Whispers of the Sky (Hunter X Hunter)

Acceptance (Yllina's PoV)

The red string of fate will guide the lonely to the light...
-*-

The trip in the elevator was fun.

Watching Kurapika and Leorio arguing on the essence of what it means to be a hunter was interesting to watch. Luckily, they had decided to let Gon be the judge, saving me from making a very difficult decision.

Watching the trio before us, I couldn't help but want know more about them. Rhode would obviously be apprehensive of the idea, being the mother hen she is and all, but I doubt they're people with evil intentions.

Leorio may seem like a greedy person and probably a bit lecherous (with the way he turned 180 when he saw Rhode's outfit, which earned him the 'death glare' from Rhode) but I know that he isn't the type to do dirty tricks on people he considers as friends. He looks honest enough and isn't afraid to voice out his opinions and dreams.

Kurapika probably may be the most secretive of the group, the way those eyes greeted us when we first approached them, it easily made me realize how cautious of a person he was in front of people. He almost reminds me of Rhode in a way. The way they assess their surroundings and how suspicious they are of new people, they're like two peas in a pod.

Had it not been from the way Gon had greeted us, I doubt Kurapika would be this low on guard in front of us.

Speaking of Gon... To be honest, he's probably the first friend I've had around my age in a long time. His eyes that betray no evil intentions were what made me curious of him. Rhode always told me that humans are two sides of the same coin. They both have their dark side and their good side. With Gon, it was hard to find that 'dark' side Rhode spoke of. It was like he was the sun that shone brightly it was too painful to watch. He was full of energy and spoke out his opinions and curiosity all the time. He had confidence in him, something I sorely lacked which was probably why I was also drawn to him.

"Speaking of which, why did you want to be a hunter, Yllina-san?" Gon suddenly spoke up, taking me by surprise that he had decided to turn his attention to me.

Looking to Rhode, who gave me a warning gaze, I couldn't help but fidget as I played with the ends of my sleeve. Gon's expectant eyes seemed to bore into me which only caused me to gulp in guilt if I ever lied to him. Even Leorio and Kurapika had stopped arguing, their curiosity as to our reason for taking the exam probably too tempting to ignore.

I'm sorry Rhode... But I just can't lie...

"We're here to take the exam to find a treasure," I easily admitted, Rhode's betrayed gaze boring into my back which made me tense. I could already tell I'd be getting an earful from her later about trying to lay low but it's not like they'd figure out who we were if they knew our reason for being in the exam.

Besides, I'm not the one incessantly blabbing out 'Mistress' every now and then.

"Eeehhh?! A treasure hunt? What kind of treasure is it?" Gon asked curiously, his demeanor too easy to read. I sunk lower into my seat, the weight of trying not to lie eating me up. It was either I disappointed Gon or angered Rhode. Something I clearly did not want.

"We don't know, but if the Hunter's Exams held any clue to it then we'd check it out hence the reason why we're here," Rhode spoke up from behind me, her voice clipped and the explanation quick as if telling them that that was all they were getting from us.

I was relieved to have Rhode come to my rescue because I wasn't sure I could continue to keep our secret hidden any longer in front of Gon. Sadly though, her cold and distant tone made me worried that we might have made a terrible first impression. Gon might look like it didn't faze him but Leorio and Kurapika weren't as dense as Gon, they would feel it and to have them suspicious of us just sat wrong with me.

It's not like we meant any harm after all.

"An elusive treasure? Sounds fishy to me," I could hear Leorio murmur, enough for Rhode to flash him a glare causing me to tense when Kurapika looked at us suspiciously for a brief second.

*Ping*

I didn't have enough time to scold Rhode for her behavior, the elevator already signaling our arrival to our destination. With an eager look in his eyes, Gon had already made his way to the elevator's door, Kurapika and Leorio following not too far from him. I decided to join their side but Rhode had me already by the arm, her eyes telling me all that I needed to know.

With a dejected sigh, I was already resigned to my fate to say goodbye to my first new friends but for once in my life... Fate had decided to give me a little present.

"Yllina-san! Rhode-san! What are you doing over there? The exit's right over here," Gon called out, his excited and expectant gaze caught me completely off-guard. Even Rhode stiffened next to me, probably in shock that regardless of her cold treatment to the boy, she did not expect him to call out to us like that.

"Maybe they got scared and wanted to back out while we weren't looking," Leorio taunted, his eyes obviously shining in mirth at teasing us.

"No way! They were just as excited as we were, right, Yllina-san?" Gon defended us, a huge smile on his face as if he could read through us.

Which, quite susprisingly, he was right.

Of course our initial agenda wasn't forgotten but the mystery behind the famous Hunter's Exam really did make us feel excited. It was our first time leaving home without any adults to supervise us so everything we saw and did was a first for us.

I'm sure Rhode felt it too, after all, we could read each other like an open book. Rhode may look disinterested but her eyes always betrayed her true emotions.

"Of course we are just as excited! Don't sell us so short, Leorio-san!" I defended, taking Leorio by surprise at my sudden outburst. Scratching the back of his head in an embarrassed manner, he muttered a whispered apology which earned him a chuckle from his fellow friends.

"Well what are we waiting for then? Might as well see what we're up against," Kurapika finally voiced out, his movements and the small smile on his face a sign that he had decided (although still apprehensive) to accept us in his circle.

I couldn't help but reach out to grasp Rhode's hand, my own hands shaking. Our first friends in a very long time. I'm sure this time Rhode wouldn't try to stop me. To expand our bonds and meet other people. She knows the feeling of loneliness as much as I do... So she would understand.

Looking up to see her face, I noticed her eyes were closed but her grip on my hand only tightened. Slowly, she opened them, soft magenta eyes looking at the people before us. The first connection we had made in a very long time. She then turned to me afterwards, a flicker of acceptance in her magenta orbs before she nodded, her hands loosening on it's hold over mine.

A huge smile made its way to my lips, my hand taking hers again as I half-dragged her in surprise to Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio.

"Yosh! Let's go!" Gon jumped excitedly as the door swung open. Kurapika walked out first followed by Leorio who picked up his case and casually walked out. Gon remained behind, making sure we were already next to him before I felt him grasp my hand and dragged both me and Rhode outside with him, a huge smile on my face when he did so.

--*--

And there we have it! Hope you guys enjoy!