Author's Notes:

Back again! Gomen nasai for the delay. I hope you loved the first chapter. Anyway, summary of the chapter two is as follows:

What happened to the Genei Ryodan? Will Kurapica get over his "Ryoga Syndrome" AKA the "I-am-lost-sickness?" What plans does Kuroro have? Does Neon still have her Lovey Ghost Writer ability? That's about it…hehehe…

Disclaimer: The wonderful husband of Naoko Takeuchi AKA Yoshihiro Togashi owns Hunter X Hunter. I want to own Kurapi-chan but I cannot have all the papers for ownership -.-. Anyway, please do not sue.

Kusabi no Unmei

By nikki hiiragizawa

Chapter 2: A New Partner

"Yes. I am heading for the Nostrad's main house at the moment. " Kurapica looked out of the window as he explained scantily his mission to be done.

The voice on the other line, however, was quite mad that Kurapica didn't tell anyone of this before going away. "Damn you Kurapica! What the hell are you doing? Did you know the Spiders are out to get to you? Why didn't you even let Senritsu or me know?!"

"Gomen nasai, Leorio." The blue-eyed young man hung up and switched off his phone. He looked out of the window again. It's another strange place out there, somewhere where another course of danger may lay. Sighing, Kurapica closed his eyes. One thing must be made certain – he needed to see his young master once more.

+++

"Arrrgggh!" Leorio threw his phone on his bed. Senritsu looked at him with worry. Sensing the woman's concern for him, the young man quickly sat up and coughed. "Kurapica's heading for the Nostrad mansion," he reported. "I believe that's your master's house."

Senritsu nodded. "Sou."

Leorio plopped on his back and muttered. "What the hell does he want with his master. He could have brought you along, or me. I would be less worried. Gon and Killua are occupied at the moment, and he took the chance to go away. If the Ryodan guys found him…"

The Emission-type Nen user bowed her head. "Something is to be done on the hearts that beat as one," she whispered. Kurapica, you always worry everyone. I beg of you, please make just one person happy.

+++

"What do we do?" a figure in the darkness asked. "Do we go on searching, or do we return to our old habits?"

"Almost half of us are gone," a female voice said. "It was just like in the prophecy, which said the spider will lose half of its legs, and our head is gone."

"Not so much like the prophecy," one answered. "It was said that Machi, Shizuku, Shalnark, and some others will be the one to disappear, but it never happened. Ubogin and Paku are dead. Feitan and Franklin went to play in the Hunting Game. Hisoka was nowhere to be found." Nobunaga appeared in the little light illumining them. "The prophecy was obviously disturbed."

Shizuku looked at her co-members. "Does that mean we have to thank the chain-user from interrupting the prophecy? Do we owe him something for not letting us disappear?"

"No." Machi laid a hand on her forehead. "He trapped us, disabled our leader and killed two of our members. Don't forget that it was his Nen that made Paku disabled until her death."

"Yeah. We have to find him no matter what," Phinx declared. "After all, we have the vision of him given by Pakunoda. It would be easy to track him down if he wears no disguise. The scent of his bloodied chains will lead us to him."

"Sou, we should avenge for the Ryodan's sake."

"We should search for him. He could still be somewhere in York Shin still."

With the encouragement from each and everyone of them, the tight yet the most notorious group of criminals went out once more, in search of a person they all loathe.

+++

The former leader of the infamous Genei Ryodan prowled the streets of an unknown town. No one knew his identity here, and he could so much as he pleased. He managed to steal some fortune from a bank. He bought his clothing and other necessities, including food, with the stolen gold. Even though he had lost his Nen ability, his instincts and other skills proved to be working still.

Maybe I could find someone to see through the chain-user's Nen and free me from the agreement bestowed on me, he thoughtfully pondered as he ate in a nearby restaurant. Surely, there's some person out there who could break the curse. The problem is finding that person. Without his Nen, he cannot distinguish a person's Nen ability from another. Without Nen, he could only use his instincts which were a little better than the normal humans.

He fisted his hands. He mustn't be like this, helpless and forlorn. He must find that chain-user named Kurapica and get revenge. But before that, he must think of a way on how to get even with Kurapica. He looked out of the glass walls of the restaurant.

He surely cannot fight the chain user with Nen. It would break the agreement and the chain will strike his heart. He could find someone other than the Genei Ryodan who is willing to fight him for the sake of Kuroro. But that would be impossible – to gain someone's loyalty in such short time. There was no one else he could turn to. Almost all of his acquaintances treated him as an enemy, mainly because of what he had done to them. Fortunately, most of them are dead.

Should I just give up and let the other members of the Ryodan get revenge? he thought. No, that would be a dishonor for me. The Ryodan, no matter how notorious they are, still thinks of honor as important, and they would do anything to get that value back. But, he continued thinking. I do not have anyone to turn to.

Should a search for a new partner begin?

Kuroro sighed. If only he could use even just Ten, he could sense another person's aura easily. But that would be lethal right now. How would he find an ally?

If so, then head to the east…

This land was not a paradise, but it proved to be useful for hiding his identity. Who knows what he could see here…There wasn't anybody who knew him here. It was good that no enemies would probably be lurking in this faraway place, but allies will be damn hard to find too.

The Ryodan leader watched the scenery out of the window. Maybe he should just stop searching f0or a while and settle down. Unless…

He wiped the fogged portion of the glass window before him to get a better view. Where had he seen that person before? Could it be that…

You will definitely meet the one who is waiting for you.

That's his ace. The one he had been waiting for. He could use that person to get along with the elite, contact Kurapica and have his revenge. Nodding to himself as he laid out a plan of action in his mind, Kuroro paid his bill and went out of the restaurant, crossing the street to meet his would-be ally.

+++

"How are you, my dear daughter?"

Neon sank on the chair before her father's desk. "Just fine, I guess." She yawned a little and tried to look very much like her usual self.

"That is good." The head of the Nostrad family tapped his fingers on his desk. "Will you do some job for me?"

"Nani?!" The young woman jumped up. "I just got here! Won't you take me shopping at least?"

Her father bade her to sit down once more. "Now, now, Neon. Elisa will take you shopping after you finish your job okay?"

Neon pouted but did not argue. She reached out an arm for the papers her father was holding out to her and got her pen. "Remember, I want new clothes."

"Hai. Go on now to your room Neon. Elisa will give the papers back to me when you are finished."

+++

Matta ku! Neon thought as she closed the door of her own room. She had just returned two days ago and this! Sometimes she thinks she was born only to do this stuff. She didn't even understand her power, but she has to do this her dear dear father. Sighing, she settled on her desk and raised her pen.

What's this? She looked at her pen. She did not go unconscious as she used to do so. No warmth enveloped her body. Was she out of concentration? She closed her eyes, breathed slowly for a while, and tried once more.

It was no good. She couldn't do it the usual way it was done. She tried a few times until she was sweating with so much effort. Her heart started drumming. Could it be that she cannot do this anymore? She stared at the papers on the table. She hardly knew any of them. All she knew was that they were her father's associates and friends. What will her father say if she cannot write anymore prophecies?

Worry stuck her deeply. If she couldn't write prophecies, will her father think of her as useless? What if he decided to throw her out? She shivered at the thought. It was totally impossible that she cannot do this anymore! Her Lovely Ghost Writer was not really working.

Tears flowed out of her usually bright eyes. Slowly, she picked up her pen. She needed to show her father something. She never read her oracles, so she didn't know how the oracles are usually about. All she knew was that the prophecy is usually written in 2 stanzas with four lines each.

I cannot let my father down, she thought. If I do, he might lose interest in me, and I'll be the unluckiest girl in the world. She scribbled on the paper and made up fortunes. She knew this would affect the person she wrote for very much, but all that matters now is how to survive without her ability to predict the future.

+++

"Senritsu, this is Kurapica." The chain user looked around at the area outside the airport. He walked to the left towards the taller buildings. "I want to avail of the address to the Boss's house. I don't think I have time to rent a computer at the moment."

"Wait. I think I have written them somewhere," came Senritsu's reply. After a moment of silence, Senritsu spoke once more. "Here it is." She gave the number and street to Kurapica.

Kurapica write them down on a notebook he always brings with him. "Thank you. I owe you one."

"Ah, wait! Kurapica!"

"What is it?" the young man asked.

The voice on the other line was stricken with concern. "I know you had to make this journey alone, but please be careful. You know that situation you are in."

"Hai. I know. Take care of my friends for me. They usually end up in a fix."

"I will," Senritsu's melodious voice answered. "And don't hesitate to call me if you need help."

"I won't. Jaa." Kurapica hung up and started to walk towards a cab stop. Surely the cab drivers will know the street the Nostrad mansion is standing.

A cab stopped before him. "Where to, boy?" the driver asked.

Kurapica handed him the paper. "Do you know where this is?"

"What the –," the driver looked at him with shock. "You want to go to the Elite's avenue?"

"I presume that's the nickname of the street?"

"Yes. That's where the richest people live."

Kurapica opened the door of the backseat. "Since you know it so well, I request you to take me there."

"Yes, sir."

The cab sped away, zigzagging across the wide streets of this unknown land. "Neon," Kurapica whispered as he looked out of the window. "Please remember, I promised. I don't break promises."

+++

"Nee, Elisa," Neon spoke as she looked at herself in the mirror.

"What is it, Neon-sama?" her trusty attendant answered. "Do you need anything?"

Neon ran a comb lightly over her pink hair. "Do you think that my power, you know, to foretell, can go out?"

"What do you mean 'go out'?"

The young woman sighed at her reflection. "You know, something like a candle when it's melted? I mean, do you think I could keep my skill forever?"

"Yes, I think you can," Elisa replied. "Scuwala's…Scuwala's power, I think it's called Nen ability, is acquired just like the way you acquired yours." Elisa sat on her master's bed. "HE told me that he used to meditate at times, too, until he felt an aura. But your abilities are different. His was much more of a defense-offense type of ability, and yours is not that harmful at all."

"I don't know, Elisa." Neon curled a lock of hair around her finger. "Do you think, that if I ever lose my ability, Father will still love me?"

"Of course, Neon-sama." Elisa laid a hand on Neon's shoulder. "Why are you asking those questions all of a sudden? Did something happen?"

The pink-haired girl shrugged. "No. I just want to make sure of…my own future." She pasted a smile on her face. "Saa, let's go shopping!"

+++

"Maa, why is it so cold, Elisa?" Neon grumbled as she walked out of the clothes shop. "A while ago, it was all sunny, and now it has started to snow!"

Elisa laughed at her young master's complaints. No matter how grumpy and bossy Neon can be, she is still the sweetest girl around for Elisa. "Well, that is why I made you wear thick clothes, right? I figured out there would be snow tonight since winter is starting already."

"Mou…" Neon shook away the flakes accumulating on her coat. "I really hate winters, you know…that…" she stared at the figure coming up to them. He looked so familiar, yet she cannot remember when she met this person.

"It's been a while," the young man spoke.

"Anou…" Neon felt Elisa grip her hand in a protective manner. "Do I know you? I figured we met somewhere before. Just cannot remember when." She shivered, partly from the cold, and partly from what she's feeling towards this person.

The young man laughed heartily and took off his coat. He gently laid it over Neon's shoulders. "I never thought you could forget so easily."

"What?" Neon stared at the young man. How come she cannot remember.

"I just wore different clothes, Neon-san. I'm sure you remember Kuroro?"

"Kuroro-san? It's you…"

"I have been waiting for this meeting." Kuroro held Neon's hand and raised it to his lips. "Neon-san."

TBC…

Author's Notes:

Argh….Second chappie sucks…Sorry I wasn't able to update sooner. My modem kinda got in a fix and I cannot log in to the Net. Anyway, I hope weren't getting all confused and everything. This is the first time I have used multiple-views style of writing. This is when we see points of view from three or more characters. As you can see, I have POV's from Kurapi-chan, Neon, Kuroro and Senritsu…*sigh* and I cannot narrow it down to just Kurapi-chan and Neon. Gomen. I'll try to be better next time, okay? ^^

Thank you for reading and please do not forget to tell me what you all think.