Episode 59: Walking On Broken Glass

It took me a while for my eyes to adjust to the sudden harsh burst of light when I was yanked out of the room that I was confined in. I blinked my eyes repeatedly and raised my head slowly.

There were many people assembled before my very eyes. Some were sitting while others were leaning against walls. One thing that I was sure of was that every single pair of eyes was all fixed on me. Immediately, I snapped my head back down, avoiding any eye-contact.

Franklin eased his hold on me and stepped back. Hisoka took me by the shoulders and steered me over to them.

" W-Wait…what do you think that you're doing? " I demanded, pulling back.

" We're just going to do a simple introduction is all, princess, " Hisoka pouted.

" Well, I'm not going to do it! " I screamed. " Not if I can help it though! "

" Hikari. "

I froze as a chill ran down my spine. There was something in his voice that made me stop. Something creepy yet impassive. Without another word, the jester walked me over to them…to the Spiders.

" Come now everyone, this is Hikari…Kurapica's most cherished person in his life. "

***

Senritsu watched the boy, out of the corner of her eye. He had been walking in silence for the past 30 minutes or so, not that she was counting though. It might have been more than that. After that phone call earlier, Senritsu noticed that Kurapica's face still wore that same mask of emotion. Detachment. The woman had questioned him about the call but however, the boy did not talk much about it. In fact, he refused to even breathe a word. She was not stupid. Senritsu knew that the phone call was a threat involving Hikari judging from the apparent change of expression on Kurapica's face. Something had happened.

" Kurapica… "

Still, the seventeen-year-old remained obstinate and continued to her give the cold shoulder.

" Kurapica, I know you're listening to me, " she continued anyway, ignoring that fact completely. " Hikari's going to be fine…They're not going to harm her. "

Her friend did not reply but kept walking forward. She did not know where they were going but wherever it is he was headed, she was going to, whether he wanted her to or not. After all, that was what friends are for.

Never to abandon someone in need…

" I'm sure she doesn't want you to worry about her too much, " she added, glancing at him.

" Kurapica- "

Unable to take it anymore, Kurapica whirled around to face her and shouted, " You don't know what they're playing at, Senritsu! They've got Gon and everyone with them! If I don't act fast, they're going to die! "

His fists were balled up at his side as he glared at his friend, breathing hard.

The woman stared at him, wordlessly as her eyes widened in disbelief.

" What?!? " she gasped. " But, that's impossible. They shouldn't be here in the first place. "

Kurapica smirked, " That's something that I want to know as well, Senritsu. "

With that, he turned his back to her and strode off, leaving her there in the middle of the path.

" Well, I'm here! Now, show yourselves! " the Hunter yelled furiously, turning this way and that.

Kurapica could hardly see anything through the scarlet haze as his eyes turned red, matching his feelings of rage.

" I see that you're here…Kurapica. "

Kurapica swivelled around at the mention of his name. There they stood, every single one of them. The eleven members of the Spiders. With the exception of Kuroro of course. He scanned the faces that were present before him. No, his friends were not there amongst them.

" Where are they? " he demanded, his chain fully extended out before him.

Kurapica knew that he could not let his guard down. He looked at them through alert eyes as he stiffened and arched his back. The Hunter was ready for anything that was thrown his way. After all, this was the second showdown since last year.

Two showdowns in two years…

Man, I could almost get tired by waiting…

Hikari…

Everyone…

" K-Kurapica…? "

His eyes widened at the mention of his name. The boy could recognise this voice anywhere. The voice of the singing princess in his life. His one and only relation after the mass carnage of the Kuruta tribe. His childhood friend.

" Hikari… "

His voice came out in a husky whisper as he slowly turned around to face her.