Hunter X Hunter: The Phantom Troupe's Carnage.

Chapter 39: What Will You Give Me.....

The next day dawned with an eerie quietness, the remnants of the battlefield still casting long shadows over the group's spirits. The hospital was filled with the faint hum of machinery, punctuated by the soft murmurs of the staff. Pitou lay motionless on the bed, her form hidden beneath the crisp white sheets. The doctors had worked tirelessly, but the extent of her injuries left even the most seasoned among them shaken. Her once vibrant aura was now faint, a mere flicker of what it had been.

Makoto stood by the window, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The events of the previous day replayed endlessly in her mind-the weight of Pitou in her arms, the haunting words of Jason, and the unexpected intervention of Nobunaga. Her fists clenched involuntarily, the anger and helplessness bubbling just beneath the surface.

Millianna sat on a chair near the bed, her tail twitching nervously. She looked at Pitou's covered form, her eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and frustration. "She didn't deserve this," Millianna muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not after everything she's done to redeem herself."

Erza, ever the stoic leader, stood at the foot of the bed, her arms crossed. Her armor bore the marks of the battle, but her resolve remained unshaken. "We need to focus on what comes next," she said firmly. "Pitou's condition is critical, but we can't let this break us. We have to be strong-for her."

Kirito leaned against the wall, Her expression was pensive, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. "Nobunaga's words keep playing in my head," he said after a moment. "If the Phantom Troupe really is done, what does that mean for the rest of us? For the balance of power in this world?"

Rem, who had been silently watching over Pitou, finally spoke. "It doesn't matter what Nobunaga said," she replied, her voice steady. "We've seen too much to trust his words at face value. The Phantom Troupe might be fractured, but that doesn't mean they're gone. We need to be prepared for anything."

Makoto turned from the window, her eyes blazing with determination. "I don't care about the Phantom Troupe right now," she said, her voice sharp. "What I care about is making sure Pitou survives. She fought for us, sacrificed everything. We owe her that much."

The room fell silent, each of them grappling with their own thoughts and emotions. Finally, Erza spoke, her tone softer. "Makoto's right. Pitou's survival is our priority. But we also need to ensure that her sacrifice wasn't in vain. Jason may be gone, but the damage he caused runs deep. We have to be ready to face whatever comes next."

As if on cue, the door opened, and a nurse stepped inside. She looked at the group, her expression a mix of sympathy and professionalism. "The doctors are doing everything they can," she said gently. "But Pitou's condition is... delicate. It will take time to see if she can recover."

Makoto nodded, her jaw tightening. "Thank you," she said simply.

The nurse hesitated for a moment before leaving, the door clicking softly behind her. The group exchanged glances, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.

"We'll take turns watching over her," Erza decided, her voice leaving no room for argument. "She's not alone in this. We'll make sure she knows that."

Kirito nodded, pushing off the wall. "I'll take the first watch," she offered. "You all should rest. We've been through enough."

The others reluctantly agreed, each finding a corner of the room to settle in. Makoto, however, remained by the window, her gaze once again fixed on the horizon.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, its light streaming through the window, a sense of quiet determination filled the room. They didn't know what the future held, but one thing was certain: they would face it together. For Pitou. For each other.