Wings and Webs: Journey

Yukinaru -Adventures- 62

     After Hisoka left, I flop roughly on my bed. For now I just want to sleep, tomorrow I can talk with Zeno about a new training regime we can work on.
I toss and turn constantly, my dreams are everywhere. Haiji squeezes closer to me and settles my movement..
     Our minds so strongly linked now, he easily inserts himself even in my dreams. Years of shared dependency and his constant presence at my side has forged an irreplaceable bond. His soft purrs drown out everything else in my jagged mind. I turn effortlessly and embrace him, drifting off peacefully finally.
     I wake late as usual, the sun already fully shining through my balcony. I make my way over and take a seat overlooking the courtyard. I notice Haiji is down there playing with Killua and Alluka. It is rare that I ever see her, we met a few times briefly.
     Zeno, Silva and Illumi, all sitting there too. Clearly watching them closely, I will never understand why they all treat Alluka such a way even with all that I know. I should just be grateful Illumi has tapered off her a bit.
     By now though they all should be familiar to this occasion. Killua always comes by at some point to play with his little sister. It's actually adorable the love he has for her, such cute kids! I continue to watch the kids play happily.
     Haiji looks up finally and greets me silently with a nod but in doing so, sends 4 other sets of eyes on me. I offer a meek wave hoping not to have to go down there yet and of course, Silva motions for me.
     I stretch out my wings and drift over loftily, I land lightly with Haiji already nuzzling my hand. I scratch behind his ear and send him back off to Kil. I smile at my adopted little brother and turn to greet the others.
     "Good morning. I got in last night but was exhausted. Sorry for not coming to see you first." I nod lightly to them and reach for the coffee the maid is passing me.
     "It is always a pleasure to see you home." Zeno smiles warmly, never looking away from Kil and Alluka.
     "Is there a reason to your visit?" Silva so direct.
     "Yes actually," I speak softly. All their eyes on back on me.
     "Go on then." Illumi impatiently waiting.
     "Well I wanna strengthen my nen, primarily focusing on En." I look over at Kil wishing I could play for alittle bit before explaining and jumping right into training.
     Glancing back at Silva's expectant gaze I offer up a request "Perhaps we can discuss this matter over dinner this evening?" I smile softly.
     "That's fine, I have other matter to tend to after this anyway." He motions me away.
     I chug my coffee quickly and set off to Haiji and Kil before anyone else could speak.
     "Hey Kil! Hi Alluka! Good to see you guys." I run up and pull Kil in for a hug.
     He stands tall now, a fine young man he has grown to be. His height nearly even with Illumi, his hair still messy as always though. He spends most of his time traveling with Gon, enjoying his freedom to the fullest.
     "Knock it off." Kil laughs and shoves me off him, "So what brings you home?"
     "Well I wanna fight Chrollo and test my strength." I shrug, going to sit next to Alluka and Haiji.
     "So you came home to train?" Alluka is still very much a doll, and her voice ever soft on my ears.
     "Yes I did. It is easier to train against strong opponents." I smile darkly knowing it is gonna suck regardless.
     "Well I can help too Yuki." Kil jumps up excitedly.
     "I don't want to spar with you.. You are too-"
     He cuts me off sharply, "I am not! I can do it. I'm strong, I can help you too." He punches my arm teasingly.
     "Fine. You can help but I don't wanna hear you whine later about being sore." I giggle and play punch him back alittle too rough, Haiji dashing to catch him before he slams into Illumi.
     "That was sooo not fair." Kil grumbles getting back to his feet.
     The sounds of Alluka laughing brings a huge smile to Kil's face with a slight blush on his cheeks. At least he truly loves her, I don't know if the rest of their family ever will.
     "Alright, it is time!" We all turn to see Silva waving for them to return, "Alluka has to go in now."
     I return swiftly to my balcony once I hear his words, with Haiji in toe. I sit back in my chair comfortably overlookingthe garden. Killua is strong but seriously sparring with him feels wrong and too dangerous. I don't ever want to hurt him even on accident.
     "Haiji if I do end up sparring with Kil, you will aid him." I order firmly.
     "As you say Master." He jumps to the bed, his tail flicks as he settles for a nap.
     I roll my eyes over to Illumi lurking in the corner, I motion him to come sit near me.
     "What is it?" I question looking out to the clouds.
     "Why do you really want to fight Chrollo? Are you not still apart of his Troupe?" His tone says uninterested but his blootlust screams the opposite.
     "Yes officially I am still his partner as long as it is entertaining, however I never agreed to be a spider per say." I pause thinking carefully, "I am just fed up with his half hazard treatment and as a partner I can walk away."
     Illumi's face pops clearly in front my face, "How do you expect a person such as himself to treat you then?"
     "Well for starters, I'd appreciate some space," I push him away from me gently. "I am just tired of him doin shit to me without any explanation or warning then ignoring me completely after the fact."
     I cross my arms and look over at his expressionless attitude, "Why do you care?"
     "Just merely curious as I too am still associated with the Troupe, as well as you use to be very.....drawn to him." Illumi leans back up against the railing.
     "I am drawn to his strength and his blood is an added bonus, nothing more." I shrug tiring of this.
     "You are an elite assassin don't lose sight of that. You belong here, with us." He tosses me a confusing look then vanishes.
     "I will never understand Illumi. What are your thoughts Haiji?" I join my kitty, jumping on top on him.
     "He seems to at least not want you dead. I suppose you arouse some part of his childhood-self he has forgotten maybe..." Haiji stretches, rolling me to his inner side.
     "Still I doubt his childhood memories of me is enough to explain his current fascination." I wrap myself between gaint paws, a makeshift hug of sorts.
     "Worry not Master. I can easily deal with him or the magician if they bother you." His purrs vibrate my back and he tightens his grib over my shoulders.
     "You think you be a match for Hisoka, let alone Illumi?" I giggle foolishly, "If either were serious they would kill you."
     "Only if they could catch me. Their nen abilities are simple to over come-"
     "Mind yourself Haiji. Don't over estimate your strength. That's how pets die." I warn him darkly, directing my aura to cement the point.
     I feel his apologetic demeanor instantly, I regain my composure as a knock hits my door, "Come on in Kil, I was expecting you." I sit up patting the spot next to me.
     "Alluka is settled in her room so I figured I'd come bug you." He jumps and lands bouncing next to me.
     "It is rather adorable how you dote on her." I bump his arm with my elbow.
     "I made a promise to her along time ago that I come and play with her sometimes." Kil shrugs and leans into Haiji's belly.
     "So how have you and Gon been doing? Getting into more trouble?" I join him and we watch the ceiling fan spin.
     "Not really, Gon is currently at the tower working through the floors again." Kil rolls his eyes, "I don't know why he bothers, it's rather boring."
     "It's boring to you but Gon is far more simple minded." We both burst out laughing.
     "True, but it is a good way for him to train up." Kil wipes a tear from his eye, still laughing, "Why don't you just train there too? It probably be way easier then fighting my father and brother."
     "I plan on doing that, but I want to get some more hand to hand with Zeno and Silva. I know I won't win however the experience my body would go through be far more beneficial as they would fight to kill me." I sigh deeply, "I need more practice with En and Ko basically."
     "What do you mean? I have seen you use both perfectly fine." He questions curiously.
     "Using it and mastering it are different. So far I been relying on instincts and basic reflexes. Ya it works but imagine what I could do if I actually controlled it." I ruffle his hair, "Thanks though, it's sweet you have such praise for me."
     "Ya, ya, whatever. Knock it off. I'm not a little kid anymore." Kil sticks his tongue out at me.
     "Silly boy, you will always be a kid to me." I wrap him in a big hug, squishing us into Haiji.
     "I'm gonna head back to the towers and meet up with Gon." Killua rises off the bed finally getting to the reason he came here. "You really should come too. Staying here to train again is pointless. You have learned everything you can here anyway."
     "It is true," Silva's voice cuts in suddenly from the doorway. "It is up to you now to hone your own skills."
     "If you say so Silva. By chance is there a contract available for the tower's area then?" I stand up next to Kil waiting.
     "Not presently, but I'll send a message if one comes up. For now go and continue to explore the world." Silva turns after nodding to Killua and myself.
     "See! Now you have no excuse not to come with me." He takes my hand and yanks me towards the balcony.
     "Let me guess, you want us to fly there?" I smile.
     "Most definitely!" His excitement building, "Plus its been along time and it will be loads faster then airship."
     "Then climb onto to Haiji, you can ride him there. You are much to big to be on my back anymore." I giggle watching Haiji slip under Kil, picking him up easy.
     "Are you sure?" Kil looks at Haiji with slight traces of trepidation.
     "Of course. Your feet don't even touch the ground now. Haiji is more then cabiable of carrying you." I reaffirm my faith to Kil.
     Once we are up in the sky, all my worries just melt into the clouds once more. Haiji keeps a steady position next to me, neither of us going too fast. Killua sits comfortably behind Haiji's head, he looks to be enjoying it too.
     "Glad to see you are finally use to flying after all these years."
     "Well it is alot more fun like this honestly. I should borrow Haiji more!" He smiles brightly, clearly pleased with this flight.
     We soon land behind the tower, tucking my wings in and Haiji melting into my shadow before we step out of the alley.
     "KILLUUUAAAA!" I hear Gon shouting, he is instantly in front of us.
     "Dummy, I wasn't even gone five days days." Kil grumbles as Gon gives him a hug.
     "What about me?" I say pouting, crossing my arms.
     "Sorry Yuki, I just really missed Killua." Gon turns and gives me a hug too.
     He has grown to be a fine young man as well. Still very much the same but older, at least his personality is ever filled with color.
     "So when is your next match Gon?" Kil asks excitingly.
     "I have a match on floor 200 in a few weeks." Gon sighs heavy, "Honestly so far the opponents seem to be far weaker then normal."
     "Silly little man," I fluff up his hair, "they aren't gettin weaker. You are just getting stronger." I giggle lightly watching him try to straighten his hair back up.
     "She is right you know." Kil crosses his arms, "There really isn't much challenge left here for any of us in reality." I can feel his sneaky side peeking out, he is up to something.