Chapter I

A Kurta shall never aspire to live in the outside world.

Valaerys rolls her eyes as she fingers a pendant between her fingers. Sure, her grandfather must be an old fart for imposing such a strict rule upon the villagers, but she could care less. There are some others in the village who believe that a new world is upon them, that the world is changing, and that there is nothing wrong about change. Try as she might, her grandfather remains as stubborn as she is. If the Elder would not relent, then she would not either.

She gives one last glare at the pendant−a golden salamander with blood-red eyes. She throws it down the hill, watching it roll across green grass and disappear between clumps of trees. The wind up here is nice and soothing, carrying the fresh scent of flowers that marks the nearing end of autumn. As the breeze picks up, so does her hair−a shade of platinum blonde that is the despair of her father for having inherited from her mother. Valaerys does not care; she tucks the lock behind her right ear and heaves a deep sigh.

Eyes roaming to her left, she could see the long river that winds around their province like a blue-green ribbon, shimmering under the sunlight. On her right is the nearest village in the outside world. She could see the white clock tower amidst the sea of evergreen trees. Sometimes, if she can sneak out at night, she can hear it tolling with all its might.

But she can only ever sit here on the hill and watch. Sometimes listen. Most often, she dreams. She closes her eyes and dreams herself walking through streets and passing by shops. Her grandfather would not tell her much, so she resorts to begging the deliverymen every time they return home from buying supplies for the clan. They have not much to tell her, though; she frowns and believes old men have no imagination after all. No eyes on the future, just old memories and sadness.

The peaceful quietness lulls her to sleep. Abandoning the beautiful scenery before her, she closes her eyes and leans against the trunk of an ancient tree. Even with her eyes closed like this, she could see the outside world and its magnificence.

Not thirty minutes later, she hears footsteps scrambling on the grass, going towards her, scrambling up and up the hill. The footsteps stop beside her.

"Valaerys."

"Chikuta-san." She nods, eyes still closed, her almost half-asleep. "What brings you here?"

"The deliverymen have come back from the outside world."

A sudden tug in her heart, yet she keeps her face still, cold−as if she does not care at all. "And so?"

The middle-aged Kurta scratches the back of his head. "And the Elder is really beside himself this time. He says he wants to see you immediately."

At those words, her eyes fling open, golden eyes wide as saucers as she realizes what she has done. Or rather, what she has not done.

She gasps and jumps to her feet, runs past Chikuta with a grateful wave of her hand, and rushes back to the village. She passes the same old forest road she always takes to the hill. From afar, the first house reaches her sight. Then another house, and another, until she reaches the village proper and bumps into other young women around her age, doing their chores as she should.

Finally, she reaches her house, slams the door open, and comes face-to-face with her grandfather. He frowns at once.

"Late again as always, Valaerys," the old man says by way of greeting. Mountains of sacks, boxes, and crates dominate the entire living room. He waddles towards the shortest stock and glares at her over his shoulder. "You know, when I die, you should cremate me and put my ashes inside an hourglass. That way, I can still tell how you're always late even when I am dead!"

"Good afternoon to you as well, Grandpa." She laughs when the old man's face contorts into one of anger. She joins him arranging the new supplies. "What did I miss?"

"Only your duties," the Elder spits back, still very annoyed. "How could you be so irresponsible? At seventeen, you should be more mature, organized… How could I ever marry you off to a suitable gentleman?!"

She blows at the bangs falling across her eyes. "If I ever want to marry, I want someone of my own choice, not yours−since you really have no good sense at all…"

The Elder flusters red in the cheeks, getting more annoyed now.

"And I don't want someone from the clan," Valaerys finishes, her arms full of groceries to be given away for the other families. She turns her heels to face the old man, only to find him scowling at her. Her shoulders shrug. She doesn't share her grandfather's ideals in anything. "Did they get chocolates this time?"

"Chocolates are a luxury we cannot afford!"

"Mother used to bring me some−"

"It's not the same!"

She curses under her breath. "Going back, I already know every single bachelor in the village, but believe me: no one is half as interesting as someone from the outside world."

"That's rubbish," the Elder mutters under his breath. "You are a Kurta, first and foremost. You will carry on the legacy as much as everyone in this village does, Valaerys. Your heart must be with us−your family. You will not do anything by halves!"

She opens the door, the groceries still in her arms. "I don't intend to," she whispers and leaves.

Outside, the sun starts to set. It paints the entire forest in an array of red-and-orange. The families light up their houses, one-by-one, until the lights dominate the place. Valaerys walks past most of the villagers and nods affectionately to them. Her grandfather is right: this is her family. She is related to every family one way or another. The Kurta Clan sticks together, always turning out for support.

Her feet take her to the farthest house, almost by the edge of the river. She knows well enough why no one has bothered to take the supplies from her grandfather's house. She sees the light in the window, smiles to herself, and then knocks on the front door.

A young blond-haired boy answers it. His grey eyes light up. "Val!"

She smiles back. "Kurapika," she returns, and notices the other boy seated on the couch. "Hello, Pairo."

Pairo bobs his head in an enthusiastic nod. "You came at the right time, Val! Kurapika and I were just doing something before you−"

"Sshh!" Kurapika hurriedly presses an index finger against his lips and pulls Valaerys into the house. He shuts the door behind them, and drags her towards the couch with Pairo. "Be quiet! You'll let everyone know, Pairo!"

"Oh." The brown-haired boy sticks his tongue out as an apology. "Sorry about that."

"Really, we have to be careful you know," Kurapika scolds his friend.

"Be careful about what?" Valaerys raises her eyebrow at the two young boys. She sets the groceries she brought for Kurapika's family and glares at them both, like a hard-hearted teacher. "You two have been acting very strange lately, did you know that?"

While Pairo only grins, Kurapika fiddles with his fingers nervously.

Her voice hardens. "Is there something I need to know?"

Pairo, always the more mischievous between them, grins wider and nudges his friend with his shoulder. Kurapika, blushing like a student caught red-handed, looks at the woman, then to Pairo, then back to Valaerys again. He opens his mouth to speak, but no words come. Instead, he pulls out a large, hardbound book from underneath the couch.

The book falls on the dining table with a loud thud. Valaerys glances at it. "Where did you get this?"

"We found it," twelve-year old Kurapika replies.

"Where did you find it?"

"Out in the forest."

"Oh, really?"

He bows his head, fiddles with his fingers. He's lying, she could tell that much. "Yeah. We were out in the forest and found it," Kurapika answers, stubborn as always.

This could go on all night. She changes her tune and flips the book open. The letters are foreign but they are not strange to her. She stares at the golden letterings embossed on the title page. "You can read this?"

Pairo answers this time. "Only with a dictionary."

Nodding, she reads the first paragraph, then the second. With each passing word, foreign as they are, she feels the same familiar tug in her heart. She's reading something from the outside world! For the first time, something authentic from a world she has only ever dreamed of. Kurapika and Pairo observe her read, no doubt excited as she is.

She keeps her fingers off the book, willing herself control. "This seems like a good read. Now, I will ask again, and I want the truth this time. Where did you get this book?"

Kurapika breathes deeply and mumbles, "An outsider got lost and gave it to us. She's gone now. She's been gone for weeks."

"And you've been reading since then?"

"Yes."

She notices the bookmark sticking out between the pages. Barely ten pages. Her fingers drum on the tabletop, with her calming herself. "You do not seem to be having good progress. Are you having difficulties with the words? The translations?"

Kurapika scoffs. "We can manage without you."

Pairo clutches the other boy's blue sleeves. "Kurapika! Don't say that! She's the Elder's granddaughter! If she wants, she can tell him our secret, then we can never read this again! Besides−" His voice falters as his brown sightless eyes lower to the floor−"Since she's the Elder's granddaughter, she can read the common language better than us…"

Suddenly, Kurapika's grey eyes sparkle with newfound determination. He embraces Pairo and pats him on the back. He then turns to the young woman and curls his fists. "You can teach us!"

Valaerys blinks at him.

"You can teach us how to read and understand the common language!" Kurapika chirps, the excitement written all over his face. "The Elder taught you some things, right? You can teach us, too! It'd be easier to have someone help us than struggling with a dictionary!"

"Kurapika's right!" Pairo smiles warmly at her. "If there's anyone who can help, it's you, Val!"

"Hm. I am not sure. Let me think." She puts her fingers under her chin and acts as if she is trying to decide. It is fun to put a show for them, seeing their avid, hopeful faces. She melts at the sight. "Maybe I will."

"You will?!" Kurapika echoes, almost jumping from excitement.

"Of course." She rumples his blond hair and cups Pairo's cheek. "Anything to help the two of you learn."

As she thinks to herself so many times, the elders have no eyes for the future. They are weak, they are sad, and they are content with their positions in life. Content in their simple way of living−hiding in the forest, fearing outsiders, fearing change. But not Valaerys; certainly not her. And not Kurapika and Pairo either: they are as filled with hopes and dreams as she is; they share her hunger for a new world.

If teaching them everything she knows about the outside world means disobeying everything her grandfather asked her, then she will.

On the day of Kurapika's test, Valaerys and Pairo turn out for support.

Most of the villagers gather outside the Elder's house. Some are there to watch, others are only there for sheer curiosity. Everyone has one question in mind: will Kurapika pass the test? No one knows for sure, since almost everyone knows that going out there is such a dangerous risk. Valaerys and Pairo think otherwise. They know Kurapika will pass. Kurapika's parents stand alongside their son's friends as the twelve-year old enters the Elder's house with a determined gleam in his eyes.

Valaerys, curious at best, follows inside the house. Her father is the examiner−an expert on languages− and he shoots her a dark, accusing look as Kurapika settles down on his chair. She winks back at him, only to incense her father more.

"You poisoned his mind." Her grandfather stands short beside her, watching from the sidelines. "You used everything your father and I taught you, and poisoned the boy."

"I did no such thing." She never leaves her sight off Kurapika−her only hope, and perhaps, her only savior.

"How many times did I have to tell you? Rules are rules. The rules are here to keep us hidden, safe. There is no better way to preserve our way of living than to follow the rules. To keep to ourselves."

Her father interrupts to announce that the language exam has finished. Much to his disappointment−but to Valaerys's swelling pride−Kurapika passes the exam with 100 points. Kurapika looks over his chair and waves at her. She smiles back and gives him a thumbs-up sign.

The next exam is the general knowledge exam. Her grandfather returns to her side.

"I thought about the conversation we had two weeks ago," the Elder begins. "At almost eighteen, you should be mature and prepared for life. I can see how much I have failed in this." He bows his head slightly, as if distressed. "So, your father and I came to a decision. You remember Chikuta-san's youngest son?"

"Tokuga-kun?" She frowns at the effort of remembering. "Yeah, he's cute. So?"

"So, I had thought of marrying you to him."

A sudden change in her demeanor. In the briefest of seconds, her golden eyes darken and threaten to change to the brilliant shade of scarlet their clan is infamous for. Her lips purse as she grates her teeth together, bone on bone, to keep herself from falling over. Her grandfather keeps talking, but she could not hear the words. Her sight slowly turns red and she forces herself out of the house, leaving Kurapika alone.

With an effort, Valaerys trudges towards the river behind Kurapika's house. She sits on the riverbank and dips her right hand into the cold waters. She wants to hate her grandfather for everything he puts her through, and whatever else he has in store for her. If only her mother is alive, perhaps…

She peers at her reflection on the water. Her eyes are not scarlet. Good. No one has to know what she feels. What she wants them to know is her wants. She wants to go to the outside world, with Kurapika and Pairo. If she can't achieve the former, then maybe…

"Val?" Pairo's voice comes from behind.

"Pairo. Is everything all right?"

"Oh, yes!" The smile he gives her is bright and joyous. "Kurapika passed the second test!"

And so they go together, hand-in-hand, back to her grandfather's house. They arrive just in time to see the usual deliverymen preparing the birds for the trip. Kurapika embraces his parents as they say their goodbyes. The Elder looks grieved, but says nothing to stop the celebrations.

When Kurapika notices Pairo and Valaerys, he squeals with triumph and embraces them as well. First, Pairo, around the shoulders; then Valaerys, embracing her around the hips. His eyes are brighter than ever.

The third test is harder, and it requires for Kurapika to choose a companion for the daytrip outside the village. Of course, as predictable as the weather here in Lukso Province, he chooses Pairo over the three experienced deliverymen.

Valaerys smiles throughout the whole exchange and waves goodbye at them. As they exit the forest together, she follows to her usual spot on the hill. She might not see them, but at least she could see the village from here. It warms her by knowing that Kurapika and Pairo would be able to see the clock tower up close, while she could only see it from afar.

She wishes them good luck. She sits under the ancient tree and lets the breeze pick up her hair.

In thirty minutes, she falls asleep.

Come morning, every Kurta comes running out their homes to await for Kurapika and Pairo's arrival.

Valaerys has never thought there are this many Kurta. It seemed only yesterday when others were doubting Kurapika's determination−the determination she seems to lack.

Yet now, everyone gathers with bated breaths to see if they come home safe and sound, with the supplies for the village, and with their Scarlet Eyes not active.

It is not so easy: suppressing your emotions. Especially for a Kurta. When your life depends on your ability to shut off your emotions, it is truly difficult. For someone as hotheaded as Kurapika, or as stubborn as Valaerys, the difficulty increases a hundredfold. Not to Pairo, however: he is always the kind and gentle one, always so soft-spoken, always caring. Valaerys could not remember a time she last saw Pairo's Scarlet Eyes activated.

Here they come.

Framed against the dawning horizon, Kurapika and Pairo make their way back to the village. Judging from their smiling faces, they have succeeded their task. Kurapika has passed the third and final test, and no one could be prouder than his family and friends.

Everything else passes like a blur.

Three days later, Kurapika is once again up and ready to leave the village. This time, it is an unrestricted permission to wander the outside world.

"Be careful!" Kurapika's mother reminds him as he climbs the giant bird. "Haste makes waste, okay?"

"Yeah. I know." The blonde boy smiles down on his parents as Valaerys leads Pairo forward.

Kurapika slides down his transport and jumps to embrace Valaerys. He buries his head into her clothes, his arms tight around her waist and hips. He feels her hands pat his head and back.

"Thank you," is all he whispers, pressing his face on the orange cloth of her robes.

"Take good care of yourself out there," she says against his soft hair.

Kneeling down to meet his eye level, her fingers comb through blond locks and then cup his cheeks. She will miss him, even if she doesn't have to say it. Everyone knows; Kurapika knows, too. Instead of words, she keeps staring at his face, committing them to memory.

"Are you learning me by heart, Val?" Kurapika asks.

"No." She shakes her head, tears brimming. She embraces him tightly, her face against the crook of his neck. Kurapika kisses her reassuringly on the forehead. "I know you by heart. You are inside my heart."

He closes his eyes, as if to remember her voice. "You are inside my heart, too."

Author's Notes: Hello, everyone! This will be my first H×H fanfic, even though I've been a year for literally half of my entire life. I've watched the original 1999 series, followed the manga, and fangirled once more when the 2011 version was released. The only surprising thing for me now is the fact that I've waited this long to write a story for the manga that has been with me since childhood.

Now, on to this story! This is a Chrollo/OC fic, with tons of Phantom Troupe appearances, brawls, insults, and basically shenanigans. A slow burn type of romance for our lady and our esteemed Danchou. Guest appearances from other characters are also guaranteed! This will be a long fic, and I hope I could update weekly as I've done with my other stories. Also, I started this story after the March hiatus and planned to update once the manga is back. Surprise, surprise! Togashi came back sooner than expected, so here's a new story indeed!

I think that's all for now. Any comments, suggestions, reviews, or requests will be appreciated! Thank you very much for taking time to read!

P.S. Writing wittle Kurapika and wittler Pairo made my day!