A/N: Sorry I'm a little late again! My internet is messed up so I only managed to do this today. Actually, even now the connection is still wonky but I'll make do. Kyu-Ay-Ei-99 thank you for that review! I seriously don't have any experience in writing romantic stories so that was a first for me. I'm glad you liked it! I have to warn you though, that extra doesn't necessarily mean that it will happen in the future. It was something I thought of on a whim and I still don't know what to do with Renée and Killua. Just stay tuned for now! To all my silent readers, I love you all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter.
CHAPTER 27
I lazily flipped the page of the book I'm reading, my eyes getting heavier. A yawn escaped my lips as I shut the book.
I stood and stretched to feel more lively.
It's been two days since our first meeting with Tsezugera aka weird-eyebrows man. Gon and Killua have been practicing their own abilities in secret. Kurapika is feeling better now and he and Senritsu will leave tomorrow and regroup with their employer.
Deciding to check on the boys, I opened the fridge and took out two helpings of custard pudding, one was more than the other.
I went in the first door and saw Killua with some sparks of electricity flying around him. He turned to me surprised and lost focus on his activity.
"Knock before you enter, dammit. That much took a lot of charging!" he scolded me.
"Oh sorry. Guess you don't want some pudding then. Maybe Gon-!" I turned to leave but was stopped by a certain silver-head.
"What type of pudding?" he asked shyly making me laugh.
I gave him the bigger bowl and he scarfed it down immediately.
"You're a Transmuter, right? So you're copying electricity's properties?" I asked.
"Yeah. I just thought it would fit." he mumbled, pudding in his mouth.
"True, but what did you mean by 'charging'?"
He gulped down the last spoonful and turned to me, a serious expression on his face. "I have to electrocute myself in order to charge my Nen. The longer or stronger I electrocute myself, the stronger my ability. The amount of time I get to use my ability also varies because of this, so there's a chance that if I use too much I become an 'empty battery'." he explained.
"Isn't that dangerous? Forcefully injecting yourself with a charge?" I frowned at him.
"I'm fine with it. I'm a trained assassin remember? I was trained to withstand crazy amounts of electricity."
"I still don't approve of it, but whatever." I shrugged, setting Gon's share of pudding down on the table, noticing the stun gun beside it. 'So this is how he charges himself.'
"What's your ability?" he asked me.
"You said you'd show us after we worked on our Hatsu. I'm practically done with mine. So show me." he demanded when he saw the look of apprehension on my face.
"You're that curious?" I smirked.
"Only because you said that the doppelgänger trick you did isn't your ability, sort of."
"You have a very sharp memory."
For a moment Killua looked proud of himself.
"It's annoying." I added.
His face fell and he looked at me with irritation. "Just explain already!"
"Fine, fine. The thing I did back at Takuru Beach Hotel isn't really my ability. You know of Scillio, correct?"
"Well yeah."
"They have this ceremony called the Apprenticeship where the leader, called the Chief, and his board of Elders choose the next Chief. Note that this is not a voting system but is generated at a random. Anyone could be chosen. The Apprentice immediately gets a Divine Blessing during the ceremony and upon studying Nen, I found out that the so-called blessing is a Nen being. A being composed of Nen and needs a host who uses Nen to survive. I don't know how such a thing exists but it just so happens that at the last Apprenticeship, Mehika and I were chosen." I paused, gauging his reaction.
"Oh. So back at the hotel that was-!"
"The power of the being inside of me. She creates illusions and if I get to channel it correctly, I can create a huge span of images. I can summon your worst fears or show you a peek at your wildest dreams."
"So that's what you meant that it wasn't your ability, but it sort of still is because you use it. I just don't get one thing, having a Nen being inside of you, does it mean that you are possessed?" Killua asked, his eyebrows knotting up.
I laughed at his assumption and he flushed a bright pink.
"It doesn't mean I'm possessed, dummy! We share the same body but we are separate from each other. She cannot control me whatsoever and vice versa. We have mutual respect for each other so I guess we're more of acquaintances. Sometimes, if I meditate hard enough, I can see her standing in front of me or beside me and we can talk." I elaborated, feeling elation rush inside me.
That probably means Sakkaku was happy to be recognised.
"That's awesome! It's kinda stupid that you didn't know about her before but it's so cool! It explains a lot about my-!" Killua held back, his face turning sour instantly.
I cocked an eyebrow at his sudden mood swing.
"'About your' what?" I coaxed gently.
Knowing him, he probably remembered something he didn't want to and if I forced him too much, he'll just clam up.
It's funny how I can read him better than Gon can.
Better than anyone can.
We've spent barely 2 months together and I can already memorise him.
"It's nothing." he murmured, eyes averted.
Just by that I can already tell that my visit is over so I stood and, with Gon's pudding in hand, left the room.
I received a warmer welcome from Gon when I handed him some pudding.
I only saw for a brief moment how he was putting all of his Nen in his fist before I entered. Like Killua, he lost his focus when he saw me but he was much more gracious about it.
"Ren! I've almost got my technique ready! Wanna see?" he exclaimed excitedly.
I gave him a smile and nodded. First, he did Ren, then he concentrated into transferring all that aura into his fist. The power was immense and I could see how much Gon was struggling. With his fist, he lightly tapped on a piece of wood and it burst into smithereens.
I gawked at him, impressed with his ability. "That was so cool! I can't even imagine how stronger that would be if you used it to punch full force."
My brother grinned at me, proud of himself, then he became slightly shy.
"Now that I showed you my Hatsu, can you show me yours?" he asked albeit sheepishly.
'I knew it. They're both THAT curious? Guess it's only fair cause I was gone for a long time.'
I concentrated, as much as I'm able to anyway. I'm nervous as heck for some reason.
I tried to portray the best view of Whale Island. It wasn't that hard to visualise it, I grew up there after all.
Sakkaku understood and the room morphed accordingly.
The walls vanished and were replaced by shrubbery and trees. The ceiling widened and became a clear sunny day.
I could see Gon awe at it and when he turned around, he saw Whale Island, as viewed from one of its mountains.
"This... This is.."
"It's Whale Island." I breathed, also taken away by the view and the difficulty of concentration.
I felt Sakkaku bubble up inside me, happy to get her potential out there. Or maybe she was revelling at how much Gon was amazed by her handiwork.
I noticed that he was going near the edge of the cliff and reached out for one of the branches.
It's either he thought we teleported or he just got carried away that he actually thought the things around us were solid. Gon "grabbed" the branch and leapt then fell face-first on the floor.
I laughed at him, losing my concentration and dispelling the illusion.
Suddenly, we were in that dingy apartment again, which was kinda sad.
I didn't mind it though and continued laughing at Gon like crazy.
He sat up and gave me an annoyed expression, "Stop laughing."
Somehow, that just made me laugh more.
With a low growl, he pounced on me and I stood there like a deer caught in headlights. We landed on the floor with a loud thump, which made me yelp in surprise.
I looked at my brother in fear as he raised both of his hands threateningly. "No, don't-!"
Before I could protest, he tickled my sides and I burst out laughing.
The door slammed open and there stood Killua, with a panicked expression on his face which quickly turned into a confused one.
I grabbed at his leg and felt him flinch under my touch.
"H-help me!" I half gasped and half laughed.
"No Killua! She has to say she gives! You gotta give, Ren!" Gon stopped him.
Feeling my stomach ache, I screamed at him that I give up then he stopped.
I hacked and coughed, gasping for air as I nursed the stitch at my side.
Gon got up, looking all triumphant and Killua shook his head at us.
"I thought something happened. You guys got me running for nothing." the silver-head grumbled.
I shakily got up, still in pain, and looked pointedly at Gon. "It's..it's all his fault, sore loser! No..no dinner for you tonight!" I wheezed.
It sounded more like a plea than a threat, especially since my voice was still shrill from lack of air, which made the two boys burst out laughing.
"No dinner for either of you!" I squeaked, storming out of the room.
-Eventually-
Dinner that night was really fun because we were all finally together.
Of course, I ended up buying food and making it but that's beside the point.
Besides, Senritsu did help a bit, though after she tore the meat open with the tenderizer, I asked her to go check on Kurapika instead. So now, one schnitzel had a hole in it.
Leorio poked fun at it, making some perverted jokes, and we all just laughed at him.
Even Killua put on a smiling front.
Yes, a front.
I know it isn't real; there's still something bothering him.
Lucky for him, I'm good at pretending.
After the others have had their fill, Gon, Killua, and I held a food eating contest to see who can finish the leftovers first. The prize was the others' dessert.
Obviously, Killua won and had no problem taking our dessert and ran off to his room.
The prick even had a grin on his face.
"That old man, he's only so quick when there're sweets." I complained.
Gon and the others gave a slight chuckle as they cleaned up.
"So Kurapika, you're leaving tomorrow, right?" my brother asked.
Kurapika nodded curtly at him, slightly uncomfortable. "I've had enough time to recuperate. Senritsu and I need to catch up with the others. Nostrade is still our employer after all, despite all the mess I've dragged them into."
"You say that, but you are reluctant to leave." Senritsu adds.
The blonde's face fell at her words. "Can you please not blurt out every emotion I feel? You're making me look dramatic."
"I cannot help it. You are lying to yourself a lot."
"I am not. Just let it go."
"I will not."
"Please, just respect people's privacy. It peeves people out when you do that."
"Fair enough. I'll stop blurting your emotions when you try to be more open to yourself and to others."
"Stop it, Senritsu." Kurapika whined.
"Geez, get a room! There are children here y'know!" Leorio reprimanded them.
Gon and I blushed a bright pink at the mention, but continued washing the dishes.
It was the first time I saw Kurapika getting all whiny and comfortable around someone.
Not that he is uncomfortable around us, but I just feel like he's holding back somehow. He tries to be the brotherly figure for all of us and thinks he has to act all mature and composed.
To see him let loose like this, it's a breath of fresh air.
It didn't even register how sad it was that none of us could make him feel the same.
That I couldn't make him feel the same.
I care about him so much, we all do. I guess this is why it's just so sad.
'Some friends we are.' I chided myself as I put away the last dish.
Gon decided to practice his Hatsu a bit more and retreated to his room.
Leorio was watching TV with Senritsu and Kurapika so I decided to head out to the balcony for some peace of mind.
I breathed in and savoured the cool wind on my face. The television and other noise in the room became mute as I stepped out and I felt relieved to find my own sanctuary. I looked up and saw a few stars twinkle and when I looked in front of me I saw the hustle and bustle of the city.
I felt small and insignificant in this world but I didn't care.
At least I'm a part of it.
"Penny for your thoughts?" I looked behind me for the voice and saw Kurapika leaning by the doorway.
I just smiled and beckoned him to join me.
We sat in comfortable silence, just observing the world around us.
"I appreciate what you did for me." the blonde said suddenly.
"What?"
"The Scarlet Eyes. You were the one that asked Pakunoda to bring that, right?"
I looked at my shoes, slightly flustered, "Yeah. I knew you had the fake copy. I just thought of how angry you would've been if that literally disappeared before your very eyes. Being angry doesn't exactly suit you."
Kurapika gave a small chuckle and we both sighed in contentment, taking in the world around us once more.
"My offer still stands." he broke the silence.
"What offer?"
"The one I told you before. I can help you find your sister."
I shook my head at him, "I thought about that and I have to say no thank you. I can find my sister by myself. This is my mission and I would like to be able to accomplish it on my own. Besides, where's the fun in cheating on a game of hide and seek?"
He looked at me, slightly disappointed. "I guess I can respect that. I just want you to know that if you need me, I'll be right here."
"I'll keep that in mind." I grinned.
Suddenly, I felt a pair of arms engulf me and realised it must have been Kurapika.
I blushed furiously and squirmed uncomfortably, but he held me tight.
"I'm sorry." he whispered.
I took a peek and saw the pained expression on his face.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you. I couldn't protect you like I said I would."
"What're you talking about? I'm perfectly fine."
"Yes, and it pains me to know that I did nothing to contribute to that. I love you, Renée, and I vowed to myself that I would protect you."
At the sudden confession, my mind went completely blank. I sat there, my mouth agape.
An awkward silence settled over us.
I couldn't say anything at all.
Even the city seemed to hush and everything was deafening.
The only sound I could make out was my heart hammering in my chest and the blood rushing in my ears.
Kurapika held me for a long time before saying something I didn't understand. His mouth opened again, as if saying something, but I just couldn't catch it. He frowned at my lack of response but settled for kissing my forehead and leaving me with my own thoughts.
Too bad my brain was too scattered to have thoughts. I sat there, wide-eyed and terrified, looking at the city and the stars that seemed to make fun of me.
END OF 27.
A/N: That's the best I can do for now. Sorry for the long wait! I'm still open for omake ideas and I appreciate all the love. Send me some more ideas on how you think the story goes, I swear I'm perfectly open to suggestions. Please review!
