He stood in the shadows of the hulking AC machine on top of the building. Spying was something he did, it was as natural as breathing. The other male didn't know he was there. He could covet those Valkyrie senses all he wanted, but when it came to him Illumi might as well have been blind and deaf.

He watched Illumi watch the boys on the dock, face an emotionless mask.

He really hadn't expected Illumi to find them so soon… I mean, come on. He wasn't good for nothing, was he? He'd covered their tracks to the best of his ability. He'd even shut down some of the rumors regarding Killua! Although, perhaps he had put a little too much effort into shielding Gon rather than Killua.

Was he biased? Perhaps.

But he had still tried.

And it was… rather concerning to see his efforts go to waste like this.

He really shouldn't have underestimated Illumi.

He watched, emotionless as the Valkyrie mumbled under his breath, and stood up. Silky black wings unfolded, an inky black mural against an inky black sky. Illumi's wings were like a dark and deadly tapestry. If you looked close enough you would find interlooping patterns of skulls and bones, entrails and empty eyes.

A Valkyrie's wings truly were a sight to behold.

If he had been anyone else, anyone else lacking the common sense that he had, he might have considered challenging Illumi in an attempt to steal those incredible wings for himself.

Where was Illumi going with this? Would he continue waiting things out? Or would he act immediately? As far as he was concerned, he knew that Illumi had been trying to find Killua for months now, over a year. He had stumbled across the Hidden Oasis, but hadn't gotten much of anything out of that old sorcerer, Knov.

Illumi knew how to pick his battles, and a battle with one such as Knov was not something anyone should consider.

It must have been so frustrating. Following a set trail for months on end, and then out of nowhere the trail completely changes pattern and form, even scent. If one was skilled in the art of the hunt, then they got a certain feel out of a trail.

He had that sense, and knew that Illumi did as well.

He would even go so far as to say that he was better than Illumi in some cases, though the proud Valkyrie Prince would never admit it.

Oh how ticked off Illumi had been when all of a sudden Killua's trail was erratic and energetic, taking random turns, backtracking, and dancing about as if for fun. Fun was not something that Killua partook in, so why was his trail changing like this?

Leaving the Hidden Oasis should have given Illumi the opening to confront Killua the second he left its borders, but something about this new trail style threw Illumi through an enormous loop. What were the thoughts going through his mind as he looked down upon that boardwalk and realized just why that was?

How angry was he as he realized that Killua had adopted a travel partner?

And a hybrid, dare say?

Under normal circumstances he would have smiled at the hilarity of the concept. However, this truly was a dire predicament he found himself in. Try as he might, there really was no way he could have kept Illumi off their trail forever… and now he had to confront the consequences of his actions. The consequences of his failure.

But no matter. Failure was an expected outcome when going toe to toe with a Dragonite Valkyrie.

Anyone would be a fool to consider anything less.

He tenses as Illumi drew several needles, and stood to his full height. The Valkyrie braced for flight, and the man in the shadows braced for action.

This could not happen.

He could not allow this to happen.

The Dragonite mercenary leapt from the roof, but before his feet could even leave the ledge, the man was out of the shadows in a flash, and stopped him with a vice grip to that pale wrist.

Dark eyes whipped in their assailant's direction, filled with an ocean of rage and racially motivated hatred. As well as that tell-tale obsessive glint they took on whenever Killua was involved.

"Hisoka?" he asked, as surprised as his monotone voice could manage.

"Hey, dear, long time no see?" the red haired man cooed, pulling Illumi back onto the roof.

"What are you doing here? Can't you see I'm in the middle of something?" the Valkyrie asked, annoyance flashing in those eyes, arm still holding up those needles as if his puppeteer had forgotten to hit the disarm switch.

Oh how Hisoka loved drawing emotions from those blank eyes. Humanity really looked good on Illumi's face, though the Valkyrie despised it. Truly a shame.

Although, once Hisoka wanted something he always got it.

And emotions out of Illumi were always such a fun card game to partake in…

Hisoka was proud to acknowledge himself for being the catalyst for a crack in Illumi's flawless mask. Whenever he was around, the raven haired man always loosened up a bit. Only a little bit, but for someone who knew Illumi well it was understood as an incredible canyon to have crossed.

"But you never stopped to say hi," Hisoka pouted, not letting go of Illumi's wrist, and decidedly ignoring the question.

"I do not know how many times I must tell you. I have no obligation to partake in greetings with you at any time or place. I do not understand why you must hinder me in this way. Let go, Hisoka."

The threat was apparent in his voice. Illumi wasn't playing around this night.

He was really worked up.

High stakes always made the game so much more enjoyable, no?

"I missed you, Illu, give me a hug?" the stilettoed magician pouted, releasing Illumi's wrist in exchange for extending his arms out for a hug. The Valkyrie narrowed those dark eyes, annoyed. He didn't run off with his new found freedom, no. That was a testament to his relationship with Hisoka.

Ah, how I enjoy that thought~

A relationship with the darling Valkyrie Prince~

A complicated one, but an emotional bond nonetheless.

Oh! I should use that line there! It'll really tick him off~

"I'm not giving you a hug," said Illumi's blank voice. "Such gestures are mundane and trivial. Dragonite Valkyries do not waste our time on such useless tendencies. But I've already told you that."

Dragonite Valkyries specifically, not all Valkyries. The elitist mindset of this man truly ran blood deep. He truly believed that he was better than everyone else around him, even his fellow subspecies. Although Killua sat on a higher pedestal than even himself. Such a twisted mind, this one.

"Oh come on, you can't trample upon our emotional bond like that! We're connected, you and I~" Hisoka whined, ignoring Illumi's refusal of consent and looping his arms around him anyways.

Oh, he could practically smell that dark eyed scowl!

Absolutely delicious~

Illumi did not move to return the gesture, but he did not push Hisoka away either. It was a wonder he didn't decapitate the magician with his tail. But as much as he loved to refuse it, Illumi definitely had a soft spot for Hisoka! It was obvious!

I mean, how could it not be true?

Or at least, that's what the magician told himself, egotistical as he was.

Hisoka sighed against Illumi's sheet of silky hair, taking advantage of the Valkyrie's stillness to see just how long he could drag this embrace out. He tightened his hold, and chuckled low in his throat. He could feel the corded muscles beneath Illumi's skin tight traditional Dragonite Valkyrie Clan militia uniform, he was in impeccable shape~

He felt a stirring in his nether regions, and made no move to conceal it. He watched Illumi's tail sway in aggravation as he felt Hisoka's arousal pressed shamelessly against his leg.

"That's enough, get off," Illumi said in that ever-blank voice, speaking to Hisoka as if he were some sort of overly-affectionate cat. When the Magician ignored him, choosing instead to rub his head against the Valkyrie's neck, Illumi pushed him half-heartedly away by the chest.

"Aw, no fun," Hisoka pouted, leaning on one leg and pulling his lower lip down with a finger.

Illumi's eyes did not draw to his mouth, much to his disappointment. They never did, but there was no sense not trying. "Why are you here, Hisoka? You know I'm in the middle of something."

"Just admiring your wings, they really are so beautiful~" the Magician said in a light-hearted voice, circling around the Valkyrie as he brushed the tips of his fingers just barely against that silky membrane.

Illumi didn't react at all, but his tail gave him away. It squirmed at his side, the only acknowledgement of Hisoka's touch. A Valkyrie's wings were incredibly sensitive, ticklish even. The faintest of tugs could rip them apart, and it was only through extensive training and Dragonite genes that the Dragonite Clan dispelled that weakness. They could not, however, free themselves from the sensitivity of the membrane.

"Stop ignoring my questions, Morrow," the Valkyrie sighed, the closest thing to a moan Hisoka would ever hear.

The magician laughed sexually, "Ah, Illu, you know I love it when you call me by my last name~"

"Don't make those sounds in public, it's vulgar," was the monotone response.

"Truly no fun," Hisoka pouted, leaning off the Valkyrie's shoulder, who still hadn't moved from the spot Hisoka had pulled him into. "I could make those sounds just for you if you truly want me to keep them behind closed doors~"

"Stop."

"Fine, just know my bedroom door is always open~"

"Why are you here? I have a hybrid to eliminate."

Hisoka frowned, playful mood fizzling away. He moved from his place at Illumi's shoulder to stand before him. He crossed his arms, meaning business. "He has a name, you know. Gon Freecss."

Hisoka waited for the recognition to spark in Illumi's eyes, and it did.

"Could he be Ging Freecss' son? The Zodiac?"

"Exactly the one, sharp as ever I see," Hisoka purred. Was disclosing Gon's name beneficial at all to his goal of protecting the young hybrid? No. Absolutely not. It jeopardized him, if anything. Especially with him leading Illumi into realizing his lineage. However, whenever chaos could be caused, Hisoka would cause it.

He'd deal with the implications of this discovery if need be, but starting beef between a Zoldyck and a Zodiac revolving around an illegitimate child was just too tantalizing an offer to refuse~

"He is the son of Ging. That explains why he's become such a problem for me. It's in his blood, being a half-blooded nuisance to society," Illumi said, anger practically dripping from that monotone voice~ Or at least that's how Hisoka liked to perceive it when he talked using that context.

"Come now, don't be so harsh, Illu," Hisoka scolded. "Judging the child based solely on his father's reputation? For shame, truly."

"How old is he, I might ask?"

"The ripe age of 18~"

Illumi's eyes flashed, mind sparking with intelligence as he struggled to solve whatever puzzle his mind was fiddling with. "The same age as Kill. Maybe that's why he's wasting his time on such a lower being?"

"Please, your blatant racism hurts me you know," Hisoka said, seriously this time. He was a human, as Illumi was well aware. In the eyes of high-blooded society, especially that of the Dragonite Valkyries, humans were worse even than hybrids.

Illumi completely ignored him, as usual. "Is Kill really that desperate for a companion? How many times have I told him that friendship is a waste? He doesn't need anyone else, he has me here. And mother. And father. And Kalluto and Milluki."

Alluka was not involved in that line up, as Hisoka did not fail to notice.

Transphobic as well.

His track record truly is the dirtiest.

"You judge too quickly. Gon has a worth that you have not come to observe," Hisoka pointed out, wisdom in his words.

"Why should I waste my time on the supposed worth of a half-blood? Step aside, Hisoka. I have a nuisance to eliminate and a Crown Prince to return to his kingdom."

Hisoka sighed, were they really at the whole point of this confrontation already? Such a shame. How he enjoyed their little talks. "See, that's the thing. I cannot allow you to kill Gon. He is mine."

Illumi narrowed his eyes, disgust - a full out emotion for once - displayed across his ethereal features. "You pegged a half-blood? You really have no standards, do you?"

Hisoka gave a slimey smirk, laughing off the insults as he always did. He was in good practice, ever since he had been a boy. "You know me~ I like them young and fresh~ He will be a truly spectacular find once he finally ripens~"

Hisoka moaned, it was delectable.

Illumi rolled his eyes.

"Jealous that I'm drooling over a hybrid instead of you?" the magician taunted.

"No, of course not," the Valkyrie snapped.

"But no matter," Hisoka sighed, getting serious again. "I cannot stand idly and let you break my favorite new toy."

The Valkyrie and the human held a staring contest, a contest of wills.

To any outside eye with any knowledge of the way of this fantasy world at all, it was a striking display. Humans were weak, the bottom of the barrel. Valkyries, Dragonite Valkyries at that, were the elitest of the elite, second only to the Fae themselves. Yet here stood a lowly human, holding the gaze of a Valkyrie Prince and commanding his respect.

For as shady and questionable as Hisoka was, he was truly a sight to behold.

Illumi blinked, averting his gaze. The victory going to the slit eyed magician.

Hisoka hummed in response, he'd long since gotten over the thrill of beating a high-class humanoid. He'd done that too many times to ever get a kick out of it anymore. But seeing Illumi bow beneath him like this… (that was an incredible overstatement) was glorious. How he loved seeing this submissive look in his eye~

Illumi truly was his favorite Valkyrie~

If only you'd acknowledge that you are the apple of my eye? Return my affections, damn you.

But then again, don't~

This game of cat and mouse is eternally amusing~

"Leave Gon alive," Hisoka stated blandly, taking part in the Valkyrie social cue to give an order to be obeyed once a battle of wills was won.

"Fine then. I'll only take Kill," Illumi agreed reluctantly. "But if and when he intervenes, which if he truly is Ging's son he inevitably will, I will have no choice but to deal with him. I will not kill him, but I cannot promise his unconditional safety."

Hisoka gazed at Illumi through low lidded eyes, mouth downturned and face serious.

Skies, he's not going to like this.

"I ask that you leave Killua be as well."

The reaction was immediate.

The Valkyrie's wings prickled, extending outwards to double his size. The strength dampers on his tail were released, and it flicked to full attention, sharp and deadly. His hair puffed out in all directions, and his face became shadowed as a deadly cloud of aura so potent that it was visible to the naked eye sheathed him in a cloak of threat and death.

Hisoka idly activated an aura shield surrounding the roof of the building.

He didn't want Killua noticing Illumi's aura and freaking out… not just yet.

"What?" Illumi snarled.

Hisoka simply blinked at him, face remaining impassive. "Leave Killua be… for now at least."

"And why would I ever do that?" the Valkyrie growled. The guttural sound alone enough to make a Mountain-Peak-Titan piss himself.

"Let me have a little fun," Hisoka purred, face slipping back into that mask of sexual glee.

"Fun. With Kill? I certainly hope you jest," Illumi said darkly, not drawing any pins or making a single move against Hisoka though.

"Not necessarily fun with Killua, you are already the only Valkyrie I need~ However, in order for me to properly experience Gon, I need Killua to stay around for a while longer. He won't be the same without our silver haired friend at his side in this… formative time of their lives fast approaching."

"Formative time?" Illumi ground out, never having much patience when Killua was involved.

Hisoka grinned full out, and all animals, bugs, and creatures within a 100 foot radius turned tail and ran. "They're about to reach the 300th floor."

Illumi suddenly calmed. His wings and tail returned to normal, as well as his aura and hair. Hisoka left the shield in place, however. Don't want to take any chances, now do we?

"Ah. I see where you are going with this."

Hisoka chuckled light heartedly… but with a dark undertone.

"Fine. I'll let you expose them to Blood Magic. I'll even hold off until they clear the tower. But in exchange for my compliance, you must help me further along my own goals. So long as Killua remains in Gon's presence, my interference is acceptable to you?"

"Yes~ I do believe that a little emotional distress would age him nicely~ Like a fine wine~"

The magician shuddered in delight.

"Good," Illumi said, a plan formulating behind those empty eyes. "I'll leave the two of them alone for now. But you must assist me in my plan."

Hisoka gave a chesshire grin, and extended his hand to the Valkyrie.

"Deal."

Illumi hummed in though as he shook Hisoka's hand up and down.

"If I'm going to be here for an undetermined amount of time… then I might as well get a little involved in the Arena."

"But of course, have all the fun you like~" Hisoka chuckled, dark laughter ringing out through the night.