SORRY FOR THE DELAYYYYYY! xD I hope you enjoy this chapter and, as always, special hugs to those who reviewed, fa'ved, C'2d, and Followed the story! *hugs*
Disclaimer: I wish I own Hunter x Hunter.
…
CHAPTER 27: Reminiscent x Adventure x Grasp
They reached an oasis a few hours before midnight, precisely a week-and-two-days after they left the airport. Johanna mentioned it signified they were only a few days away (by horse) from Eikon.
In any case, when they arrived, Killua and Alluka were visibly surprised. They imagined it very small: with a pond of water and a few palm trees. Instead, they saw sturdy houses made of soil—placed at strategic distance from wells—clumped closely together to form shades during daylight. The houses had very few big windows, and they were featured at night by the candles that lit their interiors. It looked very pretty that night-time. Still, the two Zoldycks didn't hide their surprise.
"Oases aren't like that at all." Gon explained with a light-hearted chuckle. "They're really towns in their own right."
Alluka positively twinkled at that and then stared at them alternately: asking for permission to run around. The two couldn't help but chuckle and nod in assent. Beaming, Alluka ran deeper into the oasis and the two laxly followed her at a distance, admiring the town at the same time.
Even after such a long time after dark, the place burst with activity. There were many people walking around, there were still a lot of shops open (and very few were actually bars), and there were camels and vehicles being prepared for travel.
Somewhere during their meanderings, they even caught glimpse of a caravan getting ready to leave. "Most people rather travel during the dark, after all, to preserve water." Gon said and stopped at a building. It was a boarding house, and she called for Alluka. "Time to rest."
"Already?"
"We have plenty of time to explore tomorrow." She said. "If you wake up early that is." She turned to Killua. "You can take care of the lodgings, Killua?"
"Yeah." "Where are you going?"
"Oh me?" "I'm just going to buy something from the caravan we saw before they leave." She said with a quick kiss. "Sleep."
Of course he knew the kiss served as some sort of irrevocable period to the conversation to shoo him away, but it had been many hours since he kissed her so he let it slide.
She touched his sore muscle to further make her point. "Unless you let me heal you."
"I'll be going to rest then." He said, and Alluka followed.
As they entered the room, Alluka immediately jumped to the bed. It was no more than a futon, but it was a welcome change from many nights in a desert. Killua wondered what Gon bought before sighing. He looked at Alluka, who was already snoring. He envied her for being able to sleep so quickly and soundly.
.
Killua was woken up by an unusual rustle around him. His brain raised alarms all over his head before he forced them down when he sensed it was only Gon (and Alluka) moving around while he slept. When he sensed them closing in with unusual energy for that time of the day (he realized upon introspection it was still night time) he slowly opened his eyes and flinched immediately at the fact that he was face to face with them both now, beams adorning their faces.
"Happy birthday Killua!"
…eh? It was already the 7th of July? He didn't even realize they already reached half that year.
"Yep! July 7th. Exactly 12:01 am." Gon grinned and he couldn't help but blink. He sat up and looked at the small box in front of him. It wasn't gift wrapped, he doubted such service was available in the area, but it was an intricate looking box.
"Thank you." He said awkwardly and scratched the back of his neck. He opened it and saw a bluish-silver ring.
"It's azure silver." "It could only be found, well at least I thought so, in the Dark Continent." "It symbolizes a duality of goodness and greatness, Killua." She said, smiled, and leaned over to whisper. That's what you are, she said, you just need to be reminded of it.
He could only gape like an idiot as he faced her shoulders and at her face when she leaned back again. His eyes them moved to his sister and back to Gon again. He took out the ring and watched its burnished bluish-silver surface against his pale skin. He hands moved on its own and raised itself to kiss it.
"Thank you." He whispered. "I love it."
.
Then he recalled if it was his birthday today then Gon's birthday was many weeks ago. His eyes widened and he whipped his head to stare at her with an ever anxious face. "What's wrong?" Gon asked worriedly.
"I—" "You're birthday…" "I lost track of dates." They lost their value when he lost her, really, but he wasn't about to say something like that out loud.
"Don't worry." She said. "I have plenty of birthdays left."
"Hmn…" he said, not quite satisfied. How could he be? But he didn't want to bother her (again) with his worries that needn't be there in the firs place. "So… how'd you celebrate these past few years?"
"The first four since we… parted was spent with Ging." "We just go on an even more challenging adventure." "We actually save some missions to do on our birthdays." "It's quite fun."
"This year though…" "I celebrated with Mito-san, grandma, and Kurapika."
Kurapika?
"Ara…?" "Where are you going, Killua?"
"We'll have a double celebration today."
Alluka beamed. "YAY!"
…
They allowed themselves to frolic around the whole day, the availability of horses, camels, and vehicles in the area not really affecting the decision. They would've played around that day regardless.
First, they sandboarded:
"Whoa! You're so awesome Killua!" Gon yelled as she watched Killua board across the think dense sand dunes, with a hint of a proud grin on his face. The golden sand reflected the light and it accentuated Killua's graceful movements further. She loved seeing Killua shine.
She allowed her insides to swell before grabbing a sandboard of her own and jumping into the dunes herself. She failed the first time, losing balance, and Killua paused beside her and telling her where to put her center of gravity and how quickly to shift it.
She didn't quite become as great as Killua, but she never fell afterwards. The wind of their faces, the swift poised movements, and the rush of adrenaline was exhilarating, and even more so because they were doing it with each other.
Alluka eventually joined in, but she topped every few meters that she decided to be a very cheerful audience instead. Before she knew it another dozen people were watching them.
The three of them laughed.
.
Then they sailed in the sands:
"Whoo! This is so much fun!" Alluka yelled as she held on the rope that controlled the sails. "And I can do it!" She screamed in glee and looked at Gon and Killua, who watched her with a mix of pride, happiness, and anxiety. "Watch meee—Whoops!"
A strong gust of wind passed by quickly and unexpectedly.
"Ara…?" Gon said, blinking the sand on her eyes away, and steered her head to view the horizon that filled only with sand. "Where'd she go?"
.
And then they tried to build sand castles:
Building sand castles was the first thing that came to mind to soothe Alluka's sobs (they found her a few kilometres from the oasis, bawling). They couldn't use too much water tho, being a scarce resource, but they built what they could.
Killua, after trying to convince himself of the masterpiece, only sighed and crossed his arms. "We made small dunes."
"Yeah."
But Alluka was smiling, so they smiled too.
…
As they watched Alluka have fun, the recall the promises of forever. Now it there was no need to say it again—to reconfirm—because it was already understood.
"I'm so glad I can remember these again." She said. "They're great beginnings to a wonderful adventure to come, ne?"
He was elated. But he remembered one of the older times he felt this elated.
Gon was taken from him the very next day.
He shook his head of the thoughts. Why did his brain automatically think of things that would ruin his day?
...
It had been a tiring but fun day. But it neared its end, and the setting sun reminded Killua of what he missed a over two months prior. He thought long and hard what Gon would want. She didn't need anything but herself, so it ended up to something she desired.
Gon was looking at a computer shop when he went back to the present. "What is it?" He asked and she looked at him.
"There're computers here, maybe we'll get some information on where in Eikon exactly we should go. Just in case something happens on the way and we'll be pressed on time. Then they rented a computer (it was almost archaic but it was working with surprising decency) and he watched Gon as she stared at the keyboard.
Killua was reminded how Gon lacked talent when it came to technology. It was almost comical: Computers in an oasis and Gon still unable to operate them properly.
Then they went out again to see more of the town.
He almost wanted to buy her a horse, a white magnificent one, especially when the oasis was interestingly not lacking in different sorts of rides. But he went against it in th end, thinking it'd be a hassle on travelling other than on rural lands.
Maybe he should really ask her. "Do you need to buy anything?"
"Well, no, not really." She said, just before a soft gust of wind carried sand to them and they cover their eyes by instinct. "well, we do need additional protection when we travel again."
"I'll buy it for you."
She bought scarves, one for each, as well as joined in a caravan headed for Eikon. It was a caravan filled with normal people. They seemed surprised seeing three teenagers travelling around on the desert alone and were sceptical when they told them they got to the Northeast oasis all on their own.
"Well, not exactly." Gon corrected. "We had a guide during the first few days."
Every night of travel from then on was like a party. "So... you two do 'it' yet?" "NO. And don't ask that." "Anyway, she's your girlfriend." He nodded. "Wow. Must be hard to have to protect your girlfriend and you sister." "I'm actually the one who needed protecting."
...
They arrived at Eikon on schedule. "We were lucky." The leader said. "The weather was particularly peaceful."
The town of Eikon was a beautiful place and its greeneries (albeit not as lush as in the places they have been) was such a contrast to the oasis that only had a couple of green areas and a handful of palm trees. The three stared in awe at the beauty of the place. The houses were built of white stone, refecting the heat, and the plants were beautiful and exotic-looking.
"Where to eat?" They pointed at different directions.
"There is only one way to decide this."
Gon and Killua nodded, Alluka stared before she was told what it was.
.
"Jan." "Ken." "PON!"
He caught a few people's stares. Killua didn't care, he just thought it was nice to feel like a kid again.
"Whoa! Spider eagle eggs!" "It's been so long, ne?" "Totally worth several thousand zennies."
Then a boat from the island came in, and a number of mauled men were mourned by their wives. "Why do they keep those hideaous creatures in there, anyway?!"
.
"I wonder just how much stronger I have become since then." He said, clenching his fist. "We're going to a dangerous place." "I wonder if I can protect you and Alluka no matter who we face in the future."
"Killua—"
They caught a sign: Archery range
"I didn't know you could use the bow and arrow."
"I only learned recently." "Wanna try?"
"You didn't tell me you can use an arrow."
"I didn't mention it?"
Gon says something about his childhood. "I recall you did practice throwing small knives when you were a kid." "Although Milluki wasn't very happy that you used his robots as targets."
He chuckled at rememberance and then he froze at a realization. "Wait, why do you even know that?"
"Illumi showed me."
"How?" He asked sceptically.
"He used one of his memory needles."
It took full thirty seconds for the gears in Killua's head to connect. His eyes widened. "He could do that?!" Why would he even have that ability?
He imagined what she had went through when he was unconscious. He heard part of it, how she and Illumi fought, and he once again was reminded of the restriction she chose to save him. "I'm sorry."
But Gon already let go of the arrow, and he wondered if she even heard him. Despite the winds, it hit the bullseye, and Killua's eyes widened—impressed. "Want to try?"
Gon held his back and his hand to put them in the right position and posture and he thought he'd never be able to get used to her warmth. It would always make him feel fluttery. However, he watched as she froze and stared at his hand. He didn't dare to speak until she did so.
"I just remembered the dodgeball game with Razor." She recalled how his strong hands served as her barrel. "Your hands were so firm." And she held his hand tighter. "You trusted me to do my best, I trusted you back."
She looked up to meet his eyes, and his stomach dropped at her tone and expression.
"What is different this time?"
…
It was an awkward walk as they searched. They looked at the map they printed out from the hunter's site and followed. Alluka was holding both their hands. At the moment, she served both as their connector and as a shield. Upon seeing a landmark, the fountain, the turned left and entered a restaurant called 'Love Love Restaurant'.
Killua almost scoffed. Almost.
Gon, however, didn't seem to notice nor to care and just went on inside with Alluka. Killua frowned at the fact their eyes had yet to meet since the conversation with the bow-and-arrow.
"My lover is beer with two strawberries." He watched her tell the table usher and he nodded in understanding.
"Meeting of examiners will be right there." He said, pointing at a V.I.P. room at the far end of the restaurant. "Midnight, sharp."
Gon nodded, and the waiter smiled. "Would you like to have dinner here, by the way?"
"No thank you."
"Ora!" A man from the nearest table exclaimed looking alternately at her and Killua. "You two a couple?"
Alluka was the one who anaswered. "A lover's quarrel, then?"
Apparently there was some sort of tradition in the restaurant. "Let souls meet, let relationships grow, and let lover's quarrels be mended." The usher said, and right on cue the restaurant's customers began chanting.
"KISS. KISS. KISS."
Doki
Killua wouldn't mind if it'd help them reconcile, but Gon sent them one of her angelic smiles, even when this one didn't reach her eyes. "Sorry." She said. "We're not fond of Public display of affections." And left the restaurant without a word. Alluka waved her hand and followed Gon, while Killua just gave the people an apologetic nod.
"You better do something sweet kid!" "A hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." And he drank his beer.
…
The nightly sea breeze was strong, their robes and their hairs followed its direction wilfully, even as they walked along the bustling sidewalk. They decided to wear their scarves then, the temperature being incredibly low. Gon assisted Alluka, who was then (Killua mused blankly) not taller than Gon's shoulder.
Then they reached a street full of colourful items like clothes, toys, and cookies—and before they knew it Alluka was running around from shop to shop. "Don't go straying too far, Alluka!" Gon yelled because they could really use not having to use 'En', especially with the number of possible threats lurking in the area.
As always, Alluka only twirled around in response. "Haaaiii~"
Gon and Killua decided to stay put as Alluka skimmed through the shops and bought what she wanted (that wasn't impractical to bring, of course). They stood side-by-side, in silence, Gon staring anywhere but him and him stealing sidewards glances of her.
He hoped something decent would come to mind, but instead his eyes travelled from her shiny hair to her fair skin to—he forced his eyes to skip down—to her hands and he recalled what she said of his. She said they were firm, and she said they were trusting.
He watched as her scarf slowly escape its bind and he caught it just before it flew off completely. "You didn't notice it slipping off?"
She languidly shook her head. Killua sighed and moved so they were face to face and gestured to bind it himself. But that instantaneous moment his arm was around her, and seeing the scarf's position around her neck, he couldn't stop himself from pulling her towards him so he could place his lips on hers. The scarf served as a curtain that allowed the moment to stay as only theirs.
They looked at each other's eyes, deeply, oblivious to the scarf that just flew away. "Gon, I—"
"Nii-san! Gon!" Someone from behind a shop yelled just before running out of the shop. "There was this awesome ginger bread hosue and I really wanna eat it." She said before sending them a sheepish smile as she raised her arms to show the paperbags she was holding. "But I spent all the money you gave me…"
Gon sweat-dropped but chuckled. "Okay." She said, extending her hand to him. Killua stared at it for a second, partly disbelieving, but smiled brightly in understanding. He was about to hold Gon's hand when a familiar figure caught his peripheral vision. It was quick but he followed the figure and he knew who it was.
Johanna.
"Killua?"
"Ah." "You go ahead." He said. "I saw… something I might want to buy."
And he ran.
…
He caught up to her a block from where he saw her. She looked like she didn't see them, but she turned around and their eyes met and she paled. She whipped herself back forward and sprinted away.
Killua's eyebrows met as he followed. Johanna seemed surprised when she saw him. Why? She did know they were headed there, right?
Unless she really left them in the middle of the dangerous desert to die.
He frowned at the thought and increased his pace. It was a chase, and it had stayed that way for a while, until he noticed a change in movement—undoubtedly caused by a change in goals—and the next thing he knew they were at the desert boarder, right next to the town.
"Killua Zoldyck." She said slowly turning to him, with a look of belligerence plastered all over her face.
"Johanna." He said back, but it lacked the hostility that she used. This was going to be a fight, likely one to be a fight to the death. He wasn't ready to fight a good person like that. "Whatever you think I did I didn't do it."
"Yeah?" "You mean ruin my life? Kill my family? That?"
"Yes." "I never killed either of them." He said, looking at her ring that was made of the same substance as Anita's earrings. "I spared Anita when she came after me."
Johanna's eyes widenesd at the name, and rage overflowed. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. He never scorned her, nor Gon, but he was receiving fury anyway. "Don't you dare call her name!"
"She and Gon were friends. We weren't enemies." "I never killed either of them!" "I don't know what happened to Anita, but—"
"Liar!" She said as she threw relentless punches to Killua. They were strong, but none of them could do him damage. "She went to the Hunter exam to gain power to beat you, then she wrote she was done hunting your family down?" "And then she follows one of you devilsand a week later they found her body washed in sea!?" It was all written in her grief-stricken face: Who else was she to blame?
"That girl Gon—she's in love with you, isn't she?" "You're not even supposed to have a lover—taking other people's loves from them—you do not deserve to be loved!" She sobbed as she wielded her saber around. "You'll probably lead to her demise!" "You devil!"
He was once again reminded of how his decisions could hurt Gon. It no longer occurred to him why such things kept happening. Doubt had already been a part of his mindset.
"Leave this earth alone already!" She yelled, pulling him back to reality, but seeing the blade come towards him during his daze—instinct took over. His sharp hands had already went through Johanna's heart.
He even felt its last beat.
"Killua!" A yell and it rang in his ears. They probably sensed the tumulous aura and got wind of the stench of blood. "Johanna! Oh my goodness—"
She ran to Johanna's lifeless body as if to check if there was still a chance to save her (none, Killua had made sure of that) and Gon's posture slumped, confirming his thoughts. Slowly, she closed the woman's eye and gave a silent prayer before turning to him.
He was retrograding again, he could feel it. All he could feel was the darkness and the pain and all he could think of was all those bad memories and how many years they have over the good ones.
"Don't you dare do this to me again!" Gon yelled, slapping both his cheeks with her hands. They stayed there, to keep him from looking away. "Come back, Killua!" Come back to me.
Instead, his eyes travel down to her neck and clothes and he gave out an apathetic sigh. "Ah. I covered you with blood again."
"It doesn't matter." She whispered, chanting, quickly pulling him in for an embrace. "It doesn't matter."
"I'm such a parasite."
"If you were I wouldn't have bothered searching for you, idiot." She used the tone he used on her when they were children. The irony. "Stop underestimating me."
"I'm not—"
"Liar."
"Sorry." He spat, not having the energy to move away. "Transmuter, remember?"
Like it was when he left the estate, and how it was not too long ago… he had felt so much pain—it didn't matter if it was physical or emotional—but he had become numb. When she was with him again emotions reawakened. Good and bad. Happiness and pain.
He was insecure and scared because he had something to lose again.
"KILLUA." She called and he flinched at the change of tone. "Would you rather I not went to look for you?"
His eyes widened and he escaped from her hold, gaze locking with Gon's. Well, would he? He asked himself and she did not take her eyes away. He almost chuckled and leaned down so their foreheads touched.
He couldn't have had it any other way, after all. He never really had.
"I think I told you this before—but when we have something to protect, we get even stronger." He nodded and she went on. "You want to be partners," she said, tone oozing of the fact the she thought he was silly. "But you think you're a parasite, and I'm someone to protect..."
She tilted her head up a bit and gave him a deadpanned look. "You really are stupid Killua."
He could only laugh out loud at how true that was.
"How can you attempt to give away something you don't have?" "You should be happy first, yourself, before you expect to give happiness to anyone else."
…
Gon went ahead to arrange Johanna's burying. They both knew Killua needed time to absorb that, especially since he knew there was no retribution with her—she no longer had any family left to apologize to. Alluka stayed with him as he stood at the town's borders, still covered with blood.
He was thankful to her, because of her words he had come to realize even more things. That moment, he knew he'd never part with Gon again.
"Alluka. I know what we should get for Gon for her birthday." "Can you take a wish?"
Alluka brightened and she nodded.
And a minute later, he was grasing a very familiar fishing rod in his hand.
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 27
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 28: Hunters x Mama x Papa
The Hunter Exams commence!
REPLIES TO ANGELS
Guest [Jun 14 2015] – lololol. Agatha will appear in the Dark Continent arc... which should happen in a couple more chaps. Hahaha. Anyways, glad you like the story so far, and thank you for reviewing! :DD
RaNDoem – Hahah rejected club? Lol. Poor them. xD They're not together tho... yet. *wink* Hihi. Happy you still like my updates btw, and thank you for reviewing! xD
Dragonbooks – Oh Azula... that badass woman everyone will pity in the end. And yes! We'll make him deal with his trauma and start being happy with himself again. Hehehe. Thank you for reviewing by the way~! :DD
Pitou77 – Hope the birthday thing didn't disappoint. And exam will happen next chap! I'm pretty excited myself as well. xDD Thanks for reviewing btw! ;D
Cyannel – Thank you for reviewing~! xD Glad you don't mind the whole NerysxKura thing and whatever happens, I hope it makes sense. Haha. And *blushes* I'm happy to know you like how I write romance! I like writing fluff very much. Anyways, Thx for telling me. ;D
Angaebi – hehehe glad you liked the chapter as well, Grapes-chan! xD And thanks for pointing out that you like the scenery descriptions. I hope to improve more in that area. Thanks for the review btw~!
Digilover23 – Yep! Never really expounded on that yet tho, I just figured out her personality will get her killed one way or another. Haha. And sure, my angel, that's because you deserve the title of an angel. Huehueheue. Thx for the review btw!
Pri-Chan 1410 – Thanks for reviewing~! Next chapter is finally the exam. So far I'm enjoying writing it and I hope you do as well when it comes out~! ;D
Fingersofbone – Thank you for reviewing! I'm so glad you liked the Yinyang pair interactions. ;D Btw, Johanna's Anita's mum. And yep! I'll try to make things a little better for her. Hahah. But who knows...? XD
00Misty – So far Anita's dead, primarily because she's only 1999 version canon. But I dunno. Something might come up so I may have a use for her. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for commenting~! :D
VChan – Thank you for reviewinG~! And yes, yes I shall (try) to continue going at it. xDD Do keep wishing me well~ ;D
Phoenix-Thunder – (ch25) Welcome back to the world of the internet! Altho I'm pretty late in replying, I'm sure. xD And yeah, I suppose there's a possibility of the NerysxKura pair. Let's wait and see that one for now. Haha (ch26) I am very happy to know even the filler chapters are fun to read. *hearts* and I'm happy in general you liked the two chapters. Thank you for the reviews! :DD
Meme7789 – I don't recommend doing reading sprees but I'm still happy to know you think it's worth it! hihihi. Btw, she has remembered. Illumi took the needles himself, back when Killua was in the hospital. *wink* Btw, thanks for reviewinG~!
Darlingfedz – Speaking of Togashi where the hell are you!? I expected him to back about now... hahah. Anyways, super glad you enjoyed the chapter (Togashi still hasn't shown up?). Pls enjoy this one too, and thank you for the review~!
Reah-kitsune – Hahaha yeah! Alluka's gender is the greatest mystery of the universe. Lelelele. And no worries, I appreciate the suggestions and may incorporate some of them if they fit the flow. In any case, thank you for reviewing and for the suggestions! :D
Egichuu – Hiii theeere too! Haha. Glad you liked the filler chap! Exam comes next chapter, but I hope you enjoy this chapter! ;D Thank you for commenting btw~
Kazumi Rin – (ch23) Pits of Hell? Hahaha. Is that what humans call 'school'? xD And same with me. I'm still thinking how the healing thing will fare in the Dark Continent but I hope I come up with something decent. (ch25) yep! They will be meeting with quite a few old friends. *wink* I just hope I write 'em decently as well. Hahaha. Btw, I am so happy you like my writing style! (ch26) They're not together yet tho. But maybe in the future. The Mafia pair's still in the fog atm. Lelelel. Anyway, I'm glad to see you again and thank you for the reviews! :D
Ctdiaz – Yes that will be adorable! I did write a one-shot where she gets pregnant tho. You can check it out if you want. :D And eheheh *blushes* I'm flattered to know you like this better than the canon. Thanks for saying so!
Chocorobo – Aww *blushes like hell* you're so sweet. I am so very flattered you love my stories so much! And I do hope in the future I don't do something that'll disappoint. XDD Thank you very much for the review! And please enjoy this chapter. :D
aphelion idfk - Is that a poem? For me? And for my update rate? hahahhaha I'm flattered! xD Here's the update! Hope you like it, and thank you for the poem~! XD
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