Rebirth -- Book 4

Chapter 6 - Prodigies

The next morning, Hisoka was sitting at the table in the corner, drinking coffee and watching Keiko brush her hair. Keiko snickered when she noticed him sitting so poised. Hisoka was cut off from a response by a knock at the door. He went to answer it while Keiko continued running the bristles to her ends.

"Good morning Mr. Morow," came a voice outside. Keiko peered around curiously after hearing Hisoka's surname for the first time. The man took a look at her and cleared his throat, "Ahem, it was brought to our attention by another guest that you have had a female...er...guest staying here for some time. Guests of no relation are regretfully not allowed to use tower resources."

"And how does Heaven's Arena determine that she is of no relation?" Hisoka asked.

"Well, uhm," the man stammered, "guests have observed that you tend to only keep paid company."

Hisoka's smile widened dangerously as he took a step closer to the man; Hisoka's intent dripping malevolently. The man began to shake as his confidence withered before Hisoka's presence. "Do they have proof that I need to pay such guests?" Hisoka feigned a look of hurt. He felt Keiko's hand gently on his shoulder. The ominous aura building dissipated at once. "As it stands, those guests never stayed with me in the past for any length of time. Circumstances have changed since meeting my lovely wife of course," he said, taking Keiko's hand and pulling her around to kiss it.

Keiko blushed as the man continued to stutter, "your, your wife? I'm so sorry for the misunderstanding. But as you know, Heaven's Arena must have all guests registered...."

"Fine," Hisoka sighed, "what is it that you need?"

"Just a copy of her ID showing the same last name or your marriage license," the man said as he relaxed and straightened himself.

"That may be a problem you see, some of those items were misplaced when a man broke in and assaulted my wife while I was gone. No doubt the same one that made a false report," Hisoka said mournfully.

"Is that so? Well, as long as you can get it to us before the end of this week, I don't see that there should be a problem. But if not, she will have to leave," the man said, trying to stand taller. Hisoka noticed the attempt at bravado and waived Keiko back inside.

"I don't anticipate it to be a problem. Oh by the way, I forgot to ask. How is the man who fought me a few months back? I've heard he still hasn't left the hospital yet. What a pity," Hisoka said.

The man shrunk again at the look in Hisoka's eyes. "I can't say that I'm aware, however, it is not our place to share such information with other guests. Good day Mr. Morow." The man turned and strode stiffly down the hall, looking as if he wanted to break into a run--at least as much of one as the portly man could.

Hisoka was still wearing a look of intimidation when he turned back into the room. His eyes fell on Keiko and he softened. Her face was turned away brow furrowed as she pinched her lips with her fingers in thought. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his nose in her hair, savoring the sweet scent that still lingered from her shampoo. "Well, that was an unfortunate turn of events. I guess all that's left is to get married," he said matter of factly.

Keiko gave a sharp inhale and coughed in surprise. "Sorry, what?"

"Marry me," he repeated.

"I'm sorry, but why?"

"It's just a piece of paper. If you want to chip in, we can even have one forged. It's not like you're bound to anyone on this world," he said, His nonchalant tone of voice left Keiko unable to read his intentions.

"I'm going to go get some air," she said, blinking at him without expression before making her way out the door.

As she wandered through the corridors of the lower tower levels, she found herself at the Arena hospital. She found the room of the man Hisoka had beaten half to death alone, lying unconscious on a bed. She was surprised the staff paid her little notice and no one tried to stop her as she wandered the ward. Making sure no one was coming, Keiko pulled water from a nearby jug and covered her hand and infused it with her chakra. She examined the man's injuries and they were fairly extensive, but he would probably live. She set about healing what she could, though she wasn't skilled enough in medical ninjutsu to be able to heal him completely. Her only real experience was studying with water users on another planet.