Part 61: Past X And X Future

"Ah, sorry about that." Gon said, as he tried to reach on my hands, in which I accepted to climb up on the giant tree we're standing. The heat of the sun struck my whole body, causing me to sweat more, but I didn't care and reach for the top of the tree.

"N-No problem..." I answered as I lowered my head to pant after running and climbing towards the top of the tree.

He said that the thing that we were about to witness right now only happens once in a year so this is the only moment that I could be able to see this strange occurrence. But he never told me what will happen, so I'm completely clueless right now.

"Can I ask why we are here?" I said, still running out of breath. "You never told me."

In front of us was a giant lake of blue, sparkling under the sun above us. The sky reflected in it so much that we couldn't be able to see what's been lurking below the waters. I couldn't help but think that there are gems floating in it because of how the lake shone so bright.

Then, all of a sudden, a flock of birds started swarming in the sky and compiled in the middle of the lake, trying to catch as many fish as possible.

"Every month, different kinds of fishes gathered around this lake in the middle, thus the birds swarmed in this place to catch their prey." He explained, while we kept staring at the flock, couldn't believe that I'm seeing these large birds in one place.

I can't experience this kind of thing when we were just kids. The zoo isn't that very great of a place since all the animals were locked down, so they are not that enjoyable to watch. I felt sad and pity for them. They can't be free from their cages, just like me once.

"But... at the same time..." He added, which made me turned my head to him to listen eagerly.

But after that, I saw the lake waters started to growl and shake, so my attention went back to the place. The birds couldn't do anything other than just fly around the middle, didn't care about the quake that occurred.

Then, suddenly, a giant ruby-colored fish jumped from the water and to the birds flying, opening its mouth that as wide as the basketball courts. Its mouth contained a million sharp teeth, in and out. Its sparkling red fins sparkled like rubies and flapped like that of an angel's wings.

"...the King of the Swamp will show up after hibernating to get something to eat." He finished his sentence, while I stared at the enormous creature in front of us.

I couldn't help my eyes but sparkle and be amazed at the beautiful fish as it flies from the lake towards the birds that piled up in the middle. The water splashed out, causing the surrounding environment to be flooded and wet. That's why Gon decided to witness it on this giant tree. If we didn't, we might get flooded and couldn't be able to see the King of the Swamp at the most amazing view.

"It's... it's so amazing!" I said, still mesmerizing the flying fish of beauty. My smile became wider than ever and it seems like I can't remove my eyes from it.

"I'm glad you like it." He uttered, also smiling at the great scene in front of us.

"I really love it," I answered as I turned around to see him and give him a wide smile. "Thank you, Gon."

He also smiled and continued to look at the giant in front, falling the whole place into silence. Then after eating, the fish dropped in the water, giving the whole surrounding a bigger splash than before. The birds are nowhere to be seen, neither the fishes in the middle. It seems like they were being eaten by the giant creature earlier.

"It's a shame Killua wasn't here to see this with us." Gon said, lowering his head but still gave a smile. It was sincere, but at the same time, it was sad.

When I heard Killua's name, I couldn't help but remember the last goodbye that he gave to me at the airport.

'I'll come back for you.'

I was supposed to be depressed and lonely after he left, but him saying that to me made me feel better, and guaranteed me that he will come back for us. I smiled at what I remembered and raised my head to the sky, looking at the clouds.

"Yeah... I wish he was here."

***

No matter how noisy the propellers on the back of their airship are, the whole closed room was still quiet and only the hum of a young little girl can be heard inside. At least that what he thought he is, a girl, wearing girly clothes. But then, the silence had been broken by a sneeze coming from a boy. His messy silver hair bounced along with his actions, as he rubbed his nose. Killua didn't expect the sneeze to occur, so he felt strange.

"Brother, did you catch a cold?" The so-called young girl said as he tilted his head to the silver kid who had been complaining about the sneeze through his dead eyes.

"T-This is nothing." He said as he frowned at the idea he was having in his mind. After rubbing, he grabbed both of his elbows, trying to remove the strange sensation he was feeling. "I'm just feeling that someone is talking about me."

"Really?" The girl asked, with his eyes sparkled, willing to hear what his brother was about to say to him. "Maybe Sister Secco was thinking about you!"

"W-What?!" The boy exclaimed with widened eyes. His cheeks flushed, embarrassed by the idea Alluka came up with about him and Secco. Thinking about it made his cheeks more red than usual. "D-Don't say that! We aren't still in a relationship so how can she possibly think about me?!"

"Because she's in lo–" He was about to say the words, but then, Killua raised his palm and covered his mouth, unable for him to finish his sentence earlier. The latter blushed even more.

"Okay. Now stop your noisy mouth." He said in a whisper. Even though they're the only ones inside the airship, he couldn't help but be secretive about that.

'I'll come back for you.'

Just thinking about the romantic moment they had in the airport last year made him more ashamed of himself. How can he say such a thing to a girl that he can't have yet? He couldn't help but stare at anything, reminiscing those times. But along with his shyness, was a joy that he had been hiding.

"So tomorrow is the day, right?" Alluka changed the subject, staring at the wide-field below them through a large glass pane window, as it covered with clouds. He released a warm smile, excited about what's gonna happen tomorrow.

Killua also smiled, feeling the same happiness his sister was feeling right now. He rested his chin on his fingers, thinking about seeing her, coming back to her.

"Yes. Tomorrow is the day."