Kitten's Talent

"Fish, fish, fish," Ruby sang as she took the fish she caught back to Weiss, "Gon's not the only one who knows how to fish."

Suddenly, Leorio fell through some bushes in front of Ruby.

"Leorio?"

"Ruby?" The med student sat up.

"Ruby?" Kurapika then shot out of the bushes, his eyes wide when he heard her name. He spotted Ruby and ran straight to her, "Ruby have you seen Yang?"

"Uh, no," she said, "Why is she hurt."

"I don't know we've," Kurapika stopped and looked at Ruby. He began to lean in, his eyes directly on hers.

"Uh, Kurapika," Ruby took a step back, "I like my personal space."

"Sorry," Kurapika began to rub his forehead, "Ruby, your eyes…"

Ruby looked at him confused, "What about my eyes?"

"Do they turn red like Yang's," Leorio shouted.

"Leorio, keep your voice down," Kurapika barked.

Ruby gasped, "Yang finally told you?"

"So, you are a Kurta too?"

"What? No, that wasn't what I-," Ruby flustered, "Yang and I are half-sisters. Same dad different moms. Yang's mom is the Kurta, I'm just… a Rose," then Ruby realized, "Wait, didn't Yang tell you?"

Kurapika sighed, "No, last night, she got upset and her eyes turned scarlet as a result," Kurapika looked a little down, "When she realized I knew… she ran."

Ruby made a small noise, "Uh… Kurapika, Yang wanted to tell you," Ruby explained, "She wanted to tell you this whole time, but things kept getting in the way and… You're the first Kurta she's met other than our uncle. It's been kinda weird."

Kurapika sighed, "I understand. I was shocked as well," Kurapika thought about it. He knew for a fact he never saw Yang before. She never lived in their village. He remembered when Yang told him two Kurta siblings left the village years ago. One of them must had been Yang's mother.

It was a little hard to believe Yang had Kurta blood. The way she acted and dressed. The women of their clan were usually quiet and reserved. And her eyes.

The Kurta had always had special eyes, ones that changed to red when they were upset. Normally a Kurta's eyes were brown, but Yang's eyes were purple. The Kurta eyes were special, but never had Kurapika seen a Kurta with beautiful eyes like Yang's.

"What happened?" Ruby asked.

"We ran into Hisoka last night," Leorio explained.

"Hisoka?" Ruby panicked, "Were you hurt? Was Yang hurt?"

"No, we managed to convince Hisoka to let us go," Kurapika explained.

Ruby sighed, "Well, have you seen Gon anywhere, or Killua?"

"No, we haven't," Kurapika explained.

Ruby looked down.

"Look," Leorio said, "I'm sure they're fine. Gon's a tough kid, no one wants to mess with Killua, and frankly Yang scares me more than Hisoka."

Ruby looked at them, "Weiss and I are working together. We wanted to protect Gon and Killua from Hisoka, but something happened at the beginning, and we couldn't track them down."

"What happened?" Kurapika asked.

"Weiss said, someone dangerous was watching us," Ruby explained, "So we had to leave the area."

Leorio and Kurapika looked concerned.

Kurapika remembered how strong Killua was. He hadn't spent that much time around Weiss, but if she was anything like her brother than she was a force to be reckoned with.

"Ruby, I believe you should stay with Weiss for the time being," Kurapika said.

"Okay," Ruby said, "You guys wanna team up with us?"

"Not at the moment," Kurapika explained.

Leorio was the one to ask, "How come? Isn't strength in numbers a good thing?"

"We need to find Yang," Kurapika reminded, "It'll be better if we split up, but we should probably agree to meet somewhere later, just in case."

"Okay, but where?" Leorio asked.

"What about the spot we were dropped off at from the boat?" Ruby suggested, she didn't know the islands layout that well. The start point was the only place she could think of.

"That sounds good," Kurapika agreed.

"We'll look for Gon and Yang," Leorio said.

Ruby nodded, "Be careful guys. Weiss thinks there's someone just as dangerous as Hisoka here."

Leorio looked a little worried at that hint, "Thanks for the memo."

%%%%%%

Gon sat at the tree, watching Hisoka through the binoculars Blake gave him. Hisoka hadn't moved at all. He just stood there almost hunched over, all night long. The sun had risen, giving way to dawn.

This made Gon more worried for Blake. Hisoka was clearly strong and really skilled. His plan was to shadow Hisoka until he attacked someone and stole his badge. Of course, Gon didn't like the idea of using someone as bait, but he felt he didn't have a choice.

He liked the idea of using Blake as bait even less.

But Blake insisted and promised Gon, she could get Hisoka's attention, survive, and get them both away.

Gon noticed Hisoka's hand twitching. He was finally moving after being as still as a statue for hours. Then, Hisoka turned and began to walk north. This was it.

Gon jumped to the top of the tree and pulled out a mirror Blake gave him. She taught him how to use it to signal.

He shined the light in the direction she told him, she'd be in. A few seconds later, a small light reflected from the trees. Two long lights, meaning Blake was asking which way Hisoka was going.

Gon remembered the answer to give her. One long light meant north.

Blake responded, letting him now that she understood.

Gon began to track Hisoka from the bushes. Following him from a safe distance.

The way Hisoka walked reminded Gon of a zombie. Hunched over, a really scary smile on his face. Hisoka was going to attack the next person he saw even if they surrendered.

Blake, I hope you're right.

Gon went on ahead to see where they'd intercept. He jumped to the top of another tree and looked. He spotted Blake's figure walking through the trees. She had her sword drawn, ready for Hisoka.

He saw the spot where they'd meet. Gon swallowed before jumping down. He was scared, scared that Hisoka would find him, scared that Blake was gonna die.

He had to calm down. He could do this, and Blake was strong… he hoped.

%%%%%%

Blake was using In and En. That would hide her aura from Hisoka and increase her reaction time when Hisoka would attack.

Blake would be lying if she said she wasn't afraid. Don't get her wrong, she knew she was strong.

She had faced and fought several enemies in the past. She fought humans who attacked her and her friends as she traveled. She fought wild animals, some magical beasts.

She was a former terrorist. She used to be a high ranked member of the White Fang, but she knew, Hisoka was a different beast entirely. He reminded her of Adam, but just a bit more deranged.

Blake felt it in an instant. She was in the line of sight of a dangerous predator. Blake kept walking like she hadn't noticed, hoping to lure him in.

It did work, but Hisoka wasn't even trying to hide himself when he charged her.

She looked to see him running at her. He looked like he was possessed and he probably was.

Blake forced herself to turn and face him, gambol shroud at the ready. If Hisoka was attacking her so straight forward like that, then he wasn't thinking straight. He wasn't even thinking about the ability she showed him a few days ago. Good.

Blake got ready. At the speed he ran and from what she saw, she had a pretty good estimate of his attack speed.

Time seemed to slow down when Hisoka got closer. Just as he was about to attack, the fishing hook seemed to appear from out of nowhere, snagging Hisoka's badge and ripping it off his chest.

Hisoka's attention was then split between attacking and his badge. As his arm shot out, to make his card slice through her neck. She suddenly lunged at him, he just barely felt his arm and leg hit something, when chilling cold enveloped both limbs.

His attention was now on what was in front of him. Blake had used her ability again, but instead of vanishing on contact, it turned to ice. Hisoka was now pinned down by an ice statue of Blake.

She must have used ice dust.

He looked back to where his badge flew. He just barely caught a glimpse of Blake carrying Gon away in a sprint.

Blake ran as fast as she could, carrying Gon.

"Are you okay?" Gon asked.

"Yeah," Blake confirmed. The adrenaline from her near death experience was still in effect causing her to run, "Did you get it?"

Gon held up the badge. Number 44.

"Good, now we-…" Blake faltered as her legs suddenly gave way.

"Blake?" Gon managed to change position and caught her before she hit the ground.

"What…?" For some reason Blake couldn't move.

"There's something on your neck," Gon said.

Gon gently laid Blake down and pulled something out of her neck. A tiny dart. Blake's eyes widened. The split second between using her ability and running caused her to not notice being hit. But who…?

"It was actually meant for the kid," a new voice said.

Gon turned at the sound of the voice. Blake wanted to look but couldn't move. No matter what, she had to get Gon away.

"Gon… Run…"

"No way," Gon stood in front of Blake protectively, "I'll…"

Suddenly Gon fell onto the ground. He couldn't move.

"Luckily, I had another dart just in case," the voice said.

"Gon…" Blake groaned. Dammit how could she be so careless.

Gon watched helplessly as the tall man took his and Hisoka's badge, "Your swing was very good, but you need to learn to guard as well as attack."

The man went over to Blake and began to search her, "Someone already took your badge?"

Blake just glared at him. Her badge was safe in her pocket dimension, but he didn't need to know that.

"Oh well, I can still find another applicant," with that he walked away.

"Gon… I'm sorry…" Blake groaned.

"It… It's not… your fault… Blake…"

Suddenly, the silent air was filled with the sound of something being dragged.

"What…?" Blake wondered. She heard Gon gasp when she heard a thud near the boy, "Gon…?"

"You surprised me."

Blake was sure if she could she'd scream. It was Hisoka's voice.

Gon looked up at the smiling magician, he was now wearing the dead applicant's badge, "You hid yourself well, cleverly concealing your bloodlust behind mine," Hisoka held up the two badges, "Did she teach you to conceal yourself, or did you teach yourself?" Gon just glared, but Hisoka somehow knew, "Ah… self-taught. Marvelous, you're like a wild animal," then Hisoka tossed the two badges back to Gon. His six points were back.

Gon looked confused, "If you're… not taking back your badge.. then why…?"

"To say, congratulations," Hisoka pointed to the new corpse, "As it turns out, he was my target all along. I can easily find another applicant, so I don't need mine anymore."

"Well…" Gon spoke stubbornly, "Neither do I…"

"Come now, don't be like that, you owe me now," Hisoka's eyes then turned to Blake. He approached her.

"Blake…" Gon groaned, "Get away… from her…"

Hisoka just ignored him as he squatted next to Blake. Blake looked up at him with a glare…

"I… don't have… my badge…" She lied.

"I'm not here for that dear," Hisoka grinned, "I just wanted to say, you're impressive. It's rare to find someone who can use dust so well with their aura," Blake glared, so he was a Nen user after all, "You're very skilled and powerful," Hisoka licked his lips, "You're almost ripe enough to pluck," Blake felt a shiver go up her spine, this lunatic was even creepier than Adam, "Oh don't worry," Hisoka mused, "I'm not going to kill you yet. It would be a waste now," his eyes narrowed playfully before he whispered, "I hope to see you later, kitten."

Blakes eyes widened. He knew?

Hisoka got up and began to walk away, but he stopped when he heard someone getting up. He looked to see Gon was standing holding badge 44.

"Gon…" Blake said worried.

"I don't… owe you… or anyone…" he held out the badge, "Here… take it back…"

Hisoka just smiled, "I refuse," he turned and walked back towards the boy, "I have decided to let you live. And I will allow you to keep living so long as it pleases me, until you become worthy of killing."

The next thing Blake saw, was Gon sailing through the air after being punched by Hisoka.

"You… You bastard…" Blake tried to move to do something, but the best she could do was prep herself on her elbows. It made her wonder what Gon was made of?

"I will take it back, but only when you can punch me in the face like that," Hisoka taunted.

"Gon!"

Ruby suddenly appeared, kneeling next to her younger cousin, fear twisted her face, "Gon are you okay?"

"They've both been drugged," Weiss quickly stood between Hisoka and the rest of them, her rapier drawn.

"Ah, more unripen fruit has appeared," Hisoka spoke.

"How about you pick on someone your own size?" Weiss asked angrily.

Hisoka held up his hands in mock defense, "There's no need. I got what I wanted. I have no reason to fight any of you right now," Hisoka licked his lips, "It would be a horrible waste."

Then he disappeared.

Weiss scowled, "I never thought I'd meet anyone creepier than my older brothers."

"Gon," Ruby sat him up. The left side of his face was red and swollen. He was unconscious, "Gon, please be okay."

Blake gasped as she tried to get up, but couldn't.

"Blake?" Ruby carefully laid Gon down before she checked on her. Weiss walked over to check as well.

"This isn't good," Weiss said, "A toxin like this can last for days."

"What do we do?" Ruby asked.

Weiss noticed the dead applicant, "Was it his toxin who did this?" Weiss asked.

"Y-yes…"

Weiss went over to the corpse and began looking, "Here it is," she pulled out a bottle.

"What is that?" Ruby asked as Weiss came back.

"The antidote," Weiss explained, "Amateurs will have them with their poisons. That way they can bargain with their victims or if you're really an idiot, accidentally poison yourself."

"That's good," Ruby said, "You'll be okay Blake."

%%%%%%

When Gon woke up, Ruby was next to him.

"Ruby?"

"Gon," Ruby quickly looked over her younger cousin, "Are you okay, how do you feel."

Gon sat up rubbing his swollen face.

"My cheek hurts a little."

Ruby pulled out a water bottle and held it against Gon's face, "Better?"

"A little… where's Hisoka?"

"Who cares," Ruby's expression became stern, "Blake told me, Hisoka was your target the whole time."

Gon flinched a bit, "Y-yeah, I ow!"

Ruby began pulling his cheeks, "You little dummy, are you crazy? Hisoka is insane, crazy, and dangerous! He could have killed you if he wanted, what were you thinking?"

"I had to get it on my own Ruby, ow-…" Ruby began smacking him over the head.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid!" Then Ruby began to cry. That made Gon panic, "Did you even think about what would happen if you got hurt. Aunt Mito, Dad, Uncle Qrow, Yang, and me, we'd be so upset. Yang and I already lost mom, we don't want to lose you too, and- and-…"

"I'm sorry Ruby," Gon said. He could handle a lot of things, Ruby crying wasn't one of them, "Blake was with me and she helped me. So, everything turned out alright."

Ruby wiped her eyes, "I'm still mad at you, but…" she hugged him, "I'm glad you're okay… and that you got your points to pass."

Gon reciprocated the hug.

"What about you?" Gon asked.

"What about me?" Ruby asked.

"Did you find your target yet?"

Ruby twitched at the question, "Uh… heh."

RWBY volume 9 is finally here! I can't wait. What secrets will we learn in this volume?