A/N: Ah, I've been the queen of procrastination as of lately. I'm sorry for my absence I know you guys have been dying to see where this heads. (So do I...) Without further delay I give you the gift of the next chapter!

[Chapter Six: FromXDepartureXAndXFriends...]

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The dimly lit halls that led to the barracks reeked of sweat, feet and a mixture of bile. Which was not surprising with the violent way the boat rocked around -and that the casualties in this battle would start to increase every minute. Had I not been raised and exposed to boat rides all my life I would have been a other victim to the severe cases of motion sickness.

Sadly...I still suffered from migraines from time-to-time, but I carried around Veshka leaves in my pocket to help with the pain. Gon seemed a little perturbed and felt pity when he watched these grown men on their knees begging for the waves to ease.

They were the exact same men that had no problem belittling us for our appearances earlier. I had been a tad bit surprised when Gon had walked past them and rounded the corner into another hallway. I raised an eyebrow but followed silently behind my tanned companion.

"Do you think the ship has any Hierb-Buna or Jen?" Gon asked nonchalantly looking back at me.

It's okay not to understand at first, but with the hybrid language the world had -apparently those items would have been translated as; "Peppermint" and "Ginger" in my past native tongue.

"I think I smelled some Hierb-Buna in the mess hall earlier. We could ask the crew there for some spare leaves and hot cup of water?"

"Yes, as much as I would love to help everyone...I can't. I'm only doing it because the scent of vomit is sickening me at the moment. It would be rude and unwise to flaunt our own resources in front of them."

"Ah, So now you worry about social standards? Only because you're about ready to puke too?" I joked noting the tinge of green his face had gotten. I couldn't necessarily blame him either. The stench was utterly repulsive and was more potent. A majority of them had been drinking alcohol and it made the odor that more unbearable. I couldn't imagine the grief it gave Gon. He was practically part Blood-hound.

Not a second later a rugged man came stumbling out as the boat rocked him out of balance. He managed to ctch himself on the frame of the window before lurched forward and regurgitated the contents of his stomach. I jumped back in alarm and bumped into Gon who tried not to trip on his feet by my sudden movement.

I puckered a face of disgust and frowned. Gon looked equally disgusted, but asked the man if he wanted us to fetch him some "Buna" leaves. We didn't want to put up with the smell.

For those who wanted to know. We did not give everyone on that ship "Buna" leaves. Katsuo was they only one willing to help from his fellow crew members. We were only given a handful that was leftover from the scraps, but it was better than nothing. in the end we only gave it to those looked like they were suffering from dehydration. Everyone else had to suck it up and ride out the storm whilst trying not to vomit their entrails elsewhere.

In the end my wish of wanting more privacy was not complied with. The farthest room with the least amount of men was still irritatingly packed. I wouldn't be sleeping decently tonight. Especially when all the remaining hammocks were unavailable.

I ignored the carnal-like stares and took to camping in the farthest corner on the right with the stack of crates containing apples.

'...Undoubtedly the same ones that were carried off earlier in order to feed us,' I noted dully.

I didn't hesitate to stash a few in my bag to horde them for myself. Who knew how long I'd go without good food in my belly after tonight. Especially since the ride there would approximately last a week or two...

"Leave some for the rest of us princess." Gon blinked at the man before he hopped to sit above the wooden crates -trying to position himself comfortably for the hell-ride taking place. The ship had started to lean in an inhumane angle and I felt incredibly sorry for the first-timers who had never ridden the natural roller-coaster of the monsoon rains.

"Sure, Mister. I'll leave some...that is if any of you even survive this next wave." I asked locking arms with my bubbly companion. We had been through a massive storm like this before, about three-years ago a trip to Port Baylee had gone horribly wrong when we were forced to ride out into the eye of a tsunami. This was very similar and just like then, we were not fortunate to have the safety of hammocks.

The room had tilted an entire One-eighty-Degrees and started to slide everything in it's wave in our direction. I fluidly reached for my Fishing rod and in one solid cast I anchored us in place. The bait-hook was locked firmly on the hammock bar keeping Gon and I from slamming on our backs against the wall. We swung left and right avoiding the massive piles of limbs and crates attempting to crash in our direction. Gon had taken the initiative to steer and us from danger while I kept a vise grip on him and my precious rod. We looked similar to a couple of mountain-climbers avoiding rockfall on a cliff.

That changed suddenly when everyone and everything lost gravity and my back touched the ceiling. I nearly lost my shit when a blonde passenger widened his eyes in confusion before his hammock rolled facing the floor keeping the teen from rocketing off his place like many of the other men had earlier.

The familiar buzz in my noggin assaulted my senses, but I knew this was no time for spacing out. I tightened my grip preparing for gravity to make its move.

Oh boy, it did not disappoint...

When the ship sailed over the massive wave and landed violently on the water's surface I ate-shit. I fell face-first on the ever-loving floor with Gon using me as a meat cushion. Gon may not have been fat- Per-se', but his muscle mass was far above-average and he was at least One-hundred-twenty pounds. A weight comparable to-well…lead.

He was kind of heavy.

Nope…

Scratch that.

He was very heavy.

"Wooo-Hoo! Let's do it again!"Gon said as he chided above me. I honestly didn't know whether or not it was the adrenaline rush fueling his daze, but he had completely failed to notice my position on the floor. A muffled wheeze was all I could muster with my face smacked together on the hardwood floor.

"Holy hell in Koenma kid! You're gonna let your sister suffocate down there?" I could feel a pause above me before the lead weight was immediately off me.

"I-N-Nanami! I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were there! Are you hurt?" Gon crouched to my level and hovered over my like a hound checking her pup-His honey eyes filled with concern as he checked me for bruising.

"I'm fine." I waved him off before standing up and noted the pile of unconscious men sprawled on the floor. A variety of them were covered in bile, splinters and blood. I was graciously grateful I saved a few apples ahead of time, because by now…these apples rolling freely were not in any way sterile…

"This place reeks…and this apple is absolutely goddamn bitter!" The man that had spoken to Gon earlier talked a loudly to himself. If anything being near him was bliss compared to anywhere in this room. His cologne was overpowering. I noted how sharp his jaw was and what incredibly mature and handsome features he had. His skin was not quite tan as Gon's had been, but had been two beige shades behind. His outfit looked crisp to the naked-eye, but with sharp eyes and knowledge for fashion one would know his outfit was an imitation brand. I had seen enough first class business men in Whale Isla' to know the difference.

The itch at the back of my head was all-but rasping at the sensitive tissue of my brain. This man was important and I had no idea as to why I was forgetting him in the first-place. I would place my bet on Leorio, but with real people it was hard to tell them apart with a meager two-dimensional picture.

"Thanks Mister! If you hadn't told me anything Nanami would have been there a while." Gon bowed and scratched the nape of his head in embarrassment.

"Don't thank me kid. It was nothing." He waved him off before he placed his gaze from me and back to Gon. "You are siblings right?"

"Siblings?" I asked in disbelief. "Sure, Gon is like family, but he's not my brother."

"The church says we are!"

"Gon that's something else entirely," I replied -silently slapping my palm to my face. "-We're brothers and sisters in spirit. Get it right." I said, before I smacked him upside the head in a teasing manner.

"Wait-So you aren't related?" The man asked in total disbelief. He pulled out his attache' and removed a pair of specs on his face. He must have put them in there to prevent them from breaking in the mayhem.

"No. She's my best friend." Gon answered matter-of-factly. Of course we looked nothing alike, but one could easily assume something that innocent with how close we were.

"No kidding? Good grief -You're just kids! You're not gonna last little buddy." He chewed his bitter apple with a smug look. "Might as well throw in the towel, if you want to save your innocence and pride. This test is no place for fun and games. Only real men can rise to the challenge. Men like me." He puffed his chest to ascertain an aura of masculinity. Needless to say this man was overly confident in himself.

It might just get him killed.

A scoff and a flip of a page followed after his statement as someone read silently. "You say that, but you were the one who was shamefully cowering in the nook of the supply drawer." Cool gray eyes lifted from the book and aimed a calculated gaze in the man's direction. The two locked eyes and tension all but flared in the room-one silently daring the other to make a move.

"So that must mean you were the one swinging around in the hammock?" Gon asked completely ignoring the tension. The anime had depicted him as someone oblivious to the atmosphere-when in all reality he acknowledged it and gave no single fuck to truly give.

I'll say it again. Gon is truly a savage.

Lord Koenma please give me the strength…

"You…were insanely lucky not to get struck by a crate or a muscled massladon." I added holding back laughter. I had remember seeing how wide his eyes had been earlier and I was tempted to topple over in a fit of laughter.

"So-It appears we do have a few hopefuls after all.."

We all turned towards the barrack door to see the Captain marveling at the piles of men before he gestured us to follow him. The entire trip to the navigation room had been silent and tense. Apparently those two had more than a bone to pick with each other and for all I know this might not be the first time they had gotten into quarrels.

We all walked without a single word, one-by-one into the room. Gon and I had been pleasantly surprised to find Kasuo waiting for us as well. We smiled and nodded in acknowledgement and waited patiently for the Captain and reason's for our summon. The blonde young man-I will not be making assumptions or sputter the name. It would raise too many questions I myself can't seem to comprehend Well-anyway off on a tangent.

The blonde young man took to standing further to the left meanwhile the taller gentleman (if you can even call him that) took to hunching behind us on our right. Judging by the way the blonde had been standing he was irrefutably tense. If anything he was extremely wary of the situation and looked a tad bit irritable.

"Now that I've gathered you four here you're a' probably wonderin' what the fuss is about? You all trumped those bastards in the barracks back there. I need you to tell me your names sprouts."

"Do we look like a couple of brats Old Man?"

Says the guy calling us children not ten-minutes ago? Last time I checked at least Three of us are technically minors.

"You don't ask the question's punk-ass. I asked, what are your names?"

"Nanami."

"I'm Gon!"

"Kurapika."

"Leo-RIO. Old fart. " Leorio growled the last one only loud enough for us to hear. Katsuo wrote each statement in a notebook before the Captain continued with his interview. I sighed internally. I really was dealing with the original trio after all. Seeing as how the look utterly different from animation I started to really have my doubts...

"Okay. Now, Why do you wanna' be a Hunter?"

At some point in my other life something like this would have been trivial. Just give an answer right? No wrong. This is actually a legitimately personal question. The reasons for this question are endless...From trying to help your poverish family or trying to keep the universe from falling apart...

"What the hell? You're not an examiner! What gives you the right to even ask these damn questions Old Fart?"

"Just answer the damn question!" Gon raised an eyebrow at Leorio's demeanor before answering the Captain.

"My Father is a Hunter." He answered simply. The Captain seemed appalled. "I want to find him and know why he left me all those years ago on Whale Isla' with my Aunt... I know now being a hunter can get me the answers as to why he chose this life over mine."

A pang of sorrow hit me like a ton of bricks. I could tell Gon just desired closure more than anything in the world. Unfortunately this was the only way for him to truly attain it...by speaking face-to-face with the man that gave him up those years ago in that court.

"Really? You realize you just unloaded all your personal baggage in front of everyone here right kid? Why are you even answering?"

"Why can't I tell him why I'm here? It shouldn't be an issue if I don't mind?" Gon asked in mild confusion. Leorio was getting touchy with Gon and started to poke at his forehead before Gon...actually smacked his hand off. Not hard enough to bruise, but enough to display the growing sass Gon was currently accumulating over the years.

"Did you just smack me brat?"

I believe he gets that from being around me too much.

"Well, under normal circumstances it would be unwise to unload your grief on a stranger...that's why. However I notice these questions aren't just to suit your fancy eh, Captain?"

"Ah, the Lass see's I mean business. "

"Care to explain?" Demanded the ever brooding Kurapika. "For once, I agree with Leorio. I wouldn't see why we would have to share something so personal for the whole world to hear. "

"What's with the tone? Are you trying to pick a fight Blondie?" It looked to me that Leorio wanted more than to scuttle the blonde at the moment. A gruff sigh escaped my lips before I cleared my throat trying to garner their attention.

"If you really want to know why I'm here than so be it. I don't have much to hide. I'm here to provide my precious person leverage in the exam. I suppose another reason other than that would be getting the licence; as it could provide a child back on Whale Isla' chance and grant her her voice back." Leorio flinched and turned away from the Kurta boy. The words I spoke must have struck a familiar cord in his heart.

I knew I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone the truth. Nor would I ever let them know. It was the easiest way to look like a basket case and the information of foreknowledge could get my head on a silver platter within seconds..

For all eternity, this would be my burden.

"Interesting wee Lass...Now- You two gonna' give me an answer?" The two eldest members (physically anyway...) of our little entourage buffeted and glared at the intoxicated Captain of the ship. I nearly thanked the higher powers on all knees when I was relieved someone else was manning the ship. Not that I didn't doubt his abilities in maneuvering this vessel, but I was seriously afraid about his judgement skills.

"-Or do I have Katsuo here, tell the Examination Committee there were two more dropouts?" Kurapika and Leorio ceased their meaningless banter and gawked at the Captain. Both of their mouths were agape and gave each other a glance before looking away. They appeared to be in conflict with their inner-selves before Kurapika managed to gain his resolve to speak.

Kurapika went on to tell us about how he wanted to become a Blacklist Hunter and that he was only looking for a particular S-rank bounty hunt for the Phantom Troupe. I took the time to really analyze Kurapika's physique. He was definitely a head taller than I had been, I barely reached his shoulders. His Poncho (I'll call it that for now...) was actually made of fine wool. The cerulean fabric accentuated the complex orange stitching. The patterns would look random to the naked-eye, but each turn and square seemed to hold purpose. It was known tribal communities were very superstitious and wore patterns to ward off negativity or misfortune.

I noted that in another life I would have stereotyped him as Caucasian, but judging from the fact that his skin held a more beige tone I would peg him close to a Spaniard. His hair was almost a gold color-and I mean that literally. I don't mean the sunshine yellow-no. I meant that Crayola Gold. He was not dramatically beautiful, that would be a stretch. He was just tastefully simple. In a weird foreign kind of way he was exotic.

I tore my eyes away from him and watched as Gon had his little plump lips in a pout. He was lending an ear at the loudmouthed-doctor-to-be and was not sure what to really make of him. I almost groaned aloud for what he said next.

"-Money rules the world! Why, with the licence I'd be able to afford a mansion bigger than your Island! Hell! I could buy your Island, all the liquor in the world and fill it with bodacious curvy succulent women!"

I scoffed in return. "Can you get any more Shallow?"

"Do you have a problem with it short-stack?

Not that I liked the tittle, but what happened to calling me Princess?

I shrugged in response and pursed my lips. I brushed the rosy-violet bangs from my eye and met his glare. "...and what if I do Mister?"

"Then I suggest you back off, I may be a Gentleman, but I won't hesitate to smack a filthy island rat if I have too!" I could feel myself get lighter and feel him hold a steely grip on the front of my red bolero jacket. I felt no fear even as my booted feet were inches off the ground. I was surprised that Leorio was able to carry me so easily as well, even with the weight from my backpack-he did not struggle.

I was approximately One-hundred-eighty right now.

"It takes one to know one."

"Leorio! Nanami! Enough," Kurapika shouted in alarm.

"Nanami..." Gon tensed his shoulders. He knew better than to involve himself in this, but he had learned with a vigor that he was far too possessive for his own good. Platonic or not, I was not sure myself.

"Stay out of it! This is between me and the shrimp. She should have known better when she enrolled in the damn exam."

"If you want to brawl this out...then be my guest." He dropped me harshly before turning his back and headed towards the door. I could feel the blood in my veins boil in the heat of the moment. I never felt such a thrill in my past life that could remotely compare to what I was feeling now. I don't know the risk of these actions I'm taking...

I don't know how the outcome will be...but as it turns out. It wouldn't be a life if I didn't live in it.

"Follow me to the open deck. No weapons...it will be Mano-a-Mano Princess."

"Fine." I responded with a dark glee.

After all...You only get to know one another when you beat the living snot out of one another...

What a twisted logic.

A/N: Oh my goodness you guys, I am terribly sorry for the extended delay! I tried to wrap up the first episode, but I seriously didn't see that happening for this chapter. I had to leave at a cliffhanger didn't I? Also I'd like to thank you all! We've reached 83 story followers for this story!

I'm sorry for being "trash" and taking my sweet time to update...I blame Hiei-sama for it all. I also have a tendency to plot as I write...which is a big No-NO. Please don't kill me...

Anyways, for those of you wondering what Nanami looks like, I'll post artwork of her a little later. For now I'll say she looks relatively similar to Kairi from the first Kingdom Hearts game.

Please give me some feedback! I love to see your comments! They give me incentive and boost my ego to keep me updating. I'll do my best to keep it consistent! Please give me strength Koenma...