Is it really a shonen anime if we don't have a tournament arc?

The fighting brackets are laid out on a rolling whiteboard as Netero explains the rules for our final phase. It's simple: don't kill anyone.

Nerves are sinking in my stomach, although it's not out of fear for my own fight. According to the match lineup, I'm supposed to fight the loser of Leorio's fight- but if things follow the anime, I probably won't have to take a single foot into the fighting area.

Since Killua is going to kill Bodoro.

Not that I have the greatest moral compass, but something just doesn't sit right with me at the moment. I know that Bodoro is going to die, and I probably have the means to stop it from happening. But that would consist of going against canon, and that's bad… right?

Screw canon! Screw canon! That's what the little voice in my head screams at me. Isn't that my goal, anyway? If I want to keep everyone together, that means running canon through a shredder. Still...

Well, we'll just have to see what happens next…

I barely watch Gon's fight against Hanzo. It's not intentional, but looking at anyone trying to harm my little green baby makes my blood boil. I end up spending most of the match with my eyes glued to the floor, listening as Hanzo threatens Gon.

A loud crack- that must be the sound of his arm breaking.

When Gon passes out on the floor after his stunning victory, I'm filled with hostility towards Hanzo (how dare you harm the baby?). But as I watch Gon get carted away I feel slightly more at ease knowing that he'll be safe asleep.

He's a Hunter now.

Second match is Kurapika vs Hisoka, which I watch attentively. There's something so graceful in the way both of them move, and since they're both so beautiful it's hard to peel my eyes away. But before their fight carries on much longer, Hisoka whispers something into Kurapika's ear and strolls off in forfeit.

Third is Hanzo vs Pokkle. And throughout the match, I'm still thinking. Is it morally okay to watch someone die when you can prevent it? What will be the repercussions of stepping in?

Hanzo wins the fight quickly, and then the battle begins between Bodoro and Hisoka. This is a fight I pay attention to- after all, Bodoro is the man whose death is practically minutes away.

As I watch Bodoro gasping on the floor after getting utterly wrecked by Hisoka,my resolve slowly grows. If I can do something, then I will- and deal with the consequences later.

Killua rejects a fight against Pokkle; Leorio requests his own match be postponed so Bodoro can rest; and before I know it, the little silver-haired assassin fiend is strolling up to the fighting area, hands in his pockets, cocky grin etched on his face. Gitturackur awaits him, an eerie smile on his needled face.

I try my best to prepare mentally for when Illumi takes the needles out. Key word here is try.

Illumi is GORGEOUS.

It's not the right time for me to be simping, especially when I can smell death around the corner, but god-damn does my heart tickle when Illumi's lusciously long hair sways gently down his back.

The feelings last only for a moment, because I see the look of pure shock and fear that flashes across Killua's face when he lays eyes on the needleman.

"Brother…" Killua mutters, frozen to the spot. My fingers clench into fists unconsciously. As is with Gon, it hurts to see him in pain.

"That's Killua's brother?" Leorio says, a little stunned.

I can't help but think that the Zoldyck family is blessed with beautiful genes.

Still, the tension in the air is palpable.

So is Illumi's Ren.

Illumi is speaking, his voice unmusical, his sentences commands- and word by word, Killua's face becomes more and more disturbed.

"I don't desire to become a Hunter," Killua says, in response to Illumi's taunts. His speech is terse. "But… I do have something I want."

Sweat, or perhaps tears, trail down Killua's face.

"You don't." A statement by Illumi, not a question.

"I do! There's something I really want!"

"Mm." Illumi's monotone voice suggests nothing and everything simultaneously. "Tell me what it is that you want."

But Killua can't answer.

"What's wrong? There's nothing you really want, is there?"

"That's not it!"

The expression on Killua's face… my heart shatters into pieces. Every single fiber of my body yearns to run and give this broken boy a hug.

"I- I want to become friends with Gon."

Tears prick at the back of my eyes, and within moments I devolve into silent sobs. Wordlessly, Kurapika puts a hand on my shoulder, and immense comfort passes through me at the touch.

"I'm sick of killing people. I want to become friends with Gon… and live a normal life."

I can't see the two brothers behind the sheen of tears. God, I'm a mess, aren't I? I don't remember feeling this emotional when I watched this scene in the anime, but it's different seeing things play out in front of me.

Kurapika is still patting my shoulder gently, a rhythmic and soothing gesture that reminds me, somehow, of my mother.

"That's impossible." Illumi says. "You'll never be able to make friends. Your only concern when you meet someone is whether you should kill them or not. That's how you were trained."

Killua's trembling as he meets his elder brother's eyes.

"You just don't know how to classify Gon because he's too dazzling for your eyes." Illumi continues. "You don't actually want to become friends with him."

"You're wrong." Killua says, but he doesn't seem to believe it himself.

"If you stay with him, you'll end up wanting to kill him one day. You'll get the urge to see if you can kill him or not."

Killua's expression-

"Because you have the soul of a killer."

When Illumi delivers this line, Leorio's had enough. His face scrunches up and his shoes clack against the floor as he starts towards the Zoldycks.

He's stopped immediately by a suited bodyguard, but this doesn't stop him from saying what he needs to say. "Killua! I don't give a damn if he's your brother. He's a worthless piece of crap! Don't listen to him! Just beat the crap out of him as usual and win!"

With each word, Leorio's getting more and more worked up. He's even more attractive than usual right now.

"You want to become friends with Gon? Are you daft? Both of you are friends already!"

"Mm?" Illumi looks over to the interruption as Killua startles.

"I'm sure that's how Gon feels!"

"Really?" Illumi puts a hand on his hip. His waist is quite snatched.

"Hell yes, idiot!"

Did I mention that I love Leorio?

"Really? That's no good. He considers Killua a friend." Illumi puts a hand on his chin, imitating a thinking pose. Then, completely deadpan, he comes up with his solution. "Okay, I'll kill Gon."

Do I love Illumi? Do I hate him? The answers to these questions remain unknown.

xXxXx

Leorio. Bodoro. And the clenching feeling in my gut: The oh shit, it's now or never.

The time is now. After Killua forfeits the match against Illumi, Leorio and Bodoro begin to square off for their fight. And I realize that if I'm going to do anything, I need to do it now.

Killua moves fast. He's an assassin, of course he does. It's only by chance that I beat him there. A bodyguard tries to stop me but I kick him in the nuts and push past him.

Leorio and Bodoro look at the interruption, pausing their movements.

The look in Killua's eyes is chilling, and it fills me to the core with some strange emotion I've never really felt. Not pity, exactly, but a strong desire to protect. Even though I know- I know- that Killua is far stronger than I'll ever be, that the last thing he needs is the protection from a wimp like me. But I can't just sit back idly, either.

Killua and I don't exchange any words in the few seconds of silence we have. He doesn't even look at me. But that's okay, I think.

His fingers toughen up, nails sharpen, veins bulge. Things seem to move in slow-motion (cliche, I know) and his clawed nails slash through the air.

Before the hit lands, I kick Bodoro in the crotch.

He collapses, hands held protectively over the royal jewels. My now-signature move has rendered him momentarily still, and I reach out for Killua- maybe to hug him, or perhaps just to stop the path that his murderous hand has taken.

Either way, it doesn't turn out too well.

I'm in the line of fire.

So, I take the blow.

Blood spurts out of my stomach, out of my mouth. There's a moment where I feel as if I'm suspended in midair, all the while hot and fiery pain shooting throughout my body. Before I realize what's really happened, Killua stands, my blood decorating his face and clothes. The expression on his face is not the Killua that I know and love, but someone else entirely.

Excuse me, but what the fuck?

By some absolute miracle I'm still conscious enough to watch his bloody footsteps move away, away from me, away from Bodoro: away from all of us. He opens the heavy entrance doors and slips behind them.

Don't leave!

Is what I want to say.

But I don't.

Leorio is by my side in the next instant. Things move in a blur- he picks me up like a princess, which would cause me to faint in cardiac arrest at any other time. But for the moment, there's too much pain going on everywhere else for me to fully comprehend the situation.

"Bella! Are you okay? Hey, say something!" Leorio's voice is slightly frantic. His arms, too, are muscly, I note in the midst of the extreme pain.

"Yah, he got me… in the… stomach…" I say in heaves. "Oops…"

"Quick! Let's get you to a doctor!"

"Mmm…"

God, I'm really delirious right now. Blood dribbles down my chin, staining my pretty blouse. I think my skirt has a large rip in it, too… geez…

"Ah, but you're in the middle of a match." Netero's voice is calm, collected.

"I'll forfeit, then." Bodoro says from the ground, still keeled over from my kick. He is an old guy, after all. "Take her to the medic."

Leorio nods, and I snuggle closer into the scent of his cologne. I might as well take advantage of the opportunity, anyway. I feel the comfortable sway underneath me as Leorio walks off.

My brain has wandered away, back to my own childhood- before I was Bella and in this mess. When I was small enough for my father to pick me up in his arms when I fell asleep in the car after a long drive, to tuck me into bed at night. A time before I had to worry about school… money... and more recently, surviving in another world.

"Of course, Portabella and Killua will have to be disqualified." Netero's voice is agonizingly patient.

"What? But they-!" with my head against his chest, I can hear the vibrations as Leorio speaks out, although these words of his- or of anyone else- aren't sinking in.

"They were interfering with the match. Regardless of their reasons, the rules clearly state that neither Portabella nor Killua will be able to qualify for the Hunter license. And Killua has already left."

I'm falling in and out of consciousness. This hurts a lot. What is Netero saying, anyway? I can't quite tell…

"But Bella didn't do anything!" Kurapika retorts from somewhere. "Killua, too. He was under pressure from his brother!"

"The rules are the rules. Sorry!" The slight lilt at the end of Netero's sentence is annoying.

Wait.

Not able to qualify for the Hunter license?

I force myself to lift my head, startling Leorio. I stare squarely at the chairman, albeit through bleary vision.

"Whudy'a meaaan, Neter-o?" My speech is slurred, and I sound absolutely stoned.

Netero, with his stupid 'lil beard, takes a few steps towards me in his wooden clogs.

"You've been disqualified from the exam. You're welcome to come back next year in another attempt. I wish you good luck."

Right as realization hits me, so does the pain.

xXxXx

Geez, how many times have I passed out so far?

Also… how the hell am I not dead?

Every inch of me aches, but particularly I can feel it in my abdomen. A dull, permanent throb of pain in my midriff. A quick glance down informs me that my torso has been almost completely covered with bandages, and that my cute fashionable anime girl clothes are bloodied and decorated with rips.

Now what?

I've been attacked by Killua, and kicked out of the Hunter exam. This means it's the end for me, right? I feel sort of helpless. If this is the kind of stuff that happens when I go against canon… is it even worth it to try?

Will I have to leave, leave behind my precious Leorio, Gon, Kurapika, and Killua?

There's no one else in this room that I am in- and I take this as a sign that I'm free to leave at my leisure. So I hobble out of bed, ignore the pain in my tummy (although it hurts, it hurts like HELL and I am weak), and push open the door.

I'm still on-site of the exam. I guess that I was kept around because of my injuries… Scouring my surroundings, I keep my eyes out for Leorio, Gon, or Kurapika, but I'm not sure what I will do if I see them. I've failed, after all. I don't even deserve to be around them.

I take a seat underneath a large, leafy tree, wondering what to do next. I don't really have anywhere to go- my existence pretty much began on that ship in chapter 2. Without the boys, I am nothing.

"BELLA!"

I whip my head around to see my favorite doctor boy making a mad dash in my direction. I barely have time to let my jaw drop because, before I know it, Leorio is right next to me.

He pants slightly, hands on his knees as he pauses to catch his breath. "Bella! We were so worried- how are you? Are you okay?"

I'm a little stunned as well as very, very flustered. Kurapika and Gon approach from behind Leorio, and Kurapika gives a knowing look as Leorio begins to fuss over my injuries.

"Are you guys… Hunters now?" I ask, fighting back the blush that comes with being in such close proximity to the hotties.

Leorio wastes no time in pulling out his Hunter license, showing off, I guess. It stings a little- I went through all of this bullshit just to stay by these guys' side, only to mess up big-time in the final phase. I guess it was my mistake to think that being a self-insert would instantly grant me a pass to the Hunter exam...

Noticing my expression, Leorio shoves the card away and clears his throat. "So, Bella, what are you going to do?"

I shrug. "What happened to Killua?"

Gon makes a firm expression. "He went back home, to Kukuroo Mountain."

"I suppose you'll be going to get him?"

Gon nods.

"Are you mad at Killua, Bella?" Kurapika questions. His tone is the furthest thing from accusatory, but I can still feel the eyes of the three on me as they await my answer.

I shake my head violently. "No! I could never be mad at him."

"But he cut you up…" Leorio remarks. As if on cue, my injury throbs and I wince, pressing a hand to my bandaged stomach.

"Yeah… but, that's my own fault for getting in the way. And my own fault for interfering with the match, and my own fault for going against canon…"

"Canon?"

"Nevermind!"

"We're going to Kukuroo mountain to get Killua back." Gon says resolutely, perking up. "Killua's my friend."

My heart warms and I have to resist the urge to let out the biggest "awwww" when he says this, but it's immediately followed up with sadness. After all, this might be the last time I can see him.

"I understand if you guys don't want me to stick around, haha. Since I'm so weak and all." I do my best to laugh it off. "But tell Killua for me…"

"You're not coming, Bella?" Gon cocks his head to the side.

"You… you want me to come?" Hope sparks in my chest at the innocent expression on Gon's face.

"Of course! You're my friend, too!"

There it is. The arrow that pierces the heart. I'm surprised I don't topple over at the pure serotonin that floods me at Gon's words. We're friends? We're friends!

I am the friend of Gon Freecss!

Maybe, just maybe, this isn't over yet.

"It might be dangerous." Kurapika comments. "The Zoldycks are assassins, after all. I doubt they'll relinquish Killua so easily. Are you up to it, Bella?"

"As long as I have you three, I don't care!"

And that's true. I'd walk through the fiery pits of hell just to see Leorio smile, to see Kurapika laugh, and to see Gon and Killua happy. I'd literally die for these characters- no, these people. My friends.

Leorio cocks a grin. "Then, what are we waiting for?"

"I thought something like this might happen, so I bought an extra airship ticket earlier." Kurapika says, smiling at me. His smiles, while rare, are so pure that it's like someone's shining a flashlight right into my face. "See, Bella? It seems you're not the only one with an excellent guessing skill."

xXxXx

Traffic.

At the very least I'm glad that I no longer have to be in the driver's seat. That's one good thing about being thirteen again, I guess. Not that I was ever a particularly good driver, back then.

I'm crammed in the backseat of a taxi cab next to Kurapika (by the way, he smells pretty good- kind of like how babies smell, but in a really good way). But the car hasn't been moving very much, as the road we're following has been congested with traffic.

"This won't do, we'll be late for our flight." Kurapika sighs, glancing at the car's clock.

"Old man, do something!" Leorio commands, annoyed.

"I- I'm afraid I can't help with this traffic." Our poor taxi driver seems a little on edge himself. "And this is the only road-"

"In that case…!" An idea has crossed Gon, and he puts on a big grin and leans for the car door.

Next thing I know, we're outside the taxi. The long road is edged by a sidewalk, and on the other side of the sidewalk is calm, glistening water. Of course, Gon's going to suggest we run- but one quick look at my own condition makes me wonder if I'll even be able to keep up.

Gon starts sprinting, the rest of us following, but it's only a couple of seconds before I have to stop and clutch at my stomach. Killua's attack was no joke.

"Bella! You can't run!" Leorio looks back and forth, and then as if suddenly deciding, hands off his briefcase to Kurapika. "In that case…"

I'm getting swept off my feet by Leorio- both metaphorically and literally. It happens so fast and I'm certain Leorio can hear my heartbeat surpassing NASCAR speeds as I'm being hefted by his strong, strong arms…

Kurapika holds on to Leorio's briefcase, gives me a smile (so many Kurapika smiles in one day, I'm malfunctioning), and suddenly they've started running again. I'm impressed at how Leorio manages to move even while carrying me. He's much stronger than people give him credit for.

"Oi, Gon! Do you realize how far away the airport is?" Leorio calls mid-jog.

Gon looks back, face shining. "I want to rescue Killua as soon as humanly possible!"

Even Leorio is susceptible to Gon's smile- he and Kurapika glance at each other with a knowing look.

"Fine, you win!" Leorio says.

Kurapika laughs slightly. "This reminds me of the Hunter exam."

"That's right!" Gon replies cheerfully. "This is nothing compared to the Hunter exam!"

"Yup, you got that right!" Leorio's chest rumbles handsomely. My arms are wrapped around his neck so I don't fall off, and all of the regret I've ever felt seems to melt away because this moment makes it all worth it.

"Okay, race you to the airport!" Gon calls and picks up his pace.

"Oi, I'm carrying Bella! That's not fair!" Leorio chides playfully. I blush again, because literally how can I not in this situation? How?

"Ready…" Gon leaps up, pumping his arm into the air. "Go!"

And at that, we're off. Off into golden sunsets, and the promise of adventure.

Thanks again for those taking the time out of their day to read and review! Love you 3 please stay safe and take care of yourselves.

The end of an arc... *phew!*

Since the very first chapter I had been playing around with the idea that Bella doesn't actually become a Hunter. It only makes sense- she's incredibly lucky, but also incredibly incompetent. Is this a surprise twist? I dunno.

And the first time we see "Don't leave!" although, I'll be honest, that title doesn't mean that much. I came up with it on a whim, but it works nicely here.

We're getting so, so close to the crucial moment. I'm quite excited.

Also... getting carried by Leorio, not once, but twice? Color me jealous!

I hope nobody's disappointed Bella doesn't get to participate in the tournament, but this was based off of Netero's bracket system. "The more chances to win, the more potential." Considering Bella has the potential of like 0, I doubted that she'd be given as many chances as, say, Gon. She ends up disqualified before she can put a foot into the arena...

Please join me next time for the beginning of the next arc in, "Killua's front door is pretty heavy" !

:)