Chapter Text
Pariston Hill really wasn't sure what to think of the current state of the Hunter Police Department.
It was very different from what he was used to, traditional methods mixed with the infiltration of more up to date plans and devices. Not that they weren't useful in the case of the Phantom Troupe of course.
Their greatest asset and liability however was Kurapika Kurta.
He'd snatched the boy up, a few years after he learned that he wanted to join the department, despite Netero and Cheadle saying that the Kurta shouldn't be allowed so close to the Phantom Troupe case.
He was doing the boy a favour anyway. He wanted revenge, didn't he?
Pariston didn't understand.
All he knew was that the boy was brilliant at making connections, especially those that involved them. He was a natural!
Of course, with time, he noticed the health issues starting to creep in, the way the Kurta would just freeze in the middle of those crime scenes; when he'd go very pale, glance down and examine the scene as if he was looking for something different, before opening his mouth to give a detailed account of what happened and why, –things none of the others on the scene had noticed– and then simply walk out.
It wasn't that they didn't have plenty of other talented Hunters and recruits on the case, or the aid of consultants on such high-profile murders, but… Kurapika was the best. He did it in half an hour, with the most astonishing leaps of thought from the evidence.
That was why he assigned him to Dr. Lucilfer. The man had a long history of helping out on cases, and an esteemed reputation. If anyone could fix him and help him, it was Lucifer.
Besides, he was sure the man could be of great help with his own observations. He didn't want to admit it out loud, but Lucilfer would be a great Hunter... If only he wasn't so stubborn and moral-driven.
He had gone round to Lucifer's house before, to ask for his help. He was going to sit down and have a very polite conversation with him, that would end with Pariston adding a new asset on the Phantom Troupe case. Things would have been great if it hadn't been for Lucilfer telling him that he would take part in no investigation before Pariston had even entered the house.
Stupid psychiatrist.
Now he just had to sit and hope that either Lucilfer was going to fix his best agent and put him back in place, or that he would accept helping the Hunter Association.
It would all work out at the end.
Pariston never failed anyway.
Chrollo was rather delighted with how this day had turned out, in the end.
The Kurta had come back. He knew he would come back.
First, he would gain the man's trust, and then he would continue planting seeds of his own. He would possess his mind and soul in its entirety –it was rightfully his, after all. He let him live.
It was a shame, in a way, because Kurapika would make such a beautiful crime scene, but alas, he needed to be protected.
An assistant in murder, someone to talk to, gloat to, didn't sound bad at all.
A partner in crime, in the most literal sense of the word.
And if not that, well, it was adorable playing with his psyche.
He wondered if Kurapika was actually going to show up for dinner tomorrow or just ghost him again like the rest of the week.
He reached for his coat hanging by the door, the familiar fabric comforting in his hands. Taking his time, he slid one arm into the sleeve, then the other, adjusting the fit with a relaxed motion. He straightened the collar, preparing for the cool air outside. Picking up his keys from the table, he opened the door slowly, letting in a gentle breeze. With a deep breath, he stepped outside, the door closing softly behind him.
He needed to buy some more ingredients if he wanted to make a nice dinner.
What wine should he choose? He wanted something expensive, something elegant. He could probably work with what he had at home already.
Penfolds Quantum? It came around a thousand a bottle, and it paired nicely with meat. It was a pretty popular wine, Kurapika would probably recognise it. Should he go for something more expensive? First impressions matter a lot. Still, he didn't want to seem like an arrogant rich person that rubbed his wealth into other people's faces. Ah, what a drag.
He supposed going for something a little more expensive and a little older wouldn't hurt, would it? He had a nice Grange 1966 that came around five thousand dollars in the market, it would be good for the occasion.
He'd always enjoyed cooking. Whilst most of his friends had someone to take care of it, he found his tastes more... particular than that. Besides, it was relaxing, and he liked the control he had over the meal.
He was very careful about what he let near him and around him.
Not everyone was worthy of his presence, and those who refused to yield and show the proper respect to someone of his power and intelligence, were the worst.
He didn't really mind when Kurapika was doing it tho. He let him do it as a little apology for brutally slaughtering his whole family.
It was normal to him; it was a job that had to be done. Chrollo breathed, Chrollo showered, Chrollo murdered Kurapika's entire family about 10 years ago, Chrollo cooked Kurapika dinner.
What would go well with the wine and the meat?
Anna Potatoes? Truffle mushrooms? Purée?
He supposed he could do a nice potato purée instead of classic potatoes and top it off with some mushrooms and a pomegranate sauce for the meat.
Or was that too formal? Perhaps he should save the wine for another time, and make something that was more snack-like.
He did like a good first impression though, and he didn't want to come across like he had poor taste.
He hoped Kurapika brought more crime scene photos; he got such a thrill seeing his murders from Kurapika's perspective. He paid such flattering attention to the details.
It was nice to know his work was appreciated by a professional.
Illumi Zoldyk was still working.
He was sat at his desk, the glow of his computer screen casting a pale light over his face. His eyes were tired, but his focus remained sharp as he typed away, the clatter of the keyboard the only disturbance in the stillness of the night. He hadn't slept for around four days now.
Father wanted the report done by him, and Illumi wouldn't disappoint him. He would much prefer completing a murder, but if Father wanted him to sit and do that, he would.
A nearly empty coffee mug sat beside him, a testament to the long hours he had already put in. He paused for a moment, stretching his arms above his head, feeling the strain in his shoulders and neck. Outside, the world was dark and quiet.
Correction; the world used to be dark and quiet.
The window of his room was open. But for someone to get in, they would have to open the door, get past Mike and the guards, and finally reach high enough to get in. Someone was outside. A tall figure sat by the window.
Illumi let out an annoyed sigh and turned back to his work.
"What are you doing here at this hour?", he asked, his voice monotone and steady.
“It’s three in the morning. The Witching Hour. It’s my time.” Hisoka smirked at him and winked, perching on the window with his legs outstretched.
"Hilarious", he replied, clearly not amused by the clown standing behind him.
"What are you doing? Shouldn't you be out murdering people or something like that?", Hisoka asked as he took the initiative to plop himself down at Illumi's bed.
"Something like that", Illumi thought.
"Father and Mother wanted me to-"
"Them again?", Hisoka made a face. "Seriously Illu, do you do anything else with your life other than listening to them?"
Illumi threw a knife at him.
"Why are you here anyway?", he asked, finally turning to face him.
"You asked to see me, remember?", Hisoka replied while raising his eyebrow.
"When did I-"
Oh.
"That was a week ago, Hisoka", Illumi hissed while narrowing his eyes.
"I'm a busy man, Illu. I had work to do"
"Yeah right."
"Anyway what did you want?", he asked, taking out a deck of cards off his pocket.
"The witness. It was your doing, wasn't it?
"Hm? I'm afraid I don't understand what you mean, dear Illu."
"The woman that told the Hunter Association she saw the Genei Ryodan leader. You threatened her to do it right? There is no way Chrollo left a witness in his scene"
"Ah, that.", Hisoka mumbled. His attention was at the half-built card fortress he was building in Illumi's bed.
"Chrollo is going to kill you when he finds out", Illumi stated seriously.
"If, Illumi, not when. If he finds out", Hisoka said smirking.
"He will find out and you know it."
"I think he already has.", he replied boringly.
"Care to elaborate?"
Hisoka pushed his lips together and stared at the ceiling.
"They trust me you know. Most of them. I mean, they don't like me, that's for sure, but they trust me because they think their precious Danchou trusts me.", Hisoka said, putting a hint of mockery in the word Danchou. "The thing is," he continued, "Chrollo doesn't trust me. He knows I've been up to something. He and the woman with the blond hair. They're suspicious of me."
"Why did you do it anyway? You have nothing to gain", Illumi remarked.
"It's so boring like that. I wanted to give Kurapika a clue on where to go. It's no fun fighting invisible criminals, is it?", Hisoka said, looking at him with an amused smirk on his face, not caring to elaborate on who Kurapika was.
"Kurapika? Who- Ah. I see now."
"He's one of Killua's friends, isn't he?", Hisoka said with a predatory smile on his face.
"He's not!", Illumi snapped. "Killua doesn't have friends"
"Really?", he said chuckling. "It must be disappointing, the most prestigious child of a family full of assassins entering the Police Department. What's the last time he came to this house?"
"He-"
"Because I'm sure I spend more time here than him"
Illumi's perfect monotone face broke for a moment as anger flashed with anger.
"That's because you decided that this is your house every time my parents are gone, that's why!", Illumi hissed.
"And that's because you don't let me come here to fight Silva", Hisoka groaned.
"I don't let you come here in general but you don't seem to follow this. I understand that Zebro let's you in because you open the door, but there is no way Gotoh hasn't seen you once."
"Oh, of course he's seen me! After the third time he refused to pick a fight with me I just told him we were fucking", Hisoka replied with devilish smile, completing his card tower.
"You what?", Illumi asked in disbelif.
"He was getting on my nerves with all those questions about my business here and-"
"For God's shake just leave, I need to sleep.", Illumi said angrily.
"Aw, not going to do daddy's and mommy's work?", Hisoka said with a mocking smile.
"Get out", he yelled.
"You should get riled up more often," he said walking towards the window, "it really suits you."
"I hope Chrollo kills you."
"I told him that you know, but he seemed very reluctant to fight with me even tho I-"
"Out!", Illumi screamed as Hisoka jumped out of the window, disappearing into the night.
He really needed to talk with Gotoh tomorrow.