"Tonight, we will go to the Kuruta clan and kill every one of them. We are there to steal their eyes" Chrollo said as we all bowed to him.
"Oh man, those eyes are going to be worth a fortune when I get my hands on them" Nobunaga said as he took out his sword and swung it around, pretending to slash the air
"What's so special about their eyes boss?" I asked Chrollo
"They're the only clan that obtain the 'scarlet eyes'. Their eyes turns into that color when they get emotional. It is also told that if they die with those eyes, then it stays like that forever. Even through death and it does not decay" Shalnark said as he wrap his arm around my shoulder
"Aoi, I would like you to use your cello to take control on one of them. That way we can have easy access to their village without getting caught" Chrollo said
"Sure, no problem boss" I said with a smile.
"Oh yeah! Killing spree again!' Uvogin said in excitement
"Do I clean up the bodies with my vacuum?" Shizuku asked
"Yes you do. Chrollo just mentioned it a minute ago Shizuku" Machi said with a sigh
"Oh, I don't recall" Shizuku said while scratching her head.
I chuckled at her air-headedness. Once she forgets something, she can never ever remember it.
"Let's go everyone. It's time to get those eyes" Chrollo said as we all followed him.
We reached to the Kuruta village and it was time for me to play my part. I stepped in the area and approached a clan member.
"Excuse me sir" I said as I approached a man with a blue tribal uniform.
"Oh. Hello. What is a young girl like you way out here?" The man asked
"Well. I'm actually lost. I was looking for a city to go to but I think I took the wrong turn from my travels" I said, acting lost.
"Oh? I see. Follow me. I shall lead you back on the road" The man said
"Thank you so much for your kindness" I said with a smile and bowed towards him.
He turned around and started walking while I sneaked behind him and pulled a strand of his hair. I then used my nen and summoned my cello out of my necklace and wrapped the hair around my bow. The man turned around and saw me with my instrument.
"Huh? Where did you get that from? What are you doing?" He asked suspiciously
"I'm sorry sir. But it's showtime" I gave a wicked smile and played some notes on my cello
I immediately got control of the man and we headed back to the group.
"Chrollo. I got control of him. Are we going to the rest of the clan now?" I asked
"Good job Aoi" Chrollo said as he patted my head. "Are you ready?"
I nodded my head. "Ready whenever you are sir."
"Alright! Let's go already!" Uvogin cried impatiently
"Be patient Uvogin. Let Aoi do her part" Chrollo said
"Okay. Mister. Take us to your village. Where all the other Kuruta clan members are"
I played a couple of notes and the man started walking as we followed him.
He eventually led to to the rest of the villagers as we see people walking around the area. I forced the man to approach the other villagers as they stare at him with concern.
"Hey, are you alright?"
"You seem quiet. Did something happen?"
"Oi! What's wrong?"
"Wait, who are they!?"
A woman saw us and pointed at us to the other villagers. They all looked at us with suspicious looks.
"Well I guess the cats out of the bag" Shalnark said as he shrugged his shoulders
"Aoi, kill him" Chrollo said
"Yes sir!" I said as I jumped in the air and stood right behind the man.
"W-What are you doing!?" A man shouted
I picked up my flute and slashed the mans neck.
"AAAAAHHH!"
The villagers screamed and started to run away while the rest of the Spiders split up to kill the other Kuruta clan members.
I walked around the area, playing my flute and killing anyone that was in my way. They all had those beautiful scarlet eyes that Chrollo was talking about.
After slashing each person, one by one, Kertopi walked around each corpse, took out their eyes and placed them in jars.
I found an area that was covered in bushes and summoned out my viola. I played a loud scale to search the area for heart pulses. Luckily, I felt four pulses.
I summoned out my flute again and cut through the bushes until I see the four people I sensed earlier. It was a family. A mother, father and their two children.
I myself am fifteen years old so I'm not that much older than the kids.
"P-Please...spare us..." The mother said. Her eyes showing that color.
"I'm sorry. But my boss wants your eyes" With that, I slashed the mother and fathers necks as the children stood there in fear.
"NOOOO!" Screamed out one of the kids
I raised my flute up, about to kill the kids too but I stopped. My arm wouldn't move. I couldn't kill them. Why couldn't I kill them?
Those two kids looked at me, confused as well. I can't seem to kill them. Is it because their kids? Nonsense. I've killed people before.
But I've never killed children before.
"Don't kill us. Please. Miss!" One of the children pleaded.
"Miss huh?" I said. I lowered my flute and had my arms by my sides. "You called me miss?"
"W-we don't want to die miss...please don't kill us..." The two kids were hugging each other for protection.
I don't know why, but them calling me 'miss' made me stop. What am I doing? Why am I killing people in the first place?
"Go, run away." I said without thinking
"Huh?" They looked at me confused
"Run away now!" I screamed
Both kids got up and started running without hesitation. It wasn't until then that I saw two bullets heading towards the kids and they were hit. I saw their bodies tumble over.
"Aoi! Why did you let them escape?" Paku said as she blew the smoke off her gun
It was Paku that killed those kids. She didn't show any empathy. I did. I felt terrible that they died. But I wasn't showing any emotions about it. I just feel horrible.
"I don't know. They called me 'miss'" I said
"Hmph. Oh well. They're dead now. Deal with it." Paku said as she started to walk away.
I looked at the two dead bodies. It made me sick to my stomach. Why is it that I feel bad for killing them now? They're just kids. I shouldn't feel terrible. I've always killed people.
But they're kids. I made a mistake. Killing people, is not for me. I can't do this anymore. This isn't right.
"I'm sorry. I should have done something but I didn't" I said to the bodies.
I turned around and started following Paku until I noticed a figure about 20 feet away from me.
I squinted my eyes to see who that figure was and it was a very familiar person.
This person was around my height, blond hair, and showing their scarlet eyes. Why do I know this person? He looks exactly like...
"Kurapika?" How did I know that this person is Kurapika?
"Aoi. How could you?" Kurapika said as he slowly walked up to me
"W-what? How are you here? I thought you were younger..." I asked confused
I then looked at myself and I am back to being my nineteen year old self. What is going on?
"How could you? You killed my clan! You're a cold blooded person!" Kurapika said as he screamed at me.
I looked at my surroundings and no one was around. All the dead bodies were gone. Everything seemed pitch black. It was only me and Kurapika left.
"What? I-I...Kurapika I'm sorry..." I said
"No you're not! You were toying with me the whole time! Weren't you!?" Kurapika said.
He was now right in front of me and put his hands on my shoulders. He had a tight grip which was hurting me.
"K-Kurapika...it hurts..." I said
"TELL ME WHY YOU DID THIS! WHY DID YOU KILL THEM!?" He was yelling so loud that my ears were ringing.
"No...you were not supposed to find out like this..." I said. Looking at his face
Now one eye was scarlet and the other eye was black and blue.
"Aoi, I'm sorry it had to come this way" He said
"What do you mean by that?" I asked
With that, I felt something sharp hit me. I looked down and noticed a knife through my stomach. Kurapika just stabbed me.
I fell to the ground and coughed up a lot of blood. This is it. It's over. It's all over. I will never be able to tell him I love him.
"Kurapika...why...I'm sorry..." I said, shortness in breath
"This is my revenge Aoi. Goodbye"
Kurapika faded away and it was just me in this dark area. All of this feels real. I feel pain in my chest and stomach. Kurapika killed me. This is how I die. Isn't it?
My eyes opened wide and I shot up from the bed. I had that dream again. It's been three straight days that I had this nightmare. I wiped off the sweat around my face and looked around.
"It's just a dream...again." I looked at the ground. "It felt real"
I remember everything that happened that day. When I killed members of the Kuruta clan. I remember feeling horrible after seeing those kids die.
My dreams are frightening me. Is this what's going to happen between me and Kurapika if he ever finds out? Will he kill me? For revenge?
Suddenly there was a knock on the door and I opened it. It was Killua.
"Good morning Miss Aoi" Killua said
Miss...that's right. Those kids called me 'miss'. I guess that's why I'm okay with Killua calling me that. It reminded me of four years ago.
"Morning Killua" I said with a faint smile
"They sent me to get you. Lippo is back with the airship to take us to Zevil Island. That's where the fourth part of the exam will take place" He said
"Oh really? Okay. let me get my stuff and I'll be there" I said
"Hurry or else we'll leave you" Killua said as he walked away.
I went into the bathroom to wash my face. My eyes looked horrible. They were puffy. I haven't had a good night's sleep for the past few days. All I've had were those nightmares and then me staying up the rest of the night. I didn't even do anything these three days. I mainly stayed in the room, avoiding Kurapika and the others.
I put my number pin on and headed outside the hotel. There, I see Lippo standing in front of the airship.
"Did you enjoy your mini vacation?" Lippo asked
"Sort of" I whispered
"We will be heading to Zevil Island for the next part of the exam. Please hop on so we can leave" He said as he started to walk inside the plane.
I looked up and noticed all my friends standing at the balcony. Gon was waving towards me.
"Aoi! Hurry up or you'll get left behind!" Gon shouted
"Yo! Let's go! You're so slow!" Leorio shouted
"I'm coming!" I yelled as I ran inside the plane.
We took off and headed to Zevil Island. I walked to my group of friends and had a chat with them. I didn't really talked to Kurapika because I couldn't give him eye contact. After what I've been dreaming, I don't trust myself around him.
It took out two hours to reach to Zevil island and we all got off and waited for Lippo's instructions.
"This is Zevil Island. This is the start of the fourth exam. There are a total of twenty-four people here. Many people lost back at the other island while treasure hunting. If you all didn't know, that was a mini test."
I looked around and didn't realize that we had a smaller number of people. I didn't expect the treasure hunting for Jinah and Banah to be difficult for some people.
"Before we can start the fourth exam" Lippo snapped his fingers and a woman came out of the plane with a box. "I want all of you to draw numbers"
We all looked at Lippo in confusion. Why does he want us to draw numbers?
"This box contains all the numbers we were assigned for the Hunter exam. This will go by the order of people that arrived at the end of Trick Tower. That means number #44 will go first" Lippo said
Hisoka, being number 44 approached the box and picked up a number. Then it was a tall man with an emotionless expression and pins all over his face. It was sort of creepy. I guess this is the guy Hanzo mentioned was second to the bottom of Trick Tower. After the creepy guy was Hanzo and we all lined up to pick a number.
I was the last person in line since I was the last person to cross through the door when we reached to the bottom of Trick Tower. I picked up my number but I didn't see it. I just looked at Lippo as he began instructing us on what to do.
"These numbers you picked up represent the numbers from the other candidates here. What you'll be doing with that number, is to get their number pin." said Lippo
"Huh? Get their number?" Leorio asked
"What do you mean?" Gon asked
"The objective for this part of the exam is to steal each other's number plates. The numbers you drew is your target. So you have to steal the number that is on your paper."
Everyone looked around with suspicious eyes. We all took off our number plates and hid them in our pockets. That way it protects ourselves. Hopefully no one remembers my number.
"In order to pass this exam, you will need six points." Said the woman
"How will we get these six points?" Hanzo asked
"Here is how you can get the six points" Lippo said as he snapped his fingers again and the woman pulled out a sheet. "Your target's number plate is worth three point, If you managed to keep your own number plate, that is another three points. Other than that, capturing a non-target plate costs one point. Fairly simple right?"
"Easy enough to understand" Killua said
"Wait, what? I don't get it" Leorio said
"That's because you're an idiot" I said
"You take that back!" Leorio shouted
"Nope" I said as I looked away.
"The entire Zevil Island is your field. You all have exactly one week to finish the objective. Do whatever it takes to obtain six points. I wish you all good luck" Lippo said as he went back inside the plane.
"We will distribute each of you into the island through two minute intervals. Again, we will go by the order of those who arrived at the bottom of Trick Tower. So will number 44 please go first" The woman said as she pointed Hisoka the path into the island.
Hisoka had his creepy smirk and started walking into the island. As each two minute pass, the next person went into the island. I had to wait at least forty minutes before it's my turn into the island. I looked at Kurapika and he was looking at me too.
"Did you look at your number yet Aoi?" Kurapika asked
"Not really. I didn't have the chance to look after I picked up my card. I'll probably look at it once I get on the island. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise now" I said with a smile.
"I see. I don't have your number so you don't have to worry about it" He said while smiling
"I'm not worried." I said
"Do you have plans on how you're going to get your target number?" He asked
"Not really. It depends if I remember who the owner of that number is" I replied
"I see. Well. If you have my number, do the best you can to get it" He said
"Huh? What do you mean?" I questioned
"Try to steal my number. If you have it" He smiled
"Oh" That's a small percentage I'll have his number.
"Next! Number 404, you're turn!" said the woman
"Well that's me, good luck Aoi. I'll see you in a week" He said as he stepped into the island.
Pretty soon, Gon, Leorio and Killua had their turn into the island. All that's left was me.
"Okay. You can go now" The lady said with a smile
"Thank you. I will see you in a week" I said and headed down a tree path into the island.
One week huh? I wonder who my target it.
I took the number card out of my pocket and flipped it over. To my surprise, its number 404. Kurapika's number.
"You got to be kidding me..." I said to myself
What am I going to do? Should I attempt to steal his plate number? I was hoping this week would take my mind off of Kurapika. I guess fate has brought me to him. Unless I avoid him at all cost and steal other plate numbers.
That's probably my best bet. There's no way I'm going to steal Kurapika's plate number. I need time for myself. I need to think about ways to prevent Kurapika from finding out the truth about me.
I wonder how everyone else is doing. Will I see my friends again after a week? Will I bump into Kurapika? If so, don't know what to do. I looked at the number card again. #404.
Why does life have to be so unfair? I thought to myself as I walked deeper into the island, wishing myself luck out here.