C H A P T E R N I N E

Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter. The wonderful characters are the creation of Togashi-sama. Any original characters who do appear however (and there will be plenty) belong to me.

Summary: It all began when Illumi was caught wearing women's clothes and competing in a beauty competition. However, it would seem that there are other reasons for his cross-dressing, and winning the prize not all that important.

Rating: M 15+

Killua flopped onto his luxurious bed. It was thanks to Gon's Hunter card that they were able to reserve these rooms at festive times as such. So much had happened today and the softness of the bed invited him to close his eyes and drift into pleasant dreams. Gon was sitting cross-legged on his bed, awake and counting his fingers.

He held up his index finger and hummed in thought. "First, Illumi dresses up as a girl to win some sort of diamond jewellery box for the General Kamus."

Killua held up two fingers. "Second, General Kamus might be my mum's brother. Hey, that would make him my uncle!" The realization that Zoldick how had an extended relative dawned on Killua like a picturesque sunrise. Gon pounced on him while he was inattentive and the collision sent them tumbling around on the bed.

"Hey Killua! That would mean that Karen-san would be your cousin!"

Killua nodded dumbly with wide eyes beneath Gon, struggling against his weight. "I have an uncle and a cousin! Wow!" He then frowned however, thinking again. "But Milluki and the others don't know, not even Illumi."

"Hey Killua."

"Yes?"

"The strange man with your grandpa…Echlan…he called the General 'Kamus Kalinnan Kastro'. Would he be related to the Emperor then?"

Killua pushed Gon off and sat up as well. He scratched his chin, giving the matter serious thought.

"His surname is Kalinnan Kastro and the Emperor's name is Rodimostev Alanis Kalinnan. They share the 'Kalinnan' but it's placed in different parts of the name. We could go back to the museum tomorrow and ask the Porter - "

The knocks on their hotel door interrupted Killua's plans. Gon leapt out of the bed and rolled to the door. He turned the brass doorknob and opened the door by a crack to see who it could be.

Gon turned to his friend. "Killua, your Dad is here." Without waiting for Killua's reply, he opened the door to let Silva in.

"Dad, how'd you know we - " Silva however, waved his hand, dismissing the question as if Killua should have know what sort of methods he could have used to track him.

"Do you have anything to do tomorrow afternoon?"

Killua looked at Gon. Gon shook his head and shrugged.

"Umm…looks like we're not doing anything much."

Silva nodded approvingly. "Good. You are going with us to meet your uncle tomorrow."

"Uncle…you mean General Kamus?"

Gon perked up at the opportunity to ask. "Silva-san, is General Kamus part of the Royal family?"

Silva studied the boy in front of him. Judging by his appearance and Killua's past description of his friend, he had to be Gon. After hearing stories about this child and his feats of stubbornness in the Hunter exams, he had presumed that he would be the reinforcement type. Now, studying the aura around the young boy, he knew his predictions were correct.

"Yes, Kikyou and Kamus are on the 'fringes' of the royal bloodline. That's why they keep the Kalinnan name, but they put it in the middle, not the end of their name."

"Does that mean Killua's royalty then, like a minor prince?"

"No. Killua's mother married a Zoldick. Hence she technically abandoned her Kalinnan name."

"But I have Kalinnan blood in me though!" Killua protested.

Silva picked Gon up and put him on the bed beside Killua. He then sat on the bed opposite and made himself comfortable.

"Does that concern you Killua…"

Killua averted his eyesight and his cheeks flushed pink. "It's just that Master Wing was talking about the 'natural nen user' this afternoon, and he said that only the royal family can possess such powers."

"I should like to sit down and properly meet your sensei. He has taught you nen and I'm pleased to say he did a thorough job."

"Dad, you know anything about a 'natural nen user'? Master Wing says they have the power of gods."

"I always thought that it was an exaggerated myth and never believed that nen actually flowed around you in Arcadia Central. But upon entering this city, I've been feeling this constant pressure against me. It's a cold, nasty feeling. Echlan said that it is the will of the dead which affects the nen around us. I don't think I can stay in this city for more than two weeks without becoming losing my cool. "

"Cold? Hisoka said that this morning as well. He was shivering so badly that he's stopped harassing us at last."

"Hisoka…" Silva's friendly and open look turned serious. He had heard about the infamous killer who slaughtered people for simple pleasure. "I wouldn't approach him yet. He would still be difficult for you to handle."

Killua growled in annoyance. "We don't approach him! He's the one who's been tailing us."

Silva chuckled. "If you were a real natural nen user, then you could probably manhandle Hisoka even if you were ten."

"You personally know of any people who have this ability?"

"I know people who can manipulate Emperor time for short periods of time. They are quite fearful as it is. I would hate to know that there is someone who can constantly wield this power."

"Have you met the Emperor yet?" Gon quipped up.

"No. Probably tomorrow night, or probably the day after. But Echlan might not see the necessity of informing the Emperor about our presence. Hopefully your older brother won't do something stupid to attract attention to us…"

"Oh, that reminds me. Miss Karen said that Allu had a good chance of recovery."

"Who's she?"

"She's uncle Kamus' daughter, therefore my cousin." Killua smiled at the idea. "She's nice and friendly as all doctors are supposed to be, but I can tell that she's killed before. You probably saw her briefly this afternoon when mum beat up her mentor - the crazy doctor who was throwing those scalpels at Leorio. Leorio said that her nen is especially powerful when it comes to healing, so I guess she's a great doctor. She sure could make Allu look like a sane person again. He almost killed my friend before."

Silva shook his head and sighed. "What happened this time with Allu? I thought Millu and Karu were looking after him."

Silva sounded disappointed, ashamed of calling Alluka his son. Just after three years of professional life, the boy failed in a simple, straightforward missions and was rendered a quadriplegic. It was a disgrace to the Zoldick reputation. Personally, he had long given up on the frail Alluka, who usually remained hidden in his dark room. Because his mood and temper was so volatile, Alluka was in no condition to perform jobs, let alone continue with training. Silva gathered that something must have befallen Alluka in his last mission that left him mad and delirious. And frustratingly, Illumi could not say what the cause was either.

"Leorio was being over friendly with Alluka," Killua's voice wandered back into this thoughts. "Allu's nen rendered Leorio's suit into tattered bits, like he'd been hit with a bucket of acid. Allu would have killed him had we not saved him on time."

"Illumi taught Allu nen so that he could preserve his body from deteriorating. Your brother hoped that he could find a capable doctor to cure him. I wonder if I was wrong to let your brother persuade me into letting Alluka live. Nen is a reflection of the heart and the will. If Alluka can barely sit through a dinner without threatening the lives of the people around him, then his nen would be hard to control, if it can be controlled at all. And if it reflects the will, then it could be disastrous indeed."

Gon mouth went dry and he shivered slightly remembering those odd shaped creatures, born of imagination, trying to rip them apart with their hideous sharp claws and razor-edged teeth. He could remember their large gaping mouths, wide enough so much so that he could peer down their dark and large throats.

"But Miss Karen said she could heal him, so maybe we should be glad. If he had not preserved the health of his body, Miss Karen said that even if she could fix the spinal nerves, he might not be able to stand up on his own for another year."

Silva's frown took on unprecedented darkness despite Gon's reasonable objection. "I don't know if I've ever approved on anything that Illumi has done. Look what he's doing in Arcadia! Killu, did you know that your brother has been taking on private work? He's doing extra jobs outside the ones that I commission to him."

A lightbulb of wicked mischief lighted up above Killua's head. His eyes turned into that of a cat, and a pair of furry ears and a tail materialized.

"Of course" he replied, the lie coming so naturally. This was payback time for all those rotten threats his brother used to give him. "He said that had received such jobs for years. He told me that he was going to save up enough to leave home because he couldn't stand and tolerate us anymore."

Silva blinked. "What about his job as a professional assassin? Or is he going to go into business against us? That little conniving traitor! I raise him, teach him, and now he seeks to betray me!"

Killua shrugged trying to keep his smirk and glee hidden from his expression. His dad's sudden anger was unforeseen. He didn't expect such a big reaction and so tentatively pushed the story a bit more. "He said if I could leave home, why couldn't he? You couldn't possibly imagine those horrid things he said about you dad."

"What. Horrid. Things?"

Unlike Killua, who was having too much fun stabbing his brother's back, Gon heard the distinct change of mood in Silva's voice - from the casual, outgoing one, to the morbid and cold authoritative interrogative style of speech.

"Oh, I couldn't repeat them to you dad. He said that you were a greedy hog who wouldn't give him his share of the pay for the jobs he does. Then he said that you were a fat and lazy worm who would sit at home and order him around…"

Gon wanted to clamp Killua's mouth shut before he seriously planted the thought in Silva to kill his eldest son. The more elaborate the lie, the angrier and more murderous Silva looked. Maybe he really should interfere.

"Um, Silva-san, how is Killua's mum?" Killua broke off and looked at him in surprise.

"She cried herself to sleep in our room. Master Echlan informed her of her sister's death." He gave a sigh. "I guess she should sleep through the night though. It's been such a hectic day. First Illumi, and now this bad news." He paused and for a moment looked like he didn't know whether to ask the question or not. "Killu, do you know how long Illumi has known Hisoka for?"

Killua looked back blankly at his dad. As if he had the means to find to track where his brother went and what he did. "There were together when we did the hunter exam. Perhaps they met there?"

"Hisoka's probably the one influencing Illumi's erratic behaviour. Illumi's teaching is perfect however. No one can change the way we taught him to think."

The truth was that no one and nothing should detract him from his fate as an emotionless puppet that would do his ultimate bidding. If he abandoned his life as an assassin, he would know no other way of life. Unlike Killua, Illumi was never given the opportunity to rebel and was not allowed to know of anything else other than what Zeno and himself had taught him. Silva suspected that Killua had therefore embellished his lies to a certain degree, but there was also some truth in what his successor had said. If Illumi was taking private jobs, then ulterior motives were indeed at heart.

"I better go check on your mother now." Silva stood up and headed for the door. There was much to think about and discuss with his wife and dad. "I'll meet you here tomorrow afternoon."

"Goodnight dad. Regards to mum too."

"She'd appreciate that. Goodnight boys."


~*~*~*~*~*~



"You're late Misha." Kamus did not look up from the detailed map of the city he was studying. The mad general stood in front of him with a wide grin on his gaunt face.

"You really should have joined me at the Arena today. Some pretty interesting people have arrived in town."

"Oh?"

"I met a kid who had control of Emperor time. And I met Hunter Chairman Netero's student as well. We had a quite a bout for about five minutes." The tall and lean man put down a bloodstained glaive down on the table and took his seat opposite Kamus. His mad gaze never left Kamus' face.

"Don't look at me like that Misha. I will not fight you." The older man dismissed his murderous intentions with practised indifference. "Let's view the plans again for tomorrow night. There are going to be record crowds."

"I spotted a few rebels tracking me today." Misha adjusted the sash around his waist as he spoke. "I noticed Liam lurking in the crowds as well." The madman deliberately paused, taking his time with his report, and took a sip of his tea. "It's all in your grasp isn't it Kamus? You find that boy to impersonate Kim on stage to lure the leader of the rebels out and make him show his face in the capital then capture him before the coronation festival is over as your gift to the emperor. It's the perfect plan and ultimate tribute. Now I wish I'd thought of it."

Kamus lowered his head slightly and his eyes twinkled like hard stars. "He's shown himself has he? Good! Our country cannot afford to be split apart by civil war after all our efforts to save it. I must stop him before he does become a real threat."

And in his heart, he only felt the slightest regret for capturing the man named Liam, who would have become his brother-in-law had Kim not killed herself. But the madman sitting opposite him continue to bestow upon him a challenging gaze.

"Liam has allied himself with dangerous people." From the folds of his clothing, Misha retrieved a letter. "This is what he found on a spy that we captured. You recognize the symbol?"

Kamus glanced at the piece of paper and his eyes bulged.

"The fool! This will certainly earn him the death penalty! To establish connections with these people…" his voice trailed off as he glanced at the strange symbol that was reminiscent to the lashing strokes of a black calligraphy pen. It was an underground organization that was established in the beginning of Rodimostev II's reign. They were rumoured to have conducted experiments specifically designed at finding the weakness of the natural nen user. It meant that Liam had the intention of killing the Emperor. A grave and treacherous mistake indeed.

"We have to inform the Palace Guardian about this. There are only the two of us Generals in the capital. We have no time to call back the others, and we certainly don't want the rebels to know that we are aware of what they are doing."

"Should I add more patrol guards then? Around here, here and here?" Misha pointed to several places on the city map, his brow creased in concentration.

"No. That would alert them prematurely. We should replace them with the Palace elite instead. Carry this out in two hours."

Misha nodded. "What about Liam? Do we capture him tomorrow night, or have you something else planned?"

"Liam will know that Arammi…no, I mean Illumi…was hired by me. He'll confront me, but not tomorrow night. Have you heard any information about whether the rebel's reinforcements will be arriving in the Capital or not?"

"Informants tell me that they are currently being smuggled into the city. I think they have plans to invade the Forbidden Palace. The date? I'd say, perhaps three or four days."

"What about weapons? Have they been smuggled in too?"

"Yes. We intercepted a shipment today, but they are R-14's. Old, pre-war weapons, nothing to worry about."

Kamus nodded impassively. "It will be a death wish to enter the Forbidden Palace and disturb the emperor. On second thoughts, we must inform Master Echlan as well."

"Done that already. But what happens to your plan if Liam catches your bait before they launch an attack against the Palace?"

At this, Kamus laughed out loudly. "There is no need to worry about that Misha. Have you ever heard of the Zoldick family?"

"I quite admire their skills in assassination," the younger general responded smoothly.

"He's the eldest child of the Zoldick family. I think there is no need to worry about Liam catching him."

Misha shook his head and chuckled. "I can't wait to see his face once he finds out that Arammi is a boy. Let's just hop he'll die from the shock to spare him from what I've got in store for him."

Kamus paused as he stood up. "He'll die either way. I hope the Emperor grants him a quick one."

"I don't think so." Misha took two steps closer to the older man. "I think twenty minutes in the Cell at least - so we can extract any other relevant information we might need to exterminate the ungrateful scum."

Kamus almost felt pity for the deranged general in front of him. Misha was young and had been driven mad by the ten-year war. His power came from his periodic insanity and his own ingenious creation - wards and runes - that could block the emission of nen. He was infamously known as the Mad General. The Cell was a single room in Kastro Court designed by the young man that could break the will of the strongest man in one hour, guaranteed.

"We'll discuss that when we do capture him."

Without anymore to say, Kamus spun around and left the room. He could feel Misha's bloodlust affect his nerves and senses sending tingling shocks along the back of his hand. Come to think of it, Misha couldn't be any older than Illumi. What a pity to loose one's mind at such a young age. He glanced at the servant at the door.

"Show the General out."

The last he heard was the crazy mocking laughter of Misha behind him.