Chapter 66 – Scarlet Eyes

Dark red bloodlust poured out of him as stifling fury drowned the rest of the spiders. They left him alone, by the huge bay window, bathing in the shadows where he liked to frequent.

He was unlike any of them.

'She is magnificent!'

His mind swirled and synced with the beat of his heart and in his ears he heard it – a melody of need that had overstepped into madness.

They are now all mysteriously awake and the implications of it made his insides whirl and his whole body to tingle.

So deliciously.

So maliciously.

The leader pulled out a pen and asked Nobunaga for his date of birth, blood type and full name. He watched them carefully at the corner of his eye – the newly risen Feitan and Franklin most especially.

None of them were hurt, except their pride, of course. He hid a grin, holding his breath to stop himself from giggling. They all woke up at the same time.

All of them who went out, except for himself.

Gin asked him to feign unconsciousness, after all. And he knew, of course he knew, that the little devil wished Chrollo would find him out.

Although even if the danchou did, it did not matter. In fact, he was looking forward to it. If it came down to it, he was ready. More than ready. Getting rid of the danchou and his merry band of spiders would be a bit disappointing, but the gain will be so worth it!

He swallowed through his parched throat. Closing his eyes and tilting his head back, he filled his lungs with the cool draft coming in through the cracks and holes of the bay windows. He tried control his breathing. In his mind was nothing but her sinful silhouette, seemingly born anew, the ripest and reddest apple of his obsessions.

'I absolutely…'

'I absolutely…'

Quietly, the remains of glass hanging from the window's skeleton fell.

'I absolutely and solely should be the one to kill you Gin!'

Gin

It was no easy task to convince Killua to release me but as soon as I told him that I was going to find Kurapika, he thankfully, albeit reluctantly, let me go.

I found him at the rooftop, holding a phone loosely in his right hand. His eyes stared out far towards the shadowed city. Wind lazily played with his hair and pain at its highest peak dulled his eyes. He looked as if all the hope that once brightened him had gone –rusted.

I closed the distance between us and reached a pale hand out to his shoulder, afraid that one touch might blow him into solemn dusts.

''They're dead.'' His breath left him.

''They're not.'' I quickly replied, trying to catch or ignite that brightness that used to flicker in his eyes by will, hoping to have him focus on me instead of whatever darkness was festering inside of him. ''They're not dead.''

I quickly summoned Josh from our shadows and friend stiffened before caving in slightly under my touch. He stared instead at the offering before him for a moment, before turning to me searchingly. I didn't care much to try and read him. All I knew was that his eyes finally had no more of the bleak emptiness it previously had and it made me happy.

He reached for the glass container carefully and held them as if they were the most fragile thing in the world. Josh's hands lingered in the air for a moment.

''They're alive.'' I said to him. ''The bodies were fakes. One of them had that ability apparently. I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as I can. I got—I got side-tracked with their leader.'' Kurapika's neck snapped towards me. I continued on before he could speak.

''I know you didn't want me to get involved. I didn't really fight him. The Zoldycks were there and I waited for the right time. Well, what I think the right time was, anyway. But, it looks like the leader hired another Zoldyck to kill the mafia leaders. They were killed and so because the one who hired them were killed already, the Zoldycks just stopped trying to kill the leader.'' I sighed, crossing my arms, thinking back on the conversation between Zeno Zoldyck and Chrollo.

If Chrollo was not trying then, how strong can he be when he was actually trying. A confrontation with him was to be avoided at all costs. Then, remembering where I was, ''but it doesn't matter. My plan was to kidnap some of the spiders and use them as a bargaining tool for the merchandise.'' At the slight curious tilt of Kurapika's head, I smiled, ''Gon and Killua want the Greed Island game, you see. So really, I was just after the game. It just happened that the Scarlet eyes was there. So I thought I might as well—''

I gasped as he suddenly grabbed me with one hand and locked me in a tight embrace. The chains wrapped around his hand let out a tiny clink as he held me by the back of my head.

''Gin,'' was all he said.

Slowly, I let my body unlock as my shadow summon vanished back into my shadow. I patted his back gently, his body giving one tremble before he stilled as if remembering himself.

''I promised that I would help you, Kurapika-kun.'' I said over his shoulder, my eyes catching a grinning moon amidst wispy grey clouds and a scatter of stars. I felt watched by it but ignored the silly paranoia for what it is. ''Let me help you even just a little bit, hm?'' I said as we pulled away from each other.

Kurapika gave me a weak smile. He opened his mouth to speak when all of a sudden the rooftop's doors blew open.

''Gon? Killua?!'' Kurapika said, turning to me questioningly again. 'You guys are all here', his eyes seemed to say.

I shrugged in reply. His eyes quickly scanned my adult body, sharp mind calculating conclusions before he let out a sigh. I melted and grew at the warmth his grey gaze emitted.

''Are guys alright?'' He smiled to Gon and Killua.

My brother nodded heartily while Killua shrugged, crossing his arms.

''Kurapika!'' Leorio finally appeared at the door, a little out of breath but grinning widely. The tall man side-stepped the two boys and stalked the rest of the distance between us. He clamped Kurapika at the shoulder. ''You! You look somewhat…different eh?'' The man shook our friend by the shoulder as if to test his sturdiness. ''Stronger!''

Kurapika chuckled. ''Well thank you, Leorio-san. I say…that you look entirely the same.''

''Pfft.'' I covered my mouth, although it was a little too late. Leorio's face fell dramatically, although his eyes glimmered with mirth.

''Yah. What the hell do you mean by that!? I've been training too, you know!'' He said, pulling everybody to laugh with him. ''It's been awhile since we're all together, huh?''

''Hm.'' Kurapika nodded and shifted the glass container he was holding carefully to his side, attracting all eyes to it. It was an ugly, morbid thing and looking at it for far too long made me uncomfortable. ''I am happy to see all of you.''

''Me too! It's been so long!'' Gon beamed at him but as I continued watching my brother, my smile faltered. I waited for a bit more, waiting and waiting until I realised that he wasn't going to acknowledge or look at me.

I thought of a red balloon poked suddenly by a sharp rod, the happy air that made it bounce so lively gushing out until it is reduced to some floppy and wrinkled thing.

That was what it felt like.

Killua stepped in, his bright silver mane of hair quickly distracting. ''We left the merchandise in the Great Room. Is that ok?''

I pulled my thoughts in and stood straighter. ''Yeah. It's much better to. It's not like we need any of them. Besides, from what it looks like, they are resuming the auction.''

''Ha? Really?!'' Leorio scowled.

I nodded gravely, peering down below us. ''They've started cleaning up the bodies. The mafia is resuming the auction inside. They know the Scarlet Eyes and the game are missing but they'll just say someone else bought them.'' I said, parroting back the information fed to me by my shadows who were still spying for me.

''You said…That the Mafia Dons are dead, Gin.'' Kurapika disturbed my thoughts, like a pebble thrown in a body of water.

I nodded. ''Yeah. Illumi…'' I glanced quickly at Killua. ''…was the one who informed Zeno and Silva Zoldyck that the mafia dons were dead. After hearing that, they backed out from the fight.''

Killua clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. ''If the Mafia auction is still going on despite of the Mafia Dons actually being dead, and knowing my brother, he's probably controlling the Mafia Dons right now, telling everyone to continue the auction.'' He looked at me to confirm.

''Exactly.'' I nodded. ''No one else seem to know they're dead. I don't know how this will affect you in the long run, Kurapika. The Mafia Dons are all dead. No one in the mafia knows yet, except you, I guess.''

Kurapika nodded slowly. ''In this case, I will have to return to my boss.'' As if on a cue, his phone rang. He looked at me as if for permission. ''Excuse me.'' He murmured before answering his phone.

Speaking of the devil and he shall appear.

''Kurapika! The damned Phantom Troupe has been taken care of! Go to the auction immediately! You need to get the Scarlet Eyes no matter what! Get that thing no matter what the cost!''

My hands tightened around me. Surely, he was not going to give the Scarlet Eyes to his boss? After all that trouble I went through for it?

Kurapika turned back to us as he flipped his phone shut. ''I have to go back. The four of you, promise that you will be careful.'' He sighed again before leveling us with a stern look – again, making a point to linger at me lastly.

''Yeah.'' Leorio replied gravely while Gon and Killua nodded.

''Yeah I will!'' I rolled my eyes at him, seeing as Kurapika won't accept a simple nod from me. Leorio chuckled and reached out to ruffle my hair. About the eyes...''Kurapika—''

''No, Gin. I'm not.'' He said softly before offering me his Scarlet Eyes again. ''Not when you worked so hard to get it for me. Could you do me a favour and keep this safe for a little bit longer?''

I nodded numbly and cradled the container to my chest carefully, trying not to shiver at the feeling of cool glass against my exposed skin and the weight of the liquid as it sloshed about inside.

''Of course.''

''I will see you guys tomorrow. Text me a time.'' Kurapika's smile remained soft, his grey eyes gentle even as he turned away and walked out to the door, waving before finally leaving us, the blue of his Kurta robes trailing behind him.

Killua flicked me at the forehead, pulling me back to our present. ''Let's go. It's getting late.'' He glared before turning away, making his way to the exit with my brother silently following beside him.

But I was not completely done yet.

''I must not be seen.'' I called out after them. ''There's something else I need to do. You guys go ahead.''

Gon didn't turn around but the cold suddenly emanating from him made me freeze. I hardened myself and stood my ground. But I will be lying if the tightness on his shoulders and his balled fists did not scare me a little.

The thought struck me hard inside but I persevered and as usual put it away. Because why would I be scared of Gon?

''Whatever.'' I heard him say, before walking away.

''Gon!'' Killua called out as my brother disappeared inside. He turned to me and then to where my brother disappeared into. ''Whatever it is, be safe!'' He grumbled before running after Gon, calling out his name.

Once we were left alone, Leorio stepped closer to me. ''What do you mean to do, Gin?'' I felt his hand on my shoulder. His arm was warm behind me – a comfort. ''You okay?''

''Right now is the perfect time to do this. The final part of my plan.'' I said to him and held a hand out, summoning my Nen to release. The shadows on the ground paused before materialising into a body on the ground. I pushed the image of Hyuna – my older self – splayed on the ground, long dark hair in disarray and her skin, touched by death.

The idea was inspired by one of the Phantom Troupe's members – his or her ability to create fake copies of corpses. I had thought that if I can create imagined monsters from my imagination, surely, something like this would be achievable?

And it looked like it was indeed.

Leorio made a gasping noise before he covered his mouth in shock. ''What –what are you doing?''

''What do you think should be her cause of death, Leorio?'' I asked the man beside me as I added the finishing touches – the tears on the black dress, the shoes with one of them missing, and the black furry coat, half torn away from her.

Assault?

No, that might just follow up an investigation. My mind went to the rubble and the debris from the Great Room then to the cars blown up in the streets.

''How about…'' Leorio trailed off weakly, breathing in through his teeth and exhaling. ''What about a car accident? T-that should be ok, right?''

I turned and smiled at him – one that I hoped was comforting. I nodded and sent my shadows to do the work. It shouldn't be hard with the many casualties lying about.

When the shadows were gone, I transformed back to my shrouded form. ''We'll meet them in the hotel.'' I held out a hand invitingly. ''Do you want to fly?''

Gon was sitting away from me. He was avoiding my eyes too, his whole body always angled away. He does not ignore me per se – no – he was too nice for that. But when I try to talk to him, he just smiles and keeps his distance from me, holding his body back and taut, coiled like a snake, acting as if I was some leper.

''Turn your flowing tears into courage! Unfold your angelic wings and soar up high!''

It was a sunny afternoon. The sky was a pastel blue, littered barely with wispy clouds and we sat altogether on a red and white checkered blanket in a field of dewy grass. The song came from some guy from loud group not far away. They were a couple of young adults and three of them were playing their guitars with huge grins on their faces as they all laughed and talked about unknown things and passed amber bottles around.

Across the assortment of food laid between us, Killua and Gon were talking quietly. I did not bother to join in anymore, still smarting and already bruised up from all of Gon's numerous shut downs.

He didn't shout and was never rude to me. No, he smiled at me politely and said horribly nice and civil words –that yes, he would think about it, that it was a good idea but – and then he will turn to Killua, completely turning away from me to ask what Killua thought.

A yelling would have been bearable. This semi-silent treatment, however...

''It's painful.'' I mumbled, sighing at the happy group, my legs splayed before me. I was wearing one of Leorio's pair of joggers again. They were unwashed from the last time I borrowed them but since we've been too busy to launder, it had to do. It was comfortable at least.

Leorio peered over my shoulder and followed my eyes curiously. ''What is? Are your legs hurting?''

Now that, attracted Gon's and Killua's attention.

I made a show and flinched, massaging my legs, twisting my face to that of pain. I nodded and pouted miserably. ''Yeah…''

Leorio dropped the bread he was munching on and positioned himself before me to check. I subtly turned to the boys. ''Aw!'' I made the show of slapping Leorio's hand away as if he had pressed on a sore spot. The older man frowned worriedly that I almost felt sorry for acting.

''Gin, why didn't you say you were hurt?'' He looked around, his hand finding my ankles where the pants ended. ''I'll just have a look, is that ok? Where is it?''

Fuck, I inwardly swore. ''It's ok. It's really high up.'' I pulled my legs away from him.

At the corner of my eyes, Gon looked down, his body heaving a sigh. It made me deflate as well, knowing in an instant that he knew I was acting –or lying. All of a sudden, Killua perked up and looking far off us, called out. ''Kurapika!''

My brother jumped to his feet right away. ''Oh! Kurapika!'' He beamed so bright that it annoyed me. Feeling aware that I was glaring at him, I looked away and focused on our approaching friend, noting the obvious slump of his shoulder and the exhausted and dry look in his eyes which subsided a little when he smiled and waved back to all of us.

My brother jogged towards him, followed by Killua, albeit in a more sedate pace still with a half-eaten pie in his hand.

''Gin.'' Leorio sat back, understanding clear on his face when I turned my attention back to him. ''You're not really hurt, are you?''

I crossed my legs and turned bodily away. ''No. Sorry.''

Leorio exhaled and circled back around me, sitting again by my side again. He turned and waved at the other boys, ''Oy, Kurapika! Come and have something to eat!'' He shouted and then mumbled as he reached for some fruits and poured another cup of tea for our friend. ''He looks about to keel over.'' He mumbled worriedly more to himself than to me. His mother-henning habits made me smile at least.

''Yeah! I'm coming!''

''Hurry up!'' Leorio shouted back towards the other group and then bumped his shoulder with mine. ''You keep sighing like that and you'll get even older.''

I took another deep breath and exhaled it, cutting myself a piece of cake lazily. The cake looked dry and it disintegrated under my fork. Its sickly sweet smell told me I was merely putting a forkful of sugar in my mouth and paid handsomely for it.

''Quit pouting, you. Gon will get over it. You know how he's like.''

''I don't know how he is like.'' I grumbled. ''Not anymore.''

The trio was still talking a couple of yards away but for the first time in a long time, I had no care for whatever it was to eavesdrop. They could be planning something dangerous and I wouldn't know. Although knowing Kurapika, I know that if they were indeed making a dangerous plan, it would at least be something smarter than any plan I could ever concoct.

''Well…'' The man beside me scratched the side of his jaw. A shallow cut marred his skin. My eyes narrowed at it, my mind going on high overdrive because I was sure Leorio was unharmed from last night. However, as fast as that wave of paranoia rose, it ebbed. A waft of aftershave came towards me and I realised, laughingly, that it was probably just him cutting himself while shaving this morning.

There was nothing to worry about.

''Maybe it's puberty?''

''Puberty?'' I played with my thermos cup absently, watching licks of smoke rise from it.

Leorio snickered, leaning closer to my ear. ''Well, you noticed his voice has dropped a littttle bit lower, right?'' He grinned and showed me his hand as he counted, ''unexplained mood swings, aggression, hairs in places where there weren't before…''

''Hairs? He has hairs?''

Leorio and I stared at each other. A smile twitched on my lips. ''There's a smile!'' Leorio chuckled, pulling me to laugh with him as he messed with the black cap I was wearing.

''This is too great and awkward. Does Killua have them too?'' I said, pushing his hands away as I rearranged my hair and quickly placed my cap back on.

''Of course! You should've seen them. Kekeke!'' Leorio sniggered. He took a sip of his coffee and bit his lips when it scalded him. ''Aish, that was hot… By the way, are you ok with that disguise?''

''Why? Do I look ugly? I couldn't be bothered much to get ready this morning.'' I said, measuring up the old joggers that I paired off with one of his old grey jumper and a black cap. My body has not started transforming back yet and I was completely risking it. However, Gon and Killua were meeting Kurapika in the park today and in my desperation to patch things up with my brother, I left our apartment with them, dressed in Leorio's borrowed clothes, a cap and a pair sunglasses as disguise. Besides, there has been no news of Hyuna's supposed death yet.

''Regret growing up yet?'' Leorio grinned while his mouth was full of croissant.

I thought about it for a bit. The glitter and the pomp, all the beautiful things I've always loved and coveted. Being liked and wanted and envied; the money. I shook my head. ''No. It was kinda fun.''

Leorio paused, a pained look twisting his face for a moment before it flew away. Clearly he did not agree but chose not to say anything.

I blew on my coffee before taking a careful sip, now watching Killua and Gon running around, throwing pieces of pie at each other. My thoughts told me that I knew anyway from the very start that this time will come.

They were still in their adult forms and unlike me continued taking their medications. We might as well, they said. According to Killua, it will be such a waste to just not take them and 'besides, group of adults will be taken more seriously than children'.

I think he just didn't want to feel the pain just yet.

''Gin?'' Leorio called me out again from my musings. A soft breeze whirled us by as Leorio placed the rest of the croissants between us. ''Have some of this fancy bread.'' He said and ate with such happiness and gusto.

The singing man from the other group has thankfully stopped his happy songs. The gap it left in my ears made me feel a little bit better.

YorkNew City News

''Following the death of the infamous criminals, identified as a group called Phantom Troupe, a big half of the city is still recovering from last night's events. Despite of the warned dangers, hundreds of people have gathered and paid respects to those who have perished horribly from last night.

One of the casualties appeared to be one of the renowned Fredal Daisies' models. Some of us might know her as Hyuna, who starred as the new face of Sunshine and Daisies magazine for this month. Reports have said that the young model attended a party last night before she was caught in the crossfire on her way to her accommodation. Her nearly unrecognisable body was identified in a multi-vehicle accident in the streets of YorkNew.

During her very short reign in the said fashion magazine and quick rise to the modelling industry, she sold thousands of copies of the S&D magazine within a week of it being published, setting a new record in fashion history. Today, she broke her own record as thousands of people are buying more of the precious and dwindling copy of the September issue.

'This is a great tragedy. She will be remembered', said the billionaire fashion icon, Fredal Daisies who has also been linked as a lover to the young model. Here at YorkNew News, we could only solemnly agree with him and offer our deepest sympathies. Sunshines and Daisies have declared that they will issue a special edition by the end of the week as tribute for their fallen model, artist, lover and friend. Only 100 copies will be sold...''

xxx

Author's note: I love Leorio. Not sure of the quality of this chapter. It has been sitting in my laptop for months. I know it's been so long since my last update. I didn't even notice the months flying past. I might have to change/edit this later on but no promises. To those who've reviewed recently, thank you very much! Your thoughts are always welcome. I am also so happy to provide some entertainment during these tough times. Please let me know what you think of this chapter. Also, take care.

xxx