"Listen up, maggots! I'm Sgt. Menchi and I'll be in charge of your physical training, henceforth known as PT!"

Gon stood ramrod straight in line, eyes forward, as the tough, dangerous-looking woman yelled at them. The previous night, he'd introduced himself and been introduced to his squad mates, and he was pleased to find that they were all relatively normal save Killua. But Killua was his friend so that was okay.

Leorio had joined to become a medic, but even the medics had to go through basic training, especially the field medics, like Leorio wanted to be. Kurapika had joined because he wanted to fight the special task force on the other side that had slaughtered his village. Apparently, his village was known for holding a vast mine of beautiful, highly value red stones, and that had caught the attention of the task force that was in charge of acquiring wealth for the other team. The special task force, known and feared by both sides, was informally known as the Spiders, because they had connections everywhere and many people caught trapped by those connections the way a spider trapped bugs in its web.

It sounded dark and gruesome, but for some reason Gon thought it felt fitting. Leorio the medic, Kurapika the avenger, Killua the quiet killer, and Gon the… well, he wasn't sure how he fit in, but he knew he fit in somewhere, somehow. They'd stayed up relatively late, talking about a number of things. Leorio and Kurapika had been shocked to find that the two youngest members going through basic training both came from prestigious military families, and they were both on the same team no less. Gon had been very interested in Killua's family, but after telling them the basics, Killua had clammed up and said no more.

Despite all of the interesting things he'd learned about his comrades, Gon almost regretted staying up so late. 0400 was waking time, and though he was an early riser, it was crazy early even for him. The squad had blearily marched to the mess hall, where they'd eaten barely enough to take the edge off their hunger, then it was time to meet the new Sgt who'd whip their bodies into shape.

Everyone had been surprised to see a woman as their physical trainer, and a couple of the more cocky guys had even made lewd comments about her large breasts and tight uniform. No one would make that mistake again, though; the two guys had been taken to the hospital after Menchi made them do push ups until they were throwing up bile. Now everyone was in line, some guys and girls quaking in their boots, while Sgt. Menchi paced up and down the line with a critical eye.

"You, there! What's your name?"

A bald guy with funky eyebrows gave a shaky salute, straightening even more.

"H-Hanzo, sir! Uh… M-Ma'am!"

"Hanzo, huh? Are you fucking retarded?"

Hanzo blinked, his eyes confused and worried. He glanced at his squad mates, Pokkle, Sommy, and Todo out of the corner of his eye as if asking them what was so wrong, but it seemed that only made Menchi angrier. Her lips curled up and she crossed her arms, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"I asked you a goddamn question, recruit! Are you so fucking dense that you can't answer a simple yes or no question? You aren't even worthy of being in my presence, maggot! Someone who doesn't even know how to tie his own boots has no right to be a soldier!"

Gon didn't dare look, but he heard a small gasp from Hanzo as he realized what his mistake was.

"I'm sorry, sir! It won't happen again!"

Menchi didn't bat an eyelash at the word sir, so everyone determined to call her that from now on.

"It better not, you useless piece of trash! If you want to prove yourself as being adequate as a human being, you'll run today's course twice! If you can't even do that, you can pack up your two year old toys and drag your green ass home!"

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone knew the course today would be hell, so they all felt some form of pity for him. But they couldn't afford to spare much, as Menchi whipped around and glared the rest of them down, determined to pick a few more targets to drill home that they certainly weren't at home anymore. He eyes rested on Killua, and it was obvious from the way they widened that she knew exactly who he was. She marched over, standing in front of him threateningly. He didn't flinch, nor move his eyes to look at her.

"Ah, a Zoldyk brat! Do you think you're better than anyone else, trash?"

"No, sir."

"Good! We're all equal here so I'll show no mercy even to you! You aren't going to go crying to Daddy or Big Brother Illumi after a few push ups, are you?"

Gon, who was standing beside Killua (everyone stood side by side with their squad mates) saw Killua's jaw tighten slightly, but Killua still managed to keep his cool.

"No, sir."

"It doesn't matter if you're God's son! When you're here, the only thing you do is what I say and the only thing you are is a tool for this military! If you think any differently, you can go home and cry in your whore mother's lap!"

It wasn't like Menchi was insulting Killua as a personal grudge; she was simply making sure he didn't get cocky or think himself better. Basic training meant breaking someone down so they could be built back up again, so there was nothing to do but take her insults and act like he didn't think he was above anyone. Killua knew this, so he kept a cool head, but his stomach dropped when he realized he'd forgotten to mention this to Gon. An angry, quiet voice beside him made him clench his teeth in anger.

"Don't talk to Killua like that."

The entire line inhaled sharply, and people unconsciously shifted away from Gon and the anger that radiated off of Menchi in waves. She turned to Gon slowly, her eyes narrowing, her aura dark and threatening. She uttered one simple sentence, but it made a hundred warnings go off in everyone's heads.

"What did you just say to me, brat?"

Gon looked up at her with clear, round eyes. Killua mentally begged him to let it go; it was already bad enough that he'd said something, but taking it further would get him in way over his head.

"Killua isn't like his family! He's here! So it's not fair to single him out."

She took one step closer until she was almost nose-to-nose with Gon. The fact that she had stopped yelling was a million times scarier than when she'd been yelling. At least everyone had known where she stood with that.

"What's your name, recruit?"

"Gon Freecss. I'm in squad three with Killua, and he's my friend. So I don't like you being mean to him."

Killua's mouth went dry and he was sure it was hanging open as he looked at Gon with an almost nervous admiration. Gon didn't seemed fazed by the dangerous aura around Menchi at all; he just glared at her stubbornly, setting his jaw as if he wouldn't change his mind no matter what. Menchi recoiled, then narrowed her eyes. Then she started to laugh. It started out as low and raspy, then grew until she was bent over and slapping her knee.

"Ging Freecss' son, huh? Who knew? Who knew the son of the great and mighty Ging Freecss… was a faggot!"

She yelled the last word at him so loud that it took everything everyone had not to cover their ears. Killua winced, biting his lip nervously. Being gay in the military wasn't illegal, but it was considered taboo. He didn't know if Gon was gay or not, but he knew that if other people decided to consider that a label, Gon would be tormented relentlessly. He had no idea that the word was used a great many times a day to stop squad members from getting too close. Teammates were permitted, even commended, but friends weren't because friends meant possibly choosing a friend's life over the military. So any time two squad mates began growing too close, regardless of their gender or reason, they were called faggots to scare them into keeping their relationship professional.

Gon blinked in astonishment, looking up at Menchi's glare. What would he say? Killua had no idea. Oh lord, don't say something about 'what's wrong with being gay?' or 'yeah, so?' Killua had never been the praying type, but right now he was praying with all of his being that Gon wasn't so dense that he'd openly oppose the use of the word or admit that he was gay (if he indeed was). But what Gon said next was almost worse. It definitely would've been if it had been anybody but the clueless, oblivious boy asking.

"What's a faggot?"

Gon had gotten himself so deep in trouble that Menchi hadn't even bothered to single anyone else out. Hanzo's punishment had been bad, but Gon's was worse. Three times. He had to run the course three times, and he wasn't allowed to eat for the next three days. The first time, it had been squad mates running together. Since Killua's family was a military family, his body and mind had both been trained for courses like this. It was simple enough—a one and half mile run with sit ups and push ups throughout, then another one and half miles back. All together, they ran three miles and did about a hundred push ups and sit ups.

Leorio and Kurapika had quickly fallen behind, Leorio being the most tired of them all, but thanks to their strong wills (and Menchi's sharp eyes watching their squad like a hawk), they'd managed to finish it. Not as quickly as Killua and Gon, though, who finished it before anyone. Killua was shocked and rather taken aback—Gon was a simple mountain kid, and he somehow had endurance almost equal to Killua's.

"Hey, Killua! This is kind of fun, isn't it?"

They were on one of their push up 'breaks,' and sweat was only just beginning to gather at their armpits and collars. They'd already run two miles, and they were on their last mile back. Killua glanced at Gon in surprise, shocked at the easy smile on his face. Running it three times was supposed to be a punishment, yet Gon didn't seem to think of it that way at all. If anything, he seemed to be taking it as a kind of fun challenge. Well, it was true that a three mile course was rather easygoing compared to what they'd face. This course was only the beginner's course to make sure they had the stamina to do more difficult courses without dying.

"I guess so. I think it's kind of boring, to be honest."

Gon laughed.

"Really? But we get to run together and it's like a race!"

How could the idiot be so optimistic? Did he not get what kind of trouble he was in? Killua clenched his teeth, wishing he could just give up on the bouncing boy already. But, hard as he tried to deny it, he was somewhat touched that Gon had spoken up for him. No one had ever done anything like that before. Was that what friends were like? It was nice.

No. Stop. Don't let yourself get emotionally involved, that's just stupid. He stood up, glancing at the sun as Gon finished his last push ups. If he'd really resolved not to get involved, then why was he waiting for Gon? And why did he secretly enjoy running alongside his squad mate? Was it because he'd never met anyone who could keep up with him physically and mentally? Yeah, that must be it. He admired Gon's tenacity, and he was simply being dazzled by the fact that Gon accepted him so easily. That was all there was to it. Soon the initial brightness would fade and Gon would seem just like every other loser who wanted to get close to him for his family's name.

"Ready!"

Gon sprang up, a large smile on his face as he ran to Killua's side and they took off again. Both of their breathing was still even and light, even though the path they were running on was full of tree roots and other surface obstacles that made it all the more grueling. In fact, the only reason they were even sweating was because of the heat of the sun beating down on them.

"Goal!"

He couldn't help but say it gleefully with Gon as they leapt past Menchi, who was holding a digital timer. It felt young and reckless, but somehow right. As if they'd done this a thousand times before. He lifted his shirt and wiped his face, turning to Gon to inform him that Killua was the one who had obviously won, but the look on Menchi's face stopped him. Her eye twitched angrily, and she looked like she wanted to hit someone very, very hard.

"Are you soldiers or are you twelve year old boys?"

Killua immediately straightened, saluting her and slipping a serious look onto his face. Gon glanced over and Killua then proceeded to do the same, puffing his chest out to make himself look older. Menchi looked like she would say more, but decided not to. There were no other recruits around, so there was no point in giving them the scolding of their lives. Besides, though she'd never admit it, there was something in Gon's innocent, unprejudiced gaze that she liked. There were too many soldiers and officials who were corrupt, so it would be nice if Ging's son could eventually rise to power and change that.

"If you two keep acting like faggots, your lives are going to be hell."

She meant for it to sound threatening and mean, but it came out sounding more concerned than anything. She cursed herself; too many people had said a woman was too caring to become a drill sergeant, and she was determined to prove them wrong. But neither boy seemed to think any of less of her for it. Killua nodded determinedly as if he already knew, and Gon gave her a grin.

"I still don't know what a faggot is, Sgt, but if people think I'm weak because I'm friends with Killua, then I'll just become the best soldier in the world so nobody can complain!"

Menchi blinked, hiding a smile with a large grimace.

"Quit acting familiar around me, trash! Who do you think you are? You still have two more runs left to do! Get to it, maggot!"

Gon nodded happily—the idiot—and then proceeded to take off running again. Menchi glanced up; a few more recruits were almost there.

"Zoldyk!"

"Yes, sir?"

Killua stood at attention, trying not to let his eyes follow Gon. He'd easily be able to do the course another time, but a third would be pushing it, especially with no breaks or food. If it would be difficult for him, he couldn't imagine how Gon would feel when he was finished. Dammit, there he was getting himself emotionally involved again. Although Gon had done it for his sake…

"I'm in charge of supervising the mess hall tonight. It's busy, though. I'm afraid I wouldn't notice if someone snuck out an extra piece of bread or something."

They didn't look at each other, but the gratefulness in Killua's voice spoke volumes.

"I understand, sir. I'm sure you won't catch anybody doing something like that."

"I'd better not catch someone! If someone was doing something like that, they'd better make damn sure they were discreet!"

"Yes, sir!"

Hanzo was the second one to reach the finish line, and a large wave of other recruits followed. It seemed only a couple had been too tired to finish. Well, it was only the first day. Most people should have the guts to at least make it through that. It was the coming weeks that would be much, much harder. But Killua couldn't even imagine himself failing. It simply wasn't possible. And… well, there was no way he was letting Gon fail either. Consider it his personal challenge, making sure his squad mate passed. Yeah, that was it. There was nothing more going on.

Gon collapsed at the finish line, his breathing heavy and his clothes sticking to him. He let out a long, heartfelt sigh. Well, this time he wouldn't blame anyone if they didn't want to come near him. He really and truly stunk now.

"Aww, but I really am hungry!"

His stomach growled loudly, and he rolled over on his side, clutching it as if in agony. Mm… what he wouldn't give for a huge slice of pork… or some of Grandma's homemade cookies… or one of Aunt Mito's pies… Saliva dripped onto the ground and he moaned, curling up even more.

"I'm gunna die… I'm really gunna die… I can't handle it…"

"Come on, quit being such a drama queen."

Gon looked up to see Killua standing there, rolling his eyes. And he was holding… he was… it was…

"Killuaaaaa! Why are you so cruel?!"

Killua's glance turned into a glare and he crossed his arms. What? Cruel?

"Hah?!"

"You knew I was going to be hungry and you just had to come out here and eat a pork bun in front of me, didn't you?"

Killua blinked, then he buried his face in his free hand. Well, now that Gon had said that, telling him he'd snuck it out just for him was embarrassing. He let out an exasperated sigh as he threw the bun at Gon's head.

"Idiot."

He scratched his nose to cover up a blush as Gon snatched the bun and clutched it tightly, literal tears of gratitude welling up in his eyes as he gave Killua the look a starving puppy would give its master when it received food.

"F-for me? Killua, you're the best friend I've ever had!"

Gon launched himself at Killua, wrapping his arms around him with a strength he shouldn't have had after running the course three times. Killua froze, then his face turned red. Light red, then dark red, then purple, and then he was hitting Gon's arms frantically for air because Gon was squeezing his neck too hard. Gon released him with a sheepish, apologetic laugh and sank his teeth into the pork bun.

"Don't expect this kind of treatment all the time. It's only this once because you spoke up for me."

Killua crossed his arms and looked away, still embarrassed and annoyed at how happy Gon had been from a simple pork bun. But he couldn't manage to quench the small, warm glow of happiness he had at being called Gon's best friend.