Episode 56: Careless Mistake
" NO! " Kurapica yelled, the moment he heard the girl's scream. " HIKARI! "
Blindly, he ran forward and collided with a wall in front.
" HIKARI! " he shouted for her, his head spinning from the direct impact. " HIKARI, WHERE ARE YOU? "
However, he got no response in return.
" ANSWER ME, HIKARI! WHERE ARE YOU? "
Repeatedly, he called but the girl gave no reply. He listened hard for anything, anything at all that would give him a clue to lead him directly to his childhood friend.
The dark canopy gave nothing away, none of secrets to be divulged.
" Hikari… "
This time, his voice sounded muted and more distant. The tears that he had struggle with so hard, was finally squeezing out and now streaming in mild streaks down his face.
Why…?!?
How could this have happened…?
Those two words of mine…
And to be swayed by Hikari's lopsided smile…
I should not have agreed to do this in the first place…
Why…?
Why was I so careless…?!
I knew that the Spiders will be here…
Sooner or later…
To think that they took her just like that…
From right under my nose…
Unconsciously, his eyes illuminated with the crimson color of blood.
I'll find you…
Hikari, whatever it takes…
I'm going to find you…
Even if it means sacrificing my life for yours…
I'll do it willingly, no questions asked…
" Blond boy… "
Almost instantly, the seventeen-year-old's head snapped up.
" Who's there? " he demanded guardedly, instinctively backing himself against the wall to prevent any one from jumping him.
Now, he only had to take attacks from left, right and the front.
" There's no need to sound so cold, boy. I have Hikari with me – "
" Is she safe? " Kurapica interrupted, his chain ready before him, eager to kill.
The voice laughed.
" Of course she is, Kurapica…at least, we will not hurt her if you do as we instruct you to do so… " it continued.
Kurapica was silent as he considered his next move.
" So,
what will it be, chain boy? I know you're smart but don't try to
outsmart us because we have all of your friends here with us as
well…not only the girl. "
At this, his eyes widened in shock.
What…?!?
Gon, Killua and Leorio too…?!
How is this possible…?!
They shouldn't be here at all…!
" What are you talking about? " the Hunter asked angrily.
" You know what I'm saying, Kurapica so I suggest that you do we ask. "
" What do you want? " the boy asked finally.
" I'll turn those three friends of yours to you, safely but you have to release the Nen restrictions on Kuroro, do you understand me? "
I have to consider what my next move is going to be...
One wrong step…
And everything will be lost…
My friends will be dead…
And Hikari...
He did not want to think about what his life was going to be like without the Light of his life to elucidate his way.
" Alright then, it's settled, " was all he said, in an emotionless voice in order to take great care to suppress the uncontrolled and violent emotions within himself.
I'll find you guys…
Don't you worry…
I'll find a way to get you all out of this…
After all, it was me who started all this…
And it will be me to end it all…
***
" What are you talking about? " I demanded bitterly as I recoiled away from him. " Where are my friends? "
The older man simply smirked at me and shrugged his shoulders.
" You look really cute, all scrunched up like that, " he told me, looking amused.
" Don't change the subject, " I said sharply. " Now, tell me what did you do to them? "
" For a young girl, your age, you look so weak and small…it's not a wonder why that blond boy took an instant responsibility of taking care of you. He never lets you out of his sight, doesn't he? "
My eyes widened at the stranger's words.
" Well, it doesn't matter now. Blond boy's gone. He's not going to come for you anymore, princess – "
" Stop calling me that! " I cut in. " I have a name that my friends' gave me and it's Hikari to you, mister whoever-you-are! "
He had his eyebrows raised.
" Light? " he scoffed. " It's not like you are one. "
I shot him a dirty look in reply.
" My name is Hikari, you have no right to mock it. "
The stupid jester actually laughed at me.
" I don't see anything funny in it, mister! " I shot back.
He stopped.
" Yes, me neither. Jokes aside, Hikari. First of all, my name is Hisoka and not Mister. I'm sorry to say that but I'm afraid you are coming with me and the Spiders, though I'm not one by any chance. "
" What?! " I gasped, looking horror-struck. " What do you mean by that? "
Hisoka took one look at me, and his smile widened.
" You see, the transaction is very simple. All we need you to do for us is to release the Nen restrictions being placed upon…someone. "
My eyes narrowed, " And who is that someone? "
" You'll see in few hours time. Anyway, it shouldn't be too difficult for you isn't it? I mean you've done this before, haven't you? "
I folded my arms across my chest in defiance.
" And why should I tell you whether I've had experience or not? " I deviated his question with another one of my own.
" Trying to act all bratty now, are we? " The jester responded and then he gave me, a cruel and cold smile.
" Well, we'll see whether you change your mind after this…I've got one nasty little jester surprise especially for the two of you, princess… "