Little did Kurapika know, Neon had downed two glasses of wine in his absence as Leorio watched with mild amusement. Who was he to stop the young lady from having a glass or two in quick succession?
"Melody? Yes, it's me. Neon-sama... she's here. She is in YorkNew city at the Tonhil hotel. She is safe and seems unharmed. Yes. I will keep watch over her until someone arrives. Just ask for Leorio Paladiknight at the front desk." With that, Kurapika hung up. He was fairly certain his friend wouldn't mind his name being used.
Leorio approached with Neon on his arm. "So, Kurapika…what's the plan? Are you going to ditch me on Christmas Eve?" he asked with a sly smile.
"Huh? No! As a matter of fact, I suggest we book a room so that we can wait in a more secure environment… Would you be so kind, Leorio?"
Kurapika's sincerity won his friend over and the tall man hid his embarrassment at having his little joke backfire by grumbling on his way up to the reception desk. "Always asking for favors!"
Neon wrapped her arm around the blonde and smiled up him. He looked away pretending to be deep in thought although he was simply just uncomfortable with the attention. It would be a tedious evening.
"Why do you wear socks and sandals like Nobunaga?" Gon pointed at the girl's feet.
He was sitting back lazily with his hands propping him up from behind. Gon felt warm and happy.
Machi was sitting with her back to the wall; her legs stretched out in front of her. "Tch. Why do you wear shorts that are so…short?" she responded. The tequila was coming on strong and the female Ryodan was fairly relaxed and bored.
Gon sat up clumsily and pouted, "I asked you first!"
"That's a stupid question."
"You're pretty."
Machi's head whipped around so fast she hurt her neck, "W –what did you just say?" She wasn't sure whether to laugh or to slap the boy.
"Hmm?" Gon's attention was all over the place.
She decided not to repeat it. 'This kids a lightweight,' she thought.
Hisoka ungracefully spit his drink out and sat forward when Gon commented on Machi's looks.
Killua just clenched his fists and watched angrily as his spiky-haired friend made a fool of himself.
"My shorts aren't that short!" Gon mumbled as he looked down at his legs.
"Yes they are," Machi replied calmly.
"So... Kurapika... do you have a girlfriend?" Neon leaned on him heavily in the now working elevator.
The Kurta looked flustered and blushed deeply. "I don't have time for relationships. I am busy with my work."
Leorio looked down and tried not to laugh.
"So where's your little friend…what's his name?" Machi was feeling chatty now.
"Oh... well, he's probably waiting for me and wondering where I am..." Gon said sadly.
"It starts with a "K" doesn't it?" she muttered to herself. "K-... K-... hmmmm."
"Wanna make a bet?" Gon grinned mischievously at the Ryodan; his cheeks flushed slightly. "I bet you can't remember his name!" he pointed his finger inches from her face.
"Oh? And what happens if I lose this bet?" she asked dryly.
"You have to…kiss me!" Gon giggled and covered his mouth.
Machi blinked and tried to determine whether or not he was serious. Was the kid just trying to get a reaction?
"Ok, and if I win then you have to take another drink," she countered smoothly, successfully wiping the foolish grin off his face.
Gon nervously waited for Machi to guess. Unfortunately for him, she knew the answer. It had come to her in a flash... Pakunoda's memory was quite special and she had played it many times over since her comrade's death. Of course, Machi wanted to mess with the boy a little first.
"I'm pretty sure it starts with a 'K'…Kaaaa... no. Keeeee..."
Gon's eyes widened anxiously.
"Keeeell..something like that hmmm. Oh! Wait a moment! It's.." She was loving Gon's terrified face. "Killua!" Machi clapped her hands. "Ha ha! I win!"
She stifled a laugh as the boy gingerly placed the bottle to his mouth again.
"This is just what you wanted, isn't it?" Killua snarled at Hisoka as Gon took his second drink.
"Mmmm. Yes," Hisoka answered decisively.
"I missed you Kurapika." Neon sighed and put her head against his shoulder.
Kurapika was starting to sweat, but did his best to keep calm. Neon's behavior was strange…was she possibly being manipulated? He looked over the girl with Gyo finding nothing out of the ordinary.
Neon misinterpreted his gaze and batted her eyes as she lifted her face closer to his. "I know you're in love with me, you don't have to hide it anymore."
It was then three things happened: Kurapika chocked a little, Leorio had a coughing/laughing fit, and the elevator doors opened.
"Can I make you my little dancing puppet?" Machi looked at him dead serious.
Gon sat there dumbfounded for a long moment, before his features slowly went from confused to bewildered to offended. The pink-haired girl burst out laughing; slapping her leg and shaking hard.
"I don't think that's very funny," he muttered and crossed his arms.
"Awww come on!" Machi teased. "I'll let you kiss me."
Gon looked at her and blushed. He quickly crossed his arms and turned away. "Who says I want to do that?"
Machi chuckled, "Ohhhh I see, you want me to kiss you…right?"
The boy blushed deeper and scowled.
"What's the matter, Gon?" she purred into his ear.
He quickly stood up with his fists clenched. "I don't want to be a little dancing puppet!" he shouted angrily as he wobbled slightly.
Hisoka was completely absorbed in the two trapped in the elevator. This was very entertaining indeed. He was becoming excited and his aura grew steadily.
Killua looked on wretchedly. He wanted to break free and get Gon out of there. Hisoka's intense energy was unsettling and the ex-assassin was becoming concerned for himself. He was stuck with a far more dangerous and unstable individual than the female Ryodan.
'If I don't get away from here I could end up in trouble!'
He began to panic as waves of Hisoka's desire increased; bathing the room in darkness. Killua thought if he could just get his feet on the floor he could run away, tree and all. Far enough and Hisoka's aura wold lose its hold on him right? He quietly rocked back and forth until the tree finally tipped..unfortunately in the wrong direction. The boy lay facing up, more vulnerable than ever. Hisoka stood over him with his eyes narrowed. Killua noticed the man was shaking with self-restraint.
"I was given explicit instructions to deliver you unharmed…" the magician hissed. He picked up the tree again and stroked Killua's face. "Don't draw any more attention to yourself."
Hisoka spoke with a trace of difficulty. The ex-assassin shivered and kept quiet. Not a good time for snappy come backs.
Leorio unlocked the door and Kurapika entered with the Nostrade family heiress hanging off him. He started to lower her unto a couch when she grabbed at his neck and looked at her former body guard with all the seduction she could muster.
"Kiss me, Kurapika! Don't you see we were meant to be together?!" Neon puckered her lips and closed in.
Kurapika struggled and gently broke free. "Neon-sama! Please, I –you don't seem like yourself!" He back away disturbed. The girl looked like she was about to pounce off the couch toward him.
"Yo, Kurapika," Leorio said causally. They had forgotten his presence. "Why don't you secure the perimeter? I'll stay with Neon-san."
The blonde straightened and nodded firmly before exiting onto the balcony.
Leorio walked over and lounged next to the girl. "Kurapika's not the only single guy in town you know," he breezed.
"Aw don't be mad…you're much more fun when you're happy," Machi coaxed.
Gon relaxed and promptly dropped down to sit again. "What's it like being a girl?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, a female Ryodan? Do they…is anyone your boyfriend?" He thought he was hilarious and laughed stupidly at his own question while Machi just shook her head.
"Gee, it's no secret what on your mind little boy," she remarked dryly.
He stopped laughing.
"What do you mean?" Gon's speech was beginning to slur.
"You're at an age…you're curious. It's obvious," she stated lightly. Machi was becoming bored again and decided to entertain herself some more. "You like girls, but you haven't been with one yet…isn't that right?"
Gon squirmed a little before rolling onto his back in surrender. "Yeah…" he sighed dreamily up at the ceiling. He was feeling relaxed now…and tingly…and giddy.
"Well I can help you there…" Machi said watching him closely out of the corner of her eye.
The boy rolled his head to look at her, confused and interested. She was feeling naughty.
"I'll let you kiss me, and then you'll know what it's like." she finished airily, and waited for Gon's reaction.
"Really?!" was the last thing Machi heard before his lips were on heres. He hummed and wiggled his face as if he was kissing his mother before breaking away with a huge satisfied grin. "Thanks, Machi!" he said happily. "Don't worry…I won't…tell…Feitan." Gon was snoring loudly on his back again.
The pink-haired woman blinked down at the sleeping boy utterly surprised and bewildered.
Hisoka glanced away from the spiky-haired boy on the floor to the clock on the wall. He sighed and got up from the couch after turning the television off.
"Well, time for me to go. Jana!"
"What? Wait!" Killua didn't really want Hisoka to stay but he was dreading whatever was about to happen next.
"I had a good time too," Hisoka smiled and left.
Killua hung there stupidly on the Christmas tree in the dark room alone. The clock told him it was midnight. Killua's heartbeat quickened as his anxiety rose. He used his aura to determine any possible threats nearby.
The door handle moved and Killua stared with wide eyes and his muscles tensed even though he was somewhat defenseless. To his horror, a tall blonde man dressed in a sparkling suit entered and shut the door quietly.
"Killua-kun. Good to see you again!" Pariston smiled.
"Ma!…ma!…ma!" Killua's terror had him babbling incoherently as he twitched pathetically.
"Shhhhh. Easy now…" Pariston's smile widened, it was so satisfying to see that look on the boy's face. "First let's get you down, hmm?"
Killua dropped down suddenly from the tree, but stood frozen and trembling in front of the man. Pariston partially released a dark arua behind his soft brown eyes. Killua flinched and shrank back just as the blonde man wanted. He knew this remarkable boy was quite talented, making his power over him that much more delightful. He wanted to remind Killua of that.
"I have something for you Killua-kun!"
Pariston produced a large book from inside his suit jacket. The ex-assassin recognized it as the Traveler's Guide he had discovered earlier in the Freecss basement. The sparkling man reached down and took Killua's hand, placed the book in it, and placed the boy's other hand on top.
"You can give it to Ging now…I'm finished with it," Pariston said pleasantly.
Small sounds came out of Killua's mouth. He wanted to scream. He hated Pariston and would have killed him if he could. He tried to glare at the blonde, but the effect was weak.
Pariston's aura intensified to discipline the boy. "What's that? You wanted to say something?"
Killua sank down with tears in his eyes, whimpering.
"Ah. I thought not." Pariston grinned. "Good boy." The man turned and opened the door. "Merry Christmas Killua-kun," he said softly and left.
End.
A/N: I apologize for not further developing Kurapika's storyline..don't worry there's a New Year's fiction already in the works. Also the ending is a continuation of Killua's plot line from another fan fic, "Thanksgiving at Mitos" in case you were wondering... again my apologies!
I love your reviews and suggestions. Thanks for reading and Merry Christmas!
