*Finding Leorio*

by: WhiteGloves

"I won't let go!"

-Kurapika

Chapter 11: His Retrieval

"We're heading there," Killua said to his phone and then hung up. He turned to Gon who was beside him and nodded at his best friend then the two of them started running toward the nearest terminal that would bring them to Otto City.

As they reached the station and bought tickets, the two sat on the farthest corner of the shuttle where they started talking in whispers.

"Kurapika found the eyes and kept them already," the white haired boy was telling his companion, "it seemed that it was left in his room. Anyways, Kurapika's already headed to the urgent meeting set by the underground Mafia regarding the eyes. Hundreds of them would probably attend it."

Gon nodded but something else was bothering him.

"Leorio brought four more eyes to Kurapika without being detected?" Gon said looking worried, "how did he do that?"

"Beats me," Killua answered with eyes on the side of the window, "but he's definitely getting weirder. He even killed his targets this time… really, that old man…"

Gon looked offended and stared down his feet. Killua glanced at him and then pointedly looked away.

"Gon," he started, "Leorio's not the same guy anymore…you know that, don't you?"

The black haired boy didn't say anything but clutched his hands on his knees. His companion continued looking away, with a lost look on his eyes.

"Neh… Killua?"

"Hm?"

"How does it feel to kill?"

Killua's eyes widened as he shot his friend a look. Gon was frowning on his knees.

"I'm sorry," he continued, "I know it's insensitive of me to ask you that but… I was just wondering if Leorio's enjoying what he's doing now… if it's still possible for him to recover from that…"

The white haired boy stared, and then slowly heaved a sigh as he dropped his chin on his hand while looking out of the window.

"I don't know, Gon…" he said truthfully that made Gon look sideways at him, "I never really thought about it… I was never thought to kill out of enjoyment or hatred… my family thought me to kill as part of business so I wouldn't know… all I know is that once the job is started—it should be finished."

Gon's shoulder sagged down. "Is that so…"

Killua gave him a side look before sighing again. He never intends to tell Gon this, but in Leorio's situation, he couldn't say if the man was doing it more for the job or for entertainment anymore. Leorio was someone who grew up cherishing life but now he was just like him. An assassin. But something was different between them. The Zoldyck boy lowered his eyes looking serious. He knew what it was to kill, but he never knew how it was to enjoy it... he wondered really if Leorio was okay. A man like Leorio won't be able to go through something like this without breaking.

Killua had that feeling it was impossible for the man to return. Even if Kurapika forgives him, Killua just had the feeling that the man would never forgive himself.

Kurapika, Senritsu and Light Nostrade were inside a black limousine. They were all quiet with the blonde leader carrying a vessel that contains a pair of Kuruta eyes. They were also wearing black suites. The meeting was set at 11 pm where everyone who was able to get hold of the Kuruta eyes were invited to attend. Kurapika didn't know just how many would come, all he knew for a fact was that these billionaires felt threatened enough to attend there. Still, he couldn't help feeling that something wrong was bound to happen.

"Why do we have to bring the eyes?" he asked shrewdly, knowing full well that exposure of the rare scarlet eyes were like luring out other enemies around, "it doesn't make sense."

"It's like the pass for this meeting," Light Nostrade muttered, "it's to prove you have every right to be there."

Kurapika and Senritsu stared but neither said anything.

Their limousine took a turn and was gliding along the road heading towards a five star hotel where other class vehicles were rounding. As their car went near the entrance, Light Nostrade sighed and turned to his guards.

"Keep your eyes open."

Kurapika didn't need to respond as the car door opened and his boss came out first. Kurapika closed his eyes and made a secret pact with himself as Senrits went ahead of him. Then, he followed them suite and saw everyone around wearing black attires and shades around.

The men handling the security were all stiff in manner and rigid in action. Their seriousness caught up with the other visitors who were also silent and quick to leave the open and enter inside. Kurapika's eyes swept around the entrance and saw number of vessels being carried by different people. He was glad he was wearing contact lenses otherwise... because just then his heart was racing at the sight of his clan's eyes surrounding him in such a group of people.

Light Nostrade moved along as he nodded at one man with dark shades. Kurapika followed them and they were lead to the entrance. Once they entered, Kurapika was greeted by an assistant lady wearing the same cold atmosphere around her. She brought a cart with her and stopped just in front of Kurapika.

"Surrender it," Light Nostrade told Kurapika quietly as he nodded at the vessel he was carrying.

Kurapika looked at him and then turned to Senritsu. Senritsu stared at the woman and then quietly nodded toward the blonde boy. Without much hesitation, Kurapika obeyed. He placed the vessel on the cart and watched as the lady moved away toward their left.

"They will bring it to a safe location," the black man leading them said as they proceeded toward the elevator, "once they confirmed its authentication they will bring it shortly to us at the meeting hall."

"Is the place heavily secured?" Light Nostrade wanted to know.

"Yes," the man answered gruffly, "there are number of security around the whole building and the meeting hall is going to be on the underground as well. If enemies are to attack, alarms would be pressed and all the people hired by Mr. Max Gates will come forth to protect all of you."

Light Nostrade chuckled and Kurapika wondered if his boss actually believed he was safe. They continued walking along the corridor and then proceeded to another elevator Kurapika knew to be leading towards the underground hall. No other people seemed to be after them which made Kurapika sure the other visitors were probably using other means of going down the underground.

The elevator was heavily secured too. Two men in the same black attire was waiting by its entrance and they checked the identities of Kurapika, Senritsu, Light Nostrade and even the man leading them too.

"Double checking identities to know impostors," Light Nostrade muttered to himself but enough for Kurapika to hear as they enter the elevator and their guide hit the down button, "clever but not quiet."

Kurapika remained silent behind him with eyes at the back of their guide.

If security measures were that tight then there should be enough defense to hold the enemy even for a second if ever the Ryodan decided to appear. Kurapika had never put it pass them. He knew even without their computer genius, the Ryodan would still be on the move for something as suspicious as this meeting even if it was called only shortly.

That was why he has been alert ever since he stepped into the building. The mere fact that it was also a sudden meeting means that the security wasn't flawless. What more, aside from the Ryodan, he was sure someone else would be there to do something about the hundred pair of eyes. He was sure someone stupid enough would dare go there and mess everything... and when that happens, he, Kurapika, would be the one to stop him.

He was dead sure Leorio would be there.

The elevator stopped. When it opened, Kurapika was surprise to see that it was directed inside the meeting hall. Almost a hundred people were there and more were still coming from different elevators positioned in all corners of the hall. Stepping outside, Kurapika saw famous and powerful names walking and talking around. Some were already seated while the others still discussing some urgent matters to their neighbor.

"This way, please," their guide called and they were directed toward the center aisle. The guide bowed and then left without another word. Kurapika remained standing for a moment, before Light Nostrade called his attention.

"You can stay at the back," he whispered with an uneasy look, "keep constant vigilance."

Kurapika and Senritsu nodded and tread back the back of the aisle where a number of private security personals were standing. There were too many people wearing black suits. Kurapika turned to his comrade.

"You stay here where it's nearest to the boss," he said quietly, "if something happens, I'll leave him to your care."

"I understand," Senritsu nodded with a concerned look, "are you going to look for him here?"

Kurapika nodded and headed his way where he stood at the farthest corner of the hall where he can observe everyone.

As the minutes passed on, Kurapika saw more people coming in from different elevators. He watched them quietly with his eyes jumping back to his boss every now and then. There were many suspicious people but Kurapika was sure they weren't members of the phantom troupe.

As the clock ticked, his anxiety grew. He was so sure Leorio would be there... or maybe he was already inside. He wouldn't put it pass Leorio as well, especially if the man was with Rye Shin. The two of them working together suddenly made Hisoka a tamed friend.

Kurapika closed his eyes shortly. He had forgotten about the magician. Maybe Hisoka would be there too.

Opening his eyes, he saw ladies in skirts guiding the Mafia bosses to settle down on their chair. Some people were already on the stage and waiting for everything to settle in. It took another quarter minutes before people were settled and another minute until the last one to come in from the elevator got to his chair.

The host of the event, Max Gates, a tall man with a short blonde hair and sharp look on his eyes, proceeded up the stage and called everyone's attention. There was no need for a double call for once he started, everyone snapped in attention. This only proved how alarmed everybody was of the situation.

"Good evening," he started in a grave voice, "I will make it short. This meeting concerns the recent attacks on the four members of the Mafia society. Make that six since Frey Merkel and Heiz Max's collection were also taken. This concerns the Scarlet eyes, ladies and gentlemen and everyone would agree that six attacks is more than enough to alert everyone of us."

There were murmurs among the crowd. Kurapika's eyes wandered around for any suspicious movements.

Max Gates eyed the crowd before lowering his head to the microphone again.

"As for now we don't have enough intel about the culprit behind these attacks. We don't even know if this is part of a group. We can't say for sure if the Phantom Troupe is even part of it. The only person who was able to fight the culprit was Heiz Max's hired security agent who was unfortunately killed in the battlefield. That as it may, we don't have enough about this dangerous creature. Some of you may think of raising your security and all that, but this does not guarantee safety. You are familiar with Kenzo Jagan, one of the four billionaires who got killed by the culprit. We all know how paranoid he was of his safety and had had heightened it every month or so... look at where he is right now."

Another disquiet buzz from the crowd.

"All the rare Scarlet eyes you have presented," Max Gates went on, "has been kept together in a particular vault. You won't be seeing them again."

Kurapika's eyes flickered at this and he straightened in attention.

He wasn't the only one, almost everybody in the meeting hall went rigid and there were more shouts and arguments from the anxious crowd. Whether Max Gates was able to defend himself from his sudden announcement, Kurapika didn't know. That was because at that exact moment, a familiar figure went pass on his right side from at least two meters away. Kurapika only saw him from the corner of his eyes. He saw that lone shadow straightened from leaning on the wall. He saw the shadow turn the other way and started walking pass the other motionless guards.

Kurapika slowly turned his head toward the only man walking toward the elevator. The tall man's figure was all he could think about as he sprang into action, afraid to lose the man along the crowd.

It was then the almost everybody started to panic. Kurapika didn't know what was happening, but almost everybody started rising on their chair while the agents went toward their respective bosses. Amid this, Kurapika was still determinedly after his sole target. He went pass the bodies blocking his way, reached a hand forward and grabbed a hand in the middle of the crowd.

Kurapika stared at the hand he was holding, and then slowly looked up to the arms, shoulder and the face of its owner. The blonde boy's eyes flickered as he finally found himself yet again face to face with Leorio.

Leorio stared at Kurapika in surprise. The two gaped at each other.

"K-Kurapika..." Leorio mumbled, his face completely draining of blood as he stared at his old friend. Kurapika couldn't react either as he kept his eyes on his friend, whose face now shows a scar across his right eye.

Then all of a sudden, there were shouts and everyone was moving rapidly toward the elevators. Kurapika felt Leorio tried to pry his hand away from him but Kurapika was adamant. Leorio was trying to lose him in the middle of confusion! So Kurapika kept his hold firm and with gritted teeth, pushed the man roughly toward the nearest elevator, shoved him in and hit the button for it to close.

That left the two together as the elevator proceeded to go up.

Leorio stepped on one side while Kurapika did the same. The two kept wary stares at each other as if afraid one would suddenly launch a dangerous attack.

Kurapika didn't like it.

"Leorio..." he started with hard eyes, his hands forming fists, all the words he wanted to say only coming out as the man's name, "LEORIO!"

Leorio looked at him cautiously it looked as if he was afraid of being scolded, just then sighed after a moment.

"I guess it can't be helped," he muttered, his hand on his pocket, "I knew this was bound to happen eventually."

He took something from his pocket and handed it to Kurapika. The blonde boy stood straight in alarm and then saw the Leorio was giving him a card key.

"What's that?" he snapped, his eyes shooting up the tall man.

"It's a key," Leorio answered coolly, "it's yours. It's the vault that leads to all the Kuruta eyes. I've already retrieved it all for you."

-To Be Continued-

Ginei Ryodan on the loose in the next chapter:

His Only Ally

Thanks for Reading!