Whew! Quite a long chapter this time! I'm not really pleased with how this turned out, but I hope you enjoy!
Also, thanks to my most frequent reviewers: Chocoholic221B, Tinyetoile, and KuroKuraForever! You guys have all reviewed many times; thanks for the awesome support! And thanks to all my reviewers, too!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter
See bottom of chapter to read added notes
Chapter Thirteen
Kurapika shifted from his position atop the roof. Below him busy traffic roared, the city's many lights throwing out an eerie glow. Having been assigned the job of surveillance at the front entrance, Melody and Kurapika were situated exactly five hundred meters away from the auction house, relying fully on their binoculars to see what was going on.
Setting his phone down, Kurapika walked toward the balcony's fence. He was wearing his regular garments now, having no restrictions about dress codes forced onto him by a willful Neon. He was grateful for it. His traditional robes were so much more comfortable and allowed for much more movement than a stiff suit would. Plus, there was something reassuring about the cheerful patterns that were embroidered on the fabric. The blond looked up as Melody hummed.
"They're being very careful," Melody started, her voice a pretty, sweet thing. "Only Mafia security allowed within the five hundred meter boundaries. They're practically announcing that unwholesome activities are coming to play in there."
"I suppose so." Could it be that the Spiders would actually show up to such a well-armed and protected event? Of course they would. It wouldn't have mattered if the Ten Dons had raised armies to defend the auction. The Phantom Troupe would tear through their men before they would be able to call for reinforcements. And his coworkers. Baise, Tocino, and Ivenkov were standing inside of that building at the very moment. Most likely they would not be able to withstand the Troupe's attacks. Kurapika's heart thrummed with a mixture of fear and anxiety at the thought.
Melody looked up suddenly, eyes widened with concern. "There it is. The same sound that I heard earlier." Kurapika turned to the other bodyguard in confusion. The woman kept her eyes fixed onto the auction house, not meeting the blond's eyes. "You see, I happened to see you leaving the Hunter agency," she said.
Nodding, Kurapika recalled the event. It had been right after he had gotten the information of the Nostrade bodyguard opening, an opportunity that could very likely get him close enough to they Scarlet Eyes. The very idea of it had colored Kurapika's eyes its vibrant hue, old anger bubbling up to feed his determination.
"Your heart was playing a melody of rage." She paused, choosing her next words carefully. "May I ask you a question?" Kurapika didn't have time to accept or decline before Melody's next words were slipping past her lips like poison. "Scarlet Eyes" —Kurapika's pulse skipped a beat— "exactly what do they mean to you?"
Kurapika stared at the front entrance, his face remaining blissfully blank. "Why do you ask?" He kept his tone light, but winced anyway at its apparent tightness.
The other bodyguard shrugged. "No real reason." She stole a glance at his face. "Curiosity?"
Kurapika raised a deadpan eyebrow.
"When you saw that image on the data card during the interview process, your heartbeat was even more fearsome and tortured. But" —Melody rested her head on one hand— "it played a song of sadness and tragedy, too."
"Sorry about that," Kurapika apologized without thinking. "That must have been very... disturbing." Disturbing indeed. If I had to hear something like that so acutely... it must have been very frightening. Frankly, he was surprised that she hadn't run away in terror.
"No need," Melody assured him. "However, when you spoke to whomever it was on the phone, your heartbeat calmed almost immediately." The other stared at him searchingly. "I wonder who it was?"
The blond blushed. "I suppose I can't lie..."
Melody held up her hands in mock-surrender. The other sighed in resignation.
"I am a Kurta," Kurapika began, face immediately draining of its previous color. "Our eyes are normally brown, but transform into a bright red when we are excited or angered. I wear black contacts to avoid discovery," he informed, gesturing to his eyes.
His coworker motioned for him to continue.
"I am searching for the eyes taken for my brethren, and I will do almost anything to return to them what was rightfully theirs." Kurapika's irises flashed blood-red with his words.
"Almost anything?"
Kurapika huffed. "I have strong morals, you know. It is important to me to retrieve these items as ethically as possible."
Melody smiled at the other's slightly teasing inflection. "And one more inquiry..."
The mischievous look in her eyes left Kurapika with a tinge of alarm as he indulged her request. "Exactly who was it that you talked to on the phone that relaxed you so?"
"I'm not telling." Kurapika crossed his arms. "Do you mind not reporting this to Dalzollene?"
The woman pursed her lips. "Don't worry, I will not." She tossed him a glance. "I don't want to get on your bad side."
"Trust me, its not only me you have to worry about." Pairo's morals loosened considerably when it came protecting people that he cared about.
"Oh?"
Kurapika shook his head in dismissal. "My turn for questions."
A loud commotion caused Kurapika and Melody to halt their conversation. The two of them were becoming fast friends, the trust between the two of them having grown exponentially during the past few hours. Fumbling for her binoculars, the female bodyguard began describing the scene in front of her while Kurapika dialed up Dalzollene as quickly as he possibly could.
It seemed that something had went wrong, sending masses of Mafia security rushing into the building. Whatever had ocurred, it had happened swiftly and quietly; not a sound had reached their attentive ears. From their place on top of a surrounding building, trying to see what exactly going on was near impossible.
"Something must have happened," Kurapika informed the head bodyguard, after explaining what he'd witnessed. "We had our suspicions, but they've been confirmed. Whatever it is, I'm near certain that there will be no survivors, if Neon's prophecy is correct."
"Okay," Dalzollene managed in a firm voice. "I'll alert Linssen and Basho. You two head inside." The line went dead.
Kurapika jerked his chin at Melody. "The boss wants us to check the building. Let's go." The both of them hurried to the auction house, Kurapika's hands ready with his chains.
Upon entering the building the blond contacted Dalzollene, expertly avoiding the Mafia guards with ease. When he had first entered the place, the heavy silence had settled uneasily on Kurapika's shoulders, indicating the predicament even further. Now, the hints and clues solidified as he surveyed the main bidding auditorium.
"It seems that everyone in the auction house has disappeared," Kurapika murmured into his device.
"What?" The head bodyguard's voice was thick with disbelief.
"The whole place is an uproar. It's out of control."
"What about the merchandise?"
Kurapika sighed. "Melody is heading towards the safe as we speak, but it's likely that that's gone as well."
"I'll be heading over, in that case." Kurapika could almost picture Dalzollene rolling his eyes. "Rendevous with Linssen and Basho behind the building." Kurapika nodded in understanding, hanging up.
"We should head over to Central Park to meet up with Linssen's team," Kurapika muttered, having found Melody again.
"Yes, but we should hurry," she advised. "The roads are being sealed as we speak."
Kurapika dipped his head in acknowledgement, and the two waltzed out of the building without a Mafia employee batting an eyelash.
Quietly, Kurapika slipped out of the vehicle, shutting the door behind him silently. After regrouping with Dalzollene and the rest of the Nostrade Family bodyguards, they had tracked the band of thieves to the Gordeau Desert. What exactly they were supposed to do after encountering the criminals was still up in the air, the blond supposed. The head bodyguard hadn't exactly been specific about the end goal when the plan was discussed. Well, there wasn't even much of a plan either; they were just ordered to pursue the thieves without any questions asked.
Simple as that.
However, things were about to get pretty sticky judging by the numerous pained groans and muffled gunfire echoing from the crater below them. Peering down with his binoculars, nothing was visible at first, all clouded by a swirl of smoke. As it dispersed, Kurapika sighed in exasperation. It appeared that the main adversary, a large man towering over seven feet and dressed in a ratty tank-top and trousers, had stopped a tank with his bare hands. Why can't I have just just one peaceful day? Without death, destruction, or a combination of the two?
The superhuman man howled with laughter, aura licking upward playfully. Great, we're dealing with a nen-user. He said something to the surrounding Mafia personnel, something that frightened them to the point that they dropped their weapons immediately and fled in panic. To spare one from the gory details, not one of them made it out alive.
"It appears that the enemy can use nen," Kurapika remarked, voice calm. "And he's absurdly strong."
The others paled, observing the tiny figures running around in the pit as they were obliterated one by one.
"The advance force was wiped out. Guns are ineffective against him, and apparently any other projectile is as well," Kurapika informed them, mind tranquil and sharp as he surveyed the traumatizing scene in front of him.
"Impossible," Dalzollene breathed.
"See for yourself," Kurapika shot back gravely, tossing the binoculars behind him. "His aura is unbelievable. As is the growing body count."
The head bodyguard reluctantly brought the binoculars to his eyes, looking mildly ill. "Who is he? He's tearing through people like pieces of paper."
Squala looked horrifed. "And we're supposed to capture him? No way."
"I agree. There's no way we can win," Basho added.
"Indeed," Dalzollene conceded. "However, we cannot abandon our mission and back off."
"Wait!" Melody cried. "I suddenly hear another heartbeat coming from somewhere..." She looked at the ground meaningfully.
It seemed that someone was tunneling their way towards them, a long trail of dirt having been overturned behind the moving figure. The bodyguards tensed. Please, not another one.
For once, Kurapika's prayers where answered. Quite oddly, however. A tall, gummy-looking man emerged from the ground, body blazing with nen. Scanning them quickly, their odd savior dipped his head in greeting.
"I am Worm, a Shadow Beast." Basho and Squala gasped at this. The Shadow Beasts were an elite force of nen-practitioners that were controlled by the Mafia's Ten Don's, and were rumored to be the most deadly team alive.
Kurapika frowned. It didn't matter if the Ten Dons sent all of their uglies at once; the Phantom Troupe would kill them all without breaking a sweat.
"Which group are you from?" Worm demanded, cheeks expanding and retracting in a disturbing and distracting way.
"We're bodyguards from the Nostrade family," Dalzollene thankfully stepped in.
"I see." Worm looked around. "It seems that you can all use nen." Squala's shocked look turned wary. "But don't bother."
"These aren't ordinary thugs," said a new voice. The bodyguard's heads whipped toward its source. "To them, taking lives is as natural as breathing." A scrawny, rat-faced man materialized from the shadows.
"Y-you could say they are professional killers," said another man, having emerged from another corner.
"And a pro knows his trade best of all." Yet another approached their little party. Jeez, how many more are going to show up finishing their buddies' sentences?
"Rabid Dog," the rat-faced man introduced himself.
"I'm Leech," said the large one to the far left.
"I-I'm Porcupine," murmured the smaller, completely-hairless one.
"We Shadow Beasts will take care of them," Worm declared confidently.
Kurapika shook his head, thinking to himself irritably.
How can you be so sure?
Kurapika winced with sympathy as the large thief plunged his nen-fortified hand into the ground, causing a spray of rubble to fly upwards as the earth was split open. The Shadow Beast Worm had to have been obliterated by that blast, blown apart by the immense shock wave that followed the punch. Indeed, once the dust had cleared, the blond absently noticed the still-quivering hand sitting limply on the crater floor. Absently, because he was too fixated on the criminal's shirt. Well, the lack thereof.
The bodyguards around him gasped, choking as they saw the man's tattoo. An intricate twelve-legged spider peeked out from the tattered remains of the criminal's tank top, as if crawling out teasingly in preparation to strike. Kurapika set down his binoculars shakily, closing his eyes.
"Oh, shit," Basho whispered. "Well, we're kind of fucked." Dalzollene nodded in agreement, looking a tad green.
The Kurta's heart beat out a furious rhythm, his stored anger welling up dredged in fresh coat of nausea. Rubbing his temples, Kurapika let out a deep breath, trying to control his belligerent urges that were only augmented by his turned eyes.
After he had regained control, Melody tossed him a concerned glance. Are you okay? she mouthed.
Kurapika grimaced, nodding. He gave a wave of dismissal, turning his attention back to the scene in front of him, thanking whatever deities existed that he'd decided to wear his contacts that day.
The Shadow Beasts seemed unfazed, continuing their approach towards their opponent. In a blur, all three of them lunged at once, Rabid Dog tearing open a fresh wound on the Spider's shoulder. Soon, Leech latched onto the thief's side, emptying, well, leeches into the man's body. Kurapika shivered in disgust. The Phantom Troupe member attempted to punch Porcupine next, only to find that the man's facial hair suddenly let out and embedded into his skin. The monstrous man cackled maniacally as Rabid Dog injected him with a tranquilizer, and Kurapika braced himself for the violent events that would surely follow.
Not even a second later, Leech collapsed dead on the ground, a part of him still in the Spider's mouth. Rabid Dog fell next, having been shot with a piece of Leech's skull, fired from the thief's own mouth. Now, the Spider was eyeing Porcupine like he was going to be next. One large scream later, and the third Shadow Beast was tossed aside carelessly.
Kurapika addressed his coworkers, voice grave. "Well, it as I predicted. The Shadow Beasts have failed, so now the responsibility of apprehending them lies on our shoulders."
Dalzollene shifted, looking apprehensive. "And just how do we do that?"
The blond lifted an eyebrow. "Do you not have a plan?" The head bodyguard shook his head. "Very well, then I must make a phone call, if you will excuse me." No one made a move as the Kurta drew out his device and dialed a number. Immediately, the person on the other line picked up.
"HI KURAPIKA! OI! WHERE 'AVE YOU BEEN?"Leorio's thundering voice flooded out of the speaker, and Kurapika hurried to lower the volume as he flushed a light pink. The rest of the bodyguards looked at him with amusement. Shoot, I should have anticipated that Leorio would pick up.
Trying to remain calm, Kurapika kept his voice smooth and as professional as he could muster while fighting back a smile. "Leorio, sorry but I'm in a delicate situation at the moment. Can you please put Pairo on the phone for me?"
"Hmph. Fine, but all of us are waiting till we can see you! Pairo told us that you work for the Nostrade Family or something, but that's it." The was a pause on the line. "Anyway, bye for now!"
After a period of silence, a new voice spoke up. "Hello? I felt something earlier; is everything alright?" Melody watched in surprise as she heard Kurapika's terrifying heartbeat slow and even out as he listened to whomever was speaking.
"I can't exactly explain right now, Pairo, but you need to get the Hunter Association on the phone for me, please. Tell them that they need to head for the Yorknew City office immediately; a Hunter will be bringing in a Spider shortly."
"But, wait—"
"I need you to see for me, okay? I can't tell you why right now, but you may be able to piece it together later."
Pairo sighed. "We haven't tried to do it at such a far distance, though. Okay, I'll do it, just call for me when you need me."
"Okay."
"Bye, I love you." Kurapika blushed further. There it is again! Judging by Melody's knowing smirk, she had heard it too. Shit.
Turning to face Dalzollene, he opened his mouth to speak. "I have a strategy, but you're going to have to trust me."
The head bodyguard nodded, gesturing him to go on. "I'm going to need you to start the cars as soon as I leave, because once I've detained him, we're going to need to leave quickly. I'm not sure how long it will take for the rest of the Troupe to pursue us. Also, when I give you the signal, video call this person." Kurapika showed him Pairo's number. Glancing at Dalzollene's confused look, Kurapika hastily added, "And I can't explain exactly what I'm going to do, but it is mostly because of who I am."
"Okay," Dalzollene managed. "I still don't see how you are so confident that you will be able to accomplish the task." Inwardly, the head bodyguard winced at the implication, hoping that he hadn't offended the blond.
Kurapika brushed the comment aside, giving him a tight smile. "I should know; I was specifically trained to match evenly with the Troupe."
Leaving the rest of his cohorts gaping, the Kurta pulled a cloak from his bag, still puzzled on what had possessed him to even think to pack one. Then, Kurapika set off, walking quickly down into the crater, moving silently and letting his aura out to it's full capacity. Or, enough to have his nen expenditure billow out a couple yards away from him. He'd pay for such a stunt later, but he threw it out in an attempt to entice the larger one, and him only, to fight.
It worked. Almost immediately as he left his Zetsu state, the monstrous one looked up with excitement dancing in his eyes. Tugging his cloak further down to shield his whole face completely, he sent out a call for Pairo through their link, grimacing as he felt the tight strain of the miles between them. The blond signaled Dalzollene, who brought up the call immediately.
Yes?
Pairo, I need you now.
Oh, really? Pairo's voice echoed seductively and Kurapika mentally slapped him.
Shut up. We don't have time for that right now. With a sigh, Kurapika felt Pairo dip into his consciousness.
Well, you sure got yourself in a weird position. Kurapika was sent a flood of images, all from the perspective high-definition phone screen. The phone seemed to be shoved in front of a pair of binoculars, letting Kurapika see exactly what was going on.
Yes, I understand that. Do you know which Spider this is? The blond sent Pairo the memory of the large thief.
Pairo paused. That's Uvogin. Or, Uvo, as I heard them call him back then.
Okay, good. Now, it's time for me to begin.
Uvogin grinned when he saw him, sharp teeth glinting in the moonlight. "And who might you be?" He hummed appreciatively at the blond's impressive aura. The bespectacled girl stepped back, unleashing her weird vacuum nen ability.
"No one of consequence," Kurapika replied casually, as if he was talking to a person on the street rather than a brutal murderer.
"Well, I want you to fight me," Uvogin demanded, moving to get up. Sliding back down, the man scowled. "Right after I get this poison out of me."
Kurapika shrugged. "No thanks." All I need to do is bait him into completing the conditions.
Oh, I see what you're trying to do, Pairo remarked. Very clever.
"Well, you don't have much of a choice." The large man let out a burst of nen. Quite a nice display, if Kurapika was honest.
"I refuse to negotiate with you until your coworkers give us some privacy."
"So, it's like that? I see." Uvogin leered at him, giving a long once-over. Kurapika felt Pairo bristle, his emotions raw in his mind. "Well, I agree on one condition; I keep my lovely lady Shizuku with me; she's going to get the poison out of me."
"That's fine." Guess I'll just have to take the both of them.
Once the rest of the Spiders left, Uvogin looked up at him expectantly.
"I still decline. Unless you have a more powerful threat."
Uvogin looked surprised. "You can either fight me or be tortured at the hands of my colleagues."
"No."
"Wait, what am I doing? Bargaining for a fight?" Uvogin scoffed. "I can just attack you, then you'll have to fight me."
"Not true. I'll just evade you however long it takes. No thanks."
"I'll hand you over to Feitan. You'll be surprised on how long he'll be able to keep you alive while inflicting all sorts of pain on you," the other pressed.
"I'm sure his skills are very formidable. No." Kurapika made sure to keep his tone light and unconcerned, because the second he showed any signs of fear, Uvogin would dive right in.
"I'll go after your family, then. I'm sure I can pick off one or two of your friends as well."
"Just you alone?" Kurapika made sure to sound haughty. "I think you underestimate my friends' abilities." He made a show of checking his fingernails.
Nice one, Pairo praised.
Uvogin took the bait. "I'm sure Shizuku here will help me, right?"
The other Spider looked bored. "Sure, whatever."
Kurapika smiled underneath his hood. "Well, good."
"Good?" both Phantom Troupe members chorused.
"You see, you just met all of my conditions."
Pairo, can you pull up some illusions, please? No doubt that by now his partner's eyes were scarlet, so a long-distance glamour would be doable.
Pairo mentally sighed. One glamour, coming up.
Once the illusion was in place, Kurapika snagged the two surprised Spiders with his chains, thankful that their shock (plus Uvogin's tranquilizers) was enough to slow their reactions. Quickly silencing them with yet another length of chains, he made sure that his coworkers were in their vehicles. Then, with his incredibly-heavy luggage in tow, Kurapika walked up unseen towards the waiting escape vehicles, thanks to Pairo's glamours.
He slid into a car, garnering looks of intense disbelief. Taking off his cloak, he smiled at Dazollene's dumbfounded expression. "I think we should go soon. I'm not sure how long it will take the rest of their lot to find the extra aura around the place suspicious."
"W-what? How?" The head bodyguard looked thoroughly confused. The two Spider captives fought against their chains menacingly. Basho scooted away from them, pressing himself against the car door.
"It's a glamour. My partner's ability," Kurapika explained, enunciating carefully. "It should hold for a few more minutes, but I can't even promise you that long." He reached over his superior, shifting the car out of 'park' mode. "So I suggest we make our exit."
"R-right." Dalzollene cast a troubled look at the bound up Phantom Troupe members. "Will they... stay put?"
Kurapika nodded. "It's near impossible to break out of my chains."
Catching sight of their doubtful expressions, Kurapika pinched the bridge of his nose. "Just drive quickly, please."
"To the Yorkshin Hunter's Association Office, then," Melody concluded, nudging Dalzollene into action.
And so, the Nostrade Family Bodyguards, along with their two criminal abductees, sped off into the night.
To be Continued...
Added Notes:
1) So, Kurapika, with Pairo's help, kept his cool and captured both Uvogin and Shizuku.
2) Instead of the big fight with Uvogin, Kurapika will eventually fight Kuroro himself (before the romance picks up)
3) This stunt that Kurapika pulls will garner Kuroro's attention, so stick around to see that next chapter
4) Also next chapter: Killua, Gon, and Leorio try to rustle up some cash with Pairo
5) This is just the beginning of the AU in this story
Thanks for reading and please review!