A/N: It took a long time, but I finally got a grip on the story. Actually, this chapter was a big experiment in many cases, but it's finally coming to the main part. Yuppie! And big thanks to people, who are concerned about the story and review and/or write their suggestions in PM. I so love you, guys!^^

Oh, and don't mind current cover; I'll change it as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: everything, except plot is owned by Togashi Yoshihiro.


Chapter four.

An order.

Perhaps, it wasn't the most perfect reunion Kurapika could imagine. Perhaps, it was better not to meet at all, than to meet at these circumstances, being under the enemy's watch. But still… it felt good; like there was something warm inside his chest.

Kurapika thought that he had lost the ability to feel happiness a long time ago. And it wasn't just about the happiness; it was the unforgettable sensation of being alive, like the soul, stolen from him on the path of vengeance, has returned back. There was no one else except his friends, who would make him feel like that again. And a smile on his lips proved that he's still human, that he's not consumed by the hate completely.

"It's truly amazing, how a person can change just because of seeing somebody dear to him." Kuroro noted the whole atmosphere change in a room. Of course, he had spoken only to remind his guests, who had an upper hand right now. And these words momently destroyed even that little bit of positive emotions, what was forming in this place. It was like the room became dark in a second – and it did happen - and the wind outside was madly howling, as if trying to demolish the building they were standing in. There was no lantern, no candle to give a physical light and no confidence in future to give some mental one.

Kuroro watched at Kurapika and Leorio, observing the way they reacted. And he was satisfied by what he was seeing. Their bond of friendship had no weaknesses, if they stood side by side, as closely as needed for a situation. Those two didn't have to look at each other to know what the other was going to do. Perfect. They had a chance to survive through all the mess that awaited them.

"Your point is?" After a long silence, Kurapika was the one to speak. The nen that Leorio previously infused to him gave enough strength to move and dodge anything if needed.

"None of those you can imagine." Kuroro observed Kuruta, approving the talent of the future doctor in nen-healing. His abilities were quite good, despite the fact they were still raw.

"So?"

"You can deduce it out by yourself. But you won't."

"Just stop talking in riddles and don't play on our nerves!" The whole tension made Leorio losing his temper even faster than usual. Kuroro only glanced sceptically at him and then conjured Skill Book. It didn't take Leorio a long time to realize that he actually yelled at Lucifer. His face became extremely pale, as he watched Kuroro, who slowly turned over page after page, probably looking for something. Of course, he could have found needed in a second, but the expression of Leorio's face was priceless.

"Was it a threat?" Kuroro coldly inquired, while in a process of skipping blank sheets of lost abilities. When he got no answer, he lifted up his eyes and stared blankly at the fool, who dared to threaten him. The mentioned person tried to do his best to keep a calm face and not to cringe under the scrutiny. Confirming that nobody is going to interrupt, Kuroro continued speaking. "My point is that I shall give you an opportunity to speak eye on eye."

Kurapika and Leorio quickly exchanged unbelieving glances. What was on Kuroro's mind?

"And after you'll settle all your personal questions, we'll go to a real business, which, as I believe, is of high importance to both of you." And with those words, Kuroro finally activated the ability he was searching in his book a while ago. All nen concentrating in left hand, Kuroro drew a turned over cross in the air. Glowing with a dark blue light, it transformed into a stylized image of compass, and then nen suddenly divided into two equal parts. When shapeless nen clouds moved to the Kurapika's and Leorio's side, both tried to avoid them, but Kuroro's nen reached them in no time, quickly soaking into their skin.

Kurapika froze, trying to understand a weird feeling. It was something like a radar installed inside himself – he could physically feel every movement of Leorio and Kuroro.

"A navigation technique," Kuroro briefly explained, confirming his guess. "When you are finished, come to me. And remember – you have no place to run, no place to hide." With those words being said, he left the room, giving a promised chance to speak privately.

Now, when only two of them were left in the room, Kurapika and Leorio finally allowed themselves to relax a bit. Not as they forgot about Phantom Troupe's near presence, but anxiety won't help them in this situation.

"You know, I'm really happy to see you. I'm sorry that it must've come out like this." Kurapika said with an apologetic smile, resting against the closest wall.

"The best apology will be explaining of how did you end up there," Leorio carefully cleaned his glasses, and, feeling that it wasn't the best answer considering the situation, added, "but I'm glad to see you too."

Silence filled the space, as Kurapika thought what to start with. Even if by these days he has somehow put together the link of events, he couldn't understand Kuroro's motives. Without them, the picture was still incomplete.

"I can't tell you a whole story, because it's a question for me too. But I promise to tell everything that I know." He drew a deep breath, preparing for a long speech. "It all has started with a mission that only I could take…"


Darkness was fading away – slowly, but surely. But even in rays of rising sun the forest was unfriendly. Evil. Dangerous. „If you want to stay alive, you should be as quite as shadow," that's what locals were saying, but they have never guessed, what was the true meaning of that phrase. And there weren't any reasons, why they should have known it. Children were talking about some kind of spirits; ghosts of the massacred tribe with dark holes in a place of their eyes. „Ghosts will take your eyes," that were the words of the little girl, who met him at the entrance of the village nearby.

This way had been changed a lot since he left his homeland. To be honestly, it was almost impossible to recognize this place. Lukso, the sunny valley from early childhood memories has been changed into another realm of horror. This forest wasn't just full of bloodthirsty monsters; the forest was a monster itself. No wonder nobody has turned back from it. This place was deadly dangerous even for an experienced Hunter, what to say about ordinary people?

But now, it was too quietly. He has encountered only a few monsters during the past couple of hours since he crossed a borderline of the forest. „Well, I suppose even monsters have to go for a nap," he thought sarcastically. And he felt that something is going wrong, but what? It was almost impossible to find out what's going on there - the evil aura of this place mixed up all feelings, even the human's nen felt like something dangerous. Or, maybe he was dangerous too – it was his homeland after all, though it has changed.

Kurapika had slowed down as he spotted a somehow familiar stone. Ancient signs on it were even dimmer than before, but it was still possible to recognize them. It was an old altar, one of those that were left from his tribe ancestors. There were other altars like this one, scattered over the whole forest. They had formed a magical – nen – barrier, which was supposed to protect from almost everything. But all that protective stuff was totally useless in front of real danger. Or, perhaps nobody had expected something like Phantom Troupe – nobody would expect that someone so strong will chase after their eyes.

But the intruders have made two big mistakes. They have killed all people there – that was the first one. And the second – they've missed someone. Him. The Avenger.

A low growl from backside distracted the youth from his thoughts. Finally, another creature had shown up – an abnormally fearful one, but still it was perfectly fitting in there. It's not like he wasn't able to defeat it, as the nen always was with him.

Something restricted him from conjuring a chain. What the hell, Kurapika thought, surprised in a negative way. And then the realization came to him. Kurapika should have expected something like this, but he could never imagine that barrier will restrict him using nen. He had to spill some blood on an altar to prove that he's a Kuruta and have all rights to be there. Now it was too late to do it.

Kurapika took out his swords and prepared himself for a battle, which promised to be a hard one. Using those blades again brought up a strange feeling like he never used the nen chain.

He stood in a battle-ready position and watched closely for a beast's movements while the beast was watching him; still no action from the monster's side. Time stretched up as the weird eye-to-eye connection formed between them. After some minutes had passed by, Kurapika suddenly realized that the monster was dying; soon death was written in its blood-red eyes. Beast looked like a dying dog, who's longing for the last caress from its master. His red eyes were sinking into a silent agony of another red ones. Kurapika could have compared it to the suffering of his dying tribesmen, but he didn't. There wasn't any agony in their eyes because they'd died without them.

He stiffed as he heard a strange noise. It was very thin as if… As if it was a cry of a child. But there can't be any child, Kurapika was pretty sure of it. Surprisingly even for himself, he put away his swords and came closer to the beast, as it continued to whine. A pain in its eyes mesmerized a youth, calling out the darkest moments from his memory. Scenes of that day flew through his mind as he continued to watch in those blood-red eyes, which were so similar to his own now…

His instincts threw his body back, as the beast's jaw clenched in the place where his head was a moment ago. Now Kurapika could clearly see the nen around the monster. 'So it was a hypnosis, after all.' Situation looked bad enough, taking in account that beast could use nen and his swords wouldn't do much damage to scales, which covered this creature.

Kurapika gasped, as the sudden pain dig into his temples. So his guesses were actually right, and barrier won't allow him to use nen. Perfect, just perfect. He had to make some plan and quickly, if he ever wanted to make it out of this alive.

The only reasonable idea was to find a weak spot of it, he thought while avoiding sharp attack and hitting back in spine. Kurapika almost fell, as the liana entangled his leg. It was pure luck that he got to cut it while beast stopped, not even looking to his side. Mind screamed nothing else that 'Run!', but wariness and curiosity stopped him from doing so. What if the monster wouldn't react to slow movements? Or was it planning to move when Kurapika will turn his back on it? And when Kurapika heard countless howls around him, he deeply regretted for not escaping while he had the chance. Now, personally, he wouldn't bet even a single jenni on his life.

Each second felt like eternity, and his movements were too slow, while thoughts too desperate. There was no way Kurapika could win, but his instincts wouldn't let him stop, telling that there can be something, someone, who…

The ferocious nen reached him, tying down to the ground. Kurapika tried to struggle, but his physical strength wasn't enough to break through. Large figures of monsters stood over him, saliva fell from their jaws right on his face.

„It's called karma, kid." A large Spider stood nearby, drinking bear from a jar. „You'll die the similar way as I did."

Kurapika's eyes turned red on they own, and chains appeared on his hand. At the moment he didn't care about what he will need to pay later for breaking rules. At those moments he moved faster than any time before, fighting for his right to live. But the pain returned too soon; his vision became clouded.

When he saw Kuroro Lucifer, he thought it was an agonising hallucination of his mind.


Room fell into a weird kind of silence. Kurapika just had finished speaking, while Leorio was trying to get a hold on everything what was told. There were so many questions, but a little amount of facts and even less answers. But they had to gather all their strength to solve this puzzle and stay alive, because the word "peace" wasn't written into their nearest future.

They felt alien presence almost simultaneously. Probably not Spiders, they carried another aura around them, much more calm and composed. And spiders would never let to notice them even while using nen. Kurapika quickly searched for something what could serve as a weapon, and took a plate, on which Kuroro brought food earlier.

"I'll cover you." It was everything Leorio had managed to whisper until unwelcomed guests came in.

Six men in one place were with them, blocking the door, and a couple right behind the window – it was all Kurapika had to notice to calculate their chances. He just hoped Leorio would understand everything and would be capable of doing it right.

As the man, who seemed like a leader, made a step closer to them, they went the same step back to the wall to keep the distance. Intruders chucked darkly, noticing what kind of "weapon" Kurapika help in his hands.

"Don't be so afraid of us, sweety." Their leader vulgarly laughed, taking an old rusted knife out from the pocket. "But actually, you should, since you are those rats, who are enjoying their stay in our city at the expense of us! Us, citizens of the Meteor city!"

He raised his hand, and it served as a signal to start. "Finish them, guys!" In a second small room turned into a little battlefield, which didn't give many opportunities to attack properly.

If not the skills and experience of professional hunters, Kurapika and Leorio would be dead the first moment intruders have attacked. Still it didn't come long as Leorio got his first scratch, while covering the other from being stabbed from the backside. Kurapika shielded with plate to stop dagger, coming right into his face. Greenish metal stuck into it, leaving its owner without the weapon. Kurapika used it to hit unprotected hand with elbow, while turning around to deflect another attack coming into his head. Leorio easily took out stuck dagger out of the plate and threw it into other enemy's palm. He cried out loud, but the next second he attacked again with enormous strength and speed. Leorio had half-slipped, half-blocked it with his own knife, cutting come muscles to restrict movements of his current opponent. Another kick and man fell down unconscious. Right by that moment Kurapika knocked out their leader, leaving four more to deal, if not to count those outside.

But bandits became more wary, and started to press them to the wall, leaving less space for counterattack. Leorio punched the closer one into stomach, and emitted a wave of nen into the wall, making a large hole into it, simultaneously striking one of those who surrounded building outside.

Seeing, that he couldn't avoid coming blow, Kurapika roughly hit another attacker into his neck. His eyes slightly widened, as he heard the sound of breaking bones and body lifelessly thumped down. Another soul to haunt him until the end of his days.

"Don't get distracted!" Leorio called him as he broke another's both hands, leaving him incapable of fighting for a time.

'Right', Kurapika slightly nodded, casting away all thoughts, and immersed all his being into the heat of fight. His movements became more mechanical, and he didn't look anymore if the damage he'd dealt was fatal. He just wasn't thinking about it. Dodge, blow, turn, kick, flash of pain, cold of metal and finishing hit. Scream of pain filled the whole place, but there were others to deal with. The last time he felt so easy about bringing injuries was when he fought Uvogin.

"Stop it, Kurapika!" Leorio caught his hand, changing the direction of the punch that Kurapika was ready to give to the last of them. He'd made it in time, so it didn't kill the man but just knocked him out. Leorio gently shook Kurapika's shoulders, trying to awake him from his battle trance. Who could predict how much time they have left until locals will come and things will go wrong again?

Slowly, Kurapika reverted back to his more or less usual state; his eyes finally showed a sensible expression. He warily looked around, registering everything that happened and sorting his own memories.

So he did it again; all Kurapika's body trembled as he remembered the moment he killed once more. His legs refused to hold him, and if Leorio wasn't supporting him, he would fall on his knees for sure. It wasn't about grief or inner disgust; it was emptiness what tried to destroy him down to the core.

Leorio silently stood with him, understanding that words won't help there. He couldn't tell for how long they have been like this when Kurapika finally raised his head. He tried to say something, but no sound came out. He coughed a bit, clearing his throat.

"We need to go. Kuroro is awaiting us." His voice was hoarse and quiet; though it was filled with some kind of stubborn determination. Leorio lightly frowned, not sure if it would be right to go somewhere right now; despite the fact they didn't have any big choice.

"I'll be alright" Kurapika answered to the unspoken question, smiling bitterly.

Following the direction that was prompted by navigation technique, they walked through the big part of Meteor city. People did pay attention to them, but it was nothing dangerous; it looked like they've been already warned. Some even were nodding approvingly, when passing by.

Kuroro was standing near the house, waiting for both to approach. With a gesture of hand he invited them to come in.

"You've passed the test." Kuroro spoke, when everybody took their seats. Seeing, that no one was going to give some frustrated or sarcastic remarks, he continued. "Now I do believe you're strong enough."

"Strong enough for what?" Leorio asked cautiously, trying to give to Kurapika some more time to collect himself. It was impossible to predict what was on Kuroro's mind.

"Finally a sensible question." Man did understand his idea, and didn't mind playing the game by his rules for a while. "Strong enough to find the truth about this Curse", man switched his attention to Kurapika for a moment, "and to stay alive after it."

"What's in it for you?" Kurapika suddenly spoke, looking strangely composed for this situation. "I do believe Phantom Troupe never was a charitable organisation." He was playing with fire, and he knew it. But it would be more accurate to compare him to the butterfly, which dared to play with the spider.

"Don't be too overconfident, Kuruta." Kuroro warned, looking at him with a strange expression. "One day it can cost you a life."

Kurapika clenched his fists, trying to suppress his fueling rage. Look who's talking about being too overconfident! One day he'll go and rip that bastard's throat, and they'll see whom it will cost a life.

Tension increased; Leorio could feel as room was filling with dark, murderous aura. It was hard to tell, who gave out the strongest feeling, either Kuroro or Kurapika. The good thing was that Kurapika's eyes were still brown, even if he wasn't controlling himself fully. Anyway, this scene required a third actor for the good ending.

"What are your intentions?" Leorio put his hand on Kurapika's shoulder, silently telling him to calm down, while it's not too late. "Why would you worry about his well-being, after all that happened?" When Kuroro stood up and came close to him, he pressed his fingers a bit tighter on Kurapika's shoulder, trying to state that he can handle this.

"Looks like our conversation returned to the point where it started." It was hard to look straight into Kuroro's eyes, it felt like the man knew everything he was thinking and going to do. A look of the true predator. But Leorio endured it, allowing no thought about looking away; about showing weakness.

"Answer to your question is quite simple," Kuroro continued, not moving away. "I was paid for it. The biggest part of details is up to you to find on your journey."

"You think keeping your word will make you seem noble?" Kurapika's voice couldn't fully hide the sarcasm. "Why do you think we'll do what you order?"

"Because you have no choice." If it was ever possible to irritate Kuroro, then it happened now. "And if you can't listen without interrupting me," he summoned skill book, "wait outside." Not going to listen whatever Kurapika was going to say back, Kuroro just teleported him out from the house. It was way quicker and easier than anything else.

"I won't repeat, so listen carefully." Kurapika's frustrated shouts from outside were getting louder and louder. "The only way to get from Curse fully is to go back where it started. But you shouldn't forget about red and brown. It'll help to slow the process down."

The named combination of colours quickly connected with Kurapika's eyes in Leorio's mind. Perhaps, this riddle can be solved through the...

„Now to the conditions." Leorio started to wonder, how the door was able to maintain all those hits that Kurapika inflicted on it. „I won't return Kuruta's ability before he manages to get rid of the Curse. And don't hesitate to contact those people, who might be helpful to you. I promise that Phantom Troupe won't harm them."

Dang it! So they really were following him and his friends all the time!? And also his buddies from university and just acquaintances were at danger. Not good, not good at all. What were Kuroro's goals? What is the thing that he doesn't tell? Where's the catch?

"Don't think so hard about it." The smile at Kuroro's face looked mocking. "Just make sure he will stay strong,doctor. If he breaks down, I'll kill you."

"I will."

A few hours later, on another side of the world...

Man threw some more branches into the fire to frighten off coming cold. Night was long, but it wasn't as long as the waiting for his revenge. When the time comes, he will make that bastard to pay for everything.

Cooked bird tasted unusually good; he thought it would be nice to catch some more. But when the phone rang, man picked it with a bit maniacal joy.

"Yes, Boss, I've found them."

"…"

"Can't wait for your order."

The bird was forgotten.


A/N: As I've already stated, this chapter was a really big experiment. What do you think about fighting scene? Well, it's kind of short and not perfect, but I'll be happy to hear your suggestions about it, so the next time it will get better =) Are you wondering about Kuroro's strange kindness? XD Well, it's just for now. What were you expecting from this chapter and what are you expecting from the next? What was that liked/disliked?

Next update will be approximately after two weeks, need to deal with exams and biology project at first. I'll notice about the progress of fifth chapter in my twitter (link in profile).