Chapter 7
A/N: So... (fidget fidget) I know I've had long period of procrastination and you deserve to beat me within an inch of my life. But I finally got myself to get this chapter finished after some severe writer's block. And truthfully speaking, the current direction the author is taking the canon in no longer inspires me to write even a letter. I'm disappointed and let down. So... I'm going to warn you ahead of time that from here on, it will no longer involve more than 10% of what has happened in the canon.
Also, I must thank all those who have supported this endeavor and those who have given me reviews. Actually one such reviewer pointed something out for chapter 6. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to answer the commentator directly as I've been told it's not. But anyhow, if that person has reread the sixth chapter they'll notice the change and thus, the subsequent answer to your question. I'm glad you pointed that out!
And finally, here's the newest chapter. I have already planned out what the next two chapters will be so they'll hopefully not take as long to organize and write out as this one. Enjoy!
(Disclaimer: I don't own any of the canon characters, or else, Kite wouldn't have died and become a girl. None of them would do stupid things and someone would have smacked Gon, and Kurapika really hard by now too.)
Previously:
Senritsu pushed the card away from her throat with an angry hiss and lashed out behind her toward his neck. Her aim was deadly and Hisoka had to step back, albeit smoothly, to avoid the swipe. His eyes narrowed in annoyance and in an instant struck Senritsu on the side with his Nen infused card. The attack drew blood from her waist and she winced in pain.
"Next is your… not so pretty head."
"Enough!"
Hisoka turned his head toward Kurapika with a frown. He didn't like being interrupted from his fight too much. He stood slightly straighter, though with his shoulders hunched, as if ready to launch himself on Kurapika to tear him to pieces.
"I will name my proposal to you. I'm sure you won't refuse this kind of offer… unless you've your interests somewhere else, that is."
Hisoka paused for a moment, his face expressionless. A small grin slowly made a way on his face and he cocked his head to one side, making his already crazed appearance all the more frightening.
"Well, about time. Name it."
"I propose that…"
Chapter 7: Escape x Fight x Welcome Aboard
The bright chandeliers adorning the gold pleated halls flickered slightly as four shadows past swiftly by in deadly silence. Senritsu glanced briefly at Kurapika, their disguises long gone and their clothing rippling in the wind created by the speed at which they were going. Kurapika's face held an emotionless look of concentration which made Senritsu hesitate with worry in calling out to him. But knowing the possibility that Kurapika was thinking all kinds of dark thoughts led Senritsu to reign in her doubts and school it with a mask of impassivity- gentle yet firm.
"Are you going to be okay with this decision?" Senritsu murmured to Kurapika, her apprehension leaking through her voice despite her physical appearance, all the while listening intently for any abnormal fluctuation in Kurapika's heartbeat.
Kurapika gave Senritsu a sideways glance through his peripheral vision before concentrating back on the hallway they were running through. They took a right turn at the end of the hall.
"Don't worry. You know I always have a plan."
Senritsu looked on for a little while longer before smiling gently, sighing in resignation. Trust him to dodge the question expertly... and always be able to think of unexpected ways out of disadvantageous situations. It was sometimes exasperating but...
"I'll hold you to your word."
I'll always support you and keep you focused in the right direction.
I trust your judgment.
Words unspoken but understood.
Kurapika's eyes warmed a fraction in surprise and tenderness at his friend's conviction. It meant a lot to him. But his countenance soon contorted slightly in worry as his eyes landed on Senritsu's still bleeding side; her homely green blouse two shades darker than before and damp, the blood only held in check by a towel they stole and pressed tightly to the wound.
The gash was surprisingly deep. Basho and Kurapika had to do all they could not to attack Hisoka in blind anger when they swiftly inspected Senritsu's wound. If not for her steely gaze of warning, which again surprised the both of them for this out-of-character expression, they would have certainly acted upon that thought. Looking up to Senritsu's side profile he found his worry increasing as he noticed that her complexion was paler than before, her brow and cheeks glistening with increasing perspiration and the fatigue from blood loss showing from the dark shadows like lead under her eyes.
"We're almost there." Kurapika said and Senritsu nodded minutely to show she'd heard and understood the implied message.
"Alright, next left will get us out back to the south harbour." Basho called out from the front. Hisoka, who was to Basho's right, deftly whipped out his signature deck of cards in anticipation for any resistance they'd face. True to his word, a promise made during negotiations in the vault, Hisoka only incapacitated the guards as they burst out into the open. Hisoka immediately took the lead at the front, Basho in the middle holding two of the containers, Kurapika at Basho's right with the last of the three in his left hand, freeing his right for defense, while Senritsu took to Basho's left, trailing slightly behind him to watch his back.
An incoming attacker came within Senritsu's peripheral and she immediately threw her bloodied towel, now heavy and soaked, into the guards face, temporarily knocking him unbalanced in surprise. Senritsu took this opportunity to direct a nen-infused piercing whistle at the man, prompting him to cringe and double over at the sudden intense sense of vertigo the attack induced.
Their pressing escape was smooth sailing until a sudden blast rocked the ground, sending everyone scrambling to regain their balance. Another blast much closer to their location again rocked the port and in the next minute, a shadow burst out from the smoke and engaged Kurapika in a bout of swordplay versus Kurapika's nen chains.
Senritsu immediately stood in front of Basho and deftly caught the container of Kuruta eyes that Kurapika had gently but swiftly tossed to her before engaging the attacker more freely in battle. Hisoka just languidly made sure to allow the dueling pair a wide enough girth to prevent being caged in, though Senritsu began to notice that it was not necessary. The guards had stopped their assault and had them lightly surrounded at a safe distance, as the man had charged out of the shadows to attack Kurapika fiercely in precise and calculated swipes of his nagitana. All four of them immediately recognized him as the captain of the guards they had met during their arrival on the island, Zapul. Despite his initial appearance- the gaunt look on his face, the thin, worn-out looking coat he wore, unfitting of his status as captain and inappropriate for the frigid weather- he was a force to be wary of regardless of the fact that he was not a nen-user. Kurapika was actually having a hard time disarming the man without severely injuring him, while on the other hand, Zapul seemed to be attacking Kurapika with a look of malice and radiating killing intent unconsciously. However, there was something strange about this aura. It was as if it was directed at something else.
The ground shook violently again as the deafening sound of another blast ringed against their ears. Zapul knocked aside a chain attempting to wrap around his person. He immediately tried to close in on Kurapika, swiping at his feet with his spear. When Kurapika jumped to avoid having his legs severed, Zapul rotated his nagitana a full circle and slammed the staff into Kurapika, who twisted sideways to block with his arm, nearly breaking the humerus. The blond grimaced in pain and immediately used his chains to wrap around the spear.
"I suggest that you allow us to pass, lest we are forced to injure more of your men. Why fight for a coward and a disgrace such as your employer? I see how he treats you all, from how he's providing for you." Kurapika eyed Zapul's coat significantly to prove his point.
"Shut up! As if you know anything about me! Naren's predecessor saved me and my men when everyone else shunned us because of our heritage!" he snarled. "I swore to remain loyal to him till the very end, even if it means throwing my life away."
Zapul quickly kicked high into the air in an arch and slammed down on the chain against the ground, immobilizing it. He struck the nagitana's spear end into the ground and with his left hand holding the middle of the staff, he pulled out a hidden tanto, the blade sliding out smoothly with a piercing scream as a testament to it's deadly and perfectly honed edge. He lunged at a surprised Kurapika, who was caught off guard at this hidden weapon. Quickly gathering his wits about him, he retracted his nen based chains and grabbing his own two tantos, joined in a dance of singing blades.
"I may not know of your history, but if he was as caring as you say he was, do you think he'd have allowed for his business to be tainted by joining those underground societies? I've researched him before I came here. He was an upright man who dealt in medicine as well as humanitarian projects. However, he suddenly disappeared six years ago and in his place, this man Naren came to power. The company is now no longer the way it was before. This man you're now protecting is one who steals, murders and lies and extends no mercy even to those who serve under him. I only came here to claim what was stolen from me and my people." Kurapika paused as he grit his teeth against the impasse they were currently in before continuing. "Will you still willingly protect such a person?"
Zapul glared fiercely at Kurapika as he pushed harder against the blond's blades, sneering, "And you would know to protect a more righteous person! Have you any right to say this to my face because your employer is such an upright man? I make no claim of innocence for my current employer because I know how much of a shameless bastard he is!"
I will never forgive him!
Flashback:
Zapul stood before his master with a look of barely contained irritation and dislike. If his master noticed, he didn't seem to care enough to comment on it. Rather, he was too immersed in his rant against Zapul's incompetency at keeping uninvited "guests" from entering his property. The man, Naren, scrunched his face in irritation, his expensive velvet red suit dampening with sweat from his increasing ire.
"If you don't do something about it right now, I am going to throw you and your men out like the dogs that you are and hire some other guards!" Naren screeched, beads of sweat from his exertion gliding down his face. He took out a dainty, silken, white handkerchief and delicately patted at his sweat saturated brow. He haphazardly threw his plump legs onto the expensive oak desk, his black leather chair squeaking in protest at the man's shifting weight when he leaned back into the cushions. The pungent smell of cologne mixed with Naren's sweat choked the air, forcing Zapul to quietly hyperventilate to prevent himself from breathing in the deadly concoction. Luckily, the dimly lit room did well to hide his disgust.
"Sir, I deeply apologize for this trespass. I will promptly deal with the intruders." Zapul said through gritted teeth. He hesitated before continuing. For his brethen's sake.
"But if I may speak in earnest, truly master, perhaps it would be a plus for you if you would hire Hunters who are said to be capable of using extraordinary powers as other have already done. The security sys-"
Naren's face couldn't have gotten any redder before he blew up like an erupting volcano as he reached out and threw the next closest thing beside him at Zapul. It so happened to be a freshly brewed pot of tea. The small pot landed cleanly against his shoulder, shattering the delicately made porcelain and drenching Zapul in the scorching brown liquid fused with the blood from the gash that now inflicted the space beneath his right collarbone. Zapul's eyebrow twitched as he tried not to show his pain.
"Don't you dare continue! I will not tolerate your insolence!" He roared as he shot out of his seat, rusty brown hair flying around him like fiery serpents. "Don't compare me with those other pathetic bastards who spend so much money on those good for nothing money grubbers!" He attempted to steady his breathing through heaving in much needed oxygen into his abused lungs. He wiped his face and neck with his already damp handkerchief and sat heavily back down on his gilded chair.
"If the lot of you had been more competent, I wouldn't have been so embarrassed with this kind of break in. Deal with it this instant before I make sure your men starve for the next week as punishment. If you get them out, then perhaps I'll grant you the opportunity to eat some slices of pork… if there are any left over."
Zapul used all his discipline to restrain himself from killing the man right then and there and forced himself to bow at the waist in the forty-five degree angle. Naren smirked arrogantly at this show of submission.
"I apologize for my errors. I will do as you wish."
He quickly turned around and headed towards the door.
"Oh, I just remembered something." Naren called out gleefully as if a child excited to tell a scrumptious secret. Zapul stiffened, his hand pausing in the middle of turning the door knob.
"Do you remember your request to me last week?" Zapul turned his head around to see Naren waving a few pieces of paper before him dramatically. Zapul froze in recognition. "You know I've been actually thinking about letting you and your men receive some good quality wool coats as a sign of my good grace towards you all. But because of your errors, I am denying this request. And you can blame yourself for it!"
Naren ripped and shredded the papers vehemently and tossed them into the air, the broken pieces fluttering down like flakes of soot before Zapul's horrified and furious face.
Zapul shook his head in anger and glared at Kurapika.
"But YOU. You're making a fool out of yourself!"
"I never claimed so either. In fact, I'm only staying there because it's the only way I can recover the things I'm looking for and get back what is mine." Kurapika paused to glance at his companions. "And I have friends I care for... whom I wish to protect, as do you your men."
Yet another violent tremor rocked the island and the groups balance, giving chance for the two to separate themselves and release the stalemate. Both quickly backed away to safe distance, eyeing each other with calculative looks for what seemed like an eternity before suddenly, Zapul slowly dropped out of his predatory stance and smiled humorlessly, again surprising Kurapika.
"I see. It seems in the end, our beliefs are much more similar than I initially thought."
Kurapika looked blankly at him in barely veiled confusion, still wary of Zapul's unpredictability. Zapul sighed with a deep wariness that seemed to come from his very bone marrow.
"Don't worry. I will no longer attack you. Don't thinkI haven't heard of you. You are, after all, well known for being the newly appointed captain of Naren's enemy's guard. I have fought many intruders who all but wanted to steal for riches. Their greed showing clearly in their eyes to the point where they'd sacrifice their own comrades for their own gain. But your eyes hold something different. You're haunted by your demons but you're also determined to protect. Therefore, I would like for you to accept my request, despite the fact that as the losing side, I've no right to this. Take my men under your leadership."
Kurapika's eyes widened in shock as Zapul's words sank in. This man seemed to have never-ending surprises up his sleeves.
"Why? Like you said, we are your employer's enemies. Why entrust the lives of the men you care for to someone like me? What about this place? And Naren?"
Zapul chuckled bitterly.
"I no longer have any reason to remain here as the guard of a place that's a shadow of its former self. It haunts me every time I open my eyes and see how I've failed my benefactor in protecting this place. I had at first resigned myself to living my days serving someone so unworthy, but for the fact that Naren was his son. However, it was recently that I discovered that Naren was nothing but a usurper who murdered my benefactor and appointed himself head claiming to be his son. Naren's cousin backed him up with his underground connections and tainting this legacy that the predecessor built so carefully. But I know of Naren's deeds and secretly gathered enough information to condemn him before the underground council. Of course, I tried to minimize the other mafia groups involvement to avoid chaos from erupting." He glanced around at his men before before he returned his serious gaze to Kurapika.
"I now ask to transfer my men under your leadership and to hand the evidence over to the council through your group... But we will need to discuss this after we get off the island. My men and I are not the only ones Naren employed as guards. Soon his own personal bodyguards will come to take us down. My men's time here has come to an end and this time, Naren will not hesitate to kill any of us who he deems as below him. You'll need to leave now. Please, if you don't trust me as an individual, at least consider this request from someone who just wishes for his brothers to live better lives."
Kurapika closed his eyes, brow knitting tightly together in frustration at this new revelation and enormous amount of information. Thinking quickly, he nodded warily at Zapul.
" You'll tell me everything after we leave this place safely."
Zapul nodded in confirmation of Kurapika's demand and gestured for his men to get moving. Kurapika was again surprised when he realized all the men they'd incapacitated were being carried to three ships anchored at the dock. Kurapika realized that Zapul may have planned much more ahead than he initially thought.
Kurapika looked to his companions. Senritsu and Basho smiled and nodded while Hisoka shrugged and smirked. Kurapika sighed as he was reassured of his decision. He once again opened his eyes to the world before him. But this time they glinted with confidence.
"Let's go."
To be continued...
A/N: Hey! Again, I'm so sorry for the long waiting you all had to endure. Hopefully, this chapter has satisfied you for now... I will be working on the next chapter as soon as I can.
As previously mentioned, I am thankful to all who made such wonderful and insightful comment and criticism. They have allowed me to think of many other possibilities in plotting the story line. Therefore, I would also like to make a request. If anyone should be interested in being my beta reader for the drafts, please feel free to PM me and we can discuss this possibility further. Besides, you get to read the next chapter ahead of everyone, right? Haha.
Another announcement I'd like to make is that I'll soon be launching two new stories that I'm in the process of drafting, one for the Naruto series and another for Ghost Hunt. If you still have any patience for me within your heart please anticipate these stories and support me!
And finally, please R&R! Thank you!