Yukinaru -Journey-73

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Everything hurting is the first thing I notice coming to the surface. I have been struggling for eternity to get this breath, ready to leave this watery existence. Every fiber of my being feels like it is being ripped apart at the seems.
Opening my eyes, it's all I can do to keep myself from screaming out in agony. I lay motionless, realizing I'm in an unfamiliar place. I rack my brain trying to recall what happened this time..How long was I trapped inside myself...
I remember entering the training room at the Zoldyck manor...gahhh its all blank. I tinge against a rush of adrenaline spiking as I try to remember, my body clearly remembers. Giving up I turn my attention to a more delicate part of my body.
I can feel my wings sprawled out under me, the pain is even in my feathers. I go to sit up just to have my body fall back down again, the bed grumbling as I land heavy.
Giving up on the idea of sitting as well, I turn my head to look around instead. Nothing recognizable lay in sight, the walls are a bland wood panels. The roof a solid grey with a light fixture in the center.
There is no furniture aside from the bed it appears, not that I can really even move my neck. I try to stretch out my arm, bringing it around my side, wincing as I brush over my feathers. Haiji isn't even here... alright what the hell is going on.
Sucking it up, I force myself to sit, I turn and rest my legs over the side of the bed with great effort. My body screaming at me to not move but I need to figure out what my current situation is. I rise slowly putting weight on my feet, the moment I'm upright it feels like my legs disappear.
I slam the ground hard, forcing a shriek out coarsely. The sudden contact with gravity reminding me that my body has revolted against me. Pain sparks everywhere, rapidly, bringing fourth an unwanted flow of tears.
Gingerly rubbing my cheeks, I attempt to use my wings to lift me up. It's a struggle as well but I manage to get back up on the bed. A light tap at the door halts me in my tracks, I'm in no condition for a fight..
"Are you awake finally?" I listen closely to a familiar voice, "I'm coming in.."
"I would roll my eyes at you but even those seem to hurt..." I watch Chrollo enter carrying a tray with a bowl and two medicine viles.
"Before you ask, we are on a ship. For now rest and regain your strength." Chrollo steps over to me and lifts a blue vile to my mouth, "Drink this."
I turn away, "I don't-"
He grabs my jaw and easily turns me to face him, "I have been forcing you to take medicine for days... and it seems even when awake I must force you."
I watch in astonishment as he pours the vile into his mouth. I try to pull myself from his grip but it's a pointless endeavor. Chrollo presses his lips against mine and forces the medicine in, I swallow without choice.
I cough as he pulls back, "You are in no condition to fight me as you see." He lifts up a bowl filled with the smell of mushroom soup and looks at me.
"How long have I been laid up this time then?" I open my mouth as he spoons in some soup.
"About 3 weeks give or take," I swallow as he readies another spoonful.
"And you have been doing this..." another bite is shoved in.
"Yes, I will continue till we make port." Chrollo ushers more soup to me.
"How did I-"
"I took you, that's all I have to say, please focus." He moves another sip to my mouth.
"Then where is Haij-"
"Haven't seen him since you collapsed at the manor. Enough, if you are well enough to talk then feed yourself." He looks at me, holding the bowl up this time.
I grimace just thinking about lifting my dead arms, "Well looks like I'm done eating then." I turn away and slowly lower myself down.
"You exerted more power then your body was able to withstand. Power is pointless if the vessel can't contain it." Chrollo slips a hand behind me and helps me lay back down.
"Is that what happened?" I ask, feeling conflicting emotions stirring.
"In a sense yes. You nearly killed yourself again. By far-"
"Yeah...I don't need a lecture." I chuckle with pain and look at him, "Thanks, I guess.."
I watch has he empties the last vile of medicine and brings his lips to mine, I willingly swallow this time, the taste faintly familiar.
"Stay here and focus on healing. With Haiji missing, you have to heal yourself." Chrollo pulls away and grabs the tray, "I'll return later with more food and the next round of medicine."
"So you are gonna leave me here alone?" I squeak out quickly.
"Who said you were alone?" He flicks a finger to the far corner of the room before turning and closing the door.
I slowly adjust myself to look at the corner, my eyes trying to see who is lurking. "Alright laughs been had..Who is there?" I cough a bit and wince against the sting of fire in my lungs.
"Don't push yourself sis." Killua comes quickly and sits at the foot of my bed.
"Wow, let me get a good look at ya." I grin and reach out for his hand.
He grips it gently and helps pull me up, "Well I kind of over heard what happened... and I wasn't gonna just gonna leave you alone with Chrollo." He rolls his eyes and gets comfortable.
"I caused trouble again huh.." I laugh lightly.
"Is there a day you don't?" His own laughter warms my soul.
"So tell me everything that's been going on-"
"Then shut up and let me talk." He ruffles my hair and leans against the bed post. "Oh before I forget," he reaches around and pulls his backpack off. "Here, Father gave me this. He told me to give it to you." He hands me a thick brown glass bottle, with a cork top.
"Is this?!" I say taking it with excitement, ignoring the cries of my muscles.
"Figured you'd be happy. It's the last bottle from your uncle." I listen to him laugh as I pry the bottle open with my teeth.
A wave of comfort rushes through me, I smile feeling the coolness slowly numb me. "Now this is my kind of medicine!" I breath out happily as I take another sip.
"Now then after I left with Gon, we went to Joppon Island. There we found some epic games."
I listened as Killua talks about his adventure with Gon over the past few years. He talked about all the veiws he got to look at, how each place had its own smells. Even told me about his visits with his little sister. He painted a picture with his words, and his excitement had a healing effect on me in its own way.
"Rest well sis." Are the last words I heard from him.
I soon found myself laying down, smiling at him as I drift off to sleep, "To a dreamless sleep Kil."
It doesn't feel like much time has passed when I wake to see Chrollo sitting next to me on the bed. A tray on his lap and a waiting look in his eyes.
I sigh deeply, sitting up slowly, noting I'm not in the same level of pain as yesterday. Pleased with this turn of events, I smile and rest my legs off the side of the bed. Chrollo hands me the first vile of medicine and I take it without a word.
"Now eat this." Taking the bottle, he hands me a bowl of soup.
"Soup... again?" I groan taking it.
"Yes. It's easy enough on your body to process. Now eat."
Rolling my eyes, I hurriedly drink the soup down. Skipping on the spoon all together, "Satisfied?" I shove the empty bowl back at him.
"Exceptionally, now this." He hands me the next vile.
"What is this?" I ask him looking at the substance, "Why is it different then the other one?"
"The blue on is ment to heal and restore the flow of nen in your body."
"And this black stuff?" I poke his arm, questioning what he has been giving me.
"It's something I have made for this reason."
"Oh so helpful...thanks.." I roll my eyes and reach the vile out, tilting to dump it on the floor.
"It's made up with blood. To be precise it's made from a mix of yours, mine and sourced blood from the dark continent.." He reaches for the vile, taking it from me.
"I'm not-"
He has me pinned under him in mere milaseconds, I can already taste the medicine seeping in. I can't force him off and end up swallowing it with anger this time. Chrollo releases me the moment I feel the concoction hit my stomach.
"Your uncle gives you blood after these incidents." He sighs deeply, "You instinctively drink blood from both human and creature. Is it so shocking to believe your body requires blood to survive?" He sits up next to me, "No matter, I need you alive first and foremost."
"Shut up Chrollo." Killua steps into the room, making his way over, "The only reason we are in this mess is because of you." He reaches to yank Chrollo off my bed but I stop him.
"Leave him alone brother." I grab Kil's hands, pulling him into a hug and watch as Chrollo makes his exit behind Killua.
"I seriously don't understand what you see in that guy." Killua laughs and helps me to my feet, "We are gonna be docking soon. Are you able to fly yet?"
"I haven't even thought about it... you know with all this free time I have..." I chuckle, play punching his arm.
"Well there is enough room in here, go on.. give em a flap or two." He steps over to the side giving me space with a cheeky grin on his face.
"Fineee." I laugh and flick them out.
Taking each wing inturn and slowly inspect them. I feel along the bridge of bone that connects to my back. I check out the flight feathers as they cascade downwards. No sensation of pain in either wing, they are as white and fluffy as ever.
"Well?" Killua interrupts my process.
"Yes, yes. I was just doin a quick check." I begin to move them and rise upwards, "Yeah everything seems soild."
"Good we need to go now, while it's still dark out." He grabs my hand and jolts me forward, "Land and tuck them away for now. We gotta sneak up to the upper deck. It is the only way we are gonna be able to get away unseen."
"Why are we sneaking away?" I duck low behind him, following his lead down the hallways.
"Because I'm taking you out of here. This is a whaleboat and will be docking at the gatekeepers port of the Dark Continent."
"What the-"
"Ssshhh. I will tell you more once you fly us off this ship." Kil turns and darts up a flight up stairs.
He is quick that's for sure but I stay on his heels easily. He points to a door across the hallway, signaling that's our target. I nod and bolt ahead of him, both of us feeling the sea breeze at the same time.
I giggle and look up at the clear night sky, the speckled clouds faintly glow in the light of the moon. I rush to the center and stretch my wings fully out, Killua settling on my back, his arms around my shoulders. I jump up into the clouds, letting the wind catch me as we fall down.
I glance below just in time to see a figure waving from the deck as we sore off. How odd to have a ship that's a whale.. surprises never end around humans. I shrug it off for now and look along the coastline, I'm unfamiliar with this area. I wonder what coastline we sailed towards.
Killua taps my shoulder and points downwards, it seems to be a nice landing spot at least. I nod and begin my descent, gracefully landing for once.
Killua slides off my back and plops down on the sand, slipping off his shoes and sticking his toes in the water.
"Well welcome to the Dark Continent little bro. Now why were we on a ship heading here?"
"I don't know all the information myself, I just heard Illumi say that you were still with Chrollo and he was taking you on the ship comin here." He shrugs.
"Awwww you came to save me." I giggle and splash water up at him, "Now for the next mystery, have you seen Haiji?" I ask him with honest concern.
"The last thing I knew was that he is with Hisoka. Figure that was what you wanted?" Kil looks at me full of confusion.
"Honestly I have no idea what happened after entering the training room back home.." I lay back in the black sand.
"Well from the state of the training room, I'd say you went berserk. Mother had a fright seeing my bother and Father all beat up." I watch as he burst out laughing, "Honestly best thing ever!" He slaps his knee and looks at me.
"Well then I suppose it all ended semi ok.."
"Yeah, just simple stuff. I'm sure Haiji is just looking after Hisoka sis. Don't worry about that for now." Kil reassures me.
"True. I did point out to him that I didn't wanna leave the jester alone this time as well...."
"See! So it is a good thing I'm here so you aren't alone either. So now what are we gonna do?" He flops backwards and looks upwards too.
"First thing first, is figure out exactly where we landed.. Having Haiji was useful when I was here last.. It's gonna be different without him." I groan looking up, "I want to go past the dark plains, beyond the Mist Swamps in the northern zone."
I reach upwards for the stars above, "I was trying to get there last time but the swamps are laiden with creatures I can't even begin to describe. Not to mention I can't fly high long enough yet."
"Why can't you?"
"The higher elevations have more toxins. There are various layers and each layer is its own hazard so to say.. Killua remember everything here wants to kill you and most of it can succeed. Don't ever stray from me." I look at him seriously, "I mean it. Even my shadow portals are harder here.
"Don't worry. I'll listen, mostly." I can hear the sigh but it's mixed with a faint chuckle.
"How mad do you think Chrollo is gonna be when he shows up with the next round of medicine?" I snicker loudly.
"Probably as annoyed as you would think...." a vile proceeds to take over my vision.
"How.. when did.. whattt!!" I sit up flabbergasted, utterly loss for words.
"Right on que.." Killua rolls his eyes unsurprised.
"How did-"
"Don't bother questioning him... I gave up taking you away while you were unconsciousness... Before yall even boarded the ship... He always appeared and took you back silently." Killua stands up and reaches out a hand toward Chrollo already knowing what I am gonna do next.
I take the viles quickly and down them both, "Anymore?!" I toss the empties to the ground and cross my arms.
"Yes. 4 more days of treatment-"
"Give them to Killua and leave...I swear to take them if you would just leave me alone here!" I turn and stomp off like a angry child.
I wait till the sounds of their chatter fade and Killua walks up behind me, "So we are on the eastern side port-"
"Actually I wanna try to shadow jump us to an outpost I set up years ago..." I turn to face him, "It gonna be cold, tell me you packed some gear for yourself?"
"I'm good. Let's go, our first real adventure together starts now." He fist pumps the air.
Beaming with a new surge of energy, I take his hand and pull us through the shadows confidently, a familiar cavern coming into view.
Even with the faint glow of the wall crystals, there still isn't enough light so I make haste to get the fire next to us going. "Killua, just behind you is a bench, pull it closer and take a seat while I get settled in."
Everything is exactly where I left it, untouched by the passage of time. It doesn't take long for the cave to shine in array of colors. I think I find this place comforting as it nearly resembles the place Chrollo took me too once.
"How is it doing that?" Kil looks around in awe.
"The walls are lined with different types of rocks and gems. Feel free to explore but don't go near the exit. " I point to a round boulder at the north end, "I use that to block it off. It's sealed shut with nen."
I giggle taking a seat on the log bench next to him, "We are currently in a cave off the side of a snowy mountain near one of the Veil's that seprate territories."
"Haiji helped me take this cavern over. It was filled with some type of leech that lived in those colored stones." I think back and continued, "They weren't too terrible compared to the frost giants that roam the mountain cliffs."
"How did you get rid of them?" He questions excitingly.
"Well.. umm.. we ate them..." I chuckle awkwardly and look at the shock in his expression. "Listen.. it's eat or be eaten, fight or die... never pass up a easy meal around here."
"Oh my god. I'm gonna die by your cooking!" His laughter echos nicely in the cavern.
"Yeap, here lies Killua. Died of food poisoning in the most dangerous place imaginable courtesy of his big sister..." I join in laughing and we spend the rest of the night filled with stories and laughs.

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