The first time they met, she had just wanted a proper meal and maybe a shower.
She had nothing in her pockets, and nothing left in the world either. That was why Heaven's Arena seemed like a good place to die, or to start over, depending on her chance.
However, she had never been the lucky kind.
First fight, first floor.
She focused on the monster in her back, not letting it out but still, she could feel its bloodlust lash out to her opponent.
The man froze then forfeited.
She was sent to the thirtieth floor with a few coins, hardly enough to rent a room. Seemed like she would have to sleep in the streets, again.
He was standing by the elevator.
The door opened and they both stepped in. Her face remained neutral while she ignored the stranger who stared without any concern.
"What a beautiful aura," he finally said.
"What," she snapped at him.
He giggled like he was simply playing with a kitten.
"I saw your fight, your ren is as red as blood. Your nen is truly promising."
She cringed in disgust as he kept mumbling about fruits and ripping seasons.
"I don't know who you are, but please stop, it's making me uncomfortable."
"Oh," his wicked grin only spread wider. "I'm just a magician. Come find me if you want to know more about your powers."
Her eyes widen. How did he know? She had a cursed, this strange beast that was a part of her ever since she was born. It was a monster she couldn't control, a thing that killed everyone when it lashed out. There was no way this magician or whatever he was recognized her. No one in the world knew her anymore. They were all six feet under.
"How do you know about my curse?" She asked.
"So I was right," he said, satisfied. "You really are a precious thing. Such a powerful, innate hatsu, it's practically dripping out. I'll teach you zetsu first, so you don't attract moths and die stupidly."
She frowned. What the hell was he talking about? Finally, she decided she just wanted to get out of this elevator and walk away from the odd man. Something about him made her cold and wary.
With a cling, the doors opened and she stepped out, eager to run away.
"Not so fast, dear," he caught her wrist and she felt the beast slowly raise between her shoulder blades. It demanded to be freed, and it was hungry.
The magician's pupils dilated and he let go, with a painful face like he was stopping himself from doing something.
Not now, Hisoka thought, she'll become much stronger if I wait, and the fight will only be better.
"You don't have a curse, it is called nen. A power that not many people master. If you want to learn more, come to me."
He flicked his hand and a card appeared in his fingers. The queen of hearts, with a phone number in the middle. He hold out the card to her.
She grabbed it warily.
"Will you offer me dinner?"
This time he looked genuinely surprised and chuckled, his hand covering his mouth.
"Of course, dear."
Well, she wasn't one to turn down a free meal.
After seven months, she disappeared.
He taught her everything he knew about nen, or at least what he said he knew, because Hisoka was a man of secrets and he never said the truth. It was interesting, because despite everything he turned out to be a good teacher, and she learned quickly, as someone who had had their hatsu their whole life.
But she wasn't stupid.
He was a psychopath, he didn't care about her, he just wanted to make her stronger then break her. He was doing all this for himself, the charming manners and the sometimes kind words were just a play.
So she left. She knew it wouldn't end well, because one day he'd lose patience and fight her to death, it was only a matter of time.
She was now powerful enough to conceal her presence and defend herself.
In the dead of night, she pulled out the bed sheets and slipped out quietly. She looked back one last time, Hisoka was sound asleep after pouring so many drinks.
It was odd. She felt sad to leave him, to betray him, but at least she wouldn't die.
She thought about what he said the other day.
"You're very fond of me, aren't you?"
Maybe he was right, maybe she was a little bit in love with him. But it didn't matter, because if she stayed he would kill her someday and a broken heart was better than a slit throat.
She vanished in the night, and never came back.
In the morning, Hisoka immediatly understood. She had fooled him, she went along with him to finally jinx his plans.
He gave himself the trouble to train her, he lived with her for seven months and she vanished in the night just like that.
If someone was skilled at finding people who wanted to hide, it was Hisoka. But although he looked for her in bars, clubs, hotels, she was nowhere to be found. (He even traveled all the way to Nomuri, her hometown, but she wasn't there either. He cursed himself, of course she wouldn't go to a place so obvious.)
He would never get to fight her.
Hisoka went on a killing spree.
Days, then weeks passed by and he finally calmed down. He was never one to be fixed on something for long anyway.
Hisoka told himself he would forget about her. There were plenty of strong fighters in the world, with innate hatsu or not. She wasted his time, but it was alright.
A part of him was relieved that he couldn't kill her anymore, although he pushed the thought to the back of his mind.
Five years later, at York New, Hisoka was the same, except for a few added scars and new toys.
He strolled in the streets, until something caught his attention and he turned around.
The woman with ash blonde hair had her face shadowed by a hat. Probably a florist, according to her basket full of flowers.
"I'm sorry, have we met before?" He asked smoothly.
She glanced sideways and replied, "no, I don't think so."
Her expression was indifferent, but there was a gleam in her eyes that reminded him of something. He wasn't quite sure but she disappeared in the crowd before he had the time to say anything.
Hisoka shrugged it off. If he really wanted to find out, he could always look for this woman later. After all there were only a few florists in York New City.