Chasing Darkness (Sequel to Remember Me)

Part Nineteen

"Do you believe Merrit is doing a good job lately?" Ryuu walks beside Kurapika down the hallway, a mask covering his face as he speaks to the stoic man beside him, "I've heard from numerous sources that he's been slacking. We can't have any followers slacking without disciplining them."

Kurapika doesn't seem bothered by Ryuu's words, his face remaining completely neutral as he looks ahead of him, "In my opinion, he has been working harder than usual. It's safe to assume somebody is jealous of his accomplishments and is looking to cause trouble."

"Ah, I see!" Ryuu seems to be overjoyed by Kurapika's words, "I made a great choice in promoting you, Kurapika. Nobody is smarter than you."

"I do not deserve your kind words, sir," Kurapika bows his head slightly, anger quietly gnawing at him.

"Nonsense!" Ryuu's loud voice echoes down the corridor, drawing more attention to the two of them from his followers, "You've more than earned them! You're doing an amazing job, Kurapika!"

Kurapika keeps his head slightly bowed as he walks, his hair partially covering his face, "Thank you, sir."

Ryuu comes to a halt in the hallway, causing Kurapika to stop in place as well. "Shall we get some lunch?" 

Kurapika holds his head up straight, nodding once in response, "Yes, I think that's a good idea, sir."

"There's no need to be so formal, Kurapika!" Ryuu removes his mask from his face, offering Kurapika a large smile, "I'd like to think of us as acquaintances."

"I would hate to cross any boundaries, sir. You are still my boss after all," The blonde-haired man replies bluntly, although his reason is a falsehood.

Ryuu's expression drops slightly as he lets out a defeated sigh. After a moment, he perks back up, "I can't argue with your reasoning, but I hope that someday we can become acquaintances."

Kurapika nods, prepared to offer a lie in response to Ryuu's words, but a commotion of footsteps and shouting coming towards them interrupt their conversation entirely. A couple of Ryuu's followers kneel in front of them, panting for breath for several seconds before they speak up.

"Ryuu, there's someone at the entrance!" One of the followers shouts while still frantically panting for their breath.

The other person kneeling speaks next, "He said he heard about the healing powers of the scarlet eyes and he wants to be healed!"

Kurapika's eyes widen slightly as he realizes that this must be the man Shadow hired to help them point out the nen users in the building. 

"Is that so?" Ryuu holds his hand against his chin in thought, "Did he say why he needed to be healed?"

Kurapika feels a pang of concern, wondering how this friend of Shadow's was planning on getting inside the building now that he's here. 'Surely, Ryuu would not allow a stranger to visit the building so easily. What does this man have in mind?' Kurapika finds himself thinking to himself as he watches Ryuu waiting for an answer from one of his followers.

"He said that he's completely blind and nothing has helped him so far," The person on the right says.

"He said that this was his last shot at regaining his eyesight!" The person on the left finishes the other's thoughts, "We could tell he was telling the truth. He can't see anything at all."

Ryuu nods, seemingly accepting their explanation, "Interesting. He seems like he's worthy of letting inside the building. Kurapika and I will greet him at the front entrance. Have the chef make preparations for lunch."

The long-haired man slides his mask back onto his face, turning swiftly and making quick strides down the hallway, his robes flowing behind him. Kurapika matches his pace, walking beside him as he wonders if this strange man is truly blind.