I was lying on my bed, hands behind my head, thinking of nothing in particular when Kil barged in. He flew across the room and jumped on the bed next to me, leaning over my face and looking even more like a cat than usual. If I squinted me eyes… just right… I'm positive I saw a pair of cat ears on top of his silver haired head.

"Hey, hey, Aniki!" He bounced up and down excitedly. "Were you talking to that old lady again?"

"Haruka." I sighed, wondering if Kil would ever stop insulting people instead of referring to them by name. Anyone who seemed older than him was instantly dubbed "old lady" or "old man".

"Fine, fine. Were you talking to Haruka again?" He stopped bouncing and crossed his legs, staring at me with his big violet eyes. I sat up and tousled his hair. He hated when I did that.

"I don't see why that should matter to you Kil. Aren't you supposed to be training with Father?"

"But it's so bo-ring! I'd much rather play with you Aniki!" He jumped off the bed and landed in the middle of my room, shoving his hands into the pockets of his shorts. "Come on Aniki! I want to try and ride Mike just like the old lady!"

Well, I guess it could count as training… Kil would never want to do it again if I told him that, I decided to let the kid enjoy the fun for a while. I slowly got off the bed and followed Kil out onto the grounds. He whistled for Mike and I leaned against a tree as he wrestled with the wolf to try and climb on his back.

He was thrown off more than once.

"An-i-ki!" Kil whined nearly two hours and many, many, failed attempts later to me. "I can't get Mike to stay. How did the old lady manage to do it so many times?"

I turned to look at my dirt covered little brother, casually throwing one of my needles at the tree I had been using as a dart board since this all began. Why didn't he think for himself? Mike was a trained guard not a trained pet. He couldn't whistle him to come then expect him to sit and be used as a climbing post.

Not that I said anything of my thoughts aloud, I just stared. Kil eventually huffed out an annoyed breath, said a few insulting names, I briefly wondered where he had heard such things, and turned back to Mike, who was currently lying down with his oversized tongue hanging out one side of his mouth.

I watched with half-hooded eyes as Kil approached him once again. But Mike was quick. He was on his feet and turning tail before Kil even had time to jump. He only stood there stunned for a brief second.

"No fair Mike!" Kil called after the wolf. I hid my smile. "Aniki… next time you see that old lady ask her how to ride Mike. I'll give you some of my chocolate robots in exchange."

"What if I don't see her again?" I asked, my voice neutral. Kil must really want to ride Mike if he was willing to bribe me with his chocolate robots. My brother had a very unhealthy fascination with the substance. Though, I had to admit it was better than Milluki, who preferred to hole himself away with all those anime girl figurines.

"You'll see her." Kil stated with the self-assurance every nine year old possesses when they think they rule the world. I merely chuckled and turned towards the house. It had been a somewhat tiring day. I would get some rest before putting in some training time myself.

I heard Kil whistle for Mike again. I turned my head and spied the wolf slinking around the edges of the woods, wanting to obey but not exactly happy about it. The kid was persistent, not an altogether bad quality for someone in the family's line of work. But too much persistence may wind up killing you instead of the target…

I raised my arms in a cross block to absorb the impact of Father's kick, which was still powerful enough to send my feet skidding backwards. We were in the training room, where Haruka had first met my family.

"Still too soft Illumi. Don't always aim for the vitals; you'll become too predictable that way."

"Yes father." I filed the advice in the back of my mind and took out another round of needles. Sparring with Father was the only opportunity I had to practice hitting a constantly moving target.

I watched as my son readied another set of needles, the boy was becoming increasingly dependent on them I thought. I knew he asked for my time to train his aim but it was too much lately. He was focusing less on his other training.

Illumi darted to the side, his long hair flying out behind him. Reflexively I raised my right arm to block his kick, catching the secondary kick in my left hand. I threw him away from my body and dodged back a couple steps to avoid his spray of needles. He had gotten faster… Maybe he wasn't neglecting his other training as much as I thought.

I watched, guarded, as Illumi slowly shifted his stance, the denim of his jeans scratching against the floor. His white muscle shirt was coated in sweat. We had been at this for nearly three hours and he was nearing his limit. I relaxed my stance, retracting my aura. He hesitated before doing the same, still slightly guarded against a surprise attack.

I walked over and clapped him on the back. I was extremely proud of him, but I didn't allow any hint of that emotion to break through, I kept a stern frown plastered across my face. Without saying a word I walked out of the room.

My father's back was all I saw as he walked away. It seemed it was the only thing I ever saw of him. No matter how much I improved my skills, he continued to be just that sliver more beyond my reach. He always would be.

XXX

A/N: You know what? That's it. This is all you people get for this chapter. I've been racking my brain for twenty-four hours trying to figure out where the hell this is going. No more. I say bye-bye headache and hello chapter eight. You people don't like it? Complain to the Sandman and tell him to give me some sleep.

Haruka: Ria be nice to the readers.

A/N: *glares at Haruka*

Haruka: *backs slowly out of the room*

Illumi: *dials cell phone*

A/N: *tilts head curiously*

Illumi: *talking into cell phone* Come distract Ríoghnach.

A/N: ILLUMI JUST SPOKE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER IN MY A/N'S! *screams*

*falls over dead*

Person on the phone with Illumi: Ria~chan~ *chuckle*

A/N: *instant revival* Illumi you didn't…

Illumi: *blinks slowly*

Hisoka: *bursts into room* Ria~chan!

A/N: *dodges around room avoiding Hisoka's hugs*

Haruka: *doubles over laughing*

Illumi: *secret smirk*