"And with this blessing, we shall entomb Arnold Eros in his eternal resting place. May his soul enter Heaven, according to the Lord's will. Amen."

"Amen," repeated the congregation. The church was filled with the decease's family. Daniel was sitting in the front pew, beside his Aunt Gretchen - who was unashamedly crying. Her beloved younger brothers were dead! Both Connor and Arnold! Gretchen was heartbroken. Both of her beloved siblings had died within three months of one another.

Chiara was seated beside her mother, her own tears streaking down her cheeks. Her face was pale beneath the concealer, her arms covered by a light jacket to cover the bandages on her left arm. She had been released a day after her admittance to the hospital. After the doctor had her psychologically evaluated. However, because of her uncle's passing, they could not hold her and she was discharged (against doctor's wishes).

Niall shared only a shred of his wife's grief. While the two men had not seen eye-to-eye on many topics, Niall had to admit they had made a prosperous team. He would miss such a man, although he refused to admit to it. In the future, Niall would look hesitantly towards continuing the business with Daniel. The boy was young, however his niece had promised to teach him what she could.

Despite her public track record, Niall knew Connor had taught his daughter well. That was the sole reason he had left the family business in her capable hands after Connor's passing.

Speaking of Psyche, she was seated in the second pew. Her head had been bowed during the entire service. She was saddened over her uncle's death, but mostly she was reliving her own father's funeral. Her heart broke again over the loss.

After the service had finished and Arnold Eros' corpse was buried, the immediate family gathered in a small antechamber to hear the reading of the will. It was no surprise that Arnold wished Daniel to be he successor, with Gretchen being named his temporary guardian, as the boy was not quite the age of majority yet.

However, Arnold had also set aside some assets to be used in the dowries of his nieces; which caused Psyche to cry over his thoughtfulness. Whatever else he had done in his life, no one could question the love and devotion the man had always had for his family.

Later that night...

The ceremony had been draining but Psyche could not sleep. Still dressed in her knee length funeral gown, Psyche had told her driver to drop her off at a local bar. Her intent was to drink until the pain had faded away - which she had done after her father's funeral as well. But it didn't help. After several drinks her mind was clouded but the pain still came whenever she thought of those she had lost.

Unfortunately, being as deep in her thoughts as she was, Psyche did not notice the man who sat down beside her at the bar. He remained unnoticed until the bartender sat two drinks in front of her. They were shot glasses filled with a clear alcohol. A soft sniff revealed the contents to be vodka.

"To death," the man said. Psyche sniffed again and rubbed at her watery eyes. Looking beside her showed a man dressed in a yellow button-up shirt and faded blue jeans. His eyes matched the colour of his shirt and his red hair was spiked away from his face. It took Psyche a moment to bring his name to mind.

"Hisoka; what are you doing here."

"My~ what a rude greeting my little cherry. After all this time you haven't seen me." His smile was the same dangerous smile it had been all those months before. It once sent a thrill and a little fear through her to see it. Right now... Psyche took the shot.

"Thanks for the drink. I should go." As she tried to climb off the stool, her heel landed wrong and Psyche nearly turned her ankle. Luckily, Hisoka's reflexes were swift and he easily caught her against his chest.

"My, my, little cherry you can hardly walk. Why are you trying to run away from me. Nyaa~"

"I'm not in the mood to deal with you." Suddenly, two men stood on either side of Hisoka. He glanced at them from the corner of his eye. Clearly his little cherry hadn't been alone, as she had appeared to be. Hiding in the shadows had been a couple of her bodyguards. Of course, they did not concern the self-proclaimed magician in the least. They were no equal to him. Besides, he had done nothing wrong... yet.

With a throaty chuckle, he allowed Psyche to regain her footing and released her.

"We had such fun before Psyche-chan. Why not pick up where we left off?" That smile again...

"What do you want Hisoka?"

That question again. It was starting to annoy him. His toy wasn't supposed to do that. She was supposed to be happy to see him again. After all, when they had met she had had an entirely different reaction to him. What had changed?

True to his character though, Hisoka pouted. "Just wanted a little fun with my cherry but I see you're not in the mood..."

A commotion at the door distracted the self-proclaimed magician. But it was nothing. Just an ordinary small brawl between a couple of drunken patrons. Nothing to interest the red haired mad. He turned his gaze back to Psyche. Before he could say anymore one of her bodyguards spoke up,

"Miss, we should be getting you home." Psyche placed a hand on her forehead, she was developing a headache from the crying and the booze. Hisoka wasn't making it better either.

"Yes. Bring the car around... please." One of the men nodded and complied, leaving the other to keep an eye on their boss and the strange red haired man. "Go away Hisoka," Psyche said after he didn't seem to be doing anything.

Faster than she could blink, Hisoka grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward. His lips brushed her ear. Seconds later he felt the familiar pressure of a gun barrel held against the back of his neck, which he ignored. He whispered in Psyche's ear, "I don't think my little cherry wants to be alone right now. You're doing nothing but looking for a distraction. The alcohol isn't helping however. Take me with you and I promise you won't remember what saddens you for the rest of the night." He let her go, but the gun remained pressed against his neck.

"Miss?"

"Put it away Jaxan. I'm okay." Psyche rubbed her wrist gently. Hisoka hadn't grabbed her hard enough for it to hurt, but he was right. The alcohol hadn't helped her to forget. Maybe he meant what he said... What did she had to lose after all...?

A horn outside honked twice and Psyche did not think for a second longer.

"Fine. You can come along. If you can really keep your promise, I'll make it worth your while."

Hisoka just smiled as he followed his little cherry out of the bar and slid beside her into the waiting car.

Oh yes, tonight would be a good night for him.

A/N: Surprise! Happy holidays readers! Thank you for all your support, and your patience. In the new year I am going to try and get back into writing this story. I do not want to leave it unfinished, as I really look forward to the ending.