The Otonari's Last (Hunter X Hunter Fanfic) [Indefinite Hiatus]

I - the Beginning

Yawning, I step out of the train station and into the bright sunshine. I slip my headphones onto my neck and stretch my back before turning to my travel companion.

"Thanks again, Nori," I tell the green-haired male with a smile.

"Not a problem, Ara," he says, ruffling my brown hair. "I owe your aunt for saving my life last year. It's the least I could do."

"We're not done just yet," I chuckle. "You've yet to get me to the exam site."

"Yeah, yeah," he laughs, nodding his head in the direction of the opposite side of the square we found ourselves in. "Come on, it's this way." As we head toward a small restaurant, my mind drifts and I rub the pink tips of my hair between my fingers.

When I first got the idea of taking the Hunter Exam three years ago, Aunt Maru initially refused. She relented after I kept begging, but forced me to undergo training with her for the past eight months so I wouldn't 'get myself killed just on the way there' - Maru's words, not mine. She got in contact with an old Navigator friend of hers when the time for the exam rolled around and got him to lead me to the site, but only after I passed his little test.

So here I am in Zaban City on my way to get a Hunter's License.

Nori leads me into the restaurant, where the smell of sizzling meat drifts into my nose. I glance around the place, taking in all of the people inside. Nori closes the door before approaching the chef behind the counter on our right.

"Welcome," the chef greets.

"Is the back room available?" Nori questions. The chef halts his cooking, looking up at the two of us.

"What will you have?"

"The steak combo that opens your eyes to the light," my companion answers, then adds, "For one."

"How would you like it?"

"Grilled over a low flame until cooked."

"Of course," the older man replies, returning to the stove. "Go ahead and let yourselves in." Nori nods, placing a hand on my back to guide me to the back of the restaurant. I open the door he nudges me forward to walk inside the rather large private room.

"Alright," Nori says, leaning against the doorframe. "I've done my job. You do good, okay? And don't complain to Maru if you fail."

I gasp with a hand over my heart, feigning offense. "I can't believe you would insinuate such a thing!" He chuckles, rolling his eyes at me. "I'll see you later."

"You better," he teases. Nori waves once before closing the door, leaving me alone. I jump slightly when the room gives a little creak and begins its descent. I sit quickly to avoid falling over.

The elevator arrives with a light ding, the doors sliding open to reveal a tunnel built with concrete blocks. It reminds me of a sewer mixed with a war bunker. I leave the elevator, ignoring the stares of the other participants.

"Hello," a voice greets. I look down to see a little green man with a round head holding out a circular tag with the number 38 written on it. "Please take a number. Be sure to wear this on your chest at all times and be very careful not to lose it."

"Thank you," I tell him, taking the tag and pinning it to my shirt. He nods in approval before gesturing me further into the room. I walk to the right side of the tunnel, leaning against the wall. Before I can pull my headphones on, a chubby man approaches me with a smile.

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

"Is it obvious or are you a veteran?" I question, crossing my arms.