Healer x Assassin (Nobunaga/Illumi X OC)

Nobunaga's X Choice

Nobunaga's POV

There weren't many rules within the Phantom Troupe; the boss wasn't a big fan of putting something in place that would force us to restrain ourselves. The only ones set in stone are the no physical fights between members, all disputes must be settled with a coin toss; and that each member has a spider tattooed somewhere on their body, along with the number of 'leg' they represented.

There were also some 'optional' unspoken rules; we were given the options to choose to follow them or not. I won't bore you with the list (Shalnark liked to add random ones) but I will mention the one that pertains to my situation right now.

No more than two members are to be in the same place at the same time for long periods of time.

The reasoning behind this one is simple. We're constantly being pursued, be it by police or hunters. There was no doubt in anybody's ability to defend themselves; this was more of a way to protect the spider as a whole.

I can't speak for the others, but I can speak for myself and Uvogin when I say that this was a rule that we both highly respected. The spider is our everything and we would never do something to put it in danger.

Our living conditions did differ from each other. Uvo liked to keep it simple, and I mean simple. His choice of resident would be a cave out in the wilderness. I think he once shared one with a few bears.

Nature was good with meditation; but I still wanted electricity and a shower. So, I choose to stay in an inn or apartment. My method was simple: make acquaintances with the owners who were having some trouble with the local mafia. Offer them my services and protection. In exchange, give me free room and board. Maybe some food here and there.

Hey, I'm a skinny guy, I don't eat much.

My appearance caused others to feel skeptic and underestimate me. Nobody wants to believe that a tall skinny guy can take them down. All I needed was one with a sorry goon to prove my worth (And I never went more than 20%).

So why am I out tonight when I'd rather be in my room eating some chicken and drinking sake in peace? Well, Uvo has been feeling extra frisky lately and there are only two things that can help calm him during this time: beer and women.

He found where I was staying and invited me out to a strip joint that also operated as a brothel. This place is too well hidden, he must have searched and threatened a few people here and there to get the exact location.

They also must have known we were coming since we had a reserved table/booth, in the back yet center with the stage, and a full cooler of his favorite brand of beer.

"Time to let loose!" He jumped onto the booth like couch, his hands already opening a can of beer. I followed, him tossing me another can.

There was no need to dress to impress for either of us. Uvo wore his same outfit since he liked that it showed off his muscles; I wore a simple dark green long sleeve shirt and some jeans.

I wasn't about to soil my robe for this place.

"Why did I need to be here?"

"You need this as much as I do." The lights began to flicker, indicating that the show was about to begin. Uvo let out a whistle before turning back to me, his hard face with a semi-permanent grin had soften a bit.

Oh great. Was this an intervention?! The only time his face was this soft was when we talked about...

"Look Nobu, I get it. But maybe it's time for you to accept that Reiki..."

"is still alive. Her body hasn't been found yet."

"It's been years though! You think you're the only one who's been looking? All of us have, even Feitan. All of us combined have been around the world, and no sign. I didn't want to admit it either. I loved..."

"Don't talk about her like she's dead."

"I don't love Reiki like you do; but I love her as a little sister. I get you blame yourself for her disappearance. But do you think she'd want you to waste your life looking for her? For all we know, maybe she's found herself a good life."

Music began to grow louder and louder, the lights finally dimming down to a near darkness.

"I'll stop searching when one of two things happen: I find Reiki alive and can confess my feelings to her; or I find her lifeless body."