Chapter Text
Kurapika Kurta had recently found friends he could trust. A new family, a new home. He was still getting used to the idea of relying on someone, — enough to at least tell them what was happening in his life or ask for help when he needed it.
This was one of those cases.
Chilling with his friends in a random café in YorkNew City, Kurapika idly toyed with the spoon in his coffee, then took a deep breath as his phone buzzed with a new message. He was a little too confortable to move. Gon glanced at him curiously, watching his friend check his phone.
His expression fell, like something bad was about to happen. Without warning, he stood up quickly, stopped, and opened a small smile as he narrowed his eyes. "I’ll be right back."
Leorio, who was enjoying a mini chicken potpie, swallowed and said, "Don't take long".
"I won't", Kurapika murmured softly before stepping away from the table and leaving.
_______________
Meet me at the usual place, don’t keep
me waiting. ❤️
_______________
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold and tense despite the daylight still filtering weakly through the overcast sky. The place was too quiet for Kurapika's liking. Even for someone who usually found comfort in silence, it wasn’t the kind of silence he favored. It felt unnatural and deep, as if something were deliberately holding its breath. The only sounds were his own calm breath and the steady, insistent beat of his heart. Even his footsteps seemed muffled against the weathered ground.
The Kurta silently made his way through the entrance gate of the abandoned park in silence. He felt the wind brush against his skin, colder than it should have been. Dead leaves were carried along its path. The air carried a trace scent of damp earth and decay.
He calmly walked between the abandoned rides, paying attention to any changes in his surroundings. Always alert. He only stopped when he saw the clown.
"What do you want?", he asked, staring intently at the vibrant-pink-haired man a few meters ahead, seated on one of the broken carousel horses, shuffling a deck of cards.
Hisoka opened a smirk and chuckled, "My, you’re eager". There was a hint of double meaning in his speech.
"Just get to the point."
The man with the sharp smile fell silent for a few seconds before speaking in his slow, deliberately provocative voice. "Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity I was hoping for to fight the boss… however…" His expression shifted as excitement flickering across his face. "Just thinking about it is enough to turn me on… I get so excited I could fight right now…" His words came out almost like moans.
The blond felt his own nails digging into the palm of his right hand angrily. Alright, he also hated when Hisoka talked like this.
He took a breath and spoke, raising his voice slightly, "Is that why you texted me? I have no reason to fight with you, Hisoka."
He chuckled once again, "Very well...".
Kurapika turned his back and started walking toward the exit. He was almost out of the park when he suddenly stopped. Kurta felt a thin strand of aura, nearly imperceptible, coming his way, but he was quick enough to dodge the Joker card thrown at him. "I’m not going to fight you." he growled.
An eerie silence hung in the air.
He froze for a second before continuing on his way, feeling mad. As soon as he stepped into the forest beyond the amusement park, he spotted a spider crawling along one of the trees from a distance; something a normal person would never be able to see.
His hand now trembled with fury. Kurapika clenched his teeth, closed his eyes and took a deep breath, but all he could think of were the spiders. Those accurst eight-legged freaks.
In a fit of rage, he drove his fist into the trunk beside him and groaned, causing a few leaves to fall over him.
Lost in thought and anger, he snapped back to reality when his phone began to vibrate in his pocket. As he pulled it out, he saw it was Gon calling. He hesitated, but calmed down slightly and answered.
"Kurapika!! Where are you?"
"I’ll take a while to get back, but don’t worry about me," the blond boy replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Okay, let me know if anything happens."
"...Okay", the call ended.
Kurapika looked out at the horizon, covered by some trees, and let the breeze wash over him. His light hair fluttered in the wind, ruffling it, while only one thought crossed his mind.
'I have to take down the Troupe.'
Kurta, now with his scarlet eyes glowing, he summoned his chains, determined not to leave until he had gained enough power to take down the Phantom Troupe.
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It was dark. The only light came from the full moon and the faint glow of a few stars above. Owls were hooting. The wind was blowing gently. Metallic sounds echoed as Kurapika lashed his chains relentlessly while moving swiftly through the forest. His breathing was heavy and erratic, his face slick with sweat and vengeance.
He sensed a presence and prepared to attack, but soon a tall and skinny silhouette approached, It seemed familiar.
Right, it was Leorio, glancing around warily, probably looking for his friend.
Kurapika lowered his chains, breathing heavily, "Leorio… ugh… what are you doing here?" He asked between breaths, his voice weak and uneven. He reached a tree and sat beneath it to rest, putting his hands over his legs.
The tall guy saw him and snorted, "Damn, what have you been doing all this time?" He shot back, visibly irritated. Searching for his missing friend in the middle of a forest at night didn’t sound good to him at all.
"Pardon my lateness", he apologized, leaning his head back against the tree trunk he had been resting on.
Leorio grew bashful and looked away. A subtle blush spread across his face, though he was still looking annoyed. "It's fine" said while crossing his arms.
Kurapika smiled genuinely and closed his eyes, still leaning his head back. He was waiting for his breathing to return to normal before gathering the courage to tell his friend what had happened. Leorio was the first person, besides his clan, he felt comfortable with. He should probably tell him what was going on.
He cleaned his throat and steeled himself to speak. "Leorio... well..." he got a questioning "hm?" in response. He put a hand on the ground. "This isn’t something I share freely, but can I tell you this?"
A heavy silence settled over the forest. No answer came.
"Hey?"
The Kurta opened his eyes and looked at him, only to find Hisoka standing quietly, with his friend motionless on the ground.