Answer to anon/simple reviews:

wiwi: Good to hear that Illyria is liked! n.n Just a tad romance of Ria/everyone - no matter how vaguely implied it is.

gurdy: Crying Wolf means lying, and Ria is lying to everyone anyway. They think she belongs in their world, where in truth, she should not.

yin: Pretty hard but i'll see what i can do.

MyLiloITAClassasin: Thanks, keep on reviewing! ^0^

Reviewerr: You're a pretty frequent reviewer, why don't you make an account? 0.0

Guest#3: Your answer is disjointed and rather confusing but i get the gist of it. i'm planning on going through all the arcs, so no worries.

BloodDDB: Well, i like updating anyway. Don't worry, i already have it all written out, just wait and see!

Guest#2: Killua ran away from home and injured his mother in the process. Illyria was practically banished. There won't be any consequences she has to suffer. O.O

Guest#1: Yeah, it's awesome. Thanks for reviewing! n.n

Lorelei: Thanks for always being my first reviewer, hope it will continue to do so! n.n Just wait and see what will unfold between the siblings!

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Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

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Disclaimer: I don't own anything but my OCs.

Warnings: Violence. Blood. Language.

Beta: Arii-hime.

Crying Wolf

Chapter 15

Family Conference

The dog responded to my voice immediately. I heard yells and yelps of surprise and fear, my friends backed away rapidly as Mike rose to his full height. He had grown considerably since I last saw him, his pink-violet fur had darken into tyrian purple and he had grown more robust. His forepaws were more human-like now.

His beady black eyes locked onto my red-brown ones.

"Illyria," said Kurapika, sounding nervous as he took a few steps back. "What are you doing?"

I ignored him, taking a few steps forward, spreading my arms invitingly. "Mike, you recognize me, don't you?" I made sure my voice was tinged with affection for this hound. "I used to feed you by hand... meat I brought from Misaki's stall, I told you before, remember?"

Mike's guard lowered, his growl dying in his throat as he approached me. I jerked my head at my friends, urging them to go. "Head north, you'll reach the residence without—hey, boy!"

Mike yipped happily, covering in dog slobber with one large lick. "That's disgusting," I muttered.

"Come on, guys," Leorio whispered, gesturing for the small group to keep moving while I keep the hound distracted. "Let's go—whoa!"

I jerked back in shock as well when Mike snarled. I placed my hand—dangerously taking risks—on his snout, trying to calm him even though I want to retreat myself. "They're my friends, Mike, surely you can... huh?" My hound whimpered in submission, not because of my stern reprimand.

Usually, whenever I yell at him, he'd just roll about on the ground and look at me with the cutest expression he had in his arsenal. "What is it?" I asked.

"It's Cerberus," sighed Zebro. "It has to be."

I cursed a multitude of languages. Each of us had our own hound; Mike was mine and Killua's to share. Alluka and Noelle had none, considering their circumstances and Kalluto didn't want his own nor did he want the responsibility that came with it. My youngest brother had no love for hounds like we did. Illumi's twin hounds died years ago, from old age and neglect (he didn't like getting slobbered either). Cerberus, the three-headed hound, belonged to Millu-nii.

Cerberus held no lost love for me—and anyone else except Millu-nii.

Kurapika cleared his throat nervously. "Please tell that is another one of your pets."

I licked my lips nervously. "No." I cursed myself for squeaking.

"Cerberus is wild," supplied Zebro helpfully as we retreated, Mike still whimpering and looking at me with sad eyes. I suspected that he'd be yelled at by Cerberus (the alpha male) for letting us in. "He listens to no one and he tends to forget his orders... like, sparing us..."

We ran like the wind. My friends didn't need any convincing the moment they saw the three heads from afar, tearing trees down with their sharper-than-razor-sharp teeth. Zebro slammed the intruder's door shut, and locked it just as our hounds's howls pierced the night air.

I glanced apologetically at the door then at my friends. "I'm sorry." They didn't ask me who I meant. "We have to go through the main entrance."

"Where?"

I gestured for Zebro to explain, then watched as Leorio yelled and screeched as he tried to pry the First Gate open. I was impressed Killua could lift 16 tons—the Third Gate and he didn't know Nen. I was pretty sure I could lift all Gates with Nen.

I expected that my friends wanted me to help them lift it. "Let's stay here and train," I suggested as they pondered their options. "We'll be stronger on the upside."

"On the downside," scoffed Leorio, shoving his hands into his pocket, "we'll be wasting time."

"You can leave if you want to," I huffed.

"No fighting, now," warned Zebro. "Who's staying?"

Kurapika hesitated. "I do need the training."

"Naturally, I'm staying to supervise you guys," I said.

Gon nodded. "We're here to get Killua."

Leorio sighed. "I can't chicken out now, can I?"

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"It took us three weeks," moaned Leorio, but he didn't sound as despairing as he acted, he seemed proud of himself to have lifted two doors in a mere three weeks. "Damn. All this for that brat."

I smirked. Gon and Kurapika were thanking Zebro and Sequartz for their help, Leorio and I were already walking ahead. "Killua will be grateful," I promised. "Even though he acts tough and wouldn't say thanks, deep down, he'll feel very happy."

Leorio frowned down at me. "You seem to know him very well. And... well, you said you're the same age..."

"We're twins," I confirmed. "Why so surprised?"

"Nah," he shook his head. "Just... on the bus, when you're spacing out, the tour guide mention something about cursed twins of the family. It didn't have anything about... y'know, about you running away from home, right?"

My eyebrows must've climbed up to my hairline. I didn't know Leorio was so perceptive. I nodded. "It does. Every younger twin had died."

Leorio swore softly under his breath. "Damn, I don't suppose you're the younger twin?" He swore louder when I nodded in confirmation. "Can't you avoid the curse or something?"

"No one went into specifics," I grumbled, crossing my arms defensively under his accusing stare. "but they say the Zoldyck line will end if we went against regulations."

"What sort of bullshit is that?"

"I know," I said, sighing. "but no one want to take chances. My grandfather is very intent on killing me to prevent any catastrophe."

"That Chairman?" Leorio wondered, raising an eyebrow. "I dunno how you guys interact, but I can tell he cares a lot about you. Why would he—"

"He's my foster grandfather," I cut in. "He took me in when I ran away from home. My real grandfather..." I grimaced. "Well, let's just say I have nothing good to say about him."

"I remember my own gramps," said Leorio, snorting at the memory. "He was a senile old man who acted like a toddler, completely harmless and annoying I tell you." He paused, as if savoring the memory. "He was very endearing and always asked about my health though... I'm sad that he died."

"Incurable disease again?" I wondered, wishing I could've met his grandfather. He sounded fun.

"Nah, old age."

I shot him a sympathetic look. "I would be sad, I suppose, if my foster grandfather died. I won't care much about this old man though. Nen could prolong our life, but not give us immortality."

Leorio blinked. "What's Nen?"

Right, I forgot they had yet to learn Nen. I smirked mysteriously. "You'll find out."

"Hey," Gon called. "Who's that in front?"

I quirked a brow, turning to the direction he was pointing at. I was starting to recognize this part of the forest. Often, Illumi and—or—Killua would greet me whenever I came back from a mission. Especially the cracked stone walls where Killua and I had a rather vicious spat before.

My amused smirk dropped when I saw her.

Ugh. I turned away, crossing my arms petulantly when I recognized who it was. "It's Canary," I said, miffed. It wasn't that Canary was disrespectful or mean or anything, but she was friends with Killua.

I admit: I complained to Illumi that Kill spend way too much time with her and not with me; and Illumi promised that he'd look into the matter. Since I complained that one time, Killua no longer spent time with her and seemed to have forgotten her completely—which was fine by me so I forgot about it too. I was jealous and spiteful, but could you blame me? I had no friends but Killua and I didn't want him to be taken away from me.

I stopped walking abruptly when something hit me. Could I be the reason why Illumi was preventing all contact between Gon and Killua? I did say I didn't want Killua to have any friends but his siblings as company.

And, Illumi had glanced at me, giving me the choice to divulge the information of Killua's condition to his friends—he was giving me the option to chose to let Killua have friends or not. All this while, he'd remember that childish complain?

Why was my eldest brother so fucking complicating?

One moment, I could confidently say he never cared. The next moment, I would be doubting his cruel actions.

Kurapika nudged me forward, snapping me out of my reverie. "Uh, Ria?" I answered with a distracted hum. "Gon's getting his ass kicked, why don't you stop hiding behind Leorio and tell her that we're with you?"

"Huh?" I didn't realize Gon had challenged Canary.

Gon was speaking, his voice was distorted by how badly bruised his lips and face were. I flinched; I should've intervened earlier, I mentally berated myself, but all thoughts halted when I heard Gon's observations. "...When I said Killua's name, I saw the gentleness and affection in your eyes. I know you care about him, so please... if he's being tortured..."

I grounded my teeth, unable to stem down the jealousy as I shoved Leorio away. Apparently, even though Killua and Canary barely interacted anymore, they still had some sort of bond. Quoting Illumi, unacceptable.

Canary faltered, her next blow not connecting when she saw me. "Illyria-sama?"

I lunged; with her guard down, I took her down easily.

"I sense serious killing intent," Kurapika observed, breaking the tense silence. "Do you two have some sort of history?"

"Dude," muttered Leorio. "That sounds wrong, no matter how hot it is—"

"You're a pig!" snapped Kurapika, his face flaming in embarrassment. "That's not what I meant!"

"Nee-chan?"

Funny how the soft, gentle voice could shut the bickering pair up where Gon's loud voice had failed to do so. I was stumped for a few moments, turning, almost mechanically at the source of the voice. "Kalluto?"

My youngest brother was hovering behind a tree, his violet eyes were wide in disbelief and joy, but other than that, his face was as innocent and young as ever. What surprised me was his attire: he was dressed in one of my many kimonos (which I did not miss much).

How do you go about greeting a long lost family member? I wasn't sure whether you rush out and hug them, or cry and explain how you're still alive when you're supposed to be dead, or just stand there and wait for them to act. I decided to start simple: "Hey, you're faring well, I see."

Kalluto stared blankly at me. "Are you real?" he whispered.

I shot the doctor-wannabe expert a questioning look. Surprisingly, Leorio understood what I was silently asking. "It's normal to react like this. He thought you were dead after all."

"Uh, yeah, I'm real."

I only had time to tense and blink before Kalluto tackled me. I was surprised and baffled, he didn't strike me as the type to hug people. I suppose this was an exception, we hadn't seen one another in four years after all and he was quite young when I was forced to leave.

"Smells like you," Kalluto admitted, wrinkling his nose. "and Mike."

"Got a free bath," I agreed. I expected him to jump back like I was a plague seeing as he despised dogs and dirt, but he didn't, he turned his head to study my companions.

Sniffing disdainfully and giving them each a disapproving stare, he said, "Who're they? Slaves?" He had to know that the last suggestion was impossible, but I suppose my brother was just being infuriating (we Zoldycks had the tendency to tick people off on first meetings).

Leorio yelled, "Hey! I'm no one's servant!"

"As you shouldn't be," said Kalluto. "Who would want such a wild slave? Even Mike and Ammit have better manners."

"They're my friends," I said quickly, before Leorio could explode and try to tear my brother into pieces.

Kalluto scowled at them, lifting his finger, like he wanted to blast Leorio to bits but nothing happened. I turned on Gyo, smiling when I saw Kalluto using Nen to write insults and cusses so bad, Mother would've fainted at the knowledge he had about cussing. He stopped when he realized not one of my friends knew Nen, he shot them a disparaging look but offered me a soft smile.

"Father and Mother wants to see you," informed Kalluto, finally pulling away to fully regard my friends. His look of distaste was infuriating Leorio, confusing Gon and setting Kurapika on edge. To them, he said, "And I'll lead you to the butlers's residence where we'll await my sister and brother... and the news they bring." He shot me a sympathetic look, which meant that I had a seventy percent chance of dying in this meeting.

"Good luck," I told Kurapika, nodding at Leorio and Gon (who was starting to get very frustrated with Kalluto's attitude). "If he challenges you, don't underestimate him."

"An assassin too, I know, Ms. Guide already told us." He hesitated, offering a smile. "Good luck to you too, Ria."

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The moment I came to the designated room, my father's room, I was sure I needed something more than good luck. Like, maybe an army of the most skilled Hunters in the world as back-up. My hand trembled when I reached out to turn the doorknob; nervously, I spread out Zetsu, wondering where Killua was.

I peered in.

My father was staring back at me with an amused smirk. "Illyria, come in." His voice was a deep timber; simply, it was enough for me to run away screaming like a kindergartner.

As terrifying as he was, he was commanding too. I inhaled sharply as I entered, closing the door behind me carefully, wistfully. What I wouldn't give to run away from here.

"I was told you made some friends in these four years, hm?" Father sounded amused, as if he couldn't believe I could ever make any friends.

Father's hound, Ammit, cracked an eye open, growling at me. I surprised myself by growling back. Seeing my parents here only infuriate me, hearing that question asked in such a tone only pissed me off.

Father actually laughed when his dog looked cowed. "What did I say?" he turned to my silent mother. "I told you: fiercer than Ammit!"

Mother cracked a smile, but she still looked tensed and uncomfortable. "So," she said. "How are they?"

I felt sour. Shouldn't they be asking how I was? "Where's Killua?"

"Someone's got an attitude," Father remarked, smirking, waving Mother off. "Oh, he's just left. I'm under the impression you've met him. He told me you ignored him and acted as if you didn't know him."

"It's for my own safety," I snapped. "I have to watch my own back with my own killer family after me."

"Dear—"

"And my friends are way better than you two combined." If I was going to die anyway, I wouldn't be dying without telling them what I've felt all along.

Mother scowled, but Father merely smirked. "How were the Exams?"

"...Easy." That was a complete lie.

Father arched a brow. "Illumi informed us that you lost control of yourself and nearly killed one of the participants. While it is certainly pleasing to know that you've not forgotten ourteachings"—I flinched—"I would've been more proud if you had a semblance of restraint."

I frowned. "More proud?" That was embarrassing, it made it seem like I'm still thirsting for their attention and approval. "I mean..." I scowled. "Whatever."

"Ria, come here," Mother called, patting the empty spot between Father and her. Against my will, my limbs twitched and snapped into action. Miserably, I trudged towards her and plopped down on the empty spot. How could I forget that, no matter how domestic Mother was, she was still an accomplished assassin and Nen-user?

She ran a hand through my hair. My skin prickled with goosebumps under her touch; my heart raced like crazy. Could she be like Illumi? Insert a needle to control the target? I want to run, to put some safe distance between us, but I couldn't even move.

"We want to listen to your story, from the four years you... ah, left to the Hunter Exams." I glanced at my Mother incredulously. "What you did during those years you were alone, who you met, what you thought..."

Father's smirk dwindled into a smile. "Explain to us, what you want and what you wish for."

I couldn't help it, my guard lowered. "Oh... okay."

Question: Remember Retz from the movie? Would you like to see her join the group?

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