A/N: This chapter is inspired by the song 'I've Never Been To Me' by Charlene and it's been playing in repeat in my mind for so long (but I had a hard time writing this one. Honestly, I think I can do better than this. Damn it, I miss my writing days when I didn't care much about my vocabulary and I just wrote to my heart's content with a grammar that would surely make English native speakers cringe.)

P.S.: I believe I still have a grammar that makes English native speakers cringe, though not as terrible as before XD.

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HXH.
BETA: None.

Chapter 25: A Steel Heart.

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The weather was cloudy with clusters of gray clouds threatening to shower the land with drizzle, but the actual rain didn't pour down the next morning after Kurapika's encounter with Kuroro and Light Nostrad.

The lawn of Dmitri's mansion was damped with morning dew; it rained the previous night and the air was filled with wet scent of various plants and grass from the front garden. Ironically, it corresponded to Kurapika's current state of mind; he wasn't as bad as he was the other day, but he was far from being completely okay. Still, Kurapika guarded his designated spot outside Dmitri's office at the start of his shift but unlike before, he didn't feel that very bad about his demotion anymore.

He didn't get that much sleep, but at the very least he neither had nightmare nor bolted upright while asleep last night. Strangely, he had easily gotten over from his own awkward and slightly embarrassing actions towards Kuroro during their unfinished session, perhaps because he was too occupied with his musings about his resignation from Dmitri which he was planning to hand in today. He had also informed Senritsu about Nostrad's proposal as the man requested, and Senritsu said she would think about it with a remark that while Kurapika's heart still had a melancholic melody, it didn't sound as horrible as before. She smiled at his improvement and added that he should keep it up, which Kurapika responded with a nod and a hint of a little smile. Truthfully, Kurapika was relieved to know that he somewhat improved albeit just a little. Being in this depressed state this long was honestly tiring and it was getting on his way. The day had long begun and it was time for him to get up without his excuses. Even slightly, Kurapika was livened up by his upcoming transfer to Nostrad, with the prospect of getting the Kuruta eyes through faster and easier means lessening the weight on his shoulders. He could hardly wait to finalize his resignation and talk to Dmitri one more time in regards with the eyes in his possession. There were still a lot of things he had to do, and he had rested enough.

Once Dmitri accepted his letter and he officially returned to the Nostrads, he would face his biggest obstacle next— facing Kuroro again. Sadly, he didn't know how he would do that yet but that was something he would worry about later.

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Kurapika's shift had ended two hours ago when he returned to Dmitri's office around eight in the evening to submit his resignation only to find out that he had visitors that night.

He softly knocked on the office door and was granted permission to enter when the sight of two young, beautiful women clad in revealing clothes standing side by side Dmitri as he sat on his chair wearing an accommodating grin startled him a bit. Instantly realizing he unnecessarily interrupted some private business, he apologized for his intrusion and attempted to flee from the scene only to be called back by Dmitri.

"No, Kurapika. You may stay. That must be urgent," Dmitri knowingly assumed. After all, Kurapika was never the type who would disturb his boss if it wasn't about an important matter.

"It is not, Dmitri-san. I will be just back tomorrow," it wasn't wise to bring up the subject now that his boss was occupied with something worthier to spend his time with.

"I insist. Girls, if you may please leave us for a while," he lovingly told his escorts. With smiles and suggestive caress on his arms, both girls left while giggling. One of them, a petite girl donning a red dress with low neckline winked at him as they stepped outside.

"What is it?" Dmitri asked shortly as the door closed.

Kurapika didn't waste any time and stepped closer to Dmitri's table, placed his folded resignation letter on it and took a step back. Dmitri eyed the piece of paper, reading the words neatly written on it then breathed in. He leaned against his chair and heaved a short sigh as if implying that he expected this much.

"Your reason for your resignation, then?" Dmitri asked with a raised brow.

"I believe I could not earn enough money to meet your given price for the scarlet eyes even if I spend a lifetime under your employment, thus I decided to find a more suitable job for me to afford them as soon as I can."

"And I'll take it that you've found a new work?"

"Yes. Nostrad-san gave me a promising job offer if I work under him again. He also wishes you won't take my transfer as pirating of any sort."

"I see," Dmitri smirked. "That old geezer. He's tougher than I expected," he quirked his lips into an amused snicker. Kurapika expected a harsher reaction. "Does he know about you true identity? Damn him if he does and he didn't tell me beforehand."

"He did not, sir. However, I revealed the truth when we met the other day so he does now."

"Is there any more reason?" Dmitri leaned forward to his desk. "Reason that might be related to Meniandro's death?"

Kurapika's eyes widened at that. Did the man know something?"

"Hit the nail, didn't I?"

Kurapika knew Dmitri would find his resignation somehow connected to Meniandro's demise and it certainly couldn't be helped— but he would wisely use this to his advantage to implicitly warn the man with his persistence in keeping the eyes.

"There are things best to be untold," he cast Dmitri a stony look, hoping him to get a clue as to why he was keeping his mouth shut. "You are a very good boss to me, Dmitri-san. I respect and look up to you. For one last time, I would like to ask for you kind consideration in regards with my resignation."

"So you are, Kurapika," Dmitri answered with a calm voice. "You were a very reliable subordinate to me. If only you told me the truth since the beginning, we won't need to part ways like this. You were good, but you lied to me. Very well," Dmitri dramatically sighed as if sincerely feeling bad about losing Kurapika, though his eyes told otherwise. "I do not trust you anymore anyway. But just for once and for all, let me know the truth." Dmitri looked at him eye to eye. "Did you kill Meniandro?"

Kurapika returned the gaze with conviction.

"No. I did not."

There was a pause, Dmitri looking as though he was trying to figure out something in his mind while thoroughly observing Kurapika's expression.

"An accomplice, then," he murmured to himself, but Kurapika clearly heard it. He chose not to comment. "When do you plan to move out? Is Senritsu coming with you?" Dmitri inquired, sounding business-like.

"As soon as you allow me. Nostrad-san has extended the job offer to Senritsu as well and she said that she will think about it."

"Yeah, I took you both from him, anyway," Dmitri straightened up on his seat and reached out for Kurapika's letter. "Once you properly hand over all the necessary paperwork and other important instructions to Mitsuhiko, I will allow you to leave any time you want. Tell Nostrad as well that I don't mind you guys leaving. Perhaps I'll invite him over drinks again if I ever get a chance," the way he spoke the last part didn't sound convincing. "By the way, in case you are worried, I am true to my words; I won't hide or sell the eyes to anybody but you, but my price won't change. 2 billion each pair; no more, no less."

Right. Kurapika expected that Dmitri wouldn't budge. He might as well just give up haggling with him.

"That is a relief, Dmitri-san."

"I wish you good luck on your next journey," Dmitri spared him a wry smile.

"Thank you for everything," Kurapika bowed down, chest feeling light for the first time since Meniandro died.

"Please tell the ladies that they can now go back in as you go," Dmitri slipped his letter in his desk's drawer. Kurapika nodded and opened the door then wordlessly beckoned the girls who were waiting right across the door to enter. They stepped in, Kurapika caught a sweet and cloying smell of heavy perfume from them as they passed by, and was about to leave when Dmitri spoke.

"Wait."

Both girls froze on their heels, Kurapika stopped on his track with his hand on the knob. Instinctively, he closed the door and waited for Dmitri to finish what he was meaning to say.

"Since you've been a very efficient and hardworking guard, let me give you a parting gift," Dmitri turned his gaze towards one of the girls. "Mami, why don't you accompany him and have a good time tonight? My treat."

"That would be unnecessary, Dmitri-san," Kurapika indignantly refused the offer in a placid tone. The girl who was presumably Mami graced her lips into a small yet very seducing smile.

"If that is what Master wishes," she ambled closer to Kurapika. "It will be my command."

"I insist, Kurapika," Dmitri raised his palm, gesturing him to help himself. "You deserve it. She's all yours tonight. Take this as my one last order. Have fun."

The man was dead serious. Kurapika couldn't believe that they would come to such conclusion. Left with no choice and thinking that it would be extremely rude to decline again, he lent his arm for the girl to take and kept a stoic expression plastered on his face.

"Understood, sir. Thank you, and have a good night."

Mami wrapped her arm around him happily; she was giving him a very excited gaze which looked childish yet sexy at the same time. Kurapika could only offer her a curt smile then they left Dmitri's study, leaving his boss and the other girl alone. He caught a brief glance as the lady gracefully sat on Dmitri's lap as he closed the door.

Kurapika was uncomfortable with how Mami clung herself on him but he decided not to push her away, fearing that she might tell it to Dmitri if he did. They walked along the hallway in silence to Kurapika's room. Kurapika was relieved that they didn't meet anyone on the way.

As they walked together, Kurapika started to feel slight changes on the woman's mien while she hugged his arm.

At a closer look, Kurapika could see that she was very young despite her heavily contoured eyes and mature physique. She might be just around in her early twenties, not so far from Kurapika's age.

She was beautiful, with radiant and unblemished skin being flaunted by her black strapped dress. She had auburn hair and eyes which matched her gold teardrop earrings. Her black choker with a strangely huge ring (presumably custom-made to be attached on a leash) had the same teardrop pendant, and her lacy neckline revealed her cleavage. She was sexy, her waist and chest just the right size and she walked gracefully despite her uncomfortably high pumps. She was bringing herself with elegance, but he could feel that there was something about this girl more than the looks.

Kurapika could also easily tell that she was a professional prostitute.

"Is this your room, Master?" She asked as they stopped in front of his room's door. Her voice was soft and it hinted innocence, but Kurapika could sense it was just for show.

"After you," Kurapika opened the door and let her in first, him following suit.

Mami took a look all over his room as Kurapika closed the door. It wasn't that big and all he had were a single bed, a bookshelf, his bedside table and a small coffee table. There was a window next to the bed and his closet stood at the far end of it. Kurapika thought the girl must be feeling mortified that she had to service a mere bodyguard tonight inside this boring and small room, but it surprised him when Mami sat on the single seat on the coffee table and contentedly leaned against it.

"You have a nice room, Master," she gave him a warm smile. This time, he couldn't tell if it was fake or not for it looked real.

"Dmitri-san has a bigger and nicer one."

"I know. I have been there for a couple of times."

Kurapika sat on the bed. "I apologize but I do not have any drink to you offer you, but I can make you tea in the kitchen if you don't mind waiting."

"I am good at waiting, Master," she stood up and moved her hands above her shoulders, her fingers flicked on the straps of her dress. "Why don't you prepare the tea while I make the dessert?"

"Please, sit down."

The girl froze, slightly confused when she was ordered to stop stripping her clothes.

"Master?"

"You don't have to do that," Kurapika declared, he stood up and switched on the lamp on the bedside table.

"Wait, I don't unders—"

"You must have realized that I just agreed to Dmitri-san's order. I don't intend to play any master-servant game with you."

"But why?" Mami asked, an eyebrow raised. "Oh, I get it. I'm not your type. You must like girls with bigger boobs like Lisa— the other one with Dmitri-sama."

"Neither," Kurapika answered calmly.

This time, her cute and sweet smile faltered and changed into fear, which she was trying to conceal.

"Am I not attractive enough, Master?" She hung her head low. "I knew it; I should have made myself more presentable. I should be punished. Master, I—"

"Mami-san," Kurapika reassuringly called her. "As I have said, you may drop your role-playing now."

The girl suddenly looked a bit angrily at him. "I have to get this work done, Mister. Trust me, I will make you feel real good tonight," from an innocent girl to a hungrily lustful woman, Mami changed her demeanour in attempt to lure him in.

"I can't have that good time with you, Mami-san. It's not your fault. You are no doubt beautiful and desirable, but I can't do that with you."

"Would you mind explaining to me why?" She serenely questioned with her eyes narrowing a bit.

'You are mine. Do I make myself clear?'

Kuroro's words echoed in his mind. It was insulting, debasing and humiliating, but he agreed to that demand. He had to or else blood would be shed. It wasn't like he didn't have the desire to do it with this very attractive woman, but ever since his clan's death, romantic ventures never occurred to Kurapika. Aside from that it may hinder his quest to his life goals, to be in a relationship with someone while he was out there fighting his battle against Ryodan might pose danger to his partner's life. He had to focus. After all, he decided to dedicate his remaining breath in his search for his clan's eyes and justice for their death, and he had scarce time to complete them as it was. Falling into someone would do no good to that person's life. The relationship would only be filled with sadness, danger and lack of time. He had long accepted his fate as the sole survivor of the Kuruta clan, and he never planned to revive the existence of his tribe through making offspring. If they would be just subjected to be relics and have their eyes displayed on museums, Kurapika would rather be the last one to live.

And Kuroro was unreasonably claiming him now. Not only his missions were consuming him; even his sworn enemy was marking him as if he was a possession. It was as if Kurapika's life had never been his own. It was soul-wrenching, but then again, his life would be meaningless if he give up his fight now. He'd rather throw away this life of his into the battle than to live a hollowed life with the weight of his clan's death deadening his soul forever.

He gave the girl a look and weirdly enough, he could see a resemblance of his own emptiness through her eyes. She was playing that slave persona perhaps because men kept claiming her. Women were being treated like that in the society more often than not. Somehow, he could understand how it felt now.

"I am seeing someone right now," he finally said. It felt horrible in the stomach but if it would make her stop her advances, so be it.

The girl chuckled amusedly. "Aren't you a loyal one? Come on, there is nothing to be worried about. We definitely can still do it and she'll never find it out. I will make sure not to leave any marks," she winked at him mischievously.

Kurapika slowly shook his head and absently quirked his lips into a patient, almost brotherly smile. "You got me. Yes, I am loyal to that person. I am also not fond of disrespecting women. I am sorry, Mami-san, but I will say it again. I took you with me as per Dmitri-san's order."

"But that… won't do any good to me, sir," Mami's voice quivered, fear clearly showing on her face. "They will punish me if I don't get it done."

"You will be punished by whom? Dmitri-san?" Kurapika suggested Dmitri even if he was damn sure Mami wasn't talking about him.

"By my real masters," she confessed. "I am from… a secret casa deploying professional escorts. I will be punished if the customer reported that my performance isn't satisfying. Please, sir. Don't do this to me."

"I won't tell them that we didn't do it, then," he assured her. "I will give Dmitri-san a satisfactory review so you won't get in trouble."

"But… you won't have to lie like that if we just do it. It won't hurt if we try even once. Even just a quick one, Mister. I promise to make the most out of your time," for this girl to be this persistent and desperate, Kurapika could deduce that the casa must be giving out corporal punishments to those who couldn't meet their client's expectations. This irked him, but he knew how the underworld worked and this wasn't something new.

"Trust me, Mami-san. I'll make sure that you won't be punished. I'll add a tip and personally contact your casa to give my compliment if I have to."

Mami lingered her eyes on him, evidently wondering why he was acting that way, but she looked surreptitiously relieved.

"But… what are we supposed to do now?" Mami visibly relaxed her tensed shoulders, though she still looked at bit antsy. "I should at least entertain you in some other way. Uhm, I can sing and dance. I also know how to massage. I am a good listener as well," she slouched on her seat as she listed her other skills.

"Let's see…" to tone down the tension, Kurapika purposely spoke softly as if he was really deliberating her given choices, then came up with an idea from one of the options. "How about telling me something about yourself?"

"Huh?" Genuinely stunned, Mami furrowed her brows. "About myself? Uhh, this is a first. One of an escort's jobs is to listen to her client's woes and complains in life. We are even trained to give good responses as to not annoy them even if we know nothing about the subject matter. For me to speak about myself is…" she hesitantly lowered her voice, leaving the sentence hanging as she struggled to find the words to explain the bizarreness of Kurapika's command.

"You are not allowed to voice out your thoughts and feelings unless asked, I take it?"

"Yes, more or less."

"I see. This is a good time to test if you are a good storyteller, then. Won't you share to me a part of your life?" Kurapika was admittedly curious. Her ability to change her character in accordance with her client's taste, how she could act comfortable while being touched by total strangers, how she could put up playing the role of the slave, how she learned how to do all of it. How could she tolerate being subjected to such acts, while Kurapika couldn't even handle his subtle whoring properly? Jokingly, Kurapika thought it wouldn't hurt to ask tips from an expert.

"If Master wishes me to," Mami straightened up like she was preparing for an interview.

Kurapika threw the first question. "How did you end up in this line of work?"

"Destiny, I guess?" Mami shrugged. "Apparently, my mother was a low-class prostitute and she had me unexpectedly. As I was told by our caretakers, she sold me to the casa one day at the age of one for a hundred thousand jennies. She never set a foot there ever since. Being a whore is in my blood and I was trained to be one since birth. I started taking customers when I reached six, but the caretakers and owners of the casa had taken my dignity even before I turn four."

Kurapika was momentarily speechless. Before he could stop himself, his shock and disbelief had slipped on his expression. Mami, on the other hand, wore a small, unfeeling smile.

"I can still remember the first time a hand of a man touched me," she lowered her gaze. "I was sleeping on the kitchen floor one night, tired from cleaning and helping with making dinner, when a guy who guarded the entrance of the casa dragged me to the headmaster's room. There, he undressed and put me on his soft bed. I thought back then that that must be the softest bed on earth for how heavenly it felt on my small and tired body, and as he caressed me and did things I didn't understand, I learned that all good things that are given to me come with a price, and I have to pay. All the time."

That wasn't true, Kurapika wanted to contradict her, but he didn't want to stop the flow of her story. "How old are you now?"

"I do not know my exact birthday, but I am now around nineteen or twenty years old."

'We're the same age,' Kurapika secretly curled his fists. "So you've been in that trade for fourteen years?" She had been enduring living in that situation for all her life? How come she lasted that long without losing her mind? How come no one tried to save her?

"Nuts, I know," she said as if she could read his mind. "After the headmaster had his time with me, I undergone through exercises to see my skills, and they thought I'm a potential money maker. I am beautiful, so they dressed me up. I am skinny, so they saw me as an angelic slave. They said I was a natural. They even taught me how to read and write, to sing and dance, how to move my tongue whenever they shove things inside my mouth. I'm not being arrogant, but I'm a Class-A escort. I get more number of bookings than the other girls and customers were coming back for more, so for you to turn me down like that, I can say that you're letting a very rare chance to pass by," Mami playfully shook her head, letting Kurapika know what he missed.

"What kind of customers do you take in?" Kurapika proceeded to the next question to avoid Mami's attempts to press that her services were still on the table and very available to take.

"All sorts. I have no right to choose. As far as I can remember, I already slept with big business tycoons, a politician, a doctor, a famous actor and singer, a lawyer, a navy general, a low ranking soldier, a priest, the list never ends."

"A priest?" Kurapika interjected

"Yes. I've been hired by people from the church many times. I can't even count them anymore. My first ever customer was a respectable priest from a big religious organization. He even requested the casa to have me killed once I reach ten as to avoid scandal in case I tattle about him. The headmaster agreed but the priest died when I was nine, so I was spared."

Their conversation was turning from a dizzying bumpy car ride into a wild roller coaster as they went on.

"There is one time, I was with the other kids, when we 'played' with customers at a party at their backyard maze. They set us loose and the clients had to catch us, and they were allowed to do anything they want to us. The kids who could escape will be set free so we hid and ran as far as we could, but I was caught and raped right there at the labyrinth until I couldn't walk anymore. A boy managed not to be caught by any players and he was set free as promised but as he ran away, a customer pulled out a gun and shot him on the head. They were all laughing as he laid on the grass, his blood was all over the place. It was as if they were saying that the only way to escape our fate was to die. And if you'll ask me, I'll be more than willing to choose that end. I wished I was that boy. At least he tasted freedom before he lost his life."

"But you lived on," just like Kurapika did. "What pushed you to keep going?"

"I fell in love."

Cliché, Kurapika thought. He read through her vague reply and expected to hear a story of Mami meeting a knight and shining armor that showed her respect and saved her from her distress, but her tale exceeded his expectation. "To whom?"

"With freedom," Mami smiled. "It is funny, but you're not the first person who turned me down. You're the second.

"I was in one of the casa's owned bars in our town when I met this man. I am sure that it was purely accident, but he groped my ass. I wasn't really angry, many have done worse things to me than that, but I confronted him and asked for compensation for what he did. He apologized, pulled out his wallet, and gave an amount enough to hire me for three straight days, with an offer of a drink as an apology gift. I didn't have to remit that money to the casa since it was an 'accident,' but I was afraid that they might find it weird that I have excess money and I might be in trouble if they assumed that I'm doing extra work without their knowledge so I offered my service to that man. Our conversation somewhat resembled ours for how he kept declining my offer. I insisted, offered my other skills just like what I did earlier, but unlike now, I played as the listener.

"He was pretty drunk, and he was in the middle of a chat with the old bartender. This guy was weird; he was wearing baggy clothes and shawls of dull colors with his hair messily wrapped in a turban. His article of clothing didn't match the amount of money he had in his wallet, but there was something really strange about him. He gave off vibes of someone strong and good at heart. He was a bit loud, but he was very smart. This man saved my life. He gave me a reason to live on. For the first time, someone gave me something so precious without asking anything in return. I owe him this strength I have right now.

"He refused to buy my sex and only asked for my ears. Only my ears. He began drunkenly ranting about his current position in an association that he didn't want to be in because he'd rather spend his time exploring the world. When I asked him where he had been so far, he told me about his adventures in unexplored lands and discovering new species of animals. When he chased after notorious criminals and capturing them, how satisfied he was when he got to punch them in the face. That he one time partook in developing a high-tech and dangerous game which he left later on when he got bored. That he was aiming to get to the farthest land that was yet to be discovered by humankind. All because he thought it was fun. He was prepared to face all kinds of perils just to have a good time. I never thought a person is allowed to have fun doing things other than sex. And he said he earned a bunch of money while doing things just because he wanted to. He desired to go through the darkest slums to the heights of the heaven if he could. He yearned to explore the world and just have fun. And it sounded fun to me, too. He made me yearn for something, and it made me realize that I'm a human too, and not just a sex tool. He told me about freedom and dreams, and that I can have those things, too. I wish to be like him someday, even if not as smart and good as he was, and he told me I can be what I want to be if I strive and work hard to reach for it. He made me see what I want to be once I escape this hellish place I'm in. I heard it was hard and very dangerous," for the first time, Mami's empty eyes shone and sparkled with hope. "But I want to be a hunter too someday."

"What a coincidence," as the rollercoaster halted into a stop and Mami's story had a hanging but hopeful ending, Kurapika slipped his hand into his pocket and he pulled out his Hunter card. "I'm a hunter, too."

"Oh my God!" Mami excitedly chirped as she peered at Kurapika's card. "May I take a look?" He handed it to her which she hesitantly took, eyes roving on it with her fingertips carefully running against its prints. "Is this a real Hunter card?"

"Yes. I passed the Hunter exam around one year ago. I was nineteen."

"Really? There is no age limit for the applicants? I thought I need to be at least twenty-one years old or something."

"I met my closest friends there and two of them are both twelve years old. One of them passed along with me, and that was our very first try to take the test."

"Wow!" She happily exclaimed. Hands shaking, she returned his card to him. "Is that really possible?"

"Yes. If you're tough enough and you really desire to be one, you can be a hunter regardless of your past, age, race and character. It might be really hard, people also die and get hurt during the exam and you might fail, but that is how it goes. You can retake the exam as many times as you can. I know someone who retook it for thirty-five times. I think he's still on the game," he mentally sighed as he remembered Tonpa the rookie crusher.

"I see," Mami was briefly spooked, but the burning glint in her eyes was still there. "I'll try my best, then."

"Do you want me to help you in any way?" Kurapika might not be able to give his all in offering his help, but he did want to get this poor girl out of her misery. "We can have the casa abolished with the help of the Hunter Association. I cannot promise, but we can try to request the casa to be investigated."

"No, thank you, sir," Mami shook her head. "Even if the Hunter Association intervenes, I don't think the casa can be brought down that easily. I fear for the children's safety as well: the casa have more than a hundred children in their custody. It was a big circuit of corruption and power playing. I did my own digging, but it was really complicated. I know that I don't have the power to save everyone in the casa now, but maybe when I become a hunter in the future, I might be able to save lives that had the same fate as me. I might not be able to change the world by saving a child or two, but I might change those children's world if I do what I can."

'She'll make a wonderful hunter,' Kurapika could tell, and he wished she could be one.

Kurapika was a bit awed at the amusing and ironic similarity of the root of their dream to be a hunter. They were inspired by the tales of a hunter's adventure; him from a book and her from a drunk's babbler. They both strived for freedom; him from the Rukuso village's limits and restrictions for being a Kuruta and her to find herself and her true worth. However, there was a big difference; of what they had become as they set on their journey. Kurapika's once pure, brave heart had now become filled with rage and sadness while Mami's had turned from wrecked and torn into a heart of steel. Hope lived in her eyes; he could see that she was determined to get herself out of her misery without relying on any man's help so she wouldn't be in debt to anyone and no one could claim her. She had gone into hell and was still there, and she outlasted it. To endure being maltreated for so long would taint one's hope for a better life, he would bet that people from the casa were imbuing their victims to think that way and Mami surely must have reached that point too but there she was, wearing a pretty smile that looked real which brought out her beauty even more.. Kurapika must be stronger, smarter and tougher than she was, but Mami was more courageous and tenacious than him and he secretly thought that he was no match for her.

Their conversation went on throughout the evening.

Mami answered all of Kurapika's questions without asking anything back. The worst orders she ever received and how she endured and completed it (if she did), what she did whenever she had to sleep with someone she didn't like, if she served someone whom she hated to the marrow of her bones and how she pulled it off, if someone ever tried to save her and if she ever tried to escape, of the styles and games she was forced to play.

In return, Kurapika told her about the Hunter Exam: the dangers it might pose but the rewarding feeling of passing the exam and having the card on his hand only to find out that he just had a passport but not a ticket to the final destination—that there was something more about being a hunter (he decided not to introduce her to nen yet. She would surely come across it if she managed to get into the exam). This was to warn Mami of what she was about to face if she pushed through her dream. Kurapika dreaded that this might disheartened her but it wasn't the case: Mami never showed any hint of hesitation and intently listened to his tips and pointers. Mami shared to him her tactics of how to get a man around her fingers to do her biddings; Kurapika inquired if she practiced any form of martial arts and listed off the types he thought the most suitable for her to try. Mami never asked anything personal question to him, not even why he became a hunter, and Kurapika was relieved with that so he took it upon himself to inform her the highlights of the Hunter exam, the uses and perks of the Hunter card, the do's and don'ts of being a hunter, the type of hunter she could become. Mami told him the places she had been by accompanying her customers, the mixture of good and bad men she serviced, when she was beaten by a customer almost to death. It was an interesting exchange of stories from two different people living in two entirely different worlds. Time flew right out of the window. One moment Mami wore a mischievous and daring allure, next she would laugh heartily out loud. The way she change her character slightly disarmed Kurapika, but perhaps it was included in her skills set.

The chat somehow tiptoed on romance. For a gorgeous woman, Mami admitted she had low standards. She wasn't searching for a man who could give her the sun and moon and all the riches of the world. She said he didn't have to be the most handsome man on the planet. He didn't even have to be insanely good at sex. If someone would come to be with her forever, she admitted that all he had to be was a compassionate man who would treat her right and see her as an equal, not a trophy or possession. That was how she valued her own worth, something that perhaps Kurapika lost along the way of his journey to achieve his goals.

Before they knew it, it was already past four o'clock midnight.

"I think it's now a good time for you to go, you look tired," Kurapika stifled a small yawn.

"I have never talked this long in my entire life. Yes, I'm tired but it was truly fun," Mami's eyes indicated that she was sleepy, but she looked like she could go for another hour. "Same goes for you, Mister. Dmitri-sama usually retires and dismisses us around this time. I will now take my leave so you can at least catch some sleep as well," she got on her feet and pushed the chair back under the coffee table.

"Hmm, wait. One last question," Kurapika whimsically said as Mami ambled closer to the door.

"Fire away."

"Do you know what that hunter's name you told me about is? I'm a bit curious. If he had gone through that many expeditions, he must be famous."

"Of course, I do," Mami replied dreamily. "I tried to look for him, actually, but to no avail. He never went back to the bar even once. The bartender said he was really that kind of person: he rarely appears and very hard to look for. But I can never forget his face and name. To be honest, I also hope I can meet him again someday to thank him. Who knows, maybe I will bump into Ging Freecs in the future, when I finally become a hunter."

'Freecs?' could she be referring to…

'What a small world,' it looked like Gon wasn't the only one hunting down for his father. This was funnily amusing: he now could see where Gon's influential streak came from.

"I heard his name, but I never personally met him."

"I see," Mami nodded with a lilt of disappointment in her voice. "May I say something, too?"

"Sure."

"I think your special someone is very lucky to have you."

This caught Kurapika off guard.

"Thank you so much for the very wonderful night, Mister."

With a flick of her dress, Mami bowed, opened the door and stepped out, leaving Kurapika momentarily dumbstruck and staring at the door as it closed.