Eight

Just to be on the safe side, Senritsu checked her entire apartment again for the missing blonde; her partially furnished bed-room, her bathroom, her tiny kitchen, and the living room. She even peered under the couch, wondering if maybe he shrunk himself somehow. But she didn't check the fridge. And she didn't bother with the cabinets either.

He was gone, and not only that, he was truly gone. His heartbeat was one-of-a-kind, to her at least, and she'd be able to pick it out even if he were a block or two away from here in a crow of elephants.

"Kurapika?" She ventured. Oh stop it. He's not here. With a sigh, she flopped down on the couch and pinched the bridge of her nose. So if I were an amnesiac, where would I go? Why would I go anywhere? Did he remember something? Did I make him recall something by mistake with my Nen? And just how had he woken up that quickly? She played a melody that would keep him asleep for a while, and though a few hours had passed between her leaving and returning, it wasn't long enough for him to wake up.

"Did someone take him?" she asked, more to herself than to anyone else, because no one else was there. Sitting upright, she thought that idea sort of made sense. Except there was no indication anyone had come into her house while she was gone, it looked as if he'd just gotten up and left, which who could fault him for? Other than her word, there was no evidence that they really knew each other. Her behavior was probably closer to that of a stalker's, than a friend's.

"What do I do? Should I go looking for him?" she asked the ceiling. It didn't reply, but the answer was obvious. It was still fairly late at night, but she went out into the streets anyway, taking her phone and coat, and locking the door behind her.

The sidewalk was mostly empty, the chill in the air more than likely keeping all but the most adventurous indoors. The faint sound of dogs barking steadily grew louder, though she tried to block the noise out and find Kurapika. But the more she tried, the louder everything around her grew. Raucous really.

Blocking sounds out had become a necessary habit for her. Not that she would actually block them out, it was more like blurring noises, keeping them out of focus like a picture until she chose to look at them, or in her case hear them. Like a second-nature at this point in her life, but only almost because she could never completely ignore the sounds around her.

And she really didn't want to anyway.

Her shoes pounded heavily on gray concrete. Should I hail a taxi? She considered calling his phone, but he doesn't have it on him, does he? Worry crept up her arms and legs, invading every crevice of her body. Maybe someone had actually taken him. Maybe it was the same person who'd killed Tomin and the people at the chapel.

Maybe…

"Why did I have to go and get arrested? Idiot." A sigh escaped her lips. Really, she couldn't even begin to imagine where he might have gone.

But then, up ahead, she saw him. Strolling towards her in a lazy, slow manner. He gave her a tiny wave, and her irritation and anxiety melted away.

"Why'd you run off?" She asked, staring at him.

"I didn't. I just went for a walk." His voice was even, calm as he stood in front of her, just like his heart, so he wasn't lying. But there was something that made her think he isn't telling the truth either, is he?

"You didn't have to come looking for me," he said. "I was on my way back."

"Not like you have anywhere else to go, right?" The joke fell flat, which was why she pointed her face at the sky and pretended to study it for a few moments to hide her embarrassment.

"Guess not," he replied. "Did you find anything while you were away?"

"How'd you know I was gone?"

"...I woke up before you returned." He quirked an amused eyebrow at her.

"Oh." Her cheeks warmed again. Why do I act so stupidly around him all the time? "I went back to the chapel, but I was arrested before I could look into anything."

"That's unfortunate. Why'd they let out out?"

"I called Swartzenbarger and he came and told them I wasn't a suspect...I think someone suspects I, or we, committed those murders." Confident she wouldn't blush, she looked at him. "But you're my alibi, so that should be okay."

"Some alibi I make." But he grinned a little sheepishly at her. "You look cold; we should head back to your place. Maybe sleep on this."

Nodding, the two to of them made their way back. The walk didn't take long and by the time she unlocked her front door and stepped inside, she felt entirely at ease.

Her mouth tumbled open.

"Did you throw a party before looking for me?" Kurapika asked, without the slightest bit of sarcasm.

"I certainly did not," she replied. Someone had trashed her place. Tore every painting off the wall, taken every dish out of the cabinets, upturned every pillow and blanket in her bedroom and clothes, even moved the couch and tables around.

Kurapika pushed past her and looked around. It took her a minute, but she realized he's checking the place for anyone, how sweet. She bit down on her lip to keep from smiling and followed after him.

"It's not destructive," he said.

"Huh?"

He looked down at his black shoes and frowned. "I mean…I don't know. Never mind."

She threw her hands in the air. "No, no that-you sound like the Kurapika I know. You're really smart, you know. Just say it."

"I meant it looks like someone was very hastily searching for something. They didn't break or destroy anything, and it doesn't even look like they took something," he said.

"So you're saying this wasn't random?"

He looked at her and blinked several times. "I don't know what I'm saying. I just…it doesn't look random to me, no. But it doesn't seem malicious either."

"Sorry. I keep forgetting." That you have no clue about anything. Still, she was glad at least that the Kurapika she knew was still there. That the wheels in his brain were turning even slowly.

Too slowly though.

Using Gyo revealed nothing however. At least, the intruder had broken in through traditional means most likely: the front door. But her lock seemed fine and there wasn't a person in the world who had a spare key, is there?

They cleaned up and slept on it. Tomorrow was a new day, at least that's what Senritsu told herself as she snuggled beneath her fluffy, blue blanket. Kurapika was on the couch, at his insistence since she had offered the bed to him. Maybe they could share a bed…geez, stop it Senritsu.

Pulling the covers over her head, she shut her eyes.

First, she heard him coming. And she was on her feet, struggling to pull a hoodie over her head and yelling for Kurapika to wake up though it was still dark outside. The blonde was up though, sitting on the couch and looking out the window in the most picturesque manner ever with the moon bouncing off his face. It was quite ridiculous how handsome he was, even when he wasn't trying to be.

"What's the matter?" He turned to her.

"Did you sleep in that?" she asked, glancing at his black clothes. "Never mind. There's someone coming—"

Someone pounded on her door. Kurapika stood up to get it, but Senritsu waved him back down and crossed the living room to get to the door. She smoothed a few errant strands of brown hair down, before opening it..

"Well, this is quite the surprise." Swartzenbarger raised a bushy eyebrow. He placed a hand on his hip and looked down at her.

"What are you doing here?" There was more edge to her voice than she intended.

"Got a call reporting a break-in," he replied.

"Who called reporting a break-in? Just now?" she asked. Thankfully, she and Kurapika had partially spruced up the place before going to bed, so it didn't look like anyone had broken in. But the pictures were still on the floor against the wall and not all the dishes had been put away. "No one broke in. I live here, so I would know."

"Somebody did break-in," Kurapika said, coming to stand just behind her.

Really? Somehow, she refrained from giving him a glower, and instead lowered her gaze to her bare feet, which looked hideous. Why don't I weak socks to bed anymore?

"Is that so?" The Chief raised his hand. "Mind if I come inside then?"

"This is my apartment and yes I do mind." She crossed her arms. Though the stance struck her as silly and childish, her actions as well. Why was she so upset right now? And why was she so intent on not letting this man into her apartment. I have nothing to hide…

Swartzenbarger took a step back. "Alright. You don't have to press charges if you don't want. I just came here to help, little miss."

"I didn't call the police," she said. "I don't know who did. In fact, it was probably a prank of some kind, because someone is clearly out to frame me for things I didn't do as you already know."

"It's not a prank," Kurapika said, placing a warm hand on her shoulder. "I called the police."