"H-he's a giant..." Leorio said as he stared up at Mayer in awe. The same face and feeling I had when I first met Mayer: the primal feeling of a large, terrifying animal in the room.
Killua looked around and frowned, "This looks like one of the two-hundredth floors in Heavens Arena..."
My giant of a Master stood there, his unwavering voice and presence defying his battered appearance. If I closed my eyes, I could imagine him standing there with his arms-crossed in full health. As opposed to injured…
"Correct Killua. That is because this is a floor of Heavens Arena."
We turned all turned Killua. He nodded, "Huh... So I'm guessing this place is affiliated with them?"
Mayer nodded, "Correct again. There are several arenas such as this around the world. If a floor master is unable to come to Heaven's Arena proper, these arenas can be used to defend their title."
Claudette spoke up to the right of the line. I noticed her hair looked a lot like the blonde girl. Aw, I guess she looked up to Claudette?
"A floor master can live a life of luxury in Heavens Arena, but even they have to leave the tower sometimes! Heavens Arena does their best to accommodate their champions and gives 'em no excuse not to fight! Even then, a floor master can only use these locations twice a year!"
Killua nodded, "Hmm. I never knew that. I guess I didn't need to know though, seeing as I lived on the same continent and all..." he said as he put his arms behind head and looked up in contemplation.
Gon replied, "What's Heavens Arena?"
Killua held up a finger and explained, "It's the most famous combat arena in the world. There are countless combat organizations around the world, but what makes Heavens Arena different is the creators and the tower. The creators really loved fighting, so they built this giant skyscraper for it. The more you win, the higher you go and the more money you get, but the tougher the opponents."
Leorio lifted an eyebrow, "Yeah, it's one of the biggest buildings in the world. You can say they built the city around it. It relies on Heavens Arena for its economy…"
Killua wrapped both hands behind his head again, closed his eyes, and smiled smugly. Here we go...
"Well, I got to the two-hundredth floor when I was six. No sweat."
Gon looked surprised, but not actually understanding the significance. Neither did I. Nor did I care. On the other hand, Leorio was freaking out, eyes furrowed.
"Two hundredth floor? Six?!"
"Heh. Yeah. Six."
Leorio was taken aback. Mayer grunted. I smirked.
"Congratulations," Mayer said, not caring in the slightest, "You did what you were supposed to do as the heir to the Zoldyck," Killua frowned, annoyance blooming on his face.
Mayer turned to his left and faced Kurapika. Kurapika nodded and got in our line.
Mayer, "You five have only begun as a Hunter. Normally," Mayer's pale blue eyes stared at me, his pupils filled with condemnation. And terrible things he'll do to me. Never did blood drown out of my face faster than that moment, "you all would have had to figure out Nen by yourselves. But, considering the circumstances, better this than any other way."
He raised his right hand, "Now, let us see your Ren."
I frowned. We all turned to each other. I looked to the three to my right, then turned to Leorio on my left. Then back at my Master. Kurapika spoke for all of us.
"Leorio hasn't learned Ren yet. He can only access Zetsu and barely Ten. The rest of us know the basics."
Mayer grunted, "Then show us your Ten. Be ready,"
All of us crouched, alert and ready for the unexpected. With barely a thought, I switched from Zetsu into Ten. My fat, easily flowing aura came out. Wrapping me in the see-through armor of Aura. I turned to see my friends next to me. I could suddenly see the other world as my eyes widened in surprise.
I saw the bright, shining Ten of Leorio as he fought to keep it stable and smooth; burning through aura as if it were water. His face strained from the effort. Kurapika's Ten was thin and efficient, barely wasting Aura. His face calm and determined. Killua's was the smoothest, like a perfectly sanded statue with calm, narrowed eyes. Gon's was sturdy and hard, uncompromising and unbending. A face determined to face what was to come.
It was a sight to see that Leorio and Kurapika had Nen. They seemed comfortable using after learning it in only a few days. But that's not too much of a surprise considering they were Hunters. I smiled and turned to Mayer. Then I saw what was in front of me and I felt like saying time out. I felt my face grimace uncontrollably in fear.
Mayer's aura squirmed, wiggled, moved, and was enormous. It stretched and deformed, then flowed to his right hand. An arctic, chilling blue like his eyes. He puckered his lips and began sucking in air. It sounded like a ramjet taking in air. I wanted to cover my ears at the shrill, painful suction sound. His enormous chest becoming even larger than I thought humanly possible, expanding outward until his pecs and upper abs bulged through his loose red shirt.
He took his right hand and filled with a blue, frigid aura. He placed it in front of his mouth.
Then he blew.
Ice cold, hurricane-force winds hit us with so much force I could barely hear my own yell, let alone my friends'. I tumbled through the air and hit the wall dividing the spectators and the ring out area. I bounced off the hard stone, my back thudding against the surface before I fell and landed face-first onto the dirt and concrete. Dust invaded my nostrils, causing me to cough. I heard several other thuds and cries of pain. Everyone else had landed, and not much better than me.
I got on to one knee and saw that we were all spread apart, a good seven meters from each other. Leorio fell on top of his head, Kurapika was rubbing his head while on one knee. Gon sat against the spectator barrier while he rubbed the back of his head, a small, "Ow," escaping him. Killua was the only one that seemed unhurt. It looked like he landed in a crouch and was serious as he could be. Concern apparent in his narrowed eyes.
Mayer's booming voice came from the arena, a cloud of dust hanging in the air, his voice coming through the debris
"That is the mastery of the basic principles of Nen: Hatsu," he turned to the white-suited Bancho and nodded, "Knuckle..."
Knuckle took a running leap and landed a few feet in front of us, clearing something like fifteen meters in a single bound. When he landed, the cement and gravel crunched underneath his feet as a plum of dust settled into the air. He stood straight up, his head low. When he pulled his head back, he continued until his chin was in the air. His face an angry, red smile with veins all over his forehead. He lifted a hand up to his chest and made a fist. With an audible crack and pop of said fist.
"You bastards... you know how much of a nightmare it was to take care of that brat? Oh, I'm going to enjoy this..."
His Ren exploded, and I knew we were fucked. Our Nen was nowhere near as powerful or refined as his.
I grimaced and looked at my friends, "Shit..."
I heard two blonde idiots laughing and clapping, hooting and hollering. I huffed in annoyance as I tried to figure out how to approach this 'training'.
I took stock of my surroundings and where all five of us were. I was off center, left of Killua. He was at the center of us five, with Leorio to my left. Gon was on the other side of Killua, and Kurapika was on the end. Knuckle glared at all of us with this massive frown that screamed, 'I'm going to fuck you all up.'
"Well?! It's going to take all five you to fight me! That's the only chance you guys got! Even just using the basics, you guys are all five- no, ten years too early to beat me by yourselves!"
Why is he giving us advice? I frowned and looked at Kurapika for what to do, then Killua and Gon. An unsaid understanding flashed between us: we needed to group up and figure out a strategy to beat this guy. He was a top-tier Nen user, experienced and dangerous...
With a nod, all three-four of us moved. Gon, Killua, and Kurapika dashed toward each other while I dashed to my left, trying to keep Knuckle in the vision of my right eye. Since I couldn't see, I calculated the distance to Leorio in my blind spot and slid to a stop in front of him as he got up. Out of the five of us, he was the weakest fighter. We didn't know what kind of style Knuckle had, and I would not let him pick us off one by one while we figured it out.
Knuckle smirked. The next thing I knew he was in front of me. My eye widened in terror. It was like he was using Ren, except he was still in Ten. He was shorter than me, yet his Aura presence and strength made it feel like he was towering over me. At that moment, I realized Hisoka hadn't even tried with us…
His right hand snaked upwards so casually it looked like he was demonstrating a punch instead of throwing it. The uppercut flew towards my body, slow and easy to spot. My arms came together to form a cross block to protect my stomach. The lazy punch hit my right forearm, right on the fat forearm muscle. The moment it hit, I knew I fucked up.
My sleeve exploded into confetti of cloth as his fist twisted into my arm with unreal power. It pinned both my arms to my stomach, like I was hitting myself with my own arms.
The force of the blow was way, way, way more powerful than it had any right to be. I grimaced, then roared as my body was lifted into the air by the overwhelming power of the hit. My fit kicked up dirt as I flew upwards and over the spectator barrier a few meters back. I felt the stone seats hit my side with a thump.
An involuntary hiss escaped from my mouth. My body hesitated to get up from that absurd hit. I think I flew thirty feet. Oh god, that hurt… If I didn't have Ten, I'd have broken my arms and ribs.
I staggered to my feet to see Knuckle yelling, "You guys should've rushed me if you wanted to protect your friend here! Better to keep your opponent off guard so your friend can recover, than to divide your forces and weaken yourselves! And you guys don't even know Ryu! PATHETIC!" he spat out that last word with disgust, his lips twisting into a snarl.
A quick vault over the stone barrier and I landed back into the out-of-bounds area. I'm surprised he didn't kick Leorio while he was down. That's what a gangster would do, stomp someone out. Instead, he let Leorio recover and run to the rest of the group. Unfortunately, now I was cut off from the rest - with Knuckle staring me down. Arms crossed and with a sneer.
My back was to the barrier, Knuckle in front of me. I took advantage of this.
"Guys, I'll distract him! Figure out something!" I yelled as I sprinted forward to meet my opponent. Knuckle continued to glare, arms still crossed without worry or urgency at me coming to him...
Since my left side was blind, I squared up and threw basic jab-cross combos, starting with a sliding baseball pitch of a cross. With my speed, my attacks came out nigh-instantaneously. One after another like an overclocked jackhammer. Knuckle moved his head left and right, my punches flying right over his ears as he glared at me.
Next thing I knew, I was suspended in the air with a punch in my gut and a choking sound coming out of my mouth. Nausea and pain shooting up my gut and to my head. I landed back to earth on shaky legs as Knuckle looked down at my hunched, gagging form.
"You got guts, I'll give you that! But if you're fighting a stronger opponent, you have to go ALL OUT!"
He launched a soccer kick right to my chin. I did the only maneuver I could do and just fell backwards onto my back. His kick flew harmlessly over me, dirt spattering my face. I rolled backwards and tried to figure out how the fuck to hit this monster. As I recovered, I stared at the guy and tried to break him down.
Knuckle was a natural fighter. The kind of guy with crazy athleticism and natural-born combat instincts. The kind of person who probably got into a lot of fights when he was a kid and never stopped. A skilled, refined brawler. Wide looping kicks and punches with very little defense other than his crazy reflexes, fighting experience, and intuition. Staring at him was staring at a smoldering volcano: both in power and in essence. This guy could fight Hisoka and be fine. I don't know if he'd win, but he wouldn't be overwhelmed-
"Huh, what are you looking at? Trying to figure me out? Well, I'm not gonna' give you the chance!" Knuckle yelled as he ran forward and went on the offense.
I panicked and jumped back, only for my back to hit the stone barrier. In all this ass-kicking, I forgot my position relative to everyone. I quickly glanced to see Kurapika explaining his plan to the other four. Only a few seconds passed, but it felt like forever! Hurr-
I ducked as Knuckle smashed his right fist into the barrier between me, my body acting on its own as I scrambled out of the way of any more potential attacks and circled to my left. As I left the 'corner', I decided to see if a side-kick would land, only for him to catch it with his left hand. Underneath his right arm wth any fuss, as casually as possible. He pushed me back by the foot and sent me staggering back, but he didn't take advantage of my momentary loss of balance. I had to take an awkward southpaw stance as we both glared at each other.
He sneered, "You're still not going all out! You're overthinking the situation! When there's no solution, you gotta MAKE ONE!" he yelled at me with a point of his. What the fuck is wrong with this man?
I growled. Even if this man was as dramatic as possible, he had a point. I was hesitating since he was way stronger than me. Why was he giving us advice? Was he helping us?...
"Fine!" I growled out and transitioned into Ren. I felt the strain on my body as the white fire of Aura erupted around me and engulfed my form. In an instant, I cleared the space between us and went for broke. I pushed my body as hard as I could as I threw crosses, left straights, kicks, punches. Anything and everything to keep him on the defense and find an opening.
As casually as he could, he blocked, slipped, and moved out of the way of my attacks with brute finesse. No style, no gracefulness, just the bare minimum movement with his hands down. No actual combat stance, just standing there and making me look like a fucking fool. It felt like Hisoka all over again, or Roy Jones Jr. clowning on his opponents with ease. My face grew hot and red with indignation and embarrassment at how he barely put effort to dodge my punches. How he casually slapped my punches away like an afterthought. I was sweating bullets, and he hadn't even broken a sweat yet!
With my teeth as clenched as tightly as they could, I threw a wide haymaker of a right hook. He scoffed and nonchalantly held up his left to block it.
Quickly, I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and upper arms. I stepped forward, locked my hands together, and held on as tightly as I could. It took everything I had, every ounce of Aura to hold him as he slowly and easily began lifting his arms and breaking my hold.
"Ya' know, if you're going to go for a grapple, make sure you have something to follow up with," the shorter man said below me, his voice somewhere under my chin.
Something smashed the bottom of said chin, my bottom teeth slamming into my top ones with so much force it felt like someone took a sledgehammer and hit me with it. I saw stars and felt dizzy. With some consciousness left, I peered down to see his head leaned back: the fucker had smashed my chin with the top of his head…
The taste of salt and metal filled my mouth, my teeth nicking my tongue. I turned down and grinned, drops of blood coming out of my mouth.
"Oh, I'm not that bad of a fighter..." I said cheerfully through blood teeth. Knuckle' eyes widened, and his right eyebrow flew up.
The whooshing sound of zooming humans hit our ears as the rest of my friends flew forward. We had taken advantage of Knuckle just focusing on me. Kurapika had given me a hugging motion, and I took it to the bank.
I crouched down, shifted my weight back, and set my Aura to my feet to secure myself so Knuckle couldn't even think of moving. I heard a dismissive 'hmph' and I knew I fucked up. My body became cold with dread.
"Heh, I guess you do know Ryu. Too bad you used it too early."
"Shi-" was all I said as he flared his arms apart and smashed me in the solar plexus with a right cross like a Karate master. It hit me so hard I felt like my soul was knocked out of my body. All the air rushed out of me as I felt my eyes bulged in pain upon impact. I flew back, my legs lifted off the ground by the power of his punch. I stared at him while traveling through the air. He jumped, turned around, began tearing everyone apart.
Leorio was first, taking point with his size, height, and strength. He put his entire body into a haymaker of a right cross, only for Knuckle to answer with his own overhand cross that landed on Leorio's chin. Leorio's punch flying harmlessly over Knuckle' head as my friend withered and turned limp from the hit. His legs gave out before hitting the ground with a thud.
Kurapika came low and went for a sliding kick that should have taken out Knuckle's legs. Instead, Knuckle leaped forward and smashed his right foot into Kurapika's face, faster than even the Kurta was. He used his face as a stepping stone to get to Gon and Killua, who were split up to perform what looked like a pincer attack. It wasn't happening as Knuckle landed between them and grabbed the two of them by the collars with each of his hands. With a roar, he slammed both of them into the ground with a titanic amount of strength and a boom.
We all laid on the ground groaning in pain. I looked up from to the floor to see Knuckle looming over us, giant stupid fucking Pompadour bouncing up and down as he tilted his head back. His face was a wicked smile.
"You guys aren't bad for a bunch of rookies. BUT IT'S WAY TO EARLY FOR YOU GUYS TO BEAT ME! GET UP! WE AIN'T DONE YET!"
Mayer watched as Knuckle beat the ever-loving piss out of the five of them for close to twenty minutes. As talented and trained as Killua was, as intelligent as Kurapika was, as quickwitted as James was, as determined as Gon and Leorio were... the gap in physical and Nen ability was immense. But that was the point of the exercise.
Biscuit frowned, "They aren't bad. You said they only had Nen for less than a month? Maybe Evira's right about them..."
Mayer nodded, more annoyed than anything. He cursed Panza in the back of his head as he answered, "Yes. It seems James Aura was unlocked during the exam. Being a rule-breaker, he inadvertently broke the rule of teaching Nen."
Biscuit shrugged, "I don't blame him. The Hunter Exam isn't easy. Even Nen doesn't guarantee you'll pass. Who wouldn't want to help their friends?"
Mayer turned his head to his right, staring down at Amori. The man looked in awe and fear at the fight between the Hunters and Knuckle. He shivered, felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, then turned to Mayer. He blanched. Mayer's booming voice rumbled out.
"What is that thing doing here?"
Mercutio took his analyzing eyes off the fight and turned to Mayer. The sharpness his eyes held disappeared as they became bored and glossy. He sniffed and raised an eyebrow.
"What? You mean Red here?"
"Yes. It is obvious by the face of that weakling that it does not even know Nen."
"Really laying it down hard, aren't you big guy?"
"Considering what we are to face in the coming year, I do not want dead weight," Mayer said with a frown and a cold stare.
Mercutio frowned, "Don't worry, we'll find some use for him. He isn't like those freaks over there, but Nen isn't all about raw power..."
Mayer grunted and turned back to the five hunters being hurled around like they were pillows in a pillow fight. With a single whistle, the world stopped and Knuckle dropped his weapon, Leorio, on the floor. The Bancho turned to face the giant as he frowned and walked back towards the arena.
The rest of the Hunters groaned in pain as they stood up on unsteady feet and walked over to the arena. James held his gut in pain, Leorio his head. Kurapika limped over, while the two boys stumbled forward. All of them dizzy and groaning in pain after being used by Knuckle as human weapons. The five of them staggered their way into the arena. James looked at Mayer with annoyance.
"Really? We already know how it is to fight someone who mastered Nen. All of us fought Hisoka. He cleaned our clock."
Leorio pointed to himself, "I didn't, you knocked me out," he said with an annoyed squint.
"After what Hisoka did to Kurapika, would you have wanted to fight him?"
Leorio crossed his arms and frowned, "Good point..."
Mayer grunted and looked down at the five, "Hisoka... Yes, I suppose you would know then the gap between mastery and understanding. There are several things you all need to know about Nen. But that is not for today."
Kurapika straightened his back and winced at his aching body.
"You wanted to show us the strength of someone who mastered Nen. To show what is possible..."
Mayer nodded, "Yes, as well as to demonstrate what lies in ahead. You know the Troupe is coming in September, and so does everyone else in this room. That does not leave this room."
A tension cut through the air as everyone's mind became heavy with that thought. Everyone became serious, staring at Mayer with determination and purpose.
"We can only use this advantage once. There will be no other time. We cannot afford to squander this opportunity."
Gon raised his hand, cutting through the tension like a flaming sword through butter. Everyone looked at the curious child with surprise. Mayer frowned and pointed at the boy.
"Who is she? Is she related to you?" Gon said with a point to Biscuit. The woman disguised as a child smirked. Mayer frowned.
Biscuit took it as a sign to introduce herself. She stood forward, more confident than a 'child' like her should have, and placed a hand on her chest. Her voice was sweet and childlike.
"My name is Biscuit Krueger, and I'm a pro-Hunter. Forty years ago I learned Nen, and now I'm going to use my knowledge and experience to teach you two Nen! You should be grateful!"
All five of the Hunters stared at her, still at statues. In complete disbelief. Leorio opened his mouth.
"You look too young to be an old hag-" he was promptly launched into the audience seats by an uppercut. Everyone facing the Hunters stared at the orbital Leorio with dull, half-lidded eyes.
James and Killua looked at each other, sweat dripping down their heads. They nodded at each other. An understanding passed between them. They had just avoided that same fate by a fraction of a second.
"I'm not too big on formalities, so you two call me Bisky. In return, you must obey every word of what I teach you. Without question!"
Killua shook his head, "Pass... Besides, Gon wants to pay back Hisoka. This arena has given me an idea..."
Gon turned to his friend, "Huh?"
"We can just practice Nen in Heavens Arena. Pretty straight forward. We already know the baisc, we just need to get better at them. Whatever we don't we'll figure it out ourselves," Killua said with both arms behind his head.
Claudette spoke up, "Hisoka? He's a floor master in Heavens Arena! Lady Bisky could come with you and teach you!" she said cheerfully, with a clap of her hands.
Gon nodded, then turned to Biscuit, "Well, maybe she can teach us how Nen while we're at Heavens Arena?"
Biscuit and Killua replied at the same time, "Not a chance!" They scowled at each other, Killua speaking first.
"I'm not learning from her! We already know about Nen, so learning the rest isn't a problem! Besides, you work for that other ha- woman, Evira! We may all be on the same side, but she stills plays too many games to be trusted."
James raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Nice save…" Killua gave James a pointed look but said nothing.
Everyone stared quietly at Killua. There wasn't much to say to that. Biscuit scoffed for an entirely different matter, crossing her arms and turning away.
"I'm not wasting my time training you two for Heavens Arena! Not when there's this!" she finished with a wave of her arm to the cart filled with console accessories.
James stared at it with a raised eyebrow, "A game console? Really? WAIT!… It's a magic Nen thing, right?"
They all looked at him and raised an eyebrow at his choice of phrasing. He frowned back, "What? I'm right, aren't I?!"
Biscuit nodded while two twins laughed in the background at James' annoyance. It only made him more annoyed.
"This," she said she picked up the box and displayed it like an infomercial, "is Greed Island. From what Mayer tells me, it's a game only Nen users can play. Without it, you'll probably die really quick."
Mayer picked up the lecture, "It was created by your father, Gon. Ging, along with several powerful Hunters, designed it as a game for Hunters. A test of a Nen user's ability. The ultimate game."
Biscuit nodded, "From the information given to us, all the game mechanics are made up of Nen. Anyone who plays should know the basics of Nen, and most of the players would demolish any of you right now..."
Leorio finally arrived back to the line, grumbling. A giant lump on his head. He scratched his the lump and answered.
"So why bring Gon and Killua on to the island if it's so dangerous? Yeah, Heavens Arena is filled with deadly fighters, but they shouldn't have a problem with the lower floors."
"Unfortunately, gramps, once you enter the game its impossible to leave!" Biscuit said with a finger raise. Leorio frowned, his eyebrow twitching.
Mayer grunted, her finger wilting down.
"Still a liar I see. Flole specified that one could come back. You only wish to acquire the Blue Planet and be done with it."
Biscuit frowned and turned to Mayer and whispered, "Why'd you have to tell them that? I had a good thing going here..."
"Hmph. Because that is not a bad idea. Leorio is correct. You three can use Heavens Arena to train in hand to hand combat. If Flole's words are true, Greed Island can be used as a training grounds to master and polish Nen."
Biscuit and Killua grumbled. Gon tilted his head, then answered, "Ok, but I want to see my Aunt Mito first."
The woman in the guise of a child sighed and nodded, "Fine! You want anything else while we're at it? Toys, candy?"
Gon shook his head, "No, I'm fine. I'm kinda hungry though."
Biscuit raised an eyebrow at the boy, starting to realize what kind of person son of Ging was: the complete opposite of Ging. They were both idiots, but in different ways…
Mayer coughed into his fist, "Then it is decided. Considering you four must leave by midnight, I will end training today early."
He turned to Mercutio, "Well?" the gangster sighed and nodded. He looked at James.
"Starting next week you'll be working under me. I saw all I needed to see, as did my team. We get a lot of wise guys with Nen that come to the city with big ideas and not enough sense. Also, you'll be helping to teach this bozo and his brothers Nen," he finished with a jab to Amori.
James stared at him, then at Amori, then at everyone in attendance. He scowled.
"What is this, a tryout? The hell?"
Kalvin and Clyde answered in unison, much to James and Killua's mutual annoyance. Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika looked on with surprise.
"Maybe for Mercutio! But we wanted to see how much you progressed! What a sight! To think in less than a month you've progressed this far!"
Claudette nodded, "Yeah, really crazy how much potential you guys have! Scary too!"
Knuckle made a noise and scowled, "Doesn't mean anything if they waste it! At the request of Mayer, I'll be here for another month. I'll be busting your butts into shape, ya' got that?!" he finished with a yell as his passion ignited. Shoot nodded impassively. Leorio and James frowned.
Mayer nodded and stared at Kurapika, "I believe you will be leaving with Pairo to train, correct? I believe you will be in fine hands."
Kurapika nodded, a smile on his face and determination in his eyes, "I agree."
Pairo nodded with pride. He had much to catch up with Kurapika, and much to teach his old friend.
Mayer stared at the five Hunters in front of him, "If there are no further questions, then you are all dismissed. I hope you all work hard. From now until September. Lives are on the line."
The Hunter Five grew serious as they stared at the giant. It was if they all felt the weight of his words land on them.
Glaring back in determination, the five shouldered the burden without hesitation.
It was late, around eight. The seven of us sat at Tarsetol Station, sitting at a cafe located inside. What I remember from documentaries back home, this station looked like the combination of Grand Central Station mixed with Pennsylvania Station's underground. While not fucking huge like Kukan'yu Kingdom's strain station, Tarsetol was nothing to sneeze about.
We sat quietly while everyone drank either tea, soda, or coffee. Leorio and I were waiting with them for their train to arrive at eight-thirty. Biscuit, Pairo, Kurapika, Gon, Killua. The seven of us crowded around a circular table as we shot the shit. I smiled as Leorio told us the story of how he picked up two women from a bar. He thought he was on top of the world... only to find out later they were doing a scam and thought Leorio was wealthy.
I turned up to an enormous clock up against a wall. Fifteen minutes. I wrapped my hands behind my head, closed my eyes, and sighed.
It got tiring having people come and go from your life. Gah...
When I opened my eyes(or eye in this case) I saw everyone was staring at me. I quirked an eyebrow.
"What?"
Killua smirked and gave a quick chuckle, "You're a softy, even after the Hunter Exam."
"Nye, nye, nye. I'm Killua, I'm stoo-pid," I said with my scrunched-up face. A vein popped out on his head.
Kurapika cut in with a laugh, "Honestly, that's how you and Leorio helped the most."
I quirked an eyebrow and turned to Leorio on my right, who had a similar face as me. We turned to them and pointed our selves, "Huh?"
Gon nodded, "Kurapika's right! You two were always looking after us! It felt like having two big brothers!"
I stared at Leorio, who stared back at me, our faces full of red. We looked away and crossed our arms, "Nah.../Shut up!" we said, respectively.
They all started laughing at our reaction. I could feel a smile rise on my face, and I bet Leorio's as well.
Pairo caught our attention. We turned to him and saw him smiling. Yet his eyes held a glint of hardness in them.
"Cooperation and empathy for others are two traits humans naturally have, but choose to ignore. As animals, that and our creativity, is what separates us from all the other beasts. I fear, though, that it may be a weakness for you two."
I stared at Pairo with unease, as did everyone else. The easy, cheerful mood was gone. He continued.
"The concrete jungle is a nickname given to urban centers, but it fits York New City particularly well. In my time here, I've seen and understood how savage humans are. It is obvious you two have been through much, but the underworld is far different from either of you understand. Harden your hearts, or a knife will easily sink in them..." he finished with a sip of his tea.
Biscuit nodded, "He's right. You five have the most Nen potential I've seen in a while. That'll mean squat if you two die before you master it."
Kurapika nodded, "That is true... but I have faith they'll be able to survive until September."
We heard the announcement for their trains. The voice echoing through the tunnels, blaring from the loudspeakers. We stood up from our seats and stared at each other.
"Well, looks like this is it," I turned to Biscuit, "take care of them, ok? I'll kick your granny, child-sized ass if they get hurt." Leorio agreed with a nod.
She scoffed, "Worry about yourself, cherry head... but I will," she said with a bored nod.
We turned to Pairo and Kurapika, walked around, and I hugged them. That caught them off guard, heh. Then we were dog piled by Leorio and Gon. Killua stood away, thinking he was above it all. That was until I grabbed him with my orangutang arms and brought him into the group hug.
I felt the tears in my eyes. I blinked them away as I felt proud to have these guys as friends, even if they were nothing but a bunch of kids.
Yeah, I guess I was a big softy, heh.
We untangled ourselves. I looked down to Killua and Gon, "Take care of yourselves, ya idiots. I didn't lose an eye to see you guys die."
Gon and Killua nodded, a smile on their faces. Killua replied first, "Same to you, beethead. Pairo's right, if you trust the wrong people you'll die."
I smirked and rubbed Killua's cotton hair. He took it with reluctant happiness, red on his cheeks, "Shaddap. I ain't gonna die yet. Don't go killing people unless you absolutely have to."
I let go before the cat became too sensitive and scratched me. I turned to Gon and rubbed his head too, he laughed, "Take care of each other, ok? You're stubborn, determined, and persistent. But that can all be weaknesses when you have too much of it."
He nodded, "Ok. Take care of yourself too, James!"
Leorio gave a two-finger salute, a smirk, and said, "You two should be fine. Give Hisoka punch for me, Gon! And I hope you're less of a pain in the ass the next time I see ya', Killua."
Gon laughed as Killua replied, "Who are you calling a pain in the ass, geezer?!"
We laughed and turned to Kurapika and Pairo. I couldn't help but start laughing again as I stared at Kurapika.
"Man, we started out as enemies. I couldn't stand you. Now I feel like your like an annoying, frustratingly smart little brother. Take care of yourself out there."
Leorio chuckled, "Heh, the same thing happened to me! We were about to fight it out too Strange how things end up."
Kurapika laughed freely, "That felt like years ago... Yes, very strange indeed. Fate takes strange twists and turns."
Leorio smiled, before his face became deadly serious as his voice dropped an octave, "Come September, we'll get revenge for your clan. You aren't alone anymore, Kurapika."
Pairo, Kurapika, and I nodded in agreement. I could sense Gon and Killua nod as well.
With that, we all waved goodbye. The two of us stood there as the two groups split off to catch their trains. We stood in the cafe, feeling like a pair of deflated balloons.
Leorio scratched the back of his head, left hand on his hip, "I guess Kurapika's right... we got to survive until September. I wonder what this city's got in store for us."
I shrugged, both my hands into my pants pockets, "Whatever it is, we'll be fine. But I don't intend for us to just survive like the Hunter Exam. We're gonna' conquer this concrete jungle. We're gonna' thrive."
I raised a left fist to Leorio. He chuckled, smirked, and give me a fist bump.
"Heh, I like the sound of that. Aye-man to that."
Author's Notes:
Hello dear readers! I hope you are all doing well!
Nothing much to add! All five will become much stronger in the coming months. James and Leorio will have a strange, strange time in York New City!
See you next chapter!
