Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Killua, why do you think the boss asked us all to come all the way out here?"

"Don't know, he probably has something big in mind." Killua looks to the clear blue sky, his hands behind his head as he walks.

They had been summoned to Yorknew City by Chrollo, along with the rest of the Spiders. It excited Gon to see what was in store for them. Killua, however, was indifferent, but hoped that whatever it was didn't bore him. They had just recently joined the Phantom Troupe a little less than half a year ago, when they came into contact with the former 10th and 12th legs. A fight ensued, and although Gon and Killua weren't originally planning on joining, Gon suggested doing so just to see what happened. Gon had become pretty close with several of the members, while Killua was standoffish, carefully watching the other legs in case they ever tried to backstab him or Gon.

"Hey, Killua, look!"

Killua opened his eyes and looked ahead to where Gon was pointing. Just ahead of them were some of the other members that had just materialized from the sand blown about by the wind.

"Come on, Killua!" Gon cries, beginning to run towards the other members.

"Hey, Gon! Wait!" Idiot. Killua thought while running to catch up with his best friend.

"Hey, it's those kids." Feitan turns to look at Gon and Killua who were fast approaching. "10 and 12."

Nobunaga glances behind, a smile appearing on his face when he sees Gon, who was undeniably one of his favorites in the troupe.

"Nobunaga!" Gon exclaims, running to stand right beside him.

Feitan, Franklin, and Machi continue walking, leaving Nobunaga behind as he waits for Gon to catch up.

"I'm still not used to there being literal children in the Troupe," Franklin says, hearing Gon's laughter at his reunion with Nobunaga.

"We were young when we formed the Troupe," Feitan utters in his fragmented sentences.

"Yes, but they are still children. We had grown up fast because we lived in Meteor City, but I don't know about them." Franklin then looks to Machi. "Well, what do you think?"

"I don't care, so long as they do their job and stay out of our way."

"I agree, plus they did earn their spot here with us," Feitan says.

"I suppose you're right," Franklin agrees.

"Hey, there kiddo." Nobunaga pats Gon's head with a smile on his face. Killua finally catches up, stuffing his hands into his pockets with a pout on his face.

"Hey there, Nobunaga! It's good to see you again," Gon says smiling at the attention he is receiving.

"Hey, old man, so do you know why we're all being called together?" Killua asks, shifting the weight of his body to one of his legs.

"No, I don't, but maybe Feitan does." Nobunaga pauses for a second to look to where the others are ahead. "Wait a minute! Old man?!"

"Well I guess we should go ask, right?" Gon turns, addressing the question more to Killua rather than Nobunaga.

"Yeah," Killua agrees, beginning to walk to rejoin the others. Gon follows close behind him.

"Hey, wait for me, you two!" Nobunaga chases after the two boys, who had begun to close the distance with the others by jogging.

Gon and Killua quickly catch up with the rest of the group, but just as Nobunaga is within a couple feet of them, his foot catches on a rock and he falls. He would've taken Killua down with him if Killua hadn't jumped high enough to avoid any contact. Killua lands back on the ground right next to Gon with his arms crossed.

"Hey, careful, old man! You almost knocked me over."

Nobunaga gets up from the ground, dust caking his face and some even managing to get in his mouth. He spits the earth from his mouth over his shoulder, annoyed about the fall that was entirely his own fault.

Gon laughs loudly as he points. "You're all dirty, Nobunaga."

"I'm aware of that."

"Hurry up, you three, or we'll leave you behind," Feitan states, coldly.

"Hey, Mr. Feitan, do you know why we're all being called together?" Gon asks, clearly excited to find out what the big deal was.

The boss had occasionally called on some members to form smaller parties to carry out his plans, but this was the first time in their time as members that Chrollo had called them all together.

"We are thieves. We steal things," Feitan says, plainly.

They all nod, also eager to see what Chrollo was planning. The walking soon resumes, while silence surrounds three of the four senior members, Nobunaga, Killua, and Gon talk as they trail behind in the back of the group.

Beside that very same stretch of highway where the Phantom Troupe were walking, a convoy of about 5 cars speed towards Yorknew City. Among their ranks is a certain blonde nen user with a vengeance that only strengthens at the sight of a spider.

(Author's Note)

The first couple chapters will be short due to me trying to find the best way to write everyone's perspectives. I hope you understand and stick around through this interesting story!

Chapter Text

Kurapika looks out the window of the car, seeing the dusty plains that surround Yorknew City which only make him feel more anxious. Somewhere out there is the Phantom Troupe. Hisoka had told him that the Spiders had been told to meet in Yorknew City on the first day of September. This would be one of the only times the entire troupe would be together. The opportunity was perfect, especially now that he had mastered his nen abilities, made specifically for the spiders, as well as had a job that was based in Yorknew during the same time the troupe would be active. They would pay, and Kurapika would get his clansmen's eyes back. Every one of them would pay with their lives, that he promised.

He just needed to bear with the Nostrade family long enough to become an influential member. That was essential in finding where the Kurta Clan's eyes were. Nothing else was as important.

Melody looks over to Kurapika, hearing the anger that pounded within his heart, a cold and distant sound that was painful to her ears. She had heard something similar when they had first met, but she didn't know what weighed on his heart to make the sound of his soul so excruciating to listen to.

Kurapika catches Melody's face staring at him through the glass of the window, then turns to face her. Melody manages a sweet smile, which in turn calms Kurapika and his hateful heart. Although the two were far from close, the smile was enough to keep his mind off of the Phantom Troupe for the time being and focus on his work now: Protecting Nostrade's daughter, Neon.

The cars soon pull into a hotel, which Kurapika takes a good look at, noting all the surroundings, just in case. He was always very cautious and preferred to be prepared if something unexpected were to happen. The car which contained Neon was behind him, so he quickly got out, along with Melody and Basho. In the car ahead of him, Baise got out with Squalla and his dogs by her side.

Baise's nen ability was useless to Kurapika. What good would she do in battle if she had to take the time to kiss a target to make them obey her commands. It was an impractical ability which made Kurapika question her capabilities of being a proper bodyguard. Melody seemed smart and was a good lie detector, as proven before when they were tested to see if they were qualified enough to escape that house alive. Beyond that, it was obvious most of the heavy lifting would be relying on himself, Basho's poems, and Squalla's dogs. Although, it was always possible that they wouldn't run into trouble, regardless of the boss's paranoid concerns.

Whatever happened would not deter him from wiping the Phantom Troupe of the face of the world. All to ease the hatred and pain his brethren had felt as they were killed right in front of one another.

Melody goes into the hotel to check in, while Kurapika aids in moving Neon's stuff inside the hotel.

The Underground Auction is set to start tomorrow, which means it is likely the Spiders will attempt a heist considering they were told to be there the day the event begins. What their target item will be is a mystery to even Kurapika. What would the leader of the Phantom Troupe even want at the auction?

Once the boss has been settled in and the others have retreated to their rooms before being given further orders, Kurapika goes to the rooftop of the hotel, looking for where the Phantom Troupe could possibly be hiding. Their presence in the city only made Kurapika more anxious, the temptation to wipe them all in an instant was overbearing. However, Kurapika was smart, and although his passion for exterminating the Spiders could cause him to lose sight with rage, even he knew taking on the entire Troupe would be suicide. He needed to be patient. He had waited years to kill the Phantom Troupe, a couple more days would be nothing if it helped send his brethren peace in the afterlife. Their deaths would be avenged, even if he were to give up his life for their peace.

So engulfed in his thoughts and inner darkness, Kurapika had not taken a notice of the beautiful scene that was playing before him. The golden sun had begun to set, leaving the horizon gleaming with color as the rest of the sky had taken to a more darker purple that was already littered with sparkling stars. The moon had yet to come out, but it did not take away from the majestic masterpiece. Birds were fluttering about, returning to their nests for a night's rest before waking early to the morning sun. The buildings surrounding him were alit in the fading day. The fuzzy lights from street lamps and passing cars only added to the wonder of the growing night. There seemed to be a sense of peace in the air as families were once again reunited as parents returned from work. The smaller auctions around town had already caught people's curiosities and fascination, making the city lively even at dinner hour.

All this beauty was lost on Kurapika, as revenge was the only thing that occupied every inch of his mind.

And the darkness only festered.

(A/N)

Kurapika is so hard to write for some reason XD. So I hope I'm doing his character justice.

Chapter Text

As darkness begins to loom overhead, the remaining Phantom Troupe proceed to the agreed upon location. The walk had led them to a set of abandoned buildings outside of town. Old newspapers, cans, cigarette cartons, and other trash litter the ground around them. Gon looks around, a smile beaming on his face, as always. Killua was even more alert and sensitive in a secluded place such as this. He really had no reason to be afraid, he was in the midst of the Phantom Troupe after all, however this did little to ease his worrying, as he did have issues trusting the spiders in the first place. But still, he continues walking, his hands shoved into his pockets and his eyes darting all around him.

Nobunaga takes note of Killua's unease and laughs. "You scared there, kid?"

"Killua's not scared. He can take people's heads off their shoulders in the blink of an eye," Gon exclaims, excitedly.

"Not much of an accomplishment within the Troupe I'm afraid," Feitan stutters.

"I guess that means we'll fit in fine, isn't that right, Killua?"

Killua nods, absentmindedly. This was the life he was trying to escape. His father had told him not to deal with the Phantom Troupe, and although the thought of disobeying his dad amused him, he wasn't eager to enter a similar life to the one he had escaped from. He was only doing this because Gon wanted to. This was his newfound purpose until he discovered his own: stick by Gon's side no matter what. And that was what he was going to do, no matter what.

"As long as they're enthusiastic about it," Machi mumbles.

"Looks like we've made it," Franklin says, stopping in front of what looks like an abandoned church.

The rest of the party stops, craning their heads up to examine the building which was crumbling at every corner, the once beautiful stained glass windows were broken and their remnants scattered on the ground beneath their feet, and a musty smell permeated the air.

They enter the dark hallways, talk from inside guiding their feet towards the right path. None of their nen abilities, save maybe Killua, could have lit the way, but nevertheless, their instincts were more than enough to walk in the dark unhinged. Not one of their feet stumbled.

Once they turn the corner towards the voices, light pours in from the broken windows, revealing the rest of the troupe members who lay strewn across the room. The space is filled with large stone debris, probably from the caving roof and torn graffiti walls that bare less than intelligent words and gestures that are contradictory to what the church probably taught.

Gon quickly runs inside, spotting one of his other favorites in the Phantom Troupe. Uvogin sees Gon and stands up with a smile on his face. Nobunaga also rushes to their side, but trying to do so in a nonchalant way. Either way, it didn't matter, everyone knew how close the three had become. All three enhancers were a force to be reckoned with, all were so head-strong that it was hard to reel them back to actuality and logic.

As for the other enhancer of the Phantom Troupe, he had Feitan to keep him under leash. Not that it did much good, they shared the same mind most of the time, making them quite the adversary if opinions were to conflict with one another. Although Killua was a transmitter, just like Feitan, he was a little more cautious of Gon's wellbeing than Feitan was with Phink's. Maybe it's because Feitan trusted Phinks a bit more, or maybe it's because Killua cared for Gon a lot more; either way it was obvious all of these members needed to be looked after carefully. That's what Killua wanted most of all. If Chrollo could watch all the members carefully, making sure no one stepped out of line, the pressure to make sure Gon's safety would be ensured would ease the stress a bit.

"Looks like they finally made it," Phinks says. He has a naturally loud voice that echoes around the stone walls and the otherwise empty room.

Killua leans against the entrance wall, carefully observing and counting all the Phantom Troupe members that had already arrived. Him and Gon had made 12, all of the legs of the spider were accounted for. Chrollo was on an old and worn wooden stage that might've been used as a polpet when the church was fully functional. Surrounding him are unlit candles and stacks of books which seemed to have his undivided attention. The first person who had caught his eye when he walked into the room was Hisoka, seated in the windowsill of one of the broken stained glass arches. They made eye contact, each of their gazes piercing the other, studying them like a cat would make a bird in the trees their target. Hisoka's smile deepens when his gaze drifts further down to where Gon is standing with Uvo and Nobunaga.

Unamused, Killua continues counting. Chrollo. Hisoka. Shalnark. Phinks. Pakunoda. Shizuku. Uvogin. Not to mention the ones they travelled with. Machi. Nobunaga. Feitan. Franklin. And Gon and himself made all 13. Every member of the Phantom Troupe was here.

"Uvo, look what I've been working on!" Gon starts gathering all his aura to his fist using Ko, focusing hard to increase the time it takes to gather his large amount of power to one spot on his body. "First comes rock, Jajanken."

Uvo whistles, impressed with the abilities of such a young boy. "You've got a ways to go, but it's really good."

Gon releases his aura, smiling widely at Uvogin's approval. "You really think so?"

Killua's eyes travel to Hisoka, whose smile is even more terrifying than before. Killua didn't even want to begin to know what was going on inside his perverted mind.

Suddenly, Chrollo stands up, quickly gaining everyone's attention. "Since everyone is here, I think it's about time to begin."

(A/N)

You can't tell me Gon wouldn't be best friends with Uvo and Nobunaga.

Chapter Text

As the landing airship docked at the port, Leorio wasted no time in bounding off the ship. He was too impatient for his own good. All he wanted was to see Gon and Killua again, scoop them up in a big embrace, and tell them of all he's accomplished in the time that had passed. Even the blonde Kurta brat. They had, after all, promised to meet in Yorknew City at the start of September, since the Phantom Troupe was supposed to be arriving, and Kurapika's life quest was to vanquish them.

Leorio didn't fully think about what running into the Phantom Troupe would entail, he just knew that he was told to meet his friends here, and that's the whole reason for the journey. Although he would never admit it to their faces, he wondered if they were eating alright, as well as taking care of one another and themselves.

He had known Gon's unpredictability would be kept in check by Killua, so there wasn't much worry there. However, he did know that whenever Kurapika had seen that fake tattoo on the prisoner during the Hunter Exam, all logic and calmness faded instantly when his eyes transformed into that forbidden shade of scarlet.

Kurapika was undoubtedly the person Leorio was worried about most. He knew his words alone wouldn't be able to ease Kurapika's rage, as his words usually tended to leave Kurapika even more stubborn and rash. This is where he hoped Gon's innocence and Killua's reason might sway Kurapika if ever need be.

Now, he just needed to find them.

In this large city.

With no form of communication.

No cellphones.

Leorio cries out in frustration, marching to the exit of the port with a snarl on his face, and his briefcase clenched even more tightly in his hands.

"Those idiots, whenever I find them, I'm going to kill them for not having phones! What do they expect me to do, track them down? Are they crazy? In a city this large!"

The skyscrapers were certainly a sight to behold, as well as all the traffic and pedestrians crowding the streets. Tourists had certainly come down from all over due to the popularity of the auctions taking place around the city.

Surely they are around there. In the auction areas!

Quickly heading out of the busy intersection that held cars and taxis for people who had just arrived into the city, Leorio, the cheapskate that he is, opted for a more 'scenic' route of exploring the city in hopes of running into one of the other guys. It would be a full proof plan if the city wasn't so large and densely populated, not to mention, Leorio is not very good at blindly navigating any area. He usually leaves this up to Gon's amazing tracking skills and GPSes were made for a reason, but in this case it wouldn't help him.

Whenever he finds them, he is definitely buying them all phones, that way he would be able to call them, and they would just have to pick up the phone and answer. Fairly simple.

Ducking into one of the many alleyways that filled the cities, he crossed over to one of the conjoining streets that had a heavier flow of walkers. He hoped that this would eventually lead him to one of the auctions, where he could from there ask around to see if anyone had seen his friends. It seemed like a decent enough starting place, and if worse came to worse, he could always track them down on the hunter website, as a last resort of course.

Beginning towards the promising direction once coming out of the alleyway, he follows the crowds of smiling people enjoying the good weather and festivities. The air smelled of fresh foods of all kinds, many restaurants left their doors open to allow the enticing aromas to draw individuals to their door.

The further down he went he saw food vendors setting up shop along the streets, each having admirable lines of eager customers grinning and grabbing money from their purses and wallets. Children ran around freely, many without any sort of adult supervision.

The parent spirit within Leorio awaked and he nearly wanted to search for every child's parents and scold them for being so neglective. This was a large city, and at the moment dangerous criminals were running around town, not to mention the crime mobs who had also appeared for the Underground Auction.

Even so, he pressed on, knowing full well that his hands were tied trying to find Gon and Killua without any clues. His nen ability would do little good at finding anyone, as he didn't have a sort of surveillance hatsu. After all his dream was to become a doctor, even his hatsu reflected that. He would just have to be patient.

"Ugh, screw this!" Leorio yells, stopping in the middle of the flow, causing others around him to eye him with concern, wondering if they were in any sort of danger at the outburst of this supposed madman.

"Hey! Has anyone seen two little boys? One with spiky green hair and the other with white hair and cat eyes?"

Everyone around him ignores him, continuing on their journey, marking him as someone to be cautious around. He was definitely some sort of tourist, and although strangers might occasionally swap a form of greeting or two, it was usually a foreign concept in a big city such as this. People would usually ignore one another unless absolutely necessary, as to not disrespect the unspoken social law that required you to greet someone back if they did so to you.

Even so, Leorio's outburst was far from a greeting, so no one felt inclined to answer him.

"Fine, I don't need you guys anyways," Leorio mumbles, begrudgingly strutting towards the direction he had originally set on.

In his haughty and annoyed march, Leorio manages to bump into a person who is examining a side street shop that seems to be selling weapons. The accidental collision causes a sheathed sword to fall from the hands of the individual, landing on the stone walkway with a clank.

Leorio instinctively turns around, not to admit his own fault for bumping into the person in the first place, but instead cursing at them.

"Watch where you're going!"

After the person picks up their weapon, they then turn to meet his gaze and Leorio suddenly freezes.

His body tenses.

He can't even manage to open his mouth and speak.

Chapter Text

The Phantom Troupe gathered around Chrollo as he spoke. Chrollo smiles, admiring all the legs of the spider who stand before him.

They were an extension of his own body, an identity that he had created, hoping that it would satisfy him until he found his own purpose and identity. They could act as they wished, pursue what they desired, after all Chrollo did know the pain of longing for something, but not being able to obtain it. However, if destiny somehow allowed him to procure the purpose of his life, all this would be worth it. The underlying goal of the Spiders would be complete.

Until then, the purpose of the spiders is to benefit, not only the head, but all of the legs as well. Chrollo's job was to permit the Spider to grow as large as she wanted. This was to be the home of those who had no home. A name to those who were not given names. And it was to be a temporary family for those who grew up with no such things.

A chance for everyone within the Troupe to find their calling.

This was a form of power to the once powerless.

Chrollo looks to the last three additions to the Phantom Troupe. Hisoka is still seated on the ledge of the crumbling window, a smile playing at the edges of his mouth. Even from here Chrollo can see the bloodlust contained in his squinted eyes. It did not take a mind reader to know what Hisoka's purpose within the Troupe was. He was obviously here to fight him, that was evident, even to the other members. However, because the Spider was an extension of himself, he allowed for Hisoka to have as much free reign as he wished to. All of the other members could also do as they wished and Chrollo wouldn't have a problem with it. No one within the Troupe was the same, so why should rules restrict them?

Even so, fighting within the Spider must never happen. The survival of the Spider is the most important thing.

The Spider cannot destroy itself.

It cannot destroy the identity he had created for himself.

This Spider was to act as his identity until he found his own purpose, and if it was dismantled before that was to happen, then all would be for nothing. It must live on, with or without him.

Chrollo smiles even more widely at Hisoka before turning his attention to numbers 10 and 12. They had defeated the previous 10 and 12 of the Troupe with ease, an impressive feat for anyone, let alone a couple of small prodigies who had already mastered their hatsu. They had a charisma about them that definitely drew the others in. Killua maybe not so much, as he did appear to be more cautious and closed off around the Troupe. However, Gon was a completely different story. He was a burning light that illuminated the darkness within some members of the Troupe, creating a positive aura around the people who surrounded themselves with him.

It was an extremely bright light.

Almost dangerous.

Like a blazing sun, fuelled by passion and wonder, but if that passion and wonder were to burn out and be replaced by something dark-

Not even Chrollo could predict how he would act. And probably not even Killua.

All three of them were rather quite fascinating.

Chrollo was an exceptional people reader. It allowed him to become familiar with an individual until the point of predicting a person's actions would become natural and easy. This might have been why he was declared such a charismatic leader by the other legs. He always knew what others wanted and worked hard to please everyone, despite hardships. This would build an indestructible amount of trust between the members of the Phantom Troupe and Chrollo, himself.

"So what are we going to steal, boss?" Uvogin asks, breaking Chrollo out of his observations. "Some old tomes? Maybe some ancient jewels?"

Chrollo smirks before lifting up his arms, spreading them as far as he can. "Actually everything is going to be rightfully ours. We're taking everything from the Underground Auction."

"That's what I'm talking about!" Phink says, excitedly.

"Even the Greed Island game that's being sold?" Gon asks.

Killua looks to Gon, surprised that he had remembered. Right before coming here, they had found a message from Gon's dad that told him about Greed Island. Gon hoped that there might be a clue to where Ging was hidden within the game. However, with being called to work in the city, Killua had thought Gon's one track mind would only focus on the task with the Phantom Troupe, not the game.

Even so, Gon's brain couldn't hold the first reason they decided to come. Gon had told Killua that Kurapika and Leorio were going to meet them in Yorknew City around this time. Killua didn't know why, but he assumed it was for the Auction. Maybe Leorio and Kurapika had some type of business to do here.

Let it be known here that Killua is unaware of Kurapika's pure hatred of the Phantom Troupe, as well as the reasoning behind it. During the Hunter Exam Killua paid little attention to those who he didn't mark as a threat. Gon was one of those marked, and although Kurapika and Leorio were good in their own rights, they were ordinary. The fight against the lying inmate was of little interest to Killua at the time, so the details of most of what was spoken during that time went through one ear and out the other. In other words, Leorio and Gon were the only ones aware that the reason they were here in Yorknew was to take revenge against the Phantom Troupe.

Even so, this detail had slipped from Gon's mind as he was currently solely set on this mission with the Phantom Troupe and getting the Greed Island video game to meet Ging.

Even Kurapika's vengeance for the Troupe had escaped his mind when asked to join the Spiders. This was going to be a learning experience to help Killua and Gon continue in their nen journeys to become more powerful than they were.

And they certainly had helped. Nobunaga and Uvogin had helped Gon master his Enhancer techniques, pointing out flaws in his execution and performances.

In Gon's eyes, this justified all the crimes they committed, because in the end they helped him and Killua grow stronger. They benefited him.

"But boss, how are we going to pull that off?" Shizuku asks, tilting her head downward until the point her glasses nearly fall off her nose.

"Yeah, my gut says it's not going to be easy," Machi adds.

"Probably not, in fact, your gut never lies. However, for us, nothing is impossible. I'd say it's going to be a rather simple plan."

Chrollo goes on to recite the plan he had crafted in his head, all the members listening with a strong and focused resolve. This would be one of their biggest feats, an undeniable truth, and considering the new players the Phantom Troupe had within their ranks, things would only get easier as time passed.

"It seems to be sturdy enough," Franklin reasons, placing one of his stitched fingers under his chin, considering all the cards within their hand. The opposition's hand couldn't be as well structured as theirs. Now was the perfect time to call.

"Very well then, the plan will commence tomorrow night at the start of the Underground Auction." Chrollo smiles, soon returning to the comfort of his piles of books.

"Hey, Mr. Chrollo, can Killua and I go into town?"

Chrollo stops to look up from the captivating title that grabbed his attention to little Gon who has his hand raised as if he were in school. "You may do whatever you wish, so long as you are here on time tomorrow."

"Right, thank you! Come on, Killua, I want to get familiar with the city before we go on our mission tomorrow."

"I'm going into town as well," Nobunaga announces, walking out of the building first, taking his hair down as he exits.

Killua was hesitant, already knowing that Gon had forgotten about Kurapika and Leorio meeting them here. He relented, following behind Gon who had already made it to the exit. Gon's spider tattoo, which found its home on his shoulder, was hidden by the green overcoat he wears. Killua had received the tattoo, but because he didn't want a mark that determined whose control he was under, he had torn at the skin of his back until it had disappeared behind a bloody mess. It was hidden enough that Gon hadn't known it wasn't there anymore. He didn't know whether he wanted to tell Gon or not, perhaps he would one day when they went their separate ways, but not until then.

Until then, he would just follow Gon. Gon was the closest thing to a friend he's ever had, and losing him would be losing his purpose. He escaped from his house to go back with Gon after all. What would be next for him without Gon?

He would wait to speak his feelings, thinking that a disagreement this big might separate them prematurely forever.

Before leaving the room full of the Spiders, Killua looks to Hisoka after feeling his eyes pierce his back.

Their eyes meet and Hisoka almost seems to say: Do be careful, will you?

Ignoring his obviously selfish reasons for wanting Gon and Killua to return safely, Killua walks out of the building to where Gon is waiting outside at the entrance.

Maybe they would meet Leorio or Kurapika in town and that would help Gon remember why they originally decided to come to Yorknew in the first place, Killua thought.

Then they start the trudge through the trash filled ground, towards the heart of Yorknew City.

This unspoken tension that had unknowingly been created between the two would be the beginning of total discord.

Total destruction.

(A/N)

I hope it's alright but I'm going to be inserting my own interpretations of HxH and if you have any I'd love to hear them as well. It's just a fascinating anime with many people having different interpretations of things.

Chapter Text

As the swordsman's hand reached down to grasp the fallen weapon, Leorio couldn't stop staring. His eyes are fixated on the long hair that covers the individual's face, fear running through him as even a non nen user could possibly feel the strength this swordsman had. Sweat beaded down his face and he considered turning around to escape into the crowd in case the person got upset. Leorio had yelled at them after all, not to mention, knocked the surely expensive sword from their hands.

Leorio gulped as he stayed where he was, deciding facing the danger head on might prove to be the better choice. However, as he closely examined the hand that had now retrieved the sword, he discovered it was a woman's hand, still calloused from the swords she wields, but also small and delicate at the same time.

She rises with the sword gripped tightly in her hands, finding Leorio's eyes scanning over her body, redness filling his cheeks and his mouth widening in shock at her figure. She was dressed in a two piece traditional styled robe, which revealed her sculpted abs that were more impressive than his or any man that he had seen, yet because of the way her body curved at her stomach, she was still wonderfully feminine. Her eyes were a striking bright green which set beautifully with her darkened skin and aqua colored hair that spilled down her shoulders and well to the bottom of her back.

Peeking from her back were two other well crafted swords which had been hidden by her thick hair. Their craftsmanship was of such quality that Leorio had never seen anywhere before, leading him to conclude that they were expensive and rare and she probably wasn't from around these areas.

Leorio's fear wavered as he examined her thighs, it was obvious she worked to increase her body's physical strength, building enough muscle to keep up with male swordsmen presumably.

Possibly the most beautiful woman Leorio had ever seen had crossed his path and all he could do was stand and admire her, unable to move his lips to form compliments.

However, the woman turns away from him, her attention back on the weapons dealer. She had seemed to either have forgotten or ignored what Leorio had said to her when he had bumped into her, causing her to drop the sword she was examining.

"I'm sorry, who did you say forged this sword?"

Leorio melted at her words, even if they weren't for him. Her voice was deep and quiet, barely audible over the sounds ringing around them. Yet it was as smooth and striking as a steel blade. Mustering up the courage, Leorio walked to stand right beside her.

"Hey, I'm sorry for bumping into you, I was in a rush." As he waited for a response he soon realized he hadn't even gained her attention at all.

The old man she was talking to had finally answered her, causing her to completely disregard Leorio's apology.

"I'm not quite that sure, young lady, but it does seem to be well crafted by the looks of it. I'll give it to you for $300,000."

Leorio scoffs at the price, not realizing that it was only about $100,000 more than a singular cell phone, meaning that it was a fair price for a blade such as this.

The woman's face never changes as she examines the sword and considers the price. "This looks to be an ancient design used by a tribe in the Numere Wetlands. They would craft a new sacred sword every decade as a prize to the tribesman who could prove themselves to be the strongest among a group of challengers. The victor would receive the sword and it was tradition that the blade be soaked in the blood of the fallen, believing their life energy would bind with the sword, in turn strengthening the wielder. There is a lot of life energy imbued with this sword, are you sure you wouldn't want to raise the price considering how rare and powerful these blades are?"

Leorio quickly uses gyo to closely examine the sword, finding that it is overflowing with nen, something the woman had either caught on to using gyo as well, but Leorio thought it may have just been instincts that were then confirmed with the use of gyo.

"You have quite the eye don't you there, young lady. I'll tell you what, because I trust in your capabilities as a skillful swordsman I will keep the price at $300,000, regardless of its origins."

"Now that's a deal!" Leorio exclaims, seemingly more excited than the woman who was making the purchase.

The woman pulls out some money, gently placing it on the wooden bench where swords and knives are displayed in front of the old man
The woman pulls out some money, gently placing it on the wooden bench where swords and knives are displayed in front of the old man. She walks off with the sword in the same direction Leorio had been headed. The old man counts the money, his eyes opening wider in shock that she gifted him a total of $550,000 for the sword instead of the mere $300,000 he had requested for it. He called out for her, but she was already headed away, certainly unwilling to return and retake the extra money even if she did hear him.

Leorio stands there, still blinking in confusion on why she didn't just accept the offer. That was a whole lot of money that she could've saved, even so he quickly takes off after her, curiosity driving his mind. He quickly catches up to her as she's begun browsing other shops along the streets, however few catch her eye as none of them hold any type of weapons.

"You seem to know a lot about weapons." Leorio says, beginning to walk beside her.

She keeps her eyes focused ahead. "I am a weapons hunter after all."

"A weapons hunter? I've never heard of that before."

"I look for and study old weapons, usually finding them in ancient burial grounds that need to be uncovered. I normally will take the weapons and restore it to the way it would've been in its prime, then give it to local museums or if I can find descendants of the people who forged it, I will return it as it does belong to them."

"How very interesting, is that what you plan to do with this sword," Leorio asks, motioning to the sword she has gripped tightly in her hands.

"No, unfortunately the tribe this blade was crafted from has been completely wiped out. This weapon has more imbued nen than I've seen for any other tribe, so I wish to use it along with my other strong swords."

Leorio looks at the other swords on her back, examining them with gyo. They were flowing with even more life energy than her newly acquired sword.

"So are these swords on your back similar to the one you just got then?"

"No, I made the one in the white and gold sheath myself when I was 12 as accustomed of my people, and the blue sheathed sword is one of my father's old swords." She stops to examine some food stands serving hot meat freshly grilled and served on a skewer. "Do you have a reason for following me?"

Leorio rubs the back of his head as he manages a goofy and nervous laugh. "I suppose I was just curious, that's all. I've never seen a woman swordsmen-or swordswoman I suppose..."

The woman had stopped listening to Leorio after the first sentence, and instead had occupied herself with asking the woman running the small street shop about prices and deals on the items she was selling. The woman ordered two of the skewers of meat, paying the woman for the product and quickly shoves one of the skewers into Leorio's mouth as he still has yet to shut up.

"If that is all you wished to know, then I have given you my answer. I am a weapons hunter. If you have nothing more to say, I will be on my way."

Leorio looks down at the woman, partly stunned, but partly grateful as his stomach had begun to churn at the sight and smell of food. He takes the skewer out of his mouth, chewing on one of the juicy pieces, savoring the warm and delicious flavor with every bite.

"Hey, what's your name?" Leorio asks, running to catch up with her once again.

"It's Damascus, like the sharpest blade in the world." For the first time since their meeting, Damascus acknowledges Leorio by locking eyes with him. "What's your name?"

"I'm Leorio," he says sheepishly. "Not really named after anything special."

"It's a pretty name," Damascus comments, taking a bite of her meat skewer. "So why are you here in this city?"

"I'm actually looking for my friends. Hey! Have you seen them? One is a boy with spiky green hair and the other one is a white haired boy with cat eyes."

Damascus looks straight ahead again, a calm and warm smile has appeared on her face as she gnaws on the meat she purchased.

"Don't think so," she says, still chewing on the skewer.

Leorio examines her thinking this made her look even more youthful than before, seeing her eyes closed as she savored the flavor as well as the large grin she had plastered on her face. She definitely had a soft spot for food.

"But perhaps I can help you look since they seem to matter that much to you."

"Really! You would do that for me?"

"I have nothing else to do at the moment, so I should be able to help you. I won't guarantee anything as this city is big and I haven't had a prior meeting with these boys so my tracking skills will be useless. I suppose we could use the Hunter Website to see if anyone has seen them."

"Yeah, that's right! I was thinking of doing that myself."

"So you're a hunter then?" Damascus asks, intrigued, because at first look no one would think this man was a certified hunter. However, she had felt that his life force was stronger than average, but that could just mean he was a talented individual. It did not automatically deem him a hunter.

"Yes, I am," Leorio gloats, proudly pointing to himself with his thumb. "Well it was mainly so I could have the money to become a doctor."

Damascus offers him a warm smile, which places Leorio at rest. Despite her natural cool demeanor it was obvious she was a warm individual who cared very much for people.

"A doctor," she echoes as she turns down a pathway, leading Leorio along with her. "Just ahead there is a building where we can access the Hunter's Website."

Leorio follows close behind her, his briefcase slung over his shoulder as he walks. Looking ahead, Leorio notes the buildings around him. There are more people busily about, children still run free, occasionally running into others in their haste. Damascus pays no attention to them, her focus set on a tall building ahead that indicates it is a library by the letters written in stone atop of the pillars.

(A/N)

So I created Damascus to 1. Keep Leorio company while the rest were off doing their thing and 2. to keep the story a little bit lighter and more wholesome at the start before things really start taking off.

Chapter Text

"Hey, Killua, I'm surprised Hisoka showed up. He normally wouldn't, you know?" Gon says as they walk along.

They had just entered an old moldy tunnel that passed over the canal that ran through Yorknew City. Bright sunlight streamed in from both the entrance and exit, but left the in betweens a bit dim and cold. Gon's footsteps echoed in the tunnel, but Killua's assassin training had left him accustomed to travelling silently at all times, even at times of rest. Even the water he trudged through was quiet compared to the splashes Gon's boots made with every step.

Beyond the exit was a large and thunderous city which knew no rest. Sounds from running cars, shouts from vendors, laughs from those having a good time, even music filled the air around them. This was no doubt one of Yorknew City's greatest times of the year.

"He's probably here to fight Chrollo," Killua replies plainly.

"I guess that makes the most sense, huh?" Gon hadn't really sensed a unique reason for Killua's unease around the Phantom Troupe. He was always cautious around new people, so Gon only chalked it up to that, thinking that his best friend would fit in and feel right at home in no time. After all, the members were pretty nice to both of them, considering their age and obviously having less experience in their field of work. Gon would be able to learn a lot from the many enhancers within the group to further his abilities and if Killua were to open up a bit more, then he could probably have Machi and Feitan teach him some pointers as a transmitter.

Whenever he was ready, of course.

Killua just took a little bit longer opening up to people than he did, and Gon thought Killua would eventually come around when he felt more comfortable and trusting of everyone within the Troupe. Not to mention working in the Troupe would help them get Greed Island without having to worry about the hassle of buying it, considering they didn't nearly have enough saved to purchase it themselves.

Everything would work out perfectly. They would be able to finish this mission quickly, get Greed Island, and find Ging together.

As they came out of the tunnel, the light poured onto their figures, casting long shadows behind them. Killua squinted in the sunlight, but Gon raised his arms to take in the warm beauty of it all. The air wasn't quite as fresh as home, but the smell of food certainly did appeal to him.

"So Gon, where did you want to go?" Killua had his hands over his head, looking around at the dead street they had come to. It would eventually lead to the more popular parts of town that would have more auctions and people lining the streets. Maybe that's where Nobunaga had gone, to check out the smaller auctions.

"I was wondering if someone might have a map, then we could follow the map and walk around the city to get familiar with it. You know, just in case we need it tomorrow if something doesn't go as planned," Gon says, raising his index finger to explain.

"Good thinking," Killua replies, looking around. "We could find a place to access the Hunter Website then print off a map from there."

"Right! Like a library! Should we ask for directions?"

"Well we could, but if we get somewhere high enough I'm sure we could spot it. Libraries are usually taller and have a fairly big sign."

"Okay, I'll race you to the top of that building," Gon challenges, pointing to the one right in front of them.

It looked like an apartment complex that had several furnished balconies that reached all the way to the top of the building, which would make for easy climbing.

"You're on," Killua agreed. "On your mark."

"Get set," Gon continues.

"Go!"

They both set off, bounding up the tall building neck in neck, until Killua activates his hatsu God Speed. This leaves Gon far below him as he is the first to take a step on the roof of the building. Just about 5 seconds later Gon reaches the top.

"Looks like I win, Gon," Killua says, smirking in victory.

"No fair, I would've used Jajanken but I didn't want to damage any of the balconies," Gon pouts.

"How were you going to use Jajanken to beat me?" Killua asks, scoffing at the idea, thinking Gon was just being a sore loser.

"Well I thought if I quickly gathered enough energy I could have used paper to push me up if I directed the blow below me."

Killua blinks for a couple seconds, amazed that Gon had thought of it just a mere second after he had used God Speed.

"Even if you did, it would've taken too long to use Ko to focus all the energy. I might have made it up here without using God Speed by the time it took you to do that."

"Aweee, take that back Killua!" Gon whines.

"Like Uvogin said, it's a good technique that just needs some practice and work," Killua compliments.

"Yeah, well yours seems almost perfect." Gon pouts, crossing his arms.

"That's because I am perfect, so why wouldn't my ability be too?" He pauses. "But of course, I still need some work maintaining it for a long period of time."

Wow, I'm so humble. Killua thinks to himself, smiling widely like a cat.

Killua thinks to himself, smiling widely like a cat
"You are pretty amazing, Killua."

Killua's face becomes red with embarrassment."Hey, knock it off. You're so weird."

"So which building looks like the library, Killua?"

Killua scans the landscape, catching the sight of many tall executive buildings, hotels, other apartment complexes, which all become more extravagant in price the closer you get to the heart of the city. Airships travel through the skies, leaving and arriving here in an orderly manner, and maybe even Leorio and Kurapika had come on one of those, waiting around in the city to run into them. Red lights from radio towers glow dimly in the broad daylight, shining brighter than the dull white lights that illuminate the many rooms made visible by uncurtained windows. His eyes spot a tall building with the characters that spell library written clearly at the top.

Killua points directly at it and Gon follows his finger towards the building.

"Wow, is that how you spell library?" Gon asks.

"Yes, you idiot, how do you spell it?"

"I usually spell it l-i-b-a-r-y."

"Gon, you sure are special."

"Thanks, I probably got it from my dad," Gon laughs.

"I'm sure." He looks to the library, shoving his hands in his pockets. "We should probably get moving. Let's go, Gon."

"Right!"

They both begin running atop of the roofs, jumping from one another on the way to the building both had set their focus on. They dodged clothes lines that had laundry hung out to dry in the hot sun, the gentle cool breeze blowing them gently. Below there were children about Gon and Killua's age playing with each other, an opportunity both children had missed while growing up isolated from other kids. But this didn't seem to bother them, as they did have one another now.

And that's all that mattered.

They completed each other, most of their individual flaws compensated for by the other. Making them quite the powerful duo. Even their hatsu would compliment the other if they worked hard enough.

Killua was speed while Gon's ability lacked this aspect. Gon had more power and strength behind his punches due to being an enhancer.

Both respected the other more than they could ever admit openly. Although Gon would not hesitate to try, the words he used to compliment Killua seemed more simple than the deep river of admiration Gon had running through his mind for him.

Killua could never tell Gon how much he meant to him. He gave him a purpose and believed in him when so many times it was hard for him to do so to himself. Because of this, he trusted Gon's decision to join the Spiders for the time being. It would seem being with them would help them get Greed Island like they needed.

Both smile, happy to have each other by their sides as they race through the air towards the library.

"Hey, Killua, let's race the rest of the way. No God Speed."

"I don't need God Speed to beat you, Gon." Killua laughs.

"On your mark," Gon says, narrowing his eyes in competitiveness.

"Get set," Killua continues.

"Go!" They say together, increasing their speed in an attempt to outrun the other.

Gon thought he might have the advantage without Killua's God Speed, but it was obvious both were pretty evenly matched.

By the time their feet landed on the library's roof, it was evident that a winner would not be decided as neither had managed to part themself from the other in their race
By the time their feet landed on the library's roof, it was evident that a winner would not be decided as neither had managed to part themself from the other in their race.

"Awwee, I thought for sure that I would win." Gon lets out another whine.

"Whatever, let's just go to a computer." Killua points towards the roof door that would take them to the floors below them.

"You sound bitter that you didn't win, Killua," Gon teases as he opens the door and begins to descend down the flight of stairs.

"I am not!"

Gon laughs, his voice echoing in the hollow stairway. They come to the next available door and enter onto the floor. Shelves line the room, sheltering people who scan and search for certain books in particular. The air smelled of old books, a unique smell that couldn't be described with any other details besides that and it mimicked what bitter vanilla would smell like.

Killua spots a row of computers, making sure to pull Gon by the hem of his jacket after noticing he had begun looking at something else and could wander off at any moment. They walk, well Gon is dragged, towards one of the open computers when Gon's nose perks up.

"Hey Killua, come with me for a second."

"Gon, we don't have time for one of your detours."

"But it's a good detour, I promise. And it's only a little further down."

Killua glances down the rows of unoccupied computers until he spots two individuals sitting together in front of a computer. Both of them look at each other and smile widely, mischievously even, as they slowly creep up on the unsuspecting pair. The man was facing away from Gon and Killua, and the woman was on the opposite side, who by simply turning her head in their direction, she could see them. Just as they are a couple steps away from the pair, the woman does in fact turn her head, seeing the boys stop abruptly as their plans have been compromised.

"Oh hey, I found them," the girl says quietly.

Leorio looks over his shoulder, seeing the boys frozen in mid step with wide eyes.

"Gon! Killua!" he screams, quickly rushing over to them. He picks both of them up as if they were ragdolls and squeezes them. "I missed you both so much!"

"Isn't she a little bit out of your league, Leorio?" Killua asks, trying to suck in the air that had just been knocked out of him from Leorio's squeezing.

"Maybe I didn't miss you as much as I thought," Leorio says. "Anyways, I've got so much to tell you boys.

(A/N)

I'm so sorry, I feel like a lot of the chapters in the beginning are boring, but we'll be getting to the good stuff soon.
It's too bad I can't use pictures here because I do insert meme like pictures into my writing that makes it pretty golden if I do say so myself.

Chapter Text

Hisoka sits on the window ledge, playing with his cards, ordering them in their significance to the deck. Once organizing them to his satisfaction into a neat pile, he turns his attention to the remaining Spiders below, his eyes naturally falling onto Chrollo's shadowed figure. Light from outside shines over Hisoka, leaving him drenched in sunlight, but the same could not be said of the rest of the Troupe who were swallowed by the darkness that engulfed the mouth of the church. Candlelight did illuminate the features on Chrollo's face, including the intricate tattoo on his forehead, which was displayed proudly as his hair was carefully slicked back. Chrollo's attention was solely on the books he was reading, but the anticipation that ate away at Hisoka made him long for the time when he and Chrollo would dance to the devil's song. A melody which would send them starving for the touch of adrenaline and the thrill of a one on one fight. The mere thought made him excited, but he was quick to mask his bloodlust.

Machi quickly looks from Pokunoda to Hisoka, sensing his small leak of bloodlust. Hisoka takes quick notice of this and offers a quick wave and bright smile. Unamused, Machi folds her arms, narrowing her eyes at Hisoka's attempt at flattery. Feitan, who was in between Phinks and Machi, also narrows his eyes towards Hisoka.

Not to be deterred, Hisoka took this sudden attention as nothing more than admiration and a form of affection given within the Troupe. Even though he knew better than to think this way, it entertained him to think such things. Not to mention, the mere fact that his attitude irritated the rest of the Troupe made him simmer with eagerness.

"He makes me want to smash his head in." Phinks pops his knuckles, then turns to twisting his head to the side in order for it to pop as well.

"Don't focus on him, he feeds on the attention," Feitan says, quickly averting his eyes from Hisoka to Phinks.

Satisfied with their reaction, Hisoka's eyes met Machi's once again, whose eyes had refused to look away when Feitan had suggested doing so.

Hisoka understood what Machi was trying to say immediately with her eyes. It was a challenge.

The rush became a burning and intense flame of passion, growing as the bloodlust continued to swell within the walls of the church.

First by being in the presence of Chrollo, then feeling the extent of Gon's increasing power, then Killua's protective glares as he watched Gon, and lastly Machi's challenge. Everything that had occurred that day only fed in his growing pleasure.

He just couldn't wait much longer.

The teasing, the anticipation of seeing all these powerful people right in front of him, and all he could do was sit and wait it out until the time was right.

It wasn't fair, but luckily he was a patient person. He had waited for Gon, who still had much growth. And Killua had begun to ripen a little faster than he had first anticipated, which was definitely nothing to complain about, as soon both him and Gon would be ready enough to pluck.

He leans his head against the stone support behind him, managing a low laugh from his throat. His blood is warm and rushing now as all these thoughts only make his fervor increase, and there is nothing he could do to stop it.

"Mhmm~ I need to fight or kill someone," he whispers under his breath.

His breathing has become irregular and it takes everything he has not to reveal his bloodlust and attack Chrollo now.

But he needed to remain right where he was in case any opportunity ever presented itself, regardless of how stirred he felt, he would have to find some way to dispel its effects on him until the appropriate time came.

Relaxing his body, he soon begins to think of past fights that didn't stimulate him, which left him disappointed and dissatisfied at the promise of a good fight, but ultimately being let down.

His mind once again turns to Gon and Killua, however not in a perverse manner at the thought of their increasing control of their hatsu abilities, but instead to their reactions with the rest of the Troupe.

Of course Gon had fit right in, unsurprisingly. He had this charm about him that no one seemed to be immune to, not even himself. Even so the thought of him being the one to suggest joining the Troupe seemed to be a bit out of character, even so, it intrigues Hisoka more to see the born and raised assassin boy was weary around people most similar to him. Although it's probably fair. Hisoka wouldn't have trusted a room full of other Hisokas.

However the look in Killua's eye was more like that of a cornered cat, a sign that he didn't even want to be where he had ended up. Perhaps he wasn't as thrilled with the idea of joining the Troupe like Gon was.

How interesting~

Killua and himself had come into a similar situation for different reasons. Hisoka's was for Chrollo and Killua's was for Gon.

Hisoka smiles as his thoughts once again rest on Chrollo.

How long? How long will you be able to dodge my advances, Chrollo? I need to feel the rhythm of our hearts pounding to the drums of our footsteps as the passion and adrenaline flood our bodies until all we can think about is each other. Then once the climax has been reached, the music will stop and only one will bow and reap the pleasures of the night.

Isn't that just the most alluring thought, Chrollo~?

(A/N)

Okay so this little piece of work was actually fun to write, but because he wasn't fighting it was a bit harder to determine what was going on inside his mind, not to mention make the chapter long enough to be a sufficent amount, but I hope I did him justice!

Chapter Text

"So who's that, Leorio?" Gon points to the girl who was seated at the computer next to him.

Killua had already stolen Gon's Hunter's License from his pocket and begun to print out the map of the city, knowing full well that Gon would now prioritize Leorio and the new mystery girl.

"Yeah, isn't she a little young for you?" Killua asks, grabbing the map that had swiftly materialized beside him after the simple click of the mouse.

"Killua, I promise I don't believe in child abuse, but you might make me change my mind," Leorio says, tightening his fist and closing his eyes. "Anyways, this is Damascus."

Damascus manages a little bow while remaining seated, choosing to also remain silent and observe the boys who Leorio had spent a lot of time searching for. Their life energy was strong for their age and instantly reminded her of the children she grew up around in her village. All of them from a young age were taught and trained under ancient nen masters who expected everyone to become familiar with their own life energy, whether to be a warrior or an exceptional member of their village.

However, these boys achieved this level without having to be trained from the age of 4. They accomplished all of their abilities rather recently, an even more extraordinary feat.

"So is she like your girlfriend?" Gon questions innocently with his youthful voice.

"No, you idiot, she's definitely out of his league!" Killua states, laying Gon's Hunter's License on top of the folded map.

"Hey! That's so mean, Killua. You brat! What if it was true that she was my girlfriend, huh?"

"No way, old man! That's never going to happen! Just look at her!" Killua argues, his cat fangs appearing as he scolds Leorio for not only lying to them, but himself as well.

"We actually just met in the streets while he was looking for you," Damascus says plainly.

Leorio falls to the floor, his legs twitching above his head in defeat. "Couldn't even pretend," he mumbles.

"Oh that makes sense," Killua says quietly, piecing the story together.

"Thank you for helping him out, he can be a bit of a handful," Gon replies.

"Look who's talking, Gon!" Killua says, rapidly turning his attention to Gon. He begins lecturing him about how he isn't that much different from Leorio and it was now Killua's job to watch over them both since Kurapika wasn't there at the moment. In response, Gon just sticks out his tongue as he rubs the back of his head.

In response, Gon just sticks out his tongue as he rubs the back of his head

"Gon, take this seriously." With that Killua punches him over his head, and Gon joins Leorio on the ground.

Dang, double homicide. Killua thought, his cat smile widening on his face. Oh well they deserved it.

"Why is Killua so mean?" Gon whines.

"I don't know, Gon." Leorio reponses with a groan.

Both of them reset themselves on their feet, almost eager to get revenge until Damascus raises one of her hands.

"No further fighting or yelling in here, you are disrupting individuals who came here to work in a quiet environment. So therefore we will now be taking this reunion outside."

She stood up, walking past all three of them with her newly acquired sword grasped firmly in her hand. Killua and soon Leorio and Gon follow her out of the library to the streets outside.

"First things first, I'm buying you guys a phone! Same with Kurapika when we see him!"

Leorio marches towards the main street he had met Damascus on, leaving the rest to follow close behind him for fear of losing him.

Once the group had been reunited, Gon takes a sudden interest in Damascus and all the swords on her person. "Hey, one of my friends fights with a sword too."

"It's a fairly common weapon of choice," she replies softly.

"Mhm, you seem pretty strong, Ms. Damascus."

"She's a weapons hunter," Leorio says, still scanning the side shops for a vendor who sells phones.

"A weapons hunter, what's that?" Gon asks, curiously.

"You idiot! She obviously looks for weapons. It's literally in the name!" Killua gripes.

"Yes, that is pretty much all my job entails." Her attention turns to Gon, having remembered seeing his Hunter License. "So are you a hunter too?"

"Mhm, and Killua will be next year too when he retakes the exam."

"Shut up-"

"How old are you both?" Damascus inquires, finding even more entertainment with the presence of these kids, especially considering their dynamic with Leorio.

"We're both 12. How old are you, Ms. Damascus?"

"I'm 18 as of about 2 days ago, but I took the hunter exam when I was 15. Not much of a feat in comparison to the two of you, I'm afraid."

"That's awesome, Ms. Damascus!"

"Please just call me Damascus."

Killua observes her with his hands above his head as he walks. "So I guess, you're an enhancer like Gon, huh?"

"I-" Damascus is cut off as Leorio tells Gon and Killua to come to the shop he is at. They rush off to the tent containing the cell phones that Leorio stood in front of.

Damascus watches as Leorio argues with Killua about what cell phone would be best to buy.

Softly smiling, she then eyes another street shop a ways down, then mixes with the crowd on her way there.

Leorio, Gon, and Killua hadn't even sensed her life energy drift away as they were more focused on each other.

"Guess what guys! Turns out, I'm an emitter!" Leorio says proudly. "I even learned a couple new tricks."

"That's cool old man, but Gon and I definitely outclass you. I'm a transmitter and Gon's an enhancer. We could take you in a fight with our eyes closed," Killua brags, placing his hands on his hips.

"Well my hatsu ability is more suited for my medical practices anyways," Leorio retorts.

"And we're pretty sure Damascus is an enhancer, because she uses swords," Gon states, proud that he and Killua had figured it out.

"I wonder what Kurapika is," Killua says quietly.

"Yeah, where is Kurapika anyways?" Gon asks.

"You guys haven't found him either?" Leorio grits his teeth. "I'm buying him a phone too. That way he can answer it whenever I call him!"

"I guess we'll have to find him first," Killua responds plainly.

"I bet Damascus will help us look for him too!" Leorio says excitedly, looking back to where Damascus had been standing behind them moments before.

"I guess she dipped," Killua snickers.

"Guys, I didn't even get her number! Did you see how hot she was?"

"I'm sure she was just as talented as she was pretty," Gon says sweetly.

"You're right Gon, how could I be so shallow?" Leorio cries overdramatically, causing Killua to take a couple steps back in awkwardness.

"Idiot," he mumbles beneath his breath. "Come on, why don't we go find her then?"

All agreeing, they ran in the opposite direction Damascus had gone, in an attempt to find where she had run off to.

If they had waited only about 2 minutes, they would have seen Damascus come back with a new belt that could hold her new sword around her waist and four delicious skewers containing coloured dango dumplings.

She looks around briefly, cocking her head to the side in bewilderment. "I guess- they left then?"

Chapter Text

Kurapika holds his head down low as his hands are folded on his knees, eyes closed. For the past couple hours he has dedicated himself fully to his boss Neon and all that she had required. Even while working, his mind never once drifted from his main objective, the one goal that he had made his new life's mission. It was scary to think what all would come of this.

Would he even be able to live life normally once he had exacted his revenge? Would that even be possible?

Of course there was always the looming thoughts that he would die trying to complete his task.

Death was something he didn't fear, in fact, it only drove him more to avenge his brethren. His clan, after all, had to watch as one another were killed in front of each other. He was fortunate to not have endured the same situation. Even still, sometimes he wishes he had.

It was obviously the survivor's guilt. Something he experienced without having actually been physically present at the time of the devastation. He wished he had been there to do something, although without the use of nen, he knows his fate would have been cemented the same as his clan.

Maybe this was a gracious fate that allowed him to escape to avenge his brethren.

Yet this thought doesn't ease his guilt, nor his rage, only death would calm the storm of emotions within him.

A soft knock quiets his thoughts.

"Come in," he says deceptively calmly.

Through the cracked door Kurapilka sees Melody's concerned face.

"Kurapika, Dalzollene has called us together to discuss the plan for tomorrow's auction." Melody once again heard the sadness within Kurapika's heart. It was one of the strongest and loudest pieces to have ever met her ears.

"Right, of course." Kurapika stands up, walking quickly to the door and Melody. "Thank you, Melody."

Melody nods and they begin down the hall toward Dalzollene's room. He was their acting boss since Light Nostrade wasn't there and Neon had no hand in the mafia, besides her ghostwriting ability, which ironically is how the Nostrade family became as influential as they are.

Melody opens the door, allowing Kurapika to enter first who does, murmuring a soft 'thank you' as he passes. Baise, Basho, Squalla, and Dalzollene were already inside, sitting around a table that had papers and maps piled under cups of what looked like coffee.

Most of them hadn't slept the night before as they were quickly rushed to get to the auction today. Packing Neon's things took half of the night, not to mention preparing the other aspects of their trip such as transportation, hotels, and other necessities Neon couldn't live without. She was the reason many of them were already exhausted, even though it was the middle of the afternoon.

"Alright, so I'm going to make this brief so you guys can get the proper food and rest you'll need to work flawlessly tomorrow night," Dalzollene says.

Melody and Kurapika take seats around the table, seeing the others slouching and heads resting on their hands in exhaustion. Even Dalzollene showed some signs of fatigue with the bags forming underneath his eyes.

"So, there is a common rule that no weapons are permitted within the building of the Underground Auction, which ensures that no fighting between the different families takes place."

"So how will we be effective bodyguards then?" Baise asks.

Kurapika looks over to her, wondering if she realizes that her nen ability isn't a visible weapon, meaning she can still be useful if she executes her hatsu effectively.

"Good question, although all of you have proven to be quite effective at what you do without traditional weapons. Many of the mafia bosses don't have nen abilities which is why they rely so heavily on us." He takes a deep breath. "Now I definitely want Melody outside observing the building, considering she has extraordinary hearing. Your job is to make sure nothing suspicious happens or approaches the building. Is that understood?"

"Of course," she replies.

"Now I doubt the boss will let Neon go to the Auction, due to many of his rivals targeting her and her ability to bring his downfall. Not to mention the fortunes she told predicted there might be trouble. I haven't told her yet that she's not to attend the Underground Auction tomorrow. That being the case, Squalla will remain with her here since he's the senior bodyguard and knows her a bit better."

Squalla groans with both tiredness and annoyance.

"I know, but it's something that's required of us. As for Baise and Basho, you two will watch the vault that contains the auction's treasures, just in case that is the target of misfortune tomorrow. I will be there to bid if the auction does go according to plan." Dalzollene then turns to Kurapika. "You are extremely observant and very experienced with your nen abilities, so I'm having trouble determining where I want to place you, but I'm leaning towards perimeter duty with Melody because I don't want anyone to get past the guards. I think your sensitivity to what's around you might help increase Melody's effectiveness. So consider that your post as well."

"Yes sir," Kurapika says, not entirely disappointed. This way he might be able to stop the Phantom Troupe before they enter the building, meaning he wouldn't have to be constricted while fighting the Spiders if it came to that. There would be more space outside the building than inside with unarmed mafia bosses who the bodyguards would have to prioritize rather than capturing or killing the Troupe.

"Any questions?"

"Yes, did her fortunes tell any of the specifics of what might occur? That way we might know what to look for," Kurapika asks.

"They are vague for the most part and only have a sentence for every week of the month. Some clients were warned not to travel up stairs or they would surely die, but this probably does not apply to you."

"I beg to differ. If we are involved in this, any details at all would help ensure everyone's safety. Are there any more details you can think of that could guarantee protection?" Kurapika presses.

"Nothing else I read stood out to me, but I do believe if we communicate and stay where we are supposed to then we should be fine. I will talk to the Boss later tonight to confirm our plan with him and if he has any more issues or concerns we will accommodate them into our plan." Dalzollene releases a long and tired sigh. "Now, I'd advise all of you to get the rest you need for tomorrow. You're dismissed."

The others stand up without hesitation, leaving Kurapika, Melody, and Dalzollene lingering around the table.

Kurapika didn't understand why they didn't allow Neon to just use her powers to help aid them in her security, especially considering someone was always around her so they would be able to find the best way to keep her safe. He considered asking this, but the words never came out.

"Fine, I'll be in my room if anyone needs me." Kurapika bows slightly before leaving the room to retire back to his.

He locks the door behind him, realizing how exhausted he truly was. The room was a bit on the smaller side, but at least he had his own room to sit and think without any interruptions. The lights were always off and the curtains shut, not to allow a single ray of sunshine to seep into the room. It calmed him a bit that way, in a sense allowed him to sink deeper into his thoughts.

He lazily walks over to his bed, sitting on the edge of it with his hands folding in his lap like before.

He needed sleep, something that would take time easing into, due to his racing mind. Even so, sleep would have to be a priority if he wanted to be in his best shape to take on the Phantom Troupe.

He drifts towards the top of his bed, permitting his head to plunge into the soft pillows. His mind travels to the pillow fight Gon and Killua had while they were trapped in the prisoner's tower during the Hunter Exam.

He smiles softly, despite his fatigue and depressed state.

Hopefully they are together, safe and sound with Leorio. I hope they are all doing alright. I wonder if they have even come to Yorknew City at all like they had planned. It feels like it's been such a long time since he's seen Gon's smile, Killua's mischievous smirk and cat eyes, and even Leorio. I wonder if he's been studying hard to become a doctor like he wished. He deserves that, not to mention his kind heartedness will help many other unfortunate families. Despite his ignorance and annoying behavior at times, he was indeed one of the purest and most kind souls he had ever met.

Then he inhales deeply.

Tomorrow. I'll exact my revenge on every last Spider starting tomorrow night.

With that he fell into a restful sleep as his body numbed and his mind drifted to dreams out of his control.

(A/N)

I feel like all I do it repeat how much he hates the Troupe, but I also feel like it highlights his one track mind due to his anger. So I hope it doesn't get to boring for you!

And this chapter with Kurapika was easier to write than the other one. Probably because of dialogue, but whatever.

Chapter Text

"So- it feels like we've been walking around for a while guys," Leorio says, marching with his arm, containing his suitcase, slung over his shoulder.

"Yeah and I don't smell her over in this direction," Gon says, fixing his nose and lifting it to the air.

"Gon?" Killua asks sweetly, stalking over to him carefully as a cat would to a mouse.

"Yes, Killua?"

"Why didn't you do that earlier before we got lost?" Killua coos.

"Because you seemed so confident when you took off!" Gon exclaims.

"Oh! I'm going to kill you!" Killua jumps on top of Gon's shoulders, pulling on his hair as Gon dances around to stop him.

"Hey, Killua, you're hurting me," Gon whines.

"Okay, so let's just turn around and start back over at where she disappeared," Leorio says. "Hey, Killua, cut that out. You're hurting Gon. I swear, I'm like both of your fathers."

"My dad doesn't really show affection. I suppose it's a Zoldyck thing," Killua says, hopping down from his perch on Gon and raising his arms behind his head.

"My dad abandoned me, so I guess you're the closest thing I have to a dad, Leorio." Gon smiles widely, rubbing the places on his head Killua pulled too hard.

Leorio's face brightens with the compliments, then begins walking back to where they had come from, only able to mumble unintelligible things because he didn't know what to say.

Gon and Killua follow him, smiling at how Leorio was reacting and continued on their way, following close behind Leorio.

"Do you smell her Gon?" Killua asks as they come right back to the spot they were before.

"What does she even smell like? I wasn't close enough to tell," Leorio says, rubbing his chin as he looks around at the familiar area.

"She kinda smells like a mix of lavender and some chemical I can't recognize. It doesn't seem like a dangerous chemical like Ponzu, maybe more like a cleaning chemical?"

"Was that a question, Gon, or an answer?" Killua asks.

"Hehe, to be honest, I don't know," Gon says shyly.

"Well which way is it coming from?" Leorio asks, tilting his head down to examine as Gon once again lifts his head to smell the air.

"Follow me."

They weave through the growing crowds, following close behind Gon as he maneuvered the streets in search of Damascus.

The sun is near the final hours before it fades to a glowing orange. The street walkers have increased throughout the day as the time for the bigger auctions are closer and more people have been arriving here from wherever they originated. More vendors have taken this opportunity to sell their items, whether it be food, junk, or seemingly valuable items laid down on a rug beneath old tattered tents. The buildings all look the same, but Killua makes sure to memorize every twist and turn they take, even remembering the street names as they pass.

Soon Gon stops in front of a modest hotel, folding his arms and looking up at the sign in confusion. "This is where the scent stops."

"I guess we can find her inside." Killua takes the first step forward, opening the door to have Leorio and Gon trail behind.

"Can you smell where she went?" Leorio asks.

Gon nods as he begins to travel up the stairs to their right, completely ignoring the dumbfounded look on the receptionist's face. It would have been a strange thing for a man who looks to be in his mid 30's to ask a young boy if he smelled where she went.

Disregarding this, once up the stairs they turn left only to stop in front of a door with the room number #27 written in a gold coloured lettering.

Looking at one another, wondering who would be the one to knock, Killua felt both Gon and Leorio's eyes drift to him. He releases a groan as he raises his fist to the door to knock on it.

The sound echoes through the hallway and from the other side comes a faint 'come in'.

Killua twists open the door and steps inside unbothered, however Gon and Leorio were hesitant and were eventually dragged in by Killua when they were lingering around the door too long. Killua shuts the door behind him and steps between the two idiots he called friends.

There were two beds separated by a nightstand which contained a lamp, a phone, a folded napkin and some magazines. To their left was a closed door that probably led to the bathroom. Damascus was seated on the floor in between the beds, the newly bought sword floating in front of her and the others laid on the bed closest to them.

"I had thought you had left." She stands up, turning to retrieve the folded napkin on the nightstand, and due to this sudden action the sword falls gently back down to the carpeted floor. "But I saved these, including mine, so I could eat them with you if you did turn up again."

Unfolding the napkin revealed the coloured dango dumplings, all four of them like she said she refused to eat hers without them.

Each of them takes one, Leorio nearly in comedic tears at the thought of her kindness.

"Thanks Ms. Damascus. We actually came looking for you to see if you had seen another one of our friends." Gon takes a bite of his skewer, smiling widely at the sweet taste.

Damascus closes her eyes as she nibbles on the dango dumpling too, a smile growing at the taste. "Maybe, there have been a lot of people here though."

"His name is Kurapika. He has long blonde hair and wears a pretty distinctive outfit, in a similar style to yours."

Damascus finishes chewing as her brain mentally scans the streets and people she had seen. "I don't believe so. My style of clothing would stand out in a city like this. Many people dress a bit more modernly like you three. Does he have any weapons I might've taken notice of?"

"He has wooden swords, but he usually hides them," Leorio says.

"Wooden swords take me back," Damascus mumbles with a gentle smile growing on her face. "But I don't think so, perhaps we can ask around?"

"Right, let's go," Killua says.

.

.

.

They spent the rest of the daylight looking and asking around for Kurapika, finding no leads and hardly anyone who would actually strike up a conversation with them. Many people were more focused on other things regarding the auctions or the other people they were with to listen for very long. Even the Hunter Website had no leads on him, which was something that seemed to concern Leorio. Killua and Gon assured him that Kurapika was fine, and probably in the city looking for them as they speak. Even so this did little to calm Leorio's unease.

Even so, the traveling around they did in search of Kurapika helped Gon and Killua memorize and familiarize themselves with the city and streets like had been their original goal of the day.

They had traveled back to the hotel Damascus had been staying, as she did offer to share her room with the three of them. Leorio was on the bed, untying his tie, while Gon and Killua stood by the door. Damascus was in the shower.

"We'd love to stay, but we actually have some place to go," Gon says.

"Really? You're staying by yourselves?" Leorio asks, worriedly.

"No, but we do have friends."

"Yeah, and we'll be busy for tomorrow, but if you need anything you can call." Killua points to the phone within his pocket.

"Okay, but stay safe, you hear me?" Leorio frowns, not wanting to let those two go too. He had just seen them for the first time in months and now after only a day they were leaving again.

"Will do, Leorio. We should probably be free after tomorrow!" Gon waves as he and Killua exit the room.

Damascus peeks her head out of the bathroom door with a towel wrapped around her body. "They couldn't wait until I was finished?"

"I guess not." Leorio was so distraught at Killua and Gon leaving that he didn't even take much notice of Damascus.

She closes the door, only to walk out moments later in a pair of sweats and an oversized t-shirt. Her hair was down and not up like it had been the entire day, laying wet against her shirt. Her swords were propped against the wall by her bed and she crawls onto her bed, watching Leorio carefully.

"You needn't worry. Killua and Gon are two of the strongest and most talented individuals I've ever met. They should be able to take care of themselves no matter what happens."

"You think so?" Leorio asks. "I know they're wonderful, but they are still young."

"So are we. 'The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their grey hair', however we are the former just as Killua and Gon are."

"I suppose that's true." He pauses to look at Damascus. "Did you just make that up?"

"No, a great king named Solomon once spoke of that proverb. I just thought it was appropriate with your worries." She lays her head against the pillow, still facing him. "'Do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself'. Goodnight, Leorio."

She then turns her body to face the wall, leaving her back to Leorio.

He smiles sweetly at her attempts to ease his anxiousness.

"Goodnight, Damascus."

(And they were roommates)

(A/N)

Also like almost every character in HxH, Damascus has a role to play so if you guys wanna guess it you can, because I know how much you Hunter x Hunter fans love your symbolism.

Chapter Text

The walk back was quiet between Gon and Killua. Night had already fallen upon the city, highlighting the lights from open windows, the glow of the streetlights near and far, not to mention the dull, luminous glow of the silver moon, spilling its light over the landscape. The stars dimmed while in the city, but as they began the trudge back to the abandoned church, the stars once again began to shine brightly as there was nothing else to compete with their radiance besides the moon herself.

As they jump the fence that runs around the perimeter of the area, they see Uvogin and Nobunaga waiting at the entrance to the church. Gon quickly rushes to greet them, causing Killua to also increase his speed to stay by Gon's side.

"What took so long? We were worried about you kid," Uvogin says, bending down to meet Gon's eyes.

"Me and Killua were just hanging out and exploring the city."

Killua stuffs his hands into his pockets, partially jealous at Gon's affection towards the Spiders, and the other part cautiously protective of Gon. Either way Killua walked behind as Nobunaga and Uvogin guided Gon inside.

As Gon walks into the dark crumbling room, he sees Chrollo still up reading as his candles were nearly burned out, the wax puddled around the flickering flame. Feitan is curled up into a far corner of the church, presumably sleeping.

For some reason Gon always thought Feitan didn't sleep at all. If anything he looked like he was nocturnal or just chose not to sleep. But it was evident he was wrong.

Phinks isn't too far from Feitan, sleeping sitting up with his head resting against the wall behind him and his arms folded right in front of him. Neither one of them moves an inch or makes any noise as they sleep.

Franklin is sitting on one of the large boulders also reading by the moonlight pouring in from the window Hisoka is seated at.

Shalnark is shuffling a deck of cards surrounded by Machi, Pokunoda, and Shizuku.

"Hey guys, wanna play?" Shalnark asks, his voice echoing in the eerily quiet church hall. His question was mainly directed at Uvogin, Nobunaga, and Gon.

"Sure!" Gon says as he excitedly rushes over to sit next to Shalnark. Uvogin and Nobunaga join the circle as well.

Gon glances over to Killua who has sat himself against the wall nearest to the exit, folding his arms as he looks in the same direction Gon is.

This made Gon smile, thinking that Killua was just being shy once again.

"Hey Killua, do you want to play?"

"Not really," Killua replies, semi lying.

He did want to play. He wanted to make friends as easily as Gon did. The smile Gon had on his face while he was with Uvogin and Nobunaga made him jealous, even when he knew it shouldn't. Maybe it was just his mother's tendencies coming out in him, a horrid thought, but nevertheless it was evident he was overly protective of Gon.

The thought only made Killua more scared as he knew his brother was almost identical to his mother in their twisted affection. Both cared for him immensely, but were unable to reciprocate it appropriately and healthily, leaving him fighting to escape their suffocating love.

Maybe this was what he was doing to Gon.

Was he becoming like Illumi and his mother?

Maybe Gon would be better here with the Phantom Troupe rather than with him.

Killua didn't belong here, despite his pasts, he wanted nothing to do with this group of people who committed similar acts to the ones he used to. The acts he vowed to never participate in again.

Gon laughs as he takes the win while Uvo and Nobunaga groan in defeat. The others just throw their cards back to Shalnark to reshuffle the deck for another hand. Gon glances at Killua once again, sensing that it wasn't just shyness that was bothering him now. It was something deeper that caused him to lower his gaze, something he does when dark and untrue thoughts start to swarm his mind.

Getting up, Gon walks over to Killua who hadn't even moved an inch as he approached.

"Killua, are you alright?"

Killua slowly raises his head to look at his friend's silhouette illuminated by the moon's radiance. Gon's eyes shine with concern, and he has his hand lowered to pick Killua off of the ground.

He truly is too bright for me. Too wonderful. He doesn't need me like I need him.

"Killua, come play cards with us."

"Thanks Gon, but I don't really feel like it. I think I'll go for a walk." Killua ignores Gon's hand and begins to exit the building.

"Then I'm going with you. I'm not letting you go by yourself," Gon persists, following closely behind.

"I'm just nervous about tomorrow I guess," Killua lies convincingly once they are out of earshot of the rest of the Troupe members. .

"Why are you nervous about tomorrow?" Gon asks.

"You're the only person I've ever had to trust besides Leorio and Kurapika. It's harder for me to become friends with people. I'm not like you, Gon. You're this radiating light like the sun that attracts everyone you come into contact with. Me? I don't know. Maybe I'm a vacuum that sucks the oxygen out of a space, only for flames to be extinguished."

"Killua," Gon pauses, causing Killua to look at his face. Gon has turned his attention to the vast sea of stars above him. "Killua, but the moon is so much more beautiful than the sun. Without the night moon, the sun wouldn't be special at all. I may be the sun, but you're the moon Killua. You don't need to be like me in any way."

"Gon-" Killua begins, touched by his best friend's words
"Gon-" Killua begins, touched by his best friend's words.

"So do you want to come in and play cards with us?" Gon smiles widely, causing his eyes to squeeze shut.

"You can go on ahead, Gon. I think I'll sit and enjoy the night moon." Killua musters up a soft smile that places Gon at ease.

"Alright, but don't be long."

Gon runs back inside, seeing Hisoka eyeing him with curiosity. Ignoring this, Gon rushes back to the circle of card players to begin the next round.

Several more rounds were played as Killua watched the moon and the glistening stars. His thoughts were calmer now, although the dark and self loathing thoughts always lingered in the back of his mind, something that was certainly not due to his brother's needle. That had already been removed, yet the thoughts and fears he felt didn't entirely subside.

Maybe Gon was right. Maybe the moon was just as special as the sun.

The rest of the members that were still up playing cards had gone to bed. Franklin had carefully laid his book atop of him, as he laid on his back on top of the boulder. Chrollo's candles had gone out, but the book within his hands was still open towards the end, his head lowered as he tried to read in the dark. Gon was getting pretty tired himself, but quickly remembered that Killua was still outside. He rushes outside to collect Killua.

"Killua, I'm about to go to bed. You should come back inside." Gon yawns, rubbing his eyes.

"I will pretty soon. You go ahead, I'll be inside in a minute."

Gon nods tiredly as he reenters the church. Nobunaga has taken his hair down and rests his head on a rock. Right beside him Uvogin is sitted up, waiting for Gon to return.

"Where's Killua?" Uvogin asks, as Gon sits right beside him.

"He said he'll be in pretty soon." Gon answers, once again yawning.

"He's able to sit with us anytime. We don't bite."

"I know, Killua's just a little shy and cautious because of how he grew up."

"Well you should get some sleep kiddo." Uvogin takes off his shirt, laying it over Gon as an extra large blanket to keep the church's cool breezes from chilling him in the night. Gon lays his head on a stone and soon drifts into sleep.

Uvogin remains sitting up as the rest of the Troupe members sleep. Killua walks back into the room, seeing Gon underneath Uvogin's shirt sound asleep. He instinctively looks up towards Hisoka to see him look at him from the corner of his eye, intrigue tugging at the edges of his mouth, twisting it into a smile.

Uvogin motions for Killua to come over, who does reluctantly.

"Sleep over here. It will be warmer."

Killua nods, too tired to argue and soon crawls under the large shirt with Gon, soon drifting off as well.

Once he was sure the two of them were asleep and warm, Uvogin also fell asleep.

This ends the day before the Underground Auction.

The day before discord himself is unleashed.

(A/N)

I don't know if you've noticed, but Killua is one of the character's who I will typically use more, and it's not intentional, but he just so happens to be one of the people on my kin list so I will usually show his feelings a bit more. Sorry about that XD.

Also I'm having a hard time determining if Uvo could've actually been like this with a kid. Either way he is in my ff, so I guess that will have to work. :3

Chapter Text

Damascus stares straight ahead to the ceiling, waiting for Leorio to fall into a sound sleep before she goes out. She couldn't sleep and didn't want to wake him up, nor did she want him to worry about her whereabouts. So she slips out from the comfort of her warm bed towards the door where her shoes are, making sure to grab her swords propped against the wall before she puts on her shoes. She is still in the baggy shirt and sweats she had been in after her shower and didn't see the point in changing into her other clothes for this.

She looks back on Leorio's calm face as he rests peacefully unaware of her soon disappearance. A small, soft smile dances across her face before she exits the hotel room, walking through the silent halls before leaving the premises of the hotel entirely.

The streets are still lit from festive lights that had been hung the day before, as well as the full and glowing moon that loomed over the darkened city. Many of the lights within the windows of shops and homes had been shut off for the remainder of the night until the sun rose the next day. The occasional people are out, many of them crammed into tight and ominous alleyways, most likely gambling on fights in hopes of getting rich fast for the auctions the next day.

Women line the streets, wearing provocative outfits and flirting with any individual who passes by, this includes Damascus, who simply waves off their advances with a small wave of her hand.

She continues walking on a path out of the city to the surrounding Gordeau Desert. The stars were brighter out here than with the city, and the moon was significantly more enlarged and beautiful than when dimmed by the city lights and pollution. Looking back to the city she had come from, she looks at the faint fuzzy lights that illuminate the horizon before turning back to the path in front of her.

The wind blows, allowing the sand and dirt to be lifted from the ground and circle around her. The night is cool and dark as there is nothing to light the area, but it doesn't bother her, even as goosebumps begin to form on her arms and her eyes squint to see what lay ahead of them.

She sees a plateau ahead, it's jagged outline barely visible as some black clouds have passed over the moon, dimming the surrounding visibility even more than before.

Undaunted by the dark and the height of the cliff, Damascus begis the climb up with her two old swords on her back and her newly bought one at her hip. The trek up is dangerous and ever challenging as gusts of wind would cause her to misplace her feet or nearly fling her from the rock wall if she did not hold on tightly enough. But in light of all this, Damascus continues the climb until she reaches the top.

She sits down, examining her dirty and sweaty hands, which may have also been bloodied if Damascus had not taken the time to focus her nen to her hands in an effort to prevent them from being injured.

Damascus closes her eyes, not needing them to see the scene around her. It is a beautiful and perfect night for meditation and strengthening her aura.

Allowing herself to get lost within her own mind, the visions soon come.

Damascus is standing on the edge of a cliff, a deep, dark, and churning ocean rages beneath her as storm clouds thunder above her, creating such a minacious scene. The wind blows the salt air through her hair, causing her to have to take a step back from its wondrous power. Even her heart has been affected by the atmosphere, as it pounds wildly in her chest, making her breathing short and sharp,

"Why don't you throw yourself off the cliff?" A voice asks.

Damascus looks around, not being able to see anyone besides her for what appears to be miles.

"And why would I do that?" She asks the voice she cannot see.

"Why a test, of course! Would you not be able to save yourself from dying in the fall?" The voice is surprisingly seductive, despite its harsh and cold words. His voice drips of honey, spinning beautiful silk words like a spider spins silk webs, but Damascus was not a fly.

"Do not test me, for I am not yours to control. Your words won't sway me, no matter how alluring you may make them. Now leave my head."

At once, the thundering chorus above her ceases and Damascus opens her eyes to see the calm and bright ocean beneath her. The wind has also become a soothing breeze that helps the waves lick at the sand on the beach below. Her body is at peace with the scene. Her breathing and heartbeat are returned to normal.

Damascus opens her eyes to see her three swords floating in the air before her, each of them unsheathed and imbued with her nen. The new sword had been stubborn earlier, so it was nice seeing it obey her wishes for it now.

Damascus lifts her head to the sky, releasing a breath she didn't realize she was holding. This meditation session wasn't as mentally draining than the last, whose focus had been on both physical and mental strength. She had refused to eat or drink for 40 days and 40 nights and when she was meditating during that time, the man whose voice was like honey, would tell her to turn a stone into food to eat, or turn a cloud into rain so she could drink.

Both encounters with this man whose voice was like honey, as she started to call him, would only show up during her mediation sessions, but she was understandingly wary of his intentions for her.

What did he want? Who was he? Why did he exist within the unkept corners of her mind, only to escape into her thoughts when she allowed herself to be the most vulnerable?

Nevertheless, Damascus didn't let it ruin the obvious progress she had made within herself and her newly acquired sword.

Using her nen she commands her blades back to their sayas, the japanese word for the sheath of a katana, before turning her attention back to the city she had left.

I hope Leorio didn't wake up and worry.

A/N

I will apologize for my bad writing rn, this was written after taking a break and feeling forced to write:(

Anyways, I hope this chapter will reveal what's so symbolic about Damascus!

And I hope it isn't too boring of a chapter!

Chapter Text

Kurapika surveys the perimeter with Melody, a pair of binoculars held limply in his hands as thoughts swarm his mind. His hands are shaky. Whether it is anxiousness or the fear to look into the eyes of the horrendous monsters that killed his friends, he couldn't determine. He is sure that once he stares into the eyes of these individuals, he would find that there was nothing but a void of nothingness. As that one saying goes 'the eyes are a window into the soul', would their eyes reveal an empty and unkempt house signifying an abandoned soul that may have never even been?

They're selfish and cold-hearted. Every last one of them. Mercilessly murdering children and defenseless women is something only a monster would be able to do without even a second thought. They don't care about how many people they kill, because whoever is in their way is who they will get rid of without hesitation.

They wanted his brethren's eyes and the only way to get them was to kill everyone. Imagine the others who have also been affected by the Phantom Troupe's desires. The mountain of bodies that have piled up beneath their feet must be immense. Kurapika was going to put a stop to it tonight.

Their reign would be over.

Everyone affected by their evil would be avenged by his hand in the name of the Kurta Clan, whose eyes were more precious than their lives.

Melody looks to Kurapika, sensing the dramatic increase of the hatred within his heart.

"What do you think about to cause your heartbeat to crescendo like that?"

"It's nothing, no need to worry yourself with it." Kurapika places his fingers at the bridge of his nose as he releases a soft sigh.

"Kurapika, carrying burdens alone is like tightening an instrument's string, the more pressure you apply will lead to the string breaking."

"Yes, but if tightened correctly you get a perfect note, and thus a beautiful melody."

"True, but it's obvious that you have surpassed this point and you're liable to break at any moment without help." Melody speaks softly, hoping the tone will soothe Kurapika's angry heart.

"Even if I do tell you, it will not change anything." Kurapika takes a deep breath while glancing around at their surroundings before continuing. "The Phantom Troupe had killed my clan and taken their eyes while I was away. Our eyes turn such a brilliant shade of scarlet when we are excited, and apparently that is enough to kill women and children for. I will avenge my brethren and take back their eyes so that they may finally rest in peace."

"I-," Melody stops before a frown overtakes her face. "I hear gunshots within the building."

"How did they get weapons into the building?" Kurapika asks.

"I don't know, but we need to hurry."

The both of them rush down the flights of stairs until they come to the ground floor before tearing through the swinging door to cross the blocked off street. There were still guards in front of the building, completely oblivious to what was happening within the walls of the building they were watching.

Kurapika looks to the barricade further down the street, seeing that they were still guarded and seemingly undisturbed. This unsettled him, but he pressed on into the lobby, running with Melody by his side before going to the site of the auction.

There was nothing. No bodies. No blood. No chairs. Nothing.

"Kurapika, the safe."

Kurapika turns to see Melody pointing down a hallway. He joins her and looks into the now completely empty vault.

"Did they take the contents? I thought Blaise was watching the vault, where is she now?"

"I don't hear her, or anyone besides us in the building. I think we should call the boss."

"Agreed," Kurapika mutters before pulling out his cellphone to call Dalzollene to explain the situation.

"Yes, we spotted an airship travelling away from the building. I sent for a car, so be ready at the front door."

"Of course," Kurapika answers obediently before hanging up. "Come on, Dalzollene is sending a car for us."

By the time they arrive at the front door, they see Dalzollene driving the first car and Squala the other. Melody and Kurapika choose the former car to catch Dalzollene up to speed on what they had, or rather, what they had been unable to see.

"They've been spotted near the Gordeau Desert."

"May I assume you mean the Phantom Troupe?" Kurapika asks rather calmly, an ominous silence before a storm, or as Melody recognized it the piano before the overpowering fortissimo of the bridge before the reprise of the chorus.

"The guards thought they might have recognized a couple of them as Spider members, so I'd advise being prepared for anything. As you both should know they should not be taken lightly." Dalzollene begins speeding to the outskirts of town where the Phantom Troupe was said to have been spotted, with Squala and the other bodyguards following right behind us in their own black car with tinted windows.

"Anyone who would would be foolish," Kurapika agrees, leaning forward in the front seat, setting his hand on the dashboard before squinting his eyes to look through the window.

"Look." Kurapika points to a hot air balloon that has materialized from the cloudy night sky.

"Shoot it down!" Dalzollene demands, calling to the soldiers who were patrolling the area and accompanying the Nostrade bodyguards on their hunt.

Kurapika places his hand over the other, feeling the realness of the chains he had left conjured on his wrist, the coldness of it filled him with a mix of purpose and anxiety as if this was the only reason he was alive.

This was what he was destined for.

Because nothing else in the world mattered as much to him as this.

And tonight he would allow for destiny to fulfill its use for him.

No matter the costs.

A/N

A lot of these next parts will resemble the anime/manga significantly, because I want to keep the events as similar as possible, but obviously change how certain characters will react differently faced with these changes. Keep this in mind especially with how Gon and Kurapika will react with the events you know happened in the show, and predict how you think they will react!

Chapter Text

"There's nothing here!" Uvogin shouts over the sounds of Blinky disposing of the bodies and other evidence.

Gon follows closely behind him as they return to the main auction room where most of the others were. He looks around, not seeing Killua among the ones standing before him, but figures he must be off with Shalnark as had been planned before.

Everything had gone according to plan, besides the items from the vault going missing, which left Gon on edge a bit. He was hoping to get the Greed Island game today so that the rest of their time in the city could be spent evenly between Leorio and the Troupe before they dispersed once more to retreat back to wherever each of them spends their individual time.

Gon would miss the time he spent practicing with Nobunaga and Uvogin like they had done pretty much all afternoon. He had tried to convince Killua to ask the other transmuters for advice, but he had refused, choosing to just lean against the crumbling wall of the church to observe Gon work with Nobunaga and Uvogin. Gon hoped for Killua that he would come around soon before the Troupe split up.

Killua comes through an open door with his hands in his pockets, his eyes darting everywhere around him to analyze the scene and predict what had probably taken place. Shalnark comes in with his boyish smile, his hands placed nonchalantly on his hips.

"What a shame, huh guys? After everything has gone so well too and we don't have anything to show for it." His voice and attitude put Gon in a state of unease, because as logical and calculating as Shalnark was, he was just as childish and dispassionate. To Gon that was absolutely terrifying, even if they were on the same side.

"Maybe he can tell us something." Feitan is on stage, near the curtains as he firmly grasps a middle aged man by the collar of his shirt.

"He looks like the auctioneer," Shizuku comments.

"If anyone knows where the items are, it should be the auctioneer," Machi says, using her nen strings to tie the man's hands behind his back before lifting him over Feitan's head.

"Please don't hurt me!" The man says, wiggling and struggling every which way in a terrible attempt to get free.

"Hey, do you know where the auction items went? We're kind of looking for them," Shalnark says, lifting his head up to look at the man with a blank face and bright eyes.

"I'll tell you anything you want to know, just please don't hurt me!" The man cries, kicking his feet to swing the nen string Machi has created.

This added motion only annoys her so she tightly ties her nen thread around his legs so he can't move them. The thread is so snuggly wrapped around his legs that he whimpers even more than before.

"Talk!" Uvogin barks.

"All you're doing is making Machi even more impatient. I wouldn't be surprised if she doesn't tear off your limbs one at a time if you don't hurry up." Nobunaga's hand rests on his blade, but more from a habit rather than a defensive concern.

The auctioneer stutters, his fear getting in the way of his ability to clearly and coherently speak.

"Fine," Franklin says, opening his fingertip to fire a singular nen bullet into the auctioneer's leg.

The man lets out a howl of pain as tears rush down his horror-stricken face. "No, pl-please, I'll tell you! There was a man."

"What man?" Franklin asks, firing another shot on his other leg.

"He was with the Shadow Beasts. He wa-walked into the vault and walked out without any-anything in his hands and there was not-nothing left in the vaul-vault. I promise, I'm telling you the tr-truth."

"Who are the Shadow Beasts?" Shizuku asks, leaning her head down to the point that her glasses nearly slip off her nose.

"I believe they are skilled nen users hired specially by the Ten Dawn. I hear they're pretty powerful," Shalnark says, lifting his index finger as he explains in his typical positive tone.

"Enough to give us a run for our money?" Uvogin asks, becoming excited.

"Maybe," Shalnark answers.

"Really? Maybe I could practice what I've learned on them!" Gon says, sharing Uvogin's energy and eagerness with the new challenge that has just been presented.

"Maybe so, champ!" Uvogin pats Gon on the back as he laughs.

"Well, since we didn't get anything, I suppose we should head back to Chrollo and the others," Shalnark says with his hands placed firmly on his hips.

"Fine," Feitan agrees.

In a swift movement, almost too fast for both Gon and Killua to follow, Feitan decapitates the man held in place by Machi's nen threads with nothing more than his own hands. Machi drops the dead body as soon as the auctioneer's head rolls at Feitan's feet, then leads the rest of the group to the hot air balloon they had left on the roof of the building.

Killua walks up the stairs near the back of the group beside Gon, who talks excitedly with the other two enhancers present in the small group. His mind was racing about why the vault was empty. Were the guards tipped off that something like this would happen? Would they blame him and Gon considering they were so new to the group? If there was one thing he realized about the Troupe, it was that they respected one another, but they didn't trust anyone among them.

In a sense, that was another irrefutable mentality he shared with the Troupe. He had always known he was similar to if not all, then most of them. They grew up in similar conditions, something Gon would never be able to grasp, so he knew their nature well.

And because of that, he hated and refused to trust them.

Once they reached the top of the stairs, everyone piled into the large hot air balloon, and Shalnark set its course towards the Gordeau Desert to regroup with the other Spiders.

"I'll call the boss," Uvogin says, reaching for his phone and dialing. Chrollo answers quickly.

"How'd it go?" Gon hears Chrollo say in his usual quiet tone.

"The treasure was cleared out when we got there. I think someone tipped them off before we got here. There must be a Judas among us."

Once Killua hears this, his eyes shoot up to examine the faces around him. Every single one of the Spiders are looking around at each other, trying their hardest to determine who the traitor among them is.

Gon's eyes remain trained on Uvogin and the phone that looked dwarfed being held in his large hands.

"Judas was never really a traitor though. His existence was created solely for the purpose of killing his teacher. It was his destiny, something he was unable to escape from. If there was a Judas among us, he was simply doing what fate would have him do. Do you know where the auction items are?"

"We think one of the Shadow Beasts took them."

"Ah yes, very well. We shall find them and take back what is rightfully ours."

Gon hears Chrollo hang up and soon after Uvogin lowers the phone from his ear.

"What are we going to do now?" Shizuku asks.

"I suppose I could find out where the Shadow Beasts are using the Hunter Website. Although, their whereabouts might be harder to track down since they are associated with the Ten Dawn."

"Or we allow them to come to us," Machi suggests, looking at the men aiming guns at them from ahead.

"That might work too," Shalnark replies nonchalantly.

"Yeah! Let them come to us!" Uvogin yells, challenging anyone who would dare stand in his way, earning an encouraging 'Yeah' from Gon as well.

"I'd rather not crash," Franklin announces through the growing cheers from Gon and Uvogin.

"Same here," Feitain says in his little stutter.

Just as the two declare their diswant for crashing, the men Machi had spotted begin shooting at the balloon as soon as it comes into range.

"Awe no, I really liked this balloon," Shalnark cries as the basket containing all the Spiders spins out of control from the balloon being punctured.

Killua uses Godspeed to take Gon into his arms and jumps from the plummeting balloon to the desert terrain below. The other spiders soon abandon the vehicle too, each unable to use their hatsu in a situation such as this. They each land near one other, but once Shizuku starts counting the Spiders to make sure they were all there, she realizes she comes up short.

"Who's missing?"

Gon looks around only to notice who was missing from the picture. "It's Nobunaga."

"I'm here, I'm here."

The Spiders turn their heads to see beneath the fabric of the balloon a pair of hands and legs, kicking to free himself from its evil clutches.

"Why didn't you jump?" Feitan asks, unamused.

"I did, but I jumped into the balloon."

"I swear you're just here for comic relief, old man," Killua mumbles.

"Hey, what did you say to me, boy?"

"Now that I think about it, why didn't I just sew the balloon back together when they shot at us?" Machi asks, more of a question to herself, but it manages to get the attention of everyone else.

"Either way, this is what we wanted, so we might as well make use of it," Shalnark exclaims, looking out to the desert laid before him.

The sounds of automobiles and the bright lights from them slowly approach, but none of the Spiders seem concerned.

After all, they were just getting what they wanted.

A/N

I've determined that Uvogin is that Uncle you don't ever want your kids hanging around, even though he's good with kids and they are naturally drawn to him.

Chapter Text

“I swear, they’re always going and leaving me behind! And Kurapika is nowhere to be found.” Leorio pulls away from the computer, which he had been using to see if any news of Kurapika had been uploaded to the Hunter Website to no avail.
Damascus sits right beside him, her hands folded neatly into her lap.
“You said Kurapika was coming to this city specifically to kill the Phantom Troupe who is also in Yorknew.”
“Yeah, and maybe we would be able to find him if we knew where the Phantom Troupe was, but we don’t,” Leorio says, referencing the moments before where he had posted to see if anyone had seen the Spiders strolling around town.
“From what I’ve heard, Kurapika is smart. He wouldn’t just charge into fighting the Phantom Troupe by himself.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true.”
“Perhaps he has found another way to come into contact with his enemies. The only reason I can think of the Phantom Troupe being in Yorknew during the auction times, is that they plan to take something from the Underground Auction. This means that Kurapika has probably found a way to work where he might be able to encounter the Phantom Troupe.”
“Like what? A guard?”
“That would make the most sense. He might be working as a bodyguard for one of the gang bosses.”
“So how would we find which one?”
Damascus stands up, resting her hand softly on her new sword. “We’ll have to go to a popular hangout of many of Yorknew’s lowlifes.”
“You know where it’s at?” Leorio asks, raising his eyebrow in surprise.
“I believe I saw it as I was walking last night,” Damascus says, referring to the group of men betting near where the prostitutes were working.
“Alright! Then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!”
Leorio quickly grabs his briefcase before marching down the stairs to the exit, followed closely by Damascus. He hated having to rely on others to help him out, like when he relied on Kurapika and Gon to help him out during the Hunter Exam, and now he was relying on Damascus to help him track down Kurapika. It all didn’t sit right with him, but he had no other choice. He didn’t know how Kurapika would react alone, seeing his reaction to that prisoner in Trick Tower was more than enough to cause Leorio to worry.
Leorio follows Damascus to a street corner near where they had stayed the night before, finding the city somehow even more crowded than the prior day.
Today was the start of the auction. Leorio thought with a shrug.
As they approached the area Damascus had seen the group of men before, Leorio looked around at the alleyways, seeing spray painted walls that suggested different street gangs roamed the area. As he keeps examining the wall, his attention turns upwards to see a group of kids looking down at him from a catwalk that connected the two buildings they were passing between. Their feet are bare and dangling over the sides, showing that they are too familiar with the catwalk to even be terrified of falling.
Suddenly, Damascus stops, causing Leorio to bump into her. The unexpected contact sends Leorio spiraling into a blushing mess as Damascus apologizes and acts as if nothing had even happened.
A crowd has gathered around an entrance that looks like it goes below ground. The crowd looks restless and many are shoving past each other to go inside, which not only peaks Leorio’s interest, but Damascus’ especially.
“I assume that’s where we have to go,” Damascus mumbles before continuing her walk towards the entrance.
Leorio did his best to follow behind her, keeping an eye on her thanks to the swords that sit high on her back. She is thankfully tall, attractively so. In fact, it causes some of the people in the crowd to eye her as she passes, inches away from their bodies in the tight space. However, somehow she manages to squeeze through the crowd, which barely clears a path for Leorio to follow through.
As Leorio passes through the crowd, he can smell the alcohol on the breath of many of the individuals there, not to mention the cheap and expensive colognes and perfumes that mix together. Leorio didn’t have a strong nose like Gon did, but the mere fact that so many people were gathered together that closely was certainly a cause of the wretched mixed scent. It did make him a bit curious as to why rich people, or at least people who could afford nice perfumes and people who could not would be so eager to go into the same room.
Once Leorio finally gets through the crowd, they come to an open room with a fighting ring in the middle of a pit, and all along the room are chairs and betting windows. Many of the seats are already filled with individuals waiting for some type of entertainment or announcement.
“A hidden arena?” Leorio asks.
“Perhaps, but it doesn’t look like the ring is in use at the moment. I wonder what everyone is crowding around here for if it’s not the ring,” Damascus says before beginning to lead them to a pair of open seats.
Leorio watches as Damascus studies the people that surround them, and although he tries to do the same thing, he isn’t able to come up with a similarity between every single person in the room. There are people of all walks of life. Some with tons of life energy and others with such a pitiful amount. Young and old. Male and female. Rich and not quite as well off.
“They’re assassins,” Damascus finally concludes. “Most of them are amateurs.”
“How can you tell?”
“Many of them have weapons, concealed weapons at that. Not to mention that assassins usually carry themselves differently than the average person. I’m not quite sure how to explain it well, but their aura is a bit more purposeful. I could tell your friend Killua also had some roots in assassination, but he is more trained than anyone in this room. All of their footsteps and presence are too noticeable.”
“Were you once an assassin?” Leorio asks, concluding that it would be the only way Damascus was so educated about assassins.
“No, I was born and raised a warrior swordsman from a village far from here. However, I have been in the company of many assassins and bounty hunters to know them when I see them. Being a weapons hunter has given me insight to what weapons are favorable among these types too.”
“Makes sense,” Leorio agrees, trusting Damascus’ judgment. “So who do you think we should ask about the gang bosses?”
“I don’t-” Damascus is cut off by a loud voice.
“Thank you all for coming,” a booming voice says over the crowd and everyone quiets to hear it.
Leorio and Damascus look down to the arena to see a man with several flyers in his hands.
“We have canceled our usual tournaments to offer an award for the capture or assassination of these individuals. Flyers will be passed around and at the very bottom you will see their reward prices. Good hunting!”
And just like that the assembly is over.
“Rather anticlimactic don't you think?” Leorioi asks.
“Yes, it does seem as if there is more to the story,” Damascus agrees.
A couple men rush to line the rows of seating, papers piled in their hands as they begin passing them down. Damascus takes a look at them, Leorio leaning over her shoulder to get a good look at them.
“Wow! Would you look at those rewards!” Leorio whistled in amazement as the ink on the paper displayed crazy rewards for the people printed on the page. “I wonder who they pissed off.”
“These numbers are rather impressive for amateurs like the ones around us to take on. I believe that they are in over their head, and if we chased after these individuals, it’s possible that we’d be in over our heads too.”
“But we’re not chasing them right?”
Damascus holds up the flier and points to it. “It’s very possible that these are Troupe members considering their bounty. The Troupe is dangerous and I assume very skilled in nen, so it would make sense that if things were to get out of the gang bosses’ hands then they would send out rewards to at least make their search for the Spiders a bit easier. Plus, if we know where the Spiders are, then we’re bound to run into your friend sooner or later.”
“You mean track Kurapika down by following murderous theives?”
“It’s the best lead we’ve got, I’m afraid.”
“Well, how are we going to find them?”
“We can first see if the Hunter Website has any information on them, but since so many people have entered in the hunt to find them we’ll need to act quickly to find them before someone else.”
Damascus stands up, following the crowd of people pouring out of the arena area. Leorio nearly gets swept up in the sea of people, but thankfully Damascus reaches her hand back to guide him along with her. Her hand is warm and strong, gripping on tightly so Leorio isn’t separated from her. She safely maneuvers them through the crowd and back outside to the busy streets of York New.
“To the library?” Damascus asks, releasing her hold on Leorio once there is no use to hold it any longer.
“Yeah, let’s go!” Leorio takes off running, remembering the tall and weirdly shaped building that they had been in the other day. He needed to hurry. He needed to find Kurapika and help him, and if finding a bunch of psycho bandits was the only way to reassure himself that Kurapika was actually okay, then so be it. Kurapika’s bloodshot eyes when he was angered was enough to send anyone into a state of panic worrying about their friend’s wellbeing and common sense.
As they run along, Leorio catches Damascus examining the stern expression on his face and immediately becomes sheepish from Damascus’ sudden gaze.
“Kurapika will be fine,” she reassures him quietly, then turns her attention back to the library up ahead.
Leorio nods in response.
Yeah, Kurapika will be fine. I mean he’s only chasing after some of the most notorious killers in the known world.
What worried Leorio was the fact that he knew how in over Kurapika was. He might’ve found time to learn nen like Leorio, Gon and Killua did, but in the short span of time they had been apart, there was no way Kurapika had fully mastered his nen capabilities. He wouldn’t have had to be an exceptional nen user, and while Kurapika was certainly exceptional, nen was tiring and draining. Although nen was only an outward expression of their life energy, it did not take away from the fact that it was complex. The Phantom Troupe probably had many more years of experience with the use of nen and how to control it.
As logical as this sounded, it was unlikely he would be able to get Kurapika to reconsider and fine tune his nen abilities more.
Leorio didn’t even know what nen type Kurapika was, let alone how he chose to express it. Maybe his nen ability was more impressive than any of theirs and was actually able to withstand the test against the Spiders without incident.
Although, this did very little to ease Leorio’s worries, and it would only worsen once he comes face-to-face with a Spider himself. Then he would realize that Kurapika was going to get himself killed if he continued his quest of revenge against the Spiders. Only then would he truly understand why they were revered as monsters and some of the greatest thieves of all time. Only then would he realize that Kurapika was just in over his head, but willingly walking towards a raging pool of water, realizing that it will overtake and drown him, but instead Kurapika has embraced this outcome and is satisfied with it, so long as he also gets what he wants.
That is the path of destiny.

(A/N: I know, it's been soooo very long since I’ve written in this fanfiction and I’ve unfortunately been too busy to find time to write anything. I spend my 30 minute breaks at work eating and typing when I have the time to take breaks, then if I haven’t accumulated a headache by the end of each night, I write. But between being sick and being at work, I’ll try to start and write more. Thank you for your patience.)

Chapter Text

A/N: I will now be using past tense, just because I believe it will be easier for this story. Several of my other works use present tense, but for some reason it’s harder for me to write fanfics in present tense.
“I just received word that the Ten Don have deployed the help of the Shadow Beasts and amatuer bounty hunters,” Dalzollene said after looking down at his phone in his lap.
“What, why? They’re just going to get in the way,” Kurapika stated, a bit annoyed at the idea that the Ten Don had been desperate enough to enlist the help of lowlives with probably little experience, let alone experience with nen.
“The Shadow Beasts are ten incredibly talented nen users. The Phantom Troupe won’t stand a chance.”
“I wouldn’t be too certain,” Kurapika replied, rather sure of himself.
“Yes, I believe Kurapika is right. The Phantom Troupe are extremely good at their jobs. Involving untrained people will just make things more dangerous and messy,” Melody agreed.
“Look, it wasn’t my decision, okay?” Dalzollene responded upset, tossing his phone at his feet. “I doubt that the Spiders will defeat the Shadow Beasts, but if somehow they do, we can have a crack at it ourselves. Does that make you feel better?”
Dalzollene rolled his window down and leaned his head out the window. There were canyons surrounding them deeper into the desert as they went. Other crime bosses' cars were ahead of them, who were also aware of the Spiders’ locations and were on their way out to confront them.
Kurapika looked straight ahead with his hands balled into a fist, gathering some of the fabric of his clothing into his grasp. There was rage built up within him, although he did his best to appear calm on the outside that was far from how he felt. Just beyond these walls of stone and dirt lay the people who plucked out his brethrens' eyes. They had managed to escape his watchful eyes while he and Melody were patrolling the outside of the Underground Auction, but not this time.
Then the mood in the car shifted. Everyone’s bodies tensed and the silence was piercing and nearly deafening.
Kurapika could feel it. The sudden wave of bloodlust crashing all around them. It was definitely one of the Spiders encountering either bounty hunters or the Shadow Beasts, all with unrelenting pure strength. It felt merciless.
They quickly were approaching the location of the monsters, and Kurapika was eager to see the Spiders. See the faces of monsters. What did monsters look like? Similar to himself? I suppose in searching for these monsters, he had started transforming into one himself. He had realized it, slowly as time went by. Revenge was an ugly word, and an even uglier process. It strips away joy and peace, replacing those light revealing states of consciousness with darker and more terrible thoughts that ate away and consumed all but the dark, ugly void.
“Can’t we go any faster?” Kurapika mumbled under his breath impatiently.
“If I did I’d ram into the guy in front of me. Just calm down okay? We’re almost there.” Dalzollene said, tightening his grip on the driving wheel. Kurapika was pissing Dalzollene off. Kurapika had this obsession with the Phantom Troupe, that was beyond obvious, but no one in the group knew why. And this obsession was causing everyone to suffer, as they too were dragged into his darkness.
“Look! See they’re stopping up ahead. Keep a cool head Kurapika, or I’m putting you on guard duty for Neon. Away from the Phantom Troupe. Is that understood?”
Kurapika said nothing as he unbuckled his seatbelt once the car had come to a stop, his attention on something beyond Dalzollene.
“Is that understood?” Dalzollene asked again, this time grabbing a fist full of Kurapika’s shirt at the neck, forcing him to make eye contact. “I don’t need you doing anything seriously stupid that can get us all killed. Do you understand?”
“Get your hands off of me,” Kurapika said with his eyes flashing a bright red, before returning to their natural color.
Startled and thinking he was seeing things, Dalzollene took his hands off of Kurapika, and watched as he got out of the car to observe what was going on in front of them. Dalzollene and Melody followed suit and also exited the car to join Kurapika outside.
Before them they saw a large man with long spiky green hair taunting a group of men in suits, likely bodyguards affiliated with the Ten Don. They were armed with normal guns and some bigger weapons, all which might work on a regular individual, but not someone with experience in advanced nen. They were out of their league, which made Kurapika anxious for their lives, but at the same time he needed to know this individual's nen abilities and if he really was a member of the Phantom Troupe or if he was just someone pretending like the man in the Trick Tower had.
Above the man was a group of other unidentified people just sitting on the rocks edge, casually playing cards as they watched the large, green haired man taunting the men in suits below. They looked so casual and nonchalant about their friend being surrounded. Either they believed he could handle it, or they truly didn’t care whether he lived or died. Perhaps it was somehow a little of both.
They’re disgusting and vile. This was enough to make a sour taste appear in Kurapika’s mouth.
The large man briefly looks back to see a small figure dressed in green from head to toe enter join in the pit below. From a distance it was hard to make out the figure’s face and much of a shape besides the smear of green, but it was obvious that this individual was also skilled in nen. However, this user’s abilities were a bit less cultivated compared to the larger man beside him. But the raw talent was undeniable. It felt almost familiar to Kurapika. The intensity of the raw power and talent reminded him of both Gon and Killua who he had grown close to in the Hunter Exams. It almost made him remember that he was supposed to meet them in Yorknew City around this time, but he quickly shook his head of these thoughts to return them back to the two likely Spiders in front of him.
As the small figure joined the larger man, they both soon began attacking the Ten Don’s bodyguards, but the larger man held back to allow the smaller figure to participate in more of the fighting. As if this were a sick training exercise, instead of them taking the lives of people just for fun. The fury began eating at Kurapika as he watched these two individuals slowly take down each of these bodyguards with swiftness and accuracy.
Both of them appeared to be enhancers. However, the smaller figure used abilities that were similar to a transmitter and emitter’s type. Kurapika could take the smaller one without much of a problem, the larger one had such raw strength in general that he didn’t know if the chains he conjured could hold him, but he needed to find out. If his chains could hold him, they could hold any of the Phantom Troupe.
As the bodyguards were picked apart, one of the bodyguards pulled out a rocket launcher and sent it crashing into the larger man. He took the hit without concern, it did no damage but it did tear his shirt.
“Give me those binoculars,” Kurapika said to Dalzollene. He could make out a small picture on the back of the larger man and needed to see what it was.
As he peered into the binoculars he could feel the heat rushing to his eyes. He was certain of what he saw. A large spider imprinted with the number 11 was on his back.
So it is a Spider.
Kurapika then turned his eyes to the smaller figure next to the larger man and couldn’t believe his eyes.
“Gon,” he said beneath his breath. “What is he doing with the Phantom Troupe?”
Surely there was a reasonable explanation Gon had managed to be with the Spiders. Held captive? Unaware of who they truly are? No matter how many things raced through Kurapika’s mind he couldn’t figure out one that was logical enough to fit. Gon wasn’t dumb. Far from it in fact. And here he was fighting alongside a monster and aiding in slaughtering the Ten Don’s bodyguards all with a smile on his face as if he were enjoying it.
Kurapika put the binoculars down then took a step towards Gon and the Spider as he was mentally preparing to fight against both if necessary.
Suddenly a ginormous worm drilled itself up from the ground to block Kurapika’s way.
“We can handle this. We are the Shadow Beasts.”
Three other individuals approached from behind, each odd in their appearance, but each also gifted in their nen talents. The worm reentered the earth and began traveling towards Gon and the large green hair monster, leaving a trail of unturned earth in his wake. The others snickered as they passed Kurapika and the others, going so far as to call them amateurs and to head home before they got hurt.
Although this angered Kurapika, he tried not to let it get to him. He had far more pressing issues at hand than being insulted as if he were in grade school. He was more concerned with how Gon was affiliated with such a group of murders.
As the Shadow Beasts kept walking towards them, Kurapika could see the large man smirking with such arrogance through the binoculars. He then turned to Gon, who had taken off his jacket as he too smiled at the approaching Shadow Beasts.
On Gon’s shoulder was the tattoo of a spider with the number 10 etched into its abdomen.
As Kurapika put the binoculars down all he could see was red. Everything else melted in nothingness around him.
“Spider,” Kurapika muttered.