The Reason We Fight

Chapter 47. The Fortune, Part II

When Kakume woke up, her body had aches all over. She didn't recognize the place... it was an apartment; she could see that much. It was messy, with medical equipment, books and stuff all over. Where am I? What am I doing here? she thought. Her arm was connected to a saline solution. She pulled the covers out, and noticed that she had a large stitched wound on her belly. That's right... Tam tried to kill me. Someone saved me, then? But that's impossible... I was supposed to die.

Kakume pulled her IVs out and stood up on one leg. The other was encased in a cast. How long was she bedridden? She felt like she slept for an eternity. She walked to the bathroom. A shower, yes, a shower... that's just what she needed.

The tangles in her muscles unknotted under the hot water. She walked out, drying her hair with her towel, feeling nice and refreshed. Some unknown man intercepted her. She recognized him as the doctor who saved her life. Leorio... she remembered that name, she heard it before.

Red-faced, he took a step back. "W-what are you doing? Why are you naked?"

Kakume gave him a puzzled face. "Nothing you haven't seen before, is it, doc? Why are you acting like a shy little maid?"

"I'm not a doctor, just a student!"

"Is that so?" She raised an eyebrow, indifferent. "Well, now that the ice is broken... I must thank you, after all, you saved my life". She approached him, feeling grateful and sincere. "What you did for me..."

He pushed her off, surprising her. "Hey, I don't want Kurapika to barge in and get the wrong idea, damn it!" He threw a button-up shirt in her direction. "Just... put this on!"

Kakume felt disconcerted, out of countenance. "Kurapika?", she asked, putting the shirt on. "Is he here?"

Leorio had his back turned to her. "He's out right now, had some business to attend to, but he should come back soon enough. He was really worried about you, you know?"

"I see..."

Leorio turned back and studied her, as she was buttoning up his oversized white shirt. "In Yorkshin City, Kurapika mentioned another Kurta. That is you, isn't it?"

Kakume nodded. She suddenly felt rather weak, and her legs buckled. Leorio grabbed her before she hit the floor. "Maybe you should..."

"I'm fine", she said, steadied herself back into her feet. "I've been here too long. Can you help me out of this cast?", she asked, trying to pry it open.

Kurapika entered the room then, with Senritsu on his trail. As he reached past the threshold of the door, he locked eyes with her, words escaping him. The weight of his harrowing thoughts melted away. Kakume, resilient yet vulnerable, stood before him – alive, breathing and whole. Silent tears streamed down Kurapika's face as he enveloped Kakume in an embrace, unable to contain the swell of joy in his chest. Leorio stood watching in surprise, having never seen him act like this before. He is usually so reticent and level-headed... that is, unless the Spiders are involved.

"I thought I lost you", he said, ardent, taking her face into his hands. Her lips were parted, inviting. He thought of kissing her right there, but found he lacked the courage to do so, and when her body pressed against his, he felt himself warm all over, his heart pounding in his chest.

She smiled shyly and wiped the tears from his face. When he held her, it was like they were the only people left in the whole world. "How could I ever be lost, when you are always there to find me?"

Someone cleared their throat. "Mind toning down the tension a notch?", Leorio asked, exasperated, breaking the moment. "And what's up with all the doom and gloom anyways?" Senritsu laughed softly.