A.N: HI everyone! I'm sooooo sorry about the long update time! I've just been bogged with school work and life. It hasn't really been fun. But anyways, I think this is a fairly long chapter, so I hope this sort of makes up for it. I just want to thank every single person who has seen, read, favorited, followed, and reviewed my story! It really makes me happy. But anyways, enough with the author's note, and let's get on with the story! Please Enjoy!
Ok, I really had to stop this annoying habit of not knowing where the hell I woke up. It was starting to get annoying. It wasn't this bad even when I was sleeping in the streets. I was NOT in a good mood.
I shook my head to shake off the last fleeting tiredness of sleep, and looked around. This time, I seemed to be in a cold, stone room. CHains were strung on the walls and from the ceilings. "Oh good,you're up," said a casual voice from behind me, causing me to jump 10 feet in the air. I whip around. A cold, monotonous face greeted me only a few inches away from my own, and I would've shrieked if I could. I stumbled back, tripping over my feet in the process.
Although I was obviously scared, evidenced by my shaking anddefensive posture., I was alsopissed off at this guy, shownby my glaring daggers.
"Hmm. You have a good expression. I like it. Scared, yet strong. Brave, yet stupid. Yes, it would be a shame to kill you now. Besides, an old acquaintance of mine seems to have also taken an interest in you. Live and grow much stronger, my little puppet. When your true powers have come to light, then I will take you and use your powers for the betterment of our family. Wouldn't that be nice? To help out Killu's family?"
Ok, this guy is officially a complete weirdo in my books. I cocked my head just ever so slightly at the mention of his "acquaintance" who had taken an interest in me, but that was quickly pushed to the side at the mention of my snowy-haired knight. My eyes harden and scowl angrily. The long-haired freak tilts his head a tiny bit, reading my unvoiced equestions. "Don't worry. Killu will be here-", He was cut off when the previously well hidden door was smashed to smithereens and a verypissed voice yelled, "Illu-nii, what the fuck did you do to Shizuka!?"
When the dust cleared from the solid stone debris, the first thing I noticed was a messy mop of fluffy white. Without even thinking, I launched myself at the owner of the person, not even needed complete visual confirmation to know that this was my missing person. My missing half.
'KILLUAAAAA!', I scream in my mind. I felt Killua tense immediately, and his muscles moved to indicated that he had retracted his right arm as if ready to strike. However, teh blow never, came, and instead, a surprised, if not subtly relieved voice, exclaimed, "Shizuka!?"
He brought his arm down, and I look up at him. I smile and tilt my head, closing my eyes in pure happiness. I couldn't have been happier to be reunited with him. To physically be able to feel him there as an anchor to the world that was for so long closed off to me.
Killua's POV:
The minute I woke up, I remembered everything. From Illu-nii threatening Shizuka, to him beating me almost to death, or at least a state of unconsciousness, to Shizuka releasing that amazing power. If I weren't lying on the floor like a broken doll, I probably would've stared at her in awe of her sheer vocal power. Now, I've seen a lot of amazing things, but that was on a whole new level. BUt more than that, was the fact that she actually talked. Well, more liked scream but still. It was the first time I had ever heard her voice. And I would do anything to be able to hear it again. (Preferabbly when she's not screaming and angry. And I would do anything to make sure that she would never have to go through that again).
Anyways, I look around, and immediately noticed that I was chained up. 'Figures,'I roll my eyes. I yank on the chains that even the most powerful metal cutters wouldn't be able to break, and snap them as easy as if they were sticks. I yank the wrist cuff bolts apart, letting them drop to the floor. "Damn them. Same as always." I rub my wrists while looking for a way out. I spot the door but naturally it's as secure as the national treasury. I shrug, and bust through without even thinking. I stop for a minute, thinking tio myself. 'Ok, well, if I'm here, then Shizuka must be here somewhere too. After all, my damn brother seems to have taken an interest in her.'At that thought, my eyes dim a little in their brilliance. Use her.I'll be fucking deadby the time I let Illu-nii gets close enough to use her.
My seething gets interrupted when I hear a door opening and closing nearby, and my acute hearing only just being able to pick up Illumi's dead voice. I didn't even think as to who he would be talking to. I bolt down the hall, take a left, and barge straight through the wall a few meters from the turn. ""Illu-nii, what the fuck did you do to Shizuka!?" I yell. Debris flew every and floated around like a dust cloud. All of a sudden, I felt something ram into my mid-section, and purely out of instinct, I raise my right arm with my nails turned into claws.
My strike was stopped fast when I saw clear, vibrant violet eyes staring into mine, shining brighter than the sun. Her face was light up, and it was clear what it said; "Killua~~~! You're here, thank god you're ok!"And the surprising strength of her grip was another clear indication that she didn't want me to leave. After seeing that, and knowing that she was safe, was enough to make me lean forwards and wrap Shizuka tightly in my arms.
I wrapped my hand around the back of her head and held her close. At first she went slightly ridged, as if shocked. But then she relaxed and returned the embrace, clutching tightly to the back of my shirt. I felt her shoulders start to shudder and little hiccup motions started to grow more noticeable. I didn't know what she was crying about, but then it hit me. She had been worried about me ever since I got knocked out back at the docks. I pet her hair gently as I say softly, "It's ok, Shizuka. I'm here. And I'm never going anywhere again, promise. So please stop crying." I pulled back and looked down into her reddening eyes. A tear slipped from the corner of her large violet orbs, and I brushed it away with my finger. I smiled a little.
I saw something change within those very same eyes; something akin to resolve, and sniffed one last time while rubbing her eyes free of any more salty water that may have run the risk of falling. She looked back at me with a determined look and smile. " I'll be strong."
Shizuka's POV:
I was so happy that he was here, that I tried to vocalize my joy. It didn't work. I tried again and again, but nothing came out. I was a bit downtrodden. I was hopping that what had happened back at the dock storehouses that I had somehow met the secret requirement for me to gain back my voice. Guess not. But whatever. I've lived this long without it, so I guess I can keep living without a one.
A not-so-subtle cough interrupted us, and we both turned to look at the nearly (not really) forget physco in the corner of the room. Killua stood up straighter and pushed me behind him slightly. I knew Killua wasn't flat out scowling at his brother- that just wasn't him-, but he was certainly pissed. I could tell because his aura radiated a barely contained anger, but his voice was completely casual. I swear, he's the only person I know who can sound completely nonchalant and yet still give off a presence of 'one wrong move and I'll fucking rip your heart out'.
"So, did you want something, Illu-nii? Cuz if not, then I think Shizuka and I are done here." He started to walk away, but the person named Illumi(?) retorted, "Oh, nothing much, Killu. Actually, I was just going to tell your little friend over there about her mother." That made us both stop in our tracks. I whip around so fast, I almost gave myself whiplash.
Though he didn't move, I could tell that Illumi was reading me. My actions, my face, my eyes. "It seems she's interested. So now what, Killu? Will you take her away from here knowing that she could have learned about her deceased mother? Or will you run away with her and leave her in the dark?" Damn that bastard was manipulative. But he was right. Now that I've finally found someone to answer the questions that I've been harboring for as long as I could remember, there was no way in heck I was just going to waste that chance. Even if it wascoming from a psychopath.
Killua saw my hesitation to follow him after that, and relented with a frustrated growl. "Fine," he spat, "But as soon as you're done, we're leaving." It wasn't a suggestion. It was a command. And one I was perfectly fine with. I hated this place… wherever "this place" was.
"Well, let me see." Illumi thought for a few minutes. "Ah! That's right. Now I remember. A few decades ago, you're mother was the prime star in Yorknew City. She had everything. Money, luxury, men waiting on her every whim. She was well above what one could consider a first class citizen. Heck, she was even hailed to be a goddess of beauty by some, if not many. You see, she was a famous op-class singer some 25 or so years back." He stopped and looked at me as if studying me. It seriously sent chills up my spine. Killua noticed my discomfort, and moved further in front of me so that he was blocking more of me from Illumi's gaze.
"Hmm. Although you don't have the same hair exactly, you certainly have her lustrous violet eyes and her soft facial features. Her hair was more golden than brown. And slightly more wavy. But anyways, she was a real deity. However, there were some who were jealous of her. So one night, a seemingly unexplained fire broke out on the top floor of her deluxe penthouse. She tried to escape, but the fire spread too quickly. She was swallowed up by the flames and died in that accident." He paused, waiting for my reaction. My face was stoned. I didn't feel anything. Nothing. It all just made me numb inside. I had had a mother, but she had died in a fire. Was I supposed to by bawling my eyes out on the floor right now? Maybe. But I didn't. Perhaps that made me an awful daughter, but honestly, how could I feel much for someone I didn't truly know? But even despite that, there was a small part of me, deep inside, that was weeping.
"Or at least, that's what we first thought." That caught my attention, and my eyes snap back to reality. I look at him questioningly. "I am not lying. It's true. Upon further… personalresearch, I found that she had only faked her death, and had escaped into the countryside. She had hidden herself away in some abandoned church. When I had gotten wind of this, I tracked her down. For such a well-known celebrity, she sure did know how to hide." That was probably the most emotion I had ever heard Illumi speak with. It was slight, but I could tell. He respected her.
"Back on topic, when I had finally gotten to her hideout, which truly was a ratty little church. It was run down and looked like it was out of service for at least 10 years. I walk in casually, as i normally do, not expecting anything. I was completely caught off guard when a strong, stoic voice, said, "Halt."Of course, I had no intentions of actually stopping just because some unknown told me to, but nonetheless, I found myself still. I tried to move my feet, but they wouldn't budge. Now I was interested. 'You know, it's not nice to tell someone to stand still when they haven't done anything.' I had said. "Shut up."I did. My mouth clamped up on its own accord, and I didn't say a word. She had said, 'I know that you're evil. Just the scent of you reeks of blood. How many innocent people have you killed?'
'My, well aren't you perceptive.' is what I would have liked to have said, but i couldn't speak. I put some nen into it, and I break free of whatever spell she had me under. Well, our whole conversation is too long, and it's been a while so I don't remember the details, but basically we had fought, she matched me on par, won my respect, and then we chatted a bit as we both lay there bleeding. It was nothing fatal, believe it or not, but even I have my limits. She certainly surprised me. No one before has eer been able to challenge me on the same level as she. No one had, no one has since, and i doubt any will be able to in the future."
Killua was staring at me. I scowl at him. His face straightens as if caught redhanded, and said quickly, "Sorry! It's just, what kind of demon was your mother? To be able to keep on even grounds with my brother?That's just friggin insane! Unthinkable!"
I kick him in the shin at the same time as Illumi said, "Yes, well it is true. As a few more minutes passed, she said this as her last words, 'Hey, psycho. I have a daughter. She is not named, nor will se be. I will not be able to take care of her any longer. I know that what I am doing is going to be very rough on her as she grows up, but I believe that she will grow to become a beautiful and wonderful woman. She will find her own name and place in this world. However, I warn you this. She has a verydangerous ability. The same as mine. Her words have the power to destroy or build, murder or revive. I don't know, but I have the feeling that her power will even surpass mine one day. But before she is ready for that, I need her to learn to control her emotions. With that, she should be alright. I have placed two barriers on her. One will break when she finds herself willing to fight to the death for someone she holds dear. That is the first test. Find someone worthy of her love. The second...'" Illumi trailed off, and scrunched his face as if thinking.
I was literally jumping up and down ike a child enthralled by a fascinating story. 'What next? What NEXT!?' I wanted to know. I NEEDED to know. "Hmm… I'm sorry, but my memory seems to be fuzzy around there." He pondered it a little more, but then shrugged as if he gave up. "Ah! But I do remember one last thing that she told me." I wait impatiently for him to continue. "She said,'My precious baby. Oh how much I love her, and I regret leaving her like this, but there is nothing more I can do. This is the only way to protect her. When she is ready, she WILL find me. I know it.' Well, I think I've told you enough. So goodbye," and as simple as that, he just vanished into the shadows. I was absolutely shell-shocked. SO many things going through my head. My mother was famous? She was a singer? She had powers like I did? I looked a little like her? She could fight like a badass? She loved me? She sealed my voice on purpose? what was the other barrier and the condition to break it? ARGGG! This whole thing has only raised a whole new array of questions!
I was seriously pulling my hair out in frustration and my conflicted feelings. Did she truly love me? If so, then why couldn't she keep me? We could have dealt with things together.
Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder. It was a warm hand. A kind hand. A gentle hand. I turn around, and see Killua looking at me with sympathetic eyes. But that was only on the surface. On the bottom, I read his unspoken but heart-felt message. We'll get through this Together. No matter what.Gods I think I'd be dead a thousand times over if Killua wouldn't have been here. He's saved me so many times already. He was my moral support, my immovable krutch, my home. He was the person I could always rely on, my one constant in an ever changing world.
Yes. We would do this. And we would do it together.
AN: Ok, another note. Sorry. But anyways, I've got a poll on my profile, so if you'd like to see it, please do. Anything would be greatly appreciated! thanks and see you all next time! Please R&R