As Time Goes By

Chapter 1 - The Little Detours

"You should enjoy the little detours to the fullest because that is where you'll find the things more important than what you want."

Ging's words echoed in Gon's mind the entire time he traversed back down the World Tree.

"...more important than what you want," continued to ring as he climbed. Thankfully his current task gave him plenty of time to think of what exactly he wanted. He spent these last few years so focused on just trying to find Ging he never did stop and think what he would do once he actually found him. 'It is quite a predicament,' he thought

Once Gon made it back to the 500-meter mark next to the hut, he was now able to focus more on his current predicament instead of making sure he didn't fall off the monumental tree. Gon continued his way down the stairs in constant thought, not paying attention to where he was going; he had to catch himself, once or twice, before he walked off the side of the tree. Never the less he still found himself becoming lost in thought once again.

'I really don't know what I should now, now that I finally found Ging. Maybe I should go back to Yorknew City or maybe go meet up with Kite.' Gon pondered both options before he shook his head. 'No, I should probably go back to Whale Island!' He smiled at this thought. It has been ages since he was back home and he knew Mito would be missing him dearly.

That was when another thought crept into his head. 'Maybe I should find Killua? He's with his sister now but I know he wouldn't mind having me tag along as well!' Gon gleamed at the idea before instantly shaking his head in disagreement 'No, he wants to spend time with his sister; keep her safe. I would just get in there way.'

Gon hung his head down in frustration trying to come up with some semblance of an idea on what to next. He continued to walk down the stairs of the tree until he made it back down to the gate that he said his final goodbye to Killua. He couldn't stop himself from stopping where he once stood and remembered the feeling of saying goodbye to his best friend. Even though they said they would keep in touch, that hardly changed the fact the Killua was no longer by his side. 'If Killua was here I'm sure he would know what to do.' he thought to himself.

Gon pushed that thought out of his mind and started to move once more, but with a little less enthusiasm it once had. He knew in time he would see his friend again and in the meantime, he needed to find something to occupy his mind.

Gon wondered through the town, it was lit up in the most beautiful of colours he had ever seen. He wasn't sure what he was after but it was sure pretty this time of night. That was when he felt the all too familiar sensation emanating from his stomach. Gon cringed as his stomach gurgled with the sound of its people, signalling his need for food; and quick. Gon looked around and spotted a late night cafe at the end of the street. He didn't hesitate for a second as he found himself running to the establishment at full speed.

Once inside, Gon found it to be quite empty. The room, while small, had light yellow walls, a counter with a register faced the doorway and a couple of old-fashioned tables and chairs littered about the area with. It was quite a charming little spot. He did wonder why it was so empty only to realise how late it was. "11:47PM! Holy cow it's really late!" Gon cried out.

"Yes it is but the I'm still open sweetie!" A faint voice came from the other side of the counter. Gon looked over and saw a sweet elderly woman with piercing blue eyes and soft powder-white hair smiling at him. He could help but think of Killua. He quickly pushed that thought away for another time before answering the woman.

"Hi! I'm sorry for coming in so late, but what do you serve if you don't me asking?" He said as he scratched the back of his head with a large smile on his face.

"This late at night, not much but I could whip up some soup and a sandwich. Would that be okay?" The old woman asked without letting go of her smile.

"That would be perfect." replied the quite starving boy. He didn't really care what she would make him. As long as it was food and it was good, he didn't care.

The old woman nodded and headed back to what Gon thought to be the kitchen. He turned toward the left side of the room and walked to the closest table; he landed in the chair with 'sigh'. He never realised how tired he was. Granted he did just climb up and then back down a 1700-meter tree in a day so it's not that surprising he thought to himself with a smirk on his face.

A little later the old woman came back out with Gon's soup and sandwich and placed it on the table. As she was about to leave she noticed Gon was staring out into nothing and haven't even noticed she had come by, let alone left hot food in front of him. She walked back to the table and placed a hand on his shoulder, lightly shaking him to get his attention.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Her voice soft but with a small hint of concern for the young boy. Gon suddenly snapped out of his gaze and looked at the woman with a small smile.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine! I was just thinking about something. To be honest I was thinking about a friend of mine - a friend you look strikingly similar too." The old woman smiled at his comment. She took her hand off his shoulder, walked back to the counter and back to the kitchen. From the sounds of it, she's probably cleaning up right now. Gon thought to himself.

With that, he didn't spend any time thinking about it and dove into his meal.

Once he was done, he walked to the counter to pay for his meal. He presented his Hunter Licence and the old woman couldn't help but widen her gaze as she took the card. Gon was used to the reaction he got from people once they found out a kid like him was a Hunter. The woman quickly processed the payment and handed back his license. Gon gave her a big smile and proceeded to thank the kind woman for the wonderful meal.

Gon walked out of the cafe and as the door closed the lights turned off and the open sign switched off. 'Well it is late and I bet she really wanted to go to bed...' He trailed off his thought once again back to his current situation at hand. He needed to figure out what he wanted to do now but more importantly right now was where was he going to sleep? He didn't remember seeing any hotels while walking through town but this has got to have something since it's a huge tourist attraction - or so says the tour guide we had today.

Gon set off in search for a hotel, any hotel, but was completely unaware of the looming presence overhead. He was oblivious to the figure that was, and that had been, following him since he came down the monumental tree - for this figure that crept in the shadows was a watchful protector, a trained assassin and a boy who couldn't say goodbye just yet.