Author's note: For readers who have been following! I have made a rather big change to chapter 15 which contains something very important about Kiri. Originally I was going to mention it later but thought it fit better there. The rest of the story may make more sense if you re-read it. As always, thank you for reading my story! (Also, because I'm always re-editing my chapters, somethings may be confusing but it shall all be okay soon, *cough*)
The airship descended slowly. They had landed right outside a rather unremarkably dull building. It looked like a regular city hall. The contestants were herded off the vehicle and followed Beans inside quickly to the main hall. The room was huge and hollow, allowing even footsteps to echo off the walls. There, the president was waiting at the centre of the room, standing on top of an elevated platform. To his side was a whiteboard with a piece of cloth covering it.
"Welcome," greeted Netero. "And congratulations once again for making it this far."
"The rules for this year's final round is simple. It will be a one vs one duel. This, is what the order will be."Beans pulled the cloth and it fell loose to the floor.
"What the.." Kiri heard Leorio mutter. On the board was a rather strange pyramid. It looked like a regular tournament pyramid except it wasn't symmetrical. A low murmur began.
"It may look strange but let me explain. Fear not, because despite what you're thinking, and yes I can hear what you're thinking, there will only be ONE contestant who does not pass. You heard me right, you will only need ONE victory to pass this exam." He paused and studied the expressions of the members who he had now their full attention. "In other words, at each round a winner will be determined."
"Why does the tournament pyramid look so unbalanced?" Bodoro questioned.
"That's damn right unbalanced," Leorio muttered. "Look at the poor guy at the end, he only gets two chances whilst the other gets four!"
"My, my, let me explain," said Netero, clearly overhearing Leorio's comment as he raised his eyebrows. "It is based on how well you did in your previous exam."
"How well we did?"said Pokkle.
"Yes, we have been monitoring you. The ones who performed better have a better chance of passing."
"Explain," demanded Killua. "What is this based on?"
"There were three points of evaluation," the president explained, holding up three fingers accordingly. "Strength, mind and charisma. For strength, speed, suppleness resistance and use of the five senses were considered. Mind - resistance, adaptation, appreciation and creation. The part, the one which will allow you to reach the end is - charisma. This was based on my opinion and your performance. Plus also, what you have told me. It is hard to quantify but as a Hunter, these qualities are invaluable and indispensable."
"Looks like you didn't do as well as Gon," whispered Kiri to her brother and thus earning herself a hard jab to the ribs.
"The rules are simple," Netero continued. "As long as your opponent quits, you win. Weapons are allowed. However, if you kill your opponent you will be disqualified and the exam will end. Clear?"
Netero took the silence as a yes. "In that case...Let the first match begin!"
The first match was Hanzo versus Gon. Kiri felt a tad sorry for the boy. Their differences in strength was obvious to anyone who had experience in fighting, but nevertheless she still had faith in him and mentally wished him luck. To everyone's surprise, Gon turned out to be even more than what was expected. He exceeded his own limits and everyone else's expectations to the point of Hanzo admitting to forfeit the match. Of course, it was to the expense of heavy injuries. Kiri felt the tension besides her as Kurapika and Leorio watched their comrade being beaten to half-death. Kurapika's hands were clenched and teeth gritted. She almost thought she saw a flash of red in his eyes too.
She looked to her opposite side where Killua was watching. His reaction was the opposite, completely confused and troubled. She knew what he was thinking. 'What is the point Gon? Why don't you just quit. You have many chances, who knows, maybe Pokkle is your next opponent.'
His confusion increased further when Gon refused to have his leg cut off by Hanzo and still refused to forfeit. The atmosphere changed in a split second by Gon's matter-of-fact speaking and determination. Kiri could almost hear the questions bouncing off her brother. 'Did he get stronger? No, he didn't. Then what is this? What is this change in tone? Why is Hanzo stopping?'
The match ended soon after. Hanzo admitted defeat to Gon's persistence and bravery. Kiri mentally applauded him too. Even after Hanzo knocked him out with one last punch he still had the same stupid grin on his face.
Once Gon was safely carried out and taken into care, the tournament continued. Next up was Kurapika and Hisoka. Kiri inhaled sharply. Kurapika was strong but Hisoka...Hisoka was in another league. If he wanted to, he definitely would inflict much more damage to Kurapika without killing him. She was worried. Would he be even more beat up than Gon? What if Hisoka just loses it and ends up accidentally killing him? She felt Killua giving her a weird side-look and recomposed herself. Get it together Kiri, she said. Just watch and...and...if something happens you can...
The match begun.
Kurapika readied his stance and brandished his nunchucks. Hisoka had the same easy smile he always had and made the first move. Diving in, he whipped out a card, aiming for the neck. Kurapika jumped back and brought his nunchucks up for defence. With his spare hand, Hisoka threw three cards, each in rapid succession. Foreseeing this, Kurapika knocked them away at the last second and dashed forward, bringing his nunchucks down to Hisoka head. Hisoka side-stepped and dodged easily.
"Don't work up a sweat so soon," he chuckled. Kurapika was already panting a little from exertion.
His response was an icy glare.
"I suppose we can play this game a little longer or..." He tailed off his sentence, and licked the edge of his card. "Or we can start playing my game."
Kurapika's tightened his grip on his weapon as Hisoka began approaching him. The red-head leaned his head forward next to the boy's ears and whispered something. Kiri edged forward but Killua held his arm out discretely to stop her advancing. She looked at him and he shook his head. Kiri turned her attention back to the scene and watched as Kurapika's eyes became visibly red in response to Hisoka's provocations. That deep crimson colour she had once saw before. Except this time it stayed for moments longer. Whatever he had said, it had provoked Kurapika enough to be angry. Really angry. With that, the magician announced his defeat and walked off the stage.
Noticing the change in mood and quiet chatter that had arose as a result of the incident, the referee called for a short break.
Kurapika left the room.
"Kurapika?"
Kiri popped her head around the door and spotted the blonde boy. He was in the gardens surrounding the building. It was a pretty area. Tiny yellow buttercups were blooming everywhere and around Kurapika's feet where he was leaning against a pillar. The wind was blowing his hair gently, lightly obscuring his face so that Kiri couldn't see his expression. She wasn't sure she wanted to either.
He didn't reply.
Kiri approached him gingerly. Whilst thinking about how to formulate her sentence, Kurapika beat her to it.
"September the 1st".
Kiri furrowed her brows. "What?"
Kurapika turned his head now to face her. His eyes had reverted back to their original colour but it was not the usual warm look that his eyes now held. Although he was looking at her, she felt he was far away.
"I guess you don't know what happens on that day," the boy sighed. But before Kiri could huffed at his for belittling her again, he continued. "The auctions start on that day. The world's largest auction. Every year it's held at Yorkshin City and it's where people from all sorts of background and countries come along. They bid and sell. Treasures, rareties, ancient heirlooms. Even stolen goods." Kurapika stiffened. "He said he would meet me there. And he would have anything to tell me."
Kiri could feel he was keeping something from her. "Tell you what?"
He turned away as though he was turning away from her question. "That I would rather not tell you."
"And why is that?"
"Because it's none of your business."
This made Kiri angry. She grabbed him by the shoulder and tried to pull him to face her. When this didnt work she stood directly in front of his and held his head in her two hands. "Despite all we have been through and all that we have told each other? You think this is still none of my business?"
Kurapika held her gaze for a minute then looked away. "By the end of the exam we will be going our separate ways. There would be no point."
Kiri held her breath. "Are we not friends at least? I...I never really knew what it's like to have friends. I mean, I have Killua, but he's my brother, you know? I always wondered what it would be like. How would I know I have a friend? Do I need to ask them for permission? I never asked you but...Sometimes I get this strange feeling when I'm with you. It's like I don't want you to leave. You make me angry but you make me feel things. I want to hear more of what you have to say, so..." Kiri paused for a second. She was staring deep into his eyes now. "So...Don't you ever tell me it's none of my business."
Kurapika was silent. Then he sighed and took her hands into his. "Kiri...I..." He looked troubled as he tried to pick the right words. "I am not as great as you think I am."
"But I know in here," Kiri tapped her chest, over the spot where her heart was. "In here, it tells me differently."
With that, Kurapika pulled her close. He had let his guard down. Without knowing, he too, felt a stirring inside him. That foreign feeling which he had ignored and swept to the back of his mind. He had too much on his plate right now, he couldn't deal with a distraction - something which may lead him astray from his path of vengance but he knew he couldn't let this chance go. She was right. Kiri meant more to him than just 'an acquaintance met at a venue.' He wanted to see more of her growth. To grow with her. To know her backstory and to write the rest of her story together. But he knew he was no good. How can he be with someone when he can't even be at rest with himself? "Right now...I'm not sure I can offer you the best, Kiri"
Kurapika closed his eyes. And felt a light touch to his lips. His eyes fluttered opened but the sensation had gone just as quickly. The only telltale sign was a faint blush on his companion's face.
She was fidgeting, obviously embarrassed by her bold move.
"Well..You did the same to me...So..I'm just returning the favour."
"Returning the favour? Since when did you need to do that?" Asked Kurapika, surprised and unsure of what reaction to give.
"When you forced it on me! Remember! You took advantage of me when I passed out!"
Kurapika casted his memory back and it clicked. He laughed. "I was saving your life. It was cpr." Kurapika hesitated. Should he tell her about the blue light? That would've made it the fifth time then. He hadn't mentioned it to Killua either as he had been so concerned with it happening previously. Caught up in the momentum, the incident had completely been pushed to the back of Kurapika's mind and he had forgotten until now which was highly unusual for him. For now, I won't say anything. Not until I'm sure of what it is.
At this, Kiri blushed an even more furious shade of red. "I...I'm...Nevermind!" She stammered and as turned to leave, Kurapika grasped her arm.
"W-what are you doing? Let me go!"
"Let me show you what a real kiss is."
He pulled her towards him, the other arm slid around her slender waist. He held her gaze for a second, savouring her expression. The wide round eyes, lips slightly open in anticipation, light rosy blush on her cheeks. Her hair had grown a little longer now, he noticed, it was tickling her shoulders. Her eyes were still dark, so dark. Often, Kurapika found it hard to read her because of it. Even now, what could she be thinking? Does she feel like she being taken advantage of again? Or had she secretly been wishing for this moment as he had? There was only one way to find out.
He brought her even closer. And leaned his head downwards. She was a tad bit shorter than him. She tiptoed to close the distance.
The taste was sweet and the feeling was sweeter. Kiri felt like she was being swept up by the softest wind, even gentler than the one currently blowing through the gardens. His lips had force but were soft and gentle, guiding her. He paused to give her breaks, but she urged him. Ridgedly, she stood with her arms by the sides, unsure of where to put them. When Kurapika finally broke away, she leaned with a hand against the pillar to try catch her breath.
"Who...Knew...That this would be...Such a strenuous activity", she said between breaths.
"That's because you were holding your breath," said Kurapika, with an smile. He folded his arms and watched her, eyes twinkling with amusement. "You'll get better."
Kiri pulled a face at him, clearly missing his implied suggestion and straightened up. "Your eyes were red."
"Yes?"
"When we were kissing. They were red. Did I upset you that much?" Kiri bit her lip.
"I...Uh...Oh my, look at the time, we must hurry back now." Sneakily, he weaselled out from answering the question and began headingback towards the direction of the hall ignoring Kiri's shouts of 'How did you get so good then?!'
Kiri followed after him, slightly annoyed he got the better of her but it was clear his mood was better now. Even though he still didn't tell her what Hisoka said, it was an improvement. He was opening up. Whatever road it was that lied ahead would rough and bumpy. They both knew that and they both looked forward to it.