༺♥༻

Having made it to the floor's resting area, the group were sitting down in the area surrounded by couches and tables.

Looking between his friends as soon as he had sat down, a serious expression coated Kurapika's face and there was this imitating aura surrounding him that he hadn't had before.

He had told them that his power could only be used on the Phantom Troupe.

'Your mental state has an incredibly powerful effect on your Nen',Kurapika explained and showed his conjured chains that dangled from his right arm,'The more determined you are, the more powerful the Nen. But the risk incurred is great, as well. In exchange for stronger Nen, I vowed I would only use it against the Spiders and I established a rule for myself'

Tilting her head in curiosity, eyes of thunder were wide in fascination and lips the shade of a strawberry were parted in wonder as she looked at Kurapika, listening to what he was saying.

'Oh, yeah?',Leorio questioned,'What kind of rule is it?'

'My chains must be used exclusively on the Spiders',Kurapika explained and glanced towards Leorio, before taking a deep breath, his grey eyes looking over the faces of his friends,'Or I will die as a result'

At the blonde's confession, everyone in the room went silent in shock and their eyes widened; he was willing to put his life on the line in order to have his revenge.

'Hold on, what do you mean?',Leorio questioned.

'There is a Nen dagger in my heart',Kurapika explained,'If I break the rule, the blade will pierce through, killing me. The rule proves my resolve. That's the contract with conditions'

Looking at the chains that covered his hands, Kurapika's eyes glistened with resolve.

'My ability is the product of my pure and unadulterated hatred',Kurapika explained and clenched his fist, the sound of the chains clinking together echoed throughout the room,'It will only work when used on the Spiders'

Having been frozen in shock, Valentine could only gaze at the blonde boy and their eyes connected as he looked towards her.

'I'm telling you this because I trust you. Don't tell anyone else'

He could see the shock, the anger and questioning within her eyes as she silently gazed at him which unsettled Kurapika greatly.

He had no idea what was going on in her mind and for all he knew, she was planning to throw whatever was on the table straight at his head.

Besides, she probably still keeps her daggers hidden within her shoes and he hadn't seen her for quite a bit so for all he knew, she would probably throw one at him for his stupidity.

'What the hell?',Killua exclaimed, anger and anxiety brewing within him as he glared the blonde boy down,'Why would you tell us something that's so damn important?'

Confused as to why Killua was asking this, Kurapika's eyes widened for a moment and he looked towards the ground as he wondered the same thing.

'I'm not really sure',Kurapika answered,'Maybe I felt dispirited because their leader is dead now'

'It'll be fine if we keep it quiet',Leorio stated.

Looking towards the bespectacled man, a stern gaze was thrown his way as Killua slowly shook his head and frowned slightly.

'No it won't',Killua stated,'One of the surviving members has the power to read memories'

Figuring out what he was talking about, Valentine's lips parted and her shoulders sunk slightly as she breathed out, worry coating her face as she glanced at Kurapika.

'If the Spiders find out about this—'

Knowing what he was going to say next, Valentine cut in and looked between the two, a worried look in her eyes.

"Then they'll kill Kurapika"

However, Gon furrowed his eyebrows together and tilted his head to the side as he looked between the two.

'But, she didn't learn anything last time',Gon observed.

Frowning at his statement, Killua turned his gaze towards the green-haired boy and furrowed his eyebrows slightly.

'You're right, but that's only because we didn't know that Kurapika was the chain user back then',Killua answered.

Gulping nervously upon learning this, Gon gasped slightly and then, Killua turned to face Kurapika.

'Okay, so we just stay away from them. Since they've already checked you out, they think that you're clean'

'There's also a guy called Nobunaga',Killua stated,'He's really dangerous. He's looking for Kurapika and he's still trying to get Gon, Valentine and I'

Looking between the three upon hearing that a Troupe member was trying to get them, Kurapika sighed slightly; he didn't want the three to get involved in this and yet, a Troupe member was after them.

'But he doesn't know that you guys know Kurapika.. does he?',Leorio questioned.

'No..'

'Well, then what's the problem?', Leorio asked,'Just keep your distance from the memory reader. You and everyone else who knows Kurapika's the chain user'

Seeing the hesitant look on Kurapika's face, Valentine furrowed her eyebrows together and slowly titled her head.

Does someone else already know that he was the chain user?

'I've also been in contact with Hisoka'

And there it was.

That single sentence had caught the attention of all of his friends as they quickly snapped their heads in his direction and they felt like everything had crashed down.

If Hisoka knew that Kurapika was the chain user and he was with the Phantom Troupe, then it was only a matter of time before Pokunoda scanned his memories and found out.

'He knows that I'm the chain user as well',Kurapika explained,'We made a pact, but his target, the leader of the Phantom Troupe, is dead and gone now. So I have no idea what he'll do'

Silence filled the room and the four began to wonder what they could do next, if the leader of the Troupe is dead, what did that mean for them.

'What do we do?',Killua questioned,'Now that we all know about Kurapika's secret, it's dangerous to wait. If Gon, Valentine or I get captured again, we won't be able to escape, but we do have Kurapika with us now so we need to take them out, before they can recover or run. And we know where their current base is, if we take to long it'll give them a chance to get away. They could be making a get away plan as we speak, we don't have time to overthink it'

Placing his hand on his chin, Kurapika pondered over the thought and his eyes were downcast towards the floor, but after a moment, he finally spoke up.

'That woman; the one who reads memories, is a threat',Kurapika stated, however, his eyes softened as he looked up at the three,' But now that their leader's dead, I'll do what Gon suggests and focus on recovering my brethren's eyes'

Astounded; although happy, at the boy's words, a small smile formed on Valentine's face as her eyes softened and she watched as he turned his eyes towards her, a gentle smile twitching at his lips.

However, Killua didn't agree with his decision.

'Seriously!? And you're sure about this!'

'Look, it's obvious that he's made up his mind',Leorio started causing Killua to look towards the older man,'You can try all you want, but there's no changing it now'

Looking between the four; technically five since Zeus was looking towards him as well, Killua eventually sat back down and Kurpika slowly raised his hand, gently rubbing the hawk's head as Zeus chirred happily, nuzzling into the blonde.

'I'm sorry, but thanks',Kurapika thanked the silverette,'I do appreciate the information'

The once tense atmosphere had become calm all at once and it was just like how they once were around each other.

Then suddenly, the loud ringing of the Kurta's phone cut through the silence.

Humming in curiosity, Kurapika took out his phone and gazed at the screen, informing them that it was from Hisoka.

Then, Kurapika's once calm and collected aura had turned to that of distress and anger.

Lightning flashed in the background and a dark aura casted over the blondes eyes, causing the four to feel quite worried.

'Kurapika?'

'The corpses were fake'

Upon realizing that the Phantom Troupe members, the one's that they had thought were dead were still alive, had caused a feeling of dread to collect in the group.

'Of course, a Conjurer could've pulled that off easily! Damnit!',Kurapika cursed and his bangs were casted over his eyes,'Why didn't I realize this sooner!'

'The situation has changed, now what?',Killua asked,'We're here to help'

Sitting up straight at the silverette's words, Gon and Valentine nodded in agreement and their eyes shined with determination.

Another ring pierced through the air and this time, it was a fellow bodyguard of Kurapika— Melody.

'Oh, Melody, what is it?',The Kurta questioned.

Taking a deep breath, Melody had prepared herself and told her fellow bodyguard the news.

'The Ten Dons have rescinded the bounty for the remaining Troupe Members'

༺♥༻

'No way',Killua stated sternly.

Having asked if they were still hunting the spiders, Gon's lips pulled down into a frown and his wide eyes blinked in confusion.

Even though it wasn't surprising that the Troupe had fakes their death, the surprising thing was that the Mafia had taking the bounty off of their heads.

'Wait, but why not?',Gon questioned,'You were the one who wanted to go and capture the Phantom Troupe in the first place'

Deciding to just sit back and watch what was going on, Valentine looked between the two and her golden eyes glimmered in the light as she gently rubbed Zeus's head as, he too, watched the two bicker.

'Yeah, well that was back when it wouldn't have been pointless',Killua argued.

Confused, Gon furrowed his eyebrows and tilted his head to the side, confusion radiating off of his body.

'But, why is it pointless?'

With his face falling into a deadpanned expression, Killua slowly shook his head and looked between the two.

'Cause there's no reward money anymore',Killua answered,'So, you would be taking a huge risk for absolutely nothing'

'Maybe so, but it'd be worth it to finally capture the Phantom Troupe, wouldn't it?',Gon asked.

Placing her hand on her chin, Valentine pondered over the thought in her head and thought of the cons and the pros of the idea, causing a small hum to leave her lips.

Suddenly getting in Gon's face, the silverette had his finger in the boy's face and Killua's eyebrows were furrowed in anger.

'You really need to take a hard look at your priorities',Killua exclaimed,'Do you even remember why we're here? Well, do you?'

With her eyes wide, Valentine looked between the two and began to wonder if she should step in or not.

With a small drop of sweat falling down the side of his face, Gon smiled nervously.

'For Greed Island'

'Exactly!',Killua exclaimed and leaned back, his hands resting on his hips as he stared at Gon with an annoyed expression on his face,'The Southern Piece auction starts in two days, so we need to make a whole lot of money before then'

'Actually, I have a great idea about how we could get the game',Gon stated.

With a skeptical look on his face, Killua raised an eyebrow at the spiky, green-haired boy.

'If you've got a plan, fill us in',The silverette stated and gestures towards Valentine with the tilt of his head.

With a small hum, Gon placed his hand on his chin and glanced up for a moment, before a bright smile formed on his face as he held up his finger.

'It's a secret right now!'

With an irk mark appearing on his forehead, Killua pulled the boy into a headlock and the green-haired boy flailed in his grasp.

'Stop being such a little tease and spit it out!'

Loud groans left Gon's lips as he harshly tapped Killua's shoulder and tried to get the boy to let him go.

'I can't breathe, you're gonna kill me!',Gon exclaimed,'Valentine.. a little help please!'

With her eyes widening, Valentine rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Killua's arm, trying to pull him away and loosen his grip.

'Valentine, let go! I'm trying to teach him a lesson!'

"You don't have to strangle him!"

Finally managing to pull the silverette away from the green-haired boy, Valentine placed her hands on her knees as she let him go and crouched over slightly, waving her hand as Gon gently pat her shoulder.

She should've been the one doing that for him and so, Valentine lifted her hand as she stood up straight, gently ruffling the boy's hair; even though she had to stand on the tip of her toes to reach his head since she was shorter than the two boys.

She may have been trained when she was younger, but Killua was a bit stronger than she was and that death-grip of his was harder to break.

'Anyway, I'll figure out something for the game',Gon stated,'But for now, we should keep trailing the Troupe'

With a suspicious look in his eye, Killua crossed his arms over his chest and rose an eyebrow at Gon.

'Do you really have a plan to get Greed Island?',The silverette questioned.

'Yeah, but it isn't guaranteed to work or anything',Gon said.

Raising an eyebrow, the golden eyed beauty turned towards her friend and tilted her head to the side, a curious look on her face.

"How likely is it to work?",Valentine questioned.

Looking towards the ceiling as he scratched his chin with a look of thought on his face, Gon hummed slightly and squinted his eyes slightly.

'Maybe.. seventy percent'

With a shocked look on his face, Killua rose his eyebrows and his eyes were wide.

'Seventy?'

'I mean, maybe more like sixty'

Going to say something, the girl stopped and choked slightly in shock as she registered his words, causing Valentine to cough as she looked towards the green-haired boy.

With a sheepish smile on his face, Gon looked between his two friend and watched as they glanced towards one another.

So it was fifty-fifty.

'Okay, fine',Killua said,'I'll let you be in charge of Greed Island, but it'd be stupid to try to deal with the Troupe on our own. We'll need Kurapika's help, we can't do this without him'

Nodding slightly, the three looked towards each other and they agreed with the idea.

༺♥༻

Sitting in front of Kurapika and Leorio, the three had asked Kurapika to let them help and at the moment, the blonde boy was thinking over their request to help.

'We'll do anything',Gon stated,'Just tell us what you need'

It was quite easy to tell that Killua had wanted Kurapika to disagree with Gon's request and thinking it over for a moment, Valentine didn't exactly agree or disagree with the request.

She wanted to help Kurapika, but at the same time, dealing with the Troupe would be dangerous.

'But the reward was rescinded',Kurapika stated.

'I know',Gon said and determination gleamed within his dark eyes,'I still want to stop the Troupe. I haven't changed my mind about that'

Fully facing the three, Kurapika looked between them, but mainly looked at Gon and Valentine.

He saw that the determination to help was slowly seeping into her gaze.

'You'd be risking your lives',The blonde Kurta told them.

Still seeing the steely determination that blazed within their eyes, Kurapika stared the two down and seeing that their gazes didn't waver, he slowly nodded.

'Right. Then let's discuss it'

Shocked by his agreement, Killua's eyes widened and he tensed up slightly.

He hadn't expected for the Kurta to actually agree.

༺♥༻

The loud boom of thunder crashed throughout the room and rain heavily pelted against the windows, the harsh breeze causing branches to scrape against the glass.

'First, we're gonna need someone to watch their base and provide updates',Kurapika said.

Perking up, a small smile twitched at Valentine's lips and her eyes glistened slightly.

Out of her family, Jaxon; her twin brother, and herself were the best at tracking someone down without their presences being noticed, so she figured that she'd be the best for that job.

"I'll do it"

'Yeah, I can do that'

As they spoke up at the same time, eyes of a fresh pot of molten gold and eyes of the coldest ice snapped towards one another.

With his eyes wide, Killua stared at the girl in shock and was silent for a moment.

Humming for a moment, Kurapika looked between the two and the silverette turned his icy gaze towards the blonde, surprise in his eyes.

'You're not actually considering it, are you?',Killua exclaimed and his tone was filled with disbelief.

He wouldn't actually agree to this, would he?

Confused by the boy's outburst, Valentine turned her gaze towards the silverette and furrowed her eyebrows, tilted her head to the side in curiosity.

He knew that she had done this many times before and knew exactly what her family did, so why was he so concerned about her doing this?

It wasn't anything new to her.

'I mean.. Valentine would be the best for that job, wouldn't she?',Leorio input and looked between the group as they turned their gazes his way,'She's told us herself that this is what she was trained to do, right? So, I don't see the big deal here, she'll be fine, Killua'

Going to argue, Killua opened his mouth and furrowed his eyebrows in anger, but quickly cut himself off as a warm sensation ran up his body as a soft grasp gently fell upon the top of his hand.

Turning his head, eyes of the ocean and that of molten lava connected as one as Valentine stared at the silverette, her eyes gleaming with a hard look of resolution.

After a moment, a small sigh left Killua's lips and he slowly nodded, causing the blonde girl to smile slightly before they both turned their gazes towards Kurapika.

'We only want the woman called Pokunoda',Kurapika instructed and stared into Valentine's eyes with a hard gaze,'You can ignore the others'

Nodding in understanding, eyes of gold shone brightly and Valentine hummed slightly.

'Be incredibly careful, Valentine',Kurapika stated, a warning tone in his voice and concern laced his tone.

With a reassuring look in her eyes, Valentine gently smiled and tilted her head to the side, reassurance within her tone.

"Don't worry about me, I won't push my luck"

With a small nod, Kurapika turned his gaze way from her and looked between them.

'I'm also going to need a driver to accompany me',The Kurta stated and turned his eyes towards the bespectacled man beside him,'Leorio, can I count on you?'

Immediately straightening up in surprise, Leorio spluttered slightly and rose his hand to his chin, his eyes squinting in thought.

'Yeah',Leorio said hesitantly.

Nervously pushing his glasses up his face, the man cleared his throat and frowned slightly.

'It'll be fine',Killua spoke up,'You'll be totally safe if you're with Kurapika'

Quickly turning his head in the boy's direction, Leorio frowned slightly and huffed.

'Oh, knock it off, Killua!',The man exclaimed,'You're making it sound like I'm terrified or something, and I'm totally not!'

Raising an eyebrow, Valentine turned her gaze towards the man and watched as he looked towards her, his face dropping into a deadpanned expression.

Not her too.

'Okay, what about me?',Gon questioned and looked towards Kurapika.

Turning his gaze towards the green-haired boy, the blonde thought for a moment and then, not even a second later, spoke up.

'I need you to create a diversion',Kurapika said.

Nodding in agreement, Gon's eyes glistened and his face was set into a serious expression.

'Got it!'

'Hey, wait a minute! That job sounds way too dangerous',Killua exclaimed,'You really expect Gon to face the Troupe members again?'

Even though they had faced the Troupe before, hearing what his friends tasks were, Killua couldn't help but become overprotective of the two and disagreed with both of their roles in the plan.

'Depends on our strategy',Kurapika stated.

First, Valentine having to watch the Troupe's base; with a possibility of her being seen and caught, and now Gon had to actually face the Troupe again.

'I'm listening',Killua said,'What kind of strategy?'

'A very simple one actually',Kurapika declared,'While the enemy is busy dealing with Gon, I'll capture Pokunoda and quietly make my escape'

With a frown his his face, Killua leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms over his chest.

'That plan sounds a little shaky to me',The silverette proclaimed.

'Perhaps, but there are to many variables to devise anything more concrete',Kurapika stated,'Now, as for Gon's strategy, I'll let him decide that. Just hold their attention for at least half a second, a full second if possible'

Furrowing his eyebrows together, Gon pursed his lips and began to wonder if he could actually hold their attention for a full second.

And if he could, how would he go about it and would it be guaranteed to work?

'You're the key to this plan',Kurapika explained,'Can you handle it?'

'I'm not really sure, I need time to think',Gon told the blonde.

Glancing towards him in shock, Valentine blinked slightly in surprise and was actually expecting him to full in agree, going headfirst into it without even thinking.

And yet, here he was blindly agreeing.

'We have six hours',Kurapika said as he glanced towards the clock,'If the auction proceeds as scheduled.. the spiders will make their move before then'

Looking between Gon and Valentine, Killua sighed slightly and then looked towards Kurapika, his eyebrows furrowing.

'Hey, you never let us help you before',Killua stated,'Why start now?'

'Because, the risk I'm taking has grown',Kurapika explained,'I must eliminate Pakunoda immediately. No matter the cost'

With a small gasp, the silverette stared at Kurapika in shock and realized that this was why he seemed so different before.

His resolve had gotten stronger.

'Kurapika, could you use your Nen dagger on me?'

Gasping in shock, eyes of steel widened in surprise and Kurapika stared at the spiky-haired boy, his lips parted.

They were all shocked at his words as they flinched in surprise.

'What're you talking about?'

'Yeah, weren't you listening?',Leorio questioned,'If Kurapika attacks someone who's not a Spider, he'll die!'

Immediately snapping his gaze in Leorio's direction, Kurapika harshly shushed the man and spoke through gritted teeth.

'Keep your voice down',The blonde Kurta hissed, causing Leorio to look at him.

Confusion filled Gon's body and he looked between the group, lifting his hand as he pointed towards Kurapika.

'Then I don't get it, Kurapika has one in his chest, doesn't he?',Gon questioned,'I mean, since he's not a member of the Phantom Troupe'

Flinching back in surprise, the three looked towards Kurapika in curiosity and watched as his midwinter eyes; that were ebbed ever so gently with cement, glanced towards the ground.

'What I'm about to say will make the risk I face even greater',Kurapika explained.

As the two shared tense looks, Leorio sighed and stood to his feet, placing his hands in his pockets.

'Alright, Valentine, Killua, let's go'

As the two shared questioning glances towards Gon, Valentine and Killua slowly stood to their feet as soon as the green-haired boy sent them a nod of reassurance.

Following after Killua and Leorio towards the door, Valentine came to a stop for a moment and looked over her shoulder, grey and gold connecting, before a small nod was sent her way.

Slowly nodding back with pursed lips, the blonde girl tore her gaze away from the Kurta's and followed the two out of the room, her heart heavy with hesitation.

༺♥༻

ᴍʏ ɢᴏᴅs ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs sᴜᴄʜ ᴀ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ, ɪ ᴀʟᴍᴏsᴛ ʀᴇᴀᴄʜᴇᴅ 𝟧,000 ᴡᴏʀᴅs sᴏ ɪ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ sᴘʟɪᴛ ɪᴛ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴘᴀʀᴛs!

ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏ, ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏs ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴏғ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴘᴀʀᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴏᴜᴛ sᴏᴍᴇᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴛᴏᴅᴀʏ sɪɴᴄᴇ ɪᴛ's ᴀ sᴘʟɪᴛ.

ɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟʟ ᴇɴᴊᴏʏᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ʟʟ sᴇᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇxᴛ ᴏɴᴇ!