The First Chapter:

First Glimpse of Moonlight



"So this is the renowned Moonlight Express! It's the first time I have ridden in a train this grand and elegant!" Gon exclaimed. There was reason for his excitement for the Moonlight Express was no ordinary train. The train itself was composed of 15 sections. Within each individual section, there was a lobby for boarding and departing the train, a dining cart, an entertainment cart, and 4 guest compartments. The guest compartments were further divided into one VIP compartment with only single-person rooms, and three economy compartments, with two-person rooms. The moment you board the train, an extremely beautiful female humanoid computer would welcome you and scan your ticket.

Once on board, most of the first-time passengers would drop their jaws for the special lobby area of the train was not decorated with wood or metal. Rather, its décor composed mainly of human imagination, or more precisely, the passenger's imagination. Hence, if you love nature, you will see a train covered with the wildlife of the Brazilian rain forest. There were two pathways extending from the lobby. The one on the left led to the dinning cart and the one on the right, the entertainment cart. Right next to the dining cart was the first economy compartment and beyond that, the VIP cart. On the other side, right next to the entertainment cart was the first economy compartment followed by the second right next to it (See figure 1).



Figure 1. The Floor Plan of Section 15 of Moonlight Express



Gon was still admiring the European style dining cart when Killua caught him by the collar and dragged him toward economy compartment I. "Let me see, room number 1507. We'll be in this room. Kurapika and Leorio, you two are 1508, just next to us." Killua said.

Kurapika stared at his ticket. It wasn't entirely pleasing to be in the same room as Leorio, especially given the past experience during the hunter test. It's extremely annoying, to have a person who thought he was Domingo[1] when he was not, to be singing in the shower. Kurapika approached the door. At that instant, a 3-D computer generated image politely greeted Kurapika and Leorio and requested them to scan their ticket at the lock and to speak their names. It seemed the compartment doors could only be opened by card keys and the appropriate voices.

Upon entering their room, Killua immediately assessed the level of comfort of the bed while Gon walked around the room and took a good look at the furniture. The room was pretty simple, with a large window right behind the beds. In between the beds was a small bedside table with a lamp and a vase, filled with carnation. In front of the bed was a small cabinet with a computer that could log onto the hunter's network. Right behind the computer was the bathroom wall. The bathroom was quite small, with only a toilet, simple shower, and washing basin.

Kurapika and Leorio's room was similar to Gon and Killua's room in every aspect. Leorio was tired from carrying the luggage and decided to take a shower. Kurapika sat himself on the bed and picked up a card on the bedside table. It bore the phrase "Three chimes, and the longer sword strikes three more times" on it. Kurapika frowned and said to himself, "Mizuo Hitomi, so that's where you are". At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Kurapika opened the door to find Gon and Killua smiling before him.

"Kurapika! This place is really cool! I'm glad we've come. Right, Killua?"

"Yeah! It'd be better still if that idiot isn't singing." Killua said sarcastically.

"I can't wait to see Yu Yu Land!" Gon totally rejoiced.

"I guess you two shouldn't be so at ease. After all, we're not on a trip and remember, we're not alone on this train".

Leorio walked out of the shower semi-naked as usual.

"Yo, Gon, Killua. So, Kurapika, what's the plan?"

"Please put on your clothes first Leorio! It's an unpleasing sight."

"Hey, we're all guys here so what's the problem. Eh? What's that card there?" Leorio picked up the strange card.

"Three chimes, and the longer sword strikes three more times?" Leorio wondered, "What does this mean? Anyway, why don't we go to the dining cart for a drink? I'm thirsty."

"Good idea!" and Gon led the way to the dining cart.

The four of them chose a small table at a corner by the table. Gon ordered a lovely chocolate cheesecake while Killua indulged himself with a chocolate parfait. Leorio ordered a glass of white wine and Kurapika just had a sugarless latte.

While the two young boys were busy with their sweets, Leorio broke the silence, "So, what's that card all about?"

"I think it indicates the location of that mysterious Mizuno ," Killua replied, "She must be in Room 1503"

"How do you know?" Leorio was quite puzzled.

"The card said it quite explicitly. Three chimes refer to three o'clock and I suppose that's in the afternoon. So, it really stands for 15 for all the rooms on the Moonlight Express begin with 15. Then the phrase the longer sword strikes three more times. The longer sword should be referring to the longer hand or minute hand of the clock and strikes three times means 3 minutes. So, Mizuno Hitomi must be in room 1503."

"Yosh, let's go to room 1503 to her now!" and the four walked in the direction of the VIP compartment. However, they could not open the intercompartmental door. Another 3-D computer generated image appeared.

"Sorry sir, but only passengers with VIP tickets could enter this compartment."

"We just want to contact a person. The name is Mizuno Hitomi. She is in room 1503."

"Wait a minute, sir, I'll contact her for you".

While waiting, Gon noticed a tall young man with brown hair and a pacifier in his mouth approaching the door to the VIP section.

"What a weird guy," Killua thought.

The young man scanned his ticket and said, "Ko-enma[2]". The door opened and there was already an elderly lady standing on the other side of the door.

"My name is Mizuno Hitomi, thank you for coming. Please follow me."

The four followed the eldery lady to her room. She was about the same height as Kurapika, perhaps a little shorter. Her head had turned completely white and the original complexion of her skin could hardly be deduced owing to the thick layer of powder. Her room, though similar in size, appeared to be much more spacious because there was only one bed. Furthermore, the décor was grander and there were extra facilities like a mini bar.

After a brief introduction, Mizno invited her guests to their seats but Gon asked, "Mizuno san, I am sorry but could I quickly use your bathroom?"

"Sure". Then she asked if the other three wanted something to drink.

A minute later, Gon reappeared from the bathroom with a confusing look on his face. "Mizuno san, could I ask you a question?"

Mizuno was slightly surprised but said, "Sure" right away.

"Why do you have to pretend to be an old woman?" Gon asked.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because when I entered the bathroom, I noticed quite a lot of hand and face lotion".

"But Gon, even old women use lotion!" Leorio said.

"That's right, but if she is really an old lady, then she must be one who cares for her own skin and appearance. In that case, she would at least have some anti-aging cream or revitalizing cream. However, there was none among that plethora group of lotion. Still further, I noticed a few acne wash. Why would an old lady have acne?"

"Gon, you seem to be more perceptive than I have imagined. You're correct. I'm no elderly. As a matter of fact, I am just a little older than you." Mizuno said as she removed the mask that concealed the face of a goddess. Her wavy silver hair that barely crosses her shoulders shines along with the stars of the night. Her eyes a beautiful hazel color, and her complexion not far from the magical color of white.

Leorio dropped his jaw in amazement.

"But why this masquerade?" Killua asked.

"To see how long it takes you to find out I'm just pretending. You can call it a test if you want. After all, I have solicited you to help me with such an extremely important task."

"But what is it that you want us to find?" Gon asked curiously.

"That is…" At that moment, there was a slight knock on the door.

"Who is it?" She called out with a cautious voice.

"Room service. The lemon pie you ordered is here, madam."

"Sorry, but I have no recollection of ordering any lemon pie!"

"Oh, I am very sorry, madam."

Mizuno pressed her voice lower and said, "We must be careful, there are eyes everywhere on this train. Before I proceed with my story, I have something I must show you." And she pulled out from her pocket a folded piece of paper.

"What is this? This strange language, I can't understand" Killua asked.

"It is encrypted version of the passenger list of this section of the train." Kurapika said.

"The passenger list? But isn't that information confidential?" Killua asked.

"It is, but a few simple clicks can ease my communication with the main computer." Mizuno said with a little pride in her voice.

"In other words, you hacked into the computer of Moonlight Express?" Gon looked amazed.

"Er…yes but it is necessary for my own safety and yours as well."

"Our safety?" Gon looked confused.

"Yes," Kurapika said as he refolded the list, "because it is important that we realize ALL of the Ryodan members are on the Moonlight Express, AND IN THIS SECTION!"

Gon, Killua, and Leorio stared at each other, completely dumbfounded.





















----------------------- [1] One of the three renowned tenors in the world

[2] Ko-enma is the young lord of the Underworld in Yu Yu Hakusho. He's like the boss of Yusuke and gives him missions to handle. In case you're not familiar with Yu Yu Hakusho, you should still understand this story without problem.