Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were talking to some fat, middle aged man who I was surprised even made it this far. Looking at him instead of paying attention to where I was going was my first mistake.

I grunted as I slammed into someone. Nope. I didn't want to talk to him. So I jumped behind a guy wearing a purple cape who happened to be walking near me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the red haired, pale man who I had bumped into turn and look at purple cape guy.

Purple cape guy began screaming.

I shuddered and stepped back in shock…purple cape guy's arms were…

"Oh how peculiar", the pale man droned with a bored tone, "His arms seem to have become flower petals". He opened his arms up to the crowd. "No smoke and mirrors here. Do take care. When you bump into someone, really should apologize". He glanced at me and his yellow eyes held my gaze for a split second. He knew I bumped into him, so why hadn't he made an example out of me instead, I wondered?

I tried to wipe the expression off my face and casually stroll away. That could've been me. That could've been me if I wasn't faster. This is the Hunter Exam. I have to become a Hunter. I can't die because I bumped into the wrong person. I glanced back at the red man. Or thing. The guy obviously wasn't human if he could turn another's arms into flower petals!

The pale male slowly walked away from me, through the space the crowd made as it parted for him.

"Tonpa, the rookie crusher", I heard people mutter, "He's at it again". I glanced at my 'friends', though I preferred to label them 'temporary travel companions', who were talking with the fat, middle aged man.

I walked forward a step and stopped in confusion. Was I really about to warn them? Was I about to help my competition? No…I clenched my fists and backed into the crowd before they saw me. They are on their own. If Tonpa crushes them, less competition for me!

I walked to the edge of the holding room and closed my eyes.

After thirty seconds had passed, someone sat next to me. "After you bump into someone, you really should apologize".

Fuck. My eyes flashed open as I stared at the pale man in front of me.

I smiled a fake smile. I knew this type. My parents dealt with his kind all the time. One wrong move, or word, and you were stuck with an ugly, twisted scar running across your face, like that on my mother's face. "Then I do sincerely apologize", I said.

The man turned around and skimmed the crowd. "Out of everyone here", he began, "Who would be the first one you recommend I kill?"

I blinked. "What kind of question is that?" I asked him. The man gave me that condescending smile again. "I'm Hisoka", he said.

"Avi", I guardedly responded. I did not bother to shake his hand because that was the same arm that had turned purple cape guy's arms into flower petals. I noticed he never answered my question, but I let it go. I was staring at a dangerous man who could out-maneuver me with mind games. So instead of answering his question, I asked "How did you transform that man's arms?"

Hisoka put a finger to his lips and smirked. "Secret".

My expression dropped. I was livid. Why was I angry? Right, this guy could probably turn everyone into flower petals. I was competing with him! And he was smart enough not to brag or showcase all of his abilities. He was like the black market merchants. They never put the real goods at the front of their stalls! They always had goods hidden in the back! They were tricky people!

Hisoka's smile dropped as he glanced over my shoulder. Hisoka's eyes locked with those of another candidate. Some guys with pins in his head. At least I think it was a guy…I glanced back at Hisoka.

"Pardon me", he said, "But I must go talk with another. It was a pleasure".

I gave him a huge, fake grin. "Likewise." But the ugly, dark, competitive side refused to allow me to be treated like this. Like I was here just for Hisoka's amusement. Hisoka had been toying with me. This ugly part of me wanted to openly challenge Hisoka. Thus, I couldn't help but jibe with a condescending tone, "Now run along and chat with your little friend". I quickly shut my mouth, averted my eyes, and was about to run. But my second mistake was glancing back at Hisoka and noticing his expression.

Hisoka's eyes were closed and he seemed to enjoy my words. I stood up quickly; this guy was clearly a loon. I was very uncomfortable around Hisoka. I was a chicken. I thought I had left that merchant's daughter's side of me behind in Samil…"Right…y-yeah, it was nice meeting you"! Not. "But I have to talk with MY friends". Without turning around, I walked backwards so I could always see Hisoka out of the corner of my eye as I moved towards Kurapika, Leorio, Gon, and the fat, middle-aged man. Still better than Hisoka. But I had the feeling Hisoka was done toying with me for now.

I threw up a big, fake smile and watched as the three stomped away from the old man. Hmmm…why did I sense a falling out between friends had occurred?

"Leorio", I said,"Hey, what's up?"

Leorio gave me a strange glance. "Avi". Then he smirked smugly, "What happened to Miss 'I work alone'?"

I smiled and shrugged, "Well…I met Hisoka and Miss 'I work alone' realized there's no way she can work alone. Well that, and I really did enjoy your company", I said as I moved closer to Leorio and sent him a flirty smile.

Kurapika gave me a judgmental look. "Well I hope you aren't going to continue to hop from group to group. I don't approve of your loose behavior. While you are good at flirting and flitting, you have yet to prove that you can contribute some positive skill to help us, as a group".

I withdrew my hand from Leorio's arm. I was shocked Kurapika was so forward. Wow was HE a prude. So I smiled and walked towards him. "Well Kurapika", I began, "aren't you a prude? Hah, love the word choice. Because I leave to scope out the competition for YOU, I'm jumping from group to group? I flirt with Leorio a bit and you imply all I'm good for is flirting? Why do you even care?" I mocked him by pretending to be thoughtful as I watched Kurapika's face turn slightly red.

What did he have against me flirting with and touching Leorio?

I blinked and narrowed my eyes. Maybe he wasn't straight. Because he hated me too much to be romantically interested in me. "Are you interested in Leorio? Are you gay?"

Kurapika took a deep breath and opened his mouth to reply when Leorio stepped in between us. "Guys", he said, "Kurapika, Avi's right. Stop being an asshole. Avi has done nothing but help us". I smirked smugly at Kurapika who continued to glare at me.

"And Avi?" My smirk dropped. I thought Leorio was on my side?

I glanced up at him with raised eyebrows. He gave me that smirk which I'm sure lured loads of women into his bed. I glanced at his physique. Not that he needed to use that smirk on me.

"You have to understand why Kurapika is this way. He's just so focused on revenge and completing goals that I don't think he really has experienced living".

With that Kurapika twitched and exploded, "Lies. Don't put words into my mouth Leorio! At least I have noble intentions and want to take the Hunter Exam to avenge my clan! You just want to take the exam for money!"

I giggled as I watched Kurapika wave his hands around and turn bright red, the redness hiding the freckles scattered across his cheeks and nose.

Gon stopped playing with his fishing rod and butted in, "You'll get revenge one day for the Kurta Clan, Kurapika".

I jerked in shock. The Kurta Clan? My father had directly dealt with trading their beautiful scarlet eyes. Those eyes were what my family had built its fortune from.

I mean yes, the murder of a clan was wrong, but business was business. Everyone wanted a pair of those scarlet eyes-correction, everyone STILL wants a pair of those scarlet eyes.

Leorio glanced at Kurapika in irritation, "Not that you know me either Kurapika".

I glanced askance at Kurapika. The Kurta Clan? Was he a Kurta? I didn't like him and thought he was a judgmental, annoying, over-sensitive prick. Killing him wouldn't make me feel guilty. I've done worse to protect my family to make sure we can compete in the black market.

Killing him guaranteed my parents' good fortune for the next ten to twenty years. That's how much those scarlet eyes were worth.

And my parents' stall wasn't selling as much because my parents were aging…which was why I had to become a Hunter. So I could have the information needed to find exotic treasures to sell at the stall, which my younger brother would run. My sister and brother would eventually become Hunters too. That's what the family plan was.

I shrewdly glanced at Kurapika and grinned. "Now I'm glad I had met you", I said to the group," I do apologize Kurapika. And Leorio? We should definitely work together. You look fit enough to help out". I shamelessly said as I attempted to flirt. I probably screwed up flirting, not that Leorio cared, since he liked me already.

After all, how did one flirt? I didn't know. I was always busy helping secure a shipment, studying foreign languages and customs (so I could travel to exotic lands to find treasure and bring it home). I never had time for silly boys. Leorio was no exception. But I had a feeling Leorio viewed me the same way. Just some random girl to have fun with for a short amount of time and we would eventually go our separate ways. I would have no problem with that relationship.

I glanced at his shoulder muscles which I could see through his suit and my gaze traveled upwards to his face. Dark brown eyes-so dark but so beautiful, tan skin, and jet black hair. He was nice to look at least.

Kurapika cleared his throat as he suspiciously glared at me. I met his gaze. I would have to watch out for him. He did sense the shift in my behavior.

Gon cheered,"Yay! Another friend!" Then he gave me a meaningful look which I returned with a smile.

"Don't worry Gon", I said as one side of my mouth tilted upwards, "I'm sure all of us can be adults regarding this situation. I have no reason to cause you, Leorio, or the group harm".

The kid was quick. Gon knew that Leorio and I had irritated Kurapika and he had wanted to make sure I wasn't going to cause divisions within his friend group. I glanced at the tan boy. Gon could easily play the part of a seemingly naïve boy from backwoods Whale Island well. I had underestimated him. I had to not do that again.

Gon reminded me so much of my brother. My brother did exactly the same thing.

Kurapika cleared his throat again, probably to point out that I did not include his name under 'those I have no reason to harm'," I-"

Suddenly, an alarm went off! It echoed throughout the holding room. I tried to determine the source of the noise? Was it behind me? In front of me? Where!?

A man with purple hair appeared and shut it off.

"He came out of nowhere", I gasped? How!? First Hisoka with the flower petals and now this examiner who had appeared out of thin air...how!?

The first phase had truly begun.