"Kiriko Kazoku, thank you for your warm hospitality." Naruto bowed to the magical beasts resembling foxes. The four grinned with varying levels of embarrassment at the deep bow. The head of the Family waved his paw,

"Iya, iya, it surprised us to know that someone has already found out about our positions as Navigators so early into the Hunter Exam not to mention how you can tell us all apart in a cinch. It was really entertaining having you over, Naruto-kun~"

The wife nodded with a toothy grin (though any normal person would have cringed at the many sharp teeth), "You were a kind guest, always helping us with fishing and hunting and the like~"

The son who named his human self, Gotoh, nodded, holding a finger up as he smiled, "Come back again any time, Naruto-kun. I'd be glad to help capture the sly foxes of the forest to help you improve your Nen again."

The daughter chastely kissed him on the cheek, "I'll even be your model anytime~"

Naruto flushed in embarrassment himself at their kind words, having been living with them for the two weeks until the Hunter Exam officially started. Now was a bit early into January with the deadline to reach the site of the First Phase in three days.

"Do you have everything packed up then? The route memorized?"

Naruto nodded, feeling oddly like the elementary school student leaving home on his own for the first time.

"I have. Good luck testing those who find you~"

"Best of luck to you who is taking the tests." The Kiriko called out, waving him bye as he walked away. The head smiled,

"What a nice boy he's become. Just two weeks ago, he didn't know how to smile so easily."

Gotoh nodded, "His Nen control has improved. Not to mention the abilities of that particular…"

The daughter sighed, "Ahuah, boy will never learn to loosen up. And when he does, it's because he forced himself to do it. What a waste of a man with such potential."

"Ah, falling in love, sis?" teased Gotoh. The knowledge that she had a tattoo banning that on her arm did nothing to stop the parents' and brother's laughs or her blush.

…

("Ne, ne, Naruto-san! Are you planning on taking the Hunter Exam this year?"

"Hunter Exam…?"

"What?! You don't know what the Hunter Exam is?! No way! Everyone knows it-"

"Sorry…?"

"A-ah, don't apologize! It's alright to not know what it is…" The younger trailed off before nodding confidently for his 'big brother' figure, "The Hunter Exam is a most amazing test where if you pass you can become a Hunter! Hunters get a lot of money and do a lot of things from hunting criminals to hunting ruins and hunting exotic animals to save them! With the license, you can visit formerly forbidden countries and get free rides! It's truly amazing! Osu!"

"Sou ka…"

A man, who had been listening with a smile, added, "It's a really respectable job. You should try it. You'll definitely make it in with your strength. Become a good Hunter, Naruto. Protect those or even that which you love.")

…

"So this is the place…"

A boy with sky blue eyes stared up at the restaurant. His golden ponytail flowing in wisps with the winds of beginning yet head still keeping its soft spike form. His clothes too swayed - him having switched his Heavens Arena clothing for an autumn orange hoodie and black baggy pants. Black headphones covered his ears as he listened to the various music of the world. Everything had the scent of fresh air around him; the wind hugging him with their cool breeze.

Others walking pass by whispered - especially the women as they cooed at the adorable kid's visage. He paid them no attention as he looked forward… The small paper in his hand crumpling and crumbling into dust, flying far away with the winds, and he finally opened the door,

"Is the back room open?"

Now was his new start.

He wouldn't… No, he couldn't mess up.

…

Killua sighed, having nothing to do. When was the Exam going to start - he's been waiting for hours with nothing to do now! Well, he could always drink more spiked juice from Tonpa and freak the hell out of the old loser of a man… but then he'd still be bored after that.

What number were they planning to accept to anyways? The small dark underground room being filled with 225 members already. Ahuah, it was too annoying. The Exam better be worth it for all his wait…

Wait.

His eyes gleamed into more cat-like slits as he saw a kid sitting against the musky walls calmly listening to music. A kid! Killua excitedly grinned as he ran across the room full of tense fighters without reservation,

"Oi!"

…

"Ne, ne, I didn't think I'd see any other kids in here! You're about the same age as me, right?!"

Naruto slowly opened his eyes to look up. A silver-haired, blue-eyed boy excitedly standing before him. If he was any normal person, then he would have thought the other as a cheerful idiot. But he wasn't and Naruto could tell from the silent steps and scent that the other was like himself - one who delved in darkness and blood.

He truly was at the Hunter Exam. To meet a kid like him who already had his share of kills and madness. He shifted up from his slumped position to a more balanced one - a position that allowed him to transition to offense and defense more easily. Even if the other was a kid, he had to be wary if only subtly so. Sensing no real bad intentions though the blond figured that he might as well answer the questions though.

"Maybe. I'm twelve, you?"

"Same! I knew it! Hahaha, and I thought I was going to be the only kid here~ My name is Killua."

"Mine is Naruto."

"Fishcake? As in the ramen topping? That's such a weird name~"

Naruto shook his head, having heard that same response many times before… But he was glad to hear it now; the normal reply letting him relax among the kid who seemed determined to want him as a friend… or at least as a temporary toy to stave off the annoying waiting period before the actual Exam. Even for him, though, this preliminary section was wearing off his patience bit by bit. Having to wait for a day already in the dark, small room deep underground with tense fighting experts which would be his future rivals in getting the License… It was nerve-wracking.

"It's actually supposed to mean Maelstrom. But I think that even if it meant 'fishcake', my name wouldn't be weirder than yours."

"Really? How so?"

"Well, seeing how Killua can be shortened to 'Kill', it sounds as if your parents wanted you to be a killer…" Naruto stopped in his explanation at the other's flinch. Killua's face freezing with emotions all negative. Then he mentally berated himself, remembering that the boy smelled of blood and death though subtly so. "Ah, warui, Killua. Pretty morbid thought I had there-"

"What if I was?" The other blurted out, "What if my parents really did want me to be a killer? How would you react?" The blue eyes shown with intense curiosity, bitterness, and something else Naruto couldn't identify. Naruto didn't have to think for an answer though; his past self giving him the unfortunate habit of saying things on the spot.

"Then you must have a really fucked up life. As for my reaction… I really wouldn't mind or care."

"You're just saying that."

Naruto snorted in amusement at the accusing tone. His black sandals shifting so that he stood up as he gestured magnanimously around him,

"Please. Look at where we are now. There's all sorts of crazies and killers here."

And there were. Ninjas to jesters to martial artists to a man covered with needles to many other sorts of people.

Killua stared at the room of various people… before laughing; his arms holding his gut as he burst into peals of carefree laughter. Killua never laughed so hard before, but everything just seemed to be so funny all of a sudden - his darkness, his care for the past and others' reactions to it, everything. He wiped his tears of laughter as he finished and felt extremely free. "True, true~! Hehe - you're a really interesting one! Besides looking so feminine."

"I do not." Naruto frowned as he slumped down to his former sitting position. Killua grinned as he joined, sitting next to Naruto against the cold wall. Without even trying, he was still three full inches taller and maybe even more. He teasingly patted down on the other's soft locks, mentally blinking at the fluffiness,

"Do too~ Your hair's even grown like one!"

"Still do not look like one."

"Denial~" Killua sang before sighing, "By the way, got anything to do? It seems like we've been waiting for a day and are still going to wait a lot longer."

"That's why I brought this." Naruto tapped his headphones, making Killua sigh,

"I should have done that-"

"But I do have my cellphone if you want to play the apps on it-"

"I do! I do!" Killua shouted happily, already snatching it and scrolling through the list of applications and games on it. Naruto shook his head before slumping again and listening to music. Though a smile lit on his face as he wasn't alone anymore… even if he was always the one who left first.

…

Hours passed as the two sat together; one silently listening to music while the other furiously tapping the screen to win the Puzzles and Dragons game until finally his momentum stopped.

"You got to be kidding me! I have to wait an hour to play again?! Wait…"

"Don't even think about it." Naruto warned before Killua's kitty paws pressed the button to buy magic stones to continue playing. "I know that game. You lose stamina. You wait the hour. No buying."

"But Naruto~"

"No."

Killua pouted before putting down the cellphone, not feeling up to playing a different game. The people in the room seemed to multiply… by 50% that is.

"Are we still waiting?"

"Apparently."

He sighed, "I shouldn't have come early. And half of these people are just pushovers. Is the exam really going to be hard?"

"Perhaps." Naruto opened an eye to scan the crowds, "Number 44, 294, and 301 are no joke though."

Killua blinked, scanning as well before narrowing his eyes and nodding, "Yeah… those three stand out the most. I'm surprised you can tell."

Naruto wondered if he should feel offended that the other thought he was weak, but he just shrugged it off. Being underestimated was alright with him - if there was one thing Kakashi taught him, then it was that.

"I'd like to avoid the stronger ones."

"Eh~? But then there'll be no fun!"

"But then I'll die and lose more years of fun."

"Wimp." Killua teased, lightly jabbing him with an elbow. Naruto shook his head, "Better than being a reckless idiot-"

"Am not!"

"Is too. And there seems to be a common pattern in our talks."

"Only because you won't admit that you look like a girl."

"Do not!"

And the two bickered to the amusement of the surrounding adults. After a while, they both laid back exhausted from shouting at each other. Killua groaned,

"My throat's dry from shouting."

"Mine too."

There was a silence before they both laughed at their abnormally childish actions. Killua grinned,

"Say, how strong's your stomach? I know a man who has some drinks~"

"Ah, Number 16? Sure." Naruto agreed amiably; the both of them hopping to their feet and walking towards the guy, weaving through the crowd of Exam applicants.

"Ne, ne, Tonpa-san!" Killua called out, "Could I have more of that juice? Must be my nerves. I'm really thirsty."

Naruto almost laughed at the fat man's face as he waved awkwardly, "Eh?! Ah… sure…" and watched Killua chugged down the drink.

"Worried? I'll be fine. I've trained. Poisons won't affect me." Killua smirked condescendingly down at the man before remembering Naruto, "Ah! I forgot to leave one for you - Tonpa-san, do you still have more?"

Tonpa wondered what he should feel as he unconsciously handed a can over. The silver-haired brat knew what was in the can and still drank it. On the other hand, he was passing one along to another brat. The blond eyeing the can warily before chugging it down as well with a face prepared for disgust… and blinking,

"Hey. It almost doesn't have any taste!"

Killua grinned, "Right~? They're good against dehydration~"

"Mm, like ordinary water. Not bad."

A man, who was watching the blond drink, grinned, "So it is water? He's not just sabotaging us? Oi, Tonpa-san, is it alright if I have one too then? You wouldn't believe how thirsty I am!"

Three others joined and Tonpa easily passed them out, observing them with a frown as his laxatives didn't seem to be working - Nah. They worked alright. The two kids laughed as the four who drank ran out of the room via elevator. Tonpa stared at the young boys, who began to walk amiably away.

Scary brats… but he smirked. But that just makes crushing them all the more worthwhile~

…

Meanwhile, Killua grinned at his pal, "Nanda, you really do have a good stomach against poisons."

"Of course. I sorta trained as well."

Which made both of their faces fall for a millisecond. Having trained to be immune to poisons made them know how one becomes immune to poisons. While Naruto already got the hint that Killua's parents trained him to be a killer, Killua wondered who tried killing or training Naruto to be like him.

Their thoughts ended when Naruto glanced at the door; Killua following shortly. The crowds of Hunter applicants slowly silenced as they all at their own pace began sensing the beginning. And then came the loud ringing and rise of the wall to reveal a longer, darker hallway. Naruto quickly scrutinized the examiner who hopped down from a pipe.

"I apologize for the wait. The entry period for 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."

Naruto and Killua snorted in amusement at the silence and lack of movement. As if anyone was going to give up before the first step. The man still waited for a moment before finally turning,

"Very well. All 404 applicants will participate in Phase One."

And so it began.

Killua teased, "You sure you don't want to back down, princess-"

"I'm fine. You?"

"Foolish question~" He cracked his knuckles, "Well… let's do this!"