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DISCLAIMER: I WISH I own Hunter X Hunter
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CHAPTER 7: Confrontation X Zoldycks X Underworld
Kurapika and Leorio sat by a circular table in a café located on the hotel's first floor. They positioned themselves near the window, in the hope that they'd be a little bit calmer than before. But unsurprisingly, it didn't work. The fear, anxiety, and tension that built up after all the debates and the fact that Gon just made an enemy of a famous assassin couldn't exactly be calmed down by a view, after all.
"Where's Gon?" A familiar figure asked as he approached them. Kurapika looked at his pointy bonnet.
"She's in the orientation since she was asleep when we were taking it."
"Ah…" he just responded and the two just stared at him. He gulped in nervousness.
"I'm sorry for my rudeness earlier." He muttered recalling his little outburst in the debate. He questioned Kurapika's qualification out loud because Hisoka was winning yet he withdrew after suspiciously whispering something to Kurapika. But in reality, he was actually just venting his anger of getting qualified when he was not nearly as skilled as everyone else.
"I shouldn't have exploded myself." Kurapika smiled. "Truce?" Pokkle nodded in assent. Moments later, though, Pokkle found a hand resting shamelessly on his shoulders.
"Yow." Hanzo greeted them. "Where's Gon?"
"I already answered that question." Kurapika retorted, knowing Hanzo's monstrous sense of hearing. The ninja grinned widely. "I know, I'm just messing with you."
"Apparently." Kurapika uttered with his eyes closed as he sipped his tea. Hanzo noted the tone of irritation in the blonde's voice.
"Wha- You're still mad about what I did to Gon?"
"Maybe." He answered. Leorio sighed and decided to intervene. He knew very well that if Hanzo said anything even the least bit offending, Kurapika would explode. He saw how Kurapika watched her sleep during those days, and it was obvious how he felt.
"You have to admit, it's not easy to forget. She is our friend, after all." He stated firmly getting Hanzo to look at the ground in guilt.
"Ah… I understand that you hate me. But I would like to tell you guys that I didn't like it myself. I needed to do whatever it took to get a license but I was guilt-ridden for the days that followed. I don't care if you believe me, though. Even if I thought you'd understand."
"I believe you." Kurapika said surprising everyone. "Besides, I don't hate you. I'm probably just mad because she didn't and I thought that I probably should." He muttered, still with his eyes closed and continued to nonchalantly sipped tea. The other guys just shrugged at the white lie.
"What do you plan on doing after this?" Pokkle asked. Apparently Hanzo was returning to his country, Kurapika was going to find a job, while Leorio was going to study to become a doctor.
"So you're going to part ways with Gon?" He asked, hiding his incredulity. Somehow he could not imagine them parting ways.
Kurapika on the other hand, as smart as he was, denied the possibility altogether and was then in a state of shock. But Kurapika being Kurapika, his expression would only reveal a slight surprise. But even with the lack of changes in facial expression, there remained that fact that he was, undeniably, a Kuruta.
"Oi! Kurapika! Are you alright?" Leorio exclaimed, extremely worried… and scared. He had heard of this phenomenon from Gon and Killua but actually seeing those crimson orbs for himself gave him goosebumps. It was the same with the other two. Kurapika immediately noticed the commotion he caused and willed himself to calm down.
"I'm sorry." He said stoically and stood up to excuse himself.
"I'll be in the restroom."
…
Gon ran as fast as she could around the hotel to look for certain raven-haired assassin. She decided to drill Killua's location out of him– no matter what. She tried her best to remember his smell, but then she realized that… he didn't have one.
"Shikussooooo"
She mentally slapped herself for relying on her sense of smell so much. But a moment later, by a nice coincidence, she proved that could depend on her luck too. It was working just fine.
She saw him go inside an elevator and she immediately ran to the adjacent one to catch up. He was walking quickly, especially for Gon's pace factor. She walked faster and faster to catch up, and soon enough he stopped.
She looked around to find that they were in a courtyard- and a pretty one at that. With a nice little gazebo beside them…
"Do you have any business with me?"
"Give Killua back." She repeated.
"Like I said before- he isn't yours."
"He isn't yours either."
"Not explicitly." He managed to retort.
She winced. "…what does 'explicitly' mean?"
An invisible vein appeared on Illumi's forehead.
"I have no time for this nonsense. Now, if you'll excuse me-"
"Hey! How rude. I'm talking to you."
"Let go." He uttered pushing back his strong desire to strangle her. He couldn't really do that now, with so many people willing to get revenge for her nearby.
"It wasn't my choice." He just said. "He went back home by himself."
"I don't believe that."
"That." he paused, expression unchanging. "...is no longer my problem."
"But-"
A small amount of aura escaped from his body due to his piling irritation and she backed away immediately. His eyes twitched slightly. She's going to become incredibly strong in the future– he could tell. With her power, she might just be able to take Killua away from them again.
Just the very thought made him mad, and he instantaneously decided that if he was going to kill her, the time was now- before she grew up and realize all the power hidden within her. He'd just have to do it quietly, to avoid any more risk.
He took out his needles and threw them at her. Despite her injuries, she dodged the weapons easily- too easily in Illumi's standards. He decided to end it quickly and gestured to send deadly aura to Gon. Directly at her, so no one nearby would sense him. The mere concentration of aura should be enough to kill anyone dormant.
But then Hisoka appeared- out of nowhere- in a corner behind the girl. He was in position to strike- which would prove disadvantageous for him because he had just spent energy emitting a strong aura. Hisoka was strong... too strong to be sure he would win.
He relaxed his position making the girl tilt her head in puzzlement.
No matter how he looked at it with his now semi-calm mind, he was being too rash. He was not going to risk his life for such a small creature like her. Besides, if she continued to pursue Killua she would die anyway. And in many different ways, too.
Ah… how he wished to see that happen.
Gon blinked at the sight of Illumi relaxing. She felt herself calm down, too.
"Kukuroo Mountain."
"Hn..?"
"That's where my family lives. Kukuroo Mountain."
She batted an eyelid. "You're telling me? But, why-"
"I've already angered those who wanted to protect you." He stated pointing behind her. She saw Kurapica and Leorio, who just arrived, and were in the position to strike. She blinked... again.
"Ah…"
Illumi looked at her react at her friends and decided to take his leave.
"Ja." He uttered casually. He saw Gon whip her head back at him after giving a smile to her friends.
"Arigatou!"
Illumi squinted his eyes slightly, but looked away as if she didn't say anything.
'Odd girl…'
...
Later that day, Hisoka and Illumi isolated themselves from the other new hunters- as they always had. The only difference this time was that they were actually chatting. It was Illumi who wanted to feed his curiosity.
"Why do you want to protect her anyway?" he asked nonchalantly and Hisoka shrugged.
"No reason."
"So you say…"
"Why do you want to kill her, then?" he retorted with his usual shrilling voice.
"Why not? Of all the people I was sure you'd understand."
"A…" he uttered blankly. Illumi crossed his arms at his companion's odd behavior.
"She's going to be strong, you know. Don't you think it's best to kill her while it's still easy?" he asked but to his surprise Hisoka uncharacteristically flinched and appeared to have some sort of eureka moment.
'Yes, that must be it.' He mused, feeling quite proud of himself.
"I'm trying to comprehend what might just be running through your mind…" Illumi voiced out and Hisoka just made a sadistic grin.
"And…?"
"Nothing. You have mind that may even be more twisted than mine."
"You flatter me. " he said playfully before letting his aura turn dark without changing a single facial muscle.
"She's my prey. I'll wait for her to mature- and then kill her." He stated convincingly, to the point that he had no doubts about his motives. And neither did illumi.
"Ah… I forget your love for challenges."
Hisoka smirked and let the dark atmosphere to subside slightly. "How could you? It's how we met."
"I'm happy you still remember." Illumi stated uneventfully.
"Of course I do. I almost died."
"You exaggerate." He responded knowing that he, too, almost died as well during their first duel. And Hisoka had gotten much stronger since then. He somewhat regretted letting him live now, considering if he wasn't there the girl should've already been dead.
Hisoka sensed the blood-lust and frowned.
"She's mine." He stated, meaning to say 'She's mine to kill.' But what came out definitely sounded better. He liked it.
Maybe he should say it more often…
"I know, I know. You don't need to be so serious."
"Good."
Gon was determined to go to Kukuloo- kukiro-
"Kukuroo Mountain."
"Thanks."
She, Kurapika, and Leorio decided to go together. They helped her research about the place and learned that it was in the Republic of Padioka- which was a very far place. A very far place…
And so the two decided to come with her. Besides, they realized that Gon needed all the help she could get… and maybe even the other way around. Hence for the duration of the travel, they were mostly glad that their time together had been extended.
During their travel, though, for the first time in their lives... they could experience luxury beyond their imagination– and all because of tiny cards. Well, tiny cards countless men died trying to get. They rode first class in everything. They felt like millionaires – no billionaires – with every staff serving them gracefully.
"AH~ This is the life! Makes all we've been through worth it." Leorio let out as he sat comfortably on an excessively soft couch.
"Indeed." Kurapika smiled and sat with him- sinking deep into the soft cushion. "Too soft." He criticized and then started telling Gon about 'How to feel comfortable in a no-class ride.' And Gon nodded gravely while Leorio sweat-dropped at his odd friends, but was glad to be with them regardless.
Long hours of traveling passed and they had finally arrived at their destination. Although, they didn't really expect a demonstration of the Zoldyck's monstrosities as soon as they had arrived…
"W-What the hell is that?"
"KYAAA!"
"It's a monster!"
"I-IE!"
Were just a few of the terrified shouts of their fellow tourists.
Two men claiming they would take the assassin family's heads, forced their way into the gate. A loud growl was heard and their screams came right after. A huge and hairy hand- er, paw- carrying the skeletons of the men revealed itself, and no normal person would stay at the sight.
But they were not normal. They were hunters- and the three of them, much to the guide's confusion, asked to stay.
And that was how their friendship with Zebro, who turned out to be the gate's guard, started.
Zebro told them everything there was to know… and learn. They trained with them for a month and they grew extremely strong. Leorio improved most, being able to push a 2-ton door.
But even during their final day of training, more and more 'training' a.k.a. household chores with extremely heavy items were done. Eventually the sky turned dark, but Gon was especially restless and they needed to convince her that they would need to have a good night's rest before heading any further. The old man emphasized that the road ahead of them would be harder.
And so they went to their respective bedrooms and slept.
But... Gon couldn't possibly sleep. She willed herself to get some rest but her mind wouldn't let her. She frowned deeply and sat up. She wore her heavy slippers before going to the balcony to get some air.
Her moment of silence didn't last though, for Kurapika soon followed and stood behind her.
"Can't sleep?" He asked, stating the obvious. He knew very well how excited Gon is and he had to admit he was too. To some degree anyway. He did like Killua, he was his friend. But he simply couldn't shake off the envy he was feeling. He met Gon first, yet Killua had become so much closer to her than he was.
But in the end, he mentally shook his head. Acting based on such feelings would do no good, so he just patted Gon's head getting her to flinch slightly. He didn't say anything, and neither did she.
Kurapika loved touching her, and he loved her smile even more. Yet he wanted to shoo that twinge in his chest every time he looked– or even thought- of her, but so far all of his attempts had been in vain. But there was no use telling her that, now was there? He wanted to preserve Gon's obliviousness a little while longer-
He sighed.
"You don't want Killua to see you tired now, would you?" he asked making her blink. Gon did not like to make anyone worry- especially her best friend. She shook her head.
"Go to sleep, then." He ordered, but to his surprise, she shook her head again. "What?"
"You don't look too good, Kurapika. I don't think Killua would like to see you tired, either."
He batted an eyelid but immediately willed himself to calm down. He smiled at her, although unfortunately it turned out the weak smile that it was. Gon opened her mouth to ask him what's wrong but Kurapika just shook his head to signal for her not to speak.
He turned away from her, afraid that she might see that ever-worsening expression in his face. But before he could fully do so, he felt arms wrapped around his back.
"Kurapika's heartbeat sounds so sad…"
He chuckled lightly and let his hands rest on her.
"But it's all worth it."
…
*The next day*
The old man wished them luck, before they headed forward. They walked carefully through the forest, flinching slightly as Mike– the giant wolf hound – stared at them. Gon remembered her experiences with it and shivered slightly. If it weren't for that whistle, she probably could have been eaten alive…
It wasn't like any other creature she had encountered- Mike was basically a machine. She wondered how Killua's family could take away an innocent creature's will just like that. Taking a life away was bad enough, but you mind and soul being taken away from your body was even worse.
She clenched her heart.
Killua should not have been brought-up here. No wonder he wanted to escape…
And Gon was determined to make that happen.
...
Along the way, they met an incredibly strong girl named Canary. She was a pretty African-american girl with red hair. She caused them a lot of wounds, but Gon did not give up. She knew that this person felt Killua was important and that she was a good girl– Gon knew that this girl wanted Killua free, too.
"Please, Canary-san. Let us through…" Gon asked serenely for the nth time, despite all the pain in her face. It seemed that Gon had finally hit the last straw. Tears slowly came out of her eyes.
"Please…. Please help Killua-sa-"
BAM!
Gon's eyes widened in fear as she watched Canary fall down the ground. Kurapika and Leorio quickly ran to Gon's side and placed themselves between her and the source of the attack. Gon, on the other hand, was staring fearfully at the unconscious figure. She saw that she was still breathing – but nevertheless injured.
If Gon didn't come would she not have been hurt?
"It wasn't your fault, Gon." Kurapika commented, knowing what she was thinking. She looked at him helplessly, making him want to hug her. But then they were interrupted by leaves rustling revealing two women just appearing out of the forest. One was an older woman full of bandages and a cyborg's eye. She was wearing a petticoat, while the pretty little girl right beside her was wearing a traditional Kimono.
"Oh hush. Of course it's her fault." The old woman commented haughtily. "Right, Kalluto?"
"Yes, mother." She muttered not taking her eyes off Gon. Gon didn't take her eyes off the girl either once it landed on her.
Gon didn't hear any of the conversations, but just let herself be immersed in the younger girl's deep stare. There was something really magnetic about that girl and she couldn't tell what it was. When she noticed she was being… grasped, she arched her eyebrows effectively getting Gon to bat an eyelid.
Her attention though, immediately shifted once she heard Killua's name. They came to deliver a message…
Killua was thankful that they came, but he said that they should go home and forget all about him.
Gon frowned.
"Yadda."
The woman's 'eyes' turned red for an instant but immediately calmed down when her phone suddenly rang. Moments of silence on their side came, and it was obvious that whatever the person on the other line was saying- the cyborg lady didn't like it.
"B-But Jii-sama!"
"What?"
"WHY WOULD HE DO THAT!"
"No-"
"But—"
"Let's go, dear." The mother stated out-of-nowhere and then glared at the trio.
"Killua will meet you there." She stated indignantly as she pointed at a large mansion not too far from where they were standing. They all flinched at the gesture- even Kalluto, and Gon let out a deep sigh- relieved- even when the other two still had their guards up.
"It's your choice whether you will do what I recommended. I honestly prefer you die right here, though." The woman stated bluntly before turning away and running irritably deeper to the forest.
Gon laughed in delight and willed the other two to go to the mansion immediately. Kalluto heard this and immediately turned around to give Gon her most powerful glare.
Kalluto expected her to frown at her, or at least flinch in intimidation-
But instead, Gon relaxed her posture and smiled at her apologetically. Gon had an intuitive sense of this family's workings, now, and maybe... she could help this little girl go free as well.
"You can always follow his footsteps." She grinned, thinking of how thankful she was that Killua did what he did. "Ne, Kalluto-chan?"
.
.
END OF CHAPTER VII
Coming Soon:
CHAPTER VIII: Reunion X Parting X Kiss?
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REPLIES TO ANGELS:
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