Mana's perspective as always...
I've been busy and will be even busier. Next two weeks is my final exam.
Wish me luck...! ^-^

Part 20: Two Fights in a Row

Mana rushed to Gon's side after watching his fight with Gido. The boy had injured his right hand. She intended to heal it for him. Killua was with him at the lounge, waiting for his fight with Riehlvelt. Mana rushed up to them.

"Mana," Gon called for her with a smile.

"Let me see the wound," she insisted, taking his right hand into both of hers before Gon could react.

Killua was going to start soon and she had to hurry up as Gon would be watching inside the arena. She released her Nen and the two of them could feel a soothing vibe. Green breeze engulfed Gon's wound and when they were gone, the wound was too.

"Good luck, Killua," she turned to him.

"Hmm, I'll be sure to win," Killua replied.

The two turned to Mana, waiting to hear what she as going to say.

"To be honest…I have a match in two day's time," she confessed.

"Another one of your father's men?" Gon asked.

Mana nodded. Before they could say anything, she rushed back to where she was going to watch Killua. Gon and the said boy went back into the arena. Mana watched Killua's match carefully as she was determined to understand him. Truth be told, he was too fast for her even though she's a ninja. She could barely catch his speed. She was amazed when Killua grabbed the whips or as Riehlvelt called them, snakes although they were moving way too fast. Both of the 'snakes' plunged their teeth into Killua's arms. His opponent unleashed an electrocution.

"Killua…" the girl muttered.

The boy sent the man flying out of his wheelchair. Then, he caught him in his arms, resulting into Riehlvelt being electrocuted too. He was knocked unconscious and Killua won the fight. Mana quickly went to find the two boys. She saw them talking in the hallway on the 200th floor.

"Here she comes," Killua sighed.

"Congratulations!" she said to the two with a big grin.

"So, next is your fight, right?" Gon asked.

"Y-Yes…" she replied.

"When will you tell us why you want to win so much? This isn't like you at all…" the silver haired asked her, a bit upset.

"I'm sorry…if I win two more fights with his men, I'll tell you…" she replied, clutching her hands together.

Then, she ran away, escaping their questions as well as ignoring Gon's calls. She started her way to her room. Mana closed the door behind her after arriving. She saw a new note by the phone and gulped as she could guess who it was from. She went up to the phone to get it.

'June 7th – Gerald.' The note said and she gasped. She would not even have 24 hours to rest after her second match.

What was she going to do? She sat on bed and wondered alone. All she knew that she must win in order to keep on being free. Mana sighed, her breath ragged as she was nervous of what the outcome would be. Lying down, she kept on staring at the ceiling until she drifted off to sleep.

6th of June came at last and this time, Gon and Killua managed to find time for her. She was extra nervous, knowing that they were watching not far from where she stood. Her opponent was a skinny man at Leorio's height and goes by the name Stance. But, what scared her was his choice of weapons – a two-hand sword that rested on one of his shoulders. She could deduce that he was far stronger despite the way he appeared.

"Point and KO style! No time limit! Begin!" the referee said.

Mana jumped a distance away as usual but she didn't throw her shurikens, acknowledging that he could block it with his giant sword. She took out her dual-blade swords which were loyally buckled around her waist. She prepared that as they do not require a huge amount of energy to be used, rather than her tonfa.

"Hehehe…I wonder what you got up your sleeves," Stance said in mockery.

He charged at her with his large sword and tried to split her into two but the girl blocked it with her swords, enhancing them with her Nen to strengthen them – if it had been her tonfa, they would break in an instant. She pushed him back and he toppled backwards and quickly, sheathed her swords. That was when Mana took the opportunity to hit his stomach three times, earning 6 points of clean hits.

"How dare you!" he shouted, thrusting his sword forward towards her direction.

She hopped onto his sword and kicked him in the face before jumping away from him. She earned 2 more points. Mana heaved a sigh of relief as she was still up on her feet. She was not as tired as fighting Misato. The man swiped his sword under her. She didn't have time to fully react by fortunate enough she was able to barely jump over it. She couldn't control her landing and almost toppled forward. The man pulled his sword up and tried to slice her again. This time, she was able to dodge and landed behind him. She elbowed the Stance's back, causing him to collapse. Mana won the round.

"Just one more win…" she mumbled, walking out of the arena. Gon and Killua were waiting for her outside.

Gon congratulated her and she smiled to him. Killua stared at her face, trying to read her expression. Before he could really guess her state of midn and body, she immediately excused herself and headed to the receptionist. Gon held her hand.

"Are you going to register? Now?" he asked, worried.

"Yes…they're the one who choose the date of my fights…" she replied, not facing Gon.

She pushed his hand away and ran to where she was heading. Gon was really worried. He turned to look at Killua who was acting calm all the way.

"Don't worry about her. You should focus on your upcoming match with Riehlvelt," he advised his best friends.

"Still…" Gon mumbled, turning to the direction where Mana headed.

The next day, Mana wore the same outfit as yesterday. She was certain that her father had this planned for a long time as the receptionist let her register again even though she was just finished with a match. Her last opponent was somewhat similar to her father's figure. He was tall, so tall that he might even topple due to his height.

"Begin!" the referee signed.

The man swiped her legs and she fell backward. She didn't even have time to stand up when he landed a hard blow on her stomach. She gasped for air, causing Killua and Gon to stir in their seats. They tried to remain calm for her sake. The man landed another blow and she gasped harder than before. Mana became more earnest in her fight. She got up immediately even though she was barely breathing calmly. Her breathings were simply ragged. She quickly healed her wounds and immediately jumped into midair. She spun in midair, creating a gust of strong wind.

"I don't think that'd work on me," the man smirked.

He took a deep breath and blew away the wind, causing Mana to collapse hard onto the ground. She got up and threw her shurikens. The man was busy blocking them and she took the opportunity to hit him thrice with her legs. She earned 6 points for that. He was sent backward, almost falling out of the ring. Just 4 points more for her to win.

"You're pushing yourself too hard. I can vividly see that," Stance said to her, smirking.

Mana backed away, her eyes were wide open, signing that she could not think of anything at all. The man in front took that opportunity to charge at her. Despite that she was able to run away, her speed was far too slow than Stance, resulting into him to stop in front of her. He held her by the collar of her t-shirt. Mana took a deep breath, releasing her Nen. She kicked him hard in stomach and he let go of his grip. She earned 2 points for that.

"I have to win…" she breathed.

She didn't waste time and punched him in the face and earned 2 points. Once she won the fight, she rushed out of the ring before Stance could chase after her.

"Mana, are you okay?" Gon asked when he caught sight of her figure.

"Y-Yes…" she managed, but then, she collapsed into his arms.

Killua walked up to Gon with a calm expression but Gon could never tell how he felt inside. Killua was actually beyond angry that Mana father treated her like that. He told Gon to send her to the hospital with a taxi he just called.

"I'll meet you there in a few minutes," he said to Gon.

"Okay," Gon replied, tucking Mana in his arms.

He started to walk to the exit of the Heavens Arena, wearing a very worried expression. He wondered what Killua was going to do.

Meanwhile…

Killua was in his room, trying his best to control his anger. He didn't know what has gotten into him. He kept on punching the wall of his room, relishing the pain. Suddenly, a thought of Mana hit him. he could clearly see her smiling face as she called for him. He looked down, clenching his fist hard.

"M-Mana…" he muttered.

Mana was unconscious for two whole days. When the she woke up, she found that she was alone in a ward of sort. She deemed that she was in a hospital and that the boys must have sent her. A nurse came in to check up on her.

"Oh, you're awake. Your aunt wants to see you," she said.

"Please, let her in," Mana replied, looking at the nurse.

Alliane came in after the nurse went out to inform her. Rock, her son, was with her. Mana nodded to them as a greeting. Alliane went to her side while Rock sat on a chair in front of the bed Mana was in.

"How are you feeling?" her aunt asked.

"Much better…" Mana replied, smiling weakly.

"The boys told me about you. I was worried sick. Why didn't you inform me?" the aunt asked.

"I didn't have time to contact you yet. I'm sorry," the girl looked down at her lap.

Alliane smiled and told the girl why she was here that day. Mana listened to her warnings and explanation about her father. Apparently, he was really after her and had already known about her surviving the murder. What he didn't know was the messaged bottle left by Rilliane to Mana.

"You must be careful. He might even get Killua and Gon involve just to have you," Alliane said worriedly.

Before she could continue her explanation, Killua and Gon came in after knocking a bit. Alliane and Rock got up and bowed to the twp and the boys bowed back. She bid goodbye and left with her son. Rock was able to observe both of the boys before he went out of the ward.

"Good news, Mana! The doctor said you can check out today!" Gon announced, beaming.

"I'm glad…" Mana drawled.

"You okay?" Killua asked her, staring at her face.

Mana shook her head before smiling happily as sign that she was okay.