Chapter 61 – Black Devil Before The Storm

AN: Congratulations for reaching up to this chapter. Here is Chapter 61 where accidental meetings and of course, drama, are to be found. I understand that not everyone will like this story. Yes, I know it is angsty ( I wrote it) but at least, it is free right? Thank you very much for reading and I hope some of you enjoy. Let me know what you think.


I woke up, knowing two things have happened. That one, Hisoka ruined my only way of looking after Kurapika without me physically being there and two, Uvogin was dead.

''Despite all the money we have so far, we need at least 9 billion to get an opening bid for Greed Island.'' Leorio exhaled across the table. Between us were the leftovers of our breakfast.

''We have money but not it's still enough. I don't see us reaching that amount through legitimate channels.''

''I can look for a few more jobs with Sunshines and Daisies.'' I offered idly as I flipped my Sunshines and Daisies' September issue to another page. Bored, I reached out and sipped my coffee.

Killua rolled his eyes beside me, eyes falling at my picture on the magazine. ''No matter how many times you prance and pose around naked, I don't think we'll have enough money that soon.''

I nudged the boy playfully with my book. ''I was never naked.''

Killua scoffs and mumbles: ''You might as well be.''

I huffed, turning my nose up importantly. ''I think I can earn us enough money, especially if I prance and pose around naked.''

Everyone here, including Killua, knew that I earn a scary amount of money at so little time. That's why despite the circumstances and how uncomfortable they were with my new job, they went with it.

Killua fully turned to face me, his handsome face twisted a disbelieving scowl. He wore a simple navy vest and white shorts and his pale hair was a wild mess as usual. He narrowed his eyes at me but there was lightness in his teasing. ''Have you no shame?''

Leorio hushed us off. ''Can it, you two. Gin, you can rest for a moment because Mister Leorio here has a plan to make some quick money!''

''Ya mean, Doctor Leorio, right?'' I raised an eyebrow at him.

Leorio blushed. He cleared his throat and tried not to meet my eyes. ''Not yet.'' He mumbled bashfully all of a sudden. The three of us smirked at his reaction – well Killua and I did, Gon only smiled sweetly.

''Anyway, everything is in place. The arm wrestling we have is meant to be a bait. Now, we'll just have to wait for the moles.''

Gon titled his head to the side. ''Moles? Why do we want moles?''.

''Simple really. We want these people getting desperate, making a lot of embellishments about your expertise, Gon! The arm-wrestling was only meant to be the bait. To draw the big moles!''

I shrugged in response to my brother's questioning look as Leorio chuckled, muttering to himself.

As I breathed in my coffee's smoky aroma, I caught the glitter of my Daisy dress still hanging from the curtain rod. I inwardly moaned as it suddenly occurred to me that I needed to return it. But I was too lazy to go out and I wanted so badly to stay in for a next couple of days, or years even, away from everything and everyone.

But I also have to ask the money owed to me for my performance last night. We might actually be able to afford the opening bid if I continue working. I pursed my lips, plotting.

Killua leaned closer and whispered to me as Leorio regaled my brother with their plans. ''I'd say don't do it but what evil plan have you thought about now?''


My little 'evil' plan went something like this:

The lights had gone off while I was in the ladies' room. I was alone and terrified when the guns sounded and I was stuck there for god knows how long when these huge armed men barged in and demanded that I come with them. They escorted me out of the building and when the opportunity arose, I went straight home and cried myself to sleep, forgetting everything else in my fear.

The runway's normally stoic manager was surprisingly consoling, only hesitating for a moment when I said I will be taking a break from the trauma. I fixed that by breaking into a cry, interspersed with a rendition of my own panic attacks and exaggerated sniffles.

The manager tried to ring Daisies but it seemed that he was busy.

Sunshines and Daisies bought the damsel in distress act quite well and paid me handsomely for it.

Gon would be ecstatic.

And since my little visit to Sunshines and Daisies did not take that long, I decided to take a little detour and followed the city's directions to their library.

For a big city, I had imagined a towering building, filled to the brim of the most curious books in existence but unfortunately, the city's literary pursuits was nothing but mundane. Nevertheless, a library was a library – a treasure trove for the adventurous mind.

I let out a deep sigh and caressed the books as I walked, fingers feeling the hard and stiff spines of books untouched for a long time. Then I came across a thick worn one, yellowed and barely held together. Curious, I hooked a finger at the spine and pulled, only to meet a resistance.

I looked up and felt as though time halted.

A pair of dark grey eyes met mine over the books in between the spaces of the shelves. He turned his head to the side as he stared back, dark hair drooped handsomely around his face. His forehead was covered with bandage, hiding the conspicuous tattoo I knew was there.

I had known of him for a long time. He was that memorable.

He had the audacity to smile and I knew automatically that I needed to act fast.

So I imagined that I was the leading lady in a romantic film, seeing the leading man for the first time in my red dress and heeled sandals. A hopeful look, lips parting into a soft pout, a slight upturn at the edge of my lips. I slowly forced myself to appreciate the shape of his face and made sure to gaze deeply into his indecipherable eyes.

I tried not to think that he was a villain, not a hero, standing a shelf away from me, who led a band of murderers and slaughtered the family of a beloved friend.

With willful courage, I tugged at the book and snatched it to my chest, smiling coyly as I took a step back because I was being playful – surely not because I wanted to run away.

''The return policy's about three weeks. You can find it back here then.'' I grinned charmingly before turning away.

This was a lie. I intended not to return to this place.

Since I was at the very end of the library, I had to pass his aisle. I peeked at him, none-too subtly, as one would when one sees a handsome gent, simpering when he tilted his head as if to greet me goodbye as I walked away as normally and confidently as possible.

The next act I had was a montage. I wandered in and out of shops with a skip in my steps, trying on clothes and shoes, delighting in some of the dresses and later frowning disappointedly at a few.

I purchased huge sunglasses and an ornate hat – for the paparazzi and the sun and surely not for any spiders who might be lurking about.

After a while when I deemed it safe, I decided that my short film needed to end. I checked in another hotel as far as I could dare from the boys – just in case that I was followed. One inside the safety of my temporary room, I threw my bags to the floor and checked the doors and the windows, trying to sense a tail and found none but my own paranoia.

It was possible that everything was just a painful coincidence but I have also gone through a lot to just brush things off as it is. In my experience, most coincidences that happen to me do not yield innocent results.

And now the act was finally done, I breathed shakily as I sat on the bed and unbottled the fear, slowly letting it seep out. It felt like spiders scampering over my skin.

''I can't wait until he grew old and ugly.'' I muttered to myself and shook off my jacket, throwing it away haphazardly.

Taking out my phone, I typed a quick message to Leorio. They were supposed to be out today to action his plans. He whispered to me this morning that he meant the 'high ups' to discover us (or Gon, specifically) and proclaimed that big money will certainly be involved. Leorio was hoping for a professional arm-wrestling competition, or a one-on-one fight somewhere secret.

The silly scheming smirk on Leorio's face made me feel a lot lighter.

''I will be late for a bit so don't wait up. I'm ok. Tell the guys…''

I paused, thinking about pardoning them of the knowledge but then shook my head as I considered the danger.

Yorknew City was too small to share with the Spiders. My meeting with their leader, out of all people, was proof to that. We needed money fast, buy Gon's little game and leave.

''Saw one of the spiders, just hiding out just in case followed. Don't worry, I'm safe. Will head out at dusk. Stay safe, you three. Stay together.''

I took out the book I stole from the Chrollo Lucilfer, although it wasn't like he owned it. I figured that that I might as well read until my paranoia had completely ebbed. I was also curious to see what it was he wanted to read. Many things can be known about someone depending on the books they read.

I grimaced as I made out the fading lettering at the front face of the book and dropped it to the floor with suddenly weakened fingers. My hands found my hair and pulled.

The worn gold lettering of The Bible caught the light from the window and winked at me.

Chrollo Lucilfer and I had wrestled over The Bible, out of all things.

I took another deep breath and let out a long groan.


I was groaning again when I finally got home.

''I thought I made it perfectly clear that you are not involving yourselves with the Spiders?''

''I told you she'd say no.'' Killua muttered.

''But Gin, there's a two billion reward! With that money we'll have more chance to afford the opening bid and rival the next bids after that. We can afford to pay for the game!''

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing but air came out. Gon took the chance to continue.

''Gin, you said you've marked four spiders, right? Two, four, six, eight…We'll have eight billion jenny! Gin, we can do this!''

''There is no we in that, brother.'' This time, I didn't care if I was baring my teeth at him. ''There will only be me. You are not going anywhere near them.''

A tensed silence blanketed us, oppressive and unmoving. Gon was glaring at me now with deep angry lines furrowing in the middle of his forehead. The way his lips tightened told me that I should be grateful he was not saying anything...yet.

I took a deep breath and tried to speak calmly. ''I told you it's too dangerous to involve ourselves with the spiders. We can help Kurapika by not involving ourselves in that mess. Besides, we'll be robbing Kurapika of his right, his right to avenge his family.''

''Kurapika works with the mafia—''

''Kurapika, right now, is just a little dog taking orders from someone in the mafia and judging from the guys he was working with? Trust me, that someone is not very high up.''

Gon hesitated and then responded: ''You endanger yourself all the time. This time we'll all be together.''

''Yes.'' I sneered. ''This time we'll all be in danger together. Great!'' I turned to Leorio. ''Are you really with this?''

Leorio faltered, looking suddenly lost between Gon and I. ''W-well, Gin…I thought… well, it made sense at first. See, with your abilities…we could…uh, you could manipulate the four spiders into surrendering into the mafia without us being in the picture, see? We'll be far away. I mean, we've just assumed that you can do this from a distance…''

I closed my eyes, covering my face as he talked. Because their plan did make some sense, of course. The problem was, I didn't like it because instead of being on defense, we'll actually be hunting after them. This, after seeing their leader too?

Telling them my powers was a massive regret. If I had kept quiet, this wouldn't be happening right now. The three would be in their merry way, making money with innocent gigs, they would be—

A glimpse of my happy brother and Killua traipsing around the market flashed in my mind, talking over wares and gaping at wondrously bright jewels.

Yes.

Then the scene darkened and suddenly they were in the Spider's den. My brother was pinned to the ground and Killua –confident and strong Killua – was frozen in fear.

Leorio leaned closer. ''Gin?''

I closed my eyes, wetting my lips and swallowing through my parched throat. So maybe, it would be worse if I kept quiet but still…

''No. No. I don't think it's a good idea.'' I breathed and hoped Gon will just whine and get over it. But unfortunately, whatever little luck I had today had ran out.

Gon frowned. ''Why not?''

''I will be looking for more jobs with Sunshine and Daisies. I haven't told you but I got some money today for the auction last night. I'll look for more. You don't need—

''No.''

''What?''

''You're always doing stuff on your own and this time, we'll be doing something with you. Is this what it is? You want to do things yourself? You said you trust us.''

''Of course I trust you! I told you all the things I do!''

''Oh yeah? How about the things you don't tell?''

Gon's hands balled into fists at his sides. ''You used to tell me everything but now, now I have to wait for everything. And now, you even lie!'' He barked, pointing an angry finger at me. ''Like how you promised Leorio you won't be drinking but you did! What other things did you lie about!?''

I could only sit open-mouthed as Leorio held Gon back by the boy's shoulder. ''Hey, hey, it's okay. Calm down.''

''Gin.'' Killua tried to capture my attention. ''You can lure out the Spiders you've marked one by one. We'll contact the mafia and say we're delivering the spider to them in place A. Then they can wire the money to our account as soon as they see him or her. You can manipulate the spider to go to Place A and make them sleep until the Mafia arrived and take our hands off them.''

That sounded like Kurapika's leader's plan. What was his name again? Dalzollene? And where was he?

Dead!

''The spiders don't even need to know it's our doing.'' Killua continued.

''There's only three now.'' I said, resting my back to the soft cushion behind me, glad they were there. Gon was still glaring.

Killua frowned. ''What?''

There was a clock ticking in the room. Leorio's barely touched coffee has gone cold. Killua watched me with narrowed eyes. ''There's only three marked ones left. Uvogin's dead. Kurapika must've killed him last night.''

Gon's shoulders dropped as his face fell. ''Oh.''

I didn't know if he was oh'ing about Kurapika killing someone or oh'ing about his eight billion decreasing to six. I sighed, massaging my forehead, growing ashamed of myself.

I sighed and glanced up to my brother. ''I'm sorry.'' He said nothing and remained stony-faced, but at least his face was no longer contorted with fury and the heat in the room has subsided. ''I just saw their leader today and I was caught off guard.''

Scared and a little creeped out. Chrollo Lucilfer's eyes felt like the dark mouth of a well. You can't see the water but you know it's there, very deep down.

''I got home to plan how we can avoid him and his spiders and suddenly you have this plan to hunt them.'' The boys remained quiet and I felt that I had no choice but to bend. ''But I get it. We can plan it and hope nothing goes wrong while acting it out.''

''Really?'' Gon blinked, the heat of his glare melting away. ''We're doing it?'' Now, six billion jenny, Greed Island, and the possibility of meeting Ging Freecs glimmered in his eyes instead.

He smiled when I nodded but then faltered again as he saw the look on my face. Exhaustion? Defeat? I just wanted to leave the room and breathe somewhere else.

''About what I said, Gin…'' Gon trailed off. Taking pity on him, I took the poster which contained the pictures of the Phantom Troupe and pointed at the girl they called Shizuku.

''We'll have to start tonight. The other three are still asleep. We'll take this one first. The leader was out today which means it can't be good. We'll need to find out where he is. I'm sure they already know Uvogin's dead or at least suspects it.''

Across the table, Gon and Killua shared a look.

''Waking the three up all at the same time will be odd so I'll wake the girl first, then this one…'' I moved my finger to show the giant and lastly…

''This one's strong. He's got some kind of fire Nen. I don't like it. I'll wake him up last. Or maybe even never.'' There was a certain bitter taste in my mouth every time I thought of this one. I had a feeling that he would hunt me down to the ends of the earth to avenge himself. I turned away hastily from the thought.

''We'll focus on the girl first then.'' Gon nodded. ''We've met her before actually.'' He supplied and rubbed his head sheepishly when I frowned at him. ''We didn't know she would be one of them. It was during our arm-wrestling contest.''

Leorio's plan was to win until the moles come out so it must mean that: ''You won?''

Gon nodded. ''Hm.''

I stared at the girl's picture once again. Gon was an enhancer and while girl looked certainly weaker than the giant, Franklin and the fiery guy, Feitan, she was no pushover. She was likely a conjurer or a manipulator then, or she wasn't using her full strength, or maybe Gon caught her off guard just like how he often does with everyone else.

Like with Hisoka, for example.

I sighed. I needed to find more about her and the rest. ''The auction is tomorrow night. The last time I checked, they don't have the merchandise so without a doubt, they will be there to steal it again. The auction is the best time to do it.''

''We can go to the auction and take the girl.'' Gon says. ''And at the same time, we can keep at a look out for Greed Island!''

''I imagine they will be partnering up by now, not letting one member alone in case of an attack. Which means, this girl won't be alone as soon as she wakes up. I'll have to find a way to fix that.''

''We.'' Gon pressed on, frowning again. ''We're doing it together. We'll find a way.''

I stared at him for a while. ''If we're doing this, we're doing it my way.'' In the background, Killua sighed.

''No!'' Gon barked, jumping to his feet. ''We're doing it together. We are going to the auction together.''

I crossed my arms. ''And how exactly? You haven't developed your Hatsu and there might just be a bloodbath! No, scratch that. There will definitely be a bloodbath! What if you get caught in the crossfire?''

Nononononono...

''Then I won't! And Killua has got his Hatsu. He's got his electricity. Killua, show it to her.''

Killua has? I shook my head. ''I can go to the auction. Your plan is good, yes, and we might as well capture who we can and earn money in the process. The faster we do, the faster we leave.'' I muttered the last part darkly, not caring if they hear.

I'll be trying to stop them hurting innocent people in the auction anyway. If we disable as many spider members we can, they won't be able to move, no matter what their head says. We can capture and lend them to the mafia and one way or another, I can make sure Kurapika still gets his hands on them, if need be.

I have to find Kurapika again as well, now that I lost him. He will certainly be there at the auction too. But in order for me to work well, I need to be sure Gon was away from all the bloodbath and the fighting, away from the Phantom troupe, and definitely away from Hisoka.

Leorio raised his hands at us, trying to dispel the tension. ''Okay, sit down, Gon. Gin, breathe in deep and slow.''

I plopped back to my seat and tried to do as he said. Across me, Gon sat down as Leorio murmured comfortingly at him.

''Okay. So how about we use our words? Hm? Properly?'' Leorio started carefully, glancing back and forth between Gon and I.

No one spoke. I sighed.

''There is nothing more I want to talk about. We have to act fast.'' I turned to Killua who was watching me quietly with a contemplative glimmer in his eyes but I couldn't care less for whatever it is at the moment.

''Killua, could you get me more of my Up-up pills? I'm running out.'' I stepped out from the sofas and called in my Nen, transforming into my Nen-shrouded form.

''Where are you going?'' Gon enquired sharply as he followed my trail.

''I'll be keeping a look out. I'll track their hideout and wait in the shadows. I can learn more about them and their plans this way. I might be able to find out where their precious head is too and mark any spider wandering about on their own.''

Gon deflated. His temper was as tumultuous as a stormy sea tonight and I felt like piece of plastic caught in its midst. In short, we were both a mess. I didn't know this came from. All I knew was that I needed a break from it.

''Can't you…can't you have your guards do it?''

I could but I needed an excuse to leave. I shook my head. ''If we were doing this, we need to make sure we plan it properly.''

''Then—''

''I can't bring you with me.''

I hesitated in case I wasn't welcomed but I eventually reached out to take his hand. In this form, I was most sensitive to his life connected to mine, especially when our skin touched. From the dark side of me, I knew I could manipulate him into cancelling the plan, or convince him to give in and stay in the hotel where he was to remain safe.

It would be so easy.

I released him, reminded of his accusations and how true they rang. Gon deserved to be angry.

He caught my hand mid-way. ''Say we're all going to the auction together.''

I wanted to say no but I knew how stubborn Gon can be. There was a reason Mito gave in so quickly regarding letting us go after our father. So I told myself that it will be fine; that I will just have to make sure they stay out of trouble. That will be easy.

Constant Vigilance!

Indeed, constant vigilance. They can have Josh with them at all times. I can make it work. Fighting with Gon was a waste of time and energy. I can just agree with him and make sure he was safe in the process. There was also the matter of the mind-reader. I was pretty sure that a touch from her was all it took to scan someone's memories.

I will have to take care of the threat before it reaches him while at the same time take care of any threats around myself. The auction will also happen at night when I had every advantage. Instead of just Shizuku, I will have to keep a lookout on the blond mind-reader too. And perhaps learn her name.

Calling her 'blond mind-reader' and 'mind-reader woman' in my head was exhausting.

I closed my eyes and sighed. ''Fine.'' I bit out. At this, Gon brightened in an instant. He held my hand tightly and closer to his chest as if in hope.

''We're going together at the auction?''

''Hm.''

''Tomorrow night?''

I nodded again and Gon broke into a bright grin. ''Thank you, Gin.'' He said softly and I felt cheated because how could I even say no to that?

My reflection in his eyes showed my dark shroud reaching up to my face until it fully covered me whole from him. My hair billowed around me as if underwater.

''I'll be back before sunrise. Once I get more information, we can get a solid plan on how exactly are we capturing the girl.'' I turned to Killua. ''Kil, make sure we get those pills. I need to keep this façade.'' I wasn't keen to transform back just yet. The pain will be just as horrendous. It will only serve as a distraction.

''Sure.'' Killua drawled and then sharply: ''And don't call me that!''

I paused for a moment, a smile tugged at my lips despite of everything. ''Kil?''

''I said no!''

''Jah, I'm off.'' I chuckled and slipped through the walls, running away to free my thoughts. Behind me, I heard Gon reply weakly, telling me to be safe.


As soon as Gin left, Leorio sighed and murmured a curse under his breath.

Killua glanced at Gon's back before he looked away and stretched as he took out his phone. ''I told you guys to wait until tomorrow at least.''

''Shut up, shrimp.'' Leorio muttered.

''At least we got her to say yes.'' Killua said airily, glancing at his friend cautiously again until the line from the other end of his call was picked up.

''Ah, hello, I would like to order another bottle of your Up-up pills…''

Leorio came up to Gon, bending down to catch the boy's downturned eyes. ''Gon? You alright?''

The boy nodded and upon meeting his eyes, smiled. ''Hm.'' He nodded brightly and finally turned away from the wall his sister disappeared into.

And so softly that Leorio almost didn't hear it, Gon said: ''It will all be fine. I've got a plan. Gin will understand one day.''

She might, Leorio thought as the boy went away to clear up their table and asked Killua if he still wanted his leftover noodles or if it should be thrown away. He scratched his stubble, wondering what the little boy's said plan was and what was it exactly that Gin will understand one day.

Because whatever it was, Leorio had a bad feeling about it.

''Now I need a drink.'' He muttered to himself and looked around, just in case Gin had a bottle hidden somewhere.