We arrive where the final phase of the exam will be taking place which is big hall. I glance at per… Leorio and see bags under his eyes along with arrows and bragging ninja. Wonder what happened there.

"The final phase is going to be a one on one fighting tournament. I've made a chart on whose fighting who in the tournament."

A big screen is rolled in with a big sheet covering it, hiding what's underneath. The old pervert reaches for the sheet and swiftly pulls it off to reveal the hidden contents. It shows a chart of some kind. I can only assume it's the fighting chart, it looks really badly uneven. So people will fight more than others. I wonder if it's made to accommodate people's bloodlust. I feel like a good fight.

"It can't be." I hear Kurapika mutter under his breath.

"Is that thing right?" Leorio asks no one in particular. I don't get the big problem. I look at the chart again and see only one final branch. Hmmm. Does that mean only one person is going to pass.

"At the very end of this tournament." Killua begins after seeing my confusion, and proably needing to say it out load.

"Only one of us, passes?" Gon finishes for Killua. I feel left out slightly. They are so close that they finish one another's sentences.

"Hoh oh ho hoh!" That pervert of a chairman is laughing at us. Once he starts everyone begins to freak out. If only one of us pass, I hate to think it but either Hisoka or Killua's brother will become hunter. Oh well.

"NO!" his voice resonates around the room and makes everyone one silent around him. Everyone looks at him and pause their minor freak out sessions with each other.

"One win is all you need to pass." He explains. Oh so that is how it works. I look at the board where a long strip of paper lies waiting to reveal whose fighting who. Damn that bastard he enjoys us getting antsy I swear it.

"One win?" Leorio asks for everyone. "So this tournament."

"The winners are removed from the competition, while the losers continue up the bracket." So me, Killua and Gon might get to pass along with Kurapika and Leorio.

"In other words," He moves to the center of the board and points to the top. "the person who finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?"

"So you're saying that only one person will fail. " bold guy said, I think his name was Hanzo, it wasn't a question though but a statement.

"Exactly." Strange old pervert actually sounded serious for once. I tilt my head at him. This behavior seems odd.

Everyone is silent, no further questions needed. We know the challenge, we have yet to know the opponents and if there are any rules.

"And here is the bracket." He swipes away the piece of paper which is hiding our opponents.

I look at the bracket to see the pictures which dictate our opponents. I see that Gon will be taking on Hanzo. Gon is outmatched. I look for Killua and see that his is decided by two previous matches. So is most people. This is a very strange arrangement. I look at the other end of the board, to see the other certain match. I see that Hisoka will be fighting Kurapika. I will be fighting the loser. Kurapika has potential to be strong but he lacks experience and is cocky, he believes he is stronger than me I can tell by the way that he holds himself. So I will be fighting either Hisoka or Kurapika. Usually I would say I would be fighting Kurapika since Hisoka would easily beat Kurapika, but Hisoka may just let Kurapika to win since he is such a bastard and so he can fight more.

"Impressive right? After all everyone has at least two chances to win. It's weird though since some has more chances than others.

"But some people like #294, #405, #99 and #404 get five chances." The guy with the arrows whose name I won't bother to remember

"Why didn't you use a balanced bracket?" old man asked. But he does raise a good point.

"A question that must be on everyone's mind." I get it now he just likes confusing everyone. "This bracket was assembled based on your performances throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances." That sounds off, me and Killua should be ranked higher if that's the case, higher than Gon.

Hmmm. The things they take into account must be varies things. Gon personality is better than the both of us, but in skill he is below. He knows more than me, in terms of our species, but less in survival. Killua has knowledge of both of these areas. So they must rate personality and the commitment of wanting to be a hunter. Since Gon actually wants to be a hunter he ranks higher than us. Also he a likeable person; both me and Killua enjoy his company, the assassin and the animal. Gon will need more chances anyway so I don't mind. I guess it is a show of how well you hide your true skills.

I notice Killua look confused as well, he speaks out my previous thoughts. "That doesn't sound right. Can you explain how you scored our performances?"

The pervert looks serious and closes his eyes, as if organizing his thoughts. "NO!" he shouts so suddenly yells. Shocking me and Killua and me. I jump up in shock.

Whilst Killua looks bristled at the suddenness and in anger and yells "Why not!"

"Hehehe. Your scores are classified information. So I can't tell you everything. But I can explain our methods."

"First. We consider three major criteria: physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression.

"For physical strength, we use aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception.

"For mental strength, we use an aggregate of resilience, adaptability, judgement, and creativity.

"However, this information is only used as a reference point. After all, you were strong enough to advance to the final phase. However, we are most concerned with your overall impression. This refers to any intangible factors not previous mentioned. You could consider this an evaluation of your potential as a hunter. And we also incorporate the opinion of your peers. That was our process."

I looked at Killua who looked like he was other thinking things. So I bent other to him and tried to calm his nerves. "Gon wants to be a hunter. We don't. Since we don't really want to be a hunter we won't be as good of a Hunter as him. Also it means we haven't shown our true strength. People will underestimate us. This might come in handy in the future. Besides Gon will need more chances than us, if he can't win over his opponent."

I see him brightens at the thought, and that he sees reason but I can tell it's at the back of his mind still.

"The battle rules are quite simple. Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If your opponent admits defeat, you win. However! If you kill off your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified. All remaining applicants will pass, and the exam will end. Are we clear?" this means I can't kill anyone.

Everyone is silent, letting the rules sink in and acknowledging them.

"Then, we shall begin the final exam's final phase." A random dude in a suit announces.

A man takes measured and calculated steps towards the center of the room. Once he reaches the point he wanted. He stops and face away from us, but facing the space in front of him.

"I'm Luis" he greets us all with a bow. "I have the honor of playing the referee for the tournament." He turns his attention to us. "let us begin. Will applicant #44, Hisoka, and applicant #404, Kurapika, please come forward."

I hear Hisoka chuckle slightly, he doesn't see this as a challenge in the slightest. Kurapika just stiffly walks towards the centre of the room. He is ready for a fight, but he isn't ready for a fight with Hisoka. They never actually said we had to fight though. Just that it was a tournament and the first to get their opponent to admit defeat wins. I can challenge my opponent to a challenge, which I will be sure to win, this way I won't go overboard.

"Do your best!" Gon cheers for Kurapika. He obviously now know of the strength of Hisoka to an extent. A true fight with Hisoka he wouldn't stand a chance the way he is. Though I admit he is the best position of us all. Like Gon he truly wants to be a hunter, it may be for revenge, but he has a reason. He has experience in fighting, though not as much as Killua and I. He is smart more knowledge of the world as a whole than all of us. He has more skills than Gon and … Leorio. So out of us all he I guess is the best suited to be a hunter. Though he can't match me in skills.

"Yes… and I will win!" it's good he is positive but this takes the cake! The only way he will win is if he lets him win. Which he may do. But it won't be a true win, he wouldn't be satisfied with such a win. I know Kurapika has a lot of pride, probably pride in his clan. I never paid attention to that story really.

"Baka, I told you to lose!" What a baka he has to try, you can't forfeit a match to an opponent in the wild just because they are stronger, that leads to death.

"as long as I hear the empty eyes of my people asking for revenge… I will track them down and avenge my comrades. And that is why I must become a hunter." Kurapika responds.

"Um, that's not quite what I was getting at. I'm saying don't let him move up in the tournament." Leorio fidgets as he says it. He wants to support his friend and cheer for him, but Hisoka is a risk of just fighting though everyone. I see Leorio look aguishly at me.

I blink at the sudden realization. I didn't think we were close I mean after the second stage, we didn't really spend much time together. How come he is worried about me?

I look up at him with big round blue eyes. I tilt my head in confusion. "Are you worried about me? If, should Kurapika win, I will then have to fight Hisoka?" I point to myself, to make sure he won't sure there is no confusion.

He nervously scratches the back of his head. And mutters something under his breath that I can't be bothered to catch.

"Ye. What of it. I mean if he wins then you will have to face Hisoka in a match. Aren't you worried?"

I look up to him in shock. he's worries about me? i shake my head. i will think about it later. "I'll worry later. I'm going to figure both of their fighting styles since I will fighting either of them next." a small cold smile works its way on my face as I turn back to the match.

For now I need to study the match. My opponent will be either of these two. So I perk up and decide that I should pay attention to what they do that is relevant to my match. I won't pay too much attention to the word exchange after all Hisoka is experienced; he knows how to fight with words as well as physical. I rely on instincts and environment not what is said. I focus at the two as the stand in front of each other.

Kurapika and Hisoka face one another getting ready. Hisoka is calm and relaxed, prepared for anything and not to mention thirsting for battle. He pulls out his cards, he plays with his cards waiting for Kurapika to get ready. Too slow. If this was a real battle he would be dead. I watch as Kurapika draws out his two blades. He bits down on the sheath and slowly draws out his sword. If I go against Kurapika, all I would need to do is strike fast and hard since he takes too long to prepare. And if that wasn't bad enough he closes his eyes.

"Baka." I mutter to myself, though the others may off heard it, though I don't elaborate it. After he finally unsheath his sword he removes the sheath of his second sword with his armpit, leaving several openings. Once he finally has them ready he kicks away the sheaths. He holds the swords in front of his in an X. whilst he was preparing Hisoka just kept playing with his cards. What would Kurapika done if he flung any cards before; what if he flung one when his eyes were closed. I imagine he isn't used to fighting without the use of his sight, so he would unprepared and dead.

He talks to Kurapika "they say that two swords become one in the hands of a master… Did you know?"

Hisoka suddenly purposely drops half of his cards. What's he's doing? Hisoka bends down and squats and picks up his fallen cards.

"Oops. You can't play a game with only half a deck of cards… the same goes for you. It wouldn't be fun if you lost one of your swords, so hold on tight." alarm bells went off in my head. What is he planning?

"I won't let them go." Kurapika states. "I never will."

Crap. That's a challenge if I ever heard one. He basically challenged Hisoka to make him lose a sword.

"I do hope so." Yeh he is definitely challenging Kurapika's swordsmanship now.

As soon as the words are said he toss out one of his cards towards Kurapika who charges forward. The card hits Kurapika's sword. However the card comes back like a boomerang. Kurapika simply ducks out of the way. Hisoka recaptures his card when he did. Kurapika draws in close. He swings out his blade to connect with nothing but air, as Hisoka leaps into the air with a mere second before. Cocky bastard.

Hisoka flips in the air and gracefully lands on his feet meters away from Kurapika. I admit Kurapika isn't as bad as I thought. But Hisoka is holding back. A lot. This isn't a challenge to him, this is but a game. A game?

Hisoka steps forward, that smile on his face. The one that make me want to claw at the smug bastards face. "Hey… you… There's something that might interest you."

"What is it?" seriously, do people tend to talk in battles.

"You see… You've already lost, you know?" And here I was wondering when Kurapika would notice, it shows he isn't a master with the sword the fact he wasn't aware of any damage it was taking during the battle. The card Hisoka tossed countered against the force of the sword. The card was stronger than the sword so it was forced unnaturally. This caused a crack.

"And what makes you say that!?" Kurapika yells angry at being told he has lost with barely five minutes into the match.

Hisoka grins obviously having similar thoughts to my own and chuckles at him. He looks at one on the swords, probably the crack. "Am I wrong?" Kurapika's panic is shown on his face.

As Hisoka stalks forward Kurapika retreats back. Hisoka just continues to creep forward. Kurapika leaps into the air sideways to avoid Hisoka's advancement.

"Where do you think you're going?" and leaps into the air foiling Kurapika.

Kurapika raises his swords just in time for Hisoka so slash at the weak point of the cracked sword. Striking at the damaged sword caused it to simply break.

"People often call me a magician, but I don't cast spells or anything… Actually I like to think things through scientifically. The first card was not only to put you in check… I was already calculating this outcome."

Gah! So not only does he know how to fight mentally, physically he is smart I mean 10 moves ahead smart. There is no chance on earth would I be able to beat him in a straight out fight. If he continues on though I will have to use plan B.

As I was going over plan B Kurapika pulled at the cord connecting the swords together, and snapped it. He let go of the sword. Hisoka made Kurapika willingly let go of the sword, crafty bastard. Though have to give him props though. He won that challenge hands down. Kurapika changes his stance to suit using a single blade. As he does his eyes flash red?

I tilt my head in confusion. "Why did his eyes flash red?" I mutter.

Killua grabs my shoulder to get my attention. "You don't know?" I shake my head. And I look at him to wait for the answer but I snap out of it. I still need to pay attention.

"Tell me after. I will be fighting either of these two. I should analyse their fighting styles and actions. I kinda hope Hisoka wins."

Killua looks shocked momentarily. Then looks at the board as if just realising this. I see his eyes widen just as I turn my attention back to the match.

"Hmm. So you're not going to surrender?" Hisoka questions.

"I'll tell you something that might interest you too… Losing one of my swords definitely puts me at a disadvantage. But I will more than make up for its loss with my pride!" Kurapika passionately responds.

"I see. " Hisoka seems to be too happy in that response.

"Get ready!" That seems dumb to say. I tilt my head confused why he would warn his opponent that he is ready and is going to attack. "Here I come!" Why he is obviously stronger, you shouldn't fight dashing towards him shouting about it.

"Then it can't be helped…" Kurapika swings his sword where he thinks Hisoka is. However the only thing which happens is that the sword breaks the illusion. Leaving falling cards where he thought he was. Hisoka uses his shock against him and attacks right side. His tunic takes most of the damage, however the wound on the side will hurt a bitch but won't kill. Kurapika falls to the ground.

"Damn you, Hisoka" Don't you get that if you kill your opponent, you'll be disqualified." Leorio screeches down my ear. Forcing me to listen to him.

"That's why I'm doing my best to take it easy on him. I wish he would give up quick, you know?" Why don't I quite believe those words?

Kurapika uses his sword to aid him to stand up. He manages to get to his feet. His body readies itself and he swings his sword at his head. Only for Hisoka to dodge it and move to Kurapika's now exposed side and back. He grabs Kurapika's outstretched hand and grabs his head so he has significant hold of him. He forces Kurapika's body to move to where he wants and strikes with his foot. Kicking Kurapika across the hall. He drops hard onto the ground. The force of the kick obviously winded him. Kurapika slowly and shakily stand up. He gets in his stance signalling that he is ready.

"It seems you still haven't had enough."

"No." Kurapika breathes out.

"But you would really die, you know? Are you trying to make me fail in exchange of your life?" that is a really blunt way of saying continue you will end up dead, without actually saying it. "That wouldn't be very nice. Mean spirited, wouldn't you say? Or do you seriously think you can make me admit defeat?" And wasting my time.

"Yeh, I'll make you say it… No matter what!" He dashes forward again. What is up with him by doing frontal assaults? Doesn't he know by now that doesn't work? He should really try something else. "You can break both of my swords!" did he just give him permission to break his other sword? I tilt my head confused. "Even then I won't stop!" Oh he's just saying he is as stubborn as a mule, and mules are very stubborn, it takes forever to try them to get them doing… well anything.

Kurapika swings again. Hisoka back-flips landing in a one handed handstand, away from Kurapika.

"Oopsy. That was close." He taunts. Kurapika jumps and swings at his arm. Hisoka pushes off so he's standing again. He moves back to dodge the attack to the stomach. And bends backwards to dodge the slash to the head. Hisoka merely chuckles at Kurapika's efforts. Kurapika swings upwards. However Hisoka blocks with two cards, still chuckling, he raise his right leg and strikes Kurapika at the back of his legs, forcing him to drop down. Continuing on with his momentum Hisoka swings round and goes to kick Kurapika in the head whilst he was down. Seeing this Kurapika pushes off with his legs into the air and back. Once he is a safe distance away he tries to catch his breath.

Hisoka chuckles at him and the effort that he is putting into the match. "You're trying so hard… thanks to you… I'm getting agitated again." I notice the look has changed, amusement is still there but blood lust is more prominent than before. "Why do unripe fruit… looks so tempting?" Hisoka looks like a real pervert now.

Kurapika is looking at the ground. As his head rises up I see his eyes have changed again. This time they stay. I cock my head in confusion. "Hisoka!" Kurapika is pissed off, probably of being played with and messed with.

Why does his eyes do that? I look closer they are bright red, it is a pretty colour, but I don't see anything remarkable. I see Kurapika charge forward again but this time in rage and are wilder.

Hisoka thinking that Kurapika is so lost in his rage lazily flicks a card at him. With his sword he slows the card enough for him to catch it with no damage. He then returns the card to Hisoka. The card lodges into his shoulder.

Hisoka looks at the card lodged into his shoulder impressed. He turns to Kurapika as if to say something. However Kurapika in his rage is much more rufless. Finally not talking to each other. Kurapika with as much force as he can slams the hilt of the sword into Hisoka chest. Mildly winding him and forcing him back. Hisoka manages to stay up though till he stops skidding back. Once he has stopped sliding he crouches to the floor to catch his breath.

Kurapika takes the rebreathe as well. I look uneasily at Hisoka. This isn't going to end well. He was on edge before. He must be hungry for blood now.

Hisoka removes the card from his shoulder. He looks at it closely. When he looks up I notice his eyes have changed, they are much wilder now, savaged. He looks at Kurapika and toss the card away and approaches with his arms held up to the side. Not quite surrender but a gesture of meaning no harm.

Once he near Kurapika he bends down to his ear and whispers to him I enhance my hearing so I can catch it. "I have something to tell you about the spider." The spider! I perk up at the sound of it. Hisoka knows about the spider. I wonder if he knows Chrollo. I never actually said thank you for the name, I wonder if he will pass on a message. As I think this I notice Kurapika's eyes change at the mention of spider. Hisoka leaves with a stunned Kurapika.

"Applicant #44, Hisoka! Where are you going? You're in the middle of a match." … the referee asks. I forgot his name.

"It's okay. I decided to make it to the next match. I can do that, can't I?" He asks. Damn that means I have to fight him next.

"Yeah sure… no problem. The winner of the first match is… applicant #404 Kurapika!" the referee declares.

Killua turns to me as soon as the match was declared over. "You going to be ok? You will be facing Hisoka next."

I nod my head and look at him. "Yeah I should be fine. I have an idea." I think for a moment and remember Kurapika's eyes. "Why did Kurapika eyes turn red?"

Leorio looks at me shocked for a moment then looks like he suddenly realised something. "Oh yeh you haven't seen him do that before." He nervously scratches his head. "We all saw in the third round but we were separated. When a Kurta tribesman get angry their eyes turn red. Kurapika is the last member of the Kurta clan."

I look at him. "So they only change when he is angry?"

He looks shocked but thinks and nods "Yeh I think so, it might be when they feel any emotion strongly though."

"AH ok. I was curious." I though he may be like me and be able to shift forms.

"The second match will begin thirty minutes from now. All applicants, please meet back here in time, and prepare for the second match. You are dismissed for now!"

3rd pev

Kurapika and Leorio go outside to wait for the next round to begin. Whilst outside Leorio takes the opportunity to question Kurapika about his match with Hisoka. "What did Hisoka say to you back there anyway?"

"It was about the spider." He spits out

"The Spider?"

"The spider is the symbol of the Phantom Troupe. Therefore anyone close to them refers to them by that name. I don't recall ever mentioning anything to him about the Troupe. However, it seems he somehow discovered the connection I have with them." Kurapika explains to Leorio. Other the hunter exam the two of them have become close. They have become good friends even though at the beginning they couldn't stand one another.

"He's the kind of guy who's got a lot in common with them." Leorio reasons with him.

"I have no idea what connection Hisoka has to the Troupe. But at the time, I got very interested in the information he might have." Leorio eyes his friend in concern, what if Hisoka doesn't have any information that will interest Kurapika but only things he already knows.

"The second match will begin in a few minutes. Everyone please make your way back inside." The announcement rings out for all to hear.

"Anyway, whatever the case… You've done it Kurapika!" He congratulates his friend to achieving to becoming a hunter. The first step in order for him to get revenge.

"Oh yeh, there's that." With the thoughts of the Troupe he completely missed such a realisation, he thinks to how Hisoka just let him win. He realises that this is what Gon must have felt in the fourth phase.

"Hey, what's with you? You should act a little happier! You can officially become a hunter now."

"Now that it happened, it somehow doesn't feel real. More importantly." He regrets his actions now, they were rash and he didn't think it though.

"Huh?" Leorio grunts confused on what could be more important that becoming a hunter.

"I'm sorry. I should've listened to your advice and surrendered the match. He's much to dangerous."

"Heh. Come on, you fought even with him for so long. You know, I'm willing to risk my life in this tournament, too. I can hold my own against Hisoka if we meet in the battle. Don't worry about me." He tries to comfort his friend, though happy to know he is concerned about him.

"Actually the person I'm worried about is Gon. Rochelle too, she will be the next person to fight Hisoka."

"Oh, thanks!" embarrassed by the speech he just gave being dismissed he slouch. Though he was worried now to, Rochelle who was the only girl here and was younger than Gon was to fight against Hisoka. Gon had to against Hanzo, he didn't know how strong he the guy was but couldn't help but feel nervous for Gon. Gon despite the age difference between the two, have become friends to. He worries about the little guy.