Episode 66: A Festered Promise

" Kurapica, you've not eaten anything for the past twelve hours, much less allowed water to grace those dehydrated lips of yours, " Senritsu pleaded. " Please eat something or at least drink some water to keep yourself hydrated. I'm sure Hikari wouldn't want you to be in this state, " Gon added , tugging on Kurapica's shirt sleeve. " Please? "

Still, the boy did not reply. He simply ignored them completely and continued staring at Hikari's pasty and troubled face.

" Kurapica… " Leorio began but the seventeen-year-old cut him off.

" Please just leave me alone with her for the time being, " he said this without even looking at any of them.

His voice sounded flat and cold, devoid of any emotions at all.

" But – "

" Please just go. "

Silently, all of them left the hospital ward and closed the door behind them.

It tortured him so much to see Hikari, lying down there, on the stark white hospital bed. She was not moving at all, just like…a vegetable.

It cannot end like this…

Hikari is my life now…

If anything were to happen to her, I will feel so guilty for the rest of my life…

" Hikari, please stay with me… " he spoke gently into her ear, his hand still grasping hers. " I will not be able to live without you. "

I was vaguely aware of the fact that there was this presence beside me, never moving from that spot. The drugs that those doctors were constantly giving me, always made me feel dreadfully nauseated but intoxicated as well. And, my head was throbbing painfully. I felt so sick. Although my eyes were closed, the rest of my senses were in tip-top condition. I could hear the machines as to which tubes were connected to me, whirring sluggishly as they worked to maintain my body. Oxygen was forcefully being pumped into my body despite the fact that my nose was working perfectly fine.

It was then I felt it. Those warm and familiar hands clasping mine tightly.

" Hikari… "

That boy was whispering my name.

I know that voice…

I know him…

The desire to open my eyes was so great but they felt so heavy. Try as hard as I might, I could not do so.

Opening my mouth was also something that I found extremely tiring. I could not do anything but feel and hear my surroundings.

" Hikari, open your eyes… "

That boy…

That boy spoke with so much sadness that my heart broke for him. He was always talking to me, in that soft and pained whispers as if he was holding back his tears that were threatening to overwhelm him at any moment.

How many days has it been since then…?

Since that terrifying encounter with the Spiders…

What happened to my friends…?

Are they okay…?

Will everything be the same again…?

But is that an excuse…?

For not even trying to regain consciousness…?

***

" Is he going to be alright, Senritsu? " Gon demanded, looking at the older woman, his brown eyes filled with endless worry for his friend.

" I mean how many mental suffering issues can he take? " Killua spoke up suddenly. " It's taking its toll on his body. "

Senritsu nodded absently as she watched Kurapica, from the transparent glass window.

She understood perfectly what emotions were running amok in that growing body of his. It was because she heard it. His heartbeats. They told her everything she needed to know. It was as if one touch was enough to shatter him into a million pieces for right now, his inner being torn apart slowly while Hikari laid there.

" He thinks that whatever happened was his fault… " Senritsu murmured, her eyes still fixed on her friend. " He thinks he should have protected Hikari more. "

" In other words, he's blaming himself for Hikari's comatose condition, is that it? " Leorio asked.

" But, that's not his fault! " Killua snapped angrily. " Why is he tormenting himself like this? "

" He feels that it's his responsibility, that's why, " Gon answered calmly. " Kurapica is that kind of guy. "

" Yes, that may be true but… " Senritsu trailed off.

" But? " Killua urged.

" It's up to Hikari now to prevent him from shouldering that burden, " she

finished. " Only time will tell. "

***

It was only when that lone tear fell from her eyes onto Kurapica's cheek, did he arouse from his slumber, touched by its coldness and moisture. He opened his eyes to find the same pair of coloured eyes, hovering just inches away from his own.

" Kurapica-san… "

As his vision cleared, his eyes widened in disbelief.

" The heck… "

He sat up suddenly as if he had been electrocuted. The seventeen-year-old blinked his eyes rapidly as if he could not believe the sight before him.

" HIKARI! " he yelled out her name with such delight and relief that made him look like he was the happiest teenager on Earth.

Then without a moment's hesitation, he threw his arms around her and pulled her close to his chest, kissing the top of her head and then burying his nose deep into her golden locks that still hold traces of her lavender scented shampoo.

He kept whispering her name repeatedly, all the while hugging her tightly.

" Hikari-chan! " everyone shouted happily, in greeting. " Ohayo! "

The sixteen-year-old girl looked up and gave them, a feeble smile. Although, a little weak from the sedatives, the colour had returned to her cheeks indefinitely.

" O-Ohayo min-na… " she coughed out, her voice soft as if it had not been used for a long time.

Her friends laughed and gathered round to give her a warm hug.

" I was so worried about you, Hikari! " Senritsu was saying, ruffling her head fondly.

" Once you're well enough, we'll take you to Whale Island, Hikari-chan! " Gon added, tugging on the sleeve of the hospital gown that she donned.

" That's right and then we'll play hide and seek again just like – " Killua was interrupted as suddenly the hospital door slid open with a loud bang, the window glass in the frame wobbling unsteadily with the impact.

Everyone looked up at the unwanted intruder who made his presence known so rudely. Immediately, their backs stiffened when they saw who it was.

" Hisoka… " Kurapica hissed angrily as he stepped in front Hikari, acting as a protective shield.

" What do you want from us? " Senritsu demanded, pulling Hikari close to herself.

" There's no way, we're handing over Hikari to the likes of you! " Gon retorted, his hands balled up into fists.

Hisoka's eyes slid slowly and deliberately to Hikari's face. His eyes darkened as he continued to caress her. His smile widened, ignoring the others in the room. It was as if they were the only two there. To Hisoka, the others did not matter, especially if it involved his desired duel with the head honcho of the Spiders, Lucifer. Just thinking about it, sent a shiver of erotic excitement down his spine.

" Don't worry. I'm not in the mood to fight right now, " Hisoka spoke unhurriedly, as if he had all the time in the world to stay and chat.

He enjoyed the looks of horror that everyone in the room had with the exception of Kurapica's, of course.

" I'll come for you, the next time, Hikari-chan… " he continued. " And when I do, the results will be ugly. "

Then, with a swift flick, his trademark playing card was sent in her direction. It landed on the bed, in her lap.

Now, everyone's eyes were on her. With a trembling hand, Hikari flipped the card over.

" A joker… " she murmured before she raised her blue eyes to meet his own.

" And when that time comes, I'll be waiting… " was all she answered, her eyes turning a tad red.

The joker blew her a kiss, winked and was out the door in a few seconds.