"I've always enjoyed catching up with you, especially out here," the old man beamed. "Nature has a way of bringing ou—"

The younger man sighed, "The enlightened words of the soul… yes, you've said this many times before, sensei."

"I told you to stop calling me that," he sipped his tea and stretched his legs out in the grass. "It's been decades since I've properly taught you and… I'd think you'd be the last to show respect, Ryu."

Ryu adjusted his ebony braid, placing it behind his shoulder, "If not now, when?"

"How are things? Still searching for that dragon… Babayaga?"

Ryu traced a finger around the teacup on the stump, "Of course, however I haven't been able to find much on it. I had the opportunity to go on an expedition with Ging, but… someone called me and asked about having tea in the middle of no—"

"Glad to hear it's going well then!" Netero laughed, the wind blowing his hair. "Beyond is preparing to head an exploration party himself. Why not inquire with him as well?"

"Because he's an ass..." Ryu muttered.

Netero took another sip, "You two always had such nice things to say about each other. I find it so cute!"

Ryu fidgeted with his earrings, "Anyway, how are things on your end?"

"Fine, fine. Though I haven't had a chance to get out and do anything active." Netero yawned. "It's as if the Zodiacs think I'm decrepit."

Ryu took a sip of his tea, "They wouldn't be wrong."

"If I recall, we came to a draw in our last match… unless you'd like to have a rematch?"

"Nope," Ryu sighed. "Well," he tilted his head, "only if you fought me at full power. That'd be really fun. You only showed me one hand of Guanyin last time, I'd like to see them all."

"Who's that?" Netero smiled. He opened his eyes and looked squarely at Ryu, "Have you been a father to your daughter, recently?"

"Chichi is off searching for a jewel, as usual." Ryu's face became stone. "I'm not sure what she intends to do with this one, but it'd be great if she could stop using my estate as a storage unit."

"Now is not the time to act ignorant, Ryūnosuke."

Ryu shrugged, "I opted to entertain for good reason; there's nothing to tell! I haven't seen Jun in years. Besides," he grumbled, "it's not my fault. She hasn't reached out, at all."

Netero threw a small twig at him, "It's the parent's responsibility to communicate."

"She's old enough to do that herself." Ryu picked off the loose bark of the stump.

The chairman threw another twig at him, "Your stubbornness goes unsurpassed."

"She's welcome back," Ryu replied, "and you told her I'm proud of her."

"I'm sure she'd prefer to hear both from you," Netero replied. "Wouldn't you want to hear those words from your parents?"

Ryu shot a look at Netero, feeling a phantom pain in the scar on his face, "Not then and not now."

"Perhaps, that's why you can't relate." Netero shook the tea around in the cup. "When she returns home, welcome her with open arms."

"How are you so sure she'll come back?"

In Netero's eyes were wistfulness, "They always do."

Rays of heat peaked through the canopy, providing an idyllic scene for those who cared to observe it, awakening the refreshed girl who slept beneath the trees. The warmth stirred her and she yawned while covering her face. The sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling served a natural relaxant and after she sat up, she felt at ease.

Did I die? This place is too peaceful, she thought, looking around the area, What happened?

After rising, a sharp pain in her back served to remind her of the violent reunion she'd had with her sister the night before. Shaking her head, she put it behind her and sought to find a way back to camp. In the first hour, she headed in what she thought was the right direction, but was led further away than before. By the second hour's passing, she'd figured something was amiss as she hadn't arrived back, but by the time she'd made her way to the spot she'd slept at the night before, she was completely out of the area of reference, having traveled much further than before.

She rubbed her temples, "If I'd stayed… I wouldn't be lost, but I would've lost. When did she get so strong?" Jun kicked a rock absentmindedly and heard the plunk it made in the river. The sound caught her eye and she immediately felt a resurgence, thinking that if anyone was in the area they'd camp by a body of water.

In her excitement, she broke into a jog and eventually began to run down the stream. It led along to a path of dead grass, having been flattened out recently and let her know that the area had only just been settled in or passed through. Whoever, or whatever, lied beyond she hoped would be civil and followed the trail until she found a small clearing, somewhat bigger than that of the one Chinatsu occupied. This time, the body that occupied it seemed to be alive, as evidenced by his light breathing.

From where she was standing, she saw the man's position the clearest; he lied with one leg bent and another stretched, his hand lazily situated on his abdomen. As she advanced closer, she heard a soft snore emitting from him. He wasn't immediately recognizable and as time passed, Jun wasn't sure she'd seen the man ever. As it were, she couldn't shake the familiarity of the aura surrounding him. She stopped walking when his arms stretched skywards, his eyes landing on her frame. When his sight adjusted to the light, it became clear a ghost of the past had come back to haunt him. The man that lied underneath the tree rested his head on a fist, internally distraught by the nightmare of his childhood that'd made his home in his mind.

A smirk danced onto his face as she walked closer.

"Good afternoon, Jun-kun."

Jun's muscles tensed, "One after another."

Why is he here?, Jun thought, unsure of how to feel, Is it better to be in the company of someone I can't stand or be alone?

"Something seems to be troubling you," Hisoka sat up against the tree. "What's wrong?"

Jun shook her head, "You're not supposed to exist to me."

Hisoka's eyebrows raised, though the statement cut him, "Am I dead?"

"To me."

He didn't reply, mostly unsure of what to say as he didn't expect to have the chance to speak to her again. His mind went back to the Troupe, the boss… he glanced at her, noticing she carried nothing and had only the clothes on her back.

"Where is your precious danchou?" Hisoka surveyed the dirt on her face and the wear in her eyes. "You look like you've been through quite a lot, Jun."

She looked away, incredulous at his words, "I got lost."

Stop talking to him, you idiot, Jun cursed herself in her head.

"No effect without cause…" Hisoka started, intending for her to answer. When she kept silent, he shut his eyes and heaved a sigh. "If it matters, I'm sorry fo—"

Jun adjusted her hair, "Why did you lie?"

"I saw deception as the only option," he twisted his hair. "I'm sure I don't have to assume you've done lied, at least once."

"Don't compare me to you," Jun shook her head. "Nothing matters to me that much to li—"

"The Troupe?" He cut in.

Jun rolled her eyes, "I told the truth and suffered the consequences."

"Ugh, you know what I meant… but I tell you, I'm not interested in grudge holding," Hisoka responded, picking at his finger nails. "I am, however, interested in a partnership." Jun's face contorted at the word, though on the inside she slightly welcomed the idea. "You're aware of the game by now, I assume?"

"Yeah," Jun mumbled, wanting to look at anything but him. "But I don't have a book, or any cards."

Why did you do it, Hiso?, she wondered.

Hisoka smiled, "So, what do you say?"

"There'd be no reason to."

"You can pretend to hate me, but it's dangerous for you to be on your own… or did you get your Nen back?"

Of all the things to remember..., she thought, he's right, though. I'm too vulnerable and that fight with Chi was proof.

Jun walked towards the edge of the lake, taking a seat when she found a spot she liked. Keeping silent for a time, Jun was unsure of how the renewed partnership would work after what he'd done. However, having him as a bodyguard could prove useful and she was willing to go along, if only for a while.

"Fine." Jun shrugged. A devious look formed on her face, "But, how can I be sure you're not lying about this, too? What i—"

Hisoka's eyes narrowed and the look in his eyes quieted Jun, "I apologized," a sour look spreading on his face as he said the word, "already."

Jun turned her head and observed the lake, not wanting to engage him in petty fights any longer. Her eyes cast down to its surface, the clouds it reflected placid as ever. As his eyes bore into her, he couldn't help but wonder about the reasoning behind her discontentment; she wasn't the target, only a casualty. She felt a presence and looked out of the corner of her eye to see Hisoka sitting beside her, as if things were back to normal. Jun positioned herself to move away, but she stopped short of it and took a deep breath.

Hisoka cut in before she could speak, "What would you do if I killed Chrollo?"

Jun shut her eyes and in her temporary darkness, she could feel his icy gaze. She thought him bold to ask such a question, given her departure with the Troupe leader and evident loyalty she had towards the boss. Nevertheless, the murkiness of her feelings towards the golden-eyed man overshadowed that of the cross-bearer. Now wasn't the time to question her loyalties. Being on the receiving end of his insecure question, she offered him an unclear resolution.

"I'm your partner, aren't I?"