Last chapter was mostly comic relief, and I feel sorry about that, haha. So here we go! Back to action!
Don't forget NotKiwi's comics on Deviant Art and Tumblr!
Fuck... fuck... no... this can't be happening...
But it was. People were dropping like flies in a foggy forest clearing, and Leorio, Kurapika and I were trapped... behind us, freaky, murderous monsters were eating people. In front of us, an even freakier, even more murderous monster was killing indiscriminately. But at least the monsters behind us did so with purpose and out of necessity. The one who set his sights on us did so for his own, disgusting pleasure. I clenched my teeth.
Toxic, fuchsia blood lust radiated from him, mixing with the ominous fog. He grinned over his shoulder at us from a ring of fresh corpses.
Just my luck... running into Hisoka again... that's three times today..!
My legs were trembling and my heart pounded in my skull. How did we get into this mess...?! All I wanted was to get through this damn exam without getting killed, but here I am..!
I glanced at Leorio and Kurapika, their tense stances, the sweat on their brows. Whatever... it can't be helped.. either way.. these two can't get involved with him... I can't let him toy with them like... like someone... My hands clenched.
"My, my, enjoying the magic show?" Hisoka drawled breezily. He spoke casually, but I could feel his excitement through his vibrating aura. The men, now murdered, had awoken the insatiable beast inside him. His voice was like a snake slithering down my back. I took an unintentional step back. "How about for my next trick, I make your friends disappear?" The bloody card between his fingers vanished with a wave.
Pain gripped my chest. I can't let this happen... I can't let these two die! They have so much to live for...! Damn it all... Impulsively, I stepped forward. "Let us through, Hisoka! We aren't toys! We're not here for your games!"
He closed his eyes as he turned towards us, smiling. With a flourish of his fingers, three new cards came to his hand. "Oh, but this isn't a game. This is the Hunter Exam, Middle-Schooler-Chan." He said, examining and picking through his cards with a creepy smile. His eyes shot up at us, piercing like bullets. "And my exam is mandatory."
I could feel them waver beside me. Kurapika wanted to sprint away, and Leorio was scared witless. Hell, I wanted to scream and run the other way. But I... I'm the most competent here... damn you two..! I won't be responsible for your deaths! My eyes felt wet. "... if you want someone to test, then it will be me! You two go ahead, you have nothing to do with this; I'll deal with him...!"
There was silence, but no one moved.
"God damn it, run! I'm being generous!" I hissed under my breath, exasperated.
Then Leorio gave a grunt, drew his dagger from his pocket and stepped in front of me. I stared up at him. "Like hell we have nothing to do with this... You want to fight? Then so will I. It would be irresponsible to leave some kid behind; I'm the oldest here, aren't I?!"
"I guess there's no choice, then..." Kurapika gave a sigh, then chuckled, drawing his wooden half swords from his waistband. "Hmph... If Leorio's staying then it would be embarrassing to run, wouldn't it..?"
I stared. I could hear the tremble in their voices. I could see their hands shaking! I'm trying to save your lives, damn it! Take the gift and go!
Panic gripped my chest. "You know we can't win – are you insane?! RUN!"
They ignored me. They didn't escape when they had the chance. And I felt another friend slip through my fingers as Leorio charged at Hisoka with a shout.
"NOT AT HIM, YOU MORON!" I stared in horror but couldn't move. I turned to Kurapika. "Please don't do this!"
"We appreciate the gesture Clearian, but we have too much pride to run while you fight..." Kurapika looked back at me and smiled. "You tried to protect us your way. Let us protect you our way. You're not the only one allowed to be selfish."
Then Kurapika charged in after Leorio, his wooden boken in hand. I watched helplessly.
They're going to commit suicide... unless I... my Nen... I stared at my hands. But he said I couldn't... if I use it, he'll kill us for sure!
The cards vanished from his hands as Hisoka simply dodged their wild attacks, humming in pleasure. He was clearly enjoying himself, and that pissed me off. They were obviously outclassed; their swings were going wide by a foot. I was torn, trembling out of fear... fear of Hisoka... and fear of losing... friends?
… I just met them... they're aren't friends...! I considered running. But my legs wouldn't let me turn away... or are they...?
"Aren't you going to help?" Hisoka's question cut through my thoughts like a knife. He watched me with those wicked eyes, easily dodging kicks and punches without giving their efforts a glance. "Your friends are going to fail... this is the most important exam of their lives..."
He's right... this is a test of life or death! Still, I was rooted to the spot. But what can I do without my aura...?! He said no cheating...
Then with a wicked smirk Hisoka began fighting back. My eyes prickled with tears as Leorio shouted in pain, taking a punch to the stomach as Hisoka pulled him by the tie. Kurapika's jaw made a sick CRACK as he suffered a punch to the jaw. I hung my head, trembling. I just met them... they shouldn't mean a thing...! So why can't I RUN!?
"Your friends are going to die... But you don't want to cheat, do you?" Hisoka chuckled, stepping on Kurapika's hand as he reached for his boken. He cried out in pain. "My, my, you're such an obedient little middle schooler."
ENOUGH!
"Hisoka!" I shouted, fists bunched and trembling. It's my fault this is happening... I can't lose more friends! I glared through tears as I looked up. "I'm sorry, but this is the Hunter exam! There's no such thing as cheating!"
I must be insane...
I was shouting as I charged in. My pen was in my hand and I couldn't hear anything but the dull roar of my voice and my heart pounding in my head and all I could see was Hisoka's evil eyes locked on mine.
Their idiocy must be contagious...
I swiped wildly at Hisoka with my pen. He dodged, flipping backwards with catlike grace. He was unimpressed by my aim, but it wasn't meant to hit him; he'd moved away from Kurapika and Leorio. My hands were coated with scarlet aura as I grabbed their hands, helping them up.
To use this ability here and now... it's still only the first exam... I must be weaker than I thought...
Kurapika and Leorio stared in awe as the red washed over them. Ten percent, Kurapika! Fifteen, Leorio!
Hisoka's eyes glittered.
Demonic Law: The Ruby Scale!
"Breaking the rules...?" Hisoka gave a pleased leer, settling into a real fighting stance with a creepy lick of his lips. "Good! You're learning."
I scowled, dashing forward and punched with a red Ren enhanced fist; Hisoka easily pushed the punch aside, grabbing my wrist with glee in his eyes.
"Oh, are we done playing around?" He said quietly as I struggled to free myself.
"Fuck you!" I shouted, kicking him in the jaw.
Hisoka chuckled, barely phased by the kick. He licked his lips slowly. "... then I'll fight for real, too."
My eyes widened. I slammed a Ren chop at his hand, forcing him to release me as his aura erupted in full force. I dove towards the other two. Kurapika, Leorio!
I shoved more vivid red aura into them. Fifteen percent, Kurapika! Twenty, Leorio!
The tidal wave of aura slammed into us; my red aura covered us, barely holding up against it. And then Hisoka charged. Like a demon, thirsting for the kill. I stared with horror over my shoulder.
If he's fighting seriously.. this is Hisoka... do I have enough strength to even give him a work out?
I forced my aura into my legs and dashed to meet his charge before the others could react. We can't beat him with strength... I have to think of some other way...! Fast!
A card came to his fingers and I fought off the panic; dodging his insanely quick swipes. His manic smile and his nearly invisible card were all I could see; his hands were too fast! I can't dodge everything!
I felt the cuts sooner than I saw them; they sprung to life upon my hands and sliced my jacket as I dodged backwards. Is running all I can do..!? I have to fight!
But then my back hit something hard. A tree?! And I froze as Hisoka's hand drew back, lethal like a cobra. His eyes danced.
"RAAAH!" Leorio shouted, slashing wildly at Hisoka who effortlessly dodged sideways. I stared, trembling.
He... he would have killed me...
I stood rooted to the spot as Kurapika swung his boken down on Hisoka's unguarded back; the man twirled out of the way like a helicopter, delivering a chop into the back of Kurapika's neck. The blonde stumbled, eyes wide, I barely managed to catch him.
This is bad... Hisoka is still going easy on them... but if it weren't for my Ruby Scale, they would both be knocked out by now...
Kurapika scowled over his hunched shoulders, hand on his neck as I bolstered his strength with my aura. "We can't win like this, Kurapika...!"
He frowned at me through knit brows. "Well what can we do?"
I could only stare hopelessly. I'm not sure...
"... theoretically, we should have the upper hand with our numbers advantage... but we just aren't using it right." Kurapika muttered, wiping a bit of blood off of his chin.
Hisoka slashed at Leorio's hand with his card, making him drop his knife and stumble backwards.
"Leorio!" I shouted. And I watched, frozen, as Hisoka brought a fraction of his aura to his fist. And slammed it into Leorio's cheek. "LEORIO!"
The boy in the suit fell. I clenched my pen in my hand and ran towards him. "HISOKA!"
The man glanced with cold indifference. I swiped at him with my pen. "GET AWAY!"
He leaned back, easily avoiding the attack. And then his hand found my throat. And my feet left the ground. Damn it! I'm not thinking straight! I cringed, swinging my pen down at his arm. He smiled and let the pen sink into his flesh. His eyes rolled back in pleasure.
I stared in horror as he pulled the pen out himself with a throaty moan. It... it didn't work..?!
Then he squeezed my throat and I choked, kicking weakly. I was dimly aware of Kurapika shouting something, but Hisoka had my full attention. At this proximity, his bloodlust penetrated deep into my bones. He shuddered with delight as I glared and clawed at his hand with Ren enhanced strength. His enormous aura easily repelled my attacks. I have to use my Nen on myself! But I never got the chance.
"I'll admit... you've gotten better, Middle-Schooler-Chan." Hisoka murmured. I felt him squeeze tighter; I thought my neck would snap. And then pain exploded in my stomach as his fist sunk into it. I choked on blood. And my vision swam... and my grip over my aura slipped... and The Ruby Scale faded. "... but not good enough."
I couldn't even contemplate my imminent demise as the world darkened. Then he suddenly let go. And I fell on my hands and knees, gasping for air. W-what..? What happened..?
I looked up, though it pained my neck, and saw Hisoka looking to the right. My head spun as I fell flat on my aching stomach, and followed his gaze.
… white and blue... green and black... familiar colors...
Then the colors moved so fast it hurt my head. I closed my eyes, focusing on breathing. It hurts... my throat hurts so badly... every breath is agony.
There was noise... and someone was touching my back.
".. ey.. hey, Clearian-Kun...! Are you okay...?!" A high pitched voice keened. My head hurt, and I just wanted to sleep, but I opened my eyes... the world was fuzzy and out of focus... but there was green and black. Such familiar colors...
"... y... you're... G... on..?" I whispered, through a scratchy throat. I swallowed hard. It hurt to talk.
"Get a grip!" A stern voice commanded. I recognized that voice. It grated on my nerves.
"... fl... uffy.." I muttered, moving rise but winced as my side flared in agony. I can't be this pathetic in front of him...! He'll never let me live this down..! With difficulty, I stirred my aura to life, and everything became clearer. Gon was kneeling beside me, concerned. Killua stood between us and Hisoka.
"Hey, I thought you said you weren't going to fail this exam?" Killua shouted brusquely over his shoulder. I frowned at that. This is your fault, brat...
"Killua said that he was worried you would die!" Gon said, concern pinching his expression. Killua made a distraught noise.
"I-I wasn't worried! It's not like I care if you die, it would just be a pain if you did!" He squawked. I smiled grimly at that, rising with Gon's help.
"Right... because I'm sure you could fight this guy all on your own..." I muttered, wincing at the state of my throat and cautiously eyeing Hisoka's relaxed figure. Killua regarded me critically, frowning.
"Looks like you got beaten pretty badly." He said. I frowned at that.
"Yeah, and Kurapika and Leorio, too!" Gon added, looking between the two unconscious older boys. They must have passed out after my aura faded...
"They're just... exhausted..." I said, feeling defeated. I couldn't even save them on my own...
I felt Hisoka's delight through his aura and tensed. He was thrilled.
"Oh look, more toys to play with, I was getting bored with the other ones..." He said, gazing at Gon with one hand on his hip. His tongue grazed his lips. Then he turned his gaze on Killua. "But I'm not interested in playing with you, kitten."
Killua stepped in front of us when Hisoka approached. I could feel Killua's murderous intent rolling off of him. "Aw, why not? It's rude to leave people out."
My heart suffered. This again? I can't lose these two to him as well! My throat ached, but I had to stop him. "Killua no! Even you can't fight him; we have to run!"
Hisoka raised a brow. "Your friend is coward. But also right. You're good, I'll admit that, but not good enough to beat me." He placed a finger on his lip, then brightened. "Oh, I know! I'll let you pass if you step aside; that would be a nice compromise."
Killua settled into a fighting stance. "Hmph, not a chance. You said we both had to pass this exam. You're our examiner right now, aren't you?" Hisoka smiled at that. "I've never been to normal school before... but my mom would be sad if I skipped a test. So I'm not going anywhere."
Hisoka watched us for a moment. His stillness disturbed me... I stared dolefully at Killua's back.
… you should have just taken the pass and ran, you idiot...! Why is everyone I befriend so suicidal..?
Then Hisoka chuckled. His shoulders shook. I stared in horror as he moved to cover his face and laughed hysterically.
My mind raced. I'd seen him like this before. And bad things happened.
I can't carry Leorio and Kurapika out of here. I can't even carry myself..! This is it... we're really going to die here...
I watched breathlessly. Then the man sighed. Dropping his hand with a euphoric grin. "Fine. Just a simple quiz, then."
"I'll try not to kill you." Killua said confidently.
I was stunned by their speed. They were nothing but blurs. I couldn't even keep up with their movements. They're so fast!
In the moments I saw them, Killua's face was twisted in a mask of rage, and Hisoka was grinning with relish.
"How did this happen to Leorio and Kurapika?" Gon asked, concern straining his voice as he watched the two fight.
"Ah... they're... we were just in the wrong place..." I managed, rising to my hands and knees. Gon supported me. "... Hisoka wanted to test us."
"Hisoka, huh..." Gon said, looking on with determination. Then he rose. "I have to help Killua!"
"Ah, wait, Gon!" I said, grabbing Gon's hand. The boy stared in surprise, with big innocent eyes. I softened my gaze. He's really just a kid... I passed on as much red aura as I could manage. Gon, fifteen percent.
"Just..." I wasn't sure how to phrase it... "... try not to excite him... He reallllyyyyyy 'likes' strong fighters... you don't want him to 'like' you." I said, finally. I hoped he understood. He smiled confidently.
"Right." He said with a nod, turning and running. "Whatever that means!"
... he's too pure for this world...
