To catch a Zoldyck
Chapter 2
What can a docile little mouse like myself do? What can I hope to achieve in the enemy's base? I'm just a regular Padokean citizen with terrible luck. Horrendous luck and I'm very much lacking in common sense. If a lady in a hooded cloak asks you to come work for her the natural thing to do is to turn her down. That's a natural reaction to a suspicious looking character. But I did the complete opposite. I was a fool who took sympathy in the suffering of others. My natural assumption was that the mother was also stricken by a horrid disfiguring affliction. My oversized, caring heart screamed yes. And I've been regretting my choice ever since. I can whine about this all day but my situation isn't going to change. As it stands, I know two of their identities already. If they decided that I was becoming a nuisance, they could easily snuff my life out. It doesn't help that none of my friends and relatives know my current location. After all nobody else I know has ever been on Kukuroo Mountain. You'd have to be insane to trespass into the estate of the deadliest assassin family in the world. So like every other person, who was curious about the elite assassins, I hopped on a tourist bus and observed their estate from afar. Enamoured by the magnificence and the air of mystery surrounding the estate I silently longed to step foot on the estate's grounds. But that was a child's wish. Back when I didn't know the consequences of what I desired.
"Manami. Your lack of response has my curiosity piqued. Could it be that you have any objections?"
Illumi is supposedly trying to gauge my interest but all I'm feeling now is a looming threat. His voice doesn't reveal any change in his mood but his eyes appear even more empty. Like a lion before it attacks its prey.
"No Master Illumi. Your humble servant will do your bidding."
He raises his hand. I squeeze my eyes shut. I did something wrong didn't I. I'm going to die! I'm going to die! I feel two gentle pats on my head. Carefully and slowly I open my eyes.
"Good girl. Anything short of that response and you'd definitely be dead. So don't try my patience next time."
Why is he still standing so close to me? Isn't it enough that his presence alone is overwhelming. I unconsciously take a step back. Illumi semi closes his eyes for a split second. He tucks his fingers under his black shirt and peels of the garment. He casts it aside and starts undoing his buckle. I should tell him. If I don't I won't be able to continue living if he finds out on his own.
"Master Illumi I apologize."
Illumi smooth's his hair back as he focuses his attention on me. He poses with one hand to the side as he waits for my answer. How should I explain it to him? My ears feel so damn hot right now. I've never had a guy strip so casually in front of me. Given that I spent all my life by the sea shore I've witnessed all types of bodies and physiques. But Illumi's body outshines all of them by light years. His pale skin contrasts with his dark long hair elegantly. Those heavenly lean muscles and rippling ridges that could grate cheese. If I reached out I could…. touch him. Illumi continues undressing.
"Master Illumi…"
"You're slowly getting on my nerves. Interrupt me one more time and I'll pin your tongue down."
Illumi reaches his hand out to me. I quietly take it.
"Should I tell you something interesting Manami?"
"Yes Master."
"You're the plainest creature I've ever set my eyes."
I know that I don't have any redeeming features but to point it out so rudely.
"So it doesn't come as a surprise to me that you're still a virgin."
"What? How do you know?"
"The fear and anxiety radiating off your skin is so thick that I could taste it. It's surprisingly taking more effort than I imagined not to put you out of your misery. I pity creatures in pain."
"So you kill them off instead."
"Yes."
That is the most warped reasoning I've ever heard. He doesn't know how to show compassion at all.
"Are you scared Manami?"
"Why wouldn't I? It's not every day that you jump into bed with a stranger without knowing each other first. I'm so confused. Can't you just erase my memory and let me go home?"
Illumi boredly looks down at me. It seems like I know how to annoy him pretty well. But he has to understand how I feel about this.
"Home? To do what Manami?"
His cool hand caresses my cheek. Illumi's hair brushes my skin as he stoops low enough to whisper into my ear.
"Just as plain as you now is how ordinary your life is back at home. Nineteen-year-old Manami Acord. Daughter of a gourmet hunter who abandoned his pregnant wife and daughter. Mother left her eldest child with her grandparents in search of a better life. Manami continued life as always. You scored average grades in school and didn't have much of a social life. After graduating high school, you began working in a restaurant not too far from home. Since you arrived here no one has noticed that you've gone missing. No surprise there. Oh, Manami. Can't you see that you are unwanted. And that… is the reason why you are perfect for me."
I pushed him away. Nobody has the right to talk to me like that. Assassin or not.
"Stop lying to me. My friends and family are searching for me."
Illumi stares at me unmoved.
"This is the same reason why I despise human beings. Ridiculous emotions like love and friendship. All they do is hold you back. What nonsense. Falsely clinging to those useless emotions to satisfy your own selfish desires."
Illumi's eyes are becoming more and more distant. His dark aura is washing over me in waves. What is this feeling of foreboding? Illumi draws closer.
"You just put me in a foul mood Manami. Prepare yourself."
I can't do this. My heart is a thundering mess, my emotions are a wreck and I'm not ready. Especially right now.
"Strip Manami. Or I'll tear your clothes off myself."
I fumble awkwardly with a button. If I don't tell him the truth right now he'll find out soon enough. I take a huge breath.
"I'm on my period."
"Your what?"
He's giving me the hooded stare again. I don't like were this is going.
"My period? The time of the month when…"
"I know what it is. I can't believe you wasted so much of my time. Be gone. I'll be leaving for an assignment tomorrow. You should be ready by the time I return."
With a low bow I hastily make my way to the door. Before I left I took one last look at Illumi. I almost shrieked. I didn't realize that he had been glaring at me the whole time. I shut the door behind me and almost fled for dear life. This feeling. I can't catch my breathe. This must be what malice feels like. But another day alive is a reason for celebration. Right?
Hisoka looked at Illumi's deck of cards carefully. He didn't particularly like playing a game of Black Jack with Illumi because he gave nothing away. But that day however Hisoka could tell where the card was. Because the Zoldyck's malicious intent was so thick it coated the card. Even knowing this Hisoka opted to pick the sordid card. For as long as he had known Illumi this was the second time his bloodlust had oozed so thickly.
"What are you so tense about? Aren't assassin's meant to be discrete?"
"Hm? I'm perfectly fine."
Hisoka crooned when he heard Illumi's slight annoyance. Whatever it was it must have been big.
"Cheadle is seriously considering revising the hunter examination and qualification rules. Which is such a pity. All those diamonds in the rough being cast away with the chuff because of their questionable pasts. What a waste."
"Yes. Straight laced folks like her make life easier in my line of work. The next generation of hunters will just be as spineless as their chairman."
Illumi picked a Queen of Spades from Hisoka's cards.
"True. I might consider getting rid of her if she meddles with my toys. You can never have enough of them."
"Cheadle is going to throw the Hunter association off balance being such a goody two shoes and all. Especially now that the Zodiac's will be leaving for the Dark Continent."
"The Dark Continent you say? Isn't it a myth"
Hisoka smacked his lips at the thought of clashing with immense auras. He could postpone his fight with Chrollo just to enjoy a bit of ..pleasure. He could feel his arousal spiking.
"No. My great grandfather accompanied the former Chairman Isaac Netero on his trip to the Dark Continent. Exceptional hunters have been allowed passage to the Dark Continent. But only a handful come back. It's safe to say that they are dead."
"Dead huh. While I do like a good fight I can't afford to die until I've sample how much Gon has grown. Just think about it makes me …..Mmmmmm…. So hard."
Hisoka rolled his eyes back. Illumi watched him looking slightly peeved. He picked another card from Hisoka's deck and cleared the final card.
"I win."
"But I didn't get a turn."
"Taking too long a turn means you automatically forfeit."
"Uh. You're no fun. I was about to climax."
Illumi had run out of distractions . The wheels of his mind were still furiously spinning. He should have ended her life for wasting his time. But instead he let her live because it was getting tedious. He was the oldest Zoldyck child and as the eldest son it was his duty to continue the family line. His father had made it clear that the future of the Zoldyck's might be affected by the new individuals in power. The Zoldyck's didn't meddle with the Hunters Association unless if it was absolutely necessary. And Silva Zoldyck had ordered Illumi to increase their forces. Illumi had no qualms about it if it meant that his family would be safe. Kikyo Zoldyck had tried to match her son with a few women because it would have been easier for them to assimilate into a relationship. But they all ended up on death row because Illumi hadn't liked how their aura's felt. He killed them on instinct alone. But with Manami it was different. Maybe it was because she was so weak that she posed no threat to him. And that was his mistake. Allowing her to live for so long. But he couldn't find it in him to kill him. That was what frustrated him the most. The Zoldyck's eldest son's bloodlust flared. Hisoka gulped.
"Hisoka."
Hisoka silently looked up into Illumi's hauntingly dark eyes. The red haired magician gulped.
"Yes Illumi."
"Fight me. You're always itching for a fight aren't you?"
"I believe that's my line. But no. I need to be ready for our mission."
Hisoka had a feeling that if he entered into a fight with Illumi, the Zoldyck would fall prey to his rage and hold nothing back. Hisoka cupped his cheek and swirled his wine in his glass.
"It's unlike you to challenge me to a fight like this. Any problems?"
"Eh? What are you talking about?"
"You're oozing so much bloodlust that it gave away our secret location a while ago. The enemy has us surrounded."
Illumi narrowed his eyes at Hisoka.
"Why didn't you say something earlier?"
"The earth is a much prettier place with a splash of colour. It so happens that my favourite colour is red. Ohhhhh. I can't wait."
End of chapter 2
A/N. Hey guys. It's your author Velvetsin. I hope you enjoyed reading the second chapter just as much as I loved writing it. Keep tuning in for more stories. In this chapter I decided to make Illumi uncomfortable with a common female affliction. I know how much it sucks. I love you all and keep on reading. Your author VELVETSIN. ~(*-*)~
