The Upper Ranks (KNY X HxH)

Chapter 17

Gon was trying so hard not to cry as he held Killua in his arms. Oh my god I did it. I did it. I DID IT! But, he wasn't done yet. Killua didn't remember him, he still ate humans, he probably wouldn't spare anyone else unless Gon practically begged right now, but it was progress. It's working, and that's all I could possibly hope for. "How long is this 'hug' supposed to last?" Killua said, in his usual monotone voice. Oh- Gon let go, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to have it go on that long-" Suddenly Killua froze, eyes snapping somewhere. Gon followed his gaze and stiffened slightly when he realized that Killua was looking straight at the cover Tanjiro was behind. Ok this might be a problem-

Then, Tanjiro decided to step out of the cover. Fuck, anything could happen here- Killua's eyes narrowed slightly, then he tried to launch himself at Tanjiro. He took as step back with a terrified expression and Gon leapt forward as well. He activated Ko as he locked his arms around Killua's chest and dug his feet into the ground. There was a tense silence for a few moments, with no sound except Gon panting. Tanjiro's eyes widened in pure shock, hand on his sword. "Your...holding him back" He said in a faint but slightly amazed and scared voice at the same time. Killua's tail whipped back and forth, "Why did you stop me?" Gon gritted his teeth, it was taking all his strength and heavy Ko to manage this. Thankfully, Killua didn't seem to have gained any physical strength as a demon or he'd be screwed. "He's my friend." Killua paused. "I thought you were my friend"

Gon laughed. "You can have more than one friend. And since he's my friend, he's your friend too" Not exactly how it works, but it's the best I've got- "I can't" He paused. "Why not? You can just go...eat someone else" That sounded awful, even to his own ears. But Gon had nothing else to stop Killua from eating Tanjiro, so he'd use everything he had. "Master's orders" Gon froze. Orders...no, we're back to orders again? This, just got a whole lot worse. "You can't. you'll have to...get through me first" He said. Killua stopped struggling forward, then turned his head to look at him with an emotionless stare. "But...I thought you said friends don't kill each other" Tanjiro was silent, seemingly contemplating getting the hell away from this before Gon couldn't hold him back anymore. Gears turned in his head, his ears were on the verge of steaming when he thought of something.

"Let's...make a bet" Killua's tail stilled, "A...bet?" Gon released his hold on Killua, then stood between him and Tanjiro. "I'll let you kill him, if-" Tanjiro stiffened, then hissed. "You can't just bet my life" Gon whispered back. "Shut up, I know what I'm doing" He turned back to Killua, who was listening with slightly pricked ears. "If" Gon continued, "You can beat me in a spar" Killua blinked. "...spar?" Damn, he seems to only remember limited information from his life as a human. When he was younger, he wasn't taught basic things like friends and affection. But a spar? I guess he's used to assassinations and doesn't get it. Gon smiled. "A spar, is a fight that ends with restraining your opponent instead of killing them" Killua tilted his head slightly to the side, which was fucking adorable and he wanted to hug him- Focus Gon! "No abilities, no stabbing, just raw strength and strategy" Killua's tail flicked, and he nodded. "Alright"

Then he grinned. "If you can manage to restrain me, your free to kill him" Gon said, pointing to Tanjiro. Tanjiro still was tense, nervous, and obviously doubting his judgement to bet his life. Killua's ears flicked. "Deal-" He held up a hand. "But if I win" Gon said, before pointing to Killua. "You have to accept when I say someone's off limits, and put your orders on hold. If you do not take the bet, we are no longer friends" Killua froze, tail lashing as his eyes narrowed slightly. The idea of a friend appealed to him somehow, it'll work. "Deal" He said coldly. Gon activated En, then started walking. "This way, we can't do it here. It needs to be a secluded open space" Tanjiro followed on his left, Killua on his right. Tanjiro shot him a nervous look and Gon beamed at him. Tanjiro blinked, obviously sensing his confidence and wanting to trust him, but by the nervousness still present the rational part of him made it impossible to do that completely.