It was the night of the mission. The method had been talked about repeatedly. Everyone knew their role and places in this scheme, and if everything went according to plan, it would be finished in less than an hour. Machi was guarding the parameter, using her Nen strings attached to her fingers as trip wires. If there was any movement, her fingers would twitch and she would know exactly where the person was. As long as the guards stuck to their usual patrol routes, no one should be tripping her wires.

The others were in position, Shalnark was sticking people and controlling them, using their identification badges to get through the gates while the rest were in position, ready to move forward or defend each other. Machi was pleased with how everything was going, smoothly, but Hisoka sitting behind her and shuffling his deck of cars was starting to get on her nerves. She shook her head, refocusing on the mission and listening for anything out of the ordinary.

"Do you want a boy or a girl?" Hisoka suddenly asked.

Machi frowned, not turning to look at him, "Don't talk about that when someone could hear."

Hisoka was silent for a moment as he thought, "I want a girl."

This admission caused Machi to face Hisoka, a deep frown on her face, "Why?"

Hisoka shrugged, "I guess I think she would be more like you then."

Machi's face shown with shock, "And that'd be good?"

"Better you than me, right?" Hisoka smirked, "Besides, your Nen abilities are fascinating."

"Just because it's a girl, doesn't mean it'll be like a clone of me. With my luck, it'll be a female version you."

Hisoka smiled warmly at her, "That would be a sight, wouldn't it?"

Machi sighed, letting the random conversation drop as she looked toward the bank, keeping an eye out for any abnormal movements.

"We are in and secure. Everyone can move in and get grabbing."

Shalnark's voice rang in her ear piece. They had finished the first phase of the plan, unlocking all the doors and turning off the security features. Machi and Hisoka rose, cautiously stepping out into the open green lawn that had trees and bushes scattered around. It was quiet, but the two stayed on alert either way. Hisoka suddenly grabbed her arm, pulling her behind him, an ordinary card drawn in defense.

"What's wrong?"

"We have visitors." Hisoka warned.

Machi was about to protest since she felt no unknown presences when her ear piece rang out. There is a whole wave of people appearing! Stay alert and take them down!

Both Nen users took a defensive position, watching each other's backs so that they could fully survey the area with no blind spots. Machi noticed a guard hidden behind a bush and was about to cast her threads, but Hisoka had already thrown a card, slicing through the person's neck. Within a second, multiple copies of the same man were exposing themselves, heading for Machi and Hisoka.

Machi smiled, releasing strands of Nen stitches, but before she could rap any around anyone's necks, Hisoka had thrown a tornado of cards, effectively cutting down most of the group. Machi took care of the rest, catching them in her strings and holding them still has Hisoka darted from one to the other, killing them easily. It was over quickly and Machi couldn't help but feel it was anti-climactic, but then she remembered her friends.

"We should go help the rest of the group." She stated.

"No." Hisoka declared, hands on his hips, "They are handling themselves in there, the number of people are dwindling, and everyone seems fine."

"We should still go and help them finish up, then we can grab the valuables as well."

Hisoka sighed, "There is no need to put yourself in danger. They don't need us in there."

Machi frowned, almost pouting, "You said you would support me in being utilized."

"I also said I would take care of you. Are you suddenly wanting me to disobey Chrollo? You always said I should be a team player."

"Then watch my back."

Machi darted off towards the building, leaving Hisoka standing still. She was in a full sprint when her arm was yanked back and she fell onto her butt. She groaned from the impact, rolling over a bit to rub her rump and ease herself up. As she went to stand, she eyed her arm curiously and noted the Bungee Gum stuck to her and leading back to Hisoka. He was walking calmly towards her, a small smile on his face.

"Are you alright?" He asked rhetorically.

"Let me go, Hisoka." She ordered.

Hisoka only responded with a lopsided grin and a cocked eyebrow. It infuriated Machi enough that she lunged forward, punching at his face but missing. She quickly turned to knee him, but he simply continued to dodge her every strike. The more he evaded, the angrier she got, finally casting her lines out and gripping his arms and legs to hold him in place as she delivered a harsh blow to his face.

Hisoka took the punch without protest, allowing Machi to get her frustrations out, but was unfazed by the hit. She was panting and glaring at him afterwards, realizing that striking him hadn't helped her any bit. She was still bound to him by that Bungee Gum and he wouldn't fully fight her in this condition. The fact irritated her more and she stomped away, back to their original hideout spot. Hisoka followed, taking a seat against the tree and playing with his cards again, focusing on the people he sensed around him and any new ones that wanted to make an appearance. Meanwhile, Machi stood with her back to him, pacing angrily or when standing in place would tap her foot agitatedly.

We are all clear to move out! Everyone okay?

Machi pressed the talk button on her ear piece and responded to Shalnark's call, feeling defeated and emotionally tired. Hisoka and her joined the rest of the group, both remaining quiet as everyone marched back to the hideout, proud of a mission well done. While normally they would all sit around and talk, Machi was in no mood for celebrating, so she excused herself for the night and proceeded to head to her home.

She was surprised, yet pleased, to find Hisoka had not followed her home or shown up unexpectedly. She needed time away from him. She was wanting to be more active in the mission tonight, knowing it would be her last for a while, but she had virtually nothing and it depressed her to think she may never get the chance again.

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The next morning, Machi still hadn't heard from Hisoka and she was grateful for that. She could have a quiet morning alone, sipping on her tea and munching on fruits in front of the patio door as the sun rose slowly. Her moment was disturbed when her cell phone chimed, an unknown number lighting up the screen. Thankfully she answered and found it to be the hospital. They were calling to remind her of the ultrasound appointment, her first one, to check up on the baby. She had scheduled it after her first visit to the clinic, when she planned to rid herself of the fetus. The realness hit her soon after she hung up the phone, she would be seeing her child for the first time, her and Hisoka's child. It was startling to think about, her future coming closer and closer.

She quickly sent a text to Hisoka, letting him know of the appointment and saying he was invited. She didn't hear from him about it, but she figured it was due to him training. She considered him being upset about her punching him, but it was unlikely that he would hold that against her.

After breakfast, she went about her day as she usually would. Chores and errands kept her busy most of the day when suddenly she had an intense craving for pickles. She wasn't planning on going to the store but she needed pickles. As she shopped, she continued to find foods she wanted to eat, peanut butter, chocolate ice cream, and salmon. Her cabinets were full after she unpacked everything, the array of items strange but she was excited to eat everything. She had filled a plate full of the various foods and was sitting down at the dining table to feast.

As she ate, she listened to the stillness of the apartment, the settling of the floors and walls. A small smile turned up as she imagined the sounds of her child running around, laughing, and crying. She had always enjoyed action rather than peace, and in some way, she would have both once this baby came. Her fantasies continued as she planned daily routines, games to play, and adventures to go on. Slowly, Hisoka began to appear in them, joining in on the fun and sometimes causing trouble.

Machi frowned, not sure why she would be so inclined to picture him around, but not hating the idea of him being there. He knew how to relax and enjoy the moments, something she struggled with at times. She would probably be too strict of a mother if she was being honest and Hisoka would be too easy going and mischievous, a nice balance. If only that's how things would work out, if only it could all be that easy. She finished her meal and decided to sleep, she would need to start preparing for this child tomorrow.

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Machi sat in the waiting room a few minutes before her appointment, she had arrived early in hopes that she could get in sooner and move onto researching. She had made a list of things she needed to buy for the baby, but now she had to look into what brands were the best. She sighed, feeling like she was just making lists but checking nothing off.

"Why the long face?"

Machi turned her head and looked up at Hisoka, "I wasn't sure if you were coming."

"Is that why you looked nervous?" he grinned.

"No. I was just thinking about everything I have to get done."

Hisoka nodded, taking a seat next to her, "We can talk about that afterwards."

"I was starting wonder if you were going to be around anymore."

"You needed space." Hisoka stated simply.

"I guess." Machi shrugged, "But we'll have to learn to talk things through when this baby comes. You won't be able to disappear and not communicate with me for a few days."

Hisoka nodded, "Sounds quite intimate. It's not like you to be so open with your emotions."

Machi scoffed and slapped his hand that had started crawling up her leg, "Never said it would be easy."

"Machi?"

The two looked up and saw a nurse standing with a clipboard, looking towards them. Machi nodded, rising with Hisoka and following the nurse to a smaller room with a large rolling computer. The nurse asked her a few basic questions about how she was doing and if she was following previous instructions. It wasn't that unnerving until she was asked to hop up onto the padded table and wait for the doctor.

Machi laid back on the table, trying to calm her nerves. She expected the worst, like her baby having deformities or being unhealthy in some way. She tried not to think of it, but she couldn't help how she bit her lip in thought. She almost jumped when Hisoka grabbed her hand, a comforting smile on his face.

The doctor soon walked in, smiling and talking happily about showing them their little baby as he lifted her shirt and squirted the cold gel on her stomach. The grey and black image at first just looked like TV static, but as the probe was turned on her skin, the outline of a little bean shape.

"There it is. That's your baby." The doctor announced.

Machi and Hisoka stared at the screen, neither giving away how it made them feel. It was obvious the lack of reaction was unexpected by the doctor, so he attempted to fill the silence with his findings.

"Well, the size is good, everything seems to be proportional, and the heartbeat is strong. Would you like to hear it?"

"Yes." Hisoka answered quickly.

Machi glanced at him in interest, finally able to see a glimmer of excitement in his eyes. It made her relieved and allowed her able to show her interest as well. The sound of their child's heart rang out into the room, and Machi smiled as she closed her eyes and let the noise flow deep into her. It may have been her imagination, but she could've sworn their heartbeats matched.

"Is it a boy or girl?" Hisoka asked suddenly.

Machi frowned, shocked he was becoming so invested in knowing about his child. She figured he would tire of the whole pregnancy situation, but know she wasn't so sure.

"We can't tell that quite yet. You can find out at five months if you want, or some couples like to wait till the birth." The doctor explained.

The appointment ended with some extra pamphlets being sent home and setting up another appointment for four weeks later. The doctor had taken the liberty of printing off pictures of the ultrasound, the fetus set in the center of them. With her items collected and the next step planned, Machi exited the clinic and started toward her place, Hisoka following quietly behind her.

She glanced back at him a few times, watching him study the pictures with a calm smile on his face. She had not expected this kind of reaction from him, but she'd be lying if she said she didn't like it. This was all new and strange, but not unwelcomed.

He entered the apartment with her, setting the images down on the dining table before going to rummage through her kitchen. Machi watched curiously from the small nook, holding her pen and paper in her lap.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"I was going to make lunch but you have a unique array of food." He joked.

Machi shrugged, "I was craving a lot yesterday."

Hisoka chuckled lightly, "Pregnancy sure has changed you."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you're tastes have changed, your emotions are a bit less controlled than usual and you're not as decisive as I recall."

Machi frowned, reflecting on her behavior changes since finding out she was pregnant. She easily noticed the appetite and food preference variance and as she thought about it, she was quicker to sadness and anger. She figured Hisoka had just been pushing her buttons more since he had been around so often.

"So, that's why you've acted distant in the past?" she questioned.

Hisoka shrugged, avoiding her gaze, "Perhaps I wasn't quite sure how to deal with your changing character traits."

"Well, I won't be so delightful for long."

Hisoka chuckled lightly, making his way over to her and pressing a kiss to her head, "You've always been delightful."

Machi scoffed, pushing his body away gently, "I'm busy."

Hisoka smirked and looked over her shoulder a bit to see her long list of items. He frowned, watching as she typed away, opening multiple tabs and making an excel sheet to keep it all straight.

"Why don't you leave the baby's room to me?" Hisoka suggested, taking the list from her.

"Fine. We just need the basic furnishings like a crib, changing table, dresser and rocking chair. Don't go overboard, we won't need it for long so it doesn't have to be fancy."

Hisoka grinned mischievously, "I understand."