*Shades of Red*
by: WhiteGloves
Epilogue pt. 2
*LeoPika Pairing/BL*
Thanks for still reading this after such a long time^^
I'm happy to be able to continue this-
Leorio and Kurapika's relationship- until when will it last?
In this chapter~! Enjoy!
The night was young. The moon was out.
Kurapika stared into the dark ceiling of the room that night with thoughts to himself. He was resting on a couch with a blanket wrapped on himself while Leorio was just on the floor next to him completely wrapped in his own sleeping garments.
Gon and Killua were both on the bed and were fast asleep. Kurapika and Leorio refused to use it and insisted on the floor but since it would look 'weird' for the two of them to share a blanket while the couch was free—it was decided that the blonde boy would occupy it—albeit making Leorio furious.
"That's why I said I wanted to go back to the hotel." The doctor muttered before shutting himself on his blanket.
The blonde boy was reminded how stubborn the tall man was and had to sigh to himself.
And he remained looking at the dark ceiling of the room with the gentle breathings of his companions.
When the clock struck midnight, Kurapika blinked slowly and then turned his head to the floor.
Leorio's figure was there, comfortably snug on his blanket. His broad back was on him and the green eyed boy could hear his little snore. The moonlight was shining down on him and the blonde boy liked that effect.
He wanted to keep Leorio where he could see him. He never wanted Leorio to be out of his sight.
I will protect you... Leorio.
Kurapika stared at him for a long time it almost felt like eternity.
And he couldn't help himself wondering... what would have happened... if he didn't board that ship that brought him to Leorio that fateful day. What if he didn't come in the doctor's peaceful life and remained where he was left after everything he did in the past...
Maybe Leorio wouldn't end up that way...
Kurapika clutched his hand on his blanket.
He needed to find a way to bring back Leorio's sight, he decided.
And to do that... Killua gave him a choice.
Killua's voice floated in his mind and the ominous feeling he has suddenly increased dramatically for the Zoldyck boy—after offering him hope—took it back like a landslide after mentioning a name.
"Illummi."
Kurapika closed his eyes.
After escaping from darkness and finding light... darkness loom yet again before them.
Kurapika was never worried about his life.
It was and will always be Leorio he would worry about.
How will he convince the man to agree without making him feel they were entering a dangerous world contrast to what they have because of his condition? How will he convince Leorio that he will take care of everything?
And how will he prevent Leorio from leaving him?
Because then Kurapika felt that, knowing Leorio, he would take everything on his own hand. And to avoid endangering his friends... Leorio would surely leave him... because that's how the man protects his friends.
The next morning found Mito-san at the veranda and hanging out the clothes.
The sky was clear up and the air was refreshing. Mito-san had just finished the last of the white linen when Kurapika appeared on the doorway.
"Do you need help, Mito-san?"
The young aunt looked over at the blonde boy and gave him a gentle smile.
"It's okay, I'm almost done. Thank you for the thought, Kurapika."
Kurapika smiled and then heard laughter just below the veranda. Together, he and Mito-san looked down and saw Gon, Killua and Leorio under the shade of a tree and seemed to be playing with cards.
And Gon gave another heartfelt laugh while Leorio shouted in rage.
The two people at the balcony smiled at them.
"Seems like they're having fun," Mito-san said quietly. "Leorio visited here before too... that was when he could still see. He enjoyed the view very much."
Kurapika stiffened a little as she continued.
"Though I don't know what happened... but I'm sure Leorio would want to see that again... I hope I could do something for him..."
The blonde boy lowered his eyes.
"I wish I could too..." he whispered.
"He's a very kind person, that young man." She finished with a sigh.
"Yeah," Kurapika stared at his comrades for a long time and then his eyes fell on Leorio, then to Killua. The Zoldyc boy's last words went back to him in a flash and he felt his jaws tightening.
"Kurapika?"
The blonde boy looked sideways at Gon's aunt and found her looking at him in wonder.
"Hai?"
"Y-your eyes..."
The blonde boy immediately raised his right hand on his eyes.
Aunt Mito blinked, and then gave a little laugh.
"Ah... no, that's probably just my imagination. Why don't you go down with them? Leave this to me."
And she turned and left while Kurapika was left now staring at Leorio.
And then like it was whispered by the wind—Leorio's head turned toward his direction, surprising him. There was a brief pause where the blonde boy held his breath as he stared at the man—
Can Leorio actually tell he was there...?
And then Gon and Killua looked his way too and waved at him enthusiastically.
"Hey! Kurapika!"
"Come down here! Leorio's loosing the nen game pretty badly!"
"No, I don't!" said the doctor heatedly, "you guys are cheating!"
"Did you actually see us do that?" Gon said with a light feeling.
"How could I—?"
"Heh? You're accusing little boys like us now?" Killua challenged with a smirk.
"Boys my butt! You guys aren't normal boys! You guys are brats! Come here and I'll crack that nut head of yours!" and the doctor stood up and tried to grab Gon but the black haired boy was much too fast for him—even with his eyesight functioning. Killua dodged him easily when he tried to swerve his arms toward him.
And the two boys played tag with the not so depressed blind man who can actually follow them for some reason that was explained later on by Killua as 'instinct'.
Kurapika watched them for some time and then heaved a deep sigh early that morning.
He had to convince Leorio today about Killua's plan... about going to the Zoldyck mansion and meet his family. It so happens that one of the Zoldyck family could actually help them restore Leorio's lost sight.
"But fair warning," Killua said that night with eyes glinting gravely, "there won't be any problem with my dad and I can just make my mum shut up about it. It's... it's aniki Illummi we need to worry about... I'm sure he will be there and he would do all means to get in the way."
Kurapika closed his eyes.
He was pretty sure they were burning red just then.
The whole morning the four friends stayed out in the garden for a little chat and talk. They've actually managed to continue their discussion about the Hunter Association which was the same topic they had before they all fell asleep last night.
It was Gon and Killua's plan to go there at the end of the month for Gon was practically in a hurry to reach the place where the hunter's organizers were gathered. It was because he heard that his father was most likely to be there.
"Though Kaito won't say anything yet but I am almost positive he'll be there." The black haired boy said with his big eyes round and clear.
"That is indeed, a reasonable deduction," Kurapika said with his thinking cap on, "and we need to consider the fact that I've been hearing some weird news regarding some unknown enemies working on the last time I was there."
"You went there?" Leorio turned his face toward the blonde boy's direction.
"Ah," Kurapika replied, "I was there for some research background... I had to meet someone there."
He didn't say anything after that but the pause he gave after was enough to make Leorio close his lips in understanding. It was suddenly mutual to the four of them what business Kurapika had at the Association in the past.
"Whether the Association is in a problem or not, we'll probably find out when we get there," Gon said with a resolute voice, "but before anything else... I really wanna see Ging."
Killua gave a sigh and shook his head.
"Your old man's a real sneak, Gon."
Gon grinned.
"He is, isn't he?"
"I bet Leorio would be the same when he becomes a dad!" continued the white haired boy.
"Oi!" the blind man shook fist at the Zoldyck kid, "if I become a dad I won't be as irresponsible as that guy! And why the heck are you even referring to me like that!? I'm not that old!"
"Then you should get marry before your fountain of youth disappears!"
"Fountain of youth—?" the tall man said incredulously while Kurapika and Gon snickered, "Where the hell did you get that one? And why are you even laughing, Kurapika!"
Kurapika laughed heartily as Gon rolled on the grass beside him and Killua grinned from ear to ear.
Aunt Mito came out from the back door and called to the four.
"Everyone! I've prepared sandwiches and juice here. Why don't you come and take your snacks?"
"Hai! Let's go!" Gon and Killua both responded, they jumped on their feet and raced towards the house energetically.
Kurapika was still smiling as they watched them when he heard Leorio sigh beside him.
Looking at the man, he saw Leorio sitting straight and putting each arm on his crossed legs with a hunch shoulder.
"Are you alright?" the blonde boy asked the doctor quietly as he knelt towards him.
"I'm fine," Leorio answered quietly as he raised his head. Kurapika stared at him and then sat closer.
"You shouldn't overexert yourself," the blonde boy whispered gently, his eyes sombering, "you've been trying to keep up with Gon and Killua since last night... you look tired to me."
"I'm young," the doctor said with a smile, "I've still got my fountain of youth, you know."
"Yeah but still..."
"And besides," Leorio pressed on as if reading what Kurapika was on, "I can't show I'm pathetic to those two."
"You're not pathetic!" the blonde boy said at once, "Leorio—!"
"I can't show I'm weak too," he added with a sudden serious look that caught the green eyed boy, "neither in front of them... nor in front of you."
This note of seriousness caught Kurapika for he had never heard Leorio spoke it out loud. He knew all along that it was what the man wanted from the start of his handicapped but never had Leorio told him of what he thought of himself and others... It made the blonde boy look away.
"Leorio..." he whispered, his head down, "you're right... maybe we should stay at the hotel..."
Leorio glanced up.
"Kurapika..."
The blonde boy's eyes flickered.
In order to keep him from being tired... in order to protect him from his unsecured feelings... He, Kurapika, had to move.
"Kurapika," Leorio's grin could barely be concealed, "I didn't think you wanted to make out with me that much."
Kurapika raised his head and blinked in disbelief at the expectant young man.
"W-what are you saying all of a sudden?" he said sounding embarrassed and flustered at once, his face reddening like a tomato, "d-don't jump to conclusions! I didn't mean going back to the hotel for t-that!"
"It's okay, I understand," Leorio's smile was not at all innocent, "I know you're embarrassed to admit it, but I'm glad you really manage to come through!"
And he wrapped his hands on the blond boy's waist—making Kurapika panic.
"Leorio!" he hissed, looking sideways with his hands on the man's chest, "someone might see!"
"How about going back to the hotel now?"
"You idiot—hey!"
"Kurapika! Leorio!" Gon said as his head popped out on the doorway—in time of seeing Leorio lying on the ground on his back while Kurapika was a meter away from him looking away, "Uh? Leorio's asleep? Hey—come! The sandwich is really delicious!"
"Y-yeah," Kurapika answered, standing up and looking around at the tall man, "we should hurry there... are you alright?"
He bent down at the man who was just about to sit up.
"Why did you push me?" he was muttering as shook his head and Kurapika handed him his glasses.
"What do you mean 'why'?" the blonde boy muttered as he helped Leorio get up, "Gon nearly saw us!"
"What's wrong of him seeing a couple of adults kissing?"
"Leorio!"
"Hmp!"
And Leorio became grumpy after that.
Kurapika watched from the corner of his eyes.
And still... he wasn't able to tell him anything about his and Killua's plan.
By lunch time Aunt Mito still insisted that the couple stay in the house with Gon and Killua. Initially, both Kurapika and Leorio tried to refuse the offer but Gon's aunt plus Gon himself were good terribly good persuaders.
"It runs in their family," Killua winked at the smiling Kurapika.
"By the way, have you told him?" he piped up quietly so only both of them would hear. They were all seated in the dining room once again and consuming Gon's aunt's meal.
Kurapika shook his head and then his eyes fell on Leorio.
It was then again that the doctor looked his way as if he knew he was being watched. Kurapika was caught surprise. Again? He thought to himself.
Just as he was about to open his mouth, they heard hurried footsteps came followed by sudden rapping of fists on the door.
"Mito-san!" called an urgent male voice, "Mito-san!"
In a flash, Gon and Killua were on the door— opening it they found an old neighbour looking panic stricken.
"What's going on?" Aunt Mito called in alarm as she reached behind Gon and Killua with Kurapika and Leorio listening attentively.
"Mito-san, it's bad!" the man said breathlessly, "Hanabi-chan had an accident!"
"Hanabi-chan?!" Mito-san gasped with hands on her mouth, his eyes wide.
"That Hanabi-chan?" Gon repeated looking alarmed as he distinctly remember a young neighbour girl.
"Yes—she fell down a cliff and she's in terrible condition! But the doctor's out of the village—he's on town and it'll take time to find him! Please help her—Mito-san!"
Before anyone could react however—and before anyone could see him—Leorio was found standing beside the old man with Kurapika right beside him.
"Bring me to where she is." He commanded in a voice full of urgency—clear and firm.
The old man blinked at him in surprise.
"W-who are you?" he asked sounding hesitant.
"I'm a doctor dammit—so bring me to her!" was his angry response. Then turning to Gon, he added, "Go get my bag, Gon."
Gon nodded and disappeared without a moment to lose. Leorio then turned to the man again.
"Now, hurry!"
"But Leorio-san," Aunt Mito whispered with a worried look on her face.
"Don't worry," it was Kurapika who answered and there was a smile on his face, "he knows what he is doing."
And without any further delay, the man lead the way with the doctor and the blonde boy on his heels.
Gon came sprinting after them followed by Killua.
"We'll be back before snack time!" the two called, disappearing into the horizon.
And still Aunt Mito couldn't help staring after them. Especially at the blind doctor and his firm resolute to do his task even at his condition. And what more... Gon, Killua and Kurapika's belief on him...
All she could do then was to pray.
They reached the household of the little girl within quarter of an hour and when they did—a hysterical mother met them whose eyes were swollen from crying. Beside her, a young boy was pale and silent.
"Leave the kid to me, please calm down," Leorio was saying in a strangely calm voice despite all the noise and fuss of other people outside, "and then if you can— prepare clean and warm water. Then plenty of clean linens if you have. Give us an extra basin too—Kurapika, I'll be needing a hand."
"Yeah," Kurapika answered and within minutes everything was working swiftly around the two.
Leorio entered the room where the injured girl was with Kurapika beside him. How the two of them managed to take care of her, only the two of them knows.
Killua and Gon were left on the sideline, comforting the mother of the girl and the silent boy beside her.
The hours ticked by.
Kurapika would come out now and then only to ask Gon for more water and white linen.
"How is she?" Gon wanted to know as he gave the third basin full of clear water. He couldn't help noticing the blonde boy's red hands.
"It's okay, don't worry," Kurapika assured him with a glance at the mother, "Leorio's doing all he can..."
"I'm surprised," Killua muttered when he drew near Kurapika as to not alert the family of the patient, "Leorio could actually do his thing in his state..."
"I know," the green eyed boy agreed silently, "but he still needs help in operating... he's done this before with his nurse back in his place. He remembers the human anatomy... and knows almost everything to do with it... he would've done this much quicker if not..."
Kurapika went silent and then signalled to the two boys that he would go join the doctor again.
Killua gave a whistle and put both hands behind his head.
"So Leorio's really that good after all..."
"Of course," Gon suddenly said with a serious look on his face that made Killua look at him, "this is Leorio we're talking about."
"H-hey..."
The two hunters looked at the owner of the voice and saw the pale young boy standing with his bowed to them.
"Haru," Gon said as he recognized the young boy.
"I...is my sister gonna be okay?" he asked through trembling voice. "it... it's my fault after all..."
Gon and Killua looked at each other.
And hours passed by until dusk came. Mito-san came carrying a basket with her. The moment she came in, Gon and Killua jumped on their feet to meet her. She gave each of them a hug and then looked after Hanabi-chan's mother.
Still, Kurapika and Leorio both didn't leave the room.
And the helpless boy stood waiting for them by the door.
Inside the room, we see a small girl lying on the bed with white linen wrapped on her forehead. She was unconscious.
Beside her, Leorio washed his hands on a basin, removing most of the blood that's been in his hands for hours. Kurapika walked near him and handed a clean cloth on which he wiped his hands on.
"Leorio..." was his first word.
"She's gonna be fine," the doctor said as Kurapika reached out and wiped a sweat on his brow, "her concussion was very threatening... good thing I've got things to keep the danger at bay... she'll be unconscious for days maybe... her head was hit pretty badly."
"Good thing you're here..." Kurapika whispered as they stood side by side and staring at the girl.
"Good thing, yeah..." Leorio gave a small sigh that didn't escape Kurapika's ears. He glanced at the doctor and saw his tired but relieved expression. It made the blonde boy bit his lip.
"Leorio..." he started, his eyes flickering and his voice hesitant, "I want to tell you something."
The doctor removed the cap on his head and turned at his partner's voice with a frown forming on his face.
"What's wrong?"
The green eyed boy hesitated, and then slowly looked up at the blind man.
"I feel responsible for what happened to you." He said quietly.
Upon hearing this, Leorio stiffened but didn't say a thing. Kurapika reached a hand and tugged on his sleeves.
"I know you don't want me to worry about it, but I am! You can't take that from me! I'm... I'm your lover, dammit... and I want to be responsible of you."
"Is that why you take things on your hand without telling me?"
Leorio, even with his eyes closed, felt like he was staring at Kurapika deep.
"What...?" the blonde boy started
"I know how you've been protecting me all this time," the man said with a little painful tone in his voice, "I know how many times I've been a burden to you."
"Burden!" Kurapika repeated looking stunned, "T-that's not true!"
Leorio looked away but Kurapika kept a firm hold on his sleeve. He was afraid Leorio would say that. He was afraid of Leorio's next action after revealing his true emotion... that was probably why he never forces the man to tell him how he feels... because then Leorio might just decide to let go... knowing Leorio and his stubbornness—Kurapika was always afraid of that.
"Listen to me, Leorio!" this time, Kurapika clutched on his arm, "don't say that now! You know as well as I do you're not a burden to me! Look—if its your eyesight we're talking about—you know there's always a way and I've found one!"
The doctor shot the blonde boy a look.
"What...?"
And Kurapika told him everything Killua said.
"Ilummi? Killua's freak of a brother? That guy?" Leorio's frown deepened as the same reaction that Kurapika experienced happened to him, "Kurapika, you're not—?"
"We have to go there!" Kurapika desperately said as his grip on the man's arm tightened, "You have to be cured! For your sake—and mine too! I don't care what happens to me!"
Leorio's jaw tightened at that—
"Don't you dare—!" he started, pulling Kurapika's hand away from him but then—
"Leorio! Kurapika!" Gon's voice sounded urgent, "are you guys alright? I thought I heard you guys shouting?"
Leorio turned to where Gon's voice was coming from but he didn't let go of Kurapika.
"Y-yeah... everything's fine."
"Gon!" Killua's voice now sounded more urgent, "that boy's gone!"
"Eh? You mean Haru?"
Both Kurapika and Leorio looked at the doorway.
"What kind of an idiot kid would run away in the middle of the night?" Killua shouted to Gon and the other two who was right behind him.
"Don't blame him," Gon said as they continued running, "Haru thinks it's his fault Hanabi-chan fell on the cliff..."
"That idiot," came Leorio's voice who was running after them with hands still clutching tight on Kurapika, "if he does something stupid I'll beat him to pulp myself!"
Kurapika didn't say a thing but he knew Leorio was enraged.
"Is it okay to leave Hanabi-chan to Mito-san?" he said after awhile.
"Yeah," the doctor said without glancing in his direction, "she's in no danger... the one we need to save... is that boy..."
Kurapika's eyes flickered.
"You don't mean...?"
"It's possible," Gon said ahead of them with unblinking eyes, "his scent is in this direction... and this road we're headed to right now..."
Kurapika stared behind Gon's back and then felt his heart sinking.
Darkness was already upon the island but it didn't stop the four as they reached the edge of the cliff where the little girl was found. The sea breeze hit their faces and the moisture of the salty water was in the air.
At one point as Gon looked around, he saw a figure near the edge of the cliff.
"Haru!" he cried and the four of them ran toward the cliff. "What are you doing!?"
"Hey, little kid!" Killua called with mind working as fast as his eyes scanning around, "there's no time for you to play hide and seek—your sister's waiting for you!"
"L-leave me alone!" the boy cried with an anguished voice, "my sister she... she tried to tell me not to go here but still... I... I..."
"Haru!" Gon said, edging a little forward, "get away from there—it's dangerous!"
"I don't care!" the boy shouted as he turned to them with fists closed, "it's my fault my sister got hurt! It was my fault! I... I... she'll be much better if I'm not around..."
"Hey, you little brat."
The boy looked up to the tall man who had suddenly straightened himself. He couldn't see the expression of the man because of the dark. All he could see was the faint flicker of glasses on his nose.
"I didn't go through all the trouble of saving your sister just so she could wake up and find you dead. Do you get what I'm saying?"
He stepped toward the boy with Kurapika following him.
"Don't come near!" The boy stepped back looking uncertain but surprisingly his threat didn't do anything to the walking doctor. Leorio continued his march until he was a foot from the boy.
"You sure you wanna kill yourself?" Leorio said with a grim expression—that was when the boy saw—the man's eyes were closed. What the heck was that? The person who operated her sister was—?
Leorio then grabbed the boy's head with one hand and clutched it tightly—making Killua and Gon blink in surprise.
"Your sister didn't save you just so you can kill yourself of guilt—you hear that?! The best you can do to repay her is to take care of that tiny life of yours! Damn—be grateful you're alive! Don't dare say you don't care about yourself—it's the same as saying you don't care about what your sister was protecting! Don't just throw yourself away because you feel responsible! Say that you'll be careful next time—that you'll live life till you're old! You got that!?"
Kurapika's eyes widened when he found Leorio's face turning his way.
"And that's the same for you!" he threw at the blonde boy who stared at him with a blank expression. "Stop saying you're responsible for every damn thing that has happened—are you god or something?!"
Both the boy and Kurapika stared at the man.
"Geez, you people," the doctor muttered when he straightened again, "pissing me off..."
The doctor straightened—but then the ground crumbled—
The next thing—the earth the boy and Leorio were standing collapsed under them—
"LEORIO!" Kurapika reached out— immediately grabbing the doctor's hand and not letting go—
Leorio tried to grab the boy's hand but it was too late— he couldn't see where the boy's hand was after all.
"Shit!" he cursed but then—"Gon!"
And without the need for a call, Gon's body was already flying down the cliff—
"Grab him—Leorio!" Killua shouted as he flattened himself to catch Kurapika's waist.
"AHHHH!" the boy cried as he felt his body drifted into the air—and saw his life flash before him.
Leorio closed his fist as he felt a body went pass him—and then he made a grab. The weight of the three bodies tolled on Kurapika as he felt his arms sore—but Killua was with him and together—they pulled up.
And in that darkness the sea did not take any falling bodies.
"Haaah!" Gon sighed as he fell flat on his back with the little boy and Killua next to him, "that was... dangerous... haaah!"
"Said the idiot who keep on jumping in dangerous situation!" the Zoldyck boy said, knocking Gon in the forehead.
"Owww!"
"Are you okay?" Kurapika said as he knelt beside the doctor.
"Yeah," Leorio said as he wiped his chin with the back of his hand, "are you?"
Kurapika nodded, "Yeah..."
Silence fell between the two with nothing but the sea waves below.
And Kurapika knew he had to apologize.
"Leorio, I—"
A kiss on the lips shocked and froze the blonde boy.
"Leorio!" he hissed when he pushed the man, "what—!?"
He frantically looked around but saw the Gon and Killua were busy comforting Haru. He then turned to the doctor whose face looked somber.
"I never told you to protect me," Leorio said with his brows creased, "all I wanted you to do was stay by my side... but if being with me makes hurt yourself then..."
Kurapika's heart thundered before him. Surely Leorio wouldnt' break up with him—!?
"Leorio!" he clutched on the man's chest— no!
"I've gotta fix this eyes as quickly as I can." The doctor ended.
Kurapika blinked.
"Eh?"
"Hmm? Why?"
Kurapika stared at the man and felt his energy leave him.
"Oi," the doctor said with a frown, "what's wrong?"
Kurapika blinked, and then embraced the man tightly.
Leorio will always be... stronger than me.
"K-Kurapika?" Leorio muttered.
"Hey, you two?" Killua's voice called and the couple looked in time to see the white haired boy looking at them with interest and a grin, "busy over there?"
The two immediately separated.
"My sister..." Haru went on with a shaking as he lied on the ground with face full of tears.
Leorio's face softened as he and Kurapika went near him.
"I told you she's fine," he told him as they all sat up to look at the kid who was safe and sound with them, "your sister is fine... and she will be even better if she found you next to her... so remember to apologize."
"I... I..." Haru's tearful face got swollen and he buried it deep on his tiny hands where he cried.
Gon, Kurapika and Killua all looked at one another, and then smiled.
Leorio's face remained ominous.
"Now, he said when the three noticed his face, "I'd like to discuss this crazy Zoldyck Mansion invasion part two."
A/N: Zoldyck Mansion Invasion PART TWO!
Illumi does get in the way WAY too much!
Will Hisoka be around, you ask?
Let's just say it's- ATTRACTION!
*Thanks for Reading and supporting!*
Will they achieve that peaceful life again?
In the next chapter~
The Epilogue pt.3!
Thank You!