Episode 6: The Game Of Hide-And-Seek

" Nee, Haru? "

I turned to look at Gon.

" Haru, let's play hide-and-seek, shall we? " the raven-haired boy asked.

" Hide-and-seek? " I repeated, baffled. " What is this hide-and-seek? "

Gon laughed at my perplexity.

" You don't know that game? " Leorio asked me.

I shook my head, no.

" Well, aren't you strange, " Killua sneered. " Where were you living? A cave? "

Instantly, I felt embarrassed at my palpable foolishness.

" You could call it that way, if you want, " I murmured softly.

" Killua, " Leorio said, giving him a warning look. " Please do watch what you're saying about other people. It might hurt them. "

Killua snorted. I felt him shooting daggers in my direction.

" Uh, please Leorio-san. It's okay, really. I-I don't mind, " I spoke up quickly. " It's not his fault so please don't reprimand him. He's right. I'm stupid. "

" Haru, you can't label off yourself like that. You are not stupid, " Gon told me. " I'll explain to you how the game work, it's not a problem. "

" I'm sorry, " I whispered.

" No, Haru, you don't need to apologise. You did not do anything wrong. " Gon said, shaking his head. " The game of hide-and-seek is how someone has to find the others who will be hiding. For example, if he finds Haru, then Haru will be out of the game. "

I gasped in terror as I shrank back.

" Y-You mean, I-I'll die?!?! "

There was silence for a moment as everyone stared at me. Then, they burst out laughing.

" Haru, you really are a very odd boy, you know! " Leorio told me, shaking his head.

" Haru, Haru. This is only a game, you know. You don't die but you simply just lose the game. That's all! " Gon explained.

" Really? "

I was fascinated at his explanation of the game and wanted very much to play it.

Gon nodded.

" So, how do we decide the order? " Killua asked, putting his hands into his pocket, looking uninterested already.

" Well, we'll just use the scissors-paper-stone method! " Gon declared.

Both Killua and Leorio collapsed.

" I just knew it! " Killua complained.

" Then, whoever is the odd one out, will be the Seeker, " Gon continued as if nothing had happened. " You know the scissors-paper-stone method, don't you, Haru? "

I shook my head, yet again.

" Isn't there something that you do know?! " Killua snapped at me.

My eyes widened and I took a step back.

" Uh…s-sorry. "

" Killua, don't be mad at him. Haru is only learning, " Gon told him.

Honestly, I felt hurt and embarrassed at my apparent stupidity. I was also slightly intimidated by Killua because of his constant yelling at me.

" Geez, my patience is running really low on this guy! " Killua pointed at me.

" Come on, Killua, " Gon tried to appease his friend.

Killua folded his arms and turned away.

" Haru, " Gon began, turning to me. " The scissors-paper-stone is a game which I always use to decide on something. It goes like this... "

After a few minutes of explaining, did I finally understood the whole thing.

" Now, do you understand, Haru? " Gon asked me.

" Yes, I do, thank you. "

" Nee, Kurapica? "

I turned to look at the blue-eyed boy who stood to my left. I knew he was watching me, once more.

It was like…

Like he did not have a single ounce of trust in me…

I shuddered a bit at that thought.

" Aren't you going to play hide-and-seek as well, Kurapica? "

Kurapica smiled at his friend and shook his head, no.

" I prefer to stay this one out, if you don't mind. "

His voice…

It seems so cold and pitiless…

But…

There is a certain amount of hushed fondness underneath…

They are really close friends…

Gon shook his head.

" No, it's okay. "

" Scissors-paper-stone! " they shouted in unison as everyone held out their hands to show their options.

Gon showed scissors.

Killua showed stone.

Leorio showed paper.

I decided to go with scissors as well, just like Gon.

" Okay, either Killua or Leorio is going to be the Seeker, " Gon announced. " Start! "

Then, there was another match, this time only Killua and Leorio took part.

" Scissors-paper-stone! " the two of them yelled and held out their hands again.

Killua showed scissors while Leorio showed stone.

" Chech, I'm always at the losing end every time! " Killua whined. " I hate this game! "

Gon rubbed his nose as he pointed at Killua.

" Killua will be the Seeker for this game! Count to ten, Killua and there is no form of cheating allowed which means no peeking around either! Start! "

Then, everyone scattered as soon as Killua turned his back to us to start his count.

" One! " he called out.

I ran as fast as I could although I was smiling.

This is going to be one entertaining game…!

And, I won't be found…

At least, not that easily…!

" Ten! "

By that time, I was already safe in my hiding place. I had decided to pick my hiding place in the trees and by blending in, it would be almost difficult to search me out.

I stayed put and tried not to breathe as I watched from overhead as Killua passed by my tree, his hands in his pocket. He was looking around.

I knew that I could not let my guard down after what happened yesterday. He was the only one besides Kurapica who realised almost instantly that they could feel my presence.

If I stayed stationary…

And not moving…

Will I be able to hide my presence…?

My heart pounded as I watched him carefully. He stopped in his tracks.

Oh no…!

He can feel my presence here…!

What should I do…?!

Then, his head snapped upwards.

Note from 'moi': I would really appreciate you readers out there to read and review. Tell me what do you feel about my story so I can add changes here and there or whether if it's good or not. Will appreciate it very much if you do. Thanks!