A/N: And as promised I have posted a chapter! I'm going to try to do well with this schedule thing. Anyway, Kyu-Ay-Ei-99, thank you for your review! I actually wanna portray how Renée has changed since the Hunter Exam, especially on how tough she has become. Ghostvu, thank you for taking the time to read this fan fiction! Regarding her tattoo, I don't think that I would write that it will be removed because it will be a symbol of her mistakes and the lessons she learned. The omake request is on the way so don't worry, I just wanted to finish this chapter first. So stay tuned guys! I'm still open to omake requests, just PM me or leave a review.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter.

CHAPTER 26

-September 6-

I squeezed the water out of the washcloth and placed it neatly on Kurapika's forehead. He was sweating so much and his fever hasn't gone down at all.

"How is he?" Killua asked, entering the room with Gon.

"Still the same." I sighed.

"That's good." the silver-head said.

My brother hummed his assent and I looked at them both incredulously. "You want him to stay sick?"

"Well yes and no." Killua answered.

"What do you mean by that, old man?" I glared at him.

Kurapika didn't deserve to be bedridden. He's already done so much to be stopped now. All because he overused his ability.

"Calm down, geez." the former assassin rolled his eyes.

"What we mean is that it's not good that he is like this, but it's good that he won't be able to pursue the Spiders anymore." Gon explained calmly.

"Yeah but he'll start from the top. Looking for them again and chasing them again." I countered, not understanding their point. I mean, if you were looking for something and it's at your grasp, you have to take it right?

"Maybe then he'll realise that revenge isn't the way to go about things. I wouldn't want him to kill more. Would you?" my brother looked at me expectantly.

I looked at the state Kurapika was in and sighed, "No I guess not."

We all stood and left the blonde to rest, Senritsu and Leorio volunteering to watch over him.

"We're going off to the auction with Zepile! Do you wanna come?" Gon asked me.

I blatantly shook my head no.

"Eh? Why?" he whined.

"The last time I went to an auction bad things happened. I am not going near one ever again." I harrumphed.

"It'll be fun! Besides, the Spiders are gone now!" he urged.

"Don't worry, you'll be with us." Killua butted in.

I looked at them both skeptically, "Knowing that I helped clean up your mess doesn't exactly reassure me."

"It'll be fun! Please?"

One look at my brother's pleading eyes and I definitely knew it was another lost cause. I heaved a defeated sigh as Gon hugged me in delight.

"Fine. But I'm not wearing a dress or skirt."

"It's a black tie event." the silver-head told me.

My eyebrow shot up at his statement. "So?"

"It's meant to be formal you idiot." he replied cheekily.

"Wha-? You picking a fight with me, old man!?"

"No need to get all high, I was only describing you." he shrugged, a smirk on his face.

"Why you-!"

"So since Killua and I are going in suits, you should dress up too!" Gon blocked my path, preventing me from shoving my fist in the old man's face.

"Tch. Fine Gon. I'll wait for you both at the auction site." I turned and made my way down the apartment, my blood still rushing in my ears.

'Oooooh that guy! He gets me so mad all the time! It's a black tie event you dunce! It's meant to be formal you idiot! Cocky bastard!'

"U-um, can I help you, ma'am?" a shaky voice asked me.

Suddenly, I was aware that I was at a clothes shop. One that is specifically for females.

My anger subsided as I tried to remember why I was here. "I need a dress, I think. For the auction?" I asked unsurely.

I have never gone shopping before. All of my clothes were provided by Aunt Mito and Tasha. I did have one black dress but that was given by Chrollo and it's long gone now. The different thoughts in my head made me feel very melancholic.

'Aunt Mito. I wonder if she is still mad at me for leaving Gon behind. And Tasha...'

My stomach suddenly turned over, making me feel queasy.

Everything I tried to forget was coming back like Tasha's confession that he killed my parents and sold me to the pirates. All my life, as far as I can remember anyway, he was my father.

My savior.

My friend.

Now I know he just wanted to atone for his sins.

"Um miss? Would you like to try these on?"

The same voice brought me back to reality and I saw that the saleslady was already holding up 3 ensembles. I hastily apologised and took them from her to try in the dressing room.

I buried my thoughts at the back of my brain as I mindlessly changed into each of the dresses. Ultimately, I chose the one that had much more coverage, especially on the shoulder part.

I exited the room, surprised that the saleslady was waiting for me outside. 'Doesn't this shop have any other customers?'

She made me do a twirl and I awkwardly did so.

"Well it's beautiful. I just think that the one without sleeves would look much more stunning on you." she gave her critique.

I simply shook my head and smiled. I didn't even bother trying that one because I already knew that the tattoo would be seen.

"This one is fine, thanks." I said as I handed her the cash.

The lady gave a little pout but did not say anything more. My other clothes were put in the paper bag instead and she cut the price tag off. I thanked her once more and headed out the door.

"Chin up, okay?" she called out after me.

I glanced back at her smiling face and found myself following her expression.

'What a strange woman.' I thought absentmindedly as I skipped towards the auction at Southern Peace.

-Southern Peace-

I gritted my teeth in frustration, my temper starting to flare.

'Where the hell are they? They're 30 minutes late!' I glanced at my phone when it buzzed. "Almost there." was all my idiot brother typed back.

A deep sigh escaped my lips, and I sat down on one of the benches, legs crossed.

After 5 minutes, my feet were already tapping impatiently. 'They better have a good explanation for making me wait.'

"Hey cutie, you alone?" a drunk man slurred as he staggered towards me.

'Ugh. Men.' I rolled my eyes and turned away from him.

"Aw c'mon don't be like that. I'm here for a good time, just like you!" he persisted, wrapping his arms around my shoulder.

My muscles tensed and I got ready to slap the living daylights out of him when suddenly he was no longer touching me.

Killua was carrying the drunk by the collar and the man was clearly struggling to get free.

"Killua, let's not cause a scene!" Gon pleaded.

"Me? He's the one that's drunk early in the morning and picking up 13 year olds. What do you think, Ren?" he turned to me.

The silver-head smirked and a silent agreement passed between us.

I grinned mischievously and saw Gon slap his forehead.

"Take it easy, Killua. The man looks like he just needs some fresh air." I replied cheerily.

The old man shrugged and threw the guy out the door, surprising the door greeters.

Killua and I laughed as the man tried to run away but smashed his face on a car's window.

"You guys are horrible." Gon shook his head in disapproval and we chuckled more.

I looked at Zepile and introduced myself. "I don't believe we've met formally."

He shook my hand firmly, "Nice to finally meet you, Renée."

"C'mon we're late!" my brother urged.

I looked at him incredulously. "'We're late'!? Do you mean YOU'RE late? I've been here for almost an hour and I'm the one who went shopping!" I scolded him.

"It's all Killua's fault! He was too busy trying to look handsome for you that we took so long!" Gon blurted out. Realising his mistake he covered his mouth.

"HA!?" Killua and I exclaimed at once.

"I didn't do that! It's all because you didn't know how to wear a stupid tie!" the silver-head yelled defensively.

"I know you, Gon Freecss, and you are ALWAYS late." I said as well.

Zepile knocked the back of our heads, making us exclaim in pain. "Stop bickering! We really are late."

At this, we walked towards the function room, at a silent war with each other. When we entered, we all gawked in awe at the huge room filled with high class people wearing suits and ties or gowns.

"Ah. Good thing we thought of wearing a suit, eh Gon?" Killua breathed in relief.

"Yeah, or else we'd attract too much attention." my brother replied.

"Wait a second, you made me wear a dress and you guys weren't even sure about the dress code?" I whispered vehemently behind them.

"Uh, sort of." Gon laughed nervously, rubbing his nape.

"You sons of-!"

"Huh?" a voice exclaimed when my elbow bumped him.

We all looked at him, or rather at both of them, and they stared back.

Instinct took over me as I ran outside, Gon and Killua right beside me.

"What are Phinks and Feitan doing here!?" I asked shrilly.

"How the hell are we supposed to know!?" Killua panted.

We were blocked from leaving by Phinks who just smirked as he eyed me.

The silver-head stretched his arm in front of me defensively. I glanced behind and saw Gon doing the same against Feitan.

'Gotta think fast. Gotta think fast!'

"Relax, we're not here for either of you." Phinks sighed, getting bored.

"Not even for you, Godfrei." The other Spider murmured.

"Really? Cause I feel sooo important." I replied sarcastically, earning a what-are-you-doing look from my brother.

Feitan gave me an amused smile as Phinks explained to us their reason for being here. Apparently, Kurapika has Chrollo trapped.

"The others have returned home. We're here just to enjoy the auction as potential buyers." he finished.

A look was shared by the two thieves and I immediately knew it was a lie. There was something that they need here.

'But what?' I tried to come up with things that the Phantom Troupe might need, but nothing came to mind.

"Godfrei." Phinks called me.

I looked up at him, curious.

"Your sister, we last saw her at the Azian Continent."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise, "Why are you telling me this?"

"Paku, she was grateful to all of you." he said simply and the two walked away.

"Was?" I asked the others.

They looked at me with a sort of morose expression in their eyes and then I understood.

'Oh. Pakunoda died.'

-Auction Hall B-

The auction commenced and we met back up with Zepile at our seats.

"This is all so fancy." I whispered to Killua.

"Yeah. Aren't you glad you wore a dress instead of that sweatshirt?" he teased.

I felt offended with what he said and recoiled a bit. "Hey, I like that sweatshirt!"

The silver-head rolled his eyes at my comment, "Whatever. That doesn't compare to what you're wearing now."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"At least now it can be confirmed that you are a girl. Well 25% a girl, 'cause you're still flat." he smirked.

Flat? Flat as in my chest is flat?

Just looking at his cocky face makes my skin crawl. 'I'll show this little bastard.'

"Wow, I didn't think you were checking me out." I murmured shyly, batting my eyelashes at him.

Killua's smile faltered and he blushed.

I could see from the corner of my eye that Gon was trying to hold back his laughter at my antics.

"Do you like me, Killua?" I purred.

The said boy looked away in embarrassment and I could hear my brother blow a raspberry.

"Too bad." I pouted then I leaned closer to Killua, "'Cause I'm not into old men."

When he realised he'd been played, Gon and I burst out laughing.

"Oh god, your face! It was gold!" I exclaimed.

"She got you good! And you're a professional assassin and liar!" Gon guffawed.

The silver-head flushed beet red and he glared at us. "Shut up!"

We continued chuckling until stitches formed at our sides.

Zepile shook his head at us, "You kids are terrible."

"Now for the legendary game, Greed Island!" the host announced. This caught all of our attention and we looked at the screen, showing a normal JoyStation.

She told us how the console doesn't require any power to function and how it is indestructible as long as there are players inside.

I used Gyo as the bidding started at 1 billion Jenis and saw that very strong Nen was incorporated on the console.

'A lot of people has contributed to that power.' I thought absentmindedly.

"201 has doubled the bid to 24 billion!" the announcer said all of a sudden.

"Eh? 201, but that's us." I looked at Gon and saw him have his thumb up.

We all panicked and Killua hit him on the head. "You idiot! We don't have a cent on us!" he whispered angrily.

"What do I do now?" Gon muttered nervously.

"You can't really say 'it was just a mistake' in these auctions, stupid!" Zepile scolded him.

Fortunately, the billionaire, Battera, raised the bid. We simultaneously released a sigh of relief.

"We were saved." my brother grinned sheepishly.

"Next time just ask, don't demonstrate!" I warned him.

At a staggering amount of 30.5 billion Jenis, Battera won the game.

"Good. That's our cue." Killua motioned, standing up.

"What IS the plan? And what's the deal with Greed Island? I'm sort of in the dark here." I asked them.

I really am unaware of the situation because I was too busy preparing for the Spiders' plan for the auction that I had no time for...the auction. I'm especially curious as to why Gon and Killua wants it so bad to go as far as participate in an auction for it. Is it a guy thing?

"Gon's dad created the game. We think there might be clues as to his whereabouts in the game." Killua answered me.

"Oh. I guess that explains the Nen." I realized, referring to the aura around the console earlier.

"Yeah. It's a game Ging made specially for Hunters and our target, Mr. Battera, bought 7 of the available consoles and is hiring Hunters to finish the game for a reward." Gon added.

"Oh I see. That's why we we're at the auction, to have him recruit us. Since, clearly, we don't have enough money for our own console so we're gonna hitchhike." I pieced together.

Gon smiled and nodded at me, happy that I finally caught on.

We entered the private room of the billionaire and my brother casually asked to be hired to play the game.

The bodyguards were alarmed that 3 children managed to enter the room, which wasn't even heavily guarded might I add.

"Don't joke with us! There's no way you brats are Professional Hunters! You need a license to be one." one of the guards said.

I rolled my eyes at them, I hated them already.

"We have one!" Gon announced.

"Uh, no we don't. You pawned it, remember?" Killua whispered to him.

My brother's face fell and I smacked my forehead. "You pawned it? You guys are so... I don't even know." I scoffed.

"You kids are just a bunch of liars! Get out!" the guard demanded, looking ready to kick us out.

I fished in my paper bag and pulled out my license, "We have one. These two pawned theirs because we got broke during the auctions." I could hear the boys' sighs of relief when I did that.

Mr. Battera took it and inspected my card himself. "It's actually authentic. So you are Hunters." he appraised, handing it back.

"Yep, and we want to join your force in beating the game." I asked again, now that he is taking us more seriously.

"I can only let in a few people." he waved us off.

"Why? The lady said there could be unlimited players!" Gon protested.

"Well yes, but there are only few copies of this game and so the slots are only limited as it still operates like a JoyStation. One memory card is only equivalent to one person."

"Ah, I see. That's why all the 30 save slots in the card only had room for one person." Killua said.

"How do you know that?" the billionaire asked him.

"Well I have one with me." Gon answered.

"What!? Well, it doesn't matter because you still need one more thing to enter the game and that is-!"

"The ring!" the boys exclaimed together.

"I knew there was a purpose to that!" the silver-head said victoriously.

Battera looked completely surprised but returned to his aloof composure.

Another person, one that I didn't quite notice, stepped forward at the billionaire's signal.

"It seems they are real Hunters to know of this. Well, Tsezugera?"

The stern looking man with weird flared eyebrows scrutinized us.

"Show me your Ren." he commanded.

Gon and Killua immediately fired up their Nen and I knew they would be rejected.

Battera looked at Tsezugera expectantly, but the latter only shook his head, "If they play the game as they are, they will surely die."

The boys took offence at this. "How do you know if we don't try!?" Gon cried out.

"If you try it'll be too late. Still, your deaths would still be a positive alternative. If you prolong your existence in the game you'll only be just a bother." weird-eyebrow man told us.

"What do you mean?" I asked him. I don't really play games, but I knew how most of them worked.

"When a player enters the game, we cannot remove him. We cannot insert another player nor another memory card." Tsezugera explained.

"So that means you can't save?" Killua inquired to which the man nodded.

"You see, some players that entered have found the game enchanting and no longer wants to get out. We call them refusers. It is because of them that I can only get a limited amount of Hunters to play for me." Battera stepped up.

"That still doesn't explain why we can't try! How does he know if we can't play?" Gon demanded from the billionaire.

"That's because I am a Professional Hunter and during these past six months I have already tried to accomplish the game 5 times. Relying on my experience alone to appraise, I can tell that you entering the game would result in game over. However, that girl over there is welcome to join us."

Weird-eyebrows man nodded towards me and all the people in the room looked at me. I gave out a frustrated huff from all of the attention.

"No thanks, see we're kind of a package deal. You want me, you need to take them too." I told him snootily.

Tsezugera shrugged at my conditions as if to say "no can do".

"Too bad. After the evaluation test, I would be returning to the game. The next time I come back to the real world it would be because of my completion of Greed Island." he added.

"Test?" Gon asked.

"Yes. I am recruiting Hunters to finish the game. We have already made the announcement and already we have a lot of responses. The competition will be tough." Battera answered.

"So what you're saying is that we should participate in this evaluation test in order to be recruited?" Killua twisted his statement in our favour.

"That is correct. It will take place here in Southern Peace on September 10." the billionaire took the bait.

"So you have four days to improve your Nen." Tsezugera told the boys.

"We know, we know!" my brother yelled. The two started walking away and I followed them.

"Little girl." I turned to him at my name and so did the other two.

"I look forward to seeing your Ren."

I smirked, "Right back at you."

-Back at the apartment-

"Oh that guy gets me so mad! I'll definitely pass his test and make him eat his words!" Gon grumbled, his Ren flaring.

I glanced at his form lazily before turning back to the book I was reading.

"You know, maybe the guy with the small goatee is right." Killua murmured.

"What do you mean?" my brother growled, turning menacingly towards the silver-head.

"Woah, woah, calm down. Don't take it offensively." Killua backed away.

I sighed and closed the book, "What he means is that you should take it to the next level."

Gon looked at me, his brows knotted together. "Says the girl who already passed without doing anything." he muttered lowly, but I still heard it.

I glared at him and flanked him. Gon lost his concentration and dropped his Ren and I subdued his arms and legs, sitting on top of him.

"Ow, ow, ow! Okay! I get it! I'm sorry!"

I released his arms and stood up, dusting myself off. I turned to Killua, waiting for him to insult me but he just backed away.

'Yeah, that's right. Fear me.' I smirked.

"Good. I didn't do anything because when you guys did Ren like he asked you to, I already knew it was a failure. When weird-eyebrows man said 'show me your Ren', he meant 'show me your Hatsu'. Your ability. He probably failed you at the start because you guys might actually die if you played the game prematurely. It's a game for Hunters and is accessible through Nen, correct? It's most likely that the players and environment require advanced use of Nen in order for you to progress. Neither of you have tried to learn Hatsu, right?" I asked, earning a 'no' from both. "Exactly. You have four days to construct your abilities. Then we can take the test."

"But he said that you can already join them. Does that mean you have your Ren -er- Hatsu?" Gon asked me.

I held my head up high and nodded.

"Was it that doppelgänger thing you did before, back at Takuru Beach Hotel?" my brother asked excitedly, stars dancing in his eyes.

My smile faltered and I scratched my nape sheepishly. "Well, yes and no. That was a different ability altogether." I admitted.

"I don't get it. Does that mean you have more than one ability or is it one ability with many sub-abilities, like Kurapika's?" Killua pressed, noticing my uneasiness.

I swear that guy is like a wolf on LSD.

"I'll show you next time. For now, you should work on your own Hatsu."

"But I don't know what I want." Gon pouted.

"Well, Kurapika learned Nen at almost the same time we did, but he can fight evenly with the Troupe. That's because he developed his ability." the silver-head concluded.

"Yes but he risked so much for that strength and using it causes him to go into a deep fever. He put on too extreme rules and risked his own life for it. That is the stupid route and you mustn't follow his example." I advised them.

"True. We must think of something in between. Something that is effective and efficient in fights, given that it fits our Nen type and personalities." Killua added.

"Hmm..." Gon started thinking deeply and we could almost see steam come from his ears.

"Take it easy! Just think of a skill you'd like to enhance, since you're an Enhancer after all." the silver-head told him.

When steam still poured from my brother's ears, I started to laugh. Killua hit him on the head and I laughed even harder.

"That hurt." Gon cried.

"Do you already have something in mind, Killua?" I turned to the boy.

He looked at me with a small grin and nodded. "I've had this idea for quite a while, I just haven't been able to practice it because we were too busy."

"What is it?" Gon asked excitedly.

"Secret! This time, I'm gonna do my own special training in order to develop my ability. You have to think of your own ability, so concentrate okay? It might be just Ren and I who pass the test." the silver-head bragged before he got up and left the room.

I looked at my brother and saw him looking pitiful.

I pinched his cheeks to snap him out of it, "You'll be fine okay? Just think of one thing you're good at then develop it!"

"What about you, Ren? What's your ability? And I mean all of it!" Gon demanded.

"Hmm. I'll tell you when you've already got a Hatsu, okay? Then we can share." I teased him.

He clicked his tongue at me but didn't say anything. I kissed his cheek and stood up.

"Where are you going?" he asked, surprised.

"Grocery. I'm making sweet and sour braised pork!"

At this, Gon gave me a warm smile that I returned wholeheartedly.

"It's really great to have you back, Ren. Sorry if I wasn't able to help you before, but now I'm here and I want you to know you can tell me anything, okay?" he told me, still smiling that goofy grin of his.

I felt tears prickle my eyes and I looked away, blinking. "I know that, stupid. And you don't have to be sorry for anything! I'm the one who left anyway. So thanks for bringing me back, I guess I got a little ahead of myself by going solo. We'll talk more later. For now, finish your task." I scolded him in a playful manner.

Gon rolled his eyes at me but nodded anyway. "Take care and hurry back!"

"I will!" Once I got out of the door, I saw Killua leaning by the wall.

"What's up, stalker?" I called out to him.

"I'm not a stalker! Not my fault you were so loud. Girls and their mouths, geez!"

I scoffed and walked away but before I could reach the stairs, Killua called out to me.

"You can... I mean I'm... Talk to me -erm- here." he sputtered out nervously.

Realizing his mistake, he blushed a bright pink in embarrassment.

I chuckled lightly at him. "Don't worry, I got it."

I saw him smile before I walked down the stairs, a spring to my steps.

END OF 26.

A/N: Please review!