Author's Note: Not much to say other then I love writing Senritsu's point of view. Once again, constructive criticism is much appreciated and reviews are a pleasure to read as well. :)
Chapter 1: Morning Light
Bolting out of her bed and looking to make sure she had not been trapped in a memory, Senritsu wiped off her sweaty face. It had been a while since she had vividly dreamt of that horrendous night, but she understood why.
Two more days she whispered to no one in particular. She looked to the clock pinned on the right wall where it showed 7:05. Breathing heavily, Senritsu got up from her futon and made her way to the restroom. After cleaning off her face and changing clothes, she stared for a moment, and a brief one at that, in the mirror. She couldn't stand looking at her face. "Deformed" many people called it. A face of a monster; but most of all, she hated looking at her monstrous eyes. Not only were they not hers but, they held the bridge to the true ugly in which she felt was her soul.
She might have continued with such thoughts if it hadn't been for the abrupt knock at the door. Typically, Senritsu would have heard the sound a mile away, but for the moment, her thoughts had crept from behind and took a hold of her every sense.
Shaking her head, Senritsu made her way to the door, turned the knob to the left, and found Basho awaiting her.
"Well, good morning Basho-san, strange seeing you here if I may say", Senritsu said in the kindest voice she could muster. It wasn't that she didn't want to talk to Basho ,no, it was just that her mind was still in a fog that wasn't clearing quickly enough.
"Yeah, I guess it is. But I'm just letting you know that Nostrade is asking all of us to go to the main hall for a meeting or something" the poet said. Basho scratched his brown mustache and yawned a few times, almost with little care to the notion that he was being summoned to a meeting. It wasn't very surprising though, Basho was never the type to show interest in the matters of the Nostrade family.
"Do you know why?" she asked.
"No, 'just get going there before 7:30' he said".
"Oh, then thank you. I'll see you momentarily". Senritsu waved a little goodbye as she closed the door behind her. Lately, whenever Mr. Nostrade asked for a meet-up it usually pertained to Neon's stolen ability. Not too long ago Neon Nostrade, the blue-haired girl that Senritsu was currently working for, had lost her ability to tell the future. It was strange, almost like magic, that Neon had lost her gift. And because of this, her father, Light Nostrade, charge of the Nostrade family, went completely berserk since Neon was the source of income and stature for the household.
How sad, to think that she is nothing more than a tool to him Senritsu pondered.
Like you never used a tool to do your work.
It was a voice that had spoken to her numerous times after the incident three years ago. This voice had made the point to perceive every moment as a bad one. It was as if this voice held a grudge against her. However, she was quick to put the voice and thoughts away.
After finding stability in her senses, Senritsu made her way to the main hall. Through the long and bombastic hallways which displayed the now limited wealth of the Nostrade family, Senritsu could hear a total of five heart beats emulating from further down the wing. They're all there she thought. It was very strange for the flute player to be late, after all she made it her duty to wake up at 6:00 a.m. every morning even if a mission began at 8:00 a.m. So she let the strangeness of Basho knocking on her door slide.
Finally, she made it to the main hall where she saw Light Nostrade standing to the far end of the room, looking hazed and conflicted. His eyes revealed his lack of sleep, and his conspicuous loss of hair also gave away his unease. Her eyes lingered on the man for a moment but quickly found their way toward her fellow bodyguards. Linssen was sitting down as usual with furrowed eyebrows and a stoic face. He seemed undaunted by the commotion going on. Senritsu then saw Basho and Eliza at the right side of the room discussing something pertaining to time and dinner. Not wanting to invade their privacy she looked over to the far left wall of the room, where she saw him.
His eyes were fixated on the floor below him as if he were in deep thought. His bangs were like curtains, draped over his face, and his positioning showcased his readiness for unexpected battle. By reading his heart beat, Senritsu could tell that he was calm but also a bit anxious. After staring for another moment, Kurapika looked over at her and gave her a gentle, but small, smile. The smile alone expressed his sharp instinctual timing and an acceptance to her leering eyes. Slowly yet surely she made her way toward the him.
"Good morning, Kurapika", she said kindly.
"Good morning Senritsu".
"Do you by any chance happen to know why we have all been summoned? I can't seem to fully make out Nostrade-sama's heart beat".
"Not quite sure, I would assume something to do with Neon-sama's ability". Kurapika took out his phone and looked at the digitalized numbers that displayed 7:28.
"7:30 means 7:30 I suppose", he muttered under his breath.
"I see...so how did you sleep?". The question at hand was not strange, especially since Senritsu was known for her kind and concerned attitude. But the peculiar part was the way she asked, almost as if she was trying to avoid silence.
"Fine".
"Well that's good".
"Mmm".
An awkward silence formed around the two which led Senritsu to be cut off short when Nostrade made a loud cough calling for their attention. "So you all know about my daughter's stolen ability. Yes stolen! There is just no other answer to this claim. However, that is not why I called you all here at this time...you all shall be given a break".
As if it were practiced, each member -in perfect synchronization- looked at the man in disbelief. Bulging eyes and gasps of surprise echoed throughout the room. Break? At a time like this?
"I'm sorry sir, but did you say break? As in time off?" Eliza asked.
"Please don't make me repeat myself Eliza. But yes, a break. How much time you shall be given is still debatable, but you shall all be given time off til I call you to return". After taking a moment to process this information, Kurapika, coming out of his confusion, spoke up.
"With all due respect Nostrade-sama but, I believe that this is the most crucial time for Neon-sama to have bodyguards. As you stated, her ability has been...stolen. And her safety is of most importance". Everything the Kurta said made sense, however Nostrade shook his head.
"A break is a break. You don't have to keep playing the good soldier all the time. Just take some time off. All of you". By the way he stated it, they all could tell that there was no room for argument and no further explanation was to be given.
"Not like I'm complaining! Break here I come!" Basho screamed out loudly in excitement.
A break? Almost too convenient she thought. She knew what she would do. Her thoughts were distraught when she heard the sound of slight breathing from her left. Kurapika's face was neutral-much like always- but his heart said otherwise.
With that, Nostrade got up and left as he placed his cell phone to his ear, discussing some business related matters. Everyone soon gathered themselves and filed out the room. The room was empty within minutes, well despite the presences of Senritsu and Kurapika. Senritsu spoke up.
"So, what are you going to do?"
"I...don't know. I just don't understand Nostrade-sama's logic. His daughter just lost her powers, their source of income. People will be after her if they find out she has nothing left. Bodyguards are a necessity, especially now. Perhaps he found others to..."
As Kurapika kept going on about the situation, mindlessly putting all his focus on assumptions and strategies, Senritsu couldn't help but smile. "Perhaps you just don't know what to do with your free time".
"What? No..." he said almost guiltily. Senritsu could tell by his heartbeat, as well as his face, that he was lying. Goodness
"And you, what are you going to do?" Kurapika asked out of politeness. It wan't usual that the Kurta asked Senritsu, or anyone for that matter, her personal affairs. But since Gon and Killua had left, to go play Greed Island over a month ago, his relationship with Senritsu had turned from being two acquaintances to being friends.
"I have ideas. I just haven't had a break in a while, so my vacation list is a bit miniscule". It was true, but by that time, Senritsu had already planned her destination. He wouldn't mind if I don't say the details.
"I see".
"Well then, have a good break Kurapika. If anything, you know my number". She didn't expect him to actually call her but, she wanted to let him know that she was always there for him; even though isolation was typically his way of doing things.
"Yeah, thank you. Have a nice break Senritsu". Kurapika looked at her once more and then walked off.
She stood there for a moment, looking at his back as he walked into the hallway. She didn't know exactly what it was but, when she was around Kurapika she felt a sense of security and something else indescribable. This is no time to think about such things, come on Senritsu!
And then she walked to her room, packed her necessities, and made her way out of the Nostrade-family mansion.
-OooooOooooO-
How can there be nothing!?
Kurapika had found his way over to a computer cafe after departing from the Nostrade family mansion. In his given time, he was determined to find any leads regarding the Kurtas' scarlet eyes. But after scouting the Internet for three hours, he still couldn't find any details. Even the black market had no information on the whereabouts of the beautiful colored eyes. Thus, he was not in the most pleasant mood.
After harshly throwing down the computer mouse and taking his Hunter card out of the system, Kurapika rushed out of the building only to let out a silent grumble.
Nothing. How can there be nothing? They are considered one of the most beautiful colors known to man, and you're telling me that no one knows about it?
He wasn't particularly talking to anyone but his overall anger was toward the idea that no one supposedly knew about the eyes. It angered him for numerous reasons. Kurapika had hoped for an opportunity like this, where he was given time to do his own agenda. But because of the lack of information, it would just be wasted time. And the other reason, maybe even twisted to some , was the thought that no one was buying the eyes because they weren't worth it. It's not that he wanted people to possess the scarlet eyes, not at all, but he wanted to know that his people died for something that held a few stares from pedestrians, Kurapika let out a sigh and began walking.
Maybe the library has some information. Perhaps books about black market areas that are known to few.
After fifteen minutes of walking, Kurapika finally made it to the library. He took a good breath when he walked through the doors for he always enjoyed the scent of books. Even as a child he had loved books and the riches they told. He found that he was at his most peaceful state when reading. But this time, stories about bean stalks and great knights would have to wait.
After asking the clerk where books pertaining to business were, Kurapika strolled over to the far left side of the library. It was isolated and seemed to look like an area that no one typically visited. The perfect place for the young Kurta. He walked over to the crooked shelfs and lifted carefully a few archaic books. After wiping the dust off a few, Kurapika settled comfortably on the carpeted floor. Each one dealt with business, going over the basics of selling and buying, and then to companies where specific products would be most valuable. A few times, the black market was mentioned, but it was solely the name and not the event. Though not surprised by the lack of information, Kurapika still couldn't help but let out a silent curse.
"So it is you", a familiar voice said.
Kurapika looked up to find that the woman he had only departed from was standing in front of him.
"Senritsu? I didn't expect to see you here".
"I could say the same. I was over at the computers, when I heard your heart beat ferociously...is everything alright?" she asked concerned. The Kurta, despite having witnessed it many times before, was still amazed with Senritsu's ability to hear. At the computers? That's over at the front of the building.
"No, I'm alright. You don't need worry about it". Though Senritsu knew he was lying she paid no heed for further discussion over his anger. But she was still worried; his heart beat was so loud that she felt it had echoed through her mind more than once. But she was a woman who understood when not to mingle.
"So, what are you doing Senritsu?"
"I was over at the computers. Still looking for vacation sites".
"I see. Well hopefully you'll find somewhere you want to go".
"Hopefully". A comforting silence erupted between the two. Kurapika continued on with his book, not minding Senritsu's presence.
"Have you... ever seen the Fuun winter festival?", Senritsu asked. Kurapika looked up at the woman standing beside him. After contemplating the question for a moment, he answered
"I can't say I have. I don't believe I've ever even heard of it".
"No, I suppose not. After all it is a very small festival, only held once a year. It's really only meant for the small populated area of Fuun but, I think anybody should go see it", Senritsu said. She was no longer at the library but somewhere in a memory. Kurapika watched as she closed her eyes and smiled briefly.
"A parade happens too. Women in beautiful crystallized blue dresses and, men in their white tux dance on top of a float. And music plays in the background, but not by a speaker or anything artificial, but by musicians themselves. They all play so beautifully as if they were born to. Each playing in a way that seems so unreal, because of how wonderful it is. But that's not the best part..."
Senritsu stopped for a moment as she opened her eyes and saw Kurapika waiting for her to continue. Breathing once more she spoke silently.
"...the best part is when you have someone special standing there next to you".
Kurapika studied her expression as she stared into his eyes. He had never seen her get as passionate as she was now. For the first time, Kurapika saw something flicker in her eyes. Guilt? He didn't know, but the longer he stared at her the more he wanted to know. But that was against his ways, for he understood privacy.
"So when does this festival happen? You said winter, did it already pass?"
"Well it's actually happening in two days".
"Then, that's where you should go for your vacation. You seem to like it a lot".
"I know, it's just that...I don't know if I'm fully prepared to see something so beautiful again". Kurapika wasn't sure if that was the reason but he didn't bother to ask. Senritsu once again seemed to be off in another world. Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable he spoke up.
"Well, you don't have to tell me any specifics", he said silently. Senritsu understood this as his way of letting her know that nothing more had to be said. She smiled once again at the boy.
"Well, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing?" Senritsu motioned her eyes to one of the books he was carrying.
"Just researching".
"Have...you gotten any leads?" she asked hesitantly. Senritsu had learned of his past on the night where she told him hers. It was also the night where she understood his raging heart beat. One that craved for revenge.
"Sadly, no", Kurapika answered as he sighed once more. "And there isn't much on the web either".
"I see". After another quick silence, Senritsu jumped a little as she thought of an idea. Smiling she, in the most loudest of whispers, asked
"Why don't you come with me?"
"What? Where?"
"To Fuun", she answered. The excitement on her face was becoming increasingly visible.
"Thank you, but I must decline". Senritsu understood why he would say no, after all he had a mission of his own. But something inside her told her that he had to go.
"You know, sometimes you may find what you're looking for in the most unexpected of places". Kurapika knowing he wasn't going to win the battle shook his head.
"I didn't know you were this persistent".
"Well there's a lot you don't know about me", she smiled teasingly. Though she was a big tease back in the days, that part of her seemed to have dissolved after her transformation. So it was a bit intriguing for Kurapika to see another side of the woman who would later change everything he ever knew.
"So, when do we go?"