A/N [WARNING]: Some swearing in this chapter (light to mild) and some kissing and touching, but nothing heavy really and no sex. 

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Tumultuous winds whirled, screeching in a terrifying death song. Fighting for his life was nothing new to Hisoka. To say he was accustomed to that state of being was a vast understatement. Long ago he found pleasure in the onslaught of pain for survival. But the current situation reeked of something sinister, far beyond himself. Black blindness and vicious shifting vertigo made the fight trickier.

Hisoka liked a good challenge. He loved it if death was on the table.

However, the stakes were higher now. This time, Violet's future was at stake. Although he didn't know how that fact was so clear, instincts screamed all the same: If he failed, she would suffer. He was no novice to taking another's hopes, dreams, and tomorrow. But he wanted to protect her prospects.

Deep pain ravaged his body, and it was impossible to tell where the attack began. Hisoka guessed from within. He was battle seasoned enough to know the difference between inner and outer damage. Sickness had not touched him since young childhood, and his current situation brought forward memories and emotions better left untouched.

The sight of defeat was not something he would submit to nor give his enemy the pleasure of witnessing. Snarling, he steadied against the mounting, formless power. Inching it back, Hisoka growled. It was so like the days he remained a prisoner of the 'child hunters', or rightly named Rare Acquisitions Slavers. Red locks kept his mother and him high on their list.

After her disappearance left him for dead, he waited far too long. Foolishly, hoping for her return and days of vigilance and starvation made him weak and easy prey for the RAS. That mistake squashed the last of his emotions beyond rage and thick bloodlust, which fueled the bloody massacre that facilitated his escape.

Those drives would be key in his current battle too. But now, there was something added to the fuel of his rage-filled drive, Violet. He pushed back against the unearthly force screaming through his body. It all surmounted to a final explosion, then silence.

Coolness nipped across his head and chest, spreading like growing ivy on a cottage wall. The safe calm surrounding him made an itch of unfamiliarity birth in his chest. Life was a battle. Yet, there was something attractive in the tranquillity. It unsettled him.

"No mortal has ever pushed back the poison of a god-slayer," said a voice with an effeminate ring, neither male nor female. "It appears my new master is attracted to you for more than animalistic reasons. I'll keep the power dormant until you can fully clear the poison from your system. Take care of my master. Teach her strength and power, magician guardian."

Hisoka growled. No one told him or his pet and lover what to do. He didn't trust the voice quietly whispering across his mind. Blinking back the nightmares and dreams, he lifted heavy lids. The hotel ceiling came into view first. Violet's scent, with a mixture of grass and dirt, was the next thing that helped ground him back in reality.

"I've slept too long. My body is stiff..." Hisoka whispered. "Where is Violet?"

"Hisoka? Can you hear me?" she asked next to his right side. "You're still delirious, aren't you?"

She sounded worried and deflated. Stiffly he turned to glimpse the lover that drove him more insane than normal. The afternoon light reflected off her perfect dirty blonde locks mixed with brunette and platinum highlights. Her brows were knitted, and brown dirt smudged across her face. He frowned but then spotted her messy updo. Sections of hair were out, and the entire thing frizzed with unruly strands going where her wild locks pleased.

Violet continued to run a cold cloth over his brows and down his face and neck. Hypnotising was the only way to describe her doting care.

A smile replaced the downward curve on his lips. "I'll have to show you how to do the hair again; you haven't quite perfected it."

"Y-you're here? You know what is happening?" She leaned over him, and tears budded from her eyes, reflecting the light. The cloth dropped from her hands. "You're okay?!"

You're the only one that worries for me. I don't think I'll ever understand why. Hisoka reached toward her face and cupped it. He sighed, noting the difference in their skin temperature. His thumb wiped away unfallen tears. "Don't cry, my kitten. How long was I unconscious?"

"Two days," Violet said with a near-blubbering tone.

But she didn't listen to his instructions—quite the opposite, typical for his troublemaker. Wails and an onslaught of tears began like he hadn't seen since the night in his Yorknew hotel after he retrieved her from Jason's grasp.

Underused muscle sprung to action, wrapping her whole form by the waist and pulling his kitten downward. Dull pain stuck in his chest when she landed against the bandaged skin, an improvement from his last recollection, but he ignored it to shush and stroke her back. He allowed her to release the misery for a short time.

"Please, kitten. I hate it when you cry. I prefer you mischievous and happy." He continued to shelter her gasping form. "I'll take every ounce of stubborn, infuriating troublemaker you have to offer as opposed to this misery~♠"

Violet laughed through her tears. It was a start.

"I can't—" She stopped to gasp. "I can't help it. You've turned me into a soft, crybaby tabby cat!"

Hisoka chuckled before he said, "Nonsense. You're a deadly tiger. I love all your varied moods. But I'm not one to cry over."

Violet rose with her legs straddling his body.

"Hisoka Marou. Do you know how horrible I felt?" Tears collected in her eyes, but her face was red with anger as she snarled while speaking. "I'm still relearning about this world. I've hardly explored any of it. From the Five Nations, their governments to the hunter organisation, and how I fit into all that and more!"

She paused and looked at him grinding her teeth. A few tears fell on his cheeks. She took a large breath holding it like he taught her during the panic attack and releasing it slowly. Hisoka couldn't help but hold her thighs but didn't move further.

"I need you, Hisoka."

He sighed. "You're strong, Violet. You evaded me for a month in Yorknew. Without me chasing you, I know you'd learn about the world. You likely could pass the hunter exam without issue. There is no question you could survive without me."

Violet shook her head. "Don't you get it, Hisoka! Can't you feel it?" She paused before continuing with a softer tone, "It's true I can continue without you. But I don't want to survive anymore. When I'm with you, I'm living. With you, I'm safe, loved, and can defeat all my enemies with your support. I need you because I want to live, not just survive."

Hisoka's eyes widened. His heart quickened, and he squeezed her thighs. Something warm and foreign spread across his chest, and the itchy discomfort remerged. But he beat it back. The warmth was overwhelming, pumping further with every beat of his heart.

"Don't you feel that way at all? Is it just me?" Violet whispered with quivering lips.

"No," he answered. "Why do you think I destroyed the room when you died? I won't go back any more than you will. But I don't know if I'm stronger or weaker with you..."

"I can assure you it's stronger!" Violet screamed with heat.

She sighed and sat back over his hips. A hand covered half her face and ran downward until it dropped to rest on his stomach with its counterpart that steadied her form.

Lord, Violet. This position. You're making it hard to focus. Worse, you don't even see it because somehow, despite everything I've done to you, that innocence never lifts.

"Please, Hisoka. I need you for more than protection. I'll do everything I can for you but don't race to death. We have each other now. We can still have the fun we did before we met, and I'll never stop you from your battles." She looked at him sincerely, light shining in her eyes. "But I want to be a part of your life now."

"Understand something, Violet." Hisoka frowned and watched his lover with sternness. "I have powerful enemies. The Roydan is one of many and the top of the Black Hunter's list."

"Black Hunters?"

"They are part of the professional hunters. They hunt the world's worst and most wanted. I was likely on the list before I joined the ranks. Beyond the rule that allows hunters to kill without repercussion, I also joined because hunters aren't permitted to hunt one another.

"But the Ryodan have killed countless numbers of people in horrific ways. In one case, they were after the rare ruby eyes of a tribe of people. Their eyes turned ruby red when they grow highly emotional. It's said to be the most beautiful shade of red and only existed within their people. They tortured their loved ones in front of them to make the ruby eyes appear in their victims. Once successful, they killed both of them and harvested the eyes to sell on the body trade market. The tribe was wiped clean. It was before my time with them and not to my taste to attack the weak in such a way." Hisoka sighed and gently squeezed her legs once more. "I'm only after the leader to kill. But these people could target you to get to me. They thrive and live for the torture and would salivate at the opportunity to get their hand on you, Violet."

"So be it."

"Viol—"

"Did I stutter?" Violet crossed her arms, and Hisoka's control struggled. "I knew who you were. It's why I ran when I felt myself catching feelings. But there is no denying I love you, and I'm far from innocent as far as blood on my hands goes. I'll take the risk. Plus, it's too late now. Even if I left, they could still target me to get to you. Separating now will not change our feelings for one another," she rightly explained. "You'll just have to make me stronger so I can defend myself. Right?"

"Yes~♥" He couldn't help the lust entering his tone. "Assuredly. You know, Violet?"

She cocked her head slightly to the side when he paused. Hisoka grinned with sin.

"This is a position I've been wanting to try." Hisoka licked his lips in the same seductive way he did on the rooftop the first night they kissed and moved his hands to her hips.

"Oh, you sick fucker! You're still fevering and barely recovered, and you already want to jump me!" Violet gasped when he thrust enough to make her scream.

He pulled her down to meet him on the mattress. "Well, we could try a few other positions then, but that one meant my injured body could still have fun."

Violet fought to hide her smile, failing miserably. She pushed him back as they lay facing one another. "You're horrible!"

"A second ago, that's what you liked most about me~♦" Hisoka snatched her hand and started kissing and nipping at the wrist, working his way up the arm. "I love this dress on you, but you ripped the hem and pantihose. That's my job~♠"

Violet squeaked with pleasure, her fight to escape already dying. "Hi-Hiso... your wounds. I never said I liked it the most! Only that I accepted it. Oh! There. I like it there..."

Hisoka chuckled. "Yes, I know where you like it and how. I'm much better now, the pain is dull, and my fever is lifted. Let's heat things up for reasons not related to sickn—"

The taste of blood and dirt mixed along his tongue. Snapping his eyes open, he pulled her hand back and saw the scratches along her skin. Pathetic signs of attempted cleaning showed in some spots but not others.

"Wha—"

"A player has cast contact on you," sang the shrill female computer voice. Violet's player's ring came to life, and her book materialised in thin air and floated on the first utility page.

"Hello, Violet," said an unknown male voice through the voice box. "How is your friend doing? Did the medication help?"

Hisoka turned and saw the colour drain from Violet's face as her other hand dug into his shoulder. Her eyes were large, and she swallowed with nerves. Catching her gaze, he raised the arm and looked between her scratches, the dirt across her face, messy hair, and ripped stockings and dress before looking back at her fearful face.

Violet croaked at first before clearing her throat. "Uh, she's doing better. The fever broke."

She? What is Violet playing at?

Hisoka frowned, and bubbling betrayal loomed, threatening to spill over the edge. His hand tightened around her forearm. Violet grabbed his wrist as she shook her head and mouthed 'no'.

"That's great news," said the male voice. "So, we can see you both at the hot spring in thirty?"

"N-no! She just woke up. I don't think she'll be able to be on her feet for a few more days yet," Violet answered.

She? Is she referring to me? Hisoka smirked and loosed his death grip. What trouble have you caused now, Violet?

"I'm sorry to hear that, but we had a deal. We can find your location remember. We put the tracker card on you," the man threatened, and Hisoka growled. "If she cannot make it, you can come alone, as you did before."

Violet was his. No one would be getting her alone after leaving her in such a state.

Before he could react, Violet growled and tensed. Her wrinkled nose and the promise of death shining through her eyes excited and amused Hisoka. He covered her lips with his hand when she opened her mouth to retort with heat.

Wild eyes met his gaze before her brows furrowed. Hisoka smiled and whispered, "Agree to meet them. I wanted to take you to that same hot spring when we recovered. Maybe we can hunt a few low-lives for fun too. Don't you agree?"

It took her a second or two to contain her laughter.

"Violet?"

"S-sorry. I was tending to my friend. Yes, I'll come. Can you give me an hour?"

"Forty-five minutes. We'll both be there. Bring that glorious dress of yours." The call ended promptly.

They both sighed at once. Violet lay beside him, staring into the ceiling as if it would hold all the answers. Hisoka was pleased when he ran his fingers through her hair, and she leaned further into the touch.

Before he could ask, she said, "I left the room while you were fevering. I tried to find a card that might help. Or anything."

"Violet. I told you not to leave unless I was with you. Did you regain control of your Nen?"

She shook her head.

"This entire game island is filled with Nen users, Violet! You were walking into death." Hisoka pinched the bridge of his nose; a habit picked up from her. "Tell me what happened. Did he hurt you?"

"I only had a minor scuffle. Nothing serious." Her voice was strained, and he spotted the lie.

"Violet. You have dirt and scratches along your face and arms. The skirt of your dress is ripped. Did he—"

"No!" Violet shot into a sitting position. "Do you really think I'm that weak? It took Jasons months to orchestrate a scenario where he could take disadvantage of me enough to touch me. I'm not a fragile doll."

"Of course not. But you couldn't even form a solid Ten barrier before I passed out, and the physical evidence—"

"I told him my female friend fell ill and that I was looking for a card to help her. There was one, but no one in the game around me had Angel's Breath. I played weak with everyone, and these men pushed off another group attacking me. But they had medication." Violet frowned and refused to look at him. "I lied to them. I said I'd give them every card I carried for the medication. But they wanted more. This 'date' with me at the hot springs."

"They?"

"They're two guys."

"You know they want more than a date, right?"

"Of course. I'm not a child," Violet said with an adorable pout. "But I never planned to go back, and if they forced my hand, well, better to give my Nen time to stabilise. It was still not great when I was in front of them. Time might have given it time to heal, so—"

"And me." Hisoka grinned at her with sinful understanding. Cunning, little kitten.

"What?"

"You were counting on my recovery so I could kill them if your Nen hadn't fully returned. If I show up, we'll have the element of surprise you love so much."

"I don't need your help fighting my battles!" But her rosy cheeks betrayed that she was caught.

"Why ever not? It sounds like a wonderful date you have planned for us~♥" Hisoka sat and cupped her face again. "Get cleaned up, kitten. We cannot keep our suitors waiting."

Violet rolled her eyes but smiled as his lips captured hers. The heat was too much, and he couldn't control the passion. Before he could stop himself, they were knocking through furniture and the washroom doorway towards the shower. They moved without losing the tempo of how their tongues danced against one another and where their hands explored, as if for the first time.

Very well, I'll give living with you over surviving a try, Violet. It's not a bad idea at all.