I do think my story is progressing quite slowly but I would prefer to work more on my character and get the relationships right than forcing it. Hang in there!

The mist was gathering quickly and was becoming so thick that Kiri had problems looking ahead. All she could see were the dark outlines of trees and foggy whiteness. Beneath her, she could hear pleasant sounds going squish as her paws squelched against the wet swampy terrain. They had begun the next marathon leading to the second phase for a good 20 minutes already but in the middle of all the panic and mist, Kiri had found herself separated from her companions-and the rest of the group.

Darn it, sighed Kiri, as she morphed back to her human shape to get a better idea of where she was. Only a few minutes ago she was running alongside Gon and Killua who were talking about Hisoka's bloodlust. It was probably even thicker than the mist, hanging in the air.

If it was me against Hisoka, I don't think I'll be able to come out unscathed. I better find the others. She took a quick scan of her surroundings and spotted a set of wet muddy footprints to her right. Without a second thought, she chased after it.

Around her she could hear the screams of shouts of other contestants and wondered if any belonged to her new companions.

It would be a shame if something happened to that blonde boy, I would like to observe him more...Being deep in thought, Kiri failed to noticed a black shape running towards her. It was not till at the last second that she looked up but it was already too late. They collided abruptly and rolled over several times before landing in a pile under a large oak tree.

Before Kiri could get her senses, she found herself lifted and pushed up against the oak tree, with one wooden bokken pushed under her throat.

"Who are you?" her attacker hissed. Kiri's head spun, and she narrowed her eyes to get a clearer glimpse of her attacker. There was no mistaking the brown cat-like eyes. It was Kurapika.

"If you don't answer me, I won't hesitate to treat you as danger," Kiri looked at Kurapika hard, contemplating if she should give away her identity. The odds weren't exactly in her favour right now. If she told Kurapika, she could potentially be putting her career at risk, her life even. Not to mention if Killua found out he would give her a scolding. She could tell him who she is...But then she would have to kill him later. What a pity, Kiri thought to herself, I have an interest in him too.

"If you lower your weapon and give me a chance to speak, I'll tell you," said Kiri.

Kurapika eyed her suspiciously, before lowering his bokken a fraction. "I haven't seen you before, you're not one of the contestants. I could kill you now, you could be one of those monkey shape shifters."

Kiri laughed, "well you got the shape shifter part right I guess, but I'm no monkey."

"What do you mean?" asked Kurapika, pushing the bokken up again. "Explain yourself."

"Well," she began, "I can change my form. That's probably why you haven't seen me before, when in fact, I've been right alongside you."

"You're testing my patience."

She sighed. "I'm that black cat you see with Killua. I change shape. Shape shifter. Whatever you want to call it. If you give me some space, I'll show you."

Still full of suspicion, the solicitous Kurta hesitated for a second, and then stepped back. "Okay, show me then."

In a blink of an eye, in the place where Kiri stood, sat a small black cat.

"See?" said Kiri, returning to her original form. "I wasn't lying...Are you okay?"

Kurapika seemed to be a small state of shock. His eyes were wide and lips parted, as though he was about to say something. When he finally recovered from the surprised he said, "how did you do that? What are you?"

"That. Is. A. Secret," Kiri took a step forward with each word she spoke until she was face to face with the blonde Kurta. Their faces a few breaths apart.

"You can't tell anyone about this," she whispered whilst looking at him straight in the eyes. They were a warm brown colour and she found herself unable to concentrate properly the more she looked. What a pretty colour, she though.

"And if I do?" replied Kurapika, cocking an eyebrow. "What will you do?"

"You don't want to find out," said Kiri, with a small smile. "After all, I am one of the Zoldycks." She took a step back and inhaled the air deeply. "We should probably get back to the others," she suggested. The mist had cleared a little and Kiri could smell a familiar scent in the air. Her sense of smell was nothing to be proud of, but with the right conditions, she could just about pick up on a scent. "It's this way."

She could tell Kurapika was still unsure but he was even more lost than she was, and she knew, that he knew he would need her help.

Kurapika bit his lips and swallowed all the other million questions he had and replied with just a nod. With that, she changed back to cat shape, and bounded off to the direction of her brother.

"Kurapika!" exclaimed Gon. "Where were you? You're all battered up!Oh, Kiri's here as well,"

Kiri slipped over to Killua and arched her back as Killua stroked her lightly. "Where were you?" said Killua, "You just disappeared. I had half the mind to go back and find you."

I just took a little detour, don't worry, purred Kiri. What happened to Leorio? He's all beat up against that tree. Kiri looked over to see an unconscious, bruised figure propped up against a tree and a worried Kurapika and Gon hurrying over to attend to him.

"It seems like him and Kurapika had an encounter with our joker," he said, glancing at Hisoka. "At least he has satisfied his bloodlust for now."

So when I saw Kurapika he must have been escaping from Hisoka, thought Kiri. And got separated from Leorio.

"Hey Killua!" shouted Gon whilst waving his arms to get him to come over. "Leorio has woken up!"

As Killua approached the older man, he stood up slowly, clutching his head.

"Ugh...What happened to me? My head hurts like crazy!"

"Uhm...You felt tired and took a nap under the tree!" said Gon, laughing nervously.

"And I managed to beat myself up when I was sleeping? Gosh Gon, I'm more clumsy than I thought," he replied sarcastically.

"Ah about that...Well never mind, oooh looks at those big doors over there!" said Gon, changing the topic quickly. "Let's go guys!" And he ran off into the crowd of remaining candidates.

Leorio turned to face Kurapika, opened his mouth to demand what has happened…Then closed it again and shook his head. "Wait for me, Gon!" he shouted, and ran after the spiky haired boy.