THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT SO FAR, MY LOVES! xD Here's the update. I hope I was quick enough. Granted, I missed my weekly updates, but an improvement's an improvement! :DD
QUESTION: So... what do you think of Nerys and Kurapika? Nothing happened (yet) and I just threw the pair at your faces. Do you mind them getting together? Not any time soon, tho, but yeah...
Disclaimer: I wish I own Hunter x Hunter.
…
CHAPTER 26: Horses x Desert x Traitorous
GORDEAU DESERT
Killua, Gon, and Alluka slowly emerged from the blimp, following the throng of people descending. Their eyes squinted and their hands protected their eyes as quick-flying sand hit their faces, as it did every single moment of the year in the desert.
They were now in an airport somewhere in the upper half part of the continent. Yorbian, a massive land mass that it was, naturally had its middle areas considerably arid. The Gordeau desert was a vast place, spanning from the outskirts of York Shin all the way to a few miles from the Eastern beaches.
"This way to the Passenger terminal building, sir and madams." A staff said congenially, obviously immune to the sand already on his eyes, because he really didn't seem to mind the incessant tears falling off his eyes.
Even using scarves and other hanging textiles, they can only manage to take short and limited breaths, so the moment they enter the building, they filled their lungs with sand-free air. The air was filtered and air-conditioned and humidified which was a really nice thing for them to do. However, they figured that going to this adventure—as they opted to go by land for Alluka's sake (and for theirs), given the two weeks they still had left before the exam began—they ought to get used to the sand. Besides, they heard a lot of times the desert was particularly windy.
Gon, who had some experience in deserts in the Dark Continent, told them what to expect: Burning daylight, freezing nights, dust storms, and the like. "Wear cotton…" She said, "It will preserve the wetness to keep you cool. It will be a long journey ahead of us."
Hence, after buying some cotton shirts, along with the other things they'd need, the trio headed to the services center to hire themselves a guide. It was a rather large counter with a door to the lounge behind it. There were three clerks that were settled in during the time they went.
It was summer then, they said, so there were already few available guides to begin with. Then they saw who they were travelling with (three teenagers! Two girls and two extremely pale like princesses) and then they found out where they wanted to go (the northeastern part of the continent, which was a week-and-a-half travel time if they took the sight-seeing itinerary, with experienced travellers). No one seemed willing to even try and look for someone willing to do the job.
Killua sighed and took out his Hunter card before Gon decided to. "We'll pay eight million zennies."
The three ogled at the card and then to him and to the two girls behind him, before two of the three clerks rushed to the guides' lounge to announce the big job. One man, with beard and turban, came out, looking all serious and his eyes were blazing as he stared at them. "We'll take three camels immediately!" He yelled for authority, adding later that other than the fact that camels were better for adventures, mechanical vehicles were unavailable anyway.
Killua suspected the decision had more to do with the fact that they pay by the day and camels would give them higher income. It was interesting, really, leaving a high-tech terminal riding camels.
"Don't use camels." A woman, around 40 or 50 years of age, intervened as she appeared behind the man. The man gave out a grim frown. It was Gon who responded.
"Why do you say so?"
"If you hire me I'll tell you."
"Johanna!" The man yelled, increasingly red with anger. Obviously, this wasn't the first time this Joana pirated costumers from him. "I was here first, do not intervene."
Killua ignored the man and looked at the woman, and then the man alternately. "Tell us and we'll decide whether to hire the camel or the horse."
Johanna let out a smirk. "Camels are traitorous creatures to use in the desert; they seem to walk effortlessly thousands of steps, then stoop unexpectedly and dies." She stated with confidence. "Horses are better."
Killua took the man's furious stare at the woman's back as a sign the woman's a better guide. "You're hired, then."
….
"What are you planning on doing to the northeast?" "And why don't you just go by airship?" She asked as she watched Gon hug her horse. Gon was really loved by animals.
"We figured the journey's better by land." "We're going to the island near that side."
Johanna stopped and stared. "That's a rather dangerous island, you know." "It's where they keep some of the creatures from the Dark Continent."
They blinked but were otherwise not really surprised.
"Now I'm curious what you're really going there for."
"The Hunter exam." Killua answered.
"Aren't you already—you?" Johanna asked, shifting her gaze to Gon. Gon, in turn, shook her head. "I'm already a hunter." She's a Star Hunter, in fact, Killua added mentally. "We're going to be examiners."
Silence passed by them for a moment, as the woman looked at them alternatively, eyes gleaming with curiosity sprinkled with a hint of worry.
Johanna thought this was going to be an interesting trip.
...
The cold night arrived, and they went on; Johanna had not heard a single complaint from the kids. All she did was to show them the way. Gon already made sure they didn't sleep on the ground, if possible, to avoid rattlesnakes, spiders, and other poisonous animals. She also didn't need to warn them to avoid dark places and places with rotten wood.
The creatures were nocturnal, and didn't attack unless provoked, and were rarely fatal. And if they were, the kids didn't seem to mind. (Apparently, it was very different in the Dark Continent, Gon's image in such an infamous place was something Johanna still find difficult to visualize).
In any case, they managed to find a mountain, which Johanna emphasized they needed to stick to when they're available to avoid dust storms, and to stay stay at north side of mountains for shade.
"Tell us more about the route, Johanna-san." Gon asked as they sat around their camp fire.
A good part of the northeast side was that it wasn't as dry and nicely populated due to the oil underneath, hence they would only have to travel across populationless deserts a little over a week. "But at the rate we're going, we probably need only 5 days." She said, impressed. "This is the first time I've travelled this quickly. You'd have plenty of time to sight-see and still have time to rest when you reach Eikon."
"How long have you been a guide?"
"Only 4 years."
The kids nodded and Killua, out of curiosity, asked as he put his hands behind his head. "How old are you?"
"I'm 58."At least she didn't 'look' twelve, Killua thought, and Gon gave him humoured look as if sensing his thoughts. She didn't say anything though, and only returned her stare at the older woman.
"Were you always a guide?"
"No," was Johanna's succinct response for a while. "I've lived in the desert since my husband died." She eventually added stiffly as she absent-mindedly combed back the strand of hair the wind blew to her face. Killua caught a glimpse of a ring that had a very memorable sort of stone. The memory of another accessory—a pair of earrings—made him frown. "My beautiful daughter died trying to find him justice."
Johanna looked at the protective rocks around them to change the topic. "In any case you kids should sleep. We have a long walk ahead of us and this will be the last mountain in a while. It's best to gather energy."
They set up camp behind a massive rock, and they formed a circle around a fire skilfully created by Johanna. Alluka looked at every one of the adults alternatively, with a bit of awkward twinkle in her eyes. "I need to pee." She announced and Johanna gave out a light chuckle, just before offering to accompany her to the nearest restroom.
The desert restroom was really just a spot blocked by rocks; regardless, Alluka happy hummed as she peed. Johanna looked up the sky as she smirked. Her daughter used to hum all the time, too.
They returned to camp and saw Gon leaning against Killua's shoulders, with the latter seeming to be telling her a story of sorts. Johanna looked at the warmth in their eyes. Even the fire burning in front of them was no match. "Are they a couple?"
Alluka nodded, and Johanna looked at the younger girl and the other girl. "What's your relation with them?" She asked, since obviously a deeply-in love couple wouldn't normally take a mentally-young girl with them. Then she recalled how Alluka addresses the two older ones. "Is one of them your sibling?"
Alluka nodded. "Killua-nii is my brother." The old woman did not expect that. "But I see them as my mama and papa." How old was this girl again? Didn't matter, she was adorable.
"I didn't expect that. You two are very different."
"Killua-niisan is very kind." Alluka said with a sad smile. "But many things happened to him because of our family."
"Your family is bad?"
"Our family kills people."
Johanna's feet stopped midway to the camp and her eyebrows furrowed as she stared down at the raven-haired girl beside her. "What's your family's name?"
"Zoldycks," Alluka thoughtlessly responded and ran to the other two when they called to her. They called Johanna too but she stiffly waved a pass.
The three huddled together to keep warm. "Goodnight, everyone." Gon said and the other two smiled beside her.
Johanna, however, did not sleep that night.
…
Nerys looked beyond her window, eyes jaded and grim, as she recalled that event with the Kuruta. She could still see so clearly: How she straddled him and how deeply their eyes connected. She remembered their lips locking, the mix of anxiety and exhilaration seeping through her bones, and...
His utter lack of response.
It could've been perfect. She would've forgotten all about the hate in her heart, all the plans for revenge, and focused her energy to persuading him. But she knew, even if it 'did' happen, she wasn't blind not to see he'd be wishing a different face.
Recalling quickly her anger towards Gon—and all she loved—she took a paper from the memo pad on the side table nearest to her, with the rest of her body still, and sharpened it with her nen. Keeping the rest of herself frozen, her hand ever-so gently moved down, and aimed for Kurapika's throat.
But it was stopped by Kurapika's firm hand on her arm.
"I guess I'm not surprised." He had told her and, indeed, he wasn't. He knew someone who was vent on revenge when he saw one. He just didn't think she'd aim it at him. "But are you certain attacking me will help your cause?"
The lack of surprise made Nerys even angrier. Neither moved for a while. And yet as she continued to look down on him literally, she couldn't help that it was the other way around in every other sense of the word. She looked away and sat up, positioning herself at the far end of the bed, her back turned to him. "I wanted them to suffer as I did." She finally said after a stretch of silence.
Kurapika did not respond immediately. He only sat up and stared at her, with the latter doing her best not to flinch. Finally, he spoke. "How did you suffer, exactly?"
"I'm continually humiliated—treated as if I'm trash," came a bitter response, and turned her head so he could see her blazing glare. "My brother died for it!"
"You are mad because you know it is your fault your brother is dead." Kurapika responded sharply and cut the anger and enthusiasm and turned them into bubbles. He knew the feeling like the back of his palm. There wasn't a day he didn't blame himself for his clan and Pairo's demise. Because of this connection, whatever she had done, Kurapika couldn't find any hostility within him towards her.
He heaved a sigh and stood up towards the window to face the massive city down below. "Vengeance is the easy way: easy to choose, difficult to reach. But once it is realized… you will figure out that that it isn't really what you want."
"What did you want?" She asked, voice cracking.
Kurapika stared at her. "Happiness."
"Gon." She corrected, and this made Kurapika turn to face her again. "You wanted Gon."
His eyes on her didn't falter, nor did he disagree.
Nerys didn't even care the sort of expression she showed. Really, all she thought was to run away. And run away she did.
.
CRASH!
She stared at the glass she threw at her wall, and stared at its shattered pieces with no hint of feeling better. When will this stop? All this humiliation—these moments of self-pity she had never known before she encountered that blasted Zoldyck.
But Nerys Bloodsworth was never a feckless woman.
She wanted it to stop?
She will make it stop. For good.
…
It was some minutes before dawn that Gon's eyes opened. She didn't move and only allowed her eyes to adjust. It was still dark, but her eyes could still see Alluka's massive amount of hair right in front of her. She could feel the girl's arms around her once again using her as a pillow. And then she saw Killua's silver hair just beyond Alluka's form. He was sleeping silently on his back against the hard rock floor.
She gently moved her hand to him, careful, but his arms moved automatically anyway, from years of strict training, and grabbed her arm before she got closer and his hands automatically sharpened: ready to attack.
Gon did not move and waited for him to open his eyes. Slowly he realized what was going on and quickly retracted his claws. His eyes widened in despair and was about to sit up when she held his chest in place so that he stayed lying on the ground. Killua seemed to have understood and, eventually, his breathing evened out and he gave out one more sigh.
When he was calm enough, he slowly turned his head to her and mouthed an apology. She, on the other hand, mouthed a 'good morning' in response. He lifted the hand on his chest to his mouth, so he could kiss her palm. Everything was done with such silence and grace that one wouldn't even feel them happening. They did not want to wake Alluka up, for her sake and for theirs. They simply didn't want to share their intimate moments with anybody.
Eventually, they were forced to move as the sun's rays finally peeking through their shades. It was Killua who sat up from the manually formed rock plateau because Gon still had Alluka hogging her. In retrospect, he had thought that he was beyond feeling envious of his sibling—which, judging by the longing looks he seemed to be giving, he wasn't.
He missed being able to cuddle with Gon, and he wondered when they'd be that comfortable with each other again.
He quickly went to peer himself away from the thoughts by looking for their other companion, the mysterious Johanna. His eyes twitched when he registered the lack of bags with exemption to their own. He stood up so abruptly that Gon sat up, waking Alluka up.
"What is it?"
Killua looked around as Gon asked. He frowned deeply at the distinct lack of movement in their sanctuary. "Shit." He voiced out and Gon furrowed her eyebrows. Killua finally whipped his head to look at her. "Johanna's gone." He said. "And the horses."
He let out an exasperated scoff. "Ironic how she talked about camels being traitorous." He said sarcastically, although he was more anxious than annoyed. They hired a guide for a reason, despite Gon's previous experiences. That and he couldn't keep on wondering the woman's quitting had something to do with him.
Alluka was wiping the lethargy off her face, which pulled Gon's attention from Killua. Gon put her hand down and shook her head, telling the younger girl her hands were dirty and she'd infect her eyes.
She sighed. "So much for taking Alluka out to see the Hun Canyons and the Pyramids of Gozo." "Maybe next time." Now they had to focus on getting to their destination on time.
"Well you seem awfully calm about this."
"I'm just not panicking." Gon corrected. "She's probably too far off to convince to guide us again anyway. And we're too far off the airport to get another one. Not to mention it's likely we'll get lost…" Her voice trailed off once she realized Killua was gazing off the horizon, with a very anxious expression on his face.
"What are you so worried about?" Gon asked. "I'm sure Alluka'll have plenty of chances for adventure."
"I know, it's just that—It's nothing."
Gon gave him a pointed look. He didn't want to worry her again. "Can't I be allowed to lie, Gon? If it has good reason."
"When there is a good reason to lie, there is always an even better reason to tell the truth," she whipped back. "So what is it?"
His lips pursed as he pondered whether to tell her or not. It was, unfortunately, one of those moments her eyes seemed bigger and more magnetic that usual—as if the universe was mocking him, because the usual was already very disarming.
"I think she's Anita's mother."
Anita was one of the people he had always believed only his family—not him—affected negatively. He always believed she was one of the people he saved? But to find out she's likely dead—
Was it his fault again?
His thoughts was cut when he felt something pleasingly warm on his cheek. "You're regressing again, Killua." Gon told him and Alluka, as if reading her mind, went to pat his shoulder. He heaved out a sigh and smiled.
"Thank you Gon... Alluka."
"Killua… You can't depend on me on something like this." She said firmly, and then sent him a gentle smile, putting his chest. "You have to believe you're good." She said, before giving him a warning look. "Otherwise, even I may start doubting."
Killua's eyes widened and they met hers. They were firm and he knew she believed in him enough that she thought it'd never come to that. But then she stood up to find out what resources were left for them. Alluka kissed him on the cheek, before skipping to Gon in order to help her.
Killua could only stare at them, before his eyes were gravitated to the ground where his body seemed to be glued at. He had always believed of him and Gon as partners. But... was that really it?
She was the sun; he was merely the shadow who could only exist following her around... a shadow that burdens the caster. That was not what defines a 'partner'...
That was a parasite.
Killua wondered when he'd stop regressing, to become his own light, and stop being such a pitiful shadow to Gon's.
…
Minutes of walking turned hours, which eventually blurred into days with a couple of hours of sleep in between. None of them really talked much, trying to save up energy as they travelled. They weren't even that sure where they were going; all they had was the northern star and Gon's sense of direction.
Eventually, they reached hard ground—a massive gorge with characteristic beehive-shaped stones, and that meant they were in the right direction. They decided to rest there in that wonderful wonderful shade, and Gon stretched out her hand as far as she could before lying down on a random stone. It was so cool and refreshing and scorpion-free that the Zoldycks fell asleep as well.
The arid heat of the dessert noon was slowly replaced by a humid atmosphere, until it reached a point that woke the deeply-slumbering Gon up. Her eyebrows met and she whipped her head from one direction to another, feeling the air for certainty. The movement, in turn, woke Killua.
"What's wrong?" Killua asked groggily but Gon didn't answer, her sharp eyes surveying every part of the horizon.
A few moments later, even Killua felt the rumbles and heard the thunder storm happening not too far away. He turned his head to Gon when he thought she mumbled something. "What?" He asked; he couldn't hear because he was too preoccupied with the ominous atmosphere.
"Flash flood." She stated, eyes wide, just as she pulled herself up and shouted for him to get his sister, who was sleeping a meter away from him.
It happened quickly. One moment the surrounding was hard and brown, the next a tsunami of debri-filled water was already filling up the whole gorge.
He heard about floods in deserts from Gon, at what felt like ages ago. Storms were uncommon there, but once they did they delivered enormous amounts of water in a very short time. Water would fall on lowly absorbent clay-like soil which increased runoff water. Roads crossed rivers without bridges, because it was usually dry, and filled up very quickly. There were also lots of debris like logs and rocks.
That was exactly what was happening.
Killua cursed as he climbed up, partly aware that Gon was managing to go to them in case he needed help with Alluka. She reached the top of the gorge first and she extended her hand to help them. He shoved Alluka to her, but he was too preoccupied that he did not notice to upcoming debri of decades-old dead wood. He was pushed underwater, struggling for breath.
He was a decent swimmer, despite not being able to go to see before Gon, because he was often thrown in a well as a kid. But he was frozen as he saw Gon jump down to him and swim towards him with that familiar fire in her eyes. It was like he could stare at her all day.
"KILLUA!" He heard her yell and she used a technique or something to push him up—something she used to upturn the inju boat all that time ago. He was shoved the third time that day, but at least this time it was on dry land.
"Killua—" Gon squeaked as she turned him over and she was close enough that he could feel her breath. He didn't like to worry her, but this attention—after so many hours of barely talking—was something he'd rather dwell on for a while.
He feigned flimsiness and felt her warm hand behind his neck and he could feel her getting closer. Time was slow, but then he remembered it's dangerous to do CPR on a person who didn't actually need it so when their lips touched—he kissed her back.
She dropped him down in surprise, and he grinned. "Just kidding."
"Mou!" And she kicked him down the water.
He was still a parasite, all right, he thought as he laughed at Gon's mortified face, climbing up effortlessly. He laughed all the way until he returned to where he was, grinning at Gon and her quasi-indignant expression.
He may be a bit parasitic, but he thought he had plenty of time to progress. There wasn't any rush.
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 26
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 27: Reminiscent x Adventure x Grasp
They arrive at an oasis, they celebrate a birthday, and are reunited with something quite nostalgic.
REPLIES TO ANGELS
Bluesonicblast – hahaha glad I made you laugh! xDD Hope the story continues to entertain, and thank you for the comment! ;D
Digilover23 – Sorry to hear about your headache and feeling elated that I helped. xD Anyway, so glad you liked the fluff fix and thank you for reviewing~
Angaebi – Hehe you have an account! Lovely name, but I prefer calling you Grapes. Huehueheue. Glad you liked the chapter btw, and even the whole KuraNerys thing! Thx for reviewing. ;D
00Misty - Yeah. I've been pondering that. Ging has little right to be over-protective, which is something I really want to write, but we'll see! Haha. And she got her memories back! Remember the whole Illumi and the hospital thing uploaded way back (which is why you probably forgot already)? XD Anyway, thx for reviewing!
Little Numbers – Haha either way super happy you are happy! Lol. Perhaps it's both? xD Hope I uploaded fast enough and thank you for reviewing~! :D
RaNDoem – Thank you for reviewing~! Haha. I'm still writing the exam but I do hope it doesn't dissapoint~ And what do you think of NerysxKura? :D
Yuki Candy Heart – Lololol. Glad you enjoyed it! And btw, nothing happened just yet. What do you think of the 'pair' (neryxKura) tho? :D
Pri-Chan 1410 – Haha. Thank you for reviewing~! They're still travelling to the exam center tho, but I do hope the exam itself will be good. xD
Fingersofbone – hehee. Glad you seem open about the whole NerysxKura thing. I'll try to deal with that as logically as possible. *cackles* Anyway, glad you liked the chapter and thank you for reviewing~!
Jewel of the Dark – hahaha. I know I know, hit me with a frying pan instead! xD But yeah... nothing's final yet with the NerysxKura pair. Who knows...? I hope the exam (which comes in 2 chaps) will not disappoint, and thx for reviewinG~! :D
Hikar1m1ra – Thank you for reviewing! I am sooo glad you love my work... but don't die! xDDD Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Darlingfedz – hahaha noooo. Togashi is the master of Hiatus, and I do not plan on being his disciple in that area. Lol. Anywho, the quartet will be together again soon. Look forward to that, and thanks for reviewing~! :D
Reah-Kitsune – Ohhh now that I think about it, if the pair does work out, they shall be named Mafia Pair! *nods* And thank you for reading and reviewing! Enjoy the chap. ;D
Pitou77 – Yep I'm excited with DA too! Just hope Togashi gets out of his break so we get more of a glimpse. *sigh* Anyway, glad you liked the chap! Even the whole NerysKura thing, and thx for reviewing!
Egichuu – Thank you for reviewing~! xD And here it is! I hope it got out quick enough. At least there's improvement right!? Lol. Anyway, so happy you loved the chapter! :DD
Giotto27 – The NerysXKura pairing isn't final yet. What do you think abt them? :D And yep! I'll show Mito-baby soon enough, and your story is nice and deserved more praise! xD Thx for reviewing btw~
Chosanbhir – (ch24) lolololol. Chain pair rule, indeed! xD And thanks for the vote! The vote being my choice. ;D (ch25) Nope not yet! Can't imagine Kurapika doing those things at all. Haha. Anyway, thank you for the reviews! Hope you enjoy this chap as well.
Bookwormgirl69 – They will! Albeit they'll still be travelling to the island for a bit. Hehe. Hope it doesn't feel too filler-y! And nope, he doesn't know. Not yet. XD And of course, thank you for reviewing! :D
Dragonbooks – (ch2) yes, I saw! Thanks for supporting that story as well. I am so glad you liked the stories the way you did, and telling all those compliments to me makes me seriously happy. I'll do my best to keep it up! (ch25) YAY! Looking forward to all your reviews in the future, then! :D I'll try my best to make it entertaining, btw, and finally—thank you for the reviews! ;)
Panitaxchan – hahaha three years?! xD C'mon, no one should beat Togashi. Lelelele. Anyway, hope this chapter came out fast enough! Thank you very much for reviewing! :DD
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