We Belong in Two Different Worlds [Hunter x Hunter]

[Chapter 2]: Family?

Kiku followed the unknown man to an abandoned building. When they entered, there were four other people sitting; a girl with pink hair, a big man with scars all over his body, a samurai and another big tanned man the tallest of them all. The four people turned their heads at the same time and Kiku hid behind the unknown man.

"Oi, boss, why did you bring over a runt." The big tanned man spoke out. He came closer to look at the small girl.

"Don't be like that Uvo, we're all family here. Her name is Kiku and she doesn't have anywhere else to go." The 'boss' explained "Machi, can you get her cleaned up"

"Ok. Kid come with me" Machi called to the little girl.

Kiku looked at the lady called Machi and she didn't look as intimidating as the other people. She followed the lady into a broken bathroom. There was a tub and the older girl filled it with water. Machi didn't look much older than Kiku, 5 years at most.

"Undress and get in. The water is cold, but it's better than nothing."

Kiku took off her clothe, though it was more of a cloth shaped like a bag, and stepped in the freezing water. Her bruises were obvious and her rib cage was poking through her skin. She was dead pale underneath the coats of dirt and looked almost like a skeleton. Machi scrubbed her clean with the cloth that Kiku was wearing and told her to wait as she went to grab a change of clothe. Before Machi came back, Kiku was observing herself in the mirror. This was the first time she's seen herself and noted how long her black hair has grown. Machi came in with a small knock and gave her an adult sized graffiti shirt and shorts. The shorts were too big on her and Machi helped her tie it up with a ribbon.

"Thank you Machi-nee" Kiku whispered. Machi was surprised that this litter girl could talk and then patted her head. "Let's go find the others" She told Kiku and took her hand.

The unknown man from earlier looked up from his book, Ah Kiku, you look much better" and smiled, then added "Well since we have a new member, how about we introduce ourselves?"

They sat in a circle and began with introduction. The unknown man went first.

"I didn't tell you my name earlier, but I'm Chrollo. You're here right now because I want you to be apart of this group I'm forming, the Phantom Troupe. The number I'm assigning you is 12, make sure to cherish it"

Next was the big man with scars all over his face, "I'm Franklin and I'm as scary as a look. Boo" Kiku jumped a little.

"Stop scaring the kid. Don't worry Kiku, he's joking. I'm Uvogin, but you can just call me Uvo. Little runt, you look like a stick, but once you start training with me, you'll get just as big as me in no time" Uvo exclaimed, he looked scary, but Kiku's intuitions told her he was a good guy.

"I'm Nobunaga. You're really weak, but the younger ones are easier to mold" The samurai interrupted.

The pink haired girl looked disinterested and said, "And you already know me, but I'm Machi"

"Actually, there are two more members, but their ou-" Chrollo began but then was cut off by a slam of the doors made by a short raven haired man and his foot. Behind him was a tall curvy woman with blond hair. "Speak of the devil, the short man over there is Feitan and the woman behind him is Pakunoda."

"You girl from before. Dumb rat. Chrollo, why girl here?" Feitan asked with broken speech.

"Hm, so you guys already met before? This girl is Kiku and she'll be staying with us." Chrollo replied.

Kiku recognized the black hair, it was the guy that saved her from the bullies a few days before. She walked up to him. She already promised to herself that she would give her thanks to him.

"Thank you for before" Kiku whispered and bowed infront of him.

"Wow, she even has manners. And I thought she was just an uneducated rat." Uvo added

"Hmph" Feitan breathed out and walked away up the stairs of the abandoned building.

Pakunoda squat in front of Kiku, "Hello little girl, you can just call me Paku. You're so cute" Paku smiled and gave her a pat on the head. "You look like you can use some food. Everyone, time for lunch. I have some perishables and ramen"

Kiku looked at the food infront of her. She's never seen anything like it before; it had color. She used her hands and took a bite of the long curly strings. Her hand quickly flinched from the heat, but the taste was amazing.

"Haha, stupid girl, you use chopsticks to eat" Machi nonchalantly said and held up two wooden sticks.

Kiku picked up the chopsticks and tried to use them with both hands, a stick on each hand. Paku then took her hand and showed her how to use the chopsticks. Although not familiar with the tool in her hands, she was starving and wolfed down the remaining noodles and soup.

She made a small burp and was surprised. This was the first time she burped from feeling full, and it felt really nice.

Although everyone around her didn't pay her much attention, she felt warm. Was this the feeling of having a family?