A/N: Oh man please excuse the few days delay in getting this chapter loaded. It has been a stressful week and half with work and things going on in life so I've had a hard time sitting down with enough time to write. For a few days I was so physically drained I was struggling to stay awake long enough to focus. I have also realized my chapters have been increasing, though I may be a glutton considering the base minimum I have set for myself. It's crazy, but then again, I have decided on this massive undertaking.
To note, this chapter is the longest thus far.
Also, this fic up to this point is heavily un-beta'd and honestly, I am actually seeking one if anyone is up to the task of doing so.
Summary: Gon, Killua continue their search for the notorious game, Greed Island while Leorio gets a call from Kurapika. Chrollo decides to accept and explore the continued change in his emotions while trying to anonymously appeal to Kurapika's own while the blond struggles to contend with his own conflicts.
There was so little leads. So minuscule the information had been on the one thing of which was considered elusive and scarce, it was becoming rigorous, yet incumbent to track down a copy of what was said to be one most valuable items to ever exist. It was also one thing that the highly exuberant and ingenious youth, Gon Freecs was adamantly seeking - the game his father created, Greed Island.
For weeks they had been searching, turning up only the most vague amounts of knowledge on the game had left Gon and his friends with the most painstaking task of using more offhanded and speculative theories and methods to obtain such a elusory item. Yet, at the current even as they poured over the copious amounts of websites that claimed to house copies for purchase, most were disingenuous and too fluctuant to warrant the justification in placing too much attention onto them. It was definitely a tedious and distressing situation.
For hours it felt, they had sat pouring over the material they had managed to gather, weighing and calculating their options, scrutinizing and measuring every outlet they had managed to upturn or what had been proffered to them. It had been attenuating, especially after the crushing blow of the Yorknew auctions, it felt as if they were no closer to prevailing then they had when they initially started.
"Aw, I am really beginning to wonder if we will ever locate an actual copy." For a moment the emblematic youth focused over a few equivocal advertisements for the game, though he wasn't entirely confident in placing much trust in them, "The amount of Jenny that most of these sellers want is astronomical." He whined, the clicking of keys reverberated beside him as he knew Killua was furiously working away at his own computer, conscientious of the information being presented in front of him.
"So many of these people seem faulty." Killua chided finally, a bit disparaged by the fact that a good amount of the results they managed to churn out looked nothing remotely trustworthy, which in reality, were only getting them practically nowhere. Only one viable outlet they had which looked promising, which only fueled their invariable training to prove their worth of entering the game was becoming more like their sole recourse. "It continues to look like our best bet would be going with Battera's offer." The young Zoldyck exhaled; not that he was objectionable as their only stress would be infusing depth and tenacity into their abilities with Nen, which was a plus in its own right. Since practically every other offer was looking exhausted, they were going to have to settle for playing at someone else's game.
"Yeah I guess you are right." Gon conceded and pulling away from the computer to inadvertently stretch his constringed muscles, the cramp he had in his legs from sitting for the extensive length of time he had was rather anent and he groaned at the ache from of pulling the ligaments back to their normal positions. "Besides, I don't think we will ever be able to gather enough Jenny to even come close to buying a copy. Everything elise we have already tried really only got us nowhere."
For so long, Gon had been tracking down every lead, every clue and breadcrumb possible in his undaunted goal to find his father, Ging, which has drawn the young, energetic youth down a rather amassed and dangerous exodus. Though such isn't to say he didn't find so much benefit along the way. He had encountered so many stupendous people along his path, and forged what few friendships he held that were of the utmost valuable to him. All his adventures certainly retained their perks that he wasn't ever in repentance of.
Forgetting the aspect of their current task at hand, he nudged Killua, his friend having long since cast aside any notion of continuing their ineffectual search.
"Say, shall we go check on Leorio? Perhaps he has gotten an update from Kurapika or something."
Grinning, an underlying flash and a hint of slyness crossed beneath the surface of his electric blue eyes, and the ever adroit Zoldyck nodded in agreement, feeling rather confident they would obtain some positive news on their Kurta friend. Considerably it had been some time since they had heard from the blond - the last known status was his arrival at Ti'alma and that he had managed to track Chrollo Lucifer down. Other than that, aside the fact that Kurapika had been strenuous about trailing the impulsive man who was far from trustworthy, not much else was known about the blond's circumstance.
It was difficult to hide their intrinsic apprehension at the entirety of the situation; especially for Gon who always had the tendency to see the worst in scenarios when it came down to either impulse or what looked grim, causing him to sometimes react rather tumultuously then rationally. Sometimes it was worrisome, especially for Killua who more often than not, would have to pull Gon's 'fat from the fire' per se, lest the young boy would have more than likely gotten himself killed.
Killua exhaled shallowly; it was relatively the same story here. Even though he had repressed his already growing qualms in regards to Kurapika's decisions, he was more hard pressed on the fact that all of them had long since been vacillated in their collective decision on what to do, but deep down, he was still feeling something really was going to unfortunately go amiss.
Meeting up with Leorio for their afternoon get together, the two of them sat reposed lackadaisically upon a ramshackle bench within the park down in central Yorknew as they awaited their current meeting time, knowing that sometimes the older man could be what was considered 'fashionably late'. Killua had to remind himself that at some point, he would need to chide the would be doctor about punctuality himself. As much as their oldest friend like to caw and grouse about efficiency and productivity, he didn't exactly always practice what he preached.
Such was proven when Killua noticed that of course, as he surmised, their friend was over ten minutes late.
"Sorry!" The strained voice game laden with heavy panting, assertion clear in the man's obvious posture. "There was just so much traffic. I swear it's like everyone crawls out of the wormwood at this time of the day!" It didn't take long for Leorio to regain his composure, but not without extensive effort. "Didn't think I was ever going to make it."
Of course for Killua, he knew the more reasonable riposte towards the man's statement would have been more of a gesture to heckle the other for his lack concentration. But, rather than falter towards that likely outcome, he simply regarded Leorio with a droll smile and hopped off the bench, the sound of plodding not long after professed that Gon mimicked his movements.
"Sure, sure old man. We believe you. It is around midday of course, tends to get busy around this time."
"Jeeze Killua, you don't have to so blunt about it." Leorio grumbled, obviously chasten by the laconic response the younger boy gave him. As always, such always caused him to feel depreciated to a fault. He simply muttered beneath his breath about Killua always being on his case worse the Kurapika ever was as he shoved his hands into his pockets out of irritation. For a moment the heavy silence ensued between them before Gon chimed in, as always in attempt to lighten the mood.
"Hey Leorio, any word from Kurapika? It's been a while since we last heard from him, and we're a bit worried."
For a moment, the taller man looked considerably dejected as a frown crawled over his inadmissible expression, designating their answer was practically cut and dry.
"Unfortunately, I know about as much as you, guys. Honestly, I expected better of Kurapika as he knows how we already feel about this little escapade of his, but to go this long without contact, well it's inexcusable!" The sudden outburst exhibited by Leorio summarily caused both boys to flinch as their collective stares transfixed upon their friend with impart scrutiny, though it was the young Zoldyck who made emphasis on inducing a glare to further add the point. Without hesitation the taller man suddenly backed down at the extremity of the situation, realizing he had gotten worked up again needlessly. "Still… It isn't good he hasn't let us know of his recent circumstances. He knows we worry."
"This may be true, but you need to calm down Leorio. This isn't a time for losing your head." Didn't take long for Gon to intervene, knowing how strenuous both his friends could get, especially when it came to Kurapika's welfare. But now wasn't such a time for imprudence or frivolities.
Leorio simply huffed his discontent and slunk onto the bench the two young boys had claimed as a perch early, looking absolutely acidulated. For a breadth of a moment, Leorio looked lost in thought - a thousand questions racing through his haggard mind as he practically fermented in his own stewing emotions, nearly forgetting that two concerned faces were boring down into his own when an abrupt chime broke him from his distrait and he reached into his pocket to retrieve his phone, checking the caller ID before shock temporarily bewildered his expression, "It's from Kurapika…" Leorio responded without hesitation, promptly answering the call, "Kurapika…" The man breathed, not bothering to hide the slight acerbity in his tone, though suppressed it thereafter, "What has taken you so long to call us?" He wasted no time getting straight to the point.
"Before anything, I do apologize for the discrepancies in my attentiveness and being forwith in checking in, but I had… Some rather unexpected delays…"
"Delays?!" The older man's voice cut in nearly like a viper, though he wasted no time lowering the baritone of his voice down to a dull roar at the admonishing look Killua reinforced with, "Seriously Kurapika, what is going on?"
There was an intermediate pause that seemed to stem for an extensive amount of time before the voice on the other line drew the energy to continue, "Unfortunately I was forced to relocate to the Arukan Continent. That damn bastard managed to slip away during the night recently and I consequently had to track him down again. Which turned out to be an utter inconvenience." The besetment in his voice caused Leorio to blink for a moment; such venom and animus, never had he remembered the blond being so heated, the vehemence nearly seethed through the phone. But the one thing stood which out was the sheer dissidence that seemed to underline in his voice, something he didn't recollect ever hearing before.
Something was definitely… Different, but he wasn't sure exactly what.
"I have just made it to the city of Patalor. The place is indeed huge as I've heard, so I am quite confident it will take some time to find him again." Kurapika's voice continued over the phone, though more monotone this time.
"Are you sure this is still wise? I mean c'mon Kurapika! It seems like this monster is doing nothing but leading you around, and by the nose I might add!" Leorio's aura suddenly flared.
Immediately Gon and Killua exchanged looks in bewilderment, privy to only part of the conversation, curious by Leorio's sudden conniption. "Uh Leorio," The honey-eyed youth began though was swiftly cut off as their older friend continued to prattle on as if he never heard the voice call to him in the first place.
"I still say something isn't entirely right with this whole thing! You know we've been worried about you and we don't want you just going off and getting yourself killed!"
"Leorio...I," The taciturnity that ensued thereafter seemed to strewn on, neither of them talking, causing Gon and Killua to shuffle uncomfortably. For some reason, to the two young boys, this unusual banter was something completely inverse from anything they were used to. Such astriction was nearly suffocating.
"Hey old man, no need to be so cocky!" The silver-haired youth hissed, depth of his electric blue eyes practically boring holes into the older man. "We are all concerned for Kurapika but no need to practically rip his head off over it!"
Clicking his tongue in outward discomfiture, aura starting to dissipate as it returned to its normal swelling, Leorio amended, "I am sorry, Kurapika. Didn't mean to get so extraneous."
"No, it's quite alright, I understand. Your concern is justified, but I cannot just simply turn back now, Leorio. I have to see this through. I promise to be more considerate with keeping you updated on my condition, however."
"So I assume there is no way we can dissuade you from this mission of yours, then?" There was a hopeful undertone lacing within Leorio's voice, though underneath the rising upheaval that was growing ostentatiously between them, he pretty much already knew the answer. He just couldn't help but hold onto a shred of credence that Kurapika would turn away from this little folly and actually return back home and back to some similarity of normalcy. Or what one could even designate as normal. Though for Leorio, the realization was very, very real. Once their blond-headed friend got his mind set, there was just no coaxing him to do otherwise, which only furthered the older man's malcontent.
"I have told you, this is something I feel I must do for myself. I am sorry, but there is just no changing my mind." There was a brief interlude before Kurapika spoke up once again, "Also because I know you are thinking it, don't. Please do not interfere, Leorio. I know how badly you, Gon and Killua - especially Gon, want to come after me, as bullheaded as that is thinking you are rescuing me from some catastrophic situation, but it will only complicate things and make matters worse."
Instantly all the air funneled from his lungs and Leorio sighed in abject defeat. He could feel the heavily weighted stares boring into him by his two companions, choosing to inwardly chide himself for being so humbled and irresolute, that suffocating feeling of uselessness only a gateway into baleful insignificance. It burned him down to the very core.
"I understand, despite I still don't like this. Something really isn't right. Just… Promise me you will be careful."
"Don't worry, I will."
It was all that filtered through the line before the call was ceased and for a moment, Leorio felt hollow.
"There will just be no changing his mind." The words came, lugubrious and contused, facing towards the two boys who stood impatiently beside him, the phone sliding back almost aimlessly into his pocket, "He will just have none of it."
"What happened?" Gon chimed in, trepidation clear in the kid's honey-hued eyes. "You sounded awfully angry. Tell us what Kurapika had to say."
For the span of what felt like an eternity, Leorio struggled to amass his squalling emotions and was nearly beside himself from the foregone conclusion, still unable to settle with the outward circumstances. No matter how much Kurapika beseeched and requisitioned him into just standing on the sidelines doing absolutely nothing he would never come to full terms with such a fact. For the Kurta to be so brazen and stolid only succeeded in infuriating him. It was taking all he had managed to muster to not go after Kurapika and nearly beat the blond, senseless.
"Apparently the Ryodan head managed to escape Kurapika not long ago and skipped town. But he managed to track him down again… But…" Leorio paused mid sentence, obviously still choleric about what had transpired - through the lack in continuation only earned him another heated gaze from Killua.
"Out with it old man!" The boy rebuked, flaring hues warning of lack of patience.
"Okay, okay, I am getting to it, alright? He grumbled before adding, "The trail led him to the Arukan Continent. To a city called Patalor."
"The Arukan Continent?" Both younger boys enunciated simultaneously, shock riddling their faces, "But isn't that across the Great Barren Sea? Back relatively towards where we took the Hunter Exam?"
"Apparently so. As to why that crazy fool ran there in the first place, even I don't understand. It just seems as if the head of the Ryodan is just messing around with Kurapika at this point." Leorio concluded as all three of them look positively expended and beyond any comprehension to the conundrum that was presented before them. From their standpoint, this was turning out to be nothing but a game of cat and mouse, one that Kurapika was easily playing right into, the manipulation clear which only demonstrated that the witty, yet ingenious leader of the Geneiryodan had their blond friend practically wound around his finger and being lead astray. The outcome appeared somber and unfortunately, absolute.
"This… This isn't good." The amber-eyed boy spoke, dread edging the tone in his voice, "I think we should go after him."
"I agree," Leorio added, though he knew what the end result would ultimately be. The words Kurapika spoke echoed on virtual replay over and over through his mind, "But, as much as I want to - as we want to, Kurapika practically insisted that we don't. The tenor he initiated when it was spoken; he sounded pretty damn serious about it."
It was a tough, enervating decision, one that left them unfounded from when they began. Deep down they knew of the insurrection that raged in an unremitting war within their friend's own rattled mind. His mental barriers were unstable, emotions in havoc and his pride preventing him from seeing clearly. It was indeed, a very dangerous path Kurapika was walking and for them, for those who really cared about him the most within this horrific, dark and tenebrous world were left feeling as if they could do only the very least.
As unpropitious, forlorn and futile the situation seemed, as much as they were plagued with incertitude and mistrust, they knew that regrettably, there was nothing they could do. Kurapika was adamant on finishing what he stated, on seeing an ending to his own plights and bringing about denouement to everything he had so long suffered and all they could do, was sit back and watch it all unfold.
§§§§§§§§
For so long, Chrollo had never imagined that such life changing event would actually be the very thing which had come in the form of something he had thought was long since gone from the world. Like a phantom, something so bygone yet ethereal, a physical manifestation of the very entities that had long since followed his mind into eternity had appeared to him on that fateful day, back when he had let slip his own guard in a moment of impertinence. It was almost like a dream, a surreal image formed from something considered a mere delusion, and yet, every aspect only evoked the very real culmination such a being wasn't any fabrication at all, but an actual personification of revanche, like an angel of deliverance.
He remembered it as if it was yesterday, the way the person looked, those effervescent eyes, so deep, so blue, the way those golden locks swayed nearly in time to the wind's coercive gusts, almost a perfect echo to those inexplicable emotions that raged unbridled, and the breathtaking way that body moved – such a memory only imbued deep within, fueling remembrances almost long forgotten.
But no, he would never forget, for that very same person of whom had captivated his attention back then, had done so now and at the moment, was constantly watching his every move, his every action, mirroring him nearly perfectly like that of a replica; his constant shadow. It brought about a pleased smile to pale lips. Even now as he had sat bathed in the afternoon sun, its caressing rays washing over him while he had situated himself at a rather eloquent restaurant with a cup of coffee and a plate of food that sat upon the pristine white table cloth upon the round table he was situated at, he could still feel that ever present energy of him, those eyes lade and practically boring down into what he thought was his very soul.
It had been nearly a month since his arrival at Patalor and on an almost daily basis – despite the few days of absence he had realized the boy had taken, it was a constant supervening, never once wavering in remaining just close enough to maintain observation, but held the distance necessary that he couldn't ever really catch the sight of other's face. He was always wondering what was going through that pretty little head since that night when their paths crossed again within the magnificent city of fame and gold.
Though one thing was for certain – the amplification of current circumstance regarding his decision on handling such a rather troublesome, yet wondrous situation had slowly continued to change its outcome over the passing days. To which even he had noticed within himself, that his own mindset was altering its once harried state into something more pensive, more contemplative. Even for him, just the very aspect of something so enthralling, so resplendent and so compelling was able to implore him as it had was enough be a continuous push in furthering the very idea of seeing exactly where it would lead him. The very fact that the pull was so great – albeit the drastic change in his emotions, only seemed to further add the fuel into his perspicuous exploits.
It as one of the very reasons why he allowed the circumstances to drag on as long as it had.
Chrollo could sense it – no he practically knew exactly why things were playing to the very song and dance that it was. But for him, it was merely another way to explore the newly developed sensations that he was experiencing, which were the very same ones he had been undergoing for weeks now. For him, being ambitious was the way to ensure things paid off. There was no way he would allow something this opportune, and indefectible to escape his grasp. Especially with the way circumstances were developing.
He wasted no time allowing a fleeting glance to draw over towards where he knew the blond was still intermingled as he attempted to look casual while the great flowing sea of people ebbed and moved around him. Though as usual, that state of obviousness caused by the obstinate hunter only further served as a distraction for him as Chrollo had long since realized that being in such close proximity to that fastidious Kurta only initiated a stirring within him that he had found on so many counts terribly difficult to resist. Even the faint scents of sandalwood mixed with the airy hints of a forest only gnawed at his senses, the perennial hold it had upon him only frustrated him further as the desire to enact on his feelings brewed strong. But no, he wouldn't, he couldn't. Such a delicate thing would need time to cultivate, time to prepare and cure and being too impetuous could easily unravel everything he had carefully and meticulously planned out thus far.
No. He would take more time to place careful thought into everything he was working towards. So far Chrollo had not allowed himself to go beyond any set limitations that could possibly give the blond more reason to suspect his cover had long since been blown and kept the illusionary pretense that he was blissfully unaware of the Kurta's striddling advances. Casually, he took another draw of the remaining liquid which was in the cup he dexterously held and finished its contents, deciding to consume the last of the meal sitting on his plate and feeling it was time to actually move on. Perhaps he would give his little alluring kitty something else as an incentive. Maybe Kurapika needed another nudge to coax him even more down the pathway Chrollo wanted him on. Since The raven-head's unrelenting emotions were only steadily intensifying; the attraction he noticed had only become even more apparent over the last few weeks since his arrival in Patalor. His growing need and the ever present wave of something more, something superlative resided just beneath the surface. For him, the reality of it was even if such was in question, he suspected his attention towards the Kurta shifted from being predominate to a covet interest.
Or perhaps, just perhaps he was experiencing something more akin to that of a romantic desire.
As strange as that even sounded to him, judging from his current range of erratic feelings and the dramatic shift of thoughts that wound through his mind, such wasn't to be so easily dismissed. The blond definitely had some kind of hold on him, even if it Chrollo didn't quite understand its exact meaning or the dialectic behind it. Though one thing remained certain; he was still exigent on the fact that the ultimate outcome of all his efforts was to see the beautiful little Kurta finally become his.
Whatever Chrollo had to do in order to accomplish this, he wouldn't stop until he saw his plans reach fruition.
Resolute, the infamous leader of the renowned Geneiryodan pushed his chair away from the table and arose, sparing one last fleeting glance behind him to ensure that his shadow was still milling about before leaving discreetly once satisfied that the blond hadn't budged from his observation spot.
Chrollo strode into the swelling throng, easily blending in with the rivers of people as they hustled about towards their destinations, keeping just enough pace to guarantee that he wouldn't lose his pursuer amiss the growing waves of passerby as he thread his way down one of the main, busy streets. The clamor of voices intertwining with one another along with the bustling of the city itself began to reach its pinnacle as it started to fall into the busiest part of the day. So much activity occurring around him and it only reminded Chrollo of why he was so adverse to extended stays in such superfluous places like Patalor. But he repressed his nagging irritation in favor of holding his focus on that the one person who remained the most important. Letting his attention deviate now would only serve no real purpose and end up causing the current situation to become problematic. Things were adjusting and slowly falling into place, there was no need for him to generate any upset now.
In a split decision when he was confident in those undaunted footfalls echoing deftly behind him did he duck into a nearby side street, expeditiously rounding another corner that fell instantly before him, trekking the short length of pathway before finding himself facing a dead end of the alleyway of which he had chosen to make his way through. Knowing that the blond was only mere kilometers behind him, Chrollo decided to enact on the plan he had recently concocted, wasting no time to elicit his momentum and nearly vaulted up the planate brick walls of the buildings which resided around him, making sure to leave his incentive behind. Letting the object fall inconspicuously onto the stone ground, he rounded with exactitude towards the roof, clamoring over the edge just as he heard the blond enter the alleyway. Silently, he poised himself at the edge of what he assumed was a clothing store and sat, waiting with intrigue for when the boy would finally realize that he lost his quarry once again and become distraught with the notion that Chrollo was seamlessly giving him the slip.
Of course, he knew such actions even as ridiculous and incommodious as his decisions may seem, he continued to bet that regardless of process or transition, the outcome would end the same as he predicted. He only hoped that his young objective was astute enough to connect the dots that were being laid out for him. One thing though that Chrollo was most assured of was the fact that he was certain Kurapika hadn't noticed the gradual shifting in positions and who the blond thought he was stalking was certainly turning out to not be the case. Such was an amusing notion how the initial predator was now becoming the prey. Chrollo chuckled inwardly to himself - oh how he was enjoying this little game that his valorous Kurta was conforming to. Such vitality and fortitude, the magnetism was unbelievable. He knew the the blond had quite an affluent flow of spunk, but this, this was beyond his expectations. Yes indeed, he could envision the potential of making an apt partner out of the young hunter, there was no reason to doubt that, now. Again he felt that latent sense of longing pang inside of his heart once more and slowly he licked his lips, nugatory in withstanding the effects it had on him as he continued to descend further and further into the unknown.
In essence it was maddening.
Excited. Chrollo felt riveted just by the mere idea alone, every aspect was another nail driving itself firmly in place as he revealed in the undulating waves of his own surging passion. Even as extrinsic such was to him, he couldn't deny its rapt calling. So many thoughts crossed through his mind, so many avenues of contingency, the possibilities he concluded were endless.
It certainly was turning out to be something he deemed highly worthy of his time and efforts. Even in light of the probability this was in part for his own avaricious needs.
Chrollo knew he was eccentric, but this took on an entirely different meaning.
Exhaling sharply, unblinking gray eyes watched with unscrupulous ambition as his mental preparation wound over the next steps he planned in making towards his goal. Such an implication and the very idealism of exactly what he had in mind only furthered that coy grin which spread eagerly over his lips.
A grunt made in exasperation broke Chrollo from his reverie as he gazed down at the blond on the ground below him. Kurapika's back was facing his direction as he appeared hunched over, the boy looking as if was examining something. This piqued Chrollo's interest and a flickering surge of energy pricked at his skin, which he assumed the boy's aura had abruptly amassed. Good. The tactile Kurta had found his little item. Finally his plot ensued as he would implant the seed that would subsequently germinate perplexity and doubt, hopefully driving the boy deep enough into a state of inner conflict that he would soon enough start to question his own precessions. If Chrollo could just instill enough diffidence towards Kurapika's convictions…
Leaving the distraught hunter behind, the raven-haired man slunk away, a soft, amused snicker was left fading in his wake, another foretelling of what he now felt was the beginning of something preordained.
§§§§§§§§
Hours. That is what it had felt like. The eternal movement of time, though consequently decelerated, the amount expended was something more than what was really cared to actually lose. However, remaining at his perch, sitting astride a rather hectic street; the cacophony of people as they ran about their daily productivity was enough to distract him from his current engagement.
It was like practically observing a stone statue. Immotile, becalm, the placidity in his composure, just how placid he looked, even from the distance Kurapika stood at, just the air of confidence the man exerted, such only arose the his own state of perturbation. The Kurta exhaled a strained sigh; he was beginning to wonder just how much longer Chrollo Lucifer planned on superficially dragging him around the city as if he was some dog on a leash? Everything the man had done aside having him practically taking a leisurely stroll through one of the most lavish cities in existence left him questioning what the exact motives were. Something felt incongruous about the entire scenario; for weeks he had been relentlessly tailing the man and for the same length of time with no such corollary. Everything appeared normal, quintessential, as if this was his usual standard of life.
That kind of knowledge along with the fact that his entire scheme was practically getting Kurapika nowhere only increased his agitation. The insipidity of it left the blond feeling as if his entire desideratum was becoming merely nil.
Kurapika breathed as he gently pulled habitually at the rim of his cloak, the hood vastly obscuring his vision, and yet, his line of sight wasn't hindered in any way as he could clearly see his quarry positioned at a small restaurant across the street as the man indulged in an afternoon meal. Just the due process, how the act tarried on, as if the delay was intentional, made Kurapika begin to feel as if he was being deliberately made to wait, that the man was taking his time only to ensure that he would become frustrated from having to stand there for the ludicrous length that he was.
Abstractedly, he clutched his right hand into a fist – it was unbelievable! Which the worst part; somehow, in a way that Kurapika couldn't remotely comprehend or understand, the man was indirectly – or perhaps directly, effecting him emotionally. Ever since the night before he left Ti'alma, when he had that execrable loss of control over himself, over his own body and committed to a grave act of sin, he had been experiencing forthcoming continuations of wayward sensations being inflicted upon his mindset, libertine thoughts that invaded his conscious and dreams, ones that had started to make him feel enfeebled only added to the vast swell of contention that he was caught within. Every aspect only made him start to question his own sanity and made him petrified down to his very being.
He didn't want to lose his hate, his resolution or his way. The fear that such may be starting to slip made Kurapika worry beyond rationale, for it was his execration that gave him incentive to carry on, to progress, to breathe. Losing that now, forgetting his real reason for why he existed would be giving in and reneging on the promise and vows he made to his kin. It wasn't something he was willing to so easily let go of.
Keeping the flame alive was a constant reminder of what he had suffered all his life and for what he will eventually take back.
Still… Something else burned deep within and just the inclination it gave him, how twisted and stricken it left him, it was within these embroiling innervations, Kurapika just didn't know how to deal. He felt like he was caught in an ambiguous pull between holding onto what he forged in the depths of his heart, the moral axioms he committed to and letting go of everything that made him who he was. The verity of it only reinforced his wracked state of mine that much more.
Something about him was changing and it was in that very change that left him terrified beyond prehension.
Without realizing it, his chains had materialized, the links glittering under the vibrant glow of the warming sun, their melodious tinkling chimed in tintinnabulation before they dissipated and the Kurta's attention suddenly perked as he noticed his target had stood up and was proceeding towards the restaurant's exit.
Suppressing his bidding emotions for now, he slid around the edge of a street corner, attempting to easily conceal himself along with the unhindered flow of people, shrouding himself as quickly and efficiently as possible to avoid detection.
Kurapika waited with ambition as the raven-haired man meshed into the throng in front of him, waiting for just the right moment to supervene after him, keeping just enough distance so the other wouldn't be able to sense his presence. Though for a while, the blond had started to wonder if for some insane reason that the older man somehow knew he was there.
No, it was preposterous! There was no way that his enemy could possibly know he was nearby. He had been meticulous, precise, and attentive to each and every thing he had done thus far. It wasn't likely that his nemesis was aware of his presence, was it?
But then again, considering the recent turn of events, all the strange and disconcerting things that had been taking place lately; there was definitely something strange going on.
Staving off his connotations, Kurapika wove through the milling throng, maintaining pace with the criminal mastermind, retaining hope that perhaps this time the man would actually lead him towards something worthwhile of his attention and warrant illation for him to finally act. Drawing unwanted attention at this point wasn't something the blond was thrilled to do, especially while surrounded by a vast collective of innocents. But the moment he was given a practical or logical reason to attack…
Eyes widened at the sudden sharp turn the raven-haired man had taken, ducking into a nearby alleyway as it seemed his target was attempting to lose him. The concise turnabout aroused his suspicions once again, but as such, he couldn't afford to be circumvented.
Gritting his teeth, he rounded the corner and retained his pursuing, enforcing Gyo into his ears, aggrandizing them. Instantaneously he captured the filtering, echoing footfalls of his target and followed in the direction of which they were coming from.
He panted, his stamina becoming taxed the longer their chase took place, his chest constricting with his labored breaths, his physique straining. During his escapade he had not realized that his scarlet eyes were impelled, the enervation of their use only added to the slowly waning energy flow. The exerting of his aura was taking its toll and for Kurapika, there embodiment worse than that of hewing weakness.
The Kurta pooled on his reserves, suffusing every conduit of aura flow possible into the necessitating his ability to continue maintaining his strength – if he was to even consider facing what potentially may lie in wait, doing so in an impaired state would only prove detrimental to his entire cause.
Down another narrow alleyway the sound of movement reverberated and the blond hastily followed as a dank and malodorous odor wafted into the air causing Kurapika to suddenly recoil in revulsion, the pugnancy of it enough to make him feel as if he wanted to retch. Where ever that bastard was leading him surely didn't seem to be affecting the man worse than it was affecting him.
"What the hell is that smell?" He uttered in pure disgust, left hand coming up to clasp over his nose in a feeble attempt to ward off the offending stench. Even the walls looked as if they had become stained by years of mildew and mold, thick piceous blotches clung to the surface, adding to the rather begrimed scene before him. Kurapika growled and pushed his way through the filthy stretch before emerging into a wide area which appeared to be a dead end.
Empty, the entire area was practically devoid of any signs of life, nothing was left in existence aside the vast amounts of discarded offscourings; litter, old articles, piles of lumber offset by piles of debris, it was obvious that the alleyway was practically used as a partial dumpsite. Why that infernal man would have decided to pass through here was practically incomprehensible. Then it literally dawned on him – inanition, there was no one else in the blind alley but him.
His gaze inherently darted around the dimmed area as he slowly traversed inward, breaths coming in shallow pace, the heat copiously arising around him and the educing flow of his aura reminded him that his Scarlet Eyes were still in use.
Vexation boiled to the surface and without thought as his right hand curled into a fist and slammed against the closest wall, recognition began to sink in that once again, he had somehow managed to lose the bastard a second time. How this kept happening was something beyond even his apperception.
"I swear to God I am going to kill that asshole the next time I see him," Kurapika growled, the emotional squall hammering through him was enough to defuse any inessential feelings from before. At the moment, his primary focus fell on the fact that again for the second time since he had began trailing the Geneiryodan leader that he somehow managed to evade the stalwart Kurta. "And put an end to whatever game he's trying to execute."
Just as he was about to turn, something brushed against his foot and the blond bent down to reconnoiter a rather small, colorful stone laying fornent to all the filth and putrescence, its beauty almost being insulted due to its awful surroundings. Fingers curled around it as Kurapika salvaged it from a rather despicable fate, turning the smooth object around his palm. Flecks of gold sat inlaid within splashes of red and yellow, a hue of underlying green accented its surface. He scrutinized the object momentarily, digits absently stroking the stone, exploring every inch, taking note after mere moments that it was shaped like a heart.
Inquisitive by finding such a rather pure item surrounded by dirt and grime which seemed so out of place, he couldn't help but find his situation even more startling then it was prior. Hand fully encompassing the stone, the blond reluctantly withdrew from his chevying, disgruntled by the fact that he had been abdicated by the very man he sought and ceded to the fact that it was practically inutile to continue on in his efforts. For now.
Even as much as it unnerved him that this new outcome was essentially a repeat of history once again, it was also a rather moot point – that damnable monster managed to dissuade him and, left him behind to stew in his own failure.
Something to this caliber surely didn't sit too well with the blond; it was just another added strike against his enemy that Kurapika would seek reparation for.
He decided it was best to reconvene on his current matters after he had the time to collect himself for there was much to ruminate over. So much had transpired in the last month since arriving in Patalor – really since he gone on this undertaking, and it was just too obvious to ignore. There was just too many conjectural incidents and encounters that had taken place which only yielded more questions than he had in answers. Then there was the matter regarding the rather strange and troublesome influx of emotions he had been subjected to, which in his mind's eye, had taken more precedence above anything else he could have merely attributed to simple happenstance, but the sudden change in his emotional state was definitely a cause for concern. Especially after the mental sway had caused some rather unwanted thoughts regarding the very last person he should ever have romantic feelings about.
The last word left a vitriolic taste in his mouth. There was just no way. None that he could even rationalize. It was appalling that even such a thing would dare cross his mind. The hatred he held for his clan's executioners was ingrained so deep, so meshed with is entire being that entertaining something so blasphemous only caused him to grunt in sheer disgust. Especially for that stoic, heartless bastard who lead them all.
It was the very last thing in the world he would ever allow to happen to himself and Kurapika took comfort in knowing that the vein of his anger continued to pulsate within his very being. He would see this to the very end even if it killed him.
However, beneath the surface, just underneath the outer layers of the carefully concocted barriers Kurapika had erected, the very he had so obstinately woven as a cage from reality, something stirred inner, something currently minuscule, but perpetuating. One that awareness has not yet acknowledged, but would eventually and lead the blond towards something more tangible, more eliciting.
The tides were turning indeed. Just not in a way Kurapika realized quite yet.
§§§§§§§§
Grousing, he unceremoniously flung the door open to his hotel room, still ectopic by the lack of success the day held. Each and every turn of events ended negatively and it only served as another reason to goad the blond further with his ventures. He wouldn't allow himself to be divagated, quite to the contrary; his determination only flared. In light of everything that occurred, all that he endured, just the fact that he was still suffering, now in more ways than one, was enough to instill his insatiable fervor.
Kurapika ambled into the room, quickly flicking on the light switch to illuminate the area and balk the darkness that had claimed it in his absence. Hissing at the brightness, his hand reflexively came up to shield his tired eyes as they slowly adjusted, the execution of the day's cavort had claimed its price; every part of him ached, the burning in his legs only added to the cognizance that he was beyond fatigued, and was coming under the influence of exhaustion. He hadn't slept properly in weeks, it was longer than he could even remember. Even the weight of his eyes felt like lead, the swelling he could easily tell was affecting him; how long he held onto the state of his Scarlet Eyes while in that blind alley only piled on the stress that was causing affliction to his body. Perhaps he should rest. He knew it was something he desperately needed.
He had been avoiding sleep due to the conflicting and haunting dreams he had been experiencing. First the despairing nightmare which plagued him, the very one that prompted his current excursion had bled away into other dreams that caused him to question his own sanity. There were so many variations, but each one was about the very same thing. All his emotions, sentimentality, conscious and awareness faltered back to the very same thing he had dedicated his entire life to seeing surceased from existence. Yet, all those visions, all the outcomes from each one found him not extracting revenge, but entertaining the idea of a different propriety all together. Happiness. It was one thing that had been devoid from his life for so long, yet it was not in the facet of completion of his goals or the joyous times with friends, but something much deeper, something more frightening. Each time in those dreams he established the prospect of a different life, such without sorrow, without pain, and most of all, without hate. That happiness was exponential, encouraging, proffering and offered him the peace he had so longed for. Yet, it was found astride the very same person that Kurapika harbored such a burning contempt for. How that man, the one bore of such a wicked and hiemal nature could ever show him happiness was beyond even his ability to rationalize.
It was those very same dreams; declarations of compassion, love and understanding followed by tranquility that abolished all the darkness from his life which granted such a strong allure, and by the same token, made him also feel it was mere illusion.
Kurapika was torn.
Constantly he remained disharmonious, battling an internal war that only razed his mind and influenced his judgement. Each incident only descended him further into inner conflict, adding to his already polarized emotions. He hated it. Hated being tormented. Hated being at odds with himself. The uncertainty only inflicted depression, and the very aspect, the very thought he could foster sensations like that for his enemy sicked him. There was just no way possible. He couldn't. He wouldn't. In the end, he would rather terminate his own life then allow something like that ever see the light of day.
He just couldn't handle it.
Capitulating, he walked towards the bed, deciding that sleep would be needed to facilitate proper judgement, dreams or no, as his mind was beginning to addle from the deprivation he was starting to suffer from. Fumbling with the strings to his cloak, Kurapika was just about to set the velvety article aside when something caught his eye. At first he speculated he was seeing things, looking again to be certain that what he saw wasn't a mere figment of his imagination.
There on the nightstand was a glass vase encasing about a dozen blood red colored roses, freshly cut and fully bloomed. It took mere moments before he was struck.
Numbly, he strode around the bed and placed himself before the flowers, one hand coming up to stroke over the blooms to ensure that they were real. How something like this got into his room only perturbed him further, though it wasn't until he realized the small square box sitting upon the pillows that really had the blond on the verge of unhinging completely.
Slender fingers shakily converged on the object, pulling it to towards him as he lifted it, scrutinizing what he held before positioning himself on the side of the bed, stripping the paper surrounding the box and dispensing with its lid. Warily, he reached inside, fingers curling around something only to remove a length of fabric infused in deep blue. Running his hand over it, he realized the surface was silken and soft, thin and practically sheer, making it appear dainty. Removing it completely from the box, Kurapika gave it a once over, recognizing it as a rather elegant scarf. The lace work done in vines and leaves was impressive, even as his fingertips caressed the material, he couldn't help but wonder where such a lavish and beautiful piece came from.
Briefly setting the garment aside, reflexively his hand plunged into the box again to retrieve another item, a book.
That caught the Kurta completely unawares.
Turning the book over between his shaky palms, his eyes roved over the cover, digits stroking along the leather bound cover and its inscriptions as he realized the book was rather old and one he didn't recall physically ever coming across. Gingerly he opened the cover and began leafing through the pages, taking in the contents with expect grace as intrigue started to settle in. After skimming through the contents he recognized the works as something he had heard of, but never seen. It was a documentary on the histories of past civilizations that were said to have been existent long before their current time, one of which was a recordings of several vast empires and cultures that had once been embroiled in war, where creatures of terrible and abominable likeness roved the lands, consuming souls and slaughtering innocents by the droves. It was also noted that at the center of it all was a maligned force that sought to control and destroy the world, where it was also said magic had existed and despite it was rumored to have been tainted, it was believed to have become the very catalyst for Nen usage today.
Kurapika was utterly enthralled by what he had found. Never in his lifetime did he think he would ever come by such a prized piece of literature. He had only heard whispers of its construct and that there were very few copies in circulation, but to actually hold one… The blond Kurt had to pinch himself to remind him he wasn't really dreaming this.
Speculative, he gingerly put the book aside on the nightstand next to the vase containing the roses and canvassed the box once again, noticing a white envelope at the bottom. Extracting it, he carefully pulled the slip of paper from its encasing and unfolded it, reading over the nondescript words that seemed done in rather elegant handwriting.
'I know this may come off as a rather strange surprise, and you may be questioning exactly where these items came from, but worry not, for let's just say they are from and admirer that finds you rather interesting. Please accept these gifts and I do hope you enjoy them.'
There was no signature nor was there any indication of who wrote the letter or sent him the gifts he now possessed. One thing was for certain, or at least he cogitated was the fact that this was someone who obviously knew him, or impartially considering the book and how it appealed to his tastes in particular literature. The roses however, in conjunction with the letter saying that someone held interest in him spoke more of a personal level that clearly arose a little concern in him.
The entirety of occurrences that have happened to him that day left feeling slightly narcotized; every part of him felt the weight of emotional disturbance and just the aspect of how confused and solicitous he was, only brood deeper into his already neurotic state of mind. Kurapika didn't know what to do or in reality, how to really go about his more than strange situation. First, all his contretemps involving Chrollo Lucifer, down to the most recent occurrence in that lead him into that blind alley where he consequently found that mysterious stone, to the wracking and conglomerate surging of his emotions and feelings which have left him conflicted and disturbed, down to finding a strange package on his bed along with roses with no indication of their origin have certainly caused him to feel less than sufficient in his own self confidence. He didn't know what to do, how to handle everything that has barraged him much less manage his own mentality. It was as if he was slowly coming apart at the seams and was slowly losing grip on sanity.
The very notion only rose trepidation further to the surface, causing his own nerves to flux within his body and he realized that his own hands were shaking. "What the hell is happening to me?" The words trembled off his lips as he struggled in every route possible to parse exactly why he was enduring all the atrocities that it seemed the world – nay, that fate seemed to enjoy forcing him to go through. So much pain lay within his heart, constricting and delivering crushing blow after crushing blow and he wondered how much longer, even after six long years of vile hell, would have have to go through before he could finally put all his sorrow and despair to rest. Even as the very thought of being consistently tortured by his own instability, unable to even retain his own acumen was enough to throw Kurapika into a downward spiral.
Practically forgetting the book, scarf even the roses, he managed to change clothes - albeit awkwardly, legs trembling as they attempted to carry his weight around the room before returning to the bed, where he grabbed the small leather pouch he had toted around with him and plucked out the small, colorful stone, fingers wrapping around it. He didn't know why or comprehend, but for reasons unknown he found some sort of comfort from it.
Releasing a withheld breath, one that caused an ache in his lungs, Kurapika reluctantly capitulated to finally getting the rest he so desperately needed. He was under way too much duress and if he continued on as is, eventually he would inadvertently be called to pay the piper.
Suppressing the urge to cry, the threat of tears extravasating through the barriers that tried so feebly to hold them back, watery blues fell behind their curtain of darkness and Kurapika woefully slid between the sheets, head slumping into the downy pillows. Small, clear beads soon formed and leaked unbidden down blanched cheeks as he closed in on himself, finding inability to contend at the moment.
For so long he laid there, trembling as his silent sobs left him feeling empty as his energy just ebbed away. Eventually he fell under as he cried himself to sleep, lithe fingers still clutching tightly to that heart shaped stone.
After thoughts: Well it seems our advantageous blond is really having a difficult time comprehending the slow and gradual changes to his emotional state, though I will admit, this wouldn't be abnormal for Kurapika since this version of him is more prone to influence and manipulation. It's that dark nature, ya know? But honestly, the outcome for all this little torment will be so worthwhile in the long run.
Also the stone that he finds that Chrollo left behind will play significance later on. There is a reason for it which has already started to make its presence known. The rest of the items were definitely gifts left by Chrollo, just Kurapika hasn't realized that just yet. :)