AN/

I'm overly descriptive and detailed and shit. I CANNOT BE SAVED. Enjoy.

Super long foreshadowing ftw.

Playing hide & seek with Ourselves

2

"It's dark in here and we can't see shit. Great. Just fucking great."

"It's not that dark."

"It's dark moron. You can't see anything in here. Pitch. Fucking. Black. Darkness."

"Ne, Ne, Killua. Don't say that! Hey! Did you know that if you squint hard enough, sometimes you can see light dancing in the shadows? That means nothing is ever truly pitch black."

A laugh, one that was obviously taking it as a joke. Then a scoff, offended, because it was being serious.

"Really? Where did you come up with that? It sounds really stupid. 'The light in shadows'? Come on! Everyone knows there's no such thing as finding light in somebody's shadow. It wouldn't be called a SHADOW if it wasn't meant to be DARK just like there is no such thing as white in something that is pitch black."

"Whatttt? What do you mean stupid? It's true! You can see it if you look really close! Everyone has it! Mito-san told me so herself and I saw it!"

"Yeah, yeah. Sure thing genius. Keep telling yourself that."

High-pitched childish whines made another laugh sound. Amused.

"Killuaaaa! You're so mean!"

"I'm not mean, idiot! I'm just stating a point! How is finding light in the darkness relevant to anything? Are you forgetting out current predicament? I mean, look at us. We're on the verge of death, alone where no one will be able to save us, and you're babbling about how you see dancing lights in the SHADOWS! Has all that blood loss made your brain die too soon or what?"

"No." The retort was hot, still full of piss and vinegar when what had been said was actually quite true. "I'm not dead yet. And neither are you! But I thought you could use some cheering up in this shitty ass place so I'm NOT sorry for saying something positive and hopeful just because it's TRUE! You do have light in your shadow Killua! And now is a better time than any to tell you it so you better listen!"

A pause, then, "...Huh?"

"Killua. I know you've always thought you are like some kind of shadow that nobody cares about but I just wanted to point out NOW that they're all wrong! You're wrong! You're not just darkness. You're light, too! You have good in you and you have light. I can see it in your shadow when you walk. When you're sleeping too! Wherever you go, I see it! That's why I want you to stay positive and not give up hope. We're still alive. We're still light! We'll make it through this together. I know it!"

A rustle of movement. A finger must had been pointing at said shadow now.

"What are you...? Wha-?" The words were there on the tip of the tongue, but lips refused to roll the rest right out.

"I'm serious, you know. There's light in your shadow, Killua. If you squinted just a little when you looked behind you, you would actually see it."

"Gon..."

"Killua."

If he looked behind himself, huh? The only thing that he could imagine whenever he looked behind himself was Gon, smiling that big goofy grin of his with that spiky black hair and tan skin. Round face, broad build, and out stretched hand, waiting.

And it was only directed at Killua.

The light that was behind him, beckoning, radiant as it silhouetted that Gon Freecs brighter then the sun.

He WAS the sun.

The feelings for that light of his; the one cast in the shadows at his side, bubbled to the surface, instantaneous. Unrelenting, but real.

Oh, so, real.

"Gon, I-"

The words cut from his mouth in the high-pitched wail of an explosion that shook the world around them. It was then that everything became true pitch blackness, but if Killua squinted even in the slightest, he swore he saw a speck of light in the distance.

That idiot was speaking the truth after all.

Heh.

"Is everyone ready and prepared?"

"AYE!"

All the cries and cheers of the fleet rang through their encampment, fists pumping in the air and weapons waving in replacement of a team represented banner. Everyone around them seemed high on good hopes this morning; a plus in Leorio's mind as he, too, joined in the familiar jubilant cheer of boosting one's battle spirits. That was one thing he really admired about Hanzo. He had a natural talent to spur people's hearts into action, a figurehead that shined whenever the dark threatened to take over. It was uplifting, and that damned nicest guy around was always one for the team even if his life were in danger.

He'd jump in the fray and risk everything if it meant backing any one of them up. No regrets.

Out of the corners of his eye, Leorio checked out his teammates, not surprised how Killua; always furthest from the crowd and hovering at the rear, was the only one who didn't join the people in their war-ready rally. He often wondered if the still-expressionless male could feel any sense of emotion at this point in time, not even when surrounded by such adrenaline-raising vigor. It didn't appear to effect in him the least. He was motionless and silent like always, gaze unfocused as he stared away from the others, lost in that daydreaming numbness they all could relate to.

Leorio truly felt sorry for him.

"Come on, Leorio, everyone is moving to their stations now." Kurapika nudged his companion out of the medic's deep, bottomless thoughts, smiling to offer what little reassurance he could. "Let's not get left behind. Do I need to remind you what happened last time you were late?"

"Right. Right... I'm coming, sheesh! Like I need a repeat of that incident." The elder man laughed at another long standing joke, back of his neck rubbed abashedly while he followed the blonde, not glancing back this time at the white-haired teen. He'd feel the pity tug at his heart strings and as they were already just moments away from attack; he did not need the distraction.

Not in every day's gamble with life or death. War was not a game.

He didn't intend to play it like one, either.

Of the 46 members in Silver Squadron 2: West Division, 16 of them were of the medical team. Leorio actually headed the group, which left 30 divided into the assault faction. Kurapika was part of the rescue portion (ranked in the top 10 for skills, not to boast) but would occasionally lend his healing abilities to assist the other medics; though he was limited unlike Leorio's 'seemingly' infinite-less Nen life force; he would brag, when it came to caring for the wounded. The dang oaf would never admit to his exhaustion or lacking strength, which left the task up to Kurapika to stop him when necessary. The guy would suck every last drop of life he had left if it meant saving someone; a habit that would never die off, and neither would he regret over, either.

But the Kurta still cared, still needed his friend through these tough times. And if it meant having him sit down for a break at least once in a great while, then so be it. He would have his way and Leorio would give in. That was how strong their bond excelled.

Silver Squadron 1: West Division was the primary fighting battalion, although they rarely assisted the rescue team on such small missions like these (unless an absolute emergency arose). Several of their friends were stationed there; skills more better suited for the raging heat of combat then the rescue squad who played it more stealthy and consecutive like refined warriors. They had more faith in their abilities; the team almost undefeated in the past two months since their formation. They were second in terms of strength and ability to that of the Gold Squadrons which comprised of several Hunter Association's leaders and strongest remaining members, which was a feat to be proud of. All squadrons were designated by the names of precious metals and gems (because someone at the head of office was too lazy to come up with better). Diamond Squad was the rarest and strongest of all the jewels; consisting of the remaining top Hunters across the nation including the Chairman Netero himself. They were most likely far off into the thick of the war right about now, ever so slowly advancing upon wherever the Chimera Ant's leader may be.

It was nightmarish thinking what it was like, but there was no time to dwell too long on it.

The group split into their appropriate formations; set number three of five different plans they had drilled over until they could repeat it back in their sleep. 8 Medics to 15 Attackers dividing their entire faction in half; it was the simplest arrangement they could come up with. They were split into two sections and were to take the three pronged building from both the south and north side.

As the door's entrances were located primarily on the east flank, that left the other three sides mainly unguarded. The west even only had two guards; a sad excuse for a defense system. Surprisingly, this last prison hold was the smallest and least organized of the other previously freed ones, considering how usually the last stronghold would typically be saved as the worst. This would be a cinch for the Silver Squad; Hanzo had informed his troupes, inspiring them with the desire and willingness to fearlessly fight today.

Anything if it meant the least bloodshed spilled possible.

Leorio begrudgingly followed behind his fellow medic friends; made up of primarily females (everyone prefers women nurses wink wink), as they trotted fast through the thick forestry that surrounded the final stockade. Already, all around him; everyone had brought fourth the usual technique of Zetsu (a Nen or 'life force' ability that conceals ones' presence and aura by trapping it into the pores of their own body). Luckily, most Chimera Ants save for the higher ranking individuals (which were primarily near the front lines), were unable to use or detect Nen, so adding Zetsu added onto their already camouflaged selves made for the perfect stealthy disguise.

Kurapika was right on his tail, following so fast that his short blonde locks would sway back and forth with every step. Whenever they would separate into groups, two thirds of the 'attacking' members would split up as the front and rear guards of the mass. The last third would bunch together with the accompanying medics, making for a evenly based set-up. It covered all the openings tactfully, an important strategic maneuver for fighting super-human anthropomorphic Chimera Ants. They were unpredictable. It was best to be as prepared as possible.

This time around; to the two male's surprise, they were being lead by that cool-headed albino; Killua, instead of Hanzo like usual. Killua may not have been in second command; that was Pokkle's duty (who was quite a strategist yet not very offensive), but wherever he was assigned he usually would take the lead with no complaints. He had an unnatural sense of obedience when it came to following an order to the tee. It was similar to that of a robot forced to follow certain instructions without fail, strangely unnatural as Leorio would always put it.

On top of that; his skills were infamous, most notorious for his quick reflexes and speed with solid power to boot. Killua was practically invincible.

Monster.

It took only minutes to arrive at their positions: their group nicknamed 'Green' for today (they had a habit of choosing colors for lack of a better name, too tired to ever come up with anything more extravagant), and just seconds to station themselves behind a nice thick bush for cover. Just ahead, they could make out five Chimera Ant guards. Two of a horse-cross, one hawk, a rhino-cross, and a bear; all formidable animals with primitive and animistic drive. Their bodies were huge; all obviously male, and each one intimidating its own distinct way. Three carried large, monstrous firearms while the other opted for more traditional hand-to-hand combat weapons.

At first glance and judgment this set of five would be a tricky fight.

But they were Hunters. Like Hell they could be defeated that easily.

"Is everyone ready?" Pokkle whispered from the center of the group, his own grip tight on the bow and arrows he fought with. Silent nods all around, eyes focused and bodies poised to move; all aimed in the direction of the building straight ahead. "Good. On Hanzo's signal, we enter. Make sure you remember to distinguish the retreat signal from the signal of completion. Good luck." Again, more small nods of approval. They had practiced this so many times; it was one with natural human instinct. But protocol was protocol and it had become easy to drown out the usual boring lecture, saving the better part of thought on mentally and physically preparing oneself to fight.

All focus was on the adrenaline that pumped frantic, fluttering hearts and the mingled breaths of lungs overtaxing themselves with oxygen for the rush to come.

They were ready.

BANG BANG BANG.

The signal boomed across the tree tops, startling the five Ant guards. Leorio's hands tightened instinctively around his belongings as his feet automatically propelled him forward, Kurapika tailing behind him. Everything always moved in such a blur when they first started. Whenever the fight begun, the world seemed to slow in motion. It all blended together in a quick, crazy mad rush of bodies, yells, and ear-splitting noises that rattled you to the core. It was normal for them; combat melding a place into their lives on a daily basis. It was nothing new. It was just a fact of life.

Killua was first; like usual, Leorio just barely making out the teenager speeding twenty steps ahead of everyone like a lightning blur. If you listened closely, you could almost make out the thunder-like boom when he took off, something that always seemed to warn you that Killua had activated his insane Nen-ability. That was his own personal signal to stay back which no one dared challenge. He sliced through three of the guards in under ten seconds and had the other two's heads soaring through the air by the time the remainder had even traversed half the distance to the entrance. With a swift kick, the boy barreled through the door; lightning crackling at his feet into the squished maze-like hallways while the others began to file in with haste.

"Geez. Can the kid be any faster? What a showoff!" Leorio seemingly joked to himself out loud, pounding footsteps echoing across the halls. He knew it was a lie; Killua could easily be faster. The guy had hardly put any effort into that move, even now as he probably darted around slaughtering everything in his path; Killua had still yet to use his full ability. They all knew this too well. That remained especially true for those who had seen the only time Killua had ever lost control; a story best left in silence for everyone's benefit. Even the doctor's throat went dry at the memory.

"Split up! Free the prisoners as you fight the Ants!" shouted Pokkle over the rumble and shake of the building while the earth-shattering explosions began sounding off, proof the other group had began their successful infiltration. When the pathway became many, the gang filtered themselves out accordingly; already well-trained and knowledgeable on the task at hand.

"This way!" Kurapika flagged Leorio down through the throw of chaos and fighting around them, guiding his friend down a clear path still sparking in the remains of Killua's tracks with fresh electricity and discarded bodies already been slayed. Heavy metal chains; crystal clear like pure silver, smashed purposefully through the nearest iron door, obvious that Kurapika had activated his own Nen now. His seriousness was written plain on his face. His right hand shot out, the chains attached to it snaking around the fallen door and tossing it aside while Leorio rushed in and pried off the prisoner's chains using Nen-enhanced hands. The frail, pale-white people in desperate need of sun were sobbing with relief and praise but had no time to give any while Leorio quickly ushered them out, pointing straight for the exit.

"Go, quick! Get out of here! Someone will show you where to go. Just run! RUN!"

The prisoners listened immediately, not sparing a glance or breath back while they ran for it. Imprisonment and fear would do that to a human, reducing them to their weakest state. Now a lesser version of themselves; they would listen to anything that was told of them. It was both a blessing and a curse in such a situation as real war but no one dare contemplate the matter.

It was kill or be killed. And for them, it was flee or die.

Doors wrenched open and people escaped quick, both Leorio and Kurapika a well-versed team. They made their way down the halls in no time flat, sync at perfect level on the battlefield. At least forty-something people had been freed by the time they found themselves busting through the door leading into a giant storage room, presumably where they had kept their supplies and weapons just for this occasion. The walls were lined with cargo containers and boxes piled with goods, though there were few that remained upright and unopened compared to what disorder had obviously happened before they had arrived.

Already, in sight, stood the familiar pearly locks of the young Zoldyck at the foot of what could only be the remains of the leader to this complex. He had to be one of the largest Chimera Ants Leorio had laid his eyes on since they had entered this madness, something of a cross between a fox-bear (already big creatures in themselves) and an elephant. What was left of his status was shown by the symbol he bore on his chest, designating his position. But that was already torn to pieces also, matching the same state that blood-splattered male had left him in. His once white hair were coated crimson red, dripping fresh like the daggers protruding from his fingers. There had to be at least twenty more of the leader's lackeys strewn about, all in such disarray it was hard to tell who's limbs or bodies belonged to who.

A real massacre, one would call it. This is what it actually looked like in real life. And this is what it looked like for Leorio and Kurapika both who were still standing in silence at the doorway, unable to form a single coherent thing to their clamped shut mouths. What could they say?

This was reality. Their reality.

What snapped Leorio back to the current situation at hand had to be the fact his dark eyes fell upon the several good-sized steel pipes sticking straight through Killua's small, lithe torso, primarily on the right hand side just out of reach of his heart. It took him a moment to realize they were there, oozing around the corners of the openings, before his brain snapped into full gear and he shouted out in concern. "Killua! Holy shit! You're hurt! We have to pull those pipes out right away or else-" Leorio made a move to go towards Killua, but was stopped by a swift, flat hand preventing him from walking forward.

Kurapika held him back, shaking his head while not dropping eye contact from their fellow teammate; however independent and 'non-teamplayer' he may be. "Don't get too close to him. He might attack you. He's not in the correct mindset right now and I highly doubt he'd even recognize us from the looks of it."

Of course the doctor wouldn't care, too inclined to follow his natural instinct to help anyone he saw who needed it. And this was Killua for that matter. The youngest teenage hunter that no one would even get within a few feet of let alone speak a word too even if it was from miles away. Although the whole squadron might reject him for his cold behavior, there was no way in hell he'd ever just ditch him to die. And Kurapika knew this, too, better than anyone. But his grip did not lessen and Leorio did indeed struggle, but not enough to break through, settling to squeeze the life out of his suitcase handle instead.

"Damnit." He growled then yelled out into the building without regard to the possibility of revealing their location. "GOD DAMNIT!"

"Leorio, be quiet or else they will-!"

Killua turned around suddenly to face them, cementing the two adults frozen in their tracks. All color drained from their faces, breath caught in their throats. The unbridled fear that bubbled to the surface was suffocating. Now he was in full view so they could plainly see those clear sapphire eyes reduced to a shell of themselves; devoid of anything but a dead shade of bottomless black. His pale skin was glowing with the blood painting his face in patterns from lines to splattered dots to thicker more solid masses blotching his clothes with their leech-like need to cling to their killer.

If Leorio were able to, he'd probably vomit right there and then, unable to take in the sight before him. He was stronger than that; a doctor able to take ever the craziest of bloody messes, but this was so much more different. This was horror at its finest. Terrifying. True death. And no mercy.

As Leorio unintentionally leaned forward and placed pressure on Kurapika's hand, who in turn instinctively reacted by pushing back; Killua darted past them in a blink of an eye. His claw-like hand dove through the chest of a Chimera Ant that had happened to creep up behind them, both of his giant crab-like claws just inches from sending the two still terror-stricken men to an early grave. Sizzling, hotter than coals, red liquid flew every which way, coating the backs of their uniforms in its burning heat still fresh from an abnormally hotter body. (Humans had a more normalized body temperature while Chimera Ants had an exceptionally higher one, beyond sustainability if science had anything to say about it.) The shriek the creature admitted was bone-chilling, his heavy weighted body thudding loud behind them once he ceased to exist.

"Killua-"

Out of nowhere, a wet cough emanated from their savior, shuddering from the strain of moving so fast with injuries in tow. Leorio flung himself around; both steaming from the fact he now had new stains to tend to and the crazy idea that Killua of all people had actually made an effort to save their hind-ends. He wasn't sure which one had him on edge more. He didn't spend too long to think about it seeing as the Zoldyck wordlessly took off again, a bloody trail left behind from the wounds he had sustained. He didn't even think further than that when he was jumping over the body and making a mad dash down the hallway, Kurapika shouting for him to stop in the background, while he followed the tracks of that dumb ass in his haste to assist him.

There was no way he was going to owe that brat for saving them, that's for sure!

For being injured and having THREE bloody-ass metal shafts stuck in one's chest; most likely having damaged a lung, several ribs, and muscles for starters, Killua didn't seem the least bit hindered when he tore through seven more guards on his way down the long, narrow corridors.

"Stop! Wait!" Leorio called behind him, hot on the trail, ignoring the littered bodies he had to jump hurdles over in order to keep up. He was just too ridiculously fast for his own good. His patience wore thin, rounding another corner and climbing over another two bodies before he planted both his feet and roared at the top of his lungs, if anything to be noticed for once in his life by such an ignorant brat he swore he would pummel some sense into someday. "Shit, Killua, STOP RUNNING AND LET ME HEAL YOUR DAMN WOUNDS!"

Killua stopped, although it was only because he ran into a dead-end without bothering to notice. Leorio, too, noticed albeit late, and began walking forward very slowly, eyes glued to the poles shifting in place whenever Killua's torso rose and fell with each breath.

"Alright," He said, shoving his gun into its holster at his side and began fiddling with his medical briefcase, "If you just give me a moment, I can remove those things and heal you. You can't keep running around like some idiot with rods in your god damn chest! Do you want to die, moron? So let me-"

BANG CRASH.

If it were possible, the bespectacled man would have jumped fifty feet in the air if there was enough space to do so. His attention had been so utterly focused on healing him, he hadn't realized the teen happened to have been standing before a rather large, decorative steel door. Most likely it was holding a prisoner, but judging on the number of locks and security devices holding it shut; it had to be of someone with great importance. Or threat to the Ants, that too, he guessed. It was numbered '1' for a reason.

The once heavily guarded door caved inward at the swing of Killua's punch. It was emitting a high-pitched screeching as the hinges gave up on keeping it pinned in place and the giant piece of metal went crashing to the floor in front of him when he yanked it back through the gaping hole. Without bothering to wait to check if the coast was clear, Killua stepped into the wreckage of the small, cramped jail cell where parts of the upper ceiling and walls had fallen from the disruption of explosions and quakes. He kicked aside several big rocks and bent forward to examine the chained-up figure shadowed by the surrounding darkness.

To his mild surprise (lately it had been mostly women and very young children they rescued from Whale Island's prison keeps) it was an exceedingly tan teenage boy; clearly around his age, with the freakiest and wackiest hair style imaginable, jet black locks that defied logic AND gravity combined. Glassed over, hazy golden yellow eyes were blinking up at him and he was smiling actually as his lips parted and formed quiet, soft words that Killua could barely make out, before the boy slumped forward without warning. He wasn't sure if it was him reacting on pure reflex or what, but his hands shot out and he caught the guy before he fell too far forward and possibly dislocated his arms from the strain of being fettered to the upper walls.

Promptly, sharp nails sliced the metal binding him to pieces, ripping off the shackles that had been placed too painfully tight on bony wrists and ankles, despite how muscular the kid seemed to be beneath that shaggy-looking prison garb. His skin was unnaturally soft, smooth, and incredibly warm when the cell felt cold enough to bring frost to your breath. Killua almost wanted to drop him, already uncomfortable as it was to be holding someone else like this so carefully. It was disturbing.

"Killua! You-" Leorio piped up again only to stop when his sight fell on the two before him still huddled in the wreckage, having ventured close enough to stand a foot from the door way now. Kurapika had joined him finally, taking his side and soaked in the image before him, lips pursed in thought while his big, calculating eyes assessed their surroundings.

"That kid must be someone real important for them to have locked up in such tight security. I've never seen a door so heavily bolted in my life." The chain-user noted, fingertips brushing the intricate design of a strong architecture that had now been smashed to dust by the bare hands of a prepubescent male, no less.

"That seems weird. Then wouldn't the Chimera Ants want to keep him someplace more secure? I mean, this place really wasn't very well guarded and-?"

Again, for the second time that day, Leorio was forced to stop talking when said imprisoned boy unceremoniously drops into his scrambling arms that barely make it in time to catch him. The two men look up, blinking rapidly in confusion at the sudden notion, only to see Killua's face completely shadowed by the shaggy bangs that guarded his eyes from view. His head was tilted down, causing the blood pooling from a now obvious wound on his skull to begin dripping down the sides of his cheeks. It was a shock to see how damaged the he really was since they had a much closer look at him. It wasn't just the iron rods that sunk Leorio's stomach to the pits of ruin. It was the broken, battered body of a sixteen year old teenager standing before them looking so soft, so vulnerable, that with one touch he would just shatter into pieces right at their feet. And to see him now; with hands kissed by death himself cradling another live body with a gentleness only a mother could have, was totally unexpected.

But what was more unexpected came next.

"There, take him. He needs medical attention right away. You're a doctor right? You should be able to do it. Please." They almost, almost thought they heard a tiny whimper, but then again the air was filled with them. "Please, just help him." His voice was an octave too high for what the pair thought Killua Zoldyck would sound like, being that no one had actually ever heard Killua talk before since he joined their battalion. The infamous 'cold-blooded killer' who charged ahead into the fray and slaughtered with such emotionless, detached movements and fast, soundless skill only to leave behind a sea of red and black in his wake; was now standing before them at this very moment, asking them to help someone. Hell, it was enough of a surprise he was even talking to them.

Jaw-dropped, Leorio and Kurapika could only stare, stunned to absolute silence, while Killua quietly walked past their rooted forms and trudged away, shoulders stiff and tense with hands shoved into the pockets of his uniform slacks. The firmly lodged silver shafts clinked together with his footsteps. His head remained down, slumped, and it was just as they were turning around to watch him go (in Leorio's case, try to say something and end up blabbering uselessly like an idiot), when a shrill bird-like whistle pierced through the inner walls and rung clear into their ear drums.

The signal of completion, proclaiming their victory. The signal that the building had been successfully taken over and the Hunters had won.

They had won.

But then why, was there this odd feeling that something was going to go awry? Why did they feel as if they had lost?

"Damnit, Killua.. You're so stupid."

"So damn stupid."