«I'm happy now, I ought to let you know»

The way things go - Beabadoobee


Ruhi, Gon, Killua and Zushi were standing in a circle in Gon's room, practicing the exercises they'd learned from Wing. They'd been at it for a few hours, only pausing to eat before jumping back into it. The boys were practicing their Ren by getting familiar with pushing out their aura, while Ruhi, already using this technique instinctively, was instead focusing on channeling her Nen to her eyes, trying to find her limits to eventually regulate her Nen in a more optimal way.

"I think you're using too much Nen at a time. Others will consciously work for it, but for you, it's become second nature. Imagine a faucet: most will only open a crack, just enough for their Gyo to work, but you have it fully opened, wasting more energy than necessary. I want you to try and lessen the Nen going to your eyes. Try to feel when it starts to hurt and find a dosage that works for you." Wing had told her before they'd left his apartment, and Ruhi had nodded eagerly, an excited glimmer in her eyes.

And so, as the boys worked on expanding their aura, Ruhi was deep in concentration, her eyes glowing faintly as she channeled her aura into them. She'd found herself a little frustrated when she didn't really get the results she wanted right away, compared to Gon and Killua, who seemed to be making quick progress. It was harder than she'd thought it would be, to make her body relearn to use her eyes, but she wouldn't give up!

The Sun slowly disappeared as time passed, and though she hadn't quite found the right balance yet, Ruhi was slowly getting there. Now that she was focusing thanks to Wing, she could feel the difference when playing with the flow of Nen. She'd had a bit of trouble before, since she'd never really had to think before using it, and having to consciously work for it made her mind blank at first. However, after some time, she'd successfully worked through her mind block and stopped herself from sending her Nen at full force when she used her gift.

Her goal was to find the minimal dosage she needed to start using her eyes, then train herself to use that dosage when activating them. Which was really easier said than done. But slow progress aside, Ruhi had noticed that as she kept decreasing the volume of Nen going to her eyes, her vision seemed to clear up, strangely. The white, gaseous Nen she'd seen before now held more form, less like vapor and more like clouds. And if she concentrated enough on the boys around her, she could also see small Nen veins throughout their bodies.

This was most probably a result of her eyes having been oversaturated with Nen, as Wing had said. A fully opened faucet created more air because of the pressure - so more disturbances could be found in the water, or Nen here - than a trickle of water would hold. Or something like that.

Sighing tiredly from her train of thoughts, Ruhi's eyes stopped glowing, and she glanced towards the boys, sitting herself on Gon's bed as she rubbed her fist into her aching eyes. She was getting light-headed from all that strain.

"...And suddenly all the energy is projected... Outside!" Killua recited, sending a burst of aura out of his body alongside Gon and Zushi. Ruhi grinned proudly when her friends' auras were almost identical to Zushi's, and she clapped her hands, sending them a cheer.

"You guys are quick! Your auras are looking great, good job!" She called out happily, causing Gon and Killua to send her bright grins in return. Beside them, Ruhi noticed Zushi staring at her friends with wide eyes, a slight furrow in his brows, and her grin turned a bit softer, a knowing glint in her gaze. She could understand the awe; her friends were little geniuses. She just hoped Zushi wouldn't get discouraged by that, he had so much potential as well.

"Thanks, Ruhi! We're almost at Zushi's level! We got to practice more!" Gon grinned at her, turning towards Killua, who nodded in agreement, a smile on his face. However, Zushi's eyes widened when hearing this, and he rushed to stop them.

"N-No! Learning to rest is also part of training." He told them quickly, wanting to preserve a bit of his pride. He didn't want Gon and Killua surpassing him so quickly!

At that, the boys blinked at each other, before turning towards Ruhi, who shrugged.

"Guess that's a wrap, then!" She said, standing up from the bed. Gon and Killua nodded, the latter following her and Zushi towards the door of Gon's room. They bid their goodbyes to their friend, before Ruhi turned towards Zushi when she saw him start to walk off on his own. There was that nagging feeling in her chest, and so, she wouldn't make him walk home alone. She knew she was sounding overprotective, but she didn't care. She didn't want Zushi getting hurt.

"Hey, Zushi! I'll walk with you! I-" She hesitated then, not having thought her plan ahead, and Zushi turned his head towards her in curiosity while Killua raised his brows faintly. His sharp gaze noted how her eyes darted away and her cheeks reddened guiltily, and the corners of his lips quirked up sublty. She was totally preparing a lie.

"I gotta go get something at the pharmacy!" She continued quickly, blinking a few times as she smiled at him. It wasn't a complete lie. She was getting low on conditioner so this would be killing two birds with one stone.

Zushi perked up at that, easily nodding along, and Ruhi turned towards Killua, offering him a soft grin and a wave as goodbye, before the pair walked off, leaving the silver-haired boy to stare after them. Seems like Ruhi had the same feeling I did about those guys. Killua thought, waiting until she and Zushi were a distance away before he started tailing them.

You know, just in case. He trusted Ruhi to take care of herself, it was just the other guys he didn't trust.


A few minutes later, Ruhi and Zushi were in the elevator, talking about this and that. It had been a bit awkward at first, since they'd never really had a moment alone, always having been with Gon and Killua, but Ruhi quickly did what she did best: yap about nothing and everything.

With that, Zushi slowly lost the tightness in his shoulders, and he smiled at Ruhi while they talked about training tips and places they'd been. They soon arrived in the lobby, and once they stepped into the streets, Ruhi felt uneasiness start to mount within her once more. As subtly as she could, she stepped closer to Zushi, her face becoming serious as her eyes began glowing.

"Teacher really had me working hard that time! But I ended up beating the other kids at the competition, so I was happy!" Zushi continued his story with a proud sparkle in his eyes, and Ruhi hummed, a sincere smile at his accomplishment breaking through her serious expression as she glanced over her shoulder. She caught sight of familiar, light blue, black and green stripes lashing out behind the corner of a wall and Ruhi's shoulders eased down for a second. Killua.

Though she quickly went tense once more. If Killua had followed them, it meant he also thought something was off. Turning her head back around, Ruhi kept her tone light as she talked to Zushi so as to not worry him, but continued to scan their surroundings carefully, her senses spread out. Subtly clasping the Anam Cara link by laying a hand on her chest, Ruhi sent a quick thrum to let Killua know she knew he was there, and to reassure him she knew something was going on as well. She received a hum of understanding after his initial embarrassment about having been found out, and let out a breath from her nose, her shoulders lowering in relief from having Killua keeping an eye on them.

With that, Ruhi kept her Gyo on, her olive-green eyes carefully raking over the streets. Everything seemed quiet, too quiet. It was like the calm before a storm. Zushi continued telling her about another time he'd gone with Wing to a martial arts gathering, unaware of the growing tension in Ruhi's posture. The tan girl couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched now, hunted.

And then, just as they started walking into a narrow alleyway, she felt it. A surge of malicious intent coming from behind them. Her heart skipped a beat, and she reacted instantly.

"Zushi, watch out!" Ruhi yelled, shoving him to the side as she caught a glimpse of something reaching out for him with her eyes - a large arm made of Nen. Zushi stumbled to the ground as Ruhi rolled away, quickly leaping in front of him once she was on her feet, her own aura flaring up in defense. She made sure to position herself so Zushi would be sandwiched between her and the wall, her fists held in front of her face in a defensive position. Ruhi's eyes were cold as she watched Sadaso walk towards them with a smile, her gaze darting toward his friend with a mask around his forehead behind him; Riehlvelt.

Zushi, still sitting on the ground, glanced with wide eyes between Ruhi's rigid back and the creepy men from earlier. "Ruhi!" He called out, scrambling to get up, but Ruhi didn't take her eyes off the threat.

"Stay back, Zushi!" She ordered, her voice firm and unyielding. Without letting her gaze stray from the men in front of her, she quickly bent down, grabbing a broken glass bottle she'd spotted earlier to act as a weapon in case they attacked once more. Sadaso chuckled seeing this, his eyes creasing into black crescents.

"You're quick and resourceful, Ruhi. You and Gon both share those traits, and that's what I really like about you." Sadaso chuckled, glancing at Zushi behind her. "Now, I suggest you accept to fight us. Or else... Things could get messy." He stated, smiling at Zushi meaningfully, and Ruhi frowned, moving a bit so she hid Zushi from his sight, failing to mask the angry sneer that curved itself on her face.

"You're not laying a hand on Zushi." She declared, but while she didn't particularly want to fight – though their offer was beginning to look pretty enticing - Ruhi knew that the only way was soon becoming to accept. They couldn't always stay with Zushi to protect him. At one point, these guys will find a way to get him when he's alone. Ruhi sighed, slowly nodding, before she lowered her makeshift weapon.

"Killua." She called out, and the two men along with Zushi blinked in shock when said boy appeared next to her in the next second, hands in his pockets and a cold, analytic glare sent Sadaso's and Riehlvelt's way. Killua turned towards Ruhi, and the two shared a brief look.

Ruhi's eyebrows scrunched up slightly in question, and in response Killua shrugged lightly. He then tilted his head toward Zushi meaningfully, and Ruhi nodded. Zushi blinked at the silent conversation the two seemed to be having, and quickly looked back at Ruhi when she huffed, letting her broken glass bottle clatter to the ground as Killua spoke up.

"Me and Ruhi, we'll fight you. But on one condition – you keep Zushi and Gon out of this. If you wanna fight him, you'll have to follow his schedule." He stated calmly, and Ruhi nodded, eyeing both men, who had pleased smirks on their faces.

"Gon's already in hot waters with our teacher. This might be the final straw." She added, frowning when both men only continued smiling. She'd thought they'd be more disappointed since they'd seemed to want to fight Gon. Must be cause they just bagged two fights each.

"Fine, let's go register now." Riehlvelt said from Sadaso side, and Killua and Ruhi nodded. When one of the men went to grab Zushi, as a "safety measure", Ruhi glared and put her foot down.

"We just said to keep him out of it. We're not stupid, we know you can do that type of shit again. Leave him." Ruhi ground out angrily, her body blocking Rievehlt's way to Zushi. The two men looked at each other, before Sadaso nodded his head after a second, and Rievehlt wheeled himself a few meters away.

Zushi, still flush between Ruhi and the wall, looked up at them, worry etched across his face.

"Ruhi, Killua... are you sure about this?" He asked, his voice wavering. Ruhi glanced at him, seeing how he was still a bit pale from the shock, and her eyes softened. She sent him a reassuring smile, though there was a hint of seriousness in her gaze.

"Don't worry, Zushi. We've got this. Just make sure you get home safe, okay?" She told him kindly, and Zushi hesitated, glancing between them and the two men, but eventually nodded.

"Okay... but be careful." He said, and Killua gave him a brief, confident smirk, while Ruhi nodded. At that, Zushi began to walk away, glancing one last time before he rounded the corner of the alleyway. As he walked back towards his home, he couldn't help but realize he'd lost his shoe when Ruhi had pushed him. With a frown, Zushi returned to the dark alleyway, a nervous look on his face that eased down when he realized the others had left. However, he couldn't find his shoe, amidst all the rubble and dim light.

Rubbing a perplexed hand over his head, Zushi frowned, before he let out a resigned sigh. He turned around again, concern and gratitude for Ruhi and Killua soon overshadowing that thought.


Ruhi and Killua were side by side against one of the elevator's walls, facing off against Sadaso and Riehlvelt, who were leaning against the opposite wall with smug grins plastered on their faces. The elevator was ascending with a soft hum, but while the ride was smooth, the atmosphere inside was thick with tension.

At one point, the doors opened, and a brown-haired clerk blinked in surprise when he quickly noted the uncomfortable, suffocating silence inside the cabin – Ruhi's sharp glares towards the two men in front of her adding to the welcoming atmosphere. Seeing this, the worker promptly pressed the 'close' button, wide eyes watching awkwardly as the four of them disappeared once more behind the doors, without him. He'd wait for the next ride.

Inside the elevator, Killua's sharp eyes flicked to Ruhi, noticing the way she held herself—her shoulders were stiff, and her hands were clenched into fists at her sides. She was barely restraining the anger simmering just beneath the surface. Her eyes, usually warm and lively, were now cold and narrowed, glaring daggers at the men across from them. He'd seen this side of her before—when Wing had intended to slap Gon after his reckless fight against Gido. It was clear that she had a low tolerance for anyone who dared to endanger the people she held dear.

I wonder if she'll go all out against these guys, as a form of revenge for Zushi, or something. Killua mused, then. He'd noted she had a bit more of a passive tendency regarding fights, but with her protective nature and the determination he could see in her eyes, Killua thought this scenario was likely. Because this was more than just a fight, now; it was personal. Killua could tell Ruhi was already planning her strategy to make them regret messing with them, with the way her fingers were rubbing against each other like she usually did when she was thinking deeply about something.

Keeping his posture outwardly calm and relaxed, Killua's gaze shifted to Sadaso, who was smirking at Ruhi as if he found her anger amusing. Killua felt a sharp pang of irritation then, his hands twitching at his sides, his cool mask breaking a bit as his eyes narrowed subtly. It would be so easy to dispose of these men. He'd just have to wait a bit later once they were alone, get close and rip their throats out. They'd make no sounds, and it'd be a quick death. Easy peasy. The thought was tempting, almost too tempting. But then he thought of Ruhi's reaction, if she was to ever find out.

Ever since they met each other, she'd always embraced him. She'd never recoiled from him when he slipped into his old habits, even when he'd fully intended to kill those two guys on the airship during the Hunter Exam. But this... this would be too far. Killua had left the shadows of his home to live a more normal life, and Ruhi didn't approve of such extreme measures. He knew she wouldn't want him to cross that line, not now, not like this.

The elevator chimed, signaling that they had arrived on the 200th floor. The doors slid open, and the group stepped out into the lobby. They made their way to the registration desk, where they would officially sign up for their matches. The clerk working at the moment barely glanced at them as he handed over their identification cards, his expression becoming a bit more awake once he recognized both kids. It was pretty rare to see teenagers at this level, after all.

Ruhi and Killua filled in the paperwork in silence, and when they turned to leave, Killua sent one last look at Sadaso and Riehlvelt.

"This is a one time deal, by the way. If you break your promise... Well, whatever." He trailed off, dismissing Sadaso when the man smiled, urging him to continue. Killua only turned around, tugging Ruhi after him with a hand on her back.

"No point in telling you now. Just keep your word." He called out nonchalantly, sighing when he and Ruhi disappeared behind the hallway's corner. Ruhi stayed silent, and Killua glanced at her, easily seeing her frustration. He decided to lighten the mood, casually putting his hands behind his head.

"Well, that was a real pain in the ass." He remarked dryly, his brows raised and a bored look on his face as he gazed ahead, and Ruhi blinked, caught off guard by his comment. She stared at him for a moment before a small, amused smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She huffed a laugh, the tension in her shoulders easing just a bit.

"Yeah, not what I had in mind when I woke up this morning." She replied, her voice softer now, the anger slowly dissipating, and Killua grinned, pleased to see her mood improving. Glancing at her briefly, he put his hands on his pockets and nodded towards their approaching rooms.

"Come on, let's get back to training. We still got work to do before these fights, if we want to make it for Wing's deadline." He told her and Ruhi grinned in agreement, her determination returning as she followed Killua towards his room. The time limit to master their respective exercises had just gotten a lot shorter, but they were more than ready to rise to the challenge, together.


A while later, the two sat across from each other on the floor of Killua's room, their legs crossed in a comfortable position. The room was dimly lit, with only the small lamp on the bedside table they each had in their rooms casting a warm glow over them. The air was quiet, filled only with the faint hum of the building's ventilation system and the subtle sounds of the city outside the window.

Killua was working on refining his Gyo after having finalized his aura earlier at the start of their training session. Meanwhile, Ruhi was sitting with her back against Killua's bed, practicing how to dose her Nen in a way that her usage of Gyo would be optimal. Her eyes glowed softly, resembling fireflies in the night; the olive green of her irises brightened by the Nen coursing through them. She'd reached the right measure after some time - just before Nen stopped flowing through her eyes - but she was still having trouble activating that volume right at the start. Instead, she always started at a higher dosage without meaning to, then she had to concentrate on decreasing her Nen until she reached the right amount. But progress was progress!

Having been at it for a while, Ruhi's mind began slipping from her concentrated state. She started daydreaming, her eyes trailing over different things across the room while she kept Nen flowing through them. She was at the boring part of her training, now. Since she had to find the measure that would allow minimal strain on her body, Ruhi was timing how long it took for her to feel her eyes start to hurt, proportionally to the volume of Nen she could feel flowing through her veins. She'd been noting each result, but as she crept closer to the perfect dosage, the time before feeling any strain grew as well.

I'm getting hungry... Mhm. Ramen would be nice. Ruhi thought boredly, absentmindedly glancing at Killua to see where he was at in his training. However, she paused when something unusual caught her eye. Her gaze narrowed, and she leaned in slightly to get a better look.

There, just above the bridge of his nose, was a faint, almost imperceptible dot of Nen on Killua's forehead. It was something Ruhi hadn't noticed before – both because she rarely looked directly at Killua's face with her gift, and because refining her Gyo had made her vision much clearer than before when she did use her eyes - and now that she was so close to him, it stood out like a tiny beacon.

Killua noticed her staring at him and raised an eyebrow, "What's up? You're spacing out." He grinned amusedly, but Ruhi didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned in even closer with a puzzled expression, her hands suddenly reaching out to grab Killua's head, fingers threading through his silver hair. The unexpected move made him blink in surprise, his cheeks flushing slightly at the sudden proximity, but the look on Ruhi's face wiped away any embarrassment he might have felt—she was serious, her expression etched with worry.

"Killua, there's something weird here." Ruhi murmured, her voice laced with concern. "A small dot of Nen… right here." She lightly traced the area with her thumb, her expression growing more serious. "I've never noticed it before, but now that I'm this close… it's definitely there." She told him, bending his head to the sides to try and see if she could see more of it, to no avail. Her heart started to beat quickly in worry – Nen in such a specific, weird place did not sound like a good thing, in her opinion - and she sat back on her heels. Ruhi met Killua's gaze, a frown tugging at her lips.

Staring back at her for a second before glancing down to his lap, Killua's eyes widened for a split second as he processed her words. A dot of Nen? He hadn't noticed anything unusual there before. His mind raced, trying to figure out what she was seeing, and he reached up to touch the spot she indicated, his fingers brushing against his skin. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit him, the realization making his blood run cold. His expression darkened, gaze becoming serious and distant. This was Illumi's work, no doubt. To control his actions, manipulate his decisions and reactions without him even realizing it.

Something dark crossed his face, and Killua clenched his jaw, glancing down towards his hand, fingers clenching into a tight fist. Ruhi followed the action, and her face creased in worry, easily seeing where this was going.

"Killua, wait." She urged him, her voice tight with concern. "Maybe we should wait and get a doctor. If you try to remove that thing yourself, it could damage your brain. It seems really small. Please… be careful." She pleaded, and Killua's hard glare softened when he looked at her. She always knew what he was thinking. It was both pleasant to have someone know him so well, and annoying since he'd always been good at hiding his intentions from anyone else before.

"It's okay, Ruhi," he said softly, his voice steady. "I can handle this. You don't need to worry." He appreciated her concern but knew that he couldn't wait. He had to remove that thing now, before... Well, he didn't want to admit it... But he feared letting down his friends by running away from a stronger opponent, like he'd always done in the past. If he continued to do that, Ruhi or Gon would be in danger.

Despite Killua's reassurance, Ruhi's eyes were still filled with fear. She opened her mouth to protest, but Killua interrupted her gently.

"Hey, it's fine, I promise, I won't do anything stupid. I've got this, okay?" He said, giving her a small smile, his voice dropping to a softer tone. Ruhi hesitated, still looking unconvinced, but his calm, confident demeanor managed to soothe her nerves just a little. Seeing this, Killua's leg uncrossed from his position, and he pushed his foot against her own, a teasing grin on his face that was quickly mirrored by Ruhi.

"Besides," Killua continued, his smile growing a bit cheekier, "you think I'm gonna let something like this mess with me forever? No way." He raised his brows, shrugging lightly, and Ruhi watched him for a moment before finally letting out a reluctant sigh, the corners of her eyes crinkling up slightly as she smiled at him.

"Yeah, I get it." She admitted softly, her tense shoulders relaxing a bit. Then, Ruhi went silent, her smile slightly dropping from her face. "I just hate the thought of you getting hurt." She mumbled, looking away as she said this. Killua's expression softened at her words, the teasing gleam fading from his gaze, and his cheeks warmed up slightly.

He wasn't used to hearing such raw, unfiltered concern directed at him, and the way she said it—with that genuine, vulnerable tone—hit him harder than he expected. For a moment, he was at a loss for words, and he watched her as she looked away, her brows slightly furrowed in a mix of frustration and unease. There was a flicker of something in his chest then. A warm, gentle tug that made him realize just how much Ruhi's feelings meant to him. She wasn't just worried about him because they were friends; she truly cared, and the thought of him in pain was something she couldn't stand.

Killua shifted closer, his playful demeanor now replaced by something more sincere, more heartfelt. He hesitated for a brief second, rubbing the back of his neck before speaking up.

"I know you do." He said quietly, his voice softer. "But you don't have to worry so much, okay? I'm tougher than I look." He tried to keep his tone light, but there was a hint of seriousness in his eyes that told Ruhi he wasn't just brushing off her concerns. "I've been through worse. This is nothing I can't handle. But, well…" He paused, taking a deep breath as he searched for the right words.

"I've always been on my own, you know? But ever since you and Gon showed up, it's… different." Killua glanced away for a moment, his gaze distant. "I'm not used to people actually caring about what happens to me. It's kinda weird, but… it's nice." He looked back at Ruhi, his expression softening into a genuine, lopsided smile. "So, thanks. But I promise, I'll be careful. For you, and for Gon. I'm not gonna let anything stupid take me down."

Ruhi blinked at his words, the vulnerability in his voice catching her off guard. She had seen many sides of Killua, but this was different. This was Killua at his most honest, unguarded, and it made her heart swell with a mix of affection and gratitude. Ruhi smiled that soft, warm expression she only reserved for him before she nodded.

"Alright. I trust you." She told him, and Killua grinned, leaning back slightly on his hands. He gave her a final, reassuring look, playfully nudging her foot one last time.

"Now, let's get back to business." He told her, his voice lightening once more, and Ruhi chuckled, nodding brightly.

"Hell yeah!"


A few hours later, Ruhi went back to her room to rest, and Killua sat in the same place since she'd left – sitting on the carpet, facing his bed. He could almost still feel the ghost of Ruhi's presence lingering in the space, but now it was just him, the dim light of the lamp, and his thoughts. He stared at his reflection in the mirror on his dresser, his eyes narrowing at the spot on his forehead where Ruhi had pointed out the Nen dot. His fingertips brushed the skin again, tracing the area as if to make sure it was really there.

Killua's heart pounded as he stared at his reflection, his mind racing. He knew this thing implanted in his head had been influencing him, controlling his every reaction whenever things got tough. Every time he'd felt an irrational urge to run, every time he'd second-guessed himself in the heat of a fight, it was Illumi's voice that rang loudly in his mind, making his body lock up in fear.

A surge of anger shot through him, directed not just at Illumi, but also at himself for not realizing it sooner. His expression hardened, and he sharpened his nails into sharp claws, but hesitated as he lifted his hand toward his face. Sweat began to pour down his temples, his heart beating quicker.

Clenching his jaw, Killua steeled himself, his eyes hardening. This is just a trick to make sure I don't remove this thing! Just do it, you moron! He thought angrily, hesitating for one more second before grunting in anger and suddenly jamming his sharpened fingers into his forehead. The familiar zing of pain helped to calm his thoughts, and he dug deep until he felt a sharp, foreign presence inside of his head. Killua gritted his teeth before and he pulled his hand out in one swift motion, holding it up to the light afterwards.

There, between his bloodied fingers, was a tiny, almost insignificant needle. As he stared at it, Killua expected to feel different, for some kind of monumental shift to occur, but there was no sudden change, no dramatic transformation. However, he did feel something. Something much subtler, like a weightlifting off his shoulders. Because he was finally, truly free.

Killua sat back, rolling the needle between his bloodied fingers for a few moments before he stood up. He put the needle on his desk, before he slowly walked towards the bathroom, uncaring of the blood running down his face and neck. The corners of his lips tugged up into a smirk, and he let out a short laugh as he passed the threshold of the bathroom.

Gone was the shadow of his brother hanging over his head; the fear that was always slightly omnipresent in his heart. Killua was in control of himself, now.

And damn it if it didn't feel good.


Next day

The next morning, Ruhi found herself outside Killua's room, ready to meet up as they'd planned the night before. She knocked on the door, and Killua's muffled voice called out from inside for her to come in. Ruhi grinned in response and entered the room. Though, when she did, she didn't see him anywhere and glanced around in confusion. Then, the faint rush of water coming from the bathroom reached her ears. Ruhi turned her head towards it, lifting her brows when she noticed Killua had left the door open just a crack. It was a habit born from his assassin training to ensure he'd hear if anyone sneaked up on him.

Smiling bemusedly, Ruhi took off her brown sandals near the doorway and walked towards the bathroom to close the door. Since he wasn't alone anymore, Ruhi thought it would offer him more privacy once he got out. Ruhi then turned around, her ponytail slightly swishing behind her head as she looked around the room. Her gaze stopped on Killua's closet, and feeling curious, Ruhi wandered over to it. He'd told her about a shopping spree a few days earlier, and she was intrigued to see what kind of clothes he'd picked out. Killua had a surprisingly good sense of style, and her own wardrobe was ready for a few refreshments. Maybe she could find some inspiration!

Humming, Ruhi opened the wooden closet and began thumbing through his neatly hung clothes, letting out small noises when she saw pieces she liked. Oh, this is nice! She thought, bringing a pink sweater closer to her chest in front of the mirror inside of the closet, and tilted her head to the side thoughtfully when she noticed it matched her baggy jeans. I wonder if I could borrow this sometimes. It's really soft, too... She mused, blinking in surprise when the bathroom door swung open at that moment.

Killua stepped out, water droplets still clinging to his silver hair. He was wearing a teal tank top and a pair of light brown cargo pants. Ruhi glanced over her shoulder at his sudden appearance, and Killua placed his white towel on a rack to dry before glancing at her.

"Hey, toss me my shirt, would you?" He said, pointing toward the zip-up black tank top with a twin T logo across the chest hanging from the edge of his bed. Ruhi picked it up, but instead of immediately throwing it to him, she held it up in front of her face, inspecting the logo with a quirked brow.

"What does the 'TT' stand for?" She asked, tilting her head with a playful grin. "Titties?"

Killua's face flushed faintly pink as he rolled his eyes, half embarrassed and half amused by her comment. "No, dumbass," he retorted, his tone laced with annoyance. "It's for Techno Threads. It's a brand." He snatched the shirt from her, pulling it over his head with a huff. Ruhi snickered, clearly entertained by his reaction, and Killua shot her a look that was both exasperated and fond. Turning around, he grabbed a cap at the end of his bed and the two then made their way out of Killua's room, towards Wing's apartment.

As they walked under the sun's glare, Ruhi squinted, her eyes stinging from the sudden brightness. Noticing her discomfort, Killua casually slipped his cap off and plopped it onto her head without saying a word. His fingers lingered for a brief moment as he adjusted the hat to fit, the gesture unspoken yet undeniably thoughtful. Ruhi blinked in surprise, her heart warming at the unexpected kindness. She tugged at the cap's bill, a smile spreading across her face.

"Thanks." She called out softly, her tone carrying a hint of affection and Killua merely shrugged, trying to play it cool.

"No problem." He replied, but the faint smile tugging at his lips betrayed his nonchalant facade. They continued their walk, chatting idly about their upcoming matches and training plans, their camaraderie comfortable and easy. However, as a gust of wind swept past, Ruhi caught sight of something that made her pause: a bloody scar on Killua's forehead, usually concealed by his silver hair. The sight sent a pang of concern through her.

"Killua, that Nen thing in your forehead... Did you get it out? What was it?" She couldn't help but ask, and Killua stopped, his expression shifting as he turned to face her. For a moment, his eyes reflected a flicker of something darker, but then he smiled. It was something fierce, tinged with a defiance and a bitterness that only he could understand.

"It was one of Illumi's needles." He began, his voice calm but laced with an undercurrent of intensity. "He used it to control my reactions, keep me in line. But I'm free now." Killua finished, a shine brightening up his eyes, and Ruhi beamed at him despite the painful tug she felt at her heart hearing this. Without thinking, she reached out and clasped his hand tightly, squeezing it for a few brief moments before letting go. It was a simple, fleeting gesture, but it was enough to convey how proud and relieved she was.

Killua felt the warmth of her touch, and for a second, the world around him seemed brighter. He turned his head slightly, catching her grinning at him out of the corner of his eye. He mirrored her smile, feeling a surge of lightness in his chest.

They continued on their way to Wing's apartment, until Ruhi spotted a box of choco-robots inside of a candy shop a few meters down, and paused once more. Operation: Find Killua's birthday present starts now! Ruhi thought, incapable of keeping herself from smiling as she turned back towards her friend, who'd noticed her stop abruptly and was looking at her expectantly.

"Killu, go on ahead! I just saw something I want to buy." She told him excitedly, and while he shot her a disbelieving look, he let it go. Nodding, he turned around and sent her a wave over his shoulder.

"Alright, but make it quick!" He called out, and Ruhi agreed loudly, glancing at his back for a few more seconds before she eagerly walked into the shop, the jingle of the bells on the door and the sweet smell of the shop greeting her as she stepped inside. Smiling, Ruhi quickly made her way to the Choco-robots, grabbing a few of the bright-colored boxes to fill her hands. Killua had eaten through the mountain she'd given him after she'd lost their run, but since he'd actually eaten all of the stock that filled the nearby shops, the glutton hadn't been able to have any more for a while, much to his chagrin. Ruhi had to hear him complain about it a lot, so she knew this would be a well-received gift.

Satisfied with her quantity, Ruhi then walked to the register, noting the weirded-out look she received from the female cashier, who was eyeing her bundle of treats with a sculpted eyebrow arched up skeptically.

"...Will that be all?" She asked Ruhi, who nodded with a smile a bit less bright than before when confronted by the worker's judgmental stare. What's wrong with buying chocolate? Sure, there was a lot, but I mean, she works in a candy shop! Has she not seen worse from other kids? Ruhi huffed internally once she was out of the shop, a small pout on her lips. However, she grinned once more when glancing down at her bag of goodies, her eyes crinkling up happily. Now, there's just that bracelet left to make, and I'll tell Gon so we can plan something to surprise Killu. She thought happily, stepping through the door to Wing's apartment building. When she entered, she saw Gon and Zushi animatedly discussing something in hushed tones, Killua close by, a thoughtful look on his face.

"Morning, you guys!" Ruhi greeted, smiling warmly at Gon and Zushi, then Wing sitting in a corner of the room. Seeing as Ruhi was there, Killua stepped forward, cutting straight to the point.

"Hey, Wing, can you show me yesterday's tape again? I learned Gyo." He announced confidently, earning surprised glances from both Zushi and Gon. Wing raised his eyebrows, clearly impressed, and then his gaze shifted to Ruhi, noting her expression as she put down her bag and her green overcoat on one of the couches.

"How about you, Ruhi?" He asked her, and Ruhi grinned.

"I figured out the right dosage of Nen to use for my eyes, so now I can activate them without straining myself too much." Wing's eyes softened with pride as he listened, clearly pleased with their progress. He then turned around to set up the tape, fast-forwarding it a bit. Killua leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he scrutinized the screen.

"Fifteen threads, right?" He began, his voice calm and assured as he explained in more intricate details where the Nen threads connected, and what his theories were regarding the nature of Hisoka's Nen. "He seems to use his aura like an adhesive gum. If I'm right, then this explains his magic trick." He finished, the strain starting to be too much on his body, and he let out a breath, resting his hands on his knees as he stopped using Gyo. From beside her, Ruhi caught the gobsmacked expression on Zushi's face, and she grinned amusedly, turning a proud look back towards Killua. Wing, too, was impressed—Killua's keen observation skills were far beyond his age.

"I didn't expect the three of you to learn your tasks so quickly." He commented, his gaze drifting over the trio. Hearing this, Killua and Ruhi turned to Gon, eyes widening in surprise.

"You learned it too?" Ruhi asked, a proud grin slowly inching on her face and Gon nodded, his expression determined. "Yeah, I had an itch to fight." He told them, before a darker look crossed his face and the corners of his lips tilted down slightly.

At that, Killua and Ruhi shared a brief look; one worried, thinking Gon must have been threatened by Sadaso, Riehlvelt and Gido, while the other seemed unsurprised. Killua had heard a man talking about an upcoming match between Sadaso and Gon. He knew the bastard hadn't kept his promise, but this served to confirm it.

Hearing Gon's words, Zushi's face fell, his shoulders drooping in guilt. He'd arrived after him, so Zushi probably had missed the moment Gon had told Wing. Zushi thought about the boot he'd lost that might have given the men an edge, and Ruhi, noticing the guilt written all over his face, gently placed a hand on his shoulder. She gave him a gentle smile and shook her head, nonverbally trying to make him understand nothing was his fault. Surprised, Zushi quickly looked up at her, and seeing the way Ruhi was looking at him, seemed to become aware of this and straightened, giving her a more determined nod. Ruhi then turned to Wing, her voice calm and smooth.

"I've scheduled my match for the 28th of May." She told him, and Killua perked up, following up with a casual grin. "And mine's on the 29th of May."

Wing raised an eyebrow, curious about their choice of dates. Before Ruhi could offer an explanation, Killua spoke up with a smooth confidence that caught her off guard.

"It's because they're our birthdays!" He lied effortlessly, his tone convincing and casual. At that, Ruhi had to bite back a laugh, quickly masking her amusement by swiftly taking off the tie holding up her hair and hiding her expression behind a curtain of curls. She began redoing her ponytail, bent over so her head was down and out of sight, and Killua, sensing her reaction, subtly glanced at her to make sure she wouldn't blow their cover.

Seeing her already looking at him from the side with mirth crinkling up the corners of her eyes, Killua couldn't help but grin, shaking his head slightly.


Two weeks later

The soft hum of fluorescent lights echoed faintly in hallway of the 200th floor as Killua walked through, his steps silent as always. His eyes were sharp, predatory—focused on the hunt; room 2231. He'd tracked Sadaso's room easily enough, waiting until his match against Ruhi was close enough to make his move. No time for the man to second doubt, this way.

Stepping in front of the door, Killua paused, listening intently. His ears picked up nothing from the other side, just the faint sound of running water. Satisfied, he pulled one hand from his pocket, his nails sharpening, glinting in the dim light. In one swift motion, he jammed his claws into the lock, his gaze cold and focused as he silently opened the door after a few seconds.

Killua slipped inside, the door softly clicking shut behind him. His eyes quickly scanned the room, landing on the bathroom door, which was open just a crack. Light streamed through, and Killua could hear Sadaso's voice muttering to himself gleefully. He crept up near the bathroom's doorway, and saw Sadaso grinning smugly in the mirror as he washed his hands.

"Can't wait, can't wait~" He laughed, water rushing from the tap. "I'll make her cry before I crush her, and then I'll beat Killua, and then Gon!" Sadaso chuckled, thinking of ways to humiliate his preys. It was part of the fun!

His words made Killua's blood boil, his darkened eyes narrowing slightly. Thoughts of Ruhi's crying face invaded his mind, making his fingers twitch. The idea of this pathetic excuse for a fighter thinking he could hurt her, use her – both Ruhi and Gon - was laughable, and very, very irritating.

Keeping his gaze on Sadaso, Killua approached, silent and deadly. The man didn't even notice him, too wrapped up in his thoughts. Killua entered the room when Sadaso glanced down to close the tap, letting the man know he was there by shutting and locking the door behind him with a click that echoed ominously in the small space.

Startled, Sadaso looked up and saw Killua's reflection in the mirror. Killua's eyes peering into his with unyelding focus, sending shivers down Sadaso's back from the eery, sharp look in the boy's stare. The blonde man went to turn towards him, his mouth opening up in surprise, but before he could move, Killua was on him, lightning-quick, a sharp knife prickling against his throat in a warning as he stood behind him.

"You move, you're dead. You use your Nen, you're dead. Shout, and you're dead." Killua's voice was cold, laced with a deadly calm that sent chills down Sadaso's spine. He could feel the edge of the knife pressing just hard enough to draw blood, and he began sweating in fear. Killua's eyes bore into Sadaso's through the mirror, and he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"See what happens when you break a promise?" He began, a smile appearing on his lips; predatory, and utterly devoid of warmth. "You made a mistake, coming after us." Killua continued softly, his voice low and menacing. His mind went back to what Sadaso had said earlier, about making Ruhi cry, and the man almost whimpered as he felt the spike in killing intent in the air, his fingers and legs starting to shake.

"Never show your dirty face to us again, got it?" Killua told him, waiting until Sadaso shakily nodded, before releasing him, causing the man to stumble into the sink. Sadaso's heart pounded in his chest as he looked up, only to see that Killua had disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared, the only traces left of him being a bloody dot on his neck.

A few seconds passed in shocked silence, before Sadaso took in a sharp breath, coming back to his senses. He shakily straightened up from his hunched position over the sink, and slowly made his way into his room, glancing around to make sure the cost was clear. Seeing as he was seemingly alone, Sadaso started moving with more speed, a frenzied look appearing on his face as he hurried to pack up his clothes and things to leave as quickly as possible.


Ruhi stood in the middle of her room, stretching out her arms as she prepared for her match against Sadaso. Her eyes drifted over to a small potted plant on her windowsill, its bright green leaves bringing a splash of color to her room. She'd bought it a week ago, and while it wasn't much, it gave her a sense of calm and happiness, to see it thriving.

As she moved through her stretches, Ruhi's mind circled back to her upcoming fight. She didn't know much about Sadaso other than he was more experienced in Nen than her and he had an invisible hand he used against his opponents. While she would have been in danger in any other case, Ruhi had a lucky edge over Sadaso: her eyes. She could see his Nen hand, which meant she could work around it more easily. I'll keep my movements sharp and unpredictable and use my Gyo throughout it. It should be fine since I worked out how to control it, but I don't know if I'll react the same way while fighting. Ruhi thought, her mind running through different strategies, her brows furrowing slightly as she tried to account for any more surprises.

She was getting started on stretching her legs when the door suddenly opened, and Killua walked in, his expression unreadable but his steps heavier than usual. He used to knock until a month or so ago, a habit born from their early interactions when he'd been more conscious of her being a girl, but now it seemed overly formal for them.

Ruhi glanced over her shoulder, her eyes immediately catching the residual tension in his frame. To anyone else, Killua would've looked normal enough, but the way his shoulders were set and the faint tightness around his eyes told her otherwise.

"What's wrong?" Ruhi asked him, turning around and resting her back against her bed to look at him fully. She frowned slightly, her keen gaze assessing him, and Killua blinked, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He hadn't expected her to read him so easily, though he probably should have by now. She always seemed to see through him, no matter how carefully he tried to keep his emotions under wraps.

Walking over to her, Killua sat down on Ruhi's bed with a quiet sigh, his elbows resting on his knees. For a moment, he didn't speak, his expression shifting between satisfaction and lingering irritation. His eyes flicked to her window, and then back to her, something fierce and protective still burning behind them.

"We won't need to worry about Sadaso," Killua said, his voice steady. He didn't elaborate, but the sharp edge in his tone was enough for Ruhi to piece it together. He'd taken care of the threat, in his own way.

Ruhi watched him, her frown easing into a thoughtful look. She could see the tension he was trying to mask, the lingering adrenaline of whatever confrontation he'd just had. She could guess how things had played out, but she didn't need to ask for details. Instead, she dropped her head down and gently thumped her temple against his knee, a playful yet comforting gesture that said more than words ever could.

Killua glanced down at her, caught off guard by the unexpected but familiar contact. Ruhi looked up at him, her eyes twinkling with a knowing glint that warmed something inside him. Her grin was small but genuine, a quiet acknowledgment that she understood—and that she trusted him completely.

"Thanks." She murmured, her voice light yet sincere and Killua smirked, his earlier tension loosening under her gaze. He reached out, affectionately pushing her forehead away with his index.

"Don't mention it." He said, before standing up, holding out his hand for her. "C'mon, I'll walk with you to your floor. 209, right?" He asked her, and Ruhi raised her brows, surprised he'd remembered.

"Yup!" She grinned and took his hand, pulling herself up then letting go. Together, they left Ruhi's room, making their way to the elevator that would take them up to the 209th floor, for her match.


"It is now past the time limit for both fighters to appear, and Sadaso hasn't shown up! Ruhi wins by default!"


A week later

The next two days after Ruhi's win, Killua and Gon were also declared winners, since Sadaso had fled. And now, a week later, on the 4th of June, the first match of the day was Gon versus Gido, and the stadium was buzzing in excitement. Ruhi was sitting beside Killua as they watched their friend step into the ring, her fingers unconsciously curling into fists as she observed the determined expression on Gon's face. She knew how much this fight meant to him—this was not just to prove himself, but also in revenge for the men's backhanded methods they'd used against them.

As the match began, Gido immediately began whirling on himself when he saw Gon start running towards him, quickly sending spinning tops towards the boy with deadly precision. Gon, however, having already faced them and with new tricks up his sleeve, was ready. With a focused expression, he manifested his Ren, engulfing his body in a protective layer of Nen which pulverized the spinning tops sent his way. At that, the crowd roared in approval and Cocco was quick in complementing Gon's quick growth.

Ruhi and Killua watched the match with grins on their faces, proud of their friend. It was a stark contrast with his first match against Gido. Now, it was clear to anyone Gon had the upper hand.

"You've got this, Gon!" Ruhi shouted, her voice breaking through the roar of the crowd and Killua glanced at her, catching the fierce glint in her expression, and his grin softened slightly. He turned back to the match just in time to see Gon send his fishing cane towards one of the tiles on the floor, unhooking it from under Gido and sending him crashing down. Gido wobbly sat up as Gon walked up to him, his face angry, before he suddenly punched down on Gido's prosthetic leg, breaking it in two. The crowd went feral, and Gon was then announced as the winner since Gido couldn't move anymore.

Sharing a smug smile, Ruhi and Killua high-fived.

"Yessir!"


Later that day, it was Killua's turn to face Riehlvelt, on a different floor. Ruhi and Gon sat in the audience, watching as he entered the ring, his expression calm and unreadable as he faced his opponent. The arbitrator started the match, and Killua wasted no time, launching himself at Riehlvelt. However, the man quickly zoomed away with his electric wheelchair, and counted with two bullwhips he sent snapping around him. Killua's expression never changed, completely unphased by the seemingly impenetrable wall, and Ruhi watched him intently.

"He's so calm." She murmured, half to herself, half to Gon. Her admiration was evident, but there was also a hint of something else - concern - at how effortlessly Killua could switch into this deadly, detached mode.

Back in the ring, Killua's eyes never left Riehlvelt's smug face, his focus unbroken. Then, with a decisive strike, his arms lashed out and he grabbed the two snake-shaped whips, urging a surprised buzz amidst the crowd. However, Riehlvelt only smiled, and pressed a button on his whips. Bright blue sparks flew everywhere, engulfing Killua without mercy, and Ruhi's heart lurched, a gasp escaping her lips as she shot up from her seat. Her eyes widened in panic, and she felt a sting of tears prick at the corners as Killua went as tense as a board, his eyes wide and his mouth gaping.

"Killua!" She shouted instinctively, her voice thick with fear. Her chest tightened painfully, and for a terrifying moment, she could only imagine the worst – that in the next second, Killua would drop to the floor, charred, unmoving... Dead.

But then, in the midst of the blinding sparks, Killua's tense posture eased down, before he gave a sudden, powerful tug against Riehlvelt's whips. The man was sent flying high in the air, his screams piercing the arena, but Ruhi's eyes stayed glued to Killua's face, taking in the mischievous grin that stretched across his features. She could feel her pulse steadying, the tight grip around her chest loosening as she watched him handle the situation with ease.

There was a wild, almost playful glint in his eyes as he opened his arms, still holding the electrified whips, zaps of electricity dancing around him like blue lightning. He caught Riehlvelt effortlessly, maintaining his hold on the whips still alive with electricity, and the man's scream redoubled in pain as he was electrocuted.

Killua dropped him after he went silent, knocked unconscious, and Ruhi and Gon slowly looked at each other, wide eyes mirroring each other.


Once Killua walked off – after holding up a victorious fist in the air - towards the tunnels leading back to his waiting room, Ruhi and Gon made their way out as well, eager to meet up with him. The hallways were quieter now, the distant echoes of other fighters and spectators fading into the background. A few minutes later, they spotted Killua walking toward them, his stride calm and confident as usual, his silver hair still holding traces of static, all puffed up like a hedgehog.

Without hesitation, Ruhi rushed forward, her face scrunching up in relief as she aimed for a hug. Seeing Killua engulfed in electricity had been terrifying. She couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt like that, even if he'd played it off like it was nothing. Killua, noticing her launch, grinned, his arms slightly opening in anticipation, but then he remembered the residual charge still coursing through him.

"Ahh... Wait a sec, you'll get zapped." He warned, his expression shifting into a slight pout; he loved Ruhi's hugs. It was a comforting gesture he was starting to look forward to more and more, since it had always been a rare thing, back at his home. However, Ruhi didn't even pause.

"Like I care." She muttered determinedly, and before Killua could protest, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, slightly tensing up from the sharp sting of residual electricity pricking at her skin. Her head came to rest against his shoulder, and she let out a small sigh from her nose.

"You smell like burnt bacon..." She mumbled, her voice muffled against him. "You're really fine, right?" She asked him just to make sure, and Killua blinked up at Gon, a bit flustered. Said boy only grinned at him with bright eyes, his brown gaze moving back to Ruhi's profile, smushed against Killua's shoulders. She had a harsh frown on her face, her eyes sparkling as she looked at the wall, trying to stifle a few tears threatening to appear.

Cute. Gon couldn't help but think, his smile widening when Ruhi's face relaxed as Killua circled his arms around her gently. The familiar scent of Ruhi—something warm and subtly tangy, like honey and grapefruit - calmed him in a way he still couldn't quite wrap his head around.

"I'm fine." Killua assured her a bit gruffly, though there was a softness in his voice that betrayed how much her worry meant to him. "That guy's electricity was nothing. I've handled way worse." He said, and Ruhi pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze. There was a stubborn set to her jaw, her eyes shining with something fierce that made Killua's chest tighten, but not uncomfortably.

"Maybe, but you're not invincible." She told him, her lips quirking into a small, teasing smile. "But, well… I admit you were kinda badass out there. Even if you almost gave me a heart attack." She let go, grinning at him, and Gon nodded, his eyebrows hiking up.

"Yeah! You were amazing! You were like – BAM – then POW!" Gon exclaimed, fists lashing out as if to replicate moves he'd seen him do, and Ruhi laughed heartily, her eyes crinkling up as she looked at Gon's excited face. Killua grinned, scratching his head in bemusement. He'd caught maybe half of what he meant. His eyebrows scrunched up amusedly, and he caught Ruhi's gaze, their expressions mirrored.


Two days later

The buzz of the city was at its highest as a blonde teenager walked in the streets, medicine in his hand for his mother. They'd moved here a few weeks ago, since her sickness was getting worse, and only Dr. Hyetto was specialized enough for her case.

So fucking pricey... He thought, one eyebrow quirking up in disbelief. His brown eyes, almost appearing amber in the sunlight, boredly glanced back up, and he walked off from in front of the pharmacy, his gait relaxed as he took in the city. Loud cheering caught his attention, and he glanced up towards a TV, seeing it was a live broadcast of a match in Heaven Arena, a fighting place he'd heard about but frankly didn't care much for... Until the camera panned to a tall, curly-haired brunette with odd, familiar olive-green eyes.

"Gido is unable to participate! Ruhi is the winner by default!" The commentator roared, and the teenager stopped dead in his tracks, a passerby grumbling under their breath as they almost crashed into him.

Ruhi.

Memories rushed through him at that moment and the boy felt his heart begin to pound faster and faster. Turning his head around, he saw the imposing tower in the distance and began walking towards it, his feet picking up speed along the way. She's here..! Was what he kept thinking, anticipation and worry making the lines of his face harden.

He arrived at the foot of the Heaven Arena after a few minutes, hesitating for a moment before steeling himself and walking through the glass doors. He gazed around for a second, until he spotted the receptionist and walked up to her, putting on his charming façade.

"Hey, there." He began, and the young woman at the counter paused, a bashful smile appearing on her lips as she saw his grin. "Do you know which floor is Ruhi's match on?" He asked her casually, resting his elbow on the counter so his face would be closer to hers.

"Oh... Yeah, it's on the 212, but it's over now..." She told him apologetically, and the tall teen let out a noise of disappointment, shoulders sagging.

"Aw... I wanted to ask her for her autograph for my little sister... She's a big fan." He told her, his eyes twinkling with feigned regret, and the woman blushed at his thoughtfulness, glancing around her to see if any of her coworkers were there before leaning in closer.

"Well, I'm not really supposed to be telling you this, but Ruhi's a fighter of the 200th floor, so since she finished her match, she might be there!" She told him with a smile, and the brown-eyed boy grinned happily, a pleased glint in his eyes. Tapping the desk playfully, he winked at her and thanked her before quickly turning around. Moving towards an elevator close by, his mask slipping off once his back was turned, and he let out a sigh from his nose.

He reached the 200th floor after a few minutes, and he glanced around curiously, moving over to a map of the floor a few meters down. He wasn't actually thinking he'd find her, but if he did... He had a lot to get off his chest. He'd wanted to see Ruhi ever since he and his mother had been taken out of his father's business; wanted to apologize... And maybe see if she would agree to become his friend once more, for real. He didn't really like people in general, but Ruhi, she'd made an impact on him. He'd never met someone who bled so much warmth from her heart. When they'd talked about their lives way back then, he'd felt, for the first time, truly normal. Nice. He felt such joy briefly when he and his mother were taken from his father's business, but once the dust had settled, the world slowly went back to a dreary gray, for him.

Voices coming from further away cut him off from his thoughts, and the blonde teenager turned around just as Killua, Gon and Ruhi walked around the corner of the hallway, grins on their faces as they talked about going out to eat together.

"-No, I vote for the cafe down Rebian Avenue." Ruhi grinned, and Gon nodded eagerly, causing Killua to let out a dramatic sigh. Giggling, she glanced up - brown eyes met with olive ones - and Ruhi's world stopped spinning for a second. Her smile slowly faded from her face as memories of her time at Giovanni's invaded her mind.

"...Jack?" Ruhi whispered in shock, her face paling radically. At this, both boys at her side paused and turned toward her. Seeing her stricken face, Killua's expression sharpened and he followed her gaze toward the blonde boy gaping at her. When Jack got himself out of his daze, he urgently began making his way toward them. However, seeing how Ruhi tensed up, Killua's gaze darkened, and he tugged her closer to him. At the same time, Gon moved so he was slightly in front of them, a slight frown on his face. He didn't really understand what was going on, but he didn't like Ruhi's expression.

Seeing their unfriendly faces, Jack stopped a few steps away from her, glancing briefly at Gon and Killua in caution, before his gaze went back to Ruhi, softening a bit. "Ruhi...I-" He began, his voice a bit breathless, filled with disbelief and a strange mix of hope and guilt that hung heavily in the air. The sight of Ruhi, looking both the same and different all at once, rattled him. And the way she was looking at him, with a look he couldn't quite place - fear, shock, and something else entirely, something softer, which surprised him, but also made him straighten a bit, hope filling him up even more.

Jack's voice seemed to shock Ruhi, and she almost flinched. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, each beat hammering memories into her mind. The joy, the comfort he'd brought her, when he'd shared parts of his life story with her, and she could relate. Once he betrayed her, turned his back on her as she screamed for his help when Giovanni's men kidnapped her, she wondered if any of what he'd said was real, but once Jean saved her, and she learned about his involvement, about his sick mother kept locked up as leverage, she knew he'd been honest with her, at least on this.

And that was why she was so puzzled. Ruhi understood Jack, couldn't help but sympathize with him. How could she not? She'd seen how much pain he bore, consuming his heart and causing his aura to become such a sad gray.

But she also hadn't wanted to see him ever, ever again.

Killua's hand on her arm brought her back to the present, and Ruhi blinked, struggling to ground herself. Killua's eyes were locked onto Jack, his expression guarded and dangerous. Gon, who stood on her other side, spoke up.

"Ruhi, who's he...?" Gon began, his voice soft, but he trailed off when he saw her expression change into one he'd never seen before: a mix of fear and something that resembled heartbreak. Ruhi didn't get to speak – if she even could at the moment – because Jack took a half step closer, tightening his hold on the bag of medicine in his right hand.

"I've been looking for you," Jack began, his gaze never leaving her eyes. "I—when I saw you on the screen, I thought maybe… I didn't expect…" He stopped, searching for the right words but finding none. He'd underestimated the shock he would feel when seeing her once more.

Killua's eyes narrowed further, sensing the unspoken weight between them. He kept Ruhi close, his protective instinct flaring up. He didn't know who this boy was, but Ruhi's reaction told him enough—whoever Jack was, his presence was not welcome.

"You know him?" Killua asked, his voice low and edged with suspicion and Ruhi hesitated, struggling to find her voice as her mind raced.

"Yeah." She finally managed, her tone hollow. "He was… He was there when I was… He's the one who..." She stumbled over her words, her breath picking up. The more she tried to explain who Jack was, the more she was sent back to that day, and she found herself unable to continue, light-headedness clouding her senses.

The implication hung heavy in the air, and Killua's posture stiffened, and he glared at Jack. "Whatever you want from her, don't," Killua said bluntly, his voice icy. "She doesn't owe you anything." He told him, and Jack raised his hands defensively, trying to soothe Killua's hostility.

"I'm not here to cause trouble. I swear. I just-" Jack glanced back at Ruhi, his frown softening slightly. "I needed to see you, Ruhi. After everything… I just needed to know you were okay, and - and to apologize." His voice wavered, and there was a genuine plea in his eyes. Though Killua only narrowed his eyes, his hackles raised. He could recognize a fellow liar and manipulator, and he didn't trust any of his words.

Hearing this, Ruhi bit her lip, her mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the small part of her that had wondered what happened to Jack. Frowning, Ruhi glanced down at the floor thoughtfully, before she looked back up towards Jack.

"Killu, Gon, go on ahead, I'll join you quickly." She told them, keeping her gaze on Jack, who seemed relieved when hearing this. Gon seemed unsure, but he nodded, knowing private matters were best settled privately. However, Killua tensed up even more when hearing this, his expression hardening as he stared down Jack. Flashes of the pictures they'd found of Ruhi in her home a while back surged up, and every fiber of Killua's being was against letting someone who'd played a part in making his Ruhi so broken be in her vicinity. His fingers almost twitched with a darker want, but he repressed it, tightening his hands into fists.

Sensing his unease, Ruhi looked at him, her eyes soft and staring back at him meaningfully and at that, Killua's demeanor eased down. He let out a sigh, his face becoming an impassive mask once more as he glanced back at Jack, before he nodded. He and Gon then exchanged a look before they slowly passed both of them, reluctant and on edge. Killua's eyes lingered on Ruhi until the last second, while Gon frowned as they moved further down the corridor leading to the elevators, leaving Ruhi alone with Jack.

However, once they rounded the corner, Killua's footsteps slowed to a stop, his back coming to rest against the wall. Gon noticed him disappear from his side and turned around, a perplexed look appearing on his face. Seeing how Killua only looked back towards where Ruhi and Jack were with a tight line to his lips and a stormy look in his eyes, Gon's frown lightened in understanding. Killua's loyalty was fierce and Gon recognized that protective fire. His expression softened slightly and though he didn't agree, he walked back to Killua, mirroring him by leaning against the wall just as they heard Jack's voice echo in the hallway.

"Ruhi…" He began, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I'm sorry. For everything. I know that doesn't change what happened, but… I never wanted any of this to happen to you, or the – the others." Jack's voice cracked, and he clenched his fists, frustration and guilt mingling together. "I thought about you so much since that day. I wanted to protect my mom, and they—he—used that against me."

Ruhi listened, her expression guarded. Jack was complicated, and the part of her that still cared for him despite everything felt torn with the weight of what he'd done.

"I know, Jack," Ruhi said softly, her voice strained but steady. "I know why you did what you did. You don't have to explain. I understand—more than you think." She took a breath, steadying herself. "But that doesn't erase what happened."

Jack's eyes took on a shine, and he pursed his lips, tilting his head down slightly. "I wish I could change it. I thought maybe… if you could forgive me, maybe we could try again. I've... Never connected with anyone like I did with you." He told her in a quiet voice, and Ruhi's face became pained, while further ahead of them, Killua frowned unhappily. Ruhi knew Jack's pain, and she knew the regret that came with it. But this was a line she wouldn't cross—a boundary she needed to protect herself.

"I accept your apology," Ruhi said quietly, her tone gentle but firm. "I know you were trapped, too. But being around you… It's too much. You remind me of a place I fought hard to leave behind." She hesitated, her eyes softening as she looked at him. "I hope you can understand that. I don't hate you, Jack. But we can't be friends. Not again." She told him, tears moistening her eyes as her voice wobbled.

Jack's face fell, disappointment flickering across his features. He nodded slowly, processing her words. He had hoped for a different outcome, but deep down, he knew this was as much closure as he could ask for. "I get it." He said, voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry… and I'll keep being sorry, but I won't bother you again." He told her, and Ruhi offered him a small, sad smile.

"I hope you and your mom are okay." She told him earnestly, and Jack blinked, taken aback by the sincerity in her voice. "You deserve better, too."

Jack nodded, his emotions tightly bottled up as he took a step back. "Thank you, Ruhi." He murmured, his voice thick with unspoken words. His gaze lingered on her for a moment before he disappeared around the hallway leading to the elevators. He startled when, rounding the corner, he was met with Gon and Killua staring back at him intensely - one a bit more venomous than the other. Frowning, he nodded at them, and pressed his lips together, continuing towards the elevator. He couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. He'd really wanted… To feel nice again.

In the other corridor, when Ruhi watched Jack walk away, a mix of relief and sorrow swirled inside of her. She took a deep breath, but the air couldn't quite fill her lungs enough. Once he was gone, Ruhi felt the tears she'd been trying to keep at bay trickle over her cheeks. Her throat became tight, tighter than her chest felt at the moment, and suddenly, she felt angry. It bubbled up from deep inside of her; anger she'd repressed, since she hated how it made her feel. Anger towards Giovanni, towards herself, towards the world, and now, towards Jack, for making her feel like this again. But just as quickly as it had appeared, bitterness and shame followed, and Ruhi crumbled to the floor. She knew Jack wasn't to blame. Why am I like this? I hate this.

Behind the wall, Gon and Killua remained motionless, their gazes still stuck on the elevator Jack had disappeared into, neither daring to break the heavy quiet that followed his departure. However, Ruhi's loud, broken sob shattered the silence, a sound so full of pain that it sent a chill down both boys' spines.

Killua's eyes widened, his breath hitching. His instinct was to rush to her, to make it stop, but his feet felt glued to the floor. He knew he wasn't supposed to be here, and wondered if his presence would only cause her more discomfort. Next to him, Gon's face fell, but contrary to Killua, he pushed off the wall without hesitation, making his way toward Ruhi. He couldn't just stand there and do nothing.

Seeing this, Killua's eyes widened before he took a step forward after him, a hand lifting up as if to stop him, but he stilled when he saw Ruhi hunched down on the floor, her hands tightly clutching her hair. The anguish on her tearful face… It made his chest tighten uncomfortably.

Gon approached her carefully, a harsh frown appearing at the sight she made. He hesitated for only a moment before crouching down and wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into a gentle hug. Ruhi flinched, opening her eyes, but when she realized it was Gon, she melted into his embrace, her sobs muffled against his shoulder. Gon knew that no empty words of reassurance would help her feel better, so he simply tugged her closer, his face serious, but soft.

Killua, still a few steps back, watched them, his hands clenched at his sides. He wanted to reach out, to comfort her too, but he felt a strange hesitation. He wasn't sure what to do, since Gon was already there. Frankly, Gon was better at this than he was, and Killua wasn't sure if being there as well would overcrowd Ruhi. Clenching his fists, Killua pressed his lips together, doubt continuing to mount within him. But then Ruhi lifted her head, her tear-streaked face turning slightly as she spotted him lingering nearby.

Her eyes met his, and Killua saw the unspoken plea in her expression—she wanted him to come - and all his doubts melted away. He found himself moving before he even realized it, his feet carrying him forward, and he approached slowly, his steps cautious. The moment he was close enough, Ruhi reached out a hand toward him and Killua took it quickly, squeezing it gently as he crouched beside her. Gon, now kneeling beside her, shifted slightly to make room, still keeping his arm around her, but now it was Killua's presence that anchored her. Ruhi's sobs quieted, though tears continued to fall, and she clung to Killua's hand like it was her lifeline. His expression softened, and he squeezed her hand a little tighter, trying to convey everything he couldn't put into words.

Despite the slight embarrassment at both Gon and Killua seeing her like this, Ruhi couldn't help but glance up at them, the corners of her lips lifting up slightly. She could feel the heavy weight of Gon's arm around her shoulders; feel his chest pressing into her like a steady wall, keeping her upright. And to her other side, she felt Killua's rough hand warm against hers, helping to stop her from slipping back into her head. Sharp affection tightened around her throat, and sniffling, Ruhi met Gon and Killua's eyes. She grinned at them a bit more confidently, and the boys smiled back, their expressions brightening in relief when seeing that the haunted look in her eyes was easing away.

Oh, how she loved her boys.