Disclaimer: Hunter X Hunter dose not belong to me, neither do any of its
characters. I am just a fan of the series who likes it enough to spend time
writing fanfiction on it ^^ so enjoy and such =P
Additional Notes: Okay you may want to read this before starting into the story. As you might want to be informed that for this particular series of HxH fanfiction I am writing, Kurapika is a girl. I've done plenty of fics with Kurapika as a guy (and fics where you just don't know what he is) and I wanted to write one with Kurapika as a girl. So if you have a problem with that, don't read simple as that.
This fic also deals with the tender area of Kurapika's past =/ I know it's not an easy thing to write about and pass off as believable but I will try my best to see if I can make a past for Kurapika that will work and not distort the story too much. I also know that this isn't the first time a fic on Kura-chan's past has been produced, but I still think that it will defiantly hold some kind of originality in it.
Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is a paring in here. sorta I guess. Kurapika X Kuroro
Keep in mind that this is also my first time writing a fic that's not a humor fic YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED with all that said and done (I believe that is everything) enjoy the story ^^
Hunter X Hunter Can You Remember Tears?
The Kurata Clan, the legendary clan that breed the people of the crimson eyes. A small clan of only a few people. A clan with it's own way of living that has been followed since the members of the clan can remember. Idea's that may seem strange to some, but is normal for them.
Children that where raised within the tribe didn't know and where not raised by their parents, instead they where raised by the entire clan, making the bond between it's members strong. The children were kept in a house separate from the others. So that strong bonds between peers could be developed. Everyone input something into the children's teachings yet one thing stayed the same, boys were taught to be boys, and girls were taught to be girls.
Chapter Two
Clashing of steel echoes throughout the small village of Kurata. "Hold your stance higher, you look like you're poking at his knees." A blond probably in his late teens points out as he watches the two younger members of the clan fight. A simple spar with two swords to each. A young shorthaired blond boy, sparing with an even younger blonde girl. Whose long hair was tied up in high ponytail. He seemed to be speaking to the girl, who seemed to be the one slightly making the mistakes. "Be ready to block his attacks, if you don't it'll mean the end of the battle and in most cases, your life."
The young girl quickly swings one of her swords upward, blocking the boy's high attack. The blond instructing her quickly calling out to her. "Kurapika! Watch your footing!" Occupied with the attack aimed at her head she missed the attack aimed at her feet and is hit with the non-bladed edge of the sword and sent crashing to the ground. The instructor sighs holding his head. "You're both fighting with two swords. you have to get used to using both and at the same time watching out for both."
Kurapika quickly tries to push herself up off of her back but is stopped when she feels cold steel against her neck. The boy she had been sparing with smiled widely. "I win!"
Kurapika silently pushes the boys blade away from her neck with the blade of her sword sitting up. "You promised that you wouldn't trip me this time Sakri!!"
The boy she had been sparing shrugs his shoulders. "I can't help it, you're always leaving your feet open to attack."
The instructor claps his hands signaling the two to stop talking before they get onto an argument. "Good job the both of you. You both tried hard."
Sakri laughs to himself looking back at Kurapika. "Kurapika tried hard but lost again."
Kurapika quickly jumps to her feet glaring at him. "Watch it!"
"Calm down you two. No need to argue, you two are best friends." He pats Kurapika on the back reassuringly. "You put up a good fight. Sakri is two years more experienced then you so don't feel too bad that you lost."
Sakri nods his head in agreement. "That's right. You're two years younger then me' and you're considered to be in the same skill level as me. You just need to watch you feet, and learn to hold you sword higher."
Kurapika looks back down at her swords. "But. this is the first time I've used bladed swords. I wasn't used to the weight." She smiles putting her weapons to the side walking up to Sakri. "Let's try hand to hand combat this time!"
Sakri smiles as he placing his swords to the side as well. "Sure!" The two get into fighting stances while the instructor shakes his head.
"Don't start until I give the signal. Remember no hitting below the belt, and if either of your eyes change to crimson you'll be disqualified." He swings his arm down giving them the signal to start. "Go!"
Kurapika is about to lunge at Sakri but is stopped when someone grabs onto her ponytail yanking her back causing her to again land on the ground. Kurapika groans in pain as she pushes herself back to her feet. "What was that?"
Sakri looks nervously to the side, holding his arms behind his back, while the young man that had been instructing the two worriedly takes a step back. "Hisa-sensei, I didn't know you where here."
Kurapika gasps. "Hisa-sensei!?" She looks behind her to find an old woman still holding her ponytail. She nervously smiles at her. "Hisa- sensei. what are you doing all the way over here? I thought you had classes to teach."
Hisa, the old woman glares down angrily at Kurapika. "Kurapika! What do you think you're doing!? Who gave you permission to come to the boys classes?"
Kurapika frowns looking to the side. Hisa always caught her by surprise by grabbing onto her hair. She wished her hair were shorter to at least avoid that. "You're classes are so boring though. I thought that I would be would be more useful for me to come here to a more interesting class."
The old woman doesn't look at all pleased with Kurapika's response. "Boring? My classes teach you everything you'll need to know to be an adult. You'll be attending my classes for years before you ever amount to anything more then a child. It takes lots of practice, hard work and training to be able to become a respectful Kurata woman."
The older boy who had been instructing them bows politely to Hisa, talking with as much respect as he could master. "Hisa-sensei. your classes don't fit Kurapika. she's a high spirited and gifted young girl that is not only very wise for her age but a skilled fighter. She wouldn't do well being forced to live like the other Kurata girls. I can't picture her staying at home and doing nothing all day."
The older woman's grip on Kurapika's hair tightened at his remark, Kurapika nervously looks back it him. "Ichiro. you shouldn't have said anything."
"Doing nothing all day." The old Kurata growls under her breath. Her eyes beginning to glow crimson red. "You think what we do is easy??" Sakri gulps as he takes several nervous steps back. Ichiro does the same, realizing now that he had said the wrong thing. "You're the one that has it easy! Just brawling with one another all day. Never doing any real work!"
Ichiro frowns at the response. "That's not true! We do lots of work as well, farming, maintain the buildings, fighting to protect the tribe-"
"All things that don't require you to use your head. AS for use we have work that involves both manual and mental work. How much brains does it take to get into a fight?"
Ichiro crosses his arms stubbornly. "It takes a lot! You have to be able to think quickly and correctly when you're fighting! One wrong move could mean your life."
Kurapika nodes her head in agreement. "It's really not that easy."
Hisa grumbles pointing accusingly at Ichiro with her free hand. "Who do you think you are talking back to your elders? You've only been an instructor for three weeks and you think you already earn the right to talk to me in such a way? Only three weeks ago you where listening to me without question. I can have you removed from you position immediately!"
Ichiro gets a worried look on his face. "This just that I think Kurapika isn't suited for what you have to teach her! That's all. I didn't mean to insult your work."
The old woman begins to grumble to herself as she picks up Kurapika throwing her over her shoulder and carrying her away. "Such nonsense."
Kurapika sighs closing her eyes and waving a farewell to her companions. Sakri waves in response. "I'll see you at supper Kurapika. Try to last through Hisa-sensei's boring classes until then."
Hisa snuffs at the response grumbling under her breath. "Those two know nothing of the hard work the woman of the Kurata go through."
Kurapika glumly closes her eyes. "Hisa-sensei. they really didn't mean any harm. I was the one that went and interrupted Ichiro-sensei's lesson."
"Fighting is childish behavior, you lean nothing there of becoming an adult. You're mature for your age even you should have come to realize that."
"I didn't go there just to fight. What Ichiro-sensei teaches me is interesting, there's so much for him to explain. Every time I get something right he points out another thing I'm doing wrong. There's probably a list of 100 things that I can't do but he'll teach me one by one."
Hisa sighs as she reaches their destination putting Kurapika back down on the ground. "You need to grow up. Fighting is only what children do. You only need to know enough to defend yourself."
"And what if someone really strong comes? How will I be able to defend myself without training?"
Hisa smiles sitting Kurapika down with the rest of the young girl in the Kurata clan. "Then Ichiro and the other boys will protect you."
"And if it's someone that can beat Ichiro?"
"If it was someone who could beat Ichiro you being his student will still be meaningless. Ichiro can only teach you what he knows."
Kurapika frowns, thinking what she had said over. It did make sense. "And if I where able to surpass Ichiro?" The girls around Kurapika begin to laugh at her comment. Kurapika looks over at them a little annoyed. "What's so funny!?"
Hisa's voice rises about the laugher. "Quiet.. Quiet. save such chatter for when you're not being taught by me."
Kurapika sighs as she looks up at the sky. She knew well what Hisa taught, today's lesson was on manners again most likely. Something Kurapika knew and used well for someone her age. Although there where those few incidents where she had let one or two sarcastic remarks slip. but it was still no need for her to be taught everything from square one again.
She got to her feet while Hisa's back was turned to her, slipping away. Excusing herself quietly. "Please excuse me, I have some things to do, I'll catch up with your lecture later." She quickly turns running off unnoticed by the instructor, while the other girls giggle quietly, careful not to laugh loud enough to alert Hisa.
Kurapika knew Hisa as well as she knew everyone else in the tribe. As the tribe was so close to one another everyone seemed to know little details about other. One that Kurapika noted that Hisa has, was that when she lectured she always did it with her eyes closed. As if she where looking into the back of her mind to find the right words to say.
Ichiro was without question the most lenient of the four instructors of the Kurata clan. Of course he was also the youngest, haven taken over for the combat instructor only three weeks ago. He was not as skilled as the old instructor, but he was defiantly more pleasant to be around. Then there was Sakri, Ichiro's best student, and one of Kurapika's closest friends. Sakri was hardest to get angry, and was the only member of the tribe Kurapika had not seen with crimson eyes. She was told that once before a long time ago he had gotten angry enough to have his eyes change crimson, and when they had they had been the brightest any of the Kurata clan had seen. Truly the most beautiful.
Kurapika stops in front of a building, opening the door and walking inside, the dull musty sent of books meeting her nostrils. A woman is quick to notice her entry and smiles over at her. "Welcome back Kurapika, what can I help you with today. Perhaps a nice storybook? I know lots of good stories I can recommend."
Kurapika smiles up at her. "A book on world wide tribal religions and customs."
The knowledge keeper smiles gingerly. "Something like that. That's what I thought. most people who like to read, read stories.. Especially for you age."
"But. Sakri said that there was a tribe that sacrificed first born children I wanted to see if he was telling me the truth."
The woman gets up, walking over to a self and taking a book off handing it to Kurapika. "It's still not finished. there a lot of tribes that have yet to be discovered."
Kurapika opens the book that was handed to her, the information in it written with a quill pen the last quarter of the book's pages blank. "There's a lot of different style of hand writing in this one."
"It's a collective work of many people."
Kurapika grins opening it to the first page turning to leave. "Thanks."
"Where o you think you're going?" The woman snaps at Kurapika before she is able to leave.
Kurapika stops shyly looking back at her. "Well. I was just going to go somewhere else. because if I stay here Hisa-sensei will find me and take me back to classes."
The woman crosses her arms, looking at Kurapika sternly. "That's book can't leave this building."
"I promise I won't ruin it! Please. I don't want to be caught."
The woman sighs closing her eyes. "You're just like me what I was your age. sneaking from Hisa-sensei's classes all the time." She holds her finger to Kurapika's face, talking in a stern voice. "If you get even a scratch on that book!"
Kurapika nods her head. "I get it. I get it. It'll be just fine you have my word!" She turns leaving the building.
The woman smiles lightly as she watches her leave. "That kid."
*********
Kurapika sits quietly under a tree, reading through the book she had been given. She was outside of her village now, near a pond too small to be considered a source of water for the tribe. It was a place that people rarely went to, there was really no reason to go, there was far more prettier places to go, it was a lousy source of drinking water, and there where lots of bug around. It was perfect for avoiding people.
"A tattoo on their arm." She laughs look over at her arm. "If I got a tattoo on my arm Hisa-sensei would have my head!"
She puts the book down, getting up walking over to the water, kneeling next to it splashing it on her face. After all, it was a hot day, people where known to pass out in such heat. She pauses when she sees a strange shadow in the reflection of the water. The more she stared at it, the clearer it became. It looked as if something was standing behind her. ". a man?" She quickly turns around, but finds nothing there. She looks back at the water only to find the shadow gone.
"Gone." Her thought is interrupted when she hears her stomach growl. She sighs holding her stomach as she gets to her feet. "My eye's are playing tricks on me. it must bee from hunger."
She flops down back in front of the tree she was under before. Leaning back and closing her eyes. "I guess I shouldn't have skipped breakfast to avoid Hisa-sensei. she's easy enough to get away from anyway and she just caught me despite. it's almost lunch and I'm starving."
She closes her eyes humming quietly. "I have to get back before lunch or else everyone in the tribe will be mad at me, and not just Hisa-sensei. getting lectured by her is one thing. but the whole tribe."
She opens her eyes the orange horizon from the setting sun meeting her eyes. "Sun's setting early." She quickly jumps to her feet staring at the horizon in shock. "The sun's setting!?!?" She quickly starts running back to the village. "I feel asleep without realizing it! The tribe has noticed my absence without question by now!"
A figure suddenly walks in front of her path Kurapika quickly screech to a halt to avoid running into the figure. He pauses as his features become clearer in the low light. "Sa. Sakri."
The boy grabs onto Kurapika's arm. "Where have you been!? The whole clan's been searching for you!"
A rock fell into the pit of Kurapika's stomach. ". the whole clan."
Sakri turns around pulling Kurapika with him, cuffing his free hand near his mouth. "Oi!!! I found her! She's perfectly safe, not a scratch on her!"
Kurapika quietly follows him back to the village, they where not going to be happy at all with her."
*******
"What where you thinking wandering off for so long!? The entire tribe was worried sick over you! We thought something terrible might have happened to you!"
Kurapika sat quietly with her hands on her lap in front of the clan's leader. The rest of the Kurata clan seated behind her. It was one thing to be lectured for making a mistake, but to be lectured before the entire clan. That was by far much worse.
The clan's leader continued. "There's no telling what could have happened to you. Strange people have been wandering around lately. You've been warned just like everyone else in the clan, why would you still, knowing this information, disappear like you did?"
Kurapika raises her head slightly to answer. "Well. I just wanted to do something. I fell asleep without realizing it. and when I woke up it was late. and you where already looking for me."
"You can't go off doing things as you please. There are rules to follow and rules exist to keep you safe." He sighs shaking his head. "And just like any other member of the clan that breaks a rule, you'll have to be punished. I know it was a mistake but still you did leave without informing anyone on where you would be, not to mention you left in the middle of one of your lectures." He looks back at the other members of the clan. "The clan will decide your punishment."
The members of the clan all nodded their heads in understanding, then starting thinking of something that would be fit. It couldn't be something too harsh for such an innocent mistake. There thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Kurapika's stomach growling.
Kurapika nervously rubs her stomach. "Sorry."
Sakri nods his head, completely understanding the situation. "That's right, Kurapika skipped breakfast to meet up with me. She probably skipped lunch as well."
The clan leader smiled down slyly at Kurapika. "Is that so?"
*******
The Kurata clan was all seating around one another, laughing and talking as they ate. Everyone looked to be in good spirits; talking about things they had done that day. The food looked like some of the most wonderful things to be able to eat. Kurapika sat at the side by Sakri a miserable look on her face. She was the only one not eating. "This is too crewel a punishment."
Sakri laughs patting her on the back. "I kind of like your punishment."
Kurapika frowns at him bitterly the words of the clan leader playing through her head. "The entire tribe such for you long and hard Kurapika, they did a great job and found you without a single scratch. I believe that we should hold a feast in honor of your safe return!" Cheers broke out of the Kurata clan, the leader continued. "But. Kurapika cannot eat a single thing."
Kurapika growled bitterly at remembering what he had told them. "He knew I hadn't eaten all day. what's more. he said that only food that had good smells to it could be cooked, and made me sit in the kitchen while everyone was cooking it. This is agonizing."
Sakri smiles nodding his head. "You're right, I'm glad I'm not in your situation."
Kurapika gives Sakri a pleading look. "Do you think you can save some leftovers?"
"And risk myself getting the same punishment as you? I don't think so."
"Stingy!" She turns away looking back at the others. "No one else in the clan ever got a punishment this mean."
She frowns to herself, her clan had been worried because there where rumors of strange people being seen lately. And since those rumors had surfaced other started to follow, of people going missing without reason, or of people being found dead. The tribe has had a meeting over it not that long ago. No one in the clan had been lost, and they intended to keep it that way. Lots of precautions where taken, and Kurapika had forgotten about all of it until now.
Kurapika turns towards a glass of water near her belong to another Kurata member. Before she had gone to sleep she had thought she had seen the reflection of a man in the water. "Someone's shadow. in the water."
Sakri looks Kurapika over curiously. "Water? What are you talking about?"
Kurapika looks back at him, quickly making up something else. After all, there was no reason to worry the clan over something that could very well be nothing. "The water. it's been low recently. because it hasn't rained for a while."
Another member of the clan laughs at Kurapika's comment. "Rain water? You think of the oddest things at the strangest time Kurapika." Kurapika smiles gingerly at the response as the clan member continues. "You don't have to worry about it much longer. The clouds came in fast this evening. It's rain without question tonight."
Kurapika nods her head slightly. "That's good then. nothing for me to worry about."
Her heart sinks. The word the knowledge keeper of the Kurata clan told her reminding her of something else. "If you get even a scratch on that book!"
The book! She had completely forgotten about it! It was still where she had fallen asleep that day, and what's was worse it was going to rain. It would be ruined without question. The punishment she would receive from having something like that happen would be far worse then what she was going though now!
*******
Kurapika sits up in her bed. All the other younger members of the Kurata clan where also in the room, sleeping in their own beds. After making sure no one was awake she quickly gets out of her bed, walking towards a window and opening it, only being able to swing one leg out before being interrupted.
"You're going to get in trouble." Sakri mumbled half asleep.
Kurapika frowned continuing on her way. "I'll be right back! No one will notice."
She lands skillfully on the ground, quickly running to the shadows as to not be seen by the older members of the tribe, who where still awake. She didn't look at all happy with what she was about to do. "Sneaking off in the day time to avoid Hisa-sensei's lectures is one thing. but sneaking off at night... I've never done something this stupid before. Especially the rumors going around. and lets not forget the shadow I saw in the water. everything in me is telling me to go back."
She stops when she sees the knowledge keeper with the other three instructors. "I really didn't know she would disappear for the day. If I would have known I would have just kept her in the records building."
Ichiro smiled shaking his head. "What can you do? Kurapika's just like any of us. everyone one of us has wandered off and worried the tribe without realizing it. It's a part of growing up Takara."
Takara smiles warmly at the thought. "I suppose you're right. she's still a child after all." She picks up a book that was laying at her side holding it in front of her. "But even for a child she's smart, and her interest in knowledge amazes me."
Ichiro frowns at the book. "Another one? Is there ever a time where there isn't a book by your side?"
Takara giggles softly holding the book next to her. "I can't help it. I love them. there's nothing in the world I enjoy more then sitting in the records room amongst the books. they're like children to me."
Ichiro laughs. "You're crazy!"
Kurapika lowers her eyes to the ground. "I have to go get it back. I can't make Takara upset." She continues on her way, still unsure of what she was about to do but determined to do it. After all, Takara was always letting her get away with things. She couldn't let something happen that would hurt her. It would be simple enough. Kurapika knew well where the place was and could quickly get there even in the dark. Then she would come back, what was so hard about that?
END OF CHAPTER
Well that's it for chapter two ^^o I'm interested in hearing what everyone has to say about it. Some notes to follow up the story.
Original characters. yes this fic has them, I couldn't avoid adding them, and since I really don't like adding original characters into fanfiction I was hesitant to write this fic. But since it can't be helped and I really wanted to write this I decided to have them. I didn't want to make any family related characters, but if Kurapika's tribe had no family members, what where the chances of him staying with them? Or even decided to make herself suffer on behalf of gaining revenge for them. So I decided to do it this way, and for me it worked out really well. No one in the tribe besides the clan leader knows what their relations are to each other, therefore making the bond between each member strong, without the barrier of family to divide them. Of course there had to be some superior members, so the four instructors where made. The whole clan is like family to Kurapika, giving her the perfect relationship for me to work with. One that would not interfere too much with the actual character.
Trying to write a younger version of Kurapika was a little difficult. As Kurapika has obviously matured a lot since that time. I needed her to be a little more childish because she is younger, but at the same time be able to see this child believably being about to grow into the person she is right now. My head was spinning x.x my first draft she turned out having a personality like Killua, and the second Gon x.x, it took a while before I finally ended up with the younger Kurapika you are reading now ^^;;; I believe that I made a workable transition to child. of course, I could be wrong ^^o
Kurapika as a girl. yes I know that Kurapika is a guy XD which is why I explained at the beginning of this chapter that in the story he would be a girl. I got involved in Hunter X Hunter back when Kurapika's gender was an unknown issue, and I became a fan of both female and male Kurapika. I guessed he was most likely a boy, since Togashi did like to draw pretty girly looking guys. (Like in YYH, Level E) but I kind of liked the idea that Kurapika might be a girl better =P I don't know why it just seemed more interesting ^^o
-Kurapika Suki
Additional Notes: Okay you may want to read this before starting into the story. As you might want to be informed that for this particular series of HxH fanfiction I am writing, Kurapika is a girl. I've done plenty of fics with Kurapika as a guy (and fics where you just don't know what he is) and I wanted to write one with Kurapika as a girl. So if you have a problem with that, don't read simple as that.
This fic also deals with the tender area of Kurapika's past =/ I know it's not an easy thing to write about and pass off as believable but I will try my best to see if I can make a past for Kurapika that will work and not distort the story too much. I also know that this isn't the first time a fic on Kura-chan's past has been produced, but I still think that it will defiantly hold some kind of originality in it.
Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is a paring in here. sorta I guess. Kurapika X Kuroro
Keep in mind that this is also my first time writing a fic that's not a humor fic YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED with all that said and done (I believe that is everything) enjoy the story ^^
Hunter X Hunter Can You Remember Tears?
The Kurata Clan, the legendary clan that breed the people of the crimson eyes. A small clan of only a few people. A clan with it's own way of living that has been followed since the members of the clan can remember. Idea's that may seem strange to some, but is normal for them.
Children that where raised within the tribe didn't know and where not raised by their parents, instead they where raised by the entire clan, making the bond between it's members strong. The children were kept in a house separate from the others. So that strong bonds between peers could be developed. Everyone input something into the children's teachings yet one thing stayed the same, boys were taught to be boys, and girls were taught to be girls.
Chapter Two
Clashing of steel echoes throughout the small village of Kurata. "Hold your stance higher, you look like you're poking at his knees." A blond probably in his late teens points out as he watches the two younger members of the clan fight. A simple spar with two swords to each. A young shorthaired blond boy, sparing with an even younger blonde girl. Whose long hair was tied up in high ponytail. He seemed to be speaking to the girl, who seemed to be the one slightly making the mistakes. "Be ready to block his attacks, if you don't it'll mean the end of the battle and in most cases, your life."
The young girl quickly swings one of her swords upward, blocking the boy's high attack. The blond instructing her quickly calling out to her. "Kurapika! Watch your footing!" Occupied with the attack aimed at her head she missed the attack aimed at her feet and is hit with the non-bladed edge of the sword and sent crashing to the ground. The instructor sighs holding his head. "You're both fighting with two swords. you have to get used to using both and at the same time watching out for both."
Kurapika quickly tries to push herself up off of her back but is stopped when she feels cold steel against her neck. The boy she had been sparing with smiled widely. "I win!"
Kurapika silently pushes the boys blade away from her neck with the blade of her sword sitting up. "You promised that you wouldn't trip me this time Sakri!!"
The boy she had been sparing shrugs his shoulders. "I can't help it, you're always leaving your feet open to attack."
The instructor claps his hands signaling the two to stop talking before they get onto an argument. "Good job the both of you. You both tried hard."
Sakri laughs to himself looking back at Kurapika. "Kurapika tried hard but lost again."
Kurapika quickly jumps to her feet glaring at him. "Watch it!"
"Calm down you two. No need to argue, you two are best friends." He pats Kurapika on the back reassuringly. "You put up a good fight. Sakri is two years more experienced then you so don't feel too bad that you lost."
Sakri nods his head in agreement. "That's right. You're two years younger then me' and you're considered to be in the same skill level as me. You just need to watch you feet, and learn to hold you sword higher."
Kurapika looks back down at her swords. "But. this is the first time I've used bladed swords. I wasn't used to the weight." She smiles putting her weapons to the side walking up to Sakri. "Let's try hand to hand combat this time!"
Sakri smiles as he placing his swords to the side as well. "Sure!" The two get into fighting stances while the instructor shakes his head.
"Don't start until I give the signal. Remember no hitting below the belt, and if either of your eyes change to crimson you'll be disqualified." He swings his arm down giving them the signal to start. "Go!"
Kurapika is about to lunge at Sakri but is stopped when someone grabs onto her ponytail yanking her back causing her to again land on the ground. Kurapika groans in pain as she pushes herself back to her feet. "What was that?"
Sakri looks nervously to the side, holding his arms behind his back, while the young man that had been instructing the two worriedly takes a step back. "Hisa-sensei, I didn't know you where here."
Kurapika gasps. "Hisa-sensei!?" She looks behind her to find an old woman still holding her ponytail. She nervously smiles at her. "Hisa- sensei. what are you doing all the way over here? I thought you had classes to teach."
Hisa, the old woman glares down angrily at Kurapika. "Kurapika! What do you think you're doing!? Who gave you permission to come to the boys classes?"
Kurapika frowns looking to the side. Hisa always caught her by surprise by grabbing onto her hair. She wished her hair were shorter to at least avoid that. "You're classes are so boring though. I thought that I would be would be more useful for me to come here to a more interesting class."
The old woman doesn't look at all pleased with Kurapika's response. "Boring? My classes teach you everything you'll need to know to be an adult. You'll be attending my classes for years before you ever amount to anything more then a child. It takes lots of practice, hard work and training to be able to become a respectful Kurata woman."
The older boy who had been instructing them bows politely to Hisa, talking with as much respect as he could master. "Hisa-sensei. your classes don't fit Kurapika. she's a high spirited and gifted young girl that is not only very wise for her age but a skilled fighter. She wouldn't do well being forced to live like the other Kurata girls. I can't picture her staying at home and doing nothing all day."
The older woman's grip on Kurapika's hair tightened at his remark, Kurapika nervously looks back it him. "Ichiro. you shouldn't have said anything."
"Doing nothing all day." The old Kurata growls under her breath. Her eyes beginning to glow crimson red. "You think what we do is easy??" Sakri gulps as he takes several nervous steps back. Ichiro does the same, realizing now that he had said the wrong thing. "You're the one that has it easy! Just brawling with one another all day. Never doing any real work!"
Ichiro frowns at the response. "That's not true! We do lots of work as well, farming, maintain the buildings, fighting to protect the tribe-"
"All things that don't require you to use your head. AS for use we have work that involves both manual and mental work. How much brains does it take to get into a fight?"
Ichiro crosses his arms stubbornly. "It takes a lot! You have to be able to think quickly and correctly when you're fighting! One wrong move could mean your life."
Kurapika nodes her head in agreement. "It's really not that easy."
Hisa grumbles pointing accusingly at Ichiro with her free hand. "Who do you think you are talking back to your elders? You've only been an instructor for three weeks and you think you already earn the right to talk to me in such a way? Only three weeks ago you where listening to me without question. I can have you removed from you position immediately!"
Ichiro gets a worried look on his face. "This just that I think Kurapika isn't suited for what you have to teach her! That's all. I didn't mean to insult your work."
The old woman begins to grumble to herself as she picks up Kurapika throwing her over her shoulder and carrying her away. "Such nonsense."
Kurapika sighs closing her eyes and waving a farewell to her companions. Sakri waves in response. "I'll see you at supper Kurapika. Try to last through Hisa-sensei's boring classes until then."
Hisa snuffs at the response grumbling under her breath. "Those two know nothing of the hard work the woman of the Kurata go through."
Kurapika glumly closes her eyes. "Hisa-sensei. they really didn't mean any harm. I was the one that went and interrupted Ichiro-sensei's lesson."
"Fighting is childish behavior, you lean nothing there of becoming an adult. You're mature for your age even you should have come to realize that."
"I didn't go there just to fight. What Ichiro-sensei teaches me is interesting, there's so much for him to explain. Every time I get something right he points out another thing I'm doing wrong. There's probably a list of 100 things that I can't do but he'll teach me one by one."
Hisa sighs as she reaches their destination putting Kurapika back down on the ground. "You need to grow up. Fighting is only what children do. You only need to know enough to defend yourself."
"And what if someone really strong comes? How will I be able to defend myself without training?"
Hisa smiles sitting Kurapika down with the rest of the young girl in the Kurata clan. "Then Ichiro and the other boys will protect you."
"And if it's someone that can beat Ichiro?"
"If it was someone who could beat Ichiro you being his student will still be meaningless. Ichiro can only teach you what he knows."
Kurapika frowns, thinking what she had said over. It did make sense. "And if I where able to surpass Ichiro?" The girls around Kurapika begin to laugh at her comment. Kurapika looks over at them a little annoyed. "What's so funny!?"
Hisa's voice rises about the laugher. "Quiet.. Quiet. save such chatter for when you're not being taught by me."
Kurapika sighs as she looks up at the sky. She knew well what Hisa taught, today's lesson was on manners again most likely. Something Kurapika knew and used well for someone her age. Although there where those few incidents where she had let one or two sarcastic remarks slip. but it was still no need for her to be taught everything from square one again.
She got to her feet while Hisa's back was turned to her, slipping away. Excusing herself quietly. "Please excuse me, I have some things to do, I'll catch up with your lecture later." She quickly turns running off unnoticed by the instructor, while the other girls giggle quietly, careful not to laugh loud enough to alert Hisa.
Kurapika knew Hisa as well as she knew everyone else in the tribe. As the tribe was so close to one another everyone seemed to know little details about other. One that Kurapika noted that Hisa has, was that when she lectured she always did it with her eyes closed. As if she where looking into the back of her mind to find the right words to say.
Ichiro was without question the most lenient of the four instructors of the Kurata clan. Of course he was also the youngest, haven taken over for the combat instructor only three weeks ago. He was not as skilled as the old instructor, but he was defiantly more pleasant to be around. Then there was Sakri, Ichiro's best student, and one of Kurapika's closest friends. Sakri was hardest to get angry, and was the only member of the tribe Kurapika had not seen with crimson eyes. She was told that once before a long time ago he had gotten angry enough to have his eyes change crimson, and when they had they had been the brightest any of the Kurata clan had seen. Truly the most beautiful.
Kurapika stops in front of a building, opening the door and walking inside, the dull musty sent of books meeting her nostrils. A woman is quick to notice her entry and smiles over at her. "Welcome back Kurapika, what can I help you with today. Perhaps a nice storybook? I know lots of good stories I can recommend."
Kurapika smiles up at her. "A book on world wide tribal religions and customs."
The knowledge keeper smiles gingerly. "Something like that. That's what I thought. most people who like to read, read stories.. Especially for you age."
"But. Sakri said that there was a tribe that sacrificed first born children I wanted to see if he was telling me the truth."
The woman gets up, walking over to a self and taking a book off handing it to Kurapika. "It's still not finished. there a lot of tribes that have yet to be discovered."
Kurapika opens the book that was handed to her, the information in it written with a quill pen the last quarter of the book's pages blank. "There's a lot of different style of hand writing in this one."
"It's a collective work of many people."
Kurapika grins opening it to the first page turning to leave. "Thanks."
"Where o you think you're going?" The woman snaps at Kurapika before she is able to leave.
Kurapika stops shyly looking back at her. "Well. I was just going to go somewhere else. because if I stay here Hisa-sensei will find me and take me back to classes."
The woman crosses her arms, looking at Kurapika sternly. "That's book can't leave this building."
"I promise I won't ruin it! Please. I don't want to be caught."
The woman sighs closing her eyes. "You're just like me what I was your age. sneaking from Hisa-sensei's classes all the time." She holds her finger to Kurapika's face, talking in a stern voice. "If you get even a scratch on that book!"
Kurapika nods her head. "I get it. I get it. It'll be just fine you have my word!" She turns leaving the building.
The woman smiles lightly as she watches her leave. "That kid."
*********
Kurapika sits quietly under a tree, reading through the book she had been given. She was outside of her village now, near a pond too small to be considered a source of water for the tribe. It was a place that people rarely went to, there was really no reason to go, there was far more prettier places to go, it was a lousy source of drinking water, and there where lots of bug around. It was perfect for avoiding people.
"A tattoo on their arm." She laughs look over at her arm. "If I got a tattoo on my arm Hisa-sensei would have my head!"
She puts the book down, getting up walking over to the water, kneeling next to it splashing it on her face. After all, it was a hot day, people where known to pass out in such heat. She pauses when she sees a strange shadow in the reflection of the water. The more she stared at it, the clearer it became. It looked as if something was standing behind her. ". a man?" She quickly turns around, but finds nothing there. She looks back at the water only to find the shadow gone.
"Gone." Her thought is interrupted when she hears her stomach growl. She sighs holding her stomach as she gets to her feet. "My eye's are playing tricks on me. it must bee from hunger."
She flops down back in front of the tree she was under before. Leaning back and closing her eyes. "I guess I shouldn't have skipped breakfast to avoid Hisa-sensei. she's easy enough to get away from anyway and she just caught me despite. it's almost lunch and I'm starving."
She closes her eyes humming quietly. "I have to get back before lunch or else everyone in the tribe will be mad at me, and not just Hisa-sensei. getting lectured by her is one thing. but the whole tribe."
She opens her eyes the orange horizon from the setting sun meeting her eyes. "Sun's setting early." She quickly jumps to her feet staring at the horizon in shock. "The sun's setting!?!?" She quickly starts running back to the village. "I feel asleep without realizing it! The tribe has noticed my absence without question by now!"
A figure suddenly walks in front of her path Kurapika quickly screech to a halt to avoid running into the figure. He pauses as his features become clearer in the low light. "Sa. Sakri."
The boy grabs onto Kurapika's arm. "Where have you been!? The whole clan's been searching for you!"
A rock fell into the pit of Kurapika's stomach. ". the whole clan."
Sakri turns around pulling Kurapika with him, cuffing his free hand near his mouth. "Oi!!! I found her! She's perfectly safe, not a scratch on her!"
Kurapika quietly follows him back to the village, they where not going to be happy at all with her."
*******
"What where you thinking wandering off for so long!? The entire tribe was worried sick over you! We thought something terrible might have happened to you!"
Kurapika sat quietly with her hands on her lap in front of the clan's leader. The rest of the Kurata clan seated behind her. It was one thing to be lectured for making a mistake, but to be lectured before the entire clan. That was by far much worse.
The clan's leader continued. "There's no telling what could have happened to you. Strange people have been wandering around lately. You've been warned just like everyone else in the clan, why would you still, knowing this information, disappear like you did?"
Kurapika raises her head slightly to answer. "Well. I just wanted to do something. I fell asleep without realizing it. and when I woke up it was late. and you where already looking for me."
"You can't go off doing things as you please. There are rules to follow and rules exist to keep you safe." He sighs shaking his head. "And just like any other member of the clan that breaks a rule, you'll have to be punished. I know it was a mistake but still you did leave without informing anyone on where you would be, not to mention you left in the middle of one of your lectures." He looks back at the other members of the clan. "The clan will decide your punishment."
The members of the clan all nodded their heads in understanding, then starting thinking of something that would be fit. It couldn't be something too harsh for such an innocent mistake. There thoughts are interrupted by the sound of Kurapika's stomach growling.
Kurapika nervously rubs her stomach. "Sorry."
Sakri nods his head, completely understanding the situation. "That's right, Kurapika skipped breakfast to meet up with me. She probably skipped lunch as well."
The clan leader smiled down slyly at Kurapika. "Is that so?"
*******
The Kurata clan was all seating around one another, laughing and talking as they ate. Everyone looked to be in good spirits; talking about things they had done that day. The food looked like some of the most wonderful things to be able to eat. Kurapika sat at the side by Sakri a miserable look on her face. She was the only one not eating. "This is too crewel a punishment."
Sakri laughs patting her on the back. "I kind of like your punishment."
Kurapika frowns at him bitterly the words of the clan leader playing through her head. "The entire tribe such for you long and hard Kurapika, they did a great job and found you without a single scratch. I believe that we should hold a feast in honor of your safe return!" Cheers broke out of the Kurata clan, the leader continued. "But. Kurapika cannot eat a single thing."
Kurapika growled bitterly at remembering what he had told them. "He knew I hadn't eaten all day. what's more. he said that only food that had good smells to it could be cooked, and made me sit in the kitchen while everyone was cooking it. This is agonizing."
Sakri smiles nodding his head. "You're right, I'm glad I'm not in your situation."
Kurapika gives Sakri a pleading look. "Do you think you can save some leftovers?"
"And risk myself getting the same punishment as you? I don't think so."
"Stingy!" She turns away looking back at the others. "No one else in the clan ever got a punishment this mean."
She frowns to herself, her clan had been worried because there where rumors of strange people being seen lately. And since those rumors had surfaced other started to follow, of people going missing without reason, or of people being found dead. The tribe has had a meeting over it not that long ago. No one in the clan had been lost, and they intended to keep it that way. Lots of precautions where taken, and Kurapika had forgotten about all of it until now.
Kurapika turns towards a glass of water near her belong to another Kurata member. Before she had gone to sleep she had thought she had seen the reflection of a man in the water. "Someone's shadow. in the water."
Sakri looks Kurapika over curiously. "Water? What are you talking about?"
Kurapika looks back at him, quickly making up something else. After all, there was no reason to worry the clan over something that could very well be nothing. "The water. it's been low recently. because it hasn't rained for a while."
Another member of the clan laughs at Kurapika's comment. "Rain water? You think of the oddest things at the strangest time Kurapika." Kurapika smiles gingerly at the response as the clan member continues. "You don't have to worry about it much longer. The clouds came in fast this evening. It's rain without question tonight."
Kurapika nods her head slightly. "That's good then. nothing for me to worry about."
Her heart sinks. The word the knowledge keeper of the Kurata clan told her reminding her of something else. "If you get even a scratch on that book!"
The book! She had completely forgotten about it! It was still where she had fallen asleep that day, and what's was worse it was going to rain. It would be ruined without question. The punishment she would receive from having something like that happen would be far worse then what she was going though now!
*******
Kurapika sits up in her bed. All the other younger members of the Kurata clan where also in the room, sleeping in their own beds. After making sure no one was awake she quickly gets out of her bed, walking towards a window and opening it, only being able to swing one leg out before being interrupted.
"You're going to get in trouble." Sakri mumbled half asleep.
Kurapika frowned continuing on her way. "I'll be right back! No one will notice."
She lands skillfully on the ground, quickly running to the shadows as to not be seen by the older members of the tribe, who where still awake. She didn't look at all happy with what she was about to do. "Sneaking off in the day time to avoid Hisa-sensei's lectures is one thing. but sneaking off at night... I've never done something this stupid before. Especially the rumors going around. and lets not forget the shadow I saw in the water. everything in me is telling me to go back."
She stops when she sees the knowledge keeper with the other three instructors. "I really didn't know she would disappear for the day. If I would have known I would have just kept her in the records building."
Ichiro smiled shaking his head. "What can you do? Kurapika's just like any of us. everyone one of us has wandered off and worried the tribe without realizing it. It's a part of growing up Takara."
Takara smiles warmly at the thought. "I suppose you're right. she's still a child after all." She picks up a book that was laying at her side holding it in front of her. "But even for a child she's smart, and her interest in knowledge amazes me."
Ichiro frowns at the book. "Another one? Is there ever a time where there isn't a book by your side?"
Takara giggles softly holding the book next to her. "I can't help it. I love them. there's nothing in the world I enjoy more then sitting in the records room amongst the books. they're like children to me."
Ichiro laughs. "You're crazy!"
Kurapika lowers her eyes to the ground. "I have to go get it back. I can't make Takara upset." She continues on her way, still unsure of what she was about to do but determined to do it. After all, Takara was always letting her get away with things. She couldn't let something happen that would hurt her. It would be simple enough. Kurapika knew well where the place was and could quickly get there even in the dark. Then she would come back, what was so hard about that?
END OF CHAPTER
Well that's it for chapter two ^^o I'm interested in hearing what everyone has to say about it. Some notes to follow up the story.
Original characters. yes this fic has them, I couldn't avoid adding them, and since I really don't like adding original characters into fanfiction I was hesitant to write this fic. But since it can't be helped and I really wanted to write this I decided to have them. I didn't want to make any family related characters, but if Kurapika's tribe had no family members, what where the chances of him staying with them? Or even decided to make herself suffer on behalf of gaining revenge for them. So I decided to do it this way, and for me it worked out really well. No one in the tribe besides the clan leader knows what their relations are to each other, therefore making the bond between each member strong, without the barrier of family to divide them. Of course there had to be some superior members, so the four instructors where made. The whole clan is like family to Kurapika, giving her the perfect relationship for me to work with. One that would not interfere too much with the actual character.
Trying to write a younger version of Kurapika was a little difficult. As Kurapika has obviously matured a lot since that time. I needed her to be a little more childish because she is younger, but at the same time be able to see this child believably being about to grow into the person she is right now. My head was spinning x.x my first draft she turned out having a personality like Killua, and the second Gon x.x, it took a while before I finally ended up with the younger Kurapika you are reading now ^^;;; I believe that I made a workable transition to child. of course, I could be wrong ^^o
Kurapika as a girl. yes I know that Kurapika is a guy XD which is why I explained at the beginning of this chapter that in the story he would be a girl. I got involved in Hunter X Hunter back when Kurapika's gender was an unknown issue, and I became a fan of both female and male Kurapika. I guessed he was most likely a boy, since Togashi did like to draw pretty girly looking guys. (Like in YYH, Level E) but I kind of liked the idea that Kurapika might be a girl better =P I don't know why it just seemed more interesting ^^o
-Kurapika Suki