Melody and I walked down a long hallway inside the airship. I could feel my hands getting all sweaty from the nervousness. I'm actually going to see Kurapika after all this time.

"Your heart is beating rapidly. Are you scared to see him?" Melody asked

"N-Not really...I'm just..." I trailed off

"It's okay. I can sense that he is nervous to see you as well" She said

"How are you so sure?" I asked

"His heart is beating the same pace as yours" She said, smiling at me

"So he's just as nervous as I am?" I asked

"Yup"

I guess we're both nervous to see each other. It's been so long since we saw each other face to face.

I really do wonder how much he's changed since the Hunter's exam. Based on what everybody says about him being the chain-user and all, it seems he has definitely gotten stronger. Especially with his manipulation nen.

I do wonder if I'll see that gentle smile he always gave me back then. I miss seeing that the most.

After a couple more seconds of walking, we finally reached to the end of the hallway. I could see two figures at the distance. One figure was Chrollo and the other was Kurapika.

I gasped at the sight of Chrollo, his face was bruised badly and he is currently tied up in chains. Most likely Kurapika's chains.

"Chrollo!" I called out

His mouth was covered up by chains but I could tell he was giving me a warm smile.

Even though Chrollo never really shows it, but he always makes sure I don't get too worried when things involves him. I hope he's alright after looking at his injuries.

I shifted my gaze to Kurapika's. They weren't scarlet, just that plain blue/green eyes I loved to see back then.

"Hello Aoi" Kurapika said

My heart felt like it's going to explode. He's right there, holding my Boss hostage.

I wanted to run up to him and hug him.

I wanted to constantly tell him how sorry I am about the past.

I wanted to ask him for forgiveness.

"H-Hello Kurapika..." I said quietly, still fixed on his eyes.

"I'm really glad to know that you're safe" He said, with a faint smile.

The smile that I missed. It wasn't a gentle one but it was still a smile coming from the corner of his lips.

"Same for you. I'm glad that you and the others are well, even though Gon and Killua are currently with everyone else" I said, looking out the window.

"Don't worry about that, we're going to arrange something for them to be back here safely" Kurapika said

"Like what?" I asked

"See for yourself" Kurapika said as he looked past me as if someone was walking towards us

I turned around and I see Pakunoda standing at a short distance from us.

"Paku?..." I whispered to myself

What is she doing here?

"Stand next to me Aoi" Kurapika said

Without hesitation, I followed Kurapika's order and stood next to him. I'm confused. What's happening right now?

"Just to be safe, you're Pakunoda of the Phantom Troupe right?" Kurapika asked

"Yes I am" Paku answered

"Aoi? Is this really Pakunoda?" Kurapika asked, looking at me.

His gaze was making my heart beat fast again.

"Y-Yes. This is Pakunoda" I said, looking away from his gaze.

"She's telling the truth" Melody said, looking at Kurapika

"I will assign rules for the two of you" Kurapika said, speaking to Paku and Chrollo. "Respect them and your Boss will be released"

Paku nodded her head

"Let's start with your boss" Kurapika said as he took out his chain.

"First, your forbidden to use nen, second, you must cut all communications with other members of the Phantom Troupe. Last, I want you to release Aoi membership of the Spiders."

My eyes widened at Kurapika's last request. Release me as a member of the Spiders? That's ridiculous. They're my family. I wouldn't want to leave that for good.

"But-" I started to talk but I was cut off

"No 'but' Aoi. It's the only way" Kurapika said

I kept my mouth shut. I guess this is his plan on bringing me back to the group.

"If you agree to these terms for your Boss, respond" Kurapika said, looking at Paku

She stared at Chrollo for while then proceeded to stare at me. She looked as if she wasn't sure if she's about to make the right decision.

"I agree" She said

"Good. I shall use my judgement chain on him. It only takes effect if you break the rules. If a rule is broken, then the chain will pierce your heart and you'll die" Kurapika said as he used his chain and installed one inside Chrollo's heart.

Could this be the weapon that killed Uvogin? If so, what rule did he break that got him killed?

"As for you Pakunoda, first I want you to bring Gon and Killua back here before midnight. Second, I forbid you from sharing any information about me to the rest of the members. If you agree to this, I shall put the judgement chain inside you as well" Kurapika said

"I agree" Paku answered

With that, Kurapika used his chain and injected something insider her heart also.

"Now, I want you and Aoi to go back to your comrades and bring Gon and Killua back here before midnight. I want you back here alone. As for Aoi..." Kurapika turned to me. "You can come to us when you decided to. I've already freed you from this group. You can do whatever you want now"

I wanted to cry. I'm seriously not going to be a member of the Spiders anymore? I know I left last time but this time, it's the real deal. I'm officially no longer the number 4.

I looked at Chrollo, he nodded his head. I took that as his way of telling me that it's okay.

"I understand, take us back to the airport" Paku said as she turned her back towards us.

The airship landed at the airport as Paku and I made our way towards the exit.

I turned back to look at Chrollo once again. I had this strange feeling that this will be my last time seeing him.

"Let's go Aoi" Paku said

I took out my viola and made a musical cloud once again. Paku and I hoped on as we traveled back to Junkyard city.

We were both silent. No words to say, no questions to ask. Or at least I think so.

I wonder if Paku is mad at me. But I knew that she was hiding something too ever since we had our first encounter with Killua and Gon the other day.

"Since it's just you and me Aoi, and you're not longer a member, let me ask you this" Paku said

"What is it?" I asked

"Your connection with them. Machi said that you were with them as a group during the Hunter's exam. Is that true?" She asked

"Yes. I was with them the entire time" I said

"I saw you in that white haired kid's memory. He had many positive memories about you" She said

"What? Really?" I asked

"Yeah. It made me suspicious of why he and the other kid were stalking us. I thought you were selling information about us as well. Just like Hisoka" She said, looking at me.

"Oh no. I would never sell information about us. You know that Paku" I said, frowning upon her comment.

"I know. I'm sorry." She said. "But now that means you did have a connection with Kurapika. I'm surprised you kept his identity a secret from us even though he killed Uvogin"

"Sorry. But I didn't figure out who the chain-user was until I saw Gon and Killua. I didn't want to say anything because I know for sure Nobunaga will kill him and I don't want that to happen at all" I said, lowering my head.

I feel guilty for not saying anything. The others will probably think I've betrayed them or something.

"I could tell you're in love with him Aoi"

I lifted my head up and looked at Paku in surprise.

"What?" I asked

"Your prediction. It clearly says that you're in love with him. If you didn't love him, you would've told us that Kurapika was the one we're looking for. But you didn't. You chose to stay silent. That already tells me that you were possibly thinking about leaving us again." She said

I was shocked. I didn't expect Paku to guess this fact about me. Well, she is a smart woman after all.

I'm not even sure if I did had the thought of leaving the Spiders again. I do remember wanting to steal back the scarlet eyes and bring it to Kurapika.

"What are you going to do now? Kurapika has freed you from being a member of our group." Pakunoda asked

"I don't really know." I said

"I see. It's your decision. Do whatever you want" Paku said

I know it's my decision. But I don't know what my real decision is. It could be whatever the prediction said or maybe fate has changed since no one else died this week.

"I guess all I can say is, I'm letting fate decide for me" I said

"What do you mean by that?" Paku asked

"I'll wait for God or whatever give me a sign of what to do. I still want to stay with everyone here. You guys are like family to me." I said.

"I know Aoi. You're really important to us. You know that. Especially to Chrollo" She said

"But that means we won't be able to see Chrollo because he has the judgement chain inside him. What will happen to him? What will happen to the rest of us?" I asked

"I don't really know. We'll see after I bring those kids back to Kurapika. Don't worry about it Aoi. Everything will be fine" Paku said

She patted my head and hugged me. She may be mad at me, but I know deep down, she still loves me as family.

"Let's go and explain the conditions to everyone. I know Nobunaga will most likely not like this" Paku said

"Okay" I said, nodding my head.

We arrived outside our hideout. I put my Viola away as Pakunoda and I headed inside.

Things might get heated up in there.

I just hope things won't end badly.

~Author's Note~

Hey fellow readers!

I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update the chapters on a daily basis. Things has been extra busy at work so I haven't had the time to work on my stories. I deeply apologize! These chapters will come whenever I have a free time. Please be patient with me! This story is ALMOST done so most likely it will be completed over the weekend. Once again, sorry for bringing you guys a chapter so late! I'm doing the best I can! Keep being awesome readers!

~RiN