Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 44 - Commitment

They spoke a bit longer, Lilah explaining how Hisoka had instructed her to find Kurapika and follow his lead for the time being. She had relayed that she had no knowledge of what he was plotting, which was rather unfortunate.

The blonde didn't fully understand the magician's reason for doing this but went along with it as if it were planned. Kurapika then went into depth about Hisoka's conversation with him at the amusement park.

He said they had made a pact, something about eliminating the Phantom Troupe. Hisoka had mentioned that he was not a permanent member and only had one goal, which was to fight Chrollo. Listening to Kurapika explain what he had told him shed light on the fact that Hisoka despised the Troupe as much as the blonde did.

"I think that's Hisoka's reasoning. You also want to get rid of the Phantom Troupe, right Lilah?"

"Of course," she said sternly. Kurapika raised an eyebrow and turned to Killua, who had a perplexed expression on his face.

"But, why? I mean, we all know Kurapika's reason, and I guess Hisoka's too, but what about you?" Killua asked, Gon backing him up with a head nod. "Why do you want to get rid of them?"

Lilah's smile faded quickly, and she clenched the fabric of her jeans firmly. Breathing a shaky sigh, she lifted her head, looking at the two boys who sat on the couch to her left.

"They murdered my friend."

The two boys completely remained silent, watching her anger consume her. "And I couldn't do anything to stop it." She relaxed her grip on her pants, burning her eyes into Kurapika's.

"I can't let them get away with this. If they murder for sport, harming the innocent who have done nothing wrong, there isn't a place for them to exist in this world."

She bit her lip a moment. "I understand the controversy with my words. But you all know Hisoka. He fights for sport and enjoyment, not just to rob people of their lives."

"I see. From that perspective, it does make sense," Kurapika said with a heaving sigh. "I'm sorry for your loss."

She exhaled sharply. "It still hasn't completely settled within me. But I will fight on her behalf. So for now, let's just plan what to do next."

Killua nodded, sending her a sympathetic look. That expression of pure hatred was something only a Zoldyck could have mastered, and he swore her saw Illumi in her eyes for a moment.

Gon looked at Killua with a small frown, tugging on his shirt sleeve gently.

He picked his head up and looked at the green-haired boy, who tried to smile. Killua sighed gently, brushing off Gon's hand from his shirt.

The boy laughed as his hand was pushed away, and he stared back at Lilah.

She had endured so much, while he was too busy looking for a game. Two different lives, two different priorities. Something seemed different about her, but he couldn't quite place what it was.

They all conversed a little longer, discussing what the right plan of action was. Killua stood up a few times, touching up on some of the risks, and what shouldn't be attempted. It could result in capture, or even worse, death.

But right when they had stopped talking for a moment, Kurapika's phone pinged softly.

Everyone's eyes glued to him as he pulled out his phone, and read the name of the person who had sent him the message.

"It's from Hisoka..." He began, opening up the email with a tap of his finger on the screen.

And then it hit him.