Miracles in a Lifetime

XVI • ALLIES ☓ WITH ☓ ENEMIES

     My steps falter as I stop in front of the large doors of the mansion. I study all the design and details of the house and trace my finger along the engravings. Taking a deep breath, I open the doors and enter, the creaking of the doors echoing down the halls.

     Not a sound is to be heard.

     I take a few steps inside when I suddenly feel an ominously dangerous aura radiating from behind me. The doors close behind me automatically, creaking once again.

     "Who are you? How did you get into my house?" a voice demands with suspicion and intimidation. I look over my shoulder to see Killua's grandfather, Zeno Zoldyck.

     "Hello, Zeno-san. I'm Ren," he introduces himself. Then, he continues, saying, "I accompany Tenshi-sama, helping and protecting her whenever I can."

     Zeno's expression stays emotionless at my speaking dragon. I cock an eyebrow up. Usually, people would 'aw' at such phrases. I guess it's because he's an assassin, like me.

     "Tenshi," he mutters my name with furrowed eyebrows, "that sounds familiar..."

     I stand still as Zeno begins to scrutinize me and ponder who I am. He then starts walking around me in a circle, like a predator stalking its prey.

     "I see," he says. "The infamous Death Angel. She worked under the wing of the best assassin, Bloody Widow."

     As he continues to stalk around me, I observe him too. He appears to be calm and collected at first glance, however I notice that he's also tense and on guard — probably because his family and Ryouko are enemies. He must be thinking I've come here to attack him.

     "What is an assassin of a class like yours," he starts, stopping right in front of me, "doing in her mother's enemy territory?"

     I tilt my head as Ren responds for me. "Is it wrong to get your friend back?"

     Zeno raises his eyebrow.

     "You're friends with Killua?" I nod, and he thinks about my answer.

     "Tell me, why are you friends with your enemy?" His question leaves Ren speechless. Ren doesn't want to let out my secrets, knowing it's not his place. After a few moments of silence, I finally speak.

     "You are not my enemy. You are Ryouko's enemy," I respond softly. Ren is unfazed, however Zeno's eyes widen slightly from shock.

     "So the rumors of you having the voice of an angel are true... Only a few have heard your voice and survived, and if my memory serves me correctly, with just a single word you'll be under the Death Angel's spell." A smirk forms from my lips. I knew my voice had that effect, but I didn't know people would make such rumors about it.

     "Please, clarify something for me. What do you mean that I am Ryouko's enemy, but not yours? Do you not want to be like your mother?"

     My blood boils at his questions. She is not my mother. I was forsaken by my birth parents, and just happened to be found by a crazy woman.

     "Ryouko is not my mother," I snarl, spitting that lunatic's name with disgust. The old man notices the change in my voice, tensing his guard even more.

     "What do you mean?" he asks with caution. I close my eyes and breathe deeply.

     Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale.

     "I mean exactly what I said. That deranged swine has never been my mother, nor will she ever be. It really isn't any of your business, but what do I have to lose?" I chuckle humorlessly at the end.