The sweet aroma of breakfast food woke her up from her deep sleep.
Weird. Last night, there were no horrifying dreams. There were no dreams at all. She slept peacefully.
"You can cook?" she asked as she saw Kuroro in her kitchen.
He looked at her and smiled.
Looks like, his gotten more comfortable in her presence.
"Yes. In my old home, things were never easy. We basically have to learn everything and that include chores."
She smiled.
"Is that also why you have great reflexes?"
He nodded.
"In my old home, you have to be a great fighter to survive."
She nodded.
"And lemme guess you will never tell me where that old home of yours is?"
He smiled.
"You're right. I prefer if you will not know it."
He's done cooking.
He served the food.
"Thank you"
He smiled.
"How about you?"
She looked at him.
"I do not want to tell my story because if I start telling my story there will be no end to it."
He smiled and sat in front of her.
"I do not mind."
She tasted the food.
"It's delicious."
"Thank you." He stared at her with his eyes suspicious. "I hope you're not trying to change the topic."
She laughed. "There's no way I can outsmart you, I guess."
He just smiled.
She exhaled and cleared her throat.
"Well, it may sound surreal but I came from a very wealthy family."
He continued eating. He doesn't seem surprised.
She exhaled in frustration.
"Lemme guess, you know it already right?"
He looked at her and nod.
"I'm sorry."
She smiled. "It's not your fault that you're born genius. Anyways, how did you know?"
"Well, you have a very pretty face and slender body. Your skin may be a little tan but its smooth and fair." He casually said as he continued eating.
She felt herself blush.
He was complimenting her so casually it sounded so genuine in her ears.
"Well, thank you."
He just smiled. "If you are rich, why become a black list hunter?"
She laughed. "It was actually a very long story."
He smiled. "I would like to listen."
"Fine." She exhaled. Well, it's no big deal. "I have a bestfriend ever since I was young, her name was Nimpha like me she came from a wealthy family. Our parents are business partners but other than that we are totally opposite. She was very unfriendly when we were young but she was kind. However, because of her parent's strict upbringing she was very cold and serious. She initially befriended me because her parents' asked her to do so. However, as time passes by we've both enjoyed each other's company. She also started to laugh with me around. And unknowingly she has been my protector. We were inseparable. I am the trouble maker and she gets me out of trouble that is how it has always been."
She paused.
"Until one day, she told me she does not want to be with her parents anymore. I was shocked. Then, she told me that his father was hitting her every time she fails on something and she was tired of being perfect. She wants to live a life far from her parents. I was stunned. I never thought that her parents were actually that strict. Unlike, Nimpha's parents her parents were loving and treated her like a doll. Nympha has always been there for her and she was about to leave me. I do not want to leave my parents but I can't let Nimpha be all alone. I can't. I know she is afraid and I know she will be sad alone so I decided I will come with her. At first, of course she hated the idea but then eventually she agreed."
She paused.
"When we left home, we met Marcus he was a hunter aspirant. He helped us get a home. He became our friend. Nimpha loved the idea of gaining money once becoming a hunter and had also set her mind to become a hunter. At first, I was so not into becoming a hunter but being alone with my two friends training drive me insane that eventually I found myself training but I was different than them because I was conscious of my skin. I encouraged them to train in a place where there's a shade from the sun. I also made sure that I apply medicine from my wounds to avoid scars."
"Then eventually we passed the hunter exam."
"Marcus wanted to be a black list hunter because his father was killed by an assasin."
"As his friends, we accompany him in his search. During the search we became infamous, THREEBOK has been our name. I was the weakest amongst the group but it never bothered me since they always protect me anyways. Marcus was an enhancer and Nimpha was a specialist. I was a conjurer. We are excellent as a team."
She paused. She can feel her eyes swelling with tears.
"Until both of them died." He continued.
She nodded. "We barely managed to kill a Dark Horse' member— they were a mercenary group of assassins with Class A bounty. They hunted us down. Three versus Eight mercenary assassins, we knew from the beginning we did not stand a chance. We can still survive with my ability (transportation) but Marcus was hysterical the leader of the assassins was the one who killed his dad. With our abilities combined, we managed to kill their leader who was so cocky of his abilities he asked one of his member who was a conjurer of barriers to create a barrier with the condition that no one from the outside can enter and the barrier cannot be deactivated by the nen-user himself. It can only be deactivated after we (three) die or the leader dies. But after we killed their boss the barrier was deactivated and seven mournful assassins were aiming for our heads. Marcus was badly injured and Nimpha could barely stand. I was the only one who can fight. I stand in front of them willing to fight and sacrifice my life for the two of them but then… but then…."
Before she knew it, Kuroro was beside her… hugging her and caressing her back and hair.
She wiped away her tears. "That's too much for today's breakfast, I guess." She feigned a smile.
He nodded. He then cleaned the table.
I went out into the forest.
She needed the wind to refresh her mind.
Kuroro's POV
Not just one but two.
Two of her loved ones died in order to protect her.
He exhaled.
Her exterior says she's weak but to continue living after that event needs tremendous will.
Something he is very familiar.
Vengeance.
His grip on the plate tightened.
So it was her…
He remembered the hunter news that triggered his curiosity years ago…
Dark Horse members one by one killed. Killer unknown.
If she was the only one who killed the remaining Dark Horse members, then…
When she said that she can catch all spiders is not a fluke.
He exhaled. He put the plate in the holder before he can break it.
He was done cleaning the dishes.
If he cannot be an ally, she must immediately be eliminated.
But he is not capable as of the moment.
He cannot use nen.
He simply has to observe.
However, there are two things that Raven's existence means to the spiders…
She may be an ally that can make us stronger
Or an enemy that can take us down.
Is he willing to take the risk?
He exhaled.
Kuroro chose not to answer the question just yet. It's still to early to judge.