The weight of the shackles lifted from his wrists, and his arms dropped to Illumi's side, having gone numb hours ago. His father slapped gently at the skin on his face and arms, coercing the feeling to come back. It was working. The sharp electric feeling creeping down from his shoulder was nothing short of painful. Silva lifted Illumi to his feet with a grunt, and it was like standing for the first time the way his weight stabbed against his feet like knives. He didn't protest when his father walked him to the nearby med table to sit. The cushiony plastic feel was much more comfortable than where he had been forced to kneel on the floor.

Silva stepped aside for a moment and brought back a basin and a towel with water as well as a bottle of antiseptic. Illumi kept his face lowered, but he wanted to look at his father's face. He wanted to see if his father would scowl at him for being a disappointment, but from what he could see from the corner of his eye, his father was solely concentrated on cleaning up Illumi's shoulder and back. Caked, dried blood which had crusted to the contour of Illumi's shoulder came off easily. It was a puncture wound, something Illumi was used to. He knew it would need to be stitched, but he didn't want to think about it. He didn't want to make a sound, but he couldn't help but hiss when he felt the sting of antiseptic on his back where he had been burned.

"Hold still." Silva grabbed Illumi's shoulder to still him as he tended to the burn.

"I told your mother to watch it. This is going to leave a mark."

"It's not like it matters. I have plenty of burns and scars. One more won't matter."

Silva frowned. They both kept quiet after that. Silva placed a set of clean clothes next to Illumi and left the room. Illumi moved to stand, and he winced at his aching joints, stiff from not moving for so long.

He glanced at the set of clothes still on the table. Illumi wanted desperately to shower first. He grabbed his clothes and left the room for the first time since he got home. He made his way to his bedroom. It still looked the same as when he left; clean and organized. He stepped off into his personal bathroom. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw his own reflection. His skin was so pale it was almost transparent. He could see his veins, blue and purple and green, through his translucent flesh. His face was thinner and his eyes were sunken. Dark bags circled his sockets. He looked awful. He snarled at his reflection and turned away to start the shower. His shower was a large glass enclosure with beautiful lavender and black tile. He loved his shower. He missed it.

The water was near scalding, but it was just what Illumi wanted. He washed his hair thoroughly and let the heat melt away his pain. He closed his eyes for a moment. There was someone at the edge of his mind, trying to creep in. He opened his eyes, forcing away thoughts of gold eyes and red hair. He rinsed his hair and conditioned it to perfection. A name rested on the tip of his tongue, ready to fall out at any second. Instead of words, Illumi grit his teeth together, unwilling to speak the name as if somehow it would kill him to do so. The last of the conditioner rinsed out of his hair. Illumi turned the water off and stepped out.

He dried himself with a soft and lush towel. He wrapped it around his waist. He stepped over to his mirror and took another look at himself. He looked slightly better. Cleaner, for sure. His hair wasn't a mess and his skin was clean, but he was still less than happy about how he looked. He opened a cabinet and pulled out a small box filled with thin needles. He carefully picked one up and pushed it into the side of his face. His right eye slowly lifted and his bags smoothed out. He did the same for the other side of his face. The needles stuck out, but this was only temporary. He pinched the skin in his arms before pushing a needle in. Color pooled in his skin, making him less see-through. Veins disappeared. He took a step back to appreciate his work.

"That's better."

...

...

"They have a what?" Hisoka sat at his breakfast nook in his apartment, watching Chrollo stare out the window to the city beneath them.

"A giant hound." Chrollo responded without so much as a glance in Hisoka's direction.

"A giant hound?" Hisoka repeated.

"A giant hound. His name is Mike. Have you called back the police department?"

"Okay so not only do they have a ridiculously heavy gate, but they have a guard dog?"

"Mike is more like a machine than any animal, really. And you forgot the butlers."

"Butlers... Illumi did mention butlers a lot."

"Yep." Chrollo finally tore himself away from the scenery of the bustling city to join Hisoka. He took a sip of hot tea from his mug. The one with 'Fuck' on it. "You know, Hisoka I really can't say I missed it here."

"Let me ask you something," Hisoka said, ignoring Chrollo's last statement, "how many butlers do they have?"

"Pfft, god I don't know. All I know is every single one of them can use Nen. It's a requirement to work for them."

"Oh really?" Hisoka grinned at the thought of a mansion filled with Nen users.

"Too many for even you to take on, maybe." Chrollo warned.

"I can only begin to imagine what kind of fun that would be..." Hisoka seemed to vibrate in his seat as his mind wandered. Chrollo nearly gagged.

"Look, Hisoka. You gotta be smart about this. Even if you did get past all the butlers, do you plan to fight the Zoldycks too? Not that it wouldn't be fun to see, but I'm more than 100% positive Illumi would kill you just for thinking it."

"That's another problem. Illumi..."

"What?"

"He's there now, with his family. I'm not even sure he would want to see me."

"Uh, correct me if I'm wrong but, didn't he like murder your only existing family or...?"

"Family? Oh please. That breeder and her spawn were hardly family."

"Uh? Breeder?"

"They're vultures, all of them. They stalk places like Heaven's arena for particularly strong fighters and pair them up with brilliant minded individuals. They want to make some kind of super race or whatever. They're a real bunch of weirdos."

"Okay now I have even more questions."

"Shoot."

"So, that woman... and you?"

"She gave me an offer I could hardly refuse."

"And what was that?"

"A chance to fight the kid once he grew up."

Chrollo's mouth hung open. Hisoka blew on his tea to cool it. The mug had "Manwhore" written in a pretty font.

"You.. You wanted to fight your own kid?"

"Of course. If in the off chance he would have grown up to be just as strong as I am but with an edge on me for intelligence, not to mention youth, could you imagine it?"

"No, I couldn't imagine it." Chrollo watched as Hisoka sipped his coffee. "Too bad Illumi killed him."

"Not really. The kid had a heart condition. He never would have been able to fulfill my expectations."

"Ouch. Talk about daddy issues."

"Gon, on the other hand..." Hisoka trailed off. Chrollo cleared his throat.

"That still doesn't explain why that woman was your wife."

"We were legally married. That way she could bet on me as much as she liked and if for any reason I was killed at heaven's arena she would get compensated."

"And you were okay with that?"

"Why wouldn't I be? I was never in it for the money. She made her bets and stuffed her pockets, I fought. It's not like I was dying anytime soon and if I did there was no one I cared enough about to receive compensation. So we were married. We hardly talked. Last time I spoke with her she told me she was going to be in town on other business and wanted to know if I was going to be fighting."

"Who set this up?"

"Hm?"

"Did she approach you or did someone match you two?"

"Well I only ever met her but there were others. Someone else chose me for her, someone else gave her access to my apartment. She showed up one day and made her offer and I agreed. She made a phone call and someone came to have me sign the papers. They officiated and we were legally married. She stayed here, making bets on me when I fought and she didn't leave until she had what she came for. I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her. She wasn't at all my type. She wasn't strong. In fact she was frail. I almost killed her the first night we-"

"Okay thanks I think I get it."

"Right. Anyway, I got a call a few months later when the kid had been born. I had to go to sign whatever papers that said I was the father. I didn't have to hold the kid so I didn't. It was around last year that she told me he had a heart murmur. They wanted her to try again, so we did. She miscarried twice before she convinced them we needed to stop. Now that she's dead they'll probably want her money before they try to match me with someone again."

"Why don't they already have her money?"

"Oh did I tell you? I called the police back. They made an arrest. Some rival businessman had a hit on her. Since I was her husband I get all her stuff. I own her businesses, but I don't particularly care for them."

"Hisoka are you telling me you're filthy rich now?"

"I'm filthy rich now."

"Damn. I think I'll have to rob you."

"Good luck without your Nen."

"Soon enough, Hisoka."

Hisoka chuckled and took another sip of his tea. Chrollo had laughed too, but out of the corner of his eye, Hisoka could see Chrollo frowning.

"Did you ever meet him?" Chrollo asked.

"Meet who?"

"Your kid."

"No. I didn't want to."

"Do you even know his name?"

"Albert, I think. She named him."

"You're really something."

"What?"

"You just have no idea what's wrong and what's right, do you? You're completely self-serving."

"I think that's not entirely true. I know what's considered wrong and right I just don't care."

"So if you wanted to, you could pretend to be a normal person?"

"Of course, but where would be the fun in that?"

"Deceiving people. In particular, the Zoldycks."

"I'm not following you."

"The butlers. They're always looking for new ones. If you came to their door with a recommendation from me, they might hire you. You could infiltrate their ranks and-"

"That'd be a great idea if the family didn't already know what I look like."

"So? Texture surprise your face. Dye your hair. Wear contacts. I'll even help you."

"Wouldn't it be a little strange if I came with a recommendation from someone they know has been missing?"

"Okay you're right on that one..."

"I can forge a recommendation from someone else... Or I could just tell them I'm a pro Hunter."

"No, you can't be a hunter. If they find out you're a hunter they'll kick you out."

"Why?"

"They'd want to know what you are hunting."

"Okay. Point taken. Then.."

"I could make up a name, give my phone number and when they call I'll tell them all about how great you are!"

"This isn't going to work what the hell am I even thinking?"

"I think it could."

"But you're crazy."

"What, and you're not?"

"I resent that."

"Do you want to get to Illumi or not?"

"...Fine. Let's do this."

...

…...

Illumi panted as he exerted himself in one of the many training rooms there were in his family's mansion. He faced six butlers. He could dodge them easily and make swift attacks to the back of their necks if he wanted to, but killing them would be a waste. He sparred with them nicely, and when the timer indicated their session was done, another Butler was ready with a towel and water. Illumi accepted it and left the room. He passed his mother in the hall without a word. Everyone had been keeping their distance. It was probably better that way. He almost passed up his father's room, but something pulled him to a stop. Questions that needed answers pounded in his head. He turned and knocked on the door. He waited for a moment before the large doors creaked open on their own.

"Illumi, come in." Silva sat with MIke's head next to him. He pet the family's massive dog as he spoke.

Illumi stepped in and sat down next to his father. When Silva looked at him, ready to hear him, he felt the need to run, but he stayed.

"You... You allowed Killua to have a friend. You allowed him to leave. I just want to know-"

"Killua is still a child. He is an assassin, but he is young and has time to come back to us still. You, however, are not. Not to mention, that man was no friend. He was your lover. You have responsibilities to tend to. Watching your brother, for starters, which you still have no idea where he is. You let yourself become distracted. We cannot have that."

"I see.."

Silva sighed. "Illumi, your mother is convinced you are over this. Don't let her see you with such a human expression on your face."

"Oh, right. Sorry." Illumi hadn't realized what his face must have looked like to his father, and for a moment he was ashamed.

"Is that all?"

"Uh, no. Actually, when can I go on another job?"

"That's my boy. I'll see what work there is to do and send you a new case file."

"Thanks." Illumi got up and walked out, pleased to know his father was happier with him now. He'd never notice the frown on Silva's face as he left.

…...

...

"Hi-" Hisoka cleared his throat. "Hiro."

"Hiro?" The Butler in front of Hisoka was an elderly woman with two pigtails. She was huge, considering she was as old as Hisoka thought she was.

"Yep. That's my name. Hiro." Hisoka's eyes felt dry underneath the colored lenses Chrollo had made him get.

"You got a surname?"

"Mori."

"Hiro Mori?"

"That's me. Here's my resume." Hisoka quickly 'Texure Surprised' his resume before handing it over. She barely glanced over it before tossing it on the desk between them.

"Can you see it?" A faint glow appeared around her body.

"Your Nen? Yes. I can see it."

"Good. Then you're hired."

"That's it?"

"We'll see how long you survive here, 'Hiro'." Hisoka couldn't help but grin.

"Follow me." Hisoka followed the woman without hesitation. They left the small office and were outside. Hisoka had made it past the gates without encountering the dog and found his way to the Butler's quarters without trouble. Granted, had he tried to come in looking for a fight, he wouldn't have gotten far, but coming in to look for a job was hardly an easy task.

"My name is Tsubone, but you can call me Ma'am. You'll be proving your worth for the rest of your life with the Zoldycks. You will be loyal entirely. I don't care where you've come from or what kind of life you have lead, here you will abandon it all. If Hiro is who you want to be, then that's what we'll call you, but make no mistake. If you give us any reason to believe you aren't loyal to the family... " Tsubone halted outside of a building. The heat from the sun made Hisoka wonder how every one of them dealt with having to wear those stuffy outfits all the time.

"Well I'm sure you understand."

"Perfectly, Ma'am." Hisoka felt like a child as his words left his mouth. He wasn't intimidated in the slightest, but calling someone Ma'am and being polite was never really his thing. It made him want to puke.

"If you can beat me, you can stay."

Hisoka's attention snapped back as he realized she had opened the door to a sparring room. She meant for him to fight her. She seemed to be serious, so he intended to give his all.

"Okay then."

…...

…...

Illumi sat across from Kalluto. Milluki was to his left. His mother sat across from him and to the right. Silva sat at the head of the table next to both Kikyo and Illumi. Butlers came and went serving dinner and filling glasses. Illumi was silent as he ate, being careful to keep his expression unreadable and cold.

"Illu?" Kikyo's voice was soft. Illumi looked up at her.

"We got a letter this morning from an organization."

"What kind of organization?"

"Well, they're a match-making service, really. They're similar to the people who matched your father and I." Kikyo gestured to Silva and then herself as she spoke. Milluki continued to inhale his food next to Illumi.

"Oh." Illumi kept himself monotone as best he could.

"Yes, well. They got word of your talents."

"And?"

"And, well.." Kikyo trailed off and looked to her husband.

Silva swallowed whatever food he had been chewing on and spoke. "They've found someone for you."

Illumi looked to his father, and then to his mother. Both of them looked back at him. "Why would they feel the need to match someone with me? I'm not the heir to the Zoldyck household."

"Well, they're not only interested in the heirs. You see, if they think someone is particularly strong, they match that person with someone of high intelligence in order to make perfect children. They pay handsomely."

"Perfect children?"

"Yes. They want you to father their next project."

"I.. Does that mean I'd have to- uh.. with a woman?" Illumi could feel his face becoming beet red. He noticed his father's brows begin to furrow and he tried his best to eat something to distract himself from the conversation he was having.

Kalluto didn't look up from his food as he cut into his steak.

Kikyo cleared her throat, "Ahem. Well, from what I understand, the partners they choose usually become legally married so that the project is done... traditionally. However if that's going to be a problem.."

Silva chimed in with food still in his mouth, "That won't be a problem." He looked at Illumi as if to ask, "Right?"

Illumi inhaled, giving him a second to think. He'd never dreamed about having sex. Ever. It wasn't until a certain clown came along that changed that. Now, Illumi wasn't sure he'd be able to try again with someone else, someone that he didn't know entirely. Illumi exhaled, his time was up. His parents, and even Milluki, were all looking at him. Kalluto didn't bother masking a grin on his face.

"Right, hah. It's no problem."

Kikyo smiled. "Good. Then I'll contact them back with the news." Illumi looked down at his plate, hardly touched at this point. He wasn't hungry anymore. He excused himself from the table and went to his room to review a case file for his next hit.

…..

…...

The match was over. Hisoka hadn't broken a sweat. Tsubone called off the match as soon as she realized no matter what she did, she would lose. She wiped her face with a towel and congratulated her opponent.

"Well done, Hiro. With skills like that I'm sure Gotoh will put you in a good position somewhere in the house."

"The house?"

"Yes. Don't get excited just yet, though. You'll still need to learn to become a proper Butler."

"How long will that take?"

"As long as it needs to. Your fighting skills are something else, I have no doubt you'll be able to protect the family for years to come. However, you will still need to attend to the family like a true Butler should. I doubt you have any experience in that matter."

"I.. No."

"Good. We'll get some time to teach you then."

"You mentioned someone named Gotoh?"

"He's the Zoldycks most trusted Butler and your new boss. Once you're done training here, he will decide where to put you."

"So that's not up to you?"

"Not in the slightest."

"Well then, I guess we better get started."

"I'll send for a new uniform for you."

…...

…...

Illumi scrolled through pages of information silently. He could hear footsteps outside his door. At first he waited for a knock, but when the footsteps turned to leave, he called out.

"Come in."

There was a hesitation, but the doorknob turned and the door creaked open. Kalluto stood in Illumi's doorway.

"Did you need something?" Illumi asked.

"I was just- I'm leaving. I'm going to meet up with the troupe."

"Okay? What does that have to do with me?"

"You- uh. I just... You don't have to do this. I mean what mom was saying."

"I already agreed to it. Besides, what do you care?"

"I don't care. I was just going to say it's a stupid idea."

"I know it's a stupid idea. Marrying someone we don't know? That's going to backfire."

"Then why are you gonna do it?"

"That's none of your business."

Kalluto looked away for a second. The sudden silence made Illumi itch.

"You know, Illumi. You don't have to do this to be over Hisoka, It's okay if-"

"Shut up!" Illumi's raised voice and heightened aura startled Kalluto.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"

"Get out!"

Kalluto scrambled to close the door to Illumi's room. He could feel the death oozing off of him. The air was thick and suffocating. Right as the door closed, Kalluto swore he thought he saw an inhuman version of Illumi. He didn't open the door to check or investigate, but for fear of his life hurried away from the hallway.

Illumi sat in his room, bloodlust swirling around him. Who did Kalluto think he was? He thought he knew what was going through his mind, that imp. Kalluto didn't know anything. Kalluto should have kept his mouth shut. Next time, Illumi thought to himself, if he didn't watch his mouth Illumi would be forced to take it from him.

...

…...

Phinks stepped into the hotel room where the other spiders were. Nobunaga kept an eye on Abengane. Kalluto was perched on the arm of the couch next to Feitan. They watched Machi and the others play some video game. This was not exactly the meet-up he was expecting, but it was amusing, and altogether annoyingly unnecessary.

Phinks stood silent in the doorway, not saying anything. It took a few seconds for Shizuku to pause the game so they could pay attention to Phinks.

"You guys will never guess who's outside."

"The boogie monster?" Feitan chimed.

"It's Chrollo."

…...

...

Illumi calmed down eventually, enough to actually get to work on his newest assassination. He gathered what he needed and left. It was simple, clean, and over with in a flash. Before he came back to the mansion his father sent him a new case file. Another assassination. No big deal. Once he was finished with that one he came home.

It went on like this for weeks. Illumi would come home, research where Killua might be, and go out for assassinations. Throwing himself into work was a nice pace. He didn't really have to think about anything. He would become frustrated every time he looked for Killua. It was as if he jumped somewhere and was now hiding somewhere off the grid. He'd find him. Eventually.

His mother had responded to that organization and they had sent word that they were very glad to work with Illumi. Illumi moped around that day. He was on his way to spar, lost in thought as he walked down the hallway.

"Ah, Illumi! There you are." Illumi snapped out of his thoughts and found himself looking at Gotoh.

"Gotoh. How are you?"

"Never better, thank you sir. I have someone to introduce to you."

"Oh? Is she here already? Did my mother not want to meet her?"

"I'm sorry I don't follow you. Are you expecting someone?"

"Nevermind. You wanted me to meet someone?"

"Ah, yes." Gotoh turned and gestured for someone to come out. A Butler stepped from around a corner. He had black hair and a scar on his face. Brown eyes. He looked familiar. Too familiar. "This is Hiro. He's going to be your new personal Butler."

Illumi looked at the man standing next to Gotoh. He kept his face focused on the ground, careful not to make eye contact.

"Pleasure to meet you, Hiro."

Illumi watched an all too familiar grin creep up on the face of the new Butler. He lifted his head to speak, and as he did Illumi watched in horrified recognition. The face. His face. It was his. He knew it was him.

"The pleasure's all mine."

Chapter 10, Fin~

...

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