Disclaimer: Hunter x Hunter is not mine, it is Togashi Yoshihiro's.
A/N: So not all goes as planned for Hisoka, Illumi and Alluka. Such is the way of life... What will be in store for them? Part of the reason some of these takes so long to update is because I hand-write on paper before typing everything up. Maybe I shouldn't do that, apologies. Thanks for the reviews! I'm very flattered. I like to respond to people.
Rusco: Heh,.. sorries. It's true that sometimes I tend to switch POV's very quickly, like I'm jumping from mind to mind. Thanks for pointing that out! I'll try to make it less confusing.
ally: Yes, slashes indeed! I suppose part of the appeal of slash is that when an author puts two people together that were not together in the anime, the interaction varies based upon the author's experiences.
Relinquished: Yes, you inspired someone! I'm very glad you weren't offended that I 'borrowed' ideas. I suppose I could have asked first, but then again... email addresses are surprisingly hard to find.


Chapter 4: Smoky Water

The train toils lazily on its tracks, unwilling to stop or go on. A languid hand carefully places another card on the fragile house that is already made of a fourth of the deck. His mind reaches back about four days ago, before their departure. flashback

"Milluki has many tracking devices on the electronics we use. It's easier that way for father to keep an eye on us." Illumi quietly took apart the pieces of his cell phone, checking for the tiny device he was talking about. He shifted in place, behind the wooden table. Hisoka raised an eyebrow.

"Why go through all the trouble? Just throw away the cursed thing. We already assume that your accounts will be closed, so we can transfer about half the money to mine, or if not, just use my money." Illumi shook his head, thoughtfully disagreeing. His dark hair shone in the natural light.

"I hate owing people." Darkness cloaked him, save a mere flicker of candlelight.

"You are the main fugitive. You and that boy," Hisoka noted where Alluka looked up from the wooden bench. It was true. The young one's life was at stake; for demon's sake, his own family had been sent to kill him, though seemingly harmless he is. Illumi sighed, watching the electronic bits crack beneath his fist. Hisoka lit a match and threw it on the log in the fireplace behind him. - The other man got up and cremated what's left of the cell phone. "By the way, tomorrow I lead you somewhere for fake id's."

Another raised eyebrow. "How much of this have you planned out?"

A crimson wry smile. "Anything to get you away, dear." A glare from Illumi. The response was a faded, resigned grin. "Just kidding. Making this up as I go. It's also that I've got useful contacts, whereas you are sheltered."

Downtown Yorkshin bustled merrily. People walk about, mindless of the few, the three among them who at the moment gamble on their pasts. "In here." They were in normal dress today, in order not to attract attention. Granted, to the two men, suits don't feel like normal dress. Illumi's black hair was tied back in a curt ponytail at the base of his skull; Hisoka's hair was not gelled up, for once obeying the laws of gravity. Even though the purpose was not to attract attention, feminine eyes glanced and quickly looked away from two gorgeous bishounen. They walked down the staircase to the underground room. The gruff receptionist looked and asked for names. "Don't you remember me? I'm insulted."

"Oh, Hisoka! Didn't recognize you in that get up. What's the occasion??"

"None of your business. We need fake id's."

"All right. Let me call for you. - Sonny? Yea, Hisoka's here... Right. - Would you gentlemen pass through the door to your right and have a seat? He'll be with you in a moment. Thanks." A practiced smile was given, and they walked through the door as instructed.

Within the next two hours, pictures were taken, names were chosen, occupations renamed and pass rewritten with a few strokes of the keyboard. Everything's only data; lives could be broken down and remodeled this way.

Two hours later, things were packed, tickets were bought and they spent the rest of the three days erasing with nen all traces of their stay before taking flight. end flashback

At the moment, Illumi is sleeping peacefully beside him, Alluka wrapped safely in his arms, also asleep. It was just so cute. Even cuter than Gon and Killua... Hm, he hasn't seen them in a while. Hisoka contemplates their next possible meeting, licking his lips in anticipation at the prospect of fighting Gon. Then, the boy's nen was barely developed. He wonders how powerful the boy must be, by now. His thoughts are interrupted when Alluka, the pale child, stirred. He wriggles out of Illumi's arms. "Bathroom." His brother nods, letting him go. Looking for another source of body heat, his eyes rest on Hisoka.

"Hm, Illu?" The sleepy man grabs Hisoka's arm, cuddling close. He's ready to fall back asleep again. They sway a bit due to the weight; Hisoka's hand misses and the five storied house of cards fall over. He strokes the man's cheek, reaching under the light blue hood. His cheeks flush... His ally's already comfortably asleep again, with him as a life sized plushy. The cards will have to be picked up later. Like they matter at the moment.

All tranquility ends suddenly, as a blast rocks the train of the car. Both men are alert immediately. Other passengers shout in alarm, desperately trying to use the emergency exit windows. A message comes over the loud speaker. "Please remain calm. We are only suffering some technical difficulties. Please remain calm." Nobody believes that skeptical voice, and there are more people jumping out of windows. Another blast rips through the car in front of them - tearing open a part of the vehicle they are in.

"Where's Alluka?!" This is the first time Hisoka's ever seen Illumi in a panic.

"You let him go to the bathroom."

"Which direction?!" Hisoka points behind them; they both take off, yelling the boy's name. They frantically search the train, still unable to find Alluka. People are still leaping out of windows - Hisoka's eyes widen.

"Illu, the bridge ahead was bombed! We have to get off, now!"

"No, we have to find Alluka!" Ignoring the protests, the stronger man grabs the other, pulls open a window and takes a flying leap of faith toward river water. Various other passengers are struggling as well, some already walking out of the water. Hisoka lets go of Illumi, letting him breathe. Unfortunately, he can't swim that well - then he's grateful to know that Illumi can, and is guiding them toward shore. Like two wet pigeons, they stand tiredly, trying to dry off. Illumi watches as Hisoka removes his black collared shirt, forgetting at the moment that he should do the same. Off in the distance, two cars of the train hang off the bridge, Hisoka notes. In a few seconds, there's an explosion, and whatever debris is left of it falls over, almost crushing some who are still chest deep in liquid. Hisoka distractedly relieves himself of his belt. Illumi blinks in mild fascination of his muscles; it's clear that the man is an avid weight lifter. Said man sweeps back his damp red hair. "I'm sorry about Alluka."

His attention snaps back to the matter at hand, at the mention of his brother's name. "Why didn't you let me get Allu before having us jump off the bridge?" Dark eyes flare dangerously. "If something happens to him, you're going to die. You really shouldn't have thrown us into the water like that."

"If I didn't, we would be much more injured than we are. There was a second explosion after we got to shore."

"What if he was still on the car when it exploded?"

"We looked for him. There was no one."

"Fine,.. whatever. I'm going to go look for Alluka." With that, Illumi jumps back into the water, leaving Hisoka to wait for him on the grassy bank. Smoke now billows where the two cars of the train fell over, clouding an otherwise cheerful sky. The news press is on this already, as several helicopters swoop low over the runs of a once grand bridge, allowing professionals to report the incident already. Hisoka sits down, stretching himself out on the green. Someone taps him on the shoulder.

He looks backward into amber eyes and careless auburn hair. "Hello, I'm Nathan John, a reporter for the local station of Rikka. May I have a word? You were a passenger on that train before it crashed and burned, yes? What do you think of the situation? Who could have done it? Oh, and what's your name?"

Hisoka inwardly sighs. He's in no mood to deal with peppy media dogs. He complies, hoping the young man in shirt and slacks would go away quickly if he does. "Yea, I was a passenger. My name's,.. um, Fred. I think they should fix it as quickly as possible, get the FBI, CIA, whatever to track down whoever bombed it, - and I want compensation for my ride. Now, I have to go." The man watches him left Illumi out of the water, then the two walk away.

"So here we are, Nathan John, reporting live for RNN, Rikka News Network. Thank you, back to Melissa."

"What was that about?"

"Some pesky reporter. I said I was Fred. Without the hairdo and face paint, I shouldn't be so easy to recognize. Did you find Alluka?" Hisoka notes that the boy is not with them.

"No. He can swim though, so he can't have drowned. This means we have to scour the city for the next few days. Hm, Fred.. Such a creative name. By the way, you have your wallet and everything? You know I have no money. - If you lose anything, things can get difficult. We won't even be able to buy clothes to change into. Think of it, us - two of the most dangerous men around - resorting to petty theft. I won't have it."

"Yea, I have everything. The name was quick; that's all that matters. I would steal if we really needed it. You and your hindrance of an honor,..."

Ignoring the other's arguments, Illumi assesses, "All right. Since we have everything necessary except the luggage, we should buy some clothes. As for the money, I owe you... four favors. Either that or I'll just repay you everything after you add it up. You can even add interest - doesn't bother me. We should be near," he stops to look around, "Rikka City. It's a place to start." Looking back once more and seeing Alluka nowhere, they head toward the city, their wet socks sloshing around in their shoes.

Maybe my parents are coming to kill me for not finishing the assignment. Probably not - assassins don't usually use bombs. They're too noisy; we prefer to get personal. If this isn't them, they'll come soon. I just know it. It's a wonder my mother hasn't sent anyone after me yet.

A/N: Chapter four ends,.. Where did Alluka go? Who bombed the train? Why? What are Illumi and Hisoka going to do now? Thanks for reading! Please review. Otherwise... Packing for college! Slightly different life on the way - living with a peer, sharing a room, having full personal responsibilities.. please don't make me take care of those bills,... TT Well, everyone has to, I guess.