A/N: Okay, I've been playing around with developing Gon and Killua's relationship and foreshadowing, but I think it's time to get into the real stuff. I actually do have a plot, I promise.

Also, war AUs are awesome so go read GhouliGhost's 'The Light in the Shadows' because it's the war AU with the amazing detail I don't have.

There were no incredulous murmurings, no yells of outrage or shock. Everyone only sat quietly, albeit tensely as the General tugged at his beard, running his eyes over the recruits. He seemed to be trying to decide whether or not he should speak. In the end, he decided to, and his face went from humorous to grave.

"Now, when I say we're losing, I don't mean in the general sense. We've certainly captured more territory, and we're holding down our own. However, there's something no one has spoken about. They're afraid to tell you, lest you decide to join the other side!"

That statement made the recruits share incredulous glances, but Netero wasn't done talking, so they held their tongues. Not one of them missed the way Kaito gave the General a shocked look, and the way he physically restrained himself from interrupting his superior. Whatever it was, it must be big. Netero dropped his hands from his beard and stepped up to the makeshift podium, which was more or less a rough log with a crudely carved board sitting shakily atop it. He clutched the sides of the board, looking out at the crowd.

"This war isn't about territory. It's never been about that. They've told you that our enemies desire our land, but that was never what they wanted. In fact, if I had to guess, I'd say many of your ideals align with their side perhaps even more than ours."

"Sir, why are you telling them this?"

Kaito looked astounded, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Because if I'm asking them to die for me, they have a right to know."

Kaito looked as if he would argue, then he glanced back out over the crowd. His eyes found Gon's, and Gon swore he saw guilt. Kaito nodded, his face pained, and stepped back, levelling his gaze somewhere on the back of the tent and clutching his hands behind his back.

"This war is about the gap between rich and poor. The privileged and the repressed. There isn't enough resources for the starving to feed their children, and so one side is trying to claim the resources. They've been supplied with guns and weapons by our own local group of Robin Hoods, the Spiders, who now call themselves the 'Phantom Troupe.'"

Kurapika's knuckles turned white as he dug his fingers into his palms, leaning forward to listen.

"This 'Phantom Troupe' has recently managed to garner the attention of a certain man, one who could change the entire tide of the war. A man named Gyro."

For some reason, the name carried a certain fear. Not a hot, stifling fear like the one everyone had glimpsed when Gon had seemed angry, but a quiet, cold fear that seeped into one's bones and slowly ate at hope and reason. This wasn't primal, instinctual fear. This was a fear only humans could feel. Gon's head felt strange thinking about it. This kind of fear went against every fibre of his being, and yet it still clung to him. If he clutched it too tightly, he felt like it would become something he lived and breathed.

"I'm not saying Gyro can help them take over the territories we've secured or defend much better than they're doing now. He has a small army of men following him, but not enough for significant change. No, the reason he has the potential to change the war is because he lights fires in the hearts of a certain kind of person."

Netero leaned back and resumed tugging at his beard restlessly.

"In many eyes, we are the bad guys. Because we are the 'repressors.' I'm sure some of you have come from poor places, so you understand what it is to resent those in power. However, we've been going from place to place and trying to change that image. When we've secured areas, we explain to them why things have to be that way. The world needs balancing, and having some people fortunate and some people unfortunate is simply its way."

"Screw that!"

A woman at the back shot up out of her seat so fast the rickety chair rattled to the ground. Her eyes were wide, and her nostrils flared in anger. Everyone's attention turned to her as she spoke in a hoarse, shaking voice.

"Balance my ass. That's bullshit! So you're telling me that my little sister died cold and hungry from a curable sickness simply because the world needed 'balance?' What kind of fucked up logic is that?"

This time it was Leorio's turn to empathize and feel her words pounding straight into his heart. He clenched his teeth, turning to shoot a glare at Netero. It was true; many children died from curable sicknesses simply because they lived in poverty. Life wasn't fair. It lent itself to the rich and cared nothing for the children crying in pain on the streets.

"It doesn't give the Spiders the right to steal!"

Kurapika was out of his seat now, his eyes flashing as he glared at her in a righteous anger. His clan and village had been healthy, and they shared with each other, so he didn't know what it was like everywhere else. But it didn't matter; just because people were dying, it didn't give anyone the right to murder others.

"If they give it to the poor and dying, they're saving lives! The rich just hoard their wealth. They don't care if we're dying. So why should we care if they die?"

The woman's shout back at Kurapika had heads nodding, people who had grown up poor agreeing wholeheartedly. If others sat and drank wine, laughing, while children had to beg for bread only to get kicked aside, the ones drinking wine deserved death.

Killua stood up, looking down his nose at the woman who had spoken, his eyes cold as ice. He'd grown up rich, but he'd seen how bad the world was. The thing was, his parents had explained to him exactly why it was so bad.

"The rich deserve to die? The people who worked hard for their wealth? Don't be ridiculous. There are jobs everywhere. They may be undesirable, but kids can still make money if they really need it. Selling their bodies, working as assassins, cheating at gambling… if you're already in the underworld, there's tons of ways to make money. The poor deserve what they get. If you're too lazy to go out and find a job to survive, then you're trash that should die."

Leorio leapt up this time, narrowing his eyes at Killua.

"You can't be serious. You think it's that easy? Even if you do those things, they'll eventually catch up with you and get you killed. Plus, there are diseases you can get that cost more than any of those things will make. Besides, it isn't just about the money. How is it fair that a kid born into a privileged family doesn't even have to consider those things? Sure, there are jobs, but you can never drag yourself up once the cycle starts. All people should be equal."

There were many more people siding with Leorio and the indignant woman at the back than Kurapika and Killua. The majority of the people had joined the army for a meal and a bed to sleep. It was never about ideals for them, so the fact that they might just be fighting on the wrong side was beginning to dawn on them.

"Leorio, all people aren't equal. Some people are smarter than others, some are more athletic, some are mentally tougher. No one is equal. If you gave everyone equal opportunities, what would happen? Imagine someone who has no mental toughness try to brave the fierceness of war. They would die. Imagine someone who isn't smart trying to become a doctor. If you allowed them even though they weren't smart enough, they would kill others. We can't give people equal opportunities because people aren't equal."

Kurapika's voice was imploring, begging Leorio and the others to see his side. Netero's head snapped back and forth as he stroked his beard, watching the proceedings with an interested glint in his eyes. Gon listened, then glanced at Netero, something beginning to build in his eyes. Netero caught the look and winked.

"Hey…"

Gon's voice was tiny, so no one paid attention. Leorio spoke louder, more aggressively, his mouth beginning to curl up as he set a foot on his chair and leaned close to Kurapika, true anger flitting across his features.

"I'm not asking for that kind of equality. I'm just saying everyone should get a chance. Who knows how smart street kids are?"

Leorio's voice and face were suddenly softened with a sad nostalgia.

"My friend was one of the smartest people I've ever met. He was a hundred times smarter than me. He could've become a doctor a lot easier. And yet he didn't get that chance. He died because this world is cruel and wouldn't pay his medical bills. I wonder… are the Spiders right? If we'd chosen to steal from the rich… could we have had the same opportunities as them? Could I become a doctor by going to the expensive medical school like the girl who lived in a real house down the street? Could I do it that way instead of putting my life on the line here? She'll never have to worry about death in that fancy university."

Kurapika opened his mouth, then shut it for a second, struggling with something. When he spoke again, his voice was soft, gentle, but firm.

"I'm sorry about your friend, Leorio. Really. It shouldn't have happened… But that doesn't make the Spiders right. Stealing from the rich isn't the way to solve your problems. Causing pain for others to alleviate your own pain is wrong. Their ideals saw my entire clan slaughtered. Men, women, children. We hadn't hurt anyone."

"Hadn't hurt anyone? Your ignorance of our pain hurt us all!"

The woman at the back choked it out on the back of a sob, shaking her head.

"If you people ever thought to look down, you'd see the blood at your feet. But why look down? In your eyes, we're just trash."

Gon glanced at Netero again, and caught the old man's smirk.

"Hey!"

Gon's voice was a little louder, but this time people willfully ignored him, too immersed in the conversation to care about what he had to say. Killua's lips peeled back as he glared at the woman, disgust clear on his features.

"Being rich doesn't mean you don't see the shadows. It doesn't mean you don't live in the shadows. It certainly doesn't mean a soft life. Everyone has problems, even if they're of a different nature. How arrogant of you, to think that you guys are the only ones whose feet are bathed in blood. I once saw an old man try to give a little boy a coin to help him buy bread. The boy stabbed him and took his wallet after he saw that the old man had more money in there.

I was curious, so I found out who the old man was and informed his family. Do you know what they told me? He was a scientist, and he was working on a cure to save his grandchild from a terrible disease. He was in a good mood because he was so close to finding it. After that, his grandchild died and the entire family was torn apart by their deaths. How do you think the families of the people you want to kill feel? Do you think you have the right to destroy them too? Those kids, who know nothing of what's going on, who are guilty of nothing, are destroyed."

The woman crossed her arms over her chest, her face unimpressed.

"I'll bet that money saved that kid's life, and probably his younger sibling's as well. He would've had no idea what the old man was trying to do."

Kurapika's voice was deathly calm as he responded to the woman, ignoring the dirty looks people were giving him.

"Maybe his life and others were saved, but at what cost? One family for another? How can we hope to achieve peace by trading lives?"

A guy a couple of rows down from the woman stood up, twisting his hands timidly.

"I lived on the streets for years, and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that the rich and the poor will never understand each other. In that case… I think I'm on the wrong side."

That caused an uproar, with many people shouting agreements while others shouted that they should be killed for being traitors. Gon's brow furrowed as he looked at Netero, who chuckled and gave him a nod. Gon drew in a deep breath and stood up, looking around. He was the only one not speaking in the sea of chaos. Leorio and Kurapika were arguing angrily, Killua and the woman were having a shouting match with others backing each side, and others were having their own micro arguments, pointing fingers and yelling.

"You're wrong."

Gon's voice was still too quiet to be heard, so he drew in as much air as his lungs could carry, and shouted as loud as he could.

"YOU'RE ALL WRONG!"

The entire room went silent as people winced, some covering their ears and shaking their heads. They glared at Gon, and all of the hostility was suddenly focused on him. The first one to speak was the woman at the back.

"That was rather self-entitled. I assume you're a rich brat?"

Gon shook his head, glaring stubbornly at her.

"No. I lived with Aunt Mito and Aunt Mito was so poor I could only afford to bring one set of clothes with me. We mostly ate what I could catch in the forest, and Aunt Mito had to work really, really hard to make enough money to keep our property. No one on our island has any money. We don't have anything to trade."

Someone at the back snorted and called out, "So you wanna change to the Spider's side, huh?" Gon shook his head vehemently, still glaring at the woman.

"I don't. I don't know what it's like to be so poor I have to steal, but I know what it's like to have rich people spit on you when you walk through the street. They did that sometimes. And the really mean ones would say bad things about Aunt Mito and ask her to do things with them. But you know, even some of the poor people did that too. Because there were mean people who were rich, and there were mean people who were poor."

Gon turned to the timid man who'd made the comment about joining the other side.

"You said we can never understand each other. But you're wrong. I'm poor, but I'm still friends with Killua and Kurapika. They're both rich. Do you know why? Because even though we come from different places, we still have the same feelings. Leorio too. If you ask him, I'm sure he'll agree that he likes Killua and Kurapika as well."

Leorio's glare at Kurapika slowly softened and he looked away, nodding gruffly, once.

"I met a guy who used to be a prince, and he was engaged to a farmer girl. They loved each other more than any people I've ever seen, because they both loved Gungi. Money… being raised one way… living one way… Why does that mean you can't understand each other? You can still like the same things! We all like our families, right?"

There were grudging mutters, but the woman in the back spoke up angrily again.

"Even so, I don't see why we should stay on this side!"

Gon looked at her, then turned to Netero.

"Old Man, who started the war?"

Everyone thought Netero would freak about being called Old Man, but the General gave a hearty chuckle, his eyes twinkling as if he knew exactly what was going on in Gon's mind.

"The Spiders. They committed theft and killed, but we never took extreme action to stop them. One day, they stole guns and declared war, rallying up a bunch of underprivileged people. That forced us into self-defensive action, which is mostly what this war is now. We haven't made many big, offensive pushes."

Gon nodded, then turned back, his clear, stubborn glare taking in each and every person, even his friends.

"In that case, why are we arguing? Does it really matter who the poor people and who the rich people are? In the end, every one of us has had a precious person or comrade get hurt by the war. Whether you're on this side or the other side, it won't change anything. This war won't do anything but hurt a lot of people, because no one's even trying to find a real solution. We're just hurting each other. Shouldn't we focus on ending the war before anything else? If what the Old Man says is true… there is no winner in this war."

Netero's hand paused on his beard as he watched a change come over the recruits. They shifted, and some of them began shamefully avoiding Gon's honest gaze.

"What do the Spiders want to do? Turn all of the rich people into poor people? That won't help anybody. That just means our roles are reversed. I don't know how we can fix this—I don't even know if we can fix this—but won't trying to understand each other help more than trying to kill each other?"

Now everyone's eyes were on the ground. People who had been arguing sat down, most of them beside each other, although they obviously didn't want to talk. Well, it was a start. Gon turned to Killua and held out his hand. Killua looked down at the palm that supposedly said his lover would have no soul and took it firmly as they both sat down. He wanted to tell Gon that what he'd said was beautiful, but there was a tremble in Gon's hand.

"Killua…"

Killua looked up at Gon and was surprised by the expression on his face. It was a mixture of consternation, fear, and confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Gon faced forward, refusing to look anybody, as he bit his lip hard and whispered low so his voice only carried to Killua's sharp ears.

"I don't understand people. I don't understand them at all."

"But you just said…"

"I know. I understand their feelings, but I don't understand what they are. Rich, poor, wars… nothing like that happens in the animal world. If this is the way people are, maybe it's better not to be a person."

"Gon… do animals love?"

"Love? Hm… I don't think they do the way we do."

"Do you want to be someone who doesn't care about money, has no interest in starting wars, and only cares about surviving?"

"I—"

"Would you abandon me for your own survival?"

Gon's head turned and they shared a long look.

"No."

"Then it's okay if you don't understand people yet. It doesn't make you any less of a person."

Killua gave Gon's hand a squeeze and faced the front to listen to what Netero was about to say. Gon looked at him for a minute longer before smiling and turning the same way.

"Thanks, Killua."

"Have we gotten that out of our systems, now?"

Netero walked out from behind the podium to stand at the very front of the stage. He still wore that perpetually amused look on his face, as if he'd found the fact that half of his recruits had been ready to join the other side hilarious. No one said a word, though many people refused to meet his eyes.

"Good! Well then, on to why we're losing. This war is about winning people's hearts. Being the 'bad' side, we aren't really doing that. We need to start doing that. Because of Gyro and the Spider's crusade of 'justice,' there are many small villages like the one who just tried to blow us all up. They don't even see us as human. Even if we beat the opposition, we'll lose a great deal of support and faith. That's where you fine young men and women come in."

A sizeable smile split Netero's face.

"We specifically chose you because the majority of you are from poor villages or city slums. You can sympathize with the poor villages we'll be sending you into. The last stretch that we need to get into is Meteor City, where Gyro and the Phantom Troupe are holed up. The problem is, there are five villages between us and Meteor City, and if we destroy them all we're as good as kicking a hornet's nest. Not that we couldn't deal with it, but the preferable choice would be not bombing entire countries to dust."

Despite Netero's easygoing attitude, there was a hardness in his eyes that said what he was saying was no joke. Destroying peaceful villages would enrage the poor in countries everywhere, and there would be so many uprisings that the only way to handle them would be large amounts of death and destruction. The tent was so silent you could hear a pin drop, as everyone held their breaths to hear how he would remedy that.

"We need you thirty—probably more like twenty after being run through Colonel Biscuit's training—to convince those villages to let us through. You can use any means necessary, but the preferable choice would be no violence for obvious reasons. Either way, you'll be heavily supplied with weapons. If the only way is destruction, so be it. Just remember you hold the lives of thousands in your hands."

They were just recruits, all of them, and yet already the pressure that was being heaped on them was immense. Thousands of lives? It was insane. And yet… other soldiers, men and women with more experience, were busy defending. Plus, they'd seen so many of their comrades slaughtered by the other side that they'd have no qualms about using violence as a first resort. So, logically, the new recruits were the best choice. That didn't make the pressure any less, though.

"Before we do that, we have to make sure you're capable. Yes, basic training requires a lot, but actually being on the field is much different. Therefore, I'm going to risk everything and send you on three missions before that final one. For those missions, you'll be among veterans who will do everything to see that you survive them. I need to know you won't break under the pressure and horror of seeing precious teammates die. You will be sent on missions to help take over certain neutral areas that would be ideal for setting up a base. The first will be in Gordeau Desert, which will test your ability to survive in a place where there's little cover and resources. You'll be supplied in the villages, but once you're out of supplies we won't be able to help you until you take over the village."

Gordeau Desert… what a place for a first mission. It was located just outside of Yorknew City, so it would certainly be a great place for a base of operations to act in Yorknew City. This wasn't some small thing, this was also a mission with a ton of pressure.

"The next is in a relatively quiet place, but equally as important since it's the place the majority of pacifists idealize. The NGL. They don't allow weapons, yet we need to bring weapons in to take over the forests. The forests are full of strange creatures which can kill you just as easily as the soldiers. This mission is to test how discreet you can be. You'll need to be discreet if you manage to make it to Meteor City, as we'll need you to scout the place out before launching an attack."

So the NGL had nothing to do with territory, and more to do with public image. A base in the NGL would make pacifists join whatever side had that base. Probably the environmentalists as well.

"The final stage is a place we control. The Sengi Guild. There's an incredible amount of resistance and infighting there, so we're sending you in to put a stop to the riots, fighting, and killing. The Sengi Guild is basically an entire city of slums, so it's no wonder the majority of people want to take it over and hand it to the Phantom Troupe on a silver platter. This is to test whether or not you can actually deal with the kind of people who live in these villages and Meteor City."

Not many people had heard of the Sengi Guild. Hanzo seemed like the only one who had. He narrowed his eyes, nodding as if what Netero was saying made sense.

"Between each of the villages you'll have to take over, there's forest occupied by the opposition. Once you take over the villages, we'll send in the artillery to help take over the forests. However, you must remember you're on your own until then. We've estimated that, alone, your predicted outcome is 100% failure."

Everyone knew what became of yelling and arguing so they sat quietly, waiting to hear the rest. Netero looked disappointed, as if he'd actually wanted people to start fighting. What a strange old man.

"I suppose you know even I wouldn't be cruel enough to do that. Too bad; I would've loved to, but some of my minions convinced me it would be a bad idea. It's rather disappointing—imagine if you'd won even though your chances of winning were exactly 0%. Ohohohoho."

No one was amused, least of all Kaito at being called a 'minion.'

"Hmph. Well, I'll be sending people with you to increase your chances, of course. Kaito volunteered, so he's going. However, no one else knows who else is going, not even the people going themselves. They'll know soon enough. Keep in mind I chose this lineup so you could all have fun while you're in horribly dire, life-and-death situations."

Netero chuckled again, his eyes crinkling merrily as he looked back and forth between Gon and Killua.

"Alright, I haven't decided yet so I'll just say whoever comes to my mind first. Colonel Biscuit for her expertise in keeping people in line, whether they're mentally tough or not. Kaito because he volunteered. Hm… Brigadier General Hisoka will be a nice wild card. Ah! And Illumi Zoldyck. He doesn't have an assigned rank, but if he did it would most likely be Brigadier General as well. He can help with the killing. You need a planner as well… Lieutenant General Pariston should do nicely for that. One more, one more…"

His eyes fell to rest on Gon and his smirk grew wicked.

"Of course. Someone to deal with anything unexpected. Even though he's a lazy bum, I still think it'll be the perfect chance to see something amusing. So my sixth and final choice will be… Lieutenant General Ging Freecss."

Gon's eyes widened and his breath caught in his throat. He half stood up, words already on his lips, but Netero spoke quickly.

"And that's it! Your training starts back up again tomorrow, so you'd better prepare yourselves. We're going to push you to be the best set of recruits we've ever trained, so you can expect training no one's even heard of before. Ohohoho, what fun this will be. Dismissed!"

With that, he shambled out of the tent so quickly Gon never even got the chance to say a word.