A/N: Before anything, I have to say I apologize for the immense delay in getting something released. I had planned for two chapters last month and between KrKr week and a wedding I was attending at the end of the month, it really put a damper in getting things done on time.
Fortunately, I have come with a double chapter release! Which I found funny, but coincidental as the last time I did a chapter release like this was back over the summer when I posted nine and ten together. So, I felt it was only befitting I released nineteen and twenty the same way.
Expect a lot of action and movement to the story in this chapter. Things are really beginning to pick up. :3
Summary: Kurapika and Chrollo make their preparations to hit the Moretti family and retrieve the Scarlet Eyes. An encounter with an unexpected enemy leaves behind unwanted consequences.
Kurapika stood within the small kitchenette of their hotel room, coffee mug in hand and sipping quietly from its contents. They had just finished breakfast, and Chrollo was now off getting supplies in preparation for their upcoming hit on the Moretti family mansion. It was something that he was not looking forward to, but the prospect of reclaiming the pair of Scarlet Eyes they held was something that kept Kurapika from wishing to nullify the mission. Each pair of eyes he took back was another victory, even if small, and it was the sole reason that he kept up with this junket.
That and also the fact he was getting to explore the connection and unusual relationship he shared with Chrollo.
Drawing off the warm contents, Kurapika couldn't help but relish in the brief reprieve as the quiet atmosphere was placating. Though it easily could have been said it was merely the calm before the storm.
Remaining steeled for what was to come had been difficult, especially with the notion that Kurapika was more than familiar with how the Mafia ran, considering his past experiences. What made it worse was the fact they were targeting a more prominent family. Which inadvertently made their mission even more difficult than their previous encounters. There was also the simple fact that the bulk of their plan ran merely on he and Chrollo infiltrating the mansion, alone.
He was fully aware of their proficiency and skill sets, making the likelihood of them completing their mission very high. Still, it didn't alleviate all of Kurapika's worries. There were many factors they were up against, and it was those same factors - which were still unknown - that left the younger man feeling conflicted.
As much confidence and faith Kurapika tried to place into their plan and their courage, the Kurta couldn't help the feeling that there was still the chance something was bound to go wrong. Well, there was always a chance something could go wrong. Such was life, and for him, Kurapika understood that was fact. But he could not cast the notion aside, and it's what unnerved him the most.
Ever since he had awoken, Kurapika had been feeling apprehensive, leaving him mulling over the what if's. Thinking about it only left his mind reeling. But in the long run, he needed to suppress his tumult emotions, for any discrepancies in his actions could spell disaster. After what happened in Sorbia, Kurapika did not want another repeat.
He sighed and drained the remaining contents of what was in the mug then glanced at the clock which hung on the far wall of the room, realizing that it was just past nine am. It had been about two hours since Chrollo had gone out and he figured the older man would be back at any time. The quiet was nice, but just like his odd relationship with the raven-haired man, so was the fact that Kurapika noticed he had begun to miss the other's presence.
Setting the cup down, he decided to relax on one of the chairs and try reading in the meantime while awaiting Chrollo's return. Not only that, Kurapika found he was rather bored, another thing he realized that he felt whenever the older man wasn't there.
It was still something Kurapika didn't quite understand, but the closeness he shared with Chrollo was something that he rather enjoyed and the fact that every time they touched, it made the Kurta shiver. There was just something about him that Kurapika couldn't seem to get out of his head. Even the thought of Chrollo's lips against his own made his heart practically palpitate roughly in his chest.
Shaking his head, he tried to erase the thought from his mind, despite it was a pleasant feeling and swept into the adjacent room before settling on one of the plush chairs that he found was comfortable. The book he had been reading since the start of his journey with Chrollo was where he left it from the night before. As Kurapika reached over to grab it, his gaze shifted toward the couch just across from him, and it was then he felt himself smile.
And the resurgence of what happened the prior night came flooding back, making Kurapika pause as the sensation of fingers combing through his soft locks made him remember the event out of sheer fondness. The entire night he had slept practically against Chrollo, head resting on the man's lap as Kurapika was certain Chrollo had watched him through the night.
He also remembered that upon waking he noticed Chrollo had reclined back against the couch and just fallen asleep himself. Kurapika was shocked that the other man had managed to stay conscious all that time to ensure he rested peacefully.
The very thought of it had brought heat to his cheeks, and Kurapika was confident that his skin had become flushed. Thinking about the older man like that seemed to make him always lose his composure. Not that he complained. Far from it. He cherished each moment they had, despite the fact that Kurapika was still struggling to understand the meaning behind exactly what Chrollo meant to him. Each new day made him desire less to see Chrollo gone, and he had only wished to remain at the older man's side. The very thought of losing him made Kurapika apprehensive, for he couldn'tenvision a life without Chrollo in it.
How he had ever come to that conclusion, even Kurapika himself was still confused by it. But the notion didn't perturb him anymore. He was growing quite comfortable with it. Complacent even.
Being around Chrollo not only intrigued him but had given Kurapika a semblance of fulfillment. It made him feel like he had a purpose and one that went well beyond what he thought was intended for him. Life had a funny way of making things work, especially in the younger man's case.
Expelling a sigh, he came to rest upon the cushy chair and picked up the book that he so enjoyed getting immersed within. There was just so much content to absorb, and Kurapika still couldn't believe the depictions of the world within it. Reading it was fascinating, but it was also hard to think that something like that existed at one time. A world where magic was said to be real and eventually developed into the Nen they knew of today had Kurapika thoroughly entrenched.
Each time his fingers slid over its worn cover or touched the pages within, it gave him a sense of nostalgia, making Kurapika feel as if he had once visited a place like this.
Thumbing through the leaflets, he readily found more tales of powerful enemies that were said to be like harbingers or messengers of the Dark One himself. They were called the Forsaken and depicted as thirteen of the most powerful Aes Sedai known through the ages. There were even mentions of someone who would one day arise to combat the omnipresent evil which had been sealed away at Shayol Ghul. He would be born on the slopes of Dragonmount and was prophesied to break the world eventually. Kinslayer he was dubbed, known throughout the ages as one who was born with the blood of the dragon and would be destined to go mad and kill everyone he ever loved. Just the mention of the chosen one to carry this title had spread fear, yet also salvation throughout the lands. There were even mentions of a crystal sword and golden crown the Kinslayer was meant to wield during his ride into the last battle.
So many tales and stories within the scriptures kept Kurapika occupied for hours. He had barely even registered the fact that he had been reading for longer than intended until the sound of the hotel door opening drew his attention from its pages and gently, the Kurta closed the cover of the tome, and set it aside on the small table next to him.
Before he could even lift from the chair he had been sitting in, Chrollo was standing in front of him, grey eyes locking intently with his own. "About time you came back. Was beginning to wonder if you'd ever return." Kurapika spoke finally, a hint of sarcasm to his tone, though a smile graced his lips. "It was getting too quiet in here."
Watching the young blond inquisitively, Chrollo merely tilted his head, though a smile of his own crept upon his visage at seeing the beautiful Kurta looking at him so impishly, "Well it seems you had no problem entertaining yourself in my absence, Kurapika. I assume you are still enjoying the book I gave you?"
He loved it when the younger man made it seem like he couldn't deal without his presence. For Chrollo it showed that Kurapika was becoming more attached, yet fond of him by the day. It was a real affirmation of the closeness they were sharing.
Before Kurapika knew it, Chrollo had come down and was leaning over him, their faces just mere inches from one another and he could practically smell the aroma of spice mixed with frankincense tickling at his senses and filling his nostrils. He sat there, almost unable to move and entirely weighted down by the older man's presence alone.
Every time Chrollo was near, Kurapika could hardly contain himself. The man's energy despite that his Nen was sealed caused him to feel anxious and weak. Yet, in a good way. Something about the way he made Kurapika feel kept him from refuting the man entirely and shoving him away. How Chrollo looked at him, the way his chest rose and fell slowly, and the hungry look in those eyes that impelled his heart into beating rapidly, only made the yearning he felt grow much stronger.
Though one thing he did remember was Chrollo had once told him about how he didn't want Kurapika to desire him out of lust but rather, out of love. It was something Kurapika had been wondering about ever since.
But now as those grey eyes bored down into his own along with the sensation that gripped his body and sent shivers up his spine, he couldn't help but wonder if the stirring he had been feeling inside himself was a sign that he had indeed, developed emotions towards the man. Being around Chrollo didn't just make his body crave or his mind thirst, but his heart always seemed to ache as well.
As the gap was nearly closed, causing the heat to radiate between them, Kurapika couldn't help how the closeness made him feel, or how his mind went into overdrive. Even his body stiffened despite his breath hitched in his throat and caused him to shiver again. Everything Chrollo did to him made Kurapika feel weak, and yet, he didn't try to stop the older man. Instead, he gravitated closer, practically causing their chests to brush against one another.
"Since you were asleep earlier and looked quite beautiful I might add, I didn't get the chance to ask you but," Chrollo inched forward more, face now dangerously close to Kurapika´s, the warmth of the younger man's breath easily felt upon his skin, "I would love a morning kiss from you." With that he smiled faintly, relishing in just how gorgeous the Kurta looked beneath the soft rays of the sun and how it made his creamy skin seem to glow.
Shock practically laced Kurapika´s features as he was utterly bewildered by Chrollo´s statement, almost at a loss for what to do. But, soon his perturbed state subsided, curiosity replacing any doubts he had before as a look of eagerness shone in his eyes.
Opportunities like this didn't always present themselves but, Kurapika knew when not to let one go to waste.
Before he knew it, he leaned in to successfully close what gap there was between them and without warning, had captured the older man's lips with his own, arms winding around Chrollo´s neck as Kurapika nearly jerked the other man down upon him.
Without even waiting for a reaction from the succulent man above him, Kurapika was already prodding his tongue against Chrollo´s lips, practically demanding admittance into the older man's warm mouth, which much to Kurapika´s glee, Chrollo readily gave him access too.
It wasn't long before their tongues were twisting and gliding along one another, the young Kurta easily taking the lead as both of them were pulled beneath the wake of their growing passion.
The world appeared to slow around them, Kurapika easily forgetting his surroundings as he only focused on the man who was so close to him and the fact that Chrollo's hands had made their way to his shoulders, slowly caressing his arms in a tender, yet, sultry motion. The way those fingers coasted over his bare skin that was visible beneath the dark red muscled t-shirt he wore only caused Kurapika to groan profusely against the lock they shared, the vibrations becoming extensive.
Eagerly, he leaned into the touches, clearly forgetting everything Chrollo had adamantly told him only days before and his arms had lifted to allow dainty fingers purchase amid Chrollo's ample locks, the silken tresses effortlessly sliding betwixt digits as they slipped through it without care, without aim.
Kurapika easily told himself he could get lost within the rapture, within the moment. That each time they touched it was like the heavens sang and Chrollo was naturally a God like those in told in myth with his chiseled anatomy and perfect visage. Everything that Chrollo was Kurapika wanted and more.
However, something stirred within Kurapika again. It was a sensation unlike any other he felt and one that didn't flow akin to the more primal instincts which surged through him. It was something more subtle, more genuine. The way it made Kurapika feel, how it caused his mind to falter more upon the intrinsic while retaining sincerity gave him a near revelation.
Although, the same question which the younger man had asked himself several times before came flooding back, and this time, with increased fervor. Despite the contact he was sharing with Chrollo and how eager their kiss had gotten as their lips moved seamlessly against one another, didn't sway the fact that something inside him was changing. It was getting harder, if not impossible for Kurapika to deny he was experiencing a difference in opinion on the man that he had come to grow so close to.
Once the need to breath took precedence, they broke apart, Kurapika tugging on Chrollo's bottom lip as he pulled back, both flush and panting heavily, the look in both men's eyes spoke of desire. Kurapika knew that the mannerism of he now wanted the older man wasn't the same as he had in their previous encounters. This time, it was more affectionate, more romantic. What he also saw behind those beguiling, and seductive, dark eyes was the same thing that the Kurta himself knew he was sensing.
There was a long pause between them as Kurapika pushed up to draw his tongue along the side of Chrollo's jawline, smiling mischievously, "Well, you got what you wanted. I hope you found it satisfying."
It went without saying that indeed, Chrollo was impressed with Kurapika's continued actions that were in earnest, and how the younger man seemed to allow himself to remain vulnerable. Kurapika had left himself open, yet it was more out of honesty than not.
Retaining the closeness they had, Chrollo couldn't help but allow that smirk to broaden upon his now kiss-bruised lips. The remnants of their assault on one another and Kurapika's departing gift was still prevalent upon them. He proudly displayed the blond's work; the way Kurapika had taken the initiative and marked him was enough for Chrollo to be pleased with the result.
He never suspected Kurapika could be that definite.
"Indeed," Chrollo whispered, one hand pulling away from the blond's shoulder to rest upon his cheek, cupping it. Slowly, his thumb stroked over those soft, full lips, their rosy color making the Kurta look even more beautiful. "Everything you do is always satisfying."
Shying away slightly, Chrollo half expected Kurapika to cast a punch towards his face for such a comment, but much to his astonishment, Kurapika simply kissed that thumb as it passed over his lips, nipping at it slightly before looking shyly at him, "Why do I find that impossible to argue with?"
How Kurapika was able to leave him in constant awe, Chrollo wasn't quite sure. But for the older man, it was a step in the right direction. Everything he felt for the blond, how attracted he was, but also the love he started having for the younger man, it was satisfying to know it was slowly being reciprocated. One of his fears was that Kurapika would never feel the same way and that in the end, all he that was experiencing would be for naught.
Much to his delight, that was turning out to not be the case.
"Because you know it's true."
Could Kurapika contest what the older man said to him? He found no reason, for each time the question came to mind, there was no negative way to answer it.
In all his years, not once had Kurapika envisioned himself finding love, especially with someone who in the beginning, had set his life tumbling and thrust it into turmoil. Now, Chrollo had turned that very idealism on its head, giving Kurapika even more reason to view the world differently. To the contrary, it wasn't as horrible as he once perceived it as, believing that all there was to life was revenge and death. Being with Chrollo had opened his eyes, and it only solidified the fact even more of what his mother had spoken to be true.
If she supported him and his clan supported him even after everything that happened, then this must be the path he was chosen to take. Or, destined to walk. Despite his conflicting thoughts, there had to be an answer. There always was.
"I suppose I cannot argue that, either," Kurapika replied softly, and pushed an errant strand of raven hair from Chrollo's visage as he searched those welcoming eyes. Something burned within them, and he saw passion, but also adoration. Chrollo's very presence calmed him, and Kurapika was able to relax despite the older man still being over him.
"Well," dipping down once more, the raven-haired man delivered one last kiss to the side of Kurapika's mouth before standing up, though reluctantly, already missing the warmth they were sharing, "we really should start working on the final preparations for tonight's hit on the Mafia and the Moretti mansion. There still is much to do." Chrollo added in a more serious tone this time, extending a hand to the younger man.
Their upcoming mission was something unavoidable, and Kurapika knew there was much to do. The plans they had outlined were already finalized, but the minor details, well they still needed to be sure nothing was getting overlooked.
Taking Chrollo's hand, the older man helped him stand, a slight ache in Kurapika´s back alerted him that he probably sat longer then he should have. "I won't argue with that, either." He grunted then stretched to alleviate some of the stiffness he experienced. "We need to be certain everything is set in stone and that it's foolproof. I want to complete this as smoothly as possible."
It was an idea that Kurapika thought was probably wishful thinking, especially when dealing with the Mafia. There were still too many chances that their mission may not go according to plan or unforeseen factors may present themselves. One thing they tried to do was anticipate every possible scenario, but, there was only so many they could foresee. What if one happened they didn't predict?
"That is why I wanted to have several backup plans in case something we did not expect happens to occur." Chrollo wanted to be ready for any possible situation. There were so many probabilities, and he knew that meant more bases they had to cover. But Chrollo had also remembered another old idiom: better to be safe than sorry. It was the same for their situation as well.
"So, what do you propose?" Kurapika responded, still a bit skeptical about the integrity of their plan. Or rather, their contingency plans. "I mean, it's a smart and logical idea, but I am not highly certain we can prevent every occurrence, and it may be equally as wise to just go in prepared for anything, and regardless of circumstance." Kurapika, just like Chrollo was fully aware of the Mafia's capabilities and exactly how thorough they tended to be.
However, the Kurta remembered how quickly and effectively Chrollo and his Spiders made short work of the Mafia back in Yorknew. It was mere child's play for them and shouldn't be any harder for him to get through this mission without hindrance. But, something else tickled at the back of his mind.
Surely Chrollo was adept and skilled to hold his own, but that was something Kurapika witnessed when the Spider's leader had access to his Nen. But, how Chrollo was now compared to back then? It seemed wrong, even insulting to think the older man was insufficient, but deep down, Kurapika still weighed the options of bettering their chances by releasing the older man's Nen. As torn he was on the subject, removing his Judgement Chain appeared to be the best recourse and would significantly even the odds.
Only, there was one thing holding the younger man back, and it wasn't the fact he felt an emotional connection to Chrollo, but for the need to be sure of the other's very nature.
He was still the leader of the infamous Genei Ryodan and the one who had ultimately taken his clan away. Although Kurapika struggled with himself in learning to let go and forgive, the blond had found himself constantly torn between the desire to free the man from his bonds and allowing them to remain. It was like insurance for him, as horrible as it sounded. But the notion of keeping Chrollo chained for even those reasons appeared very selfish.
Kurapika hated how his mindset on the circumstance implied that he was no different than Chrollo. Not only that, it delved deep into the blond's way of thinking and that he was just as capable of beingcold-hearted and cruel like the man he so willfully, judged.
Being compared to Chrollo like that only sparked the younger man's ire that much more, but it also offered insight into just how jaded Kurapika could be. Indeed, the concept of it was an eye-opener for sure.
If the older man was capable of change, then so was Kurapika. Nothing was beyond impossible.
"One thing I had been thinking about was the possibility of extra security measures which may have been placed already throughout the mansion. Down to motion lasers, silent alarms and even animals that we may not know about. Also, the thought of anyone on the premises being a possible Nen user has also crossed my mind. So far, we are certain of the number of guards on duty at night and their general positioning, but what we do not know is if any of them are capable of Nen."
Sauntering into the small kitchenette, Chrollo proceeded to the sole coffee maker that sat on the far corner and dispensed himself some of the remaining liquid, not bothering to sweeten it. Lifting the cup to his lips, he took a draw from its contents as he eyed the younger man from over the rim.
Anticipating that any of the Moretti's personnel being Nen users was something that had not crossed Kurapika's mind, however. Hearing the older man make mention of it, the impulse to sever his Nen chain from Chrollo's heart only grew more intense.
"And what if we are to encounter any of those instances, especially other Nen users?" Kurapika asked suddenly, intrigue yet concern lacing his tone.
Leaning back against the mica countertop that appeared worn and dingy from time and use, Chrollo faced the Kurta directly, those blue eyes ever captivating, "For one, I plan to avoid anyone who exhibits any signs of Nen. It will be harder for me considering my current condition," Chrollo attempted to cough at the last part of his sentence, realizing the sudden change to Kurapika's demeanor and the paradoxical look to those eyes.
He had not pressed the younger man on the issue regarding the chain that was still wound around his heart and figured Kurapika would decide on it in his own time. Chrollo was patient, just like he was regarding the blond finally accepting him. Not having access to his Nen was an inconvenience, especially with their upcoming objective, but Chrollo was sure sooner or later, Kurapika would understand the importance and remove it.
"If we are lucky enough, we won't. But knowing the Mafia, they will have at least one who is adept in Nen." Kurapika spoke slowly, struggling with keeping the dread from entering his voice. He wasn't worried for himself; Kurapika was more than efficient should they come across another Nen user. Chrollo on the other hand, the blond simply hoped his companion would be able-bodied enough considering his handicap.
"Do you intend to keep him chained up within that prison for eternity?"
Pushing away from the countertop, Chrollo strode back to stand before the blond, hand gently coming to rest against Kurapika's cheek, "You're still worried." Chrollo smiled, but this time, it was out of compassion for making him fret. Seeing the younger man like that made Chrollo's heart continue to ache.
Kurapika said nothing but quietly leaned into the tender caress, eyes closing to enjoy the touch.
"It's not that…" Kurapika began, and Chrollo's index finger instantly silenced him, placing it before his lips.
"You're still a terrible liar." He interrupted and tilted his head, those grey eyes softening at the sight of the younger man attempting to conceal how he felt. "But I love you for it." He was surprised by his own words the moment they left his lips, but Chrollo only let his smile broaden at the thought. He honestly was falling in love with the handsome man who stood in front of him.
Kurapika attempted to look away, but Chrollo kept him facing forward despite his eyes remained averted. The older man wanted to see the Kurta's face and the myriad of emotions that flickered across it.
"Look at me Kurapika." He implored the younger man and soon, those pretty blue eyes were focused upon him even though the boy wore a frown upon his countenance. "You don't have to torment yourself like this. I will be fine," dipping down, he placed a few soft and tender kisses to Kurapika´s lips, "promise."
Standing there, Kurapika readily searched Chrollo´s eyes, and he saw nothing but sincerity behind them. "Okay."
Maybe he was scared for no real reason. Deep down, Kurapika did care for Chrollo, even if he was still unraveling the mystery of what the older man meant to him. But, the more they experienced together, the more it seemed he felt love for Chrollo than not.
"It is what your mother wanted. What we wanted."
"Live Kurapika. Live and be happy. Your future lies right before you."
"We probably should get some rest," hearing Chrollo´s voice broke him abruptly from his thoughts, the voices now becoming a distant hum, "since we will leave after nightfall. Once we eat dinner, that is when we will make preparations to leave."
Sighing heavily, Kurapika nodded. He needed to suppress all his fears and apprehension for it could only serve more as a hindrance if he remained distracted. Still. Something felt wrong, and in the back of his mind he couldn't help but think of what may go awry. But, Kurapika kept quiet about it, anyway. Steeling himself mentally, he enhanced his resolve. Strong. He needed to be strong.
There was a long road ahead of them, and Kurapika was no stranger to the dangers around him, "I understand and will be ready. We have to do this. We have to retrieve the eyes."
There was the fire and determination he adored so much. "Good." Chrollo intoned, finger sweeping over the boy's cheek.
"Before we rest, however," Kurapika suddenly curled his fingers within Chrollo´s top and brought the older man down close to him once more, their noses practically brushing, "I think I'd like to have a little more fun in the meantime. Should relax as much as we can." Without warning, he roughly captured Chrollo´s mouth again, drawing the older man into a hot, passionate kiss as he slowly guided Chrollo towards the bed. "And I am not taking no for an answer this time."
For once Kurapika believed he understood everything that had been happening to him and of the validation his mother gave him. All his struggles were mostly out of reluctance and unwillingness in letting go. Even if he still needed to figure out the remaining puzzles to his rapidly changing life, one thing was certain - his hate for Chrollo no longer existed.
Maybe he would come to accept Chrollo and love the man back. His heart told him that he should. But for now, he just needed this one moment in time.
Shadows played against the eerily silent scene and crept across the ground like twisted, gnarled fingers. With the inky darkness cast a foreboding sensation, even though the moon glow bathed the area in its pearly light and offered a semblance of familiarity along with confidence.
There was still an uneasiness in the chilly air as the grand mansion sitting silhouetted behind an iron wrought gate, and a well-manicured garden did nothing to ease the rising tension.
Two lone figures prowled through the night, moving seamlessly towards a tall, stone wall, both climbing its smooth surface with relative ease. Once at the top, they began to survey the area, scoping the grounds for any signs of life. After confirming that none of the guards were patrolling that particular section of the property, one of the figures looked back to their companion, face obscured by darkness, "All clear." And they gestured for the other to follow as both slid over the wall and onto the ground below.
Quickly, they made their way across the vast and lush garden towards the aft part of the mansion, using the shadows to conceal them.
"Shalnark will have already disabled the security cameras. But, I don't estimate we have long before they realize something is wrong."
Looking back over his shoulder, Chrollo watched as the younger man came to rest just a few inches beside him, those cerulean eyes almost glowing beneath the dim light. "Where are we going to enter in at?"
Kurapika nearly shivered at the thought of actually breaking into somewhere, but he had to remind himself that the entire reason was to complete their objective and obtain the Scarlet Eyes.
"There is a smaller entrance in the back which is used by the wait staff. Since it's the middle of the night, the employees will all be in the servants quarters for now." Chrollo quietly slunk towards the corner of the mansion, emanating no sound and peered around the corner, spying for movement. "It should be easy to slip inside from there." Relieved they had not seen a guard, he motioned for the blond to follow, keeping his attention sharpened for any possible activity.
As Kurapika came to his side, Chrollo started gliding soundlessly across the perfectly cut lawn, the Kurta soon at his heels and they both carefully stepped along the expanse of the open garden before coming to a stop before a small, intricate door that was otherwise, plain.
"This is it."
Producing something small and metallic, Chrollo began jimmying the lock, taking a few minutes before a soft click announced the door was able to be opened. With a slight creek to the moderately rusted hinges, he pushed the door open which led into a small kitchen of sorts and stepped over the threshold, the room inside almost darker than where they were coming from. What little illumination they had was being cast from the moon's pearl glow outside.
He surveyed the surroundings of the room, making sure no one was skulking about before gesturing for Kurapika to follow.
"From here, this should lead into the servants' dining hall and past that would be the main building, itself. We will be able to avoid the sleeping quarters." Slowly, Chrollo inched forward, making sure to keep his movements as light and precise as possible, remembering that no one relatively patrolled this area at night. Once they reached the main building, however, things from there could become a little more complicated.
Remaining silent, Kurapika followed Chrollo's footsteps, doing his best to shadow the older man through the dark. Navigating in practical obscurity wasn't hard for Kurapika as he used to traverse the forests of Lusko at night where parts of the wood were so thick the moon wasn't able to shine through. It was difficult keeping track of where objects were lying about the area as they crossed through since it was unfamiliar surroundings. For the most part, however, the blond was able to maneuver through the kitchen area without much effort.
As they passed from there into the main building, Kurapika couldn't help but continuously ruminate over their situation and exactly the outcome such an endeavor would produce. Each moment they spent inside the Moretti family mansion was another that kept the steadfast Kurta virtually on pins and needles, the prickling in the back of his mind of something terrible happening still very real. He tried to quell the uneasiness in his gut, focusing on their mission and the object of finding the Scarlet Eyes. It was just hard to shake the notion that something still felt wrong.
Carefully he and Chrollo inched into the main dining hall, the eerie silence keeping Kurapika on edge. There was still a lot of ground for them to cover so they could track down the location of the Scarlet Eyes.
Stopping in his movements, Chrollo held up his hand, signaling for the younger man to do the same. Coming astride Chrollo, Kurapika let his eyes scan over the area, making sure that nothing would catch them off guard or walk in on them while they were still visible.
"The room past this one will lead into the main antechamber. Beyond that, we have a few options. I think it is from this point we should bring in the use of your chain. We need at least some viable direction to go in."
Kurapika frowned; he had an inkling what they were up against, but it was the fact they were going at it almost blind.
"Alright." He uttered, tone low and even. The blond could see the faint outline of Chrollo´s form amid the dim light, but his eyes were unable to be seen. Kurapika was sure the older man was watching him and intently, but the feeling he got was a sensation of concern more than anything. It was the same thing Kurapika was experiencing regarding Chrollo. "Hopefully we will be able to find the eyes and rather quickly." Keeping the nervousness from his voice wasn't easy.
A low tinkling sound echoed throughout the room as Kurapika summoned his Nen chains, and polished metal became visible upon his right hand. He walked a few steps in front of Chrollo and lifted his arm, a chain with a silver ball attached to the end dropped conspicuously from his ring finger. For a few seconds Chrollo could see a very faint outline of Kurapika´s aura around him but more specifically, the length of metal which hung suspended in the air. Then it began to sway aimlessly before gravitating upwards and pointing in an easterly direction.
"This way." He finally spoke, blue eyes almost luminary beneath the darkness.
Chrollo was amazed to see Kurapika's Nen in action for the younger man had a special Hatsu which impressed him. Those same chains were dangerous to him and his spiders but Chrollo was confident that Kurapika no longer wished to see their demise. If the boy had, Chrollo knew he would have already been dead. But every time he looked into the blond's eyes, he saw anything but hate.
He was sure Kurapika had developed an affinity towards him, for the Kurta already had shown signs of opening up his heart to Chrollo. It was progress indeed, for he had started to love the boy.
Nodding in affirmation, he let Kurapika lead the way, and they both slipped into the main antechamber, a grand staircase cast in ivory with intricate statues at the base sat to the far end of the room while several other doors branched off into other parts of the mansion.
Staying on the far side, Chrollo placed a hand on the younger man's shoulder to stave his movements before pointing, and Kurapika looked up to see what Chrollo was drawing his attention to. Up in the far right corner of the room sat a camera, almost concealed by the shadows that stretched along the hall.
He made a gesture to hold Kurapika in place before dipping down to whisper in the younger man's ear, "Shalnark should have disabled the security systems as I've said, but to be certain, we should exhibit caution." Chrollo retrieved his cell phone from his jacket pocket and checked the time. Midnight. "We have maybe thirty minutes before someone may realize the cameras are down."
Lifting his arm a little higher, Kurapika rechecked Dowsing Chain; it continued pointing east, and he looked back towards his companion, "It's pointing in this direction." He added slowly, keeping his voice low.
They continued through the maze of rooms. A few times they had to avoid the guards that were patrolling throughout the mansion, one nearly seeing Kurapika as he hadn't been quick enough to remain from the guard's line of sight. But Chrollo had quickly dispatched the man before he could alert anyone and knocked him out under the Kurta's watchful eye. If he killed the guard, Chrollo was confident it would have sparked Kurapika´s ire. After binding and hiding the unconscious man, they proceeded forward.
For some time they traversed the hallways and rooms of the vast mansion before coming across that strange area Chrollo remembered seeing on the surveillance footage, but not on the blueprints.
Nudging his companion, Chrollo halted his movements to scan the area, naturally intrigued. Kurapika raised his eyebrow at the older man, questioning the sudden cease in motion, but instantly was drawn to where Chrollo had diverted his attention. "There." He edged closer to the corridor at the end of a rather long hallway only to see a door that looked out of place with a special keypad sitting beside it. "This area doesn't appear on the blueprints for this place, but I saw this hallway on the camera footage. I was sure something was off when it appeared this hallway had no end, but the blueprints show it does. "
Curiously, Kurapika slid around the corner and approached the door. He examined the keypad, noticing the first three rows had numbers while the bottom row had symbols. It was locked by a code which was obvious. But how were they supposed to get inside? Glancing down at his chain, the ball at the tip was swaying yet it levitated in the direction of the door. "What now?" He questioned, turning around to face Chrollo. "Unless we know the code, I don't see how we are going to get beyond this point."
Stepping up from behind, the older man peered over Kurapika´s shoulder at the barely lit keys, and studied it briefly before humming, "Hm, well it seems we have a dilemma on our hands," Chrollo began while scratching his chin, "there is the chance we could crack it, but if we are wrong, we may potentially set off an alarm."
Dipping into his pocket, he once again retrieved his cell phone and turned on the screen. After a few seconds, the sound of buzzing caught Kurapika's attention. Chrollo simply smiled at him, "But I do have someone on my end who can crack it."
Reaching back into his pocket again, the older man retrieved what looked like a long, thin cable and plugged it into the base of his phone before he strode forward, causing Kurapika to step to the side as he proceeded to connect the other end of the cable to the bottom of the keypad.
"What are you planning to do?" Kurapika asked suddenly, completely baffled by what the dark-haired man was doing.
He just smiled at Kurapika. Again. "Getting us through this door."
A few seconds later, they heard a click, and Chrollo only grinned. Smug bastard.
Without hesitation, Kurapika reached for the handle and pulled the door open slowly as the creaking of the hinges seemed loud in his ears. But once it was fully open, the young blond Kurta stopped entirely in his tracks.
The hallway beyond suddenly lit up, bright florescent lights revealing a long metal corridor that seemed to stretch far, almost to infinity. A distant hum resonated throughout the expanse, the vibrations of something mechanical echoing off the metal paneling. Coming up beside Kurapika, Chrollo whistled, "Wasn't expecting that."
Whatever lay at the end of the protracted, yet narrow hallway, Kurapika couldn't help but to inevitability find out. Not only was there a mystery at the end of wherever the corridor led, but his Dowsing Chain was continuously pointing in that direction.
"Guess the only logical recourse is to continue forward."
Tugging the windbreaker tighter around himself, Kurapika took a few steps forward, preparing to pass through the door when a hand to his shoulder halted his stride. Blue eyes landed irritably on the raven-haired man who stood just behind him, "What?" He immediately winced at the sound of his voice.
"Don't be too hasty. We need to proceed with caution." There was a look of concern which flickered amid his grey eyes, and Kurapika felt his heart sink transiently before letting his shoulders sag. He didn't need to argue with Chrollo to know the older man was right.
It wasn't far from the truth that Kurapika felt the same way. But even as he registered the truth in Chrollo's own words, something instantly made his hackles rise, and an instant sinking feeling arose in the pit of his stomach. He got negative vibes, almost like a warning and the indication that something was very wrong hit him again and hard.
It was the very thing Kurapika feared.
Then he and Chrollo heard the sound of footfalls as the prominent sound of heels along the metal flooring grabbed their attention. Someone or something was coming their way. The closer the entity got, the thicker the air became and it was then Kurapika began to feel the pressure. The very same kind emanated by someone capable of using Nen.
Oh, Gods no.
Even without his own Nen, Chrollo could discern the weight that was now heavy around them, and he wasted no time preparing himself, guard remaining up.
"You sense it too?" Kurapika asked him without averting his eyes as he felt Chrollo go rigid beside him.
"Yeah," whoever it was coming their way, they seemed strong, "I can still pick up traces in the air even without access to my Nen." Whoever it was, Chrollo was sure they were in for one hell of a fight.
It seemed like unfathomable minutes as they stood there staring down into the long corridor, the humming of the fluorescent bulbs and the echo of footsteps were the only sounds which seemed to ring loudly in their ears. Both stood on high alert, focus intent and determinate, Kurapika's aura flaring to life, chains rattling and mimicking his mood. From the corner of his eye, he could see his companion had retrieved his Benz knife, the curved blade positioned in his right hand, almost like a viper ready to strike.
Pulling energy towards his eyes, Kurapika activated Gyo, using it to enhance his vision and an attempt to distinguish who was approaching them even though he could only sense the other individual's Nen. Whoever it was didn't even bother to conceal their energy at all. It was a bold move, indeed.
Kurapika breathed in and was able to tell Chrollo had tensed up as well. After what felt like countless moments, the silhouette of someone had finally appeared in the hallway, their frame burly and imposing. Slowly the figure progressed, closing the gap between them before the light of the metallic hall gave lumination to the person's features, revealing a man with deep-set eyes, a rugged frame and sullen expression upon his visage. The man's strong jaw was set, firm, his gaze locking on Kurapika and Chrollo.
"It seems we have intruders." His voice was deep, resonant, and there was an accent to it. The man wore standard - or typical he thought - Mafia attire, but instantly tossed his blazer to the side once he came within a few feet of them, those chestnut brown eyes almost boring down into Kurapika's very soul. "I assume you have come to steal the Moretti family treasures?" He questioned but didn't appear like he was ready to wait for an answer. Instead, his fists raised and without warning, two guns materialized within both hands as he aimed them at Kurapika and Chrollo.
A Conjurer, just like Kurapika himself which was bloody great because they had no idea what this guy's Hatsu was.
"Well, I don't plan to let you pass."
Kurapika was able to duck out of the way as a barrage of bullets peppered the area where he once stood. Looking across the room, he noticed Chrollo had done the same thing and was resting on one knee, right arm held up with his knife in hand. "That was close." He yelled, attention remaining fixed on the door, listening as the footsteps resumed, the bulky man continuing his trek toward their position.
"He's a Conjurer like me!" Kurapika called to him, worry evident in his features.
Chrollo's brows furrowed but he didn't look perturbed by Kurapika's statement, "Well then, it makes things a lot easier." Without a word, Chrollo dashed forward as the huge man exited the hallway and came into view. With his left in front of him, he attempted to thrust it against the man's prominent chin and shove it back. But, just before he could, the man used the brunt of his arm to thwart Chrollo which caused him to change position and lash out with his knife, but just missed the man's shoulder.
Wasting no time, Kurapika rushed forward himself, chains whipping about his slender body as he flung Dowsing Chain forward, using its length to wrap around the husky man's leg and bring his feet out from under him.
Down he went with a loud thud, the impact nearly causing the walls to rattle around them.
Regaining his composure, Chrollo shot a glance at Kurapika before moving forward again, ready to deliver a blow to the man's throat with his elbow, but before he could even get close enough, the man rose quickly back to his feet, causing Kurapika to retract his chain.
"That won't be enough to stop me." He growled and raised his guns, spraying the area with their bullets that nearly caught both Kurapika and Chrollo unawares.
Nearly all of the blond's chains came up in defense before him and deflected each bullet efficiently, Chrollo easily dodging around the man and was ready to take him out from behind, but was stopped immediately by the man turning around abruptly while trying to shoot him.
The momentary distraction gave Kurapika the room necessary to dash forward and he lept in the air, left foot coming down and connecting with the large man's face. The sudden movement snapped his attention towards Kurapika again, and before the younger man could retract and get out of the way, he caught Kurapika's foot and flung him without effort across the room.
He landed to the floor with a sickening crash as his body had come into contact with a small table that sat against the far wall from the door. The impact had caused the object to splinter.
"Kurapika!" Chrollo shouted over the din of sounds, watching as the hulking man began striding towards the boy's crumbled frame, ready to shoot him at a moment's notice. But a locking sound announced the clips to the guns were empty, and the man tossed them swiftly aside before summoning two short swords into his possession.
"You shall end your journey here despite your effort was valiant." Closer he got as Kurapika struggled to amass his strength and get back to his feet, the man almost upon him before something drew his attention.
"You shouldn't turn your back on your enemy." Chrollo stood poised, knife glistening beneath the pale moonlight as the man turned his attention to the raven-head, nearly forgetting about Kurapika´s downed form.
"If you wish to see to your death much sooner, then I shall appeal to you." Bringing one his massive arms outward, he swung the short sword in a fast, sweeping position towards Chrollo´s chest, nearly connecting with his body as Chrollo brought his knife arm up just in time to deflect the attack. Instantly, he retaliated by dropping to the side and delivering a left hook to the man's jaw.
"To be honest, I don't foresee that happening today," Chrollo remarked as the larger man tumbled backward.
"Fool!" Regaining his balance, the man stood erect, dark brown eyes landing on Chrollo once more, this time a more sinister grin crept over his lips. "I Valek will not be so easily felled by you!" Rotating both swords in hand, he rushed at Chrollo again, the tips both aimed towards the Spider leader's chest. Chrollo barely had time to react as the man, Valek, brought one of the swords downcast in a slashing motion, and he narrowly missed it as the brunt of the blade hit the ground right where he was. Chrollo only had seconds to react as the man followed up with a duel slash that was directed towards his head.
Swiftly, Chrollo raised his right arm just in time to block one of the swords with the brunt of his knife but didn't anticipate the other sword coming at his side and narrowly missed it as he dodged to the right. Instantly, he spun around and swept his right leg up to kick Valek in the back, the side of his foot connecting with the man's shoulder before rounding again and thrusting his Benz knife forward, managing to catch the man's arm in the process.
The result had slashed open the man's clothes from bicep to forearm and had left a superficial wound in its wake.
However, Chrollo realized moments later the wound wasn't deep enough to inflict the poison the knife was coated in.
"Bold aren't we?" Valek remarked as he gazed at the wound left to his arm, though he wasn't perturbed by it. "You don't have what it takes to stop me, little man."
Chrollo only grinned definitely at the remark, "We shall see about that."
Sneering, Valek stalked forward, increasing his aura flow but initiating Shu and focusing it into the swords he held.
Trying to anticipate Valek's next move, Chrollo got into a defensive stance, his body poised in preparation for the next strike. It was strange attempting to manage combat without the use of his own Nen, but he knew there was no other option for he had to adapt to survive any battle that came his way. Chrollo was no amateur when it came to fighting without any enhancements, as he endured for most of his life before learning Nen. Only, after having been so heavily reliant on it made that aspect difficult. However, he wasn't about to go down so easily. Not the infamous leader of the Genei Ryodan.
Without waiting for the surly man to reach his position, Chrollo changed his stance into the offensive and lunged forward, looking for any opening in Valek's defenses to use at his advantage. As Chrollo hastened his movements, the man was already preparing to defend himself and counter anything Chrollo threw at him. Valek was seasoned for sure as he moved fluidly. And effortlessly.
Before Chrollo could register that Valek had predicted his impending move, he was already within the man's attack range while directing another punch towards the man's gut. But, the moment before it connected, Valek's left sword arm came up to counter Chrollo, then deliver a damaging blow-
That never came. Chrollo looked up to see that Valek's arm had staunched in its movement as several chains had curled around it. In the distance stood Kurapika looking haggard, his golden hair disheveled and coated in a thin layer of dust, but otherwise, the blond had a ferocity burning within his tempering gaze. Kurapika's eyes had turned into their scarlet state, which Chrollo had noticed almost immediately.
Kurapika was as beautiful as ever despite how besmirched he was. The way he looked, his pose, even stance made Kurapika look just like a battle angel. Watching the way the blond moved took Chrollo's breath away.
"Forget about someone?" Kurapika balked, and he pulled roughly on his right arm, restraining the other man's impending attack. "In the words of someone I know, never turn your back on your enemy." With that, Kurapika jerked his hand downward with as much force possible, pulling Valek to the dusty ground with a loud bang.
Panting heavily, the young Kurta attempted to circumvent the felled man, eyes diverting to Chrollo's now kneeling frame as he went to stand by the older man's side when he felt his own feet being swept out from beneath him and he went crashing to the floor mercilessly.
"And never let your guard down."
Maniacal laughter filled Kurapika's ears, and he felt pain beginning to lace through his body, the sensation of his head swimming left him disoriented and stunned. His chains had gone limp around the man's arm as he clutched to his temples, trying to stave off the wave of nausea that soon gripped him tightly.
The momentary lapse in the Kurta's defenses left the only opening Valek needed. Rounding on Kurapika as he tried to get up, Valek stopped suddenly when the younger man looked directly at him this time, noticing Kurapika's blazing red irises, "Your eyes," Valek began, shock crossing his sturdy features, "they are the same as those eyes back in the vault. I thought the Kurtas had been wiped out." Closer he went towards the fallen blond, taking advantage of the boy's inability to stabilize himself, "Looks like one managed to survive." He laughed as he raised his swords into the air and readied an attack, tips pointed at Kurapika's exposed back to impale him, "I shall send you to meet with your clan in the afterlife." The loud, reverberating sound of steel clashing against steel stopped Valek instantly in his tracks.
Lifting his head and despite his blurry vision, Kurapika saw Chrollo standing over him, Benz knife holding back the man's desperate strike, "Hurry up and go, Kurapika! I will hold him back while you retrieve the eyes!"
Hesitant, the distressed blond watched as Chrollo strained trying to withstand Valek's intent strike, though it was clear that his companion wasn't fairing very well. The Mafia henchman was strong, much stronger than either of them gave the man credit for. It was a fight Kurapika was sure Chrollo couldn't handle alone. "I can't just up and leave you!" Kurapika yelled as the one fear he had come flooding back, and it became evident that he couldn't just abandon Chrollo. The impelling urge to stay at the older man's side was just too strong.
I can't lose him. I... just… Can't. If he were to die-
"Go!" Chrollo hissed and returned his attention to the man before him who was intent on ending his life. Closer those swords came to face and throat, and the threat was real. He used every ounce of his strength into forcing Valek's arms back and keeping the swords from connecting with his body. But, for a split second, there was a disruption in Chrollo's concentration as he was more focused on stopping Valek's advancement and didn't notice the lack in his defense. The next thing Chrollo knew, there was a searing pain in his right side followed by the sensation of warm liquid coating his skin and clothing. Everything wavered as the older man lost control of his stability and was unable to preclude his attacker any longer.
"I am not about to let either of you out of this alive!" Valek exclaimed as he braced for another attack, this time, ready to drive his swords home and deliver the killing blow.
Just as Valek was about to bring the tips of his weapons down upon the hapless man beneath him, the emanation of a scream shattering the air halted him from deploying his final assault.
"NO!" Kurapika howled as he charged at the huge man. His fists coiled and came down with unbridled fury as they impacted with the side of Valek's head just beneath his ear. Without mercy, he collided with the floor, causing the wood to splinter beneath, and Kurapika didn't even allow the man's body to settle before he was straddling Valek's chest while delivering blow after blow to his face. It was relentless and savage, the blond's onslaught nearly endless. His fists started to show signs of blood coating his delicate skin as it began to split from the impact, and the lacerations his chains left upon Valek's visage.
The animalistic brutality that shone behind smoldering scarlets foretold of Kurapika's loss in consciousness, mania the only thing showing on his immaculate countenance. "Damn you! Damn you!" He uttered over and over, continuing to assail the man beneath him without cognizance or care, the only thought in his mind was sending the bastard beneath him to hell.
Despite the beating, Valek only laughed, the pain distant in his mind, "That's right kid, kill me. I am sure it will make you feel better."
After spitting a wad of blood to the side, he looked back towards Kurapika as he goaded him into continuing his volley, wanting the younger man to stain his hands with more blood. The emphasis only incited the younger man's hate even more, and Kurapika raised his bruised and bloodied fists again, ready to hit the man when something grabbed him, stopping his assault.
"That's enough." A voice called to him, and Kurapika looked away from Valek's bruised and battered face to find Chrollo standing beside him, one hand clutching his side as the other held onto his wrist.
He raised an eyebrow questioningly, looking just as perplexed, "But… Why?"
The older man just shook his head, and he let go of the boy's wrist, "It's not worth it. Besides, we need to retrieve the eyes. After all the commotion from the fight, I am positive there will be more guards coming."
Sighing resolutely, Kurapika raised himself off of the man and stood erect, though he gazed down at the Mafia member without sympathy, "You're right." He then turned to face Chrollo, "I am ready, then."
"You won't get far you hear me!" Valek choked out, blood dripping from his busted lip, "The rest of the Mafia will find you. They will track you down."
Wordlessly, Chrollo walked back up to the pythonic man and without any indication, delivered a solid punch to his temple, knocking him out. "I doubt that will happen any time soon." Shaking his fist, he came astride Kurapika and leaned upon the younger man's shoulder, "Let's go."
"What did you do?" He asked without moving.
"He's simply unconscious," Chrollo responded.
They began descending along the metal corridor which ended into a small vault-like room. Chrollo limped along as Kurapika supported him. Everything from gold bars to rare paintings were laid about and kept in near perfect condition. In the center, however, was the one thing they had come there to obtain - the scarlet eyes.
Leaving Chrollo to support himself on a nearby shelf temporarily, Kurapika walked up to the pedestal the canister sat on, the eyes floating amid the liquid which contained them. He reached forward to seize it, and the moment he did so, a piercing alarm blared throughout the entirety of the mansion, the noise almost deafening.
"We have to go!" Chrollo yelled in urgency, and the boy raced back to his side before placing the older man's arm back over his shoulder while tucking the canister beneath his other arm. Quickly they precipitated back up the metal pathway and out the door, but upon exiting the rapid sound of footsteps and shouts captivated their attention. Before they could round the corner, a line of Mafia guards had barricaded their escape route, trapping them where they stood.
"Halt! Stop right there!" One of the men called, and Kurapika surveyed just how many people barred their way. With as taxed and worn they were, neither were in any condition to fight. The cocking of guns announced they planned to use force if necessary to stop him and Chrollo, making the situation look pretty dismal.
It looked like they would both would end up getting captured when Chrollo whispered, "There." And Kurapika turned his head.
Behind them was a window.
"You cannot be serious?" Kurapika looked aghast.
"Oh but I am. It's either that or we will be at the Mafia's mercy."
Without a second thought, Kurapika turned, and they both rushed swiftly towards the window, past the unconscious form of Valek.
"Stop!" One of the Mafia men called, but they pressed forward anyway, ducking as a sudden hail of gunfire rained over their heads. Closing his eyes, both their bodies crashed through the window and collided with the ground below. After rolling and coming to a stop, it took Kurapika a few moments to regain his senses and shake off the momentary daze.
Once he was able to stand again, he checked to make sure the canister was safe beneath his arm and searched for Chrollo, only to find the man rising to his feet just a few inches away.
"We have to hurry!" It was Kurapika that called this time as Chrollo leaned back on him, the two of them breaking for the treeline that covered the base of the mansion's premises as the henchmen reached the window they both smashed through.
The could hear the shouts and curses following them as they used the cover of the night to escape, both of them eager to put much-needed distance between them and the mansion as possible.
A groan escaped past his lips as he had lain upon his back on the bed, the sensation in his side was a dull throb. It took all effort he could muster to suppress as much of the pain as possible, finding that he wasn't as able to ward it off as easily without his Nen.
Chrollo had closed his eyes and focused on the gentle hands that had begun to peel away at his clothing carefully. His trademark coat had been removed upon their arrival at their hotel room, and now Kurapika was working to remove what layers were left.
"Hold still," Kurapika called to him softly as the boy sliced away the remaining layer and discarded, revealing a particularly nasty wound that adorned Chrollo's side.
"How bad does it look?" He questioned Kurapika as another wave of pain hit him and he hissed.
The blond remained silent for a moment as he continued to assess the wound. He could tell it was deep, but luckily, it missed any vital organs, "It's bad but not life-threatening." Kurapika finalized, though his tone was disquieted. "Without getting you to a hospital, I feel infection could set in. Which isn't something we can ignore." Kurapika paused a moment, knowing what he needed to do. "I have decided it's best I heal it."
Heal? Was there something Kurapika wasn't telling him?
Chrollo wanted to question him as there was a lot about Kurapika's Hatsu he didn't know about, and there was also a lot of mystery behind it. Not only that but also because of the fact he managed to beat two of his Spiders. All in all the younger man was just that, special.
However, the words died on his tongue as a cold sensation washed over him. Chrollo's breath quickened as the feeling radiated from his right side and all the way up, turning warm as it reached his chest, head, and feet. The wound at his side began to close as muscles and tendons started to repair themselves slowly, and Chrollo lifted his head to see one of Kurapika's chains wrapped around his abdomen with a cross at the tip sitting over the wound. But what caught his attention the most was the fact that the blond's eyes were red. A bright, lurid red. His eyes were shining their brightest and Chrollo suspected that the boy had entered his specialist state. One thing the older man was aware of was the fact he knew Kurapika had achieved complete mastery in all Nen types.
He watched as the infiltration on his side continued to close little by little, and after some time, it finally sealed completely.
Pulling his chain away, Kurapika let his eyes return to their normal state, but soon after that, he nearly collapsed from exhaustion.
Immediately Chrollo pushed himself up despite his own body was feeling the aftereffects of fatigue and leaned over to pull the younger man into his arms, "Kurapika." He began, concern accenting his voice as he held the Kurta close.
Struggling to retain any form of strength, he attempted to straighten himself, "I am alright," he lied and to no avail, came to rest against the older man's chest.
"Still a terrible liar as ever. You don't seem to learn." Chrollo whispered as he pushed a few strands from Kurapika's face, exposing those weary eyes of his.
Both of them sat like that for a good while, enjoying each other's warmth but also to reacquire their lost vitality.
After an extended moment of silence and once Kurapika felt he was able to move again, he lifted his head, and looked directly into those impelling grey eyes, "Why did you save me back there? You know you easily could have left me there to die and saved yourself."
It took the older man a long time to compose the will to speak, but once he did, it was nothing but the truth. "I told you," Chrollo leaned in, lips so close they brushed against Kurapika's, "it's because I believe that I am falling in love with you." He paused, then corrected himself, "No. I am in love with you." Relief. How good it felt to finally release all that pent-up tension and let candor take complete form. It was something Chrollo had held as a closely guarded secret out of fear that it would have scared Kurapika into believing it was nothing more than a pretense. Now, he was able to release it all.
Hearing Chrollo's words was another revelation for Kurapika. The older man's affirmation had sunk in deep, making him finally conclude on the one thing he had been ambivalent about. He had been in perpetual conflict with his feelings regarding Chrollo and precisely what the man meant to him. But now, he would have been dead if it wasn't for the older man who had been willing to sacrifice his life for Kurapika's own.
He never expected someone like Chrollo to do something so selfless, so generous. The thought of it, just the notion; it was an eye-opener for the blond.
"You didn't have to," Kurapika began, but immediately continued, "although I am glad you did." And right before Kurapika spoke his confessions, his slender arms came around Chrollo's much stronger ones, "I don't have to deny it or hide it any longer for I feel the same way." For a moment, Kurapika lingered as their breaths mingled, the passion growing behind his stalwart eyes, "Chrollo Lucifer… No, Chrollo, you have finally earned the right to my heart." And in that very second, Kurapika took Chrollo's lips with his own, sealing his admission in finally accepting the older man into his life. "I am in love with you, too."
They remained like that for a long time, Kurapika not wishing to be apart from Chrollo and silently vowing that after what happened, he would ensure things continued to change between them, allowing them to further progress in building their trust. After what happened earlier that day, the thought of losing Chrollo permeated his mind, and in that, he finally decided to do the one thing he should have long ago.
He inwardly promised to remove his Judgement Chain from Chrollo's heart.
After Thoughts: Well, we finally had a relative action packed chapter compared to the last, but I also felt it was about time to really dive deeper into the circumstances with Chrollo and Kurapika and the emotional shift between them. Everything is finally coming into place and Kurapika is realizing just how deep his feelings really run. This is definitely a turning point for them and it will only continue to increase from here.
Expect a lot from chapter twenty as I know it is definitely something people have been long since, waiting for. ;)