Disclaimer: I still don't own HxH

(A/N: Here it is. The end of an era. 114 reviews, 44 favorites, 40 followers, and 114730 words. I'm so proud of us.)

Warning: Something very suggestive almost happens. Still kept it at T. I mean, have you ever watched the stuff on TV. Most of it's for teenagers. So I think I'm fine, but I dunno. Feel free to skip.

Chapter 36: Temporary Goodbyes

"You're a lucky one, Miss," the old exorcist commented as they all escorted her to the car, after Shalnark assured she wouldn't be put in the trunk again.

"I am?" she asked. Lucky wasn't the word she'd use to describe herself. Cursed, maybe. Terrorized by her past and thirsty for revenge still, but not lucky.

"You have a man like that to take care of you." She gestured to Chrollo, who was engaged in a conversation with Shalnark. Kurapika absentmindedly noted that he looked absolutely gorgeous in the moonlight.

"Take care of me?" Kurapika repeated, almost incredulous. She didn't need a man to take care of her. She could take care of herself, dammit!

"He told me about your nightmares," the old crow said, conspiratorially. Kurapika grimaced. This didn't sound good. "It must've been hard on your psyche. It's good you had someone like him to comfort you."

"Comfort?" In what way?!

"Yes, he told me all about how the only thing that calmed you down was being in his arms," the woman recounted like it was some old favorite love story of hers.

Kurapika's eyes widened a fraction, and for a second, she said nothing. Sure, she liked being in his arms, but it wasn't like that was the only thing that could calm her down.

"Did he now?" she finally said, forcing a smile onto her face. It turned out a little scarier than she had intended. The woman put a hand on her arm.

"There's nothing to be shy about, my dear," she reassured, and Kurapika hated the conversation even more. "It's normal for two young people in love such as yourselves to be physically intimate. Why, when I was your age and met my sweetheart, we couldn't keep our hands off each other! To be honest, you two are quite chaste compared to most young people these days."

"Could you excuse me, for just one second?" Kurapika asked, as sweetly and kindly as she could with her fury threatening to boil over. The woman nodded, seemingly reminiscing about her dead love life.

The honey-colored blonde made her way to Chrollo, grabbed his arm, and dragged him away from his conversation with Shalnark.

"Where are we going?" he asked, the curiosity in his voice fanning the angry flames of her fury. "What happened?"

Once they reached a small grouping of trees, she rounded on him and he nearly ran into her. They were only inches apart now, but Kurapika was clearly not in the mood for kisses so Chrollo obediently kept his hands to himself.

"The only thing that could calm me down was your embrace?" she started. "You were the only one able to comfort me? What the hell kind of lies have you been spinning while I was gone?"

"Oh, come on, Pika-chan," he teased, grinning like a Cheshire cat as their noses touched. "There's nothing to be shy about. After all, there's nothing strange about two young people being physically intimate with each other."

She pushed his face away with one hand, unimpressed with his attempts at seduction. She should've known he'd heard that.

"Don't call me Pika-chan," she said, but her threats fell on deaf ears, as the man brushed some golden locks back behind her ear.

"You're nineteen now, yes?" he asked, coming faintly closer.

"What does that have to with anything?" Kurapika asked, exasperated with his antics. He asked the strangest questions.

"Short hair makes you look older. Your features are much sharper somehow," he observed, eyes darting to take in her face.

She tilted her head to the side. So what if she looked older?

The man finally made his move, placing his lips to her cheek.

"Gon and Killua are going out tonight. Leorio's going to be stuck with exams, and Biscuit's out helping Netero with something. Which means," he whispered, placing his hands on her hips, "we'll be alone."

Warmth flooded her cheeks.

"Take that as you will," he smirked, turning away from her.

The pinpricks of that blasted heated stare at the back of her neck finally ticked her off. Once Chrollo was finally out of sight, her dazed look turned positively icy. One could freeze an entire ocean with that glare.

"Alright, whoever you are, come out now," she said, authority dripping from her voice. But suddenly the presence was gone. Kurapika's glare intensified as she kept her gaze on the source of that angry aura.

They didn't plan on revealing themselves, then. Well, Kurapika would prefer not to fight. She was a pacifist at heart, after all, but under the right circumstances, she'd fight anyone.

She turned away, her guard still up, even as she left the small grove. It didn't feel like they followed her out.

Chrollo stood in front of the exorcist, probably still thanking her for all she had done for them. Kurapika came up to them, and the raven-haired man wrapped an arm around her waist, undoubtedly to show the woman how close they were.

"Thank you again, Miss," Kurapika offered her own gratefulness. "I don't know where I'd be if you hadn't shown up."

"Oh, it's alright, my dear," she said, taking her hand and patting it, before climbing into the car. "It's nice to know there are still some nice, young people in this cruel world. Stick with each other. Love like yours is hard to come by."

Chrollo pressed his lips to the side of the blonde's temple. "We will."

And then Shalnark started the car and drove away. Chrollo's arm disappeared from her waist, and she moved to put a few feet of distance between them.

"You are a fantastic actor," she commented.

"It was only half-acting," he answered, almost sounding like he was trying to reassure her. "It's getting late, you should get back to the dorm."

"I don't think I can sleep again after all that's happened," Kurapika whispered, running a nervous hand through her hair.

"Understandable," he whispered, placing a hand atop her head. "You've been in a coma for the past three weeks. Still, you better head back."

She nodded, chewing on her bottom lip as she deliberated whether it was wise to bring this topic up. "What about you?"

"I'll be along, don't worry," he said. "Go back now."

She gave him a suspicious look but consented anyway. It was Chrollo. He wouldn't tell her if she asked.

. . .

She popped another piece of pasta in her mouth, happy to finally have some real food to eat. It was strange. Not remembering anything from her three weeks in a coma. It felt like a gaping hole in her mind. Everything was just blocked out.

Well, no matter. She was out now and the Hunter Exam was coming up. What she should be doing now was focusing on her studies. After that, she can look into a new Nen teacher. Izunavi wasn't willing to teach her, probably because Chrollo would kill him, and Chrollo himself had already shown he had no intention of helping with her vendetta.

She needed to find someone who didn't mind the fact they might be helping her build an earlier grave.

"Look who's up on her feet and studying again," a slippery voice whispered, the cadence both peaceful and disturbing.

"Hisoka," she greeted him, aura instantly flaring up.

"How mean, Kura-chan, I'm only here to talk," he said, smiling easily and seating himself across from her.

"About?" she asked, guardedly, voice thick with distrust.

"How happy I am to see you back to your usual self!" he said, happily, putting some pasta in an empty bowl he'd grabbed with his bungee gum. "And you made supper! What an adorable little housewife you'll make one day."

She glared, fork stabbing at the food on her plate.

"Too far?" he asked, as she rigidly brought the fork up to her mouth. She didn't say anything, chewing her food with the same jagged movements. For a moment, she almost looked like some kind of robot, ready to shoot lasers from her eyes.

"What. Do you. Want to. Talk. About?"

Oh dear, oh dear. Hisoka never felt so scared of an unripe fruit before. How exciting! No, no, he must control himself. He had things to do.

"That information about the Spiders. They're hitting York New come September," he said. "In your current state, you won't be able to beat them. So, I suspect you'll be looking for a new Nen master? ~"

"Yes, I will be looking for a new Nen master. What of it?"

"I volunteer myself," he said, placing a hand over his heart as if he was sacrificing his soul to the devil.

"No."

He pouted. "So mean ~. Fine. I suppose you won't accept recommendations either?"

She shook her head.

"Suit yourself. But I didn't offer my help to you at no cost. Be ready when the time comes," he warned in his lilting voice.

"I will be."

And then he was gone. So was the ceramic bowl of pasta.

Kurapika sighed, leaning her forehead on one hand. She was so close now. Why could she feel her resolve shaking, breaking down, crumbling down like the ruins of some old castle?

"Kurapika?"

Her head shot up and then whirled around to see Chrollo standing there with a worried look on his face.

"Are you okay?" he continued, walking closer to her.

It was him. It was his fault she was forgetting her revenge. It was his fault her rage was fading. It was all him. Always him.

He reached out to touch her shoulder, but she slapped his hand away without thinking. The man frowned and sat down next to her.

"Is this about what happened in the forest?" he asked, clearly concerned. Kurapika's vision went red. He already showed he was a decent actor. Was it possible this was one of them? He'd told her when they had their first kiss on the balcony that he intended to use her feelings to drag her off the path. In the thrill of the moment, surrounded by nightmares and visions and evil brothers trying to kill her, she'd forgotten about keeping her distance. She had let her emotions get the best of her, but now that her head was clearer than ever before, she cursed her own stupidity.

He tried to grab her chin, but she whipped her head away. She couldn't look at him.

Chrollo was having none of it, he gripped her chin with his index finger and thumb, and forced her to look him in the eye. She glared at him, eyes burning scarlet. His grasp loosened at the sight, and she quickly snapped her head away.

"I think," she started, voice barely above a whisper, "I'm going to turn in for the night."

She got up and he did nothing to stop her. The blonde silently walked to her room, but before she could turn the knob, a hand shot out to grab her wrist.

"What's wrong?" he asked, voice quiet, breath warm against her ear. He was too close. He always came too close. It was like he didn't care at all. Wasn't affected by her presence at all.

"I want to stop," she said, voice coming out colder than she'd intended.

"What?" he asked, and his tone came out in a gentle caress. One she would've fallen right into three weeks before.

"I'm leaving in a month from now," she lied, "so we should stop now. Please."

His eyes widened, and then a smile spread across his face. He dipped his head and started laughing.

"That is the worst excuse you've yet to come up with," he chuckled, and Kurapika hated how warm she felt just by listening to it.

"I -"

"That's not what you're really worried about, is it?" he divulged, coming closer. "You're scared because it's working. You're forgetting."

She opened her mouth to reply, but he pressed his lips to hers before any sound could come out. He always kissed her at the worst moments, and always when her mouth was open and easily accessed. The pervert.

The door to her room opened and shut behind them. A strange sense of deja vu overtook her as she tripped over the side of his bed, landing softly among the clean linen. She picked herself up and backed away, but then she hit the headboard. Trapped. Again. He always found a way to trap her again.

His face was ridiculously close again, and his eyes bored into hers as if asking permission. Something within her grew hot in anticipation as she took his chin and beckoned him closer. He smiled and his lips fell on hers again, and she kissed him back. She couldn't stop. She didn't want to. Only him. She wanted him.

And she didn't stop. Even as his fingers gripped the hem of her shirt and pulled it up over her head, letting it land somewhere on the floor. It should've been enough to set off the warning bells. It didn't. Not when he nipped at her collarbone, and not when he trailed kisses down her neck, her hand clutched in his hair. His hands traveled over her lower torso. And she couldn't help but gasp in pleasure as he licked a spot on the edge of her jaw line.

Shit. Shit. Shit. This was wrong.

"Stop," she gasped. She was in too deep already. If she delved any deeper, everything she had worked for up until now would be for nothing. "Chrollo."

He did stop. His lips left the base of her neck, in favor of reclaiming her own.

"Chrollo," she repeated, pushing him off this time. "Please." She needed one of them to stop.

He stared, eyes darker than usual with some strange emotion. Her heartbeat was out of control. Her body was still burning. She had to calm down.

"Stop," he started, and she'd never heard his voice so icy. At least not towards her. "Stop chasing the Spider."

Something in her broke at that request.

"I can't."

He leaned so close that she could pick up flecks of brown in his somehow fiery black eyes. "Then I can't let you go."

And then he let her go, buttoning up the few top buttons of his dress shirt that had come undone in the chaos. Leaving her alone to contemplate his words. She didn't even bother to put on her abandoned shirt. She had her undergarments and somehow, she felt a bit too warm to be comfortable in it.

He couldn't let her go.

But.

He couldn't exactly stop her either.

[. . . A Few Hours Earlier . . .]

"Come out, brother dearest," Chrollo called, his eyes dark with bloodlust despite the seemingly friendly smile gracing his face.

"I must admit," a handsome, dark-haired man with a cross mark on his neck walked out of the shadow of the trees, an ice cream cone in his hand, "your little girlfriend's pretty sharp."

"I'm surprised you're careless enough to show your face right now," Chrollo replied, ignoring his comments on Kurapika. He was in no mood to discuss her right now, especially not with the man who had been trying to kill her the entire school year.

"Hmm, I came to see how positively wonderful the little Kurta is," Roro smiled, green eyes flickering. Green eyes like their father's. "She's something alright. Smart, beautiful, passionate. What more could you ask for? Pity she has to die soon."

"Is that all you came here for?"

Roro took another lick of ice cream and laughed, "Oh, no! Just to talk about your girlfriend? Do I look like some teenage girl, Chrollo? Next, we'll be painting each other's nails."

He did not need that mental image.

"Hmm, want some?" he asked, holding out the cone. Chrollo looked at it, distastefully. "Are you sure? Cookies n' Cream, your favorite. Doesn't even need to follow proper grammar structure, can just omit letters on a regular basis." Roro laughed at his own joke and then smiled at his brother. "I suppose I can't expect you to laugh at my jokes, no matter how brilliant they are. Especially now."

Chrollo glared at him. Roro's smile widened.

"What a wonderful sight," he uttered. "Your hatred. You really are strongest when you're angered. Usually, by now, I would've had your Benz knife in my abdomen. Remember when I made you kill them all the first time? You came back, bloodied and furious. It was the first time you were able to beat me. When you realized I couldn't die, you tossed me in my prison. I'd never felt more proud. I truly taught you well." He nodded, happily, before taking a bit of his ice cream again.

Chrollo realized he did have something he wanted answered.

"Who let you out?" the younger Lucilfer asked.

"Oh, that's easy," Roro replied as if he was merely answering questions at a test or interview. "Likon got me out."

"And then you killed him." Chrollo couldn't imagine killing so loyal to him. Likon was to Roro, what the other Spiders were to him. He had never failed him once before. Once was all it took to seal his death.

"Well, I couldn't very well have him running around spilling my secrets to your Spiders," Roro shrugged. "It was either him or me, y'know. Strictly business."

"He worshipped you."

"He was wrong," Roro said, his voice rather solemn. So, he did feel some sort of sorrow for Likon. "He should know by now. Lucilfers can't love normally. It's like a curse."

"It's not a curse." Chrollo hated having this conversation. It was, unfortunately, a frequent occurrence in his youth. "We just didn't know any better."

"What, that woman taught you how to properly love her?" Roro asked, no, taunted. "You should know by now, little brother. If you stay by her side, that girl will break. If you keep loving her, you won't be able to let her go. Remember father?"

"Mother loved him." At least, those were the stories. Their parents had abandoned them when Chrollo was about ten months old, leaving him and his six-year-old brother to rot in Meteor City.

"And then she ran. He chased after her. And then they were both dead."

"Because she fled to the Dark Continent."

"And why do you suppose she did that?" Roro asked. "Man, you really want this to work out. Can't you see that it's just going to end in tragedy? Something's going to break her eventually. Personally, I'm betting on your role in the Genei Ryodan."

"She'll get over it," Chrollo said, face still blank, though inside he was cursing himself for replying.

"Are you sure about that? Because at this rate, it looks like she could very easily turn against you. If she tries to kill you, your instincts are going to act up and you're going to be the one doing the killing. And as we all know, you're not very merciful to the people you mur-"

Roro suddenly found himself pinned to a tree by the neck. Chrollo's grip tightened, ready to crush every bone in his neck, no matter the fact that he was practically invincible. Imagining himself kill Kurapika was strangely aggravating.

"Look, little brother," Roro said, raising his hands in a placating manner. "I only wish to help you. One of you is going to end up dying, and it'll probably be her. Either way, if it comes down to it, I'll kill her so you don't have to."

It was a warning. Was he ready to leave her alone? Let her live?

"Though, in the end, I suppose it's inevitable since it seems she's digging her grave as we speak. Your Spiders may be under your control, but she is not. We both know who you'll choose in the end." Roro's face suddenly brightened up, and he lifted his hands in a sort of ta-da gesture. "And so, she's screwed either way. Unless you somehow magically make her forget her revenge and leave her alone forever."

And the hand at Roro's throat disappeared. He sank down into a crouch.

"You know I'm right, little brother," he said, looking up at him. "Sooner or later, you two are going to be enemies."

. . . Present Time . . .

Chrollo sat in the kitchen area, spinning his Benz knife in his hand skillfully as he recalled Roro's words.

"Lucilfers can't love normally."

Kurapika needed someone like that. Someone who could offer her everything they had, who could love her normally. Instead of keeping secrets and choosing his gang over her. The Spider came first.

He needed to leave her.

He needed to stop her from avenging her family.

And that was all he needed from her.

"Chrollo?" she asked, sitting down next to him. She was wearing a shirt, thankfully, though her cheeks were still a bit flushed. A stab of guilt, an emotion he only felt once before, went through him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, "if I scared you."

The blonde shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous. I knew you weren't going to do anything to hurt me. Nor would you ever. You're just worried. I can't blame you for that. If the roles were reversed, I'd probably act the same. But . . ."

"But?"

"I can't stop," she finished, voice so full of pain, it almost felt like you could hear the inner conflict splitting her brain. "So, please, don't ask me to."

"Lucilfers can't love normally."

Then he'd let her go. Let her go for now, and hope someone better suited could douse that fiery revenge.

. . . One Month Later . . .

Kurapika and Mr. Lucilfer were acting strangely, Gon thought. They usually were talking, bickering, something, but she figured the stress of Kurapika leaving must be difficult. They were leaving today after all. The exam had gone by in a breeze. Hisoka had decided to join in for the fun of it and passed as well. It was all thanks to Kurapika's study sessions. In the last month, the woman had dragged them all to a private study room in the library which she had apparently been using all year. They spent three hours a day in there, though it didn't feel like it because Kurapika made them take breaks every thirty minutes or so. Something about studying being more beneficial when done in segments. Whatever it was, it worked.

"There you go," Hotaru said, monotonously, as she passed out their Hunter licenses.

Kurapika's eyes widened a fraction. "Why my real name?"

"Well, Miss Calin. Hunters can't hunt other Hunters so you won't have to worry about people searching for your eyes. No one else will be able to figure out your ties to the Kurta Clan since it can only really be accessed through the Hunter's website," the secretary droned on.

"Understood." She still wished Netero had at least notified her beforehand.

"Well, get out of my office," Hotaru muttered, sitting back down at her desk.

The three friends exchanged smiles at the woman's apparent annoyance with them.

. . .

"Wow," Leorio whistled as he took in their licenses, "you guys know how pricey these things get?"

"You're not selling them, Leorio," Kurapika deadpanned before he could even mutter the suggestion.

"I wasn't going to!" Leorio shot back, frowning. He then mumbled, "I was just stating the facts. I have a lot of student loans to pay off."

Gon laughed at his excuse and took another slurp of her milkshake. They were in the surrounding town again. Leorio had let them to an old-fashioned restaurant, going on and on about the comfy red leather sofas, awesome food, and cool vintage tables. Gon thought that it must be great if Leorio liked it so much, and Killua had just shrugged and said he didn't really care where they went. Kurapika took some convincing. Apparently, she had some bad experience last time Leorio had picked the restaurant. Gon eventually got her to come along as well for the sake of their last day together.

"So, did you open Ging's box yet, Gon?" Kurapika asked, curiously.

Gon shook her head. "I kind of want us all to be together when I open it. I hope you don't mind."

That motherly smile played on Kurapika's lips again. Gon decided Kurapika would make a great mom someday. She'd like to meet a mini Kurapika eventually. They'd probably be really cute.

"Hey, Kurapika?" Gon asked.

"Yes, Gon?"

"Have you ever thought about becoming a mother?" Gon finally uttered, twirling her straw around in her glass, as she casually leaned her chin on her hand.

The next events happened in a little over ten seconds. Kurapika processed the question in a little under a second. It took her three seconds to start choking on her beverage, which lasted approximately six seconds, in which time frame Leorio took the time to pat her on the back.

"You okay, Kura?" he asked, worriedly.

"I'm fine," she coughed, and when she continued talking, her voice came out lower as if she had a cold. "What brought that question up, Gon?"

"I dunno, I just thought you'd be good at it," she elaborated.

Kurapika took a sip of her milkshake as she pondered her query. "I suppose I have. I'd like to rebuild the Kurta Clan one day. And make sure it's protected this time. I would have to find the right person though."

"Like Mr. Lucilfer?" she asked. It made perfect sense in Gon's simple mind.

Kurapika didn't seem to think it was quite so perfect because the next few seconds were devoted to more choking.

"I think I'd rather get a sperm donor," Kurapika murmured, once the coughing fit ended.

"What's a sperm donor?"

. . . A few hours later . . .

Killua noted vaguely that Kurapika had sat as far away from Lucilfer as she possibly could. Gon's question must still be weighing on her mind. He kept telling her to think before she said unnecessary things.

They were all sitting on the floor, except for Lucilfer, who was sitting on the window ledge and spinning that weird-looking knife in his hand. She inserted her card into the slot on the purple box. It opened to reveal three seemingly unrelated items: an old cassette tape, a JoyStation gaming console, and a ring.

"Do we even have a cassette player?" he found himself asking. A few seconds and Biscuit came out of her room with a pink, flowery cassette player. How typical. "Of course, the old lady would have one."

She punched him in the face without even looking.

"Here you are, Gon," she said, sweetly, daintily handing over the cassette player like it was the most precious thing in the world. Gon thanked her, after making sure his cheek was alright and placed the tape inside. The five of them watched the recorder intently, their nerves shot as they waited for it to start.

"Yo, Gon," it said.

Ging's voice. This was the voice of Gon's father. Killua put the thought away for later and focused on what he was telling them.

"So you became a Hunter, too." Nice start, Dad of the Year. "Anyway, I have a question for you. Do you want to see me?"

Well, obviously.

"If you do, keep listening. If you don't, press the stop button." A pause. No one spoke. "I'm guessing that's a yes. Then I'll ask you once more. Are you prepared? Hunters are selfish creatures willing to sacrifice anything to get what they want. If you're only slightly interested in seeing me, you should stop the tape now. I'll give you a minute to consider it," He was really drilling this in, wasn't he? They looked at Gon, whose face was just as determined as ever. The other four exchanged a smile, as they watched Gon's lips curve up into a smile. "I guess you really do want to see me. But I don't want to see you."

Everyone was a bit surprised, but Leorio was the only one to break their secret agreement to keep quiet. "What?! What the hell kind of father are you?! What father leaves his daughter -"

Killua and Kurapika both placed their hands over his mouth to shut him up, as they continued to listen closely for any hints to the man's location.

"I don't know how I could face you. After all, I chose my own desires over my parental duty. I'm not a good person. I'm guessing by the time you hear this tape, at least ten years have passed. But one thing hasn't changed. I'm still me. As you listen to this tape, I'm off doing reckless things. If you want to see me, find me. But as I said before, I don't want to see you. If I sense you nearby, I'll make myself scarce. Catch me if you can. You are a hunter, aren't you?"

Gon's nen flared up for a second, and then settled down again. She smiled, excited for the challenge.

"Man," Killua said, as if it was a hassle, "your dad's not gonna go easy on us, huh?"

"Ging's still there," Gon announced, watching the tape roll on still.

"There's one more thing," it said. "About your mother. If you want to know more, keep listening. If you're not interested -"

Gon shut it off before it could even finish its sentence.

"Are you sure?" Killua asked sort of surprised Gon wasn't in the slightest bit curious about her mother. That's half her DNA right there.

"Yeah," Gon replied, smiling as usual.

"What if he left something important at the end?"

"I doubt it," Gon replied. "Besides, Mito is the only mom I need."

That was kind of harsh. She carried her for nine months, after all.

. . .

The six of them gathered at the port. Kurapika on her way to YorkNew City. Killua and Gon were planning on going back to Whale Island for a while, during which time they would use to figure out what the other items Ging left Gon were all about.

Leorio, Biscuit, and Chrollo were also there to see them off. Leorio decided to take summer classes, so he could catch up to them faster, and now stood hugging a very annoyed Kurapika.

"I don't want you to go!" he sobbed.

"It's not like it's forever, Leorio. You're overreacting," she scolded, grimacing at her tear-soaked shoulder.

"It's gonna feel like it!" he cried, hugging her tighter. She pat him on the back awkwardly, as a few people started giving them strange looks. "It's our first time really being separated in, like, ten years."

"Two years. We've been together for two years, Leorio."

"THAT'S CLOSE ENOUGH! SHUT UP AND HUG ME!"

She rolled her eyes and consented, wrapping her arms around his waist and placing her chin on his shoulder.

"Hey, Kurapika! Leorio!" Gon yelled as she bounded over to join their group hug. "How about we meet up in YorkNew City in September?"

"Uh-huh, we can meet up in YorkNew City and have tons of fun there."

"I don't know," Kurapika said, uncertainly. Gon gazed up at her with wide, hopeful eyes.

"Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaase?"

"Oh, alright."

"Yes!" Gon yelled triumphantly, punching the air, before jumping back into the hug again. Killua watched the entire scene from the sidelines. He wasn't much of a group-hugger anyway.

Gon wasn't having any of it. With a sneaky glance at both Leorio and Kurapika, the three lunged at the silver-haired boy, tipping him over onto the grass. The four friends landing in a half-giggling mess.

"All aboard to Dolle Harbor!"

"That's our ride," Killua said. Gon nodded, smile a bit subdued now. And then the two got up and walked hand-in-hand to their deck. Then, Gon's steps halted, she released his hand and ran back towards the two older friends. She embraced them both, setting her chin in the place where their shoulders met.

"September first, okay?" she whispered. Both nodded. Once she was reasonably satisfied, Gon released them and ran back to Killua whose arms were already waiting for her.

"Man," Leorio said, nostalgically, as the boat vanished into just a speck on the horizon, "it feels like we just met them yesterday."

"Really? It feels more like a lifetime."

"Can you let me make my poetic observation without commenting on it?"

"I don't see anything poetic in your observations," she countered, shifting her weight to one leg, ready to jump into a run when he inevitably snapped.

"THAT IS IT! I've had it with all you disrespectful twats!"

There it was. The snapping of the thin thread that kept Leorio from unleashing his true wrath. Kurapika quickly ran away from the man, who she likened to a stampeding rhino, and took shelter behind Chrollo. That didn't stop Leorio. He reached for her, but she sidestepped to the front of the young man and latched onto him, arms tightening around his waist. Chrollo seemed unaffected by the entire thing, choosing to focus on the rather interesting novel he was currently reading.

"All aboard to YorkNew City!"

That was all it took for Leorio's face to crumble. Kurapika sighed and got ready to go over and comfort him when two strong arms wrapped around her middle. Chrollo buried his face in the crook of her neck.

"Stay safe," he whispered, and she knew this was meant for her ears only. Her hand traveled up to his hair, stroking it.

"I'll try."

He kissed the skin on the base of her neck, and then released her.

"You should go. Or you'll miss the boat." And he would like that, wouldn't he?

"Okay," she said.

She didn't want to go. She wanted to stay there, in his arms. Unlike with Gon and the others, she had no idea when she'd see him again.

But she had to. Her path to revenge officially started today, as soon as she stepped onto that boat. Her goals came before any selfish desires she may be leaving behind.

She backed away from him, still smiling.

"I'll see you around, Chrollo."

"Yes, you will."

"Oi, Leorio!" she yelled. Leorio was currently being 'comforted' by Biscuit. "Don't go out with that blurry vision. You'll get yourself killed!"

Leorio shouted some blubbering nonsense at her which she didn't even bother to decipher. And with deliberate steps, the woman walked up to the main deck of the ship. The sea breeze caressed her cheeks.

Today was only the beginning.

"Hey, girly. Wanna go out on a date?!"

She hit the man on the back of the head, promptly knocking him out. She'd forgotten how uncouth some sailors could be when they were drunk. Where was she? Oh yes.

Today was only the beginning. The path ahead was uncertain, but -

"KURAPIKA!" Leorio yelled, leaning over the railing with tears and snot running down his face. He reached out as if to touch her. "I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU!"

She wasn't dead for God's sake.

Anyway, today was only the beg-

"Shit, who let a frickin' lion on here?"

"What?!"

"Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god. WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE!"

"IT'S ON THE DECK! EVERYBODY RUN!

Ah, screw it. She was gonna go take a nap. The lion seemed like good company anyway.

. . . A few minutes later . . .

"Did she put it to sleep or something?" one of them asked, and Kurapika grimaced ever-so-slightly from her position. "Is it dead."

"The thing's literally curled up around her! How can she sleep like that?" another one loudly whispered. Her grimace deepened.

"Should we kill it while it's down?" yet another suggested, and Kurapika's anger finally boiled over. The lion wasn't doing anything to them. How dare they be so crude?

"Haven't you people ever heard of a good night's sleep?" she asked, her fiery temper on fierce display. All fifteen passengers immediately went back to their own business. Kurapika sunk lower into the lion's dense coat and grumbled, "geez, you'd think they were raised in a barn."

The magnificent beast yawned its approval.

It was quite simple really.

The lion was just attracted to the lioness in human clothing.

. . .

The End

Question of the Day: Come with me on a trip down memory lane. Think of all the things that have happened throughout this story. Now, what was your favorite character? Favorite scene? Favorite chapter? You can answer all of these or just one, so don't feel obliged to answer any of them really.

(A/N: I was rereading chapter 5 today - AKA Chrollo's first appearance - dang, KuroKura has come a long way. They're practically making out in every chapter now. Dat sexual tension, doh.)

~ Replies to Reviewers ~

LadyLoophole: I'm glad you like it so far. I hope you continued to until the end. Thanks for reviewing at least once to tell me your thoughts : )

Guest: Yes, no one can beat Chrollo when it comes to manipulation. Here, have a tissue for the Saffy sadness. He's in a better place now. I think. Oh no, Chrollo is gonna suffer in YorkNew for all he's put Kura through. OMG, I'm so glad you picked up on the Calcifer reference. It was totally intentional. And no, she forgot Saffy and her promise to forget revenge. Her desire for revenge is still perfectly intact, as you can see. OMG, thank you for reviewing and all your kind words thus far. They've really meant a lot. I hope you stick around for the sequel. I'd love to hear more from you, AwesomeTheoryGuest.

Sweets Dreamer: It was a Brave reference! Nah, it's okay to miss some things here and there. And don't worry, college gets better after you settle in. The first weeks are the worst. Time management gets easier too, so don't believe what everyone says about always being sleep deprived. I'm glad you liked the fic on AO3. I'd wanted to write it for a while, and had it outlined and everything. I hope you continue to like it. BTW, I'll be posting it on here as well. And don't steal other people's wallets. Unless you give them back afterward. That's fine. Crazy Netero is dealing with some president stuff, probably. He's a busy man. He probably came to visit her at least once in those three weeks. Maybe I'll post that in the one-shot series. Look on the bright side, there's a whole new story yet to come, and seeing as there's no HxH chapter coming out this week, I'm going to need something to fill the void. And yes, you can still pull out Roro's fingernails. As always, thank you so much for reviewing, and good luck with college. I hope you enjoyed this long chapter, and that you'll stick around to read the sequel.

MedusaLegend: The granny is good at reading the mood. And Kurapika and Chrollo are far from being in the clear. Trust me. They can't get married and have lots of cute babies yet. They need to get through all the horrible things I have planned for them first *evil grin*. Anyway, thank you so much for reviewing. I hope to see you in the sequel and I hope you liked this chapter.

~ End of Replies ~

To Everyone: Thank you all so much for sticking around this long. Extra special thanks to those who reviewed, followed, and favorited, and I hope to see you all in the coming sequel. But for now, it's goodbye.