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Assistant: Title: Small Steps Big Changes
        Author: Lady_Bisky Lady_Bisky 
        Chapter: 1/8 
        Summary: When Illumi unexpectedly crosses paths with Hisoka on an assignment, his world is thrown off balance. Faced with new experiences that challenge his usual focus, Illumi must decide whether to embrace the chaos and explore this new path with Hisoka, or stick to the life he knows.~~~
  The first fic set in the wolf/fox universe.
        Contents: Chapter 1: An Unexpected Encounter
    

    


      
        
          Hello my lovely readers!Just a quick note before you start reading! This fic was my first ever, and for the longest time, I wasn’t satisfied with it, always thinking about how I could’ve made it better and how clumsy my writing was back then. I’m super excited to have finally found the time to do a massive rewrite!If you remember the first version, you'll notice that the general plot is still the same, but I’ve added, deleted, and changed a lot to create a more concise story that I’m finally happy with. It’s been a while since I first wrote this, but my love for Hisoka, Illumi, and the fandom is neverending.Happy reading, and thank you for being here.💖
            
            (See the end of the chapter for  more notes.)
            
      
  

  
  
    
    
  
 Illumi Zoldyck entered the building, perfectly in time to meet his client.  Inside the decrepit movie theater, the air hit his face with the stench of sweat mingling with rotting wood and flaking paint. Off-putting yet still more welcoming than the company he found there.  Not that he cared.  All around, the space was permeated by noises: bursts of laughter, a jumble of curses, and a single, overly polite "Hi" from a blonde guy. A shout cut through the chatter, “Hey Nuba, the killer’s made his entrance!”  Illumi took a small step forward, the moldy carpet squelching under his feet. He looked around. Crude graffiti decorated walls and posters, mocking the actors with lewd sketches and cartoonish appendages. Scattered throughout the lobby were members of the Phantom Troupe, lounging on broken furniture or leaning against the empty snack counter. Some were drinking, playing cards, others were engaged in mock brawls.  Illumi's lips thinned. Such disarray did not suit an organization famed for its lethality. He expected discipline, not this carnival of whims. A swordsman with raven hair came out from a set of double doors. He swung them open and gestured inside. "Boss is ready for you." Illumi nodded and followed his lead. The room lay drowned in shadows, the only slivers of light coming from the movie screen and the glow of an arcade machine stashed in a corner. Chrollo lounged among the array of neglected seats, one leg casually thrown over an armrest, eyes locked on the screen. He seemed distracted, innocuous. But Illumi knew better—beneath the polished surface there was something sharp. An apple harboring a razor, ready to slice the unwary. Thirsting for blood. Hunched over the arcade machine was Feitan, whom Illumi recognized, while another man, whom he did not, chuckled and cheered beside him. When Feitan caught Illumi’s gaze, he gave a quick nod before refocusing on the game. “Appreciate you making the time,” Chrollo said without looking at Illumi, his voice smooth, cultured.  “You still have to pay me,” Illumi stated. “I do,” Chrollo confirmed. "Take a seat. Let’s chat." llumi picked a seat that looked less like a biohazard than the rest. As he settled, his eyes flicked to the screen, something about teenagers injecting color into a black-and-white world.  
   Ridiculous. 
 "Everything wrapped up smoothly?" Chrollo probed. "All done. Weren't the photos proof enough?" "They were immaculate. However, humor my curiosity," A sly smile creeped onto Chrollo’s lips as he turned to face Illumi. "We rarely outsource tasks we could handle ourselves. I’m intrigued."  "Security was as expected, nothing much." Illumi reported, his tone disinterested. "Had to use one of my needle people to crack open the panic room. The target was desperate, he offered personal favors in exchange for his life." "Favors?" Chrollo’s eyebrow quirked. "A bl@wj@b." At the word, Feitan and his friend exchanged looks and snickered across the room.  "Interesting. And?" Chrollo leaned in, slightly. "He's dead." Chrollo's eyes sparkled.  "You could have indulged first—then completed your task." "That wouldn't be professional." "There's nothing wrong with enjoying the perks of the job. I wouldn’t deny you that." Illumi shifted uncomfortably. "Transient pleasures are just that—transient. Irrelevant. They fade." "Like food, wouldn't you say? But we can't live without it." "Food is essential. Pleasure is not." Chrollo studied him, silently. The light from the screen painted flickering shadows across his face, highlighting the calculating calm in his eyes. "Of course, you’re right," he said. "Let’s wrap this up. Cash, as agreed?" Illumi nodded, his mind already on the next mission.  He’d been entrusted with a list of names. And he was determined to strike each of them off before the night was over. ~~~ Illumi dashed across Yorknew City rooftops, slicing through the night. Pausing on a ledge, he surveyed the panorama below, his black hair whipped about by the wind, almost turning silver in the moonlight. The city appeared endless from here. Skyscrapers surrounded him, while the roads below teemed with traffic, appearing as a blur of color and movement from his vantage point. He spotted his destination—a church that served as a hideout for his targets. Gothic and grim. Its spires cast long shadows, stretching like fingers out to catch sinners passing by.  He resumed his race, drawing closer to the building, and when there, slipped through an open door. Inside, it was all silence and darkness.  Soon, his eyes adapted to the blackness. He noticed two bodies laying contorted on the floor, their blood flowing slowly, painting the ancient stones with dark, meandering paths.  He edged closer, only to confirm his suspicions—these were his targets. Instinct kicked in. His fingers danced over his pins, his body taut with readiness.  A presence cloaked in Zetsu brushed against his awareness.  It was unsettlingly familiar. He straightened up. "Hisoka," he whispered, half-thought, half-warning. Across the gloom, rubble stirred. A figure leaped, graceful as a cat, bathed in shadow save for the sharp glint of golden eyes.  "Illumi," the figure responded with a velvet purr. He stepped closer, all flamboyant attire and flourish gestures. “What brings you here on such a fine evening?” He inclined his body, giving the impression of a bow.  Illumi’s gaze hardened on the corpses. “These were my targets.” "Ah!" Hisoka gasped. "Had I known, I'd have left them untouched just for you. And I would do that gladly. They weren’t much fun, after all..." He closed the distance, his smile spreading like wildfire. "I sensed a strong aura approaching and figured it was their backup..." His eyes glided over Illumi. "But you? This is far more delightful." Illumi's mind raced.  What was the right response here?  Hisoka was a wildcard best played with caution, and his involvement twisted the usual straightforwardness of his decisions. Killing him? Messy and tangled with potential complications. Not to mention counterproductive—Hisoka could be an asset, after all.  Father often said that a job well done shouldn’t be more complicated than necessary. A perfect killing was an effective one.  So, did that mean he should let this slide?  Technically, the job was done. No special requests had come with this one—perhaps it was best to mark it as complete and move on.  The silence between them stretched, tense like a wire pulled too taut. At last, Illumi spoke, "Next time try not to interfere." “But Illumi, how could I have guessed they were your playthings?" Illumi offered no comeback, turning on his heel and bolting for the exit, Hisoka's voice floated after him, "Don’t worry, I owe you one!"  The second Illumi blended with the night, the magician evaporated from his thoughts.  Freed from one job, he was ready for the next. ~~~ At the edge of the Zoldyck estate Illumi wrapped up his run. Post-stretch, he clicked his stopwatch and darted into the next phase of his daily grind.  The obstacle course.  It was created to keep him on edge—literally. An ever-shifting puzzle that helped test his skills and sharpen his already lethal reflexes. First up–the unstable terrain. The ground beneath him sunk and lifted, with walls popping up out of the blue. Illumi dodged them fluidly, his reflexes syncing with lightning-quick steps.  Then the Nen threads—a network of nearly invisible tripwires strung across his path. Illumi wove through them with a fluid blend of leaps and glides. And then the last stage: Milluki’s mannequins. These robotic rivals zipped around at blistering speeds, barely visible. Illumi launched his pins in a perfect arc, each hitting its mark and making it still.   Timer halted: 2:15. A personal best by three seconds. Better, but still miles from perfect.  He was stashing his phone when it buzzed, and a new message popped up. Hisoka: I crafted a little surprise to compensate for my unfortunate misstep. Shall we say, today at 16:00? ♦ Attached below was a pin with the location. Illumi had all but scrubbed the incident from his mind. He got swallowed by his routine–work, family, obligations. It was unexpected that Hisoka would bring it up again. Illumi: It got messy, but the job’s done. We’re good. The response pinged back instantly, indicating that Hisoka was poised and ready for his objections. How pretentious. Irritating. Hisoka: You’re gonna love this, pinkie promise. ♠ Illumi: Spare me your games. Hisoka: Oh, come on, it won’t take long. Plus, I’ve cooked up something that'll sharpen those killer instincts of yours. Curious? ♣  Illumi: Stop harassing me, I’m not coming. Hisoka: Suit yourself. But I’ll be there, waiting… ♥ Illumi felt a pr@ck of annoyance.  Common sense screamed to ignore this, but the hint of honing his skills glittered too enticingly. With a heavy sigh that felt like surrender, he pocketed the phone.  No assignments on the radar today.  Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to see what Hisoka was up to. ~~~ Illumi was closing in on its destination. The airship he piloted was sleek and silent, carving a steady path through the sky. Below, sand stretched endlessly, punctuated by stubborn tufts of vegetation. Ahead, loomed the silhouette of Dysan—once a metropolis, now a ghost town. 25 years ago a Nen bomb had erased its future, leaving behind only the carcasses of skyscrapers enwrapped by gigantic desert flora. He aligned the airship with a rooftop, one of the few untouched by decay.  Their designated meeting place.  Illumi stepped out. The sun assaulted him, prompting him to shield his eyes. As his vision adjusted, he saw Hisoka, perched on a wooden crate. He looked absurdly out of place—like a badly edited image layered onto a completely different background. "Hi," Illumi greeted. His voice was a guarded blade, prepared to parry the expected jibes that might follow. But they didn't come. Instead, Hisoka kept watching him with a look Illumi couldn’t quite place. After a stretch of silence that teetered on the edge of awkwardness, Hisoka finally spoke, "Are you familiar with Kranstea Bacillata?" "Hisoka," Illumi replied, irritation sharpening his tone, "I told you I’m not in the mood for your games." Unperturbed, Hisoka simply hummed and his eyes narrowed, like those of a cat basking in the sun. It was clear no progress would be made without an answer. “Kranstea Bacillata is a rare plant that uses Nen to shield itself from dangers, rendering it invisible. Often, even seasoned Nen users cannot detect it," Illumi said, his tone a mix of resignation and clinical precision. "It’s rumored to bear exceptionally sweet fruits, making it a sought-after delicacy.” Hisoka smiled. He pulled a card from his pocket and flicked it, sending it whizzing just inches from Illumi. The assassin jumped aside. A plant nearly as tall as Illumi materialized out of nowhere. He felt incredulous at his own oversight. How could he have missed it? He switched to Gyo and detected another Kranstea Bacillata. He marked it with his pin, and like the first, it revealed itself. "Exactly right!” Hisoka said with a game-show host's enthusiasm. "See, I’ve created a fun little task just for you. I found ten more of these stealthy plants and placed them strategically on some balconies. Think you can take a few out?" Illumi surveyed the ruins of Dysan. Most buildings had been razed by the explosion, but several skyscrapers still punctuated the skyline. Which meant thousands of windows with thousands of balconies. And he would have to rely solely on his intuition- since they were too distant for his Gyo. "I accept," Illumi declared. "Very good," Hisoka remarked, rising from his seat. He opened the crate he was sitting on and retrieved a sniper rifle, which he then tossed to Illumi. He caught it mid-air and got in position. Steadied his breathing, then squeezed the trigger.  It was a hit.  The accomplishment sent a rush of adrenaline, a thrilling cascade of endorphins through his body. Maintaining his measured approach, he aimed and fired. He hit his mark seven times. However, doubt crept in as he contemplated his next move. Repositioning the rifle several times, unsure of his next shot, he opted to hold his fire. Turning back to Hisoka, Illumi caught a brief glimpse of him trembling, his aura unfurling like vapor from a steam vent. Hisoka quickly recomposed himself under Illumi's gaze. “Bravo! Way to go!!” “Don’t congratulate me. I didn’t finish the task.” Illumi’s tone was flat. Hisoka let out a chuckle, low and smooth. "You're too hard on yourself. This was a task most wouldn't attempt, let alone complete." Illumi’s gaze remained fixed on him, cold and sharp. Settling for average was a fool’s game, and he was no fool—excellence was the only mark worth aiming for. Hisoka sauntered over to one of the plants, he plucked two pear-sized fruits, and then tossed one to Illumi. “Lighten up. Live a little.”  Illumi bit into the fruit and was greeted by a rush of sweetness. Not typically one for the simple pleasures of fruits, this one caught him off guard. It was irresistibly good. As he chewed, Illumi came to a conclusion—Hisoka was off.  He just kept watching him.  It was unsettling, that gaze. Like he was trying to peel him layer after layer. Maybe breaking the silence was in order.  “Is that all?” he prodded.  “All?" Oh, Illumi, you wound me," Hisoka responded, his hand theatrically pressed to his chest. "But if you're itching for more excitement, there's always the nightlife in Yorknew City." His voice dropped low. "Or my place." A tension hung heavy in the air, making something inside Illumi stir and turn. “I see. Then, I’ll be going,” Illumi replied crisply. “Mind dropping me off?” “You managed to get here on your own. I’m certain you can find your way back just as well,” Illumi replied, feeling the irritation rise under Hisoka’s amused gaze. He tossed the rifle back, snagged another fruit for the road, and made for the airship. Behind him, the desert sun dipped low, painting the horizon in strokes of fire and gold—a beautiful end to a very strange day. ~~~ Illumi was browsing through his combat manual, already in pajamas, when his phone buzzed. Hisoka: Today was fun, glad you showed up. ♥ Illumi barely glanced at it before returning to his book.  But the peace was brief—his phone chimed again. Hisoka: Heard about a fresh spot in Yorknew, a fancy club exclusive for hunters. Want to check it out tomorrow? ♣ Illumi: Don’t text me unless it’s work or an emergency. Hisoka: Rude! That's no way to treat a friend. ★ -_-💧  Illumi: We’re not friends.  He paused, thumb hovering over the send button before adding. Illumi: We’re associates.  Hisoka: My bad. Let's reframe that then. ♦   Hisoka: Esteemed Mr. Zoldyck, might I entice you with a business discourse over beverages in a suitably upscale locale? ♥  Illumi: No.
  
  

    
      
        
        
          First of all, thank you so much for choosing to read my fic!No matter if you're new here or one of the awesome readers who remember the old version and decided to give this new rewrite a try, I’m super grateful for your support and curiosity. It really means a lot!If you're enjoying the story so far, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Comments, kudos, and bookmarks are always appreciated and help keep the creative juices flowing. Your feedback and encouragement truly make a difference!See you in the next chapter!Bisky💖'
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