'You have one chance to dig deep into your nen to determine how you will control people. The more conditions you set for your nen, the stronger it will be. For a manipulator, it will be easier. One chance to set the conditions for your specific nen attack techniques', Hisoka had told me.

I couldn't watch the fight between Kurapika and Hisoka when I knew who would win, so I went outside to focus on my nen.

Hisoka didn't teach me any terms or techniques, he only taught me how to hide my aura, concentrate it in inanimate objects to alter them, and locate others' auras.

He also told me that according to my personality, I would be able to refine a special technique that I would use.

Because all manipulators could manipulate objects they have placed nen into, but couldn't conjure any new objects, I would have to figure out what I wanted to manipulate first.

"Avi?" Gon's voice called.

I glared at Gon. "And what do you want?" I asked acerbically, not bothering to hide my anger and irritation.

Gon sat next to me. "I didn't want to win like that".

"And I don't give a fuck", I replied.

I closed my eyes and focused on my nen.

"Avi", Gon said, "If it was a real fight, you would have won. Where did you learn that fighting style? It was as if you knew what I was going to do before I knew?"

I stared at Gon and rolled my eyes. As if I would give this annoying teen another advantage over me.

"How old are you Gon?" I asked with an emotionless voice. Yes, yes, I should shut down my emotions so I could logically think.

Gon blinked. "Fifteen".

"And you haven't realized that you use the same fighting technique every time you attempt to go on offense?"

Gon blinked and slowly shook his head.

I sighed and flung an arm across my eyes because I didn't want to see the understanding lighten Gon's clear brown eyes. His eyes were as light and clear as mine were dark and murky.

"You won. Enough. I will not take back my loss. Rather...to be truthful, I don't know why I'm helping you out Gon", I began," I could have lied to you and said I don't know why I was able to predict your actions...but I didn't want to. And that confuses me, why I feel like I want to come clean with you when I'm so good at lying that I could easily lie to you and get away with it".

Gon continued to stare at me and say nothing.

Feeling the need to fill the silence, another flaw of mine, I continued to talk," I didn't need to beat you as much as I did...but...I was angry and-well, I didn't like the idea that Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua liked you so much more than me."

Gon butted in, "But they like you too! I think they just felt bad for me and were just as conflicted and confused as you were. Neither of us wanted to fight one another but Netero pitted us against each other. If anything, I think Leorio, Kurapika, and Killua have more respect for you now".

I laughed emotionlessly. "I'm not going to see Killua or Leorio again, so I don't give a fuck about what they think of me. If I would have been logical, I should have tortured you until you gave, but-but I couldn't".

I slammed a fist into the ground and looked at Gon. "The only reason why I'm telling you this is because we're probably going to part ways and never see each other again Gon".

Gon sadly looked at me. "But I enjoy hanging out and training with you, Avi. Remember how well we worked together to defeat your target on Zevil Island?"

I huffed. Gon had a way with words and emotions. Maybe he was a Manipulator too?

Shaking my head to clear the emotions, I realized I had to change the subject.

I gripped a handful of dust and watched it blow out of my hand.

"Ugh!" Gon exclaimed, "This dust is everywhere".

I looked at the dust in my hand.

'Manipulators manipulate people through inanimate objects majority of the time until their nen abilities strengthen', Hisoka had told me.

The brown dirt lay in my palm...I wondered.

"Hey Gon", I said in a joyful tone," I understand!"

Gon stared strangely at me after my outburst.

"Can I help?" Gon asked.

Brown dust was sitting in the palm of my hand and I gripped a fistful. What did Illumi use to control people...needles. What could I use to control people? Dust.

"I wonder how Kurapika and Hisoka are doing?" Gon questioned,"Their fight should be over by now".

I laughed coldly. "Hisoka won."

Gon swerved his head to give me an astounded look. "How do you know that? Have you seen Kurapika fight?"

"Have you seen Hisoka fight?" I countered, "Hisoka fights with both physical dexterity and nen."

"Nen?" asked Gon.

I paused...did I want Gon to have another advantage over me? No...no, I was too selfish. So I said nothing.

"What's nen?" Gon asked again.

I sighed. Just like Brec, my brother.

"Life power", I stated in a matter-of-fact tone," I know I have it and you have it. There are certain kinds of nen-users...but I barely know how to control my own. I've been learning just the basics."

Gon stared at me in awe. "But-but", he sputtered, "If Hisoka can use nen and Kurapika doesn't even know what it is then..."

I hung my head. "Like I said before, no matter how skilled Kurapika is, he stands no chance against a nen-user. Especially one as smart as Hisoka."

We both sat in silence.

"Can you show me nen?" Gon asked.

My shoulder shrugged. "I, well, in Trick Tower Hisoka did something to my nen...and now I can see people's auras and whenever they use nen. I can feel and kind of use my own...but I don't know how I can make you see."

He sighed. "Oh."

"Avi, Gon!" Leorio shouted. Kurapika trailed behind him.

"Killua gave up! When he realized Gittarackur was his brother he could not fight!" Leorio panted harshly.

"All of us passed", Kurapika said as he handed Gon and I our Hunters' licenses. I stared at it in shock and then narrowed my eyes.

"Killua must have killed somebody and become disqualified. By the way, who's Gittarackur?" I asked emotionlessly? I only know Illumi...but why would Illumi change his-wait..."Gittarackur IS Illumi", I asked?

Kurapika nodded. Why did Illumi introduce himself to me using his real name? Or was it another fake name?

"Bodero. Killua killed Bodero! During my match too!" raged Leorio!

"Where's Killua?" Gon asked.

"Uhgh!" I angrily exclaimed, "You should have been there with YOUR friends Gon! You should have been there with them and not out here with me!"

Gon put a comforting hand on my tense shoulder. "You're my friend too Avi. And I understand why you hit me so much and so hard. I forgive you; it's fine."

I glared at Leorio and Kurapika from underneath the strands of my thick hair that had fallen into my face. "Well, I clearly know who everyone will choose to shortchange".

Leorio shifted uncomfortably and Kurapika's poker face was in place. I sent a hard glare Kurapika's way. After all I had done for him...

"We have to find Killua", Gon stated.

"We should check the exits", I piped up while gripping my Hunters' License, "If Killua was disqualified, I bet he doesn't want to face any of us."

Leorio shrugged. "Worth a try."

Gon stood up and began running toward the inside of the hotel.

"Hey Gon!" Leorio shouted, "Wait up!".

Kurapika turned to follow Leorio and Gon but I grabbed his arm.

"Remember", I hissed, "Please recall our deal."

Kurapika nodded. "We find Killua first, then we worry about the scarlet eyes."

I stood up and brushed dust off of me.

"Why are you covered in dust?" Kurapika asked.

I shrugged. "No reason".

I grabbed a fistfuls of dirt and poured it into a small bag I had brought with me. Once the bag was filled, I placed it into my backpack.

"I'm not even going to ask", Kurapika said, "Come on! Let's find Killua!"

I watched Kurapika run off and was glad he didn't ask. This was the dirt I was going to infuse with my nen so I could use it to manipulate my opponents.

But...I had to come up with some restricting conditions or else my manipulation wouldn't be effective...and the first person I would manipulate would be Kurapika.