Hunter x Hunter

Chapter 22 (Kurapika)

I woke up several times the night before, haunted by the trauma from the last time it was cut by my father. Basically, our hair is made up of nerves with a thin, purple protective layer.

After a sleepless night, I woke up and got dressed in a long sleeve shirt and pants. I don't need Kurapika accidentally seeing my tattoos.

"Okay! I'm ready!" I notified him after I braided my rear-length hair.

"Alright." I looked at the supplies he had; a sharp knife, towel and box to put the hair in.

"A-A couple things before you cut it," He looked me in the eyes. "First, try to slash it off in one swipe." He nodded his head to my over exaggerated hand gestures. "Second, stay with me for a little while afterwards." He looked confused but agreed. "And finally, ...don't tell anyone about what happens when my hair is cut. If you do, my life will be in danger and I will be hunted down and sold."

"Angel... Is it safe for me to do this? What will result if I cut off your braid?" He seemed concerned.

I let the protective nen around my body and hair dissipate. Oliver suggested that I use my nen to protect my hair so I won't be as vulnerable. "It'll be fine."

'I hope.'

"Just promise me those." He nodded one final time. I sat in front of him on the towel and waited for the dreaded pain. "Fuck." I clinched my fists. A momemt later I heard a strange cut sound and then pain shot through my body.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" I think I screamed as loud as possible, but I really can't tell. My ears aren't picking up much.

"Angel?!" I could vaguely hear Kurapika's call through my own voice. I felt his arms around my back and legs. Soon, a fluffy surface appeared under me, but that didn't matter. Pain was still shooting through my head. At least the screaming stopped though.

It took 3 hours for me to stop crying out and an additional 5 before I was able to verbally communicate with my terrified blonde friend. Not once did he leave my side. What a kind young man.

"I-I-I'm f-fine, s-s-see?" My body was shaking and it hurt to blink or move my eyes so I laid there with my eyes shut as tight as possible.

"You're not fine! Why didn't you tell me this would happen? I would have found it some other way or picked a different treasure."

"Bec-cause," I opened my eyes and turned my head so I could look into his eyes. "You n-needed me and I-I wanted to h-help." I felt hot tears stream down my face. Kurapika's eyes held a look of regret and sadness in them but also a gleam of warmth.

What would I do if he began hating me? I don't want to lose anyone. I don't want to be numb anymore.

"Okay. What can I do to help?"

I weakly smiled at him. "Can you play with my hair? It helps reduce its sensitivity."

Kurapika has an overly determined look on his face. "Oka-" he did a double take. "I just cut your hair short but it's touching your shoulders now!" He whispered in amazement.

"It does that. It'll probably take a little more than a day to grow back now." He began massaging my head and gently playing with my hair. I was still unable to move and I was still shaking but I felt happy. Happy I could finally do something 'kind.'

~~~~~~

It's been 3 days since I lost my hair. It has grown back but my scalp is sensitive to the touch and the strands, for the time being, won't listen to the commands I give it. Kurapika refused to leave until he knows I'm fully healed so he has been helping me recover. I haven't been able to eat though and a muted pain echoes through my skull.