Hi all! The great news is I can finally delve into the romance between Kurapika and Avi as well as explore Avi's past! As per usual, please let me know how I can improve my writing or what you would like me to focus on (i.e. romance, action, Avi-Hisoka interactions, Avi-Gon interactions, whatever).

The Spider Eagle egg was so delicious that I had stolen leftovers from other applicants!

I made a mental note of the egg type and the terrain that Spider Eagles made nests in. I could help my family earn more money if I could introduce Spider Eagle Eggs and the recipe to the markets!

My thoughts of what I would do with the excess income were interrupted by Chairman Netero.

"Allow me to introduce myself to the forty three remaining applicants", he loudly said over the drone of the blimp's engines," I am Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee".

A small green figure emerged behind Netero. He waved a green hand. "And I am his secretary, Beans".

"Originally I intended to make my first appearance during the exam's Final Phase, but as I'm already here…I'm loving this tension in the air. So I think I'll stick around for the rest of the trip" Netero continued.

I glanced around. The remaining applicants were very tense. I glanced at Kurapika. His perfect poker face was in place. I scowled. 'For once can his poker face crack', I viciously thought!

Beans gave directions to us," We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning, at 8AM. You'll find dinner waiting in the dining hall. You are also welcome to get some rest. In other words, you are to do as you please until you are contacted".

As soon as Beans had finished, Killua nudged Gon. "Okay! Hey Gon, let's explore the airship".

The other teen grinned. "Yeah! I've never been on an airship before!"

Leorio sighed and muttered, "How can they have so much energy? I'm hitting the sack". I hummed in agreement. I was so tired and the energy fall from the tshuaj was beginning to affect me.

I felt my eyelids drop and the world seemed to sway. I needed to sit down, pronto…but I was surrounded by applicants.

Someone put a steadying hand on my shoulder. My eyes flashed open. Kurapika stood in front of me, worry in his eyes. "Hey Avi", he softly said, "Are you fine?"

I blinked. How could I honestly respond to a question like that?

"I need to sleep", I slurred. Great there goes my control of speech. My legs turned to jelly and couldn't support me. I really had taken too much of the tshuaj.

Kurapika grabbed my upper arms as I sagged to the floor and pulled me back up.

"Avi", Leorio asked?

"Aww…looks like she isn't going to make it to the next phase", an overly concerned voice cut in.

Through half lidded eyes, I saw a middle-aged man approaching.

"Tonpa", Leorio greeted with a polite nod.

"Next phase", Kurapika said while he held me up as I sagged to the floor. "I wonder how many more phases there are?"

"They never mentioned that", Leorio responded, "Or have they?"

"On average five to six phases", Tonpa answered. He looked at me in disgust. I really was sick of people doing that. "Your friend isn't going to last. Just leave her here".

Kurapika pulled me close to his body. My chest touching his side. There was no space between us. I blinked. Kurapika obviously trusted me more than Tonpa. That made me feel slightly better but didn't explain why Kurapika was helping me.

Kurapika gave Tonpa a fake polite smile. "She'll make it. If she has lasted this long, then she'll make it through the airship ride. She just needs to rest, like the rest of us."

Tonpa gave Kurapika an equally fake smile. "But you should be careful. The secretary only told us when we'll arrive at our destination. It's possible that the third exam could take place on this airship itself. And that doesn't mean we won't be contacted before 8AM."

"Huh? Are you serious?" Leorio complained.

Kurapika hummed. I felt the vibrations in his chest and I tried not to shudder. We were really close. So close that I could smell the faint cologne Kurapika was wearing. It was enough so that he would smell pleasant, but not too much like the amount Leorio was wearing.

"That does make sense", the man in question said.

Tonpa's smile turned sinister. "You might wake up to discover that the exam has already ended. If you plan to make it to the next phase, don't let yourself relax on this airship."

Leorio turned around. "What the hell…Well, that was some god advice. Thanks."

My world swayed once more and I realize I was in Kurapika's arms. We were turning to walk away. "We shall bear that in mind."

"Why?", I murmured.

Kurapika glanced down at me. "I know not whether your intentions were bad or good, but you still helped me avoid a serious injury."

Blackness clouded my vision and the last thing I felt was the warmth and strength of the living Kurta carrying me in his arms. That warmth that I would cause to turn cold to repay my family 's debt.

I stirred and shifted on something warm. I stretched my back and huddled closer to the warm object. That's when I realized the texture was off. My eyes slowly opened.

I was now conscious of the gentle breaths hitting my neck. I slowly glanced behind me. I was lying across Kurapika. I stiffened and then stared at his face. He did look slightly girly…I reached up and touched his jawline. I felt the slightest bit of stubble…yep. Definitely not a female. I stifled a giggle and run my hand down Kurapika's jawline. Why was I even doing this?

Light blonde hair covered his eyes so I brushed the stray bangs out of his eyes. Moonlight filtered through the windows and I had to say, Kurapika looked good in moonlight.

I put my hand on his chest and realized how strong Kurapika was…I was flyweight compared to him.

The edge of my switchblade poked my wrist. I flicked my right wrist and the blade fell into my palm.

'One slice' I told myself. 'One slice and you can know your family will be set for the rest of their lives', I thought. But the guilt grew. My other hand gripped Kurapika's jaw more firmly and I slowly raised the sharpened blade to his vulnerable throat.

Kurapika shifted and groaned. I froze and stared at the intelligent man I was lying on who had been nothing but helpful to me. No…I decided…

"I need you to help me pass", I whispered to the sleeping Kurapika,"I need to earn a license".

I removed my hand from Kurapika's jaw and slowly detangled my limbs from his.

Kurapika would sleep peacefully tonight. I stood up and looked around. I needed to contact my family.

"Hello? This is the Versace Residence maid speaking. How may I help you?" the accented voice on the other end of the line greeted.

I giggled at my brother's affected accent. "Drop the act Breccan Versace", I demanded.

My twelve year old brother giggled. I winced at the sound. He was definitely going through puberty.

"What's up Avi?" Brec asked.

I gently smiled. "I passed the first two phases of the Hunter Exam, Brec…but the reason why I'm calling is because…well, remember how our family originally established ourselves as one of the top merchant families?"

My brother paused and I heard him shift uncomfortably. He had the right to be suspicious. It was an odd question.

"Avi", Brec responded, "What do you mean? Of course I do?"

I took a breath. "I've found a live one…everybody wants a pair. If I take them, mom and dad could retire early and you and Sab would be set for life".

My brother drew in a sharp breath. "Hold on a sec Avi".

I nodded and realized he could see me so I responded with, "Sure".

I heard him drop the phone (probably on the table) and heard him shout "Sabie!"

There was another click as my sister picked up a phone in another location of our house.

"Avi?" she asked.

"Hey!" I said, "Just calling to check in and to let you know I found someone with scarlet eyes…someone as in, a living Kurta."

My sister drew in a quick breath. "Do you know how much scarlet eyes-even one-are worth? You have to get them Avi", she demanded.

I paused. "Why do you sound so desperate", I timidly asked. I was afraid of what I'd hear.

There was a fumbling sound as my brother returned and picked up the phone he had left earlier.

Crunch. "Brec", Sabie complained, "Stop eating while you're on the phone!"

Brec, of course, decided to talk with his mouth full. "Did Sabie tell you about the strange men we've seen? They keep throwing blood and bodies on our front lawn. They're looking for mom. But she and dad aren't here".

I almost dropped the phone. No…

"They're from the mafia…aren't they?" I slowly asked.

My brother drew in a shuddering breath. I knew his nonchalance was all for show.

Quickly responding, Sabie stated, "There are three of them. All male, mafia affiliated. I can kill them, except this is the mafia. The mafia would simply send more men. Brec and I could meet up with mom and dad. We can disappear for a couple of months. Or we could hire better security guards…"

I blinked and furrowed my brow in confusion. "But what do they want?" I asked in confusion.

Crunch. I heard my little brother chewing on something. Typical Brec. He swallowed and said, "Money. Mom made a bad deal with a ferret. The ferret squealed to the mafia and now the mafia knows we sell our newest product, tshuaj, we're stepping on their turf. They want payment. In return, they'll let us sell on the 5th Avenue Market".

"They'll let us sell a certain amount", interrupted Sabie. "Our family gained too much influence too quickly. People and other puissant groups like the mafia are really out for our blood now."

I chewed on my lip. "How much?" I whispered as I cradled the phone.

Brec sneezed. Sabie talked. "800,000 per month", she said.

I dropped the phone in shock and then caught it again.

I steeled my voice. "Don't worry about it. I'll get the money somehow."

"Avi?" Brec said.

"Yes?"

"The last time you said that you left home with drugs and returned with a ton of money. But there were scars on your arms. You didn't talk to anybody for a week. Mom and dad still don't know about it. In fact, they don't even know that you're taking the Hunter Exam!" Brec said. While he was talking, his speech volume had quickly grown from a fearful whisper to a crescendo of angry shouting.

I sighed. "Brec…" I began, "There are some things that will be explained to you once you're older…just…be a kid for one more year", I begged. I didn't want my brother to be involved in the family business until he was ready. I wanted him to have a happy childhood. He deserved that.

Brec hung up and my shoulders sagged.

Sabie murmured comfortingly, "it's okay. He just doesn't understand what we have to do to be, and successfully remain, this wealthy. He will once he realizes how much of our profit comes from the black market."

The sun was beginning to rise. "Sabie", I said," I need to go within the next five minutes".

I heard my sister laugh. "Just get those scarlet eyes and we will be able to cover the debt from the mafia. I know they'll stop bothering us if we pay."

I froze and thought back to that moment when I was sleeping on Kurapika's chest. How vulnerable and unaware he was when he was asleep. I could have slit his throat right there and gouged out his scarlet eyes…

But he was so warm and alive…

"Be safe and come home soon. Mom and Dad will be back in two weeks. But we'll probably be hiding out in a hotel somewhere until mom and dad find the money somehow. Or until you appear with those scarlet eyes!" my sisters happily chirped.

The window outside showed me a rapidly lightening sky and rising sun. "Bye", I said in a fake, happy tone.

I ended the call and watched the birds fly across the beautiful blood red sunrise. It was unfair that the world could look so hopeful when I felt so hopeless.