They were leaving the room when Shizuku asked if they would be stealing some cars. Feitan wasn't surprised. Chrollo would always make very inspiring speeches before they go on mission. All of them tended to feel lazy easily if fight and blood weren't to be expected. Feitan hadn't forget that. He just didn't even consider trying.

Feitan answered they could do whatever they wanted to. He would go on foot. He needed the fresh air, and to be left alone.

That's why he got very irritated when Shalnark joined him in his walk and took it upon himself to walk alongside him. He hoped he didn't expect to start some sort of small talk, because that wasn't happening anytime soon... or ever, for that fact. Instead Shal had settled for looking around with a charmed face, as if he found the town itself to be delightful.

Feitan walked fast, the light exercise playing a major factor in healing his pounding headache. He honestly didn't know how Chrollo did it.

He hadn't expected Shalnark to speak up, much less what he suddenly said:

"I'm sorry, Feitan."

Feitan blinked up at the boy. "What?"

Shalnark smiled. "I said I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten angry. It's your first leader mission, and the atmosphere is stifling enough as it is. I shouldn't have worsened it by questioning your methods. You're the boss and your orders are unquestionable, absolute even."

Feitan looked at him rather skeptically. "Why are you saying that?"

Shalnark shrugged and sent him a nervous smile. "Because it's true. The Troupe has always worked liked that. It's Chrollo's rules but…"

Feitan sighed as Shalnark unsure trailed off, "I know that. But it's not what I asked. You said the "s" word. Why? We never do that between us."

"Maybe we should learn."

Feitan looked up at him like he was crazy.

Shalnark laughed at his expression. "A few moment ago, you could have spared yourself the inconvenience if you had only said "sorry" to Phinks. Or just added a "please" to your request."

Feitan stopped dead in his tracks and gaze Shalnark a blank look. "'Sorry?' 'Please?' Where do you think we are, in a fucking tearoom?"

"Oh, it's natural to me. I was born in a tearoom. My parents put some Shalnark powder in a teapot, waited nine months, and I called a cup "Daddy" until I was twelve."

"Chrollo never said the "s" or "p" words."

"Because he never talked to us like you do." Shalnark kept on walking. Feitan followed.

"You're the boss, now. You can't talk to us like you used to. I mean… mocking Phinks because he reads? Saying "shut up" to Kalluto? He's just a kid! And you threatened to kill the dog. I know you, Fei, you love animals, you'd rather kill someone than pull some rabbit's ears."

Feitan chose to ignore his intent stare and continued to stare blankly in front of him. "So?"

"Sooo, you're nervous."

"Fuck you."

"OK, you're very nervous. Just think of you saying "fuck you" to Nobunaga. Or worse: to Machi."

Feitan took a second to imagine the scene. "No. I'd never get that nervous. Nobody could be that nervous."

"Maybe you'll be the first one."

"Oh, crap."

"It's just a matter of training. Give it a try, just once. Now, between you and me, something like "Shalnark, I'm sorry to delegate you a degrading and subalterne mission, but I have no choice so I ask you to do it, p…?" Shalnark encouraged with raised eyebrows and a comforting smile.

Feitan slightly narrowed his eyes. "Piss off."

"Almost done!" Shalnark laughed. "Don't give me that look. I'm just trying to help."

"I didn't asked you for help."

"That's a part of the problem."

"Go back to your teapot and drown in it."

The cars were already parked any old how in front of the heavy portal doors when they arrived. Phinks and Franklin were challenging each other at pushing the gates. It ended with an ex-aequo, for lack of heavier door. Kalluto started sulking because he never succeeded to push beyond the second one. Nobunaga, Bonolenov and Franklin had walked through the doors and vanished into the forest. Phinks was walking around with a weird gait.

"I'm glad we're going to a place with a lot of trees. I shouldn't have drank so many beers," he groaned. "To pee or not to pee…"

Machi almost knocked him out.

"Keep your strength for the mission, Machi," Shalnark reprimanded, though he mentally applauded her. He looked down at his phone. "Nobu sent the agreed message. It's your turn."

Shalnark watched the second team disappearing behind the gates. Just one left.

"Feitan?'

"What now?"

"We're still buddies, aren't we?"

Feitan made a sound at the back of his throat that could've really meant anything, as he passed through the gate, soon followed by Phinks. The gates closed on a heavy sound. Shalnark felt the presence of Kalluto and Abengane behind him. Their auras left two very different and distinct impressions. Shalnark smiled to himself.

This was a mistake, Fei, he thought. You paired me with the two new ones. The very two who don't know you. Who know me very badly.

He relied on his ears. Birds, after a moment of silence, were singing again. Every team might be away now.

You shouldn't have, Fei. I know you. I know you at heart. You lied earlier. You didn't think about Shizuku and Kortopi's safety. Since Pakunoda's death, they're the ones with most precious skills. You're nervous. You want Danchou back. We all want him back. We need a leader, Fei, and you'll be a fantastic leader in a few years, but for now, you're not ready.

Do you remember your fight against Zazan? Phinks incited you twice to switch your place for Bonolenov. We respect him more than we like him. He would have been a good leader. Choosing the strongest as head, it's childish. Phinks is dull-witted, but he's not stupid. We were expecting something else. But you, you were blinded by your blood lust, and didn't understand...

Shalnark looked over his shoulder. Kalluto, with a concerned face, was palpating his biceps.

"Don't worry, Kalluto," Shalnark cheerily spoke up. "I'm sure the boss didn't leave you out because of your physical weakness."

"I'm not weak!"

"Of course not. You're not weak, for a child. And after all, your parents wouldn't have kicked you out if they didn't trust your abilities."

"They didn't kick me out, I left!"

"Oh, really? I'm sorry to hear that. I understand. It must've been really hard living as the weakest brother. I understand why you avoid your siblings. That's why nobody told you that they're all reunited here without you, I suppose."

Kalluto seemed to melt. "Killua is here?"

It was a stroke of luck, but Shalnark was used to reaching his targets without aiming. "Oh, well, it's only a rumor, but…"

Kalluto was already pushing a door. The second one.

"It's not… wrong, is it? To disobey the boss?"

"You call him a boss?"

"Of course not," Kalluto sneered with narrowed eyes. "He doesn't even believe in me. But… you won't tell him, will you?"

"Sure. Why not. Family is family."

"Thanks," the boy said, closing the massive door behind him.

Shalnark shook his head. "...And he thanks me…"

"It was almost too easy," Abengane breezily commented.

"He's still a child, and Zoldyck's children have the emotional stability of a spinning top. Why do you need to get in, anyways?"

"I have an appointment. Why do you need to get in?"

Shalnark gave him a bright smile. "To stop your appointment."

Abengane smiled back.

"It's fair game."

Abengane pushed the third door with one hand. He made a graceful gesture to Shalnark. "After you."

"I wouldn't dare."

"I insist."

"Really. So kind of you," Shalnark mocked, passing through the gates.

He used his Gyo to try and detect Machi's Nen string. He heard Abengane behind him carefully closing the doors. Shalnark saluted him with a nod, Abengane nodded back and vanished into the forest.

Feitan was wrong. Politeness often made the things go the best way.

°o0o°o0o°o0o°o0o°

"And the best way for you to come back to wherever you call home, Gentlemen," Zeno said with a tired and irritated voice "Is you cut back right now before my benevolent patience runs out, and I decide to kill you and your boisterous friends who are wreaking havoc around my mountain. Oh, and if you, mister, could refrain from… marking your territory here and there, it would be appreciated." He pointedly looked at Phinks.

Phinks didn't even look embarrassed in the least. Feitan did though, he also felt and knew that they were being followed and watched, he felt the shadows moving.

When Phinks and he had reached the mansion, Zeno Zoldyck refused to make them enter. He was obviously nervous and impatient, and it obviously wasn't because of them, what upset Phinks.

"If you're thinking we are just kindly going to go back without our companion, you…"

"Yes, that's what I think," Zeno interrupted, highly irritated. "I only let you reach this far because you have some financial value, a lot of rich enemies, and killing you for free would be a substantial loss of earning. I take care of my capital. Also, I'm receiving a very important person, for a very important contract, and I'm trying the best I can to avoid any incidents."

"Like we care," Phinks scoffed.

"You are not here to fight," Zeno insisted. "I saw that. Your annoying tattooed leader wouldn't have scattered you in the mountain if you were. I don't want to fight either. Let's take this as an agreement. We aren't enemies. Your friend is not our prisoner. He's joyfully gambolling into the mountain. Thanks to your companions' diligent cares, he will probably get lost, along with you. You might meet at some point. If in three days you are still around, I will send you supplies, or killers, I don't know. Goodbye, gentlemen."

So he's ignorant about Machi's string, Feitan silently noted. And he worries more about his contract than us. This last point achieved to make him lose his temper. It was so… humiliating.

"Listen, old trash," he started. "Chrollo is our leader, we won't let them waste their time with assholes like you. We didn't attack because we pitied you. Don't make me regret my kindness."

Zeno finally stopped, a foot on the threshold. The bright purple aura surrounding the frail body reminded him Shalnark's words. He reminded the whole Troupe was scattered. He reminded the weakest members was alone with their only chance to exit. And all of them were surrounded with over trained, dedicated butlers and intendants.

All those thoughts crossed his mind at the speed of light, and something else, that were not images but sounds, accompanied them. What will I say to the boss? Said the sounds. How could I tell them I endangered the whole Troupe because I never speak when I have to, and when I should stay silent, I'm unable to shut the fuck up.

And suddenly, Feitan understood why he needed Chrollo. It wasn't just because they was his friend, not only because he missed them, not even because he wanted to get rid of the leader function. He needed them because if they would had asked him to apologize, he would have done it. Immediately. Without a second thought. He needed Chrollo because he was able to do for them what he was incapable to do for himself.

"Sorry about that."

Feitan was almost startled. He looked up at Phinks in surprise. He realized that half of a second had passed since he insulted the old Zoldyck.

"My friend didn't mean it," Phinks hurriedly added.

Zeno's aura dispersed. His shoulders shook, and Feitan's fear faded away as his irritation increased. The old man was laughing.

"It was not necessary. I don't value you enough to feel insulted by anything you could say or do."

Zeno finally turned and faced them. A thin smile was crossing his face. "But this is an interesting cross-purpose, isn't it? Not the fact that you mistook me for an 'old trash', even if this point it is particularly amusing. I'm curious. Who the hell is Chrollo?"

°o0o°o0o°o0o°o0o°

Shalnark lay deep in the forest. Machi's string led him through unexpected angles, thrusting him into impracticable problems, probably modified by Kortopi. The dear sweet, secret, and silent Kortopi, thought Shalnark as he climbed a high larch. Who hardly talk about his Hatsu. Who generally didn't talk at all. Abengane was new. He wasn't aware of the extent of Kortopi's abilities. There was no way he could know that every bush, every tree, every stone were now a part of Kortopi's En. Shalnark didn't have to bother about following Abengane. All he had to do was to follow the string and find Kortopi. He would have any information he wanted. And he could protect them. It was a priority. He had to offset Feitan's inexperience.

Shalnark pulled on the string. No move, no shake, no rustle in the branches. He sighed and kept on following it. The string may had get tangled. He had to fix that.

That was until he felt the strong emission of a powerful Hatsu coming from the wildest part of the forest.

°o0o°o0o°o0o°o0o°

Feitan and Phinks exchanged a look. They had felt the thundering Hatsu running far away. And Zeno's question were surprising.

"He was your target in York Shin City," Phinks droned, unimpressed and growing impatient by the minute. "And you don't remember him?"

"Oh, this guy?" Zeno asked with a brighter smile. "Do excuse an old man. He's still the 'annoying tattooed guy' to me. I haven't heard of him for so long and I'm no good at remembering names."

"You just said they were in the mountain."

"Did I say that? Oh, well. I did say someone was in the mountain. I thought he was the one you were looking for, because he's sure as hell looking for you."

°o0o°o0o°o0o°o0o°

Machi made the string pass over a river when she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. She looked around. Kortopi and Shizuku were diverting the waterway. She raised a hand to gain their attention.

"Something's wrong," she admitted.

"Yes, I know," Shizuku said, gently nudging her glasses. "I felt the same aura too."

Machi shook her head. "No, I'm not talking about that. There's something else."

°o0o°o0o°o0o°o0o°

Up on the larch, Shalnark pulled on the string as fast as he could. He couldn't see where the string re-joined the ground and he really wanted to join Kortopi as soon as possible. This Hatsu emission didn't mean anything good to him.

The Nen string has an ironclad solidity, especially when Machi was the one holding it. It required an amazing force to cut it off, that's why Shalnark's first impression was one of surprise when he saw, limply hanging from his fingertips, the cut end of the string. That's why he reacted half a second too late.

A hail of play cards struck him. One cut his eye lid, half blinding him. He jumped back, reaching a hand to take a grip on the branches. He missed. His arms were hindered in his back by a bond he couldn't see.

He lost his balance and ungracefully fell down the tree. The branches smacked him hard, lashing out at him, and there was no way for him to avoid any. The fall seemed never-ending. It hurt. It wasn't supposed to hurt this much.

The impact on the ground almost stunned him. His ears were ringing, and, for a moment, all he could see was that the bond that retained him was a chain, the same chain that came out from a shadow in the trees, and from the shadows, two scarlet eyes were staring down at him.