Mask
Chapter 2
"Machi, I think that that is enough. You can discuss with them what little you know of my abilities later," Leorio called out to the amethyst-haired girl, his voice possessing authority and resonance that would have both surprised and bewildered those who thought they knew him. The young woman turned around to look at him as her little group disbanded, a small frown gracing her characteristically cool countenance as he caught her gaze. "Hn? Is there anything wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. The frown on her lips deepened before she shook her head and looked away. Leorio watched her a moment longer before turning to assess the rest of the Spiders.
"Leorio, what are we going to do now?" the sadistic Feitan asked from his position a few feet away, hands on his pockets and a close book on his lap with a horrendous picture of a man being mutilated on the cover.
A small fire akin to irritation flashed deep within his cold brown eyes, before being hastily put out as he had been taught by his infinitely collected cousin. He was known for his impatience with being talked to casually by those who barely knew him, addressing him plainly by his first name possessing the chance of sending him in an outrage. Those in his past who dared to be noncompliant of his wish to be called differently had found themselves in a fight wherein they could not get out of alive. It was a trait of his considered both a weakness and strength, and only one person has ever survived his fury: Kurapika.
Now the people before him will soon discover his intolerance of insubordination as well.
"First and foremost," Leorio started, looking over all of them with a slight glare, "not one of you is to try and search for Kuroro under any circumstances. Should you meet up with him by chance, you are not to communicate with him by any means thinkable. Doing so will result to his instant death." At this, the three newest members audibly gasped. His left eye twitched involuntarily as he turned towards their general direction. They have not yet been told..? "Pakunoda has sacrificed herself only to make us aware of this fact. We should let Kuroro find a way out of this predicament himself. He will come back."
"Leorio-sama-" Shizuku began, but was brusquely interrupted by the still enraged Nobunaga.
"It's all that chain assassin's fault! Kurapika, I think, is his name, that suicidal fool! How dare he try and go against the Spiders! He's a…"
Leorio leaned back with an indistinct sigh, hearing the samurai out, slightly amused and slightly annoyed with the names he christened Kurapika and his outrageous descriptions of the young man, nearly all the guy was anything but. Around him, the rest of the Spiders started becoming restless, roused by the samurai's words, each insult coming louder from him than the last. Though Leorio has known the group quite difficult to unsettle, they were pretty much disconcerted now. Across from him, Nobunaga has already drawn his katana, fingering its blade with a murderous glint in his eyes. Phinx has started cracking his knuckles in one corner, Machi's blue threads erratically hovering dangerously near him. The new girl, Shizuku, suddenly had a vacuum cleaner in hand, with razor-sharp teeth at its nozzle, both Franklin and Shalnark standing at her side, looking ready to kill. The other two new members, Coltopi and Bonorenolf, remained hard to read considering their physical attributes, but didn't look all that calm either. All things considered, the Spiders were thoroughly livid. Leorio inwardly smirked. He and the others didn't have even the slightest idea of managing to agitate them this much.
"Do you all want to die soon?" Feitan coolly asked, shortly after Nobunaga finished his almost senseless prattle. All eyes shifted to him, the atmosphere changing ever so slightly. He glared back at all of them through his fringe of blue hair. "If we don't keep our cool, all of us will perish. Is this what the infamous Genei Ryodan has been reduced to? A group of simpletons with no self-control?"
His statement quickly had its effect. The tension dispersed as if it was never there and soon everyone had reclaimed their detached dispositions, looking as bored and yet at the same time as alert as ever. Almost in unison, heads swerved towards Leorio's direction, waiting for the leader's next words.
"I was wondering when all of you will wake up," he snapped, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. "From what Phinx and Shalnark informed me of, I can deduce that this chain-assassin possesses no chance against all of us together, but still, we are not aware of what tricks he may still have up his sleeve. I do not wish for anymore casualties amidst our group, and so your first order from me is not to go after both Kuroro and this Kurapika you speak of," he said calmly, eyeing Nobunaga in particular. The samurai didn't look at all pleased. "Defy my instruction and you die. Understand?"
He watched with satisfaction as all of them nodded their heads, knowing better than to take his statement any other way less than seriously. "For now, I want to concentrate on finding new members. The Spider has lost three limbs and the head, it has been weakened considerably. Once we have recovered something akin to our former strength, we will then discuss the little nuisance that is the chain-assassin," he stated, silently wishing that Kuroro has managed to return before that time comes. Considering what he knew of Kurapika's abilities however, the probability of that happening is unbelievably infinitesimal. "I will leave it at that for the time being. We will meet again tomorrow at dusk. I have a lot to think over first before I can give you any definite directions. Dismissed."
Like any other of their meetings before, the whole group vanished the next second, save for Leorio who remained sitting in the desolate building, wondering what the heck he is supposed to do now. A bitter smile appeared on his lips, very much unlike the ones he wore around his friends. From inside his jacket he took out an ancient-looking black video tape, and then flipped it over and over in his hands. "Have you found the answers yet, Kuroro? And you, Kurapika, have you satisfied your thirst now?"
***
A figure clad in black and white walked a road to the outskirts of Yorkshin City, the noon sun hanging high above him. In his tracks, he stopped, looking back the way he came as if seeing the events of the past few days reflected on the concrete pavement.
Scarlet eyes set on a pale face framed by blonde hair glared back at him, one fist clenched on his lap adorned with chains. Until now he can feel the indescribable abhorrence emanating from the young man, Kurapika's very hatred almost agonizing. And then a short girl with a bald top and big front teeth standing next to him, possessing the keenest sense of hearing he has ever come to know of. Briefly, he pondered whether her ability was innate or was enhanced by her Nen, and if he could steal it should the latter be the case, before remembering that he no longer possesses his old power. His right hand clenched into a tight fist at the thought. Next, two young boys of their pre-teens, one with gravity-defying black hair and the other with a silver mane that somehow reminds him of the powerful opponents he had the privilege of fighting recently: the Zaoldyecks. And, lastly but most importantly, his cousin.
He was pretty much certain his Spider has contacted Leorio by now, and that he has assumed the position of leader no matter how reluctant he may be. It bothers him some to know that his successor has been in league with the enemy, but he is in no position to change anything right now. He sighed, raked a hand through his now tousled black hair, and found reassurance in the fact that though Leorio might use his position to steer the Spider clear of his former friends' way, he will also use it to make sure no harm befalls the group. The guy hates fatalities.
Kuroro Rucilful wound a roll of bandages around his forehead, took off his black coat and carried it a few inches off the ground with one hand, heading towards East where the pink-haired girl foretold the thing he has been searching for so long is.
***
Killua Zaoldyeck yawned as he stretched his arms above his head, eyes still focused solely on the figure that lay on the bed right in front of him. After hours of urging, Gon finally conceded to taking a break and went to sleep in their own room, while Senritsu went out to get supper for the three of them. Rain poured hard outside so it should probably take awhile for her to come back.
So here he is, watching over the sleeping Kuruta, looking unruffled yet utterly disoriented inside. A part of him claimed concern for the beautiful young man helpless now in his state of unconsciousness, another part mulling over what is to happen to them in the near future, and yet another part considering what courses of action he should take.
Still, all three combined couldn't rival the thing that most bothered him tonight. A single question: Where the hell is Leorio? He woke up early this morning to find Kurapika alone, and rushed to Leorio's room, to scold the other deaf for leaving their friend, when he discovered the room empty and with no trace of an occupant. Leorio had gone and so are his things. They may never see him again.
When he told Gon about it almost an hour later, his best friend unsurprisingly became upset. He ran straight to Kurapika's room and sat next to the bed, venting his thoughts to the oblivious blond. He stopped shortly before Senritsu came, perhaps comforted or perhaps realizing how futile it was since Kurapika was still unconscious.
Killua leaned over his flaxen friend and stared empathetically at his beautiful face. He knew how close Kurapika and Leorio had become, a relationship that was even more intimate than the friendship between him and Gon. What would happen should he wake up and not find the other beside him?
He pulled away after brushing a stray lock of golden hair from Kurapika's face, closing his eyes momentarily. The next second, they shot open at the sound of a moan. He quickly glanced at the Kuruta who was shifting restlessly on his bed, beads of perspiration starting to form on his forehead. A nightmare..? Killua hastily bend over him and placed a hand on each of his shoulders, gently pushing him back and restraining his movements. After a few minutes Kurapika stopped struggling and, moments later, pale eyelids opened to reveal stark sapphires.
***
Standard disclaimers applied. The prologue and idea of this story is by pixie-atme and is purely a fan's work - a few 'certain' elements not true in the real series.
Chapter 2
"Machi, I think that that is enough. You can discuss with them what little you know of my abilities later," Leorio called out to the amethyst-haired girl, his voice possessing authority and resonance that would have both surprised and bewildered those who thought they knew him. The young woman turned around to look at him as her little group disbanded, a small frown gracing her characteristically cool countenance as he caught her gaze. "Hn? Is there anything wrong?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. The frown on her lips deepened before she shook her head and looked away. Leorio watched her a moment longer before turning to assess the rest of the Spiders.
"Leorio, what are we going to do now?" the sadistic Feitan asked from his position a few feet away, hands on his pockets and a close book on his lap with a horrendous picture of a man being mutilated on the cover.
A small fire akin to irritation flashed deep within his cold brown eyes, before being hastily put out as he had been taught by his infinitely collected cousin. He was known for his impatience with being talked to casually by those who barely knew him, addressing him plainly by his first name possessing the chance of sending him in an outrage. Those in his past who dared to be noncompliant of his wish to be called differently had found themselves in a fight wherein they could not get out of alive. It was a trait of his considered both a weakness and strength, and only one person has ever survived his fury: Kurapika.
Now the people before him will soon discover his intolerance of insubordination as well.
"First and foremost," Leorio started, looking over all of them with a slight glare, "not one of you is to try and search for Kuroro under any circumstances. Should you meet up with him by chance, you are not to communicate with him by any means thinkable. Doing so will result to his instant death." At this, the three newest members audibly gasped. His left eye twitched involuntarily as he turned towards their general direction. They have not yet been told..? "Pakunoda has sacrificed herself only to make us aware of this fact. We should let Kuroro find a way out of this predicament himself. He will come back."
"Leorio-sama-" Shizuku began, but was brusquely interrupted by the still enraged Nobunaga.
"It's all that chain assassin's fault! Kurapika, I think, is his name, that suicidal fool! How dare he try and go against the Spiders! He's a…"
Leorio leaned back with an indistinct sigh, hearing the samurai out, slightly amused and slightly annoyed with the names he christened Kurapika and his outrageous descriptions of the young man, nearly all the guy was anything but. Around him, the rest of the Spiders started becoming restless, roused by the samurai's words, each insult coming louder from him than the last. Though Leorio has known the group quite difficult to unsettle, they were pretty much disconcerted now. Across from him, Nobunaga has already drawn his katana, fingering its blade with a murderous glint in his eyes. Phinx has started cracking his knuckles in one corner, Machi's blue threads erratically hovering dangerously near him. The new girl, Shizuku, suddenly had a vacuum cleaner in hand, with razor-sharp teeth at its nozzle, both Franklin and Shalnark standing at her side, looking ready to kill. The other two new members, Coltopi and Bonorenolf, remained hard to read considering their physical attributes, but didn't look all that calm either. All things considered, the Spiders were thoroughly livid. Leorio inwardly smirked. He and the others didn't have even the slightest idea of managing to agitate them this much.
"Do you all want to die soon?" Feitan coolly asked, shortly after Nobunaga finished his almost senseless prattle. All eyes shifted to him, the atmosphere changing ever so slightly. He glared back at all of them through his fringe of blue hair. "If we don't keep our cool, all of us will perish. Is this what the infamous Genei Ryodan has been reduced to? A group of simpletons with no self-control?"
His statement quickly had its effect. The tension dispersed as if it was never there and soon everyone had reclaimed their detached dispositions, looking as bored and yet at the same time as alert as ever. Almost in unison, heads swerved towards Leorio's direction, waiting for the leader's next words.
"I was wondering when all of you will wake up," he snapped, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. "From what Phinx and Shalnark informed me of, I can deduce that this chain-assassin possesses no chance against all of us together, but still, we are not aware of what tricks he may still have up his sleeve. I do not wish for anymore casualties amidst our group, and so your first order from me is not to go after both Kuroro and this Kurapika you speak of," he said calmly, eyeing Nobunaga in particular. The samurai didn't look at all pleased. "Defy my instruction and you die. Understand?"
He watched with satisfaction as all of them nodded their heads, knowing better than to take his statement any other way less than seriously. "For now, I want to concentrate on finding new members. The Spider has lost three limbs and the head, it has been weakened considerably. Once we have recovered something akin to our former strength, we will then discuss the little nuisance that is the chain-assassin," he stated, silently wishing that Kuroro has managed to return before that time comes. Considering what he knew of Kurapika's abilities however, the probability of that happening is unbelievably infinitesimal. "I will leave it at that for the time being. We will meet again tomorrow at dusk. I have a lot to think over first before I can give you any definite directions. Dismissed."
Like any other of their meetings before, the whole group vanished the next second, save for Leorio who remained sitting in the desolate building, wondering what the heck he is supposed to do now. A bitter smile appeared on his lips, very much unlike the ones he wore around his friends. From inside his jacket he took out an ancient-looking black video tape, and then flipped it over and over in his hands. "Have you found the answers yet, Kuroro? And you, Kurapika, have you satisfied your thirst now?"
***
A figure clad in black and white walked a road to the outskirts of Yorkshin City, the noon sun hanging high above him. In his tracks, he stopped, looking back the way he came as if seeing the events of the past few days reflected on the concrete pavement.
Scarlet eyes set on a pale face framed by blonde hair glared back at him, one fist clenched on his lap adorned with chains. Until now he can feel the indescribable abhorrence emanating from the young man, Kurapika's very hatred almost agonizing. And then a short girl with a bald top and big front teeth standing next to him, possessing the keenest sense of hearing he has ever come to know of. Briefly, he pondered whether her ability was innate or was enhanced by her Nen, and if he could steal it should the latter be the case, before remembering that he no longer possesses his old power. His right hand clenched into a tight fist at the thought. Next, two young boys of their pre-teens, one with gravity-defying black hair and the other with a silver mane that somehow reminds him of the powerful opponents he had the privilege of fighting recently: the Zaoldyecks. And, lastly but most importantly, his cousin.
He was pretty much certain his Spider has contacted Leorio by now, and that he has assumed the position of leader no matter how reluctant he may be. It bothers him some to know that his successor has been in league with the enemy, but he is in no position to change anything right now. He sighed, raked a hand through his now tousled black hair, and found reassurance in the fact that though Leorio might use his position to steer the Spider clear of his former friends' way, he will also use it to make sure no harm befalls the group. The guy hates fatalities.
Kuroro Rucilful wound a roll of bandages around his forehead, took off his black coat and carried it a few inches off the ground with one hand, heading towards East where the pink-haired girl foretold the thing he has been searching for so long is.
***
Killua Zaoldyeck yawned as he stretched his arms above his head, eyes still focused solely on the figure that lay on the bed right in front of him. After hours of urging, Gon finally conceded to taking a break and went to sleep in their own room, while Senritsu went out to get supper for the three of them. Rain poured hard outside so it should probably take awhile for her to come back.
So here he is, watching over the sleeping Kuruta, looking unruffled yet utterly disoriented inside. A part of him claimed concern for the beautiful young man helpless now in his state of unconsciousness, another part mulling over what is to happen to them in the near future, and yet another part considering what courses of action he should take.
Still, all three combined couldn't rival the thing that most bothered him tonight. A single question: Where the hell is Leorio? He woke up early this morning to find Kurapika alone, and rushed to Leorio's room, to scold the other deaf for leaving their friend, when he discovered the room empty and with no trace of an occupant. Leorio had gone and so are his things. They may never see him again.
When he told Gon about it almost an hour later, his best friend unsurprisingly became upset. He ran straight to Kurapika's room and sat next to the bed, venting his thoughts to the oblivious blond. He stopped shortly before Senritsu came, perhaps comforted or perhaps realizing how futile it was since Kurapika was still unconscious.
Killua leaned over his flaxen friend and stared empathetically at his beautiful face. He knew how close Kurapika and Leorio had become, a relationship that was even more intimate than the friendship between him and Gon. What would happen should he wake up and not find the other beside him?
He pulled away after brushing a stray lock of golden hair from Kurapika's face, closing his eyes momentarily. The next second, they shot open at the sound of a moan. He quickly glanced at the Kuruta who was shifting restlessly on his bed, beads of perspiration starting to form on his forehead. A nightmare..? Killua hastily bend over him and placed a hand on each of his shoulders, gently pushing him back and restraining his movements. After a few minutes Kurapika stopped struggling and, moments later, pale eyelids opened to reveal stark sapphires.
***
Standard disclaimers applied. The prologue and idea of this story is by pixie-atme and is purely a fan's work - a few 'certain' elements not true in the real series.
