The Otonari's Last [Draft, Discontinued]

I - the Beginning

Yawning, I step into the sunshine, glad to finally be off of that stinking train. I stretch my back, popping my spine in the process. I select a different song on my phone, and the familiar music plays through my headphones.

Alright... Maru-san told me that the restaurant was around here somewhere...

Ah, right. I should probably explain. I'm currently in Zaban city for the Hunter Exam. There are some things that I need to do, and getting a Hunter's License is the quickest way to get there.

Glancing around, I notice the large square Maru-san mentioned. I walk to its opposite side, where the restaurant stood. Stepping inside, I look at the cook behind the counter as I paused my music.

"Welcome," he said after I closed the door. Remembering what Maru-san told me, I responded.

"Is the back room available?"

"What will you have?" He halts his cooking, looking up at me.

"The steak combo that opens your eyes to the light. For one," I add.

"How would you like it?"

"Grilled over a low flame until cooked, please."

"Of course," he replies, turning back to the stove. "Let yourself in." I nod, and walk past the people eating, heading straight for the door at the back. I close it behind me and sit at the table, and the room begins to move downward. Leaning on the table, I tap my finger against my lips, bored out of my mind.

After a few minutes, the elevator-room lets out a ding. I brush off my clothes, moving to stand in front of the sliding doors as they open. Walking into the room, I take brief notice of the other participants' stares, shrugging it off immediately. A little green man walks over to me, holding out a white, circular tag with the number 38 written on it.

"Hello," he says. "Please take a number. Be sure you wear this on your chest at all times. Be careful not to lose it."

"Yes, thank you," I respond, taking the tag. He moves off to somewhere else, and I walk to one side of the room, leaning against the wall. Before I could put my headphones back on, a chubby man approaches me.

"I haven't seen you before. Are you a rookie?" he asks.

"What's it to you?" I ask suspiciously.

"Ah, nothing. I can just usually tell when there's a newbie. After all, this will be my thirty-fifth attempt. You could say that I'm an exam veteran. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. My name is Tonpa." He places his hand out to shake, and I take it cautiously.

"I'm Ara."

"Oh, right! A little something to mark our acquaintance. How about it?" He holds a can of juice out to me, and I stare at it for a few moments before placing my headphones over my ears again.

"Before I do, would you mind doing something for me?"

"Um..." He hesitates.

"Don't worry." I smile. "It's not like it's going to kill you." He relaxes.

"Yeah, okay. What do I need to do?"

"Two things. First, place two fingers on my headphones." He reaches out, gently touching them. "Second, answer my statement with true or false. Your name is Tonpa."

"True," he says, a confused look spreading across his face.

"Okay, now all I need you to do is look at me." He does, his eyes staring straight into mine. I feel my eyes go out of focus as I listen to his heartbeat, which was traveling through his fingers and into my headphones. After a moment, I blink and pull my headphones down. Tonpa's hand falls to his side.

"Okay, now what was that for?"

"Nothing, really." I leaned closer to him, my lips next to his ear. "I don't take laxatives in my drinks, but thanks for the offer." I pulled away, noting his shocked expression before starting my music back up. He stands frozen for a few more seconds, then walks off.

Hm... Talented rookies should be able to tell something is up with the juice, so watching him may be a good idea...

And that's exactly what I do. I watch Tonpa's every move, halting only when I sensed a strong opponent. Number 44. Number 99. Number 294. Number 301. My eyes stray to them as the walk into the room, glancing only momentarily before looking back to Tonpa. The fat man even went up to #99 and #294, but only one took a juice. While I was watching them, I saw the young boy's mouth twitch into a smirk.

So, he realized it, too?

The white-haired boy glances at me, and I merely stare back at him. A sudden ding from the elevator catches my attention, my eyes moving to it from the boy. I stare, along with the majority of other participants, as three boys step out of the room.

Another young one, huh? Plus two older teens...

After the green-bean-man gave them tags, Tonpa approached them. They talked for a bit, interrupted only when #44 turned another participant's arms into flower petals. After that incident, Tonpa pulled three cans of juice from his pouch and hands them to the boys.

Suddenly feeling protective, I walk calmly to the small group.

"Not these three, Tonpa," I mumble as I halt next to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. His eyes widen as he looks at me, fear etched slightly into his features.

The blonde... There's something about him...

"Boys, I suggest you don't drink those," I say, louder this time.

The youngest looks at me, confused. "Why not?"

"Tonpa here," I start, squeezing the man's shoulder tightly, "poisoned them with a strong laxative. He doesn't want you to participate in the Exam." The oldest of the boys looks at Tonpa with a shocked expression. The youngest smells the now-opened can, takes a small sip, then spits it back out.

"Yeah, it definitely doesn't taste right," he says, turning the can over to pour it out. The blonde boy does the same, followed by the oldest.

"Now, Tonpa, I suggest that you take your leave." I turn to face him slightly, grinning at him threateningly. His eyes widen even further, and he quickly scampers off.

"So, kid," I say, turning back to the boy. "How did you know that the juice wasn't good?"

"I've sampled all kinds of mountain grasses and plants, so I can usually taste when something's bad," he responds, grinning. "I'm Gon. This is Kurapika, and that's Leorio."

"You can call me Ara," I say, smiling and waving. "It's nice to meet you all."

"How did you know?" Kurapika asks. "About the juice, I mean."

"Oh, Tonpa tried to get me earlier. You could say that I have a good intuition," I answered, scratching the back of my neck.

"Cool! Were you able to tell that there was something in the juice by just looking at it?" Gon asks excitedly.

"Yeah, something like that," I chuckle, ruffling his hair. A bell suddenly goes off, and I turn toward the noise. The alarm shuts off, and one of the walls begins to raise up, opening the room to a seemingly endless passageway. Standing behind the wall was a tall man with a dark purple suit and lighter purple hair.

"I apologize for the wait," he says. "The entry period for Hunter applicants has ended. The Hunter Exam will now begin!" I notice the crowd stand a little taller; all of the participants were eager to start, myself included. "A final caution. If you are short on luck or ability, you could very well end up seriously injured or even dead. Those who accept the risks, please follow me. Otherwise, please exit via the elevator behind you." Nobody moves, so he continues. "Very well. All 404 applicants will participate in Phase One." The man abruptly turns and begins walking.