Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Office Policy	By : Artemick Category: +G to L > Hunter x Hunter Views: 2719 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: HxH is not mine in any way, nor am I making money off of this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
                Kurapica walked to breakfast. Her hair made a static halo around her head. The hairs sparked with glancing sunlight that made her imagine things hunting around the corner of her eyes.

               Outside, the sun was already high; the desert well lit. It was a beautiful place, and strange. From the steppe, everything seemed low and far.

                She turned and saw Leorio, also sleep mussed and rubbing his neck. He squinted at her and waved.

                She reached out for him. He jogged forward and grabbed her hand. His voice growled, something like hello. Kurapica smiled. They walked that way, basically sleepwalking in the strange new place, to the dining room.

                Every single person from the night before was there. Half were still drinking, in nearly the same seats. The other half were in pajamas, sipping from steaming mugs and eating scrambled eggs.

                “Choose your team,” Hisoka said, carrying out a plate. “We have nightcaps on the left, breakfast on the right.”

                Most of the group were watching. There was a buffet of expressions for a menu, a few smiling polite or amused, but others sneered or scowled. The man with the white mane had his arm around a woman in a business suit. She leaned into his chest and stared over Kurapica.

The man's lip flicked up in scorn, but he greeted her. “Morning, Kurata.”

                Kurapica nodded and said nothing. She went to an open seat and sat down, staring at the tablecloth. Leorio settled next to her, a small measure of insulation.

                “How’s it going?” A young man said. Kurapica looked up at him. He seemed the type that didn’t often get a word in edgewise; very plain looking. He had his napkin tucked in the collar of an MIT t-shirt.

                “I went there,” Kurapica tilted her chin up. "Design and computation.”

                “Oh yeah?” He put down his fork and extended his hand. “I’m Shalnark.”

                “Kurapica."

                “You went to MIT?” A black haired woman at his side paused, her spoon dripping oatmeal. She was addressing Shalnark.

“Shizuku, yes.”

                “You never said.”

                “Oh, for love of – "

                “Don’t bother,” growled the massive man with the plate earrings. His voice was like a cement grinder, so low it was barely audible. He leaned against the wall, holding a tiny cup and an absinthe spoon. Kurapica felt tremulously impressed, like a deer in an earthquake, at his presence. A talking mountain. As she watched, the landslide of a human reached into a cup of sugar cubes with a dwarfed set of tongs and drew out a block. He lay it in the spoon.

                Shalnark rolled his eyes and hid his mouth in his coffee mug.

                Leorio ordered his breakfast and elbowed her. “Same thing?”

                “Please."

                Leorio ordered her usual as well, an omelette packed with spinach, feta and swiss.

               “Good man.” Hisoka patted Leorio on the back and went into the kitchen.

                Kurapica blushed. She wanted to be his, for him to be the man, but she did not want to be the woman. Not helpless, hurt. Owned, loved, loyal – but not with her hands tied.

Leorio grinned at the man across from him, the jogger. “So! What brings you all here?”

               The jogger shook his head, laughing, and looked down the table, as if he were being spoken to be a dog. “Nobunga, why are we here?”

                A long haired man who had worn the sword – which now lay on the table - looked by from his tea. “Shut up.”

                Kurapica squeezed her hand on the bench. She had never done well in social settings; people scared her. She tried to concentrate on the nice student across from her and the black haired girl with the big glasses and duck pajamas. She cleared her throat to get their attention. “Maki said you were friends?”

                “Who?” Shizuku asked.

                Shalnark slammed down his fork. “Maki, Shizuku! We met through work. We’re going together to Vegas, to gamble."

               He wiped some flown specks of food off his mouth and checked his answer with the large man leaning against the wall. "Right?"

                That giant sipped.

                The man with the greased hair and a bindi walked in, dressed in a smart suit. He stopped and stared at Kurapica, then said to the drinkers on the left side of the room, “Too bad I’m not a collecter. It’d be a complete set.”

                The man with the white mane guffawed.

               The bindi man sat down at the breakfast table. His smile was as open as a child. “So, how are you two?”

                Leorio tried to make him talk baseball, which the bindi man did, agreeably. Kurapia sat still, trying not to be seen, until Hisoka brought their food in and sat on the bench between them. He might as well have stabbed her to the wall, for all her heartbeat kicked up.

                "Are you alright?"

                "Fine."

               Hisoka leaned back on the table. “I don’t think the other clients will be coming. But that means I’ll be working with you personally. Normally private consultation is a much higher charge, but of course we have a contract.”

                Kurapica exhaled in relief. “Oh that’s fine. No. I was nervous anyway, to – to share this with other people.”

                “No need to be.”

                She looked over his face. This close, his elegant bone structure was marred by the thin white scars. His pale face looked like an ice skating rink. Like he were made of wound spiderweb.

                "We're here to help." His tongue slipped out to wet his lips. “Stories are the start of everything. What are your fantasies, dear Kurapica?”

                She looked down at her plate. But the idea filled her, making her groin pound, sensitive to each heartbeat, the flex of her toes. “I…uh.”

                “That dirty, hm? I can’t wait.”

                “We’re at breakfast,” she whispered, glancing at their tablemates.

                “They're no one. You'll never see them again."

               She pulled her bangs straight. "I…I'm not sure. This is uncomfortable."

               "Alright. But remember. You want someone to push you, teach you to be comfortable with your fears,” he grinned. “This is all part of the game, testing limits.”

               "I understand that."

               Hisoka chuckled. He took her free hand and pressed it over his groin.

               Kurapica shivered, pleasure breaking through her mind; her fork hung frozen. She could feel his erection, round and solid under the cloth, alive. So like and unlike Leorio’s.

               She twisted her hand away.

               Hisoka stared.

               Kurapica shoved a bite of egg in her mouth, burying her hand in her lap.

               "It's your money," Hisoka murmured.

               "I'm eating."

               Hisoka followed her hand back between her thighs with the speed of falling rain, slipping under her fingers, down over her clit. He pulled firmly up against her .

            The attraction to him that she’d boarded up broke loose and smothered her. She looked at him in alarm and saw that beautiful face of his warped in a torrent of greed and ecstasy. It was a terrible moment; she didn't know him. He'd lost all control – emotion stretched his face into a Halloween mask.

               He rubbed, bringing her complete, blinding her. Kurapica grabbed the table with one hand, bent over, curling her shoulders. She grabbed his wrist with the other.

Glancing up, she saw the Shalnark boy was watching, only slightly surprised at the behavior. But Kurapica was too deep in orgasm to stop Hisoka. She lay her head down, hid her face.

Hisoka kissed her neck and stood, leaving her shivering. “Now. No more protests.”

In his absence, Kurapica wiped her eyes with both hands and stared out the window, bent low as broken grass. Shalnark pushed his napkin to her. She mouthed, Thank you, but no sound came.

Shalnark smiled, exhaling through his nose, nearly a laugh. "And you pay for this?"

Kurapica met his eyes.

"You don't look the type. I guess we're all machines. The right command."

She picked up her fork and ate her omelette. If he tried to speak, she ignored him.

                “You look bad,” Leorio grunted, as they left the kitchen and headed for the patio, where Hisoka was to meet them. “Are you alright? Didn't you like the omelette?”

Kurapica arms grated inside her sleeves. She whispered, “I don’t like those people. They’re fucking rude. And Hisoka – “

“What?”

Kurapica blushed. She remembered Hisoka’s hand, her own orgasm, and then her unbidden fantasy of the man holding her down. “He thinks I’m a joke.”

“What? You’re mumbling.”

"He thinks – "

                Hisoka came out. Green yoga slacks and shirtless, he pulled up a chair across from them. “Morning. How are we feeling? Ready?”

Leorio saluted. “Aye, captain.”

“Well, you’ve seen the schedule, Ms. Kurata. Has your partner?” Hisoka pushed forward a print version of the .pdf he’d emailed.

                Kurapica pushed it to Leorio and looked away. Leorio cheered. “Look, bathhouse!”

                Hisoka brushed his hand through the air. “We are a spa.”

                “Massage…oil or hot stone?” Leorio asked Kurapica.

                “On your body type, I’d recommend stone,” Hisoka pointed at Leorio, then at Kurapica. She felt like his hands were on her already as he smiled. “And for you, oil.”

                “Oh, getting all rubbed up.” Leorio wagged his eyebrows.

                “Fuck you,” she murmured. She'd forgotten how she hated men. The way they took advantage. The way they pushed and forgot. She felt used. “This isn’t a game.”

                "Oh…okay." Leorio stepped to face her, asking quietly, "What's going on?"

                She looked at him, trying to distill decades of distrust into a few words. She wanted to believe he'd be on her side. She couldn't be sure.

More pertinently, she didn't trust herself. Was this what she needed? To be forced? Was it so bad to learn something new – was that what she was paying for?

                Kurapica shuddered and crossed her arms. She curled her lip at the thought. Her hand closed in front of her sternum. She'd lost the compass in her heart. It used to point north, cold, always frigid ice. There was never any risk, but she wasn't sure if there was anything to gain.

                South, warmth, hunger may have risk. But if she was in that jungle, she could learn to fight. She trusted that she could learn to defend herself.

                Hisoka started to speak, but she snapped, "Show me the room."



Kurapica walked into the golden space. The walls were orange, set with wooden racks of waxy leaved plants that looked like dinosaur forage. The air had the rich scent of greenhouse mulch, with oranges and citrus from flowering bushes.

Hisoka’s hands traced down her neck, from her hairline to the neck of her robe. “Let me take this.”

Kurapica looked at the three framed diplomas on the wall. She let go of her lapels. “Thank you.”

He took the robe down slowly.

The hairs on her neck rose – his breath hit her spine between her shoulders.

“Your disorder is such a blessing.” Hisoka turned, hanging up the robe.

"Don't talk about it. You lost your right when you betrayed my trust." Kurapica looked back at the diplomas. There was something queer about them. She chalked it up to doubt.

"Those people are dogs. Performing in front of them doesn't matter."

“How do they know Maki?” Kurapica turned to Hisoka, then swallowed, seeing at the bare expanse of his back. “What are you doing?”

He slipped his trousers over his thighs and stepped out of them. “Let me do my job.”

She looked at his long cock. He was naturally dirty blond. His red must be hennaed. Kurapica bit her lip.

“Trust me.” Hisoka rubbed his hands down his body, giving a deep sigh, like a panther. He patted his stomach and turned to a rack of oils. “Get on the table and I’ll tell you.”

“How do they know me?”

“They know you?” He twisted around.

“Yes.”

“A past life, I suppose.” After a moment, he chose a vial. “I think…vanilla for you. Oh yes, and lemon. Good. Very good. Please, lay down.”

Kurapica climbed up. She settled on her side, her weight sinking into the mat. The table was cool against her skin, with smooth turquoise sheets. It was a color she looked good on – as if he’d planned. Her fear grew sharply and she sat up. “Did you…give me the normal program?”

“Are you a normal client?” Ambling closer, Hisoka unstoppered the glass pitcher. "Please lay down. Ma'am. Ms. Kurata."

Kurapica lay down, sighing. With a practiced, efficient swirl of his wrist, he coated her chest with a spiral of oil. Kurapica drew breath, squeezing her thighs together. “But – I got such a low price.”

“Everybody gets something.” Hisoka knelt and took one of her feet. The sigils tatooed on his face seemed to glow. They only made his almond eyes look more natural and delicate. “Whatever it’s worth it to me. You’re an interesting case study, I admit.”

She made herself relax. Her groin hummed with arousal, with the slip of the oil over her breasts, and his fingers, hot, skating over her feet. He pressed the muscles in deep. "Other women trust men."

"You see power. It's intelligent to be afraid…but often unnecessary."

She shuddered, her shoulders jerking, and she sat up. He made her blood run cold.

Hisoka laughed quietly. "You see what we fantasize about. You're a smart girl. Very controlled. So you see other's motivations when they're not controlled, when they overflow with excess – when we're selfish. But that scares you. Some people ignore the spooky shadows, but you, you can't get beyond the nightmare."

"Shadows are cast by real movement. Real intentions."

                “That’s why you’re so funny,” he laughed. He arranged her body as he talked. “Too much honesty. Makes you sick. Makes you a little pervert, a virgin. I want to know about you, your life, Kurapica Kurata. How did you get here?"

Kurapica remembered her feet in dry earth. Playing with whittled toys. Wearing a white and blue skirt that she loved. “How do you mean?”

"Your life. Everything. Anything."

"What about it? I was never abused. My family loved me. My dad respected my mom. There's no reason I am what I am. A poor phenotype and chance meetings."

Hisoka pulled his slick hands over Kurapica's calf. It calmed her, smoothing her muscles. She exhaled, and he purred, "Before that. What do you remember, when you were very young?”

"Nothing."

“Trust me.”

"No, I…I was adopted."

His hands paralyzed her with pleasure. It was that physical trust more than anything that was winning her over, calming her. He moved close, his fingers worked up her arm to her neck. He rolled her over and slung a string of oil along her spine. His touch was too hard.

She panted. Moaned.

“I remember playing in the dirt. You’re going to break me.”

“You’ll see when you start moving.”

“I feel unstrung already.” She imagined her body loosening at all the seams. “You’re talented.”

“You’re shocked,” he chuckled, moving her arm above her head. Hisoka’s fingers began to dig under her shoulder blade. “Of course, there are few masseuses as skilled as I am. A little pain. Then better.”

He let her arm down. Her movement seemed clean, unhampered. He touched her thigh.

Kurapica looked at his hand. She jerked up, seeing his erection brush her. It was huge, just – she couldn’t imagine. “Hisoka!"

"Pet?"

"I’m not – you – "

“That’s why you’re here. Because you’re not comfortable – “ Hisoka put his hand on hers. He pulled it to his cock. Kurapica felt the head rub her palm. Her fingers stretched out wide. “With this.”

Kurapica looked away. But she felt it, rubbing against her palm. Her hips press forward into Hisoka's waiting palm.

Hisoka groaned, eyes crinkling. He laced his fingers into hers, and began to thrust. He was uncut, and the skin was pulling back. The leaking, flushed head drew circles on her palm.

               “How do you feel?” He said. As she thought about it, he reached under the table and pulled out a large blunt object. Flicking a switch, it began to buzz.

                Kurapica inhaled, twisting. “Don’t – “

                He set it under his sac, shutting his eyes and smiling. “Men love these too. But I’m sure you’ve learned that.”

                “Don’t touch me with – “

                “I want to prime the pump, and I can see you won’t let me use me tongue. Not yet. It’s too personal, am I right?”

                “No, no – “

                He reached for her and she brought her knees in, catching his arm tight. But he was still well in reach, and grinned at her before tilting the vibrator down. She protested until it touched her, and she shrieked.

                The buzz reverberated through her, shaking her to the core and panning up every memory of orgasm she’d had from that sensation – thousands. She started to come, lifting her knees. She cried out, coughing, breathless. She was unable to inhale. Her body was heaving everything out in screams.

That release let him free his hand, and he pushed the toy tight against her lips, from clit down, and she choked, trying to escape it, rocking, grabbing the sides of the table, unable to get out from under it. The blurring contact rushed through her.

                After she began to quiet, just pumping, jerking her hips up in reactionary twitches, he turned it off and felt her with his fingers. She was slick, and he rubbed. “You’re an adventurous girl. Coming all alone with your man to the desert, for a sex camp. You’re very brave. Do you want one step further? I can loosen you for him. I’ve done wonders for Maki – I was her first. She’s never let me out of her sight.”

                Kurapica looked over his long cock, the opaline veins. Hisoka smiled. He spread her knees. Kurapica jerked, bracing her bare sweating feet against his chest. She threw her arms up against him. “No! No thank you.”

                “Then roll over.”

                She turned on her side. He arranged her arms and shoulders, stretching her lungs.

                His hand slid between her legs and he nursed her with short strokes, making her heart stampede with his slow strokes. “Breathe.”

                “Please don’t – “

                “Relax."

                Wincing, she rested her hand on his.

                "Good. Guide me. But you need to learn to trust strangers. We won't hurt you. We'll just…enjoy ourselves. You might like it."

                Her heart hardened with the strain.

                After she shuddered blind into exhaustion, Kurapica caught her breath, prone on the table with her face hidden. She slipped off, took her robe, and excused herself.

                In the hall, Leorio met her. He had sunglasses on and sandals, like he'd been outside. He carried a cocktail and a lemonade.

“Kurapica! I have a whole new body.”

Kurapica felt her brow curl. She was disturbed. He offered the lemonade in a cold and slippery glass.

"How was Hisoka? Maki’s a tyrant. I'm scarred."

"He was revoltingly aggressive."

"That's why you're with me." Leorio put an arm around her shoulders, eyelids low, smug and strutting like John Travolta in Grease. "I'm only sweet to you, ever."

Kurapica looked at him, thinking about beta fish flaring their fins. She found she was able to catch her breath. She took his hand.

"I think...two passive people together can be a lot happier than if one's more aggression."

He sucked on the straw, guiding her out to the patio. "Well. You're pretty assertive. And I might bitch, but I'm extremely effective."

"That sounds like a performance review."

"Isn't this place a review?"

"Would you like me if I was a dominatrix?"

Leorio laughed brusquely and whooped, startling her. He lifted his glasses. "Hoo man, I'd love to see you as a dominatrix. But the nice kind, right? Not the…Maki kind."

"Of course the nice kind."

"Good. I hate when you cuss. It doesn't suit you."

Kurapica stepped carefully around the cracks in the tiles.

"What does a nice dominatrix do?"

"Pretty much exactly what you do now, but with a lower neckline and higher hem. And you should sit in my lap more."

"I like that."

He grinned. "There's a smile. What was up with you this morning?"

She put a hand on her head, embarrassed. "I was upset. Hisoka was - rude. I've put us in an odd situation, Leorio."

He cackled. "You've no idea. Wait."

They came to a sunroom where a tea had been set out. Leorio's plate was a mess of jam, cheese and bread crumbles, with a dirty knife laid across. Kurapica thought at first he'd spread his medical magazines over the table, but she saw they were laminated fetish portraits.

"So this is the menu. We're supposed to…order."

Kurapica put her finger on the corner of one and turned the photograph to face her.

"I got rid of everything I couldn't look at and eat at the same time."

"That's a good rule." Kurapica took his chair.

"You get to make the second cut. Fair?"

She lifted up a photo of a conservatively dressed woman sitting in a wingback chair, leaning down to smile at her leashed, nude partner. She put that to one side.

Leorio fixed up another English muffin with butter and honey. "Do you want half?"

"The bottom half."

"Crazy. That's the worst half. It's hard."

Kurapica grinned, shrugging. She picked up another. The more mainstream kinks were campy; the exotic ones hidden with lighting tricks and made elegant with shadows. "Are you going to think I'm weird?"

"If the picture is there, that means I'm willing to do it! That makes me weird. Look at this one!" He tapped a photo.

Kurapica turned her head to the side. "Oh. Well…" There were too many ropes.

The door slammed and Maki strode up. She looked at them and went into the kitchen.

A moment later, Hisoka entered, bare-chested and knotting the waist tie on his trousers. Kurapica looked deliberately away. Hisoka's monstrous reach letting him put a hand on the back of either of their chairs comfortably, and he leaned over them. "Kurata. What are you doing? You had a profile made."

Kurapica pinked. She told Leorio, "I answered a questionnaire."

"You have your challenges, which are big enough: trust, strength, relaxation, control. But there are a lot of ways to lead into that and we might as well focus on those that work for your partner. He's done." He gathered the pictures, tapped them, and flipped through. "Now, head out to the patio. Leorio can bring your refills out while Maki and I fix brunch."



                Kurapica walked over to the patio wall, carrying the English muffin in a napkin. Slinging her leg over the top, she straddled the stone. The heat soaked up through her thighs and she looked out over the fields.

The vineyard beyond the wall was dry. No one was working. It wasn’t the season or it was too hot. Kurapica wasn’t sure. She knew that the air felt good on her bare legs. She couldn’t let herself think of anything more.

The heat pleased her, seeping into her flesh, and she smoothed the robe to mold over her groin.

But remembering Hisoka stroking her, the toy, and oil -- her thighs clenched.

She wanted to leave. Take her application and leave. This place was wrong. Everything about it was sad and wrong.

But Hisoka was honest – an honest pervert, wise about perversion at least. And Maki was loyal to him. That said something.

Kurapica wondered what she'd done to Leorio. A tyrant…

                She looked down, chewing and thinking.

There were heads moving below. They were small, two stories down, emerging from a door in the base of the wall. It was the white mane man beside the blond businesswoman.

                “…easy enough. It’s an hour to the property line.”

                Kurapica lifted her leg out of sight. The businesswoman crossed her arms. Kurapica bent over the wall and heard the man ask, as he tapped the woman's arm: “What do you say?”

                “Why bother?”

                Her voice was low as gravel, full of affection.

                “Why bother! She’s seen every one of us. Together. And at Maki’s home, like she’s always reminding us.”

                Strange, Kurapica thought. They mean me.

She couldn't react. Her mind knew the danger, but her body only knew the sun that was blinding her. Their tones were casual. It was hard to worry. To have such a conversation in the open made it seem honest.

                “She’s a child.”

                “They’re demons that look like children.”

                Delusional, Kurapica thought.

“You have no reason. None. Go. Talk to her. They're at lunch - ”

                At that cue, Kurapica rolled off the wall. Leorio was standing not twenty feet off with two lemonades. She jogged to him.

“Hey – "

Kurapica grabbed his arm and dragged him across to the glass doors. Going inside, she walked quickly to the small office down the hall and entered.

                Leorio edged over the threshold. “What are you doing?”

                Kurapica sat down and tapped the mouse to wake the screen. She pulled up the command prompt, where she could work faster than through the GUI. “Who needs shadows…”

                “Kurapica! What are you doing?”

                “Maki’s accounting,” Kurapica whispered, typing. Her head was haloed by the computer light.

                He looked down the hall. “Maki was rough, but she knew what she was doing. I think they’re legit.”

                “Her friends are my concern.” Kurapica droned, lost in the scripts.

                Leorio jumped as a breeze ruffled the curtain down the hall.

                Kurapica hissed, staring at a pdf. “Meteor? That can’t be a real name.” She folded her hands. Templing her fingers she pressed them to her lips. “Maybe something dumber. No social networking in the browser history. No saved passwords.” She tapped the mouse and flicked through browser settings. “She doesn’t have an email set up. No favorites. No cookies, nothing visited...I wish I knew more about this.”

                “How’s she sell the wine in this day and age without email?”

                Kurapica bit her lip. She opened a custom MSAccess database they had on the desktop. “I looked for that before. Maybe Hisoka does it.”

                Leorio looked down the hall again. “You make me feel like I’m rushing a fraternity sometimes."

                “You can go if you want.”

                “I'd miss the keg stands. But hey - have you seen any wine lying around? They didn't even serve it at the table..”

                “It’d be in the old stables by the fields, wouldn’t you think?”

                “Then won’t the real office computers be there?”



                Outside, the man with the white mane was sitting at the iron table on the veranda. He was holding a very delicate looking tea cup and picking apple slices out of Leorio’s heaped lunch platter.

                Kurapica let go of the door, letting Leorio catch it with a thump.

                The white mane man looked up and rumbled, “Kurata.”

                Kurapica shoved her hands in the pockets of her robe. It pulled open a sliver, all the way down. But the light, the man’s eyes, it didn’t bother her. He couldn’t hurt her.

The property line is ten miles away…

                She refolded and tied the robe. “Ah. Were you looking for me?”

                “Yeah. Got a word for you.”

                Kurapica looked at Leorio and whispered, “Babe. Would you get that thing? The rock.”

                “Huh? Oh. Meteor. Yes.” Leorio waved, loping off in an attempt to be casual. “Right. Nice to see you again, man. Pica, I'll see you at one?"

                She nodded. Leorio disappeared down the stairs.

                The man with the white mane smiled. His grin was huge as an alligator's. “Meteor. Hm. What’s at one?”

                “We’re working with Maki and Hisoka.”

                “Right.” He shoved the tiny cup at her like a toast and laughed. “Their business.”

                Kurapica stood still, resentment and vulnerability cooking away in her guts.

                He grinned and pointed at the tea cup. “You look like this. All delicate white curves. Fragile.”

                Kurapica stalked over. She jerked the chair across from him out and sat down, yanking Leorio’s plate back to her side of the table. "That isn't yours."

                “Flashing that tight little body,” he grunted. “Natural blond. I should try you on for fit. You look like a boy, but it should be tight enough, what with my – “

“Shut up!” Kurapica ordered, seeing red. She couldn’t believe what she’d just heard, and from a stranger! Nor could she see what angle he had in confusing her, hurting her. "What makes you think you can talk to me like that?"

“Yeah, I remember you,” he grinned. “I met your family once.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“Mm, think I did,” the wild man crowed. He shifted forward. “Your kind have bad tempers.”

“My family’s dead.” Kurapica grabbed the cup out of his hand and set it hard on the table.

The man smiled. “Then you do remember me?”

“Introduce yourself.”

“Call me John.”

“Fuck you, John.”

He laughed. “Then call me Ubogin.”

She gestured at her chest. “Kurapica.”

“My name doesn't ring any bells?” Ubogin lifted his brows. Kurapica shook her head. He laughed. “You know, Paku thinks you’re innocent. But I know you're not.”

Kurapica checked her robe and smoothed it over her knees. She felt vaguely feverish from the confrontation. “What I am isn’t your business.”

Ubogin’s face lightened. “Oh damn! Are you the virgin? Hisoka said he was getting one. That's you?"

“Hisoka said?” Her body, trembling, became cold. That was confidential.

“I mean, a virgin, here. Ha. Of all places. I didn't think it was you, showing up with a boyfriend. Why would he stay?" Ubogin leaned over the table, leering. “I guess you're good with your tongue. Hisoka said he hooked you right in. Knew exactly what you wanted. Hisoka’s real good with children.”

Kurapica’s lip curled. “I’m no child.”

“You know, I think you just haven’t found the right guy," he simpered. "Maybe when your breasts develop - ”

“I did find the right one. I found someone who accepted me.” Kurapica said, concentrating through the friction of the cloth against her thighs. “I found someone I trust. Not that my affairs are any of your business.” Kurapica grabbed her knee.

“Aren’t you…hey, are you crying?”

“No! We're done here. I’ve nothing to say to you.”

Ubogin leaned forward. After a moment, he crowed, “That’s right, I forgot! You horny little slut.”

Kurapica stood, pushing away from her chair. To be naked, wrapped in the soft cloth and barefoot on the warm flagstones, talking of Leorio – her body was overwhelmed with the vibration of the man's voice, her thoughts, and the lush sensuality of the patio. Breezes were pulling over her like silk. She was caught in a riptide.

The huge man leaned forward and grabbed her arm. “We’re not done, snow bunny.”

“Yeah. We are.” Kurapica jerked loose.

Ubogin grabbed her. “No, we’re not.”

She looked down at his hand, astonished. “What - ? Get off me.”

He pulled her.

She yanked. “This is assault! Get off!”

“Assault? You never hear that anymore. Usually people are too scared to say it. Of course, usually they’re staring at what I’m capable of, by this point.”

“Get off - ” Kurapica pulled her arm up, setting her weight low to give leverage.

Ubogin half stood, grappling with her waist. He pulled her to him, sitting down. The chair screeched against the concrete. “Aren’t you strong, moppet!”

“Let GO,” Kurapica shrieked, raising her fists.

He held her wrists together. “Now do you remember me?”

“Help!” Kurapica shouted, looking at the windows of the building. “HELP!”

He covered her mouth. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

She tried to bite the inside of his hand, but couldn’t get purchase. The nasty taste of his flesh, the scent of grime and sweat, invaded her mouth as her teeth scraped his skin. His hands were calloused and thick.

“Are you coming now?”

Kurapica panicked and froze. She began to cry, shaking.

“Oh.” He sounded hurt. “Look. We weren’t done talking – that’s all. Calm down.”

She nodded. He let go of her mouth.

Kurapica inhaled to scream, but Ubogin took the middle finger of her right hand and began pressing it back, ready to break it.

“Ah – “ she winced, bending. “Stop! Stop. Okay, I'm – okay - ”

“Let’s just talk,” Ubogin said.

Kurapica tensed, her back straightening. She whispered, “You…you’re a thug.”

“That’s cute, that…thing you have. Did you orgasm while you were struggling?”

Kurapica was still.

Then he pressed on her finger and words poured from her.

“Yes, yes! Ow. You – you’re a criminal.”

“More than that.”

“I h-heard you talking.” Kurapica decided to admit it. “Twice now. What do you want from me?

“You do remember me.”

“If I’d met you, I would have! You’re gigantic, a monster - and I would never have come near you twice, you piece of shi – “ she gave up, whimpering as he shook her, straining the finger he threatened to break.

“Huh. Be polite.” Ubogin’s lower lip shoved up, and he raised his brows. “Guess I lost that bet. Well,” he let go of her finger, but not her arm. “That’s that.”

Kurapica sneered. She panted, tightening her fingers into fists and pressing the hurt hand to her chest. She looked down at his hands still on her arms. “Let me go and I won’t tell Hisoka what you did.”

“Hisoka.” He chuckled, looking up at the spa building. “Yeah, he’s gonna be pissed I shoved his cock in this wasp nest, isn’t he? Maki too.”

“Then let go.”

He pushed her to the table. Kurapica grunted as the edge jabbed into her ribs. He grabbed her crouch to lift her higher onto the table as casually as if he were clasping a friend’s hand. The thick bathrobe rubbed over her, her weight pressing down on his fingers. “Get off! Get – “ She screamed, kicking at him.

“Ow! Fuck.” The giant man pressed her torso down on the table. “You want to learn to have sex? I’ll give you a quick lesson.”

Terror cracked through her sternum. Kurapica snapped, “That’s enough! Let me down. Ubogin! You psychotic - ”

She felt his fingers traced her ear. The blunt sound of friction flooded the hearing on her right side. He touched her neck, then pinched the neck of her robe in his great fingers and pulled it down. "This is too loose on you.”

Heat, wet heat on her spine – she flinched, pulling her shoulders up high. He was licking her. His tongue was the size of her palm.

“Y-you’re acting ridiculous…” Kurapica whispered, shivering. "Get off."

“What? That’s stupid. I’m not acting like anything. I’m on vacation, little girl!” He spanked her.

Kurapica tried to roll over. “You're insane - ”

Ubogin put a heavy hand on her ass. “You’re insane, not having sex. Do you have any idea how good you could make me feel? Tight thing like you?”

“D-don’t you dare. We’re in public, someone’s going to – “

“Maybe. Hey, shh.” He slipped a finger between her legs and began stroking the inside of her thigh, up and down. "You like that?"

Kurapica shrieked.

He shook her and barked, “Quiet! You don’t want anyone to see you like that. Bent over a table getting your cunt teased. Aren’t you married to that guido guy? Huh? No, you don’t want anyone to see you like this - ”

“I don’t want you to touch me – I don't want to be here! Help – “ Kurapica hollered. “RAPE – HELP!"

“Nonsense.” Ubogin tugged off the cord of her robe. He let go of her arms and wrapped it around her head, through her teeth.

                Kurapica tried to get it off. She hollered into the terrycloth. She twisted around and elbowed him, she didn’t know where – maybe the chest. But he caught her again and gently, too gently for what he was doing, pressed her down.

                “First lesson,” he boomed. “Be nice.” He flipped her robe up.

                Kurapica choked, silent. The air and light hit her skin. There was no joking, no fun in his intentions. No games about comfort and power. Just purpose.

Her head cleared. She breathed in. Then she pulled her legs in and kicked back into his waist, bracing against the table.

                He grunted and jerked her back with him as he fell.

Afraid of hitting the concrete headfirst, Kurapica threw her feet down. But he pulled her down to his lap. Her body fell against his chest. She pushed against him, looking up. She could see the underside of his chin and nose after the expanse of his shirt. After a moment, she felt his cock pumping blood like a second heartbeat against her bare stomach.

                Ubogin was not hurt; he was chuckling. “You’re cute. A five buck firecracker."

                Kurapica ripped the cloth out of her mouth and spat, “You abusive shit! You’re going to jail!”

                “For hugging a pretty girl at a sex convention?” He stroked her hair; Kurapica jerked away. “I think not. Maybe commended. Maybe a settlement. You want to see me again in court?”

                “I’ll shoot you. I'll blow your brains out if you don't let me go this instant.”

                Her voice was weak. A wail.

                “I’ll shoot you,” he crooned, pulling her up his body. She screamed again – he wrapped his arms around her, one pushing her head to his chest and the other down her back and between her legs, pressing her in. He pumped his hips up, groaning. "Blow your brains out."

                Kurapica’s breath caught. Her body grew soft as half melted butter from the pleasure, the full contact, his handprints. "No – "

                His pulse beat into her and he thrust up. “Oh yeah – “

                Kurapica tried to bite him, but began to sob, frustrated beyond control with her body’s elation and the force of his arms pinning her. It wasn’t fair –

                She struck at his mouth, clipping his lip on his teeth. Red blood welled up and streaked over the white.

                Ubogin grunted and grabbed her hair. “Now, don’t get – “

                Kurapica lunged and shoved her thumb into his eye.

                “Shit – “ He lifted his head back, laughing, where she couldn’t reach. He warned, “You almost – “

                She punched into his esophagus, throwing her weight behind it. As he choked, she punched again and again. Ubogin coughed and stood, dumping her up off. He kept her hair and held her at arm’s length like a cat.

                She reached up to the hand on her as Ubogin choked and cursed. Grabbing his smallest finger and the rest in the other hand, she yanked them apart. Ubogin leaned over, coughing and feeling nothing yet. Kurapica wrenched his finger back. She had to double her hands and pull, but the small one snapped.

He yelped, and she peeled his hand off her, ripping her hair.

                Ubogin dropped her and lashed out. His foot hit her arm and collapsed it back into her ribs, shoving her away. Kurapica fell. She tore her feet on the stone, hands flat on the ground as she landed. She scrambled up, body throbbing, and she ran.

                She shoved through the sliding doors and threw them back, locking them. That left her in the lobby. Only once she was in the chill air conditioning did she think. Run to Leorio? A phone, for the police? Hisoka? Leorio was at their session, with Hisoka. Hisoka was a dangerous liar, and neither was as strong as Ubogin. Maki could call him off –

                She went to Maki’s office. It was locked.

                She raced back to the lobby desk and overturned a cup of pens, pencils, and scissors to reach a letter opener.

                The office had a house lock, meant for family members, children – not against committed adults, certainly not foster children.

The lock clicked apart. Inside the office, Kurapica jammed a chair under the knob and pulled the curtains.



                Ubogin stumbled down the steps, his hand over his throat, coughing. Only as he reached for the rail did he notice something funny about his fingers. They still hurt. He pulled at them queerly.

                At the bottom of the staircase, a tall man with a goatee and pony tail waited. He nodded to Ubogin with hooded eyes. “I heard her screaming. That was awfully loud.”

                “Bitch broke my fingers.”

                “Bring the body down. You’re already on the cameras.”

                “Ah. I let go."

Nobunga sighed.

"She’s a white rat, all wriggly. Teeth…”

                Nobunga put his hand on his sword. “Do you want me to do it?”

                “She’s in the house. On Maki’s damn white carpet.” He shoved his hand at the other man. “Fix my hand. Tie it up. I need to jerk off.”

                Leorio shifted himself in his speedo. “I don’t know, boss. Pools have all kinds of germs. There was a special on Discovery – “

                “Think of the friction,” Hisoka said. He lay back on the lounge chair, all legs. He had his cock out and was pulling it lazily. “Swimsuits and wet skin are natural lubrication.”

                Leorio lay back on the stairs. He could feel his body floating. His feet looked like jello though the blue water.

                He sneaked a look at Hisoka. The man had his eyes shut, bored with waiting. His tattoos were pastel, like they’d been done with foreign ink. They looked fresh, but had no swelling.

                “What are the tats for?”

                “Excuse me?” His eyes cracked open.

                Leorio pointed to either cheek.

                “Oh, those.” Hisoka smiled. “My kills. Kidding.”

                “Hah.”

                “They’re just for fun." His voice trilled. "I got them after my first show in Vegas. I handle cards.”

                Hisoka's strange cadence made a sudden sense. It was smooth and velveted, a showman's voice.

“You’re a dealer?”

                Hisoka laughed. “I was. I became a headliner. I’m very good. After my first show I got drunk, grabbed a bunch of cute club kids, fucked them all in a fountain. The next morning I had tattoos.”

“What a life.”

                “Unh. Well child,” the giant man groaned. An expression of real pain crossed his brow. “I lived in the dirt first. I would have half a can of ravioli for lunch and the rest for dinner. Did that for two years. Worked on one thing – one." He held up a finger. "The cards. You do that, suffer and strive, you get your turn in the clouds.”

“That’s…I’m just impressed. I mean, I’ve never been to Vegas.”

“You live it safe. Don’t sweat it, Leorio. You might not have done a lot of body shots, but you never woke up with a needle in your arm and a homeless dude’s cock up your ass.” Hisoka laughed. “Ah, your face! Yeah. Been there, true story. Look. A safe life is safe. There's nothing right with it and nothing wrong either. There’s something to be admired on every path.”

“But you…wow. You help people have better sex. That’s a great job.”

Hisoka shrugged elegantly, then winced as his erection dribbled precum like a dripping candle over the web of his thumb. “Excitement and poverty versus stability and wealth. But the market, the grand negotiation! You give me a little cash - I show you how to connive your cute wife into a PVC bikini. Then we get to body shots, eh?”

                Hisoka winked.

Leorio grinned back at him, then lay down. He started rubbing his balls through the fabric. The therapist had a point: there was a something about the water and the slick fabric that really worked his insides.

                PVC bikini. The man was a genius. He imagined her nipples punctuating a gleaming stretch of tight black fabric.

                “Boys.”

                Leorio let go, turning back.

                Maki came over. “My computer’s compromised. I’d take care of it, but it’s your client.”

                Hisoka stood immediately. He followed her without a word.

                Leorio jumped out and ran to catch up, clutching the towel about his waist. “You mean Kurapica?”

                They didn’t answer. Leorio stuck with them.

After the glass-enclosed pool hot house, the interior of the complex was too dark and freezing. Leorio winced, feeling his balls shrink up.

                Maki stopped at a door and gestured at it sharply. Hisoka knocked. “Miss Kurata?”

                Kurapica’s voice came from inside. “Hisoka?”

                It was weak. Her voice had turned into a pathetic, tremulous whine.

Leorio lurched forward. “Kura! What’s wrong?”

                Maki put a hand out. Leorio ran into it. It was like hitting a steel bar. He grabbed her, but she pushed him back.

There was movement from inside. Furniture scraped the floor. The door opened. Leorio saw her inside. Her robe was open. Her eyes were red. She was holding a gleaming silver letter opener in front of her like a blade.

He shouted, “Kura, I’m right here – “

                “Who’s out there with you?” Kurapica demanded.

                Hisoka held out a hand to her. “What’s wrong, darling?”

                She wiped her nose, shifting her weight back and forth. “Ubogin assaulted me. He tied me with the cord from the robe. He touched me. I hit him.”

                Leorio shoved Maki. “Let me though!”

                Maki knocked his arms down and pushed him back. “Tranquilo! She needs you to be calm - ”

                “You shut up! Your goddamned friend attacked – the fucking love of my life – “

                Maki shoved him back against the wall. “You’re sweet. Calm down.”

                Leorio coughed; she knocked the wind out of him.

                Hisoka leaned in. “Miss Kurata. There’s only the three of us.”

                Kurapica dropped the letter opener and collapsed, crouching, holding her head in her hands. She looked so different from her usual self; Leorio couldn’t stand it. She was changing before his eyes. He had to put his hands on her to come with her.

                Hisoka came inside. “Who’s Ubogin?”

                “Maki’s friend, the tall one. White hair. He was too strong, I couldn’t…”

Hisoka turned. “Who is that guy?”

Maki shrugged. “Paku’s boyfriend. I don’t know him, he’s new. That could be his name.”

“He needs to go.”

Maki waved her hand at the phone.

Hisoka grabbed the receiver and punched in three buttons.

Maki let go and Leorio bolted through the door and fell on his knees, sliding into Kurapica like a rock star skidding at a concert. He put his arms around her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left – “

“Don’t get too broken up,” Kurapica hissed.

Leorio squinted at her. “What – “

Her voice was ragged, but ice cold and even. “Comfort me and take this.” She tucked a small chip of plastic into the front of his towel, a thumb drive. “Oh. Speedo?”

“Pool session. You missed it. Sausage party.”

“Fuck men and your cock-centered worldviews. I wasn’t lying about Ubogin. Hide that,” she looked at the thumb drive. “And my laptop. The police will search me.”

“Yes,” Hisoka was saying into the phone. “Immediately. A huge monster of a man. He’s probably still on the grounds. Is he armed, Ms. Kurata?”

Kurapica lifted her head. Her voice pitched. “No.”

Leorio looked at Hisoka, then back to the petite woman under his hands. He pet her hair and kissed her head, then muttered, “You’re a deceptive little freak.”

                “My family,” Kurapica growled. “Ubogin. Did I know him, did I remember him…I will now. He’s fucking dead. I’ll shoot him dead. I know he killed them.”

Her eyes were tearing up.

                “Sure, hon.” Leorio pet her hair.

                She shoved at him. “What do you mean ‘sure’?”

                Leorio stopped. He saw the bare skin down her front. Her robe tie was gone. Her feet were bleeding and, though she clearly didn’t know it, so was her scalp. “I mean I’ll help.”

                “Ms. Kurata. They’re sending a helicopter,” Hisoka interrupted. He put the phone down. “I lied a little, and said you were injured and that a gun was missing – “

                “A gun?” Kurapica blinked.

                “Yeah. I’ll miraculously find it later,” Hisoka said. Reaching on top of the tall cabinet, he lifted a shotgun down. It looked heavy and ancient, and he held it like he was comfortable with it. “We’re all alone out here, so I keep something. For peace of mind.”

                “I’m glad.”

                “The only way to get police here is to embellish.” Hisoka looked at her, at a loss. “My apologies. You trip will be comped and should you choose to reschedule at a later date, it will of course be severely discounted.”

                “Thank you.”

                Hisoka took some rounds from atop and cabinet and began to load the gun. He snapped it back up easily. “Sorry for the lie, but even American law views rape as a minor crime. If you want a manhunt, there needs to be a murder. At least in potential.”

The police came and went. They took notes and were appropriately blank. It didn’t take long. Kurapica felt, in retelling the story, that the fear didn’t translate. The threat didn’t translate.

She slammed the bedroom door and walked forward until she fell onto the bed.

                There was a metallic squeal and thump of pipes. Then the shower cut off and Leorio came out soaked. “Kurapica. How was it?”

                “Awkward.” She wiped her face. “They say his name was Alexis or something. But it was Ubogin. I know he was telling the truth. He had absolutely no…no tells, no – no hint he'd ever had to lie about anything in his life."

"That big, maybe he didn't."

"He said he knew me, Leorio. Ubogin, he was – presumptuous before he'd even touched me. Like he’d crossed that line long ago.”

                There was a knock. “Ms. Kurata?”

                She lifted herself up. “Yes?”

                Hisoka opened the door. He and Maki were standing there with two trays. “We brought dinner, since it looked like you weren’t going to make it.”

                “I’m sorry. The police just left.”

                “Don’t apologize.” Maki said.

                Hisoka kicked out a metal folding frame that made a table, and set the massive tray on it. Maki carried in another tray with drinks and tall desserts. Hisoka put them on the larger one and they moved to leave. “I hope this settles your stomach.”

“Thanks.”

                Hisoka bowed. “Let me apologize again. We had no idea. Paku usually has exceptional judgment.”

                Kurapica shook her head. “It's not her fault. You never know people.”

                Hisoka looked like he would say more. He looked at Kurapica and licked his lips. Then with a slight wave, he and Maki moved back through the door.

                Kurapica took her parfait off the table. "Thank you."

                “Of course.” Hisoka nodded and shut it.

                Leorio waved her back. “I hid that thing.”

                “Mm!” Kurapica bounced down on the bed. “Give that to me.” She dragged up her laptop. He handed it over and she shoved the USB drive in. She sucked through a layer of whipped cream and mango as it opened. “Did you find anything at the stables?”

                Leorio sat up. “There is a winery, housing for workers, and they've got an office. Everything's in Spanish. The people there know they’re working for Maki, but they don’t keep records.”

                “Damn.”

                “But we know you had their office computer because of Maki trying to get in here. And she told Hisoka her computer was compromised. Her computer. So what you’ve got is Maki’s.”

                Kurapica smiled. “She’s right. It is compromised.”

                He lay back down. “Pride goeth.”

                “Leorio.” She turned and rubbed his back. “Can I touch you?”

                “Mm.”

                She climbed onto his back and began rubbing long, hard strokes down his spine. After a moment, watching him lie dozing, she embraced him.

“Ubogin was going to kill me. He has no respect for me. Not like he didn’t respect women. It was me."

                “Now don’t scare yourself.”

She flicked her fingers at the back of his head. “I’m not scaring myself. I told you what he did. He saw me like a body. Breathing when it shouldn’t be. And he kept on about family.”

                “The Kurata?”

                “I don’t know.”

                “Well, you’re precious and I love you. So be safe.”

                She blushed fiercely. Then she leaned down and gently kissed his back. "I'm going out."

                “Don’t go out alone.”

                Kurapica inhaled carefully. "I have to pick up my gun.”

                “Stay away from that office. Hisoka’s suspicious. He paused in a funny way at the door.”

                “Not his gun. I ordered a gun while I was in there.”

                Leorio blinked. “Wait, what? How?"

"I have a friend."

"You can't ship a gun. You can't even use a gun!"

"Ubogin has no name. He tried to rape me like it was nothing. He's a murderer."

                “Shit, Kurapica!”

                She looked over and rubbed his hair. “Leorio. You don’t know me.”

                “Wait. You’re going to use it? You're going to shoot him?”

                Kurapica sighed. “No. Just read over these while I’m gone. Don't let anyone in. Because we're here together."

                "Kurapica. You can't. It's your life you're throwing away – "

                "Get off." She pulled her wrist loose. "You own that part of me that's yours. But the rest is mine. I have my own – my own life. My own goals."

                "Oh my God. Can we talk about this?"

                Kurapica stood still, rigid as a twisted tree. She bit her lip. Finally she said, "I just want him to apologize. To admit it. I just want to know how he felt. That's all."

                Leorio exhaled. He let go of her hand.

                Kurapica nodded. She dressed and pulled on her shoes.

                "If it's you or him, I don't care," Leorio said.

                Kurapica looked up, pushing her hair from her eyes. Leorio moved to the edge of the bed.

                "If it's you or him, I want you to shoot. But think about me otherwise. Us. Our lives will change if you do this."

                Kurapica stood. She kissed him on the mouth and left.
- 9
- 10
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Office Policy