Shuffle The Deck

Chapter 48 - Pakunoda's Resolve

Pakunoda and Lilah sat in the airship, completely silent. The blonde-haired woman was blankly staring at the ground and picked her head up to see Lilah staring out at the canyon.

"You really do love him, don't you?"

Lilah turned her head in the woman's direction, who had a kind expression on her face. "I sometimes wish I could have someone like that," she sighed heavily, closing her eyes. "But this lifetime did not permit me a chance."

"Perhaps there's a reason."

Pakunoda's face fell. Then she turned away, stifling a small laugh. "I suppose you have a point."

"This may very well be the last time I ever speak with you."

Lilah tilted her head curiously. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I am implying. I won't be among the living by tomorrow."

"Pakunoda," Lilah began.

"I'm going to let the Spiders live on without me. With my life, the people I care the most about will know everything they deserve. It's a decision I've been thinking about ever since the exchange."

Lilah finally understood. "You will be missed."

Though her feelings towards the Troupe had not faltered, she returned the embrace as Pakunoda hugged her tightly, taking a shuddering breath. The woman smiled as she felt Lilah's hands on her back. All of the woman's memories flooded into Pakunoda's head, and she pulled away with a small smile.

"I know you may hate me," she began, "but I will forever remember you, Delilah. Even if you want to kill all of us, I understand. You have a good soul and a kind heart."

"Thank you, Pakunoda," was her only response.

"Yukari, was it?"

She nodded simply and sat upright. "You had no right to rob her of her life."

Pakunoda closed her eyes solemnly. "We did not."

Hisoka walked through the door of the airship a few moments later, looking irritated. Lilah stood and walked to his side, leaving Pakunoda alone.

"It appears we can leave now."

The airship flew through the night and arrived at the airport it had taken off from. Lilah had fallen asleep on Hisoka's lap, her ivory curls falling over her face. As the ship's doors opened, Pakunoda was the first to stand.

"Take care of her," she spoke suddenly.

He smiled. "With pleasure."

The woman left the airship, the residue of the rain still lingering in the evening air. The bottom of her heels became sullied with the water of the damp streets as she walked on, accepting her destiny. She would be the last to lose her life among the Troupe. Another casualty and it may prove disastrous.

Looking back once more at the airship, a gentle smile formed on her face. Deep down, she knew that she could have avoided this fate from the very beginning. She just didn't know what it was until this very moment.

- - -

"Where should we head to, next?" She asked, packing the last of her clothes from their hotel.

"I'd like you to accompany me for the next few months. If needed, purchase living arrangements so we have somewhere to return to."

She looked at him curiously. "And where exactly will we be going?"

He lifted one of her bags with ease, throwing it over his shoulder. "A game that goes by 'Greed Island.' I'm sure you've heard of it someplace."

She took a moment and nodded. It was rather interesting how Gon and Killua had previously mentioned their desire to locate the game as well. "I'll find a place for us near the border, somewhere remote."

"To be honest, I have no issue with whatever you choose. You have enough funds to spare, so why not custom a house from the bottom up? If it is far away enough, it will give us all the privacy we could need," he softly spoke, moving closer to her. "Would you prefer that, my darling?"

The feel of his touch against her bare skin made her shudder, and she met his eyes longingly. "It sounds perfect."

"Let's take our leave, then." He offered his hand to her and led her towards the open balcony of the hotel suite.

Looking down at her with a smile, they stepped onto the silver railing, staring out at the illuminated city ahead. With a press off of the metal, they jumped into the night sky.

They landed roof from roof, sprinting across the tops, making leaps and turns over the city. Her feet pattered against the tiles, making little to no sound as she glided over them with a bag over her shoulder.

It was pitch black, but they navigated pretty fast, finding a way to the edge of the city in less than ten minutes. Running through the night after a storm had an atmosphere that spoke of new beginnings. The wind ran through Lilah's hair as she stood before a large open plain, stretched as far back as the eye could see.

Her eyes widened as her eyes laid on this view, isolated from the bustling city. It was untouched land, open and free. Hisoka stood by her side, sending her a coy smile as she took a moment to appreciate the beauty of the earth before her.

"Let's go further," she suggested, and he began to sprint ahead. 

Following his rapid lead, the wind chased her down, her heart taking in the delightful feeling of freedom. She stared off into the distance, seeing the horizon's first rays of sunlight. She stopped a few moments after the sight that looked like it had been sent from above, dropping her bag by her feet.

"Here," she called out, signaling his attention.

He turned around between the long blades of grass concealing his ankles and tilted his head in amusement. 

"Here is perfect."

- - -

And so it was. She had discovered the grounds for the house she called home to the present day. However, the construction of the building did consume quite a vast number of months. The architecture was of a modern castle and did not disturb the thriving nature that surrounded the lodging.

Lilah continued to stay by Hisoka's side, as per his request. She didn't necessarily have a choice.

But of course, as a woman of her word, "she wasn't going anywhere."

Delilah Suibami had wandered her whole life in search of something. She didn't know what it was, or where to find it. But, stubborn as she was, it became her life's mission to discover what it was she chased after so desperately.

From behind closed doors, she yearned for an answer. A silent prayer she whispered, a hope for the universe to give her a sign. And as the years walked along her side, her time had finally arrived.

Stepping into her furnished house for the first time in her life, she finally understood. The man of her wildest nightmares and fondest dreams stood on top of the banister of a winding double staircase. His head rested in his palm, leaning over the railing with a coy smile.

"Welcome home, my darling."