Tongue Tied {Hisoka x reader}

Chapter 11

The rest of the battles came and went. You weren't really able to keep your attention focused on them, since you were just too preoccupied with breaking down your own battle. This lack of focus was definitely something that you would regret later on since this was the perfect time to see the fighting styles of so many different prospective hunters but not everything in life works out how you want it.

You were only able to focus your attention back onto the fighting when the atmosphere took a drastic turn for the worse. It was during the battle between Leorio and Bodoro, the winner to be facing Hisoka since he forfeited to you. You barely even registered Killua leaving your side but that was definitely him with his arm impaling the torso of Bodoro. The entire room fell silent, most of you likely just not being able to believe what had just transpired.

It felt like an eternity before you were able to break out of your trance. You quickly surged forward, moving to grab Killua's upper arm. You pulled him to face towards you, hearing the squelch of flesh as his arms slid out of Bodoro.

"Killua, what did you do?" you could only ask, incredulously.

With your movement and voice, the tension in the air was cut and torn away. Suddenly, all of the voices were back and people were moving. It felt surreal as you were pulled away from the boy by Kurapika and Leorio. The chairman and the other proctors quickly jumped into action, handling the strange situation at hand. It was declared, right then and there, that Killua had failed the exam and that everyone else had passed by default.

Yet, all throughout the commotion, all you could do was stare at Killua. He was looking in your direction, but your eyes never met. It was as if he was looking through you, no emotion present in his eyes whatsoever. It was only something you had seen in people who were absolutely and utterly broken.

xxx

It was so hard to watch Gon react to the news of Killua's departure and the circumstances surrounding said departure. It was also a bit of a shock to learn about how the Killua and Gittarackur match went. How could you zone out for so long and miss something so important? You could already feel the guilt beginning to pervade your system in response to how careless you had been. Didn't you think of Killua as a friend? And yet you were too busy, what, worrying about Hisoka being stronger than you? Which you already knew, mind you.

Eventually, word got out that Gittarackur had hidden his identity from all of the participants. In actuality, he went by the name Illumi and he was the brother of Killua, both of the Zoldyck line. Now you knew a bit about that family. You had heard plenty of gossip about the world-famous assassins, but this was the first time you were meeting one of them in person, well two. So far, the two you had met seemed nothing alike, aside from their apparent strength and power. Both of those boys acted completely different. Illumi was so quiet and reserved yet you could tell he was very careful and observant. Killua, on the other hand, seemed loud and brash. He had no qualms with walking headfirst into tough situations since he was so confident in his abilities at such a young age.

Nevertheless, you didn't know enough of the family drama to really judge characters this early.

Before you could so much as speak a word to Gon, the kid was already rushing off with fire in his eyes. You watched, a bit in disbelief, as he marched right up to Illumi and demanded that he apologize to Killua. The kid even had the guts to tear him from his seat and break his arm when he didn't cooperate.

What a strange kid, indeed.

Eventually, with you still watching anxiously, Gon was able to retrieve the address for the Zoldyck family home. It seemed that was enough to satisfy him and he headed out of the room with Leorio, Kurapika, and you in tow. His plan was simple really, go to the Zoldyck family home and retrieve Killua. Kurapika and Leorio readily agreed to travel with him, ready to go get their new friend back.