Disclaimer: I do not own Hunter X Hunter

Reminiscence 26 – Scarlet Memories

The wind blows throughout the surface of the earth, and along the white floppy clouds, a gigantic dragon swung its great wings as it soared across the sky with the smaller dragon riding on its massive body. Sitting on the top of the smaller dragon's head is a man in his mid-30. His spiky black hair swayed frantically by the strong wind as his baggy clothes ruffled on his body.

"Bo!" the man shouted.

"Bo!" the smaller dragon growled, following the man.

"BO!" the larger dragon growled in a much louder sound.

Flying along the clouds, soaring the endless sky. It was the perfect place for them; a perfect place for a gigantic dragon whose existence could soon to disappear. They do not belong to the land. They do not belong to the creatures on the ground.

They have to continuously soar in the sky for them not to be hunted by greedy humans. The only human they can trust is the man sitting on the smaller dragon's head. The man has been helping them to continue their existence. It's been years since the man had appeared before them and started helping them and now their existence…..

"We're near," the man said as he saw above the clouds, the peak of the largest and tallest tree in the world (Dark Continent is not included), the world tree, in which the top was made as a nest to accommodate the newly born dragons.

Right, the children of the biggest creature in the world are safely hidden at the top of this overly grown tree.

The gigantic dragon continued on its course, approach the tree when the man suddenly felt a disturbance in the clouds, and soon enough, three people appeared from above, free falling toward them.

"How amusing," the man said as he observed the trio who were entwined with their hands.

In the middle is a girl with light-golden hair. The man thought she looks familiar. On her left is a boy with chestnut-brown hair, and on her right is a dark haired young man who also seems familiar to him.

He continued observing them as they descended down slowly like there is no gravity, and stopped in front of him, not really stepping on anything as they continued floating in the air. Only when they are in front of him that the man saw a small winged golem on the head of the girl. 'Her nen,' he mentally assumed.

~o~

"So you want me to train this fyulong?" the man asked, gesturing at the said creature that was playing with the baby dragons whose sizes are almost equal to him.

They are now on the top of the world tree as they talk about the matter. The man immediately remembered the Kuruta girl that he had saved years ago when he saw her in front of him. The trio, on the other hand, learned that the man is actually Ging Freecss, the father of Gon. They only learned it when Kuroro pointed out that he greatly resembles Kurapika's friend.

Kurapika was a bit shocked at that. Why didn't she realized that earlier? When Ging said that he is indeed Gon's father. She furiously reprimanded him for leaving his son. Nevertheless, Kurapika immediately cooled down as she realized that Ging is a hunter with responsibilities over the endangered animals and reviving the ruins.

Back to the matter at hand. Ging agreed to train the fyulong without a second thought as he was also concerned with what may happen to the dragon if he was left in his current state. He would not survive the harsh world if he cannot protect himself, and Ging do not like the idea of seeing an endangered creature coming to its complete inexistence without doing anything.

Kurapika and Kuroro stayed with them for a while, thinking that it would be a great chance learning something from a double star hunter.

After a month of training, Mikage managed to learn how to fly higher than the usual. Before, he can only manage to fly almost within the altostratus clouds (about 6,500 to 20,000 feet), and now, he can go even above the cirrus clouds (above 20,000 feet). His wings became stronger than before.

Taito on the other hand, started learning the basic of nen, and Kurapika developed some new techniques. And Kuroro… well, he did not do anything. He would only listen to Ging when the topic is to his interest. Not that he doesn't like Ging, but he already knew most of the thing that he said. There was actually a time that he sat at the back of the giant dragon with Ging, watching the three playing on the clouds like children, with Taito riding Mikage's back, and Kurapika using her materialized wings.

"Jealous, aren't you?" Ging asked him with a smirk on his face.

"I'm not," he answered."

"Oh?" Ging sounded as if he does not believe him. "You seem to me a very jealous person," he said. "So tell me, are you jealous?" he urged him as he elbowed him on his side.

Kuroro's eyes twitch at the antics of the hunter. But the hunter was right, he is a jealous person, not just jealous, he is possessive. "That boy is not someone that I should be jealous of," he said as he returned from observing the trio. No, he should not feel jealousy over anyone… because Kurapika belongs to him and HIM alone. And he will not let anyone take Kurapika away from him. A small smile graced his face as he directed his gaze at the subject of their conversation.

~o~o~o~

As a child, spring was the favorite season of Kurapika. Because it is the season when flowers starts to bloom again and the mountains and hills become alive with the green grasses on the ground, along with the various plants, and the trees with their green leaves and beautiful flowers. Although Kurapika likes the white snow of the winter, she's never been allowed to go to the mountains because of the danger that it could bring, especially during a snow storm. But even if there is no snow storm, the children were only allowed to play up to the premises of the village. So when the spring comes, Kurapika and the other children celebrates as if they have been released from a long imprisonment. In addition to that, it was also a good chance to practice their hunting skill inside the mountains.

Kurapika smiled as she remembered her childhood days while she was sitting above the roof of her house, looking at the mountains while waiting for the arrival of Kuroro. After hours of waiting on the roof, Kurapika finally saw Kuroro walking down from a distance toward the village. Jumping out of the roof and landing perfectly on the ground, she ran toward the man's direction to finally meet him from a short mission by her request.

Kuroro was walking down the path to the village carrying a wooden box in his hands when he saw Kurapika running toward him. He stopped walking as Kurapika arrived in front of him. She smiled, seeing the wooden box in his hand saying, "I never thought, you would agree to cross-dress to retrieve it."

"It is not something that would kill me, Kurapika," he answered as he handed her the box.

"Thanks. It was the only idea that I can think of, and I do not want to create a commotion on retrieving this pair," she said

Kuroro smiled at the girl's antics, remembering the events a few days ago.

Flashback

It was at a party in a huge mansion, dedicated to the birthday of the daughter of the mansion's master, but it is a 'ladies only' party, so males are not allowed to enter the party. That is because the master's daughter has a phobia of men and her father is the only exception.

As the party went on, a blinding light appeared by the grand staircase and all the present people saw in amazement, a winged golden creature (Timcanpy). The said creature opened its mouth, and an angelic figure appeared before them. It was a beautiful young woman with light-golden hair and a pair of sapphire-blue eyes. Her whole being was shining on to them like a ray of light and the whiteness of her wings are so dazzling that they cannot stare at her for a long period of time.

"Be warned, all of you," the voice of the figure echoed throughout the huge hall, "for a great misfortune is upon you."

"Are you an angel?" the master's daughter asked while trying not to look at her directly, raising her hand in front of her to lessen the effect of the light. "Then please tell us, what should we do avoid that misfortune?"

"A woman in black dress will arrive before midnight," the angelic figure informed. "All of the visitor should go home before that time. Only the young lady of the mansion will remain to give the red colored eyes, which would be the cause of the misfortune."

"I understand," the daughter said before the figure disappeared like a bubble.

And so all the people present in that hall did as the figure told them, awed by the short occurrence that happened before them. All the visitors left the mansion before midnight, all the servants and the master left the hall and went to their respective chamber while the young lady stayed and waited in front of the grand staircase, facing the double door of the balcony as she carried the wooden box in her hands; the wooden box that contained the said red colored eyes, or most commonly known as the scarlet eyes.

Within a few seconds count, the double door of the balcony in front of her swung wide open, revealing a beautiful young woman in a simple black dress. Her long, dark hair flowed majestically on her shoulder, framing perfectly her elegant face.

"You must by the lady in black that the winged figure was talking about," she said as she walked in her direction. "Here, take this," she said, handing the box to the woman, "and be kind to never return it again."

Without a word, the woman took the box from her and immediately disappeared as she made a turn and jump out of the stone-made barandillas (railings).

The lady of the mansion remained in her spot, watching the dark sky, replaying in her mind all the strange happening that occurred that night.

Kuroro, who was in his cross-dressing as the lady in black, went on his way as he jumped from one roof to another like he was not wearing a dress at all and stopped at the nearest inn that he found beforehand, entering silently by the widow of his rented room and immediately change to his normal clothes.

He will only take a few rest and by the morning, he will be travelling alone back to Rukuso province, where Kurapika is waiting for him.

The figure of Kurapika a while ago in the party was only a projectile made by Timcanpy. The real Kurapika was left in the Kuruta village, so Kuroro went to the county with Timcanpy on his head, but when the projectile of Kurapika disappeared, Timcanpy also disappeared, and Kurapika cannot summon Timcanpy in that place if she would not go there herself.

When the morning came, Kuroro set out immediately and went to his travel back to Rukuso province, bringing with him the wooden box that contained the second-to-the-last pair of scarlet eyes.

End of flashback

"Let's go," Kurapika said, "everything is ready. But we have to hurry and finish before the sun sets."

As they entered the village, Kuroro saw two holes on the ground and a small shovel. Kurapika kneeled before the first hole and took out the double cylinder within the wooden box. She opened the lid of the cylinders and poured everything that the cylinders contained including the eyes in the hole.

Taking the small shovel that she left nearby, Kurapika covered the hole with the soil at the side of the hole and finished burying the pair of eyes with the Kuruta tribe's prayer.

Done with that, Kurapika stood up as she dusted herself and looked at Kuroro who was watching her all the time.

"And the other hole?" Kuroro asked, stating the other hole that Kurapika left open.

"It is for the last pair," she said. "And it is your responsibility to bury it."

Kuroro do not have to ask anymore as he felt a familiar presence in a distance.

"I hope I am not too late," the person said as he entered the village.

"You just arrived at the right time," Kurapika said as she saw the man.

Kuroro turned to face the newcomer. "Gale," he called the name.

"It's been a long time," Gale said as he handed a sling bag which is the only thing that he was carrying.

With a light frown on his face, Kuroro took the bag from the man.

Gale turned to Kurapika. "As agreed, that would be the last one," he said, gesturing to the sling bag that he gave to Kuroro.

Kurapika nodded and said, "I guess I have to leave you for a while," and started walking toward the mountains.

Kuroro looked at Kurapika's retreating back and then to Gale. "So you made a deal with her," he finally said.

"Do you still doubt me, Kuroro?" Gale asked calmly.

"No," Kuroro answered and went over the hole that Kurapika has left open and kneeled before it and buried the last pair of scarlet as Kurapika did to the other.

"I was a fool to trust the council head's empty promises," Gale said after Kuroro was finished. And I do not want to repeat the same mistake again."

Kuroro listened to him silently, waiting for him to finish his statements.

"I am glad that you are the one who released Kurapika from my nen. I cannot trust any other to do so," Gale continued. "If you can do me a favor," he paused, "swear by the Kuruta blood that you will not leave Kurapika's side."

Kuroro snorted at the last statement saying, "you do not need to ask me to swear to anyone to never leave Kurapika's side… as long as I am living, I will never let anyone take Kurapika away from me."

~o~

Kurapika stayed sitting at the top of a hill watching the setting sun, enjoying the cool breeze of the wind as it blows her hair softly along the green grasses on the hill. It was so calm and peaceful that she had not found it hard to hear the soft rustles that indicates the presence of another. She does not have to turn to know who the newcomer is, as the newcomer joined her, sitting himself beside her.

"So, you are finished," she said, still looking at the setting sun.

"We have nothing much to talk about," Kuroro answered.

Kurapika did not say anything anymore as she rested her head on Kuroro's shoulder while Kuroro put his hand over Kurapika's shoulder. They remain like that for the time being, watching the setting sun as they remembered all the happenings from the time of their first meeting in the forest near the Kuruta village, the unfortunate destruction of the Kuruta tribe, their meeting at York shin, their fight inside the Kuruta village that caused the start of their journey together and all the things that happened on that journey. Those are the memories the Kurapika and Kuroro kept in their heart as their own treasures… their scarlet memories.

Remembering a certain memory, Kurapika suddenly moved her head and turned to look at Kuroro. Kuroro also turned his head to face the girl, wondering what might be inside that head of her.

"You know Kurapika, action speaks louder than words," she remembered the exact words that came out of the mouth of Kuroro inside a certain plane after saying her temporary goodbye to her friends.

'Well I guess, it's alright,' she thought to herself. She already did it before, so it's okay. With that in mind, she swiftly brought her head forward and kissed Kuroro on the cheek, taking him off guard as he widened his eyes in surprise, but he immediately recovered as he composed himself with a smile.

Kurapika back away a little to look at Kuroro and saw a glint in his eyes that spokes something that she cannot pinpoint. Kurapika cannot help herself, but to blush from that unwavering stare.

Kuroro opened his mouth as he spoke in a low voice. "Don't you think, that is a bit unfair?" he asked. "I've already got two kisses from you since we travelled together. You, on the other hand, got nothing yet."

"Eh?" she exclaimed questioningly. "Is that your concern? I thought, it's something else." Moving her body to properly face him, she said, "well, I guess it's okay to have one." She gave him a light smile and she closed her, expecting to receive a kiss on her cheek just like the one she gave him. Althou, at the back of her mind, her subconscious is shouting at her to expect something else.

Not long enough, Kurapika felt the warmth of Kuroro's body closing to her as she felt his hand over her shoulder. She felt her heartbeat taking a bit stronger as she felt his other hand at the back of her head, making it seems that her expectation is indeed, turning into something else. Her instinct proved its accuracy as it immediately registered in her, the warm and smooth feeling, directly touching her lips.

Kurapika immediately opened her eyes wide as she realized that Kuroro is kissing her on her lips. She felt her heart in her chest pounding like crazy, like it wants to go out of her ribcage.

Kuroro broke the kiss as he backed away to look in his turn, at Kurapika's face, seeing her looking at him with her wide eyes and cheeks painted in deep red. She opened her lips like she was about to say something, but nothing came out of her mouth. That expression on her face… Kuroro thought… he is the only person who can take that out of Kurapika. Him and him alone. Kuroro cannot help himself, but to smile in satisfaction. And with that, he pulled Kurapika over him, making her rest her head on his chest, letting her feel the gladness in his heart which in its turn, only belongs to Kurapika.

Kurapika blink at the sudden action that Kuroro made, but immediately take comfort as she felt his hand around her back, and she herself slid her hand at his side and settled on his back. With that, Kuroro and Kurapika enjoyed the rest of the day with each other's company, arm in arm, feeling the warmth of each other's body.

The end.

AN: Scarlet or bright red: the color of life, happiness and love.

Alright! I hope you enjoyed the story.

Thanks to all the readers, especially to those who reviewed and for the favs and follows. Thank you very much!

Have a nice day!

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