*Shades of Red*

by: WhiteGloves

FINAL EPILOGUE

LEORIO and KURAPIKA BECAME ZODIACS!

And finally able to talk to each other again!

(thanks a bunch for the cute flick in the manga! It's their time to shine!)

*LeoPika Pairing/BL*

I have nothing more to say except that~

Go enjoy the ride to the end of SHADES OF RED!

In this LAST AND FINAL chapter~! Enjoy!

There was darkness at first.

Then a faint light.

Gradually it flashed like daylight and then came figures from the light. Something was moving in front of him... some hazy figure going in circles with white hair...and it was calling his name.

"Leorio? Hey, open your eyes! Can you see me?"

Leorio's eyes focused and the blurry images he was seeing awhile ago suddenly merge into someone he quite well knew—Killua Zoldyck. The young man was ogling at him with his usual cool expression and when he blinked—the boy smiled in confirmation.

"Worked like a miracle, didn't it?" the white haired boy grinned.

"What the heck...?" Leorio muttered as he realized he was sitting on the cold ground of the room. He looked at his hands and flexed them—he saw them move. He felt an odd sensation of denial and wonder in his chest followed by relief and then finally—gratefulness. "I can... see? My eyes... Killua... what did you do?"

He remembered coming near when Killua called him. He saw someone move to look on his direction—and then everything just went so slow as if time stopped that he couldn't move a limb. The next thing he knew he was down the floor with his eyes functioning once again.

"It wasn't me," Killua answered with a look at the bed dressed in canopy curtain over his shoulder, "it's my sister Alluka's special ability. She can grant wishes as long as she got hers."

The tall man stared at his friend with a disbelieving look and then toward the bed. From there he could see a figure of a little girl with long hair sitting and seemed to be playing with a doll. He couldn't see her face and would very much like to thank her when Killua got his attention again.

"Hurry up and stand already. We haven't got that much time."

Leorio did as he was told and turned to his companion.

"Your sister's great... can I thank her properly?"

Killua hesitated a little, and then turned to the figure on the bed.

"Alluka? The old man here... wants to say thanks..."

To Leorio's surprise, a little face suddenly peered from the curtains and looked at them with bright, black eyes. Her hair was unbound with only a hair band on it with different faces. Her face was pale but there was a fine touch of fairness to it. An aura of innocence was coming from her but despite that Leorio could still feel something from her that was unique for all the Zoldyck children—it was difference in power.

"Huh? But I didn't do anything, big brother," she said as she blinked at Leorio and back at her brother again "isn't it Nanika you should thank? Huh?"

"Nanika?" Leorio repeated looking around expecting to see a twin of the girl or something but Killua nudged his arm and glanced back to his sister.

"You're right. I will personally treat Nanika once I come back, is that okay with you, Alluka?"

"Heh? Big brother is going away again?"

Killua stared at his sister and walked toward her bed. Leorio was left to watch as the Zoldyck white haired boy tapped his sister's head and talked to her very gently.

"I promise I'll return again to visit you. Next time I'll bring plenty of toys and plushies. You like that, don't you?"

There was a pause to which Leorio could imagine the girl smiling widely as she answered a bright—"Yeah!"

And the two men walked toward the vault door to which now Leorio realized to be a real metal.

"She's really something," the doctor whispered as he looked back at the canopy bed with a lost look, "I can't believe something like her exists in the world. It's probably a good thing that she is a member of your family... only your family can keep her safe and away from people who'd have an interest with her and her powers, I'm talking about the whole world here. Imagine if the world finds out..."

He glanced down at Killua expecting him to agree but what he found was the boy looking grim all of a sudden.

"I don't think her powers would make much of a difference in this world if not asked for something good like this. In fact—it's quite the opposite of what you're thinking."

"Huh?"

"She's still a Zoldyck, Leorio," Killua looked up at the tall man with a meaningful stare, "don't underestimate her."

The doctor would very much want to know what Killua means when the two of them felt it—

Someone was coming.

"W-what...?!" the doctor injected feeling cold sweat slid down his face. This feeling...!?

It wasn't something new... but it wasn't something Leorio would wish to feel—not right now when what they were after has been accomplished.

Killua gritted his teeth as he recognized the menacing aura only that person can emit and jammed his hand on the door handle.

"We're getting out of this door!" he hissed, all his senses warning him not to do so.

"He's probably outside!" the doctor clenched his fist, his mind racing toward a certain blonde haired young man waiting for him. Wait for me, Kurapika... I'll surely come out of this place alive!

"It doesn't matter! We'll break pass him!" the white haired Zoldyck whispered as he threw open the door, "there's no way I'll let deal with him in the same room as my sister! Leorio—run for it!"

As Killua managed to shut the vault door behind him—the two broke into such a speed with the white haired boy pulling the arm of the tall man.

They did not see anyone on the passageway yet the two did not feel safe—not even for a second. As they run in a mighty speed—Leorio suddenly realized his feet was barely reaching the ground. Killua was pulling him on all fours as if he was a mere sack—they were on such a speed he was terrified his shades would fall away—and it did.

It was ironic though as Leorio saw his shades flew away in what seemed to be a slow motion. But the most curious thing was when out of nowhere—the shades which he barely tried to catch—suddenly disappeared on thin air as if it was snatched by someone.

What...!?

The next thing the doctor knew, Killua suddenly made a very dangerous stop that nearly threatened to break his neck and arm. He was then thankful when he felt his feet touch the ground and couldn't help kneeling.

"Hey—watch out, Killua!" he angrily cried as he felt a numb pain on the arm the white haired young man was clutching, "I'm a human for crying out loud!"

But Killua did not respond and Leorio soon realized why.

There in front of them—just before the main door— standing as bold as brass was another tall young man with a very pale face. There was no need to describe him for each part about him was embedding itself on their mind like it was the last thing they would see in their lives—his black hair, his pose... his eyes. Everything about him was screaming of terror.

Such a menacing aura.

Such was from Illumi Zoldyck.

Killua visibly gulped as he muttered, "Aniki..."

"Hello, Kill," Illumi answered back with not even a blink nor a smile, "it's been a long time."

A sweat drop slid down Killua's chin for it was the same as before whenever they meet—his older brother would always give him that piercing look he loathed and would always address him in such an uncanny manner.

He detested it.

Yet he hated it even more... this feeling of fear gripping his heart. It made him clutch his fists.

"I see you came to visit," Illumi continued with eyes on his brother, "that was nice of you. Mother actually misses you. I do. Although your visit doesn't actually count as for family only... huh?"

And it was to Leorio's surprise to find Illumi's black orbs looking directly at him—sending chill down his spine and alerting his very senses. He then noticed the older Zoldyck toying with his shades on his hand.

Killua straightened for he was in front of Leorio and managed to attract his brother's eyes again.

"I already finished my business here. Please let us pass through."

Like that will happen, is what he says... Leorio's jaw tightened when he felt the intensity around him growing. He realized then that his senses when he was blind proved to be more accurate than when he could see... because just now it felt like he couldn't trust his very eyes.

We're in trouble... this guy...

"My my...totally unbecoming of you, Kill," Illumi took a step toward the two—something which nearly made Leorio run for his life and something which took every ounce of Killua's determination not to step back from. "Coming and leaving without mother and father knowing?"

"Dad already knew I'm here!" Killua said strongly, "I've talked to him! I don't care about mother. I know she's watching this with Milluki anyways!"

"Hmm?" the long, black haird Zoldyck inclined his head on one side a little, "then I'm letting you go. On one condition."

Killua was waiting for that, but he didn't expect what came from Illumi's mouth next—

"Only if you leave this man here with me."

Leorio couldn't believe his eyes especially when Illumi pointed at him.

"?!"

Even Killua seemed confuse as he frowned at his brother.

"What's that suppose to mean? You barely know the guy, aniki!"

Leorio couldn't even pipe up at that for his body was too numb to react.

Illumi took another step toward them and this time—both Leorio and Killua stepped backwards.

"It doesn't have anything to do with knowing him," Illumi answered quietly, "It's just a matter of to whom he is important to."

Killua and Leorio stared at the expressionless Zoldyck who took another step toward them—this time it took the two men a jump or two backwards to keep a safe distance at the strange assassin.

"Did you do anything to piss aniki of?" the white haired muttered with eyes lingering at his brother.

"How can I? This is the first time he looked at me directly—heck—this is probably the first time he realized my existence dammit!" the doctor hissed back with heart thumping wildly on his chest. What did I ever do to this guy!?

"We're running off," Killua said with eyes flashing before him, "aniki's serious...he's after you."

"But why!?" Leorio turned to the white haired boy in disbelief and was just thinking of his ill luck when they heard Illumi's footsteps drawing close to them.

"Hold my hand!" Killua shouted with an arm reach— ready for a flashy exit—

"Oh I'm not after him," they heard the black haired assassin say in brief seconds, "it's just that apparently he is important to my crimson eyed target is all."

Leorio stopped dead on reaching Killua's arms and shot Illumi a look.

"What... did you say?"

There was only silence from the black haired assassin who gave the doctor a look.

"Oh right," Illumi suddenly went on, "of course you are his companion so you would know my target. He is the only one known to survive that tribal massacre a couple of years back. I've got a client wishing for his eyes and I can't well get that without him turning it to its finest shade of red, don't you think?"

Killua's eyes widened—He's talking about Kurapika!

Illumi opened his mouth again to continue when something very interesting happened on that very instant—Leorio had faced him with eyes suddenly too determined to be held down.

"Oi..." the doctor then said, "did you just say you're after Kurapika?"

Illumi did not look fazed. "I did."

Leorio's eyes flashed daggers and his jaw set. Killua looked from Leorio to his brother with his mind racing. So his brother was after Kurapika? Does that mean he has already met Gon and Kurapika? What happened?

"Leorio," he said at once, "go find Kurapika and Gon. I'll hold him off—"

It was to Killua's surprise to see the man not backing down.

"Leorio!" he continued with urgency—

"I'm not leaving!" the man obstinately said with his fist clenched and eyes directly at the long haired assassin, "Oi! You! You think I'd let you escape here after saying that?!"

Illumi did not blink nor did Killua look impressed.

"You idiot—you don't stand a chance against my brother!"

But in the next beat— Leorio hurtled himself forward.

"L-LEORIO!" the white haired boy screamed in astonishment.

In Illumi's point of view—something very funny had just happened. The man he was after had suddenly walked toward him and had suddenly grabbed his neck. Illumi's black orbs set down on the man whose expression was hidden on the shadow of his face. He saw the man grind his teeth and his clutch on his neck tightening.

"What are you doing?" Illumi asked in a voice so calm and innocent to the assault he was just in.

"Shut up!" the man went on, his eyes full of anger that even if he was feeling any bit of fear it was not visible, "I won't let you go near him! Never!"

This guy... is after Kurapika... Leorio felt his brute strength closed in on his fist... this guy is planning to take Kurapika's eyes... this guy... him and everyone else... to Kurapika...!

Can't they see the suffering they brought down on his lone comrade?

"LIKE HELL I'LL LET YOU GET NEAR HIM!"he yelled and with full force threw his fist wildly at the pacified killer's face—it connected and Illumi Zoldyck was thrown backwards like a rag doll with his hair flying behind him.

It wasn't only Killua who was left to witness this but also—Milluki and the others who were watching from the monitor somewhere around the mansion.

"He hurt Illumi!" Kikyo Zoldyck, the Zoldyck children's mother said in a mortified voice, "Killua's gonna get angry at us now!"

"You bet he will," Milluki said without concern, "Illumi's gonna kill that man now even if he was just acting. And it didn't even look like painful at all."

Inside his own room and watching on his own monitor, a chuckle from Silva Zoldyck ensued.

Back at the hallway, Leorio is seen standing tall with Illumi still unmoving from the ground. The doctor was breathing heavily with his fist still clenched and eyes lingering on the Zoldyck man. Behind him, Killua was half admiring the doctor's guts when he remembered their situation.

Jumping to his comrade, he tugged on his arm.

"Leorio, let's go! The door's just ahead! We need to find Kurapika and Gon!"

But Leorio didn't budge. Killua was about to berate him again when he saw from the corner of his eyes his older brother rising... and nobody would ever like to see nor imagine the figure of the Illumi Zoldyck rising from the ground with his hair all over his face and with eyes pitch black.

"That was something interesting," he commented, "I applaud you."

"Shit!" Killua muttered hastily as he stood in front of Leorio but with a step Illumi disappeared—and then Leorio found himself face to face with the cold faced long haired Zoldyck.

"!?"

"Sadly," Illumi said with his black orbs expressing nothing but deep darkness as he eyed Leorio straight in the eye, "I am not Hisoka who gets easily smitten by a little show of audacity. No. I'm never impressed."

It was followed by Leorio's scream.

Kurapika stopped running when he heard it. Gon heard it too.

"Leorio..." the blonde young man whispered and looked right at the mansion before his eyes. He was sure he heard the scream come out from behind that very door just now amidst the thunder rolling ahead.

"Kurapika!" Gon called as he motioned his friend to continue. The blonde boy looked at him and then gave a short nod. Together, they pushed open the door.

What appeared in front of them was a very shocking scene.

Leorio was pushed on the cracked wall with Illumi on him. What made it worst was that the long haired assassin's hand was deep inside the doctor's chest and appeared to be clutching his heart. This made Kurapika lose all his strength above anything. Below Illumi then stood the wild Killua who has his very own claws pointed threateningly at his own brother's neck and seemed to be serious in cutting him in half.

"K-Killua!" Gon shouted not knowing how to help. Kurapika was staring at Leorio and at his pierced chest with eyes suddenly turning crimson.

"L-Leorio..." his voice was weak as his knees as he knelt on the ground.

"My... you've come," Illumi said quietly with eyes on Kurapika's red eyes, "isn't this most exciting? Kill... you might want to lower your claws."

"Remove your hands..." Killua hissed with his lips moving a little, his eyes dark and feral, "from him... and don't dare take anything from there."

"Hmm? Then lower your claws first or I might just take it like you fear it. Who knows what my hands would play, Kill? I can't control it after all. He might actually die."

And he moved his hand a little, making Leorio moan in pain.

"Urgh!"

Killua gritted his teeth and lowered his claws.

"Leorio!" Gon called his eyes searching for a way to help.

He's alive... Kurapika raised his head and looked at Leorio's face. The man's pain was visible as he hung on the air like a thread was on him—but then he was still alive. What more—the man suddenly caught a sight of him and even turned toward his direction with relieved eyes.

"K-Kurapika!"

"Leorio!" the blonde haired young man realised that Leorio could see again. Yet it will all be for naught if the man died here now! Kurapika wanted to go next to him but then—he felt Illumi look on his way.

"What a fine color of eyes you've got now."

Kurapika stood up and gave Illumi a venomous look.

"Let him go," he said, his passion burning fiercely as Leorio's figure of imminent death embedded itself on his mind. Nothing has ever given him such a strong motivation to hate someone saved those who murdered his kin, "Let him go!"

Illumi, for his share, merely gave Kurapika a curious look. He then turned to his brother and Gon who had stood together with eyes looking for a way to aid the doctor.

"It's futile to try and do something about this," he said, jingling his arms and making Leorio sway from left to right—making him scream. "I may be a professional at this but his weak body may not last that long, I tell you."

"Bastard!" Killua was in a murderous state, "if he dies I'll send you to hell myself!"

Illumi merely chuckled short at that before finally turning to the blonde Kuruta man.

"You don't like it, do you? When I do this?"

He closed his fist on Leorio's heart—and the doctor's scream was unbearable to his friends— most especially to Kurapika who thought his head would explode from it. He felt his chest gripping and felt his very soul tearing apart—no he didn't want this happening to Leorio!

"Stop it!" he screamed with eyes burning red as ever, "STOP IT!"

Sounds of chain moving... such a familiar sound...

Kurapika stared numb at everything around him as the echo of invisible chain sprang on his mind. He thought he had buried it deep inside him... but now it was awoken again...

Illumi seemed to be aware of this too as he stared at the blank faced blonde boy.

"Hmm? Getting excited again... chain guy?"

"Ugh!" Leorio gritted his teeth as his world swirl before him because of the pain. But then he caught some of the psychotic assassin's word and it brought him back to his mind.

What? Chain guy?

With a mighty determination, the doctor opened his eyes again and looked over at Kurapika. It has been a long time since he saw him—and at that very moment it was the appearance Leorio had never wanted to see on Kurapika ever again.

Kurapika was standing with a lost look on his bright, red eyes—his form helpless and in pain. It was the same appearance years ago when he was sick right after hunting the Spiders.

Leorio felt his chest would burst in anger for he had vowed a long time ago never to make Kurapika go through this again. Yet he...

"Don't move, I say." Illumi looked behind him to where Gon was crouched and ready for an attack, "one mistake and your friend here will die."

Gon gritted his teeth while Killua closed his fists. They both knew it was really out of hand.

That was when the long black haired assassin turned his black orbs at Kurapika who was standing before him with the aura of chains circling his body.

"That is rather interesting," Illumi's face looked indifferent, "those chains represent your hatred. The more you let them out... the more bright your eyes would become."

"K-Kurapika...!" Leorio breathed, "d-don't!"

"You're still conscious?" the Zoldyck older brother turned to the doctor in wonder, "I'll admit it. You, too, are rather surprising."

"B-bastard!" Leorio said in a shaking voice for the pain was there again.

Illumi stared at him, and then diverted his eyes to Kurapika again.

"It's no use keeping the chains. Let them loose and out. I told you there is no way you can hide from your dark past. Fear it and never forget it. That is who you are."

Kurapika bowed his head. Illumi's black eyes glowed.

"There's no hope for you. There's only darkness."

There was only silence except for the sound of the chains dancing around and ringing on his ears. It was such a sound he would never forget... how was he able to settle it down when now the chains remind him of everything he did in his past... but then...

"Hey... just because... I let you... doesn't mean... you can talk to Kurapika... like you're close... bastard..."

Illumi felt Leorio's right hand grapple his arm. It made him look at the doctor.

"Leorio!" Gon said as he took a step forward only to be stopped by Killua who shook his head.

"Let's wait... for aniki to lower his guard..." which is... already likely to happen...

"Kurapika!" Leorio's shout was clear and it went directly to the blonde haired young man who suddenly moved his head at the sound of his name, "d-don't you dare go back... to that side..."

Kurapika raised his head a little.

Leorio...

Illumi paused to give the strange man on his mercy a look but then had to glance down at the blonde haired man too. It was because slowly, the chains were disappearing and the aura of darkness was leaving the Kuruta's body alone.

"I don't really understand what's going on but I've already lost interest with these things." Illumi clutched Leorio's heart once again, making him cry in pain, alerting Kurapika again whose red eyes remained, "pull out your eyes for me. Or I will kill him."

It was by far the most outrageous request yet Illumi Zoldyck didn't look like he was joking—especially not when he raised Leorio's body a little higher, making him shout in excruciating pain.

"STOP!" Gon and Killua both shouted and both ready to pounce but then—

"Give up my eyes... you say?" Kurapika murmured, making the two younger men halt in their attack to look at the blonde man with eyes wide, "is that all you want? How trivial."

And they all watched as Kurapika raised a hand to his right eye with all the intention to remove it— making Illumi gleeful though he didn't quite show it and making Leorio stare at him with disbelief on his eyes.

I'm supposed... to protect you...

"If it's the eyes you want," Kurapika went on as blood started to seep from the wound on his eyes as he try to gouge it out on his own, "I'll give it to you... it's not important to me."

"Kurapika! Don't!" Gon shouted as he and Killua quickly ran toward their friend—

"Pull it out..." said another voice.

Even Kurapika had to stop for the voice didn't belong to Illumi at all. Everyone in the vicinity looked up to Leorio who had managed to raised both his hands and grip Illumi's hand holding his heart. The man looked pale and seemed to be in the verge of losing his consciousness yet there was a flash of resolve on his eyes as he shouted—

"Didn't you hear me... bastard? If you want to pull this heart here badly then pull it out!"

"Leorio..." Kurapika muttered with his right eye bleeding, "what...?"

That was when Leorio gritted his teeth and with all his might—raised his feet on Illumi's thigh and tried to pluck out his heart on his own—a feat that sent a cold feeling to his friends as they realized what he was about to do—

"LEORIO!" Kurapika bellowed— his eyes to its brightest—

There was a loud crack and all eyes were on as the man fell backwards—Kurapika couldn't believe what he was seeing... nor did Gon and Killua as Leorio fell on the ground with a loud thud. Did he just...?

If he could stop breathing... Kurapika would have done so as his mind went blank.

Illumi stared at the doctor's body with nothing save a dead look expression.

"How foolish." He muttered after awhile and then looked at his arm. It was broken. That was when his cell phone rang. Unmindful of the tension on his surrounding, the elder Zoldyck answered the phone.

"Yes?" he listened for awhile and then looked around him. It was to see Gon and Killua about to jump on him with expressions not less than dangerous. He then raised his broken arm at them and shook it. "Fine. I got it."

He turned off his phone and looked at the two younger men.

"A pity but someone just killed off my client."

"Illumi!" Killua's eyes darkened even more but Illumi merely pat his head—that was when a clash of the two Zoldyck happened ending with Illumi losing another hand. Killua looked demented.

"Ready to fight me off, Kill?" a grin spread from Illumi's face, a rather dangerous sign, "you would dare?"

"GO TO HELL!" Killua shouted fiercely as he went to attack his brother again—only to be stopped by Gon in the middle, "what are you doing, Gon!? He killed Leorio!"

"Killua!" Gon said as he held his best friend's shoulder, "look at his hand first!"

The white haired Zoldyck followed what his best friend was pointing at and noticed it too.

All the while, his strength has left him, Kurapika fell on his knees with his eyes on Leorio's form. He didn't dare come near him. Didn't dare want to acknowledge it. In fact... he barely even knew what was happening anymore... it was over.

It was Gon who first reached the doctor's side and gave a mighty sigh.

"He's alive!"

Killua blinked and fell on the ground in relief.

Kurapika was beside himself as he stared at Gon waving at him.

He...he's...?

Unconsciously, his body darted forward until he reached the man on Gon's arm. Upon reaching him, he noticed that Leorio was pale yes, but there was no mistaking the rising and falling of his chest. The man was breathing.

Just how...?

The blonde man knelt beside him and closed his fists on the man's chest. And held him close.

"You idiot...!" he was glad... so glad he felt like his eyes would stay red forever. His eyes of passion and emotion were raw and clear. Kurapika was more than thankful his man was alive.

Leorio stirred, and opened his eye too.

The two pair of eyes met. The blonde man was ever grateful as he touched Leorio's eyes.

"Your eyes... Leorio..." he whispered as the man then reached for his eyes too.

"Damn these eyes..." the man whispered, "mustn't leave... its owner."

Kurapika reached for his hand and leaned his cheeks on it.

"Aniki's gone," Killua was saying as he looked around. Gon stood beside him.

"Wonder what happened back there?" the spiky haired young man said as he looked over to Leorio and Kurapika, "are they gonna be alright?"

Killua looked at them too.

"They will be fine but we need to get out of here first. Who knows what that psycho of a brother of mine would do next. Let's go—ack!"

For then he saw Leorio and Kurapika kissing.

"Eh? Nani?" Gon blinked and was about to look over his shoulder when Killua knocked his head.

"Idiot, I said we should be going!" the white haired young man shouted, "Oi! We need to go, you idiots!"

Kurapika and Leorio's lips parted and looked each other in the eye.

"Really. Why did you stop me?" Illumi looked over his old man who was comfortably sitting on his chair, "Breaking my arm like that."

Silva Zoldyck opened his eyes, revealing a remarkable pair which flickers even in the dark.

"It's your lost, Illumi." Silva Zoldyck said as he looked at his son in the eye who was standing just outside his door. "Had you killed him Killua won't stop till he gets you. You know it—family etiquette. No killing of each other."

"We have that rule?" Illumi looked absentmindedly at his broken arms, "what's wrong with you and Hisoka? This guy has just told me he killed my very client. I guess he must've learned what's happening here. I wonder why you two are opposing me. Is that group really special?"

He looked at the screen on Silva's front and saw Killua leading the group while the blond young man was supporting the doctor. Gon was behind them all.

Silva's eyes flickered. For his son not to see the willingness of these friends of his son to protect each other... it figures very much to Illumi's present state. Well, it would be more disastrous if Illumi did understand after all.

"It's a simple thing." The head of the Zoldyck family went on quietly, "they are your brother's friends. Another etiquette. We don't hunt family friends."

"Again, father." came Illumi's sighing voice, "I do not know such a rule."

-FINAL-

Kurapika and Leorio were forced to stay on Gon's house after Mito-san's insistence after seeing the poor state of the lovers and for a whole week the little house up the hill was full of liveliness and action. For one — Leorio was the doctor of the house and with his eyesight back he didn't let a single scratch on his friends untended—especially Kurapika's wounded eye. And second— two days after their return, both Gon and Killua were contacted by Hisoka for no apparent reason.

"How did he know our email-address, Gon?" Killua went on as he shook his head.

"How should I know?" the spiky haired boy as he looked down his phone, "and is it just me or did Hisoka call just to check on us? He did say 'Ah~ you're still alive' or something like that."

"Really... assuming that we died... that other psycho..." the white haired man muttered.

"Who's this Hisoka again?" Mito-san asked from the kitchen, "another friend of yours? Why not ask him to come and visit the house, Gon?"

That definitely wasn't going to happen, or so the two young men thought deeply inside them.

"I think its fine now," Leorio said one morning as he and Kurapika sat by the veranda with a medical kit at hand, "the wound's not deep... and I made the cut so clean too... just to make sure it wouldn't leave a scar."

Kurapika opened his right eye and felt unusual for it has been days since his right eye was covered by white linen.

"Thanks." He said with eyes meeting with that of Leorio.

"Don't thank me," the doctor muttered as he closed the medical kit on the table, "just when you were so willing to throw your eyes away... you idiot."

It was Kurapika's turn to sound severe.

"You've no rights to tell me that... thinking back you tried to get yourself killed too."

"It was because you were going to sacrifice your eyes!"

"My eyes over your life!? Are you a doctor or what? You should know better than anyone how life is important!"

"I know!" Leorio shot his partner a look and then pointedly look away. "but sometimes it doesn't work like that for me—especially if you're involved!"

Kurapika felt his heart swell at that yet he couldn't help himself fuming—the man could've died for goodness sake!

"Hey—don't look away from me! You're lucky his arm got broken before you got your heart ripped away!" the blonde man said now sounding angry again. It was a topic both of them has been arguing about since they arrive. It was because the two has realized the impact of both their actions and whenever they think about what the other might have done—a simmer of fury would always rose from their hearts.

Yet both understand it as well and had admitted solemnly in their hearts that if the same event would occur once more... they both would choose the same decision again and again.

"Where's Kurapika and Leorio?" Gon said one night at the dinner table as he and Killua helped Mito-san set everything up.

"Outside probably," Killua muttered, "the room's empty after all."

"Should I call them?"

"Nah, leave the adults alone Gon."

"Eh?"

On the starry sky that night and under the shade of one particular tree not a distance away from the house, two figures could be seen sitting. The tall man has his back on the tree trunk while the other man was in front of him. Leorio has his arm gently wrapped in front Kurapika who laid his head on his chest quite blonde man listened to Leorio's heartbeat and couldn't still believe he nearly lost this man's heart to that dangerous situation.

He felt himself clutch the man's chest closer.

"Are you cold?"

"No. I just want to stay here..."

And the two spaced out staring into the moonless yet starry sky.

Even the wind was soundless that night as the two lovers peacefully held each other.

"Let's go home." came Leorio's voice all of a sudden.

"You're right... Gon will call us for dinner any minute."

"That's not what I meant." The doctor insisted on as they shifted to look each other in the eye, "I meant our real home. It's time for us to go back."

And Kurapika's eyes widened at the prospect of going back to that place where Leorio had first welcomed him... the very first place he ever considered going back to.

A place called home.

"Yeah..." the blonde man whispered, gently wrapping his arms around Leorio's neck, "let's go home." And he kissed the doctor so passionately with a tear sliding down the corner of his eyes.

Leorio accepted the invitation and responded to the blonde man's loving kiss that he didn't quite stop himself when he laid him on the green grass.

And they kissed for a long time... not wasting anything not even for a breath...

Kurapika could picture it out that night as he and Leorio shared their longest kiss— the place where he first saw Leorio waiting for him on that harbour... how he knew he had fallen in love with him that very moment of seeing him... how for the first time he admitted Leorio was the only one for him.

And the joy of finding out Leorio loves him back.

Mayu and Tristan will be waiting for them together with Ethan... and then facing those wonderful events that will happen in that clinic. Bringing a life to the world and sometimes might even lose one or two... still he would be there when Leorio deals with them again as a doctor.

He, Kurapika, will be there, while Leorio reaches his dream once more.

It was all like a dream. Just when he thought all of these were impossible Leorio had given them all back to him in a second...

A land to return to... an arm to embrace him and finally... a home he could call his.

He gave Leorio a sweet kiss.

Yet... any place will be my home... as long as I'm with you.

Thanks for reading!