I sighed as we waited for the ship to move again. Oh, right. I guess I should tell you a little about myself. My name's Nozomi Paradinight. I'm 16 years old and have an older brother named Leorio. Other than that, we're exactly the same. You wouldn't think he was older than me, seeing as I'm always the one making the responsible decisions, and Leo's the one always making the reckless ones. So anyway, back to our current situation.

Leorio and I are currently applied to take the Hunter's Exam. We both have the same ambition. To become a hunter. Only difference is...Leorio's only in it for the money. And hey, that's his decision. The only reason I'm becoming a hunter is...To protect my older brother! And I'll do whatever it takes to make that ambition a reality! I smiled a little as new applicants for the Hunter's Exam boarded the boat. One of them was a short boy with spiky black hair. I smiled. He looked like the type of guy who would do anything, give anything, to help his friends.

As the ship departed again, he stepped to the starboard side of it and smiled, waving at his friends. "Goodbye everyone!" he said, smiling. "I'm going to become the greatest Hunter in the world! Once I'm the best Hunter in the world, I'll come back!" Behind me, a man scoffed. "The best Hunter in the world, huh? This kid doesn't respect us," he said. "There are millions of skilled applicants taking the Hunter's Exam every year!" another added. I looked over at Leorio and saw him reading one of his "research" magazines. And on my left, a boy with golden blonde hair, wearing a blue tunic.

"Only a handful of them are selected," the same guy continued. "Don't say things you can't back up." I tuned out the rest of the explanation and walked to the deck, not noticing that the boy was beside me. I looked at the view in front of me. It's so peaceful, I thought, smiling. All of a sudden, a huge wave jolted the boat. I screamed as I toppled backward, falling over the railing. Or so I thought.

"Are you alright, miss?" a kind voice asked. I opened my eyes to see the boy with blonde hair had caught me before I could get tossed overboard. I blushed deeply as his grey eyes met my silvery-blue ones. He was very handsome. And kind. The kind of guy I wished day in and day out would fall for me. "Y-yeah. I...I'm fine." He looked down at me a while, before pulling me upright and flush with his body. "You really should be more careful. If I'd been even a moment later than I was, you'd be overboard right now," he whispered. I blushed. Why was he HOLDING me like this? We'd only just met!

He smiled and pulled away. I blushed. "Umm...Thanks for saving me," I said, bowing. "I'm Nozomi. Nozomi Paradinight." The boy smiled. "I am Kurapika. It's a pleasure to meet you." I blushed deeply as he kissed me on the hand. "L...Likewise," I said, blushing more. "Zomi!" my brother called. (That was always his nickname for me. ) "Coming!" I said. "I'll see you soon, alright, Kurapika?" He nodded, and I left. "We need to get inside. There's going to be a storm," Leo said. I nodded and ran to the cabins below deck. Sure enough, as soon as we ran below deck, thunder boomed around the ship like cannons. Lightning flashed like arrows across the sky. The ship rocked and rolled, but it didn't bother me. Instead of moaning, groaning, and getting seasick, I opened a book.

Kurapika smiled as he laid in a hammock beside me. "I see you like reading as well," he said. "What's that you're reading?" I smiled. "A book of poetry. " He smiled and returned to his own. I gasped as I heard my brother scream. I turned and pulled my Heavenly Sword, ready to fight, only to see that he had an apple in his hand. "Yuck! That's one SOUR apple!" Leorio said, pulling a sour face. I laughed a little. I looked over to see the captain looking at us. "You four. Come with me," he said, pointing to me, Leorio, Kurapika, and the little kid I saw earlier.

We quickly and quietly followed the captain to his quarters. "First, tell me your names," he ordered. The little kid raised his hand. "I'm Gon!" he said, smiling. Kurapika narrowed his eyes calmly. "I'm Kurapika." Leorio scowled as he looked away. "It's Leorio." The captain turned to me. "And you?" he asked. I smiled. "I'm Nozomi," I said, bowing. "Pleased to meet you, haichou (captain)." "And you there, hiding behind Kurapika?" I turned to my left and saw a small girl who was a few inches shorter than Kurapika. "Hello," she said, smiling nervously. "M-My name is Mayumi. I'm Kurapika's little sister."

The captain looked us over, before asking, "Why do you want to be Hunters?" Leorio's eyes narrowed. "Hey!!! If you're not an examiner, you can't ask us questions!" The captain scowled at that comment. "Just answer the question," he said. Gon smiled. "My Dad is a Hunter!" he said. The captain's eyes widened. "I left Whale Island because I wanted to know why my dad desired so much to be a Hunter!" Gon continued. "Hey, kid!" Leorio yelled. Gon turned. "You're not supposed to answer his question!!!" Gon looked confused. "Why can't I tell him why I'm here?" he asked.

My brother sighed. "Not a team player, huh? I don't wish to reveal why I'm here!" he said. "I agree with Leorio," Kurapika said. "Pika..." Mayumi said, looking at her brother. "Hey! Aren't you YOUNGER than I am?! That's Leorio-san to you!!!" Leo yelled angrily. "Show some respect!!!" "It's quite simple to avoid pesky questions...By offering up a plausible lie," Kurapika said, not paying attention to him. "HEY!!! ARE YOU EVEN LISTENING TO ME?!" Leorio yelled.

"However, it is shameful to rely on deceitfulness," Mayumi said. "If my brother and I told you the truth...We'd be exposing our deepest, darkest secrets." "And that is why we refuse to answer," Kurapika said. "Hey you! Don't ignore me~!" Leorio yelled angrily. "So in other words, you refuse to answer my question." He turned to the red-headed crew member beside us. "Hey! Katsuo! Tell the examination board that we have three more dropouts!" Mine, Lerio's, and Mayumi's eyes widened. "What?!" "You still haven't figured it out?" the captain asked. "The Hunter's Exam has already BEGUN!" "WHAT?!" we said again.

The captain then explained that he's not only the captain of the ship, but an elimination examiner. He separates the strong people who actually want to become Hunters, from the weak wannabees. "I've already notified the board that everyone else on this ship had to withdraw. If they couldn't handle the storm...They'd stand no chance in the later stages of the Hunters Examination. In other words, you only proceed to the main exam if I pass you!" the captain informed us. I gasped. Not now! Not when I was so close!

Kurapika and Mayumi opened their eyes. "We are the last suvivors of the Kurta clan," Kurapika said. "Four years ago, our clan was annihilated by a group of criminals." "We wish to become Hunters...And hunt down that band!" Mayumi said. "The Phantom Troupe." I gasped. Were these two CRAZY!? The Phantom Troupe has taken out even the STRONGEST Hunter! "You want to become Bounty Hunters? The Phantom Troupe is a Class A Bounty, not even the most grizzled Hunters could catch them," the Captain said. "You'd be throwing away your life."

"We do not fear death," Kurapika said. "We fear that only our rage...Will fade over time!" As he opened his eyes, I gasped as I saw they were now a dark shade of crimson instead of they bright grey they were when I saw him before. "So in other words, you want revenge," Leorio said. "Does that require you to be a Hunter?" "Leorio," I said calmly. "That may be the stupidest question I've ever heard, Leorio," Kurapika said. "Kurapika..." Mayumi said, grabbing her older brother's sleeve gently. "That's Leorio-san to YOU!" my brother yelled angrily.

"Places accessible only to Hunters...Information almost unattainable...Actions otherwise impossible..." Kurapika said. "There are more reasons than your brain could possibly handle." My brother growled and Gon stopped him from doing something foolish. "Hey! Why do you want to become a hunter, Leorio-san? And you Nozomi-san?" He asked. "Me? I'll make it short..." I rolled my eyes. "Here we go again," I muttered to Kurapika. "I want...Money. Money can get you everything!" I rolled them again and mouthed my brothers words while mimicking his poses. "A big house~! A nice car! Good liquor!" I sighed and pushed him out of the way. "I only want to become a Hunter...To protect those closest to me. Like my friends. And my big brother," I said, smiling.

Kurapika smiled. "That's a wonderful ambition, Nozomi. Best hold on to it. It'll get you through these tough tests," he said. I nodded. "And as for you, Leorio...Money can't buy class," Mayumi said. My brother's eyes narrowed. I gulped. I knew that look. And it meant that my brother meant business and that he's not playing around anymore. "That's three times now...Step outside," he said. "I'll end the filthy Kurta bloodline, here and now." I gasped and narrowed my eyes angrily at that comment. "LEORIO!!!!" I yelled.

Kurapika growled and Mayumi began to cry. I could tell that she was traumatized by what the band did to her clan. "Take that back Leorio!!!" he yelled. Leorio stopped. Kurapika looked at my brother, venom in his eyes. "Take that back!" he repeated through clenched teeth. Leorio turned. "That's Leorio-san to you," he said. Kurapika growled and followed. I gulped. I had a feeling that this wasn't going to end well. "Come on!!!" Mayumi said, dragging me out the door and down the hallway. "We have to stop our brothers before they do something STUPID!" I nodded and followed as quickly as possible.

After a while, we reached our brothers. I couldn't tell what Mayumi said to Kurapika, but I was guessing that she was trying to get him to stop. I knew I had to do the same, if my brother was to live to make it to the exams. "Leorio! Brother, please, reconsider!" I begged. "He started it, Nozomi. I'll be damned if I'm about to let some punk little kid shoot down my ambitions!!!" "I don't care who started it! You're acting like a spoiled brat, Leorio!!!" I yelled angrily, my hands on my hips. "Nozomi...I'm not in the mood to be lectured by my little sister right now. I'm on the warpath. And unless you want to get hurt, I suggest you stay back!" I gasped. Leorio was my older brother! He's supposed to support, love, and protect me! Why was he threatening me like that?! Tears fell down my face as I stepped aside.

When Mayumi and I reached the top deck, I gasped as I saw the storm was getting worse and causing a waterspout. Mayumi must've seen it too, because her eyes were just as wide as mine. "Guys!!! We don't have time for this!!! We have to get below, to safety!!!" I yelled. Mayumi nodded. "I agree with Nozomi. Kurapika, we should get below deck and wait for the storm to subside!" Our brothers simply gave us glares that would probably make an animal drop dead. Both of which sent a clear message. "Stay out of this. It's between me and him."

"The waterspout is gonna catch us!!!!" Members of the crew yelled. They scurried around, desperately trying to lower the sails and stop the ship from being destroyed by the waterspouts. Gon was among the men, trying to help. I growled and turned back to the fight. I knew Mayumi and I would just have to wait it out. As the waves crashed over the ship, Kurapika and Leorio stood, ready to battle. "Take back what you said!!!" Kurapika yelled. "Take back your words, and I shall forgive you, Leorio!!!" My brother scowled, his hands on his hips. "How many times must I repeat myself?! You should show me some respect... It's Leorio-san to you!!! And I won't back down!!" Then, my brother pulled a knife. Afterwards, Kurapika pulled out what looked to me like nunchakus, only longer. "Then I have no choice," he said, his eyes narrowed.

I gasped and screamed as the winds gusted stronger than before. I had to grip the railing to stay upright. This is crazy! I thought. Now is no time for those two to be fighting!!! The ship rolled and rocked side to side and one of the men screamed as he was flung aside. "Katsuo-san!!!!" Gon yelled. Another wind gust came and blew me closer and closer to the edge. I screamed as I was blown overboard. "Kurapika-kun!!!! Nii-san!!!!!!!!!" I cried as I lost my grip. I didn't wanna die yet!!!! I heard Leorio and Kurapika gasp and felt hands clasp around my own. I opened my eyes to see that Kurapika and Leorio had grabbed me. Mayumi had tried to grab Katsuo, but missed. "Damn!!!" she said. Then, to our surprise, Gon leapt forward and grabbed Katsuo's hands, while Mayumi grabbed Gon's feet. In a swift move, Mayumi pulled the two up.

I whimpered as I saw the raging sea below me. "I don't wanna die!!!!" I screamed, looking down. "You're not gonna die!!! You're gonna live and become a Hunter with me!" Leorio said, determination in his voice. "No, you're wrong!!! I...I'm not cut out for this!!! Just...Just let me go, before you both fall in with me!!!" I begged. Kurapika smiled. "Nozomi....You're gonna be alright," he said calmly. I whimpered and looked down. "No, don't look down. Look at me," Kurapika said gently. I looked up and straight into his grey eyes. "Good. Now..." He turned to my brother and nodded. "Pull, Leorio!!!!!" My brother nodded and grunted as they, along with some help from some members of the crew, finally pulled me up.

I leaned against my brother and Kurapika, sobbing. "I was so scared..!!!! I...I thought I was gonna die!!!" I yelled. Leorio hugged me close to him. "Shh...It's alright, Zomi...You're safe now." Kurapika rubbed my back gently. "You're alright now," he said soothingly. I sighed as the sky cleared and the waters calmed. I knew my brother would be lecturing me in three...Two...One... "Nozomi Kaya Paradinight!!!" Leorio said, his hands on his hips. "What were you thinking, grabbing onto the railing like that during a STORM?! If blondie and I hadn't grabbed you when we did, you'd be shark bait by now!!!" I flinched at his words and shivered.

Kurapika smiled and took off his jacket, draping it over my shoulders. "Can you be anymore reckless, Nozomi-chan? Be more careful next time." I sneezed and smiled. "But you caught me, didn't you?" I asked. My brother and Kurapika exchanged glances. I smiled and stood up. "You both caught me! Which shows that when it comes to me, you two both care enough to put aside your differences!" I said. Mayumi smiled and nodded. "Nozomi's got a point!" she said. "Well, I guess so," Leorio said, his eyes wide.

"Gon!!!" a voice said. We all turned to see Katsuo, the crewmate who fell off earlier. "Katsuo-san!" Gon and Mayumi chorused. "Thank you. You saved my life!" Katsuo said, bowing to them. Gon smiled. "I couldn't have done it alone," he said. Then, he gestured to a blushing Mayumi. "She helped you too." Katsuo ran to Mayumi and smiled, bowing to her. "Thank you very much, miss!" She blushed deeper. "Umm, no problem!" She said, rubbing the back of her head nervously. "But...You really don't need to thank me, I'm just glad you're okay!" Katsuo smiled and returned to his station.

Kurapika smiled, his eyes closed. "What?" Leorio said. "I apologize for my rude behavior...Sorry, Leorio-san," Kurapika said, opening his eyes. "Wh-what's with the sudden change?!" my brother asked, his eyes wide. "We sound like strangers...Just call me Leorio. Leorio works." I smiled. "And you don't have to be formal with me either," I said. "Just call me Nozomi or Zomi." Kurapika smiled at me. "Very well...Zomi." I blushed at his use of my nickname. It came out like a purr, coming from Kurapika. "I'm also sorry," Leorio said, smiling. "I take back everything I said. I was wrong." Kurapika smiled and shook his head. "No, it's okay."

Suddenly, we heard a laugh. We turned to see the captain standing in the doorway. "I like you guys!" he said, a bottle of sake in his hand. "Alright, I'll take responsibility for bringing you five to the port closest to the exam sight." Gon, Mayumi, and I gasped. "Really?!" we said, smiling. "But what about your test?" Gon asked. The captain stopped and turned. "Like I said...It's my decision to make! And all five of you pass!" He then turned and left. Leorio and Kurapika smiled, whereas Mayumi, Gon, and I jumped into the air. "Yaaaaay!!!" We yelled joyfully. I smiled and hugged Kurapika. "We did it!!!" I said. He smiled at me and pulled me closer. "Yes..." he purred in my ear. "We did." I blushed deeply and pulled away.

-scene freeze-

Narrator:And so began the journey of Gon, Nozomi, Leorio, Kurapika, and Mayumi. All of whom are determined, no matter what the cost, to become Hunters and achieve their goals. Will they succeed? Find out next HunterxHunter!!!!

AN:Hey everyone! Ammara4897 here to say something important. First off, another disclaimer. I DO NOT own the character, Mayumi. All rights go to my good friend BarbaraQ18. Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to have you in this fanficiton! And one more HUGE thank you for helping me with this story and for being such an awesome friend! Thanks! I couldn't have done it without you! :)