Kurapika calls Dalzollene to update him on what happened. The Shadow Beasts and Nostrade's guards have been ordered to go to the Gordeau Desert to stop the rest of the Phantom Troupe members from escaping. A lot of mafia security have already tried to take them down, but only succeeded in damaging the hot air balloon. Other than that, most of them are being killed as we speak.

It's decided that I'll stay behind since the troupe members will recognize me from the auction likely target me because of that. I arrive at Nostrade's hideout, I find some vodka to drink, change my clothes, and take out the contact lenses Kurapika gave me. I realize that my toes are still injured from my performance at the auction. That means Kurapika's chain only heals what it's in direct contact with. The alcohol eventually helps take the edge off my nerves and the pain.

I hope they don't bring back any of the troupe members I fought...or Uvo. The last thing I need is another incentive for them to seek vengeance. That is if Nostrade's guards survive going after troupe, even if it's just to capture one of them. All the security the mafia sent are likely dead by now.

After I clean and wrap my toes up I sit and wait. Half an hour later, I hear the door open. The guards come in and they're dragging something heavy by the sound of their grunting. About the size of a bear. Shit. I look out the doorway to confirm my suspicion. It's Uvogin. He's unconscious so someone must've dealt a knockout blow or drugged him. The latter's more likely. The guards drag him into an interrogation room and strap him to a table.

Dalzollene stretches and takes out his sword. "We'll begin when he comes to."

The more I think about it, the more I realize I probably have a better chance coming out alive than the other guards if I interrogate him. "Let me do it. I know him so he's more likely to cooperate. The sight of all of you will just piss him off."

"I'm not leaving you in a room alone with that beast. It took several of us to subdue him."

I look around and size up the guards to see who isn't afraid and can keep a level head. "Fine. Kurapika can join me."

I open the door to the room and wait for Kurapika to enter. He narrows his eyes at me like he's not sure what I'm playing at, but eventually goes in.

"Are you sure about this?" Dalzollene asks.

"Of course," I respond before shutting the door.

*

We wait in the cold sterile room, with the light flickering over us. Kurapika leans against the wall with his hands crossed with his bangs covering his eyes. "I take it all the mafia's security and shadow beasts—"

"Are all dead, yes. How do you know Uvogin?"

I nod, unphased by his cutting to the chase. "I was hired to track him down a few years ago. A diamond collector put a bounty on his head for stealing his prized jewel...and for biting his ear off."

Kurapika tilts his head to look at me. "Is that all?"

I stretch and crack the joints in my back, neck, and hands. "That's the important part."

"Is it odd I still think the sound of your joints cracking is the sexiest thing in the world?"

We turn to see Uvogin staring at me. The metal cuffs on his arms and legs gleam under the light.

My eyebrows raise. "You're up. Finally. I'm sure you know why you're here."

Uvo yawns. "Yea, but I'm not sure why you're here."

"Hired hand."

"Should've known."

Kurapika clears his throat. "Let's get to it. Where did you take the trea—"

"What time is it?" Uvo asks.

"Around midnight," I answer.

"I see and how long before you have to turn me in?"

"Depends on how long it takes you to answer our questions."

"And we'll be the ones asking the questions," Kurapika chides in.

"Send the boy out," Uvo says.

Kurapika zips up to Uvo and punches him in the face. I use gyo to look at the boy's hands. It must be a strong aura if he's able to put a dent in Uvo's since he's a powerful enhancer. A purple bruise begins forming around his nose along with a few trickles of blood, which he licks away.

"Look you bastard," Kurapika spits, "I don't care about whatever history you two have. Do you know how many people you murdered? The only thing I'm interested in now is where you put the treasure!"

I guess I was wrong about the level-headedness. "Kurapika..." He looks back at me and I notice that his eyes have turned crimson. So he's a part of the Kurta clan. I thought they were all dead. But that's a conversation for another time. "Wait outside."

"What?" he asks incredulously.

I open the door. "If I'm not out in 5 minutes, feel free to come back to handle things your way."

He's so angry, his jaw shakes, a hand grips Uvogin's shirt. Why is he so indignant? He finally lets go and storms out without a word.

When the door shuts behind him, Uvo and I both chuckle. I scratch my head. "I thought he'd be able to keep his cool."

Uvo shrugs. "He's young."

When I walk over to him, there's no malice in his face. It almost looks like he's missed me. But even still, I know it's a coin toss how things will go. I lift myself up, sit on his abs, then take out a cigarette and light it. Maybe if I come at this calmly he will too. I take a puff and put it to his mouth. His lips part and brush against my fingertips as he inhales. "See? I can be nice."

He grins and lets out the smoke. "I take it from that 5 minute cap you won't be fucking me before you complete this mission like last time?"

"If I were, I would've saved the cigarette for afterwards."

He laughs. "It would've been a nice gesture if you'd chosen me over that job."

I put the cigarette back to his mouth. "I knew the troupe would find you eventually. Besides, you can't deny you were guilty a hundred times over."

"So are you," he says with an exhale.

Yea, but I don't enjoy it nearly as much. I take another drag before responding. "Tell me about the treasure."

My body rises and falls slowly with his torso. "I'll make a deal with you. How about you let me go and I let all the guards live?"

Even if that was true, I know Uvo would seriously maim them on his way out. I start playing with his tip of his bearskin pants while I think."I asked you first."

"Kiss me and I'll tell you."

I exhale the smoke. Seems like the perfect excuse for him to bite my face off.

"Still don't trust me?"

I look into his green eyes and place a finger on his lips, his jaw doesn't feel tense like it's preparing for a bite. In fact, his face is completely soft. If he tries anything, I can use Parasyte to suck the energy out of him and regenerate. I take one final puff of the cigarette and lean over to kiss him, breathing smoke into his mouth, and gripping his unruly mane with one hand. He sucks the air out of me and breaths it back onto my face.

With that, I put out the cigarette in his arm because I remember he likes the burn. "So?"

"We're after the auction merchandise that was stored underground. Your guess is as good as mine as to where it is now."

"Who else would've taken it?" I ask.

"The Shadow Beasts most likely," he answers.

"So the troupe likely tortured one of them for info and is in the process of finding you right now."

"Probably. I'd advise you stay out of the way...So, did you miss me?"

It occurs to me that the troupe may not take kindly if they know I screwed one of their members over...well, another one. "Have you told any of the troupe about us?"

The door swings open. "Your 5 minutes are up." Kurapika moves forward, but halts when he sees me on top of Uvo. "What the hell are you doing?"

I scoot off of him and walk towards the door. "He doesn't know anything."

"To answer your question, no, they don't know about us," Uvo says.

Good. One less bullet in the chamber. I turn back for a second with my head still in the doorway. "Thanks. And to answer your question, no, I didn't miss you."