𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐘𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐄𝐒

𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟏𝟒 | 𝐙𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐘𝐂𝐊 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘

Everyday Pleasures

HISOKA continued following Reaper.

Much to her chagrin, he seemed not to want to leave her alone. She guessed that he didn't want to let her out of his sight in case she were to disappear, and as much as she found such a notion attractive—to disappear entirely, that is—she knew she shouldn't. As much as she hated to admit it, she did want to see Killua. To check up on him and perhaps to snap him out of whatever hypnosis Illumi had put him under, just so he could no longer be manipulated. After checking out of the hotel, Reaper followed the card's directions to the airship where Illumi was waiting, Hisoka still following her.

"Ah," Illumi hummed when noticing them. "You're both here. Perfect."

"He's coming, too?" Reaper raised a brow, referring to Hisoka, her lips curling in distaste even if neither could see such a fact.

"I wouldn't miss this chance for the world," Hisoka chuckled in a rather mocking way.

"He's coming, yes," Illumi nodded.

Staring at Illumi blankly when he informed her that Hisoka was indeed joining them, a dozen questions running through her mind as to why he would need to come along at all, she instead walked past him onto the airship without another word, deciding it would be best not to dwell on the subject anymore. The two men followed after her not even a moment later, the three then watching as the craft slowly ascended into the dawn-lit sky.

Reaper stared down at the steadily shrinking town, a small twinge appearing in her gut.

Hm.

Isn't that interesting?

Is this a feeling of... loss?

Am I going to miss this place?

Pressing a bandaged hand to the glass, she continued to watch the shrinking town until she noticed Illumi watching her through the glass' reflection. Retracting her hand back into her cloak, she turned to face him. His blank gaze gave away nothing as he stared intently her face—or rather, the shadow which covered her face.

"Yes?" She tilted her head.

"Why are you covered in bandages?" He questioned without filter, continuing to stare.

"What?"

"Anytime your arms are revealed... always are they concealed by bandages," he continued as he stepped closer to her until he was standing right beside her, his hands hanging limply by his sides. "Why?"

"Because I'm covered in scars," she revealed since, as much as she loathed her appearance, she saw no reason to lie. "I don't see the need in allowing others to see such sights, so I cover them. That's all."

"How ironic," Illumi uttered. "For someone as powerful as you to be covered in scars... it almost makes you seem fragile, doesn't it?"

"I suppose so."

"...I wanted to see them."

"What?"

"Your scars."

"...That isn't going to happen," Reaper declared after a moment's silence, the very temperature around her seeming to drop in correspondence to her mood, something that Illumi was impressed by, especially how dark and suffocating her aura had become so quickly.

It was a perfect tool to overwhelm an enemy.

"So be it," Illumi answered, falling quiet as he continued to stand beside her, looking out the window down at the ground.

It didn't surprise him—Reaper's caution.

In fact, he believed that no matter what he said or did, Reaper would no doubt continue to reject any question that could so much as relate to the identity that lay underneath her hood. He found it amusing, in a sense, how closely guarded she kept such a secret, but it was all more reason to believe that she was the 'Reaper' from legend, no matter how she denied such claims. As Illumi stared out the window to blatantly stare at Reaper, he didn't notice the shadow drift away from them, Hisoka smirking to himself whilst walking down the hall.

Upon the morning of the third day, the airship finally descended upon Kukuroo Mountain, Reaper quite thankful for that moment since all the while she was on the ship, she didn't get a moments peace. It was always either Hisoka or Illumi that took up her time, the former wanting to fight her while the latter just silently observed as usual. Being in the enclosed space with those two for that long took a toll on her, and now that she was about to step back outside, it was almost too good to be true.

The cool breeze was gentle.

The rustling leaves were softly heard.

Then, there was the looming stone wall in front of her that guarded the Zoldyck estate.

"What is this?" She asked Illumi as she approached the large stone wall with him and Hisoka, observing how there were seven gates in total inlaid within.

"They are the Testing Gates," Illumi answered simply before walking forward to place his hands along the first door before beginning to push, the hinges groaning in distress yet the man seeming unfazed as he waved for Reaper and Hisoka to walk through. "This way."

"No need," Hisoka clicked his tongue as he glanced down at Reaper. "Since you don't want a rematch in poker, how about we play a different game?"

Reaper said nothing.

"Do you want to know why these doors are called the Testing Gates?" Hisoka continued with a small smirk, continuing onwards with ease despite her silence. "It's because it's a test of strength. The first door is said to weight two tons with the weight doubling as you continue through. Why don't we see who can open more doors, hm~?"

"What good would that do me?" Reaper shook her head, by then quite irritated from Hisoka's incessant demands. "We're no longer pitted against each other, so I see no reason to agree to this game of yours."

"Why not?" He rounded her form, his eyes curving in delight. "It'll be fun."

"Well?" Illumi tilted his head, his long dark hair shifting with the action. "Do you agree to Hisoka's terms, Reaper? If you do, I'll release the doors since they close automatically. So... do you?"

Reaper focused on the doors.

Then, she looked at Hisoka.

His smirk was arrogant, if anything, as if she were only refusing to play because she'd lose.

She sighed.

Then, she raised a hand, gesturing for Illumi to close the gates, the man giving a single nod before releasing the stone doors. They shuddered close with a heavy groan, Illumi disappearing from sight considering he stayed on the other side. Hisoka propped his hands on his hips, his very stance suggesting a haughty pride of being able to convince her to play along.

"I feel as if this game has already been decided," Reaper commented.

"Hm?" Hisoka side-eyed her.

"Illumi has opened all seven gates, so, shouldn't he automatically win already?" She hummed on thought, her eyes continuing to trace the gate. "Shouldn't he?"

"Of course not," he scoffed at her words. "After all, this is between you and me."

Reaper's eyes narrowed.

So be it.

__________________________________

To be continued...