Chapter Text
Its been a few years since Kurapika's last encounter with the spiders. He'd sworn off challenging them again unless necessary. For now Kurapika was focused on a different quest. One that he'd have to stay in York New to accomplish. As for Leorio he had a flight to catch. Senritsu had just dropped Leorio and Kurapika off at the airport. Unfortunately it was a flight Leorio would take alone although he wouldn't mind Kurapika tagging along. It'd definitely make cost of living easier as they've been sharing hotel rooms to save money. Kurapika's reasons for staying in York New remained a mystery to him. Leorio knew Kurapika was hiding something but every time he brought it up Kurapika would either avoid the question or insist there was nothing to worry about. Leorio almost wished he had pushed a little more for an answer. He guesses its to late for that so Kurapika was just there to see him off.
"Flight One Twenty Six. Please Make Your way to Lane Three." They Heard the Loud Speaker. People from different rows all started to get up from their seats along with Leorio. He stretched out his arms before grabbing his luggage.
"That's My Flight" Leorio spoke.
This was it and Kurapika didn't know when he'd be seeing Leorio again. It was kind of a rushed opportunity and Leorio had no time to ask questions but he knew this would be his big break. His chance to work with the top medical hunters. Leorio's been talking about it for years and said if he ever had the opportunity he'd take it, which Kurapika always fully supported. There was even a point where Kurapika would've gone with him. Stayed by his side, but fate had other plans.
Leorio shifted his luggage from one arm to the other. There was a slight glint in Leorio's eyes as they made their way back to Kurapika.
"Looks like this is where we part ways Sunshine." Leorio exhaled with a hum.
Kurapika rose from his seat as well. "Yes, looks like this is goodbye." Kurapika replied crossing his arms with a shrug.
He wouldn't admit it but he knew he would miss having Leorio around. While at first Kurapika assumed Leorio was a self obsessed womanizer with an inflated ego he quickly realized that it was nothing more than a façade, a ruse to make himself seem less emotional and vulnerable than he was. Kurapika could understand wanting to hide your feelings. It was something that bonded them weather Leorio realized it or not.
Leorio shook his head leaning down close to Kurapika. "No goodbyes, just Goodluck." Leorio responded.
Kurapika couldn't help but smile bringing his gaze back to Leorio drawn to Leorio's much brighter more colorful aura.
"Good Luck Then." Kurapika said.
He wants to say more but his mind was overflowing as he struggles for the words. It's all interrupted as Leorio starts to walk away. Kurapika felt more dread for each step Leorio took. Rows of people walking in between them as their distance grew. Kurapika wants more time, even if just one more glance, sohe did something unexpected.
"Leorio!" Kurapika called out. He felt anxious yet determined. He decided he'd at least give one final wave.
Leorio turned around to see Kurapika waving with a with a soft smile. Leorio paused for a moment his gaze drawn back to the blonde. For just a moment Leorio second guessed his decision on leaving. Then all the sudden Leorio felt a rush of adrenaline. Leaving his luggage as he rushed back to Kurapika. Kurapika had an almost confused expression before Leorio wrapped his arms around him in a tight embrace. Kurapika's arms hung loosely on his sides for a moment. Even though this wasn't a goodbye the hug made it obvious that they wouldn't be seeing each other for a while. Kurapika brings his arms up clinging to Leorio for as long as possible. His heartbeat made him feel unguarded. The fear that Leorio would know everything by listening in. Kurapika hadn't had the time to workout his own feelings keeping them buried deep inside until sprouts of it comes out in moments like these. The sinking feeling left after that embrace and Kurapika felt ready as well as Leorio.
"Last Call For Flight One Twenty Six, Please make your way to lane six." They heard the loudspeaker blare once more rudely interrupting the tender moment.
"You better get going then wouldn't want to miss your flight Mr.Leorio." Kurapika gave a cheeky yet sincere response.
Leorio sighed rubbing the back of his neck while trying to hide the tint of red on his cheek. "I told you to forget about calling me that." he chuckled a little embarrassed as he recalled their first encounter.
Leorio would never admit it but he knew their first encounter was horrible. That much showed with the way he now reacts to being called Mr.Leorio by his closest friend. If he could have a do over, he'd be a lot nicer and probably would've worded things differently. For now all he could do now was try to show his efforts to be nicer to Kurapika right now. Maybe then he could feel worthy of their friendship. Worthy of him.
"See ya later Sunshine." Leorio spoke softly staring deeply into the blondes eyes.
Kurapika gave a soft smile as their gaze met. "Yeah see you Later, Leorio."
Kurapika walked down the halls of the hotel. He had just gotten back from the much more city like part of York New where all the nightclubs and casinos were. He wasn't too drunk but it was just enough to make him slightly loose his balance as he walked to the elevator. There were multiple elevators in the lobby showing just what amount of luxury you would need to have to stay here. Kurapika sure felt lucky that he didn't have to spend all his earnings on this hotel as he had the hunters discount that made the cost of living there the equivalent to just renting a fancy apartment. This place was actually recommended to him by Senritsu who spent a few nights there as well.
Kurapika presses the button waiting as the elevator makes its way to the bottom floor. There was no one around this time at night other than the doorman and the receptionist. To be fair it was a Monday night so people didn't really feel the need to be out so late. It was Kurapika's pure hatred and self loathing that caused him to dangerously go out in the first place.
The elevator door opens with a ding. Kurapika makes his way inside letting the door close before pressing the button number nine. He contemplated heading back out there the only reason he left was because a bar fight broke out and the screams and constant breaking of furniture caused him to almost fear for his safety. He went out to relax and take his mind of things not to watch two hooligans try to see who went to the gym more often.
The elevator slowly slides up to the ninth floor. Kurapika felt a migraine coming on as he trudged down the halls of the hotel making it to his room. He pulled the key card down to unlock it waiting for the beep before pulling it out. After opening the door and stepping in Kurapika found collapsed onto the bed. he didn't realize how tired he really was making him feel stupid for even considering going out again. He lied there staring at the ceiling. Negative thoughts flooded his head again some more Intrusive and painful than before.
"Your not worthy of being the sole survivor. It shouldn't have been you."
"please.." Kurapika tried to quiet the thoughts. His mind clouded with these overwhelming drunken emotions.
"Your Failing Them"
"Just Stop!" He covered his ears trying to stop the judgment to no avail.
These thoughts can usually get pretty loud when he hits a dead end on his quest to retrieve the eyes. He hasn't gotten anything in months so the voices never fail to taunt him for it every chance they get. Sometimes he feels like the thoughts control him. He even feels like it is deserved sometimes. It's caused him to develop some self destructive drinking habits. While he went most days without a single drop after a while he starts to feel the weight of not making any progress and drowns his sorrows with a bottle of expensive wine. He never thought he'd be into that posh bougie stuff before but it was his favorite. He can usually hold his own against the side effects. It wasn't enough for him to have a hangover in the morning.
He's failed to get revenge so if he fails to get the eyes as well. Suddenly he was struck with heartache. He couldn't even imagine not completing his quest.
"If your planning on giving up you should just do everyone a favor and just-"
He hears his phone buzz. He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the caller ID. He recognized the phone number and immediately answers.
"Hello." Kurapika greeted.
"Kurapika, I've got a hit about these eyes your looking for. Interested." Kurapika stood up from his bed.
"Yes. Are you sure" Kurapika replied.
"Yeah They Seem Pretty Authentic From What I Can Tell, I'll Send You The Details." They Replied before hanging up the phone. Kurapika pulled the phone away from his ear. This was the call he was hoping for. He never knew if paying off a cop would actually help him get closer to finding the eyes but now it all seemed to pay off. He tried not to get his hopes up as it could still lead to another dead end but at least now he had something to go off of. The guilt he had slowly started to fade into the background. His mind much clearer than before.
When they sent the information Kurapika was almost in disbelief. Upon seeing these eyes through the glass he noticed not one but three pairs of Kurta eyes. The rage that he felt knowing that someone could own three of them. That someone could just purchase something like that. It was enough to cause him to scream, but he didn't. Instead he remained completely still and silent sinking to the ground under him. His head beating in agony as he refused to let his emotions get out of control. Instead he sat there numbed to the pain of constant lose of faith in humanity. He then felt a sense of dread wash over him.
'Relax Just Relax." Kurapika thought to himself as he tried to distance the angrier thoughts only for them to slowly seeping in.
"Just make yourself useful. If your not gonna get revenge then at least retrieve all the eyes. You owe it to them. After all you are the sole survivor."
He got back up and punched in the numbers on the corner of the screen.
This was it. This would likely lead him to three whole kurta eyes. Kurapika hadn't been able to find anything on the eyes in months and now he's suddenly has this new information that could lead him to three of them. He looked through the file and found a number. He went to the bedside desk of his hotel room and punched in the numbers hoping for more information.
He heard a beep. Then nothing. He heard another beep.
"Hello." He heard someone on the other line. They had a low gravelly voice. One that you would assume to be coming from either a businessman man or a detective.
Kurapika didn't hesitate and got straight to the point. "Hello, I'm calling about the Eyes of the Kurta." he responded.
The person on the other line seemed to think for a bit before responding. "Oh I'm so sorry but someone's already taken them off the sellers hands." he apologized.
Kurapika's heart began to sink once more. Someone's already purchased them. Who else would be looking for Kurta eyes? Kurapika guessed they were in higher demand than he'd first anticipated. Just a year ago it looked like no one else put out a hit on Kurta Eyes. Now three of them were already bought off.
"Wait did you say someone, as in one person bought all three?" Kurapika asked.
"Yeah just one. Honestly I didn't know there were collectors that would spend that much money on one pair of eyes, let alone three." The person on the other line responded.
"Can you give me any information on this person." Kurapika asked almost knowing he wouldn't get a full answer.
"Unfortunately even if I could, this person was really keen on covering up their identity from the first phone call where she used some type of voice changer to make their voice deeper to the final encounter where it was apparently a young lady who wore some hooded outfit to hide her face from the seller." he explained.
Could it be a reseller, A collector or.... Kurapika paused for a moment. Someone like the head spider? The thought made Kurapika's skin crawl. The thought that another sickly infatuated individual might have bought them. Someone else who thinks they are better as a prop as opposed to a living human. A part of themselves living with they're captor. As much as Kurapika hated the idea, He needed more information.
"How much would I have to offer you to get me in contact with the buyer?" Kurapika asked.
He was more than prepared to offer twice the price for those eyes. He just needed an in.
Kurapika heard a small chuckle from the other end. "We can work something out."