The hunt for the badges came to a stop as the final day came forward and Valeria, went towards the starting point with two small bags of herbs and plants. Hisoka was already there and he glanced at her up and down with a calculating look. Instinctively, Valeria hugged herself and shivered with disgust.
"Dear oh dear, you look like a mess." Hisoka scoffed before turning away and our gorilla felt her left eye twitch before sighing. Familiar voices called out her name and before she could turn around, Gon leapt onto the girl's back. This caused her stumbled forward for a bit before she caught herself. Leorio and Kurapika appeared on either side of her and carried her bags as she arched an eyebrow.
"What's this? Was there a party or get together that I wasn't invited to?" She asked, taking in Gon's and Leorio's beaten up figures. Kurapika grinned. "No, not at all. Killua wasn't there with us either."
"Speaking of Killua, where is he?" Gon searched around the area and noticed his silver haired friend waving at him. The assassin walked towards them and Gon leapt off of Valeria's back to high five his friend. The momentum, however, made Valeria fall face flat onto the ground as she laid there for a while. Leorio nudged the motionless girl with his foot before she slowly stood up and dusted herself off.
"You seem...sloppier than usual." Leorio leaned forward, trying to get a glimpse at the lifeless friend. Valeria turned her head sharply at him, only to reveal pale bags underneath her eyes as she pointed at the bags. "I've been on a hunt."
"This girl's priorities…" Kurapika shook his head and chuckled hopelessly. The examiner got off of the boat and began to mark everyone's badges to see if the contestants have passed.
*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*
"An interview?" Valeria stared at the chairman who scratched the bald part of his head. Valeria attempted to not look at the glossy gleam it possessed and instead, filled up her mind about plants.
"Yes...it's somewhat related to the final round of the exam." He glanced up to see Valeria's zoning out gaze before looking back at his paper. He dipped his calligraphy brush into the ink before speaking up again.
"Why do you want to be a hunter?"
"Ah, you know. For this and that...travelling, researching plants, you know? Inaccessible goods that I cannot receive in my country." Valeria gave up and stared at the gleam on Netero's forehead.
"Who are you watching out for?"
"That would be Number 44 and Number the Needle guy. Honestly, it amazes me if the others even remember everyone's number. Anyways, I'm watching out for them because they give me the creeps. The concept of pedophilia and extreme masochism terrifies me a little." Valeria started making picture frames with her fingers as she now examined a calligraphy scroll hanging behind the chairman.
"Ho ho...Needle guy-? Oh, him. Now, the final question: Who would you not want to fight?" Netero scratched his head.
"Gon, Killua, Leorio, and Kurapika for positive reasons. Though I may not seem like it, I get emotionally attached."
"Mhmmm...I thank you for your answers. You are now excused." Valeria got up and walked out of the door. As soon as she did, someone attacked the chairman who chuckled and scratched his head as he dodged.
"Are you happy now, Hong Shi?" The old man stroked his beard and set down his paper and brush. The attacker sat down across from the geezer and had an innocent looking smile graced on his face.
"Happy? The purpose Li Feng (Valeria) was sent to the exam was so she could get stronger. And not have emotional attachments." The attacker accused, his cheerful tone did not completely hide his mocking and dissatisfied tone.
"They say friends make a person stronger." Netero rolled his neck.
"We say that emotional connections make you weak and vulnerable." Hong Shi stood up and left the room, making sure to slam the door to show his unhappiness. The chairman crossed his arms and sighed. "You can tell why Valeria is in her rebellious phase."
*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*
The blimp landed at an extravagant, palace like architecture. Valeria's group of friends murmured in excitement, or specifically: Gon and Killua was. Think of how much they could explore, how fun it would be to play hide and seek, and how exciting it would be to scare the wits of others. The architecture was the last exam site, as well as a place for everyone to sleep, eat and rest up before they were to continue the exam. Valeria inhaled deeply before saying: "Thank God sleep is part of this."
The group laughed and Valeria felt herself crack a small smile at the idea. However, life never goes the way you want and Valeria herself, should have expected that. A voice of confidence called out her name, tauntingly, from where she thought Chairman Netero was supposed to be.
"Sleep is a symbol of weakness. I believe Sir Donghu have integrated that idea into you, LiFeng." The group turned around, all except Valeria who felt herself stiffen and turned ice cold. Her expression, on the contrary, remained passive because she was taught to not show fear. Because that is the symbol of weakness. And "weakness" did not go well with her clan's ideologies.
"Chairman Netero...if that is-" Valeria was interrupted as the voice smugly continued to taunt her. Her friends noticed a small crack appeared in her own voice and they then looked at the newcomer with a hardened gaze. The male was neither a boy nor a full grown man, but somewhere in between, at the fresh age of 18. His hair was a brilliant scarlet red that was tied into a braid, which gently hung over his broad shoulders. His eyes challenged the colour of his flaming hair with bright, royal blue eyes. He wore a traditional Che'ang clothing with the pattern of a red dragon printed on his back.
"I also happened to hear that you've grown...emotionally attached? I assume it's the child dressed in green with a look of naivety in his eyes. Is it because he resembles Wen Dao?"
Valeria turned around and flipped her middle finger at him, with her head slightly tilted upwards showing arrogance. "I will not acknowledge nor speak that crude language. I will not accept that as my native language and LiFeng is NOT my name." As soon as she finished her sentence, her body was forced back and knocked through the wall of the palace. Her body twitched and her consciousness swung back and forth between leaving and staying.
Shocked, the contestants and the judges began to murmur and walk towards Valeria, only to be stopped by the chairman. "Ho ho...I believe you are all tired. Go and rest up, leave these two beasts to 'talk it out' themselves. Though I would prefer if you don't kill or cause her to be disabled, Shi."
Shion smirked as he looked down at the man before replying: "Don't order me what to do, old geezer. But don't worry, I'll just warm her up before the finals." Netero glanced at the red haired male before Kurapika, Gon, and Leorio formed a barricade between Shion and Valeria. Killua hung off at the side, eyeing the redhead warily before standing next to his friends.
"We won't let you hurt Valeria!" Gon pulled out his fishing rod and Shion rubbed his chin in amusement. He leaned forward and in a quiet murmur, he asked: "What can you do, boy?" Shion pressed an index finger on Gon's head and within seconds, Gon's body started to crack the ground beneath him until his legs gave out and caused him to kneel.
"Get out of the way! Don't get involved!" Valeria shouted as she stood back up, slightly wobbly before shaking her head and wiping the blood from a cut on her face. Shion shifted his attention back to her, with his "innocent", close eyed smile gracing his face. "LiFeng, or should I say Valeria, are you challenging me or protecting them?"
"Why the fuck are you here? I thought you went overseas and then head back to Che'ang during this time to meet with Donghu." Valeria snarled, a small growl escaping her lips. Killua and Leorio hurriedly pulled Gon away while Kurapika looked back at the angered girl. He felt her fear and disgust so greatly, that he could hardly believe she was the same gorilla who was usually impassive, who couldn't give a shit, and who thought there would be no tomorrow.
"You used to call both him,'Papa', and I, 'Ge ge' so affectionately. Treating elders with respect is a major part of our culture. " Valeria lunged at him with her right leg swung at full force. Shion raised his right arm and grabbed her ankle, twisting it in a certain direction so it made her crash straight down into the concrete.
"Valeria!" Kurapika drew out his swords while the others properly stances themselves, with only Leorio kneeling slightly to prevent Gon from putting himself in danger again.
"Stay out of my way!" Valeria gritted her teeth while Shion retained his innocent like smile. Shion placed his foot onto Valeria's left hand and slowly, he began to crush it. At first, she did her best to remain impassive until it reached the point where she used her right hand to grab his ankle and used all of her strength to raise the his foot. Beads of sweat, caused by her agony, rolled down the side of her face as she could only lift the foot barely off of her hand.
"What's Lesson 4, Valeria?" He purred as he, with ease, resisted the girl's struggle. "Legs are always stronger than arms-" He was cut off as he noticed Kurapika leaping up with his swords swung at his direction. However, the redhead failed to notice the red tint of Kurapika's eyes. Chairman Netero suddenly appeared and stepped in between them, with his hands clamped over the wooden sword wielded by Kurapika.
"That's enough, Hong Shi. They have to pass the final exam before you dismember them all."
The redhead blinked before cheerily stepped off Valeria's hand and clapped his hands. "Ah! I forgot! It's just been so long since I've seen her." Valeria immediately got up and glowered at him, with a small snarl. Shion smirked and then turned away to follow the chairman. "You almost look like a real Lavine. Our ancestors would be so proud to know that your family is not filled with failed genetics."
Valeria lost her snarl and sighed, with frustration hidden beneath her tone. Kurapika glanced at the redhead before helping to pull Valeria up. "Who was that? He seems dangerous, and perhaps even more so than Hisoka." Valeria winced as Leorio hurriedly came over to wrap up her hand before she could shake it a little and then sigh once more, reverting back to her sloppy self.
"Remember the old lady we met back at the harbour? She was talking about our clan's prodigious genius, who turns out to be a complete, psycho and aggressive sadist. I don't know how dangerous Hisoka is, but that pedophile is at least logical and not as aggressive." Valeria glanced at Gon who was being scolded by Killua for his reckless behaviour and then turned towards the older males, whispering. "Hisoka is the type to wait for his prey to grow up and not attack those who don't seem to bother him in any way. He's not interested in the weak either. However...Shion doesn't care who and what he kills."
Kurapika and Leorio exchanged glances before Killua and Gon approached them with a curious look. "Who was that, Valeria?" Gon asked innocently and Valeria felt guilt and fear crawl over her.
"Someone who you should never get in the way of." She shakily reached her hand towards Gon and felt her vision go black. However, the darkness quickly dissipated when Killua grabbed her wrist and with a concerned look. "Why are you reaching for his throat?"
Valeria blinked before drawing back her hand and rubbing her wrist. "I'm warning all four of you. NEVER go near Shion. Even I, don't have the courage to fully stand against him head on. And Gon, you should be most aware of this."
"Why?" Gon asked, cluelessly. Valeria shook her head and then patted his head.
"Because you resemble my brother."