Wow! Over 1,000 views! Thanks so much my lovely readers!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter
See bottom of chapter for added notes
Chapter Nine
"So only one person has to fail?" Leorio murmured. The doctor began eyeing the remaining applicants, as if trying to figure out who it would be.
"Yes, Leorio," Gon patiently repeated for the fiftieth time. "It's just as Chairman Netero said. The person who finishes at the top of the bracket doesn't pass."
Leorio scrunched up his face. "This is terrible! I don't even know for sure who I'll be fighting!"
"At least you're probably not going to fight Hisoka," Killua pointed out, turning to Kurapika. "How is it that you're so calm about it, anyways?"
The blond shrugged delicately. "I've come close to fighting him twice before; it's only fitting that it happen now."
Pairo tossed his companion a concerned look.
"There's no use in worrying about things you cannot control," Kurapika added, leaning into Pairo soothingly, a gesture that the taller Kurta melted into. Everyone in the room knew that his words were mostly meant for Pairo, who looked more agitated at the prospect of Kurapika's fight than his own.
"Well, let's dissect this phase logically," Killua proposed. "It's obvious that the person who will not pass this exam is you, Pops," Killua revealed in a uncharacteristically grave voice.
"What? No!" Leorio exclaimed, face beginning to turn red.
"Ha! Just kidding. It's probably Pokkle, to be honest." The five of them laughed. "No, seriously. Gon will probably pull some crazy crap on Hanzo, causing Hanzo to lose," Killua rattled off, as if he'd spent lots of time pondering the outcomes of the event. "Then" —Killua pointed to Pairo— "you will fight and win against Hanzo."
"I will?" Pairo looked skeptical.
"Please, that guy is as thick as a brick." Killua paused. "Anyway, that means Pokkle will fight against Hanzo and subsequently lose, leaving Pokkle to fight me. I will win, definitely. Which leaves Pokkle against Gittarackur, in which Pokkle will lose."
"But wait, that just means that he has to win the next match to pass," Leorio commented, looking confused.
"Well, you see, it was harder to predict what would happen on the other side of the bracket, but either way, against Leorio or Bodoro, Pokkle will be defeated," Killua said in a matter-of-fact tone.
Kurapika smiled. "What do you have against Pokkle, anyway?"
"Nothing," Killua said a little to quickly. Kurapika gave the boy the best motherly glare he could muster at the moment.
"Really?"
Killua relented with a huff. "He called me an 'easy fail' at the beginning of the exam."
"That's a bit immature," Kurapika remarked. "Pokkle's what, fifteen?"
"Nope. Eighteen and two months," Gon piped in.
"And how would you know that?" Killua asked.
Gon looked confused, not picking up on Killua's suspicious tone. "Uh, he told me?"
"Even worse," Kurapika tutted. "To have a fully grown adult poke fun at child for sport. I will make sure he apologizes or else—"
"Hunter Exam applicants, please report to the front atrium in five minutes," Chairman Netero's voice echoed from the loudspeakers.
Their group stood up, Leorio patting Kurapika on the back. "You can finish your murder plot later, Kurapika." The blonde flushed hotly at his remark.
Pairo snickered. "Be careful, your motherly-side is showing." Kurapika smacked him on the shoulder.
"Next match: applicants #44 and #404 please step forward," the referee, dressed in a tuxedo and sunglasses, hollered.
Kurapika glowered at the still-bloodstained tiles on the floor. A few examiners were making quick work to clean them, but the blond still wasn't too keen about the fact that he'd be battling Hisoka of all people on the very ground that Gon had been violently beaten on. Brushing a quick kiss on Pairo's cheek in an attempt to calm the other's boiling emotions, Kurapika walked towards Hisoka with perfect composure.
It could prove fatal if Kurapika were to show any ounce of vulnerability now.
Hisoka grinned maniacally, eyes dancing with glee at the upcoming battle. Oh, how amazing it was going to be to play with the pretty Kurta. Licking his lips, he shuffled his cards, expression childlike with anticipation.
Slowly, Kurapika took out his weapons. Once more ripping off the seals of his Tonta swords, he carefully drew out his blades. Hisoka's smile widened with appreciation. This set was different from the ones he had used earlier. These weapons were not to be wielded by just anyone.
By rumor, Hisoka had learned about the Kurta Clan's amazing fighting technique. Although before their massacre it had been a few decades before any were seen in battle, there were a few that still lived that had witnessed such a spectacle. The Kurtas fought exclusively with their Tonta swords; it was their own creation. From birth they were usually trained, familiarized with both the nun-chuck and the blade techniques, sharpened and primed for war, whether or not they knew of it. The twin weapons were called such based on a play on words of Tanto blades. They resembled each other very much, both with the blade shape and the fact that both were concealed in fairly innocuous sheaths, the hilts blending in. What distinguished them, however, was a thin rope connecting the two swords and the constant skill of their possessor.
The Kurta's Tonta blades were typically made of steel, or forged iron. However, the pair that Kurapika was currently holding were ornamental, only to be used in the must intense battles or ceremonies. Ceremonial Tonta's were crafted from pearl, obsidian, or in Kurapika's case, meteoric iron, with hilts often studded with jewels or precious metals. Kurapika's were bound simply in fine dark leather, lacking any extra adornment. The clown's eyebrows furrowed as he felt that the swords were heavy with enchantments and...nen? Hisoka frowned. According to most reports, all of the Kurtanian ornamental blades had been carted off by the Phantom Troupe.
Kurapika kissed the blades, head bent in prayer, and the swords seemed to hum with ancient power. Metal glinting dangerously, all but Hisoka, Pairo, and Netero himself shifted nervously.
"Shall we begin?" Hisoka purred.
Kurapika nodded, closing his eyes.
"What is he doing?" Leorio whispered loudly.
"Sometimes, when one does not know their opponent, it is better to fight in the dark, so that one's comrades may see for them," Pairo responded, as if quoting something.
Hisoka attacked first, sending a card toward the blond. Kurapika didn't try to block it with his blades, instead dodging so incredibly quickly that many blinked and missed it, only hearing the snap of wood under the card as it burrowed into the wall. Kurapika then answered his adversary's strike with one of his own, blurring almost out of existence before blinking back into view with a flash of his blades. Hisoka jerked back, swinging up into the air with impossible grace.
"Look!" Leorio shouted, pointing at the ground. A few strands of red hair fluttered to the floor, having been shaved off from their owner.
Lunging forward, Hisoka sent a volley of cards. Narrowly dodging the onslaught, Kurapika gritted his teeth as he felt one skim his cheek. Without warning, Hisoka lunged at the blond. Sweeping his blade upward in a deadly arc, Kurapika maintained his perfect posture, going through the movements with apparent ease even as his eyelids remained firmly shut. Hisoka leapt back, avoiding the sword slashed at him.
It was like chess; the both of them planned each move carefully, neither being able to outsmart the other. Hisoka was tempted to run into his opponent's blade just to see what would happen, but thought against it as he saw it slice up one of his cards as if it were, well, paper.
Hisoka quickly masked his surprise, but judging by the way that the Kurta's mouth curled upward ever so slightly, the blond had somehow seen the shock that had passed over his features. Hurling more projectiles, Hisoka released a bit more aura to spice things up. To his astonishment (again), Kurapika's aura spiked to meet his, unknowingly, of course, but done all the same.
"Oh, both of them are quite skilled," Netero hummed, watching their match with earnest. So they both know nen?
"No kidding," Leorio declared, "Kurapika is amazing!"
Pairo nodded, tone light even as his fists clenched with anxiety. "Now do you see why it's unwise to cross him?" Leorio gulped.
The rest of the fight went as following: Hisoka flinging out his cards, only for Kurapika to block them and/or dodge them, and then Kurapika striking at Hisoka, who would artfully sidestep the assaults. After minutes of exchanging blows, Hisoka discovered a new hole in his shirt along with his haircut and Kurapika found several shallow cuts along his arms and cheeks. It seemed that the fight, although tilted in Hisoka's favor, was going to be a long one.
Finally, after Kurapika managed to dish out a small cut at the tip of Hisoka's collarbone, the clown suddenly lashed out, sending his opponent springing backwards. Hisoka followed, stopping to speak directly into the other's ear.
"I have information about the Spiders if you're interested," he crooned, relishing the look of unease sliding across the blond's features. Laughing at the other's expression, he continued, "Oh, so you are interested." He ghosted a hand down Kurapika's chin, an affectionate gesture had his sharp nails not lingered on his neck in warning. "Meet me after orientation."
Hisoka abruptly spun away. "I forfeit," he called out, much to everyone's surprise.
As the spectators clapped, Pairo scooping him up in an almost possessive manner (he hadn't missed the clown's hands on the blond), Kurapika was still reeling from Hisoka's actions.
Just what is he trying to pull?
Next, it was Hanzo versus Pairo.
Stepping forward, Pairo assessed the man in front of him. Hanzo was roughly the same height as him, given an inch or two, with a lean, agile body. So, not at all like Bendot's lumbering, oafish physique. From watching Gon's fight, Hanzo seemed to wield one long blade that extended from his right arm, implying his right-arm dominance. The ninja was evenly matched in speed and flexibility, but had a bit of an advantage with his torture techniques. Pairo and Hanzo both had different skill sets, but that worked in Pairo's favor.
Pairo had dabbled in a wide variety of styles, while Hanzo stayed true to only one. Based on the other's previous match, Hanzo had some type of morals, and almost always fought fairly when it was clear that his adversary was powerful. Pairo, however, knew how to fight dirty, after so many years surviving off of the streets. But, he, too, was reluctant to utilize such underhanded skills. Judging from the ninja's training, most of the fight would probably be hand-to-hand.
Thank heavens for all those spars with Kurapika. Even though he got his butt kicked most of the time.
"Shall we begin?" Hanzo offered.
Pairo held up his hand, "Wait one moment, please."
Taking out his Tonta swords, he unsheathed them from their plain wooden casings. Dark, midnight meteoric iron gleamed darkly back at him, hilts studded with intricate beading and precious jewels. Unlike Kurapika's own pair, these were clearly ornate and precious. Running a finger down the blade, Pairo dutifully kissed the cool metal, sending up a quick prayer before nodding at Hanzo.
Closing his eyes, he said, "Let's go."
Pairo allowed Hanzo to attack first, having heard the dull clash of metal from Hanzo's sword sliding out. The other man was quick, and Pairo parried his blow at the last possible moment as his reflexes instructed. Shifting his stance, Pairo carried out a series of feints, each faster than the previous. Easily blocking, Hanzo pressed forward, causing a small step backward from his opponent.
Slash. Block. Feint. Feint. Block.
Retreating further, Pairo smiled inwardly as Hanzo's movements became more confident and bold, leaving areas wide open and vulnerable to attack. He loosened his grip on his blades, ready to proceed with his plan. Wait, his mind advised. Go on with your charade for a few moments longer.
Hanzo lunged forward, swords clashing loudly again and again, scarcely a second between one attack and the next. Pairo pretended to scowl in concentration, his eyes still closed, and was pleased to hear the other's arrogant chuckle as he blocked another vicious blow. Now.
Letting go of his Tonta swords completely, Pairo darted forward, aiming a fist at Hanzo's chest. The air having been knocked out of him, the ninja stumbled back, and Pairo could almost see the surprised look on his face. Catching him off guard, Pairo faked a swipe at his opponent's jaw, and in stead delivered a heavy knee up that nearly wiped out all chances of Hanzo juniors, if you know what I mean.
Hanzo fell to his feet, face contorted in pain and shocked that Pairo, who seemed so honorable, would do such a thing. The Kurta suddenly came up behind him. Opening his eyes, Pairo pulled out a knife from somewhere in his robes, holding it up to Hanzo's neck.
"So, will you surrender?" Pairo asked, voice casual yet distinctly dangerous. "Or will I have to finish what I already started?" He nodded toward Hanzo's downstairs region. Hanzo paled.
"I forfeit," the ninja conceded. Cue applause.
Pairo walked back to Kurapika whose face was both pained and amused. "I seriously didn't think you'd do such a thing, Mr. Street Fighter," the blond said.
"Please, if anyone were to earn that title, it would be you," Pairo shot back, rolling his eyes.
"What do you mean?" Leorio asked, looking mildly ill. The doctor was learning more terrifying things about Kurapika every day.
"Kurapika used to enter fighting rings when we needed money," the taller Kurta explained. "It was funny to see a small fifteen-year-old beat up professional boxers and the like."
Leorio clasped a hand over his forehead. "Oh dear," he said faintly.
"What was with the whole 'fighting with my eyes closed' technique?" Killua asked, having just entered the conversation.
Kurapika shrugged modestly. "Some battle tactic that we obtained when we were young. It works in two ways: by yourself, or with your comrade."
"What do you mean?"
It was Pairo who answered. "You're forced rely more on your other senses, so it works well in the dark, or when you're not sure if you can trust your sight to see the truth for you. But, we took that a step further. I found some sort of ancient text that allows to people to have some sort of mental bond with someone else. So, with the other's consent, we can share information through our link. Pretty much while I was fighting, Kurapika watched the match for me and gave me pointers, and vise versa. It makes our reflexes quicker and more accurate."
Seeing the shocked looks on their faces, Kurapika added, "We only use this in extreme situations and one-on-one battles, because it requires a lot of concentration."
"Plus, it gives both of us headaches," Pairo commented helpfully.
Kurapika felt sick. Hot, molten anger bubbled deep in his stomach, his eyes flaring up behind his slate contacts. That filth. There were many derogatory terms that came up when describing Illumi, but none that fully illustrated his sudden animosity towards the other man. How could he have manipulated such a young boy as Killua like so? And his own brother, too.
Never in the past few years had the blond felt this much wrath flooding through his veins, not even when he'd faced Majitani.
About to step forward, Kurapika felt Pairo place a placating hand on his arm. "I'll take care of this."
Opening his mouth in protest, Kurapika stopped when he saw his companion's expression. Pairo's handsome features fell evenly to mask the warring emotions brewing underneath. However, only Kurapika was able to detect his fury. It was in his eyes, a blazing scarlet filled with malice veiled with soft brown. It was in the slight quiver of his words, the hitch in pitch that threatened to spill over the ire hidden inside. And, it was in his movements, slow and predatory as he approached the Chairman.
Pairo exchanged a few words with Netero, who simply chuckled and shrugged, as if saying: well, I'm not going to stop you. Meanwhile, Illumi just stood there, blinking owlishly in confusion.
Walking up to a lamp, Pairo scooped it up, switched it on, and practically skipped over to the tall assassin, smiling amicably.
"You know," Pairo began, tone deceivingly light, "in some cultures, giving someone a candle is a gesture of forgiveness." He paused, like he was searching for the words. "I don't really know why. Maybe because it will brighten their life? Or it wards off bad spirits? Who knows?"
Illumi just regarded him blankly. Is this some sort of threat?
"Now, since I do not have a candle to give you to show you my offer of forgiveness for your horrid actions of today, I now hold a lamp." Pairo grinned, a little bit of his anger shining through. "However, I find the whole 'gifting' process a bit too...gentle."
Not waiting for the other to contemplate his words, Pairo abruptly hefted the lamp and swung it down in a heavy arc towards Illumi's arm. Shattering, the lamp's bulb exploded in multi-colored bits of expensive glass. The assassin clutched his injury, and all were surprised that he hadn't even made a sound the entire time. Slumping against a wall, Illumi glared at Pairo silently.
"I prefer my way of doing things, even though it's more...well...violent than necessary," Pairo finished, his voice still friendly. "Do reflect on how detrimental your little manipulation has served." Shoving the destroyed lamp into Illumi's bleeding hands, Pairo turned to face the Chairman.
"Sorry about the lamp." Netero just laughed, the sound echoing off of the vaulted ceilings.
"Kurapika! Leorio! Pairo!" The three of them spun to see Gon, who was up and running despite his broken arm. "We have to rescue Killua!"
It had been twelve hours since orientation when the now four of them were finally able to meet up together without the other applicants. Kurapika still turned over the information that Hisoka had told him about hours earlier. Although he had no interest picking off the Spiders, he knew that if the Phantom Troupe was gathering at some place, only death and destruction would occur. He had to protect others from meeting his same fate.
Plus, there was the matter of the Scarlet Eyes.
There was a rumor that a pair was being sold off at the yearly Yorknew City underground auction in a couple months. The same place that the Spiders would be during the same time frame. Ugh. Kurapika was sure as hell that he wouldn't let those thieves take what was rightfully his people's yet again. He'd shared the information with Pairo, of course, and they'd agreed to investigate further about the auction.
Directing his attention back to the boy in front of them, Kurapika smiled the younger's energy and enthusiasm. "We're already one step ahead of you. Leorio booked us tickets to Kukuroo Mountain right after orientation."
Gon's eyes shined. "Yes! Killua, here we come!"
Stay safe, Killua. We'll be there soon.
To be Continued...
Added Notes
1) I've decided to show the Zoldyck Family arc in snapshots next chapter, so that it's written, but won't take as much time
2) Some things did change this chapter, but I hoped you all liked it!
3) Once again, my writing skills on fights and battles are still a bit shaky, so apologies for the choppiness!
4) Kurapika and Pairo were taught nen accidentally, so they use it subconsciously without seeing it or feeling it, like the nen beasts and their owners in the current manga arc. (Dark Continent)
5) Yorknew City arc will change a whole lot, so just another warning!
Thanks for reading and please review!