As promised, I'm back with this fic too! It's funny how on the day that I got back to writing this fic, I've just received a most recent review from one guest saying "this story is great. shame you gave up on it" XD Gee! I'd like to hit the reply button and talk but I couldn't do it with guest ^^" anyhow, if you're still out there, here I am! Thanks, really :). And thank you to everyone for encouraging me to write after all these years.
I made a bit of changes in chapter 2, just adding up some part describing how Kuroro's comrades look like. I haven't done enough on that part when I first wrote it. I sort of have a mental image of them as current Genei Ryodan while in fact this story set 5 years before the current Ryodan.
Special Thanks to Yumiii for beta-reader XD
Chapter 3 Reminiscence and Training
'How convenient of me.' Kuroro didn't even have to start, and the boy had come right out to request Kuroro train him.
'But…it looks like I've overestimated this kid more than I needed to.'
Kuroro watched Kurapika tumble for what seemed like the thirtieth time or something. He'd lost count. Although the boy possessed a higher-than-average spirit for not giving up and getting back up every time he fell, his fighting skills, or defending skills at least, were nowhere near good enough. The boy lacked agility, strength, and everything else that was required in learning how to battle.
"Sit down a bit before you keel over," Kuroro said as he turned his back to the Kuruta.
Kurapika watched as the man proceeded to seat himself on one of the boulders under the tall trees. Since early morning, they had been practicing at the back of their living quarters where a wide open space of the forest served as their training ground. Kuroro hadn't even so much as breaking a sweat. Kurapika stood his ground, hands tightening over the twin wooden swords, the weapon that he agreed when Kuroro said he could be good with it. Right now, Kurapika felt his limbs were ready to fall off.
"Don't strain yourself. It's no use going over the limit as of yet. Take a break, Kurapika," Kuroro repeated, his tone demanding.
Kurapika's head hung low. He staggered to the boulder next to Kuroro, even his feet now hurts to walk. When he settled himself down, he mumbled, "I'm no good, am I?"
"These things take time," Kuroro responded as he looked up at the sky in a detached manner.
There was no comfort in Kuroro's voice, but Kurapika had learned by now that it was just the way he was.
"But it's been a week," Kurapika raised. "We train everyday. I should have made some kind of progress by now."
Kuroro slanted a look at the boy, and pondered to himself: 'Exactly. How odd this is. You were supposed to do a lot better than this.'
Not that Kurapika was that bad, but he wasn't as close to good, which would be no use to Kuroro if he planned to recruit the boy in the Ryodan. Disappointment began to set in. Maybe he was wrong. Maybe what happened back then was just a complete fluke when Kurapika managed to make him bleed.
And as strange as it was, Kurapika had many times catch a glimpse of Kuroro's brief expressions. Despite how stoic Kuroro almost always looked. Like here and now, Kurapika could tell that Kuroro was contemplating deeply about his low capability.
"At least, you're good enough to protect yourself," Kuroro commented - a little encouragement would do good. "That's a start."
The boy took on a dejected expression. "That's not my purpose; my purpose is to protect – I don't know, something."
'So like you,' Kuroro pondered. He didn't miss the look on the boy's face. It was momentarily blank when he said that. He turned to the boy for closer observation, but the other only looked back at him with that huge, innocent eyes. Kuroro possessed lots of patience, he could wait. He then made a mental note to himself.
'Let's see for one more week.'
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One week later found Kurapika only slightly better. In terms of sparring, he was doing fine with a little progress he'd made through time. Yet, there was nothing significant about his fighting that Kuroro thought was worthy enough. And here they were, pretty much alike the past few days of spar, Kurapika not making anything remarkable save for his willpower.
Kuroro revised his teaching method. Explaining how weapons or hand-to-hand worked in combat, check. Teaching him about timings when battling, check. Instructing, with demonstration, how to handle swords, check. What else was there? The boy had been intelligent with logic and theory, but seemed to be the opposite when it came to practical terms.
Thud!
The boy had fallen again. Kuroro had been patient for the last two weeks. But if this kept going, his patience would soon wear thin.
A soft sigh escaped his lips, and he suggested: "Take some rest while I'll go into the capitol to run an errand. I'll be back after two hours."
The boy's face fell but Kuroro spared him no consoling words whatsoever. He just left.
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The Spider leader had spent his travel time to and from the capitol speculating on the Kuruta boy. This kid was far from good at this moment. For whatever reason, the kid that had managed to bleed him wasn't here.
'What a shame.'
When he returned, he wasn't surprised to see the kid still in the training ground. Under the walnut tree, he was slumped against a tree trunk, fast asleep. As quiet as a falling leaf, he made his way in. He knelt down to study the boy's features. Seeing more cuts than two hours ago, he must have been training himself hard.
A part of him admired the boy's endeavor, but that alone was nowhere near enough. Not enough for a reason for him to keep the boy alive. His dark eyes stilled with the thought, 'At this rate, he's most likely not able to reach my expectation. Should I-' His hands reached out towards the sleeping Kuruta. '-kill him now?'
As soon as the thought came to Kuroro's mind, Kurapika's eyes flew open wide. They were red, flame-colored.
So sudden that Kuroro was surprised, but didn't show it. His hand stilled in midair.
"Ah? Kuroro?" the young boy said with a bewildered look on his face, taking in the man in front of him, then his surroundings. His eyes slowly returning to normal, unbeknownst to the owner.
Said man had to wonder aloud, "Who else did you think it would be?"
"Eh." The boy scratched the back of his head in absent manner. To Kuroro, the behavior didn't suit the boy. "Don't know. For a moment there I just felt as if something was off. Bad feelings, like someone is going to do something terrible….I guess." As quick as he finished that, he blurted, "Heh, must be my imagination. I must have dozed off with a nightmare and confused it with what was going on around me."
If Kuroro had hid his surprise then, he didn't hide it now.
Upon seeing the man's expression, Kurapika gave a sheepish smile and leaned forward, resting his hands on his ankles. "Sorry, I'm just mumbling nonsense. How could there be some ill intent floating around you, right?"
Kuroro need not answer. The boy made it sound like it wasn't a question. He had no doubt in Kuroro. However, it sure as hell wasn't nonsense to Kuroro. Kurapika had caught on his killing intent, even in his sleep. He couldn't pass it off as coincidence.
The only thing that stood in the way of the boy's knowing was his complete trust in Kuroro. He must have thought that Kuroro was going to wake him up with that outstretched hand. Interesting, and now that he'd gained back the patience.
"Say, do you feel up for more training?" To Kuroro's astonishment, the boy's features brightened up much more than he'd anticipated.
"Yes, please!" the boy all but agreed.
"That glad?"
Realizing he must have overreacted, Kurapika backed down a bit. His cheeks turned pink as he looked down to his feet. He admitted: "I was afraid that you've just gotten so tired of me for not getting any better."
"Truth be told, at one point I did." Kuroro disclosed with no sympathy, but he didn't leave the sinking atmosphere for long as he followed up with his point, "But I still see your potential, so let's work on it again. I hope you won't give up on it first."
"No, not yet," the boy affirmed as he grabbed the twin wooden swords resting beside him and rose up. "Let's try again."
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'He's better now. Even if it was only a slightest bit of improvement, he's definitely better.' Kuroro mused after the last two hours of training. 'So it took my ill intent to make this kid a better fighter? Perhaps due to his inner instinct to survive.'
When Kurapika backed off to time his next charge, he trained his eyes on Kuroro. For the first time, since training he saw something that he had to ask. "Umm…what are you smiling at?"
The man in question lifted an eyebrow. He reached a hand up to his lips, something he unconsciously did when he was deep in thought. This time he did it to feel his expression. Yes, he was smiling. The reason was nothing complicated other than the fact that this boy amused him.
Kuroro allowed a chuckle to escape his smiling lips and said, "You're getting better, I'm pleased."
The boy broke into a smile as well, but he didn't stop to say thank you or ask 'really?' for more compliments. He accepted it as encouragement to carry on the lesson.
How Kuroro was satisfied for the day.
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Kuroro had another thing in mind that would add to the boy's respect of him. The day after, he asked if Kurapika wanted to tag along with him to the capitol for the prior day's unfinished business, though already knowing the answer. After the incident with those thugs, most children from a good background would have been scarred for life spending one day in Ryuuseigai. But not Kurapika.
Perhaps the fact that he lost his memories of that good background helped, but still...
Along the deserted road to the capitol, Kurapika walked alongside Kuroro. He was less attached but his jumpiness said otherwise. It was obvious to Kuroro that the boy was trying a lot harder than before to be independent. He must have got it that Kuroro didn't want him being too clingy. And like other normal kids, they wanted approval from the adults, especially the one they admired.
Half an hour later, they reached the capitol. Kurapika observed. There were people who paid homage to Kuroro in which the man only nodded, with no real conversation exchanged. It seemed like Kuroro wasn't one to talk much with other people either.
To the main town hall they went. Yet, Kurapika had to wait like a good boy in the foyer while Kuroro had a meeting with the elders on the faraway table from where Kurapika was told to sit.
It wasn't long until Kuroro made his way back towards the boy. Although he was close enough, Kurapika didn't turn to him. Usually, he would look glad that the wait was over. Instead, his eyes were blank, staring off into the courtyard of the town hall. Kuroro followed the direction to see what it was.
A family, consisting of a couple and two young boys- brothers. The sight was rare in Ryuuseigai.
"Kurapika."
One word from Kuroro made Kurapika snap out of it. "Ah? Kuroro, Your meeting's finished?" the boy's expression returned to normal.
The man nodded and asked in a bland tone of voice, "What were you thinking of?"
Green eyes returned to their object of attention, dimming. "I don't know why. Just looking at them makes my chest ache." Kurapika closed his eyes, one hand clenching into a fist. Then he regarded the man. "Strange. I don't even remember if I ever have a family…"
"Every orphan here longs for a family." Kuroro explained, then shifted his eyes from Kurapika to the trio. "Deep down inside, you probably remembered how yours was like." The boy's expression didn't seem any better, and it bothered Kuroro in some ways he couldn't quite put his finger on. His hand reached out and placed itself on the boy's head.
Kurapika wasn't the one most surprised by that.
Once realizing it, Kuroro retracted his hand. He turned around. "Anyhow, let's head back."
Like a good boy, Kurapika obediently followed his footsteps.
What did you just do? Console Kurapika? That inner voice asked, to which Kuroro answered mentally, 'He showed signs of becoming stronger. He could be of use. I wouldn't want him breaking down just yet. Plus, it'd benefit to have him look up to me as much as he could. That's the reason why I brought him out here. Seeing people's respect to me would help adding up that part.'
While at it, Kurapika's words interrupted his inner debate.
"Say, Kuroro. Do you have a family?"
For a brief moment Kuroro stopped in his tracks, then answered with his gaze staring off to the faraway horizon. "Not that I can remember." When the boy blinked up at him, he added, "Not that it matters one bit to me. People in Ryuuseigai are like family in itself."
"Like your comrades? They're your family, right?" The boy said, more of a statement than a question.
"You can put it that way," Kuroro responded as he resumed walking. It wasn't a lie.
"It's good…to have a family," the boy said, voice fading. He smiled, but it was one that didn't reach his eyes.
Upon that, Kuroro hadn't thought that much when he responded, "I could be your big brother if you'd like." As expected, the boy perked up, his expression priceless. Kuroro liked it better. "Or would you prefer me a father?" 'Who am I kidding anyway?'
"Very funny. We have nothing in common," Kurapika made a face. His eyes were on Kuroro, observing the man who had the hair of raven-color, eyes as dark as the blackest night, skin paler than Kurapika's, and a deep tone for his voice. And…the cross-shaped tattoo on his forehead that Kurapika had yet to ask about it. Even the way they dressed. Kuroro always wore the color black, but the clothes he provided for Kurapika were mostly white instead.
"Hmm, let's see…" Kuroro's eyes flickered upwards, then back down to meet Kurapika's eyes. "Aren't our names similar? Our taste in readings and perceptions on them are alike too." Not to mention that somehow Kuroro felt that even some of their personalities were the same. Irrelevant, but still, wasn't that the reason they got along so well in the first place?
"Haha, right." The boy said between a half-hearted laugh.
What Kuroro hadn't expected was that the boy's laugh would transform to a genuine smile. Then… "Thank you, Kuroro."
Surprised. If the boy knew that he was joking, then why a touching thank you? Perhaps Kuroro had meant it since only half of what he said was intended to be a joke. Regarding this matter in Ryuuseigai's principle, he'd have meant it without being such a huge deal.
The boy's eyes drifted shut with a smile on his face. The kind of smile that Kuroro thought was a bit too old for the boy. A look which expressed how significant he thought this was.
"I'm still lucky that I'm not alone. I have you."
Something in those words affected Kuroro and despite himself, he found it hard to disregard it. He had to respond, "Yeah."
"Though I wonder why me of all the orphans here?" The boy mused aloud.
Seeing through that the boy was just curious and not expecting any positive words from him, Kuroro gave his answer. "You have a certain significance than other kids, or even people in general. You…leave an impression. That's all I can say."
"Do I?" Kurapika paused in his tracks. He never knew if he was any special compared to others.
"Yep." There, Kuroro even managed a playful tone, seeing the atmosphere around the boy was much lighter now. 'An impression that left me with a bleeding cheek.'
"I wouldn't want to burden myself with anything useless. I'm not that generous," Kuroro added the last bit. With a side glance, he'd noticed a bit of change in the boy's posture. Perhaps that was too harsh? But it was the truth. "Disappointed? That I'm not the person who you thought I might be?"
The boy shook his head. "No. You took me in when my parents abandoned me; that alone is more than enough for me. I appreciate your candor. Besides, I agree with you. I believe we are all born to be useful….to do something important…for someone else's sake." Kurapika's raised his hand to his chest absentmindedly as he continued, "If not, I don't think I can see the value in this life of mine." The boy smiled up at Kuroro as he remarked, "You have an honorable job," before his eyes shifted towards the path he was treading on. "I wonder what's mine…"
'An honorable job, you believe? Not to worry, I have that in store for you... if you ever get better, that is.'
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The next day, Kurapika woke up alone. A note was left to him stating that Kuroro was on duty, which was nothing out of ordinary. Usually, the man would let him know beforehand but he had made it clear that it should be perfectly normal for Kurapika to be able to function on his own. 'Just don't wonder off too far from the living quarters.'
Kurapika also learnt the fact that except Kuroro's six comrades that he'd mentioned, not a single other soul had ever visited this place. The living quarters and the vicinity were owned by Kuroro. No fence whatsoever drew the boundary which left Kurapika assuming that people here must have bore that well in mind.
Here in Ryuuseigai, Kuroro Lucifer was a respectable man.
After the morning ritual, the first thing Kurapika wanted to do was training with his swords. He descended the high tower and made his way down the spiral stairs. Once to the fifth floor of the compartment, he came to a sudden stop, having to squeeze his eyes shut when the sun shone through the window. The sunlight reflected something lying on the ground. It caught his attention as he was drawn near to see what it was. Bending down, Kurapika picked the object up to study it.
It was a drop earring ornamented with some sort of violet stone.
Something inside of him was pulled to the surface of his consciousness. A sudden flash of pain with the mental image of a woman occurred to him. A beautiful woman, with green eyes, blond hair and light features just like his own. The image went by as soon as it came.
"Ahh!" Kurapika sagged to the ground, hands clutching his head. The pain was brief, leaving him in cold sweat. Yet he tried again…to recall. Was that his memory? But no matter how hard he tried, hands fisted around the earring, nothing else came. Only pain. He figured he'd to let it go…for now.
Still, that only image had already imprinted his mind. He had a strong feeling about this as he looked at the earring in his hand. "Could she be…? Then does this belong to her?" If that was the case, then why was it here?
Lifting his gaze, he looked at the ground around him. This level was nothing of significance to the other floors, except that there was one locked room. The room where Kuroro told him he kept the retrieved valuable items for a time being before returning them to the rightful owner. The man said it was off limits to anyone, and Kurapika himself never wanted to pry.
His head ran with questions with no answers.
'No use wrecking your brain for the past you don't need,' was what Kuroro had taught him. But…was it true that he didn't need it?
Despite the pain and alarm Kurapika had felt earlier, he now felt that there was a deep comfort inside of him, when he held onto this earring. It was calm and soothing, even settling…something he hadn't truly felt since he had woken up with blood on his body.
Kurapika couldn't wait around for Kuroro to return by nightfall. He decided to go on about this day spending morning and afternoon practicing swords. Feeling he'd have enough for the day, and knowing Kuroro wouldn't approved of him overdoing it, Kurapika settled in the high tower and spent the rest of the day filling himself with the contents of the old books.
Once the sun started setting, Kurapika put down the last book he finished. He fished out the earring to study it again. Still nothing, only comfort that went straight to his heart. He believed it even helped him concentrate better in sword training.
'So…comfy.' His eyes were a bit heavy from training hard and reading. For the first time he could ever remember, he fell into a blissful sleep with the faint smell of grass and soft wind on his cheek.
Kurapika dreamt of a woman with that earring, who was so kind and loving to him.
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He woke up with a rude awakening. The room was dimmed; night had fallen. The clock read 9.06 pm. Kurapika thought he had heard someone yell. He got up and realized he was covered with blanket. He hadn't fallen asleep with it, which meant that Kuroro must have been back. He reached for the candle holder and made his way out of the room.
Another roar echoed as he progressed down the stairs. All of his time being here, this place had been so deathly quiet, that it seemed out of place to have such roar in here. A part of him was scared of this occurrence, fearing what it could be. But a whole lot of his being was worried as he broke into a run, 'Kuroro!'
Kurapika rushed down to where the voice was coming from. When the foyer came into view, he saw Kuroro occupying on the seat of a broken pillar surrounded by candles, the only source of light in the large room. But he wasn't alone. His green eyes widened at the sight of a huge, intimidating man who had his fist outstretched, towering a sitting Kuroro.
Without thinking, Kurapika dove in.
"Listen, Ubo." Kuroro started again, his face as still and calmed as ever. However, it did change the slightest bit when out of nowhere, a small blond blob was in front of him. He blinked and after a second. "Kurapika?"
The boy's back turned to him with arms outstretched - a gesture of protection for him. The boy fixed a glare on Ubogin, whose face now contorted into confusion.
"Back off!" The boy raised his voice, eyes glowing with a bit of an orange hue.
"The hell?" When Ubogin's surprise wore off, he realized the boy's eyes hadn't turned red all the way. Did it mean that he wasn't scared of him? Ubogin's fist unclenched and moved the slightest bit towards an unyielding boy. 'This little brat…'
That was when a pale hand gripped on Kurapika's shoulder, inclining the boy towards its owner. Kuroro explained, "Kurapika, Ubogin's one of my comrades. He wasn't going to hurt me or anything."
The boy's green eyes stared at Kuroro then back at Ubogin. Fear, doubt, and distrust were written on his face when it looked at the huge man. But Kurapika trusted Kuroro's words more than anything, thus he relaxed. "Is that so?" Seconds after he regarded Ubogin again, his head lowered in a sincere, apologetic manner. "I'm sorry for my rude behavior, Mr. Ubogin. I misunderstood that you might harm Kuroro."
With his Danchou's hand on said little brat's shoulder, Ubogin could do nothing except gape, speechless. Not only by the boy's sudden 180 degree change, but even more so with his leader. Ubogin hoped he was wrong on that interpretation. Danchou did not just mean to protect that brat from him.
Ubogin opened his mouth but shut it this time when Kuroro's eyes narrowed as he raised a hand, implying he ought to leave, now.
"We'll discuss this later, Ubogin," Kuroro ordered.
With jaws clenched, Ubogin left.
Once the huge man disappeared through the doorway without so much as a ruckus, Kurapika spun back to face Kuroro, "What was he so angry about? Is it about me?"
Kuroro quirked one eyebrow. "Why would you think that?"
"I'm not sure. I just thought I heard he shouted something like 'you're wasting time on that brat.'" Kurapika scratched his cheek with a finger. He heard it but his mind was occupied worrying about Kuroro. It didn't sink in until a moment ago.
Ubogin was the loudest among Kuroro's comrades, especially when he was pissed. But he wasn't that angry. He was just annoyed. That was the level the Spiders would categorize among themselves. Kuroro didn't expect his volume to reach the highest tower above the sixth floor. Otherwise, he would have told Ubo to shut up already. Perhaps Kuroro was just used to this kind of loudness from his comrade. Unless…Kurapika had sharp hearing.
While Kuroro was thinking of how to respond to that, Kurapika continued in anxious tone: "It's because of me, isn't it? You have places to be, or people to go to. But you're stuck with me because I lost my memories and-"
"Kurapika," Kuroro cut the boy short, having his hand clamped over the boy's mouth. He didn't like the worried look and anxious tone coming from Kurapika, nor did he with the babbling. "I'm with you because I chose to. My comrades are my subordinates. They can't tell me what to do so stop worrying so much."
A moment of silence. Then a small nod. Kuroro removed his hand from the boy's lips.
'Right. I'm not wrong about spending my time on you.' Kuroro thought. Standing up against a group of thugs was already brave enough of him. But up against Ubo? This kid had to be crazy. Then again, it was one major trait of Genei Ryodan. He couldn't help but comment, "I'm impressed though. You… standing up against a man four times your size. Were you not afraid?"
"I was afraid," Kurapika admitted, eyes casting downward.
"Hmm?" Did he not realize that he hadn't even shaken the least bit? Plain curious now, Kuroro asked, "Then why?"
"I was more afraid of you getting hurt."
There was something that tugged at Kuroro Lucifer's chest. He had to beat that strange feeling down and passed it with his logic that he'd successfully gain Kurapika's trust and admiration of him. Even more so, he might have become the center of Kurapika's universe. It did help that Kurapika didn't have anyone else. But then again, Kurapika didn't seem at all the type to cling onto him just because he had no other choice.
Not to mentioned the fact that they were so compatible. Kurapika took a liking in him whereas Kuroro, was now aware that he did enjoy the boy's presence.
For the second time, he reached out a hand and placed it on the boy's head. The boy seemed to like it, and Kuroro himself…now learned he'd probably like it too. That soft sensation of the boy's hair that lingered ever since he first touched them.
"Thanks, but I'm fine," Kuroro said at last. An image of Ubo's hand moving towards Kurapika had bothered him. His comrade wouldn't hurt the boy without his permission. Still, as rough as Ubogin naturally was, he wouldn't even approve of him touching Kurapika at all. 'What's the point of risking breaking the boy now when he could become so much stronger to serve Genei Ryodan in the future, right?' He had to lay down another rule to the Kuruta boy. "Kurapika, you must never put yourself in that position again."
"Eh?" the boy frowned, not following the point.
"I meant with me. Don't use yourself to shield me from any kind of danger, or what you'd think of as danger. Never worry about me. I'm much stronger than you are, and you know that. Is that understood?"
"…Oh." Kurapika realized when he rushed to Kuroro he wasn't thinking at all. He just did. But true, Kuroro was much stronger than him. Not even sure if could stick to that rule, he nodded, "Okay, I understand."
"Good boy." The words, and how he had said it, was foreign on his tongue. Although he possessed a perfect and polished art of communication skills, so flawless that he could manipulate people with words alone, Kuroro was never a kid person. To encourage with words and compliments were far from his forte. Yet, it seemed to come a bit more natural of him when he directed the words to Kurapika.
Good, he was learning something new too.
"I had a long day. I'll retire to bed early today." Kuroro finally rose from his occupied seat and went about putting out the candles. "You've just probably woken up, but care to come along?"
"Yes." The boy agreed. Since weeks ago when he'd woken up without his memories, he'd been restless in his sleep most of the time. Once he found the earring, he was beginning to enjoy having a nap. Then he recalled something. "Thank you…for the blanket, Kuroro."
"Don't mention it," the man responded, meaning exactly what he said although he reckoned the boy might not get it still. He was the one who had to get used to the boy's politeness, now he didn't mind that much.
Seeing Kuroro looked like he really need to lie down then, Kurapika decided to postpone the question he wanted to ask for tomorrow.
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As far as he could look back, Kuroro had always been alone, save for the time with his comrades. The Spider members were free to come at his abode anytime. They were free to roam anywhere or stay in any room of his living quarters with the exception of the locked room and the tower on the 7th floor which was his room…and now Kurapika's as well.
His room wasn't that vast for two people in terms of space, given that a whole lot part of it was dominated by old texts but Kurapika happened to be the right size to fit in.
The last Kuruta boy was the first that Kuroro, felt somewhat comfortable with. Not that his fellow Spiders couldmake him feel otherwise but they were all wild people. Peaceful atmosphere was the last thing he'd get around them.
Kurapika was the opposite of them. With the boy, Kuroro felt at ease. He was well-mannered and considerate, both traits probably too much for his own good. As much as he looked up to Kuroro as his ideal figure, he spoke his mind as individual without fear to stand his ground.
'This is not bad.' Kuroro thought as he regarded the boy going about preparing breakfast for the both of them while Kuroro simply waited at the makeshift table of wooden crates.
The boy had been doing this for a while, claiming he'd feel better to do things he could do since Kuroro had done more than enough for him. But…never ever called the boy a housewife. Once, he'd only meant to tease the boy and once was enough. He had no idea it would tick the boy off that much.
"Here you go," Kurapika served a plate of simple ham cheese sandwich for each of them; a glass of milk for him and a cup of tea for Kuroro.
Before all this, Kuroro hadn't had much for his food supplies. More often than not, he just went on about the day without having three proper meals. One was good enough for him, and he could even go for days without food at all. Since the boy came, he provided the boy three meals a day to help him recover. There were times the boy refused to eat, saying that he'd feel bad about being the only one eating. That had Kuroro ended up having meals with him.
Food wasn't scarce, or at least not for the Ryodan when they could take it from anyone. When the Ryodan was formed, they stopped stealing from other Ryuuseigai's citizen, but instead from any other places available. Else, Kuroro wouldn't be having tea or coffee here.
To have a proper -delicious even- breakfast on a peaceful Sunday morning; Kurapika started a conversation about the books he read the day before. He talked about his perception of it and how he'd like to know what Kuroro's thoughts were. It never occurred to him before that such a mundane, simple thing in a slow day with Kurapika was just…pleasant.
The irony of it all, he took everything away from the boy and now was now having a good time with him?
Once they were done, Kurapika decided it was a good time to ask. "Kuroro."
"Hmm?"
"Yesterday I found this on the stairs of 5th floor," the boy held out the violet drop earring to Kuroro.
Realization dawned on Kuroro. An earring of the Kuruta. The day before, Kuroro had two pairs of the flame-colored eyes moved out of the locked room and taken to the Black Market outside Ryuuseigai. He needed that huge amount of money…for Ryuuseigai. The earring must have come along with the mess and had fallen out during the move. How careless of him. His face not giving anything away, he waited for what the boy would have to say.
"Do you know who it belongs to? Could it be one of the items you've retrieved from the stolen assets?" the boy questioned.
"Let me see," Kuroro feigned no knowledge of the earring as he took the object and gave a brief observation. He shook his head. "Not that I know of. It must have been part of the other assets I've retrieved. Although it's amethyst, I don't think it's of any value."
'Not any value?' Kuroro's valuation of the object nipped Kurapika's heart but he didn't voice it out. Kuroro knew about these things much more than him and Kurapika couldn't care less about its valuation in terms of price. What he cared was the luxury of peace of mind that the earring was providing him. Therefore, he asked with anticipation. "Then…can I keep it?"
Kuroro was about to tell him to just throw it away by the time he handed it back to the boy. Better not risk letting him keep the object that might one day jog his memory. As far as he was concerned, Kurapika had no interested in jewelries, or any kind of valuable items for that matter. "Why would you want it?"
Green eyes dropped a gaze upon the earring, and Kurapika reminisced. "The first time I touched it, there was a flash of an image in my mind. It was a woman with blond hair, and green eyes. She does look very similar to me."
'Not good. The object already did its job with the kid's memory.' A thought ran in Kuroro's mind though he kept his expression neutral as always. "You think she's related to you?"
"I would even go so far as believing she's my mother." Kurapika's word carried a whole load of conviction as he continued, "She's wearing this earring, but the image was brief. No matter how hard I tried to recall it again, nothing comes…only pain."
When Kuroro shifted a bit, Kurapika hurriedly put the last issue aside, "But I'm fine now! It was only a brief headache anyways." He'd been sick too much; he didn't want to burden the man with it.
Faking it or not, Kuroro had looked concern.
Kuroro nodded, acknowledging that and let it passed. His mind began to work on the main issue at hand. The woman Kurapika had described was definitely the boy's mother. She…kind of stood out among other Kuruta, and yes, her son did stood out a whole lot more. Kuroro remembered that, and he lied, "I wouldn't know about that. As I've said you were abandoned. Why bother about the past? Is the way things are now not good enough for you?" It came out as a bit of biting tone, harder than Kuroro had intended to.
A shocked look on Kurapika's face faded into a saddened one, which again, bothered him. This wasn't the first time Kuroro came across a person with no previous memories of their being abandoned in Ryuusegai. He had neverhave to give a damn about anyone's lost memories before. He wouldn't be able to understand this kid's situation…or feelings.
"It's good, really. I am happy to be with you." The boy green eyes bore into Kuroro's jet black ones. Then they lowered to the earring in his hands. "But…I don't know why. When I hold onto this earring, I just feel at ease…even comfort. And that woman, whom I believe to be my mother, was smiling so kindly…at me, even in my dream." He looked back up at the man and was relieved to find Kuroro's slight hardened expression earlier now relaxed.
'So the earring didn't jolt that much of his memory, but the connection there was obvious enough to direct to the boy's mind.' It was a wonder. His presence didn't jolt the boy's memory, neither did a spider nor Ubogin's roar (given that he was the loudest whence massacring the Kurutas).
'And even in his dream?' As far as Kuroro knew, Kurapika's buried memories had never resurfaced in a form of nightmare. Sure the boy was restless in his sleep, but it had never been a recollection of his clan's massacre. 'How fortunate that was.'
Jet black eyes narrowed as he observed the boy. 'So he didn't even remember the last time he saw her. Where she carried him to safety and sacrificed herself protecting him. It seems like his unconscious mind is only opening up to good memories.' Just as he had thought, the boy's defense mechanism was still working hard.
"Ah," The boy perked up a bit, saying, "and it helps me with the concentration when I train swords. It might sound ridiculous but I really feel that I'm doing better when I'm holding on to it."
Kuroro raised his eyebrow again. 'Really? Did the little petty thing help that much?' But if it did then it'd be a best reason for him to allow the boy to hang onto it. "If it makes you feel better then you may keep it. But if it ever brings you pains regarding the past, you have to let it go." There, he even made it sound like he had been looking out for the boy's best interest.
Breaking into a smile, Kurapika fisted the object in his hand. "Thank you."
"No need to thank me." 'That belongs to your clan anyways.' Kuroro could only hope that the earring would not do more than what it had already done. "Now, how have you been doing with your sword training? If you claim to be better when having that earring around, care to show me?"
How enthusiastic of him.
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To say he was surprised wasn't exactly the right term. Yet this boy kept him on the edge of his seat, so to say. When he was expecting the boy to be able to fight well, Kurapika just kept falling and stumbling. When he almost gave up on him and thought about wasting away the boy, Kurapika just turned tables and showed off how good he could be.
Now was no different.
'The earring really did help that much. Or was it a mere coincidence that Kurapika had just nailed it in a matter of one day that I was away?' Kuroro wondered. The boy's charging had become stronger, swift and much better in timing. When Kuroro returned him with sudden counter attacks, the boy had had better reflexes and managed to dodge and block most of it. His body seemed more natural and agile. In times of backing out, the boy held almost perfect stances, reducing openings by a whole lot less than he did on the first few weeks.
If times before Kuroro hadn't realized he was smiling, he was well aware that at any moment now his lips might resembled a Cheshire cat. That would freak anyone out…but anyhow.
"This is what I'm talking about, Kurapika," he complimented.
"Heh heh," the boy's laugh with a so much lighter mood.
Kuroro found a liking to that voice.
An hour later, when Kuroro deemed it good enough for the day, they seated themselves against the large tree trunks. Kurapika panted heavily while brushing away the streams of sweat while he eyed Kuroro, who looked like he was just chilling out. He couldn't help asking, "Do you ever break a sweat at all?
Unexpected even to himself, Kuroro "pfft-ed" then turning a smirking face to the boy. "Of course I have. I'm human, after all."
"Hmm? Really? Sometimes I just forget that you are one," the boy sneered, playing along.
It was meant to be a joke, yet Kuroro had come across many with that perception. The Kurutas, among the massacre ground, was one of them.
'MONSTER!' Their curse was nothing to him. It was true, analogically. Kurapika just had no idea.
"Ah!" A soft yelp that Kurapika made had him blinked out of his thoughts. The boy had his hands pulling the cloth of his pants pocket inside out. His earring must have lost sometimes during the spar. When the boy got himself up in search for the object, Kuroro offered a helping hand.
It didn't take long for Kuroro to spot it on the grass about their training ground. "Found it," he said while holding out the object to the boy who rushed over with relief. On second thought, Kuroro refused to let go of the earring. When the boy's turn a questioning eyes at him, he suggested, "Why don't you put it on?"
"Eh?" the boy made a face.
"Unless if you want to pocket it well enough, the best way to avoid losing it again is to put it on," he insisted.
Fidgeting a little, Kurapika asked, "Isn't earrings only for girls?"
It was a second time in a day where Kuroro "Pfft-ed." This boy sure cared a whole lot about his manliness. "Doesn't matter these days. I'm even thinking of getting a pair of blue Sapphire earrings myself."
The boy gave it a thought, then he nodded, "Okay, I don't want to keep losing it. But I wouldn't know how to put it on."
"Here, let me," Kuroro bent down a bit, his hand tucking away the blond strands behind Kurapika's left ear. He had not given thought to whether it should be left or right, but the boy's hand holding the hair in place to give Kuroro access said he was good with that. Kuroro warned, "It's going to sting a bit."
"Okay."
And there, Kurapika already had it on. He hadn't felt any stinging as he had expected. Not one bit. "You're just good with everything, aren't you? I didn't even feel a thing," he trailed off.
A brief look of un-expectation ran across Kuroro's face. Kurapika must not have known but Kuroro didn't realize he had used a bit of his skill on that. Depending on the circumstances, he'd offered painless deaths before. This ear piercing was nothing.
"I guess so," Kuroro half-heartedly feigned modesty. And for the genuine interest, he tilted the boy's chin up to face him. He remarked, "Suits you."
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Note: No cliffhanger for this one ^^ (But nothing too excited here as well, lol). Honestly, I feel bad about making Carry On a cliffhanger "I myself really want to write the next chapter for CO too. Geez, and I just found out the plot notebook I have with me only have half the plot for this fic as well. I just recalled I have more detail in another notebook. But since this fic would go on for a while, I guess I can keep working on it until I get back to that notebook and whatever is in that notebook I could work on it in later chapters :D
Not sure if my writing style change, or probably it's just this chapter that comes with the lighter mood. Kuroro and Kurapika having breakfast, eh? But hey! It takes place 5 years before the Kuroro we knew today and I think Kuroro does have a playful side of his. But yeah, please let me know what you think :D