Madam Maid

You had woken to an empty base, confusion maring your face as you look around, knocking on various doors, greeted with overall silence. You bit your lip gently.

Did everyone leave?

You wandering into the kitchen, seeing a piece of paper delicately folded and addressed to you. You picked it up, unfolding it carefully. You instantly recognised the handwriting as Chrollo's.

'Dear Bunny,

I apologise for leaving you to wake alone. As you will have noticed, everyone is out on a job for me. You know I hate leaving you but some of them should return later tonight. Unfortunately I won't be back until the end of the week.

Remember, I'm just a phone call away.
Yours Always,
Chrollo.'

You sighed, putting the note down on the table and moving to make yourself some tea. You couldn't complain, this job was extremely easy. You barely cooked or cleaned since the Troupe were often away.

You took your drink and moved to sit at the table, circling the rim of the cup with your finger as you waited for it to cool. Being alone was incredibly boring, it didn't feel normal. Youbwere so used to being around the large group that being trapped here alone felt... creepy. It didn't help that it was especially windy, causing the base to make various noises.

You decided to retreat to the safety of your room.

You sat on your bed, a book in hand to pass the time... You hadn't realised you'd fallen asleep until you heard hushed whispering and footsteps outside your door. You sat up quietly, stilling as you listened, you didn't recognise them. You heard the footsteps retreat into the main living area and you got enough courage to sneak to the kitchen and grab a large knife, creeping into the living area.

From where you hid, you could see a tall man, with long black hair and large black eyes. He was pale and you could tell he was strong. From where you stood, you couldn't see who he was talking to, you didn't get much chance to try either as those emotionless wells flickered over to you, brow arching.

"And who is this loitering in the shadows?" The man produced three needles, holding them between his fingers expertly. The golden tops glinted menacingly, ready to strike.

"Darling? I thought you were out." Hisoka moved into your view. The man he was with spotted the knife.

"You won't get very far with that." The man motioned to your weapon and Hisoka played a hand on the man's shoulder.

"Stand down, Illumi. She's not an enemy." Hisoka stared at the man you now knew as Illumi, watching him hesitantly place his needles away.

"A friend of yours?" You motioned to Illumi and the black haired male scoffed slightly.

"Another pet, Hisoka? You never knew how to control yourself." Illumi sighed and you frowned, stomping over to him and jabbing him in the chest. You couldn't help but feel disappointed when he didn't even flinch.

"Listen here you... you... weirdo! This is my house and I am not a pet!" You snapped your gaze to Hisoka.

"Another pet? What the hell does that mean?" You growled out and Hisoka held his hands up.

"Nothing, my love." He chuckled but you weren't buying it.

"You sleazy clown! What have you been telling everyone to make a complete stranger think I'm your pet?!" Your anger quickly subsided when you heard a laugh come from Illumi. It sounded odd, like he wasn't used to the action.

"How peculiar." Illumi hummed, placing his delicate fingers on your shoulders and turning you to face him.

"It is clear you're weak, and yet, you're not afraid. You know he's killed people?" Illumi flicked his gaze at Hisoka briefly before looking at you.

"But you seemed to already know that. And yet, you're not afraid." He tilted your head to look at him and you felt your cheeks flush as his eyes bored into your own.

"Ah, now now, Illumi." Hisoka pulled you into his arms, pressing his chest to your back as he pulled you away from Illumi.

"You're not here to tease, Y/N." Hisoka reminded him and Illumi tilted his head slightly.

"I'm aware." He stepped towards you, sliding a piece of paper into your hand before turning away.

"Hisoka and I have business to attend to, would you mind leaving us to talk in private?" It wasn't much of a question, more of an order and you hastily nodded before leaving the room, allowing the two some privacy and you placed the knife back in the kitchen and retreated back to your room once more.

Once inside, you opened the piece of paper, finding a number scrawled inside. Your cheeks flushed as you realised it was Illumi's phone number. You placed the paper on your desk and hurried to your bed, trying to bury yourself in your book, cheeks aflame as the paper seemed to call for your attention.

Who was this mystery man that Hisoka had brought back? There was no doubt that he was attractive, and if he was friends with Hisoka then he would be equally as dangerous. You bit your lip, trying to push your thoughts away.

You hadn't realised how much time had passed, your thoughts occupied by Illumi until a knock at your door snapped you from your daze. You called for the person to enter and was surprised to see Pakunoda standing there.

"Paku!" You grinned, setting your book down and walking over to her.

"What brings you to my room?" You smiled sheepishly, hands clasped in front of you as you looked up at her. She smiled warmly at you.

"I was wondering if perhaps you'd like to have dinner with me? Hisoka tells me you've been in your room all day, perhaps a change of scenery will be nice?" She offered and you nodded enthusiastically.

"Yes, let me just get ready, I don't think the restaurant would appreciate pyjamas." You joked, causing Paku to laugh softly.

"I shall meet you in the kitchen." She then left you to get ready and you decided on a cute tennis skirt and a polo top. You felt cute as you took in your appearance in the mirror, applying a small amount of makeup and messing with your hair. You took one last look in the mirror, spying Illumi's number on your desk. You bit your lip, deciding against messaging him before you left, meeting Pakunoda in the kitchen. Her eyes lit up at the sight of you and you gave a small, bashful twirl.

"You look beautiful." She complimented and you flushed noticing that she had switched her usual clothing out for a cute cream coloured suit.

"Says you." You gave her a once over and she shyly tucked her hair behind her ear before offering you her arm.

"Shall we go? We have reservations at eight." You checked the time. 7:15pm.

"Yes, where are we going?" You took her arm as she led your outside and to a shiny silver car, opening the door for you before getting in the driver's side.

"It's a surprise." She hummed, the car revving to life as she pulled away from the base.
The sun was setting, casting a dark shadow over the sky, oranges mixed with purples. You watched in awe as the moon slowly appeared, the sky becoming completely dark, Street lamps illuminating the road as you drove toward your destination. You recognised some of the city, having been with Chrollo beforehand. Watching the bustling streets you saw an array of people dressed in gowns and suits, while the other half were dressed casually, boisterously playing with their friends on the way to a night of drinking.

Pakunoda turned down a quiet street, the building were a lot more elegant and had an expensive feel to them. Even the street lights were different, looking like large lanterns. The streets were cleaner and the people here drove flashy cars. You pulled into a bay, Pakunoda winding the window down as a valet stepped forward.

"Good Evening, Miss. Would you like me to park your car in the main bay?" He asked politely and she nodded before the valet opened the door for her. She handed him the keys before he ran around to open the door for you as well. You said a shy thank you before greeting Pakunoda at the entrance to the restaurant.

Looking around at the different patrons you bit your lip. You felt severely underdressed, most of the patrons donning evening gowns and suits. Pakunoda squeezed your hand gently.

"You are the most beautiful one here. Don't worry." She smiled and you nodded shyly as she led you to the reception desk. You were led to your table and given a menu each while Paku ordered you both some wine. You looked over the menu before realising it was written in French and flushed when you couldn't read any of it.

"Um... Paku? I-I can't read this..." You looked at her before chuckling and she smiled, scooting her chair over to you and picking up the menu.

"That's why I am here." She smiled before listing off the starters and mains that you could choose from. You listened to her, mesmerised by her perfect pronunciation before choosing.

"Can I have um, the Cervelle de Canut?" You tried to pronounce it best you could and Pakunoda grinned at you.

"Perfect, I was just thinking the same for myself. And for your main?" She asked.

"The... Toulouse-Style Cassoulet?" You tested and she nodded.

"Perfect choice." You watched the waiter return and Pakunofa relayed both of your orders before the waiter poured you each a glass of wine and left.

You made small talk while waiting for your food, gawking at the plates when they came and polishing everything off. When the waiter took away your empty plates you raved about how good the food was, slightly tipsy on wine and cheeks flushed as Pakunoda watched you, a lazy smile on her lips.

"You really are special to me." She said suddenly, causing you to go silent. You didn't think your cheeks could become any more flushed, shyly tucking a strand of hair behind you ear.

"You're special to me too, Paku, you all are." You smiled, watching as she took your hand in hers, squeezing it gently.

"I'm happy to know that." She kissed your knuckles gently before calling to the waiter to fetch your bill. She paid, must to your dismay at wanting to split it, and led you back to the car.

The drive home was in comfortable silence, her hand on yours as the streetlights illuminated the inside of the car every so often. It wasn't until you stopped at some traffic lights that she turned and spoke to you.

"Illumi was at the base today, wasn't he." Her voice was calm, but she wasn't asking, she knew he had been there. There was no point in lying. You nodded.

"He was with Hisoka, I didn't realise it was him, I thought someone had broken in." You laughed nervously and Pakunoda's gaze widened as you recalled threatening Illumi with the knife and him with his needles in return.

"He is extremely dangerous. More so than Hisoka. And an excellent manipulator. I don't mean to come across as bossy but... please be careful around him. Hisoka doesn't keep the best company..." She trailed off, driving once more when the light signalled green.

"You all keep each other company. Does that mean you're dangerous too?" You meant it as a gest but Paku frowned.

"That isn't what I meant. Hisoka isn't like us, he doesn't-" She stopped herself, not wanting to reveal too much to you. After all, Chrollo had forbidden any talk of work-related topics.

"Why do you all hate him? Sure he's weird and he has a strange way of expressing himself but he's actually really nice if you took the time to know him..." You murmured and Pakunoda's hands clenched the wheel.

"That is only what he wants you to believe." She stated sourly and you frowned.

"No! You don't know him like I do. Behind closed doors he's-" Paku cut you off.

"Different?" She laughed bitterly. "Its worse than I though. He really has his claws in you. If you knew the things he's done- That we've all done..." she trailed off, calming herself.

"I'm sorry, I've said too much already." The car fell silent and you turned to look out the window.

"Its fine." You murmured, watching the scenery pass by before you pulled up to the base.

You got out of the car without waiting for Paku, going inside despite her pleas of protest.

"I'm tired, Paku, its been a long day." You called back, moving through the corridor to your room.

"Someone looks all dressed up, where are you off to, Darling?" Hisoka had been walking down the hall when he caught you.

"Bed." You stated bluntly, moving to open your door, closing it behind you.

Pakunoda came inside, closing the door behind her and walking down the corridor where she spied Hisoka outside your door, a perplexed look on his face.

"Something I said?" He asked, motioning to your closed door and she shook her head.

"No, it was my fault. I was just trying to protect her but... I messed things up." She ran a hand through her hair.

"Protect her from who?" Hisoka questioned.

"All of us... we're not like her, we're dangerous. I don't want her to get hurt." Pakunoda sighed heavily.

"She's a big girl, she can make her own decisions." Hisoka's brow furrowed.

"Leave it to me. I'll work my magic." Hisoka mused and Pakunoda rolled her eyes.

"Of course you will." She sighed.

"I'm going to bed, don't do anything reckless." She growled, turning and making her way to her room.

"Me? Reckless? You wound me!" Hisoka smirked slyly but Paku gave him one final glare before retreating into her room.

Now alone in the corridor, Hisoka moved to rap against your door gently.

"Darling? Let me in." He called softly.