Chapter V
Nocturne X Spiders X Travel to Mataris

The next day, they were all wondering where to find the legion. Kurapika was still thinking about Shadow's mysterious powers.

He got an idea.

"Shadow, what's your Nen? You obviously have the ability to use it," Kurapika asked.

"Hm? I actually don't know; I've never really stuck to a type," Shadow answered, placing her hands behind her head as she thought.

"Hah? Didn't you do water divination?" Leorio asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"No I didn't," she shook her head.

"What?" Killua shouted, "How can you use Hatsu well without even doing water divination?"

"I could use it from I was younger; five even. Since I could already use it, I never really bothered to see what type I am. My family was too busy trying to get my powers under control," she explained. Leorio took several steps backwards from her, remembering her power. "And I can see you, Leorio-san."

He froze in fear.

"Yes! Sorry!" he perked up anxiously.

"Well from your power, I'd say that you're either a Transmuter or a Specialist," Kurapika thought aloud.

"I wanna see the effect you have," Gon stated excitedly.

"Well I guess I could do it for you," Shadow agreed, shrugging like it wasn't a big deal.

Matt came back with a green leaf floating in a glass of water. He placed it on the table and slapped away Myles' hand that was steadily inching towards the cup.

"Oi! Quit it!" he snapped at his brother.

"Why? I'm thirsty!" Myles asked, staring at the glass.

"Pour yourself your own!"

"Fine!" he got up and went for some.

"Okay, Sarai. Place your hands at both sides of the glass and release a bit of your aura. Like this," Killua explained.

Nothing happened.

"Nothing happened?" Shadow commented, looking at the cup.

"Taste it."

She used a finger and placed it on the top of the water. Then she tasted it. "It's sweet, like honey. Is that the effect?"

"Yeah. If it changes taste, you're a Transmuter. Now you try it," he moved his hands.

Shadow moved closer to the glass and placed her hands the same way his were. Nothing happened, so she tasted the water. "It's sort of spicy, like salsa dip," she said, looking at them.

"Well then you're a Transmuter! Congrats," Killua noted pridefully.

"Transmuters are whimsical liars, " Gon quoted what Hisoka had said.

"Gon! Will you shut up about that?" Killua snapped, blushing embarrassedly.

Shadow snickered, but she was flushed too.

"Wait, look... Something else is happening," Kurapika spoke and everyone looked.

The water seemed to be rising out of the cup and shaped itself into a flower.

"Man, that looks wicked," the twins said.

Leorio was stunned, "What? Two different Nens? Is that even possible?"

"A different effect from the normal ones. A Specialist," Kurapika thought aloud, "It's possible to become a specialist later in life, but that's for Conjurers or Manipulators. To be a Transmuter and a Specialist is unusual."

"I still think that's pretty cool," Gon pointed out, touching the water flower.

Killua frowned, "That's a nightshade flower. They're known for being poisonous."

"Eh? How can you tell?" Leorio asked.

"I was trained to be immune to poison, so I know what poisonous stuff there is," he answered. "But why turn into that?"

"Maybe it's because of my powers," Shadow shrugged.

A cold air of bloodlust filled the room and they all shot up to their feet.

They searched around for the source. Shadow took in a sharp intake of breath suddenly, her eyes narrowed in anger.

They turned to her and saw Hisoka standing behind her with a hungry look, a card held to the side of her throat. Killua pushed Alluka behind him.

"Such a beautifully growing fruit. Such a shame you haven't ripened yet."

Leorio snapped, "Hisoka! You bastard! Let her go right now!"

"Hm... No. That wouldn't be as much fun now would it?" he licked his lips at her.

"Why you-!"

"Leorio!" Kurapika shouted, stopping him.

"You know, it would be such a shame if my hand were to move. Then it's bye for Samaria," he chuckled.

"How do you know who I am? Who are you?" Shadow breathed. She was holding back her anger.

"Ah, so they didn't tell you? I know everything about you, Samaria Ravenswood. From who you are, to why you are here, to the terrible powers you possess," he whispered the last part in her ear.

"What do you want?" Killua growled, narrowing his eyes.

He didn't like the fact that he could slip right under their noses and place a card at Sarai's throat.

"Now, now. That's no way to greet an old friend," Hisoka teased.

"You're no friend of ours, bastard!" Leorio snapped.

"Leorio! Calm down!" Kurapika demanded.

Shadow closed her eyes, almost as if she was in pain, which was weird as Hisoka didn't put the card all that close to her neck.

Killua narrowed his eyes. Just what is he doing to her?

Hisoka smiled and turned her around. "Ah, yes. I can feel the darkness inside of you feeding off my bloodlust. You should try to stop that. Or I may feel like killing someone," he tilted her head towards his and looked at the others, his eyes landed on Matt.

Shadow noticed this her hair turning jet black, while her eyes were pitch black and dull. She grabbed Hisoka by the shirt and threatened him, darkness taking over.

"You dare touch them and I'll give you the most painful death possible," she cautioned ruthlessly, a dark aura coming from her.

"Shadow! Remember your promise!" Gon shouted out, he was worried that she would fall into the darkness.

But Shadow heard him and she let Hisoka go. She regained control and started to fall backwards, Killua catching her. He supported her while she stood.

Her eyes were vibrant again, but they were still the same colour.

Gon looked at Hisoka, "Why are you here?" he asked.

"Just came to give you a little tip on the Legion. They're in her home country. I see you have gotten your Nen back," Hisoka answered.

"Yep, now I feel ready to fight!" Gon said eagerly.

"Idiot! Why'd you tell him that?" Killua snapped at him.

The red haired magician smirked, licking the card in his hand.

"I'll be waiting... Gon..." Hisoka said and with that he disappeared.

"Hisoka, that bastard! One of these days I'm going to challenge him!" Leorio snapped.

"And I'm sure that we'll all love to see you try to win, but we've got more important matters to deal with," Kurapika commented.

Leorio seemed completely irked by that smart remark.

"Hey, Sarai. You okay? Your hair and eyes are still black," Killua spoke to the girl.

"They change to this colour when I'm angry or if the darkness takes control of me... I guess. I can stand on my own, you know," Shadow snapped.

Killua looked at her, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she answered as he let her go.

She managed to keep her balance.

"Shadow, where do you live?" Gon asked curiously.

"See, Gon, I live in Mat...." she trailed off, feeling lightheaded.

"Are you okay, Sis?" the twins asked her.

The brunette stumbled and fell forwards; unconscious. Killua caught her before she hit the ground. He picked her up, bridal style and placed her on the bed.

Leorio was grinning at him, but he did his best to ignore him.

"As far as I know, Sarai said that she lived in the continent Mataris in Malauki," Killua spoke, glancing at her.

Her hair had returned to its brown colour with black streaks. He couldn't tell if her eyes were back to normal though.

"And why would she tell you that, eh?" Leorio nudged him, wiggling his eyebrows repeatedly.

"I asked her and she told me. What are you babbling on about, Old Man?!" Killua shouted, a pink tint appearing as he tried to ignore him.

"You like Shadow, don't you, Killua?" Gon grinned.

"G- Gon! Wha... No! I don't!" he blushed.

"Then why are you blushing?" he pointed out.

"Am not! Geez, Gon, you hang out with Leorio too much!" he changed the subject.

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?" Leorio took offense.

"You know Killua, you don't have to lie. Your face is clearly red," Kurapika commented, "Plus, you are the only one of us who doesn't call her Shadow."

"Weren't we talking about where the Legion is?" Killua changed the subject.

"You're changing the subject."

"Leorio changed it first! I'm just getting us back on track," he retorted, "Where do you live?" he turned to the twins.

"We live on the outskirts of Furosuto City, in a really big manor. It snows all the time so you need some really warm clothes if you want to stay there," Matt described.

Myles hit his head.

"Idiot! If you tell them that, we'll have to go back home! It was so boring back there!" Myles pointed out irritably.

"We're going to have to go back anyway, so might as well tell them!" Matt pointed out.

"Big Brother, will I have to stay with them?" Alluka asked, tugging on Killua's sleeve.

Killua sighed, "I don't know Alluka, but if you stay with me, you'll be in danger. Your brother doesn't want you to get hurt," he ruffled her hair.

"We'll probably have to keep those three at the Ravenswood Manor. They could get hurt if they stay with us," Kurapika commented.

"We can handle ourselves," Myles said.

"It's not up to me to decide that. You'll have to ask your sister about that."

***

Shadow opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by darkness. She looked down at her feet to find a bottomless pit beneath her. One thought struck her as strange though.

Why wasn't she falling?

She was floating somehow, suspended in time. She had no idea what was happening.

"Where... am I?" she wondered aloud.

A voice spoke from everywhere, "That depends on what you mean by that?"

She searched around for the source, but she couldn't find anything. It sounded familiar though.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" she shouted. Her voice echoed in the darkness.

She felt a figure forming in the darkness behind her and whirled around.

Shadow felt like she was seeing doubles. Before her was a girl who looked exactly like how she did when she was angry. The girl had wavy jet black hair the same length as hers and pitch black dull eyes.

She wore the exact same clothes that Shadow had on.

"I am a physical representation of the darkness in side of you. Call me Nocturne, for night."

"Where am I?"

"You are standing inside of my prison. This place is what the rising darkness inside of you looks like. I am stuck inside of you until your darkness reaches its limit. Then I shall be free to take control," Nocturne spoke, an irritating smirk on her face.

"That won't happen. I promised my friends that I wouldn't let it happen," Shadow shook her head firmly.

"It is inevitable my dear sister, Samaria. This darkness is a part of you- you cannot escape it. As for those friends of yours, they'll just abandon you in the end," she prophesied.

"No, they won't! Gon promised-" Shadow shouted.

"Promises can be broken, no matter what method you make them in. Face it, there is no light in the darkness. You have only the shadows to look to for comfort. Or didn't your brother make it clear as day?" Nocturne smirked.

"I don't care what Kai says! I won't let you control me! I'll just fight it!"

"Then why don't you join me instead? Save us the struggle and take down the Legion."

"I refuse. I'll find out what they're up to without your help."

"In that case, the darkness shall build up until I am set free. Then I will control you and kill your friends. See you soon, Shadow," Nocturne lazily waved before disappearing in the darkness.

***

"Wait!" Shadow shot up, regaining conscious. "Just a dream..." she muttered.

She hopped off the bed and walked on the balcony outside the hotel room. The wind blew her hair behind her.

That settles it. Once we reach Furosuto City, I'm going on my own to find the Legion.

"Hey. What are you doing out here?" a voice said behind her.

The person walked until they stood next to her on the balcony.

She glanced to see Killua leaning backwards on the railing, before looking back at the city. "Thinking."

"About what?" he asked.

"About what the legion has planned," she lied partially.

"You're lying," he narrowed his eyes at her.

"No I'm not."

"Well, you're not telling me the whole truth either," he raised an eyebrow.

"I'll let you figure that out," she turned to leave.

"It has something to do with your powers, doesn't it?" Killua realized and she stopped in her tracks. "You know already that we promised to help you."

"Just stay out of my way," Shadow muttered.

"Why?"

"Don't bother me," she repeated.

"Look whatever your planning on doing- don't. We want to help you. Why did you shout out when you woke up?" Killua asked.

"I had a bad dream. There's nothing unusual about that you know, people have them all the time," Shadow shrugged.

"Fine, don't tell me. I just thought that friends didn't keep secrets," he walked past her inside the room.

"Who said that I actually agreed to have friends..." she muttered under her breath and entered after him.

She had decided. I'll show you guys to my house but after that, I'm flying solo. Rayne can show you guys around.

"You know, you're a pretty convincing actor," a voice said behind her.

She whirled around and glared, "Hisoka, what do you want?"

"Just here to give you a message. It may prove helpful while you are in Malauki," Hisoka said, examining her from head to toe.

Shadow shivered at his stare, "What is it?"

"The Spiders are aware of your powers. They want to recruit you to their team. They plan on following you to Mataris, so you really should watch your back," he answered, shuffling his cards.

"And I wonder just how they know that? Eh, Hisoka?" Shadow spoke dryly.

"That's what I would like to know," he smiled.

He threw a card into the wall next to her. "There's my number if you would like to know more."

She walked towards it, all the while wary of a sneak attack. She took it out and felt a strong gust of wind from behind her. She turned around and blocked the wind from her eyes with her eyes to see an empty space.

All that was there was a pack of bubblegum.

***

That's my next chapter. I'm having a bit of writers block which is why I am taking so long. I've also decided to copy this book to quotev which is another reason. Remember to comment, vote and tell me what you think!

PS: Just thought that I should explain. Shadow (meaning before Nocturne's existence) is a Specialist. Shadow (after Nocturne was created) is a Transmuter while Nocturne is a Specialist. That's why Shadow had two different Nen types. Nocturne is more effective at using Specialist abilities, while Shadow is more effective at Transmuter techniques. Just in case you were confused.

~Nia 😏