The scene before me was slightly confusing.

Neither of my shrinks were here, and on top of that it was Hisoka sitting in Illumi's chair. I wasn't exactly looking forward to three hours alone with that guy. Why weren't my shrinks here, though.

'You're going to stand there pouting for three hours? I got up early just for you.' Hell no, I wasn't spending time alone with this creep.

'Where are Illumi and Chrollo?'

'They're working on your case, very hard.' He wasn't even trying to conceal that he was lying. I leaned my shoulder against the doorframe and furrowed my eyebrows a bit more. I need to fill these hours, I know, but will I still be alive at eight? Remembering yesterday, I wasn't so sure of that.

I don't know what kind of consequences you've had last morning Illumi; but if you're this sensitive to touch, then bringing you to my parents' house without actually getting you framed, is going to be tougher than I thought. What does Chrollo even have to do with all of this, is he a victim in all of this? Do you actually get violent because of touch?

'Do the hours still count if it's you, or are you just here for your own amusement?'

'Oh, it's all official, don't worry. Illumi is going to do the paperwork for that.' His grin was unchanging through all of this, but his eyes told me…

…I can't believe I fucking considered leaving the door open like I'm some kid afraid of the dark. Being away from my job is doing bad things to my nerves.

'Then I guess it's alright, but I want a good explanation why they're not here. After all the fuss they've made about me filling my hours, they better have a good reason.' I crossed my arms and pushed myself away from the doorframe, slowly walking towards the new couch. The cabinet had also already been replaced. Well that was quick; then what took them so long on my room.

'You'll have to ask them when they come in later today. I only got a one second call last night.' He leaned his elbow on the armrest and inclined his head to his hand – laying a finger on his lips and watching me intently when I sat down. You know exactly what's going on.

'Will they be here to accompany me when Gon comes to visit?' I suddenly got a dreaded feeling when his eyes narrowed and he answered,

'I will most probably be the one to do that.' What the hell kind of serious consequences were these that you still feel them 24hours later, Illumi?!

'Are you allowed to?'

'I'll have to ask.'

'And if you're not allowed and neither of my shrinks show up today?'

'Then you'll get a rescheduling.' I pouted at the thought of that. I really don't want to spend a whole week without contact with him while I'm in here. 'How close are you two?' I kept my eyes narrowed at him while leaning forward on my legs and looking at him intently. If I had to make a distinction between all three of these shrinks, it was that Illumi's a calculating predator, Chrollo's an invisible predator, and Hisoka's a predator that knows its strength and plays with its food. There's nothing in his look that tells me he wants to… treat me.

'We're very close, we tell each other everything.' He looked amused,

'Oh? So he knows about your profession?' I forced my face to not change expressions,

'What profession? I'm still in school. I'm only 14, you know.' Good, my voice remained even as well, and I didn't pause.

'Should I call it extracurricular activities then?'

'I do martial arts; if that's what you're talking about, then yes Gon knows about it. He trains as well.' The tip of his tongue flicked out for a second when he heard this. Oh like hell am I letting you near Gon. You'll eat him alive.

'Do you train together?'

'Nah, we do different sports. We're both fanatics though.'

'I know you're more versed in ways to trick your opponent while fighting, what kind of art does Gon practice then?'

'Excuse me, but how is th-'

'I don't need to explain my questions, do I? Have Chrollo and Illumi taught you this badly?' He leaned forward; resting his elbows on his knees and folding his hands, half hiding his face behind them. But even those large hands couldn't hide the amusement in his grin. I looked directly into the focus of his eyes and calculated my words for a second. Were his eyes really golden..? Is that possible..?

'They have a different way of handling things. They're… open in what they're doing.' His eyebrow raised slightly. Was this strange behavior for them?

'But if they're … open, then it shouldn't come as a surprise that we know you're an assassin, should it?' Fuck you, Hisoka. Fuck you for saying it out loud. 'You don't have to admit it, if that's what's bothering you. Or should I just turn the surveillance off in this office?' He stretched out one finger probably pointing in the direction of where he could do that.

'Why would that be needed, I have nothing to confess.' At the very least I've had a day to get accustomed to the idea of them knowing about it.

His stretched out finger raised upwards and started moving left and right while shaking his head slightly.

'You're still convinced we'll send you to prison? Do you think it's worse to be there than here?' I forced my heart to keep beating normally. 'You really haven't done your homework, have you. Haven't you seen the statistics? I really thought you'd be more thorough than that. What percentage of patients that come here go to prison?' He folded his finger back and lifted his face a little so I could see his lips moving. At the very least I could confess to having hacked their system, that secret hadn't been a secret for very long. So I thought back on that information.

'A little over one percent.'

'And that is from a total of how many treated patients?'

'Two thousand thirty one.'

'What is the severity of the cases we handle?' I see where he's going with this,

'You range from attempted murder to serial killings, with or without signs of clinical mental illnesses.'

'How many of those actually belong in prison?'

'… …' Probably ninety percent of them. At the very least Feitan…

'We exist for research purposes. Didn't your parents tell you that we found you, and not the other way around?'

'So you're… what? A place that miraculously cures killers?' His grin grew once again before he answered.

'Nothing miraculous about it.'

'You're just that good, are you.' I gave him a bored look. He snickered shortly at my answer,

'Would you believe it if I said yes?'

'No.'

'Have you researched me?' His eyebrows raised for a moment and he inclined his head a little, obviously hoping for a positive answer. And yes, yes I looked him up after we met him right before I came here. So I nodded to his question. 'How many patients have I treated, and how many have gone to prison?'

'In the five years you're here, you've completed a hundred treatments, and none of those went to prison.'

'And how many of them have left this place?'

'… …' I straightened my back a little when I realized what he was saying.

'We stop actively treating them after a while, but not all of them are allowed to fully leave afterwards. We keep them around for… other purposes.'

'What kind of purposes?'

'Do you think Dr. Machi is capable of killing?' I narrowed my eyes a bit more at him. They employed their patients sometimes..?

'… are you?' Is it really humanly possible to stretch your mouth that wide..?

'So you see, we're not the least bit interested in imprisoning you. Although some of our psychologists do feel morally obligated to try. To be honest, it's only me, Illumi and Chrollo that really don't care. The only thing those two have done up until now is discern how much of a killer you are, and getting you to admit one way or the other that you are. My guess lays with that you have a hundred kills to your name, how much has it been? We have a small wager going.' He unfolded his hands completely to hold up one finger, indicating the number. Even if you're not sending me to prison, I can't talk about it, so it's no use either way.

'So… what? Even if you know someone's gonna kill again, you're setting them free?'

'You don't need to concern yourself with that.' Actually I do. Will I just stay here forever, or will I be allowed back to my old life? What're you guys fucking aiming at?

One thing was sure by now though. I don't think it's a question anymore that Illumi's mother was a Death's Deliverer. And all of this confession explains the uneasy feeling I've had around all of them; that feeling they would stab my back if they'd ever get a reason to. You're all killers, all three of you, aren't you?

I sighed deeply and let myself fall back against the backrest,

'Fine! Whatever. I don't know if you're lying, but it doesn't really matter either way. I'm not an assassin. You missed the board with me.' I really can't say if he's telling the truth, but Hisoka did give me a way to let my parents find out some things about this place. You usually don't do that if you're lying your ass off, do you?

'Does Gon know that you're not?' I could hear the amusement in his voice.

'Yes he knows. Why wouldn't he know that I don't kill people?'

'Then what was your motivation for the attempted murder on Ging Freeccs?'

'It was a series of unfortunate events, we've been over this.' Don't force me to go down this road, Hisoka.

'… …' He only stared at me for half a minute. Each passing second seemed to make the distance between us smaller when he looked me in the eyes. What was he seeing..? 'Who learned you how to hack?'

'I learned it by myself.' I quirked an eyebrow when he asked.

'What kind of martial arts did you borrow your killer moves from?'

'I don't really remember, I've done a ton of arts and they kinda blended together.'

'Are you better in close- or long range fighting?'

'Look at me, you really think I can do long range?' Bullshit, he was referring to the use of hidden weapons,

'Will you make your presence disappear for me like you did before fighting Illumi?'

'What are you talking about? I never did that.' He laughed shortly before leaning back in the chair and leaning his head on one hand, loosely crossing his legs. Has he blinked yet during these questions?

'How very interesting.'

'What is?' He put me on edge.

'Let's go back to Gon—'

'No, what—'

'I'm sorry, was I finished talking?' His eyes widened for a short second, and I immediately closed my lips again. He knows, doesn't he? He knows I can't talk about being an assassin. I only made my presence disappear when fighting Illumi because I didn't mind giving that away so I could seriously learn fighting skills from him. But now that I'm in front of Hisoka, I can only deny I ever did. While, you know, he was actually there when I did it.

'… …'

'Should I contact Zeno first to confirm if I'm allowed to take you two out or not?' He leisurely pointed his finger towards the phone on the desk. I closed my eyes and nodded. It wasn't necessarily dangerous that he knew. I mean, they fucking know what I do, so me not being able to talk about it is not a big deal. The only thing I need to focus on right now is finding out how to get them to help me getting my parents off my case.

Oh, and, you know, find out if I'll ever get out of here and what kind of fucking guinea pig I am to them. What is the actual purpose of this institution…

'You're very interesting, just so you know. Apart from Feitan, I don't think I've seen someone like you in a long time. It's a shame I have not been put on your case. I think you would've been perfect for me.' He stood up with those words, and walked towards the desk. 'When you're able to, please tell me the number of kills on your name though, I do have a lot of money in this bet.'

And here I thought I came from a demented environment…

'It's 8am.'

'Thank you, I am aware.' I raised myself from my pillow and looked up at Chrollo already standing fully dressed in the middle of the room. Never mind taking care of a trigger myself, it hasn't been this bad in a while even with Hisoka. I didn't think having just one high level case was going to do this. I need to reconsider if it's still worth it putting myself through this. Chrollo learned more about me than I wanted him to know. With his need to ensnare me somehow, he needs to know as little as possible about me. I don't want or need the kind of bond he wants from me.

'I have a case at 12, I won't be available 'till after working hours. I take it we're going to discuss this later today?' He turned his head around halfway his words, 'I believe I haven't seen half your hid-'

'There's little to discuss. I suggest you focus on your work, and talk with Killua's parents about the session at their house.' He gave me a light smile and stopped his movements for a moment, just to quietly look at me. By now this did little to me anymore, and I gave him a blank stare back. Judging from last night, he will look for more opportunities to evoke these reactions from me. I don't believe taking him off the case will result in him leaving me alone anymore. I need to think of a better way to not let it get this out of hand.

'How late can I tell Hisoka you'll be there to relieve him from Gon?'

'I will be there at 11.' I swung my legs off the bed and stood up to get some clothes, bringing all my hair to my back while walking to the closet. I will need a shower before going to work.

'Alright. If you still want to test yourself for the session at Killua's house, I'll see you at seven tonight.' He turned back around and walked out the door. I stopped looking for clothes for a moment to think if any of the methods of my old life would be useful to keep him at bay. However, there were few that would ensure he would live. I will have to deal with him and Hisoka in a new way.

I turned away from my closet when I heard my phone ringing downstairs, and casually walked down to pick it up. I didn't think it would keep ringing 'till I got there, this insistency could only mean one person,

'Hisoka, shouldn't you be accompanying Killua and Gon.'

'No, you should be.' I lifted an eyebrow when I heard Zeno's voice at the other side of the line, and changed my mindset to talking with the head of the institution.

'Hisoka didn't talk with you about him filling in?'

'There's no such thing as filling in with this job, Illumi. Patients shouldn't alternate, it's one of the basics I've taught you. Both you and Chrollo will answer for this at seven tonight.'

'My apologies. I will take the blame for this, Chrollo was only…'

'Don't insult me, I know what's been going on between you two. I also know that you left the session early yesterday as well. I want you in my office half an hour earlier.'

'I will be there.' He sighed deeply before continuing,

'Illumi… you attacked Hisoka without it being a sparring session, you leave one session and skip another, you kicked Chrollo's shoulder out of its socket… if I don't hear a decent reason why you're not giving more of the pressure to Chrollo to avoid triggers, you're off this case.'

'I understand. I will see you at six thirty.' This sounded more serious than I'd anticipated, and I raised my hand to fix my hair once again. If there is anyone from whom I can take orders unconditionally, it's Zeno. So this conversation came in loud and clear.

'Until then.' He hung up. I should've expected all of this to have a consequence; however, failing to meet standards of this institution has not happened before, as such Zeno never needed to scold me for it.

I still believe Zeno is testing me in some kind of way on this case; had the results of his tests disappointed him? Had he not expected Chrollo to fail in supporting me? Putting me in a trigger situation with Chrollo supporting me hadn't been his test?

I put the phone down on its stand again and walked back upstairs to take the much needed shower. I lifted a hand and stroke a finger softly across my cheek where I felt another drop of blood trickling down. I walked in the bathroom and looked in the mirror hanging above the sink. I will take care of the little flowing blood after I finish washing the dried up portion off me.

'Hahaha! Ohoho! Oh man, stop! Please for the love of god, I can't…!' At first I wanted to cover my mouth to keep my laugh to myself, but watching Gon haul in that giant trampoline – a fucking new one that was even bigger – was too much for my funny bone. 'You're killing me, please… please let me help.' I tried my hardest to form comprehensible words. I hope you have those fucking pictures from public transport like you promised, Gon.

'I've got it! I told you I've got it! I just need…' He was completely focused on getting it in the building when clearly it needed to be moved on its side. How the hell have you made it here with that sleepy head of yours. No, never mind. This is way too fucking hilarious to watch. 'There!' The top of the packaging had almost ripped off while he pulled it through the door, and I had to hold on to the wall while laughing to keep standing. I clenched my stomach and calculated the possibility of me dying of laughter today.

'I… I… give me a moment.' I waved at Gon when he gave me a strange look. I had to close my eyes and turn away from him for a second to catch my breath. The mere thought of seeing him like this on the road was just… it was too much… When I heard him walking towards me, I raised a hand and took a couple of deep breaths before turning back around.

'It was a lot of trouble getting it here, you know. It doesn't exactly perfectly fit in a bus. I took in about eight seats in the back.' I snickered for another second at that image before I was finally able to respond again.

'I know, I'm… I'm sorry.' I wiped away the tears from laughing and looked up at him. You dork, I can't believe you actually did this, 'I'm really grateful that you did. But… you know… I never thought you'd actually do it.' I patted him on the shoulder out of gratitude and said to myself, 'I have no idea how the hell you managed though…'

'Ah! You wanted pictures of that, right?' My eyes widened for a second when I heard those enthusiastic words and did my utmost best to keep from bursting into another laughing fit.

'Please, please save them for later, I can't do this right now.' I grabbed his arm to stop him from getting his phone out of his pocket.

'Then where can we set this up?' I snorted again when thinking about the route to the gym. It would take half an hour to get it down there. Although it would be totally worth it, it would be more handy if we just carried the parts there.

'You're incorrigible. How is your body so much more awake than your brain is?' I pricked his forehead before he looked back insulted.

'Hey! I rescheduled school all the way to summer break for you, give me some credit.'

'I am, don't worry.' I gave him a genuine smile after that before continuing, and his face relaxed a bit more after that as well. 'Let's just take the parts out and carry them to the gym, it'll be easier that way. You gonna help us? You're supposed to supervise, right?' I looked back and challenged Hisoka with the look on my face. Suddenly, in Gon's presence, Hisoka didn't feel like half the threat he'd felt like during session.

'Where's Illumi and Chrollo?'

'Like hell I know, they sent me him as substitute.'

'You're that friend of Illumi's, right?' Hisoka nodded when Gon addressed him. 'Thank you for helping out as well.'

'Not a problem, how is your father doing?' I could feel that grin of his burning in my back, but Gon – once more – didn't feel anything of it and answered normally.

'Ah, it's taking longer than they expected for him to wake up, but there's nothing critical, so it'll be alright.' The smile after those words was directed at me.

'Ah~ that must be good to hear for Killua-kun as well. Even though in a couple of weeks he'll be fo—' All blood left my face when I realized where that sentence was going, and I interrupted him,

'Yeah, I'm really glad to hear it's going well with your dad. Let's unpack and talk about it on our way to the gym.'

'Alright!' I know Gon must have picked up on something of what Hisoka said, but he just gleamed at me before taking the initiative and toppling the package over.

Behind me I heard the redhead snickering in amusement, and I instantly regressed myself into a killing mood to be able to exude the bloodlust I had learned during my fight with Illumi. Hisoka stopped walking passed me and listened for a second when he felt this,

'If you do anything else to endanger my friendship today – or any other day - I will find a way to take your head without it having consequences for me.' From the corner of my eyes I noticed him straightening his back a little, and his full interest on me. At this point I didn't care he found this side of me interesting or not, I do not let these "slip-ups" go unpunished, and he needs to know his place as substitute shrink.

After a couple of seconds I heard a snicker escape him before he responded.

'You're finally aware of how to survive this place, I'm so proud.' It was the same menacing tone he'd used yesterday, but somehow I didn't feel nearly as threatened. He brought his hand to his lips a second before walking on to help Gon.

'Hey! Hey! But you can't make it to the ceiling!'

'Are you kidding me? Watch me go!'

'Isn't it a beautiful sight, such childlike innocence, and yet Killua-kun has probably already killed dozens of people, and I don't hold it above Gon's head either.' I had made it to the institution by eleven, and stood beside Hisoka, watching the boys bounce on the giant trampoline on the court. I cocked my head and still had to wonder how Gon had managed to get it here with public transport.

'The way he deals with this whole situation is abnormal indeed, he has seen more unnatural death in his life. Killua is most likely unaware of this. Have they been on it this whole morning?'

'Do you want to give it a go?' I turned my head a little and saw the amusement on his face. He was just eager about having Gon here fulltime. Which will most likely happen if we want Killua to ever leave – it probably is the only way for Killua to save Ging.

'What did you learn this morning?' He gave a short chuckle, and I turned my head back to the boys. Didn't seem like they wanted to go out, but Killua is entitled to.

'That Dr. Lucilfer had an interesting night last night.'

'That interesting night has caused a meeting with Zeno, I will be fighting to stay on this case. So if your goal is to have both Killua and Gon to yourself, you are doing well. However I know this is never your goal. I'm highly suggesting you stop your jealousy. I will maim you without anyone ever knowing it was me if you continue to inconvenience me. I will take care of my triggers by myself from now on.' I turned my eyes a bit more towards him when I heard a low chuckle exit his throat, but decided to continue. 'What did you learn from Killua this morning?' The chuckle stopped before he answered,

'He was unaware of the nature of this institution. He's also physically unable to talk about his profession.'

'He is?'

'He seems less unwilling to talk about it now though.'

'I will learn his way of talking around it then.' Although it will most probably take a long time before he actually talks with us about it.

'You can also learn threatening from him, compared to how you used to be and compared to how he did it this morning, I barely got a chill from your words.' Killua threatened him? 'And he doesn't even know why he did it, he's got a huge blind spot, and he thinks he's got it all figured out. He's such a mess.' From the corner of my eye I saw him licking his lips. That Killua had been placed in mine and Chrollo's care instead of Hisoka's was a mystery in itself. Hisoka was the one to go to when it concerned people that were suspected of killing more than a dozen. But I trust Zeno's judgment for now.

'I will work on it then.' After that I stepped away from him and called in both the boys to assess if they still felt the need to go out. I was a bit taken aback by the smiling happy faces when they answered positively – even though Killua gave me an calculating look while passing me.

It is impossible for him to know the exact nature of my issue, but he is obviously aware of some of the outcomes and he's weighing his options to deploy his plan, isn't he?

A/N

I'm pulling out all stops, people.
I'm going full psycho on y'all

oooeeeh I feel all tingly from letting Hisoka handle a session.
Things are gonna change now that Killua knows exactly where he is :3