Ceratonia | kurokura time travel family AU | chrollo x kurapika

Chapter 4

"That's Dr. Lucifer to you."

A familiar voice comes from behind them, sending a frisson of recognition over Kurapika's skin. His head snaps back, and he stops cold at the face of the second intruder.

Kuroro Lucifer stands in front of the entrance to Prince Woble's room, his forehead bound in bandages and his form clad in his emblematic fur coat, remaining constant from their last encounter. Beyond his unchanged ensemble, however, lie the differences in his demeanor. Kuroro's complexion is gaunter than he remembers with a lingering pallor, his gaze stricken with an unfathomable expression when usually devoid of any sentiment, and Kurapika stares back wildly with burning scarlet eyes.

"The kid earned his title, so we should address him appropriately."

Kurapika apprehensively turns to the young man in his grasp, beholding his features and finding them highly familiar. The black hair falling across his forehead, the pale skin blighted by shadows beneath his eyes, the youthfulness of his face-as if he could be close to Kurapika in age. Where his appearance hails from is unmistakable, and Kurapika's head spins from the impossibility of the sight before him. Besides sharing a namesake, these two may as well be the same person.

Taking advantage of his moment of incomprehension, the young man breaks out of Kurapika's hold. "What are you doing here? I thought I said I wanted to speak with Kurapika first."

Kuroro appraises him with dispassionate eyes. "I heard a gunshot, so I wanted to make sure you weren't dead."

Kurapika takes a sharp step back, his hands slightly trembling over his gun. He can't help the tremor in his hands, the throbbing in his temple compounded by the stress of overusing Emperor Time. His nights have been long, his leisure nonexistent, and their unwanted company is close to suffocating him.

Amidst everything that transpired during the Kakin succession war, the presence of the Genei Ryodan in the first deck had gone unaccounted for. Were he confronted with only one of them, he may have had a chance of successfully navigating these circumstances, but not only are there two, he doesn't know who this doppelgänger of Kuroro could be. Considering his unknown affiliation with the Spiders, Kurapika needs to tread carefully to ensure the survival of everyone in his association.

The doppelgänger raises his hands in surrender, addressing Kurapika in a calm voice. There's a gentle lilt in the way he speaks, his voice not as deep as Kuroro's own. "I'm just here to speak with you. I don't mean any harm."

It's an unbelievable statement, but there's no room for negotiation or discussion here. It's difficult for him to breathe, let alone continue speaking. Standing in front of him is the man responsible for the slaughter of his clan-responsible for ruining his life-and he's fighting every instinct straining inside him to retaliate, suppressing his urge towards violence with the knowledge that his greatest responsibility lies in protecting his liege. He refuses to allow his emotions to blind him and provoke him into recklessness. Any mistake could prove to be fatal.

"What about him?" Kurapika manages to ask, keeping his voice level despite the panic rising within him. He turns his gun towards Kuroro, who remains unphased despite being faced with his weapon. As if he's here to exchange pleasantries as a simple guest, instead of assuming his reputation as one of the greatest threats on this ship.

The doppelgänger glances at Kuroro doubtfully. It wouldn't be unreasonable for Kuroro to seek Kurapika out for the two lives he claimed during Yorknew, but he claims otherwise. "He won't do anything. Not as long as I'm here."

It's strange that this young man is speaking on behalf of Kuroro. Even stranger that Kuroro is allowing him to, despite being their leader.

"Why are you-"