Miracles in a Lifetime

XV • KILLUA'S HOME

Kurapika's P.O.V. (new P.O.V., yay!)

     The heavy traffic on the streets leads to the four of us running to the airport instead. Gon didn't want to wait any longer than he had to so he could save Killua as soon as possible. We find a tour bus heading towards Kukuroo Mountain and purchase tickets to get on the trolley.

     In the bus, I'm squished between Tenshi and Leorio, and Gon is sat on the other side of Tenshi. My mind drifts to the Phantom Troupe, and how they massacred my brethren. The more I think about them, the more my blood boils, and I feel my eyes turning scarlet. All of a sudden, something warm lands on my shoulder, disrupting my thoughts. I turn my head to look at the source and my eyes widen.

     Tenshi's head is laying on my shoulder, most likely because she has fallen asleep, and I start thinking about her instead. Why does she hide her voice? Is what Ren said about her beauty and voice really true? I wonder how old she is... Maybe the same age as I am?

     I start coming up with possible explanations to answer my own questions, when the most angelic voice I've ever heard interrupts my concluding.

    "Don't... don't leave... me, please," she whimpers. My heart starts pounding rapidly in my chest, and I find it difficult to breathe. What does that mean? Was she... abandoned? I gaze at the cloak covering her head to feel a hot tear drip onto my shoulder. She's crying.

     "No... no! Don't hurt... don't hurt me... please," her voice wavers while a few more tears trickle down her face, soaking through the upper arm of my sleeve. My eyebrows furrow together as ideas start soaring through my mind. She was abused? Is this why she doesn't let anyone in? My heart clenches with that thought despite me not even trusting her that much.

     It's probably because I consider her my acquaintance... And Gon sees her as a friend... Yes, that's why I have these feelings.

     My eyes flicker red as image after image of gruesome situations flash before them. I squeeze my fists, my nails piercing through the skin in my palms until unexpectedly, Tenshi cuddles closer to me. I smile subconsciously, but a nudge makes me frown slightly.

     Turning my attention to a smirking Leorio, I give him an annoyed glance. He shimmies his shoulders and gives me a teasing smile, almost making me blush. Almost.

     "You like her," he teases, dragging out 'like.' I feel a rush of heat run across my cheeks and I turn away to distract myself, trying to think about something else.

     This goes on throughout the whole trip: Leorio teasing me, me telling him to shut up so he won't bother Tenshi, and Gon saying nothing — most likely thinking about his dear friend.

Tenshi's P.O.V.

     The high pitch of the tour guide's voice wakes me from my slumber. I look around with a daze, only seeing people's legs and feet since my cloak is hanging over my eyes.

     "Tch!" Ren snorts, looking very angry. My eyebrow cocks up in confusion. "When will you realize that you're leaning onto the shoulder of the blond boy!"

     My eyes widen in realization as I feel a soft, yet broad shoulder underneath my head. It radiates a very comforting heat that makes me want to melt into it, giving me a sudden urge to cuddle closer. It's like I've been longing for it, and I feel safe. The purpose to rescue Killua leaves my mind as I start thinking more about this warmth, without really caring for whom I'm leaning on.

     "Ahem," someone clears their throat. "T-Tenshi? We should get going."

     The rather familiar voice makes me panic inside as it finally registers in my head this the person I'm leaning on is Kurapika. No wonder Ren mentioned a blond-haired kid. My head shoots up and I immediately long for the warmth again.

     "Shall we go now?" Kurapika rubs the back of his neck bashfully, reaching his hand to me. I glance at his extended arm and back to his face, his expression amusing me. I play it cool and take a hold of his hand, making me shudder from the nice warmth.

     We alight the bus and find a colossal gate several meters away. Our tour guide explains the history of the gate, and who lives behind it — the Zoldycks. I tune her out, since I already know of everything she speaks. My so-called mother used to rant about them a lot.

     She despised them for a reason unbeknownst to me, though I never cared and will never care. I'm sure the feeling is mutual, given that she used my pain as the source of her enjoyment. I roll my eyes at the memory, looking around at anything else to calm myself, and they land on Kurapika.

     I can feel my eyes soften as I gaze at his face that shows he's thinking deeply about something. It's very cute and has a gentleness I cannot explain. My heart thumps and speeds up, and I place my hand over that area. It hurts, but it's a good kind of hurt. It's more blissful, if anything else. I wouldn't mind feeling like this all the time.

     I turn away as quickly as I can with burning cheeks when Kurapika catches my stare. I feel him twitch in surprise, and little do I know that his cheeks hold a faint blush. My heart is pounding louder and faster than ever, and I bite my lip hard enough to draw blood.

     I finally realize that I've been thinking about him for too long when I notice that our tour guide, bus and the people with us are nowhere to be seen. Other than Kurapika next to me, I only see Leorio and Gon, and the three boys hold faces filled with worry and concern. I blink at them, trying to absorb the situation.

     "Oi? Tenshi!" Kurapika calls, his voice echoing in my ears. "Are you alright? Please snap out of it."

     I sense a hint of desperation in his usual calm tone, and it makes my heart warm up. I shake my head and see Ren squinting at me from the corner of my eye. He gazes into mine and nods.

     "Tenshi-sama is alright. No need to worry," Ren speaks for me. I nod and give him a small smile of appreciation, satisfied that he knows exactly what I want to say when I want to say it. The three boys keep wary faces, but go along with it. I mentally sigh in relief.

     We walk closer to the gate, and the three of them go meet an elderly man — the gatekeeper. I, however, just walk towards the gates and place my left hand on the door. Applying a bit of pressure, the gate screeches open as it scrapes along the cement. Strangely, not just one door, but two others open.

     Hmm, I wonder what'll happen if I use my right hand...

     I hear simultaneous gasps from my right, and I see the four males with their eyes wide open and their jaws dropped to the ground.

     "Wha– you opened the t-testing gate with o-one hand!?" the old man asks incredulously. I furrow my brows and give him a curt nod.

     "Doesn't that mean we can enter now?" Leorio asks with a mischievous grin. To his dismay, the gatekeeper shakes his head.

     "Only those who've opened it may enter. I'm sorry," his gruff voice mumbles regretfully. He then gestures for me to open it again and go through it. I give him a nod in acknowledgement and use my right hand this time, practically shoving all the doors off their hinges. My eyes widen in surprise, and I turn to see everyone frozen in shock. Well, all except for Gon. He stares at me intently with a rather determined face.

     I wave goodbye and walk through the gates, them creaking shut behind me automatically. Each step I take towards the residence makes me feel prouder for being the first one to get to Killua. It makes me feel special. With a small smile, I keep my steady steps to the top of the mountain, ready to save my friend.

EDITED ON: Friday, December 13th, 2019