Hiya! This is my 2nd HxH fic and my 2nd KxN fic! Neon's kinda on the bratty side here. To those who have read my first fic, this is in no way, connected to that. Hope you like it. There may be parts of the story not related to the title(around chapter 2, it's kinda creepy) but I ain't gonna give out no spoilers. Just read and let me know what you think. Visit my KxN site at .

Disclaimer: I do not own HunterXHunter. It is the official property of Yoshihiro Togashi and I'm just a fan writer so don't sue me!

"Shop 'til You Drop"

by: Gwendy

Chapter I:

The whole Nostrad mansion grew quiet as the clock struck one. Lunch was over. Senrithsu looked up nervously on the grandfather clock of the bodyguard's dining room. She clutched her table napkin tightly. Fifteen seconds past the hour of one. Basho stood up and nervously looked at the clock. He seemed to mirror Senrithsu's thoughts and feelings. The little woman sighed. The more she just stayed put, the more she got anxious. She stood up and began gathering the dishes.

"Any moment now…damn it!" Basho muttered under his breath as he began pacing on the marble floor, his footsteps echoing through the room. "Maybe I could pretend to have a cold," he thought out loud.

"You did that last week," Senrithsu pointed out.

"Damn!" the muscle-bound bodyguard continued pacing. "Gotta find an excuse…an excuse! Anything! Senrithsu! You gotta help me out!"

"I can't even think of an excuse for myself!" the little woman put the dishes in a neat pile. There were only a few plates, due to the fact that Kurapika hadn't come to join them...again.

"Damn that blondie! He's doing this on purpose! He knew that if he eats with us, he'd be forced to..."

"Basho, you know very well that he is entitled to dine with the masters."

"HMPH! Why can't we do that?! We do a good enough job!"

"He's our leader, remember? And besides, would you rather eat in a place where you are immediately within reach of the boss?!"

"Ugh! You're right! May..."

"Shush, Basho! Listen!" Senrithsu put her small finger upon her lips. Her eyes widened.

"Oh damn!" Basho's hands flew to grab his curly hair. Footsteps were coming closer and closer to the room. With each passing second, the echoes of every footfall began to grow louder. Suddenly, the door burst open.

"I've got a cold! I need to rest! ACHOO!!!"

"I...I...I...I'm busy!"

"What's wrong with the two of you?!"

Basho and Senrithsu looked up sharply at the voice they hadn't expected. It was Kurapika. He stood there, his arms folded across his chest, looking quizzically at his two comrades.

"Ku-Kurapika-chan!" both Basho and Senrithsu breathed out in relief.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing! We thought you were…never mind," Senrithsu waved away the subject. "Anyway, what brings you here?"

"Isn't this were I belong?" Kurapika looked up the ceiling in disgust. "I hate all those bluebloods upstairs."

"Huh? You mean…another formal dinner with the Mafia?" Basho questioned. By the look on the Kuruta's face, he knew it was true. For the past few days, Right Nostrad has been having formal lunches and dinners. Kurapika, being the top bodyguard, had to be present during all these occasions.

"One good thing came out of it though…" Kurapika continued, "Mr. Nostrad won't be needing me at his side now that he and the Mafia will be having their top secret meeting."

"So…what do you plan to do in the meantime?" Senrithsu asked.

"Read."

"Again? But…" Kurapika turned toward the door before Basho could continue. Then, the blonde Kuruta stopped at the pitter-patter of excited feet, coming their way, followed by a girlish giggle. Then, a head of pink locks appeared, poking through the open door. It was Neon.

"It's Saturday! It's Saturday!" she cried, clapping her hands joyfully. Kurapika shook his head softly, as if her childish behavior irritated him.

"Saturday! One 'o clock! It's time for my weekly shopping spree!" Neon declared, almost jumping in delight. She loved to shop. Every Saturday, her father would give her money for the mall. This was what Basho and Senrithsu had been dreading. Ever since the departure of the other maids, they have been the ones forced to come along with Neon, carrying huge packages for hours on end.

"Well? What are you waiting for? I'm ready! Let's go!" the pink-haired girl sang, patting her white bonnet and running her fingers down her billowing white skirt. As usual, she had on a pink blouse with long sleeves under a yellow blazer. The dark green teardrop jewels at the tips of her hair matched the color of her eyes perfectly. Basho and Senrithsu looked nervously at each other.

"I'd love to come," Basho smiled sarcastically, "But as you can see, Miss Neon, I have a cold," he showed his now red nose. He had pinched it just moments ago.

"I thought I had Elaiza give you that cold medicine already," Neon raised an eyebrow.

"Well, it's back…ACHOO!!!"

"Eeew! Cover your nose!" the Nostrad heiress turned toward the little woman beside her.

"How 'bout you, Senrithsu?"

"Chee…I don't know. You're father has left me a lot of paperwork to do and I have to get on with it," she backed away, a nervous smile pasted on her face.

Neon's eyes fell on Kurapika, who looked away without saying a word. He didn't want to lie, so it's better to say nothing at all. Neon, on the other hand, wasn't exactly used to strapping new bodyguard, whom she rarely saw so he was definitely out of the question. She bit on her lower lip, her hands curling into small fists.

"Uh-oh…" Basho thought. These were the telltale signs. Neon's lips began to quiver, her face contorting.

"No one…will come with me?" she asked, her voice quavering and growing quite shrill.

"Miss Neon, it's just that…"

"Not…one…of…you?…" Neon's eyes began to shimmer with tears. Her mouth had curled into a frown.

"She's gonna have a tantrum!" Basho whispered to Senrithsu.

"Stop her!" Senrithsu whispered back.

Both bodyguards turned to look at their boss. They could see her aura change. She began to open her mouth but before she could scream, someone else spoke.

"I'll go with you."

Neon, Basho and Senrithsu turned to look at Kurapika, who seemed surprised himself that he had spoken up. The fortune-teller sniffled and looked intently at the young man beside her.

"I'll accompany you today," Kurapika repeated, hoping to break the heavy air of silence that surrounded the room. Indeed, he was coming. He'd do anything to avoid dealing with the girl's tantrums. And though he wouldn't admit it to anyone, he needed to get away from the manor even for just a while.

"Really?" a smile began to form on Neon's soft lips.

"Yes. Let's go now. We shouldn't waste time," Kurapika motioned for Neon to follow him.

"Wait a minute," the rich girl studied her bodyguard from head to toe. "You have to change your clothes."

"Huh?"

"You wear the same thing everyday!"

"No, I don't…" the Kuruta blushed and looked down on his shoes. "You just catch me in the same clothes every time you see me."

"Well…at least wear something different for a change. No skirts. You're a guy, aren't you?"

"These are not skirts! These are sacred tribal garments!" Kurapika thought, keeping his temper down. Of course, he was insulted but he wouldn't have the guts to shout back at his boss.

"I've an idea!" Neon quickly grabbed the blonde's arm. "Why don't I pick your clothes for you? C'mon! I'd like to see you in something casual!"

Before he could protest, Kurapika was pulled up into the stairs.