Stick to the Shadows (HxH)

27: Hunting

Rilluma's P.O.V

After I got all the information I needed I left Gon alone, but as I was leaving someone approached me. It was that poison scented man that was targeting Gon. He was staring at me with a questioning glance. I could tell he was confused, but I didn't want to get wrapped up in this fight and make more enemies. I have enough people against me as it is.

"Don't you have a target to stalk?" I asked him.

"Why didnt you tell the kid I was following him? I thought you guys were friends." Friends? Really? This guy knows nothing. I'm an assassin--a skilled warrior that keeps to the shadows. We enjoy the isolation of being alone. Allies are helpful sure, but for an assassin they aren't necessary. Most cases they just slow you down. It's a cruel, yet crucial, lesson to learn.

"Why would I spoil someone's hunt?" I told him with my hands behind my head. "That would ruin the game. So unless you've got a bone to pick with me I suggest you get back to your stalking." The man smiled relaxing his shoulders. A stupid move. Why would he relax? If I wanted to I could go over there and behead him with no trouble.

"You're immune to poison." The man said it as if it was a big deal. "I saw your little showdown with the chefs." I narrowed my eyes. This conversation was getting me nowhere. It's a waste of time, still, I'm interested as to what he wants to say.

"Your point is?"

"We could be a team. Temporary allies if you will. I'll help you find your target and in return you can help me get mine." I dropped my hands to my side. There was something different. When I first met Gon I didn't care what happened to him. I wouldn't even feel bad if I was the one that made his heart stop. It's different now. I can't even think of bringing harm to him.

"No."

"No?" The man was shocked. Totally flabbergasted. It was like a whole new world just opened up for him. A world of realization. He can't get everything he wants, but he can surely try. I just don't want to be the one to help him do it.

"Gon is my friend. I will not aid your attack against him." Weakness. It's all weakness. Having these kinds of feeling towards someone. It's a weak link in the chain of business. An assassin having ties to someone just signs your death warrant to those around you. Despite all of that, I can't deny myself any further. Gon is special to me, maybe even like a brother. "Besides, I like to hunt for myself."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course. Now if you'll excuse me," I shifted into my cat form right there, in front of this man's eyes. The look of astonishment was just to priceless. Maybe I haven't lost my edge. After all, I'm Rilluma Zoldyck. A member of one of the most elite assassin families in the continent. No amount of betrayal, addiction, or denial was going to change that. "I've got a game to play."

~.~

Tracking down the Amori brothers wasn't that hard of a challenge. No one in the hunter exams has really showered since we began so it's understandable for them to have a little bit of a kick to their smell.

Another smell was here to, right behind me. I hadn't realised it until right then either. Thankfully I knew exactly who it was.

Standing there on a branch in the tree was Killua. He was watching his target like a hawk, waiting for the right time to swoop in and go for the kill. Killua looked over making eye-contact with me, but stayed silent. I looked down towards the brothers. Just my luck. Killua was on the same group of people I was. It appears to me like the Zoldyck sibling might get to have an old fashioned play date tonight.

Killua was the first to attack, but he didn't go in for the kill. He dropped down herding his prey into a corner before going in. I jumped to the next tree over before dropping down in front of the others. They jumped back seeing me. The boys know exactly who I am, and they know they have to stay as far as possible. There was only one thing they didn't think of. Killua is just as dangerous as I am.

Killua ws kicked in the stomach by one of the brothers sending him flying backwards. They had thought they took care of him, but they didnt. With his hands in his pocket he flipped back up on his feet.

"They're demons!" One if them yelled. Killua's nails sharpened as he held his hand up to one of the amori brother's necks.

Are you a demon, Rilluma? Maybe they really aren't that far from the truth.

"Don't move." Killua warned. "My nails are as sharp as any dagger." He looked over to me. "Or Rilluma can just take care of you."

"Its your turn, Killua." I sat down watching. "I've ran the show long enough." Killua smiled at this, but I couldn't tell if it was because he was ready for his turn or he was proud of my new found resistance. How could I fight with Illumi talking so loudly. Killua slipped his hand into their pocket pulling out a tag. 199.

"You're number, Rilluma?" I nodded. "I caught your target. Now you can find mine."

Don't worry Rill. I won't interfere. I know you want a fight. I know you want to kill. I wont take that Zoldyck instinct away.

"Gladly." I growled thanking Illumi for his gift. The other two stepped back gaining distance. Before I could attack the two amori brother threw their tags at me. "That's no fair."

"Were not fighting you." One said.

"We'd rather live through this exam." The other growled.

They're scared Rilluma. For good reason. Show them why you are a Zoldyck. Show them you know how to hunt. They cant scream if they have no vocal cords.

"But. But that's no fun. You cant just give me your tags." I was reluctant to actually take them. Illumi was right bout one thing. I was here for the thrill, not for the prize. So what does that leave me with. I cant just attack them for no reason. That would be assault. I'm a lot of things but I try not to be a criminal.

But you are a criminal Rilluma. Cannibalism is a crime. If it wasn't for your skill you would be in jail. So would Killua. All of us are criminals.

I shifted back to my human form and picked up the two tags at my feet. After tossing them to Killua I turned around and began walking away.

"Rilluma." Killua called. I turned and he tossed me my targets badge.

"Do what you want to the boys. And the remaining tag." I told him. "I think I'll go kill a squirrel. That's apparently far more interesting then hunting humans." Little did he know, I was leaving because I didn't want Illumi giving me orders.

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So sorry for not uploading. To be honest I completely forgot this book existed. Then when I realised I hadn't uploaded in months I was starting to write and got some tragic moves. Only days before his 17 birthday and a single day before end of sophomore year, a friend of mind committed suicide. I've been so torn about this that I just forgot about the book altogether once again. But I'm back, I'm healthy, and I'm out for summer. Were getting closer to the end of the hunter exam and I will decide whether to continue, stop, or create a sequel for this story. Thank you for reading.

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