My heart rate accelerates immensely as I walk as slowly as possible towards the ring. As I walk, I run over a list of possible moves I can pull on the opponent I'm currently approaching.

Well, there's always the trusty kick to the crotch, which has yielded positive results for me in the past. But, sizing up the person on the platform, my hopes are low.

It's a man, standing tall-taller than Leorio, or so I think. So tall that if I kicked, I'm not even sure these stubby legs I've got would reach the nuts.

But that isn't what makes me terrified for my own life. It's the fact that his fist looks to be the same size of my head, and that his bloodshot eyes are hungrily aimed on me.

I nervously glance back at the seats I came from, but only Killua and Leorio are still seated. I catch sight of Kurapika weaving through the seats towards the platforms-I guess he's been called for a match while I wasn't paying attention. Leorio's eyes sweep between my platform and Gon's, and Killua doesn't even bother to watch me.

Wow, okay.

I turn away and take the last staggering step into the ring. Behind me, I hear jeers and shouts. I pick out hints of conversation, phrases that do nothing to help with the boiling pot of nerves in my stomach or my sweating palms.

"That little girl is gonna get destroyed!"

"Not him?"

"Martial arts champion…"

"Not even fair!"

"Run for it, kid!"

The taunts offend me, but at the same time, I have to agree. It's clear that my level doesn't match up at all to his. If I had to rank my current confidence on a scale of 1 to 10, it'd be sitting at a nice negative 83.

I plant my combat boots firmly into the ring, perhaps a little too hard-my knees lock into position and an immense fear overtakes me. And then my legs just give out all together, and won't move, no matter the commands my brain directs at them.

Well, this is a problem.

"On the first floor, we appraise the level of each of the participants." The referee standing to the side of the ring begins to explain in a monotonous voice. "You are allowed three minutes to demonstrate your prowess."

He glances at the both of us, and I sense an amount of pity from his eyes as he sizes me up compared to the other guy.

"Then, begin!"

After he says these words, all the noise in the stadium is drowned out by a ringing silence in my ears. The man opposite me cracks his knuckles, and he's saying something, but I can't seem to process any of the words.

He draws back his fist.

I panic.

The fist slams into my stomach.

I'm sent flying.

Wheee.

No, like, literally. Colors flutter past my vision, and my body feels weightless. The martial artist's punch sends me shooting backwards, well-away from the ring.

I collide into something, something soft and very human-like, and my body thuds limply against the ground.

The ceiling spins and spins above me. It's hard to process everything that has just happened.

Of course, what was I even expecting, being thrown into Heaven's Arena with no training or experience whatsoever? The body of Bella is weak, there's no denying that, and it seems my unbelievable luck has started to run out.

"He's unconscious!"

I blink at the sound of a referee's voice, and finally reality clicks into place.

The punch has carried me onto another platform, and I must have collided with someone else… still dizzy, I scooch away from the collision site. A macho-looking dude lies unconscious.

What's happened?

"This match is inconclusive due to interference." The judge of this ring states.

"That's a shame." says a new voice. A voice that I recognize. Wait.

Out of all the matches I could have flown into, it had to be his?

"Kurapika?" I announce in disbelief.

But the effort to speak sends me into a fit of coughing, and blood sprays out of my mouth. Ewwww. Oh, that's nasty.

"Bella, you're hurt. Get up." Kurapika says gently. He bends down next to me and pulls my arm over his shoulders.

"It doesn't hurt that much." I mutter, self-conscious from being so close to him. With this arm slung over his shoulders, I can feel the ends of his soft blonde hair, and it's contributing to my already racing heart.

"You're in shock." He turns to the referee. "Will we get another chance for a match?"

The judge, currently preoccupied with slapping the unconscious man awake, looks to Kurapika. "Yes, you'll be allowed a rematch, and her number will be called again later. However, you won't have priority. Expect a wait."

"That's fine. Bella, come on. Walk." Kurapika speaks calmly and assertively, taking slow steps with me down the ring and towards the seating area.

"Did-did I ruin your match, Kurapika?" It's a little hard to articulate words. I feel buzzed. I think perhaps Kurapika is right-I'm in shock.

"Well, that's one way to say it." Kurapika says, matching his footsteps to mine. "I would have beaten him if not for your intrusion."

I hang my head. Craaaaap…

"Still, it's a good thing you collided into someone instead of something." He comments. "You'll be alright. Okay, step up now…" He trails off as my ankle slams into a step and I buckle.

"I'm so sorry!" I apologize profusely as my feet fumble. The noise has started up again, the sounds of shouts and calls towards the many ongoing matches. I hear a few snickers wafting in my direction as Kurapika continues to guide me up steps.

This is so embarrassing.

Eventually we make it back to our seats, and Kurapika has to force me to sit down. I feel really, really, really out of it.

"Bella! Bella!" Leorio shakes me by the shoulders lightly.

"Leorio!" I want nothing more than to throw my arms around him in a hug, but I restrain myself.

Leorio looks over to Kurapika. "She needs a rest. What about your match?"

"Inconclusive. I'll be allowed a rematch."

"And Bella's?"

"They'll call her number again later."

"Called it, Porty." Killua smirks, grinning at me. "'Knew you didn't have what it takes. Why don't you just go home?"

"I told you, I don't have a home." I mumble. I don't have the energy to come up with some snarky response.

Killua humphs and turns back to Gon.

Leorio is digging through his briefcase, pulling a little bottle of pills out and handing it to me. "Ibuprofen," he explains. "Take it."

"I'm going… to… get… some water." I say and hold out a shaking hand for the pill bottle. "But, it doesn't… hurt, you kno-OUCH!"

The delayed pain hits me all at once, and I keel over. The pain is manageable, much more manageable than the time that Killua slashed me, but it still hurts enough to make my eyes water.

But this time, I won't allow myself to faint. I'm weak enough as it is.

"I'll come with you, Bella." Kurapika says, and he helps me up. I'm moved by his kindness.

"Should I come, too?" Leorio questions anxiously.

"No! If-if they call your number, you need to be out here. So, I'll go by myself." I try to shake off Kurapika's hand, but his hold on me is firm.

I don't protest too much as Kurapika guides me out of the stadium.

xXxXx

A handful of Ibuprofen later, I'm starting to feel like myself again.

I'm currently stationed in the womens' restroom, which is noticeably empty. And clean, quite clean, which I wasn't expecting from a place like this.

I splash cold tap water from the sink on my face, and look up to the mirror. It's always a little jarring when I catch glimpses of this face-my face. It's just so different. Even though it's been, how long since I was dropped into this universe? Several weeks, definitely. I still haven't gotten used to these features.

What's also very noticeable in the mirror is the huge pile of pink atop my head. "This hair is a problem, isn't it." I say to myself, tugging lightly on it. When I move my head too much, it messes up my line of vision.

I'd like to get it all out of the way, so I decide to braid it, one long, chunky braid that pulls on the back of my head a bit because of all the weight. I've got no hair ties, so I bust out the tampons again and use the string to finish off the end.

"Alright, Bella." I talk to the face in the mirror, "Let's go."

Outside the bathroom, Kurapika waits, leaning up against the wall and watching the television mounted opposite. "Right on time, Bella. Leorio's about to go."

He's right. The television shows panning shots of the different floor one matches, and right now, it's focused on the handsome doctor boy that we know and love. Killua's match had also been shown on the TVs earlier, too, but he'd won so fast that there was hardly any footage for us to watch.

"You think he's going to be okay?" I ask, nervous. After all, him even being here is far outside the realm of canon. I haven't a clue how things are going to go.

"He'll be fine." Kurapika assures. "Leorio is strong. He's got willpower. And he's much smarter than you'd think."

I really can't tell if Kurapika is complimenting or digging at him.

Kurapika's prediction is correct, though. While his opponent manages to get a few hits on him, Leorio's resilience allows him to knock the other guy off the platform, after they trade a few blows.

Leorio does a wholesome victory dance on the platform as the judge hands over a little ticket to him. I take a breath of relief.

"That's good." I let a smile bloom on my face. It would be untrue for me to say I had no doubts whatsoever about Mr. Leorio's fighting skill set, but the more I get to know him, I realize that the last thing he needs is my worries.

Also, I've seen his arms. He's a lot more buff than you might think.

It's pretty hot.

Ahem.

Within a few minutes, Leorio, Gon, and Killua have exited the stadium, and they rejoin with Kurapika and I in the hall.

"Gon and I are going up ahead." Killua says firmly, before I can say anything.

"We both got floor 50!" Gon says to us, brandishing his little ticket at us. "Okay, let's go, Killua!"

Hey, wait, everything's moving too fast. And isn't someone going to ask me how I'm feeling?

"Bella, are you feeling better?"

I can always count on Leorio to check on me. "Yes, much better."

"That's good." And then, a little sheepishly… "Would you mind it if I went up ahead, too?"

Kurapika arches a brow. "What floor did they place you at?"

"Floor 30." Leorio stares proudly at his ticket. "I want to catch up to Gon and Killua as fast as possible."

"Wait, so-" I look around. "It's just Kurapika and I left?"

"I'm sorry, Bella." Leorio says with sincerity. "Would you like me to stay?"

Of course, you idiot. But I swallow my neediness.

"No, it's okay. You should move up ahead. I mean, you'll probably have another match."

Leorio smiles gratefully at me, and it tugs at my heartstrings.

And then they're waving, Leorio, Gon, and even Killua, as they walk away.

The three of them follow a little boy with a buzz cut and martial arts uniform into an elevator, and before I know it, the doors have closed.

Wait, a buzz cut and martial arts uniform?

Zushi?

Of course, he was here too… does this mean Mr. Wing is on the 50th floor right now? My thoughts are confused, jumbled. How will the canon play out now?
"I'm sure they'll broadcast the matches on one of the televisions." Kurapika tells me, noticing my worried face. "Shall we rejoin the first floor?"

I can't help but turn back worriedly towards the elevator.

This is okay… right?

xXxXx

When Kurapika's number is called for a rematch, he disables his opponent within the first minute.

It's perhaps not as eloquent as Killua's match, nor as abrupt as Gon's, but Kurapika's calm assuredness on the platform is extremely attractive. He accepts his ticket, and walks off the ring with a flourish.

"Have you still not been called, Bella?" Kurapika asks as he takes a seat next to me. Now that it's just him and I together, I can feel a blanket of awkwardness settle around us. How am I supposed to talk to this guy?

"Tha-that's right." My voice comes out in a squeak. Damn it. I haven't gotten used to that, either.

"Hmm." Kurapika turns his ticket over in his hand. "I've gotten floor 40."

"40?" I ask in surprise. "I thought you'd get 50, too…"

He shakes his head. "No, I think not. He managed to block my first attack."

"He did? I didn't see it."

"Well, it's my own fault. I was distracted."

"By what?" I probe.

"It's nothing." I can tell by his tone of voice that he does not plan on sharing the cause of his distraction, and decide not to press the issue any further.

I sigh, and lean back. The pain from my first match has mostly faded away from the help of the ibuprofen, but that leftover pain added on to my other, Killua-induced injury makes for an unpleasant middle section. Like a bad case of period cramps, but make that twenty times worse.

In a sudden move, Kurapika reaches around me, picking up the end of my braided hair. I startle as he holds the pink strands in his hand, examining it.

"I noticed that earlier that you braided your hair. But I've been wondering, what are these?"

He gestures to the cotton tampons that dangle off the string which is keeping the braid in place. My face flushes. Crap.

"They're… tampons." I manage to get out, my voice squeaking as it does when I get into these kinds of situations.

"A tampon?" Kurapika pauses a moment, and then, for the first time, he seems… embarrassed?

He drops my hair immediately and turns away.

"You know what they are?" I venture out to say.

"Well, I can guess." Kurapika says stiffly.

I'm caught between wanting to laugh and wanting to cry. Dear god, Kurapika's reaction to a tampon… priceless.

"How about we discuss a strategy for your match?" Kurapika smoothly transitions the conversation, as I struggle to hold back my laughter. But his words bring back reality and the momentary fun fades away.

"Oh, right. Yeah…"

"I will be completely honest with you, Bella, I think you would have to be extremely lucky to get a win." Kurapika begins. "Your abilities are less than competent."

Ouch. That stings.

"However. There is one special thing about you that I think you can take advantage of."

Something special? About me? I sit up expectantly.

"Bella, you always surprise me. That's what makes you special-it's nearly impossible to guess what you'll do next."

Is it a compliment, or is it not? I reflect on his statement.

"So… you're saying that I should… surprise my opponent?" I don't fully grasp what he's trying to tell me. "Isn't that just, like, common sense?"

"Well, yes. But knowing you, I thought you might not have considered common sense."

Wow, rude.

"I feel like this wasn't helpful at all." I mutter. Using surprise? How can I…

"Number 2056 and Number…"

My own number is called out over the loudspeaker and I jolt to my feet. Already?

Kurapika gives me the smallest of smiles.

"Good luck."

xXxXx

Use surprise. Use surprise. Use surprise…

As I make my way down the stands, I'm imbued with slightly more confidence and determination than I was before. In my head, this is my last chance to prove myself. I can be a member of this group and be helpful. I can take down my opponent.

Use surprise.

I piece together a plan.

My match this time is in Ring C, and when I climb up on to the platform I'm met with my new opponent. He looks far less scary than the last, and while I still have a pit in my stomach, it's a considerably smaller pit.

Hey, maybe I actually can do this.

The referee goes over his mandatory lines, and then…

"Begin!"

Before my opponent gets the chance to throw a blow my way, I flop face-first on the floor.

See, when my sister and I would play on the trampoline when we were younger, I used to flop face-down on the trampoline pad, to both annoy her and to prevent her from bouncing me around.

And perhaps, this strategy could be applied here…

My arms, chest, and stomach slam onto the hard floor of the platform, knocking some of the wind out of me and irritating my already sensitive torso.

"This isn't against the rules, right?" I ask the referee, my voice a little muffled and out of breath from being squished up pancake-style against the dingy mat.

"Err, it isn't…" the referee trails off, uncertain.

"Why are you on the floor? Get up, you piece of shit!" My opponent yells, but he sounds… confused. This must be what Kurapika was talking about!

This is how you use the element of surprise!

"See, the great thing about me being on the floor is that you can't knock me off the platform like this." I say cheerily, and, imitating a worm, I start wiggling towards him. By planting myself on the ground like this, I've minimized the amount of space on my body that he has to attack me.

I'm basically a genius!

"You-you little-gah!" He does something I don't expect, and his boot clamps down on my back.

"OH CRAP THAT HURTS YEOOOOWCH!" The words flow out all at once, but I maintain my pancake form. It hurts, but… not as much as Killua's injury did.

This is something I can handle.

"Shut up!" He roars, rearing back the boot again. When the boot hits the highest point of its arc, I spot my chance.

I pull myself up, and-

"Take this! Portabella's super-duper-crotch-hit!"

If I've learned anything from my time with shonen anime, it's that an attack gets ten times more powerful if you call out its name first. So I make sure to give my attack a perfectly adequate name as I sail my pointed elbow into the man's crotch.

Adrenaline floods me as he topples over the side of the platform, two hands clutched over his privates. He hits the ground below, groaning.

I did it!

Kurapika was right-the element of surprise works!

I can hear the crowd cheering, and while it may not be for me, my ego takes it as a gift anyway. I stagger on my feet, rubbing at the spot on my back where I suspect he's left a large, dusty boot-print, and hold my hand out expectantly to the referee.

This referee stares at me in awe, and then jumps to click in some numbers on the ticket machine that he's holding.

"Right, you can proceed to the 20th floor."

He presses the freshly-printed ticket into my hand, and I gaze at it for a few moments.

"Thank you, sir!" I tell him, and give him a little bow for good measure-then I bolt off the platform, beelining for the seats where Kurapika sits in wait.

When I arrive, he looks on the verge of laughter.

"Kurapika, I used your advice! It worked! The element of surprise is great!"

He doesn't respond, he's too busy chortling behind his hand.

"Hey, what's funny?" I demand.

"Bella… yet again… you've surprised me. I didn't think that you'd flatten yourself on the ring like that."

"Well, it worked, didn't it?"

He stands up and pats me on the head, as if I were an unruly child. "That's true."

"I'm going to floor 20." I tell him as we maneuver our way out of the seats.

"That's good." Kurapika says. "But here is where it's going to be difficult, you know. If you lose a match on the 20th floor, you'll be dropped down to the tenth. That's how Heavens Arena works."

I squeeze the ticket in my hand.

"I've got some more confidence now. I think I can do it!"

"That's good."

By now we've reached the hallway with the elevators, and I turn to look at my companion.

"Hey, do you still doubt me?" I ask him.

"Mm." Kurapika doesn't properly respond, only presses the call button for the elevator.

As we wait for the doors to open, I glance at a clock mounted on the wall. A lot more time has passed since we first arrived here than I thought…

The double doors for the elevator open, and Kurapika and I move inside.

The elevator attendant inside gives us a business smile, her fingers hovering over the elevator keypad. "Which floor?"

Kurapika looks at me. "I'll drop you off at floor 20. And then, floor 40 for me."

The attendant punches in the number. "Would you like to hear more about Heavens Aren-"

"That's alright." Kurapika dismisses her with a hand before she can finish speaking. She looks a little hurt, and I can't help but give her a sympathetic look.

Within a minute, we're deposited on floor twenty, but when I go to leave the elevator, Kurapika keeps himself inside.

"You'll probably be assigned one more match today," he tells me. "And then that'll likely be it until tomorrow. Can you handle it?"

"Yes, I'll do my best!" I make an enthusiastic fist. "Wait… Tomorrow?"

Hold on, I didn't even think this through. Where are we going to be staying while we're here? Private rooms aren't provided until the 100th floor! And what about food?

"I'll come back and get you later tonight, with Leorio and the others. Don't worry too much, alright, Bella?"

"Hey, wait-!"

"Excuse me, sir, we should probably let the elevator move now?" The attendant says hesitantly. Kurapika ignores her again.

"The others probably have a fight or so left before the matches are over for the night. Wait for us then."

I nod.

"Just… don't leave me alone, okay?" I call out as he retreats fully into the elevator.

"I already promised you, Bella. I won't, yet."

The doors close.

It seems like the first floor was only the beginning.

And now I must tackle this floor alone.

Hello! Um, turns out I'm just a liar! At least I'm here now, with the first off-canon chapter! Heavens arena is going to be a little more difficult since there's a lot of things left unclear about the place in the anime, and I'm just a bit shit at writing fights. I'll aim for improvement. Anyway, just know that I love ya and I hope I'll be back soon with another installment!