A/N: Did you miss me? I missed you! I didn't die or anything, life was just crazy and in the midst of it all I've been doing tons of writing on the drafts for this story (would you believe I wrote a 106 page outline?), re-editing this as well as writing the other short stories in preparation to update this one (which you've probably already taken a look at). I have also been fighting the discouragement that came from the thought that the fandom was dying! I will like to thank those of you that have favorited / followed or reviewed this or any of my other stories in my absence and thank you too for your follows on Tumblr! Those were the little gestures that helped to motivate me whenever I was in a slump / discouraged and made me realize that there are people out there that are still interested. Thanks a million to all of my fans, old and new...I love you all and this is for you.

Chapter Summary: An encounter with the unexpected leaves Gon with a lot more questions than Hisoka is willing to answer...

Chapter References: Hunter x Hunter 2011 episode 15 when Hisoka was attacked during the fourth phase of the exam but refused to fight.

2) Hunter x Hunter 2011 episode 1 when Gon was remembering what Aunt Mito had told him.

Chapter Warnings: There is no smut here to give this an M Rating, but there is the description of a death scene, some violence, the mention of blood, and of course... sexual tension.

IMPORTANT: As a big thanks for your patience, an audio version for this chapter is available online. I'll post the link below!

NOTE: As hinted, the story gets a tid bit darker and will continue to. Revenge can be just, bitter or selfish and tends to show us the darkest bits of our soul that sometimes even we do not know exist. The part with Gon is part of my headcanon where I believe that Gon is still affected by what happened with Kite and what he had to do with Pitou. He is hesitant about losing control like that again, of becoming a monster...

Chapter 31: Death strikes at night. (Part two of UxD)

N.B: Evening of Day 12 continues; circa 7:20pm ~

Thick, puffy white clouds crept across the tenebrous sky to hide the majestic glow of the moon. The air was still...too still and there was not even the slightest sound or movement in the eerie alleyway where they stood.

No sound.

No movement.

Until...

"Urr..."

A choked, bloodied groan left her cracked lips as if trying to curse him with that shaky dying breath while cold blue eyes continued to stare unseeingly back at him.

For a suspense-filled second, he looked into her dead stare almost lovingly until their eye contact was broken by her head lolling backwards as her weight, and gravity, caused her to fall back, and for the sword to be withdrawn from her heart.

"You're so beautiful..." Arashi muttered as if it was some sort of macabre praise, observing that as she fell, her golden hair floated momentarily around her before settling like a halo around her head on the murky ground.

"You remind me of her."

He smiled as the memory of crystalline blue eyes and platinum blonde hair came to mind.

"Dawn..."

"You're both almost as beautiful as Yuki was..." he whispered as the vision of another woman, although long dead, assaulted him with astounding clarity.

Never had he met anyone as captivating as she was, and as he looked down at the corpse at his feet, he saw her, purple eyes and long white hair lying there instead...bloodied and broken.

He chuckled, shaking his head as if to clear the sight.

"Oh my beautiful Yuki..." His voice was a strained whisper. "Even after all this time your beauty haunts me."

Crazed eyes darted from some forgotten, obscure point in his past to the corpse before him again.

"Mmhmm..." He smirked, recalling the muted thump that the body had made as it fell to the ground. The sound resonated in his mind as if seeking to haunt him, but Arashi laughed, this foul delight adding to the grim atmosphere, and as his laughter faded, he closed his eyes to relish in the recollection of the way his victim's crystalline eyes had changed in the instant death had claimed her.

Her beautiful blue orbs had become so different: void of life, hope, fear, insecurity and rebellion – all the things that were present in them just a few minutes before. Now those eyes were nothing but a hollow, bloodshot, teary shadow of what they were. And he was the cause of that.

His hands clenched involuntarily at his sides and he bit into his lower lip.

This feeling...

Mmm...

Happiness swelled within his chest and tears of joy pricked at the corners of his eyes, blurring his vision.

The satisfaction that came with killing…the feeling that was so unmatched, so unlike anything else that he knew, was nothing short of amazing.

Succeeding in seeing each person he targeted die, feeling them grow cold in his hands as the life left their body, was the most extraordinary thing that he had ever experienced.

To believe that such a beautiful feeling exists in this foul world, Arashi thought with disdain. And before I can bring about The Change...

He shook his head as if not believing what he had felt even though he was fully aware of having just experienced it.

No. I can't be swayed so easily...

There's nothing good left in this world.

It must die.

"Yes. This world must die," Arashi whispered, his words dipped in acid and fuelled by his selfish will.

Reminded now of what he had to do in a few days, he looked up at the full moon now exposed by the slithering clouds, and for a moment, the decidedly wicked smile he wore was Illuminated before his eyes flashed back to the lifeless body on the ground.

Although the police had been giving him a rather hard time in the past few months since the division's new investigator had arrived, tonight's kill, in his opinion, was rather easy.

He chuckled.

Too easy.

Another wicked laugh.

"You've failed again, Investigator Takahashi."

Looking down at the body to poke at it with the tip of his polished leather boot, he mumbled, "See? Your city's beloved Investigator couldn't save you. You're dead." A malicious grin parted his lips wide. "Heh. That Takahashi bastard. I'd have loved to see his stupid face when he learns of what he could not prevent tonight."

Feeling the sword's jeweled handle vibrate pleasurably in his hand, Arashi's vile smirk widened with the knowledge that with this life, he had pleased Ichor and was now closer to his goals. This kill, and the blood that it provided would add to the many lives that he had taken before.

It was yet another sacrifice.

And they would serve me.

He smirked.

The puzzle was almost complete; there were only a few things left to acquire and tonight, after his meeting with Dawn, he'd be yet another step closer to acquiring those things.

And one step closer to bringing about The Change that the world needed.

xxx

NB: One hour later, two streets away (same vicinity)~

The city was cloaked in the caliginous robe of an unforgiving night by the time they left the restaurant. Unlike other days, tonight the smooth sidewalk hugging the busy streets were pretty deserted and as a result, quiet except for noises from the occasional pair of lovers that giggled as they strolled by.

The weathered iron railing that rose up from the ground stretched alongside the sidewalk, separating it from the street and idle couples leaned against its unyielding metal frame, using its sturdy support as an anchor for their combined weight as they cuddled and whispered to each other. Musical laughter and hushed love confessions were barely heard above the blaring sounds of the nearby street traffic and walking close to Hisoka, Gon looked away from his own feet to bring his eyes up to observe him but the man did not seem to take notice of this.

Expression blank and eyes staring straight ahead, Hisoka was obviously lost deep in thought and Gon smiled, realizing that he was getting better at recognizing Hisoka's various moods – a feat that he had once thought would be close to impossible.

Hisoka...

This was a man that had many different sides to his personality; sides which were usually split into times when he seemed utterly outlandish and crude, and times when he became like a completely different person – utterly silent, withdrawn and pensive.

This was one of those times, and to Gon it was all interesting: the way this one man seemed to have so many different facets to his personality, some dangerous and some that were simply...

Normal?

Gon made a face as if unable to believe it himself.

Just then he realized how, even now, compared to when they were in the restaurant, Hisoka's mood was like a complete change. It was as if he was walking with a different man.

Back there in the restaurant, while he was talking to Denny, Hisoka's mood was a mixture between apathy, disapproval and then there was that time when, while they were in the restroom, that he had seemed almost...angry.

Really angry.

By now Gon had figured out that this anger was due to Denny showing a more than friendly interest in him but he was still finding it hard to understand why this would make Hisoka angry enough to react the way he had.

Gon was already displeased by Hisoka constantly insisting that he owned him, but what confused him now about his whole situation was that if Hisoka was so confident in this so-called possession, why would the appearance of someone that he did not even know make Hisoka so upset?

Did Hisoka see Denny as a threat? Gon's slim eyebrows crinkled in confusion. But—

"Mm darling, why are you so angry that I went to dinner with your sister?"

"How dare you even ask me that you—!"

Interrupted by their bickering, Gon looked curiously to the fighting couple at his left. The man, leaning easily against the railing had his arms linked around the woman's waist, holding her to him as she struggled as if wanting to hit him.

"Aw you know I only love you," he whispered close to her ear. "Your sister means nothing to me..."

"Then why did you take her out?! I bet you thought I wouldn't find out an—"

"Today was her birthday wasn't it? Taking her out for a nice dinner was my gift to her."

"But you didn't tell me anything you bastard! What were you trying to—"

"Are you jealous?"

With that question, Gon stopped listening in on their exchange as a sudden thought hit him, and he looked quickly back at Hisoka, the small frown already on his lips tipping further downwards.

Jealousy?

Ah.

So that's why...

It was in the midst of this deliberation that it occurred to Gon that there was the possibility that Hisoka wasn't just annoyed by Denny's advancements but jealous that Denny had succeeded in gaining his attention for some time.

Attention that he felt belonged to him alone.

Hisoka was jealous... Gon thought, mulling over the idea and still unable to accept it. Ah...to think that someone like him would feel like that...

Gon smiled slyly, momentarily pleased that he could bring about such an emotion in Hisoka. That surge of elation was short-lived though.

But he thinks that he could control me.

Puffing out his cheeks and making a face, he stuck out his tongue at Hisoka, although he knew that the man wasn't looking at him.

This is—he stuck his tongue out further—for thinking that you can remind me of whom I belong to.

I belong to no one.

Huffing in frustration, a stubborn pout puckered his lips.

But I still...I don't understand.

We're not a couple. This is Hisoka...it's obvious that he doesn't want something like that, but why does he act like—

"…"

Grunting and thoroughly dissatisfied with his inability to comprehend Hisoka's actions, Gon finally looked away from Hisoka as the words that Aunt Mito had once told him when he was a child came to him. 'You can never understand a person unless you understand what makes them angry. It's how you get to know someone.'

So if I can understand why Hisoka got so angry and jealous in the restaurant, then I'd know more about him and how he feels about me?

Suddenly coming to a stop, Hisoka turned to look down at Gon. "Want to take a shortcut? ~"

Gon nodded as he looked up at his handsome, cheerful smile; feeling a bit confused as to why a shortcut would make Hisoka happy.

Maybe he just wants to get home faster, he suggested to himself but when Hisoka's hand slid down one arm to take his hand just as they left the street to turn into a dark alley, the blood rushed to his cheeks in a heated frenzy.

Is this why Hisoka wanted to take a shortcut?

His breathing quickened.

He wants to be alone with me?

Gon's blush brightened and he tried his best to not look to where Hisoka was walking next to him; not wanting the man to see the way he was reacting to such a simple touch.

This is stupid...so st-stupid—Hisoka's hand tightened around his—...ah...

What am I anticipating? Why am I acting like this? He's just holding my hand.

Calming his racing heart, Gon turned to Hisoka only to see that his face was still a blank unreadable mask and that he wasn't looking at him.

Regardless, he pondered, I wonder if I ever affect him the same way he affects—

"Mmm...seems like we've got company~" Hisoka mumbled with a smile, interrupting Gon's feverish thoughts. "How wonderful~"

The absence of expression on Hisoka's face evaporated into a look of mischief and feeling the excitement rolling off of him, Gon looked straight ahead to where he could sense someone in the darkness up ahead watching them.

"Ah..."

He too had known that there was someone lurking in the shadows, but he had been pretty much ignoring them all this time in hopes that they'd eventually go away.

Unfortunately, Hisoka did not seem keen to do the same.

Gon frowned. If Hisoka is interested in this guy then that must mean... He shivered slightly and leaned closer to Hisoka as the chilly breeze shifted and the stranger in the dark took one ominous step forward. "Hisoka! Do you think—?"

"Oh~ Here he comes," Hisoka interrupted, releasing his hand and stepping back suddenly. "I hope you're ready, Gon-kun~"

"What?! Why me?!" Gon exclaimed, whipping around just as someone came charging towards them. He immediately felt colder without Hisoka's warmth next to him but pushed that feeling out of his consciousness, deciding to busy himself more with their present situation than with anything else.

"Who are you?" The words spilled quickly from his cold lips but he might as well have been talking to himself.

[[Pit]]

[[Pat]]

[[Pit]]

[[Pat]]

[[SPLASH]]

The hurried, sloshing sounds of heavy, worn boots trudging through the murky puddles littered about echoed in the still atmosphere as the stranger rushed right at them.

"I asked you a question!" Gon tried again. "Who are you?! What do you want with us?!"

His words fell on deaf ears as their attacker seemed not to be focusing on him, but on Hisoka instead.

What's going on here?!

I have to stop him.

Gon instantly dropped into a crouch, palms flat on the sludge covered cobblestone as he straightened out one leg to trip the man, but as their attacker came barreling past him, this move failed to slow down or intercept him as he'd hoped.

"Huh?!"

It had happened so fast; the burly man, despite his size, easily jumped to avoid the attack and Gon was left to remain in that position in the dank, dark alleyway, feeling agitated as he watched the scene unfold before him.

Quickly standing and wiping his crummy hands across the front of his grey shorts, Gon's lips became a grim line before tipping downwards.

To be ignored so easily caused a feeling of irritation to well up inside of him but then it dissipated just as quickly as it had appeared.

"So it's Hisoka that he's after..."

This would be over soon then, he thought, remembering the fight in the desert and all the other times that he had witnessed Hisoka fight.

An uncharacteristically wicked smirk spread across his lips.

That guy, out of the two of us, couldn't have chosen a worse possible opponent. Does he even realize that with Hisoka there would be no mercy?

One did not need to have control over Nen to see that Hisoka was trouble. That warning was there with the man always, like a dark promise to all who came close.

A promise of death, danger...and possible torture.

Hisoka reeked of all those things and as a matter of consequence, a quick death was probably the nicest thing that could happen to someone who challenged him.

Gon swallowed hard, his excitement making it almost too difficult to remain still. He grasped at the hem of his shorts to quell the nervous feeling as he watched Hisoka's lips twist into that beautiful yet wicked smile that never failed to send unmistakably pronounced chills through him. He had no idea why this mysterious man had attacked them, but for the moment, his interest was no longer in that direction. Right then, more than anything, Gon just wanted to see Hisoka fight.

He wanted it with every fiber of his being, to witness the gruesome dance of death that was Hisoka's trademark, to be enraptured by the grace and skill of this dangerous magician that always excited him.

But...

Something wasn't right.

Gon's eyes narrowed as he looked on.

Hisoka's behavior was stranger than usual. It was nothing like back in the desert, nearly two weeks earlier, when they were facing off against the entire gang of hoodlums that had attacked them. At that time Hisoka was more than eager to finish them all in a flashy, macabre display of his prowess as a hunter, but tonight, Hisoka's behavior reminded Gon of a situation that had occurred years before, during the Hunters' exam when he had been attacked by another participant who was hoping to fight him to the death.

Hisoka had refused to fight him then, just like he was currently doing with their attacker.

But...his opponent isn't gravely injured, Gon thought, remembering from then that this was one of the reasons why Hisoka would refuse a fight.

So...why?

"Damn it!" the man growled, his frustration echoing off the bare, crooked walls of the nearby buildings they were sandwiched between. "You're the one he's looking for!"

"Mmmm? ~" Hisoka chuckled lightheartedly as he jumped backwards to avoid a high kick. "Are you sure you have the right person? ~"

"Stop acting dumb...a man with distinct features and hair the color of blood...there is no doubt about it, that's you!"

"Me? Are you really sure?" Hisoka quirked an eyebrow and pointed to himself curiously. "Redheads are pretty common in York Shin you know~"

"Stop bullshitting!"

Hisoka only shrugged. "I'm sorry, but if you want me, you're going to have to wait. My schedule is pretty packed, so an appointment might be more feasible if—~"

"Shut up!" The man gritted his teeth. "Do you take me for a fool?! What are you doing here, this close to where he just took a sacrific—" He stopped himself and his eyes became slits as his suspicion increased. "You're after him aren't you?! Tell me!"

"I don't have to tell you anything~"

Futilely swinging his short blade and catching empty air, the man growled in frustration. "Why don't you stay still? Why can't I kill you?!"

"Now, now," Hisoka chided mockingly. "I'll be a fool if I just stand still and let someone slash at me, wont I? ~"

"Well fucking fight me you ass!"

Hisoka laughed. "You're quite the foul-mouthed one aren't you. Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not in the mood to fight, you caught me at a bad time~"

"What the hell?! How could you suddenly decide—!"

"Yes, as it would happen, I was in the mood to kill something...anything...a little while ago, but I just had some really good sex and now all of my frustration is gone, so you might want to try again another time~"

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

Steel glinted as if reflecting his anger and Hisoka skipped back with a smirk, bending backwards into an effortless flip just as fast to dodge a couple punches and the reckless slashing of that angry sword. "I'm not lying~" he chuckled. "I do get rather worked up sometimes...and I do constantly long for the pleasure of feeling bones snap within my grip and to hear someone plead for their life, but..." He licked his lips and his golden eyes flicked to where Gon was standing not too far away. Making sure to talk loud enough for Gon to hear him, he continued, "But whether it's intentional or not, my lovely accomplice seems to know all the right moves to keep me satisfied when the need arises...so unfortunately it's been a while since I've killed anyone~"

"What?!" Both Gon and the man shouted in unison. They looked briefly at each other before Gon turned back to Hisoka and gasped, "Hisoka what's wrong with you, why won't you fight?!"

"I've already said it," Hisoka mumbled, looking down at his nails and yawning as he dodged another swing from the guy without even having to see the blow coming. "You outdid yourself in there Gon,"—he pointed back to where the restaurant was and gave Gon a thumbs up—"I'm satisfied and have no desire to fight. I'm not in the mood~"

"Um…" Gon could have sworn his ears were deceiving him and he was actually too shocked to be humiliated by Hisoka's admission of the details of their relationship in front of a complete stranger. "Hisoka how—?"

"Fuck!" Gritting his teeth and sheathing his sword, their attacker growled in frustration. "I don't care how the fuck you're feeling or what the hell you two were doing, are doing or will fucking do," he grunted. "But I'm going to kill you before you kill the boss!"

Hisoka jerked back, easily stepping out of the trajectory of his strong, rapid double punch, but the man grinned when his fist grazed past the billowing red hair, almost hitting him.

Just a bit more and you're mine. With my next attack I'm going to—

Huh?

He paused suddenly when Hisoka stopped dodging and remained in the same spot as if baiting him to come closer. His eyes narrowed and it occurred to him that he had only almost succeeded in his last attack because Hisoka had left himself wide open. Intentionally. Surprised and suspicious, he jumped backwards to eye him warily.

He wants me to hit him?

Why...?

Hisoka grinned shrewdly, his expression one of pure evil and he took yet another cautious step back.

The air chilled considerably.

"What are you—?"

"You're saying you want to kill me?" A foul, contemptuous laugh bubbled past Hisoka's lips and his slim eyebrows arched in disbelief. "It'll be a cold day in hell when I allow someone like YOU to kill me."

At the dark tone ripe with evil intention, their attacker, noticing the sudden change in Hisoka's demeanor, stepped back again. "What are you...planning?"

This was strange. Just a moment ago, he had him on the defense, but now things were much different.

And to worsen the situation, the redhead's aura seemed to have increased exponentially.

He's this strong?!

Does Arashi know this?

I was not informed that...

Just who is this man?

Right before being instructed to scout the area, he had been told to be on the lookout for either the police or someone matching Hisoka's description; an easy enough job, but now he was beginning to wonder about what he had gotten himself into.

"Who the hell are you?!" He asked, his agitation making him shout. "Tell me now!"

Hisoka chuckled. "Weren't you just one hundred percent convinced of my identity? ~"

Growling, the man looked around quickly, briefly considering escaping and pretending as if he had never met the unusual pair, but then he realized that this was not an option.

Damn, Arashi would kill me if I tell him that I met and couldn't finish this bastard.

But killing this freak might not be possible after all.

Not at my current level...

That aura. It's too much...it's—

He shifted from Hisoka to look at the young man with the rambunctious stance who seemed like an easier target. The one that was currently giving him a nasty look. He knew those loud-mouthed types, all bark and no bite.

So that's his weakness, huh?

He grinned. This would be too easy.

I know what I need to do now. I'll create a distraction. All I have to do is kill this little brat...and then that redheaded bastard is finished.

"Hm?" Gon saw the way the man was looking at him and felt a sudden chill from the intense hate directed his way. When he figured that the man was about to come at him with everything he had in an attempt to kill him, he did the most unexpected thing; he smiled.

Seeing that smile made their attacker even angrier and he charged right at Gon, now no longer focused on Hisoka.

And Hisoka didn't stop him.

"Who are you?!" Gon asked once more, dodging the sudden, rapid flurry of punches so fast that his spiked hair bowed and fluttered in the wind created by the force of his movements, whipping at his face.

One, two, three. Gon counted each whirlwind attack with a look of awe on his face as the man came at him each time with the intention to kill.

Left.

Right.

Low.

He commanded his body to move quickly in order to not get hit.

Dammit! He jumped back just in time to escape a skilfully executed feint that turned out to be an actual attack.

His opponent's speed was impressive and those punches were so focused and deadly that Gon gasped when the following attack almost caught him again, causing his heart to start thudding with joy at the dangerous undertone of the situation he was in. As angry as he was to be suddenly attacked by this nameless person, he couldn't deny the accompanying excitement that flooded his core.

This is great!

He ducked low and jumped to the side.

Wow!

It's been a while since I've been able to fight anyone.

Ducking his head again to avoid the fist aimed straight at him, Gon twisted his body to avoid another.

His eyes darted quickly to Hisoka.

But will he interrupt this time?

"Look at me!" the man grunted.

Before Gon could retaliate or block, a kick sent him flying back into a pile of trash cans nearby.

"Get used to those trash cans," the man grumbled, spitting as he stepped closer. "They're going to be your grave because,"—he punctuated his sentence with a sinister laugh—"you're going to be dying in your friend's place tonight."

Wiping the blood from his lips and standing up quickly, Gon crouched low and held up his guard. Although the man didn't appear so, he was clearly very strong.

He's a Nen user? Gon balled his fists tighter, completely devoid of fear, despite the odds that he was facing. Those attacks...I could barely see or sense them.

"What are you grinning for you freak?" The man ground out as he eyed Gon's bloodied smile. "You shouldn't be able to stand right now. That last attack should have killed you, but I won't make the same mistake this time"—he held up one fist—"…let's see how many of these it'll take to kill you."

"Come," Gon called fearlessly with a faint smirk and a come hither motion. "You can try your luck with me...let's see if you really can kill me..."

"Don't mock me you little shrimp!" The man bellowed, rushing forward to hit Gon but quickly finding that it was not so easy to do that again. "I work for Arashi...you two have no idea who you're messing with. You picked the wrong bounty to go after."

"Bounty?" Gon asked in confusion. His opponent did not respond to his question but kept swinging those heavy punches at him. Just then Gon felt a slight sting when the small hidden blade in the man's punch slashed his cheek as he was dodging the fist aimed at his head. Jumping away, he brought his hand to his face and it came away wet with blood.

"Ah..."

Gon looked down at the man's fist and caught a glimpse of the barely perceptible sharpened tool that was gripped between the middle and ring finger of his right hand. It wasn't big enough to be a dagger, but was closer in likeness to that of a scalpel.

He was hiding that...

As the man approached him, he looked up to see Hisoka some distance away, watching him closely but seeming as if he did not intend to interfere.

What is he doing just standing there?

Barely managing to dodge another punch, Gon gasped when the force of the blow cracked the concrete wall a hairsbreadth from his head.

What the hell is this guy?

"Gon~" Hisoka called in an almost bored tone. "If you don't stop dodging, you're going to die~"

"You're one to talk!" Gon shouted back. "Why don't you handle your own problems?! It's you he's after, not me!"

"Why don't you hurry up and handle it for me? I want to go home and sleep. Besides, aren't you the one who's always harping at how I don't let you fight and I treat you like a kid? ~"

Gon growled. Hisoka can be so annoying.

Hazel eyes watched as the man withdrew his hand from where it had been stuck in the wall with the last punch.

"I'm going to fuck you up," the man grumbled, whilst cracking his knuckles and Gon reacted quickly, realizing that if he didn't take an offensive stance, he really would die if hit by that fist.

Here it comes...~ Hisoka thought happily, trembling slightly with excitement, whilst wearing a shrewd smile that Gon was too busy to notice. Let me see what you can do, Gon-kun~

Without dodging or trying to escape another hit, Gon met the man directly with a powerful uppercut that caused him to stumble and fall backwards onto the sludge covered street. "I will not ask again! Tell me who you are! Who is Arashi and why does he want us dead?!"

"Heck if I tell you!" The man rolled away before Gon could land a hit on him. Before he could say anything else, Gon was charging at him again and just as he jumped up off the ground, attempting to retaliate, Gon cornered him against the side of a building.

"Well if you won't talk, we have no use for you..." Gon said darkly.

"You runt!" The man was positively enraged now to realize that someone he considered to be weak and unimpressive had him at a disadvantage.

"I'm going to kill you...I'll kill you!" he roared, kicking Gon away from him. Moving in to finish him with a strong uppercut, he gasped.

What the— His left hand clutched his abdomen where Gon had hit him.

When did he...?!

Gon had moved so fast that he couldn't judge the angle where he was coming from or his intention. After having dodged his attacks for most of the fight, he had no idea that the younger man would have been skilled enough to land such a critical blow. Before Gon could hit him again, he revealed the small, hidden blade in his palm, aiming for Gon's throat in one robust slash.

I'll kill him...he'll choke on his own blood and then I'll kill that redheaded—

When his attack met air and a sharp pain erupted from his other arm, he looked to see that Gon had broken his left arm with one punch.

Fuck!

This kid's fast! he thought, slashing wildly into the air around him in hopes of catching the young man with at least one of his attacks.

I'll cut him, and as soon as he slows down, I'll cut his throat.

But...

He was quickly discovering that there was a big problem with his current plan: he was finding it difficult to cut what he could not see...or sense.

Where is that little fucker?

There was a glimmer of movement to his left but it was gone as soon as he turned toward it.

Shit!

Becoming frantic now when his attacks continually missed, he roared in anger.

Where is he?

Where is he?!

I'll fucking kill—

Just then there was laughter. It sounded pure, jovial and almost childlike and what was even creepier was that he couldn't see where it was coming from.

It was as if it was all around him.

Gon snorted derisively. "I'm over here...didn't you want to kill me? What are you doin—"

"Bastard!" Before he could slash again, a kick sent him sprawling over the muggy concrete, but in no time, he was getting up again. "How dare you mock me? I'll—"

"Huh?" Gon kicked him and fell back again. "You'll what?"

"Dammit!"

Left arm hanging useless at his side, he struggled to his knees but before he could fully stand, another kick floored him.

He was coughing up blood but that did not stop him from making another gruesome threat. "You're so dead! Do you know who I am?! I've killed many and I'll kill you and that asshole and then I'll find and kill your friends…slowly...one by o—"

This time it wasn't just a kick, but a barrage of punches that met him and he vomited blood amidst the seemingly endless attack. When it finally ended and he looked up into the expressionless face that was looming over him, it was to look into the yellow eyes of a demon. "Monster..." he muttered, trying to swing his one good arm at Gon.

"What?" Gon asked calmly. Too calmly. "I'm not the one who was waiting to attack in this alley." He formed his hands into fists. "How many people have you killed?" His knuckles made a cracking sound with the tightening up of his fists. "You attack me...you attacked the man I lo—" Gon cleared his throat.

"You attacked Hisoka..." He grasped the man by his collar and lifted a fist, ready to hit him one last time. "But worst of all, you threatened to find my friends and kill them." Gon paused as he remembered talking happily on the phone just a few hours earlier with Leorio and Kurapika. He remembered their smiling voices as his fingers dug into the thick fabric of the man's coat and the veins at the back of his hand bulged.

This...

He wants to take my friends away from me...

Several things flashed across Gon's consciousness at that point: The plans he'd made to meet up and hang out with his friends like old times, the fact that he still had to apologize some more to Killua...the uncertainty of whether or not Killua would forgive him for what he had done...

Is this man...

Gon's breaths quickened, becoming more ragged and harsh as he recalled the air of danger he had sensed that afternoon looming in the city.

Is he connected to the threat that I felt?

Is he going to hurt my friends...?

The corners of his lips turned downward.

Yes...He wants to hurt them! He said so!

He wants to hurt...

I can't let that happen.

Not again...

Tears of rage pricked at the corners of his eyes at the painful memory that resurfaced.

Kite...

I will not lose anyone again...

I will protect those who are precious to me.

The shadows marring Gon's face darkened, his lethal stare intensifying as his grip on the man's collar tightened and his fist descended. "Now die."

"How about you die!" The man thrust the small knife he was still holding into Gon's side and laughed but that laugh died when Gon did not react or flinch.

His blood went cold.

Just what is this boy...

"You!" He yelled. "You're really a monster—!"

Gon punched him with all his strength and there was an audible cracking sound in the agitated silence of the night as the man's body, bloodied and broken, fell back limply onto the murky ground.

Straightening up and maintaining his deadly stare on the broken body at his feet, he scowled. "Don't call me a monster."

The silence lingered for a bit longer before a slow whistle of appreciation pierced the air. Panting angrily and still revved up from the thrill of that encounter, Gon looked quickly behind him to see Hisoka walking toward him with a contented smirk.

"Mmm Gon I knew you had it in you, but I didn't believe that you'd have killed the guy~" Hisoka moaned. "That was so entertaining to watch...just look at how much blood—"

"He's not dead," Gon snapped, already irritated from having to spare the man's life when he had threatened the lives of those close to him. "The jerk will live—"

"No Gon, he is dead~ Do you think that after a punch like that that, anyone could live? ~"

Two pairs of eyes looked to where the man lay motionless.

"Is he really...dead?" Gon stepped towards the spot where the man had fallen and crouched low, before finally dropping to his knees. As he did, the haze of rage that blinded him slowly began to dissipate and he saw just how messed up the body before him was.

There was blood everywhere and the face was barely recognizable.

The man was in a really bad shape.

At that moment, Hisoka moved closer to him but Gon was so distraught that he did not even feel the firm hand that was placed on his shoulder.

Did I do all this?

His lips twisted as his eyes scanned over the bloodied distortion that was the face of their attacker.

This...

His hands trembled.

I...killed again...

I killed someone.

I...tried to hold back...but I still did it... I still—

Gon's breaths were ragged and his eyes went wide as he looked down at his bloody hands.

These are my hands...

Hands that killed...

He swallowed hard as his hands trembled slightly and his fingers curled inwards.

Blood...there's so much of it...

Just like that time...

That time when I...when I became a monst—

"A delightful sight isn't it? ~" Hisoka asked in a voice too close to a moan. The hand he had on Gon's shoulder trailed closer to his neck and with the feel of the bare skin under his palm, he was suddenly overcome with a strong desire to wrap both hands around Gon's neck.

Giving in to that instinct, his left palm closed over Gon's other shoulder and he leaned closer to his heated skin.

Mmm Gon...~

Eyes narrowing in ecstasy, Hisoka reveled in the smell of sweat and blood that clung to the young man.

I want you...

His golden gaze intensified on the smooth tanned skin at the nape that called to him, but just as he felt himself starting to lose control he took a deep, calming breath.

You're so strong~

You excite me so much~

Oooh~Gon...~

Licking his lips, Hisoka quelled his primal desire to inflict pain on Gon and muttered shakily, "Mmmm...such brute strength without your Nen. That guy didn't even have a chance..." Chuckling, he straightened up reluctantly and looked down at the younger man who was still frozen, kneeling on the ground, before turning to walk away from him. "Gon-kun, if you're not careful, you're going to make me fall in love~"

Gon was still too wrapped up in the shock of what he'd just done to hear what Hisoka had said. "Hisoka!" He gasped with a bit of hope in his voice. "I think he's still alive!"

"What?" Hisoka asked, now a bit disappointed. "He won't live long anyway~"

"I guess. But if we call the ambulance now, at least we can keep him alive until—"

A whirring noise surprised Gon and he dodged just in time to avoid one of Hisoka's cards.

"What are you doing you bastard!" Gon shouted, appalled when he realized that he would have been hit if he had not moved as fast as he did. "You almost hit me!"

"But I didn't, did I? ~" Hisoka pointed down at the body. "Now look, he's no longer dying but dead~"

Following the direction to where Hisoka was pointing, Gon looked back at the man to see the card that was thrown at him lodged in his throat. With the absence of the faint, gurgling gasps, it was easy to deduce that he was no longer breathing as he lay there, clearly motionless...and dead.

Eyes taking in the blood pouring from the severed artery to add to the growing crimson pool around the body, Gon was delayed momentarily by the mesmerizingly gruesome sight.

What...?

Why...?

His lips separated but no sound came out and Gon forgot what he was about to say until Hisoka's quiet chuckle broke the spell. He looked back sharply at Hisoka. "Why'd you do that?!"

"Hm? ~"

"Why did you kill him?!"

"But he was dying~" Hisoka shrugged. "I just quickened the process~"

"No! I was going to call the ambulance!"

"What? ~" Hisoka looked at him with a weird expression. "So you wanted to save him? What happened to all that talk about protecting your friends? ~"

"…"

"Have you lost your mind as well as your Nen? ~"

Gon ignored Hisoka's mocking tone. "I wanted him to live long enough so that we could have questioned him! I think he knew something about our case but you ruined that Hisoka, you—!"

Marching toward him, Hisoka grabbed Gon's arm, roughly pulling him to his feet and to his chest. "Gon—"

"Let me go Hisoka!" Gon gasped angrily but Hisoka only tightened his grip. "Don't touch me, you can't—!"

"What are you upset about Gon-kun? ~" Hisoka asked in a relaxed tone that did not match the unyielding grip he had on Gon's slim arms. "That guy was just a grunt, he wouldn't have known anything more than we already do. There is no point in keeping trash alive~"

"But still I... no you didn't have the right to kill him!" Gon struggled against Hisoka's body but Hisoka continued to hold him regardless.

"Gon-kun..." Hisoka started. "Did you want to be the one that killed him? Is that it? Are you angry that I killed him? ~"

"No!" Gon shouted, bringing his arms up to push at Hisoka's strong chest. "I'm not a killer...I'm not like you!"

Hisoka laughed, holding both of Gon's shoulders now so that the young man couldn't wriggle much anymore. "Whether you like it or not Gon-kun," he said seriously. "We have a lot in common...you and I..."

"No we don't! I'm—mmmph!" Gon was surprised when Hisoka suddenly closed the little space between them to capture his lips in a kiss and as angry as he was with him, he surprised himself by moaning into that fiercely possessive move that quickly became a passionate and almost violent exchange between them.

Blood still pumping hotly in his veins from the excitement of the deadly encounter he'd just had, Gon responded with as much valor as he could muster to Hisoka's forceful kiss, already primed and ready for anything that the man had in mind.

He's doing it again...

He's distracting me...he's hurting me...but it feels good...it feels so good. Why does he always do this to my body?

Gon moaned, the sound lost in that union of lips, tongue and teeth.

How does he always know what to do to me...and when to—?

"Mmmn...!" He gasped as Hisoka jerked him even closer as if wanting to consume all of him. The kiss between them deepened, becoming harsher, more violent as Hisoka kissed him roughly, aiming to dominate him, to tame the wildness that constantly challenged him.

Simultaneously, Gon's nails dug into Hisoka's back through his T-shirt as Hisoka's raked down his arms and as Hisoka's tongue swept confidently and repeatedly into his mouth, he moaned, eager to take more of that dangerous kiss...eager to satisfy his lust even if by doing so he would be signaling his own destruction.

Mmmm...

Their tongues clashed and twisted, each expressing their frustrations, desires and weighty need in that kiss that was a scant demonstration of just how much more they really wanted to do.

So intense was that union that when Hisoka finally released him Gon was a gasping, excited and red-faced mess.

And he wanted more.

Hisoka licked his lips and looked down at Gon panting and glaring up at him. "See? We do have a lot in common~ Fighting gets you just as excited as it does me~"

"Sh-shut up."

"Oh Gon-kun..." Hisoka kissed the tip of his index finger and pressed it against Gon's slightly swollen lips. "What is it that bothers you?"

"Hisoka, we can't just leave a dead body in a dark alley."

"Why? There's nothing wrong with doing that~"

"…" Gon eyed him disapprovingly. "Hisoka—"

"Haven't you killed a man before? ~"

"Yes...sort of but—"

"'Sort of'? Gon I don't think that it's possible to 'sort of' kill someone. It's either you killed them or you—"

"I said I sort of killed them, so drop the subject," Gon confirmed curtly, obviously not wanting to get into the details of how he'd done so.

"O...kay...~" Hisoka looked at him a bit weirdly for the second time that night. "Anyways, I'm sure you didn't go worrying about where you left the body."

"That…" Gon looked away for a moment. "Worked out somehow."

"Then why are you acting like it's your first time?"

"That was in a mission Hisoka, but this...this guy was probably just—"

"What? A random hooligan?" Hisoka laughed. "Oh Gon, you're so cute...you have a hit list on who to kill and who not to? Was this guy not high enough on your list of priorities? ~"

"No!" Gon shouted but then his voice lowered a fraction. "There's a big problem here; we're in a City – a dead body might attract the wrong attention to us."

Hisoka chuckled at Gon's panicked expression. "What is it Gon? Afraid of going to jail? But you look so good in green. Who knows? You might look positively dashing in orange~"

"Hisoka you're not taking me seriously! You're—!"

"Well if you insist, I'll get rid of it."

At Hisoka's jovial expression, Gon started to growl, ready to argue with him but Hisoka clearly wasn't paying attention to him anymore, now busying himself with retrieving his phone. Sighing when he saw that getting angry with Hisoka was going to be another useless venture, he decided to assuage his curiosity instead.

"So who is this Arashi guy by the way? Is he the guy who is behind what we spoke about before?" When Hisoka did not respond but continued to fiddle with his phone, Gon added, "What are you doing Hisoka?"

"Making a phone call~" Hisoka replied before walking a little distance away from him.

"I can see that, but—!" Gon puffed out his cheeks when Hisoka, whilst putting up a had to shush him, turned away to pay attention to the person on the other end.

In a situation like this...—he tried not to look in the direction of the body—Hisoka's acting so casually.

I shouldn't be surprised; he's always been too casual about things like these.

Hm...?

Seeing the widening smirk on Hisoka's face only made him even more curious. I wonder who he's calling...?

"Hmm~" Hisoka smiled slyly when the familiar voice answered.

[["Why are you calling me?"]]

"A pleasant good evening to you too my dear~"

[["Cut the crap Dipshit, what do you want?"]]

"Hmm such wonderful phone etiquette you have there~"

[["I'm in the middle of my job Hisoka...you know that. I don't have the time or patience to entertain your little games tonight."]]

"How unfortunate. I have something for you~"

[["What is it? Did you get some intel?"]]

"Oh, excited now aren't you? ~"

[["Just tell me."]]

"So impatient~"

[["I'll fucking hurt you...I swear to the ancient gods I'll rearrange your face—]]

"Really? ~"

[["Hisoka, I'm warning you."]]

"Mm? ~"

[["What. Is. It?"]]

"A dead body~"

[["What?! Where the hell...?!]]

[["Has there been another killing?!"]]

Hisoka paused deliberately to stretch out the moment. "Mmmm...Your reaction has just made my night... apart from seeing Gon fight the guy of course~"

[["Wha—wait...Hisoka! Gon's there?! You better not have gotten him injured and—!"]]

"What did I tell you this afternoon? I said I won't kill him." Hisoka smirked. "He might get banged up when he's with me though~" he added, laughing at his own lewd double entendre and not caring whether or not Dawn had caught on to it.

[["Do you really have a dead body there?"]]

"Mmmhmmmm~"

[["Are you lying?"]]

"No I'm not lying. I think he is one of Arashi's cronies...or should I say he was~"

Hisoka's smirk returned. I'm such a comedian. It's a pity the common folk don't see it~

[["Hisoka, this is serious, I can't just make a dead body seem like—"]]

"But Mr. Takahashi can. This has to do with the case anyway, he'll understand~"

[["But you might have to come in for questioning. Nick is not going to be happy about—"]]

"The body's located at the alleyway near 24th street. Just come handle it like I know you could~"

[["I'm not your personal–"]]

"Thanks, you've been so helpful, gotta go. Gon's waiting for me~"

[["Hisoka! we're not done talking! Don't you dare hang up on m—!"]]

"Bye~"

When he hung up, Gon wasted no time in trying to find out what had just taken place. "Who was that?"

"My contact. They're going to—"

"Ah so it was Daw-mmmph!"

"Gon." Hisoka removed the hand he'd placed over Gon's mouth to silence him. "You're not really good at this aren't you?"

"What?!" Gon bristled. "Of course I am! I've been in many missions before! I—!"

"Then why were you about to name who my contact is while we're standing in a dark alley?" Hisoka frowned down at him. "We're in public ...anyone could be listening right now," he added sternly.

"Ah sorry Hisoka," Gon mumbled. "I didn't mean to..."

Stopping as a thought occurred to him, he looked up at Hisoka's hardened expression.

"Hisoka?"

"Mm?"

"Are you going to use this as an excuse to punish me when we get home?" Gon asked suspiciously, his breath hitching in anticipation of what he'd most likely have to endure. This pleasurable anticipation nearly engulfed him and his lips folded briefly to hide the small smile that was forming on them before he added, "Like you always do whenever I mess up?"

"Hm?" Hisoka regarded him in confusion. "Why would I do that? You're still learning."

Damn.

"Oh, okay."

"Are you disappointed Gon? ~" Hisoka asked, his highly perceptive gaze analyzing Gon's features. "Because you're looking disappointed~"

"No!" Gon shouted quickly, stepping back a bit. "I'm not some pervert you know!"

Wait… am I disappointed?

Gon sighed as a powerful surge of guilt re-established itself in him. I was just quarreling with him for acting recklessly in a situation like this now look at me. Ignoring that feeling, he pointed back to where the body lay.

"So…" Deciding that changing the subject was the best thing to do at this point, Gon asked, "Why would your contact have to 'handle' getting rid of the body?"

Hisoka looked down at the residual blush on Gon's cheeks and shrugged. He gets embarrassed so easily…makes me want to embarrass him some more~

"Didn't you hear what the guy was saying? ~"

"Yeah he was saying something about killing us before we could kill the Arashi guy." Gon paused for a moment in thought. "Ah!" He finally understood. "Is that his boss? So this really does have to do with our mission...just as I suspected!"

Hisoka smirked at the excitement on Gon's face. "Yes it does so that's why my contact would be able to take care of things. And soon enough..." Hisoka turned away from Gon to stand before the dead body with a smile. "...you'll meet the other member of our team~"

"There's someone else? And I'll get to meet them?"

"Mm~" Hisoka moaned as he looked down at the bloody, mangled body near Gon's feet. "I'll have to tell them how you did such a good job here tonight Gon-kun~"

"Hey! Are you mocking—!"

Hisoka laughed again.

"Bastard...You better shut up or else!"

"Or else what? ~" Hisoka put out a hand to stop Gon's advancement on him. "Want to go home and have sex? ~"

"What the—?!" Gon froze, quickly pushing aside Hisoka's hand before he could grab him. "Where did that come from?!"

"Gon~ Just look at yourself~" Hisoka groaned as he took in Gon's disheveled appearance and moody composure. His eyes lingered on the bruised, blood-stained hands. "You're obviously over-excited and—"

"I'm so done with this shit," Gon muttered, turning away from him to wipe both hands on his pants. "Don't talk to me until—"

"Here you go, don't mess your clothes up," Hisoka said, handing him a large white and pink handkerchief. "Clean yourself up. If your clothes get too much blood on them, the maid might start asking questions when she comes in to do the laundry tomorrow." He made a scoffing sound. "She might even think that we're a couple of murderers~"

"At least she'd be right about you," Gon grumbled, scrubbing at the quickly drying blood on his hands until it was gone.

But now he had another problem.

Ah. Now my fingerprints are all over this…

Carefully looking around and folding the handkerchief, he shoved it deep into the pocket of his jeans shorts.

I can't lose this now.

"Give it to me~" Hisoka said, holding out his hand.

Gon hesitated a moment but then handed him the handkerchief, watching as he quickly clapped it between his hands. When Hisoka opened his hands it was gone and Gon gasped. "Wha—!"

"Hm? ~" Hisoka looked from his hands to Gon's appalled expression.

"Y-you just made it disappear!"

"Nifty trick huh? ~" Hisoka asked with a proud grin. "Now look at this."

When the card that was lodged in the dead man's throat disappeared as well by Hisoka simply pointing at it, Gon did not know how to react anymore and his mouth remained open for a while before he whispered, "Hisoka you..."

"I'm cool aren't I? ~"

"No, you just destroyed evidence."

"Destroyed?" Hisoka shrugged. "Oh no, I'm just cleaning up. I don't like to leave a mess~"

"You seem to be pretty good at this. Too good…"

"Of course~" Hisoka laughed, lifting both arms with a bit of flair. "I'm a magician Gon, what did you expect? ~"

"Magician? More like a murderer…" Gon started to grumble, looking up as he heard Hisoka walking toward him.

"Mm Gon you seem displeased," Hisoka whispered, reaching out one hand to him. When Gon took it he pulled him close. "What is it that's really bothering you? Is it me?"

Gon had been trying to pull away but then stopped at the serious undertone in that question. How was he supposed to respond to that? Of course he was bothered by the ease with which Hisoka killed, the fact that he was so good at it and even more so that he enjoyed it, but that was a part of Hisoka. That was to be expected.

So if this is who he is and I'm bothered by it, does that mean that he bothers me as well?

Without waiting for him to finish deliberating on that thought, Hisoka leaned close to him, essentially forcing him to walk backwards until he was pressing him against the rough wall of one of the nearby buildings. "I like this part of you."

"And what part is that?" Gon inquired breathlessly, his voice raspy with the need that had begun to swell in him in response to Hisoka's proximity.

"Naturally, it's the part of you that has the potential to take lives….but it's not just that. I'm finding myself liking every other part," Hisoka replied, looking down at Gon with a lust filled gaze. "As you can feel..." He pressed his hips against him. "I really do like every part...of you, my lovely fruit~"

"Hisoka!" Gon wouldn't have believed it if he wasn't currently feeling it. The hard line of Hisoka's need was pushed up against him as if demanding to be noticed and with this knowledge his breathing became increasingly labored as Hisoka's excitement started to make him excited as well.

"Hisoka..."

He directed his lusty gaze up at him through lowered eyelashes, unable to understand why Hisoka had to be like this every time.

And he was even more puzzled to be struck by the realization that he was beginning to act like him too.

"I like the part of you that gets really intense during a fight~" One finger tipped Gon's chin up and Hisoka kissed him briefly on his lips. He smiled at the curious look in those honey-hued eyes that had no idea how much they affected him.

"I like..." His next words halted themselves at the tip of his tongue. "Hmmm..."

Ah~

Hisoka realized then that he had essentially almost confessed all of his feelings to Gon, something that no one had ever made him feel to do because he had never had a need to do so.

If Gon knew just how much control he had over him, would that be safe for someone like him?

"Hisoka?" Gon asked in confusion as the man suddenly stepped away from him.

Taking his hand in his again, Hisoka stepped casually around the body on the ground as he started to lead the way out of the alley. Feeling a bit of resistance from Gon, he looked back to see the young man frowning at him. "What is it Gon?"

Gon didn't answer but simply looked pointedly from him to the dead body.

"Are you still worried about that thing? I already told you that it will be taken care of. Now let's go~" When Gon still didn't budge, Hisoka turned around to face him.

At the questioning glance directed at him, Gon huffed, feeling a bit frustrated. He's keeping something from me. I just know it.

"If you don't tell me what's wrong Gon-kun, I wouldn't know~" Hisoka reminded him patiently.

"While trying to fight you, this guy was saying something," Gon replied without hesitation, his words coated in suspicion. "What was he telling you?"

"Hm~" Hisoka pondered for a moment. "You did not hear him? ~"

"No, I was focusing on something else."

Hisoka tried not to smirk.

Good~

In that case I won't tell you the truth~

"Hisoka?"

"Oh Gon, don't worry about it," Hisoka said shrewdly. "It was just something derogatory about redheads~"

"Huh?" Gon's eyebrows knitted together in his confusion. "Why would he say that?"

"I don't know~ Maybe he hates...or should I say, hated redheads~"

Gon frowned. Hisoka was so good at lying that sometimes he could never tell for certain when he was being lied to. "And...there's another thing that bothers me. You intentionally made that guy fight me. You knew he would have come my way if you kept avoiding him, didn't you? Why—"

"What are you talking about? ~" Hisoka asked. "It's not like you would have died so easily~"

"Yeah, but the last time we were attacked in the desert you went out of your way to stop me from fighting." Gon put both hands on his hips and flinched when he aggravated his injury. For a moment he had forgotten that he had been stabbed but quickly schooled his pained features into a scowl. "What happened to your 'Don't fight, just stay there' line huh?"

Hisoka smiled slyly. "Do you like to see me fight for you Gon? Were you disappointed that I did not come to your rescue this time? ~" He stepped closer to him and his voice adopted a flirtatious undertone. "Is that why you're so upset? You wanted to be a damsel in distress? My damsel? ~"

Gon growled at Hisoka's mockery and put up a hand to block the man as he bent to kiss him. "I'm no one's 'damsel in distress'. I can take care of myself."

Trying not to laugh at Gon's spunky display of independence, Hisoka straightened back up to his full height when it was clear that Gon wasn't going to let him kiss him any time soon. "So if you're so capable of caring for yourself, what's the problem? ~"

Gon pouted at Hisoka's pretense and narrowed his eyes on his teasing smirk. "What I want to know is; why the sudden change this time? What is your motive...your plan—"

"Gon, it's like I told you while you were fighting the guy. You're always either telling me not to interfere when you're fighting or to stop treating you like a kid, so I accommodated you this time." He patted Gon's shoulder. "Consider this as the first step in me acknowledging your strength and prepping you for this mission~"

"So it's like you're training me then?"

"Yeah~"

"But I'm already used to fighting the normal guys." Gon frowned. "I want a challenge."

"Challenge?" Hisoka raised both eyebrows as he regarded the recalcitrant young man before him. "He was a Nen user Gon, I don't think that qualifies as normal by any standar—"

"I'd rather fight you."

"What was that?"

"..." Gon chose not to repeat himself, knowing that Hisoka was only probably going to tease him about wanting to fight him.

"Oh so you want to fight me hm? ~" Hisoka chuckled at Gon's determined stance. "Well we can do that some time in the future then~"

"Really?"

"Of course," Hisoka confirmed with a small shrug. "It's no big deal~"

" 'No big deal' huh?" Gon pouted and pointed up at him. "Don't underestimate me, you...you..." His lips twisted with the frustration of being unable to find a word to describe the smug-looking magician. "Don't you dare underestimate me you...Hisoka! I may not have my Nen but I can still wreck you, so you better—!"

"Are you sure about that? ~" Hisoka cooed, looking down at the finger pointed up at his face. "You said that the last time too and I'm still not wrecked. What are you going to do the next time we fight to ensure that I'm 'wrecked'? ~"

"I..." Gon growled at him. "I'm going to defeat—"

"Next time..." Hisoka's mocking laughter started again. "Are you going to sit on my chest and try to punch me to death? Or are you...going...—"

"Mmm…~"

In the middle of taunting Gon, Hisoka froze as all mirth suddenly left him.

Oh? ~

'Sit'...? ~

"Heh."

"Ohoho~" A faint blush colored his cheeks. "Yes...~" he whispered as a vision of their future fight came to his mind.

Yes Gon-kun...~

Sit on my chest...~

"Mmm~"

Punch me...~

Yes! ~

Ah~ I want you to sit on my face now~

"…and I'll win, that's what I'll do," Gon promised. "And then—"

"Oh, what did you say Gon? ~" Hisoka asked when he realized that Gon had been saying something. "I wasn't listening, I was having the most delightful thought just a moment ago...~"

"I said I'll win!" Gon shouted brusquely. "And don't you forget it!"

"Ah, one question though~" Hisoka started calmly. "One very important question before I agree to this 'fight'~"

"What?"

"Will you be fighting me naked? ~"

"W-what?" Gon sputtered, speechless for a moment. "Why the hell would I be doing that?!"

"Just answer the question," Hisoka insisted. "This is important information for my fantasy~"

"Your what?!"

"My fantasy..." Hisoka repeated, unperturbed. "I need to know just how happy I'll be when you sit on my face...~"

"No!" Gon shouted. "I will not be naked! And I will not be sitting on your face!"

At Hisoka's laughter, he added, "Go ahead you...keep underestimating me just because I don't have my Nen..."

"I'm not underestimating you Gon-kun, it's just that you are always so adorable...and sexy when you threaten me~"

Gon blushed. "Whatever."

"By the way~" Hisoka continued. "How exactly did you lose your Nen? ~"

"That's…not important."

"I think that it is~"

Suddenly Gon was moodily silent and that made Hisoka even more interested in the answer to his question. "Gon? ~"

Gon looked away from those searching eyes. "Just drop the subject, I don't want to talk about it."

"I see." Hisoka was quiet for a moment. "Okay then." Looking down at the hands Gon was wringing nervously in front of him, he reached out to gently take them both. Gon flinched at the contact and Hisoka muttered, "Your hands are bruised~"

Gon gasped as Hisoka lifted one of the hands he was holding to his lips to gently kiss his badly battered knuckles.

"This happened when you hit the concrete didn't it?" He kissed them again. "Without Ten to protect you, you will get pretty battered up whenever you fight~" A tongue came out to lick the more serious, weeping wounds.

A pair of golden eyes looked up to hold Gon's honey-hued gaze in their spell before Hisoka leaned into him to lick the cut on his cheek.

"Oh...look at this~" Hisoka muttered pleasurably between licks. "You're still bleeding here...and you taste so good~"

"Ah!" Gon backed up a bit but Hisoka followed him, one hand now on the small of his back. The warmth of Hisoka's tongue and the moist heat of his breath was almost too much for him to bear. "Hisoka..."

"Mm Gon..." Hisoka moaned as he swallowed, the taste of Gon's blood making him even more excited. "I just love it when you get rough~"

"Well I don't."

Hisoka stopped licking Gon's cheek to look at his face as he took both his hands again. "Why is that? I remember quite the opposite...You were always so excited whenever you got serious..."—he kissed the palm of one of Gon's calloused hands—"...The Hunters' Exam...Heaven's Arena...Yorkshin City..." —another kiss—"...and oh~ Greed Island are just but a few instances I'm sure...~"

"I don't want to become what I hate," Gon replied flatly. "I don't want to be a mo—"

"Ah~" Hisoka muttered in understanding. "Is that why you got so angry when the guy called you a monster?"

"…"

"Mmm~" Hisoka released Gon's hands and folded his arms while bending toward him. "Well I like that side of you...it excites me~"

"Excites you?"

"Yeah. Now come Gon, we've been here long enough."

Gon looked down at the hand that Hisoka was holding out to him and shook his head.

"What's the matter?"

"Not yet. I'm not leaving until you answer my earlier question...until you tell me who Arashi is."

"It's not safe here Gon," Hisoka reminded him. "That's sensitive information."

"So do you promise to tell me when we get back home then?"

"Maybe...maybe not~"

"Hisoka!"

Hisoka put the hand he was holding out to Gon on one hip and the index finger of his other hand to his lips. He grinned flirtatiously at him. "You really want to know don't you? ~"

"Of course!" Gon demanded. "What would it take for you to tell me what I need to know?!"

"Want or need? ~"

"What?"

"You needing to know who Arashi is, is not important to your role in this job and I have no obligation to tell you~"

"Hisoka!"

"Yes? ~"

"What do I have to do for you to tell me? Just tell me and I'll do it."

"Oh? ~"

"Yes..." Gon nodded bravely at the question in Hisoka's eyes. "I'll do anything..."

Hisoka chuckled. "Always so ready and willing to barter with me, hm? ~"

Gon looked from Hisoka's naughty smirk to narrow his eyes on the shrewd stare directed at him. He was aware that if he were to barter with Hisoka that it would involve some kind of sexual favor but he was not ready to give up because of that. He was prepared to keep trying until he found out what he wanted to know.

This is connected to you... I just know it.

I want to learn more about your past, Hisoka...

No matter what it takes.

"But...as a warning..." Hisoka started in a sultry tone before his smirk widened and a hint of his canines flashed in the darkness. "You shouldn't be so eager to always trade—" his eyes ghosted over Gon's lithe frame—"stuff with me. You may think that you've experienced the darkest parts of my appetite for you..." Hisoka took one step toward Gon but Gon held his place and did not step back or falter. He smiled. "There are things that I want that not even you may want to do to satisfy me...my needs... Things that you may regret after you get your little bit of 'information'."

Gon's breathing quickened and he swallowed hard. Hisoka had to be purposefully trying to scare him.

I'm not going to let him win.

I'm not going to let him scare me...

"I'm not scared of you," he stated boldly, not looking away from him. "And I won't give up until I know what you're hiding about this case."

"I don't expect you to give up my little Apple-chan~" Hisoka cooed. "It's your fiery persistence that makes you oh so delicious~ It's your desire to never crumble or give up that makes every bite I take of you so addictive~"

"Stop mocking me," Gon growled. "I will learn the truth, and you're going to be the one to tell me," he hissed.

"Maybe..."

"What's the big secret? As your partner…" Gon blushed when he remembered that the word could have two meanings "…um...as your partner in this mission, I have a right to know who this man is...and what your connection with him is!"

"I guess you do, but stop talking so loudly, I'll tell you when you're ready. As for now, it's not important that you know."

"Well don't take too long; because if you do, I'll just ask your contact for the answer."

"Are you threatening me Gon-kun?"

"No, but you can take it as a threat if you want, that's your choice." Gon pursed his lips before adding, "I'm just letting you know that I have options, that's all."

"Oh so you do huh?"

"Of course." Gon stuck out his tongue at him. "I always have options."

"Heh." Hisoka smiled at Gon's casual, detached tone. "Well, well... Look at you being all cheeky." Bending even closer to his height, Hisoka whispered against the shell of his ear, "You're such a shameless, careless boy… continuously getting me more excited than I can bear tonight. I'm beginning to think that you like it when I can't stop myself from…"

Hisoka pulled away a bit, pausing to lick his lips as he stared hungrily down at him and Gon held his breath.

Stop yourself from what?

As a lascivious expression arrested Hisoka's features and a moan reverberated in the tense silence between them, Gon suddenly felt acutely aware of the man that never failed to easily excite him.

He's close.

So...close...I...

Already caught up in Hisoka's spell, Gon's eyelids lowered and his breaths became shallow. He wanted nothing more than for Hisoka to finish that sentence, to tell him what he wanted to do to him, to captivate him with his honeyed words.

Say it.

Say it...

Enraptured by the lewd stare focused on him, Gon was unable to look away from Hisoka.

Tell me what you want to do to me...

And then do it...

Hisoka brought a hand up to Gon's shoulder and smiled when he felt the barely noticeable needy tremor course through him. He tilted his head to the side, drawing closer as if he was about to kiss the lips that seemed lonely without his against them. His eyes darted back to Gon's drunken stare. "Do you like it when I lose control Gon? ~" he asked almost breathlessly. "Do you like it when you're the one who makes me lose control? ~"

Yes I do! Gon almost replied eagerly but that proclamation remained unspoken as he kept his lips sealed, while trying not to moan at the thought of all that Hisoka was strongly implying that they do...right there, against one of the many rough unfinished walls bordering that dark alleyway.

They had just had sex in the restaurant, but it was clear that they each wanted the other again. Their lust was insatiable and Gon felt as if he would die in the flames of its intensity if he did not give in.

I want him.

The words were loud in his head and the lips he loved to kiss were so close to his that he almost gave in.

"What do you want Gon-kun? ~"

Instead of commenting, or doing what he really wanted to, Gon licked his suddenly dry lips and grabbed hold of Hisoka's hand.

Hisoka spared him a curious glance and traced his thumb across the smooth skin at the back of Gon's hand in slow, looping circles. Although Gon pretended to be unaffected, he could see from the rising color in his cheeks that the younger man was doing his best not to lose focus.

"Hisoka..."

"Yes? ~"

"Mmmm..." Gon's eyes closed briefly.

I really want him.

Yes...ah...we can—

Just then, as he was about to confess his desires...as he was about to lose himself, common sense kicked in, giving pause to his wayward thoughts.

No...no...no...we can't do this...not again...

But...

No!

I need to go home...take a shower and wait for Killua to call. We won't be having sex again.

Taking a deep breath to steady the raging need inside of him, Gon opened his eyes again but tried not to look directly at Hisoka or pay attention to the movement of the man's thumb on the back of his hand.

Pointing up ahead, he gestured for Hisoka to look in that direction too, to where the dim street light flickering in the distance marked the end of the long alleyway. "Hisoka..." he mumbled. "Let's go home."

"Home?" Hisoka was surprised by the sudden change in Gon's mood but then he smirked. "Mmm I get it…" He looked back to Gon's slightly blushing face and the way the young man was averting his eyes. "You want to take me home and continue this, don't you? ~"

Hisoka's sultry laugh strummed his nerve endings and Gon held his breath, choosing not to respond.

"Oh Gon, I love it when you try to ignore me. It makes me want you more~" His other hand left Gon's shoulder to stroke down the length of his arm and Gon stiffened up as if the slightest movement on his part would cause him to combust. Hisoka chuckled. "Why don't you be honest? You're all revved up now and want to ride me don't you? ~"

Ride him?! Gon's eyes widened but he continued to look away. He knew that it would be a big mistake to look into those captivating golden eyes and get pulled in by their spell. "No…" he finally responded, his voice hoarse and strained with the effort it was taking to keep himself under control. "I just want to go home and take a shower. It's been a long day."

"Oh so you want to do it the shower too hm? Nice~" Hisoka's hand tightened around the smaller hand in his. "You're so insatiable...but I'm always ready to give you what your body's craving." He leaned closer to him and smirked when Gon's breaths became more audible as the younger man's awareness of him increased. "You know you don't have to worry about being satisfied with me...I'll make that bad day you've been having a whole lot better when I'm inside you~"

"Whatever," Gon mumbled, trying to make his tone sound aloof as he sidestepped Hisoka to get out from under his suffocating presence.

Starting to walk toward the main street ahead and not waiting for Hisoka to follow, Gon pulled him forward. With that, he heard Hisoka make a gleeful sound at the back of his throat and he frowned. "Just hurry up and come, we need to go. I never said we were going home to have sex."

"Ah~ so it's a surprise~" Hisoka mewled in his singsong tone. He was grinning now. "You're such a naughty boy Gon-kun, there's no need to cover up that fact~"

"…" Gon did not reply but simply stopped to look back and frown disapprovingly up at him.

"So impatient. I'm coming," Hisoka said with the same happy grin plastered on his face as he fell into step beside Gon, but then he started to laugh. "Well I'll also be coming when we get home of course, but in a different way—"

Gon stopped abruptly and looked sternly up at him. "Hisoka?"

"Yes~ Gon-kun~" Hisoka asked with a delightfully pleased closed-eye smile.

"Shut up."

Hisoka raised his eyebrows as Gon impudently whipped around to continue walking out of the alley and grinned even wider as he was roughly and discourteously pulled along again by him.

Oh Gon-kun... He kept his moan contained as Gon's rude behavior toward him only caused his desire to mount exponentially higher than it already was.

Mmmm...you always know the right words to say to me…~

He bit his bottom lip and let his eyes stray from where Gon was tightly gripping his hand to Gon's small waist and plump butt. Allowing his gaze to drift lower, Hisoka took a moment to appreciate the firm, athletic thighs that were exposed by the outrageously short hem of Gon's jeans shorts as he breathed out contentedly.

And you always know just how to make me want you even more...~

A/N:

This begins UxD Part Two! I'm getting the rest ready and while life keeps getting in the way, rest assured; work is being done on the drafts I'm preparing! :o

Chapter notes:

So the secret is out...Gon's booty keeps Hisoka reasonably tame. Well, that is unless someone tries to take it away of course :o

Oh dear...These two are the worst. Geez...there's a dead guy on the ground, control your hormones =.=

(NOTE: Some more stuff has been revealed in this chapter, which brings up questions like who was Yuki? Who or what is Ichor? And what does Arashi mean by the statement 'they will serve him'? Also, the woman Arashi killed was just someone who looked like Dawn, because yes, he really wants to kill Dawn but needs her at the moment.)

Hehe...

Oh my, and if you think about it, Gon is having such a bad day. The day starts (officially) when he wakes up, gets punished by Hisoka, after which he falls flat on his face, then after all that drama with Killua, has to go through the restaurant ordeal then face some not so random hooligan in a dark alley...and now he gets stabbed too.

But…

*Gives enthusiastic thumbs up* Don't worry, Gon would be alright (I think).

Right now he's like *Quotes Monty Python* "Hm, tis' but a scratch...I've had worse...it's naught but a flesh wound" haha

Um...and another Laundry Day is coming up...so I hope that he REALLY will be alright :O

And don't forget guys, review! For reviews are love! So love me :3

Haha anyway I have lots planned and I'm hoping with all my heart that I can do justice to the maelstrom of ideas in my head and notes I have scattered about ;w; Sometimes its overwhelming with how much I want to make sure that what I write is the way I want it to be and it doesn't help that life is busy and my classes have started back this week for a new programme I'm studying... Now I guess you all see why reviews go a long way in encouraging writers even more to continue writing. We can be our own worst enemies and discontinue stuff lol but it is you guys that keep us afloat many times and that's why although I may sound a bit repetitive, I always thank you for your support, because I really am grateful. Anyway, I love you all and I'll see you again hopefully soon.

P.S.: Here's the link to the audio version of this chapter available now on YouTube: watch?v=NYGWkFUC8pg