Side Two
The Arrival of Pakunoda
Credit for some of the hisoka-machi banter goes to Hamliet.
Also. One. More. Chapter. :D
"Excellent, Chrollo." Palm lifts her thick hair off her neck to alleviate the afternoon heat. She watches calmly as Kurapika is teleported across the dusty, unpaved street.
Chrollo's eyes glow. He's no longer teleporting on a stolen ability; now, he's developing every talent on his own. Or trying to, at any rate. He's always been a quick learner.
With a new book, of course. Inspiration's Secret.
He may have conjured an image of Kurapika on the cover.
Kurapika shakes his head from where he lies sprawling across the road, adjacent to melted plastic and sticky flies. "You're enjoying this."
"I am," Chrollo simpers, prompting Kurapika to send a conjured key flying towards his throat. He dodges. "And here I thought the key was for freeing others."
"I can turn it into a weapon," Kurapika teases. His key, his newest nen, can release anyone from any bond or chains or even curses.
Palm rolls her eyes. She's been training these two, and Gon in separate lessons, on regaining nen after losing your abilities. All she has to offer is her experience after capture by the Ants – more often than not, she feels inadequate. But her pupils seem to encourage her.
Knov offered her this job. He told her she was a fellow tutor instead of a student now. And though she's no longer obsessed with him, Knov will always hold a soft space in her heart.
"Hey, hey." Chrollo whistles behind Palm.
Oito and Phinks stroll towards the barely-standing house the troupe has stayed in for the last few months. Well, except Oito and Phinks, who have been on their honeymoon for the last week.
They wear matching silver bands around their fingers, and Woble clings to Phinks' neck. Oito's face is mildly tanned from sunlight, and Phinks is mildly pink with a sunburn.
"Welcome back," Kurapika says, waving towards Woble. "How was the island?"
"Quite beautiful." Oito beams, squeezing Phinks' palm. "We missed you all, believe it or not."
"Aw, Phinks too?" Chrollo winks at him.
"Shut up, Danchou." Phinks snorts.
"They're back!" shouts a voice from inside. The Zoldyck family – even the so-called 'psuedo-family' from Machi to Hisoka and Gon – emerges from the inside of the house. Alluka waves eagerly. Even Hina shyly appears.
The Spiders appear after behind them.
"How's are you feeling, Machi?" Oito greets the round-stomached woman.
"Oh, you know." Machi waves her hand. She slouches against the wall.
"I do," Oito says sympathetically.
"Allow me to quote her," Hisoka says. "I can't wait for Oito who understands to come back. So I can bitch to her. I think Melody is getting tired of it."
"You heard that?!"
"It's Hisoka," Kalluto says dryly.
Machi shakes her fist before pouting. "I fucking hate being pregnant."
"Your baby's first word had better not be 'fuck,'" Shizuku says.
"On the contrary, it had better be," Hisoka interjected, drawing a horrified gasp from Illumi. Though, to be fair, Illumi is more horrified by the laughter stemming from every single one of his younger siblings.
"Shut up, you." Machi sighs.
Oito gives her a sympathetic glance. "I remember."
"Ankles swollen, bloated, ready to pop out this kid like a pimple," Machi grouses.
"Your ankles bother you again?" Feitan scuttles over. "Sit down. I'll rub."
"Let's all go inside," Chrollo says as Franklin scoops Machi in his arms to carry her inside.
"Put me down!"
"You deserve caretaking," Oito calls.
"Ugh." Machi settles on their threadbare couch as Feitan begins massaging her ankles. Her eyes soften. "Thank you."
"Where's Nobu?" Phinks asks.
"He went out to get Machi the dates she was craving," Bonolenov says.
"And to call his boyfriend, no doubt," Shizuku puts in.
"Ah, they're still gone?" Oito only heard snippets – that Morel, Knov, Shoot, and Knuckle, along with Cheadle and Leorio, had been called away to handle Pariston's extradition to the Hunter Association. Kurapika declined, despite his position among the zodiacs.
"Yep. Consequently, I have vowed not to go into labor this week," Machi affirms, drawing a snicker from Phinks.
Oito notes with some concern how swollen her friend's ankles have become, and the way her skin squishes under Feitan's soft ministrations.
"Anyhow, tell us about your trip," Palm says, wrapping an arm around Milluki's shoulders. His cheeks redden – he's not used to her attention, but he rather likes it.
"I have returned!" Nobunaga calls a few minutes later.
"Oh, thank God." Machi calls forth a nen stitch to pluck the package from Nobunaga's hands.
"You're supposed to conserve energy," Killua says.
Machi pouts, and Oito swears she's covering a grimace. "It's a treat. I used to sneak dates all the time as a kid. Of all people, you and Gon should be on my side. You two sneak enough food to feed a family."
"I'm on your side," Kalluto assures her, and Machi brightens.
"Good." Machi offers him a date. "Then I'll share with you."
As the afternoon wears into evening, after a dinner prepared by Palm and Melody, Oito and Phinks venture upstairs to tuck Woble into her crib.
And Melody's eyes continue to flit to Machi.
By the third time Hisoka has caught Kurapika staring at Melody staring at Machi, he grows suspicious.
"Melody, you're subtle, but your Chain Bastard friend sure ain't. What's up with Machi?"
Kurapika gulps.
"Pre-labor contractions," Machi says quickly.
"They've been coming regularly for three hours," Melody says, a gentle, quiet dispute that arouses Machi's ire. How dare Melody disagree that nicely.
Feitan grips her hands. Kalluto touches her belly, and his eyes widen. Machi refuses to so much as make a face.
"Machi, are you okay?" Hisoka asks, sidling closer.
He gasps as water begins dribbling down Machi's legs. The entire room stills.
"I'm fine." Machi replies stiffly.
"She didn't say fuck you. She's dying!" Hisoka jumps.
"I am not! I'm having a baby, that's all!" Machi throws a fist towards Hisoka.
"Now?!" Nobunaga shrieks.
"Cheadle isn't here," Shizuku frets.
"I'm fine! I took a vow –" Machi yells, but her voice is cut off by another pang.
At the sight of her clearly in pain, Feitan is frozen, and Kalluto about to cry.
"Call – call Leorio!" Gon stammers to Killua.
"Call Cheadle. She's the full-fledged doctor," Alluka corrects.
"Stop." Chrollo commands. His voice, though as pleasant as always, still knifes through the room.
Everyone pauses, and looks back towards Danchou.
He points to the entrance, where Oito and Phinks stand. "Let's listen to the woman who's experienced it before."
Oito looks around the chaotic room, jaw slack with disbelief. "Illumi, I expected better."
"I have a weakness," Illumi says, pointing to his laughing husband. Is that a joke? That's how jokes work, right?
"Obviously." Oito rolls her eyes. "Shizuku, escort the useless ones to the kitchen. By that I mean everyone except Feitan."
Kalluto breathes a sigh of relief. He waves to Gon and Killua. "Help me drag Hisoka."
"I can manage that." Nanika snaps her fingers, and Hisoka vanishes from the room.
"Hey!" he yells from the kitchen.
"Stay there!" Alluka shouts back.
Machi closes her eyes. Acute misery strains her face.
"Feitan, carry Machi into her room. Chrollo, stay with us in case Hisoka comes back. Melody, keep Feitan from losing his shit more. Kurapika, Illumi – you both said you had experience. You come too." Oito huffs. "Franklin – and Phinks – I'm counting on your maturity. Keep our friends in the kitchen calm."
"Anything we can do, we'll do," Franklin promises. Phinks merely nods in awe of his new wife.
"Palm?"
"Milluki and I will keep an eye on Woble," Palm assures Oito, who smiles gratefully.
"Lay her down." Oito pats the bed as Illumi locks the door behind them with one of his needles – another barrier against Hisoka or any anxious troupe member.
Alarm sprinkles across Chrollo's face as Machi's expression contorts. A vein throbs in her forehead.
"I'm fine," she seethes, though no one believes her.
"Here." Kurapika summons Holy Chain and presses it to Machi's forehead. He only recalls what his mother used to do for villagers, and that one time his little sister accompanied her and described the scene for Kurapika. But still, that's better than nothing, right?
Her muscles visibly relax. "Ah – ha."
"I can't believe," Feitan grouses, "I'm grateful you're using your chain on my wife."
Kurapika smiles grimly. Holy Chain is the one nen ability he's maintained, whose strength he's honed.
"Wife? So you finally signed Shizuku's paperwork?" Oito teases. "While I wasn't around?!"
"Fei didn't want to wait," Machi says with a slight grin. She grinds her teeth. "And don't worry, husband. I can still kick Chain Dude's ass."
"Oh," says Feitan, "I know you can."
"He'd probably let you," Oito says simply, drawing a scowl from Machi.
"Keep your chain on her," Melody says, and Kurapika nods.
Illumi frowns as the contractions increase in frequency and discomfort. He remembers Tsubone – whom he's texting – helping Mother with Killua, Alluka, and Kalluto.
But now Tsubone asks a question he isn't sure the answer to. So he reaches his hand towards Machi's abdomen.
"What are you –" Feitan is cut off by a firm glance from Oito.
Machi isn't sure what he's feeling for, but her anxiety begins growing. "Illumi?"
"I think it is breech," Illumi says, as calmly as only he can be.
Chrollo blanches, Kurapika bites his lip, and Oito makes no movement at all.
"How bad?" Feitan demands.
"Highly dependent on the circumstances," Oito says, recalling her own pregnancy, and how Unma had maneuvered Woble so that she would not be breech. But that had been before labor, not during. "It's a complication, but not entirely uncommon. Let's not rush around yet."
Machi tries to laugh, but she looks increasingly ill.
Hours have passed, and even Hisoka is no longer pretending to be anything but worried now.
Hina sniffles.
"What's wrong?" Alluka sits besides the teenage ant.
"Just – remembering. The Queen died. Having the King." Hina shivers. "I don't want that to happen to Machi."
Kalluto looks ill at the thought. And he tenses, ready to rush the room. Phinks eyes him, ready to stop his assault.
"It won't," Gon says forcefully. "Machi is strong. Killua, remember when her abdominal muscles entrapped your punch?"
Killua snorts. "I do."
"When was that?" Hina sounds amazed.
"Back when we were enemies," Gon begins.
"Can Nanika help?" Oito asks.
"Probably. But it's a bit different than healing - it'd be highly experimental," Illumi says.
"Let's try something easier first. Can you try using your chain?" Chrollo asks Kurapika. His face is pale. He doesn't know if he can bear the thought of this not ending happily.
"I – I don't know if it works like that…" Kurapika stammers.
"You might as well try," Machi growls. "Or I'll make you."
"I'm glad you're still feisty." Kurapika removes the chain from her forehead, intending to press it against her lower abdomen.
"Machi?" Feitan says sharply as Kurapika reaches over.
Kurapika spins around to see Machi's muscles tense. Her eyes roll back in her head.
"Machi!" Feitan screams, lunging forward. Melody no longer holds him back, as Illumi rushes out the door.
Gon opens his mouth to begin his story for Hina's question, but the door opens, the door to Machi's room, at long last.
Illumi flies out. There is no smile. "Nanika!"
"Big brother?" She stands ready.
"Get Cheadle here now." He knows, he knows he's giving an order, he knows that Killua didn't want Nanika to help with this because she deserves rest, but Illumi also hopes that Nanika trusts him enough to understand he wouldn't order unless they were in an emergency.
Nanika nods. Her nen swells for five torturous seconds. And then Cheadle and Leorio stumble into the room.
"The hell?!" Leorio exclaims. "We were in the middle of – "
"What's wrong?" Cheadle interrupts.
Illumi hauls Cheadle into the kitchen before anyone can ask another question.
Cheadle gasps at Machi's unconscious state, which is no longer seizing so long as Kurapika holds Holy Chain against her. "Illumi, your needles."
Her nen finally activates.
Medicine. She conjures medicine. Chrollo will envy her ability as soon as Machi is no longer ill.
Cheadle hooks a package of fluids to Machi's vein. "This is eclampsia."
"How bad?" Feitan demands, trying not to shake. Melody holds him upright.
"The baby is breech, too," Oito says.
"Okay." Cheadle sighs, declining to answer Feitan. "I think we should do this the hard way. Chrollo, your Benz knife isn't poisoned right now, is it?"
"No." He hands it to her without question, heart sinking.
"Kurapika, keep your chain on her so she doesn't feel anything. Melody, hold Feitan." Cheadle presses the knife against Machi's abdomen. "Illumi, keep pushing more of that magnesium solution into her."
"At least – let me hold her," Feitan begs through his tears. "Please."
She nods, moving so that Feitan can touch Machi's shoulder watch his child's birth.
Blood pools around Machi's midsection, the stomach he had covered with kisses just this morning. And then Cheadle's hands are inside, inside Machi, pushing aside what looks like intestines.
He knows every organ, as a torturer. He just never wanted to see the organs of the person he loved. Feitan has to wonder, once again, if this is his fault.
Cheadle's arms grasp a bloody, whimpering mess.
A mess that is making its own noises. Feitan starts as Cheadle pulls.
Chrollo grabs his knife and pushes it into Feitan's hands.
He hesitates. It seems wrong, to cut the cord when Machi is still unconscious, medicated by Cheadle's IV and Kurapika's chain.
"She'd tell you to 'hurry up and fucking cut it," Kurapika whispers. Cheadle continues to dig in Machi's abdomen, pulling out a bloody sack.
Feitan's face crumples again, and he immediately severs the cord, finalizing their child's birth.
Which reminds him – he looks closer.
"You have a beautiful girl," Cheadle says.
Tears stream down his face.
Machi, wake up.
Her wispy hair is pink and black.
They used to argue over who she'd resemble. Now they know – both.
Machi, wake up.
Her eyes are almond, like mine, but blue like yours.
"Machi, wake up," Feitan manages, holding this precious, precious human to his chest.
A hand lands on his shoulder. Danchou, crying himself, proud of him. And proud of Machi. And worried for them both.
"She'll recover easier now that the baby's out," Cheadle assures him. "She'll be okay."
"What's her name?" Illumi asks.
Feitan's voice cracks. "Machi, wake up – Paku's here."
"Really, it's not fair. That name was a kick in the feels," Nobunaga complains to Shoot. They stand with Morel, Knov, and Knuckle, by the door of Machi's room.
"It's perfect," Chrollo declares, smiling at the baby girl in Kurapika's arms.
"I knew about the name," Kurapika admits, blushing.
"You?" Phinks demands.
"We didn't want it to be awkward." Machi's voice, though weak, still commands the room. "So we talked."
"And swore him to secrecy," says Kalluto.
"You knew, too?" Illumi is faux-outraged. He finds anger difficult to maintain when there are babies around.
"Kalluto is our firstborn," Feitan shoots back.
"He's your brother, too…" Alluka wrinkles her nose as the room laughs.
"Well, I for one am glad you saved labor at least until we returned," Oito says. "I'm not sure Phinks could have handled missing this."
"Yeah, great timing to get eclampsia and labor," Machi jokes.
"The important thing is you're okay," Palm says.
"True." Machi holds out her hands, and Kurapika dutifully passes Paku back to her mother.
At the edge of Machi's bed are gifts upon gifts, including a stuffed dog from Knuckle, music from Melody, a book from Chrollo, and a Kurta outfit from Kurapika.
"Woble's going to be a great big sister to Paku," Oito says. "I am sure."
Phinks nods vehemently. He already bought Woble a picture book about big sisters while they were away.
"We are one big family, aren't we?" Feitan looks around the room, from Hisoka and Illumi and the Zoldycks, to the Hunters, to the Spiders, to Kalluto, Paku, and Machi.
"The best kind, too. A big happy family," says Alluka, clasping her hands together. Gon and Killua and Nanika wrap their arms around her.
"Can I hold her?" Illumi asks.
"You held her just before Kurapika," Machi says, but she obliges.
Illumi takes Paku and deposits the tiny newborn into Hisoka's arms.
"Subtle," Killua says wryly, drawing a glare from Illumi. But, of course, Illumi secretly cherishes every brotherly taunt.
The clown gulps, as if he's unsure what to do. "Well, she certainly – uh – she certainly takes after Feitan in the height department."
His joke comes out thin and desperate. The baby stirs, and Hisoka flinches. He ducks his head away from the view of the others in the room.
"I do declare," Morel says, "Hisoka is crying."
"I am not." Hisoka raises his head to blink back the tears in his eyes. "See?!"
"Hisoka cares about us after all," Gon says.
Hisoka scowls at the grating awssss that punctuate the room. So he does the only thing he can. Nen.
"What a pitiful distraction." Chrollo rolls his eyes at the conjured book in his hands. "Hisoka, please remove Texture Surprise."
Kurapika chokes. Instead of Inspiration's Secret, Chrollo's title is now Fanfiction's Secret, featuring a – a –
a very scantily dressed Kurapika.
"She's a three days old. Don't you dare corrupt her yet," Hina says, snatching the baby to return to Feitan. Families joke, right? She can joke, too?
Hisoka merely laughs, making no effort to comply.
"Indeed." Machi kisses the top of Paku's head.
