Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Warnings: Violence. Death. Language.

Beta: Arii-hime.

CRYING WOLF

by: Riseha

Interlude 2

Yukiji

She frowned.

Yukiji was at it again. Illyria found that the former Zoldyck assassin couldn't sit still—a serious case of attention deficit disorder. Yukiji moved even more when she was anxious or excited. She was always anxious when Noelle suddenly collapsed or something.

As worried as Illyria was of her younger sister, she couldn't help but think that she was also a pain. She was running out of money for all of Noelle's treatment—it was also time for her to get a Hunter's License, things would be easier then. No one would hire a young girl with no real qualifications.

Sure, Millu-nii was sending money, but he couldn't do it too often lest he arouse the higher-ups' suspicion. Illyria would prefer to keep a low profile.

Illyria glanced at Yukiji who had just sat down beside her. Yukiji was already eighteen, but sometimes, she acted younger than Illyria and would need the younger girl's assurance—that she was starting to get tired of giving. Nevertheless, she managed to ease the canyon between her brows and said, "Elle will be fine."

Yukiji nodded absentmindedly, still very much worried. Abruptly, she grasped Illyria's hand in a death-grip when Noelle screamed. Illyria, due to her high tolerance of pain, didn't wince or try to flinch away.

"It's not your fault," whispered the exiled Zoldyck. "We didn't know Noelle was allergic to peanuts." And they didn't. Usually, Noelle ate porridge, fruits and vegetables—no junk food or anything remotely harmful seeing as she was weak from birth—but after much begging from the red-eyed Zoldyck, they had given in.

She reacted fine to chocolates and chips, loved it even. But when they tried for a semi-normal breakfast of bread and peanut-butter, her skin had turned as red as her eyes and she'd collapsed.

After reaching the hospital, tired of pacing, only then did Yukiji called Illyria. "Why're you so worried anyway?" inquired Illyria curiously. "You're doing your job just fine. Accidents happen."

Yukiji looked mildly embarrassed but she didn't try to convey the message in any way.

Illyria glanced at the clock at the end of the hallway. Damn, they'd been there for thirty minutes. The ticking of the clock was freaking annoying, like it was counting down the time left someone had. Illyria wondered why the hospital even had clocks—we're going to die, we get it, Illyria thought snidely every time she saw it.

The clock wasn't the only one tap-dancing. Illyria refrained from glaring at Yukiji who kept going taap taap taap on Ria's hand. Nervous tic? Weird.

After another ten minutes, Illyria was sure it wasn't a nervous tic. She frowned; there seemed to be a pattern to it, and the taps were at the same length and speed each time her fingers were moving on Illyria's skin. After another five minutes, Illyria was positive she wasn't imagining things and that the taps might mean something.

It took three minutes for Illyria to realize it might be the answer to her earlier question. "Ne, Yuki?"

Yukiji turned to her curiously, her tawny eyes were still veiled with concern for Noelle's well-being—something she wasn't obligated to be responsible for, but ever since that time she sped off with an ailing baby Noelle, she seemed to have appointed herself as Noelle's caretaker.

She glanced down at their laced hands. Yukiji's hands were splayed on top of hers, her forefinger and middle finger still tapping away. Yukiji stopped when Illyria glanced down. "Why do you touch me like that?" she asked bluntly.

Yukiji's face flushed red and she instantly removed her hand.

"No, no," said Illyria, smirking in amusement as she took Yukiji's hand in her own. "I meant this: the tapping." She drummed her fingers on the other side of her palm in a poor imitation of Yukiji's beats, but she was sure she managed to convey the meaning of what she was asking. "You do it quite often. To Noelle too, usually before bed or before I leave the orphanage."

Yukiji's mouth turned into a small 'o' of understanding. She fumbled for the phone Illyria had gotten her a few months back and tapped clumsily away. She brandished it in Illyria's face once she was done—three minutes after; Illyria could've got that short sentence down in seconds.

"Morse Code?" Illyria's eyebrows rose in interest. "Oh, I heard about it. Didn't think it'd be useful though. What did your constant messages meant?"

Yukiji smiled softly, tapping the same beat down but there was no answer. Yukiji traced the words on Illyria's hand. "No, if it's something your sister taught you, it can't be silly. I'm glad you chose to share it even." Illyria cleared her throat uncomfortably, she wasn't the best when it came to heart-to-heart talks. "So, what does it mean?"

Before Yukiji could answer, the doors to the emergency room opened. "You can go see her now," the doctor said, glancing between Illyria and Yukiji to see who would be responsible for the rest of his information.

Illyria jabbed her thumb at the older girl and darted in to see her sister before they could respond.

Noelle's red eyes were tired and puffy, most likely from crying. "You okay?" She nodded tiredly, grasping her sister's hand and tapped down the same rhythm Yukiji just did. "It's Morse Code for...?"

Okay, if her sister and caretaker was in on it, she really want to know.

Someone tapped the observation glass; Illyria glanced over to see Yukiji smiling softly, sadly at the two sisters, tapping the same message Noelle was conveying with her knuckles.

"Seriously, girls, what does it mean?"

Noelle smiled weakly. "She taught me awhile ago, but this was the only one I was interested in learning." She took her older sister's hand, tracing the lines on her palm to her wrist and further down where her pulse was thumping, working diligently. "It means..." Noelle squirmed slightly, glancing down and using her pointer finger, started to tap out the rhythm as she spoke. "I...love...you..."

Outside, on the glass surface, Yukiji repeated it again, ending on a slow tap tap taaap, and shyly peeked up at her through the dark fringe of her bangs. Illyria absentmindedly note to get her a hair cut—she dimly remembered Yukiji disliking long hair as it often got in her way.

Clumsily, Illyria tapped out the rhythm on Noelle's own pulse, applying gentle pressure. Her presence and actions seemed to soothe the younger, and it didn't take long for her to fall asleep.

Illyria moved to stand on the other side of Yukiji, separated by the glass. She tapped the message again and again, finding it extremely convenient to convey what she couldn't bring herself to say out loud.

Illyria really, really, wishedneededhoped the girls to know she really, really, meant the message behind each tap.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 17

The Heaven's Arena

I didn't even need a map to guide my friends there.

I raised a hand to shield my eyes against the glaring sun as I looked up. "Here it is, guys." Killua fanned himself, muttering cusses under his breath about the weather before he rushed in. Gon glanced at me in confirmation; when I nodded, he dashed in after my twin.

We'd come to a compromise. I'd stay with Killua and Gon here for awhile, then I'd go to Kurapika. I told him to contact me when he had found an employer. I felt unsure about letting him go all alone to hunt down the supposedly strongest gang of thieves in history—all capable of making veteran Hunters run home crying to their mama.

Well, they won't make me run home crying. I'd die at their hands before going back home.

I shouldered my backpack, entering through the automatic doors. I hadn't been here in four years. Unlike then, I no longer had any wish to make it to the 200th floor. I found my visit here pointless. I've already learned Nen.

Sure, I had to train with the Old Man—supposedly the strongest man when he was in his prime. It was hard to imagine him as young, I must say, until I looked into the old pictures. Netero made me go through the same training he did. Every day, we would go to the mountains and complete ten thousand punches.

Well, he could do it before sundown.

I couldn't do it no matter how hard I tried. I usually reached a few hundred before passing out. I clenched and unclenched my fist, frowning thoughtfully. Till now, I was only capable of completing seven-hundred or so punches.

There was nothing much Old Man could teach me about my Hatsu ability. I was a Specialist, he was an Enhancer—completely stuck in two different groups. He helped me a lot with my physical abilities though—actually, he only taught me those and how to utilize Nen better.

I listlessly signed the form given, allowing Killua and Gon to lead me to the arena.

I blinked. "We're fighting now?"

Killua plopped down on a seat, I sat by his side, Gon plopping down beside him. "Yeah, the sooner we get a room, the better."

"These fights are boring," I said, yawning. "Do you have anything edible?"

"Why?"

"Wanna try a trick."

Killua handed me a bar of chocolate, unwrapping it and taking half of it before giving me the rest. I should've known better than to expect one whole bar from him. I snapped off a small chunk, then plopped it into my mouth. This was a trick I had came up with and had pestered Netero into teaching me.

He remarked that it was interesting to try. I had lamely named it Spring as it was entirely an rebounding technique. I was utilizing Transmutation Nen—which meant that I had a good 60% chance at using it. I was planning on swallowing an attack with Hatsu (the Nen transmuted to a vacuum), then apply Kou for defense, and Hatsu (the Nen transmuted to a spring this time) to rebound the attack back to its user.

I had choked on food more than once—so ice and chocolate, food that easily melt was the best to train with. Even when I succeeded, it wasn't as strong as I'd like.

I figured that I'd teach Killua this trick—must be easy for him since it's in his group.

"Hey!" Killua cried in outrage when my chocolate rebounded into a few dozen seats in front. I just achieved a new record. "How dare you waste my chocolate! If you didn't want it—"

I shrank back in my seat, nibbling on the chunk he'd given me and was eyeing with regret. "Don't get your boxers into a twist, I'm eating."

"You better be," huffed Killua, crossing his arms. "Why did you spit it out anyway?"

"I... uh... was trying out a new technique."

As expected, Killua mocked me. He snickered. "What? You use chocolate as projectiles?"

I scowled, cheeks flushing. "You are such a jerk. I should've followed Kurapika." Before Killua could rebuke, my name was called. I made sure to kick him on purpose as I made my way to the arena.

"Hope you lose!"

"Shut up!"

I hoped onto the arena, inspecting my opponent. My opponent was a boy not much older than me; he had fuzzy brown hair, tan skin and golden-brown eyes. My eyes were a shade darker though. I used Gyo on him—as I suspected, he was a Nen-user. I sniffed, probably one of Wing's new student.

"Hey, you, can you see this?"

Zushi—or so the announcer said his name was—frowned, squinting at me. But he didn't concentrate Nen onto his eyes. Did he even know how to use Gyo? "You're holding a finger up...?"

"Wing-san should've taught you better," I said, having to speak a tad louder than usual because of the crowd's jeering.

Zushi's eyes widened. "You know my master?"

"I was once his student too," I agreed. "He couldn't teach me much though. Just as he failed to teach you."

"Hey—don't you dare insult Wing-sensei—gah!"

The last part was because I had delivered a 15% Kou-enhanced chop. The announcer started counting down, but I knew Zushi was already unconscious.

"Ah, Illyria-sama, you've been to the 200th floor before, correct?" He started tapping into his machine. "You could jump straight to the 150th floor if you want to—"

"It's okay, I'll take the 50th floor." He handed me a pass which I accepted with a polite gratitude, watching as Zushi was taken away on a stretcher.

"You did something," accused the ever-observant Killua; he was pouting at me. "Tell me. What was the technique you use?" I frowned, staring at him in confusion. "The aura that Illumi seemed to have."

"That's Nen."

"What is it?"

I studied the crowd, knowing that Wing would be here somewhere to see his student fight. He always sit in my matches too. He was a great teacher, albeit a little soft and and weakhearted. It was because of his reluctance to see his students pushing themselves that most of them were weak.

"I'm not a good teacher," I admitted. "But my temporary mentor here could help you. Just win your fight and get to the 50th floor."

While the boys fought their matches, I left my seat, intent on seeking out Wing and his new student.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

"I want you to train my twin and friend."

Wing turned, slowly, to face me. He adjusted his glasses and offered me his half-smile. I glanced at Zushi who let out a cry of surprise when he saw me. "She really is your student?" He sounded so surprised I thought he was going to pass out. "But she insulted you, sensei!"

Wing smiled. "It's nothing. She used to be meaner when she was younger."

I scowled at him. "Did you listen to me?"

"Yes, I did, I just chose to ignore you."

I was grudgingly impressed; after seeing me go into hysterics four years ago, I was no longer intimidating to him. I used to be able to make him shift in discomfort and look away. "Wow, you must've missed your daily beatings from me." He ignored me. "Fine, why don't you want to teach them?"

"They have yet to know the dangers of going against Nen-users."

I glanced at Zushi. "And does he?"

"You are enough of a frightening monster."

I smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You've always been out of epic proportions."

Zushi glanced between me and his teacher, obviously not knowing how to react. Wing and I were old friends trash-talking one another—nothing wrong with that. I guess other than outrage, Zushi didn't know how to react to being beaten by a girl but I suppose it'd be rather rude to his senior.

"Lend me your phone."

Wing shot me an incredulous look as he poured tea for himself—rude, he wasn't even offering me anything, probably because I had spewed tea on him when I found it so incredibly bitter. "Uh, after you flushed my last phone into the toilet bowl? No."

"I just want to call my sister."

Wing was one of the few people out of the family to know of Noelle's existence. I didn't bother explaining our complicated history to him and simply told him Noelle was too ill to be an assassin and spent a lot of time out of the mansion for the sake of her health.

"She's getting lonely that her big sister isn't calling..."

With a sigh, Wing gave in. Wing himself had a younger sister and he clearly knew how sad younger siblings would be if their idolized siblings ignored them for too long. He tossed me his phone.

I didn't glance up even as I spoke. "Instead of looking at me like I'm some sort of alien, why don't you go training instead?" Zushi sputtered, face red but he went to do as told, practicing how to enhance his Ren. I supposed he didn't know Kou yet or anything advanced.

"Why aren't you in the arena?"

"My matches are over. I'm just waiting for Killua and Gon to reach the 200th floor."

"You fought—"

"I skipped," I cut in before he could ask a pointless question. "Too lazy to fight every battle. I decided to laze around here until they reach the 200th floor."

"How long do you think it'd take for them to reach their goal?"

"Dunno, in the afternoon maybe?"

"It's already three." Wing glanced down at his watch. "I'll go to the 200th floor to check on them. Stay here and oversee Zushi's training. Zushi, don't push yourself and listen to her..." He threw me a hesitant glance. "If it sounds ludicrous, please don't listen."

I looked up. "Don't ask me anything unless you're stumped." I placed the phone next to my ear, tapping my fingers impatiently on the wooden table as I waited for Noelle to answer the phone. The phone rang about a dozen times before someone picked up. "Elle?"

There was a long silence before someone tapped the phone repeatedly. "Ah, Yukiji. Is something wrong?" She cut the call after one tap. She wasn't being rude, mind you. That was her way of saying that she'd text me as I suck at Morse Codes. I don't know any other Codes but a few simple simple message.

I glared at the screen—no doubt looking like a lunatic to Zushi who was throwing occasional glances at me—as I waited for the text. I knew Yukiji would take a lot of time to tap out a sentence, she wasn't that in sync with technology—it'd be freaking ironic if she get with Millu-nii who was a techno maniac.

Unconsciously, my fingers had tapped out Morse Code for a simple you okay?

Knowing that my little sister could be in trouble, I was not okay. After fifteen minutes had flew by, I knew something was seriously wrong. But not unusual. Yukiji could take up to twenty minutes to tap out a few sentences.

"Ria?"

I turned. Killua was frowning at me—pouting actually. When Wing and Gon trailed in after him, saw the shrug from the former, I knew he'd told the two boys I knew Nen.

I prepared myself for an argument. It always happen when we tried to keep something hidden from the other. "Yes?" I asked, coating my voice with honey, batting my eyelashes annoyingly at him.

"Why didn't you—" Ring!

I glanced down at Wing's phone. "Hey, don't ignore me!"

"Train them well," I said, pushing the phone into Wing's shocked hold and darting out of the room. "Cancel my matches! I'm going to the hospital!"

The message displayed on Wing's phone was still buzzing in front of me even though I was already rushing out to the streets: she contracted pneumonia and a bunch of other crap reports Yukiji had not bothered to leave out.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

"Noelle," I gasped out the moment I reached the receptionist's desk. I was panting harshly from the marathon I had ran. And, without a single word to Killua too. I bet he was furious. "Which room?"

The nurse looked stunned, but before I could smack her into awareness, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned, seeing Yukiji's tawny eyes did nothing to calm me—especially not when her eyes were full of concern too. "Is there something I can help you with, misses?"

I glared at the dumbfounded nurse. "Save it," I snapped. I followed Yukiji down the sterile hallways. I didn't bother asking how Noelle was—knowing her, always terrible.

Noelle spent two years fighting away a decaying illness since birth—premature labor. Kalluto turned out fine, but seeing as younger twins in our family were born weaker, I wasn't too surprised that Noelle was in trouble.

Abruptly, I was reminded that I was in another world. The illness and fatal diseases in this world was almost similar to my old one, but some were new and dangerous, inflicted by Nen-curses (well, we Zoldycks had a lot of enemies), monsters's poison or curse that passed from father to son and many others.

Until we get this younger-twin-must-die curse off our backs, I don't think Noelle has a chance at surviving. We'd need a very strong exorcist—hard to find even with the Hunters's Association's help. They had but one exorcist and even I could tell she wasn't very skilled.

Exorcists were very, very rare—even rarer than Specialists—they consisted of less than ten people in this world. How do I find one person among billions of people? My chance was nil. Modern technology and Nen-users of a doctor weren't much use as well—they might just be able to stall one cursed person's death, unable to prevent it though.

I've taught Noelle Nen recently, I want her to be able to protect herself. Like me, she was a Specialist—no surprise there—but she had yet to find her talent. Yukiji told me (not verbally) Noelle's Water Divination results: the water somehow managed to escape the glass (soaking Noelle).

It seemed to me that the water phased out of the glass—we were mystified, no idea how to bring out her ability. Yukiji was a Conjurer—she could conjure anything she was familiar with and she was pretty skilled too—and was proficient in using Nen, so she taught Noelle most of the Nen basics.

We taught Noelle to use Zetsu—since Netero told me it could prolong one's life—but I wonder if it was causing her lifeforce more.

Yukiji's phone rang. She jumped slightly, and fumbled for it; she handed it to me once she saw who it was. Wing's number. "Ria speaking."

"Thanks for walking out on me." I rolled my eyes at Killua's grumpy voice. "What's wrong with you?"

"It's Noelle."

There was a small pause as Killua processed this information. "Wait, you kept close contact with her all these years? Why didn't I know—oh, that little traitor is going to get it."

"Hey, you saw me in disguise more than one time!"

I could imagine Killua frowning as he thought it through. "The only one who visits often... That girly, completely clumsy blonde guy who spilled water all over me?"

"Spot on."

Killua muttered a few uncomplimentary things to me under his breath but I wasn't offended. "So, how's she?"

"In the emergency room... as usual."

"You used to panic when it happened," Killua mused. "I suppose it happened so often you've grown apathetic to it as I have, hm?"

"What're you doing now?" I asked, anxious to change the subject.

"Training, learning Nen." I was about to cut the call and end on a good note, but Killua added, "and don't think I'd forgotten that you'd chose not to share this knowledge with me! I could've beaten Illumi sooner if you did!"

"No, you wouldn't be able to," I muttered. Louder, speaking into the phone, I said, "We have different circumstances. It's like Alluka's wish-granting ability. Specialization Hatsu abilities must be mastered in case it got out of hand."

"...I'll never forgive you. Hmph." Killua sounded petulant, like a child as he cut off the call. I knew he wasn't seriously mad.

I looked up at the amused Yukiji. "I'll watch after Noelle if you go buy me a box of Kil's favorite chocolate?" I handed her a few pieces of Jenny which she accepted with a smile.

I closed my eyes, finding myself tired out; might as well rest up.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

A.N: Sakura Hyuga drew a fanart for this story! Go check it out, link's in her profile! n.n