Author's Note: So, this alternate ending is a bit darker than my original. I didn't want to put it for the canon ending, but I did work hard on it and thought it might still be enjoyed. There will be adult content (of course) so fair warning. My adorable fiance beta read this and helped me with a few of the ideas, so here's to you! 3

MiU set down a plate full of deviled eggs, chips, pretzels, tiny hot dogs, and cupcakes on the dining room table she had moved from her apartment kitchen to the center of her living room. Immediately, her guests came over and began taking their own share, piling up their plates and leaving the once full platter in shambles.

Hisoka leaned against the wall next to Machi as MiU took the tray back to the kitchen with a defeated sigh.

"So...come here often?"

Machi wordlessly moved away to the other side of the room to stand next to Wing and Zushi, who surveyed her almost warily.

In a less tense area of the room, Aro hid a snicker as he stole a chip from Onna's own carefully organized plate, each category of snack separated and neatly piled in little heaps. She smacked his hand, causing the chip to fall right back in place.

"Ow!" Aro rubbed his hand with a pout. "Yeah, can you not hit people for no reason?"

"Keep your voice down. You're being rude to Miu's guests."

"Hey," Gon slide over to Onna and tugged on her sleeve. "Miu said you have this really cool technique that's been passed down forever. Can I see?"

"Did she mention it was supposed to be kept a secret?" Onna said through gritted teeth as she looked around for the host.

Gon blinked. "It was?"

"Don't worry lady, she didn't tell him what it was." Killua said nonchalantly as he stuffed his face with his plate of exclusively cupcakes. "She'd never tell him, Gon can't keep a secret."

"Hey!" Gon said defensively. "That's not true! I didn't tell her you were the one who ate all the other cupcakes-!"

"Shut up stupid!"

Machi sighed to herself and munched on a deviled egg. "Why am I here….?"

Wing cleared his throat. "Didn't Miu invite you?"

"I suppose."

Hisoka had mentioned that he and Miu were coming back in town so she could visit her friends, and was going to throw a small party at her place. He had also mentioned Miu would have liked her to come by; of course Machi refused.

Initially.

"But Hisoka promised he'd pay me double for his next injury if I showed up for a bit." Machi was already beginning to regret her decision; sure, having Hisoka owe her was a nice feeling, but maybe it wasn't worth having to alternate between avoiding him, being civil to these strangers, and having to watch Hisoka eye Miu lustily every time she so much as stepped near him.

"This is disturbing." Machi popped a pretzel in her mouth, feeling some satisfaction at hearing it crunch; she wished she could break one of Hisoka's bones, but then he might withdraw his bribe. She scanned the room; she recognized only Hisoka, Gon, Killua, and Miu.

"So...how do you know Miu?" Zushi attempted to make polite conversation; Miu already had enough to do with feeding and keeping her guests entertained, the least he could do was try to lighten up the mood.

"She helped me with directions in another town."

"Oh...um, me and Master Wing met her at Heaven's Arena a couple years ago. He taught her nen." Zushi offered.

This seemed to peak Machi's attention, if only a bit.

"Tell me something." Machi's gaze flitted over to Miu as she scolded Hisoka for making Aro stick to the wall he was leaning against. "Is she really on par with him?"

"Hisoka?" Zushi's own gaze traveled to where Machi was staring.

"I would assume she was talking about the magician." Onna had appeared with them to escape listening to Gon and Killua's bickering. "How do you know Miu?"

Machi frowned slightly. "Does it matter?"

Onna sent her a look. "I'm simply surprised she'd invite someone who can't bother to make polite conversation at a party she was invited to."

"Seeing as how this is her home, I find it surprising she would invite someone so quick to pick a fight with a perfect stranger."

"I'm just trying to get to the bottom of why Miu allowed such an unsociable stranger to a party of friends. I wouldn't say it was too much of a stretch to assume she felt she had to invite you due to your association with the magician."

Machi and Onna sized each other up before looking away pointedly, each with subdued frowns and narrowed eyes. Wing and Zushi edged away with uncomfortable grimaces as they sensed the chilly aura emanating from each woman.

"This is the most polite trash talking I've ever heard…." Aro thought to himself as Hisoka finally let him go; he was smiling at the younger man quite pleasantly. "So, this is him huh? Miu must be into some weirder shit than I thought..."

"Killua, that's my cupcake!"

Killua smirked and stuffed the whole thing in his mouth, licking his lips in satisfaction. "Serves you right for eating my snacks the other day."

"I was hungry!" Gon glared at him childishly. "You're just trying to hoard all of Miu's cupcakes!"

"No!"

"Now boys, don't you think you could stop this? Maybe instead of fighting you could help Miu in the kitchen?" Wing suggested sternly.

"Mr. Wing, why aren't you helping her?" Gon posed the question with genuine curiosity.

"I, well-"

"Master Wing tried before everyone got here, but he made Miu burn the first batch of hot dogs and then he ruined her stove-"

"Ha, seriously?!" Killua snickered along with Aro who had just joined the group once out of Hisoka's radar.

"Yeah, this guy once burned water trying to help make tea!" Aro slapped Wing's back playfully. "Hey, remember how the untucked side of your shirt caught fire when-?"

"Aro, you're interested in how nen is supposed to work, right? Perhaps you'd like a demonstration of ko."

"Yeah, I'm good…" Aro's nervous gaze slipped over briefly to where Machi and Onna stood a foot apart, avoiding each other's gazes but very clearly both were not on the best terms from the almost identically imperceptible frowns. "Wow, you'd think as alike as they seem they'd be getting along."

Gon looked over unabashedly. "Well, Killua's my best friend and we're pretty different."

"Shut up!" Killua turned away, cheeks flushed just barely as he covered Gon's mouth with a slap. "And stop staring, you'll just make them more irritated."

"Now, now, where are your boy's manners? Ah, but it's so adorable how rambunctious you are." Hisoka, unsurprisingly, appeared out of thin air. "Still, I'm anticipating the day you both mature accordingly. I suppose until then I'll just have to occupy myself with...other pursuits."

"What, you mean being a pervert?"

Hisoka shot Aro a smug smirk. "Do I sense jealousy?"

"Yeah, 'cause everyone here wasn't thinking the same thing…"

Killua was glaring venomously up at the smiling man. "Why are you here anyway?"

"I never thought Miu would have such hostile friends; I suppose it can't be helped. I am the only one here who has only the best intentions for her."

Wing raised an eyebrow. "Surely you're joking?"

Gon raised his face from his plate. "Who told a joke?"

"Hisoka." Machi had pried herself from her wallflower position and marched up to said man with a cold stare. "I've been here for exactly too long. I met your conditions; I'm leaving."

"You're leaving?" Miu was coming over to the group with a fresh tray of brownies and a pitcher of lemonade. "You just got here."

"I wasn't planning on coming in the first place." Machi said thinly and sent Hisoka an annoyed glance. "My apologies, but I didn't intend to stay long."

"Oh...I feel bad, I didn't even really get to talk with you." Miu smiled apologetically. "Hold on, let me pack you some food. I made plenty-"

"Machi, you're so cold to refuse her hospitality." Hisoka chimed in with a disapprovingly condescending tone. "And here I was hoping we could all get to know each other a bit more intimately."

"Hisoka, stop bugging her." Miu said firmly. "I'm not gonna have you being a fucking creep to my guests. Why don't you make yourself useful and do some party tricks or something?" she frowned at Hisoka's sudden excited grin. "Wait, never mind. Just-I don't know, keep your hands to your sides or something."

Miu turned to Zushi and bent down a bit to get to his eye level. "Zushi, want to have some of the leftover cake batter? You can lick the spoon."

"Sure!" Zushi raced to the kitchen; Gon was looking on enviously.

"Wait, I want some too!" he zoomed after Zushi, almost knocking over a chair in his haste.

"Killua, do you want to go to?"

"Yeah, I guess…" Killua folded his hands above his head. "I'll make sure they stay in line. You gotta keep an eye on kids, you know?"

Miu smiled. "You don't say?"

Killua nodded. "Gon's not as mature as me and he might be a bad influence on Zushi. But don't worry, I got this."

The hand that gently ruffled his hair caught him off guard.

"Thanks; and help yourself to as many cupcakes as you want."

"It's not a big deal." Killua puffed out his chest with an aloof pout, eyes averted as he made his way to the kitchen. "Leave it to me."

Miu successfully kept herself from snorting in laughter as he nearly tripped over the edge of the carpet.

"They really are children after all." Machi commented absently.

"Yeah, they're good kids. So, do you want me to pack you some of the chips too?"

"I'm not that hungry."

"Oh. Well, it was nice seeing you again. Sorry about Hisoka; he sort of talked you into this, didn't he?"

"Yes. But it was my mistake to assume I'd be able to tolerate him for more than a few minutes."

"Sorry."

Machi clicked her tongue. "Why do you keep apologizing?"

"I asked him to try to get you here, but I meant for him to just ask you." Miu rolled her eyes; Hisoka was busy trying to goad Onna into using her sword. "I'm sure you get enough men bothering you as it is."

Machi blinked. "Which means?"

"You probably don't remember, but me and Aro saw you around the city once. You know, we both thought you were a model or something; who knew you knew this douche?" Miu nodded over to Hisoka; he waggled his fingers at both of them playfully while Onna steamed quietly as she refrained from giving him the satisfaction of seeing her squirm.

"I still find it hard to believe you're as strong as him." Machi remarked none too tactfully.

"Gee thanks...don't get me wrong, I only almost beat him by luck. Plus, he didn't know this new move I was working on." Miu shrugged. "But I've been working really hard; I guess I still have a ways to go before I'm on his level exactly."

"Are you really a Hunter like him?"

"Like Hisoka?"

Machi sighed in slight impatience; it felt like she was talking to a parrot. A really dumb, clueless parrot.

"Yes. Do you fight for the sake of it?"

"Nah, not me." Miu shook her head. "Actually, I want to be a Trouble Hunter."

Machi said nothing, though she had to admit, she was the tiniest bit curious. She herself had never actually met a Trouble Hunter. Not that she wished to; but still, even she was allowed moments to be curious, wasn't she?

"A Trouble Hunter?" Machi wanted to cringe as she accidentally echoed Miu's words. "It's contagious…"

"I guess it might sound kinda boring, but...I don't think there's anything else I've ever wanted to do. I spent so much time looking for something to work toward; maybe Hisoka's right and I'm wasting my potential as a fighter." Miu rolled her eyes once more at the face she could imagine Hisoka making at her statement. "If I can...I'd like to help people. There's enough good ass kickers; I think what some people really need is to know the world isn't as shitty as it seems to be. At least, it doesn't always have to be."

"If I stay a bit longer, will you stop rambling?"

Miu couldn't help laugh a bit despite feeling offended; this lady really was too much like Onna, she was shocked they didn't join forces.

"Yeah, sure. Help yourself to the food if you get hungry, okay?"

"Miu, I can't turn on the TV!" Aro called out.

"Is it still unplugged?"

"Yeah. Plug it back in for me?!"

"You bum." Miu groaned in exasperation and left Machi alone to wonder what the hell she had just done.

"Machi, you big old softie."

"Got bored already?" Machi muttered; Onna was sitting next to Aro now, holding the remote away as they argued what to watch.

"You like her."

"I find her irritatingly snobby."

"No, no, not the samurai. I meant Miu."

"I thought it would be rude to take off so suddenly; unlike some people, I actually have manners. Besides, I need to kill the time before I have to head over to Yorknew City."

"Come on, loosen up. Miu asked you to stay longer, didn't she? Her needless kindness almost makes you forget how simple she really is."

Machi made no reply for the backhanded compliment as Hisoka lowered his voice, eyes still trained on where Miu was wrestling Killua away from Zushi and Gon, who were grinning broadly. They had dumped what looked like a bowl of batter on his head; Aro was howling with laughter while Wing sighed in defeat and took a seat next to a vaguely amused Onna.

"It's so frustrating though; I've been trying to point her in the right direction forever now. She's so stubborn, won't do anything unless it's on her terms. But she's much more compromising with you."

"I am a guest. She should be treating me with consideration."

Hisoka leaned over slightly to whisper. "Isn't she cute? You know, I bet we can have all sorts of fun together..."

"Please keep me out of your sick fantasies. It's bad enough you somehow roped her into them." Machi shuddered just slightly, not bothering to try to figure out what Miu was doing with someone like Hisoka. Perhaps his theory on opposite nen auras and opposing attractions had some merit. After all, they were both transmuters, and she detested him.

"It seems everyone is catching a bad case of envy today. Miu is my toy, like all my others; she just happens to be a favorite." Hisoka chuckled blithely, as if he wasn't enjoying every minute of the conflict he caused. "But it seems to upset so many people."

"Of course you wouldn't get why she shouldn't be anywhere near you." Machi replied simply. "Miu has a promising future. She's someone who will be useful to this world, even if it's in an ultimately insignificant way."

"Now Machi, do keep in mind it's rude to play with other people toys without permission."

Machi stiffened at his suddenly hostile aura.

"You wouldn't do that to an old friend, would you?"

Machi scoffed lightly. "I couldn't care less what you or her get up to; I'm merely making an observation. I must admit, I pity her. But then, she should know better if she knows you as well as she seems to."

Hisoka frowned. "You really are as dull as that woman."

Two hours later, Onna had disappeared (with one last glare at Machi), Aro was helping clean up the mess, and the rest of Miu's house guests were bidding her farewell.

"Thank you again for having us over. I apologize for Zushi and Gon, and yes, you too Killua. You nearly trashed Miu's kitchen." Wing said with a frown; all three boys were still messy with cake batter.

"Sorry Miu." Zushi bowed. "It won't happen again!"

"Yeah, I guess we sort of overdid it." Gon smiled sheepishly.

Killua sneered. "We? You guys messed up."

"You almost electrocuted me!" Zushi accused in disbelief.

"You asked for it."

Gon stuck out his tongue. "Stop acting like you're the boss of us Killua!"

"Whatever. And you guys started it!"

"Did not!"

"Did to!"

Wing ushered the boys out with a heavy sigh. "Goodnight Miu."

"It was fun guys, thanks for coming by!" Miu waved as they descended down the stairs; Machi was ignoring them all as she stood by the mouth of the stairwell. "Oh wow...I wasn't expecting all that shit. But it was nice."

"You call that chaos nice?"

"Well, it was nice to have everyone here." Miu amended. "It's nice to have people around I guess."

"Whatever you say. I'll be going."

"Machi!"

"What is it?" Machi was already halfway down the steps.

"Thanks for sticking around. Maybe you can stop by again if Hisoka's off on his own…"

Machi shrugged her shoulders. "If you insist, I suppose if I have the time and need lodging."

Miu smiled wryly as she watched the woman walk away. "Geez, what a tsundere…"

While Miu was saying goodbye, Hisoka and Aro were busy with their own conversation; if it could be called something that civil.

Aro had just finished sweeping the floors of crumbs and collapsed on the couch adjacent from Hisoka, who was leaning against the wall, idly shuffling his deck as he waited for Miu to be done with the tedious pleasantries.

"So...do you get gigs at kids parties or do you just wear that for the hell of it?"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with a petty boy's jealousy. Just because Miu rejected you, it doesn't mean you need to pick a fight." Hisoka smiled genially. "After all, she is her own person; she could leave anytime she wanted, so save your little threatening speech for someone else, will you?"

Aro smiled back. "Yeah, I'm not worried. But it's funny; you must think you're something real special."

"Pardon?"

"Yeah, don't get me wrong, you're not exactly the every day guy. I can't sense nen, but even I know it'd be stupid to fuck with you. Still, you don't have anything going for you, at least nothing that's gonna keep her around for long."

Hisoka chuckled briefly. "I like your spirit. Are you trying to challenge me?"

"Miu didn't pick either of us; yeah, she's sleeping with you, but she didn't choose you. She's told me all about you, how you operate. She knows you don't care and she's going to keep herself from getting too attached; Miu's smart. She knows this can't last. Didn't you?"

Aro winced; in the blink of an eye, a card was being pressed very lightly against his neck.

"I don't appreciate being talked down to by some weakling. Get over your little crush and stop trying to intimidate me. My patience is wearing thin."

To his credit, Aro actually laughed. "Hey, I'm just being honest. You know you're not her priority. You know she has a lot going for her and how this'll end, right? Someday she'll meet someone who's worth her time and then she'll really forget all about you. She'll just move on whatever else is more important."

Aro made himself look Hisoka in the eyes as he felt the card press just a little bit closer to his skin; maybe he was being reckless, but he didn't care. Miu was still his friend.

"And how would Miu feel knowing you're talking like this behind her back?"

"Who do you think she goes to when she needs to talk about what a dick you are?"

"And this is coming from the one holding Miu back? You and those others are the distractions consuming precious time and energy that she could be expending on honing her skills. Someday she'll mature into my equal and when that day comes…." Hisoka licked his lips slowly and Aro edged away for the first time. "Miu just needs someone to nurture her growth. She needs me."

"Yeah, for someone who acts so smug, there's a lot you don't seem to understand about your position. So maybe you should stop talking down to me. Face it man; when it comes right down to it, you don't matter."

Miu opened the door, fumbling with the rusty lock as she nearly had to force it open.

"Shit, I gotta get this fixed. Hisoka, I sensed your bloodlust." Miu sounded almost bored. "Did I miss something?"

"Certainly not; I was merely thinking how fun it would be if you, Machi, and I had a three way death match." Hisoka was leaning against the opposite side of the room, playing with his cards. Aro was slouched lazily on the recliner and gave Miu a little smile.

Miu waved back glumly. "Anyway….Aro, thanks for keeping the house clean while I've been gone. Me and Hisoka are going to stay in a motel and leave in the morning. Are you sure you have everything you need?"

"Yeah. Trust me, I've got it under control." Aro sent Hisoka a grin as soon as Miu turned away to get her bag. "Today was a lot of fun."

Once Miu had said goodbye and given Aro a list of things he might want to get checked in the apartment, she and Hisoka hopped in their rental car to drive away. As much fun as it had been, Miu was feeling exhaustion set in and she looked forward to getting plenty of sleep before she and Hisoka set out on their travels.

"Well, that went pretty good." Miu started the engine. "I've never thrown a party before."

"Yes...it was quite an experience."

As soon as they arrived at the motel, Miu felt a sharp sense of relief; the whole ride Hisoka had been eerily silent. He just stared out the window with an odd little smile on his face, seemingly lost in thought the whole way. She knew Aro had most likely said something about Hisoka and her being together, but Miu couldn't fathom what Aro could have possibly said to make Hisoka feel threatened or on edge. She decided to chalk up his odd behavior to him being annoyed she had spent most of the party scolding him and attempting to entertain and cater to the rest of her guests.

"Well, what does he expect?" Miu thought to herself ruefully as she lugged her bag onto a small, somewhat dated looking couch; Hisoka wanted to check in somewhere more comfortable, but Miu didn't want to waste time waiting for a nice room to open up at a luxurious hotel. She knew if they had to spend the night at her apartment with Aro, things would have really gone downhill and it was obvious whose side she was bound to take.

At the moment all Miu really wanted was to get plenty of sleep before they had to head out in the morning.

"You look happy."

Miu shrugged at Hisoka's remark; truthfully, she was still feeling a buzz from all the festivities. She had to do a lot more work than she once assumed, what with cooking, speaking with everyone, cleaning up the mess, and keeping the peace in general, but it was the first party she had ever been to and it was with friends. It was almost like a caffeine high and part of her wanted to stay up and move her faintly restless legs.

"You had a big day." Hisoka smiled lightly and flopped down on the sagging mattress; to his credit he didn't even grimace at the admittedly dinky room. Instead, he patted the spot next to him. "Miu, sit down. You're more tired than you realize; remember what I told you about runner's high? Having a fun time can have the same effects, and you need to be well rested if we're going to move on to transmutation tomorrow."

"First of all, I don't know if I want you teaching me." Miu retorted as she busied herself putting away her own towel and toothbrush in the tiny bathroom. "Also, I can't help that I'm not tired. I don't think I could go to sleep if I tried."

"Lie down and just clear your thoughts; you're already used to doing so for meditation, aren't you?" Hisoka reminded her; his suggestion sounded like one a person would make in the tone for speaking to a child, but Miu chose to let it slide. She took up the left side of the bed and got under the covers, eyes staring straight up at the ceiling.

"It's not working."

"Well, maybe you need another way to relax." Hisoka's bemused smile was blocking out the light from the dimming bulb that hung unshaded above the doorway; Miu felt torn between slight exasperation and arousal as he kissed the side of her neck and pulled her close enough to almost hurt. Pain and sex usually went hand in hand to varying degrees depending on Hisoka's mood.

"Doesn't everything?" Miu sighed and put her hands on his shoulders to get him to stop, but before she could, Hisoka had pulled away on his own. Miu looked over in concern as he sat on the other end of the bed, frowning and checking his phone.

"Hm...forgive me my dear, but it seems I'm late for a job with my associate." Hisoka flashed her a coy smile. "It seems your beauty has distracted me."

Miu's eyes rolled up to the ceiling and she shook her head. "Uh-huh. Go on, just make sure you're back before we have to leave, alright? If you're late I'll head out first and you can take a later train."

"Will do. I swear this won't be but an hour at the most."

Hisoka blew her a kiss (Miu actually flinched involuntarily) and was out the door in seconds; once he was sure Miu wouldn't be able to hear his conversation, he dialed Illumi's number. His fingers twitched around the cold metal as he spun the final touches of his plan in his brilliant mind; just as he felt ready to burst in excitement, the dial tone ended and a familiar but dull voice came from the other line.

"Hisoka?"

"Hello again~" Hisoka greeted with a friendly smile he knew Illumi wouldn't be able to see.

"What on earth could you want now?"

"Why do you assume I'm calling to ask a favor?"

Hisoka took the silence as a reply on it's own.

"Anyway...this is something only you can help me with."

"Or you simply have no one else willing to assist you more likely. If you do need an assassin, please keep in mind I don't work for charity."

"This will benefit you, if you play your...cards right."

"Get to the point."

Hisoka explained what he needed Illumi to do quickly; he truly was being honest, despite what his old associate might believe. He made up his mind; he was going to teach that brat a lesson, but he needed Illumi's skills to do it. If the job was done solo, Miu would undoubtedly suspect him.

Indeed it was only about forty minutes later when Hisoka came back into the motel room; Miu was still up and wrapped in the thin blankets, looking half asleep. Once she heard the door open, she sat up in bed and smiled.

"Hey, how'd it go?"

"About as well as one might expect." Hisoka replied easily; he climbed back into the bed with her and laid down on his back. "Have you been up this whole time?"

"Yeah. I know I have to sleep, but I guess I'm still kind of buzzed from the party." Miu yawned and rested her head in the crook of Hisoka's shoulder. "You don't sleep much at all, huh?"

"I don't really need to."

"I know Aro said something to bug you...but you had fun right? You gotta admit, it was pretty funny how Killua was trying to boss around Gon and Zushi in the kitchen." Miu laughed under her breath at the memory. "Well, it was funny until I saw what they did to my kitchen."

Hisoka looked down at her from the corner of his eye as he smiled. "It sounds like quite a mess."

Miu nuzzled into him and sighed. "I guess, but they're good kids. Killua actually is pretty mature for his age; he's one of Illumi's brothers isn't he? They must have all had to grow up pretty fast."

Hisoka chuckled in mirth. "Well, what do you expect from a family of assassins? It's in their blood."

"Sure, but come on, Killua's so talented, who knows what he could grow up to be?"

"Perhaps, but at the end of the day, he's a Zoldyck and that won't change. Then again, I have no such responsibilities." Hisoka shrugged cheerfully. "I try not to get involved unless it suits me; Illumi is his brother after all, and it'd be a nuisance to upset him and get in the way."

Miu's face took on a thoughtful frown. "He sounds pretty overprotective from what you've told me...still, I guess it's at least coming from good intentions. I never had a little brother; I wonder if I'd be that protective..."

"It's all about perspective my dear."

"Yeah, yeah. I hope things work out for them." Miu yawned and leaned in closer. "It sounds nice to have a big brother who worries about you…"

"Aren't I enough for companionship?"

Miu looked up uncertainly at Hisoka's expectant smile. "Well….you do...uh, well…."

"I see."

She smiled apologetically and kissed his lips softly. "How about you put me to bed? You make me tired enough just being yourself."

Hisoka ran a hand up and down her back and pressed his lips against Miu's jaw, dragging his teeth down the sensitive skin teasingly with a little smirk.

"Don't you have a way with words? I suppose I'll just have to comply."

"Don't force yourself." Miu said dully as she was pushed down on her back; Hisoka made quick work of her pants, but this time he managed not to scratch her thighs, something he relished in doing to make her gasp and wince. Miu stared down at him almost questioningly as he lightly thumbed her nipple through her pajama shirt until it was taut under the thin fabric.

"Hisoka?"

"What will get you to sleep? Are you happy just being rutted into like an animal in heat?" Hisoka murmured as he slipped a couple fingers down into her panties. "You're wet enough for it."

Miu grasped at his shoulders and rocked her hips against his hand, making his fingers slick as they slid up and down her folds experimentally.

"Don't tease...I'm tired."

"Have it your way." Hisoka smirked slightly and pulled himself out of his pants and rubbed his half hard cock, not bothering to take off anything else. "Spread your legs a bit more-that's it, wider. Good girl."

Miu breathed in sharply as he slammed inside her fully with one thrust; she swore she could feel the flushed head of his cock stab her cervix and slapped a hand over her mouth to keep from screaming.

"Feel free to scream if you really need to; it'll tire you out more." Hisoka nipped the shell of her ear and dug his hands into Miu's hips to make her move back against him; he moaned softly and chuckled as she turned her face away in embarrassment. "Why are you being shy now? You were so bold earlier and now you won't look at me?"

"Hisoka, please…"

Miu managed to pry her eyes open and look up at him; she never could feel completely at ease under his gaze, no matter how many times they were together. It was one of the reasons she preferred positions where she couldn't see his smug smile or his shining eyes as he helped himself to the sight of her whimpering and begging for more.

"Please what?"

"Cum inside me." Miu inhaled and gulped, wrapping her arms around his shoulders and spreading herself even wider; she pushed back along with his own steady pace.

"Like this?"

Hisoka's thrusts were now shallow in favor of rocking back and forth inside her so quickly, they could both hear how wet she was. If Miu had more shame she might have found this mortifying, but at the moment all she could do was hang on and let him do as he pleased; Miu was too exhausted to keep up, all she could contribute was her increasingly high pitched moans and biting and sucking different parts of his neck and shoulders as he yanked her body to press against his.

"Harder….oh god, keep going!" Miu sobbed and raked her short nails down his back to leave trails of red lines. "Harder, harder!"

"So needy. Is that really all you want?" Hisoka asked conversationally enough as he huffed into her ear. "Do you want me to make it impossible for you to get up in the morning?"

"I want you to fill me up, please!" Miu gasped softly as she could feel his pace pick up; she knew he was close, and at this point she was close to passing out. But she knew she couldn't just yet; she had to work for her sleep now. Hisoka wouldn't let up until he was certain she was desperate and on the verge of begging. "I just-I like feeling it drip out..."

Hisoka smiled; Miu could barely bring herself to get the words out above a whisper.

"Well then, who am I to say no?"

Miu sighed in relief as he rammed himself into her a few more times and stop abruptly; he let out a low, almost keening moan as he pulled out and she could feel something slowly running down her thighs and onto the bed.

Then they both heard his phone buzzing from the nightstand.

"Oh my, what is it now?" Hisoka sighed and wiped himself clean with the corner of the thinner blanket; he picked up his phone and answered with an almost clipped greeting. Miu smiled a bit to herself; she knew Hisoka hated to be interrupted when he was enjoying his high.

"It seems my associate had made a blunder and needs me to help." Hisoka told her after the short conversation. "Are you okay here alone?"

"Yeah…" Miu was perturbed; Hisoka never assumed she needed him to stick around. Ever since the party he had been acting a bit off.

"Maybe what Aro said really did strike a cord...nah, that's dumb." Miu thought with a chuckle as she sank back into the mattress; she enjoyed the seeping wetness between her thighs with an almost bashful smile despite Hisoka already have left. If she wasn't tired before, she was now.

"At the most, Aro annoyed him; he probably just wants to relax and doesn't want to deal with work."

About two blocks from the motel room, Hisoka had walking down the secluded sidewalk, smiling broadly and twirling a card in his hand.

Dealing with the boy was as easy and quick as it could have been, which was no surprise, but Hisoka found it a bit funny how quickly he was already forgetting his face, even as he recalled how his throat had been slit nearly down to the bone.

Hisoka had refrained from cutting out his vocal cords to make the kill look less conspicuous; it seems he wouldn't be the one who was so forgettable now. To his credit, Hisoka he could still see somewhat clearly the boy's blue eyes darken in fear and rage, cursing him, warning him to stay away from his friend. It was so futile, but his fire made him a bit excited all the same.

"Miu doesn't need friends obstacles like you." Hisoka had muttered loftily as soon as he was sure Aro was done bleeding out. For good measure, he had stolen a few things of value around the apartment only to dispose of them accordingly. There was nothing to trace it back to him, and he even had an alibi.

Hisoka had been waiting outside the motel for just a few minutes, waiting for his friend to return.

"Hisoka, finished so soon?"

"Good evening. I must say, that look suits you~"

The blank expression looked ridiculous on the fake Hisoka's painted face; the impostor made quick work of pulling out his needles and before the real Hisoka's amused gaze, the red hair shot out and turned black, the eyes turned wide and unblinking, and Illumi's profile stood before him in a matter of seconds.

"That really is quite fun to witness."

"I had a hard time holding this disguise." Illumi mumbled with barely a hint of irritation; it was only due to so much time spent in the other man's presence that Hisoka was able to detect it. "Is he dead?"

"As a door nail!" Hisoka grinned. "So?"

"She didn't suspect a thing."

"Are you really that dense? Come now, don't be bashful." Hisoka walked forward slowly with hooded eyes. "Wasn't she a fun toy?"

"You have no shame."

"Is this coming from the man walking about in public with stained pants?"

Illumi looked down. "Oh, it seems I didn't clean it off as well as I thought."

"Well, don't hold back on the details. Wasn't she cute? Did you notice how she clenches up on purpose just when you're just about to-"

"She waited up for you, so she probably will do so again. You should stop pestering me and go back."

"Don't sound so happy for me."

"I wasn't."

Hisoka clicked his tongue and crossed his arms with an irritatingly smug smirk. "I bet you didn't even try to make an excuse to go straight to sleep. You just went along with it and let instincts take over, didn't you?"

"It wasn't unpleasant." Illumi held out his hand. "My payment and Killua's whereabouts. I didn't learn anything talking with her."

"You need to push the issue more; Miu doesn't always get subtlety." Hisoka tossed over a rolled up bundle of bills. "On a different topic, I don't know where he is."

"Pardon?"

"I might have fibbed to get you more motivated."

Illumi just sigh through a thin mouth. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Are you certain she didn't notice anything stange?"

"She was easy to fool and to bed."

"Oh, is someone mad they have to go home? Or maybe you're just upset I lied about your beloved little brother?"

Hisoka knew Miu would never be interested in his acquaintance; she had no qualms about him wanting to add people, at the most she brushed him off, but she would just be too put off by Illumi's aura and disposition. Still, Illumi had passed the checklist and Hisoka knew he would never attempt to step out of line. He simply didn't care to and he knew the consequences were more trouble than they were worth.

"Did you tape it like I asked?"

"I forgot."

"Did you also forget that my fee included the video?"

Illumi handed back over a few of the bills; he may have looked at Hisoka"s disgruntled frown in amusement. "My mistake."

He turned on his heel and began to walk away, wallet a bit more full and he himself feeling strangely satisfied despite Hisoka's glossing over what he really required his skills for.

"Illumi."

"Hm?"

"Miu is mine. Please don't forget that tidbit if you ever wish to play with her again."

Illumi blinked slowly. "I don't wish to involve myself in your affairs. You paid for my services; this was business."

"Was it business when you asked her if she'd be alright alone?"

Illumi cocked his head to the side. "Is that not something you would have said? Wow. You must be her rock bottom, huh?"

"Well, you go back to stalking your little brother; I have my own business to attend to. I wonder if she's still wet or if she cleaned up yet."

The tip of Hisoka's tongue slowly wet his lips as he eyed Illumi's passive gaze. "If she's waiting for me still...I guess you weren't enough for her."

"More accurately, she thinks you weren't." Illumi corrected helpfully. "She must be disappointed; perhaps I won't even need to be the one to seek her out. If you know what I mean."

Hisoka's eyes narrowed as he smile turned strained. "Was that your idea of a joke or an insult?"

"Yes."

Hisoka glared as Illumi disappeared into the night.

"He's off the list…."