7 Chapter Seven: Departure

[ATHY'S POV]

"phew! We're finally back!" I say to grandma as I stretch my arms. She smiled warmly and Pat my head gently "you did well." she said and I just nodded at her then I opened my lips to speak once again" I wonder if gon completed his task already " we both chuckle then she says "oh, speaking of the devil ~" I looked, following her gaze then I smiled brightly noticing gon running towards us with Mito-san trying to keep up with this energetic sunshine. "oh, go-!!!" I could not even finish my words and gon already jumped on me for a big hug, causing us both to fall down "WELCOME BACK SIAAAAA!" he said and I hugged him back. I look up to meet Mito's warm gaze and I smile at her brightly "I'm home."

{THREE YEARS LATER}

"I promise, we'll pass the exam. " My brother said to Mito-san who was standing in front of us. She was smiling but I could tell that she was extremely anxious and worried about us. "me too!" I said. "we will pass the exam and we will become hunters!" gon adds. Mito smiles a little more before speaking up"just promise that you both will come back safe." with both nod our heads "I promise!" we say at the same time. "don't worry, I'll take good care of my little brother!" she pats my head gently "I know you will, Sia-chan." she suddenly tears up and pulls us both into a warm hug ' I might actually cry.. '

After a few minutes, me and gon hurried down and managed to get on the boat.

"good bye!" "good luck!" "be careful!" "take care!" The other villagers were bidding us farewell and wishing us good luck and a safe journey. I was just standing still, unlike Gon who kept waving back at them.'he's so cute.. ' "I'm going to become the best hunter in the world!" Gon declared.' yes, you are. ' I think as I smile a little. "once I'm the best hunter in the world, I'll come back!" he adds. "The best hunter in the world, huh? Kid doesn't respect us~" I looked behind us to see a man with some scars on his face snickering. "every year, there are millions of skilled applicants for the hunter exam but only a handful are selected. Don't say stuff that you can't back up, boy. " another shabby looking man says.

' they seriously piss me off.' I step up in front of gon having my arms spread up in a protective position as I glare at them " and what does that have to do with my BROTHER!? he's going to become a great hunter, unlike some... Dogs." I smirk at them "ah well, dogs are way better than you, little shits." I add, trying my best to stay calm. I look at the side and notice Leorio, reading THAT book and kurapika just enjoying the view of the ocean 'oh my god.. K-keep calm.. My heart.. Not now.. It's not the time to fan girl!'

"what did you just say, brat!?" he got up angrily and stomps toward us, I keep my arms around gon who just stands still, he always lets me go wild and protect him and won't interfere until he finds it necessary ' teehee, I taught him well. I didn't waste my time in these three years after all!'

Before the... Volcano?.. Man could reach us, one of the other gangster looking men stopped him " you don't wanna look like bullying a bunch of kids who are still wet behind the ears now, do you? Hahaha" he mocks him while insulting us as well. "yeah yeah you're right. Consider yourself lucky, brat." he went back into his place. ' I wanna beat them up so badly.'

Gon grabs my hand and pulls me with him to take a stroll around the boat ' wai-wait gon, no no no! Lemme look at Leo and Pika some more!!!' but I still got dragged around by him.

"what are you doing, Katsuo!?" we both turn to where the yelling was coming from 'ah.. I remember this.. ' "at this rate, you'll never make a decent sailor!" it's obvious that they're bullying the poor boy. Just ad the latter was going to get up, one of the two bullies kicks him from behind, making him fall back down causing the box of apples to drop down. Then they start laughing at him and mocking him more. ' ugh! I can't stand this anymore! And I suppose the same goes for gon.' I glance at Gon then we both head down towards them. Before we could do anything, someone else interfered "hey, losers! Don't slack off!" it was the captain. He approached the man named Katsuo and called out to him then ordered him " move that box." before he could leave, gon stopped him and threw one missing apple at him and it landed in the box. He thanked Gon and hurried away to fulfill his duties.

Both Gon and Rednose-san look up at the sky suddenly.

' I guess it is already that time, huh?'