Disclaimer: I never owned Hunter X Hunter. Yes I never did.

A/N: For those who waited for this chapter to come out, thank you so much and I apologize for my delayed updates. Thank you so much, guys! Anyway, here's the next chapter of the story. Enjoy reading!

CHAPTER FOURTEEN. AND THUS IT BEGINS

Kurapika's hands were trembling as he gripped the sides of Mikuru's wheelchair tightly. "You must be kidding." He said, his eyes turning into a deep shade of scarlet.

Mikuru shook her head.

"You cannot do that."

"I need to."

"No, I won't allow you to do that."

"You promised me, remember? That you won't stop me?"

"But this is not right!"

"I know. This is what my mother's punishment is."

"But…" Mikuru put her finger in his lips to stop him from talking.

"Please, it's already a burden to me to keep on moving towards my goal. I don't want to burden you as well. The reason I shared it to you is because I don't want to lie to you anymore. So please, don't say such things. It will just make me upset."

"How am I supposed to do that!"

"Keep your promise. That's all I need."

"No."

"Please, Kurapika-kun."

"But that is completely not fair."

"I know."

"Mikuru, will you stop being stubborn and just let go of my father's orders?"

"No, I cannot."

"It wasn't fair for you to do that."

"I heard you once."

"I said it because it's true!"

"But life is never fair, isn't it?"

Kurapika fell silent. It's true. What she said. Life was never fair. It wasn't fair for him. Nor for Gon, nor for Killua, nor for Leorio. Not even for Senritsu and Basho. Not for their tribe. Mikuru wasn't any different from them. He looked at his chained hands.

"Then, I'll just do my best and protect you and the scarlet eyes."

"Kurapika-kun?"

"You said that the gathered nen will only eat your life once you used it."

"That's right."

"Then, I'll do everything to make sure that there will be no reason for you to use it."

Mikuru looked at him solemnly. She knew by the look of his eyes that he was dead serious. She knew that she cannot change his mind. She turned to look at the pair of scarlet eyes he handed to Kurapika. It was the pair she found to be the prettiest. Her foster father bought it from an auction when they traveled in York Shin. And it was the one with the same loving gaze as that of her mother's. It's just like what you said. It's just like the same emotional reaction you described to me. You really do understand him better than anyone else.

"Arigatoo."

Kurapika fell silent. It was the saddest 'thank you' he ever received in his whole life. His mistress's eyes were awfully sad as the words left her lips. He didn't know why. He couldn't understand. He opened his mouth to ask why when her words stopped him.

"I'm glad I met you."

"What's with that tone?"

Mikuru smiled but didn't answer his question. "You know what? You are the third person other than my mother and my foster family who would want to protect me in spite of who I am and what I can do. Not for the reason of money or anything else. But because you want to. It made me feel really happy."

"Answer my question."

From her wheelchair, she reached out to touch his face. It was the first time she touched him since they've met. Kurapika could feel the warmth from that hand. "You have to understand, Kurapika-kun. This is my decision. This is what I decided for myself. Besides, I cannot let our clan suffer anymore. I have to save them."

"No."

"Your father will be pretty mad if he hears you, you know."

"I don't care about that. Why can't we just keep them safe from anyone else? Why can we just protect them? Why…why do you have to do this?"

"You know pretty well the answers to those questions."

Kurapika bit his lip. He knew the answers. Just like Mikuru, he wanted to save his clan. His people. The clan his father and mother protected. The clan Mikuru wanted to protect. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

The pair fell silent once again. Mikuru continued collecting the nen remnant from the scarlet eyes. The heavy atmosphere didn't leave. Neither of the two wanted to speak further for both were afraid that they might speak of something that will make the other more upset and sad.

-Later than afternoon-

"This is really tiring." Mikuru sighed as stretched her hands in the air. "This should do for now."

"Is that it?"

Mikuru smiled at the blonde guy who patiently waited for her. "Nope. Not yet."

"You're not going to collect the entire nen of the eyes?"

Mikuru laughed a little. "Nope. I have to gather them all."

"Why'd you stop then?"

Mikuru was about to answer when a grumbling sound broke the silence. That turned the silence into fits of laughter. "I guess that answers your question." Mikuru added as she continued to laugh.

"Sure it did." Kurapika laughed as well. "You can just continue this tomorrow. I believe dinner was already set."

"Hai!"

Kurapika started to wheel Mikuru's chair towards the vault's entrance when he was stopped by Mikuru.

"Wait for a moment, Kurapika-kun."

"What is it?"

Mikuru pointed to the glass pod with the same scarlet eyes she handed Kurapika earlier that day. "I want to bring that to my room. Could you please get it for me?"

Kurapika nodded and picked up the particular pair Mikuru wanted. "Here."

"Arigatoo."

The pair started their ascent back to the mansion. "Is there anything wrong with those eyes?" Kurapika suddenly asked.

"Nothing. Why would you think that?"

"I was just wondering why you would take that one upstairs."

Mikuru stretched out her hands with the glass pod. "They're really pretty, aren't they?"

Kurapika looked at the scarlet eyes inside the pod. They were pretty. Although, there is a feeling of longing as he looked at those eyes. "Yes they are. Now answer my question."

Mikuru laughed. "You really hate it when I divert the conversation to something else, right?"

"Yes. And you should stop doing it. Now, mind answering my question."

Mikuru smiled at him and answered. "I wanted to talk to her for awhile."

"Talk?" Kurapika found her words confusing. "You can communicate with the scarlet eyes?"

"You can say that. I don't know why I can do it. No nen can explain it either. But I can hear their voices. I said that awhile ago, didn't I?"

Kurapika nodded. "Why would you want to talk to her? And how did you know it was a her?"

"Mou! You've been asking me a lot of questions today, you know!"

"Just answer them."

Mikuru pouted. Nonetheless, she answered him. "Most of these eyes were oblivious to my existence. Every time I received a new pair, they were surprised and the same time suspicious that I am also a Kuruta. No one knows me and no one knows that I lived." Kurapika could hear the sadness in Mikuru's tone as she spoke those words. "But there was this particular pair of scarlet eyes that didn't show any signs of surprise or distrust against me."

"That pair, isn't it?"

Mikuru nodded. "I don't know but these eyes have that same gaze as my mother's. That same loving and kind gaze my mother always gives me. When I asked her why, she said that she knew me. Although we've never met, I can feel that she cares for me greatly." She turned her head to look at Kurapika. "The truth is it surprised me that you cannot recognize her."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at it closely. Are you sure you cannot tell who the owner of these is?"

Kurapika shook his head. "I don't know but…"

"But?"

"Looking at it makes me feel nostalgic. It's like I've been longing to see it for quite a long time."

Mikuru smiled at his words. "That's good. Those words definitely made her happy."

"Huh?"

"See? These are your mother's eyes, Kurapika-kun."

"Okaasama no me?"

"Sou da yo."

Kurapika gave the eyes another look. And it was there. The image of her mother. The same kind eyes that always took care of him and always watched over him. He smiled at Mikuru and said. "Arigatoo, Mikuru."

Mikuru was surprised. Not only he thanked her but he also called her again with her name. "Why the sudden 'thank you'?"

"I'm not sure either. Maybe for taking care of my mother's eyes."

Mikuru offered another smile. "You're welcome, then, Kurapika-kun."

-At the dining table-

"Ki-llu-a."

"Wani?"

"You don't have to rush your food, you know."

"BudInavetohiwisheawingassoo-ugh!"

"Killua!" Mikuru patted the boy's back. "See? You'll going to choke your food even more if you keep on rushing it."

Killua gulped the entire content of his glass. "But I have to finish eating as soon as possible."

"What's with the hurry?" Leorio asked.

"You too, Gon. You're eating way too fast." Basho added.

"We're not yet done with the technique we created yesterday so we're planning to finish it after dinner."

"Technique?"

"I think I heard that from Maria-san today." Senritsu said. "It has something to do with the combination nen or something, right?"

"Yeah, we asked Maria-san if we can do it and she agreed as long as it's not that dangerous." Killua replied.

"Is it REALLY not dangerous?" Mikuru asked suspiciously. The two boys gave a face which clearly states that 'I'm-lying-so-don't-look-at-me' expression. "Gon? Killua?"

"Nope, Oneechan!'

"Sou! Sou! Its 100% danger-free! Swear!"

Mikuru looked at them even more suspiciously. The two was sweating badly as they try to get away from the situation. It was Kurapika who saved their backs.

"Daijoobu."

"Kurapika-kun?"

"Those two know their limits. They know what they can and cannot do."

Mikuru looked at him for a moment and turned to look back at Gon and Killua whose expression now change to 'Please-believe-Kurapika-and-quit-asking-us-further' look. "I'll let you off for now."

"Yatta!"

"Demo."

"Demo?"

"I'll be monitoring your training tonight. Clear?"

"Ehhh?" The two exclaimed.

"But you have to sleep early Oneechan." Gon insisted. "You have other things to do tomorrow right?"

"That's right. You're so tired when we saw you awhile ago. You almost fell asleep before dinner." Killua added hastily.

"Nope. I'm not yet tired. And the dinner woke me up. No more questions. And stop rushing your food."

"Hai." The two said in defeat.

-After dinner-

"I don't believe those two." Leorio said as he watched Gon, Killua and Mikuru from the balcony of the mansion.

"Same here." Basho agreed. "Those two never knew the phrase 'take-it-easy'. They always involve themselves into the most dangerous things. Youth, I guess."

"Yeah, right. So you're saying we're already past youth?"

Basho laughed. "Maybe!"

"Anyway, where did you two go awhile ago?" Leorio asked looking at Kurapika suspiciously.

"Maria-san's orders."

"Orders? Just the two of you." Leorio asked smirking.

"Quit your perverted thoughts Leorio. It's a mission."

"Yeah. And she came out of that corridor with you completely exhausted." Leorio continued, the smirk still plastered on his face.

Kurapika sighed. "You're the worst Leorio."

"Just spill it already, Kurapika. Did something good happen?"

"Dakara…"

"Come on Kurapika. We won't say a word to Maria-san." Basho joined in.

Kurapika sweatdropped. "I don't know how I end up being acquainted with people like you."

"Che. What a selfish red-eyed monster." Leorio and Basho sneered at the same time.

"Did you say something?"

"Nothing! Nothing! Ne, Basho?"

"That's right! It's nothing!"

Kurapika glared at them ever more.

"What's wrong, Kurapika? You're glaring at Leorio and Basho too much." Senritsu entered the balcony where the three guys were currently lounging.

"Nothing." Kurapika sighed turning back his gaze to the training trio in the garden.

"Anyway, Kurapika, is there something you want to share with us?"

"Huh?"

"You seem uneasy."

"Uneasy?"

"Ee. Since you and Mikuru-sama came back for dinner."

"You won't get an answer from him, Senritsu." Leorio interrupted.

"Yeah, we're extracting answers from him but he won't answer." Basho nodded in agreement.

"It's because you two never asked the decent questions." Senritsu answered back. "So, Kurapika, is there anything wrong?"

Kurapika hesitated for a moment. He heaved out a heavy sigh. Finally, "I never thought that there are so much more about the tribe that I didn't know."

"Tribe? The Kuruta tribe?"

"Aa."

Senritsu hesitated for a moment. "If you don't want to share it for now, then we'll just stop asking questions. You need time to think right?" Kurapika looked at her with a surprised look. "Daijoobu. We're just here if in case you're ready to tell. You have to think about it carefully, I believe." Leorio and Basho gave approving nods as well.

"Arigatoo, minna. And I guess you're right Senritsu. I really have to think about it."

-In a tall building somewhere near the Akai's mansion-

"Eh? That girl's really cute, ne?" A light brown-haired lad said as he looked through his binoculars.

"I wonder what that disabled girl can do. Dancho seems so interested to get her." Another long-haired guy carrying a katana said. "Other than the fact that she's a girl, she cannot walk. She's not worth taking. What could be Dancho thinking?"

"May I remind you than being a girl doesn't mean being weak." A blue-haired girl replied sarcastically.

"I agree with Machi." A bespectacled girl agreed.

"Besides, there is something strange with that girl's nen." The blue-haired girl, Machi, added.

"Strange?"

"Aa. I noticed that too." The lad with the binoculars, Shalnark, added. "The flow of her aura is kind of weird. Oh by the way, you also recognized those two youngsters, ne?"

"Of course!" Nobunaga exclaimed. "They are really destined to become Genei Ryodan members! Hora! Our paths crossed once again!"

"That won't do, Nobunaga." Shizuku explained. "They don't fit in our group and they don't want to be with our group."

"We can always convince them." Nobunaga insisted.

"That won't happen. You're the only person who is persistent enough to do that." Shalnark replied. "Besides, those kids are dangerous."

"He's right." Machi said. "Those kids are related to the chained guy. He's even with them."

"He is?"

"You're hopeless, Nobunaga. Here. Use this." Shalnark tossed the binoculars to Nobunaga. "Look for the balcony of the mansion." Nobunaga caught the binoculars and search for a certain blonde guy.

"He's really there." He finally said. "Another chance then."

"To avenge Uvo?"

"Aa."

"You'll only allowed to do that if Dancho permits." Shizuku said.

"He'll definitely allow it."

Shalnark shook his head and took the binoculars from Nobunaga. "That's impossible. Our main goal for now is to capture the girl. We could kill him if he gets in the way. But even if he interrupts with our target, we just have to leave them empty-handed as soon as we get our hands on her."

"This is just stupid."

"It's not stupid." Shizuku disagreed. "There must be some reason why Dancho's interested in her. She must be special in some way."

"Shizuku's right." Shalnark said in a serious tone. "We've been watching her for weeks. She has a strange nen. I've been studying her nen pattern since we came here but I really cannot pinpoint what exactly is strange about that girl's nen. I can't even identify her nen type. She's just as confusing as that chained guy. And there's another thing that bothers me."

"There's more?" Nobunaga asked sarcastically.

"Aa." Shalnark answered. "That girl's name. It's kind of familiar. I know I've heard it somewhere but I cannot remember when or where or from whom."

"Akai Mikuru desu ne?" Machi supplied.

Shalnark shook his head. "That's the surname of her foster family - the Akai clan. But when I research about it, it turned out that the Akai couple, Akai Shiro and Miharu, never had a child. She was adopted by the couple some years ago. I consulted all the information banks I know and I found out that her real name was Asahina. Asahina Mikuru."

"That's strange." Machi said.

"Huh?"

"She's has the same surname as Dancho's sister-in-law."

"Dancho has a sister-in-law?" Nobunaga asked, a surprised look was splattered across his face.

"You didn't know?"

"Will I be asking if I did?"

"Are you really aware of what's happening in your surroundings? You always ignorant of things."

"Shut up and expl-"

"Ah!"

"Do you have to shout that loud, Shalnark?" Nobunaga said after being interrupted.

"Now I remember it!"

"You remember what?"

"The time I heard that girl's surname. It was from Asahina Narumi-san! Yeah! I remember now! She used to come in our city before. She was Kurosu-niisan's wife."

A/N: I really apologize for this delay! The next update is still unknown. I'm not yet satisfied with the next chapter and will be editing for a while first. (I don't like uploading half-hearted works.) Actually, I was planning to put Kuroro in this chapter but I postponed it a little. Eheh. I have my reasons. *wink* Anyhow, I made some adjustments with my plot. The truth is I initially planned for Mikuru to die. (ehehe…) That's the initial plan. But one review made me think otherwise so I was revising the last parts of the plot. So Mikuru's not going to die anymore. (Hurray!) But it made the ending a little complicated so I'm still in the process of thinking again. By the way, suggestions are welcome!

Kurosu is an OC of mine. And as you have inferred from the story, he is Kuroro's elder brother. This is completely not related to the fic but I want to share how I chose that name. Last year, it was around Christmas time when I was looking for a name for my OC who will become Kuroro's brother. But at that time, all I could think of was Christmas and vacation. I was watching the news at that time and the reporters were doing this countdown before Christmas. I suddenly remember how Japanese pronounce "Christmas" and "Santa Claus". The part "Claus" is actually pronounced as "Kurosu" in Japanese. I was writing it in Katakana when it occurred to me that it's just a single character different from Kuroro's name! Ahaha! And thus, Kurosu was born! :D

Anyway, thanks for supporting this fiction! I really appreciate the support!