A/N: Now it seems like Possessed is in a slump. Oh well. At least I'm picking something back up. Enjoy!

The Ryodan's Hideout

Gon, Stasy, and Killua stood in an appraising shop, while Leorio looked for information on the Ryodan online back at the hotel. They had discovered a way of finding rare items by using Gyo to see if it gave off an aura, and then they'd bid for it in the free market.

"Oh? You had this at home?" the appraiser asked as he looked at a framed picture.

"Yes, in our abandoned attic," Killua lied. "Our parents said we could sell it, depending on the price, so I brought it."

"These objects are very nice," he commented. "This one, for example," he held up the picture "is a lithography by Muca Tolinni. This series has 50 prints, and this is one of the first, plus it's signed. The artist only signed the tablets he really liked. I think the signature is authentic. I would give you 150, 000 jenis for it."

The children exclaimed in silence, doing the math in their head. They would have an increase in 139, 000 jenis for this.

"And this one," he picked up the bizarre wooden sculpture. "I'm sorry, but this doesn't seem to be of value at all. The sculpture itself is raw in its confection, lack of seals, and above all, doesn't have a signature. This must have been made some hundred years ago. I'm willing to give you 1, 500 jenis for it."

"Really?" Stasy grumbled when she figured out it would result in a complete loss of money.

"I'm talking about the price as a sculpture," the appraiser said. "This wood is quite old and pure. I'm sure some sculptures would be willing to give quite a bit of money for this. Could I go to the back to look at it and decipher its age?"

"Yeah, sure," Killua said, as he decided to discuss his options with the others.

"Don't move!" a man with red hair shouted from behind them. "Leave that piece of wood where it is! Don't be tricked, kids. For the other items, the prices are honest, but for the wood, he's cheating you."

"What are you doing here?" the appraiser stepped back. "I didn't lie to them."

"How's that?" the red haired man challenged. "I'm sure you don't know any sculpture willing to pay anything over 1, 000 jenis for that hunk of wood. It's what's inside the sculpture that interests you. It's a wooden chest. 300 years ago, the rich used to hide their treasure in it. Ironically, the ploy was so subtle, that if the owner died, the family would throw it away without any idea of what it contained.

"There's a detail that only a trained eye can see. That point indicates the chest has never been opened after sealing. If it's original, it must contain a huge quantity of precious objects. You wanted to pretend to check the age of the wood, and use that chance to empty the chest, right?"

"But. . .err. . .I. . ." the appraiser stuttered.

The red haired stranger gave a smirk.

"Thanks, Mr. Zepairu," Gon said to the red head. "Any longer and we would've been tricked.

"No need to thank me," Zepairu said as they walked down the busy streets. "It was nothing more than an exchange."

"Huh?"

Zepairu held up to fingers. "Twenty percent. That'll be my part after you sell the wooden sculpture."

"WHAT?"

"You really don't know anything. There's tariff for that kind of service."

"Twenty percent isn't possible," Killua stepped in. "If you want, we'll offer you lunch."

"Sure," Zepairu smiled.

Zepairu ended up eating about three times the normal amount of a grown adult. Killua wanted to cry as he watched the money fly out of his wallet, especially with Stasy needing to feed eight people.

"Answer me something," Zepairu said as he shoved noodles into his mouth. "How did you size up those objects?"

"Size up?" Gon cocked his head to the side.

"What's that mean?" Killua asked.

"Are you serious?!" Zepairu shouted. "If you don't even know what 'sizing p' means then how did you choose those objects?! Don't tell me it was pure coincidence!"

"Actually. . ." Gon looked at Killua, and then explained the entire thing to him, about having to find his father in Greed Island and the money they would need.

"I've got one last question," Zepairu said as he took out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. "How can I help you? If you want to get a lot of money in auctions, you have to know how to size up. I'll let you decide my commission rate. What do you think?"

"Fine," Killua said. "I too, want to ask you one last question. Why do you want to help us?"

"Because sizing up is my job," Zepairu answered seriously. "It's only normal to offer my services to those who need them."

Gon picked up the phone when he felt it vibrating. "Hello? Leorio?"

Killua and Stasy looked eagerly at him. "The Ryodan?"

"Yes," Leorio answered over the phone. "It's apparently true. I received a file with the message where we can clearly see the Ryodan moving. The informer has a cell phone with a camera, and sent me a message combined with the image. I will now ask him for information on their exact position."

"Eh? Let's go!" Gon said as he hung up the phone, and pulled the other two kids along with him. "Sorry, Zepairu, but could you sell the items without us?"

"Huh?"

"We gotta go! We'll come back later!" Gon shouted as he pulled Stasy and Killua along with him.

"Now here's the real problem," Leorio sighed as he glanced over the ledge to a table where he saw two members of the Ryodan sitting, supposedly on a date. "How do we capture them?"

"We don't," Killua said, head in his hand. "We can't do anything if we face them. Imagine you have two Hisoka's sitting at that table."

"Oh! That must mean they'll be fun!" Stasy exclaimed, while Leorio and Gon looked warily at each other.

"Why do you think they're in this square?" Killua asked them.

"It's a date, isn't it obvious?" Leorio said.

"No," Killua grumbled. "They noticed the couple watching them. Without even showing it, they kept control over everything around them, watching everyone and everything. If we get even a little closer, you can be sure they'll keep their eyes on us. At first, I thought that attitude was normal because the mafia was after them, but I realized they wouldn't come to such an exposed area. They look nothing like hunted people. They're waiting to be found. Waiting for their prey to fall into their web. They're ready to pounce.

"Gon, Stasy, and I will take care of the shadowing. They must not spot us. We'll be using Zetsu. Gon! Stasy! Two rules to obey. If they see us, we stop following immediately. We leave without hesitation. Secondly, if I think it's impossible, we stop. Alright?"

"Yes sir!" Stasy said, flicking her hand to her head in a salute.

"Ok," Gon agreed.

"The sign to stop is one ring," Killua said, holding up the phones they had bought. "Two rings are for a classical call. If we separate, Gon, Stasy, you follow the girl. I'll follow the guy. Leorio, you contact Zepairu and deal with the auction."

Leorio nodded, but Stasy stepped in, still smiling brightly, but Killua knew she was displeased. "Why do I need to be stuck with Gon? I can follow either one I choose."

"Face it, you two are the weakest," he said coldly, but then he whispered to her so that only she could hear. "Remember our promise to protect Gon? If anything happens to him, it's your head, got it?"

Stasy smiled blissfully, but her nod was serious.

Shit, Killua bit his lower lip as he watched the two Ryodan members from behind the leaves of a tree, praying that Stasy and Gon wouldn't slip up. He was more worried about Stasy, though. That girl couldn't shut up. They've moved into a deserted area. Is it a trap? Have they spotted us? It could be their HQ. Which is it? They don't show any signs of noticing us. . .we'll continue.

They followed the two into a pile of ruins. They stood in the middle, in plain sight, not moving. "What do you think of it, Killua?" Stasy whispered through the phone.

"An appointment. . .?" he guessed. "Unless they're inviting us?"

"Us?" Gon repeated on the three-way. "You think they've spotted us?"

"Either is likely, but they don't know our positions," Killua said. "If it's an invitation, their message is 'Show yourselves.'"

"What are we doing then?" Stasy asked.

"We quietly observe," Killua said. "The possibility of an appointment is not far-fetched. I'm cutting. Stay alert."

Killua put the cell phone away, never taking his eyes off of the two. The long-haired man had taken out a cell-phone and was tailing away, but for a brief second, he paused and looked straight at where Killua was. At that moment, he knew they had been spotted, and flicked around, but there was a man in a black jacket blocking his way. Stasy and Gon had noticed as well, and when they turned around, a woman with a flat nose and a nice business suit was blocking their escape.

Killua instantly shot around the room, so fast that he was only a blur. But the man in the running jacket simply stuck his hand out and grabbed Killua by the leg, so that he was hanging upside down. But the white haired assassin didn't falter, he used his free leg to kick himself free, and landed with ease a few feet away.

"Hey, Finks," Killua turned around to see the long-haired man he was following climb through the third story window of the old building. "What are you doing here? I thought you were out with the boss?"

"If you want to fool you're enemies, start by fooling your friends," the scary-looking man in the jacket answered. "I see that you're prudent, as usual."

"The boss tricked me once more," the long-haired man with a black goatee sighed. "I was thinking there were too many good nen users around here. Fine. . .kid, I have some questions for you."

Meanwhile, Stasy and Gon were glaring into the face of the flat-nosed woman with short, brown hair, and the girl with long, ruffled, orchid hair. Gon held his fishing rod tightly in his hand, and Stasy had already plucked one of her hairs.

"Do either of you know the chain guy?" the flat nose woman asked.

"Huh?" they said simultaneously.

"We're looking for a nen user who has a chain," the purple haired woman said. "Is he the one that asked you to track us?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Gon said, on edge. "We tracked you of our own free will."

"Should I check if he's lying?" the flat-nosed woman asked the other. "And the girl too. She's been awfully silent this whole time."

----

"Question # 1: why are you tracking us?" the long-black haired man asked.

Deciding it would be stupid to lie, Killua told the truth. "The mafia's giving a generous reward on your head. There are a lot of sites that give money just to know where you are."

"Question # 2: who taught you the shadowing?"

"Better than shadowing, its a technique that allows us to hide our presence, Zetsu. I know it, because I wanted to become a professional hunter."

"Who taught it to you?"

"A master of kung-fu shingen."

Question # 3: do you know a nen user who uses a chain?"

"A chain?"

"He's from the Manipulation or Transformation Nen type."

"You're master didn't have a chain at the right wrist?" Fink spoke. "Unless its you?"

"I don't know," Killua answered, sweating badly. "My master is from the Reinforcement type. He only taught me the four basic principles."

"Really?" the long haired man sighed. "Ok, last question. You have two choices. Do you want to die now? Or later?"

---

There was a ring from the pocket of the woman with a flat nose. Gon saw this as a chance to make an escape, but the purple haired lady already had his arms pressed behind his back. "Don't make useless moves," she ordered.

Gon glanced to the side, to see Stasy smiling, carefree. She had thrown away the piece of hair in her hand, and looked completely relaxed. Had she got hit on the head or something?

The woman with the flat nose hung up the phone and returned it to her pocket. "Your friend wisely let himself get captured."

They were ushered into a four door sedan, where they were driven to what seemed like the middle of no where. The flat-nosed lady pushed a rotten, wooden door to a rumbling building open.

"Welcome to our hideout," she said, as the kids were ushered forth.

The room was broken down with various pieces of rubble and the ceiling lying on the floor, where the other members of the Ryodan now sat. Eleven people kept their cautious eyes on the three children. There was a boy with blonde hair, a plain looking woman with short, black hair, red spectacles, and a blue sweater, what might've been a woman, but was in fact a man was wearing a full black suit that covered everything below the eyes, a strange looking bald man wearing nothing but belts that left only his eyes and nose to be seen, a giant with long ears, several stitches, and short tufts of black hair on the top of his humongous head, a small kid with long hair with a striking resemblance to Cousin It, and none other than Hisoka, who was ignoring them at the moment.

Stasy was about to open her mouth to say hi, but she was quickly reprimanded by Apathy.

Don't say a word, idiot!

What? Why? I was just going to say 'hi' to Hisoka-nii. He might help us out of here.

He can't, retard, how do you think the Ryodan will act if they know each other? It'll be bad for both of us. Just stay quiet. It looks like Killua already got the memo. Now, let's just hope Gon-

"Ah!" Gon cried in exclamation.

Killua and Stasy froze. Idiot!

"What?" the long-haired man asked. "Is there someone you know?"

"Err. . .no, actually," Killua scanned the room for something that might help him, and then his eyes lay on the girl with the red spectacles. "Ah! The woman who was in the arm wrestling!"

"You know them, Shizuku?" Fink asked her.

"No, not at all," the one named Shizuku replied.

"Ah. . .I remember," the one with the black suit said. "The kid who was arm wrestling."

"When was this?" Shizuku asked.

"The day before yesterday," the giant told her. "You lost to this kid at arm wrestling."

"No, I never would've lost against a kid," Shizuku said.

"But you did, with your right arm," the giant told her.

"Why would I have done that when I'm left handed?" said Shizuku.

The giant furrowed his eyebrows and then gave up. "Never mind, my mistake."

"So you won against Shizuku in arm wrestling?" the long haired man asked Gon.

"Yes," Gon answered honestly.

"Fine, play against me," the long haired man said as he pulled his sleek, black hair into a ponytail.

The long-haired man gestured towards a table where Gon sat, and the others watched. Time and time again, Gon's hand was slammed into the wooden table, until it began to bleed. Gon had already begun to sweat with the stress, and Killua could feel himself sweating just watching him.

"Say, what's my ranking in the Ryodan for arm wrestling?" the long haired man asked his teammates.

"Seventh or eighth, I think," the purple haired woman said. "Not strong, but not weak, either."

"The strongest of us was a guy named Ubougin," the long haired man said to Gon as he slammed his fist on the table again. "It seems he's been killed by that guy with a chain."

"We already told you that we don't know him, didn't we?" Killua said.

"Next time you open that mouth without permission, I'll kill you," the long haired man warned Killua with a fierce look in his eye as he shoved Gon's fist into the table again.

Gon's wounds would surely be infected if he kept shoving it into the table like that, but he didn't show any signs of weakness, and bore through it.

"He used Reinforcement," the man continued. "We were like two fingers of one hand. He was quite demanding about punctuality. He often argued with Franklin and I because of our tardiness. We hit each other like kids, and I always lost." The man with the ponytail began to quiver with emotion now. "We knew each other before joining the Ryodan. I'm the one who knew him best." Tears streamed his angry face. "It's not possible that he lost while fighting loyally. He must've fallen into some kind of coward's trap! I'm positive! I'll never forgive him! Even if I have to kill ten's of people, I'll kill him! The chain guy must have a strong feeling of hate against us. He was hired by the Nostrad clan."

Killua stiffened as he made the connection. A strong hate. . .No. . .

"You might not know him directly, but you could have heard rumors about him," the long haired man said, calming somewhat. "Try to remember. If you have any idea, say it without hesitation."

"I don't know," Gon said, his voice firm. "And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell you!"

Everyone looked at Gon in surprise. Did he not realize the situation he was in?

"I was thinking you couldn't cry, nor did you have a heart," Gon said as the aura of Nen around him began to grow brighter. "Being able to cry for your companion. But in that case, why. . .even a little. . .don't you share that feeling with all the people you kill!" With those last words shouted, Gon slammed the ponytail man's hand into the table to hard that a crack made its way across the table.

However, the one with the black suit had Gon's arms pinned behind his back in an instant. As Gon winced in pain, Killua took a step to help, but then he stopped as the sheer murderous intent of Hisoka from behind him kept him still. He had a two of spades to Killua's neck, so close that it drew blood. "One move, and I cut."

A few of the other Ryodan members looked over to Stasy, but she made no movement, only smiled serenely, watching the precessions happily.

"Answer my question," the one restraining Gon said. "Do you know the chain guy?"

"I'll say it once more," Gon said, his eyes lit with righteous fury. "I have nothing to tell you!"

Just as the black suit guy looked like he was about to snap Gon's arm in half, the ponytail guy stepped in.

"Feitang, stop it."

"Stop what, Nobunaga?" he asked.

"What you were trying to do," Nobunaga said.

"Because you know what I'm trying to do?" Feitang said sarcastically.

"You're aiming to break his arm, right?"

"I was thinking of starting with the fingers. Carefully removing his nails. . ."

"Who are you to order me around? I don't have to listen to you."

They glared at each other like two roaring tigers about to clash.

"Oi! That's enough, Nobunaga," the giant stepped in. "You're not respecting the rules. Serious quarrels are forbidden between members."

"I know," Nobunaga said as he calmed down. "In that case, we'll settle it with a coin, is that okay?"

Nobunaga pulled out a small, plastic coin with a spider marked on it. He flipped it in the air, and caught it in the flash of an eye, placing it on his outstretched arm.

"Tails," Feitang called.

"Heads," Nobunaga said.

He lifted his hand to reveal the spider coin facing up.

"Heads," Nobunaga said.

"Leave him alone, Feitang," Finks said.

Feitang begrudgingly released the glaring Gon, and stepped back.

"So what are we going to do with them?" Shizuku asked. "They still haven't told us anything about the chain guy."

"If they don't know anything, let's release them," the giant said. "What do you say, Pakunoda?" He looked over to the flat nosed woman.

"I examined them on our way here," she said. "Neither of them knows anything."

"Really?" the purple haired woman asked.

"Yes, no trace of the chain guy in their memories."

"Your intuition was wrong," Nobunaga said.

"Odd," the purple haired woman commented. "That rarely ever happens."

While they talked, Killua sneaked over towards Gon and Stasy. "Hey, did they do anything to you two on our way here?" he whispered.

"No," Stasy whispered back. "They only asked us questions."

"That's what I thought. . ." Killua muttered, his brain trying to sort everything out, until it hit him. He remembered a when they were driving in the car, on their way to the hideout, the Pakunoda lady had wrapped her arm around him, and asked him questions. Could she have the ability to search a persons memories simply by touching her target? Now I understand. Before, I couldn't think of anything in particular, but now I've made the connection. If she examines me again, it's over!

"If they're not related to the chain guy, we can let them leave, right?" the giant asked the blonde kid.

"Yeah, it's pointless to keep them here," he said. "He's our objective. That's all. Others can be released."

"There we go," Feitang said melodically. "You can go back home."

The children turned to walk away, Gon sticking his tongue out at Feitang, but they stopped when Nobunaga said, "We won't let them leave."

They turned around and looked at him. He stared straight at Gon with a smirk playing on his face.

"Kid, join the Ryodan."

"No way!" Gon immediately replied. "Enter your clan? I'd rather die!"

"It seems he really hates us," Nobunaga chuckled. "You use Reinforcement, right?"

"What does that have to do with anything?"

" Ha ha! Yes, there's no doubt about it!" Nobunaga laughed. "Fine, we'll keep them here until the return of the boss. We'll make them enter the Ryodan."

"You're serious?" Finks said.

"Do you really think the boss will accept it?" Feitang said.

"Pff! I don't care," the purple haired woman said as she chose a spot for her to sit.

"I don't know about the two boys," Pakunoda said. "But the girl definitely has to stay here."

"Her?" Finks looked at the brightly smiling girl. "She's kinda weird."

"Yeah, she hasn't said a word this entire time," Finks said.

"I saw the boss in her past," Pakunoda said. "And from what I saw, he'll be very ecstatic to be reunited with her."

The serene smile dropped from Stasy's face as she gaped at Pakunoda.