Machi glared at Hisoka. "Why are you here?" she finally questioned, on the replacement airship they'd gotten on short notice.

Hisoka flicked through his card deck, barely masking his smug air. "My target is the boss," he offered, and left them hanging on that single vague piece of information, toying with her.

"Right." She looked to Lucky, eyes narrowing at the awkward half-smile he sent her as apology. The one with the destructive Nen. Such a person would only cause them misfortune, though perhaps that was why Hisoka had brought him along. Any misfortune to them would be an advantage to him as the traitor.

Still, she asked: "And why is he here?"

It was a question to Hisoka, but the dark-haired one spoke up instead, addressing them all.

"First of all, if the ship crashes and we all die, I apologize in advance—"

* * *

For now, everything seemed to be flowing without hiccups. The ships had taken off, and his friends were safe in the other airship, though now Hisoka was with them. The leader of the Spiders was still in his hands. Leorio would be healed soon. The exchange could take place smoothly. With the extra restriction he'd placed on the leader of the Spiders, he would never be able to interact with any member of the Phantom Troupe again. Unable to meet with their leader, they would be crushed. Everything was ideal and in his favor.

But.

But was this right? Would this truly crush the Spiders? Was this really the answer? Could this finally be the end to their reign?

And more importantly, the most difficult question to ask: where did his actions as of late lie with himself?

Kurapika was not proud of what he'd done, no matter how much he didn't want to admit it. He wanted to feel accomplished, he should have felt accomplished. But even after successfully killing a Spider, after kidnapping their leader, after everything was going his way, he still felt empty. He'd been so successful in everything he'd done. He'd planned ahead, and pulled through, steadily rising as a soon-to-be victor. Why wasn't he satisfied? This had been his goal since five years ago. Since the Kurta massacre.

Perhaps it was because he'd stooped to murder. To murder and kidnapping and torture. Perhaps his steps toward revenge were conflicting with the values of his clan, and his own morals. Being truly honest with himself, some of what he'd done sickened him. As if he was turning into something far worse than what he sought to destroy.

It takes a monster to kill a monster.

Those words weren't foreign to Kurapika. In fact, as September had crept closer upon him, and with that along with the Spiders, he'd thought more about that simple phrase than he'd ever had before. Were those words true, even if they were, what did they mean? Was it bad? Was being a monster truly bad if it was for the greater good? Was he a monster at all?

Philosophy was a fickle thing, with no right answer. The answer would always be within himself, the hardest place to look.

If he was...

But no, that was impossible. The Spiders were the monsters. His actions were simply rightful revenge that would have been bestowed upon them for their crimes either way. Yes, he had a larger, more important task at hand. He could set his troubled feelings aside, for them. In the end, always for them.

The Kurta Massacre. Everybody he'd ever known and loved... Kurapika clenched his fists, skin turning pink, then red, then white from strain. He couldn't go through that again. No one should have to go through what he had. This was right.

He was right.

They arrived at the designated area, the barrenness of the rock barely catching and enhancing the specks of moonlight. It was time for the exchange.

He, Senritsu, and the Spider stepped out onto the rock. Despite his protests, Kurapika ordered Zepile to stay behind on the airship. This was a private matter, and he couldn't risk anyone more than he would be forced to, at least for the side of his allies. On the other side, he saw Gon, Killua, Rein, and Machi step out the airship before helping a limping Leorio out as well.

He had to get his friends back safe and sound, no matter the cost.

Kurapika took a brief moment to wonder what the circumstances were like in the other airship before reaching into his pocket to make the phone call for the first step of the exchange.

* * *

"What?" Lucky cried, shocked. He thought he would get his freedom, but he was met with this? Everyone had the option to leave the airship for an event specifically for releasing captives and he was the only one not permitted to leave? "Why the heck not?!"

Pinky's eyes bore into his, intense and unyielding. "You. Stay. Here."

"But-"

The door slid shut with a loud bang, sealing off any argument he had to make.

"No..." Lucky lowered himself to his knees. "Oh, come on! Open the door!" he shouted at a very much not open door that was unlikely to open anytime soon. Why could nothing go his way? Why could nothing go right around him?

"What trouble," Crop Top tittered, mocking his misfortune as he casually shuffled his cards with an expert hand. A look entered his curved, golden eyes as he grinned, sending an uneasy shiver down Lucky's spine. "Don't worry," he purred, delighted. "You're with me."

After an emotionless pause, Lucky turned around started to bang on the door in a desperation he wasn't sure came from a lack of caffeine, sleep, or sense of safety. "Please open up, I'm begging you—"

On the outside of the airship, Machi ignored the muffled noises as she turned to face the chain user all the way on the other side of the plateau. She held herself defiantly, needing every point she could employ.

"Uh..." the boy in green spoke up. He pointed to what she assumed was Lucky behind the clouded glass. "Is he going to be okay?"

"He'll be fine," answered Machi, tone more bitter than she'd intended it to be. No matter. She had a far more important task at hand.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, silent but vibrating. Quickly yet steadily, she picked up. "Yes?"

"Give the phone to the one with the white hair."

She did, and he gave it back soon after pressing it to his heart. "Shall we start the exchange?" asked Machi.

"Walk towards the middle of the plateau with the injured. I will meet you there."

Aiding the man to his feet, she did as the chain user ordered, attempting to speed up her steps as much as she could without appearing desperate. Trying not to overthink the situation as she normally did. She would walk. The exchange would take place. They could leave, all safe, intact, and together. Machi thought these things over and over in her head until she came to a stop, eye to eye with the chain user. They both stared coldly at the other in the tense night air, not daring to let up for even a moment.

A breath rattled next to her, reminding her of the injured. He set his knees on the ground with a hand to his side, fighting through the pain.

"You will heal him."

Machi's stiff lips set in their place, acknowledging the order. The clinking chains boomed in the chill silence that followed.

"You will heal him completely, devoid of any tricks. When you return, you will not let the others know of the portion of my abilities you will have witnessed." His gaze hardened. It was hard to believe he came from the same place as Rein. "Do you accept these conditions?"

"After I heal him, will the exchange take place as promised?" she clarified.

A hurried blink. No doubt this topic meant as much to him as it did to her, perhaps even more. The chain user pulled back his shoulders, blond wisps of hair shifting to reveal an earring fitted with a red gemstone. The same light of that earring flickered in his forward look for a split second as he answered. "Of course."

She raised her chin. "Then I accept the conditions."

A sudden dryness parched her throat as he whipped a small blade in the air, poised and ready. Machi was not nervous. It wasn't in her nature. But seeing the sharp point of the chain put her on edge, and she had to fight the instinctual urge to protect herself. But why did her heart pound at the sight of the blade? It was so little. It would not hurt her as long as she followed his restrictions. She would be fine.

Still, it was difficult to swallow.

As soon as his fingers started to flick forward, Rein jumped in front of her, spreading out her arms in an objective motion. "Don't."

Rein knew standing between the Chain User and Machi meant essentially nothing. She was but a minor obstacle to the chain and the blade at its tip, and the Chain User could easily skirt around her. But she still stood. "Don't," Rein repeated. "She'll heal Leorio fully. Right, Machi?"

"Y-yes."

"She said so. She'll heal him," Rein looked him in the eye, "I promise."

The Chain User's foot shifted back, eyes wide and brows drawn deeply together. As if he was trying to convince himself of something, something he remembered. He peered at her curiously. "...Aira?"

Rein blinked, but didn't allow the slight shock from his words to cause her to lower her arms. Instead, she held them firmer than ever, determined to at least attempt to protect Machi. "What?"

"You're Aira, aren't you," he breathed, rushing. It made sense now. That lock of hair that always stood up, her bounciness, and saying something she had no idea what was going to happen with such conviction... true, the stammering from before was a bit off, and so was her backstory that she'd informed them of. Perhaps she'd actually been in the clan and wanted to hide her trauma? Or maybe only related to Aira by blood? Maybe she'd forgotten.

Maybe she'd lied.

His face hardened, and so did his tone. No matter what she'd said, she was still in the way. "Move. I have business—"

"No." She sounded like a five year old.

"Aira," Kurapika didn't notice how he referred to her until the name left his mouth. "Rein," he corrected himself, "I must place a chain on her heart. Step aside."

"Nnnn...no," she repeated, hanging on the 'n'. A stubborn five year old indeed.

He lowered his arm. "Tell me why. They've done nothing but hurt you. Trying to help them now, no matter how chivalrous that is, won't be of any significance. My chain can easily pierce her, even if you try to stop me. Remember your mother? You wanted to avenge her."

Did the Chain User still believe that lie? Rein squinted slightly. "You," she hesitated, "still think I'm on your side."

His expression jolted at the realization. He didn't have to say it aloud for the question to echo through the night: you're not?

"B-But..." Why did his words falter? He was always so eloquent, words flowing with meaning and depth. Now, he couldn't summon them up. "But they killed your family."

"Kurapika," she couldn't believe she was calling him by name now, of all times, "that was a lie. Okay? I lied. I've been with the Troupe for as long as I can remember, and I've been fine. I am fine."

"No, you don't know." She didn't. She didn't understand. "You're Kurta. I saw your eyes the day I killed the Spider. Years ago, the Phantom Troupe attacked the Kurta for their rare eyes and slaughtered everyone there. Genocide. Ai... Rein, they did kill your family. It happened. Your brother... Everyone—"

"I do know," Rein interrupted, snapping. "I've known ever since yesterday, because Gon told me what happened." She was still angry, but she forced herself to say to next words. For Machi. "Look, I get it." Her tone was still aggressive, and she struggled to lower it. "You're angry because you lost someone. You're trying to get revenge. I get that. I don't blame you for that. If you were targeting anybody else, I'd probably be fine with it. But you're hurting my family, and that's not—"

"Family?" he cut in. "What part of the Phantom Troupe is? They're heartless murderers that—"

"Uvo had a heart!" Tears pricked her eyes, and she felt them burn. Luckily, only a few spilled, and she could continue on. "He had a heart. A really, really, really big heart, and he loved a lot of things, and a lot of people. He loved us and Nobu and baseball and himself and cheap beer and...! He had a heart and you don't get to say—"

"I think I do," he hissed. "If any of them had a shred of the heart a decent person would, my family wouldn't be dead. My mother would be humming and my father would be hugging her, and Pairo would be smiling at me and pulling me out of stupid trouble I got into myself and he'd be paying the price. They could have spared them, even the ones without the Scarlet Eyes, but they didn't. They deserve this—"

"Shut up."

He looked her in the eye. Looked Aira in the eye, but not Rein. "You'd still be climbing trees and convincing yourself you weren't going to fall."

"I don't care. Look, I don't remember, and I don't care about any of—"

"So you side with murderous trash—"

"Uvo is not trash—"

They shouted at each other, raising their voice above the other and interrupting them, over and over again. Both shed tears that went ignored, and the Kurta flame they shared sparked in their eyes as they clashed.

All went quiet as Leorio let out a soft groan and fully crumpled to the ground.

They froze.

"Machi," Rein whispered.

Not needing anymore explanation, she called up a glowing blue thread. She looked to the chain user for permission.

He moved forward with the blade, but Rein turned her head to him, all that was needed to make him hesitate. "She'll heal Leorio, properly. I promise."

Kurapika let it happen.

Leorio sat up, marveling at the wound that was no more. "So this is what Nen can do," he said, astonished. He thanked Machi who responded with a nod before raising his eyes to both Rein and Kurapika. He gave a grin, somehow softer than either had ever seen before. It was calming. "Thank you too."

Kurapika took the healed Leorio back to his airship, and Rein left with Machi for theirs. He soon called. "We will now begin the second part of the exchange."

He withdrew Chain Jail from the leader of the Spiders, and sent him on his way. Slowly but surely, Gon and Killua were approaching from the other side as well. They drew closer, and Gon gave an eager wave while Killua tilted his chin upwards in greeting.

Before he knew it, Leorio ran toward the two and embraced them. Zepile also finally managed to open the airship door and rushed past Kurapika to the boys, nearly sending them tumbling with the force of his tackle-like hug. Senritsu, her leg now mostly healed with a healthy sheen to her unbruised skin, stepped forward as well, raising her short arms around them as much as she could. Zepile soon scooped her up, pulling her fully into their group hug.

Kurapika observed for a few moments before his foot moved forward all on its own.

With a soft smile on his face, he walked toward them. Trotted toward them. Then in a delightful dash, he ran, actually sending the group to the ground with his momentum.

They lay on the ground in varying degrees of pain, giggling, arms weak, clutching their sides. Kurapika laughed along as well, unable to stop. His sides quivered and his middle hurt as he gasped for air. He lay in the dirt, dusty, laughing. And, for the first time in what felt like forever...

...happy.

* * *

Pakunoda sat silently at the base, staring at the gun that had gotten her through her many years with the Troupe. So many years. Her thoughts drifted to that boy, the one with the spiky hair and no sense of fear.

You really can't understand the desire to save a friend?!

He'd been wonderfully right at the time, when he'd yelled at Phinks. Painfully so.

As she sat with her back stiff, a scrawny cat appeared, hissing at her before letting up and scrutinizing her with a golden eye.

The cat from before, the one that had interfered with Lucky's water divination test.

The cat, once white but now grey with dust, sauntered out of the room with its tail in the air, as if ordering her to follow.

She did. The cat led her to another room on the same floor, one empty that hadn't been taken over by one of the Troupe members. Behind a cement block, worn smooth at the edges and propped up against the wall in a lean-to fashion, was another cat, surrounded by many littler copies of it, all with the same white coat. A mother, with her kittens. The scrawny cat licked its leg nearby before sauntering over to the mother, rubbing his head against hers lovingly as they purred.

A family.

...Family?

A kitten mewed at her, misty brown eyes squinting.

Smiling, she meowed right back.

With a final wave to the cats, she returned to her room, feet unusually heavy, thoughts muddled. Her eye caught on her weapon, and she reached for the cloth that had polished it spotless so many times. She rubbed and rubbed, and when she was done, the metal shone, glowing even in the dim lighting. Somehow, it seemed brighter than it ever had been. With a meaningless sigh, she allowed some of the stiffness in her figure to go away, slouching and relaxing muscles that had been under strain for ages. How long had it been since she'd been able to simply exist, without the expectations of everyone around her? She lay, resting for a few minutes before sitting up, stiff once more.

Stiff for just a little while longer. She could bear it.

She loaded in six new bullets, each soft click resonating through the room. Her gun had never failed her before, it wouldn't fail her now.

Pakunoda was ready.

oh no drama.

the song at the top is what I took this chapter's title for, so... yeah. credit to that.

Also

Look at this fanart I found on Pinterest and look at Paku sldbfkwnlsndk (lemme know the artist if you know guys)

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