SCARLET BLACK: The Red Eyed Spider (ON-HOLD)

X Chapter X Nine X

Chapter 9 : Tests x And x Questions

~~~

After a moment of handling my unstable self, I decided to make an end of it. In wiser move, I plotted that I should be more cooperative to Gon, Kurapika and Leorio. In that way, I will be less suspicious. Though, I have to take up necessary precautions.

My cloak can't protect me in some situations, so if ever I have to reveal my face, I should appear unrecognizable to Kurapika.

If I'd known I'll encounter him sooner, I should've make a lot of effort.

But thanks to some of my kits, I found a dark purple hair highlighter. I tend to my hair with it for just a few visible strands. I found it strange how my have grown darker, as well as my eyes, after the initiation. But when under the exposure of light, tints of blue can still be visible.

And as much as I know Kurapika so well, I know for sure, I am to him, too.

I checked my eyes, though, I can't be bothered with it that much because I use lenses as well. Aside from protection and disguise, I hate it when it goes scarlet.

I wonder if I have to do something in my face too? A light change of hair color might not convince Kurapika.

I'm afraid my face hadn't change one bit, except it became mature. As much as like him.

In the end, I decided to put on some dark violet lipstick and wore a black mask. This should be fine enough.

I sighed. Somehow, it got me wondering why bother a disguise. Isn't reuniting with Kurapika is what I long all this time?

But... I can't be with him, anymore.

"It's better for him to think that he's the last Kurta,"

"Why is that?"

I flinched.

'It's just a whisper--so how?!'

Oh no.

"H-huh?"

I met a hazel orbs. "I was just wondering why do you always feel so distant with us? Come along, we're friends now!"

It's Gon. What a relief.

It almost got my heart out of my chest.

"O-okay," and with that, I accustomed myself to them.

However it may be, it feels light. If I were ever draw my first question to this world, it will be...

'What defines a friend? How does it feel to have it?'

I once have it. But I completely forgot. Shame to me.

~~~

After we successfully passed through the storm, the captain directed us towards the cedar tree. We have a bit of discussion earlier, if we're to follow the cedar tree even though it's opposite direction to Zaban City, the main site of exam.

In the end, we decided to follow the cedar tree, but later on, Leorio followed us as well after realizing that he can't do it alone. Well, that he says, but for sure, something is off with that bus to Zaban City that's he's arguing about.

In the middle of our walk, I noticed that someone is following us. He seems like the man from the port. Got to be alert.

Then suddenly, a group of masked men along with the old lady in the middle appeared in our faces, forming a line as if to block our path.

"What in the world--" each of us gasped.

"Exciting..." the old lady mumbled.

"H-huh?"