The lesser or two evils

Hunter Exam: Final Phase

The week spent on the island flew by, and after being gifted my three points I went back to the docks where the boat had dropped us off to wait for Kill. I summoned the wolf who had hidden my badge for me, to meet me at the docks, providing me an extra sense of protection.

Kill joined me on day 3 showing me that he had also achieved in getting his 6 points. When the week, and phase 4 had ended, I was happy to see that Gon, his two friends and Hanzo had also all managed to acquire the 6 points they each needed to pass. Hisoka, Pin Face, an old man, and a kid in a hat had also made it to the final phase.

Walking through the hallway of the hotel we were all staying at, Kill and I listened to Gon as he told us about how Hisoka had given him his badge, after killing the contestant who was after Gon's Badge.

"Gon, you should still be proud of yourself. You were able to blind side him and grab his badge!" I tried to cheer up the young boy. "Ya! Who cares if someone else blindsided you."  I smacked the back of Kill's head and gave him a frown. "Kill that isn't helping" I scolded.

"ATTENTION EXAMINEES" Satotz's voice bombed over the hotel speaker. "Congratulations on making it to the final phase of the Hunter Exam. Before the phase begins, Chairman Netero would like to have a one on one meeting with all of you. Contestant (Y/N), you are up first! Please begin to make your way over to the conference room right away!"

I let out an annoyed tsk, and rolled my eyes dramatically. "What is that sneaky old man up to?" I wondered out loud. I waved at the two young boys, and went on my way. The bright blue carpet that lined the hallway was stained and dirty, while the red walls looked freshly painted. I knocked on the wooden door and then let myself in not really caring to wait for a come in. The old man turned around in his swivel chair to face me.

"(Y/N)! I had no doubt in my mind that you would make it this far. How did you find the exam?" He asked, his face beaming with a proud smile. "Considering my whole childhood was spent with you preparing me for this stupid exam? I found it stupidly easy."

The chilly tone of my voice caused him to frown. He pointed towards the empty beige wicker chair, across from his messy desk, trying to get me to sit."Now, why are you really having meetings with all of the contestants?" I crossed my arms, and shot a glare at him, refusing to sit in the provided chair.

"Oh come on. Is that really how you treat the man who raised you? After not seeing him for....what has it been? 7 years?" He joked trying to lighten the mood in the room. His little joke though had the opposite effect, and I was tired of trying  to control my temper.

"Yes Grandfather!" I threw my arms up in the air to exaggerate my point. "It has been 7 long years since you convinced your best friend Zeno Zoldyck to take me in as the Zoldyck's nanny." His eyes softened in understanding. A part of me blamed him for the path my life had taken. He was the one who convinced me to take the nannying job, the job that caused Illumi and I's paths to cross, and ultimately intertwine.

"7 long years of me putting up with Kikyo's bullshit." I huffed as a single frustrated tear slid down my left cheek. "7 years of me doing everything I could to raise Killua! 7 years of knowing I could never interfere with his assassin training, no matter how much pain he was in, because I loved him like he was my own child, and I was terrified if I tried to stop it, they would never let me see him again!"

I was shouting at him now, and he was letting me. Every emotion I had felt over the last month, rage, frustration, sadness, agony and heartbreak, He was letting me take out all my emotional pain on him, even though he had done nothing to deserve it.

"Seven fucking years of me giving every ounce of love in my heart to Illumi." my voice cracked, and I collapsed into the chair now sobbing. I heard him stand up and walk towards me. His hand gently grabbed my shoulder, giving it a little squeeze, sending me some comfort. "I'm so sorry about you and Illumi." He reached down and let me cry in his chest. There was no judgment in his voice when he spoke.