Rainbowcrack88: I'm glad, after my absence I was worried no one would return to read. And, thank you! I used to spend a lot of time reading oc fanfics that included a lot of my favorite characters, yet most seemed rushed into romance and lacked original quality. To be fair, most were written in like 2009. Your words mean the world to me. I've been writing fanfics like this for awhile but I haven't posted a single one, or if I have, hadn't continued it since I take so much pride in this one. I wanted to keep Lucius on nearly the same level as the Troupe, but not quite, just because I didn't want her to be Over Powered and I wanted her to face legitimate struggles throughout the story to make her seem more human and relatable. And I feel honored you think that I portray Feitan accurately. Sometimes I worry that he's acting too OOC, but I believe I've added enough development so far to both Feitan and Lucius. And thank you for reviewing.

A lot happens in this chapter guys, I'm not gonna lie. I was a bit unsure about cramming so much into one chapter but, I think it's about time something real interesting happens ;)

Chapter 45

Feitan left soon after Lucius began her shift at the cafe, deciding to take the long way back to the mansion, hoping he could possibly find a way to still his heart from beating so hard and fast. His agitation grew strong the past few days. And now, Feitan wants nothing more than to rest and organize his thoughts.

He chose a spot atop an apartment complex, his legs draped over the edge. He let the cold breeze push aside some stray hairs that have been poking at his eyes relentlessly, and he let out a gentle sigh.

He'd been wondering all this time, who he could possibly be.

He's evil, he's the devil himself. Or at least, so says his reputation. He sat there, as the shadows of the clouds cast over him, and he asks himself, if it weren't for the Troupe, what sort of person would he be?

Surely a slave. A pitiful, broken soul with no meaning. And he chose a life of sadism, murder, horror and power over one where he'd be nothing but a used tissue. Because Feitan knows that those with power use it to control their fate, and their very lives.

Feitan had grown from the depths of poverty, neglect, and most importantly, he'd grown without a family. Without a purpose. And he knew, as well as any other who's encountered what he has, that nothing else matters but survival, and power. No different than anyone else in the Troupe. Or at least, as far as anyone else is concerned. He keeps that all to himself. Because he knows damn well that no one else gives a shit about what could have possibly made him so cold. No one will ever take the time to ask what made him into the monster he is.

Feitan surely never thinks about that.

He's never thought: What could have happened to Hisoka to turn him into the sadistic pedophile he is?

Because he doesn't care to know.

All he knows is that his life of horrors has value to him, when, at one time, it had none. And to him, it means something. He doesn't know why, but it does. Not that he'd tell anyone that either.

Feitan has never been afraid of death. Because he needn't fear it. He is death, the bringer of death. And that title holds value. Death is something that happens to anyone, no matter the status. No matter the circumstance. No one can cheat death. No one can hide from it. No matter how much power one possesses, one cannot change the fact that one day, they will eventually die. And that's the concept Feitan grew ever so obsessed with. Something so great that he managed to make a life out of it. A life that only concerned his wellbeing and best interest in mind.

A sinister smile spreads across his face from under his collar.

His power is death. And it prides him to know that he is in control of when he dies, and how he is killed. Because Feitan is sure as hell that no one will ever be the bringer of his demise. He's too careful for that.

His smile fades when Lucius enters his mind.

She complicates things. He realizes that she could be changing his purpose.

No longer can he benefit from the pain and deaths of others. Only the sound of her. He stands from his spot when his thoughts become too unbearable. He decides to leave to the mansion to escape from his impending internal crisis.

"Well, you're not running a fever. Maybe it was nerves. Whatever it is, just take it easy alright?" Leorio removes his hand from her forehead and puts his hands on his hips. "Are you okay? You're red."

No, Lucius admitted to herself that she was not 'okay'. Not only was the residual shock from the image she had seen been flashing in her brain like a swarm of wasps, she also has to deal with this unfamiliar feeling, which she's learned is called 'embarrassment' or 'humiliation'. Both of which emotions she decided weren't her favorite. However, she wasn't about to lie in front of Melody, who sat across from her sipping her tea silently, so she evaded the question.

"I sincerely apologize, Gon." She said, turning her beet red face towards Gon. "I am quite certain being smothered with bile was not on your agenda."

Gon laughs sheepishly. "It's alright, I swear! Don't worry about it. I'm more worried about you."

Lucius looks away. She wonders. Should she mention her vision? Her eyes wander towards Kurapika's room. Surely, she should tell him.

"Joy?" Gon waves a hand in front of her face in order to get her attention. "Are you sure you're okay? You're not talking at all."

She looked down.

"I just think I need rest."

Lucius stood, bowed, and excused herself to her room. Leaving Gon, Melody and Leorio baffled.

"Why did she act so proper? Did she just… bow?"

Gon and Melody shrug as Lucius enters the room she shares with Melody and Kalluto. She lays in her bed and shuts her eyes. But, she finds that she cannot sleep. Who could sleep knowing that the only thing they fear, is the person they really are?

She closes her eyes, deciding that it's best to evaluate the problem carefully.

She wakes up not knowing who she is, where she is. Not knowing how much time has passed since she can last remember living normally. Or, what she'd consider normal. She just knew she was evil, and that somehow, she was given the chance to be reborn. And although she admits she's happy to accept her rebirth, she can feel the pressure of her dead self overpowering her, rejecting her.

She takes a deep breath. What is the very last memory she possesses?

She searches her mind.

She remembers being with her father, obedient. She knows that she's done bad things that she has done under the supervision of her father, but she had no other choice. But why? And what exactly did she do? All this thinking was beginning to make her head hurt. The information is fuzzy, too fuzzy. It was as if she were asking herself to think back to when she was three years old. She can remember moments, small bits of conversation. Her demeanor. But other than that, it was too fuzzy to tell.

The only things she can remember vividly is the horrific scene, and a modest, depressing tune. She can remember the song so vividly that she is humming it now as she rests.

Without her knowing, Kurapika peers through the cracked door, listening in silently. Melody, who stands beside him, gives him a concerned look.

Lucius knows they're there, but she finds herself being so emotionally numb that she can't find a reason to care. Her body is warm, and her mind is focused. She has decided that instead of rejecting the image in her head, she's going to analyze it. She is going to memorize every last grizzly detail to the T.

And yet, despite their probable suspicion, Kurapika and Melody close the door to let her sleep.

He'd been in the area since he heard that the spiders had been spotted at the Auselor. Along with his old friends.

Hisoka was keeping tabs on his old friends, especially Chrollo, since the public had been

Notified by police that both notorious gangs the Phantom Troupe and the underground, lesser known Desdemona Shadowmen had been lurking alongside them, seemingly allied against Pro Hunter Kurapika Kurta. Needless to say, he was interested in whatever may be brewing.

Kurapika proved to be a problem. A strong opponent with plenty of sprouting potential, yes. But Hisoka could tell that he was not yet at his peak, not yet ripe. And therefore had no interest getting involved with him quite yet. Not to mention that Kurapika aimed to rid of the Troupe, something that Hisoka long since before him had planned. And, Hisoka can't let the little Chain User take that pleasure away from him.

Not only was Kurapika spotted, but so was Killua Zoldyck and Gon Freecs. Two of which he hadn't seen for nearly a year and a half now.

And a fight with Chrollo has been long since overdue.

To make matters easier, and frankly just a little more interesting, he sent a message to Illumi, letting him know that both his little brothers would be there. A little family reunion amidst the chaos was sure to lighten the mood.

A crooked, devilish smile spreads across his face when he feels a rush of air from behind him.

"Oh? I hadn't expected you to be so quick." Hisoka turns to Illumi, whose figure was a mere silhouette against the afternoon sun atop the apartment building. "Were you in the area?"

Illumi stepped closer, his hair blowing in the wind as his features became visible as he stepped into the shadows. "Yeah. I had just finished a job when you called me. Had I been on my way home, I would have said no."

Hisoka laughs "How mean~"

Illumi yawns and sits beside Hisoka. "I'm surprised you knew of the Shadowmen, they're curious little bugs. Nothing serious like the Troupe. They get paid for little heists, assassination jobs. Typical underground work. But, they're secret like a cult. Their founder is apparently on friendly terms with my father."

Hisoka felt a tingling of absolute joy. How lovely~ the perfect lineup, something to amuse him. Ah! It really makes his heart flutter!

And yet another thing to pique Hisoka's interest in the whole ordeal, was the fact that there was one human being out there on friendly terms with Silva Zoldyck.

He had to admit that he was getting quite excited.

"Hah, so you're saying you know their location?"

Illumi stretches out both his legs.

"I have coordinates, but no exact location. If you're really that interested, I'll give you them. In return for what we promised, of course."

Hisoka smiles, his jaw resting on his fist. "Why, of course."

Illumi's eyes always gave off a haunting vibe, something Hisoka always found fascinating. In fact, the entire Zoldyck family fascinated him in one way or another. But, Hisoka hadn't found the time to meddle around with them, since they had been so useful to him thus far. He hoped in the future they'd spar. Perhaps if he could ever catch Illumi off guard. But, that would be a rare chance that he'd have to take another time.

Hisoka let out a melodious hum as Illumi handed him a little pouch.

"Have fun."

Feitan furrows his brows.

"What do you think?" Chrollo asks, a smile on his face as he holds the door to Lucius's room wide open. "It would only be you, I just think a little information could help with my next plan. And, it could be good to understand her interests, and hopefully we'll find something personal to trigger her memory."

Feitan thought it a tad interesting. Of course he wanted to plumage whatever he could find in there, just out of curiosity. However, something inside him told him not to. Nevertheless, he knew that Chrollo always knew best in these situations. He decided not to refuse like his gut told him to, and he nodded.

"It sound interesting. I'm in." He looked up with sudden curiosity. "Boss, how did you open door?"

Chrollo gave a gentle chuckle. "Well, she may be upset. I had to unhinge the lock from the door."

Feitan nodded. "I see."

Rei had made it sound like Lucius would be out to kill anyone who infiltrated the privacy of her bedroom without her knowledge. He made a mental note to fix the lock on his own time later.

Chrollo smiled. "Well, then, I'll leave you to it."

While Chrollo walked away, Feitan lists a few of the most interesting places he wanted to look around first. He took a step into her dusty bedroom. He eyes the bookcase on either side of her bed first. The box on the shelf above her bed second, and the room hidden behind the purple curtain on the right beside her bed.

His footsteps were loud on the wood floor. He had decided to close the door behind him just in case, and made his way towards the bookshelf.

The spines of the books had nothing written on them, he noticed. Same with the faces and backs. He picked up one and flipped to the first page… then the second, then third. And realized, as he kept flipping, that they were all blank. Typical. She has something to hide in here, and she hid it with her nen. He takes a deep breath.

Gyo!

Just as he thought. She had used her very aura to conceal what she wrote in here. But, it wasn't something he hadn't dealt with before. Most Nen users would overlook such a thing, but Feitan, of course, knew better.

Written in neat cursive were the notes to, what looked like to him, entire intricate symphonies that he couldn't understand. And the names of which, he also couldn't understand, as they are written in French. He closes his eyes

Smart girl.

He closes the book and sets it with the others, and turns his attention to the box surrounded by dolls atop the shelf above her bed. As he stood on her comforter, he realized something strange.

His feet sunk into a thick layer of dust.

He narrows his eyes. She must sleep somewhere else. There's no way in hell that she's slept in this bed since it was put there.

He shook it off, deciding it wasn't import. He lifts a hand to the red wooden box, and very carefully lifts it off the shelf.

He rests himself onto Lucius's bed, legs crossed as he removed the lid to the box. Which, was heavier than he initially thought. The box's contents contained an ID card reading:

"Sylvie "Lucius" Anais Dupont"

Vice President

Desdemona Record: Elite.

Nen Type: -

Age: 19

Feitan's lips grew apart as he scanned the ID card over and over again. It didn't shock him in the slightest that the Shadowmen were required to carry identification cards, as the same was typical in the mafia. What he was taken aback by was the fact that she apparently went by a preferred name. And her real, full name was apparently Sylvie Anais Dupont.

His heart beats faster. This feeling is familiar, although he hasn't felt it in quite some time. Like when he was young. He remembers his first kill, and the stress of trouble brewing afterwards. In short, he feels like he's going to face a serious predicament for finding this card. It's just so strange to him. Why would Lucius need to lie about her biological name? In addition to this, her photo on the ID is scratched out to hell. Same with the text regarding her Nen type. Which to him wasn't a secret. Feitan is well aware that she is a Transmuter.

He swallows hard. Only the other members of the Shadowmen would have any idea what this was all about. But, he decides that mentioning anything about it would be too troublesome. But, he decides to slide the ID into his pocket just in case it becomes important later.

Behind the ID is a stack of stolen Hunter licences, something well worth keeping hidden. But, he assumes she and the rest of the Shadowmen only use them for public conveniences to get their job done. He sets down the stack and picks up the final item in the box.

A Birth Certificate under Lucius's real name, attached to a handwritten letter in French that he also does not understand.

He sighs and puts the box back where it was. But before hopping off his bed, he pockets one of her dolls, remembering a little tidbit Ume had told him.

Finally, his attention rests on the veiled room to his right.

I wonder what's behind curtain number one?