A Worthy Enemy (HunterxHunter)

PART II - Chapter 22: A Secret Exchange

Darnell poured his morning coffee into two mugs, not enough to surpass his sleepless night, but just suitable enough to appease the new information he would spill. The tracking group left for the city, leaving the two Raven Groups at their seats within the living room. And now was the meeting for the next mission.

He took a seat beside Machi, handing her a cup of coffee, hoping its salts would absorb the excess fluid they drank. Their throats still scratched from last night's mishap and frankly, they were both sick of water. The bright morning sun melted through the windows, casting soft beams overtop the white-flourished decoratives of the penthouse, illuminating the room by itself. Even Chrollo's shadowed features absorbed the sunlight as he spoke on the phone with Shalnark.

Darnell brought the steaming mug to his lips, letting his eyes drag across the living room to each member. Illumi and Hisoka sat on the far side, closest to the window, with Red seated nearby. She was eating an apple, not at all bothered by his discovery last night.

Red. Raine. Whichever it was.

The two guilty men held a stagnant gaze that hid their mischief well. Hisoka had his eyes closed, legs crossed, and chin pointed away from the group. He was unreadable. But Illumi, for once, held a distinct composure that was inconsistent with his character. He leaned forward, his shoulders almost rounded as if carrying a new weight of secrets. His hair lapsed to one side whereas it had always been split on each shoulder. He was uncertain. And most importantly, to whomever a person catches the interest of another, their posture tends to face them automatically. And right now, he held Red and Chrollo in his peripheral vision, casting them a distant yet anxious glare.

Red noticed, meeting Illumi's sulking eyes. She lifted her bitten apple, as if asking if he wanted it. He shook his head and looked away.

Nevermind, Darnell thought. She must have thought Illumi was looking at her apple. But something personal still lingered between them that he didn't explain last night.

Phinks yawned over a tall coffee table, shared with Feitan. "I don't know why I can't wake up this morning." He pressed his fingers into his temple then started stretching his arms and neck for the fifth time.

"Tell me about," Nobunaga groaned behind him. "I didn't get to meditate this morning."

"And whose fault is that?" Fetain probed, his eyes sulking the same look twenty-four seven. Morning and night, Darnell was pretty sure Feitan had nightmares often, hearing his heavy breaths until he went silent, waking up to write in his diary. Corrin told him it was just full of torturing ideas, but perhaps that's where he got them from.

Nobunaga made a face at Feitan but it was quickly washed away as he began to close his eyes. "It's too early for this."

Feitan chuckled. Shizuku also had her eyes closed, leaning on Machi.

"You've got something on your mind?" Machi asked him, nudging him on his right.

Darnell gave her a side smile. "When do I not?"

Machi leaned her head back, resting her arms over her stomach. "I'm still worried about Corrin. I've heard nothing."

"You know she would never just leave. She'll be back soon." He probably shouldn't tell her what happened to her hands. Knowing Corrin, she wouldn't want anyone to know.

"Yeah," she stared at the ceiling.

Chrollo finally got off the phone. Within one of his hands settled a device Shalnak made to capture the plant which would be traded for the tickets. It was a dark-spruced wooden box, carved from a tree whose inside bark could contain malignant cells, looking to spread and attach as a parasite. Thanks to Feral's studies, Shalnark was able to get one within the day so that the plant wouldn't infect anyone else by accident or on purpose.