"I like your moustache," I say to the examiner as more people reach the end of the stairs, "It's pretty cool!"

"Thank you."

I notice Leorio is now shirtless, huffing and puffing as Kurapika comes up behind him. Making my way over to them, I overhear Gon telling the two about how the First Phase isn't over yet.

"Satotz-san said we have a ways to go yet," I comment, butting into their conversation.

My e/c eyes scan the surrounding area, taking note of how the fog begins to clear. Kurapika also notices.

"The fog is lifting."

The smog dissipates, revealing marshlands as birds take to the sky in an uproar. I stare at the birds, licking my lips as hunger shakes my stomach.

Too bad there's no time for hunting, I sulk.

Satotz starts talking, "-also known as Swindlers Swamp. We must cross it to reach Phase Two of the Exam. This place is home to a variety of strange and bizarre animals, many of which are crafty creatures who deceive and feast on human prey."

Ooh, excellent.

"So please be very careful."

He turns and points a finger in the air, "If you're deceived, you'll surely die."

Obviously.

The way behind us is sealed as a man struggles to pass through, ending up trapped behind the door.

Sucks to be him.

"These wetland creatures are not to be underestimated, for they will use every trick in the book to fool their prey. This is an ecosystem where all creatures hunt by the art of deception. That is why it is also known as Swindlers Swamp."

I listen intently, snickering at peoples' shocked gasps. As if they had no clue animals could be crafty and deceptive.

"Now then," he turns away again, "Please follow me closely so you won't be deceived."

I skip to where Satotz stands, ready to get on with it.

A sudden shout stops anyone from moving.

"Don't fall for it!"

A man appears from around the corner, looking pretty beat up, "Don't let them fool you. He's lying. That man has lied to you!"

The guy points an accusing finger towards Satotz-san. I raise a brow, now standing directly beside the examiner.

"He's an imposter! A total fraud! I'm the real examiner!"

Ha, I don't believe that for a second.

"I'll prove it!" He drags a Satotz lookalike from around the corner, "This is a man-faced ape! They love  the taste of human flesh but their limbs are very thin and long so they're actually quite weak. That's why they disguise themselves as humans. They trick us into following them into the wetlands where they work together with other creatures to kill and eat us."

I shake my head, is anyone believing this guy?

"That's what he wants! To deceive the entire Hunter applicant pool and feast on every one of you!"

Hanzo adds his insight, "That would explain why he doesn't walk like a normal human."

Apparently, some people believe this newcomer.

My eyes sparkle with interest as cards fly towards the imposter, Satotz, and me.

I catch the card directed towards me, the ace of spades, between two of my fingers, the examiner beside me doing the same.

Scoffing, I observe the true imposter collapse with a thud, the cards sticking out of his chest morbidly.

All eyes turn to Hisoka as he chuckles and shuffled his deck of cards.

"I see, I see~ that settles it then. So you are the real one."

Satotz tosses away the cards, unfazed. Meanwhile, I observe the card in my hands before tucking my newly claimed treasure into my pack.

"The examiners are Hunters, each is handpicked by the exam committee to do this job without pay. Anyone who holds the title we're vying for ourselves could have deflected that attack. And quite easily I might add," Hisoka lectures.

"I shall take that as a compliment," Satotz replies. "Still, should you choose to attack me again for any reason, I will have no choice but to report you for attacking an examiner and have you immediately disqualified. Is that clear?"

"Sure~"

I've realized that this magician is seldom without a smirk or grin, something that adds to his character.

My tail twitches as birds descend upon the dead man, tearing into his flesh. The sight and sounds are enough to make my stomach rumble.

When did I last eat?

"Nature can be so brutal," Leorio remarks.

I sneak through the crowd, swiftly snatching one of the birds in my sharp claws. A low growl escapes me as I snap its neck with ease.

Mouth watering, I clamp my teeth in its warm body, ripping through flesh and chewing with half-closed eyes. I spit out some feathers, completely ignoring the disgusted stares of almost everyone present.

Leorio looks like he's about to puke and even Hisoka looks taken aback.

"Sorry, I'm hungry," I mutter, tossing the rest of the bird away and wiping my mouth.

"As I was saying," Satotz regains everyone's attention, "These attempts are to be expected. Please be aware that you will encounter such deceptions on a regular basis."

He begins walking away.

"I must assume a number of you were fooled into suspecting my true identity."

Hanzo and Leorio chuckle nervously.

"Understand? I want to make it abundantly clear that if any of you are to lose sight of me once we enter the fog of the wetlands, you have no hope whatsoever of reaching the Second Phase of the Exam. You've been warned. Now, let's begin. Please follow me."

He starts off again, everyone trailing after him. Fear is now stuck in many of their hearts, but I remain unafraid.

The ground beneath my feet is mucky and is getting my shoes wet. Overall, not a pleasant experience.

"Pay attention now, remember to stay close behind me," Satotz reminds everyone.

There's not much time to chat as the swamp seems to grow more menacing with each step.

The mist swirls around us and thickens as a bird crows loudly. I slow down, trying to reach Hisoka so that I can ask why he threw a card at me. I finally find a spot beside him, keeping a steady pace.

Before I can speak, I overhear some people talking.

"Alright, this is our chance. We'll take advantage of this fog and get rid of him."

Get rid of who, I wonder?

Ahead of us, Gon and Killua converse shortly before Gon yells, "Leorio, Kurapika, Killua says we should head to the front!"

"Idiot! If I could I would be up there already!"

Kurapika shakes his head at Leorio's antics, "Go ahead, we'll be fine."

I watch as they race away, my fur bristling from the intense atmosphere surrounding Hisoka and the men behind us.

All the while, the magician's grin never falters, something that makes a smile form on my own face.

Racing through the forested swamp, I notice people beginning to disappear as screams of terror sound from all angles.

Dodging a giant tortoise, I nimbly avoid any dangerous scenarios as I continue running.

By now, I've lost sight of Satotz, but I can smell the distinct scent of Hisoka. He smells like bubblegum and sweet energy drinks or something.

So, I follow that, trusting my instincts.

I find Hisoka standing in a misty clearing, surrounded by multiple men with weapons.

"When I saw you last year, I knew you weren't Hunter material," one man with a ponytail says.

"We'll spare you if you swear not to take the Exam again," a different one says.

"Sure~"

It's at this moment I notice Leorio and Kurapika not too far away from me watching this all play out. I also notice just how sexy Hisoka's voice is.

"I'm passing the Exam this year, so I won't need to retake it."

So confident!

"Huh? Idiot! Look at this fog. It's impossible to determine which direction the main pack went!"

Ha, only if you're stupid, I suppress a snort of laughter.

"Meaning we've all failed the Exam!"

Speak for yourself.

"So that's why. Having already failed, you wish to play examiner. Hunters require prey. Why don't I play examiner... and judge whether you are Hunter material?"

His eyes open as a smile spreads on his lips, holding up a card.

"Shut up!"

The men charge simultaneously as I watch with growing wonder.

Dramatically, Hisoka wields his card and sweeps it in a circle, successfully killing all the men but one.

"Now then," he says, walking to the cowering man and stabbing him through the back of his head as he pleads for help.

Ooh, merciless.

I turn and observe Kirapika and Leorio's frightened expressions.

"Well," Hisoka murmurs, staring straight at the two men, "How about you two?"

I frown slightly. Has he not noticed me?

I suppose my aura is concealed right now thanks to my Zetsu, and I am hidden from his sight... that could explain my exclusion.

"Here to play examiner?"

Hisoka start to calmly walk towards them as Kurapika whispers something to Leorio. I can't quite hear what they're saying, much to my dismay.

The magician pulls another card from thin air as I watch with bated breath.

"Now, run!"

The two take off in different directions.

"Hmm, I see~ A wise decision."

I agree. There's no way they could have taken on a man like Hisoka.

He chuckles aloud before someone walks out of the mist and into view.

I slightly shake my head as Leorio starts explaining that he couldn't just leave even though it wasn't his fight to begin with.

The tall teen yells and rushes towards the dangerous man, ready for a fight.

Before his hit could land, the magician seems to teleport away in a puff of smoke.

"I adore that look."

Hisoka reaches for him but something smacks him right in the face.

It's Gon's fishing rod!

This is getting more exciting by the second. I have to remember to stop my tail from wagging and giving away my position.

"Not bad, little boy~" Hisoka compliments. "Is that a fishing pole? How original. I'd like to see it, do you mind?"

"Leave him alone, your fight is with me!" Leorio charges again.

The magician punches him, sending him high into the sky as Gon attacks while his back is turned. Gon's target dissipates in another cloud of smoke.

"Did you come here to help your friend?"

Hisoka is taunting him, disappearing and reappearing right beside him.

"Such a good boy~"

Gon starts swinging wildly, desperate to land a hit.

"I adore that look," he comments. "And I'm beginning to get excited~"

Refocusing, Gon smashes the ground in front of Hisoka, using it as a distraction to launch a sneak attack from behind.

My breath catches in my throat as Hisoka wraps his hand around Gon's throat, suspending him in the air.

"So delightful~"

Gon sputters, on the verge of passing out.

Reacting faster than I can think, I grab my hatchet from my backpack and am right beside the magician, growling.

He seems surprised for a split second. Gon goes limp just before Hisoka releases him.

"I thought you'd never come out to play, little puppy~"

I smile, "I was just enjoying the show, Hiso-kun."

He raises a brow, "Then why join now?"

"I didn't think you'd stop yourself from killing Gon," I answer, "Gon's nice, he shouldn't die now. And, if Gon hadn't stepped in, I would have protected Leorio."

"Loyalty is an admirable trait."

Chuckling, I rest my hatchet against my shoulder, "I only just met them today. Imagine how loyal I'd be to someone I have history with."

"I imagine you have someone you'd die for?"

"Doesn't everyone?" I tilt my head.

Hisoka's grin widens, "Not me."

As I expected from someone who kills so easily.

"Anyways, are you done fighting? The examiner must almost be at the next phase by now."

"Hmm, I suppose~ But, next time I'll fight you."

He focuses on Gon, "Don't worry about your friend, I didn't kill him. He passed, and you passed as well."

Gon looks on in confusion as a ring sounds from Hisoka's pocket. He answers the phone/Walkie-Talkie and a voice comes through it.

"Hisoka you should get back here. We've almost reached the site of the second phase."

"Okay, be right there," is Hisoka's reply.

The fuchsia-haired man then goes to the topless Leorio and picks him up, slinging the unconscious male over his shoulder.

"It's good to have friends, isn't it?" He addresses the spiky-haired boy, "Can you find your own way back?"

Gon nods.

"Good boy~"

I go to move but hesitate. I'm not sure if Hisoka wants me trailing after him like a lost dog.

Hisoka looks over his empty shoulder at me.

"Come on," he invites.

My tail swishes against my legs as I bound up to him with a grin.

"Am I your friend, Hiso-kun?"

"If you want to be~"

I nod, "Ooh, yes! I don't have too many friends and I find that they're hard to make. Oh, I saw you deal with those men, that was awesome! One move and they were down!"

He smirks at my rambling.

"I feel bad for Leorio, your punch looked like it hurt."

Hisoka chuckles as I continue to talk about random things that come to mind until we reach the main crowd again.

He sets Leorio down and I thank him for carrying the unconscious guy.

"Don't mention it~"