Episode 57: Separated Friends
It was then that I felt that vicious stab in my stomach as I doubled over in pain, gasping. It was the very same pain that I had experienced earlier on… during our separation. It was getting really bad as I clutched at my tummy and dropped to my knees, sobbing.
It hurts…
It really hurts…
Weakly, I grasped Hisoka's ankle and looked up at him.
" Please stop it…it's really painful. "
For a moment, the older man stared at me.
" So, are you willing to be compliant? " he asked me, the sneer still intact on his face.
" C-Compliant…? " I stumbled.
The jester leaned down and touched my cheek.
I shuddered at his touch. It was so cold, unlike Kurapica's. It was sickening. I pulled away despite my pain and moved away from him.
" Maybe, you aren't listening to what I've said before, princess but I have a nasty bombshell that will explode if you do not do as we ask you to. "
" Honestly Hisoka. For once, you could be a little nicer to your victims. "
My eyes immediately snapped towards the source, the person who had spoken.
A boy, about Kurapica's age stood at the doorway. He had these piercing green eyes and flat mud-coloured brown hair.
" Ah Shalnark, it's you. "
Hisoka only gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.
" Stop bullying the poor thing, " Shalnark continued as he advanced further into the room, towards me and Hisoka with his hands in his pockets. " After all, she's our
kibou. "
The jester snorted, " Hope? Besides, I am not able to do that to her remember? "
" Oh that's right. " He turned to the door and yelled out, " Machi, cut it out! You're seriously hurting her! "
Hisoka stood up and looked over at the boy.
" Shalnark, I think you're becoming a little too soft-hearted, if you know what I mean. "
" Shut that damn mouth of yours, Hisoka. I don't need your clown comments, " the boy in question shot back. " And for your information, she's under my control as well, just to be safe. "
He stabbed a finger in my direction, indicating something that I could not see.
" Oh, that. "
My eyes narrowed at this.
" What's that 'that'? " I demanded, struggling to get back on my feet.
The both of them stopped and turned back to me.
" Hmm? " Hisoka began lazily. " That means you can't run off and escape, my dear. "
" Where am I? " I shrieked out. " Where did you take me? "
For a moment, the two of them stared at me before they burst out laughing.
" Stop laughing, you two. "
A purple-haired woman broke their laughter into silence with just these four words. Boy, she looked really cold.
" Did you feed her, Hisoka? "
The jester shook his head, " Nope. I don't see why she needs food. "
The woman shot him a death glare.
" You are asking for trouble, Hisoka. You want her to die of hunger, don't you? "
" I'm not implying – "
" She's human, " she interrupted, before turning to Shalnark. " Go and get her something to eat. "
" Me? " the boy whined. " Why me? "
" Because I asked you to, " the woman answered shortly. " And please close the door after you leave. "
Shalnark muttered something indistinct under his breath before he turned sharply on his heel and left, slamming the door behind him.
I winced at the loud bang.
" Well now, " she continued as if nothing had happened and approached me, eyeing me steadily.
I stiffened, disliking the look that was evident in her intense green eyes. Indifference was the right word to describe this woman who was now before me, only a few feet away. I could not help but feel slightly intimidated but I still stood my ground.
" I expected more…but you look like you're about to break or something. "
She was mocking me, I knew but what for?
" Machi, I think you overstepped the line. "
It was Hisoka.
" You nearly killed her back there, had I not intervened. "
Machi stared at him, annoyed.
" A scare was good enough, it was not like she was resisting. Besides, I don't agree with your choice. "
Hisoka raised an eyebrow.
" My choice? " he drawled. " You based yours on the outside. "
The woman shot him an icy glare and immediately Hisoka knew that he had hit the right spot and his grin widened.
" Jyonen is serious business, Hisoka. It would do you good to remember that, " she snapped. " We must be very particular about this. After all, we're talking about the boss's life here. "
***
Kurapica met Senritsu at the mouth of the cave.
" Did you find her, Kurapica? " the woman demanded, as soon as she spotted her friend.
The seventeen-year-old shook his head, no. Senritsu found it really difficult to read his expression because his face was partly concealed by his golden hair. However, judging from his erratic heartbeats, Senritsu knew that the Hunter was really livid and worried at the same time.
The Spiders really had us in, this time…
Why…?
Was it because of Hikari…?
She glanced at Kurapica who remained silent, the whole time ever since they started walking.
" Kurapica, did something happen in the cave? " Senritsu asked him.
Her friend did not answer her and chose to remain mum.
" Kurapica… " she trailed off, suddenly feeling lost and helpless.
The tension heavy in the air was palpable, as it pressed down on the two.
Hikari…
Just, where are you…?
He simply kept on walking, with her trying to catch up with his long and swift strides. Senritsu knew that the boy did not want to talk about it.
" Kurapica, you know that it's not your fault that Hikari's gone, " she told him, continuing whether or not he was listening. " You can't keep blaming yourself every single time, something goes wrong. "
Still, he chose to remain quiet.
Just then, Kurapica's mobile phone rang, stabbing at the silence with its sharp ringtone.
Both of them stopped dead as Kurapica fished around in his pocket for his phone.
He flipped it open and put it to his ear, listening intently.
" Chain boy, it's me. "
The Hunter's azure eyes widened in apprehension at the unknown voice on the other line.
" Meet me at the same place where the last exchange took place between you and Pakunoda in one hour. Remember, you struck that deal with me so no cheap tricks. "
With that, the stranger disconnected and the line went dead.