Snow Hare

Two hours had passed since they had first started running. They had already run 30 kilometers yet showed no signs of stopping anytime. Since then applicants had already started dropping out. The exhaustion had overwhelmed many and was beginning to overwhelm more and more. Creating a feeling of despair among the applicants. Well most of the applicants, those who had full confidence in their abilities continued onwards in particular one boy with a laptop who actually increased his pace.

[what the hell was I thinking? Only a monster could pass this exam. And I'm surrounded by them.] thought Leorio to himself until he saw something that made him furious. It was a boy with white hair riding a skateboard. "Hey, kid, stop! How about you show the hunter exam a little respect!"

"What do you mean?" Asked the kid with a badge that read 99.

"I mean quit using that damn skateboard! That's cheating!"

"How's it cheating?"

"This is an endurance test! That's how!"

"No it isn't!" Gon shouted out.

"What do you mean Gon? Of course this is an endurance test, if it wasn't why would we be running so far?!" Shouted back Leorio.

"W-well the examiner only ever said to follow him, he never said anything about testing our endurance. Although it's more or less implied there is nothing saying that we can't use what we brought with us." Mary explained.

"Who's side are you guys on anyway?!" Complained Leorio.

As Leorio began mentally complaining of the injustice of the situation the kid slowed down to Gon and Leorio.

"Hey how old are you?" Asked the kid while looking at Gon.

"I'm twelve years old." Answered Gon.

[so we're the same age.] thought the boy. "And you?"

"I-I'm 13." Answered Mary.

For a moment the boy came to nearly a complete stop.

"Huh?!" Asked the boy.

"I-I can't tell you why I look so young, but I really am 13."

"Well regardless I guess I'll run too." Said the boy as he dismounted his skateboard by kicking it up behind him.

"Wow! That's amazing!" Shouted Gon.

"I'm Killua." Said the boy while looking over to Gon.

"I'm Gon, and this is Mary." Said Gon with a smile.

"N-nice to meet you." Said Mary.

They continued running down the endless tunnel, but as Killua was in between them Mary whispered over to him. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Hmm? I taught myself of course." He answered matter a factly.

"No I mean..." before she could finish she was cut off by her hair turning a blonde and her right eye turning red. [hey Maaaaary, if there are no rules why don't you let me get him already? All we have to do is follow him right? So come on, just let your dear, big sister have herself some fun.]

As Mary's hair had changed the boy next to her had began running in a defensive position. [she's dangerous] thought Killua, [before her hair changed I felt for certain that I could easily defeat her if need be, but now I'm beginning to have my doubts.]

"Hey Killua, I was wondering if you could teach me how to do that?" Asked Gon.

[does he really not feel her bloodlust?] Killua thought. "Sure I can teach you but you'll have to answer a question first."

"Alright!" Replied Gon.

As the two boys talked Mary continued her conversation with her sister. [I-I can't, not when I'm around my friends, and even if I wasn't I just can't let you out so please! Please just stop this, I don't want a repeat of what happened two years ago.] [Oh you mean what happened to your little friend? Oh what was her name again? Elizabeth right? And where have I heard that name before too? Oh that's right! It was the name of your mother wasn't it?] [stop it.] [hmm what was that? Mary?] [stop it! I will never, never let you do that again, I can't...] [you can't? Hah! So you mean that you don't want it? So your little "friends" cant decide for themselves? It's all about you isn't it? That's a very bad way to think Mary. In fact why don't you let me out so we can change that train of thought.] [I-I can't, I-I really shouldn't...] Mary's thoughts were beginning to grow quieter to a whisper. [I-I really need to go bye sis...] for the past four years, Mary had endured the constant torment. Soon Bloody Mary would escape once again, and hopefully, hopefully it wouldn't be so terrible like what happened to the other Elizabeth. The second necklace of bones tied together with a bright, pink birthday ribbon.

———————

[Damnit are those three just messing around?] thought Leorio to himself.

———————

Four hours had passed since the start of the exam, over 50 kilometers in which the first of the rookies, Nicholas dropped out with Leorio nearing his end as well. He was already falling behind the "pack."

[Only one rookie passes... every three years. An ordinary guy like me doesn't stand a chance. Damn it.] Leorio thought while dropping his suitcase.

This, however, had been noticed by Gon and Mary, whose hair and eye color had returned to normal. The two slowed down, eventually turning around and looking over at Leorio who was panting heavily.

"Hey guys, leave him. Let's go." Said Killua.

After a few moments of silence Leorio steeled himself. "Screw that! I came here to become a hunter!" He said as he began to sprint. "Damn it all."

Sighing Mary pulled out some of her wire, "I'll get his suitcase for him."

In response Gon gave a small laugh as they began forward once more. Once more towards their future.

"Hey Gon, let me use your fishing rod later, I want to try to do what Mary did with it." Said Killua happily.

"Only if you'll let use your skateboard." Said Gon with a smile.

[This right here, I never want to lose this again.] thought Mary to herself with a smile, as she too steeled herself for the future.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

(Not a part of the chapter) (so the part where Leorio says he's a normal guy always bothered me, he literally beat out other applicants that looked like they had way more physical capabilities and he's calling himself normal? that's ridiculous, if he's normal at that level is everyone else capable of running 40 kilometers if they are in shape there too? Utterly ridiculous, anyway sorry for the wait I was doing some stuff with family, next chapter will be out on Saturday hopefully.)