Facade (A Hunter X Hunter Fanfiction)

Chapter 13: The Spanish Guitar

⚠️ Warning!!! ⚠️

Cursing (not bad but I haven't placed any cursing before this chapter. No more cursing warnings will be placed after this chapter)

◇ ═ Start of Chapter 13 ═ ◇

Taisiya's POV

Running in the swamp was harsher compared to the tunnel. The track was muddy, unbalanced with sharp rocks penetrating like needles on your soles. Hisoka hadn't shown any change to his surroundings but his bloodlust had steadily increased following the group of men shadowing behind us.

My face quickly converted into conflict. I knew Hisoka would much prefer handling this himself, but I wasn't keen on leaving Hisoka on my own.

"Leorio! Kurapika!" Gon's cheery voice suddenly cut through the air. "Killua says that we should move up!" My eyes widen as a confused look plastered my face combined with helplessness towards Gon's innocent worry.

'Gon I love you but this is not the time to be a cinnamon roll!'

"Moron! If I had the strength, I'd already be there!" Leorio voice scolded not too far behind. Looking back, I realized I could faintly see their shadow clustered in the group of contestants.

"Don't worry about us!" Kurapika eventually answered with a smooth soothing voic- wait what. Feeling my cheeks heat up in embarrassment, my hand unconsciously swished towards my cheek.

The sound of a smack cut harshly through the silent air.

"Ow..." I whimpered softly, clutching the red cheek. The corner of my eye caught Hisoka looking at me but I continued to face forward.

I did just slap myself, after all, I was not ready to explain why.

Yet my actions resulted in awkward silence filling the sound of heavy footsteps.

...

...Umm...

"...So! Hisoka... What should I do?" I finally brought up to the shadows behind us. Looking up at him, his smile seemed to grow wider.

"Do what you want, they're just pests after all~"

Hisoka lightly commented without even turning. However, he grew colder and held menacing excitement like a child receiving a new toy. His body spammed and twitched with thrill as his smile grew wider and wider. I instantly knew Hisoka wanted to deal with this alone and I was finally willing to distance myself from him.

"Well, it's going away or dying as a bystander so peace out," I saluted towards Hisoka.

I slowly separated myself from the magician, leaving him isolated. I made sure to stay within Hisoka's distinct presence because Jesus knew I would've gotten lost within seconds alone. I could see the men start to get arrogant as they slowly circle around Hisoka.

A sudden thought made me fire up with annoyance for my own stupidity. As Hisoka's partner, it was likely the men could've also targeted me and isolating myself from Hisoka would've made me an easier target.

Finally having caught up with the main plot, it came to me how my presence wasn't included in my knowledge of the original plot. While I knew what would happen to the main characters, anything could happen to me, not to mention if my actions affect the predestined future of the anime.

True to my expectations, although the majority of the group continued to follow Hisoka, I could sense two of the men running behind me, slowly catching up to my pace. Taking into consideration the situation, I decided to keep an eye on Hisoka and continue moving.