wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

Chapter 8

(updated on: March 13, 2021)

Mia

As we approach the Troupe's hideout, Illumi and I exchange glances. He signals for me to distance myself from him. So, I stray back as he continues to stride towards one particular run-down building. Using Zetsu to conceal my presence, I find myself hiding behind large fragments of concrete which once made up the building beside me. 

My palms press down against the cold disheveled flooring, as I crouch down. From afar, I notice Hisoka who casually peers out of a broken window from one of the upper floors within the designated building. We make eye contact.

I wonder what he would say if he knew what I did with his look-alike, who was actually Illumi. He surely would find it really amusing. 

Before letting my mind stray too much, I summon one of my nen spirits. They materialize beside me. Their translucent flesh molds together until it combines into the body of a human-like figure. They hover a few inches above the ground, beside me, waiting for a command. With the single movement of my hand, their unrecognizable features morph into those of Hisoka. Material coils together forming the exact same clothing that the clown is currently wearing. Their skin bleeds into a porcelain tint, and magenta hair sprouts out of its head.

Before me stands an indistinguishable copy of Hisoka. The only difference is that my nen spirits do not possess the ability to speak. All except one of course. The nen spirit my mother bestowed upon me, for protection, comes out at his free will.

I point the spirit in the direction where I saw Hisoka, and it immediately disappears from sight. I look towards the building of the Troupe's hideout. It suddenly reappears hovering beside the window, next to the real Hisoka. 

The exchange goes smoothly. First, my nen spirit seats itself where Hisoka was sitting, leaving him the opportunity to escape through the window. Then, as Illumi appears, he quietly enters through the same window, and I make my nen spirit vanish. Returning it to the afterlife.

I linger by the building for a few moments, before walking off in the opposite direction. The air has become chilly, compared to how it was when I first left the hotel with Illumi. In the distance, past the deteriorating buildings, the sun is setting. Colors of orange and purple bleed together in the sky. It takes a few minutes before the joker decides to make his appearance. 

"Hi~"

I peer over my shoulder. Hisoka is walking a little farther back, to my right. With a pining gaze, he watches me intently. I met him a few years ago, on a job. The person that my client asked me to get rid of just happened to be someone that Hisoka was after as well. He confronted me after I killed them, introducing himself. I knew right away, then, just as I do now that he is not someone I'd like to associate with. 

"Where is she?" I ask, decided to get straight to the point. I don't want to spend a minute more than I have to with this man. He is insufferable.

"You're always so mean," he wines, rubbing the back of his neck innocently. I can't bring myself to care about how he feels.

After a few moments of silently walking, Hisoka clears his throat and comes to walk beside me. 

"Her name is River. She's in a town north from here. You should find her at the Duduk Inn, that's where I left her a few days ago."

I frown, "A few days ago?" 

Illumi told me that Hisoka cared for this girl. Could he have simply misheard Hisoka? There's no way you'd just leave someone you care about at a random inn in some secluded town for days. I would imagine that she'd be quite upset about this.

Hisoka beams, "Yes, I've had other things to attend to."

"Who is she to you?" I decide to ask, unable to suppress my curiosity. Although, a part of me instantly regrets it the moment those words leave my lips.

Hisoka's smirk grows wider, eliciting an appalled grin to form onto my own face. "She has the most interesting nen ability. River is able to identify the location of anyone in this world, even if she hasn't met them. All she needs is a name and something that belongs to them. That's the only catch."

I watch him in horror as his cheeks flush a deep red. He looks up towards the night sky and hums deeply. Of course, he acts like this at the mention of someone's powers. 

I don't understand why he would even divulge such information to me. I can easily take advantage of her powers and steal her away. Although, to do something like that would probably mean that I'd have to face Hisoka later on, which is something I do not want.

"So, what is she to you?" I repeat my question, not having gotten a clear answer.

"Oh, she's just too useful to simply get rid of. I'm entertaining her so that she can cooperate until she isn't needed anymore," he explains slowly, "That's between only you and me though.~"

That makes everything so much more clear. I knew, from the moment Illumi told me that Hisoka cared for someone, that there must be a catch. I assume that he is keeping her entertained just so that she can cooperate with him. It's the only justification that makes sense, considering his personality. 

"I'll be off then," Hisoka murmurs, having snapped out of his erotic daze. "You have my number in case you lose her."

I don't bother to bid him farewell, as he disappears into the night. 

I can't help but feel bad for this girl, River. I haven't met her yet, but I pity the fact that Hisoka has taken advantage of her just to utilize her nen abilities. Albeit, it's a waste of time to pity the weak. 

I look over my shoulder, towards the now distant sight of the run-down building of the Phantom Troupe's hideout. Illumi is there right now. A sadness sprouts from within me. This may, conceivably, be the last night I see him in a very long time. 

I've decided, that I will not allow myself to sit back and let myself waste away my life by marrying someone I don't love. 

Hisoka's revelation of River's nen ability has allowed for a new prospect to sprout in my mind. I once believed that, in order to escape from this marriage, I'd have to abandon everything that I know. Yet, if this girl can locate anybody, then maybe I can carve a new path for myself.

Either way, Illumi, my dearest, and only friend, will not be a part of it.

"Goodbye," I whisper into the night, turning back around. 

I run north.

++

What do you guys think about:

- Mia's nen abilities?

- Hisoka's relationship with River?

Don't forget to comment and vote ✔️