DISCLAIMER : Following the word itself "fanfiction", I do not own anything in this fiction and credits belong to the rightful creators of the manga: TOGASHI YOSHIHIRO, the publisher, the broadcasting companies of the anime both 1999 original version and 2011 remake - Nippon Animation and Madhouse, respectively and etc.
CHAPTER 8
-FLUSTER-
"Alluka, I needed to ask you something..." I let go of her, holding on to her shoulders to face me. "Alluka... where is.."
"ONIICHAN! I have a surprise for you!" She interrupted me as she shook my hands off of her shoulder then grabbing them to drag me along with her as she ran off the corridor with me.
I think I already know where exactly is this going...
"Okay... Let's see what you got there..." I apathetically spoke as I let her drag me along.
"Hang in there!" She ordered.
That's when we finally arrived in front of the library. She stopped and let go of me. "Oniichan! Close your eyes!"
"Okay..." I did so anyways, shutting my eyes tight as I let her drag me again inside.
No doubt. I felt a presence inside the room. Strong enough to compete with me in an upront, physical battle...
I can't be mistaken... But I must not react recklessly...
"Oniichan! Open your eyes!"
I opened my eyes to see a woman in her mid 20's wearing a butler's uniform with long, wavy black hair.
"TAAADAAAAA!" Alluka waved her arms, presenting her so-called suprise that was not really a surprise to me anymore... rather, SHE WAS actually my purpose in here...!
"Good evening, Master Killua..." The woman bowed before me.
I inhaled deeply, trying to suppress the rage building inside me.
"Oniichan? You okay?" Alluka tilted her head, checking on my strange, disgruntled reaction. "You're friends with her right? Are you not happy to see her?"
"I am..." I was still keeping myself from reacting violently as I gave out a twisted, wry smile, while I marched forward towards the woman.
"It's a surprise to know you arrived earlier than expected, Master." She continued speaking the moment I stopped at least a foot away from her.
"Alluka, go to your room right now. I needed to borrow your 'NEW BABYSITTER' for a while. I needed to discuss a few matters with her..."
"Huh?" Alluka gave me a confused look as I held her new babysitter by the hands and dragged her out of the library...
"Sit down."
I ordered the woman to sit down on a cushion on the floor while I locked the door, finally in the comfort and refuge of my own room to keep everything private.
I was right...
Right when Alluka told me she has a surprise for me, I knew it was her... it was PALM all along!
She did as I ordered and watched me sit in front of her, crossing my legs.
"What is it that you wanted to discuss Master. I still needed to..."
"DON'T YOU MASTER ME, YOU BITCH OF AN ANT!" I blurted out. "What in the bloody hell is this of your shenanigans?!"
"But Master..."
"CUT THE MASTER OUT! Speak bitch! What the hell are you doing here!" I crossed my arms and gave her a stern glare.
"You're still as rude as always..." She scoffed. "Since you already ordered me to cut the formalities out, might as well tell you that you're not even at the right age to talk to me like that!"
"You're in MY territory. I have ALL THE RIGHTS."
"Fine." She rolled her eyes. "Is it wrong for me to kill some time working here as personal assistant of my friend while waiting for a mission from the Association?"
"IT IS!" I impatiently nodded. "You see... it's not time you're trying to kill in here but YOURSELF! DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU GETTING YOURSELF INTO?!" I seized her collar infuriatedly, screaming right at her face. "YOU'RE TRYING TO GET YOURSELF KILLED OVER A SAPPY DREAM THAT WOULD EVENTUALLY TURN INTO A NIGHTMARE!"
"What the hell are you talking about!?" She talked back, whisking my hands off of her collar. I hate to admit it, but she really is still stronger than me PHYSICALLY after all.
"Don't you dare deny it! I KNOW THE STORY! IKALGO AND THE REST TOLD ME! Who in the bloody depths... of fucking hell... IS THAT 'MYSTERY MAN' YOU WERE CHASING AROUND?!"
"What?! No!" She shook her head frantically, cupping her mouth with her hands. "There's no such thing! It was a completely different story!"
"LIAR!" I thrusted a finger towards her. "SPEAK NOW, OR I'LL FIRE YOU!"
"I have nothing to speak about! Believe me! Please don't fire me!"
I put my finger down and crossed my arms once again, waiting to hear her story. "SPEAK!"
"I enjoy hanging out with your sister. She's very cute, easy to look after and take care of. Alluka is a nice child. I wanted to stay here for longer as I myself have wished back then to have a younger sister to take care of and this is the closest I could get to it... Please don't fire me."
"Liar..." I scoffed. "If ALLUKA is the reason why you wanted to stay longer, why does it coincide with the mystery man incident! WHO AND WHERE IS HE IN THIS ESTATE! TELL ME WHERE IS HE!"
"He's not in here!" She yelled back. "I mean... it's... none of your business! He has got nothing to do with this believe me!"
"YEAAAAH RIGHT! How did you find out about the babysitter vacancy? THAT WAS WHEN YOU WERE BUSY FANGIRLING OVER HIM USING YOUR CLAIRVOYANCE! Therefore, it only means, HE STAYS NEAR THE VICINITY! YOU KNOW THE FUCKING RULES IN THIS HOUSEHOLD!"
"I KNOW!" She shrieked at me, interrupting me. "I know the rules. I was entirely aware that it's strictly prohibited for butlers to engage into a romantic relationship with ANYONE, regardless whether it's your fellow butler or anyone outside the estate. If caught both will be executed."
"GOOD!" I nodded at her with a wide-eyed, furious glare. "And that's why I am telling you that you're an idiot! Do you think by working in here, you'd get closer to getting hooked to that guy?!"
"THAT'S NOT DEINITELY MY INTENTION! I have no plans in getting into a relationship with him! Hell, I don't even deserve him..." Her eyes mellowed into an expression of abashment, averting it from my furious gaze. "I made it clear! I am happy serving as your sister's personal assistant... He has got nothing to do with this!"
"JUST MAKE SURE HE DOESN'T! IF... okay, IF - EVER anyone gets to know about this, specially that... D'AW!" I scratched my head madly in frustration. "I CAN'T LET YOU GET KILLED BY THAT SPAWN OF HELL! This is why I'm asking you everything! IF YOU WON'T BE HONEST, I WON'T BE ABLE TO HELP YOU JUST IN CASE!"
"Trust me." She finally looked back at me with a gleam of assurance in her eyes. "It's a personal matter I prefer to keep to myself. I already found him, and have seen him here every now and then. But that's just it. There's nothing more. The feelings are unreciprocated and I believe it won't grow into something further... He's too far for me to reach. I can never tell him what I felt, and if I did, he wouldn't seem to care... So your fears won't happen. Don't worry about me... I appreciate the care and concern."
I saw a hint of insecurity and frustration in her eyes as she lowered her head down, locking her deep blue eyes down the floor.
"(sigh) Alright..." I finally started to cool down, taking her situation into consideration. "I just wanted to ensure your safety anyway... I can't let my friends get hurt... and it sorta feels awkward having a friend or a comrade as a servant around the household, you know?! Geez. As long as you promise me!"
"Huh?"
"Promise me you'll never do anything stupid that might cause you to get into trouble. If ever you did, I'll NEVER try to cover you up!... And there's one more thing, DON'T-YOU-EVER-DARE mess up with my eldest..."
RRRRRRIIIIIIIIING!
We glanced at each other for a while. "Okay, go ahead." I permitted her. "BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT THAT INTO LOUDSPEAKER!"
RRRRRRIIIIIIIIING!
"Okay... okay, chill down... sheesh..." She turned her back on me before she pressed the green button to answer the call. "Hello... Master"
"Yaa..." I heard the person on the other line spoke in which, Palm almost dropped the phone down, flustered as beads of sweat started to form around her forehead.
"Are you there?" The person on ther other line spoke once again in an impatient tone. It was Aniki's voice Im sure I've heard.
Palm hurriedly got a grip of the phone back and placed it on her ear with her hands still trembling. "Ah.. I'm sorry! I apologize Master! Yes, I'm here..." She stuttered.
"Good. Tomorrow, I'll be taking Alluka out with me as she requested as a reward for her 100% in the exams this morning."
WHAT? Aniki will be taking Alluka out with him tomorrow? NO! I CAN'T LET THIS HAPPEN! I'm pretty sure he's up to something! I needed to do something about it!
"I'm out of the mansion right now so I want you tomorrow to bring Alluka with you at the gates at 7 am and wait for me there. I'll be fetching you guys from there to wherever she wants us to go."
"..." Palm didn't respond however.
"Hey..."
"Ah..! Y-yes... Master?"
"Are you listening?"
"Y-YES! Yes, of course!"
"Really? Then repeat what I said..."
"Umm... I would be preparing Young Master Alluka for... ummm..."
"See? Don't make me repeat myself. This is the last. After this, there'll be none and I'll be issuing punishments if you fail to understand and comply."
"YES MASTER!"
"Alright I'll make it simple... pay attention. Bring Alluka with you at the gates tomorrow at 7 am. Wait for me to arrive so I can fetch you guys and take her out as she requested. Got it?"
"Got it, Master."
"Good."
He then hung up. Palm was left motionless for a little while before putting her phone back to her pocket then finally facing me.
"THAT. That's what I'm talking about. He's the real DANGER in here. HE'S THE ONE I JUST SAID YOU SHOULDN'T MESS UP WITH...!"
"I know..." She uttered.
"Does he know we're friends?"
"Yes he does."
"EEEEEH!? WHY DID YOU LET HIM KNOW?!"
"I did not tell him! He figured it out the moment he interviewed me the first week I worked here!"
Palm stood nervously in front of the gigantic door of the meeting hall. She was ordered to proceed to it for an interview. It was still her first week working as Alluka's babysitter. She held the door handle, still not opening it, trying to build up some courage.
"Proceed"
She heard someone from inside spoke. Ready or not, she pushed the door open anyway as it is an order coming from her employer... rather, her Master.
There was a long table, lined with at least 12 splendidly decorated chairs. There were projectors, display equipments and a glass board in front. The place was huge that her steps as she made her way inside echoed around. It was mostly likely used for conferences and discussions regarding their transactions, researches and financial matters.
He appears to be seated at the last seat, as it was the only seat facing the back where the rest of the seats were still neatly arranged and unoccupied.
"Good evening Master." Palm remained standing, waiting for the Master to swivel the chair to face her.
"Sit down." It revealed a man in his mid-20's with straight, long black hair, with eyes that reflect a soulless gaze as he gave her a stern, assertive look.
"Y-yes Master." She bowed before doing as told.
He was holding the CV she submitted 5 days ago prior to getting hired. "I assume they already told you about me."
"Umm yes... Master Illumi." She stuttered, still nervous.
"Good." He put the CV on the table and clasped his hands together. "I was the one who posted the ad you applied for where you got succesfully hired. Are you aware?"
"Yes Master."
"I just arrived from a week long mission. I wasn't here when you walked-in for an application so I wasn't able to interview you personally and that was at least 5 days ago. According to your superiors, you're doing good and Alluka seems to get along well with you."
"Thank you Master."
He paused for a while, skimming on the CV. "It says here that you're a half-blood Chimera Ant. You're a bit too strong to work as a Personal Assistant. I'll get it straight. I don't trust you."
Palm remained silent.
"I am fully aware that Chimera Ants have the instinct to eat humans. And they choose the strong ones specially those who can use Nen to empower themselves. Is that what you came here for?"
"Absolutely not Master!" Palm denied. "I was a real human."
"All of the new generation Chimera Ants were once humans."
"I was different Master! I did not become an Ant through Phagogenesis. I was an Experiment."
"Experiment?"
"Yes Master... I was the first and the last experiment that came succesful by the Royal Guard Chimera Ants. It was the Experiment they needed to do to prove the possibility of turning humans into Chimera Ants as how they planned to dominate the world."
"Hmmm, I see... First and last huh..." He cupped his mouth with his fingers, thinking. "If what you're telling me about yourself is correct, then presumably, you were on East Gorteau during the Ant Extermination which is how you get to be an experiment subject. However, as written here in your CV, you're from the Yorbian Continent, a few hours of travel by the air away from our country. It's only possible for you to get into the selection back then if you're an inhabitant of the East Gorteau."
"I wasn't from East Gorteau. I happened to be in there during the selection because of a mission."
"Makes sense... It's also written here that you're a Hunter. So if that's the case, you were one of the members of the Ant Extermination Team. Am I right?"
"Yes sir..."
Palm was still anxious as Illumi kept quiet for a few moments, staring at the CV seemingly contemplating on some things before finally speaking out.
"Okay, that settles it..." He then faced Palm once again. "If you participated in the Ant Hunt, it's impossible for you not to know my brother Killua and his friend Gon, right?"
"I can't deny it to him!" Palm explained. "He perceives things pretty fast there's no point in lying!"
I placed my palm on my forehead, shaking my head. "(sigh)... That was a bad move... By that, he was probably up to something by now! I can't let you take Alluka out alone with him. I know he's up to something..."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"He's... the bad guy in here..."
"But how?"
"Don't you get it? Were you informed that he was the executioner of the violators of that No Romantic Relationship Policy in here?! The moment he figures out you're secretly head over heels with anyone, he'd investigate if you and that guy has a special relationship or a mutual understanding and if he proves it YOU'RE DONE FOR GOOD! If there's anyone you needed to keep an eye on, that would be him!"
"Like I said it's one sided! It would never happen! And I would make sure he doesn't figure it out! Why do you talk so badly about your brother?!"
"Cuz he's the bad guy in here!"
Yeah. The bad guy. I turned him into the bad guy. It was still partly my fault why he has become the devil he is right now. DAMN! Why can't I stop thinking about it! THIS IS THE REALITY NOW! It's already in the past and its irrevocable! I have to protect my sister and my friend!
"He's not!" She blurted out that stupefied me for a little while. "For the little amount of time I have been here, I was able to tell he wasn't. No matter how busy he was, he always took the time to train and educate his brothers, even if they could get annoying at times... even if Alluka asks too much, even if Kalluto fails to meet his standards, even if Milluki slacks around... he's still there, patiently doing his role as the eldest brother and the role model he has to be!"
"GAWD!" I pulled my hair out in anger. "YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
"What is it left for me to know so I can judge him cruelly like you do?! That he kills people for money? That he's unfriendly and cold? That he's self centered and indifferent? Aren't you like that too yourself?!"
"WOAH WOAH WOAH, WATCH YOUR MOUTH RIGHT THERE." I began poking the crystal ball on her forehead. "We're talking about Alluka's and your safety here! He's an ego stroking demon who would do everything to get his object of interest shackled to his clutches. I AM ONE OF HIS OBJECTS OF INTEREST AND ALLUKA TOO. He only gets to be happy when he makes someone's life miserable by manipulating them and holding them by the necks! Regardless how I have appeared to have the whole situation under my control, he's still a lot more powerful than I am and HE'S CONSIDERING YOU A THREAT!"
I gasped for some air after yelling non-stop at her. While being enraged and flustered of current the situation, I am still being eaten by guilt inside. It felt a little heavy inside bad-mouthing him. But I have no choice. If I let my sympathy get the best of me, I'd lose both my sister and a friend and I can't let that happen.
"FINE!" I blurted out. "We have nothing more to discuss! You're dismissed!"
"Huh? But what about tomorrow?! You said you're not gonna..."
"You can do what you guys want... I don't give a shit..." I proceeded to my bed, and fell flat on it, placing my hands at the back of my head.
"Okay... Master." Palm then reluctantly bowed, confused about my sudden change of heart. She headed to the door, twisting the knob open.
"Oi!" I called her.
"Yes Master?"
"Don't let you and Alluka die." I dismissively spoke, with my eyes closed. I did not even bother to watch her make her way out of my room then closing the door.
END OF CHAPTER 8