Chapter 19

Promise

Seated inside the flying blimp, Nozomi traced her tattoos on the back of her hand as she thought.

"How on Earth did he follow us? And why didn't I notice him? Is there anyone else following us?"

Slowly, she raised her head up to see the magician seated across from her. Her irritation and disappointment in herself rose rapidly. Beside her, Pakunoda was glaring at Hisoka, probably still irritated that the magician still followed them after all the drama at the hideout. While Killua and Gon were seated at the end of the blimp, staring at their female friend.

She could feel their gazes burning through her, but she did her best to ignore it by remembering Kurapika's chain wrapped around her heart.

"You must leave the Ryodan permanently and never tell anyone about this conversation." The girl recalled.

Defying her thoughts, her mouth opened and she heard her voice slip past her lips, "Hisoka, can you do me a favor?"

"Killua, Gon, are you okay?" Leorio asked the two thirteen year olds who had just returned to their side.

Gon nodded, "Yeah, we're fine but..."

He followed Killua's gaze to see Nozomi standing at the opposite side with her father. Meanwhile, Hisoka silently returned to the blimp to join Pakunoda.

With the thirteen year old girl...

"Father," Nozomi spoke, shaking off her jacket and handing it to the older man. "Here..."

Chrollo gazed down at the ebony jacket in her hands and a faint smile appeared on his lips. He took the jacket out of his daughter's grip carefully, as if the jacket was made of glass. As the jacket slipped out of her grasp, her hands fell back down to her sides. However, she felt a hand grip onto her left wrist once the jacket was out of her hands.

Confused, Nozomi sent her father a questioning look. He merely retained his smile as his fingers fiddled with the locket hanging from her bracelet.

"Remember that song I used to play for you when you were young and you were having trouble falling asleep?"

She lightly bobbed her head, a smile threatened to break out on her emotionless face.

"Don't forget it."

"Huh?" Was her only response, but her father said nothing and without turning back, he entered the blimp.

"What does he mean?"

Her thoughts were cut off when she heard light, fast footsteps approaching. As she turned around to the sound, she felt all the air being forced out of her lungs and her body began to fall back.

"Ah! Nozomi, are you okay?"

Nozomi's eyes flicked open to see Gon's face hovering a few inches above hers. A wide grin spread across his face before he was pulled up by his collar.

"Killua!?" Gon squeaked

"Oi Gon, what are you doing to her?" The silver hair boy demanded, he did his best to hide his anger but a bit of his emotions was laced in his tone.

The two boys argued back and forth. Gon who was defending himself and Killua who was accusing him for lying. Meanwhile, Nozomi had already got back onto her feet and watched the exchange between the two. A soft giggle escaped from her, causing the two boys to stop and look at her.

"Anyway let's go, Kurapika and the others are waiting for us!" Gon happily exclaimed and started to walk back to the others, waving for the other two to follow.

With a warm smile adorn on her face, Nozomi started to follow Gon with Killua trailing behind her.

While they walked, Nozomi could have sworn that the boy behind her had stopped walking. Not wanting to leave him behind, she turned her head back only to come in contact with a hand pressing up against her forehead.

"Killua?"

The warmth of his hand shifted up to and he moved her bangs away. Nozomi felt her face heat up as she felt Killua's thumb rub the spot where her tattoo used to be.

"Its gone?"

"I asked Hisoka to take it off."

Killua sighed in relief and he cupped the girl's face with his hands. Pressing his forehead against hers and staring into her bright amber eyes with his blue ones.

"Promise me that you won't leave to join someone else, got it." He demanded, his voice was low enough for only her to hear.

Nozomi placed her hands on top of his, "I promise."

The two thirteen year olds held their gazes for who knows how long, but finally snapped into their senses when they heard Gon calling for them. The two instantly jumped apart and glanced one another, causing a blush to explode on their faces. Nozomi shyly chuckled with Killua turned his head away to pout.

Gon's voice caught their ears once again and Killua called back in response before breaking out into a sprint.

"I promise Killua, I won't ever leave you guys... Ever."

This should be the last chapter that Nozomi is connected with the Ryodan.

Well, I you all enjoyed this chapter and please review. :)