I shift on my feet, tail wagging uncontrollably as I wait for the room to stop.

I finally made it to the Exam site after a day or two of searching and completing some tests.

A loud bang sounds as the room halts.

Exhilarated, my eyes widen as the door opens to reveal fifty or so people staring at me.

My tail instantly ceases movement as everyone looks at me.

They don't seem very happy... the atmosphere is intense!

A green bean-looking man comes up to me. He smiles wide and hands me a badge with the number fifty inked on it.

"Thank you," I say automatically.

"This is your number. Please wear it on your chest at all times and be careful not to lose it," he informs me as I nod. "The Exam will not be starting for quite some time."

"Okie-dokie! Thanks, sir!" I grin as he walks away.

By now, everyone is minding their own business, so I look around the room again. I don't see Hanzo, but I do see a bunch of rough-looking men.

I readjust my backpack and start to walk towards the wall where I can rest.

My path is blocked by a smiling man in a blue vest, "Hi there! I'm Tonpa!"

"Hi, I'm Y/n!"

"This must be your first time, right?"

Returning his friendly grin, I nod, "What about you?"

"This is my thirty-fifth attempt."

You'd think he'd have passed by now.

"That's a lot!"

"I'm a Hunter Exam veteran," he boasts.

I frown, "Is that something to be proud of?"

His happy facade flickers at my blunt question.

"Anyways, you look thirsty, here."

He hands me a soda, his amicable expression back.

My eyes light up as I take the can, "Thank you!"

Cracking it open, I bring it to my mouth only to pause and stare at it. "Why's it funny?"

Tonpa visibly sweats, "What are you talking about?"

A low growl sounds in the back of my throat, drawing the other contestants attention. I sniff the drink again, now certain that it's been tampered with.

Eyes narrowed, I throw the can back to Tonpa.

"You're trying to poison me? And we've only just met," I say, disappointed. "You're not very nice, y'know."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he stammers, stepping back from me.

I chuckle lowly, balling my hands into fists, "And now you're lying."

He turns around, desperate to leave the situation. He regrets mistaking me for a chump, no doubt. I'll teach him that I'm not to be messed with.

I snatch the back of his shirt, dragging him back to me before turning him around. He cowers before me as others watch.

Bringing my fist back, I ignore his pitiful pleas, slamming my knuckles against his face. He flies back and lands in a heap on the ground.

I kick the long-forgotten soda can at him and walk away, my good mood now spoiled.

What a jerk. Poisoning someone for no reason.

Huffing, I take off my pack and lean against the wall, sliding down so that I am seated comfortably.

I scan the crowd again, making eye contact with a fuchsia-haired male.

He's wearing an outfit reminiscent of a clown or jester, complete with star/teardrop painted cheeks.

He's actually quite hot.

Yellow eyes pierce my own before I break the link, turning my head away from the tall stranger.

I wrap my tail around so it sits on my lap, my ears picking up all the chatter around me.

Hopefully the Exam starts soon or I'll die of boredom.

My eyes flicker shut as my exhaustion catches up with me. I'm not exactly following a rigid sleep schedule, after all. So, I sleep whenever I can.

•••

Slowly, my ear twitches as I wake up. Something's different...

There are way more people here than before, around three hundred. The tense atmosphere hasn't changed a bit, though.

Groaning, I stretch out my legs and arms, startled when I accidentally smack someone's chest.

Eyes wide, I take in the appearance of a scary man. He has a blue mohawk, red eyes, and large golden pins sticking in his face.

Are those things painful?

"Sorry! Didn't realize you were there. I'm Y/n!"

A clicking noise sounds as he turns his head to look at me. In a distorted sort of voice, he introduces himself, "Gittarackur."

"Nice to meet you!"

Silence overtakes is both as I struggle to think of conversation starters. I eventually give up and try to think about how I might know him.

He smells familiar. Like mint and disinfectant, or something...

As I think, I tug off my hoodie and shove it in my backpack. There's not a lot in my pack, just an extra set of clothes, some weapons, a water bottle, and food.

My stomach rumbles, alerting me to my hunger. Laughing at the noise, I take out some beef jerky and dig in. I look towards Gittarackur, "Want some?"

He eyes it and then shakes his head.

"Your loss," I shrug and finish off the few strips of meat.

I look around for a garbage can and wouldn't you know it's on the other side of the bunker.

Heaving a sigh, I stand and shoulder my backpack, "See ya, Gittarackur."

I feel his eyes on me as I walk through the thick crowd, determined to avoid bumping into anyone.

Unfortunately, luck is never on my side.

Ramming into a solid foundation, I glance upwards to see a displeased man staring down at me. It's the jester looking dude.

"Ah, sorry," I say quickly, bowing my head. "I didn't mean to, it's just so crowded here, y'know. I promise it won't happen again!"

His stone-cold look fades into an easy grin, "It's alright~"

"I'm Y/n!" I recover from my embarrassment, looking up at him again.

"I'm Hisoka."

"Nice to meet you! Gotta say I'm loving the look! Your face paint is great!" I smile with closed eyes before remembering my mission.

"I saw you hit that man," he says before I can sneak past.

I tilt my head before I remember the incident with Tonpa, "Oh, I almost forgot. Sorry if it disturbed you, it's just, he was trying to poison me."

My ears sink low as I recall Tonpa's underhanded deed.

Hisoka smiles, "It didn't bother me, I was impressed. Good job, little puppy~"

He pats my head, avoiding my soft ears.

I frown thoughtfully, "I'm not a- oh is that a nickname?"

My frown blooms into a smile, "I've never had a nickname before!"

He chuckles, removing his hand from my head. I think for a moment, "I'll come up with a nickname for you too!"

"If you want~"

After a moment, I mumble, "Hmm, Hiso-kun? How about that?"

"Sure, pup."

"Alright, Hiso-kun! I will see you later!"

Slipping past other examinees, I toss my trash away and start walking back to my spot. On the way there, I see Hanzo standing by himself.

"Hey, Hanzo!" I greet, "You made it!"

He narrows his eyes, trying to figure out how he knows me.

"Y/n?"

"Yup, that's me! I decided to join the Exam after you told me about it!"

"Really? Why?"

I tilt my head, "Why not?"

He stares at me in disbelief before I say farewell and go back to sitting down and watching new people walk in.

•••

Now there are four hundred or so examinees, and I'm bored out of my mind.

Three new people stumble in, commenting on the intense atmosphere of the room as everyone stares at them.

I observe them.

A boy with spiky hair and a green outfit, a taller man with glasses and a suit, and a blond with a blue tabard and a red earring.

Interesting looking characters. The boy seems chipper.

I growl as Tonpa makes his way to the newcomers, certainly about to try to trick them into drinking his tainted sodas.

My mouth curves into a smile as I watch them spit out their drinks, foiling Tonpa's plans.

They're smart enough to know the drinks were poisoned.

I keep watching, but my attention is turned elsewhere as a man screams out in agony.

Flower petals flutter through the air as the man's arms disappear. I watch with great interest, curious as to what happened.

"When you bump into someone, you really should apologize," Hisoka states, sending a smirk your way.

I mean, can't argue with that logic.

Smiling back at Hisoka, I notice Gittarackur staring at the clown as well.

"He's powerful," I note.

"Indeed," answers the odd voice belonging to the odd man.

Humming, I lean back again, awaiting the First Phase of the Exam.