Everyone was silent.
We all tried to figure out what had happened.
There was a blackout for about five seconds.
Then Chrollo got kidnapped in the process.
Was this the plan the entire time? Kidnap Chrollo? Use Gon and Killua as decoys?
If so, I'm worried about Chrollo. I'm afraid that Kurapika might harm him. Or maybe even kill him.
"Aoi, what's that behind you?" Nobunaga asked
"Huh?"
I turned around, there was a knife stuck on the pillar. Was that the object that flew past my face during the blackout?
"Here Shizuka, hold this kid" Nobunaga said
He was holding Gon by the ankles and passed him to Shizuka.
Nobunaga then walked towards the pillar and grab the knife. It had a note attached to it.
"You okay Pakunoda?" Machi asked
"Yeah. Kid broke my left arm and then kicked my face" Paku said
Her arm was bent in opposite ways and blood was gushing out of her nose.
"I got kicked on the side. I could feel a few broken ribs. We underestimated them" Machi said
"That reminds me, Aoi, you still didn't answer my question." Paku said, looking at me.
I stared at her. How do I respond?
"What is your connection with the chain-user and these kids?" She asked
"I don't know what you're talking about" I said in a serious tone.
"Aoi, I know. Something is going on. Tell me" She said
"I can't say" I said
"I'm sorry Aoi. But I'm going to have to look into your memories" She said
She used her right arm and grabbed my face. I could feel her nen energy swarming around me. She was just about to gain access to my memories until Nobunaga said something.
"Wait Pakunoda. Let go of her" Nobunaga said
"Why?" She asked
"Look at this note" Nobunaga said as he handed her the note from the knife.
Paku had a shocked look on her face.
"Remain quiet Pakunoda. Not a word out of your mouth. Okay?" Nobunaga said
Paku nodded her head.
"Hm? What did the note say?" Shizuka asked
"It said that Pakunoda is not allowed to discuss about the two kids memories. She is also off limits from accessing Aoi's memories as well. If she breaks it, then Boss dies" He said
I looked at Killua and Gon. They both had a look of relief on their faces.
"Aoi, Pakunoda is right. I know you're hiding something. But I can press onto it. It'll mean risking Boss's life if we interrogate you." Machi said
"I want to know your connection as well" Nobunaga said. "But let's wait for the chain-user to contact us"
"Why the chain-user?" Shizuka asked
"Because, he's the one that gave us this note. He's the one that kidnapped Chrollo from us. It is most likely that he's going to contact us. We got his friends as hostages" He said, pointing at Killua and Gon.
"Aoi, I'm sorry, but as of right now, your suspicious to the rest of us" Machi said.
"I have no comment" I said.
Just then, Phinks, Shalnark and Feitan walked into the hotel and joined us.
"Explain" Phinks said
Nobunaga then explained everything that happened from the moment we got here until now. He even mentioned that I am a suspect to all of this as well.
"Oh? I knew something was up with Aoi when she protected those kids back at the hideout" Feitan said
"Let's not pinpoint any of this on Aoi yet" Shalnark said
I smirked a bit. I knew this guy would defend me.
"Even if Aoi does have a connection with all of them, It is most likely she doesn't even know the real identity of this chain-user" He said.
"Oh? But we do know." Nobunaga said
I looked at him. Did Paku take the memories of the person who was running away with the scarlet eyes?
"What's his name?" Phinks asked
"His name is Kurapika" Nobunaga said
My eyes widen. This group knows that Kurapika is the chain-user now.
I think my reaction caused Feitan to look at me. He ran behind me and pinned me to the wall.
"Feitan!" Shalnark shouted
"I just saw her facial expression. She knows something" Feitan said
"That doesn't mean you pin her to the wall!" Phinks shouted
"What the hell Feitan" I said, trying to break free.
I could see Killua and Gon having a worried expression on their faces as they tried not to call out my name.
"Oi. Aoi" Nobunaga said as he took out his sword and placed it towards my neck.
I could feel the tip of the sword digging in as a trickle of blood streamed down.
"Are you a traitor Aoi? Just like Hisoka? Did you see information about this group too?" He asked
"No I didn't! I didn't sell any information!" I said
"That reminds me" Machi said. "I don't think she ever read her predictions"
"Come to think of it, your right." Phinks said
"Where's your paper Aoi?" Nobunaga said, still having his sword pointed at me
"It's in my pocket" I said
"I'll get it" Shalnark said.
He reached into my pocket and picked up the little piece of paper. Then he read it out loud.
This petal is lost in the field
She has one side, where she lives with the rest of the petals
Yet, she is also in love with the bloody eyes.
She knows of his chains but doesn't say a word
She regrets everything and eventually leaves her flower
For she will make her decision
And bring the eyes back to her true love.
"In love with the bloody eyes?" Shalnark repeated after reading the poem.
He then looked at me. A feeling of hurt inside him. I guess he still had feelings for me deep inside.
"Knows of his chains but doesn't say a word?" Phinks repeated
"Does that mean you knew who he was all along Aoi?" Feitan said, squeezing my arm tightly
"Ouch! and I still won't say anything!" I said
"It all makes sense to me now" Machi said
Everyone looked at her.
"I should've realized it sooner. These are the two kids Aoi was with back at the Hunter's exam" She said
"How are you sure?" Phinks asked
"I didn't really get to see the group of people she was with during that time, because I disguised my vision back there" She said. "I did remember her being with four people. Two of them being these kids"
She looked at Killua and Gon to see a change in their facial expressions. Luckily, they continued to keep their poker faces.
"Then that means, the chain-user is one of the people you were with during the Hunter's exam then" Nobunaga said.
I remained silent.
I actually didn't think Machi remembered.
Technically, I forgot she was there in disguise during the exam.
"This just makes you even more suspicious Aoi. You were protecting them even though this guy killed Uvogin!" Nobunaga shouted
I didn't know what to do or say. I'm cornered. I tried my best to protect Kurapika's identity and the kids. I feel like I failed. I should've never came back here with Hisoka and Machi.
That prediction was right. I do regret coming back here.
Our commotions were interrupted with Phink's cellphone going off. He looked at it.
"A call from our Boss?" Phinks said. Then he answered the call. "Hello?"
We were all quiet, looking at Phinks as he's in his conversation.
"Paku, phone for you" He said.
Paku walked up to him and took the phone.
Then she walked away from us, probably to an isolated area.
"It was the chain guy on the phone" Phinks said
"What did he say?" Nobunaga asked
"He said to leave Aoi alone" Phinks said
With that, Feitan let go of me and Nobunaga put his sword away.
"What if I harm her a bit huh?" Feitan said.
I glared at him.
"The guy said that if we lay a finger on her, Boss would be killed" Phinks said.
"Tch. Whatever then. You're lucky to be alive Aoi" Feitan said as he leaned against the wall
I rubbed my arms and neck before walking towards the pillar. I looked at Killua and Gon and they were glaring at everyone the entire time.
Pakunoda came back after another minute and then handed the phone to Nobunaga.
It was his turn to listen to whatever Kurapika had to say on the phone.
Then, Nobunaga came up to me.
"Phone for you Aoi" He said
I looked at him, then the phone.
Kurapika is going to speak to me?
With my hands shaking, I grabbed the phone. I slowly held it against my ear.
"H-Hello?" I said
"Hello Aoi"
My heart was beating rapidly.
It was Kurapika's voice.
"You don't have to say anything right now. All I need is for you to respond to me with a 'yes' or 'no.' Got it?" He asked
"Yes"
It really is Kurapika. It's been a long time since we last spoke to each other. And things didn't end perfectly there.
"Are all members of the Spiders with you right now?"
"No"
"Are there some back in your hideout?"
"Yes"
"Is Killua and Gon still there?"
"Yes"
"Are they hurt?"
"No"
"Did they hurt you?"
"No"
"Did they figure something out about you?"
"Yes"
"Do you consider yourself in danger at this moment?"
"Yes...and no"
I didn't know how to say 'maybe' if all I could respond are 'yes' and 'no'.
"Is there at least one person who would kill you?"
"Yes"
It was silent on the other line. Kurapika didn't say anything for the next thirty seconds.
"Do you have trust in what I'm doing with the Phantom Troupe?"
Trust? Do I trust him?
I don't know.
He killed Uvo.
He kidnapped Chrollo.
I don't know if he's going to kill everyone else here.
But then, maybe he might've found a way to disband this group without having anyone else be killed.
"Yes" I said.
I'm willing to put my full trust in Kurapika.
"Good. Here are my instructions for you, I want you to go to Ringo airport. Take any type of transportation you need. You will meet someone there. They will give you instructions upon your arrival. If you're okay with this, respond" He said
"Yes" I said
"Before you leave, put the phone next to Killua" Kurapika said
With that, I walked next to Killua and placed the phone next to his ear as he started talking.
"Hello?" Killua started. "Yes...one of them mentioned that we were at the hunters exam with her...no she's not hurt...no, no information was said to them."
With that, Killua shaked his head, indicating to take the phone away.
"Hello?" I said, bringing the phone back to my ear
"I want you to give the phone to Pakunoda now. As soon as you give her the phone, I want you to make your way to the airport. Do not say a single word to anyone if they try to talk to you" Kurapika said
With that, I passed the phone to Paku.
After that, I turned around and started walking towards the hotel door.
"Aoi, where are you going?" Phinks asked
I ignored him.
Keep walking
"Aoi!" Shalnark called out to me
Keep walking
"Where do you think you're going?" Nobunaga said
Ignore them. Just go.
"Where is she going?" I heard Shizuka said
I walked out of the revolving doors and summoned out my viola. I played some notes and made myself a musical cloud.
As I traveled to Ringo airport, once question came into my mind.
How is this going to end?
Author's Note
Hello fellow readers!
I honestly thought I would have time to make one more chapter but due to the schedule I have today (11/25/2015) I won't be able to make another for you all before break. Sorry!
I hope I left this chapter for ya'll before the break without a super suspenseful cliffhanger.
On the side note, when I come back from the break, there is at least 3 (or less) more chapters before the end of this story.
I will let you all have your predictions on how this story is going to end :)
Until then, have a wonder Thanksgiving faithful readers and God bless!