A Worthy Enemy (HunterxHunter)

Chapter 13: Black Talons

Day five of no sleep, and Corrin kept pinching her skin. Shaking her leg. Her brain repeatedly jostled around because her heart still pumped with rage but her muscles were still disobeying, aching to go still and rest. She was kind of used to it. Missions were still completed because a mindset to succeed was enough to push her numb body through any sleepless night and any pain. But now her success will soon depend on someone else. Her now dreaded downfall.

Stupid poison. It's my body! Who said you could invade me?

She laid in bed, glaring at the wall while smoking cigarettes like a chimney. Until her lungs went steady again, allowing her thoughts to fill with random plans. She could cook again, create a new weapon, sew a new outfit, attack another Mafia—anything to keep herself distracted. But with the meeting going on, she had no choice but to be patient. She had to drag herself back to the living room and pretend she was wide awake any moment now.

And I'm supposed to obey this man's every order? I could shoot bullets into his eye sockets before he could think of attacking.

"Corrin." Machi entered the room. "Hisoka's back. Are you ready?"

"Of course I am," Corrin cooed with practiced words. Her limbs softly lifted herself out of bed. Her eyebrows relaxed as if she wasn't strained with malice.

"How's your rib?"

Corrin paused. "My what?"

Machi raised an eyebrow. "Your broken rib?"

Corrin cursed. "You could tell? Since when?"

Machi unapologetically smiled. "I didn't actually but Darnell did. He informed me earlier today."

"But I didn't see him today."

"He said he noticed last night at the meeting."

Corrin rolled her eyes. "Of course he did. And my broken rib is just peachy."

Machi nodded unfazed with the act but didn't bring it up again. "Anyways, I hope you let the man live for at least a couple of days, enough to see if he is what Hisoka claims him to be."

"If he hinders my recovery in the slightest, I'll be sure to give you a heads up before blood stains our floor."

"Okay."

Instead of joining the Troupe downstairs in the living room, Machi and Corrin remained on the second floor, looking down from the rail. It was a fine view of the meeting as the others took a seat on the white sofas. The large TV screen flickered on with Chrollo standing in front of it.

Phase two of the mission.

Hisoka entered the room with a man following behind him. A man with plum purple hair, ruffled and unkept while his eyes dragged with shadows. He looked terribly miserable as if he also hadn't slept in days. His entire demeanor screamed Mafia. Dark and secretive. Probably killed for fun with his poisons. Dealing drugs and never took a job seriously.

Corrin's blood boiled. Her mind swarmed into flames. So this was the man tending to her.

"A few days Corrin. Please," Machi muttered, keeping her gaze fixed to the crowd.

Corrin suppressed her thoughts and let her mind think of saving the Troupe. She was obviously doing this for them. Still, she let her gaze melt through the man's head so heated that he whisked his head up to her with shaking eyes.

At least he can sense who wants to kill him. That should show him who not to mess with.

Hisoka sauntered to the back of the room. "This is Feral~ a very talented Hunter that specializes in chemicals and poisons."