Disclaimer: Not mine. Really.
A/N: Finally! Sorry guys for the long update! I've been busy with my work these past few days. GOMEN GOMEN! Well, here's the next chapter! Hope you enjoy reading!
CHAPTER TWELVE. BEHIND EACH FAIRYTALE
"I don't like bell peppers!"
"Stop being picky and eat them."
"But they're bitter and I hate them!"
"Yes they're bitter but they're still delicious."
"Why don't you just eat these?" Mikuru said as she scooped out the bell peppers from her plate.
"No you're not putting them in my plate." Kurapika replied grabbing Mikuru's hand to stop her from her plan of putting the peppers onto his plate.
"If I can't leave them on my plate, then you eat them."
"I said no. Stop being immature and eat them."
Leorio rolled his eyes. "Lately those two had been acting like a stupid couple. Arguing about this. Arguing about that. Arrrgh! They're making my head ache."
"But Mikuru-neechan is right."
"Huh?"
Killua pointed at his own plate. "These things are disgusting. People should not eat them."
"Mou Killua! Mito-san said you should eat bell peppers!"
"Mito-san's not here."
"I'll tell her that you're not eating the peppers!"
"If I say no, it's N-O!"
"Arrrgh! I can't make those two stop so don't add to them!" Leorio snarled. When everyone ignored him, "Senritsu, can you make them all stop?" No answer. "Senritsu?" Still no answer. "Hey, Senritsu?"
Senritsu snapped out of her reverie and looked at Leorio. "Oh I'm sorry. I'm spacing out a little. What is it?"
"I said can you make them stop?"
Senritsu looked at where Leorio was pointing. "Just let them, Leorio."
"Let them?"
"It's better this way than before right?"
Leorio pondered for a moment. "Maa, I guess so." He sighed. "What were you thinking anyway? You've been spacing out a lot lately."
"I noticed that too." Killua said joining the conversation.
"Is there any problem?" Gon added.
Senritsu didn't answer but looked troubled. It was Basho who spoke for her. "I think it has something to do with what Shiro-sama said just a week ago." Basho then recounted to them the words of their boss.
"I don't understand. Why would he say that?" Leorio asked after the conclusion of Basho's story.
Basho just shook his head. "No idea. He didn't elaborate anything. Even Maria-san didn't seem to understand what he was saying."
"I wanted to ask Kurapika and Mikuru-sama about it but…" Senritsu trailed looking at their other two companions who were so busy with their stupid argument and didn't seem to hear them. The rest followed Senritsu's gaze.
"But the atmosphere around them was so nice and cheery that you don't want to destroy it." Gon finished her sentence.
Senritsu just nodded sadly. "It was the first time I've seen Kurapika at peace like this. His heartbeat was way different from how I heard it during our first few days here. Mikuru-sama as well. Her heartbeat was so sad and melancholic the first time I heard it. But today it was so peaceful and calm." She lowered her eyes and said in a very sad voice. "I do not know what Shiro-sama was talking about. But like him, I wanted everything to stay like this."
"Since we don't know anything about the matter I suggest we stop being bothered by it." Killua suggested. "It will just worry those two you know."
"Killua's right." Leorio agreed. The four of them continued to eat in silence as they watched the two Kurutas chat contentedly with each other.
-After lunch-
"I wonder why Maria-san called for us." Gon wondered. Just a little while ago, one of Mikuru's personal maids informed them that Maria was calling for a meeting.
"Most probably about Genei Ryodan." Killua said. For the past week, the group painstakingly collected as much information as they could gather about the whereabouts of the group. "Maria-san hadn't been around lately. I guessed she's analyzing the information we gathered."
Gon nodded. "The last bits of information Killua and I obtained had clear evidence that the group was within the border of the city next to this one."
"If that information is highly accurate, then the enemies are just near us." Leorio said. Gon and Killua nodded. "What do you think Kurapika?" Kurapika didn't answer him. He was thinking of something else at that moment that he didn't seem to hear Leorio's question. "Hey! Kurapika?" Leorio called again giving the blonde lad a light tap on the shoulder. "Are you with us?" Kurapika just looked at him blankly and continued to walk. "What's his problem?" Gon and the rest just shrugged.
"He's always like that when he's troubled right?" Killua said. "The I-do-not-want-to-hear-whatever-you-are-saying mode."
Leorio just rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He said as he watched Senritsu opened the door to Maria's office.
-Inside Maria's office-
"Here is the information I pooled from the data gathering we did last week." Maria started. She handed the each of them a printed copy of the pooled data. The group scanned the given sheets. "It seems that they are near to our current location. In the next city. From the initial simulation program I made, their specific location would be here." She said as she tapped a certain point in a map projected from her computer. "This place used to be factory. It was abandoned years ago due to a fire accident."
"Well, it seems to be a good place for hiding." Basho commented.
"Yes, that's true." Maria said. "However, the reason of why they are staying in such place is still unknown."
"Maybe they want to steal something from the city. They are thieves anyway." Killua suggested.
"Killua's got a point."Leorio said.
Maria shook her head. "That, I think is impossible."
Everyone looked confused. "What is impossible?" Basho asked.
"The next city, known as the City of Sunset, is actually the poorest city in this country. That city never thrived in anything. Same reason why the burned factory we're talking here was never rebuilt. There are no museums, banks, underground casinos, or any of the sorts in that city." Maria sighed. "I don't know what goes through the heads of those criminals but I can't read them at all. Any ideas?"
"If there's nothing in that city, then they must be using it as a temporary headquarters." Killua said. "Anyway, the informer who gave the information said that the group had just arrived in the place. His speculation was one or two days ago. They must be going somewhere else."
Maria nodded. "That's a good point. The neighboring cities are quite rich in terms of financial aspects. They could have thought of using the City of Sunset as a getaway route. Anyone else?"
"Maria-san, do you have a map of those cities?" Kurapika asked.
Maria looked confused. Otherwise, she nodded and made a light tap on her computer. "Here." Kurapika looked at the map closely. He seemed to be tracing something from the said map.
"Nee, Kurapika?" Gon asked as he was looking in the same map Kurapika was analyzing. "I have a bad feeling about this."
"Me too, Gon."
"What do you mean, Gon-san, Kurapika-san?" Maria asked.
"Why will those people be around this place?" Gon said.
Leorio said in an as-a-matter-of-factly tone. "Well, Maria-san had said it right? There are rich cities around. Those cities are their prime targets."
"But why here? Of all places?" Kurapika elaborated. "I've observed the cities around here while doing the data acquisition. Even though these are rich cities, there's nothing interesting enough for them to go here. I don't think they would want to steal from the banks here. They don't need money, right? The museums around have high-valued artifacts but not as interesting and fascinating as the last artifacts they stole."
"There is only one treasure here that they might be interested in." Gon added.
"What is your point, Gon, Kurapika?" Senritsu asked. "Don't tell me…"
The two nodded.
Maria looked at them with wide eyes. "You mean the scarlet eyes?"
"Like I said I have a bad feeling about this. We might be their next target." Everyone suddenly felt unease and surprise.
"This is bad." Killua said. "If we're their next target, we're in great danger. Only Kurapika can actually fight those monsters equally."
Gon agreed. "I think we should prepare now."
"That's right. Time's ticking. Who knows what those monsters are already doing at this time." Basho showing great nervousness.
Maria nodded thinking deeply. "Well then, we'll start the preparations." She finally said. "Kurapika-san's idea is highly accurate if we're going to relate it to all the information we have at hand. We mustn't waste time." Then in an urgent voice. "Basho-san, please inform all the guards that we're increasing the protection around the mansion. At least, a hundred in each station. Order them also to add guards in secluded areas in the mansion and within a hundred-radius outside. Senritsu-san, inform Shiro-sama about this. After that, inform all the maids to be wary as well. If they happen to notice something suspicious – no matter how small it is – order them to report to you immediately. Go now." With that Senritsu and Basho left the office.
"What about us Maria-san?" Gon asked.
"Gon-san, Killua-san, I want you to continue your training with Mikuru-sama. Right now, we need as many skilled nen-users as possible. Increase your ability. Train more. Improve yourselves. Am I being clear?" The two nodded. "As for you Leorio-san, you're a doctor right?" Leorio nodded. "I want you to make a general check on everyone around the mansion. Make sure everyone is in shape to fight. Prepare necessary first aid kits and medicines as well. Other than that, lead the group of the family's mechanics. Place additional cameras around the mansion and within a hundred-radius around the mansion's borders." Then to Kurapika. "Kurapika-san, I want to talk to you in private." The four looked at one another.
"Well then, we'll be going now, Maria-san." Leorio said. The three hunters left the office and proceeded to their respective tasks.
"What is it you want to talk about Maria-san?" Kurapika asked as soon as the door closed.
"There are two things I want you to do unaided by your friends." Maria said in a serious tone.
"Things?"
Maria nodded. "This is the first thing." She pulled out a small parchment and placed it in front of Kurapika. "This is the map of the underground vault. I drew that from the memory I have of it. It's not the complete map but it's complete enough to bring you to the vault of the scarlet eyes."
Kurapika was confused. "You want me to transfer the eyes somewhere else? I thought the vaults are protected by nen and cannot be penetrated easily."
"Yes that's true but that's not what I want you to do there."
"Then what do I do?"
"Bring Mikuru-sama with you in the vault of the scarlet eyes. I want you to accompany her to gather as much nen from those scarlet eyes as possible."
"To gather nen? I don't understand."
Maria explained. "Mikuru-sama had been trained by your father to obtain the power of the scarlet eyes, remember? To do that she had been trained to manipulate and gather the remaining nen inside those eyes."
"I know that dead people can leave their nen. But I didn't know that you can manipulate them. Much more gather them." Kurapika said recalling how Uvogin and Pakunoda's nen remained after he killed them. It was a nen full of darkness that wouldn't let him be at peace. It is the same nen he felt after retrieving a couple of pairs of scarlet eyes for the Nostrads once long before. Nen-users may die but their nen doesn't die with them. Especially if it is the kind of nen created and polished from intense desires and emotions like hatred.
"It is impossible if and only if we're talking of normal dead people. This ability of Mikuru-sama is related to that old Kurutanian myth. The ability she never wanted to learn but was forced in her as a punishment to her mother." Maria explained.
"What do you mean with that?"
"Say, Kurapika-san, did you ever wonder why no one in the tribe tried to call forth the power of the scarlet eyes?"
Kurapika shook his head. "What I only know is that no one is interested in the power. There's no reason for them to use it or claim it."
"But during the attack of the Genei Ryodan, why didn't your father use and claim it? It's an emergency. It's a very good reason to claim the power. If he used such enormous power, he could have saved the clan right? Why do you think he didn't do it?"
Kurapika was surprised. That question never occurred to him before. If only his father use that power, he could have saved the tribe. "I don't know. That never occurred to me before." He stated honestly.
Maria said in a sad voice. "Your father didn't use it because that power is unattainable unless…"
"Unless?"
"Unless the bearer of the eyes is already dead."
Kurapika was stunned. Everything seemed to be getting clearer to him now. "So that's the real reason why no one dared to claim the power. Not even Otoosama. Claiming it would mean killing the entire clan."
Maria nodded. "That's also the truth why your clan's council decided to keep Mikuru-sama alive."
The blonde lad just looked at her wide-eyed. Then in a dejected voice he said, "Because Mikuru-sama will fit perfectly as the bearer of the scarlet eyes' power. Her life's purpose was to kill whoever's going to kill the clan and retrieved the scarlet eyes so no one could use them. That is the kind of mission Otoosama and the clan's council wanted Mikuru-sama to do." Then he remembered the fairytale Mikuru told Gon. 'If the power is to be release from the kingdom, the carrier should also be someone from the kingdom. Someone who was willing to take the responsibility and someone who was brave enough to face the consequences of the power.'
Silence came next. Kurapika couldn't think of anything to say. He felt that any word would mean nothing now that he learned the truth behind that fairytale. The scarlet eyes held such power and yet the only way to access them is to kill everyone else in the tribe. Such responsibility of carrying the burden of retrieving the scarlet eyes together with its power is the cruelest thing a member of the clan can suffer. Protecting everyone's nen from people like Genei Ryodan through this way, Mikuru-sama must have suffered a lot. Unease followed Kurapika. I never expected that there are lots of thing I didn't know about the clan. I only know a fraction of the truth. The good side of that truth. Otoosama must have shielded me from the other side of that truth. And here Mikuru-sama only saw that other side Otoosama hid from me. Kurapika felt that there is something he must do. He was still mystified with what he had learned when Maria continued.
"Now for the second thing, I want you to…"
-Later that evening-
That day seemed to be a busy day for the Akais. Guards were scattered here and there. Technicians were also busy setting up additional cameras and security measures around the mansion. Even Mikuru's bodyguards were busy with their assigned tasks. It was late in the evening when Gon, Killua and Mikuru's training ended. The two boys went to bed as soon as they finished their meal. Only Kurapika was left to do the night guarding for their mistress. He looked at the grandfather clock at the far end of the room. It read 10:00.
"You are supposed to be sleeping now." Kurapika said as put down the book he was reading.
"I can't sleep."
Kurapika stood up and went to sit beside Mikuru. "You have to sleep."
Mikuru still didn't make any attempt to sleep. "Where is Maria?"
"In her office."
"Otoosama?"
"He's with Maria. They're having an urgent meeting right now."
"Senritsu-san?"
"She's with them."
"Basho-san and Leorio-san?"
"They're in charge of heading the groups of the guards tonight."
"Gon and Killua?"
"They're sleeping already. Must have gotten tired from today's training."
Mikuru just looked up to her ceiling and silently said. "Everyone is working hard, ne?" Kurapika just nodded. "I wanted to help them too but I don't know how." Then he looked at Kurapika. "How about you? Didn't Maria command you to do something as well? Gon said everyone received a specific task from Maria this afternoon. What did Maria ask you to do?"
Kurapika didn't answer immediately. Instead, he started a topic which seemed unrelated to her question. "Nee, is there something you really want to do?"
"Huh?"
"I said is there something you really want to do?"
"What's with that question?"
"Nothing. I just want to know."
"It's not like you to ask such question."
"Are you answering or not?"
Mikuru giggled. "Hai. Hai." Then in a serious tone. "I don't know. Right now, all I wanted to do is to finish the mission that was left to me by my master, your father, I mean."
"But that is not something you really want to do, is it?"
The lady thought for a moment. "That's true. But I made a vow to complete it. Besides even as I say it, I really don't know what I really want to do. There's nothing right now that I want to do so badly. You? Do you have something you want to do?"
"There is one thing. However, I doubt if I can do it."
Mikuru giggled again.
"What's funny?"
"Are you sick today, Kurapika-kun? You're acting strange. Like I said, it's not like you to ask such question. And now, you have doubts against your own ability. It is something I am not expecting to hear from you."
Kurapika chuckled. "Am I really acting that strange?"
Mikuru sat up and moved beside Kurapika. "Yeah. Really strange." She chuckled. "Mind telling me that thing you wanted to do."
Kurapika didn't answer. Instead his face turned suddenly gloomy and sad. "After the tribe was wiped out, the only thing I could think of was revenge and the retrieval of the scarlet eyes. I drowned myself with so much hatred that I've lost track of what I really want and what's really important to me." Then he let out a little smile. "But that was before. Now, it's clear to me what I want and what's really important to me. " He looked at the girl beside him who was listening to him silently.
"So what is that?"
"I want to protect you."
A/N: Sorry for super long chapter! I tried to cut down the chapter but I just can't stop myself from completing the scene with all its details. Eheh.
Sorry guys if I kept leaving open-ended ideas within the chapters. (It's a habit…ehehe…can't remove it anymore from my system…) Please do tell me if I forget to answer the open-ended ideas in the past chapters. Thanks!
To Stelra Etnae-san, thanks so much for constantly reviewing my fic! Thank you thank you! Hope you enjoy the next chapters! I really appreciate them! Lovey-dovey chapters are coming up so please look forward to them! Eheh!
To complicatedmind21-san, first thank you for constantly reviewing my fic! Eheh…I am not answering you question yet. *evil grin inserted here* But you almost got it there. Ehehe. The completion will come soon. Please look forward to the next chapters! Thanks!
To White Alchemist Taya-san, actually I was looking forward to your reviews (questions actually…ehehe!) But anyway, thank you so much for constantly reviewing my fic! I really appreciate it! Thank you thank you! Please look forward to the next chapters!
To BabyCherish-san, there are more cliffhangers coming. *grinning* Eheh. Thank you so much for the reviews! And thanks for the good luck! (I haven't submitted my application actually…ahah…I haven't received my recommendation letters yet…ahah…) Hope you'll enjoy the next chapters!
To yonet-chan-san, hmmm…I'm not really sure why. But in my point-of-view, pairing Kurapika with another Kuruta is much like digging in the past of whole Kuruta tribe itself. I don't know for other people but for me, Kuruta is not a perfect tribe. I mean, no such thing is perfect right? So I thought of using a Kuruta member for my OC. It's easy to dig up the history of the tribe with that rather than an OC who is not inside the tribe. Something like that. And thanks for the review!
To Bob Is Hawt but I'm Hawter-san, thanks for the review! I dunno if I can make very good fight scenes and adventures stuff for the next chapters but please look forward to it! Thanks!
