Chapter 2: Always be respectful with women, unless you want to become a major loser in life
Pakunoda was pretty much having a shitty day. She had to travel all the way from Dorias to York New City because of a customer who'd supposedly pay her a fine payment, only to find out that the mission implied in spying his wife who was suspected of cheating. As stupid enough as the mission was, what really ticked Pakunoda off was the revelation of said customer also cheating on her with more than one woman. So here was Pakunoda, following the oblivious wife who hasn't really done anything besides hanging out with her friends. It was a total waste of time. Not even the fine pay would make up for it.
It wasn't very common of her or the other Spiders to take orders from any other besides Chrollo, just for the sake of earning money. But as things were lately with the tight budget they had that year (Shalnark had made calculations and anticipated they'd need more money than last year to conduct their activities), they'd need the money. So, leaving aside her pride for the time being, she assumed her role of spying for the pig of a customer.
It was just when her objective entered a café that her phone suddenly started ringing. Pakunoda, acting with naturalness and boiling inside, answered the call as if she wasn't spying anyone at all.
"Hello? I hope this is important, I'm in a middle of something right now," she said without greeting or anything, just firmly going to the point.
"Ne, ne, Pakunoda… you don't sound well. Not even a 'Hi, how are you?"
Pakunoda clicked her tongue in annoyance. "I'm not in the mood, Nobunaga. And like I said, I'm actually working, so unless the call is truly of importance-"
"I need your help."
Well, that certainly catched her attention. "You sound serious. What's the matter?"
Pakonuda heard some background noises and Nobunaga barking at someone. 'Keep quiet!' 'Oi, don't touch that!'
"Sorry about that. I have a kid with me. Long story short, I found him lying half-dead in an alley in Meteor City, and I need you to read his mind to assure myself he's not crazy. He's told me some…hardcore stuff."
Pakunoda kept silence for a few seconds. "I can't deny you piqued my curiosity. Come here to York New City in two hours. I'll be waiting for you at a location I'll send you via text."
"Got it. Though, didn't you have a mission to work with?"
Pakunoda smirked. "I'll be done in less than an hour."
"Great," said Nobunoga, finishing the conversation.
After the quick call, Pakunoda analysed the situation. Actually, she could end the mission right there, seeing as there was no actual proof of her cheating on him. The mind didn't lie after all. Maybe she could tell her (after gaining her reward, obviously) of the pig cheating on her. That'd serve him right. No man should unvalue a woman that way.
After texting Nobunaga the location to the meeting, she sighed and wondered what the deal with the child was. She would soon find out, that's for sure.
Soon after ending his call, Nobunaga turned to look at Kamui, who had put on a mask, apparently to dissipate some of the odour. Kamui, Nobunaga realised, seemed to have a very sensible nose.
"Oi, kid, what do you say we change views and go somewhere outside this decayed city?" He asked, knowing what would be the answer.
"Anywhere. Let's go anywhere," said Kamui with a green face. Then, as if realising something, punched Nobunaga's head at high speed.
"Oiiiiiiiiiiii! What was that for!? Just what is your fist made of!?" cried Nobunaga, kneeling in pain.
"I told you not to call me kid," said Kamui with a chilling smile.
Nobunoga shook his head, incredulous. He's almost like a mini Hisoka.
"Anyway," said Kamui, looking down at him. "Let's go!"
Nobunaga snorted and got on his feet with all the serenity he could muster. "Aye, aye, Captain."
"…Seriously, why are you now carrying your umbrella? Not to point out the obvious, but it's not raining."
Both Kamui and Nobunaga were currently walking in the streets of York New City, on the way to Pakunoda's position.
"We Yato have very sensible skin, so it's a tradition of our race to always carry an umbrella with us, just for the sake of protecting ourselves from the Sun. If I had some strong solar protector cream with me, I'd do well enough without it, but seeing as that's not the case, I'll just use it for now."
"…That's a huge weakness."
Kamui shrugged, nonchalantly. "Not really. In a few months, if I keep living under this burning sun, my body will get eventually accustomed to it. However, for the time being, I'll have to use special creams to protect my skin for now."
"That makes sense; also, remind me to take you later to a pharmacy to get you one of those creams you'll need. Though, why would you tell me this? Isn't it dangerous for you to spread this kind of information?"
Everyone besides you stupid humans know, so not really, Kamui thought, but didn't say aloud. Kamui looked at him, all the while ignoring the bemused stares of the passers-by.
"You plan to go against me?" He asked with a nonchalant tone, though Nobunaga wasn't ignorant not to notice the perilous hint he emitted.
"Not unless you try going against me."
Kamui nodded, seemingly satisfied with his answer. He then exploited the moment of silence that lasted to look around the city. He couldn't help but notice that there were several Amanto. Most of them, Kamui noted, looked at him with apprehension, clearly knowing he was a Yato (apart from the stupidly ignorant humans). Nobunaga also noticed those stares being directed to Kamui, but kept in silence.
Seriously, thought Kamui. If I hadn't heard Nobunaga's total disbelief of the Amanto's existence, this'd look like a normal scenario and wouldn't make me suspicious. But it truly seems humans here are totally isolated from the universe.
"Here we are." Nobunaga suddenly interrupted his line of thought, taking a step forward to stand in front of an old looking door. He knocked said door three times and an eye –an Amanto's eye, Kamui noticed– looked at them through a groove.
"What's your business here, stranger?"
Kamui tilted his head in wonder. The Merchant?(*)
"I'm here to take a drink with Pakunoda. She should've told you about my arrival," said Nobunaga, coolly.
The Amanto's eye locked with Kamui curious ones. "I see you brought the brat. Well, then, come on in, stranger." He swiftly unlocked the door and let them step inside.
The place was a very dark bar with very few customers, each looking shadier than the other. Nobunaga rapidly spotted Pakunoda sitting calmly in a corner, drink in hand.
"Oi, Pakunoda," greeted her the samurai, once they'd made their way towards her. Pakunoda merely nodded in greetings and looked at Kamui, curiosity evident in her eyes.
"I gotta say, it's not every day the great Nobunaga babysits a strange kid," she said, amused. "Take a seat then, we're going to stay here for a while."
Kamui nodded and took a seat on what looked like a soft, velvety, stool.
"So, let's start simply; what's your name? Mine's Pakunoda, as you might as well know by now."
"I'm Kamui."
"Kamui, then. Has Nobunaga told you about what I can do?"
Kamui nodded. "He told me you're able to read minds. I can let you in, only if you respect my privacy on certain matters of mine. In the end, all you need to know is if I told Nobunaga the truth."
Both Nobunaga and Pakunoda looked impressed at Kamui's answer. Nobunaga, because it was the first time he heard him talk smartly, and Pakunoda because he wasn't at all nervous. The kid was handling the situation like some sort of trader.
"I see. I'm thankful for your cooperation, and fear not, I'm not going to pry where you don't want me to. Normally, I use my ability to read the enemy, which means I'm capable of forcefully making my way inside someone's memory. You, however, are going to stay totally conscious about my actions inside your mind. So, once I enter, I want you to guide me so I don't step anywhere you don't want me to." Pakunoda smiled. "Fair enough, Kamui?"
Kamui nodded. "Fair enough."
(*): If you don't know, this is actually a reference from Resident Evil 4. Had many good and bad memories with that title...