"Leorio, you can use nen, right?"

"Nen?"

A look of confusion graced Kurapika, a hand coming to his chin as he tilted his head.

"No? I could have sworn you used En before."

Leorio copied the confused look, "En?"

"Hu, wait you don't know when nen is buddy?" Sireno looked back at them, brows raised.

Everyone looked confused. Leorio stopped in his tracks.

"What are you both talking about?!"

Sireno cackled, "Don't tell him Kurapika, it'll be funnier to watch him lose it trying to figure it out!"

The blond shook his head, "We'd be better prepared if he understood it. To learn it without a teacher is rare and could cause trouble if left uncontrolled."

"You're making it sound like I could explode or something."

He swallowed when Kurapika kept a serious expression.

"Hey hey, so what is nen?"

Gon wriggled in Leorio's arms, waving to get Kurapika's attention.

"Well-"

In a very teacher like manner, the blond began explaining. He did his best to cover the basics in a simple manner, mentioning that Nen was one's life, their aura, and that there were four basic principles that it grew from.

Loeorio found himself, kind-of understanding, and nodded slowly whenever Kurapika paused to look at him. Killua had gotten closer, now brushing against his leg, curiously listening to the Kurapika's explanation, and even Gon seemed to be doing his best to understand. Eventually Sireno chimed in excitedly.

"Oh oh! Want a demo? Ren is my favourite."

Kurapika levelled a flat look at the gangster, "You shouldn't use nen carelessly, it's dangerous."

"Aw, I've given fair warning."

Sireno twisted in place, grin stretching across their face and her focus flicking between Leorio and the kids. All three felt it instantly: the pressure, and the insatiable blood-lust.

Leorio was familiar with the sensation, and his body tensed in response. Last time he'd felt it so strong had been while Sireno was bleeding all over the floor, glaring with such animosity that everyone had run in fear to complete their jobs, though a few had collapsed on the way. He'd though he'd simply been getting use to their upsets, but apparently there'd been more to his growing resolve.

Gon had gone still on his arms, pressing into his chest, and Killua had pulled away to retreat into a nearby tree, fear clear on their faces.

Sireno eased back, dropping her nen.

"So you've been subconsciously using Ten? Che, no wonder it's been getting harder to spook you."

Kurapika clipped Sireno over the back of their head.

"Don't be so reckless. There's still a chance we're being followed."

"Yeah yeah." She pouted.

Leorio let out a breath and looked down at the boy in his arms. Gon's eyes were still wide and alert, watching Sireno like a startled animal watching for the predator to move again. They all left a distance between them, letting Sireno and Kurapika take the forward march.

Sirneo paused.

"Hey, do you get the feeling-"

"-that we're being watched? It's been that way for a while."

Leorio looked around, aware that something had been gnawing at his senses. "You would have thought they'd given up by now."

"I think, it's someone different."

Leorio jumped a little, "A second stalker?!"

Sireno nodded, gazing around, "The sensation isn't the same as back at the road. They're keeping their killing intent mostly in check."

Kurapika scanned their surroundings, but it was impossible to see further than a few metres ahead.

"Let's pick up the pace."

They were alone again.

After keeping swift pace, whoever had been following had either lost them, or backed off.

"They could just be concealing themselves or waiting until we tire ourselves out."

Leorio collapsed, "I cannot keep running like this."

"Maybe we could set up an ambush." Sireno tapped their chin.

"Now you want to fight?"

"Stalker no.2 didn't seem as scary. I'm sure we could get the upper hand with just the two of us."

She gestured between herself and Kurapika, though the blond didn't look convinced.

"For now, we'll rest. We'll test our luck once we've recovered a little."

Leorio carefully set Gon down and stood again, watching as Killua moved in as he moved away.

"Be back in a moment."

He wandered off to the side of the clearing, scanning the trees and bushes for anything suitable for eating. They'd been moving all day, and anything would help their energy at this point. After a few metres, he knew he had been followed.

"Hey."

Leorio craned to look behind him, finding a sombre looking Sireno.

"…Hey."

"What a mess we've found ourselves in."

He scoffed, "Yeah. And you know what? I wasn't even going to take this stupid job. I was going to take what I had and get out of dodge."

Sireno didn't meet his eyes, fiddling with her jacket, "…Yet here we are."

"Here indeed."

"Got regrets?"

"Plenty."

"A shame."

"I think meeting you was my biggest."

"Rude. Paying you is now one of mine. I could have just threatened you to save my life."

"So why didn't you?"

They tilted their head up to look at him, expression almost searching.

"…You have promise, and rewarding that seemed like the best option at the time. The world will open up when you've got the skills and cash, that's what I've always believed."

With a shake of the head, she knocked her fist against his arm, usual grin a little strained, "Look, I may be a con, but I'm not one to go back on a promise. I'll get you your money, one way or another. Then you're free to go do whatever you want."

"You're not going to drag your bleeding body to my doorstep again?"

"I've seen you work enough that I'm sure I could copy it."

"Now that would be terrifying to see."

"Maybe I should go become a Doctor!"

"That's worse!"

Returning to their other companions, Leorio was a little surprised to find Kurapika talking to the two boys, both looking very focused on whatever lecture he was giving.

"Hosting a study group here?"

"Good, you're back. Sit, you would benefit from this the most."

He blinked, and complied, sitting cross legged beside them.

"Meditation is best method for awakening and controlling your nen. No better time to learn than now."

Leorio let out a half sigh, but leaned in to listen closely. If learning this 'nen' thing would help him survive and get out of this situation sooner, then he'd put his all into study.