Kurapika couldn't resist a smirk when he heard the tell-tale squeak of man who was completely drenched entering the hold of the ship. But he said nothing, instead simply choosing to continue reading his book. It was a strange thing, but Kurapika had found himself capable of reading the words in books. Well, it wasn't so much reading as hearing and feeling the words that were written out in ink, but only if the words were written not typed. He had learned of his strange ability, which he assumed was another unconscious use of his Nen, in his time on Whale Island. And he was never more happy for it, it had given him the chance to rediscover his love for literature.
It hadn't taken long for the ship to begin to sway and heave wildly on the stormy waves, sending almost all of the passengers flying back and forth across the room. But of course Gon was completely fine with the excitement.
"Whahoo! This is so fun! Kura-nii, you should try it!" Gon exclaimed as he slide back and forth happily. Kurapika just smiled and shook his head no, preferring to stay in his hammock with his book. But he did spare his attention to in the rude man, reaching his Nen to asses his emotions and was surprised to find him completely calm, as unaffected as he and Gon were. Perhaps he should have given the other man more credit. Then he heard him fall ungracefully onto his face. But not that much… He amended and just sighed, continuing his reading calmly. Gon had begun passing herbs and remedies to the now very seasick other passengers when the rocking had calmed down some. Kurapika abandon his book in favor of helping him, silently bringing him water, passing him more herbs when he ran out and so on.
"Well this is interesting…" Kurapika turned his head in the direction the new voice had come from. His attention and been so fixed on Gon and the sick passengers he hadn't noticed the man's approach. "Looks like we have some tough nuts this year." Kurapika quickly realized it was the captain who was speaking. "You three come with me." Three? He wondered to himself in confusion, then remembered the rude man from before and realized it was probably him.
-x-
"So what are your names" The captain asked them once they were gathered at the helm, there was Gon and Kurapika of course and also the tall rude man as the Kurta had suspected.
"I'm Gon!"
"My name is Kurapika."
"Leorio." So that was is name, Kurapika shrugged inwardly, it mattered little to him but it was still good to know.
"And what are the reasons you three wanting to be Hunters?" Kurapika could feel the confusion and outrage from man he now knew to be named Leorio, apparently he didn't want to share.
"And why should we tell you that?! Your not an Examiner!" Leorio argued defiantly.
"I want to become a Hunter to find my father!" Gon announced cheerfully.
"Who's side you on kid?!" Leorio snapped at Gon angrily and that was where Kurapika stepped in.
"He can answer if he wants to, don't get angry at Gon for answering just because you don't want to!" He snarled, moving to stand protectively between Gon and the angry man.
"Get angry?! I'm not even getting started you brat! Your the one who looks the most suspicious! I haven't even seen your face yet! What you hiding?!" At that he leapt forward and yanked the hood of Kurapika's cloak back revealing his bright blonde hair and more prominently the long scar that crossed his closed eyes. While it was not as obvious as it had been at first it was still fairly visible at a glance. The Kurta winched when he felt pity from Leorio. He quickly pulled his hood back up to hide his more distinctive feature.
"You are-"
"Yes. As you so rudely found out." He told him coldly but his words had lost their strength.
"I'm sor-"
"Don't say it." Kurapika cut him off again, turning his face away from the other man with a thinly disguised shame. This was the very reason he had kept his eye's hidden, they always brought pity or disgust and sometimes both. Gon just looked at Kurapika understandingly and took his hand in his, a subtle comfort. And for that Kurapika was very grateful.
"Well isn't that just wonderful, but could we get a move on I don't have all day, I have a ship to sail!" The captain growled at them impatiently.
"And you haven't told us why we should tell you our reasons!" Leorio shouted, suddenly remembering his original reason for being angry.
"You still haven't realized it yet?"
"Huh?"
"There are as many Hunter wannabe's as there are drops of water in the sea. The Hunter Association doesn't have the time or resources to test every single person who says they want to be Hunter. So they hire people like me to sift out the promising ones. You only pass if I say you do."
"What?!" Leorio exclaimed in shock. "No way!" The Captain didn't give him a answer but instead turned to speak to one of the crew members.
"Inform the Association that we have two more failures."
"Fine! I'll make it simple, money! Being a Hunter is one of the richest professions out there! With money you can have everything! A fancy car, and huge house the best booze-"
"Well money certainly can't buy class." Kurapika whispered under his breath.
"What did you say?!" Leorio growled but Kurapika ignored him and instead addressed the Captain.
"I am the last of the Kurta clan, my people were massacred by the Phantom Troupe."
"Don't just interrupt a person!" Leorio sputtered indigently.
"So you are become a Blacklist Hunter then and get revenge for your people?" The captain asked evenly, giving nothing away.
"No… I am mainly here to make sure my brother" He nodded his head towards Gon who was still standing beside him. "stays in one piece and becoming a Hunter, to me, seemed the best way to be sure of that. The only other reason is that I want to become a Archaeological Hunter which would allow me to research and protect my people culture the best." When he finished speaking the Captain said nothing, only looking at the boy expressionlessly while Gon glowed with happiness at his brother words and Leorio continued to rage furiously at being ignored.
But no matter what each person was thinking or doing all of them turn with jolt at the bang of the cabin door being burt open.
"Captain! A water spout! And it's close!"
"All hands on deck! Pull in the sails right now!"
"I'll help!" Gon offered, ever the helpful one.
"Me too." Kurapika offered as well and the brothers followed one of the crewman out to the thrashing soaked deck to help.
Ah, what the heck. Leorio thought to himself helplessly. "I'll help too, wait for me!" He shouted racing after the two boys. The gruff Captain just roared happily at the display.
"Well then here we go!" He bellowed grabbing the wheel with a tense excitement.
-x- (I have decided to skip the crew member flying fiasco, sorry if you were looking forward to that... I couldn't find it in me to write it out properly)
When they had successfully pulled in the sails and weathered the storm Leorio, Gon and Kurapika all instantly collapsed onto the deck in exhaustion.
"Well that was exciting!" Gon exclaimed cheerily as always, eagle spread on the deck happily soaking up the warm sunshine and right beside him Kurapika, doing the same, only nodded in tired agreement.
"Are you kidding that was insanity! You both are insane!" Leorio shouted, but for his words he was wearing a faint smile that he couldn't withhold. After a few minutes had passed Kurapika, with a soft groan, lifted himself from the deck slowly to stand before Leorio who was leaning against one of the masts.
"I apologize for my unjustified rage at your kind apology… and for interrupting you so rudely, I was in the wrong…" At first the older man seemed shocked at the Kurta's words but soon a faint blush lighted his cheeks and he waved his hand dismissively.
"Ah it's fine, I'm sorry for being rude too and pulling back your hood like that…" Then it was Kurapika's turn to blush in embarrassment.
"It's fine"
"See I knew you two would be friends!" Gon cheered, very pleased with himself and Kurapika chuckled at him.
"Well I don't know Gon, maybe." And Leorio just blinked blankly at the two of them, not entirely what to say in response.
"HAHA! I like you kids! I will personally be responsible to bring you three to the closest to the location of the Hunter exam!"
"So do we pass?" Leroy ventured to ask tentatively.
"Haha you all pass!"
"Yata!
Author's Note- Alright! Here is the 6th chapter at last! Took me longer then I thought it would, but here it is! A thank you all who gave me such happy reviews, I am so pleased that you like my story! But before I go I would like to apologize if I confused anyone about the ages in my story. From the very beginning I planned that Kurapika would be 14 years old instead of 17 like his is in the anime and manga. (I wanted him to be closer to Gon in age) And in changing that I realized that I should change Leorio's age accordingly as well so he is 17 not 19 in this story. And as for Gon and Kurapika... yes, they are defiantly staying at 12. Again I apologize for any confusion, i meant to mention it sooner but it just didn't happen. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it and please leave reviews! Thanks! :)