❛ Look After You. Chrollo Lucilfer

ix. breathe, kei

Keiko sucked in a deep breath, as if to mask the frustration she currently felt. Despite all the talking she's done with Chrollo, and running on his demand to no longer waste any time after Kortopi announced that whatever they were tracking was on the move, Killua cannot seem to take the hint and continued to follow them closely behind.

Before Killua followed in pursuit, Keiko sensed Gon's presence and another who leaked immense bloodlust. And Keiko wasn't the only one who sensed it, she knew that Chrollo did as well with his wary glances behind them every passing second and of his words a second later.

"We're being followed." He announced, making the spiders look over their shoulders, and did in fact sense the bloodlust of the one trailing after them.

"I was too focused on our target I didn't even notice!" Shuzuku scolded herself.

'That's great. If only the said could be same for your leader.' Keiko pursed her lips, feeling that a confrontation was about to commence.

"Nobunaga, Pakunoda, and Kortopi, go on ahead and pursue our target." The said spiders obeyed Chrollo's order and ran faster than before, leaving only Keiko, Chrollo, Machi, and Shizuku behind to deal with whoever was following behind.

Truly, Keiko would only intervene if it ended up getting violent and if Killua ended up getting hurt. Otherwise, she would sit back and watch the show. And frankly, Keiko could care less of Killua's friends and companions. It was only he that truly mattered in her eyes.

They skidded into a stop, splashing water while doing so, making Keiko frown at the state of her dress. Even though it was provided by Gerard, it was still a beauty. And Keiko could hate nothing more than a pretty dress getting ruined.

"Did you see them?" Chrollo's voice, calm yet commanding, cut through the thick silence. His question was directed mainly to his two trusted companions.

"Only shadows," Shizuku responded, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the dimly lit surroundings. "One is behind the dumpster, and the other is in the alley."

"And I assume these are the two you tried so greatly to protect?" Chrollo's gaze shifted to Keiko, who met his eyes with a tight-lipped smile, concealing her anxiety.

"Perchance." Keiko's voice was steady, but inside, she was a storm of emotions. She had done everything she could to delay this confrontation, one that could've been easily avoided if Killua and his friends had simply stayed away.

"Machi, Shizuku, keep using Gyo," Chrollo commanded, his tone brooking no argument. He began moving toward the indicated locations, the three women following closely behind.

"You do know that if my brother ends up being one of them, I will end up fighting you," Keiko mumbled, her voice barely audible. Chrollo's eyes narrowed, but he did not reply, focusing instead on the path ahead. Each step they took was heavy with tension, bringing them closer to the inevitable clash.

As they closed in, Gon emerged from his hiding spot, a sheepish expression on his face. "I'm sorry, okay? I'll stop following you if you just let me go!"

"You again?" Machi's voice dripped with boredom, her gaze flat and uninterested.

"Is this the boy you mentioned?" Chrollo's question was directed at Machi, though his eyes never left Gon.

"Yes, and the other one is here as well. Come on out!" Machi demanded, her hand resting on her hip with an air of authority.

Keiko rolled her eyes as Killua stepped out of the shadows, his stern expression a stark contrast to Gon's. While Killua exuded intensity and focus, Gon seemed almost nonchalant, a stark reminder of their differing natures.