this is a tiny update only because I'm jam-packed with work over the holidays but I suddenly had a rush of Kalluto inspiration and wrote this. Hope it tides you over - after this its the Heavens Arena arc~
When Nallui woke up – opening her eyes slowly, white lashes fluttering against her cheeks – she already knew her brother was gone. Their bed was cold on his side, sheets smoothed down perfectly, as though nobody was ever there, to begin with.
"Father sure works fast," she muttered, understanding that her twin's absence was due to their father's influence. The man seemed to know everything that went on within his home and was clearly angry that they'd dared flaunt their taboo relationship within his walls. She huffed a breath of laughter, stretching out her body to fix the kinks.
Her bones shifted in a satisfying pop and her muscles ached in the most pleasurable way. Throwing the cover off of her body, dark eyes narrowed in amusement at the litany of bruises and bite marks that covered her body. It looked like she'd been mauled by an animal – a possessive beast staking claim on its mate.
Running a finger across one of the darkest bruises upon her upper-thigh, she hummed at the pleasant numb feeling. Of course, she could hardly feel any of the marks – but just the knowledge that it was her darling Illu-nii who gave them to her, the thought that he was so distraught at their brief separation that he felt the need to boldly mark her as his sent a shiver down her spine. She wanted him to take her again – to cover even the tiniest spaces of skin available with even darker bruises, so that nowhere on her body could she forget her brother's claim.
She sighed and glanced around the empty room only to pause at the sight of clothing hanging outside of the closet by a hanger, as well as a small bag. She got out of bed, allowing the sheet to simply drop from her body, uncaring of being so exposed when nobody was around. The chill of night caused goosebumps to run across her skin, though Nallui was too focused on the new accessories of their blank, impersonal room to notice.
Fingering the material, she recognised the sheer softness; a delicate silk cheongsam painted in a blue so pale it almost rivalled the moonlight; adorned upon the hems were white clouds. Cut off above the knee it was a beautiful yet practical piece of fashion. The bag – which was more of a large purse – was made from the same material and looking inside she saw a collection of essentials for her upcoming journey.
Her lips curled up in the corner at the thoughtful gesture. My darling Illu-nii, such a heart of gold beneath that unmoveable mask you adorn for the world.
Nallui slipped inside the cheongsam, brushing down the non-existent wrinkles and picking up the purse, clipping it around her waist by the small silver chain. She ran her fingers through her hair, attempting to free the kinks and tangles from her night of passion. Slipping her feet into a pair of white, thin slip-ons. Taking a last look around the room, she stepped out into the cold hallway which was shadowed in complete darkness.
Cocking her head to the side and allowing some of her aura to release like tendrils from within her, she waited patiently for the one person she knew would be eagerly awaiting her call. The only sign of their arrival was the slightest shift in the atmosphere, and the girl smiled, red lips curving into a plush smile. "Onee-san."
Her name rang throughout the hallway, the voice echoing off of the stone walls; an airy voice that belied the rather feminine appearance if only because of the low, raspy undertone.
"Kallu-chan," she replied, her tone endearingly soft. "I'm pleased to see you."
"You as well, Onee-san. I believed you would leave once Killua had left for the butler's residence." Kalluto had stepped forward from the obscurity of the shadows, his face the usual placid blankness, hair perfectly styled into its severe cut and his outfit a recognisable floral kimono. It was recognisable for the simple fact that it had once belonged to Nallui herself. Her smile was just the slightest more genuine at the sight.
"And miss out on seeing my precious little brother?" she asked. "I would not dare."
"…I have no further news to inform you of." Kalluto's words were toneless and straight to the point. "Other than attempting to secure Killua at home, mother and father have been quiet." He seemed ready for her to leave now, and so she stepped closer so that her figure loomed above his, looking down at him with heavy-lidded eyes.
A single hand touched the ends of his dark hair, running her fingertip across the blunt edges of the harsh cut, the silky strands falling back into uniform one strand after the other. "You're such a good boy, Kallu-chan. Onee-san is very proud of you. My talented little spy, I hope you continue doing such a wonderful job."
Kalluto's lashes fluttered at her touch and he looked up at her with those deep-violet eyes. "…what's in it for me?" he asked lowly and Nallui felt her lips stretch into a wide, maniacal smile.
Oh? Is the little bird learning to spread its wings? Adapting to the harsh environment and studying those larger predators around it… Nallui's eyes narrowed; inky black meeting amethyst. How fascinating.
Cupping that small, delicate chin within her hand, Nallui smiled wide enough to display her teeth; unhinged as it was and bordering on deranged. "Kallu-chan," she breathed heavily. "You continue to surprise me, such sharp claws you have…such biting words…I always knew you had it in you to impress me so." Her thumb smoothed his porcelain skin, slowly. "How should Onee-san treat you? What is it you want, little brother?"
Kalluto showed no sign of discomfort at her words like many of her other family members might – it was something that endeared the boy to her, for he reminded her so much of Illumi when they were children – and stared back at her resolutely.
"I want something you treasure," he said. His voice didn't waver – it was firm and confident. Clearly, the boy had given this some prior thought.
How devious of him, to have such a request waiting to spring upon her. Perhaps, he had taken more after her than she'd initially believed. His sense of fashion…his interest in gymnastic combats…even down to his ways of speaking; of seeing everybody around him as replaceable pawns. Have I created a little monster in the shadows? Oh my, how interesting…
Nallui leant back and pulled up her cheongsam a rather indecent amount to reveal the straps tied around her thighs. Tucked snug inside the straps were multiple weapons; miniature darts, pointed daggers and slim knives; all were there for her immediate use. She picked out a particular pair of daggers, ones that glinted in the minimal lighting above them; the crystalized hilts sparkling. The blades themselves were almost transparent; a specialised form of glass that didn't break under the intense pressure of combat and cut through even the toughest of enemies like warm butter. Truly, they were a pair of wonder – and Nallui could think of nothing more fitting to offer his little brother who had shown such devoted loyalty.
In fact, she even allowed some more of her aura to release, the dark tendrils flowing down her arms and embedding itself into the daggers, melting into the fine glass as though shadow absorbed by the light. This would allow him to call upon her, should he ever truly need her. When she handed them to him, placing them within his hands so that he could get a feel for the weight and balance, she smiled at his startled expression; the first slip of his perfect mask.
"Onee-san…what is this?"
"Did you not ask for something I treasured?" she asked in amusement. "I believe you know exactly what these are. I believe they should be sufficient enough."
"I can't take these," Kalluto immediately replied, pushing them back into her chest. "They are gifts from Aniki. I do not deserve them."
Nallui wrapped her hands around his own, long, pointed nails scratching the softness at the back of his hands softly, like a touch of frost. "I shall decide who is worthy of what, Kallu-chan. Do not fret what your big brother will think. He is not somebody to fear, my darling. He cares for our family as much as I do, you know this. If he should ask, just tell him your Onee-san entrusted them to you. That she believes you are worthy of wielding them."
Kalluto blinked fast, his mind whirling at an impressive speed in order to catalogue the implications behind her words. Finally, his face settled back into its solemn expression; the one that belied his youth and carved his features into a mature elegance. "I understand. I will work harder to deserve your favour, Onee-san." He bowed shallowly, eyes closed and face turned to the floor in a sign of respect.
Nallui placed a finger beneath his chin to raise his face so that when his eyes opened, he was staring straight into her own. Kalluto blinked languidly at the endless void of darkness that he was witness to in his sister's eyes and stayed silent, allowing her gaze to consume him wholly.
"You already supersede my expectations, Kallu-chan – in my eyes, you have achieved far beyond what I had hoped." She could see the way his eyes dilated at her words and smiled gently; her face softening into an assuaging beauty; a motherly comfort. "It won't be long until we can live in our harmonious family, my darling. A family where all are equal; for Illu-nii and I would never value one life over the other. You are all precious to us both."
Kalluto's lips parted and the softest breath fanned across her lips, their faces were so close. "Speak, little brother. Tell me what you're thinking. Do not keep what ails you secret from me."
"…I wish you were my mother," he revealed finally, and the girl felt her smile widen to unmounted proportions, her eyes blazing in a barely-visible crazed light. She pushed back his fringe – so low as to hide searching eyes from sight of those he was spying on – and pressed a lingering kiss upon the smooth, unblemished skin.
"If you wish it so, then we can make it true." She then tucked the thick dark hair behind a small ear and whispered low enough that it was almost as though she were breathing the following words into existence through pure will alone.
"We are Zoldycks, darling. Whatever it is we yearn for, is ours for the taking."
I only just realised that I've been using 'Illu-ni' instead of what I think would be more correct, 'Illu-nii' so please, just pretend I've been using the latter all this time.../(o-o)\