Chapter 10: Her Condition?

That night they sat around the table, ready for dinner. Since that morning when they first arrived, the air had been filled with tension, like anytime lightning would strike. Neon and Shizukana knew in their hearts that they weren't supposed to act this way in front of the others, but it was inevitable. They see each other and they would clash, they talk to each other and they couldn't resist the urge of breaking each other's necks. They hated each other, but do they hate each other completely? Weren't they friends before? No, it was long over. Their friendship was long over. Something that once shattered could never be repaired. Just like friendship.

"Where is Miss Neon?" Misaki asked, looking over the empty seat next to Shizu.

"Let's just start eating. I'm starving!" the Lady said.

"A-alright, My Lady."

They all started eating and the air was filled with dread. Leorio, Killua, and Gon were silently chewing their food while Kurapika wasn't eating anything yet. Shizu wondered if they wanted Neon to be there, but it just made her angrier. The people around her looked terribly sad, and once again, she wondered if it was because of Neon. She was angry, so she stood up from her pretty messed up seat, and glared at everyone.

"Are you in a dining room or in a funeral?" her eyes glowed murderously. "Your expressions make me want to throw up!"

"M-my Lady…"

Shizukana stomped her foot in deep frustration and she left the dining room. She slammed the door of her bedroom shut. She didn't know that Neon was so 'important' to the others while she was just nothing. She didn't mean to but she thought she was hurt.

Shizu sat on her bed, staring at nothingness. The lights were not on, and the darkness calmed her heart. No one was watching her, no, not in the darkness. She could hear her own sobbing, and could feel the tears flowing, but no…no one would see…in the darkness…

She had relied on the comfort of the darkness for years, she was used to it.

A knock on the door was heard. Shizukana wiped her eyes, and she turned the lights on. She opened the door and almost jumped when she saw…Neon.

The old Neon.

"Na!" Neon said in a childish voice. "So this is your room, Kana?"

"Neon," she said coldly. "Why are you here…dressed like that?"

The girl stared at her, confusion drawn on her face. "What are you saying, Kana?"

She sighed. "Stop playing around. I know you're teasing."

"I want to shop!"

"It's late in the night! Are you a kid?"

Neon pouted. "Then don't go with me…Ah! Get me your butler!"

"No!" she protested.

Shizu knew that the little brat was back. She should have expected it, Neon would do anything to get what she wants – just like her.

"I thought you want to treat your special guests nicely?"

"Shut up, Nostrade." Shizukana scowled. "I don't have time for your nonsense."

"Yes!" Neon squealed in delight. "Then your butler has time for my nonsense, right?"

"It's not nice to leave dinner uneaten, My Lady."

Neon and Shizu turned at the same time to see Kurapika. The blond had a tray of food on his hands. He didn't look at Shizukana, but he was staring directly at Neon. The latter stared back at the guy and the Lady felt like she was in between the two. She really was.

She felt a hand take her wrist and she looked over to see that it was Killua.

"Killua?" Kurapika snapped back into reality.

The boy held her tightly. "I will lead the Lady back to the dining."

"K-Killua…" she stuttered.

"Ne, why are you guys so serious?" Neon asked. "I just want to shop."

Killua took her to the empty cellar of the house and pushed her. "Don't you ever get in the way, Shizukana!"

"I am getting in the way?"

"Kurapika has suffered enough." The boy said between gritted teeth. "You don't need to add more suffering."

"I will make him suffer as long as I want."

"Are you crazy?"

She put on a devious smirk. "I am."

"It must be nice for Kurapika." She continued. "Everyone knows he's suffering and he has friends to comfort him. Why, Killua? Am I not suffering, too? Do you really think I am just some bratty girl that likes to play?!"

"Shizukana…"

"That night…" she muttered. "I shouldn't have met Kurapika…I could have escaped, then…"

Killua placed his hands on the girl's shoulders. "What are you saying?"

"I could have run away from everything now…"

"Snap out of it, Shizukana!"

"Never!" she yelled. "Kurapika made me into this! I will make him suffer!"

"Are you talking about Yorknew?"

She stared at him blankly. "Yorknew…"

She fainted and fell on Killua's arms.

"So you must have figured it out now…"

Misaki walked towards the two.

"How long has she been like this?" he asked.

"Ever since she suffered maltreatment from her father." Misaki replied sadly. "She is suffering from trauma and she - "

"Must be going crazy." Killua finished.

The maid nodded. "It's not getting better. Some part of her is still sane somehow…Anyways, she wants to escape, but her father always has a way to bring her back. She could have escaped that night, if it hadn't been for Kurapika. That's why Mr. Lunelli has taken a liking on your friend."

Guilt was overpowering Killua. He knew inside him the truth behind that incident in Yorknew. They had planned it, then. If he only knew…but it was too late now.

"Ah…one more thing. Are you perhaps…looking for the Scarlet Eyes?"

Killua froze. How did Misaki know?

"I must be right." She carried the unconscious Shizukana. "Miss Neon told me that Kurapika is on a mission trying to retrieve the eyes of his Clan."

"I – ''

"You must also know that our Lady has a pair of them." Misaki interrupted. "I will persuade the Lady to give them to me and I will give them to you…but don't tell anyone about her condition."

"Is it the whole truth, Misaki?"

The maid smirked. "It's not even half of the whole truth yet."

She walked away with the unconscious lady.

Killua fell on his knees, remembering the way Shizukana talked.

I could have run away from everything now…

I know, I know…short chapter and I haven't updated in awhile. I am suffering from the stupid writer's block. By the way, are you confused? Shizukana is a crazy girl, I know. The plot is messed up – that, I know, too. But I have a surprise chapter and it will reveal something that will shock you guys out. (Maybe)

Anyways, R&R!

~LMK