AHA. Hi everyone! So…it's been two years. I know, I'm terrible for keeping everyone waiting for that long. Truthfully, I logged onto my account last night and saw all the alerts, reviews and inbox messages asking for updates and I just couldn't ignore all the kind words everyone has said about this fanfic. So Alas I've squeezed my brain trying to remember all the plans I had for it and tried to give you a good chapter. This one is a bit slow since I was trying to get back into the mindset of all the characters.

Anyways for everyone who's waited I thank you, and for everyone who's reviewed and messaged me, it's thanks to you I've gotten my motivation to continue. 3

Chapter 13

Her fate was sealed

She hadn't got a clue

Vengeance

Was suddenly a common ground

There was a time Scarlett believed that she would never have to return to the boring life of the Ashworth estate affairs. The resolve she had made five years ago had been her decision to follow her dreams of being a hunter, of living a fulfilling life of adventure, excitement, and full potential. It was to follow a life of freedom-of happiness. It was upon her selfish childish desires that she acted on, completely disregarding her family in pursuit of the very things she wanted. I had made her hardly any different than anyone else in her family. Her sister and father following with he same actions of self interest just as much as herself, leaving her with a painful contrast from her mother.

So how was it she was back home?

That particular night, August 31st, was a special occasion for the Ashworths; namingly her father. The sound of the music in the ballroom reached to her own. The chatter plagued the halls of their estate; the rich gaped at their lavished, over the top mansion. The women batted their eyes and sipped at their offered wine glasses. They laughed their jingle like laugh to the men that spoke to them, knowing well where they stood in the city's social status. Whether they were young, attractive and fit or old, wrinkled, and withered by the excessive alcohol consumption, they would sleep with them. It was the way of the people in Yorkshin. A dog eat dog kind of place.

And Scarlett knew very well how the people in the godforsaken city lived their lives. Money was everything. It bought happiness, it bought luxury, it even bought people; which was what everyone wanted and was exactly what disinterested her.

Yet there she was, about to be the center of it all.

Scarlett was unmoved from her seat in front of her vanity. Without a doubt Alexis was doors down from her room working every second to perfect her look in attempt to outshine her twin. It was then in the silence of her internal affliction did she wonder, truly wonder why Alexis hated her so much. Had their obsession in their pursuit of selfish interest really been he cause of this very mess? Her brown eyes remained averted in her lap. An ominous feeling was draping over her as she tried to ready herself to join the rest of the party. 'One more night. Then I can see the others and leave this place,' seeing he others once more gave her a sense of stability and she found the pounding of her heart suddenly at ease.

One more night and she could be reunited with the group, until things could feel normal.

The door opened and one of the maids slipped in, "Madame Scarlett, you and your sister have been called to join the party, your father wishes to introduce you to his friends."

She drew in a sharp breath and held it in her puffed out chest, "How do I look?" The young lady finally stood and turned to face the person who'd compliment her whether she looked good or not.

"Stunning, truly like a gem."

Tch. Scarlett felt unconvinced by those who were paid to kiss ass to anyone who had the last name 'Ashworth'. She followed after with hardly a smile unable to shake off the feeling that having so much questionable characters in their home was a bad idea.

Alexis was waiting for her by the end of the hallway right by the large double door. Her body, which had become thinner than hers in the past few years (and one of the many signs of depression), was dressed in a tight sparkling sliver dress that fell loose from waist down. The light that hit the beads reflecting in the most attractive manner. Her black hair was dyed brown with blonde highlights (and extensions to add volume) her long locks curled and fell over her shoulders. But it was the makeup that left Scarlett wide-eyed. The hired makeup artist had left her sister with a face that glowed ivory. Her emerald green eyes seemed almost hypnotic if it weren't for the hateful gleam.

She watched her sister bite her lip in dissatisfaction. Obviously her own transformation left a bitter taste in her mouth. Quickly Alexis tried to cover up her demeanor by hurrying them to the door, "You're late! Hurry up so we can get this part done with and stay out of the way!" She snapped and gestured to the servants to ready the doors, "just like we rehearsed. This is our moment to show the world that the Ashworth blood is practically royalty."

Scarlett raised a brow. Wow, wow, wow. Was her sister always this absurd? Royalty? Ashworth blood? Where did her this godlike-pseudo even come from? She tried to force a complement from between her teeth, truthfully irritated by how rude she was without reason, "you look pretty too,"

"Well that makes one of us."

Control yourself. Deep breath. Her fist shook in total aggregation, "Too bad the makeup couldn't hide your ugly personality," she muttered as she held herself high and walked passed her.

Neither of them had the chance to exchange anything else as they stood by the edge of the golden stairs that exposed them to everyone in the large ballroom. All the guests went quiet as they watched the twins from below, their father raising a hand and signaling for the two make their descent after a short announcement at their appearance.

Scarlett stood in place, the present moment of her life more surreal than ever as she began to step down one step at a time. Her black open toe heels peeked out from under her sparkling red mermaid dress. But that wasn't what had changed her usual boyish appearance so dramatically. She had dyed her hair a burgundy red color and added extensions to add length to the perfectly curled locks of hair. Her makeup up was simple yet far more feminine than the thin line of eyeliner she often put. She'd added a bit of black eyeshadow with her wing shaped liner. Her lips glossed with a dark color. Her hair bounced over her shoulders, her hand pushing it all to one side as she came down to greet the guests.

She couldn't wait to get this over with.

"Alexis? Scarlett?" Neon's father greeted in utter surprise, "You two have grown to look nothing alike!"

Scarlett bit her tongue. Was this man as much of an idiot as his daughter? Makeup and hair apart, there was nothing that truly differentiated them apart. Her eyes caught Kurapika who stood not too far, the woman Melody at the other end of the table.

It took a while between the many guests stopping and greeting her but she finally managed to reach him before he could slip away to do his own business. "Hey," she leaned against the ledge of the table with her drink, her height easily towering over his with heels on. Her gaze shifting away from her friend and to the dance floor. The one person she truly wanted to see was nowhere in sight, causing her chest to tighten with disappointment, "enjoying the party for the rich and filthy?"

Kurapika who was often considerate and kind to his friends kept a rather apathetic expression as he continued to keep an open eye to any suspicious activity, "I'm not a guest but simply a bodyguard doing his job. You should go enjoy yourself Miss Scarlett."

"Good 'cause I don't feel safe with all these thugs around," her brow went up, "Miss Scarlett? Seriously? Wait until I tell Leorio this." She muttered finding herself growing irritated. The blonde looked over her, slipping an apologetic look in her direction, "I'm sorry Scarlett, but I have to concentrate."

Without even a word she set her glass down and walked away from him. Her attempt to escape from the setting intercepted by none other than her father gesturing her toward some of his friends asking about her, "Scarlett, Love, meet the Ten Dons."

The Ten Dons? Scarlett couldn't help but stare with astonishment at how far up her father had seemed to have gotten on the social ladder. People like the ten dons (the strongest mafia leaders from all over the world) were on their estate drinking heir wine and having a good time? While she knew that her father was well weaved in the web of mafias that controlled the continent, seeing these dangerous political figures before her brought a subtle feeling of fear in her heart. She worried for her family's safety.

"It looks like you know of us," the closest one to her father laughed with that false sense of kindness in his tone, "Scarlett Ashworth. You're just as stunning as the rumors say you are."

"Aha. Thank you," her answer not far from awkward as she kept her gaze fixed on the two of the dons that had been conversing with her father.

"And a floor Master at the heaven's arena. Your daughter truly is one of a kind."

"She is, isn't she?" her father patted her shoulder as if she was extremely proud of all her achievements in the underground world. a mask that was almost convincing even to the young female fighter who had had to face years of fighting the men he sent after her.

She nodded her head in a skeptical manner when she couldn't figure out what else to say to keep the conversation going. The rest of the evening followed the same meet and greet actions. Due to her long five year absence and her mother's deteriorating health, Scarlett was left to treat their many, many guests as a hostess of their luxurious welcome party before the auction started the day after.

The window of the library on the other side of the mansion brought in a warm breeze and caused the velvet curtains to flicker over the shadows of three figures. A woman dressed in a black slit dress with a very low v-neck stood close to the man alongside her. His attire as formal as the rest of the people invited. His hair was kept down and he had thick bandages that were wrapped around his forehead. With the auction only a day away, Eli's ability would without a doubt come in handy if he played his cards correctly.

Chrollo turned to face Hisoka, who stood hidden in the dark, "Looks like my work here is done ~"

The leader of the spider troupe stood with a wary smile, "Don' forget the meeting tomorrow afternoon at the warehouse."

The magician gave a laugh and stepped out through the window.

"Shouldn't you be socializing with people?"

Revonika caught Scarlett sneaking toward the balcony. The woman was dress in a suit like the rest of the body guards her father hired to keep the estate guarded by any gangs trying to be smart.

"Nope. But you're more than welcomed to join me."

"Paid to socialize," Revonika scoffed a little as she followed her out, "you do realize you leave yourself in the wide open by standing out here?"

Scarlett shrugged earning her a sigh from the older woman, "someone with those looks should be flaunting them around inside. If I weren't on duty I know I'd be in the center of it flirting with the most attractive man at the party."

"That's too bad," she answered glumly. She hadn't seen Hisoka anywhere, "I think Alexis has that covered for me."

"For the record I like your look more."

By the time Scarlett had gotten over the unexpected comment and looked over her shoulder, Revonika was gone. She exhaled sharply. Every time she sought out someone to help her coup with loneliness it only seemed like they all became farther and farther away. Maybe she would end up going crazy like her mother. It didn't seem so unlikely with the way her life was unfolding.

"She's right about being in the wide open princess~"

Scarlett let out a yelp and stumbled back as she found Hisoka crouched on top of the ledge with a card out, "did I miss your grand entrance?" his gaze took in her entire appearance a heavy contrast to what he often saw her in on their normal days. He smirked as he hopped down on his feet, her height rivalling his without his heels to give him the extra intimidating boost. It made his eyes flash with pleasure as he stood before her their eyes locked in a sudden confrontation.

"How many times did I tell you to stop popping out like that?" She fumed as she felt her shoulders stiffen up. It was as she suspected, her heart was beating ten times faster in his presence. Since that night two weeks ago all she could think of was how her feelings were becoming harder and harder to control.

She looked as alluring as ever with her cheeks flushed with her blood. Her dark lipstick shaped the lips he wanted to bite until he could feel her blood on his lips. His smirk grew wider, "When you look at me like that…" he covered his face and chuckled into the palm of his hand, ultimately earning him a skeptical stare from the younger woman.

"You're such a creep…" she sighed and hosted herself onto the ledge of the balcony. One leg went over the other as she looked over at the red haired man hat made her chest tight with every twisted word that left his lips.

It was tight no simply out of desire but with feelings of longing for him to love her back the way she did. A feat that the magician could never truly give her. This was all simply a game to him, a way to pass time until tomorrow came- a game that had gotten her through the horrid summer.

She knew very well that by the end of the night he would disappear.

He had better things to do than to commit to a person. He was nothing more than a selfish man who based his actions on what he wanted. It had always been that way even when it came to her. It was always him before herself. It had always been just him.

And it was never going to be any other way.

"It looks like you aren't having any fun down here."

She scoffed out a laugh and leaned back to look up at the sky, "What gave it away?"

"Did no one ask you to dance?"

"Actually, I've danced with plenty, thank you very much."

"Am I included?"

"Aha. Go do your job," truth be told, Scarlett felt her tedious night of responsibility to the guests was about to take a turn for the better now that he was back by her side to annoy her. Suddenly she felt happy. She only hoped that he wouldn't take her remark as a serious command, "So what are your plans now that the auction is tomorrow? Anyone you're waiting on?"

A snicker escaped his devious grin as he took the glass from her hand and took a sip. His narrow amber eyes were shrouded with amusement, like a predator playing with its prey, "Everyone's already here~"

That was hardly a satisfying answer, rather than quiet the curiosity she had for him, it simply amplified it and left her wondering how such a man could truly exist. Pushing aside his obnoxious tendencies to tease her he was a killing machine. He lived to fight and nothing more. A madman.

Hardly someone she could trust.

Yet there she sat in his company longing more than ever to have her unrequited love returned.

"Hisoka?"

"Hm?"

"Have you ever loved someone?" she spoke in a strangely calm manner despite the topic. Perhaps the looming feeling of the unknown future kept any other emotions under control as he gave her an almost taunting reaction.

"Maybe, I can't remember."

"Tch. Who can't remember their first love?" she raised a brow at the man beside her, "You're not even that old to forget."

"People in the past aren't really of interest to me."

Scarlett frowned was that going to happen to her as well? "Will you forget about me as well?"

His brow hardly went up at her expected comment, the magician taking his chance to slip closer to her, his arms on either side of the ledge, forcing her to wrap her arms around his neck if she didn't want to fall off the balcony, "If you don't want me too, you better keep up princess."

"I'll give you all the reasons you need to never forget me," her voice was suddenly hushed as her lips brushed over his as they exchanged pretty words. Her dress had gone up enough to allow her legs some space to spread and wrap around his sides, Hisoka moving closer as their bodies pressed together. Every bit of her ached for his as their lips crashed over one another in a wild manner, her arms clinging to him as they gave into their most primitive desires. It was in her final moments with him did she feel the most desperate to cling on to the relationship he would soon end.

She could hold back no more.

The bleak future was momentarily gone with her in his arms.

I know I know, after the long wait I release such a slow chapter. I'm sorry, the plot will pick up in the next upcoming chapters. I just wanted to get something out for everyone to enjoy until then. oh and a small off topic request. if you guys want to check out my art on instagram please follow my account! it's ruraneee I would truly appreciate it!