So sorry for not posting last week, but a lot has happened. I moved, started a new job, read a lot of training paperwork- it's been crazy. But I'm back!

Hisoka had been right. The storm was bad. Some of the less cautious examinees had died trying to escape the shipwreck. Thankfully, Gon and Killua had not been part of that group. However, the news the next morning wasn't good.

"There will be another storm tonight. Worse than the first."

Adella looks at Kurapika. "Worse? How much worse?"

"If we stay here, we may die."

Ryn glares at her. "You just had to ask."

Adella pulls Ryn to the side while Hanzo and Kurapika begin scheming. "Have you seen the boys?"

"No, but they have to be fine."

"Are you…"

A card lands between their feet, sticking out of the wood. "I think we're in trouble."

The two look towards where the card came from, noticing the slight glint of metal from the top deck. "Illumi." Ryn grimaces. "Should we run or face the music?"

Adella picks up the card, heading towards the stairs. "I choose life."

Ryn shrugs, following her up to the top deck.

"We told you two to stay."

"Yeah, and we almost got crushed by furniture."

Hisoka rolls his eyes, flicking a card at Ryn, who catches it. "It will be worse tonight. The rest of the group is making a plan. I know you two have one as well, so spill."

Hisoka chuckles, smirking. "At least you're both smart. Fine. The plan is do nothing."

Adella scoffs. "Yeah right."

"Adella." The warning says everything. Illumi isn't happy.

Hisoka ignores them. "The plan is do nothing until they need us. Whatever plan they come up with will be decent enough, but it will be flawed. We will oversee everything and ensure it goes smoothly. Ryn, if you'd like to join me, I'll allow it."

Ryn sticks her tongue out. "Like you could stop me. I'm not Adella."

"Hey!" But she can't argue that. Especially not when Illumi, or Gitarrackur rather, is staring down at her, barely keeping his bloodlust from seeping out.

"You will stay in the room, no breaking out. If you don't, your exam ends here, I'll make sure of it."

Adella scowls, arms folding across her chest. "Is that a threat?"

"A promise."

Ryn glances at Hisoka, who motions for them to make their exit quickly.

"You don't control me. I'm not a pet."

"No. I made that promise to you when we began this arrangement. As for being a pet, you are far more valuable than one to me. Hence, you stay inside."

Adella's eyes narrow, her own bloodlust beginning to rise. "You don't own me, Illumi."

"Not yet."

Those two words send her bloodlust flying. "Excuse me?"

Illumi matches her rage, forcing Ryn, who was just below them, to try to find some way of making sure no one else could feel it. Hisoka, meanwhile, was doing nothing, rather enjoying the battle of wills coming from above.

"I am not a piece of property! I am a human being!"

"Yes, one I have a vested interest in and have taken great measure to keep alive. I will not have you ruin that now!"

Adella shrieks, running at Illumi who dodges, swinging a needle towards her. She manages to evade it, only to end up restrained by Illumi. She struggles as he forces her to her knees, then flat to the deck, kneeling over her so she can't move far. "You asshole! Get off!"

"I would rather beg forgiveness later than see you dead, even if I have nothing to be forgiven for. Except breaking a promise, but you forced my hand."

Adella squirms, trying to buck him off her. Her struggles only intensify when she sees what he's holding. "No! You dick! You promised!"

"I know. And I am sorry." The needle digs into her neck, and she cries out before going limp. The poison, a sedative he'd made sure wouldn't kill her but would keep her asleep, works quickly. He lets go of her now comatose body, letting her rest on the deck.

"Well, she won't be happy with you."

Illumi glances at Hisoka, standing at the top of the stairs. "She will forgive me. She always does. It is her downfall."

Hisoka chuckles. "Just like she's yours, huh, Illu?"

Illumi doesn't respond, picking her up off the deck. "I let you decide what Ryn can do, don't lecture me about Adella."

"Wouldn't dream of it, Illu dear."

Illumi rolls his eyes at the nickname, heading down to their cabin. "You would do the same if it were Ryn."

"I never denied that. But I also know Ryn would chop my dick off if I ever dared."

Illumi shrugs. "I suppose I should be thankful I don't have to deal with Ryn then."

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"Attention everyone! This is the fourth phase of the Hunter Exam, and the last phase before the final exam. Congratulations for having made it this far."

Adella, finally awake after her struggle with Illumi, stands by Ryn. Despite the curiosity eating away at her, Ryn knew not to ask about Illumi right now. Adella was still fuming, barely able to contain the bloodlust flowing through her.

"I'd like each of you to draw lots from this box. There are as many cards in this box as applicants remaining in the exam. You'll each choose one in the order in which you escaped from Trick Tower."

Adella curses under her breath. It wasn't like they'd taken too long in the tower, thanks to Ryn keeping Tonpa on track and her own quick thinking with the wall. But still…

"Which means that Hisoka gets to go first."

With a smirk, the magician steps forward, reaching into the box. Illumi, once again silent and in disguise, steps behind him to claim the second. Slowly, the rest of the applicants form a line.

Adella makes certain Tonpa stays at the back of their group, letting Gon go first. When it's her turn, she reaches in and pulls the first card she feels. She glances up at Lippo, who merely nods at her, whispering a 'Good luck' as she pulls away.

Looking down, she spies a number. Oh. Oh no. Quickly, she takes her badge off, looking to Ryn to see she has done the same. Good, then she was right.

"You'll see a number on each card. It just so happens those numbers correspond with the ID badges you've been wearing on your chests throughout the exam up until this point. Now, what this drawing of numbers will determine is who's the hunter and who's the hunted."

Ryn glances at Adella who nods in response. Just like they'd thought.

"Who's the hunter and who's the hunted? What does that mean?" Adella looks towards the man who asked, noting it's a friend of Gon's. Leorio, she thinks his name is.

"In case you haven't guessed it yet, the objective of this phase is to steal each other's ID badges. The applicant who's badge number corresponds with the card you've picked is now going to be your target."

The rest of the rules are simple. They will have a week on Zevil Island to earn six points. The target badge and their own badge are each three points. Every other badge is one. Killing is allowed. Simple enough. As the others start removing their badges, Adella makes note of her plan.

"So, who do you have?" She doesn't even flinch as Ryn sits beside her on the edge of the deck.

"Who do you have?"

Ryn grimaces, not wanting to share but knowing Adella won't provide any information unless she does. "Not you. Or the boys. I think it's the sniper."

Adella hums, holding out her own card. Ryn greedily takes it. "Who is 301?" She looks up, searching for an answer, and receives it. It isn't a verbal answer, rather the grim lines on Adella's face tell her. "You can't."

"I will. I know what his plan is. He will hunt his target, kill them, then sleep in one of his little holes. I'll simply get three more, wait until he's fast asleep, and take his. I can leave him the other three for when he wakes."

Ryn frowns, confused as to why the plan must be so complicated. "Why not keep the three you get? Or not leave him any?"

"I don't want to die. Illumi needs this for a job, he won't let me compromise that. As for keeping the other three, it's the principle of the thing."

Ryn rolls her eyes, but some part of her understands. Adella needs this. "We leave by the rank we got in the tower. I'll let you all go first. Illumi will take his time. The more time between me getting the three badges and him becoming a groundhog, the better."

Adella turns towards her friend, mouth set in a firm line. "I will not let him win this fight."