Chapter Twenty One
Before their fight Wing taught them about Hatsu and the six Nen categories; Enhancers, Emitters, Transmuters, Conjurers, Manipulators, and Specialists. They did the water divination together. Wing filled a glass to the top with water and placed a small leaf on top.
"Perform Ren with your ability on either side of the glass. Your ability will be revealed by what happens." Wing summoned his Ren and the amount of water increased, overflowing and dripping down the sides of the glass. All four kids watched in awe.
"The waters overflowing!" Gon said excitedly.
"If the volume of water changes, then you're an enhancer." Wing explained. "Now, it's time for you to try." The kids all beamed excitedly. Gon went first and turned out to be an Enhancer, the water overflowing like Wings had. Zushi went next and moved the leaf, indicating that he was a Manipulator. Killua went next but nothing seemed to change, until Wing had them dip their fingers in and taste the water. It tasted super sweet, which meant Killua was a Transmuter. When it was Ayami's turn, she put her hands on either side of the cup and focused her Ren. for a moment, nothing happened, and then the water separated into small perfect beads of water, floating up into the air and leaving the leaf at the bottom of the now empty cup.
"Focus your Ren on the water Ayami."
"Okay!" There were a few moments of silence before- "Pretty!" A small, perfect bead of water rose from the rest, sparkling where the sun hit it. It hovered in the air for a mew moments before dripping back into the water. "Look Daddy! Did you see it?"
"I did. You did very well, Ayami." Strong arms lifted her up and pulled her into a hug. "You're a specialist."
"Just like you?"
"Just like me."
Ayami lost her concentration and the water fell, splashing down on top of them. Ayami turned her wide eyes to Wing.
"W-What does that mean?" Ayami asked.
"I've never seen that before. I beleive that makes you a specialist." Ayamis lips curled up into a small proud smile. "Okay, now you know what kind of aura you're working with. For the next four weeks, I want you three to train until you can make a more pronounced change in the water." Wing told the boys. "Ayami, I will work with you personally."
"Why doesn't Ayami have to?" Gon asked.
"Because the water had such a big reaction to her aura, I believe Ayami already mastered this exercise before her accident. She may have already started developing her Hatsu. Even if you don't remember what it is, your body does. We are going to try and find it."
Over the next few weeks Ayami didn't spend much time with the boys. They were both practicing their water divination and she was working with Wing. They were certain she had been developing a Hatsu before the accident and Ayami had a pretty decent idea of what it was. Honestly it was relatively simple because she'd come up with it so young but it was essentially water manipulation. In early August they gathered again to show off their progress. Killua's water was way sweeter, Zushi was able to move his leaf farther and Gon's water increased so much he cracked the glass. Ayami was able to move the water droplets around them and used it to splash Killua, drenching his fluffy white hair. Wing pulled them apart when Killua tackled her and they started wrestling on the floor, somehow pulling Gon and Zushi into it as well. When he finally regained their attention he smiled proudly.
"Ayami, Gon, and Killua, today you are all graduating."
'Really?" Killua asked.
"We did it!" Ayami cheered.
"Awesome!" Gon laughed, fist bumping Killua and tossing his arm around Ayami for a loose hug.
"Master, am I graduating too?" Zushi asked.
"You'll need to train a little bit longer." Wing said gently.
"Osu." Zushi said, trying to hide his disappointment.
"Just keep at it." Killua encouraged.
"Yeah, you'll get it!" Gon added.
"You can do it, Zushi." Ayami said.
"Osu." Zushi said again.
"Oh, and Gon. I've one more thing for you. Something important I need to say."
"What is it, Mr. Wing?" Gon asked
"The Other Hunters Exam, you passed it. Congratulations." Wing smiled proudly.
"The Other Hunters Exam?" Gon asked.
"That's right. You passed with flying colors."
"What do you mean?" Ayami asked.
"One cannot be a full fledged Hunter without learning the use of Nen. Such skill and power are requirements for such a dangerous profession. One of your jobs as a Hunter will be attempting to apprehend evil poachers and other criminals. You must be strong enough to fight crime if you wish to be a true deterrent. But this power is destructive when abused. Revealing the existence of Nen during the Exam would be risky. Therefore, only those who have already passed the Main Exam are tested."
"Oh, I get it. You would have tested us, Gon at least, no matter what happened, right?" Ayami asked.
"Yes. I should have also mentioned that the Grand Master of Shingen-Ryu is Chairman Netero. The master has told me much about you. "
"The goofy old man?" Killua grumbled.
"Killua. Ayami." Wing called.
"Huh?"
"Yeah?"
"I want you two to go back and take the Hunters Exam again. You'll definitely pass next time."
"He's right." Gon encouraged.
"At this point, you're more than qualified enough. That I can guarantee." Wing continued.
"We will." Ayami promised.
"Well… if I feel like it." Killua shrugged, looking away.
"Hey, Mr. Wing? Have you heard anything about the other people who passed?" Gon asked.
"I have. Hanzo and Kurapika have learned Nen from other teachers. Pokkle is struggling with his Ren. Leorio is studying for his medical school exam. Hisoka and Illumi were already well-versed in the use on Nen."
"So Kurapika and Leorio are working hard!" Gon said proudly.
"That's not all, Gon. I have one bit of advice. When you fight Hisoka tomorrow, don't push yourself so hard. All right?"
"Right!" Gon agreed. Soon they said goodbye to Wing and Zushi and headed back to Heavens Arena. Gon had his fight with Hisoka and Ayami and Killua beamed proudly when he accomplished his goal and punched Hisoka in the face. They paused their fight briefly so Gon could return the tag. Gon lost, of course, but he had accomplished his goal, so the three kids said their goodbyes to Wing and Zushi and headed to Whale island to meet his family.
His Aunt Mito and Grandma were incredibly kind and cooked up a large feast when they arrived. Gon, Ayami, and Killua had a blast exploring the island together and eventually settled down on a clearing near the cliff, staring up at the stars.
"Hey Gon." Killua said suddenly.
"Yeah?"
"So… what are you gonna do now?"
"I think I'm gonna rest up here for a while and get some information before we go to Yorknew City to find my dad and Ayas family." Gon said to him. Killua hummed.
"I gotcha." Killua stared at the stars for a moment. "I'm not sure what I'm gonna do." Killua said. Ayami turned to face him.
"I thought you were coming with us?" Ayami asked.
"I am coming with you, but that's not what I meant. I was just thinking I admire you two." Killua said, sitting up. Ayami and Gon sat up as well.
"What do you mean?" Ayami asked.
"There's nothing I wanna do. You wanna find your family, You wanna find your Dad." He told Ayami and Gon. "I don't have anything." Killua gave them a sad smile. "There are plenty of things I don't want to do. Like stay in my house, or take over the family business. I'm just not sure what to do after all of this." He said. Ayami hummed.
"Honestly I'm not sure what I'm gonna do either." Ayami said.
"I thought you were gonna stay with your family." Killua said
"I dunno. Even if we find them, it's been six years. They could have moved on, they might not even want me anymore. Besides…" Ayami tilted her head back and smiled at her boys. "I kinda want to stay with you two." Killua blushed and Gon beamed.
"It's fun. Hanging out with you two, I mean." Gon said seriously, staring earnestly at his two friends. Killua's blush deepened and he shifted awkwardly.
"W-Where did that come from?" He asked, embarrassed.
"Whale Islands an outpost. It's where fishermen stay when they're at sea for a long time. Not a lot of people who live here are natives. There's a girl about my age but I just never got to know her that well. So, you guys are my first friends." Gon explained, smiling at them.
"Yeah, I know what you mean. Being stuck in that house all day and spending my time training, you guys are my first real friends too." Killua agreed.
"Same here. There were other kids on the streets, but most of them will sell you out for a dime." Ayami agreed.
"When we're together we have fun right?" Gon asked.
"I guess so." Killua said, scratching his head awkwardly. Ayami smiled and nodded.
"I do too! So I think we should stick together! Lets travel around and see the whole world!" Gon said excitedly. Ayami beamed.
"Let's do it!" She agreed excitedly.
"You guys are so embarrassing!" Killua whined, face beet red. Gon laughed and Ayami shoved him.
"I'll go look for my dad, Ayami will find her family, and you can look for whatever you really want to do." Gon said as they went back to watching the stars.
"That sounds like fun." Ayami said with a grin. Killua glanced between tem and smiled to himself.
"You're right. Doesn't sound half bad." Killua said. "I'm in!" He said, smiling brightly. The kids beamed at each other, their promise hanging heavily in the air, before they returned to lighter subjects. They spent the night under the stars, and looking back years from now, they remembered it as one of the happiest times of their lives.