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

III - the Second Phase

As the clown-like participant that I only know by his tag number - 44 - nears me, I jump off the ground with a glare in his direction.

"I'm not going to ask, but if it happens again..." I start in a low voice when he gets within earshot, "It'll be your neck I go after."

He clicks his tongue warningly. "Watch who you use such threatening words on, girl. After all, don't you remember what happened just a few hours ago?" I grit my teeth upon remembering the two incidents he was referring to, but I don't say anything else. He smirks, setting Leorio down against the tree. "Smart, keeping your mouth shut."

Thankfully, he turns and walks away. I mumble his last words mockingly under my breath while checking Leorio's injuries. Deciding they weren't too bad, I watched the treeline for Kurapika and Gon. I spot them a few minutes later and wave them over just as Leorio starts to stir from unconsciousness.

"Leorio!" Gon exclaims happily, running to us.

"Man, that stings," Leorio groans, watching as Gon sets his briefcase on the ground next to him. "Why am I all beat up? My memory is kinda hazy." I notice Kurapika lean over and whisper something to Gon, and the younger boy nods seemingly in agreement.

"Gon!" Killua calls, returning from the crowd.

"Killua!"

"I can't believe you actually got here," Killua admits. "I thought you were done for."

"I just tracked Leorio's cologne," the black-haired boy replies, nonchalant. I shoot Kurapika an incredulous look, but the blond merely shrugs.

"Cologne? That was how? You definitely are weird." I laugh at Killua's teasing, and Kurapika chuckles from beside me.

"Excellent work, everyone," Satotz announces, drawing our attention to where he stood in front of the doors. "Phase Two of the exam will occur here, in the Viska Forest Park. So, I shall take my leave. Best of luck to all of you." With that, he walks off back into the forest.

I shudder, muttering to Kurapika, "He's crazy to go back in there voluntarily." Kurapika nods in complete agreement. We turn back to the polished wooden doors as they slowly slide open, revealing a courtyard a large mansion-like building on the other side.

"Will all the applicants who passed the First Phase please enter?" a feminine voice calls. I share a curious look with the boys before following the rest of the crowd inside, gathering around the steps in front of a woman with minty-green hair and a much heavier man. "Welcome. I'm Menchi, the Second Phase examiner."

"And I'm Buhara, the other examiner," says the man. I stand between Kurapika and Leorio, my arms crossed while waiting patiently for them to give us our task. I almost jump when a loud grumble rings out, but Menchi merely looks behind her to Buhara.

"You must be hungry," she says.

"I'm starving..."

"There you have it." Menchi stands from her spot on the couch. "Phase Two will involve...cooking!"

"Cooking?" someone asks.

"Wait! Cooking?" another participant closeby yells. I glance to where the voice was coming from and catch a glimpse of the tag on his chest - 255. "We're here to take the Hunter Exam!"

"That's quite right," Menchi agrees. "Your challenge for the Second Phase is to produce a dish that will satisfy our palate."

"Why do we have to cook?" comes another competitor.

"That's because we are Gourmet Hunters."

"Huh?" The same man from before, 255, laughs loudly and several other people laugh with him. I notice Menchi sigh. "So, Gourmet Hunters, what are we supposed to make."