The Troupe

A stormy night on an awful day. How fitting, and coincidental.

...Like their birth.

Ah, how I remember that night, as if it was clear as day. Speaking of which, that night is a stark contrast to the present. How laughable.

Thunder cackled as the rain pitter-pattered across the courtyard; with the clouds giving an ominous feeling.

Ah... how I miss those carefree days with my family. How nostalgic.

I looked up to the sky, the raindrops hitting my face gently.

Oh well. At least now I have them. ...It doesn't sound so bad.

~

"Hm. Oi, Paku! Are kids really this quiet?" Phinks asked. He carried a girl, princess style, and looked over to his co-worker, Pakunoda. Though, she merely remained silent.

The trees shook on their weight, even if it was silent. The moon was cast over by the clouds, making the scene eerie.

Feitan looked at him, as if he would kill at any moment. "Will you shut up? Tch. Such a nuisance." He commented.

Phinks was enraged. He let go of the girl, and said, "Huh?! Who's the nuisance?!"

The girl was thrown in such speed and strength, making her fly high in the sky. Too high. Machi and Pakunoda's eyes widened for a second, before a dark blur zoomed by. It caught the girl as she fell back down, and got back to the ground gently. It held the girl so tightly, as if she would dissapear if it didn't hold her. It- he, Chrollo looked back at Phinks, eyes glinting with malice. It was, without a doubt, frightening.

"Phinks." Chrollo's aura leaked, making all members halt. He looked at him with such malice that it was enough to kill a non-nen-user. Everyone present shivered coldly, especially poor little Phinks.

"Ye-yes, Boss?" Phinks replied. His eyes shook with uncontrollable fear.

"Do not repeat such actions, or I will not hesitate to kill you." The leaves shook, animals scurrying away the scene. The members were shocked. Their boss, an emotionless and calculating man, actually held such deep feelings towards a child no older than six. It was a first for many, if not all.

"U-understood!" Phinks replied. He didn't want to die. At least, not now.

With those words said, the aura that Chrollo leaked subsided. Everything was back to normal, as if nothing had actually happened. The members released their breath, that they had not realized they were holding. The animals around peeked from the bushes and hiding places they could secure for themselves, wondering what had happened.

"Let's go." Chrollo anounced, and off they went.

~

They travelled far and wide; across towns and cities; nearly halfway across the globe. All for a little girl, no older than six... It was very peculiar. Especially for the members. Who knows why their boss would do such things? And even if they think to their fullest, they would never get an answer. Unless, of course, they ask him themselves.

Currently, it was noon. The members sat around the room, awaiting their boss to speak.

"..." Silence. It was all they could hear. No one uttered a word; not even Phinks, Nobu, nor Feitan! What a surprise!

"Wake the child," Chrollo said. Machi took the initiative and left her chair. She approached the girl, on the bed, and shook her shoulders.

Once. ...Nothing.

Well, what about twice? ...Hey...

Just wake up! ...Argh..

They're all staring.

...Oh gosh, children sleep as if the world will end!

JusT WAKE UP, DAMNIT!

She couldn't take it anymore, and drenched her in cold water (from who knows where).

"AH!" The girl screamed. She stood up and crept backwards, her back touching the wall. She saw Machi, and looked around her surroundings. Her eyes grew wide as saucers, and she...

Well, of course, she screamed.

"AHHHHHHH!"

Feitan ran and closed her mouth. He grabbed a dagger and put it close to her neck. "Be quiet or I'll kill you."

That sent shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes and gulped. She wondered where she was, and who these weirdos were. After thinking, she decided to just listen to these weirdos, for now. She opened her eyes slowly, and nodded.

Feitan returned his dagger and stared at the girl. "Don't even think of escaping." With that, he released his hand on her mouth and returned to his corner.

The girl watched him return, and surveyed the surroundings.

'Hm... Scary blondie, a short haired woman wearing sorta skimpy clothing, a huge guy that's pretty much half naked, another huge guy but WITH proper clothing (thank you!), samurai, emo, scary woman who drenched me, and...

A man. He is by far the scariest, but seems to hold the most affection towards me? What?'

"Good afternoon, Zaina." Chrollo announced and looked at the girl; Zaina. All eyes stared at him dumbfounded. Excuse me? Boss gave this girl a name? You must be kidding!

"Who are you?" Zaina asked quickly. 'Oh... Shoot! I asked without thinking! Please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't kill me...' She chanted internally.

"I am Chrollo." He said, while... grinning evilly? Excuse me, but are you planning on scaring the girl?

Oh, and Zaina turned around right away. She was creeped out.

Meanwhile, Chrollo looked dejected. Again, cue the shocked looks of the members.

That's when Machi decided to make a move. "Zaina, I am Machi." Zaina looked over to her, and grinned.

"Nice to meet you!"

'Fck you! If I could, I would punch you! Bring me home, damnit!'

'She is pretty cute, I guess.' Is what Machi thought. "Likewise."

After the introduction, Chrollo sprung back to life. "Okay, Zaina. This is Phinks, Feitan, Pakunoda, Franklin, Uvogin, and Nobunaga."

And each of them did...weird actions? I mean, Phinks turned around, Feitan drew his dagger, Pakunoda waved her hand, Franklin smiled like a mother, Uvogin broke a chair, and Nobunaga did a peace sign.

Zaina shivered and hid behind Machi.

'Oh.. wh-why me?' Machi blushed.

'If only I had a knife to kill you right now!' Is what Zaina thought... She gripped Machi's shirt tightly.

"Ni-nice to meet you all..." Zaina said. 'Bastards! Bring. Me. Home!' Of course, her inner thoughts were different.

Chrollo smiled decently, and announced, "Pakunoda, remember to erase her memories when she's asleep."

Zaina's smile dropped. 'How can you smile while saying such things?!'

"Yes, boss." Pakunoda merely replied, as if this was normal.

'And how are you used to this?!'

"We will leave in an hour." Chrollo looked at the rest, then his gaze returned to Zaina.

"Welcome to the group, Zaina."

'I just wanted to go home!'