*Shades of Red*

by: WhiteGloves

Chapter 9

*LeoPika Pairing/BL*

I really thank everyone for supporting!

This is one of my favorite Yaoi Pairing!

Please enjoy the chapter! It's about time for closure!

Challenges are part of life- so as to Love and to Lose a Life!

"Did you hear?"

"Yeah... the boy living with the doctor has red eyes that change at will..."

"Are you serious? That gentle boy?"

"You won't call him gentle once you've seen his eyes possessed like a demon!"

"A demon in a man's clothing..."

"I've heard it too... that criminal who attacked them that night was even crying it until now in his jail ward..."

"Staring at him in that darkened room... a pair of blood red eyes!"

"No wonder that criminal's not right in the head after seeing it!"

"It's scary..."

"To think something like that is here in our peaceful town!"

"What of Leorio-san?"

"I heard he was in critical condition!"

"No way..."

"It's all because he got himself involved with that blonde boy!"

"Nothing good really comes out if you make a deal with demons!"

"What do we do?"

"In any case—we need to be vigilant."

The rumors outside the building were kept shut outside the emergency room. Inside it sat a quiet blonde boy near the bed where another body was lying. The blonde boy's shoulders were hunched in defeat, his eyes hidden under his hair. There were dried tears across his cheeks but he remained silent in the room with hands clutched on his lap. He had been sitting there for the most of the day, standing guard to his unconscious friend who had been battling life and death at the moment. Leorio, whose body was covered with bandages and his face with an oxygen mask, remained unconscious. With him breathing like his life was depending on a thin line of hair, came the beeping sound of the machine that was keeping him alive. And Kurapika was not oblivious to that.

There was a soft knock on the door before it opened slowly.

Mayu came in carrying a tray of food. Her presence didn't make any difference to the blonde boy by the bed.

"Kurapika?" Mayu said in a gentle tone as she slowly approached the table at the side, "you should take a break... you look really tired."

Kurapika remained motionless as she looked at him. Then, as quiet as she came in, she left the room with a sad expression on her face.

"Mayu," Tristan called her attention as she came out, "how are they?"

She gave him a long look before closing her eyes.

"Leorio's still unconscious... he really got it pretty bad... and I can just say the same to Kurapika..."

Tristan's jaw tightened. Mayu looked at him again with a troubled expression.

"He's been sitting there unmoving since Leorio was brought in... I'm worried about Kurapika's health."

Tristan watched Mayu, and then slowly walked toward her. Placing a hand on her shoulders in an assuring gesture, the two locked gazes.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine, knowing those two..."

"I know... but with Leorio like that... I can't help being worried for Kurapika... especially with things outside."

Tristan's face grew serious.

"We're not going to judge him like them... He's Leorio's friend and he's as good as ours..."

"But—"

"Mayu," Tristan squeezed her shoulder and then spoke in voice full of firmness she had never heard him use before, "you get it don't you?"

Mayu's eyes flickered as she stared at the musician. Then Tristan gave her a gentle smile.

"Besides, an angel looking boy like Kurapika is in no way near the description demon like they say."

"You're judging by appearance then?"

"And he likes my music."

"..."

"What?"

As the two exchanged another look, they couldn't help laughing at themselves.

In the middle of their fun, there was a loud thump by the window. The two shot the window a look and saw a crack at it. Tristan immediately went there and opened it. Below the building, he saw three boys ran away but not after hearing them cry—

"The demon!"

"Hurry run!"

Tristan stared at the boys as Mayu joined him.

"These children..." the musician said with eyes hardening.

"Their parents..." Mayu went on as she looked outside too, "their fear is passed on the children... together with their violence at the thing they fear."

"Can't be helped," Tristan answered as he closed the windows and the curtain, "but I hope it won't turn to anything nasty... not with Leorio like that."

Mayu nodded as this time they both look at the door of the emergency room.

"He's the only one who can help Kurapika now." The musician continued.

Inside the room where the monotonous beeping sound of the machine continued to sound, Kurapika's back remained stiff and unmoving, his eyes the reflection of emptiness.

In the middle of the night, the emergency room door opened.

Kurapika came out and gave the clinic a lost look, before slowly walking out to the hall way.

Once out, darkness met his eyes again, but his ears were attentive to his surroundings. He could hear plenty of voices below the ground floor. Unconsciously, he began to walk down the stairs. As he reached the second floor, the voices became clearer and the tones angrier. Kurapika halted his steps and his eyes widened as he realized what was going on.

"You don't understand—that boy is harmless!" Tristan's voice rang in the blonde boy's eardrums.

"Harmless—don't talk too naively! You two know about him, don't you? That's why you've been keeping everyone from apprehending him!" shouted a man's angry voice.

Kurapika didn't dare make a sound as this went on, his eyes flickering as he listened to them.

"That's not true," Mayu's voice was shaking, nonetheless she continued, "we don't know anything about him but that doesn't give us the right to harm him in any way!"

"Cut the crap and take him out here!" shouted another male's voice, "our families can't sleep and can't help worrying with that demon here in our town!"

Kurapika's heart skipped a beat.

"Hey—mind your tongue!" Tristan's angry retort came followed by angry shouts.

"Tristan—don't!" Mayu cried that almost made Kurapika jump out to the first landing—

"Why are you defending him, you two?!" came another's voice, "don't tell me you're in cohort with that boy?"

"What?" Tristan barked, "that's ridiculous—!"

"That's right!" said another male's voice, "maybe you guys are already under his spell!"

"See reason everyone!" Mayu pleaded as sound of struggle came again and Tristan went on shouting—

"Don't just barge in anytime you like!"

"These guys are already hypnotized by that boy!"

"He's a real demon—we need to get rid of him!"

"Out of our way!"

"You don't understand us at all—!"

"Shut up!" Tristan's angry voice floated in the air that kept everyone's shut, "attacking at this time of the night! Don't you guys know that Leorio's in critical condition now? Have you forgotten how he had saved each and every of your lives!? And this is how you'll repay him—knock those senses back in your heads!"

Silence greeted this angry remark and left Kurapika frozen in the middle of the stairs.

"Tse," responded a gruff voice, "we still believe that boy needs to leave this town immediately. If you guys don't tell him that then leave it to us. Don't expect us to tolerate him any longer."

Leave... this town? Kurapika's lips shook.

"Let's go, everyone."

Footsteps were dragged noisily out of the main hall. Kurapika heard Mayu talking in whisper to Tristan before turning his heels toward the second floor landing again. As he reached the second floor once more, a familiar face poking out on one of the door caught his eye.

It was Ethan.

Kurapika stared at the boy, and then his eyes clouded.

He remembered Ethan's fearful eyes the other night. This made his heart crumble and he turned on his feet up the next floor in a hurry.

"Kurapika..." Ethan murmured with wide eyes.

Did he just see Kurapika's green eyes looking fearfully at him?

Kurapika closed the door shut behind him with his breathings uneven. He knew it was bound to happen sooner than later. Kurapika didn't have to hear the rumors to know that they were circulating around town already. After what happened that night he knew he couldn't stay in there any longer.

He remembered vividly that day where his first step outside the real world brought him cruelty and fear. That time he first explored the world with his best friend... and how cruelly they were treated...

He remembered the fear in their eyes... the same fear enveloping everyone in Leorio's town.

Kurapika gulped and bit his lower lip. The tides were turning... and the same things were happening again...

He watched Leorio's immobilize body in the center of the bed and slowly walked toward it.

In silence, he dropped himself on the seat next to that bed and clutched Leorio's cold hand.

"Leorio," he whispered with voice husky, "please...wake up... I don't know what to do anymore..."

He felt his knees tremble as the men's word came back to him.

Leave this town immediately.

Kurapika opened his mouth to speak, but then close it again, his lips drying. To leave the town was the best choice for now, he knew that. He didn't think he could stay there any longer to begin with, but he couldn't leave Leorio the way he was. That was why he braved to stay even with things already like that... because he knew Leorio needed him...

Or was it really like that?

Kurapika reflected on as he watched Leorio breathe raggedly on the oxygen mask. Was he staying because Leorio needed him... or was it the other way around?

Leave this town immediately.

The blonde boy dropped his head on his arms and continued clutching on the doctor's hand.

He knew it was too good to be true, for him to stay in a place to be happy. It was impossible to begin with. And it all goes back to the fact that he was different than they are. It has always been like that. Their great grand leader in the Kuruta clan had always pointed out that men outside are afraid of things they don't understand... this was the meaning of it.

Yet, for Kurapika to be afraid of leaving now when he it wasn't a problem for him before. He clutched on Leorio's hand.

"Your hand is cold," the blonde boy whispered, his eyes shining with fresh tears, "please come back to me..."

Yes, that was right. After his clan was massacred he didn't care of staying in one place to another. That was because nothing could tie him down there. Nothing could hold him because he doesn't belong anywhere. Being alone in the world was the fact he embedded to his mind that kept him stronger and made him take steps forward without hesitation.

Has he gotten weaker then?

He pressed his hand on Leorio's...

If this connection with Leorio made me weaker... then I'm fine with that... as long as he's with me I'm fine with everything...

Leorio's face flashed in his mind's eye like an old memory and Kurapika became afraid. He doesn't want Leorio in his memories, he decided, he wanted the man with him. After everything they both went through, he doesn't want to give Leorio up because of his fear to the people.

But what about their fear of him?

Kurapika remembered one man saying about his family unable to sleep at night because of him. Families being unable to be find peace as long as he was around were a different matter entirely. Kurapika knew in him that he wasn't that selfish. Leorio must know that too.

And so it was inevitable.

It made everything change in Kurapika's mind and his tears couldn't be hold any longer at the eventual separation with the man he loved.

Wake up and stop me... Leorio...

He woke up one morning to find an unopened letter in his table.

Kurapika blinked at it before picking it up and opening it at the side. He recognized Gon's handwriting at once and without further ado, continued reading the letter from his young comrade.

Once done reading, a small smile played on the blonde boy's face. He took a pen and grabbed two sheets of paper. After scribbling some notes, he went outside of his room to greet another companion of his who was in the living room.

"Good morning, Kurapika," said the usual calm voice of Senritsu, Kurapika's reliable nakama.

"Good morning," he replied back with a slight smile.

Senritsu smiled back as she watched the blonde boy walk back in forth in the room.

"You seem to be in good mood. Your heartbeat is swaying like delighted flowers—as light as the air."

"Yeah," Kurapika sat across Senristu in the sofa and started writing on the other paper clutched on his hand, "I've just received a reply from Gon about Leorio's whereabouts."

"Hmm..." Senritsu gave the blonde boy a knowing look, "so you'll spend time with Leorio-san wherever he is?"

"Yes, that's just what I put in the second note. I need to give him a warning before appearing on his doorstep."

"Leorio-san would be glad to have you."

"You think?" Kurapika gave Senritsu a gentle look before looking down his letter again, "I've been meaning to see him. Of course, I wanted to see Gon and Killua too... but somehow I'm yearning to see that idiot more... I don't know what's wrong with me, but it's just a feeling. Maybe it's because he's a bit mature than those two... in one way or another."

Senritsu laughed together with him and the letter was sealed.

"That's refreshing," she said after a moment.

"What is?" Kurapika asked with a look at her.

"You, smiling," she answered sincerely that caught Kurapika off-guard, "it's really been awhile since I last saw you smile... and on those rare occasions you were with your friends. I really believe staying with them would help you find your own self. It's about time you put everything behind, Kurapika."

"Senritsu..." the blonde boy quietly whispered as he watched her smile.

"And I am with your choice of companion too," she went on, "I really think it is Leorio who can bring out the natural you."

"Do you mean to say because he easily irritates me?"

"But there is a saying, 'what you hate the most is the most you cherished,' isn't that so?"

"How ironic..."

Senritsu laughed again.

"But you two really are suitable."

Kurapika blinked several times before looking away.

"What are you saying all of a sudden... anyway, I've got a mail to deliver and... I'll be packing the moment I return."

Kurapika went out after grabbing a jacket, unaware that his friend's eyes were observing him until he was out.

"You might not know it, Kurapika but," Senritsu went on as she closed her eyes, "you're more eager to see him than you think. There are really beautiful things that unfold in this world as long as you keep on living."

Oblivious to this last word, Kurapika, with a light heart, headed for the mail station with one person at mind.

Just wait, Leorio...!

Kurapika raised his head and heard the same sound of the machine beside him.

A dream?

He tried to recall where he was and then saw Leorio's sleeping form. The man was still as pale as ever and this didn't escape Kurapika's eyes. Then he remembered his dream. Senritsu was right in saying he was able to find himself. But other than that—he was able to be with Leorio.

He went in that place to reconcile with Leorio... and this was the result of that decision.

Kurapika closed his eyes and then stood up. He then noticed a blanket fell down from his back and realized somebody must've put it around him. He also noticed another tray of food on the bed side table.

This made his eyes flicker gently.

Those guys...

He went out of the room with the empty tray at hand. He noticed the clinic was empty again. Walking toward the sink, he washed the dishes and placed them on the counter. He looked outside the window and saw that the sun was already high up the sky.

Maybe it was time for him to go and move forward... but where?

This trail of thought was disturbed as he heard shouts downstairs. With heart thumping, he turned and was about to come out when he saw the door burst open followed by Mayu and Tristan carrying a bleeding boy.

It was Ethan.

"Quick, give me the medical kit," Mayu calmly told Tristan who obeyed her without second thoughts.

"What happened?" Kurapika found himself asking as he knelt beside Mayu, "why's he wounded?"

Mayu, who was surprised to find Kurapika in speaking form again, immediately grabbed a towel and pressed it on the boy's head.

"He was in a fight with one of the children," she answered, grabbing the medical kit from Tristan, "don't worry Kurapika, his wound is not that deep,"

Kurapika took a mental note that she didn't answer his second question.

"Ethan..." he whispered, his eyes full of guilt, "why did you...?"

Ethan looked across him as Mayu patched him up and then said rather defiantly—

"I hate you."

Kurapika stared in surprise at the boy. It wasn't only him, both Tristan and Mayu stopped for a second to stare at the bleeding boy.

"Ethan!" Tristan went on, somewhat angry.

"I hate him!" Ethan shouted as he pointed at Kurapika, "don't you hate him too? Everyone's been saying bad things about him and he doesn't even fight back! He's a coward who runs away from us! And he doesn't speak to us so I hate him!"

"Ethan..." Mayu whispered, looking both stricken and speechless like Kurapika.

"Those boys were saying he was evil," this was followed by rolls of tears down the small child's cheeks, and he sobbed,"they said he cursed us that's why the doc was like that and we were hated by everybody... but it's not true... Kurapika just won't speak about what's on his mind... but I don't think he's a devil... even I can tell and I'm just a boy... really stupid adults!"

Mayu and Tristan exchanged meaningful looks, and then both pressed small smiles. Kurapika, on the other hand was looking at the boy with mixed emotions.

Then all of a sudden—Kurapika put a light hand on the boy's head and tapped him gently.

Ethan blinked and then saw a gentle smile on Kurapika's face.

"I'm sorry, Ethan... I won't run away anymore."

If I wanted to keep what's important to me... then I should stop running away... I need to fight for it.

"Kurapika, where are you going?" Mayu called as they watch the blonde boy head for the door.

Kurapika paused by the door, and then said without looking back.

"I'm going to face the people of this town."

"That..." Mayu whispered and then looked at Tristan for help.

"You can't just go there alone," Tristan answered at once looking serious, "they might do something bad to you!"

"Be that as it may, I can't let things go on like this," Kurapika answered as he clutched his fists, "I'm sorry for not trusting you guys... but this time, let me handle this on my own."

"But they might hurt you, Kurapika," came Mayu's worried voice.

The blonde boy paused again, before looking at them this time with a smile on his lips.

"If that's what it takes to make them realize that I am human then... I won't regret it."

And he dashed outside without another word.

"Kurapika!" Tristan and Mayu both called but then—both also paused as they heard a definite sound inside the emergency room. It was the sound of the machine dying into a one long beeping sound that indicated lost of life.

With fear etched on their faces, the two dashed toward the emergency room—

"LEORIO!"

Outside in the morning light, Kurapika went on with a determined face. He will not let anyone else handle it for him. No one will be hurt because of him. He won't even let Leorio wake up with this trouble still on his shoulders. If there was anyone who should handle it—no one fits in other than him. He will make the people see and accept him... for the sake of the person he loved the most... and the people who believes in him.

I want to keep holding your hand... I won't let go...

And he continued running toward the middle of the town where he knew the town's people with their fear, anger and doubts will greet him as warmly as the devil himself.

Yet he wasn't afraid.

He has something to protect.

That alone was making him strong.

With sudden relieved feeling, Kurapika realized that he wasn't at all weak.

Loving someone and wanting to protect them won't ever make someone weak.

And for Leorio, he would keep on becoming stronger... strong enough to be able to stay with him.

And Kurapika, swearing on his heart, went forward with his head up.

Oblivious to whatever has happened back at the apartment he so wanted to protect.

*To be continued*

What's happened in the Emergency Room?

And what will happen to Kurapika's resolved?

Find out in the next and FINAL CHAPTER!

Thanks for Reading!