AN: As was pointed out to me (thank you so much), I need a beta. I went back and fixed what I could, but I'm sure there are still tons of mistakes. Cry. So if you're up for it and you don't mind my lazy, work ethic-challenged ass, please let me know.

Title: Surreal Symphony

Chapter 1

The air was cold and moist, foggy really. Early mornings on a small island tended to be that way. However, the cold he felt wasn't just in the air, he didn't even feel it, but in his heart. It was a chill that made everything around him unreal, almost fake, like watching something on television. It was -almost- like it wasn't him and it wasn't her and he wasn't the one who spent all night digging her grave, blisters on his hands. Almost, but there was no denying it. He sat at her bedside until her last breath. Mito was dead.

"I wish you were here," Gon thought. "I wish you were still alive."

He wanted to feel her hugs and kind touches that only a mother could give. Even if she hadn't given birth to him, she was still his mother.

He wanted her to take the pain away, like before. In the past she would always give him a cup of hot chocolate then tuck him into bed before singing him to sleep. It was a beautiful song he'd never forget either. Just like her. She was beautiful in everything that she did, he'd never forget her.

Her grave itself was nothing too special, just a mound of fresh dirt and a roughly made wooden cross with 'Mito' etched across it. The cross, merely two strips of wood, came from a tree not to far away. The spot where the grave rested was beautiful. It suited Mito. A small clearing by a riverbed and a large willow hiding everything from view.

"Do you remember this place?" Gon asked the still air. "I'm sure you do. Stupid question. We used to picnic here all the time. I remember you were so upset when I fell in the water that one time. I caught cold..." More hot chocolate flashed through his head. "Then there was that time with Killua. He absolutely adored it here too. We were both shocked that it had been his first picnic. You wanted to make it so special.

"You've never really been able to bring yourself to hate anyone have you, Mito-san? I've always admired that about you. You love- loved- everyone." His father entered his mind this time. "Some just couldn't bring themselves to love you back?"

Gon closed his eyes and sighed, faintly catching the ringing of a bell. It was 10 already? Had his memory taken up so much time?

"I have to go. Leorio is coming in on a boat in an hour. I'll have to explain to him his services aren't needed anymore... Goodbye, Mito-san." Mother.

The town had changed so much. No longer did people go merrily about their day. The house wives gossiping in front of the baker's, in fact the baker was currently mourning his wife who died a couple weeks back. The men eager to come home to their family after a day of fishing. Most of the fisherman lay in their own death beds. Children didn't play tag and laugh in the streets anymore, they too met fate six feet under.

Such a sad state Whale Island was in. He felt bad that Leorio would have to see it like this.

Definitely not one of it's finer moments.

In the end, Gon figured that even if Mito-san had died, Leorio might not mind helping the rest of the island. Maybe he could save them. He was a doctor. Had been for awhile. He might be able to find the cure.

Or so he'd hoped, but then again he'd always been terribly naïve.

Gon continued to walk down toward the pier, which really didn't look to safe to stand on anymore. No one was around really who could help keep the docks in good enough condition with the constant assault of sea water.

Since the disease had hit the town, almost everyone had gotten sick. When they got sick their body would weaken and every now and then, or so Gon witnessed, the body would spasm with pain. Fever would set in and soon they would become to weak to stand. Bedridden the ill-inflicted would die.

He could see the boat in the distance. It would dock soon. Looking down Gon began to push some of the washed up seaweed off, back into the water. Really it would help if they had somewhere to walk. They consisting of Leorio, because no one wanted to go to the ghost town that was once known as Whale Island, get sick of some unknown disease and die.

In fact it had cost so much money to get this boat out here that Gon had no choice but to use his hunter card and he knew that who ever the accountant was for the great society of Hunters' would bulk at the amount.

That thought had made him worry about how Killua was going to get to the Island. His friend was supposed to come with him but had gotten sidetracked by something important. The silver-haired man wouldn't tell him what it was, but he let him go all the same. He knew the he'd make it, he'd promised. However, what if they couldn't find another boat to get his friend here. Surely they could use the extra help to fight against the disease.

A frown tugged slightly at Gon's mouth and a furrow was brought to his brow. The ship had stopped and a little row boat was now making its way toward him. Were they so afraid that they refused to even come in contact with the Island?

He could make out who was on the boat now and he couldn't help, but feel shock. Where was Leorio? This man wasn't him.

Taking a good look Gon took in the red hair and strong build of a man dressed in a business suit. Familiarity struck him, but he just couldn't recall... The bump of the boat against the docks had once again brought Gon back to himself.

Standing up languidly, the man turned around sharply and quickly stepped up on to the docks. Right in front of Gon. In fact, if Gon hadn't taken that step back there probably wouldn't have been enough room for the two of them to stand together.

The peaceful sound of the ocean had always been a constant here, of course being an island. The ocean itself being slightly chill this time of year also brought in quite a bit of wind. However, Gon was close enough to this man that his body heat permeated through the chill air to his own body. Still in shock, slowly he looked up. He was possibly the most handsome man he'd ever seen.

Familiarity rang through Gon once again.

"I...I's there..." Blinking, Gon swallowed and tried again. " Is there anyone else on the boat, sir?"

The following deep chuckle caused him to blush and look down again.

"No."

Gon's head shot up at the reply he hadn't expected. The voice to was familiar. "No?" He couldn't stop the hopeful look.

"That's what I said. I'm all there is."

"Oh."

"I've never been to Whale Island before. I believe this will be an interesting experience."

As if finally realizing their still close proximity, Gon stepped away from the stranger. "This is a horrible time to sight see, sir."

"Is it?" Gon's eyes had widened at the question. Did this stranger not know of what was going on in this place! Surely he'd known when he'd gotten on the boat the danger..!

"Your life is in danger!"

"Ahhh," the stranger tilted his head back in contemplation for just a moment. "In all actuality I'm here to visit someone."

"Visit..? This is also a horrible time for family visits, sir."

"Oh, but it's most appropriate, we're not related and it's his birthday."

Now Gon was confused. This elegant, and very familiar, man had made no sense. Why was he here to visit someone he wasn't related to? At such a dangerous time at that...

Opening his mouth to speak, the man beat him to the punch. "It's rather chill out here. Could you direct me to a place to stay?"

Frowning, Gon gave him the honest answer. "There are none. They're all closed. Not enough business you see."

"Terrible. I'd hate to have to sleep outside. Tell me young man," Gon's eyes jumped up to meet the stranger's cheshire cat grin, familiarity ringing through him again, " can I stay with you?"

Gon blushed again.

"If I were to pay an agreeable rate of course." The man looked off toward the ocean, awaiting an answer.

Gon never asked the man why not stay with his friend. Didn't feel the need. He could have come to pay his respects to a friend who'd past during his birthday. Gon didn't say anything as he led the stranger home, to the little house by the woods.

A/N: Don't act shocked that he doesn't recognize who it is. And if you don't foreshame. Anyway, Gon never got to see him looking, "normal."

A/N: Don't behead me. I actually forgot that this story even exhisted. However, now that I've stumbled across it once again, enjoy the rushed finish to the chapter (as if you couldn't tell). Please let me know if you find mistakes.