Hey! Yes, I am starting a new story and I will update the others already loaded with new chapters(some redone) at some point. Life got in the way but what can you expect. Anyway I am back and happily uploading a new story that I've just been adding to for awhile now. Overall most of this is written except for a few middle parts and the ending. Since the Manga and Anime both aren't finished I'm trying to figure out which way to go. Yeeees, this is a Hisoka story but me likey the crazy clown. Tossing out the first few chapters over the next few days to see how things go and if it will be worth it to continue uploading. Hope you all enjoy :)

Chapter 1

Upon leaving the elevator I was surprised by the amount of other applicants already waiting here. I may not have known much about the hunter exams but I had always heard not many made it to even this part. Then again maybe the ones telling the stories didn't know either. As I entered I was approached by a small man with a green head dressed respectively. His name was Bean and he handed me a badge with number 72 inked on it. Thanking him I walked off and decided to find a spot to sit and wait. I wasn't keen on being social at the moment so I looked at the walls and found a spot that was free of others. On my way I was stopped by another contestant who put on a friendly face. The short fat man with the big nose, dressed in blue was the 16th contestant to have made it here. I couldn't help but let out a slight shiver with every sugar coated word that spewed from his mouth as he explained how things worked here. I wasn't paying attention when he asked me a question so when he went to poke my shoulder, to get my attention, I smacked it away narrowing my eyes at him. He didn't seem trustworthy to me and I hated the feeling I got from him.

"I don't know your deal, and I don't care, but your lies won't work on me."

He was both unhappy and stunned with how I reacted and not wanting to listen to him attempt to hide his devious side I walked around him and took my place sitting on the floor with my back against the wall. Keeping an eye on everyone would be easier this way but being underground made me anxious. There really weren't any places that would be good for making a quick escape. With that said I don't believe fighting was allowed here at the moment but I had not heard any rules. Of the others here that I had seen, I didn't think that would be a problem. Sure there were some strong contestants here but none seemed to have knowledge of Nen. I pulled my knees up and laid my arms on top deciding to let my head rest on top.

It wasn't until applicant 301 showed up that I sensed any real danger and realized I overlooked another. Number 44 was just as dangerous. A shiver went down my spine as I stared in their direction, using gyo to confirm my suspicions. 301 had his nen perfectly contained and 44 was much the same except he was letting some leak out which seemed to explain why no one wanted to be near him. Closing my eyes I let out a sigh and mentally berated myself. Missing 44 was stupid. I started to grow uncomfortable and opened my eyes to look around. I was being watched and I looked where last I had seen the red haired clown, 44. He was gone from his previous spot and after a quick look around I found him to my right leaning against the wall. He was staring at me with just one eye, his nen was wrapping around me explaining the discomfort I was experiencing. To have not felt him beside me made me realize that I had much to learn when it came to my aura.

"Please, stop." Was all I said as I met his stare, the shiver of fear growing as his aura did. His smile slowly grew and he withdrew his aura. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding when he stopped. Once he started playing with a deck of cards I looked away but adjusted my position. I wanted to get up and go to the other side of the room but all I did was turn slightly towards him and closed my eyes. I didn't like this but nothing happened except him sitting down to build a house of cards. I watched with interest since I had tried to make them before but always failed at least halfway through the second layer. He had no issue making it to the very top, completing it and knocking it down. He didn't let it stay for long before knocking it over causing me to tilt my head to the side in slight confusion. He repeated this a few more times before getting up to move around. The room was even more filled with others by this point and I imagine we were getting close to the end since the bean had given out badge number 401 and 402. No matter when this was going to end I needed to stretch and feel some energy course throughout my body. I stupidly let my gaurd down while I did this and that clown, while playing innocent, threw a card my way which I barely dodged. I glared at him as he kept walking away and at the moment the elevator doors opened and three more people walked in. Their ages appeared to vary but the youngest one, dressed in green, surprised me. Granted he wasn't the first kid I had seen running around here but still it seemed a bit too young for an exam like this. The fact that this new kid also just seemed so carefree and happy was enough to make me smile. It was a welcoming change in the environment, to me at least. He reminded me of my old friends I used to hang out with back home.

Turning around I looked at the wall where the card now stuck out. Trying to pull it out normally proved that it wasn't going to happen without ruining the card and that didn't seem like a good idea. I quickly concentrated my nen into the card and pulled it out with ease, happy with my guess, and placed it in one of my loose pockets. It was also then that I heard someone screaming and everyone looked in that direction. There was a contestant standing near the clown, his arms turning into flowers and dissolving away.

"Oh, how peculiar…his arms seem to have become flower petals. No smoke and mirrors here." He said putting on a small show. "Do take care. When you bump into someone, you really should apologize."

I had been heading his direction but slowed once I heard Tonpa speaking to the three newest members about the man with the cards. So Hisoka was his name and this wasn't his first try at this. Though the only reason he had failed his first time had been due to attacking an examiner and I had one of his cards. The sooner he got it back, the happier I would be. The wall began to rise and a man stood calmly there dressed formally waiting for all eyes to be on him.

"I apologize for the wait. The entry period for the Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin! A final caution. If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or even dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you. " He waited for a moment more before continuing. " Very well. All 404 applicants will participate in Phase One. "

"I neglected to introduce myself. I am Satotz, the Phase One examiner. I shall lead you to the exam's Second Phase. You must follow me to Phase Two. This is the exam's First Phase. I cannot tell you where or when you must arrive. You need only to follow me."

As we all started to follow Satotz I decided to just stay around the middle of the group. Not knowing how long this phase was going to be made me think I should save my energy but yet I knew I wouldn't have an issue either way. I think we had run nearly 30 kilometers and other contestants had already started giving up and collapsing onto the ground. At one point I had slowed down and ended up near 403 as the white haired kid went skating by on his skateboard.

"Hold it right there, you brat!." Yelled 403 who I think I recall overhearing was named Leorio.

"Hmm?"

"You should show the Hunter Exam some respect!"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm talking about your skateboard! Isn't that cheating? This is an endurance test!"

I let out a small laugh as Leorio yelled that and he turned and looked at me with that same angry look on his face. I only shrugged my shoulders in response and as I was thinking about answering the other kid, Gon, responded beside me.

"No it's not!"

"What?" Leorio questioned now, turning to Gon. "Gon, what are you saying?"

"The examiner only told us to follow him." He said with a smile.

"Whose side are you on, eh?"

I decided that I would just keep pace with Leorio as the kids decided to talk with each other before running ahead, seemingly becoming instant friends. I think my original thought that these kids wouldn't pass the exam were wrong. I felt Leorio staring at me in a suspicious way and I looked over at him with a smile.

"Tsukiko." I said offering my hand only for it to be ignored.

"You expect me to shake your hand during the exam?"

"Well, I guess not. Didn't think of it that way." I said sheepishly, putting my hand down and rubbing the back of my head in embarrassment. "First time here but you seem like good company."

"Yeah, well, why are you even back here?" He said softening his expression just a little. "You look like you could be way further ahead than here."

"Well, I could but there is..." I paused trying to decide if I should use his name or not. "Hisoka is up there."

He didn't say anything in response right away but let his mind wander before turning back to the path ahead. I kept pace beside him, enjoying the peace.

"Leorio." He said offering his hand this time.

I smiled and happily accepted the hand for a quick handshake. "Nice to meet you, Leorio."

After that we just ran in comfortable silence but once we started to hit around four hours of running Leorio started to slow down and others started passing by. He dropped his suitcase and I stood over on his left, stopping beside him as he stared ahead at the two kids who stopped to watch. He didn't say a word as he closed his eyes, catching his breath. I said nothing but was startled when he snapped out of it shouting and taking off running, leaving his suitcase behind. I blinked and watched him run off towards the main group. Gon was smiling and turned around using his fishing rod to snatch up the suitcase with ease. The white haired kid was impressed as Gon held it in his hand. Before they turned back around to catch up Gon excitedly waved me over and I made my way towards them as they took off running. I introduced myself to them and just listened to them talk to each other deciding on not joining in too much. After a bit I decided to take off and find Leorio to make sure everything was alright with him. I took my time but I did eventually find him again.

"Leorio, are you okay?" Kurapika asked

"You bet! As you can see. No matter what happens, I know that I'm going to make it!" Leario responded back.

"Leorio...I have a question."

"What? Is this too easy for you, Kurapika? Talking just wastes energy!"

"Are you really trying to become a Hunter for the money? You aren't, right? We've only been together for a few days, but I know you better than that. Sure, you have a nasty attitude,and you aren't very bright. But you're not a shallow person. I've seen many who live for money. You're nothing like them."

"You and your logic…"

"Scarlet eyes. That's why the Kurta were targeted." Kurapika began as I looked over at him. I knew their story and it was not a happy one. "We Kurta are known for our unique scarlet eyes. When our emotions are heightened, our eyes turn scarlet, as though on fire. The eyes in that scarlet state are considered one of the seven most beautiful colors in the world. They command high prices on the black market."

"That's why the Phantom Troupe attacked you?"

"They took every single eye from my brethren's corpses. I can still hear their darkened eyes crying out in anguish...I swear I will capture the Phantom Troupe! And I will reclaim the eyes of my clan!" Kurapika proclaimed as a shiver went down my back at the mention of the Phantom Troupe. I had never knowingly ran into any of them but the stories I've heard about them, I've made it a point to avoid any areas they are known to be.

"That's why you want to be a Hunter?" Leario asked .

"Yeah, if I become a Hunter with rich clients, I'll gain access to black market information."

"But you'll have to swallow your pride and become the kind of Hunter you despise!"

"The blow to my pride is nothing, measured against the suffering my clan endured."

"Sorry, but I have no noble cause."

"Huh?"

"I'm just after money."

"Don't lie!"

"I'm not lying!"

"You really believe you can buy everything with money?"

"You bet!"

"For the right price, you can buy not only treasures, but dreams, hearts, and even people's lives!" When Leorio said this I couldn't help but give him an angry glare. Just the flicker of a memory came to the surface as did a small amount of bloodlust. I closed my eyes and fought myself to stay calm, he hadn't meant it in that way. I agree with Kurapika that he didn't seem the kind of person who wanted only for money.

"Take that back, Leorio! If you're insulting the Kurta, I won't forgive you."

"Why? I'm telling the I'd had money, my friend wouldn't have died!"

I looked over at Leorio, shocked at what had happened and now understanding fully as to why he wanted the money. My anger died instantly. Overall, the only reason I was even doing this exam was due to two friends that I had lost. My two friends both wanted to become Hunters just so they could see the world and figure out a place they fit. They convinced me to tag along with their plan and we all started to train in the forest, hidden away from our village. I had to hold back during the training since I already had an advantage but it didn't matter since they knew. I decided to teach them nen after the exam but after what had happened, maybe I should have taught them sooner. Snapping out of my thoughts I tuned back into the conversation noting that Kurapika had been watching me.

"What a joke." Leorio said, catching both our attention. "Turns out that to become a doctor, you need even more money! Got it? The world runs on money...So I want money!"

"See you at the goal, Kurapika and Tsukiko. Catch you later, old timer." Yelled Gon as he and Killua ran past interrupting the conversation.

"I'm not old! I'm a teenager, just like you guys!" Leorio yelled at the two kids.

"What?!" I let slip out in shock. "I…I thought you were older than me."