Re-edit: Chapters 20 -26 were chapters 20 - 23 now cut in half to make them easier to read.

A/N:

Here's a weekend gift for all ~ (Thanks to Imkillinit for checking up on me - your excitement for this story is contagious)

I'm just going to post this update 'cause I'm driving myself crazy continuously nitpicking over it.

Announcements: For this chapter, check out the Character Data (in my other stories) for information on the new characters that will appear. (Plus I wrote two other HisoGon stories during my absence).

A message to my readers: Thank you everyone for your support and patience during this long wait! These past two months have been beyond crazy at work to the point that I had lost my frame of mind to write :'/ But thank goodness that when I had first started writing this story I did some pretty long, detailed drafts in preparation for an event like this so those helped to get me back on the right track. Plus your reviews and messages…you may think that they are naught but a few lines...but every time I felt like dropping the story because it was not good enough I would see a review and it would bring tears to my eyes just knowing that you all don't intend to give up on this. You guys are the best, thanks for your support it means so much and has done so much in motivating me to become a better writer. This story is here because of you all. Here is a heartfelt thank you ;w;

Guest Reviews (From most to least recent):

Airay: Hola muchas gracias por su reseña XD Estoy muy contenta despues de leerlo. Puedo prometer a usted que habra la version de sexo de Hisoka cual es muy difícil por Gon...pero después de todo lo que habia visto con Hisoka, no será muy, muy duro (lol siento mucho mi espanol es horrible pero despues de escribir este párrafo, me recorde que yo podria haber escrito a usted en Inglés porque usted puede entender Ingles =.=)

Neimoru: yes, Hisoka is too much for poor Gon ;p

Nagito: I've never watched Corpse Party but I'm curious about it now. I think I'll take a look at it, thank you so much for your words! You are so hilarious, don't jump, I want you to live for the this update XD

SCHWING: Oh my you're so cute! Thanks for the reminder, I'm glad that you like this story, your review made me laugh and definitely put some speed in my typing ;p

Guest: Welcome to ffnet and I'll definitely write more so you'll find out what happens! It gets sort of dark though.

Whales: Thanks! Ok I won't edit out the NR version of what Hisoka will do to Gon. I'm currently writing it actually. Thanks for the motivation XD

Greyjoy: Alluka is damn fine for sure!

Katalina: You're making me blush so hard. Wow, thanks x infinity! I wish you the best of luck with your writing!

Guest: I'm glad that I made your day. These are the things that make me so happy, knowing that I can make you guys happy! Ha and when you laughed sinisterly at Hisoka's reaction to Gon at the end, so did I ;p

LovelyNightmare: Awww I'd love to say that I hope I've made you happy with this update but it's quite angsty! Thank you so very much for your words! Here's a big hug - I promise I'll update again soon!

Chapter Summary: Killua has long waited to see if his plan to get Gon away from Hisoka had worked but he is surprised to learn that his plan did not work out as he'd hoped...

Chapter Dictionary:

Kon'nichiwa: Hello

Italicized text: Thoughts

Ne: (At the beginning of a sentence, as a slang word, means 'hey' / 'say')

Ojīsan: literally translates as 'grandpa' but can be used sometimes to refer to an elderly man (not always though as some people don't like it).

Ano: Uh / Um

The Bar: Name of the bar where Illumi and Hisoka usually meets whenever they are in YorkShin. Yes…between this and D' Pastry Shoppe (where Laura works) I'm really creative with naming things…

[[phone call]]

[[Sound]]

*sinister whisper*

Disclaimers: All characters belong to Yoshihiro Togashi. I do not claim ownership of any of the characters mentioned (yes, I've finally standardized my disclaimer).

Warning: None, you need only be wary of content that may describe thirsty fangirls, serial killers at their day jobs and lots of bromance. Thus there is just a little sexual frustration, violence, cursing and maybe some feels…

+No fangirls or Ojīsans were hurt (other than psychologically) in the making of this chapter...

Okay, well let's get this party started!

Chapter Twenty-five: The Ultimate Sacrifice

N.B.: Day 12 continues…

Sharp eyes focused on the dart board ahead, rapidly calculating the trajectory of his next move. Although he appeared to be deeply engrossed in his current pastime, his attention was not completely devoted to it. On the contrary, what held his attention was at the far corner of the room radiating a starkly cold, decidedly dark aura so apart from its otherworldly beauty.

The beautiful, jeweled handle glinted in the darkened room as if it didn't need light to reflect on it but rather had its own. Of all his possessions, this was his most prized; a magnificently ornate antique sword. It was most captivating and occasionally his ebony gaze strayed over the dazzling length of its grip – the only thing visible above the scabbard resting against the wall.

*I'm hungry*.

That voice. It had started calling out to him as it usually did.

It was like this every day now, that constant cry for a sacrifice, but he had to be careful. The police were already closing in with their investigations and the last life he took had almost made him get caught.

In the midst of his thoughts, there was the soft sound of his office door being opened and his eyes darted away from the source of the persuasive voice that only he could hear.

Reclining further in the executive chair, he tried to pay attention to the Head of Operations at his Azian branch office.

[[—but Hashira-san what I'm trying to say is that those are really unreasonable odds, I don't think I can do that, considering all the issues we are currently experiencing.]]

"Well if you did not take so long in gathe—"

"Kon'nichiwa Mr. Hashira..."

He hated to be interrupted.

"Mr. Ha…"

His hand tightened around the handset he held to his left ear.

"…in gathering the information for this project, you would have been done by now and able to delegate the necessary resources to handle your little 'issues'."

He threw the dart.

[[Thwack]]

Perfect shot.

[[But I can't, we're short staffed and the other departments are on strike. I don't have the manpower to submit anything; you know that.]]

"Just make sure you have the reports in by tomorrow."

"Mr. Hashira, can I leave these here?"

He frowned. Dawn. This woman had to be either stupid or brave (and stupid) to be interrupting him while he was obviously preoccupied.

[[Thwack]]

[[Tomorrow? Can't I have another week? If you insist on such an impossible time frame I may have to do them all myself!]]

"I don't care how you do it."

[[Thwack]]

[[That's going to take a miracle!]]

"Make it happen."

"Mr. Hashira?"

[[I can't…I just can't…it's too much to ask I—]]

"If you insist on being unable to do your job, I might be forced to fly over to the Azian Continent right now and believe me, I'm not in the mood for a friendly chat," Arashi said darkly.

[[I-I ah Hashira-san…I can't promise anything but maybe I can try…]]

His administrative secretary's voice in the background and the Operations Manager's ineffectiveness in getting that branch's monthly report to him were really beginning to trip him off. And he was never one to be known for his patience.

"What the hell did I just say?!" He roared into the phone's transmitter, sitting up suddenly and banging his fist on the mahogany desk. It shook with the force of the blow and one of his pens rolled to the edge and fell off. "Don't try! Get. It. Done! I don't want to hear your blubbering, just do it and have it on my desk by tomorrow!"

[[I—]]

[[SLAM]]

The sound of the handset crashing into its switch hook echoed loudly like a clap of thunder and for a moment everything was quiet.

He eyed the telephone on his desk with derision, one corner of his lips turned down in barely concealed rage. I'm surrounded by such incompetence. Is it so hard to—

"Mr. Hashira, here you go, your pen dropped—"

Speaking of which…

All Dawn saw was a quick movement, as if he'd flicked his wrist and the next thing she knew she was in pain. "Ouch! Oh my gods…!" The pen slipped from her fingers and fell to the ground with a loud clatter.

"Dawn," he said firmly. "You interrupted me."

Dawn did not seem to hear him though as she was too busy backing away and panicking over the long, pointed dart protruding from her arm. She quickly pulled it out, pressing a firm hand against the spot on her forearm in an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Arashi's eyes narrowed, observing the shocked features of his new administrative assistant as she made several futile attempts to stem the flow of blood. His other assistant…well she had met with some unfortunate circumstances and he was hoping that this one, due to her track record, would have fared better but she too was beginning to get on his nerves.

"Oh my…" Dawn whimpered, bending to collect the papers that had fallen on the floor. Papers that skid further away from her grasp and were quickly getting stained by her bloody hand. Oh no…I must look so incompetent…

Another paper fluttered away when she tried to put in back in the leather folder.

"I-I'm sorry sir, I know you wanted these departmental reports right away but I'll have to reprint them…" she sputtered as he continued to glare at her and the mess she was making.

*Blood…give it to me…*

There it was again, that voice and it sounded even more impatient.

"Dawn, didn't I tell you during your briefing that you are never to interrupt me during a phone call?" His voice was hushed and deceptively gentle as he moved from behind the desk.

"I-I forgot…it's j-just that these were so urgent and I…" A feeling of dread descended upon her and she directed fearful eyes up at the man who was now towering over her. Mr. Hashira hates weak, incompetent people, she thought, trying to get up but finding it difficult as her knees, weakened by fear, weren't strong enough to support her weight.

"Get up."

Dawn tried but fell again. The fear had her legs buckling from under her and eventually she gave up, resolving to remain slumped and trembling against the wall where she'd fallen.

His disgusted scowl deepened. "You're wasting my time," he said casually, his rage undetectable but Dawn knew that that was the most dangerous quality about him.

As if sensing the approaching violence, she trembled when his hands twitched at his sides. "I—"

One hand reached out to grab her and Dawn soon found herself pushed up against the wall, her feet dangling at least a foot off the ground. "Urgh…" The force with which she'd met the wall caused the air to be knocked out of her lungs and for a moment her vision swam right before her eyes settled on the hand gripping the front of her blouse in strong fist. In the fleeting moment right before all thought ceased and panic took over, Dawn noticed that for once Arashi was not wearing the glove on his left hand and on the back of that hand was a pattern of some sort.

A tattoo—

Before she could ponder it further, or commit the image to memory, his other hand came up to grab her neck and she struggled to get free, pulling at his arm with her uninjured hand but his persistent hold was firm, determined and deadly. This is it, she thought looking down at the cruel face of her boss. Tall, handsome and emitting a lethal aura, his normally good looks were twisted by a expression so evil that it sent a shiver down her spine.

And those eyes...

Normally void of emotion and inscrutable, they now shone with a clearly dark emotion hinting at vile intent.

She gasped, not only because her airflow was being restricted, but because what she saw in the depths of those eyes chilled her to the bone.

When Dawn had been transferred and promoted to this position, everyone did tell her that no one survived being his personal assistant. Back then she had thought that it was a joke, a play of words to spook the newbie. Now she saw that they were serious. And on my second week in the job too. "P-please…" she tried pleading with him but his hand tightened even more around her neck. "Ack!"

"Not only are you proving to be incompetent, but you're now getting blood all over my floor." His eyes greedily followed the thin, steady line of blood that flowed down her pale, limp arm to end at her fingertips where it was dripping avidly to settle into a small puddle. "Such a waste," he said regretfully, eyes snapping back up to her face. "Maybe I should just do away with you now. You might have more value on the Black Market…"—he smirked—"…in pieces."

Her eyes widened in genuine alarm, knowing that this was a man very capable of carrying out that threat. "No, please, don't! I promise…I promise I'll do better!" Dawn rasped, thrashing in that iron grip and feeling as if she was looking death in his eyes.

Maybe she was.

Arashi watched her large, deep blue eyes become watery with unshed tears as they started to cloud over. It looked as if the sky was crying and for some reason that made him smile.

How would they look when the life is drained from them?

His fingers tightened just a bit more around her trachea and Dawn gagged. Soon, her struggling made the hair from her neatly twisted chignon come loose and the platinum blonde hair tumbled from their restraint. It was absolutely beautiful the way she looked as if she was about to die. Yes...just a little more and then—

Arashi suddenly eased the pressure of his fingers and she gasped for air, her face still reddened and her long lashes fluttering wildly.

"Hmmm, but maybe I shouldn't," he pondered putting a finger to his chin and looking into crystalline blue eyes brightened by fear and reddened by intense distress. "You're in the middle of an important project with the Sachi Group." His hand moved from her neck and without the support, she fell to the ground in a crumpled heap, coughing and gasping.

Black, empty eyes followed Dawn's frantic movements as she somewhat recovered her bearings, moving to shakily gather up the papers that still lay scattered all over the floor.

Quietly he observed her as she occasionally and discreetly wiped at her tear-streaked cheeks. The more he looked at her was the more he became struck by how much she reminded him of something fragile that needed to be handled carefully. And because of that he wanted to destroy her beyond repair.

Arashi turned his back to her and the relentless urge to kill her subsided. Maybe if he stopped looking at the blood the voice would stop calling to him. "Hurry and bring me another copy of those reports, you've completely ruined these with your blood."

"Yes sir..."

"Quickly."

"Not a problem, will do," Dawn said, her voice still raspy but professional as she scrambled to her feet and headed for the door. She could hardly wait to get out of that room.

"And send someone in to clean up the floor."

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience," she replied, quickly bowing one last time and closing the door quietly behind her.

Arashi closed his eyes briefly to pinch at the skin above the bridge of his nose. That was close…I almost sacrificed my assistant. Bodies were much harder to dispose of in this part of the city—experience had taught him this—and being so close to accomplishing his goal, a complication of that sort was the last thing he wanted.

Slowly, he opened his eyes to look at the opposite wall. A wide smile replaced his persistent frown and his heart beat faster as he started to walk in the direction of his gaze.

I couldn't kill her now...but maybe next time.

Slow, sure steps took him closer to the antique sword that was always awaiting his touch and a cold, sinister smile played across his lips, spreading them wide when his hand closed over it's jeweled grip.

This sword...his most prized possession indeed. These days though, its cry was getting louder - more demanding and impatient, making it hard for him to control his bloodlust.

"It's because he's here in this city isn't it?" Arashi asked, his tone gentle as if speaking to a child. Pulling the sword out of its scabbard and turning it back and forth to examine the black blade, he smirked. The cutting edges were stunning, its glitter mesmerizing him with a beauty that was not of this world.

It hummed lowly as if responding to his inspection. "Don't worry; you'll have what you desire." His thumb ran along the sharp edge without getting cut. "I did promise that to you a long time ago didn't I? The ultimate sacrifice in exchange for ultimate power…" His smirk widened, becoming more sinister and crude. "Soon, very soon…"

XXX

N.B.: Meanwhile, in another part of York Shin...

Gon stopped abruptly, panting heavily, hands on his knees. He had run all the way from the Condo to their meeting place, not sure if he ran because of what he'd just witnessed with Hisoka or because he was late and had no time for a taxi.

I'm so late...

He looked around, quickly scanning the crowd for any sign of his friend.

"Ah," he whispered, picking out that atypical mop of white hair from among the crowd.

Killua.

Dressed all in black, with just a hint of a red tank top showing underneath his hoodie, Killua's hands were shoved into the pockets of his form fitting gym pants as he leaned casually against one of the few cast iron lampposts scattered throughout the plaza.

Even without those achromatic locks and still surrounded by so many people, it would not have taken Gon long to locate Killua. This was because the young man always stood out wherever he went; as if possessing a special atmosphere about him – handsome, charismatic and drawing stares from all who stood nearby.

People kept glancing at him, and some even stopped to stare but as usual, Killua did not care to notice those curious eyes. Instead he remained motionless, astute gaze focused on some unknown spot at his feet as if he was thinking deeply. Finally he moved, shifting his weight to the other foot and zipping up the black hoodie he wore all the way so that his alabaster skin only peeked out from behind long bangs – a move that caused him to appear more mysterious.

And dangerous, Gon thought rifling through his pockets to quickly retrieve his phone. The time seemed to jump out at him and Gon felt his heart sink deeper the longer he looked at it.

Hazel eyes finally pulled away to focus on the huge dial of the clock at the center of the plaza and then down to his phone's display again. There was no way the time on both his new phone and the plaza's clock would be wrong.

Ten forty-five.

He was exactly forty-five minutes late and considering what Hisoka had told him, most likely Killua had been there at least a half hour before their meeting time. Gon sighed and it was at that exact moment, as if sensing his presence, the white-haired young man suddenly turned around to look at him directly.

A few purposeful strides was all it took for Killua to reach him and seeing that resolute expression on his face, Gon braced himself for the impact.

"Why are you late again?!" Killua bellowed as he marched to his side.

"Ne Kil—"

[[Thump]]

Gon gasped, holding his head. "Ow, ow, ow! Why did you do that?! What if I have a good excuse?!" He glared at him but Killua's glare decimated his within seconds.

"You have an excuse?!"

"Um…no?"

[[Bonk]]

"Ow, ow, ouch...ah that hurts Killua, people are staring!"

"I don't care; this is the third time you've had me waiting! And this time is the longest! Is this a joke to you?"

"…"

"I asked you a question Gon…" Killua grunted in aggravation, cracking his knuckles. Gon didn't answer and finally he huffed, coming to a decision. "You need to be more disciplined…"

Gon backed away, his eyes widening as Killua advanced on him.

Discipline? Ah I've really done it now.

At least Hisoka waited until they were in private to punish him. His friend obviously had no qualms about witnesses.

"I waited so long to see you, worried myself to near death when you went missing for a day, suffered through that horrendous phone call yesterday and now after anticipating our meeting you arrive forty-six minutes, thirty seconds late."

[[Bonk]]

"Ah—!"

"Lateness is the biggest insult!" Killua hissed, repeating the words Illumi had drilled into him since he was a child. "And you've insulted me three times wit—"

"Are you alright young man?" an old man asked Gon kindly,whilst coming closer.

Gon looked up at him, feeling undeniably relieved. "A-ano Ojīsan I am oka—"

Killua turned deadly blue eyes on him. "Piss off Gramps! This is between me and him!"

"Now Gon," Killua said as the old man hobbled off. "What is the reason you're late?"

Gon met the darkened, disapproving stare of his friend. On seeing that serious expression, he laughed nervously. "Ne…Killua…I... don't really have an excuse," —he laughed awkwardly—Not one that would be appropriate anyway… "So...um..."

"Really…?"

"Yeah..."

"You really don't have an excuse?"

"…" Ah Killua, what do I say? I can't exactly tell you that I've been up all night having sex, woke up late, got punished for procrastinating (with more sex) then rushed here to meet you.

Killua waited patiently for Gon to explain himself but Gon remained uncommunicative, his comportment suspiciously steeped in guilt. "So saying nothing at all is how you defend your actions, huh?" he asked, audibly cracking his knuckles again. "Then prepare yourself for the consequences…"

Gon looked up at Killua who suddenly seemed to be much taller than his two-inch advantage. Hisoka did warn him that this would have happened. All he had to do now was accept the consequences of his dawdling. "I-I'm sorry Killua…I messed up big time," he said, directing his trademark beatific smile at his friend.

Killua paused just as he was about to hit him again, his face reddening. Gon looked so innocent and vulnerable and he could feel his sincerity in that apology. He sighed, knowing that Gon had won him over as usual.

Seeing that Killua had lowered his fist and his expression had lost its hard edge, Gon smiled wider, feeling relief flood his core.

Once again finding himself comparing his friend's and Hisoka's habits, he saw yet another profound difference between them – although they shared the propensity to deal out punishment for behavior they deemed unsuitable, Killua could be won over with sincere apologies and a meek composure. Hisoka on the other hand, seemed to be immune to all his pleading (or rather enjoyed seeing him beg for mercy) when dead set on punishing him.

Like this morning, Gon thought with a frown.

Anyway…

"Killua?" he called, stepping closer to him. "I really am sorry I made you wait."

"Yeah I know," Killua replied, not looking at him. I can't believe I let him get away so easily again.

"Well let's just say that I won't ever be late again…" Gon said evasively, looking away and blushing.

I don't think I'd have the opportunity to be sleeping in late anymore if Hisoka plans to keep dealing out punctuality lessons like that, he thought, trying to ignore the nipple that still ached from that 'lesson' he was taught just an hour earlier.

Killua grunted in frustration, hating that his friend always had that effect on him; the ability to pacify and make him forgive any grudge or slight that he felt as a result of his careless actions.

I guess I just have to accept it as usual, Killua thought resignedly as they started to walk toward the gym.

Just then he remembered something. The last time he had seen Gon was when he had told him to follow Hisoka. He looked up quickly to see that Gon was smiling at him again, appearing extra bright compared to how he'd have expected him to look after finding out the truth about that bastard…after being heartbroken.

Killua's brows knitted together – evidence of his irritation and confusion.

There hadn't been a perfect opportunity to ask him yet, but Killua was hoping that Gon had taken his instructions seriously and gone to the location he had outlined.

Hisoka needs to be exposed for the lying, cheating bastard that he is.

His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

I'm ready to help you pick up the pieces and start over Gon. It's just you and me again like old times. You don't have to pretend to be strong or anything. Now that Hisoka is out of your life, you could come stay with me and once I'm rid of Illumi we'd travel to all the places I'd told you about.

Just you and me again like old times, he repeated to himself, the thought causing him to sigh happily at the idea of the many adventures that awaited them.

It was long overdue for things to return to the way they were between them before Hisoka had interfered.

Fucking clown...

Thinking of Hisoka put him in a foul mood again and he gritted his teeth. What are the chances that the magician would be in YorkShin the same time as Gon and how dare he try to take away his friend and corrupt him?

Regardless, I'll make sure that he never gets to taint him with those lecherous hands.

Killua started walking faster and Gon increased his pace so that he could keep up with him. A few minutes passed by in silence as they focused on weaving through the crowds of people hurrying off to wherever office workers went to make the most of their meager lunch hour.

With each lost in their own thoughts, it was a quiet, peaceful trek until Killua turned to study the face of the one walking close beside him. There was no way to tell what Gon was thinking, no clues that alluded to him knowing of Hisoka's and Illumi's relationship – he just looked happy.

"Hey—" Killua started, ready to ask him about what had transpired the day before but the din from the crowd swallowed his question before he could verbalize it.

Gon only gave him a brief, questioning look but did not try to find out what he was about to say.

Killua understood then that he'd have to be the one to ask as Gon seemed intent upon not being the first to bring up the subject.

He looked around.

This crowd...

Seemingly growing by the minute, the crowd that bustled around them continued to interfere with his entire plan, making it impossible to do do anything other than walk...a task that was already made difficult by its encroaching mass.

Damn. Despite the fact that his curiosity was mounting higher with every minute that ticked by, Killua realized that he'd have to be patient and wait until the right time to ask. He had spent the last two days terribly concerned about how Gon had fared and now that the time had come to find out if his plan was successful, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

Hopefully everything had gone according to my plan.

Just then, as if sensing his quiet observation, Gon turned to him with a smile and took Killua's hand in his to entangle their fingers as they walked. "Let's not lose sight of each other in this, Killua," Gon said, gesturing to the crowd of people surrounding them.

Killua nodded mutely, his expression of surprise settling into a small smile. I can only hope that after what you've seen, you will come to understand what that man truly is. Until then... —he gripped the hand in his tighter—"Yes Gon, let's not lose sight of each other."

XXX

N.B.: Four hours, thirty minutes later ~

Since it was a weekday, the gym was not crowded and that suited them just fine. All the equipment were available to be used without having to wait and Killua especially enjoyed the fact that no one got in his way.

Following their one hundred and eighty minute run on the treadmill and sixty minutes on the elliptical, they sat on adjacent benches in the weight room doing bicep curls.

After holding out for the past four hours, Killua realized that Gon really was not going to bring up the subject of what had happened with Hisoka so he did. There was no way he could fight his curiosity anymore.

"Hey Gon," he ventured, shifting on the padded weight bench to face his friend.

"Yeah Killua?" Gon did not remove his focused stare from the dumbbell in his grip.

"Did you go to The Bar the day before - like I had told you?"

"Um...yeah."

"Well...what happened? If you need somewhere to stay where that freak can't—"

"Everything's okay Killua."

What?

'Okay'?

Am I hearing things?

"What? How can it be? You don't have to pretend to be tough you know."

"I'm not pretending, things really are okay between Hisoka and me."

"No that can't be!" Killua said a little too loudly then dropped his voice into a displeased whisper. "You saw them together, didn't you?"

"Did you know what was going to happen and intentionally sent me there?" Gon asked, his voice bearing an edge of unconcealed suspicion.

Killua took some time to respond, and when he did, he did not go into detail. "No...not really..."

At the ambiguous response, Gon put down the dumbbell he was holding to give Killua his full attention. "Tell the truth," he said firmly.

"I wasn't planning to lie anyway." Killua countered moodily. "Well, it's just that before I left home the second or third time—" He paused as if trying to remember exactly when but eventually gave up. He'd run away from home so many times that he had lost count.

Whatever.

"Anyway, back then I had overheard Illumi on the phone telling someone that they were a 'special friend' to him despite the fact that our parents would not approve. I'd never really cared to give it much thought, but when you said that you were here with Hisoka, I figured that he must have been the person aniki was talking to that day and that they must be involved more deeply than just friends."

Killua leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees. His incisive blue eyes narrowed as he thought, And now after what Illumi's said about this 'friend' that he was with, I am convinced that those two really are in something.

There is no doubt about it.

He looked at Gon who was frowning while carefully studying him and painted on a smile adding, "I was only looking out for you."

Gon folded his arms across his chest, still frowning. "Well, Hisoka and your brother are not involved. At least not anymore."

"How can you be so sure that they—"

"They're not."

Gon sounded so serious, so convinced that Killua was taken aback. And on top of that, he looked so angry.

This can't be, it's not fair; he should be upset with that deceitful bastard, not me!

This was the thing that was supposed to open Gon's eyes and get him away from that man.

Clenching his fists so hard that his nails dug painfully into his palms, Killua was determined not to give up. "How do you know?!" he insisted, unaffected by the fact that this seemed to be a sensitive subject for his friend. "They're always together, for all we know they could still be fucking and doing al—"

"I told you they're not involved!" Gon growled, his anger apparent in not only his tone but the rigidity of his jaw.

They stared at each other as if facing off, each having their own obstinate opinion on the issue but refusing to express it in anything other than the withering glares sparking between them. They were both of the opinion that the other should just 'understand'.

Surprisingly, after what seemed like hours but in actuality was only a few minutes, Gon's anger was the first to dissipate. "Killua," he called softly, breaking the tense silence that had developed between them.

"..."

Looking away from Killua and down at his own hands, Gon pulled awkwardly on the rolled hem of his cotton vest and his shoulders slumped when the realization of what was happening between them hit him. The last thing he wanted was to fight with Killua over this; to let a love interest come between their friendship. Albeit in different ways, he loved both Hisoka and Killua and sensing the impending dilemma, he instinctively knew that an argument with Killua was definitely not the way to avoid any difficulty.

Killua is only concerned about me I guess...

Relaxing and directing honest eyes to meet the defiant stare that hadn't left him, Gon mumbled, "I confronted Hisoka and he told me the truth about everything, so you shouldn't worry."

Killua threw up his arms in frustration, unable to believe what Gon was telling him. "What? You asked that man ...what were you thinki—"

Just then Gon bent over to retrieve his dumbbell and Killua's eyes widened as something caught his attention.

Shock arrested him instantly as his curious gaze couldn't help but settle on the mark that stood out on his friend's neck and his breath hitched with the awareness of what it was…

That was clearly a hickey and at its centre was…

Killua's skin visibly paled. Is that a bite?!

The bruise was faded as Gon's naturally fast healing ability seemed to already be repairing the damaged tissue but it was still apparent. There was no mistaking how Gon had come to receive such an 'injury' in the first place and the knowledge of this was what had Killua sitting stock still, the anger in him steadily rising at what that definitely meant. How in heaven's name did I not notice that before?!

Gon looked up at him; stopping his reps. Killua was just sitting there, eerily still. As his friend simply stared at him – or rather, through him, Gon raised an eyebrow at the weird expression marring his features. "Are you okay Killua?"

The sound of Gon's voice snapped him out of his pained trance. "Uh yeah…l-let's…let's finish up here and go get something to eat."

"Really?!" Gon asked excitedly. "Can we go back to the pastry shop?"

"Huh? You want to eat at D' Pastry Shoppe? W—"

"Please say yes Killua! I want to try some more stuff and see Laura!"

"Oh, okay Gon…" Killua said absently, sounding a little sad and looking away from the hickey that seemed to be the only thing that he could see whenever he looked at his friend. "Anything you want Gon…anything."

He put down his weights and straightened up into a sitting position. Damn it. I...I can't stay here...

Killua stood up and removed his weight-training gloves, avoiding eye contact when Gon looked up at him curiously. "I'm going to take a shower," he said curtly, quickly turning and walking away.

"You're done already?" Gon asked but Killua didn't stop, or turn around, just lifted his right hand in acknowledgement before shoving it back into his deep pockets again.

"Ok! I'll be done soon and then we'd head over for some pastries!" Gon called happily after him before he turned the corner, resuming his set and completely unaware of his friend's sudden inner turmoil.

Finally out of Gon's view, in the corridor leading to the male and female locker rooms and showers, Killua stopped for a moment in an attempt to compose himself – he was so angry that his stomach churned, causing him to feel physically ill.

Although he had left Gon's side, the memory of that hickey invaded his consciousness in perspicuous detail, ensuring that he was reminded of how badly his plan had failed. "Get out of my head!" he snarled, lashing out to punch the concrete wall and cracking it.

A small group of young women who had been walking out of the female showers at the same time, laughing and talking amiably, witnessed this and froze – looking at him with expressions that were caught somewhere between arousal and fear.

There was a moment of weighted silence when no one present said anything and the women looked from Killua's bloody fist still pressed against the wall to his expression of intense irritation. Untouched by the atmosphere of thinly veiled malice, their now frozen giggles morphed into excited squeals and whispers.

"Oh my gods he is so scary!"

"But look at those muscles he's so strong…do you think he's a ninja?"

"Probably!"

"I like his hair."

"Why can't I have a boyfriend like that?!"

"Shhh not so loud, he'd hear you!"

"Hey, maybe we're lucky and he's single—"

"There's no way a guy that hot isn't taken – his girlfriend is probably somewhere around here…"

"Who cares if he's taken, I just want to borrow him."

"Hey Jenna what are you doing?!"

"Shhh...just watch and learn."

Taking a bold step forward, one of the young women, obviously the most outspoken in the group, engaged him. "Hey cutie, want to have some fun with us later?" she purred. "I assure you that we'll rock your worl—"

Killua turned his head slowly to look in their direction, pinning them with his assassin stare and without pause they ran off screaming.

Frowning and walking quickly into the male locker room, he whispered darkly, "Good riddance." He had no time for fangirls.

Abruptly the lingering, rancid smell of sweat and old socks assaulted his senses and the threat of becoming physically ill became a real possibility as a strong wave of nausea hit him and he ran into a nearby stall.

Strangely, as Killua gasped between the spasmodic contractions of his stomach, gripping the sides of the bowl until his knuckles showed white, he felt gratitude. At least he was lucky enough that no one was around to witness the sounds of his retching - at least Gon wasn't here to see him like this.

Unfortunately, the thought of his friend brought his anger back and with it another swooning wave of nausea.

Eventually he made it to the shower. I just had to get away, he thought as the water beat down on his hair, plastering it to his face and stretching the white strands past his shoulders, until finally separating from them to run in streaming rivulets down the length of his body. Its coldness did not bother him and even now as it bit into his skin he smiled, happy that he could feel, because after seeing what he just did, he felt so dead inside.

Killua looked down at the blood from his hand mixing with the water and running down the drain.

Maybe I was hallucinating? No…no I was not seeing things…I was not seeing things…I was seeing things I was—

Shit.

Fuck.

He took a deep breath. Damn. What's wrong with me.

A shaky hand combed the wet hair back from his face.

If he had not walked away from Gon when he did, Killua was not sure what he would have done. I had to get away, had to stop looking at that …that thing on his neck.

His fingers struggled to gain purchase on one of the smooth tiled walls as his legs suddenly felt wobbly. There was no way to rationalize his way out of this one. There was no doubt that Gon was sexually involved with someone and he had a pretty good guess who that someone was.

The nausea was back but he held it down. Oh Gon…why?!

Could it be that all my efforts have been in vain? Could it be that Hisoka has already claimed him…marked him as his? Obviousl—

"Killua, are you okay?"

He gasped audibly. Gon.

"Um…y-yeah, why ask?" Killua replied above the sound of the water.

Gon sounded unconvinced that he really was okay. "I just have a feeling…"

"Why don't you go ahead and change and I'll be out soon?" Killua forced his voice to sound normal.

Hopefully it fooled Gon.

And just in case it didn't, he added, forcing his words to sound cheerful in spite of his pain, "And don't you take long, because we have to get to the pastry shop so I can introduce you to the pistachio fraisier before it's sold out like the last time!"

"…"

Gon did not respond; all that was heard were his quickened steps, the dull thud of training shoes being thrown in a corner and soon enough, the spray of the adjacent shower.

This made Killua both relieved and dismayed to see how easy it was to fool Gon with just the right words. He was able to sway Gon's attention from him, but at the same time a crushing thought hit him.

Did Hisoka fool you like that too Gon?

Explanations:

Ever felt so angry that you got sick? Well that's what happened with Killua. He was angry beyond the point of beating up on Gon for being naïve (in his opinion). That's the reason why he was nauseated, not because he was imagining Gon and Hisoka having sex (um well maybe that was part of it too…).

A/N:

Haha Killua is too much for those fangirls lol