Leorio felt odd with Killua's forced leaving and training. He found himself with surpringly a touch of free time. Well, he would had he not witnessed Illumi partaking in some kind of training in the forest. He didn't get a chance to question it before he was pinned to the ground, a sharp blade to his neck. Leorio forced his heart beat to slow down and his breath.
"Master Illumi?"
"Leorio." Illumi responded. The blade did not waver. "What are you doing here?"
"Gathering burdock. We ran low on the stores back at the butler's quarters."
Illumi's expressionless eyes stared down at Leorio and pressed the knife into his neck, piercing the skin and making blood well up. Leorio just kept his breath steady. If the family wished it, he was in no position to stop them. All the same, he didn't wish to die. All too sudden, Illumi removed the blade. He stood up, allowing Leorio to slide back and stand up as well. Leorio pulled a handerchief from his pocket and promptly placed it over his wound. He knew he wound need to adress the minor injury, but heaven forbid any blood get on his given uniform Gotoh would have his head.
Huh, priorities.
Leorio methodically used his free hand to unbutton his jacket and remove his tie. With his spindly and long fingers, he reached into his coat for appropriate sterile pads and bandages to wrap around his neck. Sadly, he had grown used to strikes to his neck from Kikyo when in her moods, sometimes Milluki when he was feeling sadistic, or trying to make his mom happy.
"You have grown quite proficient."
"It's a favorite target of certain individuals."
Illumi hummed at the comment. Leorio stood and began to walk away in search of burdock away from Illumi.
"Stay."
"Master Illumi?"
"Humor me."
Leorio sighed but stayed. His eyes never once leaving Illumi.
"Gotoh has had you meditate before hasn't he?"
"No Master Illumi. Gotoh has been focusing on my medical training," Leorio responded blandly.
"Sit. Meditate."
Leorio sent a mild glare to Illumi. Nonetheless, he sat down and took a traditional cross-legged position. He partially closed his eyes, not trusting the home enough to close his eyes in the woods for an extended period of time.
"Focus inwardly."
Leorio passively did so. Why was Illumi teaching him to meditate?
It didn't matter the why though, only that he complied. It was quiet and other than a stray breeze moving the grass and russling leaves, nothing seemed to move. Illumi was doing something. Waves of energy seemed to pour off of him, contrasting with his usual cool and collected form. There was something off about the energy. It reminded Leorio of Illumi's father and grandfather. At least, in the overwhelming aspect.
He refocused on the meditation. Calm. Quiet. Tranquility. He could do this as long as Illumi required him to. He didn't have a choice really.
He did admit quietly to himself, it was a bit soothing. Like the steadiest heartbeat imaginable. A gentle pulse spreading through his body. His breathes grew longer and more controlled.
"Stop now."
Leorio blinked. His mind and sight now registering the setting sun.
"How long have we been out here?" Leorio pondered aloud.
"Six hours."
"What!? Six hours!?" Leorio screeched. Illumi stared blankly at the boy.
"Yes. I assumed you would have difficulty meditating with your disposition."
"What do you mean "disposition"?" Leorio growled.
"Your lack of compromise and general argumentative streak."
Leorio raised a brow, daring Illumi to elaborate. He was not as bad as Illumi stated.
"I live here don't I?"
"You make Milluki work out don't you?"
Leorio's eyes narrowed at the eldest son.
"He needed the exorcize. He's hardly in prime health and I'm not going to let that slide. Master Silva agreed it was for the best despite his heavy reluctance to leave the house."
"Dietary control?"
"Your family has some outdated notions on what is needed in a steady diet. Ration suppliments and junk food rewards are not part of a healthy diet."
"The vitamins?"
"I know when you guys don't eat your food. They'll stop once you guys actually eat like you need to on missions."
"Grandfather's sleeping medication?"
"You know very well he needed it."
"Mother's anxiety brew?"
"I will not dignify that with a response," Leorio scoffed as he turned his head. The anxiety brew was a tea blend he had to create as Kikyo Zoldyck was too paranoid to trust any form of medicine. It was a pain to get her to drink regularly, but when she did she was at least a touch calmer and more bareable as a human being.
"As I said. Hardheaded."
Leorio grunted and stood up.
"Okay, fine. I'm hardheaded and defied your expectation. What's your point?"
"You may have potential."
"Gee, thanks I guess," Leorio muttered in irritation. He felt Illumi's strong hand land on his head in an awkward motion, unlike Leorio's ruffling of Killua, Alluka and Kalluto's hair. It was stiff and didn't move, and Leorio wasn't quite sure what Illumi was doing.
"Keep up the meditation. You'll see in time."
Leorio wached then as Illumi casually walked back towards the house. He groaned and took off running for the burdock he was supposed to pick six hours ago.
Killua had been gone for a year. A new routine had settled for Leorio as he helped in secret care of Alluka. The child forced into isolation due to something he couldn't even begin to fathom. Alluka was a pleasant child, surrounded by toys and fun objects to distract from the lack of company. She seemed happy when he arrived with her meals, even more so when Leorio had the time to stay in a bit longer as the "doctor" on sight perfrorming a check up.
"I don't like the other servant bringing me my food. They just drop it off and run," Alluka complained as Leorio listened to her heartbeat.
"Well, it's a lot of work to run a mansion. We just get busy," Leorio commented, "Deep breath."
Alluka followed his instructions as Leorio moved the stethoscope to different areas of her lungs.
"Alright, that sounds really good Alluka," Leorio said with an encouraging tone. "Anything you have to tell me? Like any cough or sniffles, maybe any recent tummy troubles?"
"Neh..." Alluka whined. "Hey Leorio, would you-?"
"I already have your hair brush Alluka." Say yes, but never let her finish her request.A safety trick he was pretty sure worked as he wasn't dead yet, nor had come across the dark eyes of wishing. She squealed with delight and turned her back to Leorio. He began brushing her thick hair, removing tangles she had trouble dealing with herself. She hummed happily as Leorio cared for her needs.
Nen. Leorio is taking his first steps into Nen. And some time with Alluka.