Chapter 10

Killua was able to persuade Gon to wait until they had more information before attempting to break the bracelet, but he could tell Gon didn't like it. Eva stood there silently listening to the two until Killua turned and addressed her,

"You said you didn't tell us because you didn't want to answer our pesky questions. Since that's the case and because you can't use nen we won't bother asking. But I hope you'll tell us if we end up sticking it out."

She nodded silently. *He's gone back to being nice again. I just don't get him. He's so extreme. One moment it's like he could kill me and the next it's as if nothing happened.*

Gon looked over at Eva, *If I can't take off her bracelet then at least I can make sure that she'll stay safe until then.* Gon ran up to Eva and grabbed her hand, pulling her up beside him and Killua. Eva hadn't actually wanted to be that close to Killua after what had just happened but she didn't feel in a position to say so.

Nervously she stood between Gon and Killua as they walked out to the edge of the park. Gon spotted a food truck and headed over to it. Killua obediently followed Gon over to it, his own hunger getting the better of him. *They've better have something sweet.*

They each bought something to eat and found a table to sit down at. The table they found was under a huge maple tree. There were two water pitchers along with cups on the table - curtsey of the food truck. The first few minutes were silent as each dug into their food. Naturally, Gon and Killua finished first.

Eva observed the two as she continued eating. Gon remembered a story about a pickle and started telling Killua it. He waved his arms emphatically as he began,

"It's called 'The Pickle and the Lizard.' A friend of a friend told me this story. Their name was Molly."

"Hoi, hoi," said Killua, "what kind of story is that."

Gon ignored him, "Molly had this pet pickle, and he liked to eat all sorts of different critters, which was nice. It kept the mice and cockroaches out of the apartment Molly was staying in. But it was starting to get bigger and wanting more to eat. So when Molly went out he found a wild bearded dragon lizard-"

Killua interrupted again, "I didn't know you could have a pet pickle and what is a bearded dragon lizard? Is it a dragon and a lizard?" Gon glared at Killua who promptly shut up.

"The lizard was kinda small but Molly thought the pickle would like it. So he gave it to the pickle, who was two times the size of the lizard, and Molly watched as the lizard devoured the pickle. So the moral of this story don't feed your pickle a lizard because the lizard will eat the pickle."

By this point, Killua was laughing outrageously though not from the story like Gon thought.

"See, I told you you'd like it," said Gon. Which only made Killua laugh harder.

Eva found herself smiling too, *How can Gon can elicit such a natural smile from Killua?* she thought, *He's not so bad when he smiles.* Gon, having finished his story, turned to look at Eva. She was gazing at Killua and Gon gave her a mischievous smile. *Maybe they can start getting along finally.* Without hesitating he grabbed Killua's arm which was holding his water and 'accidentally' yanked it over Eva's head. Water streamed down her hair and her hoodie, which at this point really had started to smell. She was completely drenched.

Killua was petrified, "Oi Gon! Why'd you do that!?"

Gon looked back at him innocently, "What? I didn't do anything?"

"You know what I mean!"

"But you're the one who spilt the water."

Killua could feel his face starting to heat up. He looked over at Eva expecting to see her fuming face. She was wiping water from her eyes. *Aahhhh, she's pissed!* he watched her nervously, expecting her eyes to show her furious soul, but instead he saw her lips twitch, as soft giggles erupted from her. Her stomach heaving silently between breaths. Killua had the sudden urge to tickle her, but stopped himself just in time. Gon didn't hesitate though and took the opportunity. Soon her laughs were filling the air as she begged Gon to stop between breaths. Killua smiled faintly, *Really, How does Gon manage it?* Eva should be rightfully mad but instead they were both laughing their heads off.

Eva managed to get away from Gon, picking up her plastic cup and filling it all the way to the brim. She turned to Killua. It was time for a little payback.

*OH SHIT!* thought Killua. He recognized that look. He started backing away, hands raised, "C-Come on now Eva. I-It wasn't even -" before he could finish Eva threw the cup's contents on Killua. Killua looked to Gon thinking he would be on his side, but Killua realized Gon had the same idea as Eva.

Gon picked up the water pitcher and turned to him ominously.

"Attack!" Eva screamed and together she and Gon pounced on Killua, sloshing the water over him. The last thing seen before Killua burst into laughter, was a pale hand reaching out towards the tree line.

The fits of laughter turned to shrieks as the three began to wrestle for the water pitchers. The only advantage Eva had was her bracelet that she used to block Gon and Killua's superior skills when they tried to use nen. Whenever one would try to escape the other two would pounce, dragging the person back down.

Killua reached for the water pitcher in Eva's hand but she blocked him using her left wrist. He wrenched his hand back, the experience still fresh. Her face showing a large smile at her success. *He can't get me so easily now.* Or so she thought but Killua wasn't ready to give up. He reached across Eva, leaning against her in an attempt to grab the water pitcher from her hand. Her hair brushed against his face and he could smell the fresh dirt and sweat that had accumulated, *We should make sure she showers tonight,* he thought smiling. He snatched the pitcher from her.

It was Gon that first managed to break free, dragging himself away from the other two as he laid back on the grass, having given up on reclaiming the water pitcher. Moments later Killua joined him. Eva, the victor of the battle. The three lay in a circle, their breaths jumbled.

Killua pointed at Eva, panting "Cheater…. Your bracelet…. is a complete…. and utterly shameful cheat." Internally he was thinking, *We need to train without nen more often. We can't even beat a girl.* Eva and Gon just laughed.

From the trees, a figure knelt observing them. Seeing the three collapsed upon the ground he turned to leave and report back.