Author's Note: Woo! Please note that some of the ages here are just guesses. Thank you again, Amy & Mackan!

Miwaku: I don't own Hunter x Hunter.

CHAPTER 6

Ging stepped out of the taxi right in front of the Hunters Association building. 'Well, here I am again.' Adjusting his scarf to cover half his face, he entered the building.

It was the day of the awarding ceremony for newly-ranked Hunters. Ging was still reeling about it. He did not expect to get a star just after one restoration. Though he had to admit, just remembering the work he and his group had to do just so they could do the restoration made him admit that he, at least, deserved it.

"Welcome to the Hunters Association. How can we help you?"

"Uh..." Ging scratched the back of his head as he looked at the waiting receptionist, making sure that the turban he was wearing did not fall off during the process. "I'm supposed to attend the awarding ceremony today."

"I see. Please hand over your Hunter license for verification and um..." The receptionist pointed at his face. "...remove the scarf."

Ging scowled but did as he was told. He did go clothes shopping at the town he was in last time before he hopped in an airship to get to the city. He was now wearing baggy clothes (loose long-sleeves and pants), sturdy boots, and a turban on his head to hide his spiky hair. He probably looked like a bum (he could see it on the receptionist's face) and not much of a soon-to-be Single-Star Archaeological Hunter.

"Okay, you're good to go. The venue is at the topmost floor. Thank you, congratulations, and good luck!"

'Really? Good luck?' He was now dreading what could happen in the program.

Ging adjusted his scarf again and went straight to the elevator. Luckily enough, it was open and waiting for someone to get in it. He stepped into it and was about to press the button for the top floor, but he saw that it was already pressed. So, he shrugged and pressed the button that would close the doors.

"Oh, it's nice to see you again, Ging-san!"

His eyebrow twitched in annoyance at the very familiar and 'bright' voice. "Pariston, what a surprise." He did not care that he did not put an honorifc.

"Congratulations on becoming a Single-Star Hunter!" Pariston was not even fazed. "I heard that your work in the Kongo Gold Vein was spectacular!"

"Thanks." Ging said with gritted teeth. He was definitely not lucky to get into this elevator. Why did he have to be stuck in an elevator with a stupidly shining-bright-like-a-diamond Pariston Hill?

"It must be hard work for you, being so young and unknown."

To Ging, it sounded so fake that plastic surgery might not be needed anymore. Or it was already done with all the damn smiling Pariston was doing. "Yeah, it was." But he played along. He could be courteous sometimes. Nothing has happened yet after all.

"It's amazing that you formed that non-profit organization. Lovely group of people, they are."

Ging's eyes widened as he heard the tiniest hint of a threat in Pariston's tone. He turned to glare at the blonde man who was still smiling. "You shut up about them. They're not your business."

Pariston had the gall to pout. "Ah, but you formed that little group so, of course, I was curious."

"Don't even dare." Ging growled out, surprising himself. He was so hostile and just plain angry that Pariston would insinuate like that. Sure, it was probably just him thinking more about it but he did not care. Pariston, or anybody else for that matter, should not care about what he does.

"Okay." The blonde man held up two hands in a placating manner and was still smiling. "No need to be so touchy."

"I don't want to play mind games with you, Pariston." Ging stated bluntly. He was getting tired of being here and he was only halfway. 'Just how long am I going to endure this?'

"Who said about playing?"

Ging felt the subtle shift in the atmosphere. Even though Pariston was smiling, he saw that the supposedly sparkling eyes were dulled and stared right at him. 'Talk about creepy.' He grimaced.

He did not know why Pariston was so intent on him. Even on that first meeting between them, there was this certain feeling of being in a hunting situation. He was the prey and the blonde man was the predator. It was disturbing and unnerving.

But Ging took it as a challenge. 'Two could play your game, Pariston. And I'm not about to lose.'

They just stared at each other, none moving except for the quite slow elevator. Ging felt that if one of them moved, the other would attack and a battle would emerge. He did not want the hassle so he stayed put, just staring.

Then, when only a third of the travel was left, the elevator stopped.

Ging glanced at the doors that opened, revealing a blonde girl about his age (or even younger) and a glasses-wearing man in his twenties. They both stepped in the elevator which stopped the staring contest, to Ging's relief.

The doors slid close and the elevator started up again. It was quiet. An awkward silence, to Ging at least, descended on them. And it became even more awkward when the girl turned to look at him.

"Wow, so young and already a ranked Hunter?"

"I could say the same to you." Ging muttered.

"Thank you for the indirect compliment!" The girl giggled out loud. Beside her, the man with the glasses sighed silently. Ging just felt confused.

"Ah, Bisky-san, how nice to see you!" Pariston greeted cheerfully. It made Ging want to strangle him.

"Oh Pariston." The girl, apparently her name is Bisky, frowned. "Getting your first star today, right?"

"Yes, just like Ging-san!" And again, the blonde man was not fazed one bit.

"Ging, huh?" Bisky held out a gloved hand towards Ging, to his surprise. "My name is Biscuit Krueger, Single-Star Treasure Hunter and soon-to-be Double-Star! I'm actually forty years old already." Then, she winked.

"What?!" Ging gawked but still, he shook the offered hand. "How?!"

"Nen, of course." Bisky said haughtily then jutted a thumb to where the man with the glasses is standing. "And this is my student, Wing. He's getting a star today, too." She hummed as she looked at him. "You know, you look really young, like teenager young. I think fifteen?"

Ging nodded and realized then and there that he was surrounded by real Hunters (and yes, even Pariston, loathe he admits it). They were not just amateurs that he had seen before. They were the real deal. They were pretty much like him, but in a higher caliber.

He was only fifteen years old, had only been a Hunter for three years. He still had a lot to do before he could reach that. And he could not wait. 'This is just a beginning. There's more to come and it will be exciting and fun!'

Wing was not much of a talker since he just smiled and nodded his head. Bisky was looking smug. Pariston was still smiling. Ging just stared at the three of them.

It was silent again...until there was a simultaneous statement,

"You're so short."

"What the hell does that mean?!" Ging blurted out. It was so completely random that it put him off-guard.

"Why are you fifteen looking like a twelve-year old?!" Bisky grumbled. "That's not fair!"

"That's not what I meant though." Wing murmured beside her. Ging could hear him though. "Is he malnourished?"

"Are you, perhaps, like that fictional character named Barry Trotter?" Pariston questioned.

"Again, what the hell does that mean?!" Ging threw his hands up in frustration. He just wanted to get out of the elevator. Just how long -

The elevator gently stopped and the doors slid open.

"Fucking finally!" Ging quickly walked out of the elevator, not bothering to wait for the other three. He did not want to be there any longer or he might just snap. But before he could go to the room where the awarding ceremony will take place, appearing in front of him was a laughing Chairman Isaac Netero with a tired-looking Beans beside him.

'Ugh. And here's another one.'

It was going to be a long day just for a ceremony.

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Shorter but that's all for this chapter.

Expect in the next chapter: Program, Dog, Crazies

See you next time!