Let's play

People came and went through the bustling streets of Yorkshin, unaware of the two shadows running around the top of the buildings, lurking in the alleys. Silent, deadly and precise, the assassin and the magician run undetected towards their destination.

Killua's alleged location was a cheap hotel room in a troublesome part of the city. His brother couldn't help to wrinkle his nose at the smell of urine and decomposed trash that filled the alley behind the place. "We're here" said the clown with a welcoming gesture. "I can not feel Killua's presence" said the Zoldyck.

They weren't sure if they had the right address or if the information had been misleading however they were not about to leave anything to chance. Both were concealing their presences and instead of using En to look for the kids, they decided to look in the old fashioned way.

Hisoka climbed to the rooftop and was happy to let all of his bloodlust drip out of his body with the lewdest roar he could muster. Illumi had asked him to do exactly that in order to distract de boys, specially Gon, with the undeniable presence of the clown while he could move undetected through the hallways hoping to reach the one with his brother in time.

Suddenly the building, along with the surrounding area were ravaged by the lustful and terrifying aura of Hisoka longing for a bloodbath. Moving with perfect stealth and speed, the oldest Zoldyck son felt it too. He felt instantly intoxicated by the overwhelming feeling of that aura he knew so well.

It had been over ten years ago the first time he'd felt that same presence along with that bubblegum and cherries scent. He'd found it dreadfully sweet, the kind of smell that penetrates the nostrils and leaves behind a strong memory.

Now Illumi found himself wondering around those memories instead of concentrating in the task ahead and hating his partner for causing such distraction in him, again. He pushed aside those memories realizing how uncomfortable he felt within the clown's presence now, after the events that took place in his sower barely hours ago.

He still arrived to the room where he expected to find his beloved brother and the annoying little boy he called a friend. He stood next to the door, trying to hear something coming out of the room, giving away their position, but nothing. Either the boys had left the room earlier, or…

Illumi slammed the door open and found exactly what he feared. Emptiness. Not even their essences remained even though Illumi was able to know that his brother had been there some time ago. He tried to gather evidence or any sort of clue which could lead to Killua's whereabouts but nothing came out of his search.

Discouraged and deeply disappointed he reached for his cell phone in his pocket and dialed Hisoka's number, but he got no reply. Assuming his associate would be completely lost within his own bloodlust, the eldest Zoldyck son decided to go to the rooftop and explain everything.

The closer he got to that dense, treacherous aura, the more intoxicated he became, unable to deal with that hideous feeling of allure. He didn't know if it was the first time he had felt that way about it, he wasn't sure. Memories from recent events began to dance within his head, intermingled with the new ones rising from the aura he couldn't help to get closer to.

Hisoka's words ringed in his ears along with flashes of golden eyes glistening amidst the blood stained orchids. He was so consumed by his own thoughts that he didn't realize how close he really was to the last door on the stairs.

Illumi went through and closed it behind him with a huge amount of strength making the magician undeniably aware of his presence. But what Hisoka saw was far from the composed, stone cold assassin he knew. The eldest Zoldyck son seemed disheveled, gasping loudly through his parted lips, his raven colored hair covering part of his porcelain skin. "My my, Illu dear, what happened to you that you show up looking like… This?"

The assassin couldn't process the words he had just heard. His hand instinctively turned into a deadly claw unleashing the fury and frustration not even he could understand. His face remained undisturbed by the waves of emotion that flooded him. Hisoka tried to make another comment but his attempt was cut short by a very strong hand holding his neck with an iron grip.

"You lied to me" Illumi's voice seemed to reflect the exact opposite of his true intentions. "You said that you knew where my brother was" the assassin's grip grew stronger. "But you did not know that, am I right?"

Hisoka was only able to produce a broken sound which seemed something between an explanation and pure laughter. He held Illumi's arm with his hands in an attempt to break free but what he met was undeniable strength and strong limbs that wouldn't budge. He knew his beloved associate well and this time he was taking way longer than usual before releasing him. His lungs started to burn. But just then, he was released, more accurately thrown to the hard floor where he landed coughing and gasping for air.

As soon as the air slowly began to flood his lungs again, Hisoka started to laugh, loud and violently. He wouldn't admit it but it was hard for him to get up, he could tell that Illumi had put a considerable amount of strength, both in the choking as in the throwing.

"I can't be right all the time Illu, where's the fun in that?" he said finally, removing the dust from his clothes. "Apparently my contact was wrong"

"I recommend you not to play games with me Hisoka" the assassin was not amused in the slightest. He made a swift, almost imperceptible movement and there was suddenly a needle pinned on the magician's throat and another on the base of his skull leaving him completely still. "Be quiet for a minute" said Illumi as he pulled out his cell phone.

Hisoka couldn't listen the conversation but he knew his partner was calling Silva, specially when he hung up and approached him even more disturbed than before if possible. "I am not to return to the mansion until I assure the family that the heir is alive and well" he said almost as if repeating the mission to himself. "Also, I am not allowed to accept any other jobs until that task is completed" Hisoka knew that Illumi loved his job and the life he had with his unconventional family, those conditions were extremely difficult for his friend to deal with and his face was starting to show the maelstrom of emotions that were conveniently hidden inside. The magician smiled.

"And you have to provide useful data to achieve this purpose, if you refuse, I am authorized to eliminate you"

Hisoka's smile grew wider and turned into a devilish grin. His golden eyes were sparkling into the night with undeniable lust. "That been said, what are you going to do?" the needle on the throat was removed. "Speak"

The magician coughed and spitted blood before being able to follow that command. "I must say, there's gotta be a better and more creative use for this needle in my back" the Zoldyck sighed. "I mean, I'd love to see what you can do while I'm helplessly still" the lewd laughter that came after that statement only seemed to diminish in tone when Hisoka noticed that the assassin was not annoyed as he expected, but rather peculiarly uncomfortable. He had a choice, he could keep on taunting and teasing the other man to see what would came out of it, or, he could cut the moment short and see what reaction would take over Illumi's glorious features.

"Anyway, I have a contact that might be interested in sharing some information" he opted for the second choice. "And who might that contact be?" asked the Zoldyck lowering his shoulders ever so slightly. He was disappointed, and Hisoka noticed it, so he resolved to keep playing with his friend's unmanageable emotions. "The leader of the spider, my dear Chrollo". Silence took place, it only lasted for a second but it was there. Illumi's breath hitched and his eyes had to make an effort to remain impassive. "Do you believe that he, out of all people, will tell you the truth?" there was coldness and cruel disdain in his words.

"Of course Illu, dear, he will… for a price".

There it was, that anger slipping from the depths of the hidden emotions trying to arise. That hate burning and boiling inside Illumi's chest was slowly making its way to his ice cold eyes. He was fighting hard against it, using everything he ever learned in his years of training to keep everything concealed, but everyone has a limit. "Fine!" he replied wrinkling his nose. "Go to your beloved spider and when he lies to you again I'll get to kill you" He then turned around and started to walk towards the edge of the rooftop, releasing the last needle just before he jumped stealthily to the ground.

"ah… jealousy" Hisoka smiled.