The Otonari's Last (Hunter X Hunter Fanfic) [Indefinite Hiatus]

XV - the Assignment

"Now, show me what you've brought," the man from the painting orders - though he is actually sitting in front of us now. I set down a jar with a blackened, charred heart and filled with a preservative. A paper is taped to the front of the glass jar.

"The heart of an electrical burn victim with its corresponding  coroner's report," I deliver. Kurapika gives the man a lock of hair, Basho has the arm, Melody has the skin, and Baise has the skull of a single-horned creature.

"Okay, all five of you are hired," he tells us, standing up from the table. "I'm Dalzollene, the head bodyguard. It's a pleasure." I hold back a chuckle at his emotionless voice. "I'll need you to start working immediately. Your mission is to escort the boss to a Yorknew City hotel room." He leads us over to a different table and we gather around it. The table lights up to reveal a map. "A private aircraft will take you to Lingon Airport, just outside Yorknew. The trip between airport and hotel takes approximately ninety minutes. A special car has been prepared. You five will provide the outer ring of security. Any questions?"

"Do you know who might be targeting the boss?" Kurapika inquires.

"That question isn't worth an answer," Dalzollene replies.

"What do you mean?"

"The boss is an important figure in the underworld. There are plenty of people with reasons to hold a grudge."

"Let me rephrase since you didn't understand the first time," Kurapika states. "Regardless of grudges, do you know anyone who might actually commit to an attack? If we can identify a few candidates, we'll know their motives, styles, and circumstances, and we can prepare accordingly. That will facilitate protecting the boss."

"You said your name is Kurapika?" Dalzollene questions. "You are the one who doesn't understand. Our job is to protect the boss, no matter who, when, where, or how they attack. That's all you need to know! Don't bother building a mental profile. If anything comes too close, it's hostile." He waits for Kurapika to argue again, but when he doesn't, Dalzollene speaks again, "I'll introduce you to the boss. Come with me."

Dalzollene leads us out of the room and down a hallway. I glance up at the expensive-looking paintings on the walls, observing every detail before looking to the next. My eyes suddenly lock onto -

What is that?!

"Excuse me," Baise voices after noticing my stare. She points up at the object secured to the wall. "What's that?"

"It's a little too realistic," Basho expresses.

"Yes, that's an actual human being," Dalzollene reveals. My hand moves to my now-queasy stomach. "He was once a fellow bodyguard. He ignored my advice, and let himself be deceived by false information, placing not only the other bodyguards, but the boss in danger as well. So he was punished. You are replacing him. Let's go."

We resume our walk. Dalzollene leads us farther down the hallway to a set of wide, double doors. He knocks once.

"Boss," he calls, "I've brought the new bodyguards."

The door opens a crack, revealing a woman with purple hair. She glances over each of us before widening the door. "Please, enter," she says. We follow her in, moving down a long, carpeted hallway. We soon reach a room with a bed covered in stuffed animals. A girl with blue hair sits on the side closest to us, her feet dangling off the side.

"This is the boss, Miss Neon," Dalzollene introduces.

"Nice to meet you, everyone," Neon greets, smiling with closed eyes. When she opens them again, they land on my with a tint of curiosity. "Wait... How old are you?"