Note: I definitely don't own HunterxHunter!

Previously: "What's wrong?" Senritsu asked, as she listened to his violent heartbeat. It sounded anxious and tense. Senritsu furrowed her brow as she analyzed the situation. "It has to do with your clan's eyes, doesn't it?"

Kurapika gave her a surprised look for a fraction of a second, before a dark expression replaced it. He nodded."Killua just called saying that he found a lead. It is on an island south of the Asian Continent. But I'm in a bind here, since I work under Nostrad… Darn it!"

"Who is it?" Bashou pushed.

Kurapika looked at the two with tense eyes.

"It's one of the Nostrad family's enemy. Remember the one who tried to outbid me at the auction? His cousin has two sets of them in his possession."

Chapter 3: Scarlet EyesXComraderyXResolve

"You said what?" Bashou growled. " Nostrad's enemy? You mean that short, fat baldy with sunglasses? That bastard?"

"He tried to outbid you in obtaining the Kuruta scarlet pupils?" Senritsu asked.

Kurapika nodded stiffly. "Well, that pair turned out to be clones created from Nen by one of the Genei Ryoudan. Most likely, it acted as a tracking device that eventually led the Kumou thieves to Scuwala. But the ones I got a lead on are authentic, and coming from Killua, he most likely obtained this information through the Hunter's Association connections or through his brother.-"

Kurapika jerked to a stop when Neon's face suddenly appeared in front of him, causing him to take a quick step back.

"Ne, can't we get back home yet? I want to try on the new clothes already!"

"I apologize, Neon- sama." Kurapika muttered after an awkward pause. "We shall go then." He turned to Bashou and Senritsu. "We'll continue after we get back. After all, we will be off duty anyway."

The car ride back to the Nostrad Residence was relatively quiet, aside from Neon-sama chatting excitedly to her two attendants about what kinds of artifacts she wanted to buy at the next auction. After that, all was silent, when they remembered the painful events that led to multiple deaths, one being Neon-sama's attendant's lover, Scuwala. Elisa was still devastated over his death, even if she tried to hide her sense of lost, she couldn't prevent the sadness from seeping into her forced smiles.

After unloading all the boxes and bags from Neon-sama's shopping, Bashou, Kurapika, and Senritsu were finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. They watched as Neon-sama and her attendants walked off to Neon-sama's room.

Bashou turned to Kurapika and Senritsu. "Okay, why don't we head to my room to finish where we left off at the mall? From the information we heard from Kurapika, this is serious business."

Kurapika just sighed and walked off towards Bashou's room. Bashou and Senritsu glanced at each other and Senritsu shrugged. Kurapika was never one to eagerly tell others about his problems.

Well… neither am I, Senritsu thought dryly to herself as the two followed Kurapika.

"So what do you plan to do to get those scarlet pupils?" Bashou asked, right as he closed the door behind him. "It's not going to be easy, that much is obvious." He walked over to the end of his bed and sat down across from Kurapika, who sat at a small table. Senritsu sat in a seat near Bashou's bed, her feet dangling slightly off the carpeted floor.

Kurapika's eyes narrowed, resting his chin on clasped hands supported by his knees.

"As things are chaotic over here also, it's going to be a lot harder to find a way to obtain them, and still be on duty here and take care of the mess after Neon-sama lost her fortune telling abilities. I don't want to make reckless judgments anymore before thinking things through. The plan must be solid and cautiously planned…"

There was a moment of silence, before Senritsu finally spoke up.

"You know you can always ask me to help you. I don't know about Bashou, but I am sure I can be of use to help you retrieve those scarlet pupils back."

Senritsu continued before Kurapika could object.

"Now don't you start telling me otherwise. You know I can be quite helpful. Besides, if I don't keep an eye on you, I know you are bound to lose yourself and act before you think once you see your goal in front of you."

Kurapika's jaw tightened in irritation and shame, knowing Senritsu was right. He couldn't get away with it this time. He did really screw up big time during their chase after the Genei Ryoudan. His rash act of anger had forced Gon and Killua to be captured in order to save him. If they hadn't everyone would have been caught and put into serious danger. He had absolutely no excuse.

"Don't think that you could say no to me either. If Senritsu is going to help, then I am too, so count me in." Bashou declared, "The more help, the easier it is to deal with this situation. After all, we're nakama, right?"

"Fine." Kurapika begrudgingly muttered. Senritsu smiled softly and nodded. "Now what we need most is a solid plan. The only problem is, Kurapika cannot be seen by anyone."

"That's true," Bashou pondered. He turned to Kurapika. "Well, I'm telling you this right now. If we are going to help, you better go all the way and not waste our efforts. Just think of what is most efficient for us to obtain it quickly. Your top priority is to retrieve you clan's eyes. Don't you dare tell us to stay on standby."

Kurapika frowned. "Tch."

Senritsu chuckled and shook her head at Bashou. "Now don't push him. Let him think. Even though he is a good strategist, he still needs time."

Kurapika stood up and walked towards the door. "Give me an hour. We'll meet here again after." He then sighed and walked out.

Bashou turned to Senritsu a little sheepishly. "I guess he is trying to beat you at a sighing contest?"

Senritsu chuckled softly and shook her head.

Author's note: So here is the revision of the second chapter! I think I cleaned it up quite well! Throughout the whole entire sabbatical (so to speak) I gave myself in the last two years, I noticed something embarrassing quite belatedly. I realized that Senritsu was also called Melody. However, it was kind of awkward for me to use that name because I have a friend whose name is also Melody and in the series, Kurapika called her Senritsu. So, I'm sticking to the Japanese one instead, though I had to click on Melody for the Character slot. Anyway, I hope you felt more satisfaction in reading something that is grammatically gratifying instead of being irked by the typos that riddled this chapter. Again, arigatou gozaimashita and R&R please!