Disclaimer:Hunter x Hunter belongs to Togashi-sensei. I'm just a big fan!
Story:Kuroro finds out that there's another settlement of the Kurutas at the Eastern part of the Azian Continent. Suspecting that the Chain Assassin is there, Kuroro and his Spiders travel to the continent to try and capture him then steal the eyes of the people there. However, what they saw is not a mere tribe but a kingdom, open to everyone; the complete opposite of the Kuruta tribe in Rukuso Region. Twists and turns! Non-Yaoi! KuroKura. FemKura!
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Chapter 9
Various Ways to Cheat
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"This is ridiculous." Kuroro silently lamented as he started wearing the green "armour" that's going to protect him from the other teams hits. He did not need it, seeing that he can't be harmed by such petty attacks but it's part of the game so has to comply.
The Spider Head turned to Shalnark who's smilingly watching the red team on the other side having a meeting. It's probably for their next strategy. He turned to his own team members and quickly noticed the disorganization in their group. None of them are interested in talking about what they should do in order to avoid being injured and play while scoring. There's no efficient acting leader. Kuroro even thought that Xian is a leader material but it seems like seeing him in a new light.
As Sir Kael brought to him a brown-maned horse that Kuroro is going to ride on, the Spider Head again took notice of Shalnark's unending stare towards the red team on the other side of the field.
"Sir Kai." Kuroro turned towards Sir Kael and nodded with a slight smile when the horse stopped in front of him. "This is Arondel, a top grade warhorse."
"Warhorse?" He questioned, finding it unusual to breed warhorses in times of peace.
Sir Kael just stared at him before proceeding to release the reins, ignoring Kuroro's question. Now this is getting a little bit more suspicious. Do wars breakout in the Azian continent that is not being broad casted or is ignored by the international media?
"Hurry, we're about to start." Xian called out to Kuroro while mounting his own horse.
Kuroro nodded and attempted to grab Arondel's reins when the warhorse suddenly reacted violently to the unwanted rider, standing up on its hind legs, as if wanting to trample Kuroro. The other bachelors were startled and immediately came down from their horses to help their fellow teammate. Kuroro, on the other hand, stepped back from the horse as fast as he could, maintaining eye contact with it.
This is definitely not a great time for his horse to at this way.
"Sir Kai, are you alright?" Sir Russ yelled despite having two broken ribs.
Kuroro nodded and watched as the horse came down on the ground with a large thud. Arondel's eyes are a dark as Kuroro's. The Spider Head smirked to himself. What a stubborn horse.
"Let me get you another horse." Sir Kael offered as he ran towards the stable to fetch a tamer horse.
"No." Kuroro refused. "I'll ride with this one."
"But-"
"I will ride with Arondel." He insisted, not breaking the eye contact with the horse. Shalnark and Coltopi watched in amusement, intrigued to know what their Danchou will do to tame the wild beast.
Kuroro held out his right arm, slowly walking towards the horse. When Arondel saw his actions, he acted up again, almost rearing. But Kuroro held his ground, not dropping his arm. As he got closer to the stubborn horse, his onyx eyes became sterner and impenetrable, as if sending a message to the horse that he's the more dominating and stronger one. The finally, Arondel was brought to his knees when Kuroro's held out hand touched its muzzle, as if accepting him as his rider and master.
Kuroro smirked victoriously to himself when he mounted Arondel, carrying with him his bamboo pole that he's going to hit Haru with on the face when given the chance.
The Bachelors watched in awe in how he easily tamed the warhorse. Even the red team, who noticed the disturbances in the green team's tent, can't believe their eyes. Haru noticeably glared at him.
"Well then, shall we start the game?" Xian asked after mounting his own horse and proceeded toward the center of the field, followed by the rest of the bachelors.
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When all the players, both from Green team and Red team, has assembled towards the center of the field, a referee went a gave the three sticks to the Gree team captain, Xian, since they did not score any points from the last round. Xian gave Kael the yellow stick while he handed Kuroro the blue stick. When Xian signalled the referee that they're ready, he nodded and raised a white flag.
"BEGIN!"
Almost immediately, the Red team, lead by Haru, charged towards the Green team and broke their formation. The members of the Red team all whistled and laughed as they started swinging their bamboo poles, specifically targeting the riders carrying the colored sticks. As expected, Haru came after Kuroro and the Spider Head couldn't ask for more. Clutching the blue stick, Kuroro charged towards the Red Team's cylinders, which are guarded by one of their team members.
Seeing his determined to shoot the stick, Haru quickly kicked his horse to outrun Kuroro. But it seems like Sir Kael was not joking when he called Arondel a to grade warhorse. He gripped his bamboo pole hard and quickly delivered a strong smash towards the red guard's chest that was also charging at him to protect the blue cylinder. The red rider fell off his horse, clutching his chest as Kuroro took the opportunity to shoot the blue stick into the blue cylinder.
"Three points! Green Team!" The referee yelled as he raised the Green team flag.
"Yes!" Chorused the whole team.
Haru glared at Kuroro but then smiled. "Won't happen again."
Kuroro only smiled back and watched as the rider that fell off got back on his feet and picked up his bamboo pole with difficulty. Kuroro's eyes narrowed but then returned to focus to shooting the rest of the sticks.
As the game continued, Kuroro witnessed with his own eyes how brutal Haru plays the game.
"Xian!" Kuroro called out and gave him a secret signal to pass him the red stick. Xian understood and threw the stick as the Spider Head. Kuroro caught the stick on one hand and pulled Arondel's rein around to head towards the Red team's red cylinder.
But he was almost caught off guard when a bamboo pole, swirling in the air, headed towards him at full force. Kuroro dropped his own bamboo stick and caught the one flying before it could hit his face. He caught it effortlessly but was then confused. Did Xian tell him it's part of the game to throw your pole at the opponent?
And from the direction of the throw, Kuroro saw Haru gritting his teeth at his failed attempt to injure Kuroro. It will take more than that petty attack to really hurt him.
Seeing Kuroro grin victoriously at him, Haru grabbed his other teammate's pole and charged at Kuroro. The Spider Head did not back down as he kicked Arondel to face Haru head on. Wanting to return his rude gesture earlier, Kuroro raised his arm carrying the bamboo pole and unexpetedly threw it towards Haru.
This surprised the young Kuruta and he did not have enough time to dodge the flying stick. It hit him right in the face, just as Kuroro aimed, and was knocked off from his horse. Kuroro proceeded to shoot the red stick and Kael followed him quickly to shoot the yellow stick before a red member blocks his path.
"Six points! Green team! End of round!" the referee announced.
The Green Team celebrated their first victory as they headed back to their tents. Kuroro looked back at Haru and took note of his bleeding nose as the other red team members helped him get up on his feet. He smiled satisfyingly but then frowned. The bamboo stick he used to throw at Haru was considerably heavier than the one he used.
"Sir Kai! Nice game!" Shalnark yelled happily, clapping as he did.
Eyebrows furrowing, Kuroro now understood the reason Shalnark did not take his eyes off the Red Team's tent earlier. The Spider Head grabbed Xian by his collar and dragged the bachelor with him, towards the Red Team's tent.
"H-Hey! What's big-"
"Just come." Kuroro simply said.
"Alright! Alright! No need to drag me!" Xian complained and he released his grip.
The other Green Team bachelors wondered where the two were going but remained in their tent.
When they arrived at the Red Team's tent, Haru was trying to patch up his broken nose when he saw Kuroro and glared at him.
"You broke my nose, Kai! You'll pay for this!" Haru rudely pointed at the man. His words had an underlying tone that clearly say 'I'll tell my Aunt about what you did'.
"And you broke Sir Russ' rib. I don't think breaking your nose is enough compensation." Kuroro sternly replied then switched his attention towards the bamboo poles the Red Team used during the previous round. "And I think I know the reason."
The Spider Head grabbed one bamboo stick before anyone could protest and slammed it towards a wooden bench, with strength just enough to break the bamboo into pieces. And when it did break, what they saw inside the bamboo shocked Xian.
"An... iron pole." Xian muttered unbelievably and looked at Haru. "An iron pole? Are you crazy? You've been cheating all along!"
No wonder it hurt so much enough to break ribs when they were hit by the bamboos. A player usually gets bruises all over his body but not broken bones. Inserting an iron pole inside the bamboo is an easy way to eliminate the opposing players with injuries one by one. Xian's outburst did not go unnoticed by the other Green Team players and they all went and watched the scene unfold in the red tent. They were all equally horrified and furious at their discovery.
Kuroro grabbed another bamboo pole but was stopped by Haru this time by grabbing the other end of the pole and glaring at Kuroro.
"Don't you dare-"
But before he could finish his sentenced, Kuroro gave him a swift kick in the gut, sending the Iris Kuruta staggering back and coughing. He was then helped up by his minions but he stubbornly refused, shoving them away because of his pride. The Spider Head couldn't care less as he broke the bamboo again and revealed the iron pole inside. Sir Kael took the liberty of calling the referee to see the evidence of their cheating.
The referee acknowledged the evidences and declared the game over, giving the victory towards the Green Team.
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Queen Ahami chuckled to herself as she watched how the game ended between the Green and Red team. She received word from her Head Attendant about a game of horseback tuho played by the bachelors in the soldier's training field. Of course, she knows about what will be the fate of the loser in the game and it did not please her one bit. The Selection must be carried out cleanly and just.
She wanted to see for herself what is happening in the training field when her eyes caught Sir Kai participating in the game.
"Isn't he supposed to be working prove his innocence?" Queen Ahami asked herself but is intrigued to see what will happen to the seemingly slacking off Selection candidate.
Her decision not to stop the game and punish the participants proved worthwhile. She quite understood why the Princess was also interested in Sir Kai. He's not only smart but also physically able, proven by the earlier game. He's quiet and prefers to observe things before acting, a good quality a King must possess.
"Let us leave." The Queen ordered and her palanquin was lifted up, walking away from the training field and back to the Grand Palace to make a big decision.
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Kuroro returned to his residence when the sun has set and his eunuch immediately set out drinks and dinner for him. He already sent away Shalnark and Coltopi since they cannot enter further in the Palace, especially in his residence.
"Gen." He called out and his attendant quickly entered his room, waiting for commands. "Did you do as I instructed you?"
"Yes, My Lord." the eunuch replied, bowing and Kuroro smiled satisfactorily as he dismissed him.
Looking at the bowl of vinegar on a nearby table, Kuroro took out the two scented notes, one the original and the other the copy Coltopi made. He dipped the fake note into the vinegar then let it dry. Fortunately, the ink did not smear. He let the note dry completely before placing the fake note back under the wardrobe where he first found it while keeping the original note with him.
The last piece of his trap is finally in place. Kuroro drank his tea and ate his dinner then decided to have a long walk in the palace garden to give the culprit all the time he needs.
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Finally, the day of the culmination of the Second Challenge has come. Unlike the First Challenge, the Second Challenge was held in the Great Hall inside the Grand Palace. The Queen announced a few days ago that she will be delivering an important Royal Decree regarding the Second Challenge and everyone involved, including the Ministers and Officials, must be present in the Great Hall along with the Bachelors.
Rumors are flying around that the Queen has finally decided to choose the top three bachelors from which the Crown Princess will select her husband and the next King. Such rumors unsettled Kuroro as he has absolutely no plans of becoming the King. But at the same time, he cannot leave for it will disgrace the Larkspur Kurutas. The least he can do is to clear his name and the Larkspurs' honor.
When everyone has assembled in the Great Hall, the bachelors, except for Kuroro, are carrying their Selection notes. What the Spider Head is carrying with him is a bottle of molysite that Shalnark gave him.
They all waited standing until the Queen, together with the Crown Princess, entered the Great Hall. Everyone present bowed in respect as it is forbidden to make direct eye contact with any of the Royals during a formal meeting. Well, except when they are permitted to do so.
When the Queen sat down on her throne, everyone followed suit and the meeting in the Great Hall started.
"Bachelors," she addressed the young men with a light smile. "I would like you all to first put your Selection notes in this box."
Two servants came in the Hall, carrying a metal box that they set down at the center of the throne. All bachelors looked at each other in confusion before standing up and following the Queen's orders, throwing in their notes inside the box as instructed. When everyone except Kuroro has put in their notes and returned to their seats, the Crown Princess stood up from her seat and approached the box. A servant gave her a bottle of unknown liquid which she opened and poured inside the box.
Everyone in the Great Hall watched in shock with what the Princess did. But what happened next horrified them. A servant gave the Princess a matchbox which she lighted one and threw it inside the metal box, creating a big fire.
"What the- Princess?!" Sir Kael stood up from his seat with unbelieving eyes.
The other bachelors followed suit and only a few remain seated but were still shocked. Their hard work is burning right in front of them and there's nothing they could do to stop it.
Xian furrowed his eyebrows and watched the Princess, confusion written all over his face. The Princess returned his gaze with a disappointed one and Kuroro caught the eye contact between the two.
For some reason, the man was not happy with it.
The Princess returned to her seat without explaining the reason for her actions.
"Yesterday, I received word about the Selection bachelors playing horseback tuho." the Queen the bachelors froze up, now knowing where this is headed. "And I heard that whoever will lose the game shall write the winner's answers to the Second challenge." She continued, her smile disappearing. The young men neither denied nor confirned the Queen's words. "How disgraceful."
Queen Ahami gestured to the Royal Secretariat beside her to go and read out the Royal Decree that she wrote and put her seal on last night.
"Today, I declare the Selection over. I will choose three bachelors that the Princess will choose from. Today, the Kingdom will meet their new King." The Secretariat read.
"This is bad." Kuroro could only smile to himself. He looked at the Crown Princess and noticed her lack of reaction. She and the Queen must have talked about it last night.
"But before I choose, I would like to see if Sir Kai has the evidence that will prove his innocence and clear the Larkspur Kuruta's honor." the Queen announced, looking at "Sir Kai".
Kuroro stood from his seat and walked to the center of the Hall. He could clearly see the smile in Haru's eyes but the Spider Head remained calm and started.
"Gen, please enter." Kuroro called out and Eunuch Gen entered, carrying with him a tray with several pairs of house shoes and is followed by all of the servant of his residence, all seven of them. House shoes are used by ladies-in-waiting and the eunuchs if they want to enter the residence of the person they are waiting on. They are washed on a weekly basis.
On the tray are seven pairs of house shoes belonging to the servant present in the Great Hall. The Ministers and Officials' faces all shriveled up in disgust at the sight and Kuroro just snorted at their reactions. Even the other bachelors either sighed and shook their head or stared at him like he's gone crazy.
"And what are those, Sir Kai?" the Queen asked.
"My evidence, Your Majesty." Kuroro replied.
"Preposterous!" The Minister of War yelled angrily. "Your Majesty, he's clearly insulting the Royal family with this disgusting show!"
But the Queen paid no attention to the Minister and allowed Kuroro to proceed. The man took out from his pocket the bottle of molysite he's been keeping and showed the yellow liquid to the Queen. Then he took one a handkerchief from his pocket and started explaining.
"A few days ago, I found a scented note underneath my wardrobe which contained the names of the Kurutas whose Selection notes were missing. Gladiolus, Aster Lilly." He started. "It was an evidence not found by the Court Ladies and Lady Investigators."
"Then where is it now? If it's evidence then why did you not submit it? You're trying to cover up your crime, aren't you?" one Minister yelled as well, earning agreements between other ministers.
Kuroro ignored him a continued. "In the past few nights, I've been preparing a trap. I know the culprit will come back and recover the evidence since it's a scented paper. Anyone who knows its scent can point out which noble family set me up in this charade." he removed the cork from the bottle and poured a few drops of molysite into the handkerchief. "I've dipped the scented paper in vinegar and brushed my room's floor every night with diluted vinegar."
"And what will you accomplish by doing that?" The Princess spoke up this time and Kuroro was please to see that she's interested.
"Vinegar reacts with molysite to form a reddish-brown color. Anyone who's been in my room will have his or her house shoes stained with the vinegar I brushed the floors with." He explained.
"So that's why the shoes are..." the Princess smiled, now knowing where this is heading. "But anyone could have entered your room."
Kuroro nodded understandingly and took one pair of shoes. He smeared the molysite into the shoe's sole and the handkerchief immediately turned reddish-brown. The did this to all seven pairs until three pairs of house shoes gave the positive result of reddish-brown coloration. The shoes belonged to Eunuch Gen and two other Ladies-in-waiting. All that's left is too test their fingers. If they removed the scented paper underneath the wardrobe, his or her fingertips would have had vinegar on them. The vinegar Kuroro used was strong enough not to be easily washed away with water so even is the culprit washed his or her hand, there would still be traces of vinegar on her fingertips.
Kuroro tested Eunuch Gen with the molysite test, but his hands remained clean. He tested the second suspect but th same happened with Eunuch Gen. But when he tested the third suspect, the molysite reacted and produced the expected reddish-brown result.
The maid was astonished as well as the people present as they watched in anticipations. Before the maid could run, Kuroro caught both her wrists and quickly tied them with the belt he's wearing. The maid's act of escaping is enough evidence to prove Kuroro's innocence.
Without warning, the Spider Head used Gyo and saw the fake scented paper inside the maid's pocket. He fished it out with his free hand as the maid struggled and swiftly replaced the fake one with the original note that he has kept with him. Eunuch Gen and the other guards helped Kuroro restrain the still struggling maid.
Kuroro approached the throne and handed the original scented note to the Queen, who's astonished with the events unfolding in the Great Hall. She took the paper from him and took a waft of the scented paper. As she did this, Kuroro looked at the Princess who's smiling proudly at him. He smiled grinned back and the Princess rolled her eyes at his silly gesture.
"The smell of irises." the Queen whispered and only Kuroro and the Princess heard her. They noticed how distressed the Queen looked with her discovery. She sighed and gave the note to the Royal Secretariat. Kuroro was then ordered to return to his seat for the Queen will announce another matter.
"The culprit has been apprehended. Take her to the interrogation room and do not stop until she confesses." The Queen ordered and the guards took away the lady-in-waiting. "Now, let us proceed to the matter at hand. The selection of the three bachelors."
Wait. That's it?
Kuroro look even more confused. The Queen clearly said that the scent of the paper is that of irises. It certainly pertains to the Iris Kurutas so why do they need to interrogate the maid? This is not making any sense. Even the princess look confused. Is a conspiracy going on in the castle that only the Queen knows?
"Larkspur!"
Kuroro was too preoccupied and did not realize that his house name is being called. When sir Kael on his side elbowed him did he only realize that he's one of the top three bachelors chosen. Things are getting more interesting that Kuroro is considering staying longer. First, there's the mystery of the breeding of warhorses and there's the conspiracy going on between the Queen and the Irises.
Sir Kai stood up and walked towards where the two other bachelors are standing. There's Sir Xian of the Lily Kurutas and there's Sir Haru of the Iris Kurutas. They were the three chosen by the Queen and now it's the Princess' turn to choose.
The beautiful and graceful Crown Princess stood up, carrying with her the head band with the dragon and blue lotus emblem. It is the headband worn by the Crown Prince and the Princess will give it to the person whom she deems worthy to wear it.
She walked down the stairs and without even looking at either Xian or Haru, proceeded to stand in front of Kuroro, looking at the his eyes . Kuroro smiled and knelt on one knee, head bowed as he received with both hands the headband that the princess handed down to him.
From this day forward, he is now the Royal Crown Prince.
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Author's Note:Hey guys! Decided to update Heartfelt. I've been busy lately since it's my third year in college and I'm starting my thesis this coming semester. Boy... huhuhu! Please read and review. Be warned, this is not edited because I'm too lazy to reread it. Cheers!