Hello! It's been so long! I've, uh... I've been busy. I moved, got a job, got another job, began working six days a week, and then my laptop just randomly died about a month ago. I only recently managed to send it in for repairs... My sister has been kind enough to lend me hers, because this story just would not leave me alone.
I don't know how often I'll be able to update this, 'cuz A) my sister might need her laptop and B) my work schedule is fluctuating pretty wildly at the moment thanks to some new hires needing training.
But... uh... yeah.
As for Reality Check, it's on hiatus because I've had a better idea for the story. It may take a while, but eventually it'll come back.
In the meantime, please enjoy this Hunter X Hunter fanfic. It's been a while since I read/watched it, but I've recently become obsessed with it again, soooo... join me as I rediscover the amazingness that is Hunter X Hunter.
This will be based entirely off the manga, btw. I do make some small edits to the dialogue when the grammar isn't entirely correct, but other than that it should match up pretty well.
Last but not least, if anyone wants to help edit this story, I would be eternally grateful. I don't really have the time to spell-check everything anymore, and I feel as though the flow of the story is a little jagged at the moment... though I'm not sure how to fix it :/
Thanks for reading!
- TheMonochromeDragon
~xXx~
Monstrous animals, rare species...
Buried riches, hidden treasures...
Worlds of demons, unexplored lands...
The word "unknown" seems magic...
And some men are attracted by this force...
They are called "Hunters"!
- Hunter X Hunter
~xXx~
The leaves fell softly, landing in small piles on the ground surrounding her lounging figure. Every so often one would alight upon her body, only to be displaced soon after, sent drifting to the forest floor by a small burst of wind. Slowly- lazily- she twirled a hand through the fallen foliage, humming quietly.
"Rune!"
She smiled, remaining comfortably within her little makeshift nest as the sound of pounding feet grew ever-closer.
Thud
Thud
Thud
Woosh
The air in her lungs was expelled in a huff, the full weight of a twelve-year-old boy crashing into her torso with all the force of a speeding truck. The young woman let out a breathy chuckle, her arms snaking around the boy's wriggling form to pull him close.
"Gon." She greeted, burying her face in the spiky tufts of hair that tickled her chin. The boy giggled, squirming against her iron grip. Rune pressed her lips firmly to the top of his head, cuddling a moment longer before releasing the green-clad ball of energy. "What brings you here, mon cœur?" She questioned as she sat up, the boy shifting to sit in her lap.
"I caught it, Rune-nee!" He boasted, leaning his head back against her chest. "I caught the Lord of the Lake!"
Rune grinned, running her hands through the boy's soft green-black locks as he detailed his struggle against the large fish. A week, he said. He would leave in a week for the Hunter Exams, one of the most brutal and dangerous series of tests in the world.
He would pass. Of that she had no doubt.
"Well then, mon cœur." She hummed, and the boy jutted out his chin to peer up at his pseudo-sister. "I suppose I must get ready to join you, then."
Gon's smile was nearly blinding.
~xXx~
The villagers were huddled around Gon, showering the boy in gifts and well-wishes. Rune watched in amusement from her place beside Mito, curling a lanky arm around the somewhat weepy woman's shoulders. Mito sniffled quietly, leaning into the younger woman's side.
"You'll take care of him?" Gon's aunt whispered. Her words were hoarse, full of fear and desperation. She had faith in Gon, Rune knew, but she needed something... more. Something to reassure her of the boy's well-being. Though, if Mito was being honest with herself, nothing would ever be enough to reassure her until the boy himself came home to her, safe and sound.
"Bien sûr." Rune crooned, her heart aching for the woman who had become something like a mother figure to her over the years. "Of course, Mito. He is like my brother. I will do my best to keep him safe." Her bright cerulean gaze bored into the shorter woman's own hazel. Sensing the girl's sincerity, Mito allowed herself to relax- if only a little.
"Mito-san!" Gon called, spotting his aunt and making his way over. He stopped in front of her, his usual smile just a tad weak. "Thanks." The boy murmured. "For all you've done for me."
"Gon..." Mito's tears finally began to fall, shame written across her features. "I'm sorry... I lied..." She whimpered, bringing a hand to her lips. "Ging never abandoned you. It was me who took you from your father, asking the court for your supervision." Her guilt seemed a physical weight within her heart, pulling her shoulders down- away from Rune's comforting embrace. The young woman frowned, but respected her sort-of mother's need for space.
"Hmm..." Gon mused after a moment. "I knew you lied to me." Mito glanced up, shocked. "When you lie to me, you can't look me in the face!" And then the boy leaned up to hug his aunt, forgiving as always.
~xXx~
"Take care of yourself!" Gon called, waving wildly back to the shore. Mito stood at the edge of the dock, waving back. "I promise I'll become a Super Hunter and be back!"
"À la prochaine, Mito-san!" Rune hollered, perched behind Gon to say her farewells. "Until next time!"
The pair waved and waved, refusing to stop until Whale Island was nearly out of sight. Then they stood, side by side, and watched as their home drifted below the horizon. Neither said a word, but each leaned against the other, glad for the support.
"Ha ha ha!" The mocking laughter drew them out of their peace, the source of it a well-muscled man leaning against the side of the boat behind them. He looked smug, self-confident beyond what Rune could see of his abilities. She sneered back, her hands resting protectively on Gon's shoulder's. "You're joking, kid." The man scoffed, smirking. "Just on this boat, we're a tenth of the people hoping to become Hunters." Others were staring now, amused by what seemed like the crushing of a twelve-year-old's spirit. "Every year, from everywhere around the country, thousands of men- each one more skilled than the last- will come to the exams." The man's smirk grew. "Lots of people... but so few become Hunters."
Gon was quiet, his soft brown gaze gliding over his fellow passengers. Rune leaned over, resting her chin atop his head, meeting the eyes of every person who glanced in their direction. They were quick to look away.
"Each one has their own priorities, and here it's common to see people killing their own companions..." The man glanced at Rune. She seethed at the insinuation, but remained silent, her piercing blue irises unnerving him swiftly enough. "You see, kid" He continued, plowing on despite the chills crawling down his spine "it's easier to say than do."
Rune let out a huff, stood up straight, and gently guided Gon away from the irritating egoist.
Gon did not resist.
