Aren't you only..imaginary?

Prologue - " Life & Death "

              Leaves crunched under determined feet as giggles filled the sunny air. A boy no older than 9 had been running up and down the mountain, narrowly avoiding his tired Aunt Mito. Regardless of the fatigue, the older woman's face was filled with glee, "you can't run forever Gon! The tickle monster always wins!" She barked out happily, adding a pep in her sprint.

"You won't ever outrun me! I'm the fastest kid in the village!"

He sped up the hill once more but before he usually turned around to dodge his Aunt he ran further. His aunt's eyes widened, "Gon no!" Her positive attitude took a turn as he ran out of her view.

She reached the hill and saw him looking over the hill into the cliffside. She tackled him away from the edge, forcing a laugh from her throat, to avoid questioning. "Got you! Now you know the deal Mr, i have to make dinner now. Let's get you down this hill now and then you can play a little bit by the house." She huffed breaths in and out, relief flooding her veins as she stared into his bright eyes.

"Yes Aunt Mito!" He replied, standing up from her grasp, skipping towards the house.

She stood up, dusting off her dirtied apron, "that boy.." She followed him towards the house, turning to get a look at the hillside fading away. She saw her boy playing in the bushes, looking for a snail that was just out of reach. She giggled, petting his spiky hair before retreating inside the house.

Gon had almost reached the snail before he pouted with furrowed brows and gave up. "You stupid- ugh." He stood up, arms crossed and looked towards the house. He spotted his Aunt Mito looking at him from the window, he waved enthusiastically, a wide smile stretching his features. She waved back, a polite smile dusting her face.

He turned around, hands on his hips and decided to think of things to do before dinner was done.

His eyes drifted towards the hill he was running up just a few moments earlier. He felt so drawn to it, he couldn't explain it. He'd never wanted to climb the hill before, to his Aunt Mito's request. She never told him why he couldn't go up there, just not to. He pursed his lips, glancing at the window where he could no longer see his Aunt.

He was a good kid, he knew that. So why not cash in some bad kid points and find him a mysterious cliff.

He ran behind some trees out of view, quietly making his way to the previous hill. He felt his heart beating steadily faster, nerves and excitement flooding the blood in his veins.

He came into the clearing and started progressively speeding up the hill. He wondered why she never wanted him up here, it didn't seem that bad to him.

Meanwhile, in the house, Aunt Mito was washing dishes. Grandma spoke up in the silence between them "Dear..don't you think that boy should be out there making some friends? You hardly let him out of your sight anymore since..." Silence grew uncomfortable as Aunt Mitos hands trembled around the plate she was cleaning.

"I..i mean..i suppose so but-" She felt her shoulders sag, "-What if he gets hurt? Or worse?" She placed an extremely well washed plate into the drainer.

She heard her mother sigh beside her, "He hasn't had a friend in years now, don't you think that feels isolating for a child of his sociality? He is older now, he knows wrong from right now." Grandma smiled at a fond memory. "Countless time Mito, he's come up to me begging to go to the market for me because-" She held up finger quotes "-I'm grown up now! I can protect myself!" She giggled into her hand.

On the other hand Mito had silent tears running down her rosy freckled cheeks. "I..i know. I know i shouldn't make or force us to be his only friend but you- you and him are the only people i have left and matter to me and i-" She let out a trembling sob, wrapping her arms around herself comfortingly.