Torches burned with eerie blue flames from jagged cast iron brackets. The tongues of fire flicked viciously against the freezing, moist air of the inner wall. The wall of Kukuroo Mountain was the only thing keeping the dangerous Dragons that lived in the Gates of Hell from destroying the surrounding continent, and the structure was hollowed out to allow for weapons storage and transportation of troops.
Cold, hard bricks of solid rock mined from the Gates of Hell themselves echoed as armored boots rushed down the seemingly endless corridor. Lit by a melancholy blue cast from the flames, a Dragonite mercenary stormed through the inner wall. She was on her way to the palace, with an important message.
Amane was an elite Valkyrie assassin, a butler to the Zoldyck family. She had a job to do, and she was going to do it right. Ever since Master Killua had run off in the night with a trail of his mother's blood in his wake, butlers had been stationed in authoritative positions on the Wall Guard.
The sergeants had been less than pleased when their duties were effectively ripped away and put in the hands of the butlers, as if they weren't capable of doing the job themselves. However, the duty of keeping watch for Master Killua was far too great a burden to place upon the shoulders of the non-elites.
It had been almost three years since Master Killua had left, and the Clan had begun to believe that he was never going to come back. Master Illumi always said that his younger brother would never truly turn his back on the Clan while Master Alluka was still within the palace walls, and Amane hated to believe that she'd begun to doubt his reasoning.
You cannot imagine her surprise when an alert came in from the Hell Hounds. And not just any alert, intruders in the forest were quite commonplace. What was not commonplace, however, was an intruder capable of defeating every single Hell Hound, both Sequant and Zebro, and putting a stop to the Alpha Hound Mike.
It had been clear as day the second Amane had laid eyes on the report.
Master Killua.
He was back.
And it was Amane's duty to rush this information to the Chief and Chieftess. It didn't matter if Lord Silva and Lordess Kikyou were sleeping, hell, they'd given the butlers permission to bust in on them in the middle of a war meeting if the situation so arose.
Because Master Killua is back, and that means that our Crown Prince has finally returned.
Amane clutched the precious stack of papers to her chest. The buttery sheets still stunk with the scent of her own blood, which she'd used as ink to verify the report. Amane's heart was pounding in her chest, this was unreal. Master Killua was back, and he was in the forest traveling to the Testing Gate as they spoke! The Chief and Cheiftess would be beside themselves! Not to mention Master Alluka.
The willowy butler kept her wings tucked tightly against her back, it was becoming difficult to prevent them from shuffling in all her excitement. She couldn't wait to break the news! And to think that she out of all the butlers had the blessing to deliver this message!
She'd be known as the butler to have reported Master Killua's return! This was bound to put her in better standing with the royals! Ever since the incident when Tsubone and Gotoh had been killed, Amane had lost a great deal of respect in the Zoldycks' eyes. All the butlers had, the disaster should have been taken care of with ease.
Sure, maybe Canary wasn't concerned with the horrible situation in the slightest, but Amane most definitely was! She wasn't like Canary, that girl was the most powerful butler out of them all! Amane didn't have the spine to look Illumi in the eye like Canary did, or the power to take three Dragons at once, and definitely not the courage to take shifts guarding Master Alluka.
Opportunities like this one were the only chance Amane would get to claw her way back to the top! She sure as hell wasn't going to waste it! If she messed this up, she'd have to slit her belly and follow her grandmother to the grave. Perhaps that was just a hint dramatic, but still.
Amane slipped her hand through her mass of midnight hair, being sure it was behaving properly as she approached the passageway that connected to the palace. There was an enormous stone hallway that jutted out across the entire citadel, towering over all of Kukuroo and connecting the wall on one face of the mountain to the other. It also shot right through the center of the palace, allowing the Zoldycks quick access to the world outside the wall whenever they saw fit.
The doors to the passageway were carved from a different rock than the corridor. The stone was a cold gray, and the same material that made up the testing gate. The doors were carved with intertwining bodies of dragons and piles of bones, and weighed twelve tons altogether; both to discourage weakness in the ranks of the Wall Guard as well as to keep the once young Zoldyck children from straying outside Kukuroo Mountain.
Amane pushed through the doors without a hint of effort. She was far too high strung to spend too much time at the doors, she was about to make it big! The butler hurried down the passageway. It would be a twenty minute walk even as an elite butler, crossing half of the entire citadel as she was.
Perfect! It was plenty of time to go over what she'd say to the Chief and Chieftess again and again until it was perfect!
Amane began crafting the message in her mind, but before she could get past the first two words, the hair along the back of her neck sharply rose.
A chill fell over Amane, and she quickly stopped walking and deactivated her aura entirely. The stabbing of a million little needles peppered across her flesh. It felt like she was being run through with a hundred swords, even though she was wearing pure dragon skin armor.
From the distant shadows of the corridor, stepped Master Kalluto. His aura had become almost as blood curdling as Illumi's over the years… and the look in those chilling azalea eyes was on par with Lord Silva himself.
Kalluto slowly approached Amane, going out of his way to be sure that she stood beneath the onslaught of his aura for as long as possible. It was a crime punishable by death to shield oneself from the aura of a Zoldyck, and all Amane could do was sit and bite her tongue.
The weak light of the flames reflected in the ink of Kalluto's hair, which fell neatly against his shoulders. His armor was sleek and overtly feminine, with the occasional pop of pink scales set over a murky purple. A free flowing skirt of thin dragon skin leather swished about with each stride, and Kalluto walked on heeled boots without so much as a patter.
"Amane," he said, his voice unreadable and cold.
The butler slowly breathed in and then back out. She steeled herself, and calmly put all of her excitement to rest. She had been foolish to think that she wouldn't be intercepted by Master Kalluto.
"Master Kalluto," Amane said with a bow of her head. She let her tail drop to pool about at her feet, a sign of submission.
"Give me that report," Kalluto snapped.
Amane solemnly handed it over. The Prince snatched it from her hand and flipped roughly through the pages. A shadow slowly crept across his features.
"What were you on your way to tell my parents?" Kalluto asked slowly.
Amane swallowed. "That… Master Killua has returned."
Kalluto didn't so much as react. But Amane could tell from the tension in his wings alone what he was feeling right then…
"Return to the barracks," Kalluto said, his voice void and his eyes still trained on the papers. "I'll be assuming your position from here."
"Yes, Master Kalluto," Amane murmured with a low bow.
Kalluto stormed past her, the sudden racket of his boots like the clanging of war drums against the empty walls of the corridor.
"And do not speak a word of this to my parents, or anyone for that matter!" Kalluto added, his words sharp and his voice loud.
"As you wish," Amane whispered, though Kalluto had slammed the doors behind him before the words could reach his ears.
With Kalluto gone and Amane once again left alone, she clenched her fists and ground her teeth.
"Gods fucking dammit," she growled, before turning on her heel and stomping off in a huff.
…
The snow crunched under Killua's feet as he slipped outside at the crack of dawn. The snowstorm had finally subsided for the time being, the clouds having drawn back to reveal a faded blue sky adorned by the shallow light of the rising sun. Buttery sunlight shone between the trunks of the trees from the east, sending long stripes of cool shadow across the glittering surface of the snow.
It was well below freezing outside, but the chill felt good against Killua's wings. He enjoyed the bite of the cold, believe it or not. It felt good to step outside in light clothing, especially at this early hour.
Killua never rose early, not unless he had good reason. And the peaceful silence of the forest outside Kukuroo Mountain was as good a reason as any. The early morning was the only time when the sun truly shone. Soon enough the clouds would descend from the mountain and spit more snow and hail. For now Killua would enjoy the quiet, unmarred landscape.
He silently shut the door to the guardhouse behind him and stepped up onto the several feet of snow piled around the stoop. The Valkyrie tread across the snowy lawn, leaving hardly a footprint and hardly a sound. He headed for the treeline in nothing but a thin pair of cotton pants and matching shirt. He'd stolen Gon's atrocious green boots for the occasion. After a while he'd grown a certain affection for the things.
An affection that drove him to use them as his outdoor shoes for quick errands such as this one.
He didn't have to walk very far before he found the plant. He'd wanted to go out to retrieve it early before anyone woke up, namely Zebro and Sequant. Luckily he had Mike to leave with Gon. The Hound had been ordered to keep Gon warm at all costs and slaughter anyone who dared step foot in the bedroom (aside from Killua himself, of course).
Familiar green stems suddenly caught Killua's eye, and he swiftly knelt at the base of a nearby tree. There, nestled against the trunk and peeking out from the snow, was the herb he was after. It appeared to be a simple patch of grass, although if one peeked underneath the blades they'd find a sickly purple underbelly.
It was ghostroot, a Demon plant hailing from Underworld. This had been another being the Zoldycks had summoned to the Mountain. The plant was crucial in concealing one's presence. Chewing a blade of the stuff would snuff out any conspicuous smells clinging to the flesh. It was a white-out for natural scent.
A helpful weapon for an assassin, and a necessity for Gon and Killua's purposes.
Killua squatted in the snow, and gazed down at the blades he held clutched in his fist. Black residue oozed from the snapped stalk, steaming in the frigid air and cauterizing the wound both on the stalk as well as the blades.
A solemn ache persisted in the pit of Killua's belly. He hated to do this… but it was essential to the image they needed to uphold.
…
Killua returned to the bedroom not ten minutes later, where he relocked the door and stripped back down to rejoin Gon in bed. Gon, who had a tendency to get lonely in his sleep whenever Killua would wander off to the bathroom or other. He'd be none the wiser.
The Valkyrie slunk to the edge of the bed, where he found Gon and Mike curled up in the empty space he'd left. Of course the Hound had taken Killua's leave as an opportunity to sneak under the blankets, and Gon was an obvious conspirator. The hybrid had his arms wrapped around Mike's fuzzy neck, and was snuggled up to the Hound like he was a massive teddy bear.
Killua's heart lurched, Gon was too cute.
Buzzing with a sudden and restless affection, the Valkyrie leapt back into bed, squeezing between Gon and the wall and waking Mike in the process. The Hound took the hint and reluctantly scooted over, though he didn't climb out from under the blankets where he belonged. Killua smiled, he supposed he could let it slide.
Though he wouldn't share Gon. Killua would be subject of his mate's cuddling, sorry Mike!
His tail flopped about playfully as he wrapped his arms around Gon's chest and pulled him away from Mike's furry warmth. The hybrid grumbled in his sleep, attempting to cling and unwilling to give up his fluffy pillow.
Killua giggled as he awkwardly flipped Gon over to face him instead. Just as expected, Gon latched onto him in his sleep. He'd always been a clingy sleeper, and his habits had gotten ever worse since they'd gotten together. Not that Killua was complaining, Gon's cuddly side was one of his favorites.
The Valkyrie's tail swished lazily up and down beneath the sheets now that Gon was retucked against his chest. Mike eyed him with an air of jealousy, clearly wishing that he was included.
Killua relished the warmth of Gon's skin against his, the cage of his arms, the poke of his horns. He buried his nose in the crown of Gon's hair, and inhaled deeply. He breathed in the sweet scent that clung to his body. The sharp scent of pine and the earthy aroma of fresh soil, all paired with the bite of snow and a trace of lavender. It was his own mixed in with Killua's, proving that Gon was his and that they were sworn together.
I don't want to do it.
Killua's chest clenched. He ran the tip of his nose along the side of Gon's neck, he didn't want to wipe it away. It made him restless even considering removing the scent he worked so tirelessly to stick to Gon's skin.
Gon mumbled in his sleep, "Mmph, Killuaaaa."
The Valkyrie squeezed him tighter and ran his jaw along Gon's, even though he knew it was pointless.
"Stoppp it, tickles," Gon sighed.
"Hold still," Killua chuckled. He didn't want this to go away. Maybe if he pretended that they were back on Nirvana instead of on Kukuroo Mountain, then all of their problems would spontaneously vanish.
Killua held Gon in place, and placed a slow kiss against his lips. The hybrid's eyes fluttered open once Killua pulled away. Gon's eyes were lazy and his mouth was turned up in a smile.
"Well good morning to you too," Gon giggled.
Killua smiled and threaded his fingers through Gon's hair. This is the last time we'll be able to be together like this for a while. I feel like I'm saying goodbye. Killua pulled forward and slotted their lips together. Gon hummed pleasantly into the kiss and slid closer, tangling his hands in Killua's silvery mane.
The moment was slow and painfully sweet. Gon's fingers were freezing cold against Killua's scalp, but the rest of his body burned like a furnace. The Valkyrie's skin was still chilled from the frigid outside air, and he latched onto Gon's hips to draw their bodies flush together.
Heat prickled in Killua's belly, and the flames slowly rose as he pressed Gon's groin against his and urged him to lock his legs around his waist. The hybrid groaned and lazily ground his hips forward. Killua shuddered, feeling Gon's arousal through the sheer fabric of his undershorts.
Electricity sparked between them, and Gon slipped his tongue between Killua's lips. The kiss picked up speed and intensity, with pale hands sliding across hot skin and the prick of Gon's horns against Killua's forehead. The Valkyrie hiked Gon's legs higher up his hips and was ready to roll on top of him, when a wet nose wiggled between their conjoined lips.
Killua sputtered when Mike flopped between them and started licking excitedly at his and Gon's faces. The hybrid startled and laughed when Mike's tongue got him in the mouth. The Hound whined as he sniffed from Gon to Killua, tail wagging a million miles a minute.
"Mike, what the hell!" Killua laughed, shoving the heavy Hound off him and sitting up. Gon followed shit, giggling he struggled to keep Mike from coating his face in slobber.
"I think he wants to be included," Gon giggled.
Killua snorted. "Sorry, Mike, I don't think you know what you're getting into," he chuckled, giving the Hound's ears a healthy rub. Mike's tongue lolled and he leaned into Killua's touch. The Valkyrie shook his head, "You're such a pain, Mike."
"He's not a pain," Gon laughed. "He's cute!"
Killua sighed. "I guess you're right." Even though Mike had cheated him out of another round with Gon. "In any case, we should get up. We need to get to the Testing Gate as soon as possible."
"Alright!" Gon chirped, in a much brighter mood than he'd been in last night. He hopped from the bed and winced when his feet hit the freezing stone floor, doing a funny little dance.
Killua laughed at his expense and flung the covers back. He was much better suited for the cold than Gon was! Mike jumped down from the bed to stand between Gon's legs, retaining a fraction of the warmth of the bed.
"It's freezing!" the hybrid complained, his arms wrapping around his chest as he visibly shivered.
The Valkyrie stepped out of the bed and headed over to where he'd laid out their clothes. "You'll get used to it," he teased. Although, Gon will be much more susceptible to the cold until the miasma poisoning wears off. Usually he'd be able to handle standing in a cold room for a couple of seconds, but it's clear that the poisoning is still in effect. I'll have to make sure he stays warm, I don't want the poison starting to spread again.
Killua tossed Gon several layers of the clothes he'd brought along. The hybrid gratefully caught them and began tugging them on as fast as he could. Killua noted the obvious tent in his pants in amusement.
The two of them got dressed quickly, falling into a familiar routine. Nostalgia from all their travels hovered in a pleasant fog around Killua's mind. Those months of travel between the Hidden Oasis and the Neko-Village, as well as between Yorknew City and Nesting and Sky were warm memories. It felt nice to be on the road again, even if they were on the road to Kukuroo Mountain. Killua's living hell.
"How far is the Testing Gate from here?" Gon asked, shamelessly adjusting his pants as he crossed the room to join Killua by the door. His efforts weren't accomplishing very much. Killua smirked as he tossed Gon's red cloak into his chest. That would conceal his problem.
"It'll be a thirty minute walk," Killua responded. "Thirty seconds if I use Godspeed."
"That slow?" Gon teased.
Killua shoved him.
Gon shoved him back with a twinkling laugh.
Mike winded about their legs, dog-grinning as he fed off their cheerful moods.
"So we'll be going straight there?" Gon asked as he slipped his back over his back. He picked up his scythe and expertly slipped it into the holster across his back. The blade twinkled in the light shining in from the window. Killua eyed Gon's hands in mild concern. His gloves were fingerless, revealing that eerie black stain. The poisoning had receded to only the tips of his fingers, and it would likely stay that way for at least two more days… if it didn't spread again.
"Yup," Killua nodded. His pocket was burning, the knowledge of its contents putting the taste of guilt and sadness under Killua's tongue. "We'll head out immediately, I'll use Godspeed to carry you there. Then we'll open the Testing Gates… and deal with whatever we find on the other side."
"How do you think the Clan will react?" Gon asked.
"If I had to guess…" Killua mulled over the possibilities, a crease forming in his brow. "There will be an armed squadron waiting on the gates. I doubt they'll try anything, but we'll most definitely be greeted and escorted directly to the palace to speak with my parents. I assume that Gotoh will be waiting for me on the other side, as a safety precaution to make sure I don't start anything. We'll be paraded through the citadel, my parents' personal victory lap." Killua spat the last sentence, he detested the knowledge that he was doing exactly what his parents wanted.
It was always a possibility that the situation on the other side of the Gate would be hostile, but Killua sincerely doubted that Gotoh (and namely his mother) would stand for welcoming Killua back with anything but open arms. They were both possessive and very delusional, and would take Killua's return as a victory. Their precious little boy crawling back to his home with his tail between his legs.
If I can play this right, which I will, they'll assume that I've "learned my lesson," and I'll be able to return to the castle with ease. I'm concerned about how the Clan will react to Gon, but if he's with me then I'm sure it won't be too much trouble.
I'll introduce him as an ally in battle, a strategic travel partner. I don't know how much Illumi has told mom and dad about Gon, but whatever they know I can easily refute. They know how Illumi is. He's a dramatic little bitch with a flare for over exaggeration. If I make it clear that my relationship with Gon is strictly platonic, strictly a strategic alliance… then Gon will be safe in the palace, and free from any hostility my parents might throw his way.
He's strong. He'll impress dad. He's also charming and polite to a tee, mother will practically fawn over him. I expect a surveillance team of butlers on him at all times… but introducing him as a political alliance will be the best course of action to diffuse the animosity the Clan holds towards outsiders.
Besides.
He'll pass the Testing Gate with flying colors.
That alone will get him on dad's good side.
That was right. Killua knew his family, and he knew exactly how to play them to get what he wanted. He'd get Gon in, and then he'd get Alluka out. Simple as that. It shouldn't take more than a couple of days. He took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was simple. A breeze. Nothing to get worked up over.
He just had to keep the image up for a little while, and then he could finally turn his back on Kukuroo Mountain and be truly free.
But in order to do so…
Killua's eyes hardened, a solemn shadow passing across their indigo depths. Gon glanced at him in concern. "If we want this to work…" the Valkyrie said slowly, "There are certain conditions that need to be met."
Gon nodded, clearly ready for anything that would be thrown at him.
Gods… he was so brave. So earnest. It really was so unfair.
Unfair to him.
Guilt stung like a bitch.
"Opening the Testing Gate will be the easy part. Once we do that, we'll have a straight shot to the palace thanks to my rank. There will be guards and butlers hanging around, but that will be nothing more than a nuisance. And when we're in the presence of the Royal family… there's a certain image we have to uphold."
Gon nodded, "Be on my best behavior. I'll get on your parents' good side, I promise!"
Killua gazed at his mate affectionately, already regretting what he had to say. What he had to ask of him. "Unfortunately, it won't be that easy."
Gon's eyebrows drew together. Killua's stomach dropped. Damn… here we go…
"Gon…" Killua trailed off. How should he put this? I suppose there's no sense in beating around the bush. Gon's always been direct with me… he deserves that at the very least. "The Clan can't know that you're my mate."
The hybrid blinked. His expression pained Killua. Not because he looked hurt, but because he looked like he'd seen this coming. "Yeah… I can understand that," Gon said.
Killua clenched his fists, nails biting into the skin of his palms. "That's not all. It's not so simple as refraining from mentioning what we… what we are. They can't know at all. When we walk through that Gate, you and I can no longer continue as we are. Not in front of the Clan."
"What do you…" Gon's hands tightened around the straps of his pack.
Killua took a deep breath and soldiered through. There was no sense glossing anything over now. "In the Zoldyck family, bonds like friendship are considered burdens. Weakness. They're heavily frowned upon. I, as the Crown Prince, cannot have friends. While we're here, you can no longer be seen as my friend. The Clan is bigoted and homophobic as all hell, that much you already knew. While we're in there… I need you to pretend that we're not together. Not just as… as mates, but as friends."
"Why can't I be your friend?" Gon asked, sounding offended… though not at Killua. At the Clan. At his family. And that was the problem. Killua couldn't have Gon picking fights. This situation was far too precarious.
"Because it's not done," Killua said solemnly, gazing at the floor with a sad expression on his face. He sounded like his mother and he hated it. "Trivial bonds are weakness, and Valkyrie Royalty can't show weakness."
Gon was silent, processing.
"I need you to pretend while we're in there," Killua pleaded. "You have to act like we're nothing but allies. Can you do that?"
The hybrid frowned, not meeting Killua's gaze. Mike sensed his distress, and walked over to lean against his leg. Gon rubbed the Hound's head as he spoke, "I can do that. It'll only be for a little while… right?" He glanced up to meet Killua's gaze, amber eyes sad and writhe with compassion for all the shit Killua had to put up with.
I'm asking these horrible things of him… yet he still finds it in his heart to feel bad for me.
Gon, I really don't deserve you.
Thank you.
"Yes," Killua nodded. "Only for a little while!" He sounded a little frantic, and he was. He hated to hurt Gon's feelings like this. He knew it was only a front… but asking Gon to hide their relationship just felt… wrong. "And we don't have to pretend the whole time, only when we're in public. We can still be us behind closed doors."
Behind closed doors. I hate how that sounds.
Gon nodded, determination - though weaker than it usually was - flared up in the depths of his eyes. "Okay. I can do that. So, what role am I playing here?"
Killua's heart warmed, Gon was always so willing. Always up for the next challenge thrown his way. "We need to trick my parents into thinking that I'm returning as Crown Prince. But we also need to get you into the Clan in good standing. In order to do so, we have to introduce you as a political alliance. You're an Unseelie Prince. That's a powerful asset to have in a fight."
Gon nodded, looking more ready to punch Killua's family's skulls in than anything.
"While we're under the eyes of the Clan," Killua explained, "You need to be a strategic ally. Nothing more. Nothing less."
The hybrid nodded again. "Alright. I understand."
Killua died a little inside. Time for the worst part… "Additionally, we have to make absolutely certain that we hide our relationship. As such… I need you to take this herb." Killua fished the ghostroot out of his pocket. Gon eyed it in curiosity.
"What's it for?" he asked, tentatively taking the portion Killua passed over to him.
"It's called ghostroot," Killua explained. "And it conceals any and all natural odor that clings to a person. We need to take this in order to hide our scent. Anyone could tell by smell that we're closer than is considered conventional." Anyone could tell that we're mated.
Gon frowned, looking genuinely upset this time.
Killua understood. He understood so much. It hurt… but it had to be done.
After a moment's hesitation, Gon nodded. "Okay."
Killua bit his tongue, not sure if he should say something or not.
Gon wordlessly took a blade of ghostroot and slipped it between his teeth. He chewed the herb a bit before swallowing, and Killua's heart ached as that scent he'd grown so accustomed to faded into nothingness. Freshly cut earth, the bite of pine. The heavy smell of the forest accented by a slight bite of citrus, a sliver of Gon's tropical homeland that clung to his skin even now. An entire identity, erased from Killua's - from anyone's - detection.
He already missed it. Gon felt less… Gon without it.
Killua grimly slipped a blade into his own mouth, and watched Gon scent the air curiously. He knew the exact moment his scent disappeared by the waver in Gon's eyes.
"I can't smell you anymore," the hybrid said sadly.
"Yeah," Killua sighed. There was no sense mulling over it. It had to be done. "The herb will last for three hours at a time. Make sure you take it throughout the day. You don't have to take it at night, but don't forget to take it again when you get up in the morning. That's when the scent will be strongest, after the effects have been out of your system for hours on end."
"This way no one will smell me on you? Or you on me?" Gon confirmed.
Killua nodded, not having the words.
"Alright." Gon nodded, as if he was assuring himself of the mission. "Well, let's face the day, shall we?" That familiar smile slid across the hybrid's face, and Killua's chest burned with a bittersweet sensation. Gon took a hold of the door knob and headed out into the hall.
He turned to glance at Killua. "What are you waiting for, Zoldyck?" he said, his voice playful yet void of the affectionate lilt the Valkyrie had grown accustomed to. It was the tone he used to speak to Ryder. The shift was immediate, as well as impressive. "We've got a mountain to climb," Gon said with a sneer.
Killua forced his tail to stop drooping, and pulled himself out of the dumps. He had a show to put on and a sister to rescue. He fixed a smirk on his face and waltzed out the door as Gon held it. "Don't rush me, Freecss," he tossed back, holding his head high and wings rigid.
The two of them headed for the stairs, Mike trailing along at their heels with his head cocked to one side. Even the Hound noted the shift in the air between them.
…
Amane slammed the door to the bunks open at precisely the break of dawn. Frustration bit in the back of her throat, still bitter over Master Kalluto's sudden appearance. He'd intercepted the report before Amane could deliver the news to the Chief and Chieftess! All that effort, for nothing!
"Ugh," she groaned, kicking the door shut and stomping over to her sorry bed. She flopped onto the stiff cot, releasing the tension in her wings and allowing them to flop across her body like a sheet of fine gossamer.
"Shift exchange already?" came a tired and bemused voice from the bunk overhead. The Wall Guard's bunks were stationed in the great wall itself, along with kitchens, mess halls, armories, and all the other tidings of a proper military fortress. The butlers assigned to the Wall Guard were living like common soldiers, no more furnished suites and feathered mattresses.
Nope.
They were housed in the cold, dreary rooms set aside for the soldiers stationed on the wall. The floors and ceilings were dark as the stone walls, though at least the bunks themselves were lit by warm kerosene lamps rather than the chilling blue flames that lined the halls. The bunks were crafted from rickety wood from the surrounding forest, and each room held six soldiers.
Amane was sharing a room with none other than Canary, with the other four beds left empty. All of the other soldiers envied her for only having a single bunkmate, but sharing a living space with Canary was a headache to say the least.
And not in the way that you're thinking.
Amane peeked up from where she'd buried her head in her arms to find Canary hanging upside down to peek at her from the bunk above. Her eyes were low lidded from sleep, and a playful smirk pulled at her full lips.
"Seems a little early, does it not?" Canary asked.
Amane sighed and averted her gaze, already feeling her cheeks start to tint pink. Canary had a day shift, while Amane took the night. Their sleeping schedules were flopped, and they only saw each other in passing like this, with one getting out of bed and the other returning.
"It is," Amane mumbled. "I was relieved of my shift early. Yours still doesn't start for another two hours."
"Oh?" Canary asked, leaning down further. Her coarse hair was braided against her head in thick, elegant locks. They hung upside down with her, framing her face in a way that was annoyingly endearing. Her skin was warm and dark, soft and glowing under the lamplight. She wore nothing but a pair of sheer cotton shorts to bed, leaving her chest and shoulders bare as she leaned down far enough for her collarbones to be unshielded by the upper bunk.
This was why bunking with Canary was a nuisance.
She was too attractive.
Amane tore her eyes away from the dark skinned woman, sneakily burying up to her nose in the safety of her arms. Her face felt hot. She didn't have the rush of a shift change to occupy herself with, and now there was nothing to distract her from Canary.
Act casual, she reminded herself for the millionth time. Rooming with another woman was supposed to be a relief, not a stressor, dammit! Unfortunately, being around Canary when she was in casual mode never boded well for Amane… not that she could keep her head out of the clouds when Canary was in butler mode either.
"You have free time?" Canary prodded, lowering herself further. Her hands were braced on the upper bunk, and the flexed muscles in her arms came into view. As well as a hint of other things that existed on the front of the female form. This is dangerous, Amane whined to herself.
"Yes, unfortunately," Amane replied, her voice curt. Not because of Canary, no. That woman could never get on Amane's bad side… but certain members of the royal family could. Easily.
"What happened?" Canary asked, grinning ear to ear. She was always one to sit and listen, ever curious to hear about whatever drama had stirred up on Kukuroo Mountain. Which was a lot, surprisingly.
The life of a butler was difficult. With the constant duty of guarding the Zoldycks, following their every order, and never letting one's guard down. It was impossible not to let loose whenever possible. Freetime was unheard of in warrior ranks of the Dragonite Clan, and spreading gossip was one of the few reprieves attainable from the constant serious business in the job description.
Amane flipped over onto her back, glaring up at the bottom of Canary's bunk. She kept her eyes trained upwards instead of at Canary, direct eye contact was a definite nope. As uptight as Amane was, she could never pass up an opportunity to speak with Canary. She was an incredible listener, and one of the few butlers that actually took Amane seriously. It's one of the reasons I…
"I'm not supposed to talk about it," Amane began, though she was very much talking about it. "But we got a report from the guards on the eastern wall."
"The one by the guardhouse?" Canary asked, dangling from the upper bunk. Her wings were relaxed at her back, extended to brush the floor like silken drapes. She hung there without strain, yet another testament to her incredible physical strength. Amane was not drooling.
"Yes," the midnight haired woman replied. "The Hell Hounds found something."
"Oo, something interesting?" Canary asked excitedly. Gods, she was so cute when she was off butler duty. Amane cursed whoever had decided to make this woman so unfairly alluring.
"More than interesting," Amane declared, sitting up to face Canary. She couldn't help it, she had to tell someone about this shit! "The report detailed an intruder in the forest who defeated the Hell Hounds, Mike, Zebro and Sequant, and the entire squadron of assassins called in as back up!"
Canary's eyes blew wide in surprise, carmel colored orbs blinking at Amane and hanging off her every word. Amane's chest was not warming. "But that means…" Canary trailed off.
"You're right," Amane said, leaning forward with her legs crossed and her hands pooled in her lap. Her tail swished defiantly behind her. "There's only one person who could have accomplished all of that, and that person is Master Killua."
Canary gasped, even though she'd known the words were coming. "He's back?"
"Yes, I'm certain of it!" Amane said, buzzing with excitement even as her stomach broiled with irritation. "I was delivering the report to the Chief and Chieftess when I was intercepted by Master Kalluto." Amane glared, only able to show the contempt on her face now that it was only her and Canary. "He took the report from me and wouldn't let me deliver it! Can you believe that? I was this close to regaining my standing with the Royal family!"
Canary's eyebrows turned up in sympathy. "Oh, that's just terrible. I'm not surprised that Master Kalluto would do something like that. Did he bring the report to the Chief and Chieftess in your stead?"
"No," Amane huffed. "He took it and ran off! Dismissed me from my post just like that!"
Canary's eyebrows drew together in a frown. "Wait, what? Where is he going?"
Amane quirked a brow, she could sense Canary's thoughts churning. "He ran off for the east wall, told me he'd 'take care of it himself.'"
Canry outright glared. "Oh no," she hissed.
Amane blinked, "What is it?"
Canary swiftly hopped down from the upper bunk, elegantly flipping backwards and landing neatly on her feet. She turned to the side to gaze at Amane, a wing shielding her front from view. "Master Kalluto is going to intercept Master Killua's return," Canary said sternly. "You know Master Kalluto, what is he going to do?"
Amane fumbled to get her thoughts in line and think coherent things aside from crying over Canary's smooth legs. "I– well, if he's meeting Master Killua at the door then he's–" Amane froze.
Canary nodded grimly. "I have to stop him."
Amane sputtered, "What? You can't get between Masters Kalluto and Killua!"
"What do you expect me to do, nothing at all?" Canary responded. She marched over to her armor stand and began slipping on the layers of dragonskin and overlapping plates of tough armor.
Amane stumbled from the bed, knowing that she needed to dissuade Canary but not knowing how–
"Yes!" she said frantically. "We're butlers, we can't oppose the Zoldyck family!"
Canary turned to face Amane as she strapped the forearm guards around her wrists. "Our job is to protect the Zoldycks and defend the laws and life of the Clan," Canary declared. "My job is to defend the Princes, why would I relinquish that duty if it brings me to step between Master Kalluto and his irresponsible whims?"
Amane floundered. Such, such insolence–
She's such a badass.
"But– but what will the Masters have to say about this?" she choked out, one last attempt to stop whatever this was before it could spiral into something reckless.
Canary flashed a grin. "Come on, they won't do anything to me."
That damned smile shot right through Amane's chest. Shit, Canary held a valued place in the Clan and she knew it. She held a confidence that Amane could only ever hope to envy over.
"Now if you'll excuse me," Canary said as she slipped past Amane to the door. "I'm going to go save Kalluto's sorry ass." She patted Amane on the shoulder and disappeared around the corner.
Amane stood frozen on the spot, her skin tingling through the armor where Canary had rested her hand.
She blinked once.
Twice.
"Gods fucking dammit!" she whined, before scrambling out the door after Canary.