Gon's eyes widened even more as he heard those hands tap the table with a blow which cracked it's surface. A flash of lightning struck the raining nightsky.

"What?! You saw Alluka?!" Killua said in a voice so loud that all people in that all people in the carenderia looked at their table. A rumble of thunder followed.

Kurapika's fiery red eyes turned blue as he raised his eyebrows innocently. "Yes, I did. He was on the marketplace walking around with that -"

"Ah! Where else did they go?" Those purple-gray eyes gave the blonde a manic stare.

"Well, I don't know. They both disappeared from my sight when I got blown into the air by his nen," Kurapika said giving his friend a serious look. "Your brother almost killed me, Killua. Hadn't I escaped, I could have been a pile of ashes right now."

The silver-haired young man sat back into his chair.

Gon patted the shoulder of this lad who had been his brother for five years. "Don't be so worried, ne. Your brother grew strong -"

"And that bastard is his mentor? No way! I will do everything in my power to bring him back home!"

Leorio's dark glasses dropped to his nosetip. "Eh? I thought you are breaking away with your family. But even a slight mention of Alluka makes you nervous to the bones."

"You don't understand! That brother of mine got lost for seven years. My father even declared him dead because of our lack of communication. My grandfather concluded three years ago that he might have died while undergoing his training in the real world. And he is still my little brother. And – and I can't hate him at all. He is –he is too kind and too innocent to be friends with that Spider! That jerk might hurt him! Or worse kill him!"

Those blue eyes gazed on that worried face. "I don't think so, Killua. Alluka protected Feitan. He even blew the whole market off to save that Ryodan."

"Don't panic, Killua-chan. I'm not used seeing you so hysterical like that. Your brother is surely safe," Gon said trying to console his best friend. "He blew the public market, right? For sure, with a nen like that, Mr. Feitan won't fight him."

"And that bastard might revive the Spider using Alluka," Leorio added. "It's possible -"

"Leorio!" Kurapika whispered stepping on the physician's feet. "You're making matters worse!" he said pointing to Killua's nervous face.

"Yeah, right."

"What are you going to do now?" Gon asked ignoring the other two sitting on that table with him.

"I- I think I'll inform my father about it," came the reply, the voice still obviously confused.

...

...

...

Everything was quiet. Not a sound emerged from the dark halls of the Zaoldyeck residence except for the swishing sound of the satin curtains blown mercilessly by the playful winds. A ringing sound of the telephone broke the silence.

Zeno answered the phone. "Killua! I thought you have entirely forgotten us. Have you decided to come home now and claim your inheritance?"

"Grandpa!" a somewhat hysterical voice greeted his ears.

"Eh? Why do you seem so panicky, my boy? I thought you are happy hanging around with your friends out there. Well, I must tell you that -"

"Grandpa listen! Alluka is alive!"

That news held him breathless for a moment. "What? Alluka?"

"My friend saw him on the public market of Yorknew City. Have you watched the news? That blown-off market, he blew it!"

"What? Hey, just calm down for a minute."

"No I can't! I need to find him as soon as possible! His life is in danger! Tell Kalluto about it!"

"Don't get too excited, my boy. Are you sure this news is true?"

"A hundred percent sure!" came the reply. "Bye now! I need to find him immediately!"

Zeno opened his mouth to speak but stopped when all he heard was the sound of the termination of that sudden call. The gray-haired man was left a little bit dumbfounded. That whirlwind conversation confused his impatient mind.

He shook his head for a moment. Alluka? That quiet, naïve boy who loved to walk around noiselessly on the darkest regions of their castle? They thought he was dead. They saw no sign of him. Not a even hint that he was alive. That child is indeed a Zaoldyeck. So powerful to give them this unexpected news. His son would surely be as shocked as him.

Speaking of his son, Silva was walking towards him. Still wearing his cold expression.

"Silva. I have a surprise for you," he said with grin.

"What surprise could it be, my father?" asked his successor as the patriarch of the family.

"Your son is alive," he replied.

Those white eyebrows knitted. "Of course my sons are alive."

"Alluka is alive."

Zeno's grin grew wider as Silva stood as if he was nailed on the floor.

"W-what?"

He roared with laughter. "I tell you, my son, nobody in this household is brittle enough to die without the knowledge of the whole clan. No Zaoldyeck could be that weak to die without a trace. See? He gave us a bluff and we believed. He deceived us so well."

Silva shook his head still shocked.

"Now," Zeno continued, "it is our turn to surprise him. His birthday is coming near. When was that?"

"Monday next week," Silva replied.

"Hmm.. We haven't celebrated birthday parties right? I think it is the time for us to make merry. Let's give him a fine blowout. What do you think?"

"Right, father. This calls for a celebration," Silva agreed.

Zeno nodded his head with satisfaction. "Now I think you must call Illumi to get him home."

"Yes, father."