Disclaimer: Me: Now, Kurapika and Kuroro... KISS!

Kurapika: What the hell are you saying?!

Kuroro: ...

Me: Oooppss... Sorry... I forgot I don't own you two... *awkward smile*

Summary: Tired of constantly being haunted by his past, Kurapika decides to follow his friends' advice of forgetting his revenge. He's contented anyway, having recovered almost half of his clan's eyes. It's time for him to rest and move on with his life. With his friends' help, he realized that there's no point in wasting his life on revenge and hatred. However, one man wants to deprive him of that peaceful life he so much wishes. What happens when Kuroro Lucifer returns from his 'exile' and tries to make the Kuruta's life a living hell?

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Chapter 24

The Reunion Part 2:

Training

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The night is getting deeper as two figures silently walked up a small, green hill where a small house is sitting on top of it along with a large tree, whose large roots are protruding from the ground. The house is lit from the inside by fluorescent lights. Kurapika can visibly make out the dirt road heading to the top of the hill. Silently, he followed the back of the man in front of him, no words exchanged between the two of them.

Kurapika had a vague idea whom they are visiting; the purpose why they came into this island.

Kuroro's tracks halted when they arrived, facing the door of the small house He turned to look at Kurapika and saw that the blond, no matter how much he hides it, is anxious. He's probably asking why they're here or what they will be doing in this place. Well, he's about to find out so there's no need to tell him.

Facing the door again, Kuroro raised his right hand and knocked two times on it's wooden surface. The knocks were responded by a few moments of silence, until a rustling sound was heard approaching the door from the other side. The next thing Kurapika saw, was that a man about Kuroro's age opened the door for them, looking quiet excited and wearing a big smile from ear to ear.

Kurapika was stunned. It was him. None other than him. One of his anikis. His dark seaweed-like hair never changed. It's till the same style and his eyes... they never looked so alive. Until now, Kurapika has always thought that he's the one and only Kuruta alive in this cruel world. But it seems like he's wrong.

But how...

The man looked at Kuroro with a smile before raising his head to look over the Spider Head's shoulders. When his eyes landed on Kurapika, they widened considerably, and he can't help but bite his lower lip, as if preventing himself from shedding tears. Kuroro deliberately stepped aside to let him pass to reach Kurapika. The man took a step forward, then another, and another, until he reached the still unmoving blond.

Kurapika wasn't able to say a word. He could only stare in both confusion and delight. The man raised his hand slowly and touched Kurapika's cheek, caressing it gently. He can't hold back any more. The tears he'd been trying to hold back slowly streamed down, expressing how emotional he is. His eyes turned bright scarlet as well, his emotions overflowing.

"K-Kurapika..." The man's voice was hoarse, but it held a deep caring tone, which moved the blond.

Kurapika suddenly took a step forward and engulfed the man in a tight embrace. So tight that he doesn't want to let go. Burying his face on his chest, he let the tears flow down as well.

"Hi-Hiro-niisan."

Hiro returned the embrace, wanting to feel that this person in front of him is not an illusion. Hiro, one of Nakami-sensei's students and Kurapika's big brothers, is real and alive.

The two remained embracing each other, until Hiro broke it and held Kurapika by his shoulders, grinning widely while tears streamed down his cheeks.

"T-This is unbelievable." Hiro started, chuckling. "Wow. You're so big now. How long has it been?" he laughed again, not knowing what else to say because of overwhelming happiness.

Kurapika looked at him in the eyes, not saying anything but smiling as wide as Hiro's.

Hiro used the long sleeves of his shirt to wipe his tears before saying anything else. "When Kuroro said he'd be bringing a surprise, I didn't expect this."

"Nii-san, I-" Kurapika stopped when he noticed another familiar guy leaning against the doorway with arms crossed. His eyes that were already red shone even more. "K-Karee-niisan." he whispered the name with disbelief. Behind Karee, Fritz can be seen looking over at him, also grinning.

"Hey, Kurapika-kun." Karee, also one of Kurapika's big brothers, is donning a wide smile. Kurapika remembered him as a very unsociable but caring person; shy, unwilling to talk, and seldom shows emotion. But seeing him smile that wide...

Kuroro, Fritz, Hiro, Karee... Most of his father's students are here. It's like a reunion. The only one missing is...

"J-Janus-niisan... where is he?"

The smiles immediately disappeared and were replaced by a gloomy atmosphere. Did Kurapika step on a bomb or something?

"Where is he?" Kurapika asked again. But then, he tensed up. He was there, when Janus breathe his final. He's... gone.

There was only silence.

Until Fritz himself broke it by inviting everyone inside, stating that they would catch a cold standing outside, exposed to the chilly winds. All of them gathered around the table, with Hiro and Karee sitting side by side with Kurapika, gleefully talking to him, enjoying his company, and showing how much they missed him. Kurapika had always thought that he's the last remaining Kuruta in the world, that the people he once called his family would never return to him. But look at the situation he is in now. It's truly a miracle.

Kuroro and Fritz were quiet all the time, only watching as the two older Kurutas bombarded Kurapika questions like "What have you bee doing all these years?", "How old are you now?", "Does our little brother have a girlfriend now?" and more questions like that.

The topic about Janus was immediately forgotten. Perhaps it was much better that way. It's not like you can even talk about it with Karee present. Janus has always been Karee's protector, always fulfilling his duties as an older brother to him. You can't imagine how painful the blow was when Karee heard about his brother's death. His whole personality changed; from being a unsociable shy guy to the confident man he is now.

Despite the happiness in the atmosphere, Kurapika could actually feel a little tension hanging around. He was unsure of it, but it looks like it came from Karee.

But now is not the right time to talk about it. He also has questions that need answers.

"Hiro-niisan, Karee-niisan." Kurapika dressed the two when he found an opportunity to speak. "If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you two something."

Karee and Hiro looked at each other before nodding, causing Kurapika to inhale a deep, silent breath.

"How did you escape the massacre?"

At the mention of the word "massacre", the silent atmosphere came back again, causing the occupants of the dining room to tense up and steal glances at each other. Well, it not like they can hide it forever from Kurapika. He has the right to know how they managed to survive the Kuruta massacre.

The conductor of the said massacre was as quiet as ever. But being someone who knows him quite well, Kurpaika could see the uncomfortable shift in Kuroro's dark eyes. Recalling that day would not only be painful for him but also for Hiro, Karee, and Fritz.

Finally, after a few minutes of silence, Hiro sighed deeply, putting down the mug of hot coffee he managed not to spill when Kurapika asked his question.

Hiro smiled at the blond then looked down at his hands that were circling the mug. The warmth that crept up to his hands made him feel relaxed.

"It's all thanks to Nakami-sensei." Hiro whispered audibly. "He saved us."

Kurapika's brows clashed slightly in confusion. "Father?"

This time, it was Karee who answered him. "Do you remember the time when Fritz graduated from the training?" Kurapika nodded. "Well, he wasn't supposed to graduate during that time."

"Right. I still have a year to go before I graduate." Fritz chirped into the conversation. "But Nakami-sensei insisted that I have learned everything I need to know and I'm free to go out again and see the outside world."

"And Nakami-sensei did the same to us." Hiro said. "We were too excited to see the outside world that we did not question his decision. Only one of us did and it was Janus."

"Janus..." Karee whispered, voice clearly broken and hurt. His fists clenched tightly into balls. "He wanted to see the outside world too, but he thinks he's not yet ready. We graduated on the same day and left the village the day after, eager to explore the unknown outside world. After all, we've only been to the nearby town where we buy our village supplies and never beyond that."

"True." Hiro chuckled a little."We were at the outskirts of that town when Janus suddenly announced that he wants to go back to learn more from Nakami-sensei. He thinks four years of studying under him is not enough."

Kurapika looked like he knows where this is going. He remembered during his childhood repeatedly not seeing any of his older brothers for a sparring session. He asked his father many times where they were, but Nakami never told him anything. Maybe that was the time they left the village. They didn't even bother saying goodbye to him.

"Five days later, the news of the Kuruta massacre was reported." Hiro continued, a hint of sadness in his voice. "By that time, Karee and I already traveled too far away to immediately reach the village and see for ourself if the news is true. When we came back a few days later, all bodies were already buried with dried bromeliads on top of each mound. All that's left were the debris caused by fire."

Kurapika closed his eyes. "I was the one who buried all of them." he whispered.

Hiro and Karee tensed up. Kurapika did? A little boy barely even a teenager, digging the ground and one by one burying the bodies of his people with his own bloodied hands. They can't even imagine how much tears Kurapika shed that time as he dragged the bodies of his father, friends, of Pyro, and of Janus to the grave he made. What added to the pain more is to see the empty eye sockets where their beautiful scarlet eyes were supposed to be. How could fate let a little boy witness such tragic faith. If only they had come earlier...

Karee looked at Kuroro, mildly glaring at him, and that's when Kurapika finally realized where the tension was emanating from.

Among Kuroro's memories that Fritz transferred to him was the memory of Janus lunging towards Kuroro with his sword drawn out, with full intention of slicing the Spider Head into two. Only that it didn't happen. Nobunaga suddenly took down Janus, protecting his Danchou's life and taking away Janus' in the process.

Kurapika may not be imagining it. He's not the only one who hated Kuroro because of what he did to his tribe. But now, Kurapika believed he has forgiven him, but the pain is not easy to erase. Sometimes, he would look at his "brother"-turned-lover and accidentally wish that he did not exist so he can still live happily with his father, surrounded by the green and lush forest, the fresh river, and the happiness of being around the people who made him fell loved.

But later, reality will dawn into his head again and make him accept again that the past will never be changed and he had to live with the future as it is. All he can do now is to mold his future with his own hand, careful not to make the same mistakes and prevent history from repeating again. That is why, when Gon and Killua were caught by the Spiders and held as hostages back in York Shin, Kurapika sacrificed his chance for revenge in order to save them. He refused to loose another friend.

However, it may not be for Karee's case. He's four years younger than Janus, so he really looks up to his brother like a hero. His death was not something he could easily accept. To compensate for his frustration, he must have darted his anger and blamed Kuroro for everything.

And that may be the reason why the atmosphere had a never ending tension hanging around it.

"Hiro, dear? Dinner's ready?" A brunette about Hiro's age- maybe younger- poked her head inside the dining room, smiling so that her green eyes sparkled. Then, another young brunette child, an exact mirror of the woman, poke her head inside as well, curiously eyeing the people seated around the table.

"Ah, Alissa." Hiro stood up, but not before letting out a sigh of relief that Kurapika did not fail to hear. "Thank you." he said as he approached the woman and gave her a peck on the cheek. Then, Hiro bent down and carried the young girl, smiling happily. "You want to talk to daddy's friends, Shiela?"

Shiela nodded happily. Kurapika, realizing who the people are, was shocked. He didn't expect this. Sure, Mito mention something about a child named Mikhaela or something but he was more absorb in other things to even comprehend clearly what she just said.

Hiro came back and sat beside Kurapika, the blond's eye glued to the child's green ones.

"Shiela, this is Kurapika-niisan. Say hi."

Shiela cocked her head sideways, brown locks bouncing, before breaking into a wide grin.

"Kuwa-niichan."

"No, Shiela. It's Kurapika." Hiro corrected her gently.

But the little one seemed adamant at calling Kurapika that way. "Kuwa-niichan." she repeated happily. "Kuwa-niichan!" Shiela held out her hands, wanting to be transferred into Kurapika's arms.

"Sorry. She just turning three." Hiro apologized.

Kurapika, not wanting to disappoint the girl, opened his arms so that Hiro could transfer her to him. Shiela happily settled herself on Kurapika's lap while they waited for dinner to arrive. Kurapika already ate in Mito's house, but he didn't mind eating again. It doesn't matter if he gets constipated later on.

"Hello, Sheila-chan." Fritz cooed at the girl. "Did you miss Fritz-niichan?"

Shiela nodded but did not say anything. Later, Alissa came back, carrying with her plates of food. Trailing behind her is another boy, a bit older than Shiela, and the exact look alike of Hiro. Kurapika smiled gently. Hiro fulfilled one of his dreams of making a happy family an he couldn't help but feel accomplished as well.

"This young man..." Hiro started as he ruffled the child version of himself. "is my son, Erik." he looked at Kurapika, who's still occupied with Shiela's naughty hands trying to grab the raisin bread baked by Alissa.

The whole gang sat around the table which was thankfully big enough to occupy nine people. Kurapika himself is too busy chatting away with Hiro and Karee, still not believing this is real. He was tempted to pinch himself on the cheeks to make sure he wakes up if this is just a dream. But no. It wasn't a dream. Everything is real and happening. He thought for sure he's the only Kuruta ever left in this world.

It was nearly midnight when everyone decided to go to bed to rest. Kurapika noticed during dinner time that Kuroro only ate a few bites, drank his tea, then did not touch his plate again. The blond jokingly thought that he was on a diet, but that was just to ease his tensed mind. He knew coming ere in Whale Island bothered the Spider Head to a greater extent than Kurapika thought.

Hiro's kids were put to bed early, Karee walked back to his own house nearby, but not before hugging Kurapika for a very long time. Fritz also came with Karee, saying that he'd be staying in his house while Kurapika and Kuroro both use the extra room in Hiro's home.

Hiro was helping in preparing the room when he noticed Kuroro isn't around. Meanwhile, Kurapika is busy putting his clothes inside an empty wardrobe along with Kuroro's.

"Where's Kuroro?" Hiro asked, looking around.

Kurapika immediately stopped what he's doing and straightened himself up, his eyes also roaming around to look for the man.

"I'll go find him." the blond declared, dropping the t-shirt he's holding and sauntered out of the room. If he were Kuroro, where would he go?

But it seems like there's no need to do an extensive search. Kuroro Lucifer was just right down the grassy hill where Hiro's house stood. The man is lying and silently gazing at the stars, both hands above his head and used to cushion it. It was such a rare sight to see Kuroro let down his guard. Kurapika carefully made his way down the hill until he reached the man, sitting down beside his lying form.

"I've been looking for you." Kurapika said, looking up the sky to watch the stars. "Wow. You don't usually see stars in Ryuusegai despite being the Shooting Star City."

"Relaxing, isn't it?" came Kuroro's carefree voice and the blond swore he's smiling based from his tone. "It's the first time I saw the stars in this island."

"First time?" Kurapika asked, clearly astonished. He thought Kuroro would always come here to visit the family.

"I never stayed here overnight until now."

"Oh." was all Kurapika could say before lying down on the grass like Kuroro. Perhaps it was because of Karee. It was a bit weird for Hiro not to harbor any hate for Kuroro despite knowing it was him who killed his father, the clan head. But maybe he does, he just very good at hiding it. Hiro is not the type to show any bad example in front of anyone, especially to his young kids.

Kurapika and Kuroro continued gazing the stars, neither one of them knew how to break the silence.

"Hey." For the first time, it was Kurapika who took the initiative to break it. "I want to train again."

"Train?" Kuroro shifted his body so that it's facing Kurapika sideways.

"Yeah. Under you. Remember when you said I'll train under you by Ryuusegai's methods? I want to resume that."

"Here?"

Kurapika nodded. "Why not? It has an wide forest where we can do it."

The Spider Head could only smirk. "Fine. But don't expect that I'll go easy on you just because we've slept together."

"S-Shut it!" Kurapika helplessly stuttered and blushed when the man reminded him of the three days they spent together inside the hotel room.

"Anyways," Kuroro suddenly pushed himself up in a sitting position. "Let's go back now, shall we?"

The blond nodded in agreement. But before he was even able to get up, Kuroro quickly leaned down on him and pressed his lips on the petite ones of his partner. It was a fast and gentle kiss, but it did not fail to have Kurapika's heart skip a beat. The Kuruta blushed even harder.

Kurapika's reaction must have satisfied Kuroro that the man immediately got up and pulled his lover up. Without any other words exchanged, the two climbed back to the house and went to sleep in the room prepared for them.

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As dawn settled in, the people in Whale Island woke up before the sun completely rises up to start their usual daily routine. Men sailed into the seas to catch fish while women open their family stores to start business. As for Hiro's household, his wife Alissa is busy cooking food for six people while the children all bathed together. Hiro was gone early, accompanying Kurapika and Kuroro in the forest.

The trio arrived at the entrance of the forest Kurapika was talking about last night. Actually, Hiro didn't need to accompany them since Kurapika already memorized the layout when he, Gon, and Killua came here to do various bonding activities. But since his Hiro-niisan insisted, the blond had no choice but to let him tag along.

"Okay, so you said you two would be training." Hiro confirmed to the nth time pointing at Kurapika and then to Kuroro

Kurapika almost rolled his eyes at the protectiveness the Hiro is displaying. It's amusing how he did not change for the last couple of years. He acts more like a mother than a big brother. But then again, Kuroro was somehow similar to him, overprotective.

"That's right. We'll be back before lunch." Kurapika confirmed.

Hiro turned his attention to Kuroro after nodding. "Take care of him." he said with a smile.

"I will."

And with that, both Kuroro and Kurapika entered the forest to find a suitable place where they could start training.

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"How many times do I have to tell you that you should be quiet when fishing." Gon hissed at his best friend and tried to grab his fishing pole away from him. "Here, let me show you how it's done."

"I got it!" Killua tried to pry away Gon's hand but was unsuccessful. The spiky haired boy grabbed back his pole and adjusted it carefully.

"When you fish, be the fish. I taught you this many times but you never get it." Gon almost sounded like he's pouting.

"Well, I don't find fishing very exciting." Seriously, what does Gon see in this boring hobby of his. It is fun if you actually catch a fish. But Killua could just use his electricity to electrocute the fish to their deaths.

Killua grinned, suddenly wanting to try it out. He was about to put his thumb and pointing finger in the water and generate electricity when he caught sight to two familiar figures moving not far from them. He narrowed his eyes to see clearly.

"Gon." Killua called out softly and nudged his friend with an elbow. Gon, distracted, failed to notice a fish biting his hook. The boy looked at Killua with a slight a questioning face, as if asking 'What?'

"Isn't that Kurapika and the Spider Head?" Killua pointed out, answering the unspoken question.

Gon looked at the direction where Killua was looking and nodded. "Yeah. What are they doing here at this early hour?"

Killua shrugged. "I dunno. But let's follow them. I wouldn't want that guy doing anything to Kurapika."

His best friend nodded in agreement and the two pack the stufe they brought before jumping up and tree and hopping on to another in their Zetsu mode. As quietly as possible and as undetected as they can, the duo followed the blond and the Spider Head, looking down from one tree to another. It was a few minutes of jumping later when Kurapika and Kuroro settled in a small clearing, both facing each other with Kuroro saying something very inaudible that no matter how Gon and Killua enhanced their sense of hearing, they couldn't catch a single word of it. They then saw Kurapika laugh at what he said.

"Gon, don't push me." Killua grunted silently.

"I can't see them." Gon insisted on climbing his friend's back to get a clear view.

When Killua successfully pushed back Gon, he continued spying on the two, who are still talking with each other. Gon pouted and jumped to another tree where he can see clearly.

"What are they doing?" Killua whispered to himself, very much curious.

Just then, Kuroro turned his head and stared at the branch where Killua is standing. The ex-assassin's eyes widened considerably that he quickly hid himself. He closed his eyes. Kuroro just somehow gave him the creeps. When the boy opened his eyes, he was shocked ans speechless to see Kurapika sitting on the same branch.

"Hey, Killua." the blond greeted with a grin. "What were you doing following us all the way here?"

"You knew?" Killua felt betrayed and even more irritated when Kurapika chuckled.

"Of course we did." a baritone voice replied that shocked Killua and even nearly made him slip.

On the nearby tree where Gon was spying, Kuroro was sitting there, with Gon grinning sheepishly at Killua for being caught so easily.

"Wow. These guys knew we were following them from the very beginning." Killua furrowed his eyebrows in disappointment at himself. "Was our Zetsu not prefect?"

"Don't think your Zetsu is not perfect." Kurapika said, as if answering his question. "Kuroro just has some weirdly strong senses."

Killua looked at Kuroro Lucifer, who is being questioned by Gon. The Spiders really are that skilled. The last time they tailed a Spider, in York Shin, they were also caught easily. But they did not know their exact location until they've arrived at the abandoned building. The Spider Head really is in a whole new different level than the other Spiders.

"Anyway, let's get down." Kurapika said and jumped off the tree, followed by Kuroro. Gon also jumped down and waited for Killua to do as well.

The silver-haired boy sighed deeply and jumped down from the tree, trailing behind Gon, who is running towards Kurapika and Kuroro. When he arrived, Gon suddenly turned towards him, gripping both his hands and grinning widely. Killua could only stare in shock at his best friend's actions.

"Killua! We're training!" he yelled excitedly.

"W-What?"

"We're training with Kurapika and Mr. Kuroro!"

"WHAAAT!?"

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Author's Note: Before you start throwing anything, please let me- ouch! *Hides behind the couch*... It's bee like... six months since I last updated this fic. I know I'm such a lazy ass. I haven't got any motivation lately. And I've bee addicted to AI NO KUSABI. It is one of the best classic yaoi novels that has an anime adaptation. I really loved it! You guys should try watching or reading it sometimes. Anyways, I hope this chapter will make it up. Again, I did not edit this so there are a lot of mistakes here and there. I'm on the process of editing everything now starting from FB then NE. Please Read and Review! See you guys again... in a few months... Teehee.

Next: Gon and Killua will train along Kuroro and Kurapika. What did Kuroro prepare for them? Meanwhile, Fritz is busy locating Thea's whereabouts, knowing that that woman will not stop until she brought down Kuroro. And what will Kuroro do when Karee confronts him?