"Kiri, Kiri wake up!"
Kiri felt a light poking in her ribs. Moaning a little, she swatted it away and turned over to her side in her seat.
"KIRI!"
Kiri jolted awake and scowled at the boy sitting next to her.
"What's the matter Killua? I was having a nice nap." She shot Killua a slightly annoyed look. She had been having a good dream. One about her being an well-sought after milk connoisseur where a selection of different milks had been set out on a banquet table for her to sample. She had just brought the first dish to her lips when the illusion was harshly broken by her brother prodding at her ribcage. She turned her head towards the window to observe her surroundings. Despite the journey being particularly bumpy, it had a calming effect on her and lulled her to sleep in a matter of minutes. Her mind drifted off to the incidents that occurred before she left the mansion.
In Killua's own word he had 'beat up Mother', and this was all that Kiri had heard before he refused to elaborate. She had wanted to pry for more information, was Mother angry? What did Father say? But she had kept those questions to herself. If Killua wanted to explain he would. Even though she was hugely curious, she knew this freedom wouldn't be long-lasting and eventually she would have to face the consequences. It was probably better living in ignorance.
Having not a clue of where to even go, Killua surprised her by suggesting the Hunter Exam, a place which she herself had never heard of before. Unsurprised at her cluelessness, Killua explained at the Hunter Exam was a place for people to obtain 'licenses' to have access and privileges to the most current, advanced and confidential services. When asked how he knew about this he just shrugged and answered, 'research y'know.' Not able to suggest a better idea, Kiri indulged her brother and followed him.
So there they were, sitting on a bus heading towards exam venue number one.
"It seems like we are in the middle of nowhere doesn't it," said Killua, leaning to peer over Kiri's shoulder at look at the view. Kiri agreed. The vast open fields appeared to stretch endlessly. They were decorated by trees that grew sporadically and sparsely, dotting around the area. Threading between the trees were streams with clear blue water that seemed to glisten in the sunlight. The sun was at it peak and its rays bathed whatever was in its path, in pools of golden warmth. Kiri noted there was an abundance of creatures. Birds chirped cheerily on tree branches and if the eyes were quick enough, small mammals could be seen darting from around before disappearing back to the undergrowth. A map of the local area was spread out on Killua's lap and he jabbed a finger onto it. "I think we're almost reaching there soon."
"This seems like a pretty nice place," commented Kiri. "Illumi would like this."
"Can we not talk about him?"
The tone suggested it to be more like a command than a question. Kiri looked over to Killua. His head was still bent over the map, but his fists were clenched. She made a mental note to not mention the family again for a while.
Kiri didn't hate her job. In fact, it wasn't much of a deal to her. If it wasn't for her job then there wouldn't be a purpose to her, if there wasn't a purpose then she wouldn't be alive, so she should be grateful. And grateful she was. However, Killua's mood always seems to affect her. If he was upset, she would be. If he wasn't, she wasn't. She guessed that was a result from spending too much time with him. It was Killua who taught her a lot of what she knows now. The roles were clearly reversed despite her being the older one. Since Killua didn't want to kill anymore, or at least for now, she respected that.
Kiri knew her actions and her thoughts were conflicting. On one hand, she wanted to serve the family but on the other, she wanted to please Killua. The family who had given her a chance to live. She had always known her origins and that she was the daughter, to inherit a small kingdom. From young it was mentioned constantly by Milluki how her life was spared. Her life contributed to a greater cause that was science. If it wasn't for graciousness of the Zoldycks finding her, it wouldn't be surprising to if she didn't live to her teens, succumbing to enemy invasion or the such. Even though as she grew older and been understood what nonsense it was that Milluki was spewing, she harboured no hate towards her 'foster' family. The things she had learnt till her age now, are things she would never ever learn in her previous life.
Kiri cast her mind back to her childhood. Ah, that was a special time. She remember mostly spending time with the eldest Zoldyck, Illumi. It was uncertain to her and the whole of the family, as to why he decided to undertake the role in mentoring her growth. At points,when Kiri was chained up and subjected to hours of torture, she would lift up her head and look him in his eyes. Her eyes would be dead, without loath or plead. Just orbs of darkness matching his. In this moments, Illumi would sometimes appear to want to tell her something but then change his mind as quickly at the look passed across his face. And then blow after blow would follow suit. Despite this, it wasn't always doom and gloom between the two. Kiri also remembered some slightly more endearing moments. But before she could delve into that, she was broken out of her thoughts once more by a cocky, confident voice.
"I bet everyone on this coach thinks they have a fair chance in becoming a hunter."
She looked up to see a tenuous man in his early twenties strut down the coach between the passenger seats. Dressed in a grey pinstripe suit with his hair arranged similarly to the end of a broomstick, he had a pompous air about him. The flustered coach attendant desperately tried to make him sit back in his seat but he just waved away her attempts.
"Well, let me tell you, you better think again." He looked over at Killua and Kiri and sniggered a little before resuming. "Last year I entered the Hunter exam - I'm no rookie, and let me tell you, it's not something that ordinary people can handle." He paused for effect. "By the looks of it, I'll say probably none of you will even be able to pass the first test." He paused for another second to take in the reaction of the people around him. Everyone on the coach stopped what they were doing and all eyes were on him. "For me though, it will probably be a piece of cake."
He spun around and started walking back up the middle of the coach. "However, I am a kind man, if you want some insider information as to how to pass this test, I will offer some information at 10,000 Jenny a piece."
Some muttering began in the coach, and Kiri spied some people reaching for their wallets in their back pockets. She almost noted the amount of gold rings and necklaces that he was wearing. He probably didn't care for the exam and only found it as a business opportunity. She was about to block out his chattering and continue staring out of the window when her brother spoke up.
"Well if it's so easy for you, you wouldn't have failed would you?" commented Killua, loud enough for every one to hear.
The man turned his head sharply and looked towards Killua. "What did you say, boy?"
"Let me put it in simpler words, I said that you're obviously a scam who doesn't know what he's doing since you failed last year's exam." Killua stared at the man in the eyes. People like that irritated him. He would've kept quiet usually but the way his kept strutting up and down the coach like he owned the place made him snap. Plus, the topic of Illumi was brought up and that ticked him off.
The man leaned down. His face inches from Killua's. Killua now noted with disgust how oily the man's hair was, some plastered to the sides of his head. His breath was rancid when he spoke. "Well boy, let's see how well you do. You'll probably get lost the moment you get off his coach and cry for your mummy." He threw his head back and began laughing.
"Killua, leave it. Everyone probably knows he's a scam, and the ones who don't, God help them. We're almost there anyways." With perfect timing, coach slowed down to a halt. The man gave them a final leer and stomped off the coach followed by a few with wads of money in their hands.
Kiri and Killua were the last to leave the coach. The countryside air was fresh and crisp and Kiri took a deep breath in and exhaled.
"Welcome to the first destination, my name is Detuo" Everyone turned and saw a short squat man whose face resembled a potato, descend from the steps of the coach.
"I'm sure we were the last to leave the coach," whispered Killua to Kiri," Where did he come from?"
"I didn't sense his presence at all on the coach," Kiri whispered back, confused.
"I will not waffle on about rules and what you can do or cannot do - that is up to you. However, I will tell you the first part of this test. You must solve this riddle and go to the place you need to go; there you will find help on how to advance."
Several people moaned at the word 'riddle' including Killua. "Great," he muttered. "Ask me to kill a couple of people and I can do, but solving stuff is a no-no."
Kiri stifled a laugh. "Using your brain has always been a weakness hasn't it," and received a sharp jab in the ribs.
"Without further ado, please listen to this riddle and decipher it to the best of your ability.
I am not perfectly round,
I am short and squat,
You cannot find me on a tree,
I am so easy to see.
My skin is your blood,
Delicious and sweet my flesh,
I am a prey and predator
Though water I crave more,
Can you see me now?
Stop holding your breath"
There was a slight pause of silence after Detuo finished as everyone took in the information.
"Well then, I wish you best of luck in this exam and may we meet again." Detuo stepped back onto the coach and the doors snapped shut abruptly after him.
People started dispersing, some who looked like they were walking with an aim, and some who just looked lost.
"You know, Kiri, I am solely depending on you," said Killua with a cheery smile.
Kiri placed her chin between her forefinger and thumb. "I'm not perfectly round...I am short and squat... Is that referring to a person? An animal?
"You cannot find me on a tree, I am so easy to see...An animal?"
"It doesn't give off that vibe but I think I have an idea," remembering something useful, she grinned and pulled Killua lightly by the arm to a side. "Let me explain while we walk. I think the answer is a Zomato," she whispered quietly.
"A Zomato? What on Earth is that?" said a baffled Killua. "I have never heard of that in my life, isn't it a bit unfair to set that as an answer?"
Kiri shrugged. "I'm no walking encyclopaedia but I know at least this much. Zomatos aren't exactly uncommon in our area. I guess you have to know at least that much to become a hunter."
Killua pouted a slightly. "How did you know what a Zomato is?"
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yes. There is no reason why you know and I don't. I won't allow it without a valid reason."
"Well, the other day we were having dinner and I overheard Mother was saying to Milluki about how his diet is extremely bad and he will soon eat his way to death, there were Zomatos on the menu then and she told him to eat more of that."
"Oh, well I guess they are some kind of vegetable then," Killua pulled a face. "But how did you deduce it from that riddle? It could've been anything. In fact, it could've even been Milluki."
"My skin is your blood. I suspect that is referring more to the colour than anything else. Milluki's skin isn't red. And I don't think it's delicious and sweet either."
"True."
"Plus, if you're talking about something not being found on a tree, you would immediately think it's a fruit or vegetable, and since it's edible and its skin is such a vibrant colour, I assumed it would be this. If it wasn't for me, you would fail that straight away," she teased playfully.
Killua stuck out his tongue. "So do you know where you're going?"
"Yep, apparently they are found near lakes where the soil is moist and also near rabbit holes. They feed on rabbits. I am a prey and predator, though water I crave more. That's a real giveaway".
Killua imagined a fruit with sharp teeth consuming an innocent large-eyed bunny and a little shiver ran down the assassin's spine.
"Since we know where we're going, this test will be like a Sunday stroll. I was hoping for something more thrilling." He sighed, somewhat disappointed.
Engrossed in their discussion and search, they walked further and further down the path. A bush behind them rustled quietly and a pair of eyes peered out from the leaves.