Breaking Rules | HunterXHunter Fanfiction

I: The Hunt Begins

A toast to the beginning of our friendship?

Luna was enwrapped in her own reverie, eyes fixated on a palm-size circle tag with bold numbers 2, 4 and 5 altogether printed on it. This tag was given to her by a green short man that she find eccentric, nonetheless adorably cute in a squishy kind of way, as soon as she entered the underground cave. She suspected that it's her applicant number and the very proof that she's an official examinee on the 278th Hunter Exam. The thought of it triggered a smile on her lips.

If you have noticed, Luna tends to give high regards in the simplest things. She valued them wholeheartedly even it was meaningless to other people. For her, these little accomplishments could make her a little bit normal.

A tiny giggle, without her consent, vibrated from her throat, out of bliss. Though abruptly trapped by her free hand upon realizing how girly it sounded. Luna nervously looked around for any suspicious looks thrown at her; gladly no one heard a thing. No one was even paying attention to her, just like how she would prefer. She sighed in relief.

Flipping the tag before pinning it on her clothes, just like the bean-man instructed, Luna decided to focus more on other applicants, who little by little, increasing in numbers. Her eyes caught familiar faces; the other examinees from the ship. They also made it. The thought of it made her worry, knowing firsthand that these people should be taken seriously. Slightly stretching up, she started to take another headcount and noticed that only eight out nine actually made it this far.

Luna began to wonder whose missing. Everyone's here, except....

An all-to-familiar bloodlust was felt slithering behind her, and from that moment she knew, they all made it. Anxious, Luna debated whether to confirm her suspicions or not to bother anymore but her curiosity got the best of her and forced her body to turn around.

He's here.

Luna concluded and swallowed a lump forming in her throat, the moment his eyes met hers.

Unexpectedly, his mischievous face was contorted into a frown. Luna then remembered that she was currently wearing boy's clothing; the man might have not recognized her in this form. By the looks of on his now bemused eyes, she was internally celebrating that her disguise was somehow a success.

Due to her previous unpleasant experiences with this jester, she figured it would be best not get involved with him anymore. Borrowing the expressions of her mother, she walked away only to stop by a short, fat man carrying a satchel. She was taken aback when the man approached her out of the blue, grinning like there's no tomorrow. His smile made Luna wondering, why does everybody seemed to be on a good mood? It made her curios and thought that maybe it was the disguise; people appeared to react positively to her as a boy, compared when she was dressed as girl.

"Hey boy, welcome to the Hunter Exam. Congratulations you've made it." The short man soon stated, enthusiastically. By the way the man speaks, Luna wondered if he's one of the hosts of the exam, but then again, she felt nothing special about him so she dismissed the idea.

"T-thank you.....sir" words stumbled from her mouth at her first attempt to respond normally with the man then automatically bowed as common courtesy.

The short man was surprised for a moment, before defensively waving his hand in front of her in embarrassment. "N-No. You don't have to bow your head like that." He's tone was in panicked.

"Oh. I'm sorry, sir." Luna simply stared and stood properly.

"Jeez boy, call me Tonpa, instead. First look and I would take you as a delinquent with that choice of clothing, but like they said, seeing something, hearing is another....or something like that." Tonpa smiled wryly while scratching the back of his head.