Gon and I are up early playing with the cub. I take charge to not get to close since I want Gon to befriend it. Near the lake, I stare at the water. Hoping to see fishes of different sizes.
"Hey Esther, do you think I should become a hunter?"
I look at Gon, he's holding the cub finally.
(Can't say. What reason do you have?)
"Reason? Hm.. To see what a hunter does. I want to understand my dad better."
(Aren't you too young to be trying to become a hunter?)
"Don't know. How old do I have to be to become one?"
(I remember Kite saying you can be 12 to attend the hunter exam. Wonder how devastating it's gonna be.)
"Then it's decided then. When we become 12, we'll take the hunter exam!"
I look at him with a puzzled look.
(We?)
"Yeah, we. Think about it. Someone from the hunter exam may know where you're from. You did say you were looking for your home, right?"
I ponder on that thought. Gon sees me undecided. The cub makes a sound. Gon holds it out to me.
"See, even the fox cub agrees with me."
I shrug.
(Can't argue with that.)
And just like that, 7 years passed. The village finally accepted me as one of their own, although a few were a bit weary of me still. I studied a lot from the many books laying around the village. There were a few occasions where I saw the fat man with the red hat wandering the street and inviting people inside his tent. I made sure to avoid him. And Gon was fishing up patience, Aunt Mito told Gon that if he wanted to become a hunter. He'd have to catch the Master of the Swamp.
I, on the other hand, was tasked with trying to convince Gon not to go. That didn't work out as she planned. Then the day came when we turned 12, since I didn't know when was my birthday. I had the liberty to take Gon's birthday date. On that day, Aunt Mito gave Gon a fishing rod that once belonged to his father.
I would watch Gon sit for days at a time, waiting for that big fish to appear. Then, finally, it came. It was huge, it was very huge. Gon had to instinctively move the rod quick enough to slide down and pull up the Master of the Swamp.
The crowd circled, Gon has finally completed his task. Aunt Mito had nothing else to say. The day came when we would have to depart upon the ocean. As we boarded the ship, I started having second thoughts.
"Come on Esther, I've prepared a baggy just in case you threw up after leaving the ship."
That's the least of my worries, I'm worried that my appearance will be eye catching. Rubbing my ears, I sigh.
"Wait!"
Gon and I turn to look, it's Aunt Mito. She's holding some sort of hoodie. Gon and I run to her.
"What is it Aunt Mito?"
Aunt Mito hands me the hoodie, she smiles.
"For Esther, don't want people staring at you right?"
I take the hoodie. Looking over every detail I can see. Green was always my favorite color. Putting it on, I smile at Aunt Mito.
"All aboard! Get on if you're taking the hunters exam!"
Possibly the captain, he yells out for everyone to come aboard. Walking up onto the ship, Gon and I turn back to our village. People are shouting good luck to us. Gon waves his hand while I keep smiling. Gon turns to me.
"Ready?"
I nod. Gon and I put our hands near our mouth. The most shocking of things happened. I could see the villagers and Aunt Mito very surprised and happy. Both with wide grins, Gon and I shout.
"Surprise!"
That's the first word the villagers had heard me say. Besides from Gon, no-one else knew I could speak. Gon and I laugh and wave. After being unable to see the village anymore, we both new this was the start to our great adventure.