You Are the Moon

Chapter Three

      Killua scrambled to the ground and took off in the direction of the park. He hated himself for running away from a target. When Illumi found out, he would let him have it. But he didn't care. Nothing, not even hours of endless torture, could be worse than having Gon see him like this.

      He became increasingly aware of someone following him. He didn't dare look over his shoulder, but he could detect their strong presence behind him. Killua quickened his pace. Not that it mattered. Without even realizing what was happening, he was tackled to the ground. He squirmed beneath their weight. Before he had the chance to fight back, he was flipped on his back.

      A pair of light brown eyes bored down on him. He would recognize those eyes anywhere.

      Even though his childlike face hadn't changed any, and his black, spiky hair with green tips was the same, Gon wasn't anything like the boy he knew five years ago. He wasn't bulky, but his muscles were well defined. He had definitely sprouted a foot or two. And if his overwhelming aura was any indication, he had grown a lot more powerful. Killua, on the other hand, hadn't changed much. He may have toned up some, but he still looked younger than he actually was. And his strength left something to be desired.

      "Killua?" Gon breathed. Killua couldn't bear the shocked, disgusted look on his face. He was forced to look away.

      "Don't act like you didn't know it was me back there," he replied bitterly.

      Gon climbed off of his chest, but kept his legs pinned to the ground so that he couldn't run. "What happened to you?"

      The comment left Killua feeling irrationally self-conscious. Gon had no way of knowing what he had been up to over the last few years, so it had to have been a criticism of his appearance. Killua scowled up at him. "What's that supposed to mean? I still look exactly the same."

      "Your aura..." Gon whispered, shaking his head. "It's...it's evil." Killua struggled at pushing his old friend off of him. Gon let him. "You were planning on killing us back there," Gon said, piecing it together. "You went back to work for your family, didn't you?" His youthful face hardened.

      "That is none of your concern," Killua responded. "And for the record, killing you was not my intention. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

      "But Leorio is your friend."

      "I don't have friends. Leorio Paladinight is my target. And by the end of the evening, he and his girlfriend will be dead."

      "I am sorry, Killua," Gon whispered.

      "For what?" he barked. Killua didn't need or want his pity.

      Gon hit him just hard enough to knock him out.