Part 4
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Chapter 6

///

Chrollo knows Machi is weak.

Her heart is flawed. She feels too much for others. It is something he will have to work on with her to make her stronger. Reducing her empathy will not only benefit the Troupe as a whole, but help her get ahead in her personal endeavors.

Chrollo pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Him and the Troupe are packed into a single black jet, preparing to leave for Faith.

Machi is missing out on their mission, just so she can sumberge herself once again in the life of (Y/N) and their Zoldyck companion. Hasn't Machi had enough of them? Chrollo is bored of their drama and he isn't even involved.

Shalnark and Shizuku begin chatting about something, and Chrollo lets himself eavesdrop. It is a nice distraction. But, still, (Y/N)'s face remains imprinted in his eyes like someone had flashed his pupils with a bright light.

Who are they, and what about them is stirring up so much within Machi Komacine?

///

Illumi walks with elegant, wide steps, the pace of each one matching with the previous.

Killua. Killua. Killua. Find him. Make sure he is okay.

Illumi cannot think of anything or anyone else. An instinct deep within him says that danger is nearby. Perhaps it is not directed at Killua, but it needs to be taken care of nonetheless.

Gotoh is leaving the wine cellar as Illumi is striding through the hallway. As Illumi passes him, they catch each other's eyes. Illumi stops in his tracks. Perhaps Gotoh can give him some insight on the situation.

There is a moment of silence as the two solemn figures size each other up. The odd silence is broken as Illumi demands an answer to a flatly spoken question: "Where is Killua."

"I am not sure. I asked Master Silva, but he could not give me a response."

"Then, where is my father?"

"The first lounge," Gotoh says, reluctantly. Illumi can see the irritation glistening in his eyes. (Why does Illumi get to be curious about all of this, but not me?) "The fire is lit. You will see it from beneath the door."

Without a word of thanks, Illumi turns and begins walking away, but Gotoh stops him.

"Hang on, Master Illumi."

"I am busy. You do not have any right to order me around, let alone ask for my presence to remain so you can bother me."

"I apologize, Master Illumi. I have a simple question to ask you." Gotoh wants to talk with firmness in his voice, but he cannot. This is Master Illumi he is talking to. "It is about Machi Komacine."

Illumi finally pauses. Since Gotoh answered his questions, it is only fair that Illumi answers the butler's as well. Although, finding out Killua's location is top priority, so this must be made quick. "What is your question?"

"I actually have two, sir. Again, I apologize." Gotoh bows slightly, then asks, "Who is Machi? She called the house phone only moments ago, asking for Killua. Do you know what she wanted to talk to Killua about?"

Illumi crosses his arms. "She is a member of the Phantom Troupe and an associate of Hisoka's, whom is one of our guests. After calling the estate, Machi called Hisoka on his personal phone, and told Hisoka of Killua's absence. That is why I am currently looking for my little brother. Still, I do not know what she wants with Killua. Hisoka either left that detail absent when he was talking to me, or Machi did not inform him."

Gotoh hums quietly, deep in thought. Illumi realizes that he should have asked for more information from Hisoka rather than storming out of the room, but it is too late now. He can talk to Hisoka after he figures out Killua's whereabouts and makes sure to stop whatever danger is coming.

Gotoh bows again. "That is all. Thank you for your responses. I wish you luck."

Illumi nods, satisfied, then turns away to find his father.

///

The air hangs heavily, full of the solemn awareness of Illumi's destructive future—and of the dreadful present.

Hisoka just made it clear that you are shattering Illumi. Those words struck at your heart, because you know they are true. Ever since you met Illumi, all you knew was a cold-blooded, dark-eyed assassin. He trained you, gave you strength, not hope. He gave you piece of mind, not love. But now, your dynamic has changed.

You love him, and he loves you. You both know that. A string of humane attachment connects you to him, but it is driving him insane, perhaps.

"I guess you're right," you whisper.

"Take a minute to think about it," Hisoka continues. "His father hates you being here, for you turn Ill human." Hisoka smirks, his voice taunting and mockingly pouty. He sits on the couch next to you, then spreads his arms out across the backing. His elbow sits right behind your head. The near proximity to his sculpted bicep forces the butterflies in your gut to life once again. Surely, it is the reaction Hisoka wants you to experience. "Illumi is in love, and everything you do counts for something, one way or another."

You stare at your lap.

"Hisoka... I'm keeping a secret, and I think I should tell you what it is."

Hisoka hums curiously, turning to face you with glistening eyes.

You pause, sifting through millions of words to find just the right ones. This was not a matter to be taken lightly. "I received a text the other day, for a job. The client told me to kill Killua." You pause. "I was going to tell Illumi a few minutes ago, but he left before I could."

Hisoka's arm tenses behind you, as does his aura. You can feel it.

"Well? Are you going to do it?"

Your head snaps in his direction. "Do what?"

"Y'know." Hisoka makes a slicing gesture at his throat. "Off Kill."

"No, of course not," you blurt, slightly offended that he even considered the possibility. But of course he would. Hisoka would probably follow through with the job if he was asked to. "Killua is Illumi's younger brother. I couldn't do that to Illumi. Anyway, I think that text has something to do with... whatever is going on."

"I'm sure it does." Hisoka flicks a card into one of his hands, the one that is not strung behind your head. "Speaking of which, that is a good example of how you are breaking Illumi. To the Zoldycks, keeping a secret like that is a betrayal, especially if it involves Illumi's most beloved brother."

You look down again. "I was going to tell him," you say meekly.

"But you didn't."

You close your eyes.

Hisoka sighs. "Listen, (Y/N). Whenever you tell him, it can't be helped; you already kept it a secret for this long. But trust me, I'm sure it will only be a small knick in the inevitable crack."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... I think I have a clear view of what's going on, and what is going to happen. Would you like me to explain?" he asks, toying with the card in his fingers. The Joker.

"Uh. Yes, please."

"Our dearest Illumi is going to crack. Explode, in other words," Hisoka explains, staring at you with glistening, enticed eyes. "You came into his life, and at first, you were just a trainee. Then he developed feelings for you, but only realized once he took it upon himself to kiss you. Now, that leads us to here. Ill tells his family of his connection with you. Silva, his father, is not happy in the slightest. This is understandable, for Silva worked very hard to make Ill the way that he is—"

"Jeez, Hisoka, get to the point."

Hisoka chuckles. "Patience, darling." He tosses the card at you, and it flutters into your lap. You pick it up and examine it. Just a regular old Joker. "Silva decided to take matters into his own hands, since Ill clearly wasn't going to let you go on his own. So, Silva sent you that text, asking you to kill Killua."

You gasp. "Wh... You can't be serious!"

Hisoka looks at you, his mouth flat now. He smirks a bit, his eyes narrowing, and he says, "I'm as serious as I've ever been."

He isn't lying. You grip Hisoka's card, nearly crushing it beneath your fingers.

"Of course," Hisoka continues, "Silva knew you wouldn't go through with it. Still, he hid Killua, perhaps somewhere in the house. I think he did this just in case you did decide to accept the offer. Either that, or he was doing it to attract Ill's attention. If the latter is true, I am uncertain as to why..."

"Hisoka, this is crazy," you say, turning so you can face him more fully. "Do you even hear what your saying?"

"Sure I do! I've thought this over quite a bit."

You frown. "So, how does Machi play into all of this?"

"She has a hunch that Ill is going to 'go off.'"

"So... all of this is because of Silva?"

Hisoka chuckles. "Yes, if you want to pin the blame on him. But I'm pinning the blame on you." He reaches forward and pokes you in the center of your chest. It is an irritating gesture, but you are too absorbed in thought to yell at him.

"Silva is out to get me."

"Yes it would appear so... hey, what's that look for?" Hisoka frowns at you.

You shake your head.

You'll just have to win Silva over, and you think you know how to do it.