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Next week holiday ends. Then my family and I will part ways again.

How I wish I could extend the time span left.

Well nothing to do about it! Looking at the positive side I still have a week.

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Menchi's POV

The examiners of phase 1 and 2 are gathering and are having tea.

"What do you think?" I asked Buhara and he looked at me.

He smiles then starts, "Of the applicants for this year?"

"Yeah, it feels strange saying this since I did fail all but one of them at one point. But this year, we have an impressive group," I commented.

I stared at them both. "I think there are a couple of real contenders. Some of them had this powerful aura. What do you think, Satotz?" I asked him.

"Oh, yes," he mumbled out. "I especially like the rookies this year."

"Ha! So you agree?" I lit up. "I think #294 is worth a shot, but my bet is on #95."

"I'm partial to #99--" I cut in. "He looks like a selfish brat." I add a frown.

"And #95," he finished. My frown eased and I perked up.

"What do you think, Buhara?" I looked over to Buhara this time.

"Well, he's not a rookie. But #44 is the one I favor. I'm sure you noticed when #255 was throwing a fit, it was #44 who was really on the verge of killing someone. #95 had let out a really dark aura, fortunately its what distracted #44. But then again #95 had the chairman in a pinch. I can't decide which worries me more," he stated sweat-dropping.

"I noticed, he was like that from the moment we appeared. That's part of the reason I was so edgy while judging the cooking exam, the tension between #95 and #44 was crackling in the air," I told them remembering the situation.

"I had the same experience." Satotz decided to voice things out. "You know, they're the same as you and I. Except they've chosen to live with the shadows. As hunters we're always on the look out for worthy opponents. The chance to test ourselves against others."

He paused, deep in thoughts before continuing once more. "They're very dangerous. #44 would plunge ahead without hesitation in a situation where we should stop ourselves. He has no conscious, no sense of right or wrong."

"What about #95?" I cut him again.

"In one word, dark. Calm, very calculating, merciless against enemies, a fearsome person as an opponent," he voiced his opinion and I couldn't agree more on that.

"However in the company of friends, kind. I think befriending with #99, #403, #404 and #405 will prove as rehabilitation for #95. For the better, of course," he smiled softly and me and Buhara nodded and smiled back.

Morté's POV

I lounged in bed for too long.

I couldn't bear the silence in the room any longer. Whispers echoing in the back of my head.

I put on my cloak and mask before wandering outside the hallway.

Searching for Kira I found Killua, Gon and Chairman Netero in a room instead.

They didn't noticed I let myself in. I controlled my anger. Fisting my knuckles until it's white.

I watched as they tried to take the ball away.

A game, I assumed. Seems fun. It was entertaining to see Gon and Killua's plans to snatch the ball.

Killua did the basic of assassination techniques, rhythm echo.

Gon went in second. He managed to get the chairman's guard down by jumping high.

Too high, his chance slipped with him bumping his head to the ceiling. I felt my mouth's edge twitch in amusement.

They started working together. The ball is repelled from the chairman by Gon's shoe.

They nearly had the ball. But the chairman sprinted and had them fumbling out of the way.

"I commend you on effort." They were sweating and out of breath.

Killua looks enraged and frustrated. Killing intent evident on his facial expression.

Meanwhile Gon's brightened with admiration.

Killua gave up and turned to go out of the room. He saw me leaning on the wall beside the door.

"Wah!" It was then they looked my way.

"Morté! Since when are you here?" Gon asked cheerfully.

"The beginning."

"Wow! We didn't notice you," he replied.

I stared at the old man. "Can I talk to you grandfather?" I managed to choke out with gritted teeth.

"GRANDFATHER???!! YOUR GRANDFATHER?!?" The boys blurted out unisonly.

"Té-chan, I'm very sor--"

However I interfered. "Don't say that word!" If he said it he's admitting he didn't save me.

It might be childish, I still wanted to believe him. That he tried everything he could.

As a child it gave me hope in that dark place.

I was sobbing in the corner. Pathetically wailing at my situation.

Countless 'why' and 'if' crossed my mind mocking me.

The sliver light from the window shone through. Putting ideas in my mind of hope.

Hope that my grandfather will come anytime now and lead me away from here.

Everyday I waited, I hoped, I prayed.

What did that get me, I bitterly thought.

"Don't you have a meeting?"

"Yes, but..."

I grimaced. "You never learn will you? Was my incident that little of a lesson?"

Pausing my sentence I peered into his eyes. Full of guilt and regret.

"I know," I let out a long sigh and bit my bottom lip-a habit I have when I'm thinking.

"I forgive you... That is what father would have done. Think of my outburst before equal payment."

I turned my heels around and strode towards the door.  Grabbing the handle I pushed it open.

I step outside but not before saying, "Sorry," in a whisper loud enough to be heard if you listen carefully.

Third person's POV

Gon and Killua felt like they intrude a personal moment but couldn't find the timing to escape.

And before they could Morté had gone ahead first.

"Sorry," she whispered before heading back to her room.

Once the door closed the chairman chuckled. "I'm the one who is supposed to say that. Just like her father. She changed but it seems some part of hers never have."

He turned to face the boys. "You're her friends right?"

"Yeah! Me, Killua, Kurapika and Leorio are her friends!" Gon exclaimed happily.

He eyed them with warmth. "Look out for her. She went through a lot."

"Of course."

Now they are staring at the very person who said it. Killua.

Gon smiled at his friend since that is also what he wanted to say.

The chairman is surprised the young assassin cared. So being the crafty old geezer he is, he smiled knowingly at him.

Even the said person himself is dumbstruck at his impulsive or instinctive answer.

He left the room before the old man said anything which will embarrass him more.

Two poor-fortuned people crossed by him ended up dead while he imagined anyone hurting Morté.

He sensed someone and confronted the person. Turns out Morté's in the shadow witnessing the act.

"Killua."

"Morté, this is... Umm" he stuttered, terrified of what she will think of him.

She glanced at the victims and carefully said, "It's okay, I'm not afraid of you. People die eventually it's only a matter of sooner or later."

He look at her shocked. "I'm from the Zoldyck. An assassin." His face turned sad at the word.

"I'm also an assassin."

If you think he's shocked before you can't compare it to his expression now.

"Umm... So... What are you doing here?"

Killua couldn't see her face covered by the mask. If he could he would see her blush.

"I couldn't find Kira," she mumbled. "I'm not used to sleep alone so..."

At that Killua joined her blushing. "Will you stay by my side until I fall asleep?"

Killua is speechless and without word he could only nod.