Akai Tsumi 赤い罪 means (Red Sin)

Hello. I write this fanfiction because I am always curious about Illumi and Chrollo's relationship. It says they knew each other before the Yorknew City arc. So, I have a headcanon that they met each other through Silva. Since he was the one who killed Chrollo's friends in the past.

Illumi stated that he and Chrollo are just "business partners," unlike his relationship with Hisoka. But I think it would be so fun to explore more about them.

Akai Tsumi

Because it's you, and not anyone else.

This was the first time Illumi Zoldyck had ever worked with his mother, Kikyo. It wasn't because he didn't respect her as a partner in the assassin world; it was simply because he didn't believe she would accept Zeno's offer.

Sure, Kikyo is a good wife and mother. Illumi always thinks she only works behind the family curtains, dancing with Silva in her favorite shoes, controlling all the maids on her own, and talking about tea leaves when Silva gets home. She loves talking about beautiful things such as teapots, perfumes, everything about a lady, or something she couldn't afford when she was young.

Growing up in a poor family made her an independent woman at a very young age. She amazes Silva with her survival skill and how she handles every pressure; therefore, she became a Zoldyck. Illumi never questioned his parents' love for each other or how they met. It wasn't his capacity, and he didn't know much about the patterns of love, being in love, or love itself.

He does love his family; he gives everything to them. But Kikyo and Silva are different. They're in a different pattern, and Illumi doesn't understand it. What's love?

It said Silva was busy, assuming he had a difficult client to take care of. He didn't come home for almost a month, and of course, that really worried Kikyo. Silva himself never mentioned clients or how he struggled when facing them.

He had always kept them from his family; he only talked about work in the family meeting room.

This time, Silva's client is a famous guy, notable for his generosity toward the poor. He is also well-known in the business world as a philanthropist. However, beneath his benevolent exterior lies a cold-hearted man who is willing to pay an assassin to eliminate his rival. This isn't the first time he has done it. Illumi laughs when he learns of the situation.

So, the responsibility was handed to Kikyo. Zeno wasn't sure about this, but he couldn't do anything because he received another call under his mustache. He received a call from Netero for an afternoon tea. The two had been friends for a long time, even when Zeno was still a little baby.

Netero is a funny old man; he is wise, has friendly eyes, and always tells jokes. Sometimes, Netero gave Illumi candy as a gift when he was a little kid, or toys and pets. This contrasts with Zeno's personality. However, compared to Silva, Zeno is more easygoing.

"If that's your order, I'll do it with all of my heart." Kikyo replied in a calm, serious tone. Zeno nodded in response and left the family meeting room, leaving her a letter.

It was a beautiful letter, covered in red with lilies as ornaments. It also had a scent like freshly brewed green tea mixed with rose water. Illumi could see a stamp on it, but he didn't recognize the design. Every family and clan has a hallmark symbol that represents them.

"Illumi, my dear… shall we go?"

"Yes, mother."

Illumi had never heard his mom speak like this before. Her politeness, calmness, and how collected she seemed to be handling Zeno.

He could see the professionalism in Kikyo's eyes, but when he paid attention to her eyes, they were darker than black, like the deep sea at night with a pinch of dust that could kill you when she blew them.

This was the first time Illumi felt so useless, defeated that he immediately fell into a hole of despair when he made eye contact with Kikyo. Illumi couldn't recall any other instance where Kikyo spoke to him or Silva in such a serious tone.

This woman can kill you with those eyes.

"Where's our destination, mother?" Illumi spoke over his shoulder. His eyes were fixed on the crystalline white of the night sky, which reflected in them and shared its beauty.

"The Meteor City."

Silent for a moment, Illumi's eyes caught a glimpse of a candle being blown out in his face. "I heard people from Meteor City aren't humans. So, why would someone have a weird interest in that place? It was just a garbage island."

"Where did you come up with this conclusion, dear?" Her mother replied in a calm manner, her eyes full of a million conclusions she was trying to hide. She pretended not to be offended by his words, but it was clear she was overwhelmed by them.

"I read from a book. The government never showed mercy to them. Why would you show so much care? I can see it in your eyes, mother."

Once again, Kikyo held back her anger. She already knew some bad things about Meteor City, but the words coming from Illumi were kind of hurtful to her. It felt like he was trying to backstab her.

"Don't say that, dear. The people of Meteor City aren't that bad. It's just propaganda created by the government."

"What propaganda?"

He couldn't believe it. The fact is, he's just a 16-year-old teenager. What's wrong with that? He was just spilling the facts.

She said "They were just… unlucky, dear." She spoke in sorrow. "It wasn't their fault; I'm sure you'd understand that."

"So if you care so much about them, why would you kill them? I mean… why? I don't understand at all. I know you were born in that place, but look! You're rich now, and father loves you so much…"

Kikyo chuckles as she moves closer to her son and caresses his cheek. "I… this time, we won't be killing anyone in Meteor City," she says. "I have business there. But, I want you to come with me, dear."

Illumi frowned.

Then he remembered something. That memory stuck in his head and popped up like a notification on the phone. "Oh, you want to meet that boy?"

He remembered the boy from Meteor City. He was thin and dirty, with perforated and torn clothing. Illumi met him when he was doing a small business with Silva back then, maybe 2 years ago. That boy seemed so nice and polite; he talked with Illumi about books and the world outside Meteor City. He also introduced Illumi to his friends, which flustered Illumi, he didn't know how to react.

He let Illumi stay at home for a while and eat some snacks. Well, Illumi didn't call it home. It was more like a cowshed.

But after Silva killed one of his friends, he went into a rage against Silva and swore that he would take revenge on him. Illumi wasn't bothered with that at all; it was normal for him to witness something like that. Well, that boy didn't hate Illumi, according to him. He just took revenge on Silva.

"That boy?" Kikyo giggled. "Oh, you mean Chrollo?" She shook her head and put her finger to her lips. "…um, I can say that's correct. We will meet Chrollo. We have a little agreement with him. I heard he made a gang with a silly name. I just want to make sure they aren't doing anything risky to our job."

Illumi was becoming more and more confused. "What do you mean, mother? What gang?"

The Phantom Troupe

The name floated in Illumi's head as he traveled to Meteor City. He didn't think it was a silly name. It was normal for someone like Chrollo to name a group after something like that. He couldn't remember any of the other members of Chrollo's gang; they weren't a threat, and they seemed like a bunch of stupid people to him.

But, Chrollo?

He's unique.

Illumi likes him. Chrollo is reasonable and smart compared to his friends. He also didn't treat Illumi like a weird kid and talked to him in a normal tone. He never had any friends; he only has Milluki and that kid... he's a freak otaku and boring. Illumi doesn't understand those things, otaku things.

Illumi hopped to the tree and saw smoke from a distance. The smell of burned plastic and rubber made him cough and vomit. His head became fuzzy at first, but he eventually adapted to it.

"Ugh, maybe I need a gas mask if I ever step back into this city."

After Kikyo arrived at Chrollo's base, she talked with someone she called Phinks. A tall guy with a polo shirt and running shoes. He looked like an athlete.

Kikyo asked Illumi to stay outside while she finished her business. He didn't know what they were discussing, but he could hear muffled voices coming from within the room. The base didn't have a door; it was simply covered with an old, dirty fabric that caused Illumi to cough as dust flew up when Phinks emerged from the interior.

After some time, he heard a familiar step approaching him. He turned his head over his shoulder and saw the figure.

"Chrollo?"

"Illumi? I didn't know you were here." A smile bloomed on his face as he closed the book in his hands and placed it in his pocket. He walked quickly towards Illumi, eager to be close to him.

"You should tell me if you visit me! You are my special guest, haha."

"Well… it's a sudden schedule," Illumi said, giving Chrollo some space beside him.

"Oh, your mom?" Chrollo turned his head and peeked at the base.

Illumi nodded. "Yes. I came here with my mother."

"You must be so busy."

Illumi nodded again, and they drowned in a serene, Chrollo glanced at Illumi over his shoulder and chuckled. A little crooked smile appeared again on his face. "Your hair is a bit longer than I remember, Illumi."

He touched Illumi's hair, playing with it as if it were soft and silky. "Do you need a new haircut?"

Illumi shrugged. "No, I don't think I need a new haircut. I'm thinking about growing my hair a little bit."

Chrollo chuckled as if he had heard something sweet from his sweetheart. Well, after all, Illumi is cute in his eyes, and he doesn't talk much.

"You know you look good in anything, Illumi," Chrollo said as he gazed into his eyes. They were trapped in the moment, feeling a little awkward around each other.

Illumi turned his head to the sky and spoke. "You told me that you wanted to get out of this city, right?" He looked back at Chrollo. "But I still see you in this garbage city."

A glint appeared in Chrollo's eyes. "Oh, I'm thinking about that too." He said. "But I still have to prepare a lot of things. I still need a new member who has the same strong determination as me. It's so hard to find someone like that, you know."

"You are right. If the gang had any traitors, it would be a big game over."

"Yeah. Traitors." Chrollo shrugged and continued. "Do you think I would have made it?"

"You mean… made a powerful gang?"

"No. I mean... bringing joy to this city, it is the reason I created the Phantom Troupe."

A smile appeared on Illumi's face. "I believe you can do that. You're Chrollo Lucilfer after all..."

Chrollo smiled again, and Illumi smiled back at him. A warmth blossomed within Illumi's heart; he wasn't sure what it was, but he loved the feeling.