On a bright yet gloomy night, to the bright glow of the headlights, Hisoka rolled the Polaris down the lonely dirt roads. Aki had fallen asleep, leaving the sound of the engine his only companion on their long night drive. The full moon shone softly on the ground below leading to a peaceful air, Hisoka didn't feel peaceful though. The battle had taken a toll on his mind, he was slightly physically fatigued, yet mentally exhausted. His eyelids were heavy and sleep tugged at his soul, only for him to adamantly stay awake and alert. There was a reason to drive on this bright night.

Misumi lay silently in the backseat, her orange hair reflecting the shine of the moonlight. Her ears low and her tail static, a pale face and slow breathing. Though her condition was stable, she had only been treated with a mid-tier potion which was ill-suited for such a nasty wound as the one on her abdomen. Aki's healing magic had been able to continue the effect of the potion keeping her in a stable coma-like state, but she needed higher treatment to survive. Hisoka drove on through the night despite his exhaustion for her sake, as long as she was alright he could crash at a later time.

Hisoka grit his teeth and tried his damndest to stay awake as they passed through Nettor. It was unfortunately as he remembered; there was no clinic nor a dedicated healer in the town. The townspeople went to the nearby town of Heartwell for treatment and used low tier potions available at the general stores for most afflictions. Hisoka continued to brave the night driving through and passing the vivid nightlife of the modestly wealthy town.

The scenery began to blend as Hisoka continued forward. The moon his only friend as it shone on despite his weary head. Hisoka was left with nothing but his thoughts or the purr of the engine to distract him, and he didn't want to be alone with the former. He felt hope as he saw the bright town of Heartwell near in the distance. He closed the gap and rolled through the town, a few people stopping to glance at his vehicle but for the most part going about their nights. Hisoka parked the car and killed the engine.

Aki awoke as he shut off the engine. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and glanced around. She noticed Hisoka sluggishly trying to lift Misumi from the car, yet he appeared to be in no state to be helping others.

"Hisoka, you look terrible," she softly said looking worriedly at his hollow eyes.

He tried to mumble something in response but she put on a stern look like a mother, "Hisoka, why don't you just wait here, and I'll go get a healer. Just keep Misumi and yourself safe, and I will handle the rest ok?"

He began to object but she gave him a firm look of scorn. He relented and she went off to find the healer. Hisoka was left on his own in the driver's seat. He found himself toying with the cylinder of his old revolver to keep himself alert. Few lowly men noticed the sleeping girl in the back and attempted to have their way, only to find themselves looking down the barrel of a .44 and the even scarier face behind it. Hisoka sighed as he noticed Aki coming their way with two men carrying a stretcher. Seeing help arriving, he carelessly lost his guard and felt his eyelids sealing shut as sleep took his tired mind to a blank expanse.

~~~

Hisoka opened his eyes to an unfamiliar environment. He immediately tried to grasp his surroundings and found himself in an unfamiliar white room laying on a bed. He began to go over his person and became anxious as he failed to find his holster or his bag. He tried to get up but found himself still in a state of exhaustion, making it hard for him to move. He frowned as he continued to struggle, bringing his legs over the side of the bed. It was then that the door opened and the familiar face of an older gentleman appeared.

Hisoka felt at ease seeing the old healer enter his room and he stopped struggling, laying back on the bed.

"Good to see you again son," the older man greeted him, "It looks like you passed out from exhaustion trying to get your friend some help."

Hisoka began to speak but the man responded before he could get the words out, "Don't worry, she is alright. Thanks to your companion's healing ability and a potion, she was stable when I got to her, and I was able to take care of her wounds. She took quite the beating, but she held on well. Right now she's peacefully resting in the next room over."

The man stopped to let it sink into Hisoka, "When my aides arrived to fetch your friend, they along with your companion found you passed out cold. We made sure to get you back here for some rest and light recovery magic. You shouldn't push yourself so far in the future, though I acknowledge this was a special case."

"Would you mind if I let your companion in? She has been anxiously waiting for the two of you to wake."

"Ah of course," Hisoka replied.

The older gentleman nodded and went into the hallway for a moment, before returning with a worried looking Aki.

Aki quickly moved to his side and hugged him, "Don't worry me like that."

Hisoka was surprised but wrapped his arms around her returning her friendly embrace, "I'm sorry about that Aki, I'll try not to push myself too much in the future."

She merely held the embrace a bit longer in return, holding it a little past the point of a worried friend. She broke it off and cleared her throat awkwardly, but Hisoka paid it no mind.

"What happened to my equipment?" Hisoka asked Aki.

The older man replied, "We take all the weapons off of the patients as a precaution, but seeing as you are awake and in a peaceful state, I suppose I can return your items to you."

Hisoka nodded and thanked the man, as Aki left the room to fetch his gear.

"I know you must be worried about your friend still, but she's in good hands right now. You need to get some more rest for your tired body, and then I promise you'll be able to see her."

Hisoka nodded once more. He then looked at the kind older healer and spoke, "Thank you, this is the second time you've taken care of us. Please let me pay you back for the trouble this time around," he paused, "My name is Hisoka, may I ask yours?"

The older man had a gentle smile, "My name is Kaisha, nice to meet you Hisoka. Get some rest, and then you can go see your friend."

The man left the room right as Aki returned. Aki lay his holster and bag on the side table but was looking curiously at the revolver.

Hisoka smiled [I should take her to shoot it some time for fun.]

She noticed him smiling at her and she looked away embarrassed. After she left the revolver on the table, she told him to get some rest and left the room. Hisoka surrendered himself to the sleep his body needed, and the world faded to black.

~~~

Hisoka found himself awake after what seemed to be a long rest. Aki was sleeping in one of the chairs in his room, ever the faithful companion. He smiled and got up, his body feeling much better. After strapping on his equipment and storing his old revolver, he lay a blanket from the bed he had slept in over Aki, causing her to sleep easier. He smiled and left the room as she slumbered.

He remembered that Kaisha had said Misumi was in the next room over, so he gently opened the door revealing the sleeping occupant.

Misumi and her pretty white skin lay peacefully on the clean white sheets. Hisoka's expression softened about 10x seeing her in a much more peaceful, restful state. He entered the room and sat on the chair next to her bed. There was no trace of the wound on her abdomen thanks to the excellent work of the healer. Hisoka gently took her hand as she slept and softly stroked her hair. Her ears seemed to perk up at his touch, and her peaceful expression grew even softer. Hisoka sat there and lovingly kept her company until she began to stir a good half an hour or so later.

Misumi groggily opened her eyes looking around the room before noticing Hisoka's soft expression. She reached a hand gingerly down to where the wound previously sat, feeling smooth skin instead of a scar. She looked back up at Hisoka who was lightly grasping her hand before whispering his name.

In return, Hisoka softly kissed her before releasing it to speak to her, "How are you feeling?" he softly asked her.

"better," she replied gently.

Hisoka lightly squeezed her hand before saying, "I'm sorry this happened again, I should've kept better tabs on the situation."

She stopped him by bringing her finger to his lip, "It doesn't matter because you saved me again in the end."

She gently smiled at him causing his heart to melt. He leaned down once more and gave her a gentle kiss which she returned. Hisoka gently stroked her hair causing her to close her eyes and enjoy the sensation. She sat and lovingly received his affection as he gave it. It was then the door slightly opened.

In stepped Aki and the healer, who softly stepped in as to not disturb the two. Aki watched Hisoka gently showing his affection for Misumi, confirming what she had already suspected. She couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest, what was it? Jealousy?

[No] she chided herself before her and the healer approached Misumi.

The healer gently cleared his throat to draw their attention, and Hisoka turned to greet them. The healer approached Misumi and spoke to her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Much better thanks to you," she replied.

The older man shook his head and responded, "No, no, I merely sealed the already treated wound. You should really thank your companions, their quick thinking is what saved you."

Misumi looked up at Hisoka, then Aki, and smiled.

Aki looked away shyly, yet happy she was able to help. Hisoka remained neutral, neither boasting nor trying to refute the claim.

The gentleman stroked his chin, "May I ask just how you received such a wound? I merely ask out of curiosity I don't have to report to anyone."

"It happened during the emergency quest," Hisoka replied.

The man looked puzzled, "Really? All the adventurers from that request returned a couple of days ago. Not to doubt you, but If she received that wound from that quest than the treatment you had given her would have failed and she would've likely perished."

Hisoka recalled what had transpired over the past couple of days for the man, how after the defense of Nettor he had lingering suspicion about the quest and decided to investigate, the creatures on the road, and the subjugation of the town proper. The man listened on to their story nodding as it finished.

"I see. Nobody had claimed to have seen or killed the so-called 'creature of higher intelligence' the guild had reported. The guild generally has very accurate information, so I was growing curious about that. I won't pry into how you managed to accomplish that feat," the man said looking at the odd weapons Hisoka and his companions carried on their hips, "but I will say that is quite something. It sounds like you came across a lower-tier lich."

[Crap that was what's considered lower tier?] thought Hisoka.

"If you report said information to the guild and they're able to confirm it, you would likely receive a much grander reward and or fame," the wise healer answered.

Hisoka pondered that, while money was something he did strive for, fame would most certainly be troublesome. No doubt rumors of him and his companions were freely flowing after the battle of Nettor, and when he turned in the bracelet with their kill count of 2232 (it appeared the creatures in Zulich added to it as well) would certainly draw attention. Hisoka debated whether or not it would be worth it to claim the victory in Zulich or not.

"I appreciate that bit of guidance, I will have to think about that," Hisoka thanked the man.

They all turned their attention back to Misumi as she slowly tried to get out of the bed. Hisoka gave her a hand and braced her as she stood up uncertainly. She attempted to walk around a bit but ended up collapsing in Hisoka's arms. He gingerly placed the defeated looking Misumi back in her bed.

"It may take some time for her body to completely recover, as the body takes some time to become accustomed to the result of healing magic to that extent," Kaisha explained.

Misumi looked a little off-put but had a look of determination to get back to her full standard of health. Hisoka squeezed her hand and once again thanked the doctor.

"She can stay here as long as she needs, but unfortunately I have to keep the other rooms open for patients," the healer told them.

"THat's more than enough thank you," Hisoka replied before pressing 2 gold coins in the man's palm.

He looked as if he was going to object to the amount paid, but Hisoka spoke, "Think of it as a donation. You've helped us in the past, and may end up helping us in the future."

The man nodded and said a word of thanks as he took the sum of money.

Hisoka produced 32 silver coins and handed it to Aki.

"There is a nicer inn on the east side of town, could you please go and rent 2 rooms for 4 days under my name?" Hisoka requested.

Aki nodded after checking her handgun before exiting the room to complete his request.

Having the room to themselves Hisoka kissed Misumi.

"I'll stay here with you as long as you want me to."

He tried to pull back from the kiss but Misumi worked up some courage and pulled him back for a longer more passionate kiss.

"I love you," she said with reddened cheeks.

"I love you too Misumi."

On the other side of the door stood Aki, listening in on their conversation with a somewhat pained expression on her face. What was this she felt? Why did her heartache like this? She forced herself to leave before she felt any more weird emotions.

~~~