Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my OC.

Warnings: None for this chapter.

CRYING WOLF
by: Riseha

Chapter 1

Illyria

Illyria, I heard a call, followed by the smoothing of my hair. I squirmed under the touch, how cold and calculating and wrong the touch felt. All I wanted was to be far away from the woman who called my name so lovingly, so wrongly.

Illyria, another call that I'm not as adverse to. I tensed as a smaller hand patted my head, smoothing the dark spiky locks resting atop my head. I stilled instantly, stopping my struggle.

"It's so unfair, Illumi," the woman who's always petting my head and bugging me whined; I could feel her gaze on me and I could just feel her pout. "She always listens to you, not her mother," A pause. "Who's me by the way," she added sarcastically.

The boy who must've been her brother did not answer and eventually, the woman left, huffing and mumbling to herself. "Do you want to see him again?" he inquired softly. He never baby-talk to me, as if he knew who I truly was.

The soul of someone who had killed his true sister.

It was not my intentions to kill the infant's soul, but I hadn't felt a shred of sympathy for the baby, my greed and will to live far outweighed whatever morals I had been brought up with.

I had died far too young (in my opinion, nineteen was still young), and I thirsted for another chance to live, whether or not it was meant for me. I do not remember much about my past life's details—at least, not the tiny facts, I do know, however, that I have no older brothers in my old life; I have—had—a younger sister and a much younger brother.

I had always been the one to look out for the younger ones, never the one being looked after. The feeling was... nice.

(Only years later would I realize that I was being carried in the arms of a trained assassin.)

I nodded, recalling his earlier question and when he carried me in his arms, I actually felt giddy. Not very mature I suppose, considering my real age, but this was a different matter entirely.

Only when Illu-nii was near that I ever got to meet him: my twin brother, Killua.

Mother—I don't think I know her real name—never permitted me to meet him. Heck, I didn't even know I had a twin until Illu-nii took him to me, letting us to play before bringing Killua back right before Mother returned from her daily 'workout'. The second time I met Killua, Illu-nii was the one who brought me to him; it was either me visiting him via Illu-nii or he visited me.

It was usually the latter but I preferred the former.

Because then, I'd have a valid excuse to be carried around by Illu-nii (whom, I had to admit was cool and was someone I looked up to, adored and admired despite his cold deposition) and then I get to look at something other than the plain dark butterfly-themed wallpaper of my room. I absorbed everything I saw, from the plain white walls, dark in the shadows and the spider-webs, the wooden floorboard and the cracks in the old walls (implying age of the building).

I blinked, jostled slightly as Illu-nii shifted me to rest more comfortably on his right hip as his other hand reached to slid the door open to Killua's room. I already had my favorite room memorized; it was the same as mine, but the butterflies were replaced by spiders. I felt small laughter bubbling as I shifted in Illu-nii's arms, anticipating to see Killua's bright face—

The door banged open, startling me and Illu-nii badly. I realized the doors were opened, but not by my brother's hand.

I stiffened.

Even before Illu-nii had opened the door, the witch had slammed it open.

I blanched when I saw Mother, a snarl forming on her lips, as her fingernails dug into a squirming Killua's body. The first sniffles escape the one-year-old's body as his mother's rage poured through him. I nearly joined my older twin in bawling but Illu-nii's firm grip on me reassured me that she probably wouldn't be harming me or Killua anytime soon.

"Do you take me for a fool, Illumi?"

Big Brother did not grace our egg donor with an answer. He stood stiffly, mind undoubtedly whirling for a way out of this mess we're all in.

Killua let out a loud whine, clawing at his mother's arms to be free, but when the woman's iron grip did not abate, he turned to us, desperately stretching his arms towards us, his blue eyes wide and desperate, tears gathering.

"Do you think I won't notice my daughter's scent from my son's? Do you think I am too old to sense the change in his Nen? How my twin children had interacted despite my wishes?" she broke into sobs, her visor hid her eyes from us, but I know they were bright with tears. "I—all I want is the best for the both of them! Being together—"

"Goodbye, Mother," Illumi interrupted rudely, coldly as he shifted further away from our emotionally unstable mother. He nodded to Killua who'd started crying, small fists reaching out towards his siblings who were edging away. "We'll see you later, Killua."

"Don't you dare turn your back on me—Illumi!"

Big Brother didn't even turn to acknowledge her. His voice was cold and held no emotion as he spoke. "You're just under stress from your pregnancy, Mother and is less than rational now. Let's talk civilly once you've regained your senses."

I'd once grew up in a loving family. I knew perfectly well that this was not how a child should be interacting with his mother but I didn't comment on it. My new Mother was a different case entirely, she was an exception, I didn't think she was sane.

After that disastrous encounter, I did not see Killua for roughly a few months, Illu-nii was barely able to visit.

He used to come once every two to three days, but his visits had dwindled from thrice a week to twice bi-weekly.

I was lonely and I missed both my brothers.

The one who took over babysitting me most of the time was my other older brother: Milluki.

I didn't adore him like I did my other brothers. He was as insane as our Mother, just on a lesser degree and his concentration was on something else entirely. Games, manga, computer and anything concerning the modern world.

I supposed I didn't mind him as much once I realized his love for technology.

I was crazy about technology too, just not on the same level as the seven-year-old was. I was aspiring to be an engineer but that dream was dashed when a car made a swerve too early, too fast and when it ran out of control... the rest was history.

When he realized I had taken a liking to the same things, he was incredibly nicer; no longer did he snap at me or ordered me to stand in a corner until a maid came to pick me up. He was patient and passionate when he talked about his love for computers and his manga, he even patted my dark hair (the same shade as his) and offered to babysit me more.

I don't know how I should take the news.

My contact with Killua was non-existent by then, Illu-nii grew even more distant and even seeing him was a miracle by the time I turned three. I was incredibly depressed; I don't think it was something Millu-nii's figurines of Illu-nii and Killua (he very, very reluctantly made those parts) could cure.

The only upside of missing Killua and Illu-nii was not seeing my nutty Mother. My hopes of avoiding her completely was dashed when a maid came rushing in, claiming that Millu-nii's presence was required.

She said nothing about me and Millu-nii was reluctant to leave me alone with his precious collections that were breakable and easily destroyed in many ways; against the maid, Hisa's wishes, I was brought along.

"Illyria!"

My head connected painfully with the floorboard. I whined, dizzy and dazed as I raised my arms to fend off my attacker. White and blue filled my vision and I stopped mid-punch.

I blinked.

"Killua...?" My twin laughed, extending his arms and when I didn't react immediately, tackled me into a hug. This time, I managed to brace myself before I could kiss the floor again. I chuckled at his enthusiasm but worry gnawed at me. "Where's Mother?" I inquired softly, looking up at Millu-nii who'd brought his laptop and was busy typing away.

He looked up at my inquiry and jabbed his thumb at where I heard the screaming originating from.

I shuddered as another blood-curling scream tore through the air, unconsciously shrinking into Killua's bigger form. "What's wrong with her?" As much as I detested her, she was still the woman who gave birth to me, had gone through the pain to give me another chance at life, and I had never wished death upon her.

Okay, that was totally a lie. I've cursed her so many times I've forgotten what I'd said.

"She's giving birth," Millu-nii said simply. "I looked it up, it says here that it's an extremely painful process as the mother—"

"Don't care!" Killua interjected rudely, earning himself a glare from Millu-nii. Illu-nii was leaning against a wall, looking as if he didn't have a care in the world, but he was watching our interaction with a careful eye.

His eyes caught mine and I forced myself to look away.

Strange as it was, I was shy and nervous to meet his gaze.

Millu-nii seethed.

"Are you really Illyria's twin? I'm compelled to believe otherwise for someone as ignorant as you—"

"Hey!"

"Enough."

I stiffened at the sound of the rough voice. I turned, looking up and instantly had to remind myself to breathe when I saw the bulky male. His curly silvery-blonde hair fell down his back and his cat-like blue eyes glowed even brighter in the dark. His tall and muscular frame had always intimidated me, so it was no surprise I shrank away when his gaze bore down on Killua and I. He was dressed in the same navy colored short-sleeved shinobi shizoku as the last time I saw him.

This man was Mother's husband, which made him my Father.

If it wasn't for the fact that I was told how to address him, I would've forgotten this man was the one who'd sired me. I had close to one interaction with him, I had only seen him a handful of times and none of them was a father-daughter bonding time at all. To cut a long story short, I avoided him as much as possible.

His eyes trailed from each one of us in order, from oldest to youngest. His eyes riveted back to mine once he was done with his once-over of his children.

"Illyria," he called, holding out a hand. "Come forward."

He spoke like a king and I was expected to obey, which I did. I trembled, wondering what I'd done to deserve his attention. He placed his callused hand on my dark navy hair and I trembled even harder when he applied pressure to his hold, wondering if he was going to squeeze my brains out.

"Did you enjoy your time with Killua?"

What on earth was he talking about? Mother never even wanted us to meet!

I hesitated but nodded anyway when I recalled that he was waiting for an answer. "Yes," I murmured, trembling like a leaf, wishing that Millu-nii or Illu-nii would interfere but I find it unlikely; the former was too cowed by the man, and the latter simply did not care.

"Good," he said, holding his other hand out to Killua. "Your relationship went spectacularly different from mine and my twin's own." I blinked, taken aback. I didn't know Father had a twin. But then again, did I know anything about this new family and life of mine? "I had a twin sister too, Killua, I understand how you feel to be separated from one another."

"Where's she now?" Killua asked curiously, looking up and meeting his father's eyes; either he had balls of steel or he had no sense of danger. I decided that it was a little of both.

"I killed her."

My blood went cold, I was sure I'd blanched and had turned completely white.

"Do not fear, Illyria, it is not necessary for the female twin to die. In the end, it comes down to who has the stronger will to live, who's the dominant one between the both of you."

"W-what?" I spluttered. What sort of nonsense was he spouting? "Why do we have to kill one another?" Through the haze of fear and confusion, I marveled at myself, how I managed to spit out a demanding question at this man. It was probably the most I've spoken to him.

"It is necessary within the Zoldyck family. Only by killing one own's twin will the other be able to reach heights unheard of, the powers you can gain by devouring the other..." I felt the pressure increase on top of my head; I snuck a glance to my right where I saw Killua's trembling form, how wide his blue eyes were as he stared at his own feet.

Abruptly, the pressure disappeared along with another scream from Mother, this time, a new wail of an infant joined her cries.

I stared after the retreating man's back, feeling numb and weak all of a sudden.

The name Zoldyck rang a very loud bell in my head.

Where have I heard it before?

Someone prodded me in the back. Stiffening, I glanced up to see Illu-nii nudging me forwards and into the room where Mother was crying out in fear. I ran forward, curious to see what had frightened Mother so.

I gaped at the doll covered in blood.

"What sort of sick joke is this?" Mother demanded angrily, glaring, at least, under the visor, I assumed she was. "Where is my newborn?"

One of the maidservants gulped audibly, pointing meekly to the doll lying limply in Father's grasp. "T-that is y-your n-newborn, Mistress."

"A stillborn?" Millu-nii suggested.

"No," Killua murmured, shifting closer. "Look closely." Silence descended upon us as we squinted at the naked doll. Then, the void eyes, lacking any pupils or whites began to close, the yawning gap that was the mouth of the doll widening, the nose scrunching up as the baby yawned.

My jaw dropped.

Killua smiled. "He's adorable, what's his name?"

Killua. Killua. Killua—why does that name sounds so familiar? Along with Illumi, Milluki and the Zoldyck—

No.

No fucking way.

I couldn't possibly be in the Hunter x Hunter series—

But the newborn's face! So terrifying and inhuman and cruel I knew who it was on first glance. How could I have missed this for so long? Did I ignore all the obvious signs intentionally?

"A... A-" I choked, making a strangled sound which drew me many stare. Under the intense stares, I somehow managed to choke out a name, "Alluka."

Killua beamed, the only one unperturbed by the events happening so far. "Yep! Alluka it is!"

Seeing his happiness, compared to by dawning horror, we couldn't have been farther from twins.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ

QUESTION: Do you wish to see any romance in this story? If so, with whom?

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