Hello, minna! Ugh, this chapter was so hard to write. Quick reminder, it is now voting time for the Hunter X Hunter Watty Award 2017 Spring. To vote, just go to my "HxH Watty Award" Reading List and you will find the Spring 2017 Voting book. Please remember to read the rules in the beginning of the book before voting. You have until June 21. Thank you guys so much, your support means so much to me. I wouldn't keep writing this book if it weren't for you guys. Shout outs to KawaiiYuzami , Arisa_Zicara , @Ayano_Knightrider, and @yoongixshh for already voting for my book. You guys rock! Without further ado, enjoy the chapter. Stay awesome! Trouble out.

"Eh? Excuse me?" Shiki replied, mockingly. "Maybe I didn't clean my ears this morning because I thought you said you want to go to the Phantom Troupe."

I nodded my head affirmatively, even though there was a part of me telling me that this was crazy. "Yeah."

Shiki sighed as she rested her knuckles on her waist. "You really do have a death wish, don't you."

"I don't want you to take me to the entire Troupe. Just help me find Kalluto so that I can warn him about Kurapika person. I got a bad feeling about this."

"Why are you worried about what happens to Kalluto anyways?" she asked in the most nonchalant way, as if she couldn't care less about him herself.

"Don't you?" I implied.

"Kalluto's a trained assassin, baka. I don't need to worry about him." She crossed her arms. "And it's not like he has actually done anything for you. Didn't he give you a chase around the Zoldyck mansion?"

I was surprised that she knew about that. Although I wondered from whom she heard about it, it didn't matter right now. "Well, so did you. And I should worry, because he's Killua's... family?" I said that last part with less conviction,  making me think about something. Would Killua even care about what would happen to Kalluto? He hasn't exactly shown his siblings the brotherly love he has shown with Alluka, as far as I have witnessed. As I recall it, Killua's family from the manor was 'dead' to him.

"You get it now, don't you?" Shiki said, as if she read my mind. She leaned one arm against the wall. "It doesn't matter whether we're concerned or not because it has no meaning to Killua. Killua doesn't want to have anything to do with his family anymore, thanks to you."

I cocked my head back, appalled. "You're calling me  responsible?" I retorted with one hand over my chest. How dare she accuse me of Killua's life decisions about his disfunctional family. "Killua made that choice for himself and Alluka years ago. I had nothing to do with it."

Shiki laughed. "Although that may be initially true, you're still more than enough reason why Killua doesn't want to come back home. Do you have any idea how much Ms. Kikyo, Master Silver, Kalluto, and everyone else has missed him?" She took her arm off the wall and started leaning toward me with her stare stabbing into my eyes. "And do you know how much grieve they felt when he left home again? He was only supposed to come to see his sick father. He could've taken over the family business, but no. Instead he broke his family's hearts by running away with some rat he fell in love with."

If this girl wasn't so good at fighting, I would've slapped her. My conscious used every bit of my will power to restrain myself from resorting to anything rash and to stay on the side of calmness and reason. "Family business? Are you still in love with him... or are you just worried about your family relations? You just want to use him just like the rest of them."

"What? No!" Shiki shook her head. "I just want what's best for Killua."

"You don't even know what Killua wants. Doesn't what he feel matters?" Shiki did not have a response for that. She simply looked at me with surprise, no words spoken. I didn't want to wait around for the argument to continue. "If you're not gonna help me out, then fine. I'll go look for the Phantom Troupe myself." I turned and began marching down the hallway toward the elevators. As I kept walking, I waited for Shiki to call out to me, hopefully to lend me a little hand. I don't know exactly where to start looking for the Troupe or how to even find them. Although I'd hate to have her around, I couldn't do this task without Shiki's skills and knowledge.

I walked a little slower until I reached the elevators, pressing the button going down. Why hasn't she said anything yet? Is she not even going to continue talking me out of this? Of course not. She would want me to get into danger. I could get caught up in a middle of a war zone and she wouldn't even care about what would happen to me. She would be glad that if I was somehow out of the picture, she would have Killua all to herself.

The door automatically opened and I stepped in, feeling slightly disappointed. It looked like I would have to do this the hard way. The elevator doors closed. The ground softly vibrated under my feet as I watched the red numbers go down. As I waited, I had this sudden sinking feeling in my stomach. If things go wrong tonight, who would come and save me? When doors split open, I stepped into the dark and quiet lobby. No guests around to check in or out, and no bellhops to carry luggages and get the door for me. I was all on my own.

As I walked to the other side toward the entrance, I thought to myself, is this really a good idea? I would be meddling into something serious and none of my business. Why should I even go save Kalluto anyways? He has never been nice to me, and it's not like Killua cares about him, so why should I?

Actually, now that I think about it, I have no real power at all. I have no strength or skills, brains, or the benefits of status. Killua has always been the one protecting me. There may come a time that Killua would need my help. Maybe that is why I want to go save Kalluto. I needed to talk to him about something. This might be my only chance to ask.

"Hold it." Before I could put my hands on the door, someone spoke from behind. My body became at ease with relief, but I tried not to make it look too obvious as I turned around to see Shiki.

"So will you help me?"

She came closer with crossed arms. "Sure, why not. If you're just gonna walk into your own death, I'd might as well help you speed up the process." I knew she would say something like that. "But I'm telling you, you're not gonna gain anything out of this."

"No, I will. You'll see." I now have a plan.

We walked out of the lobby into the lantern-lit driveway. There weren't any cars driving around the streets this late.  The fountain was still on, along with its lights illuminating the flowing water. "So where do you think they might be?" I asked Shiki.

"I already know where they are. Come on." She made a running start into the street and used a parked car as a sprinting board to grab hold of a street light. She gave a swung with her legs and hurled herself to the top of the roof of a one-storied building. She turned around and waited. "Well? Are we doing this or what?"

I dropped my jaw. "Are you kidding?! I can't freaking do that!"

"Are you serious? A ten-year old can do that. Don't you have gym at school or something?"

"You and I have very different concepts of P.E.!" I argued as I waved my arms up and down frantically. What did this girl expect from me? How much more clear did I have to make it for her to understand what it meant to be normal?

Shiki groaned reluctantly as she got off the building with one hop, landing on her feet effortlessly while lightly cushioning the fall with her fingertips. "You have got to be kidding me..." she turned her back toward me and bent down with hands below her lower back. This was a pose I was too familiar with. "If you tell anyone I gave you a freaking piggyback ride, I'll murder you, that is if the Phantom Troupe or Kurapika hasn't killed you yet."

I rolled my eyes. "Trust me. Whatever happens tonight stays between you and me. Wait. Kurapika? Why would Kurapika kill me? He's a friend."

"Friend?" she raised an eyebrow. "How well do you know him exactly?"

Although we only met twice, him being Killua's friend gave me more than enough reason to trust him. Despite what he might intend on doing tonight, he was still a good person. "More than you."

"Well, if there's one thing I do know, he's got the eyes of an avenger. It wouldn't be wise for anyone to get in his way. Ugh, are you gonna get on what? You're making me look ridiculous." Shiki was still in piggyback formation, waiting for me to hop on. I awkwardly climbed on her back, hesitant to wrap my arms around her neck. Her body flinched the more I touched her. I could tell that she hated doing this. It made me question her trust if she would really not let me fall off.

***

(Kalluto's P.O.V.)

The man with blonde hair strolled down the dimly-lit streets alone. I continued observing him from a safe distance on the rooftop a few houses behind him. He is the Chain User. I know he is. The members warned me about him. I never thought he would also be one of my brother's friends. His name was Kurapika, the last survivor of the Kurta Clan. It was because of the demise of his clan that he held a strong grudge against the Phantom Troupe. Fortunately for them, I spotted him two miles away from the base they were staying at. All I needed to do was take him out before he could get to them. Once I do that, I would definitely earn their praise, and they would recognize me as one of their strongest.

They were right about him working alone. He did not seem to be accompanied by anyone, no other Nen users in the area. As I continued to pursue him carefully toward the outskirts of town, I noticed that he was moving farther away from where the rest of the Troupe were. Does he not know they are? He couldn't have come here by coincidence. No, wait. He has been walking for at least an hour by now, heading toward areas that were more deserted. Could he be going to less populated areas of the town on purpose to prepare for a fight? But that would be impossible, my stealth was impenetrable. I have been using Zetsu this whole time. Although, this wouldn't be the first time I have been discovered, when did he notice me? This Chain User must be the real deal. After all, he had already killed two members.

The area became less and less urban. I started skipping along trees now, but I as lightly as I could on my toes so that I would not shake the leaves. I was falling a little behind, due to trying not to hide in many trees frequently. In the middle of the street, he stopped, and so did I. I breathed slowly and silently, holding my body as still as a rock so that he would not sense me even the slightest. He turned around. Even though he did not look at me, he turned to my direction, which made my muscles tense. "I know you are here," he spoke loudly. "Let's not waste time and come on out."

I have to make sure I don't get too close to him, or else he'll use his chains against me. One wrong move, and he'll use his ultimate attack on me. I jumped off the tree branch and landed under the light of the street lamp. I stared back at the Chain User with a stern face.

"Are you a member of the Phantom Troupe?" he asked.

"So what if I am?" I shifted my shoulder to face him so that he wouldn't see me sneak for my fan from my side.

"I haven't seen you with the Troupe before, so you must be a new member. As well as given your age, you must have not been there that day... however, you may still be of use to me," he said as he raised his hand a little higher with his palm open. I also found it strange how he did not react to seeing me again. Perhaps he did not remember me from last time. It has been six years after all. "Tell me everything you know, and I might spare you."

Do not underestimate me for my age. I may be young, but you should be fully aware that even the Phantom Troupe have accepted my talents to join their group. I pulled out my fan and spread it wide, unafraid to reveal my weapon. "You do not frighten me. I know everything about you. I will defeat you before you can step any closer to the Phantom Troupe."

"Then stop wasting time talking and come at me already," he said as he took off his tunic and threw it to the ground, now in a white sweat suite.

"Tsk." I knew he was trying to provoke me to come closer. I dropped a large quantity of confetti from my hand and activated Dancing Serpent's Bite. I waved my fan up, commanding the confetti to rise. With accordance to the motion of my fan, the group of shredded papers formed a serpent, swirling around me as if the wind was on my side. With one snap of his wrist, silver chains infinitely stretched from his fingertips, darting their way toward me. The stream of confetti shielded me from a few of the chains. A couple of the chains swirled around the segregated papers to my sides. I swiftly cut the chains down to size with the sharp edge of my fan. It was no use. Although made of paper, my fan with the help of Nen was strong enough to cut through steel. I could feel the aura coming out from the chains. I still couldn't tell whether he was a conjuror or a manipulator.

Kurapika retracted his chains, and with eyes of fury, he balled his hand into a fist and punched it hard to the ground, creating cracks in underneath his knuckles. What was his goal of that? Suddenly, I heard this crackling sound within the earth, getting louder rapidly. It was then that I soon realized that his chains were traveling from underground. I quickly jumped back in time before they sprouted out of the ground, squirming about like tentacles. The chains recomposed themselves and  altogether redirected toward me. I landed on a tree branch to stay off the ground, only for a short while before the chains sliced across the thick wooden trunk. As the top of tree began to tip, I leapt off, cautious of where I landed. The canopy crashed with a loud thud of leaves rustling and smaller branches snapping. The chains protruded out of the ground, each one attacking me one at a time from different directions. I remained agile. After countering one attack with my Nen-imbued confetti, I would already notice the next chain about to strike and counter that one with my fan.

As the chain attack grew slower and weaker, I noticed that Kurapika was no longer standing where I last saw him. When did he move? The chains burrowed back into the road and all went quiet. I looked around, my fan open and ready as the confetti gently fell to the ground. I felt the first sign of movement from my rear right. I swiftly turned and raised my right arm as I blocked his first punch. He threw around a few more punches at me, but I was faster than him. With every missed attack, I would repay him with a swing and thrust from my fan. I managed to inflict a few cuts and scratches on him, only a few major enough to draw out blood.

I ducked one of his swings and kicked his ankles, causing him to trip backwards and fall. This gave me the best opening. While on top of him, I reeled my arm back and threw my fist down to crush his face. He somehow moved his head on time, making me miss nearly by an inch. Was I that slow? He eventually pushed me off and built some distance between us.

I would not give him the chance to catch his breath. With careful, sequential steps, I created afterimages of myself walking toward him. With Rhythm Echo, he won't be able to figure out which image to attack with his chains. "Huh?" Suddenly, I stopped walking and my limbs became stiff. The afterimages faded off when I no longer moved. No matter how hard I tried moving my muscles, they wouldn't budge, as if I was tied by some sort of rope. "What is- wait a minute..." This could be something similar to Hisoka's Bungee Gum Nen. I quickly activated Gyo in my eyes and was now able to see the chains tightly wrapped around me, connecting back to Kurapika's hand.

"You can see them now, can't you?" Kurapika asked, seeing how I looked back at him as I struggled. "I use Nen to make them invisible."

So that time he got close to me, he was not actually planning on hitting me. He only needed to get close enough to trap me in his hidden chains. That probably also explained how he was able to dodge my punch. He used the chains around my arm to slightly pull the punch back.

"I have captured you." He stared at me with an even darker stare, and this time with his eyes glowing a scarlet red. He constricted the chains tighter. I yelped in pain as the strong metal rubbed against my flesh the more I struggled.

Crap, if I don't think of something soon, I'm dead. My weapons would not be of any use if I can't move.

Kurapika moved closer without breaking eye contact. "Now, tell me where the other spiders are." Would he let me live if I give him what he wants? No, what kind of member would I be if I was disloyal to them. Even if I did save myself, the Phantom Troupe would come after me for betraying them. Either way, it all looked pretty much over for me.

"Due to your silence, it looks like we'll have to take this the hard way."

"Wait!" A new voice appeared. With the both of us mutually confused, we turned out heads to see who interrupted this battle. A shadow figure was running from within the thicket of the forest, approaching us. Stepped out from the shadows into the light was a teenage girl. Wait a minute, this was Onii-chan's girlfriend! What was she doing here, of all times and places? Well, I could at least be an ounce thankful for her prolonging my life before I get killed or tortured.

She bent over and rested her hands on her knees that were scratched from the bushes, catching her breath. "Yuki?" Kurapika asked with wide eyes. So he knows her. "What are you doing here?"

Her heart was pounding so loudly I could hear it. So annoying. She coughed before bending back straight, clearing her throat. "I... uh... came to stop you?"

***

(Yuki's P.O.V.)

Crap, that sounded a lot cooler and dramatic in my head. My heart was still pounding furiously against my chest, but not because I ran here as fast as I could, but because I was now given the spotlight. Why must I always fall into these kinds of situations?

I looked around the scene. Thank goodness it was only Kurapika and Kalluto here and not the entire Phantom Troupe. Things would have gotten out of hand if I got caught in a huge brawl.

"Stop me?" Kurapika questioned, astonished. "What are you talking about? Do you even know what you're doing?"

"I could be asking you the same thing," I replied back with more confidence. "Kurapika, the Phantom Troupe are way too strong for you. Why are you even after them?"

Kurapika closed his eyes and sighed deeply. "As much as I appreciate your concern, this is none of your business. I'll hunt down every last one of them. You don't understand."

"I may not know why you want to kill them all so badly, but I can't just stand by and let you throw your life away!"

"My life ended when my family died!" Kurapika gave a loud outburst that I've never seen from him before. He always seemed so calm that it was scary seeing him like this. It was now that I noticed that his eyes were as red as velvet. Have they always been that way, or were they simply burning with rage? "Fourteen years ago, my entire Clan was annihilated by a band of criminals. The Phantom Troupe. The Kurta Clan was unique for having scarlet eyes, considered one of the most beautiful colors of the world. The Troupe killed and plucked out the eyes of every single person I cared about, and sold their eyes to the black market. As the only survivor, I dedicate my life to avenging my fallen brethren. I can still hear their eyes crying in agony..."

"Kurapika..." So that was why he was willing to hunt them down no matter what. That was why Alluka felt a negative vibe from him. No other hatred and rage can be driven stronger than revenge. I can't imagine the pain he must've gone through to lose his entire family like that, for such a horrific reason. He had to bare this grudge for so long. However, Kalluto couldn't have been involved in that incident long ago. Kurapika's after the wrong spider.

Kurapika took deep breaths as he recomposed himself. Strangely, he had his arm extended forward this whole time. At least he seemed to have calmed down a bit. Kalluto has been standing there silently this whole time, but in an awkward position as well. He looked stiff and tense. I wondered why he could not just stand in a more comfortable form. "Now that you understand, please, step aside."

"No," I said.

"What?" This time, Kurapika seemed twice as bewildered.

I walked in front of Kalluto and spread my arms open protectively. "You want revenge, and I understand it's something that you need to do, but not this one."

"Why not?"

"Because this is Killua's brother."

Kurapika took a few steps closer. "Does that matter?"

"Wha- but doesn't that bother you that he's a sibling to your friend?"

"I know Killua, and I know he won't hold it against me." I was reminded of what Shiki spoke to me before. That sort of logic seemed to apply to him as well, but I wasn't about to back down just yet.

"You want revenge because the Phantom Troupe killed your family, but Kalluto has nothing to do with it. That would make you be hurting an innocent."

Kurapika's brows farrowed as his teeth clenched in annoyance. "I never thought I'd mistake you for an idiot, but now you're just acting foolish. Get out of my way."

"No!"

He was only a few feet away from me now. "Yuki, so help me or I'll-"

"You'll what? Fight me?" Those words flew out of my mouth before I even thought of them. That might have been a mistake. His fiery red eyes up close were even more intimidating. I felt like I could just shrink back into a whole just to avoid his malevolent gaze.

"If that's what must be done." My blood went cold and I was too frozen in place to move now. "How could you protect him? He's a killer."

"So was Killua."

"That's different. He turned over a new leaf."

"And so can you. You don't have to kill."

"Of course I do! It's the only way I can avenge my brethren. You don't know what it's like to have your family wrongly murdered!"

"Of course I do! I fell in love with the boy who killed my father!" I yelled as I threw my hand down. Kurapika hitched with a small gasp of surprise. I didn't realize it, but my blood went from cold to boiling. I was the one who got mad at the last moment. After no retaliation from that, I felt like shrinking and hiding away again. I covered my mouth and could already feel the wet tears from my eyes touch my hands. "W-why did I say that?" I murmured. Why did I bring that up? I know it was a response to what Kurapika said, but I could've said literally anything else. I didn't want to ever bring that subject up. Maybe deep down, I'm still messed up about it, and I've repressed the thought for so long it somehow found its opportunity to to slip out. Could it be that there's a small part of me that does hate Killua for what he did and I've been denying it? No! I don't want to think about it! "Heh heh... ironic, isn't it? I know I should hate him for it, but..." I hung my head down to leak the tears out. My throat throbbed as my face became hot as my vision blurred with the water. "I'm not saying you should forgive them for the unforgivable, but if you can spare just one..."

"That's enough," he said softly as I felt a gentle pat on my head. I looked up to see his eyes returned to their natural grey color. When he lowered his arm, Kalluto let out a some sort of sight in relief and moved his limbs and shoulders a little more freely. "Fine, I'll spare Kalluto. But I still haven't changed my goal. I won't rest until there is justice."

I sniffed as I wiped my eyes. "Thank you."

As he walked passed me, he whispered, "You have a good heart, Yuki." and continued walking. He didn't get too far for me to hear him say, "Killua has such odd taste..." while scratching the back of his head.

As he walked passed Kalluto, he shot him a very unfriendly glare. Due to Kurapika's head slightly facing toward Kalluto, I could only guess that he did the same. I waited until Kurapika was no longer seen at the end of the black street, and we could no longer hear his footsteps.

"Why did you come here?" I looked at Kalluto, who seemed very upset. He shot a look at me that was more irritated than the one he gave Kurapika.

"You're welcome," I replied, not exactly answering his question. I still needed a moment to construct what I should say. I always jumped into action so fast without thinking. It was a habit that I needed to stop. Although, I hope what I did was the right thing.

"Don't say that," he spat, raising his fan threateningly at me. "I didn't ask for you to save me. What made you think I needed saving?"

"Maybe I didn't come for you. Maybe I came here just to save my friend. I didn't want your blood to be on his hands," I casually answered, sounding like I didn't care about him the same way he didn't care about me.

"Foolish excuses," he chuckled as he closed his fan and crossed his arms. I've always seen him so serious, I've never seen him smile before. Then again, I never had the chance to get to know him long. "Do you think after watching those water works I wouldn't believe you have the slightest concern about me? Why even go out of your way for me, someone who tried to kill you once?"

"Uh... heh, you wouldn't be the first, actually." He held a stoic face, expressing that he was obviously not amused by my halfhearted joke. I cleared my throat. "You care about Killua, don't you?"

"Do not insult me," he snapped back.

"I'm not." I raised my hands up in defense. "Look, you're probably right. After everything before, I have no reason to care about you, and you don't have the slightest concern for me. I think the true reason why I came here is because... I want us to be able to work together.

"What?"

"I admit that I'm not like you people. I have no skills, no talents, or any power whatsoever. If the time comes that Killua is ever in trouble, I might need your help. Right now, you're the only one from his family I can trust... because now you owe me."

He gave me a dark scowl, one that said he hated my guts. "I hate you. I can never forgive you for taking my brother's heart, and I will never be thankful for you saving me." He turned around and went on top of a roof with one swift jump and paused there. "... But if Onii-chan is ever in trouble, call me." With one swift gesture of his fan, he engulfed himself in a tornado of white confetti and disappeared into the night.

I remained rooted to the ground, thinking to myself that tonight didn't go as badly as I got. I stopped Kurapika from killing Kalluto, and now Kalluto is a somewhat asset to me. We may not get along, but we both have something in common, and that is protecting Killua.

"Well that turned out better than I thought," I yelped, startled by Shiki's sudden voice. I had no idea how long she had been standing next to me.

"Hey, thanks for ditching me back there!" I complained. On our way earlier, she stopped a few meters away from the fight scene because Shiki claimed that she needed to rest. The minute I got off her back, she dashed into the thicket and disappeared on me.

"Thanks for understanding," she patted me on the shoulder. "Things could've been unpleasant if Kalluto saw me with you."

"I was being sarcastic."

"Whatever. Are we done yet? I wanna get back to the hotel so that I can catch up on my beauty sleep."

I sighed, pondering how did I get stuck with someone like her. Well, beggars can't be choosers, I guessed.

#StopetheBlueWhaleGame