A/N:Hello! Hello! Hello... Hi. Wow, surprise, I updated sooner! *evil laugh* Haha, thank you all who read, are reading, and who will read this rather twisted story of mine. I will not stop thanking you all. To everyone who took the time and effort to review, you all are awesome. Thank you for telling me about what you think. And as usual, reviews are always appreciated so never forget to leave one if you want. ^^ Though my previous precious readers seemed to have disappeared 'Hey, guyz, wer ar u!? lol' I still have your reviews to keep me going so please hang on juuuust a little bit because this will be ending soon. Hihi :) Thaaaaaanks! Throws chocolates at y'all.
NOTE: (I should have put this up from the beginning) Reader discretion is advised.
DISCLAIMER: I am only a fan.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SURPRISE!
Die! Die! Diiieeeee!
A huge evil crooked grin, sparkly murderous eyes–Killua's aura was overflowing with absolute demonism as his left hand moved the joystick with brute force and his right hand fingers pushed the control buttons with all his fuming strength on a Tekken machine inside the park's arcade. He was brutally killing his 14th computerized opponent, taking his anger all on him.
Kick. Punch. Superpowers. Scooooooore! Diiiieee!
It would normally vex him seeing a twelve year old kid overflowing with bloodlust because of playing a videogame, thinking of the inappropriate violence technology teaches kids nowadays–even though he was just seventeen years old; but it was Killua, and the blonde looked at the kid with utter amazement written all over his face. The way Killua was knocking his opponents down in the machine was highly astounding. Despite the fast and violent movement of Killua's hands on the controls, his fighting style was smooth and flawless and synchronized. "You're pretty good at this," Kurapika commented, crossing his arms against his chest and stepping a little closer, in case he didn't hear him; because the kid was creating a noisy crowd around them.
The ex-assassin grimaced. Of course I am, duh. He then moved the controls for one last time, finally killing one of the most difficult characters to beat in the game. Killua gave a satisfied smile to himself and leaned back on his chair while waiting for the next one. Ignoring the gossiping and whispering people around them–about how the kid would never stand a chance to the next character because it was supposedly the toughest and strongest–Killua started; "You know what's awesome?" without averting his gaze from the screen.
Kurapika knew he was talking to him. He blinked, quite surprised about the composed tone in his voice. "What is?"
A smirk escaped Killua's lips before answering. "If the characters to beat in here are Huuuuunters," he declared coolly before leaning forward and starting another game. Particularly the three of you!
At that instant, the blonde knew what Killua meant by that. He wanted to beat up our faces to death. He sighed and shook his head a little. So that's why he was so mad at the machine. Kurapika closed his eyes with a frown on his face, acknowledging Killua's fury in. I couldn't blame him though.
"Whoooooaaa!"
"Wow!"
"Awesome!"
"Gyaaa!"
The moment the Kuruta opened his eyes, people were shouting in different languages, incredibly flabbergasted by what they saw. Something impossible had happened: Killua had defeated the ultimate boss of bosses in the game. And the people couldn't believe their eyes–some were suspicious, some girls stared with goggled-eyes at Killua, some people were exchanging bets, and some were just utterly amazed. Kurapika wondered why, and then he realized that he didn't watch the match with his own eyes. Killua probably did something incredibly impossible in order to win. Kurapika commended him for that. The boy got skills. "Congratulations," he cheered casually to the boy.
Killua just stood up with a tired look on his face. "Yeah, whatevs. That was nothing." That was just how I plan to get back at you all! He then moved on to the other side and set himself in front of a 4x3 ft. wide screen, taking out the huge firearm set in front of him after inserting two coin tokens in. A different game started, and they were monsters and zombies this time. Killua aimed the heavy realistic gun and started to fire at the screen. Every hit was a bulls-eye. Another satisfied smirk spread across his face while shooting.
Girls went extremely ballistic.
Kurapika shrugged and tossed two coins in a slot situated beside Killua's huge screen, taking the small handgun and aiming it at the 42-inch screen. He's in an arcade anyway so… why not give it a shot–literally? Killua can't be the only one who could enjoy the place, no. Plus it could be a good practice. The Kuruta focused his eyes on the screen and started shooting. His enemies were armed bandits. And just like Killua, every fast shot was a bulls-eye. He took a deep breath–his face was charmingly serious upon finishing the first set.
Girls went extremely ballistic… again–though some were admiring how cool she looked and some were quite envious that she was hanging out with Killua.
While the insecure sneering guys wondered how the hell those two kids could do that with such precision and perfection; and with pretty faces too–though, again, some were wanting to get Kurapika's number more than anything else at that moment.
Ha! Some people are just reaaaally clueless, aren't they?
No, it's probably just because Kurapika really looks pretty.
Killua's good looks are a given universal thing so no doubt about that.
Right?
They both didn't care about the chatters around them anyway so…
It took them a good 3 hours before getting kicked out of the arcade. Apparently, Kurapika enjoyed shooting–especially when it was his turn to try the firing game Killua first used (the blonde was more interested in killing zombies and monsters than human bandits, even though it's a computerized thing). He even invited Killua–who got easily bored and insisted on getting out already–to play alongside him for one more game, since the machine had two riffles. It turned out that Killua enjoyed playing too and he actually cared about the storyline in the game that he didn't want to end it yet, and he didn't want to lose. And so, after 3 hours, after being scolded by the supervisor and telling them to give the other kids some chance at the machine, they walked out into the open.
"Let's see if you could find people in there that can do better than us with your cheap machine, old man!" Killua exclaimed to the glass door. He was honestly pissed by what the old supervisor told them. "Kids here might just beat the whole game in 10 minutes," he added, mimicking the supervisor's voice. "I bet they can't even reach the level we're in! Geez!" He rolled his eyes, turning around to face the field. A sour look came across his face. "Ah, my back hurts!"
Wow, how surprising.
Kurapika gave a small concerned smile. "I'm sorry if I kept you in, Killua. I got engrossed," he sincerely stated. The blonde was quite surprised at how Killua insisted on them beating the entire game earlier, but he was glad about it. He just felt apologetic because it was him who insisted about staying in the very first place.
The silver haired kid looked away, mumbling "It's nothing. I wanted to play anyway" under his breath. He felt kind of embarrassed having to realize that he enjoyed himself playing alongside Kurapika. He admittedly declared in his head that the blonde got guts. He was surprisingly good at it; another reason why his subconscious told him to finish the game.
They both started walking.
"But it was fun, don't you think?" the blonde added, a light airy chuckle escaping his throat.
Killua grimaced and placed his arms behind his head.
Kurapika smiled. "I'll take that as a yes." He then looked up and around, realizing the change of hue from the sky. The bright white and blue colour of winter that filled the atmosphere 3 hours ago transformed into gray and indigo. At first he wondered how many hours it has been since they came in the park. When he checked his watch, it was then only half past three in the afternoon. Then he remembered reading that night falls in the place as early as 3 o'clock. The invisible sun behind the clouds was about to set. It was getting darker, but the amusement park was just starting to turn to life. Different coloured Christmas lights that hovered above their heads were already lit, the assorted twinkling fluorescent on the rides were flickering into view–though still very vague because of the light still emitted by the skies above. He felt his chest become lighter, and without a second thought, he decided to end the stupidity he'd been doing to the poor silver haired kid and talk to him about it.
"Killua–" He turned to look at him, but the addressed was missing. Kurapika stopped and turned around. There were no signs of Killua. He turned to his right, finding the silver haired boy standing straight six feet away from him, not moving an inch, and facing him with an indescribable look on his face. Kurapika's eyebrows furrowed as he approached Killua immediately. He examined his unfaltering face when he got closer. The kid wasn't looking at him; he was looking at something else. His eyes were wide, showing great obvious signs of shock and… terror. For a flash moment Kurapika's eyes turned red. He remembered exactly when he last saw that look on Killua's face–though less animated than before: the 5th phase of the Hunter exam…
The blonde turned around and instantly hid Killua behind his back when he saw coming into view the long silky black hair and equally black and expressionless eyes of Killua's brother.
Illumi.
"What are you doing here?" Gon asked. His voice husky and shaky but it was firm and loud. The instant he saw him, he went into defensive mode already.
Leorio did the same.
A small distinct laugh escaped the throat of the person leaning on a light post in front of them, and the sound of shuffling cards came into signal.
Gon's jaws flexed.
Hisoka.
"Hey, Killu. It's been a while."
Kurapika muscles tensed. He knew he wasn't supposed to interfere in this brotherly thing but the event that happened in the Hunter exam was enough to trigger his protective stance. He wouldn't want them all to lose Killua again.
Heeehh…
"Oh, who's this?" Illumi stepped closer, and paused five feet away from the two of them. "Ah, it's the Kuruta boy. How are you doing?"
The blonde inhaled deeply. "Just fine," he answered casually. It's in his nature to act cool in front of a suspicious being anyways.
There was something in Illumi's air at that time. His approach wasn't like that of before. It was something… normal; something a normal person wouldn't be suspicious about. It would feel like he just went there to have a little chat. However Illumi was an assassin, Kurapika couldn't let his guard down–even before one of his friend's brothers.
The eldest of the Zoldyck brothers then turned his nonchalant gaze from the blonde to the silver hair he'd been seeing behind him. "How are you doing, Killu?"
After a few seconds of patience, the ex-assassin stepped out of Kurapika's shadow and revealed himself before his brother, looking calmed and more like himself. "Fine," he answered, placing his hands in his pockets.
Illumi stared at his brother for a while, then crossing his arms against his chest he responded. "Good."
Kurapika just stepped aside, letting the two converse; but keeping his guard up.
"How did you find me?"
"You were quite famous. Everyone was talking about a white haired boy playing a video game in here. I just heard from mother that Milluki was throwing a fit in his room because it seemed that a beloved character he created was beaten by an amateur in some random arcade. Was it you?"
A small smirk flashed across the ex-assassin's face. "Yeah."
The Kuruta's eyes grew wide with the revelation. So that's another reason why he was so mad at the machine…
"I know."
Killua's smirk instantly turned into a frown. Then don't ask. "Why are you here?" he started–his voice firm.
"Answer me."
Another sardonic laugh escaped the lungs of the magician. He hid his cards away and walked towards Gon and Leorio with his arms spread. "Don't be so cold. It was coincidental."
When he came into view, Leorio suppressed a tight laugh from coming out of his system. Seeing Hisoka wear winter clothes with a style that matched the clothes he had been wearing before was very, very weird.
Hisoka paused tall in front of them, his creepily smiling face darting from Gon to Leorio and back to Gon again. "My, my, you've grown so much," he commented with so much craving eagerness in his voice. "Where's your Zoldyck and Kuruta friend? I bet they've grown a lot as well, yes?" he sang.
Leorio felt chills running up his spine. There was something wrong with Hisoka's tone there.
But Gon was stagnant. He was alert.
Leorio wished Gon could also be alert on other concerns when Hisoka's around.
"They're together," the spiky haired kid answered abruptly. "Why are you here?"
Hisoka stroked his chin with his fingers, staring Gon down from head to foot with his creepy expression not faltering even one second. "Hm… I'm guessing Illumi already found them," he mused, talking to himself.
But Gon and Leorio had heard him anyway. The spiky haired kid's aura spiked. "Illumi…?" he asked between gritted teeth. "What are you doing here?"
Leorio's stance grew more defensive.
His usual snicker escaped from his throat. Hisoka leaned close to Gon to whisper "S-e-c-r-e-t" before disappearing.
And awkward silence then followed. The Kuruta could have sworn he saw a little flinch and mild split-of-a-second change in Illumi's expression there, and he knew Killua saw that too.
The silver haired kid's brows furrowed in curiosity. What the heck? Did his eyebrows just twitch? "Did mother send you to spy on me?"
Another silence.
"You know I won't come back even if you tell me to. It won't work anymore," Killua added carefully, observing his eerily quiet elder brother.
And another silence commenced.
Killua was growing impatient, then his eyes grew wide upon realization. "Gon," he muttered silently, thinking of all the possible ways his brother could use to go after Gon. He couldn't let that happen. Never.
After another minute of silence, Illumi finally answered. "No."
Killua's tensed muscles loosened up a bit. "Then why are you here?"
Another flinch.
Kurapika had a gut feeling that Illumi was on something he didn't want to tell his brother. Considering all the possibilities and the answered questions set about by his silver haired friend, he might have a hunch on why Illumi couldn't tell Killua anything.
"I couldn't tell you something… inappropriate, Killu."
The silver haired kid grew even more suspicious. His eyebrows creased hard.
Illumi sighed and his aura finally degraded into normal.
Kurapika didn't know if Killua had felt Illumi's aura spiking a little when he asked why he was there.
Black eyes darted from Killua to the blonde and towards Killua again. "Well, this is highly unusual," he commented. And it was Killua's turn to be tensed. Illumi continued; "What are you doing in this kind of place with the Kuruta, Killu? I thought that the Gon kid was your friend."
Kurapika felt extremely underrated by the comment.
Killua hid his flinch. No, he wouldn't dare explain this silly little pairing game Gon had been making him play since this morning to his brother–his brother Illumi, to be precise. And Illumi probably wouldn't understand everything even if he did. No, he shouldn't think of explaining it–especially when the Kuruta's here. Everything wouldn't be coming out of his own mouth, no. He should never explain something… inappropriate to his brother. Hey, wait a minute. He stared quizzically into his brother's eyes. Inappropriate… Why is he even here!? "What are you doing in this kind of place?"
If he remembered distinctly, his father Silva had forbidden them all to do a job in a very public place, where many people were present, since his troublesome assassination in a park when he was six. Killua remembered why he couldn't tell Kurapika if he tried to play at that time; it was because a random kid saw what he did and it became a complete turmoil. He had to run back and forth in order to confuse the Hunters who were chasing him down. Illumi should very well know this because it was him who Silva sent for Killua at that time.
Killua waited for his brother's response. He had never seen Illumi act so strangely over a question before. A sudden realization hit him hard then. He felt like smiling. Heeeeehhh~
And just as when he was about to open his mouth to ask another question, Illumi retorted. "I should take my leave. It was nice seeing you again, Killu. Please remember to send mother a message every now and then. You can't keep her worrying too much." His hand was to reach skin contact with his little brother, but the latter didn't move when he patted his head once. "Ja."
Killua winced.
Then Illumi disappeared.
A strong sigh of relief was released from the ex-assassin's lungs. That was unexpected, extremely unexpected! But why is he here? Another mischievous grin flashed across his face. He couldn't think of any reasons other than that. I could blackmail him if ever I find out about him. I'm sure he has a…! That look on his face! Haha! I could earn millions just posting it on the internet! Killua snickered immensely, but he was cut short by the firm throat clearing of Kurapika. The ex-assassin instantly turned into serious mode. He turned to the blonde with a seriously serious face. "We should call Gon and Leorio."
The blonde instantly hoisted his phone from his pocket. He was about to dial Gon's number when something went ringing.
The ex-assassin picked his phone up immediately without looking at the name of the caller on the screen. "Gon!"
"Killua! Where are you?" Gon's voice was filled with concern but it was solid.
Killua had a gut feeling that they knew Illumi was there. But how…? He looked at Kurapika who nodded. "Let's meet up."
"What…?" Killua felt like his soul leaving his body when he heard that simple informative sentence his best friend told them about. His mind went flying somewhere… child inappropriate.
"It was Hisoka who told us about Illumi. I bet they're here together on a job. I'm not sure if it was coincidental or not but it's still suspicious," Leorio explained seriously, leaning his elbows on the table inside the eatery they were in.
The silver haired kid's face screamed disbelief and horror. Illu-nii's face, his reaction, my assumptions, here, together, something inappropriate, Hisoka… Killua wanted to melt. He didn't know why but somehow he thought he was actually correct. He could've simply answered me why he was here, right? He could've simply said that he was with Hisoka. Of course I'd freak out, but that's what Illumi likes doing; freaking me out. Then why…?
"Killua, are you really fine? Did Illumi say something? Did he do something?" Gon's voice came into the frame. He looked closer at his best friend's face–his best friend who looked like he saw a ghost somewhere hidden on the wooden table. The spiky haired kid was honestly concerned. "He didn't ask you to come home, right? You won't go home, right…?"
Illu-nii, Hisoka, Illu-nii, Hisoka, Illu-nii, Hisoka… Then everything started to register in his brain when he heard that word from a very familiar voice. Home… Killua instantly shot his head up, meeting the concerned eyes of Gon. "N-No! I'll never go home!"
Leorio narrowed his eyes at Killua then turned to face Kurapika. "Oi, Kurapika, what happened to the brat?" he whispered.
Kurapika just shrugged.
Killua shot Leorio a look. "I heard that."
The doctor pouted and sank himself in his seat. Ha! Leorio pouting! Ha!
Killua shivered, disgusted at the face of the pouting Leorio. He stared at him with a sour face then told him casually, "Do me a favour and never make that face." You still have many, many, many, many, many things you owe me, old man!
Leorio sneered and looked away.
Killua shook his head disbelievingly and looked at Gon. They were seated opposite each other–with Gon sitting next to Leorio and him next to Kurapika. "What did Hisoka say to you?" Also thinking about Hisoka harassing Gon with his eyes makes him want to shiver in disgust, and scoop Hisoka's eyes out, and roast them in a pit of fire. He wasn't sure if Hisoka really does that to Gon but hell, even he has been looked at by Hisoka in… that way. Darn creepy! Nngg!
Gon looked serious. "He told us that Illumi may have found you already. And I thought he was there to come and get you again."
So they really were together… "Did you ask him why he was here?" It'd better be an unsuspicious one or I'd totally pee in my pants!
"Yeah," Gon retorted.
Killua was ready.
"He said it's a secret."
The ex-assassin wanted to laugh and cry and melt and punch somebody in the face all at the same time. He smiled with absolute disbelief. He totally thinks it's fine, though, Illumi and Hisoka being together in an amusement park, sure. But if it weren't for his brother giving him an unanswered response, and telling him that it was 'something inappropriate', he wouldn't be suspecting anything at all. And he couldn't understand why he was suspecting something. Darn it! Why do I even care?
"Told ya it's suspicious," Leorio butted in, removing Killua from his inappropriate reverie. "Only that or they're probably here to get laid or something."
What.
It felt as though the three of them sensed thunder and lightning through their hearing and vision, and that a cold gush of wind brushed hard against their covered skin. They froze, even Leorio, who carelessly made the shameful comment.
Get laid… A few scenic pictures played in the corrupted minds of Killua and Leorio–which made the silver haired kid's head spin. He wanted to vomit at Leorio for even voicing out what he was silently thinking. Plus he couldn't bring himself to imagine his brother…
Ha… Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha–
No.
After a few seconds, Gon retorted innocently. "What do you mean?"
The instant they heard this, Killua blinked his way to reality and stared with disbelief at Gon, Leorio started laughing sheepishly, gazing at the three of them with squinted eyes, and slightly avoiding Kurapika who was staring him down with a deadly aura.
The blonde however thought of something much lighter than what Leorio declared, plus like Killua, he couldn't even think of Hisoka and Illumi…
No.
"Gon, you are soooooo innocent…" Killua commented silently–his stare never left Gon's face. "How old are you, seven?" You seriously need to know things and not run around wearing a diapered kid's costume if you want to be a man.
Gon managed a smile. He sweat-dropped. "What?"
Leorio continued to laugh–louder.
Killua narrowed his eyes at the doctor before leaning his back on his chair and crossing his legs, looking at Gon with a sardonic smirk on his face. "So, what did you do today?" he asked.
And they all forgot about the whole Illumi and Hisoka fiasco.
Leorio stopped laughing and started smiling like a creepy mental hospital lunatic who was holding back a loud laugh because he just took a dump on the freaking bed. What? Gon started giving off these sheepish smiles and shaky snickers like the bad liar that he is.
Killua raised an eyebrow–his smirk not leaving his face. Yeah, that's right; crack your sorry brains for a good alibi.
Gon and Leorio started stuttering and fidgeting in their seat as if that wouldn't make it look even more obvious. Gon didn't know where to look. "W-Well, that's…"
"We walked around, of course! And… and…" Leorio paused to think, then like a light bulb had flicked on inside his head, held up his index finger and leaned excitedly on the table. "A-Ah! We went to see attractions, and… watched shows! You know! Ahahaha! Ahaha…" Leorio's eyes weren't stable. He laughed, and as if it would make it all better, he elbowed Gon.
"R-Right!" –who instantly exclaimed an octave higher; not aware that that kind of tone is a sign of nervousness.
Kurapika only sighed, and grabbed the glass of water in front of him. This is going to be a long afternoon.
"Reeeaaally?" Killua crossed his arms against his chest.
The two nodded their heads violently while trying to convince the other two with smiles on their faces.
The ex-assassin wanted to slap his forehead and laugh his soul out. This is fuuuuunnnn! "Oh? What and who did you see?"
Gon raised his hand instantly and excitedly. "Hisoka!"
Killua couldn't help it anymore and laughed. He also wanted to bang his head on the table again and again and again.
Kurapika suppressed a snicker.
Leorio started to panic. He retracted. "W-Wait a sec! What Gon meant was that we went to see… clowns! Clowns! That's right! Right, Gon?"
"Huh?" The innocent kid stared quizzically at Leorio, who looked at him with a twitching smile. It was a good thing–for Leorio–that Gon immediately understood what he meant at that moment. "A-Ah! That's r-right!"
And another series of nervous shaky laughs and unstable eyes were gleefully showed by Gon and Leorio.
"We had so much fun!" Leorio added, throwing an arm around the little kid's shoulders and attempting to do a bro-fist with him with his equally shaking hand.
Killua wiped a tear that built up in the corners of his eyes and calmed down. Something snapped when he heard what Leorio last said. Oh, you had fun, you said? "That's funny, 'cause we saw something stupid too!"
The silent Kuruta turned to look at him.
One could feel the instant tensed aura Gon and Leorio emitted. They waited, and prayed that Killua didn't mean the two of them.
The silver-haired kid stared in their faces with a teasing smirk on his face before answering. "A stupid person wearing a stupid cupid's costume!"
Gon froze and blood left his brain.
Leorio gulped.
Kurapika sighed.
Killua was painfully excited. "I mean, Cupid wears nothing but a freaking diaper, right? Haha! So imagine that! I bet the person who told him to wear that was even stupider!" He laughed.
The doctor almost lost it, but decided to fake-laugh it off. "Yeah, that's stupid, alright." He elbowed the silent Gon twice and latter shared a forced laugh with them.
"Y-Yeah… Stupid…" Gon muttered silently.
Repeeeeent! And Killua wasn't finished. "Oh! And we also felt people following us. Isn't it weird? Did you feel people following you too? But I bet their super ultra stupid too because, pfft, we actually knew they were stalking us, duh! They're stupidly weak!"
The two raven haired guys froze again, and then forced another rain of restrained laughter. "Y-Yeah, that's stupid… so st-stupid."
But Kurapika has had enough. Leorio was to blame, alright, and Gon needed a lecture for following the doctor. But he felt bad about the innocent kid's reaction. He slightly kicked Killua's foot under the table.
The silver-haired looked at him, and he instantly winced when he saw Kurapika shake his head once. Geez, you're no fun. Killua looked at his best friend who was frowning and playing with his fingers. He sighed and stared at the set of condiments on the next table. "But we had fun, though," he mumbled silently, but it was loud enough for them to hear.
Kurapika smiled.
Leorio was a little doubtful but Killua looked honest.
Gon instantly beamed. "Really!?"
Killua sneered and poked Gon in the forehead. "You heard me!"
The latter laughed gleefully. He threw his hands in the air. "Yatta!" And he laughed again, with pure honesty this time.
Everyone laughed with him, and the good honest mood continued throughout the early dinner. The usual thing happened; Gon and Killua having a food eating contest, Leorio and Kurapika constantly reminding them that were at a public place, the owner hushing them every now and then – you know all of that by heart, right?
Walking out of the eatery Killua locked an arm around Gon's neck, talking him into going to the arcades first before going in several rides and attractions and all. "Hey, Gon! Let's play at the arcade and crash their whack machine!"
The smaller boy bounced happily. "Yay, whack machine!"
While Leorio and Kurapika talked about having a friendly contest on who could earn more in the mini betting games inside. "I am going to shove my money to your face if I win, Kurapika!"
The blonde released a teasing smirk. "No, thank you. Keep it all. You might need it more than I would."
The smell of food fumed all around the park and colourful lights filled the perimeter. The night went by so well it would feel like a precious ending to a twisted story–but it's not. Let them enjoy the rest of the day for once.
TBC
A/N: Special thanks to Kiniro-chan for suggesting Illumi to be in here. I added Hisoka for fuuuun. Gihihi. Pleeeeeaaassseee review! Thaaaaank you! *^^*