Serena took one last look in the mirror before pulling out the clips that usually held her trademark 'odangos' in place... just two for each bun. Most people lived under the misconception the hairstyle took a lot longer than it did... and maybe it would for others, but it was as if Usagi's hair grew that way, naturally falling into the twists and streamers. She closed her eyes and drew a deep breath before taking up the scissors and cutting all her hair just longer than her bangs. It was a shock unto herself looking in the mirror now.
Sure, she *could* have used the disguise pen, but then she wasn't sure how long in would last, and she knew from experience if she blacked out the disguise would drop. And she DEFINATELY didn't want to be caught out by the other senshi.. she supposed they thought it was just Usagi, disappeared and slacking off as usual... she'd had Pluto deliver them the message she was going away, that the stress of being a senshi had gotten to her, and that she needed a respite. A respite? As if. This was personal. She'd privately been honing her skills for quite a while now, though with the recent lack of an enemy, the other senshi had had no way to know.
Pluto had noticed, but that was to be expected and accounted for, Usagi hadn't *exactly* told Pluto what she'd planned, but she had increased her skills to the level she could block the time guardians...er ... 'prying'. Pluto had of course manifested herself from the moment Usagi had developed the potential, but ultimately was loyal. Usagi had agreed to let Pluto watch her, but not interfere unless the senshi were needed, and due to aforementioned lack of enemies, Pluto had allowed it, albeit grudgingly.
Usagi stepped over the masses of blonde hair to her travelling bag for the things she needed, she'd avoided using her subspace pocket because she was almost sure it left some sort of traceable residue, she'd found that out the hard way when the senshi had caught up with her twice, she couldn't afford another delay, the ship left *today*.
After a few minutes of rummaging she produced a simple white tracksuit, and a blue tunic. While it seemed a little extreme travelling as a boy, she felt she might be too distinctive as a girl, if the senshi asked, someone might remember a blonde girl, but they wouldn't even think about mentioning a boy. For once she was glad she wasn't as... er... well endowed as Minako or Rei. The complete outfit covered anything that might have given away that she was anything but a boy... though perhaps a pretty one.
Finally she slung her weapons over her shoulder, the kan that Galaxia had given her. The senshi probably didn't know about this either, they noticed she was hiding something of course, but presumed it had more to do with Seiya and Mamoru than anything like concealing a weapon. Stuffing the other things she no longer needed along with her cut off hair into the bathroom bin, she left the motel with nothing but the things she was wearing, and a small bag of personals.
This was a necessary reduction of course. If Amy hadn't bugged her after the second time she had... er... wandered off, she'd hardly be the genius Usagi knew her to be. All the things she had now where newly acquired. everything except her hunter exam card - complete with a believable forgery of her parent's signature, and her fake ID.
Keeping her eyes down and avoiding talking to anyone as much as possible she made her way towards the docks. She already knew the way, but she really had nothing else to do until the ship left later that afternoon. She watched the ships for a while before her stomach growled and she went to buy some ramen. She amusedly watched a man steal some fish, but this was none of her concern for now, she finished her ramen mostly undisturbed and walked toward the docks again. All this walking was deliberate of course, backtracking to make sure she wasn't followed. She was almost disappointed to find out she wasn't. Only almost.
She boarded the boat without incident and found a hammock, which she staked out as her, own while the other would-be hunters boarded. A little time after the boat had set out two more passengers arrived, out of curiosity she glanced at them as they entered the already crowded 'human cargo' area, a boy and the thief she'd seen before. Frankly she hadn't been impressed with the other hunters, though she supposed there'd be more competition on the island. Comparatively speaking the ship's crew were more skilled... these new guys though...
Usagi could have laughed at the site the passengers made on the lurching journey... what the hell was this? Sea sick? Sure she could sympathize since travel sickness was one of her problems in the past but really...? These people wanted to be hunters? Anyway, this was nothing compared to the hell teleportation played on your stomach. She was tempted to comfort some of the passengers but decided that'd be... well too Usagi-like. Anyway, they'd live. Time to get some sleep.
"We're going to enter into a turbulence zone two times more violent than the last one. The ones who fear for their lives can take rescue boats to the nearby island." Announced the Captain over the speaker system. Usagi stretched a little before getting up to stare at the now empty deck around her... well except for that kaitou guy who was reading an.. erm... adults magazine.
'Hentai.' Thought Usagi heatedly.
'I only read it for the articles.' He thought back.
They glared at each other for a moment.
'Did he... Nah...' decided Usagi. The captain and the kid from earlier made an appearance right about then.
"Finally." Commented the captain as the last of the deserters unlashed a lift raft. "So... just you three now. Your names?"
"I'm Leorio." Announced the kaitou.
"I'm Gon." The kid.
"My name is..." She could feel herself sweating under the scrutiny of the captain. He wasn't quite normal she decided... not in a bad bad/evil/negaverse kinda way... "My name is Shizukesai." Why did she feel like she was lying? It was her name.. just in Japanese... besides she had to use it, it's what Pluto put on her fake passport. He seemed to raise an eyebrow askance. What the heck was this, she thought. Magic? No... Ki manipulation?
"Why do you want to be hunters?" Continued the captain, ignoring the transgression Usagi was more than sure he was aware of.
'Damn'. Thought Usagi. She had no idea the personal questions would be this soon or with people around. That and the old guy's voodoo was seriously making her a bad liar.
"Excuse me? I don't think you're an examiner..." Stated kaitou-hentai.
"Answer!" Demanded the captain.
"Why should we?" Continued Leorio. Unwittingly he had become Usagi's savior so she allowed him a non-derogatory a label in her mind as possible.
"Because my dad is a hunter!" Chimed the kid, to Usagi's dismay.
'Brat.' She thought.
"Hey... not so fast brat. Who told you to answer?"
"I'm giving my reasons... what's wrong with that?" He asked a little confused.
"You shouldn't, that's all... for me, it's a matter of honour." Stated Leorio.
"I agree with Leorio." Stated Usagi quickly.
"Leorio-SAN." Corrected Leorio, much to Usagi's amusement, "Didn't anyone teach you to respect your elders?"
"I'd rather not answer that question rather than lie to you. I really do hate lying." She added miserably under the intense gaze.
"Well then... I' afraid you'll both have to leave the ship then."
"Huh?" Commented Usagi stupidly.
"You still do not understand? The hunter exam has already begun."
Usagi hung her head for a moment considering the implications.
"Guys like me are hired to reduce the numbers of candidates. You leave the ship now, you're disqualified. You lie to me again, you're disqualified." He directed this last part discretely at Usagi. "The decision of whether or not you go to the exams belong to me, so answer the question."
"I... I'm the last surviving member of the Lunarian race, over 1000 years ago my family was murdered. The bodies were mutilated by thieves. I want to become a hunter to catch those responsible." The captain raised a curious eyebrow.
"The last survivor of the Lunarians was ..." Usagi cut him off with a nod. The captain gave a good-natured laugh. "Okay, you pass... you pass already!"
"What do you mean he passed? 1000 years? This kid couldn't even be 15!"
"I'm 16!" Usagi scowled at Leorio.
"Well then Serenity, you'll be becoming a black list hunter I presume." Interrupted the Captain.
"H..hai..."
"So basically, you want to become a hunter to punish some guys who killed someone over 1000 years ago? Even if that was true I doubt they'd remember." Stated Leorio.
"No, I already 'punished' the ones responsible for their deaths - I want the thieves and they wouldn't have forgotten." Replied Usagi darkly. "They also have something of mine."
"Well why would you need to become a hunter to get revenge anyway?"
Usagi blushed at the word 'revenge'. She'd tried to convince herself that this wasn't revenge - that it was justice... but it was revenge. "I can't find them on my own. I've already tried. I need the resources of a hunter." Usagi was embarrassed regarding the whole 'revenge' issue. "It's probably a detail your miniscule brain missed Leorio."
"Leorio-SAN."
The Captain turned on Leorio askance since the other two had as much as answered his question.
"Well, not to beat about the bush, money! With money we can have everything! A great house, a classy car, the best alcohol!"
"Too bad it can't buy manners Leorio." Stated Usagi harshly.
"...that's the third time." Leorio coldly replied, narrowing his eye's at Usagi.
"Follow me to the deck."
'A fight? He's challenging me to a fight!' Though Usagi in semi panic. 'He's not the enemy! He's just some jerk!'
"Let's spill a little more Lunarian blood."
Sure, she *could* have used the disguise pen, but then she wasn't sure how long in would last, and she knew from experience if she blacked out the disguise would drop. And she DEFINATELY didn't want to be caught out by the other senshi.. she supposed they thought it was just Usagi, disappeared and slacking off as usual... she'd had Pluto deliver them the message she was going away, that the stress of being a senshi had gotten to her, and that she needed a respite. A respite? As if. This was personal. She'd privately been honing her skills for quite a while now, though with the recent lack of an enemy, the other senshi had had no way to know.
Pluto had noticed, but that was to be expected and accounted for, Usagi hadn't *exactly* told Pluto what she'd planned, but she had increased her skills to the level she could block the time guardians...er ... 'prying'. Pluto had of course manifested herself from the moment Usagi had developed the potential, but ultimately was loyal. Usagi had agreed to let Pluto watch her, but not interfere unless the senshi were needed, and due to aforementioned lack of enemies, Pluto had allowed it, albeit grudgingly.
Usagi stepped over the masses of blonde hair to her travelling bag for the things she needed, she'd avoided using her subspace pocket because she was almost sure it left some sort of traceable residue, she'd found that out the hard way when the senshi had caught up with her twice, she couldn't afford another delay, the ship left *today*.
After a few minutes of rummaging she produced a simple white tracksuit, and a blue tunic. While it seemed a little extreme travelling as a boy, she felt she might be too distinctive as a girl, if the senshi asked, someone might remember a blonde girl, but they wouldn't even think about mentioning a boy. For once she was glad she wasn't as... er... well endowed as Minako or Rei. The complete outfit covered anything that might have given away that she was anything but a boy... though perhaps a pretty one.
Finally she slung her weapons over her shoulder, the kan that Galaxia had given her. The senshi probably didn't know about this either, they noticed she was hiding something of course, but presumed it had more to do with Seiya and Mamoru than anything like concealing a weapon. Stuffing the other things she no longer needed along with her cut off hair into the bathroom bin, she left the motel with nothing but the things she was wearing, and a small bag of personals.
This was a necessary reduction of course. If Amy hadn't bugged her after the second time she had... er... wandered off, she'd hardly be the genius Usagi knew her to be. All the things she had now where newly acquired. everything except her hunter exam card - complete with a believable forgery of her parent's signature, and her fake ID.
Keeping her eyes down and avoiding talking to anyone as much as possible she made her way towards the docks. She already knew the way, but she really had nothing else to do until the ship left later that afternoon. She watched the ships for a while before her stomach growled and she went to buy some ramen. She amusedly watched a man steal some fish, but this was none of her concern for now, she finished her ramen mostly undisturbed and walked toward the docks again. All this walking was deliberate of course, backtracking to make sure she wasn't followed. She was almost disappointed to find out she wasn't. Only almost.
She boarded the boat without incident and found a hammock, which she staked out as her, own while the other would-be hunters boarded. A little time after the boat had set out two more passengers arrived, out of curiosity she glanced at them as they entered the already crowded 'human cargo' area, a boy and the thief she'd seen before. Frankly she hadn't been impressed with the other hunters, though she supposed there'd be more competition on the island. Comparatively speaking the ship's crew were more skilled... these new guys though...
Usagi could have laughed at the site the passengers made on the lurching journey... what the hell was this? Sea sick? Sure she could sympathize since travel sickness was one of her problems in the past but really...? These people wanted to be hunters? Anyway, this was nothing compared to the hell teleportation played on your stomach. She was tempted to comfort some of the passengers but decided that'd be... well too Usagi-like. Anyway, they'd live. Time to get some sleep.
"We're going to enter into a turbulence zone two times more violent than the last one. The ones who fear for their lives can take rescue boats to the nearby island." Announced the Captain over the speaker system. Usagi stretched a little before getting up to stare at the now empty deck around her... well except for that kaitou guy who was reading an.. erm... adults magazine.
'Hentai.' Thought Usagi heatedly.
'I only read it for the articles.' He thought back.
They glared at each other for a moment.
'Did he... Nah...' decided Usagi. The captain and the kid from earlier made an appearance right about then.
"Finally." Commented the captain as the last of the deserters unlashed a lift raft. "So... just you three now. Your names?"
"I'm Leorio." Announced the kaitou.
"I'm Gon." The kid.
"My name is..." She could feel herself sweating under the scrutiny of the captain. He wasn't quite normal she decided... not in a bad bad/evil/negaverse kinda way... "My name is Shizukesai." Why did she feel like she was lying? It was her name.. just in Japanese... besides she had to use it, it's what Pluto put on her fake passport. He seemed to raise an eyebrow askance. What the heck was this, she thought. Magic? No... Ki manipulation?
"Why do you want to be hunters?" Continued the captain, ignoring the transgression Usagi was more than sure he was aware of.
'Damn'. Thought Usagi. She had no idea the personal questions would be this soon or with people around. That and the old guy's voodoo was seriously making her a bad liar.
"Excuse me? I don't think you're an examiner..." Stated kaitou-hentai.
"Answer!" Demanded the captain.
"Why should we?" Continued Leorio. Unwittingly he had become Usagi's savior so she allowed him a non-derogatory a label in her mind as possible.
"Because my dad is a hunter!" Chimed the kid, to Usagi's dismay.
'Brat.' She thought.
"Hey... not so fast brat. Who told you to answer?"
"I'm giving my reasons... what's wrong with that?" He asked a little confused.
"You shouldn't, that's all... for me, it's a matter of honour." Stated Leorio.
"I agree with Leorio." Stated Usagi quickly.
"Leorio-SAN." Corrected Leorio, much to Usagi's amusement, "Didn't anyone teach you to respect your elders?"
"I'd rather not answer that question rather than lie to you. I really do hate lying." She added miserably under the intense gaze.
"Well then... I' afraid you'll both have to leave the ship then."
"Huh?" Commented Usagi stupidly.
"You still do not understand? The hunter exam has already begun."
Usagi hung her head for a moment considering the implications.
"Guys like me are hired to reduce the numbers of candidates. You leave the ship now, you're disqualified. You lie to me again, you're disqualified." He directed this last part discretely at Usagi. "The decision of whether or not you go to the exams belong to me, so answer the question."
"I... I'm the last surviving member of the Lunarian race, over 1000 years ago my family was murdered. The bodies were mutilated by thieves. I want to become a hunter to catch those responsible." The captain raised a curious eyebrow.
"The last survivor of the Lunarians was ..." Usagi cut him off with a nod. The captain gave a good-natured laugh. "Okay, you pass... you pass already!"
"What do you mean he passed? 1000 years? This kid couldn't even be 15!"
"I'm 16!" Usagi scowled at Leorio.
"Well then Serenity, you'll be becoming a black list hunter I presume." Interrupted the Captain.
"H..hai..."
"So basically, you want to become a hunter to punish some guys who killed someone over 1000 years ago? Even if that was true I doubt they'd remember." Stated Leorio.
"No, I already 'punished' the ones responsible for their deaths - I want the thieves and they wouldn't have forgotten." Replied Usagi darkly. "They also have something of mine."
"Well why would you need to become a hunter to get revenge anyway?"
Usagi blushed at the word 'revenge'. She'd tried to convince herself that this wasn't revenge - that it was justice... but it was revenge. "I can't find them on my own. I've already tried. I need the resources of a hunter." Usagi was embarrassed regarding the whole 'revenge' issue. "It's probably a detail your miniscule brain missed Leorio."
"Leorio-SAN."
The Captain turned on Leorio askance since the other two had as much as answered his question.
"Well, not to beat about the bush, money! With money we can have everything! A great house, a classy car, the best alcohol!"
"Too bad it can't buy manners Leorio." Stated Usagi harshly.
"...that's the third time." Leorio coldly replied, narrowing his eye's at Usagi.
"Follow me to the deck."
'A fight? He's challenging me to a fight!' Though Usagi in semi panic. 'He's not the enemy! He's just some jerk!'
"Let's spill a little more Lunarian blood."