ꕥ

'Visualize the energy building up in your body... power gathers in each cell.. and grows. Then.. you force that power out!',Killua yelled.

Almost on command, the four did the same thing and forced their Ren to strengthen around them.

As their Ren slowly seeped back into their bodies, Gon looked towards his hands with a smile as Killua and Valentine turned their eyes towards him.

Shaking his body, Zeus felt as his aura gently flowed around him and it was as if an extra layer of feathers were coating his body.

'I'm getting the hang of it',Gon stated.

'The timing to get Ten to contain that aura was a little bit tricky',Killua admitted.

None of the three noticed as Zushi's face paled and his eyes darkened, a look of shock and disbelief coating his features.

It was clear to him that if these three continued at the rate they were going, they would surely pass him in only a few days, maybe even a few hours.

'But Zushi's aura is stronger',Gon stated,'We're not even close to matching him yet'

'Guess we should practice more',Killua responded with a smile on his face and turned his gaze down towards Valentine; who looked up at him,'What do you think, Val?'

Almond shaped eyes with thin lashes turned his way, they were not quite yellow, but as gold as a ring on someone's finger. Her eyes flooded with the tiniest kiss of sun had caused her to pause and encapsulate into a state of mystification flecks of gold scattered through her iris, gently shone in the light as she looked up at him.

"I think we should practice a bit more",Valentine admitted with a gentle smile.

Her eyes crinkled at the edges and the corners of her lips turned upwards, her eyes were always gentle and they looked at him with a softness he had never encountered before.

A fire spread through his cheeks and a strange fluttering sensation bloomed in his stomach.

'N-No!',Zushi exclaimed, sweat falling down his forehead,'Learning when to rest is a big part of training. Why don't we just call it a day'

'Really? Cause I can—'

'I told you no!',Zushi exclaimed, holding up his hand.

Blinking in surprise at his outburst, Valentine and Gon stared at one another, confusion clear on their faces and in their eyes.

With his hands behind his head, Killua furrowed his eyebrows and frowned, clearly confused.

'What's the deal?',Killua questioned.

Zeus tilted his head in confusion, eyes of an ebony midnight shone in the glistening light and low chirps left his beak.

'Oh, it's fine',Gon told them, looking towards his two friends with a glistening smile,'So, more tomorrow?'

Glancing towards one another the three friends gave each other a smile and nodded in agreement, making a plan.

As they went their separate ways, Killua and Valentine said their goodbyes to Zushi.

Slowly walking down the hall, Killua came to a stop and sensing that his presence was no longer beside her, Valentine stopped walking and turned around, looking at the silverette.

ꕥ

Turning the corner, the two saw Zushi laying across the man in the wheelchair's lap and the other had a devious grin on his face.

A low grumble of anger left Zeus's beak as his wings flapped against Valentine's head and his talons dug into her shoulder.

"What do you think you're doing?",Valentine questioned, her innocent aura fading as she saw one of her friends in a dangerous situation.

Golden eyes darkened to that of rust and her aura immediately changed, a threatening atmosphere filling the small space as shivers ran down their spines.

'You don't need to refer to dirty tricks to make us fight you. When do you want to fight?',Killua asked calmly and stepped forward, his hands shoved into his pockets.

Glancing at the blonde behind the boy, the man in the wheelchair's eyes turned towards the hawk on her shoulder and he felt a chill run down his spine at the icy gaze in the bird's eyes.

'After I get my wins off of you two, then I'll fight Gon',The man responded.

Hearing the rustling from Valentine's shirt as Zeus prepared to take flight, Killua immediately turned his gaze towards the bird and watched as he faultered as he met his gaze, an angered screech leaving the hawk.

Turning his eyes towards the blonde girl, the man narrowed his gaze and felt a shiver run through his body.

'And the girl?',The man questioned.

Glancing at Valentine, Killua watched as her darkened gaze turned towards the man and if she were able to, the silverette knew that she would likely burn him on the spot.

'She'll be willing to comply',Killua responded cautiously, before watching as the blonde sent him a reassuring nod and he nodded back, before turning his gaze back towards the man,'Gon would be happy to fight you, but you'll have to work around his schedule'

A small chuckle left the man's lips.

'Very well. I'll sign up for a fight with all three of you then, just incase your girlfriend decides to play dirty',The man stated.

Snapping their heads on his direction, the blonde and silverette had similar expression as they stared at the man; a mixture of shock, alongside embarrassment and composing himself, a small snort left Killua.

Looking towards the silverette, a look of hurt filled Valentine's face before it quickly washed away and was replaced with a menacing glare; which he either ignored or didn't notice.

She went with the latter.

How dare he, she wasn't that bad... was she?

'What do you say we all register together? Once that's done, we'll return the boy unharmed'

Scratching the back of his head, an unbothered look formed on Killua's face and he nodded, shrugging nonchalantly.

'Yeah sure, okay',Killua stated,'But this is absolutely the very last time. You got that'

ꕥ

Following after Sadaso and Riehlvelt back into the tower, the two filled out their forms; registering for a match on May 29th.

Placing down her pen, Valentine slowly slid her form towards the receptionist and glanced at Killua from the corner of her eye; their eyes connecting.

Her eyes shone as brightly as the sun and were the color of freshly melted gold, like they were created by the finest of color from the gardens of the heavens, like rings of the finest and glistening gold had been melted and melded into the rings of her iris's.

Her eyes played with light the way honey teases an unsuspecting sunbeam, finding itself a splinter of amber fire caught in a viscous lantern that shines with such golden sweetness that to part from that beauty is as good as death. They are like a melted pot of the richest, finest gold and were flooded with the tiniest kiss of sun had caused her to pause and encapsulate into a state of mystification flecks of gold scattered through her iris.

His eyes were as deep as the ocean, as dreamy as a starry night, as pretty as lotus petals, as mesmerising as sunrise and as serene as a morning dew. They were like the a cloudless sky without the raindrops of tears and shone like the deep blue sea.

Nodding gently, Valentine sent the silverette a gentle smile and sent a reassuring look his way as they both turned around, their eyes hardened into dark shadows once more.

'There, are you happy now?',Killua questioned.

With a eerie look, Sadaso gestured towards Reihvalt; who slowly moved forward, to return the boy and Killua step forward, hoisting the boy onto his back.

'And up we go',Killua stated, hoisting the boy up on his back,'Oh, I'll say it again, it's the last time. If you break your promise-..'

Stopping short, the silverette let out a short sigh of aggravation and slightly shook his head.

'Whatever',Killua stated,'Forget it'

Turning around, Killua turned his gaze towards Valentine and gave her a quick smile; so quick that if she didn't look, she wouldn't have seen it, as he gently tapped her hand and gestured for her to follow him.

'I'm curious. What's going to happen if we break our promise?'

'There's no point in telling you now',Killua stated,'Just keep your end of the deal, okay?'

As they were walking away, the men eerily laughed behind them and watched the children with narrowed eyes.

Zeroing in on the girl beside the silverette, a low smirk formed on the man's lips and a deep chuckle filled the air.

ꕥ

After giving Zushi back to Mr. Wing unharmed, Killua and Valentine were on the way back towards the tower, Zeus's obsidian eyes glanced around in the brightness of the morning light.

With his hands in his pockets, the Zoldyck boy had a hat on his head and glanced at the blonde girl out of the corner of his eye, a gentle smile forming on his lips at the sight before him.

With her arm held up in the air, Valentine had her hand gently petting Zeus on the head as he was perched on her arm, gentle coos leaving his beak as soft purr-like chirps arose from his chest.

'Step right up, get your tickets here! There's are hot off of the press, ladies and gents. Gon vs Sadaso!'

Pausing in their spot, the duo looked at one another and an angered screech left the hawks beak as he turned his head, looking at the tickets in the man's hands with narrowed eyes.

'We've got Killua versus Sadaso and Valentine versus Sadaso as well! You better buy them now or you're gonna regret it'

Immediately heading towards the crowd, Killua gently grabbed Valentine's hand and dragged her towards the crowd.

'Hey, pops!'

The man immediately turned around and looked down at the children in front of him, a gentle coo leaving his lips as he leaned down and slowly reached towards the hawk on the girl's shoulder.

'What's up, kid?'

'This Sadaso guy, has just one arm?',Killua questioned.

Nodding in agreement, the man gave the children a gentle smile.

'That's right! The one-armed fighter with the face like a mask. If he catches you with his invisible left arm, you're finished. See, they call him the newbie hunter and—'

Pausing in his place, the man felt sweat trickling down his face in fear for in front of him, the two children had completely changed their aura's and threatening looks filled their faces.

Even the bird looked terrifying.

'That son of a—'

With a tremble of fury, Valentine immediately turned on her heel and walked away, her eyes blazing with emotion as the sea of people parted away from the girl and her immense bloodlust.

ꕥ

Stepping inside the room, eyes of golden magma found eyes of chocolate and a bright smile immediately formed on Gon's face at the sight of his friends.

'Oh, Killua, Valentine?'

Raising his head to gaze at the brown eyed boy, Killua gently closed the door behind him and watched as Valentine immediately flung herself at Gon, tightly wrapping him in a hug as a large smile crossed Gon's face.

'Gon, this is where you were?',Killha questioned, watching as the sibling-like friends tightly hugged one another and his lips momentarily twitched up.

'Oh.. yeah'

Gently reaching up his hand, Gon nervously itched the back of his head and let out a small laugh.

'Killua, Valentine',Wing spoke up, causing the two to turn his way,'I hear that you two helped Zushi home last night. Thank you'

Turning his head towards the smaller boy beside him, Killua felt as the blonde's presence was suddenly beside him and he tilted his head to the side.

'Are you feeling alright?',The silverette questioned.

Smiling up at the taller boy, Zushi gave a small nod and lightly shrugged his shoulders.

'Yeah, I'm fine',Zushi stated, trying to ease their worry,'I was probably just tired, that's all'

Dramatic tears rolled down his small face as he bowed his head in shame in front of the two, causing Killua and Valentine to look at one another as they backed away.

'Sorry to worry the both of you'

With a bright smile forming on her face, Valentine stepped forward and gently pat the boy on the head, a small giggle leaving her lips as she let him know that it was alright.

Watching as an enchanted look formed on the boy's face, Killua's eyebrows furrowed and a frown formed on his lips. The boy was acting as if Valentine was a goddess sent from above and he should kiss the ground she walked upon, for fearing that she would strike him down if he did otherwise.

Or he was just being dramatic and the boy was simply crushing on the girl.

Either way, Killua crossed his arms and a deep frown formed on his lips, a low grumble rumbling up his throat as his eyes narrowed.

The demon inside of him stiffened up; it was tense, alert. It scrapes one finger along the bottom of his stomach, green-eyed and hungry.

A bitter taste formed in his mouth, his demon swelling inside of him and consumed every inch of his body.

'Hey Mr. Wing, do you think that we could watch that video again?',Killua questioned and pointed a thumb towards himself,'I figured out how to use Gyo'

Intensely staring at the television, a wild, white aura coated his entire body and as he concentrated, the aura shrunk and only formed around his eyes, sweat slowly began to trickle down the boy's face.

'Fifteen threads, right? Thirteen for the cards, one more for the scarf and one well-hidden one for the arm he tossed',Killua explained,'And then... keep going'

Pressing play, the man continued to play the match.

'Hisoka's aura, it almost looks like.. it's expanding, contracting. Or does it attract certain objects, like a magnet does? How else would his arm reattach itself',Killua countered,'Not to mention flying off and targeting Kastro's jaw. My moneys on the former, I think his aura must be stretchy, like rubber or something. And if it is, then that would explain most of his magic tricks'

Releasing his aura from around his eyes, a small sigh left Killua's lips and Zushi stared at the silverette with wide eyes and a low gasp of shock left his lips, sweat falling down his forehead.

Turning off the television, a small smile formed on Wing's face and he slowly nodded.

'Very good, you pass. Although I am a little surprised, I didn't expect the four of you to learn Gyo overnight'

Turning his head towards his friends, a look of shock was on Killua's face and he watched as Gon gave him a smile, before he looked towards Valentine; as well as Zeus.

With a nervous smile, Valentine gave a small shrug and let out a soft laugh.

'Yeah, but I still couldn't figure out Hisoka's power'

'So Killua, since you finished your assignment I assume you want to fight, is that right?',Gon questioned, causing the silverette to turn his attention away from Wing and look towards him,'I wasn't trying to beat you to the punch. I just got an itch to fight'

'Yeah, I get it',Killua stated, before sharing an unnoticed glance with the blonde.

Staring intensely at Gon, Valentine knew that they had threatened him and that didn't sit right with her. No one threatened her friends and got away with it.

Especially if it were Gon or Killua.

She wouldn't allow it.