Scarlet Memories

Disclaimer: I do not own HxH

Reminiscence 21 – Haunting Implication

The day of their departure has come as Kuroro and Kurapika are standing in the airport lobby, waiting for the announcement for the passenger to go on board. Gon, Killua and Leorio stood in front of the two, saying their temporary goodbyes.

"Ne, Kurapika," Gon called his friend's attention.

"Yes, Gon?" Kurapika acknowledge.

"I'm not sure, but, you don't really look like you're going somewhere. You're not bringing anything with you," he curiously pointed out.

"He's right," Leorio added. "You must be joking on us that you are leaving, but actually you're not," he said pointing a finger at Kurapika.

Kurapika chuckled at the man's accusation. "There is no point of doing that, Leorio," she said as she smiled at the man.

"You're right. He he he," Leorio laughed in embarrassment as he scratched the back of his head.

"So, where are your belongings?" Gon asked, looking side to side.

"I'm hiding them with my nen."

Killua remained silent as he looked at the man beside Kurapika, Kuroro Lucifer. He still doesn't trust the man. Even if he is a half-blooded Kuruta, he is still the leader of Genei Ryodan, or so he thought. But as he observed the man for a while, the light smile that escaped from his lips after Gon said his comment did not escape his eyes. That shook Killua's doubt a little.

Did Kuroro Lucifer, the merciless leader of Genei Ryodan just smiled at Gon's simple comment? Maybe he is not as heartless as he knew him to be. But does he really know the man? No, he doesn't. Killua looked at Kurapika. She was still talking with Gon and Leorio about trivial things when the announcement of their plane's departure was heard as the announcer calls the attention of the passenger to get on board.

"I guess we have to go now," Kurapika said.

"Take care, Kurapika," was Gon's goodbye.

"Don't become too reckless again," Killua said as he closed his eyes, raising his index finger.

Kurapika smiled. "I won't," she said.

Leorio cleared his throat. "We'll meet again, Kurapika."

"Of course, and the next time we meet," she paused and pointed a finger at Leorio with determination in her eyes, "you must be already a doctor."

"That would be too long, but I will do my best," the doctor-to-be said. "And as for you," he looked at Kuroro, "it's not because you're a half-blooded Kuruta that I would trust you so easily," he said with seriousness in his voice. "But, please take care of Kurapika."

Kuroro snorted in light amusement. "That goes without saying," he said, smiling.

"But," Leorio continued, "I have to warn you," he said, pointing his index finger to the man, "do not ever lay a finger on Kurapika, or I will hunt you down to death."

Kuroro raised a brow at that. He didn't feel insulted or what. Nor did he feel provoked. It felt like, he's being challenged. 'Very well,' he smiled at the younger man's warning. "I cannot promise you anything," he said.

"What are you-?"

But before Leorio can complete his question, Kurapika grabbed Kuroro's arm. "Alright, we have to go now," she said as she dragged the man toward the lineup of the passengers. Having a last look at her friends, Kurapika turned her head to say her goodbye. "Until next time!"

When the two came out of sight, Leorio took a very deep breath. "Ah! I thought I would have a heart attack," he said in relief. Challenging the Genei Ryodan leader like that was sure a deathly proposal.

"You've got quite a gut there, old man," Killua commented.

"Stop calling me that. I am not that old and you know that already," Leorio complained as a vein popped out on his forehead.

"You should be more worried by now for Kurapika."

"And what do you mean by that? I am always worried about him, I mean her."

"Well, he just told you that he cannot promise anything. Do you even know what he meant by that? Huh?" Killua asked mockingly.

Leorio's eyes twitched at the ex-assassin's tone. He spoke to him as if he was the older one. "But what was really the meaning of that Genei Ryodan leader's word a while ago? Mind if you tell?" He asked annoyingly.

Kullua snorted and looked away at Leorio and cross his arms over his chest. "Find it out yourself."

Gon smiled at the two as he watched them silently, then he looked at where Kurapika and Kuroro disappeared. He smiled again, thinking about the old Kurapika that he always knew and the new and original Kurapika he just met.

The original Kurapika, right, he is actually a she. Gon likes the old Kurapika that he used to know, but the one he just met a while ago is much better. She is more sociable than before. She smiles more often than before. More than anything else, she is not as reckless as before and that relived Gon from wariness.

As for Kuroro Lucifer, Gon actually do not want to trust him so easily. But since Kurapika trust that man and Gon trust Kurapika's judgment, he will also trust him.

"Good luck, you two," he murmured.

"Hmm?" Killua and Leorio asked as they looked as him in confusion.

Gon looked at them, grinning. "Nothing," he simply said.

000

Inside the plane as Kurapika looked at the small window at her side, watching the clouds move away as the plain pass by.

"Your friends can be amusing at times," Kuroro suddenly spoke, taking Kurapika's attention as she turned her head to face him.

"Not at times," she paused, "always," and gave him a small smile. "I bet, Leorio felt like having a heart attack when you answered his challenge."

Kuroro smiled. 'I cannot promise you anything,' his words echoed in his mind. Not that he would actually try to hurt Kurapika. He would rather die than to commit such thing. It is something different.

"But, what do you actually mean by your words?" Kurapika asked innocently.

"Do you really want me to say it out loud?"

"What?" Kurapika frowned and her frown deepens when the man leaned his forehead to hers.

"You know, Kurapika," he started, "action speaks louder than words."

Her eyes widened as her face became red as a ripe tomato, realizing the real meaning behind those words. "I don't know what you are trying to say," she denied her knowledge, glancing her eyes sideways to avoid Kuroro's gaze.

"Do you want me to demonstrate it, then?" he asked, reaching his hand over her cheek, feeling the warmth of her smooth skin under his touch.

"Ptt," Kurapika pushed herself away from the man and returned to face the plane's window. "Do not ask me an impossible question," she said with a bit of embarrassment in her tone.

Kuroro smiled at the girl and leaned on the couch as he closed his eyes.

Kurapika looked at the vague reflection of her face at the window. Her face was still blushing. What was the man trying to say never cross her mind, but now that he mentioned it in indirect words, the thought became haunted in her mind and she cannot help, but blush even more.

She raised her right hand over her chest where her heart located, feeling the rapid thumping underneath. It was so strong that she can ever hear it in her ears. How can she not feel something like this? Kuroro just implied…. he wants her. Kurapika felt within her veins, within her system, with her very being, her whole body… wants to reciprocate his feelings. She wants him… as much as he wants her. Now that the thought don't want to leave her mind, she belatedly wished she never ask that question.

AN:

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