Hey guys! How have you been? It's been quiet some time since I last updated this chapter and I'm very sorry for that. I have been quite busy. I know it's excuse you guys hear all the time, so I'm just going to make it up by making this chapter for you guys.

Enjoy. I do not own Hunter x Hunter.

Chapter 10

We won the fourth trial and I couldn't be any happier. We were know in a blimp that brought us down into what seem like an old hotel. As we adventure out of the blimp we are faced with the others and the headmaster.

"Well, gentlemen and lady," Netero starts, "Did you get plenty of rest? This hotel is owned by Hunter Exam Selection Committee. The place is all yours until the battles have concluded." Bean starts bringing something next to the chairman hiding it, "For the Final Phase, we will be holding a one-on-one tournament."

He removes the cover to show what looks like a match between one person that only one can go on the top.

"So only the last person standing passes?" Leorio questions confused.

"No," Netero replies,"One win is all you need to pass."

"One win?" Gon questions.

"Then, in this tournament..." Leorio questions further.

"The winners are removed from competition, while the losers continue up the bracket. In other words, the person finishes at the top will not pass. Does everyone understand now?" Netero explains.

"So you're saying that only one person will fail," Hanzo states.

"Exactly," Netero replies.

The atmosphere turned everyone to a smile but can still feel the heavy atmosphere, because no one wants to be that one person.

"And here is the bracket," Netero peels off the strip of papers covering the challengers.

My eyes widen as I saw I was battling no one, but Kurapika vs Hanzo, and Gon vs Hanzo.

"Impressive, right?" Netero ask, "After all, everyone has at least two chances to win."

"But some people, like #294 and #405, get six chances," Pokkle stated.

"Why didn't you use a balanced bracket?" Borboro ask.

"A question that must be on everyone's mind. This bracket was assembled based on your performance throughout the entire exam. Those who performed better received more chances," Netero explains making my eyes widen, because Killua and I are one of the six chances.

Yet, something doesn't make sense.

"That doesn't sound right," Killua spoke up. "Can you explain how you scored our performances?"

Netero smiled to..."No!" He shouts with a crazy look that made Killua shivered.

I couldn't help but laugh to see Killua's freaked out face.

"Why not?" Killua shouted embarrassed and angry.

I stop to look at Netero to see him look at me,"Your scores are classified information. Including other information that we have gathered about you, so I can't tell you everything."

He now looks at everyone.

"But I can explain our methods. First, we consider three major criteria: physical strength, mental strength, and overall impression. For physical strength, we use an aggregate of agility, flexibility, endurance, and perception. For mental strength, we use an aggregate of resilience, adaptability, judgement, and creativity. However, this information is only used as a reference point. After all, you were strong enough to advance to the Final Phase. However, we are most concerned with your overall impression. This refers to any intangible factors not previously mentioned. You can consider this an evaluation of your potential as a Hunter. And we also incorporate the opinions of your peers," Netero explains very long,"That was our process."

I sighed for I only listen half the time because I can't stand long speeches or long talks for that matter. I can barely hold up a conversation that isn't longer than 30 minutes.

"The battle rules are quite simple," Netero continues making me growl in annoyance,"Weapons are allowed. No cheating. If you opponent admits defeat, you win. However! If you kill your opponent, you will be immediately disqualified. All remaining applicants will pass, and the exam will end. Are we clear?"

Everyone was silent making it clear to him.

"Then, we shall begin the exam's Final Phase. The first match is Hanzo versus Gon. Please step forward," The refree says.

I pat Gon on the back to smile and nod. Gon smiled back at me to walk up to the man holding the challenge. I had a smirk on my expression knowing Gon will win this won. The refree introduced himself and Hanzo kept talking to him saying that everyone was signed to one. I couldn't help but chuckle knowing that Gon and Leorio didn't know.

I look up at Gon to see his eyes were filled to determination and getting in his stance.

I know you can win Gon. I believe in you.

Gon ran as away from Hanzo once Masta says begin. In the next second, Hanzo was in front of him and slashed Gon on the neck.

"Gon!" I shouted worried ready to run to him, but Killua stopped me, "Gon! Gon!"

Gon was talking to Hanzo but he was staring at me with an almost hopeful and never giving up eyes. I saw him smiling at me telling me he was alright, and not to worry about him.

"Gon..." I smiled to step back with Killua releasing from his hold.

"Never gonna happen!" Gon shouts for Hanzo to hit him.

Gon was on the floor crouching in pain for Hanzo to stand up looking down at him to surrender. Gon stand up but Hanzo hit him in the stomach again as I knew he was in pain. I closed my eyes not wanting to see Hanzo hit Gon, but for some reason I can't stand to be anger at Hanzo. Because... my brother is as stubborn as I am.

Gon kept getting hit and hit until he faced down onto the ground with blood going down his temple and mouth. I finally looked at him after three hours. I looked at Gon to see him completely angry.

"Leorio," I spoke up to have gaze on me, "Don't do anything stupid."

"Han-"

I cut him off by calling, "Gon Freeces!" I shouted highly, "I know you can do better than that. Stop laying on the stupid ground, and stand up! We promised to be Hunters together! So hurry and stand up!"

"Hana..." Gon whisper for everyone to be shock that he was still alive,"Haha, you always...knew... what to...say..."

He stand up for Hanzo to just move Gon's leg to make him fall, and warn him that he is going to break Gon's arm. I narrowed my eyes as they connect with Gon's. He smiles at me as I smile at him to mouth out...

'Do...what...you...want...'

"Never!" Gon shouted for his arm to be broken.

Hanzo was explaining to how his whole life was harsh and had to be trained to be a ninja. Of course, I didn't listen as all I did was look at Gon. He suddenly jumped to kick Hanzo on the face making me smirk knowing he was still ready to fight.

"My head's cleared a bit, after all the pain and that long explanation. If you're eighteen, you're only six years older than I am. Besides, this isn't a battle to see who's stronger. It's to see who's willing to surrender first." Gon explains.

Hanzo jumped up to stand with blood running down his noise making an excuse for himself. The next thing, I know Hanzo grabbed a blade out to threaten cutting off his legs.

In the end, everyone besides me was shocked for Gon to hear he won't accept Hanzo cutting off his leg or surrendering either. I sigh but not that surprise and could only chuckle. Everyone was surprise with my chuckling to then start laughing as well. Hanzo put the blade to Gon's forehead making everything silent again.

Gon kept staring at Hanzo not moving with that look I know in his eyes.

"I'm going to find my dad," Gon comments making me smirk.

"Your dad?" Hanzo questions.

"Our father is Hunter," Gon explains,"So we are going to become a Hunter and find him!"

"Hanzo," I called out for him to look at me,"We want to find our father and ask questions that he have waited too long to ask." I narrowed my eyes at him continued, "The only way Gon can surrender is...if you kill him."

Hanzo removed the blade to turn around and give up but Gon wouldn't accept that. They both argued for Hanzo to hit him once more time knocking him out. I smiled knowing that Gon would have won.

Gon was sent to the hospital bed's as I stayed and watch the rest of match. It was Hisoka vs Kurapika with Kurapika winning the battle, but ending up with his eyes red for some reason. Hisoka walked passed Kurapika to stare at me with a smirk that mouthed out...'Phantom Troupe.'

My eyes widen as I looked at Kurapika to walk back to us as he stares at me. Kurapika smiled reassuring me, but this nagging feeling made me annoyed.

Then, Hanzo vs Pokkle. Hanzo obviously won.

The fourth match was between Hisoka and Bodoro. Hisoka whispered something to Bodoro making him lose with me looking worried.

The fifth match was Pokkle vs Killua. Killua allowed him to win, because it wasn't a far a fight.

Though, the next match, was something I was worried about and almost completely forgot. The match between Killua vs Gittarackur. I quickly grabbed Killua's shoulder for him to look at me.

"Killua, I forgot to mention something," I whispered. Killua turned to look at me confused as I continued, "Do you know by someone named, Illumi Zoldyck?"

Killua's eyes were widen, and it seems that everyone else must have heard it to since I didn't whisper quietly enough.

"Illumi?" Killua question, "You mean my big brother."

I look at Killua with wide eyes to tell him,"I guess so. When, Kasumi and I were fighting at the fourth phase. She was badly injured by an assassin that tried to get her tag. Killua, I don't think you're the only Zoldyck here."

Killua's eyes were wide as he shock his head getting his shoulder out of my hold.

"Hana, I'm going to be fine. My brother, Illumi, can't possibly be here," Killua states walking up to stand in front of Gitarackur.

"Killua, you have to listen to me! I have a very bad feeling about this match!" I shouted at him.

Killua ignored me for the refree begin the match. Killua step forward slowly for Gitarackur to just look down at him.

"It's been to long, Kil," Gitarackur spoke.

Killua stop looking surprised as Gitarackur's hand moved the pins out of his face to form what I saw in the fourth phase.

"You?" I questioned to step back surprised.

Killua's eyes were full of shocked and fear.

"Hey," Illumi greets.

"I am such an idiot!" I shouted at myself rubbing my head, "Of course, it was him. Whoever hangs out with Hisoka has to be him!"

Illumi suddenly turned his head towards me asking,"So, your the girl that Phantom Troupe's leader wants?"

My eyes widen for everyone to gasp looking at me. Killua stares at me confused.

"Phantom Troupe's leader?" Killua ask.

I tsk to hiss,"You can tell him that I ain't joining for the last hundred times," I grabbed the phone in my pocket to throw at him that he dodges,"You can call him yourself since he calls me on it."

"A brave girl to say that to a person that kill her instantly," Illumi says.

I hold my ground not afraid for Illumi to stare at Killua.

"I heard you cut Mom and Milluka," Illumi ask to tilt his head, "Mom was crying."

"Anyone would cry if their son did that to them," Leorio states.

"Tears of joy," Illumi continues to have Leorio fall down. "She was so happy to see that you'd grown up."

I looked at Leorio to hold back a chuckle.

"But she was worried about you leaving home, so she asked me to check up on you. I didn't know you wanted to be a Hunter. I'm trying to get a license for my next job," Illumi explains.

"I don't really want to be a Hunter," Killua replies having my eyes become sad. "I just felt like taking the exam."

"I see..." Illumi understands,"That's a relief."

I suddenly felt a dark aura that is making me shiver and freeze up.

"Then I have some advice for you," Illumi continues,"You're not cut out to be a Hunter. You were born to be...a killer. You're a puppet of darkness, without don't want anything or wish for anything. As one who lives in the shadows,you can only feel pleasure when people die. That's how Dad and I raised you. What would you accomplish by becoming a Hunter?"

"True," Killua replies,"I don't desire to become a Hunter. But...I do have something I want..."

You don't," Illumi states.

"I do!" Killua cuts him off. "There's something I really want."

"Hmm. Tell me what it is that you want," Illumi ask. Killua looks down hesitating on to speak for Illumi to ask, "What's wrong? There's nothing you really want, is there?"

"That's not it!" Killua shouts,"I want to become friends with Gon and...Hana...I hate killing people. I want to live a normal life. I want to become friends with Gon and Hana.

"It's impossible,"Illumi states.

Killua looks at me as I look back at him to see softness in his eyes.

"Killua..." I whispered to feel anger rise up on me from Illumi to shout,"You idiot! We are friends! We became friends the moment we talked to each other on the first phase!"

"Hana..." Killua whispered surprised.

"Gon thinks of you as friends just as much as I do! It's not just me and Gon that are your friends too Killua! Leorio and Kurapika also became your friends too!"

"Hana," Killua whisper to smile a soft smile at me.

"Kil, she's lying. You'll never be friends with them," Illumi says making us look at him. "Your only concern when you meet someone is whether you should kill them. That's how you were trained. You just don't know how to classify Gon and Hana because they're too dazzling for your eyes. You don't actually want to become friends with them."

"You're wrong..." Killua argue.

"If you stay with them," Illumi continues,"you'll end up wanting to kill them one day."

"That's not true, Killua! Don't believe him!" I shouted to make Illumi stop.

"You'll get the urge to see if you can kill them or not," Illumi continues,"Because you have the soul of a killer."

"No, Killua! That is not true!" I shouted at him ready to walk forward but someone stopped me,"You know if your killer, you know you want to become friends with us, you know that you hate killing people, you know what you want! You don't need to become an assassin Killua! Stop believing into what he's saying and start listening to yourself! You know what you are! Please, Killua!"

I struggle with them to have them push me back harshly onto the ground.

"Ouch!" I shouted to have my head bang on the floor.

"Hana!" I hear Killua shout worried.

"I'm fine," I say sitting up to touch the back of my head.

Leorio and Kurapika leaned down to my level making sure I'm okay.

"Kil," Illumi spoke up,"are you falling for her?"

My eyes widen as I looked at Illumi to see Killua flinch, and stare at Illumi with wide eyes.

"That's no good," Illumi says looking down at Killua, "You are falling for her. Okay, I'll kill Hana."

My eyes widen as everyone gasp to hear what he says.

"A killer doesn't need friends or to fall in love with anyone. They'll only slow you down," Illumi states to turn his head towards me and continue to walk forward.

Killua looks at Illumi scared for the refree to stop him, but was hit with pins to hurt paralyze his face. Illumi and I were staring at each other as my eyes widen when my vision was block. My eyes widen to Satotz and Netero in front of me, including everyone else.

"Everyone..." I whispered surprised.

"This won't do. I need a hunter's license, and I forgot I can't kill her or I'll fail. Then, Kil will pass automatically. Oh, darn. The same thing will happen if I kill Gon. I know, I'll kill Gon and Hana when I pass the Hunter's test," I look at Killua to see him sweating and shaking.

"Killua..." I whispered worried.

Illumi turned to Killua saying,"You have to beat me if you want to save Gon and Hana. Will you fight me for your friend's sake?" Illumi moves forward to Killua, "You can't do it. Because you're more worried about whether or not you can defeat me." He stop in front of Killua to raise his hand to Killua," And you already have your answer:'I'm not strong enough to beat my brother.''Never fight an enemy you can't beat.'I drilled that into you..." Killua was going to move back, but..."Don't move. If you move an inch, I'll assume that the fight has begun. And if our bodies make contact, that will also mean the fight has begun. There's only one way to stop me. You know what that is. But don't forget... If you don't fight me, your dear Hana and Gon will die."

Killua was just freezing there scared as I became worried to hear him say,"I surrender...I lose..."

"Killua..." I whispered scared as I was slowly moved forward.

"Oh, that's good!" Illumi shouts happy to clap his hands,"Then the battle's over." He tapped Killua's shoulder saying,"I lied, Kil. I was lying about killing Gon and Hana. That was just a little test."

I didn't listen to Illumi as all I did was continue walking slowly forward, and kept my eyes on Killua.

"But now I have my answer," Illumi continues to move forward and whisper in Killua's ear. "When the time comes, I'll tell you to take the Hunter Exam. You don't need a license."

Illumi walked to where the others were as I step forward to Killua putting my hands on his shoulder.

"Killua," I whispered softly,"Killua, hey, come on. Killua," I shake his shoulder for him to not answer me, but just looking at me,"Killua, what are you doing? Why are you only staring at me?! Wake up! Come on, answer me."

The fight between Bodoro and Leorio was beginning, but I didn't care as all I did was look at Killua. Bodoro was behind me, and I noticed Killua was looking at me and Bodoro.

"Killu-"

"Forgive me..." Killua whispered icily making my skin crawl and shiver.

I heard a rip from behind me to turn and see Killua's hand pierce Bodoro's back. Blood was covering his hand and shirt for my eyes to widen.

"Killu-"

I was cut off to see him suddenly in front of me with an emotionless eyes as he put his bloody hand on my cheek to step back, and smirk like the devil. He turned around out of the door as all I can do... was stare at his back.

I was shivering with cold sweat running down my back and my legs felt like jelly. I felt myself falling down, but was caught by someone's arms. I look up at to see Netero looking down at me worried along with Kurapika and Leorio. The last thing I remember was my eyes closing into...the darkness.

I want to apologize again for taking so long to write this chapter. I wanted to take a break for a little while, and I hope you guys can forgive me. Hope you are having a fantastic summer or a fantastic day.

Please be patient once more for the new chapter.

Please review.