A Worthy Enemy (HunterxHunter)

Chapter 23: Shadou's Arena - Part 1

Hisoka fitted a black, sleeveless shirt over his chest. Its stretchy fabric clung to his neck, down to his mid waist. A suit of cherry pink spades and heart decorated the top, along with matching colors of wrap that bound his belt and neck. Loose, ivory black pants tucked into stilted heels, all lined with accents of white and silver. With a final touch, Hisoka sat down at a desk in the room and wrapped his forearms in matching pink bandages.

The door opened and closed behind him. It was Illumi eating a thick plum. "Where are you going?" the assassin asked.

Hisoka turned his head from side to side in the vanity mirror, smoothing his hair out and gelling loose strands back into place. "Shadou's Arena."

Illumi settled on the bed, taking his phone out. "I thought it was called, Shadou's Gym," he said with a mouthful.

"It is. But the arena is an underground fighting ring located underneath that gym." He sighed. "Had I known sooner I could have had such a fun time on the weekends. Darnell said I'm welcome to attend a match. Isn't that nice of him?~" He fitted silver stilted earrings on each side, humming to himself. But after not receiving an answer in blundering silence, Hisoka paused. Through the mirror, he noticed Illumi's eyes stamped on his phone, except there was a tinge of dullness. A distinct hollowness cascaded his aura. Hisoka turned around. "Illumi?~"

He looked up. "What."

Hisoka walked over to him. "Look," he beamed, holding a golden, official membership card embedded with a silver chip. "Darnell gave me a card so I could access the fights without..." Illumi went back to his phone, causing Hisoka to furrow his eyebrows. "Nevermind~" He stuffed it back into his pocket and resumed to the door.

"You're leaving at this hour?" Illumi said. "It's almost midnight."

Hisoka twisted the door knob. "Well if you had heard me say it was an underground fight, it would have crossed your mind that they were always held during late hours~"

Illumi tossed the phone onto the bed and laid on his back, staring at the ceiling. His soundless munches on the plum continued in bliss. Seems as though the words just flew over his head. Again.

Hisoka forced himself to let go of the door knob. Must he always act up when he's about to go somewhere? Hisoka cleared his throat, trudging closer to him. "Illumi, my favorite unflavored fruit. What's gotten your pins tied, hm?~"

"Nothing that concerns you."

Hisoka shook his head. "I knew you would say that." He placed his hands on his hips and tapped his heel over the marbled floor. Maybe if he changed the subject it would flutter his mood. "Is that fruit I see? Has Raine rubbed off on you? I've noticed you two getting closer~" Hisoka widened one eye, hovering over Illumi's glooming face.

"It's not that. Mother always hid different poisons in our meals to maintain our tolerance, so I'm finding these local foods more appetizing." He took another bite.

Hisoka frowned. That was...quite sad. And this wasn't working. "Speaking of appetizing fruit, how is Killua doing? I last heard he was still with Alluka. You know I'd be happy to take her out if that helps clear the air~"

"It's Nanika, not Alluka," Illumi snapped. Then his voice deflated back as his head sunk deeper into the covers. "Kil is not responding to me anymore. He's hidden his location well and I can't bother to track him down because I'm bound to this mission until it ends."

So it had to do with Killua. Hisoka forced himself to think of possible suggestions. At first he thought of magic tricks but they were always shot down before he could display it. Perhaps a change of setting would do the trick. "If you came with me early to the carnival tomorrow, it could cheer you up." Hisoka placed a hand beside Illumi's silky locks, smoothing it out. "And I don't think you have an excuse not to come this time~" he mused.