SURVIVORS
A Hunter x Hunter Fanfiction
ZyraEmina
© Yoshihiro Togashi
Hello guys I'm back! Sorry I made you wait for around 3 months for my next update. I hope you won't hate me for it. School works, one hell of exams everyday, OJT hunting and thesis proposal ate what little free time I had. But don't worry it doesn't mean I neglected my fanfic. Your wonderful reviews were my energy that help me through all the hardships I have to endure. (Oh such drama!)
Anyway I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Before I present to you the chapter I would to thank the following for the wonderful reviews:
SpadePirates4Eva, XxJigoku-no-HanaxX, ada, xXXDreamy-HeartXXx, Kujyou Riska chiie haloho,
Puggle-Rock, Stelra Etnae, Chercith, Milye6
*Special mention to Chercith: PM me girl! Second time kong makakuha ng review sa kapwa ko Filipino kaya medyo naoverwhelm ako. Salamat nga pala sa review! :D
I would also like to thank those who clicked the following and favorite button for this fanfic. Also those silent readers also reads this fanfic of mine. I would like to hear from you next time. Don't worry I don't bite.
CHAPTER 6
TALL, ancient trees standing proudly as they protect the small village inhabited by the infamous Kurta clan, giggles were heard as yellow and brown blurs came rushing, passing by the adults who were busy digging yams and other root crops out of the soil. The black-haired boy suddenly tripped on his own foot and fall face-flat to the ground. His blonde friend immediately came to his rescue and helped him regain his footing.
"Kurapika, Pairo, you two be careful now" Kurapika's mother knelt in front of the two boys and helped his son dust of the dirt from Pairo's clothes. "You're allowed to play but don't make any trouble. We're so busy today we can't afford to baby-sit you two."
The two boys answered "yes" in chorus, though there's a hint of annoyance of being treated as a small kid in Kurapika's voice. He thinks that people ought to stop treating him as a child as he had already turned eleven last month.
"So Pairo, what should we do now to pass time?"
Pairo looked at the adults still busy harvesting, squinting his eyes to get a better look on the blurry image ahead of him. "I think we better hang out in our secret base today. It's harvest time and we don't really want to be in their way."
Kurapika nodded his head in agreement. As they were about to enter the dense forest, the blonde suddenly stopped in his tracks.
"What's the matter?"
"Aren't we going to invite Akayuki to play? She haven't got the chance to visit our secret base, have she?"
The auburn-haired boy shook his head. "I went to her house earlier but Auntie said she can't play because she's sick again."
Kurapika frowned. The Kurta is a small clan and due to its size, there are only a handful of youngsters in its midst. Only Pairo and his cousin Akayuki were the kids close to his age. Despite being a girl, Akayuki is enjoyable to play with as she acts more like a boy than her gender but she's so sickly that she spends most of her time lying in bed instead of running around and playing with them.
"Too bad. . ." the blonde kid muttered. "Oh well, there's always a next time."
THEY were no longer following a path, not even a game trail but Kurapika and Pairo were not afraid as they were confident that they won't get lost at the forest they grew up with. Besides they were heading to their secret base, a spacious cave that they accidentally discovered during one of their expeditions. A pained moan reached their ears when their cave came into their field of vision. They turned around until they found the source of the sound.
An unfamiliar girl was lying under a large tree, barely conscious with her body covered with cuts and bruises and wearing an odd yet slightly tattered clothing. They were always reminded by their parents and the elders that they should run and hide if ever they encounter an outsider in the forest but the boys can't leave the girl and abandon her. The girl has an injured leg and seriously needed help.
"Are you okay?" Kurapika gingerly ask.
The girl lifted her head slightly, eyes unfocused. She opened and closed her mouth a few times before she found her voice, which was rather hoarse and said something incoherent for the Kurta kids' ears.
"What?" Kurapika turned to Pairo, confused. "What is she saying?"
"I don't know, its outsider language."
The girl tried to say something again though the two kids do not have any slightest idea as to what she was saying. She moved, took a hold of the water container lying next to her and started talking again while pointing a quivering finger on the container.
"Does she want to drink something?"
"I'll go get water from the river!" Kurapika grabbed the container and dashed toward the nearest river to fetch water.
When Kurapika returned, the girl instantly chugged the water to the last drop. She said something again, probably a thank you, before she discarded the water container in favor of her backpack. She pulled out a rather thick book and handed it to them. The two boys sweat dropped while exchanging cautious glances.
"What . . . is she giving it to us?"
"But if we take it, it'll be obvious we spoke with an outsider."
Though she cannot understand a word they were saying, the girl could sense that her saviors were hesitant in accepting her token of gratitude. She tried to change the topic of the conversation, if she could really consider their exchange as conversing, when she moved and waved her hands imitating the flow of water. She was asking where she could find the river but the clueless kids thought that her action was some kind of weird dancing as they tilted their heads in confusion. Frustrated, Kurapika stood up then started running in the direction of the village.
"Kurapika?"
"I'll go get Dad's dictionary!"
"Eh?!" Pairo stood up to run after his friend but his weak legs won't allow it. Instead he shouted a warning. "It's the underground prison if we get found out!" Whether Kurapika deliberately ignored him or just wasn't able to hear him, he didn't know. All he knows is that this meeting will make a great impact on their lives.
SCREAM escaped from his mouth upon arriving at the village. Everyone was lying on the ground, including his parents, dead. Their eyes were missing and blood were oozing out from their empty eye sockets. A gigantic spider came out of nowhere, its 12 legs adored with scarlet eyes. Slowly, the spider crept towards his direction making Kurapika dash out in fright. He accidentally bumped on to someone, his butt hitting the ground hard.
"Kurapika." It was Pairo's voice.
"Pairo, we gotta run! There-" another scream escaped his mouth. Like the others, Pairo's eyes were also gauged out from their sockets and was crying blood. The giant spider was now looming down on them.
"Kurapika." Pairo's voice was desperate, in pain and cold. "Avenge us." And then the brown-haired Kurta was impaled by one of the spider's legs in front of his friend as a familiar rattle of chains reached his ears.
THE sun was streaming through the chink of the drapes when Kurapika woke up with a start the next morning. He face-palmed. That nightmare again, he groaned to himself. After meeting Sheila and learning many things about the outside world through her, he never thought that gaining access to the outside world was his ticket of survival from the spider's attack.
He turned his head on the window. He could see that it was a fine morning but the Kurta survivor still wanted to get some more deserved sleep. It was three in the morning when he got back to the hotel and was up till 4:00 a.m. thinking about the mysterious girl who stole his people's eyes.
Who could be this girl and what could be her objective for stealing the scarlet eyes?
Kurapika inwardly scoffed. Of course, does he really have to ask? Just like the hateful Phantom Troupe and those sick bastards who call themselves collectors, the girl must have taken a fascination on the eyes, considered as one of the world's top seven most beautiful things that exists and thought that owning one would bring thrill to their dull, rotting lives. Or maybe, she stole the eyes for more profitable purposes.
He sighed again as he eyed the white ceiling of his room. Usually Kurapika is the type who doesn't easily judge others especially those whom he's still yet to meet but that virtue of his is immediately thrown out of the window when the scarlet eyes were added to the equation.
He really is having a hard time rolling out of bed as it is really true that aside from nighttime, gravity's pull towards the bed is also stronger in the morning but Kurapika didn't give in to the temptation. He rolled out of bed, took a quick, refreshing shower then head downstairs to grab breakfast and start another busy day. He is a professional Hunter and as such, he won't let his personal matters affect his efficiency at work.
"Good morning, Kurapika."
The Kurta lifted his head from his coffee when he heard the voice greet him. It was Melody, standing next to him holding a tray containing her breakfast - a plate of pancakes and a cup of tea to go with it.
"Good morning" he greeted back.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Kurapika smiled warmly at her before he pointed at the empty chair in front of him. Melody gratefully took the offered seat. As the pair silently munched on their food, Melody can't help but notice the pattern of Kurapika's heartbeat. He may have given her a warm smile earlier but inside, his heart is far from being warm. His heartbeat is steady but its lapse is 2 milliseconds longer compared to a normal heartbeat. To put it in simple words, something's bothering her comrade's mind.
"What is it? If you want, we can talk about it" she said in a soft soothing voice that didn't really disturb the silence between them.
Kurapika looked intently at the stocky woman calmly eating across him before taking another sip of his coffee. He may be able to leave out most of the details but he can never keep a secret from the Music Hunter. She is aware of this fact but she never abused her ability and instead, she patiently waited for him to open up to her willingly. From time to time Melody still worms out things from him but only does so when she saw it necessary, like today. Maybe it's the reason why he trusted the small but big-hearted woman.
"Is it about the scarlet eyes? Or is it something else?" Her tone is curious but with a hint of patience.
"Both."
Melody looked at Kurapika with a curious expression.
"There's someone stealing scarlet eyes aside from me" Kurapika said while staring at his coffee as if it has suddenly grown flowers.
"Someone's stealing the scarlet eyes. . . ." Melody repeated, not really surprised at the Kurta's revelation. It is not really surprising that there are people who wanted to get their hands on the fabled Kurta eyes but she doesn't have the heart to say it out loud. Kurapika tends to be extra sensitive about this topic.
"Do you have any hint on the robber's identity?" As soon as she finished wording her question, Kurapika's heartbeat played the melody of rage. The rage she picked up from his heartbeat is not as intense whenever the Phantom Troupe is mentioned but it was still rage nonetheless.
Kurapika shook his head negatively. "I still have to investigate about it. For now all I know is that the robber is a she and has blonde hair.
Melody nodded as she took a sip of her tea. So it's a girl problem, she tried to make a joke out of the predicament in her head. The Music Hunter can just hope that the two will never cross paths or else blood will surely spill. Or better yet, the female robber decides to stop stealing the eyes before Kurapika caught her. Ah such difficulties Kurapika has to suffer for the scarlet eyes. . . .
Silence stretched around them as they continued eating their breakfast. A small frown appeared on Melody's visage as she contemplated on what she must do. She knew she has to tell Kurapika about another information regarding the Kurta eyes but she is somewhat hesitating after hearing what's troubling him. She doesn't know what to expect from him especially now that he has another Kurta eyes matter occupying his mind. Should she tell him now or later?
"What is it?"
Melody snapped from her pondering and blinked a few time. "Pardon?"
"What is it? I know you have something to tell me" Kurapika said repeating the words she had asked him earlier.
A surprise turned amused smile curved on Melody's lips. Leave it to Kurapika to be very perspective about other people's needs despite being plagued by his own problems.
"There's a pair of scarlet eyes here in Glavessa City" she breathed out after another second of pondering.
"I know." He took a deep breath. "Last night I went to retrieve it but it was already stolen from the old fart three days ago, by the girl" he added bitterly.
The stocky woman shook her head. Putting down her table utensils as she was already done eating, she pushed her plate aside to look intently at Kurapika contact-tinted eyes. "I believe I'm talking about another pair of eyes."
Albeit poker-faced, his heart stopped for a second then his heartbeat suddenly went ballistic which Melody didn't miss. "Another pair?"
She nodded. "I heard it from Neon-sama. Apparently, Lady Fortuna organized the party to show off her latest addition to her collection to her fellow collectors, a pair of Kurta eyes. I don't know much of the details but the Boss said that Lady Fortuna claimed that the Kurta eyes in her possession is unique compared to others."
Melody's last words unfortunately didn't register on Kurapika's mind. His brain froze at the mention of 'party' and 'Kurta eyes' in the same sentence. He might have failed last night but on tomorrow's party, he'll make sure that he'll get the eyes no matter what.
Around that time Akito, Jadeite and Regulus decided to go downstairs to have their breakfast but changed their minds as soon as they saw Kurapika. His expression is dead serious, the type that gives you chills when you see one. As a matter of fact, the newbies can already feel the chill run down their spines that they immediately scrambled out of the scene. It's not that they fear their head bodyguard, they're not blind not to see that the blonde was being patient and considerate towards them from time to time but after witnessing him loss his cool once is enough to scare the newbies out of their wits. Besides it seems that Kurapika and Melody were talking about something important that they don't want to disturb the two. They're not exactly quiet during mealtime.
Melody decided to break the second wave of silence that encased her and Kurapika. "Speaking of party, I have already found the perfect dress for you," she smiled, mentally thankful that they have something to talk about aside from scarlet eyes.
Kurapika was caught off-guard by the sudden change of topic but nevertheless entertained it. "Oh, really?"
Her smile had a hint of naughtiness in it. "Would you like to try it on now?"
AROUND noon at the enormous yet elegantly decorated dining room of Ashenbert estate, everyone in the said room were enjoying the silence that hung in the air. Only the clatter made by silver and porcelain hitting each other can be heard as they savor the delectable feast prepared for them by the cooks employed at Kirara's household. Gon and Killua, despite the fact that they have discovered their host's secret, being captured but then released after spending a day locked up in the cellar were stuffing their cheeks like squirrels without having fear that their two-faced host would attempt to poison them. Kirara, on the other hand, were only eating a little as she and her mother had already eaten lunch earlier due to her mother's medication and only joined Gon's group at the table out of courtesy. The bodyguards Mikhael and Lot were also present in the room though they're not eating and instead acting as Kirara's butlers.
Well everyone were enjoying except for one.
"Hey." Leorio started, gaining the attention of everyone in the room. They looked at Leorio with curious eyes all the while pointedly ignoring the annoyed vein popping out from his forehead and how white his knuckles were from clenching his dining utensils too tightly.
"Why the hell are you eating too far away from me?!" Leorio then pounded his fists on the table out of irritation making the food jump a little from the porcelain plates. Apparently, the Hunter/aspiring doctor was eating alone at the end of the 10 meter long cherry wood dining table while the others were positioned on the other end. The group pointedly averted their eyes from the fuming Leorio making the already upset Hunter even more upset.
"Why the hell are you so close to me?!" Leorio then snapped at Lot who were unfortunately standing a few feet behind him when his question was left unanswered. "Why don't you go there and guard your mistress instead?!"
"With Mikhael-san at Lady Kirara's side, I don't need to worry about her safety as he's far more capable than I am." Lot said in an even tone, unfazed by the fury directed at him by a rather seething Hunter. Gon and Killua, already having gotten a taste of how capable Mikhael could be, agreed to what the other guard had said about the other one inside their heads. "Besides, it is milady's wish that I keep you company as long as you're staying under her roof, Leorio-dono."
Unable to believe to anything that Lot said, Leorio whipped his head around to throw an accusing look which was interpreted by Kirara as a questioning one. The only female in the room dons a cute blush as she desperately avoided meeting his eyes.
"Well. . .I thought that after what happened last night you two wanted to get to know each other. . . ." The last words trailed off to a whisper but still loud enough to be clearly heard by Leorio's ears. Those ears of him turned to a bright color of scarlet; he unconsciously turned to look at the guard behind him. Albeit poker-faced, Lot give him a wink making his skin crawl out and the fine hairs at the back of his neck stand on their ends.
LAST night, after the 'heart-to-heart' talk between Gon, Killua and Kirara with Mikhael scowling during the whole ordeal, the two young Hunters went straight to their room still escorted by the mistress-bodyguard duo. As the distance between them and the room shortened, they heard shouts and noises from the other side of the door and by instinct pushed the contraption open to see what the commotion was all about. To their surprise (pity their poor eyes), the quartet saw Leorio splayed on the floor on his stomach. His clothes were scattered everywhere, his hands clutching the only clothing left attached on his body in place, which is his boxers, as it was violently pulled by Lot who was also stripped down to his boxers and his body hovering the struggling Hunter. Not known to their knowledge, the Hunter had lost the deciding match of their game but was still hesitant on stripping to his birthday suit in front of a possibly gay bodyguard. The bodyguard, on the other hand, had already lost his patience so he decided to put the matter on his own hands which eventually led them to the compromising position they were in.
Kirara squeaked and instantly threw her hands on her eyes, fidgeting and blushing. When she decided to go around stealing Kurta eyes, she hardened herself and prepared herself for the worst, but she had not prepared herself to this kind of situation. Her heart and her mind were not prepared to venture this other side of reality especially if it involves her bodyguard and one of her guest. The males except Mikhael, however, were fighting back the barf that was threatening to make an exit right on the spot. Mikhael was glaring at Lot and his face is distorted in an unreadable expression.
"DON'T worry Leorio. Whatever you are, even if you swing the other way, we will still be your friends" Gon said in hopes of reassuring his friend, unaware of the knowing smirk thrown by Killua at Leorio on his back. Instead of being reassured, his friends' antics only made his blood boil like that of a magma.
"I TOLD YOU IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" To his utter annoyance, he only got a nod which can only be translated as dismissive understanding from the two.
Mikhael cleared his throat loudly effectively stopping another argument that was about to erupt. He pulled out a pocket watch form his vest pocket before clearing his throat again. "Milady, it's time."
Kirara put her utensils down then delicately wiped her mouth with a table napkin. Her guests mirrored her serious expression, their initial topic of conversation already forgotten. The two bodyguards who were currently acting as butlers opened the dining room and out went the company.
As they walked towards wherever Kirara was leading them, Gon, Killua and Leorio exchanged anxious glances. The older Hunter already had a good grasp of the situation as Gon and Killua explained it to him after the 'incident'. He is doubtful if they should really go through with Kirara's plan especially now that he's aware of what she really was. Despite of his doubt he trusted Gon and Killua's judgment and can only hope that everything will go according to plan.
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