Previously: Kurapika stood up and walked towards the door. "Give me an hour. We'll meet here again after." He then sighed and walked out.
Bashou turned to Senritsu a little sheepishly. "I guess he is trying to beat you at a sighing contest?"
Senritsu chuckled softly and shook her head.
Chapter 4: Longing X Assurances X Are we ready?
Kurapika sat on his bed and looked out the window in frustration. Of course he wanted to be quick and discreet over this operation, but he couldn't afford to get people killed because of his own stubbornness. He couldn't stand the idea of having to sacrifice people he considered important to him for the sake of obtaining his objective. He may want to retrieve those scarlet pupils almost obsessively, but he wasn't one to exploit other's lives to do so.
He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in aggravation.
How are Gon, Killua and LeoRio doing right now? He wondered to himself. I hope Gon is not getting into trouble and that Killua keeps him in check…
Kurapika shook his head to clear his mind. This was not the time to think about other things! He needed to think of a plan, and he needed it fast. But how? From the information he obtained, the whole island was heavily guarded to keep thieves from penetrating. He needed a decoy or some way to camouflage his team and somehow get himself and the other two inside and pass security. They needed to get out safely and discreetly as well.
Kurapika got up from his bed and headed to the private library to use the computer. He opened the web portal as an outside source to prevent outsiders from locating their whereabouts before he used his Hunter license to do his search. He then obtained a map on the island.
There were three harbors and one blimp airfield. He noticed that one of the harbors pointed southeast, away from the Asian Continent. He clicked on the harbor for any photos or information on it. He cursed. He had to pay 1 million zennis for the information.
A half hour later, he obtained enough information on the islands geography and hacked into the island's main security system to track down the guard shift time-table to formulate a basic outline for a plan.
It was just his luck. The farthest harbor had the least security from the evening hours till early morning. The island receives shipments and supplies every three days.
Today is the 2nd… He told himself. They received shipment today at noon and another one on Sunday the 6th at 3am. We can make our move on Sunday!
Kurapika then proceeded to pinpoint the procedures taken during shipments. He was now able to get them in. Now, the only problem was how to get out. Their security was on regular patrol till 7am, which made it nearly impossible to escape without being noticed, with Bashou standing out so much…..
Kurapika sighed and got up. It was time to meet in Bashou's room again, now that the hour had passed. He was able to form a concise and simple plan to get them in and out of the island. He had already checked the information on those who would be doing the shipping and their location on the day they make their move. The amount of information he needed for this operation cost him three million five thousand zennis, but it was nothing for Kurapika. It was worth it, if he could get his clan's scarlet pupils back and still keep his companions from getting killed.
He was walking past the lounge when he heard a flute playing. He paused at the door and opened it slightly to see Senritsu playing the flute next to the large window across the room. Kurapika stood still and listened to the music quietly. It somehow calmed him and gave him courage. How does she even do that?
Senritsu felt someone at the door, but kept playing the flute. She had an idea who it was since she heard his heartbeat. It was beating with uncertainty and urgency. She understood perfectly well what he was thinking this time. She knew Kurapika wasn't one who would let others down. His outer confidence and sense of authority made sure everyone working with or under him felt secure and confident as well. Yet, the confidence he exuded was just as strong as his fear. Though his face showed determination, his heart was in pain and in turmoil. His mind wanted revenge but his heart didn't desire to bring death on anyone.
Senritsu felt for him. The weight on his shoulder was great, knowing that a single wrong move would cost them their lives. The least she could do at the moment was to give him a sense of security, an encouragement.
Senritsu ended the piece with a soft and soothing note, and let it linger in the air. She smiled, satisfied at her accomplishment, and turned to face Kurapika.
"Well, I hope this has helped lift your spirits." Senritsu said gently. "Kurapika, I want you to know, no matter what happens, as your nakama, Bashou and I will also be there to support you. You are not a lone to bear all the weight. I'm sure Gon, Killua and LeoRio-san will agree as well."
Kurapika smiled and nodded. "Thank you, Senritsu." He opened the door wider and stepped aside to let Senritsu pass. "Let's go meet Bashou now."
She nodded, and the both headed upstairs to Bashou's room.
Kurapika closed the door and greeted Bashou, who was sitting patiently in a chair at the table. The other two sat at the table as well, and Kurapika began to tell them his plan. Once they were in, there would be no backing out. He had come up with one solid plan within the hour. He would have to improvise if anything should happen differently.
Kurapika and Bashou are to hijack the shipping boat and sneak Senritsu on board. Posing as the shipping agency members, Senritsu was to use her Nen abilities on the flute to create an illusion to further help them get through the security check. From the information, Kurapika got a hold of the shipping handlers are allowed inside the mansion to settle receipts and sign papers to confirm shipments. From there, they would be able to sneak off after they knock out the guards. All of this was to be completed before the sun rises. They must leave by 7am when the security was low.
"Senritsu, I also want to clarify… what is your ability on the flute?" Kurapika asked, after the explanation.
Senritsu thought for a quick moment before replying carefully. "I have the ability to effect the emotions, the psychological state, and confuse the memoriesof my listeners regardless of whether they want to feel that way or not. I also have the ability to make listeners see illusions I create in my mind through even a single note I play. That's the basics. I would suggest that while we are on this, be prepared to use Nen to block off our ears so as to not be effected by my Nen music; at least until the vibrations of the pitches die. Don't worry about my Nen losing its potency once the music fades. So long as I continue to will the effects to work with my Nen, it will still be active until I say otherwise. Besides, blocking your ears shouldn't have an effect on your normal hearing since you can control the degree of Nen you use to block off the vibrations in the air. I assure you that you won't need for it to be very strong. It's also a fact that using Nen as a means to ward off Nen vibrations don't mean it will block off normal vibrations."
Kurapika pondered over it for a while before he nodded. He sighed and stood up to look out the window in front of him. "Then let us meet in my room at 2am sharp, Sunday."
A/N: Author: (Slaps her hands together gleefully) Aaaaaannnnd, another chapter revised. This one took me a bit longer since I was getting extremely lethargic from the warm temperature during this season. But it's done! And I'm on cloud nine, since I got a message saying that I don't need to take some obnoxious placement test because I was able to transfer over a hundred credits to my current university! Awesome!
Kurapika: (Sighs and rubs his temple resignedly) Enough about your life, why don't hurry up and finish that chapter 7 that everyone was waiting for these past TWO years?
Senritsu: (Holding her hands up in a pacifying manner) Now, now, Kurapika, you shouldn't speak to her so, since she is actually trying to make you less of…. whatever your real creator is making you out to be… If he even did anything at all in the last few….. dozen chapters of HunterxHunter. Shouldn't you be more polite, just like you were before at the beginning of the series? I know you do have a kind heart.
Kurapika: ….. Alright, I know. (Sighs and dips his head apologetically towards the author) Sumanai.
Author: (Smiles and shakes her head in amusement) Iie, it's alright. I know I've kept everyone waiting far too long. (Gives a very enthusiastic thumbs up sign) But don't worry! I am working on it so please wait just a little longer! By the way, please R&R please!
Kurapika: (Mutters) I don't know about that….
Senritsu elbows him gently.
Auther, Senritsu and Kurapika: (Bows) Arigatou gozaimashita to dozou yoroshiku onegaishimasu! As always!