Dreams of a Hikari
Kurapika awakened in a blank, desolate landscape. He tried to peer through the darkness, to no avail. He got up, and attempted to find a way out. That was when he heard an-all-too-familiar song. It was a song that he knew all too well. He headed towards the singer's origin, only to be shocked by the sight of Satoshi in chains with Krad hovering above!
"Satoshi!" he cried as he ran to the blue-haired teen. He stopped short when he felt the barrier. He cautiously put a hand forward and felt virtually no resistance to his touch. He took one look at his friend and started walking forward without a second thought.
Kurapika had entered into Satoshi's past. But the boy he saw was Satoshi, and yet he wasn't. This Satoshi was happy and carefree! He was…a child.
Young Satoshi spotted the blond and went to him, his eyes filled with curiosity. He smiled, which only encouraged the boy to come closer. Young Satoshi plopped down next to Kurapika, who held back a laugh.
"What's your name?" asked young Satoshi.
"Kurapika. What's yours?" replied Kurapika, even though he already knew the answer.
"Mine is Hikari Satoshi!" said young Satoshi with a grin.
"Mind if I call you 'Light' boy instead?" joked Kurapika. Satoshi laughed and his mother finally found where he had been hiding.
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"Satoshi, you shouldn't bother the man!" she scolded.
"But mom!" whined young Satoshi.
"No. It's time to go home anyway," she said sternly. (It was obvious to Kurapika that the only reason she was taking young Satoshi home was because she didn't trust him.)
"Actually I didn't mind him talking to me at all…" said Kurapika quietly.
She turned and looked at him strangely; obviously she was debating whether she could trust her son's life with Kurapika. A squirming Satoshi all but made her decision for her. He managed to break free from her vice-like grip and plopped back down next to Kurapika again. She sighed and said, "You know the way back home don't you Satoshi?"
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"Yes mom!" answered young Satoshi happily.
"Then I'll be waiting for you at the house. You come straight home when you're ready. I'm going to go get supper ready…" she said in obvious defeat.
"Yay!" cried Satoshi when she left him there with Kurapika. When she left their line of sight, Satoshi jumped on Kurapika; who caught him with ease and tickled him mercilessly. The two then began to wrestle until both were completely worn out. Both lay on the grass, catching their breath for another wrestling match. Young Satoshi rolled over and grinned at Kurapika.
"You want to know something?" he said bored.
"What?"
"This is the first time my mom actually allowed me to have fun! She usually won't even let me outside, let alone play with kids my age! It's boring and lonely to stay inside for hours on end without anyone to play with…" said Satoshi sadly.
"I wonder why she won't let you play with the other kids?" Kurapika said aloud.
"I don't know… For some reason, every time I make it past her and go outside, she immediately comes after me with this weird look on her face. Like she's afraid something will happen if I get too close to the other kids…"
"Well…she must have a good reason for keeping you away from the other kids… Or more likely she's being a little too overprotective…" said Kurapika.
They sat there in silence for about…one minute, then they continued playing until little Satoshi was all worn out and tired. Kurapika stood over the young blue-haired child and grinned as he said, "If you give me the directions to your house then I'll carry you home."
Young Satoshi's ears perked up at this, which made Kurapika laugh.
"Really?!" asked little Satoshi excitedly.
"Yup. Climb on my back and I'll take you home, 'kay?"
"Yippee!" said Satoshi as he scrambled up the Kurapika's back. He held onto the boy and followed the directions Satoshi gave him. They were soon standing in front of a large house with a gate. Kurapika whistled, impressed. Satoshi gave him the key to the gate and they went in as soon as the doors swung open noiselessly.
He knocked on the front door, careful not to drop Satoshi. His mother answered the door and Kurapika was amused at the surprised look on her face. Satoshi poked his head up and said, "What's for dinner?"
His mother was startled for a moment before she let out what Kurapika could have sworn was a genuine laugh.
"You boys might as well come in. Though if you want supper you'll have to wash up first!" she smiled.
The two washed up and went to the dining room to eat. Kurapika hid his surprise at the fact that she had actually let him stay for dinner! When it was done and the dishes put away, she sent Satoshi to bed. He went without a complaint and fell asleep. She turned towards Kurapika and said, "You're more than welcome to stay the night."
"Thank you, Ms. Hikari." He said politely. Her eyebrows went up at the name Hikari, but she ignored it. Kurapika went to bed and slept peacefully, unaware of the storm that raged outside.