The Reason We Fight

Chapter 9. The Apology

They got off the airship and provided a ring of security as Miss Neon got into the car. Kurapika went into the car with Basho. They kept the cars in a formation around the boss, and theirs was taking up the front. Senritsu was in the rear... with that girl, Kakume. Kurapika was brooding, looking out the window of the passenger seat.

"They say she is an incredible diviner", Basho declared, suddenly. "Thanks to her dad's connections, she made clients of some very important people in the underworld".

Kurapika mused at that. "No", he responded. "I believe it's the other way around. I'd say her dad is using her to increase his standing in the underworld. That's why is so scared of losing her."

The flesh collection is probably her own quirk, though, he thought. Her dad is likely paying for her cooperation by indulging her every whim. And there is nothing that collectors love more than showing and bragging about their collection to other collectors. That is how I will lure them out of hiding, the whole lot of them, annihilate them, and finally give peace to my brethren.

For the rest of the trip, they remained in silence. They arrived to the hotel safely, and waited outside Neon's chambers, awaiting orders.

Dalzollene had them gather in the hall. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the bodyguards were to attend the auction in Neon's place, and win three items, no matter the cost.

That made Kurapika pause. Neon's divination Nen must have alerted them to a security threat that will occur at the auction. Her father won't want her to risk getting caught in the crossfire, he conjectured. Determination shone in his face. It will be them, I have no doubt, Kurapika thought. The Phantom Troupe will come tonight, and I will be waiting for them.

He chanced a glance Kakume's way. Her face was placid. That only leaves one issue. If she is involved with them, she might warn them of my intentions. He pondered, stroking his chin. I got carried away, yesterday... I lost control. She provoked me on purpose to keep the questions at bay, I can see that now. How can I get her to spill her secrets? She seems like she would clam up like a shell at the slightest nudge.

Dalzollene then presented the items to acquire at the auction. First, the complete mummy of Princess Corco, second, a tissue used by actor Sonne Limarch, complete with DNA validation, and finally, the eyeballs of the Kurta clan, also known as Scarlet Eyes.

Kurapika needed to keep his focus... he couldn't afford to let himself succumb to his emotions. But it was difficult, quieting his temper, when before him stood the eyes of his friends and family in a jar. Thinking of how horrifyingly they were mutilated, for this... prop. Kakume was staring at him, he knew. He stilled his breath, resolute.

-

Good grief. Kakume felt a pang of guilt and had to look away. That miserable expression on Kurapika's face was almost too much to bear. I pushed him too far, she agonized. I'm bad. I'm a bad, bad person. What happened to her was not his fault. He was just a child, and couldn't have known. Stupid, hot-headed girl.

High pitched cries and crashing sounds emanated from the adjacent room. "Excuse me one moment", Dalzollene said to the group.

Kakume slithered through and positioned herself in front of Kurapika.

He took a step back, hesitantly. "What? You got something to say to me?".

"I do", she responded. Everyone was staring at her. She quickly looked away, red-faced. "I um... well, the thing is. Erm, how can I say this...?" she stuttered, trying to find her words. Why was this so hard? Tam never taught me how, that's why. See, want, take: that was more his way of thinking, she thought, self-conscious. Oh, how he would laugh if he could see me right now.

Basho did it for him, though - a deep throaty laugh. "What are you doing, Ranek, confessing your love?"

Kakume turned to him, fuming. "Shut up the hell up!", she shouted, flushed. She took a deep breath, steadying herself. "What I mean to say is... I'm sorry". She looked at him, sheepish. "The things I said yesterday... it was uncalled for".

Baise looked on, delighted. "So cute...", she said in a low voice. "Is that really a guy?"

Kurapika was astonished. He averted her eyes, feeling himself going pink under the scrutiny of his colleagues as well. What game are you playing at, Kakume? he thought to himself. His look hardened. He raised his hand in refusal. "Sorry isn't going to cut it".

"Hah! Not a people person, are you, Kurapika?", Basho shook his head in disbelief. "When a shy maiden...", he started, then corrected himself after seeing Kakume's scandalized face. "...or gentleman... offers an apology, you take it and thank them for it".

"Basho... please don't help", said Kakume, exasperated.

Kurapika crossed his arms, obstinate, refusing to acknowledge them. That boy might be even more stupid and hot-headed than I am, thought Kakume, enraged.

"You know what?", she spat. "Forget I said anything. I don't know what madness took over me."

Back to square one, then.

-

Unbelievable, Kurapika thought, incensed. Did she figure she could use her feminine wiles to make me more compliant? He glanced at her, trying to keep the color from creeping back into his cheeks. I can see how it could work though... on others, maybe, he admitted.

Dalzollene came back from Neon's room, stroking a lump on his forehead as large as a golf ball. He had further instructions for the bodyguards. "At 9 PM, the mummy will be auctioned off. Ivlenkov, Tocino and Baise will take care of the bidding. The security on-site will be taken care of by the mafia members organizing the event. It's imperative that you make a good impression, on behalf of Miss Neon".

"What about the rest of us?", asked Basho.

"Senritsu and Basho will cover the back entrance. Kurapika and Ranek will take the front entrance. Again, worth mentioning: there better not be any petty squabbles. Squala, Linssen and I will guard the lady." He halted, a pregnant silence permeating the room. "The mission begins."