A/N: I am sorry for such a late update. My goal was to update on Sundays, but holy writer's block. I liked the way that it turned out tho! The blimp stuff was kind of boring imo, so I decided to spice it up. I would like to thank you all for your continued support!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything!

Ch.4: My feet belong on the ground

I sat down in the room as Pokkle drifted to sleep. There were two mattresses in the small area, and the door had been locked. I watched him with his face against the pillow. He was tired – he had reason to be. Everything that had happened to us was exhausting. I didn't even want to think about what else this exam would put us through.

Pushing a hand through my pink hair, I let out a sigh.

This was all…becoming to be too much for me.

I needed fresh air. I couldn't think in the small room. I wasn't claustrophobic or anything, but the lack of freedom was starting to cause me to become stir crazy.

Standing up from the mattress, I opened the door and stood in front of it as it closed behind me. I raised my eyes to see that Leorio was in front of me. He was walking with his blonde headed companion – Kurapika. "Hiya," I waved a hand at the two of them.

They stopped walking to look at me. Leorio's eyes didn't look away from my face. I felt a little embarrassed. I didn't usually care about perfect hygiene, but with him I wanted to look my best. He was the kind of man that I wanted to dress nicely for. "Kaila!" Leorio greeted with a wave. Kurapika stopped walking, and regarded me with a nod of his head. I brandished a strained smile.

"I…" I spoke, looking down at the ground. I hadn't spoken to them since that incident in the forest. They must have thought that I was the worst person on the face of the planet. "I'm sorry about what happened in the forest. I'm…" I trailed my eyes up to the older teenager. "I'm sorry that you got hurt. You were only trying to help me."

"Looks like everything turned out to be okay, though!" Leorio stated while tapping the top of his head with his hand. I looked at him, biting my bottom lip. I could feel his stare lingering towards my lips. "Are you…Will you be okay with the rest of the exam?" I rose my eyebrows at his insinuation, releasing my teeth from my lip. "Hisoka. He's…He likes you."

A chill went down my spine at the mention of the clown. I wished he would have dropped to his death when he was getting that egg. Unfortunately, fate always loved to fuck and torture me. Kurapika cleared his throat. "You are more than welcome to continue the rest of the exam with our group." I blinked my eyes and couldn't help a genuine smile spread across my face.

"Thanks…" I rubbed the back of my neck. "I would like that…" I shyly met Leorio's eyes. He smiled back, but I watched how his face flushed. I like him – he's not like the others that I've dated in the past. Well, the past month, since…that was all I remembered. I didn't know what kind of nonsense I got myself into the past five years. "I will try to not slow any of you down…" I smirked over at the door behind me. "I can't…say the same for my brother."

Kurapika smiled over at me. "I am sure that we will not be impeded." The blonde headed teen turned to the older one. "I'm going to go into the room right there to rest. I'll catch up with you all later when the blimp lands."

I waved at him while Leorio nodded. Once the younger teen was gone, I took a couple of steps away from the door. I stared at him for a moment, taking advantage of the silence to look him up and down. He had some muscle that was being hidden underneath his suit jacket. His eyes were unfocused, and it seemed like he was in a small daze. I didn't know what he was thinking about – I selfishly hoped that he was thinking about me.

"Are you single?" I asked him. I might be rude, unfiltered, and sometimes unhinged with violent tendencies, but I never lacked courage.

Right now, I needed some good news. I needed something to look forward to through this exam. My eyes and heart were always being drawn to Leorio. He had courage as well. He would be a good fit for me. I hoped that he would be.

I resisted the urge to swallow nervously. Yes, I never lacked courage, but for some reason I was shy and nervous around this man. There was just something about him that made me act like a hormonal teen girl…Even though I was twenty.

"I-I…Well…" Leorio's face reddened as he couldn't stop stuttering. I smiled – that response was so pure. I couldn't help it when my heart skipped a beat in anticipation. "Er…I'm single." I walked closer to him with my hands behind my back. My breasts were almost to his chest. His eyes went down and then back to my face as he tried to contain all of his emotions at one time. "A-Are…You?"

I grinned. "I might be," I spoke, placing my hands on his shoulders. Always play a little hard to get - don't let anyone get your goods for free. Everyone is a queen in their own right. Never settle for less than what you deserve. "Would you prefer if I was?" My lips were right by his ear. He placed his hands on my shoulders and then pulled me away a bit.

The action had been so quick. I blinked in surprise.

Rejected…?

He was clenching his teeth hard, and he let out a long sigh. "I…Want to…So badly…" He insisted. I stared at him – he was talking about making out with me. To possibly have sex with me however many feet in the air we were.

Fuck…Do it Leorio.

Come on and give in and take me.

Please, I'm going mad. I need something stable. I need some fucking comfort because I'm losing my nerves every second that passes.

"But, I have to remain focused on the rest of the exam." He clapped his hands in front of him, bringing them off my body. I missed the space where they were already, as the area was becoming cold from the air conditioning of the blimp.

Even though I was an independent and resilient woman – I wanted comfort. Shit, didn't I deserve something? There was all risk and no reward for this damn exam. "Please. Let's continue this when the exam ends and we both pass."

He was praying for me to say yes. I let out an exhausted breath and then placed my hands on his. He looked up at me. Our eyes locked together and I let out a short, understanding smile. It was forced. I was angry – but I was good at hiding my emotions where it counted. I didn't want to ruin anything with him, but my rage was tearing my up on the inside.

I wanted…I wanted to hit something.

"Okay. I'll be waiting, then," I responded to him. Leorio smiled back over at me before sighing in relief.

"I-I swear I'll be looking forward to it!" Leorio insisted, walking away from me. My hands fell to my sides and I watched as he approached the room that Kurapika entered. He gave me a smile that was melting my heart. "Goodnight, Kaila."

"Goodnight, Leorio," I answered back. The door closed behind him, and I was standing alone in the hallway. "What the fuck…" I ran a hand through my hair and looked at the time. It was ten at night and I shook my head. "Alcohol…Is there any alcohol on this fucking blimp…?" I muttered, lightly walking away from the dorm rooms as I traveled down the hallway.

I had been rejected – or, was the correct term 'saved for later'?

My eyes narrowed at that thought – what was I…a fucking snack?

I blinked my eyes at that before shaking my head. I kept walking down the hallway until I reached a banquet room. There weren't many people around the area at this time of night. My eyes scanned the table that was littered with food and desserts. Located at the end of the long table were a few alcohol bottles. Pursing my lips, I practically jogged over to it while reaching my hand towards them. A smile appeared on my lips, and I could practically imagine the sweet taste of forgetfulness and fun going down my throat.

That entire encounter where Leorio decided to play with my innocent, advances was pulling at my mind. I needed a drink – I guess I was looking for too high of a reward here. Alcohol would be sufficient enough. At least alcohol was the only thing stable in this fucked up life of mine.

My journey towards the bottles were stopped prematurely when they were thrown forefully across the room. I stopped my advancement. My hand lingered in the air and then looked over towards the end of the room. They had been smashed to pieces, and the alcohol had been stained on the walls. Lowering my eyes, I could see that the rest of the liquid was on the floor. The ground was greedily absorbing what rightfully should have been my delicious treat.

Seriously…?

Rejected by the alcohol bottles as well?

My night was going from shit to a shit storm at an exponential pace.

"What the fuck!" I yelled, angrily looking around the room. The small amount of people that were in the room all looked behind me. One of them raised a finger while slowly backing away. He stumbled over his own two feet and fell harshly on the ground. Turning my head around, I saw a white clothed chest standing directly behind me. My eyes widened as I realized who this was – "Hisoka…!" I quickly went to get away from him but his hand latched onto my wrist.

He pulled me towards him just as I took a step to the side. My feet skidded against the floor, and I angrily looked up at him. "How lovely to see you, Kaila," he welcomed, but I felt more unwelcomed just by standing in his presence. "Couldn't sleep?" He questioned, a purr in his voice. He tilted his head to the side and looked down at me – examining me. A knowing smile on his lips. I stared into his yellow eyes and then reclaimed my wrist as I pulled it roughly out of his grasp.

Creepy mother fucker – can't he leave me alone?

His hand was frozen in the spot where he had previously gripped my arm. "What's your problem?" I stared at him, bringing my arm to my chest. I could practically feel his sharp nails, which felt more like the talons of a predator, piercing into my skin with the grip that he had. I didn't look away from him – I kept my eyes glued into his.

Didn't he cut those things?

"To which problem are you referring?" He argued, the smile turning into a smirk.

Oh…He wanted to play dumb. That was fine, I wasn't going to play his sick game. I was too tired and too drained to even participate in whatever bull-shit-ter-y he was trying to do.

"You know what?" I shook my head. "I don't care. Leave me alone," I went to walk away. I managed to take three steps before I felt a tug. Strangely enough, it was coming from the wrist that he had grabbed. My arm flew out behind me, and I let out a growl. Hisoka had an eyebrow raised as he continued to look at me. "Let. Me. Go," I ordered.

Hisoka lost all trace of amusement on his face. I stared at him, but my intense anger disappeared. Instead, a shiver found its way up my spine as he started to walk towards me. The clown was a good intimidating height above me. I felt myself struggling to breathe as his hand touched my shoulder. "Didn't I say…" He trailed, and I tugged at the invisible thing holding my wrist hostage in the air. "To stay away from him?"

I forced my rising fear away. Once again I tried to pull my arm, but found that it was stuck in place in the air behind me. It felt like something was wrapped around it – something that I couldn't see. "I don't have to listen to you!" I pulled my arm again with anger as my eyes started to water. I shook my head roughly, bringing that panic back where it came from.

I wouldn't cry in front of him – you're stronger than this, Kaila.

Damn it, stop being so fucking weak!

"Let me go, Hisoka," I borderline growled out. "I know that you're somehow doing this!"

His fingers dug into my shoulder. I stopped moving as I could feel them piercing my skin through the thin cloth of tank top. I froze as I slowly looked at the ground. "What was the alcohol for? Hoping to drown away your sorrows…?" His voice still held that amusing tone to it. But, it was quieter as he lowered his head to my ear. "I can drown them away for you," my eyes widened at the insinuation.

Yes, I felt unsafe near Hisoka, but it never seemed like he actually wanted something sexual from me. I resumed my struggle as I pulled my arm. I couldn't help the tears that were falling down my face now. I pulled and pulled.

He stood there and watched me. A grin of pleasure spreading across his face. I let out a small scream of frustration as I slumped my body forward. My hair was hiding my face from him. His fingers removed themselves from my shoulder as he took a step to look at me from the front. "Kaila…You don't have to be scared. But…If you are then…" I could feel his hand reach out towards me. My entire body flared to life as I could almost feel the heat from his hand linger in the air around me. "Let me see your scared face. Don't keep it hidden from me…"

I snapped my head up, feeling a sudden rush of anger and rage. "Let me go," I said, my voice taking a darker tone to it. Almost as though it weren't mine. Hisoka looked into my eyes, his hand frozen in the air. His eyes seemed surprised as they widened a minuscule amount. The room also had a tint of white to it. The lights looked to be too bright – but I summed that up to my watery eyes.

There was a large cracking sound, and my wrist was freed from its invisible trap. It fell to my side as though it were never trapped to begin with. Hisoka looked at the ground and then over at me. "You're truly going to be worth the wait…" He smirked. "My precious, Kaila." He stared at me for a few seconds more. I never wiped away my glare, and he walked around the table and down a hallway. He didn't turn to look at me again.

He's gone…

I let out a sigh of relief and fell to my knees. My entire body was trembling from the fear and panic that was now overwhelming me. I had kept them at bay for only so long until they flooded forward. My hands went behind me, and my fingers brushed against something that felt like glass. I quickly placed my hand to the front of me, hoping that I didn't cut myself. I looked behind me to see that there were small shards of pink and white.

"What…the actual…fuck?" I whispered under my breath. I took one of the shards, knowing that they weren't there before. Bringing the shard up to my face, I tilted my head as I twirled it around in my hand. It seemed translucent, as though it were composed out of glass.

It's not glass. It's something else.

"What is this?" I spoke to myself. I wasn't expecting an answer.

"Hey, is there anyone in here?" One of the examiner's called out. I raised my head to peer over the table at an entranceway. It was the green haired bitch who said that my food was trash. I rolled my eyes as I stood up, pocketing the large shard in the pocket of my pants. "Oh, it's you," her tone was dry.

Yeah, pretty thrilled to see you, too. The feel is very mutual.

"What are you doing in here?" The green haired examiner placed her hands on her hips.

I shrugged. "Thought I'd try to sharpen my culinary skills after you said my cooking was trash."

"You think they weren't?" She argued.

"You didn't have to be rude about it."

"I was a judge. It was my job to be rude."

"Yeah…" I rolled my eyes again. Damn, I really couldn't argue with that. "Okay. You have a point…but I don't like you." She smiled before walking over to where I was and her eyes widened. "What…" I spoke, looking down at the ground at the shards that were around the ground. "What?"

She was silent for a moment. As if she was trying to collect her thoughts. It didn't seem like she did a lot of thinking in the green haired head of hers to begin with. "I…What happened in here?"

The way she was reacting told me that this wasn't normal. She was a hunter. She must have seen some shit. Not to mention, she was also strong. She seemed a little terrified by what was on the ground. "What does it…look like...?" I didn't want to give her any answers. I wanted her to give me some.

"I…" The examiner was at a loss for words. Then, the shards started to let out a loud, high pitched hissing sound. We both covered our ears. She stumbled backwards while I fell to a knee. I groaned out in pain while her eyes were wide. The shards turned to ash in front of us before disappearing into the ground. The hissing disappeared just as the shards did.

Maybe Hisoka did have some sort of magic…Or, maybe I was the one that somehow did it?

She was silent. I stared at her and then at the ground as I got up to my knees. There was an uncomfortable silence between the two of us. I cleared my throat. "So, are you going to explain what just happened?" I asked, looking at her for answers. She shook her head and didn't want to approach the area. "You should ask Hisoka. He cornered me and then this…" I looked at the ground. "Whatever the hell this was happened." I waved my hand around in the air. "I think you should disqualify him. You know, between the two of us."

My body started to tremble in fear at just thinking of the man. "I'll have to confer with the council. That, and review the footage." She spoke, her eyes landing on the ceiling corner of the room. I turned around and followed her gaze to find a barely noticeable red light.

"What the fuck…you people are watching us?" I turned my head back around to look at the examiner. "Not very cool of you," I crossed my arms with a glare.

"For safety reasons," she reasoned. She stared at the ground once more before walking out of the room. "Also, I think that you could be a good Gourmet Hunter one day if you put in the effort." I watched as she walked out of the room before I flicked her off. Then, I looked over at the camera and flicked whoever was watching off, too.

I walked down the hallway and pulled out the shard that hadn't disappeared from my pocket. I continued to stare at it almost in a trance. It was a larger piece, and I continued to look at it as I lingered outside of the dorm that Pokkle and I shared. There was a dark mass behind me from the shard. I turned it to the side of me to see a naked body behind me. Directly behind me. It looked male. I panned my eyes up to see that where the head was supposed to be…it was missing.

It didn't move – it just kept standing directly behind me.

The head wasn't severed. It didn't look like it had been cut off.

It was just…gone.

Like it never existed.

I dropped the shard as my hands trembled suddenly. The moment that it left my hand, it let out a high pitched hiss before disappearing into the floor. I covered my ears and stared wide eyed at the ground. I looked behind me to not find anyone or anything. Placing my hands on the back of my neck, I felt unnerved – I felt as though it was there. It was still behind me, almost a part of me, and I couldn't see it.

I started to shake and quickly ran towards the door before locking it tightly behind me. My back was against the door – but I could almost feel the other thing's presence.

It was right behind me.

In a spot that I couldn't see. In a place where I couldn't fight it. It was watching me. It was examining me. It was attached to me.

Was it a part of me?

What did it want?

I started to breathe in deeply before shakily exhaling.

"Pok-Pok-Pok!" I yelled, practically jumping on his mattress. I shook his shoulder violently with my hand. "Pok!" I whispered in his ear. He came to his senses and looked over at my face with a glare. "Pok, I'm haunted. I have a ghost. I have a fucking ghost!"

Pokkle stared at me. Looked me in the face. "How much did you drink tonight?" He turned around, facing away from me. I took a moment as I was kneeling on his mattress. It did sound crazy – it sounded almost drug induced. "Go to sleep. I don't know how much rest we'll be getting…" He muttered out. I continued to stare at him and continued my breathing.

I stood up from his mattress and walked over to my own as I slumped on it. I pulled my knees up to my chest and shakily breathed. "He doesn't have a head. He's right behind me…" My voice was barely above a whisper.

"You're creeping me out!" Pokkle complained. He let out a heavy sigh but didn't move to turn around. I continued to tremble. I heard his steady breathing as I looked over my shoulder. I kept thinking that I would see him – the thing – whatever the fuck it was. I felt as though I could feel breathing on my neck. From where the head was supposed to be.

I curled myself into a ball and closed my eyes tightly.

I was scared – I didn't know what I was feeling.

I felt my body become hotter, almost as if it were becoming alive. I could feel a hand lightly brush against my forehead. Was it him? Was it his ghost hand? I held in a shuddering gasp.

Sleep, Kaila. Sleep and forget.

I woke up the next morning and rubbed my eyes sleepily. I had a good sleep – almost as though I didn't have a care in the world. Pokkle was already up and was staring at me. He held a pillow in his arms. Scratching the back of my head I narrowed my eyes. "Way to be a creep and watch me while I sleep…" I muttered out, turning away from him with irritation. I started to get my things, and ready myself for the rest of the exam.

"Do you remember what you said to me last night?" Pokkle asked, staring at me. I stared back at him as I placed the strap over my shoulder. The uncomfortable weight of the quiver with the arrows resting on my back. "You know I hate scary things! Why would you say something like that to me?" He stood up, almost angrily as he glowered down at me.

"First off…" I placed a hand up. "You're moody as all hell this morning. Check yourself before you wreck yourself…" I stood up as well. I wasn't going to be talked down to by my little brother. "Second off – I don't know what you're talking about."

Pokkle let out a sigh. He placed a hand on his head. "Headless man ghost right behind you…?" He trailed, looking at my face for any signs of recollection.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What?" I deadpanned. I then waved him off. "Are you sure that you weren't drinking last night?"

"Wha-? N-No! I asked you if you were!" Pokkle defended.

I rolled my eyes in response. "Sounds fake but okay," I shrugged, about to head out the door. He placed a hand on my shoulder. "Pok, the only thing I remember was coming to the room and sleeping after we had dinner together…" I turned to look at him. "Are you sure you didn't dream this?"

Pokkle removed his hand. I saw conflicting emotions on his face. I raised an eyebrow at that. It looked like he wanted to argue some more. "I…I might have…" He looked at the ground.

"Glad that settles that…" I said sarcastically. I looked back to see that his eyes were narrowed at the ground. "Let's head out. We don't want to be late for the next trial." I placed my hand on the doorknob and headed outside. I turned my head to see Leorio and Kurapika head out of their room. "Leorio, Kurapika!" I waved over to them.

"Good morning, Kaila," Kurapika spoke, nodding his head in greeting.

I smiled. "I didn't know the two of you were staying in the room next to us," I waved over at them. Leorio and Kurapika were both confused. "Let's all do our best today!" I turned on my heels and started to walk down the hallway.

"Kaila…Did you want to stay with our group for the rest of the exam?" Kurapika asked. I looked over at them with a raised eyebrow. I was now looking at him with confusion. "We spoke about it last night?" Leorio looked between Kurapika and me.

"Last night…?" I looked at Pokkle and then the other two teens. "I…don't remember talking to the two of you last night."

Pokkle let out a loud sigh. "Sorry. She's very forgetful sometimes!" He placed both hands on my shoulders. He continued to march me forward. "Don't mind her. It's been happening since we were kids!"

I didn't have any more time to argue before I glared over at him. "What the hell, Pok!" I crossed my arms. We were too far away for me to talk to Leorio. He was the only pretty thing to look at on this entire blimp. "I happened to like talking to one of those guys!"

"We have an exam to focus on, Kai. Why don't we do that and you can worry about boys later?"

I huffed in anger. "Leorio isn't a boy – he's a man."

Pokkle placed his hands up to his ears. "I am not hearing my sister's love life!"

To be continued…