Silence filled most of the stale air, buzzing in monotone glory, swirling about the decaying temporary residence the Ryodan currently called home base. The once glorious high-rise building was a mere glinting reflection of its old self. Subtle signs of grandeur remained as shadowed light danced against the dirty cement floor shining down from the high and intricately crafted stain glass windows. It was a dim and fleeting light show as the clouds moved across the night sky, ever obstructing the artificial rays provided by the cityscape of Yorknew. No matter of fluorescence would ever be enough to brighten the presence of the troupe members that remained. They were seated in the pitch-black night shadows upon the fallen remains of the building that had begun to crumble.

Hisoka situated himself on top of the pile of boulders next to a french window that sat deep within the structure's thick stone walls. The consistent sound of angry water and roaring thunder echoed from a distance and distracted the ears from the overwhelming silence. The ceiling of the building was long in disarray, and several heavy drops raced downward with the beating war drum the storm provided. Nature's liquid collected at the feet of the other two troupe members that remained with the magician in the empty building.

The large, but mostly quiet and soft-spoken Franklin Bordeau, a reverse image of the loud bullet-like emitter Nen he used from his fingers, was sitting on the boulders near the ground. He was dry, just out of reach of the brunt of nature's watery vengeance pouring through the useless roof. To the right of the large man whose face was littered with scars and tattoed stitch marks was Bonolenov Ndongo. The tall, slender man was silent, as always, his body covered from head to toe in white tattered wrappings and hands donned with boxing gloves. The men waited on orders from their boss, Chrollo Lucifer, who was hunting down a lead on the chain user that bested them killing one of their strongest members, the rest of the troupe in tow.

Hisoka allowed his eyes to wander out the window into the rain—a night not unlike the one he made phone contact with Violet. The rain sounded similar that evening, and her spirits had matched the warring skies. The magician's neutral expression took on a darker version. Tilting his head to gaze at his basic rectangular smartphone, he found the notification screen remained organised and clear. He had not received any contact from the woman since she texted last about the explosion the troupe was making as they hunted and killed most of the mafia.

Careful not to grumble aloud or release any aura with the other two men nearby, Hisoka looked out the window again. The tension in his body, as much as his thought's constant path back to the huntress were becoming tiresome. Hunting at the moment, the reaper couldn't waste precious mental energy on Violet. His time to fight Chrollo may be fleeting. The Roydan's leader could disappear without an ounce of a trace, and the red-headed transmuter had been hunting him for two years. This fight took precedence over anything that blonde, bright-eyed troublemaker might be doing.

A third sound entered the mix as Hisoka pressed fingers repetitively against the electronic device in his hand. Tapping his thumb over the send button, he released another text demanding Violet's whereabouts and confirmation she was back in the hotel, where she belonged. He replaced the phone in his pocket. No more time could be spent on the annoyance. Not now, at least. All his attention would soon be on Chrollo, and he knew the huntress was no child. Violet was formidable and fierce, although the twisted magician would never admit the words aloud. She was more than capable of handling herself in most any situation. If not? Well, better to cut the losses early. However, the tightening in his chest reverberated through Hisoka as much as the deepening of his frown.

The ring of Franklin's phone drew the attention of both Hisoka and the attentive, quietly wrapped up Bonolenov. The muscular and bulky emitter with long earlobes stretching down to his chest placed the call on speaker for all to hear. The chain user had taken Chrollo captive and made demands through the troupe's captives, Gon and Killua. Even Franklin commented on what a smart move their enemy made. 

Enemy to the Ryodan, most certainly, but to Hisoka, his full identity was well known. Kuripika, the so-called chain user, was the sword the magician would use to separate the legs of the spider troupe for their head. Then he would have the opportunity to crush Chrollo in battle while Kuripika, a blonde-haired friend of Gon and Killua, fulfilled his vengeance by killing the group that wiped his clan from the face of the planet. A symbiotic arrangement that both could keep as long as it suited them.

Kuripika created the perfect opportunity for Hisoka. The problem was the demand itself. All remaining ten members had to return to the hideout and stay there until the subsequent demands were communicated, which would be a hostage exchange. If any of the members left the hideout or tried anything, Kuripika would kill Chrollo immediately.

Hisoka mused, This is the perfect opportunity to fight the boss. But if I leave the hideout, he will be killed. Well, there you have it. I will need some help.

The murderous magician smiled with psychotic hints as he swiftly sent another message on his phone. A message that would Illumi receive. The raven-haired man had just completed his last job and Hisoka was certain the Zoldyck assassin's ability to change his face and form to any shape with his needles would provide the perfect cover. Then he could confront the boss, Chrollo, in battle alone. The message was read and Illumi responded with confirmation.

And so, Hisoka's hunt for Chrollo was in its final stage, and all thoughts of Violet were chased back to the subconscious as his primal need to kill a strong opponent took precedence.

------------------------

A head shook, and shining black locks tussled along with the movements from Sammy Walker. The wind wailed and pressed with urgency against the unsafe building the interdimensional refugees sat within, collecting themselves for Jason's meeting. Sammy looked to the right-hand corner beside her, where Violet sat with her head propped against the wall. The blonde huntress was aware through half-lidded eyes as she fought to keep them open, still recovering from injuries and exhaustion that she was too weak to hide.

After nearly a day of rest in the hospital room with Dan, the pale huntress was much less painful, and her movements came easier. However, in Sammy's opinion, she was far from ready to be on her feet. A sentiment the IT huntress loudly and aggressively said to both Dan and the hunter's leader in front of Violet. Yet, Jason's demands for Violet to be present at their meeting remained unwavering. Some unique varieties of swears escaped Dan's mouth as he nearly came to blows with their unbudging blue-eyed leader. The doctor did not think it wise to move his patient for one meeting. He suggested staying back with her, and others could update them on any necessary information. It seemed a reasonable compromise to Violet. 

Jason flat out denied any version of a compromise on the command. Everyone was to be present at this meeting, including Violet. Sammy turned to look at the stubborn blue-eyed excuse for a man. 

"I've never had an attraction for the opposite sex. I can see why people would find Jason attractive, though," Sammy remarked. 

"Except his personality which makes a swamp rat look immaculate," Violet responded weakly making bubbling laughter escape Sammy's lips on her left and a low chuckle from Dan on the other side. I made her wonder. Protection and friendship or jailors?

Violet saw no allure to the man across the room. All she could see was evil and her body felt the old wounds of where he beat her for his self-serving reasons. It was the rape that screamed so loudly it almost hurt in the areas from that night of the werewolf hunt. She averted her eyes back to the floor. Others may appreciate Jason's perfectly shaped jawline to his well-defined musculature and height, but she never would.

Sammy's eyes were on her again and she was certain she spotted yearning several times. Violet liked Sammy and had for years. Am I just imagining it because I'm hopeless and alone? Why now of all times, if it is real? 

The IT huntress turned away, clearly thinking better of whatever romantic thought overtook her mind. They were all in survival mode. Now was not the time. So, the olive-eyed beauty fought off her selfish drives to approach Violet. But she obviously wanted to act.

A scowl formed on Sammy's mouth when she looked at Jason. Dan wasn't the only one to remain frustrated with the brown-haired leader on that evening. He refused to send a party out for Violet's medication until after the meeting. Sammy screamed just outside the medical bay over it. Violet needed her three types of antibiotics and could not wait much longer for the missed treatments. Her leg was beginning to throb again, not aided a bit by Jason's mistreatment. It was clear Sammy understood this and it was resulting in unnecessary pressure on the IT huntress, making guilt bubble within the Nen specialist for causing a friend such inconvenience.

Despite all the times Violet requested to leave, Sammy would not hear of it. She kept saying the illness and injury would not allow such plans. It didn't change how much the demon huntress wanted to escape and the conflict in her grew. She liked Sammy but was frustrated and felt unheard. At least Hisoka listens to me. He still does whatever the fuck he wants, but at least he listens. I Cannot believe she told me my priorities were skewed and staying would help re-align them. Urgh!

Leaving was not an option the tech-based huntress would allow for her crush. When Violet sensed her step toward the middle of the room her eyebrows raised and her heart skipped a beat.

"Sammy?" 

Sammy looked back. The expression on her perfect completion shifted from longing to happiness then back to sympathy. Violet couldn't understand what her friend was thinking nor if anything she interpreted about the expressions was real. Only a few pieces of broken furniture remained pushed against the walls. The room once functioned as office space based on the type of furnishings. Violet sat atop one of the sturdier desks in the corner.

"W-where are you going?" The concerned curve of Violet's eyebrows seemed to make Sammy's expression shift to anxiety with furrowed brows. After a moment of consideration, the tech huntress softened her features once more.  

"I won't be far or out of sight," she reassured before continuing, "I'm going to yell at Jason some more. You stay here and judge the play-by-play, alright?" Sammy finished with a wink, and Violet released an amused giggle and nodded. 

Sammy gave a knowing look towards Dan, standing a few feet to Violet's right, and he confirmed with a nod, never uncrossing his arms. And the injured huntress only felt more like she was under lock and key as she watched Sammy's back. 

Violet sighed and closed her eyes leaning her head onto the cold cement wall, the drywall long decayed in this section. Mumbling, "You're one of Jason's men, aren't you?"

A hearty southern chuckle broke the silence between them. "You ain't blind in both eyes then? What clued you in?" Dan glanced at Violet. The huntress responded with a weak shrug.

"Your fight with him earlier. He wouldn't have let you live for that if you weren't a subordinate following orders," Violet answered. "At least I wouldn't if it was me and I was trying to rule a bunch of clueless idiots, no offence."

Dan grinned. "Tough as a pine knot and smart? What's not to like about you."

"Compliments won't get you far with me. Why don't you always speak your accent?" 

"I've spent most of my adult life out of the south, picked up on others lingos. Comes in handy when dealing with tyrants, like Jason."

"If you're aware of his nature, why are you following him?" She turned, attracted by the movement of Sammy's arms going in the air and saw Jason roll his eyes. When the man's blue orbs turned to lock on hers, a glare took shape. The hunter's leader grinned darkly and then gave another subtle warning sign to Violet, forcing her to back down for Sammy's sake. "It doesn't matter. I don't want to know. Leave me out of everything." She replaced her head against the wall. I want to go back to the hotel room. How can I get Sammy to leave with me? I don't even have a way out.

"Feeling alright, Violet?" Dan interjected, to which she shook her head. "Just focus on recovering. There's nothing you can do about Jason. Best to just do what he asks. It will be less painful for you."

You wouldn't be saying that if he was going to rape you.

"Any luck?" Dan asked, alerting Violet to the fact that Sammy had returned.

"Yeah, and no. He's picked a four-person team. They're not heading out right away but will go soon," Sammy stated. "Better that than after the meeting, I guess."

A hush fell among the hunters, and Jason stepped out in the middle of the room, with Lachlan and Mac closely by his form. The hunters were loosely scattered around the exterior walls, allowing the leader to speak to them in the group's centre. Violet noted how few hunters there were now that they gathered together, maybe seventy.

"Okay, everyone," Jason started. "We have a lot of information from the last expedition. The good news is we have a clear goal now."

People began to murmur before hushing themselves to hear as Jason continued, "We all knew something supernatural must have been behind the portal events. We can confirm without a doubt it was demons."

"What the hell would they want with portals?" someone from the group shouted.

"We think it was the creatures wanting access to the world we're in right now. They don't have demons here, and the stains on existence wanted to take advantage of their naïve population. However, the monsters lost control of it and couldn't stop the catastrophic event."

"We've never even remotely confirmed that theory," Sammy piped out to the room. "Have you or anyone even seen signs of a demon?"

Violet ground her teeth. She didn't want to take the wind out of her friend's sails, but. "I have..." Sammy looked at her with wide, searching olive orbs.

"There you have it. Our own old demon-hunting unit leader saw some evidence. Tha—"

"I saw and fought the demons themselves. They were off, though. They didn't speak, weren't as fast as usual, and worked in a large group." Violet cut in and locked eyes with Jason as she continued, "I took a severe direct attack from a black demon and was poisoned."

"When?!" Sammy jumped to her feet as her eyes moved to the right thigh where the wound still resided.

"Hmm? Some months ago now. I fully healed within ten days." Gasps filled the air and nervous whispering.

"That's impossible..." Dan watched her wide-eyed. Violet lifted her pant legs to show the minor ankle scars, which now were hardly noticeable. "Amazing!"

"So, yes, demons are here," Violet confirmed. "However, I should have been dead in ten minutes with that level of venom. Something is wrong with them, and I haven't seen evidence of any since my first few months here."

"Okay," Jason took back the floor. "What we can confirm then is that they were damaged and mostly killed by the portals then. We know the cause, but we still need to figure out a way home." The crowd quieted.

"Easier said than done," Dan muttered almost silently. He'd moved closer to Violet after the talk of demon venom and remained close as if she would drop from the venom any moment.

"The thing is," Jason paused and stared daggers through Dan, "Since we know the details of the causing event, we've been able to select the ingredients we need to replicate getting home. There is just one artefact missing."

"Only a percentage or less of us survived the last trip," Sammy mentioned, and Jason fumed at her with body tension and dirty looks for speaking out of turn. Violet tsked at the man's never-ending misogyny. The point the tech huntress brought up was valid.

"That's what the last artefact we're looking for will do. It's a 'power artefact' and can protect all those who travel back. We've even located its general whereabouts," Jason informed, and excited murmurs erupted. "It's in a place called Greed Island."

"Please tell me we're not about to walk into a Pinocchio scenario? I mean, with a name like that?" Dan chortled.

Jason will be fine; he's already a jackass. 

Violet paled but decided she would make the stubborn choice. It would infuriate Jason, but the point was important. Otherwise, all these people were being fed complete false hope. 

"Do any of you know what Nen is at all? You'll need it if you want to get to Greed Island."

Strength was all Violet oozed as Jason's furious icy blue irises locked on her. His look alone may have torn another person limb from limb due to the subtly escaping bloodlust. It was quite clear he wanted to do just that, rip her to shreds, piece by painful piece. Violet, however, rose back to her pedestal, sufficiently amused and pleased by his rage. That's it. Rattle more, you weak momma's boy. I will not make it easy for you or be broken, not by you at least.

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Phew! As promised, we opened with Hisoka, so you know why he's not playing knight this time. How do you think Violet will get herself out of this one? Or is she just digging a deeper hole, as always? 

Thanks for all your comments and votes!