He stood against the wall, enveloped in the shadow of the tall potted plant. The only other occupant of the hall still could have noticed, had it not have been for his current condition.

The blonde rubbed his tired eyes, his breathing just a bit too shallow to be normal. He coughed, too, and the cough sounded positively wretched.

A Kuruta. The blonde one. He studied. And it seems his condition hasn't improved a bit. The gang's all here. But the new members could use a little 'advice'.

The phone rang three times before Aruko picked Lily's phone up from the nightstand. "Hello? Lily's out-"

"Aruko. It's been a while since I've heard your voice. Five years, right?"

Aruko's heart dropped to his stomach. "Gramps…"

"As skilled as I thought I was, it took me this long to figure out where you were."

"What do you want?"

"No need to get defensive. I was just telling you that you don't need to run anymore. We know where you are, and a certain elite is paying you a visit soon."

"You didn't answer my question."

"I just want you to know that we'll let you join us without any hesitation. And what better way to tell everyone what a traitor you are than to announce it to the world in the biggest tournament of the year?"

"No…" Aruko said shakily. "I'm not a traitor."

"That's right. You're Aruko, son of Hugo. You're a Viper, a killer. A rattlesnake."

Kaji was reaching to collect his drink from the vending machine when he felt a presence behind him. When he turned around, he saw it was one of Kuondo's older friends, looking to be about sixteen. Aruko.

"Say," Aruko said in a low voice, a strange, distant look in his eyes, "didn't you say you were a Crime Hunter?"

"I am." Kaji replied simply, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, where are the others? Where's the investigation? Utsurona's in this building… Who's looking for him?"

"It's only a rumor. We don't know for certain he's here. We can't act on rumors alone, you know? It's-"

"So you're gonna wait until someone gets killed?! What if that one person who died just to get the investigation going was someone in your family?! Is ignoring a rumor worth someone's life?!" Aruko's voice rose rapidly, startling even Kaji. "If this were about the Phantom Troupe, this place would be like a crime scene! Why does no one understand that the Viper is still out there, taking innocent lives for fun?! Why?!" Then, he seemed to snap, kicking over a decorative plant, creating a large crack in the pot. Then he grabbed the leg of a chair and threw the chair with all his might. It hit the wall with a crash!, creating a dent in the wall.

"Contestant Aruko!" a Heaven's Arena employee called, rising from her seat, "Calm down!"

Aruko stumbled, his outburst faltering as he dug at his wild, blue hair, his fingers clawing their way behind the headband that hid just one of his many scars.

Lily and Reiji had just rounded the corner.

"Aruko!" Lily yelped, rushing over to Aruko before the employee reached him. "Don't! Just let me see him!" Seeing the tears glistening on Aruko's face, she put a gentle hand on his back, kneeling beside him as he dropped to his knees. "Aruko, look at me…"

Aruko's angry shouting had evolved into despaired sobs at that point, but he managed to say, "I… I just want them gone. Away from me. Away from all of you."

Lily knew what he was referring to, though nobody else did. "I know, I know you do."

"Lily," Aruko looked up at her, his eyes red and watery. Lily guessed he'd been crying earlier that morning as well. Something must have happened. "You know I'd never hurt anyone, right? And I'd never let them hurt you… I'm not like them."

"Of course I do." Lily whispered, pulling him close as he sobbed softly on her shoulder. She looked up at the stunned employee with a pleading glance. "It's not his fault. I'll pay for the damage." Stroking Aruko's hair, she closed her eyes, troubled. I shouldn't have asked Aruko to compete. This Utsurona thing is really starting to get to him

She looked up to speak to Kaji, but the Crime Hunter had disappeared.

"Several minor bruises and cuts, serious burns to both ankles and the right arm, and a cut on the same arm that required stitches." Pirro recited, giving Kuondo an almost pouting glare. "Just what's up with you and getting hurt, huh?"

"Excuse me? You're saying that when you're the one that broke your collarbone during the Hunter Exam, got hurt to where Kurapika had to save your butt on your first mission, and went into a five-day coma after a fight with Genkaku?" Kuondo asked, counting off the events on his fingers.

Pirro was about to argue when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." he called.

The door opened to reveal Lily and Reiji, each holding two drinks.

"Hey there! Guess who we saw today?" Lily asked, handing Pirro one of the drinks as Reiji did the same for Kuondo, "Do you two remember the clown boy? Hoshiko, was it?"

"Unfortunately." Kuondo replied. He had actually seen Hoshiko once since the job application. He had shown up to see the boys earning their single star. It was then that he started talking to Lily and Aruko. And what was worse, as Pirro said, Lily actually got along well with him. He was pretty nice to her, in his own creepy sort of way. And when Pirro spotted him near Lily, he went from being terrified of the clown boy to practically hissing and clawing like a cat. I think that's the first time I ever saw Pirro, well, jealous. "What, did you see him around?"

"Mm-hmm. He's gotten taller and seems a bit more mature now. His face paint is different, too. When he's not being creepy, he's actually pretty cute." Lily said with a grin.

Kuondo could practically hear Pirro's heart sink.

Lily immediately burst out laughing. "Pirro, I was only teasing! You should've seen the look on your face!"

Pirro, inwardly sighing with relief, laughed lightly. "Yeah, you got me."

Kuondo nudged him. "I can't believe you fell for that trick, especially when you and Lily are going on a date today!"

Pirro rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Oh, yeah, I almost forgot about that."

Kuondo laughed. "You're awfully nonchalant about the fact that you're the first one of us to get a girlfriend!"

Pirro blushed. "It's just the first date, Kuondo, stop saying that!"

"Don't worry, Kuondo," Lily said with a smirk, "I'm sure you won't be that far behind."

"Yeah, maybe." Kuondo replied simply. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Reiji looking at him strangely. "What is it?"

Reiji shook her head. "It's just… How are you planning on continuing with the tournament with wounds like that?"

"I'll just have to suck it up and deal with them, I guess."

"You're hopeless."

Kuondo grinned before turning to Pirro. "Hey, Pirro, did you get to talk to Pairo yet?"

"Yeah, I did. Aunt Aiko didn't feel like fighting, though, so she's visiting Miss Alluka for the time being. But he said Kappei and Megumi have been practicing day and night for this tournament! I'm so excited to see how they do!"

"Pirro, your eyes."

"Sorry!"

Kuondo and Pirro were a bit disappointed that Aiko and her younger son Tsukipika couldn't make it the Tournament, but Tsuki had hurt his leg while training in Greed Island with Master Wing and wouldn't be healed up in time to participate. Aiko, on the other hand, had been cautious about any risky situations as of late. That wasn't like her at all, as she was far more daring than Pairo was. Maybe Pirro's predictions weren't too far off- Aiko could be having another baby. They weren't sure though, otherwise Pirro would be over the moon.

"Hey, Pirro, what makes your eyes do that?" Reiji asked.

"Oh, sorry. You see, my father is from the Kuruta Clan, a clan that was killed off about thirty years ago. When a Kuruta experiences a strong emotion, their eyes turn a bright red." Pirro explained.

"I see. The color's beautiful."

Pirro rubbed the back of his neck again, embarrassed. "You think?" Then, he blinked. "Wait, Kuondo, the medic said you shouldn't be out of bed until later this week. That means you can't watch the match with us!"

"I'll watch it on TV." Kuondo said with a shrug.

"But-"

"I'll watch it with him." The words were out so fast Reiji almost didn't realize she'd said them.

"You will?" Kuondo exclaimed, one of those bright, toothy smiles spreading across his face.

Reiji suddenly felt embarrassed, but she simply shrugged. "Sure."

"Awesome!" Kuondo laughed. "And guess what? The new season of Captain Watt comes on later, so we can watch that, too!"

"Captain what?" Reiji asked.

"No, no, that's his doppleganger. Wait, you've never seen Captain Watt?!" Kuondo almost looked offended.

"Should I have?"

Kuondo and Pirro both gasped.

"Pirro, go get some popcorn for later. This could take a while." Kuondo said in a low, serious voice.

"Roger!" Pirro said with a playful salute before hurrying out the door.

On his way, Pirro spotted a familiar face sitting in one of the chairs. "Hi, Mr. Kaji! Are you watching the match today?"

Kaji looked up at him with a smile. "Of course. I love watching Tournament fights. So many fighting styles, y'know?"

"Yeah, I get excited just thinking about it! Excuse my eyes."

"Is your father participating?"

"Yep! I had to beg him to, though! It's been a long time since I've seen him fight, and his techniques are incredible! Like Emperor Time, it makes him practically invincible! ...At least I think so."

Kaji adjusted his glasses. "Hmm. Invincible, you say? I've heard of things like that. It's not impossible, but it also doesn't come free. Has your father told you about that?"

Pirro shifted from one foot to the other, not wanting to think about the chain that was wrapped around his father's heart. The thought of it made his skin crawl. "Yeah, he has. But he doesn't use those chains much anymore."

"Oh, no, Pirro, you've misunderstood. You see, techniques that make you invulnerable, like Emperor Time, put a lot of strain on the body. It can destroy the body… and shorten your lifespan."

Pirro paled. 'Is… Is that so?"

Kaji raised an eyebrow. "So your father didn't tell you? Perhaps I've said too much, then. But then again, it could be better for you. You don't want to go down that path, right?"

Pirro was silent for a moment before forcing a smile. "Ah, D-Dad's Nen isn't like that…" he managed, his throat tightening. "Excuse me, ."

Kaji watched the boy hurry down the hall. Maybe I did say too much. Poor kid.

That's silly. Dad and I tell each other everything. It's part of who we are. Pirro thought, walking pointedly down the long hallway. But… Dad's energy has gotten weaker over time, if only slightly. And I guess… I guess it does make sense. Maybe that's why he seems so frail someti-

A door opened behind him, revealing Kurapika, as if he hadn't left the room all morning. "Pirro? What are you doing over here? How's Kuondo feeling?"

Pirro stopped dead in his tracks, feeling burning at the back of his eyes as he turned to look at his father.

"Are you alright?" Kurapika asked, noticing his son's stricken look.

Pirro turned away again. "I feel fine." he almost muttered, "Do you?"

"I'm- Pirro?" Pirro was already hurrying down the hall, turning the corner.

"And that's why- Oh, hey, Pirro!" Kuondo said with a grin.

Pirro silently placed the buckets of popcorn on Kuondo's bed before going over to his own and sitting down.

"What's the matter? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

"Huh? O-oh, no. Is the match starting soon?"

"In about five minutes." Lily replied.

"Okay." Pirro said flatly, "See you." He trudged out the door, silently shutting it behind him.

"Something's definitely up." Kuondo remarked.

"He must've had another nightmare." Lily murmured. Then, she turned to Kuondo. "Do you mind if Aruko drops by later? He might not feel like watching the matches today, but I'd hate to leave him alone in the room."

"Sure!" Kuondo said. "Enjoy the matches, Lily!'"

"You too." Lily said before getting up to leave.

Once she was gone, Kuondo groaned.

"What's up?" Reiji asked.

"I just remembered I can't go out, either. The diner Pirro told me about plays this older music, and I wanted to dance with you."

"Me?" Reiji looked up, but shook her head. "No, Kuondo, you wouldn't want to dance with me."

"Why nooot?" Kuondo whined.

"Well, don't laugh, but I don't know how."

"I wouldn't laugh at you about something like that." Kuondo said simply. "I wasn't worried about that. I've never gotten to dance with a pretty girl before."

Reiji looked up again. "What, are you kidding me? I'm sure there's dozens of prettier girls in town."

"But you're so cute!" Kuondo whined again.

"Shh, keep your voice down! Aruko could walk in that door any minute!" Reiji hissed. "Besides, you're saying you've never danced with a pretty girl because you don't know how to dance either, aren't you?"

"Yeah, you're right." Kuondo said with another grin. "But we could learn as we go. So, would you wanna see that diner, after my next match?"

Reiji paused, then smiled slightly. "Sure, if you don't get all beat up, then after your next match."