Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter X Hunter! If I do, I'd make Kuroro and Kurapika a real couple!

Warning: I turned Kurapika into a girl here because I don't want my parents catching me writing yaoi. Sorry! Don't Kill ME! And expect wrong spellings and grammars since I did not properly edit this! Thanks!

Story:They were forced to start from the very beginning. How will the events from the past seven years affect their feelings for each other? What are they going to do to make everything go back to the way it was? KuroXKura. FemKura. Non-Yaoi. Forced Trials Sequel.

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Chapter 12

The Search for Kairo Part 2: Wines and Arenas

The couple silently sat side by side during their flight, contemplating about their own thoughts. Somehow, when Kurapika tried to use her Dowsing chain to confirm her uncle's whereabouts, it acted funny and weird. Kuroro had deducted that Kairo must have used an unknown ability that prevented them from locating him easily.

They still have one more hour before the plane lands and the two opted to catch a few winks to recover some of their lost nen during their battle in the forest. Kuroro is sleeping soundly while Kurapika had a little trouble. She was still bothered by the events after they had gone out of the forest and escaped the man-faced apes. When Kuroro had spoken about his father, she can hear his voice tremble a little. What a very rare thing to happen knowing that he is the type of man who seems unaffected by everything around him.

Kurapika wanted to know more about him but why does she have the feeling that Kuroro will distance himself from her if she does? It's just a feeling but it cannot be ignored.

The blonde took out the white paper that Markuss gave them back there in Ryuusegai. She wondered whether her uncle would lead them into a wild goose chase after him. He likes games after all and he likes amusing himself with the expense of other people.

What a pain in the neck.

For the nth time, Kurapika closed her eyes and tried to succumb to drowsiness. She just hoped that she will be able to sleep properly this time.

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They arrived early in the morning at Ladenburg international airport and the two hurriedly took a taxi cab going to the Ladenburg Manor, but not before grabbing a quick breakfast in one of the fast foods around the airport. It has been a while since Kurapika returned here. She was never fond of visiting the different mansions they own around the world. The blonde vaguely wondered why her Uncle Kairo even had to make many mansions when no one would be living in them except for the servants responsible for their maintenance.

When the taxi pulled over in front of the large gates of the Ladenburg Mansion, both Kuroro and Kurapika immediately stepped out and were greeted by the servants. Kurapika furrowed her eyebrows in confusion.

"Uncle Kairo must have told them we're coming." The blonde said as one butler approached them.

"Miss Kurapika and Sir Kuroro, welcome back to Ladenburg." The butler greeted them with a bow. "Please come this way. You two must be tired from your journey."

True, the couple are quite tired but their quick rest in the airplane did the trick. The two walked inside the mansion and noted that Ladenburg Manor is very different compared to Bethel and Gushiken Manor. It's more like a modern castle, with a wide, grassy front yard that is perfect for horse riding, a small game of golf, and large parties. Their engagement party was held here for that very reason.

At the backyard, a wide grape orchard can be seen where all the grapes needed for the Bethel wine business came from.

"Is my Uncle here?" Kurapika asked but the butler shook his head.

"He stopped here for a while, Miss and left at the same day." He replied.

Inside the mansion, they were greeted by hundreds of bottles of wines on the coffee tables, the shelves, and dining tables. Kuroro looked around in confusion, remembering that the last time he was here, the mansion was not in this state. He turned to the butler that was leading them.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked and Kurapika also looked at him, also perplexed by the sight. She had never seen so many wines accumulated in a single area in her entire life.

"It was Master Kairo's doing, Sir." The butler replied rather casually.

"What did he say?" Kurapika asked this time.

"He asked me to give this to you." The old butler took out the same white piece of paper from inside his inner coat pocket and gave it to the Kuruta. Kurapika took it from him, knowing that it's another clue to Kairo's next location. Kuroro on the other hand is already walking towards one table, examining one bottle on his hand.

The blonde turned her attention back to the paper on her hand and read its contents.

A 20-year old bottle of Barbera Wine completes my day.

Find me one, will you?

"Barbera wine?" she asked herself and looked up. Then, her eyes roamed around the hundreds of bottles around them. All of them have sticker labels with numbers but were arranged randomly.

"What did the note say?" Kuroro asked as he approached the blonde. Kurapika gave it for him to read and she saw an amused smirk forming on the man's lips.

"A barbera wine." He chuckled a little but the Kuruta can feel a little sarcasm in his voice. She sensed a little disappointment when he said the last two words. The man looked at her. "You don't drink, do you?" he asked and the blonde shook her head.

"I have low tolerance in alcohol." She shrugged and Kuroro nodded.

"So, we're supposed to find a 20-year old barbera wine."

"If we do find it, what will we get?" the blonde asked, hoping that it will contain the real clue to Kairo's next location.

Kuroro bent down in front of one table and took one bottle to his hand. He ordered the butler to go and get him wine glasses. When the butler arrived, he dismissed him so he can get started on the wine tasting.

"Don't get yourself drunk." Kurapika muttered audibly and the Spider head laughed a little.

"Why don't you help me out?" he asked and the blonde sighed.

"I told you, I have low alcohol tolerance."

"You just have to look at its appearance, Kurapika. Barbera wines have deep ruby colours with pink rims." Kuroro explained as he held up one glass and examined the colour while shaking the glass lightly. "Old barberas have vibrant aromas and are like cloves since they are mostly treated with oak for fermentation." Then, he put his lips at the rim of the glass and took a light sip from it. Kurapika watched and listened in awe, not knowing what to say with Kuroro's vast knowledge about wines. The man looked at her with a smile. "Thin." He simply said.

"Thin?" she asked and Kuroro smiled.

"It means that this one lacks the fruity flavour of a barbera wine." He explained and put his glass down. "Barberas have a fruity and plummy taste with a touch of acidity."

"Where did you learn all this?" the blonde asked curiously as she, too, took one bottle and opened it, pouring herself one glass. But she noticed that Kuroro did not answer her question and only continued opening different bottles.

Ignoring it, Kurapika decided to only focus herself in finding that 20-year old barbera wine bottle. She looked for that deep ruby colour Kuroro told her about and inhaled its aroma, wrinkling her nose a little because she's not that fond of the smell of alcoholic drinks. Then, the Kuruta tried drinking one and suddenly regretted it. It doesn't suit her palate well. She looked over to where Kuroro was and saw him examining his most likely 15th glass of wine. He still looks sober though.

Early in the morning and we're drinking alcohol... very productive. The Kuruta thought to herself.

"Kurapika." He called out and the blonde immediately sauntered towards him. He held out his glass to her and she looked at it. "Taste it." He ordered.

"No. I don't think..."

"Kurapika." Kuroro said sternly. "Just a light sip and tell me what it tastes like."

"But I thought you already tasted it." Kurapika said as she took the glass from him.

"I did but I'm not sure about it. The other wines have messed up my palate." The man explained to her. "That could be the one."

With a defeated sigh, Kurapika took a very light sip from the drink. The liquid scattered all over her tongue and she let it flow down her throat in a fluid motion to let her taste it properly. She was surprised to find herself quite liking it. She licked her lower lip and contemplated on the aftertaste.

"Juicy and sharp." She took another light sip. "It's really fruity and its texture is silky. Also, it tastes like plum and cherry."

"You're learning fast." Kuroro chuckled and took the bottle where he got the wine from. "This is it."

"Are you sure?" Kurapika asked and looked at the label of the dark green bottle. It has the number 50 on it and Kuroro examined it intently. Now that they found the bottle, what's next? The blonde took the bottle from him and touched the label. "Fifty." She whispered as she touched the number. "It's Uncle Kairo's present age."

The blonde ran her fingers slowly on the bottle, feeling its smooth surface. Then, she suddenly felt some sort of lump underneath its sticker label. Kuroro noticed that she found something and walked closer towards her. Kurapika then slowly peeled off the sticker and smiled to herself when she found what they had been looking for.

Underneath the sticker label, a group of words were engraved. If they only knew that the next clue would be found on the bottle itself, they wouldn't have wasted anymore time and just peeled off every sticker from all the bottles here.

"Read it." Kuroro said and Kurapika nodded.

"What stands 3,250 feet and has 251 floors?" the blonde read as her eyes lowered further and saw another set of words under the first set. "How many pages does Ayumi Suzuki's first book have?"

The two looked at each other.

"3,250 feet with 251 floors." The Kuruta repeated and returned her gaze to the bottle. She remembered one time when Gon and Killua talked about reaching the 251st floor of a tower called... "Heaven's Arena."

Kuroro looked at her. "Heaven's Arena?"

"That's right. Heaven's Arena." Kurapika repeated. "It's the world's fourth tallest building measuring 3,250 feet from the ground."

"That place is filled with martial artists. What would Kairo be doing there?" he asked and Kurapika shrugged.

"Who knows? Maybe we should go and find out." She replied.

"And what about the second clue? How many pages does your first book have?"

Kurapika froze a little and looked at Kuroro. "Eh? The pages?"

The man looked back at her and sighed. "You don't know, do you?"

"How am I supposed to know? I don't memorize page numbers." She grunted annoyingly.

"Well, I don't know either." Kuroro countered. He had been collecting Kurapika's books but such trivial things like the number of pages they have never entered his mind. But he does know that her first book is entitled 'The Wonders of the Goine Rainforest' and is not that thick with. It has paperback covers and is medium-sized.

"We should go to a bookstore and buy my first book then." Kurapika suggested but it seems like Kuroro wasn't listening. "Hey," she called out.

"Heaven's Arena is located in Padokia District." He said and smiled a little. "Remember when I told you about me running a bookstore?" the man asked and Kurapika nodded.

"Wait, is your bookstore located in Padokia District?" she asked back.

"That's right. So I suggest that we go directly to Heaven's Arena and just get the book from my bookstore."

Agreeing with him, they immediately left the Ladenburg mansion and headed back to the international airport. It has been three days since they left Gushiken Manor and they have to hurry before they run out of time and fail to find Kairo before Christmas.

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In Padokia District, Killua's house in Kukuroo Mountain. Unfortunately, Kurapika's silver-haired friend is not at home (because he doesn't like it at home) and is still tagging along with Gon, doing whatever they want.

When Kurapika and Kuroro arrived the next day, late afternoon, they immediately went towards the small bookstore that Kuroro owns. The store was old and a little shabby outside, but inside, the books were well taken care of and are in their pristine conditions. In one shelf, Kurapika saw many of her works being displayed there, ranging from the first volumes to the last ones, from paperback to hard bound.

"This place is nice." She commented and read the titles of the other books that were also displayed on bigger shelves. The blonde was impressed with Kuroro's collection from topics like politics, history, biographies, and novels.

On the other side of the place, she saw another shelf with books about wines. Curious, Kurapika sauntered towards it and pulled out one book, opened it then skimmed through the pages. So, aside from books, Kuroro does like studying about winemaking and wine tasting. No wonder he had lots of expensive brands of wine bottles being displayed in his study room. She thought they're really just for decorations and nothing else. Well, Kurapika barely sees him drinking anyway.

Then, another object caught her attention as she closed the book and put it back to its proper place.

Kuroro all the while was searching for the first book that she wrote and when he found it, he pulled it out of the shelf then turned to its last page. "Page 210." He whispered and turned to Kurapika to tell her of his findings.

He saw her staring intently at one bare wall of the shop. The man realized the thing she was looking at and he felt himself tense up a little.

"Who's the man in the painting?" the Kuruta asked, breaking her eye contact at the painting to look at Kuroro.

"The previous owner of this shop." He replied calmly.

"He looks like you." She commented, making the Spider head chuckle a little.

"You think so?"

Kurapika can't help but furrow her eyebrows in puzzlement. The painting she was looking at is a painting of a man and a woman. The man has deep brown hair with a pair of mysterious obsidian eyes that reminded her so much of Kuroro's own eyes. On the other hand, the woman had silky shoulder-length jet black hair and dark blue eyes that looked very alive to the Kuruta.

"And the woman?" she asked.

"Probably his wife." Kuroro replied once again as he strode towards her. "It's page 210, Kurapika."

"Hmmm." The blonde hummed and looked at him. "What are these people to you that you even bothered to display their portrait here?" She asked and Kuroro immediately knew where she's going at.

"Instead of worrying about those people, shouldn't you be more worried about the Heaven's Arena? It seems like the next clue is found in the 210th floor." For a moment, Kuroro suddenly regretted bringing Kurapika here.

"You're right." The blonde agreed and they walked out of the bookstore, locking it before heading towards the Heaven's Arena.

Kurapika can feel that Kuroro is starting to act weird. His teasing lessened a little, not that she wanted to be teased more often. It all started when she made him bring his father up. Determined, Kurapika silently vowed to herself that she will find out what Kuroro is hiding from her.

But that's invading of privacy! He must have a deep reason for hiding it. Kurapika fleetingly thought to herself.

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Once they entered Heaven's Arena, they were greeted by the sinister looks of martial artists who're all lining up in front of the registration in the ground floor. Most of the looks were particularly directed at Kuroro and Kurapika realized that the man is not wearing his bandana. However, Kuroro is rather lax, knowing that the fighters on the lower floors are weaker.

The Spider head had been in Heaven's Arena a long time before, but only as a spectator. He watched the fights on the 200s and saw many techniques used by powerful nen users. He also remembered sending Machi in here to inform Hisoka, who was staying in the 200s, about their York Shin mission seven years ago.

"Let's go and get registered." Kuroro whispered as they walked towards the registration booth.

"We will fight?" Kurapika asked unbelievably. "But we could just watch the fights."

"Did you think that Kairo made us come here to merely watch their boring battles?" the man asked back and Kurapika sighed. True, she wasn't expecting that their stay here will be easy. Kairo must have prepared something for them, something unexpected and possibly dangerous. Together, they went over to the line to get registered. There were still other people shooting them their glares and stares.

Some fighters even made way for them as they approached the line and others gave up their spot, making it faster for them to fill up their entry form. Once registered, the two were given their respective numbers and immediately preceded to the battle area where many small arenas were standing, with different martial artists fighting against each other. The crowd inside were all cheering and jeering at their favourite fighters, often betting with each other. Kurapika and Kuroro took a seat and waited for their number to be called, all the while watching the battles.

After half an hour, the announcer finally called a series of numbers for the next fights.

"Number 1995 and 2337, please come to Ring B, Number 1562 and 1923, please come to Ring F..." the female announcer trailed off.

Kuroro looked at his registration paper and saw that his number, 1562, has been called.

"Looks like you're up." Kurapika said and the man stood up. "Make sure you win." She teased a little and the man smirked at her.

"Why don't we make our stay here a little interesting, Kurapika." He suggested and the Kuruta took that as a challenge.

She smirked back at him. "Alright. Whoever gains a higher floor on the first try will win. The loser..."

"Will kiss the winner, how's that?" the man teased making Kurapika blush as he smirk faded.

"You pervert!" she angrily yelled at her, annoyed at the fact that he could even think of such things in a place like this.

"I'm off then." Kuroro said and shoved his hands inside his pockets then went down the stairs, heading towards Ring F.

Upon arriving, the referee asked him and his opponent, who turned out to be some sort of gangster with a dragon tattoo donning his entire arm, to step inside the ring. Kuroro can't sense anything strong and interesting about him.

"Hey, you." His opponent called out and Kuroro raised his eyebrows, stared at him intently. "Ya better don't take your eyes off me for a second. You will not know what'll hit ya." He threatened gravely. Kuroro remained quiet and it must have ticked the gangster off. "Ya know what I hate? Its guys like you who act cool!"

The announcer looked at Kuroro then to his opponent, looking if the two are ready.

"Start!" he shouted after his assessment.

The gangster made his first move, lunging forward to Kuroro with fists clenched, shouting a battle cry. From her seat, Kurapika watched as the Spider head did not move from his spot and just stood there, waiting for his opponent to get a good shot at him. However, the Kuruta can see, with the help of Gyou, that the man is blanketing his left hand with Kou.

Everything happened so fast that only those with fast eyes can see. The gangster suddenly fell down on the floor, his neck twisted in a gruesome way. But he's still breathing. The referee seemed distraught as he looked at the scene before him. He, like most of the spectators here, did not see what really happened. Kuroro still had his hands inside his pockets as the limp body lay behind him. He turned to the referee with a small smile.

"Care to compute in what floor I'd proceed?" he asked and the referee immediately tapped some keys into his calculator-like device in his pal while the commentator kept on yelling how everything happened in an instant.

Kurapika can't help but smile to herself. "His speed is incredible as always."

When the gangster was a foot away from Kuroro, the Spider head took a slight step to the right and delivered two quick hits on his stomach and neck. His last hit has very hard that it broke some bones and twisted the gangster's neck. With Kou, the damage was even greater.

The Kuruta scoffed a little. He didn't have to use nen in the first place when he can easily beat his poor excuse for an opponent in just mere seconds.

A few minutes later, Kuroro was already climbing up the stairs and arrived, sitting down on his seat beside her while clutching a piece of paper that contains the number of the floor he was sent to.

"180th floor." He said and smiled lightly. "Beat that." The man challenged.

"I will." The Kuruta replied stubbornly as the announcer once again called another set of numbers. This time, Kurapika's number was called and she went down to Ring D.

"Woah! That's one blonde hottie over there!" one of the audiences beside him yelled which he followed with a perverted fox whistle.

Kuroro's eye twitched a little but decided to ignore them and just watched Kurapika's fight. He watched as the blonde entered the ring and faced a muscle-toned brute, wearing a white judo uniform. When the referee signalled for them to start, the two fighters lunged at each other.

Suddenly, Kuroro felt an unmistakably strong nen user watching his back. He quickly turned to look at the entrance hall of and saw a shadow of some sort of cloak flowing as it disappeared in the dark. The man almost stood up in attempt to chase whoever it was spying at them when the commentator abruptly announced that Kurapika won her match. He sat back again and waited for the blonde to climb up.

When Kurapika arrived she immediately showed her the ticket which read 180th floor, the same floor as him.

"Well, that's convenient." He said with a chuckle. "And too bad."

"Hey, hottie! Wanna go out on a date tonight?" the same man yelled at Kurapika and the blonde ignored him, like what Kuroro did.

"Let's go." The Spider head stood up and took her hand, suggesting that they go and register themselves on the 180th floor. His possessiveness is getting the better of himself now.

Upon reaching the 180th floor, they immediately registered their names and were given private rooms since reaching the 100 means having a room of your own. Their next fight was scheduled tomorrow, much to Kurapika's disappointment. However, Kuroro was silently glad that they will be given some time to rest after their nonstop travel from Ryuusegai, to Norsalle, then to Ladenburg, and finally to Padokia district. He knew that despite how energetic Kurapika may look, she's actually tired. Somehow, she did not get enough sleep on the plane and barely rested herself on their flight to Padokia district. He was also tired and the effect of the different wines he drank yesterday gave him a little hangover. But there's nothing he can't handle.

Kuroro glanced at the wall clock above the registration booth and found out that it's already eight in the evening. Together with Kurapika, the two ordered some food to be delivered in their rooms. Then, they retreated to their respective rooms, which were across each other.

The man knew that once they get to the 200s, there will be some fighters there who would recognize him. Despite being a successful businessman, he still hasn't quit being the leader of his notorious group. There's a possibility that the owner of the shadow back in the arenas is someone who knows him. He must never keep his guard down in a place like this.

Kuroro sat on his bed and comfortably settling himself on it. He wondered whether he should tell Kurapika about the presence he felt.

And what is Kairo trying to do?

What exactly is he trying to accomplish in this senseless chase?

Maybe it's not senseless at all. Kuroro thought and sat up. He sauntered towards the bathroom and went to over to the sink to wash his face. He looked up and saw his face in front of a mirror.

Kuroro's hand rose up and he touched his cheek where the scratch was before. It was gone now since Kurapika healed it for him. Then, touched the dark insignia on his forehead, frowning light as he remembered the events in the past few days.

First, he saw the certain face of a man that he had been trying to forget and erase in his life.

Second, Kairo made them look for a 20-year old bottle of barbera wine, the kind of wine that he likes so much.

And third, they were forced to come here, in the place that holds a great significance to him.

Just what is Kairo trying to do?

Kuroro took a towel and wiped his wet face. Then, his dinner arrived and he ate silently as he calmed his mind. Then, he finally tucked himself on the bed and tried going to sleep, his mind still contemplating on Kairo's unknown goal.

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Author's Note: Okaayy... I don't know what has gotten into me right now. Haha! So, I made Kuroro a wine enthusiast. Well, wines are very sophisticated and I think Kuroro is like that, too. The reason behind Kuroro's love for wines will be revealed in the future chapters. Tee Hee! Remember in chapter 19 of Forced Trials? It was mentioned there that Kuroro owns a book store. Hehehe. Don't forget to read and REVIEW! Thank you once again for all your reviews!

Next: Just who is this man Kuroro has been thinking about? And what will happen when the two reaches the 210th floor of Heaven's Arena? Where is Kairo? Who is that mysterious person observing Kuroro? Everything will be revealed in the future chapters.