Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 43 - Certain Darkness

Gon ran up to him with a smile and began speaking quite quietly, not loud enough for Lilah to hear. Though, as she watched them, Killua turned his head in her direction, his eyes widening.

She managed to smile kindly, earning a blank stare from the boy.

He picked up a pie from the floor and shot a smirk in her direction. She watched curiously as he tiptoed behind Gon, and smacked the pie straight in his face.

Lilah snorted loudly, covering her laughter by bringing her hand to her mouth. She was completely red as she regained herself, noticing Kurapika smiling plainly at her.

Gon and Killua played together as Lilah approached him steadily, her heart beating faster than normal.

He sighed as she stood beside him. "I got your message."

"Yeah," she responded, closing her eyes. "Listen, Kurapika-"

"I'll stop you right there. I understand, Lilah."

She exhaled a tense breath, looking down at the ground below. "How have you been? Recently, I mean."

"I've been alright. A bit overwhelmed as of late, but everything seems to be calming down."

Her eyes flicked back up, and she folded her arms tentatively. "I reckon it's just begun."

"What do you mean?" he asked curiously, turning his body to face her.

She shook her head curtly. "I'll explain everything later, including Hisoka's reasoning for me being here at present."

Kurapika nodded and faced the boys. "Then let's get going. Killua and Gon said they've already been in contact with Leorio, so let's go find him."

Lilah nodded. "Sounds good."

"We're coming! Wait for us!" Gon cried out, dodging Killua's last pie, and sticking his tongue out at him.

Killua grumbled and stuck his hands inside his pockets, jogging after Gon, who was running towards Lilah and Kurapika.

"Hey DJ! It's been a couple of days, hasn't it?"

She chuckled. "It has. C'mon, let's go. I'll explain everything once we meet up with Leorio."

"You'd better," Killua scoffed. "Seeing you in the Phantom Troupe's hideout is the last thing I'd ever thought I would see. Ever."

Kurapika jolted around, his stare full of fury and confusion. "What?"

"I promised you I'd explain it all later," she ushered, making the blonde sigh heavily.

"It's not that..."

She eyed him curiously. "Then what is it?"

He sighed rather uneasily. "The spiders are dead. At least most of them."

Blinking dumbfoundedly, she furrowed her brow. "Since when?"

"Yesterday evening. The police found corpses of half their members."

Lilah wasn't convinced. "But that makes no sense."

Kurapika agreed. "Yes. But I do not wish to dwell on it too much. You can tell us everything once we get somewhere safe, and out of sight. I'm not sure if there are any lingering enemies we've made around the city."

The four of them made their way to a hotel, Lilah learning from the boys that they were trying to buy an incredibly expensive video game called "Greed Island" from the auction. It seemed that their paths were decided once they found a way to acquire the game.

They made their way up a flight of stairs and found Leorio standing in the middle of the open area, staring off into space. He turned his attention as he saw the four walk up to him, a grin spreading across his face.