Chapter 01: Go With Me?
Written by: DreamerofClouds

***

By the time I dropped by the Zoldyck residence, I saw that Gotoh and all the other servants were gathered in Kikyo's and Milluki's room.

Huh? I scratched my head, completely confused. Were they hurt that bad?

According to the gatekeeper Zebro, the whole Zoldyck family had been in a ruckus since this morning. Apparently, Killua was serious about stabbing his mother and brother. Then again, I don't blame him. The mother and brother have always been a pain in the ass.

"Oh, Arie," a monotonous voice said from behind me, "You're just in time."

Turning around, I found Illumi Zoldyck walking towards me. Mr. Kill-with-No-Expression. Tall, slender and unanimated, he was dressed in his usual black pants and dark green hoodie. His long black hair cascaded down his strong shoulders, making him look graceful with each step.

A warm blush worked its way across my face. Only he could make cold-blooded killers look hot... (Author: Haha, get it? Cold-blooded? Hot? They don't mix! XD....I'm a dork. Anyway, moving along!!)

The Kadans and Zoldycks have had close ties with each other for nearly five generations,  trading weapons, secrets and assassination techniques; so, it's only natural that we have been playmates since we were baby assassins.

Making us natural partners in crime.

...And weds-to-be.

Yeah.

Normally this would've sucked; but, because he wasn't a total stranger and I actually had feelings for the emotionless doofus, I didn't really mind. By the looks of it, he didn't either. Then again, he never elaborated on the subject much, aside from 'we'll make powerful children one day...'

I grinned. "Hey, dork."

Illumi tilted his head in a way that told me he was completely clueless about something. "Dork? I don't remember doing anything selfish or stupid to deserve being called that."

"It's a nickname, Illumi," I said, rolling my eyes. "Don't take things so literally."

"How can I, when you say it so casually?"

"Dork," I repeated once again, before sighing. "Anyway, how are your mom and brother doing?"

Illumi looked in the direction of the two rooms. Servatns have beengoing in and out of them non-stop. "They're doing okay," Illumi said. "Although Mom seems to be responding to the treatments better than Milluki."

I couldn't help but snicker. "Figures. That guy hasn no physical ability in him whatsoever. He has such a fat ass."

Illumi glanced back at me. "Don't you, as well?"

"Oh, so you've been looking?" A little light of hope worked its way into me. Maybe after all these years of being perverted and talking dirty to him has finally paid off and awoken his manly senses. "Want to check it out then?"

"Not really," he responded ever-so-mechanically. "You spend most of your time with Killua, andhe tells me about it all the time. I don't see a plausible reason as to why I shouldn't believe him."

I smacked Illumi.

Over the head.

With my jack.

Very hard.

The guy didn't so as much flinch, and stood straight up as if nothing had happened. I shot him a deathly glare. "Idiot."

"Hm?" More confusion from my clueless groom-to-be.

Sighing, I shook my head and changed the subject. "Anyway, you mentioned Killua. Do you know if he already left?"

"Left?" For the first time since this conversation started, Illumi's eyesslightly widened. "Left for what?"

"The Hunter Exam," I said, tehn remembered that Killua did ask me to explain this situation to ihs brother. So I did - from when Killua woke me up to his plans to go to Zaban city. Illumi listened carefully, his face giving off a dangerous aura. Maybe it was his Nen or overall protective brother instint, but he looked scarier than usual.

He crossed his arms and gripped them firmly. I ducked down a bit and looked at his face, which was hiding behind his long black hair. "Illumi?"

"It's decided then," He said, suddenly. "you're going with me."

I was completely lost. "Huh? Going with you where?" 

"To the Hunter Exam," he explained. "I need to take it to finish a contract I have and you did promise to follow Killua after you woke up. Didn't you?"

"I suppose," I said, slowly contemplating it. I knew Illumi was trying tofinish a contract with a client, but it never occured to me that he needed to become a pro Hunter. It made me proud of him.

In any case, I guess going with him wouldn't be too bad. Plus, I knew he was really concerned about Killua, even if it wasn't obvious "As long as you don't irritate me, then I'll be glad to!"

"Thank you," With a light hand, he patted me on the head and then ruffled my hair. Although Illumi didn't smile, I could tell he was very happy. "I like having you around."

"Oh?" More lovey-dovey feelings fluttering in my stomach. 

"It makes dealing with Killua easier..."

I sighed. I figured as much...