AD: (1) For those who aren't aware, I have an authorpage on Facebook! Hahaha. It's called 'Nispedana, that humble fangirl'. *cackles* (2) For those who aren't aware, I have TWO more YinYang Pair multichaps. xD They're entitled 'Entwined' and 'The Hunter Club'—monarchy AU and HS AU, respectively. :D
But most importantly—THANK YOU FOR READING THIS FAR FOLKS! Like forever, here's some virtual cake to those who lent me their support by reviewing, faving, following, and/or C2ing the story~
Disclaimer: I wish I own Hunter x Hunter.
…
CHAPTER 10: Island x Friends x Kurapika
Mito-san,
I'm heading to the Island now. I should be there in a day or so. I'm so excited to see you and grandma and all the creatures again! I'll tell you my stories in person this time.
Love,
Gon
…
A major part of the boat trip was a blur. It felt like she was just staring at the sea for days, the sensual memory of the wind blowing at her face and the distinct smell and taste of the sea swathing the whole image. It was broken, then and again, by unusually cold winds, or particularly humid air, or the sound of animals… like it was now.
She heard the happy cawing of birds above her and a soft smile crept up her face without knowing.
"You're smiling?" A familiar baritone voice behind her said, amused. "Must be another storm."
She chuckled and shook her head. "The skies will be nice today, Captain-san." She paused to look at her old friend. "I just feel very nostalgic."
He let out his old man's laugh and lit up his tobacco. She stared at him for a while. "You know… you're not getting any younger."
He smirked. "I didn't know you've become a smartass." She grinned in response and he walked over to stand beside her. "How's Ging?"
"You know, the usual." She shrugged as if the old man knew. "He's staying at the Dark Continent."
The old man didn't say anything for a while, looking a tad startled. "Nothing less from him." He said. "What about you though? You alright kid?"
"Eh?"
"You've been brooding for hours now."
"Oh…" Images of a certain silver-head passed by her head. "I was just thinking of… an old friend."
"I see…" "Did you break up or something?"
"Eh?"
"Nothing." The old man shrugged (since it really was a nonsense teasing joke anyway). And, after puffing out smoke, he decided he wanted to ask her about the adventures she had since they last saw each other. But alas, since the last hour was quiet, there was bound to be a disturbance. Peace and quiet that would extend to more than an hour in his ship would've meant that apocalypse was coming.
So when he heard another brawl heating up on another side of the deck, he really wasn't surprised. Didn't mean he wasn't annoyed though. He ended up chewing her cigar and throwing it away, irritated, and felt a particularly loud bellow coming. "STOP IT YOU BRATS!" He sroared. "OR I'LL THROW YOU ALL OVERBOARD!"
Gon sweat-dropped with an amused smile on her face before turning back to the sea, both hands holding the railing, and soon musing about how much bigger the world beyond was. But she returned here, to her home, and the first person she met was him. It must mean something…, right?
But a nagging, more rational, thought kept reminding her to just travel back home. He's trying to protect us, she told herself, that became obvious to her since that night. And yet she knew that she had no right to act until she knew more.
She did not realize she was gripping the wooden railing to the point of producing a thousand splinters.
"I-Itte…" She whispered, her eyebrows arched due to the sting. However, as she stared at her palms, there was something inside her that flew off again. Like she was allowing herself to drown.
She wanted to see him again.
…
The boat arrived some three hours later. She bid cheerful goodbyes to the captain and his semi-new crew. The old ones she'd been friends with for sa while, the new ones were just skeptical she became a hunter at twelve.
She walked deeper into town and getting greeted by many familiar faces. After all, in a small island everyone knew everyone—particularly those who got back from travelling onto the outside world. Fortunately, they weren't so many as she would be crowded, but she certainly had no lack of people to chat with as she travelled deeper into the island.
Then, one time, in front of the town's bakery, a child stood. She was about 4 or 5 years of age, and Gon grinned at her. There weren't many children on the island, and it was nice to see one so young. The girl then decided it was not enough to stare from afar and began walking with Gon. Gon walked a little more slowly then.
"You're pretty."
Gon blinked at the unexpected comment. "…Thank you." She paused. "You're prettier."
The younger girl blushed at that, but before she could open her mouth to speak, another voice called onto her from afar. "GON!" It was another girl, one in her early teenage years, and she had the most familiar hair…
Her eyes widened the moment it dawned on her. "Oh my goodness Noko-chan?" She yelled, now standing only a few feet away. "You're so tall now!"
"Not as tall as you." Noko said casually. "Or as pretty." An shrugged before turning her head to the little companion by Gon. "I see you've met Sarah-chan. She's the only kid in town right now." Noko said, because she believed that being thirteen made her an adult (after all, Gon became a hunter at twelve). The statement made Gon stare at Sarah for a few more seconds than usual, knowing full well what that felt like—to be the only kid, and subsequently yearn for a friend around her age—and something in her twinged at an odd feeling of nostalgia over something she couldn't even remember.
Because of that feeling, she knew exactly who was involved in those lost memories.
"How's Hunter life? It's been so long!" Noko's enthusiastic tone pulled her out of her reverie. The younger girl's grin was contagious. She grinned back.
"Exciting." She said. "Even more than I imagined." But her smile turned to a tight-lipped one when she recalled how much lacking the memories she had left to visualize. Silently, Gon wondered how long she'd have to endure feeling like that.
Noko nodded excitedly. "What about the exam?" "I'm thirteen now." Noko grinned. "I'll be entering the Hunter Exam in a year."
"It was fun." Gon responded honestly.
"Mou, Gon-chan! Don't go putting ideas in her head. She isn't as strong as you are." Another voice, an adult male, boomed good-naturedly behind them. There was still a hint of seriousness in his voice, though. "Too many people die in that exam."
Gon did not disagree.
"Dad. I said I'll go, I'll go!" She pushed, but not quite yelled. "I trained so hard!"
"Not enough." He said, and Gon noticed the two sacks of flour he was carrying with his bare hands. Gon remembered that he, the local baker, was one of the strongest on the island. He was one of the men who caught the Master of the Swamp before she did.
She was now a little curious at how strong Noko has become. She had been so small the last time she saw her…
"You goin' home, Gon?" He said as he put the two sacks on the cart. Gon nodded. "That's great! I'm heading there for a delivery. Want to go together? Or do you have to do something else?"
She shook her head. "I've delayed my homecoming enough." She said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "So sure! It'd be good to have company."
Gon gave Sarah a gentle pat on the head and, with Noko and her father, headed to her house.
…
"Gon~!" Noko called affectionately after a minute of walking. "What're the different types of hunters?" She paused for an afterthought. "And do they really do different jobs?"
"Well there're Archaeological Hunters who uncover ruins and ancient societies, Beast Hunters who study and preserve nature and animals, Blacklist hunters who hunt for criminals, Contract hunters who're hired by corporations to do specific jobs like surveys/research, uhm…" She paused as she rummaged her head. Enumeration was not her forte.
"There are also crime Hunters who reveals mysterious cases, Gourmet hunters who search for rare delicacies, Hacker Hunters… all I know is that they're good at computers…
"Head Hunters has something to do with finding and culminating talent, Information Hunters focus data/books, Jackpot Hunters for money, Lost Hunters look for missing people, Music Hunters rare musical pieces, err…" She paused when a particularly tall root appeared before them and she jumped over it. She watched as Noko did the same, and they grinned at each other.
"Any more?" Noko asked curiously, although she was already very much beaming in glee.
"Oh, right." Gon said. "Sea Hunters hunt in seas for animals and treasures, Temp hunters hunt rare and valuable items, Trouble Hunters… I'm not sure yet, Virus hunters find new elements for cures… and there are the Youth and Beauty Hunters…"
"There're so much to choose from!" Noko said with a squeal. "Which one are you?"
"I was a Beast Hunter." She paused. "But somehow I got to be an archaeological hunter cuz' of my dad." They were technically Lost Hunters now, though. But before she could say that she was cut off by Noko's father exclaiming.
"So it's true!" He yelled, eyes wide with joy. "You were with Ging all these years!"
"Yeah."
"My how time flies."
"So you do agree that time flies."
"What's your point, daughter."
"Time flies. I'm grown up now. I can take the exam."
The baker knew well his only daughter had much power over him, but when it came to her safety—he would be firm. And, looking at Gon, Ging's daughter, he didn't have much of a choice.
"If Gon says you'll sure to survive the exam, then I will sign." He said, looking at Gon, and silently apologize for passing the decision to her. "Otherwise…"
Noko turned her head to Gon, then. Her face filled with anticipation. "Gon?"
Sadly, Gon would not lie. "I'm sorry Noko." She paused and her heartstrings were plucked by the young girl's expression dropping. "You'll probably die."
Her eyes widened at that. "I-I don't believe you!" She said firmly, yelling, but tears of disappointment and anger were lining up behind her orbs. "You passed when you were twelve!"
Gon didn't answer, and this seemed to make the girl look even redder in the face. The girl squeaked.
"This is so unfair!"
And she ran off, right in the middle of the forests.
…
She turned her head to Noko's father who quickly dropped the cart and went after his daughter. Gon wanted to do the same, but she wasn't sure if she was welcome to do any comforting after what she just said.
That was, until she heard a scream.
"Don't do it!" That was Noko, yelling for someone. Gon sprinted to them and she caught up in no time. Noko's dad, hand stretched to cover her, shielding her from something. Gon followed their line of sight and saw Gonta, his wife, his son, his new cubs, and a dozen men pointing their guns at them. The foxbears were obviously readying to attack, but so were the men. One of them men smirked and shifted his gunpoint to Noko and her dad.
That man was familiar. She met him poaching there before. "You think we'd do as you say, little girl?"
"No." Her father said firmly. "You'd do as I say." He said remaining stable as a shield, trying to emit strength.
There was something that flashed in the blonde man's eyes and something tingled in Gon that told her he'd be pulling the trigger in one second. Gon didn't need to think as her body moved on its own and the next thing everyone knew, the gun was flying a few meters away from its owner.
"It's illegal to poach here." She said calmly, thinking that this man was not stupid enough to make the same mistake twice—she might not remember when the first time was, but now it was because she couldn't remember that she was sure it happened.
The men quickly pulled themselves together. "So?"
At least that confirmed that they knew that what they were doing was bad; they just didn't care and decided to do so anyway. They were sweating though, not just out of fear, but because of the Nen the youngest Foxbear was emitting. It wasn't enough to get them to lose consciousness, though, and they haven't been exposed long enough.
She sighed, bent down to gain momentum, and took them all out before they even realized she was attacking.
Oblivious to the father-and-daughter's gapes, she turned her head to her foxbear friends and went in for a hug. She couldn't help but laugh at the fact that the oldest offspring could use nen.
"So that's what it's like to be a hunter." Noko asked Gon as she walked towards her, watching the older girl wave goodbye to the beasts. "How far do you think those men will get in the exam?"
Gon stared at her for a while, before answering bluntly. "They probably wouldn't even get to the exam center."
…
Much farther up the mountain, a certain Kuruta was once again sipping his ginger tea, partly thankful that Mito held back on munificent information about her moments with Illumi, giving him just enough for facts and not too many undesirable images in his head. It wasn't difficult to make a conclusion.
Killua was being threatened—held prisoner; Illumi was here to ensure the bail didn't disappear.
How cruel of him to do this to Mito. Unless he grew fond of her… which, knowing Illumi, the Kuruta seriously couldn't picture happening.
Then again, Illumi performing coitus was something he didn't picture until this little revelation.
And there was the image again. If he wasn't who he was, he would've puked. Instead, he only shivered.
In any case he decided to hold back information. He was certain he was correct, but there was still that small chance he wasn't, and there was no point stressing out a pregnant woman. Kurapika remembered one of Leorio's soliloquies, after Neon's tantrum (Senritsu mentioned something about 'that time of the month') some time back.
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', she said, and although it wasn't quite the same circumstance, Kurapika would rather not dare risk experiencing what he heard from Gon first hand. But more importantly—as much as it would simplify things—he would not risk a miscarriage.
Grandma began mumbling about how nice it would be to have another child in the house and then proceeding to the wedding preparations that certainly made Mito lose her footing. "Mother!" She yelled. "Don't say that as if it will happen!"
"Don't tell me you're having a baby, but you're not going to be married?" Grandma asked rhetorically. "Don't be foolish child. There's a limit to pushing traditions away." Mito blushed at the implications and walked (ran) to her room to compose herself.
Hormones during pregnancy, after all, was at a different level. The already enthusiastic Mito, Kurapika thought with part amusement, was even more emotional now… and that was saying something. Mito returned shortly then, seemingly calm, and Kurapika tried to rummage his head some information about bipolars.
But then before he could even begin to think of anything else, felt a familiar presence that made him straight shoot out of his seat. "Gon…!"
He wasn't even able to catch himself before he yelled out her name. If Kurapika's head wasn't ringing like it was, he would've shook his head in blunt self-disapproval.
Who was being emotional now?
…
He didn't even notice the two women staring at him, surprised, and he literally ran to the door. He stood a few meters outside the house, facing wherever he felt her presence. Soon the two women joined him.
"Did you say Gon's here?" Mito asked as she followed his line of sight, partly perplexed (because she wasn't seeing anything) and partly hopeful (because she knew sensing presences was a Hunter's skill).
They stared at the horizon for a few more seconds until he began to hear some sort of shuffling and the sound of wheels. And soon they could see their silhouettes and Kurapika was pretty much frozen in place after that.
"GON!" Mito yelled beside him and the woman ran to meet her niece. The older woman did the same and the three bear hugged each other for what felt like an hour.
The three laughed for a while telling each other things animatedly but Kurapika couldn't quite absorb any of them. And then, out-of-nowhere, Gon randomly turned her head to his direction and her eyes widened in response.
"…Kurapika?" She asked, as if to make sure, but she beamed even when he wasn't able to respond in time. "KURAPIKA!"
As he felt her weight against him—she was so warm—his hand absent-mindedly wrapped themselves around her, and he leaned down to bury his face to her shoulders. So much had changed. She was taller. She was softer. Warmer. Her scent was the same, but there were still so many different smells that told him of how much time had passed.
Still, for that rare time, he allowed his brain to shut down and just enjoy her presence again.
Eventually, they parted, but his hand was still on her hips and hers on his shoulders. Her face was burning in glee and he had to activate his head again to stop himself from doing anything that would make her uncomfortable.
In the end, Kurapika smiled. "Welcome back."
.
.
END OF CHAPTER 10
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER 11: Temptations x Dilemma x Choice
There's a difference between temptations and opportunities.
REPLIES TO ANGELS
LittleChomper – Yep, Gon can fight Illumi now. Although... I won't necessarily make them fight so soon. Or will I? Hehehe. But *grabs hand* I agree—lets! Let's make Illumi suffer. Hahaha. Thank you for reviewing!
Yugao702 – Whoa! Thank you for saying you like this better than the original. xD I'm super flattered. And I totally understand the dilemma between the boys. xD You'll see soon (not now tho) what I planned and here's the next chapter! Hope you like it and thank you for reviewing~
Kira Okami – Aww I love you too..! Super glad you found the chapter wonderful and as always I will try to keep making them likeable. Thx for reviewing~! :D
Darlingfedz – I made you cry again? Oh man. I'm so sorrrry. xD I promise thing will get better for them… eventually. Hehe. Anyway, I'm glad you still find my writing one of the best *blushes* and thank you for reviewing~! :D
KG-Ai – (ch8) Yep~! Poor Zoldycks, falling for the painfully pure women. Haha. And loool. Milluki and Maha… they came out of nowhere. Haha. I'll try to make sense of them eventually. xD As for Illumi tho… let's throw him in the river! xD Thank you for reviewing, btw! :D
Bluelup28 – Hahaha yay! I'm relieved you liked that super short YY scene at the end…! xD It was pretty angsty, too. As for Illumi… let's go play darts on him for now. Hahha. Thanks for reviewing~
Chani – Aww haha. If it helps, I can say that it'll be one of the last Yinyang separation angst for a while. *wink* Anyway, I'm happy that you still find the story amazing and I'll try to keep it up. Thank you for reviewing! :D
Yuki Candy Heart – Thank you for reviewing~! :DD And I agree about Illumi and Nerys. Lol. But alas, for now, let's see them suffer slowly. XDD
TECKK – Yep~! That'd actually be a great development! But alas, I want to drag this out just a tiny bit longer. xD Hope it's okay and I hope you like what I'll be doing anyway. And of course, thank you for reviewing~! :D
Grapes – Whoa I'm so relieved you actually liked the Yinyang meeting. xD I was nervous since they haven't met for so long, and I end up making it angsty. Hahaha. Thx for the review, btw! xD
Slytherin Studios – Thank you for reviewing~! I'm happy you still like the story and here's the next chap!Hope it's decent. :D
NariGray – Yay! I'm glad that you liked what I did with the chap! *wipes off nervous sweat * hehe. I'll try to keep it up, of course, and thank you for reviewing! :D
XHunterzX – haha yeah I'm so sorry bout that. For now let's play darts on Illumi for ruining it. lol. Glad you liked the chapter! KuraxGon moments will happen next chap tho, and thx for reviewing~
Trizsh15 – I know right. xD But yeah… I'm thinking Killua's too traumatized to go with his feelings so soon. Plus it means longer stories! *grins* thx for reviewing, btw~
CursedXQueenXDoll – (ch8) *holds the cake* Thanks for this! Hahaha. Shall we eat it together? XD Anyway, I'm super glad you found the chapter awesome. xD (ch9) Ahahah same here, actually. Killua's being too dramatic. I wonder when he'd get over his trauma. xD Thanks for the reviews!
ShoujoNoTadaina – Thank you for reviewing! And yeah! Looking forward to more of our OTPs interactions too! According to my outline it won't happen so soon tho. /shot Hope that's fine~
XKilluaX – Whoa 3 am! You should get ample sleep! xD Sleep is almost as important as food y'know. xD Anyway, thank you for reviewing (the prequel as well)~! I'll do my best to keep at it. :D
Multicolored Lotus – Yeah I get your dilemmas. But I suppose I don't mind so long as they're not blood related. xD You'll understand when you're my age. *wink* Thank you for commenting, btw~
Duskofdawns – Whoa! Glad you thought the chap was so intense that you had to hold your breath! Banzaaii~ Thank you for reviewing, by the way, and don't forget to tell me if the fem!Gon story is up~!
Chosanbhir – LOL I wish so too! I actually wrote that part already because I had to see it. Too bad it's not gonna happen any time soon (since the events in between are undecided LOL) thx for reviewing btw!
Guest [Aug 23 2014] a.k.a Bunny- (ch8) Thank you for reviewing~! Haha. Glad you liked chapter 8 and that you're anticipating this one. Hope chap 9 and 10 doesn't disappoint~ xD
Minerbbi – IKR. What can I say? I'm a sucker for Romeo & Juliet relationships. xD There are just so much to write about~ hahah Thanks for commenting, btw! ;D
Lexzly – Thank you for reviewing! Super glad you thought the chap was great, and here's the next one! As always, I'm thoroughly hoping you angels enjoyed it xD
Mytiaaa – Hahah he is! I saw a thin! Milluki fanart a while back and man. Haha. Well, he kinda looks like a hotter megane-less Wing. Ihihhi. Glad you liked the chap btw, and thank you for reviewing~! :D
Phoenix-Thunder – I actually heard a lot of people couldn't access for a while. The FFn apocalypse is coming! Whoa. Hahah. Glad you liked the chapter btw, and thank you for the review~! xDD (I'm still thinking what the hell to do with Maha). lol
Kyouno-aru – No worries! I hope you're not overstressing yourself tho. :D Btw, I'm happy you liked the chapter! And thank you so much for reviewing~!
Lizzys-chan – (ch1) You're here!haha that was quick. I was just reading your review in Beginnings lol. (ch9) Happy you reached til the latest chap and that you liked it! Haha. Thank you for the reviews~! :D
drawingRAMPAGE – You felt sorry for that review? Hahaha no seriously don't. xD It made me grin like hell and it's not short at all! And lol, I'm happy you liked the chapter! You even reacted to pretty much every sequence in the chapter! Hahaha (I love it btw). And I hope you enjoyed this chap at least just as much. Thank you for reviewing, and I hope your exams went well! :D
Mona Kleine – Thank you for reviewing~! And whoa! xD Thank you for saying you like my twists and my characterizations! It means a lot to me as a writer. ;)
Pri-Chan 1410 – Here's the next chapter~! Hahaha. Hope it was entertaining enough~ Lol. And thank you for commenting on the previous chapter! Glad you liked it. :D
Queen of the Avant Seas – Oh. Hoohoho I can make no such promises. xD But maybe they'll have them anyway? XD And all will be well eventually no worries~ And thx for commenting~
Sierra. Steinbrecher – (ch4) You're here~! Haha. Welcome to the sequel. xD (ch9) Lol why didn't you want her to put it all together? XDD Oh and yes me too! The KuraGon moments will happen in chapter 11 tho. /shot. And thank you for the reviews~! xDD
Tealovesreniaki – Thank you for reviewing~! Hahah yay glad you liked the get-together. Too bad it ended up like that, but it's something right?! Haha
Guest [Aug 30 2014] a.k.a. Bunny – Aww I'm just glad you're here. Don't worry, I'm sure your lack of signal is stressful enough! Hope this somewhat late of a chapter is worth the wait! And thx for reviewing~!
…
Hi folks! I hope you liked this chapter even when it felt filler-y~!
And as always, do know that hearing from you guys—feeling that you're there—is my main
motivation for writing.
So please don't be shy. :D