Leorio prodded the rather large lump on his face with a wince. He was absolutely clueless about how he'd gotten here… and Gon and Kurapika had shown up afterwards looking for him. Which- left him with so many questions. Going off of the muscle burn. He'd gone through a pretty hefty workout- which coincided with his memories of lots of running- and he'd been hit by… something. And somehow got to the Second Phase exam site.
He let out an aggravated sigh and prodded his face again. Despite being a rather nasty contusion that caused some memory loss, and practically shredded the inside of his mouth, Leorio was pretty sure he didn't have a concussion. Thank goodness for being hit on the cheek. Actually… thank goodness he didn't have a broken jaw. Good at field dressing he may be, there was still only so much he could do.
Didn't make it any less frustrating that he didn't make it here on his own power… and that he had no idea who had helped him.
A loud cry of "Jas!" drew him from his self pity session and he blearily looked up at the approaching kid decked out in a ragged, dirty robe. He'd seen a few of those in his time, good for keeping warm on cold nights and keeping the sand from blasting one's skin off. Though, he doubted that's the reason this kid was wearing one. It was probably more for hiding than anything else. It did a pretty good job of it at any rate.
He let out a sigh through his nose and thanked his lucky stars that he hadn't been more damaged (it could have been so much worse) before pushing himself up into a standing position. There was a brief moment of lightheadedness but it went away quickly enough that he wasn't too worried. Considering he was still shining with sweat, it was probably dehydration and not the lump on his face.
(And, urgh, he was trying so hard not to think about how stupid he looked. There were more important things than pride! Like money!)
"So… what are we waiting for," he asked as he ambled after the group that had made their way closer to the building in the clearing. His skin felt tacky with dried sweat. Hm. He should probably put on a shirt. He pulled his jacket and shirt from his waist, separated them, then started pulling his shirt back on and tying his jacket around his waist (the badge went on his chest of course). Feeling a little more put together he turned back to the group to ask-
"Who are you?"
Leorio let out a strangled noise before reigning himself in. It was fine. The kid has some form of anterograde amnesia. He had to remind himself not to yell (not because it wasn't deserved because being constantly forgotten was really annoying but because his face hurt dammit! That was definitely the reason. Definitely.), to take deep breaths.
Was it even worth it to introduce himself at this point?
"That's Leorio! He's part of our group!"
Nevermind.
At least he could bask in the feeling of being included. Gon was a really great kid. (Most of the time.)
And with that thought, the doors in front of everyone started peeling open with a groan; one completely different than the grumbling and growling that had been coming out of the building for the past forever. And they were starting the Second Phase with-
Cooking!
Which was… not exactly what he was expecting from a Hunter Exam. Sort of stupid really.
But definitely something within his range of capabilities! He'd cook the best damn pork that examiner had ever tasted!
So, high on his future success, he almost didn't notice the beige figure in the corner of his eye start lagging. He glanced over, a bit surprised that Jasper was falling back, away from Gon and the white haired brat. He glanced at the two boys but they made no move to say or do anything… and Kurapika was too focused looking forward and around them trying to spot any pigs.
Leorio huffed. Then he slowed down until he was right next to the kid. There were a few quiet moments before Jasper spoke. "Who are you?"
"Seriously!? Ugh- You know what, fine! I'm Leorio and you're looking a little down there, kid. What's wrong?"
"Wrong? Nothing. Nothing is… wrong."
"Uh-huh sure. Lie a little more convincingly. Now, out with it." Despite his blunt words he really was curious. Would Jasper even remember what he was falling behind for? And if he did remember… Well, doctor's were supposed to help people, right? This was totally fine!
"I can't cook."
The blunt admission almost made the older teen fall on his face as he stumbled over a tree root. How the hell had the kid survived? Hadn't he said he'd been looking for his family? Leorio had sort of assumed Jasper was on his own if that was true but what if wasn't? Had somebody been cooking for him? Is that why he hadn't learned? He didn't want to think about how tiny those wrists were. There just… was no way that he'd survived on his own with no way to make food! There wasn't!
…
UGH! How was this kid alive!?
"That- That's not a problem," he stuttered, still trying to get over his shock.
"No? But aren't we supposed to cook?"
"Well, yes," he grunted.
"Then how is it not a problem?"
"Because I'll help you!"
He'd blurted it out without really thinking about it but Leorio wouldn't take it back. He knew how to cook just fine enough to survive and if he had to help teach a kid to do it (and maybe impart an important life skill at the same time that would hopefully be remembered) then he was all for it!
"Why?" Jasper's voice was bland and it made Leorio's eye twitch.
"What do you mean why!? It's the right thing to do!"
"You're a bit of a hot-head aren't you?"
He gaped, head turning directly towards the small form beside him. How dare-! He was trying to help-! And this was the respect-!? What the hell!
"WHY YOU LITTLE BRAT!"
Jasper's laughter rang clear and high. It was a full bellied laugh, one that made the boy stop running as he leant over clutching his stomach. It was bright and light hearted and it made an unconscious smile tick up Leorio's face.
"Alright, Mister Drab," the boy panted between giggles. "I'll accept your help. What are we doing again?"
Leorio sighed, eyebrow twitching with annoyance. (But there was a warmth in his gut and if his sigh was a tad bit more fond, no one could call him out on it.)
Did it have to be Mister Drab, though?
Jasper doesn't really remember how a giant pig came to be settled over a fire in front of him. It was a rather big fire pit but the fire was settled low. The pig sat above it skewered through the mouth and settled on two large poles outside the pit.
"Hey kid, how's the pig looking?"
He glanced up slowly. Then blinked, a little stunned at the burn behind his eyelids. He must not have blinked for a while.
"Kid? Jasper?"
Oh. Right. Someone was here. A middle aged looking man in a white suit shirt with some rather drab looking suit pants and a matching jacket tied sloppily around his waist who was addressing him like he knew him. Maybe he did. But he couldn't really remember. He was too tired to be bothered about that right now, though. Jasper didn't know where it came from or when he was hit by it, but this wave of exhaustion wasn't leaving him alone. He felt bleary and vulnerable. It was not a nice feeling. A little too close to terrifying for his liking-
"Kid!"
Jasper jerked back upright, saving himself from falling into the arms of the adult. "Who are you," he grumbled, shifting into a more comfortable position and leaning back onto one hand.
The man sighed and plopped down beside him. "Names Leorio. I've been helping you cook. I was literally five feet away from you this whole time." He had been? Oh wow… Jasper was worse off than he thought. "And I've been watching you almost faceplant for the last five minutes. Are you feeling alright?"
Obviously not. But he wasn't about to go saying that to an adult. "Fine."
"You're not really that great of a liar, are you?"
Pshaw. He was a fantastic liar! Just… when he was better aware of himself. Maybe not so tired too.
"Hey. I noticed you've been favoring your left hand. Are you hurt? I could help."
Jasper twitched. Was he hurt? He rotated his right wrist and barely suppressed a shriek of pain. His shoulders grew tight and he sat upright at the sudden agony spreading up his arm in waves. With trembling fingers, he pulled the sleeve away from his arm and winced at the livid splash of red and purple. Where- Where did that come from!?
"Damn… that looks rather bad."
He jumped, jerking his head over to look at the man sitting next to him. Where did he come from!?
The man sighed, rubbing the heel of his hand against the eye opposite the swelling on his face. "I've been here, Jasper. Names Leorio. Can I look at your wrist? I have some medical training."
No way! He wasn't about to let some guy touch him! He'd had worse! Maybe… He couldn't recall having worse and honestly his wrist really really hurt… which was probably why he hadn't been moving it. Moving it had been such a huge mistake!
"Kid. Kid-"
He jerked away from the hand on his shoulder, snarling. It didn't matter if it hurt, he could still fight! He was fine! He wasn't going to let this guy touch him!
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry, alright? It just looks really bad. I- I want to be a doctor to help people. I could help you right now. If you let me." The man had retracted his hand, and was staring at him with a small frown on his face. His eyes were intent but… Jasper couldn't really see or feel any ill intent. In fact, they looked rather earnest and that was especially helped by the goose egg sitting on his cheek. It made the drab looking man look even more harmless.
Jasper grimaced, clutching his arm to his chest. Appearances could be very deceiving. He would know. But his arm really really hurt and he definitely should not have moved it like that because ow. No… No, it was fine. He was fine. He'd had to have had it for a while if it looked like that, right? He'd been handling it so far and he could keep doing so. He just, should probably write it in his phone so he didn't make such a stupid mistake later.
"Jasper. I don't know what's going on in your head, but it's alright to accept help. Especially from someone who knows what they're doing. There could be something really wrong with your wrist."
He glared- not that the man could see considering his hood was still up- and huffed. "And how do I know you are what you say you are… whatever you are!?"
The stranger scratched the stubble on his chin and turned brown eyes skyward. He muttered to himself for a moment before facing Jasper again. "You obviously don't remember me but I'm your doctor for the Hunter Exams. I'm supposed to help with your injuries. So, will you let me see?"
He blinked. Rolled the thought over in his mind. Doctors had been assigned for the Hunter Exams? Why would they do that? And how did he know the man was telling the truth?
"How do I know you're not lying!?"
The stranger huffed and stood up slowly. "Let me get my briefcase and show you. It's all medical equipment. Besides, how else would I know your name if you never told me?"
Jasper opened his mouth to retort before freezing. That was true. How- how else would he know unless he was assigned by the Hunters?
He clutched his arm tighter to his chest before giving a sullen, "O-okay, show me your stuff."
And the guy- doctor?- did. There was no lie, it was all medical stuff. Except… "Why are you showing me this?"
"'Cause I need to look at your arm, kid."
Oh. That made sense. His wrist did hurt and this guy was obviously a doctor. And his brown eyes seemed really sincere. But Jasper was still hesitant. He didn't want an adult… any adult to see him. He couldn't let them. Only his family was safe.
"It's really starting to hurt, right? I'll be gentle."
He pursed his lips for a moment before letting out an explosive sigh. He didn't know why this doctor guy was here but better take advantage, right? Sure, Jasper could handle it on his own but not nearly as professionally and he… had important things he was doing right now, right? So, he held out his arm reluctantly.
There was a mutter that sounded suspiciously like, "Oh, thank god," before calloused fingers gently pushed the sleeve of his robe up and settled over his wrist. They prodded slowly, making him twitch every now and then, before two fingers settled on either side of his wrist while Jasper watched intently.
"I think it might be dislocated," the stranger murmured, a frown on his lips. Then he looked straight at Jasper, then over his shoulder for a moment. He gave a short nod before continuing, "Kid. I have to put pressure on it to check something and it's going to hurt. Don't- don't attack me or anything."
It was going to hurt? Wait but- wasn't this supposed to make it not hurt? How-
Painpainpainpain
Jasper screamed before he could stop himself. His left arm lashed out and-
Was promptly grabbed by a smaller hand, tugging it back-
Something plopped in his lap so he couldn't stand-
He was trappedtrappedtrapped-
His head immediately burst open with a migraine and-
He was opening his eyes with a groan. His mouth felt dry as dirt and the world was a bit blurry with the pain of his throbbing head. A blur of green and black appeared above him.
"Hey, Jas!" The blur moved and he tracked it slowly. For some reason, despite being in such a vulnerable state… the green felt safe. "How are you feeling?"
"Mmmpf."
"Well, that's okay! You can take a minute. We're just finishing Kurapika's pig and then we can all go back."
Still… feeling safe didn't stop the pounding in his head. Couldn't the green be quieter? He really wanted to go back to sleep.
"All of this over a dislocated wrist? Can't we just leave him, Gon? He's pretty much deadweight."
That… wasn't green. He couldn't see who spoke but he had the very faint feeling of white (importantblue).
"I don't think this was just about the wrist," another voice chimed in. He… he couldn't guess this one. "He's severely dehydrated and probably hasn't eaten in a while either. That's why I asked Kurapika to gather some edibles while we work on his roast."
"Still…" White sounded pretty put out. He wondered why exactly.
"C'mon Killua! He was able to keep up with us this whole time while in this condition. Isn't that really cool?" Green shifted closer and Jasper could feel a small warm hand settle on his forehand. He sighed at the nice feeling of it.
"I mean… I guess. That does make it sound a bit better."
"Wanna sleep," he grunted with more effort than it should have taken.
There was a small laugh. "No! Not yet. We still need to finish the second phase! C'mon Jasper, don't you want to pass so you can find your family?"
That sent a jolt through his system and his eyes snapped back open. (When had they closed?) Finding his family was important! And if he had to force himself awake for that, so be it! With a huff he shifted his arms so his hands were positioned to help push him up-
"Whoah! No, no! No pressure on that wrist! I set it and wrapped it but you can still mess it up," that unknown third voice chimed urgently.
His wrist?
"Yea! You gotta be more careful, Jas," Green voiced chimed in chidingly. "Here, I'll help."
And suddenly he was up and up and standing and- whoa, the world was spinning.
"Jeez, Gon," White laughed. He was standing in front of them, blue eyes sparkling with amusement and white hair shining in the sun. "You wanna make him puke all over you?"
"Whoops! Sorry!"
Jasper blinked and shook his head- causing more spinning and black spots and why was he like this- before slurring, "'S fine. 'S… fine. Gimme a sec."
He was clutching rather tightly to Green's arm while he waited for his head to settle on his neck where it was supposed to be. It only took… well, he wasn't sure but eventually it was fine. Fine enough for him to move and stand on his own.
"Oh! You dropped this earlier. Here ya go!"
His phone was shoved in front of his face and he raised both hands to snatch it before it hit his nose. Phone in hand, he paused to stare at the thick, stiff bandages that hampered the movement of his right wrist. When did that happen?
He should… really check his phone. He clicked a few of the buttons before it turned on, already opened to his notes. He read through them quickly enough as there weren't very many. Unfortunately, there was nothing mentioning his wrist so it was probably recent and he should update it so he'd be careful with it in the future. Fortunately, it had a whole little entry for Greenie and Whitey- and honestly the names made sense and clicked in his head- that meant he could trust them, especially with the state he was in.
He still really wanted to sleep.
Killua was somewhat exasperated. He didn't understand why Gon was going through so much trouble! They should just let Nutty fail and he could try again another year or something but no. Gon had already decided they were friends and his friends were going to pass with him. Even if it was trouble to get them through the exam. Honestly, Gon was a bit more stubborn than expected about the whole thing too.
He sighed, and settled himself back onto the grass watching as Gon hovered, looking at whatever Nutty was doing with his phone. Leorio was poking and prodding at Kurapika's pig to make sure it was finished before pulling it off the fire and tossing it onto their cooked pig pile. And Kurapika was… somewhere in the forest. Probably coming back soon since he'd already been gone a good half an hour.
He'd noticed before that the robed boy had had an injury after they found him alone in the first half of the run. It wasn't truly hard to see how he slowly stopped using his right hand on his phone. Killua just hadn't cared enough about it to say anything which was probably why this whole situation happened in the first place. Maybe he should have said something? Then it could have been over and done with sooner. But he hadn't, and the old man teen had noticed as well.
The guy had dropped back to talk to peanut brain, had gotten a genuine laugh out of him- which neither he nor Gon had done and he sort of wanted to do it now (it was a nice sound)-, and then had basically commandeered how they were going to spend this part of the exam. The giant pigs were pretty easy to find even though there weren't that many. The first group they found had exactly three and those were dealt with swiftly once it was discovered that their main weakness was their forehead.
They set the fire pits then and there and Leorio had started trying to cajole peanut brain into letting him help. It didn't go so well. In fact it went so badly that Nutty had almost ended up in a tree to get away.
It was then that Kurapika suggested using Nutty's brain against him. Killua had instantly agreed and seen the logic. Leorio didn't exactly like it but he could see how it would work. Gon wasn't so easily convinced. It took all three of them pointing out how much Jasper probably needed help before they put the plan in action.
Gon had gotten him to sit in front of one of the pigs to 'watch it and make sure it doesn't burn' before eventually sneaking away when Nutty started zoning out. At that point Gon and Killua took off into the forest to hunt down two more giant pigs. Bam done, simple as that, and they were back.
By that point Leorio had apparently cajoled his way into looking at Nutty's wrist because when he and Gon had walked into the clearing, pigs held aloft, Jasper's wrist was already on display. Kurapika was nowhere to be seen but Killua was way more distracted by the injury on Nutty. It was a little worse than Killua had thought. It was swollen to almost twice its original size and was a brilliant purple with red streaks on the outer edges. Nothing a Zoldyck couldn't handle easily but someone who wasn't trained in pain tolerance? Well...
"I think it might be dislocated," Leorio had said clearly, displeasure practically soaked into his words. Then he looked straight at them and Killua was positive he was asking for some sort of help. Well, it wouldn't hurt to give it so he had nodded, setting the pig down quietly while Gon followed suit. "Kid. I have to put pressure on it to check something and it's going to hurt. Don't- don't attack me or anything."
There was a sort of crunching sound, Nutty screeched, and Killua lunged forward to snatch his hand before it actually landed on the older man. At the same time, Gon plopped on Nutty's lap to hold his legs down and make sure he wouldn't squirm away.
"Damn," Leorio muttered, as half a second later the boy slumped in unconsciousness. "Well, good news is, his wrist will be okay. Seems like it was only a partial dislocation and he wasn't really using it so it didn't get worse or anything."
"That's good," Gon said, a big smile forming on his face, relief clear in his tone. Killua sort of felt the same way even if he wasn't going to say anything. He'd looked down at the older boy and saw, for the first time, his face as his hood had fallen. It was just as pale as the rest of him and the wild black hair, just as pitch dark as Illumi's, didn't help his complexion. The dried mud caking the upper right half of his face probably didn't help in that regard either. Though, his eyelashes were really long for a boy, especially prominent on white cheeks. His cheeks were round but that was more bone structure than anything because… he was almost skeletal he was so gaunt. When was the last time this kid had eaten anything substantial?
While his thinness was bad enough, he couldn't help but note the scars as well. The corners of his mouth had pale scars stretching maybe half an inch on each side as if his mouth had been cut open wider. There was a rather nasty reddish gash that he could barely make out trailing down his neck and he could see a splotchy still healing burn covering his temple and a portion of the hair melted away near his ear. Killua couldn't help but wonder if the mud was hiding anything on the other side of the kid's face.
"Whoa! He's so thin," Gon gasped.
"That's what I was worried about," Leorio sighed. "I'd noticed how thin his wrists were before but I was hoping… well… Should have known better."
Then the man pulled his briefcase closer and pulled out some sort of bandage that he started to expertly wrap around the boy's wrist. Killua had glanced down at the wrist still in his hand, rolling his fingers gently over the skin, feeling the bones shift. It would be so simple to break it… especially for someone like Hisoka.
Killua sighed, dropping Nutty's wrist carelessly as he wandered over to collect the abandoned pigs.
Thirty minutes of boringness later and here they were. Nutcase up and about (hood fixed back into place by Leorio before his waking), Leorio finishing the pigs, Gon being his excitable self, and waiting for Kurapika to come back with food for their starvation victim.
For some reason, though, he couldn't stop thinking about the older boy now. Where had the scars come from, what had been doing before the exam, how had he survived so long on his own?
The questions were starting to drive him crazy. And he had exactly zero answers.
AN: Thank you to everyone who commented! I always appreciate feedback and it really does help motivate me. Ya'll out a smile on my face even if it's just a quick 'I like it!'
Q&A: KrixLight- There's plans for this!
