What's up, minna! I am so excited for this new chapter and the ones to following. This'll be my favorite arch yet! Please read the message in the following chapter which regards to important information about the contest and a surprise. Speaking of surprises... this chapter is dedicated to @Ari_lovable. I see you, dude, I see you! Without further ado, enjoy. Stay awesome. Trouble out.

"Come on come on... pick up..." I vigorously tapped my foot nervously as I listened to the maddening ringing in my phone. After being cut off from Alluka's shocking call today, Shiki and I regrouped back to my house to figure out our next move. I've spent the last three tries trying to contact Cannary for help.

"Ugh! Why not use my phone?" Shiki suggested as she sat half-patiently on my chair. "I actually have a direct line to the Zoldyck family."

"That's too risky," I said, leaning against the wall of my room in attempt to calm down even the slightest. There was no point to calling any of Killua's family members. His mom hates me, his brother doesn't seem to care, and I'm not sure how well his father's health is since the last time we saw him. They would rather be thrilled to have Killua back home, and they would just throw Alluka back in the basement where they would continue manipulating her powers. "I need to call Kalluto for help, and the only ones we can trust to give this message are Canary and Ghoto. Wait a minute... do you have Kalluto's number?"

"Uh-no... not exactly. Kalluto and I were... never in the best of good terms, so he never gave me his number. Even if I did have it, what would you ask him? To fly all the way here in less than twenty-four hours to fight against his family members? What makes you even think someone as difficult as him would help us? The two people he hates the most?"

"He owes me a solid." After I convinced Kurapika to spare Kalluto, I may have gained his favor a bit. Plus, this involves Killua so hopefully he'll be persuaded. But seriously! If he told me to ask for his help any time, why didn't he give me his freakin' number?!

Finally, the ringing stopped and I could hear hollow air on the other line. "Hello?" asked a man's voice.

"Hello! Is this the Zoldyck residence?"

"Yes, this is the butler office."

"Um, hello! Is Canary there...?"

"This is a special line that only a special few have access to contact the Zoldyck family butlers outside from our regular telephone line. Who is this?"

"Oh, My name is Yuki. I'm Killua's girlfriend."

"Ah, yes. The young, strong Huntress in training Miss Yuki, I assume," he chuckled. I groaned, remembering that embarrassing memory. No surprise that the staff would be gossiping about me. "I am terribly sorry, but the young lord isn't home at the moment. Good da-"

"Wait wait! I know he's not there. May I speak with Canary please?"

"What validation do you have that you ARE Miss Yuki Sazuka?" Suddenly, he no longer sounded amused, but monotonous and hostile.

"Excuse me?"

"As you know, the Zoldycks are top class assassins, so they make many enemies of themselves. As their butlers, we protect them and their home. From the mention of who you are briefly amused me, but I have humored you long enough. For all I know, you could be an enemy after the family."

"But I'm not! What can I do to prove it?"

"You can't. Not on the phone line. If you wish to discuss important matters, you must come visit personally."

"What?! Are you crazy?"

"Miss Canary is too busy with her duties at the moment. Good day." Without even hearing me out, he hung up.

"Hello? Hello?! Dang it!" I threw my phone on my bed and kicked the wall, cracking my first three toe knuckles on impact. "Urgh, that hurt!" I jumped on my bed, squeezing my poor piggies in pain.

Shiki, giving me the look with no sympathy, began. "So... got any other bright ideas?"

"I don't know! Kalluto is out of the picture, Gon's not replying to any of my texts or calls, and Lizz... she still has her own issues to deal with." I let go of my foot and sat up on my bed, staring at the floor as despair and uncertainty began creeping in. "It's hopeless... I'm never gonna see Killua or Alluka again."

"Uh, hello~! You still got me, remember?" Shiki said offended, as if she didn't count as a strong member.

"Do you think you have a chance winning against Illumi?"

"Uh, well... I was thinking more about beating up foureyes while you try to jog Killua's memory back."

I jolted on my feet. "And face Illumi on my own?! Are you kidding me? You must really want me dead."

"Don't worry. As soon as you get Killua back, that'll balance the fight, and we can all probably escape together. You have met Illumi and lived to tell the tale before, haven't you?" I still remember that feeling of fear in that moment when Illumi almost killed me in one strike. That memory would still haunt me in my dreams. How could she sound so casual about this? Then again, she's not the one who has to go toe-to-toe against that monster.

"Well, yeah... but that was different. This time-"

"This time you're a much stronger person than you were before."

"What? No I'm not. We've been over this. P.E. doesn't count as training."

"I'm not talking about muscles or power." Shiki stood up and walked toward me, resting her hand on my shoulder. "You're brave, Yuki. You know Killua more than anybody. You got this."

I looked at Shiki warmly smiling at me like this was the first time. Never have I felt Shiki genuinely being nice to me. It made me feel more confident. If Shiki believes in me, then why shouldn't I? From talking my way through with the Phantom Troupe, to persuading Kurapika, and even changing Shiki's mind to killing a Chimera ant, this shouldn't be any different. However, this would be my biggest challenge yet.

"Oneesan! One of your friends came to see you" Rin called from downstairs.

We both turned to the door feeling odd. "Expecting somebody?" Shiki asked.

"No. Do you think it could be Gon."

We left my room and headed down the stairs, but stopped halfway. Standing at the doorway was Zexion.

[Press Play]

"Hello," he greeted lightheartedly. With my mind now self aware, I could clearly see him grinning with this sinister glint in his eyes which he can no longer fake behind his glasses. For once, I could see his true nature. "Ready for our study group?"

I didn't recall a study group. Did he try to mess with my memories again? I looked to the side and noticed Rin was still standing there. My little brother was standing next to a dangerous man. My hand began to sweat nervously, my heart rate rising for the safety of my brother. The return of Illumi and bad company has put my brother in potential danger again. Now I see what he was playing at. "Uhh, yeah... for that test coming up," I tried to act as natural as I can, as if nothing was wrong. "Rin, why don't you go play with Greg today?"

Rin rolled his eyes and groaned. "How many times do I have to tell you? I'm too old to play, its 'hang out.' Ugh, fine..." Rin took one of the house keys from the bowl and walked out of the door. After a minute of silence which felt like a whole day, Zexion finally spoke. He probably had to wait for Rin to walk a good distance so that he wouldn't hear anything. "We all know, obviously, that we've never planned a study session, which means..." He slowly closed the door behind him, locking it. "You've awaken, Miss Yuki."

Shiki pulled out a kunai from underneath the back of her shirt. "Yuki, go up into your room... now. Lock the door."

My feet were frozen. I didn't know what to do. I had no idea what this guy was capable of, yet knew I wouldn't stand a chance. Shiki's chances would be better if I wasn't in the way. At the same time, it felt wrong to simply run away like a coward and leave Shiki all by herself.

Zexion took off his glasses and began to wipe them with a hanky he conveniently pulled out, not feeling threatened at all. "It's a shame you had to betray us like that, Shiki. It'll be a lot of work to change your memories in one go."

"I won't even give you the chance to touch me, you shrimp!" Shiki launched herself from the higher steps straight to Zexion's path.

"Shiki!" I called out to her as he dodged swiftly to the side. Shiki pinned her weapon against my front door, giving Zexion the opportunity to tap her on the shoulder. With one touch, Shiki briefly stopped struggling, blinking her eyes confused at the moment before Zexion punched her in the cheek. She didn't even see it coming. She yanked out her knife and started swinging at him.

"I said go NOW!"

Her order shook my body to flee from the scene. I hated the fact at how useless I was, but what else could I have done? I've never seen Shiki take a hit. Ever. Then again, I haven't seen Shiki fight that often, but that Zexion played dirty somehow. He doesn't fight fair, which made him even more dangerous.

I dashed into my room and locked the door. I grabbed my lacrosse stick and hid inside my closet. I could hear the commotion happening down stairs, walls thudding and fragile items shattering. Thank goodness Rin left before things got messy.

The longer I waited, the more I felt hot and crammed in this tight space. After minutes of waiting in darkness, the sound of banging struggle gradually shrank quieter until there was no sound at all, except for my heart racing in my chest. Was it over? Who won?

I heard this jiggling sound at my door, followed by unknown work of metal configuration. If this was Shiki, she would've knocked or said something instead of tricking my lock. What's he going to do to me? After a loud click, my door creaked open and slow footsteps moved in closer and louder. "Where are you, Yuki..." he teased. I gripped my lacrosse stick tighter. I have to think of something. If this guy plays dirty, then I have to play dirty too.

As the closet door slightly opened with the crack of light breaking through, I sprung up and grabbed a coat from my wrack. Roaring with the will to live, I threw my coat at him once the door fully opened. "Wha-?" In that one second of confused state, I swung my weapon down at his head with every ounce of strength and adrenaline in my body. The wooden stick snapped in half. Zexion cried in pain as he stumbled back and fell.

I did it! I thought. I dropped the handle and made a mad dash downstairs. When I got to the first floor, the house was in shambles. The coffee table and kitchen table were broken to pieces, and the couch was shredded. As I looked around in terror, I spotted Shiki lying unconscious on the living room floor. I stepped over the scraps from battle to kneel down and turn Shiki's body over."Shiki! Shiki, wake up!" I tried shaking her awake. She was still breathing, so he didn't kill her.

A hand grabbed my arm and violently pulled me back. "AAAAHHH!" I screamed in horror as I was shoved against the wall. Zexion had me by a choke hold. Dripping down from his head was his blood, due to the lacrosse stick's blow. Cuts were visible on his skin, most likely from his fight with Shiki. He glared at me with malice, looking very tired.

"You sneaky little twerp. You actually had the jump on me there..." His grip around my neck squeezed my airways. I began coughing, trying to pry his hands off as I fought for air. "It's a shame. You seemed so nice. So innocent... and so naive, which led you to your fate. You could've escaped, but instead you gave your concern to your poor companion over there. The very one who betrayed you. Such a pity... such a waste. But, since we had so much fun together, I'll give you a parting gift." He raised his empty hand and placed his forefingers over my forehead. "These past few days have been excruciatingly dreadful to you. As a friend, I'll ease your pain, replacing it with nothing but blissful oblivion."

"N-n-no..." I gritted through my teeth. My head began to feel lighter, due to the lack of oxygen.

"That's right. I'm going to take away your precious memories of the Zoldycks, as if you've never met Killua before." I tried beating his arm, kicking his legs, but I was too weak, and he was too strong. My vision was starting to fade. "Don't fight it. If you think about it, I'm doing you a favor. Soon, you'll simply go back to living your normal, insignificant life. Don't worry, you won't be going back alone. I've made sure of that..."

My lungs felt like they were about to burst. Finally, his hand softened and I could breathe again. However, my head still felt woozy and my vision clouded into darkness. The last face I saw was... who's again? A stranger. Just someone I imagined in a dream.