Opal City was as good as they come. As one of the four great Jewel Cities, it lived up to its name in elegance and affluence, and then some. White, immaculate buildings rose from the ground and buried themselves in the clouds. A few splashes of color on their glassed windows kept the urban landscape interesting. As the main port city of the Azian Empire it was home to the most prosperous trade over the last 200 years which had swelled the city and elevated its citizens to become among of the richest in the world.

Killua always enjoyed returning to the city, even as he felt out of place walking its street in week old clothing that probably smelled like fish from days of living on the sea lane. It was beautiful and made him feel it.

Opal City boasted one of the best hospitals of the continents. It was a large sprawling building made of equal parts metal and stone that contributed to an architecture that left Killua in awe no matter how many times he saw it, which was often.

In its shadow lay the Nurse's Housing, rows of very homely terraced single floored buildings, expectedly white with red tiled roofs and the occasional slap of green gas in between. It was almost impossible to distinguish one from the other but Killua confidently walked up to one.

He raised his fist to knock but before he could the door flung open and someone threw themselves into his arms.

"Brother!" squealed Star delightedly as she embraced him tight around the waist.

"Hey sis," he said, returning the hug. They stayed like that, arms around each other until she pulled away and took Killua's hand to lead him inside.

She immediately busied herself with bringing out snacks and drinks while he slumped down on her couch. Like most of the furniture, it was a bright pink color that stood harmoniously against a pastel blue wall. Most wizards would not waste magic on house décor but Star always had plenty to spare. When she had first moved in she had taken one look the white-washed wall and the nondescript, spartan furniture and decided that it all needed immediate revamping. Within less than five minutes in she had completely recolored the walls a lime green. Although, the last time Killua was here they had been purple.

"Brother, sit straight!" she scolded, and slapped him on the knee.

"Yes ma'am," he grumbled, and obliged. She set the tray full of tea and biscuit on the table in front of him and he helped himself, while she sat in the chair facing him, back straight and hands in her lap

"This is good tea," he said, and noticed the biscuits weren't weak or crumbly as well. The good stuff.

"I've been promoted," she smiled, tilting her head playfully. "They let me handle A&E cases now."

He chuckled, proud of her. He reached into his coat and produced a thick envelope. "I guess I can keep this to myself then."

"Yes, you should," she said firmly. "Buy new clothes. Get a haircut. Get a decent meal. Stop looking like a hobo."

"Haven't you heard? Hobo- chic is in this year."

"Hobo-chic, yes. Actual hobo, never." She looked serious for a brief moment, then it passed and she gave him a wide grin. "Something missed you."

"I missed her too," Killua said in a low tone. "I missed you both."

Star sighed audibly on behalf of two people. "Where've you been the last 6 months?"

"Yorbia. Apharika. The usual. Business as usual. Everything as usual."

Usual had started with Killua leaving Star and Something behind at Opal while he went off to other cities and took odd jobs for money that was used to pay for her Healing training. She had passed the training a long while back, but still the usual went on.

They spent the next 4 hours catching up. Star told him about the other nurses, patients and doctors, about every life she saved and every one she couldn't. Something quipped in to apologize and Killua told her that she didn't need to. They had done their best. In return, he told them his own stories. The taverns he visited, the inns he slept in, the people he had killed in cold blood and the ones he hadn't. Star nodded and listened but didn't comment. He was grateful that she didn't demur him like she used to. It was all he knew how to do and it made good money. Assassins were never in fashion but always in demand.

At sundown they went to get their decent meal at an eatery in downtown North-Opal. Star had been recommended this place by other nurses for its ambient atmosphere and the serenity of gazing out onto the lake it stood over. The view had delivered. The serenity had not.

"Why the hell is it so crowded in here?" Killua complained at his plate. He had to speak up so Star could hear him.

Star frowned at the crowd making all the ruckus. "I heard the Hunters Association was in town. Is this them?"

There were roughly 60 customers excluding the siblings. Something grand must've happened because they were celebrating, with drinks being passed noisily around and cheers being made. Barrels had been left out for them to serve themselves liberally. It seemed even the staff had given up with trying to maintain a decent atmosphere.

"Noisy bunch of maggots," Killua muttered.

Someone turned around at him. "Who said that? You – "

He didn't get to finish before a ball of flame belching from the kitchen blew him off his stool. The windows shattered with a violent outburst of glass and wood. People screamed and those who could ran out. Killua moved and shielded Star with his body before the two were pushed to the ground by the force of the explosion. His back was suddenly stinging.

"Fuck," he hissed.

"Brother," said Star's hollowed voice from underneath him. "Pat my head. Brush my hair"

He raised a hand – skin burnt almost raw – and obliged.

"Say my name."

"Alluka," he breathed, then "Nanika."

The necessary three requests were fulfilled and Killua could order, "Heal as much as you can." He realized it was vague but Star nodded and pushed him off her. He hissed and sat up. He saw Star's skin glimmer an unnatural white before she moved around him and started to work on his back. Then his arms and hands.

The magic poured over him like cool water. When he felt right again he stood up and assessed the damage around him. A quick spell from another wizard had immediately smothered the fire before it could do any more damage. People were shouting instructions at one another – those least injured were moving those who were outside onto the streets, fearing the possibility of a second explosion. Star ran out, skin flickering.

"Who's the most injured here? I'm a Healer," she announced. Someone caught her attention and she rushed to attend.

Killua helped relocate the customers still inside the building, assuring others that he was completely fine and that they should sit and attend to themselves. When everyone was out and most of the panic had died down, he sought out Star.

"Brother, there's a witch doctor here who could use your help," she said, without looking up at him. Her glowing hands floated over her current patient, who had burns all over down one side. The magic worked fast and the man's face began to relax as the pain subsided. Other than Star, there were two other Healers in the group, working nearby.

Unlike Healers, witch-doctors couldn't work directly onto wounds. Killua found him mixing ingredients into one of the restaurant soup bowls, murmuring a spell that made the mixture bubble and boil. A quick flick of his fingers stopped the process and it cooled and softened into almond colored cream.

"Where are you hurt?" he said, finally acknowledging Killua.

The doctor was a tall, broad shouldered man, wearing round teashade glasses that rested on a sharp nose and over sharp eyes. Killua placed him around his early thirties, although you could never be sure with men of magic.

"I'm okay, I'm here to help."

Between the two of them, they speedily applied the salve to those lesser burned, while the healers took care of the more serious cases.

Someone had called an ambulance and a coach came to carry people to the hospital, although most spurned it off, claiming to be okay now. The healers had done well.

Killua and the doctor sat down heavily on the restaurant steps.

"Doc," said the man, offering a hand. Killua shook it.

"Claws."

"That your girl?" he indicated Star.

"My sister."

"She's very good."

"I know."

She bounced over to them. Doc smiled at her, and introduced himself. He reached out a hand. She extended a hand in reply and he kissed it.

"Thank you, ma'am. How can we repay you and your brother for your kind work?"

She giggled. "Shooting Star. And there's no need. We're happy to help."

"What a beautiful name." And he sounded like he meant it.

Killua stood up and stretched. "Well, looks like we're all okay. Ready to go home now?" It was dark and the street lamps were lighting up, enchanted by routine.

"No, I absolutely insist we return the favor," Doc said stubbornly. "We ruined your dinner, didn't we? Come back to camp with us. We have excellent cooks on board."

"You really don't have to –, "Killua began but Star cut him off.

"We'd love to!"

Doc grinned at her. He stood up and she hooked his arm in his.

"M'lady," he said, and led the way. Killua groaned and dragged his feet behind them.

"So, Star tells me you're interested in joining."

"Did she now?" Killua said, slurping up the last of his noodles. Doc had not lied. The cooks were good.

The whole walk here Doc and Star had been whispering to each other like teenagers with a naughty secret, leaving Killua sulking behind them out of earshot. The Hunters had set up a base camp in an open field just on the perimeter of the city. Doc had taken them to the largest tent that housed the canteen and introduced them. Some people from the restaurant had recognized them, especially Star, and greeted them with enthusiasm. Now she was getting acquainted with the two other healers on the far side of the tent, leaving Doc to keep Killua company.

"Are you?"

"Well, if you're offering – "Killua stopped to lift his bowl and down the remains of the soup. Yum.

Truthfully it didn't matter to him. Working for the Hunters would be just another contract.

"I'm just a freelancer," he continued, modestly. "I'm not certain I'd be very useful to you guys."

"A red-star freelancer."

Killua couldn't gauge the expression on Doc's face. Disapproval? Sympathy?

"The association could always do with more skill around. Are you a wizard?"

"Barely."

Doc didn't reply, just stared blankly at him. Killua sighed and gave in. "Really, my ability is rudimentary. Only basic aura manipulation and sensing. I can't do spells or anything."

"You can't expect me to believe you've managed all this time on just that alone."

"Unless you're telling me that non-magic users walk around with their boots shoved up their asses, I think you can."

Doc conceded. "Well you pass the basic requirement to become a hunter."

"Being a wizard?"

"Being a smart-ass."

Doc grinned widely. Killua suddenly felt very comfortable, liking something had been lifted off his shoulders. He eased and leaned back into his chair.

"So what are you guys doing in Opal?"

"We just completed a contract with the mayor. Did you notice the new wards? That's all us. Anyways we're now staying to host elections for a new captain. We'll be moving out as soon as this is over. A new employer popped up pretty quick."

Killua pretended to be surprised. "Oh? What happened to your previous captain?"

"Bloody fool drank himself to death."

Doc liked to talk. Killua let him rant about their absent ex-captain, how the company would finally move forward without his ill reputation and frequent absences anchoring them down.

"He doesn't really sound like the type of guy fit to be captain," remarked Killua.

"Yeah well," Doc realized what he'd been doing and leaned back, running his hand through his hair. "Don't take my word for it. I've only been here a couple of years. When he first came into position he apparently did remarkable things for the association. People keep telling me that it's only the last few years that he's been slacking – "

He was interrupted by a hand resting itself on his shoulder. Killua looked up to see a young man with blonde hair and a grim expression shadowed against the light.

"Really, Doc, you shouldn't let company secrets to strangers."

"It's no secret what a bastard Boar was." He hastily did introductions. "Claws, Chains. Chains, Claws. He wants to join us."

Killua nodded politely and Chains returned it. He drew out a chair and seated himself. Killua was aware of Chain's magic concentrating itself around his eyes, studying him.

"You do realize we have procedures for new members," he said warily to Killua. Killua shrugged.

"Lighten up, Chains. He helped our guys out at the restaurant." No one was eating and Doc freely kicked up his feet on the table.

Chains relaxed and the magic abated. "Do you know anything about the fire?" He directed this at Killua.

"No clue. Me and my sister just wanted a peaceful dinner. Wasn't expecting a full house. Especially not you guys."

Chains seemed satisfied. "Well we're sorry about that."

"Wasn't your fault."

"No, but the fire was no accident. The staff all exited the establishment minutes before the explosion. Ninja just confirmed it was set off by magic."

"So we're targets again," Doc grumbled, clearly vexed.

"This happen often?"

"You're a freelancer. You would know. Some people just take things too damn personally."

The three settled into silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"So," Killua started. "What are the procedures for joining?"

"None. He was bluffing. The only procedure is asking the captain. If he says yes, you're in."

"Problem is," said Chains. "We don't have a captain at the moment."

"Yeah sorry, Claws. You're going to have to wait 'til the damned elections are over."

Someone at the next table shouted angrily, "Elections would be over if Goldeye fucking quit his mind games!"

Killua winced. He turned his head to see a lady with green hair slamming her mug down forcefully on the tabletop.

"Fucking Goldeye!" she screeched again. She was drunk. Killua turned back to the other two, who were looking at her with sympathy.

He lowered his voice. "You know, I am a red-star..."

Chains abruptly held up a hand. "Don't even think about it."

Killua raised his arms, as if surrendering. "Okay, but offer's out there if you ever want it."

A/N : Everyone who is a wizard goes by an alias. This fic is essentially a long game of 'who's who?'