To the Hunter Exam

The sunlight sparkled over the ocean water. The waves splashed against the wall of the cliff. The view of the ocean was beautiful, like always. It was one of the reasons why Ruby loved visiting her mom's grave.

Ruby looked at the headstone.

Summer Rose

Thus kindly I scatter

Ruby removed her red hood, "Hey, mom. Sorry I hadn't visited in a while. Yang and I have been getting ready, we're finally going to take the Hunter exam," Ruby paused, as if the headstone would talk back, "It took a lot of convincing and begging, but dad finally said we can take the exam this year, but…" Ruby trailed off for a minute, "The deal is if we fail this year, we can never try to take it again," Ruby grabbed her skirt at the thought of failing, "I think he still upset that you died."

Ruby could barely remember her mother, but one of her clearer memories were of this cliff side. She remembered her mom looking over the cliff towards the sunset. Then she turned to face her.

"It won't just be me and Yang," Ruby said, "Gon's coming with us. He's our little cousin. He's really stubborn, but fun. His dad's a Hunter, even though I don't remember him. Gon wants to find him, just like how Yang wants to find her other mom. Oh, but Yang still loves you mom. She just wants to know why Raven left," Ruby bounced on her heels, "Uncle Qrow helped me make a hybrid weapon for the exam. It's so cool. It's a Scythe and customizable sniper rifle. They won't know what hit em," Ruby smiled down, "Soon, I'll be fighting bad guys like you… and I'll protect Yang."

After a beat of silence Ruby decided it was time to leave, "Well, I'm going to go check on Gon. He's trying to catch the Master of the Swamp. That's the only way Aunt Mito will let him take the exam. Honestly, that's way easier than what Yang and I had to do, but it's still hard. But he'll do it, Gon's that good. Wish us luck mom," Ruby turned and started to leave, but she stopped and looked back one last time, "It was good to talk."

The small gym was filled with the sound of pounding as Yang's fists punished the punching bag. After a few more hits, Yang decided she was done for the day. She breathed through her nose and out through her mouth. She glanced at the mirror against the wall.

Her eyes were still lilac, good. But it was easier to be calm during her workouts.

Yang looked at the newspaper clipping she had near her area.

Kurta clan massacre. Entire clan destroyed.

When Yang first heard, she thought her birth mom might have died. Uncle Qrow however told her that wasn't true. Her mom wasn't with the clan when they attacked, so she was still alive somewhere.

Yang's eyes roamed over the page. She didn't feel a personal connection to the Kurta, she was raised with her sister by her dad, on Whale Island after all. But she kept the clipping around as a reminder to be careful. According to the news, the dead Kurta lost all their eyes… their scarlet eyes.

Yang took a swig of her bottled water as she remembered when her uncle came back after hearing the news. He drank even more than usual. He hadn't seen the clan in years, but the guilt still ate him up. She remembered how miserable he was. How devasted. How nothing she and Ruby did could make him feel better.

Her chest tightened in pain and rage. That made Yang look back at the mirror. Her eyes were now burning a scarlet red.

Yang shook her head and forced a smile, "Come on. Happy thoughts, you're gonna be a Hunter soon. You, Ruby, Gon… Well if Gon manages to catch that big fish."

Gon sat in the tree. He was still as he held his fishing pole. The giant leaf, that was acting as a hat had caught a pile of smaller leaves.

Patience, that was the main rule of fishing.

"Hey, Gon!"

Gon looked down and smiled. His older cousin Ruby was waving up at him holding a picnic basket.

"Hi Ruby."

"How's it going?" Ruby asked, "Did you-…"

Suddenly, the line jerked forward. Gon quickly got his bearings.

"Gon?" Ruby called worried.

"I think this is it!" Gon pulled on the line with all his might.

"Come on Gon!" Ruby cheered, "Show it who's boss!"

"Aw yes, here he comes!" Gon had to go around a branch to help the line pull in the giant fish.

"Reel him in Gon!" Ruby called.

With another swing around the tree, Gon reeled in the master of the swamp.

"Yeah!" Ruby celebrated jumping up and down.

The two cousins quickly brought down the fish down to the docks to show everyone.

"That's a Master of the Swamp?"

"It's been 20 years."

"Yeah it was Gon's dad."

"Gon you did it," Ruby repeated, "You can take the exam with us now."

"I know."

"Oh, do you want a hybrid weapon too. We may have enough time to build you one before the boat gets here," Ruby offered.

"No thanks, I'll use my fishing pole," Gon said.

Ruby looked at Gon like he was crazy, "Really?"

"Sure."

"Mito, Tai over here!" Someone called. The two looked through the crowd to see Ruby's father and aunt.

"Aunt Mito, Uncle Tai," Gon ran up to them, Ruby followed. She wasn't as enthusiastic. Her dad looked worried and that always took the wind out of her sails.

"I caught em, just like I said I would," Gon said, "That means I can finally take the Hunter exam, right?"

Aunt Mito looked serious.

"A promise is a promise," Ruby said weakly.

"Ruby," Tai sighed.

Mito just closed her eyes in defeat.

"I'm going to do my best, just wait and see," Gon then ran off to get packed.

Ruby looked at her Aunt worried, "Don't worry Aunt Mito, Yang and I, we'll be there to protect him. If something looks like it's going to be hairy, we'll be there."

"Come on Ruby," Tai led Ruby away as they went home.

Ruby sighed as they walked, "Dad… you and Aunt Mito promised… and I really want this."

"I know," Tai said, "But Ruby you need to understand, people die during these exams, and being a Hunter isn't fun and games. I retired for a reason."

Because of mom? Ruby bit back that sentence. She didn't want to open old wounds for her dad.

"I know Dad, but I want to be a Hunter. I want to help people, I want to try and make the world a better place," Ruby said, "I can do that as a Hunter."

Tai sighed, "If nothing else, survive. Promise me you'll come back to us."

"I promise," Ruby said. Her father didn't deserve to lose any more people.

As the kids got packed, the adults talked at the table.

"It must be fate," Granny praised.

Tai sat next to his crestfallen sister, "Mito," he tried to console, "Look, we did our best, but I guess they're too much like their parents."

Mito sighed, "Don't insult Yang. She's more like you than her mother."

"Hey don't talk like that," Tai said.

"Why shouldn't I?" Mito said, "I don't understand why anyone would ever leave such a wonderful girl behind. She left without a word. At least Gin said something to us when he left Gon."

Mito never forgave Raven for running away, leaving her brother and niece.

Tai sighed, before looking at an old photo of his team. His eyes landing on Summer, "I wonder what Summer would have thought. Would she let them go at this age?"

Granny sighed, "She was a good woman that one."

Upstairs, Yang was squeezing the life out of her sister and cousin with a hug, "Oh, I can't believe my baby sister and cousin are taking the exam with me. This is the best day ever!"

"Air," they gasped.

"Right," Yang released them, "So Gon, you really don't want a hybrid weapon like me and Ruby?"

"I'm sure," Gon chirped, "Thanks though."

After a few more talks with Aunt Mito and Tai, Ruby and Yang went to bed. Well, they were trying to go to sleep, but they were lying awake.

"Yang?" Ruby whispered?

"Yeah?"

"Oh, good, you're awake."

"Yep."

"Are you… nervous?"

"Maybe just a little," Yang answered.

Ruby sighed, "I know we trained for this, we trained really hard but…"

"I know Ruby…" Yang answered, "Don't worry. No matter what happens I got your back."

"Me too!" The sisters sat up and looked towards the door. Standing in the doorway was Gon, holding a blanket, "You guys wanna sleep together?"

The sisters pushed their beds together, and Gon crawled between them. The three laid together, holding hands.

"Tomorrow, we set out on our big adventure," Yang said.

"I know," Gon said.

Ruby smiled, "I'm going to become a hero, like the books Yang used to read us."

"I'm going to go on as many crazy adventures as I can," Yang promised.

"I'm gonna find my Dad," Gon said. With that, the three went to sleep.

Gon, Ruby, and Yang stood on the ship, waving goodbye to their friends and neighbors.

"Goodbye, everyone," Gon shouted, "We'll come back when we become the greatest Hunter's in the world."

"Yeah," Ruby called, "Take care."

"See ya later everybody," Yang called.

"The Greatest Hunters in the world, give me a break," the three looked behind them to see a group of big muscular guys, "Kid thinks this will be a piece of cake."

"Every single year, millions of the worlds applicants apply for the Hunter Exam, but only a handful make the cut. It's not for kids and little girls."

Yang scowled, "Hey, we're going to make the cut, right Ruby… Ruby?"

"She's over there," Gon pointed to Ruby, she was following an applicant, or rather the applicant's broadsword with stars in her eyes.

"Ruby!" Yang groaned as she chased after her sister.

Elsewhere

Blake stepped off the elevator, into the underground tunnel. Finally, she made it to the exam venue. She couldn't help but make sure the bow was over her ears. Faunus were allowed to be Hunters, but she didn't want to draw any attention.

"Here you go miss," a small green man held up a badge with the number 163 on it, "Please wear this on your front where it can be seen at all times."

Blake nodded, accepting the badge. She took a quick look around. Not many people were there, but she was told they would wait a few days for other applicants to show up.

She carefully navigated the crowd. She was quick to spot a kid, he couldn't had been older than twelve, why was he-?

Blake stopped when she felt eyes on her. She looked in the direction of the ominous presence. She spotted a man, tall, red hair, and had Nen.

So, there was another Nen user at the exam aside from her. But that wasn't the only thing Blake noticed. Everything about the man screamed danger. His aura was a malevolent violet. He wasn't hostile, at least not yet. The appearance of another Nen user must have excited him.

Black quickly walked the other way. She knew one thing was certain, she was going to avoid that man.

The ship was hit with a storm. It was tossed around like and the people inside tumbled around, like snow in a globe. Most of them were trying to stay steady or vomiting; Yang was having a blast.

"Woohoo!" Yang slid down the halls and walls inside the cargo, like it was game. She jumped over passengers and boxes of cargo, with an "Ally-oop." Before landing on her feet with a, "Nailed it."

Eventually, they reached a patch of ocean that wasn't tossing them around.

"Hang in there, mister," Ruby gave one of the seasick passengers some water. Gon appeared and pulled on her sleeve.

"Hey Ruby, the captain said he wanted to see us," Gon held Ruby's hand as they walked towards his cabin.

"Did he say why?" Ruby asked.

"No, but he wanted to see you, me, Yang, and a couple of other guys," Gon explained.

"Hm, weird," Ruby thought. She was pretty sure they didn't do anything to get them in trouble. Well, Yang did act like a psycho during the storm, but she didn't hurt anyone. Ruby hoped to find out, she didn't want anything to stop them from taking the exam.

Soon they were all standing in the cabin. Along with Gon, Yang, and Ruby, there were two other guys. A tall man with a dark blue suit and small glasses. And a boy who looked around Yang's age, with blonde hair, and a blue poncho.

"Alright," the captain stood before him, "Lets get down to the line. Tell me all your names."

"Okay," Yang beamed, "I'll start, my name's Yang, I like long walks on the beach and candlelight dinners."

"Yang!" Ruby said embarrassed, "I'm sorry about her. My name is Ruby, Yang's younger sister."

Gon raised his hand, "My names Gon, I'm Ruby and Yang's cousin."

"I am called Kurapika," the blond boy said seriously.

"The name's Leorio," the man introduced.

"Good, now why do you kids want to be Hunters?" The captain asked.

That annoyed Leorio, "Hey you're not an examiner, what's with the third degree."

"Just answer the question dummy."

"Well," Ruby started, "I want to help people. I mean the police is okay, but being a Hunter is so much cooler and romantic and," Ruby left off with a squeal.

"Me?" Yang asked, "I want to travel and go on as many crazy adventures as I can, and if I help people along the way, it's a win-win."

"My Dad's a Hunter," Gon explained enthusiastically, "Being a Hunter was the most important thing in the world to my Dad, and I wanna know why. That's why I left Whale Island."

"Hey, you three," Leorio barked at the family, "You don't have to tell that old guy nothin'!"

"But why?" Ruby asked.

"Look get with the program it's us vs him," Leorio pressed a finger to Ruby's head, "And I'm not telling him why I'm here."

"Uh…" Why was this guy yelling at her? She didn't do anything.

"Okay, man, chill out," Yang pulled Ruby away, "We get it you don't want reveal your business."

"I'm afraid I have to agree with Leorio," Kurapika suddenly said.

"That's Mr. Leorio to you brat, show a little respect for your elders!" Leorio snapped.

"But why not dodge the question, with a plausible lie?"

"Hey are you even listening to me?"

Kurapika ignored Leorio and continued, "However, it is quite shameful to rely upon deceit. As for me, I cannot reveal my reasons here," he placed his hand on his chest, "I have my share of secrets, deep secrets I do not wish to expose at this time."

"Yeah, no one wants to be exposed," Yang said.

"Come on Yang."

"So both of ya, refuse to flat out answer my question?" The captain asked, "Hey Katso, get ahold of the exam committee for me, tell them we have two more drop outs."

That surprised everyone in the room.

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"You still haven't figured it out? The Hunter Exam has already started."

"It has?" Leorio and Kurapika asked.

"What? But I didn't know," Ruby got flustered, "Oh man I haven't done anything to prove I'm Hunter material yet. What if they decided to flunk me already?"

"Ruby calm down," Yang quickly said, "Let's hear what he has to say."

"There as many Hunter wannabes as there are stars in the sky," the captain explained, "And the examiners, well, they don't have the time or the resources to go through em all. That's were people like me come in to pick up the slack, screening all of the applicants and trim the fat. I've already notified the committee about the rest of the lot. Not one of them made the cut."

"What?"

"That was just a little storm and look how they handled it? They'd never survive the later stages of the exam. In other words, the only way the five of ya are going to move ahead is if I give you the go ahead. So, I'll ask ya again and think carefully before you answer."

Ruby looked between the two, curiously.

"You catch all that?" Gon asked.

"You could have told us that sooner," Leorio snapped.

"I'm…" Kurapika finally spoke, "I am the sole survivor of the Kurta clan."

Ruby and Yang looked at Kurapika when he said that.

The Kurta clan?

Kurapika's face was stern and serious as he continued, "Four years ago, my entire clan was annihilated by a band of criminals. That is why I want to become a Hunter, to capture the Phantom Troupe."

Yang's eyes widened as she looked at Kurapika. She couldn't believe. There was another survivor? And he was standing next to her. She looked back to Ruby when she felt her sister hold her hand. Ruby was looking down with a worried look. Yang gently squeezed her hand in assurance.

Ever since they heard about the clan massacre, Ruby had been afraid that one day the Phantom Troupe would learn that there was a survivor. And one day they'd come for Yang to take her eyes and her life.

"Sounds like you want to be a Blacklist Hunter," the captain deduced, "The Phantom Troupe is a class A bounty. Even the most seasoned Hunters can't touch em."

Like Uncle Qrow, Ruby thought grimly. Her uncle had been hunting them for a few years now. He hadn't even managed to see them. Ruby was partially glad for that. Her uncle was a surviving Kurta too.

I have to pass this exam and become a Hunter. I need to protect my family. I already lost mom.

"There is one thing I do fear, and one thing alone," Kurapika opened his eyes and for a brief moment, Yang saw his eyes flash scarlet, "That time will quiet the rage in my heart."

"So, you're out for revenge," Leorio said, "But you don't need to become a Hunter to settle some old score do you?"

"That is the stupidest question I've ever heard, Leorio."

"That's Mr. Leorio!"

"There are places that only Hunters can go, intel only they can access, actions only they can take. There are more reasons, but those are the only three you have a chance of comprehending."

Leorio looked like he was about to blow a gasket, when Gon raised his hand, "Why do you want to be a Hunter Mr. Leorio?"

"Who me," Leorio grinned, "It's pretty simple really, for the money!"

"Huh?"

"Money can buy you everything you ever wanted," Leorio declared, "A big mansion, a cool car, and top shelf booze."

Well, I guess I would like a nice car. Yang contemplated for a moment.

"If only you could buy class as well," Kurapika said disgusted, "Leorio."

Leorio looked up, "That was strike three. Step outside, it's time to finish off the filthy Kurta bloodline once and for all."

Yang took some offence to that, but not as bad a Kurapika.

"Take that back Leorio!" The boy snapped as Leorio began walking out the door. Leorio stopped to glare over his shoulder.

"I said take it back!"

"It's Mr. Leorio," he hissed before leaving the room. Kurapika storming after them.

"Yang," Ruby looked up, "Do you want to stop them?"

"Why?" Yang shrugged, "Let them sort it out."

"But, Kurapika is…" Ruby trailed off.

"They're fine Ruby," Gon said, "It's like Aunt Mito told me once, 'You can never understand a person unless you know what makes them angry. It's how you get to know them.'"

"Exactly," Yang nodded.

Ruby frowned, she didn't think you can get to know someone if you wound up killing them.

Meanwhile

With a ding, the elevator stopped and Weiss got off. She entered the underground tunnel full of people. So, this was the exam venue. Weiss stood up straight, time to become a Hunter.

Weiss scanned the crowd of applicants. She couldn't help but frown, Winter was right. There wasn't a Nen User among them. This would be simple.

It would behoove you not to use Nen Weiss. Winter's words rang through Weiss's head. That was fine, she could pass without it.

Weiss stopped. Someone was watching her. Who?

She acted casual as she looked around. She actually found a few Nen Users. Three to be exact.

A girl with long black hair and a bow. She was off on the side reading a book. She wasn't watching her.

There was a man with red hair and… odd fashion sense. His outfit reminded Weiss of a clown. He was much more dangerous than the girl, Weiss could tell, but he wasn't paying attention to her.

It was the last Nen User Weiss spotted. A tall man, purple skin, his entire upper body was covered in piercings. He was standing a good distance away, but Weiss could tell his eyes were on her.

Her own eyes narrowed. What was his problem?

"Weiss?"

Her heart stopped at the voice. She quickly turned around to see if it wasn't her imagination, "Killua?"

Standing behind her was Killua. His eyes were just as wide as hers. For a minute the two stood in silence.

"Weiss? What are you doing here?" Killua asked, his voice filled with disbelief.

"I…" Weiss could barely react, "I would think it's obvious. I'm here to take the Hunter Exam… What are you doing here?"

"Same thing," Killua blinked. He stepped closer, and ran his hand through her side ponytail, "Is it really you?"

"Who else would I be?" Weiss asked.

"Well…" Killua took in a breath and smiled mischievously, "The Weiss I know, wouldn't mess up her ponytail."

Weiss scowled, "It's not messed up, it's a side ponytail."

"Really, you actually look 'imperfect' by choice?"

Weiss growled, "What about you? You don't look serious at all, how are you going to pass if you don't take this seriously?"

Killua just sighed, "Idiot."

Weiss scoffed, "Two years and you still haven't learned any manners."

"Oh yeah, well two years and you're still flat," Killua shot back, "You're so unsexy."

"How dare you!" Weiss grabbed his ear and pulled, "I'll teach you a thing or two."

"Ow, ow, okay Weiss, sorry," Killua said. Weiss then released him. She looked at Killua and smiled.

"Well, your stealth has gotten way better," without another word, she surprised him with a hug, "I missed you, little brother."

Killua stiffened for a minute. He looked to the side embarrassed, before finally returning the hug, "Yeah… I missed you too, big sis."

Weiss smiled. Finally, one of them was safe. Now, she needed to find a way to help Kalluto and All-…

Swish

Weiss winced when a pain shot through her head. Killua noticed.

"You okay?" He asked as he pulled away.

"Yeah," Weiss rubbed her head, what was she thinking about again?

"Miss Schnee," a small green man held up a badge with the number 312 on it, "Please wear this on your front at all times."

Weiss took it, "Alright."

"Schnee?" Killua looked at Weiss confused.

"Yeah. After Winter and I left, we changed our last names to Schnee," Weiss explained, it helped us stay hidden.

"Guess that makes sense," Killua said.

As the two siblings reunited, neither of them paid mind to the soulless unblinking eyes watching them.

You all probably have a lot of questions. I'll only answer one. Whitley is not in this one

My beta reader is Jokergames1999