*Seeing is Deceiving*

Note: This is my first fanfiction ever, so please bear with me! Constructive criticism is welcome, but no flaming please. Also, I have only watched the 2011 anime, so the character features (ex. hair and eye color) are based on that.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or the series in any way.

Beta reader: None, please bear with me XD

Warning: This is an AU and the characters are OOC. Also, if you don't ship Kuroro/Kurapika, you probably won't like this. It's not graphic though, so it shouldn't scare you away : ) Also, despite Kuroro being a sailing thief, he's not very pirate-like XD

Deep in the mountains, on the island of Lukso, the Kuruta tribe live in peace and solitude. The young children laugh and run about in the ancient forests surrounding their small homes. Parents fuss over their young ones, warning against straying too far away, close to the main villages. The village elder looks out over the village and smiles sadly when seeing these children, so cautious and obedient.

He wishes for a time when there will be no fear of outsiders, no strangers that see them as either riches or monsters, but as human. Just like others, this clan, especially its children, have dreams and hopes. However, unlike other children, they are too cautious and lack the naivety of normal children, all of them knowing too well the dangers of the world outside their little mountain village. All except one young, fiery and passionate dreamer.

"Come on, Pairo," Kurapika whined impatiently to his wary cousin. This was their first journey to the main village. They crept to the outskirts of town, watching the busy streets from a tree in the nearby forest. Surely not as much as in the day, but even at night the streets were lively.

"But it's forbidden, we shouldn't be here!"Pairo replied, glancing around. It was dark and they were quite high up in the trees. He joined him anyway. "I don't know about this Kurapika…."

"Don't worry, I won't let you fall!" Kurapika gave him thumbs up and grinned, before ruffling his brown hair. Despite having very poor eyesight, Pairo would describe that smile as bright, even blinding. He wished he could be like his cousin, passionate and adventurous. When he was with Kurapika, he felt that he could go anywhere and explore this entire, vast, wondrous world outside their little settlement, hidden from the rest of the world. Kurapika looked back at the village, alight with lanterns hung about.

"That's not what I'm talking about and you know it," the brunette chided.

The boy with the golden locks, not missing the affectionate tone of voice, just grinned wider and Pairo found himself doing the same. As the gentle breeze ruffled through their hair, they sat there on the large branches, swinging their legs, remembering a promise made in childhood. A promise to one day set out to accomplish their dream of adventure and exploration.

A little while before dawn, Kurapika attempted to sneak back to his room before his mother awoke and scolded him. He smiled to himself, remembering his first visit to the main village. It had looked so big and exciting, with the busy streets and so many people. Careful not to alert his mother, he crept quietly to his room.

"Kurapika! Where have you been?!" firmly stated the mother of the young blond. Said blond flinched and slowly turned around, facing the angry woman.

"M-m-mother, you surprised me!" Kurapika scratched the back of his head, a habit that showed he was nervous. She simply glared at her mischievous son. Seeing as lying wasn't an option, he sighed and told her the only thing he could, the truth. "I just wanted to see. I was curious,"Kurapika murmured.

"I've told you not to venture into that place, it's too dangerous!"

Kurapika instantly became defensive and angry. "I didn't do anything dangerous! I told you that I just wanted to see! I wanted to see the people, see the way they live and play, see the festivals." She opened her mouth to retort, but he interrupted. "I've always, always, just wanted to SEE!" With each word, his voice grew louder, until he was close to shouting. He was about to continue to let out his frustration until he looked at her face contorted in pain, tears in her eyes.

"He always just wanted to see! Have you forgotten what happened to your father?!" Tears cascaded down her red cheeks, and she brought her hands up to cover her face. Kurapika's eyes widened and he looked down, ashamed and guilty from causing his mother so much grief.

His mother was widowed a few years after he was born. His father, passionate and brash, had wanted more for them. He didn't heed the warnings of the elders and being too curious for his own good, he trekked into town one day to never return. A couple months later, his body was found with the eyes missing. And he wasn't the last. They had always been wary of strangers and lived, hidden away from other, but since that incident, the Kuruta clan had closed off completely to outsiders, only going to town when absolutely necessary.

"Promise me," his mother spoke through sobs, "never go out there, they can't be trusted, they're dangerous!"Kurapika hesitated and looked away. She grabbed him by the shoulders to force him to look at her. "Promise me, Kura!" she pleaded.

Kurapika looked at her and took a deep breath. "Okay, I promise," he murmured with a heavy, somber heart. She exhaled before hugging him tightly and placing a kiss to his temple. Kurapika returned the gesture and looked out through the window over her shoulder, taking in the broad sunrise, staring at it with longing. 'I just want to see the world'

~Scarlet eyes of the Kuruta clan

They reside, peaceful and hidden in mountains. Everyone dawned in traditional clothing, consisting of white, gold and royal blue. In the lush forests and fields, the sun shines on the simple dwellings of the ancient, mysterious tribe.

This tribe is special. Whilst normally their eyes are a warm brown, a striking scarlet hue known for being one of the seven most beautiful colours in the world, shines through from intense emotions. Known and sometimes feared for their peculiar eyes, the Kuruta avoid outsiders unless absolutely necessary, living in solitude, on the island of Lukso.~

"DANCHO!"

Kuroro glanced up from his book, titled Wonders of the World, to look at his booming giant friend, who was pointing ahead. "LAND HO!" Uvogin, the giant, boomed in excitement. The others cheered and roared. Kuroro looked ahead, at the island fast approaching, back to the passage in the book and then around at his comrades on this lengthy voyage. He grinned, enjoying the incredulous looks of the others, for he rarely smiled. They all broke into grins as they neared the island of Lukso.