AN: There's so much to lose and so little to gain; or so Gon learns all in one moment in time that even he isn't prepared for in the least.

Going to go on temporary hiatus with this story for the next 2 weeks most likely. It may be a little longer. I'm going to finish my other multi-chaptered ficlet thing I started because it's hard to focus on more then one thing at a time, I realized. Haha. I screwed myself on that one.

Also, I want to revamp this story a little and fix it up. I don't like my style of writing very much and I'd like to see a change to that, so hopefully I can make some of this better in the long run. Maybe, maybe not. We'll see. Going on a week-long vacation too so writing will be kinda sparse probably. But I will do my best to push things out and I pray that when I come back to this I'll be able to fix it up the way I want it to be.

So sorry for the cliffhanger haha. Love or hate me, but the plot thickens as I (sort of) follow the original HxH plot line with some twists and turns along the way. I'm not giving up on this thing if anybody is worried haha. I definitely won't give up. c: So to those who still enjoy this little weird thing I've made, thanks like always for the support and what not. Every little bit counts.

ENJOY! Don't kill me much ahahaha..

Faceless in Mirrors

17

Smash!

Gon's heavy boot crashed through the window pane of an already-broken glass square draped by shredded fragments of silk curtains, forcing him to twist his leg around and unwind from the curtain's sticky grip. Hisoka jumped, clearing the splatter of glass shards, and expertly landed one-legged atop a huge chunk of plastered cement from a run-down building. That smug smirk made Gon's insides boil, bubbles beneath his skin, and he scratched at his wrists once his feet touched down and he was standing on the piled remains of a dresser.

"Oh, you've got quite the agility, Gon-kun. What a pleasant surprise."~

Hisoka purred and Gon shivered inadvertently, the crisp edge to the magician's voice settling goosebumps on the insides of his elbows, right behind his knees. Gon lowered to a crouch, amber eyes narrowed, before he pushed off with one strong push and leaped in a fluid bound, busting the wooden dresser in the process. Hisoka saw it coming, gracefully side stepping and Gon zoomed past and over. He flipped forward to break his fall just in time to grab onto the edge of another wall to stop his descent, pull up, and use the hard surface like a spring board to dart back towards the magician; fist held out to punch.

"Mmm, yes." Hisoka chided, palm smacking against the brunt of Gon's knuckles when he caught it within range and Gon twisted and fought the iron grip with teeth grinding loudly in the process, "I love that look on you, Gon. Please, give me that look some more. Give me that fire in your eyes. Hate me."

"Shut up!" Gon braced his feet on the wall Hisoka stood upon so he wasn't dangling and at the mercy of the psychotic Hunter to save him from the drop. "I told you to leave Killua out of this, so just shut up."

"But it's so fun to watch you get riled up about your poor little friend Killu." giggled Hisoka and Gon wrenched his wrist free, swinging out a leg at the same time that forced Hisoka to relinquish his grip in order to block. Gon fell backwards and was lucky for his own natural flexibility, pulling himself into a ball and rolling over so his heavy boots took most of the impact and he landed on the dirt below. He pushed off, spraying dust at his heels, and wove around the wreckage of Hisoka's perch, grabbing anything in sight and tossing it full force up high even if the other anticipated each shot and dodged. "It really makes you angry and your eyes just light up with that fire of rage. It's so adorable."

"What is your relationship with Killua, anyway? Why are you even bringing him up?" Gon bit out, ducking when Hisoka took two large boulders that were thrown and flung the projectiles right back at him, eyes blown out and shocked at the speed in which they were thrust. The wind zipped past him and visibly cut his skin with how quick they flew by. Those things were heavy and even Gon struggled to pick them up but Hisoka tossed them with adept ease. This guy is strong. Real strong.

And dangerous, too. Him and Illumi both.

"My relationship with Killua?" queried the mad-man, pointed finger to his lips, "If only I could tell you it was much more. Much more intimate anyway, but little Killu refuses to acknowledge me. And dear Illumi wouldn't allow it, even if I tried."

Gon flared up at the mention of Hisoka being intimate with Killua but he let it slide for the more important matters. At least for now. "You know Illumi?" He rose to his full height, brows canted towards his hair line. "How do you know Killua's brother?"

"Of course I know him. Illumi is my partner." Gon felt the strange, hidden possessiveness in his tone and Hisoka looked disgruntled just saying it, in theory.

"Your partner?"

"We fight together on the same squad, no?" Hisoka laughed at how Gon's cheeks colored at the obscene thoughts racing over all these possibly-perverted ideas choking him in his thoughts; all on the hidden meaning behind being partners. "So we're fighting partners. That's all."

"Oh, okay then."

Hisoka tilted his head to the side, arms crossed, and Gon coughed again at how awkward the silence between them stretched. "You can still leave Killua out of this." He added, after a moment, as a last resort, but Hisoka's grin was obnoxious and Gon glowered under his stare. "I'm serious, Hisoka." A fist rose, bathing in the glow of Gon's golden Nen though he wasn't paying attention to it; his focus entirely on the clown in front of him."Leave Killua out of this. He's not your thing to play with. Killua's a human being, too."

"You can be my thing to play with then, Gon." offered Hisoka once Gon charged forward and smashed his knuckles as hard as he could into the cement perch. Grayish chunks exploded outward around the center of impact, causing Gon to shield himself in surprise at the strength of his own attack and allowing Hisoka the prime opportunity to land right behind him and grasp him roughly by the throat. He was lifted off the ground, hovering by that one powerful hold, and Gon gagged on his own spit and kicked out to nothing. "I could always use a new toy or two and add them to my collection. What do you say?"

Gon couldn't say anything even if he wanted to, let alone tried, as his legs flailed and his nails dragged thick, ugly red lines down Hisoka's milk white skin. He made a few quiet, coughing sputters, but Hisoka's grin grew wider and Gon's eyes watered against the sickening view of his tormentor enjoying this. His leg brushed a hard bulge in plush pants and Gon felt bile rise in his throat, clogged down by the secure fasten of the strong clutching on his neck.

He was steadily losing oxygen and the lack of air to his brain made his thoughts hazy, his mind a mess, and Gon knew he struggles were weakening every second if this kept up. They had already been fighting for nearly twenty minutes and most of Gon's stamina and energy was steadily declining. His battle experience had little to be desired in the face of a foe this powerful and Gon was clearly outmatched - It was obvious to him now. He had to break free, fast, before things got ugly.

"H-H..isss..-sokaa." croaked out Gon, yanking on the hands that held him, "L-le.. let.. g-gooo.."

"Why should I?" Hisoka snickered, squeezing roughly and a thin streak of blood slid from the corner of Gon's mouth and ran down his chin. His free hand rose, flicked up a crimson droplet, and he lapped it up greedily, a low moan issuing from his parted lips in the process. Gon mentally howled in his anguish. "Seeing you struggle like this, begging and pleading, is so pleasurable. Hnnngh, yes Gon." The shiver traveling all the way along his voice could be felt even by Gon. "Yes, yes. Gon, yes. Plead some more. Tell me to let you go again. Tell me."~

Sadistic pervert. Gon grimaced, eyes stinging from his tears. His skin felt clammy, body weightless, and his mind began to float in the lack of oxygen there like a hazy, empty space he was free falling through. His muscles were giving out, arms starting to limp in their warring with his grip, and legs dangled helplessly down below. Am I really going to die here? He wondered, blinking left and right at the cloudy, sad sky up high. It was all gray; gray and hopeless and dreary like a depression sinking in and Gon loathed it. He loathed this depressing sky and this terrible turnout for the worst, knowing he had picked wrong to fight with someone much more experienced then himself.

Fighting a battle he couldn't win.

And yet, Gon couldn't help himself. It thrilled him; his fight with Hisoka this past half hour. They had been moving so quickly, in nothing but a blur, and Gon loved the excitement and all that adrenaline rush of battling with an opponent ten times stronger then himself. His Ten was remarkably strong, Hisoka commented. Several of his punches and kicks were blunt blows to Gon's defense and it set his nerves on fire; aflame with the craving for more of this new ability. An ability he intended to make his own, in due time.

Their duel cut across the plane of Zaban City's desolate streets and Gon had utilized all his quick-steps and brutal throws to hinder Hisoka's movements every bit of the way. Hisoka was happy to admit being impressed when Gon easily slid past each of his carefully constructed attacks, slippery and defiant. Gon did in fact take many hits; however, and there were growing bruises blossoming along his sun-kissed skin, a broken finger or two and three fractured ribs at best. Part of his jacket tore, his shirt had a few rips, and his boots were scuffed with dirt and dried blood crusting like that along the corners of his jaw line to the bridge of his bashed-in nose.

But, throughout the time, Gon still wouldn't regret his actions or their skirmish.

Gon wouldn't declare himself a seasoned fighter, like Killua had implied before. Gon had very little fighting experience when it came to actual hand-to-hand combat and all he could rely upon was his trusted instincts and his natural in-born skill to direct him where he needed to move. Where he needed to swing, to kick, to dodge and jump and just go. Anywhere, if it meant Gon could feel the rush of air whipping against his sweaty cheeks, the breeze rolling across his hot skin, and the blood pumping erratically in his veins.

The quick, insane drum of his rapid pulse felt like a new addiction to Freecs; something he'd willingly fall into, if given the chance.

It was when Hisoka began joking about Killua that things went astray and what enjoyment over decking it out with a stronger foe was replaced by sheer, untamed anger. Anger, for a friend that didn't deserve this unjust treatment. First it had been Illumi and his overzealous reminder that Killua did not have any right to befriend someone. It was the unfair scrutiny that was whipping Killua with harsh words, reprimanded by the foul-mouthed reminders of a life he clearly rejected with all his heart; and it was Gon who wanted to defend that speck of light in his friend with all the power he could muster.

Hearing Hisoka regard Killua as nothing but a tool, a toy to play and rouse out of nothing but spite and personal satisfaction was like the final straw to Gon.

Gon barely remembered now what had happened when he snapped, aside the fact he was calming to the image of a wounded Hisoka; his left flank painted red with his own blood and the psychopath clutching at his side, smirk in place. His hair was tousled, rock and debris tangled up in reddish tresses, and Hisoka looked more worse for wear then Gon did from the start of their onslaught. The white make-up was smeared across his face, showing off lightly toned skin beneath, and even his tear drop and star were smudged along his high cheekbones now; ravaged.

Gon did a number on a worthy combatant and it was only his first time in a fight, no less.

Alas, he did calm quick though because his energy died with his racing heart beat and Gon was left standing there, numb and tired and confused. There was a strong abundance of Nen growing in his right hand; his dominant hand, and he felt the thick waves of pulsing power swirl within it, fester behind his fingertips, and it was then Gon realized he had enhanced his punch to become stronger.

"You're an Enhancer. You enhance things or objects and make them stronger."

It made sense now that Gon quickly inclined to powering up something he imagined himself utilizing a lot to fight. His hands; his fists more likely, were his best asset. He was known for his big hands, his thick calloused palms and bulky wrists and relentless grip. He had a strong quick-step, yes, but his legs were nothing in comparison to his hands; something he used more then anything in his day-to-day life.

It was perfect.

And so, Gon pursued Hisoka back in a more controlled, calculating manner with his new-found ability in tow; feeling nothing but exhilarated at the thought of potentially seeing another blood mark show on the strong man's skin. He fought with only slight reckless abandon, but abandon no less, as he discarded his previous anger to defend Killua; but with a much more level head this time and a new weapon at his disposal.

Gon noticed a little too late he wasn't much for thinking, let alone strategy; and his powered-up punch wasn't all that great, in which it is exactly how he ended up in a choke hold dangling now from Hisoka's hand, neck threatening to snap any second if it lasted an instant longer.

"N-n.. n-n..ooo.." He wheezed, on the last vestiges of his fading breath, eyes squeezed shut as blackness began to creep at the corners of his vision and impatient to fade out. He could see Killua's image there, blurred and muddy and laughing as he jokingly called him an Idiot. It made Gon's heart flutter uncontrollably and he wondered how much of an idiot Killua would be calling him now, knowing he had stupidly walked into encounter he was destined to lose.

And might not make it out alive, either.

"No?" Hisoka perked a brow, licking his lips repeatedly, "No what?" He lowered Gon just enough that the tips of his boots balanced on the ground to hear the whispered breath of Gon's voice better, and it was then that Gon's eyes snapped back open reflexively, the fight inside him bouncing back to life in that split moment.

He pushed down against Hisoka's hands, using his weight to place his feet back on ground level and the leverage was enough for him to spin in place, a hard, tense calf slamming into the side of Hisoka's hip. The older man gasped out in surprise, his squeezing brace loosening enough for Gon to pry free utilizing his own brute strength, and he twisted taking Hisoka with him. The magician flipped over and Gon was throwing out his other free leg to kick, in the crazy tango of limbs flying through the air, when Hisoka somehow, inexplicably caught his ankle and both his wrists in hand and landed with the grace of a ballerina.

Crap. Gon ended up in a weird dangle with only one arm free, eyes wider than saucers as his muscles were all pulled painfully so and he bit back a scream when Hisoka yanked wrong, bending his extremities backwards unjustly far to the point he felt his joints popping and ready to break. Crap, no.

Gon was in an even worse position now then having his neck choked like before.

This is bad.

But, just as Gon's dread fell like a sheet of darkness over his head and pitched him back to the realm of unconsciousness, Hisoka suddenly stopped pulling for no reason. Before Gon felt one of his shoulders dislocate from the strain, he was dropped unceremoniously to the dirt. An angry red, glowing arrow shot overhead behind Gon, out of nowhere, and he landed an inch below its path and missed the hit. As it whirred past, Hisoka leaned chaotically to the side and ducked below its trajectory, only for the arrow to come crashing into a scruffy, enormous Chimera Ant that was launching towards them at that very second.

The burly bear mutated creature burst into flames upon impact and let loose an ear-splitting screech, tossing and turning in a fit of fire that burned fast and burned hard. With the Chimera Ant lit like a bonfire eroding off every inch of fur and skin, another three creatures came stampeding around the blindsided corner; all teeth and claws and froth ready to attack. Gon leaned up, his fists clenched and prepared to do battle, when the turban-wearing man from before jumped down over him and fired two more luminescent arrow-shaped Nen bullets out of thin air.

They landed, straight in the chest of the forefront attackers and they, too, shared the same fate as the previous Ant; burning with an vengeful crimson glow, all-consuming until it ate away every last bit of bone and ash and they vanished alongside the first one. The third dropped to the ground, immobile and dead, lacking a head, as Hisoka licked the bit of slimy blood from the card at hand. He hadn't moved an inch from where Gon remembered him being, his left foot poised in the air while he balanced one-legged again and grinned.

"Looks like the party's started just when it was getting good." Hisoka commented lazily and Gon saw the stiff posture of Pokkle standing over him protectively, fingers fidgeting towards the clown's direction but not quite enough to insinuate his incentive to attack him. "And here I was, hoping we would could have more fun, Gon. I guess until next time, then."

"Wait, Hisoka-" Gon picked up but Pokkle hushed him.

"Get out of here, Hisoka. The Chimera Ants are invading and Satotz requests you on the front lines. I suggest you hurry or you'll miss out on all the action."

Hisoka sniggered behind his playing card and fanned it out, letting it disappear over his flicked wrist and nodded. "Sounds fair then. Wouldn't want to miss out on all the blood-shed, now would I?" He lowered his chin, giving a playfully mocking bow for Gon with a hand held to his sternum. His red-topped head tipped up and Gon shivered at the grin there, sadistic and twisted on a face still showing the effects of their earlier duel and the trouble Gon had caused him there. The pleasure this cruel man showcased was ripe and evidently, the worst of all. "Until next time, my dear Gon-kun."~

The psychopathic Hunter vanished in an over exaggerated twirl, pink Nen swirling and only after a minute of tense, nauseating silence between them, did Pokkle finally relax and turn to ease Gon back to his feet with a proffered hand.

"Are you okay?"

"I am." Gon nodded, glancing at the burnt patches where the Chimera Ant's left behind no remains in. "How did you do that? With your Nen."

"Transmuting technique combined with my Emission abilities." Pokkle blinked, puzzlement etched in his features as to why Gon would be questioning his techniques and not further about Hisoka or the invading Ants. "I added small elemental properties to my Nen arrows so I can have different effects on the targets I hit."

"That's kind of cool." commented Gon, wiping sticky sweat from his brow.

Pokkle did a quick look over of Gon, dark eyes scanning his partly battered form, before he gestured for the teen to follow. He looked well enough to fight, minus the obvious two dangling, broken fingers and patches of blood on his shirt and legs. Gon was standing, upright, and bright-eyed – Enough to put up a good match or two and assist the other members in Pokkle's standpoint. It would have to do. "Come on, let's go join the fight. The Chimera Ants are coming in swarms from all sides and we could use all the help we can get."

"Alright."

Gon followed behind Pokkle, not sparing one glance back at the scene of his battle with Hisoka and not a question on his mind.

To be honest, he was feeling as blank as he's ever been, and he couldn't fathom exactly why that is.

All he knew was that there was another battle to be fought and it wouldn't be with the mysterious magician Hisoka anytime soon for that matter.

Gon wasn't sure he was feeling sad or happy about that, anymore.

"Nice punch Leorio."

Kurapika smirked in a jokingly manner while Leorio's Nen fist flew past its intended target and crashed into the nearby wall instead, being that it was projected from at least ten feet away when he did it for that instance. The space in which his fist teleported into evaporated and the Chimera Ant charged through it, roaring at the top of its lungs. Leorio fumed from his spot, throwing up both hands in the air and waving them dramatically for emphasis, "Oh, come on! I put a lot of effort into doing that shit. Can't I just hit one flipping thing for a change and not miss?!"

Giggling, Kurapika threw his finger out and the lead chain smashed against the Chimera Ant's torso, sending the centipede creature hurtling into the air and landing who-knows-where for all the blonde cared. He found it more amusing to spend his time criticizing Leorio's lack of offensive capabilities then to pay attention to weak-addled mutant animals. "Well, you have to admit that you did try. You almost had it that time. Two more inches over and you would have punched right through that Ant's face then."

"Very funny Kurapika. You're an asshole."

"I'll remember that next time I'm saving your ass. Fellow ass holes have to stick together, don't they?"

Leorio flipped Kurapika off and stomped away towards the crazy fray nearby of other squad members decking it out against Chimera Ants, Kurapika trotting up behind him with a laugh suppressed against the side of his arm and failing to hide its insulting tone. Leorio's face darkened considerably but it eased when he saw his friend's face smiling sideways at him, furrowing his eye brows in an indecisive manner. "Sheesh, Kurapika, when will we ever take these fights seriously?"

"Beats me." Kurapika swung his right arm out without missing a beat or breaking eye contact with Leorio; ridiculously long chain cutting cleanly through a insect-based Chimera Ant's head, it's shrill screech cutting off the ringing in their ears. "The only time we can take these things serious is when the Ants are strong and wield Nen. Hanzo was right; these things are pretty weak in comparison."

Leorio side-stepped out of the path of a stomping rhino and Kurapika, likewise, dealt with the creature and broke both it's legs in one go, rendering it motionless and whining hopelessly on stubs. The medic began playing with the suitcase he carried and straightened out the tie on his suit with a sigh. "Do you think it was a good idea to leave Gon behind with Hisoka back there? I mean, was it the right decision?"

The ambiance in the air was stifling, a thick smog of uncertainty, but Kurapika shrugged it off as nothing more then self-doubt in the face of a war playing out right before their very eyes. The Chimera Ants versus human kind. "I think we have to trust our guts and hope that everything will work out. It was our only shot at insuring him a spot in the squad. If Hisoka wants to keep Gon around, he'll be the only one to convince Satotz to let him stay. Hanzo told us he was already disapproving and rejecting the proposal, but Hanzo insisted and now Satotz wants to meet Gon. But I'm not so sure Gon can win in his favor enough to impress him and stay. That's what worries me the most."

"Satotz has such a stick up his ass about everything. He's so formal and authoritative, it's ridiculous." Leorio rolled his eyes, smacking his suitcase into the face of an oncoming canine Ant and Kurapika swirled his chains around while it was caught off guard and sent it hurling into another incoming onlooker. "Makes me glad we didn't get the strict, snippy guy as the leader, don't you?"

"Yeah. It does make me appreciate Hanzo's aloof, carefree nature a lot more. Especially since he always has a level head when he needs to have one."

"Hisoka's not going to, well, you know, kill Gon, right?" Leorio spoke in a hushed, quiet tone against the back of his hand. They were surrounded by all their allies in the heat of battle, and honestly, he didn't want them eavesdropping on their brilliant plan with their senses on all high alert. Mostly brilliant. "Even if he decides he isn't very interested in him?"

"I don't think so." Kurapika voiced out loud, backpedaling as a large boulder zipped past and Leorio screamed like a girl as he tripped forward in order to avoid it. He was laying spread-eagle on the dirt with Kurapika staring down at him, brow raised. "Leorio, really? Get up, you look ridiculous."

"I've looked worse." he scoffed yet got up regardless to dust the dirt from his dress shirt and trousers.

"True." swinging out his Dousing Chain, the small ball broke through an amphibian Ant's jaw and the creature cried out in anguish, colliding with the ground to cradle it's wounded mouth with a whine. Kurapika and Leorio kept walking, ignorant. "You have looked much worse then you did just now."

"Thanks Kurapika. Thanks. You are so kind."

"Well, I am pretty kind. While you, Leorio, are kindly a jerk."

Leorio rubbed his chin and nodded, "That sounds more appropriate-" but stopped immediately when he heard the jerk part and gasped incredulously, appearing burnt. "-You're evil, Kurapika! How can you be so cruel to me? Aren't we best friends?"

Kurapika simply rolled his eyes and grabbed hold of the medic's briefcase, swinging, and effectively smashing in the face of another oncoming Ant before returning it to a dumbstruck Leorio. "I'm joking, relax." An abrupt pause as mirth shined in gray eyes, then, "If Gon is still with Hisoka, then where did Killua run off to?"

"Maybe he's fighting with the others?" suggested Leorio but the blonde had a strange sense of foreboding in the back of his mind, nagging him otherwise.

"If he was, we would have seen him by now. You know since we've accepted him into our group that he's never strayed too far from us. He would have easily found either you or I by now and would be somewhere close by. But I haven't seen him and the Ants only invaded twenty minutes ago. The battle's only begun."

"Then maybe he'll show up?" Leorio climbed atop a toppled car, the insides damaged beyond repair but the outside frame mostly intact. He sat on the hood as Kurapika stood by the driver's side, facing the onslaught of Hunters fighting against Ants in front of them. They were far enough out of range that nobody seemed to notice them, which was fine. "You know how Killua is. When there's a battle, he's the first to jump into the fray. Whether willing or not, well, he's probably out there fighting. He'll show up."

"I don't know. There's something bugging me since we've docked in Dolle Harbor." murmured Kurapika and Leorio's eyes glinted in concern.

"Like?"

"I'm not sure exactly. But it's like this terrible nagging feeling in the back of my head trying to tell me that something's wrong."

"Is this because of that warning we received earlier about Killua? From Palm?"

"It might be. It feels like there's something missing though."

"Other then kicking easy Chimera butt?"

Kurapika waved his hand in a shushing motion. Leorio just rolled his eyes and didn't budge an inch. "This is way worse then focusing on ridding weak Ants. It's bad."

"That bad?" The bespectacled man frowned, brows knitted together in concern. There was a look of utmost worry on the Kurta's face, like he had just received bad news and the slow drop of shock was falling down upon him heavier then an impacting landslide. His distress was a crushing boulder and the misery enough to suffocate himself on judging by the paleness of his features, the strangled lines etched in his face where Leorio could tell Kurapika tensed the most; stress lines. This was the part of Kurapika he loathed seeing the most, when he was upset and his Scarlet eyes were burning around the edges of his gray retina like a warning sign. Red has always been a dangerous color in their lives, so to see it in his best friend's own aura was wrong. "What do you want to do then? Your call."

"Let's go find him."

Leorio nodded, knowing it'd be best to follow his friend's lead then to argue. When he was in such a state, Leorio would do anything to tear that visage from his friend's appearance; replace it with something much more pleasant and reassuring. Because when he saw that darkening shadow overtaking his companion's character; blacking out the light he found there, Leorio would tear through and rescue him.

He couldn't stand to watch another one fall to the Devil's clutches.

"Okay." He got to his feet, hopped down from the car and tailed behind Kurapika who already started walking off. They passed through a huge throng of Silver Squadronmembers; primarily from the first division, and Leorio waved to a few customary faces of those who found this silly game mere child's play like they did.

There was Satotz's right hand lady, Menchi, and her insane butchering knife skills. She was a Gourmet Hunter; seeking out renowned ingredients all around the world to cook high-end and rare culinary dishes simply for the reason of taste testing these exquisite findings. She was hacking through Ant after Ant like they were only just air for her huge kitchen knives to pass through and Leorio only glanced once (maybe twice) at her large, exposed rack before Kurapika shouted for him to hurry up.

Beside her was her partner Buhara; a mammoth of a man who's body rivaled the size of full-sized bull. He was both solid girth and muscle and he threw aside the mutant creatures as if they weighed nothing but air. Thus, Mench cut threw air and Buhara was tossing weightless, airy things. They made a good team and Leorio regretted ever getting on their bad side because he still had nightmares of Menchi trying to stab him to death.

It was nothing like Palm and her insane knives, however. She wasn't even borderline mental. She was just mental.

Leorio recognized a few more less-than-friendly faces as they trekked through the more busier parts of Zaban City, headed towards Dolle Harbor. Tonpa; that asshole, was wielding two large machine guns and making mince meat of huge, hulking Ants while the three Amori brothers were tag-teaming in their infamous 'three-pronged' attack patterns; flinging limbs and heads every which way with no real courtesy to the other members of their squad who were caught in the cross-fire. Bourbon; the snake charmer, was casually poised on the highest rock face with his flute in hand as countless amounts of snakes coiled and tore apart Ants in mass quantities until they were seizing remnants of themselves on the ground.

Todo; the wrestler, was sizing up even larger opponents and ripping apart the Ants mostly mixed with the biggest species of animals; such as a Fox Bear, rhinos and elephants, and more. Bodoro; an older and polite martial arts gentleman, was effortlessly knocking aside the small and lither of Ants as Ponzu sat back and left her crazy swarms of Nen-enhanced Bees to engulf whoever stepped within a ten foot radius of herself. The corpses that dropped after being stung looked like disheveled, bumpy pieces of chewed meat and Leorio grimaced, refusing to look too long and lose his breakfast for this. The same applied to the ones Geretta; the huntsman, shot down with his blow darts as they convulsed, frothed and had violent, uncontrolled spasms. They were dead before they hit the pavement.

"Where are we going, Kurapika?" He asked, ducking under arm's reach of a swiping claw from a feline-crossed Ant. Kurapika swung out his Dousing chain and it burst through the other end of it's skull, bloody splattering through the air, but did not say a word as he walked. Leorio flicked off a few pieces of mystery guts he did not want to know what part of the anatomy it belonged to. "You're not getting lost are you?"

"I'm not lost. I'm looking for Senritsu."

Leorio brightened at the mention of their music-inclined, harmonized friend. He snapped his fingers the split instant he realized Kurapika's intentions and nodded in understanding. "Oh, I see. You plan to use her sensory abilities to find Killua, right?"

"Right. If there's anyone who can find someone, she will." Kurapika turned a corner and Leorio skipped a few steps to match his pace, walking side by side with his partner. "Knowing her, she's probably still stationed where we last saw her. Which isn't far from here, but still some ways. She's not much for fighting as she is for providing support, so I can't imagine she'd stray from her post to do battle away from a safer zone."

"Pokkle was with her last. He'd protect her."

"Leorio! Kurapika!"

Both men turned and just as said; Pokkle and Gon were running towards them, waving frantically for their attention. Gon looked more worse for wear but he was holding up; deduced by the tears in his clothes, the blood on his knees, the messy unkempt hair and scratchy face. Hisoka did a number on him yet the kid was still standing. Leorio wasn't sure if he wanted to declare that a miracle or not. At least the guy was alive and well after his encounter with the mad magician – That was all that mattered.

"What the hell are you two doing together?!" he exclaimed, louder then necessary. Gon rubbed at the back of his neck sheepishly, chuckling under his uneven breaths.

"Pokkle kind of saved me back there when I was in a bind. We were on our way to come help you guys fight the Chimera Ants."

"What about Senritsu?" Kurapika inquired, raising a brow towards the turban man who sweat dropped like he might have forgot all about that fact. "You didn't just leave her behind to fend for herself, did you?"

"No!" objected Pokkle, warranting calculative stares from the two oldest males, "She told me to go fight elsewhere since there wasn't very many attacking at that moment. That's when I found this guy-" He threw a thumb back in Gon's direction. "-fighting it out with Hisoka just as a bunch of Ants were swarming them from the sides. I figured it would be best to intervene since he is one of our members, right?"

"Right." both Leorio and Kurapika chorused together, like they were on autopilot, and causing Gon to smile at the brisk feeling of belonging there, no matter how little the acceptance was. He knew not many people were informed of his 'hidden' status so he appreciated the fact that, despite the odds, somebody considered him a member of their team regardless.

"What luck we have to be coming across Leorio and Kurapika when we were headed your way already! That saves us a lot of time trying to find you." Gon beamed, his usual cheerfulness back intact and the trio of boys all nodded their heads; sucked in by the giddy atmosphere that Freecs always brought with him. Invigorating and awe-inspiring. "Now we can get straight to fighting right away to help the others."

"Not yet." interjected Kurapika, holding up his palm, "We need to find Killua."

"Killua? Isn't Killua still with his brother?"

Leorio stepped forward, alarm stiffening his features at the mention of Killua's brother. "When did Killua go with his brother?!"

"Back when we first separated from the group." Gon pointed out, uncertain if he should be following Leorio's lead about flying into a panic. He sent him off edge simply thinking about it to start. "He introduced himself as Illumi and he wanted to talk to Killua privately. They left together just as you guys found me to go meet with Hisoka."

"Shit."

Leorio cussed and Kurapika set a hand on the medic's shoulder in a calming gesture that only made the older male cringe. Watching one of his friends looked disturbed and upset made Gon frantic with worry. Did he say something wrong by telling them Killua went with Illumi? Was Illumi really that bad?

"It'll be okay, Leorio. I'm sure Killua can handle it himself. But this just means we need to be even quicker in our search to find him."

Leorio shook his head, frown etched "I can't believe this is happening. I can't believe this is fucking happening.." He walked off, muttering all kinds of things to himself that Gon couldn't quite make out, as the chain-user came to stand in front of him, his smile as fake as Gon has ever seen it.

"Gon, will you go with me to help go find Killua? I have a friend who might be able to assist us."

"Sure."

"I'll take Leorio." said Pokkle, grabbing hold of said man's arm gently and tugging him along against his better protests, "We'll go assist the other members and catch up with you once you find him. Sound fair?"

"Yes, thank you Pokkle. You've been a big help already."

Pokkle waved and a begrudging doctor was forced to follow behind him or be dragged anyways. Gon waved back, standing in place up until they were long out of sight and Kurapika tapped him on the shoulder, hand in a gesture to come. They picked up a light jog and were quickly off without another word.

It was when Kurapika eventually led Gon into a smaller clearing where a tiny, still-intact building sat, that Gon spoke out the thought in his head that had been plaguing him since they separated.

"Is Illumi bad?"

"Bad?" The Kurta slowed to a stop, glancing back at the forest-teen with a brow raised. "What do you mean by bad?"

"Like a bad person."

"I wouldn't really call him that, but then again.. He's not necessarily bad, but neither is he good, I suppose?" Kurapika tried but his face was falling and Gon could tell he was covering up for a lie with that.

"Why was Leorio so upset then when I mentioned it? He seemed really stressed out over it."

"It's because-" started in Kurapika but there was a small, mousy woman running towards them and he paused in his talking to wave enthusiastically over to her. The hard lines in his face from earlier eased and became much softer as she neared and Gon marveled in her ability to calm the surrounding tension with just her demeanor alone. She was a cutesy little thing, a tiny woman with petite buck-teeth protruding, resembling a rodent. A portion of her skull was exposed where she was balding and long, violet straight hair cascaded down her back. Overall, she was a very earthy woman; wearing traditional clothes that reminded Gon of home, and as she approached he swore he heard a faint musical tune in the air, enchanting and elegant like she must be.

"Melody!"

"Kurapika-san." her voice was soft to match like her eyes and Gon was relaxing by his friend's side while he watched the two converse fervently, all smiles and chuckles in context. He waited to speak until the pair turned to him, grinning faintly and ecstatic.

"Senritsu, this is Gon. Gon, this is Senritsu."

Before she could say a word, Gon was talking first. "The pleasure is mine." He bent low, taking her small hand to kiss the back of it in the polite gesture Aunt Mito taught him when being introduced to other women. Senritsu's nose twitched when she giggled. "It's nice to meet you."

"Thank you. You are two kind." She tilted her head to the side, Gon noticing the subtle wiggling of her ears like she was listening to something but the only sound Gon could make out was the rumble and crackle of the others fighting close by. "Is this the boy from Whale Island you told me about, Kurapika?"

"Yeah. This is him. Not bad, huh?"

Gon felt the tips of his ears warm at the compliment and Senritsu reached up to gently pat his arm with a nod. "Not bad at all, actually. You two came just as I was planning to find you."

Kurapika glanced left and right with not a hint of Chimera Ant in sight, then looked down to smirk a little in surprise. "Are you ever going to tell me your secret on how you're such a brilliant fighter that there's no Ants around you whenever we cross paths?"

"Nope." A finger to her lips, a hushing notion that made the blonde roll his eyes; exasperated but amused. "Trade secret."

The two shared a laugh over a knowing joke that Gon didn't catch so he shrugged it off to assess the area. There weren't any apparent corpses of Ants let alone any blood or entrails to follow with a lead, so he was curious about how this Senritsu woman managed to clear away a possible swarm and not leave a trace of evidence in her wake.

These people are really strong.

But, Gon gazed up at the darkening sky above; clouds blanketing a once blue canvas, and frowned as a flash illuminated a part of the angry puffs of gray for a moment while thunder shook in the distance. If they are this strong, then what does that make Killua's brother; Illumi?

He's more intimidating then Hisoka.

"We're looking for Killua, Senritsu." informed Kurapika, vaguely gesturing out his hands for no reason, "Is it possible you can track him for us?"

"It won't be easy with all these Ants around but I am certain I can give it a shot. Give me a minute."

The stocky woman closed her eyes and cupped her ears with the palms of her hands. Gon was fascinated by the resonance of her aura as it spiked, flared a moment, then calmed while she inhaled a big, deep breath and stilled.

There was a terse moment of silence before Gon carefully whispered, close to Kurapika's side while he watched, "What is Senritsu doing?"

"Trying to find Killua's heart beat."

"His heart beat?"

"She can listen to people's heart beats and tell them apart by the differentiating sounds they make."

"Like the melody!" Gon beamed as Kurapika chuckled. "The melody of one's heart beat. Or the song, right?"

"Right."

"Won't it be hard though? What if she can't find Killua?"

"Then he's either gone or we have to seek him out physically."

"I see." Gon stared at his boots and sighed. Please be okay, Killua.

When two minutes spent quietly waiting on Senritsu to find Killua were finally up, she lowered her hands and dark eyes fluttered open, looking pained. A lump dropped in Gon's chest and he frowned, that curtain of dread looming close, and as his lips parted to say something he was interrupted by the sultry, silk voice of Hisoka.

"Killua's not here."

Gon's head snapped up, neck craning to see the magician perched high over head atop the remains of a tree trunk with no branches left. Kurapika didn't hesitate to swing his chain out and a miniature knife-like item appeared, pointed at the end and pointed directly at the sadistic clown as he snarled.

"What did you do with him, Hisoka?"

"Oh, nothing really." Hisoka shrugged a shoulder. Senritsu took a step back, her brow furrowing and Gon wished he hadn't witnessed that flash of apprehension in such a soft face. "Must you always accuse the innocent before they justly stand trial for a crime they didn't commit?"~

"Where is he?" spoke up Gon, taking the forefront of the three's position below. His fists clenched at his side, quelling the earlier rage from his system so it wouldn't bubble to the surface, force him into another fight he shouldn't be having right now. "Where did Killua go?"

"He and Illumi should be far out to sea by now on one of your Squad's boats, headed for Padokia."

No- He can't be gone. Killua can't be-

"You're lying." Kurapika's contacts glowed red around the rims, angry and violent. He pushed past a motionless Gon and brought his finger up to eye level, the chain jingling in the air as it rubbed on itself and the arrow head remained stationary, aimed in the direction of Hisoka's chest. "Tell us the truth, Hisoka-!"

"-He's not lying."

Senritsu shuddered at the three sets of eyes staring at her now, but her expression remained neutral in spite of the situation. "He isn't lying." she repeated, downcast, "Killua isn't here. And neither is that Illumi-person, either. I can't detect them anywhere in Zaban City."

"You're kidding." The Kurta choked out, dropping the conjuration on his chains and his hand fell, lax, to his hip. His jaw tightened, a bit of blood slipping past his lips where he must have bit down, and he swung on Hisoka; fire in his mouth. "Hisoka! You did this didn't you? Just as Palm warned us about. You're the one who did this on purpose!"

"I don't know what you're talking about."~

"Shut up! I know you do! I know you started this-"

"Gon!"

Forced to turn, Senritsu called out to the spiky-haired teenager as he shoved by Kurapika and took off at a dead sprint straight in the direction of the ocean. She was calling out to him, loudly over the ringing in his ears, and Gon didn't even register her or Kurapika's voice telling him to come back as he ran. Not even Hisoka's maniacal laughter in the distance reached him. The only sound he could hear was the sound of his own heart beat, pounding in the same thunder and clap rhythm of the mourning sky above; ruptured by peels of lightning that streaked the sky and cut the lining of the clouds back in a flash of vengeful white.

His boots were crunching over the dirt there, thudding along the surface in fast footfalls the faster he picked up speed, hardly breathing at this point.

Killua.

Fists pumped at the air, arms falling in every step, and Gon frantically made himself go beyond his limits. He was guided strictly on his senses alone; his instincts telling him where to go, by the salty tang of the water and the metallic spice of blood and decay on the dawning shoreline in hindsight.

Killua's gone.

"That's their job. To kill the Ants."

Gon was running past piles and piles of corpses, some of them more human than Gon wanted to admit. There were bones and rubble and dust; ashy skin and sunken eyes chewed away for a vultures next meal. Gon still didn't look.

"They don't save anyone. They don't care."

He took Killua away.

There was destruction wherever you went and Gon leaped, bounded, and jumped over fallen over structures and ruined landscaping; torn apart by the chaos of war. Just like Whale Island. He ran by another fallen Bar sign and would have paused to reminisce over the loss of his Aunt's bar if he wasn't running so swiftly towards the water front, amber eyes trained and focused on his goal and not so much on his panic.

"They just destroy everything, just like the Association ordered them to do!"

Gon stopped at the edge of the ocean shoreline, staring out in the crashing waves of an angry sea. Killua's words replayed over and over in his mind on fast repeat, dizzying his thoughts, but he listened anyway.

"Because, I don't have a choice. This is the lifestyle I was born into, even if I didn't get a choice in the matter. I mean, who wants to have their life planned out for them?"

You're wrong. Gon wanted to say, wanted to scream out against his better judgment. To argue, protest, fight it out with him and make Killua see the truth. But he kept quiet then, quiet like he was now was when Illumi came. Came and took him away again.

"They want me to be a killer. And whatever they want, they always get one way or another."

Gon squeezed his eyes shut, teeth grinding and rose both fists to his chest. Blunt nails dug out tiny droplets of blood that fell into the water by his feet, dissolving in the sand below.

You're wrong.

"I'm not like that." Killua once said, randomly and out of the blue when he and Gon were relaxing on the roof of one of their squad's bases. "I'm not."

"Not like what?" Gon asked, curiosity perked by such unusual words. And it was Killua so of course he was interested.

"I'm not sure." The albino laughed and Gon hated the sad smile there, so out of place and unlike him that it hurt to simply see it on his face, alien and foreign and wrong. "I honestly don't fucking know what I'm talking about sometimes, yah know?"

"I guess."

Both boys went silent for an instant, just immersing themselves in the starry night up above. Once Gon found the ache in his chest dying, he smiled and peeked back over to Killua, chuckling when he probably shouldn't have.

"But, if you ever figure it out, Killua; I want to be the first one to know, okay?"

"Mm?" Killua rose a brow, shrugged, and that smile wasn't there anymore. Now he was normal, like how he should be.

Gon kept on smiling and Killua's cheeks tinted pink. He smiled, too, then; and the smile lit up the sky similar to the moon.

"Whatever you say, Gon."

"Killua!"

Gon's shout echoed across the drum of thunder overhead and he screamed out; voice hoarse to match as he tried with all his might to make his own sound fly out and reach him.

But no sound came back and Gon coughed, throat rugged and scratchy from screaming so hard that he was forced to breath before he ran out of air. He scrubbed at his neck, a sad smile mirrored in his features – The same smile Killua wore when said such uncertain words to him. Such uncouth, unfaithful words; spoken to him in the whispers against cool, icy glass. The words people only tell themselves in mirrors; lonely and scared.

I'll find you, then. He squared his shoulders, wiping away the smile so he could frown and be honest with himself. I promise. Gon didn't want to lie to himself that he was upset by his own actions, that he let Killua go with his brother when clearly he didn't want to. He let Killua slip back into the role he so wantonly tried to escape. And Gon wasn't there when he needed him most; wasn't there to support him. He was stupid and ignorant and naive and-

"Hey, you."

Gon stepped sideways as a large beast-like man approached him from the east. The male was huge; like a giant humanoid rabbit, and the size of his thigh muscles were double what Hisoka had, which were big enough already. There were sharp, pointed feathers running down the length of his arms until they were fully covered in them. He had a thin mustache; long emerald green hair similar to Illumi's, and there was a noticeably large dark patch around his left eye.

Gon retreated back as the man drew closer, sporting a vicious grin on his face. Even though the beast was dressed in raunchy clothes far worse then even Hisoka's (a tiny thong that offered minimal coverage and a lacking crop top exposing every inch of his flesh spoke volumes), it was his outrageous violet-coated Nen that set off the alarm bells in Gon's head.

"Stay away from the Ants that know Nen. They're so strong they can wipe out hundreds of Hunters just by themselves."

"Who are you?"

"Doesn't matter." The creature licked his lips, a wild look in his eyes, and Gon swallowed down his fear in replacement of his courage. He would not stand down, not this time. Since this thing towered over his meager height; it leaned down to his level and grinned, tongue running along the bony fangs there with a low, diabolical cackle of his own. "Because, I'm going to eat you little boy. So say your prayers, because I'm going to take my sweet time devouring every inch of your tasty flesh alright."

"Every. Single. Fucking. Inch. Of. You."

The rabbit-monster lunged forward and Gon; against his greater will, just stood there as it flew towards him in slow motion – Claws and teeth and fire aiming in his direction with all intent to kill.

Gon didn't move; however, because he was stuck.

Stuck both physically and by his thoughts, combined.

Where was Killua when you really needed him?

Oh, right. He was gone.

Gon laughed, or at least, thought he did, as a spray of feathers came soaring across his vision and everything went red from there.

Damn.