. Gon and I look to our side and see a woman and a child. The lady is wearing a rather fancy dress and holding a fan that is most likely the weapon. She is also wearing a large orange, ornate hat and an electronic visor. She had bandages wrapped around her face. The child next to her wore a fancy kimono, has short black hair, and extremely feminine face and body. I believe that is a boy, I have learned from Pika; if the thought of them being a male even enters your mind, then go with it.
"You must be Gon," she murmurs and then turns to me. "I believe Illumi said your name was Rin." I give her a confused look, wonder why Illumi would be speaking about me.
"Killua knows that you're here. I have a message for you from him... 'Thank you for coming. I really appreciate it. But I can't see you right now. Sorry'."
"Who are you to say we can't see Killua?" I ask, enraged that this lady is trying to prevent us from seeing Killua after all we've been through.
"I am Killua's mother. This is Kalluto." She gestures towards the kid besides her.
The little kid did not look at all pleased to see us. He looked more like he was determining whether we were strong or not, as if we were strange creatures. Strange, foreign, creatures. I don't particularly feel threatened by the boy, but I don't say anything towards him.
"Why can't Killua come see us?" Gon demands.
Killua's mother looks at him. "Because he's in solitary confinement."
"Solitary confinement!?" I echo, my tone with with anger and confusion. "Why is he in there?".
She then turns to me, replying, "Kil stabbed me and his brother before he ran away from home."
"That is the story he told us," Kurapika mutters.
"Kil returned home because he regretted his actions. And he voluntarily entered the solitary confinement. So we do not know when he will leave..." Suddenly, her facial expression changes to shock and horror. "What? Father! What are you doing?! Don't do anything hasty! He's finally returned!"
She appeared to be talking to someone, but who...? Or, she could just be bat-shit insane.
"Oh, why must Farther be this way? Something has come up. So I bid you farewell." She begins to run off, but Gon stands up, laying the butler down gently. "Please, wait!"
Killua's mom turned back towards him impatiently. Gon purses his lips and spoke. "We'll be staying in town, so let Killua know."
"Very well. I shall tell him. Goodbye." With that, she turns once more and continues running. The child stays behind and stares at Gon. "Who are you?" he finally ask.
"Killua's friends," Gon answer.
"Friends," he repeats, as if he just tasted a foreign food... a foreign dish that didn't quite sit well with his palate.
Before he could further say anything, Killua's mom shouted, "Kalluto-chan! What are you doing? Come over here!"
"Yes, Mother!" He turns around and ran after his mother.
Instead of going back into town however, the girl butler wakes up and offered to take us to the butler's office. So, we began to make our way to the butler's office, hoping to see Killua and for all this madness to end.
"Welcome."
I raise an eyebrow at the standing row of butlers. It is very much uncomfortable having people bow to you. A man introduces himself as Gotoh, the lead butler, and tells us to take a seat. We set across from him, and for some reason he gave me chills. He was smiling warmly, but within those eyes I could see something else... "Please forgive the rude reception. The lady of the house has asked us to treat you as official guests."
"Then this is not the primary residence?" Pika inquired.
"No, this place is for the butlers. Well, please make yourselves at home." He smiles, but I wasn't sure.
"I appreciate the hospitality, but we've come to see Killua. Can you take us to him at once?" Leorio ask wearily.
My nose picks up a smell that I knew too well, chocolate and mint, but it was mixed in with a scent I knew all too well, Blood. I start to look around then notice a door, Gon, Pika and Leorio were talking to Gotoch. I know it is rude to leave the room so I try to block out the smell, but it seems to invade my mind and soon won't leave my thought. I try to fight the temptation, but I give in. Deciding I didn't want to converse with the head butler, I lower my presence and moved slowly towards the door. Upon reaching it I quickly transform into a shadow and slip under the door
I walk up the stairs following the scent of chocolate, mint and blood. I follow the scent until I am stopped by another door. I crack open the door and peek my head inside, hoping no one is on here. My wish is quickly taken back when I see who occupies the room. My eyes widen and I swing the door open as I spot a certain albino. "Kil-chan!" I exclaim seeing the albino haired boy sitting next to a pile of candy. I bet my smile is too large for my face, but I still grin happily at my friend.
He turns toward me, but before he can say or do anything I glomped him in a hug saying, "Baka! Why did you leave? Do you know how worried I was when you left?"
"You were worried about me?" I heard him ask, I can practically hear the smirk on his face.
I pull away from him, looking him into his eyes. My Icey pale blue eye staring into his electric blue eyes. "Of course I was, we were all worried." I softly say.
He smiles softly at me, before I grab his hand, pulling him up from his sitting position. "Come on, I'm sure Gon would be as happy as I was to see you." I turned the other way heading towards the door, not noticing Killua's pink cheeks. I start pulling him out the door and down the stairs, and bust through the door that was separating us from the rest.
"Oi!" I shout gaining everyone's attention, grinning from ear to ear.
"Killua!" I hear Gon shout as he speeds towards Kil.
"Gon!" Kil respond, meeting up with his friend. "And Kurapika! Lioreo!"
"I'm only an afterthought," I hear Pika sigh.
"It's Leo-rio!" Leorio shouted at him.
"What happened?" Gon says, his happy voice now replaced with concern.
Kil seems to hesitate before responding. "I'll tell you later," he finally says. "Anyway, let's go somewhere else. Anywhere else, right now. If we stay here, my mother will give us an earful!" he said, which made me giggle.
"Yeah!" Gon agrees.
"Hey, Gotoh. Listen up. I don't care what mother says. Don't follow me." Kil told the butler sternly.
"Understood. Please take care," Gotoh says in response with a bow.
"Gon, Rin. let's go." Kil says, but start to walk off without even seeing if Gon was following him. "Bye," he says simply to the butlers. He waits at the entrance, noticing that Gon has stayed back.
"Kil," I say as he 'hmmed' noting he was listening, I decide take this as an advantage, and jump onto his back, wrapping my arm around his neck and legs around his waist. "I'm so happy your back!"
This seemed to catch him by surprise, because he stumbled before steadying himself and put his hands on my thighs. "What are you doing!" he exclaims, cheeks turning a slight pink. I stare at him confused before saying, "What? What do you mean, 'what am I doing'. I just jumped onto your back, and told you how happy I was to have you back?"
He was looking at me. "Why did you jump onto my back?!"
I only stare back at him once more before resting my head in the crook of his neck, "Cause I'm to lazy to walk, and I don't feel like it. Plus I did a lot of training to come for you," I say before yawning.
We-they, walk down the trail we were originally on and soon reach another set of doors. He motions for me to get off and I do so, knowing it would be troubling for someone to open the doors with someone on their backs. We watch Kil effortlessly open the gates till he got to gate four.
"Come on, let's go," I walk up to him and head outside, before staring at the other four. Leorio and Gon gaped.
"Why are we surrounded by freakishly strong people?!" I hear Leorio complain.
Kil only looks back at them. "What?" he asks clearly confused.
"Oh, It's just that you and Rin opened can both open the doors so effortlessly."
I was staring at him, before giggling which turned into a full blown laughter. "Either we are strong than you all, or you have much more training to do; your choice," I taunt before sticking my tongue out at Suites. Everyone but the old man laughs.
We start exiting the gates when I catch sight of something purple. I grin before shouting, "I'll see you again, Mike!" and walk out the gates, only to have them look at me shock. I start laughing at their expression, before yawning. Lately I haven't been sleeping all that well because of all the training, but now that that is over, I can finally get some sleep. And be lazy me.
I walk up to Gon and Kil, and jump onto Kil's back once more, he seems more prepared and holds me firmly. I lean into the crook of his neck, and whisper, "You really are the best cuddle buddy." and with that fell into a deep slumber.
I had been sleeping for the entire trip to the city that we're now in, I don't even know its name. All I know is that there was some airport nearby, and that we were gonna fly off somewhere. That's it. Kil really likes to be vague.
"Then I shall depart now," Pika says once we were in front of a train station. "We managed to see Killua again, so I'm finished here. I'll need money to participate in the auction. So I shall search for a patron to employ me as a Hunter," he explains. I don't even know what this 'auction' is that he is talking about. Whatever, I'll probably get another briefing later.
"Really… I guess I should go home, then," Leorio says. And then, there were three.
"You, too?" Gon ask.
"I haven't given up my dream of becoming a doctor. If I'm accepted to medical school, I can use this to pay the ridiculous fee," Leorio says, pulling out his Hunter's License. I completely forgot about mine. Hopefully it was in my pocket or something. If not, then, well, I'd be in a predicament. "I'll have to go back and start cramming," he adds, putting the license away again.
"Uh-huh, good luck," Gon says.
"Until we meet again," he says calmly.
"Yes, that will be…" Kurapika starts. What? Where?
"September 1st, in Yorknew City." The four boys all said in unison. I only stood there awkwardly as I watching the scene play out.
"Yeah, York-something city! Woo…hoo..."
"It's just the three of us now," Gon says as he finished waving at the airship that Kurapika and Leorio are on.
"Yeah…" I say reluctantly. For some reason, I have this really weird feeling that when we see them again things would be… different.
"Ne, what do you guys want to do?" Gon ask.
"You have to ask? We train, obviously," Kil says.
I frown at the suggestion. "I don't wanna train~" I whine at the two boys in front of me.
"Huh? Train for what? Shouldn't we have some fun?" Gon says as if it is the most oblivious conclusion.
The question makes the albino scowl in an instint. "Do you remember what you just said? Think you can punch Hisoka in the face without training?" After realizing this, Gon looks like he was about to cry. I put my hands over my ears, tuning out whatever yelling that Kil is gonna do. Killua's shouts draw attention from the surrounding citizens. I don't mind that much, stares have become as people themselves to me.
"Here, I'll make it easy to understand. This is Hisoka. This is Hanzo," Kil explains, kneeling down with a stick and drawing their faces on the ground.
"Uh-huh…" Gon say, nodding.
"If this," he draws a line between the doodles, "is the gap between Hisoka and Hanzo, in terms of strength, the gap between Hisoka and you…" Kil start draws a massive line between Gon and Hanzo. "Is this far! And I'm being generous!" he has to yell so that we can hear him. That's how long it is.
"Now I'm mad…" Gon says angrily.
"The truth hurts," I admit with a shrug, patting him on the shoulder. He looks at me as if I had just betrayed him.
"Then where are you, Killua?" Gon questions, pointing at said boy. He still looks pretty mad.
"Me? Well, probably around here," Kil says, drawing a line that ended a few feet away from Hanzo.
"Oh, Hanzo is stronger?" Gon ask thoughtfully.
"What is it, Gon?" Kil asked, seeing that he is still looking at the lines in thought.
"You really are amazing!" Gon says happily. A tint of pink appeared on Kil's cheeks again.
"Cut that out…it's embarrassing," Kil says, turning away. I walk up to him and begin to pinch his pink cheeks. "W-What are you—"
"Oh~ Is Kil-chan blushing?" I teased causing his cheeks to get even more pink, turning into a rosy red.
"Shut up!"
"Anyways, where am I on here?" I question, deciding to stop teasing him, looking down at the lines. Kil pauses for a moment, contemplating.
"I don't know, for as far as I could see you never showed us you true strength; except for maybe the gates, but I have to see you in order to guess."
I pout at this. "But I'm not that strong, really. Can you at least guess where I'll be at?"
He only looked at me annoyed, "That's it! I can't guess, because I never seen you fight!" he exclaims, I open my mouth to protest, but close it seeing as he was right. I never fought in front of them.
"I don't know how to tell the difference in strength between my opponent and myself. That's why you're so amazing, Killua!" Gon says, lightening the mood successfully. Kil's cheeks turned pink again, but he plays it off casually.
"Idiot. It doesn't matter. I'm only estimating. You probably have a general idea," Kil says as he started to walk towards the building that isn't too far away. Gon and I follow after him as he rambles on. "Once you have enough experience, your guess will become more accurate. Besides, the stronger someone is, the better they are at hiding their strength. So you shouldn't rely on this method." Kil finishes, peeking over his shoulder at us.
"Oh…" Gon murmurs in understanding.
"Well, in any case, Hisoka is strong," Kil adds as he stopped in front of the entrance.
I nod, agreeing with him."Joker, when he fights, he doesn't really fight unless you are strong," I say thinking back to the time I've seen him fight. None of them in which he ever showed his true power, that and he sometimes has this pink aura wrapped around him, then it disappears.
Kil turns back to us. "You won't land a blow on him in six months through normal means," he states with a smile. Gon only nods with the same exact smile. "Gon, Rin, do you have any money?"
Another sheepish smile from Gon. "Actually, I'm running out."
"I don't have much, either. What about you, Rin?" Kil asks me. I stare at him for several moments, eventually sighing in frustration. I took off my bag, and search for the money I still had from Magnolia, hoping the currency is the same.
I pull out a couple of jewels and held it infront of them. "Umm….does this work here?" They only look at each other before back at me with a confused looks.
"What is this?" Gon ask. I sigh, guess it doesn't work here after all.
"Nothing, it was money from….. my home town," I say, putting the Jewels back into my bag, noting they were useless here. I sigh, my hard earned jewels, worthless. "I guess that means I'm broke, too."
"There's somewhere we can train and earn money at the same time," the assassin says with a smirk, making me raise a brow.
"Train and earn money?" Gon ask absentmindedly. It's probably one of those fighting arenas. Maybe like the Grand Magic Games, where you fight an opponent and when your guild wins, you get to be number one and get a lot of money.
"The Heavens Arena," Kil answers. Well, I was right on the arena part.
"Heavens Arena..?" I repeat it more like a question than a name.
"Yeah, I'll explain later," Kil vaguely says. "We should get moving." Kil takes off running,heading for the building.
"Okay!" Gon exclaims, following after him. I only grin and chase after to two
The Heavens Arena. Something big will happen, I don't know what. It feels neither good or bad.
Omake
"It's hard to find the difference from determination and stubbornness," I state.
"Yeah, I think I can be a little bit of both," Gon say with a sheepish smile.
"Don't worry, I've seen worse."
"Like what?"
"A friend of mine found this set of books that were super intriguing and old. She tried to finish them as quickly as possible. She went several days before we found her collapsed on her kitchen floor with a book on her face."
"Wow. I think that is determination."
"Okay, there is the dude, he's a real tough guy; muscles, peircings, the whole shabang. He makes an offhand remark about how he can do anything. One person challenged him to have a drinking contest with our best drinking. It was a joke, but he took it seriously. He challenged her, but she refused at first. One rude comment later, they were both chugging beer like thirty animals. She kept telling him to give up, but he never did. He ended up on the floor and unconscious."
"Wow, that was stubborn. You have some weird friends."
"I will tell you what takes the cake. Another guy challenged his lifelong rival to a challenge of his choice. He refused, but the challenger didn't stop. Ten minutes later, they were both outside during a snowstorm, stripped down to their underwear. The challenged making ice sculptures, the challenger freezing."
"Rin," Killua says. "I worry about the environment you grew up in."
"I can say the same for you."