Hey, minna! Sorry for late update... Again. Preparing for college has really put a load on my plate. I've also recently started working on another fanfic project that I got interested in, but probably won't post it until the end of this summer. I hope you guys will like this chapter. This chapter is dedicated to @Kitty22557. Thank you so much for reading, glad you enjoy my book. And I want to thank the rest of you guys for making this book reach 21 k reads, and a shout out to all of my 199 followers.You don't know how amazing that is. I wanted to wait for 200, but I don't think you guys can wait any longer. With that said, enough talk and let's get into the story. Stay awesome! Trouble out.

Everything was blissful in this dark, indulging void until my eyes had the sudden urge to open. I ignored that feeling and shifted my body to lay on my side to get more comfortable in bed. I was about to fall deeply asleep again when I heard movement. I turned my body around and cracked my eyes open to see a silhouette of a person climbing through my window. My first thought was Killua, so I propped myself up with my elbows, about to call his name. Then I noticed that this figure's shape was different, much skinnier and shorter than Killua. When the person looked at me, I was immediately immobilized with fear.

"Who-" My voice was cut off when the person quickly approached me to cover my mouth with their hand. My screams were muffled by the person's warm hand which smelled of metal. They were so fast I almost lost sight of them, probably because I was still in a daze from waking up suddenly, but now I was wide awake.

"Shhh..." The person hushed. Their voice sounded familiar.

While the person was holding on to my mouth, I reached for the lamp on my bedside in panic and turned on the switch. When the light revealed who the intruder was, my eyes widened even more when it showed that it was Shiki.

"What?" was my response after she let go of my mouth.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to shiv you in your sleep," she sarcastically reassured, as if those words were supposed to give me enough comfort to put me back to sleep.

"Would you stop saying stuff like that?" I asked infuriated in a low voice. The last thing I needed at two in the morning was to wake up my family and be asked many questions about the strange girl in my room. "What are you doing here?"

Shiki already sat down on my bed and made herself at home. "I need... I need..." She swallowed hard. "... your help with something."

"Can it wait until sunrise?" I asked reluctantly as I flopped back in my bed, pulling my sheets over my shoulders. I know I should be glad and flattered that Shiki Mitsuki was asking for my help, but I was just too tired to appreciate that.

Shiki swiped the covers away from me, exposing my bare feet and pajamas. "No, I need it now. I can't sleep because I keep wracking my brain over it."

I yawned as I stretched out my limbs. "All right. What can I do for you?" I asked tiredly with my eyes closed.

"I've been figuring out what I should say to Killua and Lizz today when I go apologize to them, but I get a little nervous thinking about it. I need someone to practice on and tell me if it's good."

I gave another yawn to her conviction. "Just speak honestly from the heart and they'll understand."

Shiki rocked back and forth anxiously. "It's not that simple. I've never... I've never done something like this before."

I gave a deep sigh while rubbing my eyes. This was going to be a long night for me. "All right. Let's use our imaginations for a moment and pretend that I'm Killua." Shiki set back with a disdainful look when I told her that, but soon replaced it with seriousness. I tried giving her my best Killua impression by imitating his stoic face, but in this case it wasn't so hard to make.

Shiki took a deep breath. "Okay. Killua, I'm sorry for stating the brutal truth about your taste in girls."

"Wrong," I interrupted.

"What's wrong? I just started."

"Are you trying to insult him or something? Plus, if you say it like that, you make it sound like you think you're right."

"Is it wrong to be right?"

"It's wrong to be arrogant, rude, and totally insensitive. The point of an apology is to admit that you're wrong and say sorry to the other person to make them feel better."

"Ugh..." Shiki groaned, but she sucked it up. At least she still wanted to be better. "Okay, let me try again. Hey, Killua. I'm really sorry for all those things I said back at Kukuroo Mountain. I didn't mean it, and I know it must've hurt you a lot."

"Good. Good." I nodded my head as I continued listening. So far so good.

"I can tell that you're not that same person anymore... a-and I'm trying to become a different person too. Better. So please accept my love for you and I'll try my best to make you happy," she said with a smile and glimmering eyes.

"Cut!" I said as I crossed my hands into an X.

"Was that a wrap?"

"No. You can't say that last part to Killua," I said disapprovingly.

"Why? It really came from the heart."

"Save the love sap for later. Right now, you're only focus is becoming just friends with him." I rubbed my forehead tiredly. It almost felt like I was helping her with boyfriend problems, and that boyfriend was mine. I needed to make sure that Shiki understood the boundaries I intent to set between our relationships. I wasn't sure if I could tolerate this any longer. "Okay, let's move on to Lizz."

We spent the next two hours trying to figure out what words Shiki should say to Killua and Lizz, and how to say them. When we were done, I let Shiki exit the way she came in. There was no bother worrying or checking if she stuck the landing. I was practically used to it now.

***

I made the longest yawn as I walked with Lizz to the front of our school. "Did you get enough sleep last night?" She asked with concern.

I scratched my back. "No..."

"What did you do last night?"

"Oh, nothing... Just studied, watched TV... role played..."

Lizz laughed. "I think you're still asleep." She poked me teasingly on the head.

"I wish I was... I wish I was..."

My phone began buzzing in my right pocket. That was strange. I didn't recall setting it on vibrate. When I checked it, an unknown caller sent me a text.

Look to your left

This was either a prank or an unknown stalker. I cautiously turned my head to the left, and peaking from behind a tree was Shiki. This shouldn't have surprised me. What surprised me was how she managed to get a hold of my number.

"Morning Lizz, Yuki," our friend Riley greeted as she walked next to us with Mia.

"Morning, guys," Lizz greeted back with a wave. "So how have you guys been doing?"

"We're great," Mia replied. "Last night, Riley told me the funniest thing..."

This was my chance to sneak away while Lizz was distracted. I discretely walked slower than the group until I was out of sight without them noticing. I turned around and started heading for the tree. Before I could make the turn to the other side, an arm reached out and grabbed me, pulling me behind the tree.

"Hey! No need to get so rough," I complained as I yanked my arm back from Shiki.

"Has Lizz said anything about me before you got here?"

"No, not since yesterday," I said, looking down as I fixed my uniform. "And how did you get my number?"

"I have my sources. Anyways, have you also seen Killua this morning? He hasn't come to school yet." She peered out of the tree nervously to spectate around the courtyard. It made me wonder how long she has waited here for us to finally arrive.

"Nah. He doesn't come this early. There are some days he likes to play hooky, but not without seeing me, of course."

"Blah! I think I might barf," Shiki commented with her tongue out.

"Hey, you're just jealous because I have a cute boyfriend. Anyways, just go in there and say something to Lizz while Killua isn't around," I encouraged as I playfully slapped her on the back. That might have been a mistake.

Shiki did not move an inch, let alone smiled. Instead, she slowly turned her head around, staring over her shoulders at me with a stark death glare. "If you touch me like that again, I'll cut off your freaking hand."

I was beginning to build cold sweat. Note to self, keep hands to yourself around Shiki. "R-right! Got it. Hands off. I'll remember that next time." I said nervously while waving my hands in defense.

"Hmph," Shiki spun her heel around and started walking away with her nose turned up. I skipped ahead of her so that Lizz would see me first. As I walked through the door, Lizz almost bumped into me when she was heading out the same way.

"There you are. Where have you been?" Before I could answer, Shiki came from behind me and walked passed the door as well. Lizz noticed this and her guard was immediately raised. "What are you doing here?" she said to Shiki in a disdainful manner. "What is she doing here?"

"I go to this school, baka," Shiki retorted.

"Shiki!" I snapped back at her. She was supposed to try to be friends with Lizz, but she wasn't at a better start than yesterday. She could at least try to be nice without being such a smart Alec. I looked around and inside the entrance, just in case these two make a scene. Luckily, Riley and Mia were already gone, and bystanders were too far away to be in earshot.

"I know that, nimrod. I mean what are you doing here during your suspension, and with Yuki?"

"Nimrod?" Shiki was beginning to get all fired up. I intervened right between them, facing Shiki.

"Shiki, remember what we talked about." I looked at her assertively in her eyes.

She growled, but then sighed deeply. She returned her glance to Lizz. "I'm here bcause of you," she bluntly answered with crossed arms.

"Me?"

"Shiki and I talked it out and she wants to turn over a new leaf," I said as I supportively placed my hands around her shoulders. "Starting with being new friends with you."

Lizz was baffled. Her mouth repeatedly opened through hesitation without any words coming out. She seemed very unsure. "Are you seriously okay with this, Yuki?"

I nodded. "I've forgiven Shiki, so we should all try our best to get along."

"I'm sorry for the way I behaved yesterday," Shiki began. "It was out of line. Yuki's a really nice girl, so I hope I get to know you guys better and fit in this school." I was so proud I almost teared up inside. She recited every line I told her to memorize last night.

Lizz dug her hand under her hat, which I assumed she was scratching her cat ears. "I don't know..."

"Let's talk privately." I grabbed Lizz by the wrist and led her around a shoe locker. I took one quick glance back, then we got closer to have our private discussion.

"You're still not serious, right?" Lizz whispered. "Friends with her? Girl, you're sweet and all, but Shiki isn't. It ain't gonna work out."

"We'll never know unless we try. And besides, if we try being friends with her, then I could get on her good side and she won't want to kill me anymore..." I stated nervously. "And if she spends more time with us, she'll be convinced that Killua and I are a solid couple and she'll finally move on."

"How do we know she's just not using you to get closer to Killua?" Lizz suggested suspiciously. That was a good point, but I already anticipated on that. If Shiki was going to hang with us, she would hang with the group too, including Killua. But exposing her to other friendly people might show her a different view on others and she might learn to become more open and social. I also already knew that what ever Shiki would do, Killua and I would always be faithful to one another. Even though Shiki won't get what she wants, she could still spend time with Killua, so it was a win win.

"Don't worry about that. She can hang out with Killua with us, just not too close. There will be boundaries. I'll make sure of that."

"Still, this girl kind of seems dangerous..."

"Oh come on, Lizz. About eighty percent of our whole group is dangerous. What's one more?"

Lizz went quiet for a brief moment. "I still don't know if I can do this."

I wouldn't blame Lizz for thinking that since she and Shiki were not getting along well, but Shiki and I were like that when we first met, and our relationship is slowly improving. "She's not really that bad of a person once you get to know her." She still looked unconvinced. "Oh, please say you will," I begged as I desperately pulled down her arm. "I can't do this alone!" As much as I wanted to try to make Shiki a good person, I was still scared of her and didn't want to be alone with her. Not to mention she broke into my room last night. I didn't want to be the only friend she could turn to. Lizz's support was one thing, but a little cautious protection was a bonus.

I looked up to her with wide eyes and quivering pouting lips. I only used this trick on very special, important situations. "Ohh... You know I can't resist," Lizz said as she tried looking away from my puppy dog eyes. I moved closer, staring harder. "Oh, okay fine. If it's that important to you. I just hope you're right about this." I giggled over victory.

We both returned to Shiki who waited patiently for us at the entrance. "Okay. If Yuki trusts you, then I can too," Lizz said. Well, I never said I actually trusted her. I meant we should give her a chance.

"All right. Shall we have bygones be bygones?" I said while smiling at the two. Lizz stuck out her hand to Shiki. Shiki remembered this friendly gesture and kindly shook it.

"Let bygones be bygones," Shiki gladly said.

"Glad to bury the hatchet." I surprisingly giggled at that remark, thinking that Shiki might've actually brought a real hatchet.

"So... how long do you plan on staying here? 'Cause if the teachers catch you, you're dead."

Lizz and Shiki broke their hands apart. "Oh, not long. Just until I see Killua."

"Hm. Only Killua... How interesting." Lizz smirked as she raised her eyebrows at me. I could already tell that she would enjoy this soon.

"Well, it doesn't seem like he'll be coming any time soon, so we'll be heading back to class." We started heading our way until Shiki suddenly grabbed me by the sleeve.

"W-wait!" she said. Her eyes averted away as she began blushing. "I... can't confront him alone."

This was my first time seeing Shiki being shy. I couldn't help but giggle. "Don't worry. When you see him, we'll be around."

Shiki gave a smile. "All right. If you need me, I'll be hiding in the shadows." With one swift move, she dashed out of the door and jumped into the trees so fast that I couldn't even tell where she went. She didn't call herself a ninja assassin for nothing.

"So you said something about role playing last night?" Lizz asked.

***

Our teacher was absent today so we had a whole study period. The whole room was dead silent with only the sounds of scribbling pens and flipping pages. I was almost done answering all of my questions, so I took a break by staring out through the window. It seemed like a really nice day today. Fluffy white clouds cruised smoothly through the sky. I looked down at the courtyard to see a boy lying on the grass under the shade of an oak tree. Probably a skipper. As I kept staring, I noticed that the boy with the silver hair looked familiar. Is that Killua? I quietly chuckled to myself as I tilted my head. That little slacker sleeping outside. He didn't even seemed worried to get caught. If only I could live like that. Just take a nap in the middle of the day without any worries in the world. How does he do it?

When the lunch bell rang, most of the class began pouring out into the hallway, heading for lunch. Some decided to stay to eat in the classroom. Before I walked out myself, I checked my window again to see if Killua was still there. He was right where I last saw him. He hasn't moved a single inch. I grabbed my lunch and walked out of the door to meet up with Lizz and Alluka.

"Hey, guys. I'll catch up to you later," I said. I'll be right back."

"Bailing out on us during lunch again?" Lizz complained. We both recalled on how I never returned to them during lunch yesterday because I was spending that time making amends with Shiki.

I scratched the back of my head. "I said I'll come back," I laughed nervously."

"That's what you also said yesterday," Lizz countered, Alluka nodding by her side.

"It'll be really quick. Promise," I said as I turned around with a smile and waved bye.

I took a few turns outside of the building until I found the tree where Killua was napping under. He naturally tucked his hands behind his head with one leg crossed over the other. The perfect position that spelled out total relaxation, laziness, and least amount of care. Despite the time that had passed, he was still sleeping. I wondered if I should wake him up for lunch.

I walked closer until I was kneeling right beside him. He quietly breathed through his mouth as the wind gently brushed his bangs on his forehead. He looked so at ease and peaceful, it almost didn't feel right to wake him up. He might even make a great model for a drawing if I have brought my sketch book.

I lightly tapped him on the cheek, but that only made his nose twitch. That reaction was so adorable that I giggled. "Killua," I softly sung his name. He took a deep breath, his chest rising up, then his chest fell steadily with a smile. Did he hear me in his sleep? My grin grew even wider.

"Hey!" I heard Shiki's voice along with the rustling of leaves.

"Oh my gosh!" I fell back startled by her surprise. She was hanging upside down from the tree, her legs hooked over the lowest branch. Using her upper body strength, she sat up, grabbed on to the branch, then fixed herself upright to land on her feet. Killua was still asleep, so I harshly whispered, "what are you doing here?"

"I could be saying the same thing. Watching Killua in his sleep? That's awfully weird." Shiki had her arms crossed as she looked down on me disapprovingly, as if what I was doing was wrong.

"I wasn't watching him. I was only trying to... Wait a minute. What were you doing up in that tree?"

Shiki's shoulders flinched as she started looking away. "W-well, I-I was just sky hazing and, uh..." Her cheeks began blushing cherry red. I caught her red-handed.

"You were watching him in his sleep. Mega creepy alert," I said after I got up, pointing at her.

Shiki blushed more as she threw her arms down. "Ugh, I was not being creepy! I was waiting for him to wake up so that I can finally talk to him."

Before we knew it, Killua was slowly getting up, rubbing his eyes. "What's with all the noise?" he yawned. "Can't a guy get any sleep around here?" Killua stretched his arms. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw us standing by both of his sides, most of his attention drawn toward Shiki. For a moment they silently shared awkward stares, then Killua immediately stood up and leapt upward into the tree.

"Hey!" Shiki yelled as she jumped in after him. Killua sprung out of the tree and started running around the courtyard with Shiki on his tail. This suddenly turned into a chase. Instead of climbing, Killua miraculously jumped over a fence as if it was nothing. Shiki performed the same thing. They quickly ran across the track field, then Killua jumped to the side of the building just to bounce off to change directions. Shiki was able to keep up with every move he made. The only way I could follow their movements was by just watching them. I was amazed by their parkour and high capacity of cardio.

"Wait up!" Shiki called out. No matter how much Killua tried shaking her off, she was still desperately behind him. I thought they were going to go on forever or go outside of school property, until Shiki suddenly halted. "Do you hate me that much?!" She yelled out.

When Killua heard that, he stopped runningand looked back. He actually stopped. They were only a few yards from where I stood, so I ran toward them.

Shiki lowered her head while holding her clenched fists to her sides. Killua waited for her to say more, but for some reason, Shiki couldn't find the words she so badly wanted to say. She looked lost. She must have some how lost her confidence at the moment.

Killua seemed to have lost interest as he turned his back on her, starting to walk away.

"Killua, wait," I stopped him. "I forgive Shiki for what she did. She wants to have a fresh start at being friends with you again."

"Did she tell you to say that to me?" Killua replied without turning back. "Shiki would do anything to get what she wants. How do I know she didn't threaten you to do her bidding?"

"Killua..." I shook my head. He did not even had a moment of thought to give Shiki a chance. Sure there would be no surprise since she threatened me before and killed her sister just to have a chance with him. But me being here said a lot. He could have at least been more faithful to my own words.

"Killua!" Shiki called out, finding her voice again. "Just... hear me out. I don't blame you if you'll never forgive me. What I said... And the things I did were stupid, horrible, and wrong, and it took me this long to realize that. You may not be the friend I deserve, but you're the only friend who could really relate to me. You can ignore me all you want." Her voice began to crack. "I just want you to know that I am really... really sorry, and then you can walk away and never see me again. And I'll... I'll be all right with that... B-because I'll know that I finally did something right for once." She let her head fall as she cried her tears out. I stood there astonished at her speech. She didn't even mention about getting together with Killua, or seemed to at least care. She just wanted Killua to know how sincerely sorry she was. All those years without thinking about her actions were now crashing in at once in the form of guilt after seeing the boy she likes walk away from her.

With hands in his pockets, Killua sighed and turned around, wearing a stoic expression on his face. He approached her as Shiki tried her best to hold back the tears with the back of her hands. When he stopped only a foot in front of her, Shiki looked up to see Killua form his hand into a ball, gradually raising it up. Shiki closed her eyes as her whole body stiffened. Instead of the worse that she expected, he lightly bumped her on the forehead. Shiki's eyes fluttered opened confused as she felt for the spot Killua touched.

[Press Play]

"Okay. I forgive you," Killua said as he dug his hand back into his pocket. Shiki gasped as her glossy eyes widened.

I exhaled in relief from all that intensity.

"Wait, just like that? For real?" Shiki asked as she wiped her eyes dry, not believing that he said that so easily. I was surprised about that myself. I thought he would also make conditions like I did.

"I don't really hate you. You're just really annoying sometimes. But if someone like Yuki can forgive someone like you, then I can forgive you too." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Awe," I said, touched from the heart, but then I thought, "wait, someone like Yuki?"

Killua scratched the back of his neck. "Aside from that, I'm still trying to learn not to run away from my problems, so I don't think it'll be healthy if I keep running away every time I see you. Also, I'm still dating Yuki, so I can't give myself to you. I'm sorry," he slightly bowed to her. "The only thing that I can give you right now is friendship."

Killua offered his hand out to her. Shiki looked down at it for a moment. Her body began to tremble. Then without warning, she wrapped her arms around Killua with an explosion of joy. "Okay!" she said with glee as she gave Killua a big bear hug.

"H-hey! That doesn't mean you can just clung onto me like that whenever you want!" Killua argued as he tried prying Shiki off of him, but she kept pulling back.

"I can't help it since we're going to be best friends!"

"WHAT?! I never said that!" Killua complained.

"Just hug me back, Killua!" She snuggled closer to him.

"No! Stop being so creepy!"

Normally I would get jealous and try to break them up, but seeing how Shiki acted and that goofy look on Killua's cute face made me laugh. This was also Shiki's first step to rebirth and redemption, so maybe I could let her have this moment just this once. I could tell things were only going to get more exciting from here.