Hunter X Hunter Fan Fiction ❯ Arrival ❯ Planning X Ahead ( Chapter 2 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: Nobuhiko Satori 
Gon makes a promise to Alluka.
Anime/Manga: Hunter X Hunter Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.08.2015 | Updated On: 10.18.2015 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.2K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Gon makes a promise to Alluka.
Anime/Manga: Hunter X Hunter Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Hentai / Drama / Action | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 08.08.2015 | Updated On: 10.18.2015 | Pages: 3 | Words: 3.2K | Visits: 420 | Status: Work In Progress
Arrival
Chapter 02: Planning X Ahead
By: Nobuhiko Satori
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Uh, yeah... Feeling a bit nervous now, as this is my first try at a multipart fic, so I hope you'll excuse any issues with regards to pacing and scene breaks. Corrections and suggestions are welcome. Anyway, on to Chapter Two! Whee!
WARNING: Before you go any further, please be warned that this is a yaoi fanfic. That is, it is about a romantic and/or sexual relationship between males. And please note that this fanfic will contain violent and disturbing imagery, as well as graphic and explicit sexual situations. Do not continue reading if any of this offends you in any way.
DISCLAIMER: The story contained within this fanfic is the sole property of the author. Hunter X Hunter and all related characters and trademarks are the sole property of Shueisha/Madhouse/Yoshihiro Togashi, and all other trademarks mentioned herein are the sole property of their respective copyright owners, and the author makes no claims as to owning them. This fanfic is made purely for entertainment purposes only and is completely non-profit. No copyright infringement is intended.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
LEGENDS KEY:
"Text" = speech
'Text' = thoughts, quotations in speech
*Text* = italics, emphasis
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Everyone sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in the events Alluka had described to them.
After her initial outburst Gon had helped Alluka out of her wet clothes and dried her off with a towel, letting her use some of his own while Aunt Mito put hers in the wash. She'd been in tears during her whole story; how the sudden ambush ended with her and Killua separated, how she'd been on the run for days, how very worried she was for her brother, and how she finally found her way to Whale Island. She'd had to beg people to take her to Whale Island, turned away time and again on account of the coming storm, until a grizzled old captain finally agreed to her constant appeals. Gon had a suspicion which captain it was, and he smiled inwardly, thankful for his help. When asked who she thought was behind the attack, the name registered clearly in Gon's mind:
'Illumi...'
"Well, at least you're safe now," Aunt Mito said, handing Alluka a second mug of hot chocolate, not really sure what to say. They were gathered around the dining table, listening to Alluka's story of what had happened. Introductions had been quick, worry on everyone's mind. At least the girl had finally calmed down some. "Have you eaten yet? Gon..."
"R-right," Gon got up and went into the kitchen to warm up some leftovers from earlier, mind racing and still trying to process what he'd heard.
'What the hell?!?! How could this have happened?!' he thought angrily, his right hand clenching into a fist until it started to hurt, just barely fighting back the urge to break something. At first he couldn't believe it. Killua was a far better fighter than he was, especially in terms of technique; he was physically stronger, and his speed coupled with his sharp mind made him near-unbeatable, and that was *before* he even started using his Nen. There was simply no way he could've been taken like that! Still, considering who Alluka had said was behind it, one of the only people he knew for sure could pull it off, would *dare* pull it off, and just the thought of that person getting his dirty claws into his best friend again made his blood boil. He was his own brother, godsdammit! 'If he's hurt Killua, I'll-...!"
The microwave pinged for his attention, pulling him out of his thoughts. He grasped his right wrist with his other hand, taking several deep breaths 'til he was calm enough to unclench his fist. He spent another moment composing himself (there was no need to upset Alluka any more than she already was) before taking the plate from the microwave with a handtowel and heading back towards the table, placing the food in front of the little girl and retaking his seat next to her.
"You should eat something, keep up your strength. It must've been a long walk between here and the port." When the food remained untouched Gon leaned in closer, placing a hand on her shoulder with a small smile. "Please, Alluka?" She remained still for a few seconds more before she reached for the utensils, picking through the food and eating slowly, Gon's smile widening a bit.
The group kept silent for awhile as they let the little girl eat, still unsure of what else to say or do when Aunt Mito spoke up again. "Alluka, did Killua say anything else? Did he leave anything or give you something before... what had happened?"
"Onii-chan gave me an envelope, said I should open it in case we got... separated," she said, reaching for the backpack at her feet and rummaging through it. It hadn't left her side this whole time. She pulled out a large brown expanding envelope and opened it, showing some of the contents. "There was a note inside for how I should use the other stuff in it, what I should do next." Alluka turned to Gon. "There's a letter here for you, too. Onii-chan said I should give it to you if I made it here." She pulled out the letter and handed it to the boy, sealed in a plain white envelope with Gon's name written on it. She also handed Gon the brown envelope and its contents, though she noticeably kept a second white envelope that had her name on it. It was most likely the note Killua had left her. The young Hunter turned to his aunt then, who nodded in understanding and stood.
"I'll go check on the wash. Alluka, could you please stay here with Grandma? We'll only be a few minutes." Alluka nodded in silence, Gon smiling at his aunt in thanks. "Grandma?"
"You two go on ahead, I'll keep an eye on her." The older woman moved to the chair next to Alluka and tried to take her mind off recent events with some stories from her past, Gon going into his room with objects in hand.
Taking a moment to gather himself, Gon spread the contents onto his desk and pulled up a chair, tearing the white envelope open to read Killua's letter.
"Gon,
How are things? It's probably been awhile since you last heard from me, I'm sorry for that. I hope this finds you well.
If you're reading this, something's come up. I need you to take care of Alluka for awhile. I know you're probably worried about me, but I'm asking you as a friend; she's very important to me, and you're the only one I can trust with this. On the next page are instructions on how to use the stuff in the envelope and what to do next. And whatever you do, DO NOT COME AFTER ME. With any luck I'll be seeing you both soon. I'm so sorry for dragging you into all this.
Say hi to Aunt Mito for me. Please, take care.
-Killua"
Gon spent the next minute just staring at the letter. It was just like him to try and make it seem like it wasn't a big deal. Quickly scanning through the second page Gon noted the instructions looked quite similar to the stuff you'd see people do in those spy thriller movies he'd seen on TV, clear and concise with regards to what he should and shouldn't do. Letter still in hand, he then turned his attention to the other objects Killua had left for him.
There were a couple of burner cells, the cheap but reliable kind with prepaid accounts (Gon had to remind himself to copy his contacts, shut off his own cell and take out the battery later, as per Killua's letter), a half-dozen debit cards pre-loaded with a sizeable amount of money each, a few wads of cash, and some forged IDs and passports. Gon couldn't figure out for the life of him how Killua managed to get photos of Aunt Mito and his great-grandmother, though the photo of his aunt seemed like the same one on an old government-issued ID of hers. Probably hired someone to hack some database somewhere, assuming he didn't do it himself.
It was a simple enough plan. Basically it boiled down to: Get off Whale Island, hop around half-a-dozen or so countries to shake anyone off their trail, then lay low away from any large cities, preferably in a remote, rural town somewhere. Altogether there was enough cash to keep them going for a good long while. They could even assume new identities using their forged credentials, and just slip away if they were careful about it...
Gon shook his head, banishing those thoughts as soon as they came. He shouldn't be thinking like this.
His best friend needed help.
But he couldn't just run off and storm the Zoldyck family mansion right now, even though every fiber of his being wanted to. Although he'd done it once before, Gon had help, and he'd never actually gotten as far as the mansion itself. And they'd be ready for him this time; he'd have to carve his way through several dozens of butlers and their monstrous guard dog Mike before he even got close, and without his Nen he'd be dead, or very nearly so, before he even saw the front door. Also, that would leave Alluka horribly exposed, to say nothing of Aunt Mito and Grandma, and Gon absolutely refused to risk that. He'd never be able to forgive himself if anything bad happened to them.
'Can I even fight anymore...?'
Gon looked down at his hands and for a moment tried to use Gyo on his eyes, attempting several times to see the familiar glow of his own aura, and failing each time. Gon let out a grunt of frustration, gritting his teeth. He'd thrown it all away once, after all, thinking it was okay to do so in the heat of the moment. He'd let his emotions take control, violently so, and it didn't end well for everyone involved.
No, he can't go after Killua. Not the way he was now.
Gon knew what he had to do. He was never very good at this -- Killua had always been better at planning ahead than him -- but he'd only have one chance, he had to do this right, and as much as he wanted to act now, he had to be careful. Killua's fate, maybe his life, depended on it.
His instincts have always been one of Gon's greatest assets, especially in dangerous situations. Acting on them was second-nature to him, and they've yet to let him down. And right now they were telling him, 'Not yet...'
Looking through the objects Killua had left for him, Gon took a deep breath and calmed his mind, and tried to think of a plan...
~*~
"How does it look?" Aunt Mito asked, standing at the threshold of his room. The boy was already on his feet, carefully clearing his desk.
"Not good," Gon said in a small voice, his worry obvious as he spoke. "They'll be coming for Alluka next. We... we'll need to leave home soon."
"And why should we?!" she replied with mock incredulity. "Let them come! I'll kick their butts all the way back to the mainland!" She made a show of flexing her arm, and Gon managed a smile in response.
"Uh, Mito-san, remember that vacation you said you wanted to go on with Grandma? You should go, see the world for a bit," the young Hunter said, putting the envelope's contents back in order. "You should take Alluka with you. It'll do her good, keep her mind off things. Maybe go on a cruise or something while you're at it. You could travel across the open sea, stop off at a new port every few days..."
"Gon..."
"Hey! Didn't you once mention we have some distant relative who runs a farm in the countryside somewhere? You should go visit, reconne-..."
"You're going after him, aren't you?"
"... ... ...Am I that obvious?" he turned back to his aunt, only to see the worry on her face. He thought for awhile before he spoke again. "I hurt him."
Gon gathered himself for a moment before continuing. "Just before Killua and I parted ways, I... wasn't much of a friend to him. I was in a dark place then, and I treated him badly, said some hurtful things I shouldn't have. I apologized before he left, and he said everything was fine, but sometimes I wonder if I could've done better, made it up to him somehow."
"You've never told me about this before," Aunt Mito said quietly. Gon ran a hand over his left shoulder, and for a moment he seemed distant.
"I... don't really like to think about it," Gon answered. After a while he looked at his right palm, a sad tone in his voice as he spoke. "I let go of his hand, turned my back on him like he was nothing. Killua's my best friend and I did that to him, after everything he's done for me. I didn't even *mean* any of it..... and now this happens. I can't just leave him alone out there." Clenching his hand tightly Gon took a deep breath and looked Aunt Mito in the eye, a determined look on his face. "Killua needs my help."
For awhile silence dominated the room. Gon was considering what else he could say when Aunt Mito walked up to him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and spoke, "Then go help your friend."
Gon smiled, letting himself be pulled into her arms and putting his own around her as well. "Thank you."
"I'll go tell Grandma to start packing. Hopefully the weather will clear up by morning." Aunt Mito tightened her arms around Gon before finally releasing him, her worry evident as she spoke. Gon nodded in response.
"You'll need to take these. I left Killua's instructions inside." Gon handed her the brown envelope and all its contents. "Use the cash first, and when that runs out use the cards. The passports and IDs should be good, just don't mix up which sets you're using."
"What about you?"
"I've got what I need. Just have to get the rest of my stuff together." Gon said patting one of his pockets, and he couldn't resist embracing her again, eyes tearing up a bit. "Please take care of yourselves. Especially Alluka." Aunt Mito began straightening out Gon's clothes, trying not to cry herself.
"You stay safe, now."
"Yes."
"Don't do anything foolish."
"I won't."
"Bring him back."
"I will."
"You're going after Onii-chan?" They turned to see Alluka by the doorframe, Gon's great-grandmother right behind her.
"She got worried and wanted to go look for you," the elderly woman said, concern in her voice.
"It's okay, Grandma," Gon said pulling away from his aunt. Shoulders squared and standing straight he turned towards Alluka, his voice confident and sure. "Yes. I'm going after Killua."
"Then I'm going too!" she declared loudly. Aunt Mito walked up to the little girl and knelt down beside her.
"Alluka, you have to understand, this could be very dangerous, and you could get hurt," she said, straightening out one of Alluka's sleeves. "I don't think your brother would want that."
"But I want to help Onii-chan!" Gon could see tears forming at the corners of Alluka's eyes again.
"I know you do, and the best way you can do that is to come with us," Aunt Mito replied trying to calm her down. "Like I said, this could be dangerous. Gon needs to focus on getting your brother back, and he can't do that if he's worrying about protecting us at the same time."
"B-but..."
"Alluka," Gon spoke up then, stepping up to the raven-haired girl. "It's going to be okay. I'll bring Killua back, safe and sound, so don't worry!"
The little girl sniffled, trying not to cry. "...Promise?" She meekly held out her right hand toward him, pinky finger outstretched.
"I promise." Not missing a beat, Gon knelt down and hooked his own little finger around hers, a warm reassuring smile on his face. "If I should break my promise, I will swallow a thousand needles."
".....It's a promise, then."
Though he'd already seen it once before, Gon still found Alluka's sudden transformation into Nanika a bit unsettling. A pair of dark, otherworldly eyes stared back at him, the girl speaking in a voice completely different from before.
Without a trace of fear or hesitation, Gon pressed his thumb against the little girl's.
"Sealed with a kiss."
~*~TO BE CONTINUED...~*~
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
CHAPTER NOTES: Okay, I'm *hoping* to get a new chapter out once every week or two (maybe a month, tops), and yes, I do realize my even mentioning this fact may be considered by some as tempting fate. Hopefully, I won't suddenly get an extended case of writer's block... Eep! <crosses fingers>
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Chapter 02: Planning X Ahead
By: Nobuhiko Satori
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Uh, yeah... Feeling a bit nervous now, as this is my first try at a multipart fic, so I hope you'll excuse any issues with regards to pacing and scene breaks. Corrections and suggestions are welcome. Anyway, on to Chapter Two! Whee!
WARNING: Before you go any further, please be warned that this is a yaoi fanfic. That is, it is about a romantic and/or sexual relationship between males. And please note that this fanfic will contain violent and disturbing imagery, as well as graphic and explicit sexual situations. Do not continue reading if any of this offends you in any way.
DISCLAIMER: The story contained within this fanfic is the sole property of the author. Hunter X Hunter and all related characters and trademarks are the sole property of Shueisha/Madhouse/Yoshihiro Togashi, and all other trademarks mentioned herein are the sole property of their respective copyright owners, and the author makes no claims as to owning them. This fanfic is made purely for entertainment purposes only and is completely non-profit. No copyright infringement is intended.
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
LEGENDS KEY:
"Text" = speech
'Text' = thoughts, quotations in speech
*Text* = italics, emphasis
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
Everyone sat in silence for a few minutes, taking in the events Alluka had described to them.
After her initial outburst Gon had helped Alluka out of her wet clothes and dried her off with a towel, letting her use some of his own while Aunt Mito put hers in the wash. She'd been in tears during her whole story; how the sudden ambush ended with her and Killua separated, how she'd been on the run for days, how very worried she was for her brother, and how she finally found her way to Whale Island. She'd had to beg people to take her to Whale Island, turned away time and again on account of the coming storm, until a grizzled old captain finally agreed to her constant appeals. Gon had a suspicion which captain it was, and he smiled inwardly, thankful for his help. When asked who she thought was behind the attack, the name registered clearly in Gon's mind:
'Illumi...'
"Well, at least you're safe now," Aunt Mito said, handing Alluka a second mug of hot chocolate, not really sure what to say. They were gathered around the dining table, listening to Alluka's story of what had happened. Introductions had been quick, worry on everyone's mind. At least the girl had finally calmed down some. "Have you eaten yet? Gon..."
"R-right," Gon got up and went into the kitchen to warm up some leftovers from earlier, mind racing and still trying to process what he'd heard.
'What the hell?!?! How could this have happened?!' he thought angrily, his right hand clenching into a fist until it started to hurt, just barely fighting back the urge to break something. At first he couldn't believe it. Killua was a far better fighter than he was, especially in terms of technique; he was physically stronger, and his speed coupled with his sharp mind made him near-unbeatable, and that was *before* he even started using his Nen. There was simply no way he could've been taken like that! Still, considering who Alluka had said was behind it, one of the only people he knew for sure could pull it off, would *dare* pull it off, and just the thought of that person getting his dirty claws into his best friend again made his blood boil. He was his own brother, godsdammit! 'If he's hurt Killua, I'll-...!"
The microwave pinged for his attention, pulling him out of his thoughts. He grasped his right wrist with his other hand, taking several deep breaths 'til he was calm enough to unclench his fist. He spent another moment composing himself (there was no need to upset Alluka any more than she already was) before taking the plate from the microwave with a handtowel and heading back towards the table, placing the food in front of the little girl and retaking his seat next to her.
"You should eat something, keep up your strength. It must've been a long walk between here and the port." When the food remained untouched Gon leaned in closer, placing a hand on her shoulder with a small smile. "Please, Alluka?" She remained still for a few seconds more before she reached for the utensils, picking through the food and eating slowly, Gon's smile widening a bit.
The group kept silent for awhile as they let the little girl eat, still unsure of what else to say or do when Aunt Mito spoke up again. "Alluka, did Killua say anything else? Did he leave anything or give you something before... what had happened?"
"Onii-chan gave me an envelope, said I should open it in case we got... separated," she said, reaching for the backpack at her feet and rummaging through it. It hadn't left her side this whole time. She pulled out a large brown expanding envelope and opened it, showing some of the contents. "There was a note inside for how I should use the other stuff in it, what I should do next." Alluka turned to Gon. "There's a letter here for you, too. Onii-chan said I should give it to you if I made it here." She pulled out the letter and handed it to the boy, sealed in a plain white envelope with Gon's name written on it. She also handed Gon the brown envelope and its contents, though she noticeably kept a second white envelope that had her name on it. It was most likely the note Killua had left her. The young Hunter turned to his aunt then, who nodded in understanding and stood.
"I'll go check on the wash. Alluka, could you please stay here with Grandma? We'll only be a few minutes." Alluka nodded in silence, Gon smiling at his aunt in thanks. "Grandma?"
"You two go on ahead, I'll keep an eye on her." The older woman moved to the chair next to Alluka and tried to take her mind off recent events with some stories from her past, Gon going into his room with objects in hand.
Taking a moment to gather himself, Gon spread the contents onto his desk and pulled up a chair, tearing the white envelope open to read Killua's letter.
"Gon,
How are things? It's probably been awhile since you last heard from me, I'm sorry for that. I hope this finds you well.
If you're reading this, something's come up. I need you to take care of Alluka for awhile. I know you're probably worried about me, but I'm asking you as a friend; she's very important to me, and you're the only one I can trust with this. On the next page are instructions on how to use the stuff in the envelope and what to do next. And whatever you do, DO NOT COME AFTER ME. With any luck I'll be seeing you both soon. I'm so sorry for dragging you into all this.
Say hi to Aunt Mito for me. Please, take care.
-Killua"
Gon spent the next minute just staring at the letter. It was just like him to try and make it seem like it wasn't a big deal. Quickly scanning through the second page Gon noted the instructions looked quite similar to the stuff you'd see people do in those spy thriller movies he'd seen on TV, clear and concise with regards to what he should and shouldn't do. Letter still in hand, he then turned his attention to the other objects Killua had left for him.
There were a couple of burner cells, the cheap but reliable kind with prepaid accounts (Gon had to remind himself to copy his contacts, shut off his own cell and take out the battery later, as per Killua's letter), a half-dozen debit cards pre-loaded with a sizeable amount of money each, a few wads of cash, and some forged IDs and passports. Gon couldn't figure out for the life of him how Killua managed to get photos of Aunt Mito and his great-grandmother, though the photo of his aunt seemed like the same one on an old government-issued ID of hers. Probably hired someone to hack some database somewhere, assuming he didn't do it himself.
It was a simple enough plan. Basically it boiled down to: Get off Whale Island, hop around half-a-dozen or so countries to shake anyone off their trail, then lay low away from any large cities, preferably in a remote, rural town somewhere. Altogether there was enough cash to keep them going for a good long while. They could even assume new identities using their forged credentials, and just slip away if they were careful about it...
Gon shook his head, banishing those thoughts as soon as they came. He shouldn't be thinking like this.
His best friend needed help.
But he couldn't just run off and storm the Zoldyck family mansion right now, even though every fiber of his being wanted to. Although he'd done it once before, Gon had help, and he'd never actually gotten as far as the mansion itself. And they'd be ready for him this time; he'd have to carve his way through several dozens of butlers and their monstrous guard dog Mike before he even got close, and without his Nen he'd be dead, or very nearly so, before he even saw the front door. Also, that would leave Alluka horribly exposed, to say nothing of Aunt Mito and Grandma, and Gon absolutely refused to risk that. He'd never be able to forgive himself if anything bad happened to them.
'Can I even fight anymore...?'
Gon looked down at his hands and for a moment tried to use Gyo on his eyes, attempting several times to see the familiar glow of his own aura, and failing each time. Gon let out a grunt of frustration, gritting his teeth. He'd thrown it all away once, after all, thinking it was okay to do so in the heat of the moment. He'd let his emotions take control, violently so, and it didn't end well for everyone involved.
No, he can't go after Killua. Not the way he was now.
Gon knew what he had to do. He was never very good at this -- Killua had always been better at planning ahead than him -- but he'd only have one chance, he had to do this right, and as much as he wanted to act now, he had to be careful. Killua's fate, maybe his life, depended on it.
His instincts have always been one of Gon's greatest assets, especially in dangerous situations. Acting on them was second-nature to him, and they've yet to let him down. And right now they were telling him, 'Not yet...'
Looking through the objects Killua had left for him, Gon took a deep breath and calmed his mind, and tried to think of a plan...
~*~
"How does it look?" Aunt Mito asked, standing at the threshold of his room. The boy was already on his feet, carefully clearing his desk.
"Not good," Gon said in a small voice, his worry obvious as he spoke. "They'll be coming for Alluka next. We... we'll need to leave home soon."
"And why should we?!" she replied with mock incredulity. "Let them come! I'll kick their butts all the way back to the mainland!" She made a show of flexing her arm, and Gon managed a smile in response.
"Uh, Mito-san, remember that vacation you said you wanted to go on with Grandma? You should go, see the world for a bit," the young Hunter said, putting the envelope's contents back in order. "You should take Alluka with you. It'll do her good, keep her mind off things. Maybe go on a cruise or something while you're at it. You could travel across the open sea, stop off at a new port every few days..."
"Gon..."
"Hey! Didn't you once mention we have some distant relative who runs a farm in the countryside somewhere? You should go visit, reconne-..."
"You're going after him, aren't you?"
"... ... ...Am I that obvious?" he turned back to his aunt, only to see the worry on her face. He thought for awhile before he spoke again. "I hurt him."
Gon gathered himself for a moment before continuing. "Just before Killua and I parted ways, I... wasn't much of a friend to him. I was in a dark place then, and I treated him badly, said some hurtful things I shouldn't have. I apologized before he left, and he said everything was fine, but sometimes I wonder if I could've done better, made it up to him somehow."
"You've never told me about this before," Aunt Mito said quietly. Gon ran a hand over his left shoulder, and for a moment he seemed distant.
"I... don't really like to think about it," Gon answered. After a while he looked at his right palm, a sad tone in his voice as he spoke. "I let go of his hand, turned my back on him like he was nothing. Killua's my best friend and I did that to him, after everything he's done for me. I didn't even *mean* any of it..... and now this happens. I can't just leave him alone out there." Clenching his hand tightly Gon took a deep breath and looked Aunt Mito in the eye, a determined look on his face. "Killua needs my help."
For awhile silence dominated the room. Gon was considering what else he could say when Aunt Mito walked up to him, placed her hands on his shoulders, and spoke, "Then go help your friend."
Gon smiled, letting himself be pulled into her arms and putting his own around her as well. "Thank you."
"I'll go tell Grandma to start packing. Hopefully the weather will clear up by morning." Aunt Mito tightened her arms around Gon before finally releasing him, her worry evident as she spoke. Gon nodded in response.
"You'll need to take these. I left Killua's instructions inside." Gon handed her the brown envelope and all its contents. "Use the cash first, and when that runs out use the cards. The passports and IDs should be good, just don't mix up which sets you're using."
"What about you?"
"I've got what I need. Just have to get the rest of my stuff together." Gon said patting one of his pockets, and he couldn't resist embracing her again, eyes tearing up a bit. "Please take care of yourselves. Especially Alluka." Aunt Mito began straightening out Gon's clothes, trying not to cry herself.
"You stay safe, now."
"Yes."
"Don't do anything foolish."
"I won't."
"Bring him back."
"I will."
"You're going after Onii-chan?" They turned to see Alluka by the doorframe, Gon's great-grandmother right behind her.
"She got worried and wanted to go look for you," the elderly woman said, concern in her voice.
"It's okay, Grandma," Gon said pulling away from his aunt. Shoulders squared and standing straight he turned towards Alluka, his voice confident and sure. "Yes. I'm going after Killua."
"Then I'm going too!" she declared loudly. Aunt Mito walked up to the little girl and knelt down beside her.
"Alluka, you have to understand, this could be very dangerous, and you could get hurt," she said, straightening out one of Alluka's sleeves. "I don't think your brother would want that."
"But I want to help Onii-chan!" Gon could see tears forming at the corners of Alluka's eyes again.
"I know you do, and the best way you can do that is to come with us," Aunt Mito replied trying to calm her down. "Like I said, this could be dangerous. Gon needs to focus on getting your brother back, and he can't do that if he's worrying about protecting us at the same time."
"B-but..."
"Alluka," Gon spoke up then, stepping up to the raven-haired girl. "It's going to be okay. I'll bring Killua back, safe and sound, so don't worry!"
The little girl sniffled, trying not to cry. "...Promise?" She meekly held out her right hand toward him, pinky finger outstretched.
"I promise." Not missing a beat, Gon knelt down and hooked his own little finger around hers, a warm reassuring smile on his face. "If I should break my promise, I will swallow a thousand needles."
".....It's a promise, then."
Though he'd already seen it once before, Gon still found Alluka's sudden transformation into Nanika a bit unsettling. A pair of dark, otherworldly eyes stared back at him, the girl speaking in a voice completely different from before.
Without a trace of fear or hesitation, Gon pressed his thumb against the little girl's.
"Sealed with a kiss."
~*~TO BE CONTINUED...~*~
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------
CHAPTER NOTES: Okay, I'm *hoping* to get a new chapter out once every week or two (maybe a month, tops), and yes, I do realize my even mentioning this fact may be considered by some as tempting fate. Hopefully, I won't suddenly get an extended case of writer's block... Eep! <crosses fingers>
------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------