*Finding Leorio*

by: WhiteGloves

"To destroy evil one must become evil himself!"

~Leorio

Chapter 14: His Final Battle

The busy night street of the metropolitan proved to be very useful to a black haired boy wearing glasses for concealing his identity further. He was sitting outside a coffee shop and had been hanging around the area since mid afternoon with nothing but magazines and a cup of coffee on his table. The waitress of the coffee shop didn't have any complaints whatsoever as far as the boy could tell, though he noticed she would always come to offer him more things to order. Not that she sounded annoyed—she sounded very eager in fact—a knowledge that would put him off whenever he thinks about it. In any case, with busy people minding their own business on the crowded area, the black haired boy successfully managed to blend in.

After sometime, he checked his watch. It was already a quarter past seven. It was almost time for his companion to arrive.

No sooner that he thought this, another man slipped at the chair opposite him as if it was the most casual thing to do. The black haired boy looked up at the familiar face of his companion whose bold grin was very evident.

"It sure is hard to find you these days," he started in a matter of fact voice, "and when I do, it always comes next to the word trouble. I don't know if I should be glad to see you at all."

The black haired boy smiled easily at the man.

"Hanzo," he said with a genuine smile.

Hanzo gave him a wink and then looked at the black haired boy with a start.

"So then, Kurapika…" he started again, "I didn't think black hair would suit your disguise. I didn't think of putting one on since my head's always been bald and will always be, if you know what I mean."

Kurapika shook his head.

"Don't mind my disguise; my appearance has already preceded me around this area. I'm glad to see you're doing fine, Hanzo."

"Likewise, and I don't think you're lying about your appearance preceding you… as far as I'm concerned you've already made a name for yourself… I may not be a Black List hunter like you, but I know enough on the market…"

"I know that's why I was surprised to see you lurking around Palamē back at Origeon City. It's not like you to be in a suspicious place where mysterious people hang about like that."

"Look who's talking," Hanzo dropped his chin on his palm with a dry expression, "I was only there because I had solid information that what I was hunting was there, and then to find you three there— you kids ought to know your limits! Geez… even with license you lot are just a bunch of kids after all."

Kurapika remembered Hanzo's reaction that night two months ago. He, Gon and Killua just got wind of Leorio's whereabouts that night when they chanced to meet the ninja warrior. It was then that their collaboration was formed. Though it may sound like Hanzo had forced the truth out of them, having the help of another hunter was very much in favor for Kurapika… especially if it was as efficient as Hanzo.

"I'm glad you were able to get back here in metropolitan in a short notice. How are Gon and Killua?"

"We've decided to go on separate ways for awhile since Gon got a message from his friend Kaito," the blonde boy relayed on, "But he made me promise to call them if anything comes up."

"He's still after his dad?"

"I think he's already got ideas about that… in any case, I don't want to hold him from his real aim… Leorio's our friend, but I can't help feeling that he is my own problem to deal with."

"Don't say that, you, so you must be pretty glad to see me, eh?"

Kurapika pressed a small smile. Hanzo grinned again before pressing on serious matters.

"Did you get any information on your side? After that Franklin dude's body was found, I mean?" the ninja asked with his face growing serious.

Kurapika shook his head. "The authorities have given up the case as far as I could tell. They weren't very eager to know the mysterious man killing Ryodans since it's very favourable for the society. They've made their conclusions which are not really that far from truth about revenge and hunters forming alliance to get rid of the group. In any case, I don't think they were very much alarmed to find another dead Ryodan body a month after the accident at the hotel…"

"The Hunter's Association isn't exactly thrilled of the idea about hunters being suspected," Hanzo said, "but you know them, they have their own ideas and opinions, but the chairman hasn't said anything so I doubt the association's gonna get involve before long."

"That's a relief," the blond boy nodded quietly, "I don't want them to know about Leorio… otherwise they would surely hunt him down…"

"I know," Hanzo frowned this time, "with everything you've told me I don't think anyone should judge him except you… but if worst comes to worst… you know it's unlikely that things will end well for him, right?"

Kurapika didn't answer. Hanzo stared at him transfixed.

"I know how you feel about your friend… but are you sure you want to continue this? Has it occurred to you that maybe Leorio doesn't need any saving at all?"

"If I see him I'm not gonna ask about his opinion," Kurapika found himself saying with strong conviction. He had long known that talking with an idiot like Leorio wouldn't work at all.

Hanzo scratched his head in defeat.

"Anyways, about our business here," the ninja's voice suddenly grew serious and his eyes glinted as he spoke, "The last time we spoke I told you about my reliable source who doesn't wish to be known. She's the one who provides me information about illegal activities, rumors on the underground and so on… it's really helpful if the target is connected on queer things like that. But she told me something that I think may have connection with what you are after…"

Kurapika listened intently.

"Do you know a street called El Pueblos Noches?"

"It's confirmed, he will be there." said a woman's voice inside a darkened room where little light was allowed to come, "he'll be at that particular place and we can take him."

"I see," said another voice which was calm and placid despite the cold atmosphere, "that makes it much easier. I'll get rid of him myself."

"You're in such a hurry," said a familiar languid voice of a man and behind his voice there was a queer tone while at his background sound of shuffling cards were heard, "you have just returned and you want to finish everything quickly. But I guess I can't complain yet since you promised to finally deal with me."

"I have no intention of keeping him alive," said the calm cold voice, "I'll end everything once the plan is successful. And I don't want you to do anything against this, Hisoka."

The man playing with his cards chuckled softly.

"You're too suspicious of me," he said, "haven't I told you why you shouldn't worry about me? But let me just remind you your plan won't work if you just finished him off."

"Don't tell him what to do," snapped the woman's voice. Hisoka chuckled again.

"Anyways, isn't that a bit cruel?" he said again as he surveyed a dead body in front of him with the woman's needles sticking on its body, "finishing the person who brought you back to your real self?"

Nobody paid him any attention and Hisoka merely sigh his hypocritical thought.

It wasn't a day ago since his meeting with Hanzo that Kurapika, in his usual disguise, found himself walking by the street of El Pueblo Noches, a distant street from metropolitan that was near the reservoir of the city. It was a slum in the area where different people gather or at least—take shelter with many of its building occupied freely. Kurapika remembered Killua reporting in disgust that there wasn't anything here when he searched himself so it was actually the dark haired boy's first time there.

He chose to go on midday; however the sky itself didn't look as if it was on his favor with its dark clouds forming. As he walked on its shady street, he saw glimpse of shadows watching him from different corners. The street itself wasn't empty with few men and women in groups whispering and making deals in the open. Kurapika actually saw a couple or two making out on the public street.

No wonder Killua was offended.

Kurapika warily looked around with Hanzo's information at hand. There was supposed to be an apple sign board above one of the alleys leading to a hidden bar somewhere out there. Here a man of Leorio's description was said to be found and hanging about. Old folks in the bar didn't mind him since new faces often appear every now and then, but the strange man's peculiar scar was remarkable that sooner he became quite known. With this information, Kurapika knew he needed to check out the bar as soon as possible. Hanzo decided against going alone, but the black haired boy knew better than not to make any moves.

Kurapika found the tattered apple sign board almost dangling from its hinges hanging above a narrow alley way. Steering himself toward it, he went down and followed the dark path with little hesitation. A shady place like that was likely to be Leorio's place. Kurapika's heart pounded in anticipation at what he was about to see at the end of the passage.

After minutes of walking in the semi dark, downhill stairs, Kurapika began to see a glimmer of light from below. Seconds later, he was able to reach an angular doorway with creaking half doors. Not doubting his destination, Kurapika pushed the door and went in.

For a bar, the place was quite silent. There were numerous shadows occupying tables and there were few whispers as Kurapika went in. This atmosphere did not dishearten the black haired boy as he walked around trying to act casual and mindful of his own business. He travelled his eyes around but no one was meeting his eyes—not even the bar tender when he occupied one of the seats in front of the counter.

Kurapika hesitated to ask his question when he ordered a drink from the tender. He was well aware that even though they were not looking, the man sitting on his left side and the two women sitting a stool away from him were taking note of him.

"Thank you," he muttered when his bottle came. That was when he sharpened his eyes as he noticed the guy on his left shift on his chair. He wasn't the only one—the bar tender himself had suddenly looked at him as if he was seeing something inhuman. The women glanced at him and then walked away silently with their fast lips breaking the meaning of 'comprehension'.

Shifting on his chair uncomfortably, Kurapika decided to focus on his drink. The bar tender had moved away deliberately that it seemed impossible to engage him in any interview. Not losing his heart, Kurapika looked on his right to all the semi dark faces surrounding the area.

None of them fitted Leorio's description.

Maybe he should wait more?

But minutes passed and he wasn't able to see anyone fitting of Leorio's description. His second bottle came from the unspeaking bar tender that moved away swiftly as soon as Kurapika opened his mouth to say something. Frowning at the lack of cooperation, Kurapika struggled to drink for he never liked alcohol. That was when he felt the man beside him shift on his position again. He glanced up at the guy.

The green eyes widened behind the glasses.

"Leorio!"

The man gave him a warning look that made the boy gape at him in disbelief.

"Don't make such a face, you," the man said without glancing at him but Kurapika could just see the outline of the angry scar across his face which was half hidden in the semi-dark room, "it's not appropriate to show too much emotion in such a public and dingy place."

Kurapika caught his tongue but didn't turn away. He wasn't sure if he was to believe what he was seeing because somehow he was sure the alcohol was getting on him. Leorio glanced at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Really, you and with your disguise… how the hell did you get in this place?"

For the first time, Kurapika felt relief washed over his soul. There was no doubt who that annoying persona was—only Leorio could give him that annoying glance. Leorio was himself again.

"I could ask you the same question," Kurapika said quietly and took a sip on his bottle that tasted better all of a sudden, "and you need to keep remembering you're not the only one who passed the hunter exam,"

"Yeah?" Leorio muttered with exasperation, "I guess I underestimated your efforts. How are all the eyes?"

"I've returned them two months ago."

"That's great. I'm glad that's done and dealt with."

"Yes. Thanks to your efforts."

"You're welcome. I assume you're not only here to thank me though?"

Kurapika glanced at the man again and found him looking indifferent.

"That's right," he started, "Leorio—"

"You guys have been following me since Oreigon City, right?"

"…Yes."

"Why?"

The last question made Kurapika's eyes go round again. He turned to his former friend to find the guy looking at him transfixed. There was a visible crease on the tall man's eyebrows—something Kurapika knew that would only appear when the man was seriously pissed off. The reaction completely threw him off.

"What do you mean 'why'?" Kurapika managed to bottle up his rage at the sudden outrageous behaviour of his friend, "are we not in liberty to worry about you anymore, Leorio?"

Leorio stiffened as he straightened his back and put one hand on his long pocket.

"Worrying won't do you a thing, haven't I told you that before? Besides, the way you guys keep following me it seemed as though you're looking for a missing person. What's gotten into you guys? Haven't you got anything else to worry in your lives? You're all beginning to annoy me."

"What did you just—?" Kurapika almost hissed indignantly, his eyes flashing as he stood up in rage, rendering the already quiet bar more silent, "stop acting all tough— if you want to put me out of your way your gonna have to use a more persuasive method than your trash talk! I don't care what you and that Shin guy agreed about but I'm not gonna let you throw your life away!"

"'Let me?'" Leorio muttered coldly as he towered above his friend, "what—are you my mother now?"

Kurapika stared at Leorio in disbelief. The man pulled out some bills on his pocket and tapped it down the counter with such a force that nearly cracked the table. He then flashed Kurapika a cold stare.

"I don't care what you've got to say; I've already made up my decision. Come to think of it, you're the reason why I ended up like this anyway…"

Kurapika was rendered speechless at this. Leorio was eyeing him with eyes full of indict.

"When I decided to help you out I didn't think I'd end up this way… but I'm not blaming you, no… in fact—I am grateful… so no matter what you feel about the path I chose, that's for you to decide, however…"

Leorio leaned down on Kurapika's ears and whispered quietly:

"I'll say it once," he said in an air of finality, "I don't give a damn about your friendship task, you can play that with the other two kids but leave me out of it already… so stop getting in my way."

And Leorio started to walk away as silent as the shadow, leaving Kurapika staring blankly into a space.

Leorio jammed his hands aggressively into his pockets and felt his headache as he walked out of the bar. The way upward was dark but he was already used to it—in fact he didn't have to focus much on the steps since darkness seemed to be him already.

But as he reached the landing above, he felt his trained senses heightened in warning. Leorio paused on taking the last turn toward the alleyway. A menacing aura was waiting for him on the other side, he was sure of it. He did not train for nothing after all.

With his body flaming in darkness, Leorio started to step forward.

That was when he heard a familiar chuckle.

"My, my… you are really reeking of bad energy… what a bad bad boy you have become… Leorio-san."

Leorio's dark eyes didn't even bat an eyelid as he found himself staring at none other than Hisoka.

"You came at the right time," Leorio muttered darkly, "I'm quite pissed right now."

Rye did tell him he can aim for Hisoka any moment after all.

Hisoka, who was sitting down the top floor and busily shuffling his deck, didn't even look at the shadow man. Leorio knew better than to let his guard down before this guy from the start.

"I would love to play with you," Hisoka said after awhile, "you don't know how hard it was to give up the idea of getting rid of you myself since Rye Shin took the trouble of putting you together like that. However, something came up and I had absolutely no power to give it up for you."

"What are you talking about?" Leorio frowned with fist clutched, his darkness subsiding slowly.

Hisoka looked up at him this time with an indifferent expression.

"Instead of worrying about me," he said meaningfully, "why don't you worry about that friend you left down there? I don't think it was wise of you to show him that kind of attitude after he took the trouble of going here… and I don't think it's safe for him either."

Leorio stared at Hisoka who eyed him with a glint of warning on his malevolent eyes.

"I'm not alone." He finished with a huge smile.

Leorio blinked, and then before he knew it he was flying down toward the bar again.

What he found the moment he reached the bar was something he wasn't expecting. Everyone was dead in the bar, even the bartender. Blood were spilled greatly but it was not a new sight for Leorio. What made him worry, however, was Kurapika. He wasn't anywhere to be seen.

Looking around quietly, Leorio found several sharp needles that were struck on each dead body. With eyes hardening, he realized who the culprit was.

"Dammit," he muttered to himself as he straightened up, "that bitch…"

"Too late, aren't we?" Hisoka said merrily as he stood behind Leorio. "She did a splendid job I've got to tell you, and you're right, their aim was Kurapika… and aren't you showing too much emotion in such a public and dingy place? I thought you said it was inappropriate?"

Leorio turned toward Hisoka with his whole body all dark and his aura quite frightening. A thrill of something familiar touched him as he stared at the creature lashing before him.

"That's no good, Leorio-san…" the magician said after awhile with his own body throbbing excitedly, "don't make me… change my mind and choose you instead of him… that's just too cruel of you!"

Leorio's response was an air of disappearance and the next thing he and Hisoka were on each other's throat. The whole bar was filled with darkness that nobody alive had ever seen.

Meanwhile, a man was standing above the unconscious Kurapika. His eyes were round and they were transfixed on the sleeping boy.

"Hisoka's aura…" the girl standing behind him said sounding distracted, "you shouldn't have let him deal with that guy, leader."

Chrollo, the third guy who had been with them and who was watching Kurapika with indifferent eyes now, glanced sideways at his only remaining comrade.

"Let him be. I don't want you out of my sight, Machi… that creature has taken too much… and now…"

He eyed Kurapika and his eyes glinted.

"I'm gonna get even."

-To Be Continued-

Chrollo's revenge and Kurapika in a tight spot in the next chapter:

His Name

Thanks for Reading!

A/N: really really so sorry for the extraaaa looong time before updating! Had to conquer real life in order to get back here again haha! I hope to finish this one and S.O.R soon! I will~ definitely!