Sorry that I took so long. I'm finding it difficult to write down everything first before I type it. What I write in my notebook is kinda like an outline or a rough draft, and what I write seems kinda flat. When I type it, that's when I make everything better and I want whatever I write to be as good as when I finish it, so it's hard to force the outline out. Just thought that I should give an explanation for my slowness. It also seems that I go slower on the scenes that I really care about.

Well, I certainly hope that this chapter is satisfying. I really can be a sap. It took me longer than I expected, but here it is! It's the longest one I have written!

Replies to Reviews:

Killugon Fangirl - Awww, thanks! I'm glad I wrote it well! Most of it was written when I had to keep getting sugary things to keep my eyes open. And yes, yes it will. ;)

3 - Glad you thought it was adorable! I honestly don't go for it, but just write what seems to fit the flow I created. Killua definitely deserves to get some love, he's been through hell, and going to have to go through more. I've always wanted to taunt those three, they were so annoying. And yes, her dark side will come out in quiet ways and big ways. So happy you liked this chapter! :)

Whiskeringst - I know the feeling. I really enjoyed making those three run away, I was laughing as I was typing it. And don't worry, I don't plan on ever taking that long to update, the maximum around a month, not a year. I know the ache of waiting for a long time for a new installment to be released (books, t.v., movies) and wouldn't make you suffer like that.

Poodles in Purses - Thanks for saying so!

Isella of the wolf tribe - Yeah, I know. It took me so freaking long to get it all typed out, and I didn't want to be later than I already was, so I skipped the proofreading to just post the thing. To be honest, I was frustrated with myself for taking so long... Well, happy you liked the chapter!

And now, chapter seven! Hope you enjoy it as much as the last chapter!


The rest of the fourth phase was uneventful. Aala and Killua stuck to the routine they had created: Aala sleeping while Killua stood watch, then vice versa, eating and drinking, then wandering around the forest having fun. Aala was still worried about Gon and the others, but Killua helped calm those fears.

It was a relief to hear the alarm go off, signaling the end of the fourth phase. They both walked calmly to the finish and talked about who they thought would be there. Hisoka, Pokkle, and the disguised Illumi were already there, so they sat quietly to the side watching as the others arrived.

Aala couldn't help but start worrying about how long Gon and the others were taking. But unlike the first phase, Killua knew how to comfort her to keep from panicking. And like before, the three arrived at the last minute. Aala walked over to Gon and hugged him, thanking him for keeping his promise. She couldn't help but frown though, when she saw the snake bites all over him. Gon just laughed nervously and tried to hide the small puncture marks.

She sighed inwardly. There was nothing she could do by fussing over him, so she let it slide. The newly reunited group of five made their way to the boat that would take them to the next phase.

XXXXXXXX

It turned out to be the older versions way of getting there, meaning it took three days. Aala was relieved since it gave her more time to get the others used to the idea he was from another world and knew the future. Wow, that sounded crazy even to her.

From the time she stepped on the boat to the time when all the applicants (minus the two psychopaths) were sitting in a circle having a kind of meeting, Aala was lost in her thoughts. She wasn't going to lie, she was terrified of their reactions. What if they didn't want anything to do with her? What if they thought she was crazy and turned her in? What if they hated her?

In her heart, she knew they'd never do that, but fear was rarely rational.

Killua's hand waving in front of her face brought her back to reality. "Oi, Aala. Earth to Aala."

She blinked several times. "Oh, what?"

Everyone was staring at her, so Gon repeated what was said, "Do you have any ideas about the final phase?"

"Oh, some." she responded, not a lie, but not the complete truth.

Then Hanzo spoke up. "Well, how about from experience?" And everyone looked to Pokkle and Bodoro. Pokkle immediately said he had no information, while Bodoro explained his thinking as to why he thought the final phase would be a dreaded written exam.

The shocked and stunned faces were too much. Aala fell on her back, howling with laughter. The first time she saw this scene, she had to pause it to get over her laughing fit. This time wasn't any different,

Everyone stared at her like she was a lunatic, even to two lunatics in the room. Gon and Killua both nervously poked at her until she got a hold of herself. "S-sorry. It's just that, why would you even consider a written exam? Didn't you see Netero jump from that airship, the same man that's in charge of the last phase? I bet for him it would be as pointless as a bird walking everywhere instead of flying."

They all nodded in agreement and began to disperse with relieved looks on their phases, while their group of five stayed together. There was some idle chitchat about the last phase, but Aala wasn't listening. It was now or never. "Hey guys, I-I want to - no need to tell you all something."

Her friends were surprised to hear such a serious tone coming from someone who was just laughing hysterically. Another deep breath. "Let's go to another room, I don't want to be over head." Aala got up and lead them to another room.

Aala's heart was going like a jackhammer inside her chest, fast and pounding against her ribs. She sat on the floor and the others sat around her; Leorio and Kurapika directly in front and Gon and Killua on either side.

Aala closed her eyes and bowed her head, a shaky breath escaping her despite her attempt to steady it. Her friends were worried, they'd never seen her act like this before. "Now, before I start, c-can you promise me one thing?" They all nodded. "Just promise not to-to hate me."

They were all surprised at this and Gon immediately responded, "Of course we wouldn't hate you! You are our friend and would never hate you!"

She looked up and Leorio and Kurapika nodded their agreement while Killua added, "Besides, how bad can your thing be compared to mine? None of you hate me, and whatever you did can't even come close to what I did." His and Gon's words added with their reassuring smiles gave Aala the courage to move forward.

"This...this is going to sound completely crazy, but trust me, it's real." Aala warned. Their faces had all become serious. "The thing is...well, I'm not actually form here, like not from this world."

Silence. They had all been expecting different things, but this was far, FAR from it. Predictably, it was Gon who recovered first. "Do you mean you're an alien?"

Aala couldn't help but laugh. "No, I'm not an alien, at least not in the way you are thinking. I am 100% human, but the world I come from isn't this one. I've been thinking of it like different dimensions or parallel universes."

No one said a word, unsure how to respond to all of this. Eventually Kurapika asked, "So, you're from an alternate reality?" She nodded. "Than can you tell us just how you knew all of us before we even met?"

This was news to the others. If their eyes could get any wider, they did and stared at her. Aala sighed again and took the other big leap. "I know all of you through an anime series. That's not all, I also know the future." Instead of eyes widening, (they were already at their limit) jaws dropped.

Even Kurapika's head was spinning. He decided to ask the lighter of the two statements. "What is an 'anime series' exactly?" he asked rather hesitantly.

"In the simplest terms, it is an animated show from Japan, usually based off a manga series." Aala's got four blank looks in return. She could see the smoke coming out of poor Gon's ears. "If it helps, Japan is a country in my world and a manga is like a book drawn out panel by panel."

Kurapika swallowed and continued. "You say 'Japan' like you're not from there, so how do you know of this 'anime'?"

"You're right, I'm American, not Japanese. I know of anime because in recent years it has gone global and anyone with access to the internet can watch fairly easily. And there's no 'supposedly'. Everything I know and everything I've seen match up, so I have no reason to doubt my information."

Understandably, there were still some doubtful looks. This information must come like a well aimed punch to the gut; fast, hard, and difficult to process at first. "I can prove it. I know everything the anime showed, so I know most of your experiences on Zevil Island." Aala then plunged into on as detailed account as she could produce of the other three's experience in the fourth phase.

Leorio and Kurapika looked like they each had a headache while Gon moaned and clutched his head. "I'm sorry Gon." Aala said giving him a quick hug. She then turned to Killua and said, "I can't give a very detailed account of your past, but I do know your family. Ask me about any of them and I'll describe them."

Killua looked a little dazed. "My-my second oldest brother." he stammered.

Aala's nose scrunched up. "Oh, Milluki? He's a gluttonous pig who never leaves the main house. He also uses bombs to kill people and is the one who disgusts me most out of your family. He also is a computer genius and has figurines of things from video games all over his room."

He was obviously surprised to hear such an accurate portrayal of his brother. "What about my father?"

"Who, Silva? He's quite the powerful man. Don't really get to see all that much of him, but I respect him. You inherited his silver hair and blue eyes, and you are the only one to have done so. He's certainly a much better parent than that overbearing shrew you have for a mother."

Killua looked like he ready to faint. This was undoubtedly the most he'd ever heard a non-Zoldyck say about his family, that was completely accurate. Aala looked at them all, looking like they were just dealt a blow to the head. "Do you all believe me now?" she asked sheepishly. There were faint nods from all of them.

Aala waited for all of them to recover somewhat before plunging on. "Before any of you start getting crazy ideas into your heads, I will just say I have never, nor do I intended to, lied to you. Every word I have ever said to you has been the truth. I also have never ever, not once in my life, that you were anything less than human. You all have been very real to me, from the moment I laid eyes on you and started watching your story."

She could feel herself getting emotional, tears starting to pool in her eyes. "How could I ever think that, when you all have helped me so much?" The others had mostly come out of their stupor, and we're looking at her attentively. They could tell a story was coming.

"Before I got here, I was a normal girl from a normal suburb who went to a normal school with an abnormal fondness for stories portrayed in any way. Ever since I can remember, I loved to watch t.v. for the stories and loved to read stories. Heck, I even liked to sit in on my cousins playing their video games.

"Before, my fondness for fantastical worlds and the wonderful people that I met in them were just an exciting vacation from the dullness of my everyday life. Following a hero on their journey along with their friends was what I liked to most. I found myself craving an adventure like theirs, but never as the hero. I would always see myself as one of their friends who would help them how ever I could.

"But, such a grand adventure like what I would read/watch required extraordinary circumstances that were unrealistic in my world. The adventures that were realistic in my world also cost quite a bit of money that my family didn't have, so I contented myself with many smaller adventures that were more fun than exiting paired with reading/watching other adventures like I had been doing all my life."

Aala eyes turned wistful as she was fully absorbed in telling her story, looking into her past. "I wish it could have stayed that way. My ordinary life wasn't bad, in fact it was a good life. I did have friends, but they were just like me in the way they preferred not to go out much so I saw them mainly at school. My parents are good people with good jobs and my little sister was annoying as all younger siblings can be, but I love her all the same.

"About three years ago, my parents got a divorce and it was pretty ugly. For years, my parents relationship had been going on a downward spiral. But I didn't notice, I probably didn't want to notice. Three months before, my father started sleeping in the spare bedroom we had, claiming it was cooler.

"Looking back, I really should have noticed then, but I deluded myself into thinking everything was fine. All conversation between them was civil, nothing more, nothing less. But eventually they snapped.

"It was one time I was happy to be a deep sleeper, so I didn't find out about the argument until the next morning when my mother told me they were divorcing. My poor little sister wasn't as lucky, so she was woken up by their screaming at each other and heard everything. I don't know what she heard, but I know that I never want to know.

"I was sad and shocked at first, but I put the pieces together after a few hours and thought it was for the best. The information was hard, but it wasn't anything too bad once I had the full picture. At least until my father came home that night.

"When he came in, my mother started a fight by asking when he was going to move out. The arguing started then and they argued almost every night. For the first time, I was glad my father had to work such long work hours. Most of the time, my sister and I would just stay out of it, turning up the volume of whatever we were watching or otherwise go to our rooms and close the door. Occasionally though, my mother would call us in asking for our opinion and most of the time, it wasn't what she wanted to hear. It went on for four months while my dad tried to find an apartment close by. And even when they weren't together, we had to deal with my mother ranting about my father sometimes.

"In those four months, the worlds that were a vacation suddenly turned into a refuge and a sanctuary from all the chaos that my life had turned into. I knew that countless other kids had to go through the same thing and worse, a sad fact about my reality, but it was still hard.

"It was in the second of those mouths that I discovered anime and fell in love with watching it. Everyone I met seemed so human, and it was rare for me to meet one I couldn't relate with in some way. Seeing them go through their own problems helped me deal with my own. I tried to draw my sister into the sanctuary of the other worlds I had found, but she preferred to stay with her drama shows and social media.

"The next month, I found all of you and after watching just a few episodes, just long enough for you to finish first phase, the show you were a part of became my favorite. Once I had finished the episodes that were already up, I would eagerly await the next one. Even when all the drama subsided and things got better, you four still helped me in so many ways."

Aala could feel she was close to breaking down, but she needed to finish first, and she was almost done. "So when I woke up and saw Gon, at first I thought it was all a wonderful dream, one I didn't want to wake up from. It was when I woke up on the airship I started doubting if it was really a dream or not. I came to terms that I truly was in this reality, that I had some how crossed worlds, in the tower itself.

"I knew then that I had to tell you all this and that this would be the first chance I got, so I'm taking it. I know what the future has in store and I will honestly say I'm terrified of what's to come, simply because of the danger you all will be in and because simply my presence here may have changed something that will end up getting you killed.

"Right now, that is my worst fear; one of you ending up dead because of me. But I also know that my best chance of getting home is to follow you. I-if you don't want me around anymore, I understand and I'll leave. Just-"

She was cut off when she felt two pairs of arms hugging her from either side. "We don't want you to leave!" Gon shouted. "Like I said, we are your friends and will help you in any way we can! I'm sure everything will work out okay and that everyone will be okay at the end of this. I'd be happy to have you travel with me."

Aala looked down at Gon, with his honest shining eyes then to Killua on her other side nodding with everything he said. She lost it then embracing them and burying her face in their hair, her tears soaking the spots where they were. She felt someone, she thought it was Kurapika, rubbing her back in a circular motion like her mother used to do when she was small. She also felt someone else who must have been Leorio wrap them all in an even bigger hug.

They stayed like that for what felt like hours, but was probably closer to a few minutes. When they all untangled themselves Aala bowed her head to all of them and said the most sincere "Thank you" she ever said in her entire life.

"Don't worry about it." Killua said, a smile on his face. "It would be useful to have someone who knows the future around."

Aala laughed. "Well, I only know as much as the anime showed, but that still covers quite a lot. I'm going to try not to change to story because I think that is the safest option. I will try to soften the blows of the bad things and try to make things better. I'll only reveal as much of the future I think necessary. Is that okay with all of you?"

They all nodded. "I'm sure you have questions about everything, so feel free to ask them at any time and I will answer the best I can." When no one spoke up she said, "Aren't you going to ask now?"*

They all chuckled a bit and Leorio answered, "Well, we all just about had our minds blown, so we need a bit of time for them to recover." Aala nodded smiling, glad she didn't have to deal with a torrent of questions now.

"Well if none of you have any questions, I have a few I want answered."

Aala could feel her blood draining from her face. Of course, of freaking course. It just had to be him. He just had to be the one to overhear all of that. The door opened to reveal non other than Hisoka standing in the doorway. There was a smirk on his face. "Such an interesting story. I've never heard another like it."

She along with the others sprang up, taking a defensive stance drawing any weapons they had. Kurapika his dual wooden swords, Leorio his knife, Killua's hands sharpening, Gon his fishing pole, and finally the knife that Aala got from the tower. "What do you want?" she hissed.

Hisoka raised his eyebrow. "Weren't you listening? I just want a few questions answered. No need to worry, my unripe fruits, I mean you no harm. However," His eyes narrowed,"it would be best if everyone else leave."

The others brought their guard up higher while Aala dropped it completely. "It's alright. You guys can go." They looked at her like she'd lost her mind but be other could protest, she pressed on. "He called us all 'unripe fruits', which means he doesn't mean to kill us. But you should leave now. I imagine the questions he has have information you aren't meant to know just yet. Besides he can just corner me later."

"Are you completely nuts!?" Killua shouted. "Hisoka is a killer, and you want us to leave you alone with him!? Do you really think you can trust him!?"

Aala sighed and said, "As much as I hate to admit it, I do trust Hisoka to an extent. This conversation would be beneficial to him, so I sincerely doubt that he would lose control. Give credit where credit is due, and I must admit that Hisoka has amazing self control."

They still weren't budging so she pleaded with her eyes. "I'll be fine. Met you in the cafeteria after this, alright?" She tried to force a smile but couldn't quite manage it. They stood there for a solid minute before they finally relented and left.

Leaving Aala with the biggest psychopath she knew. She eyes him warily as he walked towards her. She wanted to run, o how she wanted to run, but was determined to face Hisoka.

When he was a few feet away, he asked, "Do you know what this is?" And Aala felt what she thought it would feel like to be trapped under an avalanche. She couldn't move, couldn't breathe, and was was chilled right down to her bones.

Some how, she managed to choke out, "I-it's your nen aura." Hisoka dropped his aura but Aala wouldn't give him the satisfaction of gasping for breath.

"So," Hisoka purred, "what do you know of nen?"

"Everything. I even know you are a Transmuter and your nen abilities are Bungee Gum and Texture Surprise."

Hisoka's eyes widened and said, "Go on."

Aala closed her eyes and tried to calm her heart. The look he was giving her was seriously creepy. "I also know you are pretending to be a member of the Phantom Troupe, #4 to be exact, and the fake tattoo is on your upper back. Killua's older brother Illumi is also here disguised as Gittarackur."

The way Hisoka laughed made Aala squeeze here eyes shut tighter. But they snapped open and she flew back a few feet when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She glared at him with that amused look on his face. "My, my, you are quite the interesting fruit. You even know about dear Illumi?"

At that, Aala felt an immense wave of hatred and fury wash over her. Hisoka's amused expression grew more interested and he cooed, "What's all this? All this hatred and anger? It wasn't there a minute ago, only when I mentioned Illumi... Tell me, what do you think of him?"

"I hate him." Aala spat, like the words were coated in acid. "I hate him for what he's done to Killua and what he will do to him. I hate the way he says he cares for him, but really doesn't." She could feel her emotions taking over and tears of anger forming. "I hate his monotone voice. I hate his dead eyes. I hate his crazy long hair. I hate his damn fucking needles! I HATE HIM! I HATE THAT-THAT..." she paused for a moment to think of the worse curse she could think of, "DAMN MOTHER FUCKING SON OF A BITCH OF AN ASSHOLE!"*

Hisoka looked thoughtful, taking in the shaking, screaming, red faced girl in front of him. "But you don't hate me." he said calmly.

Aala took deep, calming breaths and glared at Hisoka with disgust. "No, no mater how much I want to, I can't hate you. And it just figures you of all people were the one to overhear that conversation. You, who plays both sides but is only on his own. Despite all you have done and all you will do, I don't hate you.

"There are a few times I'm grateful for your presence and your assistance has proved to be invaluable. For better or worse you are also a major motivation for Gon, and by extension Killua, in their nen training. I do not believe you are evil, just the most deranged person I have ever met."

Hisoka nodded as if this pleased him. "If you were to gauge their potential, how strong do you think those two could become?"

For the first time (and hopefully last) Aala willingly locked eyes with Hisoka. "It is my firm belief that they could grow into the two most powerful people on the planet."

Hisoka moaned in pleasure and Aala was forced to look away. After a moment he spoke, "Well, that's all I have. Don't worry, I won't tell Illumi about all this. It would be such a shame if an interesting fruit like you was plucked too soon."

Aala got shivers from his words, and as he turned and started walking away, his words struck a chord with her. "Hisoka, wait." He turned and looked at her curiously. The words she wanted, needed to say were in her mouth, but she was choking on the bitter taste. For Gon she thought. "Now I have something to ask of you."

He turned to her with a pervish gleam in his eye and she fought down the bile in the back of her throat. Aala choked out, "After the final phase, Illumi will sense Gon's potential and try to kill him. Please make sure that doesn't happen."

The way Hisoka smiled, she expected it to curl in on itself. "Don't worry. No ones going to be plucking that fruit but me." He sent one last look her way and left.

As soon as he was out the door, Aala run for the nearest trash can and her stomach turned itself inside out. For several reasons.

XXXXXXXX

After she was done rinsing her mouth, Aala made good on her promise and went to the cafeteria. She got a drink to help wash out the taste from her mouth and walked over to the table her friends were sitting at.

As soon as she sat down, they bombarded her with questions. "Are you alright?" "How did it go?" "What did he ask?" "Did he try to hurt her?" ect., ect. She answered the best she could. "I'm fine." "It went well." "I can't tell you." "No he didn't." ect., ect.

The questions were winding down when Leorio asked, "You look really pale, are you sure you're alright?"

Aala just waved off the question. "It's nothing. I just threw up because I had to ask Hisoka for something." she mumbled into her cup.

The reaction was immediate. "WHAT!?" they all shouted simultaneously.

She tried to wave them off again. "Don't worry, it was nothing immoral and he was happy to do it, so there's no need to pay him back. I can't tell you what it is though, maybe after the final phase."

"Speaking of the final phase," Killua asked, "what can we expect?"

Aala winced and looked into her almost empty cup. "I'm not going to sugar coat it and I'm not going to lie. It-it gets ugly, very ugly. This is one of the parts I was dreading, especially for Gon and Killua." Then, realizing how that may sound to them she hastily added, "But it's nothing that can't be fixed. I know all of the damage that will be done is fixable, but still... it's not fun seeing the damage being done and not being able to do anything to stop it."

There was an awkward silence. Aala blamed herself for bringing it on. Maybe she should have toned it down a little. She downed the rest of her drink and said, "Come on, that's over two whole days away. Let's try to have some fun until then." She stood and lead the way to the gym like room.

XXXXXXXX

They passed the time playing children's games. Aala thought it was the best way to lighten the mood and to have fun. Some of the rules for the games had to be changed to make it a bit more challenging.

Some of the games they played Aala hadn't played since she was in preschool. Games like freeze tag, hide and go seek, blind man's bluff, duck duck goose, keep away, and others that were just made up on the spot. Even Pokkle and Hanzo joined in a few times. It was the most fun she had had since she got there.

The real reason she wanted to play these games was for Gon and Killua. Neither of them had ever had the chance to play such games. They deserved to have some fun before everything went sideways.

The answers she gave to Netero's interview were already formed when she walked in. The applicants that caught her interest were #405, Gon and #99, Killua. The one she least wanted to fight was #301, Gittarackur(Illumi).

After that, Aala had no idea where the time went. Before she knew it, it was the dreaded day. The day Gon gets the crap beaten out of him and the day Killua is forcibly made to go home.

She took a deep breath to steel herself for the day. Gon's arm would heal. They would get Killua back and get some strength training. She idly wondered where she would place on Netero's chart.

Aala got breakfast with the others but was mostly quiet. The others noticed her silence but left her alone. It was probably for the best

They were all lined up in front of the covered board and eagerly awaited the cover to be pulled off. When it was there were surprised gasps across the room while Aala quickly pinpointed her number. The was to fight Bodoro before Leorio. She winced slightly, getting a bad feeling.

The first fight was between Hanzo and Gon. Aala walked in between Leorio and Kurapika then whispered to them, "No matter how much you want to, don't interfere. It will turn out just fine, but this is going to last awhile." They tensed slightly, but nodded anyway.

Satisfied that they were taken care of, she walked over to Killua. "Gon is in for a major beating. Brace yourself." Killua looked at her slightly surprised to hear such words said on such a calm tone, but when he looked at her he could see the slight creases of worry, fear, and uncertainty on her face that he'd seen all too often. He understood that she was much more worried than she let on and nodded.

Aala looked sideways at Killua. She had felt she could be more blunt with him, but she wasn't sure who her words were supposed to convince more. She turned to the fight just as the judge said, "Begin!"

At first Aala watched but unconsciously, her hand shot out from her side and clutched Killua's. His eyes widened at the sudden contact, but remembering her words and knowing she was seeking comfort, he clutched her hand in return. Every time a blow fell, her hand tightened momentarily then loosened. But the blows fell so often, it just felt like her hand was pumping.

After about half an hour she couldn't bare to watch anymore and rested her face on top of Killua's head. Even though she knew he would be fine, Aala couldn't help but pray for Gon to get through this, to be alright, like she'd seen him do countless times before.

About an hour later, Leorio gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. "Is his what was supposed to happen!? Why are you not doing anything!?" Leorio growled through gritted teeth, fury blazing in his eyes.

Aala fearlessly met those eyes and growled back, "I already told you, I'm not going to change the story, only try to make things better after something bad happens. And try to think about how I'm feeling. I knew this was going to happen and couldn't do anything to stop it. I love Gon dearly and I have to just sit on the sidelines watching while he gets the crap beaten out of him."

Leorio looked into her eyes and saw her pain and sorrow. She looked away from him and whispered, "It's only about half over and things are going to get worse before they get better. You should prepare yourself." He released her and went back to standing beside Kurapika.

When Aala heard Bodoro and Pokkle mumbling something about three hours, she knew it was almost over, but the worst was just ahead. Hearing the snap of Gon's arm brought bile to the back of her throat, but also relief, knowing that it was just a few more minutes until Gon won the match.

As soon as Gon seemingly magically took control of the situation, a pure laugh consisting of relief, joy and pride escaped her. Aala saw how Killua was looking around with a confused look on his face, she took it upon herself to answer his unspoken question.

"A fight isn't always about raw ability, Killua." He turned to her, surprised. "In any sort of fight, there are almost always other factors involved such as: one opponent's physical and mental condition, any prior knowledge of the other, or the ever important element of surprise. You should never forget that. With the proper conditions, a weak opponent can defeat a strong one." Killua didn't seem to completely believe what she was saying, but nodded any way.

Aala would forever be amazed at Gon's sheer stubbornness, how he could keep calm even when there was a blade pointed at his head. And she would forever admire the fact that he could forgive the person causing him such pain, even when they were threatening his life.

Though, she would always wish he wasn't so selfish and couldn't blame Hanzo from knocking him out. As she watched the judges place Gon on a stretcher, she felt it was for the best. Aala shuttered to think what may of happened if Gon was conscious during Killua's fight with his brother.

The rest of the fights leading up to the one she was really dreading passed by in a blur. Aala took her position to fight with Bodoro, but Leorio called her back and asked for a postponement due to Bodoro's physical condition. She winced, but couldn't help but smile. So he really did ask for the postponement out of concern, not just to delay his own fight. That was good to know.

Aala watched with sad eyes as Killua came to take her place on the floor. Before she relinquished her place, she grabbed his arm and whispered, "I'm so sorry. So sorry. I can't do anything to stop this and I can't warn you. Just know that we will come for you, we will rescue you. Remember that and remember that you have friends."

Killua looked at her and smiled cockily. "Who's going to need rescuing? I think you may be exaggerating." His smile became more serious and he added, "I'll be fine." Aala just nodded and walked away before she could dissolve into tears.

She walked to Leorio and Kurapika and whispered to them, "Please hold me back, I do not think I will be able to restrain myself." They both looked surprised, but grabbed on to her forearms and griped tightly.

When the judge began the match and Illumi revealed himself, Aala felt her heart ache. The horrified expression Killua wore on his face was so much more heart wrenching in person. Illumi began to spout his nonsense words about how Killua was only a murderer and how he was unqualified to have friends. He feebly tried to defend himself, but was next to helpless in the face of his brother.

Just when Leorio would've interrupted after Killua told his brother he wanted to become friends with Gon, she cut in instead. "Don't you dare listen to him, Killua." Aala could hear the hard edge in her own voice. "I can tell this person who calls himself your brother knows nothing of you, so how can he tell you what you are? You are you, and you decide who you are, no one else."

Killua looked to her then and what he saw scared him. Her eyes were hard and cold as they had been around the fire on Zevil Island. Leorio and Kurapika were actively holding her back and Killua hoped they could keep her there. Aala pulled her lips back in a snarl before she continued. "That person in front of you doesn't care for you in the slightest, he only wants you for a puppet. He spouts nothing but lies to get you to do what he wants. You can't listen to him and think he really knows you. I've only known you for two weeks and I can already tell that you are the complete opposite of how he says you are!" She looked like she wanted to say more, but she stopped herself.

Her eyes softened to their normal tone and she shouted, "Besides, you don't have to become Gon's friend, you already are his friend in his books!"

Illumi turned his head sharply towards her before turning back to his brother. "So this is the nonsense you've been listening to? That's not good, an assassin like you can't have such frivolous ideas in their head. You even made a friend on top of that, seems you need a lesson. I'll just have to kill Gon."

Everyone froze then. As Illumi extracted Gon's location from an unfortunate judge, Aala, Kurapika, Leorio, Hanzo, and other judges blocked the way to Gon. She was glaring at Illumi with every ounce of hatred she felt for him. If looks could kill, hers would have wiped out all of New York City.

Then, realizing he couldn't kill anyone just yet, Illumi turned to his brother and advanced on him. Aala kept her mouth shut even when Leorio was shouting at Killua to just finish off his brother. She knew what would happen and no amount of words could change that, Illumi's nen would see to that.

As it went before Killua surrendered to his brother, but Aala thought he might have lasted a little longer. She wanted to growl when Illumi patted Killua's head like he was some cute little dog, but she contained it. Illumi had passed and was now able to kill her, best not aggravate him.

Aala approached Killua with tears in her eyes, who had slinked over to the wall and sat down. She called to him but received no reaction. Kneeling in front of him, Aala reached up a hand and felt around the area of his scalp where she knew the needle was implanted. She felt nothing but that also meant nothing. Any sort of entry wound could have been closed up by nen.

She had always preferred to believe the needle had been implanted when Killua was young, thinking he may have put up some resistance to going out and killing people. It seemed more fitting to the image she had gotten of Killua that he would have at one point in his training required the needle to make him more responsive to Illumi's teachings. Well, regardless, it was there now.

Summoning up the courage to look into Killua's eyes, Aala gasped. His eyes were completely blank. It wasn't like when he went into assassin mode, more like everything that made Killua, Killua was wiped from his eyes like expo marker off a whiteboard.

Upon seeing the state of his eyes, Aala completely lost it and threw her arms around him, sobbing. She apologized again and again, drawing him close. She may as well have been hugging a giant doll, but Aala held out the hope that Killua could still hear her somehow. She whispered how she knew Illumi was wrong about him, what she thought of him, and how much she cared for him.

Eventually, her name was called to go and fight. Before she left, Aala whispered one last thing to Killua and it was the one she hoped he heard above all else. "I know what you're about to do isn't your fault and above all else, know I have already forgiven you. You are not a monster."

Aala stood in front of Bodoro and prepared for what was to come. Before the judge could start the match, she saw Killua ghost behind Bodoro and couldn't help herself. She ran forward, thinking she maybe able to stop what was about to happen. Maybe she could stop Killua from being forced home. Maybe-

A clawed hand erupted from Bodoro's chest, splattering everything near with his blood. Aala felt the blood splatter over her body and face. She heard the dull thump of Bodoro hitting the floor. She numbly looked down at her hands and saw red droplets and splotches. She felt her face and felt wetness. She licked her lips and tasted metal. She looked in front of her and saw a bloody murder.

And it was all done with Killua's hands. Aala saw him standing over the dead body, his hand completely red and some red on his left cheek, then walk past her to the door. His eyes were still blank, and probably would be until he got 'home'. She couldn't turn her head to follow him as he left, her eyes were riveted on the scene before her.

The sound of the door closing might as well have been a gunshot. The ache in her heart might as well have been a bullet.

Aala fell to her knees and took in the scene playing out. There were already judges checking Bodoro for any signs of life. Netero and the other Hunters were talking. There were two pairs of hands on her shoulders, shaking her. There were two voices calling to her, but she couldn't make them out.

They had taken the body away, leaving a huge puddle of blood. Aala clutched her head and drew herself into a ball on the ground. That had just happened. She had just seen a man murdered right in front of her. She really had that man's blood all over her. And it was Killua that caused it all. Killua, the 12 year old boy she had comforted on the airship, the one she had pestered to rest on Zevil Island, the one she loved like a brother.

Aala was starting to hyperventilate and the world was starting to spin. She did the only thing she could do at the moment.

She screamed.


Well, was it worth the wait? I'm sorry if anything didn't live up to anyone's expectations. If you spy a problem, please inform me via the box below. Don't know what else to say after ending it like that.

One question: Do you want me to inform anyone else about Aala's situation? Please answer.

*Sorry! I choked. Help with thinking of questions for them to ask. PLEASE!

*Excuse my French. Sorry- wait, not sorry. I meant every single word, though it may not be grammatically correct! (And more.)