Shichi smiled, falling back onto the ground that was starting to give way to the flames that roared, undefeated by the rain. Shards of glass pierced through her back and tattered rags of clothes. Bullets of freezing droplets stung her skin and open wounds. The sound of gunshots and explosions from below reverberated in her pounding head. But she didn't care, she couldn't care.

The only thing she cared about, as she lay there soaked in water and her own blood that was so much different than his, was that it was over.

It was all over.

Staring up into the heavens, she began to think to herself. Had the world always been this... Big? Everything seemed to make her feel so minuscule, so small, so insignificant, yet somehow, not weak, not something that could be crushed. Just... Lonely. The skies seemed so far. The world seemed so empty.

But it wasn't the world that was empty. It was her.

Just moments before there was sorrow. Pain. Anger. Hatred. Satisfaction. Happiness. Justice. Those things existed, she was sure. They were not a part of some delusional dream; she had indeed breathed in those things, she lived in those things, those things were a part of her. But now there was nothing left.

There was nothing left inside the person called Shichi.

Shichi laughed.

"It's over, Wistle."

Shichi had
never

felt

this

Empty.

Something.

Existence.

Substance.

Something moved inside her when she saw coral eyes.

There was something left.

"Shichi-oneesan."

-

"Rukei- ow!"

Shichi swore as she lifted up a hand to her head, enduring the effects of sitting up to quickly, her vision slowly clearing to reveal her surroundings.

Her apparent pain wasn't just caused by her head rush but also by her injuries from her battle with the man. Her burned arms had been treated and her abdomen had been bandaged from that stab she had received from the Ben's Knife.

Her clothes had been swapped out with a clean, flimsy, blue fabric, the kind one'd see patients wear in hospitals. A look around the neat, orderly, and filled with medical equipment room, told her that she was a patient in a hospital.

The shards of glass, freezing rain, gunshots and explosions was nothing but an old memory awoken after three years that came through her sleep.

"How are you feeling?"

"Great," Shichi replied immediately as she glanced over to the owner of the familiar sweet voice who smiled softly despite the teen's evident sarcasm, "Never felt better with a stab wound and burns."

Senritsu stood from the chair they had set out for the patient's family or friends and approached the annoyed girl graciously, "The doctors said you were healing very quickly. They may be able to release you by tomorrow."

Shichi huffed, pulling off the blanket and moving to the bedside. A chill shot up her as she placed her feet on the freezing tile despite the yellow ray that had broken through the window and onto the floor, "That's not going to fly," the girl muttered, looking up towards the woman, "How long have I been out? Looks to be about eight or nine."

"It's about nine thirty," she answered, "Don't worry, it's only been a night."

"I see," Shichi responded offhandedly as her gaze focused on the ragged coat hung over an empty chair and a guitar case leaned against the wall, "Did you bring me here?"

Senritsu shook her head which worried Shichi a little. Who took her here then? "A young man carried you here. He realized that I recognized you, and requested that I look after you."

"A young man?"

The woman nodded, "He never gave me his name. He seemed to be about fourteen or fifteen with light hair and freckles."

Marron. Shichi concluded with a curse as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "I owe him now." She faintly wondered if he ever got that piece of treasure he was looking for, Eden's Orange or something like that... Well, either way, it's not like Shichi could pursue the phantom thief seriously. He had helped quite a bit during the rebellion so her superior avoided giving her, Glass or Crimson and anyone else previously in the Zakuya, assignments regarding Phantom Thief Riffle.

"I suppose you know him then," Senritsu assumed. A few moments of silence followed, filled by Shichi shuffling into her old clothes, the click of the metal clasps over her boots, and the thump of the guitar case being swung open to reveal Tenjū neatly tucked in. "You aren't really thinking of going out now are you? You may not be fully healed."

The teen scoffed while fumbling around for a band to tie her hair up, "Trust me, I've been through a lot worse," she assured, at last finding one in the depths of her pockets.

Senritsu made another attempt to convince the girl otherwise but was cut off by Shichi's sudden question. "That's right. I almost forgot about him. What happened to Kurapika and the auction?"

"The auction was not canceled," the woman replied, and her tone grew softer and more concerned as she went on,"Kurapika was very exhausted, as you can imagine, but he said he would be meeting up with a few friends today."

Probably her sister and her pals then, Shichi guessed while pulling her hair into the band, "Huh. I see. Then what about the Troupe- where is it?"

The woman watched in confusion as Shichi's bandaged hand flew to her neck for a moment, realizing she was missing something. She whipped about while simultaneously emptying her pockets and throwing colorful language left and right.

The girl's first movement gave it away and Senritsu understood. She withdrew a small cerise orb attached to a simple black cord and held it out, "Is this it?"

The teen seemed to stop completely, breathed shortly as if she realized what kind of fuss she made and gave a curt thanks as she took it back and hung it where it belonged.

"It must be very important to you," the woman noted kindly despite the teen's rather impolite behavior, "It's beautiful."

Shichi awkwardly smiled, suddenly feeling ashamed, "Yeah, it is."

"A gift from someone?"

The teen gave the woman an exasperated glance, but somehow a little warmer, "You know everything, don't you?" Shichi smiled lightly, touching the globe gently, as if she was looking for some kind of reassurance, "It's supposed to be a good luck charm."

"Does it work?"

"That's debatable."

-

"Why do I have to be referee?"

Rukei's question was unanswered as both boys engaged in their food eating match and the girl was only left to give them a small warning of 'don't complain to me if you get sick'. The brunette watched in an unimpressed manner, silently musing on how much Shichi would freak if she saw the array of food.

For some reason, Rukei hoped Shichi was okay. Something had pulled on her mind last night that wasn't the headache from her overuse of the new ability. She didn't quite know what it was but it was an impractical, illogical, and terrible feeling that something had happened.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when Gon suddenly yelled, "Kurapika!" resulting in bits of food on a displeased Killua's face.

Rukei quickly stood at the name, and sure enough, a blonde boy with tired brownish gray eyes had reached them. She was glad he was alright, he must have been caught up in the auction attacks.

"This is great," Gon declared as he ran up to their friend, who seemed surprise at his positivity, "The spiders are dead, so you can finally focus on your main goal! You have to find the eyes of your people. If there's anything we can do to help-"

The boy's uplifting words were smothered by a pie that Killua slammed into the other's face. Gon took a moment to respond, before grabbing another and tossing at the white-haired boy who ducked away with an angry "hey!".

"You did it first!" Killua taunted, "I was getting revenge!"

His friend was not satisfied with the boy's excuse and continued to chase him around yelling that he didn't do anything on purpose. Killua shut him up with another pie to the face and Rukei chided them for wasting food.

-

"It's been a while since we were all together!"

Rukei smiled lightly at the group as they headed towards the elevator. Zepile was busy with the auction still according to Leorio who suddenly turned back to the blonde, "Anyway..."

He turned his eyes onto the man curiously, "What is it?"

"You've got this intensity about you... You seem a little more intimidating now," Leorio commented where the blonde hardly shrugged.

"Really? You don't seem to have changed much."

"And you're more annoying, too!"

The girl covered her mouth to hide a smile at their conversation. But Leorio had a point, Kurapika had changed a little, aside from his longer hair. Rukei wondered if she had changed. Jen said so, and Elaine told her that too. Had she maybe gotten a little taller?

Leorio brought up a topic that was slightly older, "Oh, I heard that you defeated a member of the Phantom Troupe. Having only just learned Nen, how did you manage to do that?"

The blonde had caught on very quickly at the attempt of the casual lure and he withheld the answer coldly, "If you're looking for advice on capturing the spiders, then stop."

"That's not the only reason," Gon insisted, "We want to master Nen. Because we'll definitely need Nen in the future."

"Then you don't want my advice," Kurapika replied, firm and unmoving, "It won't do you any good."

There was something about the way Kurapika spoke that made Rukei dread every next word her would say. Happy, light atmosphere gone, she could only listen quietly as the boy next to her asked, "Why not?"

"My power can only be used against the Troupe."

They had all gathered around in the room to listen to Kurapika's explanation. The clear skies of blue began to be taken over by gray; the kind of gray that foretold of an incoming storm.

"Restraint and vow?" Gon repeated, as Kurapika held out his hand.

Chains appeared over his knuckles and fingers to show them, "Nen is strongly affected by your mental state. The stronger your resolve, the more power you receive," the blonde retracted his hand, the chains clinking against each other, "However, you also incur a big risk at the same time. In return for Nen power, I vowed to use it against the spiders alone. I established a rule for myself."

"What's the rule?"

"If I use my chains on one who isn't a spider, I will forfeit my life."

Rukei showed neither anger or fear to contrast what she felt inside. I don't want it to happen again.

"You talk as if I'm afraid to die."

The memory was stowed back away in the files of her mind, as Kurapika only gave her a moment to think, "There is a Nen blade pointed at my heart. If I break the rule, that blade will pierce my heart, killing me. This is the rule that shows my resolve. Restraint and vow. My power is the product of pure hatred. It only works on spiders. I'm telling you because I trust you. Please don't tell this to anyone else-"

"Why...," Killua started to his feet, traces of fear and panic in his voice, "Why would you tell us something so important?!"

Kurapika's eyes drifted to the floor at the question, "I'm not sure. With their leader's death, I must have relaxed."

"It'll be fine if we keep our mouths shut," Leorio reasoned, trying to get the white-haired boy to calm down.

"It's too dangerous," Killua shot down the idea of safety, "One of the surviving members can read minds. If they find out, Kurapika won't be able to beat them!"

Gon turned his head towards his friend with confusion, "But she didn't learn anything last time."

"That's because we didn't know Kurapika was the chain user," Killua replied. He did have a point and it was beginning to stir worry up in Rukei as well.

"Then we just have to stay away from them," Leorio put in, still not thoroughly convinced, "They already checked you, so they think you're clean."

Killua wasn't finished on piling up his reasons, "There's this other guy called Nobunaga. He's especially dangerous. He's looking for Kurapika, and he's still trying to chase us down."

"I'm more concerned about the woman with threads," Rukei finally spoke up, "Apparently, she has a sharp instinct and she almost caught on to us. If she brings up the subject again..."

"Are they aware that you guys know Kurapika?" Leorio questioned, and the answer was negative, "Then it's okay! As long as no one around the mind reader knows Kurapika then you're safe!"

There was a moment of silence before the blonde broke some unsettling news, "Actually, I've been in contact with Hisoka."

She didn't think that Kurapika was the one who gave creepy clown her number, but it was completely possible that he somehow snatched it off the blonde.

"He knows that I am the chain user. We made a pact, but his target, the leader of the spiders, is now dead. So I don't know what actions he'll take."

An ominous roar from the cloud rumbled overhead and as if it was some kind of call, it began to rain. Rukei tightened her grip over her left hand in her lap, speaking up more in hopes to provide comfort to herself than the others, "I don't think he'll sell you out. It looks like he wants to keep us alive for now, for whatever reason."

The quietude sat among them, giving her an ill feeling. Killua finally brought up the situation at hand, "What do we do? Now that we know Kurapika's secret, it's dangerous to wait around. If Nobunaga captures either Gon, Rukei, or me again, we probably won't be able to escape. And they know about Rukei's memory. They'll try checking her again."

Rukei knew that. She was practically a danger to everyone in the room because of her ability to process and retain. If the Phantom Troupe began to suspect her and her friends again, she would probably be their golden target.

"But we have Kurapika with us now. We should take them out before they have a chance to recover and escape," Killua went on looking for a fast way to counter the threat, "But we know where their current base is. If we take too long, they might get away. They could be making an escape as we speak," the boy added, "We don't have time for too much thought."

"The woman you mentioned is certainly a threat...," Kurapika evaluated the situation before him, "But since their leader is dead, I'll do as Gon says and focus on recovering my brethren's eyes."

Rukei felt a little relief in those words. While she certainly felt worry from the Phantom Troupe, she was glad to know that there was a chance that Kurapika wasn't going to end up like Shichi, or worse.

"Seriously?!"

"Yes."

Killua was still very hesitant on the subject, "You're sure about this?"

Leorio smiled as the air relaxed a little though the downpour continued, "Kurapika's made up his mind. We can't force him to change it."

The white-haired boy sat back down as the blonde apologized and thanked him for the information. A series of beeps rang out through the room from Kurapika's phone and Rukei expected it to be some kind of business call from his employer. "It's from Hisoka."

She tensed at the name, knowing that the jester never brought any good news or smile to the courts. As if to prove the idea, Kurapika's eyes dilated and he seemed to almost crush the phone in between his fingers.

"The bodies were fake."

Leorio jolted at the information, "You mean the dead bodies of the Troupe's members?"

"Yes, the dead spiders were fakes!" Kurapika raised his voice and lost his composure for the second time in front of them since they had met up, "It would be possible for a Conjurer to accomplish that," the blonde cursed, "Why didn't I realize this earlier?!"

Killua was still ready for battle, "The situation's changed. What now? We're here to help."

The blonde shut his eyes for a moment and when he opened them again they had regained an amount of calm, enough to be able to work a plan. There was another ring of the phone and Rukei was ready to grab the device out of Kurapika's hand and threaten the stupid clown for information before she would bring down complete and utter mass destruction. She had just about enough of him.

It wasn't Hisoka, rather it was someone by the name of Senritsu. A co-worker, she concluded. Kurapika relayed the information to everyone after the call. The Ten Dons gave a direct order for the bounty on the Troupe's head to be withdrawn due to the Troupe's origins from Meteor City.

"Makes sense," Leorio nodded, cupping his chin in his hand, "That explains why their identities are still unknown and why the cops haven't been able to catch them."

"What's Meteor City?" Gon questioned.

Leorio explained that it was a city populated with people, as far as society was concerned, didn't exist. Officially, it was unpopulated but there was probably about ten million people living there in the dump that started about 1,500 years ago. Those people lived off the garbage in that dump; they accepted everything there, trash, weapons, even to people.

"I've heard that Meteor City residents share a bond thinner than that between strangers yet stronger than that between family," Leorio mentioned and Rukei's grip around her hand tightened, if she even could do so any further. She understood that bond in a way. All nine of them.

Kurapika told them why the Mafia had stopped pursuing the Troupe. "Actually there are those who provide Meteor City with weapons and precious metals under the pretext of garbage. That would be the Mafia Community."

"What do you mean?" Gon asked with surprise, "The Mafia is hunting the Phantom Troupe!"

"In return the Mafia recruited people from Meteor City."

"People who didn't exist as far as society was concerned," Leorio finished up, "Perfect for committing crimes."

A couple faces flashed through her minds as the conversation went on, "Several people from the Zakuya are from Meteor City. The place is quite a popular pick for criminal syndicates in general."

Leorio nodded, as he held out a hand while continuing to explain, "The Troupe destroyed the normally intimate relationship between these organizations and Meteor City, but the Mafia has decided to prioritize that relationship."

-

"No."

"Huh? Why not?" Gon persisted, voicing Rukei's exact thoughts, "You were the one who wanted to capture the Phantom Troupe."

Killua folded his arms while staring both of them down, "It'd be pointless now."

"But why?"

Okay, Rukei knew that much but she still didn't want to back off the situation. Killua shook his head in disapproval, "With the reward gone, you'd be taking a big risk for nothing."

"What do you mean by 'nothing'?" Rukei countered, "If we don't handle this now Kurapika could be in immediate danger, along with ourselves."

"Yeah, capturing the Phantom Troupe would be worth it!"

The white-haired boy got into their faces with an unimpressed stare, "You guys are getting your priorities mixed up. Have you forgotten why we're here?"

Gon smiled uneasily at the new topic. "Greed Island."

"Yeah, exactly!" Killua huffed, straightening his posture, "The Southern Piece Auction starts in two days. We need to build up our war chest!"

The spiky-haired boy however seemed to have an effective way to convince Killua otherwise, "Wait, actually I have a great plan to get the game."

That was news. Rukei hadn't heard anything about this either as Killua inquired further. "What's your plan?"

Gon hummed, thinking to himself before grinning, "Right now, it's a secret!"

Wham!

Killua grabbed the boy into a lock after Rukei smacked him across the head as they demanded for information. The boy begged for mercy, slapping his hand for a release several times while yelling that he was going to die.

"Anyways, I'll work something out for the game," Gon stated after they stopped hounding him, "So for now, let's stick to the Troupe."

"Do you really have a plan?" Killua interrogated skeptically and he got a positive answer, though Gon couldn't guarantee it would work. "How likely is it to work?" He repeated the question when Gon didn't seem to get it, "What percentage do you think your plan has of working?"

The boy scratched his chin, trying to think, "Seventy percent."

"Seventy?!"

"M-maybe more like sixty," Gon corrected himself, thinking the number to be too high. He gave them a please-trust-me-guys smile as she glanced over.

Rukei didn't know what kind of plan the boy had in mind, but she would trust the boy for now. Gon wasn't one to lie or let them down. "Sixty percent is higher than our chances of earning six billion in two days."

The white-haired boy finally gave in, "Alright, fine. I'll let you handle the game, Gon. But we can't deal with the Phantom Troupe alone. We only move if Kurapika helps us."

And so, they quickly ran the the blonde, asking to allow them to assist him.

"Kurapika, let us help," Gon continued on earnestly, "We're willing to do anything."

He stared at the three incredulously, "The reward was rescinded."

"I know," the boy replied immediately, "I want to stop the Phantom Troupe. That hasn't changed."

Kurapika turned to face them fully, a sound and look of disbelief still present, "You'll be risking your lives."

"I have to do something this time."

He moved his gaze down at her and she looked up from her shoes to meet it. Kurapika wasn't Shichi. Rukei knew that. Even if Kurapika resembled the girl so much, Rukei almost began to feel homesick, Rukei knew that Kurapika wasn't Shichi. But she wanted to protect Kurapika too, not as some Shichi stand in or older sister or brother figure, she wanted to protect Kurapika, as Kurapika, her friend.

"Of course, risking life or death is included."

Kurapika did not answer her for a moment, only looking through her eyes and Gon's. He had found an answer in them and whatever it was, he was satisfied with it. "Okay, let's put together a plan."

The storm outside had grown stronger, and closer as Rukei absentmindedly counted the interval between the light and the sound.

"First, we'll need someone to watch the base and provide updates," the blonde started.

Killua raised his hand, ready to take the position, "I can do that."

The bodyguard nodded in approval before giving out further directions, "The target is a woman named Pakunoda. You can ignore everyone else. Be very careful."

The boy grinned, "Don't worry. I won't push my luck."

"I'll need a driver to accompany me," Kurapika went on, and the only obvious choice here would be the man sitting next to the blonde, "Leorio, could you handle that?"

He jolted suddenly at the call of his name, pushing up his spectacles nervously, "Uh, y-yeah."

"It'll be fine. You'll be safe if you're with Kurapika," Killua assured, as if he was telling a timid kid that he'd be alright because his mom would be with him.

"Hey, Killua, don't make it sound as if I was scared or something!" Leorio snapped.

Gon finally piped up after a couple roles had been passed out, "Kurapika what about me?"

"I need you to act as a decoy to throw the enemy off."

"Hold on!" Killua broke in at the discussion, "Isn't that a dangerous job? He'll have to face the Phantom Troupe members again!"

Rukei offered to take the position instead. She probably had more experience in things like these, "Perhaps I should be decoy."

"No," Kurapika denied her request without missing a beat, "Your memory makes you the best target for them," he reminded her, "You should be on standby and prepare to pull Gon out."

The brunette slackened a little. He had a very good point. "Understood."

"Wait, that's dangerous too, isn't it?" Killua insisted, as he hadn't had his question answered.

"That depends on our strategy."

He repeated the words doubtfully, "Strategy? What strategy will we use?"

"A very simple one," Kurapika replied, "While the enemy is occupied with Gon, I'll capture Pakunoda and escape by car."

Killua frowned at the blonde's explanation, "That sounds a little shaky..."

"There are too many uncertainties for me to devise a concrete plan."

Rukei tried to provide a little comfort with an old quote from her advisors, "The simpler the plan the less room there is for failure."

Kurapika nodded to affirm her words, "There you go. I'll let Gon decide his strategy. But I'll need you to draw their attention away for at least half a second... A full second if at all possible."

Rukei knew that wouldn't be easy from their encounter at those abandoned sites. She made use of her chance to her fullest, but the most she could do was disarm, not even time to pull her strike into preparation.

"Gon," Kurapika called, getting the boy to look up, "You are the key. Can you handle it?"

"I'm not sure," the boy answered honestly, "I'll need to think about it."

He glanced at the clock. They had six hours. If the auction proceeded as scheduled, then they would intercept the Troupe before then. Rukei waited for Gon to come up with his strategy, what she did depended on what the boy would do. Killua pulled both of them out of their thoughts. "Hey, why are you accepting our help now?"

"Because the risk I'm taking has increased," the blonde responded, "I have to eliminate Pakunoda immediately. No matter the cost."

And that was when Rukei realized what about Kurapika had changed. His resolve had grown stronger. She had been foolish to think that he had slackened, even just a little on destroying the Phantom Troupe.

"Kurapika. Put a Nen blade in me!"

What? She quickly whipped her head over to Gon, who was absolutely and completely serious by the expression on his face, "What are you saying?"

"A Nen blade?"

"Gon, weren't you listening?" Leorio chided, "Kurapika will die if he attacks anyone who isn't a Troupe member!" Leorio was then chided by Kurapika for his loud voice.

"Then why is there a Nen blade in Kurapika's chest?"

Rukei didn't have an answer while he had a point.

"Kurapika isn't a member of the Phantom Troupe," Gon mentioned and all gazes sat on the blonde who stared at his hands resting in his lap.

The blonde took in a deep breath, and did not bother to look up. "What I'm about to tell you will increase my risk further."

The doctor stood up, shoving his hands into his pockets, "Okay," he started, giving the other two kids a glance, "Hey. Killua. Rukei."

Rukei left the room but there was hardly any time before she came back, along with Killua and Leorio.

"Can you make four of those blades?"

"Feel free to set any rule you like."

"You can rescind the rule once our mission is over, right?"

Leorio grinned, looking down at the other two when Gon exclaimed in surprise, "We had a little talk. And since we're working together..."

"We should share the same fate," Killua finished confidently.

"Your answer?"

Kurapika sighed, closing his eyes and red turned to brown again. "The answer to both is yes. But you three are wholly mistaken," he corrected them, placing a hand over the chains to send them away. Wasn't he going to strike a Nen blade in them though? He needed those. "I never had any intention of using my blade on you guys."

"Then why endanger yourself by telling us your secret?" Gon asked, the same question she would like to know the answer too, most likely someone everyone wanted to know.

Kurapika smiled lightly, "I wanted to thank you all of you for your resolve. Even if one of you ends up revealing my secret, I will have no regrets," she couldn't see his face anymore, shielded by blonde hair. The most she could tell was by his voice that spoke of one reminiscing and nostalgia, similar to that in Trick Tower.

But this time, it wasn't lonely.

"I have good friends..."

Those words somehow made Rukei unexplainably happy and she knew covering her mouth to hide a smile would get her called out for so she looked straight ahead and did her absolute best not to let the silly grin take over.

"That's not fair, Kurapika," Gon called out, grateful, nervous, but happy too, "You're actually putting more pressure on us this way."

"That was my goal," the blonde admitted, which started the two laughing. She didn't find it funny in any way in this situation but hearing Kurapika laugh was refreshing so she didn't say a thing. Killua chuckled dryly along with them but tensed when Kurapika looked at him, and tried to brush off the blonde's previous words by acting casual and pretending it never happened, "Well, I should get going. Can't waste any time."

Gon waved a farewell, "Be careful!" He warned with a cheerful look to send the boy off. He gave back a sure, unshaken reply that he got it.

"Don't be an idiot," Rukei advised and he shot her an annoyed look as he headed off and retorted with 'back at you!' before he disappeared around the corner.

Kurapika held her in his stare for a moment and she asked him what was wrong. He replied simply that she very strongly reminded him of someone he had met in the past few days.

。。。

I wasn't originally planning to stop here, but I think this is a pretty good place. I didn't put a note in the last chapter so there is a little from there in here too. Shichi's fighting style was really difficult to depict against Chrollo, but hopefully, I'll be able to write a clearer picture of it later on. Shichi is difficult to write about in general, really, character and everything.

Rukei and her sisterly bond will be explored a little more later on and I am so looking forward to writing it along with the next chapter of holding the leader of the strongest thieving group ever hostage, people freaking out and super over thinking, and this is gonna be great! And I'm on a break now so I'll be able to write more!