Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 6 - Unexpected Visitor

Killua trudged forward with his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground, dejected. Lilah gently brought her hand to his hair and tousled it softly. He turned his head away, and her face dropped. Something was wrong. Something bad. He never turned down her affection, not like this.

As they reached the room he was staying in, she took a seat on the bed. He shuddered and closed the door to sit next to her. She exhaled deeply and stared at him, his face darkened.

"I feel like...Someone's here. Someone that I know really well. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but every time we're bunched up with all the other applicants, I can't help but notice something about some of them. It's not like I know who it is, but I'm just a bit concerned, that's all."

He let out a heavy sigh and laughed happily. "Thank god I got that off my chest," he snickered.

Lilah smiled reluctantly at him and playfully brushed her hand through his white flowy locks. He pouted a bit, telling her to stop doing that since he wasn't a little kid anymore. She just chuckled and kept pursuing it.

"I don't think it's anything to worry about, Kill. I have some more advanced things that allow me to know if someone is suspicious, and there hasn't been anyone," she lied in a friendly tone. It was hard to fake anything to him, especially since he trusted her completely.

He sighed in relief. "Thanks. Now I can be sure this creepy feeling isn't gonna get the best of me in the Third Phase."

"Come talk to me anytime. I'm always here for you Kill," she said with a grin as she stood up. "Alright, I'm gonna go grab some food, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

He waved and rummaged under his bed, finding a snack box, and eagerly opening it. She smiled as the door closed, and then silently swore to herself. Keeping secrets from him hurt her heart.

She began to jog down the halls and turned a few corners. Finally, she reached her assigned room.

"That's better," she sighed in relief. The black overcoat with long sleeves fit perfectly, which was a surprise. She had bought it four years ago, and now did it only fit?

She chuckled and pulled on a white skirt, tucking the overcoat over it. She tugged two lace stockings with black dress shoes on and combed her hand through her wavy white hair.

I think I'll grow it out, she thought, noticing that short hair was difficult to tie back.

She ruffled her skirt out a bit and went straight to the door. Not really having a destination in mind, she walked out and began exploring.

Hisoka stared at the cards, his head pounding furiously and the sweat building up on his face. Illumi sat up from the bed and dangled his legs to reach the floor, looking at his contorted face.

"What's on your mind?"

Hisoka didn't respond at that time but merely lifted his head with a chuckle. "Too much to comprehend."

Illumi nodded. "Emotions are a powerful concept."

Hisoka rolled his eyes. "Don't act like you're a vessel void of them. You're as human as I."

"Never subjected myself in that way. I choose simply not to let them influence who I am and my decisions."

"I prefer to let them surprise me. Quite a thrill," he murmured.

"Interesting," the assassin closed his eyes, "Now get out before your presence bothers me too much."

"You never fail to make me blush," Hisoka cheerfully stood up and tentatively made his way to the door.