An Encounter in the Storm (嵐の出会い, Arashi no Deai)

(A/N If there is a change to how some things are written it is because of the manga. Kurta or Kurata, Jin or Gin or Ging will change passed off the manga and how it is written, thank you)

Hunter: A term designating people who are ready to risk their lives to find rare and precious objects, Only people who pass the severe Exam can obtain this title. Some say that only 1 out of 10,000 people pass.

No. 002 An Encounter in the Storm

It was time for Jun to escape his home, Whale Island. It wasn't as though he wasn't grateful for his Aunt and his little brother. No, be absolutely love them, he would even kill for them if he had to. He was never one for violence but wouldn't bat an eye if he saw someone get killed. It was one of his flaws, his lack of compassion and care for others.

Once he went onto the boat with his younger brother he felt slightly accomplished, he would be able to leave Whale Island without any regrets. He wasn't sure if he was going to survive the Hunter Exams, but he was sure as hell going to make sure his brother would. Jun knew that he wanted to become an amazing Hunter, even if he never cared much for his father that he hardly knew. His lack of parental figures beside his Aunt was probably another factor, never truly having a mother and father did that to you. That was his guess on why he was different than his brother with a pessimistic view on life instead of a happy and optimistic point.

Jun had looked around the large boat that was going to take them to their next destination and found mostly men, large older men to be precise. They looked like they were willing to kill to get to their goal, but they were only the beginning of the frightening characters he would meet during his journey. Jun continued to examine his surroundings. He was surrounded by nothing but blue for miles. It seemed to stretch on for an eternity and he was happy that he was never afraid of the ocean, he did after all live on an island. Though, a little water might not kill you, a lot definitely will.

"Jun!" Gon says and he looks over to his hyper younger brother, who seemed to be in his own little world.

"Yes?" Jun asked, snapping out of his inner thoughts and looked over kindly to his brother. He couldn't help but love his younger brother, no matter how strange he was.

"There's a storm coming!" He yells and Jun looks up towards the sky. There were dark clouds in the distance and you could see a dark shadow of rain and lightning, the storm would be here in 20 minutes.

"Alright." Jun says. "I'm going to head downstairs." He looks over to Jun as he descends the stairs leading away from the deck. "Are you coming?"

"No, I think I'll warn some people here!" He yells, waves away and runs to the next person. Gon was a confusing character, he acted so kind to everyone, even his enemies. Jun looks down at the stairs and sees a small door. He opens it and looks around. There were wasn't anyone else down there, but there were large, brown barrels filled with liquids, a few treasure chests, a hammock and a large desk. Jun takes a seat near the table and takes out a book from his bag and starts to read it.

As the time passes, more and more people start to flood the small room. There were a little over a hundred and only two (besides his brother) who interested him. There was a boy who looked about 16 or 17 years old. He has medium blond hair with brown eyes, he wore a blue tabard decorated with an orange-colored hem and a white full-body training suit underneath with shoes similar to periwinkle Chinese style flats. There was also a single, drop earring ornamented with a ruby in his left ear.

The other was a tall, manly-looking, fairly muscular young man with small brown eyes, black hair, and a spiked crew cut. He wore dark blue business suit, black shoes, and a pair of teashade sunglasses. Jun wasn't sure how old the man actually was, though he did seem to be considerable older than him, but not as old as the rest of the applicants.

The final person made their way into the small room and was drenched with water. As he closed the door, Jun noticed waves splashing on the deck and then a flash of lightning. 'That's not good.' He thought to himself but continued to sit at the table not looking at anyone.

Thunder boomed from the sky and shook the entire boat down to its core. He wasn't going to lie and say it wasn't terrifying, he wasn't sure rather the old boat would be able to make it to see or not. But keeping a blank face and pretending nothing was happening was one of his specialities.

The blond boy from before was sleeping on the hammock while the man was reading a book with a strange smile on his face. Jun decided not to investigate further and searched for his brother. Gon, unlike Jun was shushing around with cups, blankets and pillows. Jun smiled to himself only to stop once he saw the other applicants. They were collapsed on the ground with vomit and spit gushing out of their mouths. Jun cringed and looked towards the opening door.

He noticed there were only two newcomers. A male about age 20 who was wearing a plain white shirt and white pants, he had short black hair. The other person, who must have been the Captain was a fairly elderly man with a short and stocky build. He had a beard which extended down and around his face with an integrated mustache. His nose was permanently red and saw holding a pipe. His wore a sea captain's hat adorned with a whale emblem, a jacket covering a V-neck top with belt, trousers and black rubber boots.

"They're almost dead." The man said.

"This isn't training for weaklings." The Captain said and patted his hat onto his head and started to adjust it. "And they want to be Hunters? What a joke..." Gon ran rushing towards the other side of the room and the Captain stared at him. Gon bent down to a man who had a hot towel on his head and handed him a water in one hand and held a herb in the other.

"Take this, it's water." Gon said kindly. "If you chew this, you'll feel better." After the man did as he said Gon went to another person. Gon passed by the blond teen, the man reading the book and Jun. the Captain stared at each of them and locked eyes with Jun. His eyes seem to widen as Jun looked at him and he broke the stare.

"Well.." The Captain said with a smirk on his face. "This year will we have sailors tougher than the others?"

Shortly after the Captain left both Jun and Gon headed outside. Jun took a seat near a barrel and looked out towards the distance as birds flew by his head only to land beside him. Jun whistled and a bird perched on his arm.

"Good work, boys! You have two hours ahead of you!" The Captain said and his crew stared at him. "The worst is still to come!" Jun noticed the Captain as he moved towards Gon, who had a blank look on his face as the birds flew by him towards the opposite direction. "What's up, boy? Are you seasick?"

"There'll be another storm, even bigger..." Gon said completely ignoring the Captain.

"Hmm..." The Captain said and stopped drinking his liquor. "What makes you say that?"

"A harsh wind is blowing, and the current is strong." Jun answered and Gon nodded and stared at the seagulls.

"And the gulls tell me to be careful." He explains.

"You understand this bird language?" The Captain asked completely surprised, looking at Gon as if he was having a flashback.

"Not everything, but.." Gon said and trailed off.

"Boys!" The Captain snapped and they looked at him. "You're the ones that embarked from Whale Island, aren't you?"

"Yes." They said.

"What does you father do for a living?"

"Hunter!" Gon said smiling with pride. "I've only seen him in pictures, but I admire him a lot." He looks over to Jun. "My brother looks exactly like him!"

"I see..." The Captain said and readjusted his hat. "Can you tell me when the storm will be upon us, and how strong it will be?"

"Waves should be two times higher than before. If we keep at this speed, we should be in the heart of the storm in about 3 hours." Gon says and the Captain laughs.

"Both of you, follow me!" The Captain says and they quickly follow after. "I'll show you a few things about driving a ship."

"Isn't it called 'steering'?" Jun asked

"Either way is fine!" The Captain said and opened up the door after taking them up a flight of stairs.

We showed us the control panel and the helm, the wheel on a ship. "If the wind changes a little, the storm could be here in 2 ½ hours. From this moment on, you'll have to learn the basics of sailing. If you really want to be one of the best Hunters, you have to know how to do everything." The Captain clicks a button and the speaker turns on. "We're going to enter into a turbulence zone two times more violent than the last one. The ones who fear for their lives can take rescue boats to the nearby island."

Screams from the other passengers were heard and 5 minutes passed and the Captain went downstairs and brought back the same two characters from before. They stood up against the wall. "Finally, you're the last three? You're names?"

"I'm called Leorio." The man says smirking.

"I'm Gon." Jun's brother says with his fishing hook still in his hands.

"I am Jun." He states leaning back on the wall.

"My name is Kurapika." The blonde said, with his upper body hidden within his tabard.

"Why do you want to be Hunters?" He asked them.

"Excuse me? I don't think you're an Examiner..." Leorio said.

"Answer!"

"Why should we answer you?" Leorio snapped back.

"I want to know what my father's work is like!" Gon says happily with his hand in the air.

"I want to become a better Hunter than my father." Jun explains slowly.

"Hey, not so fast, brats." Leorio says and points at us. "Who told you to answer? Don't you have team spirit?"

"We're giving our reasons." The brothers say. "What's wrong with that?"

"You shouldn't, that's all. For me, it's a matter of honor." Leorio says.

"That's a stupid reason." Jun says and gives the man an annoyed look. "Who cares about your honor, if you're so high up for horse that you won't answer one question."

"What was that?!" Leorio yells and Jun shrugs.

"I agree with this guy." Kurapika says interrupting Leorio.

"EH!" Leorio says and glares at Kurapika. "How old are you? Were you never told to respect your elders?"

"I prefer to not answer your unpleasant questions rather than lie to you." Kurapika says. "I think lying is more shameful than being greedy."

"I'M LEORIO! LEORIO-SAN!" He screams angrily. "WHY AREN'T YOU LISTENING TO ME?!"

"Speaking honestly in front of people I've just met... The reasons that make me wish to become a Hunter are mine, and are personal. That is why it is impossible for me to answer you in this place." He explains.

"Well... I see..." The Captains glares at them and a dark look is on his face. "In that case, you must get off my ship as soon as possible."

"Eh?" They ask.

"You still do not understand? The Hunter Exam has already begun." The three beside Jun stare at him shocked. Jun had guessed that since he was observing the other applicants before. A large gust of wind hits the boat and it starts to creek. "You can't ignore that there as many applicants to be Hunters as there are stars in the sky... because of the lack of time, and space, it's impossible to judge everyone. So guys like me are used to diminish the number of candidates.

Then, except for you three all the other passengers have been registered as failures for the grand jury. Even if they can get to the place the Exams are held, the doors will stay closed to them. The decision of whether or not you go to the Exams belongs to me. So put away your mistrust and answer my question."

"..." There was a long silence until Kurapika opened his mouth.

"I..." Kurapika said. "I am the only survivor or the Kurata Clan. Four years ago, all of my relatives were killed by thieves. The reason I want to become a Hunter is because I want to Capture the Genei Ryodan (Phantom Brigade/ Phantom Troupe by Manga)."

"Becoming a Hunter of the Black List?" The Captain says and takes a drink from his bottle of liquor. "The Genei Ryodan belongs to Class A. Even the best Hunters will think twice before helping you. You're chasing after a sure death."

'I do not fear Death." Kurapika says and his eyes flash red. "What I fear most is that my anger never leaves."

"In short you want to avenge yourself, and you need to be a Hunter for that?" Leorio asked.

"That Leorio, is the stupidest question I've ever been asked. If I do not become a Hunter, I won't have access to certain places, information, and displacement. It's probably a detail that your little neurons missed."

"Well what about you, Leorio?" The Captain asked noticing Leorio's temper flaring.

"In fact, you have a good head, and I'm going to answer. I won't use four different ways, let's speak openly. MONEY! WITH MONEY! WE CAN HAVE EVERYTHING! A GREAT HOUSE. A CLASS CAR, THE BEST ALCOHOL...!"

"Unfortunately, manners can't be bought, Leorio." Kurapika says. Jun couldn't understand what was wrong with them. They haven't even spoken to each other for long, yet their already at each other's necks.

"That's the third time." Leorio says. "Follow me to the deck. Let's spill a little 'noble' blood of the Kurata, or something."

Kurapika face turned to hatred. "Take back what you just said, Leorio."

"Leorio-san." He says and starts walking up the stairs. "Come."

"I'm right behind you."

"EH?! I'M NOT FINISHED!" The Captain screamed. "You don't want to go and pass the Exams?!"

"Let them fight." Jun and Gon say.

"What?" The Captain asked staring at us,

"'If you want to know someone, start by finding out what makes them mad.'" Gon says sitting on a chair. "My Aunt Mito often said this phrase, I liked it a lot. From my point of view, both have a good reason to be angry. It's better to let them fight."

"Hum." The Captain says and the door slams open.

"Captain! The wind is blowing stronger than expected!" The man says and a large crack of lightning and thunder was heard and it shook the boat to it's core. The group travels up the stairs and opens the window. Wind gushed from every direction and the crew was trying to hold on to their ship.

"MY GOD! IF ONE OF THEM FALLS FROM THE BOAT, IT WILL BE IMPOSSIBLE TO SAVE THEM!" THe Captain screamed.

"CAPTAIN! TELL ME WHAT I SHOULD DO!" ONE OF THE CREW YELLS. "SO! COME ON!"

"LET'S GO!" Kurapika yells and takes out his weapon which was two swords, both unshifted and connected to each other by a silver chain. He runs towards Leorio.

"I'M WAITING FOR YOU!" Leorio yells but their battle doesn't last long once part of the foremast (The mast towards the front of the ship) breaks. All of the crew screams and both Leorio and Kurapika stop their fight. It's one of the crew and he is thrown out of the both towards the raging sea.

"CATSO!" Gon, Leorio, Kurapika and Jun run towards the man. Kurapika and Leorio miss and they grab onto the other side of the boat for balance. Gon jumps over both of them and grabs the man's legs while Jun grabs his brothers and Kurapika and Leorio grab Jun's.

"IT"S OKAY?! CATCH THE ROPE!" The crew yells. "HAUL THE WOUNDED UP! HAUL HIM UP!"

Once they were on the boat, the storm passes. "Good job, kid!"

"Thanks a lot!"

"Aie..." Gon says holding his nose. "I've banged my nose."

"Now, my clothes are all wet." Jun groans.

There was a moment of silence as Kurapika and Leorio stare at them.

"ARE YOU CRAZY OR WHAT?! THE OCEAN IS WILD, THE CURRENTS ARE EXTREMELY STRONG, AND YOU..... YOU.... WELL, IT's REALLY DANGEROUS!" Kurapika scolds.

"IF WE HADN'T CAUGHT YOUR FEET, IT'D HAVE BEEN OVER FOR YOU FOR SURE! YOU"F HAVE DROWNED FOR SURE!" Leorio screams.

"Yes, maybe... But you caught us, didn't you?" Gon says and Jun sighs. He wasn't sure what to do with his crazy brother, he risked his life for someone he didn't even know.

"Euh..." Leorio says. "Well, yes...."

"Hm." Gon says and Leorio looks over to Kurapika.

"Forgive my rudeness.... Leorio-san." Kurapika says smiling.

"Hmm. I don't want something like this between us! Call me Leorio, Kurapika. I am the one who should have taken back what I'd said." Leorio says smiling.

"What was the point of you fighting?" Jun asked angrily.

The Captain bursts into laughter. "Aaah! You guys please me! I'M IN A GOOD MOOD TODAY! I'VE DECIDED TO TAKE YOU TO THE PORT CLOSEST TO THE TESTING PLACE!"

"But...?' Gon asks. "What about your test?"

"Let's forget about all that." He says. "You'd rather come with me so I can teach you some more things about the ship's handling!"

"YEAH!" Gon yells happily and Jun smiles. He wasn't sure what had happened today. But he was sure that he had made two new friends. He wasn't upset about the outcome. He was excited for what was to happen, both good and bad.

Song: Hxh 1999 OST Track 1 Densetsu