I Found What I Was Missing

Chapter 75: Thank You

Thank You

Killua sat leant against a tree, a frown tugging at his brow and lips, a soft, warm breeze ruffling through his hair and playing with his clothing. He was deep in thought, chewing on the inside of his lower lip as his mind continued to attempt to sort through his worries and present solutions.

Alluka giggles, gaining his attention to where she sits a few feet away, legs crossed and back turned to Dabi, whom was combing his fingers through her thick, soft hair, pulling the long strands away from her face and into a braid.

Dabi had likely done Fuyumi’s hair for her like that when they were younger, Killua thinks with a soft smile tugging at his lips. Despite his rough exterior--his wild hair and scarred skin--Dabi was gentle, and Killua really appreciated the way he was handling Alluka and Nanika with such care.

Alluka seems to have taken a liking to him, and if she did, then Nanika probably did, too. Alluka rarely does anything Nanika isn't comfortable with, though Nanika was likely too shy to show herself to Dabi without some kind of prompting.

Killua frowned. Could he entrust Alluka and Nanika to Dabi? Killua himself could no longer protect his sisters, he had a family to take care of, children he'd have to raise and love and give all of his attention to, and with Illumi now knowing where he was and that he was still alive and well, Killua would have to protect them.

He was not so naive as to believe that Illumi had given up on controlling him and bringing him back home so he could serve as the rightful heir--Illumi probably doesn't appreciate the fact that that role now belongs to Kalluto--the only difference now is that Illumi realised he couldn't overpower Killua and force him into it. Gon simply wouldn't allow that, and neither would Killua, he was sure he was stronger than his brother now.

The next possible action that Killua thinks Illumi would resort too, is to take someone dear to him as a bargaining chip, to force Killua into surrendering and willingly coming home lest he want that person being murdered or tortured.

Killua and Gon could protect their own children and everyone living in their house, but Alluka and Nanika were free spirits, they had been forced to stay in one place for far too long. The only freedom they had was that year and a half they had been traveling when Killua saved them from that room.

They had been stuck here on Whale Island for over twenty years, and Killua really hated himself for it. He had promised Alluka and Nanika freedom, adventure and joy; they could not be experiencing any of that here.

It wasn't like Whale Island wasn't great--it was, it really was--but there was only so much adventuring a person could do on this tiny island. He wants to grant them their freedom, he wants to grant them the adventure and joy they so deserve, but he couldn't go with them, and it was too dangerous to let them leave on their own.

“You'll get a headache if you keep thinking so hard, Killua,” Gon spoke up.
Killua turned his head to the right, looking up at his smiling love. “ ‘m just a little lost in thought,” he murmured as Gon sat down beside him, handing him a cold bottle of water.

Killua takes it gratefully, leaning his head on Gon's shoulder as he snuggled closer.
“Are you thinking about Alluka and Nanika?” Gon inquires as he rests his cheek on Killua's head.
Killua hummed. “Mhm, I don't think they'd want to stay on the island forever, especially now that Mito won't be so lonely anymore,”

Gon nodded. “You think they'll want to come back with us?”
Killua shrugged. “I'm not sure, but I know I can't leave them unprotected anymore, not with Illumi now knowing we're back and where we are,” he stated as he uncapped the bottle, drinking nearly half of the water inside.