Disclaimer : I do not own Hunter x Hunter

"He's dead" She said in a subdued tone. She didn't feel particularly good saying that for some reason. "My Nen manipulate corpses. I can heal, but I can't bring back the dead. I'm sorry" She didn't know why she said that last part, she didn't know why she felt so awful at this moment, staring at the man she killed and stitched back into a mindless puppet.

Out of the corner of her eyes, Neferpitou saw Gon fall to his knees, an endless stream of tears falling from his eyes. Something seemed to stir in her at this, she turned to look at him. His lips were moving, absently forming words without any sound escaping. She stared at him for a little while longer, before the dull pain in her arm throbbed. Deciding to let him some time, she activated her Hatsu 'Doctor Blythe' to take care of it. She noticed Gon turning to his head in her direction with an expectant expression.

"I'm sorry" She just said, and raised her arm, beginning the surgery.

His face fell, and he returned his gaze to the unmoving form on the floor. Neferpitou didn't show it, but she felt utterly crushed for giving this false hope. It was starting to worry her that she still couldn't fathom why she was so deeply affected by this human child. She should have already killed him. Komugi was safe, so there should be nothing to her. Except she found she couldn't. The thought of harming him was hurting her. Even though the best option for the king was to kill him, she realised she didn't care. And why was it 'the' king and not 'her' king anymore. Wasn't she his royal guard ? If her animalistic instinct was to be believed, that wasn't the case. She stopped considering him 'her' king and simply became 'a' king at some point. Now, she was sure this was the child's fault, but she found she couldn't blame him.

The conflict within her wasn't tottaly lost on Gon. He didn't know how, but he could feel emotions coming from her. It was fleeting and almost imperceptible, but he catched it with ease. His mind was racing trough thousands of thoughts. He had picked the slightest hint of remorse when she announced the demise of Kaito. But what was really confusing and infuriating him was the complete sincerity when she apologized both times. He wanted to blame her, to curse her for all he was worth. He wanted to feel that rage, that hatred again and direct at her like he did in the palace. But all he could feel was sorrow, strong and perpetual. He picked confusion from the chimera ant and several seconds later it was replaced by acceptance. The surgery finished, Neferpitou moved her arm expertedly a few times before she was satisfied. She looked at the door leading outside.

"I should probably kill you, but it seems I can't. I'm sorry for your friend." She whispered, unsure of herself.

She made a step toward the exit but froze when she heard him. "Why ?" His voice was barely audible but her keen hearing caught it.

"I don't know" She replied "My instinct tells me that I shouldn't hurt you and I'm genuinely sorry for what I've done to you. I just don't know why." She added despite the logical part of her mind screaming at her for exposing herself.

"Why don't you hate me ?" He mumbled as he turned his head to see her back. "Look at me." She complied and saw the trails of dry tears coming for his confused eyes. He locked eyes with her. "Why do you feel remorse ? Why are you sincere ?" He asked quietly, making her unconsciously take a step back from him. How did he know ? "Why can't I hate you ? Why am I not even angry with you ? Is it because you feel regret ? I can't attack you now." He said matter-of-factly.

She wasn't sure where it came from, but she was a bit amazed at the purity, or naivety depending on the point of view, of his thought process. Gon picked up on it easily, but let it slide. Without contexct, he couldn't understand the emotion. He turned his gaze on the corpse of his friend briefly before returning it at Pitou, his eyes openly pleading.

"It hurts, it hurts so much" He stated. Slitted eyes widened when she felt her heart clench. "I can't stand it, it hurts too... much... I-" He trailed off, lowering his eyes from hers, tentatively trying to recognize the emotion he felt coming from her.

Not knowing what was happening, she approached him, acting on pure instincts, for her mind was blank. She knelt beside him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He froze, moving his head sharply. They locked eyes and Gon finally recognized the feeling he was getting from her. Caring. Something snapped in his mind. She saw it happen in his eyes just after they had widened as understanding dawned on him. She felt his muscles relax and his gaze softened, despite the pain and hurt you could still see in it. He leaned in her embrace, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Can... Can you take me away ?" He asked, brokenly whispering in her ear. "I-I don't want to be here anymore... Take me far away... From here."

She felt a tear of her own slide along her jaw as his body slumped against hers, falling asleep. She stood slowly, adjusting his legs around her waist so he wouldn't fall off, and walked out of the building. She sensed someone coming, at high speed, so she used In and continued on her way to leave as Gon asked. She didn't think about the king, or the other royal guards. She didn't think about the other humans invaders or Komugi. The only thing on her mind was Gon, the young broken human in her arms.

Killua didn't find Gon, and he returned bare hands at the palace.