There was no terror. No hatred. Not even a fight for survival. It hindered Hisoka's resolve.

Certainty rushed through his veins. Or it had, but it shook. Violet died. Her body began cooling, despite his worthless effort to keep her heated. Not a blink nor so much as a breath was taken for over thirty minutes after he stopped resuscitation efforts.

Even in his state of denial, there was no swerving around it; Violet was dead. An unfair, brutal and cruel life at the hands of the witches had come to a tragic end.

The hole that always existed within his chest filled with insurmountable emotions. They warred inside him and crafted steady rising pressure. Nothing would ever fully placate the pot. For the time, he felt each in turn, preparing to push it all away and forget Violet's very existence. Historically, shutting it all out was the only successful path forward. But these wild emotions presented problems his previous tragedies never did.

When the slow beats of a pulsing heart filled the room's quiet, he couldn't risk allowing himself to believe. The soft shift of the bedsheet under twitching body movements caused Hisoka's heart to nearly halt. The pained groan emitted from a throat that cracked lit a weak flame of hope.

But all was lost when his eyes saw the dead ones that watched him with intent and swirling colour within pitch-black irises. They weren't the same, but deadly similar to the demons the witches sent for her that fated night in Heaven's Arena.

A demon possessed his Queen of Hearts and reanimated the corpse.

Heartbreak was a new experience for the magician and not one he enjoyed. There was no way further scorn would be added to the mix by allowing a parasite to infect Violet's remains. Hisoka loved chaos, but not when it was against her will. And Violet never wanted to be pulled by strings and puppeteer controlled in life, much less in death.

But when his hands wrapped her vulnerable neck as he had so many times before, no terror entered her features. Even as dangerous pressure signalled the intent of death, not pleasure, nary a drop of hatred shone through her eyes. Never did her hands raise to plead for survival.

Guilt, shadowed deeply by heartbreak, danced across her features alone.

What would any demon have to be guilty over? For that matter, what could Violet be guilty of? In fact, was there anything she could do that would harm him enough to need forgiveness?

The likelihood of any of it walked further from reality with every day Hisoka spent in her presence. It's why the thought of another wearing her skin pierced his heart like a heated blade. He loved Violet, from her outer beauty to her wild, free, and stubborn spirit; it was all mesmerising.

Of course, Chrollo had been correct. Darkness surrounded Hisoka's birthright, and Violet lived in the light, apart from short excursions to night's side. However, twilight was a thing of beauty where light and dark could meet every day and share in one another's gifts. Violet's foes attacked from the shadows, placing him in an advantageous position to defend her freedom from the cages they carted with them.

At least, that is what he'd told himself. But it was of little help when the witches snuffed out her life.

And yet, the demon below him didn't squirm, fight, or screech. They only showed deep concern, directed wholly at himself. Like a flash of static electricity on a dry winter's day, a thought shocked through his mind and travelled down to his arms. They loosened their hold.

"V-violet...?"

She coughed in an automatic response of her body to stay alive and clear the airways from the damage he inflicted. His nose tickled with pins in a way he hadn't experienced since rare moments in childhood. Red heat rose within her cheeks and eyes.

A weak horse voice said, only a whisp above inaudible, "Hisoka...I'm sorry..."

He couldn't react. Only stare. Watching every tick of her expression. Not for any sign of dishonestly, as was his usual self-preservation tactic. Instead, disbelief drove his responses. Was Violet truly back? Or had madness finally consumed him entirely, and now he imagined his heart and mind's greatest desire?

"F-forgive me." She sobbed, and tears shed. They were clear and normal. Her eyes started to do the same as whatever power returned her subsided. "I-I-I—"

Hisoka fell onto her, and she gasped in pain. Guilt rose in his chest in response, but it was too weak to overcome the relief and unstoppable need. Wrapping Violet's tender and defenceless frame in his arms, he gripped her in desperation. There he remained, his face buried in the nape of her neck and cut locks taking in every whiff of her irresistible musk, strawberries, and even the light hints of death still clinging to her form.

Slow, shaky movements proceeded Violet's arms wrapping around him, and she did her best to stroke his back and run a hand through his hair. A sensation Hisoka assumed would be locked forever as a memory. One he wasn't sure he would ever have the strength to revisit after the way she was ripped from the world.

When Violet's arm fell from his back and the other fought to cling to his hair, Hisoka realised how long he'd trapped them together. Rising on his elbows, he viewed his returned kitten. Her eyes were heavy once more and closing, despite clear resistance.

Panic rose in his throat and burned like acid. "Violet! No! Stay—"

"I'm okay..." she said with such weakness. "I'm... just so...tired. I'm sorry. Forgive me." Tears collected in the corner of her eyes once more.

Hisoka pressed his lips to her forehead for several seconds. Moving his forehead to match Violet's, he remained there, sharing her heat and presence. Truth revealed itself in how steady her breaths moved in and out. The struggle of an hour ago was long forgotten by her body. It eased some of his tension.

He responded, "There is nothing to forgive, kitten."

A sobbing cough escaped, and she said, "I was so weak. I left you, and it's unforgivable. I shoul—"

"You should have nothing. There is a time to self-reflect and grow your strength. But you were not fighting one foe but an entire army of them," Hisoka said, silencing her misery. "If an opponent fought as a group when we arranged a one-to-one battle of strength, I would be furious beyond reconning. However, it wasn't me who ripped the witches into pieces of meat. That was you, Violet. This was far from a loss."

Soft whimpering cries continued, but Hisoka never lifted his hold or forehead.

"You were dead, Violet. For over thirty minutes," he said. "You came back." Hot tears slowly fell down his face dripping to Violet's cheeks. "Thank you for coming back to me, my love. Thank you..."

Hisoka kissed her softly on each eyelid before moving to her lips. When he looked down again, her cheeks were touched with rose, just as he so adored.

"W-will you hold me...stay with me while I rest? Please, I don't want to be alone," she asked.

Hisoka chuckled. "You don't even need to ask. You're not alone anymore. You're mine, and you'll not leave my sight for some time."

Bending to kiss her cheek, the scent of her breath with her sigh of relief was welcomed, despite the hints of death still clinging to it. Red blotches decorated intermittently across her skin. Hisoka frowned, spotting them for the first time.

Violet's eyes were half open but followed his gaze to one of her arms. A slow blink was the last she gave before letting them remain closed.

"It's normal after death. If what you say is true, I could be a bit sick until my body recovers from post-mortem changes. But, Hisoka...thank you for fighting for me...keeping me alive."

Hisoka shifted, careful with her tender body, positioning her within his protective arms and body. The silence between them was pleasant and soft. Peace came with Violet's closeness and the steady prance of her heartbeats.

A soft whine broke the quiet before Violet asked, "Hisoka?"

"Yes, Violet?"

"Collar me...M-make me yours. Like you wanted to in Yorknew."

Hisoka stiffened. Although unexpected, it was a lie to say he didn't want it in every way. The image of the collar she wore in his dream flashed through his mind—remarkable and matching Violet's style. However, there was a hint in the tone of her voice that he didn't like. But, then, he was a liar, and who was he to play therapist to the mentally injured? Why not agree and get what he desired? Yet, his weak conscience still had its limits, at least it did as far as she was concerned.

"No."

The response shocked more than Violet. But he held firm to the answer.

"O-okay..." Violet whimpered, and her voice dropped to depressing levels at the end.

Hisoka sighed. "Now, don't you dare think I want anything more than to claim you in every way, collar and all, kitten," he said. "Violet, I love you. It's not an emotion I thought I was capable of, and it may be different from all others, but I do love you. And I want to collar you, but only when you want it and are ready."

"I love you too," she whispered. "I said I wanted it. What more do you need?"

"I need you to regain your confidence and self-worth. I want you to be selfish. To think of yourself. I need you to want to submit to me because you want it for yourself."

"I-I do want it."

"No, you don't." Hisoka tightened his hold for a short time before loosening. "You're under duress. Exhaustion, fright, and the need for security in any form are driving these responses, including giving into my desires in a desperate attempt to feel as much protection as possible."

Her head slunk against his chest, and the hot tears burned his skin as if they were setting his soul ablaze. He hated it. But he could only kiss the top of the head in reassurance.

"You're not alone, Violet. I'm here and not leaving. We are both shaky with emotions. Let's not rush anything," Hisoka whispered. "I'll still be here when you're truly ready."

"You're right," she admitted between soft sobs. "How could I not feel stressed given everything? But it's not the time for such big decisions."

"Rest, kitten. Neither of us is going anywhere tonight. Recover, and then we'll decide the next steps."

Unconsciousness collected Violet within seconds, but not himself. The edge wouldn't subside with protection needs screaming in his mind. Only one option was available—keep her safe this time. 

Safe and alive.

♥♦♦♥

For days Violet struggled. Hisoka did his best to aid, but her stubborn nature blossomed quicker than good sense or self-reliance. Twice he caught her trying to shower independently. She wasn't capable of walking, let alone standing for ten minutes.

After nearly drowning, Violet accepted his help. An unspoken unease about her resurrection from death's gripe worsened upon the communal bathing. Violet's scars, including the ones left by Jason on her back, were gone. Her shattered arm possessed a pristine condition. The knife wounds and all the damage dealt by the witches were nothing beyond a distant memory.

Her nausea and post-mortem skin bleeding cleared within a few days. Luckily, she revived before more permanent changes occurred. Violet described the full body decay stages to Hisoka, and although fascinating, not as much when he understood it has been happening to her. However, it provided information on how to ease Violet. Facts and reciting the knowledge of random topics for him calmed her.

And it was adorable watching her passion and excitement to overshare and interact. The way her eyes would shine, how he loved it. But the irises maintained a light purple colouration where the green resided. The other colours returned, but the green shifted between its natural hue and different shades of violet.

Beyond the altered eyes, unyielding exhaustion overtook everything. She'd scarcely been awake for a few hours each day. The struggle to keep her fed and hydrated was trying on the magician.

Hisoka knew the eye colour shift and exhaustion were related and linked to her return somehow. Ultimately, he didn't care so long as Violet stayed alive and with him, but he couldn't fully settle with such a mystery at play. Sighing from an armchair by her bed, he dropped his head into waiting hands.

"We moved hotel rooms," whispered a quiet voice to his left.

Hisoka turned to find Violet's eyes half open and exploring the new surroundings, dressed in just as much red and gold as the previous room. This suite was bigger, boosting extra features like a walk-in closet in the far corner across from the washroom. It was filled with toys matching Hisoka's favourite habit off the battlefield. All of these were the least of his worries.

"Yes~" Hisoka watched her closely. "A room opened, and I thought it best we move here. How do you feel?"

"Exhausted, but better," she lied. The pale skin and drooping eyes gave her away.

Lifting bottled water from the breakfast nook, he offered it to Violet's lips. She partook in the liquid with a slow greed.

"Will you eat?" he asked.

A silent nod answered. Hisoka moved to the amenities and made toast for the quiet huntress. Half expecting to view an unconscious form in the bed, Violet met him in a sitting position when he turned. Once the meal was in her grasp, he waited, the tension indicating that she wished to discuss something serious.

"I appreciate your care, and I love waking in your arms more often than not, Hisoka."

"But?"

"What about your spider hunt?"

Hisoka crossed his arms and rolled his eyes in a smooth lie. "It's no worry, kitten. I'll get to them when you're healthier."

It was a worry for the magician. Although Violet drew his attention, the task to fulfil Chrollo so he could best him in battle only grew stronger with his emotions for Violet. Generally, if a toy were destroyed the way Chrollo was by Kuripkia, he would forget it. But a drive to prove he was the King of Battle raged along with protection desires. The way Chrollo watched Violet when they entered the game made his skin crawl. Their competition was more than personal now.

Defeating an enemy with no way to defend themselves was still a line he would not cross. Despite it all, honour existed in odd ways within his nature.

"But you were already hunting them. You said that in the game, any players that walk within a certain radius of one another show up on each other's player list," Violet said. "I saw the same thing when two players wanted to meet me, so their list was recent with all the players' names. You travelled around to many areas to ensure the name Chrollo Lucifer would end up on their lists."

"We've been over all this, Violet. Don't worry about that. Eat your toast."

"What if they notice and travel into this room now?"

Hisoka froze. His breath hitched, and even his heart seemed to stop before pounding with force. It wasn't a scenario he mulled over in the last few days, busy instead with figuring out the source of Violet's exhaustion.

"I doubt that people with such a dark reputation would ignore my presence. I can't defend myself right now..."

"Even at full strength, you would struggle to take them if more than one appears, Violet."

She sighed. "All the more reason for you to get on with your hunt, Hisoka. They won't just ignore me and have your little chat. You could say I'm a Nen character in the game. I doubt they'll believe it, but if they did, they would kill me for the fun of hearing something suffer."

Hisoka growled and stood in a sharp movement. She was right, of course. And he couldn't defend himself and her against the full strength of the Ryodan at once, especially in a sudden attack.

"So, you want me to leave you defenceless?" Hisoka called in a tone higher than intended.

Violet frowned and looked down. He half-expected tears when she lifted her head, but anger filled her features instead.

"I'm not defenceless. I can walk and sit up now. I can feed myself if needed," she said and sighed. "All I'm doing is sleeping, Hisoka. This exhaustion is filling every part of my desires. It's silly for you to sit in a room of your greatest temptations being bored."

"Now, who said I wasn't enjoying some of the toys while you're asleep." Hisoka grinned, watching scarlet fill her cheeks.

"You're the same boundary-crossing man as always, I see." Violet smirked. "But in all honesty, Hisoka. Finish your mission. I'll be here sleeping. I still have a contact card and can call you if anything happens."

Hisoka frowned and thought it over. Nothing she said was a lie. They'd take great pleasure torturing Violet if they knew her importance. Even if they didn't, snuffing people out was like breathing to the group. He travelled with them long enough to know this much.

"You're certain of this plan?"

"Yes, Hisoka. I'll be fine and sleeping. No one knows I'm here except you, and we moved rooms for extra safety. Do what you need. I'll be here when you get back."

"Fine."

Hisoka walked over and sat by Violet on the bed. She watched at first and, when the silence continued, returned to the toast. The faster they ended things in Greed Island, the sooner he could get her into a deeper hiding place. It was a risk hunting the spider troupe while Violet was weak, but one worth taking. At least, he hoped.