I hope everyone is having a great school/work year so far! I guess I'm updating every two weeks now... awkward. Life has been getting a little hectic, so squeezing in writing time is getting harder and harder. Anyways, I hope you enjoy this chapter~
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter
See bottom of chapter for added notes
Chapter Twenty-seven
Kurapika smiled tiredly as the aura in the room increased to a point where it became a near-constant presence at the back of his mind, bumping up at the edge of his consciousness with mild urgency. Checking his watch, he noted the time.
The two boys had been practicing all morning, trying to improve their Ren and formulate their Hatsu. They'd been fascinated by his conjured chains, and were excited to start working on their own abilities. They had questioned him thoroughly, asking him about what kind of methods he had used, and laughing loudly when they heard his answer. Kurapika had inwardly shrugged; it was typical Conjurer practice to interact with their chosen object extensively. So what if he'd had to lick chains to achieve what he had currently? Still, Gon and Killua learned at a remarkable speed, and Kurapika had to admit that it was fun to help them in figuring out exactly what kind of power they wanted.
"Alright, good work!" he praised. The two kids dropped their Ren auras, looking slightly out-of-breath. The blond had decided to only train them to create their hatsu. Letting them in about all the other techniques that they didn't already know of was obviously overkill. It would just end in Gon having a brain explosion, which would put him out of commission for the day. "Warm-ups are over. Now, do you two have any ideas about your hatsu yet?"
"I knew what I wanted right when you first explained," Killua piped up, shooting Gon a smug look. The spiky-haired boy stuck his tongue out in response.
The Kurta nodded, turning to Gon. "How about you? Have anything in mind?"
"U-uh," the boy looked utterly lost. Kurapika noted the smoke almost pouring out of his ears with amusement. "No? I mean your nen ability was pretty cool..."
"Nen abilities reflect one's own personality and characteristics; that is why each hatsu is so different and unique. No one can fully master a nen ability that is not their own, so it's always best to think originally." Plus, his abilities took way longer than four days to master, simply because the nature of conjurer nen.
"But how do I do that?" Gon looked troubled.
"Hmm..." Kurapika thought. "Do you think you could give your master a call about that? He trained you, so he should know how to guide you best."
"I wouldn't do that," Killua chimed in, holding up a hand, "unless you want vague, sentimental advice. Don't get me wrong, he's a great guy, but getting him to spit out an answer without edging around it is near impossible." Gon nodded.
"Can't you tell me yourself?" Gon asked, perking up. "You can be my new master!"
"O-okay," Kurapika consented, a bit surprised and shocked to be asked to take up such a role. "I'll do my best."
The ex-assassin sighed as he started to lose interest in the conversation. "Since you two still have some brainstorming to do, I'm gonna practice in the other room. See ya, Kurapika-sensei." Kurapika chuckled at the honorific before redirecting his full attention to the spiky-haired boy.
Tapping his chin, the blond racked his brain, searching for any information or analyses he had on the boy. "Try this: use everything at once. Show everything you've learned so far."
Gon blinked. "Okay." Still looking baffled, he drew out his aura, concentrating for a moment before letting loose everything at once. Ten, zetsu, ren. Something like realization struck Gon, causing him to stop. "Wait! I can't do everything at once! That's impossible!" he wailed, collapsing on the ground.
The blond felt a smile tug at his lips. "You're forgetting something."
"I am?" The boy looked up. Gon dug around in his brain, sifting through anything he could find. Ten, zetsu, ren. What am I missing? I learned ten first, then I learned zetsu... during Hisoka's match I learned gyo. "Gyo!" he yelled, shooting back up. Kurapika nodded wisely.
Trying again, he focused all his aura, this time utilizing gyo in the process. For a split second, a glowing sphere of nen appeared at his fist, before fizzling out with a loud crackle.
Looking up at him with astonishment clear in his features, Gon's eyes darted back and forth from the blond's face and his hand, as if trying to figure out what had just happened. "Did I do that correctly?"
"You did," Kurapika assured him, a proud grin on his face. "Just keep practicing; I think you'll get it in no time." He got up from his chair, smoothing down his clothes. "Now, I'm going to check on Killua, so I'll be back in a minute," he called over his shoulder, already halfway into the adjoining room.
What he saw was hardly welcome, considering that Killua had been by himself for three damn minutes and he was already pulling a taser on his arm.
"Killua!" Kurapika shrieked. The boy set down the taser calmly, a bored look on his face. "What are you doing?"
"Um... shocking myself with electricity...?" Killua replied, as if it were obvious.
Wrong answer. Kurapika rubbed his temples. "And why are you doing that?"
"Because I'm training up my hatsu?" Again, his response sounded more like a question, and Killua looked increasingly more concerned as Kurapika's expression darkened.
In a blink of an eye, Kurapika reappeared in front of the boy, plucking the taser out of his hands with a disapproving cluck of his tongue. "I know that you raised a certain way, but that doesn't mean that I'll tolerate hurting yourself so," he scolded, fussing over Killua.
Batting away the hands with an embarrassed blush, Killua crossed his arms. "This is the fastest method that'll work," he protested. Kurapika sighed, eyes flicking back and forth between the weapon in his hands and the silver-haired boy. Then, a conclusion formed in his head, the Kurta sighed dejectedly.
"If this is the way you want to achieve it, then go ahead. Just don't overwork yourself." The blond held up the taser in front of the boy, a firm look on his face. "And, you're taking down the voltage a notch, buddy." He tossed to it Killua, who caught it with ease. "I'll check back in with you in about an hour."
"Wait! Where are you going?" Killua asked, and the blond turned back.
"Out to lunch."
"Out to lunch with who?" Killua pressed.
Raising an eyebrow, Kurapika replied, "You know who."
A faint smirk played on the boy's lips, and Kurapika headed out.
"Ha!" the silver-haired boy said to himself. "The third date rule is now in effect!"
Drumming his fingers anxiously on his knee, Kuroro waited for the blond to emerge. He'd called him earlier that morning to secure him for lunch since the Kurta had the day off, something that Kurapika had readily agreed to on the condition that he wouldn't keep him out too long.
"I'm training the boys, you see," he had said, voice fond over the phone. "And I promised to get them into shape by the weekend, so I can't be gone for longer than an hour."
Kuroro had offered to help bring their nen up to speed, but he was quickly shot down. It would cause to much drama, he had been told gently, and the dark-haired man accepted this. He wasn't willing to openly reveal his relationship with his other Spiders, either, so he understood the feeling. The two of them were from such different backgrounds, and it would be very hard to continue their relationship if their separate lives got in the way. However, it was a reality that Kuroro lived with, the careful toeing of the line between what was possible and impossible.
He could make this work. He was sure of it. But was Kurapika prepared to do the same?
The Spider Head shook his head of such doubts when he saw the blond exit the building, impeccably dressed as usual. Today, it was a soft-looking grey sweater over light jeans that hung attractively over his figure. Walking up to him, Kuroro felt a smile flit across his lips.
"Hey," Kurapika greeted, accepting his kiss and blocking his attempts to further it. Kuroro sighed. The blond felt ridiculously warm next to him.
"Hi," Kuroro said back, voice coming out huskier than usual. He cleared his throat, wrapping an arm around the other. "You ready to go?"
"Sure."
Kuroro frowned as he noted the annoying smell of sunshine that clouded over Kurapika's usual sweet scent. Can't have that, now can I? Tucking him into his side, the dark haired man started down the street, steps in sync with Kurapika's.
"What do you have in mind?" Kurapika asked, eyes scanning the surrounding shops.
"Just something simple."
"Again?" The blond's voice was teasing.
Chuckling, Kuroro met the younger man's gaze. "I'll take you to dinner properly next time."
"Oh yeah?" Kurapika challenged.
"Of course. Anything for you," Kuroro purred, hand traveling downwards. His grin widened as Kurapika's breathing hitched.
"I hate you," Kurapika groaned, moving to slap him on the shoulder. The dark-haired man laughed, catching the hand and bringing it to his lips.
"But I don't," he replied, eyes serious. "I quite like you." He tugged Kurapika into a nearby alley, away from prying eyes.
"I'm still working that one out," Kurapika joked, and Kuroro smiled as he pressed closer.
It was five minutes after that Kurapika broke away, saying, "I'm only allowed to be out for another fifty minutes, so we've got to get going if we want to get to lunch."
"Screw lunch," Kuroro quickly offered, leaning in again. Kurapika pushed him back carefully, snickering a little at the pout that formed at the other's lips.
"Although that's a very tempting offer, I'm actually pretty hungry, so let's get moving," the blond ordered, and started back into the streets. Only after Kuroro managed to pull him back in for another kiss, that is. Forty-seven minutes left, Kurpaika's mind gleefully reminded him, and he had to all but coerce the older man to show him towards the restaurant.
"Alright, compromise," Kuroro proposed, opening the door for the Kurta when they had arrived at the small cafe. "We eat for twenty minutes, and then we head back to that back-alley to continue what we started."
"You drive a hard bargain, sir," Kurapika responded with mock reluctance. "But sure, we have a deal."
"Great," Kuroro breathed, moving nearer. The blond sidestepped his advances smoothly.
"Uh-uh, twenty minutes, remember? We have an agreement," Kurapika sang, bending over to pick up a fallen napkin. The Spider Head followed the movement, eyes darkening.
"Mm-hm," Kuroro murmured, and Kurapika looked at him questioningly, blushing when he realized what he'd been looking at.
Needless to say, they didn't quite make it to twenty minutes before Kurapika found himself once again with his back against a brick wall and his lips locked against Kuroro's own.
The next three days passed in a similar pattern. Kurapika would train Gon and Killua every morning and afternoon, with Pairo coming in to help if needed. Then, Kuroro would come and whisk him away to lunch, although they didn't spend much time actually eating. All the while, Pairo started turning the penthouse into the picture of a blissful domestic life. The brunet would always have a hot meal on the dinner table by six-thirty, and would help Kurapika tuck Gon and Killua at the end of the night, usually using his illusions to dazzle the boys and tell scary stories. Every morning, Pairo would be awake before Kurapika, breakfast in one hand and coffee in the other.
It wouldn't have been an unwelcome change, of course, if Kurapika hadn't been see the longing gazes from the other, or the warm softness omnipresent in his eyes when he brought in fresh bunches of wildflowers (they were in the city; where did he even manage to get them?) or when he helped Kurapika wash the dishes. It all boiled down to one point: Kurapika was utterly confused.
Was it possible to be attracted to two people at once? Yes. He remembered the old man from the auction, and his words of advice. Loving two people was very possible, but as time went by, it would become easier to tell which person one valued most. Kurapika had always harbored dormant feelings for Pairo; that he knew, but at the same time, the intense emotions he was feeling with Kuroro were there, too. His affections for both men were completely different, he surmised. Kuroro was someone completely unique, sweeping him off of his feet and pulling him along in a storm of heated emotions. Pairo, however was safe and steady, someone that Kurapika could always rely on, someone he could trust with his secrets. Pairo kept him grounded, while Kuroro made him feel like he was flying.
Everything came down to one fact: Kurapika was already dating Kuroro. So, it was the most logical course of action to continue dating the man to get gauge on whether or not he was ready to fully commit to a serious relationship with him. It simply wasn't fair to either party to just break up with Kuroro because someone else exhibited signs of attraction to him. He enjoyed spending time with him, he really did, so Kurapika was adamant that he see the next couple meetings with Kuroro through.
There were some complications, of course. One: he and his group were partially responsible for the slaughter of his entire family. Two: he was still the leader of said group. Three: Kurapika wasn't sure whether or not he could fully trust the man yet. Four: Everyone in his make-shift family (minus Killua) were wary of Kuroro at best, and outright hostile at worst.
However, it would be worth it if he was completely sure that he was interested in a long-term attachment with Kuroro.
"You guys ready to go?"
Gon and Killua both grinned, clicking their seat belts off eagerly. They'd been training up their hatsu and ren the entire day, pausing only when they absolutely had to (or when Kurapika and Pairo made them). The two of them had grown exponentially. Killua had more than passable control of his lightning, and Gon's nen ability was equally as fearsome, although it was still a bit of a work-in-progress.
If Greed Island was what it was advertised as, however, the boys would still be progressing in their nen lessons as they went through. Hopefully, they would be able to secure a good teacher to study under once they entered. There shouldn't be a shortage of skilled nen-users in the game, right?
Straightening Gon's little bow-tie, Kurapika smiled warmly. "Alright, remember: be careful around any other strange groups, alright? It's seventy-percent Mafia and twenty-seven percent illegal third parties out there, so take extra caution about who you talk to."
"What's the other third percent?" Killua asked, pulling at his cuffs.
"Rich people that don't mind getting their little manicured hands dirty," Leorio scoffed from the driver's seat, looking offended.
"They exchange blood money for even bloodier items," Pairo explained, a look of annoyance flickering minutely across his features.
"They do make us good money, though," Kurapika piped in cheerfully. "You forget that I'm part of Mafia, dear."
"Only to tear them apart from the inside," the brunet shot back, an eyebrow quirked in amusement.
"What can I say? When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"Okay and that's when it's time to go," Killua muttered, tugging Gon out the door. "When they start sprouting old people slang."
"It's not slang," Kurapika protested, but bent down to kiss them both on the forehead. "Now go have fun!" Pairo ruffled their hair one last time before Gon and Killua exited the car and practically ran into the building.
It took about five seconds before Pairo turned to Kurapika, a look of concern on his face. "We're not going to just let them roam around in an underground auction house alone, right?"
Kurapika snorted. "Of course not."
"But how are we going to get in?" Leorio eyed the guards at the front entrance with unease.
"I'm the representative to the Nostrade Family," Kurapika said confidently. "It would be irresponsible for such a notable family to not even put the effort in sending an envoy to such an important event. Plus, I brought my emergency suits with me, so let's get dressed and head in."
"Who are you? Having an 'emergency suit' with you at all times, sheesh," Pairo teased catching the suit thrown at him. "I assume that we'll be attending as your guests, then?"
"I brought an entry fee for the both of you," Kurapika explained, pulling his tabard over his head. Pairo averted his eyes, blushing wildly.
"Oh, not me," Leorio added quickly, making an 'x' with his arms. "I'll be your getaway car, but there's no way that I'm going to get through that auction without throwing up at the money being carelessly thrown around."
"Alright then. Meet us at the end of sixth street in approximately three hours. If we're not back by then, call Melody," Kurapika instructed him, punching his coworker's number into the doctor's phone.
"Okay."
Fixing his tie, Kurapika slid out of the car gracefully, face immediately falling into an intimidating mask of cold indifference. Leorio blinked, paling at the sudden and drastic change. Pairo, now dressed in a striking black suit, followed the blond, determination apparent in his aura.
"See you," the brunet called over his shoulder, and Leorio was glad that he hadn't gone with them.
These people are inhuman.
Using his title, Kurapika gained entrance with a sense of reverence from the surrounding bodyguards, although some where reaching for weapons that weren't there. It was a ground rule that there was no fighting in the auction house, so they would have to wait until they were a good fifty meters away from the place before they'd be able to strike. Not like they'd be successful, anyways.
"These people are looking at you funny," Pairo whispered into his ear, eyes darting around calculatingly.
"It's because the moment we step out of this place, they'll be at my throat to please their bosses," Kurapika murmured, still looking completely at ease. Pairo shot him a concerned look.
"You mean they're here to assassinate you?"
"No. They're here to test me. If they kill me in the process, then that's just a bonus." Kurapika walked faster, staring down his potential assailants until they dropped their gazes and went about their business.
Pairo smiled. "Don't mess them up too bad, okay?" The blond laughed at this. That was one of the many differences between Pairo and Kuroro. If he had notified the Spider Head about such a threat, Kuroro wouldn't have let him out of his sight.
"Oh." Kurapika's eyes widened. "There they are." He jerked his head slightly to the left.
The brunet's eyes followed to where the other was subtly indicating. There Gon and Killua were, walking up to take their seats. And a couple feet away from them...
"Shit," Kurapika whispered. It was the two Spiders, Phinks and Feitan, if he remembered correctly. Not even a second later, Gon and Killua noticed them too, and they started running like hell was at their heels in the opposite direction. Cursing, Pairo took Kurapika's hand and dragged him down the hall, hoping to intercept the boys before they got into any trouble.
"Thank god we followed them, huh?" Pairo remarked as they ran. Kurapika scowled.
"I swear, if they try anything..." Kurapika trailed off, threat clear in his lowered voice and murderous aura. Then, it was as if a light flicked off in his brain, and the blond started laughing. Pairo almost stopped completely at the change, but settled for just gaping at the other. "Goodness, we sound like helicopter parents."
"Yeah... parents." Pairo tried to shove down the numerous daydreams he'd had about having a regular family life with Kurapika. Without any death, destruction, or fighting. Just the two of them and maybe a few children, with Pairo cooking dinner at home and Kurapika going about with his bad-ass Mafia work. Maybe they'd live in the country, in a nice little house that he could renovate and clean up. Blocking those thoughts out, Pairo wiped the soft expression of his face before Kurapika could notice. Got to be discreet, damn it!
Barely a second later, Kurapika caught sight of Gon and Killua, and he breathed a tremendous sigh of relief. Until he saw who they were talking to, of course. Immediately, his brain was thrown into emergency mode, numerous panic buttons going off at once.
The result? Kurapika pressed a tight smile on his lips, aura significantly tamed, and smoothly cut into the conversation. Gon and Killua's eyes widened when they recognized him. The two Spiders immediately sized him up as he approached him, eyes narrowed with interest.
"Huh? What are you doing here?" Gon asked, and Killua immediately elbowed him in the ribs.
"I was sent by the boss," Kurapika said coolly, even as he inwardly winced at using such a tone on the two. It's all for the sake of their safety, he told himself. "I was sure that he informed you of the fact? No?"
Quickly, Killua went along with the act, shaking his head. "No. We left before he could update us." Gon just looked confused, but nodded uncertainly.
"Next time," Pairo added, sidling up silently, "you shouldn't have left without letting your bodyguards know, then."
Turning to the two Phantom Troupe members, Kurapika fitted on a distant, semi-apologetic expression. "If you will excuse us."
Phinks frowned. "Who are you?" The Spider's nen lashed out with curiosity and thinly veiled violence. Kurapika contemplated just walking away instead of answering, but he didn't want to cause a scene.
"Mokken, Head bodyguard to the Bolicci Family," Kurapika lied, not missing a beat. The real Mokken was still in the main auditorium, but hopefully they would be well away before they found out. "And you?"
"Third Party," Feitan said curtly.
A touch of a smirk played at the blond's lips at their falsity. Pairo looked an inch away from snickering. "Very well, then. Good luck tonight," Kurapika told them, spinning on his heel and throwing a hand behind him carelessly in a signal for the other three to follow.
Gon and Killua quickly sped up, catching up to Kurapika with Pairo taking up the rear.
"You're scary when you want to be," Killua muttered.
"Yeah," Gon agreed.
"It comes with the job description," the blond replied jokingly, unaware of the pair of amused eyes on his back.
"And the Carlian Sapphire Necklace goes to Mokken, representing the Bolicci Family!" the announcer boomed, and a stocky man walked forward to place his bidding receipt into his hand.
Phinks and Feitain looked at each other in confusion. The guy walking up to the stage looked about as similar to the pretty blond man they had seen earlier as an apple did a muddy pumpkin. The real Mokken was a grizzled, muscular man who looked well into his forties, completely in contrast to the elegant person they'd met a few minutes ago.
"You two got played," a voice said from behind them. "And it was hilarious to watch."
"Here to rub it in, Paku?" Phinks asked, not even turning around.
"No. He would have had me fooled too if I didn't know him previously," the second-in-command admitted, heels clicking on the marble floors as she came closer.
"You know him?" Feitan sounded interested. "Think we can get back at him for it?"
The woman laughed at that, and her two friends looked at her with confusion.
"What?" Phinks protested. "It's a reasonable response to something like that! C'mon, it's not like we're going to kill him or anything. I mean, he's your friend, right?"
Pakunoda shook her head, an odd smile at her lips. "You idiots do that and you're good as dead. Oh, I've got to tell boss about this."
"I think we can take him, easy," Phinks said defensively, looking put out at the other's words. Did she really think so lowly of him?
"What do you mean you have to tell the boss about this?" Feitan pressed, unfazed by her implication.
Smirking, Pakunoda dropped the bomb. "Why, because he's Danchou's boyfriend, of course!"
"WHAT?"
Added Notes
1) So Phinks and Feitan now have met Kurapika, and Pakunoda has finally seen him undisguised and in person. How will the other Spiders react?
2) Is Kurapika starting to have some doubts about Kuroro? (Do I smell drama?)
3) The plot thickens as Kurapika's war with the other Mafia families starts... but who will survive? (Especially if Kuroro gets involved... if you know what I mean)
4) This story has gotten to a monstrous length! Wow! I'm not sure how to feel about it, however, because I'm trying to cap the word count at 200,000 for this story.
5) Quick Poll: Do you all want a realistic but still happy ending? Or a slightly-over-the-top and unrealistic Hollywood-ending? Please let me know! This will greatly help me with writing and generating ideas!
As always, thank you all so much for reading and please, please review!
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