Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Warnings: Language. Violence. Blood. Death.

Beta: Arii-hime.

CRYING WOLF

by: Riseha

Interlude 3

Kalluto

Kalluto wanted nothing more than to curl up and pass out. He laughed hysterically, his mind delirious enough to think his own thought was funny just because it rhymed.

The blood loss was getting to him.

The young boy no older than six wanted nothing more than to go home and curl up in his mother's lap and sleep the pain away. Sure he had high tolerance to pain—you could set his hair on fire and he wouldn't even cry except whine about how his beautiful hair was being wasted before his eyes.

Kalluto didn't think anything could set him on fire in this weather though.

The youngest Zoldyck shuddered, his teeth chattering as the rain beat down on his small form. Everything hurt so bad. Just because he could tolerate pain didn't mean he couldn't feel it nor would it not drag him down. Kalluto had lost his communicator when the building had exploded.

Apparently, his targets had been ready to die with their secrets, going as far as to rig the building.

Idiots. Kalluto wasn't there to gather information or steal any secrets from them for any opposition. He was there to kill them. They saved him from having to work too much though. Fools, he thought, then felt like he was also indirectly insulting himself. Wasn't he going to die because of those fools?

He didn't want to die. He was too young to die.

How long had it been since he had dragged his sorry ass from town to town? Looking for the familiar landscape of home? Kalluto didn't have the best sense of direction. He lost his communicator—thus, his GPS—along with his backpack consisting of all things useful in the explosion.

Kalluto estimated it to be about about a week or two since the building had blown up. His wound must be getting infected with no treatment.

Last he recalled, the news of the building being blown up was shown five days ago. At least he knew nearly a week had passed since he last made contact with his family.

The Zoldycks had set up a system: not back within the week? We'll find you, buddy, hang on. Gone for two weeks? We're still searching, but we have a grave ready already. Vanished for three weeks? Goodbye, buddy, we'll miss you. Beyond one to two weeks, Kalluto would be beyond help. Even if he managed to survive for weeks, no one would be waiting or searching for him.

Kalluto had the sickening feeling he was nearly past the deadline.

No one was coming for him.

This was beyond painful for him. Kalluto could handle being tortured by Milluki or Illumi. But being abandoned—he found out now—was the worst pain of all.

"I... want to... go home..."

"Then, let's go."

Kalluto was sure he was hallucinating by now, but he thought he saw his older sister and eldest brother staring down at him with concern, his sister's eyebrows furrowed while his older brother was holding an umbrella over their head.

His eyes rolled into his head and everything went black.

.

Kalluto's eyes snapped open; he blinked rapidly, ignoring the sore in every part of his body, and sat up instantly. He ignored the pain, his keen senses straining for any sign of life or danger.

His sister came walking in, drying her soaking hair with a towel. She was decked out in usual workout outfit, white shirt and black shorts. She glanced at him, not a single emotion on her face as she frowned—despite being the most approachable of the family, she was still very dangerous and hard to read.

"You're awake," she said, just for the sake of speaking. He tried to appreciate her effort because she was usually very quiet and doesn't initiate a conversation unless prompted.

Kalluto nodded. "Did you...?"

The eight-year-old pushed a strand of wet hair from her face. "It's been over two weeks. Where were you? Illu-nii and I found you, like, a dozen towns from where your target is supposed to be!" She scowled. "Congrats for killing them though. But was the bomb necessary?"

"It wasn't me," he responded shyly. "They did it. I only managed to kill half of them before they let the bomb go off."

"They rigged it?" Even his sister was amazed at their stupidity. "We're assassins. We have no use for their list of shipments and shit they bought," she sneered.

"Thank you," he said when she stood, about to leave. "Thank you for finding me."

She glanced back at him, reaching out to ruffle his hair. "Just promise you'll find me if I'm ever missing." With a small smile, she slipped away from the infirmary.

.

.

.

"I'm still searching, even after four years, Nee-chan."

.

.

.

.

.

.

Chapter 18

Disagreement

"You're healed," I remarked, eyes wider than usual, mystified—and not a little jealous. With injuries like Gon's, I knew I would take more than a month to heal. That said, I was glad the idiot was okay. My eyes lingered at the string on his pinkie. "I'm impressed you could keep your promise."

Gon grinned, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "When I make a promise, I never break it!"

I nodded absentmindedly, gathering his bandages to throw away. "Ria!" Killua's voice was muffled. A few seconds later, the door to Wing's room was thrown open and in strode my twin. "You have a phone call," His face twisted. "from Kurapika."

I took the phone from him, watching as he sulked on the couch. "Illyria speaking. What do you need?"

He answered with a soft chuckle, muffled and distorted by the static—the connection there must be terrible, where was he? "Is that any way to greet an old friend?" he teased good-naturedly.

"Hello," I amended with a roll of my eyes, dumping Gon's bandages into the trashcan.

"How're you doing?"

Very worried about my sister. "Fine," I said. Not the whole truth; well, physically, I am fine. I'm really starting to think my time spent here was a waste. Even though I'm participating in battle with Nen-users, they pose no real threat to me. I'm learning nothing.

If it wasn't for Noelle, I would've left weeks ago.

"Enough beating around the bush," I said bluntly, seeing Wing enter. "...Did something happen?"

"No," he said. "I went to this Hunter Agency I searched up. But she says I won't find a job until I see... well, whatever the trick is when she held up a finger. Do you know anything about it?"

"It's called Nen," I said. "And you need to use Gyo to be able to see what she was writing. I can't teach you everything through the phone. You need to find a Hunter there."

"Will there even be anyone?"

"Just use your Hunter License to access the database, then search for nearby Hunters. They're all over the world, and you can't be a Hunter without knowing Nen. Even an amateur will be able to teach you the basics!"

"Oh," Kurapika sounded thoughtful. I couldn't see him, but I imagine his brows furrowing in thought. "Thanks. Whatever you're doing, good luck."

"Even though we're doing drugs?"

"...Please tell me you're kidding."

I snickered, imagining him trying to regulate his breathing as he often did when he was trying to calm down—didn't need to alert the whole world there was a pair of Scarlet Eyes. "Just kidding. When you mastered Nen, call me and I'll go with you to the Agency. I'm in need for money." Noelle's treatment wouldn't be cheap or free. So much for charity.

"Why? Is something wrong? Did something happen to those two boys?"

The mother hen as always. I wrinkled my nose in amusement. "Gon got his arm broken," I answered but before Kurapika could burst, I added, "but he's fine now. We're preparing him for another fight in the arena. Killua and Gon are learning Nen. Hurry and find a teacher," I teased, "or you'll be the the weakest."

"Very funny. Well, got to go now. See you in... well, months."

"Weeks," I corrected, ending the call.

"So," Killua mumbled, still having in him the urge to sulk, "what did he want?"

"He's trying to learn Nen." I glanced at the boys. "So, what's wrong?"

Wing stared blankly at me. "You're using up all my credit." I waved him off, assuring him that I'd pay him back. "Can you use Gyo?"

I shot him a flat look. "I was raised for four years by a man considered the strongest fighter alive in his prime. Well, duh."

"Why don't you tell these three what you see." Wing pressed the rewind button, then played. I switched to Gyo, gazing intently at the TV screen. It had never occurred to me that Nen might be caught on camera. Sort of disconcerting to know that your skills will be caught and recorded.

I don't think Hisoka was too worried about his secret trick being revealed though.

My eyebrows climbed. "He's using some sort of special technique, most likely exclusive to him only. It can't be seen and he sticks them to the cards." Probably Bungee Gum, I thought but I wasn't about to tell them that.

"So, what is Gyo for, exactly?"

I sighed. This lesson will be very, very long.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

"You ready?"

I shot Killua a dark look of amusement. "I'm going against Gido. What do you think?"

He grinned wildly, rubbing my knuckles with his own. "That you're going to kick his ass."

I rolled my eyes. "Stop stating the obvious."

I stepped into the arena, hearing jeers and cheers—all the same—and proceeded to ignore them. I could barely care less what these people think. I studied Gido critically.

Honestly? I didn't find him much of a threat. He looked like he'd be easily snapped like a twig. I studied the... peg leg he was on. I felt a little sorry for this guy who must've been great enough of a fighter to make it up to the 200th floor without knowing Nen.

"Ready... set... go!"

Gido moved first. He drew spinning tops from his sleeves and hurled it toward me. "I'll make this quick. Battle Waltz!"

The spinning tops surrounded me. I dimly heard the announcer saying how much trouble I was going to be in. It was coming from every side. I exuded Ren, blasting the tops back with my sudden increase in Nen. Gido swore colorfully as he applied Ren on his whole body.

"Tornado Top!"

I tensed, eyeing him carefully. He started spinning at rapid speed. He spun towards me. I applied 50% of Kou into my fist and punched. He managed to spin away, but the arena floor where my fist had hit shattered anyway.

"Shotgun Blues!"

If it wasn't for my fine-honed instincts, I would've been impaled by the spinning tops. I ducked and weaved my way through the spinning tops he threw at me. The announcer said something about how deeply embedded they were that the earth around it cracked.

I applied 75% of Kou into my fist, waiting for him to come at me. He couldn't possibly hold that spinning state for long—as far as I was concerned, Nen didn't help motion-sickness. I knew he'd be coming to me in a few seconds since he wouldn't be able to last long now.

He did.

Just within striking distance, I punched, delivering a swift uppercut. Poor bastard already lost his legs; didn't need him to lose his nose now, do I?

The Kou-enhanced punch was enough to send him flying. The announcer cheerfully counted down. I passed him when he declared me winner, and gave me clearance to the next floor. He gave me a very wide berth. I frowned, I thought every worker here knew how to use Nen.

I heard something about being Nen-users could stimulate a non-Nen-aware person into awareness. This guy must be new then. I shrugged, not my problem.

Killua gave me a high-five as I passed him to his next match. He was going against one of Gido's friends, Riehlvelt.

The match begun without much chat between the two. Killua jumped, high and fast, disappearing from the audience's view. Killua wasn't bothering to use Zetsu—which was why he was sensed. Unfortunately, Riehlvelt managed to dodge Killua's punch with Aura Boost—whatever that was.

I could see Killua's lips moving: guess I jumped too high.

Riehlvelt laughed, drawing two bullwhips. The audience's roar drowned out his words but I thought he called his technique Twin Snakes. His hands moved rapidly, whipping the whip, creating a seemingly perfect defense with how fast his weapon whipped about.

"This," Kil's opponent was boasting. "electrocutes any idiot within striking distance with a hundred thousand volts of electricity."

I snorted. Gon stared at me curiously. "Let me guess, you're electrocuted with higher volts?"

I nodded. "A hundred thousand? Pfft. I could go above five hundred thousand without screaming." I was sure Killua could. I was half-sure I could as well. Just fours years of less-intense torture sessions, my tolerance couldn't have been that bad could it? Well, best not to let anyone know.

Killua laughed, repeating what I said, that he could go above five hundred thousand without screaming, as he snatched the whip and kicked Riehlvelt sky-high. "Electricity won't hurt me," Killua was saying. "I'm a bit annoyed though. Just because I went through intense training to tolerate the pain, it didn't mean that I couldn't feel it."

I don't think Riehlvelt heard her with his own screaming as he started to tumble back down.

"If you hit the ground from that height," teased Killua, smirking cruelly. "you'll die... Need a hand?"

"Please!" shrieked Riehlvelt. "Save me!"

"Don't worry, I'm here." Killua held out his arms, electrifying whips in hand as he caught his opponent. Riehlvelt screeched in pain before he passed out like a sissy. I laughed softly as Killua called him an idiot and fist-pumped when he was announced winner.

"Did you see that, Ria?" Was the first thing he asked the moment he saw me. He was bouncing on the soles of his feet excitedly. Struck by a sense of deja vu, I caught him as he tackled me into a hug—just a measly victory in a thousand battles, didn't know why he was so excited.

I inhaled his scent, smiling slightly. "Yeah, you're very cool... Onii-san."

Honorifics were rarely used between us and if anything, it'd be 'onii-san' or 'onii-chan', never 'aniki'—everyone sort of agreed that the honorable title was reserved for Illumi and him alone.

"Chocolate bar?" He offered me his arm, winking.

"I saw a cake shop, close by. Wanna go take a look?"

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

"You think he's okay?"

"He looks pretty upset to me."

"Most likely because the judge favored Hisoka winning."

Gon turned to stare at us resentfully, his inhuman hearing must have caught us whispering to one another. We shrugged, caught red-handed and inched closer to him. I poked Gon in the shoulder. "You do know that the judge wanted Hisoka to win quickly so that he didn't want you to die, right?"

Gon pouted. "But, still!"

"He saved your life," inserted Killua sternly, hands shoved into his pocket. "It's better losing than dying."

Gon sighed, his tantrum relenting. "Well, you're right. I also completed my mission objective. Now I can use my Hunter badge again." He sighed with newfound relief. "Thank goodness," he said as he brought out his precious badge and cradled it to his chest like a mother would to her baby.

I rolled my eyes. "Uh, even if you never returned Hisoka's badge, you'll still be able to access it."

Killua snickered.

Gon quieted for a moment; his face was so blank I thought he was actually angry at us for our friendly jab. Just as Killua opened his mouth to assure him we were kidding, he looked at us with shining eyes. "Since we have nothing to do now, why don't you guys come back with me to Whale Island? I'd like you to meet my Aunt Mito and my great-grandmother."

Killua's eyebrows rose as we exchanged unsure looks. "Seriously?"

I twirled a lock of my hair. "Are you sure she'll want to meet assassins who could seriously kill her if she pushes the wrong button?"

Gon smiled. "I'll protect her and make sure not one of you do anything funny."

Killua nudged me. "You make us sound like total creeps."

I laughed nervously—here was the part I dreaded. "Um, you two have fun at Whale Island."

There was a long pause as both boys processed this new info. Gon blinked innocently. "Eh? If you're not coming with us, then where are you going? Are you going to stay here for Noelle-chan?"

Gon had met Noelle and both had taken a liking to one another almost instantly. I was pretty sure Noelle was nice to him only because I requested her to be. She usually wasn't so sweet and polite to strangers. "Well, I have to pay for her treatment."

Killua frowned. "You could just hand it to Yukiji."

I glanced away. "Yeah." I fiddled with the end of my shirt. "But I'm heading off to Sengi Guild."

Killua's lips thinned. "With Kurapika?" He spat our friend's name like it was poison.

I scowled at him. "What's with the attitude?"

"Nothing!" he spat, storming off. "Come on, Gon, we're leaving!"

Gon glanced at the pissed-off Killua to me. "I hate choosing between friends."

"I know, but if you have to, you'll chose Kill over me, right?" I couldn't help the amount of bitterness poured into my tone, nor could I stop the simmering in my chest.

"Illy—"

"Save it," I spat. "I'm leaving. Go away, Gon."

As I stormed down the hallway, opposite of Killua's direction, ignoring Gon's cries for me to come back, I pondered about how much I hated the Heaven's Arena.

Did I mention how much I hate it?

Four years ago, I had nearly met my end here. Four years ago, just before I was forced into hiding by my own brother, I remembered arguing with Killua. And right after our argument... I shuddered, glancing warily around me. Suddenly, the hallway seemed to wide, too long and too empty.

I was so jittery and paranoid, I nearly jumped off the building via window.

I managed to force myself back to my room to pack up and leave. I waited a few moments, lingering for Killua to go into our shared room first to get his and Gon's things before I enter. I turned to Ken and Zetsu—better safe than sorry, a lesson Millu-nii taught me well.

Killua had pretty much thrashed our shared room in his rage. I didn't bother commenting on the torn sheets and overturned beds and cracked mirrors. I best leave before I was blamed. I grabbed my things—which had fortunately, miraculously, had managed to escape Killua's wrath—and left.

I banked in my reward into Yukiji's account—conveniently, we shared the same account.

As I left the ATM machine, I let out a quiet sigh of relief.

I really, really hated the Heaven's Arena. Everyone seemed to end on bad ends there. I just hoped the next time I see Killua would be in another fours years or—worse—never see him again.

I swallowed, quickening my pace down the streets, hurriedly leaving the tall building behind.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

Question: Why don't you review? I have over one hundred favs and follows but only about a dozen reviews (which is the number of reviews for the last chapter and I'm disappointed, T.T) so I'm curious as to why some of you won't review.

AN: Also, I have decided to start a collab story with Sakura Hyuga, it won't be posted yet until the story cover is done, but I'm working on it. ^0^ Keep a lookout for it. Secondly, Tochiotome-chan has drawn me fanart - the link's in my profile, go check it out!

Reviews are loved!