Skeleton Flower | kurokura time travel AU | chrollo x kurapika

Chapter 1

The Black Whale is sinking.

Amidst the screaming and crying and chaos accompanying one of the greatest passenger ships in the world descending into the ocean, Kurapika stands against the railing of the uppermost deck. Ahead of him, the sun dips below the horizon, casting a golden glow along the surface of the water. It would be an admirable sight, if not for the fact that it would be the last for many of them.

The Kakin royalty are being ushered into the lifeboats, followed by those of the fairer society. The deck is crowded with passengers making their escape, but even the Zodiacs coupled with the Kakin soldiers aren't enough to handle the situation. Progress is inevitably slow.

A woman attempts to board Prince Woble's lifeboat, and Kurapika holds up a hand. "Leave all possessions behind."

Her eyes are hesitant, almost wary. Her intricate gown and jewelry speak of how she had no time to change from the banquet, but there are two large bags in her hands, their contents threatening to spill over. "I hold my family's inheritance in my hands. I can't possibly abandon them in the water!"

"Then feel free to join them in the ocean," Kurapika answers relentlessly. "There isn't enough room for everyone, let alone worldly possessions. Leave them behind, or you'll be the one remaining behind."

She chokes on a disbelieving laugh, or perhaps it's a sob. Her deliberation doesn't last very long, because there are passengers growing impatient behind her, more than willing to take her seat. Thrusting the bags towards a Kakin soldier, she ultimately relinquishes her belongings. The two bags are dropped into the water along with everything else. A woman's sun hat floating on the surface of the water. A lone briefcase packed with family heirlooms. Sheets of papers scattered by the wind.

The woman lifts her skirt to climb over the lifeboat. It leaves a bitter taste in Kurapika's mouth that they need to defer to people like her. People who don't understand the gravity of the situation—bemoaning the discomfort of congested lifeboats, catching colds, abandoning their belongings—rather than the hundreds of thousands of lives below them. Those who have nothing to lose but their lives.

There's not that much time left. A few more individuals board that very lifeboat, until the expected capacity has been met. An uneasy tension settles in the air, driven by a couple grasping onto each other tightly, so young and inseparable. The realization that Kurapika has not joined them makes Queen Oito rise from her seat, though Bill presses his hands against her shoulders, encouraging her to sit down.

"What is going on?" Queen Oito's hands fist into her skirt, her knuckles going white.

The hands on her shoulders tighten ever so slightly. It takes tremendous effort, but Bill manages to answer, "Kurapika is staying behind."

His words are a death toll, striking fear into Queen Oito's heart. "What do you mean?" Her hands are trembling now, a habit that has never left her. "I swear upon everything I hold dear, if Kurapika doesn't come with us, I will throw myself into the ocean—"

"Your Highness, please calm yourself." Only the railing separates them now. Kurapika looks at her as softly as he is able to, as if he hasn't resigned himself to his demise. The ache in his chest eases with the knowledge that Bill will remain by her side. "You have to understand that I don't have much time left. I have nothing else to offer you."

"No! How could you say that—" Her voice is laced with more desperation than Kurapika ever heard of before. She reaches out to Kurapika fiercely, struggles to wrench herself from Bill's hold, but her efforts are futile. A sob breaks apart in her throat, a sound that tears from inside her, and she's shaking with the force of it. "I refuse to lose anyone else. Don't you dare do this to me—"