Author: Nights1367 - A new writer and a huge fan of Kurapica! ^-^

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters nor plot that Yoshihiro Togashi has created. I am not writing for profit.


Chapter Eight: A Special Request

"No."

The word echoed through her mind again.

Neon had been wandering for the great part of the hour, around the confines of the enormous ballroom, careful to avoid her father and Kai's family in the far corner. Ever since she had retreated into the safety of the room, the conversation she had shared with Kai a few minutes ago kept resurfacing in her mind.

"No? Are you - are you sure?"

"I'm never wrong."

She shouldn't have asked. After all, the answer should have been clear. Kurapica never looks at me, and when he does, it's because I'm annoying him or something... She sighed, ignorant to her surroundings. A few metres away, Kai stuffed his hands into his pocket and walked to his parents.

When he arrived, he stood still, waiting for them to acknowledge him.

Nostrade was the first.

"Oh, Kai. Why - why don't you come sit down?" He motioned for him to sit on the vacant armchair. Kai hovered for a while, his gaze shifting his parents.

"Can we talk in private?"

Mr Takahashi shook his head. "You can say it here. I'm sure Nostrade won't mind. Right, Nostrade?"

Nostrade nodded immediately. "It's fine. Say whatever you need." He smiled.

Desperation... Kai thought. He hesitated, then decided he didn't care. He sat down.

"Neon doesn't like me."

There was silence.

"Wh-what?" Nostrade spluttered, unable to utter more comprehensible words. Mrs Takahashi blinked.

"What makes you say that, dear?" his mother finally asked.

"She likes someone else."

"Who?" Nostrade interrupted, still bewildered. Kai didn't answer, and instead, just fixed his gaze onto his father. "I assure you," Nostrade began again. "Neon doesn't have any male companions besides her bodyguards -"

Kai's eyes narrowed.

" - so there shouldn't be anyone she likes."

Kai ignored him.

"Tell us what you want to do." Mr Takahashi said.

Kai thought. What should I do? ... Give up? Lose Neon, someone whom I took an interest to, ever since I first saw her?

He laughed out loud.

Of course not. "Where's my book?"

Mrs Takahashi motioned to an expensive bag beside the sofa. Kai grabbed it, then left.

...

Nostrade let out a slight sigh. That was close... his eyes met Mr Takahashi's who rubbed his hands together.

"Let's talk about money." Mr Takahashi said.


Basho frowned, then repositioned himself into an even more awkward angle than the previous moments.

"Basho." Senritsu's voice. Basho dismissed her as irrelevant - it was just something that would distract him from this... very important task. He continued his mission.

"Basho." That was Senritsu again.

No reply.

Almost there... Basho hunched his shoulders a bit. Then a bit more. Then slightly shifted his left foot.

"Please, Basho. Stop. People are starting to look."

Basho, who was currently plastered flat, ear pressing against the ballroom door, shot a glare at Senritsu.

"Yeah, well. If you'd only agree ta listen, we wouldn't be in this mess!" He hissed, trying to keep his voice low.

"But we musn't eavesdrop," she argued in disproval. Basho shook his head, disagreeing.

"C'mon. Tell me you ain't curious about what they're talking about if they can't talk about it in front of us!"

Kurapica closed his eyes, irritated. Basho turned to him. "What?"

Kurapica ignored him.

"If you got a problem, then say it out loud!" Basho persisted, moving away from the door and to Kurapica. He was getting on his last nerves.

Kurapica remained silent. Senritsu came into the middle.

"Please. We don't want to start this now - especially when Mr Nostrade gave us specific instructions to - "

"Give it a rest, Senritsu! You know there's something wrong. Why aren't you asking?" Basho accused, angry.

"Haven't we been over this?" Kurapica murmured. The green plant behind Basho seemed to move and become blurry.

"That it ain't none of my business? Yeah, but I say who cares. Who the hell cares anymore! You're looking worse each day, and dammit I don't know why I even care and - "

"Stop it!" Kurapica finally snapped. "Just stop it! I'm sick of everything! I'm sick of the fact that I haven't done anything that I was supposed to do and I'm sick of the lectures you and Senritsu keep giving! And I'm just plain sick of being here!" Kurapica's breath suddenly caught in his throat as he rocked forward a bit, moving a hand to the wall to support him.

"Damn it." Kurapica whispered, almost collapsing were it not for Basho's worried hand that reached out to steady him onto a kneeling position. Kurapica moved his other hand to cover his face.

His next words startled them.

"...Why? Why couldn't I have just died back then?"


"What is it?" Neon's curious gaze took in the the ancient book Kai was holding up for her. The book was rather sturdy, its length of around twenty centemetres and the width as long as Neon's index finger. Overall, it had peaked Neon's interest from its crimson red hardback cover, evident with age from the dog-eared corners. The cover was incredible; embroided with a beautifully drawn symbol of an eagle soaring through the sky.

She gasped. "Is that... the last existing book of the Kurta tribe?"

Kai grinned as she eagerly took the book. He moved steathily behind her, then whispered into her ear...

"Yes. And it's all yours. On one condition."

Neon opened the first page. "Uh huh. What's that?"

"Accept your father's request."

Neon turned to face him, confused.


"Oi, Kurapica. Kurapica! Get a grip!" Basho said, almost shaking him. Both he and Senritsu had been kneeling down beside Kurapica for some time now, but Kurapica seemed to be ignoring them both. He was still in the same position - kneeling down and with one hand over his face, concealing his emotions from them.

But he was shaking.

"Senritsu, what should we do?" Basho demanded, getting up. Senritsu held a hand up.

"Basho, calm down." She said before turning her attention the blond hair boy. "Kurapica, you must - "


Kurapica abruptly ceased his talking when he felt his words suddenly caught in his throat. Everything he felt. Everything he tried to ignore...

... just came out.

Why was he living again? Suddenly, words formed in his lips, and spilled out before he could stop it.

No more.

"...Why? Why couldn't I have just died back then?"

Why am I still living? I should have died along with all my other comrades.

It was his rational mind that answered.

You can't cease to live. You must live. Live and avenge your clan. It is your sole duty. The responsibility has been shoved onto your shoulders and is for you alone to bear. No one else.

I don't want to. Not anymore.

Basho's saying something. Do something. Anything.

Darkness slowly creeping towards Kurapica. The purest of darkness, filled with nothing but the emptiness of all voids.

Black.

Just do nothing.


"Papa."

Nostrade and the Takahashi's turned their attention to the young girl, who hopped onto the armchair next to her father.

"Look, Papa! Look at what Kai gave me."

Nostrade peered at the cover. "What is it?"

"It's one of the last existing books of the Kuruta clan!"

Nostrade's eyes widened. "Must have been very expensive for them to get their hands on it..." His gaze travelled towards Kai, who was already making himself at home on the armchair he had previously sat on.

Kai smiled at him.

"I gave it to her in one condition." He cocked his head. "To accept your request."

"Oh, yes. Papa I forgot. What is your 'request'?" Neon asked, busy polishing the cover of the book with a hankerchief a maid had just handed to her.

Nostrade chuckled. "Of course. Neon, what do you think about..." his voice trailed off as a maid ran to him, and urgently, began to whisper rapidly into his ears.

"What? How...?" Nostrade shook his head, holding up a hand. "Where's the others? What do you mean she left?" Nostrade sighed in frustration, then looked apolegetically to the Takahashi's.

"One moment please," Nostrade excused himself and left the room. Neon didn't bother to look up as her father left, just straightened a dog eared corner.

Kai moved to the seat next to her, his green eyes glinting.


"Er... yeah." Basho rubbed the back of his neck. Nostrade frowned.

"Damn... why now?" He stopped, and began to think. "Fine. Get some of the back-ups..." he swore. "I don't have time for this! Get him better soon and tell Senritsu to hurry up."

He left...

...and as he walked, he felt as if he was walking precauriously on a broken wooden bridge - a bridge which had seen much better days - and the other side was covered in mist while down below were icy waves threatening to pull him under if he slipped, carrying him to his maker.

The death part could have been real. After all, what was there to live for if his business collapsed? He would be crazy to decline the generous offer from the Takahashi's. The amount would certainly be enough to haul his sunken company out of its deep depths, and would recover gradually but surely from the ordeal.

When he came back to the room, the Takahashi's were already leaving.

Kai was shuffling his jacket onto himself, all the while his green eyes glued to Neon who was still seated. Nostrade took long strides to reach Neon and ushered her to stand up. It took a moment of hissing argument before Neon finally pouted, and jumped onto her feet.

"Bye." She waved to the departing family.

Nostrade sighed. He could only hope Kai's fondness of her would last. As he saw the Takahashi's off, Nostrade came back to his daughter.

"Okay, Neon. Sit down."


Senritsu entered the small shop, hidden to most of the passer-bys. Only those who knew of the location would be able to find it.

An ageing woman stood by the counter. The gleaming eyes that met Senritsu's were one of the wisest. She smiled warmly.

"How may I help you?"


14:44 pm.

Hisoka stared indifferently at the clock in the cafe. His eyelids drooped further.

Ah, he was bored. So very bored and a certain someone was late by precisely...

14:45 pm.

... fourty-five minutes.

Hisoka waited.

Ah ~ how could you do this to me... after all we've been through - Hisoka suddenly stood up and walked out of the cafe.

Someone had passed by a fraction of a second ago.

As he stepped outside, the same figure turned a corner. Grinning, Hisoka proceeded to follow. A few minutes later until they were but mere metres away, the other had stopped in the shadows of the alley way.

Hisoka chuckled.

"I thought you wouldn't show up." He took a step forward.

Six metres.

"And why wouldn't I?"

Hisoka shrugged.

Four metres.

"I don't know. There's no reason I can think of that would make someone... prefer to stay away from me." His grin widened.

No answer.

Three metres -

Hisoka caught something expertly that would have collided painfully with his face due to the speed it was travelling at.

A packet of pills.

The figure walked off.

"Ah, Illumi. How could you be so mean?"

"I did what you asked and you asked only that."

Hisoka followed.

"We'll meet again."

"Dream on it."

Hisoka grinned impishly.

"A demand?"

Illumi disappeared into the darkness. Hisoka's perky mood remained as he shifted his gaze onto the packet of pills.

Red and black.

How fitting.

"Thank you Illumi." He said, in a mocking voice. "I always get what I want."


As Illumi left, he didn't care why Hisoka wanted to transform the liquid into the pills, not to mention dilluting it. If he wanted to kill someone, this would be a great deal of wasted time. The victim - if determined enough - would surely find a cure before meeting their death.

However, if Hisoka wanted the victim to suffer...

... that's right. That must be the reason.

He dwelled on it no more.


Basho met Senritsu at the reception door.

"It's almost four o' clock. What took you so long?"

Senritsu shrugged off her hood. "She did not have the medicine, though she did give a prescription. It should be relatively easy to find, and stocked at almost every pharmacy."

Basho stared at Senritsu. "She didn't have it? If it's stocked almost anywhere, what the hell is wrong with her shop? It is crap or something?"

Senritsu shook his head and tutted. "Basho. She helped us. She has this type of... instinct. If Kurapica won't tell us what is wrong, then we must rely on her help. Yes." Senritsu nodded. "We must rely on her."

Basho seemed skeptical. "You sure?"

"Absolutely. I'll leave this in Kurapica's room."


18:30 pm.

Basho swallowed the seemingly tasteless dinner before him. Senritsu came into the room.

"How's Kurapica?"

"I'm... not quite sure."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Senritsu sat down on an empty chair.

"I think... he's - "

A door suddenly slammed shut, the walls surrounding Senritsu and Basho, vibrated with its force.

Then a stream of Neon's well thought out and loud insults were heard.


A/N: Important? O.o Perhaps.

Again, many thanks for readers who have taken some of their time to review my story! One reviewer said that last chapter, the story had hardly moved at all. I totally agree, and so, I hoped this chapter was different, and perhaps moved along faster than a snail's pace. ^-^

I think, perhaps it did.

Anyway, I wonder if Kai's character was okay... had anyone formed an opinion of him? I hope you can share your thoughts with us by clicking on the little button hovering just below!

[Updated 3th February 2012, 20:25 pm]