BLD20
(A/N: okay, I'm not gonna lie here… I'm sick of this damn story. This thing is now the bane if my existence and I'm never gonna touch it again. The very thought of writing anything like this is killing me right now. I feel like I just ran until my lungs gave out. Writing is hard. My new year's resolution was to finish this thing, and I did it. And now I remember why I've never finished a long story before.)
Ch.20 Closure
Feitan drew his sword, stepping protectively in front of Kalluto, "girls, go sit with your mother."
The two girls scamper off to hide behind Kikyo's skirts, who welcomes them over with hushed attempts to calm them down. Little Alluka was shaking, and Nanika looked vaguely stunned.
Illumi let loose a few pins, easily deflected by the swordsman.
"Kalluto, you look stunning," he begins, "it doesn't look very easy to fight in…"
The younger's face twists with irritation, "this is none of your business Illumi, now leave before we make you!"
A standoff begins, pins raised against a sword. Killua had his yo-yo's ready, and Kurapica had his chains out.
"Illumi," Kikyo chokes out, barely containing her anger, "put your weapon down. Now! Listen to your mother!"
But no one moves. Like statues, poised to mark a historic battle. The world stopped turning, and the universe took an old fashioned photograph, where all the people had to stay still. And the lens of that photograph, were Nanika's eyes.
Break
"He wants to be loved. He's desperate and confused. He feels like he's been cheated, like he missed out on something good. But he didn't; I can feel it all around. They all love him so very much… why is he so blind?"
If anyone had taken the time to look at Nanika's Nen, they'd notice something strange. But anyone who did notice figured it was normal for her. It was gathered around her eyes, like binoculars. She was focused on Illumi, staring intently into him. Her wish granting abilities had reached a new level; she could read minds, to an extent. She could see people's wishes.
"He's remembering his childhood, when he and Hisoka were closer. He feels… forgotten."
Nanika shifted her gaze to Hisoka, who was standing by the door, cards raised.
"Oh, he understands. He knows he could stop this with an apology. But why isn't he saying anything? Why is he letting someone he cares about hurt? I guess I'll have to help."
Nanika lets go of her mother's skirt and takes a few tentative steps toward the pin-wielding man.
"Stay out of this little girl, these are Zoldyck affairs." He mutters through clenched teeth.
"I am a Zoldyck, Aniki." She replies, looking him in the eye, "I'm your little sister, Nanika. I grant wishes. I know what your wish is; I know how to give it to you."
"Then why don't you?" he taunts, "Go ahead, do it."
Nanika smiles and shakes her head, "I can't do that. It's already been done. You've just blinded yourself because you felt hurt, and forgotten by someone you are about."
The garden goes silent again, everyone looking around at each other in confusion. Illumi just continues to look at the girl, shock evident on his face. It continues like that for a moment, neither sibling willing to back away, until Illumi makes the first move, by dropping the pins in his hand.
He turns around, and locks eyes with Hisoka across the scene. The magician put away the cards, and got to his feet, dusting off the jacket of his suit.
They met at the end of the walk, framed by an arch covered in white roses.
"You're an ass Hisoka, driving me insane like that." Illumi's trembling voice rises, "Seven whole years I spent agonizing over you and your antics."
"I don't care what you think, as long as you're thinking of me Il-lu-mi~"
"I will destroy you."
"Love you too babe."
Break
After
The rest of the wedding went off without a hitch and the party lasted long into the night. Kalluto and Feitan went on a honeymoon burning buildings and causing chaos, and also camping in the Dark Continent (courtesy of Kurapica) Feitan's art eventually became world-renowned, and his works were featured in the same galleries as Brown's. They bought a little yellow house within driving distance of The Zoldyck Estate, and adopted a daughter from Meteor City named Giselle, who was an aspiring singer and Broadway actress. Both were still very involved with the Troupe, but enjoyed their little slice normality.
Hisoka and Illumi announced their engagement that fall and were married within a year. They spent a few years travelling around working together, but eventually settled down in a spacious penthouse apartment in York Shin. They too adopted a daughter from Meteor City, her name was Hope and she only had one hand. But she was still one of the best brawlers Heavens Arena had ever seen!
Alluka and Nanika remained close all their lives, even when Alluka had left to train under an old friend of Killua's. Nanika had found enjoyment in writing and charity, using her share of the family fortune to help the poor. Her autobiography, Tales from the Voice in Your Head, was a bestseller.
Marza remained unmarried, with a little help from her criminal friends, and opened Meteor City's first ever dance studio. She dedicated her life to helping the children learn discipline and life skills, and won several awards for her efforts.
Killua and Gon continued to travel the world, eventually upping their status to one-star hunters by the time they turned eighteen. Killua remained very close to his siblings and nieces, and occasionally would go out with his father on jobs. He too spent his money on charity.
Kurapica never did kill another spider, instead he worked with them to recollect the eyes, and other precious artifacts of lost cultures. He dedicated his life to the protection of people, history, and undeveloped land, with the life motto of "prevention is better than cure". His efforts helped keep the land he helped discover undeveloped and unpolluted. Eventually he settled down to teach History at a university, and married Leorio. (Everyone saw that coming a mile away- especially Killua) Leorio accomplished his dreams, and saved thousands of lives through his work, including those of their adoptive sons Jack and Damian.
The spiders were still as infamous as ever, but their efforts in improving life for their hometown were not forgotten. With their help, Meteor City grew to new heights, and gave so many people a second chance. Kuroro and Kurapica were never insanely close, but they did keep in touch enough for Jack to eventually train under him and become one of the more powerful Nen-users of his generation.
Special thanks to
My School, for giving me the laptop I wrote this on
_ for reviewing so much! You kept me going on this project, and without your support I probably wouldn't have finished!
My cat Lilly, for keeping me motivated
My internet, for only going out like twice so far this year.
And the internet trolls, for being amusing and brightening my day with your clever remarks and bitter attitudes. Thanks for giving me a few laughs!