Note: Hey ya'll Oby's back at it! Make sure to like/comment on the story if you like it or have suggestions. Currently working on Oby's dinner and dancing date with Hisoka for the next chapter. It's all fun n games til a surprise visitor shows up! Stay tuned n thanks for the support! xoxox

I arrive at the holding room where tryouts for Tsezguerra's new players for Greed Island are going on. There's over a hundred people here. Even though they say there are 32 spots, there are realistically probably 20 due to the players that are still in the game. I don't know why they're not honest about that. Tsezguerra knows my abilities so I won't have to get tested, but he's not the type do favors without something in return.

I sit in the crowd, waiting for the line to die down. "Oby!" a chipper young voice calls. I turn to see Gon and Killua behind me. Gon's smiling and waving towards me. Killua blushes with a sucker it looks like he's about to swallow. It'd be rude to ignore them, but I kind of feel bad sitting next to Gon, having the answer he seeks and not being able to tell him. His adorable big brown puppy eyes are always so excited, I would hate to ever let him down. I remember feeling that way with his father Ging when we were working together to help create the island. When we picked out some of the monsters assigned to the cards and fought them to see how they could be beat. We made a good team, while it lasted.

"I didn't know you were interested in joining the game," Gon chirps.

I sit down between the two boys. "My specialty is blacklist hunting. The person I'm tracking is in this game."

"What's their name?" Killua asks.

"Mattheo," I answer.

Killua nods and looks as if he's already trying to match a face to the name. "If we come across him, or anyone that knows anything about him, we'll let you know."

"Thanks. Just make sure not to go after him or any of his associates. They'll likely be armed, dangerous, and more experienced in combat than you."

Gon nudges me. "C'mon, don't you have faith in us to hold our own?"

I narrow my eyes at him. Has he already forgotten what happened last week? "As the person who had to rescue you two after you rushed into a mission unprepared, no I don't. Someone should've said this to you before, but your abilities and your potential are not the same thing. While you both are accomplishing feats most people would never dream of, you're still young and have a lot to learn. Like being able to tell when you're outmatched and how to beat your opponent if they're stronger, faster, or smarter than you."

Killua swishes the sucker around in his mouth. "Is that why you hang out with Hisoka? Because you're trying to figure how to beat him?"

Umm, rude. I throw him some side eye. "Among other things."

He cuts his eyes back at me. "What other things?"

Is he jealous? I chuckle and hug Killua to my side, pressing his head softly to my bosom. "Grown people things." His cheeks turn the color of strawberries, his eyes bulge to twice their normal size, and his lips grow moist around his sucker. He's taken by surprise. Aww, it's so sweet and innocent. Makes me wonder if he's ever even held a girl's hand before. One that he wasn't related to. "Anyway it's not a matter of figuring him out. It's just about finding the right time to pick up where we left off."

Lips pursed in a crooked line, eyebrows twitching, Killua genuinely looks like he can't process thought. His hair stands on edge. I can feel slight trickles of electricity travel through my fingertips. I can't believe all it took was one hug to turn him into a goofball.

As I giggle, Gon turns to me. "It's just kinda surprising that you and Hisoka are...hanging out."

What the hell, we have some time to kill so I'll bite. "And why's that?"

Gon's eyes widen and he takes a tone as if the answer should be obvious. "Hisoka's a murderer who kills people to satisfy his bloodlust. The only things he seems to care about are chaos and himself."

I slowly wrap one of my arms around Gon's shoulders. "Sooner or later, we all become murderers in this business. Hell, I killed before I became a hunter. Have you considered that you don't fully know Hisoka, that you've only seen one side of him on the battlefield? I've been around worse men in my life, including—" I cut myself off before I say 'your father' thinking of what name I can say instead, "Uvogin. Men who are narcissistic assholes who don't care past what they want."

Gon pulls away from me slightly. "Are you saying it's okay that Hisoka indiscriminately kills people?"

Look at him using a word bigger than him. I look at the fire forming in Gon's eyes, maybe he feels I betrayed the forces of good with the company I've kept. I soften my voice to try to calm him down. "Let me answer your question with a question. Have you ever seen Hisoka kill someone who you'd deem innocent outside of a fight or some other life-threatening circumstance?"

Gon hesitates. "Well, no, but—"

I stroke his spiky hair. "All's fair in love and war, honey. As you get older and work with other hunters, many of them will have habits you don't like. But you'll have to live with them. One of the things that makes me a good fighter is my willingness to put aside differences to get the job done. I'm sure you'll still have a moral code, as I do, where some people are genuinely evil and need to be put down, but I don't believe Hisoka is one of them. And believe it or not, even Hisoka with all his sociopathic tendencies has a moral code."

Gon sighs, genuinely frustrated with me. He's such a Enhancer, wearing all his emotions openly. Maybe he doesn't think Hisoka is capable of true goodness, quite frankly I don't know if he is either. I'm just going based off of what I've seen and hope for. I do believe in giving a person the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise. Who they've been in the past isn't necessarily who they are now. If I ever thought Hisoka was a genuine threat to society, I'd like to believe I'd cut him off or put him down if I needed to. But I've been wrong before. There was a time I thought Uvo was better than he really was. Yet I'm also not good at lying, especially to myself, so I'll stick by my current path and agree to disagree with Gon for the time being.

Gon pets my shoulder like I need comforting. "You have a conscience. You risked your life to save us. Protecting your team matters to you. When you were fighting the Phantom Troupe, Hisoka was prepared to watch you die. You deserve a man who's willing to fight for you."

It's interesting that Gon describes Hisoka as a trifling man when his own father left him and made no attempt to form a relationship with his son over the years. Meanwhile Gon's ready to chase this sorry fool halfway around the world, risking life and limb, just to be acknowledged. Both boys see me as so vulnerable when Gon is really the only one with his heart on the line. "And you two think you're those men?" I ask jokingly.

Killua stands up with balled up fists, eyes ice cold as he stares me down. "We're more that man than Hisoka is."

I laugh out loud, completely tickled by Killua's boldness. It's amazing how naïve youth can be. They're talking me as if I don't know what a real man, real love looks like. Well, I've never actually been in love, but I know what a real partner who has your back looks like. I think back to Heaven's Arena when Hisoka told me how smitten young Killua is with me and how I can use that to my advantage when it's time to teach him. What a cute little boyfriend he'd make in 10-15 years. I'd probably get bored and restless then break his heart. I'll let him live for now. "First off, he couldn't blow his cover. Secondly, Hisoka knew I could survive the Phantom Troupe, which is why he didn't intervene. I'm sure you boys know by now that sometimes you have to go through painful experiences in order to get stronger."

Killua rolls his eyes and crosses his arms. "Is that what he told you?"

This boy is really coming for me today. Really gonna have to keep an eye on him. Is this his way of trying to be protective of me? Ha, standing he barely comes to my chest. I can't wait to wrap him around my finger, maybe I already have. This truly has been cute, but enough is enough. "I suggest you two focus on training while you're in the game. There are players and beasts there that are just as strong if not stronger than the spiders. Perhaps there will be another player that's interested in training you."

Killua's hands are in his pockets playing with a rectangular object. I can tell it's the black card I gave him at Heaven's Arena. The card he'll give me when they're ready to train with me. "So does that mean you're not ready to take us on yet?"

I notice the line is beginning to die down and stand up to walk over. "I am ready for anything, but I can't say the same for you. When you get better at following directions and your nen improves, we'll talk."

Killua genuinely looks disappointed when I say this so I rub his and Gon's soft, round chins before I go to the front of the line. "I'm sure we'll cross paths in the game with all the locations you'll have to go to for cards. I'll try to be helpful where I can."

"How will we get in contact with you?" Gon asks.

I smile at them. "You'll find out soon enough."

I'm escorted to the backroom by two body guards for disturbing the peace. Sometimes that's the only way to get results. All I did was cut to the front and tell off some dude who had a problem with it. Thankfully Tsezguerra requested to see the "miscreant" rather than have me thrown out. When I get back there, I see him looking over a sheet of paper, likely judging the results of the applicants so far. Other than a little more gray and a few wrinkles, he looks the same: long and lean build in a combat suit, broad shoulders and sharp cheekbones, slicked back hair, fox eyes, bushy brows. Not bad for an older man. We've exchanged mild flirtations in the past, just enough to keep things friendly. I'm surprised he never settled down with some mild-mannered housewife. Some may see him as intimidating, but his face softens when he sees me. He waves away the guards. "Of course you're the troublemaker cutting in front of the rest of the line."

I shrug. "I got tired of waiting. I'm surprised it's taking you so long. You could usually spot who's wasting your time in 5 seconds flat.

He smirks as his eyes travel up my body. "Guess I'm growing soft in my old age. How can I help you?"

I tilt my head to the side. "I need to find a man named Mattheo. Heard he's in Greed Island."

He sighs and closes his eyes. "I've heard of him. Animal trader. The more exotic, close to extinct, the better."

"Probably why my employer wants him gone."

He looks at a map posted behind him on the wall and points to a corner of land. "A few shipments have gone out from Soufrabi. Wouldn't be surprised if a few of those crates were packed with beasts from the island. Another shipment is scheduled 2 days from now. I'd start there if I were you." One of his brows raises and his voices softens, "But first..."

I walk over to the side of him, sit on the table and cross my legs. "What do you want?"

He puts his clipboard down, leans closer to me until our arms touch. "There's a player in the game who's killing off some of the others, eliminating the competition. They call him The Bomber."

"Want me to take him out?" I ask.

He rubs my shoulder with one of his fingers. "Normally I'd say yes, but he takes out whole groups of people. Plus he has at least two others working for him. So stick to tracking and reporting for now."

I scratch my head. "Do you know what any of the bomb squad looks like?"

Tsezguerra purses his mouth for a moment. "Not yet. But his last attack was also in Soufrabi, not far from the shipping dock. You'll draw a lot less attention than I or my men will."

I lick my lips and smile. "So you want me to track down a faceless man, but rather than kill him, I'm supposed to contact you and hope the rescue team gets there in time to stop him?"

Tsezguerra nods. "I have faith in you."

I turn to him and he looks back at me. Noticing the salt and pepper in his beard I rub the bottom of his goatee. It's well-groomed, soft like fur, he seems to like the sensation so I twirl my nail around the hairs. "In my experience, when you're close enough to identify the perp, you're already in their trap."

Goosebumps pop out on his neck. When he inhales, I can tell he's smelling my perfume. "We both have gone up against worst odds,  right?"

It is a bit worrisome to not have an idea of what or who to look for since I never had a case where I didn't know who to approach. It could be anyone. That kind of anonymity is dangerous. And I don't know what specific weaponry he uses and how to counterattack him. This will be an interesting mission at least, one where I'll have to get creative and think on the fly. I stand up and move away from the table. "I'll have an answer for you by the end of the week. Where's the game console?"

His hands grip the ends of the table. "Take the train Uptown. The mansion on 651 Plymouth. You'll have a head start. I'll let the staff know to expect you." He digs in his pocket and pulls out a chip. "Here's a new memory card. I'm sure you still have your ring?"

"Of course," I say.

His fingertips slide against the ends of my hair. "I look forward to you playing with my beard again."

I feel his eyes on me as I walk away. "Try not to wear yourself out with the first timers."

There's a smile in his voice. "Don't worry, I'll have enough energy for you."

When I arrive, I'm directed upstairs and down the hall to the computer room. Each screen has a picture of the accepted player who'll enter there. I look for my image and find one of me from 12 years ago. My hair's in an afro that crowns my shoulders, midnight skin that's a shade lighter, same turquoise eyes, but my face was softer and rounder. I put in the memory card, put on the ring, reach out to touch the console, fire up my nen, and transfer into the game.

Everything goes white. My body becomes light, vast and uninterrupted. For a few moments I'm weightless. My memory is the first thing to come back to me and it comes down hard. Takes me to places I've tried to run away from, that I want to forget. The water drop falls from the leaf. I'm a child again, bloated belly, flies dance dangerously close to my eyes. All I know is hunger. The woman I know to be my mother beats my feet when I do something she deems wrong. I grab crickets from the grasslands, eat their legs so they'll no longer be able to sing. Feet reveal their bruises only to the ground. On a good day there was white rice and honey. My hair falls out in clumps. The doctors near our village experiment on pregnant women and children, give medicine that deforms. My mother tells me the doctors gave me blue eyes. Sunrise and sunset are the only beautiful things; they set fire to the sky. I see a boy with a spine so jagged and angular that he's forced to walk on all fours like a beast of burden. Where is papa? A monkey jumps from the clothes line to my shoulder as I fold the laundry. She follows me to the river when I gather water and becomes one of my only friends. I name her Dari.

I come up face first from the light, gasping for air like I've been drowning. And I can't seem to stop it. Ever since I experienced Pakunoda's power with the Phantom Troupe, my memories can't stop unlocking themselves. Her power must have triggered something in my mind, something that keeps flaring up any time I'm at peace or resting. I thought they were nightmares that would pass, but they won't stop coming. I thought I accepted my childhood and past a long time ago, but everytime I see myself helpless and wanting, I'm less sure. Maybe there's someone on this island who can make it stop. Some magic that can banish my past back to where it came from. It's the other reason I thought I might need a change of scenery.

"Nwaike? Is that you?" a robotic, feminine voice asks.

As I look up, the last of the light leaves my eyes, and my vision solidifies. I see a slender young woman with big blue eyes in a black dress with eyes all over it. Eta. My face is wet so I run my fingers over my cheeks and discover I've been crying.  "I'm fine, and I go by Oby now." I say catching my breath and wiping tears away. I hate crying, let alone in front of people, so I reel it in as quickly as possible. "Just a little turbulence on my trip here. How've you been, Eta?"

I think she can tell I'm trying to get back to normal and avoid emotions because she looks away. "Fine, the usual. People check in, some of them don't check out. Wasn't expecting to see you back here. You've really grown up, haven't you?"

I look around the room which is like the inside of a computer, various circuits lighting up around us. "Guess I got sentimental and decided to come back for a visit. That, and I'm on the job."

She nods and looks down the stairs to the exit. "It's a bit different from when you were last here. Not all of it, but a fair amount. New beasts, games, towns. "

I shrug. "Not surprised. All games get updated eventually. New challenges keep things interesting."

When I tell her about Mattheo her eyes redden in momentary alarm. "He's one of players who doesn't have permission to be here, but he moves around so often and it's such a vast territory that it's hard for me or any of the game masters to find him."

"Well it wouldn't be much of a mission if it was going to be easy."

Her eyes narrow as she talks about her suspicions. "I think some of the NPCs are covering for him because there's no way he's gone undetected for this long otherwise."

"I'll find out soon enough," I respond. With all the talk of what's changed, I wonder if the things I loved most are still here. "Is Penelope still singing?"

Eta's brows furrow. "Of course. What else is there for her to do here? Her club's moved closer to Port. It's gotten more colorful over the years, but then again so has she. Will you be performing there?"

I smile at the thought. I've been so caught up in fighting lately that it feels like forever since I've danced. I miss that freedom, where my body feels like wind and water instead of a machine. "Maybe. We'll play it by ear."

Eta giggles like a school girl. "I'm sure Ging will be happy to see you dance if you see him."

My eyes widen. Shit. Why is he here? Ging is damn near untraceable, disappearing for long stretches at a time and now he wants to show up. For what? For Gon I hope. I try to keep my cool and continue talking. "He's in the game?"

"Yea, he's visiting too. I'm not sure how long he'll be here, but it's nice to have the gang back for a while."

"Sure," I respond.

Before I wrap with Eta, she tells me my bungalow is still in tact near the Harbor Master's home. Thank goodness. And all the game masters' bungalows are on different parts of the island, which is as big as a small country. I left some belongings here so I'll be able to change for tonight. I go downstairs to the Shiso Tree, the entrance to the game. It's a lovely summer day with big bright clouds, lots of sun, but a breeze to keep things cool. The flat green landscape is vast, small ponds and trees  spread as far as the eye can see. My phone vibrates and I see a text from Hisoka.

Be there later tonight. ★—_—🌢

He told me he's coming to the island to find an exorcist for Chrol—wait, an exorcist might be the answer for me. To help get rid of these nightmares. My flashbacks are a result of a nen user's power over me, like a curse. If that's the case, perhaps Pakunoda's leftover aura can be exorcised from me so that I can go back to normal. It's worth a try. Between finding Mattheo, The Bomber, avoiding Ging, and now the exorcist this trip is starting to feel less and less like a vacation.  I think I will go dancing tonight to take the edge off before my trek begins.

Wear shoes comfortable shoes, I text back to Hisoka.

I'd really like to get the taste of rice and honey out of my mouth, and this date is the perfect way to do that.