Chapter XL

She dreams of a faraway land, like one found in fairytales. Though instead of peace and harmony and smiling people, she dreams of fire in the castle and thunder and lightning in the skies. The people are dropping dead, hands clutched tight at their chests, succumbing to an invisible force. Amidst of the chaos, the fire catches up to her, branding her skin with scorching burns and engulfing her eyes in red, brilliant flames.

She feels a warm touch on the skin of her hip, and she shoots out of the bed. Eyes dart at every inch of the room, trying to place herself, trying to remember, as sweat rolls down the length of her spine.

A soft voice calls her back to reality. "Val?" it calls, soft and faraway. "Are you all right?"

Her glazed sight turns to her right, coming face-to-face with a familiar person. She stares at him, still bewildered, shuddering from the sensation of being burned.

"Valtiel?" Chrollo murmurs. He puts a finger on her chin and turns her to look at him. "Nightmare?"

"Danchou−" She pants, nods, and closes her eyes.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He moves closer to her, arm around her waist. She drops her head on his shoulder and presses her forehead against his neck. He leans down, lips on her hair.

She lets him hold her like that. In her mental clock, a minute passes before she gives a weary sigh and pulls away. Their eyes meet, and she sighs as Chrollo presses a lingering kiss on her mouth. For all her fear and anxiety yesterday, she is glad of his presence. These are one of those times she is glad she is not basking in being alone. It can break even the most hard-hearted people.

He pulls back, checks at her face, and kisses again, slow and languid strokes to match her sleepiness. Then, he breaks away, hearing her little sigh. He allows himself a small triumphant smile.

"Good morning," he says, trying to sound cheerful. "Are you awake yet?"

Nodding, she paws at her eyes and scratches at her belly. "Ah, good morning."

"Wash up for breakfast." He pats her on the knee and stands up. "I prepared something to eat."

"Okay."

He is out of the bedroom before she could stand, her nightdress slick with sweat from her previous nightmare. She is glad Chrollo does not have to push the topic, respecting her space. She doesn't want him getting into her line of sight every now and then like Hisoka often did.

She washes her face and neck in the bathroom, and reemerges to find the dining table all prepared with the chinaware and silverware. She pushes all thoughts of nightmares aside as she joins him, picking at the egg muffins, hash browns, and some sort of grilled bread topped with melting butter. All in all, a winning combination after a frightening night. She eats her share, Chrollo on the other side nibbling at his muffin.

At length, he crosses one leg over the other and regards her with his dark eyes. "I want to talk about something," he starts.

She gives a little nod, occupied as she is with the food. "Troubles?"

"Not entirely. Though I am still thinking about your refusal to my invitation yesterday."

"What would you have me do about it?"

"Are you sure you don't want to join the Troupe?"

"A hundred percent." She squints her eyes at him, and puts a teasing tone in her voice. All to drown out the thoughts of burning again. "Unless, you want me to reconsider. You had two proposals yesterday, but I can only agree to one. Which one would you prefer, Danchou?"

He chuckles and puts his palms up in surrender. "All right. You got me. I'd rather that you stick to your original decision. But still," he drawls, pursing his lips, "I cannot meet the Troupe with a missing limb. There needs to be a replacement for Yuan before the next mission."

"Can I be bold to suggest someone?" she asks.

"Of course, Val. Your opinions are of high matters to me."

"Then how about Shizu-chan?" she says without preamble, the steam from her chocolate drink hovering in her face. She holds his quick gaze and shrugs. "I thought she would be a more excellent choice than I would ever be. Her aura is elegant, and her ability very interesting."

"I suppose you are right." He smiles as he considers the candidate. He remembers the dark-haired young woman, and remembers how he asked her about her ability almost a week ago. He could have stolen her ability then and there, but that would be such a waste. He nods. "Do you think she would agree?"

"I don't know, but we might as well try." She shoots him a challenging look. "Do you doubt for a moment that you cannot persuade someone to your wants?"

He hums. "Well, you did turn down the offer, so…"

She laughs. "Oh, but you will find Shizu-chan very different from me, Danchou."

Nearly a week after the museum heist, the volunteers have gone back for their daily routine−all except for Thomas. From what Rinka tells Valtiel over the phone, their co-worker is still suffering from his injuries, attended by his family and close friends. Valtiel calls Shizuku next, asking for her location. Imagine her surprise when her friend says that she is already in the hospital for a visit.

Chrollo keeps a hand on his Kurta to stop her from bolting across the hallways. He keeps a neutral expression, almost bored, in his face as they wound their way through the busy hospital. The scent of blood and medicine are welcome to his senses.

They find Thomas's room and Valtiel all but bursts through the door.

Second-degree burns splotch all over his skin. Thick bandages wrap around his entire body, his arms stiff and straight at his sides. He breathes in shallow pants, sleeping.

Valtiel heaves a deep sigh as she takes the seat to Thomas's right side, contemplating whether to hold his hand, afraid that it might cause more pain than actual relief. In the end, she keeps her hands to herself, letting her gaze roam throughout his broken body. At least he is alive, despite being indisposed. Much better than having to lower him into the ground. She keeps her gaze ahead, but feels the constant watch from the Danchou, who remains planted by the doorway.

It opens, and Shizuku, dressed in a pale blue dress, blinks at them. "Oh! You guys are here."

Thomas's family follows behind her. A mother and a younger sister. They give the two newcomers a questioning glance, the mother eyeing Chrollo who backs away into a quiet corner.

"Mrs. Barrow." Valtiel rises from the chair and bows to Thomas's mother. "I am very sorry about Tom."

"This is Valtiel," Shizuku introduces. She carries a basket of fresh fruits along with the brown-haired younger sister. "She's one of the volunteers at the museum. She went after Tom."

"Oh, thank you," the mother says. "You're not hurt yourself, are you, miss?"

"No, no." Valtiel shakes her head, smiling.

"Well, I am glad. I should tell you that the doctors say Thomas will be discharged within a few weeks. His burns are not so severe and he can continue recovering at home." Mrs. Barrow arranges the fruits on the bedside table and smiles at the two young women. "Your boss from the museum paid for everything."

Valtiel blinks. "Did he now?"

"He paid for everything," Shizuku confirms. "He says he is grateful for our intervention, and that he is sorry for everyone who got hurt. Everyone's being treated. Isn't he the nicest?"

"I have never even seen him before," Valtiel grumbles. "Have you?"

"Me neither."

"The shy and stubborn type of guy?"

"Could be." Shizuku sticks her tongue out, teasing.

Chrollo steps forward from his corner, and clears his throat. He stares at Valtiel, communicating through their gazes, and she gives a little smile and whispers something in her friend's ear. Shizuku, curious and somewhat interested, turns to the young man. He jerks his head for the doorway and walks out, with Shizuku following behind. The door shuts behind them with a soft thud.

Valtiel regales the mother and sister with stories about Thomas, hoping it would alleviate their pain and worry for him. In a hushed whisper, she confides to his sister how much he stressed about asking Shizuku out on a date, to which the little sister giggled and the mother seems enchanted at the thought of her boy showing an interest.

The mother then takes her leave for a while, and the daughter pulls out her phone and starts typing away.

Valtiel smiles to herself, very much reminding herself of Shalnark.

In this silence, she turns back to Thomas and assesses his situation.

Would it be possible for him to heal faster with Nen? If she would use Ren and touch him, that should open his aura nodes and let his aura flow−like what happened to her almost a lifetime ago. It helped her heal faster; would it help him now? Or would a healing Nen ability be a faster, easier approach?

She shakes her head at the idea. Her own Nen is not designed to heal, only to slow and disable. Would it be possible to design a healing one?

She reaches out for Tom's hair. Most patches are burned to his skull. She winces at the strange sensation of a burned skin. Time, she muses. He would need more than weeks to heal from this.

Chrollo and Shizuku return, both looking rather elated. The Danchou smiles down on Valtiel and the sister, and beckons the former to him. She comes easily.

"How did it go?" she asks.

"Rather well." He grins at Shizuku's direction. "I suppose I should introduce myself," he says and offers a hand. "My name is Chrollo Lucilfer, the Spider leader. I am honored to welcome you as the newest Number Eight of the Troupe. I promise you will find yourself at home with us."

"Thank you, Chrollo." Shizuku bows at the waist, very polite. "It's also an honor to work with you."

"Was it so easy to convince you, Shizu-chan?" Valtiel wonders.

"Hmm. I guess Chrollo was just being very persuasive!" She laughs. "But when I heard about the activities and what might ensue during missions, it sounds more fun than hanging out in the museum. I've been volunteering there for almost two years. I could use a change of atmosphere by now."

"No families to leave behind?"

"I left my family years before I even came to this town."

Valtiel nods. She would not want to press such a personal issue.

"Now that everything is settled, I believe it is time for us to move," Chrollo interrupts, back in his authoritative self. He starts relaying instructions to Shizuku as a Troupe member. "We will leave town tonight. Until then, you have half a day to prepare for your departure. Resignation from the museum. House rents. Personal belongings. Bring only the most important ones. Others we can provide along the way. We will meet at the museum's front at midnight sharp. We will rendezvous with the other Troupe members once we get out of the province." He pauses, and then: "Would there by anything else?"

"Um, I guess," Shizuku says and Chrollo nods his permission. "Shall I call you Danchou, too?"

"If you wish," he says kindly. "I don't mind either way."

"Okay, then I should get going." Shizuku fusses with her sling bag. "Midnight sharp, right?"

"At the museum, yes. Val would contact you a few minutes beforehand."

"Tonight, then." The dark-haired girl spares one last glance at Thomas. This could be the last time they would see each other. Not that it sparks a sadness in her heart. Not really. He is just one out of many people she would meet. With the Troupe, she will meet more.

Shizuku bows to Tom's sister, then to the couple, and strides across the busy corridor.

Chrollo's big hand drops to hold Valtiel's. He gives a soft squeeze. "Have you satiated your curiosity?" he asks, gaze up ahead where his newest Spider disappeared. "Can we go home now?"

She tugs at his hand, leading the way out. "I was wondering, Danchou."

"Hm?"

"I was wondering if it's possible to make a healing ability," she murmurs, almost embarrassed that she has to ask. Why ever not? Surrounded by running nurses and passing by bloodied stretchers every once in a while, spotting children crying in the corners for their mothers, she really has to wonder if it's possible.

"You want to heal now?" he says, incredulous. "You should have thought of that before coming up with the concept of your ability." He shoulders his way through the growing crowd of hospital staff and guests, pulling his slight companion out of the fray. "It is not so simple to change your mind halfway through mastering Nen, especially when you have a refined ability by now."

"It's hardly refined," she mumbles, shrinking at his scolding.

"Refined or not, it is hard to switch concepts midway. Hard, but not entirely impossible."

"So you can teach me with that?"

"Hard to say." He takes his hand from her grip and pushes at the small of her back, walking her out of the hospital's grand entrance and out once more into the autumn morning. "If you want to heal, it should be at one with your original concept. Which is…?"

"Time." The easiest answer in the world.

"So think about a way to incorporate time and healing together."

Coming from him, it sounds easy, as expected from a young man with prodigious talent in Nen. He takes her by the hand again and slows his pace so she could catch up and lean against his arm as they walk in the sun.

"Time and healing," he repeats, himself mulling over the two concepts. "I suppose it could be done. If you train hard enough."

Train. She hates that word.

"When was the last time you trained?"

"Heaven's Arena?" She shudders at the thought. Half a year ago.

"Well, then. If you want to create a new ability, you will have to start training again," he rules, just as authoritative as if commanding his Spiders. She doesn't challenge his orders this time. "When we get home, you will use Ten until sundown, and then you will switch to Ren until midnight."

"Midnight?!"

"You heard me. Until midnight." He checks his watch and smirks. "You have half a day, darling."

Valtiel has always hated Ren.

She stands in the middle of the apartment, her blouse and shorts damp with sweat. The more she tries to produce more aura, the more she feels her energy depleting like a quicksand, and it takes all her remaining energy to keep standing, or to even keep a glower on as she glares at Chrollo's general direction.

The Spider head sits directly at her, legs crossed, blissfully reading while she pants and opens and closes her fists to get the blood pumping to her fingertips, to keep the numbness from kicking in. If her mind strays but for a moment, her vision would swim and spot, her body wanting to topple to the floor.

The sun is on her left, sinking beneath the houses. Twilight kicks in, the skies dark blue without their usual stars. Chrollo gives her a respite for thirty minutes when he comes through the front door with take-out food on hand.

"Danchou, is it possible to create an ability on the spot?" she asks during dinner, snapping her chopsticks as she wolfs down her rice and steamed fish.

"You seem to be full of wonders today, Val," he observes.

"That's not the answer I was hoping for."

He smiles and sets down his ricebox.

"Of course, it is possible to create an ability on the spot," he answers, sounding like a professor and even looking like one when he crosses his legs and laces his fingers on the table. "Given one's physical and mental state, it is possible, though I really would not recommend it. Creating one on the spot would certainly result in flaws, either in the ability itself or in the restrictions. Restrictions, most especially, must be thought thoroughly by a Nen user. If not, the very restrictions they impose upon themselves would be dangerous to them."

She nibbles at her chopsticks. "I see."

He tips his head to the side. "So, why do you ask?"

Her mind brings her back to that accursed winter night, New Year's Eve, when she was running for her life and exhausting all she could do with her Nen. She reminds herself of the desperation back then, the fear and the frustration that have her senses heightened to the max, with her eyes glowing scarlet. That was the last time she used the ability with the crimson sphere, a strange ability her desperation conjured on the spot.

Then she shrugs. "Nothing much, really."

After dinner, she starts with her Ren again, more animated now with a full stomach. Meanwhile, Chrollo is busying himself with the house. He removes every trace that he and Valtiel had been here, ripping bedspreads and pillowcases and burning them in the bathtub. He clears the refrigerator and throws whatever leftovers there are. With a Nen ability, he wipes all traces of their fingerprints, hair, and oils from their fingers that might incriminate them. He is meticulous as he is paranoid−that's for sure.

He gathers what he deems are useful. Books, mainly, stuffing them into a duffel bag that Valtiel has never seen before until now. He catches her glaring at the bag and winks, and she turns away with a snort. Once finished with his cleaning up, he himself showers, reemerging minutes later with a white towel around his hips and patting his dark hair dry with a smaller hand towel.

His dark eyes observe her up and down, trying to catch her eyes. When he does, he smirks.

She blushes and turns away. Her blushes come more easily now after yesterday. "What now?"

"Do you want to shower?"

"I still have about three hours left for Ren," she says, trying to sound casual about it.

"Ah, about that. You can stop thirty minutes before midnight," he says. "Get a few minutes of rest, then take a shower. Get out of those clothes. I'll have to burn them, too." He keeps patting his hair and ambles for the bedroom. "After that, I'll have your clothes prepared and you can call Shizuku-san."

"Yes, Danchou."

He disappears in the bedroom and she glances at the clock. About three more hours to suffer Ren.

Somehow, she manages to get through the night without dying. She collapses with her knees on the carpet, and with a tired mewl, she lets herself fall face first onto the floor. She thinks she could die here now, sweating and breathing like a woman in labor.

Closing her eyes for a moment, her body stills out of instinct and her steady aura nullifies into Zetsu. She feels his shadow looming over her prone position.

"Get up, Val. The floor is dirty. Take a shower."

"Carry me, then," she snaps, too tired to move a muscle.

"You want me to give you a bath?" The voice above her sounds bewildered.

"No!" Her shoots up and she glares at him. He returns with a teasing smile. "Oh, forget it. I'm going."

She dusts herself off from the carpet and sidesteps him when he attempts to reach out. She sticks her tongue out over her shoulder and shuts the bathroom door.

About midnight, they are prepared to go. Well, at least Chrollo is. Valtiel feels rather sad at her going again; this is another home she might never see again. How many homes would she leave? How many times would she abandon the simplicity of a normal life and run away with a Class-A thief? She feels his warmth pressed against her back, his lips where her shoulder meets neck. She sighs and nuzzles in his arms, and knows, deep down, she would always have to choose him.

Chrollo lifts her chin back to him and kisses her on the lips. He could feel the sudden rush of heat in her cheeks, and he smiles against their kiss, never getting tired of her reactions. "Ready?"

She stares around the little house for a while, and nods. "Let's go fetch Shizu-chan."

They find the dark-haired girl in front of the museum as instructed. Shizuku brings a small bag with her, some spare clothes and her own books, and joins the couple in their stolen black sedan. The Danchou is behind the wheel as he glances on the rearview mirror for his two companions. Shizuku looks refreshed, while his lady is pale still from her Ren session.

"We are to take an airship in the next city to get out of the country," he explains. "Take the train and travel for at least another day. Some Spiders will meet us halfway."

"Which ones?" Valtiel asks, excited at the thought of seeing them again.

"You'll see. For now, both of you get some rest."

It is a merry little group they make. On the way, they talk of nothing but the activities in the museum, of the Ruins Hunters and their groups of students, of the mysterious owner and benefactor. They eat on the road, steal whatever catches Chrollo's fancy−a watch, a ring, handful of credit cards−that they could use to pay for more meals and for their tickets. Shizuku watches in fascination every time the Spider head comes back with a new item, while Valtiel rolls her eyes at his showing off and buries her nose into a book.

After the airship ride of ten hours, Chrollo provides for another car and shuffles everything in, including his two companions. The silence is comfortable between the three of them, both women immersed in their readings while he glances every once in a while for Valtiel. Sometimes, she would sense him staring and would lift her eyes from the book. She would raise her eyebrow and he would smile back.

Upon crossing the third rural city, they stop to dine on a simple meal and return on their merry way. Chrollo fumbles for his phone and calls one of the Spiders, carefully not mentioning a name so that he could see Valtiel on the edge of her excitement. He laughs at her reflection on the mirror and then keeps driving, and driving, and driving−until he hears the faint sound of waves crashing against the rocks.

He stops the car beside a dark road and fetches their belongings. "We go on foot from here," he says, offering his free hand for Valtiel to take. "I'm not taking any chances of anyone stalking us."

They enter the dark woods that stretch from the side of the road. The scent of sea breeze is still faint, and certainly all three could hear the constant waves, growing louder as they delve deeper into the forest. Animals with bright golden eyes hiss at them, and Valtiel, with her own golden ones, look at them and wonder how well her Nen ability would do against them.

She feels a squeeze on her hand and looks up at Chrollo, who shoots her another one of his quiet interrogative gazes. She squeezes his hand back and says nothing.

Soon, the forest trees start thinning on the horizon. The trees give way to a forest clearing, with ankle-high grass field and a large pickup truck waiting at the center.

Valtiel notices three figures standing by the truck. She gasps in delight and snatches her hand from Chrollo's firm grasp, and runs across the clearing like an excited child.

Shalnark notices her first and jumps down from the truck's roof.

"Val!" he calls out cheerfully, catching her in his arms and spins her around like he always does. Their combined laughter rings throughout the otherwise quiet forest. He puts her back down and embraces her around the shoulders. "So good to see you! Where have you been all these months?!"

She laughs and puts a hand on his muscled arm. "Minding my own business, that's what."

A taller figure approaches from behind the Spider. Phinks has his arms crossed over his broad chest, his lips tugged down into a pout. "Tch. I was supposed to greet her first," he complains.

"Yeah, but you weren't paying attention, Phinks," Shalnark teases. "First come, first serve."

"Phink-san!" Valtiel pounces into his arms next, catching him off-guard and holding her rather awkwardly. She laughs and pats his forearms as he holds her at arm's length. "It's so good to see you," she tells him, to which he fumbles for an answer. "It's been so long."

While Phinks is still mustering for an answer, Feitan steps forward. "Ah, little girl is still alive."

She peeks from behind the blond man and smiles into the short thief's face. "Good to see you, too, Fei-san. Would you like an embrace as well?" she teases.

His bandana tugs downwards. A frown for sure. "Keep your hands away from me."

Valtiel and Shalnark both laugh at that.

Chrollo smiles at the heartwarming greetings. Before he knows it, the three Spiders are also welcoming him back, relaying reports, news, and other little details that he would want to hear more later once back at the base.

In the meantime, he clears his throat and steps aside to reveal Shizuku, who has been standing behind his back since the reunion began. "Shizuku-san, would you please introduce yourself."

"Good evening. I am Shizuku Murasaki." She clasps her hands and bows at the waist. "I am the latest recruit of the Spiders, the Number Eight. I am looking forward to working with everyone."

"Oh!" Phinks grins. "We got another cute girl in the Troupe!"

"Who's the other cute girl?" Feitan mutters. "Machi and Paku aren't."

"So mean, Fei!" Phinks barks at him.

"Now, now, guys. Don't start a fight so soon! It will make a bad impression!" Shalnark slaps his forehead and sighs deeply. Then he whirls back to their recruit with a bright smile. "Hi there! Welcome to the Troupe! You can call me Shalnark. Those two idiots are Phinks and Feitan."

Phinks waves a hand. "Hey there."

Feitan nods. "Hi."

"Have the others arrived yet?" Chrollo asks Shalnark.

"Some of the others," Shal answers. "Uvo and Nobunaga came in first. Paku came alone. I think Franklin is fetching Bono and Kortopi from wherever they are. And Machi−" He gives a little gurgle of laughter− "Machi's annoyed she has to clean up after Hisoka again. He never shows up unless someone comes to pick him up."

At the mention of the magician's name, Valtiel's face brightens. "Hisoka-san is coming, too?"

"Sure," Phinks says idly. "It's a Troupe business. Everyone's supposed to be present."

"And he's here now?"

"Not yet," Feitan says. "He should be coming soon."

"We can discuss this in the base," Chrollo interrupts. He crosses the clearing and tosses the duffel bag into the passenger seat.

The others come following behind him. Shalnark bombards Shizuku with questions on their way to the truck, and Valtiel, listening to a story from Phinks as they shuffle into the backseat, laughs with him and sits between him and Feitan for the rest of the ride. Chrollo studies them from his position at the front, notes how the color of his Val's cheeks rise as she laughs with one of his Spiders. With a smile of his own, he turns his gaze for the dark forest and knows his worries are unfounded.

For this mission, the Phantom Troupe takes the lighthouse by the edge of a cliff as their temporary base. The structure is old and dreary, and its lantern pane is dark. Shalnark stops the truck at the front, alongside other vehicles gathered outside.

As they disembark, Uvogin meets them by the entrance. "Ah, Danchou! Finally here!"

"Is everyone here?" Chrollo asks as more Spiders appear from the dark interior. He nods to Nobunaga and Pakunoda, and then notices Franklin, Bonolenov, and Kortopi emerging from the shadows. His brows knit together as he looks up at the tallest Spider. "Where are Machi and Hisoka?"

"I just received a call from Machi," Paku says, hands on her hips. "She's on her way."

"With the trash clown?" Phinks grumbles.

"No, I don't think Hisoka came with her."

"Damn that guy."

Uvogin sidesteps the greetings and snatches Valtiel up in his arms, bouncing her like a baby. "Hey there, kiddo! Long time no see! How've you been?"

She grins as he puts her back on her feet. He drops a large hand on her head. "It's been a while, Uvo-san. I hope you're doing well."

He flexes his biceps and grins. "Of course I am!"

"You look like you're in good spirits, kid." Nobunaga approaches and receives a quick hug from her. He prods her away from him with the blunt end of his sword's sheathe. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. Stop it with your hugging, kiddo. It's embarrassing. A high five will do." And so they high five and follow the others inside.

"Welcome back, Danchou." Franklin nods his deference to their leader. "You, too, Val."

"Hello, Franklin-san." Valtiel gives him an embrace, and another two for Bonolenov and Kortopi.

"You won't believe this, guys!" Shalnark gushes and pushes Shizuku by the shoulders towards the center of their group. "We got a new Number Eight! Isn't this the awesomest news?"

"We will have to wait for Machi and Hisoka before we can start with the introductions," Franklin says.

"How long will that take?" Shal pouts.

"Not long." Bonolenov turns for the wide entrance and points a boxing glove. "There's one."

Machi walks up to the entrance with all her usual cold grace. She is silhouetted against the dark blue skies, her spiky pink hair whipped by the strong gusts of sea breeze, making them dishelleved over her shoulders. Her clear eyes are darting back and forth, noting every face present. Her coldness melts when she spots their leader, together with his Kurta and the long-awaited new recruit. At once, her scowl drops from her face and she keeps her voice pleasant as she approaches.

"Sorry I was late," she says to no one in particular. "I got wind up with some idiots."

"You hurt?" Franklin asks, concerned.

"No. Just some muggers trying to be brave." She smirks and nods to the leader. "Danchou."

"Welcome back. I am glad you made it here unharmed," Chrollo says, patting her on the shoulder. He gives enough space so that Valtiel can step in between and give Machi her embrace. He notes that among everyone in the Troupe, so far, only Feitan has refused to be touched. He turns to Machi again. "What about our Number Four? What news of him?"

"I checked in at Heaven's Arena but he wasn't there," she reports, sounding annoyed. "Called him three times this week and still no answer. I left a message and gave him three days to catch up."

"That should be fine for now. We still need to settle down, after all."

The lighthouse is as dark and dreary as it looks on the outside. There is nothing but a clutter of crates and stone blocks as far as the eyes could see. There are windows all over the first floor, lined up in a circle, allowing the moonlight to spill across dusty floors. Most of the Spiders find a window ledge and mind their own business, quiet, unmoving. Some of the others are making small talk, catching up on some stories since the last time the Troupe had been together. The head Spider finds himself a platform at the front, pulls out his book, and reads under the moonlight.

Valtiel walks around the lighthouse and cranes her neck to see the end of the spiraling stone staircase. She could slip away and start exploring the upper floors, checking if it has rooms or any interesting finds. But slipping away unnoticed would be quite a challenge. Aside from Chrollo's normal attention on her, she has the entire Troupe calculating her movements again, as if she is no more than a rabbit in a cage.

She searches around and almost laughs; Shal is still bombarding Shizuku with questions. This time, Uvogin and Nobunaga sit with them, creating a small circle in a corner.

She keeps idling around the space until her phone rings in her pocket.

"The hell is that thing ringing?" Phinks grumbles under his breath.

Chrollo's eyes are back on her as she presses the phone to her ear without reading the name.

At the sound of the voice, she perks up, her features softening. The Danchou narrows his eyes.

"Hisoka-san?" Valtiel's cheerful voice echoes in the room. Everyone straightens up. "Ah, yes, we are all here now. We're waiting for you. Where are you anyway?"

"Tell him I'm gonna skin him alive for being so late," Nobunaga snaps.

She turns her back away from the glaring Spiders to focus more on the magician. "Yes, yes, Hisoka-san, but where are you?" She blinks up at the night skies. "Lost? You're lost? How unfortunate for you." She glances at Chrollo and the leader is frowning at her. As if Hisoka being lost is her fault. She goes back to the call. "Okay, perhaps I can send someone to pick you up−"

A pause, and then:

"Me?" She laughs. "If I go after you, we'll both be lost."

It is meant as a joke, but the room rattles with a quiet fury from a certain someone. She keeps ignoring him and sighs into the phone. "How far are you? Not too far? Are you sure?"

Everyone hears Hisoka's seductive purr in the other line. Phinks looks like he's about to snap.

"All right," Valtiel says indulgently. "Stay there. I will get you." And she pockets her phone and aims for the entrance, only to have Uvogin and Phinks blocking her way. Her shoulders drop in defeat and she looks over her shoulder for the Danchou's permission.

"You can go," he murmurs, eyes back on his book. "Bring Hisoka back with you."

"I will," she promises and heads out, for once feeling victorious that she does not have to argue with the Spiders over such trivial matters. That she could go on her own without someone following her every movement. She walks away from the lighthouse and feels free from their stares.

The tall shadow in the forest clearing could belong to none other than the so-called Grim Reaper himself.

Hisoka stands tall and poised, with a grace of a swan, his head tilted upwards as if to admire the evening skies. But really−Valtiel knows that is just him showing off the white line at his throat, sloping to his exposed collarbone and even lower to his pectoral muscles where they show from the slit of his jester outfit. Armbands clasp around his biceps, and two more around the wrist. A cheerful shade of magenta to match his red-purple hair.

When he senses her approaching, he turns from the skies and smiles down on her. "You came for me."

"You were whining on the phone about it," Valtiel answers by way of greeting. The winds are cold, constantly whipping at her face and hair, tangling the locks. "How could you be lost?"

"Oh, Machi didn't give me enough details." He pouts, childish. "She's always so mean to me."

"Right."

"But you're not." He snickers and pokes the sharp end of his nail at her flushed cheek. "It's been a while, Val. You must have missed me, surely? Heaven's Arena is poorer without you. Already your fanboys are hounding me questions all the time. And I receive far more bouquets than I usually do."

"You could have just burned them," she mumbles.

"And let them go to waste?" He licks his lips. "I have a surprise for you."

"Oh?"

Hisoka purrs and makes a sweeping gesture with both hands, like a dancer trying to mesmerize his audience. He produces his desk of cards, shuffles one card with another, and they disappear with one masterful flick, replaced in his hands by a single red rose wrapped in a transparent plastic sheet. He sweeps her a formal bow as he offers the rose for her.

As she does with Chrollo, her blushes come easily. She takes the rose and does a double take upon a closer inspection. Her eyes flicker once at Hisoka−smiling innocently at her−and tugs the red rose out of its plastic confinements. The fabric rose unfurls on itself.

Valtiel's blush intensifies.

A red lace panty.

"H-H-Hisoka-san!" She throws the panty into his face and stomps her foot on the grass. "What the hell!"

"What?" His tone is still so innocent as he pries the offending fabric from his face. He licks his lips more sensually, biting at his lower lip to stop himself from laughing. "Oh, you're so adorable, Val. Why haven't we went out for dinner yet?"

"Because of reasons exactly like this!" She glares at him, and Hisoka answers by chucking the panty back at her face like a slingshot. She squirms away from it, disgusted. "Stop it!"

"Make me." He picks it up and threatens to slingshot it back at her.

"Stop!" She hides behind a tree in case the magician throws it again. "I'm serious!"

"You're no fun tonight." He sighs and crumples the fabric into a ball, and puts it inside his pocket. He grins as the young woman eyes the action with blatant disgust. He hums. "I suppose I should really stop teasing you, seeing as you're not alone. Your babysitters are not exactly trying to hide their presence, are they?"

"No, they are not," she agrees. She is not surprised that Chrollo has some of his people watching over her, keeping their eyes on her when he could not.

"You know which ones are they?"

"Nope." She shakes her head. Moreover, she doesn't want to know. "I can tell there's two of them, but my senses are not as insanely good as yours. Or anyone else from the Troupe. I only know there's two, coming somewhere east."

"You need more practice, that's all," he says and puts an arm around her shoulders. The tension spikes in the atmosphere, and he gleams at the threat. "Oh, Val. I am blushing. Your babysitters will kill me if we stay so close like this."

She rolls her eyes and slaps his arm away. "So don't put your hands on me," she warns.

"I can hardly resist. You look delicious."

The tension spikes again and the branches rattle from the trees.

"If the Spiders kill you, that's not on me."

"Will keep that in mind, Val."

Ever the daredevil, Hisoka reaches out and tugs at her hip. His other hand cups her face and forcefully, yet gently, angles her face up for him. He is so close that could kiss her, one quick peck on the lips to further anger the two Spiders trailing them. Lazy amber eyes smile into her own golden ones, wide with confusion and fear mixed together to create crimson specks in her gaze. He licks his lips again, delighted.

A black, angry aura surrounds the entire forest clearing. Hisoka overstepped his boundaries, and he basks in this moment of delicious danger.

Valtiel slaps his hands off her. "If you die tonight, I will not mourn you."

"Oh, but won't you kiss me, Val? You liked it well enough last time."

"I did not," she flares up, blushing.

"Don't worry," Hisoka says cheerfully and winks. "We won't tell Danchou."

Author's Notes: Merry, Merry Christmas, everyone! I'm very sorry for not updating soon enough; all this Covid going on has done its toll on my mental health. Honestly, I don't want to call myself "depressed", because I haven't seen a doctor to medically confirm if I am, but every day that's how I feel. And it's hard to do even the simple stuff during the day. The only coping mechanism I've done for it is sleep and play video games, at least to keep my mind from overthinking things.

I wrote this chapter over a year ago, and reading it again for proofreading actually made my heart lighter. Just to read Chrollo and Valtiel again, with the rest of the Spiders, is such a heartwarming feeling. Hisoka being Hisoka made me laugh. It's such a wonder what writing could do to people.

So if you feel what you feel, think what you think, please know that this is temporary and everything would be all right. ❤️

I would like to thank everyone who has been with me throughout all this time. We've seen Val and Chrollo grow together to what they are now, and I promise you that there are more to come. This story is extremely FAR from over, despite being 40 chapters in. I will try to do my best to write as much as possible to bring you the climax and conclusion of this adventure.

Once again, Merry Christmas! I hope you are staying safe and healthy! I love you all! 🎄❤️

P.S. The chapter has 6666 words because Hisoka is four times the devil.