Unconditional Loyalty
Summary: Kurapika is a Kurutanian beauty but keeps it a secret for his and Pairo's safety, he's also the bookworm that doesn't fit in among the towns people, and Leorio is the cursed prince all thanks to his own attitude. Both are from different worlds, yet they suffer from the same feeling of isolation. A parody of Disney's Beauty & The Beast. Alternate Universe setting.
Disclaimer: I certainly do not own anything of the Disney franchise, and I don't even own Togashi sensei's wonderful works for the Hunter X Hunter anime and manga. This is purely for fan entertainment, and to fulfill my craving for writing a Leorio and Kurapika centered fanfic.
Pairings: Leorio and Kurapika, slight Pokkles and Ponzu.
Author's note: Thank you everyone for following my fanfic and even adding it as your favorite story, it acts as a fuel for me to do my best in this chapter. I know my updates can be slow, so I made sure that my chapters are longer. I had been busy last year due to family issues, some doctor appointments for my new pregnancy and then there's Christmas. Being Chinese, I have to prepare for Chinese New Year too right after Christmas.
I can imagine everyone being so eager to see more interaction between Leorio and Kurapika now, thus I've been cutting a few scenes from the original Beauty & The Beast storyline to fast-forward certain things. However rest assured that it will not affect the basic storyline as a whole. Italic font indicates a character's thoughts, singing or feelings.
It's been an hour since the Beast had left after ordering for the blonde lad to join him for dinner. Kurapika is still sobbing quietly in his new bedroom. One particular talking table had informed him that the dinner will be ready at 8.00pm. He scanned around the room for any clocks. An antique grandfather clock showed that its 7.30pm now.
Half an hour more before I have to deal with that hot-headed monster.
Suddenly there's timid knocks at the door. He gets up and walks over to open the door. A feminine looking teapot with a tiny teacup enters along with their entourage.
''Alright, by now I'm aware that everything here is sentient, at least. Who are you?''
''Miss Mito, dear. And this is Gon, my nephew. I thought you might like a spot of tea.''
While Kurapika is still looking at them, feeling a little awkward that he is indeed talking to some household objects again, he accidentally bumped into a large wardrobe.
''Oof. Careful!'' The large but feminine looking wardrobe said to him.
Kurapika gathered his balance after apologizing to the wardrobe, and proceeds to sit on the bed. The wardrobe leans itself on the edge of the bed, it seems to have a girlish sounding voice as well when it introduced itself as Biske.
The tea sets that came earlier were pouring sugar and cream into Gon, the teacup. Gon smiled at his aunt and remarked, ''Told ya she was pretty, Mito-san, didn't I?''
Kurapika sighed in exasperation. It's not the first time someone mistaken him for a girl. ''Sorry but I'm a guy.''
There's total silence in the room for a few moments before Mito spoke up again. ''All right now, Gon. That'll do.'' The sugar and cream in Gon had totally dissolved with the tea, so Gon hops over to Kurapika's opened palm, who is sitting on the floor. He is about to take a sip of the tea when Gon interrupted him, ''Wanna see me do a trick?'' Kurapika didn't even answer yet as Gon takes a deep breath, then puffs out his cheeks and blows bubbles out the top of the cup. In truth, the teacup named Gon is too eager to make new friends with someone who is not from the Beast's castle, so he was hoping that he could get a laugh out of the blonde boy. He was quickly admonished by his aunt who finds the 'trick' rude instead of being funny. Gon bowed down his head and said that he is sorry. Kurapika was actually amused, however, hiding a smile by covering his mouth with his sleeved arm.
Finally Mito the teapot smiled towards Kurapika, complimenting him. ''That was a very brave thing you did, my dear. Staying here in exchange for your friend's freedom.'' The large wardrobe, Biske, agreed as well.
''But I've lost my only friend, my dreams, everything…''
''Cheer up, child. It'll turn out all right in the end. You'll see. All of us here knew what happened and we promised to make sure you will be treated well.'' Mito was about to say more to comfort Kurapika when she noticed the time. ''Oops! Look at me, jabbering on, when there's a dinner to get on the table. Gon! Come help!''
Gon hops away from Kurapika's palm, bidding him goodbye and quickly joining his aunt to head towards the kitchen. The door to Kurapika's new bedroom is closed again.
Kurapika stood up and looked around his bedroom again, while being accompanied by Biske. He didn't feel like attending the dinner with the Beast at all, instead the bedroom seemed more welcoming. However it seems that even the nicer folks in this castle encouraged him to go.
Biske was humming cheerfully while she's browsing through the array of clothes inside of herself. ''Well now, what shall we dress you in for dinner? Let's see what I've got in my drawers.'' Her doors open up and to her embarrassment moths flutter out. A sign that the clothes inside herself had not been touched or worn for years. She slams them shut.
''Oh! Um… hehehe… Here we are. How about this royal red coat with golden trimmings? You'll look ravishing in this one.''
''That's very kind of you, but I'm not going to dinner.'' Kurapika said solemnly with a serious expression.
''Oh, but you must! Or else he will get mad and we'll all be in trouble, but especially you, dear!''
''He keeps thinking people should do as he bids, and I want to prove him wrong. That bad temper of his is frightening, but all the more that's why I need to show him that it pays to be polite and gentle when you asked someone for a favor.''
Just then, his bedroom's door opened again, by Hanzo the clock this time. Hanzo waddles in, pretending to cough in order to get everyone's attention. ''Dinner, is served.''
Meanwhile, back to the living room where the fireplace is, the Beast is pacing back and forth in front of the fire, with Mito and Pokkles looking on nervously.
''What's taking him so long? I told him to come down. Why isn't he here yet?!'' the cursed prince's monstrous voice boomed through the room.
''Try to be patient, sir. The young lad has lost his only friend and his freedom all in one day. He seemed to be an orphan too, judging by his words, master.''
Its Pokkle's turn to try to talk to their master. ''Uh, master. Have you thought that, perhaps, this boy could be the one to break the spell?''
The Beast grew angrier, for various reasons. What Pokkles have said did come across his mind, but with Kurapika being a guy, becomes an obstacle to him. He had always flirted with women while he is still a normal human, so he have no idea where he stands when it comes to homosexual relationships. Not that he is against it, more like, he didn't know if he even swing that way.
''I'm not a fool Pokkles! I did consider it! But it won't happen too quickly, okay?!''
''Oh, master is right. It's not that easy, Pokkles. These things take time.'' Mito have to agree with the Beast.
''But the rose has already begun to wilt.'' Pokkles reminded them sadly.
That reminder made the Beast felt hopeless and depressed. He even started to feel self-conscious about his appearance.
''It's no use. He's good looking, probably had girls flocking over him, and I'm so...well, look at me! Who would even want to talk to me?!''
Pokkles shrugs his shoulders and looks at Mito, hoping that she knew the right words to say, in order to cheer the Beast up.
''Master, you must help him to see past all that. He doesn't seem shallow to me, so trust that it's easier than it looks.'' Mito offered.
''Sigh… I don't know how.''
''Well, you can start by making yourself more presentable. Straighten up, try to act like a gentleman.'' Mito suddenly grew strict and acted as if she is actually the Beast's mother, trying to teach her son some manners. He certainly didn't see this side of her before so he listened and started to sit up, then adjusted his face very formally instead of his usual frown.
Seeing that his master won't be yelling at them this time, Pokkles jumped in and added, ''Ah yes, when he comes in, give him a dashing, warm smile. Come, come. Show me the smile. Everyone reacts well to a smile, sir.''
The Beast tries to bears his ragged fangs in a scary, and yet funny grin. In both of his servant's mind, at least, he is trying.
Mito suddenly decided to warn him, ''But don't frighten the poor boy.''
''Impress him with your open-minded sense of humor, you do have that.'' Pokkles said again.
''But be gentle.''
''Shower him with compliments.''
''But be sincere…''
The Beast can't seem to take in all the advices at one go, and yelled at them to be quiet. Both of them sighed and quietly said at the same time, ''Yeah, control your temper…''
Suddenly they heard the door opened, and all of them looked on expectantly. Certainly the boy has agreed to join the Beast for dinner!
Much to their dismay, its Hanzo. Hanzo actually looked scared, so they all remained silent to hear what he has to say.
''Uh, good evening, master. Oh, hi Mito-san, Pokkles.''
The Beast is starting to lose his patience so he growled and asked fiercely, ''Where is Mr. Smarty Pants?!''
In order to buy some time, Hanzo pretended to act clueless. ''Who? Oh! The new prisoner, that blonde kid. Yes, the, ah, kid. Well, actually, he's in the process of, ah, um, circumstances being what they are, ah... He's not coming.''
''WHAT! HOW DARE HE!''
The door of the living room bangs open and the Beast stormed upstairs to where Kurapika's bedroom is. He is not used to having anyone telling him NO. The three enchanted objects chased after him in panic, fearing that Kurapika might get hurt.
When they finally reached the door to Kurapika's bedroom, the Beast bangs on it. Thankfully the door was made out of 3 inch thick wood hence it didn't break or crack, yet.
''I thought I told you to come down to dinner! You fucking brat!''
Kurapika knew who it was so he answered calmly from the other side of the locked door, ''I'm not hungry. You shall go eat first.''
''You'll come out or I'll...I'll break down the door!''
Pokkles quickly interrupt his master in an attempt to save Kurapika, ''Master, I could be wrong, but that may not be the best way to win the boy over.''
''But he is being so difficult!''
Mito used her motherly voice to advice the Beast. ''Gently, remember, we went through this minutes ago.''
The Beast took a deep breath and decided to try out their advice. ''Will you come down to dinner?'' he asked Kurapika again in a strained, but still polite voice.
''No.''
This frustrates the Beast but when he looked down at his three servants, all of them begged him to try again.
''It would give me great pleasure, Kurapika, sir, if you would join me for dinner, please.''
Instead of feeling welcomed by the Beast, Kurapika is actually annoyed that he simply will not leave him alone. 'Who the hell does he thinks he is? Forcing people to eat right after turning them into prisoners. This monster doesn't really understand people's feelings at all!'
The blonde boy said again in finality. ''No, thank you!''
''You can't stay in there forever! ''
''Yes I can!''
''Fine! Then go ahead and STARVE! Listen here, all of you! If he doesn't eat with me, then he doesn't get eat at all! Not even a cookie!'' he ordered the three servants warningly.
Finally, it ends with the Beast running back down the stairs, entering into his own room, and slams the door so hard that it causes a piece of the ceiling to fall on Pokkles.
The three enchanted objects had been very disappointed with how things were played, however they knew better than to disobey the prince. Mito went back to the kitchen to clean up the dinner that no one is going to eat, while Pokkles and Hanzo stands right outside Kurapika's bedroom door to stand guard, keeping an eye in case the prisoner decided to sneak out.
The room that was said to be the Beast's room, unlike what most would imagine it to be, is actually dark, and filled with random broken furnitures. Even the curtains have holes in them. Certainly looked nothing like a prince's room. Too often his servants would offer to clean up, but he refuses, claiming that it's futile because he is going to just destroy his belongings again. Without realizing it, this room, his lair, had resembled him heart. Broken, dark, and lost.
The Beast had been venting out his anger by knocking over and destroying things in his path. While doing so, he grumbles to himself, ''I ask nicely, but he refuses. What, what does he want me to do? Beg?! The hell I would beg to a lowly peasant!''
An idea came across his mind. That's right, if he needed to know the reason why Kurapika rejected him, for three times to be exact, he could always use the magic mirror, his family's heirloom. Picking up the magic mirror on his table, he commanded it to show him where Kurapika is. The magic mirror shines, then glows green and reveals Kurapika in his bedroom. He is seen crossing his arms indignantly while sitting on his bed, with Biske talking to him.
''The master's not so bad once you get to know him. Why don't you give him a chance?'' she pleaded the blonde lad.
''That is like saying I need to get used to him being a jerk. I've seen of him enough, so no.''
''Is it because of how he looks?''
''If that is true, I wouldn't be talking to you, Mito, Gon or anyone else in this castle. I'm saying that there's no way I could get close to someone who might hurt me anytime.''
Those sentences seemed to struck Leorio deeply. He had always thought that Kurapika wouldn't want to be at least friends with him because he is ugly. But instead, right now, it's really because, of his behavior from their first encounter until the dinner refusal incident. So, perhaps, just maybe, Mito and Pokkles had been right? But he had always been this way, and no one in this castle had a problem with it, so why does it bother this blonde kid? Thinking about it only gives Leorio a headache.
''Sigh… forget it, I'm just fooling myself. Maybe he just didn't want to be rude, and tell Biske that, really, I'm just a monster to him…'' he said to himself dejectedly.
So, Kurapika now gets along with Leorio's servants at least. Other than that, it's still tense between our two favorite Hunters, eh? I didn't want to speed things up in case it would make their relationship in this story seemed superficial. I wanted to make sure there's mutual understanding and chemistry between them first. Please let me know how this chapter fares, I will look into it, arigatou!