Hello everyone. I'm finally back and I am finally updating this story. I know that a lot of readers are eager, so I won't waste anytime.
Hope you enjoy!
Swift footsteps echoed across the hall, the soles barely touching the floor before leaving it once again. Sakura rushed through the airship, around the corners, passed several doors. Her eyes focused straight ahead. Knowing she was heading back towards the benches where she was with Gon Killua a few hours ago. She knew that she didn't have much time, but she wanted to stop the unnecessary.
'Where are you?'
Gon and Killua; who had accepted Netero's proposal of winning a game against him in order to get their Hunter's license early; were taken to Netero told Gon and Killua, that if the succeeded it taking the ball he held from him; promising not to attack the boys when they attempted. Given that there were nine hours before the airship would land at its destination; the boys were feeling confident. Unaware that the proposal Netero had made was merely for his own entertainment purposes until they had to depart.
Killua stared, feeling animosity towards Netero, thinking he believed the young boy as weak. Killlua began, with a special step that made him multiple as he walked, surrounding Netero with afterimages. Netero recognized it as an assassination technique, Rhythm echo. After his first attack, Killua went full force for the ball, however Netero was faster. It became clear that he was also stronger than he appeared when Killua attempted to stop his movements all together by going for his pivot leg.
After Killua tagged him, Gon entered with a quick spring in his step but it was a bit too much, when he leapt into the air and hit his head on the ceiling. Although it became clear to Netero, despite Gon's demeanor, he was using his head.
After some time, when Gon and Killua weren't getting anywhere attacking one at a time, they decided to work together in an effort to capture the ball. Even so, their efforts were still appearing futile. Gon went for a change of pace, increasing his range of attack by using his shoes to increase his range, surprising Netero and Killua followed in example. Even when they thought their chances had increased, Netero managed to counter their somewhat unorthodox methods.
Killua, growing more frustrated, he decided to walk away despite Gon's protests. Killua pointed out to Gon that it wasn't possible to get the ball from Netero, because despite their efforts the man had hardly used his right hand and left leg. Gon did know that and his aim hadn't been the ball, but rather to get Netero to use his right hand or left leg.
After wishing Gon luck, Killua left the room. As he made his way through the airship, his flames of rage still hadn't been extinguished. He knocked into two applicants passing his way, #390 and #391. Ignoring the men when they called after him, had the two running after Killua but the instant their hands fell on Killua, everything was finished in an instant.
Killua then walked away from the two dead bodies that lay scattered in the airship lifeless. With a smile on his face, as his bloodlust diminished slowly.
After reading that section, Sakura had gone in search for the boy. She made her way back down the passageway she had been in a few hours ago and caught sight of Killua when she turned a corner, walking passed two applicants with the numbers she had read in the book.
Killua had just bumped into them and they stopped, turning around to call the boy.
"Hey."
"Wait up kid."
Killua paid no heed to them, he kept walking and that only agitated the men further, who did not realize the danger they were in, but Sakura knew. She could feel Killua was on the verge of unleashing his bloodlust.
"You bump into us, then ignore us?"
"Bastard!"
Before the two could run after Killua, Sakura came up behind the two. She raised her arms, keeping her hands straight before chopping down on the back of their heads and necks, knocking them unconscious.
Sighing as she watched the two fall to the ground with no grace, Sakura looked back up to Killua who had stopped walking but didn't turn to acknowledge her presence.
"Killua." Sakura called.
"What are you doing, Sakura?" the boy asked, although is voice sounded tightly edged and Sakura knew that he was dangerously agitated because she had intervened.
Walking slowly up to Killua, Sakura rested her hands on his shoulders. "Come with me."
The shower head turned on high, but there was no steam because the only water running through was cold. Killua was made aware of that when Sakura shoved him under and held him there. He didn't have the strength to compete with Sakura's but the water hitting his bare torso and sinking into his shorts didn't make for the most comfortable experience.
"What the hell!?" Killua spluttered, shaking his head.
"You need to calm down and this'll hopefully cool you off." Sakura told him, "You were about to kill those two."
"Yeah, so what?" Killua shot back, grabbing a hold of Sakura's arms.
"I know that you're an assassin Killua, but that doesn't mean you can take lives for your own selfish reasons."
"That's exactly what it means!" Killua argued back.
"Assassins are professional killers; it's a job not a hobby. You told Gon and I that you were finished with being an assassin. So what's the point in killing those two?"
"Because they annoyed me!"
"Well as long as I'm here, you're not going to kill people who don't deserve it."
Killua growled angrily, "WHY DO YOU EVEN CARE?"
Sakura winced as she felt a sharp pain, her skin breaking as it was pierced with something sharp. Looking down, Sakura saw that Killua's hands had changed, there were visible veins as if he was straining himself and his fingernails had become sharp, like claws.
"Killua…." Sakura's voice grew soft and the boy grew still when he saw the wounds he had inflicted on the pinkette. He quickly withdrew his nails and his hand returned to the way it was before.
The only noise heard was the spray of water from the shower, while Sakura and Killua remained, still, taking shallow breaths.
Finally, Sakura moved forward, wrapping her arms around the boy's shoulders. The cold water sprayed over her body, wetting her hair and clothes.
"Why?" Killua asked.
"Because I'm your friend."
A heavy wind blew over Sakura's form causing her to shiver; nothing unexpected though. Winds were usually strongest on high places and right now she was really high. That morning; a few minutes passed the deadline, there was an announcement that woke the entire ship. Telling all of the exam applicants to get ready as they would be arriving at their destination. The airship landed in the middle of a very large tower; that stood on top of an even larger rocky structure. The airship would appear as a small speck from above compared to the tower.
Sakura looked around as everyone started gathering out of the airship. She caught sight of Gon, Killua, Leorio and Kurapika before averting her eyes and walking a little ways into the group to avoid them. Last night still fresh in her mind. Not only did she have a falling out with Kurapika but then she had to make a spectacle with Killua. It was then Sakura decided, she would keep herself at an arms-length from the group. Close enough to observe, but not so close that she interacted with them anymore.
Once all the applicants were outside of the airship, Beans made an announcement, "Everyone, the Exam's Third Phase will begin here, at the top of Trick Tower. To pass the phase, you must reach the tower's base alive. The time limit is seventy two hours." Beans held up his hands in front of him, "With that we will now begin the Third Phase."
Sakura's sweat dropped, 'Get down this thing? Is the Hunter Exam meant to tempt people to commit suicide?'
After the announcement, Beans returned to the airship and it took off; leaving the exam applicants stranded as it flew away into the distance.
'Great.' Sakura sighed; she knew from experience that the phases were only going to become more and more challenging.
Analyzing the structure of the tower, given its size and length Sakura had the sneaking suspicion that they weren't meant to climb down this tower from the outside. However, there weren't any visible doors or entrances that would lead inside the tower either.
'Unless of course, they're hidden.' She thought, crossing her arms as she glanced around. She found it common to hide the obvious right in front of a person so that they would miss it. Then she saw Gon and his friends standing at the edge of the tower, looking down. Gon was on his knees peering over. They wouldn't honestly consider climbing down right?
'No one would be that stupid,'
Just then; another applicant appeared behind them; a burly man, with the tag 86 on his chest; he said something to the group she couldn't hear. Then he moved to the end of the tower, lowering himself without a hint of hesitance or fear. The five were leaning down, obviously watching him. The Tower was practically a straight wall, the structure would be extremely difficult to climb down and with the length it would also take time and stamina. Although; Sakura knew all she had was coat the soles of her feet with chakra and walk down; or perhaps just run to save time.
'I still don't think that's the point of this phase,'
"AAAAAHHHHHHH"
Screaming caught Sakura's attention; her head snapped back to the group with Gon before running over to them when she realized that's where the scream had come from. She came next to the five, panting softly.
"What's going-
"AAAAHH,"
Sakura was cut off, as everyone's forms were engulfed by four large shadows. When looking up, they were able to see the cause of them. These odd creatures, with thin wings able to hold up their bulking bodies but they were not pigeons; that was for certain. They were far lager in size, easily able to carry one or two people in their talons and had wide mouths with razor sharp fangs. Sakura fell to her knees clutching her head as the beasts let out an ear piercing call before flying away. The reason they flew away; one of them had captured an applicant in its jaws; the one who had wanted to climb down the tower.
"Guess we can't climb down the side…" Leorio trailed, clutching his patterned briefcase.
Now Sakura was certain that they weren't meant to climb down from the outside; if they attempted, then those creatures would be having them for lunch.
'So the only other way, is from the inside.' Sakura thought, keeping her eyes on the beasts that were still flying away with the poor applicant; they had gotten so far his cries were nonexistent.
"Hey," Killua called, tapping Sakura on her shoulder which gave her a jolt. "Where you been?"
Turning back to the boy, she finally realized in her haste where she had gone. She had finding it a little difficult to look him in the eye right now. "Hey Killua."
Gon waved at her, "Hey Sakura,"
She smiled back at the spikey haired boy, "Gon; how'd the game go last night?"
Although she already knew the results, right now the only ones she was really comfortable making conversation with at this point was Gon and Leorio.
"It was fun! We couldn't get the ball though."
Chuckling Sakura stood up; she glanced over at Leorio and Kurapika. Giving Leorio a wave, but averting her eyes from the Kurta. Kurapika didn't make any notion to speak to her either.
"Anyone have any ideas as to how we're going to get down here?" asked Leorio.
Sakura crossed her arms, "I kind of figured, a tower this big has to have some kind of entrance that will lead to the bottom."
"But there aren't any doors." Leorio said,
"You mean there aren't any visible doors," Kurapika corrected.
Killua narrowed his eyes, "Meaning the doors are invisible?"
"Something like that; chances are there might be some kind of hidden entrance somewhere along the top of this tower." Sakura told them.
"I say; we split up and fan out to find an exit." Kurapika suggested.
No one argued with the arrangement, moving away from the edge of the tower, the first being Sakura and Kurapika making sure to move in opposite directions to each other. Leorio followed after Kurapika and Gon and Killua went after Sakura-though she had honestly hoped they would've gone another way.
"Let's start looking," Sakura said, tapping her foot on a few of the blocks; "I'm thinking; since the airship landed in the middle of the tower; it's less likely that there will be any way into the tower there."
Killua and Gon nodded; they followed Sakura's example; the three kept in a straight line while walking to tap their foot on each of the stone slabs.
Nearly thirty minutes passed of the three constantly walking along the tower, with little luck. Patience turned out to be-not the strongest virtue of either three. Sakura looked up from her feet, sighing softly before she glanced around the area; she frowned.
"There's less people now," Sakura said to the boys.
"What?" Killua asked looking up as well.
Pointing around, Sakura started counting the number, "There's only twenty seven here."
Gon started looking around, he saw an applicant who was crouching down on the floor; then the stone beneath him flipped; taking him down and then returning to its original place. He pointed in the direction for Sakura and Killua.
"Hey; I saw someone use a trap door!" He exclaimed running over, with Sakura and Killua not too far behind him. Gon touched the stone slab where he had seen the applicant disappear.
"This is it," he said, tapping the door but frowned when nothing happened. "It's not opening-I don't get it-I saw someone fall through it."
Sakura pressed on the door (no chakra) but the trap door didn't move. "I think this means we can't go through a door that's already been used; we need to keep looking."
Gon and Killua groaned; standing up. Sakura stayed down though, she trailed her fingers along the ends of the stone; it was rectangular and judging by its size it would only fit one person at a time. What if there were a limited amount of these doors?
"We need to look for the floors shaped like this," Sakura pointed to the tile again,
"Alright,"
"Yeah; though shouldn't we tell Leorio and Kurapika about this?" asked Gon
Killua and Sakura frowned at the prospect, for different reasons.
"We can tell them after we find some doors." Sakura said standing up.
With a better idea of what they were looking for, Sakura, Gon and Killua resumed their search. The slabs that made up the floor of the tower was shaped differently and now they knew what kind of shape to look out for. In ten minutes they were able to find a total of five doors; all standing closely together. That factor alone put Sakura off.
"I suppose we'll each have to take a door." Killua observed.
"Okay we found one for each of us; let's call the others." Gon said, starting to look out for Kurapika and Leorio. They weren't too far from him and within hearing distance when Gon called for them.
Sakura turned away when she saw the two heading towards them.
"What is it Gon?" asked Kurapika.
Kneeling down, Gon pointed to the stone floor, "We found some hidden doors."
To prove it, he pushed down on and the stone moved with a soft clinking noise.
"I see, so we can descend by flipping the stones." Kurapika observed, hand holding his chin in thought.
Leorio patted Gon on his shoulder, "Great job Gon, now let's head down."
"There's just one thing," Sakura interjected, turning back to face them "We actually found five doors,"
Gon nodded and started pointing in several directions, "Here, there, over there and over there as well."
"Five hidden doors; located in the same area, seems suspicious; some could be traps." Kurapika said, holding his chin in thought.
Sakura couldn't help but scoff; although she had the same belief. She preferred not to have a common idea with the Kurta boy now. "Well if you're so suspicious, you could always go looking for another hidden door."
Kurapika glared back at Sakura, which she returned. Leorio, Killua and Gon took a step back.
Leaning down towards the boys, Leorio whispered to them a question "What was that about?"
"I have no idea." Killua shrugged. "Oh and we also found that each door can only be used once. When we tried using a door someone else had used, it wouldn't budge."
Turning away from the pinkette, Kurapika went back into thought; "And judging by the door's size only one person can fit at a time."
"We'll each have to take one door," Sakura finished, moving across until she was standing in front of one of the stones she knew was a door.
"What about the traps?" Leorio asked,
"Well there's actually no guarantee there are traps," Kurapika clarified, "It was just a theory."
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Too bad you can't question it huh?" the question had earned another hard glare from the blonde.
"Well; the three of us are gonna choose a door." Killua said, deciding to ignore the tension and Gon did the same; though it wasn't so much choice as it was obliviousness.
"No hard feelings if one of us springs a trap; what are you guys gonna do?" Gon asked
Leorio smirked, hand on his hip "I can live with that. Luck is part of the game…"
The pinkette groaned then, if anything with her luck she'll be the one to spring a trap.
"I have no objection; it's better than staying up here." Kurapika said, stepping to the side in front of one of the doors. Leorio moved a little ways next to him in front of another; Gon and Killua did the same, both were standing on either side of Sakura.
Leorio suggested they go on the count of three; after saying their goodbyes they counted down from three; and on one jumped on their doors. The stones automatically flipped with their additional weight; dropping them into the floor.
The fall was shorter than Sakura expected only lasting a few seconds before her feet touched the ground in a graceful landing and given the length of the tower, she had a feeling there was still quite a ways to go before getting to the bottom of it. She found herself in a small, square room with seemingly no exit and only a small white pillar stand with a board pasted on top with some writing on it. Though she didn't read it; because Sakura was focused on another matter….that being Gon, Killua, Leorio and Kurapika who had also fallen in the room with her.
"So all the doors led to the same room…." Leorio deadpanned, sitting up properly after landing flat on his face.
Sakura sighed, standing up as well. "It's better than a trap right?"
Gon stood up and walked over to the stand with the post board pasted on the wall and read; "The five of you, must follow the will of majority to reach the goal"
"That explains why the doors were set so closely together," Sakura said.
"Look," Gon pointed to the stand, five silver wrist watches sat on top, neatly assorted. "There are five stop watches."
Everyone took one, on closer inspection they found that there was a digital time of 71 hours and at the bottom of the time, two buttons marked X and O.
"Now how do we get out of here?" asked Leorio, putting on his wrist watch; however he was the last one to place it on and after there was a rumbling noise that caught everyone's attention. Their eyes fell on one of the brick walls that started to shift, a single rectangular peace moving up and revealing a metal door with no handle. Only another message pasted with two small screens showing X and O again.
"So it opens when we all put on the stop watches," Kurapika noted.
A voice then echoed through the room, the way it travelled in a mechanical manner already told the group that it wasn't anyone physically in the room. They spotted a small square box, with a speaker on the top of one of the walls and realized there was a monitor.
"That's right,"
"Who's there!?" yelled Leorio.
"My name is Lippo. I am the prison warden here, as well as the Third Phase examiner." Everyone's eyes now remained on the monitor. "Multiple routes through this tower have been prepared. You have chosen the path of majority rule. Cooperation will be key, if you wish to clear this path of the exam phase. One person's selfish behavior can derail an entire group. Best of luck lady and gentlemen!"
There was a second of static before the monitor went silent; although the five were now aware they were being watched.
"Good thing there are five of us here already," Leorio said stepping over to the door.
"Yeah, who knows how long we might've had to wait for other people to come dropping in," Killua said.
Sakura stopped in her tracks, if there was supposed to in actual fact be five people who had to take on the path of majority and she was one of them; being a factor that wasn't meant to exist in this world; then whose place did she just take?
"Sakura!" Gon called, snapping the pinkette out of her thoughts, when she looked up she saw that everyone had turned to her.
"Uh, sorry you say something?"
Killua frowned and pointed to the door; "Yeah, we're waiting for you to cast your vote! O to open and X to not!"
Flustered, Sakura quickly pressed the O button and the opened; Sakura watched as the door slid to the side.
"Come on; keep your head on straight. We have to work together here." Leorio reminded her
"Sorry," Sakura muttered again, walking through the exit after the other males.
The door however, lead to another room with bars blocking the paths on both sides and another question standing in front of them. This one asking which way they wanted to go; O for right. X for Left. All five glanced from one side to another; before casting there vote without turning to the next person to make a decision. There were two votes to go left and three to go right. Leorio looked t the group in disbelief.
"Why would you choose to go right?" Leorio looked around at the group, being the tallest, he was able to overlook all of them. "Normally, you'd go left."
"That is true." Kurapika agreed, "Studies have shown that people lost or stuck at forks unconsciously tend to go left."
"I heard that too," said Killua
"If the examiner knew about the statistics, I'm sure he would've made the left part harder." Sakura explained, before walking away down the Right path that was now open; followed by the rest of the group.
They continued to make their way through the path, no one making any effort to start up a conversation. It was a few minutes and there were no unwanted surprises by far other than a few turns. The five were forced to a stop when their path came to an end, entering on one side of a room, much larger than the previous one. There was no floor beyond that point, the bottom was an endless fall of darkness; except for a cube base in the middle of the room, four torches lit on both corners with a monitor attached to one of the sides.
"What is this place?" Leorio asked
Killua pointed in front of them, right across from the room, pass the platform; there were five figures. Four stood in front, while the other sat way at the back of the other side. They stood with their arms in front of them, hands visibly restrained by thick metal cuffs.
A gruff voice then came from one of the figures, "The applicants have arrived. Remove the shackles."
On command, the cuffs came undone. Hitting the floor hard, in pieces. Large hands rubbed each wrist, before reaching up for the hood of the cloak and drawing it back.
"Jeez,"
Stepping into the lit part of the room, revealed a large bulky man with tan skin, a bald head with scars following around it; he smirked at the five exam applicants.
"I'm finally free."
While everyone simply stared back with unchanging expressions, Leorio swallowed hard enough for them to hear on both sides of the room.
Then, their current examiner; Lippo's voice echoed through the room. "Lady and gentlemen, allow me to explain. Here before you, are some of Trick Tower's prisoners."
Everyone visibly reacted, with the slightest of movements in their postures as Lippo continued speaking.
"The Hunter Exam Committee has also officially hired them as examiners. You will be fighting against the five of them. The fight will be one-on-one. Each person can only fight once and you are free to use any method you like. There will be no draws. A win is declared when someone admits defeat."
Then the male prisoner spoke, "Its majority rule." He then held up three fingers "So secure three wins, and you may pass."
Leorio scoffed, hands on his hips, unhappy about having to use the majority rule again; and Killua preferring straightforward rules.
Then Lippo chided in once again, "The actual fights won't be that simple though. The prisoner's sentences will be reduced by one year, for every hour they delay the applicants."
"Nice incentive," Sakura said, her arms crossed. The applicants were on a time limit; their goal was to reach the base of the tower before that time ran out and the prisoners here in the tower were meant to make obtaining that goal hard. By pitting two opposing goals against each other; with both party's having their own motives for fighting against each other.
"Okay, I'm up first," the first prisoner who had spoken, was a man known as Bendot. He was sentenced for 199 years, crime robbery and murder. Gon and the others were unaware of this however and Sakura was yet to find the opportunity to check her book. "Choose your combatant."
"What should we do? He said we can fight using any method." Killua said.
"That might not just pertain to actual fighting," Sakura told them.
Leorio frowned "We don't know what they'll try to pull…"
"There's too much at stake, not knowing what they have up their sleeves." Added Kurpika. "Given that, I'll go."
Sakura quickly interjected, holding her arm out. "Let me go."
Kurapika, Leorio, Gon and Killua stared at Sakura; surprised by the pinkettes declaration. There wasn't a hint of fear on her face as she stepped forward, her back now facing the four.
"Sakura…." Gon called
"You sure about this?" Killua asked with his hands behind his head.
Sakura nodded with certainty.
"Are you nuts?!" screeched Leorio, his hands shaking, he then turned to the rest of the group. "Seriously; we're gonna send her out first?"
Brow twitching with annoyance at the insult, Sakura did her best to maintain her composure. She could not afford to injure him before it was hit turn to step into the ring.
"Based simply on appearances; it doesn't look like your chances of winning will be good if it's a fight." Kurapika said honestly; he wondered what exactly she was thinking.
"Don't be so quick to assume then," Sakura snapped back, glaring at the four "I'm a lot more versatile than you think. Besides, with all those doubts you have about me wouldn't it make sense for me to go first?"
Gon and Killua pulled their faces when Sakura mentioned doubts; as if she was referring to another matter entirely from what they initially thought.
"I'm still against this," Leorio said,
"Use the expression Ladies first then," Sakura hissed through clenched teeth; she couldn't' do anything until they voted.
"No one uses the expressions; Ladies first-to their deaths!" Leorio yelled.
"Alright enough," Kurapika cut him off, "Let's just agree to this first match."
Everyone turned to the Kurta, including Sakura.
"Kurapika!?" Leorio glared at blonde, "What are you-
"If she has that much confidence in her abilities, then we should just let her be." he said, crossing his arms "It'll do us no good to keep bickering about it with time running out."
Leorio leaned back; "That's true but still…."
"Okay, I'll vote for Sakura." Killua said, lifting his arm to view his stop watch to press the button.
"Me too." Gon said pressing his button as well, along with Kurapika.
Leorio was still grumbling but pressed in agreement nonetheless. Straight after; a solid structure began extending from both ends of the edges where the prisoners and applicants stood; leading to the center platform. Sakura didn't turn back as she stepped forward, Bendot did the same.
"Do your best Sakura!" Gon called from behind her.
Sakura smiled a little; he had a kind of ecstatic behavior that reminded her of Naruto. Since she couldn't avoid them like she had planned; her only other option was to ensure that they made it through this exam despite her interference.
Bendot placed his hands on his hips, standing firmly. "I didn't expect you to be the brave one of the lot. Now for the method of the match. I propose a death match."
Sakura didn't flinch; despite what he said there was still what the examiner had told her. That you would win when your opponent admitted defeat.
"Alright." Sakura shifted her foot to broaden her stance slightly.
The pinkette glanced behind her at the rest of her group; this exam certainly didn't make it easy for her to hide her abilities.
'Doesn't matter. If they don't pass; if this story goes to hell because of me….I don't know how I'm getting home. There's just as much at stake for me as there is for them-if not more.' Sakura reminded herself, clenching her fists.
"D-Did he just say a death match? And did Sakura just agree to it!?" came Leorio's concerned voice.
"Relax," Killua told him, "This is why she went first,"
"She can quit anytime she wants and because she was first it won't be that big a loss." Kurapika added.
'I'm really getting annoyed now,' Sakura thought, her left brow twitching again. She held up her fists.
Arms spread, a malicious smile settled on Bendot's face "Let the fight begin!"
With that he leapt into the air, despite his hefty body. Either impatient or eager, it didn't matter. He was a few feet in the air, before coming down in Sakura's direction, drawing back his arm back and letting out a fierce cry. Drawing nearer to Sakura, while the pinkette remained completely motionless.
"SAKURA MOVE."
Bendot threw his fist forward, aiming directly for Sakura's stomach. He felt his knuckles made contact with something soft, a loud clapping echoed around them.
'That should be enough to get it through this little girl's head-
"That all?" Sakura asked, tilting her head up to look at the man who over towered her by a few feet. His eyes widened when he realized his fist had been stopped by a tiny palm. Unnerved, Sakura held her arm straight as she watched Bendot attempted to push her hand back; but to no avail. She was planted firmly on the ground by chakra and her strength was all she needed to stop that attack.
"Wow….." Gon and Killua trailed together, their mouths slightly widened. Leorio and Kurapika were silent, but that didn't mean they weren't surprised; oh they were. Now all focus was drawn on the match for different reasons.
"Okay," Sakura said, exhaling softly.
Bendot frowned, he quickly drew back his right hand to strike Sakura on the other side; but he only felt that hand become immobile as well as he felt something on his fist-this time it was only a single finger.
Sakura frowned, starring at the criminals face as a vein appeared on his forehead. "You're stronger; not the average kind that only work out for looks. My guess is, you needed it for some kind of profession."
"Aren't you a clever girl," Bendot spoke with no indication of complement as he attempted to keep his stance; already beginning to breath heavily. It was like he was attempting to move a ten foot boulder rather than a four-foot pink-haired porcelain doll!
"How'd you get that scar?" Her eyes trailed up and around his head where the scar seemed to travel around his head.
"Why ask?" he panted,
"I'm getting kinda bored," Sakura said narrowing her eyes at him, "And the alternative would be this…"
Removing her one hand from Bendot's fist; Sakura quickly ducked to avoid the blow before clenching her hand and drawing up her fist. She made contact with Bendot's hard stomach and the man ended up coughing up a puddle of spit. He could feel her fist pressing only halfway into his skin, yet it was still so painful.
Sakura watched as he staggered to the back, gripping his gut and grunting in pain. The rest of the room was completely silent, watching in anticipation.
'I didn't even hit him that hard,' the kunoichi thought, she had barely coated her fist with chakra. It certainly wasn't enough to rupture organs at least. She glanced at her hand that she used to punch him; perhaps it would be better if she put a little more effort in-it wasn't like they had all the time in the world.
Bendot got back on his feet, he swayed a bit before he pushed back on the sold of his foot and ran towards Sakura again. Sakura didn't make any sign to move, until he was literally an arm's length away and side stepped him. He was surprised, he was still in motion.
Almost too quick to see, Sakura with her hands behind her back, threw her upper body to the front so it was parallel with her lower half. Her leg lifted up straight and her foot hit Bendot right in the side of his face. The impact sent him flying across the platform, near the edge on the other side.
Now, Sakura had no intention whatsoever of killing Bendot. She had never taken someone's life before and she wasn't about to do it under these kinds of circumstances. She was a medical ninja; they were meant to save lives, not take them. In that practice she had also been taught how valuable someone's life is. She also knew that, not everyone agreed with her doctrine; hence why she didn't say anything to the rest of the group. There was Killua-the boy from a family of assassins himself and Kurapika; the boy who wanted to take revenge for his clan. Both surely would've chided in.
'Just because some people can take other's lives for granted, doesn't mean I'm willing to do the same.'
Sakura began walking over to Bendot; as if she was taking a casual stroll. It was not in her nature to mock a fighter or agitate them but in this case it was necessary. To show no sign of fear or hesitance, to ensure that her plan would fall into place.
"You're still able to stand, I'm surprised. Guess I should've actually tried." Sakura taunted, hand on her hip.
Bendot was standing again, wiping the side of his mouth where blood had started to gather and drip. "You-You little-
"What?" she asked; she shifted her head to the side. Daring him to finish his sentence; baiting him.
"Little bitch!"
In a flash, Sakura blurred for a second before appearing in front of Bendot. She reached forward, grabbing him by his worn shirt. Immediately, his hands reached for her throat but twice as fast; Sakura lifted her knee and brought down her free arm. Trapping his arm in between both limbs; she pressed her elbow down hard and there was a loud snapping sound followed by Bendot's scream of pain as he clutched his now broken arm.
"Yikes," Leorio winced.
"She broke his arm so easily," Kurapika muttered under his breath.
Sakura then proceeded to drag the man who had to be several pounds heavier than her; towards the edge of the platform. Holding her arm out straight, she dangled him by his shirt over the edge. Three was an upward wind that rustled their clothing.
"Alright, now I'm angry." Sakura sneered; a deep frown on her face. "You have five seconds to apologize before I drop you. One-
Sakura detached a finger from his top making him jostle in the air. That seemed to draw Bendot's attention away from the pain as he looked up at Sakura.
"Two-
Another finger unlatched itself from the fabric, only two fingers remained before she would no longer be pinching the material.
"Thr-
"OKAY I'M SORRY." Bendot screamed, his eyes shut tightly.
Sakura smirked, throwing him back onto the platform; listening to him groan. Crossing her arms, she spoke.
"Do you give up?"
Bendot was still panting softly; sweat dripping from his forehead.
"He's definitely going to give up now." Leorio muttered.
"I wouldn't be so sure." Killua said, frowning. "What Sakura did just confirmed something."
Bendot turned to the pinkette, giving her a look of complete and utter hate. "As if! You just proved you're not willing to kill me!"
Sakura continued to stare at him.
"You're not as smart as I thought; when you had me dangling over the edge I was beyond the peak of fear and would've agreed to anything you should. You should've asked me to give up instead." Bendot threw his head back and laughed through his pain. "Now that I know you won't kill me; I don't care what you do to me! Torture me all you like, break all my bones; you're not going to kill me and I won't give up! Take all the time you want!"
"No way, is that true?" Leorio turned to the rest of the group for an answer.
"Yes," Kurapika said frowning, "He's right; she should've threatened him to give up instead. Now even if he does; he can control how much time Sakura spends in the ring."
"Dammit," Leorio looked back at the two on the platform, "So she was bluffing."
The next thing Sakura did was surprising; she started chuckling. Covering her mouth, Sakura looked Bendot dead in the eye. "So you figured it out huh? I was hoping you'd give up but it seems you're that kind of person."
She started to walk towards him, her one hand reaching for her pouch, all the while she kept smiling. "You're right; I could just torture you into quitting. I can break your other arm, both your legs but that's not all."
Bendot felt a shiver run up his spine when he Sakura stopped right in front of him, "See; I'm actually a medic so it's against my principle to take lives. However; it's possible that death isn't the worst thing-as most men will find. There are just some things you can't heal-once they're gone; they're gone." At the end of her sentence, Sakura drew out a sharp scalpel instead of her regular kunai "The knife is a little small but it'll cut through flesh easier and it's been sterilized."
Crouching down, Sakura whispered something to Bendot so that the rest of them wouldn't hear what she said next. Whispering a few words to him.
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"I give up." Bendot swallowed hard.
Sakura's smile widened, throwing the scalpel in the air and catching it without taking her eyes off her opponent. "Okay,"
A small noise caught Sakura attention; she turned to look up on top of the opening where her group was standing. Above was a small screen where a digital point of 1 had appeared; indicating they had just earned their first point.
Satisfied, Sakura returned from the platform to her companions; throwing the scalpel in the air before putting it back in her bag. All four males were watching her, surprised and some with a hint of caution-aside from Gon and Killua.
"That was so cool!" Gon exclaimed,
Killua smirked, standing with his hands in his pockets. "Yeah, I wouldn't have guessed you could fight like that."
Leorio appeared nervous, taking several steps away as Sakura walked passed them all; slumping against the wall and resting her head between her knees. "Ye-Yeah-hey about all that stuff I said earlier-
"I'll forget it if you do."
Kurapika then addressed her. "What exactly did you say to him that made him surrender?"
A sly grin spread across her face, removing any trace of former innocence which gave Kurapika second thoughts about questioning her. She shook her head; unwilling to give way the method that had the tan man turning as white as a sheet. It was a trick that Tsunade herself mentioned to Sakura; should she have trouble with pesky males whose persistence outweighed their intelligence.
"Are you familiar with the term castration?"
That's all for now, hope you enjoyed this chapter and will eagerly be waiting for the next.
In the meantime…
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