Two Heartbeats: Princess Lament

Chapter Seven: Memories and Reality

KILLUA kept his gaze at the girl lying on his bed. She was still unconscious but would possibly wake up at any moment so he maintained his distance, always on guard for danger—that was her.

In contrast, Kurapika stayed close. He only left the room to answer a call once.

It has been two days since their fateful encounter. Nobody expected that the situation would turn this way. What had happened left them perplexed, wary, hanging—like everything was put on hold. Killua did not like being in this kind of circumstance, where he was not sure what steps to take and how to draw out plans to keep them moving towards possible outcomes. He needed answers. However, he was perceptive enough not to ask Kurapika even one of the many questions he had in mind. He and Gon agreed to keep quiet and wait for their friend to talk first.

It was clear that Kurapika knew his sister. It was not just a simple encounter somewhere. Killua wanted to deny it every time the realization entered his head but Kurapika's actions towards the girl only meant one thing – intimacy. From the way he looked at her and how gentle his fingers were while brushing away tendrils of Alluka's hair from her face; how sometimes his hands would linger over his her unmoving fingers before holding them carefully as if he was scared it would wake her up. Kurapika seemed to be unaware of his surroundings, lost in Alluka's presence in the room.

They have not seen Kurapika in this state. He was always in control, of course, except with a very few moments involving the Genei Ryodan.

While having a quick meal that morning, the two younger boys discussed the situation they were currently in.

"Could they have known each other before the hunter exam?" Gon asked before taking a big bite of sandwich.

Killua shrugged. "No idea. Well, we just found out she knows those Ryodan guys so anything is possible." He finished his drink in two gulps.

"But it sure does look like Kurapika cares for her a lot."

"Don't make assumptions, Gon." The thought made Killua extremely uncomfortable.

"I'm not blind, you know."

They both stood up and sauntered towards the place where they stayed.

"If they really know each other that much, perhaps Kurapika can convince her to stop chasing us?"

"That girl is a cold-blooded assassin, Gon. Don't ever forget that."

The boy lowered his gaze. "I know. But I don't think she is a bad person. There must be something we can do to help her."

"Help her with what?"

"She lost consciousness when she saw Kurapika."

"And? Kurapika is strong. She must have felt it was too overwhelming and gave in." But Killua knew there was more to this. He just could not exactly figure out what. Moreover, it did not change the fact that Gon was still in danger.

Killua also knew that it was the best time to do something about his sister. He could end everything in less than a second. A sleeping girl would not be able to defend herself. But could he really do it?

His mother trained Alluka separately most of the time. Sure, he treated her as a sister more than a stranger because as a child, he needed a sibling. Her relationship with the rest of the family was not bad as well, except for Kalluto, who refused to see her as Alluka. To him, the girl was merely a shadow of their mother.

I only got to spend a time with her twice. But somehow, she was the closest thing he could have as a sister. Back then, I was happy.

He believed his mother had hidden Alluka away somewhere in their vast estate. He wondered about it, about her, but those thoughts slipped his mind again and again, until Alluka became a distant memory. An indistinct presence in the family.

That was weird, now that I think about it. Fleeting recollections of her instantly turned into apathy. Illumi must have played a role in it.

Gon said Alluka needed help. Was he willing to put their safety aside for someone he barely knew?

"We are in this together, Killua," Gon said after a while. They were already nearing the apartment complex.

Killua smiled. "I know. I won't do something rash."

That was when they felt a sudden chill in the air. The two boys looked at each other and dashed towards the source of the disturbance.

When Killua opened the door, Kurapika was standing near them, facing the far end corner of the room. And there stood Alluka, her back on the wall, staring at them with a heavy frown on her face. She was finally awake.

Time stopped for them.

THE first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the unfamiliar white ceiling. I let my gaze roam sideways and saw the rays of sunshine through the glass window beside the bed. I stared at it and tried to recall why and how I ended up in this brightly lit room but my mind remained blank.

A slight movement registered below my line of sight and before I could make out what it was, my body moved on its own.

In a split second, I managed to distance myself from it. When I looked up, I saw him. I was almost sure it was my first time seeing the young man but his presence felt familiar enough. Why is that?

I relaxed a little only because I did not feel threatened. He was just watching me intently. For the first time, I did not know what to do.

The door opened.

Everything came rushing back when I saw Killua. The waiting. The chase. Our mother's command echoed in my head. The intense feeling that I had to obey.

But still, I needed to know why I was unconscious a few moments ago and why I was with these people. It was getting difficult to recall something. My mind was in a bad state. Everything was in shambles. Did they manage to defeat me? How could I forget something as important as that?

But why am I still alive?

"What happened?" I managed to ask, fixing my eyes on my brother.

"You don't remember…" Killua's voice trailed off. It was not a question. "Well, we are not sure either. You lost consciousness before anything happened." He gave a measured glance at one of his friends. The one who was in the room with me.

I mulled over the possibility that I have placed myself in an absolutely dangerous situation. I understood very well that Killua would do everything to protect his friend. I was cornered, and they could kill me at any second.

But why am I still alive? The question pierced through my head repeatedly. "Why?" I finally asked. I desperately needed answers. I shut my senses. Absorbing everything in that room would only confuse me more.

"We need answers, too, you know," Killua said, taking an easy step forward. "Don't do anything funny if you want to settle this the easiest way possible."

That was certainly a threat.

But at that moment, I already stopped caring. I was not afraid to die.

"Who are you?" The blond asked.

Killua winced. I guessed he was not expecting the question. Before I could answer, my brother spoke.

"Right. Before anything else, let me do the introductions. These are my friends, Kurapika and Gon." He motioned his hand towards me. "This is my sister, Alluka."

Kurapika.

The bizarre echo resonated inside my head. Blurred images flowed like a rushing river.

The boy was holding my hand as we ran through the forest under the heavy rainfall.

"My father will surely punish me," my small voice quivered.

He squeezed my hand gently. His smile was comforting, as always. "Don't worry, Ame-chan. I got you."

They tasted like old memories.

"Something is not right," I said and fixed my eyes on Kurapika. This person knew me. He returned my gaze with the same intensity.

"Indeed." Killua remarked and sat on the edge of the small bed. "Well, this conversation might take forever so I suggest we all take our seats. I just hope you are ready to hear what I got to say, Alluka."

I have been drifting between dreams and reality. To know the truth, I needed to be honest with these people.

I hated the idea that I was not myself the moment I came to this city. I had my orders and I needed to carry them out as soon as possible but my focus was thrown out somewhere.

Deep inside, I did my best to suppress the agitation that had been building up since I was told to look for Killua. As if something sinister was lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect time to pounce and devour me.

Chapter 8: Truth and Lies

Her whole world shattered into pieces. She started questioning her existence. Her past. Who am I?