A Worthy Enemy (HunterxHunter)

Chapter 14: Resist to Kill

Illumi settled in the other guest room, waiting for further instructions. Nobunaga and Machi waited patiently with him, the focused group targeting the underground bar. Illumi brought his hair to one side, his needles sitting comfortably in his skin. There were two problematic factors on his mind, shifting uncomfortably in his head like a loose pin. Raine, who messed with his emotions more than anyone would ever know. And Hisoka. Just because it was Hisoka. At some point, he won't have the energy to stop him from ruining his plans, yet he couldn't stop requesting his presence for some reason. He was just useful.

In walked Darnell who suddenly flinched and covered his ears, parking himself next to Machi, irritated.

"So you've got your hearing back, I see," Machi said. "It's always weird to me when you switch Nen categories."

"It's nothing too fancy. Corrin's already at it with the new guy," he rubbed his ears. "I don't even have to try to listen to hear her. And I swear it was just going well."

"Don't worry. She said she would give me a heads up before she killed him."

Illumi caught Darnell's stare. "You didn't take the other job with Hisoka," Darnell said. "Is it to cover more ground?"

"Not in the least. I just prefer a bar than a circus."

"I'm with you on that one," Machi said. "I'm not in the mood to deal with the specific crowd in a bloodbath."

Nobunaga tossed his arms behind his head. "I just want to build my whiskey collection."

"We know." Machi rolled her eyes. "But don't let that distract you from the mission. Boss expects us to complete this in a timely manner."

"Yeah, yeah. That too."

"Illumi," Machi said. "I forget, why do you want to get into the black auction?"

"I have a proposal for one of the leaders for family business. I was sent to get him to sign a contract."

"You're just going to do business with them?" Darnell asked. "Not steal anything?"

"Yep."

They gave him looks knowing there was more than that but who were they to know everything. His mother, and most family members, wanted Nanika on strings and who better than a leader who catches Dark Continent items for a living. Killua is still learning but he'll punish him later.

Illumi looked around the room. Corrin was to be filled in at the end so all who was left was–

The door slammed shut with Raine walking in. Her footsteps patted softly, staring straight ahead like a sleepwalking doll.

Illumi watched her seat herself on the sofa closest to the window though it was fairly far. Normality with her was going to be easy versus Hisoka. However, with Darnell's varied skills, it would now be difficult for both of them to keep secrets as he was constantly spying. His Nen again, felt like it was reaching out to him. Stuck on his body. And from the small hints Illumi gathered from the Troupe, Darnell was able to change categories of Nen by touching someone of a different category, all manipulating the substance of shadows. That, and he was an incredible observer of details. This was the downside of joining the Troupe. But the rest—which he would never admit outloud—was probably the best idea Hisoka had ever led him on. Maybe he would mention it to mother as she was furious with their alignment with the Troupe.

Nobunaga sat up. "Oi! Red. You ever been to a speakeasy?" She shook her head. "I bet you couldn't drink five shots of whiskey in one sitting."

Raine turned her head from the window.