"There's a certain little bastard that I would like you to knock some sense into."
"Um.. Leorio-"
He cut me off.
"I don't want you to hurt him, just make him realize what he left behind."
He knew exactly what I was thinking. His irritated face looked to Gon, who did the same.
"She doesn't need to do that. Kurapika already knows."
"Oh, so he does? Huh?! Did you tell him yourself?"
"No. I'm not talking about that part. He didn't forget about us. He's just busy. You know what he's looking for Leorio."
"Kurapika can't be that busy looking for them! Busy enough to not answer the goddamn phone! For the amount of times I've tried to reach out to him, there should be no excuse!"
"Leorio! Have you even thought about what kind of situation he could be in?!"
"Yes. Of course! But for months at a time?! It doesn't make sense to me Gon!"
Gon sat up from his haunched state and propped his head on his elbow on the table. He locked eyes with Leorio and sighed.
"Anything could've happened. We just don't know."
"Yeah, we don't! And neither does he! That's the problem!"
Leorio softened up his face a bit and began to talk sincerely.
"For God's sake Gon! You were in a coma and this close to being dead!"
Gon broke his gaze with him. His eyes pinned on the table. All this new information startled me as much as it didn't surprise me, considering the past occurrences I saw in his eyes. I wanted to know more, but now was definitely not the time. It looked to be a pretty heavy topic and no more tears need to be shed today.
"And after all this time I never thought about whether you were ok or not."
Leorio ceased, contemplating on what he should say next. He hid his lips in his mouth.
"Are...you?"
The question hesitantly released itself. He nodded, not picking up his eyes up from the table. It almost looked as if he was in a trance.
"Once I met Ging I realized that meeting him wasn't my goal after all. He told me it was the little diversions and the people you met along the way was what made the journey so much more special. It turns out that those moments meant more to me then finally having my father in my life again. As soon as I had met him, he was gone again. Then Killua left and so did my Nen. Everything was back to what it was before. I didn't know what to do."
Gon found my eyes.
"Then you came along, and for once in a long time that part of me that left with them resurfaced. Now I have another goal. And there's no way in hell it won't be achieved!"
He glowed with confidence. I looked to the floor. I couldn't bear to look at him any longer. Gon was too bright. It still amazed me at how much this boy would do for a complete stranger. What could he see in me that I couldn't? Leorio stared at him, completely pissed.
"So am I just dead meat to you?!"
Gon darted his eyes towards him.
"Why would you think that?! You're my best friend!"
"Oh, really! Then where's all my glory! I'm mean you just met this girl about-"
He peered down at his watch.
"..four hours ago! And you're already kissing her ass!"
"How am I kissing her...how am I doing that?!"
"Don't act like you can't say it! You're acting like you didn't just say hell a minute ago!"
The way these two people went from what I thought to be a sensitive subject to straight bickering in a matter of seconds shocked me. Back at home, arguments were at a minimum. Everyone knew that if it got out of hand, it would be easily solved with a 9mm, but that rule never really stuck with Rose. She and Mehki would always fight. Most of the time it would be about me, for reasons I'm uncertain of. They could really get ugly sometimes.
"Well I don't want to!"
There he goes, crossing those arms again. I had the urge to laugh, but I bit my lip to stop myself. Leorio narrowed his eyes.
"You make no sense Gon."
"I make perfect sense Leorio. I wouldn't expect you to understand anyway. "
Leorio furrowed his brow. His lips curled into a smirk.
"It amazes me how you don't realize you're playing yourself."
Both Gon and I wore a confused look. Was I missing something? Gon suddenly cracked under his gaze, his eyes wide and cheeks ablaze.
"Leorio! I wasn't even thinking like that!"
The suggestive face Leorio once wore was hidden by shock.
"What are you talking about?! I never said anything."
"You didn't have to say anything! It was all over your face!"
"More like on your face, kiss-ass!"
He laughed.
"And when did your mind acquire a gutter?"
He tilted his head. Gon sat there fuming. Yet again, I was left to contemplate what I witnessed. So Gon had a cr-...You know what! We were way off topic. I still needed to know more about this guy.
"Did Ki-"
"Hey!"
Both of them settled there eyes on mine. Their eyes revealed a glimmer of surprise by the change of authority.
"So..tell me more about this.."
I drew circles with my right hand, trying to fish for his name.
"Kurapika!"
I laid my arms on the table, finally deciding to sit down. This time Gon was eating. Chips of course. He had offered me some, but I declined. Food was far from my thoughts. I was worried about getting caught. By now, Mehki would definitely be wondering where I was. Last night or early this morning I should've been back, but it was already a quarter past two. Once I got all the information, I needed to leave before he would send them, unless they're already here. I shivered.
"Cold?"
"No. Just got a small chill. That's all."
He nodded, then continued.
"The last time I saw him, he was working as a bodyguard, but I'm not sure if he still works for them. I'm pretty sure he doesn't anymore, but I could be wrong. He has his own mission now."
"Do you know who he worked for?"
"It was a man's daughter. I'm not sure if it was his last name or first, but all I know was that it started with No. He was an older man, gray hair, rich, did everything he could to make his daughter happy. Her name was Neon."
I shook my head.
"I know it's not much to go on. Sorry."
"No. It's fine. Every bit helps. Why did she need a bodyguard?"
"It was for the annual World Auction."
Yeah. That would be a good reason to need one.
"Selling or buying?"
"I'm not sure if she was planning to sell anything, but I know for sure she was buying. Not the usual stuff. Neon was into the rarest and often strange pieces. Like body parts and black market treasures."
"Okay. What about this mission?"
"Can't say much, but it did have to do with The Phantom Troupe."
Didn't think I would ever hear their name coming out of Leorio's mouth. The thought of Chrollo made me sick.
I wasn't sure if Leorio really did know more or if he didn't about Kurapika's mission. Well, at least I knew it was serious. Anything that had to do with them was serious. Was he going to do business with them or was this a more personal matter? If Kurapika was planning to join them or ally with them in anyway, I would want nothing to do with it.
"Leorio?"
Nervousness clung to my voice.
"Uh huh?"
"There's something you're not telling me."
"Like?"
He didn't seem at all phased.
"You can't just tread lightly when it comes to The Spiders. What is his affiliation with them? Are they conspiring? I need to know this before I agree to anything."
"No! Never! He would kill himself before he would ever collude with them! Kurapika hates them with every fiber of his being. He wants to eradicate them from the planet."
Then it is a personal matter.
"May I ask why?"
Not that I felt it was unlawful to do so, because it needed to be done, considering every crime they've committed. I wanted to know why Kurapika feels this way. What did they do to him?
"I promised not to say anything. I've already said too much."
"Understandable. "
I left it at that, even though I was dying to probe him more. If I really wanted to I could've easily pulled it out of him, but I'll respect both Leorio's and Kurapika's wishes.
Buzz. Buzz.
I pulled my phone from my pocket. I looked at the Caller I.D. It was Hisato. Shit! Good thing it wasn't Mehki himself. I placed a finger to my lips. Gon immediately stopped playing with the bag and swallowed the remaining chips in his mouth.
"Miss Amira?"
"Yes, sir? I'm here."
"Is everything ok?"
"Yes! Everything's just fine!"
I announced, almost too cheerfully.
"Your father is concerned about your safety."
Please! I've heard that all before. All he cares is about what people think of him, the pile of cash he sits on, and most of all Christina.
"When will you be returning?"
"Very soon. It's very busy out here. Sorry for the delay."
"Don't worry take your time. Did you eliminate your target?"
I couldn't really get past this one.
"My target has been...has a message for father."
"Really? Should I pass it forward?"
"No. I would rather tell him in person than on the phone."
Actually, I would rather have it the other way around. I didn't want to face him, knowing I didn't take care of Hisoka. I knew what I had coming for me and I wasn't thrilled about it.
"Ok. I'll let him know."
No!
"I just made it to the airport. I'll see you all in a little while."
I lied, rushing him off the phone.
"Ok Miss. Be safe for your father's sake."
"Yes, sir. I will."
The line went dead. Finally! I jumped up from my seat, pulling my hood over my head.
"I swear the way you lie is impeccable!"
I wasn't in the mood for jokes, but I played along anyway.
"I know! It can't be compared to anyone else, but seriously I have to go."
I walked to the door.
"Oh! I almost forgot! Nice place Leorio."
"Thanks Mira."
"No problem."
As soon as I opened the door, Gon ran to me.
"Wait! I'm coming with you."
"No you're not!"
I pushed him back inside the apartment.
"But-"
"I know what I promised and I'm very sure Leorio can do a good job taking my place until I return. This fight isn't going to happen anytime soon and once I'm back we'll train. I need to do this first. Okay?"
He nodded unwillingly. His eyes lost their luster. I brought him into a hug.
"Don't worry I'll be back. Thank you Gon for everything."
He griped me tighter.
"No. Thank you Amira."
I let go and started to walk away.
"Don't do anything stupid! Keep your eyes out for suspicious people! Stay safe!"
I was now running.
"I will!"
As I raced out the building like I had did earlier this morning, I thought about my new friends, the promises I would keep, the prayers I left behind, and the hell I would have coming for me.
