DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HUNTER X HUNTER NO MATTER HOW MUCH I WANT TO!

Chapter Nine: What's Your Damage, Heather?

After Kurapika found us and made sure we weren't hurt or anything, we went back to running, but I bet you're wondering how we would be able to find the herd of applicants in a dense fog. Well, that's easy... you just follow Gon and his incredible sense of smell. I know. Freaky, right? But that's not the only freaky thing.

Ever since Kurapika found us and saw me without my hood (which I had pulled back up as soon as we started running again), he had a hard time looking at me without blushing though I can't see why we would.

"This way." I heard Gon say as we came across another fork in the road. We had escaped the fog five minutes ago and were now running through a green forest that seemed to have a nature trail in it which was simple dirt road not covered in grass.

"You can really tell?" Kurapika asked.

"Uh huh. Leorio's cologne is very unique. I can smell it from a few kilometers away." he clarified.

Kurapika gave Gon a sideway glance as I giggled, "That's Gon for ya!" I said through giggles, "When you think you've figured him out, but you end up being surprised all over again. You sure are one unique kid, Outoto."

Gon let out a small chuckle before his face went serious, "Say Kurapika... what did Hisoka mean when he said Mai and I passed?" he questioned.

I've been wondering the same thing. Especially that part where he whispered into my ear that he would like to fight again... that was so darn CREEPY!

Kurapika turned his gaze from Gon to the path in front of him before answering, "Hisoka was acting as a judge."

"A judge?" we inquired.

"Yes. He must have his own benchmarks for evaluating power. It's possible that he was ascertaining each applicant's strength. Apparently, you, Leorio, and Mai must have met his standards." he clarified.

"I see. But I was powerless to do anything against him. Mai did a little better than me but she still was powerless against him." he said.

"He's right. I could feel his aura surrounding me. It was suffocating." I said with a cringe.

"Didn't the two of you land your first hit on him?" he questioned looking back at Gon.

Gon looked up through the tree canopy and at the blue sky, "Only because we both surprised him. Besides, Leorio passes even though he lost..."

Kurapika looked to me before looking forward once again, "Hmm... perhaps he sensed that you were kindred spirits."

"Kindred spirits?" I asked curiously.

"I seriously doubt that Hisoka could qualify as a Hunter. However," he paused, "I must admit that he did impress me with his superhuman agility and graceful technique. It's quite common that those possessing special talents are drawn to others with unique gifts. Most likely, Hisoka's instincts and experience told him that you had the skill and potential to become Hunters. Killing you now would have been a waste... that was his perspective." Kurapika must have thought his words were offensive in some way because he started apologizing, "Oh, I'm sorry! Was that insensitive on my part?" I shook my head at this. He sure is adorable when he does that. Wait... why did I think that was adorable? I let out a sigh. I guess I'll add that question to the growing list of things I need answers to.

Gon shook his head, "No... but I was pretty excited, as well." I raised an eyebrow at this. Kurapika must have thought that was strange as well since he let out an 'Eh?' at that, "I was so scared, I wanted to run away. But I couldn't at the same time." both our gazes soften at this, "And at the same time, I was excited." he turned to us, "Isn't that strange?"

Kurapika and I looked at each other, green meeting grey, and we smiled, shaking our heads at Gon. He's still full of surprises, isn't he?

After running down the nature trail for about ten minutes, we come upon a group of tired applicants.

"Looks like we made it in time," Kurapika said in relief. The three of us then began our search for Leorio. We walked through the crowd of applicants searching for him. Suddenly, both Gon and I felt a surge of aura. I whipped our heads to the left to see Hisoka. He pointed towards his left, showing us where he placed Leorio.

"Leorio!" Gon shouted. What we found was Leorio with a big swollen cheek in a daze sitting against a tree in the shade. He was still shirtless and had tied his jacket around his waist. We ran towards him. Once we reached him, Gon placed his red and black checkered briefcase next to him.

"Man, that stings..." he said rubbing is swollen cheek, "Why am I all beat up?" Eh? Doesn't he remember getting beat up by Hisoka? Gon and Kurapika must have had the same thought since I could hear an audible 'Huh?' from them, "My memory is kinda hazy."

Kurapika turned and whispered in Gon's ear before repeating them to me in mine, "We probably shouldn't tell him what happened." he said, his breath tickling my ear and moving a few strands of my red hair.

I blushed at the proximity of how close he was to me before replying, "Y-yeah." Why am I blushing?

"Gon, Mai." I heard a voice from behind us. I turned around and found it was Killua walking towards us who said it.

"Killua!" the two of us exclaimed.

"I can't believe you actually got here..." he said with a smile on his face. I could see the relief he was feeling from seeing us safe and sound in his eyes. He then gave a small smirk, "I thought you were done for." we walked towards him as well.

We met in the middle and Gon began to speak to him, "I just tracked Leorio's cologne." he said in a matter of fact tone.

Killua did a double take before answering, "Cologne? That was how?" Killua leaned towards Gon giving him the 'Seriously?' look, "You definitely are weird."

I giggled at this and patted Killua on the head, "He sure is, but not as weird as me, right?" I said with a smirk.

He gave me a smirk of his own, "Yeah, no one is as high on the 'Weird Scale' as you are, Nee-san." as soon the word 'Nee-san' left his lips he clamped them shut with wide blue eyes that all but said 'Oops!'.

I let out a small chuckle before patting his head again, "I hope I stay at the top of that scale, Outoto-kun." I said with a smile. He smiled back.

I suddenly felt someone's gaze burning holes into the back of my head. I also felt a bit of blood lust that was on the verge of exploding. I turned around saw applicant 301 staring at me. I narrowed my eyes at him. He was covered from head to toe in yellow needles and wore a green getup with needles in his clothes. The needles made me cringe. Pin Head continued to glare at me. * What's your damage, Heather!? I pulled down my eyelid and stuck my tongue out him. This seemed to tick him off even more. I smirked.

Mai: 1
Pin Head: 0

"Excellent work, everyone." I turned my head back around and towards Satotz, who was standing with his arms outstretched in front of a gigantic gate that had a tall, white, brick wall encasing it on either side. Two columns flanked the sides of the gate. At the top of each column, there was a red tiled turret. Cool..., "Phase Two of the exam will occur here, in the Biska Forest Park." he brought his arms down to his side and began to speak again, "So, I shall take my leave. Best of luck to all of you." and with that, we watched as he walked away and into the forest.

We turned back around when the doors of the gate opened up for us with a rumble.

Okay, let's get this party started.

Thank you for reading this chapter!

I have just updated chapter 1, 5, and 8.

Chapter 1: I changed the color of her hair from auburn to a bright red.

Chapter 5: I took out the part about the bobby pins.

Chapter 8: I just added more detail to the fight scene. I may add more to that scene in the future, I'm no sure yet.

I will be posting a character profile for Mai on my profile if you want to check it out.

*What's your damage Heather = a phrase from a movie I have yet to watch and that is rated R.

Thanks again for reading! See you next chapter!~

Edited: October 10, 2016