You Will Always be my Friend (A HunterxHunter Fanfic Book 3)

Chapter - 10

Coolio! Chapter 10! Double digits ;) Now read carefully... this is going to get a little complicated....

This is dedicated to my sister @jediknightchick because it is her favorite part in the whole series (yes she has read the whole thing ;) )

Pokkle:  

“It was Master Zeno.” Amane replies coolly. Canary is shocked silent. We all wait for her to say something but she just stares at Amane.

Finally she turns and walks North up the hill; the direction of the city. “Canary?” Gon asks cautiously.

“We should move on.” Is all she says.

“But Canary…” Leorio begins.

“I said move on!” She cuts him off. Then she continues walking on her own.

“We should listen to her.” Gotoh tells us from behind.

“But she just let Amane get off like that!” Leorio growls.

“I know, and I also know she had a good reason. So lets just trust her and move on.” Gotoh repeats. “She knows the way from here.”

‘I don’t like this.’ I think to myself. ‘Its not that I have anything against Canary, but she knows who I am. I remember her from years and years ago, she was a very little girl when I saw her last but I always remember a face.’

Everyone walks behind Canary in silence, “Once we find a way inside, we should head for the square of the city.” Kurapika informs us, we all assume there is a method to his madness. 

We are several kilometers away and with a few injuries we are moving more slowly than usual. Those of us who can, but mostly Kurapika, Leorio, Gon, and myself, are taking turns carrying Zushi because he is still too weak to walk very far. Gotoh can’t help because his arms are so badly burned. He insists he is fine. ‘Why am I occupying myself with mindless chatter?’ I ask myself.

I look to my right and see Ponzu staring at the ground. She knows something is bothering me, she always knows. But I can’t get my mind off of it, this is the one thing I have been desperately trying to avoid all my life! And the closer we get the faster my heart rate climbs and harder it is to catch my breath.

I never wanted her to know because I knew it would put her in greater danger. But I made a commitment, and a promise is something I will never compromise on. If only I had known back then that volunteering to help them would lead to this, I might not have offered. ‘No what are you saying!’ I yell at myself. ‘You are here helping your friends get their friend back. Whether it led to this or not, you are doing the right thing and that is what should matter to you!’

So why is it then, that even though I am doing the right thing it feels so wrong? Something is nagging in the back of my mind. ‘What if she finds out and calls off the wedding? What if she hates me?’ I ask myself. ‘If she left me I don’t think I could handle it!’

“Everyone stop.” Canary commands from the front of the pack. We all freeze. The gate to the city is right in front of us. I hadn’t even realized we had been walking that long. “This is where the fun begins. In order to get through that gate we have two options: 1) We kill a gate keeper; with the physical condition we are all in I don’t think it would be wise to expend that kind of energy. So that leaves us with 2) Find a clever means to make him let us pass.” She explains.

“What kind of clever means?” I ask.

She looks over at me indifferently, “The only way I can think of is a bribe or a trick.” She replies. “I could identify myself but I am not sure that would work.”

“You cant identify yourself, remember father said to not leave anything that could lead to the family. Identifying yourself as a servants apprentice could lead them to the estate.” Kalluto warns.

“Not identifying myself as a servants apprentice, but as a former citizen of Meteor City.” She informs him. ‘I knew it, she is who I thought she was. And that means she is trying to tell me that I could do the same thing. She is hinting for me to take the action.’ I swallow hard as a lump forms in my throat. My hand instinctively reaches for the cover around my neck, the one I have worn all my life for this reason.

Finally I give in. I hang my head in shame and walk robotically toward the gate. “Pokkle what are you…” Ponzu whispers to me.

I look back into her sparkling eyes. I open my mouth to say something but no words escape so I turn and walk more quickly. As I approach a large intimidating man comes out to ‘greet’ me. I lift my head and stand tall.

“Where do you think you are going?” The man asks haughtily.

‘home.’ I think to myself. “Myself and this group of people behind me are going into the city, and you can’t stop us.” I tell him firmly.

“Oh really, and what makes you say that?” He asks sarcastically.

“Because you can’t prevent a citizen from entering, isn’t that right? And a citizen is allowed to bring whomever he wants in with him, right?”

“What the…” the man begins.

I pull the cover around my neck down to reveal the long jagged scar on the right side. “My name is Pokkel Stron. I am the eldest son of Gerlon and Fuletine Stron.” I tell him definitively.

The man whistles sounding impressed, “I thought the Stron family was all gone, so far as I knew their oldest daughter was the only surviving member. But that scar is definitive proof. looks like I have to let you pass.”  I turn to look back at my companions and see a range of emotion expressed on their faces. But the only one I care about was Ponzu, and her expression seems hurt.

I walk silently into the city and the others all follow at a distance. Just inside the city limits there are very few people so I decide to turn around and try to explain myself. “I…” again I’m at a loss for words. I stare uncomfortably at the ground. Ponzu slowly approaches me. “Ponzu i….” I start again.

“Shh…” she presses her finger to my lips. “Did you really think I didn’t know?” she whispers.

“I guess, I had just hoped you didn’t. I should have known that switching two letters couldn’t erase my past.” I admit. She gently holds my face in her hands and looks right into my eyes.

“I may not have known exactly, but I have always known that you weren’t exactly who you said you are. But that doesn’t matter to me, I love you. No matter who you were, I will always know who you ARE. You are MY Pokkle.” She says confidently.

“But i…” I try to say, but she shhes me again.

“Just kiss me you idiot.” She whispers. Then she leans into my lips. I can feel her warmth and compassion; she truly is the love of my life.

“Alright you two, save it for the honeymoon.” Leorio chuckles.

I pull away, “Sorry, getting focused.” 

“Was this what you were referring to before when you said you didn’t have a good past?” Kurapika asks. Referring of course to our conversation in tthe attic.

“Yeah.” Is all I say.

“You don’t have to worry about it Pokkle.” Gon voices in. “You are our friend, it doesn’t matter to us where you grew up. Its no different than Killua being an assassin, he is still our friend.”

I have to laugh a little, “Thanks Gon.” I say quietly.

“Now that love fest is over, let’s get going!” Milly shouts excitedly. 

I want to see comments lots and lots of comments! =)  Luv2All!! <3