Disclaimer: I don't own anything from Hunter X Hunter rights belong to Togashi. Is the hiatus over yet? Actually yes it will be in late June, so hurrah!
Info: Our next small story will bring up the long feud between two bitter enemies within the Troupe: Kurapika and Nobunaga. With they come to understand each other's hatred for the other in the end?
Diebus Solet Aranea: ROA Extras II Cuckoo
Murder is considered by many as a grave sin to commit against mankind, the idea of killing someone else no matter the reason is believed to be crossing a line that shouldn't be crossed by anyone. Some criminals who were the lucky ones to end up in prison for the rest of their lives regretted or at least wished they hadn't considered committing such an offense. To those who're experienced in such a field as murder on a daily basis it didn't phase them in the least over the years they continue to slaughter those who were both innocent and guilty of a sin of their own. To men like Nobunaga, the cruelty of man has been known to him for a long time as he merely continued on this vicious cycle of death by the craft of a blade.
Stupid, pointless, worthless feelings of compassion.
His thoughts when many questioned why he followed in such a violent lifestyle he was enthralled with over the years. In truth, the reason lies in his own past that he liked to forget existed along with all of the events centered around his upbringing.
"Hey, chain brat!" Hissing out commands at the Kurta, the samurai wanted to speak with him today, and he couldn't bottle up his feelings on this matter anymore otherwise it might lead to a horrible outcome for everyone involved. As usual, the "black sheep" of this murderous herd was looking into a piece of literature while sitting by a window to observe the outside world, but this time his choice in entertainment dived into a subject matter he was rather new to discovering thanks to Shalnark's advice. The age of piracy, from battles on the high seas to the terrible monsters that lurked in the ocean like the dreaded Kraken, and finally some of the most famous sea dogs in all of this fiction such as Blackbeard also known as Edward Teach.
'It seems like no matter what era criminals always seemed to exist in one form or another...' Even then, he wondered why such men could go on for that long without facing justice, and if anything his death only strengthened others to become more infamous than he had become in his short life. In a strange way, he could see why criminals began to become more known despite their horrible actions of a pirate like Blackbeard is any indication. It would seem that the Phantom Troupe are the current rogues who are being romanticized by the public despite their slaughtering of people.
"You deaf or something, kid?! I need you to get off your ass and come stand in front of me, now!"
"Damn it, Nobu. Can't you let it go for one day and let the kid read his books?"
Machi huffed while observing the older member trying to pester the Kurta. While she knew that there was no way he is ever going to get over the fact the "chain bastard" killed his friend she no longer held that against his usefulness in the group along with other members like Pakunoda, Franklin, Shizuku, and Shalnark. Of course, Feitan and Nobunaga were the ones who still doubted all of their effort in recruiting newbies like Kalluto and Kurapika would be worth it in the end.
"Ohhh, you're sticking up for him too? Well, too damn bad I've been ready for this fight for a long time, and there isn't anyone who will stop me."
He knew this was breaking the rules of the spider, which is a very serious thing to do considering the penalty for doing such an act would be severe and even worse than simply being killed. Chrollo knew how to make it difficult to leave the group when he would strip you of your belongings, the ink tattoo on our body in the most painful manner, and finally stealing your own nen to keep as his own. Omokage and Hisoka were considered the lucky ones to not endure that punishment when they left...
"You know battles against each other are not tolerated, Nobu. Unless you're gonna arm-wrestling the Kurta what exactly do you plan on accomplishing today?"
"Putting an end to things and settle this unfinished business, Machi. You know that Uvo would want me to prove that he shouldn't have been killed that night, so this is the only way I can truly give his spirit peace to finish what was started..."
Kurapika didn't even stop reading his book as he knew what the samurai was demanded him to do, but he didn't care or seem phased by this demand for battle in the slightest by such a threat.
"Gonna challenge me to fight you with a sword without earning his approval? I'll admit that's pretty ballsy for you, Nobu."
"You can't call me that you arrogant, prideful, jerk-prick-dick!" He began to get flustered by how easily the Kurta managed to counter his declaration for battle today since he would have to pick his next words more carefully. "I know death battles would not work out, but if I can get Boss to agree the chance to kick your butt in my field of expertise would ensure my victory! Unless of course, you're becoming more like a sea rat these days judging by that new crappy book you've gotten for your pal Shal."
Kurapika simply turned a page in his book continuing to read while not even looking at the swordsmen with his now red eyes that Nobunaga despised so much.
"What will do if you emerged the victor? Proclaim your glory to the rest of the spiders? Achieve the "revenge" you've been seeking for your dead comrade?" Kurapika wondered how the man would feel if he did accomplish what he's been wanting to do all of this time.
"Will you kill the cuckoo, starve it, or perhaps set it free? Will it be everything you've dreamed of having in the end?" Putting down the book Kurapika slowly, methodically, and with purpose walked up to Nobunaga from his reading spot in the factory while Machi got ready to pull them back if they started brawling.
"Tch, if you think those words are gonna sweet talk me out of doing this you better start kissing my ass instead! Look I will name the date, place, and what you can bring to the fight, and just to make things fair it won't be a death battle. There, so are you willing to finally get what's been meant for you? A beating of a lifetime!" Instead of a reply, the Kurta looked into the samurai's eyes, the staring contest went on for quite some time before he simply walked away no answer to the man's request.
"Why does he continue to piss me off with his arrogance! I can't wait to finally knock that boy down some pegs when I get my hands on him!"
Machi didn't seem convinced that things would be going his way, a "woman's hunch" as Pakunoda might say to Machi when it comes to men trying to prove their ego is as long as their dicks.
To the surprise of all of the spiders, the head of the group actually allowed Nobunaga to fulfill his request in sword fighting the Kurta despite his law of spiders not being allowed to fight each other. The catch was besides not being allowed to kill Kurapika, the match would be in front of everyone meaning should the samurai lose he would truly feel ashamed in front of his comrades. Not to mention the bets for this fight would be a large amount of payout with a lot of these criminals believing Nobunaga had the edge in swordsmanship, but there were some who figured Kurapika was more seasoning to win a fight like this with no killing being added to the restrictions.
"Man I wish Hisoka and Chrollo hadn't destroyed Heavens Arena, the feud between these guys would have been perfect to have a fight in that place."
"I would imagine no one would have really cared about this little bout in comparison to that battle, Shalnark." Franklin knew the crowd would have also booed Kurapika out of town if not try and to kill the "traitor" of the hunters. Indeed, the fans in that arena would paint him as the "heel" to literally throw all of their trash onto just to satisfy their hatred. Still, hearing how the crowd actually liked Chrollo Lucifer surprised the giant man considering the public opinion on the spiders wasn't positive.
"I guess people like who they like, and hate who they hate regardless of certain prerequisites set into place. At least I'm willing to say I like Kurapika even if he kills Uvo along with the rest of us." Shalnark said while skimming through several different pictures on his phone as the founding member was surprised he didn't say that Kurta's pet name that he's been given by the group's technical expert.
Nobunaga watched the Kurta moving his arms around in the middle of the factory's main production area, the huge space now serving as their personal arena for non-lethal combat. He knew that his 18 years of age opponent wasn't someone he could simply underestimate given his track record as of late when speaking about him.
"He may be stupid, ignorant, and possibly the one of the worst samurai we could get in terms of personality. That doesn't mean I will bet against him in this element." Feitan quickly made it apparent who he was standing by in this duel no matter if Kurapika surprises his expectations or not. Kortopi also had to agree with such a reasonable choice in the winner in this upcoming clash that has been in the making ever since Kurapika became involved with their little group all those months ago.
"I doubt the Kurta has even used a sword in his life; those little knives and daggers you employ are like a kid's toy in comparison to this kind of weapon." Swinging his blade around, the motions were meant to intimidate the inexperienced Kurta into realizing how deep he was in despite the fact he won't be in danger of losing his life in a few short moments, but no one and certainly not Kurapika felt much fear in those words or the swinging motions of the samurai's blade.
"Why don't you two just get things started already. I know there is a ton of stuff I would rather be doing right now."
"Like checking out some of those women's magazines you steal from local stores, Phinks?" Shalnark had to snicker at how the track-suited man didn't even seem phased or bothered with that truth.
"Well, at least I can admit to acting like a perv. How do we know you haven't tried looking at our girls when they were vulnerable and unaware, geek boy?" Pakunoda, Shizuku, and Machi couldn't ignore this conversation that now was about their bodies being peeked at possibly by their own allies.
"Y-you know Machi would cut me up into pieces if she had found me looking at her, and don't even get me started on how Shizuku's Blinky can be scary to look at when she's angry..." Shalnark tried avoided their glances while trying to prove his innocence here not even aware of Pakunoda drawing out her special handgun.
"Let us get one thing straight. If you were unfortunate enough to look at me...you won't even remember the pain you would have suffered, Shalnark..." All of the men gulped including Chrollo who knew how dangerous someone who could read and steal your memories could be if she was provoked. Their short conversation ended when Kalluto called both men to stand in the middle of this room to give a fair shake of hands for the sake of honor.
"Alright, the both of you need to shake your hands together before starting this duel as swordsmen."
"Yeah right I didn't know honor crap when I took down one of the Divine Blades with my bare hands," Pointing his sword at the tribal outfit Kurapika could wear indoors Nobunaga looked at his opponent, his voice expressed the venom he's had inside for all this time. "I will shake your hands if you can truly stand over me with that stick compared to this sword in my hands!"
"Very well, samurai..." Kurapika's eyes grew into that crimson color that has taunted Nobunaga's worst nightmares when imagining what his best friend likely had to endure in his last moments at the hands of someone like Kurapika Kurta. Taking the first swing he expected things to end rather quickly, and he wasn't prepared for a proper katana parry to follow his first attempt at a stab into his chest that likely would have seriously wounded this man. Instead, the metal clang of two swords was heard and seen by the crowd of spiders.
"He managed to parry at Nobunaga's increased speed. Not bad for someone fighting with a real killing weapon." Franklin knew this was simply a feeling out process, but he could tell Kurapika was ready for this level of combat against this kind of opponent.
"Nobu is simply playing with his prey. It will be only a matter of time before his boredom ends this farce." Feitan remained calm while his pick for the winner continued to strike his opponent with more sword hits that were swiftly countered by the Kurta. They continued moving around to gain the footing advantage over the other while trying to avoid bumping into a machine that would distract them in their heated battle.
"You're running away like many other Kurta that I killed back then with this very weapon. They begged, pleaded, and demanded that I show them mercy while they were bleeding out from their injuries." Looking at the scarlet gaze, the samurai wasn't getting a reaction out of him despite saying those words that were truthful and cruel at the same time when he spoke about that night.
"Paku showed you her memories of that night, but you should have been there in person chain brat!" Stabbing so many of those helpless kurtas didn't bring joy out of the samurai, but he didn't want Kurapika to know that in order to get the mental advantage due to the fact they were still in a duel. Running over to the Kurta, his strikes became more vicious and he managed to get a couple of scars on his arms, legs, and face; in contrast to the growing confidence in Nobunaga, his opponent remained as calm as when he began this fight.
"What's wrong? Afraid? Scared? Hiding your despair?!" Even without his En of killing anything within his radius he could taste the defeat of this man and waited no longer to finish him off by stabbing him in the chest, but then instead he could feel liquid pouring down his hand finding it was actually his hand that was punctured by Kurapika's blade.
"Avast, matey!"
"Dear, oh dear. It would seem Kurapika has taken those pirate stories a bit too far..." Chrollo figured he was messing with the samurai while having some fun instead of ranting and raving about getting revenge for his clan like in that first day.
"You think you've cornered me, ya scurvy dog! Soon, I'll be making ya walk da plank!" Everyone's expressions were a mixture of shock, confusion, and just straight up bewilderment about what they were seeing in front of their eyes or rather who they were watching. Even Nobunaga, the man who tried breaking through Kurapika's mental defenses wasn't sure what exactly was going on, his vision seeing the Kurta suddenly holding out his sword like a cutlass instead of a katana blade like they were suddenly on a huge pirate ship.
"C-come on you crazy bastard! Take me seriously!" Hissing, the sword clanged with the other despite his injury leaking out more blood from his body. Instead, the strikes from Kurapika's sword only became more accurate while he became much more elusive from Nobunaga's range.
'What in the hell is this? Is it this stupid wound in my hand? Why am I beginning to struggle against a mere temperature?!" Despite being used to fighting while wounded the samurai was beginning to feel pressure as Kurapika managed to get behind him nearly landing some more hits while taunting him with a pirate song.
"Yo ho ho! There once was a boy who had a special toy, and a family that he loved so dearly," Another cut was made onto Nobunaga's arm. "The clan that was his band he loved in his homeland, but then came a day when everything went away because of a band of greedy, dastardly men!" Nobunaga scarred Kurapika's leg making everyone believe he's gotten the edge, then came a stab to Nobunaga's leg nearly hitting the bone causing the samurai to nearly screaming bloody murder.
"One of those fools among those men who believed he killed all of the cuckoos in the hen, but then there was one that flew that nest. Yes, that bird who's voice remained unheard until he found his prey, the spider he did come to slay what was due as he would finally collect his pay. Hurrah yay!" Taking out the bloody weapon, Kuraika managed to avoid Nobunaga's blade that cut off some of the yellow hair and managed to slash at the back of his opponent.
"Kalluto, step in and stop this. Can't you see this is becoming out of hand?" Kortopi's words seem to fall on deaf ears since everyone including Chrollo himself remained silent while things had escalated beyond a mere duel.
"Tch, you freaking thing this stuff phases me. You can give all your speeches, words about retribution, and those annoying as hell friends of yours, but at the end of the day, you killed my friend. That is why more than anything I have to kill or at least beat you in my world!" Tightly gripping his weapon Nobunaga dodged a strike and moved his blade near Kurapika's throat making everyone gaze at the whole moment in horror. Despite his earlier expression of calmness the leader of the group was prepared to ensure this swordsman die along with Kurapika but noticed the Kurta hadn't moved an inch.
"You will kill the cuckoo then? Severe the festering wound that his plagued your mind and body rather than consider letting it heal on its own." There was no fear of death in his eyes that looked at the cold, metal that was touching the skin on his throat.
"You...trying to lecture me...even in this position? Goddamn it!" Dropping his sword Nobunaga relieved the tension in the room by refusing to continue despite for all intents and purposes had emerged the victor; he certainly didn't feel like a winner as he looked at everyone's faces.
"I guess Feitan was correct, and so that makes him the winner of the bet." Shizuku wondered how everyone else felt about this outcome.
"You must be happy to have earned this much Jenny or perhaps booty as Kurapika would consider it." Chrollo smiled at the joke while observing his other subordinates including Feitan who surprisingly had nothing to say about any of this. Then, a sound of a sword being picked up could be heard as Kurapika was now pointing the dropped blade in his hand, the weapon now ever close to the backside of the samurai.
"You looked away despite having won? How easy it would be for me to piece your heart just like your friend," Kurapika handed the man his weapon while continuing with his "arrogant" rant as the samurai would say about this. "You still have much to learn as do I, so why don't we both take away something from our little game. We both will never like each other..." Looking at all of the other spiders observing him walk away from this area in the factory, the Kurta would return to the fantasy of living on the high seas with plunders, thieves, and betrayal not unlike his current reality.
"Now, I wish to wonder if we could be pirates as well. We're already thieves, and we only need a ship and some costumes to complete the image."
"You're not serious about that, Boss!?" Pakunoda gasped at the prospect of herself, Chrollo, and the other members looking like they were on a voyage to steal some treasure chests that might be cursed. She dreaded what she could have to wear along with her leader and someone like Kurapika who could insist on having a talking parrot.
[ Afterwords: Well, if anyone is learned from my imagination it would be this. Kurapika might have a chance to become one of Luffy's Strawhats in One Piece. BTW you can see this is a topical piece since Dead Men Tall No Tales has come out. Also the cuckoo stuff is from the actual lore of the real Nobunaga. :D ]