Hello, everyone! I changed the ending of the last chapter a bit so it flowed better into this chapter. I added it to last chapter but I also have it below. I hope you're ready for what's coming! Thanks for reading!

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Laughing, she clapped her hands. "I know just the one! Say, have you ever heard of the Macarena?"

"…No, and I don't like that look in your eyes."

"Aw, don't be like that." Neon pulled on Kurapika's hands with her body weight. "Come on, it'll be suuuper fun, I promise!"

As he let Neon drag him, Kurapika shouted, "I haven't agreed to anything!"

Suddenly, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Kurapika whipped his head over his shoulder. There, in the shadow of the hallway, was Pairo. Blood ran down from his empty eye sockets. Kurapika lifted a foot, about to step backwards. Something metal rattled. He looked down. Gasped.

Anklets with chains attached wrapped around his ankles. The chains led to Pairo.

Grinning, the dead boy raised a hand and curled his fingers in. Beckoning. He pointed deeper into the darkness. In the blink of an eye he was gone.

A chill ran down Kurapika's spine.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Kurapika flew through the hallways. Doors and silver and gold drapes blurred together. The chains at his feet clanged and clattered, blocking out the sounds of the party. Turning a corner, Kurapika nearly tripped. He shook off the excess chains around his leg and began to run again. Like a trail of breadcrumbs, Kurapika followed the chains through the mansion. Who or what they were attached to on the other end Kurapika didn't know. But they were his best bet in finding Pairo again.

Kurapika stopped at a four-way intersection. Panting heavily, he circled slowly. Something laughed. The Kurta turned around. Pairo stood in the distance, down a hallway. The dead boy had led Kurapika into the South Wing of the manor, the oldest and seldom used section. Servants hadn't bothered to decorate it. Spiderwebs hung from the ceiling's dark corners. Without any light from windows, Kurapika could only just make out Pairo's wide smile. Fingers curling, Pairo floated backwards through a closed door. The chains outlined the stained red carpet to the door. Kurapika swallowed. His feet shuffled to the door. The chains rattled dully.

The Kurta stopped in front of a door. An ordinary wooden door. Inconspicuous. Except for the lack of dust on the doorknob. The chains led underneath the door into the room. He glanced behind him. No one was there. Using his lockpicks, he unlocked it. After sucking in a breath, Kurapika opened the door.

The smell of must assailed him. The temperature dropped at least ten degrees. Kurapika shivered. After closing the door behind him, Kurapika waited for his eyes to adjust to the near darkness. Under the glow of the windowsill candle were dozens of boxes. Large crates were stacked in the corners. Dust danced in the light's rays. Smaller packages stood in neat piles on the few fold-out tables scattered across the room. His eyes scanned the room once more. No sign of Pairo.

He stepped closer to a box. His fingers swept across a glossy, smelly material. Wrapping paper.

His chains stirred. Someone had brushed into them.

Reaching for his bokken, Kurapika fell into a fighting stance. To his right was only a covered mannequin. Sighing, Kurapika began to relax. From the mannequin the apparition of his mother's corpse arose. She was eyeless. Kurapika sucked in a breath. She scowled. A cold draft off air poured off her. He shivered. Body shaking, his mother pointed a finger at him. Her lips moved but he could hear nothing. Face twisting with rage, she tried to take a step. Instead, her head hung forward, only a few sinews keeping it from dropping to the floor.

Breathing heavily, Kurapika gripped his bokken tighter. It trembled.

Behind him something moaned. He spun around, shielding himself with his bokken. "Wh-What was that?"

Groaning, his father emerged from a cabinet. A blackened and charred arm swatted at his other arm's stump. Melted skin dropped to the floor like a wax candle. Moaning louder, he raised his right arm higher. Pointing at something. Swallowing, Kurapika turned forward.

Laughing like a jackal, Pairo raced to a table. The manacles rattled furiously. On the table, one package was placed by itself, separated from the others. The boy placed bloody hands onto it. Empty eye sockets gazed at the bodyguard.

Kurapika tried to lift his foot. The chains became as heavy as lead. Frowning, he bent down, examining the metal anklets. They were sealed shut. No keyhole. When the chains shook, Kurapika glanced up. The shackles were tethered, not to an object in the room, but to his family's ankles. Kurapika gasped. Hands shaking, he dropped his bokken.

Eyebrow raised, Pairo tilted his head to the side. Waiting.

Hanging his head, Kurapika sighed. He left his bokken on the ground. Chains scrapping the floorboards, the Kurta dragged his feet forward. The box was wrapped in sliver paper with a gold bow, the wedding's colors. The silver paper reflected his flat eyes. He dropped a hand onto the box.

If this is a gift from a client for the wedding then why is it all the way out here in a random storeroom? Why would this be kept hidden from me? Unless… no. No, it can't be. It isn't.

Pairo laughed.

Something creaked behind him. Footsteps.

"Kurapika! There you are! Why did you take off like that? What's wrong?"

Pairo vanished. Keeping one hand on the box, Kurapika turned to face the door.

Frowning, Neon studied him, slightly breathless. "Are you all right? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Kurapika flinched. His gray eyes darted around the room—the boxes, the cabinet, the mannequin—but they were gone. Kurapika lifted his foot. The chains and anklet had also vanished. He circled his foot. It felt fifteen pounds lighter without the weight. He blinked several times. A fog lifted from his mind. "I… I'm fine."

With busy fingers, she fiddled with the scarf around her neck. "It's okay, Kurapika. You don't need to pretend. I want to run away when the pressure's too much, too. But that's when you need to rely on other people. I know you just had a falling out with your friends, but they'll come around eventually. And…"

Kurapika watched her, drinking in the sight. Neon flashed him a smile. "You can always trust I'll be there for you." She threaded her hand through her hair, undoing her bun. Her blue hair cascaded down. Sighing, she ran her hand down her bare shoulder. "The stars know I've been relying on you all this time."

As Kurapika listened, he found himself relaxing his stance.

Her crystal blue eyes gazed into the distance. "I'm sorry for depending on you so much. It's just that for the first time there's someone who understands, you know?" laughed Neon. She stepped forward. "I realized there was someone who recognized my feelings because they, too, hid their pain." She took another step. "Someone who cared enough to seek out my company as a favor to me." She strode forward, closing the distance between them. Her hair undulated like the ocean's waves. "Someone who, despite risking losing their job, always stood up for me. And…" Neon cupped Kurapika's face, her fingertips brushing his bangs. She exhaled, he breathed in. He breathed out, she inhaled. "And gave the courage to do the same."

Sighing contentedly, Neon wrapped her arms around him. "So I've been meaning to thank you, Kurapika." She pressed her head against his chest. Her body heat ceased his shivers. He could feel the slow rhythm of her chest falling and rising against his own. "I wanted to let you know how happy you've made me." Her moving lips against his clothes almost tickled. "To tell you…" She lifted her head, chin resting on his sternum. Only an inch separated them. Cloudless sky-blue eyes filled his vision. Kurapika could see into the depths of her being.

"How much I love you."

She closed her eyes. Kurapika couldn't move, couldn't breathe, as she closed the distance. Something warm and slightly wet planted itself at the corner of his mouth. A… kiss? Neon worked her way down his jawline, her touch trailing fire. She's… she's kissing me. Her warm breath trailed blew over his flushed face. Eyelashes tickled his skin, teasing him. But the present. I have to know.

In a low voice, Kurapika whispered, "Ne—"

The words died on his lips. Neon kissed the hallow below his ear. A shiver ran down his spine. He felt feverish. Neon tried kissing behind his ear but couldn't reach. Closing his eyes, Kurapika turned his head to side. The gift… Putting a hand on his chest, she pulled herself up onto tip toes. The first two buttons of his polo came undone. His tie fell to the floor. I have to… Her body pressed against the length of his. Every inch of him touched by Neon crackled with energy. Never had he felt more alive.

Kurapika imagined twining his fingers through her wavy hair. Running his hands along her figure. Capturing her lips with his. Would she be warm? Soft? He ached to know.

I have to know.

Kurapika backhanded her shoulders. Crying out, Neon stumbled backwards. Hands outstretched, he gulped in air. "Stop! …W-Wait." Neon stared at him incredulously. Red lipstick smeared across her cheek. "I." He swallowed hard. "First, before we… I have to know."

Neon blinked. "H-Huh?"

"That box!" yelled the Hunter, pointing to wrapped gift on the table behind him. "What is in that present?"

Frowning, Neon looked at the gift. Her lips parted. Eyes widening, she stepped back. "I…"

"Tell me!"

Neon bowed her head.

Kurapika's voice softened. "I thought we promised to not play games with each other."

A minute passed, the only sounds their heavy breathing. Finally, Neon muttered, "I was going to tell you my plan tomorrow…"

His blood turned to ice. Growling, he gripped the box so hard his fingers tore holes into it. His shoulders shook. How could I have forgotten? There's only one promise, only one vow which matters.

"There's no need to tell me." He whispered in a hollow voice. "I already know what it is."

All other promises are meaningless.

Kurapika ripped the wrapping paper of the wooden box. He tore off the crate's slates, although the splinters pierced his hands. A nail sliced open his palm. Blood flowed out of the cut. He threw aside the last slate. What was within was laid bare.

A jar with a pair of glowing, scarlet eyes.

A wedding gift from a client.

The sight of his brethren's remains set Kurapika's eyes crimson. His vision awashed with red. Gasping, Neon covered her mouth with her hands. "I can't believe it. Y-You really are a Kurta…"

A coldness settled in him as though someone stepped on his grave. Eyes blazing, he calmly asked, "How do you know?"

"Uh—" Neon's eyes widened. Curling her arms into her chest, she began, "I just—I didn't…" Cracking his knuckles, Kurapika strolled towards her. She retreated. "Hold on. Wait, please—Aah!" Neon stepped on a bokken and crashed to the floor.

Kurapika towered over her. His eyes pinned her like a dead insect to a corkboard.

Sweat dripped down her forehead. Eyes on the floor, she babbled. "Your strange clothes. You acting weird after buying the eyes at Yorknew Auction. But I hadn't known for sure until a month ago. I ran into Zenji. He told me how after the auction your eyes changed."

Zenji. The Mafia boss who punched Light Nostrade out of jealousy. Who attempted to outbid Kurapika during the auction for the Scarlet Eyes. Who Kurapika threatened to kill, inadvertently revealing his secret ethnicity. Kurapika's stomach curled. She knew all along. Kurapika bent his knees, leveling his face with hers. "You sneaky little bitch."

Neon sucked in a breath. Kurapika placed a hand closer to Neon, starting to crawl towards her. The floorboards were cold to the touch. Neon scooted backwards. "Why would you want a Kurta as your bodyguard?" he demanded.

"I, I needed protection." The Hunter planted his other hand down, trapping the prey between his hands. Whimpering, Neon backpedaled more. Her back hit the wall. Being so close, he could feel her body heat beneath him. Smell her salty sweat. Taste her fear. In halting breaths, she whispered, "Because I've been lying to my clients. To Papa. To everyone."

Kurapika fist flew forward. "Answer the question!"

Closing her eyes, she flinched. After a moment, she opened an eye. Kurapika had punched a hole into the wall by centimeters from her head. "I've been writing unrequested predictions of my clients."

"Why."

"For information on them. To use against them in case they try something funny. And to… and to…" Swallowing, Neon gazed at the ground.

Growling, Kurapika clamped his hand on her head. He jerked her head up, banging it on to the wall. Pulsing crimson eyes met pale blue ones. The blood from Kurapika's cut palm dripped onto her face. It slid down her cheek from the corner of her eye. "To get more body parts for my collection."

A numbing coldness seized his core. "That's why…" he breathed. "I'd be the Ten Don and you… You're marrying me to get more Scarlet Eyes."

Neon lifted her chin. Her blue eyes hardened into steel. "I am."

The room's darkness pulsed in time with his racing heartbeat. Smirking, Kurapika shook his head. "Fortune teller Neon. Nothing upsets you more than your father and clients using you." A chuckle, which tasted like vomit, bubbled up his throat. "You thought it justifiable to exploit my secrets." Ice spread through his veins. "To use me as a tool." A chill so cold it burned. Glowing scarlet eyes cast her pale face in the color of blood. "To say you love me." His hands reached out. He grasped her neck.

"HOW DARE YOU?!"

Snarling, Kurapika slammed Neon into the wall. She clawed her nails into his hands. But his grip was ironclad. "My reason for living is to obtain my family's eyes. To avenge their deaths." He breathed in toxic air of sweat, blood—and jasmine. Beneath his fingers, muscles contracted. Fighting against him. Her neck was slick. Hot.

"For years I trained to become a Blacklist Hunter." Neon spluttered and coughed. Red-faced, she kicked at him. His knee. Ankle. Thigh. He absorbed the blows like a stone wall.

"I have lied, cheated, and stole." Her jugular arteries bulged beneath his hands. Pumping blood up to her brain. Keeping her alive. Kurapika grit his teeth. Although he squeezed, the arteries would not be blocked.

"Pushed my friends away." Kurapika shifted his grip. Pressed his thumbs on her windpipe. Eyes flying open, Neon gave a strangled gasp.

"I have killed." Neon exhaled once, a warm pant. Flared her nose. But she couldn't inhale. Her face purpled. "And you." Narrowing his red eyes, Kurapika leaned closer. Every pore of her skin was visible. He bared his teeth, spittle trailing from his canines.

"You're just another name on my hit list."

Neon cracked open her eyes. An empty, cloudless blue. Her fingers stilled. Kicks stopped. Blood red lips moved, mouthing words.

A jolt of electricity shot through Kurapika's spine. His fingers lost their grip. Gasping, Neon collapsed to the ground. Her tiny form racked with coughs. The room echoed with her dry heaves. Reeling, Kurapika stumbled backwards. The movement of her lips replayed over and over in his mind. Spelling out two words.

Kill me.

Heaving for air, Neon lifted her head up. Sweat pasted her hair to her face. Yellow and purple marred her ivory neck. Spit trailed from her mouth. "The Scarlet Eyes… everything I… collected. Behind family portrait. In lobby. Vault. If you want… to kill me, go ahead." She bowed her head.

Her white gown clung to her heaving chest. The voice coming from her lips was throaty and raw. Alien. "If avenging your family is your reason for living…"

Chains rattled behind him. Kurapika froze. His mother's voice hissed, "How could you have forgotten? You survived so we could be avenged."

Trembling, Kurapika clutched his head. L-Leave me alone.

Neon's fist balled up her gown. Broken nails ripped tares into the fabric. "If you'll earn your family's forgiveness…"

Father growled, "You would marry the witch who collects our eyes? You spit on our memory."

Gritting his teeth, Kurapika tore out his hair in clumps. GO. AWAY.

Neon raised her head. Opened her arms wide. Smiled. "If it'll stop your family from haunting you… Give you peace, then go ahead. I'd be happy to die."

A memory flashed before him. Sitting in his grave dug by his hands, knife in hand. "To… die…" Kurapika intoned.

A cold presence materialled by side. Kurapika could almost make out a form of a small boy in the corner of his eye.

"Come on, Kurapika. Your fun adventure is waiting to begin."

Kurapika bit his lip. The familiar metallic tang washed over his tongue. But… what about how I feel? I would do anything to make more flower chains for you, Mom. To go fishing with Dad again. Laugh with Pairo! But all you do is torment me…

The room began to sway. Darkness slowly tainted his scarlet vision.

Kurapika's mother shouted, "Rip her arms out of their sockets!"

The Hunter staggered backwards. Clumsy fingers reached into his belt. Gripped his knife's handle.

"Gorge out her eyes!" bellowed his father.

Panting, Kurapika tried to step forward. He collapsed onto his knees. Someone cried out in alarm. A vulture. Kurapika unsheathed his knife, and raised it before him.

Pairo howled, "Kill her!"

Through his messy bangs, Kurapika gazed forward. The six-inch blade reflected his sweaty, red-eyed face. Beyond the knife, watching him with lowered eyebrows, was Neon. His heart pounded like a gong.

"Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!"

Frowning, Neon lowered her outstretched arms slightly. Her pale wrists were exposed. The wooden handle of his knife was polished. Smooth. Unlike the splintered handle from last time. Breathing heavily, Kurapika tightened his grip.

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Warm blood pooled between his fingers. His hand nearly slipped. Growling, he adjusted his grip. He could slash across her bruised neck. Cut the muscles and sinews. Stop the jugular arteries. Slice open her wind pipe.

"KILL! KILL! KILL!"

Kurapika placed a hand on Neon's sternum. His fingers were cold, but her chest warm. He could feel her heart beat beneath his touch. Kurapika's knife hand trembled. Tears pooled in Neon's eyes. But still she smiled.

"KIIIIIIIIIIIIIILL!"

Kurapika reversed his grip. Raised the knife above his head.

STAB.

The blade sunk into flesh. Neon screamed. Blood gushed forth, blocking his vision. In one smooth, practiced move, he cleanly slid the knife out. Neon jerked. Her body slumped back against the wall. She stilled.

The bloody knife clattered to the ground. Like a marionette abandoned by its master, Kurapika's head and arms drooped. His shoulder trembled. A strange, choked noise escaped his lips. He threw his head back and laughed.

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Kurapika called. "Well?!"

No one answered.

Growling irritably, Leorio drummed his fingers on his desk. "I can't believe Kurapika punched me! Who does he think he is?" He hiccupped. Mumbling under his breath, he wiped at his flushed face with a hand.

Tigris, who was sitting on his desk, offered a tissue, smiling. But the usual twinkle in her onyx eyes had disappeared. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to go drinking with me before the banquet. Drinking made things worse between the two of you. I remember how you said you wanted to help Kurapika. How much you wanted to trust him."

I told her at the billiards room bar… remembered Leorio. When she was testing me to see what kind of man I was.

During the opening banquet, Tigris had invited him to coming drinking with her. Although Gon and the others had just arrived, the college student couldn't turn her down. She had refused his first offer to drinking way back when.

"You didn't do anything wrong." Leorio shook his head. "I had fun with you." Frowning, Leorio accepting the tissue. "Unlike another friend of mine…"

Gon, standing by the bedpost, placed a hand behind his head. "I'm sure Kurapika just needs some time to work things out. So don't worry, guys."

Killua leaned against the bedroom wall. Sighing, he glanced past the dark green curtains to the night outside. Alluka lay on her stomach drawing something on a napkin, humming. "I'm more concerned about this other guy, Salvestro. There's something about him…"

"Why don't you care?" Leorio shoved his desk chair back. His coffee cup shook, nearly toppling over. "Kurapika's marrying a woman he doesn't love!"

Killua's even ice blue gaze cut into him. "Do you know why?"

"I…" Leorio stammered.

Picking his ear, the former assassin continued, "It's obvious. He wants to be a Ten Don. As for Neon, she doing this to get more body parts I figure." Tigris stiffened. "But why Salvestro's here… I don't know enough about him to make a guess. Do you know?"

Images flashed before Leorio's eyes. Dozens of black letters hidden in Salvestro's room. Letters with names, accusing them of committing treason, along with a list of random things like spiders, darkness, and blood. He shivered. Although Leorio had shared the information with Kurapika, the bodyguard had yet to discover anything. Perhaps Kurapika had learned something, but hadn't bothered to share it with him. Too focused on living out his mission: collecting the Scarlet Eyes. No, to fulfill his vengeance. And his friends couldn't mean anything less to him.

Leorio grit his teeth. Kurapika… a groom who's a living grim reaper.

Alluka rolled onto her back, lifting her drawing into the air. "All done! Lookie, brother!"

Chuckling, Gon passed it to Killua. "What cute thing did you draw for him?"

The medical student breathed heavily. The innocent laughter of a murderer.

Accepting the paper, Killua smiled.

Leorio's heat pounded a mile a minute. A child assassin.

He examined it. A rope looped into a circle. "Alluka. This is a noose. What have I told you about such things?"

"But I like it…" pouted Alluka. "Oh, I know! It's a necklace."

Leorio balled his hands. A necklace disguising a noose…

Shaking his head, Killua returned the paper. "What am I going to do with you?"

Leorio slammed his fists into the desk. His coffee cup toppled, soaking his open textbook. Tigris yelped. "What the hell is wrong with all of you?!"

Silence. Everyone stared at the student. Lower lip trembling, Alluka glanced between her brother and Leorio. She pulled on the roots of her hair. "I'm a bad girl. Sorry… Sorry, sorry."

Killua placed a hand on her shoulder while glaring at his friend. "You take that back."

Tigris leapt off the desk. She swallowed, then headed towards the door. "I'm going to check on milady."

Rising from the chair, Leorio reached for her arm. "Tigris, wait!"

The attendant sidestepped him. She shut the door behind with a bang. Exhaling, Leorio dropped into the chair and held his head in his hands.

Killua's voice whispered, "I'll draw with you, Alluka." After a moment the only noise in the room was the sound of pencils scribbling.

"W-What's wrong, guys?" Gon asked. "Why aren't we getting along…?" After a minute, Gon sighed. From their murmurs it sounded like Gon had joined the Zoldyck siblings in drawing.

Tigris' words echoed in Leorio's head. "You're upset not because Kurapika accused you of owning and planting the magazines in his room, you're upset because you're not sure how to help him. You're more concerned about his sake than your own. Men like you are hard to find!"

Isn't Kurapika beyond help? The deep recesses of his mind whispered. Aren't they all beyond salvation?

Leorio kneed the base of his palms into his eyes. All he saw was darkness.

What's wrong with me?

The door burst open. Everyone jumped. Melody appeared in the doorway, panting. Sweat coated her face. "Have… Have you seen Lady Neon?"

The men and Alluka rose slowly. "No," the student answered. "I haven't. Not since we left the ballroom. And that was, what? Twenty minutes? A half hour ago?" Melody paled. Leorio studied her. Even when they faced the Phantom Troupe, he had never seen her so agitated. Spooked.

"No, no this can't be…" Melody murmured. She ran down the corridor.

Everyone shared a glance. Leorio raced after her. The boys and Alluka were right on his heels.

The scenery blurred by as they flew through the hallways. The guests' laughter and merrymaking had ceased. As they grew closer to the back of the mansion, they could hear gasps and wails like the dead were rolling in their graves.

Upon seeing two clients up ahead, Leorio slowed down. Behind her red fan, one guest complained to the other. "We've come all this way and for what? Some cheap food? Being taunted with a sale on predictions?"

The man beside her shook his head with a sneer. "Agreed. This has been nothing but a colossal waste of time. If someone had intended to end her all along, they should have done so before we arrived."

The medical student drew to a halt. He raised a hand toward them, calling, "Wait—"

A raw scream pierced the air. All his muscles drew tighter than a bowstring. Leorio bolted around the corner.

A crowd of Kurapika and Neon's wedding guests stood around an open doorway. Frowning, they murmured to each other, casting furtive glances at the scene indoors. Leorio pushed his way through. At the front Mr. Nostrade stood and stared forward, his mouth hanging open. He sweated so much it appears as though his skin was melting. His lips moved, but only a moan escaped.

"No, this isn't happening! Nooo!"

Eliza, red faced and tear streaked, was being held back by a grim Basho and Linssen. When struggling proved futile, she sagged in their grip. She babbled, "Squala… and now her…"

Tigris, with her hands plastered over her mouth, was bowed over. She appeared to be moments away from spilling her guts. Tears streaked down her face. Heart wrenching, Leorio stepped towards her. He bumped into Melody. The Music Hunter's feather soft voice whispered, "I was too late. How could such a vibrant hearts' music end in tragedy?" Confused, Leorio followed her gaze.

Only then did Leorio take in enough of his surrounding to realize they were in some sort of old storage room. Wrapped presents had been knocked over. Almost as if someone had bumped into them in haste as they fled. Against the wall, someone crouched down against the wall. "Neon, is that you? Oh gods, no…"

Neon sat on the ground, leaning against the wall. Her vibrant blue eyes stared into the distance, vacant. Leorio needn't have required his medical training to deduce her condition. Once glance at the large pool of blood staining the front of her gown was enough.

Neon was dead.

Killed.

Leorio's stomach churned like the choppy stormy ocean waves. He whirled around. "How did this happen? When did it? Who? Why?!"

Gon stared ahead, slack jawed. Closing his eyes, Killua shook his head. Alluka, frowning, looked around at everyone. The guests refused to meet her eyes. Mr. Nostrade moaned.

"Tch. I'll find out myself." Leorio crouched down. He touched Neon's wrist. No pulse. It wasn't warm; nor was it completely frozen cold. Although it was hard to determine to because of the blood, she appeared to have been stabbed. And that's all I can conclude. Exhaling irritability, Leorio ran a hand through his black hair. I'm a doctor, not a forensic scientist.

The clients' murmurs died. A lone set of footsteps walked across the creaking wooden floorboards. They stopped alongside Leorio. The student gazed up from the black leather shoes, up to the dress slacks to a suit jacket and white polo. Up to the face with messy blond bangs and dull red eyes.

"K-Kurapika!" exclaimed Leorio, standing up and stepping backwards. "Where did—?" He glanced behind him. A path was cleared among the crowd. The guests backed against the far wall like the bodyguard carried the plague. Women peered out from behind fans. The men didn't dare reach for their weapons. Their whispers carried through the room.

"Scarlet eyes. He has scarlet eyes."

"They say those with red eyes are monsters."

"Is he going to kill us all?"

Leorio caught Gon's eye. The boy, after glancing at their friend, nodded.

All eyes were fixed on the pair before the body. Leorio swallowed. "H-Hey, buddy… do you know what happened?"

Kurapika's empty red eyes gazed at the body. No hint of any expression showed on his face.

Leorio raised a trembling hand to his friend's shoulder. "Are you all right—?"

Something seized his wrist. A hand. Kurapika's hand. Still facing the body, Kurapika tried to remove Leorio's hand off of his shoulder. Leorio froze, fingers digging into the Hunter's shoulder. Blood. There is blood on Kurapika's hand. Dried blood.

The bodyguard squeezed. Leorio could feel his bones rub against each other. Leorio sucked in a sharp breath. Whose? Whose blood is it?

Beyond Kurapika, Neon's body lay. Her sightless eyes no longer stared in the distance, but at her bodyguard.

Leorio's chest tightened. He could barely breathe. "Is this…" he choked. "Is this the result of your vengeance?"

Kurapika grabbed one of Leorio's fingers. He bent it back, breaking it. But Leorio refused to let go of Kurapika's shoulder.

"No. Tell me it ain't true."

He broke another finger. Leorio's fingers turned purple, swelling up to twice their normal size. Leorio grit his teeth. Gripped Kurapika's shoulder tighter.

As Kurapika broke a third finger, Leorio yelled, "Killing other people won't bring them back!"

Kurapika's fingers stilled. His dried blood chafed against the student's skin. Slowly, Kurapika turned his head to look over his shoulder. One eye flashed scarlet. The other was obscured. Shocked, Leorio released Kurapika. Is, is his eye covered by blood? But how? Did he… to himself?!

Kurapika's eye burned scarlet fire. But his voice was as cold as ice. "That is just another corpse to add to my pile."

Kurapika strode to the door. Leorio blinked, letting him by.

Snarling, Eliza struggled against Linssen and Basho's hold on her. She hurled herself at the bodyguard. The two burly men only barely reigned her in. "He just confessed! Arrest him!"

Leorio gasped. He spun around. Throwing his hand aside, he shouted, "How could you be so stupid? Do you really think they would want their son to be a murderer? Huh?"

Kurapika didn't pause in heading towards the door. With nervous titters, the guests pushed backwards, making way.

Leorio's breaths escaped his nose in angry bursts. Veins stood out on his temple. His entire body trembled. "Answer me!"

Kurapika passed through the doorway.

"Stop running away!"

He disappeared out of sight.

"Goddamn, you!"

Holding his head, Salvestro staggered through a hallway, holding his head. Guests of the wedding all but stampeded the other direction. A woman in a lab coat bumped into Salvestro on her way back. She didn't pause. Salvestro fell against the wall. He nearly hit into the frame of a forest painting. He closed his eyes. This is all happening so fast. Am I prepared to face this?

Strained voices emanated from down a hallway. Salvestro picked himself off the wall and trudged forward. He paused at the corner of a four-way intersection, listening.

A soft female asked, "Linssen, Basho. Please let her go."

"But she's a threat to the boss—"

"We must figure out where he disappeared to. And I need your help."

Salvestro raised an eyebrow. The bodyguard left? At the sound of footsteps, he ducked behind the corner. In reflection of the window, he watched Melody, Linssen, and Basho exit a room and head down the opposite corridor. The Music Hunter stopped. She looked around as though she heard something. Salvestro's fingers dug into the yellow wall paint. After a moment, Melody continued onwards.

Salvestro, muscles tense at the ready, ambulated to the door. The stench of vomit and death assailed him.

"Eliza," a choked voice murmured. "Please, let's just go. It isn't good for you to stay here."

"I will never forgive that bastard. Never."

Salvestro strode through the doorway, frowning, "What has occurred here? Even the guests are upset."

The ladies-in-waiting, Tigris and Eliza, whirled around, startled. Neither could meet his eyes. Tigris muttered, "I'm sorry, milord. We couldn't protect our lady."

Frowning, Salvestro cast his eyes across the room. "Neon? Is she here? I wish to speak with…" Wrapped presents were mixed with crates stakes around the dimly lit room. Several boxes had been knocked over. Under the glow of a windowsill candle, he saw a shadow of a strange shape. He stepped closer. Gasping, he fell to his knees.

Neon's dead body.

A few strands of a blue hair rested her face. Her skin, although previously ivory, was milky white. Her full tulip pink lips had faded into thin lines. They hung open slightly. She retained all her beauty like a flower bloom just cut off from its stem.

Mouth agape, he brushed his fingers across her cheek. She was freezing cold to the touch. For the first time in years tears blurred his vision. Gutting him like a deer would have been less painful.

Neon sniffed. Tears pricked the corner of her eyes. Salvestro's gaze trailed down from her eyes to her full lips. He leaned closer. Breathed into her ear.

"Liar."

Salvestro tucked a stray hair behind her ear. I spent my last moments with her being selfish. At a time when she needed me the most. Hanging his head, he let his cinnamon hair dangle limply in front of his eyes. I am so sorry, my dear flower.

Eliza marched over to her master's body, her movements jerky and rigid. Her face was a red as a volcano about to explode. "He never acknowledged Neon's existence before. But when Master Nostrade named him the heir if he married Neon, oh, well, then how he changed his tune! She loved him, but like all the others he discarded her when it suited him. Kurapika killed her."

"Why?" Tigris, exasperated, asked. "Why would you think he'd do that?"

Eliza faced to her black-haired companion. "Didn't you see? His eyes were scarlet. He is a Kurta."

"Kurta?" Salvestro repeated. The gears of his mind began to move.

Tigris clamped her hands over her mouth. "And Neon is a human body part collector. Oh gods." She shuddered like last leaf on a tree branch. "If only we told him her true intentions…"

"It couldn't have been avoided. He is a madman. I've witness him trying to gorge out his own eyes firsthand." She shuddered. "Only a psychopath could conceal such murderous rage under that calm façade all the time."

"No, that can't be true," Tigris muttered. "They had so much fun together. Stargazing, playing chess and parcheesi, and even stray painting each other." Stepping forward, Tigris placed a hand on her chest. "He let milady choose what wedding dress she wished. Wanted her to decide on the wedding music she liked, not her clients. They nearly kissed during their dance. His feelings for her are real! He would never hurt her!"

Eliza seized Tigris' forearm. She pointed at Neon's body. She screamed, "Then tell it to Neon's corpse!"

Tigris sucked in a sharp breath. "H-He's a good person. He and Leorio are good men. I… believe in them."

Eliza lowered her voice. "He could never love the woman who collected the eyes of his family."

Tigris swallowed. Fresh tears slipped down her face. "Milady…"

Screwing her eyes shut, Eliza murmured, "Now both Squala and Neon are gone forever."

"No," Salvestro avowed. "I can't believe that." Salvestro could not tear his eyes from Neon. "I refuse—I cannot believe my dear flower is dead." The attendants stared at him dumbfounded. "She is far too clever to be outsmarted." His emerald eyes smoldered. "While the mental state of the bodyguard can be called into question, no one can doubt Neon's acting skills. Dozens, no hundreds, of clients manipulate her every year. Why would she ever believe Kurapika was different?"

Tigris's lowered her puffy eyes to the ground.

"So you mean Neon was faking her affection for him, too?" Eliza murmured, "Of course."

Salvestro arose slowly. The gears of his mind kicked into overdrive. "She realized she could not place her trust her bodyguard's intentions or his ability to protect her. She left when the first opportunity presented itself and prepared a doppelganger body to conceal her disappearance."

Tigris' eyes shrunk to the size of pin heads. "Then you mean…"

"She is alive; I know she is. I can feel it in my bones. I am only unsure of where she has fled to."

Eliza briefly closed her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, they were cleared of any signs of tears. Rather, they were sharpened weapons. "Make no mistake. Neon doesn't love you."

Salvestro winced. "Of, of course." Eyes lowered to the ground, he smiled softly. "I knew such for a long time."

"So we're going only to ensure her safety. Nothing more."

"'We'?"

"Yes. We're going with you. You can't object—we're the only ones who know how she'll slip in. After last year we planned out our method of attack down to the last detail."

"No," Tigris whispered. She wiped at her face. "I'm staying here. I'll… I'll watch over Master Nostrade or something."

Pursing her lips, Eliza shook her head.

"Very well," Salvestro conceded with a sigh. As a politician in the making, Salvestro knew which people would not be swayed by words. "Then we must be off. There is not a second to waste." Salvestro strode towards the door, pulling on his white gloves. "Assuredly, the Kurta bodyguard is tracking her down as we speak."

"Why?" asked Eliza.

"Why?" Salvestro stopped at the doorway. He turned around. The dim lighting cast shadows across his face. "To finish her off."

Dozens of people passed her by, but no one noticed her. A gentle wind stirred her loose blue hair. She wrapped her sheer scarf not around her shoulders, but her neck. A heavy purse rested on her shoulder. She placed a hand on her thigh. Through the thin gown, she felt the handle of a weapon. After a deep breath, she strode forward, not looking back.

Neon entered the doors underneath a banner which read "Yorknew City Auction: Come One, Come All!"

As always, thanks for reading! All aboard the hype train because the next chapter starts the climax! What occurred here is only a sneak peek of what I've got planned. ;) Merry Christmas and happy holidays, everyone!