I don't think so. Why then were they able to deny knowledge of you when we caught them a week ago?" Nobunaga asked. "That means they came after us on their own!"
"You asked the wrong question. They didn't know that I was the one you were looking for at that time."
Kurapika… Why are you trying so hard to take all the blame? They'll see through you… that Pakunoda – she's seen your memories, she'll know that we practically forced you to let us help…
"I'm the only one you're after, right?" The corners of Kurapika's lips quirked upwards, but with his hair still covering his eyes the effect was ironic, sardonically morbid. "It would probably mean nothing to you, but I give you my word that I won't fight back, or try to escape. You don't have to use them as hostages."
Idiot… Idiot! Don't do this! We didn't ask for you to sacrifice yourself… We didn't ask for your help!
"Damn right that your word's worth nothing!" growled the samurai, who was getting more and more angry with each passing second. "Dancho! You're not just going to believe him, are you?"
"One thing that you apparently don't know about the tribe that you slaughtered so mercilessly five years ago, is that the Kuruta are incapable of lying," Kurapika said, his quiet, conversational tone so at odds with the emotions facing him that what he said seemed pure and truthful beyond doubt.
"Our eyes, when red, have the ability to see through any kind of deceit. We were raised to value truth above anything else, to balance out that telepathic skill."
What? I didn't know that. Killua wondered if Kurapika was pulling their legs even as he was telling them about not being able to lie.
"Only if you let them go," the blond said calmly, now raising his head to look the Geneiryodan leader in the eye.
"Fine," the dark-clad man finally said after a minute of staring into the root of all their troubles. "Paku."
No. This can't be happening…
Too horrified to do anything else except to stare dumbly at the figure of his friend, Killua didn't react when the woman named Pakunoda circled around to their backs, and nor did it register until the very last second why she had done so.
Something hard connected with the back of his head, and Killua had just enough time to realize that the same thing was happening to Gon, before darkness completely swallowed him in blissful unawareness.
Their prisoner whirled around at the sound of flesh hitting flesh, shock and betrayal in his youthful face as he watched his friends collapse to the floor. He must have come up with the worst conclusion possible, for when his gaze snapped up to meet Kuroro's own he could see the fury once again leaking out of the red orbs.
"What –"
"Only unconscious. Pakunoda has put them to sleep for a while. They should be up and about in three hours' time," Kuroro said smoothly.
"…Why are you doing this?"
"What you're trying to do, what I plan on having you do – I think it'd be best if they don't know what will happen. You're thinking that you should cut all contacts with them, aren't you? That getting them involved in your problems will only place them in danger."
Bingo. Kuroro could practically see the chain assassin – Kurapika – mentally taking a step back, his blunt statement hitting uncomfortably close to home. These self-sacrificing, friends-first types are just so predictable.
"After you agree to my terms, I'll have three of my men take them into the city, somewhere that will take them time to find their way back after they wake up. Is that good enough for you?"
The blond's only answer was another hanging of the head, the seemingly tired posture and submissive assent stirring up strange, unidentifiable emotions within Kuroro's chest.
This again… what the hell is this feeling?
He'd felt it three times now, once out in a dimly-lighted alley, when he had discovered that the chain assassin was actually a boy; and the second only recently, when he had finished receiving their captives' memories from Pakunoda, and come back to find Feitan hurting Kurapika. It wasn't pity, and nor was it guilt… But it's most probably his yet-unknown reason for bringing the Kuruta back instead of killing him out in the rain.
Enough of that… first things first…
"I believe what you said about not lying. However, I'll need something more concrete," Kuroro started, ignoring the disbelieving looks some of his subordinates were giving him. They'd never questioned his authority before, but they might, after this. Kuroro thought back to the conversation he had with his second-in-command just a few minutes ago.
"What? Dancho, are you serious?"
"I… Yes. I'm not yet sure if what I'm doing is the right thing… but, call it a hunch. I've a feeling that things will turn out okay."
"Why not just steal his nen and be done with it?"
"It's not that simple, Paku. You saw it yourself. His abilities are far too complex for me to just steal. They're… interconnected somehow; one aspect can't exist without the others. I might even kill him if I tried to take his nen. Then what use will that be even if I'm able to obtain his abilities?"
"…I don't think Nobunaga will be happy with this."
That's the understatement of the century, Kuroro thought sourly. If they don't rise in mutiny against me…
"I want you to use your Judgment Chain on yourself."
Surprise, surprise, Kuroro thought, watching Kurapika's red eyes narrow in confusion, then widen in realization. You didn't expect that, now, did you?
"Paku and I will be watching very closely. We know how your nen works, so don't try to pull any stunts. I will only release your friends if you do exactly as I say, and agree to the conditions I will be giving. Anything funny, and Paku will kill them immediately."
He wasn't sure if the blond would agree; he seemed like someone who'd rather die than be imprisoned by his own nen. He'd expected that Kurapika might try to haggle, or at least object a bit, so it was his turn to be surprised when he felt the boy activate his nen.
Kuroro already knew what the chains looked like, and how they worked as well as their owner did – thanks to the memories Pakunoda had stolen – even had the misfortune of falling prey to Chain Jail once; but he still couldn't hold back his fascination and awe at seeing something so beautifully intricate being crafted right out of thin air. Kurapika was holding his right hand up, giving everyone a clear view of the steel links as they came to life.
Well, he was the only one getting awed, it seemed. The others were tensing up again. Kuroro couldn't blame them, but they needn't have worried. Kurapika wouldn't be targeting any of them, this time. The chain attached to the littlest finger separated from the length around Kurapika's wrist; then floated up, the tiny blade at its tip waving, looking like the weaving head of a stalking cobra.
"State your conditions," Kurapika said tonelessly.
Kuroro recalled the conditions he had thought of while talking to Pakunoda. They had to be perfectly worded, not leaving anything out, for his plan to work.
"First, you will become a member of the Geneiryodan, and take Ubogin's place in the group. You will have to abide by its code and its rules, foremost of which is loyalty to it and its members. That means no betraying or attacking any of the members. Also, you'll have to obey me, as long as my orders are not harmful to the group."
First one down, one more to go. Kuroro did not want to think about what the others are thinking of him right now.
"Second… Ordinarily Geneiryodan members are free to go wherever they want, and only converge when I call a meeting, or plan a mission, but you will have to travel with me. You will stay within my line of sight at all times, unless I say otherwise."
Here Kuroro stopped, thinking back to see if he'd missed anything. That was the best he could come up with; hopefully he'd chosen his words carefully enough to prevent any loopholes around the conditions.
"Is that all?" Kurapika asked suddenly.
"Yes," Kuroro answered, now unnerved at the mechanical way the blond was agreeing to everything he asked for. Something isn't right… "Do you accept both conditions?"
Kurapika nodded, and hastily Kuroro focused his nen around his eyes. Gyou allowed him to see the normally-invisible auras, whether hidden or out in the open. If he concentrated enough he could somewhat distinguish the kinds of auras around him, and now it should enable him to check if Kurapika was doing exactly as expected. The boy wasn't in any position to try to change the conditions, but it didn't hurt to be careful. Pakunoda was doing the same thing a few paces away, and if Kurapika did attempt to change the conditions, his second would be in the perfect position to kill the other two hostages.
Again, all their precautions weren't needed. One moment he was watching Kurapika turning the conditions into the nen source that would make the Judgment Chain work; the next, he was staring at the spot where chain disappeared into flesh. He had to keep reminding himself that the chains weren't real, that they were actually made of nen; still, the way they seemed to penetrate into Kurapika's chest without drawing blood was perturbing.
Whatever the conjured chains were doing to the blond's heart must be painful, by the way Kurapika was drawing deep, shuddering breaths. Kuroro also knew, from the other's memories, that Kurapika had planned on doing that to him, to seal his abilities and cut off his access to the rest of the Geneiryodan.
I am so glad that I didn't have to go through that.
"It's done," Kurapika said quietly when he finally lowered his hand, now devoid of the conjured chains.
Kuroro resisted the insane urge to shout "welcome to the family!" at the top of his lungs, instead looked up to meet the confused and uncomprehending gazes of the other members. He sighed.
Out of the frying pan, and into the fire…
Not having seen the memories yet, they didn't know the
I don't think so. Why then were they able to deny knowledge of you when we caught them a week ago?" Nobunaga asked. "That means they came after us on their own!""You asked the wrong question. They didn't know that I was the one you were looking for at that time."Kurapika… Why are you trying so hard to take all the blame? They'll see through you… that Pakunoda – she's seen your memories, she'll know that we practically forced you to let us help…"I'm the only one you're after, right?" The corners of Kurapika's lips quirked upwards, but with his hair still covering his eyes the effect was ironic, sardonically morbid. "It would probably mean nothing to you, but I give you my word that I won't fight back, or try to escape. You don't have to use them as hostages."Idiot… Idiot! Don't do this! We didn't ask for you to sacrifice yourself… We didn't ask for your help!"Damn right that your word's worth nothing!" growled the samurai, who was getting more and more angry with each passing second. "Dancho! You're not just going to believe him, are you?""One thing that you apparently don't know about the tribe that you slaughtered so mercilessly five years ago, is that the Kuruta are incapable of lying," Kurapika said, his quiet, conversational tone so at odds with the emotions facing him that what he said seemed pure and truthful beyond doubt."Our eyes, when red, have the ability to see through any kind of deceit. We were raised to value truth above anything else, to balance out that telepathic skill."What? I didn't know that. Killua wondered if Kurapika was pulling their legs even as he was telling them about not being able to lie."Only if you let them go," the blond said calmly, now raising his head to look the Geneiryodan leader in the eye."Fine," the dark-clad man finally said after a minute of staring into the root of all their troubles. "Paku."No. This can't be happening…Too horrified to do anything else except to stare dumbly at the figure of his friend, Killua didn't react when the woman named Pakunoda circled around to their backs, and nor did it register until the very last second why she had done so.Something hard connected with the back of his head, and Killua had just enough time to realize that the same thing was happening to Gon, before darkness completely swallowed him in blissful unawareness.Their prisoner whirled around at the sound of flesh hitting flesh, shock and betrayal in his youthful face as he watched his friends collapse to the floor. He must have come up with the worst conclusion possible, for when his gaze snapped up to meet Kuroro's own he could see the fury once again leaking out of the red orbs."What –""Only unconscious. Pakunoda has put them to sleep for a while. They should be up and about in three hours' time," Kuroro said smoothly."…Why are you doing this?""What you're trying to do, what I plan on having you do – I think it'd be best if they don't know what will happen. You're thinking that you should cut all contacts with them, aren't you? That getting them involved in your problems will only place them in danger."Bingo. Kuroro could practically see the chain assassin – Kurapika – mentally taking a step back, his blunt statement hitting uncomfortably close to home. These self-sacrificing, friends-first types are just so predictable."After you agree to my terms, I'll have three of my men take them into the city, somewhere that will take them time to find their way back after they wake up. Is that good enough for you?"The blond's only answer was another hanging of the head, the seemingly tired posture and submissive assent stirring up strange, unidentifiable emotions within Kuroro's chest.This again… what the hell is this feeling?He'd felt it three times now, once out in a dimly-lighted alley, when he had discovered that the chain assassin was actually a boy; and the second only recently, when he had finished receiving their captives' memories from Pakunoda, and come back to find Feitan hurting Kurapika. It wasn't pity, and nor was it guilt… But it's most probably his yet-unknown reason for bringing the Kuruta back instead of killing him out in the rain.Enough of that… first things first…"I believe what you said about not lying. However, I'll need something more concrete," Kuroro started, ignoring the disbelieving looks some of his subordinates were giving him. They'd never questioned his authority before, but they might, after this. Kuroro thought back to the conversation he had with his second-in-command just a few minutes ago."What? Dancho, are you serious?""I… Yes. I'm not yet sure if what I'm doing is the right thing… but, call it a hunch. I've a feeling that things will turn out okay.""Why not just steal his nen and be done with it?""It's not that simple, Paku. You saw it yourself. His abilities are far too complex for me to just steal. They're… interconnected somehow; one aspect can't exist without the others. I might even kill him if I tried to take his nen. Then what use will that be even if I'm able to obtain his abilities?""…I don't think Nobunaga will be happy with this."That's the understatement of the century, Kuroro thought sourly. If they don't rise in mutiny against me…"I want you to use your Judgment Chain on yourself."Surprise, surprise, Kuroro thought, watching Kurapika's red eyes narrow in confusion, then widen in realization. You didn't expect that, now, did you?"Paku and I will be watching very closely. We know how your nen works, so don't try to pull any stunts. I will only release your friends if you do exactly as I say, and agree to the conditions I will be giving. Anything funny, and Paku will kill them immediately."He wasn't sure if the blond would agree; he seemed like someone who'd rather die than be imprisoned by his own nen. He'd expected that Kurapika might try to haggle, or at least object a bit, so it was his turn to be surprised when he felt the boy activate his nen.Kuroro already knew what the chains looked like, and how they worked as well as their owner did – thanks to the memories Pakunoda had stolen – even had the misfortune of falling prey to Chain Jail once; but he still couldn't hold back his fascination and awe at seeing something so beautifully intricate being crafted right out of thin air. Kurapika was holding his right hand up, giving everyone a clear view of the steel links as they came to life.Well, he was the only one getting awed, it seemed. The others were tensing up again. Kuroro couldn't blame them, but they needn't have worried. Kurapika wouldn't be targeting any of them, this time. The chain attached to the littlest finger separated from the length around Kurapika's wrist; then floated up, the tiny blade at its tip waving, looking like the weaving head of a stalking cobra."State your conditions," Kurapika said tonelessly.Kuroro recalled the conditions he had thought of while talking to Pakunoda. They had to be perfectly worded, not leaving anything out, for his plan to work."First, you will become a member of the Geneiryodan, and take Ubogin's place in the group. You will have to abide by its code and its rules, foremost of which is loyalty to it and its members. That means no betraying or attacking any of the members. Also, you'll have to obey me, as long as my orders are not harmful to the group."
First one down, one more to go. Kuroro did not want to think about what the others are thinking of him right now.
"Second… Ordinarily Geneiryodan members are free to go wherever they want, and only converge when I call a meeting, or plan a mission, but you will have to travel with me. You will stay within my line of sight at all times, unless I say otherwise."
Here Kuroro stopped, thinking back to see if he'd missed anything. That was the best he could come up with; hopefully he'd chosen his words carefully enough to prevent any loopholes around the conditions.
"Is that all?" Kurapika asked suddenly.
"Yes," Kuroro answered, now unnerved at the mechanical way the blond was agreeing to everything he asked for. Something isn't right… "Do you accept both conditions?"
Kurapika nodded, and hastily Kuroro focused his nen around his eyes. Gyou allowed him to see the normally-invisible auras, whether hidden or out in the open. If he concentrated enough he could somewhat distinguish the kinds of auras around him, and now it should enable him to check if Kurapika was doing exactly as expected. The boy wasn't in any position to try to change the conditions, but it didn't hurt to be careful. Pakunoda was doing the same thing a few paces away, and if Kurapika did attempt to change the conditions, his second would be in the perfect position to kill the other two hostages.
Again, all their precautions weren't needed. One moment he was watching Kurapika turning the conditions into the nen source that would make the Judgment Chain work; the next, he was staring at the spot where chain disappeared into flesh. He had to keep reminding himself that the chains weren't real, that they were actually made of nen; still, the way they seemed to penetrate into Kurapika's chest without drawing blood was perturbing.
Whatever the conjured chains were doing to the blond's heart must be painful, by the way Kurapika was drawing deep, shuddering breaths. Kuroro also knew, from the other's memories, that Kurapika had planned on doing that to him, to seal his abilities and cut off his access to the rest of the Geneiryodan.
I am so glad that I didn't have to go through that.
"It's done," Kurapika said quietly when he finally lowered his hand, now devoid of the conjured chains.
Kuroro resisted the insane urge to shout "welcome to the family!" at the top of his lungs, instead looked up to meet the confused and uncomprehending gazes of the other members. He sighed.
Out of the frying pan, and into the fire…
Not having seen the memories yet, they didn't know the
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