To new readers, hello! To (I'd-rather-not-use-the-term-old) 'migrating' readers, hello again! So this is the rewrite of my first fic "Memories x Identities x Desires" and this is technically my second shot on the very, very first fic that I ever decided to write.

For the new readers, thank you for reading this story for the first time. You don't have to read the original to understand this one, of course, but I hope you'll still be able to enjoy it just the same.

For the 'migrating' readers, thank you very much for giving this story another chance. Hopefully, this time, I'll be able to write the story I had in mind better and I hope that, you guys, will also be able to enjoy it too.

And let me clear up one last thing:

This will be a KurapikaxOC, KilluaxOC, GonxOC and LeorioxOC fic. Meaning, there will be four main OC 'heroines' but you won't be meeting all four of them at the same time especially Leorio's pair who will be appearing a bit more later in the story.

CHAPTER 1

VOYAGE

There was no past for me to look back into

No memories to hang on to

Just a new life to get used to

And a new name to hold on to

LEILA

The world was dyed in scarlet. Everything was engulfed in flames. There was blood all over the floor. Countless of bodies lied dead. Screams of anguish and despair filled the air. In the middle of it all, a little girl no more than eight years old ran as tears fell from her eyes.

Help! Somebody! Anybody! Help!

She covered her ears hoping to drown out the noise.

Help! I don't want to hear their screams anymore!

She continued to run, desperate to get away.

Please, somebody take me away!

Then the scene shifted. There was a woman in front of the same little girl. The woman was beautiful but her eyes stood out the most. Her eyes were red, like blood. The woman's face showed deep sorrow that startled the little girl. Then suddenly the woman embraced the little girl and softy whispered.

"My dear, I'm sorry…I ha- to take –way so—thi— pre—us to you…But with this, I ho—that will be able to li—pea—fu—until the ti— comes. This is the only way. Please, until then, forget."

Leila opened eyes as the gentle rays of the sun greeted her like most of her early mornings.

She had that dream again.

It was a recurring dream. A nightmare at most. She hated it every time. She hated the screams, she hated the blood and she hated the flames that almost felt-seem so real. She knew it wasn't an ordinary dream but at the same time, she didn't know what exactly it was.

Was it a memory?

Who was that woman?

What happened?

Why did many of the people in her dream die?

Why was it burning?

Why was she there?

Why can't she remember a thing?

Why dream of a tragedy?

But more importantly, just who exactly was she to dream of that tragedy?

Leila closed her eyes and concentrated to reign in her thoughts. It always did her no good when she thought of those things. She still can't remember a thing and all that it did for her was make her feel the gaping hole in her being and its feeling of loss.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Leila. She was Leila now. She had been Leila for the past four years. No matter who she really was or what her name truly was, she was Leila now. She may have been once the unknown girl who was found washed up on the shores of Whale Island but she has a family now. She has a family who loved her and a place to call home. Whale Island was her home. She has obaa-chan who found her. She has Mito-san who gave her a name. And she has Gon who-

"Leila, are you awake yet?"

Gon?

"I've been knocking on your door for the past few minutes and you haven't answered so I'm going to take your answer as a no and use that as an excuse for breaking and entering."

Leila chuckled loudly enough for Gon to hear her at the other side of the door. "The door's not locked, Gon, but you have to let yourself in. I think I need a few minutes before I'm ready to part with my dear bed."

Gon smiled as he let himself in. "Morning, Leila. Slept well?" He approached the bed and sat just right at the end nearly where Leila's feet under the covers supposedly were.

"Hmm… not really." Leila admitted. She doesn't really keep things from Gon. Gon was her best friend and her brother in all but blood.

"That dream again?"

Leila didn't miss the worried tone on Gon's voice. Of course, he'd be worried. It had only been only a few months when she finally managed to get used to it. She used to scream, she used to cry and she used to hold Gon like a lifeline during those haunted nights.

Leila gave Gon, on what she hoped to be, an assuring smile. "I'm ok, Gon. No need to worry."

"Really?"

Leila nodded and smiled brighter this time. She was truly fortunate. She may have lost her memories but what she found instead, or rather who found her instead, was a loving family that she'd never trade for the world.

"So Gon, did you just come to my room to wake me up or-"

"Oh yeah!" Gon exclaimed. "I almost forgot. I'm supposed to tell you that if you aren't up in the next twenty minutes, Mito-san will double your chores."

"What?!" Leila immediately shot off her bed. "Just how did you forget?!"

Gon scratched his cheek sheepishly. "Got side tracked, I guess."

"Geez. If Mito-san kills me with the chores, I'm definitely holding you responsible, Gon."

She loved Mito-san. Really. But even she can't deny how Mito-san could be a slave driver sometimes.

Gon stood up and went to the door. "I better leave you with your hair then."

Leila turned her eyes to the whole-body mirror at the other side of the room. Her purple eyes blinked back at her as usual but her long black hair was a whole different story. It was an absolute mess and a definite paragon of a really, really, really bad case of bed-head.

How on earth was she going to fix this in twenty minutes?

Then Gon just had to pipe up.

"Leila, I think we lost ten minutes when we were talking. You've got ten minutes left now."

"GON!"

The last thing Leila heard was her door shutting, Gon laughing and his footsteps as he hurried away from her room.

Minutes later, Leila finally got herself ready. She immediately went downstairs to help her guardian with the bar/restaurant. She was dressed in her usual blue summer dress and she had her finally tamed long black hair tied in a ponytail that reached just above her waist.

And no. She definitely did not make it in time. Her hair was just that rebellious.

"I'm really sorry, Mito-san." Leila hung her head in sincere apology.

Her guardian just sighed in front of her. "You're really lucky you're cute."

Leila raised her head up cheerfully. "I'm forgiven then, Mito-san?"

"Just this once."

Leila gave Mito a huge and happy smile. It hadn't been once. This wasn't the first time she'd been late. It had happened a lot more than she could count but when it happened, her guardian's response was always 'just this once'.

She really loved Mito-san and she could tell Mito-san loved her too. She was truly fortunate.

"I still need your help here though, Leila. So, would you please wipe off that insanely huge grin off your face and bring that table's order for me?" Mito said, quite amused.

"Yes, ma'am." Leila responded, still grinning.

She took the tray containing the ordered food off the counter and went to the customer's table.

"Here is your order, sir." Leila said as she served the food on the table. The customer, meanwhile, stared at her quite curiously. "Is there anything else I could help you with, sir?"

"Ah no, nothing really." The guest replied. "But your eyes, miss, I must say that I've never really seen that color anywhere else. It's quite unique. Is it natural?"

"Yes, I guess. I mean, it's been like this ever since I could remember."

"I see."

Leila went back to the counter to get started with another order. She wasn't really surprised with the man's question. Most of the people she met tend to ask her about the strange color of her eyes. She has no clue why people find it so strange or if the color of her eyes was actually that unique. She hasn't been anywhere else since she was found on Whale Island.

Suddenly, the door was harshly opened to reveal a very anxious sixteen-year-old.

"Quick, Leila, hide me!"

"Wait, what are you-"

Before Leila could say anything else, the teen already hid under the counter and seconds later, three young local boys burst into the door. Leila raised an eyebrow.

"Hey Leila, have you seen Iris?" One of the boys asked.

"Uh… no… Are you sure she went this way?" Leila lied. It was practiced lie. It happened a few times in the past already.

"Is that so… that's too bad. We better look for her someplace else then. But, hey Leila, you're actually pretty cute, wanna hang out with us?"

Leila's eyebrow twitched appalled by the invitation. Seriously, can't these idiots see that she's too young for that kind of stuff?

She may not know her exact age but even she could tell that she's about four or maybe five years younger than Iris.

"No, I'm not interested and as you can see, I'm quite busy with the store right now so if you could please leave, I would greatly appreciate it." Leila flashed them one of her sweetest and fakest smiles, not bothering to hide the hostility under her polite speech.

Seeing this, the young men gulped nervously and realized that they've bothered the young waitress quite enough as they hurriedly dashed through the front door. Leila smiled contently as she saw them leave then she playfully smirked at her friend who was still hiding under the counter.

"Playing tag again, Iris?"

Leila chuckled when she heard a thud in reply. It seemed like her friend bumped her head as she tried to get out of her hiding place.

"Shut it, Leila. And correction, I wasn't playing tag. I was obviously running away from those idiots." Iris grumbled as she clutched her head in pain.

"Same difference"

Leila laughed more as she watched her friend trying to nurse the bump on her head. She can't blame those guys for chasing after her though. Iris was downright beautiful with her long, silky midnight blue hair which reached the middle of her back and her enchanting green eyes complete with a pretty face and stunning figure. She was hailed as the town's dream girl, not that Iris ever acknowledged it. Iris was never one to take advantage of her charms nor was she fully aware of its effects. Leila could remember one time that Iris got so irritated with a suitor that she punched him on the nose. Of course, living in a small town, the word of the incident got around and eventually reached the ears of Iris's mom who scolded her for it. The boys never stopped chasing after her though and just assumed she liked boys who can fight. So, the next few weeks after the incident a lot of boys went to show off their lame fighting skills and since Iris couldn't violently retaliate if she got too annoyed, she would usually avoid them, run away, or hide like what happened just now.

"Iris, I didn't know you were coming." Mito's voice interrupted Leila's thoughts.

"Your store has a lot of good hiding places, Mito-san." Iris replied grinning sheepishly.

"Playing tag again, Iris?" Mito asked, unable to hide her amusement.

"Really, Mito-san, you really just had to ask the same question?" Iris looked at the older woman incredulously while Leila clutched her stomach as she burst into another round of laughter.

"I wouldn't be laughing so hard if I were you Leila." Another voice joined the conversation as Gon's grandmother arrived.

"Obaa-chan" Leila greeted, acknowledging the old woman.

"You're as pretty as Iris, Leila-chan. In a few years, I think you'll be having your own band of suitors chasing you, young lady. Both of you are getting prettier as the days pass by." Gon's grandmother said stopping Leila from laughing.

"Well, I guess, Leila has a lot of growing up to do." Iris teased.

Leila flushed at the statement. It was true that she was quite short for her age but she didn't really need anyone to point it out. Then Leila thought of a good comeback, more like a little bit of blackmail actually.

"Oh, you know what, I think I may have to tattletale someone's location at the moment."

"You wouldn't dare…"

"Try me."

"Alright, I give up." Iris raised her hand in mock surrender. Then she playfully pointed her finger at Leila and declared "You may have won this battle but never assume you have won the war. Mark my words, I will have my revenge!"

"Then I will celebrate this moment of victory." Leila playfully replied.

By this time, the participants of the conversation were laughing. Then Mito and Gon's grandmother left leaving Iris and Leila alone.

"Hey Leila, where's Gon?" Iris asked.

"He's at the lake. You know, trying to do his task."

In exchange for Mito's approval of their participation in the Hunter Exam, Mito gave them both tasks to accomplish. Leila's task was to retrieve a very rare herb that grows on top of the highest tree in the island. The task was quite difficult since the tree was quite slippery. Then there were snakes coiling in the branches and don't even get her started with the ants and the bees. Leila still managed to successfully get the herb though within a few tries. On the other hand, Gon was tasked to capture the largest fish in the lake.

"I hope Gon captures that fish. I really hope to enter the exam with the both of you." Iris said. There was a hopeful gleam in her eyes.

"Yeah, I hope so too." Leila replied.

Iris's parents were both hunters and were constantly on the move. Three years ago, Iris arrived on the island and met the two of them. When she heard that Leila and Gon planned to take the Hunter Exam, she was so ecstatic about the news that she decided to wait till they could enter the exam with her and told them that she wasn't particularly in a rush to get her license. Leila had no doubt that Iris would pass the exam. Iris was smart and an excellent fighter and not to mention her parents or generally, her family. Iris once told her that she had an honorary grandfather who was also a hunter and there was also Iris's aunt and cousin. They were both hunters too. Leila was especially close with Iris's aunt but Iris's cousin usually traveled around. It was practically a family trade, as Iris sometimes said.

Then Leila thought about her motive in entering the Hunter Exam. Gon wanted to enter that exam to find his father and Iris wanted to prove herself. On the other hand, her motive was vague at best. Leila thought that by entering and passing the Hunter Exam, she may finally be able to find the courage to search for her past and her origins. She was curious and she really wanted to know who she really was but at the same time, it really scared to take that first step. She hoped that the experiences she would have at the Hunter Exam could allow her to get rid of her cowardly side and bring her out of the standstill that she was currently in. But that was just her being hopeful. The truth was that she just doesn't want to be left alone. Her closest friends, Gon and Iris, were going on an adventure and she wasn't ashamed to admit to herself that she wanted to tag along too.

Suddenly, Leila heard a commotion outside. Then the next few seconds she found herself outside with Iris. They both looked at Gon who had a huge grin on his face and huge fish on his back.

Gon finally got the fish.

'This is it. No turning back now.' Leila thought as she strengthened resolve.

All three of them were taking the Hunter Exam.

My last name was expectation

My first name was just a decoration

My self-worth was a question

My life should show the solution

IRIS

Iris fondly smiled as she watched Leila and Gon hug Mito one last time. It was always nice to see that her two friends were fiercely loved by a woman, despite not being their biological mother, love them both as one. It was also clear to see that both Gon and Leila were proud and happy to be her children.

Watching them somehow made Iris think of her own parents and her own family. Her parents and her aunt were out somewhere doing hunter stuff so they weren't present at the farewell. Their absence did not bother her much though. She'd rather see them after she became a hunter and after proving herself to be as capable as the rest of the family on the family trade. They were her inspiration and the goals she had to surpass. She loved her family but she refused to stay under their shadow forever. She wasn't just a Sinclair. She was Iris Sinclair and it's time for the world to acknowledge that. It may take some time for her to attain her goals but her determination was just as strong.

She was also instructed to meet them after the exam though so she definitely would see them afterwards either way. They had promised to continue her training if she passed the Hunter Exam. The promise reminded Iris of the fairly new weight added on her wrist. Iris fiddled with the red bracelet. Her father asked her to wear it as a proof of a promise she made with him. It had some strange patterns but other than that, it looked normal. The promise wasn't the cliché promise to pass the exam but a promise not to do something and the consequences of breaking the said promise was something she'd rather not deal with.

"Iris"

Iris heard Mito call and she saw the woman gesturing for a hug. Iris happily reciprocated it.

"You three take care of each other, okay?"

"We will, Mito-san."

After the farewell, Iris, Leila and Gon boarded the ship that would take them to the supposed location of the exam. Iris glanced around the ship taking note of the other passengers. A lot of them were rough looking men and she didn't spot any other girl besides her and Leila. Iris continued to look around and then her eyes landed on a pair of gray eyes staring back at her. She tilted her head in confusion at the unexpected gaze. The action seemed to snap the stranger out of whatever trance he was in because he immediately averted her eyes. Iris's eyebrows furrowed.

"There's a big storm coming!" Gon's sudden announcement effectively broke Iris out of her thoughts.

Iris's jaw dropped as she found Gon up and above the ship's mast. 'Just when did he managed to get over there?!'

Iris sighed. It's Gon. It's something to be expected. It's just how he was. She should have known better and now she lost Mr. Stranger. Gon just perfectly executed, though unknowingly, a very successful distraction.

"Iris, something wrong?"

"Since when did you get there, Leila?!" Iris almost jumped as she found Leila suddenly beside her.

"I've been beside you all this time though." Leila nonchalantly replied.

"Oh. Sorry." To think that Mr. Stranger managed to capture her attention enough to make her forget Leila's presence. Now, that was unprecedented. No guy her age ever made her curious that much.

"Leila, did you see a guy over there?" Iris pointed at the spot.

Leila frowned. "Which guy?"

"A blonde with… cat eyes? My age… I think?" Their eyes only locked for a second and he was gone the next.

"Cat eyes? Was it someone you know?"

"Uh… not really?" Nope. Definitely not. If she ever met him somewhere before, he probably would have made the same heavy impression on her and it was not something she could easily just forget.

Leila gave her an odd concerned look. "Are you seasick, Iris?"

Iris's eyebrow twitched. "Oi Leila, for someone you're accusing of seasickness, why the heck are you looking at me like I actually went psycho?"

Leila just blinked at her innocently. "Why are you looking for him anyways?"

Her not-so-innocent friend just definitely dodged that one. But she'll let it pass. Just this once. "… He left an impression on me, I guess?"

"Oh… Iris, are you-"

"Leila! Iris! The view is great up here!" Gon called out cheerfully still up above with the seagulls.

"Really?! Let me see it too, Gon!" Leila cheerfully yelled back as she made a motion to join her friend above but Iris's hand on her wrist stopped her.

"Wait, Leila, what were you about to say again? I didn't think I managed to catch that one."

Leila shrugged. "I forgot." Then she left a gaping Iris and joined Gon.

'Seriously?! Give me back my curiosity, damn it!'

Then as expected, a few hours later, the ship was sailing in the middle of the storm. A lot of passengers fell ill and fainted except for Iris herself, Leila, Gon, Mr. Stranger and another guy wearing a suit. This event eventually led them to the captain's quarters being interviewed by the captain. The captain asked for their names which was easy enough to answer. Mr. Stranger was Kurapika and the suit guy was Leorio. Now that Iris managed to look at Mr. Stran- Kurapika more closely, it seemed like she actually got most of his features right but for some reason there was something different about him that Iris can't quite manage to point out. He was strangely familiar somehow. But didn't she rule that out before?

Then the captain's second question snapped her out. The captain asked why they wanted to become hunters. Leila and Gon looked comfortable enough with the question and Iris didn't mind answering it but she noted that Leorio and Kurapika were visibly displeased by it. After Gon easily answered the question, the captain demanded Leorio and Kurapika's answer. They argued with the captain for a while but when the captain had enough, he revealed himself as one of the examiners and declared that not answering the question would equal to disqualification. This left Leorio and Kurapika with no choice.

"I am the last survivor of the Kuruta clan." Kurapika answered.

Iris's eyes widened at the answer. 'Kuruta? The clan of the scarlet eyes?'

Iris was definitely surprised. A few years ago, she caught some conversation between her parents when they thought she was sleeping. It was about a massacre and a certain clan. The word Kuruta stuck on her mind. When she researched about it, she found out about the clan's tragedy and their scarlet eyes which were hailed as one of the wonders of the world. She saw some pictures on some of the books. She admitted that the eyes were beautiful but, at same time, it sickened her to think that people would not hesitate to desecrate another person's corpse to acquire the said treasure. It was absolute disrespect. It sickened her that some people don't even consider them as fellow human beings but just containers that simply carried the treasures they wanted.

"Four years ago, my clan was annihilated by a band of criminals." Kurapika continued. "I wish to become a Hunter and hunt down that band, the Phantom Troupe."

Iris tried to recall everything her parents told her about the troupe. The troupe was considered as Class A criminals. They were heartless murderers who killed anyone who gets in their way without a second thought. Iris immediately thought it was reckless but the resolve she found in Kurapika's eyes stopped her line of thought. He was definitely determined to take his revenge no matter what.

"So, you want to be a bounty hunter? The Phantom Troupe is a Class A bounty. Not even the most grizzled hunters can touch them. You'd be throwing away your life." The captain warned.

"I do not fear death. I only fear that this rage will fade over time." Kurapika's gleamed red.

Iris trembled for a bit as she stared onto those scarlet eyes. The rage and the bloodlust she felt from it were intense. Too intense. Suddenly, a cold touch snapped her out of it. She turned to her side and saw Leila clutching her arm. She was too engrossed with the discussion that she never noticed her friend's distress. Leila was visibly in pain. Her other hand was on her head and she looked too pale to be healthy.

"Are you okay, Leila?" Iris asked worriedly. "What happened to you?"

"My head suddenly hurt." Leila weakly responded. "Just let me hold on to you for a while. I'm ok."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Iris was still worried but it did look like her friend was getting better. Iris gave Leila one last quizzical look.

"Tell me if it gets worse, okay?"

Leila answered her friend with a nod.

Iris turned her attention back to the conversation and the other people in the group. The other occupants in the room did not seem to notice what just happened. They were too absorbed in the conversation.

"So, in other words, you just want revenge. Does that require that you become a hunter?" Leorio smugly asked.

"That's the most stupid question in the world, Leorio." Kurapika coolly replied.

"That's Leorio-san to you!"

"Places accessible only to Hunters... Information otherwise unattainable... Actions otherwise impossible... There are more reasons than your brain could possibly handle."

Leorio practically turned into an enraged gorilla at the sentence.

"Hey, why do you want to be a hunter, Leorio-san?" Gon interjected.

"I'll make it short: money. With money you can get everything. A big house, good cars, good liquor-"

"You can't buy class with money, Leorio." Kurapika interrupted.

Leorio finally snapped and told Kurapika step outside declaring that he'll end the filthy Kuruta bloodline once and for all. The captain tried to stop the two of them but Gon told him to let it be and let them settle it themselves. Then a crew spotted a waterspout. The captain ordered to raise the sails and Gon immediately volunteered to help.

With all of the boys going out, Iris turned her attention to Leila who was still little bit pale but thankfully she doesn't look as sickly anymore.

"Leila" Iris gave her friend a gentle to get her attention. "Are you ok?"

Leila nodded. "I'm fine, Iris. I think it was the shaking or something. Don't worry too much. More importantly, let's go help."

"But... Are you sure you're up to it, Leila?"

"Un" Leila gave a small smile in for assurance.

Iris looked at her friend carefully. Leila's smile may be a bit weaker than usual but she's smiling nonetheless. She seemed to be better too. Iris sighed.

"Alright but the moment I see you not feeling well enough, I'm dragging you back inside."

"Deal."

With that, Iris and Leila hurriedly went outside but what they witnessed there drained the colour off their faces. It was Gon recklessly jumping overboard to save someone.

"GON!" They both shouted in worry.

Thankfully, Leorio and Kurapika caught their friend which earned a sigh of relief from the two girls.

After the storm...

"Gon, you idiot! If you make me worry like that again, I swear..." Leila said as she hugged her friend in relief.

"Just how reckless can you be, Gon?! My heart almost stopped beating, you idiot!" Iris scolded while Gon looked guiltily at the two of them.

"I'm sorry, Iris, Leila. I'll try not to do it again." Gon apologized. "Besides, nothing bad really happened. Kurapika and Leorio caught me."

Iris turned her gazed at the two men behind her.

"Thanks a lot for saving Gon, Kurapika-san, Leorio-san." Iris brightly smiled at the both of them, sincerely grateful of their help which made the two guys shyly avert their eyes from her.

"Ah no, I don't really need any thanks." Kurapika said, still quite flustered.

"We'll, I'm just glad everything turned out okay." Leorio replied to the girl.

"I apologize for my rude behavoir, Leorio-san." Kurapika addressed to Leorio.

"Geez, that makes me feel old. Leorio is fine, Kurapika and to you too, Leila-chan."

'Leila-chan? Did he just call me Leila?' Iris was downright dumbstruck at the obvious mistake.

"I take everything back, Kurapika. I was wrong." Leorio continued.

"Hey Leorio, what did you just call me?" Iris asked.

"Is it bad that I add -chan to your name, Leila-chan?"

"I really don't mind the -chan but... it's just that..."

An exasperated sigh escaped from Kurapika's lips. "You idiot."

"Actually, I am Leila." Leila said from beside Gon with an amused smile playing on her lips.

"Eh... so that means... ahaha... you were both as pretty so I can't help but mix up your names..." Leorio lamely gave his excuse. "Sorry about that, Leila-chan, Airi-chan."

'Airi?' Iris' eyebrow twitched. 'Is it really that hard to get my name right?'

Gon and Leila burst into laughter which made Leorio look at them curiously.

"Her name's Iris, Leorio and I suggest you shut up before you dig yourself a deeper grave." Kurapika said dismissively which earned another dumb expression from Leorio.

"Eh?"

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