[Warnings]: Short erotic part near the middle. This is the last chapter of Arc 2, and you'll miss some plot if you skip it. 🍋

Enjoy!

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The sun cracked over the horizon, splashing drops of orange morning sunlight to touch the tips of the giant cement city maze that was Yorknew. It was the first gentle call of the day to those below, signifying it was time to rise and greet what was ahead of them.

The muted sound of footsteps crunching wet grass beneath them followed Violet as she walked through one of the larger parks. Her arms were positioned behind her back with one hand wrapping the opposite wrist. She admired the beautiful way the sun kissed each blade of dew-soaked grass, creating a bursting chaos of colour from a single ray. Many thoughts continued to plague her peace and fueled silent mental musings. Several tumultuous thoughts stirred on by recent traumas consistently occupied her mind as of late. Yet, the question she asked was the one that piqued her curiosity the most.

"Hisoka?"

Walking slightly in front, the magician didn't turn as he responded. However, Violet knew from his posture that he was aware of her exact location. He always was anymore. The misuse of well-developed senses. It once unnerved her, but there was a security in the knowledge that gave her a significant level of comfort.

"Hm? ♦"

Violet could just make out the edge of where his lips formed into an amused smirk. It was clear Hisoka was wise to the on-coming nosey nuisance she was about to make of herself.

"Why do you want to be the strongest? Why work so hard for that position?" she asked in a sing-song voice.

Hisoka raised one eyebrow and looked over his shoulder. He regarded her for several steps, and Violet felt a slow heat collect in her cheeks. After a time considering her question, he answered with information she already knew.

"To be the strongest, so I can say I am. I am the most superior and king of all. Everyone else is beneath me in strength and cunning."

Violet responded with an exasperated tone, "I don't want the reader's version; I want your reasons. Beyond that, what drives you underneath to want to be the strongest?"

Hisoka chuckled. "That's an answer you won't be getting. Remember what can happen to the cat, kitten."

Violet jumped in front and turned to face him while continuing to jog backwards as she looked up at her red-headed companion with a cheeky grin.

"What happened to the cat was satisfaction brought it back! Don't let me die, Hisoka. Satisfy my curiosity."

Hisoka halted and watched her with wide eyes for a split second before bursting into loud, joyous laughter. Violet froze at the sound escaping his mouth. She had never heard him laugh like that before, and the soundtrack was an instant favourite.

"Oh, kitten. You do come up with some of the most unexpectant ideas ~♥"

Hisoka gave a broad, genuine smirk. He crossed his arms and shifted his expression to a softer version. Violet tensed in eager anticipation. Is he finally going to give me some answers?

"I will not go into details as this is neither the time nor a safe space to discuss such things. All I will say is that fighting was a necessity for my survival, and it was not always an achievable task for me. The stronger I became, the more freedom and safety I secured for myself and my family. I never stopped. And here we stand today."

"Family? What? Wait—"

The magician moved past the awestruck Violet, filled with more questions than answers. Her mouth hung open, and her eyes moved from anticipation to excitement to horror as she thought of all the deeper meanings behind what the man had just admitted without owning up to a single thing. He reached out and ruffled her hair as he passed.

"Keep up, kitten. We're almost there. It's time to improve your Nen so you can bury Jason, preferably in a literal sense, the next you meet."

Violet snapped out of her stagnated state at the mention of the reason they were out at such an early hour. As much as massacring Jason was a driving factor, she couldn't deny how much she loathed being a burden to Hisoka—that needed to end and fast. The desire to be his equal or at least be able to handle herself without aid burned with her soul. The opponents seemed to be strengthening faster than she could match while stranded on the same plateau. It was infuriating.

A clearing in the park came into view. It wasn't a straight field, with teenage trees littering the area at random distances from one another. The sparsely spaced trees were surrounded by thick growth, providing the perfect cover from prying eyes. It was also a wonderful opportunity to look on unnoticed if one possessed Nen abilities. Violet was confident Hisoka would know if that were happening, but she struggled to keep up with his advanced skill in that field.

"I want to build on the knowledge you still lack."

Violet frowned. "I thought we were going to practice my Ken, Ko and Ryu in battle? Sparring?"

"We can do that later if you still have the energy, but you haven't completed your training without In and En knowledge," he explained. "Once you know all the foundations, we can improve your performance."

"In...and En?" Violet repeated.

"Yes, they're essential to how I use my Bungee Gum, and many Nen fighters use them. I have a feeling Jason already employed them against you."

Violet gritted her teeth in frustration. If Jason can do it, then I'm going to master it!

Hisoka gave a wicked sneer in response to her expression.

"In is a skill I often use with my Bungee Gum. It fully hides a person's aura flow. It cannot be perceived or seen by your enemy."

"Isn't that the same as Zetsu?"

"Similar in idea, very different in function. Zetsu shuts down all your aura producing nodes in your skin, but In doesn't. With In, I'm concealing my aura flow from others, but the nodes and aura are still flowing. I can set Nen traps and sneak attacks this way."

Violet gasped as her feet were dragged from under her, and she swivelled, being pulled back feet-first into a tree. Pressure on her neck yanked her head back and upwards. Activating Gyo, she found Bungee Gum tethering her boots to the tree by the ankles and another line around her neck attached to Hisoka's finger. Grinning, he sauntered over, knelt and leaned in until their lips were mere centimetres apart.

"As you can see, I use it regularly. And the next point of how to know if it's being employed, you answered yourself with excellent instincts. Well done, but not good enough." Tugging on the line, he forced her head into his waiting lips and took her mouth as a playground for his tongue to explore. He released her a minute later, out of breath and burning. "Improve your speed with Gyo, and you'll do better."

Hisoka distanced himself while she collected herself, wiping her mouth in flustered frustration. "How do you know if someone is using it, though?"

"If you're in a fight and they're not showing much aura but still fighting full force, you can be certain In is being used," he answered.

"But if they're throwing attack after attack or there are multiple—"

"Yes, that's the part that makes In so useful. It may be excellent for a stealth fighter like yourself. You have crafted a near-perfect image you're weak. No one will expect much from you. That gives the advantage for setting traps."

"For me. What if it's used agai—" Violet activated Gyo as her skin prickled and rushed out of the way of several strings of Bungee Gum looking to ensnare her. "Hisoka!"

The magician boomed with laughter. "Just like that, kitten. If you feel anything is off in the slightest active Gyo, you'll see the hidden attacks. You already have near perfection in that skill which gives you a huge advantage. Many need years to move aura to their eyes that fast."

Annoyed, that was the only way to describe how learning from Hisoka felt. She rubbed her temples in frustration and tried to calm herself.

"You couldn't just explain things? Do you have to keep being a creep?"

"I told you I wouldn't go easy on you," Hisoka dismissed her. "The last Nen technique you have yet to learn is En. It uses Ten and Ren at the same time. It extends your Ten barrier at least two meters from yourself—"

"That's not possible! I cannot make a barrier that thick! Why would I need to keep anyone that far from me!" Violet watched the redhead turn to face her and switch from a surprised to wicked expression.

"No, you couldn't. Very few could do that. However, that's not how this technique works," Hisoka explained, resting her concerns she would never master Nen. "You extend your Ten using Ren, not to stop others from approaching, but to be aware of everything within your barrier field. If a person or attach enters the area you cover, you will know the moment they do and can respond. Everything within the field is known to you."

"Hm? So, it's like pushing air into a balloon to extend the barrier, and the moment they enter the range, an alarm will trigger me, and I'll know? Like a continuous security system?"

"Yes, advanced warning so you can respond as fast as ever and beat them at their own game to strike them down. Those that master this skill can spread the field out to ninety feet. Killua's grandfather can extend it as far as three-hundred meters," Hisoka explained.

"How do you know that?"

"Illumi."

"How would he know anything about Killua's family? Is he picking on Killua!?" Violet raged and even flared her Ren in anger, thinking the black-haired, slender creep was going anywhere near Gon and Killua.

Hisoka burst into laughter. "Violet. Illumi is Killua's older brother." He smiled, watching her Ren recede, and her eyes widen in realisation.

Violet shook her head. "Poor Killua."

Hisoka stifled a further chuckle with a hand over his mouth. "Now, try to create En, Violet."

It took no time for her to access Nen and fully cover herself in a Ten barrier. After, she pushed Ren into it, trying to force the barrier out. She needed to stop and catch her breath a few times. The necessary technique to be a Nen master drained energy faster than all the others.

"It takes a great deal of aura. It's not something people use long term for that reason, but if you cannot spot your opponent or are dealing with a group, it can make quick work of them and is worth it," Hisoka said. "Try again."

She pushed harder, forcing the energy in-between her Nen barrier, but the Ten kept buckling under the pressure of the Ren and then it would explode out. Each time Violet failed, a new sweat level covered her skin, and the skeletal muscle would quiver more. Hisoka never stopped watching, slowly circling her like a predatory beast. If she took too long to try again, he would command with another 'again' but never stopped scrutinising her abilities. This pattern continued for longer than Violet could track.

"Can't you just stop for a moment! I need to focus! Stop watching me!"

"Your enemy will not give you a tenth of a second. I give far less," Hisoka growled. "Again!"

Violet screamed in frustration as Ren flared out of her aura nodes. He's a prick, but he's right! I cannot rely on him or anyone all the time! Jason has wounded me and so many others. Never again!

With a final push, Ren erupted into purpose, and she clamped her eyes shut, focused on destroying the brown-haired, blue-eyed demon of a man.

"Good," Hisoka sang. "Keep your eyes shut. Dodge."

Before Violet could ask what he meant, she felt the first infraction into her field and gasped, shifting her shoulder out of the way of a Shu-filled playing card. It nicked her skin, but she understood the instructions now. Hisoka's presence was hidden, and several more assaults flew toward her. True to his word, he held nothing back in the least and the air filled with the scent of iron. With gritted teeth and strong drive, Violet moved in time with the attacks and applied herself to the technique.

She wasn't sure how long they danced through battle in the secluded trees, but sweat was sticky on her skin and clothing, and her breathing laboured when an explosive and cruel attack befell her position. More than fifty cards set their sights on her body from varying angles. Growling, Violet used agility without dropping the En barrier. Hisoka was inside it and behind her, about to strike a death blow to her neck.

She snatched a wild card from the air and spun into Hisoka's range. Curling around his arm and swivelling, she landed a punch to his lower jaw and then wrapped legs around his waist and grabbed his neck with one hand and positioned the stolen card over his jugular. The magician smiled with darkness, a hand securing the hair on the back of her head and a Shu-filled queen of spades positioned in a mirror image against Violet's neck.

The pair never broke eye contact and fanned each other with heavy breath and their intoxicating musk laced with sweat. Neither dared to break the stalemate; they glared and knew this was as likely to end in blood as sex.

"Impressive as always, my pet. You'll make a glorious, deathly tigress yet." He softened his hold and pulled the card back, but his eyes never lost their heat.

Violet sneered with dark orbs, and once his grip was loosened enough, she pushed in, grabbed the hair on the back of his head and locked their mouths. Her tongue forced its way into his mouth while she secured his head. A sliced movement of the wildcard in her hands opened Hisoka's forearm, and she felt him growl his arousal into her mouth.

A crack sounded, and bark dust fell onto the pair engrossed in each other's touch and mouth as Hisoka forced his student against the trunk of a tree. Violet's hands roamed under his tunic shirt with savage greed for his Greek God-like abdominal muscles and pectorals. They pulled back for air, and she nipped at his lower lip, drawing blood. Running her tongue over her upper lip, she spread the red spoils over her mouth for him to visibly admire.

Hisoka wrapped a hand around her throat and licked up his blood from her immobilised form. Violet growled and dug her nails into his nipple, causing him to tighten around her neck and snarl. He forced his hips hard into her locked form and continued until the squeaking cries muffled out of her mouth, and her hand released the death grip. Before she could recover enough to counter, he exposed her and forced the aroused playmate to face the tree, still in his locked grip.

He whispered near her ear from behind, "Do as your told or I'll snap that beautiful neck of yours."

"Y-yes, Sir..."

Hisoka pushed into her from behind, and the cries she would have released were partially subdued by the hand around her throat. She reached back and clawed his right cheek with undeniable euphoric need. Her walls tightened around him, and she was certain he felt it as much as she did his twitching and heard his grunting.

Oh, don't stop, Hisoka! Oh! Yes, there! There!

The sound of skin slapping and both fighters falling into their passion scorched through the air. "B-Bungee gum, Hisoka! Bungee Gum! Ahhh!"

Violet climaxed seconds before Hisoka. Her legs shook unsteady from training as much as the intimacy. Resting her feverish forehead against the tree trunk, she was thankful he still held her firmly. Hisoka's hands rested on her hips, and his heated breath did nothing to calm raging hormones fanning against the back of her neck.

"You better not have destroyed my jeans...."

A chuckle sounded next to Violet's head. "Luckily, I have more control than you, kitten." He set her back on the grass, and her legs shook but held.

"Hardly. You came just as fast as me," Violet remarked as she redressed and watched him toss the Bungee Gum condom into a bush. A buzz notification caught her attention, drawing it to her phone.

"You did very well, kitten."

Violet answered half distracted, "With the sex? Thanks, I had a good teacher, as you know." She continued to scroll through the device and furrowed her brows at the email field.

Hisoka grinned. "The En. Your barrier reached twenty meters. It was more impressive how long you held it. Incredible given your lower stamina," he looked over at Violet when he didn't receive a reaction to his teasing. "What is it?"

She looked back at him. "Oh. Nothing. Just Heaven's Arena again. Someone challenged me to a fight, and they also sent a bunch of threatening emails. Something about me losing my room soon."

"Hm? When was the last time you fought there?"

"Not since our battle," she answered.

"You really didn't listen to the nice ladies explaining how the higher floors worked, did you? Naughty, Kitten."

Violet rolled her eyes at the redhead. "What are you on about now?"

"You have to fight every ninety days to keep your room. You need to win four matches to challenge a floor master. After my win against Gon, I have four matches. If someone is challenging you, we should head there. I can challenge a floor master, and you can retrieve your possessions. They'll throw them away if you lose your room."

"Fuck. Why does no one tell me these things!"

Hisoka walked over and touched the middle of her forehead with an index finger. "They do. You just don't listen."

Violet blushed.

"Who challenged you?"

"Someone named..." She checked the phone. "Guragura?"

"I've never heard of them, but fighters rise to the upper floors all the time. It will be good practice for you. I'll arrange an airship for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What is the rush?"

"Your time limit, neglectful little pet." Hisoka ruffled her hair and signalled for her to follow him as they left their private training area.

Violet blew a raspberry through her lips. "I only got to use the bath once..."

Hisoka laughed. "We can play in it tonight. Come on."

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A sharp inhale of air saw Violet's eyes shoot open. The room was dark and her hair dampened from the bath four ago. Painful tears rushed to the corners of her eyes while she tried to calm her racing heart. The sound of Hisoka's rhythmic breathing on the other side of the bed aided in the quest for calm.

She turned over, and the tears escaped down her cheeks. Wiping one side with the back of her hand, Violet stocked toward his side with careful, tense motions. Freezing as the threshold was reached, she sucked a part of her lower lip into her teeth. She reached out with an apprehensive hand, and then Hisoka's eyes shot open.

She released a second gasp and pulled her hand back, and swallowed hard, watching the yellow eyes glowing in the darkness. The sheets were far more interesting, and Violet watched them with shame. Within seconds of flustered uncertainty, she looked back at the sound of Hisoka's shifting movements.

A hand reached towards Violet's position, and the finger curled, welcoming her over. Her lips quivered, and more tears fell as she crawled into the redhead's arms. He tightened his embrace around the nightmare distressed, dirty blonde.

"It's just a nightmare," Hisoka cooed. "You're fine."

A sniffled response asked, "I'm safe with you...?"

"Yes," Hisoka responded without delay. "No one will touch you with me here."

It wasn't long before her body stopped shaking, and the tears dried to be replaced with light snoring. Hisoka continued to stroke and play with the long locks of hair.

"No one will touch you with me here, my queen of hearts and spades." The magician kissed her on top of the head. "We'll be back in Heaven's Arena tomorrow. You can massacre some weaklings and find your confidence again ~♥"

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The end of arc 2, YorkNew!!

OMG! I was worried about this Arc and its execution, but it was way better than Arc 1! I had a blast writing it. 

It's not over yet; we still have loads of story left. 

Who is this new fighter challenging Violet? Will the pair stay together? What is Jason up to, and will he strike again? Lots of lingering questions yet. 

I will be taking a short hiatus to plot-plan for the next Arc. Many complex things will happen, so I have to have a bit less chaos in the plan before we begin! 

Thank you so much to my lovely readers. All your comments and votes give me such joy and community. Thank you for sticking with me this long or joining me for the ride (if you're new). I will see you in Arc 3, but don't be a stranger; feel free to inbox me or write on my wall :)

Don't forget to vote and comment!