Chapter 20

Eva waited against the railing as Killua sped away to grab his wallet and coat. The night air brining the wind from the ocean. She still had her pack and for a moment she was tempted to sprint away, even knowing she wouldn't get far. Despite all reason though she felt giddy to be back. She was home and for all the many people she didn't want to see the ones she wanted most were here. It was only a matter of time till she found them.

Killua returned and together they started out towards the night stalls. Killua had been smart enough to cover his hair. It stood out to much. He watched as Eva expertley navigated through the stalls as if she'd done it all her life. *Well, I guess she would have traveled quite a bit.* together they filled Killua's backpack with grapes and mangoes and papaya. Apparentley all favorites of Eva. He laughed to himself thinking that despite being surounded by concrete on all sides, Mimbo had pretty great food selection. They passed fish stands and noodles shops. Great big laterns lighting up the side streets at intersections. Their were no cars here. The people walked everywhere, providing one another with anonmity amid the dark haired populace. It wouldn't be such a bad spot to live thought Killua, obediantley following behind Eva. Intermidantdley she'd turn back on her feet and snag a snack from the pack.

Eva looked up at Killua as she popped a large globe grape into her mouth. Chewing up the seed and skin. She followed his eyes and landed on a stall.

"Want some she asked?" hopping back in front. The plump red jewels hanging from the stand, ready to be dunked in chocolate.

Hapilly she took out Killua's wallet (somehow it had just ended up staying with her) and paid the stall owner. Promptly dropping the the box of chocolate covered cherries into his hands.

To be honest, Killua had been looking for something closer to fried honeycomb or large slices of cheesecake and whipcream but as he popped the first one in to his mouth he promptly forgot about them as the sour cherry juice melted into the sweet chocolate, a smile spreading across his face. Umai!

Eva turned around before he could see her blush. The beautiful smile burned into her mind. "Well theirs plenty of chocolate dipped fruit around. Its an island afterall."

Killua watched as she turned around. Her words registering as little more than background noise as he savored the cherry. He reached out patting her long raven hair. "thanks Eva" His voice soft and gentle.

Eva blushed harder, her face still turned away. "no problem.."

Then Gon's voice broke through the air. "Hoy! Eva. Killua." Eva and Killua both jumped in surprise. Gon's face appearing amidst the vendors.

"Gon! Your back. How was the scouting?" His laid back countenance at his friend's arrival grated on Eva's nerves. Gon noticed Eva's dismay. 'You good Eva?" he queeried trying to read her face.

"of course, the inseparable duo has appeared. My knights in shining armor. Why wouldn't I be?"

Gon and Killua shared a look...and came up with nothing. Instead Gon suggested they continue walking. listening to the many bird calls that spread through the night air far up on the skyscraper rooftops.

Eva followed behind the two as Gon deciphered his findings to Killua. It was a pretty accurate betrayal of the city she noted. But that didn't really surprise her. She was starting to get the feeling that these two were beyond ordinary nen cultivators. And that worried her. And at the idea that her brothers might be killed her throat once again started to close. And so she pushed the thought away, purposely biting her cheek till the bitter taste of the blood wine coated her tongue. A midnight caw echoed in the air. Eva stiffened. *Widge?* She looked towards Gon and Killua. She wasn't sure what to do. Fake illness? Tell the truth? Running wasn't going to get her anywhere. No, their was only one thing to do. And it sent chills down her back.