Chapter Text
All you could think was “I want out”
The cavern was full of people of all shapes and sizes, and extreme tension. Like what the fuck was with the bloodlust oozing off that clown guy? You had committed to taking the Hunters Exam years ago, you had finally deemed yourself ready this past year. From learning martial arts in Japon to developing your nen where ever you could find worthy opponents. Coupled with everything in between, including a brief stint in the Zoldyks house learning assassin techniques.
So you pushed down your internal screaming and schooled your face into stone. The exam would begin soon and showing weakness of any kind would be a mistake. A point that was further punctuated by the disqualification of a man whose arms turned into flower petals. Strangely, it was oddly pretty. Clown guy made some idle threat and stalked off, his bloodlust satisfied for now.
Yikes, you thought. Instinctively touching the cloth that covered your eyes, you moved to the opposite side of the room from that lunatic.
Which brought you to run into a group of newcomers, the last by the looks of it. They consisted of a young boy in bright green, a blonde with a very serious expression, and a tall older looking man with a slight goatee.
Interesting group to come together you wondered. The blond’s presence felt more pained than the others like he marinated in it rather than bottled it up the older gentleman, and the boy felt almost like pure sunshine. It was blinding, bad joke since you were blind but you found it funny. Still, you felt kinship from all. Making them good potential allies, so you approached. Interrupting a fat old dude trying to pawn off spiked drinks.
“Might I suggest not drinking anything this man offers you?” you said sweetly.
The older ones looked at you with surprise, the blond suspicion, and the boy with confusion.
“Might I ask why?” questioned the blond.
“Because I’m afraid the drinks have gone bad and might hinder your participation going forward,” you answered turning your head to look pointedly at the blond.
As they all poured out the cans they had been holding, the fat one apologized profusely before scurrying off. You smiled politely at the remaining boys and gave a small bow, hand across your chest. An old habit from your time in Japon.
“I’m Y/n, nice to meet you all.”
The boy spoke up first, shooting his hand up in the air as greeting. “I’m Gon! Nice ta meet ya!”
You laughed. Adorable.
The older gentleman spoke next. “And I’m Leorio!” he smirked.
You nodded. He was gonna be trouble eventually you just knew it.
Blondy spoke last, with all the integrity of a noble, he gave you a straight-armed bow. “I am Kurapika. Thank you for that warning earlier, it was most helpful.”
Ah. So he understood what you meant. The other two looked a little confused at the vague comment but dismissed it when a strange man with purple hair appeared.
He introduced himself as the examiner for the first phase of the exam, then proceeded to turn and stride back through the way he came indicating we were to follow him. Walking soon turned to a jog and a jog into a run. Many dropped out the further we had to run, but you were able to distract yourself by talking to your new acquaintances.
Another development occurred with the sudden appearance of a white-haired boy riding a skateboard, who took instantly to Gon.
White hair, blue eyes, cold aura, but still harboring childlikeness inside. Oh My God.
You faltered in your stride, almost face-planting if Kurapika hadn’t caught you by the elbow and pulled you up. Thankful, you flashed him a smile. Were you imagining things or did his cheeks flush a little before he turned his face away? A little tidbit to ponder later perhaps.
“Nice to see you recognize me Killua,” you said.
The boy in question looked up from his conversation with Gon to squint at your face. After a moment, recognition dawned on his cute face.
“Batty! You finally decided to take it!” he said.
“Her name’s not Batty Killua, it’s Y/n.” Gon said, admonishing his new friend.
Oh, this sweet summer child was going to be that death of you.
“It’s okay Gon, that’s just Killua’s nickname for me. After all, I am blind.”
At that everyone except you and Killua faltered and barely missed eating dirt. You both laughed together and high-fived, it was too much fun doing that to people. They were fine though, catching up to you two a not more than a minute later.
Kurapika was the first to speak this time. He obviously chose his words very carefully.
“To be honest, that should have surprised me less than it did. But with the way you act you appeared to be completely aware of your surroundings.”
The other two echoed similar sentiments.
“In a way I am. I can see all of you as well as everything in front of me and behind me. A full 360 range of vision if you will. From the staircase, we are about to go up to the smallest crack in the stone floor beneath our feet.”
“How?” asked Leorio, astonished.
You gave him a wide smile. “Secret. At least, for now.”
This answer obviously didn’t satisfy anyone but Gon, who nodded and moved onto another subject with Killua. The boys donned mischievous grins and shot forward, bounding up the steps at incredible speed.
“Damn their youth.” Leorio panted.