Authors Note: I initially thought I knew what Miriah's story was but then I was like "wait who are you" as I was writing.

I'm glad to be getting back into writing. Its been fun so far. Writing fanfiction as practice helps for if I want to actually write something in the future.

(Also, the last line of the chapter, is Miriah thinking to herself!)

If you have any questions or suggestion, I would love to hear them! All ocs belong to myself and my friend. The story is written by me, with little inputs by my friend! Hope you enjoy!

And Merry Christmas!

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"You know if you keep leaning over like that you might just fall overboard."

Miriah clicked her tongue in annoyance and kneeled next to Gon to whisper in his ear. The boy nodded and turned to Leorio. "Miriah said, 'are you ever going to leave me alone? Nag this, nag that.'"

"Wha-!? Hey I'm just trying to look out for you so you don't drown or something!" Leorio blurted, pointing at Miriah. He furrowed his brows, not sure how to react to her not responding to his outburst. "You know, it's really hard to tell what you're thinking with that mask on. You don't say much either!"

Kurapika sighed. "I think she has made it clear that she would rather not speak to you."

"Why you!"

"Woah! Is that Dolle Harbor!?" Gon asked, interrupting them. Miriah was glad they had finally arrived at the harbor's port. She wasn't sure how much more of this boat or a certain annoying voice she could take. The captain came out to let them know that they were on their own past this point. Whether or not they were able to get to the exam site was on them now. Miriah wasted no time in grabbing her things and leaving the boat. The feeling of dirt under her feet instead of hardwood brought her immediate joy, so she waited for a moment.

"I see that you're missing us already." Leorio snickered as he and Kurapika went up to her. Though it wasn't visible to them, Miriah rolled her eyes and turned to the two. She pointed past them at Gon, who was talking to the captain. "You're waiting for Gon too, right?" She was actually waiting for Gon and him only. "Lucky for you guys, I have information regarding the exam location!"

"What information would that be?" Kurapika asked with obvious doubt laced in his voice.

"A map to Zaban City. Which is where the exam is being held!"

"A map?" Gon tilted his head in confusion after trotting up to them. "The captain already told me about a way to get to the exam." The boy walked over to a billboard and pointed out a path. "He said to follow this path until I reach a large cedar tree. He said I'll know what to do from there."

Leorio pulled out a small paper and looked closely at it. "According to this map, that tree is in the opposite direction of Zaban."

"Could you have misheard the captain?" The Kurta asked.

"The captain must have had a reason for telling me about it." Gon answered. Miriah put her hand out in a questioning way. The boy stared for a moment before smiling. "You can come with, Miriah!"

Kurapika followed behind the two. "I'm curious about the tree as well." The three walked along the path for a while, making small talk as they went. It wasn't long before Leorio caught up with them. He started talking about how they would miss him and that the journey wouldn't be as fun without him, much to Miriah and Kurapika's disinterest.

Eventually, they reached what looked like a deserted down. A few people came out from behind the buildings and blocked their path. An old woman sat at the center. She told them that they had to take a quiz in order to pass on and explained the rules to them.

"So if we all share the same question does that mean if Kurapika gets it wrong I get it wrong too?" Leorio asked.

"That would be highly unlikely, but if the roles were reversed it would be inevitable." Kurapika snapped. The woman asked them who they would choose if they would have to choose between the life of their son or daughter. Gon, Miriah and Kurapika thought about it for a moment but Leorio was evidently confused.

"But there's no right answer to a question like that!" Leorio roared. With realization, Miriah looked to Kurapika and he nodded in return. When they were about to speak, the woman told them not to say another word or they would be disqualified. Only Leorio could answer. The woman counted down, not affected by Leorio lashing out when she reached zero. Luckily enough, Kurapika had blocked his attack and explained how they had gotten it right once Leorio calmed down. The old lady laughed in amusement.

Gon sighed heavily and fell back on his rear. "It's no use. I can't think of an answer."

"You were still trying to find an answer?" Leorio put a hand on his hip. "You can stop now."

"Huh? Why?"

"The quiz is over." Kurapika raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"I know but what if I run into a situation like that and I can only save one person… It wouldn't be right to choose just one…" The small boy stood back up. "One day that may be a choice I'd have to make. What would I do?"

Silence fell over them as Miriah walked over to Gon and ruffled his hair. "I hope that would be a choice you would never have to make." The boy looked surprised but then gave her a wide, toothy.

It had only been thirty minutes and Miriah was already irritated. Walking down a long, pitch-black tunnel with barely any light other than the light emanating at the end of it started to give her a headache. She didn't think the old lady was being literal when she said it'd take at most two hours.

"Hey Miriah, there's something I've been wondering about." Leorio inquired. "Why do you wear a mask all the time?" Miriah didn't respond at first and kept her attention forward. "You also don't talk a lot."

"I have noticed that you prefer to stay quiet as well." Kurapika added.

The raven haired girl soon let out a sigh. "Is it so wrong to want to keep my identity a secret?"

"That explains the mask, but what about you not speaking?" Leorio asked.

"I don't know who I can and can't yet. I can't assume no one would recognize my voice. Especially if someone finds me."

"Someone is looking for you?" Gon inferred. Miriah glanced at the three of them, who were staring back at her.

"I guess I could trust you with some small information." She huffed. "My mother. She's a well known treasure and poison hunter, as well as a model."

"What's her name."

"That, I will not disclose." Miriah crossed her arms. "Money and being famous meant more to her than her own friends and family, to the point where she would pay someone to get rid of us. I plan to make her suffer and give back to those she stole from."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Kurapika murmured.

Leorio scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, I agree."

"There's no need for any of that. I'm fine." She mumbled. "I just wish I hadn't been alone all that time."

Gon smiled widely and looked up at her, catching everyone's attention. "It's alright, you have us! We're your friends now!"

Miriah hesitated and gripped her arm anxiously. "Yeah… Okay."

'I have to keep my secret at all costs…'