Author: NekoRyuko :3
Fanfic Title: Valentine's Day
Summary of fanfic: On the next 14th of February following the defeat of the Chimera Ants, our Hunters find themselves involved in yet another battle (it's in their nature to get into trouble, after all). This time, however, our fighters must fight for love.
Chapter Title: Surprises
Chapter Summary: "Valentines Day, the day you give chocolate to the one you like." It was when Gon heard these words, that trouble began brewing. Compelled to bring joy to everyone on this splendid occasion, he eventually runs into Hisoka, who plans to make him a very welcome guest.
Rating: hmm… PG-13 should cover it. Nothing overt, just a bunch of allusions and insinuations related to adult themes.
Pairing: May contain hints of Hisoka x Illumi, Hisoka x Gon –shudders-, and Killua x Gon – other pairings I'll leave up to your imagination.
Warning: This fic DOES contain references to slash (i.e. male/male romantic or sexual relationships). As I said before, it's not overt so a person who hates slash may still really enjoy this. ) A lot of this chapter is an elaboration on themes introduced by Togashi-sama himself. It is also highly advisable that you have watched HxH as the fic will contain a lot of 'inside humor', so to speak.
Disclaimer: In case you were wondering, no I DO NOT own Hunter x Hunter, its' characters or Valentines Day for that matter. I do, however own this plot bunny, but even that may have been inspired by something else… :S
A/N: I haven't written a fic in how many years? Was it two?… But this idea (and all the other many ideas following this chapter) had been gnawing at my brain and not letting me sleep at night. So, I sat one fine afternoon before one of my commerce exams (:3), and began to type. You can't imagine how ecstatic I was when I completed this chapter!! With that incredible feeling fresh in my mind, I'm most definitely motivated to write the next chapter for this! I've got some ideas for it, but haven't yet started, so if you have some suggestions you better hit the review button at the bottom of your screen when you finish reading. :D Thank you, my dear readers!
ps: I spent an hour trying to create paragraphs here but every time I save they just VANISH. -- I hope you won't be too bothered by that. Hehe.
Nb: for unknown Japanese terminology, please refer to the bottom of the chapter.
Valentines day
Chapter 1 - Surprises
"Aah Illumi! I'm so glad you could make it!" The jester-like red haired man chirped as his comrade peered through the unlocked apartment door.
"Don't mention it." Came a nonchalant reply from the guest, as he seated himself at the coffee table. "No duties for today, Hisoka."
Hisoka, who was sitting across on the other side, chuckled jokingly "What, no murder requests on Valentines day? Not even ones like 'the bastard didn't give me any f---ing chocolate!!'? "
"They would certainly prefer to savour their own revenge." Was Illumi's ever-so-logical answer.
"That's true." Hisoka's last words were followed by a long silence. Once again confirming in his mind the fact that Illumi never initiates conversations, Hisoka took it upon himself to continue. He was almost like a little kid who couldn't sit still and handle boredom, needing constant stimulation from the outside world.
Fortunately he noticed some kind of box that was being hidden behind the other man's back, and briskly turned his musing into a question.
"Would that be for me?" Hisoka asked merrily, eyeing the hidden object.
Illumi, following Hisoka's gaze, caught onto his train of thought. "Ah, this." He brought out his left arm from behind his back, placing on the table an exquisite looking package of Belgium chocolates.
"Looks like I won't be murdered tonight." Illumi teased without departing from his usual monotone; a feat that only this dark haired assassin was capable of executing with a one hundred percent rate of success.
Hisoka smirked smugly at the comment, but decided not to probe the subject further. "I appreciate your thoughtfulness." He winked, then added, "say, would you like to share them with me?" pulling an innocent, zestful look.
"No thanks."
"Why is that? You don't like chocolate?"
"Not particularly, no."
"Tsumaranai naa…" Hisoka accused, protruding his lower lip in a pout-like fashion.
"Let me guess… you want to literally share them with me…"
Hisoka couldn't hold it anymore, so he let laughter escape his throat wholeheartedly. "You've read my mind!"
Illumi was such a mystery. His exterior claimed a dispassionate persona while his mind seemed to come up with utterly amusing ideas. And this intricately woven personality is what upheld Hisoka's interest in Illumi all this time. Like a child playing with his new toy, pulling it apart and reassembling it until the toy's mechanics are fully comprehended, so did Hisoka mentally pick apart and pull together the character of his own 'toys'.
One way to reach this comprehension was to probe and push until a boundary was crossed. Nevertheless, a crazy maniac though he may be, Hisoka was no idiot. He was well aware that curiosity must have its' limits, as it could undermine the oh-so-important trust. And he couldn't risk his precious toys being taken away. But risk wasn't going to stop him from having just a little fun.
"You sound like you know a lot about Valentines Day traditions. Have you, perhaps, shared chocolates with a girlfriend?" Hisoka asked after some pondering.
"Nope."
"A boyfriend?" he lifted an eyebrow.
"Nope."
"Gaa-h!" Hisoka exclaimed. "You poor deprived creature."
"To be frank, I don't see any meaning in it." Illumi continued, stifling cold water over hot flames, so to speak.
"Liar!" Hisoka retorted.
"Desire is a human weakness. One that must be ridden of." Illumi explained.
"Weakness or not, if you don't desire anything, then what are you living for?"
Before Illumi had an opportunity to answer, three determined knocks were heard, coming from the corridor.
"Oooh more guests!" Hisoka chimed, springing onto his feet to go greet his newest playmate. He made a mental note to prod Illumi's secret or undiscovered desires some other time in private. Right now he was just too excited in his anticipation of another amusing guest.
Who could it be? Kuroro? Has he finally been able to unseal Kurapika's nen? Or maybe Machi had come to unveil her hidden passion for him?… "Gon!" Hisoka's eyes widened in surprise when he saw the boy's little figure standing firmly in front of him, gaze determined and locked on its' target.
Seeing as Hisoka was a little taken aback by his unexpected (first time!) visit, Gon relieved him by briefing him on his reason for coming.
"Here ya go!" Gon extended his left hand, fist clenched. "Happy Valentines Day!" he announced, placing three delicately wrapped chocolate candies onto Hisoka's palm. There is a truffle, a liquor centred coffee one, and a chocolate caramel. I didn't know what flavour you liked so I—"
Gon discontinued his explanation when he realised Hisoka was clutching the chocolates in his fist and vibrating on the spot. "Are you listening to me?" Gon frowned, his stomach starting to churn from the odd energy Hisoka was giving off.
He was beginning to feel increasingly uncomfortable to the point where he inadvertently shouted "HISOKAAA!!!!!"
With that, Hisoka snapped back to reality, blinking in confusion as the words slowly registered. Gon sighed.
"But why?" Hisoka asked dumbly.
"Oh." Gon cheered up again. "Don't you know about Valentines day?" he continued innocently. "It's a day when you give chocolates to all the people you like! Leorio told me…"
Hisoka gave a light-hearted laugh. "Indeed. So are you saying you like me?" He beamed.
Both were too absorbed in their surreal encounter to notice Illumi standing at the other end of the corridor, watching them intently.
"Of course!" Gon declared. "It's true that you can be a creep sometimes and hurt innocent people. I could never forgive you that. But still, if it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have passed the hunter exam. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this strong at the Celestial Tower. You helped us so much at Greed Island! We couldn't have passed that either, without your help! I don't know why you do the terrible things you do, I just wish you could do more of the good things! Because I really like that about you!"
Throughout Gon's emotional rambling, Hisoka continued to blink. The intensity of Gon's feelings for him really triggered something deep. One could say he felt very 'touched'.
"Ahhem" said a distant voice, cutting through the corridor's elated atmosphere.
"Illumi?!" Hisoka and Gon cried out in unison, both wearing a stupefied expression.
"Yo!" was the returned greeting.
"Illumi, just wait I—" Hisoka started, but Illumi cut him off early. "Don't worry. I'll be going now."
"No, Illumi wait!" Hisoka whined. "Aren't ya gonna stay?"
"Not tonight. I only came to deliver you the chocolates. Enjoy yourselves." He replied, eyes shifting from Hisoka to Gon. As he stepped out of the apartment, he flashed them a smile and vanished before vanishing into darkness.
Slam. The door shut itself, and Hisoka and Gon were left standing like lost first graders on their first day at school.
"Do you have some time?" Hisoka asked his young friend in a polite tone, strenuously trying to withhold his grin.
"A little." Gon told him straightforwardly.
"Wonderful" Hisoka skipped to the living room, Gon following behind cautiously.
As he entered the large living are, Gon spotted on Hisoka's coffee table the mount of beautifully wrapped chocolates. "These look niiice!!!" Gon squealed. "Did Illumi get them for you?"
"Yes he did" Hisoka hummed. This was turning out to be a day full of pleasant surprises for him.
"I'm very impressed, Gon. You really are getting better and better each time I see you." He complimented, as he took two apples out of the fridge. "Huh?" Gon replied in confusion. Closing the fridge with a soft heel kick, Hisoka chucked the crimson coloured apple at Gon, keeping the half red half green apple for his own devouring pleasure.
Having caught the apple, Gon proceeded with his question. "What makes you say I improved? You haven't seen me fight ever since—"
"No, silly." Hisoka cut him short. "I meant you have matured, here." Hisoka tapped Gon's forehead. "I must say you'd be the last person I would expect to talk to me of Valentines Day, chocolates and love." He teased playfully. The expected reaction did in fact follow, as Gon fumed at the indirect accusation.
"What's so surprising about it? Even children should show love to their parents, friends and those who have done good things to them." Gon lectured proudly. From his point of view, it was Hisoka who was acting rather naïve. Little did he know.
Hisoka laughed for the umpteenths time that day. "I knew it. Tsktsktsk… the fruit has not quite ripened yet." His facials exposed feelings of sourness momentarily, before he wrathfully bit off a large chunk of his apple.
"What?!" Gon shot back in frustration.
"Don't fret about it." Hisoka consoled the boy. "It seems like your friend Leorio has done a sloppy job of educating you on the notions of Valentines Day. So let me do the favour." Once Gon has visibly calmed down, Hisoka began. "Valentines Day, in a nutshell, is the day on which people confess their love for someone, usually by getting them chocolates. If not chocolate, then love letters… But it is a day for lovers, get it? Not friendship, not family."
"Oh" was the only response given.
"I'm glad you understand that much. I was afraid I'd have to explain to you what lovers are."
"I'm not that stupid!" Gon fumed.
Hisoka smiled. They were getting along famously!
"Then Gon, do you see now why I was surprised to get chocolates from you?" Hisoka's smile was slowly turning smug.
"Yes." He nodded. "But still… What's wrong with giving chocolates to other people, and making them feel good too? I was actually on my way from the post office where I sent chocolates to Mito-san and Obaa-chan, and after this, I will be giving chocolates to Killua, Leorio and Kurapika. I don't want to be choosing favourites!"
"You'll understand when you're a bit older." Hisoka informed him gently.
"Ok." Gon gave up on trying to convince Hisoka of his genius and instead turned the attention back on the older man. "So, is Illumi your lover then?"
The sudden question startled Hisoka and he almost choked on his apple. He then took on a stern appearance and began his reply. "First of all, whether Illumi is my lover or not is none of your business, but I will tell you the reason he brought the chocolates. That snob just came to pity me. It's as if he's saying "I know you're not getting any this Valentines Day Hisoka, so I'll give you some so that you don't drive yourself to tears" he scowled.
"Aww, that's not true! I think Illumi brought those chocolates for you because he is your friend. And he wanted you to be happy." Gon tried his best to lift Hisoka's sinking spirits.
+++Meanwhile+++
"Moshi-moshi? Reoreo? Any news about Gon?? Has he come back yet???" a young silver-haired boy's voice demanded from the other end of the line.
"Itte—" the medical student squirmed as he distanced the ear-grating object away from his ear. "I hear you. You don't have to shout! And how many times do I have to tell you? It's L-E-O-R-I-O!"
"Sorry." Killua apologized non-committingly. "So?? Any news??" he impatiently proceeded to prod.
"Nu-uh. Nothing here." Leorio answered on the other end. "Keep searching." He instructed affirmatively.
"Keep searching my… foot! Don't forget that it was YOUR fault he's running all over town endowing everyone with chocolates and making them merry!" Killua spat back.
"Alright, alright I get it. It was a mistake to tell him about Valentines Day, but how was I supposed to know??" Leorio attempted to vindicate.
"If he's gotten himself involved with the wrong crowd, you'll be on your knees begging for mercy, you hear me??"
Leorio gulped. Killua was not an average boy, and he knew perfectly well that this ex-assassin was able to act out on his threats. "Y-yeah I understand" he stuttered a reply. "Don't worry, Killua. Gon is stronger than anyone in this town. He can effortlessly kick their asses should they try anything funny!"
It suddenly hit Killua like a thousand bolts of lightning (anything weaker and he wouldn't have noticed). There WAS in fact one person in town from whom Gon could not escape, even if he wanted to. "Hisoka!!" Killua cut the line and began to sprint at an inhuman speed towards the jester's apartment. "It just can't be…!"
Leorio hadn't heard the last few words, and was left abruptly cut off. He shook his head, wondering why assassins couldn't be taught at least the basic of manners.
On the way to said apartment, Killua needed to cross the railway. What spoiled luck. Gon could be suffering at the hands of that perverted blood-lusty murder right now, and Killua couldn't do a damn thing about it, because a train just HAD to come by as Killua got there.
He started gritting his teeth impatiently, his aura slowly rising in impatience. Of course! How could he have forgotten? He could power his jump with aura and easily jump over the running train. Killua sunk his feet firmly into the ground, closed his eyes and enveloped himself with ten. A second later, he opened them and simultaneously his aura exploded around him. Powered with ren, Killua concentrated his flaming aura into his feet and with one push, lifted himself off the ground. In a flash, he was on the other side of the train.
Killua got up from his crouching position, only to come face to face with his brother.
"Aniki!" he uttered in dismay.
"What's the rush Kiru? Why so eager to jump the train?" Illumi's void eyes stared at him, silently probing the younger boy's mind.
Killua ignored the other's inquiry, and began his own. "What the hell are YOU doing here??" Things just couldn't get any worse right now.
"Relax, I haven't been spying on you. I just happened to be at the same place, at the same time as you are." His older brother reassured him.
"That's fine. But what are you even doing in this town? You're not on an assignment are you??" Killua's voice has become strained from his prolonged state of panic.
Illumi observed his younger brother's state of being momentarily before answering. "Not tonight, Kiru. Don't worry. I am just here for a harmless visit." He informed, but seeing scepticism in his brother's eyes he added " To Hisoka's."
Killua's eyes widened at the mention of the name.
"What, does that bother you?" he asked, slightly confused, before an idea came to him. "Oh, don't tell me this has something to do with your friend, Gon?"
Killua's reaction was instant. "You know where he is????" he blurted.
"Sure." He stated plainly. "Last time I checked he was with Hisoka, having a marvellous good time. Since the young brat's arrival, Hisoka has been completely euphoric. He's been craving to share chocolates with someone all day after all. "
"W-what do you mean?" Killua gaped in horror.
Illumi laughed a loud mocking laugh. "You know perfectly well what I mean. Don't tell me you're losing your sense, hanging out with these commoners."
"Watch it!" Killua warned, giving his brother a deathly glare.
"Just kidding, Kiru." The older assassin smiled a strained smile, and extended his hand to ruffle his younger sibling's hair. To his surprise, Killua did not freeze like usual. As Illumi's hand approached him, the younger boy simply slapped it away.
"Don't touch me. I don't want your manipulative needles near me ever again. I'm not your puppet anymore!" Killua stated with bitter contempt.
"Alright then. But let me remind you of something very important."
"And what is that?"
"In spite of how much confidence you may have gained, don't be so idiotic as to face an opponent you cannot defeat." Killua was once again schooled. "I'm telling you now. Don't fight Hisoka. Gon is his possession now."
"What?!!" Killua's body had gone completely numb now, but his aura pulsated stronger and stronger. Converting from an aura of anxiety to an aura of rage.
"By the way you look right now, I'd say you're about ready to charge at Hisoka the moment you see him. I'm saying this for your own sake Kiru—"
"Since when do you know what is good for me, aniki??" his younger brother shouted back.
Although Illumi's face wore a constant blank expression, Killua could sense the disgust when his brother asked, "Are you saying you are willing to give up your life for the sake of friendship?"
"Yes." Killua announced boldly.
With this, he took off into the night.
Clarification of Japanese terminology:
Tsumaranai naa – How boring/sad!
-san is a suffix of politeness attached after a person's name.
Obaa-chan translates most precisely to 'Granny'
Moshi-moshi – 'Hello' on the phone
Itte- 'ouch (it hurts)'
Aniki – older brother (said by younger brother)
How was it? :3 Please share your thoughts, opinions, suggestions or constructive criticism! Which parts were great and which weren't so good? Is everyone In Character? Is my grammar OK?
Next chapter I promise you more action scenes and more elaborated descriptions. I will be furiously studying new vocabulary as well. X3
And one more thing, would anyone be interested in becoming my beta-reader? It would simply mean you get to read my story before anyone else, plus the pleasure of poking fun at my errors. XD If you're interested, please check out my profile, under 'A message to my readers'.
Thank you again for reading! -bows humbly-