HELLO, MINNA! IT IS I. TOMBOY TROUBLE! I HAVE RISEN! What happened to my Wattpad activity, you say? Life happened. It's no excuse, but I was surprised that college took up so much of my time. I was also under a lot of stress. Never have I cried so much in one semester... but that was a year ago. HAPPY NEW YEAR! Sad to say, once the semester starts, I'll be even more busy, so you'll probably won't see another update for a while. Good thing that this story is almost over, you don't even know how close! But I do apologize. I wish I have ended this book a long time ago so you guys wouldn't keep waiting. You guys are awesome. This chapter is dedicated to @SANA_LEELA. Thanks for constantly reminding me that I have a responsibility! Stay awesome. Trouble out.

(Killua's P.O.V.)

"Ow!" Gon winced when Alluka gently dabbed a cotton ball of alcohol on the bare wounds and cuts on his face.

"Gomen!" Alluka quickly apologized, nervously, her grip on the tweezers holding the white puff quaking. "I'm not quite used to this. I'm not even sure if I'm doing it right."

"It's just as I told you," I said. "Gon's just being a big baby."

"Hey!" Gon whined, defensively. "Ouch!"

"Hold still, please!" Nurse Alluka ordered. After the Nen exorcism began, we gathered a first-aid kit from the boat to treat our injuries from the battle. Abengane insisted that we wait there to rest, but all of us wanted to be here when they wake up. When Alluka woke up, I suggested allowing Something to heal us, but Alluka refused to constantly fall asleep during a crisis. I don't blame Alluka for not knowing the first thing about first-aid. It was something she never needed to worry about. I always protected her, and I treated my own injuries, which were usually minor. I would be patching Gon up myself if my hands weren't trembling from extreme physical trauma. All I could do was micromanage Alluka to take care of us as smoothly as possible.

I sat on the dusty ground across from Kalluto, keeping him away from my field of vision as much as possible. I could feel his intense stare jabbing me, and if I take one glance at him for even a second, we would make eye contact, and things would be awkward. Even though the last time we've seen each other was at the mansion a few months ago, we've never been together like this without the family. I haven't had a friendly conversation with him for years. On another note, it was not long ago that I killed our oldest brother. I haven't even told Kalluto yet, and I don't think now is the right time to tell him, considering how much we need Abengane's help. Telling Kalluto now would make matters more complicated than they should be.

I tried to keep my focus on Yuki, in her sleeping state. Her chest rose and fell at a slow, constant pace. I wondered how she was doing in her dreams. Hopefully, she was safe inside.

After taping a third gauze on Gon's face, Alluka closed the first-aid kit and stood up. "I'm gonna go get our stuff from the boat and grab blankets for everyone while we wait. It's getting cold." No, wait Alluka. Don't leave me alone with Kalluto. I can't remember the last time Alluka and Kalluto spoke a single word to each other. She probably feels the most uncomfortable around him.

"How much longer will it take?" Gon asked.

After enchanting his spell, Abengane calmly sat on the floor next to the fire with his legs crossed. "Don't know. Probably another hour or two." Judging by his unsure answer and the fact that he was not doing anything, the rest must be up to Yuki and Shiki now.

After glancing up to look at Abengane, Kalluto and I locked eyes. Dang it! I wandered without thinking. His stare was so intense that I couldn't break away. It would be awkward if neither one of us said anything. After five seconds, I reluctantly broke the ice.

"So... how are you, Kalluto?"

"Fine."

"How's everyone back at home?"

"Fine."

"Dad?"

"Fine." Well, he's not dead.

"Are you still mad at me?"

"It's fine." That last response was louder and harsher than the previous pre-recording answers. His face was always hard to read. I couldn't tell if he was glad to see me or still mad at me for leaving the family. He didn't seem up for a conversation, so maybe starting one was a mistake. If that was the case, why was he helping us in the first place?

"Can I ask you something, onii-chan?"

"Shoot."

"Is it because of me... that you left home?"

"What? Why would you even-" I sighed, remembering how young Kalluto was when I left. "Kalluto, it wasn't your fault. It was everyone who I couldn't stand. Dad and Illumi putting pressure on me, mom smothering me, and Milluki annoying the hell out of me. You and grandpa were the only family members whom I didn't hate."

"What about Alluka? Why did you take her with you instead of me?"

I turned away from Kalluto's eyes. "Because Alluka is not like you. You're strong and capable, but Alluka... Alluka needs me."

"I need you too."

"Really? Because from the looks of it, you seem to be doing fine on your own. Tell me, Kalluto. Are you having fun with the Phantom Troupe?"

"Fun?" Kalluto paused for a moment, pondering about the question. "Yes. I suppose it is fun."

"That's good." And a relief. Although I don't condone Alluka hanging around the Phantom Troupe, it made me glad that Kalluto found a crew of his choice instead of being by mother's side all the time. He seemed different from before.

"Can I ask you a question now?" Kalluto blinked, then nodded. "Do you still intend on bringing me back home?"

Kalluto turned to the side, staring off at a distance. "... No."

"Then why are you helping us? As much as I appreciate it, why would you go out of your way for something that doesn't involve you?"

Kalluto took a deep breath. "It was Yuki... she helped me one time. I am simply returning the favor."

"Huh?" I turned to Yuki, even though she wasn't in the state to answer any of my questions. "Yuki helped you? Since when?"

"It doesn't matter." For a split second, I could have sworn I noticed dread in his eyes, but maybe I was just imagining things. "What I do remember from our last meeting, she said the strangest things. Even though I don't have a single care about her, we both have one thing in common."

"What's that?"

Kalluto looked at me with a smile. "We both care about you."

***

(Yuki's P.O.V.)

Once the last room was restored back to its normal state, I closed the door and brushed the dust off my hands. "Okay! Mission accomplished," I said. "Now let's get out of here."

The Nen-eating moth fluttered landed on the ground. I waited for it to lead me to the exit or something, but it simply sat there like a rock. "Um... hello?" Was it even still alive? I lightly poked it with my shoe and it's wings flickered, it's antennas twitching. So why wasn't it moving? Shouldn't I be waking up right now?

"Are you resting or something?"

Suddenly, I heard crackles. I looked down to see cracks beneath my feet spreading like I was standing on thin ice. "What the-" Immediately, my body broke through the floor and I plummeted down into a dark abyss with shattered tiles of the floor falling with me. I screamed as the light above me shrank into a white dot that eventually plucked out of existence.

Before I knew it, my body slammed on a cold, smooth ground. It hurt, but surprisingly felt like I fell off one step off of a ladder rather than a twenty-stories building. The floor was so smooth and clean, it was like I was looking into a black mirror.

I found myself in another room of halls, only except this one was dark. I could still see doors of their own characters. Was I in a deeper, darker side of Lizz's mind?

I scanned the labels of each door I passed, reading them out loud. "Karate lessons, Killua's birthday party, katana training, school tv dramas... wait a minute..."

I wasn't in Lizz's mind anymore. I was in Shiki's. How did I end up here?

When we fell asleep, we were holding hands, connecting our auras with each other. Maybe I somehow slipped into Shiki's mind instead of returning to my body. "What the heck?!"

The moth gently descended down with no problem, flying down the labyrinth of doors. "Hey!" I called out to it, but I doubt it was listening. "We were only supposed to restore Lizz's memories. Why are we in Shiki's?"

As I followed it, I noticed something strange. There was a door that was different from the others. It was coated with this phantom-purple glow. The title card was labeled "Aria's Death." I gulped. This door was setting off all the wrong vibes. I could feel that it was telling me to not open, and I already wouldn't dare go near it, but the moth was drawn to it. Once it latched to the door, it started doing its job. First it swallowed all the malise energy, and then started chewing away the door until there was nothing left but another door that was hidden behind the previous corridor. It seemed less scary and more ordinary. In fact, it almost looked familiar.

The moth shook its fur and fluttered its wings. It then began to glow like a beacon, flying off into the distance of the dark hallway. It hasn't done that before, so maybe it means that it's time to go. I was about to follow it, but my feet turned to stone as I looked back at that door. Why was this door the only one that needed fixing? In fact, this was different from the effects of that pink Nen monster. Instead of restoring memories, the moth ate the Nen that was covering the true door. What could be behind it?

A part of me told me that it was none of my business, but every other cell in my body wanted to know the truth behind that door. I have to see it for myself.

Without a moment of hesitation, I turned the knob and pushed through. I was outside. This was the garden back at Killua's house. The flowers and outdoor furniture arrangement were different, but the layout was just as I remembered it. The sky appeared cloudy enough to rain today. Why can't I ever see this garden on a pleasant, sunny day?

Speaking of pleasant, I heard the sound of children's laughter approaching fast. I turned around to see three small children about kindergarten age run past me like a ghost. One boy with bushy, silver hair and two girls with black hair. One had longer hair and the other seemed younger with shorter hair. Are they... Killua, Shiki, and Aria? Looking closer at them as they chased each other in circles, I could clearly see the resemblance of their younger selves. Aria looked almost exactly like Shiki!

"No fair!" Aria panted, falling short behind from the others. She was sweating the most. "You're too fast!"

"You gotta keep up, Aria," Killua grinned as the two of them stopped for her. Neither of them seemed tired. "Are you already giving up?"

Aria fell to her knees, too exasperated for words. Shiki walked over to her and patted her back. "Give her a break, Killua. She's smaller than us and less trained."

"You're never gonna make a great assassin like that," he responded.

"Killua!" Shiki shot a sharp look at him.

"What? That's what aniki always tells me, so I work harder so that I don't get scolded. She's not gonna get stronger if you keep babying her."

Shiki hugged Aria while patting her head, lovingly. "Of course! She's my baby sister. I'm gonna spoil her until our baby brother arrives. Then she won't be the baby anymore."

I was surprised at what I was seeing. Was this really Shiki? I thought she hated Aria, but here she was cooing her little sister with the love and care any normal older sister would provide. Well... sometimes. Not only that, but they all three of them seemed to be good friends. For once, Killua wasn't annoyed by Shiki, and Shiki wasn't desperately seeking Killua's attention. So what went down?

Aria pouted. "Let's play something else."

Killua grinned. "Okay. Let's play hide-and-go-seek. I found a hiding spot that you're never gonna find."

"Oh, yeah?" Shiki said, accepting the challenge. "I'll be it, then! I'm gonna find you so fast, you won't even see me coming."

"You'll have to find me first!" Without missing a beat, Killua started running off.

"Baka. I didn't even close my eyes yet." Shiki covered her eyes and started counting from one. Panicked that the game had begun without warning, Aria scrambled and ran toward the same direction as Killua.

Could Shiki have really murdered her own sister in cold blood? Maybe she was just pretending. Still, there was something different about the younger Shiki before me. If she really did kill her sister just to be closer to Killua, then she wouldn't be barking at Killua to defend Aria like that. Something happened this day that changed everything. Luckily, Aria was small and slow, so it was not too hard to tail her. As I followed her into the fog, I couldn't see anything. After losing sight of her, I continued moving forward, but the fog got thicker. The trees disappeared around me, as if I was walking into a blank space.

Of course. This is Shiki's memory. She wouldn't have known where Aria went while she was counting with her eyes closed. I turned around and started walking back. As the fog cleared up, I was oddly at a different location. The garden cleared out into nothing but the woods with a water brook. As my eyes followed down the river, I spotted two tall men a few ways down, facing down the river. I walked closer to them to identify that they were younger versions of Illumi and Shiki's older brother. Kain, was it? It was freaky seeing Illumi again after watching him die not too long ago. This man would not stop haunting me.

"Are you sure this was the only option?" Illumi asked Kain. I followed their line of sight to the river and gasped, covering my mouth. My skin went cold. In the shallow stream was Aria, faced down as her motionless body bobbed in the water.

"My parents plan on arranging a marriage between Killua and one of my sisters to strengthen our family's ties, but Aria is too frail and weak. Unlike Shiki and I, who started training younger than her age now and gradually excelled from there, Aria could not follow. Her performance was, how do I put it... disappointing. She was too clumsy, cried frequently, and gave up too quickly. She was no longer fit to carry our family name, let alone become an assassin."

How could he? I didn't even know Aria for long, yet she was a sweet and innocent little girl whose life was taken away in a blink of an eye. Fine one moment, gone in the next. Hearing him talk about family made me sick to the stomach.

"That's a little harsh," Illumi jumped in. "Although I agree with you that she was your family's weakest link, in my opinion, it is also your responsibility to discipline her."

"That responsibility is not mine alone. It is Shiki's as well, but instead of teaching Aria, she comforts her and lets her get away with everything with no consequences. It's because of Shiki that both of my sisters have grown soft."

A faint thunder rumbled in the clouds as rain began pouring down. Each rain drop slipped through me, but I still shivered. "My parents agreed to cut off Aria from the family. My sister Shiki, however, is too affectionate of Aria. She never would've approved."

"So she doesn't know?" Illumi asked.

"That's why I made it look like an accident. No one but her would miss her. Shiki will get over it eventually."

"Big... big brother?" The two raised their heads across the river to see a shaken Shiki, timidly coming out from behind a tree. "What... what are you saying? W-why is Aria in the river?"

I gasped and covered my mouth once more. How I have forgotten that this was her memory? She heard the whole thing. The two young men watched silently as Shiki stepped into the opening, her mouth quivering. Even the rain couldn't hide her tears. "Why big brother? Didn't you love Aria? Doesn't mother and father love Aria?"

Finally, her brother spoke. "The love that you believe in is a soft word that gives the weak an excuse to show mercy and pity to one another. Aria was making you too soft and weak. We don't tolerate that in our family. In this world, it's survival of the fittest. Would you want Aria to live in a world too strong and cruel for her?"

Lightning flashed, illuminating the shocked expression in Shiki's wide eyes as her mouth gaped open. Shiki gulped. "Are you g-going to kill me too?"

Without warning, her brother jumped high over the bank and perfectly landed right in front of her. Shiki shrieked as she stumbled back. As Kain stepped closer and knelt down on one knee, Shiki closed her eyes in fear. Fear of her own brother. He gently placed his hand on her head. "Of course not," he said in a soft voice. Shiki opened her eyes, but was still shaking from his touch. "You're my flesh and blood sister. We need you. When you grow up, you'll marry Killua, and we'll all be one big happy family. You'll unify us and make us stronger." Shiki had no words. She simply closed her eyes tight and cried more tears than the rain caught on her face.

Kain stood up and turned to his accomplice. "Say, Illumi. You know that needle insertion you did on Killua? Can you do something for me? I have a better idea."

The figures phased out into thin air like sand dissolving in water. This might be where the memory ends, as far as Shiki remembers. Although, I can already figure out what happened next. One look to my right and there was the exit. I walked out of the door and once I closed it, I slid down with my back against the door, resting my head in my folded arms thinking, "How did it turn out this way?"

All these years, Shiki believed that she hated Aria and she killed her for the good of the family and selfish reasons. But that wasn't the case. It was her family that killed her, and they used Shiki as a scapegoat. They covered everything up by manipulating her memories. How could they do this? All those ideals about strength and love were never Shiki's. Those ideals were forced upon her. Poor Shiki...

I rubbed my arm across my eyes to feel a slick moisture. From the rain? No... my own tears. Now that I think about it, after the moth had eaten away the Nen concealing this memory, does that mean Shiki will remember? How will she react? What will she think? Dang it, Yuki! Why did you have to go in that room?

But... shouldn't this be a good thing? Afterall, Shiki had been living a lie. An ignorant, blissful lie. Maybe it was easier for her to hate Aria. Maybe Shiki shouldn't remember this one memory and everything would go back to normal. Even if it would mean Shiki could go about her day without ever knowing... it would be too cruel. She has already been through so much, and now she has to learn the truth that she actually loved her... and had lost someone very dear to her. I'm sorry, Shiki. Please forgive me for bringing back this unwanted memory.

***

(Killua's P.O.V.)

Almost another hour had passed. When Alluka came back with a stack of blankets, we placed one over Yuki, Lizz, and Shiki so that they wouldn't freeze on the ground. Alluka offered one to Kalluto, but she refused. Alluka and I sat close to each other as we stayed warm. Gon, however, couldn't sit still. He restlessly paced back and forth, waiting impatiently for results.

It amazed me that he could still move around with this much energy at all. He is Gon after all, and an Enhancer. His body's strength and endurance is stronger and has faster healing too, and yet he still managed to get himself banged up like this. Beat up by me. All because I'm his friend... he must have held back. If it wasn't me, he wouldn't be this injured.

"Gon... I'm sorry," I said. Gon stopped to look at me. "I broke my promise... and betrayed you."

He smiled. "Don't sweat it, Killua. It's not your fault that you got mind controlled... again. I knew you were in trouble some how."

"But still, I-"

"Killua!" I stiffened. Gon extended his bandaged fist at me. "I don't mind being betrayed by you. You're my brother. I'll always believe in you."

My mouth slightly gaped as I inhaled. If I wasn't surrounded by so many people, I wouldn't be holding back the tears built up behind my eyes. Gon... you have been my one and only true best friend my whole life, but hearing you say that out loud finally made me realize. Bonds are much stronger than blood. All of my friends here are the people I cherish most in the world. My true family. The family that I chose. All this time I've been focusing on protecting everyone that I have forgotten how much they've been taking care of me this whole time. I couldn't be more greatful.

Shiki shot up straight with a gasp.

"Shiki!" I exclaimed as Alluka, Gon and I rushed over to her. "How did it go?"

"Are Lizz's memories okay?" Gon asked. Both Gon and I blinked in surprise when Shiki started mourning with tears streaming down her face. I could tell by the look in Gon's eyes that he did not like that response, his teeth clenching in disbelief. We were both hoping for something more optimistic. Did this mean that they failed.

"I'm sorry, Aria..." Shiki choked, tears running down her eyes and snot dripping down her nose. "I'm so so sorry..."

What was this all of a sudden? Gon looked at me confused. I, however, grew concerned. I wiped the tears from Shiki's eyes. "Hey, hey. Shhh. Calm down," I said in a low voice. "Shiki, what do you mean? Why are you apologizing to Aria all of a sudden?"

Shiki sniffed, doing her best to keep all fluids inside. She looked at me, and in her eyes was a familiar glimmer I had not seen in a very long time. It was heartbreaking for some reason. "Killua... I..."

"Lizz?!" We turned to Gon, who was holding Lizz in his arms as her eyelids began to twitch. She was waking up.

"I... I'll tell you later," Shiki said. Something was bothering her, I could tell, but right now our main concern was Lizz's well-being.

Lizz groggily opened her eyes and looked around at us, her brows scrunched in worry. "Did I miss something?"

"Lizz-chan! You're awake!" Overjoyed, Gon gave her a big hug, then let go just as quick. "Wait a minute! Do you remember who you are?"

Lizz blinked, then raised a confused eyebrow. "You just said my name, Gon."

"You know who I am!" Gon squeezed her once more in her arms, their cheeks rubbing against each other, causing her face to flush. Her memories were back, all right.

Alluka tossed the blanket aside and threw herself at her friends, wrapping her arms around them. "Lizz-chaaaaaan!" She sobbed tears of joy.

Shiki and I smiled at each other. "You guys did it!" I turned to Abengane, who was smiling in relief. "Thank you for your help, Abengane."

"It was the least I could do to repay you for what you did back at Greed Island."

"Huh?" It has been a long time since I heard that name. Gon and I spent a lot of time training there and met a lot of people, but I don't remember ever meeting Abengane. "Since when did I..."

"You defeated the Bomber," he answered.

"Bomber?" The name was at the tip of my tongue. It took me a few seconds to remember that rotten trio Gon, Bisky and I had to fight before beating the game. "Oh, yeah! I remember. I guess you must've been on their bad side, huh?"

"You could say that."

Gon gave Lizz a hand to stand back up, although her strength had proven that she was fine. "What happened? I blacked out and..."

"You were attacked by Zexion," Gon explained. "He tried to erase Yuki's memories, but you blocked it. Luckily, Abengane-san used his Nen exercising skills to save you."

"Yeah, and don't forget about us," Shiki joined in. "We helped too, right Yuki?" We all expected Yuki to chime in, only to see her still lying on the floor with her eyes closed. "Yuki?"

My instincts kicked in and I immediately knelt next to her, checking her vitals. "Yuki!" She was still breathing, sound asleep but unresponsive. I turned to Abengane. "What's wrong with her?! Why isn't she waking up?!"