Vested Interest

Hisoka was waiting for Aada the next evening, eager to learn if she succeeded, and realizing that he wanted her to. When she entered the room however, he immediately understood that she didn't. He could see it in the slump of her shoulders, in the absent smile.

"He shot me down." She said, looking at him tiredly as she sat on the couch and began rubbing her temples.

Hisoka got up and walked to the bar; he returned after a moment, handing a glass of wine to her, waiting to hear more.

"He didn't even want to listen, that old fool." Said Aada bitterly. "He said I was naïve, and that I should spend more time learning how to do my job properly instead of coming up with useless theories. He told me to learn more from those who have more experience. Obviously, he meant himself. And he said all that in front of his colleagues."

Hisoka was surprised with what he felt when Aada shared that - anger. Anger that she wasn't appreciated like she deserved, that she had been ridiculed. Was he the only one who could see how brightly her mind burned?

"Little pine… No one will limit you. You are the only one who can." he said, moving a bit closer and putting his hand on her shoulder, as he shared a rule he lived by.

Aada sighed and placed her fingers on his.

"I know, Hi-so-ka. I won't give up. I'll have my chance eventually, and I'll use it well."

The gears in the magician's head were already turning as his desire for her to succeed quickly gained form. Oh, you'll have it, little pine, he thought, suppressing smile, sooner than you think.

An elderly man was heading towards his office, feeling tired. The night shifts were starting to take their toll on him. He entered the office, its silence immediately calming him down. He smiled proudly; he was still in charge, having a say in whatever happened in this hospital. Even that pesky young doctor coming up with ridiculous ideas… he'd have none of that. Things were done in a determined way for a reason, because it worked. Dubious prospects of progress could not justify endangering the patients' wellbeing.

"Hello, my good doctor."

The man froze, frightened. There wasn't supposed to be anyone in here; yet he could make out a figure of a tall man, sitting comfortably on the desk.

"Ah, it's good you finally decided to join me." The voice sounded playful, but for some reason it only scared the doctor more. He reached for the door knob, but it wouldn't move.

"Come closer." Said the man, and the doctor flew across the office, pulled by an unseen force.

His eyes widened, taking in the looks of his unwanted guests. He was wearing some ridiculous clothing and make up, but something about him spelled danger. The man's eyes gleamed in the dimmed light of the room, their unusual, yellow colour reminding the doctor of a wild cat or a snake poised to attack.

The stranger smiled happily.

"It has come to my attention that you don't properly value the talent you have at hand, doctor Eizan." He said.

"Wha… What do you mean? Who are you?!"

The smile widened, making the doctor tremble.

"That doesn't matter." Said the stranger, "What matters is that you will allow doctor Holme to proceed with the upcoming surgeries using the new method she's come up with and presented to you."

"What?!" for a second, the elderly doctor forgot his fear. "That's preposterous! She should learn her place!"

"Should she?" the stranger made a small motion with his finger and the doctor crashed against the desk. "I think it's you who should learn it. You will allow her to do this. You will stop shutting down her ideas, just because you're incapable of comprehending them. Or are you simple jealous of her potential? Such a small, nasty feeling…"

"I'm not going to do this." Answered the doctor, mustering all courage he had left. "I'll report you to the police. And I'll ban her from any surgeries to come. Now leave, before I call security."

The stranger threw his head back, chuckling. He reached inside his pocket and flashed something in front of doctor Eizan's eyes. The doctor shivered. A hunter's pass. He wasn't foolish; this man could do anything to him and likely get away with it. He had known right from the start that his young subordinate was more trouble than she was worth.

"I usually don't take pleasure in ending miserable creatures like you." Said the hunter, "But I can make an exception, just this once." He winked and his voice lowered to a whisper. "She doesn't have to know about it, don't you agree? Might make her sad, with that oath you all take..."

The doctor's eyes widened and he felt cold sweat pearling on his forehead.

"Mhmmmm… I see now I have your full attention. You'll tell her tomorrow." Said the stranger, "Or I'll be back. I will know if you don't."

"Why are you doing this?" asked the doctor, his voice shaking.

"I have a vested interest in developing doctor Holme's potential." For a moment, the man's voice sounded pensive. "Do we have an agreement?"

The doctor's eyes were downcast, and his shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Yes." He whispered. "We do."

"Excellent." The hunter got up and stretched lazily.

"Oh, one more thing…" he added. "Doctor Holme doesn't know of my courteous visit. Let it stay this way, hmmm?"

Having received a nod, the hunter walked towards the open window.

"Have a good night, doctor." He said. "I sincerely hope I never have to see you again – you're so utterly boring."

The next second he was gone, but to the doctor it felt as if his presence was still looming in the shadows, overwhelmed by the feeling of defeat.

The next day, Hisoka was sitting on the porch, shuffling his cards absentmindedly, his thoughts steering towards his latest project. His analytical mind pondered at the reasons and possibilities, wondering how come he found it exciting enough to justify staying in one place for so long. He found it surprising how much he enjoyed interacting with Aada, her unguarded approach towards him, her sharp mind challenging his. He'd come to find pleasure in the evenings they shared, discussing whatever details she was willing to divulge about the situations she found herself in as a doctor, liking the potential that the strength of her character revealed, enjoying the attention she was paying to him.

He admitted her confidence and strength were alluring, and made him want to stay, to manipulate this inquisitive, intelligent being, to bend her to his will. Why? Because it was interesting and rid him of boredom. In Hisoka's mind, that was enough reason to stay a while longer before he'd inevitably resume his chase for Chrollo. His musings were interrupted by the sound of footsteps.

"Hisoka?" Gon's voice sounded hesitant.

The magician's head turned towards the boy, his brows rising in an unspoked question.

"I was thinking…" Gon sounded almost shy, his eyes downcast, "Since you're still here… could you consider… helping me train?"

Hisoka smiled. Normally he wouldn't consider this; he wanted his favourite fruit to ripen on its own, but it was a perfect excuse for him to continue his stay at the clinic. Aada was normally busy during the day anyway, and so he could spend his days training with Gon to distract himself, and evenings working on her. Perfect.

"Mhmmmm…" he rested his chin on his thumb, his index finger tapping his lips, pretending to be deep in thought, knowing he could fool Gon easily.

"Please?" asked Gon.

The magician sighed, pretending to be conceding to something he didn't really want.

"Fine." He said.

Gon's eyes lit up, and he smiled happily.

"Can we… start now?" he inquired.

"We might as well…" said Hisoka, barely containing a satisfied smile.

Hisoka was resting under a big beech tree outside the clinic, enjoying its cool shade after training with Gon. He'd never stayed in one place for so long before, at least not that he could remember, but it felt strangely soothing. He closed his eyes, but after a while he sensed another presence. Leorio. When he opened his eyes, the magician noticed a serious expression on the doctor's face.

"Hisoka… Mind explaining why you're still here?" asked Leorio.

The magician shrugged, secretly enjoying that he put the other hunter on edge.

"I'm helping Gon train, haven't you heard?" he explained, "And besides, your mentor told me I could stay as long as I need to.

"Don't tell me you've already grown tired of my presence, Leorio." Added the magician, with a hint of amusement.

Leorio huffed angrily.

"I don't know what you're playing at, Hisoka." He replied. "But I'm watching you. What is it you want from Aada?"

Hisoka's eyebrows arched.

"I thought it was obvious." He said lazily. "She's fun to be around, unlike you, right now."

Leorio opened his mouth to speak, but then bit his lip. He turned around and left, accompanied by Hisoka's silent chuckle.

Leorio sat on the porch, his head in his hands. Hisoka worried him, but he didn't know what to do. Aada didn't seem to mind the magician's presence, and apparently she allowed him to stay. Leorio didn't want to contradict her, not after what she went through a year before. He felt she was still fragile, but it only made him even more worried. Suddenly, he felt a gentle touch on his shoulder and jumped, surprised. He looked up and immediately relaxed seeing Kurapika.

"What's wrong, Leorio?" asked the Kuruta, his hand still on the doctor's shoulder. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

Leorio sighed.

"It's Hisoka, isn't it?" inquired Kurapika.

"Yes." Leorio nodded. "It worries me that he's still here. I don't know what he wants, but it can't be good."

"You worry about Aada. They've been spending quite a lot of time together recently. Almost every evening, in fact."

"You know me well." admitted Leorio.

"She must be precious to you…" whispered Kurapika, a sad, pensive expression on his face.

"Of course she is." Agreed Leorio. "She's my mentor, but most of all she's my friend."

Kurapika inhaled and exhaled slowly, his features softening. For some reason, he looked relieved, which surprised Leorio.

"You're worried Aada likes him a bit too much, aren't you?" he asked, his hand moving in soothing circles on Leorio's back.

Leorio nodded again.

"Aada lost someone important last year." He explained. "She's still so fragile… She was so broken; it took all I had to help her accept it and move on with her life. She's doing much better but still, after all that time, she almost never says his name. I know she probably needs someone else to fully move on, but… I'm scared she'll get attached to the worst person possible, and get hurt again."

Kurapika leaned closer to Leorio, their shoulders touching.

"I don't think you have to worry about that." He reassured him. "I know Hisoka a bit better than you. I don't think he's ever been in a relationship with anyone – his interests attach and detach too quickly. He'll get bored and leave soon enough, I think."

Leorio looked at Kurapika hopefully and his mouth slowly broke into a smile.

"Thank you, Kurapika." He said, and rested his forehead on his friend's shoulder. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Kurapika blushed, glad Leorio couldn't see it, and then closed his eyes and relaxed, enjoying the moment.