Two months on the open sea and only one port they had been to had had a telephone that Josuke could use to call Gretcha. That had been…quite the conversation.
Anger, yelling, forcing Sen to take the phone and explain herself….the yelling. By the end of the call the only thing that had been certain was that Sen couldn't be sent back. Not immediately anyway.
So, despite the frustrations it caused, Gretcha had had to give Sen her reluctant approval to take the Hunter Exam alongside Josuke and Tony. Apparently, this illustrious organization didn't feel the need to put an age limit on an exam Josuke had been told people could die taking.
Not that there was much danger of that occurring. After all, Josuke had given his solemn promise to keep Sen safe, even if he wanted to ring her neck.
Of course, that had been weeks ago, and day after day of working to pay for the extra passage both on the Calhoon as well as subsequent vessels had forced Josuke to accept that this was how things were going to be for the foreseeable future, at least until they passed the exam.
It wasn't all bad though. Josuke's ability to repair, Sen's natural mechanical talent, and Tony work in the ship kitchens often meant they left one ship after another with more friends than when they embarked, and more jenny in their pockets.
Soon however, they'd be on the last ship to the exam.
According to several captains he had talked to, this would be the 287th Hunter Exam, and would take place in Dolle Harbor, or, more specifically, the path to the exam would begin there. They declined to give any more specifics but inferred that because thousands around the world attempted to take the exam each year, testing could begin at any number of points people started their journeys from, which Josuke took to mean they were already being evaluated.
Regardless of whether they were making a positive impression or not, he never once thought those men were lying to him, or leading his small group astray.
Their journey so far had led them here. A small out of the way harbor on a small dingy island shaped like a whale, appropriately named; Whale Island. Apparently it was heavily jungled, but as far as port town was concerned, it was rocky, hot, and for some reason, the best description Josuke could give the aesthetics of the place, was Middle Eastern. Something he couldn't really explain.
The people wore loose cloths, often plain or decorated with lines, and the men often wore turbans, both large and small, with the native people tending to lean toward swarthy or lightish brown skin tones.
All things considered, Josuke found the people friendly, but not unaverse to the odd attempt to swindle a tourist when they thought they could get away with it. Like what was happening now.
"What do you mean 2000 jenny for a hotplate? I just saw you serve the man in front of me the same thing for less than half that. Do I look stupid to you?" Josuke seethed.
"Please sir, there's no reason to get angry. You've just misunderstood. You see, in this town we allow locals to purchase on credit, and that man only had enough to pay for half a meal. We expect him to pay the rest later." The cashier said with a smile.
Yeah, when I'm long gone and you all can have a good long laugh about it.
Josuke's stomach growled as he weighed his options. He didn't want to cause a scene, and was already beginning to hold up the line. Just as he was about to concede defeat and pony up, a shadow loomed over him.
"You got a problem with the way we do things here, shortstack?" The hulking man said. He was large and bald, with a cross shaped scar on his forehead and a large curved saber as long as Josuke's arm.
"Who the hell are you?" Josuke asked.
"Quality control," The man said confidently, "the customers aint quality, I control em, get it?"
This probably wasn't the best place to get into a fight. And he had told Sen no less than ten times this morning not to get into trouble. Was he really going to be a bad example now?
No, sometimes life just puts you into situations where you have to swallow your pride.
"Fine, I'll pay," Josuke conceded.
"Yeah you will," the bouncer sneered,"I love when tourists like you pretend to have balls. It's all the more fun when-"
"I said I'd pay for the food. Not listen to you talk," Josuke interrupted, "screw off before you piss me off."
That seemed to scare the cashier, who looked toward her fuming coworker. Said thug then quickly grabbed ahold of his saber swinging it unthinkingly toward Josuke's neck.
Crazy Diamond? No, Gretcha had warned him against using C.D. unnecessarily.
Hamon? No, Josuke didn't fancy having to make a scene or pay for any additional damage. Not when they'd be leaving that evening.
Whether the man was actually trying to kill him, or possessed enough skill to stop the blade right at Josuke's neck didn't matter. Instead, Josuke decided to casually catch the saber several inches from his head stopping it cold.
Many gasped at the display, as the bouncer/enforcer desperately tried to push and pull on his weapon.
Not wanting to give a show and hurry this along, Josuke casually applied force to first crack, then shatter the blade, little pieces of iron falling onto the floor and countertop.
"I said, 'screw off,'" Josuke reiterated coldly before turning back toward the cashier.
He began to pull out his wallet but was stopped.
"N-No! Please, i-its on the house sir. I-I'm terribly sorry for the way my coworker acted," she said, clearly cowed by his display.
Seconds later his extra large hotplate was served and Josuke began to walk toward a free table. That is, until he sensed the brutish man lunge at him as he walked away.
Josuke stopped, ready to deliver a Hamon charged kick into the man's solar plexus, but hesitated as he saw someone else step between them.
A foot in the ordering line quietly reached out as the thug rushed toward Josuke, tripping the oaf and causing him to go tumbling forward.
The would-be murderer collected himself, now red from anger as he quickly turned toward the line.
"Who has the balls!" he screamed, ignoring any attempt from the staff to calm him down.
From the ordering queue his assailant, Josuke's apparent ally, stepped out calmly.
He wore a blue tabard decorated with yellow hem and symbols, over, what Josuke suspected, was white full-body training attire. His hair was blond, which he grew down to his neck, and he had dark blue eyes.
If Josuke simply passed him by on the street, he might have mistaken him for a lady. He had the kind of slightly pointed face that girls probably liked, and if Josuke had to guess, was probably three or four inches shorter than himself.
"It is one thing," The blonde teenager began, "to overcharge visitors. Most places have a tourist and local price. But what you've just tried to do amounts to attempted murder. You should be ashamed of yourself."
Having collected himself with a new direction for his ire, the bouncer screamed as he ran toward the yellow-haired stranger.
Josuke was almost tempted to help, but instead continued walking toward the table. The new challenger didn't need his assistance.
x.X.x
Kurapika calmly waited as the bouncer came charging toward him. These kinds of thugs were common enough in this part of the world where they were used less to enforce traditional bar disturbances and more as a means to ensure tourists could be badgered for more money.
As the man came within a few paces, Kurapika quickly bent down to deliver a sweeping kick to his legs, knocking the man down, before proceeding to place his fist just above the man's Adam's apple.
"Do you wish to proceed? Make no mistake, I have no wish to continue unless you force my hand."
The man seethed and grit his teeth, but eventually closed his eyes to concede his defeat. Two of his coworkers rushed toward him picking him up by each large arm, chiding him as they led him away. He was no longer fit to fight.
Stepping back into line, it didn't surprise Kurapika that most of the people brushed this incident off. This kind of thing probably happened all the time in small port towns like this.
What had been surprising was the man who had initially caused this scuffle by calling out the open-air diner's malpractice.
He had caught the blade with such extreme and casual ease, it had impressed even Kurapika.
Could he be….
Kurapika ordered his food before taking his plate toward the stranger, "Is this seat taken?"
The pompadoured man looked up at him before staring at the several other empty seats that were vacant around them, perhaps wondering why Kurapika had chosen to sit across from him of all people.
"No. You can sit wherever you want," he said dismissively.
Kurapika did so before proceeding to analyze the man in front of him. A habit he had developed from his curious and inquisitive nature.
The way he was savoring each bite of the ribs, stew, and biscuits spoke of a past devoid of fresh food…or manners. His outfit was dated, but Kurapika recognized it from a history book about the evolution of the Japponese school system. This particular style was dated, maybe 40-50 years old. Some school systems still used it, but the black button up had once upon a time become so associated with school thugery that it had prompted a nationwide redesign, to varying degrees of success.
Speaking about Japponese thugery…
"Your hair," Kurapika began.
"What about it," the older boy replied, the first vestiges of anger reaching into his voice.
"It's interesting is all, do you happen to be from Jappon?"
That seemed to throw the stranger off, which was lucky. Kurapika felt he had almost touched upon a sensitive topic.
"I…don't know," the other teen replied.
"Its just that that hairstyle is typically associated with Jappon, though it started on the streets of Glam Gas City, and traveled north approximately 70 years ago. In Jappon, it became a fad associated with teen rebelliousness and anti-conformity before waning in popularity for the past 4-5 decades."
The stranger stared at Kurapika in curious confusion before chuckling, "You're one of those brainy types aren't ya?"
"I would not describe myself as 'brainy,' so much as I'd say, 'well informed,'" Kurapika replied, slightly abashed.
The other man seemed to find his description amusing, and reached out his hand in greeting.
"Josuke. Josuke Joestar," he said.
"Kurapika," Kurapika replied, "just Kurapika."
"Sorry if it seemed I was being a jerk, I'm not used to eating with people I don't know, and that guy earlier just ticked me the hell off. Thanks for that, by the way."
"It was no trouble. Though I must say your skills were quite impressive."
"Thanks. You weren't too bad yourself. You didn't even need to use those," he said, pointing toward Kurapika's wooden swords…well, observabley wooden.
"Am I right in deducing you're here for the Hunter Exam?" Kurapika asked.
"How'd you know?"
"It was simple," Kurapika began, "this harbor is extremely out of the way for most conventional shipping. Since you clearly don't pass for a local, and given your skill in stopping that man's weapon, it can be inferred that the only reason you're here is to take the Kaijinmaru to Dolle Harbor. Am I correct?"
"Yeah…you really are smart, huh?"
Kurapika was about to answer when the shocked scream of a server rang out throughout the restaurant. A scream that was directed toward him.
On the edge of the table, crawling toward his hand, was a spider. A very large, very hairy spider.
"D-Don't move!" the server cried out, "Or it'll jump at you!"
Kurapika stared at the tarantula. A Brown Speckleback, not venomous, but with a mean bite.
Unthinkingly, Kurapika honed his senses, sharpening them to such a point he could see each and every minute movement the arachnid made.
With lightning fast speed, he took his fork and slammed it down on the spider's head, not crushing it, but trapping the predator between each prong like a pillory, then, just as fast, lifting the fork to throw the utensil, spider still trapped, toward a wooden beam with enough force to keep the the animal imprisoned.
Kurapika immediately regretted the display, and brought himself under control before looking toward Josuke.
"Did I…It looked like your eyes just…"
Kurapika was about to brush it off as a trick of the light, but didn't need to as a ruckus occurred mere moments later.
"Get back here you little cheat!" A group of men screamed as they chased after a purple haired young girl who was skating away from them at surprising speeds.
"God dammit, Sen" Josuke mumbled under his breath.
The commotion caused even the fishmonger nearby to chase after the troublemaker after she had knocked down a display of today's catch to form an obstacle.
As more and more people gave chase, Kurapika and Josuke couldn't help but notice an older looking gentleman, wearing a scuffed suit and carrying a briefcase skulk over to the now unmanned stall and blatantly pilfer the silverbacks that had been there.
"Did you know that person?" Kurapika asked, "I thought I heard you say their name."
"Ah…no. I thought it was someone I knew but…honest mistake."
x.X.x
(Half an Hour earlier)
The Sun was high and bright and the smell of the salt in the wind was a keen reminder that he'd soon be off to sea. He had already said his goodbyes to his (Great) grandmother, and to aunt Mito and would soon be off to take the Hunter Exam.
It was only after making it into town that he realized he didn't actually know when the ship, the Kaijinmaru, would actually be docking. He had been so busy preparing he had neglected to ask his aunt.
Absent-mindedness aside, Gon wasn't worried. He was sure he'd figure it out if he stayed and asked around the harbor, but that could wait. In the meantime he hardly ever came into town, and there seemed to be new and unfamiliar people everywhere.
Like him, these were probably people who also had ambitions to become Hunters.
As he strolled through town, pack on back and pole in hand, one particular oddity stood out.
In the distance, a large crowd of people, dozens upon dozens, surrounded a stage atop which stood two men. One with an orange fez, and a larger built man who wore a blue cap and hunting belt across his shoulder and torso.
"Is there anyone who will take up our challenge, any at all!" cried the man with the fez, "If you win against Mr. Hunter here, you can take the prize money," he declared, "and not only that, but we'll give you a preview of the animal show at the port! This challenge is free of charge! So what do you say folks, are there any takers?"
Gon was tempted to take the offer, but held back in awe.
Wow. So he's a real life Hunter!
One man from the crowd took them up on their challenge, losing handily. Three others followed, each losing as easily as the first, impressing the crowd. Gon had to admit that the man looked unwinded, which meant he was probably the real deal.
He wanted to test himself. Test himself against this man who had achieved the same status as his father.
Excitedly, he raised his hand, ready to be called when someone else dramatically stepped forward. It was a hooded figure, but with the same height and build as himself.
"I'll take you on!" the mystery challenger cried out, voice loud, confident, and apparently female, probably no older than Gon himself.
This declaration invited more than a few chuckles from the crowd, but the mysterious girl was undeterred, striding confidently up the stage.
"Don't tell me you're scared Mr. So-called-Hunter," she said loud enough for the crowd to hear.
If she was trying to make the man angry, her plan was working.
"Listen here you snot-nosed brat. I'll arm wrestle you, but don't take it personally if I hurt you," the Hunter said sinisterly.
"Oh I won't," she replied smugly, "in fact, I want you to pull that money out so I know you wont back out when I win!"
The crowd "oohed" and "ahhed" at her accusation, but reluctantly the Hunter nodded at his partner, signaling him to bring out a small lock box filled with a few thick bundles of jenny.
Gon wondered just how much the prize money was.
"200,000 jenny," the announcer declared to the crowd, "enough to pay for little Ms. Smartmouth's broken arm when my friend here is done teaching her a lesson."
"Get down from there little Ms," a voice called out.
"Go easy on her, she's just a girl!" said another.
"Does someone know who's daughter that is?" another woman asked, concerned.
"Sometimes children must learn lessons harshly," an old man said sagely.
Clearly the crowd was equal parts concerned, and interested to see how things would unfold.
For his part, Gon had a hunch there was more to this stranger than met the eye. There was something about the confidence she projected that led him to believe this match wasn't completely in the Hunter's favor.
She put her right hand on the table, which Gon noticed was heavily bandaged. Was she injured?
It didn't seem like the Hunter cared as he placed his own elbow down and took her hand into his.
"Don't blame me for this," he said with a smirk.
"Yeah yeah yeah," she replied, "don't complain when I take your money."
"Reaaaady!" the promoter said, raising his voice, "annnddd…GO!"
It should have been an easy near instantaneous win for the Hunter. But that's not what happened.
Gon stared in elated wonderment as the Hunter seemed to struggle just to keep his hand in the starting position, but whether he was struggling to move her hand down, or keep his own from moving down was the question.
The crowd stood on edge wondering if the small hooded girl would pull off a miracle.
Then, Gon spotted her smirking, before she moved her hand to the left, bringing his right hand to the table despite his struggles.
The crowd cheered. In this sleepy town it had been weeks since something so interesting had happened. Gon couldn't help but cheer as well.
The announcer stared in utter shock, prize box in hand, as he watched his Hunter friend rub his defeated and sore arm.
That soon changed as the mystery contestant quickly snatched her prize and made to leave. Or would have had the announcer not grabbed her by her injured arm.
"H-Hey, let me go, you creep!" she screamed.
"Not so fast!" the fez wearing announcer said, seething, "you've got some explaining to do!"
"You dorks said you wouldn't be losers about this!"
"Keep hold of her," the Hunter said, recomposed from his loss, "I've got questions."
"Hey, she won fair and square!" someone in the crowd said.
"Be quiet. Are you going to fight a Hunter?" another said, amongst a myriad of other similar whispers from the crowd.
It seemed the girl was on her own.
I have to help her, Gon thought, his feet already moving forward.
But she was far from defenseless.
As soon as it became apparent she'd get no aid from the bystanders, she turned to kick the announcer in the groin. Hard.
The man crumbled from the blow as he fell to his knees. There was just one flaw in the girl's plan.
He hadn't let go of her hand. The one that had been bandaged.
Somewhere, in all the wraps, or in the knot she tied, something failed, and the bandages came loose.
And to everyone's bewilderment, there was no injury underneath, just a set of iron wires and bolts that intricately extended across the top of her arm and fingers.
So cool! Gon thought before coming to the same conclusion as everyone else.
"S-She cheated!" a man cried out.
That seemed to be her signal to make her escape.
"After her!" the Hunter cried, 'I'll give half my prize money to whoever catches her!"
All hell broke loose then as dozens of men, and a few women, immediately dove toward her tiny frame.
Gon watched wondrously as she dodged them all, going under their bowed legs, and even jumping on a few faces as she dodged body after body.
Sooo, he thought
Soooo
She clicked her heels together, and from the soles of her boots popped out two sets of small wheels like roller blades. Which she proved proficient on as she dodged another few men, spinning in the air, and riding on the wall!
Soooo
"Soooo cool!" Gon declared, immediately running after her. He had so many questions.
It was like chasing a wild Pantheord in the jungle. Like the enormous predatory cat, this girl made excellent use of her surroundings to make herself harder to track.
At first Gon ran with the three dozen others, but more and more were easily lost as she picked up speed.
In fact, there was probably some kind of motor in her boots.
Was it a toy? Where did she get it? What about that contraption on her arm? Did it make her stronger? Who built it? Did she build it?
He had so many questions to ask.
Only a few young men continued to give chase, but she was smarter than them, and tipped over a stall of fish, causing most of her pursuers to slip into each other and the grimy fish juices that had mixed with the sand.
But she wasn't smarter than Gon. He knew how to catch a Pantheord. The trick was to get above them.
He jumped and somersaulted above those that had failed, wasting no momentum. Then he launched himself onto several barrels, then sheets of fabric, grabbing hold of some of the wooden beams of the bazaar that were used to put up shade, and using them to swing higher and higher like makeship tree branches. This town was just another kind of jungle, after all.
She was making mistakes now, Gon realized. She was going so fast her skates were leaving plumes of smoke in her wake. And from his position on the roof, he could easily make out her path.
He ran fast, jumping from one roof to another, sliding under clotheslines and obstacles as necessary.
The wind in his face, the joy of the chase. Gon's immature mind might have struggled to describe it perfectly, but he was utterly overjoyed to feel this familiar feeling, and elated at the prospect of making an interesting new friend his own age. He had precious few of those.
He was catching up to her. And he could tell from the way she zigzagged between alley's that she knew he was on her tail.
"Hey, wait!" he cried out, "I just want to ask you something!"
She was going so fast her poncho's hood came down, revealing to Gon that she wore goggles and had hair a pretty shade of pink-purple, like an Aska Lily from near his family cottage.
She didn't seem to pay him any mind, or chose not to pay him any mind. Either way, the chase would soon be over. His view and perspective gave him a better view of the alleys they were going through, and she was heading toward a dead end.
He followed her as she entered the alley, sure that she would have no choice but to stop, and that they could talk.
She did stop.
He jumped down. That was his mistake.
Clearly it was something she was waiting for him to do, for as soon as he did, she demonstrated even better acrobatic tricks with her skates, riding on one partition to the next in the three-walled alleyway, using every window sill, ledge, and crevice to her advantage to go higher and higher.
"Wow," Gon said to himself. She really was good.
But he was better. As he fell, he took out his trusty fishing pole and used his extremely sharpened senses to look for, choose, and cast his rod and wire toward a large beam.
Perfect catch!
He used his rod and wire like a rope or vine, the inertia of his fall now powering a swing that carried him upward.
And yes. Right in front of his target.
He breathed out a bit. Was he out of breath? Yeah, but just a little. It had been a good chase.
"I'm Gon," he quickly huffed, "I'm not trying to catch you. You don't have to be scared."
"Like-
x.X.x
-I'd be scared of you, you little midget!" Sen reamed.
Yeah.
That's Sen Abelnite.
You're probably wondering how she got into this situation?
It's a whole thing.
The long story is her sister died, and lingering survivor's guilt, combined with a strong attachment to said sister's lover, along with a burgeoning desire to see the world, caused her to ferment the notion that it was somehow her duty to watch over said lover…for her sister you understand?
The short answer was that Josuke wouldn't let her have any money.
Something about needing it for "food," and "passenger fees," and "eMeRgEnCiEs."
So she didn't ask when she had only taken some to buy a little bit of copper wire and steel tubing at the last port, but looked at what she had just done. Those purchases paid for themselves. What was the big deal?
Granny would want her to have half the money…..is what Sen's excuse had been before Josuke had forced her to pick up the payphone and have that uncomfortable talk with her grandmother.
The bottom line was that everyone needed jenny, and if she had to make money on her own, that was ok with her.
Now, did she cheat?
The simple layman might have thought so. Yes, the [Gettim Exo-Arm Ver 1.2] did lock in place preventing her arm from moving backwards, and used a miniature battery attached to a small pack on her back to quietly give her a VERY SMALL boost in force output.
BUT!
She didn't have to use a whole lot of it. She lifted beams thicker than that loser's arm when she was at the Waterworks at home. She probably didn't even need the exoskeleton.
If you really thought about it. If those hicks thought about it, they'd see she didn't even really cheat. She only made her inevitable victory more efficient.
Of course there was no way she'd be able to explain this all to the uneducated masses below.
Also, that "Hunter" guy (if he really was) had told his friend to hold onto her to be questioned.
Sus.
Sen really had no choice in the matter about how things ended up this way. And that's what she hoped Josuke would accept when she'd see him later.
Because by some cosmic bit of humor, she did pass by him during her escape. And he saw her, and she saw that he saw her. And that meant she'd probably get a good scolding tonight.
Damn.
Also,
"Who the hell are you, and why are you following me? Perv!"
"N-No, I'm sorry," her assailant quickly said, "my name is Gon. Gon Freecss. I was following you because-"
Sen already knew the answer, of course. Her sister and Grandmother had already had "The Talk," with her. Told her about how young boys would start to see her in…weird ways and chase after her.
-I really wanted to try your skates!" he finished excitedly.
"Oh," she said somewhat surprised, "I-I mean, hell no! Do you know what I had to do to build these? Like I'd let you-"
"You built those!" Gon said, eyes shining bright.
"Heh. Yeah I did," Sen explained, pride in her voice, "Took me weeks to find a matching Dooshan mini for the left one, and when I did get one it was broke. I guess you could say I know a guy who fixes things an- HEY! Stop trying to distract me, kid!"
He stared back at her, brows furled, "Stop calling me a kid, I bet we're the same age!"
"I'm just calling it how I see it, kid. Kid kid kid kid kid kid kid-," she mocked immaturely.
"S-Shut up!" Gon almost screamed, flustered.
"Well then I guess there's only one way to settle this," Sen said coldly.
"Yeah," Gon replied, eyes dark and serious.
"I'm-"
"I'm-"
The tension was palpable. This would decide it all.
"Fourteen!""Twelve!" Sen and Gon said respectively, "Ha!""No!"
"You see, shorty, I just know these things," Sen declared triumphantly, "Now why don't you go run along home now and we'll forget we ever met."
"Don't call me short," Gon replied, "You're only a little taller than me," which was true, if only by an inch and a half.
"Besides," he continued, "I can't go home now. I've got to find the Kaijinmaru to take the Hunter Exam."
"Yeah yeah that's all well and goo- Take the what now?!"
"The Hunter Exam," Gon explained, "you know, the one that happens every-"
"I know what it is," Sen cut in, "Why is a pipsqueak like you taking it!"
Oddly enough, her new acquaintance didn't point out the hypocrisy of her statement.
"Because my dad was even younger than me when he took it!" Gon declared, "And I'm going to find him."
What followed was a riveting tale of how he had sought to follow in his father's footsteps after being saved by said father's apprentice, a man named Kite. How he had to prove to his surrogate mother, his aunt Mito, that he was capable of leaving his home by catching an enormous century old fish, the Master of the Swamp, and how he had eventually ended up here, but forgot to ask when the Kaijinmaru would arrive.
There was such detail, and he told it with such passion, Sen didn't doubt him, and was more than a little impressed.
"Anyway," he continued,"Kite said my dad probably wouldn't ever come to see me, not because he wants to…"
Wow, Sen thought, that was heavy, but at least he was processing the parental abandonment-
"That's why I have to be the one to find him," Gon declared.
-maybe a little too well.
"Kite was such an amazing guy, and he was taught by my dad. So that means my dad is even more amazing, right!"
Probably not the description Sen would have used, but it wasn't like she had any expertise or real world examples to draw on.
"Ah, yeah, sure," she said, "That was a nice story and all, but I've got to get going."
"Are you going to return the money you stole," Gon asked innocently.
"St-Stole!? I won this fair and square!" Sen replied.
"But we all saw your arm and-"
"Look, kid. Life's not fair, and the world isn't nice. I'll put this money to use waaaaay better than that wannabe Hunter ever could."
"You don't know if he was or wasn't a Hunter," Gon countered, "and the only reason you're saying those things is because you're the one stealing."
He moved forward fast, grabbing a hold of the prize case. He was quicker than she had time to react to. She had let down her guard and gotten too comfortable around him.
"Let. Go." She hissed through her teeth, trying to pull the box from his hands.
"No!" he retorted, eyes hard and unyielding, "If you won't return it, I will!"
Why the hell is a shorty like him so strong? Sen thought ragefully. Oh wait…She was still wearing the Exo-Arm.
She powered it via its hidden switch, and slowly began to drag Gon across the roof, but the little bastard wouldn't let up, and in fact seemed to pull even harder.
"I. Said. Let. Go."
"No!" Gon grunted back.
Then the latch failed, and her precious wads of jenny went flying.
She reached for one, but grabbed it too hard midair, breaking its binding, and sending her hard earned currency into the wind.
She was going to buy Josuke those shoes she had seen him eyeing. Ingredients and a new knife for Tony, a new Posotron PX-2 for her…projects…
A few notes dropped to the roof.
Maybe she could salvage enough and….
and they were newspaper clippings…
Rectangular newspaper clippings. Cut to the exact dimensions of the $10,000 notes.
From the very beginning, she had been holding the prize of a rigged system. Those two, the Hunter and his friend, from the very start it had all likely been a con to get a few interested participants involved, then exponentially increase the prize money once betting could begin. The early contenders were likely plants, and they probably weren't angry that she won, so much as they were afraid of being exposed if she had opened the prize right there.
She felt so stupid….and angry.
Angry at Gon. For being a self righteous little crap. For being right for being a self righteous little crap. And for opening her eyes to her own naivete.
It galled her.
She grabbed him by his green collar, eyes fierce. He let her, but didn't once shake away from her gaze.
She was angry, and wanted him to feel as angry as she did.
"I bet this is why your dad left you," she whispered cruelly, face inches from his own.
His eyes flared, and she thought he might actually strike her, but he didn't. Instead he shoved her arms away.
"Take that back," he said, fire in his voice.
"No,"
"Take it back!"
"Fuck you!" she said, before making her way to the ledge, and jumping. She was nibble enough even without her gear to parkour her way down three stories of these buildings with all the pipes and ledges that abounded.
If she was hoping to lose him with her comment, however, she was sorely mistaken.
"Take it back!" he yelled, following after her, jump for jump.
"No, and stop following me!"
"Not until you take it back!" Gon raged. By now they were in the middle of the road, and drawing a lot of unwanted attention.
"Stay away from me, Gon FREAK! I hope you never make it to the Hunter Exam. I hope you never find your dad! I hope you die!"
"Yeah…well…bleeeeh" he said, sticking his tongue out at her.
She returned the childish gesture.
His response was to pull down his eyelid. The amateur.
She flipped him the bird, which struck him off guard. Sen's tactical mind had already honed into the fact that he had been raised by a pair of proper prudes. The ingrained manners he'd grown up around meant he didn't know how to respond.
It would have been the height of ungentlemanly conduct to continue when she had won against a child.
….so she flipped him another one, and took special care to bob both fingers up and down, knowing he couldn't do anything.
Oh he was seething now. Sen would have bet good jenny that that forehead could fry an egg. If she had money, of course.
She bathed in the glow of her victory as she watched the jerk turn and walk the other way.
And that's how it should have ended. Them going their separate ways, never to see each other again.
She watched Gon walk a few paces away, shoulders hunched, when a man approached him jovially.
"Did I hear you were going to take the Hunter Exam," Sen barely made out.
Gon said some words, probably thanking the older man, who took that retard's hand in his own.
Ok….
Really though…
He couldn't be that stupid could he?
They were going in the opposite direction of the port. That man was clearly up to no good.
Any time now Gon would realize this and rip his arm away….
Any time now….
Well. Maybe this was a good thing. She hoped he got molested, or enslaved…or….
The memory of that day was still raw and painful in Sen's mind. She thought of the kids. She thought of Coco. What would Coco do? What would Coco want her to do?
Stupid questions. She already knew the answer.
Sen ran toward Gon and the stranger with all her might, "Gon! Gon!"
For a split second she thought he might have been too petty to listen, but was relieved to see him turn back.
"Gon, I'm taking the Hunter Exam to! The Kaijinmaru is going to be at the port at 6pm! Now let go of that creep's hand. He's going to try to kidnap and sell you, you idiot!"
Gon looked up innocently at the stranger who clearly did not like the attention Sens loud accusation had warranted.
"No no, everyone," he said, feigning ignorance, "I was just escorting this lost child to his-"
Suddenly the man snapped, pulling out a dagger and lunging toward Gon, who didn't look worried.
Damn it! Sen thought, panicked. This was the worst possible outcome. She wished Josuke was here.
Then, a swift figure appeared out from behind the kidnapper. He was fast, and somehow knocked the dagger out of the criminal's hands,before striking his feet with such speed that Sen could barely register the abductor falling on his arse, let alone what had just happened.
Pompadour. Check.
Chiseled abs. Check.
School Uniform. Check
Yup. Sen didn't know who this new guy was, but he sure wasn't her Josuke.
x.X.x
(A few minutes earlier)
*Gruuuuummmbbble!
The sound of an empty stomach drew the eyes of locals to the strange orange poofy haired newcomer.
But who was this strange and foreign young teenager?
Known colloquially as Kuwabara, Kazuma Kuwabara was a man on a mission. One that would be revealed in time, but one that most certainly had to do with a figure from his past known as…
"Ura…meshi…gonna kick…your…butt…," Kuwabara mumbled breathlessly, as he trudged forward using his bokken as a walking stick . He was tired, and hungry, and starving, and exhausted, "Stupid bastards…," not accepting my…Yan…
Author's Context: A Yan is the currency of the Empire of Jappon, pegged at 0.9 Yan to the Jenny, the Global Standard Currency monitored and printed by the V5 Economic Conclave. To shorten what would otherwise be long winded economic/monetary jargon, suffice it to say that if you're a young man who was too dimwitted to exchange what little pocket money he had when he left his island nation, you're gonna have a bad time if the place you're in doesn't have an exchange service readily available. That's all.
It had been a week since he had been tasked with tracking down and bringing back his rival. People were counting on him. Dammit, Shizuka was counting on him!
One port had overcharged him his passenger fare, and he had already been fasting to save money. Now, he had to hope that what little remained could pay for his way to Dolle Harbor. He hoped there would be a free on-ship meal.
That is, if he didn't keel over and die first.
God this place was hot. He had tried to buy water earlier but the stall owner hadn't been willing to accept a 500 yan coin.
Kuwabara continued to stagger his way forward, his school coat a makeshift hat from the shade, his stomach punishing him for every step.
Just a…few more hours, he thought, when the cry of a young girl caused him to stop.
"- go of that creep's hand. He's going to try to kidnap and sell you, you idiot!"
What! A kidnapping!
Kuwabara looked forward to the growing gathering of people on the street. The focus of attention was a local mustached man, with a young boy next to him.
Suddenly after trying to play the accusation off, he brought out a dagger.
That was all Kuwabara had to see to jump into action. Instinct honed from two years of brutal training under he and Yusuke's master brought out the battler in him as he streaked forward.
He swung his bokken upward, the wooden sword becoming a teak brown tear across the air as it struck the kidnapper's hand, causing his dagger to fly. But Kuwabara wasn't done. Not letting up for a moment, he swooped in front of the man and swiped at his feet with so much power, the man spun in the air before falling on his back…
He brought his weapon up, ready to attack again if the man so much as tried to get up.
*Groooooowwwl!*
Then his vision went dark, as his hunger finally defeated him.
It was a splash of water on his face that woke him up. Sweet glorious water coming from a canteen held by a goggled tomboy.
Kuwabara immediately snatched it away and didn't so much as drink the life-giving liquid as he inhaled it.
"You must have been really thirsty, mister." It was the boy that Kuwabara had seen next to the kidnapper.
"My name's Gon. Nice to meet you," he said, lifting up his hand to offer an apple.
Kuwabara eye'd the succulent red fruit before calmly taking it. It was sweet, and the first bite quickly turned into many as he ate the food, stem and all.
"What happened?" he asked, finally feeling he had the energy to stand up.
"Some men came and took that guy away," the girl replied, "I'm Sen by the way."
"We moved you to this ally because there was shade," Gon added.
Kuwabara lifted and dusted himself off. The kids had even placed his bokken next to him against the wall.
"I'm Kuwabara," he said, introducing himself, "Look kids, you've gotta be more careful. There are weirdo's all over the place. Where are your parents?"
"I'm looking for my dad, right now.""Don't got any," the boy and girl said respectively.
"W-W-What are you kids doing by yourselves!"
"We're here for the Hunter Exam," they said in unison.
Kuwabara stuttered in disbelief. It was true that there was no age limit to take the exam, "W-Wh But you're just kids!"
"Mind your own business," Sen said before turning to saunter away.
"Wait for me, Sen," Gon added cheerily before turning to follow his friend.
Kuwabara stared after the two, dumbfounded. Didn't they know what kind of trouble they were getting into?
He watched the two as they began to banter and walk off.
Two kids, alone in a crazy no-name tiny out of the way place like this. Dammit all, but someone had to watch out for them.
"W-Wait for me!" Kuwabara yelled.
Little did he know that this chance meeting would change all of their lives.
x.X.x
(Meanwhile)
Leorio Paradinight watched hungrily as the flames of his makeshift fire continued to grill the skewered silverbacks he had…come across…earlier that afternoon.
He had been just about to raise his hand and step forward to challenge that Hunter to his arm wrestling hustle when that little girl had made her showy appearance.
He too had been amazed when she had won, and nearly fell over laughing when her cheating was exposed. He had to give her props for her grifting even if he wished it had been him who had made off with that money.
If there was a silver lining to that whole situation, it was that at least her commotion had allowed him to get a free lunch.
"Barbaro! Smettila subito!," a mad voice screamed.
Leorio, caught off guard, quickly turned back to see that behind him was a man, wearing the distinct uniform of a chef, knife in hand, staring right at him. His eyes were crazed, angry, and disgusted all at once.
He needed to get up to have a fighting chance against this maniac.
"Hold on man. I don't even know-"
"You are overcooking the fish!" the crazed chef cut in before running over to the fire.
Leorio watched in bewildered amazement as the tall blond man then proceeded to take a small wooden cutting board from his backpack then proceed to expertly debone and chop the meat off of each fish.
"The common argento-pinna is often throw away as garbo fish in most waters," The chef educated, "But in Napolini, we know she is *kiss* one of the best."
From his pack, he took out several other ingredients, spices, and a baguette, which he cut in half before toasting.
When he was finished with his process, Leorio was presented with one of the most well made, picturesque sandwiches he had ever seen. Gone was the look of murderous anger, instead, the chef's face had transformed into one of calm serene kindness.
"Panino argentato con salsa tartara, basilico e prezzemolo. Please enjoy, signor."
So on the bright side, Leorio wasn't being attacked by a murderer. On another, he went from having a few plain roasted fish to having a twelve inch sub, which likely wasn't poisoned since he had watched it being prepared.
On the one hand he was still being stared at. The chef was clearly eager to see Leorio's reaction to his impromptu cooking.
On the other hand…Leorio was starving.
He took a bite, and chewed, and chewed. Then another, and another. It was the best thing he had ever tasted.
"Well your introductions leave a whole lot to be desired, but you make a mean sandwich, stranger" Leorio said, licking his fingers.
"My apologies, signor. When I see ill-prepared food. It is, how you say, a sangue caldo, my blood burns."
"Uh, well, thanks. The names Leorio," Leorio introduced, hand extended.
"Piacere di conoscerti. I am A'toni, but mi amici call me Tony."
"Well, Tony, thanks for the grub but I've got to get going."
"Si, signor. Buona giornata."
Leorio turned to walk away…only to see that the chef was walking right alongside him.
Ok, weird, but what if I pick up the pace, Leorio thought, moving his legs faster.
Tony, almost as if reading his mind, did the same.
"Would you stop following me!" Leorio yelled.
"Bugiardo! It is you who follow me!" Tony countered.
Leorio had been planning to go to the animal show ever since he had missed his chance to win the armwrestling jackpot earlier. It had been his plan to stealthily sneak his way into management's office and see if he couldn't pilfer jenny from the owner's safe. In his mind, the ethics of stealing from people who were clearly dealing in illegal animal poaching erred on the positive. It was almost just.
He just had to lose this weirdo…
x.X.x
(Devo perdere questo mostro!) (I must lose this freak!), A'toni thought in trepidation! His mother had always told him it was risky to do kindness unto strangers, even the homeless, yet here he was, being chased by a scruffy looking man in a suit.
No matter how fast either ran, they always seemed to keep apace with each other.
"Why don't you slow down while I run ahead if you're not following me," Leorio cried, if that was even his real name.
"Oh, you would just love that, si! I slow down so you can murder me with whatever is in your satchel!"
"It's a briefcase!"
"I don't care what your barbaro language call it!"
"La smetta -""Stop-"
"di-""following-"
"Seguirmi!""me!" They yelled in unison.
A'toni was planning to run to the animal show where he had hoped to meet Sen. Earlier she had asked him to buy her a poncho since she had been planning to visit the area. Now he was having second thoughts about going there if it meant this strange fellow would be following him.
But there was no chance they were both going to the animal show…right?
(5 minutes later)
Leorio had followed him all the way to the animal show.
Both were out of breath, and had caused a stir as they ran charging toward the line of admission, nearly bumping into and knocking over several people.
They stood opposite of each other, each taking gasping breaths as they eyed each other up and down.
Then the security came, two men with guns and faces only mothers could love.
"We heard there was a commotion outside," one said, pulling the firearm off his back.
"Are we going to have to rough you two up?" The other asked, his gin all but begging them to say yes.
"N-No, Signor," A'toni replied panicked, "we are…we are…"
"The new hires!" Leorio finished, saving both of their hides from A'toni's mumbling words.
"Si! I am the new cook! Fresh from Napolini, and my friend here is…ah…-"
Leorio looked at him pleadingly.
"-the new cleaner. Yes, the new cleaner."
"We were just running here because we didn't want to be late," Leorio added bashfully.
Both guards looked them over, perhaps gauging them for their obvious lies.
"Boss tell you about any new hires?" the tall one asked his partner.
"Does the boss tell us anything?"
They both seemed to find humor in that before motioning he and Leorio to follow them.
A'toni watched Leorio smirk as they both began to follow the guards. Clearly this was something the other man had wanted to happen, and if A'toni was smart he'd leave as soon as possible. There was only about an hour or so left until the Kaijinmaru came and left. He'd do well to make sure he had vanished before then, preferably with Sen in tow.
As he followed the Guards into the tent, he thought he saw the familiar purple-pinkish hair of his young acquaintance pass into the canopy housing the animal menagerie, and hoped no trouble would come of it.
x.X.x
"You can all enter, just pay as you leave!" the man said. It was the same announcer from the arm wrestling competition, and if he didn't recognize Sen now, her discarded cloak had done its job of protecting her identity.
Pffft, like you'll get a dime outta me, loser, "Gottcha," she told the man, walking casually in with Gon and Kuwabara in tow.
It was a strange trio they made. There was only an hour or so before the gong of the Kaijinmaru sounded signaling the last call for examinees, and Sen wasn't particularly eager to get there. None of them were.
Gon was like a puppy, eager to follow her or at least be around someone his own age. Kuwabara was like a discount Josuke.
I'll watch over you kids! Hurderderderder! Sen mentally mocked, Like I need to be watched!
Still, he was reliable. Maybe she'd buy him a funnel cake as a reward given how skeletal he still looked.
"And here we have the rare Three-Headed snake, native to the jungles of Amazonia! We've given each head a name. They're A-chan, B-chan, and C-chan," the show girl explained, "but be careful. They're known to love the taste of human flesh," she said in mock horror.
A few adults and children customers actually did look alarmed by the animal, not that Sen could completely blame them. It was the size of at least three adult men.
The animal show-circus-thing, whatever they had visited, really did have an assorted array of strange creatures. While she had come here on a lark, Sen hadn't seen even a fraction of these strange animals even in picture books, so as they continued the tour, she began to become more and more entranced by the show.
There was a Tworse, a horse with a head at both its front and rear ends. Which was the eater and which the shitter was something the tour guide didn't seem willing to discuss.
There was a Dandilion, a large cat with a flower-like mane around its head, which Sen could have sworn was looking at her smugly. The prick!
And much much more.
They spent nearly fifteen minutes looking at all the crazy things before they came to the newest, and apparently the most dangerous exhibit.
"And now ladies and gentlemen," the guide said, putting on a show "Recently captured, is the rare, vicious, Foxbear! Native to this island, it's rarely seen, and almost always kills those that hunt it. If not for our show's Hunter, none of you might be lucky enough to see this with your very eyes!"
Sen had to admit, it was definitely huge, and definitely vicious. It was the size of two grown men standing on each other's shoulders, and thrice as wide, filled with muscle. Its fur was a dark, almost rust red. It had pointed ears like a fox, and a snout to match, though as wide as a bear's maw with teeth and a snarl that looked like it was ready to tear everyone, man, woman, and child, that had come to see it, to pieces.
"It's a good thing we're out here, and it's in ther-What the hell, Gon!"
x.X.x
It had taken Gon all of two seconds after seeing his old friend to realize who he was.
It was Kon, the Foxbear who's mother Kite had slayed to save him from, and whom he had raised in turn as atonement.
Somehow, recently, just as the tour lady had said, the Hunter must have captured him.
Gon Stepped forward, not intimidated by the murderous snarl of his forest companion.
"What the hell, Gon!" he heard Sen yell, but he couldn't afford to listen to her right now, not when someone he had raised less like a pet and more as a brother was caged before his very eyes..
Gon raised his hand, as everyone, staff and spectators both, gasped at his audacity.
You must hate us, don't you, Gon thought. He wasn't fond of places like this. Animals should be free.
Kon looked as if he was ready to bite his hand, and might have. Gon didn't bother keeping his hand completely out of reach.
You know me, Kon, you know me!
Any moment now would decide the fate of his limb, but Gon believed in his friend despite the feral malice in his darkened bestial pupils.
Kon lunged forward, and everyone who was watching closed their eyes or tuned away, expecting naught but sanguine gore and blood. But it was naught to be.
Instead, as onlookers turned back, they were awed by the sight of the captive Foxbear licking Gon's fingers.
"I bet you had a hard time didn't you, Konta?" Gon said soothingly as he petted his old friend's snout.
"What is the meaning of this!" A livid voice cried out. It belonged to a short old man who walked with an air of authority. Next to him, Gon recognized the Hunter from earlier that day. The man responsible for Kon's capture. The man that was currently carrying Kon's pup in a birdcage.
"Mr. Owner," the guide said, "it's that little boy. He began to approach and excite the beast, then stuck out his hand near the cage so the Foxbear would lick him!"
"Is that so little boy?" the owner asked, "Don't think that just because you're young I'll go easy on you, ya'hear? If you mess with my merchandise, you can be sure I'll make you pay."
Gon didn't have a response to that. He didn't want to leave Kon or his child but was in no position to do anything.
If he was at a loss for words, though, Sen was prepared to pick up his slack.
"Oh, yeah?" she said, "I don't see any danger signs? What kind of operation are you running here, buddy? We're paying customers and want to see your business licenses? I doubt many nations let you run around with endangered animals?"
"Why you! Who the hell are you, you little brat!" The owner said, livid.
"Wait a minute," The Hunter said, realization coming to his voice, "I recognize that voice. You're that little cheat from earlier, aren't you!"
"Uh…no," Sen replied, her face giving away all pretenses of the lie, "don't know who you're talking about. But I bet she had a way better arm than you…"
The Hunter shoved the cage into the Owner's hands, before rushing toward Sen, ill intent written all over his face, but was stopped as her red-headed guard came between them.
x.X.x
"That's as far as you're gonna go," Kuwabara said menacingly.
"Get out of my way, boy. Unless you want to get hurt," the Hunter replied, slowly unfastening his rifle from his back.
"Any man who'd hurt a little girl ain't a man in my book, pal. Put your gun away before I put the hurtin on ya."
Kuwabara knew his type, the kind who didn't let things go until he felt he had gotten even. It wasn't a matter of if the man would attack, it was when.
Man he wished he didn't feel so light headed.
Then he saw it, the subtle twitch of the fingers, the microscopic movements that signaled the Hunter was getting ready to aim at close range.
Kuwabara sprung into action, using the reserves of his energy to blitz forward and strike from below, his upward swing knocking the gun up, just as it fired. The bullet, now redirected into the cloth roof of the big top.
Now was his chance to strike the bastard….except…
*Grooooaaaaan!*
Kuwabara stopped cold as his eyes almost rolled into the back of his head. The apple and water had been nice, but nowhere near enough to gas his tank. He had overestimated how much he could exert himself, and was now paying the price.
He felt a knee, the Hunter's, dig into his abdomen, hard. Then as he dropped to his knees, felt the butt of the man'd rifle slam across his forehead.
All the training he had done with Yusuke under master…master … He was feeling dizzy. If only he wasn't so hungry this chump would be nothing.
His vision was fading, but he could hear them talking.
"No no," the Owner said, "don't kill him, we don't want to start a ruckus, even here."
"Pfft, I'm a Hunter, I doubt there's anyone on this island with the authority to arrest me," the Hunter replied.
"Even so, I can imagine a better punishment for these three. One last meal for parent and child, while we finalize our deal."
Kuwabara felt hands grab ahold of him as he was lifted up. The sight of Owner and Hunter slowly walking out of the tent, arrogant smiles on their faces causing anger to boil up from within.
Oh he was going to get them. He was going to get them good. Once he woke up….
If he woke up….
x.X.x
Leorio whistled nonchalantly as he saw the trio put into the Foxbear cage.
"You, new hire. Get me and my friend here some tea to celebrate. Bring it to my office."
"You got it, sir," he said with faux enthusiasm. Office meant the place where things were run, and where things were run, the money usually was at. Leorio could smell the mulla already.
The gunfire had caused most customers to leave, something the Owner didn't seem to mind terribly, and if he was worried that putting three people in a cage with a wild animal would get him charged with something, he didn't seem to care.
In all honesty, he seemed to have fairly good reasons not to. Authority on an island this small couldn't be more than three or four officers, far too little to enforce anything against the circus' armed guards.
And with the clout of having a Hunter, things would be even harder…if the man really was. Leorio was beginning to have his doubts. But this wasn't his problem, and neither were those kids.
Still, as he walked away to follow the Owner's orders and enact his own machinations, he took one last look behind him to see how the three fared.
Yup. That little black-haired kid really was an animal whisperer. They weren't dead yet, so he'd pray for them.
Leorio ran-walked to the kitchen, unsurprised to see A'toni, his not-friend, expertly cutting carrots into paper thin slices.
"Signor, Leo," Tony began, "Some woman, they come here with terrible story. Is true, or no?"
"Maybe, probably. I don't know. I'm going to need you to make me some tea, and fast."
"They say children are being fed to the, ah, animale feroce. What is the meaning of this?"
"Some kids mouthed off to the Owner and that Hunter, but don't worry, they haven't been eaten, yet. Tea, now," Leorio said, impatiently.
"So is true! What about the parent? Did no one stop this?"
"No one who didn't want to stare down the barrel of a rifle," was Leorio's dry reply.
Tony looked at him at disbelief, then disgust, before spitting at his feet, "And you, you also do the nothing!? Is easy for you to watch bambini die, yes?!"
"It's not that easy you bastard!" Leorio retorted, the blond chef's words cutting into him, "I'm trying to become a Hunter myself, and the ship to the exam leaves soon. I can't be distracted trying to save every person who gets themselves into trouble."
Tony, who had been ready to leave, turned around then, and gave Leorio a look so full of contempt, and loathing it caused him to stop breathing for a moment.
"It cost nothing to be kind, Leo. Nothing! If the cost to do the right thing is you convenience, I cannot imagine you will become the Hunter you or anyone else wish for. May we never cross path again," and with that, Tony stormed away.
Leorio felt the weight of the world on his shoulders then. Why had he even wanted to become a hunter?
Oh, right.
He wanted to become a doctor. A doctor who would never have to watch his best friend die again. A doctor that could look a poor child in the face and tell him the treatment was free of charge.
When had he become so jaded?
"Wait," he called out, thankful that Tony stopped to listen, "The Owner is the one who asked me to bring him some tea. If we play this right, I think I know a way we can save those kids."
"Sto ascoltando," (I'm listening)
x.X.x
A'toni was a bit worried. He was a chef, not an actor, so he hoped he wouldn't ham it up too much.
Leorio's plan hinged on at least the Hunter leaving, but if things went south, they'd both have to be prepared to fight.
He could hear talking behind the closed door to the Owner's office. Something about payment for some sort of bear cub, but he wasn't particularly interested in that. His job right now was to wait for Leorio's signal, and hope that these two were as easily fooled as he hoped them to be.
"Welp! I'll be heading out now," Leorio said loudly. That was it.
A'toni ran toward the door, even tripping to try to really sell the urgency.
"Signor Owner! La polizia! Polizia outside, with many people! They say you are the feeding children to zi animali! Many people! Irato! Irato!"
"Cheh, Sooner than I'd thought," the Owner said, looking toward the Hunter, "You have your license? That'll make them think twice."
"Yeah, let's get this over with," the Hunter replied, "but this'll cost you extra."
Both men laughed as they left the room. Confident they could intimidate a group of villages that didn't exist.
When they were out of sight, Tony rushed into the office where he saw Leorio, ear against the safe door.
That wasn't what caught his eyes, though. What Tony locked onto was the sets of keys above said safe that were almost assured to be for the caged animals.
*Click*
"Annnnnd, bingo!" Leorio said, as the safe door triumphantly opened.
As for himself, A'toni grabbed every key, placing each in his deep chef's pockets before making his way toward the exit.
"Buona fortuna, Signor Leo,"
"Wait," Leorio replied, "I'll come with you."
"But I thought you said-"
"It doesn't matter," Leorio cut in, "If we hurry, we can save those kids, and make it to the Kaijinmaru, right?"
"Si!" A'toni replied, elated at the help.
They ran like their lives depended on it, Leorio leading the way when they finally made it to the cages.
As they passed through the entrance, A'toni's heart sank into his throat as he saw the familiar hair and goggled head of one Sen Abelnite. One of the companions he thought he might find here, but who should have long since been at the harbor.
As if to rub in their limited time, a gong rang throughout the air at that very moment, from the direction of the port. It was the Kaijinmaru, signaling the last 15 minutes it would be taking would-be examinees. Their last chance to board.
"Bambina!" he called.
Sen's sulking head rose at his familiar voice, "Tony!"
"How this happen?" he asked.
"We've got no time, Tony," Leorio said. He wasn't wrong.
"Those bastards tried to feed us to this bear," Sen sulked. It was a bear, of some kind, and a part of A'toni was hesitant to release it unto the town, though a greater part was even more unwilling to keep Sen inside with the beast.
After jumbling and trying several keys, he finally found the correct one, opening the cage and the captives within.
"Thanks mister. I'm Gon, and you don't have to worry about Kon, I've already asked him to behave. He'll go back home to the forest without bothering anyone."
Was the child being serious? No, there was no time for that now.
"We have to help Kuwabara," Sen said, referring to the passed out young redhead with the familiar hair, "he saved us."
"Is he ok?" Leorio asked.
"I think he just hasn't eaten."
A'toni rummaged through his pack and found a nutrition bar. As he waved it across the youth's face, the young man's eyes flitted and he groggily made to bite the food with his teeth. A'toni poked the bar into his mouth before having Leorio help hoist the redhead onto his back.
"We must away, now! Fretta fretta!" He urged. Then realized there was someone missing. The boy with the green clothes, and spiked black hair.
"You're free now, everyone! Free!" Gon yelled.
Somehow, when they were getting ready to make their escape, the boy had slipped away with the keys and released every single caged beast.
It was enough to drive a grown man crazy, but even A'toni had to admit that there was now very little he could do.
It was time they caught their ride.
"Everyone, follow me!" he cried before leading the way out.
Behind him was Sen, Leorio, Gon, and a horde of wild animals. On his back, Kuwasomething, he'd memorize the name later. Time was of the essence.
They ran for dear life, many of the creatures and beasts dispersing and hopefully going toward the jungle, away from civilian life.
They made it to the harbor, the Kaijinmaru within sight when a shot rang out in the air, causing their little group to instinctually stop, lest they be the target of the firearm's aim.
It was the Hunter, with the Show Owner at his side, and both looked ready to draw blood.
x.X.x
Kuwabara was finishing chewing the last of this heavenly snack. Chocolate. Raisins. There was a lot of oats, and blueberries if he wasn't mistaken. It was great. Better than sex. Not that he'd ever been with a woman, but eating something so packed with essential irons, calcium and other vital nutrition after days of going without, caused his body to cry out with joy.
"You animals are going to pay for what you've done!" The Owner yelled, "Show 'em, Hunter! I'll make it well worth your while."
"Hah, no. This, I'll do for free." He said with grim satisfaction as he slowly took aim.
"You monsters are going to shoot us in cold blood!?" Sen shouted.
"Yeah, kid. I'm a Hunter. I hunt animals."
Kuwabara let himself down from the chef's back, and gripped his bokken with renewed strength. There was some distance between him and this piece of crap, he probably wouldn't be able to cover it and beat the bastard before he fired, he was still a little woozy.
If only he wasn't so hungry, he could use…that.
At the same time, in the distance, the Kaijinmaru slowly began to unanchor.
"15-21-14" The guy in the business suit said. That seemed to frighten the Owner, "Take a wild guess what that means, old man."
"W-Wait! You can't mean-"
"That's right!" the spectacled man said, reaching into his coat and bringing out a wad of jenny, "consider this payment for. The. Animals!" he roared, tossing the money into the air with such force the bills went flying.
"M-My money!" the Show Owner cried.
"Don't get distracted!" The Hunter scolded. Then he attempted to fire.
That's when they all heard it.
The piercing whistle of something traveling through the air at high speeds. Cutting through oxygen like a hot knife through butter.
There was a sharp chink as the Hunter's rife nearly exploded with enough force to splinter the wood of the gunstock.
While everyone stared, agape at what had happened, Kuwabara burst into action. He became a blur, his lacquered weapon a beatstick to the sick and unjust. One strike was delivered into the Owner's ribcage with a sickening crack, while another he brought down onto the Hunter's collarbone. It would be years, if he ever did decide to aim another rife again.
*Groooaaaaannn*
He wobbled. But barely kept himself up. He really needed a good meal.
"Hurry up, Kuwabara! Move your ass!" he heard Sen cry. They were all headed toward a dingy, the only one in the harbor.
It was almost futile to think they could all paddle and catch up to the wooden passenger ship…but damn it if they weren't all going to try!
"Wait…for…me!" he wheezed.
x.X.x
No Josuke, he chided himself, you should trust Sen. Let her have some freedom. She wont get into THAT much trouble. What's the worst that could happen?
This. This was the worst that could happen.
Admittedly it was his fault. As soon as there had only been an hour left, he should have gone looking for her. He even had that same tuft of hair to find her that he had used at Junkanyon.
Then Tony hadn't shown up, and he really began to get worried. So he had gone onto the ship to ask if they could have more time.
Boy did the captain shoot that idea down real quick.
Then he debated as to whether he should just get off and use C.D. to rush to wherever the hell she was. Consequences be damned.
Then he saw her enter the harbor in the last five minutes, her own little posse, and a stampede of animals behind her and Tony.
Madness.
He was almost certain he'd strangle her.
But then, that was if she could even make it to the ship.
Josuke put his hand back into his pocket where it had been over his eye. The space between his ring and index finger, his preferred method to aim.
He had summoned C.D. briefly to fire the compressed 250 jenny coin as a makeship bullet while he himself aimed, and was more than a little proud of the accuracy they had achieved.
Now he watched from the Stern of the Kaijinmaru as Sen and her group of followers hopped on a dingy and paddled for dear life.
"They'll never make it," Kurapika said walking up behind him.
"I wouldn't count them out just yet," Josuke replied, grabbing a hold of Sen's hair."
x.X.x
"Faster! Faster!" Sen ordered from the bow. There were four oars, and five passengers, someone had to lead this last ditch effort.
"You know, you could get behind and paddle with your legs!" Leorio said.
"Yeah!" Kuwabara added, "I'm *huff* not *huff* exactly *huff* in the *huff* best *huff* condition-"
"Less talking, more paddling," Sen chided, when she suddenly began to feel her body move of its own volition, floating toward the Kaijinmaru. Which could only mean one thing.
Sen quickly grabbed onto the bench for dear life, Josuke's power now pulling her, and by extension the other contestants, toward their hopes and dreams.
"Is it my imagination or are we going faster?" Leorio asked.
"No, we really are picking up speed!" Gon cheered.
"If you have time to talk, you have time to paddle," Sen chided, trying to distract her crew from the supernatural tug, "Onward!"
When they were close enough, a rope was thrown toward their boat which they tied down and began to crawl up.
Sen chose to be last.
Argued for it in fact.
As she slowly crawled over the deck, crewmen and passengers eager to see the last minute borders, she thought she might be able to skulk away when Josuke's face didn't immediately appear in the crowd.
As she tried to stealthily leave, she felt herself being picked up by the collar of her shirt, and knew immediately who it was.
"Ehhehehehe….Hey Josuke, fancy meeting you here."
"Uh huh, why don't you tell me what you've been up to today?" The sentence sounded like a request, but Sen knew it was an order.
"W-Well it's a long story," she said, sweating.
"Don't worry, we've got time. Now. Start. At. The. Beginning."
x.X.x
Damn. This chapter really got away from me. Had to redo some mistakes I made in the first 6k words. Since this chapter is based around episode 2 of the 1999 anime, I initially thought that that island was a completely different place from Whale Island, and wrote it as such. When I rewatched the episode, Gon said farewell to the place, referring to it as Whale island, and I didn't feel comfortable leaving things as it was.
Anyway, the first new character is Kuwabara! But why is he chasing after Yusuke? Guess you'll all have to wait and see. Did you hear any other familiar names? What could that possibly mean or portend for the future? Guess we'll have to wait and hope I don't give up on this story, right?
Anyway, there was a lot of POVs here, and I hope it was coherent for everyone. Some POVs were a bit silly, on account of me having to force the plot forward, especially the Leorio/A'toni meeting, but hopefully we can all suspend our disbelief and realize that silly situations happen from time to time.
Anyway, hope this first chapter of the Exam Arc is to all of your liking.