From his hiding place, Norio watched as Hisoka twice passed by. Neither time did he try to enter the boys' bedchamber and he did not seem at all surprised to find the protectors stood sentinel.

Norio wondered how many times in the last few days the Laoshian had walked the halls in this way. He almost pitied him. He seemed lost, his expression haunted as he passed by.

Much later, sometime in the very early hours of the morning, Gwon-wi came to relieve Norio of his ...