Ring...
Ring...
Ring...
"Hello?" Said the person on the other end of the line.
I smiled.
"It's nice to finally hear your voice" I said, still smiling. "Leorio."
"Heh." I can hear Leorio chuckle. "Same to you Aoi."
"I'm not even surprised at the fact that it was you who called." I said.
"At least I know you're alive and well. Did anyone hurt you though?" He asked.
"No." I said, shaking my head. "I"m fine."
"Good" Leorio said as I could hear him sigh on the other line. "Where are you right now?"
"I'm just chilling around the playground near the auction site." I said as I paused. "I said my goodbye's. I left my home Leorio. I'm ready to come back to you guys."
We were both silent for a good minute.
I am finally ready to go back to my group of friends. I'm ready to see Kurapika.
"I've been waiting for you to say that Aoi." Leorio finally spoke. "Wait there. I'm coming to you."
With that, he hung up the phone as I did the same.
I placed my phone in my pocket and picked up the jar of scarlet eyes.
I'm going to give this back to you Kurapika. Please accept this and forgive me.
I was sitting at a bench and continued to look out for Leorio. I has been over an hour since my phone call with him.
It's been almost 7 months since I've seen Leorio.
Well despite that whole scene back at the hotel when Chrollo got kidnapped. I didn't get a chance to actually speak to Leorio.
Last time we had an actual conversation was during the final match of the Hunter's exam.
It was right after Hisoka killed Bodoro. That poor guy.
I still feel bad about that.
I remember Leorio being there and comforted me. He really helped me calm down after that whole mess.
What a friend...
"Yo." said a familiar voice.
I blinked my eyes a couple of times and looked to my left.
Leorio was standing right next to me. Looking down at me.
"Leorio!" I shouted his name.
I hopped off the bench and gave him a huge bear hug.
"Woah. Take it easy kid." He said, caught by surprise from my hug.
"I'm sorry. It's just..." I started tearing up. "I'm really glad to see you Leorio."
Some tears streamed down my face. They were tears of joy.
"Hey now." Leorio said as he patted my head. "I"m glad to see you too Aoi."
We both sat back on the bench as I wiped the tears off my face.
"What did you do these past couple months? Like, before coming to York Shin City." I asked.
"I was studying." He said with a smirk.
"Eh? Studying?" I questioned.
"Yup. I studied for my official medical license." He said.
"Wow. Did you pass?" I asked, anxiously.
"Of course I did." He said with the most cheesiest smile ever.
"Awesome!" I shouted as I lightly punched his arm. "You're now an official licensed Medical Hunter right?"
"Yup I am!" He smiled again.
"What brought you to York Shin City anyways?" I asked.
"I received a phone call from Kurapika. He said he needed my help for the auctions. Plus, he asked me to track you down." He said.
"I see. I'm glad you had an awesome time after the Hunter exams" I said, smiling towards him.
My smile turned into a frown.
I feel terrible that I caused a lot of trouble for my friends.
Especially towards Kurapika.
"Hey, you remember what I said before?" Leorio asked.
"Huh? What?" I asked confused.
"Back at the Hunter exam. I know you did a terrible thing in the past. Heck, I was surprised at first when Kurapika removed your glove." He started.
"Oh..." I said quietly.
Leorio continued talking.
"I wasn't mad Aoi." he said. "I know you were probably going through a lot. Plus, I'm pretty sure you're willing to repent for all those sins you've committed in your past."
Tears started forming in my eyes again.
"With that, you're still a part of the group to me Aoi." He finally said.
"Thank you Leorio." I said, tears steaming down my face again.
"Come on. No more crying. You're getting to mushy with me." He said, embarrassed.
"Haha. Sorry. I'm just really emotional after everything that happened this past week." I said, wiping tears off my face.
"What happened?" He asked.
I was quiet for a long minute.
"Two of my friends from the Troupe died." I said sadly.
"I'm sorry about that Aoi. Did they both die from Kurapika?" Leorio asked
"Yeah." I said quietly. "They did and now my boss is missing. I didn't even get to give him a proper goodbye."
"Are you mad at Kurapika?"
I looked at Leorio.
Me? Mad at Kurapika?
Why should I be mad at him?
This is probably a fair share on both parties, we got what we deserved after killing his clan.
"No. I'm not mad at him. All I want to do is see him." I said.
Leorio looked at me and then made a small laugh.
"Same for him" He said. "After this whole fiasco was over, Kurapika mentioned that he can't wait to see you."
"Oh" I was blushing. "Where is he now?"
"Well..." Leorio started off. "He really tired himself out. Probably haven't slept for a couple of days. He's currently recovering from a fever and exhaustion."
"What?!" I shouted. "I-Is Kurapika okay!?"
"Relax. He's fine. Melody's taking care of him now." He said.
Melody.
She's the girl that's working with Kurapika.
"I see. I'm glad Kurapika is able to relax." I said with a smile.
"You think you're ready to go see him?" Leorio asked.
I was silent again.
Time to see Kurapika.
I've waited months to finally be with him. Officially be with him.
"Yeah. I am." I said.
I leaned to my right and picked up the jar of Scarlet Eyes.
"Woah. I didn't even notice you got that thing with you." Leorio said as he jumped up.
"Yeah. I grabbed this when I left home. I'm giving it back to Kurapika." I said as I looked into those beautiful eyes.
"He'll be happy to see you returning those to him." Leorio said. "Let's head back. I'm pretty sure Gon and Killua are waiting for you too."
"I'm looking forward to seeing the kids again, safe and sound." I said with a chuckle.
With that, I followed Leorio back to the same hotel where Chrollo was kidnapped.
"You guys were actually staying in this hotel?" I asked.
"Yup. That is where Kurapika's client was staying at." Leorio answered.
"I see."
Neon was his client. I wonder how she is doing ever since Chrollo took her special abilities.
"Welcome back to your new family." Leorio said as he smiled at the room door.
The hotel room number was 406. How ironic.
Leorio took out his key card and opened the door.
Just behind the door, I can see Killua and Gon wrestling for the remote.
"Come on Gon, it's my turn!" Killua shouted.
"No! I want to watch!" Gon shouted back.
"Oi! Killua! Gon!" Leorio screamed. "I'm back. Look who I brought!"
Both kids stopped fighting and looked up.
Their smiles widened at the sight of me.
"Aoi!" Gon shouted in excitement.
"Miss Aoi!" Killua shouted as well.
They dropped the remote and ran towards me.
"Hey there kiddos" I said as I patted their heads. "It's really awesome to finally seeing you two."
"We really missed you Aoi." Gon said, his smile still wide.
"I missed you guys too." I said.
"Are you still a member of the Spiders?" Killua asked.
"No" I said, shaking my head. "Kurapika had me released from the gang."
"Do you miss them?" Gon asked.
"I do. I'm gonna miss my family." I said sadly. "But, I'm going to explore more with my new family"
I grabbed the boys and pulled them into a tight hug.
"Miss Aoi! This is embarrassing!" Killua said as he tried to free from my grasp.
"Ahem." Leorio coughed to get my attention.
"Yes Leorio?"
I let go of the boys and turned to Leorio. Melody was standing next to him.
"Hello again Aoi." Melody greeted me with a warm smile.
"Hello Melody" I smiled back at her.
"Judging by the sound of your heart beat, you are very anxious to see Kurapika." She said.
She's not wrong.
"I guess I am" I said.
Her lips curled.
"Kurapika still has his fever. He's sleeping in the other room right now." Melody said.
She was pointing at a door down the hall.
"Is it okay for me to go in?" I asked
"Go. He'll be glad to see you first when he wakes up." Leorio said as he nudged my shoulder.
I looked ahead and slowly walked to the door.
Kurapika is right behind this door.
I tightly gripped onto the jar and slowly reached for the door knob.
Here goes nothing. I thought to myself as I opened the door.
I popped my head through the opening of the door and looked inside.
I see Kurapika asleep on the bed.
I approached the bed and grabbed a nearby chair.
I set it right next to him and sat down. I even placed the jar of Scarlet eyes on the side.
His fever looks bad. I could see a lot of sweat coming from his forehead.
I grabbed a cloth on the nightstand and wiped it off.
"Hi Kurapika." I said softly as I reached for his hand.
His hand was warm.
I miss his touch.
"I'm right here Kurapika. I missed you." I said as I lowered my head.
Now is the time to wait.
Wait for Kurapika to wake up.
It wasn't long before I felt a response from him.
I felt Kurapika's hand gripping onto mine.
I slowly looked up.
Kurapika's eyes were open.
He's awake!
He turned his head and looked at me.
"Hello Aoi."