Free time is a strange thing. I love having it. In fact, I barely do anything and bask in the freedom of free time. I feel constricted if any is taken from me...which I guess is a bit childishly selfish. Even so, when it drags on for so long it gets boring. I end up lying in bed and staring at the ceiling, or wandering around the house without a purpose. And when someone tells me there's something I need to do, I get upset. I usually do it anyway, though. Free time is something everyone needs, but it can kind of get addicting like a drug. I mean, it's probably bad to have this much free time. But...I don't really like doing things, so I can't help it! I like typing, and posting these chapter, but that only takes up so much time in a day, you know?

Well, feel free to eat up some of your own free time reading this.

I chew the inside of my cheek as I gaze up at the towering hotel. Against the black of the sky, the lit windows are like polkadots on a little girl's dress. So this is it, huh? This where Uvogin's captor is staying. I wonder if they'll turn it into a battlefield. I don't know about the chain user, but Uvo probably wouldn't hesitant to turn this place into rubble. Guess that means the question is whether or not I go in. It would be pretty irritating if all of a sudden the floors above all caved in on me. Scowling, I tilt my head as I try to decide. To go or not to go?

My answer is given to me on a silver platter when I spy the blonde who met with Hisoka the other night. Since Uvo's trailing behind him, that must mean he's the chain user. Hisoka and the chain user….that sneak. If some of the others knew….as entertaining as that'd be, he'd know I was the one to tattle. Being him, he would not take kindly to that.

I follow the two with a skip in my step, doing my best to contain my excitement. If I get too giddy, my aura might leak. That, and the fact that a lunatic girl would probably draw attention even despite my Zetsu. I don't have to hide my anticipation for long, though. After a while it warps into impatience. Where exactly are they heading? We're already on the very fringe of Yorknew. How much farther do they plan on going?

Even so, the thought to ditch them doesn't cross my mind. Not only do I owe Shalnark for the information, but I'm un-bearably curious! I want to see what this blonde can do! He's got to be a sight to see, with him knowing Hisoka and going after the Phantom Troupe and all.

Finally, after an eternity of walking, they stop at an isolated area in the rocky, outer rim of the Yorknew outskirts. It's too bad they didn't go in the other direction. About this distance away from Yorknew, in the opposite direction, is that forest I used to love. It's been awhile since I've visited it.

Then, to my frustration, Uvo excuses himself to go take a piss. I barely hold myself back from pounding my fist into the cliff I'm climbing, only able to do so because it would give away my presence. I quickly hoist myself the rest of the way up the rock wall and cross my legs. I doubt either of them will be too concerned with what's above them while they fight, so I should be fine here even though it's out in the open.

It isn't long before Uvo returns. However, my irritation only grows as they converse. Not only can I not hear them from this far away, which wouldn't change even if I were to use Nen, but I came to watch them fight! Get to it already! Spill me some blood!

However long they talk for, it's too long. But they get to the fighting, anyhow. At least whatever the blonde said seems to have gotten Uvogin in the mood for bloodshed. He attacks first, evaded by the blonde who throws around his chains as he dodges. I haven't really considered it before, but now I kinda want to know what type of Nen user he is. Judging by the chains, he's probably a conjurer. I guess it's possible he could be a manipulator. Either one works for me. My Cancellation is effective against him either way.

I hold my hand in front of me, keeping a vague attention directed at the fight as Uvogin charges again. Let's see...Conjuring chains, huh? I probably can't mimic his ability to the dot, but that isn't a requirement. All I have to do is conjure up a few links.

Before I can feel the metal in my hand, a booming crash startles me from my concentration. I bite back a curse, a cloud of dust blocking my vision of the blonde. Uvogin must've hit him pretty hard, for that much damage to have been inflicted on the cliffside. A conjurer would take a lot of damage from an attack like that.

Despite what should be, the apparent conjurer emerges untouched from the wreckage. Although I cannot see Uvo's face from this angle, I'm doubtfully alone in my confusion. Was my assessment wrong? Could it be he's not a conjurer? Or, is he just that strong? But how is it possible that someone could harden themselves enough to not take damage from the beast of the troupe? I mean, Uvogin's stronger than me! Is this boy invincible or something?

I pause. Could it be possible….could he have a Nen like mine? I've never met anyone with anything like my Cancellation. If so, what're his requirements, then? Or did he put restrictions on himself instead?

Tch

I click my tongue in displeasure when Uvogin raises yet another screen of smoke using the dust brought up from the impact of his Big Bang fist. Whatever happens within it, I miss, but when it's dispersed it's clear I missed much. One of the blonde's arms has gone limp at his side, an indication of serious injury.

And then, chains materialize around Uvo. It's the same as the time Uvogin was abducted, the restraints coming out of nowhere. Incredible! During all of that, he managed not only to uphold the use of In, but capture his prey without trouble. I like this pretty boy. Then the blonde reaches up and removes what seems to be a contact lense from his eye. What's revealed sends my heart thumping like a drum against my chest.

His eyes are a shimmering scarlet, glittering like rubies in the dead of night.

Realizing I've stopped breathing, I suck in a breath. My eyes don't leave his, awestruck. Since when did humans have eyes that beautiful? They're...beautiful doesn't do the color justice! Forget the scarlet of a cardinal, or the crimson of freshly spilt blood. I'll never again think those shades of red breathtaking.

I have to force myself to look away when the blonde once again moves his arm, his broken arm appearing to repair itself. As this sinks in, my mouth dangles open as if off its hinges. H...how can he do that? How can he heal his own arm? What type of Nen user can both heal, and conjure chains powerful enough to trap even Uvogin?

Uvo, apparently not as baffled as I am, continues to try to snap the chains. The strange thing is, I can't sense any Nen from him. Does that mean the chains force Zetsu? Or do they somehow absorb Nen?

And then the beautiful blonde begins pummeling his prisoner. I pump my fists in the air in delight, restraining my hoots and hollers and laughter as he beats the all-powerful Uvogin to a pulp. I wonder what Uvogin would do if he saw me now. Would he get mad? Would he ask for help? No, he's too prideful to ask that. I wonder if he'd laugh with me.

The blonde eventually steps back. By this point, Uvo's bruised and bleeding like I've never seen him before. Then, a chain is thrown the distance between them, anchoring itself to Uvogin's chest above his heart. Uvogin grins, surprisingly enough, in triumph, at the blonde.

Then I jump as he collapses.

The chains vanish, but Uvogin doesn't budge. Is...he dead? Just like that? What just happened?

The blonde's glimmering eyes chill to a darker tone undefinable in the darkness, and he slips out his phone. As he makes his call, I stand. Bracing myself, I step off the edge and land on the lower ground with a thud.

The noise makes the blonde move the phone away from his ear and twist. Seeing my arrival, he finishes his call. I ignore him for the moment, approaching the laying form of Uvogin. I nudge him with my foot. Indeed, he's dead. Otherwise he'd never allow me to step on him.

"You fought well, you brute," I compliment, removing my foot. "You're still an idiot, though."

"Are you also part of the Phantom Troupe?" the pretty boy demands, summoning his chains. I hastily throw up my hands to indicate no harm.

"That's kinda hard to answer, blondie," I admit. "I'm sorta just an extra, piggybacking the spider for now. I'm curious about you, but I don't really want to fight you after seeing all of that."

He shifts his stance, readying for battle. "I can't let you go back if you saw."

"Relax! I'm not gonna go blabbing to the others! I told you, I'm technically not part of the gang, so I'm not so loyal to the spider."

"...Answer me. Were you part of the Kurta Clan massacre five years ago?"

I blink. "Kurta Clan? I don't think I remember anything like that."

His eyes flash red again before fading. "All of my people had these red eyes. I'm the only one left."

"Oh? That's disappointing. Your eyes are such gems, too. Were they killed for their eyes, then? I do remember Chrollo mentioning something about eyes when I first joined."

"Then you were a part of it!"

"No!" I rush, drawing out my Nen for possible defense. "No, I didn't! I'm pretty sure that happened right before I found them! I promise, I'd remember if I'd ever seen eyes like yours before."

"And?" he questions. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"

"Because, I've taken a liking to you. And after seeing you bring down Uvo, of all people, I don't want to get you angry. Ah, why is this so hard? If Pakunoda was here, she could just confirm that I'm not lying! I'd suggest we get her, but you're probably against that, aren't you. And I don't want her to know about this, either. She'd just go and tell everyone everything and ruin my fun!" I pout.

He appraises me, suspicious. "Do you really want my trust?"

"It would be so much easier, so yeah! I do! But I'm not gonna go telling you all about the spider, okay? You've got Hisoka for that."

"How do you know about that?" he stiffens.

"I trailed him," I stick out my tongue, using my 'well duh' tone of voice. "I followed him the same way I followed the two of you out here and watched your entire fight without either of you noticing."

Pretty boy thinks for a second before saying, "Are you willing to let me put a contract on you?"

I raise a brow. "A contract?"

"With your life on the line, if you break the rules. I'll put a Nen sword by your heart, and it'll pierce you if you break the covenant."

How interesting! What category does that fall under? Would that be an emitter technique? Or a manipulator? He seems to be a conjurer, although he seems to be able to do things beyond the abilities of one. It doesn't seem like the Nen sword falls under enhancer, or transmuter, so I should be able to cancel it as long as my overall Nen strength is stronger than his. And I think….from what I've seen, his emotions make his aura pretty strong, but I think when all is said and done that mine is sturdier. Therefore, his Nen sword is no threat to me. But I'll keep that little fact to myself.

"I might be willing," I relent, "if I agree to the rules. As I said, I'm not going to spill everything about the spider like some traitor out there. I might want your trust, but I'm not going to give up my freedom for it."

"How does this sound?" he presents, holding up the Nen sword attached to one of his chains. "You must answer my questions truthfully, but you can refuse to answer if you feel that I've overstepped my boundaries. If you lie to me, though, you'll die. The same will also happen if you try to attack me or any of my allies, or if you tell anything about us to the other members of the troupe. If you agree to these terms, I am willing to offer you a bit of my trust. Be warned, though, that I will never fully trust anyone associated with the Phantom Troupe."

I consider the offer, crossing my arms. Honestly, his deal isn't bad. Even if I didn't have the ability to rid myself of the covenant, his conditions are quite accommodating. It also gives me an excuse not to spill my guts to Shalnark, even if I do owe him one. And once he's put those restrictions on me, and can come and go from his side as I please. I'll get the pleasure of experiencing the fight between him and the troupe from both sides. Not even Hisoka has a position as good as this!

Smiling, I spread my arms wide in surrender. "Alright, deal!"

His throwing style bears a resemblance to Machi's. The Nen pierces through me, my Cancellation held at bay so he can be sure it's secured. As soon as the chains have wrapped securely around my beating heart, the chains outside my body vanish. I let the sword sit in my body for now, just in case he can sense whether or not it's there. If he'd just reworded one of his conditions, he really would have me under contract. Instead of saying I can't attack him or his friends, he should have specified that I can't use my Nen against them. Had he said that, I wouldn't be able to remove the blade.

Satisfied, he asks his first question. "Were you part of the massacre that wiped out my clan?"

"Nope!" I pop the P.

"Are you loyal to the spider?"

"Not really."

"Do you intend me any harm, or harm to my allies?"

"I do not. Happy now?"

"Then," he concludes his questioning with, "what's your name?"

Finally! He's accepted me! "Corona. I prefer not using any particular last name."

"I'm Kurapika," he introduces. "Now, are you going to help me bury your fallen comrade?"

I shrug as he conjures a shovel, copying him and creating a (probably more fragile) shovel of my own. "Sure, why not? We got along pretty well when he was alive."

Her first contact with Kurapika. It was certainly...interesting. She's just so chill! I mean, she clearly understands that he has vengeful hostility towards members of the troupe, and yet she still approaches his so easily. And then there's the fact that she chose to keep the Nen sword pointed at her heart. I think Kurapika let her off so easily because she was so casual. That and the fact that she didn't massacre his clan. That tidbit probably helped her case a little. Anyway, I'm still writing this story furiously. I honestly don't know if I'm anywhere near finishing it, or where the story is going. I have only one big event in my mind, but I obviously need more than that. But isn't that fun? That means all of us will be surprised about what's to come! I love it when I'm left in the same situation as you guys like this! And then it's up to me to think up a clever way to make it all come together! Ah, I can't wait to write more!

Till then, Kisses from SnowyNeko! :3 MEOW!