Just the Maid

Chapter Nineteen- Journey

One day, after dinner, Killua asked me to follow him outside. I followed him, of course. I was so surprised when I saw where he had taken me.

"Master Killua... Is this the garden?" I asked excitedly. I looked over to see him staring into the distance. Then he snapped back to reality and glanced over to me.

"Hm? Yeah, it is. No one in the house visits it because it's "too colorful", as my brother puts it," he said. He started walking toward the middle where a fountain sat. I followed after him slowly, looking at all of the beautiful plants. I saw some orchids and I dashed over, taking a good look at them and breathing in their sweet scent.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" He walked up behind me while I was gazing at the orchids.

"Of course, Master Killua. It's a garden and I love flowers." I stood and faced him.

"Pretty girly, isn't it?"

"Girly or not, they're gorgeous! I am allowed to be girly sometimes too, y'know." I crossed my arms and lifted my chin in defiance. He laughed at my posture and sat down on a bench. I relaxed and sat next to him.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked. He was bent over, his arms resting on his legs, his head dangling.

"Because I'm going to run away," he replied, softly.

"What? But why? I know you aren't exactly happy here, but where will you go?"

"Well, you're right. I do hate it here, and that's why I'm running away. I heard about the Hunter exam, so I'm gonna go take it. They say it's supposed to be really hard. I'm gonna see if it is or not."

"Well... Why tell me then?"

It was then that he looked up at me. He had such a fierceness in his eyes, I was frozen.

"I want you to come with me."

At those words, I blushed on instinct.

"W-Well... I guess... If you want me to, then I shall," I replied.

"Great!" He jumped up and held out his hand, suddenly excited. "What I'll need you to do, is to wait for me by the gate, okay?"

I smiled and took his hand. A small shock shook my body as we touched. I blinked and looked at our hands. He did as well. He quickly pulled me up and let go. He tucked his hand behind his head and looked away, almost like he was embarrassed.

"Anyway, I better get going then," I suggested, and I left to grab some things from my room.

The room was empty when I arrived. I took out my hair from its usual ponytail and braided it. I threw on my cloak and pulled up the hood.

"Katara? Is that you?" Katrina popped her head in.

"Yeah, it's me," I said as I pulled off my hood.

"Where are you going?" she asked as she walked towards me.

"Away. I'm joining Master Killua on a... journey," I half-lied.

"When will you be back?"

"Uh, I dunno. He didn't tell me." It stung, having to lie to my own sister, but I didn't think Killua would have wanted her to come along.

"I promise one thing though," I started. She brought her head up at that.

"I will be back." Realization must've hit her, because she started to tear up.

"Oh stop now... I told you I'll be back, Katie, so there's no need to cry." I pulled her into a hug.

"I thought it was the young ones who were supposed to be the strong ones," I joked. She pulled away and wiped her puffy eyes, chuckling a little.

"Well, have a safe journey, I shouldn't keep you," she said. Our eyes met one last time, and I ran out as fast as I could, hoping that she wouldn't catch me crying. I pulled up my hood to avoid being recognized.

When I reached the front door, I heard loud crashes coming from somewhere in the mansion. I smirked.

'Must be Killua saying his goodbyes,' I joked. I laughed on the inside and made my way out to the Testing Gates. I only waited for a few minutes before Killua zipped past. He caught my arm and before I could have time to think, I was being dragged behind him on my butt! I looked up to scold him, but his face was dark. Finally, when it looked like he realized what he was doing, he pulled me up so that I was standing behind him on his skateboard. I wrapped my arms around his chest to help my balance.

When I looked up again, I didn't realize how close in height we were. With my heels on, I was an inch shorter than him. But why was I thinking this!? I scrunched my face up in confusion at myself, then let it go when we stopped.

"We have to get on a boat so we can get to the Hunter Exam," he suddenly said. I let go and stepped off his skateboard. He grabbed his skateboard and went to a tall guy in a sailor cap. After a few nods, Killua waved me over and we boarded the sailor dude's boat.

It was a small schooner manned by about ten men. It looked like the only passengers on board were us two. When I looked over at Killua, he was at the head of the boat on the port side, leaning on the railing. His eyes looked empty as I walked over and leaned with him, watching the waves churn to the current.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" he replied.

"You look a little upset is all."

"Heh, I'm an assassin. I don't feel emotion." At that, I karate chopped his head.

"Ow! What the heck was that for?" he shouted as he rubbed his head.

"For being an idiot! Everyone has emotions. Even assassins. Sometimes, it's just harder to dig them up for some people than others. Besides, I've seen your emotional side all the time," I scolded. He looked confused, so I explained about the spying thing for his father. He nodded when I finished.

"Yeah, figures that he would do something like that," he said. He just turned back to the ocean, the breeze making his fluffy hair sway. My eyes were mesmerized by it and I felt my hands start to move towards it against my will.

"What are you doing?" His voice startled me out of my trance. He was looking at me with a really confused look. I looked at my hands and pulled them back into my cloak.

"S-Sorry, I-I don't know what came over me," I apologized. I blushed under my hood and I looked away. When I looked back, I could feel his hair pulling me in again. I reached out again, but as soon as he looked, I pulled away. This happened two more times.

"I can clearly see what you're doing, y'know," he said.

"I'm sorry! Please! Just one touch?" I clasped my hands together and bowed my head, hoping he'll accept.

"Fine... One touch wouldn't hurt, I guess," he said. My eyes sparkled and I poked it with one finger to test it. I couldn't even feel it it was so soft! I reached out to touch it again, but Killua stopped me.

"Sorry, I said one touch," he grinned. My eyes started to water.

"B-But... But..." I blubbered dramatically.

"No buts. I said one touch, didn't I?" He sounded like he was rebuking a small child. But I nodded and pulled my hand down, pouting. He smiled and patted my head. I looked up and smiled back.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Ah, finally... We're here!" he exclaimed. We were in a large tunnel with a greenish tint to it. There were only about 40 people gathered, and when we walked in, they all looked at us. Some with menacing glares, others with friendly nods.

It was time for the Hunter Exam.