A/N: Hello! Thank you to all my readers for reading, my reviewer: Robotic Unicorn Ninja Cookie, my favorites: Robotic Unicorn Ninja Cookie, and Ijustdon'tcare132, and my followers: Robotic Unicorn Ninja Cookie, Ijustdon'tcare132, and Titaania. You keep me going. Also, I would like to point out that we will be swinging of the script almost entirely. Sorry. But I did kind of throw a proverbial wrench into the plans of things called Akiko. Also I don't own Hunter X Hunter.
I ignored the man I now knew was named Illumi Zoldyck. He had sat next to me, and I was getting increasingly agitated with his sideways glances. Husband or no, I hated his guts. The others were debating on whether or not Killua should have been disqualified. A loud bang at the back of the room caused a good half of the room turned to look. I didn't have to turn to know it was Gon, and that he was pissed.
I listened to his even steps as he descended the stairs to stand beside me. I looked at him through the corners of my eyes. Oh, he was pissed. He stared at the man invading my personal space. I got up and moved a few rows up to sit back down.
"Apologize to Killua." Gon spoke evenly.
"Apologize?" Illumi questioned.
"You're telling me you don't know what you've done wrong?" Gon seemed to be getting more and more ticked.
"Nope." Illumi seemed unaffected by the green clad youth's fury.
"You said he doesn't deserve to be my friend, but you don't deserve to be his brother." Gon claimed loudly.
"I have to earn the right to be his brother?" Illumi seemed to be mocking Gon. That must have been when Gon's patience snapped. He grabbed Illumi's arm and jerked him clear over his head, only for the asshole to land on his feet, on the other side of Gon.
"I hope he breaks that arm." I muttered under my breath. Illumi glanced up at me. I had leaned chin into my palms with my elbows supporting the weight on the desk. He looked back down to the springy child holding his arm captive. I could see the grip tightening.
"He doesn't have to the right to be my friend, either." The grip tightened harshly. I felt the bones in his arm protesting, and I took pleasure in his discomfort. Until I started feeling worried for Illumi.
I grew alert at that. I prodded the link in my mind to see it growing stronger. Whereas most links were only thread thin, mine was becoming as thick as a cable cord. What the fuck is happening? I'm going to have to make a stop at the village to talk to the village elders about this. This isn't good. At all.
"You don't have to apologize. Just take me to Killua." Gon finally demanded.
"What will you do then?" Illumi asked.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm going to bring him back." Gon retorted.
"You act like I kidnapped my little brother, but he walked out of his own free will." Illumi continued to keep a blank face, but I could tell he was surprised about Gon's strength.
"He didn't leave of his own free will. You manipulated him, which is basically the same thing." Gon continued to tighten his grip.
"We were actually discussing that." Netero commented, gesturing toward Kurapika, as I learned his name was.
"I was just saying that he didn't seem like himself, like he was being controlled." Kurapika spoke up.
"And I was saying that if anything, he might have been trying to help me." Leorio piped in. I shook my head in exasperation.
I kind of zoned out for a moment, my eyes locked on Illumi's arm. I shouldn't feel worried. I should feel glad. He fucked up Killua's mind. I'm still angry at him. I still want to kill something. But I'm worried about him. And the bond only keeps growing stronger, the more we interact, whether good or bad. Fuck!
"If you aren't satisfied, start working until you are 's done is done." Gon finally spoke up again. "It's regrettable that he failed this time, but Killua can take it again next time. But if I find out you've made Killua kill against his will this entire time... I will NEVER forgive you."
"You'll never forgive me? What will you do?" Illumi challenged.
"I won't do anything. Except after I rescue Killua, You'll never see him again." Gon answered with all the conviction of a judge sending the accused to their death.
"Hm..." Illumi started to reach for Gon, causing him to jump away. I had moved quickly enough so that I was between the two.
"Not on your life." I hissed. But for the most part, the venom I had built up in my voice had evaporated. He stopped moving to look into my eyes. I saw it. A spark of... affection of some sort?
"Ahem." Chairman interrupted. "Is everyone finished? Gon is absolutely correct. You must decide for yourself if you were worthy of passing. You may complain all you like, but we will not change our minds. Killua has been disqualified. And the rest of you have passed the exam. Just as someone who has failed can no longer pass, someone who has passed can no longer fail." It was at that point that he turned back to Bean to continue the orientation.
I closed my eyes, half listening to the small green man. I wanted to head out as soon as possible, to get things straightened out and get to Killua.
"Gittarackur" Gon called out. I looked up at the two standing off as I made sure to deposit my license into my void bag. Only I could activate it, so it was insanely handy.
Illumi had turned toward the boy. "Tell me where Killua is." Gon demanded.
"Are you really going to take him away? I think that's a bad idea." Illumi informed him.
"Who cares what you think!" Gon shouted. His temper cooled quickly, so he spoke at a normal leevel next. "Killua is my friend. I'm taking him with me." As he spoke, his friends appeared behind him.
"I see. Do they agree?" Illumi asked, nodding at them slightly. Gon turned in confusion.
"You bet." Leorio affirmed. Both friends nodded in assurance to their shorter friend. Illumi put a finger to his lips as he thought it through.
"Fine. I doubt you'll be able to make it there anyway. Killua went home." Illumi informed them.
"Where is that?" Gon asked.
"Kukuroo mountain. Our family lives at the very top."
"Kukuroo mountain?" Leorio mused.
"Got it. Thanks." Gon said. He turned to leave.
"Gon-chan." I called calmly. He turned back, looking passed Illumi to me. "I'll meet you there. I have very important business to attend to right now, but I intend to meet you there, okay?"
"You want to come, too?" Gon asked.
"Of course. You both are the little brothers I never had. I'll do almost anything for you two. And he needs us." I smiled.
"Okay. We'll see you there!" Gon waved at me as he ran off.
I turned my attention to the pin user for a moment before dismissing him completely and walked away.
Illumi POV
"Was it wise for you to give away your base of operations?" Hisoka spoke up.
"Sure! It isn't a secret or anything. The locals all know where we live." Illumi replied. "Well, I'm sure they'll see the light once they arrive. We live in completely different worlds... Besides. It'll give Akiko-chan some time to get accustomed to the family." Illumi noticed Hisoka's attention drift to his arm. The one the boy had grabbed. "Oh, this? Yep, it's broken."
Hisoka grinned in his usual manner, but stayed silent. "He has incredible potential." Illumi mused. "I can see why you want him to grow up."
They both spied the three boys making their way away from them.
"Didn't I tell you?"
But that makes him all the more dangerous. This would be the best chance to... Illumi noticed the look on Hisoka's face.
"Gon is my prey." Hisoka warned. His face portrayed his deadly seriousness. "Touch him, and you'll suffer the consequences."
"I know. I've only known you a short time, but I know your tastes." He turned to leave in the opposite direction. He paused long enough to ask, "So, Hisoka, what are you going to do now?"
"Wait patiently." He replied. Illumi was satisfied with his answer, and chose to depart. But not before hearing Him continue in a lewd tone. "For the fruit to ripen..."
He pulled out a phone to call the main house. "Father." He greeted. "I just thought I'd let you know that I've found a woman... Yes, but I don't think she's happy with me... She's going to be arriving at the manor... She may not accept the title right now... I plan to win her over... Yes... Of course... Please inform Gotoh he is to inform me if she is to appear... Her name is Akiko."
Akiko POV
"Akiko! You're home!" Mama called. The other villagers poked their heads out of their homes.
"Akiko!"
"Akiko's home!"
"It's Akiko!"
Whispers and mutters filled the main path.
"Something's different."
"Yeah. Like she's..."
"Bonded?"
"Where's her partner then?"
"Lovey, where is your bonded?" Mama frowned. I shuffled my feet and blushed.
"He's on a job right now... And we don't see eye to eye at the moment." I looked my mother in the eye. "But I'm not here for pleasure. I need to speak to the elders. I need answers, and I have little time for setbacks."
"Of course. Come, he should be awake by now." She ushered me through paths and up steps. I made it to the celebrated elder's home.
"Elder. My daughter seeks enlightenment." We both bowed to the figure behind the paper screen.
"Leave us." The elder opened his screen door. Mama obeyed, backing down the steps a respectful distance before turning around and heading home.
"What is on your mind, child?" The elder inquired to my bowing form.
"I have been bonded-" I started slowly.
"Congratulations." The elder interrupted. "Your life llong bond is a celebrated event. Are you not happy?"
"I think something is wrong with our bond. It keeps getting stronger. All my childhood, I was told that it would be about as thick as a thread. But mine is thick as a cable cord. And they said it wouldn't hinder anything. But it's festering positive emotions where there should be none. It was an accidental bonding because he didn't think there'd be any repercussions he couldn't handle when he brewed the tea he found. My pocket had torn and the jar fell without my knowledge. I know I'll be bonded for life, but I thought I'd never have to deal with any blow backs..." I trailed off. "What is happening to the bond?"
"In most cases, it is as thin as a thread. But during some cases, when the female is born on the full moon, and when the other party is extremely compatible, the bond becomes so strong that the two parties cannot think of being with any other. He is probably feeling the same effects without any knowledge of what is transpiring. Perhaps you should explain to him the next time you meet."
"Yes, elder. So... this is... nothing bad?" I questioned.
"No, my dear. It is a very good thing. Even if you are having troubles with him. Was this all you needed?"
"If... I gave him more tea, would our bond grow stronger?" I asked. "Would it even be safe?"
"It can get stronger. But it will never become dangerous to you or him. Not physically, at least." He answered.
"Thank you, elder. Now, I must be away. I have so much to do." I stood and quickly exited his home. "Please send my farewells to everyone."
"Of course. The village will miss you." He patted my head