Thank you everyone for reading this far! Again, I'd like to send special hugs to those who let me know their thoughts by faves, following, C2s and most especially those who reviewed. I love you guys~!

A/N: The 'Chains' series would probably consist of 2 or 3 parts. Depends. And as always, the title pertained to more than one 'sense' of the word. They're just expanded on a bit more.

DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Hunter X Hunter

…

CHAPTER 5: Chains – Part I

Freecs Residence

Clack

Clack

CLACK

Huge honey-brown eyes opened abruptly at an almost familiar sound. She stretched a bit and turned her head to the direction of where it emitted, namely: the window. Her eyes were quickly filled with energy as soon as she saw what exactly was making the noise.

"Dove-chan!" She yelled and jumped out of bed, opening the window and let the letter-carrying love inside her room. She smiled and petted the dove, subsequently giving it some crackers which it took gladly. As it gobbled up its breakfast she took the letter out of the little bag that it carried.

She sat on her study table (which she really only used in writing letters) and read it. It was, naturally, from Mito and it was a reply for her first letter the previous week during her arrival.

Dear Gon,

I'm happy that you're liking it there! We miss you so much here already. It hasn't been the same without you, but I know I can't keep you here forever. For now, I can only hope Ging's not making you do all the house chores.

She paused and found herself looking around her bedroom. It was simple with the walls light green in color, the ceiling flesh, and the floor of wood. Her room was furnished with similarly simple, almost minimalist, furniture including her bed, a cabinet, and her study.

Gon stood up and went out her room, leaving it open. She looked at the door in front of her for a while before finally heaving a sigh, and knocking on the door. There was no answer and she wasn't surprised.

Ging still wasn't home.

She sighed again and returned to her room to read the rest of her letters. Ging was barely ever at home during her week there. His job was a 'Law enforcer', but her concept of it really was someone who was sedentary in his city or even some smaller municipality—the fact he was rarely home (an understatement), she felt a little silly for having her original motivation for moving there.

And there was no housekeeper, not that she expected one, so she really was in-charge of all the chores. It wasn't difficult though. The house was visibly new—to the point that even Gon knew that Ging bought it only when she managed to force him to take her along.

Indeed, she used all of her willpower to chain him into agreeing. But, it wasn't any different—she barely saw him in either case. She shook her head and continued reading the letter. Most of the body was about the townsfolk—what was happening and their own messages then and again. The letter ended with cooking, something she actually managed to master with the help of her awesome aunt.

Anyway, in your stay there try to learn new recipes! I would love to eat your new meals when you visit here okay? I'm sure your new friends would love it, too!

She smiled at that. Her new friends.

She quickly took another sheet of paper to reply to her. This week, other than her questions about her family, she would tell them all about her new friends.

Oh, how close they had gotten these past few days. She felt so comfortable with them—so… connected, and that was saying something as she had been comfortable with anyone. They were just special and the most banal things could be the most exciting conversation topics.

She and Killua even grouped a lot when it was required. She giggled at the recollection of how awful Killua was with home economics that Hanzo-sensei's aghast face was something that could pass for a face seen in a horror movie.

They were both still reserved, something she didn't expect to see changed ever as that was what they were—and she loved them all the same. In fact, she felt really… special that they react to her unlike they do with the others. She knew that they never ignored her existence, and it was something she was thankful for.

Not that she wouldn't try if they did—she'd probably do a lot of things to make them her friends.

It was becoming a long letter, so she was particularly thankful her writing hand was uninjured. Her left hand, hurt by accident that happened a few days ago, just rested near the paper. She noted that it was, indeed, bruising and it was something that she shouldn't show anyone—especially Killua.

She paused and stared at the letter, wondering if she should tell Mito about the new, awesome, things that she learned. She went against it in the end, for Bisuke hinted that it shouldn't be known publicly anyway.

She ended the letter with a heart-felt 'I miss you' and 'Hope to see you soon'.

…

Gon walked out of the house after getting ready and stared at it for a bit, soon doing the same for the other houses. The community was reminiscent of those residential areas seen in many areas especially Japan. She knew this because of the large plank saying its History and such in the middle of the community.

She continued walking in her uniform and as the people there hadn't seen anyone else in the dress, no one knew what school she went to unless they asked. She smiled at the people and most of them greeted her back. It was only now that she had the obvious time to be talked to, though.

"Hey, girlie!" A man, the owner of a flower shop, called. "I've been wondering—where does that uniform belong to?"

She smiled. "Nispedana High, sir!"

And the man looked absolutely flabbergasted.

But seeing as she would be late to school if she waited for the man, who was mysteriously just gaping at her, to speak…, she just grinned and said a polite good bye.

She walked to school as she stared into the sky. Really, the reason she went there in the first place didn't seem to mean anything. She left Mito-san and her grandma in the country for this after all. And yet, as she recalled the new faces that she met, she found a smile on her face—she did not regret her decision at all.

A lot happened, now that she thought about it, and a few more things happened the past few days. She would have had a lot to tell Ging if he asked but he didn't quite seem to be in the mood…

Anyway, the relaxing streak was broken two days ago when they met Bisuke, their young-looking advisor who arrived a few days earlier than planned. (Her vacation was supposed to end the following week).

It was odd, their meeting, and she couldn't stop picturing everything in her head, as if she they happened a few hours prior—

Her eyes twitched a bit at a jolt of pain in her arms, a wound hidden by her long sleeved uniform.

She fought the urge to check up on it and looked around. She did not want to take the road as a lot of student's limousines would pass it and the people she knew might see it. But of course, the forest route had always been her favourite anyway ever since she found it sometime back.

She smiled and took the route to the school, jumping tree to tree and managing to avoid the small branches even with her restrictive uniform and her one arm basically unusable. And as she entered her comfort zone, her mind started wandering around again—inevitably returning to the events two days prior.

.

It was a Sunday.

Yes, a Sunday, and for some reason they got letters that Bisuke Kruenger, their advisor, had returned and would like to meet them that morning. The dove that arrived home had the official school crest embedded on its wing feathers, so she knew it was an official message.

And when she got the message, she did not waste a second to get read. After all, her father was not at home and she had nothing better to do anyway. She'd see her new friends and that was something she need not ponder about. She dressed up in her usual attire back in the country—a green button-up turtleneck jacket and similarly colored skirt.

She arrived at the meeting spot (the open area they hung out at, and was found out by the advisor somehow) and saw her two buddies. Kurapika was as pretty as ever with her simple blouse and kilt, while Killua's pale skin contrasted with the dark shirt and pants he was wearing. He, too, looked really good but in a different way than Kurapika. Gon mused it was probably because he was a guy.

And yet… Gon noted that he looked better and better during the days she hung out with him.

They formed a little circle and chatted about things and wondered what kind of person their adviser was. They were not really that clear about what kind of activities the club would do, so it was hard to guess.

"Maybe the person's really smart."

"Is it a guy or a girl?"

"I have a feeling this person's masculine."

"Gay?"

"How rude." A voice from behind them said and they flinched simultaneously. A girl around their age with two long pigtails and wearing a big puffy skirt and a mantelet appeared.

"When did you—"

"I was here all along."

Kurapika flinched. "That's not possible!"

"Oh?" She said. "You think your senses are that great?"

She frowned. "Who are you?"

"Bisuke Kruenger, your advisor."

They stared at her incredulously. "Liar."

Bisuke smirked. "I am a liar—but not about my job."

"You're about our age, we—"

"I'm not. I just look forever young is all. Hohoho~"

"Prove it." Kurapika said and the newcomer smiled weirdly.

They looked at each other in suspicion, but then Bisuke looked at Kurapika and something heavy surrounded the air around and Kurapika looked even more serious. Killua stepped back, pulling her with him and the next thing she knew they were a dozen feet away from them. Killua was in front of her and doing a protective gesture, seemingly unaware of what his hand was crushing.

"W-What's wrong Killua?" She asked anxiously seeing just how pale he got—which was serious as he was really really pale in the first place. He shivered and glared at the new girl and said: "She's dangerous."

She blinked and forgot about the pain in her arm and whipped her head to her other friend's direction. "Kurapika…" She called worriedly but the newcomer just shook her head in disapproval.

"No need to overreact kids. I mean no harm—as I said, I'll be your new advisor and trainer." She turned her head towards Kurapika. "You could feel, right?" She said. "You don't know how to use 'it' yet but I can tell you're familiar with this sensation." She looked at Killua. "So are you."

"What are you talking about?" Gon asked, and although it was a new and heavy feeling, it wasn't hostile. She flinched when Killua held her arm tighter. His eyes widened and let go immediately.

"G-Gomen." And he paled further at the bruise he made.

"It's fine, Killua."

"I-I'm sorry."

"Calm down." Bisuke said and the panic-stricken Killua turned his head to her direction and glared. It was such a cold glare—and it made everyone in there wince.

"This is all your fault." He gritted his teeth and a second later he was already there and made a high-kick. Bisuke though, to their surprise used only one hand to block the attack and allowing more of that weird atmosphere to emanate from her. Killua immediately manoeuvred himself away from her.

"It isn't." Bisuke corrected him calmly. "I'm just using 'Nen', something that I aim to teach you." She paused and hand-combed the small set of hair that was displaced. "It is a skill your future job description would need."

"Why?" Gon asked. It was Kurapika who answered.

"Because villains like top mafia lords could use it."

"Precisely." Bisuke said and watched Killua as he slumped back and looked (or rather, faced, but actually looking away)

"…I'm sorry."

Gon only smiled, and everyone but Killua could see the sweat-drop from the pain she was trying hard not to show. "Apology accepted."

Killua looked at Gon and turned away again. Kurapika took the initiative to take her to the Nurse's office, and Killua watched Gon's back when he was certain she wasn't looking.

Bisuke, seeing this, patted his shoulder. "Don't worry—I can see she'll be a reinforcement type. They heal quickly by nature. Now that I will teach you some nen, it would work even better."

Killua remained impassive and Bisuke knew there was nothing much she could do. So she just let him go and asked him to go check up on Gon, making him panic a bit, even when he didn't show it. "Also, pass on to them as an early announcement this 'club' will meet every day of the week—with the weekends our time to train vehemently.

"Anyway, I will be waiting here. Afterwards we will go train the basics—Ten."

Gon looked at them as they spoke. Killua only nodded.

.

And during the afternoon the next day, they got a new member.

She arrived at the school grounds on the Western side of the campus. She avoided the cameras and realized how easy it was to infiltrate the place given enough skills. It was probably why they needed more people and students to protect the campus. And only a chosen few could use Nen so they needed to be very careful, too…

She entered and stealthily walked around. She realized a minute later someone was sitting on a tree. It was a familiar figure and she stopped herself immediately. It took her a few seconds to gulp her nervousness in and called on to him. She saw him flinch and turn, she saw his eyes widen at the sight of her… and then almost falling on the ground. But he gracefully landed like a cat, anyway. He stood up straight and dusted himself, not making any more noise. He didn't speak for a while and he only stared at her. She did the same for a bit.

Killua had been especially quiet since that day, she mused sadly, but Gon didn't want to push him. Even she would feel guilty if, even when not on purpose, she hurt a friend.

"How's your… bruise?"

She looked at the sleeves that hid it and smiled. "It's well."

"The strength I unconsciously put in that grip… it could break bones."

She held up her hand, with its protective sleeve, and made her point. "It can still move."

Killua frowned and grabbed it, folding the cloth up in the process. His eyes twitched as he saw the bruise. Sure, it was healing, as she was a reinforcement type—but his chest couldn't shoo any feelings of guilt away.

He had killed countless of lives before—in some cases, he even had to torture these people. It was so strange just how bad he felt for hurting her like this. He could barely even face her now. He stared at the light bruise…

And without thinking, he leaned down to kiss it.

"K-Killua!"

What did he just do?

He soon realized what he was doing and his cheek wore several shades of red.

He stepped back again and apologized, and started scratching his cheek like that could relieve him some of the embarrassment he was feeling. He started walking away with Gon following him because there was no reason why she wouldn't. And Killua couldn't quite mouth a 'leave me alone' since, even with the utter weirdness in his gut, he didn't want to voice it out.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, someone called on to them and allowed him to catch some more composure. "Yahoo~!" It was Bisuke, much to his chagrin. Gon, on the other hand, was as welcoming as she always was.

"Ah, B-Bisuke-san!"

"How's your arm?" She asked and Gon said the same things she did to him. "And call me Bisuke or Bisuke-chan, remember?"

Killua scoffed at that. "The attempts of an old hag to feel you—"

And Bisuke punched the six feet tall sixteen year old silver-head boy to the sky again.

Gon Freecs stared at the two as they argued, as soon as Killua recovered and ran to them. At least Killua seemed very comfortable around her now.

"You two get along well." She said. And they simultaneously whipped their heads to her direction.

"Hell we do!"

She watched them banter as they walked to the main halls. She was slightly behind and she felt a little lonely. But more importantly, Gon honestly didn't feel like she was wrong at all.

And it felt a little uncomfortable.

…

Satotsu, as always, greeted his students like usual and they did to him. It was like any other day except… Gon didn't look so sleepy. She seemed to be pondering something which was really new. In any case, she probably wouldn't sleep at all that day as they'd have a new 'student'.

Right on cue, Menchi knocked on the door and she and the new 'student' were chatting, probably about events 2 decades prior. Satotsu was surprised when he saw her that morning. He thought she'd be a delusional semi-young-looking old woman, but she really did look sixteen.

In the end, he shrugged. "Meet our new student." He said, enticing quite a bit of murmurs, with gasps from Gon and a terrified gape from Killua coming soon afterwards. Satotsu saw, interestingly, that the only available seat was next to aforementioned silver-head and asked her to sit next to Killua—much to the boy's despair, and (interestingly) Gon's discomfort.

Satotsu finally found a way to keep Antigone awake.

"Bisuke-san." He said as soon as she sat on her new chair, with the Silver-head muttering silent curses to him and to the gods. "Please drag your table closer to Killua-san's."

"EH?!" Killua exclaimed in aghast. Gon blinked, while Bisuke followed.

"Well, she had been a week late. This is easier for her to ask questions from her smart seatmate." Satotsu smiled. Killua's eyes twitched. Bisuke shook her head and called him a 'brat full of complaints' and Killua visibly wanted to snap at her. But when Gon turned her head he just sighed heavily and looked away.

"Fine."

Gon turned her head to face the front again, but otherwise did not move.

And indeed, Satotsu would note proudly, Antigone Freecs did not take a minute of a nap in his class that day.

Not that she absorbed anything, either way.

…

Meanwhile, in a classroom on another building, a class for seniors was being held. The subject was Economics, with their teacher in History, Professor Pariston, in-charge of the subject as well. He emitted that gentleman-ly, yet mysterious, aura most girls would fawn for, as usual, and as Neon would muse begrudgingly.

It was a good thing Kurapika seemed to be utterly uninterested in those types, and once again Neon found himself entering that illustrious train of thought as to what could catch Kurapika's romantic interests.

But after Pariston explained something, the whole class stood up, rotating the tables so that two desks would face each other. Neon only followed, and his table was paired with Shalnark's. But then Shalnark smiled and, along with the others, walked away from their seats. He looked around, maintaining his cool and soon enough realized what they were doing.

They were changing seat placement and the question now was: Why?

"I am going to pair you with random people for our entrepreneurship exercise. After all, in the real world—even with your backgrounds—there are plenty of cases where you are not very familiar with whoever you will be dealing with. This will be one of those moments.

"Further, I would like you to understand further the importance of these connections in our world." He paused, and held up some papers. "You can think of them as threads—but we would want them to be stronger like chains, yes?"

And after passively following his directions on who's paired with who… he realized a tad too late he would be paired with her.

Kurapika blinked when he stood in front of her, and with a clap, they sat to the chairs they ended up on.

And perhaps a bit awkwardly, the begun.

…

"Eh? You two are close now?"

And then all eyes were on them.

It was one of his fan girls who asked as soon as Professor Pariston exited the room after classes. He didn't know how the bloody hell she got the idea since they were really just talking formally—even more so than any other pair.

"How did you come up with that conclusion?" He asked as stoically as he could. "Didn't we just talk?"

The girl blinked and looked at her friend who seemed to have gone to the same conclusion. Neon looked at Shalnark, who had that amused knowing smirk on his face and was just watching the whole thing in interest. "You two just felt… close, I guess."

Neon flinched, but he wanted to lie—as he would probably do if this happened a few weeks back, but the words wouldn't come out. He couldn't deny it. Or rather, he didn't want to. But then the girls bowed in apology.

"We're sorry if we jumped to conclusions."

Twitch

"No—"He corrected without much thought (okay, there was no thinking that happened). But when he realized what he said—along with those surprised, startled, and annoying stares—well, everything went down on a landslide. It was like something holding him back just... broke.

"We… We were friends, okay!?" Everyone stared at him in incredulity—even Kurapika. That stare of hers did not help him one bit.

"Geez. What's the big deal?!" He snapped and turned, poisedly stomping away from them and slid the door forcefully.

Neon was thankful he had his back on them. They would not see just how red his face got.

But as he walked away…, he started wondering why he always denied their relationship in the first place.

…

After classes, the club, now comprising of: the young-looking adviser, Gon, Killua, Kurapika, and Neon—and with honorary members/teacher aids being the last one's body guards—met in their usual meeting spot.

Gon recalled their lunch earlier that day. Bisuke and, surprisingly, Neon was eating with them. She was surprised since he didn't seem to even want to join the club (not that she'd understand why, especially since Neon seemed to be fond of Kurapika).

Neon kept complaining about having to sit on the grass when she distinctly remembered him eating at that 'popular lawn', also in the grass. It was better maintained of course, but still… grass was grass to Gon.

Kurapika remained impassive and didn't seem to mind, Killua was quiet, while Bisuke had her eyes closed as if tuning him out. Vaise and Banshou silently apologized for their master.

It was odd.

Everyone was so silent…

And it was even odder, Gon mused, as she stole glances of a certain silver-head who never looked at her direction again. She didn't have the energy to open up a topic like she usually did.

And Gon, now after classes, was determined to lessen the tension once more. Unfortunately, Bisuke arrived before she could speak with Killua, and she was holding a piece of paper. "Kids," she said with a smile.

"You have your first assignment."

.
.

END OF CHAPTER 5

Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 6:
Chains – Part 2

REPLIES TO ANGELS

Papilio. Ageha – N'aw. There was a 1-week time skip in the last section. I'll show her entrance in this chap. xD The great fire thing's as Pariston discussed. It's inspired by the Apocalypse thing. And thanks for the comment~

Aladdina Magi- Heheheh. Glad I made you laugh. xD I'll try to add in more humor sometimes. Lol. And thank you for the comment~! xD

Nickirem . Aqua. Pearl – Thanks for the comment~! xD And indeed! Banzai for flushies. So fun making them and glad you liked it. Thx for the comment, btw!

Complicatedmind21- Vote noted. Hehehehe~ And glad you gave this genderbending fanfiction a chance. xD Thanks for the review! XD

LordOfTheWest- Thank you for the review~! And looooooool. Glad you liked Oblivious! Neon, it was fun writing him. Ahahahaha~

Anonymous – Thank you for the review~! And your pair vote is noted as well. Some of their moments will be written soon~! xD

Phoenix-Thunder – Hahahah. Maybe he shouldn't but I thought Tsunderes were sooo cute I had to make him one. Lol. Glad you liked the interactions and thanks for the review~!

The-Chibi-Master564 - Thank you the review~ xD I'm glad you liked the chapter and I hope you liked this one. Of course, you can tell me whatever you thought. :3

RaWindsG-ing – Hehehe. Thank you for the review! And yes, I will continue it. So no worries about that. Although, it will take a while before I can expand the outlines to chappies. xD

AsukaSaru- LoL. I'm sure Neon would go all tsuntsun when he hears your compliment. LOOOL. And glad you liked the chapter and thank you for the review~!

Guest [6/3/13]- I will, I will! I will do my best. xD Thank you for the review and glad you find it interesting~!

Asdfghjk – Lol. I like your name. xDD And yeah~ Pika-chan can make anyone's legs go all wobbly. Hihhihi. And yeah~ the pres is 'him'. *wink* Thanks for the review, btw!

…

Thank you so much for reading~ xD

I would love to read what you thought! (:D