A/N: Hello everyone. I do want to apologize for how long it actually has taken for me to update this time. There just has been so much going on, between dealing with work, health and life in general, that I either lacked the time to write sometimes, or was unable. Unfortunately, it seems that my update schedule may remain random for the moment unlike it used to be with dependable monthly updates. Maybe this will change at some point down the line. Hopefully. For now, here is the chapter that you all have been waiting for. Please do enjoy. :3
As always, this chapter is unbeta'd like the rest. With SweetsDreamer busy, and the fact that I haven't been able to find a temporary substitute, this may end up being the case for future chapters until either Sweets is able to return, or I manage to find someone else in the meantime.
Summary: After dealing with the aftermath of a successful assassination on one of the guards during lessons, Chrollo and Kurapika try to devise a plan to root out the killer, but they find out the problem runs deeper than initially believed. Meanwhile, the Genei Ryodan continue their search for the Kakin vault and make an interesting discovery in the process.
"Is there no other way?"
"Unfortunately, no."
"You can't be serious?"
"Although we understand your plight, there is no way to the decision that's been made."
There was an audible harrumph, and Chrollo gradually let his eyes slide toward the group that Kurapika had been watching with a steely expression. Not long before, the servant that Sixth Queen Seiko had sent was arrested and taken into custody. After Barrigen's suspicious death following her outcry, questioning the servant became their only recourse. Kurapika breathed in sharply. The day was already turning out to be an absolute shitshow.
"To be frank, we can't just hand over your weapons in the middle of lessons. I've already stated the reason before we even started." Again, the stout, blond man ran his fingers through his short crop and expelled a sigh. Dealing with the royals and their lot had been exhausting. Kurapika could tell that Chrollo must have felt the same way.
One of the attending guards, a tall, burly man with broad shoulders and a square jaw, had cocked his head to the side, his arms partially outstretched. "And what if the same instance happens again?" The man questioned, his voice deep with a heavy baritone.
"We have taken extra measures to ensure that it does not."
Chrollo carefully surveyed the guard following his statement, both hands clasped loosely behind his back. It was evident that tensions had risen after the most recent attack, especially among those attending Kurapika's Nen classes. And yet, allowing anyone outside their queen's employ to bear weapons was a definite way to jeopardize their own security.
They had enough enemies as is. A few stood in the same room and were sent by opposing royals to their own.
Because of that, they couldn't be too careful; there were dangerous sharks everywhere. And not just in the waters outside the ship.
Protecting Fourteenth Queen Oito and Princess Woble was their only duty.
Despite the overall unease, Kurapika held up one hand, his expression still flat. "Regardless," he began, almost following Chrollo's statement fluidly, "everyone, including you, knew the terms when the decision was made to come here. We are not the ones that are pushing for a change in plans." He paused momentarily and gazed levelly at everyone before landing on the stocky guard. "With that said, please decide by ten whether you would like to continue or not. Any more delays, I cannot guarantee the two-week timeline."
A rush of whispers and hushed voices arose practically the second after Kurapika had finished speaking. It was hard to ignore the muttering, primarily due to the fervent mentions of an unknown assailant and the fear it caused. Yet, despite the complications, Kurapika resigned to pushing forward regardless of the outcome.
He turned and began moving away toward the master bedroom, Chrollo quickly falling in step beside him. Several moments of silence passed between them before his lover decided to speak. "So, what's the plan now?" Chrollo questioned, those piercing grey eyes locked on him. The man's lingering gaze made Kurapika shiver in a good way.
Despite the need to constantly react on the fly and alter their plans several times, Kurapika twisted his lips regarding their current objective. He had attempted to plan for every possible scenario during his Nen classes, but this wasn't one that he had anticipated. Kurapika looked over toward Chrollo while remaining in step. "We're going to try and root out the killer." He commented flatly and then turned face ahead of him. "Or at least, narrow down the possible suspects."
The very moment they entered the bed-chamber, Amar raised his head, red eyes focused on them. "Is everything alright?" He questioned, ears perked up fully.
"I wish it were," Chrollo intoned before Kurapika could, the young man striding up beside Bill, "but we got another problem to contend with."
Chrollo's response made Amar even more inquisitive, especially after hearing word that someone died during Kurapika's lessons. The news had made him concerned, and not only for the safety of his friends but for the Queen and Princess as well. Amar instantly got up and leapt to the floor, his long tail swaying anxiously behind him. "I see." He said. The tenor of his voice was filled with concern.
It was hard not to stress about the possibility of a killer hiding among them.
There was another moment of silence as Kurapika's attention fell entirely on Oito. "Unfortunately," he announced while the chains on his right hand tinkled audibly, "it's a problem that requires our immediate attention. My queen, will you please come with us."
Without hesitation, Oito rose from the bed and nodded at Kurapika before gently retrieving Woble from her cradle. Amar tilted his head inquisitively at the sudden request but decided to follow Kurapika's lead as he never had a reason to doubt his young companion. He quickly followed Chrollo while Kurapika led the way. Bill strode alongside Oito. Moments later, they entered the common room, and all eyes fell on them as they passed through before reaching the main dining area. Amar shivered from their lingering gazes while their hushed voices followed in their wake.
Once they were far enough into the room and far from prying eyes, Kurapika finally stopped walking. The sound of soft clinking greeted them as Shimano carefully placed a set of delicate dishware on the large, ornate table in the center. It was clear the woman was attempting to prepare for the evening meal.
Wordlessly, Kurapika extended his right hand, and the chain leading to his ring finger unfurled before it dropped with a small metal ball attached. He then used his left to take hold of his gun, and as he did before with Myuhan, it came to rest just above the other, the barrel pointed directly at Shimano.
A few moments passed before she realized that someone was watching her, and the woman turned around only to be met with a gun trained on her face. Panic and fear welled within Shimano as sweat formed immediately on her brow.
"Oh… God… what is—" she blurted out in a hasty rush but was quickly cut off. Her eyes then widened to the size of saucers as Chrollo and Bill gestured for her to remain silent. Amar shuffled uneasily just off to the side, his claws clicking audibly on the tile.
"Please try to remain calm," Kurapika stated right afterward, though he knew that would be difficult for Shimano because he had a firearm aimed toward her. Still, if she managed to draw anyone else's attention… "I need to ask you just two questions." He continued despite feeling weary. "Did you attack Barrigen?" The question exited his lips a bit more sternly than he intended.
Shimano's expression promptly changed from apprehension to blatant shock. She shot both hands up before her while trembling. "Wha-what?! You mean the man that died?" The woman vocalized, her voice trembling. "No! It wasn't me!" Shimano's bottom lip curled as she fought to hold back her anxiety.
Her response made Kurapika exhale slowly, and he resumed with his second question. So far, his chain had not moved. "Are you able to use Nen?" Kurapika pronounced slowly, his eyes flicking between Shimano and right his hand.
The tension in the room was quite evident, and it was nearly impossible to dismiss the fact that it seemed the situation on the boat was perpetually getting worse. Shimano felt her heart pounding within her chest, and she had to breathe to try and quell it.
Dealing with everything that had happened in a short amount of time only made it harder to contend with. Because of that, the dysphoria was starting to become overwhelming. "N-no! Of course not! I never even heard of Nen until I got on the ship!" Her lip trembled again, mind still racing. The stress was just too much.
At that point, Shimano was sure that she would finally crack under the pressure if it continued.
Even Amar could see that what they all faced was beginning to take its toll. From Kurapika, who had visible bags beneath his eyes, to Chrollo's faint signs of worry and Oito's haggard appearance and fatigue, it was a wonder that any of them were managing to hold it together. Even Bill was starting to look a little worn around the edges. Amar could easily tell the ordeal over the Succession War getting to everyone.
Him included.
Truthfully, they were all nothing more than victims of circumstance.
Nonetheless, Amar sighed and glanced from Kurapika to Chrollo, then back to Kurapika again. "Mind if I ask what the point of this was?" He inquired in his usual telepathic voice.
Surprisingly it was Chrollo who answered. "Not at all. However, it's imperative that we narrow down our current pool of suspects." His head was slightly turned, and just enough so that he could see Amar from the corner of his vision.
The fact that Amar was curious and desiring to know exactly what had been going on was something that Chrollo didn't fault him for. It made sense, given how strenuous and determined Amar was in honoring his vows, but also because of how much it seemed that Oito and Woble meant to him. The young Nacknar was legitimately different from the rest of his kind.
Given how much Amar wanted to protect them, it was only natural that he sought to remain informed.
It was no different for him regarding Kurapika.
After a moment, Amar nodded and shifted so he could see Kurapika. Considering their situation, he knew it was best to follow his companion's decision.
"Right," Kurapika said once it was evident that no one else had any further input and turned to Shimano again. "I must apologize." He said calmly and replaced the gun into its holster. "Only a few people were associated with the previous incident. So, as Chrollo said, we had to be sure."
Relief instantly washed over Shimano, and her apprehensive demeanor gradually faded, though some tension in her shoulders remained. A look of dread no longer marred her features.
Eventually, she released a pent-up breath. "Still," Shimano uttered, confusion now settling in. "Bill and Chrollo were there too." She added while unconsciously wringing her hands together.
It was hard to ignore the immediate suspicion in her voice. "They had already checked out, of course," Kurapika stated, his gaze shifting toward both men before settling back on the older servant.
Shimano exhaled slowly and turned to look down at the floor. It was as if she was embarrassed by what she had said. There shouldn't have been any doubts on whether or not Bill and Chrollo were legitimate; both men had proven themselves more than once already. Several times Bill had gone out on a limb for them while risking his own safety, and Chrollo helped stop a killer from assassinating the queen. She also knew that he and Kurapika were a couple even though it was initially kept secret from them. So why would Chrollo betray them when Kurapika was that fiercely loyal?
And there was Amar, who, despite what he was, had made it known that he cared deeply for the queen and her child.
Because of that, it just didn't make sense for them to do anything that would jeopardize her or Oito. Instead, the notion made her feel even more ashamed.
Once Shimano had settled her wracked emotions, she met Kurapika's eyes again. "May I ask if what happened could have resulted from Princess Woble's Nen Beast?"
Hearing the question made Kurapika blink as he hadn't expected the subject to even come up, but he already knew the answer nonetheless. "That isn't possible." He confirmed, both hands going behind his back before linking them. "It's two different types. The royal's Nen Beasts are parasites that were created through a ceremony and cannot be seen by mundane people. Think of them as a spirit that possesses their target. What makes them different from what happened is everyone saw the snakes. They were conjured, so they were visible to everyone like regular matter." Kurapika concluded as he carefully watched for her reaction.
"So they're basically different abilities?" Shimano added after several moments, her expression turning more curious as she listened to the young man's explanation.
"Not exactly," Chrollo cut in, his hands resting within the pockets of his blazer. "Both are still classified as Nen. It's just the user's approach to risk is much different." He leaned back slightly and looked at those standing around them. "Basically, anything that is conjured and visible to anyone, even those who cannot use Nen, invokes a much higher risk of getting caught. So, the greater the risk or difficulty of its execution, the more powerful the ability is." Chrollo furthered slowly.
"Right," Kurapika continued without stopping a beat, picking up where his lover had left off. "Think of it like this. A parasite type that only Nen users can see consumes a lot of energy to remain invisible from anyone mundane, so the user had to make a different trade-off. For the Succession War, there would have to be a tremendous amount of energy to infest fourteen people with different Nen Beasts."
Almost the moment the last word exited his lips, Kurapika was hit with a sudden revelation. The more he mulled over the nature of the Nen Beasts and how they came into existence, plus how to maintain them brought to mind something that he hadn't thought of before. If just one person could withdraw from the Succession War, the risk-to-reward trade-off would cease functioning and possibly cause the Nen Beasts to vanish.
How he hadn't realized it sooner was dumbfounding, but if what he suspected turned out to be true, it could change the tide of the battle entirely.
Kurapika was vaguely aware of Chrollo's hand on his shoulder or that he, Bill, and the others had gathered around him, all looking concerned. "Are you okay, Kura? It's not another side-effect of your ability?" His lover questioned, voice slightly tight.
"Or possibly another headache?" Bill supplied afterward, his eyes going slightly wide.
Kurapika shook his head almost at the same time Bill had finished speaking, his thoughts slowly winding down after his brief revelation. "No, it's nothing like that. I'll be alright. My thoughts just wandered for a moment." There was a pause as Kurapika remembered a vital aspect of the Succession War, and he closed his eyes for a second. "That said, everyone present has been cleared. If possible, I will look for an opportunity to interrogate those in the other room with my chain. Though I do ask that you both subtly observe them as well."
There wasn't an immediate need to contest Kurapika, but it was hard to ignore the relenting vein of concern that remained. Chrollo scanned over the length of his lover's physique while searching for any signs of fatigue or deterioration in his condition. Dark, noticeable circles outlined the bottom of Kurapika's eyes while his visage appeared somewhat haggard.
Whatever the side effects were that continued to weigh on him, it made Chrollo no less worried. Long ago, it may not have mattered if Kurapika succumbed to the conditions of his Nen, but now it was entirely different.
Kurapika was so important to him that he couldn't bear the thought of losing the younger man. It practically terrified him. Chrollo knew it wasn't like him to get so emotionally invested, but Kurapika had changed that. Living without his beautiful Kurta was the last thing he wanted.
Yet, Chrollo remained silent. Instead, he merely nodded in assent to Kurapika's statement. Regardless of what happened, he would ensure they got off the ship alive. They just had to get through this Godforsaken Succession War first. Chrollo glanced over to Bill, then Amar, noticing their stern expressions as they had also accepted what Kurapika said.
"Are you sure that everything will be fine?" Amar commented after several minutes had passed. There was an apparent uncertainty in the young Nacknar's tone.
It was something Chrollo hadn't expected, but Kurapika stopped moving the instant Amar spoke. He turned toward his ebony companion, strands of gold partially obscuring his face. "Don't stress yourself. I will be fine," Kurapika tried to reassure Amar, though he wasn't sure it would be enough.
After revealing his Nen abilities and Emperor Time's conditions, Amar and Chrollo wouldn't be at ease until he was physically able to remove it altogether.
Until then, it was only natural they would fret over his well-being.
In the meantime, getting through the Succession War was a top priority, especially since more than a few in the royal family had already proven extremely dangerous. He didn't blame Chrollo for being so protective of him, even Amar when it came to Queen Oito and Princess Woble. Instead, it made him vow to do whatever was necessary to endure his own survival.
"Alright," Amar responded slowly, his focus never leaving Kurapika's. "I trust your judgment." He stopped for a second and tilted his head before amply swishing his tail. It's just… I can't help but be concerned. You have been one to show me kindness and believe that I am different from the rest of my kind. Just as Chrollo did, you also gave me a chance, and because of that, I care about you."
A calm stillness descended around the room as Kurapika contemplated Amar's words. Those around them watched intently, all waiting to hear his response. Kurapika didn't blame Amar for how he felt, as it wasn't the first time the young Nacknar had expressed concern or worry over his decisions or the paths he chose to take. It was no different than Chrollo, who had also done the same, and although he was still trying to adapt to the notion that he had people who cared about him, it was something that he couldn't entirely ignore.
Kurapika shifted his attention ephemerally from Amar to Chrollo before turning back to the ebony creature before him. Amar's eyes flashed with unease. The sight made his stomach twist with regret. "I know," Kurapika uttered simply, his tone even but gentle. "But I promise that I won't do anything rash." Immediately afterward, he knelt down and patted Amar tenderly on the head, the Nacknar's soft fur adding to the ataractic sensation that he was emitting.
He stood back up and then nodded to everyone else. Hopefully, the silent profession was enough to reassure them. Afterward, Kurapika prepared to return to the other room to see if any of the other bodyguards had decided to remain. Without hesitation, Chrollo had fallen in step beside him, and they both headed back toward the main area.
It was a little surprising to see the room was still completely full.
"So, everyone decided to stay?" Kurapika questioned after doing a quick, mental head count.
Considering how the attack had caused a lot of stress for the attendees, he had speculated that some of them would have backed out after they were denied their weapons. However, it seemed the overall pull to learn Nen must have canceled out that possibility.
Or, perhaps the demands from each of their princes and princesses were indisputable.
Several bodyguards exchanged inquisitive glances before a stocky man with cropped hair moved forward. "Of course. We have our orders. Those we are aligned with have not stated otherwise."
Kurapika turned to look at Chrollo, who appeared just as intrigued but only shrugged his shoulders in response. It was clear that proceeding with the lessons was their next step.
He sighed and let his eyes quickly shift over every head in the room. "Alright then, let's begin," Kurapika commanded before taking a firm stance in front of the group. Both palms were poised before him while facing up. "First, please clasp your hands together in a way that is natural for you." He carefully watched the others as he waited for them to finish. Every so often, he could sense Chrollo's gaze shift toward him before returning to the attendees. He tried to ignore it. "Done?" Kurapika questioned after a moment, both hands now going behind his back. "From this point on, the class will be split into different Nen groups by how they hold their hands. Prayers please form into one group, catchers into another, and shakers into a third. Once done, prayers, close your eyes, and imagine scooping water. Shakers, please stand in a circle and hold hands while imagining the flow of aura in a clockwise direction. Catchers, imagine making cotton candy in the air. Furykov and Belerenite will check the flow of aura within the groups."
At the sound of their names, both men perked up and faced Kurapika, their expressions a mix of consternation and disbelief. Furykov shifted just enough to see the other guard standing beside him from his peripheral vision. "So we're aides now?" He asked flatly as the weight of aura in the room began to increase slowly.
"Yup. Pretty much." Belerenite responded in kind. He was still unsure how he had gotten bamboozled into essentially playing the role of the teacher's assistant.
Kurapika was proving to be more formidable than he anticipated. The man had a way of convincing people to do exactly as he asked.
There was a low, audible hum as the surge of energy picked up from the three separate groups, the intensity of it growing with each passing second. Chrollo could see the fields of aura around every person. Some were strong and defined. Others were weak and seemed deficient or inept. Yet, despite the rendition or lack thereof, the outlines were sharp enough to show they each had potential.
How their strengths and faults turned out would ultimately be up to them, but in the end, teaching them helped to even out the playing field.
It was the best chance he and Kurapika had to get through the Succession War while also trying to limit his lover's use of Emperor Time. However, just thinking about it, and knowing that such an ability existed, chewed silently at the back of Chrollo's mind. Without knowing the extent of the damage it caused, and until they could find the potential nullifying liquid that Amar spoke of, it had been touch and go dealing with Kurapika's abilities.
The fact that it had already reduced an undetermined amount of his life made Chrollo's stomach knot. Keeping his contrition in check was difficult; he still hated that his decision had been what drove Kurapika to do such a thing.
Sometimes, the realization haunted him. Even the ghosts of Kurapika's clan whispered to him when no one was around.
Were they condemning him? Or pushing him to save their only survivor?
No matter the reason, the outcome never left him. Chrollo knew that it was something he would have to live with.
At least, that is what had to be done if he wanted to continue to be with Kurapika. Taking his lover's pain away was still paramount to him. One day, he would make it up to the younger man.
For now, he just silently listened to the slow draw of Kurapika's voice as the lecture continued.
The long, empty stretch of hallway appeared to go on perpetually, the lights above flickering as if the bulbs could go out at any minute before thrusting the area into complete darkness. It happened several more times, all of them nearly going out before suddenly stabilizing to reveal what lay within the lonely corridor. From behind, the cacophony of battle raged then faded, the comingling of panting and heavy-laden footsteps slowly approached from behind.
Killua turned to catch sight of Gon finally meeting at his position, and the young Zoldyck boy carefully put away his pair of metallic yo-yos just as his hair returned to its normal state. A few last bits of electricity shot between his partially spread fingers before completely dispelling. From how Gon looked, his friend was no less haggard than he was.
"That was close," Gon uttered in a low tone, the energy fading from around both hands. There was a vague sign of damage to the other boy's skin from using his Jajanken. Luckily, Nen users tended to heal slightly faster than mundane people.
"Yeah," Killua responded, though he was slightly distracted. "It was." While Gon didn't tend to overuse his abilities, his friend was still brash and reckless. Witnessing the injuries that it caused always left him with a vein of concern.
Yet, on the flip side of the coin, there wasn't much that could be done. Gon had long since proven that he knew how to care for himself.
The boy definitely was no slacker.
Still, they had to focus on the mission at hand. After dealing with another inevitable fight, this time with the Kakin army itself, they had managed to, somehow, make their way onto deck two. Of course, it wasn't without a few scrapes and bruises along the way, as the military had proven they were tougher than anticipated. Still, between them and the Genei Ryodan, their success was apparent.
Fortunately for them, Machi had shown up before the incident could get out of hand, primarily due to Phinks, as it was evident the man was no less brash than Gon was. The man quickly reacted before thinking, and their situation could have gone much differently. It was a good thing that it hadn't. Killua breathed out slowly.
His eyes closed as both hands shaped into fists. "So, where to now?" Killua heard Gon say from beside him a minute later, and he turned to face his friend.
It was pretty obvious what their next task was, but after their recent ordeal, he didn't blame Gon for wanting to know. "I suppose that we now wait for the Spiders to catch up before exploring the area. Though, we should be careful as the military will probably be looking for us after what just happened."
Gon's head quickly tilted to the side as he stared at Killua inquisitively. "Alright. We did break through the door between here and the deck below, so I guess it's expected." He momentarily looked down at both hands before feebly trying to conceal them behind his back so that Killua couldn't see them. He grinned sheepishly.
Despite that, Killua wasn't impressed. The boy's lips conformed into a frown, and he shook his head disapprovingly. There were points when he didn't know what he was going to do with Gon. His friend was self-destructive. Killua sighed. "Here. Let me see." He demanded and held out a hand as it waited for Gon to reveal his own.
No way his friend was escaping from his actions this time.
A compunctious expression appeared on Gon's face, and he placed both hands in front of him without further hesitation. "I already know you're mad." He commented remorsefully. Not much escaped Killua's watchful eye. After all, the boy had been raised by the most powerful family of assassins.
"Of course I am mad!" Killua exclaimed. Heat rose up along his cheeks. "I swear, one of these days you're gonna end up getting yourself killed!"
He reached forward, grabbed one of Gon's hands - albeit more roughly than intended - and carefully examined its condition. The other boy winced slightly, and Killua loosened his grip, but it didn't stop him from continuing his observation. Dark patches accented Gon's skin, a clear sign of his overuse of Jajanken.
It wasn't the first time that he had seen the same thing - Gon had also caused severe damage to his body back when they were on Greed Island, which took longer to heal than most Nen users. The memory had left Killua constantly wondering.
Gon's expression wilted even more, and he stared at Killua abashedly. "I'm not trying to!" He lied and gently pulled away from the silver-haired boy. Gon eyed him determinately. "I can handle myself. You just have to trust me." His voice was more firm and obstinate, vigor accenting each word.
Sometimes it felt as if he was being mollycoddled and handled too delicately. Granted, he didn't deny that he had acted recklessly in the past and made some bad decisions. There were a few instances that he regretted, and was likely why Killua seemed so cautious over his actions, but it didn't necessarily mean that he needed to be handled like a fragile statue.
Gon breathed out slowly through his nose as he eyed Killua carefully.
Maybe what he said would be enough for the other boy to understand his point of view. There was no reason that he couldn't stand on his own.
The sudden display made Killua sigh heavily, and he closed both eyes momentarily before opening them again, his demeanor a bit calmer now. Although, Killua's expression appeared repentant this time. "I do trust you," Killua commented slowly, his gaze never leaving Gon's own, "and I know that you are capable, but there have been instances where you freaked me out. Like the time back on Greed Island during our game with Razor or when Kurapika asked us to help fight those creatures that nearly killed you. Hell, even back to the last phase of the Hunter Exam when you were battling against Hanzo. You allowed the guy to literally break your arm just to prove a point! And for what? To show that you're capable? Geez! At times I don't think you get it." Killua huffed and clicked his tongue, the tone of his voice sharp and more stringent than he originally intended. Yet, it was hard to ignore that Gon tended to get away with more than he should. The boy acted as if no one cared about him, even though so many did.
Such a notion made the heat rise along Killua's skin, and it was hard to contain the fury, outrage, and fear within him. To him, Gon was family. True family. Sure, he had his parents and siblings, but none of them understood him as Gon did. His friend was just as vital to him as air and water.
If something were to happen to Gon…
"It's okay," Gon quietly uttered and gently placed one of his hands on Killua's shoulder. "I totally get it. You're right. I'll try to be more careful from now on." He hoped the compunctious smile that soon etched over his face was enough to convey how he felt. Hearing Killua's emotional plea had caused a pang of guilt to well up in the pit of Gon's stomach. It made the boy want to recoil in on himself.
For most of his life, he had always been a wild, untamed spirit that constantly lived on the edge. It was easy to forget where your limits were and that other people cared or worried. Early on, he only had Aunt Mito and granny to think about, as almost everyone else was always busy on their tiny island. It wasn't until he met Kite, his dad's friend, that his entire perspective shifted.
And even then, it was still easy to forget.
Killua heaved another sigh and nodded despite his continued reservations. It was hard to ignore the underlying problem that remained, but he always gave his friend the benefit of the doubt. Gon was special in so many ways. He was undeniably unique, and there weren't many like him, if at all. Because of that, it was hard to stay mad at him. Instead, Killua let a weak but sad smile appear on his visage.
"Okay. I believe you." He responded calmly, both hands now in the pockets of his shorts. Casting aside his anger wasn't easy, and it took a lot of effort, but there was undeniable sincerity to Gon's words, and that was an aspect he couldn't simply ignore. "Just try to be a little more careful," Killua added. Before he could say anything further, the sound of voices and shuffling cut him off. He snapped to look over his shoulder just as a few figures approached.
"I tell you, those guys put up way more of a fight than I expected, but we still kicked their asses! I thought they would have been stronger than they were." One voice said while a few laughed.
"Right. It's nothing that we haven't handled before. Even the Mafia had proven to be no match for us. Kakin's military has shown to be just as weak." Another said, which caused a few hums of agreement.
"Yeah, well," another began, the person's tone low and somber, "they were simply in the way. It was a total waste of time if you ask me. The fight just allowed me to practice with my sword. Have to keep the training up, ya know."
Silence followed right after, and Killua quickly glanced over at Gon. "Honestly, all of that could have been avoided if everyone had merely waited. We did have a plan, but most of you just ran in halfcocked. I swear you guys don't think sometimes."
Again, the group went quiet, then came into view a few moments later. Several pairs of eyes quickly landed on Killua, and he shifted uneasily. However, one appeared more pleased to see them.
"I see the kids are still alive," Phinks noted sarcastically, arms crossed over his chest. The remark made Killua huff.
"Because they aren't exactly pushovers," Nobunaga pointed out while scanning over both boys. The hand on his sword hilt had moved to join the other within the sleeves of his robe. "We have seen them prove that several times already." He added before grinning in approval toward Gon and Killua. It was one reason why he liked them.
Phinks snorted, his gaze never leaving theirs. "Still," he began, his posture somewhat imposing, "I didn't think they would make it here before us."
There was a pause as Killua stared at them with a hardened expression. It was rather evident the Spiders still harbored a lack of trust in them, or some did. At least Nobunaga appeared to place a lot of faith in them, which helped to ease his infuriation, as the collective attitude made Killua continue to feel inadequate. He didn't blame them for questioning their abilities early on, but to do it now was spiteful. As their comrade said — they had proven their worth multiple times already.
In truth, it really was Phinks who seemed to have the most problem with them.
"Honestly." Another voice broke out, and Machi stepped forward. Both hands were on her hips, which made the tips of her Nen pins gleam in the artificial light. "You really are too hard on them." She aggrandized, expression firm. "Cut the kids some slack. They have shown to be valuable and are quite skilled. Danchou likes them, and they are Kurapika's friends. We just have to accept they are a part of us now."
A look of bewilderment was Phinks's visage as he turned away from his comrade, the words he had prepared to say instantly dying in his throat. While he hated to admit it, Machi was right.
Plus, he knew better than to argue with her. "Jeez. Alright, I get it. You don't have to keep reminding me."
At least it seemed that Machi was also on their side.
Killua shifted his gaze from them to the rest of the Spiders, who had remained quiet during the exchange. He heard Gon shift behind him, but his friend had said nothing. The more he thought about it, continuing to argue over their status was only belaying their mission. Finding the Kakin treasure vault was paramount, and standing around while in a debate was hindering that. It wasn't the reason they had broken their way onto deck two in the first place.
Standing around was only wasting time. "Perhaps we should just get going." He stated a few minutes later. The tension in the room had started to become suppressive and something that needed to be defused. "The military may find us if we stick around. No doubt they are probably searching this deck already."
Then, he immediately turned on his heel without waiting for a response, Gon mimicking his movements and doing the same. Killua heard Nobunaga chuckle in response to his display, but no one dared to make a comment. Instead, he sensed them all begin to follow, their objective clear.
"I guess you finally got them to listen, even if only a little," Gon whispered after they walked far enough, the strange lack of chatter somewhat comforting. "Hopefully, they will stop doubting us, or at least Phinks will."
The comment made Killua stiffen slightly, his attention unwavering and locked forward. Perhaps Gon was right, but facing so much scrutiny had made it hard to believe otherwise. He would have to wait and see.
Luckily for them, a few of the Spiders were already coming around, so it wasn't entirely unlikely the rest wouldn't do so eventually.
Even Phinks, despite his attempts to continually put up a front.
They trekked along the intricate hallways for quite some time. Many of the rooms they passed were reserved for VVIPs, primarily those of high status and wealth. Few people were moving about, and some glanced warily at their rag-tag group, but no one tried to address them. Killua breathed out roughly several times — drawing unwanted attention now would only complicate their situation further, especially with as far as they had managed to come.
Avoiding suspicion, even among the first class passengers, was better for them in the long run. Not to mention, the military was after them, so circumventing notice made sense.
Eventually, they came across a barely populated area of the ship. It appeared to be more secluded than any other section. Killua came to a complete stop, his keen eyes glancing toward the intricate entryway inlaid in gold, and sucked on his teeth before turning to look over his shoulder. "I think you guys should see this." He announced while surveying the group behind him intently. They nodded as Gon slipped to the front to take a peek before stepping back against the wall. Killua did the same.
Immediately after, Phinks and Nobunaga moved past them, both men inspecting the area that Killua had pointed out. They exchanged glances before checking the connecting hallway for any signs of people. "I think we may have found where the vault is," Phinks said as he turned around to face his comrades. "This is the only section we haven't checked, and it seems to be in a more remote area than any other part of the deck. If the vault is anywhere, it's here." Once he finished speaking, Phinks turned to look at Killua, his expression neutral. "You did good, kid." He added, though his praises were somewhat flat.
Although it was satisfying to finally gain recognition from one of the most scrutinizing members of the Genei Ryodan, the fact that neither of them had been fully accepted made it feel somewhat superficial. Killua knew that it would still take more time convincing them to come around, but at least Phinks had acknowledged their usefulness.
With a quick nod, he waited behind the man in his green tracksuit, and moments later, Killua felt a weight on his shoulder as Nobunaga came up beside them. The Samurai's hand was perched on his shoulder as the other man's eyes were cast forward. Not a second afterward, it was removed as he went to stand beside Phinks.
There was no denying that Nobunaga had their backs. At least the guy believed in them, although he was just as maniacal as some of the other Ryoden.
An uneasy silence fell around their small group while Phinks and Nobunaga observed the area they suspected contained the vault. Beneath the archway were two heavy glass doors with the symbol of Kakin splayed across the surface and another hallway stretching just beyond. Off to the right was a keypad, the numbers backlit in red.
Strangely enough, there seemed to be no guards present.
"Well, any idea what is going on?" A voice called from behind, and Machi took a few steps toward the front, both hands planted on her hips. "All we are doing is standing here doing nothing." The twist on the woman's lips said she was starting to get impatient.
Several murmurs rose among them before Shizuku pushed up her glasses after deciding to speak herself. "I agree." She added, her tone innocent and level. "Waiting here isn't getting helping. We need to figure out whether or not this is where the vault is."
Immediately, Phinks's brow furrowed as he breathed out slowly, both eyes closed. Clearly, the man was slightly annoyed. "I know that," he grumbled and faced them both, "but don't you find it odd there is no one guarding the place?" Phinks shifted to glance down both hallways to see if anyone was coming. Fortunately, it was still vacant. Not that he or the rest of them would have trouble stopping anyone that showed up to get in their way. It wasn't a problem before and wouldn't be even now.
Still, if there was a chance to lower the possibility of getting detected, it would be less of a hindrance. They weren't always subtle with their movements, but this was one time when it made sense.
Machi huffed and crossed her arms before focusing on her comrades. "Of course I do. While I am not saying we should ignore that fact, just lingering here and doing nothing isn't going to tell us if this is where the vault is."
The comment made Phinks scoff and look away. He ground his teeth and tried to contain his anger. Although he knew that Machi was right, the fact didn't annoy him any less. "I know, I get it!" He hissed, and instantly, the man forced himself to relent before his emotions could fully take over. Phinks knew what he was like when his temper rose.
Instead, he leaned back against the wall when his attention landed on Nobunaga. His compatriot's expression was enough for him to sigh audibly.
"Honestly, there is no real way to confirm if anyone is actually guarding this place. If anything, I would be more concerned about potentially setting off any alarms." Nobunaga responded firmly. He glanced down the hallway occasionally to ensure no one was approaching. "I noticed a keypad next to the door, so it's probably coded. Perhaps Shalnark should check into it?" He shifted to point at where the black box sat, the keys glowing in the dim light.
A moment later, Shalnark pushed his way to the front, a cheery look on his face. "I can definitely do that!" He exclaimed and wasted no time retrieving the small, thin laptop he always carried. The sound of clicking soon filled the room as excitement fueled his movements. One thing he loved was a good challenge, and hacking into Kakin's computer system was the thrill he needed. It was going to be difficult, but there was no way they would keep him from getting in. "Security is tight, and they're using multiple firewalls to try and keep anyone out, but if I can just bypass them—and done!"
Sounds of clicking followed by a subtle beep drew the group's attention toward the keypad as the screen and keys changed from red to green. Afterward, the door slid open, and cold air blew across the area. Multiple lights flickered beyond as the hallway on the other side remained vacant, though a strange, low humming resonated within.
"Ha, that was quick!" Phinks stated although he wasn't entirely surprised. Hacking was one of Shalnark's strong suits.
"When isn't he?" Feitan chimed in even though he had remained silent most of the time while they were there. Watching the exchange between his fellows had been - somewhat - amusing.
Listening to their praises made Shalnark grin, and he closed the laptop carefully before putting it away. "You know me. I always aim to deliver." He chirped before moving forward. "Shall we?" He continued while gesturing toward the now open door.
"At least we are finally getting somewhere," Killua whispered to Gon as the group finally walked toward the entrance before slipping inside. All the pedantry had begun to wear on his nerves and was holding them back. It made him wonder if that was how the Ryodan always acted. From his past experience with them, it was likely the case and explained why they only worked together for short periods.
Between their explosive personalities, constant bickering, and preening, it was enough to drive anyone nuts.
Gon merely nodded in reply. The boy's eyes were focused on him, but the expression he saw was far different than his own. His friend had always been more tolerant of others while trying to see the good in everyone. Likely it was no different here.
"Yeah," Gon said after a moment, though a smile remained on his visage. "Perhaps it took longer than we would have liked, but I think we are going to finally locate the vault. It will make Kurapika and his boyfriend happy, so there is that."
Even now, thinking about him in a relationship with Chrollo was still a bit strange. It wasn't over the fact they were both guys or lovers - that wasn't the case. It was because Chrollo had been the reason Kurapika lost his entire family, his clan, which made seeing them together quite alien to him. But despite all of that, they seemed happy, even Kurapika.
And Gon trusted Chrollo. He had no reason to believe otherwise. So far, all the man had done was nothing more than foster their mutual friend's happiness. It gave Kurapika the will to live and carry on, which in the end, was enough.
They had fallen silent again while slowly traversing the brightly lit hallway. The humming sound from before had grown louder, but only slightly, and the deeper they went, the more mechanical it sounded. Since there was a smaller ship reserved for the royal family on the deck above them, it was likely the source of the noise. Nonetheless, they continued moving forward, ever alert, keen eyes searching for the object of their goal.
Hours seemed to pass without so much as a sound, and eventually, they came across a large, white, circular door, almost reminiscent of a bank vault. The group immediately stopped, and Shalnark quickly moved to the front. "Yep. I am pretty sure this is it." He scanned the object's smooth surface before noticing two significantly sized metal handles on either side of another keypad. Below it sat a metallic crank. "I could probably hack into this and get it open if that is what you guys want?" Shalnark commented and turned away from the door to eye the group, specifically Feitan and Phinks.
They glanced at each other, then back to Shalnark with perplexed expressions. It was like they thought he had three heads. "Of course, it's what we want!" Phinks stated while searching Shalnark's face. They were so close, and passing up the opportunity would be a mistake. Plus, they had a mission to complete. "Just do it quickly. I don't want to stand around here waiting to be caught."
With a nod, Shalnark turned back toward the massive white door and carefully retrieved his laptop again from inside his shoulder bag. Once the lid was opened, his fingers swiftly moved over the keys, the rapping sound filling the air as the young man wasted no time getting to work.
"First, I have to disable the alarm system," Shalnark commented without stopping, his eyes fixed on the lit screen. Several moments passed, and a grin appeared on his lips. "Alright. Now to get in. Luckily, the security wasn't too difficult to bypass, for me at least." He fell quiet once again and resumed typing, his mind and fingers working in tandem while putting his hacking skills to the test, and before too long, the familiar beep that he had been waiting for finally came. "Done!" Shalnark announced cheerily and closed the laptop.
"Good work." Feitan stepped forward and slid around the young tech geek. He reached over to shift the crank from the right to the far left before grabbing one of the metal handles to forcibly pull on it. The door opened with a low hiss as cool air swept rapidly outward. Carefully, Feitan stepped over the threshold and inside, only to be met by a vast room.
Once Feitan disappeared into the vault, the rest of the Genei Ryodan began to follow, each entering the area individually. Gon and Killua looked at each other and nodded before doing the same. They had to confirm if what Kurapika was searching for was inside that very room.
At once, the sound of voices comingling together filled the air as the Spiders soon realized exactly what it was that surrounded them. Lining the walls were several shelves filled to the brim with glittering objects. Many were statues forged in gold, some adorned with gems, while others were intricately made. There was also a vast array of jewelry lying about. Several had rubies, diamonds, pearls, emeralds, or even rare, valuable gems such as alexandrite and painite.
Off in one corner sat an ornate chest decked in gold, its lid open and containing an immeasurable amount of coin.
For Killua, taking in such a sight was nothing. His family was one of the most wealthy to exist, and obtaining rare treasures like what he saw before him wasn't unusual or spectacular, but for Gon, it was different. Both boys watched as the Spiders meticulously took in everything, their observations keen and attentive. Eventually, Gon slipped away from his friend's side and began slowly walking the length of the enormous room.
It only took Killua a few moments to notice what he was doing. "Gon! Wait!" The boy called after his friend before moving to catch up. "There isn't anything for us to do," Killua said once he reached Gon's side, his eyes still searching the cache around them. "We located the vault, and only the Spiders are trying to collect a reward."
Just as the last word exited his mouth, Gon turned abruptly on his heel and faced the other boy, his amber eyes filled with a hardness that Killua didn't often see. "Did you forget," he began, voice tight and firm, "that we also came here to help Kurapika find the remaining eyes of his people?"
Gon's words caught him immediately off guard, and Killua blinked in surprise. The fact that he had nearly forgotten their primary mission made him feel silently abashed. Tracking down the Scarlet Eyes was their primary reason for getting on the Black Whale in the first place. Kurapika was their friend, and completing that goal was essential to both of them.
Killua breathed in slowly before sighing. "You're right." He took a step forward and gazed around at the myriad of shelves, crates, boxes, and caskets that sat along both sides. Nobunaga and Phinks, who had been engrossed in scanning over a few statues and decorative items, caught sight of them and moved toward their position.
"Oi. What are you kids doing?" He asked as Nobunaga watched them curiously.
A frown appeared on Gon's visage. "Did you guys also forget the main reason that we came here?" He mumbled irritably.
"Uh, no, why?" Phinks responded, confusion working its way over his features. He slowly placed one of the statues he was holding into a large bag he was carrying.
Even Nobunaga appeared befuddled by the question. "We are basically here to rob Kakin of its treasures. You haven't forgotten that part, right?"
It didn't take Gon long for every muscle to practically twitch, and he felt anger begin to swell within his gut. Both hands unconsciously balled into fists. "That isn't the only one." He grumbled and looked Phinks square in the eye. "Or did you forget the other reason?" Gon felt his knuckles tightening as it was evident that his patience was gradually waning.
Before Phinks could make a snappy reply, Machi gracefully slid between them as the blooming argument had caused everyone else to stop what they were doing and focus on them. Machi crossed her arms. "Before you say anything," she warned, her eyes fixated on Phinks and Nobunaga, "the kid isn't wrong." She knew that, at times, Shizuku wasn't the only one who conveniently forgot important details. "We did also agree to help Kurapika find the remaining Scarlet Eyes. It's what Danchou wants."
A wave of murmuring followed Machi's statement as several of the Ryodan acknowledged what she said, the memory of their agreement taking them back. Stealing Kakin's valuables was one of their goals, but it was just a bonus for helping to complete their real mission. Assisting the Chain User in accomplishing his.
Granted, it wasn't an aspect they were entirely keen on. Yet, the prospect of walking away with something way more precious made it more than worth it.
Maybe they had to work with their former enemy, but they were still getting paid.
After a bit, the susurration finally stopped, and the tension gradually faded.
"If I had to be honest." Someone vocalized, and a second later, Shizuku stepped forward. "We long since decided to accept Danchou's decision to have a relationship with the Chain User. Because of that, we also agreed to help him track down those eyes they have been searching for. Now that we are here, don't you guys think we should do that and report in to let Danchou know of our findings? Once that is done, then we can collect our payment." She gazed at each of them adamantly while letting her words sink in.
"She's right, you know?" Machi added right after, her posture growing more rigid as she held her stance along with Shizuku. "After we locate the eyes and relay that information to Danchou, we can finally take what is ours. That was the agreement."
Gon remained reticent during their conversation, but nothing helped to allay his slight vexation. Although he was able to deal with the Spiders constantly scrutinizing him and Killua's worth to their group as a whole, going back on a promise upset him more than anything.
It was something of significant importance to him, and for anyone to renege on such a thing burned him to the core.
Despite everything, he was still grateful that Machi and Shizuku were backing him up.
"Tch, yeah yeah. I get it. We will find those blasted eyes first, then come back to rob this place blind." Phinks flung both hands behind his head and grumbled. There was no denying what Machi and Shizuku said was true. It was just he that hated the notion.
He cast quick glances at Nobunaga and Feitan, who nodded nearly in succession to him, and Phinks put down his bag without further argument. The vault was big, and scouring it would take time. Hopefully, they would track down the eyes without wasting too much time. Which he knew there wasn't an abundance of. Eventually, someone would notice the vault had been broken into. How fast that happened, he wasn't sure.
"Nonetheless," Kalluto said after remaining silent for a good portion of their jaunt. "We should be fast with our search. Who knows how long it will be until someone finds out this place has been accessed." He eyed each of them intently, the fan he held flicking to reflect his motions.
The weight of their situation became more apparent. "The kid is right," Nobunaga stated. His expression was flat. "If we linger here for too long, there is a chance we may get caught."
Even Shalnark appeared slightly concerned. His smile briefly disappeared. "Yeah. I don't know how much time we have before the military realizes I disabled the security in this area. I attempted to conceal our presence by putting the cameras on a fifteen-second feedback loop, but I am sure someone will eventually notice." He scratched the side of his head with skepticism. Usually, he was good at covering his tracks, but this was the Kakin military they were talking about, and who knows how good their tech personnel is.
"So, at least for now, no one knows we are here." Machi practically encapsulated what Shalnark had initially tried to say. She turned toward the entrance before scanning over each of her comrades. "With that in mind, it's best that we finish doing what we came here for. Spread out and search every inch of this area until we find those eyes."
Following Machi's explicit instruction, Feitan huffed and peered at her over his mask. Usually, he was the one who got selected as the succedaneum when Chrollo could not be there or was indisposed. This time was no different. And yet, Machi was assuming command.
Not that any of them, including him, didn't trust her judgment, but to take control so casually made Feitan purse his lips in slight displeasure. He watched how quickly his comrades, even the boys, had dispersed toward the other corners of the room. They wasted no time seeking out those infernal eyes that Danchou's damn boyfriend wanted so bad, their motions swift. Thinking about the Chain User and how close they had become still bothered him. The notion of how easily the man was forgiven, especially after what happened to Uvo and Paku, left Feitan astounded.
Nonetheless, they had long since agreed to trust their Danchou's judgment and - despite their reluctance - have since accepted the Chain User into their ranks. Thus far, the lone Kurta hadn't done anything to betray what meager trust they had placed in him, but it didn't stop Feitan or anyone else from continuing to be aporetic.
Machi stood there and watched him for some time. Her light blue eyes were fixed sternly on his own. "Do you really think we will find them? It's also possible the Fourth Prince has the eyes stored somewhere else." The ambiguity in his voice was hard to deny, though Feitan didn't really try to disguise it.
"Of course I do. Considering just how much of Kakin's valuable treasure we have already found, why wouldn't the eyes be among them?" Machi placed both hands on her hips as her thin lips contorted into a depreciating frown. "Unless Tserriednich somehow suspected they would be stolen, there really is no reason for them to be elsewhere." She added, her confidence firm.
For Feitan, a small part of him wanted to believe that was the case and not just based on personal feelings. However, considering what they already knew and from their prior encounters with the Mafia families currently onboard, he wouldn't be surprised if Machi's intuition turned out wrong. Since they found out that three of the princes - Tserriednich being one - were their benefactors, the plausibility the Fourth Prince took extra precautions to secure the eyes still remained.
Regardless, he decided against hashing that out with Machi and proceeded to join the others in the search.
The Spiders scoured the vault in silence for what felt like hours. Although it was vast, tracking down the Scarlet Eyes had become problematic. So far, no trace of them was seen within the room, and it appeared more and more that Feitan was right in his observations. Yet, they continued even as the likelihood of finding them decreased along with the time they had left.
Locating them had made Killua just as desperate. Gon as well. The young boy intently scanned a rather large shelf containing various ornaments, from delicate ivory vases to jewel-encrusted statues. Gon had moved off just to his left and was inspecting the corner of the room. Looking over the array of treasures just sitting there intrigued Killua slightly, although it wasn't much different from the wealth that his family already owned. He carefully reached up to touch the statue of an elephant wrought in gold with jade eyes and diamonds lining its back in the shape of a howdah when the tips of his fingers slipped over something bulbous.
Curiosity worked its way over Killua's visage, and he slipped them deftly between the elephant statue and another before carefully feeling over a raised piece on the shelf. It was then realization finally hit.
"Hey Gon! I think that I found something!"
Instantly the dark-haired boy rushed over to his side, amber eyes flashing with excitement. "What is it?!" Gon exclaimed while peering at the spot that Killua was fixated on. Their sudden interest had grabbed the Ryoden's attention, and a few came rushing over.
"Did you happen to find something?" Nobunaga asked as he came up next to Killua. He scratched the stubble on his chin thoughtfully.
Moments later, even Kalluto had slipped between Killua and Nobunaga, his eyes shifting from them to Killua's hand. "Yes, tell us if there is something here, brother." He vocalized slowly, the tenor of his voice stiff but slightly feminine.
Killua breathed in steadily through his nostrils at the words Kalluto spoke but chose to ignore the tension wavering beneath them. "There is a raised spot here on the shelf that feels like a switch of some kind. Maybe if I press it—"
He was cut off mid-sentence as clicking filled the air, followed by creaking as a door in the wall behind the shelving opened up and slowly glided toward them. On the other side was an entirely separate area. "Well well, it appears that we found ourselves a hidden room," Bonolenov announced casually and began walking up behind Killua, Gon, Nobunaga, and Kalluto. "Perhaps what we are seeking is in there." He added.
"Yeah," Phinks said in agreement, his focus now on the newly created opening.
"We should check it out," Shalnark exclaimed, a broad smile forming on his lips.
A brief clamor of voices followed as the Spiders gave their ideas on what prospects lie within the adjacent room, the ruckus causing Killua to exhale sharply. Gon glanced at him in concern, but aside from the apparent frown, neither of them said anything. The last thing he wanted to do was linger, but debating with the Ryodan was useless. Once they were done speculating, it was guaranteed that entering the secret room would be their next move.
"Honestly," Machi announced after several minutes, her voice rising above the rest, "if we are done deliberating over what may be inside, then I say we should just see what is in there. Staying out here and mulling over it is only wasting time." Her expression hardened, and she crossed her arms impatiently.
Sometimes dealing with the rest of them was exhausting. It was no mystery why they only came together long enough to take on certain missions. Getting along was stressful at times and hard on the nerves.
This was one of the few instances where they benefitted from working together and would actually walk away with something. Even for thieves, having money to spend was essential if they wanted to afford luxuries or entertainment. Not that it always mattered as some of them had decided to live as they did while residing in Meteor City. Keeping an impoverished lifestyle was an aspect that had been practically instilled into all of them since childhood, from the moment they were either abandoned or because their families were financially deficient.
Even Machi had a hard time breaking the cycle despite that she wanted something better for herself. Maybe one day, that would all change. Maybe.
"This is true," Feitan replied, tilting his head slightly to the side. "Let's get moving then."
The rest of the Ryodan ceased their debacle and began walking forward without another word. Gon and Killua nodded, then did the same. Hopefully, what they had come for was on the other side.
As each of them stepped through the hidden doorway, it led into another large room. Almost immediately, they were met by something glimmering from the other side. Gon and Killua quickly pushed to the front, only to realize what lay just across from them. Sitting on a large, intricate shelf were nine glass-filled canisters, each holding a pair of eyes suspended amid a viscous liquid. In the center was a larger canister that contained what seemed to be a complete, intact head. Gon gasped once his own eyes had landed on it. Killua merely grunted in disgust.
Granted, it wasn't uncommon for his family to amputate parts from the targets they were hired to assassinate, but putting them on display was something they never did. Even Illumi refused to take those kinds of trophies.
Besides, it was the remains of Kurapika's people they were looking at. For the first time, he and Gon actually saw the eyes the Ryodan had removed from the bodies of the slain Kurta. Just seeing them made it difficult to contain his anger. Killua could see that even Gon was displeased. Those amber eyes had instantly hardened. Yet, Killua willed himself to remain calm despite the unsettling scene. They had promised Kurapika to cooperate with the Genei Ryodan, and those very same people did help them find the remaining eyes they had unjustly taken so long ago.
Even Chrollo had, from what Kurapika said, expressed his guilt and remorse for what he and the Spiders had done to the Kurta clan. It was enough to keep Killua from unleashing his anger right then and there, but it didn't abate the vexation he still felt.
"Well, it seems that we located where the eyes were being kept," Killua heard Nobunaga say, and he briefly glanced toward the man whose eyes were still cast forward while idly stroking his chin.
"Honestly," someone else chimed in, and Shalnark swiftly moved closer, "I never thought we'd see these again." He commented nonchalantly, one hand moving to rest on his hip. "Hell, that night is still sort of a blur to me."
There was a pause right after.
Feitan then narrowed his eyes as he carefully scanned the shelf and its contents. "I can't say that I actually remember either. It happened too long ago." The stout man crossed his arms before turning just enough to see the rest of his comrades.
"Truthfully, the only thing I remember was that Danchou had said it was a job someone hired us for. Apparently, the person offered a lot of Zenny for it if I recall correctly." Everyone quickly turned toward Machi, who stood in the center with both hands on her hips.
"I believe that is correct," Bonoleuv supplied right after she finished speaking, his gloved hands raised in the air.
Another pause followed suit as those who had spoken began to debate silently over the events which led them to this point.
"I gotta say," Shizuku murmured, finally breaking the quiet in the room, and she slowly pushed up her glasses, "that I do not remember it at all. Was I even there when it happened?" She questioned absently.
Kalluto breathed in, his violet eyes now focused on the dark-haired woman. "I think it was long before either of us joined, so naturally, you won't have any memory of it." He stood there almost motionlessly, the floral patterned kimono he wore practically still.
"Yeah, the kid is right. Both of you weren't a part of the Spider back then," Phinks replied, his voice steely.
"Regardless of when it happened," Killua interjected, his patience wearing thin for the unnecessary debate, "we should probably let Kurapika and Chrollo know that we found them." He struggled to keep the anger out of his voice. Still, it was bad enough seeing the Scarlet Eyes as they were, plus the head, since it only reminded him of exactly who was responsible for the near eradication of the Kurta. Perhaps both sides were trying to make amends for what happened, yet, it wasn't easy for him to forget. Killua wasn't sure how Kurapika managed it.
Or, did he really ever?
Still, indignation aside, they had a mission to complete and a promise to keep. Despite how he or Gon may feel, even the spiders, helping Kurapika achieve his goal was of the utmost importance. There was no disputing that.
"You're right," Machi spoke after some time. She was reticent for most of the discussion. "We need to let Danchou know of our findings." Afterward, she retrieved her phone, then moved far enough away to limit the noise around her. Before making the call, Machi glanced back over her shoulder. "Once I am finished, we can leave the eyes to Danchou and Kurapika and go back to collecting the treasure in the other room."
A low hum of voices from the Ryodan followed Machi's statement as the woman began dialing the one crucial number she had.
The air in the vast room was cold, almost frigid, the temperature just low enough to see white puffs when exhaling or taking deep breaths. A dim glow was cast over the area from the few light sources left to give off some illumination, its lambency highlighting the two fingers that stood quietly in the center.
Nasubi was never one for sentimentality or regret. He found such things pointless or unnecessary. To waste time mourning the death of someone whose life would be revered in the hereafter was always something that he never understood. For him, moving on to something greater was more crucial than lingering behind to worry about trivial matters. Wasting potential, not contributing to the great tree, or failing to bring prestige to their exalted family was considered a sin. Even now, there was no reason to cry.
"Please accept my sincere condolences, your Majesty."
The king ceased his thoughts as Nugui addressed him, though he remained standing with his back toward the man. "There is no need to be upset," Nasubi responded casually, his hands clasped behind him. "Momoze will, just as others have, become the foundation for the Tree of Kakin. Her radiance shines brighter than it ever did in life. Even now, she continues to live on."
Such an offhanded remark left Nugui taken aback, as even he didn't expect that kind of reaction from the king. Nevertheless, he remained silent, although he found the lack of compassion rather strange. Nasubi truly lived up to his reputation.
"Perhaps you're right, your Majesty."
Trickles of energy continued to flow through the common area as each one moved with a different degree of power for those training while finding their connection to Nen. Some felt like trickles of water, while others were like budding rivers. However, for two of Halkenburg's attendees, their output was way more significant than usual for someone with inexperience in controlling their aura. It was an aspect that Furykov had instantly recognized.
Discounting how obvious they were made it more difficult than he initially believed.
Ironically enough, for one as strategic and intelligent as the ninth Prince was, his attendances came off as fools more than anything. Even amateurs couldn't put out as much energy as they had. Both men were practically advertising their experience.
It didn't take long for Kurapika to also take notice of that.
"Shedule, Yuhirai…" He commented, voice flat.
The guards turned without hesitation to face him. "Yes?" Yuhirai responded.
Kurapika's frown deepened at how perfunctory he sounded. "You both can use Nen. Are either of you trying to test me?"
Right away, Schedule's expression turned fearful. "What?! No, we are not!"
Almost the very moment the last word left his mouth, Yuhirai cut in. "About that," he began, posture lax, "mind if we speak to you after class?" Yuhirai kept his voice neutral. Angering Kurapika was the last thing either of them wanted.
From just off to the side, another taller man raised his eyebrow. The request had drawn Chrollo's attention, and he made sure to listen carefully to what both the guards and his lover were saying.
"For security reasons," Kurapika said after a few moments, "I cannot step away from my post or allow you to approach me, but I can definitely speak with one of you after the session ends." Keeping his irritation in check was difficult after finding out that two of the guards were already adept in the art, but requesting to speak alone made him quite curious. There had to be a good reason why they were sent in the place of someone lacking experience, especially since he had made it quite clear that he was offering the training to remain on common ground.
For prince Halkenburg to send him people already skilled made him suspicious. Kurapika mentally vowed that he would find out.
"Alright." Yuhirai acknowledged without quarrel.
With the dissipation of aura from Halkenburg's guards and their statement, Furykov realized that both men were actually inept and entirely unaware of their connection to Nen. Which meant they were either being manipulated, or it had to do with prince Halkenburg's Nen Beast. Either way, he wanted to be present as a precaution. Whether or not it was Yuhirai and Shedule's goal to remain in the room, there was still one secret Nen user left. The other person was a master of concealing themselves as the flow of aura appeared natural above their head and moved from their hands in the same manner as those unskilled. So it was likely they were the assassin.
Even then, the person was unaware that he was onto them, which made Furykov feel a bit more at ease. Although he planned to keep a close eye on them, he wanted to leave them be for just a bit longer. Then, when the time was right, he would expose them and take all the credit.
For now, Furykov decided to remain silent.
Several minutes later, those who had moved slightly away from the crowd dispersed back to their positions, and Chrollo utilized the opportunity to approach Kurapika. "So, what was all of that about?" He questioned once they were out of earshot, head slightly tilted.
It took a moment for Kurapika to process the inquiry, but he rubbed his temples a bit after, then breathed out before turning to face the older man. "Honestly, I don't know. I still find it strange they were sent here despite that both of them already know Nen. I can't tell if there is an underlying motive or they truly are not aware of what is happening."
The thought made Chrollo inquisitive, as there was so much they still did not know, especially after one of the guards was assassinated during class. No one could be trusted outside of him, Kurapika, Amar, and the queen. Even Bill wasn't entirely free of suspicion, although he continued to show loyalty. There was a possibility of traps around every corner while snakes lay in wait throughout the ship.
In truth, nowhere was safe, and anyone could have been leading them into potential danger, even one who seemed so innocuous as the guards they were speaking to not long before. Whether or not they were one of those snakes remained to be seen.
"Well, I suppose we will find out soon enough," Chrollo said after a moment, his posture somewhat lax despite the concern. "Just be careful nonetheless. We still don't know who the assassin is." He then reached over to grasp his lover's shoulder when the sound of vibrating halted his movement. Chrollo reached into the pocket of his suit pants and retrieved his phone. Instantly he recognized who the caller was.
Kurapika watched him intently.
"It's Machi." He said before Kurapika could say anything. "It must be important." Quickly, Chrollo moved away from the crowd to ensure that no one could eavesdrop on his conversation and answered the phone.
"Danchou, I have important news. We found them."
Immediately, Chrollo froze, his eyes widening. "Where?" He demanded, anticipation rising in his voice.
"On deck two. I will have Shalnark send you the exact location."
"Alright. Just remember to keep a low profile and try not to draw attention. It may be wise to wait before stealing anything as to avert suspicion until Kurapika and I manage to retrieve the eyes."
There was a momentary pause as Chrollo heard brief shuffling over the line before hearing Machi speak again.
"Understood, Danchou. I'll inform the others." And right after that, the line went silent. Chrollo tapped the end call button on his phone and slipped it back into his pocket before turning to face Kurapika. It was vital information that his lover would want to hear.
"What is going on?" Kurapika asked, and he readily moved closer to Chrollo before stopping just inches from the other man.
It wasn't hard to tell that his life partner knew something crucial.
For a moment, Chrollo simply studied Kurapika's face while admiring the younger man's immaculate skin and delicate features. He nearly got lost within those inquisitive blue eyes before snapping out of his abstraction. Given a chance, he would have easily become entranced.
Chrollo heard Kurapika cough a second later. "Forgive me." He murmured while regaining his composure. His lover really was beautiful. "But I have good news. We have finally located the eyes."
As the words sunk in, Kurapika felt himself stiffen, and a look of shock overtook the frustration that was previously there. He took one more step forward, his cerulean eyes going wide. "Are you sure?" Kurapika noticed he could barely speak as his throat felt rough like sandpaper.
Knowing the Spiders had located the eyes felt like a huge weight being lifted. Finally, his goal was within reach, and Kurapika knew that he would soon be able to lay his clan to rest. Which made the notion even more enticing.
Kurapika couldn't stop the enthusiasm that soon replaced the initial shock.
"Oh, I am quite sure, babe." Chrollo heard the word slip from his lips, but he didn't care at the moment. There was hope within those vibrant blues, and he didn't want to ruin the brief expression of happiness that he saw within them.
Giving Kurapika something to have faith in helped to aid his constantly plagued spirit.
Relief washed over him, and Kurapika had to slow down the rapid beating of his heart. "Do you know where?" He inquired, the eagerness in his voice becoming apparent.
The smile that formed on Chrollo's lips had broadened at seeing the sudden vitality on Kurapika's pert features, and he dared to reach over before sweeping a thumb expeditiously over the younger man's cheek. "Of course. Shalnark is sending me all the info on the vault's exact location. Once we have that, we can plan how to proceed next."
Kurapika nodded almost fervently and leaned slightly into the touch without thinking about who may be watching. Chrollo's warmth was comforting and outweighed the possible speculation it would cause from others.
All that mattered now, aside from the encroaching Succession War and dealing with hostile royals, was to finally reclaim what was rightfully his. No matter the cost.
Come hell or high water, he would take back the eyes and damn anyone that tried to get in his way.
After Thoughts: Well, despite the length of time it took for me to finish this, I will admit that I did have a rough time at some parts with deciding on which direction I wanted it to go, especially when it came down to Killua, Gon and the Troupe. I have to say I initially wanted them to find the vault a bit sooner than expected, but with how long this arc has become, my plans ultimately changed. Nonetheless, it's evident that things are heating up, especially since the location of the vault has now been revealed, but with Kurapika, Chrollo and Amar dealing with an unknown assassin, it only complicates matters. The situation on the Black Whale is getting complicated and heated for sure.
Though, it's only going to get more intense in upcoming chapters as the story progresses. Between the war, Kurapika's battle with his Nen conditions, the assassin and with how to proceed with raiding the vault now that it's been located, it's only going to get better from here.