Episode Ten: To × Kukuroo × Mountain

Illumi turned, facing us both, and stared blankly into Gon's hazel eyes. "Apologize? For what?"

"Tch…" my jaw locked up, my eyes narrowing at his lifeless gaze.

"You don't know what you did wrong?" the young boy asked in disbelief.

"Nope." I caught the faint sound of skin stretching as the young boy balled up his fist in agitation.

"You don't have the right to be his brother."

Illumi looked forward. "Must I earn the right to be his brother?"

"You don't even treat him as your brother, you bastard!" his lifeless gaze cut over to me, as if finally noticing that I was there. "That damn look… I've seen it many times in my line of work… You don't see Killua as your flesh and blood, as someone precious to you. You just see him as some sort of tool or gem… A rare one at that. However, as an oversight on your part, you overlooked that he is still human and a child. He has emotions and feelings; hopes and dreams; wants and needs that your ilk can never supply. If you really are his brother, you would put him before yourself. If you cannot do that, then you are no brother, just a mockery of one!"

His neck popped a bit as he tilted his head to the side. "Oh? What would an insignificant thing like you know about being a sibling?"

Gon, possibly feeling the heat my tightening body radiated, reacted before I did. Grasping Illumi's right wrist, he lifted the larger male over his head, aiming to smash against the stairs if the larger male did not land on the balls of his feet first. "He doesn't need to earn the right to be our friend!" Gon proclaimed firmly, tightening his grip around the Zoldyck assassin's wrist. The amount of force behind the grip seem to startle him, as the boy added more stress to the bones. I heard a soft crack as I followed the movements. "Don't bother apologizing. Just take me to see Killua."

"What will you do then?"

"That should be obvious… I'm gonna rescue Killua!"

"You make it sound as though I kidnapped him… He walked away on his own."

"But it wasn't by choice," we stated in unison.

"He was being manipulated by you people. It's the same thing as kidnapping him!"

Of course it is. The mind is the sacred area of all living lifeforms. It is the place where one may truly free, where precious memories were stored, thoughts and feelings expressed, anything and everything is located in the mind. In addition, only very few can wander around into another's inner world, stripping it away until all that was left is a hollow shell of the person they were. Manipulation at that point is almost child's play. A Jaganshi like myself knew these things, and knew how to protect the mind from such savages, even though we are also the savages that wreak havoc on another's sacred area. I am guilty of breaking such laws, just to gain selfish information, blackmail material, or torture another living being to make them do as I want, just to keep my own hands clean and safe from harms way.

"We happened to be discussing this very subject, Gon… Senka," Netero interject. "Kurapika and Leorio have both lodged complaints. The committee has been discussing the fairness of Killua's disqualification."

"Killua had been behaving in a strange manner during and since his battle with the man who called himself Gittarackur! I believe that he was hypnotized into committing murder. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to use hypnosis to induce a person to kill." I restrained myself from scoffing at this. "However, as Killua was raised in a family of assassins, murder was a part of his daily life, so it's natural that he would lack the ethical restraint of most!" Ethics has nothing to do with it. I kept my gaze focused on the Zoldyck, ignoring the background noises, as my crimson eyes caught every microscopic reaction to these claims.

"None of that matters!" shouted Gon, silencing everyone. "It's pointless to argue over whether someone should have passed. If you aren't happy about passing, keep working until you're satisfied. If Killua retakes the Hunter Exam, he'll definitely pass! It's unfortunate that he failed this time, but it is what it is." Once more did his grip tighten around Illumi's limp wrist. "What does matter… If you've been forcing Killua to kill, against his will, all this time, I'll make you pay!"

"Make me pay? What, exactly, will you do?" the taller male mocked.

"I won't do anything. Only, once I rescue Killua, I'll never let you see him again!" Illumi's left arm twitched as he slowly raised it, ringer spread out, palm facing Gon's forehead, just as he did with Killua. Sensing something, Gon jumped back, getting away from the outstretched hand, while I pressed the tip of my sword against Illumi's palm, a small trickle of blood running off the side.

"Just give me a reason to remove those hands you seem so proud of. I'll make sure the process is slow and painful, just so we can enjoy our time together…"

"Ahem," Netero coughed into his fist, drawing our attention back towards him once more. "Is everyone finished? Gon is absolutely correct. You must decide for yourselves if you were worthy of passing. You may complain about the results all you like, but we will not be changing our minds. Killua has been disqualified. And the rest of you have passed the exam." Netero nodded at the little green creature, the one who went by the name of 'Bean', who promptly stepped forward.

"Okay, then I shall continue the orientation." Illumi allowed his arm to drop back to his side, while I resheathed my blade, taking my place next to Gon while keeping an eye on the Zoldyck. "The cards I've passed out are your Hunter Licenses. This card allows you to enter 90% of the countries that limit immigration, as well as 75% of the restricted areas of the world. This card also provides free access to 95% of the public facilities, and a line of credit that rivals large corporations. If you sell the card, you'll have enough money to last seven lifetimes. And if you keep it, you'll still be living in comfort. So take extra care that your license isn't lost or stolen. You won't receive a replacement. According to our estimates, one in five Hunters lose their card within a year of receiving it. As a Hunter, your first challenge is to protect your card. The rest is up to you. Rise above challenges, believe in your own strength, and fulfill your dreams."

"Then, we now declare the eight members here to be new Hunters!"

HUNTER×HUNTER

"Gittarackur…" Gon called out, going up to the older Zoldyck assassin. The assassin just looked back, watching as the young boy walked over. "Tell me where Killua is," the boy demanded, staring up into the other's lifeless eyes.

"Are you really going to take him away?" Illumi questioned. "I think that's a bad idea."

"I don't care what you think!" Gon declared, glaring at Killua's brother. "Killua is my friend. I'm taking him with me."

"Do they feel the same way?" asked Illumi, staring at us standing a few feet away.

"You bet," stated Leorio, looking serious for once.

Kurapika nodded in agreement while I grunted. "Fine," Illumi relented. "I doubt you'll be able to make it there anyway." He shrugged. "Killua went home."

"Home?"

"Kukuroo Mountain. Our family lives at the very top."

"Kukuroo Mountain?" asked Leorio.

"Got it. Thanks," said Gon before turning on his heels and walking away. I walked right next to him, ignoring Hisoka and Illumi's conversation.

HUNTER×HUNTER

I fidgeted, feeling the scabbard of my sword press across my back, as we sat in the cramped vehicle. I glared out the window, not enjoying the fact that I was forced to sit in Kurapika's lap.

"We've been stuck in place forever," complained Leorio, also glaring out the window.

"This won't do. We'll be late for our flight…"

"In that case…" Gon grabbed his items and climbed over the seats, opening the door. "We'll run instead!"

Grunting, I hurried out, nearly whacking the blond in the face with my sword.

Once we were all free, we quickly made our way passed still cars, heading towards the city.

"Hey, Gon! Do you realize how far away the airport is?"

"I want to rescue Killua as soon as humanly possible!"

"Fine, you win."

"This reminds me of the Hunter Exam."

"That's right!" exclaimed Gon happily. "This is nothing compared to the Hunter Exam."

"Yeah, you got that right."

"Okay… Race you to the airport! Ready… Go!"

HUNTER×HUNTER

Having to sit in tiny cramp vehicles was starting to put me on edge as I stared out the window, enjoying the sights as we made it to a large set of iron gates that were decorated with serpentine dragons on top. "This is the front gate of the Zoldyck estate," informed the peach haired woman, while everyone around us started taking pictures. "Also known as the Door of Hades." She added.

Humming softly, I looked up at the gates, wondering the distance from the ground to the top would be, before shrugging, accepting the fact that was too high, as I continued to examine the gates. "There's no locks…"

"Because no one who's entered has ever returned alive. To enter, you must pass through the door beside the security checkpoint. But the area beyond the gate is private property, so we can't proceed."

"Hold on!" shouted Leorio, pointing up at the large gates, "this is the front gate? The mountain's all the way over there!"

"State the obvious why don't you?" Leorio castes me a quick side glare.

"Correct… The Zoldycks own Kukuroo Mountain, as well as the surrounding land."

"It's a volcano…"

"Huh?" The group looked at me in questioning.

"The mountain's a volcano. A sleeping one, but still a volcano."

"This whole area is their backyard?" Leorio asked Miss Peach rhetorically, completely stunned into near silence.

"Hey, Guide-san…" Gon spoke, looking at the busty woman.

"Yes?"

"What do we have to do to get inside?"

"Boyo, were you listening to my explanation?"

"Uh-huh. But…"

I tuned at the rest, feeling aggravated as the harpy's voice started making my sensitive ears ring. Not even Leorio has managed to do that with all his yelling.

"It's all a sham."

I snorted, my crimson gaze focused on the two who spoke.

"A family of assassins that no one's ever seen."

"Just a photo of their faces is worth a hundred million."

"Seriously?!" I ignored the rest as the two bullies a stocky older male, demanding a key. He gave it to them after a while, allowing the idiotic duo entrance.

"Are you okay?" asked Gon, running to the man's aid.

"Yes, I'm fine. Man… now Mike's going to end up eating between meals again," the old man sighed in mild annoyance as my nose twitched, catching the musty odor of fur mixed with the irony scent of old blood.

Both men screamed so loudly, one could easily guess as to what has happened on the other side. A few seconds later the door creaked open, displaying the skeletal remains as they were disposed of in a near by metal bin by a large, deep purple, clawed hand.

Everyone not apart of our motley crew screamed bloody murder, running for their lives towards the bus we arrived in.

"Please… He's only supposed to eat at assigned times. Mike! Don't blame me if you get fat!" Shouted the old man.

"Hey, boys! What are you doing?" Screamed Miss Peach from the safety of the bus, waving her flag wildly around. "Get on the bus!"

"You can leave," said Gon, smiling widely.

"And get a new voice!" I added, watching her face turn red from anger. "In case you haven't noticed yet, we're staying!" With that, she drove off, leaving us at the gates.

HUNTER×HUNTER

"I see. So you're young Killua's friends. I'm happy to hear that. I've worked here for twenty years, but this is the first time any friends have come to visit." He sat a glass of green tea down in front of me with a friendly smile, while I just stared back blankly at him. "Since I work here, I shouldn't say this, but this place is rather lonely. No one ever visits. Though we do see a lot of those…" the man pointed back towards the bones.

"Of course not. This place does not give a friendly vibe, in addition, who would honestly be stupid enough to visit a family of trained killers?" the old man stared at me in wonder.

"Well, a family of assassins is pretty unusual. So I suppose it's the price they have to pay. Anyways, I'm glad you're here." I started tuning him out as I stared out the window, watching the sun set.

Once the sun fell beyond the horizon, did all of us gather out in front of the gates, watching Leorio warm himself up before pressing his palms flat against the first door. However, no matter how much force he admitted, the gate remained shut.

"I've tried pushing and pulling, but it won't budge! Are you sure it isn't locked?" complained Leorio.

"You're just weak, human," I stated, looking off to the side.

"That's absurd! I've been using all of my strength!"

The elder male removed his uniform coat, leaving him in a white singlet, much to my horror.

"Just watch," he said, going up to the gates. "This gate's official name is the Testing Gate. Anyone who cannot open this gate is unqualified to enter the Zoldyck estate." Grunting loudly, which was very much unneeded, the old geezer shoved open the first gate as if it was nothing. "As you just saw, the door closes automatically, so you'll want to run in, the second it opens. You don't need to worry about Mike. He has orders not to attack any who enter through the Testing Gate. Still, this is getting tougher as I age… But they'll fire me if I can't open the gate, so I need to keep in shape. I should mention that each of gate one's doors weighs two tons."

"Two tons! You're not supposed to be able to open that! Wait, what did you say? Gate one?"

The rest zoomed by me without a care as I removed my vest and shirts, making the four males stare as I went up to the gate myself.

"Senka?" inquired Gon, watching as I pressed my palms flat against the cold metal.

"If I can't open it, there's no way a dainty thing like you can!" shouted Leorio.

I scoffed in reply while taking a deep breath, slowly exhaling through my nose, and pushed. My heels dug into the dirt as the gates slowly started parting. 'This is just another challenge set before me,' I thought, feeling my temperature rise even more as I applied more force. Focusing solely on the gates, I forgot about everything else, just as the fourth gate started to part. Sensing another person's aura further in, as if mocking me, sent me over as I pushed gates 1 through 4 open, allowing me to pass through. Allowing one side to swing closed, I held open the other while I waited.

The person merely vanished further inwards, leaving me with my back turned on two gawking older men.

I feel bad for not uploading in forever... so here's chapter 10! :D