"Allow me to introduce myself to the remaining applicants…"
Quino looked around the room. The silence only made the tension in the room even worse. In fact, it was so bad that she had a hard time staying still. Quino had tried her hardest to remain inconspicuous as she moved her foot around, careful to be slow so as not to alert anyone or bump into somebody through her motions. Fortunately, it seems that Leorio and Gon have not noticed this yet. Quino had a feeling that Killua and Kurapika knew but weren't going to mention it.
"I am Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee," the old man said.
"I am his secretary, Beans," the same green blob from before the Phase One exam said. He was positioned right beside the Chairman.
"Originally, I'd planned to make my appearance during the exam's final phase, but as I'm already here…"
Of course there's a dramatic pause. I bet this guy's actually a sadist. It just would seem fitting, Quino thought as she nibbled on her lip. She would hate to admit it, but she was feeling a little nervous.
"I'm loving this tension in the air!"
Called it, Quino mentally shouted. Of course, she didn't want to say that out loud and cause a lot of eyes to steer toward her.
"So I think I'll stick around for the rest of the trip."
"We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning, at 8 AM. You'll find dinner waiting in the dining hall. You are also welcome to get some rest. In other words, you're free to do as you please until you are contacted," Beans explained.
"Okay, Gon! Let's explore the airship!"
I would butt in and say I want to go with them, but I'm worried about Primna. Also, I want answers from her. Specifically on why she has been lying to us.
"How can they have so much energy? I'm hitting the sack, but after I check up on Primna," Leorio said.
"I'll go with you," Quino said, catching Kurapika by surprise.
"You don't want to go with Gon and Killua?"
Quino shook her head. "As much as I want to, I'm actually quite tired myself. Besides, I am a bit worried about Primna."
Kurapika smiled and said, "I understand. I'm going to follow you guys, if you don't mind. I'm ready to retire myself. However, I do have one concern…"
"A concern?" Quino asked.
"How many more phases are there?" Kurapika asked.
"Oh… they've never mentioned that, have they?" Leorio muttered.
"No, they haven't," Quino muttered in response.
"On average, there are five to six phases," a voice from behind them said. Quino, as well as Leorio and Kurapika, turned around and saw Tonpa.
"Which means we still have three or four to go…" Leorio said.
"All the more reason to rest now," Kurapika commented.
"But you should be careful. The secretary only told us when we'll arrive at our destination. It's possible that the third exam could take place on this airship itself. And it doesn't necessarily mean we'll be contacted at 8 AM," Tonpa said.
"Huh? Are you serious?" Leorio asked.
"I'm sure he's just trying to shake us up," Quino said with a glare sent toward Tonpa.
"That does make sense, though…"
"You're going to believe him!?" Quino practically yelled, looking at Kurapika in disbelief.
"I'm only trying to help. You never know, you might just wake up to discover that the exam has already ended. If you plan to make it to the next phase, don't let yourself relax on this airship."
"Hah, as if," Quino spat.
"Quino, no need to be so hostile. This is sound advice," Kurapika said.
"Advice that he wants to use to make us not get a wink of sleep so we'll fail when the exam actually happens," Quino said, fire in her eyes. She turned her attention towards Tonpa once more and said, "You might fool them, but you won't fool me for a second."
"Quino, settle down. I'm sorry Tonpa, thanks for the advice," Leorio said, turning his back to Tonpa.
"We shall bear that in mind," Kurapika said, grabbing ahold of one of Quino's arms and proceeding to drag her away from Tonpa.
"Come on, Kurapika, let go. Let me at him and I'll make sure he'll never use that vile tongue to crush rookies ever again!"
"Quino, come on. We'll talk about this when we get to a room," Kurapika said.
Quino huffed. "Fine."
They eventually found their room.
"Quino, Kurapika, I'm going to go grab Primna and bring her in here," Leorio said.
"Got it," Kurapika responded. The minute the door closed was the minute Quino opened her mouth to begin her piece.
"Kurapika, he was trying to trick us. There would be no reason that the exam would be on this airship because–"
"I know, Quino. The likelihood of the exam happening on this airship is slim. I was aware that he was trying to trick us," Kurapika said, a sigh escaping his lips.
"Oh. Now I feel kind of stupid," Quino said with a blush on her face.
"You were simply trying to protect your friends. That's admirable," Kurapika stated, sitting down on the floor. He patted the floor next to him, signaling Quino to sit there. She did as she was told and sat there, waiting for Kurapika to say something.
"Quino, why are you taking the Hunter Exam?"
"Huh?" Quino said, the question having caught her off guard.
"Why are you taking the Hunter Exam?" Kurapika asked again.
"I don't know. I got on the ship without realizing where it was going. For three months I've been looking for my adoptive mother. I kept ship hopping, as I like to call it. Going from one ship to the next, rationing as much as I could; I only had one goal in mind. But now things are complicated. Now there are other people, people that I've gotten close to, and I don't know what to do anymore. Really, I should've just withdrawn while I had the chance. I can't even think about quitting now," Quino said. She stared at the floor, unable to look Kurapika in the eye.
"There is a certain type of Hunter that locate lost people."
Quino shot her head up, looking Kurapika in the eyes.
"Really? There are Hunters who find missing people?"
"Yes. They're called Lost Hunters. These types of Hunters take up jobs finding missing people, along with other things," Kurapika said, a hint of a smile on his face.
"Maybe I should become a Lost Hunter, then. That way no one else will have to resort to the trouble I had to go through!"
Just when things looked down, something good came along and made things better, Quino thought.
The door opened, causing Quino and Kurapika to turn their attention to Leorio and a conscious Primna.
"Hello. I'm sorry for all the worry I've caused," Primna said with a gentle smile.
"I-I wasn't concerned!" Quino retorted, crossing her arms and huffing.
"You don't have to feel embarrassed for caring about someone. It's healthy to let your emotions out. Ah, speaking of emotions, Quino, I need to talk to you. It's a girl thing, though, so I'm afraid I'll have to talk to her in private," Primna said, glancing between Leorio and Kurapika.
"No, sure, you can talk to her. Just don't push yourself," Leorio said.
"Go on. I won't stop you," Kurapika stated.
"Thank you. Come on, Quino, let's take a walk and talk, shall we?"
Quino, a little confused and suspicious, got up from the floor and exited the room with Primna.
"So, um, what did you want to talk about?" Quino asked as they walked down the hall and away from their room.
"I wanted to talk about the Second Phase exam. Specifically, the pig incident," Primna said, all the usual sweetness gone from her.
That was quick, Quino thought.
"Oh. Well, what did you want to talk about?"
"I'm having a girls meeting with a friend of mine. I invited you," Primna stated.
"Let me guess. I don't have a choice, do I?" Quino asked, shooting Primna an impassive look.
"No, not really. Don't worry, you're not in trouble. It's just business, really. She and I were thinking about forming an alliance of sorts. Of course, I'll tell her that under no circumstances is she allowed to harm the group we're currently in."
"Why do you want me in on this alliance?" Quino asked, slowly realizing that she might be walking into something that she shouldn't be a part of.
"Because you witnessed something that you shouldn't have. Though, to be honest, it was my mistake. I saw a child in need, and I acted before I thought through the situation. That wasn't your fault at all. However, that doesn't exempt you. Don't worry, she just wants to cover all her grounds. If this makes it any better, there will be a girl the same age as you in the alliance," Primna said, adding the last bit in an attempt to reassure Quino.
"This whole alliance thing better not become some sort of weird cult," Quino said.
"Of course not. You forget that this is for the duration of the Hunters Exam. After that, the alliance will be no more," Primna said.
"Oh, well, okay then," Quino muttered.
They eventually made it to the room they were to meet the other girls in. When they went inside, Primna shut the door behind them.
"I've brought the girl here, Kuriya," Primna stated.
"Good. She doesn't seem very useful, though," the black-haired girl concluded, making Quino a bit irritated by the girl's offhanded remark.
"She has her moments. Now, are you ready to introduce the girl by your side?" Primna asked, glancing toward the girl that Kuriya had been sticking close to for most of the Hunter Exam.
"Oh, right! I'm Malli. Nice to meet ya," Malli said, waving to both Primna and Quino.
"Likewise," Primna said. After a few seconds she nudged Quino lightly.
Getting the hint, Quino said, "I'm Quino. So what's the goal of this alliance, exactly?"
Kuriya sighed. "Some of my leeches had indicated that the next exam site is at Trick Tower. It's a prison, basically. At the top of Trick Tower, which is where we'll be dropped off at, there will be loose tiles on the ground. These tiles lead to various paths, though they all lead to the same place, which is our goal to reach. A few of my leeches have discovered that there is a series of loose tiles that start at the same place. Only one of them managed to sneak their way into the room and I got a tiny glimpse of the inside before it was dealt with. With what I could see, it has to do with majority rules. There are two sets of this type. We will take one of them, so that way we may work together and all pass to the next exam."
"Leeches?" Quino asked, her brows furrowed.
Primna could see Quino's demand for an answer in her eyes. "It's one of her Nen abilities."
"Nen?" Quino asked, even more confused than before.
"She doesn't know what Nen is? She's a liability," Kuriya said, staring down Quino.
Quino didn't like how Kuriya was eyeing her.
"That may be true, but she's already been exposed to too much of our plans. You don't have a choice," Primna said.
Kuriya nodded. "You're right. We'll just have to make sure we cover her slack."
"Hey, wa–"
Quino was nudged in the rib before she could voice her complaint. Getting the message, she let the complaint die before it could come out. She knew that was Primna telling her to not talk back to Kuriya.
"Well, I suppose you're dismissed. All three of you need to come near me when we reach the top of Trick Tower, understood?"
"Of course, do so as inconspicuous as possible, right?"
Kuriya nodded in response to Primna's question.
All four of the girls walked out of the room.
"Quino, there might be some food left at the dining hall. You should eat and get ready for the next exam," Primna advised before walking off to do her own thing.
Quino huffed, but didn't make a comment. She debated whether to go to the dining hall, until she realized that she had no idea where that was. After having that realization, she decided to walk back to the room that Leorio and Kurapika were in.
Hey everybody!
So, I'm going to go ahead and post four chapters (this one is the first one). As I looked back on the original writing that I've done for this fanfiction today, I've realized that I didn't add in a scene I was going to do in the future. I'll discuss it more in the last chapter I post.
I do not own Hunter x Hunter. Now that that's all cleared up, I hope you enjoy the story. Review whenever you want, and make sure to follow so you'll know when I've updated. Bye peeps!