The silence breaks with a fluttery intake of breath.

"G-Gon?" Kurapika whispers with uncertainty, like if he spoke too loud Gon would no longer be on the other line.

"Kurapika..." Gon repeats his name again, not sure where to start. His throat tightens when he hears Kurapika sob.

"Oh my god, Gon is that really you?!" Kurapika's breathing is uneven, emotion laced deep with every word spoken.

"It's me...Don't cry Kurapika." Gon says softly, his chest constricting from hearing his friend like this. "I'm sorry." He means it. He can't imagine what Kurapika and Leorio have been through. He's not sure what they thought happen to him but by Kurapika's teary response, Gon is sure they thought he was dead or missing.

"Gon!" Kurapika shouts. "Leorio! Leorio it's Gon!" He screams, his voice breaking at the end.

"What?!" Gon can hear Leorio's frantic voice and soon it's closer. "Gon?!"

"It's me." Gon is grateful when Killua nuzzles his head against his shoulder. It's comforting, feeling his soft hair on his bare skin. Those blue eyes are looking at him intently, watching Gon's every facial expression. Gon messes with the phone, glad when he sees a speaker option. Now Killua will be able to hear them too.

"It's really you..." Kurapika still sounds like he doesn't have it together.

"What the hell happened to you?!" Leorio shouts. "Where are you right now? We thought you were dead!"

"...I can't tell you where I'm at right now." Gon scratches behind Killua's ears, needing something to do with his hands. "I'm sorry I had you two worried about me. I'm okay...I called to let you guys know that-"

"Why can't you tell us?" Leorio sounds like he's frowning. "...What's going on Gon?"

"I came over and I saw that your door was torn off the wall...there was blood on the floor. You don't just disappear Gon. You're not okay." Kurapika says calmly, he's not sobbing anymore. "The cops...We called them right away...and they cleaned your apartment up. They ruled it a missing person without even looking."

"I...I can't tell you guys anything. I want to but I can't. I don't have very long, only 30 minutes." Gon hears the line go silent. "I want to hear about how you two been doing. How's work Kurapika? How's school Leorio?"

"Gon don't do that...What the fuck is going on?" Leorio's voice shakes.

"Work is okay. It's been quieter without you around. They haven't stopped asking about you either. It's been so long since we've spoken. I'll listen to anything you have to say carefully Gon." Kurapika's words are stiff. To anyone else it may sound like the blonde is speaking normal but Gon can tell something is up. Is Kurapika trying to hint to something? Leorio has seemed to calm down too.

Gon knows what Kurapika is trying to do. He wants him to give hints, to try to give him information without them knowing. Gon isn't sure that's possible. Killua looks at Gon and shakes his head. He doesn't think so either.

"I understand but there's nothing that can change. Kurapika, Leorio...trust me." Gon urges, knowing his friends want nothing more than to help him, to save him from whatever fate he may be sealed in. They don't know how complicated it is. "This won't be the last time I talk to you. I'll try to get more time. Leorio tell me about school."

There's no response for a while. Soon Leorio takes a deep breath and answers. "Gon there has to be something, anything." He's still begging for a way. "I'm scared. Scared for you. A lot of weird shit has happened since you've been gone...and I just thought...it's been..." He trails off.

"What else has happened?" Gon frowns.

"Recently there was an announcement that no one is to leave this area. They have military men and tanks protecting the boarders. Even if they weren't there, the dome would keep anyone from leaving." Kurapika answers. "Everyone has gone into a panic. They were sad when they thought you were gone...but once the dome came down, it's been hectic. Crime has gone up. You can't walk out of the house without a gun or some way to protect yourself. The military stays close to the dome and you can't so much as approach them without worrying they will shoot. Women and children have been taken to a more safer area so all that's left is all the men."

"What?" Gon's eyes widen and he glances over at Killua. The boy's tail is flicking. He looks like he has something to say. When Killua doesn't speak it even when Gon locks eyes with him, he glances at the phone. "A dome? What is going on there?" Did the government do this to keep the ants in? Gon swallows, feeling uneasy about Kurapika and Leorio being in such a dangerous place.

"That's what I want to know." Leorio growls. "The government thinks they can do anything they want...people are getting hurt here! Our classes have stopped, everything has been paused. Most are too afraid to leave their homes. And to top it off, there's something out there."

"Something out there?" Gon doesn't like where this is going. Killua licks his shoulder, his tail rubbing against his lower back.

"Yes. I'm sure of it. There's a reason they put this dome on us. I'm pretty sure they're trying to keep something in. I was looking outside of the window to watch the area...there was this guy walking and in a blink of an eye he was gone. Nothing but a blood stain left where he was. I saw a glimpse of a tail..."

"Leorio, Kurapika, try to stay inside as much as you can." Gon grips his fist, feeling panicked...that could have easily been his friends as blood stains on the ground.

"We are." Leorio sounds grim. "We're getting by."

"Gon I'm just so happy to hear your voice." Kurapika speaks again. "This dome hasn't been as devastating as your disappearance to us. It was so sudden and...but since you're talking to us, it means you're alive. I just hope you are in a safer place than we are."

"I am." Gon thinks the lab with Kite is much safer than under that dome. "Don't worry about me anymore. I'm okay...I missed you both."

"We missed you too." Kurapika's voice is soft.

"We're going to get out of this somehow." Leorio is gritting his teeth, Gon can hear it though the phone. "We're going to get you back and you're going to be my best man at the wedding, you hear me Gon? So we'll stay alive here but you have to stay alive too!" He yells.

Gon smiles. He's not aware of how sad it looks, or how it gets Killua's ears to flatten. Ah, the wedding. The plans he had for the future. Gon touches under his eye gently. Will he ever be able to do such a thing like this? The eyes he has now, anyone can see they're not human.

Killua grips his arm.

Gon closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "Yeah. That's a promise. So keep safe while I'm gone." Gon opens them back up, and for some reason he can picture Kurapika and Leorio holding each other right now, just as he wraps his arm around Killua's waist, holding him close for comfort.

"It's a promise." They both say firmly.

"It's almost been thirty minutes." Kurapika says regrettably after awhile of talking about how they all wanted to go to that ice cream shop together when they meet up and plans for the future they hope to come.

"Yeah I know...I'll try to get more time to talk to you guys." Gon moves his feet restlessly.

"Gon write down my cell phone number." Kurapika urges. Killua gets up silently and runs over to the dresser. He pulls down the last one and takes out a note book that has a pen attached. He hands it to Gon.

"Okay i'm ready to write it down."

Kurapika tells him his cell phone number, just as Gon finishes writing it down, the phone makes a beep before the line goes dead.

"It looks like the government placed a dome around them to keep the ants in. I doubt they could hold the royals though. If Meruem wanted to leave, he could. Really all they are containing is the lesser ants." Killua's eyes widen when Gon grips the phone, it breaking in his strong hold.

"They're in danger...I wanted to talk to them more..." Gon mumbles to himself, black and gold overtaking the amber.

Killua doesn't know what to say. So he lies. "If they stay inside, they should be fine." He doubts those humans will make it out alive. He won't say that to Gon. Gon cares for them but Killua won't let Gon become broken because of those human's death. He won't let anything else hurt him. "They promised right?"

"Yeah..." Gon settles down, the amber coming back when Killua sits next to him, wrapping his arms around his waist. "They sounded better once we got talking. I think it lifted their spirits a bit." Gon drops the broken phone on the bed. "I want to ask Kite about the dome."

"You can ask him about that tomorrow." Killua pushes Gon gently down on the bed. "You need to go to sleep. Your eyes have bags. Besides, you still owe me a hair rub before we sleep." Killua moves to turn off the lights before hoping in bed with him. Gon yawns...he does feel exhausted. Killua gets snuggled against his bare chest, and it feels so warm.

He lets out a sigh as he wraps his arms around Killua, stroking the small of his back, loving the soft skin and even the rough parts from his scars. The boy purrs instantly. The vibrating is comforting and Gon finds his eyes slip shut easily. He brushes his finger tips up Killua's spine to tangle them in the strands of soft hair on the back of his head.

Gon can feel his pulse, he can smell the quickening of blood, how Killua's vessels are dilating. He can hear him swallow, and hear his heart beat with more force. Gon licks his lips, feeling that strange feeling inside of himself but he ignores it.

Gon is tired so he won't do much more than this. Killua is hurt too...Gon scratches behind Killua's ear. "I love you Killu..." Gon mumbles sleepily.

Gon heard the way Killua's heart skipped a beat. He smelt the flutter in his pulse and the burst of hormones that just soaked his flesh. Gon can feel the heat in his face that's in his chest and the tightening of his grip on him.

Gon finds a smile coming to his lips. Though Killua doesn't say anything to him, he doesn't have to. He can taste, smell, hear and see what his words have done to Killua now.

"You're the best...so pretty...I want to always hold you." Gon keeps it coming, his chest tightening at how much Killua is responding. He's starting to fidget in his hold and his purring has become so loud. "Mm Killua, you smell so good. So happy." Gon can't help to giggle when Killua peeks up at him, his face so red but he's able to glare.

"S-Shut up." He grumbles but there's a small pulling at his lips so he quickly shoves his head in Gon's chest. "You've made it up to me so you don't have to say anymore."

Gon chuckles, it ending in a yawn. He pulls Killua close, putting his nose in his hair and takes a deep breath. His scent and warmth lure him away...

Gon falls asleep feeling like he's back at his home, in his bed, with Killua cuddled up next to him. In moments like these...

Gon feels human.

Killua isn't able to fall asleep as well as he wanted to. He's not able to relax. Even though he's wrapped up in Gon's strong arms, feeling his breath on his face, Killua can not rest like he was able to back in his apartment. There's a few reasons for that.

Killua can sense that ant outside of their room. He doesn't want to put his guard down. Killua wouldn't put it past Pitou to walk in here and try something when they're at their most vulnerable. Even if the ant wasn't outside of their door, they are in a government lab again and Gon is about to get something done to him.

The dome thing has been bothering him too. Killua's ears go back, he keeps his eyes shut, listening to Gon's heartbeat to calm himself. As Killua told Gon, that dome won't hold back Meruem or any of the royals. It doesn't solve the humans problems. Not at all. If anything the Dome is to buy time. For what? Killua doesn't know.

His sister is under that dome with those ants. The humans have technology that they could be planning on using. Meruem must sense this though, he wouldn't just stay in one place would he? He would want to protect Komugi and in turn, Alluka.

Killua's ears twitch when Gon mumbles something in his sleep. He glances up at Gon, all that anxiousness gets washed away when he sees a small smile on those lips and that peaceful expression. Killua reaches out, brushing a strand of hair away from Gon's forehead, soaking in those features that he's been staring at intently now for some time.

Killua didn't make a mistake leaving Alluka with Meruem. He won't think of it like that. The king is smart. Killua just needs to focus on getting Gon fixed then getting back to Alluka. Then they can leave like they've been planning...or stay if Meruem ends up ruling the human race. Which he may possibly do.

Killua leans in, brushing his lips against Gon's. It feels so good. Just the simple gesture humans do. The brushing of lips. Killua has come to really enjoy it. He could stay curled up against Gon for days and not grow tired of it.

Watching Gon sleep was his past time even before they were mates. At first it was to make sure Gon didn't try anything. Then as Killua started to trust Gon, it was simply because he wanted to see Gon asleep. He wanted to see those soft expressions and wanted to hear the words he would mumble in his sleep.

It puts him at ease. Right now, he's staring at Gon. This is his Gon. Not project X. It's his mate. Killua can tell by that derpy smile he has on his lips. He can tell by the drool that's on the side of his face. He wants to stay like this for awhile.

Gon is safe in bed with him. He's safe in this moment.

Killua doesn't want to think of what they're going to do to Gon. They're going to hurt his mate. He feels it. Killua touches Gon's cheek, feeling the soft flesh. He remembers when Gon was no more than a fly to him. He could have killed Gon so easily when they first met. Killua could have ate him, and stayed in his home.

Humans are very weak creatures. Gon was so fragile. Killua watched the cold, how it made him flush and shiver. He watched how long it took for Gon to heal even the smallest scratches Killua would make on him. He witness how much sleep was needed and how lonely humans can be.

Even though Gon isn't human, Killua still looks at him as fragile. He's worried that something he can't predict or stop will break him. Now it's not Gon's body he has to worry about. It's his mind. His sanity.

Gon is powerful now. Stronger than Killua could ever be. But there's still something very breakable, something inside him that's cracking and giving way.

If Killua is honest with himself, that is what he's most afraid of.

Gon's eyes suddenly snap open and his body stiffens. Killua can't help to jump when Gon sits up, straight as a board and waits there with big, gold orbs. "Gon?" Killua sits up in bed, his ears twitching. He ignores how his stomach twists when Gon doesn't even give him a glance. Those gold eyes are his enemy. "Whats-" Killua whips his head towards the door, picking up footsteps. Soon after the double doors open.

Standing there is Kite with his father. As soon as he sees Kite, Killua remember something. He had given Gon an order to be up at a certain time. Killua glances at the clock and growls. The Gold right now is Kite's fault then.

"Your body listens to orders even when it was given awhile back." Kite writes something on a clip board. Killua's father is hovering around the door near Pitou who is peaking into the room with those big pupils of hers.

"Did you really have to do that? I could have woken him up normally." Killua sends Kite a look. Gon might be okay with him but Killua isn't sure if he has his mate's best interest. Kite is looking at Gon as an experiment. He's writing on a clip board like all those scientists do. He's staring, analyzing Gon...

The anger that boils up inside Killua is not shown on his face.

"I am just assessing him. It's necessary to see what we're working with."Kite watches as Killua wraps his arms around Gon. After a few kisses to the shoulder, and mutters of his name, the raven haired male starts to come back. Gold slowly fades till there's amber once again. "Killua, it seems you are able to bring Gon back easily."

Gon rubs his head, blinking when he notices Kite in his room. "I was asleep and..." Gon looks at the clock, his eyes widening. "Wow I slept a long time."

"You needed your rest." Kite takes a step closer. "I'm here to take you to our operating room. I will explain everything in detail there before we get started. If you have any questions be free to ask." Kite's green eyes slowly fall on Killua when the two get out of bed. "Silva told me you were injured but not too badly." Kite looks at Gon who tenses at his gaze.

Killua hisses and gets in front of him, daring Kite to say anything that would upset him more. Killua just worked Gon up, he won't let Kite tear him back down again over something so small. "Do you remember hurting him?"

"I don't." Gon admits, fiddling with his fingers. "I remember a haze and then when I came too...Killua was hurt. I knew I had did it though."

"I see. Were you able to get out of the haze by yourself? Or did you bring him back Killua? If so, how did you do it?" Kite questions.

"Gon came back himself." Killua thinks about it. He flushes when he remembers how Gon thrust his load inside him before passing out on top of him. When Gon woke up, he was back to normal.

"Okay." Kite catches the slight change in Killua but doesn't say anything. He looks at Gon. "Do you remember how you got out of the haze?"

"No not at all. I think it just...went away." Gon frowns.

"So it's a off and on kind of thing. Killua isn't always able to bring you out of it either. Am I correct in saying these things?"

Gon and Killua look at each other before looking at Kite. "I think so. The haze is constantly there. Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little. Killua helps make it go away but when I get really bad I don't snap out of it...and I hurt Killua."Gon grips his fist. "I don't want to hurt him anymore but I don't want to be away from him. When you fix me today...I won't get like this anymore right? I won't lose it and hurt him?"

"That is what we are hoping for, yes. But to help you, I think I can install a warning device inside your skin. You said you can feel the haze but I'm sure you can't feel when it's just going to take you over. We have a device that will warm up when the neurotransmitters in your brain are going crazy. Most likely this will mean you are about to lose control and that you should step away from Killua or anyone else you're around to calm down."

"Okay...I want that then."Gon nods his head, those amber eyes burning with determination. "I want Killua to be safe with me." He reaches over and Grabs Killua's hand. The younger feels warm just from Gon's fingers interlacing with his.

Kite nods, looking at their hands before locking eyes with Gon. "Have you two engaged in sexual intercourse?"'

Gon's cheeks flush slightly but he nods. Killua doesn't get flustered about it. He nods his head, those blue eyes never leaving Kite's. Killua is a bit self conscious that his father is in the room but he already knows Gon is his mate. Killua is sure his whole family could smell Gon on him and his seed.

"Did you use the condoms I left you?" When Gon nods, Kite writes something down. "When ever you are to be going inside of Killua, you must wear a condom. Your semen is toxic and so is your blood. That means Killua shouldn't be swallowing it either." Kite is very blunt. His face hasn't changed one bit.

"It's toxic?" Gon's eyes widen. "But...But what does that mean?What about my spit? I've been kissing Killua!-" Gon starts to get panicked.

"If it's in your spit, it's not enough to damage Killua. Blood and semen are the biggest concerns."

"What would happen if I..." Gon blushes. "What would happen if Killua drank my blood?" He squeezes Killua's hand. Killua squeezes back harder.

"If Killua were to drink your blood or if you were to get semen inside of him, he would most likely get very sick. A drop of your blood is enough to kill 5 elephants. Same goes with your semen. Of course Killua has been trained to deal with poisons since birth so it would most likely not kill him. Still, you want to be safe."

"Yes of course!" Gon looks pale. Killua frowns, his tail subconsciously rubbing up against Gon's back to comfort him. "But condoms break all the time! Should we not have sex-"

Killua hisses. "Yes, we should have sex." Killua needs that contact with Gon. Gon looks at a lost when Killua keeps glaring at him.

"Killua is right. You should still have sex. You can't hold any of that in or it could cause you problems. As project X your libido has increased incredibly. It is possible that the condom will break so that is why we've made an antidote. It's in the third dresser draw where the condoms were. Who ever gets infected just inject them with that and it should be fine."

"Okay."Gon lets out a sigh of relief. "So there's an antidote...geez everything about me is dangerous now. I'm so glad you grabbed that condom Killua." Gon puts a hand against his heart.

"Yeah but either way Gon, I'm confident in my immunity to poison." Killua gets closer. "so don't get worried about me. Not mating with me would be the crueler option." He's blunt but he has to get it across. He couldn't stand it if Gon pushed him away. He won't say it out loud but having Gon inside of him is the best feeling. He feels full, complete. Safe even.

"Okay..." Gon rubs the back of his head. He doesn't avert his gaze even though Killua's stare is intense. "But-"

"We should be going to the treatment area." Kite glances at the time. He clicks his pen three times. Silva's ears twitch before he moves closer to Pitou. The ant regards him but she doesn't step back. "If you would follow me Gon, we have much to do."

Gon gets out of bed, happy he had put on some clothes after he got out of the shower yesterday. He walks over to the dresser, picking out a shirt and pants to wear...Killua is more interested in those eyes that have too much gold for his liking still.

Killua stands up, the boxers he put on will have to be enough right now. He keeps close to Gon, those piercing blue eyes watching Pitou and Kite carefully. He doesn't trust either of them.

"Step aside." Silva speaks, Pitou's ears twitch and she regards him again. This time those pupils get a bit bigger. They stare at each other for a long time, Killua's tail swishes behind him in his anxiousness. Will she attack?

"Of course." Pitou moves back, allowing Silva to walk out followed by Kite. Killua keeps in front of Gon as they walk out of the room. "I just want to be clear. What are you about to do to Gon?"

Killua glances at Kite for his response.

"What we are trying to do is give Gon more control. We hope that we can preserve Gon and weaken project X so that Gon can survive."

"So once you're finish with this, then Gon is fixed and I can take him back to the king, is that right?" Pitou presses, walking with them when Kite started walking down the hallway.

"Yes, after the treatment is done. But it will take a few of these to work. You must be patient."

"A few?" Killua frowns at that. Pitou's ears have flatten. "How many is a few? And what do these treatments consist of?"

"I say a few because i'm not sure how many treatments it will take before Gon is stable and able to live on his own. I was going to go in detail about the treatment once we got to the room but I can explain it now. Gon will be put into a machine, this machine will be our way of recoding project X inside of Gon. It will make it so that orders have no power over Gon and hopefully we can also lower it's affects on Gon."

"A machine? How does it work?" Pitou asked the question that was on Killua's mind.

"The machine will drill five small holes through Gon's skull. Five pieces will be placed inside and shock waves will-"

"You're going to drill in his skull?" Killua cuts him off, his eyes widening. He feels a growl in the back of this throat. "I won't allow that-"

"It is the only way to fix him."

"You can't just-"

"Killua." Killua stops. He closes his mouth when he sees Gon giving him this look. This powerful look like Killua is the one who needs to be protected and comforted. "It'll be okay. Kite knows what he's doing. I heal pretty fast with this body anyway!" Gon smiles, those amber orbs determined. "I want to do this. I want to get better."

Killua swallows thickly, he can hear his heart beating in his ears. He doesn't want to agree to this. They're going to hurt Gon. They're going to cause him more pain. Killua closes his eyes tightly when Gon leans in and kisses him on the cheek. Such a sweet action. Killua yearns to just pick up his mate and run but he can't and he won't.

He can't run anymore.

"You may stay in your room if you want. This treatment isn't going to be pretty. If you can not handle it I suggest that you stay here-"

"No. I'm going to be there." Killua finds his voice, glaring at Kite for even suggesting such a thing. Killua isn't leaving Gon's side. He's not letting him out of his sight. If Gon is going to go through this, he needs support. Killua can do that much.

"I'm bored here." Pitou cuts into the conversation, her ears back. " I want to get back to the king as soon as possible. Isn't there a way you can speed this up? Maybe do more than one treatment a day-"

"That would most certainly kill him. The treatments must be spaced out. You can not see your king but would you like to speak with him? We can lend you some of our equipment to talk to lab five which is where we assume your king still is."

"I want this equipment then." Her ears perk up. "After the treatment I want to call him-"

"You can do so now. Silva, lead her to our communication room-" Pitou looks like she's about to protest so Kite adds. "I can only have one other person in the treatment room."

"And that's going to be me." Killua gives her a dark look. The ant stares at him a moment. She's weighting her options. She nods.

"Okay. I'll go now. Just know, if you're lying to me..." Those red eyes get darker and crazed, her lips twisting in a sharp grin. "I will have run ripping your body piece by piece." She looks at Silva, her tail twitching. "Show me to this communication room. I want to speak with the king." she orders. Silva gives Kite a glance before turning.

"This way." Killua will always be amazed by his father. He shows no ounce of fear. None at all. But Killua is sure he is scared. Pitou is death as a being. She is strong, much stronger than them. Killua's father is so much stronger than him but even his father would be no match for Pitou.

It's very unsettling.

Killua can sense that his mother is near by as well. They brought back up but it's useless. That ant is a monster.

"This way. We're getting behind schedule."Kite starts to walk down the hallway again, Gon following him eagerly.

"So you're not sure how many treatments it will take?" Gon asks just as Killua catches up so he's walking right next to him.

"No I'm not sure. I may be able to tell you after this session." Kite is speed walking. They have to walk full speed just to keep up.

"...I have another question to ask you." Gon's eyebrows furrow, the gold specks growing. "I didn't want to ask with the ant around-"

"Wait till we get in the room." Kite cuts off quickly. Gon doesn't speak anymore. Killua is getting more pensive the closer they get to these double doors labeled 'treatment'. The steel the doors are made out of looks so cold. The boy doesn't really want Gon to go in there but what else can they do?

They walk through the double doors. The room is filled with scientists, all of them rushing around talking to each other. They all stop what they're doing and look at Gon when he comes in. The way their eyes light up in excitement makes Killua feel sick. If their stares didn't make him ill, the 'machine' would.

It's a chair in the middle of the room with restraints and a halo of drills that comes down like a hat...it looks like a torture device.

"Killua you're shaking." The boy tenses when Gon wraps his arms around him. He wasn't aware that he was shaking but he finds his muscles loosening in the other man's old. "It's going to be fine. I know I'll be okay." Gon whispers against his ear, playing with the strands of hair on the back of his head.

Killua hugs Gon painfully tight. He doesn't have to comfort him. He shouldn't have to but Killua's heart responds. It's beating so fast because he knows that this is what love feels like. Gon's love is both selfish and selfless. Killua wouldn't have him any other way.

"What was the question you wanted to ask me?" Kite asks, those green eyes may have soften from seeing the exchange but no one can be sure.

"I want to have more time to talk to my friends Kurapika and Leorio. Can I have it?" Gon locks eyes with Kite.

"Yes, I can get you more time. Is that all?" Kite raises his eyebrow.

"...They told me that the government has trapped them in with a dome." Gon's eyes become close to gold as he searches Kite's expression. Killua doesn't have to be project X to see that Kite has gone poker face. "Why?"

"The dome is to keep the ants in. We don't want them to spread out. It could mean the destruction of the human race."

"That dome won't hold back the king. You have to have something else planned then just containment." Killua's tail flicks when those stoney eyes fall on him.

"...for right now, we don't have a set plan of action. It's just containment. I will speak more to you about our plans after this treatment succeeds. I must tell you that this treatment has a 40% chance that you will die during it."

"40%?" Killua blanches. "That's too high-" He can feel that panic start up, the tightening of he chest and throat.

"But there's 60% I won't die." Gon gives him a thumbs up. Killua wants to smack him so he does. "Ow!-"

"Idiot don't take this so lightly-"

"If Gon does not do the treatment, he will end up loosing himself. He will become a beast that won't remember anyone he cares about. If not that, his body will shut down from the added stress from fighting project X. This treatment is his only chance." Kite is blunt. He has to be to get it across to Gon's overprotective mate.

"...Damn it." Killua's fingers twitch, glancing over at the machine that looks like a death trap. 40% chance that Gon will die, that he'll lose his light. But if they don't do this, Killua will lose Gon for sure. He feels like he's been backed in a corner, with no choice but to trust these humans with his mate.

"We need to do it soon. Everything has been set up. Please Gon, if you could have a seat." Kite moves out of the way, looking towards the chair.

Gon leans in and gives Killua a kiss. Those amber eyes haven't lost their shine. "It'll be fine. Stay with me. I want to see you." Gon squeezes his hands. Killua nods his head. He'll always stay by him.

The boy feels uneasy again when Gon lets go of him to go sit in the chair. Killua gets closer when the humans start strapping him in, making the restraints tight. They put some sort of monitor on Gon's chest and soon the machine starts beeping to indicate his heartbeat. There's also a screen that shows a human body that's outlined in green.

"I'm going to need you to step away Killua. Everyone needs to be away from him when we do this treatment." Killua gives Kite a glare but he reluctantly moves away from Gon, his eyes never leaving him.

Kite gets behind this computer and presses a button. The halo lowers on Gon, covering half of Gon's face from view. He can see his lips. "Wait." Killua looks over at Kite. "You haven't given him any pain medication." He narrows his eyes at the way Kite shakes his head.

"I'm afraid we can't give him any pain medication. We don't want him to be sedated. It could cause more problems with this treatment. We will try to be as fast as possible." Kite glances at Gon. "This will be the worse part. So bare with me..." Kite's finger hesitates over the button before he presses it in.

Killua was wrong when he called hell riding in the buss with his family. No, that would be too kind. This is what hell looks like.

Gon's screams pierce through the walls and Killua's ears, making his stomach churn and his heart leap. The sound of the drills and the bones being penetrated is horrid. Gon had tried to hold back his screams, Killua saw how he bit his lip till there was blood. He's struggling against his restraints.

"Gon!" Killua cries out, his blood pumping, wanting to take action. He wants to rip him from that chair and hold him close. Killua never wants to hear those screams.

"Don't get near him! It's almost finished, you go near him you will ruin everything." Kite shouts over the screams, frantically typing something into the computer. Just when Kite says this, something more terrifying then the screams happen.

They stop. The monitor has stopped beeping. Gon's body has gone limp.

Killua just stares, the noises around him disappearing. He's frozen. He can't do anything. When it finally hits him Killua screams at the top of his lungs. "GON!" He keeps saying his name as if that would change what he's seeing right now.

"Bring him back!" Kite snaps. The scientists come over with a defibrillator, putting it over Gon's chest.

"Clear!"

They shock him. The monitor starts to beat again, and Gon goes back to screaming. It's like he never stopped. Killua feels relief wash over him, those screams telling him that Gon is still alive and fighting.

"Hurry the fuck up!" Killua growls at Kite. The man is typing something a mile a minute.

"Sir his body is starting to fail!" A man yells, the image of the human body is now flashing red.

"I'm almost..." Kite is sweating. He types the last piece of information before pressing a green button. Just like that Gon's screaming stops and he goes limp. His monitor is still beating. "...It's done."

The halo moves off of Gon's head. Killua watches as the holes in his skull start to heal before his very eyes. He runs over and rips the restrains off of Gon. The man falls forward limply, completely out cold. The boy hugs his body tightly, rejoicing in the sound of his heart beating.

"...It will be awhile till he wakes up. Please take care of him till then. Let him rest in bed. We will see if this treatment has helped him any when he wakes up." Kite watches as Killua picks Gon up, putting him on his back. He holds him up by the back of his legs, Gon's limp weight against his shoulders.

Killua's eyes have become dark and glossy. They look at Kite. He doesn't take a step back but it's a look he knows. A look filled with blood lust. Killua wants to kill everyone here for almost taking away his Gon. He wants to make them scream like Gon was screaming.

...But he will control himself. Gon needs him now.

Killua walks out of the room, not feeling himself. He doesn't want Gon to have to go through anymore of those treatments. His ears twitch, glancing over and growling when he sensed him.

Hisoka is waiting for him, his arms crossed. He doesn't look pleased, those yellow eyes narrowed. "They almost killed him." Surely he heard Gon's screams from out here. He also heard them stop and Killua's screams of angst.

He doesn't respond to him. He doesn't want to talk to Hisoka about it. Killua starts walking back to their room. He can hear Hisoka is following behind them. If he follows him to their room, once he puts down Gon, he'll rip his fucking throat out once and for all.

Killua is not in the mood.

"Such anger. So blood thirsty. I love it." Hisoka smirks when they get to the room. He watches as Killua places Gon down gently, tucking him in. His fingers brush against Gon's cheek. "Killing the humans or me won't help him." Hisoka's smirk falls, his tail flicking. "Not yet anyway." Those yellow eyes linger on Gon and Killua feels himself bristle.

"Step into this room and I'll kill you." Killua threatens, his pupils getting bigger.

"I have no doubt you would." Hisoka smirks. "But I'm going to say my piece before I leave. Under the orders of your father, Milluki hacked into their computer system. They haven't put too much in but from what he got out of it, the humans are planning more with Gon then they are admitting." Hisoka walks into the room even though Killua had warned him but he doesn't do anything. Hisoka is moving closer to give him information. He moves so he's right next to Killua's ear. He whispers. "They plan on using him to kill the ants."

Killua's eyes widen. Not for the first time he freezes.

"What?" Killua moves away to lock with gleaming yellow. "Gon can't go against the ants...They're not planning on letting Gon go are they? Are they even treating him?!" Killua's body trembles with rage.

"I believe in a sense they are treating him but they are doing it for their benefit. We will see if it's to Gon's benefit when he awakes." Hisoka glances at Gon's pale face. His tail flicks. "But if not, I think I can have some fun killing everyone here."

"You? All those fuckers are mine." Killua's teeth grow sharper, his breathing uneven.

"Though I'd like to see you in action, I would wait. See what they've done to Gon and when kite comes back, question him. If he doesn't want to talk...well you have ways of making him talk." Hisoka's lips are twisted up. "Ohh I can join in. I feel like participating in team work."

"I don't need your help." Killua glares at Hisoka. "You piss me off. What do you want? I'm tried of you going back and forth. Just stay away from Gon."

"I can't stay away from such a man. He's peaked my interest. You can't do this all on your own so I'm going to help. I wouldn't want my little one to fall." Hisoka turns and walks towards the door, his hips swaying too much for Killua's liking.

"He's not yours." Killua snarls, his tail puffing up when Hisoka chuckles darkly.

"Not yet." Hisoka licks his lips. He walks out like that, leaving Killua pissed.

Killua takes deep breathes to calm himself but he can't. Those fucking humans...they're planning on using Gon to fight those ants...That's insane. Now he's concerned about what that treatment really did. He's tried of humans. They're so sneaky, only caring about themselves.

Killua swallows. If Pitou were to find out what the humans are planning...she would kill Gon without hesitance.

Killua gets into bed with Gon, pulling his limp body against him. He curls his body over top of him in a protective manner. He won't let Pitou hurt him. He won't let those scientist do as they please. Killua touches under Gon's eye, his chest hurting. Killua can feel that his face is red from how upset he is. His blood pressure high.

Killua closes his eyes. He sees those amber eyes that weren't tainted with gold or black. He sees Gon's smile as he bandaged up the small white cat he had found on the street. Those soft words spoken to a stray.

That day Gon had saved him.

Killua holds Gon closer. He won't cry though he wants to. He is going to protect Gon. He's going to save him just like Gon saved him.

"Don't do that to me again..." Killua chides to death ears.

He never stops listening to Gon's heart beating.

"You're doing good Alluka." Komugi smiles gently when Alluka makes a huff of annoyance when the blind women took her spy.

"I don't feel like I'm doing good. I'm still confused about how to play but I'm sure I'm not suppose to lose the pieces." Alluka pouts at her five pieces left standing.

"It's your first time. You'll get better. It took me awhile to be this good." Komugi encourages, moving her cannon up. Alluka looks at her options, not seeing many and decides to just move her cannon up as well, telling Komugi verbally where she moved it.

It's been a couple of days since Killua and Gon left. She misses them. It's not like it's bad here. Komugi is nice but Alluka hasn't been able to see her much. When the king spends time with her, he likes to have her all to himself. Mainly Alluka has been in her room drawing and thinking about how her family is doing.

"Is something wrong Alluka?" The girl in question perks her ears up, looking up at Komugi who is staring in her direction. "You've been pretty quiet."

"I was just thinking..." Alluka plays with the dress that Gon had gotten her. She hasn't taken it off. She doesn't want to.

"About your brother and Gon?"

"Yes. I miss them." Alluka's ears flatten as she stares at the three pieces she has left. Komugi is slowly creeping up on her. It's a battle that can't be won. Soon Komugi takes the two and there's only one left standing. All alone. " I've lost."

"I miss them too. Would you like to play again? I can show you some tactics." Komugi's smile is so soft and nice.

"I don't think I want to play more today. Maybe tomorrow. I think I want to draw. Would you like to draw with me?"

"Sure-" Komugi starts to put away the game just as the doors to her room open. Meruem walks in, filled with the presence of royalty and power. Those red eyes glance at the game before looking at Komugi longer than he needs to.

"The queen will keep me company. You are dismissed." Those red eyes look at Alluka and she nods her head.

"I'll see you tomorrow Alluka and I'll draw with you." Komugi stands up, wrapping her arms around Alluka to hug her. Alluka purrs, but she doesn't linger too long in Komugi's arms. The king is watching.

"Sounds fun." She beams.

"Pouf will escort you to your room." Meruem walks into the room, taking his place by Komugi's side, his tail wrapping around her waist and pulling her close. Komugi's cheeks get flushed but those white eyes light up in a way that only the king can do.

Alluka pulls her eyes away from the lovers, not for the first time wondering how it must be like. She finds Pouf standing at the door, staring at the two with a scrunched up face. It's a painful expression. He is quick to get rid of it when he sees Alluka is staring at him. He smiles pleasantly. "Come now miss Alluka."

"Coming." Alluka walks out of the room, Pouf closing the door behind them. She walks with Pouf behind her, fiddling with her fingers. The person she's been seeing the most is Pouf these pass couple of days. He can get upset easily and he gets angry but Alluka finds she likes him. She understands him at least.

He's lonely. Alluka knows how it feels to be lonely. She's spent most of her life in a room by herself. She knows how it looks like.

Alluka glances back at Pouf, catching how those yellow eyes are glossed over. It looks like he's about to cry. He gets like this too. When he sees Komugi and Meruem. He mumbles things about him not being a worthy guard. That he shouldn't have let this happen.

Sometimes he's angry and Alluka is worried for Komugi.

Alluka looks forward so Pouf doesn't know she saw his face before she speaks. "Hey Pouf, would you like to play with me?"

"Play with you?" Pouf takes a moment to respond and she knows if she would look back he would look calm and collected.

"Yeah. Your wings are so beautiful. You're the prettiest man I've ever seen. I want to draw you." Alluka smiles back at Pouf, beaming.

"...I suppose you can. The king made you my responsibility. I have no other duties." Pouf takes his responsibilities from the king very seriously. Alluka caught how those eyes had widen a bit, surprised at her words.

"I'm not the best drawer but i'll try my best!" Alluka giggles, grabbing Pouf's hand and dragging the man towards her room. Pouf wiggles his hand out of her grip once they're in her room.

"Refrain from pulling me." He says shortly.

"Sorry I just got so excited." She doesn't let that sour face dampen her mood. She gets her paper and pencil ready. "You can sit or stand. Either one is good!"

"I've noticed that you spend most of your time drawing or coloring. Is it that fun to you?" Pouf raises his eyebrow. He stands, his blonde hair framing his face in such a way...Alluka wasn't kidding when she said he was the prettiest man she's seen.

"Yeah! It's great! I can make things pretty and...I can draw new worlds." She smiles, looking over at Pouf who is staring at her. "When the humans controlled this lab, I spent most of my time drawing. I liked thinking of myself being in the worlds I drew. I didn't like the one I was in."

"I see." Pouf watches as Alluka sits on the floor, looking up at him with those big blue eyes. "It would be a wondrous thing if you could draw a new world..." Those yellow eyes get glossed over.

"Could you spread your wings?" Alluka asks. Pouf seems to consider this before he spreads them. Alluka can't help to stare in awe at all the pretty colors.

"You are the only one who stares at me with such a look." He points out, his wings fluttering gently. "My beauty is nothing compared to the king's."

"I like all the colors. The more color the better!" She doesn't say anything about the king. The ants don't take kindly to any words spoken against him. Even though Alluka finds Pouf much prettier than the king. She smiles to herself as she starts to draw Pouf the best she can. "If you could draw a world pouf, what would it be like?"

"...I have nothing to change." Pouf stiffens, Alluka keeps drawing.

"You wish for nothing to be different?" Alluka locks eyes with Pouf. The man glares at her for a moment but after awhile, she sees something give in those yellow eyes.

"There is something." He mutters, tightening his fist. "I would draw a world without her in it."

Alluka doesn't need to ask who 'her' is. She already knows.

"Do you think this world would be better like that?" Alluka keeps drawing.

"Much better. I wouldn't have failed as a guard and the king would have a suitable queen picked out-" Pouf's eyes widen like he gave something away. He locks eyes with Alluka, they're so dark. "Speak to anyone what I said and-"

"I won't. I know you don't like Komugi but I don't know if the world would be better without her. I don't think you failed as a guard. The king is happy and you're keeping him safe."

"We must also make sure that he gets the best. That blind human is not the best for him-" Pouf starts to get livid. Alluka knows this is a losing battle. She won't get anything across to Pouf about this subject. Alluka knows if she says something about Pouf being jealous he will probably just leave in a huff.

"If Komugi was erased from this world, the King would be sad." Alluka keeps drawing. "The picture wouldn't be as bright."

Pouf clenches his jaw. He doesn't say anything about that.

"Are you almost done?" He snaps.

"Almost." Alluka isn't good with the wings. She can't draw them as good as they look. "I couldn't really get the wings right." Alluka shows him the picture. Pouf wrinkles his nose.

"You are not very good."

"Hey! I tried." She huffs.

"Now that you've had your fun i'm going to excuse myself-"

"Wait." Alluka stands up. Pouf stops walking towards the door, glancing back at her with those yellow eyes. "Could you play me a song?"

"Play you a song?" Pouf turns around to face her.

"I heard you the other day...you were playing a violin. It sounded so soothing."

He stares at her for a moment before he smiles. "Well at least you have taste in music." Alluka beams at him, feeling like she just got herself some points with the ant. "I can humor you for a few songs." He flies off, leaving Alluka sitting there. She sits on her bed just as he comes back with his violin. "You may not be able to draw a new world, but I do say that music can take you places."

Alluka listens to the man as he plays the violin. He stands so straight, the violin under his chin and his arm stroking the cords so gently. A beautiful man, playing a beautiful song. He keeps his eyes closed and Alluka really believes that he's been taken away by it. In this moment, it's the most honest response she's seen out of Pouf.

He plays a song that has undertones of darkness and despair. Alluka it's positive that it came straight from the heart.

She can't help to smile. She's happy she got to hear it.

But it is a lonely song, just as she expected.

" I have already discussed this with my guards but I need to discuss this with you as well." Meruem says after placing a kiss on her lips. Very delicately. "It is about Gon."

"Is he okay? Have you heard from him?" Komugi's eyes widen, hugging the king tighter. She's gotten use to his tail being around her and she finds it comforting.

"Pitou has made contact with us. She told us that he is going through treatment as we speak. The humans are not sure how many treatments it will take. Pitou is suspicious if they are really helping Gon and so am I. Project X was meant to be the strongest thing the humans created. I would be a fool not to think they wouldn't use such a piece against me." Meruem locks eyes with Komugi, his face stone and those eyes strict. "If Pitou finds that is what they are doing, she will kill him."

"But...But Gon wouldn't h-hurt us." Komugi frowns deeply. Meruem's eyebrows furrow at such a look and he tightens his tail around her slightly as if that hat would get rid of it.

"Maybe not Gon but project X is another story my queen. Do not worry. Pitou is watching the humans carefully. It is possible that they are going to help him but it's not likely." Meruem is honest and straight forward. "You've gotten pale."

"I-I'm just w-worried about him." Komugi trembles. She doesn't want Gon to die but if he were to be used by the scientist...Gon wouldn't want to hurt people. He's not a killer.

"I see." Meruem touches her face, pulling her closer. "As my queen I wanted you to understand my plans of action. It seems the humans have also placed a dome around us. It can not keep us in but it makes me think they may be planning something else. Pouf has urged that we should leave. What do you think?"

Komugi swallows. He's really asking her for her opinion on something that is very important. This isn't the first time. Meruem always tells her what's going on. He keeps her informed. He also takes what she says to heart even though he does as he pleases as king.

"It seems b-bad that they have us blocked in but...how w-will Gon find us if we leave?"

"Pitou can find her way back to me."

Komugi thinks for a moment. She thinks of this like a game of gungi. If they want to win, what is the best option? Komugi wishes she could see Meruem's face when she tells him her opinion. She reaches out to touch his face...

He is grinning.

"That is what I was thinking. For such a fragile creature you are crafty. The years you spent perfecting Gungi have made you a powerful strategist" Komugi feels her face heat up from such praise. She shakes her hands to dismiss it but the King isn't having any of that. He grabs her hands and places them on his chest.

"I j-just thought it would be the s-safest option since we don't know what they're doing." Komugi touches his tough skin lightly. He's cold but Komugi doesn't mind it. She trails her finger tips around, drawing a picture in her mind of a board chest and shoulders.

"Safety is my priority when it comes to you. You are safe with me." Meruem pulls her closer. When she put her hand down, he is quick to speak. "Do not stop that."

Komugi smiles, going back to touching the King. She likes doing this and when it's too much the king will be quick to tell her 'that's enough'.

He's quiet for a second. "I will send some of my men to look out for a suitable new palace. Do you have any preferences?"

"Anywhere i-is fine." Komugi moves up to touch is face, feeling over his lips and over his eyes. He must usually have such a strict look on his face. She moves down his neck, moving down his chest to his stomach. She feels the muscles tighten but the king hasn't told her to stop so she feels in the creases of his abs. He is a very strong man. "What color is your skin?" She asks the question that she's been curious about.

"Where you are touching is green."

"Dark or light?" Komugi smiles. She likes things that are green though she doesn't know what the color could possibly look like but she's sure it's beautiful if Meruem is green.

"Light." He grabs her hand and puts it up on his body. It feels like his shoulder. "Black." He puts Komugi's hand higher, on the top of his head. "Dark green."

"Many colors. Beautiful." Komugi moves her hands down to his abs again. She dare not go lower. She would never say it to the king but she's been curious about...that. It doesn't feel as if he's wearing clothes.

"Why is your face red?" He questions, touching her face with his hands. "You're very warm." He says cautiously. "Do you not feel well?"

"N-No I feel find I'm just..." She fiddles with her fingers. She can feel his intense gaze.

"Speak."

"I-I don't want to." She swallows when the air changes.

"If you are sick, you must speak it." He growls. Komugi fiddles with her fingers. She knows it's best to answer him. Though she is his queen he is quick to get angry at those who oppose him.

"I'm n-not sick I am just curious and I e-embarrassed myself."

"What are you curious about? Speak. I don't want to repeat myself."

"May I t-touch lower?" Komugi shakes at her request. She feels faint. She can't believe she just asked the king such a question-

"You may."

Komugi's breath catches. She stares at the king with wide eyes, waiting for him to take it back but he doesn't.

"Is that why you are getting so red? You may touch your king."

Komugi takes a deep breath and slowly, so so slowly trails her fingers lower. It doesn't feel like human genitals. There's a hump, and it feels hard like a shell. She moves her fingers lower but then she's no longer touching him.

"What is this?" Komugi asks, brushing against the hard shell again.

"It is a protective shell for my reproductive organs. It comes off when I need to relieve myself or when it is time to mate."

"O-Oh." Komugi pulls her hand away, fiddling with her fingers again.

"You are still red."

"I f-feel embarrassed for asking about it."

"You are curious about my reproductive organs. You should be curious about your mate. Just as i'm curious about you. The internet lets me learn about you but you do not have such information. You may ask me questions but I will say that I will not take the shell off around you till it is time to mate."

"T-That's fine." She leans in and wraps her arms around him, shoving her face in his chest. "T-Thank you for letting me touch um...d-do you wanna play?"

"Yes." Meruem wraps his arms around her. "After I will have someone send up your food. You will accompany me on a walk around the palace."

Komugi sighs, glad that moment is over. She tries not to think of Gon. She will pray that the scientists are trying to help him...She wants him to come back and then they can stay together like Alluka was talking so happily about. But if they are planning on sending Gon to kill the ants...

She knows that Meruem will kill him without hesitation. It makes her stomach twist so she focuses on the game at hand. She moves her piece and she can't help to think there's a real life gungi game going on right now.

She is on one side...all the rest of the humans are on the other.

This may become a war.

"I've finished, let me see yours." Alluka's ears twitch on her head when Pouf looks over his paper before he hands it to her.

"I believe my drawing skills are a bit better than yours." Pouf says with a slight smile. Alluka had gotten him to stay after he played a couple of songs by challenging him to a draw off. They had to draw their ideal worlds.

Alluka's eyes widen as she takes in the very detailed drawing of the King sitting on the throne with Pouf, Pitou, and Youpi standing close. They are all bowing towards the king. There's no one else but them. It's a very good drawing but Pouf used no color. As expected there's no Komugi.

"Wow you're amazing." Alluka pouts. "Mine is still good too though!" Alluka hands over her drawing. She watches as the ant's eyes soak in what she drew. She smiles when those yellow eyes widen.

The drawing has Alluka surrounded by all her friends and family. Killua is holding one of her hands, Gon is holding the other. Pouf stands behind her. The king and Komugi are off to the side together. Pitou and Youpi are more towards the back of the drawing. Everyone has their own color. It's not detailed like Pouf's and you probably wouldn't see it in a museum anywhere but Alluka is still proud of the picture she's made.

"This is your ideal world?" Pouf's fingers brush over himself in the picture, and the big smile that Alluka had drawn on his face.

"Yup! I want us all to be together and to be happy." Alluka plays with her dress, rocking back and forth as Pouf still stares at it. "I've learned that I can't draw a new world but I can work to make it the world I want. I just have to wait for Big brother and Gon to come back...then it will be like this! Or at least I can only hope it will be."

Pouf looks at Alluka for a moment, stares at those bright blue eyes filled with a child's wonder and hope. He slowly looks at the picture he drew. Alluka places the pictures side by side.

"Your picture is pretty too but don't you think mine is more colorful? The more people the better!" Alluka cheers.

"Yours is more colorful because you used more color. I could use more color." Pouf stares at Alluka's picture a bit longer before looking at his.

"Yes that's true. But I don't think smiles would fit the mood of your picture."

Pouf doesn't say anything to that. His eyebrows furrow, those yellow eyes staring at Alluka. She looks back and smiles brightly. He stares at her a moment longer, analyzing her before he quickly stands up. His blonde locks get in the way so Alluka can no longer see that flawless face.

Just when he stands, Alluka hears something, her ears turning to the left to hone in on it. The door opens, Youpi coming in with a serious look on his face.

"The king wants us to report to him. He has decided to move."

Pouf's eyes light up. "He's taken my advice?" He looks honored, his whole face brightening up. "We must report right away-"

"wait we're moving?" Alluka's eyes widen in alarm. She grabs Pouf's hand right when he was about to take off, his wings spread and everything. "How will big brother and Gon find us?"

Pouf pauses, he glances down at those blue eyes and his lips twitch. "I must report to the king." His expression goes back indifferent. He rips his arm from her grip and flies out quickly leaving Alluka standing there.

Alluka grips her fist and swallows down the tightening of her throat. She wastes no time and runs out of the room, following in the direction they went. She knows where the king's room is. That drawing will never come true if when Gon and her big brother get out if they can't find them!

She told Gon and big brother she would wait for them. And she meant it.

Thank you for all your support! I'm having fun writing this story and i'm glad that you all like it. Please keep the reviews coming. I'm so happy to have gotten into the 200s.

Till next time.