SURVIVORS

A Hunter x Hunter Fanfiction

ZyraEmina

©Yoshihiro Togashi

Yehey! ZyraEmina finally updated her fanfic! Another chappy! Horray! ^_^

My heart is in turmoil. Is it really true that first love never dies?

DreameroftheRealm, Thaishi, Retz, KristelLee, ChocolateKittey and Puggle-Rock, thanks for the wonderful reviews!

Chapter 9

LEORIO continued to look at Lot like the bald man had suddenly grown two heads or better yet, hairs had just sprung from his shiny head but no, the guard had not grown an extra head nor miraculously gotten himself thick tresses, he had lost but one thing is for sure, Leorio thinks that the man had serious head problem.

To claim that he was a female biologically when he obviously got family jewels in between his legs is no longer delusional. It's downright crazy. Wait. Did Lot said he WAS a female biologically? Don't tell me he. . .

As if reading Leorio's mind, Lot smirked at his obvious distress before he spoke. "I didn't undergo any surgery whatsoever if that's what you're thinking. I acquired this body in a very different way, though if I had a choice I would have picked a body with plenty of hair." Lot unconsciously rubbed his head. "You're a medical student, right? You would be surprised once you learn how I got this body."

Something about what Lot had said got Leorio's attention. "Hey, how did you know I'm a medical student? I never mentioned it to Kirara."

A smirk crossed Lot's visage. "Well let's just say that our head guard's kinda overprotective when it comes to our lovely lady so he makes it a point to do a thorough background check on you guys. And also. . ." His voice then went falsetto again. "I make it a point to know things about the guy who was able to catch my interest." And then he winked.

Leorio made it a point to show in his face that he doesn't swing that way.

"Anyway. . ." Lot's playfulness suddenly dropped that it had Leorio go on his toes. "As much as I like you, Leorio, my lady had taken quite a fond on you lot. I know I'm putting myself in detriment but I think you ought to know and be warned about him."

"Him? What are you trying to say?"

"Whatever happens you must never trust -"

Suddenly a loud thunderous sound echoed as the glass windows of Lady Fortuna's mansion burst into flames and its shattered pieces were scattered everywhere like oversized raindrops. Conversation forgotten, Leorio and Lot immediately rushed towards the burning building with a certain raven, silver and blonde heads in mind.

CHAOS ensued as soon as the fire broke out. Glass windows shattering, curtains and table cloths reducing into ashes while tables and chairs turned into embers. Thick black smoke were assaulting the eyes and nose of those within its reach. Female guards grabbed fire extinguishers and sprinklers automatically opened themselves to at least prevent the fire from spreading further but it was no use. This kind of fire cannot be put out by normal means. Panicking at the possibility of being burned alive, the guests dashed towards the nearest exit they could find as fast as their high heels and tight-fitting dresses would allow.

But not all of them were panicking like mad dogs and howling their heads off.

Kurapika was petrified in his position. It's not the first time he had seen his brethen's eyes but this particular pair had an impact on him that he cannot move his body. Even if he doesn't have the ability to identify the owners of the previous Kurta eyes he had collected so far, he knew to whom the eyes presented today belonged to. They were the only ones who possessed such eyes. A pair of twins with blonde hair just like him who possessed radiant smiles, swam in his mind. How could life be so unfair? They were still young and innocent when the tragedy happened. So little, so pure, and have so much potential for the future. . . .

"Kurapika!"

That snapped him from his trance. Blinking rapidly he turned towards Melody who was holding a coughing and crying Neon in her arms.

"Kurapika, get the Kurta eyes while you have the chance, hurry up!"

"I know but we should also secure Boss first."

"You don't have to worry about that. I'll make sure that Neon-sama will get out of here unharmed." A cough and groan escaped from Neon's mouth. "Oh and grab that mummified uterus while you re at it. Neon-sama really wanted it."

Kurapika blanced inwardly as he nodded. Even in the face of imminent danger, trust Neon's peculiar hobby to make itself known. Melody fished out her cellphone, dialed some number before collecting the blunette in her arms and assisted her towards the exit.

With a purpose in mind, Kurapika went straight towards his brethren s eyes while methodically avoiding the blazing inferno. Because of his earlier daze, he hadn't noticed the slim figure and the two silhouette that are also going straight towards the scarlet eyes from the opposite direction, flames clearing away from their path. Again the image of the twin smiling their radiant smiles while giving their best to cheer a sickly older sister and a weak cousin conjured in his mind. Shin, Shun, how fate had been cruely unfair to you two.

Then red bleeds red.

A pair of a living scarlet eyes saw another pair scarlet eyes in a living human flesh.

He knew that she had not seen him but at that moment something tilted in Kurapika's world. He can't let himself hope, not after the incident with Pairo and Spider's (former) #4 Omokage, but she's right in front of him, clutching one of the jars holding the heterochromiatic Kurta eyes all the while chanting the name of its original owner like some kind of mantra. Her hair color may be off and her eyes were surprisingly also scarlet, but he is sure that it was her.

Not to mention that the other two figures who were with her were of someone he would recognize anywhere, even with the same wardrobe transformation they had undergone to as his. He never thought that they would see each other again this way. Let alone looking like this. "Gon? Killua?"

The raven and silver haired maids looked up to meet an astonished Kurapika. They were torn on what to do. They finally saw Kurapika after years of avoiding them and wanted to make some kind of reunion despite the situation. On the other hand, they have to help Kirara who was now kneeling on the floor, breathing hard, crying and spitting blood while still chanting the dolls names repeatedly like a broken record.

Like some kind of well-rehearsed skit, the trio Hunters simultaneously dropped their gazes towards Kirara. Kirara, oblivious (or maybe ignoring, they'll never know) to the stares she had garnered muttered shakily, "Finally, Onee-chan had finally found you."

"Akayuki?"

At the mention of her real name, Kirara lifted her head in reflex. Eyes widening at the blonde beauty clad in blue her lips mouthed, "Kurapika?"

'AKAYUKI? So that's her real name.' Killua thought as his gaze darted from Kirara to Kurapika. He knew that the girl was still keeping secrets from them when Kirara talked to them on helping her about her plans on stealing the Kurta eyes from Lady Fortuna's possessions. They agreed, yes, but that doesn't mean he trusted the girl.

The said girl was now violently vomiting her own blood on the floor they were standing on.

"Yes, Leorio? Hmm, okay. Right. We've got Aka- I mean Kirara now. Leorio, Kurapika is also with us." Killua saw Gon cringe, probably from Leorio shouting on his communication device at the mention of their Kurta friend's name. "I got it. Just don't shout. It hurts my ears." Told ya.

Turning to the other blonde, Killua said, "Kurapika, I know you have so many questions but now isn't the right time for that. We have to put out this fire first if we want to get out of here alive."

"How? This is not an ordinary fire, this is a Nen conjured fire. Unless the Nen user wills it, the flames won't cease to blaze. Rendering the Nen user unconscious or killing him won't guarantee that the fire would stop." A dramatic pause. "Unless you know who conjured this fire." As expected from Kurapika, still the perspective one.

The flames, still on the safe distance from them, shifted and danced around them as if rejoicing about something. Kirara still chanted non-stop though the contents of her mantra had already changed since she laid her eyes on Kurapika. "Kurapika's alive. Kurapika's alive. Kurapika's ALIVE!" The flames erupted mirroring Kirara's excitement, making the blood oozing from her mouth seem brighter and the remaining glass windows erupted into tiny pieces.

"Ah! Kirara-san calm down!" Gon said as more blood sprouted from Kirara's mouth. "If you don't, at this rate you'll get yourself killed."

Yes, Kirara whose real name is Akayuki is in danger when she's using her own ability. Being untrained in the arts of Nen, she can only control her fire at a certain extent but doesn't have full grasp on it. Her red eyes and emotional stability are the keys which unleashed her aura in the form of fire but never her conscious will. After all, she can't even use Nen unless her eyes were red. But whenever she activates her Nen, she put herself in great danger. Being born with a weak heart, her body can't support the tremendous aura being released from her, thus making her vomit blood and wheeze for air.

Gon and Killua had learned about this the night when they found Leorio in a very compromising position with Lot (okay let's not go there); the same night Kirara had talked to them about helping her in stealing Kurta eyes. She had once again lost herself during the discussion (because of what Killua have said) and almost set her study ablaze. The moment the flames started spreading and became out of control, the blonde girl started throwing up blood all over the place.

They also learned that it was Gon's old man, Ging, who (accidentally) opened Kirara's micropyles allowing her aura to be released and be converted into Nen at some extent though before Ging could train her, he had to go away for his hunting spree as a professional Hunter.

"You're real, Kurapika? You're not some delusion I made inside my head? Are you really a living flesh? Are you really alive?"

Kurapika knelt in front of Akayuki, he gently cupped her bloody face in between his hands. "Yes, it's really me. In the flesh." He said in a gentle voice. He could see the desperate hope in her eyes he knew very well that he can't have himself hate her. The moment he had seen her, he realized that she was the blonde thief who'd gone round in stealing his, no, their brethren s eyes. At least it was another Kurta and not some kind of maniac collector. While the moment was unfolding in front of them, Gon and Killua thought that Kurapika truly is a compassionate person.

His touch seemed to soothe her nerves and slowly her breathing went back to normal and the flames lost their crazed intensity. The fire hasn't gone out for Akayuki's confused eyes were still bright red. Her face then cracked into the first genuine smile Gon and Killua had seen from her before slipping into unconsciousness and falling into Kurapika's arms. With the fire also extinguished with Akayuki's collapsing, they can finally see the extent of the damage her fire had caused. Except from their place, everything around them was charcoal black.

Sound of marching feet then reached their ears. In silent agreement, the trio started to exit the scorched building through the back door in the kitchen where Leorio's team was waiting. Gon and Kurapika each grabbed a jar of preserved eyes while Killua carried Akayuki on his back. The task had given him the excuse of tearing his skirt for better mobility.

Now, as they leave, Killua is wondering how this reunion will affect Kurapika as well as Akayuki. Despite his initial doubts and allegations, he hopes that this encounter will turn out for the best.

"DAMN, I should have known that Kurapika would be here." Leorio can't help but mutter loudly to himself as he bit his thumb in frustration. He should have realized that Kurapika would be tempted by the Kurta eyes in Lady Fortuna's possession like a moth to a fire as much as it tempted Kirara. Never realizing that he was pacing back and forth while still biting his poor, blameless thumb, Leorio was also oblivious to the tension building up around him.

"Who s this Kurapika? Your girlfriend?" Leorio heard Lot in his falsetto voice speaking. The bald guard had his arms cross above his chest and was scowling like some jealous lassie.

"Hell no! He's -"

"Your boyfriend then."

"WHAT THE HELL?!"

"Lot! Stop that nonsense! You should think about our lady, not some stranger you don't know." Mikhael's quiet but firm voice stopped Leorio from connecting his fist to the obnoxious bald man. The said bald man had dropped his hands to the side and responded with a curt 'yes' in his normal voice though the defiant scowl is still plastered on his face. Colbert had wisely remained silent during the exchange. Even without the help of his dolls, he can see that a storm is brewing and he doesn't wish to be caught up in the middle of it.

Not showing it in his visage, Mikhael felt like his stomach is being twisted that it hurts too much. Kurapika . . . of course he had immediately recognized the name the moment Leorio had shouted it in the communication device while talking to Gon earlier. He had been hearing that name from his mistress for years now and it had already been etched on his memory. He's happy for his mistress; the smile he would see from her from knowledge that she was never the lone Kurta alive is like a ray of sunshine for him but it also brought something he can't define that had decided to settle at the pit of his stomach.

Something indescribable.

Something foreign yet familiar.

Something . . . .

Sinister. . . .

The door where they were waiting for Killua and the others was open; letting some of the smoke out for better visibility for the ones escaping and the ones waiting. Not long the thin smoke that had stubbornly settled by the door shifted a bit indicating the movements in the kitchen. Colbert cannot confirm who was there, his dolls were viciously licked by his mistress flames.

Familiar figures of Gon and Killua carrying an unconscious Kirara emerged from the door with a blonde lady in blue in tow. Despite the situation, Leorio can't help his 'male instinct' at the sight of the blue-clad beauty. That white, creamy long legs, tiny waist, not so big but perfect pair of tits, and a very pretty face. Certainly not a shrimp kind of girl, the type that only have a beautiful body but a never mind face. Pretty face . . . that face is kinda familiar. . . . And as Gon's group got nearer towards Leorio's group, the oldest Hunter face slowly turned to green.

"KURAPIKA!" Leorio bellowed. Damn did he just thought that Kurapika is hot as a girl?! NO!

"Leorio?" But before Kurapika could prepare himself, an aura in the form of giant, closed fist punch him square on the face that sent him flying a few meters away. Good thing he didn't drop the jar he was carrying.

Confused at first, Kurapika surveyed his surroundings for immediate threat only to see a seething Leorio who had punched a nearby tree; aura seeping out from his closed fist. "What was that for?!"

"T-that was for ignoring us this whole time!" Then Leorio pointed an accusing, trembling finger at Kurapika. "A-and also for misleading me!" His face is now bright red.

"Huh? What are you talking about?!" What did he meant by misleading him?

"Certainly got a cute face, I can give you that much." Lot said suddenly. Kurapika has no idea why the bald man beside Leorio was scowling at him and sizing him up with such intense (jealousy-filled?) eyes.

Mikhael, having no interest in the commotion happening between Leorio and Kurapika, met Killua halfway and extracted Kirara from the silver-head's back. Handling her with so much care as if she was made of glass, he cautiously placed her inside the car. Kurapika was making a move on joining her inside the car when he was stopped by the dark-haired headguard.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Making sure that Akayuki would be brought to the hospital safely."

Mikhael cringed at the sound of Kirara's real name. "I can't let you do that."

"Why not? He's a Kurta, you know." Gon innocently asked.

"I know he's a Kurta!" Mikhael snapped at Gon. "That scarlet eyes of him is more than enough to give away his blood origin," Kurapika lost his contacts when he had been punched by Leorio's Nen exposing the current color of his irises which is red, "But that doesn't mean he could just waltz his way in towards my mistress' life. I have a duty to fulfill and that's protecting my Kirara from anything that might harm her, physically and emotionally."

Gon, Killua and Leorio looked at each other warily. "My Kirara?" they simultaneously questioned.

"You're maybe her childhood friend and brethren but I am not sure of your character." Mikhael continued. "My mistress may have thought that you are a good person but I can't give the same assessment as her. After all, people change in time and Kurtas are no exception."

"How dare you!"

Kurapika and Mikhael's stubborn and determined gazes lock, not withdrawing and refusing to bend to the other. Kirara then let out a painful groan and cough another fresh blood into her already red dress. Reluctantly, the Kurta backed off though he still continued to glare at the dark-haired guard. He'll deal with him later, right now Kirara needs to be rushed to the hospital as soon as possible.

Without withdrawing his glare at the Kurta in front of him, Mikhael said in a stern voice. "Gon-dono, Killua-dono and Leorio-dono, please get in the other car if you wish to come back with us. Lot will drive you back." And without much ado, he got in the car where Kirara was placed and drove the car away.

Kurapika could only watch as the vehicle got smaller and smaller as the darkness of the night swallowed it until it vanished.

"Kurapika-"

"I'm alright Gon. So much okay compared to Akayuki." But his friends could detect the flatness of his voice.

"Don't worry Kurapika, we'll watch Kirara-"

"It's Akayuki." Killua butted in.

"I mean, we'll watch Akayuki for you."

Kurapika rewarded them with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Please do."

He's starting to walk away, turning his back on his friends whom he had not seen for a long time and head full of a certain bloody girl. The three didn't try to stop him; they could imagine how heavy the situation weighs in him, though there is one insensitive who doesn't give a damn. He blocked Kurapika's way, prevented him from going any further.

"Are you interested in Leorio?" Lot's voice is back in its creepy falsetto. Kurapika only regarded him with a blank stare while Gon and Killua were looking at Leorio with their lips curved into a lopsided knowing smile. On the other hand the spectacled Hunter had found his shoes very interesting.

"Okay, I'll take that as a no." "Lot said again when Kurapika continued to stare at him for a full minute. Fumbling on his breast pocket, the bald man handed a calling card to the Kurta who silently threw a questioning glare at him before grabbing the small piece of paper.

"I can't give you Lady Kirara's number but I can give you mine. If you're really the Kurapika she's been talking about and you really wanted to see my mistress I can arrange the two of you to meet without the antagonist Mikhael-san's knowledge." With a wink, he added, "I also have a duty to my mistress and that's ensuring her happiness."

GON, Killua and Leorio, together with the bald man had been long gone but Kurapika was still at his place holding the calling card Lot had given him. Without conscious thought, he fished out his cellphone from his skirt's pocket and started punching numbers.

R&R please. I hope this chappy meets your expectations. Hmm. . *heart ache*