"I'm Satotz, the Phase one examiner. You must follow me to Phase two, this is the First Phase." Was all the lanky man with the strange mustache for a mouth said before proceeded to almost gallop down the long, sparsely lit tunnel giving them all no choice but to follow him.
Two hours and roughly 30 kilometers later several of the exam applicants had dropped out, unable to keep up with the examiner and the rest any longer. It was fairly easy for Gon who had yet to even break a sweat and his brother similarly but their somewhat friend, Leorio seemed to be struggling though he had yet to give up or fall too far behind. Kurapika could have easily run at Gon's pace but he had found himself almost unconsciously lagging behind some, setting his own pace somewhere between his brother's and Leorio's. His hearing, as sharp as ever, caught the sound of skateboard wheels rolling down the tunnel floor, it was the boy he had felt before, Kurapika was sure of it. It didn't take long for Leorio to voice his resentment.
"Hey kid that cheating!" He snarled in outrage.
"Oh really?" The boy answered in a almost bored tone, still riding his skateboard.
"Yeah! This is suppose to be a endurance test! You can't have a skateboard!"
"That's not true." Gon chimed in calmly.
"What?! Gon!" Leorio snapped back, obviously not liking being corrected.
"The examiner never said that, all he said was to follow him." The older one could only growl his displeasure, unable to argue Gon's words.
"How old are you?" The skateboard boy asked Gon casually, ignoring Leorio in favor of the other boy.
"I'm 12." Gon answered easily. The other hummed his acknowledgment.
"We're the same age…"
"So what's your name? I'm Gon!" The cheery boy offered with a warm smile.
"I'm Kilua." The other answered flipping off his skateboard flashily and began running beside Gon.
"So cool!" Gon exclaimed, impressed by the move.
And just like that the two younger boy's began a casually conversation, pulling farther ahead of Leorio as well as Kurapika. The blonde Kurta just smile lightly and waved Gon onward when he felt the other boy hesitating. Something told Kurapika that Gon and other boy would be good for each other, besides, Gon deserved friends and all the better if they were the same age as him.
"So why are you taking the exam?" The skateboard boy, Killua, asked Gon casually.
"I want to become a Hunter like my dad!" The mountain boy declared cheerfully.
"Eh, really? What is your dad like then?"
"Oh, I don't know, I've never met him."
"Haha!" Killa laughed wildly. "You want to be a hunter like your dad but you've never met him! Your so weird!"
"Maybe, but I want to become a hunter like him and find out what about it made it worth leaving his own son behind." Gon explained warmly but seriously. Though he quickly returned to his usual brilliantly happy tone. "But I wasn't alone, I had Mito-san and Kura-nii with me!"
"Who are they?"
"Well you already met Kura-nii and Mito-san is my aunt." Gon clarified still smiling.
"I did?" Killua asked in mild puzzlement as he turned to look briefly back at Leorio and Kurapika. "The blonde or the guy with glasses?"
"Kura-nii is blonde and doesn't have glasses."
"Okay, good to know." Killa commented with casual smile and stored the new information away.
Meanwhile, several strides behind them Leorio was loosing steam. He was staggering and wheezing along while Kurapika did his best not to leave the older teen behind and not fall too far behind himself.
Come on Leorio! You can't just give up now!" Kurapika encouraged him. Though it didn't seem to help much when Leorio suddenly fell to his knees and looked like he might just give up. But Leorio instead surprised the Kurta by suddenly bursting forward with a roar, running in the most ridiculous manner but moving at a renewed speed. At this sudden improvement Kurapika could only smile and pick up the briefcase that the taller man had left in his unexpected rush of energy and quickened his own pace.
Leorio panted wildly as he continued running in his totally unruly manner but squawked in surprise when he turned to look to his right and found Kurapika there running next to him like he had not changed his speed at all, even though he knew he had.
"You jerk! You were holding back!" The blonde looked properly sheepish but said nothing in response. "Aren't you worried about Gon? Shouldn't you be with him if you can keep up so easily?" To Leorio's shock the other boy just giggled, yes giggled.
"Your concern is duly noted Leorio. I am not worried about my little brother at the moment, he's just making a new friend so I'm giving him some space." He answered happily.
"That white-haired brat?! I don't think he's exactly good friend material!" The taller of the two argued indigently.
"On the contrary I think he will be perfect for Gon. A normal friend would never be able to keep up with him. And the boy shows not ill-intent so I am letting it be." Kurapika explained smoothly as he gave Leorio a knowing smile. "What I'm confused about is you Leorio…" That got a look of puzzlement. "Well, your personality need some serious work and so does your short temper."
"Oi!"
"And you say you're doing this for the money but I've met my share of people who do things for money but you don't feel like any of them, not at all." Leorio grew quiet, giving no response and Kurapika knew that he had hit upon something but he decided that it would be best to offer something of his own first. A sign of trust was in order. "A group of people who do what they do for money killed my people for their eyes." Leorio paled rapidly at this statement and looked like he might be sick.
"For their eyes? And by you people you mean…"
"The Kurta Clan. My people have eyes that change a brilliant red hue when we have elevated emotions, mainly anger. It is considered one of the most beautiful colors in the world and they sell on the black market for a very hefty sum." His voice was quiet and bitter as the two of them pressed on, now climbing up a steep slope of stairs.
"I am sorry to hear about you people… Life can be heartless." Leorio answered in a equally bitter tone after a moment of silence had passed between them. "I know that. But the world runs on money! That's why you need money!" Kurapika looked like he might hit Leorio for his words but Leorio continued on. "With money I could have saved my friends life!" And just like that the rage drained from the blonde as quickly as it had come.
"A disease?"
"It was curable but the surgery for it costed a fortune. I thought I could become a doctor and tell other kids with the same illness that it was free of of charge! But becoming a doctor costs even more money! So I need money!"
"Very well Leorio, I will agree to disagree with you." Was the answer the Kurta gave with gentle smile to the other man who just blushed in mild embarrassment.
"Yeah, do what you want."
"I believe we are nearing the end." Kurapika commented suddenly. "I can feel fresh air and I can hear Gon up ahead. Do you want to race to the end? Or are you too old for that?"
"HUH?! Who are you calling old! I'm only 17!"
"Eh?! No way!"
"I am!" Leorio only realized his mistake when he caught sight of the smirk that had sneaked across Kurapika's face.
"Well then a race to the finish shouldn't be a problem then!" And the blonde Kurta was off, leaving a sputtering Leorio with no choice but push to catch up.
"No fair you cheeky brat!"
-x-
Kurapika had indeed been correct when he had said they had been nearing the end of the tunnel. With the Kurta's 'encouragement' Leorio actually reached the end of the tunnel near the middle of the pack just behind Kurapika. Neither had been surprised to see Gon and Killua waiting for them at the tunnel's end and from what they were currently telling Kurapika they had had a race too but had tied.
"It was pretty cool Kura-nii! Mister Satozo said we finished at exactly the same time!"
"That's great Gon I'm glad you had such a good time." Kurapika answered honestly before changing to a only slightly more serious topic. "So this isn't the finish Gon?"
"Nope! Mister Satozo-san said we're only halfway!"
"The air feels wet… Is there a large lake or swamp nearby?"
"Yes! Kura-nii is as sharp as ever!" Gon cheered happily. "It's a really big swamp!"
As if on cue the Hunter examiner turned to addressed the group gathered. When he did, Kurapika heard the grinding sound of a metal panel falling shut and the cries of disappointment from those who had only just missed the cut off. "This is Swindler's Swamp." The examiner explained. "It is called this for a good reason. The creatures that live here will try to trick you into becoming their next meal so follow me closely. If you don't you will not make it."
A/N- Oh my goodness! What is this?! Is it a update I see?! Yes! Yes it is! I have finally done it and actually updated this story! Yay! I hope you all like this chapter! I apologize for the wait! I have just been so lacking in motivation for this fandom... which is sad cause I still like it a lot! But here it is at long last! Please let me know what you think! Hopefully at least some people are happy to see this story coming back! XD Thank you for reading and please leave a (hopefully positive) review! Thanks!