Hi! Here's the second chapter! Yay! This is so exciting, I have tears right now!

I do not own anything except for my character Rhia. (I wish I did though.)

Chapter 2: A Storm at Sea

RHIA'S P.O.V

'There it is.' I thought to myself, looking up at the majestic ship. As I boarded, I noticed that there weren't any other girls around. 'Well this should be very interesting.'

I walked up the gang plank, I glanced around. The men that were on board were huge and intimidating. But I hid my uneasiness and walked to a mast, setting my bag beside it. I took a deep breath of the salty sea air, relishing the moment. However, that moment would soon be disrupted.

I looked over and saw some of the sailors staring at me.

I growled. "What do you want? Don't you know it's rude to stare?"

They averted their eyes rather quickly, away from my gaze.

"Perhaps if you wore a more modest shirt, then you wouldn't have guys staring at you."

I groaned. "Oh crap." I turned my head to the other side of the mast.

"We meet again." Said 'Blondie'. "I see we're both headed for the Hunter Exam."

"If I had known you were on this ship, I wouldn't have boarded." I spat, walking away.

"I'd love to know what I did to earn your resentment of me." He said calmly.

I A.. 'God he's so freaking annoying!' I turned to face him.

"You threw a fork at my head!" I cried. "It doesn't take a Ph.D to figure that one out!"

"I told you I wasn't aiming at you."

"The fact remains that a metal object flew at me, and came from you." I growled.

"And yet, I still said that it wasn't my fault you were in the way."

"You jerk!" I yelled, drawing my sword.

"Violence is never an answer. It will only lead to more violence." He said with his eyes closed.

"Does it look like I care?" I asked. Suddenly, a young boy and man landed right next to me, causing me to yelp in surprise and fall over.

The boy had spikey brown/black hair and big brown eyes. He was wearing a green jacket and shorts with a small backpack. In his hand was a fishing pole. He helped me up.

He smiled at me. "Oh did I scare you miss? I'm sorry, but my friend and I were going to miss the ship."

I opened my mouth to say something, but was cut off by Blondie.

"If I were you, I'd refrain from yelling." He commented.

"Oh shut up!" I yelled back, stomping away. 'Idiot.' I was in a very bad mood now. Then I noticed something.

There was no one at the steering wheel.

I grinned. 'Yes, something to entertain myself with.' I crept up to the wheel, and put my hands on it, making sure that I wasn't being watched. The captain was busy talking to the young boy with the fishing pole. I saw a man up on the main mast knock a bucket down. I watched it fall right on the tall man's face. He cried out when he saw it, and when it hit him, it burst. The pieces of wood flew towards Blondie, and even though his eyes were closed, he dodged every piece. I held back a giggle.

I played a bit with the wheel then, silently scolding the crew for not being diligent enough to catch a 15 year-old trouble maker. But, alas. Nothing lasts for long.

"What do you think you're doing?"

I yelped and ducked as knife was thrown above my head. 'What is it with people and throwing things at me?' I turned around slowly and found myself face-to-face with the captain. He smelled like salt and liquor, toally creeping me out.

"Do you realize what you could have done?" he yelled at me. "This ship is on a very specific course! If we even move off a little-"

"Captain!" the boy with brown eyes called. "The Sea Cranes say that we're heading for a storm. A big one!"

The captain glared daggers at me. "Let me rephrase that. Do you realize what you HAVE done?"

"I'm sorry I didn't know!" I cried, trying to defend myself.

"That's no excuse!" he roared. "You still went and completely changed course! From now on, I'm not responsible for what happens to you on this ship."

"WHAT?" I yelled. I tried to keep myself from trembling. But all these guys. . . oh I'd really done it this time! Everyone on the ship was glaring at me now. Well, almost everyone.

"Hey, you okay?"

I turned and saw the brown-eyed boy looking ta me with concern.

I nodded. "Yeah, what made you think I wasn't?"

"You're shaking." He said.

'Crap.' "Oh really?" I said.

"It's okay. I know you didn't mean to get us in trouble." He said kindly. He held out his hand for me to shake. "My name's Gon. What's yours?"

I shook his hand. "Rhia."

LATER. . .

The storm hit, and it was a big one. But it didn't scare me. What really scared me was all the guys on the ship. But I stuck with Gon the entire time, which made me feel safer. He was really nice to me, even though I'd gotten the entire ship in trouble.

It wasn't so bad that we had to be inside the cabin, however. So Gon and I were taking full advantage of the situation and watched the lightning. All of a sudden, the main mast was struck by lightning! And then it started glowing!

"What's that?" Gon cried.

"It's called Saint Elmo's Fire." I said, sounding like an expert.

"What's Saint Elmo's Fire?" Gon asked. I was about to answer but was cut off by an annoyingly familiar voice.

"It's a phenomenon during which tall objects like that mast are illuminated by a build of static electricity. That means that there's probably a thunder head or electrified cloud situated directly above us."

I growled.

"Really?" Gon asked.

"So," said the tall man who arrived with Gon. "you can talk after all. Thanks a lot for the encyclopedic explanation."

Blondie frowned at the man, who was currently making faces at him.

God that kid was annoying. Then I had an evil idea and smirked. Gon noticd this and frowed in worry.

"Rhia? What are you planning?" he asked.

I ignored him and instead stepped back, asking Blondie a question as I went.

"Since you're so smart, can you answer my question?" I asked sweetly.

He just looked at me.

"I've been wondering. Are you a girl?"

"What?" he cried, as the sailors started snickering.

"Tee hee!" I giggled as Blondie blushed.

"I'm obvioulsy a guy!" he yelled.

"Sorry, I couldn't tell."

"Shut up! It's your fault we're in this storm!" he yelled at me.

My temper flared. "Hey!"

"Both of you stop." The captain siad, coming between us. "There's a legend. No sailor who ever sees Saint Elmo's Fire has ever made it back to port alive."

"Huh?" asked the tall man. "Good thing I'm not a sailor."

"Storm's coming, and it's gonna be big."

"But I thought this was the storm." I said.

He glared at me. "This is only a front. The worst is yet to come."

I paled and started shivering again. Man, he knew just how to shut me up!

LATER. . .

Now that actual storm hit. Thunder crashed and lightning flashed. The waves were very close to rising above the deck, so everyone was forced down into the ship's cargo area. I smirked when I saw all of the big, burly men looking very green and fainting here and there.

"Wimps." I giggled. Gon was being a nice kid, and trying to help those who were getting sick. Blondie somehow managed to fall asleep in a hammock and the other guy was looking in a mirror. I rolled my eyes at him. 'Weirdo.'

Time passed and the storm didn't let up. I was getting more worried now. Exactly how far had I thrown us off course? Oh God, I was in for it now!

"What?"
I looked up and saw the tall man talking to the captain.

"You want me to tell you what my name is?"

"Is it that big of a secret?" I asked in sarcasm.

He ignored me however, to which I was partly grateful.

"Yeah I do." The captain replied.

"My name's Gon!" Gon cried happily.

Blondie sat up in the hammock. "I'm Kurapika."

Suddenly, my heart skipped a couple beats when he said his name. Why was that? What else could possibly be wrong with me?

"And I'm . . . Leorio." The tall guy sighed.

"And you trouble maker?" he growled at me.

I smirked. "The name's Rhiannon Wolf, don't forget it!"

He ignored me however and asked another question. "And why do you want to become Hunters?"

"Do you really need to know or do you just want to know?" I asked lazily. "There's a big difference you know."

"It won't make a big differece if I throw you off this ship." He threatened. Again, I shut up.

"Why don't you mind your own buisiness?" Leorio growled. "You're just here to steer the ship."

"Captain," Gon offered. "I'll tell you my reason. My Dad's a Hunter, and I want to know what it's like."

"Whoa there kid, I was still talking to the guy." Leorio said. "Besides, he doesn't need to know your life story."

"What's the big deal?" Gon asked innocently. "It's no secret."

"Because I don't want to tell him! I don't have to do what he says. You see, I like to stand up for myself. That means never letting anyone boss me around."

"I agree with you Reolio." Kurapika said, jumping down.

"Hey you, who the hell do you think you are?" Leorio asked. "Next time you say my name, say it right!"

"It would be easy enough to dodge the captain's questions by making up a plausible lie, but I believe lying to be a sin, equal to greed. And as dishonorable."

"The name's Leorio." He growled. "You got that?"

"But I also feel that I cannot disclose the truth to a stranger whom I've just met." Kurapikka continued. "My reason for becoming a Hunter is much too personal."

Leorio growled.

"And that's why I choose not to answer the question at this time."

"You listening to me?" Leorio snarled. "The name's Leorio!"

'Man he sure gets worked up about his name.' I thought.

"And what about you trouble maker?" Leorio said, copying what the captain had called me. My eyes narrowed and I growled. "I have a name you know. Just because people don't say yours the way you want it said doesn't mean you can call other people names!"

"But will you tell him why you're here?" Gon asked.

I crossed my arms. "I don't really have much of a reason. I just wanted a challenge."

"Well I'm still not saying anything!" Leorio declared. Kurapika stayed silent.

"If the two of you can't answer my question, then you can get off my ship."

"What?" we all said together, looking at the captain.

"Now."

"Wha?" Leorio cried.

"You still don't get it do you?" the captain sighed. "The Hunter Exam has already begun. It started the moment you set foot on this ship." He said, pulling out a card. Everyone but me gasped. It was a regular sized card, purple and red, with two big black X's on it.

"That's from the Hunter Association!" Loerio cried, backing up.

"There are as many people who want a Hunter Liscense as there are stars in the sky." The captain said. "You think there are enough examiners with the time to judge em' all? Hardly. That's why there are people like me, who not only steer the ship, but also screen the applicants. The rest of the passengers didn't make the cut, and I'll be making my report on them to the Committee. If any of them reach the Exam by another way, they'll be turned down. What this all means is that whether or not you four can take the Exam has been left up to me. So you may want to answer my question."

"Guess I've got no choice." Leorio sighed. "The reason that I want to become a Hunter is that I-"

"I'm the only survivor of the Kurta Clan." Kurapika interrupted.

"Hey I was just going to tell him my reason!" Leorio complained.

'What, is it his hobby to interrpput people?' I wondered.

"I want to be a Blacklist Hunter, so I can capture fugitives with a bounty on their head and bring them to justice."

I winced slightly. 'Oh God he'd LOVE me.'

"And why is that?" the captain asked.

'Quite the nosey type.'

"Ten years ago all of my brethern were brutally massacred. That gang of theives, the Phantom Troupe, is responsible. And I am determined to have my revenge."

"And that's why you want to become a Hunter." The captain comcluded.

Kurapika nodded.

"The Phantom Troupe has a Class A bounty on them. Even the most experienced Hunters won't go after them. It could cost you your life."

"I do not fear death. But what I fear most is that one day my rage will eventually fade away."

I clapped sacrcastically. "Amazing speech Blondie, I'm moved to tears of boredom."

"Get over yourself already." Leorio said. "You can take revenge without going thorugh all the trouble of becoming a Hunter."

"Don't be as stupid as you look." Kurapika said.

I laughed. "Nice!"

"Everyone knows that as a Hunter you have permission to do what few others can. You have access to places and information that no one else does. You can take almost any action, Reolio."

"For the last time, it's Leorio!"

"Okay then let's hear your reason." The captain said, looking at Leorio.

"My reason? I'mnot going to try and guess what you want me to say so I'm just going to get straight to the point. Money!"

I sweat-dropped. "Seriously?"

"As a Hunter I'll make loads of money! And then I can buy whatever I want!"

"I wonder if you could buy yourself some class, Reolio." Kurapika comented.

"Oh! Burn!" I cried laughing.

"That's the third strike." Leorio growled, glaring at Kurapika. "You Kurta tribesmen are a bunch of dirty half-wits who know nothing about manners."

I stopped laughing in shock. "Leorio!" I shouted at him.

"You take that back right now, Reolio."

"I've had enough of you." Leorio said. "Let's go."

"Sure, any time." Kurapika answered immeadiately. Leorio walked out and Kurapika followed him.

I slapped my forehead. 'Idiots.'

"Hey! Come back here!" the captain yelled.

"Let them go." Gon said.

"What?"

"My Aun Mito used to tell me, 'If you want to get to know someone, start by finding out what makes them angry.' Whatever they're fighting about, it must be important."

I looked at Gon. "But what of one falls off the ship?"

"Oh so you care now?" the captain asked sharply.

He had no idea how much I did care. I frowned at him. "Of course I do. I'm not completely heartless."

With that, I ran up after Leorio and Kurapika.

When I reached the deck, however, I wasn't prepared at all for the wind. It was so strong it almost blew me overboard. The thunder was cracking louder than before, and the lightning was brighter, each flash making it look like daytime. During one of the flashes, I saw Kurapika and Leorio charging at each other.

'How can they possibly manage to keep their balance at a time like this?' I thought as I desperately clung to the rigging as a monstrous wave nearly washed me over the side. The ship was rocking violently, as if it was out of control. I looked up to the navigator's post and saw the problem.

No one was steerng!

I groaned. "Are you freaking kidding me?" I cried, running up and grabbing the wildly spinning wheel. It took most of my strength just to stay upright. But I was somehow able to get the ship somewhat balanced again.

'Alright!' I thought happily. But it wasn't over yet.

Kurapika and Leorio were still fighting, and one of the sailors was climging up the mast with a hammer. I then saw that the main mast was damaged! This was not good.

Then, a sound louder than thunder was heard. I slowly looked over to my left and saw what could only be described as a tsunami. (A/N: You know how in scary movies when the monster is right behind the main characters, and they turn around really slowly as if it wasn't going to eat them? Yeah, that's what Rhia's doing now.) My pupils dialated as it towered over the ship. If that thing hit us, we'd all die!

Then the wall of water hit us, nearly knocking the boat over. I screamed as the water almost pushed me off, but my voice was lost in the icy water. My brain could hardly register anything as I tried to keep my grip on the wheel. I heard shouting but couldn't make it out. By the grace of God the ship stayed upright and we were able to sail out of the hellish storm. I had a death-grip on the wheel, and my knuckles were as white as marble. My braid had also come out, and my bangs were hanging limply in front of my left eye. I released the wheel slowly and looked at my hands. They were very red, but no other apparent damage. I walked down to the deck and was met with quite a surprise.

I stood stock-still. "Uh, Leorio why are you in boxers?" I cried.

"AH!" he yelled, jumping behind the mast. "Hey no looking!"

"Well it's kind of hard not to when you stand in plain sight." I commented.

"Didn't your parents ever teach you anything about common courtesy?"

I flinched slightly and chose to ignore his rather painful question. "Didn't yours ever teach you not to walk around in boxers in public?" I retorted.

"This is why women shouldn't be allowed on ships!"

Kurapika snickered.

"Sexist." I spat.

"What?"

"You heard me!"

"Rhia, Leorio please stop fighting." Gon asked, coming between us.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. I need to redo my braid."

I was stopped by the captain.

"What could I have possibly done this time?" I cried in aaggravation.

"Thank you for saving the ship Rhia." He said. "If it weren't for you we'd be at the bottom of the sea."

I was surprised by his words. "Oh. You're welcome. It wasn't that difficult, I mean I was raised on ships. I learned how to sail them at an early age."

"Good thing. It's important to know how to sail, as you've just seen an example."

I smiled. "I'm happy to help."

Okay! That chapter was a lot longer than I anticipated, but I hope you guys liked it! Chapter three will be up as soon as I can do it!

By the way, I know that it was only four years since the massacre of the Kurta Clan, but I tweaked it a little to fit my idea.

And what could Rhia have meant when she learned that Kurapika was going to become a Blacklist Hunter, and that 'he'd LOVE her'? Only time will tell, and I can't say when that time will come! Tee hee! Am I evil or what? Til next time! Read&Review everyone!