Dis Aliter Visum - Chapter 100 - 2,480 words
Note: second hardest chapter to write. and three months of nausea and worse later, i'm finally feeling better.
Beta-reader: Jo, Gold and Lea Summers all helped!
Chapter summary: And down came a Spider.
Chapter 100
Kurapica closed the bathroom door behind him and locked it, leaning back against the cool wood with a shuddering sigh. It had worked. He couldn't believe it had worked.
So far, anyway.
Now he had to keep it up for just a little longer, and then he could finally be free. The Ryodan had done it. They'd collected each and every pair of Scarlet Eyes that had been stolen from his people, and now they were all gathered here, in Ryuuseigai. With the Spiders. With Kurapica. Just a little longer, and he could finally close this chapter of his life. Just a little longer, and he could focus on destroying the Spiders once and for all. And Kuroro -
No. He was not going to think about Kuroro right now.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out, grateful for the distraction. It was a photo-text from Hisoka with the very information that he needed to pull this off. He glanced around the room quickly. Kuroro's bathroom was simple and elegant, nothing too fancy, despite all of the high rise hotels he'd dragged the blond to in the last few months.
A large shower with black tiles in one corner, a toilet, one large countertop with two sinks and a few cupboards, all in white, grey, and black. The towels were a deep burgundy colour. It was overall surprisingly clean, especially considering that Kuroro had been on the road for so long. Kurapica vaguely wondered if someone had come to clean up while he had been away, but the thought felt odd. He couldn't picture Kuroro trusting anyone enough to leave them a key to his own, private home.
Pushing these thoughts out of his mind, he looked at the picture that Hisoka had sent, and uncovered his unmarred wrist. Careful to copy the picture of the tattoo exactly, he scratched at his skin to mimic the swollen skin irritation of a freshly needled tattoo. He played with the idea of waiting until after his shower to airbrush the fake tattoo, but then he realised a lock would not keep Kuroro out for long if the taller man decided he wanted in.
He took off his shirt and undershirt, then meticulously placed the decal he'd had Hisoka prepare in advance. Making sure that it looked exactly the same as in the picture, he reached into his bag to grab the airbrush and the special paint he would be using to fake the tattoo. Once he was done applying it, he checked the result with the photo, allowing himself a sick shudder and a grimace before putting a lid on his disgust.
Truth was, he could have let them tattoo him and then have gone for a tattoo removal once this was all done and over with, but he simply could not bear to have even the faintest outlines of the Spider on his skin for however long it took for the thing to fade away completely. While he had spent his entire savings hiring the man, Illumi would be the one bearing the faint traces of an erased tattoo. It was worth it. Even if he had to rebuild his entire life when this was all over, it would be worth it.
With his other hand, he grabbed a thick plastic bag and waited a few minutes to let the stain sink into his skin. A knock at the door made him jump.
“Kurapica?” the Spider Head asked. “Everything all right? I thought you were going to shower.”
“Yeah,” Kurapica replied quickly. “I'm fine - I just....” He cleared his throat, opting for a half-truth. “I just need a bit of time to process this. I'll - I'll be out soon, just... I just need some time.”
There was a moment of silence, and Kurapica blew over the paint, hoping it would make it stain faster.
“Do you need a distraction?” Kuroro finally offered.
That wouldn't do. If Kuroro touched the fake tattoo at any point in the next two hours, it might smudge just enough to show it wasn't the real deal.
“No,” he replied firmly. “It's fine - ” he remembered the Spider's Head reaction to him using his name, “ - Kuroro. Just leave me alone for a bit. I'll be fine.”
There was absolute, strained silence for a minute or so, then Kuroro said, “All right.”
Footsteps retreated from the door. Kurapica slowly let go of the breath he'd been keeping in as he slumped against the counter for a moment, before turning and letting himself slide to the floor, his heart beating a staccato rhythm inside of his chest. He eyed the fake tattoo again and felt another shudder go through him. Reaching blindly with his other hand, he grabbed his phone from the countertop behind him and sent Gon a quick text.
It is done. Meeting the rest of the group tonight.
He didn't dare be more specific than this. He'd not seen Kuroro look at his phone, but he wasn't going to risk it, not when it was this important. His phone pinged.
Okay, got it.
He sighed softly and set it aside, reaching into his bag for his book. He read for as long as he dared, not wanting Kuroro to get too suspicious, then he wrapped the plastic bag loosely around his fake tattoo and slipped into the shower. He cleaned himself quickly, not wanting to risk smudging the paint staining his wrist, despite the plastic bag. After he got out of the shower, he dried himself quickly and wrapped himself in a towel, then read for a while longer. He knew that Kuroro would have heard the shower, and he gave himself a chance to both calm his nerves and let the paint set.
Eventually, he took the time to brush his teeth and blow-dry his hair, anything to delay further the moment when he would step out of the bathroom. Once he could find no reasons to remain in the bathroom, he finally stepped out. He made his way to the living room, where Kuroro was sitting on a couch, reading. He looked up when the blond padded over, and gave him a slow once-over. His eyes caught on the plastic bag still wrapped around Kurapica's wrist, but thankfully, he didn't comment.
“You took your time,” he commented, closing his book and setting it aside. “My turn now. Think you can fix something for dinner?”
“Do you even have food here?” Kurapica wanted to know.
“Nothing fresh, but there's frozen vegetables in the freezer and dry goods in the pantry.”
Kurapica nodded and watched Kuroro until the taller man disappeared into the bathroom. There was absolute silence in the large home for a few minutes, then he heard the shower cut on. He listened to the rush of water for a few moments, then he picked up his book again and read. Kuroro took his time in the bathroom as well, which suited Kurapica just fine.
At the two hour mark, he removed the plastic back from his wrist and stared carefully at every curve, every line, making sure that nothing had smudged. Satisfied that it would hold under scrutiny, he lowered his long sleeve to cover it, and got up to start preparing dinner. He found something to put together some decent pasta, and, since he'd noticed Kuroro added herbs to his food for more flavour the rare times that Kurapica had had to cook, he took it upon himself to try adding some himself. It took an online search for what to use with tomato sauce, and the blond had to admit that it was much tastier with basil, oregano and bay leaves. The smell hung heavy in the air, and his stomach growled impatiently at him. He ignored it, reading quietly as he waited for the Ryodan leader.
Kuroro soon finished up, still slightly humid from his shower, but already dressed all in black. He'd slicked back his hair with gel, making him appear older and every inch the Spider Head that Kurapica had met in York Shin a year ago - gods, had it really been a year?
Kurapica wordlessly got up and went to serve two plates. Kuroro sat at the table to wait, looking at Kurapica, an odd look in his dark midnight eyes.
“It smells divine,” he commented.
“I tried,” the blond said with a light shrug.
Kuroro picked up his fork and spoon and rolled some spaghetti between the utensils, then took it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, his eyebrows rising slightly. He swallowed and nodded.
“And succeeded,” he commented with an approving smile.
Kurapica relaxed and allowed himself a little grin. “Glad it's to your taste,” he said, picking up his silverware to start eating as well.
They ate in silence, taking their time and not particularly uncomfortable. It was strangely domestic, eating here like this, in Kuroro's home, like it was something completely natural for them to do. And maybe it was. After eating, Kuroro rinsed their dishes and loaded the dishwasher, before turning towards the young Hunter.
“It's time,” he said simply, and Kurapica sighed.
The blond closed the book he had been pretending to read and got to his feet.
“What can I expect?” he asked, pretending his voice wasn't so tight with anxiety.
“Chaos,” Kuroro answered with a grin. “My Spiders are a chaotic group, but we work efficiently nonetheless.” He turned serious. “Some will not welcome you,” he warned. “The two you have killed were much loved and part of the original group. I am quite certain that a few of them will not forgive you so easily.”
Kurapica shrugged lightly.
“I am not ready to forgive them either,” he said, completely truthful. “Let's do this, then.”
Kuroro studied his face in silence for a long, silent moment. It seemed forever before he finally nodded and turned around, fetching his windbreaker from a peg by the front door. It took him some time to tie the front, so Kurapica grabbed a hoodie to put it on, then waited quietly by his side. Kuroro's heavy boots followed, then he was finally ready. He led Kurapica outside and carefully locked his door.
They walked in silence through the city, which looked like one here, where there were actual buildings and people seemed to live in houses and apartments like they did anywhere else in the world. Kurapica followed the Spider Head through a maze of streets that winded and twisted like the trails of animals in the forest, only this was probably made by humans treading through piles of refuse, back before this part of Ryuuseigai had been more organized. They walked for at least an hour, before they reached a rather large building and Kuroro led him down some external stairs that led to a door, which opened into the basement.
When they entered, there were already people there, some of whom Kurapica recognized from the fight that had resulted in him being taken prisoner, which had started this mad adventure of the past few months. He balked in the doorway, but Kuroro took a few steps before he realized that the blond wasn't following. He turned around and arched his eyebrows at Kurapica, who finally took a step inside and let the door fall shut behind him. The sound of it closing sounded like the lid of a coffin slamming down and the Kuruta straightened as tall as he could and squared his shoulders before following Kuroro to the end of the room where there was a comfortable-looking chair of cherry wood and black velvet. There were a few similar chairs around the room, but this one was clearly at the head of a semi-circle and the Ryodan leader sat in it with obvious authority. Kurapica was growing more and more uncomfortable.
This wasn't just Kuroro Lucilfer, the man whom Kurapica had willingly taken into his bed.
This was the Spider Head, the Ryodan Leader, the man whom Kurapica had spent years hoping to kill so as to avenge his people.
There was something cold as ice forming inside of Kurapica's chest, something uncomfortable and hard, like he'd swallowed a thousand icy nails. He rubbed at his solar plexus, attempting to ease the tension that had formed.
“So,” the Spider Head began, “you know why I've gathered all of you here.”
There were various nods around the room, and some very pointed glares. Kurapica rubbed at his chest even harder, as if it would make the pain lessen some.
“I'll get right down to business, then,” the Ryodan leader continued. “Spiders, here is the latest member I've selected for us. Kurapica, of the extinct Kurata clan.”
He motioned for Kurapica to step forward, but the blond suddenly couldn't breathe. This sudden reminder of the massacre that had taken place six years ago, while facing the very people responsible for it had stolen the breath from his lungs. He couldn't move and he was suddenly glad for the contacts that he was still wearing, as he knew that his eyes were now very red. They burned with his anger, a fury so hot it melted the ice in his veins and replaced it with magma.
Kuroro motioned again and the Kuruta forced himself to move at last, but he couldn't draw in air until the second step. Once he’d reached the Spider Head’s side, he stood there, rigid and glaring at nothing in particular.
“He's earned his place amongst us by killing two of our members,” Kuroro continued, his voice even, although Kurapica was certain his discomfort hadn't escaped the older man. “I have personally selected him for the troupe. His skills are many, and I've been travelling with him for the past few months and learned much about his adaptability and sharp mind.”
“Danchou,” a man Kurapica didn't know spoke up, looking about as furious as Kurapica felt, “you can't be serious!! The chain bastard?! I couldn't believe it when I first heard, but you actually - he killed Ubo!!”
“Killing one of the living members of the group is one of the prerequisites,” Kuroro calmly reminded him. “You know this, Nobunaga.”
The man named Nobunaga stood up so suddenly, his chair was sent tumbling backwards.
“This wasn't any member,” he was screaming now, “this was Ubo!! And Pakunoda! You can't have forgotten about her, not after only a year!”
The whole room erupted into chaos then, the more vocal Spiders jumping in to voice their discontent, others just sitting quietly and observing the scene.
Kurapica tuned them out, pretended he was anywhere but here, and glared at the door, wondering how quick he would have to be to reach it and just - leave. In his mind, he was already out in the warm evening, striding away, never to return.
Beta-reader: Jo, Gold and Lea Summers all helped!
Chapter summary: And down came a Spider.
Chapter 100
Kurapica closed the bathroom door behind him and locked it, leaning back against the cool wood with a shuddering sigh. It had worked. He couldn't believe it had worked.
So far, anyway.
Now he had to keep it up for just a little longer, and then he could finally be free. The Ryodan had done it. They'd collected each and every pair of Scarlet Eyes that had been stolen from his people, and now they were all gathered here, in Ryuuseigai. With the Spiders. With Kurapica. Just a little longer, and he could finally close this chapter of his life. Just a little longer, and he could focus on destroying the Spiders once and for all. And Kuroro -
No. He was not going to think about Kuroro right now.
His phone buzzed in his pocket and he pulled it out, grateful for the distraction. It was a photo-text from Hisoka with the very information that he needed to pull this off. He glanced around the room quickly. Kuroro's bathroom was simple and elegant, nothing too fancy, despite all of the high rise hotels he'd dragged the blond to in the last few months.
A large shower with black tiles in one corner, a toilet, one large countertop with two sinks and a few cupboards, all in white, grey, and black. The towels were a deep burgundy colour. It was overall surprisingly clean, especially considering that Kuroro had been on the road for so long. Kurapica vaguely wondered if someone had come to clean up while he had been away, but the thought felt odd. He couldn't picture Kuroro trusting anyone enough to leave them a key to his own, private home.
Pushing these thoughts out of his mind, he looked at the picture that Hisoka had sent, and uncovered his unmarred wrist. Careful to copy the picture of the tattoo exactly, he scratched at his skin to mimic the swollen skin irritation of a freshly needled tattoo. He played with the idea of waiting until after his shower to airbrush the fake tattoo, but then he realised a lock would not keep Kuroro out for long if the taller man decided he wanted in.
He took off his shirt and undershirt, then meticulously placed the decal he'd had Hisoka prepare in advance. Making sure that it looked exactly the same as in the picture, he reached into his bag to grab the airbrush and the special paint he would be using to fake the tattoo. Once he was done applying it, he checked the result with the photo, allowing himself a sick shudder and a grimace before putting a lid on his disgust.
Truth was, he could have let them tattoo him and then have gone for a tattoo removal once this was all done and over with, but he simply could not bear to have even the faintest outlines of the Spider on his skin for however long it took for the thing to fade away completely. While he had spent his entire savings hiring the man, Illumi would be the one bearing the faint traces of an erased tattoo. It was worth it. Even if he had to rebuild his entire life when this was all over, it would be worth it.
With his other hand, he grabbed a thick plastic bag and waited a few minutes to let the stain sink into his skin. A knock at the door made him jump.
“Kurapica?” the Spider Head asked. “Everything all right? I thought you were going to shower.”
“Yeah,” Kurapica replied quickly. “I'm fine - I just....” He cleared his throat, opting for a half-truth. “I just need a bit of time to process this. I'll - I'll be out soon, just... I just need some time.”
There was a moment of silence, and Kurapica blew over the paint, hoping it would make it stain faster.
“Do you need a distraction?” Kuroro finally offered.
That wouldn't do. If Kuroro touched the fake tattoo at any point in the next two hours, it might smudge just enough to show it wasn't the real deal.
“No,” he replied firmly. “It's fine - ” he remembered the Spider's Head reaction to him using his name, “ - Kuroro. Just leave me alone for a bit. I'll be fine.”
There was absolute, strained silence for a minute or so, then Kuroro said, “All right.”
Footsteps retreated from the door. Kurapica slowly let go of the breath he'd been keeping in as he slumped against the counter for a moment, before turning and letting himself slide to the floor, his heart beating a staccato rhythm inside of his chest. He eyed the fake tattoo again and felt another shudder go through him. Reaching blindly with his other hand, he grabbed his phone from the countertop behind him and sent Gon a quick text.
It is done. Meeting the rest of the group tonight.
He didn't dare be more specific than this. He'd not seen Kuroro look at his phone, but he wasn't going to risk it, not when it was this important. His phone pinged.
Okay, got it.
He sighed softly and set it aside, reaching into his bag for his book. He read for as long as he dared, not wanting Kuroro to get too suspicious, then he wrapped the plastic bag loosely around his fake tattoo and slipped into the shower. He cleaned himself quickly, not wanting to risk smudging the paint staining his wrist, despite the plastic bag. After he got out of the shower, he dried himself quickly and wrapped himself in a towel, then read for a while longer. He knew that Kuroro would have heard the shower, and he gave himself a chance to both calm his nerves and let the paint set.
Eventually, he took the time to brush his teeth and blow-dry his hair, anything to delay further the moment when he would step out of the bathroom. Once he could find no reasons to remain in the bathroom, he finally stepped out. He made his way to the living room, where Kuroro was sitting on a couch, reading. He looked up when the blond padded over, and gave him a slow once-over. His eyes caught on the plastic bag still wrapped around Kurapica's wrist, but thankfully, he didn't comment.
“You took your time,” he commented, closing his book and setting it aside. “My turn now. Think you can fix something for dinner?”
“Do you even have food here?” Kurapica wanted to know.
“Nothing fresh, but there's frozen vegetables in the freezer and dry goods in the pantry.”
Kurapica nodded and watched Kuroro until the taller man disappeared into the bathroom. There was absolute silence in the large home for a few minutes, then he heard the shower cut on. He listened to the rush of water for a few moments, then he picked up his book again and read. Kuroro took his time in the bathroom as well, which suited Kurapica just fine.
At the two hour mark, he removed the plastic back from his wrist and stared carefully at every curve, every line, making sure that nothing had smudged. Satisfied that it would hold under scrutiny, he lowered his long sleeve to cover it, and got up to start preparing dinner. He found something to put together some decent pasta, and, since he'd noticed Kuroro added herbs to his food for more flavour the rare times that Kurapica had had to cook, he took it upon himself to try adding some himself. It took an online search for what to use with tomato sauce, and the blond had to admit that it was much tastier with basil, oregano and bay leaves. The smell hung heavy in the air, and his stomach growled impatiently at him. He ignored it, reading quietly as he waited for the Ryodan leader.
Kuroro soon finished up, still slightly humid from his shower, but already dressed all in black. He'd slicked back his hair with gel, making him appear older and every inch the Spider Head that Kurapica had met in York Shin a year ago - gods, had it really been a year?
Kurapica wordlessly got up and went to serve two plates. Kuroro sat at the table to wait, looking at Kurapica, an odd look in his dark midnight eyes.
“It smells divine,” he commented.
“I tried,” the blond said with a light shrug.
Kuroro picked up his fork and spoon and rolled some spaghetti between the utensils, then took it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, his eyebrows rising slightly. He swallowed and nodded.
“And succeeded,” he commented with an approving smile.
Kurapica relaxed and allowed himself a little grin. “Glad it's to your taste,” he said, picking up his silverware to start eating as well.
They ate in silence, taking their time and not particularly uncomfortable. It was strangely domestic, eating here like this, in Kuroro's home, like it was something completely natural for them to do. And maybe it was. After eating, Kuroro rinsed their dishes and loaded the dishwasher, before turning towards the young Hunter.
“It's time,” he said simply, and Kurapica sighed.
The blond closed the book he had been pretending to read and got to his feet.
“What can I expect?” he asked, pretending his voice wasn't so tight with anxiety.
“Chaos,” Kuroro answered with a grin. “My Spiders are a chaotic group, but we work efficiently nonetheless.” He turned serious. “Some will not welcome you,” he warned. “The two you have killed were much loved and part of the original group. I am quite certain that a few of them will not forgive you so easily.”
Kurapica shrugged lightly.
“I am not ready to forgive them either,” he said, completely truthful. “Let's do this, then.”
Kuroro studied his face in silence for a long, silent moment. It seemed forever before he finally nodded and turned around, fetching his windbreaker from a peg by the front door. It took him some time to tie the front, so Kurapica grabbed a hoodie to put it on, then waited quietly by his side. Kuroro's heavy boots followed, then he was finally ready. He led Kurapica outside and carefully locked his door.
They walked in silence through the city, which looked like one here, where there were actual buildings and people seemed to live in houses and apartments like they did anywhere else in the world. Kurapica followed the Spider Head through a maze of streets that winded and twisted like the trails of animals in the forest, only this was probably made by humans treading through piles of refuse, back before this part of Ryuuseigai had been more organized. They walked for at least an hour, before they reached a rather large building and Kuroro led him down some external stairs that led to a door, which opened into the basement.
When they entered, there were already people there, some of whom Kurapica recognized from the fight that had resulted in him being taken prisoner, which had started this mad adventure of the past few months. He balked in the doorway, but Kuroro took a few steps before he realized that the blond wasn't following. He turned around and arched his eyebrows at Kurapica, who finally took a step inside and let the door fall shut behind him. The sound of it closing sounded like the lid of a coffin slamming down and the Kuruta straightened as tall as he could and squared his shoulders before following Kuroro to the end of the room where there was a comfortable-looking chair of cherry wood and black velvet. There were a few similar chairs around the room, but this one was clearly at the head of a semi-circle and the Ryodan leader sat in it with obvious authority. Kurapica was growing more and more uncomfortable.
This wasn't just Kuroro Lucilfer, the man whom Kurapica had willingly taken into his bed.
This was the Spider Head, the Ryodan Leader, the man whom Kurapica had spent years hoping to kill so as to avenge his people.
There was something cold as ice forming inside of Kurapica's chest, something uncomfortable and hard, like he'd swallowed a thousand icy nails. He rubbed at his solar plexus, attempting to ease the tension that had formed.
“So,” the Spider Head began, “you know why I've gathered all of you here.”
There were various nods around the room, and some very pointed glares. Kurapica rubbed at his chest even harder, as if it would make the pain lessen some.
“I'll get right down to business, then,” the Ryodan leader continued. “Spiders, here is the latest member I've selected for us. Kurapica, of the extinct Kurata clan.”
He motioned for Kurapica to step forward, but the blond suddenly couldn't breathe. This sudden reminder of the massacre that had taken place six years ago, while facing the very people responsible for it had stolen the breath from his lungs. He couldn't move and he was suddenly glad for the contacts that he was still wearing, as he knew that his eyes were now very red. They burned with his anger, a fury so hot it melted the ice in his veins and replaced it with magma.
Kuroro motioned again and the Kuruta forced himself to move at last, but he couldn't draw in air until the second step. Once he’d reached the Spider Head’s side, he stood there, rigid and glaring at nothing in particular.
“He's earned his place amongst us by killing two of our members,” Kuroro continued, his voice even, although Kurapica was certain his discomfort hadn't escaped the older man. “I have personally selected him for the troupe. His skills are many, and I've been travelling with him for the past few months and learned much about his adaptability and sharp mind.”
“Danchou,” a man Kurapica didn't know spoke up, looking about as furious as Kurapica felt, “you can't be serious!! The chain bastard?! I couldn't believe it when I first heard, but you actually - he killed Ubo!!”
“Killing one of the living members of the group is one of the prerequisites,” Kuroro calmly reminded him. “You know this, Nobunaga.”
The man named Nobunaga stood up so suddenly, his chair was sent tumbling backwards.
“This wasn't any member,” he was screaming now, “this was Ubo!! And Pakunoda! You can't have forgotten about her, not after only a year!”
The whole room erupted into chaos then, the more vocal Spiders jumping in to voice their discontent, others just sitting quietly and observing the scene.
Kurapica tuned them out, pretended he was anywhere but here, and glared at the door, wondering how quick he would have to be to reach it and just - leave. In his mind, he was already out in the warm evening, striding away, never to return.