Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter x Hunter

Chapter 35: Price

"UNHAND ME, YOU RUFFIANS. I'M GONNA CALL THE COPS ON YOUR ASSES, Y'HEAR!"

Oh dear, Shalnark's headache was starting up again. Perhaps, dragging the woman wasn't the best idea. As soon as they woke her up, she started screaming bloody murder. Did he mention they had been in public? He wouldn't be surprised if the police showed up soon.

"Miss, please listen," Shalnark tried to appease the woman. "We just need you to heal one person and then we'll let you go back home."

"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE ANYWAY? SOME SORT OF GANG PEOPLE? WHAT SORT OF SCUM ATTACKS THE ELDERLY?" She had a good pair of lungs, Shalnark could give her that. It was almost as bad as Uvo's scream.

The baby-faced man glanced over at Machi on the other side, who didn't seem bothered by the noise at all. Shalnark swore that woman wasn't even human? Oh, wait, she had earplugs. Damn, he knew he'd forgotten something.

"Miss, if you would please just calm down. I promise we mean you no harm. We just need your help," he continued, struggling to sound reassuring. They usually didn't need to go this far, but Danchou insisted she was only minimal damaged by the time they got to the hospital. Probably, because he didn't want Kurapika to wake up to a clearly frantic old woman who would spill the beans on him being less than saintly.

"I WILL NOT CALM DOWN!" she screamed her last words before Machi and Shalnark shared a look and the former hit her in the back of the neck. It couldn't be done in any other way. They needed to cure Kurapika as soon as possible.

So, the two worn-out Spiders dragged the finally quiet woman inside and hoped that this wouldn't cause her any lasting damage.

. . .

"Heyo, Danchou," Shalnark greeted, placing the old exorcist in a chair by the door. Machi stood close by and made sure she didn't try to run.

His Danchou sat near Kurapika, book in one hand and coffee in the other. Shalnark wondered if he'd left her side at all.

"Shalnark. What took you?" He seemed genuinely curious to hear the story, so Shalnark decided it would be rude to deny him a detailed retelling.

"The woman put up a bit of a fight."

"She's eighty years old," the dark-haired man pointed out, his voice filled with mirth and Shalnark was glad his Danchou wasn't completely depressed without his girlfriend. He was just like he usually was, if a little more worn-out.

"She also has a gun and really, really strong lungs," Shalnark informed. Chrollo chuckled pleasantly, black eyes glittering with mirth at his Spider's misfortune.

"Sounds like she did a number on you."

"I don't remember the last time my heart beat so fast," Shalnark said, tearfully.

Chrollo smiled like he always did when one of his Spiders did something amusing. Then, his obsidian eyes fell back on the old crow lying unconscious in the chair. "How long will it take for her to wake up?"

"I'll give her five minutes, max. Machi didn't hit her that hard."

A bit of grumbling and shifting from the exorcist proved them wrong. A few seconds and her eyes shot open. Her eyes took in the room frantically, and then she made a mad dash for the door. She tripped over by Machi's threads, and then pulled back into the room.

"Machi," Chrollo said, voice authoritative. He stood up and walked over to the woman and Machi. His voice and face turned gentle. "Let her go, please."

He kneeled down in front of the woman and looked her in the eye. Shalnark and Machi stood silently, watching as their Danchou turned on the charm. What tricks did he have up his sleeves this time?

"I'm sorry if they treated you poorly," he said, voice gentle and soothing, and Shalnark could already see her falling into the soft cadence. "Are you quite alright?"

"Yes," she said, suddenly tamed and polite. She sat up into a Seiza position. Shalnark smiled even more. His Danchou's charms never failed.

"I'm sorry. I should've come myself," he apologized, and he sounded so very sincere. Shalnark knew better. His Danchou was never sorry for anything.

"It's quite alright," the exorcist insisted. "I understand. You seem like a busy man."

"And I'm sure you're a busy woman," he replied, smiling charmingly. Women liked being complimented, and Danchou happened to be spectacular at spinning compliments. "With a talent like yours. It must be hard. Not many people are willing to understand the exceptional."

"Quite right," the woman said, a bit solemn now, beady eyes downcast. "Quite right. I've always been persecuted for this talent. People thinking I'm a witch. I come from a land of very superstitious you see and . . ." Beady eyes widened. "I'm sorry I've said too much. Please, you came to me for a reason. Who is it that you want me to exorcize."

"I couldn't possibly intrude," he said, respectful like only Danchou could be. He was truly the Spider Head, able to catch anyone in his web of deceit. Even Kurapika. "All I can do is ask that you can find it in your heart to save her."

"Her?" the woman asked, and Shalnark could see the sympathy in her eyes double.

Chrollo nodded, and the pain in his eyes was clear, which also meant it was fake for the most part. He got up with deliberate slowness and walked back to Kurapika's bed. He sat down at the bedside, and caressed the unconscious girl's pale cheek, then let it travel to her forehead, brushing away her bangs.

"Her name's Kurapika," he whispered, so fondly and so longingly that anyone's heart would break at his tone. Danchou was truly an amazing actor. "She's always been plagued by nightmares. It's an unfortunate side effect of her past. She'd wake up in the middle of the night with a cold sweat and tears running down her face and the only thing that could calm her down was being in my arms." Insert sad smile as he pretended to reminisce about those nights. "Lately, her nightmares have leaked into reality. It didn't take long for us both to realize that they were nen-induced hallucinations. They started talking to her, trying to convince her to kill herself." The woman gasped, completely absorbed in the story. Danchou nodded, his black eyes glassy with tears. "I couldn't stand to see her so distressed, so eventually we decided it was best to put her into a coma while I searched for a Nen exorcist, but I was weak. I couldn't leave her side. Which was I sent Machi and Shalnark to search for you." He smiled, now hopeful. "Please, please save her."

Hook, line, and sinker.

"Of course," she said, tears welling up in her own eyes. "Of course I will. Oh, the poor dear."

. . . Back In The Dream World . . .

Said poor dear was currently running through the forest with a rampaging flying rhino Akuma behind her. A rampaging flying rhino with sharp teeth and fire breath.

She focused back on the land before her. Or rather, the cave embedded nicely within the mountain. If they could just reach it. Then, they'd be home free. That was if Saffy was telling the truth.

They reached the base of the mountain in less than five minutes, which was easy when you were being chased by a giant fire-breathing flying rhino.

"What do we now?" Saffy asked, panic clear in his voice as the rhino closed in on them. It was only about thirty meters away now.

"We climb."

"WHAT?! That was your plan? Have you ever even climbed a mountain before?"

"Of course." And then she almost fell and died before Pairo came in and saved her, but he didn't need to know that. Besides, she was, like, eight when that happened. She was smarter and stronger now. And it's not like she'd die if she fell.

"Well, I haven't!" He yelled at her, as she started scaling the mountain.

"Look," she said, finding that mountain climbing was, in fact, a lot easier than it looked. "It's either the mountain or the digestive tract of that thing. I'd rather at least try to stay alive as long as possible, and I'd advise you to do the same."

"How can you be so calm?!" he asked, his voice shaky.

"I'm not. I'm just doing better than you."

She heard a sound of rock shifting below her. Glancing down, she was pleasantly surprised he figured out how to use his sheathed daggers to pull himself up. She was even more pleasantly surprised when he passed her on the way to the cave. Saffy was a natural.

She was just a foot away from the entrance when the flying rhino struck. The next seconds happened in a flurry of movements. Kurapika was suddenly aware that she wouldn't be able to make it, the rock in front of her crumbled, and Saffy screamed her name with the sort of panic associated with watching someone you care about getting eaten.

The next thing she knew, she was in the cave, trapped in an embrace with a tearful Saffy.

Somehow, she was the one who ended up asking him if he was alright.

"I'm fwine!" he sobbed, voice muffled by snot and tears and the fabric of her tribal attire. "I just got scared, okay? That's okay, right?"

"Saffy?" she asked, feeling like there was more going on here.

"My master," he continued, calming down a bit, "sent me to kill you. I've never wanted to fail him so much."

"You do realize he's dead, right?" she asked, realizing her words were harsh but not caring given the situation.

"It doesn't matter!" he shouted, hugging her tighter, face half-buried in her chest like a child embracing his mother, seeking her heartbeat, after a nightmare. "I'm still his Nen. His life force. I'm not supposed to act outside his orders."

"But you have," she pointed out. "Saffy, you're not just his Nen anymore. As soon as he died, you gained a mind of your own. You can do whatever you want."

"But that doesn't make any sense," he said, desperate for an answer he'd understand.

"Nen after death becomes stronger," Kurapika elaborated. "Your ties to your master have been severed. All that's left is his loyalty to Chrollo's brother. Is it so shocking that it be transferred to someone more suitable?"

"But -"

"Your elevated power might have something to do with it as well. Giving life to a marionette isn't that hard. Your personality's been set, and free will came with it. If anything, you should be grateful." It made perfect sense to her. Even if it was just a theory based on observation and her own experiences with Nen.

"You lost me," he said, all signs of tears replaced by confusion.

"He's dead, and you've become stronger to the point where you've become your own person in the Dream World," Kurapika summarized and comprehension dawned his face.

"So, I don't have to kill you anymore?" he asked. Kurapika shook her head, smiling in an almost motherly way. His face lit up. "Oh good. I was worried for a second." His face fell. "But . . . the Nen memory is still embedded in your mind. If you wake up and they hadn't found a Nen Exorcist by then . . ."

"Your new affiliation will mean nothing. And if they do . . . you'll disappear," Kurapika finished, and she smiled, but her smile was somber and solemn.

"I guess it's the only way," Saffy said, twiddling his thumbs. "It's okay, though. I think I've outlived my time here, anyway."

Kurapika wanted to tell him how wrong he was, but she didn't think that would help much. It would just serve to make both of them depressed.

. . . In the Real World . . .

"I'll start the exorcism right away," the old woman announced. "If you don't mind. I'd like to do this in private."

"Of course not. Machi, Shalnark." Chrollo quickly exited the room with his Spiders in tow.

"Do you think she'll be able to do it?" Shalnark asked.

Chrollo nodded, not a doubt clouding his vision. "By the end of the hour, Kurapika will be back with us."

. . . Back in the Dream World . . .

"You're fading away," Kurapika whispered, trying to keep her voice steady as Saffron's body started to lose more and more color.

"Y-yeah, I guess so," he replied, voice actually wavering as he tried to smile at her, reassure her that it didn't matter to him if this was the end. But his hands shook and bottom lip quivered and eyes swam with glistening tears.

She reached out and took one of his shivering hands in hers, noting how they almost felt like they were slipping out of her grasp every second that passed by. A few tears trailed down his face, and he covered her hand with his free one, holding onto her like she was his lifeline. She would never forget how much like a child he looked at that moment. Shivering with fear and trying to hide it as best he could.

"It's gonna be okay, right?" he asked, voice weak for once.

"Yeah."

. . . In the Real World . . .

"Is it true, Mr. Lucilfer?" Gon asked, excitedly. "Is Kurapika really going to come back today?"

"I predict so, Gon," he answered.

"Finally!" Gon yelled, raising her hands in the air. She then caught sight of Killua beside her and hugged him.

"Oi, Gon," he said, flustered, blushing furiously. Chrollo watched the scene with a genuine smile. He was in an understandably good mood. Three weeks had truly been worth it to see Kurapika awake and at peace again.

. . . In the Dream World . . .

"I'm sorry," Saffron said, brushing her cheek. "It must be hard watching your childhood friend die again?"

"What?" she asked, wondering when the tears started rolling. She'd never been one to cry very often. Not for herself. Not for others. Her tear ducts had dried up with the massacre of her clan.

"Pairo," Saffron uttered, a little bit sad as if he expected that all the affection she'd shown these past few days was thanks to his close resemblance to her old best friend.

"Please," she scoffed, but the tears kept falling and her scoff turned into a half-sob, "this is all on you, Saffy."

And she leaned forward to lean her forehead against his. His eyes welled up with tears again, and then they started falling, mixing in with hers.

. . . Back in the Real World . . .

"It's done," the old woman said, opening the door with a tired look on her face.

"Eh, are you okay, Miss Exorcist?" Gon asked, taking in her haggard appearance. The old lady smiled at her.

"Quite alright. Turned out harder than I thought it would. It was difficult to find the source of the Nen."

. . . Back in the Dream World . . .

She was alone again. Saffron had disappeared just seconds ago, leaving her clenching her empty fists on her lap and watching the teardrops sparkle in the sunlight. She wondered what he'd meant by that.

"I hope you live."

. . . Real World . . .

"You did put her in a coma?!" Leorio yelled, pointing an accusatory finger at him. Chrollo gave him a blank, emotionless look.

"Is that such a problem? I did it to keep her safe."

Leorio scowled at him, but said nothing more, as he conjured his Bandit's Secret into existence. It was time to bring her back.

. . . Dream World . . .

"I hope you live for yourself and not for your past. Promise me?"

She couldn't. She couldn't. She just couldn't.

She had to.

For Saffron.

. . . Real World . . .

Her eyes were immediately bombarded by the bright light of the hospital room. She turned away out of reflex, clenching her eyes closed again, before opening them finally.

"What happened? How long was I out?" she asked, getting up, ignoring the pain in her head.

"Three weeks," a familiar voice said, the relief in it ringing clearly in her ears. She turned towards the owner, heart beating fast in anticipation. And there he was. His midnight hair a bit disheveled, dark circles forming below his onyx eyes, and clothes uncharacteristically ruffled.

"What took you so long?" she asked, fondly.

"We had some trouble finding you an exorcist," he whispered, leaning in closer so their noses were almost touching. By then, said exorcist had shuffled everyone out of the room so the lovebirds could have their time together, much to the disappointment of all of Kurapika's friends (as well as fans).

Chrollo planted a gentle kiss on her forehead as he wrapped his arms around her. She melted into him as usual, welcoming his warmth. His scent. How she'd missed his scent. The way it so easily put her mind at ease.

"Hmm, I suppose I can let it slide this once," Kurapika whispered, contentment swimming in her words. Her arms tightened around him, and her hands fisted into the cloth of his dress shirt.

Chrollo chuckled, and she relished in the way it made his chest vibrate. She felt his breath near her ear and heard him whisper, "I've missed you."

"You had better." Her answer. Because she couldn't quite recall if she'd missed him.

. . .

"We still have to discuss the subject of payment," the old Exorcist said when Kurapika was finished talking with all the people who'd come to see her. It made her feel like some sort of monarch waiting to hear the grievances of her subjects.

"How much do you want?" Chrollo asked, as politely as he could while most of his attention was hogged by Kurapika's honey-kissed hair.

"Oh, I've already taken most of it," she informed. Chrollo glanced at her, ordering her to explain with just the intensity of his gaze. "Her memories from the Dream World. I figured they couldn't be too important, so I took them. They seemed to do the trick." Chrollo nodded. At least it wasn't something like Kurapika's life span being cut in half. In that case, he probably would've lashed out and killed the impudent exorcist. "But I still need one more thing."

"Name it."

"A body part of hers," the woman answered.

Everyone in the room, everyone being reduced to Kurapika's roommates and three Spiders. Some waited for Kurapika to lash out, others for Chrollo.

"Could you elaborate?" Kurapika asked, polite but cold, the icy fire behind her words clear.

"Something like a finger, or your ears. You have very nice ears."

Kurapika instinctively reached up to touch them. She rather liked having ears.

"How about my hair instead?" she offered, twirling a blonde lock of hair around her index finger.

The woman took said lock of hair and inspected it closely.

"Yes, yes. Medium-blonde, honey-colored, healthy shimmer. Yes, I think they'll do well. How about, I cut it up to your shoulders. It's quite thick as well, so it should be fine," the old lady chattered.

"Um, alright?"

. . .

Kurapika ran another hand through her short blonde hair. It felt so strange, not having anything silky soft past her shoulders.

"Feels strange, doesn't it?" Chrollo asked from beside her on the bench under the stars.

"Yeah, it'll probably be easier to manage though. I've been meaning to get a haircut anyway," she assured, though it was obvious it bothered her some.

"It's beautiful," Chrollo said, leaning down with an almost predatory look in his eyes. Her earring dangled playfully.

"Chrollo," she warned, but his lips were already on hers. Three weeks was really too long.

"I said I missed you," he whispered between kisses.

Funny, she felt like she missed something too. Like she was forgetting something important.

But what?

Next On NAPP!:

Last chapter, people. Hunter Exams and goodbyes. Oh, and meetings with evil brothers.

(A/N: Kurapika was so close to forgetting her vendetta, and then bam, she forgot. Was it OOC for her to forget her revenge because her dying friend asked her to? Well, no. Kurapika has a ton of respect for the dead.)

Question of the Day: How was that death scene? It was my first time writing one.

~ Replies to Reviewers ~

guest: Yay for badass Kurapika. You've got a crying one here. Still badass, though. Yeah, Leorio's a doctor and he ain't about to be fooled by Chrollo's shitty cover-up. Machi's definition of teamwork: You bait. I kill. Once again your theories impress me immensely. But that's all I'm gonna say. RIP Saffy. He just wanted someone to love him. Good thing he met Kurapika. And yes, the Akuma are from the Dark Continent. That is an accurate depiction of Roro. He's insane and he loves his brother. Thank you sooooooooooooooooo much for reviewing and posting such amazing theories. I hope you liked this chapter. I mean, Saffy died, but we got a slick Chrollo. Who is partly to blame for his death, but I mean, what was he supposed to do? Poor Saffy, though. I feel bad for my own character.

~ End of Replies ~

To Everyone: I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review and I'll see you next time on NAPP! For the last time. Take it all in. NAPP's about to be completed.