Hisoka and another butler dragged Amane down a corridor. Gotoh followed. Up ahead, a door opened. The light from the room was pale yellow. Hisoka could see Tsubone weeping and several butlers holding her back as she struggled to get to Amane. Hisoka glanced at the young girl he was currently dragging. She had quieted down now into a lethargic state. It seemed that she had reached a point of understanding that no matter how much she fought, she would not be saved. She didn't look up to meet her grandmother's eyes.

Hisoka wondered what normal people would feel right now in his position. Remorse? Guilt? Those things were foreign to him. He could feel regret, he knew what that felt like. He could feel regret for killing someone if they had potential. He could understand when killing someone would be a waste, but remorse was not something he knew. Guilt was vague for him, like a dull itch that was more of an annoyance than anything substantial. Even now, as he dragged this girl to her death for a crime she didn't commit, he felt nothing. Better her than him or Illumi. Better her than Prytania. He wasn't particularly content with it, he'd rather nobody die today, but if it had to be anyone - it was going to be this girl.

But what didn't sit well with him was his lacking faith in Prytania. Prytania may have a number of deaths under her belt, but she had nowhere near the same level of self-preservation that Hisoka or llumi had.

"That goody-goody is gonna get us found out. Unlike us this girl actually has a conscience."

Gotoh interrupted Hisoka's thoughts as they reached a metal door at the end of the hallway. The family's head butler opened the door, dragging it across the floor causing it to screech. He stepped aside to let the two bring Amane inside.

As soon as Hisoka stepped into the small dungeon, his eyes grew wide with child-like wonder. Torture devices lined the wall on racks. There was a metal slab of a table with leather straps and a tray of sharp and shiny things. Scalpels, plyers, forceps... and was that a bone chisel? They gleamed in the dim lighting. Hisoka looked like a child at a toy store. Gotoh raised an eyebrow at him.

"Hiro."

Hisoka's eyes took in everything hungrily. All the things he could do with these instruments. If Hisoka was an artist and destruction of the human body was his medium, to him it was like looking at a brand-new set of paintbrushes.

"Ahem. Hiro?"

Hisoka snapped out of his wonder at the sound of his alias.

"Chain her up." Gotoh's voice was firm as it always was, but HIsoka recognized an uncertainty in his words.

Hisoka nodded and peered the wall, which had different chained cuffs on them in varying sizes. He looked at Amane's small wrists and chose a pair of cuffs that looked like they would fit her. He picked them up, trying to open them. Gotoh handed him a key. As soon as Hisoka had them unlocked, the other butler had brought Amane over. Her eyes were bloodshot and puffy. A rather disgusting state, Hisoka thought. He was just glad Prytania wouldn't be able to see her. She would lose her mind.

Hisoka backed away from Amane as the other butler locked her into place. Amane's arms were now held up by the chains and she slumped to her knees. The butler chained her feet to the wall behind her.

Gotoh cleared his throat. "Amane, you have been accused of distributing confidential information to outsiders."

Amane stayed silent.

Gotoh looked down at Amane from where he stood over her. "You have denied this accusation."

A single tear rolled down her face.

Gotoh sighed. "Due to the fact that we still have no proof, I will allow your punishment to be delayed."

Amane suddenly looked up at Gotoh, confused. Her eyes were wet again, they sparkled with something Hisoka could only describe as hope. He'd seen it many times, and each time it was always something to behold. Something precious. From the look on her face, Hisoka could tell that normally, an accusation this dire would grant immediate execution. Gotoh was offering her hope of freedom.

"You have one day of delay. If I cannot find anything that proves your innocence, the punishment will be carried out without further hesitation." Gotoh turned around to leave, beckoning the butler and Hisoka to leave with him. As they opened the door, Gotoh was met by Illumi's grandfather, Zeno, who stood at the door with his fist up as if he was getting ready to knock on the door before it opened.

"Ah, Gotoh! Please tell me you haven't already killed the poor girl?"

"Not as of yet. I've allowed for another day to investigate."

"Good. That was Silva's plan as well."

Gotoh nodded. "He's a wise man."

"As are you. But that's why you're our head butler."

Gotoh smiled and bowed his head at his old master.

All four of them left the room. Gotoh dismissed the two of them and locked the door behind them with one of his many keys.

...

Prytania stirred awake. All she could see was white- the lights in the room were so bright. Other colors became clearer as she began to focus. She was still wearing her wedding kimono, and she was in a bed. Not her own bed. She blinked a few times. She was in some kind of infirmary. A pain registered in her arm and she winced at it. It was an IV drip. She looked to her right and saw him, Illumi, looking out the window to the main house. He was calm, but he looked worried. She opened her mouth to speak, but her throat burned. She coughed instead. Illumi turned around and looked at her.

"Oh good, you're awake."

Prytania couldn't help but wish Illumi would run to her side. Comfort her, or check if she was okay. But the truth of his indifference rang like a loud bell. He stayed by the window, staring at her with his unforgiving black eyes. She kicked herself mentally for expecting anything caring from Illumi. He was cold, after all. He was an assassin. She knew that. She just hated that it still hurt.

"Chrollo has to be hiding somewhere on the grounds. It's absolutely ludicrous that nobody has found him yet."

"Are you angry with him?"

"He came here for another reason than to poison us. He had the antidotes with him and he would never have gotten away with killing you or me. I want to know his real reason for being here."

Prytania sighed. Illumi looked back out the window.

"So, how have your parent's taken it?"

"Taken what?"
"That we're officially married now."

"The usual. My mother is being dramatic and my father is quietly contemplating the events."

Prytania chuckled to herself.

"Yeah. Dramatic is a good descriptive word for her."

"I told you that we should look into strengthening your immunity to poisons. You had the antidote and you still passed out. You won't survive long like this." Illumi half spoke half mumbled his words.

Prytania shivered at the thought of being subjected to a number of poisons. In the silence, she began to think about exactly what happened during the ceremony. Her skin grew pale when she remembered Amane.

"Amane!" Prytania sat up sharply and immidiatley regretted it. There was a sharp pain in her abdomen that resonated throughout her body. She yelped loudly, and suddenly she felt firm hands help her lay back down on the bed. Illumi tucked her tightly back in bed.

"Don't do that again."

Just then, the door opened. Kikyo stood in the doorframe. She looked at Illumi tucking in his new wife in the bed and sighed. "So you've really fallen for her this quickly?"

"Uh, yes?" Illumi answered his mother.

Kikyo sighed. "That's how it was with your father and I. Don't forget your duty. The contract is in motion so we expect a child within the first year, you understand?"

Illumi cleared his throat. "Mother, she's recovering."

"Fine. But as soon as she's better you have to-"

"I get it, mom."

"Watch your attitude, boy."

Illumi turned away from his mother and rolled his eyes. Prytania smiled. Kikyo left the room in an annoyed huff.

Illumi sat down on the bed. "Sorry, I know she's a real piece of work."

"She's right, though."

Illumi frowned.

"Once I'm better-"

"You should rest now. I'll see if I can find Hisoka and join the search for Chrollo." Illumi left the bedside and left the room quickly. Prytania laid her head down and stared at the ceiling until she fell asleep.

…...

Hisoka ran down the hallway, chasing a flash of black down a corridor. He knew it was him- Chrollo. His movements were fast, and he was concealing his presence. Hisoka's bloodlust grew as he continued to flirt with the possibility that Chrollo had his Nen back and that he was here to challenge him.

Hisoka saw the blur of his silhouette leave the mansion, so he followed it, running. It was night now, only the dim lamps and moonlight lit the path, but Chrollo had gone off the path and into the forest that engulfed the mountain.

Hisoka sliced through branches with a card. He stopped when he came to a clearing, and there he stood. Chrollo Lucilfer, still in his shinto priest getup. Hisoka smirked.

"Answer me, Chrollo: do you have your Nen back?"

"Yes."

Hisoka's heart raced in exhilaration. He'd waited so long for this moment.

"Uh-ah-ah!" Chrollo waved his finger. "If you release your Nen any further, that little brother of Illumi's is going to know you're here."

Hisoka concealed his presence, remembering where he was.

"That's better."

"Why are you here?"

"Judging by the actions of this evening's drama, you know why I'm here."

"No, I really don't."

Chrollo rolled his eyes. "The other Zoldyck Child."

"So, you knew about it?"
"I looked through Kalluto's stuff. He had a picture of Kikyo and the rest of his brothers, except there was one extra. I couldn't really ask him about it. I kept thinking, why would they hide an entire person? Then Kalluto left because Illumi was getting married and I thought, 'Why not check it out?' I was also curious about how the hell Illumi was getting married to someone other than you. I got to say, on both accounts I've learned a lot."

"So, you just happened to also plan to poison Illumi and his bride?"

"I just wanted it to be a little fun. Also, I needed to see how weak she really was."

"When it comes to her immunity to poisons, she's as weak as they come. But make no mistake, she's no doormat."

"Did she really condemn that poor girl to death?"
"Better her than us."

"Us?"

"Illumi, Prytania, and I are getting out of here."

"Why is she included?"
"We need her."

"For what?"

"If her and Illumi have a kid, Illumi will be free to leave the mansion for good without his family coming to look for him."

"Woah- um. What?"

"Illumi's parents want grandchildren. They hired Prytania to-"

"I understand what Illumi's parents want but you're actually going through with it?"

"Well, yeah."

"You're going to let Illumi fuck some chick and knock her up? Are you serious?"
"Don't say it like that."

"Well that's basically what you're saying to me!"

"Look, I've been through this process before for myself. It's really hands off after that."

"Yeah, but that was different. It was you. We're talking about Illumi here! Your lover or boyfriend or whatever he is to you! You two literally couldn't keep your hands off each other but now you're telling me that you're really okay with-"

"I'm not okay with it!"

Hisoka's heart sank with his confession. He admitted it, finally. Out loud. He wasn't okay with this. He hated it.

"It was one thing watching him leave to go marry her. I just can't think about it. If I do, I'll slit someone's throat. But Illumi's family means so much to him. He won't leave with me without being in good standing with them first."

Chrollo watched Hisoka sit down on a tree stump and hang his head on his hands. He looked tired. Drained, even.

"Is he worth it?"

"What?"

"Is he worth it? Is the life you plan to have with him worth it?"

"Without a doubt. He's everything."

"Gross, you really are in love with him."

"I thought we'd been over this."

"You'll never be able to kill me now."

"Excuse me?"

"Illumi is your weakness."

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"You'd do anything to protect him."

"He doesn't need protecting."

"No, but if he has a kid, he's going to spend a great deal of energy protecting it. The kid, and his wifey."

"He's just having a kid to please his family."

"Is that what you believe? You think Illumi, mister family man, is going to abandon his kin like you did yours?"

Hisoka stayed quiet. Chrollo continued. "He's going to love whatever kid comes out of that woman because it's family. You and I both know that family means everything to Illumi... and they are his weakness."

"Shut up."

"You'd do anything for Illumi, and if Illumi has a weakness, you have a weakness."

"I said shut up!"

Chrollo smirked. "Take now, for instance. Here I am. My Nen is back and I'm more than willing to fight you... but if you fight me you'd reveal yourself to the Zoldyck family and ruin Illumi's chance at ever leaving this place."

"You'll never be able to kill me with that girl around... So, I'll ask again. Is it worth it?"

Thoughts swirled in Hisoka's mind. Chrollo was right, but Hisoka knew something wasn't adding up. Chrollo was deliberately trying to throw him off – jumble up his thoughts so he wouldn't be able to think straight. He hated to admit it was working.

"What are you doing here, Chrollo?"

"I already answered that question!"

Hisoka mumbled to himself. "There's no way you would have any idea about the other Zoldyck child before today."

"What?"

"There's absolutley no way you would have any idea about the other Zoldyck child before today. Kalluto would have known if you snooped through his belongings. That can't be the reason you came here and I know you're not here to taunt me."

"Don't think too hard, you might hurt yourself. Besides, aren't you just so happy to see me? Maybe I wanted to visit my old roommates."

It hit Hisoka that whatever Chrollo was here for, he wouldn't tell him, and if he guessed it right, Chrollo would try to kill him. He needed to leave.

"Chrollo, you should probably let me escort you to a guest room."

"Why?"

"They're on a manhunt for you. If they find you I can't guarantee they'll keep you alive for long."

"Yeah, right. You'll take me to safety just like you took that girl to her death? I don't think so."

"Right now, you're alive because technically you didn't kill anyone, but now they're not going to let you leave because you know too much."

"That's why I'm out here."

"You won't be able to hide forever."

"I'll escape."

"No, you won't. Trust me, they-"

"Trust you? Not for a second."

"Come on, Chrollo. Illumi and I are your only allies here."

"Illumi, maybe. Not you."

"Fine, don't trust me. Trust the fact that if something happens to you, Illumi will actually be sad."

"No, he won't."

"He asked me not to fight you."

"What?"

"He asked me not to fight you." Hisoka repeated.

Chrollo half-smiled. "He asked me not to fight you. I told him fat chance." He cares about you. You and I were his first friends outside of family."

"I was just a client to him."

"Before, yes. But you haven't been his family's client in a while. Shit, he let you perform his wedding ceremony."

"Because I was the only priest!"

"He could have told his family that he didn't invite you and they would have killed you then and there. You against Every Single Zoldyck? You're strong but not that strong."

"I'm not going with you, Hisoka."

"Shh!" Hisoka looked over his shoulder instinctivley.

"What?"

"My butler name is Hiro. If you call me by my name and someone hears you..."

"Hiro? Really?"

"Shut up, it starts with an H."

Chrollo sighed. "Did Illumi really ask you not to fight me?"

"He did."

"What an idiot. He knew the answer already."

"He still asked."

Chrollo uncrossed his arms. "Fine. I'll come with you. But any funny business and I'll out you."

"Fair enough."

Chrollo followed Hisoka back into the mansion.

…...

KIkyo paced the family room while Silva sat with Gotoh.

"I don't believe Amane told Prytania anything about Alluka." Gotoh spoke calmly.

"I agree. Amane is loyal just like her grandmother. The problem is, we still don't know how Prytania got the information." Silva's brows were furrowed with concern as he spoke.

"Then there's that priest- that Chrollo! He shows up out of nowhere and poisons the girl."

"That might be a different matter." Silva tried to calm his wife.

Gotoh held his chin. "What if it isn't a different matter? What if it's connected?"

Kikyo gasped. "Yes! What if-"

"Don't start conspiracy theories now. Kikyo is already wired up."

The three of them looked up as they heard steps approaching. Illumi, his butler Hiro, and Chrollo came into the room.

"Mom, Dad, Gotoh. I told Prytania about Alluka."

Kikyo's jaw dropped. "Wha- Why?"

"It was an accident. We were talking about my family and I slipped and said I had four brothers instead of three."

Gotoh stood from his chair. "Why didn't you say anything earlier?! Amane was dragged off to be executed and you said nothing!"

Silva stood up and placed his hand on Gotoh's shoulder. "You will mind your place when you are speaking to My son."

"Forgive me, master." Gotoh bowed apologetically to Illumi.

Silva looked to Illumi. "He has a point, however. You were fine with letting Amane be executed?"

"Mother asked Prytania where she heard about Alluka. When she said Amane, I thought she had said something more than what I had already told her. I didn't know that Prytania had asked Amane more questions."

"She asked Amane questions?" Silva raised his brow.

"She was just curious." Illumi started.

"Her nosiness is going to get her killed!" Kikyo raised her voice.

"Please, no." Illumi pleaded.

"Your mind is clouded!" Silva asserted.

"I won't marry anyone else!" Everyone grew quiet after Illumi raised his voice.

Silva crossed his arms. "The moment she becomes more of a threat to us, we won't show mercy."

"I understand, father."

"Do you?" Silva asked.

"Completely."

Kikyo glanced over to Chrollo.

"And what about this one? He tried to poison your new wife."

"He poisoned me, too."

"What?!" Silva, Kikyo, and Gotoh all said at once.

"He was following a weird tradition, I know, but he thought because she was marrying into the Zoldyck family that she would have a better built up immunity to poisons. The dosage wasn't enough to kill right away and the antidote was in the third cup."

Gotoh stood. "But now he knows about Alluka."

Silva nodded. "We can't let him leave."

"My thoughts exactly." Illumi said. Kikyo and Silva exchanged a confused glance. Illumi continued, "I was thinking, we can't let him leave, but he's my friend and it'd be a shame to kill him."

"So, what do you propose?" Gotoh asked.

"Let's make him a butler."

"No."

"Absolutely not."

"Not a chance."

"Prytania will need a personal assistant. Hiro can look after her while Chrollo tends to me."

Kikyo and Gotoh scoffed.

"That's completely improper!" Kikyo blurted.

Gotoh nodded. "What Prytania needs is a chambermaid. I'll arrange for one of the female butlers to attend to her."

"I don't see what's so improper about it. Gotoh is mother's personal servant, after all."

Gotoh swallowed.

Kikyo exhaled. "That's completely different. We know Gotoh. He's trustworthy. Your butler Hiro has only been with us for less than a week and Chrollo poisoned your bride!"

"Fine, then I want them both as my personal butlers."

"What do you need TWO butlers for?"

"Things and stuff."

Gotoh huffed. "Forgive me, Illumi. But earlier this evening you almost let one of your butlers be executed. A butler that has spent a majority of her life serving your family. Now you want me to train this man who has tried to steal your grandfather and your father's powers before, and poisoned your bride?"

"Yes. I want him to serve me. I want to make his life a living hell."

Hisoka noticed the glimmer of amusement in Gotoh's eyes. "I think it's a splendid idea." Gotoh smiled.

"What?!" Kikyo shrieked.

Silva nodded. "Quite the punishment."

"Serving my boy isn't a punishment! Right, Hiro?"

Before Hisoka could get a word out, Gotoh interrupted.

"Hiro's only been here a few days and Tsubone has already had to completely replace his first uniform because Illumi threw him in the tub."

"Illumi!" Kikyo said, shocked.

Illumi smirked. "And I wasn't trying to be particularly unpleasant."

Hisoka facepalmed, knowing the real reason why he needed his uniform replaced.

Kikyo fumed. "This is ridiculous!"

Silva place a hand on the small of his wife's back. "Kikyo, the other option would be to kill him."

"Why not kill him?"

A voice from behind startled Kikyo. "Because we don't kill people who aren't targets." Zeno stepped further into the family room, his voice stern and his movement slow. "That wouldn't be assassination it would be a senseless murder. And we, the Zoldycks, aren't classless, low-life murderers."

Kikyo breathed slowly out her nose, trying to calm the heat of her anger.

Zeno calmly looked at her and tilted his head. "I believe what your boy suggests is the best course of action."

Illumi was touched and a little bit surprised at his grandfather's remark.

Silva sighed. "Is it settled then?"

Gotoh nodded and looked to Kikyo.

"Fine." Kikyo seemed to be rolling her laser eye as she crossed her arms and pouted like a child.

Gotoh's shoulders relaxed. "Then I shall take Mister Lucilfer to the servant's quarters. We'll begin your training in the morning."

Chrollo glanced at Illumi and then to Hisoka. He had stayed silent this entire time, probably to better his chances at survival. He nodded at Gotoh before following him out of the room.

Kikyo sighed again. This time looking to Hisoka. "Hiro, I'd like you to check in on Prytania."

Hisoka nodded and smiled politley. As he exited the room, Kikyo lowered her arms and breathed out, seemingly becoming more at ease. Illumi knew she wasn't completely happy still, but when would she ever be?

"Mother, thank you."

She nodded shallowly in response. Zeno approached Illumi.

"Illumi, my eldest grandson, may you continue to grow in wisdom."

"Thank you, grandfather."

"Trust me, you'll need all the wisdom you can get. Especially with a new wife."

Illumi looked down at his grandfather, puzzled.

Zeno's concern radiated in his voice. "Don't slip up again."

Illumi nodded. Zeno bore his gaze into his grandson, who stared back at him with matching unrelenting stubbornness.

"Well, normally we would have moved to dinner in a celebration of this marriage, however since the bride is not well I feel we should retire for the night."

"I agree."

Illumi had enough of being in the same room as his parents and grandfather. It had become too much, too tiring. He left quickly, rushing through the hallways back to his room. He slammed the heavy wood door behind him and sighed, closing his eyes and letting his head roll back.

"Stressful day?" Hisoka's voice was comforting to Illumi. He smiled and opened his eyes. He was already imagining a long night of letting Hisoka just hold him, to let all the stress of the day melt away, but when his eyes landed on Hisoka, who sat on his bed, he also saw Prytania, laying under the blankets, tucked in and looking back at him.

Illumi cleared his throat. "I thought I told you not to get out of bed."

"You said no such thing." Prytania said smugly. "Besides, I'm technically in a bed."

"My bed."

"Our bed. I've been officially moved into your room." Prytani moved her eyes to the left of the room, and Illumi followed her gaze to see all her pink suitcases were now indeed, in his room. His last sanctuary in the entire mansion, now sullied.

Illumi didn't look back to either Prytania or Hisoka. He simply turned around and left the door with a slam, ignoring the whining Prytania's protests. He walked down the hallway of his enormous home, nothing more than an obscenely ornate prison to him. Even the parts of the castle that were bare stone and tapestries, once comfortably simple, now made his head spin.

He wanted to take Hisoka and run. Run away. But that would be foolish. His family would only come after him and play dirty tricks like they had before. He hated it. And now, instead of being able to marry Hisoka, he was married to some woman. He thought he could go through with it, but actually seeing her in his bed and all her things in his room made him want to vomit. His head was spinning, but he snapped out of it when he saw Milluki walking by with a file wrapped in his hands, holding on to it for dear life. He was obviously trying to hide it from Illumi.

Illumi stopped his younger brother. Milluki tried to get around him, but agility was never his strong suit.

"What do you have there?"
"Nothing."

Illumi raised his brow.

Milluki sighed. "It's a background check on your new butler."

"Oh? Hiro?"

"Yeah, that's the thing, Illumi. I don't think his real name is Hiro."

Illumi frowned. "Interesting. What makes you think that?"

"He has absolutely no history. Nothing. I searched databases all over. There's not even a traffic ticket on him."

"Databases don't really exist where he's from."

"Yeah, Mother told me he was from Meteor City. I know trying to find anyone there is usually a black hole, but people from Meteor City don't ever stay there for long. They usually leave and rack up some kind of trail elsewhere. This guy though, is completely clean. He doesn't even have a single credit card in his name. No paper trails. No apartment, nothing."

Illumi smirked. "That certainly raises a few questions."

"I'll say."

"For you."

"Huh?"

"Did mother ask you for this background check?"

"No, Kalluto did."

Illumi could feel himself becoming anxious. "Then, did Kalluto ask you to hide this background check from me even though it concerns My butler and therefore my safety?"

"Well, yeah. I think he didn't want to alarm you."

"Right. Well, then..."

Before Milluki knew what had happened, Illumi struck a needle into his head.

"Forget everything regarding this background check."

Milluki's eyes glazed over as Illumi made quick work of hypnotizing him. He nodded and his arms went limp, letting the file he was holding fall to the floor.

"Good. Now, go back your room and play some video games."

MIlluki nodded again and turned about-face. As he walked away, Illumi picked up the file. He walked over to a large living room and tossed it into a fireplace. He usually hated that mother asked the butlers to keep the fire burning year-round, but right now, he appreciated it. He watched the papers burn into nothing before leaving the ashes and embers.

…...

Hisoka poured Prytania hot tea.

"Do you take sugar?"

"Yes, please."

"How many?"

"Just one."

Hisoka added a sugar cube to her tea and stirred it in. Prytania watched as he brought the cup and saucer over to her.

"Look at you." Prytania smiled.

"What?"

"Acting like a real butler. It's just funny to me."

"Why is that?"

"You're a serial killer."

Hisoka raised a brow. "Serial killers don't pour tea?"

"No, that's not it. You're just, awfully kind... and saner than I would have imagined." Prytania sipped her tea and burned her mouth. She winced at the pain, but instead of blowing on it to make it cool, continued to drink it.

"I think your judgment is a little wrong. I'm not the least bit as sane as you think I am." Hisoka thought back to the room he saw earlier that evening with all the instruments – how exhilarating it made him feel just to look at them and imagine all the things he could do. If Prytania had seen that, she probably wouldn't be saying what she was saying.

"I'll admit I'm just surprised by your capacity to act normal. Kind, even."

"Pouring your tea isn't kindness. You need to be well again so you can-"

"He won't even talk about that with me."

"Yeah he looked a bit touchy. Today was stressful. He's probably not even ready to think about it yet."

Prytania sighed and sipped her tea.

"You know, Tsubone took about thirty minutes to show me how to pour tea properly I thought I might as well get use out of that lesson."

"Ah! So that's why." Prytania laughed. She set her tea down into the saucer and leaned back into the pillows that propped her up. "Illumi is so difficult to talk to sometimes. It's like he's in another world. He's just always so serious."

"That's how most people view him." Hisoka paused. "Beyond his cold exterior he likes to put on, he's a raging fire."

"It's hard to see sometimes."

"You don't know him like I do."

"I guess you're right. You're the only person that's ever actually fucked him." Prytania laughed nervously. Hisoka smiled, but he looked down at the floor as he leaned against a wall.

"I hate everything about this." Hisoka sighed.

Prytania frowned. "I do too. If I wasn't Pariston's daughter, I could have maybe found a life outside this company. I never would have known about the terrible things they do and the business deals they make. Maybe I could have been normal."

"You'd still be a goody-two-shoes. I could see you being a hippie, even. Chaining yourself to trees. Fighting a lost cause. Yep. That'd be you."

Prytania laughed boisterously. "Maybe I'd burn a few bras, too."

"Oh, are you kidding? That'd be the first thing you'd do right after protesting cruelty to animals."

Prytania smiled, but Hisoka could tell it was bittersweet. "I wish I could do all those things. Make the world a better place. But here I am, married to a family of assassins and drinking tea poured for me by my serial killer butler."

"The way you word it makes it sound like I poisoned your tea."

"I mean I've already been poisoned once today by our international thief of a priest."

Hisoka laughed.

Prytania picked up her cup and brought it to her mouth, sipping once more. "My life sounds like a bad work of fiction."

Hisoka poured himself a cup of tea with no sugar. He leaned his back against a wall, looking at his lover's wife, who frowned at the state of her life. "We need to talk about you."

"About me?"

"You're too- uh, good."

"I'm too good?"

"Yeah, you have a conscience."

"Normal people have a conscience."

"Yeah that could bite us in the butt. I saw your face when we took Amane away."

"I thought she was going to be killed! I felt guilty!"

"Yes, I know. That's the problem. If something like that happens again, your expressions could be a dead giveaway. You need to learn self-preservation above all else. I know you already have some training on controlling your expression. You have the ability to continue smiling even through awkward conversations."

Prytania nodded, eating Hisoka's words for the nutrition they gave her.

Hisoka continued. "Instead of smiling, you'll need to keep a straight face through everything. Just like Illumi."

"Just like Illumi." Prytania repeated.

Hisoka gulped the last of his tea down. "Always remember that it's me, you, and Illumi that you need to keep alive. Above anything else, your self-preservation includes us. Don't do anything that could put Illumi or I in jeopardy."

Prytania nodded. Hisoka set down his tea cup and sauntered over to the bedside to take Prytania's cup as well. Illumi opened the door to his room slowly and looked at the two of them. Illumi wouldn't admit it, and he would certainly never show anything on his face, but he knew seeing them together still stung no matter how much Hisoka told him he loved him.

Hisoka was the first to break the silence. "Would you like some tea?"

Illumi almost smiled at the offer. "Not right now."

Hisoka nodded and took the two empty tea cups back to their set. He placed them on a tray.

"I need to take this back."

Illumi waved at Hisoka to stop. "You can do that later."

Hisoka watched as Illumi walked slowly over to the bed. Illumi seemed like his mind was elsewhere, eyes not really focusing on any particular point. He reached the bed and crawled onto it. Prytania held her breath, not sure what to do or say. Illumi plopped his body down on the bed on top of the covers and closed his eyes. Prytania and Illumi exchanged looks, not sure of what to do at this point.

HIsoka walked over to the bed and tucked Illumi under a heap of blankets. Prytania watched, astonished at the sheer amount of blanket.

"He likes to be cozy." Hisoka responded to the question burning on Prytania's mind before turning to leave.

"Should I do something?"

"Just let him sleep. Oh, and if he tries to kill you in his sleep just flick him in the forehead."

"What?"

"Nothing. Good luck!"

Hisoka grabbed the tea tray and left the room smirking. Prytania eyed Illumi, wondering if Hisoka was joking about Illumi possibly sleep-assassinating her. She decided it would be best to simply fall asleep and deal with it if the problem arose.

...

Hisoka left the tray in the kitchen and made his way to the servant's quarters. He knew it was way past his designated curfew but the only butler who ever checked was Tsubone. He doubted she would be in any mood to grill him for being a little late. He stepped into the building that housed all the butlers. There was a common room there, much like any living room with several couches and a few tables. There were butlers practicing what seemed to be a trick using coins. He was tempted to sit and watch them, but his specialty was in cards, not coins. Instead he made his way up to his room.

As much as he hated staying so far away from Illumi, at least he still had his own bed. Illumi was going to have to share his. Hisoka pitied him in a way. He was going to have to spend his nights with her even if he didn't want to. It was as if Illumi was trapped with a roommate imposed on him by his family. In fact, that was exactly what it was. Hisoka reached his room and pulled out his key to unlock it. Once the lock was undone, he moved his hand on the knob to turn it. As the door opened, he realized something wasn't right. The room was empty except for the curtains on the window frame. Everything else- the bed, the chair and table, the dresser – was all gone.

"What in the-"

"In light of the events of tonight..." Gotoh's voice was calm. Hisoka tried not to act too startled. He was growing accustomed to the members of the Zoldyck family and their servants sneaking up behind him. "...Chrollo Lucilfer will need a Chaperone."

Hisoka looked at the head butler, searching for the words to ask him politely what the fuck was going on.

"You will be rooming with the new butler. I've already had the liberty of moving the furniture to a larger room to accommodate the two of you."

"Fantastic."

"Glad you think so. Come, this way."

Gotoh walked past Hisoka further down the hallway. Hisoka cursed his luck. He hated rooming with Chrollo in his own apartment, he could only imagine how grueling living with him as a butler in the servants' quarters would be.

Gotoh reached into his right pocket and pulled out a ring holder with a comical number of keys on it. A section of the ring had keys on it which looked identical to each other from where Hisoka stood. Gotoh thumbed through them, and Hisoka could see they were numbered. He found the right key that corresponded with the room and unlocked the door.

Gotoh opened the door and saw Chrollo sitting in the corner at the desk, staring at a spinning penny.

"If I knew you were in here I would have simply knocked."

"Maybe you should start with that next time." Chrollo spoke without looking up from his penny. The coin slowly lost momentum.

Hisoka walked over to the desk and placed his finger on the penny to stop it in its place.

"Hey!"

"So. We're roomies."

"Yup."

"Don't scratch up the desk."

Gotoh cleared his throat. "I can already tell this arrangement is going to work out swimmingly. I'll leave your copy of the key on the dresser."

Hisoka nodded and watched as Gotoh placed an envelope on the surface of the wooden dresser. He left without another word.

"So."

"So."

Hisoka stood there, looking at Chrollo. His face was a punchable one. His lips curled at the sides ever so slightly.

"I want the bed near the window."

"Already claimed it."

"I'll kill you."

"Over a bed?"

"Let's get one thing straight," Hisoka said, one hand on his hip and the other hand pointing a finger at Chrollo. "I'd sell you to Satan for one corn chip."

"How heartwarming. Fine, take that bed."

Hisoka turned away from Chrollo to begin preparing for bed. Chrollo used the shower after him. He kept his distance, but it still bothered the living hell out of Hisoka. Even when they roomed together in his apartment, Hisoka had his own bathroom. Not to mention how different it was back then. Chrollo didn't have his Nen, and he couldn't taunt him like he did now. Hisoka's entire body itched for a fight. His fingertips were restless. Even as he brushed his teeth, he saw a glimpse of Chrollo in the mirror and it pissed him off all the more.

He laid in bed facing the window. This room didn't have the same view of the castle the way the other room had, but at least he didn't have to look at Chrollo. His leg bounced as he tried to clear his mind.

He could hear his own heart beating in his ears. It was beyond frustrating. Restless. Impatient. He tried to slow his breathing. Nothing was working. What kind of power had Chrollo stolen? How incredible and satisfying would it be to finally fight him? One thing was for certain: if he did fight him, he couldn't be sure he'd win. The thought tickled him. His blood raced. Dear God he was so tired. He needed to sleep but the excitement scratched at him like nails underneath his skin.

His mind started going off in different directions, trying to focus on something else. If Illumi could see him in this state while trying to sleep Hisoka was sure Illumi would put him in a headlock and make him pass out. Illumi... Hisoka's mind landed on Illumi's sleeping face under a mountain of blankets. Hisoka breathed in, thinking of his lover's peaceful face. He wished he could be beside him then. He pictured him now, still asleep in the clothes from the wedding. Hisoka chuckled to himself. Poor Illumi was so exhausted. Before Hisoka even knew it, his whole body had calmed. He drifted to sleep.

...

Gotoh entered the dungeon. He shivered at the coldness of the room. Amane seemed to be asleep despite the fact that it looked like the chains had cut into her wrists. It looked like it hurt.

He sighed as he moved to a cabinet on the side of the door. He pulled out a first aid kit from the top shelf and gently closed the cabinet door. Setting the kit aside he moved to unchain Amane. She stirred but didn't wake. Gotoh picked up her limp sleeping body and carried her to the metal table.

"If you're not awake now, you will be." Amane's eyes flittered open and closed. Gotoh picked up a cotton swab and a antiseptic.

"Amane, you're not going to like this, but I can't let you die of infection." Gotoh sprayed the antiseptic on Amane's wrists, and she woke up and winced at the pain, looking first at her wrists and then at Gotoh.

He covered the cuts with bandages before moving to her other side to do the same to her other wrist.

He held the spray bottle above her wrist and paused, looking at her. She nodded and bit her lip as he sprayed the liquid on her. She squeezed her eyes shut at the stinging sensation. He dressed the cut with more bandages. Keeping his eyes only on his work, he spoke. "You've been found innocent."

Amane's eye grew wide. She wanted to swallow, but her throat was dry. "By whom?" Amane hated how hoarse her voice sounded.

"Illumi came forward."
"illumi?"
"He's the one who told Prytania in the first place. That's how she knew."

Amane's brows furrowed. "Why didn't he say anything sooner?"

"That's not a question for me."

Amane rested her head back on the table and exhaled.

"I thought Prytania was nice. Grandmother was right. She blamed me even though it was Illumi. I never should have trusted her."

"It's not your fault. She's a problem."

"What?"
"I don't buy her lies. She's up to something."

"You probably shouldn't say something like that against Illumi's new wife."

Gotoh looked Amane in the eyes and she froze. "Our job is to protect this family. I believe she is a threat."

Amane nodded. Gotoh released her hand and placed his hand under her shoulder. "Sit up. You'll need proper rest."

"For what?"

"You'll see. For now, go to your grandmother. She needs to see you."

Amane nodded. Gotoh helped her off the table and led her out the room. He placed the first aid kit back into the cabinet before leaving, making sure the cold dungeon was tidy. He remembered the first time he came into this room and saw all the wondrous toys. He was much younger then. He probably would have been a serial killer if he hadn't dedicated his life to the Zoldyck family. Gotoh's thoughts drifted to the look on Illumi's new butler's face. What was his name again? Hiro? Hiro. Gotoh could see so much of himself in that new butler. He was loyal to Illumi, that much he could tell. But something else about him unnerved him. There was a red flag somewhere but h couldn't put his finger on it. Between all that had happened today and Chrollo becoming a new butler, Gotoh's mind wasn't as sharp.

"Perhaps some rest will do me some good…" Gotoh whispered aloud to himself. "I'll figure you out, Hiro." Gotoh left the dungeon.

…..

Chapter 17, fin-

…

Hello my pretties!

Guess who's back, back again

Fluffy's back! Tell a friend~

That's right I'm back from my world travels and I gotta say whooooo boy did I miss writing this story.

Like honestly I couldn't wait to come back home and finish this chapter.

Lemme know what you guys think!

Good things to come! Stay tuned.

...

Bonus:

Prytania felt a weight shift on the bed. She stirred a little, opening her eyes. It was dark in the room, the only light peaking through the slit in the dark curtains was moonlight. The room was big, but it seemed even bigger now in the dark. The shadows seemed to move. She felt panic arise from somewhere in her instincts. A cold sweat seized her as she felt someone watching. She reached over to wake Illumi, but as she pressed her hand down into the heap of blankets, it sunk into the empty covers. A sickly dread washed over Prytania. She quickly turned around, sensing danger. Something was coming right at her at an inhuman speed. She didn't give herself time to think or doubt. Her arm outstretched in the dark. She curled her middle finger, touching it with her thumb and flicked it forward. Her finger hit her target- Illumi's forehead. The air was silent for a second, but was interrupted by soft chuckling. Prytania reached over to the nightstand and yanked the chord to turn on the lamp. Illumi stood at the edge of the bed laughing.

"I can't believe you actually tried that."

Prytania was too tired to even feel embarrassed. She would give both Hisoka and Illumi hell in the morning. "Go the fuck to sleep."

"Yes ma'am!" Illumi said, mockingly before waltzing over to his side of the bed and diving beneath the blankets.