𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧 ~ Leopika

Happy

OK, even I'll admit, this first chapter is boring asf to me. Stick with it ppl, stick with it.

Kurapika was a lonely person, so to speak. He had never been quite sociable, having his clan murdered at an early age really butchered his social skills. As well as never having been to the "outside world" until he was thirteen.

Currently he sat at a dingy bar, drinking away his sorrows and dwelling on his sad current state. Gon and Killua seemed to be miles away. Well, they actually were miles away. If they saw him now-- Well they weren't going to see him now. And neither was Leorio.

Leorio.

The entire bane of Kurapika's lonely existence, his reason to keep living. Aside from avenging his clan of course. Not that Leorio would ever know that, and not that Kurapika would ever work up the guts to tell him that.

The dark eyebags under Kurapika's dim eyes were enough reason to believe he had in fact not gotten the recommended amount of sleep for an adult male, but when did he ever? Kurapika was an insomniac, and the nights he bothered to try to sleep all he could think about was the scarlet eyes, and Leorio.

He was head of the Nostrade family now, and he had better things to do then sleep. Such as make connections with other mafia families, think about Leorio, make allies and ignore Leorio's many, many calls. They had started to thin out he had noticed, but not to his surprise. Getting your calls ignored for months at a time was not something people usually enjoyed. Kurapika rose his hand, signalling to the bartender for another drink. The man behind the counter just shook his head and sighed, having seen the blond man in the suit drinking far too many times. After downing his drink Kurapika decided to retire to the dimly lit basement under the bar. Another sleepless night drunk, it was going to be, he supposed.

...

Kurapika was abruptly woken up the sound of people conversing loudly upstairs.

"What the hell?" He muttered, rubbing his head and groaning loudly. His head throbbed painfully, but at least he didn't have to get dressed since he had (unsurprisingly) fallen asleep in his suit. He trudged up the stairs and into the daylight of the bar.

"Boy, you sure are noisy." Kurapika adressed the people in the room. Two men stood infront of him. One of his own and a stranger he didn't recognise. Emphasis on the strange. He looked like a living cow. The cow man stared at him.

"You are? And what can I do for you?" Kurapika asked the ridiculous-looking stranger.

"I'm Mizaistom from the Hunter's Association." Well at least that explained something. "Have you seen the news about Kakin heading into the dark continent?" He asked, looking Kurapika up and down. Why the hell would I care about any of that? I only care about avenging my clan. Kurapika thought, knowing he was lying to himself. There were other things he cared about. Other people he cared about.

"No, I don't know anything about that," he finally replied.

"Leorio was a bit concerned about how you were doing," Mizaistom said, looking warily at Kurapika. Now that struck a cord within him. Leorio had been worried about him? That made Kurapika's heart warm, just a little. He allowed himself a brief smile for the first in days before dropping it quickly.

"But more importantly," - Kurapika almost scoffed at this - "We have a request. Please join us in seeking out the dark continent."

Kurapika kept his face neutral, but his mind was racing. Would Leorio be there? How would they even talk after months of Kurapika ignoring his calls? No! It didn't matter if Leorio was there or not, he had to focus on the eyes. He almost had them all, just one more pair to go.

"Sorry, I refuse. I'm busy. Is that all you came here for?" Kurapika replied with a stoic expression. Mizaistom was not discouraged by this though.

"It would appear as though you are still seeking out your murdered comrades crimson eyes," Mizaistom began, resorting to his final tactic.

Kurapika froze, his eyes shining a bright scarlet. "From this point forward," he said, both voice and eyes dripping with venom "I suggest you choose your next words wisely."

Mizaistom's face briefly transformed into that of shock, but he quickly recovered.

"Do not think for a second that you are in a position to act disrespectfully. Yes, you are correct. I am looking for my comrades eyes. What of it?" Kurapika continued, the last sentence an empty threat.

Mizaistom seemed unfazed by this, and continued to speak. "Did you know that half a year ago, footage of a large amount of crimson eyes was submitted to us."

Kurapika narrowed his eyes. Who did these people think they were? Of course he knew about this footage. It was his only lead to the last pair of eyes.

"We have identified the owner of those scarlet eyes." Kurapika's still-red eyes widened in shock.

"During the research on the dark continent, we did a background check on an individual. This is as much as I'm permitted to say to an outsider to the organisation. So please, from this point forward, I suggest you choose your next words wisely and give me your answer."

Kurapika stared at Mizaistom, shaken. If he went with this man... He would see Leorio and recover the last of his clan's eyes. There was no reason to refuse his offer.

"We want you to become a member of the zodiacs and accompany us to the dark continent for two weeks on a boat." Mizaistom said, knowing he had already convinced the stubborn man. Kurapika had decided the main priority was reclaiming the Kurta eyes. Leorio was just an added in bonus.

"Fine, I get it. I'll become a member."

...

After Mizaisrom from the association had left, Kurapika sat in front of the many eyes he had reclaimed and reflected on what had just happened. He was going to see Leorio. Feelings that he thought had disappeared months ago resurfaced as he thought about Leorio's smiling face.

Pairo... It looks like my journey is finally beginning, but where will it take me? People to greet or welcome or a place to go home to. I don't have anything like that. He thought about Leorio, Gon and Killua. At least he was going to see Leorio again. Was he still Leorio's sunshine? Probably not.

...

Kurapika stepped though the glass doors of the Hunters' Association, Mizaistom hot on his heels. There was a shout from across the large lobby.

"Kurapika!!" Leorio jogged across the carpeted floor, looking slightly ridiculous running with his briefcase. Kurapika had flashbacks to the hunter exam, before he had realised how strong his feelings were for Leorio and had even argued with him. Upon reaching the small blond, Leorio pulled Kurapika into a tight hug. Kurapika buried his face into Leorio's chest, grateful no one could see the tears that were threatening to spill. Leorio rambled, not noticing his suit was getting a little wet from Kurapika's salty tears, or maybe just ignoring them for Kurapika's benefit.

"This mission seems like a way bigger deal than I expected... Are we going to be okay?" Kurapika pulled away from the hug, wiping his eyes and not answering. He was overcome with happiness at seeing Leorio. Cheadle interrupted them and directed them to the meeting room where they would meet the other members of the zodiacs. Kurapika kurta was officially the new rat zodiac.

...

De end