Unexpected developments

A/N: *awkward laugh* ahhaha :/ …another early update. You guys have tapped into my weakness and got me all excited to write and update earlier than usual. Your reviews are so encouraging and I would just like to give you all a big hug for all the favs, follows and reviews. An extra special thank you goes out to the reviewers of chapter three who were the driving force for this early update: xXIvana BraginskiXx, Kumazuma, kanakoyuki, Kee-Rect & Thehisokalover.

And I'd like to say to Kumazuma & kanakoyuki (without trying to give you guys spoilers) that your requests to see poor Gon suffer some more was the driving force for this chapter and the next – especially the next lol.

I must admit...this chapter was fun to write XD

Disclaimer: Yoshihiro Togashi's the man behind the creation of Hunter x Hunter, not me…last time I checked, I am a woman lol

Re-Edit Warnings: 1) slightly explicit description of a dead boar being butchered.

2) oh this other warning is not for you…but for Gon – he should have listened to Hisoka

Chapter Four: No Escape (An Unexpected Traveling Companion)

The way Hisoka said this with such finality made Gon turn his full attention upon him, his recalcitrant eyes meeting shrewd, focused ones.

In the serenity of the forest, it felt as if time had stood still as Hisoka looked down at the stubborn young man, his golden eyes now glinting with the coldness of steel."You're not going anywhere," he repeated in an even more serious tone.

Gon could not believe what he was hearing and he felt the ire in him rising. His fists clenched at his sides.

"I am leaving," he said through gritted teeth.

"No."

This shouldn't even be a discussion… Gon thought, growing tired of the exchange. "You cannot say what I can or cannot do." He turned to leave, signaling the end of the conversation.

"Oh, but I can…~" came Hisoka's voice, sounding too close for comfort. It was obvious that he did not need to release his ominous aura for Gon to realize that he was way out of his league and thrown into an impossible situation.

Gon froze mid step, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling.

Ah...

A few menacing steps had brought the man close enough to put a seemingly non-threatening hand on his shoulder, but to Gon, the action itself felt like a two tonne weight and there was little that he could do to resist being turned around.

Hisoka looked down into those fiery hazel eyes that seemed to constantly burn with defiance. He was close enough that the other could feel his body heat and the promised result of disobedience – close enough to grasp the younger man's chin in a strong grip.

Gon's face reddened as he became aware of their proximity. Despite the coolness of mid-afternoon, he felt hot all of a sudden. Hisoka's face descended to his, those mocking lips temptingly close.

Just a little more and…

Hisoka stopped.

Releasing his chin, he straightened to his full height.

Feeling the loss of contact, Gon opened his eyes, confused.

Wait…when did I close my eyes?

Why do I keep doing that?

What am I expecting?

He frowned, unsure as to whether he'd like the answer to those questions.

Hisoka's back was to him. "You cannot leave~"

Urrgh…this again.

The man started walking back towards the creek as if everything was decided. "It's late...~"

"Whose fault is that?" Gon quipped but then blushed when Hisoka turned to look at him. He did not want to think about what was being done to him during the time he'd inadvertently lost.

He cleared his throat, but said nothing.

"…and if it's already this late," Hisoka continued as if Gon hadn't spoken. "We'd need to make camp before dark, not to mention get something to eat~"

"We?" Gon asked, not believing his ears.

"Yes…this is the perfect spot to camp out for the night~"

"But I found this spot first, why do I have to share it with him?" Gon grumbled moodily.

"What was that? ~"

"Nothing…"

"Hmmm…~"

Those eyes were on him again, taking in his appearance and Gon shifted, uncomfortable under the intense gaze.

"You need a bath~" the magician said matter-of-factly.

"Huh?!" Gon was ready to argue until he looked down at himself. He was aware that his clothes had already been dirty from being thrown around while they'd fought, which was to be expected, but he was surprised that there was also sweat and traces of… he blushed.

Ok... Anyway...

Gon decided that he did in fact need a bath.

But not while that man is watching, he fumed to himself, looking up and expecting those greedy eyes to be on him leering.

He mentally prepared himself for the worst.

What Gon saw instead was that the magician was already quite some distance away, walking off as if completely uninterested.

What game is he playing? Gon thought as he watched Hisoka disappear into the trees.

He was conflicted and caught himself feeling a bit disappointed that Hisoka was ignoring him but brushed away the thought, focusing on getting out of his clothes and into the creek.

xxx

It was no surprise that the water was warm. The day had been hot enough to fry Spider Eagle eggs on the streets of York Shin and although the late afternoon was much cooler, it was windy enough that his clothes (that hung on the tree branch nearby) were almost dry. Instead of waiting for them to dry completely (and risk being unclothed while Hisoka was somewhere close), he had changed into his spare vest and shorts.

In the time that he was alone, Gon was briefly tempted to try running away again, but he was deeply disturbed by the fact that Hisoka seemed capable of sensing whenever he attempted to do so so he did not try.

Continuing to scrape angrily across the length of the fish he had caught after taking his bath, Gon's senses suddenly alerted him to Hisoka's return and he froze momentarily as the man came up to him.

Expecting to be on the receiving end of some snarky or sexually-charged remark, Gon focused even more on his task, pretending not to notice and preparing for the backlash.

To say that he was surprised when a dead boar was dropped at his feet would have been an understatement.

What the—!

Quickly, Gon schooled his features into one of indifference as he looked up into glittering yellow eyes. There was no way he was going to give Hisoka the satisfaction of knowing that he had unsettled him.

"I brought dinner~" Hisoka said calmly as if he'd just bought them a take-out meal from a restaurant instead of a boar hog.

Ah…so that's what he was doing all this time… Gon thought, then turned away stubbornly. Not that I care.

Hisoka gestured to the gutted fish laid out in front of him on the grass. "I figured that you're probably sick of eating fish so this could be a nice change for tonight~"

Taken aback, Gon did not know what to say. Did he actually just do something nice? For me? Maybe Hisoka wasn't so bad after all; this was surely a sign of thoughtfulness.

No sooner had Gon decided that did a wicked smile curve Hisoka's lips upward. "But you'll be the one cleaning and cooking it though~"

Gon clutched the small boning knife he was using to clean the fish tighter.

Screw that.

This bastard needs to die.

xxx

In the end, Gon didn't kill him. Instead, he switched to his hunting knife and took out his rage on the poor dead boar – as if it had not already suffered enough at Hisoka's hands.

After discourteously dropping off his kill for the young man to deal with, Hisoka had not left, but simply stood there, watching as Gon went to work on it and not even offering to help.

Maybe the real reason he had caught the animal was not to give Gon a variety in his diet as he'd claimed, but just to see him skin and butcher it.

"You're really good at this stuff~" Hisoka commented idly, watching aptly as Gon's nimble fingers gripped and pulled at the hide, while his other hand moved to quickly guide the razor sharp blade in precise touch cuts between the flesh and skin – separating them without accidentally slicing into one or the other.

Gon did not respond, but continued to focus on flaying the boar.

Hisoka grinned when Gon lifted the now cleanly separated hide as if it were a vest and started cutting through the thick neck muscles with short, rapid strokes. His eyes brightened at the sight of the clean, smooth, pink flesh. "Mmmm you have me thinking of sausages~"

"And you have me thinking of homicide," Gon replied, finally making eye contact with him as he broke the animal's neck, twisting it to completely remove the head from the body.

There was the sickening crunch of bones breaking and Hisoka shuddered in glee, looking from Gon's bloody hands to the three-inch carbon steel knife that easily embedded itself deeply into flesh once more as the young man broke their eye contact to focus on removing the backstrap. "You just know how to turn me on Gon-kun~"

Gon frowned, running the tip of the blade down the back, following the gentle curve of the backbone, guiding it to complete the outside cut and peeling away the meat from the back plate. "Turn you on?" he huffed. "Believe me...I'm not trying."

"That's what makes it so special~" Hisoka said in a strained, throaty whisper. "You excite me without any effort...every time~"

"..." To Gon's ears, Hisoka sounded as if he was about to have an orgasm from watching him butcher a boar. Of all the sick fetishes...

Hisoka started chuckling darkly when Gon gripped the skinned front quarters, pulling with one hand and using small cuts to separate the joint. Doesn't he ever shut up?

Trying to pretend as if Hisoka wasn't standing right behind him and looking over his shoulder, Gon focused even more on his task, quickly cutting through to the thigh bone in order to remove the rear quarters. When he was done, he carefully piled the meat on top of the previously removed hide.

"Mmmm...you're totally in your element aren't you? ~"

"I've done this lots of times back home so it's second nature," Gon muttered absently, turning over the carcass to access the other leg.

"Oh...so now I have my very own country boy~" Hisoka hummed in his dulcet tone. "Sweet~"

Gon froze, sparing him with an indignant glare and bristling. "What the hell? This is not some video game where you happened to acquire me after completing some stupid side quest you know," he hissed."I'm not yours you bastard."

"Of course this isn't a video game~" Hisoka agreed lightheartedly with a friendly smile. But then that smile morphed into an ominous laugh that bubbled from his lips and Gon cringed internally.

Slanted eyes slid open to reveal a shrewd, yellow stare that pinned the younger man before him. "Video games are fiction and this is much more than fiction my dear Gon-kun...this is going to be your reality now, so I suggest that you get used to it~"

"I don't have to do anything," Gon grumbled stubbornly, looking away from Hisoka's glittering yellow eyes and ignoring the way his heart had started pounding at that dark promise.

"Say whatever you like," Hisoka replied with finality, casually walking a little distance away from him. Now that the boar hog show was over, he had no reason to linger and it was time to start working on the fire for their dinner.

Poking the kindling wood, Hisoka sighed happily, reflecting on the hazel eyes that had been looking directly into his as Gon's bloody hands twisted off the hog's head. Mmmmm if that scene had a bit more gore, I'd have given it a 9/10.

He paused.

Or maybe if...

His lips spread into a wry smile and for a moment he imagined Gon rubbing those same bloody hands all over his tanned face and then smiling up at him while the decapitated boar lay at his feet.

And of course those hands would trail slowly downward, leaving beautiful crimson trails across skin the color of caramel...until they proceed to stroke his—(scene excluded due to it being Hisoka's disgusting fantasy).

Ooooh~ He bit his lip. I was wrong... Any scene with Gon in it deserves a 10/10~

The wind howled through the trees and Hisoka smirked evilly as another thought hit him and the fire quickly got going, popping and crackling in front of him.

Maybe all this meat in our campsite would attract some vicious animals and then things would really get interesting tonight~

I can't wait~

Hisoka sniggered, unable to control his anticipation.

Today is turning out to be a perfect day~

"..." Gon watched Hisoka smiling and cackling to himself, the light from the fire lending a sinister quality to his crude facial expression. He turned away from the sight, not even daring to ponder what could possibly be so funny to the man.

This sucks, he thought moodily, poking at the meat in front of him. The way Hisoka kept talking about keeping him made it seem as if they would not be separating any time soon.

If ever.

Gon shuddered, dreading the thought.

He wouldn't keep me...forever...right?

Oh gods.

Today is turning out to be the worst day.

XXX

After dinner, there wasn't much to do and not wanting to risk the possibility of having to sit around the fire exchanging stories with a murderous magician, Gon had quickly retreated to his sleeping bag.

Lying on his back looking up at the stars, Gon couldn't help but think about how beautiful the night was. Although it had been the worst day, the sky was awe-inspiring in its magnificence, taking on the appearance of a blanket of stars to stretch as far as one's eyes could see. It was amazing how incredibly fascinating the infinite could be. And it was in times like these that he missed Killua. Missed their time together on Whale Island – and even Greed Island – where they had often slept beneath this blanket of stars.

He sighed.

What was Killua doing right now? Was he well? Last he'd spoken to Biske, (who'd met Killua while he was adventuring with Alluka) he seemed to be doing great.

Gon tried not to feel discouraged by the fact that his friend was doing 'great' without him.

It had already been almost a year since they'd parted ways at the World Tree but they had promised each other that they would meet again, which was why Gon was on his current journey.

After hardly receiving responses to any of his calls and text messages, he'd finally received a vague message indicating that his friend would be in York Shin City on a job. At that time, Killua had not given any details on where in York Shin they were to meet, but Gon had headed out almost immediately.

Knowing Killua as well as he did, it was easy to figure that his friend would be aware of the moment he arrived in town and would set up a meeting. That is, considering that the other teen was already there. And Gon was sure that he was.

Hopefully the last two days of this journey to get to York Shin City would go by quickly and without much more distractions.

Distractions...

Gon groaned at the memory.

It was ill-fated enough that he had found himself stuck with an unexpected traveling companion.

The thought that he could have been much further on his own (especially if he had taken an Airship) was disconcerting to say the least, but Gon decided not to dwell on it. What had happened in the past is just that – the past and he'd gain nothing by worrying over it.

At present, being stuck with a murderer and no foreseeable route for escape was a much bigger problem, but one that would have to wait until he was rested enough to deliberate on. He shifted uncomfortably. What was important now was falling asleep so that he would have the energy to travel hard tomorrow.

XXX

It was getting late and still sleep refused to come. Too many things were on his mind. Restlessly, Gon shifted and turned on his side. He instantly regretted this action as his new position allowed him to see Hisoka who sat on a log (presumably from the tree they'd destroyed earlier that day) across from the fire looking bored.

He sat shuffling his cards and as they made eye contact his lips stretched into a smile and his eyes became mere slits.

Gon was having none of whatever it was Hisoka was hinting at and promptly turned to lie on his other side, wincing a bit as his injury protested at the sudden movement. He preferred to look at the creepy woods rather than the creepy magician. Hisoka didn't get the point though.

"Up for a game of cards? ~" came the voice behind him.

"No thanks."

"But you're not sleeping~"

"I would be if you stop talking."

"Boohoo you're no fun~"

"I think you've had enough fun with me for the day," Gon replied heatedly but regretted those words immediately as he realized what it sounded like he was referring to. Shit…

"Oh did I? ~" Hisoka asked smoothly, silent for a moment. "Believe me, that's not even close to how much fun I could show you,"—he paused—"or should I say would show you…~" He chuckled as if caught in his own private joke.

Gon felt dread darker than the night closing in around him. His heart beat faster. His face felt hot. He expected that Hisoka would come over at any minute and make good on his lewd promise.

What would happen then? Would the bastard kiss him like he did today? Would he grab his chin and look into his eyes and force him not to look away?

Gon attuned his ears to the sounds around him and waited. Yet he did not hear the shuffling of clothing to indicate movement and he'd be damned if he was to turn around again to see what the other was doing.

Please don't come over. Please don't come over. Please don't come over. Please don't come over...

Gon repeated this like a mantra as he burrowed deeper into his sleeping bag.

Minutes ticked by and he was constantly on alert because he knew how unpredictable Hisoka could be.

Surprisingly, the night passed without any such event taking place…but unfortunately for Gon, that also meant that it was a sleepless night.

XXX

"Wow…you look a mess~" Hisoka said, getting a little too close for comfort as he inspected the younger man's tired visage. The shadows under those heavy-lidded hazel eyes were clear indicators that it hadn't been a restful night.

Gon scowled up at the reason for his distress – the man who currently looked as if he'd slept on an angel's wings. How the heck did he look so rested?

Hisoka was talking about something but Gon wasn't listening, already tired of hearing his voice. To Gon, although the other had only just started conversing with him, it felt as if he hadn't stopped talking since daybreak.

To Gon's tired brain, dealing with Hisoka in general reminded of his current predicament and his patience was running thin.

"Did you have a restless night? ~"

There it was…that voice again.

Gon considered not responding but decided against it. He figured that a talking Hisoka was better than an angry or worse yet…excited one.

"What do you think?"

He couldn't help but be moody though.

Hisoka didn't seem to mind. "That's why I told you that a card game would have been appropriate~"

"Like you know what's appropriate…" Gon grumbled.

"You said something? ~"

"I was just thinking that cards are kind of boring," Gon lied quickly.

The magician grinned, unfazed. "Maybe it's because you can't play~"

Gon bristled at the taunt, his patience already in short supply. "I'll have you know that…"

"Yes? ~" Hisoka encouraged expectantly.

"Th-that…uh…"

"Mmmm I'm waiting~"

"Uh...nothing."

"And here I was looking forward to your response~"

"Do you ever shut up?"

"Hmmmm…~" Hisoka looked as if he was thinking seriously on an answer to give him.

"I don't want an answer!"

"Well, I was going to give you a few ways to shut me up right now…~" Hisoka said, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Arrrgh I said I didn't want an answer…and that goes for suggestions as well!"

"But when a person asks a question it's good to respond…~"

Gon made an exasperated sound, walking away from the man. It felt as if they were going around in circles. Was Hisoka doing this intentionally just to get him angry? Maybe making him lose sleep the night before was part of his plan too.

He growled, upset that Hisoka thought that he could manipulate him. He calmed himself though, remembering that anger and rash decisions won't get him out of his situation.

I need to relax.

This will be over soon.

XXX

NB: An hour later~

Gon crouched low at the water's edge, looking out over the creek and engaged in his thoughts.

Two more days.

Two more days of this man and his machinations. Two more days of uncertainty. He lowered his head to the water's surface again. The water was like ice and it bit into his skin as he splashed his face after breakfast. It suited his needs though because the coldness helped to rid him of that sluggish feeling that had plagued him since he'd gotten out of his sleeping bag that morning.

Dressed and ready for the next leg of their journey, he looked in Hisoka's direction to see that the man was also ready to go, having already put out their campfire by sufficiently burying it and the remnants of their meal so as to disguise their presence.

Although Gon appeared to be studying what Hisoka was doing, the truth was that that was far from the case. His mind was busy with all sorts of thoughts and he didn't even pay much attention to the other when he came up to him and they started walking again.

A few hours of trudging along together and Gon was still unusually quiet, thinking over all of his earlier assumptions.

Why did Hisoka make sure that I lost so much sleep last night?

Why does he continue to frustrate me?

Gon's eyes narrowed as he looked down at his dirty boots while he walked.

Apparently the other had felt that him being at his best that day, fully rested and in a good mood did not fit in with his plans.

It was like Hisoka wanted to keep him handicapped.

Maybe he is worried that I'd try to escape?

He chanced a glance in Hisoka's direction.

Maybe that's why I should try to escape...escape and show him that he cannot control me in whatever stupid game it is that he's playing...

XXX

Maybe I shouldn't have tried to escape, Gon thought as he crouched low in the bushes. His heart was beating so fast and the blood was rushing in his ears, making it difficult to formulate a plan to get out of his predicament. In his current Nen-less state, Gon was already at a disadvantage and Hisoka, being as strong as he was, was not an opponent to play with.

I should have learned that lesson after what happened yesterday.

He looked up at the sky. The sun was clearly visible from his current hiding place. This was not a good sign because it meant that the trees were thinning out. There was nowhere left to hide; the terrain was working against him. He should have realized that sooner. Should have known that this would work against him in his escape plan.

After all, it was clearly outlined on the map: a forest first, then a desert. Naturally between the two, there would be a thinning of trees. Gon groaned, slapping his forehead. He felt like a student who had still failed the test despite having been given all the answers.

And what made him feel worse was that having grown up on Whale Island and roamed the forest countless times, this place should have been like a second home.

Instead it had become his prison.

Clearly, there was someone else who was better at hunting than he was…and that person was currently hunting him.

He groaned again, the sound even more pained than before. I thought that today would have been my lucky day…

The day I escaped.

Sighing, Gon looked absently down at the mud that had started to crust and flake off of his green boots.

Some shitty day this has turned out to be.

The sun was high but it was not nearly as hot, humid and sticky as it was the day before. Better yet, it was windy – good for his nose. All of those things were good signs and Gon had factored them into his plan. Nevertheless, he should have known that it was foolish to run, foolish to think that today was his lucky day…especially after previously establishing that the gods were punishing him for his rash nature.

And here I am being rash again. Do I like being in these kinds of situations or something?

It was too late for regret, too late to wish that he had done things differently.

Why is it that common sense and reasoning come after I go ahead and do something foolish?

Suddenly everything went quiet, still and the tension thrummed his nerves.

Gon recognized the signs.

Shit.

He's close.

Sniffing the air, he picked up on nothing untoward. All he could do now was wait...and pray not to be found.

Feeling humiliated, like a wild animal just waiting to get caught, Gon crouched lower in the bushes, hugging his knees to his chest as if trying to make himself smaller...invisible.

"This is no use at all…" he whispered as he peered out of the bushes once more.

"I agree…it really is no use at all~" An unfortunately familiar voice behind him affirmed.

Re-edit Note: poor boar and wow...Hisoka wanted wild animals to attack their camp ;p I wonder what Gon would have thought if he knew that Hisoka was fantasizing about him covered in blood and...doing "stuff" =.=

Perfect day for Hisoka, worst day for Gon…

A/N: Ah Gon, when will you ever learn =.= Now he's about to learn the price of disobedience...

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