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Chapter Three

Kurapika smelled the blood before he saw it. A few meters away from the door, it's pungent scent crashed into him like a wave. He stopped abruptly, causing Leorio to crash into him.

"Hey!" he exclaimed, disgruntled. The doctor was immediately restrained with a hand over his mouth. The blond made a shushing noise, shaking his head in the direction of the house. He signalled the others to pause. Kurapika tensed, drawing his weapon. The quiet rustling of fabric told him that Pairo had unsheathed his, too.

Their party advanced towards the cottage slowly, taking precautions. One could never be too careful after seeing a 'beware of monsters' sign on their way in. After a few minutes of creeping, Kurapika gave a slight nod. With a concise bang, Pairo kicked open the door, revealing an ominous scene.

Kurapika had been expecting something a bit more courteous. Maybe a nice greeting, or a polite invitation in. Of course, the Navigators would ask a few questions, maybe give them a few hard riddles to solve. He'd hoped for a peaceful test, without any bloodshed or traumatic events that sent Leorio running for a wooden plank to whack at some poor examiner's head. Of course, as per the depressing usual, his wishes for a warm welcome were blatantly ignored.

In the back of the foyer, a man was laying on the floor, groaning from the serious injuries bleeding out. The house had been trashed, walls smeared with cakey substances, floors smashed up, and furniture broken and scattered around. To top it off, immediately as the door was forced open, a creature —a Kiriko, as Kurapika's mind quickly informed him— ran off with a woman, supposedly the wounded man's wife. The abductor and the abductee hurtled through the large picture window, shattering what was probably very expensive glass. Ugh...I just wanted one moment of peace. A headache was forming behind Kurapika's eyes, which is probably why he lost all reason and blurted out without thinking properly.

"Are you kidding me?" Kurapika clapped a hand over his mouth, blushing slightly at the words that had slipped out. Well, great. I'm becoming Leorio. Pairo just chuckled, making his way into the room. The others followed, postured stiff and alert.

Leorio tentatively approached the abused man, checking his pulse and assessing his injuries. The man gripped his hand, struggling to form words.

"M-my wife? Please...help my wife," he pleaded weakly. Leorio held him steady, whispering assurances to his new patient while taking out bandages and disinfectant from his briefcase. Kurapika gave him a hand motion, mouthing at the doctor to stay there and take care of the injured person. Leorio gave him the thumbs up, looking happy to be of use for once.

Not having to look behind him to know that Pairo and Gon were following, they darted through the forest, Gon keeping up in the trees for better visual. The blond stuck to the forest floor, monitoring the magical beast from below, with Pairo some ways behind him for added assistance. Kurapika was impressed at Gon's impeccable night vision. It was only through his enhanced senses and training that Kurta pair were able to trace such a faint shadow in almost complete darkness. It was astonishing that Gon was able to navigate so easily with little to no formal instruction. The blond glanced up as the younger boy gave a shout, falling from his high position. Pairo easily caught him, placing Gon quickly on the ground as the chase continued, before slinking back into the shadows.

"Wow! He can actually speak!" Gon's eyes were sparkling with awe.

"Yes, the Kiriko are perfectly capable of human speech." Kurapika had read that in a book once, but he didn't remember precisely which one. Gon nodded.

"Hm. Well then, I have a plan!" The boy darted back up into the canopy. He shook his head. That kid and his crazy ideas. A few seconds later, Kurapika heard a screech and the sharp snap of branches from above.

"Incoming, Kurapika!"

The blond leapt up gracefully, snatching the falling woman from the air in a somehow artful manner. He sighed. "Gon, you're way too reckless." Heavens forbid I hadn't caught her in time. Kurpika heard Pairo sneak forward; he would wait for his friend's clear instruction to emerge, and he seemed to be expecting to be summoned soon. Kurapika gave him an almost imperceivable signal, directing him to stay put. Something didn't feel right. He directed his attention to the person he'd just rescued.

"Are you hurt?" He asked, scanning her for injuries. Strange vibes or not, her safety was top priority at the woman shook her head, looking shaken.

"I'm okay." She paused, as if remembering something. "But what about my husband? Tell me, is he okay?"

"Don't worry," Kurapika assured her. "We have someone who is treating him as we speak."

"Please, I need to see him!" She grabbed ahold of Kurapika's tunic. His eyes widened as he caught sight of the tattoos snaking up her wrists. The old symbols were easy to recognize, and the piece of him that had insisted that something was off preened at the prospect of being correct.

"Your tattoos," he breathed. The woman withdrew her hand as if burned, shielding it from view as her eyes narrowed dangerously. He was about to accuse her, but a suddenly he head crashing footsteps behind him.

"Kurapika! Thank goodness I found you!" Leorio shouted.

"Leorio?" Kurapika felt anger curl deep into his stomach. How could that insufferable man have left his weak patient unattended when violent creatures were at large? He reached for his weapon. But, something inside him twitched, staying his hand. From all of his prior interactions with the doctor, he had noted arrogance and brashness, yes, but also deep loyalty. Leorio took his oath seriously. For him to leave someone during times of peril seemed highly unlike him. Kurapika's eyes hardened. Unless…

"So how is that man?" the blond asked, tone a touch wary. He heard Pairo inch even closer, ready to lash out. The doctor stepped forward, unaware of the extra set of unseen eyes watching him.

"He's fine, no worries. The wound wasn't as bad as it looked," he replied, shrugging in a very Leorio-like fashion. "He's safe asleep in the cabin." I see. Kurapika's hands tightened on his blades. Quickly, he swung one in a neat arc, hitting the other man square in the face. Kurapika's face remained impassive as the doctor began to laugh, a wheezing noise. Like fabric, Leorio's appearance was dropped in one fluid motion, transforming into that of a Kiriko.

"How did you know it was me?"

Kurapika let an exasperated noise from the back of his throat. "I had my suspicions," he explained plainly, keeping his voice even. "Pairo?" Much to the surprise of the beast, the other Kurta sprung from his hiding place, successfully incapacitating them with a swift wrap against the temples with his weapon.

"Now," Kurapika said chillingly, turning to the strange woman, "answer my question. Who are you?" He pressed one of his Tonta swords against her neck. A look of amusement flickered past the her features, immediately followed by one of sharp interest.

"I guess you've caught me." She put her hands in the air in mock-surrender. "Hmm...you caught on quick, didn't you?" She seemed in no rush to shed light on what had just transpired. "The others simply decided that I was some weepy and evasive damsel. They didn't see it coming." The woman pushed away the blade, sitting up. "So how did you figure me out?"

Kurapika huffed in impatience. "Those markings on your wrist. You claim that the man back at the house is your husband, but you tattoos say differently. In this particular region, those symbols are only placed on women who must remain spouse-less for their whole life." At his words, her smile widened.

"Excellent work. However, such traditions are kept very quiet, and rarely are known by outsiders." She cast the both of them a curious look. "I'm very impressed, but I want to know, how is it that you are aware of this?" Kurapika's brain raised up his shield immediately, every part of him warning him not to give away too much. He thought for a moment, making sure to choose his words carefully.

"Pairo and I were raised in a certain atmosphere that enabled us to explore many ancient and secret cultures and rites." There, he would leave it at that.

"I see," she said, skimming over the fact that they hadn't directly answered her question; there was a dangerous edge to his voice that she didn't particularly like. "Well, since you have given me your explanation, I will give you mine."

"It's only fair," Pairo muttered, still vigilant over the unconscious Kiriko.

"I am a Kiriko as well." Kurapika and Pairo stiffened, causing the woman to wave her hand at them in dismissal. "Relax, you've passed my test already." The blond fowned. I guess it follows the trend that this was also another pre-exam trial.

"My alleged husband is actually my brother. The one you took down was my mother. Your little friend is dealing with my father. The rest will be explained later on, I suppose." She stood up, causing the two Kurtas to immediately reach for their Tonta swords. The woman raised an eyebrow. "Now, how about we walk back to the cabin?" she proposed, already walking away.

With no other choice, Kurapika and Pairo followed, hands still ready on their weapons.

In the middle of their return journey, the Kiriko woman paused, turning back with a peculiar look. "By the way, when I mentioned my real identity, I noticed a spike in your aura" —again with the auras— "were you aware of that?"

Both boys shook their heads.

She smiled a bit, as if she knew a secret that she would never reveal. "Well, that makes this all the more interesting." Kurapika shared what appeared to be a blank look with Pairo, but his companion picked up on the slight wrinkle between the blond's brows, along with the slight frown tugging at his lips, showing his confusion. Pairo opened his mouth to say something. The Kiriko gave him a sly smirk. "Ah, but that's for me to know and you to find out."

Needless to say, the rest of their trip passed in heavy silence.

Kurapika, Pairo, and Leorio were waiting for Gon, who was the only one of their group that hadn't returned. Leorio kicked at a broken couch leg, still miffed at being so effortlessly duped. Apparently everything on his end had been peaceful, with him calming his patient without a fuss and dressing his (fake) wounds, that is until Kurapika and Pairo had arrived. As soon as they entered the doorway, the 'injured' man sat up and laughed, scaring the wits out of Leorio. His patient immediately started exchanging stories during their time apart. Of course, they left Kurapika and Pairo to reveal the Kiriko's trick to an increasingly-irate Leorio.

After about ten minutes had passed, they were summoned to outside, were Gon and the other beast were standing. Once again, the Kiriko family revealed who they were, informing the four of them that they were the Navigators, hired by the Hunter's Association to aid the applicants. If they passed their tests, at least. They then gave their reasons for each of their passing.

"Kurapika," the woman started, "you were very clever in using the most obscure of hints to discover that I, in fact, am not married. You also lured my mother into a trap, a feat that is extremely difficult to do. Because of these reasons, you have passed." Kurapika let out a relieved sigh.

"Pairo. I praise your amazing skills of concealment, as neither my mother nor I even suspected your presence before you attacked and incapacitated her. For that, you also pass." Pairo nodded, hugging his friend enthusiastically.

Leorio was commended also, for his excellent skills as a doctor, a even though he never uncovered his patient's real identity, much to his embarrassment.

Gon was recognized for his exceptional skill at telling the Kirikos apart, something that hadn't been done in the past few decades.

After congratulating them on their accomplishments, the Navigators agreed to provide their transportation to Zabin CIty. Much to Kurapika's astonishment, the Kirikos simply took them up in their talons and swept them off into the air. Each creature carried one passenger, and Kurapika pitied the one holding Leorio aloft, as he seemed to be having trouble holding up his weight.

Kurapika and Pairo looked at each other in awe, eyes sweeping over the large expanse of enchanting woods zipping past below them, they'd ridden on an airship, of course, but experiencing it in real person was another thing entirely. The cool winds whistled past Kurapika's ears, skimming across his cheeks, and tumbled into his hair, energizing him.

Now, Kurapika thought, time for the Hunter Exam!

To be Continued...

Added Notes:

1) Killua will be introduced next chapter! (Yay!)

2) Next chapter will fully cover the Hunter Exam First Phase

3) Prepare for some changes occurring in the next few chapters!

As always, thank you for reading and please review!