Sunlight streamed through the holes in the curtains, landing right on my face, as if they were purposely trying to blind me. Opening my eyes, I immediately shut them.

"Why does the sun have to beam out my eyeballs every morning?" I asked no one in particular.

I sat up, gazing around the room. I was in a shamble of what you would call a small house, the wallpaper peeling, floor chipped by unknown objects.

Sighing, I stood up and shuffled to the bathroom. Gazing up in the mirror, I inspected myself. My hair was a bit mussed up from sleeping, but not far from its wavy self. The strands were always thick and unruly. My face was tired looking, my small mouth frowning. My eyes were a strange mixture of blue and green, which always sucked because such a strange color always stood out, and standing out seems to always get me in trouble.

Shaking my head to pull me out of my daze, I begin to get ready. When I'm finished, I pull my waist length hair into a low bun. I would cut it, but if I did, I'd probably end up with an afro. Walking out of the bathroom, I get dressed, pulling on some tan cargo shorts, and a word red hoodie. I throw on a dark grey beanie before pulling up my hood. I run back to the bathroom to check myself before I head out, and am pleased with what I see.

"If I don't look like a 14 year old boy, I ain't never seen one!"

I grab my back and check it after I pull on my black converse. My bag holds: my wallet (unsurprisingly empty), some candy, a photo of my deceased parents, some bandages, and my retractable staff. Just looking at the staff makes me smile.

I obtained it years ago from an old man that was visiting the city. I was about 8 at the time, recently orphaned, and offered to let him stay at the shack I had found and claimed as mine. He taught me how to fight with a staff as payment for shelter. Before he left, he gave me his staff. Said he had made it a couple years back, and that I had earned it. I was now 14, and still practiced every day with it.

Pulling myself out of my old memories, I headed off to the city, where I had work to do. Work was part of the reason I dressed as a male. The other reasons being that one: the orphanage might still be looking for me, and two: girls have a harder time, with all the perverts and molesters out there. I walked through the forest, breathing in the fresh air. The mountains were wonderful and pure, always changing, yet somehow the same. A loud crack made me snap my head to my left. I clenched my fists together, ready to beat the crap out of whatever living thing was going to attack me. From behind a tree, came out a Kiriko.

"Jeez, you scared me!" I said relaxing. I knew the Kiriko family that lives in this forest pretty well.

"Oh! You looked really scary there!" It said.

"What are you doing in this part of the forest" I questioned. This was rather close to the city…

"The Hunter Exam is nearing!"

"The Hunter Exam!?" I had heard ramblings of it at the docks, but never really inquired to what it was.

"Yes! Hunters are very talented people that have access to special places! They are generally the strongest and most talented people that have ever lived!"

'Wow' I thought, they sound like amazing people.

"But what do you have to do with the Hunter Exam?" I asked.

"Our family serves as navigators for Hunter examinees'." It stated. "You should take it!"

"Haaaaaah? What on earth would I take it?"

"You're one of the strongest people I've met! Fun fact, hunters are also some of the richest people in the world."

"I don't know" I said. I'd never heard of it before hand, and I'd never met a Hunter before.

But… my life sucked. I spent day to day working, just for food. I'd never met any kids my age, due to my job.

"But how would I even get there?" I asked, starting to seriously consider it, after coming up with the cons of my life.

"You have me! You've know me for a long time now, and I'd be willing to take you with whatever group we get."

"You would do that?"

"Of course! Come to my family's house at dusk, and we'll leave." The Kiriko said before leaping into the trees and speeding away.

'Guess I should tell my boss I'm quitting' I thought to myself, already dreading it with my hate of confrontation.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The sun was setting as I leisurely walked through the forest towards my meeting point. I had taken what little money I had and grabbed some more candy, as well as some new sneakers, because mine were worn and dead. As I came upon the Kiriko's house, I heard voices that were certainly not the Kiriko's. I walked up the porch and knocked on the door. I was greeted with a hulking yellow fur body slamming into mine. I knew this was as close to an embrace the Kiriko could come, and had become used to it.

After the creature released me, and allowed me inside, I observed the people in the room. There were three humans sitting in the center of the room. One was what looked like a middle aged man, sitting a suit with a sour face, another was a young man, maybe a few years older than me, with blond hair and colorless eyes, wearing strange clothes. Lastly was a boy, about my age, with spiky black hair, and huge doe eyes, wearing shorts that looked a bit too tight. They all stared at me. I felt myself sweat a little.

'God I'm such an awkward person' I yelled in my head.

"H-hello" I pushed out. Oh god, I sound like a retard!

"Hi! My names Gon!" The raven haired boy exclaimed. Jumping up and waving at me. I did an awkward wave back.

The blond stood up and held out his hand.

"I'm Kurapika. Nice to meet you." I grasped his hand and shook it. After releasing it, I realized I should give my name.

"My name is Li" I stated, slightly deepening my voice. My actual name was Liandra, but that's not a boys name, so my nickname it was.

The man rolled his eyes and pulled himself off the floor. Walking up to me, he he practically shoved his face into my hood. I felt myself blush and freeze up because someone was so close to me. After gazing at my face for what felt like eternity, he pulled back.

"The name's Leorio." He said, jabbing his thumb in his direction.

"Nice to meet you..?" I don't know why I phrased that like a question. I want to shoot myself. I really, really do.

Gon just gave me a big smile.

"I guess it's time to go!" The Kiriko called out.

We all exited the house, the Kiriko growing their wings. I climbed onto the same Kiriko as Gon, each of us on a different leg. As we waited for the Kiriko to situate themselves, I looked back at Gon, to find he was already looking at me. I just stared back, beginning to sweat.

"How old are you?" He asked.

"F-fourteen." I said, stuttering at the odd question.

Gon's face lit up with his bright smile. "Me too!" he yelled. He seemed satisfied to have a new friend his age, and just stared up into the night sky.

'Jesus, this boy is a ball of energy' I thought to myself.

The Kiriko took off, and we began our journey as a strange group of people, off to become the powerful hunters that the streets whispered about.