Between the Cracks

Chapter Five

 As we disembarked from the ship, there was a yell behind us.

"Hey wait! You kids!" Gon and I both stopped and turned to see the captain walking down the gangplank. We glanced at each other before turning back to the captain and nodding. He chuckled and said,

"You know, I'm probably not supposed to be doin' this, but do you see the tree at the top of that hill over there?" He pointed behind us, at a huge tree on top of a large hill behind the city, and we both nodded. "Well, you might want to go that way." We both dipped our heads in unison and said at the same time,

"Thank you." The captain laughed and walked back to his crew. We turned to leave, but as we did, I heard a rustle from behind a nearby crate. I discreetly reached with my senses and realized someone was hidden there and had heard our entire conversation with the captain.

I made a mental note to keep tabs on him in case he followed us. Gon seemed oblivious, as usual, making me sigh quietly at him. We both stopped in front of a large map of the surrounding area.

"Where should we go," I asked Gon, even though I knew he was going to the large tree on the top of the hill. He didn't take his eyes off the map as he said,

"Up to the tree on the top of that hill, like the captain said." I nodded, but before I could comment, I heard Kurapika say from behind us,

"What's this I hear about a tree on top of a hill?" I jumped, but Gon just said, turning to Kurapika and telling him without the tiniest bit of hesitation,

"The captain told us that we should go up to the large tree on the top of that hill." Gon pointed over the map at the tree, making me sigh quietly at his extremely trusting nature. I said nothing, knowing that Kurapika wouldn't do anything to hurt either of us. If he did, though, I knew that Gon would have my back. Leorio cried loudly from out of my line of sight,

"Ha! As if!" I jumped and whipped around to see his eyes widen. He put is hands up in a gesture of surrender, saying nervously,

"Hey, don't kill me. I didn't mean to scare you." I relaxed a little, but kept my guard up, still not fully trusting the two men standing in front of me. The three boys talked with each other, but I tuned them out and sat down, pulling Alpine out of my pocket.

I stroked her soft fur as I thought about what the Hunter Exam would be about. If the exam is mainly about mental strength, then I should ace it. Even if it had some tests of physical strength, that shouldn't be too difficult for me, either. I only hope that Gon and I both managed to pass without either of us dying.

I continued to theorize and imagine what ways the examiners of the Exam might test us. I was interrupted from my daydreaming then Gon said,

"Well I'm going up to the tree on the top of the hill, like the captain said. Alexis?" I looked up curiously, having heard nothing of their conversation.

"Hmm?" I hummed questioningly, making Gon smile in affectionate exasperation.

"Well I've decided to go to the tree on the top of the hill like the captain told us. You coming with?" Gon said. I scoffed at even the thought of leaving him, teasing back,

"Like you ever would leave me behind." He just smiled and began walking down the sidewalk, me following after him. As we went, I heard the sound of soft footsteps following us and knew that Kurapika was coming as well. Leorio confirmed it when he yelled,

"Kurapika! What are you doing!"

"I am intrigued by Gon's behavior and want to find out what happens." I repressed a snicker as, outraged, Leorio screamed,