A normal day in Heaven's arena.

Ever since Gon and Killua arrived here, all I could do was wait until they were fully ripped to fight. Particularly against the boy in green.

I would laugh inwardly while I walked into the city, playing with one of the cards. Taking a look around as I didn't have anything better to do at the tower. My usual craving for bungee gum returned for some odd reason. I'd better make the most of the weather while I'm at it.

I would pass by a certain Candy shop, and see its same old sign and shopkeeper whenever I passed by. If I recall correctly, this was the place that Vividus always went to whenever she had her chocolate cravings. That was also the shop where the kurta woman met a brat Zoldyck all those years ago.

Entering the shop, I bought my usual brand and thought to myself, 'Ah...time really does fly when you're having fun.'

Having acquired the gum I needed, I popped it into my mouth, humming in delight as childhood memories suddenly emerged, recalling all those times when the only source of food I had to survive on was this gum.

It didn't matter what happened in the past. All that mattered was what's in front of me and doing whatever it takes to attain my goals. I felt obligated to fight whoever is worthy of fighting and make sure that my time was well spent during that time. Thus far, since I got to know the Kurta woman, it has been nothing but fun. Events over the past few years have never been dull moments. The Hunters Exam particularly has been a highlight. Everywhere I go, VIvidus is always there, along with her friends.

'Oh! You are just so fun. I really miss you: I wonder if we will see each other at the Arena!'

With a chuckle in my voice, I continued walking down the street. Popping my gum with my lips and continuing to eat the brand.

'I wonder what fun you'll bring me this time."

As I reached the corner, I noticed a large purple tent between two buildings. I examined the structure in front of me and noticed something...interesting about it. It gave off a feeling of a fortune teller. It was not the nice architecture of the tent, but more so that strong nen is radiating off that simple structure. I felt my mouth curl into a smirk, wondering what this place has to offer.

When I entered, I noticed that walls were covered in purple and blue silk drapes with a bunch of pillows all around, and a crystal ball in the middle of the table. I sat down next to an old woman with snow-like hair tied in a bun, frail skin, and blind eyes. I noticed there were two cups of tea laying on the table, as though they were waiting for me.

As I narrowed my eyes a bit, this woman reminded me of the old hag back in my youth. I could never forget how she would always reach out for me and gently pet my head whenever I was in a bad mood. Despite the fact that my family was poor, she was always there to cheer me up. I recall the old woman sneaking a pack of Bungee Gum into my pocket when she wasn't supposed to. Mother used to scold her for buying unnecessary items for the house and how the money should be spent on more important foods.

Nevertheless, she did it. All because she wanted to see the smile on my face when I ate a simple piece of candy that included random stickers.

Why are these memories coming to my mind again? It's been a long time since I thought about them. Since my past has no relevance to my present. I cannot understand why the old woman before me is making me remember them.

Even so, despite her appearance, she felt very...relaxed around her. It wasn't clear what this woman represented, but it was clear that she had a strong aura around her. While she didn't look much of a fighter, she looked like an old wise woman full of wisdom and knowledge. The last time I felt a strong and wise aura, I thought of the Chairmen in the Hunter's Exam. Even though he looked like a simple old man, he knew there was incredible power within himself.

Perhaps it was the same with his old woman.

"Relax your mind, Mr. Morow," The old woman replied, "I mean no harm, I just want to chat with you."

In response, I groused, my lips curling into an even bigger grin as I became more aware of her.

"Do you now?"

She replied, "Of course, I've been meaning to talk to you for some time now."

Looking suspiciously at the woman, I could see she was maintaining that warm smile of hers as she gestured her hand towards the seated cushion across from her. As I would narrow my eyes towards the crazy old bat, I would look between her and the seat. I would decide to summon Gyo to my eyes to try to check whether she was perhaps naive enough to think I might fall for a trap.

"If I really wanted to hurt you, my dear, I can promise you you would be dead the moment you entered my territory." She grinned, "so please, relax and take a seat."

"My, you really are a blunt woman for an old person," I said, sitting as instructed.

Her laughter filled the room. "Of course," she laughed, "I've seen it all when your frail and old you don't have much strength left to do much."

She would lift the cup and take a sip, letting out a small sigh in satisfaction. "Now tell me young one, how did the Hunter's Exam treat you?"

I placed my elbow on the table while leaning my chin on my palm. Using one hand with a card, I tried to conceal it and coat it with nen. Not liking that she knows something about me.

"How do you know that?" I asked.

"I know many things," she replied, putting the cup back on the table. "Just like I know you're using your nen to hide your card in your hand."

"Oh ho?" I whistled. "You seem very perceptive for someone who is blind."

"Indeed I am," She responded, "If I really wanted to kill you I would have done it long ago."

As I laughed her comment off, I put the card away. Now giving her my full attention. "Alright," I said, "I see what you mean. So whatever it is you want to talk about, please do so now. Because now, you're wasting my time."

She laughed again, giving me a small grin and nodded her head. "I understand, but do trust me when I tell you this will be of great help to you in the future."

"Future?" I asked, "I'm not super concerned with the future. I prefer to be in the present."

Of course," she replied, "However, within the next couple of weeks, it will definitely be a game-changer for you."

As she said those words, she would soon take out a deck of cards in her hand and shuffle them. My eyes were widening as I watched how she handled the cards in her hands. However, I noticed they weren't simply ordinary cards;

There were Tarot cards.

"Oh? Are you going to read my fortune for me today?" I chimed, watching her hand shuffle the cards in her hands.

She answered, "Of course," she said, "I am a fortune-teller, after all. However, I like to do things a little differently."

Placing the tarot cards onto the wooden table, she would lift one of the cards towards me as the back of the card showed a blank space. Pointing to it, she would begin to explain to me how it worked.

"The way I like to perform my readings is that every card in this deck represents an arcana as well, but unlike other decks, they will show up blank. The card's content will only be apparent when nen is incorporated. In fact, each card has its own meaning, which you will realize only after you finish shuffling your cards in your hand. Of course, during this phase, you must activate your own nen and add it to the cards."

Given the amount of work involved in this process, I couldn't help but feel intrigued by this reading. I have definitely had my fair share of circus readings in the past, but never one as unique as this one.

I obliged the old woman's request by activating my nen towards my hands, shuffling the cards as she instructed. Each time I maneuver the cards in my hands, I could definitely feel a different aura connecting with my own. As though it's trying to acquire a better understanding of me. Once I had the cards rapidly shuffled in my hands to my liking, I placed the deck next to her, expecting her instructions on how to continue for the next steps.

She chimed, now summoning her own nen into her hand. The cards began to float upward into the air as she lifted her hand. They started forming a large circle around us, as I was impressed by her proficiency.

I am going to ask you to pick four cards from around the room. Once you have your cards, you are going to place them in the following order on the table: Past, Present, Future. I would then like you to place the fourth card beneath the present since that will be your outcome. Make sure to place the cards facing down as you do this.

While blinking a few times and nodding my head, I would continue to do what had been instructed. I would pick four cards as instructed and arrange them in the order that had been given. Looking forward to the old woman. Raising an eyebrow.

My head tilted to the left as I asked "Now what?"

"Now," she said softly, placing her card on the first card, about to turn it over to reveal the arcana that describes Hisoka's past. "I can conduct your reading."

When she placed her frail fingers on top of her card, she looked off towards me. Her blind pale eyes looked to me as though they were staring deep into my soul. Just as she was about to flip the card, all I could hear in my head was her voice.

At the moment they were spoken, they were replaced by someone else;

"Tobias please snap out of it! Don't you see Esther is trying to control you?!"

When I looked around at my surroundings, my reality suddenly changed. I was no longer sitting in the cushy velvet tent and was about to have my fortune read. Neither it was any longer magical nor the old woman sitting across from me. Instead, I was taken back to a horrific nightmare. It was the same sequence, repeated over and over again, and I was powerless to stop it.

I was in the nightmare where Vividus is about to die.

While her attention was on the boy with his nen beast, a small child appeared out of nowhere and stood by Esther's side. Her Nen-beast looked like a deformed fox and was armed with a blunt spear. The mad woman's smile curls into the shape of a sadistic smile as she leans in toward the girl's ear and whispers a few words into her ear. In fear, the girl would shakily raise her hand up in the air, commanding her nen-beast to aim its spear towards Vividus and Tobias. Esther didn't care about the little boy at all if he ends up dead or alive,

she just wanted Vividus dead.

Having watched everything unfold in front of me, I noticed that Vividus's attention was still focused on the battle in front of her. In her desire to save Tobias, she has neglected one of the most important rules of combat:

pay attention to your surroundings.

Despite Vividus's best efforts to make sure the boy's safety is her preeminent priority, he hates the fact that her good nature and natural instincts are fighting against one another.

Feeling my body aching, I made a second attempt to conjure nen to my hands. Hoping to at least get my Bungee Gum to work. Despite my best efforts, nothing was working. My body was too weak, I had finally reached my limit.

Vividus is going to die.

I tried moving my body, I did everything I could to get up and protect her. However, no matter how much I moved; nothing happened. I just laid there, helpless as I watched the girl's nen pull back its arms and the beast steady its aim. Regarding the Kurta woman, she was so focused on trying to protect the boy by using her water ability to pin Tobias against the wall. All Vividus wanted was to save the boy from Esther.

But little did she know, Esther knew that Vividus's soft heart was going to be her downfall.

"Perfect aim, my sweet girl," Esther cooed, slowly stroking the girl's hair. "However, we need to hit her where it hurts."

When I thought the spear was aiming towards Vividus, it was no longer aimed at her. Instead, Esther uses her hand to direct the girl's aim towards a different target;

Me.

Figuring out the mad woman's plan, I looked over to see Vividus's face go pale as she realized what Esther was doing. Her crimson eyes widened in shock as it finally dawned on the mistake she had made. As though everything around me suddenly ran in slow motion, she started to run toward me. That expression mixed with fear and regret plastered on her face. As her lips parted, all I could hear was her haunting scream that bit into me like an arrow, finally waking me up from his unwanted nightmare.

"Hisoka!"

After hearing someone call her, the first action that was taken was to grab the individual by the throat and pin them down to the bed. As soon as his hands gripped their throat, they suddenly stopped moving. While struggling for air, he felt their hands clawing towards his hands, not giving a care that their hands were digging into his skin. That dream had upset him, but as a result of that dream, he felt like he was still high off adrenaline.

He continued to breathe heavily while his vision was still blurry. A nervous sweat trailed down his face and he tried to calm himself down. Feeling nervous and flustered, he couldn't help but grip harder on the person's neck.

Looking towards the person, his golden hues stared down into a familiar pair of hazel-grey eyes. Their platinum blonde hair spilled all over the bed. As he realized who it was, he loosened his grip around her neck, letting out a quick sigh of displeasure as he tried to snap back to reality. Vividus coughed uncontrollably as he let go of her, seeking to regain air in her lungs after Hisoka's sudden outburst.

"Vivi-chan...?"

It was the first time in his life that the Jester was not composed in his speech and had no words to describe this situation at all. Although he wasn't sure what his feelings were, he couldn't think of something else to say towards her because he was uncertain as to what to do. He would watch the girl under him cough uncontrollably, trying to regain her breath back. Even though he is not the type of man to feel bad:

Hisoka definitely felt nothing but guilt.

"It's ok," She said, coughing a bit through her words, "I tried waking you up but you wouldn't budge...and you're usually really guarded."

As she slowly rose from the bed, she rubbed her neck and looked at the man concerned.

"Are you ok?"

The man viewed the woman before him, unsure of how to reply. He stared at her, unable to utter a word, and was unable to find what he should say to Vividus. He nearly choked the poor woman to death yet she had the audacity to put his well-being before her own. Having seen that woman's kind heart again, he couldn't help but be annoyed.

He is a trickster and one who likes to make people uncomfortable while playing games with them. He is a cruel man and a cold-hearted killer. He is turned on by power alone and his ultimate goal in life is to fight the strongest opponent possible and succeed. A regular, normal man, he finds it comfortable having a few odd people as friends, using others and even joining the Phantom Troupe for entertainment. He disregards all logic and follows the flow so long as it suits him.

For some odd reason, Vividus's three simple words seemed to throw him for a loop. He has never been asked that question before.

He noticed that Vividus was no longer sitting in front of him. Rather, she kneeled forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, suddenly dragging him back into the bed with him on top of it. In the blink of an eye, their heads were placed on top of hers in a kiss. She was stroking his Fuschia hair softly as though she was afraid to break him. This left Hisoka even more confused than ever by her sudden affection.

"Vivi-chan," said Hisoka, hesitant to move, "What are you doing?"

Simply shrugging her shoulders, she responded with a hum.

"That is not an answer, sweetheart." He replied, sighing a bit.

Vividus stroked Hisoka's hair again, letting a small sigh escape her lips as she spoke once more.

"You...seemed vulnerable at the moment." She answered honestly, "So instead of putting you in an awkward situation...I just figured you needed some rest."

"I understand that," Hisoka replied, "but is me being on top of you necessary? I will admit that I always wanted to be in bed with you...but not in this way-"

The Jester's perverted response caused him to groan in pain after receiving a small flick on the head.

"Just shut up and relax," Vividus said, sighing as she rested her head against Hisoka's pillows. "We've got work to do before we land in Jappon. The last thing I want is for you not to be in your head game. If this gesture helps, then I'm fine."

Hisoka was about to say something snarky when the Kurta woman traced her fingers gently through his Fuschia hair. He had never been the type of guy who would let an individual touch his hair nor had this kind of affection. Yet...he's letting her do this to him. He's starting to feel vulnerable again.

"Why are you doing this?" He asked.

She continued to stroke his hair softly, shrugging her shoulders. "I don't know. I just felt it was the right thing to do."

A puzzled Hisoka asked, "The right thing to do?"

She hummed in response.

As much as he wanted to bug her, he finally decided to give in and let her take charge of the situation. He nuzzled his face against her chest. Listening to her quiet heartbeat in the silent room.

Closing his eyes, he didn't like what his dreams were beginning to alienate him, especially since it's about the Kurta woman. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he soon got comfortable. He decided to take his mind off of the dream. In addition, as the mission day draws nearer, the more this dream begins to become a reality. The worst part about all this is that they have not yet arrived in Jappon, and already two people ended up being real from his dream. The masked woman being Esther, and the boy and his nen-beast being Tobias.

Vividus seems to connect everything, but he doesn't know why.

The old woman that appeared to Hisoka was definitely not a dream, but a memory. He began to think about why that old bat suddenly appeared in his mind. He realized that it was because of her that these dreams are occurring. It picked up even more after Vividus offered to include him in the mission. Perhaps the fortune she was about to tell him was related to what's going to happen when they go on the mission? Could it solve the mystery of all of this and help explain the unwanted nightmares?

Even so, Hisoka knew that it wasn't going to happen to him. Even though he hated these nightmares, he's thankful for them because they got him into the current situation with the Kurta woman. Particularly how much softer she has become towards the Jester. Although it's not how he expected to be in bed with her, for now, this will do.

He would snuggle up close to Vividus, smelling her sweet, pungent yet delicate fragrance of Vanilla. That was the first time he was able to get this close to her without her freaking out or feeling uncomfortable. Usually, the Jester is incapable of getting this close to her with the exception of their dancing lessons.

"Thank you...Vivi-chan." Hisoka said softly.

"For what?" She asked, clearly taken aback by his sudden soft voice.

"For being patient."

Normally, Hisoka wouldn't speak to someone in such a soft tone. He doesn't recall the last time he spoke to anyone in such a manner. The last time he spoke that gently was to his mother and grandmother. But, regardless, he wouldn't let the opportunity slip. While listening to Vividus' steady heartbeat, he would continue to let their gentle fingers glide through his Fuschia hair, feeling his eyes close once more as his body was now fully relaxed thanks to Vividus.

"You are most welcome Hisoka."

[Author's note]

Hi guys,

YES. IM STILL HERE. IM SO SORRY FOR THE LACK OF UPDATES.

A lot is happening which involves moving to a new apartment ;_; and working throughout this pandemic.

I hope after the move, I'm able to write more!

Thank you guys for reading up to this point, I apologize if this was a blah chapter.

But once I get everything figured out, I'm hoping for more updates for Scarlet Gaze and Being Human (Sukuna x OC). Hell, I even hope to draw out potential manga panels to make this story more interesting.

Until then, updates are going to be extremely slow. So I'll do my best to update whenever I can.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you all once again for reading up to this point.

Take care my lovelies,

-Nezu