Chapter 3

Rain flooded the main deck, splattering everywhere. Waves soared the skies, rushed over the ship wiping out the men clamoring for the ropes. The ship was drawing ever closer to the waterspout, the winds heightening even throwing a few onto their bellies.

Kurapika ignored the whole lot, storm and crew in all. His eyes were trained only on one man and that man stood before him hunched over with both hands in his pockets. The obscenely avaricious 'Mister' Leorio was also ignoring everything around them. Even as a massive wave struck the side and washed over them they remained impassive in their glares toward each other.

Kurapika knew that Leorio was a man a bar above the rest, but being able to stand out something like a massive wave was impressive. This wasn't going to be as easy as he had originally thought, but the brute was obviously an idiot. That much was certain. It may take a little longer, but he was going to pummel this rangy lothario into a weeping mess. No one has the right to disparage the Kurta Clan due to their sensitive, overzealous pride.

"Take back what you said about my clan! I will forgive you if you repent, Leorio."

"You owe me an apology, and I'm not telling you again. I'm not repenting for anything, hear me?" Leorio tore a pocket knife out, brandishing it toward him.

In a hushed indignant words, "Very well." Kurapika reached into his tabard and pulled out his two trusty wooden swords, the ends attached together with rope to double function as a nunchucks. He hoisted it into his hands and thrust them out at the man. It appears words were useless now. He didn't expect much from some barbarian anyway.

A high wind lurched the ship and a huge commotion came from the men pulling on ropes. After a few seconds a distinct cry over the howling winds caught Kurapika's ear, "Mister Katzo!"

The blond boy turned to see what was happening. A body came flying past him. It was one of the sailors completely unconscious. He was being thrown out into the ocean. Kurapika's heart skipped a beat. He shoved his weapon back into his tabard. Then he dove after the man. He threw himself over the side making sure to grab the railing as he reached out. His outstretched hand could only skim over the sailor's fingers. Even the quick to follow Leorio did no better. They both shut their eyes and cursed out, "Damn!"

A blur of black zoomed past them both. That girl from earlier flew at the sailor and grabbed his arms. Kurapika and Leorio quickly snatched her booted feet before she could fly further away. The blond could feel her legs tench at his touch. He even heard her give a terrified, 'eep!'

Ignoring her discomfort Kurapika pulled. She plopped into the ocean below, but he and Leorio pulled her out and onto the deck. The girl pulled away from them, clutching her chest with heavy breaths. With a deep inhale she shook off her emotions and grabbed the unconscious man. She pulled him toward the ship's doors and opened it up. She pushed him in, handing him off to some crew before rushing toward some flapping ropes no one could grab. She leapt into the air and seized them. She pulled them down and braced herself against the wooden walls. She quickly pulled the rope up like a mechanized wheel, the sail quickly being pulled up where the boy from earlier sat on the boom. The boy threw rope around the sail and tied it off, giving her a thumbs up.

The girl dropped from the wall and looked around aimlessly with the rope still in hand. She shrugged and dropped it before facing the whirling waterspout they were passing. Kurapika looked up at it too, eyes following it as it passed. They weren't in the clear yet, but it was a good sign that they were passing it relatively unharmed all considering. He looked back at the girl, his hammering heart shifting gears to irritation. Once this storm passes, he was going to have some very strong words with her.

It was about an hour later when the skies began to clear and the sun graved the deck of the ship. The girl wipped her brow, turning to face them with a grin. "Anyone work up a sweat back there? I can't tell, I'm all wet."

Leorio stormed up to her, shoving a finger into her face. "Not so fast, missy! I've gotta bone to pick with you!"

She paled, eyes crossing each other to stare at the outstretched pointer. "Youuuu do?"

"Of course I do! Who goes leapin' out into the ocean like a moron! If it hadn't been for us, you'd be shark bait! You owe me big time, girly, and don't you forget it!"

Kurapika crossed his arms, eyes closed with his own reprehension. "Honestly, how reckless can you be?"

Shrugging with a dismissive grin she stuttered, "I-I figured you two would catch me."

Kurapika scowled. What kind of excuse was that? "That's not the point!" He snapped, making her shrink away. "What if we couldn't? What if you fell into the sea? You would have drowned with him! One shouldn't just sacrifice their lives so carelessly!"

"Heh-heh." She rubbed the back of her neck. A new round of wet dripping off her face.

"But it's fine. You caught her." Kurapika turned to the voice. The boy from earlier was standing behind them with a calm smile. "You both did. You both caught her together. Now everything is fine."

Leorio blinked at his words. "I guess you have a point."

"Sue!" Someone cried out. Kurapika turned to face this newcomer. It was the sailor the girl saved running up to her.

As he drew near Sue stood up from the deck and faced him cheerfully. "Hi, I see you've got a spring in your step. You must be feeling better."

He stopped in front of her. "All thanks to you. You're incredible. You saved my life back there."

"Don't go giving me too much credit. These guys are the ones that really saved you." Sue chuckled nervously, waving over toward him and Leorio.

Kurapika felt his chests freeze, looking at in stunned silence by her declaration. Leorio looked no better, looking as if slapped in the face. Still, Sue continued, "They were the first to come to your rescue and they pulled you back onto the ship."

"Really?" The sailor turned to them and gave them a deep bow. "Thank you both. I would have died if not for you."

Kurapikia couldn't take the praise, looking out over the sea. "Please, no thanks necessary."

"Y-yeah." Leorio rubbed his head. "No prob. We're just glad to see you made it okay."

"Me too!" The sailor perked up, standing back straight. "In fact, I ought to get back to my post right away." He turned and rushed off.

Leorio watched him leave with a smile. Kurapika eyed him up and down. He adamantly looked pleased, even glad. Leorio did everything he could to save that man without a second thought. This didn't match the whole greedy picture Kurapika had of him. It felt off now, and once that feeling settled in the teen couldn't help but question his whole outlook. Maybe he was too quick to judge.

Leorio caught his gaze and tilt his head in silent questioning. Seeing it made the blond chuckle.

Leorio narrowed his eyes. "What's so funny?"

"I'm embarrassed by my behavior. Pardon my rudeness, Mister Leorio."

Leorio staggered, gagging his tongue. "I wasn't expecting that. You can drop the 'Mister.' Leorio's fine." A grave look fell over his features, and he breathed out. "I'm sorry, too. And I take back everything that I said to you before. That was wrong of me."

"No, it's fine." This new breath of fresh air really cleared up this whole mess. At least they were now on good terms.

A hearty laugh bellowed from the doorway. Kurapika turned to see the captain who was questioning them earlier leaning on the frame of the doorway, bottle in hand. "You four are growin' on me. So… I'll make sure all four of you get dropped off at the port closest to the exam site. How does that sound?" The captain turned to walk up the stairs.

Gon smiled. "You will? But what about your test?"

The Captain stopped on the steps, looking over his shoulder. "It's like I said. I decide who goes on to take the exam. Congratulations! You're all moving on!"

"All right!" Gon leapt into the air.

Sue saluted the older man. "Looks like I owe you twice now. Thanks a bunch."

"Think nothing of it." The captain was about to continue up the stairs, but stopped to look back. "Come and see me before you head out, you lot. Got it."

Leorio looked taken back but nodded anyways. "Uh, sure."

With that, the captain finally began walking back up the stairs.

With the good news Leorio pumped the air with his fist "Oh yeah! Hunter Exam Site, here I come!"

Kurapika however pinched his chin and appraised the girl smiling and laughing with her friend. Didn't she also sacrificed everything to save that man? Yet she pushed all the credit onto Leorio and him. Why?

He noticed the way she hid that fact with her words, proving just how much of a wordsmith she was. Yet everything indicated that she was adamant about it. Even earlier he got the distinct impression she truly wanted friends. When she first approached him and commented on his intentions he felt his heart flutter, surprised someone could read him so openly and be so happy about it. He was in a state of uncertainty, and quickly wanted out of it so he requested she stop. He didn't expect her to pull back so quickly or look so guilty about it. She almost looked as if she were about to cry. Her attempt with Leorio faired no better, so she hid behind the boy, Gon right, and secluded herself from further rejection. That flustered face of hers proved it was no mere act, or at the very least he felt inclined to think so.

Wordsmith and emotional savant, a rather dangerous combination. Especially now that she's found a way to make him squirm. However, seeing her with Gon and he attempt to be friends with him made it all look that much genuine. He didn't know what think anymore. Instead, he put aside these thoughts and headed for the door. He just needed a quick nap to settle his mind.

Leorio mumbled to himself, trekking behind the other three. After the ship made port, the captain told them to head straight for the giant Cedar Tree on the hill overlooking the town. It was pretty far away, but the man was quite adamant. Gon and Sue decided to head straight there with Kurapika following behind them. He on the other hand felt it was a complete waste of time. There were buses designated to head straight to Zaban City, where the Exam was going to take place. So he just left them to head out to nowhere while he went on a bus.

That was, until he overheard some group snickering about the suckers getting on the bus. Laughing about how gullible people were to take a bus that would go to random locations except Zabon City. He spun on the spot and rushed after the other three, thankfully thinking up an excuse as to why he'll tag along rather than admit his mistake.

It would seem this ragtag group of nobodies were going to be sticking together till the site of the exam. Leorio was willing to just wave goodbye to them all and move on, but if they were going to be next to him the rest of the way he may as well get to know them.

The most noticeable would be Gon. The kid had a real sporadic nature that excited the most lethargic of hearts. If he had to guess, lad's got some ADHD going on, or maybe Gon's just got too much energy in that tiny body. Would explain his rather over-elastic muscles and spontaneous reaction time. Kid was a monster in disguise.

Kurapika… well, they got off on the wrong foot, but he was clearly a good guy, if not a pompous know-it-all. The blond's high and mighty attitude really got Leorio's goat and makes it scream over the hilltop, and not in that funny, viral video way. But he had to admit, the kurta defiantly had one level head. During that storm he was composed, diligent, and still had that 'eloquent elocution.' It was clear Kurapika exercised his cognitive processing to an impressive degree.

The real puzzler for him was the girl standing only a little a head of him. It was strange being around Sue. Back on the ship, she step right up next to him. That alone made his chest and lungs squeeze so hard he could have thrown them up onto the floor. It wasn't exactly a surprise though, she was quite attractive and he was still a young pubescent teenager adolescent. Though, what was once admiration of her attractive qualities, turned quickly to concerned observation. She was quite petite, too petite. She had to be a few years younger than him, maybe sixteen or so. Despite that, she looked too underdeveloped for her age. Her breast size was small and that alone wouldn't be cause for concern, but coupled with her skeletal muscular physic being so thin brought him grave foreboding. If he hadn't seen her perform miraculous feats of strength he'd be asking her a lot more questions and probably begging her to go see a proper doctor. Still he was bothered enough to keep an eye on her, his gut just wouldn't stop screaming endocrine problem, endocrine problem.

She turned to look at him, her brow pressed down as she bared her fangs. All red-handed, Leorio seized and looked away scratching his chin. Maybe he was being too paranoid. It wasn't polite to stare at a lady like he was. After all, He wasn't a doctor yet so he had no right to be prying like this.

"Why do you keep staring at me?"

"Huh?!" He jumped once he realized she was matching his pace right next to him. "Jeeze you're gonna give me a heart attack!"

She crossed her arms, hugging herself. "Look… I'm sure I wasn't wrong about you, but I did see you with that… magazine. I would appreciate it if you… didn't look at me like-."

"No-no-no!" Leorio waved his hands in frantic desperation. "Nothing like that, I swear. You just… I'm pre-med and you look rather frail for your age. It's weird, I saw how strong you were. Just can't help but wonder if there's somethin' about it."

"Oh." She relaxed, the irritated scowl easing away. She looked down at herself, rubbing her sides and belly. "My aunts told me I was so thin. I try eating, but… I just don't really feel like it."

"It's rather impressive you can move then."

"I guess. I'm usually rather tired, so it takes a bit for me to use my strength."

"Really?" With one quick step he peered over her closer, his brows furrowed in concentration. The girl tensed upon the proximity, but didn't look as bothered as before. With a sigh, he retreated away. "I haven't a clue. Best I can come up with is some sort of endocrine issue. I'd recommend going to see a doctor. Really looks like it might be a problem."

She stared down at the ground. "I don't like… the idea of someone touching my body."

"Hm?" He peered over at her. "Then… maybe a female doctor?"

"N-nobody. I don't want anyone to do it."

The pre-med teen scratched his head, facing the other direction. "I won't ask. But I strongly recommend you find someone you can trust. Work with them on some middle ground. I don't wanna hear how your in some hospital for organ failure or something."

She snickered, nodding along with his words. "Yeah. That would suck." Her eyes lifted and appraised him up and down. "You're becoming a doctor?"

"Yeah, it's why I need money."

Her warm smile graced her face and her eyes glazed over into the distance. "Makes sense. You'd make a great doctor."

His breath got caught in his throat, "Th-thanks. I plan on being the best."

"M-maybe I can… be your patient." She tensed, the once smooth grin becoming frigid.

"That's a nice thought, but don't push yourself. It's better to find someone you can feel comfortable with."

Sue grumbled to herself and marched forward, back to looking upset. Leorio blinked after her, what just happened? Thinking back he remembers she was saying she was looking for friends. Like a smack to the face her words came back to the forefront of his mind. "I only want to be with him and make more friends. Maybe even with these two. They're obviously quite strong, and I can tell they're really nice. I wouldn't mind spending more time with them."

Was she trying to get closer with him again? He dropped his face into his hand. Way to screw things up. Why does it even matter anyway, it's not like they were going to be actual friends. He didn't need to feel so guilty about it.

"So Kurapika." Sue smiled toward the other teen. The blond looked over at her. "You're quite the intellectual. Did you study in your village?"

He looked her up and down before looking back forward. "I studied as much as I could. Reading tended to be a hobby I frequented. I would not call it a passion however."

She clapped her hands together. "I only begun learning how to read a few years ago. Daddy didn't let me read or… do anything really. I would really appreciate it if you helped me learn some more, Kurapika. I don't really like being an idiot."

He paused, his expression fading slightly. "I… see. I suppose I can lend you some aid. I will be moving on once I have attained my license, though."

"Ha, ha. Right. I wouldn't expect otherwise." She sounded rejected again.

Leaping at the chance, Leorio rushed forward. "Hey, I won't mind tutoring you!" He puffed out his chest, "I've been studying most my life. I know a thing or two."

Kurapika scoffed. "If you insist."

A tick formed in his head. "Hey! I'm not takin' that from you!" He thought they got past this nonsense.

Sue stepped in between them. "You're willing to teach me? What would you recommend? I'm still somewhat a beginner, unfortunately."

Leorio rubbed his chin in thought. Did that mean she was illiterate. That's a steep more difficult than he was expecting. "A beginner, huh? Can't say I know anything good to start with. Maybe I can write something down for you to try. See if that helps."

"That sounds wonderful!" Sue held out her hands. "Do you have any paper?"

"Err… no." He deflated. Damn, he really dropped the ball on that one.

Kurapika smiled. "It would seem all that studying went to waste."

"Oh yeah! Let's see if you got any better ideas!"

"If I had something I would extend it. I would not offer something I did not have."

"Why you little-."

White sheets of paper obstructed his vision, being pulled away by Gon who lifted a small stack from his bag. "I have these. Would they help?"

Leorio took it, grinning over to the blond windbag. "Yeah, now we're talkin'! How's that, Kurapika?"

Kurapika didn't say anything, just continued walking straight forward.

Sue played with her fingers, a sheepish grin grimacing over her face. "You know. When I offered I was hoping to bring us together. Not start a fight."

Leorio looked at the paper in his hands then up ahead of the trail. "Yeah, I guess so." Dropping the ball, kicking it away then into his own crotch. Man, he can only screw things up can't he. He was impulsive, that much he knew. It was a trait he wasn't particularly proud of, but sometimes people need to do things without delay, even if it's the spur of the moment. Still, times like these he wished he could hold back. It was bad enough he was almost creeping on her, he didn't need to ruin her day with his further antics.

Sue's gaze dropped to the ground, her face looking as if she were kicked in the face. It made his heart shatter, but what was he supposed to say? Sorry? He was the one insulted by that blond brat. He had every right to defend himself. Come on, there had to be something.

Gon jogged up to her, holding a stack of paper of his own. "Hey, can I join in on this?"

Startled, she looked down at his sheets. A shamed blush blossoming over her. "Well. No. You should keep them. You want to write back to Mito, right? Don't waste your paper on me. It's not that important."

"Not to worry." Gon pulled out his pen and began writing. "I'll write to Aunt Mito and we'll see if you can read it. That way I'm not wasting any unnecessary paper." Before she could interject, Gon looked to everyone else. "How about it Leorio? Share some of the paper with Kurapika and we can all write something. It'll be fun."

Leorio peered at the paper in his hand, pushing his small spectacles up the brim of his nose. "Yeah, I suppose I should." He took about half and handed it to the blond. "Here. We're all on this ride, might as well make most of it."

Kurapika appraised the extended arm. "I appreciate it, but I have no pen on me. You might as well keep them."

"It's no bother. I carry two pens just in case, anyway." Leorio pulled out a pen, offering that too.

Kurapika took them, a slight smile on his features. "Very well. Thanks." He then began writing. Leorio smiled himself, jotting down his own words as well. Looks like crisis averted.

Maybe an hour of writing later everyone finished, so they all agreed Sue would read them in the order she received them, which meant Gon went first. The others Leorio took and kept in his briefcase while they traveled. She didn't seem to need much help with Gon's letter, not surprising since Gon was still a kid, so when they entered some small town it was rather quiet. Too quite. A place rather empty and void of any noticeable persons. It was as if they had stumbled upon a ghost town. A raven crowed overhead, and the wind picked up to scatter the dust caking the road.

Leorio looked around the town closely. "Man, this is one creepy place. There isn't a single soul anywhere."

"No," Gon looked around himself, "There's a bunch of people here."

"What?" He looked again, but he couldn't make out a single person.

Sue looked up from the letter, and turned to stare at some building. He looked over too when the doors there banged open. Several masked individuals in white robes filed out, pushing a wheeled platform to block their path. On the platform more masked, robed individuals stood, but at the center was an old woman in a purple robe. The wall behind her was typical wood, but the lights embedded into the edges reminded them of a game show. Especially when one of the masked individuals brought over a large podium with a red button on top and planted it before them.

Leorio studied the newcomers, brow raised. "What's up with these guys?"

"Exciting." The old woman spoke.

"Uh, exciting?"

"Exciting."

"Exciting." Leorio repeated, swallowing. What was happening?

"Time for the exciting multiple-choice quiz!" The old lady's shouting startled them, but the masked individuals on stage began playing instruments. Was this actually a game show?

Sue lowered the letter in hand, looking around. "We're not on camera, right? Being broadcasted is rather embarrassing to think about."

Kurapika sighed. "You focus on the strangest things."

She shrugged.

"Let me take a guess." The old woman was back to sounding underwhelmed. "You all are headed for the cedar on the hill, aren't you? There's only one way to get there. You'll have to pass through this town first. You must pass a quiz comprised of a single question."

"Wait a second!" Leorio cut her off. "What is going on here!?"

"You'll have five seconds to answer." The old woman continued as if no one said anything. "If you're correct, then you can move on. If not, you're disqualified from this year's exam."

"Oh, I see." Kurapika dropped his guard. "It's another trial we have to pass before taking the exam."

Setting his suitcase down with a smile, Leorio stepped up. This shouldn't be too hard then. "So that's it, huh? Lucky I'm an expert in quizzes. WAIT! ONE QUESTION!?"

Skip easy, what the hell is that about? That's not a quiz, that's literately just a question! Who gives out quizzes like that? It's a failure to education! Quiz his ass! This was going to be unfair, he just knew it.

"You're answer must be either the number one or two." The old woman lifted her own fingers to illustrate the numbers accordingly. "Any answer that is not the number one or number two will be deemed incorrect."

Leorio looked between them all. "Hold on. All four of us have to share the question? So, if Kurapika here gets it wrong it means I get disqualified, too?"

Kurapika crossed his arms in thought. "Not very likely. Although, if the roles were reversed, it would be all but inevitable."

The tick in his forehead was back. "You wanna repeat that?!"

Gon threw both hands into the air. "It's okay! Even if only one of us knows the answer, all three of us get to move on! Heh, and I'm real bad at quizzes."

"True."

"Fair point."

Leorio felt Sue turning around. He followed suit and noticed some guy walking up to them. He hesitated when he made eye contact with Sue.

Leorio crossed his arms. "So, who the heck are you?"

With a snicker, Sue pointed at him. "He's our stalker."

"What?" He blinked at him. Stalker? He's been following them. He hadn't noticed.

Gon nodded. "He's been following us pretty closely ever since we left the port."

"Really?" Leorio studied the newcomer closer. He really didn't notice.

The stranger shrugged. "Yeah, sorry bout that. Didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I couldn't help but hear you guys talking. Your girl there gave me quite the fright when she looked at me, though so you're all not half bad."

Leorio peered over at Sue who was busy starring at the letter in her hand, a sinister smile on her face. A little devil, wasn't she.

The old woman chimed in. "What will you do?"

Leorio checked the man over again. "He seems pretty eager to me. Should we let him go first, guys? See what kind of question we can expect from them?"

"Sure. I'm okay with that." Gon stepped aside.

Kurapika followed soon behind. "No objections here."

Sue just stepped up beside Gon, humming a little tune to herself. Leorio picked up his case and stepped back letting the man walk up to the podium. The stranger sneered, crossing his arms in wait. "Let's get to it, then."

"Now here is your question." The old woman started. "A group of evil villains have kidnapped your mother and your true love, and you can only save one of them. Choose one for your mother or two for your true love. Which do you save, and which of them dies?"

The air grew cold around the four of them, it was obvious none expected such a heavy question. "Hey! What kind of quiz is this?" Leorio demanded.

The buzzer sounded, the man pressed the button. "The answer's number one."

The old woman leaned in. "Oh? And what's your reason?"

"It's your mom. It's not like you can replace your mom. But a lover, you can always find another one."

"What!?" Leorio gawked. What about the lover?! Another one?! Then you never loved her at all! What was this jackass saying? He just wanted to wring the guys kneck, choke out those stupid words and make him eat them.

With a squawk of the bird resting on one of the masked men's arm, the old woman shoved her thumb over her shoulder. "You may pass."

"Seriously?!" Leorio was on the verge of losing it.

The man looked back at them. "Looks like the trick is telling the old lady whatever she wants to hear. Adios!" The man ran off, his smile bright.

"Hang on!" Leorio threw his hand to the side. "What kind of crap is that?! There's no way that was the right answer! We're just supposed to say what we think she wants to hear? What's up with that?" Sacrifice one person over the other?! Who in their right mind would say that? Was everyone here crazy? This old hag was so audacious she actually believes she's god? That she determines life and death?

The old woman just sat expectantly. It ticked him off. "Say something!" He stomped his foot.

All he got was the damn raven sqwaking at him. Even the stupid bird was going to mock him.

With a groan Leorio spun on his heals. "Okay, I've had just about enough of this. I'm gonna find my own way."

"It's too late for that." The old woman interrupted his storming away. "Refuse to take the quiz if you wish, but know you'll be disqualified."

Oh! So she really was god, huh?! Leorio threw his finger at her. "That's nuts! Different people would answer that in different ways! There's no right answer for that question and never has been!"

Kurapika gased, muttering something to himself. Leorio looked over at him. Did he figure something out? The blond turned to him. "Leorio-."

"That's enough!" The old crone stopped him. "I don't want to hear another word out of you. Say anything but your answer, and you are disqualified."

Leorio's scowl hardened. His fists squeezed until his knuckles glowed white. The snarl in his teeth grinded them together. Now he can't say anything, now huh?! This witch. She'll pay. She wasn't getting away with this. Not on his watch!

"Now here is your question." She drolled. A horn honked and the bird squaked yet again. "You learn both your son and your daughter have been kidnapped. You will only be able to rescue one of them. Chose one for your son and two for your daughter. Which of these two will you rescue." She ended that with an ominous tone.

Leorio's brow twitched, She's messing with us!

"Five…" She counted. "Four…"

Leorio stomped over to the side, snatching up some wooden plank leaning there.

"Thee…"

He swung the plank up and down. His glare at the woman a torrent of hate. Go ahead and count down you old hag.

"Two… One…" The woman made a sound of some siren. "Time is up."

Leorio was in the air with a battle cry. The wooden plank in both hands. He dove at the hag. Arms swung as hard as he can. In a flash, a figure slid in front of the woman. A wooden sword in hand they blocked the blow.

Are you serious right now?! "Out of the way, Kurapika!" He shoved his face into the blond's "This old hag needs to be taught a lesson and I'm gonna make sure she gets it!"

"Would you please calm down?" The blond fired back.

"How the hell do you expect me to calm down?!"

"We got it right! Do you really want to jeopardize that?"

Huh? Leorio stepped back. His face befuddled. "We did?"

Swinging his sword down and sheething it away, Kurapika sighed. "We'be already given the correct response, silence. Any other answer would have been incorrect."

"What do you mean, 'silence?'"

"Just that. You said it yourself, remember?"

"Huh?" He did? Thinking back on it, he does remember shouting out how there was no real answer to this kind of question. Is that what he's talking about?

"You were right. There was no correct answer to our question. However, we had to say one or two as a response, and so our only choice was to respond with silence." Kurapika brought a finger to his lips to demonstrate.

That didn't make sense! Leorio pointed in the direction of the other man. "What about that guy? He made it through!"

"She never told him he was correct. All she said was, 'you may pass.'" Kurapika turned to face the woman. "Which means that this is not the path to the Hunter Exam. Right?"

The woman smiled and pushed herself to her feet. "That is correct. The real path is right over here." She walked up to the doors they exited. Two masked individuals slid the doors open as she neared. "Follow this path for two hours and you will reach the lone Cedar Tree."

Blinking at the long tunnel, Leorio finally caught up to what was happening. "Okay. I was not expecting this."

"There is a couple that live in a small cabin under that tree who will serve as navigators on your journey. They will guide you to the exam site, if you live up to their expectations, that is." The old woman turned to them.

Leorio sighed, looking down at the makeshift bat in his hands. Once again, he was impulsive. And once again, it came back to bite him in the butt. He dropped the weapon and bowed to the elderly senior. "I'm sorry. I hope you'll forgive me for being rude."

She smiled. "Don't be. I don't mind. Meeting people like you is the only reason I do this job in the first place."

His heart skipped a beat. People like him? So it wasn't a mistake? He did the right thing or was it how convicted he was in his beliefs. He'll probably never know, but regardless, he felt a warm sensation growing in his chest.

The woman smiled up at him. "Become the best hunter you can be."

Chuckling, Leorio rubbed the back of his neck. "Sure."

Over at the side Gon groaned, falling onto his rear. "I'm stuck. I can't figure out the right answer."

Leorio laughed at the display. Kurapika was right there with him, chuckling at the boy's antics. The taller teen stepped up to the boy. "You've really been thinking of an answer this whole time? You can stop now."

"Huh?" Gon looked up at him. "But why?"

"Because the quiz is already over." Kurapika replied.

"I know that, but what if- you know, well, what if that really happens to me someday, if two people are in trouble and I can only help one of them? Then what? It wouldn't be right to pick one over the other, but like it or not, that's a choice I might have to make. I just hope that I know what to do."

The joyful feeling he once had vanished, Leorio could only feel dread as he thought about those words. It was true, they were heading into a dangerous field. Regardless of their reasons, that choice may come up and they would have to decide.

The boy turned to look over toward his friend. "What do you think Sue?"

They all looked and they all froze. The girl stood in the shadows, her head pressed against the wall as her body shivered. She was muttering, whimpering, streams of tears dropping off her chin like rain.

Gon leapt to his feet. "Sue?! What's wrong? What's happening?"

Leorio rushed up to the girl. Was this his fault? Was she holding in her discomfort for what he implied earlier. No that couldn't be it. He wasn't tactful, but she misinterpreted his comment. It couldn't have been him. Right? "Sue, talk to me. What's going on?"

Still the girl just stood there, shaking. The letter in her hand crumpled into an unrecognizable ball of shredded mess.

Kurapika turned to Gon. "What's wrong with her?"

Gon stepped back, looking around. "I-I don't know. She gets like this sometimes. Especially after…"

Leorio spun around. "Yeah? What sets it off?"

"I… I shouldn't say. It's personal."

"Hell." Leorio reached out to her shoulder.

"Don't!" Gon shouted, leaping forward. "You'll make it worse!"

"I'll make it worse!?" Leorio snapped. "What the hell is going on, Gon!? I can't just leave her like this! Sue!" He slid to her side.

"Please." She sobbed. "I'll be good. I'll be a good lover. Please just stop Daddy. Please."

"Lover? Daddy?" Leorio blinked. What was she going on about?

"I'll say it next time. I swear. I will. It hurts, Daddy. Please stop. 'Have I been a good girl,' I'll remember. I know I will."

Leorio's heart stopped, shattering to pieces as if her words were a hammer. He reached out and snapped his fingers in front of her eyes. "Sue! Sue, It's me. Leorio."

"Leorio?" She flinched.

She was responding. Thank god. He relaxed, his voice taking on a calm and soothing tone. "Yeah, me. Come on. Look at me."

She lifted her head and he flinched as they made eye contact. Her irises were glowing. Glowing red. The veins in her eyes bulging, her cheeks sopped with tears. Leorio cast a quick look to Kurapika. Weren't those the same eyes?

That doesn't matter right now. Refocusing, he bent toward her. "We passed. We got the question right."

"We… did?" She shoved her palms into her eye sockets. "Was it just getting rid of her?!"

"Huh? Who?"

"Just tell me!"

"Hey, hey. Look. The answer was silence."

"Silence?" She looked up.

"It was a trick question. There is no right answer. No correct choice. Everyone deserves to be saved."

"Everyone? Even… me?"

What? Is that what she wanted? "Of course. If you were ever in danger I'd come rescue you myself. We all would, Kurapika and Gon."

Sniffing, she smiled and brought up her hands again, but stopped upon seeing what was once Gon's letter. With her free hand she mopped tears on her sleeve, eyes simmering down into brown orbs once more. Then she looked over and spotted the large tunnel.

She blinked away the tears and jumped. "Ah! The question. Silence. Got it." She chuckled, slapping her head. "That makes sense. Here I thought we were being forced to pick something so stupid. Heh, sorry if I freaked you out. I get lost in thought a lot." She knocked on her skull. "Get's empty up here sometimes."

She held up the thin strands that once were paper with a sheepish grimace. She faced Gon and handed him the shreds. "I destroyed your letter. Sorry about that. I wasn't focusing right."

Gon took the pieces, peeling away the bits. "It's alright. It was just a draft. Are you sure you're okay?"

"Of course! Never better. Just thrown off by the question, that's all." With a deep breath she turned to Kurapika. "We better get going. We don't want to run late to the exam site. We'll be disqualified for sure if we did that."

The blond boy searched her eyes, but neglected to comment. "Very well. We only need to head this way for two hours to meet with a couple. They will then take us to the exam site. Will that suffice?"

"Sounds great! One step closer to our goal!" She marched toward the tunnel, not bothering to look behind her. "Onward, comrades!"

After everyone else looked to each other they filed in after her. Their silence spoke volumes between each other. Leorio snatched up his brief case and pulled on his collar. He didn't like this. Not one bit. He felt just as helpless as he did back then, and once again there was nothing he could do about it.