The three days passed by in a blur, and before he knew it Killua was sitting in the stands of floor 232 waiting for Gon and Hisoka to walk into the arena. They had decided it would be best to strengthen his Gyo as much as possible, hopefully enough to be able to use it to see throughout the duration of the battle without getting tired. That way Hisoka couldn't secretly place his Bungee Gum on him.
Killua had scheduled his battle for the following evening with a randomly chosen floor master, floor 233. In actuality he had chosen 233 so if they both won they would have adjacent floors, but he didn't tell Gon that.
Killua's hands tightened into fists on his thighs as the announcer built up to the beginning of the fight. He watched nervously as Gon and Hisoka made their way to the center of the arena. Gon had certainly grown taller and stronger, but he was still at least six inches shorter than Hisoka. And Hisoka's strength was impossible to determine by appearance, but he still looked as intimidating as ever. All Killua could focus on was the gleam in the man's eyes on the monitor as he looked at Gon. Killua's heart tightened.
Be careful Gon…
The energy of the arena was intense as Gon walked up onto the platform. The lights shone brightly down from above, making the audience difficult to see but their presence even more looming. Gon could feel his breath creeping into every part of his body, his aura humming.
Hisoka appeared at the far end of the platform and Gon tensed. He looked the same as ever—lean and dangerous, with a shock of red hair. Nen must truly inhibit aging, too, as Hisoka didn't look any older than Gon remembered, despite it being nearly five years ago. As they stalked closer and closer the announcer explained the rules of the fight—the same as any other battle, but with no time limit.
Before he knew it Hisoka stood immediately before him. His gold eyes were glowing with anticipation and Gon felt shivers run up his body.
"Yo, Gon," Hisoka purred, licking his lips. "Okaerinasai. (4)"
"Hisoka," Gon responded, nodding.
Gon could feel the power radiating from the other man and grew doubtful about his ability to win. He could feel the adrenalin rushing through his body already and felt an extreme sharpness in his senses. A flush appeared on his cheeks—this is what he had been missing!
He smiled impishly as the referee counted down, eyes burning into Hisoka's.
Hisoka's lips curled into a dangerous smile, his lean, muscular arms crossing casually.
"Uhn… How exciting… You've grown up, haven't you, Gon?"
Gon's breath caught at the question, but he didn't have time to think about a response.
"Three, two, one, start!"
The fight didn't last long—Hisoka was just too fast. Gon had certainly become faster, but it just hadn't been enough. Killua had stood as soon as the fight began and never relaxed once, his Gyo-filled eyes following the rapidly moving bodies across the arena.
Unfortunately, using Gyo hadn't helped Gon much after all—as soon as Hisoka landed the first hit, Gon was stuck whether he could see it or not. No matter how strong Gon had grown, Hisoka's Bungee Gum was stronger.
"Gon!"
Hisoka had attached Bungee Gum to Gon's neck and was holding him up, strangling him. Gon struggled violently against the grip but could do nothing—even if he managed to loosen Hisoka's grip on his neck, the Bungee Gum would still hold fast. His feet were dangling a foot off the ground and his movements were becoming slower and slower.
He can't die… He can't die…
Killua watched on the monitors in horror as Gon lost consciousness, a smirk playing across Hisoka's sharp, cupid-bow shaped lips, his eyes bright.
He let go of Gon and his limp body dropped to the floor, landing in a heap.
The referee rushed over to Gon and signaled to the announcer.
"Gon is unconscious and unable to fight! Hisoka wins by KO!" The crowd erupted and Killua collapsed in his seat, exhausted.
Gon was still alive. He rushed through the crowd to the exit, determined to get to his friend as soon as possible.
Killua waited impatiently at the backstage door. After what seemed an eternity, Gon shuffled out with his various injuries bandaged up.
"Gon!" Killua rushed to embrace him, grabbing him tightly.
"Ah Killu…that hurts!" he said, wincing.
Killua pulled away and glared at him. He hit him over the head.
"Don't scare me like that you idiot!"
"Oww…Killua…I'm fine though!" he insisted, rubbing the abused spot on his head. "I don't even have any broken bones or anything!" His eyes grew bright. "I did pretty well actually, don't you think?"
Killua's eyebrows rose. Gon wasn't traumatized? He didn't feel defeated?
Gon sighed loudly, sounding satisfied.
"That's what a fight is supposed to be like, ne Killua? I actually passed out!" he said, smiling widely.
Killua just looked at his friend incredulously. He noticed a blush creep onto Gon's face, and his eyes narrowed.
"It was actually kind of…exciting…don't you think?" Gon said, still blushing softly and staring distractedly at the floor.
Killua continued to look at him suspiciously. Exciting?
"Yeah, I guess so…I was worried for you though."
Gon looked up, the blush still coloring his cheeks.
"Thanks Killu," he said, smiling. "It's always better when I know you're watching, rooting for me."
It was Killua's turn to blush, and he looked away from Gon awkwardly. "Of course I'm rooting for you, idiot," he muttered.
He was still a bit suspicious too. What if…what if he just wasn't exciting enough for Gon? Would he leave?
"Let's go back to the room, ne? You need to be strong enough to root for me tomorrow."
Gon smiled and nodded, and the two young men headed down to their room to rest.
Gon could feel Hisoka's clever, powerful fingers tighten around his neck as a malicious smile crept onto the man's face. His hands pulled desperately against Hisoka's muscular forearm but achieved nothing. This powerful man made him feel like he was twelve and taking the Hunter Exam all over again—and he was thrilled. This fear and excitement was what he ached for.
"Uhn, Gon, that expression~" Hisoka moaned. "You like this, don't you?"
Gon could only gasp softly as breathing become more and more difficult. He could feel a flush rising on his cheeks, his heart racing, his blood rushing through every vein in his body…. He did like this.
He felt Hisoka's aura washing over him, filled with bloodlust and arousal. He felt his skin become hot and hypersensitive. He could feel every bit of Hisoka's skin against his as his hand tightened further around his neck. His vision faded, his pulse raced, and pressure built.
"Hisoka…"
Everything went black.
