TAKEN » 𝐾𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑘𝑎 𝐾𝑢𝑟𝑡𝑎

𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚆𝚊𝚢

Kurapika was sleeping peacefully in the room that Hisoka had provided for him while (F/n) remained on the couch, trying to go over everything in her head. She knew Chrollo wouldn't stop coming after her and she knew he would do everything in his power to take everything away from both her, make her life as miserable as possible now that she's betrayed him. She chews on her thumb now, leaning against the arm of the couch as she takes in a deep breath, trying to clear her mind, but she couldn't shake off the unsettling feelings.

The dimly lit room seemed to mock her as she sat there, her mind replaying the events that led up to this moment. Hisoka's alliance had indeed provided them with some protection, but she couldn't fully trust him either. Hisoka's motives were always unpredicted and she knew that he craved to fight and kill.

Quietly slipping off of the couch, (F/n) found herself in the hallway, dimly lit by the soft glow of the moon filtering through the windows. She walked to the back porch, moving the sliding door to the side and walks out. The night air was cool, but it did little to calm her clouded thoughts. As she leaned against the railing, lost in her thoughts, a voice interrupted her contemplation. "Troubled, are we?"

"Obviously," she says, making it obvious that she wasn't impressed by him. "Chrollo won't stop until he gets what he wants. We need to be prepared," she stated, her gaze moving from him to the rose bushes that wrapped around the porch, "I betrayed him, the Spiders, and he won't stop taking until I have nothing left."

"Then take something of his, something that will completely destroy him and give you the opportunity to strike." Hisoka says, taping his fingers along the porch railing, occasionally skipping a finger before leaning against the empty space beside (F/n). "Kill the other Spiders."

(F/n) frowned as the moon cast long shadows on the porch, (F/n) tightens her jaw at the magicians suggestion, she didn't want hurt the other Spiders, they were family to her and deep down she knew it would always be that way. 

"I won't do that," (F/n) replied, her voice firm, but the internal conflict was evident in her eyes.

Hisoka grinned, seemingly amused by her response. "You're too principled for your own good. But remember, in this world, survival often requires sacrifices. Chrollo won't hesitate to destroy everything you hold dear. You need to be willing to do the same."

(F/n) shook her head, determined to find another way. "There has to be a solution that doesn't involve more blood that's not his own. I won't become like him just to defeat him." She felt like a hypocrite. She wanted to strangle, beat, and possibly kill Chrollo, but she didn't want to bring the other Spiders into this even if they had tortured Kurapika.

Hisoka chuckled, leaning in closer. "You underestimate the lengths he'll go to, (N/n). Chrollo may have took you in, but he'll exploit every weakness, use every trick to get you to give up." As Hisoka spoke, (F/n) couldn't deny the truth in his words. Chrollo was intelligent and strong, and defeating him required a strategic approach. "But he knows you're too stubborn to submit, so he may have decided to already kill you when he gets the chance." The weight of his words lingered in the night air, and (F/n) felt the decisions weighing down on her. 

"I'll figure something out," she says, not meeting his eyes. "I always have." Hisoka gives her a short nod before turning away and heading back into the house. He stops for a moment, glances down the hall and,  "He's awake," the magician calls out before disappearing down the hallway. 

(F/n) soon enters the house as well, shutting the door behind her as she heads towards the room where Kurapika was. Stopping by the kitchen and grabbing a bottle of water, she pushes open the half-closed door and peeks her head in, seeing Kurapika sitting up-right on the edge of the bed. "Hey, how're you feeling?" She asks, handing him the water bottle and she settles herself down next to him, her eyes on him as she waits for his answer.

Kurapika gives her a small shrug. "I've felt better, but I'm alright," Kurapika says, removing the plastic lid and offered (F/n) a faint smile. "Thanks," he hums, taking a sip. His eyes, however, betrayed a certain intensity, revealing that he had overheard the conversation between (F/n) and Hisoka. His mind was already at work, contemplating a plan of his own.

"I couldn't help but overhear you and Hisoka," Kurapika admitted, his gaze fixed on the floor. "It's dangerous." Kurapika finally broke the silence, his voice low and measured. "Chrollo and the Troupe won't stop until they find us. I've been thinking about our next move."

(F/n) couldn't help but feel a mixture of relief and anxiety. The fact that Kurapika was involved in the planning brought a sense of reassurance, but the looming danger cast a shadow over any comfort. Kurapika's gaze remained unwavering as he continued, "I think we need a plan to deal with Chrollo. Hisoka has his own way of doing things, and I don't entirely trust him. We need to be prepared to face Chrollo ourselves without the rest of the Phantom Troupe getting involved." His words hung in the air, and (F/n) felt a knot tighten in her stomach. The weight of the responsibility they carried pressed down on them, and she couldn't shake the fear of what lay ahead.

Biting down on her lower lip, (F/n)'s expression became a delicate dance between turmoil and determination. The soft glow of the moon through the window caught the subtle quiver of her lip as her internal conflict played out in the lines etched across her face. "I appreciate you wanting to help and I know that you have every reason to want to kill him, but with the state you're in, I don't think you should get involved," she then pauses for a moment, thinking over her next words. She knew that Chrollo would target Kurapika, dangle the blonds life over her head until she gave the Phantom Troupe leader what he wanted... "You'll only get in my way."

It was a poignant moment, a snapshot frozen in time, as if the universe itself held its breath, waiting for her next move. The air hung heavy with unspoken words, the room itself seemingly attuned to the delicate dance of emotions between them.

"What?" The air between them crackled with a newfound tension, the room becoming a canvas for the complex emotions swirling beneath the surface. "I can manage myself just fine," he finally manages to form a sentence and narrows his eyes at her. (F/n) met his gaze with a resolve that spoke volumes. Her eyes, though clouded with a hint of sorrow, held a determination that cut through the shadows. "You heard me," she responded, her voice steady but laced with an undeniable vulnerability. "You've been involved enough in this, I don't need to worry about you while I finish it." She stands up from the bed, her tone firm and unwavering.

Kurapika takes a steady breath and sets aside the bottle that he was clutching tightly in his hands before he nods. "I understand." The air became charged with the complexity of their emotions, a silent exchange of understanding and sacrifice. "But remember, I have a goal of mine to accomplish." To kill the Phantom Troupe.

(F/n) was at the door now, looking at him from over her shoulder while the moonlight from the hallway window outlined her form, bringing every detail of her to life. "I know," is all she says before leaving the room once again, closing the door behind her and making the room feel much emptier and colder than it was before.