DISCLAIMER: HUNTER X HUNTER AND ALL OF ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT MINE!
Note: For the first part, refer to Greed Island Arc.
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RUNAWAY DAUGHTER
It was late afternoon. The ideal time for sunsets. A pair of white doves traced the golden path the sun created and flew towards our stone mansion only to be appalled by his sudden cry.
"Tell me! Tell me! How could I pay for everything without her nen?! Turn her back the way she was before! Her nen! Her nen! Give it back!"
I wiped my tears silently. My father. He had been raving like that since I lost my ability to predict the future. But then, what could I do? It was gone without me knowing why. I turned my head back to my window hoping to see the birds but they were gone.
"Please calm down, sir," said my chief bodyguard Kurapika. "I will do everything I could to help her get it back.
My father seemed to relax a bit a while when Kurapika added, "According to my observation, there's an eighty-twenty chance that she would be able to get it back. If her nen has become dormant, it can always be revived. But as I see it, her nen might have been stolen."
"Stolen?!" my father yelled. "How could—how could her nen be stolen?! Oh! If it were stolen, bring the thief here and I'll chop him to pieces!"
My knees trembled. I have never heard him shout as violently as that before. Oh, but I should be happy. He was concerned about me…no. About himself. His status. There's no use denying it. For all I knew, he only used my ability to gain wealth and fame. I was his stepping-stone, his ticket towards his ultimate dream to become one of the Mafia's Ten Godfathers. I bit my lip. Now that my nen is gone, I am…of no use to him. I sobbed. He might simply get rid of me.
The thought made me tremble all the more. My eyes widened involuntarily. Suddenly, I felt something cold run up and down my spine. He might…get rid of me. Does it mean that he is going to kill me? No! my mind screamed. I don't want to die yet!
I shivered. The sudden thought of dying was horrible. Ah, surely, my father won't do such thing to me. But…he did kill some of his men. Oh, but they weren't related to him by blood whatsoever, right? My uncle. His brother. He did kill him over a land dispute. he was capable of doing such thing to his own brother, he might also be capable of doing it to his own useless, good-for-nothing daughter. I shook my head. No! My father won't kill me! He won't! My Papa is a good man! He—
"Neon?! Where are you?!"
My whole body shook with unexplainable fear. I love my father but I…don't want to die yet. Without second thoughts, I went to my dressing room, grabbed a bag and took my clothes. No! Not all! I can't carry them all! Money! I need money! But I couldn't use my credit cards. He could trace me with them. Cash! But I couldn't withdraw without his authorization!
"Where is she?!"
I almost choked as a mixture of sweat, tears and air went down my throat. Jewels! I could sell them at high prices! I ran towards my jewelry closet and grabbed every gem I could lay my hands on. The necklace. Its pink diamond pendant shone with light from long ago…
"Come, my dear," he said. "Do you like it?"
I pouted. "Hmm…it's pretty. But I like the blue one better."
"But it belonged to your mother, dear. Oh, I see her whenever I look at you. Why you look exactly like her!"
"Hmm…but I am prettier! I got my nose from you."
Tears fell from my eyes. My father…he can't…kill me, right?
"Neon!"
My frightened heart began to beat wildly. I shoved everything into my bag without hesitation. What was on my mind was escape. Survival. I don't want to die yet. Not yet! And if I will die, I don't want my blood to stain my father's hands.
I ran towards the veranda. How would I…escape? I was standing on the second floor and—
"Neon! Are you in there?!"
I jumped. Fortunately, I fell on a heap of fallen leaves. I wasn't hurt at all. I ran.
"Where is she?!" I heard his voice thundering all over the mansion.
"Ah, the Miss…"
"But she wasn't there!"
I ran all the more till I couldn't hear him anymore. The guards might search for me but this mansion was in the middle of a thick forest and I know the trail better than they do. I had been crossing this path since I was a child. Yes, I was a child long ago. A child who used to order people around. A reckless teen whose whims were followed by everybody including my father. He lavished me with expensive clothes, jewelries and precious items. He even went to underground auctions to give me what I wanted so much—rare body parts. He gave me everything I wanted back then and that was because he knew he could gain the money back, and earn even more, by using my ability of prophecy. Then one day, he realized that I lost it. I thought it didn't matter. But when he realized that it was gone forever, he began to grow impatient, raving and yelling, killing me with his rage. Yes, he wanted to kill me! But I won't let him. His hands…I don't want him to soil his hands with my blood.
I wanted to pass on the darkest passages. The sun was no more and a very few stars twinkled on the night sky. I went on and on. Luckily, my energy did not seem to run out. And despite the fear, I felt something good inside of me. At last I am free! No more restrictions, no bodyguards. But I felt danger as well. Oh, but I cannot do anything about it. I preferred to defend my life while risking it by going to the outside world. Death might be okay as long as my father wouldn't cause it. My father… Tears formed on the sides of my eyes. Ah, quit crying, Neon, I told myself. You're a big girl now. It is your decision to leave, isn't it?
I sighed. Yes, it is my decision. I am an adult. I am already eighteen. From now on, I will be responsible for my actions. I'm…
I finally saw the road. I ran as fast as I could. There's no stopping now! I placed one hand in my pocket. I felt a little relief when I felt some paper money therein. I called for a taxi. "York Shin downtown," I said.
The feeling of nervousness never left me even as I went down the cab and walked towards the ATM machine in front of the supermarket. My hands were trembling. I withdrew a five hundred thousand zenis on one card, another five hundred thousand on the other and the other and the other till I got a billion. [The zeni has a lower purchasing power compared to the dollar. XD]
When my withdrawal was over, I walked towards a nearby bench and slumped myself wearily on its strong support. Yosh. Even though I am physically weak and ignorant about the ways of the world, I am Neon Nostrade, a mafioso's daughter. I mustn't fear anything. Not even death. I ought to be brave.
"Now what should I do?" I asked myself. Here I am, bewildered and empty. I must think of something. I'm a part of the mafia ain't I? I buried my face on my palms. "Oh, what should I do?" I murmured. This disaster which has befallen upon me is too great a burden for an eighteen-year-old girl like me. I sighed.
"Problematic, are we?" said a male voice from behind.
I was alarmed. Robbers! I stood up and pointed at his face the knife I hid on my long dress. Upon turning my head, I saw a tall muscular man wearing a Joker costume.
"Oh! The little miss has a knife!" He laughed.
My fists clenched. He looked so strong but I can't tremble now and melt like butter. I'm a part of the mafia, ain't I? Hey, why do I keep repeating that line?
He smiled wider. His feline eyes still studying me. "Hm, I'm not a robber if that's what you think. Let's just say I want to…experiment with you."
I wanted to cry! Now it seems like I'm going to die!
"Hm, I've got new cards, you know," he continued ignoring my scared expression. "The vendor told me it could be used for fortunetelling. But it isn't a tarot deck so what's the catch? Then I heard you say 'Oh, what should I do?' My!" He laughed again. "Can I use this on you?" he asked.
"Eh?" I mumbled.
"I know a fortunetelling game using an ordinary deck, you know. What do you want to know? Your future career? Your lovelife?"
My eyes grew wide but not with fear. "My lovelife?" I whispered. "You can tell if I would get married or not?" I asked totally forgetting my horrible escape. I can't understand why his offer seemed so enthralling.
"Yes, of course," he said and gave me a grin. "Shall we start now?"
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Edited: 091209
