Happy new year lovely readers:) Here's a new chapter.

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Machi's POV

I glanced at the ring too many times today. And Hisoka seemed to notice it too.

"Nice ring. Where did you get it?" He asked and moved closer to me.

"I'm not telling you." I replied turning away from him.

"A secret? So somebody has given it to you?"

"Just shut up, Hisoka."

"It looks like an engagement ring. I can't believe someone has proposed to you. Hahaha." He was laughing like a maniac. Well, he's not completely wrong about it. I never imagined myself getting married or having someone who truly loves me.

"You can keep it." Dancho was smiling while saying this.

"Wait…I'd feel really bad…"

"Think of it as a gift from me. Since you're always by my side and I have never given anything to you, take this as a gift. Forget about how this was supposed to be Miu's."

"But…" Even if I protest, I already knew it was going to be mine.

"It is yours. So treasure it, ok?"

"I will."

"You're happy aren't you?" Hisoka's voice made me snap back to reality. The ring on my finger is the solid prove that this did happened.

"What…?" Hisoka always act like he knows it all, but sometimes he really does. And I hate him even more for that.

"I know it. You look like someone in love."

"Hisoka, do you think I should follow my instincts more?"

"Your instincts are always right. So…Yeah…"

"My instinct tells me I shouldn't be with you right now."

"Hahaha. No one's holding you down."

"But…sometimes I want to know what's at the end of all this. That's why I agreed on it."

"You're a freak."

"I'm not. Definitely not, coming from someone like you!" What an irony! Hisoka is the definition of 'freak', yet he told me I am one.

"But normal people won't be with me. You're weird."

"Don't consider me the same as you. I have my reasons for doing this. You don't."

"Oh, I do. It's fun, because that's what life is worth living for, isn't it?"

"Life is not always a game. At least that's not how I see it. I just want to protect the things that are precious to me."

"But People are like toys, once they break, I have no use for them anymore."

That's what differentiates him from me. I am a part of the Genei Ryodan and I would do anything to help all the members. I care for them, that is why I can't look at them as pieces in a game.

My phone was vibrating; I glanced at it and saw that the call was from Miu.

I was a little uncertain whether I should answer her or not. Even though Dancho told me to not think anymore about it. It is impossible. I stared at the screen for a while before pressing 'answer.'

"Where are you?" Miu suddenly asked me through the phone.

"I'm at Kalporo." I was alone with Hisoka here and no one was supposed to know about it.

"That's far."

"Yeah." I was thinking about an explanation of how I ended up here. But Miu didn't ask about why I'm here. Thinking about it, she never really bothered with my personal life to begin with. And she's not the type to stick her nose around in other people's business.

"That's fine then. Do you know if Kuroro's at the headquarter?"

"I'm pretty sure he's there. Something's up?"

"It's just…Kalluto." I heard Miu sighed.

"What about him?"

"He found out about me and Kuroro. And he was trying to kill me."

"That's harsh. Wait…he's Illumi's brother right?" I didn't expect someone to find out about her relationship with Dancho this quick. And on top of that, it's Kalluto. I thought no one would know except that Hisoka decided to tell it to Illumi.

"Yeah. I'm just going to bring him over to the headquarters. He's unconscious now."

"So what are you going to do? About Dancho…"

"Truthfully, I still don't know."

It is the first time she's hesitating. She could settle with Illumi and has no more interaction with Dancho or accept Dacho's proposal and cancel her engagement to Illumi. But the latter would gain her a lot more trouble. Since this is an arranged engagement, she can't just ditch this. She is arrogant, but in the end she chooses things that will benefit her more. The third alternative would be to lie to Illumi again and continue her relationship with Dancho. But I don't believe Miu is that corrupt. And I can't even imagine what Illumi will do or how he feels about all of this. I really can't tell how much he loves her.

At first I thought I was rooting for Dancho, but now I think I might be a little happy if Illumi is with Miu. Dancho's happiness is my first priority but there's this part of me that's telling me I have been lying to myself. I was trying to ignore my feelings because I don't want to complicate things more than it already is. But today, when Dancho was proposing to me, although technically he's doing it to Miu, I felt so happy I couldn't believe myself. But I also have this pang of guilt, because I don't think it is possible for me to be with Dancho like Miu does. And I know Dancho doesn't think anything of me more than a friend and loyal member of the troupe. I'm just there to substitute Miu. No, I can't measure to her at all. Dancho only talks about her when he is with me.

"I wonder if there is a love affair that lasts forever." Miu spoke.

I really don't think Dancho deserves to be her 'affair.' He should have a real relationship. If Miu really loves him, she has to break up with Ilumi or at least let go of Dancho.

"Are you saying that you would still be with him behind illumi's back even after the truth is exposed?"

"Maybe. I'm still thinking about it. But that would be the best alternative for me."

"Dancho isn't just someone you can keep as your love interest." I got so furious with Miu. I couldn't believe how heartless and selfish she was. And I hated myself even more because none of this would have happened if I didn't encourage her to see Dancho again.

"But we are both happy about it."

She was answering me in a very casual tone. Miu might be happy about it, but Dancho is definitely not satisfied with this. He was going to propose to her, he is serious about their relationship. If she paid enough attention, she should have known about Dancho's feeling or perhaps she knew but decided to pretend not to notice it.

"Miu, Dancho has changed his mind." I said it without thinking.

"What are you talking about?"

"He proposed to me today."

"What?" That is the first time I heard her exclaimed in such a surprise voice.

"You acted as if you don't like him that much. So he turned to me instead." I regretted that immediately. I shouldn't have said it. I know that deep down I am jealous of Miu.

I think I am broken in some way. There is this part in me that's unfit and unworthy or even rotten. And I don't want anyone to see it. I always put up a bold front to hide this ugliness inside me. I can't be like Miu, she does whatever she wants and she doesn't care about it. So she is not someone you'd call a 'good' person, but at least she is honest with herself. For me, I'm not good, it takes too much to be good, but I'm not honest with myself either. So I wonder what makes up my existence and then it comes down to one thing.

Dancho.

If something were to happen to him, I don't think I can live. But somehow I have a feeling Miu can.

"The truth is, this doesn't just happen overnight, but we've been together for quite sometime. After you've been too busy with the Zoldycks, he just couldn't wait for you anymore." My voice sounded repugnant. When I started talking, I just couldn't stop. The ugly, vile words flowed out of my mouth as if I have been keeping them with myself for too long.

I waited for her reply or even a sob. But no, there was only silence at the other end of the line.

"Miu?" I called her name to check if she is still on the phone. But she hadn't cut the line, so she must be listening.

"Are you there?"

"You will regret telling me this."

And she cut the line, just like that. I should have held a higher card, but somehow, with that last sentence, she left me in despair. I felt like I was losing everything. Her voice was calm but horrifying. It sends chill down my spine. I can still recall it time and time again in my head as if it is a curse.

"Machi, he's here." Hisoka whispered and pointed at a young man with blond hair and blue eyes who came out from a small apartment. He looked cautiously around his surroundings, but we hide our auras so even if he used nen he won't notice us. That man is the chain user, no doubt about it.

"So, do you have a change of heart with our arrangement?" Hisoka gave me an evil smile. He knew I just had a fight with Miu. Therefore, it is easier for me to accept his conditions. Things just fall perfectly into Hisoka's hands. At first I planned on checking to see if this chain user is really here, then I would pretend to agree with Hisoka's plan, when in reality, I would have told Miu about all of this.

But asking 'a change of heart' meant he knew I was thinking about backstabbing him. And now, it is true that I'm not going to tell Miu the truth anymore. After what she told me in that phone call, I just couldn't be on her side.

"But what if this is a part of your plan? What if you decided to side with him and lure me here instead?" I asked him, knowing these things won't happen to me.

"You really don't trust me, do you? I have no interest left in him. All I want is Miu." I believed that. I knew from the way he looked at her, he became excited as if seeing a new toy.

"Are you sure? I think you'd want to see me get killed."

"I love you enough to save you for later." Seeing the way Hisoka watched and preserved that boy, Gon, grew until he can finally battle him again, what he said was convincing enough. Hisoka won't recklessly kill people if they are important pawns in his game. And I know I'm still of use to him now. Besides, it's not like he can kill me easily either.

"I'm doing it." I declared.

"Fantastic." Hisoka clapped his hands.

"But after this, I'm not seeing you again."

Feitan's POV

"This really sucks." I put down my cards in front of me. I lose again. I have never been good at this kind of card games. I have more pleasure killing and torturing people.

"You don't have the best luck." Franklin said.

"Should we get some exercise?" Dancho suggested and I immediately nodded.

"Killing people is a great relaxation."

"I'm staying here though." Franklin spoke.

"Why?"

"I just don't feel like going out."

"Well, whatever."

We were about to sit up, but a young woman came. I remember her. She was with Machi the other day and how could I forget, she has an extraordinary beauty. There is something captivating about the way she moves, it's charismatic. I saw Dancho immediately stood up and Franklin smiled at her as if he knew her a long time ago.

"Miu, why are you here?" Dancho asked her.

"I was caught up in a little trouble. Can you keep Kalluto here?" Then I realized she was carrying Kalluto, a member of us. He was unconscious. I don't know what happened but if she could make Kalluto become like this, she is definitely very strong.

"Yeah." He leads Miu to a corner and she carefully placed Kalluto's body there.

"Haven't seen you for some time. How are you doing?" Franklin asked her.

"Terrible as always." She replied with a crooked smile.

"Come join us." Franklin pointed at a space next to him.

"Sure." She sits down between Franklin and Dancho then her gaze fixed on me. Her huge green eyes and doll-like face make me feel uncomfortable. I don't know why but she gives off this mysterious aura that makes me feel like I can't trust her.

"What?" I asked out of annoyance.

"You're Feitan right?"Miu gave a sweet smile. Any guys would have fell for her in that instance, but it's different for me. There's this quality in her personality that's bothering me.

"Yeah. So?" I narrowed my eyes.

"You don't want to play anymore?"

"Don't mind him. He's only excited when he gets to kill."

"Well, I'm not surprised."

"As a matter of fact, we were about to go out and kill right now."

"That's certainly more entertaining than playing card games."

"Should we get going then?" Dancho asked. He was wrapping his arms around her casually. They seemed comfortable with each other. Their movements synchronize as if they have been together for a really long time.

"Wait. What about him?" Franklin interrupted, he pointed at Kalluto.

"I thought you're not going, so you can stay with him until he wakes up."Dancho said.

"I was planning on that, but since Miu is here I would want to join you guys…"

"Aww I miss you too." Miu gave Franklin a quick hug. He looks like a big brother to her.

"So, what do we do about him, Dancho?" I asked. He was quiet for a while before turning to face Miu.

"Tell us what happened first."

Miu's big green eyes glanced at all of us, and then she sighed.

"Kalluto found out about us. He tracked me and tried to attack me. So I had to make him unconscious."

"That's serious."

"Yeah. I still don't know if anyone else in the Zoldycks family know about this yet." So Miu is having an affair with Dancho? I glanced back and forth between both of them.

"But when he wakes up, I'm sure he's going to tell it."

"I know."

"What are you going to do?"

"Maybe we shouldn't meet each other for a while."

Dancho stared at her in silence then he managed to say something.

"I'm not like you, I can't stand it." Dancho's expression was so painful to watch that I have to look away. It was as if I saw something I shouldn't have. I never expected him to value someone who's not a part of Genei Ryodan so much. Too much it might kill him.

"Kuroro…"

"Come with me." Then he took her hand forcefully and they went off.

I looked at Franklin and all I see is a worried expression.

"How long have they been together?" I asked.

"Many years."

"Dancho…will he be alright?"

"We have to trust Dancho. But if it comes to the worst scenario, we'll have to keep the spiders together."

"I don't like her." I stated.

"Why?"

"She looks cold and empty inside. Like an empty shell of human being."

"I understand. But if she can move Dancho like that; there must be something he sees beneath the empty shell and the hollowness, something beyond what we can imagine. Something darker and deeper."

But if you think about it, that's even worse than being empty.

Miu's POV

When there was only the two of us, Kuroro let go of my hand.

"What's a 'while'?" He turned to ask me. I can see he was trying to control his anger.

"I don't know…maybe a few months…" I hesitated. But I can see now that Machi is lying. Kuroro would never do that, not without telling me.

"That's not enough." He grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard. I've never seen him like this before. He was losing all his calmness.

"You have no idea how bad it gets. No fucking idea."

"I…" I wanted to comfort him. But nothing came out. I felt like there was something stuck in my throat and I can't say anything at all.

"I'm sorry." Kuroro suddenly uttered.

"About what?" I should be the one apologizing. Is he trying to confess about his relationship with Machi?! Suddenly I imagined all the scenarios in my mind, how should I react to it, I don't know. I have no clue at all. I was still denying that Machi has been with Kuroro all this time, behind my back.

"I shouldn't be like this. But somehow, with you, I just can't control myself. I can't be calm in this situation."

"You don't have to be. You can vent all your emotions on me." I demanded, relieved that it was not about him and Machi. So she was lying to me about it.

Kuroro leaned closer to me and pressed his lips against mine. It was a deep, long, passionate kiss. His lips were soft and urgent. Then he paused.

"I need you to be mine." His voice broke.

"I'm all yours." I answered and gave him a quick kiss on his forehead. I know I can't be with him forever, that's why I want to give him everything I can now.

He raised his hand up to my hair and played with it. His other hand crept up my skirt. I unbuttoned his trousers and he used his fingers to play with my breasts. Kuroro knows my body well, he knows how to satisfy me and I know where his soft spots are. After we were completely naked, he kissed me from my cheeks to my collarbones and my breasts. These actions were not done gently, but rather, harshly, as if to release his anger on me. But I didn't felt bothered by it at all. Even if it hurts, it felt good. I let out a moan. He climbed on top of me and thrust into me again and again.

*pip pip*

A message came up in the middle of the night. The bright light from Kuroro's mobile shine in the darkness while Miu and Kuroro are both asleep in each other's arm.

The message read:

From: Machi

Dancho, I already told Miu the truth about us. I'm sorry, can we talk?