I looked into the mirror that reflected a stranger.
No, I'm not being melodramatic. I literally didn't recognize the face staring back at me. My long, curly brown hair had become a pin straight, periwinkle, choppy short bed head with random locks of hair sticking out. Three locks stuck up like antennas and one above and behind each of my ears. One long lock in my bangs was bound by three beads. My jade hued eyes now sported the color of oxygen deprived blood; such a deep red, it was almost purple. My average face had transformed into something prettier. It wasn't just that, though. I looked like I had been drawn. Like anime. But a certain anime. I couldn't place it.
I turned from the mirror to get ready for the day, and looked at the sprawling city from the window. Things looked familiar, but I couldn't place it yet. I found a purple top where there was a mock turtle neck and there were no sleeves. I shrugged and pulled it over my head and situated the form fitting shirt onto my person, only to find it cut off a few inches below my breasts. I blushed as I realized my tummy was exposed. My shape had changed as well. I had slimmed down over night, but kept my generous bosom and shapely hips. My tummy was taught, and I could feel muscle underneath.
I further inspected my body to find that my arms were slim and feminine but packed with compressed muscles. My legs were toned as well, as if I did a lot of walking.
I felt a bit embarrassed when I found the skirt I was supposed to wear. The thing was a wrap around kind of cloth that bunched up around my hip on one end, exposing the majority of my legs as the fabric got longer as it wrapped around my waist, ending four inches below the knee of the same leg that was mostly exposed from the front. I calmed a bit when I noticed a white pair of pants that went under it. So I won't look like an exotic dancer of some sort. Good.I found a pair of blue hightops that zipped up five inches above my ankles. My eye caught sight of a necklace with an eight pointed star that looked more like a sparkle and a wallet stuffed with some form of money. I fastened the necklace around my neck for the pendant to rest just under my collarbones and stuffed the wallet into the only available pocket at my thigh. I checked around for a key of some sort. There was none, but a hotel card lay on the nearest table. I shrugged as I checked the empty room over for anything else that was mine. Nothing. I turned from my barren room and moved to make my way out of the building.
"Ma'am!" The lady behind the reception desk in the lobby waved me over. "Will you be staying another night?" She asked nervously as I eyed her calmly.
"No, I don't think so." I murmured with a very calm face.
"Ah! Okay... Um, then h-h-have a g-good day, miss." She stuttered out.
"You too." I waved back at her with a small smile. I stepped out into the bustling streets, hoping to get through the throngs of people. It was then, that I saw a sign that read Whale Island. Where have I heard that from? It was when I saw a spiky haired little boy run by, carrying a large fish of some sort, that everything clicked. I could feel my face contorting into a look of exasperated paranoia. Does this mean I have to go and get a hunter's license? Am I gonna die? Do I have nen yet, or am I gonna have to wake it up? I tried to find some form of energy in my body, but was too panicky to spot anything. I'll go along with Gon, and beg whatever deity that put me here that I can use something. I quickly made way to the nearest supply store to purchase provisions and a bag.
I was holding my stance as the boat rocked back and forth on the stormy waves. I could feel the energy flowing in me. At least I already had my nen unlocked. My energy felt kind of... zingy. Not like electricity exactly, but more like it could start a fire or an explosion. I could feel a predatory grin stretching across my face as the taste of acrid smoke found its way to my tongue, just at the thought. Others were being tossed to and fro with the ship, looking sicker by the moment, but Gon, Kurapika, and Leorio were unfazed, mostly, by the chaotic movements. I also managed to stay upright, so I was pretty proud of myself.
Once everything settled, I watched the door to the cabin open and the Captain's head peaked in. I watched him survey who was left, and felt pride in myself as he eyed me in shock as well as the other three.
We were called up to the helm to speak to the captain some time later.
"First, tell me your names." His raspy voice growled out.
"I'm Gon!" The green clad youth waved an arm in the air.
"Hoshiko." I answered quickly.
"I'm Kurapika." The blond boy introduced himself.
"It's Leorio..." The tall youth staed with his bad attitude.
"Why do you want to become Hunters?" The Captain asked in a sort of authoritative manner.
"Hey! If you're not an examiner, you can't boss us around!" Leorio pointed an accusing finger at the red nosed seaman.
"Just answer the question." The Captain sounded a bit exasperated.
"My dad is a Hunter." Gon answered, to the Captain's surprise. "I left Whale Island because I want to know why my dad wanted to be a Hunter so much."
"Hey, kid!" Leorio growled out.
"I want to see the world. Really see it. I want to see what the world has to offer me. What challenges are there that I'm missing out on." I answered quickly, before Leorio or Kurapika could ruin my chance to speak.
"Oi!" Leorio protested. Gon and I turned to him.
"Huh?" Gon voiced his confusion.
"You're not supposed to answer him." Leorio informed.
"Why can't I tell him why I'm here?" Gon asked, innocently.
"Not a team player, huh? I don't want to reveal why I'm here." Leorio poked Gon in the forehead.
"I agree with Leorio." Kurapika spoke up.
"Huh?" Leorio turned his attention to the blond. "Hey! Aren't you younger than me? Show some respect!"
"It's quite simple to avoid pesky situations by offering a plausible lie." Kurapika ignored the tall youth.
"Hey! Are you listenig to me?" Leorio shouted, to my growing agitation.
"However, it is quite shameful to rely on deceit. That said, if I were to tell you the truth, I would be exposing my deepest secrets." He grabbed at his chest. "That is why I cannot provide an answer."
"Hey, you... Don't ignore me!" Leorio pointed to him while yelling.
"In other words, you refuse to answer my question. Hey, Katsuo." The Captain called to the new looking sailor.
"Aye, Captain." He answered.
"Tell the examination board that we have two more drop outs." The Captain ordered.
"What do you mean?" Leorio asked, densely.
"He means, since you won't answer, he'll basically tell the board that you aren't up for the exam." I answered for him. "It would make sense that something like the Hunter exam would have preliminaries."
"That's right. I decide if you pass on from here." The Captain let out a bellow of smoke from his pipe. "So think carefully before you answer my question."
"So he says..." Gon turned to Leorio.
"Should have told us sooner." The tall youth grumbled loudly.
"I am the last survivor of the Kurta Clan." Kurapika came forth. "Four years ago, my clan was annihilated by a band of criminals. I wish to become a Hunter so that I can hunt them all down. They are called the Phantom Troupe."
"So you want to become a bounty hunter?" The Captain questioned. "The Phantom Troupe are a clas-A bounty. Not even the most grizzled Hunters can touch them." He looked into the boys eyes. "You'd be throwing your life away."
"I do not fear death." Kurapika replied, matter-of-factly. "I fear only that my rage will fade over time."
"So, in other words, you want revenge. Does that require that you become a Hunter?" Leorio scoffed.
"That may be the stupidest question I've ever heard, Leorio." Kurapika shot back without even looking his way.
"Tch! That's Leorio-san to you!" He shouted indignantly.
I closed my eyes and crossed my arms while I leaned back into the wall. Their bickering was getting on my nerves.
"Places accessible only to Hunters... Information otherwise unobtainable... Actions otherwise impossible... There are more reasons than your brain could possibly handle." Kurapika continued to Leorio's growing unrest.
"Hey!" The spectacled teen shouted.
"Ne, why do you wanted to become a Hunter, Leorio-san?" Gon asked, effectively cutting off the argument for now.
"Me? I'll make it short. I want money." Leorio shrugged. He began in a loud fashion. "Money can get you everything! A big house! A nice car! Good liquor!"
"You can't buy class with money, Leorio." Kurapika piped up.
"That's three times now." Leorio spoke calmly, with a new storm brewing in that head of his. "Step outside. I'll end the filthy Kurta bloodline, here and now."
"Take that back, Leorio!" Kurta yelled. Leorio turned back to him as he paused halfway through the door. "Take it back." Kurapika's voice softened in his anger as well.
Leorio stared for a moment. "It's Leorio-san to you." He left without so much as a backward glance after that. Kurapika followed after him.
"Hey, boys! I'm not finished yet!" The Captain called after them.
"Just let them go." Gon spoke.
"Huh?" Uttered the Captain.
"Mito-san once told me, If you want to get to know someone, you need to make an effort to learn why they're angry. It's important for them to understand why they're mad. So we should let them handle it themselves." They stared after the two as they kept walking.
"Captain! L-look!" One of the sailors at the helm alerted us. Outside was a water tornado, effectively causing the others to tense.
"If we get caught by that waterspout, the ship will sink." Katsuo almost whimpered.
"Lower the sails now!" The Captain ordered.
"Aye!" Katsuo answered.
"I'll help!" Gon announced.
"Me too." I volunteered with a smirk. "This'll be fun."
"Uh-huh! Come with me!" Katsuo gestured for us to follow.
"I'll take the helm." The Captain pushed aside the sailor at the helm.
"Aye!"
"Full to starboard!" The Captain commanded.
All around us, seamen were pulling at ropes, lowering the sails as fat as they could.
"Hurry!
"The waterspout is going to catch us!"
Meanwhile, Kurapika and Leorio were standing off. I ignored what was going on with them since they were being ridiculous in my opinion.
We continued pulling at ropes, the wind pulling some unfortunates around.
"Katsuo-san!" Gon exclaimed. I looked up to see Katsuo getting swung around by the wind, the only one holding his rope. He was sent flying off the ship when he couldn't hold on any longer.
Both Leorio and Kurapika tried to grab him, but was too slow. Gon ran to attempt to catch him, and I ran to catch that stupid kid. As he jumped and caught his friend, I jumped to grab him while hooking my feet into the rail. Leorio and Kurapika grabbed me by the legs and pulled us in. It looked like Katsuo was out cold.
"Idiot! If Hoshiko-san hadn't grabbed your legs, you'd be shark bait right now!" Leorio scolded.
"Honestly. How reckless can you be?" Kurapika sighed in exasperation.
"But you did catch us." Gon said. I looked down at the little green clad boy.
"Huh?" They both uttered.
"You both caught us!" Gon reiterated.
"Well, I guess so." Leorio spoke his bemusement while Kurapika just stared quietly.
"Gon!" A voice broke them of their reverie. I watched the exchange, all the while, leaning against the rail.
"Katsuo-san!" Gon greeted.
"Thank you, Gon. You saved my life!" Katsuo gave his thanks.
"I couldn't have done it alone. These three helped save you." Gon gestured to us.
"Huh?" Both looked toward the us as Kurapika and Leorio jolted in confusion.
"Thank you so much!" Katsuo bowed.
"No, you don't need to thank me." Kurapika turned away in discomfort.
"Well... Yeah, I'm glad you're okay." Leorio tried to seem unaffected.
"You're very welcome. Though you don't need to thank me, so long as you're okay." I smiled at the gangly sailor.
"Yeah! So I'll be returning to my station!" Katsuo seemed so happy about that. I turned my attention to the three beore me as he ran off.
Kurapika chuckled at Leorio.
"What?" Leorio grumbled.
"I apologize for my rude behavior. Sorry, Leorio-san." Kurapika apologized.
"W-what's with the sudden change? We sound like strangers... Just call me Leorio... Leorio works." Leorio waved him off in embarrassment. "And I'm sorry." Kurapika seemed taken aback. "I take back everything I said. I was wrong."
"No, it's okay." Kurapika consoled.
A rough laugh interrupted them and we all turned to see Captain laughing his ass off. "I like you guys! Okay! I'll take responsibility for taking your four to the port closest to the exam site."
"Really?" Gon was ecstatic.
"What about your test?" Kurapika asked.
"Like I said, It's my decision to make." He answered gruffly as he turned to look at us from the stairs he was climbing. "And all four of you pass!" He grinned.
"Yay!" Gon exclaimed boisterously. The rest of us just smiled.
Hunter exam, here I come.