Alright, since I gave you those terrible feels, now I will get onto this long chapter where the fifth phase happens, and something unexpected happens! It's something new I hadn't seen in any fanfics before, and honestly I thought this would be great and people would really enjoy this twist.

I'll post the answer to the previous question at the end of the next chapter to give people a chance to guess. You can guess as many times as you want! Don't worry, no answer is stupid!

ALSO! The quote for this chapter is from our dear Basil! XD

Liz - Yup! And don't worry, it's not that bad that it'll make you feel like a moron. Sure, it'll make you face-palm maybe, but not a moron.

basecannon - I know, right? And I was that close to making them kiss! Oh my goodness! DX And even if Killua did that to me, I'd be like, WTF, but I know him and he's not that kind of person... But yeah, I get what you mean. I kinda want to throw him into a pepper field, hahaha.

Lavendor Queen - I know, right! DX I felt so bad when I wrote that... But it has a reason! You'll see! I'm sorry I almost gave you a heart attack. Heart attacks are bad.

"Life happens whether you want it to or not. You were brought into the world by some small chance, and it was you who was born. There had to be some reason; some impact you put in the world. Or else why are you here? That's what I had to realize as life went on. And when you try to deny it, when you try to leave it all behind because you think your sad life sucks, think again. There's always something there. There's always someone who will help no matter what others say or do to fill your heart with sadness." - Basil Castus

Re-cap:

"I'm sorry," he said simply as he put his hands in his pockets and started off. I continued staring at the ground, then looked up at the boy who was walking away from me. I messed with my clothes a bit, tying them until they were basically decent, then hurried after him, staying at least a bit past arms-length from him. He glanced back at me and I flinched, widening that distance to two arms length, before the two of us finally relaxed in the silence.

"Where's Crisei?" I asked slowly, not trusting my voice. unfortunately, it came out much more distrusting than I meant it to. I saw Killua flinch from the coldness in my voice, but he continued walking.

"He's waiting for us." Was all Killua replied. More silence. I let my mind wander, thinking about what had just happened.

Killua had just tried to kill me. But it wasn't of his own violation, right? He was just scared of me because of the Ren. So, it was really my fault. But he still tried to kill me. After that, I don't think I'd ever be close to trusting him ever again. Though I still felt bad for being the one who caused him to go berserk in the first place... I guess I should apologize.

"Sorry... About before..." I said, biting my lip and turning my head away from the boy. Killua shrugged.

"Hey, just scared me a bit." I could tell something else was on his mind. I nodded, making sure not to make eye contact.

"Yeah... I'm still sorry." Silence. "I don't think I'll be able to fully trust you again after that." More silence.

"The feeling's mutual."

...

"So, what did you do to badge #111?" I asked Killua. He blinked back at me. I quickly turned away.

"You noticed?" He asked. I shrugged.

"I tend to notice when something's not on me that should."

"I tossed it," Killua replied smugly. I sighed. Figured.

I just shook my head. Killua smiled.

End Re-cap

So I had passed. I guessed that was good. I mean, sure, I was happy, and I was glad the others passed as well, but still, I wasn't feeling as great as I should have. Even though it had been a few days after the incident with Killua, which I made sure not to speak to Crisei about, the two of us were still avoiding eye contact and tried to stay away from each other if we could help it.

After Killua and I had found Crisei, Crisei and I took off to leave Killua to his own devises. The two of us just hung out near the entrance, waiting in silence for the phase to be over.

Poor Gon was so worried about me. Several times he'd asked me if I was OK, but I just blew him off by saying I was fine. He even got Leo and Kura trying to talk to me. It wasn't long till they'd figure out it had to do with Killua, who was too busy avoiding me to join in trying to 'talk'. And Crisei was no help, saying he had no idea. I wouldn't talk to him about it either.

Even Hisoka attempted to talk to me. As he saw my depressive state, he attempted to ask what was wrong, but I just ignored him. Even when he said he knew that feeling he'd felt was me, and that even though he was on the other side of the island he still felt those, I still ignored him. He hadn't bothered me since.

And now we were on another, or maybe it was the same, airship, headed towards the fifth and final stage. I hoped it would be a wind-down from the phase we just had, something more relaxing like a written test or something more with the brain than physical activity. I wasn't up to anything physical, not with all the action in the last phase.

A sigh escaped my mouth as the intercom, which had been calling people the entire flight, called me. I sat up from my spot on the stool and headed over to the door I was being called to. I reached my hand to the handle, but before I grabbed it the door opened and Killua came walking out. We both froze, then Killua walked away. After a second, I reached for the door and walked into the room.

Isaac sat there, at his desk, smiling. I smiled a bit at him as I walked over and took a seat. "So, Basil, how have you been?" I shrugged.

"Guess I'm getting the hang of things." He smiled.

"I see, I see." He paused. "I see you got into a little bit of trouble too." I looked over at my shoulder, where the blood-stained cloth was tied. I frowned, but didn't answer. Isaac only chuckled. "Well then, I have a couple questions for you. I'm quite curious at what your answer is, girl from another world. First, why do you want to become a Hunter?" I stared at him, then smiled.

"When I got here, Kai-san told me about the Hunters. At the time it seemed like a giant opportunity, I could become famous or powerful, instead of being a weak nobody."

"But you're not a weak nobody," Isaac replied. I frowned at him. I stared into his eyes, not sure what to do. Do I tell him the truth? Do I even trust him anymore? Is there anyone I can trust? The chairman shook his head, then continued. "Which candidate are you most interested in?" My mind flooded with all the applicants.

"In-interested in? What do you mean?"

"Who catches your eye, either in a good or bad way?" I scoffed.

"Killua." I paused, then continued. "And Kura and Gon I guess." The chairman nodded.

"Who do you want to fight the least?" I looked at him like he was crazy.

"Everyone."

"And who do you want to fight the most?" I grit my teeth.

"No one."

I honestly didn't know if that was a lie or not.

I took a hesitant step as I left the airship behind everyone. The chairman's words scared me, and I didn't like that feeling sinking in my stomach about this phase. It was even worse than the feeling I had before. Was this phase going to be that bad?

I hoped not.

I made sure to keep my eyes peeled on everyone as I stood to the side, somewhat awkwardly and shifting my feet cautiously. When Crisei came to stand next to me I made sure not to make eye contact and instead just made sure to keep my senses on him. I felt him sigh unhappily. I wasn't sure what to do anymore. Sure, I wanted to finish the Hunter Exams, but my mind was swirling with so many confusing thoughts I didn't know what to do, what to think, what to feel... I just wanted to punch something. No, I wanted to run and hide in my room, hug my pillow and fall asleep. Yes, fall asleep and dream for once. Slip away from reality and forget.

I wished to just forget.

As everyone got into the room and stood around, waiting for instructions, I smiled sadly at Menchi. She smiled back, then frowned, concern on her face. I looked away. She only cared for me because I could cook. Instead, I sat down by the wall and just listened.

"Well, gentlemen and Basil," I glanced at Isaac as he said my name. He smiled at me. I just sighed and looked away. "Did you get plenty of rest? This hotel is owned by the Hunter Exam Selection Committee. This place is all yours until the battles have concluded. For the final phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament. One win is all you need. The winners are removed from competition, while the losers continue up the bracket. In other words, the loser at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?" I raised my head as his words registered in my brain. Was he... Joking? One person here wouldn't pass.

"So you're saying that only one person will fail." The bald guy said, mirroring my thoughts.

"Exactly. And here is the bracket." I looked up, slightly curious where I was put. I was slightly surprised as Gon was the first to go. He would go against baldy, or Hanzo as his name was, then it was Kurapika against... Hisoka. Why I felt a pang of guilt, of fear, I didn't know. Did I still care for him? Maybe, I guess I did. I guessed I still cared for all of them, though I no longer trusted them.

Then after that, either Gon or Hanzo would fight the other younger guy named Pokkle. Then it would be either Kurapika or Hisoka against the older man named Bodoro. Then it would be Gon, Hanzo, or Pokkle against Killua. And then... Then I had to fight. Me against either Kurapika, Hisoka, or Bodoro. And if I lost, I'd have to fight against Leorio.

My thoughts continued like this... Until the chairman announced a little twist in the rules.

"There's a catch though." The chairman smiled. "You have to get your opponent to surrender." Then he went on to explain we couldn't knock them unconscious or kill them, and whoever surrendered lost. I shook my head. That made life easier. I thought I would lose, but now I knew I would definitely stand a chance. I just hoped I wouldn't be put up against anyone who might do more harm to me than I liked.

As the bracket stated, Gon and Hanzo went up first. When I saw them against each other, I didn't feel too bad, but now that they went out to face each other in the middle of the room, I got a lump on my throat. A fear, like before. Fear of knowing just who would win this. I could feel Hanzo's strength. Even though Gon had a lot of will, I didn't... I didn't know if he would be able to win this battle.

And then it started.

I crushed my face against the wall outside the building. I hugged the wall tight as I squeezed my eyes tight. However, the images wouldn't disappear. The pictures of Gon's pained face and broken limbs would not leave my mind, and the farther I pushed them away, the clearer and more vivid they were.

I couldn't stand it! I couldn't stand being in that room, and I wanted nothing to do with watching my- My- The people I've been with getting hurt! Gon was just the first. His fight could still be going on, or maybe it was over by now. I didn't know. All I knew was I wasn't going back in there until it was my battle. I couldn't stand seeing all that violence and pain, especially with Kurapika being next.

I fell to my knees, letting my forehead rest against the wall. Crisei had left long before I, having no reason to stay and having no will to watch any more than I had.

No one had even tried to stop me. I just ran out of there, and no one said my name or placed a hand on my shoulder to tell me that it would be alright, that all I had to do was close my eyes. Not like I would have stayed anyways. I couldn't stand watching or listening to that kind of torture...

So I waited, hearing the occasional noises from fights inside the building through the doors.

And then silence. I looked over as the doors opened to reveal Kurapika. "Hey, it's your turn," he said. I nodded silently.

"Did you win your fight?" I asked him.

"Surprisingly yes." I blinked at him in surprise. Hisoka didn't seem like the kind of person to surrender easily. I wondered what had happened.

Walking in I came to see Leorio arguing with the examiners, saying Killua should go first while Bodoro healed up. I looked at the poor man. So he was who I had to fight? Though I really didn't want to...

Eventually Leorio won his argument and Bodoro was let to rest while Killua went to face the creepy man named Gittarackur. I stared at the man. I had a bad feeling about this fight... Killua might actually lose. I was sure this man was a Nen user, and that was bad. I looked at Kurapika, pleading to get out of the room again with my eyes. I didn't want to see more pain. He nodded and I turned to leave, but before I could, the man named Gittarackur said something that made me stop.

"It's been too long, Kil." I turned to look at the man, who started to pull the needles out of his face. Suddenly, he was a different person. But what really got me, was the anxiety dripping from Killua, that fear like before. "Hey, I heard that you cut up Mom and Milluki." I stopped at that. They... They were brothers!

"I guess." Killua replied. I grit my teeth. It all made sense now. This older brother of his, I could just feel the dominance seeping off of him. He must have used his Ren on Killua to scare him quite a lot, maybe a training tactic for the assassins. That must have been why he was afraid of me. And now, for some reason, my fear of Killua softened, only to be replaced by pity and slight concern.

"Mom was crying." Illumi said, referencing his earlier comment. Of course she was, she was stabbed by her own son.

"Tears of joy." That made me almost fall. I stared at the two, the male's words spiking curiousity that wouldn't allow her to leave the room. "She was so happy to see that you'd grown up. But, she was worried about you leaving home, so she asked me to check up on you. What a coincidence. I didn't know that you wanted to be a Hunter. I'm trying to get a license for my next job."

"I don't really want to be a Hunter. I just felt like taking the exam." Killua replied to the long, black haired assassin.

"I see... That's a relief. Then I have some advice for you. You're not cut out to be a Hunter. You were born to be a killer." My eyes widened at that. My fists clenched to the point the knuckles turned white. I started to debate whether I should exit the room once more. I didn't like these words, and they were striking a cord in me that made me want to punch that creepy-eyed guy in the face. They reminded me of my parents, who'd said a similar thing o me quite a while ago. "You're a puppet of darkness, without passion. You don't want anything or wish for anything. As one who lives in the shadows, you can only have pleasure when people die. That's how Dad and I raised you. What would you accomplish by becoming a hunter?" And with that, I turned and left. I couldn't stand this anymore. If I stayed, I might interfere.

"True, I don't desire to become a Hunter. But, I do have something I want..." Killua said. I paused in curiosity, hand on handle, to the door, then shook my head as I grit my teeth and turned the handle.

"You don't."

"I do! There's something I really want!" Killua insisted. But I had already started to shut the door. The last thing I heard was a Hmm from Killua's older brother before I sat back against the spot on the wall. I didn't like this one bit...

And then I felt it. The Ren. It was very much like mine when I'm angry, but now... No, this was coming from that man. I was sure of it. And this wasn't just raged, this was just plain malicious, and directed. He knew how to use his Ren better than I. Though I only felt it for a second, and it wasn't that strong, I knew it must have been aimed at Killua. Killua must have gotten most of it, and that poor boy was probably so scared in there...

My heart thumped and I scoffed. Why was I so conflicting? One minute I hated him, the next I worried for him? It made no sense.

And now it was my turn. I'd finally have to fight. I didn't want to, really, and I already felt drained as I was. Bodoro and I faced each other, but one look at the man's eyes and I knew I'd already won. Before anyone could say anything, he'd surrendered. I stared at him in shock, then my eyes trailed to behind him where Killua had appeared. What was Killua doing?! Bodoro had noticed it as well, but before he could make another move, Killua jabbed him in the back.

I felt the blood on my face before I even registered Killua had killed the man.

I raced out the doors, mind racing as I was doing something I knew was too stupid for my own good. I panted slightly from the adrenaline and rush, racing after the slowly fleeting form of the white haired boy. As I reached him, his hand flung around my throat and pinned me to the wall. I stared at the blank expression in his eyes, then smiled even though Killua, once again, had me pinned.

"It's not your fault, right? Your big brother made you scared." I said softly. I felt Killua's grip tighten, then loosen as he dropped me.

"He's right. I'm nothing but a killer." With that said, he started off.

"No," I said, bringing Killua to a stop. "No, I used to think the same thing. My parents always said I was useless, but now I know that isn't true. I'm far from useless. And you're far from a killer. You're just scared, that's all." Killua scoffed as he started away again. I continued to follow him in silence.

"Why are you following me?" Killua asked with a touch of anger.

"Why not?"

"I was disqualified. You're going to miss out on your Hunter Licence." I shrugged.

"Friends are more important, right?" He looked at me like I was crazy. I smiled. "I don't care what your brother says, I'm your friend. We all are. I'm not letting you leave without me." Killua just smiled.

"Idiot," He said with a sigh, before grabbing my wrist and dragging me alongside him. "Hurry up." I smiled as I picked up the pace.

Alright! Extra long chapter for the end of the arc! Haha, I surprised you, didn't I? :3

SO! I have the alternative scene for the last chapter, if anyone's interested. After I posted the last chapter I was just like, 'Now I WANT them to kiss...' So I wrote it. It will not be posted because it's just a stupid little scene cut, so if you want to read it you HAVE TO TELL ME. Either review or PM, I'll send it to you. XD

Oh, and did ANYONE notice in the last chapter, Basil actually cried? Yeah... She couldn't before. I guess you could say she's starting to heal!

Speaking of hurt and healing, I'm not able to sleep because of a pain in my back, and I can't seem to find a way to fix it. I really need the sleep, and it's really disrupting it. Anyone have any suggestions?