The Clown & his Loyal Dog

Chapter 1

I yawn,  stepping out of bed. I stretch, before going into my bathroom. I brush my hair and teeth, and change clothes. I got a shower last night, so I'm clean.

I look around my room. I hop on my computer, starting my boring job of editing for an author.

The next time I check the clock, it's 3 pm. I sigh, standing.

____~____

I walk through the streets of the city I've always known, headed toward my favorite restaurant.

I enter, warmly greeted by the owner. I begin to order.

"Hey man. I need a break. Are there any empty rooms?"

He looks at me funny.

"Can I get your order?"

"Oh yeah. Can I get um.. an illuminating steak set lunch for three?" Leftovers for the next day or so, so I don't have to leave my house more.

"For three?" He looks at me funny again.

"Yes please."

"How do you want it cooked?"

"Grilled slowly over a low flame till done, please." The longer I'm out of the house, the better.

"See yourself to the backroom."

I enter the backroom. I wait for a bit, before the room starts to feel as if it's moving.

"I guess I'm dizzy..?"

I sit down, and wait for a while. Suddenly, the doors I came in from open, to reveal a large tunnel and hundreds of people.

A little green thing approaches, handing me a badge marked 406.

I look around, absolutely confused. A little boy wearing green accidentally bumps into me.

"Oh, sorry!" He says, looking up at me. He seems to notice my worried face.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"

"Ah.. no. I.. um.. where..?? what..? What's happening?? All I did was order a steak set...?"

"Did you forget? You're at the hunter exam!"

"I-" A loud scream cuts me off, everyone's heads turning toward the source. I push through, trying to see what's happening. A man writhes in pain on the floor, as beautiful red flower petals float away. I back up in terror, into someone's chest.

"Oh dear. His arms have turned into flower petals. Now you see them, now you don't."

I flinch at the malicious voice, turning around to see a tall, golden eyed magician staring down at me. I squeak, much like a mouse, shrinking back in fear.

"You really should apologize if you bump into someone y'know~"

I tremble in fear, stuttering out a weak apology.

"Speak up, little mouse." He seems to be making fun of me...?

"S..so sorry.. m-mr.. sir.. for b-bumping into you..."

"There we go. Run along now~"

I do so, making a run for Gon, as if this little boy would protect me.

"Wow Kazuya! You're so fast!"

"O-oh.. Well I did do track in high school."

The examiner appears, has a short speech, and asks us to follow him.

Everyone starts running after the tall man, who Introduced himself as Satotz, and so do I. There's no chance I can leave, since this will be a break from work. I speedwalk, only using about 30% of my speed, yet still being relatively in the front.

I feel golden eyes on me, yet I can't pin down his location. I look around, unwittingly, and end up making direct eye contact with the magician.

A little boy holding a computer starts to fall behind, almost running into me. The magician comes to my rescue, keeping me from tripping on the child.

"Poor boy~ Couldn't handle even the first phase."

"Hey. Show some respect, at least he made it here. I didn't even want to be here."

"Oh?" His sharp eyebrow perks. "Then why are you here?"

"I ordered the steak set that was the password for the hunter exam elevator I guess.."

"Why didn't you leave when he said you could drop out before we started running?"

"He said what?!? Gon was talking! I didn't even hear that!"

I sigh, speeding up to about 70% as Satotz picks up the pace.

"We'll be done soon, I think. Otherwise he wouldn't have-"

Gon and a little white haired boy run past me and the magician.

"Hi Kazuya!" Gon shouts as he runs past.

"Oh? So your name is Kazuya?"

"Oh. Yeah. I forgot to introduce myself, sorry. I'm Kazuya Kuroshio."

"I'm Hisoka Morrow."

The bright light of the shining sun blinds me as we exit the tunnel, Satotz standing still. I assume this means this is a rest stop. The white haired boy and Gon look at me funny as they see me with Hisoka, yet Gon still approaches.

"Wow Kazuya! I didn't think you'd make it this far, since you didn't wanna be a hunter in the first place!"

"Hey! That was kinda mean!"

"Oh! Sorry! Oh yeah! This is Killua!"

"Hi Killua!" I smile, extending my hand out to shake Killua's. He doesn't shake mine. Hisoka chimes in front behind me.

"Don't be rude~ Shake his hand, Killua."

"Nono, it's okay."

"Shake his hand."

"Hisoka, step off."

A loud, locust-clicking-like sound resounds as a tall, gangly man approaches. I hide behind Hisoka a bit. The tall man pulls Hisoka away.

Suddenly, a man yells out for us to not trust Satotz.

"He's a man-faced ape!" He holds up a dead monkey-thing.

A few seconds later, the man is cut off by two playing cards puncturing his chest, and one in his face. Three more fly towards Satotz, who catches them effortlessly.

"Well, it's settled. He is the real examiner."

I turn to Leorio, and whisper.

"Now I'm not gonna admit this to anyone else, but why the hell is this magician so fine??"

Leorio looks at me funny, and backs up.

I roll my eyes.