The Weakest Link of My Chain

Journey to Kuroo Mountain

The Zoldyck Mansion? What could information could Chrollo possibly have there? The Zoldycks only do things for a price, what could Chrollo possibly have to offer? " What's wrong, Kurapika"? "No. Nothing", Kurapika couldn't help, but wonder what kind of deal he would have to make, and at whos expense? His eyes darted left to right, and his hands buried in his hair. What is this pyschopath going to do?! "Don't worry", Chrollo reassuarred him, as he gripped onto the wheel, " I truly am going to help you in your search". Their eyes locked for what seemed to be an eternity, both exchanging intense hatred with a single look, until Chrollo exasperated. " I don't understand your obession with my Troupe. We were just doing business. Nothing personal." Of course he would never be able to understand." Vile human being", Kurapika spat. For thirty minutes Chrollo and Kurapika sat in silence whilst the leader drove the car towards the airport. For those blessed minutes Kurapika had the time to think about his friends and how his chance to say goodbye was gone. No. Eventually, he would see them, he is sure of it. For that to happen he would have to trick the master of schemes, which was near impossible. Chrollo noticed the small glimmer of hope in his eyes. He had seen it on countless victims before they were killed. " There's no point, you'll only lose in the end both your life and your eyes", Chrollo interrupted. "You don't know what I'm thinking, you don't understand what I'm feeling " Kurapika mumbled. "Sure, you want to save your friends and perhaps... kill me". Disgruntled the Kurtan decidedly turned his face out the window. The journey from the airport to the plane, was chaotic to say the least. Flights were delayed due turbulence from passing storms and mechanical problems. Check-in counters were stocked with angry customers. Passengers rushed to their planes despite their apparent lateness. Security teams were overwhelmed as lines were filled with families that were boarding with crying children or couples arguing over their in-laws and whatnot. Cabin crew were trying to reason with the unreasonable over luggage. Even mafia could be spotted making deals with security, to allow to transport weapons onto the aircraft. Chrollo, however, was as calm as ever. Kurapika on the other hand was mentally depleted so much so he slept through the entire flight from York New to Kurroo Mountain.Kurapika began stirring when the plane had landed; most of the passengers had already left. Light from the window danced behind his eyes, prompting him to open them. The landscape was truly incredible and beyond anything he had ever seen before. The town was layed out before him, but beyond that, land stretched into green dormant volcanoes that were disguised as lush mountains. They were due to erupt any day. It gave Kurapika sense of hidden hostility. The leader placed his hand gently on the Kurtan's pale, luminescent skin, slightly admiring it while, stroking his jaw. " Wake up, my beautiful spider", Chrollo cooed. His hands felt slightly calloused on Kurapika's face, but surprisingly soft for a nen user that is constantly using them to summon his book. Once the he had fully opened his eyes, he realized he had been leaning into Chrollo's caressing palm. Kurapika shot glare at the Spiders' head, letting him know to keep his hands to himself. Lucilfer decided to break tension, " The distance between the airport to the Zoldyck manor takes at least 100 miles, and timewise it would take two hours. There's a tourist bus, that stops at the Zoldyck's estate. I suggest we change clothes in the restrooms and regroup at the entrance". Kurapika decided to change into a green and white tunic with a design similar to his usual blue and yellow one. He exchanged his blue flats for green ones. The green would have contrasted with his red eyes, had he not placed blue contacts over them. When he opened the stall, he locked eyes with himself in the mirror, and noticed his hair was disheveled. He ziped open his suitcase, grabbed his comb and began to brush one side. His ruby earring got caught in the bristles. He unclasped it and reached the other side. Wait....what". Nothing. Kurapika kept feeling his ear for his other one, but it was gone. "Did I leave it in my bag? There's no way, I strictly remember wearing both of them when I got on the flight. Huh....odd" This seemed to puzzle him until he realized his had been wasting time. " Well, there's no point in searching for it now, their leader must be waiting for me" and with that he set for the front of the airport. As Kurapika made way to the entrance, he caught sight of Chrollo leaning in the corner, reading a theology book titled, Afterlife: Volume 1; but rather than his reading, Kurapika had more interest in his apparel. The leader appeared less horrifying and deceptively ordinary. His hair relaxed over the bandages he had wrapped around his forehead, all the while framing his grey eyes and sharp jaw line. His muscular build shaped his black cashmere turtle neck and fitted dress pants. He swapped his eccentric, sacrilegious fur coat, for a knee-length, beige trench coat. His clothes blended him in with the environment, and matched his stoic personality, save for the peculiar orbed earrings that remained. The biggest surprise to Kurapika was that he finally looked his age. As Kurapika neared him, he caught the scent of a light lavender scented cologne. "The tour bus arrives in three minutes", Chrollo announced not bothering to take his attention away from his book. Kurapika could not hold back the marvel in his face, of the entirely new person in front of him. The leader exhaled, snapped his book shut, and with a velvet laced voice commented, " Oh dear Kurapika, what is on your mind now"? " Nothing". They continued their eye contact until Kurapika, took a glimpse of the area outside of the airport. "When would the tour bus be arriving"? "Any minute" Pure silence between the both of them. After five minutes, the tour bus began honking and blasted through it's megaphone for all passengers to board the bus. It took five minutes for the line to build up and ten more until everyone was in their seats, while waiting for the guide to commence an elderly couple began bickering over the Phantom Troupe and kept staring at Chrollo and Kurapika from two seats across from them. " It's him. I'm telling you it's their leader". " Hush, Ronald leave those two young men alone", she calmed him and glanced towards Chrollo and Kurapika, to mouth I'm sorry. Lucilfer nodded his head, and Kurapika remained stoic, staring out the window. " So, what are going to do to him" " Well, I'm going to kill him", he said provokingly. Kurapika did not gesture his reaction, but it could be felt it his aura. He was bothered. " Kidding. I'm only kidding" Once the guide, hopped on Kurapika tuned her out while Chrollo only feigned interest. Kurroo Mt. has already been a place visited by both of the two men, but only the Kurtan could say he was marveled by the landscape. It was as if he was a child again, surprised by the gifts of nature.

The wild forest outside his window surrounding the mountain had a diverse influx of native species of wild orchids, sycamores, ferns. It reminded him somewhat of his home, and he allowed himself to smile ever so slightly. Lucilfer caught his gaze in the window's reflection and chuckled.

The bus parked at the Zoldyck manor and the tourists stepped off to take pictures. Some posing as models, others shooting silly photos. The blonde took in a full view of the gates. They were a representation of the brutality that went on beyound them and it reeked of callousness and barbarism. How could anyone see this as a symbol of profit or amazement when it is a symbol of fear and mercilessness? It brought back his memories of when his friend Killua was trapped behind it's walls unable to escape the suffocation of darkness. He remembered the hardship it took to bring him out. He swore it would be the last time he stepped foot into Zoldyck territory alas it was not. Finally, a roar from Mike, sent everyone scrambling back into the bus leaving Chrollo and Kurapika alone at the front. The tour guide hollered from them to get back on the bus, but the leader politely brushed it off and thanked them for their concern. " Fine. Your on your own" and with that the bus raced back.

" Now what do we do. Neither of us can open that gate", the Kutan snapped. " Patience", Chrollo pulled out his cellphone, scrolled down his contacts and clicked on Illumi's name. " Illumi, open the gate to your house, we have to talk" There was an awkward silence. " I'm not home". Chrollo only huffed and Kurapika slumped his shoulders. The journey was futile, he would never get his clansmen eyes and he wallowed until the leader uttered, " I have information on your brother Killua's location and where he may be headed next". Intense hatred was felt in Kurapika's aura as soon as Chrollo ended his sentence. He would never betray Killua in order for his clansmens' eyes to be restored. Seconds later the gates were opened with Illumi behind them, along with Canary tagged beside him, " Welcome to the Zoldyck Estate" she formally greeted.