To Catch a Zoldyck
Chapter 11
'Run'
Brother's voice is crisp and clear in my head. Brother Illumi always warns us not to challenge an opponent one can't defeat. Foolishness and pride are the fatal components that push most men to their graves prematurely. Yet here I am taking notes out of the books of the weak men my clan despises. This sin that goes against all laws is triggering my conscience to simulate what my big brother would have told me. It's almost as if he's talking directly into my ear. I smile bitterly. In this frigid cold I am alone. The wind howls softly mocking me for giving into weakness. My fingers tremble ever so slightly as I reach for the door. In this corridor only I am the only person daring enough to be lingering in front of this door. My saliva feels as coarse as gravel as I moisten my parched throat. This is my first impromptu mission and probably my last. A mission which I'm walking in blind without any assistance. Even the thought of my physically unfit brother, Milluki, backing me up would have been comforting. That's how dire my straits are. Kalluto get yourself together! This mountain of a door is the only obstacle between me and my sister's captor. Big brother's voice is replays in my head like a broken record. I'm way in over my head but I feel that brother is still watching over me. Every fiber in my body is screaming for me to flee but I must apologize now Brother Illumi, I can't turn away. I messed up . Perspiration glistens my pale translucent skin and goosebumps appear without warning. My bangs are plastered on my forehead like glue. A random passerby would assume that I've been soaking in the rain for a while. It's disgraceful to be reduced to a trembling coward like this but my opponent is as unpredictable as a flea. All that bastard requires is a split second to shred me to pieces. Hisoka doesn't care for past acquaintances. A friend for today might be the enemy of tomorrow. No negotiations. In this world I live in dog eats dog and everything is cutthroat. As reckless as my mission is sister's survival depends on my ability. For the sake of keeping my family's honor as a clan of elite assassins and preserving her life I'm willing to lay down my own. This mishap ultimately stained my own clean record but how was I supposed to expect a hiccup in my plans. All my intricate planning and flawless ideas were laid to waste in one second.
'Run'
The vivid image of crimson hair and sunset yellow eyes keeps on flashing in my mind. Don't get me started on his predatory gaze. Big brother Killua warned me to always be on my guard in Hisoka's presence. Why did it have to be that perverted magician that I had to fight? Formulating a strategy was as good as walking in a dead man. The psychopath was too unpredictable to contain using normal measures. But for sister Manami's sake I have to try. For the first time in ages big brother Illumi assigned an important mission to me but I hadn't truly understood the full weight of my mission. My naïve past self thought it was simple. It was a gross error of judgement and a case of being under-informed. That's why I ended up failing so miserably. How was I to know how powerful sister was? I should have guessed that elder brother wouldn't marry an ordinary woman. My finger presses the doorbell heavily.
All I recall is entering sister's room to bid her a good night. Before I left I sensed a shift in the atmosphere. There after I witnessed a menacing majestic dark aura enveloping sister's body. Unknowingly my hand reached out to feel the strength overflowing from her body when I was swallowed by the magnificent midnight blue aura. By the time my consciousness returned to me I was standing by a sidewalk. Judging from the scenery I was still in Padokea. Was this some form of teleportation that I had no clue of? More importantly where was sister?
"Hey there little cutie. How much do you charge for one night?"
I was aware that the world was riddled with pedophiles but to have to be subjected to one whilst I was in the comfort of my own sleeping yukata was revolting. The humiliation made me want to gouge out his eyes and thrust them down his throat.
"Insolent! If you desire to keep your tongue in your oral cavity you'd be wise enough shut your filthy mouth."
The pedophile glared at me for a second before he spat at the ground rudely. That was one story route I'd never be exploring. Concentrating my nen on locating sister I discovered that she wasn't too far away. What a relief. But the problem was the other nen aura I felt closing in rapidly in on her. I'd know that aura from anywhere. I'd be fool I wasn't aware. Hisoka.
Long story short I've been trailing them since that time and now the unavoidable confrontation was about to unfold. I rang the doorbell again. My paper fan materialized in right hand as I readied myself.
But this aura is?!
The door creaked open slowly.
This… can't be.
How?!
Big brother's unimpressed wide eyed stare soothes my frizzled nerves. I lose my bearings as I lunge at his waist and snivel.
"Big brother! I… I thought I was totally a goner today"
He gently knocks my head before he smooths my hair.
"Who told you to ring the doorbell like an idiot?"
His chastising doesn't stop me from hanging onto him like a monkey.
"Big brother I was so scared. I wanted to run but I couldn't leave sister in the hands of that psycho."
"By psycho there is no chance that is referring to me right? What are they teaching the younger generation in the Zoldyck clan?"
Hisoka is peeking at us from the crack in the doorway. I can't help shrieking. Big brother Illumi spares Hisoka a side glance. I'm glad brother is here regardless of Hisoka spoiling the moment by being in the background. The red haired mage is already pouring himself a glass of whiskey.
"I'll let this particular phase of foolishness slide since you were doing it for family. But do not ever risk your life again even if I'm knocking at death's door. How are we supposed to continue the clan if there are no members left behind?"
"I understand. I just got caught up in the moment. Big brother how is sister doing?"
He spares an uninterested gaze to the room on the left. A small smirk graced his pale lips momentarily.
"You'll find her cowering under the duvet like a spineless coward. Try not to spook her too much when you enter the room."
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The child in my belly is misbehaving. Here I am scared shitless and he's acting like he has a swim meet to attend in a week. I gently stroke my belly as I try to calm him down. My head leans into the closet as I give into fatigue and desperation. Illumi is strong right? I am loved and worth protecting. I chant this mantra in my head to reassure myself that Illumi would not sacrifice me for the greater good of the clan. Are they currently silent fighting to avoid the authorities attention. I crossed my fingers and prayed hard that my husband would win. I didn't sense any change in the room until my eyes met two blue cat eyes. Shock and relief flood my senses.
"Kalluto?"
My hands embrace my young brother in law. I'm pretty sure he was supposed to be tucked in bed in the Zoldyck estate.
"How are you here?"
His cat eyes stare at me unwaveringly.
"Sister how are you so powerful?"
"I'm powerful? There are several things wrong with that statement."
"Teleportation nen let alone one that can alter time and space is difficult to master. Even the ultimate nen masters have to pay a price for their abilities. But sister your abilities are inherent. As if they are ingrained into your DNA."
Illumi inserts his head between ours.
"What's so interesting that you forget to collect yourself Manami? You're still disgracefully hiding in the closet."
He knows how to dispel any lingering feelings of love I had for him like a professional love repellant. I grab a hold of Kalluto's hand and frown at Illumi. Why is my husband such a senseless blockhead?
"We're heading home. You can find your way back."
I hope I'm not being overconfident in my own abilities. The last thing I need is to deal with Illumi's rage if I fail to teleport. Closing my eyes I picture my dreary gray bedroom. I've got to change that gloomy interior. When I open my eyes I found myself on the carpet and Kalluto is still in awe. But on the ground next to me is a chunk of Illumi's hair. I assume that someone is sporting a choppy hairstyle. Ah I don't even want to think about it. There's a gentle knock on the door.
"Enter."
Gotoh the butler silently enters and bows curtly.
"It's great to have the young mistress back in one piece. I didn't want to disturb your rest but master Illumi requests your audience on a phone. He seemed worried about your safety."
You've got it all wrong Gotoh. He wants to threaten me for butchering his hair. The butler helps me up from the ground. I've never wanted to avoid a phone call this much.
"Hi honey."
"My dear Manami. If you wanted me to tag along you should have just said so. How am I supposed to walk around with dignity to now?"
"You sound upset Lumibear. What's wrong?"
The gravelly sound of teeth gritting sounds through the phone. He's pissed. Should I start packing and find myself a hideout.
"Don't even think for a second that I don't know what my amoeba of a wife is thinking. You can't run because if you do there's no going back. I'd have to be a fool to let you degrade me like this and let you homerun free."
"You're so heartless. Didn't Tsubone teach you to be more tolerant to pregnant women?"
"Is this the irrationality she wanted me to tolerate."
"Yes! If you can't even let my mistake go how do you expect yourself to be father."
"What? Assuming that my son takes on your bad habits do you think he'll shave me bald?"
"There's a chance."
"Hahaha. Very good Manami. Already letting your waywardness taint my family's roots. But I won't let that happen. Do I still have the right to call myself an assassin if I can't even handle my own family."
"I'm hanging up."
"Don't you dare………."
My sins keep on piling up. But he's not going to forgive me either way. Might as well do what I want.
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The dark haired Zoldyck's hair rose freakily around him.
"Choppy Medusa I only own one phone. Head home already and make up with your wife."
'Choppy Medusa' turned his seething gaze towards Hisoka.
"Never let that ridiculous name slip past your lips again. I won't spare you."
Hisoka smiled in the face of adversity and silently entered his room. He felt a slither of pity for Manami. She had no idea what kind of monster she had awoken.
A/N:
I know this chapter was short but I'm going to continue working on this book and send out a longer chapter next time.
Thank you for reading To Catch a Zoldyck.
