"Apologize to Killua!" Gon angrily shouted at an uncaring Illumi.

Along with Gon, Leorio, and Kurapika, I was inside what appeared to be the final meeting which we were supposed to attend to discuss the rules of Hunters. Not that there were many.

Illumi stared. "Apologize. What did I do wrong?"

Leorio and Kurapika didn't looked surprised at Illumi's response.

I glanced at Hisoka. He looked amused and then at Illumi. I was not sure who to side with because Illumi trained me in hand-to-hand combat so I kept quiet and simply observed.

"You don't know what you did wrong?" Gon asked incredulously, "How you shot Killua down! While I was running here I was told of all the horrible lies you told Killua! You don't have the right to be his brother!"

Illumi blinked and actually gave Gon a verbal response. I was surprised. "Must I earn the right to be his brother?" he asked innocuously. I rolled my eyes. Ha. Illumi always liked to ask deep philosophical questions to fuck with me whenever I disagreed with him too.

Gon twitched in anger and I stepped forward to stop him. I had fought against Illumi and knew how dangerous he was-but Gon grasped Illumi's forearm, threw Illumi into the air, and shattered Illumi's forearm.

I gasped in shock at Gon's audacity!

"He doesn't need to earn the right to be my friend", Gon said through gritted teeth.

I saw Gon's nen surge outwards and then his nen, still contained in his body, become concentrated in his arm.

He cracked the shattered bone even more!

Shock flashed Illumi's face before he threw the emotion away. Illumi was not expecting Gon to know how to unconsciously use nen.

"I'm going to find him", Gon stated as his brown eyes bore into Illumi's inky black.

Illumi taunted, "You make it sound as if I kidnapped him. He walked away on his own."

"But he was manipulated by you somehow", Gon shouted, "It's not something Killua would do. It's illogical!"

I wrinkled my nose. I couldn't stand on the sidelines any longer, I would reveal that Illumi was a manipulator and he used nen on Killua. "Illumi's a Ma-

Illumi was suddenly free of Gon and held my throat in one hand. I hadn't even seen him move.

"Careful", Illumi said as he cocked his head sideways," I once owed your family, but now have paid my debt. Your life is now meaningless to me."

I choked and somehow glanced at Netero, who did not intervene. His medium brown eyes looked at me in interest. He wanted to see how I'd react...

I tensed my back leg to attack Illumi when Kurapika suddenly flashed behind Illumi, sword drawn.

His cold tawny eyes were locked onto Illumi. "Careful. Your life is meaningless to me", he coldly mocked.

Illumi tensed and his eyes narrowed. He set me on the ground. I opened my mouth again but Illumi's eyes flashed me a warning. He would kill me if I reveal that he is a nen-user. Illumi sent Kurapika a fleeting glance. He'd kill Kurapika too.

I sat down near Kurapika who slowly sat beside me, eyes still locked on Illumi. Why did I risk my life for Killua again?

"Thanks", I muttered.

Kurapika blinked and looked at me. "You're helping me, the least I can do is make sure you don't prematurely die."

I smiled, "And here we are, once again, helping one another more than we need to."

Netero stepped forward, "Before we were interrupted by you, Gon and Avi". He looked pointedly at us. I raised an eyebrow and felt no guilt at all as the man had just stood there and watched me turn blue as Illumi choked me. "Leorio and Kurapika have lodged complaints. The committee has been discussing the fairness of Killua's disqualification."

Kurapika stood up. "Killua had been behaving in a strange manner since his battle with the man who called himself Gittarackur!"

I stood up beside him. "Chairman Netero", I evenly said, "Didn't you notice anything strange about Illumi?"

In a second, something hit my shoe. I looked down and saw a needle protruding from it. I paled. I hated how afraid of the repercussions of revealing Illumi's true nature. I was afraid Illumi would kill me, Kurapika, Leorio, and Gon.

"I believe he was hypnotized into committing murder. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to use hypnosis to induce a person to kill. However, as Killua was raised by a family of assassins, murder was a part of his daily life. So it was natural that he would lack the ethical restraint of most!"

I grimaced. Kurapika made Killua sound even worse with the last line. "But", I piped up, "As an assassin he was taught to kill only targets. What could he gain from killing Bodero? It does not make any sense. However, isn't it odd that Killua acts as if he's under the influence of something?" I looked hopefully at Netero, praying he picks up on my obvious hints that Illumi is a nen-user. Even though I was outside with Gon rather than inside with Killua when Illumi had manipulated Killua, Netero had to have felt Illumi's nen...right?

"In any case", Kurapika continued with a hard glare at me which I returned back with equal fervor,"Killua was not in control of his actions and should not be disqualified."

"That is mere speculation. There is no proof". Clack clack clack. Chairman Netero's sandals slapped against the wooden floor. "There were no clear signs of manipulation".

My shoulder tensed in confusion as I shot a horrified glance at Illumi "How did he hide his nen? Hell, I couldn't even really hide mine?"

Illumi gave me an ice-cold smile. I shuddered and shifted closer to Kurapika.

The Kurta gave me an unfathomable look and oddly enough, slung a protective arm over my shoulders.

I stared at Kurapika in shock but accepted the comfort. Illumi looked like he wanted to kill me. Hisoka looked like he was trying to contain his laughter. His pale skin was becoming red with the effort of not laughing.

"In fact, I would question the claim that he was hypnotized. I agree that the incident occurred after the battle between Leorio and Bodero. At that point, both fighters were easily matched. Bodero had more experience. But in terms of raw combat ability, Leorio was stronger".

I stared at Bodero, then Leorio. Leorio was pretty ripped. I glanced at Kurapika, whose body I was pressed against. Kurapika was not fly-weight either.

"There was no reason for Killua to interfere".

Pokkle butted in, "There was some other funny business happening. Like when you fought Hisoka", he shot a glance at the tense Kurta next to me, "What did he say to you? Neither of you seemed particularly tired. But Hisoka whispered something in your ear, right before conceding. That's pretty strange. I'd understand surrendering after your opponent whispers something to you, as happened with Hanzo and me, or Bodero and Hisoka. Because we were under considerable pressure. But in your case the exact opposite happened."

Hisoka sent a chilling small smile my direction which sent my questioning gaze to stare at Kurapika's face. What did Hisoka say to him?

"I have to wonder if you struck some sort of bargain. If you're going to question anything that seems odd, your own victory was quite odd indeed."

I felt Kurapika stiffen and saw him lower his head. That pose meant Kurapika wasn't going to tell Pokkle or anyone shit. But what did Hisoka say that made Kurapika so upset?

"If you have nothing to hide, you should tell us. Right now", Pokkle demanded.

Kurapika's gray-brown eyes flashed open. Big mistake Pokkle.

"I have no obligation to tell you", Kurapika coldly responded.

Pokkle's mouth twisted angrily. "Maybe not, but I believe you owe it to us."

I laughed emotionlessly. "And who are you, not part of the Exam Selection Committee, to make foolish demands? Why are you asking Kurapika? Hisoka is the one who chose to concede. Hisoka is the one who changed his course of action. And why are we deviating from the Killua topic, Pokkle? Isn't that why this meeting is occurring?"

Pokkle's light brown eyes clashed with my own as we stared one another down.

Kurapika sent a side smile at me and I watched as his cold façade took over his face. That small smile which had caused this warm feeling inside of me was now replaced by the emotionless, aloof visage.

"If you consider my victory to be odd, a victory by default would be equally odd". Oooh. Burn. I tried to smother the smug look on my face as I watched Pokkle leap forward angrily.

"What!?"

"Come on", Hanzo muttered. Then, he loudly added," I want to get this lecture over with so I can leave."

Things were getting out of hand.

"None of that matters!" Gon interrupted, "It's pointless to argue over whether someone should have passed, If you aren't happy that you passed, keep working until you're satisfied".

Admiration filled my being for the teen in front of me who had broken Illumi's arm. He had challenged Illumi while I was afraid to tell everyone the truth about Illumi's manipulation powers.

"If Killua retakes the Hunter Exam, he definitely pass. It's unfortunate that he failed this time, but it is what it is. What does matter, is that if you've been forcing Killua to kill against his will all this time...I'll make you pay!", Gon threatened Illumi.

Illumi emotionlessly replied, "Make me pay? What, exactly, will you do?"

I immediately felt my anger fuel my nen and I allowed it to flare around me...if Illumi even touched Gon...I wouldn't care

"I won't do anything", Gon said, causing my anger to dissipate into shock, "Only, once I rescue Killua I'll never let you see him again."

I froze as Illumi's dark aura rose to the surface. It was bubbling.

He reached out towards Gon and I felt something take over.

The wood cracked under my nen-enhanced shoes as I leapt in front of Gon and landed in between Illumi's hand and Gon's body.

For what felt like forever, Illumi and I stared one another down. A killer and a merchant's daughter.

Pure emotions dictated my actions, not logic. Why did I leap in front of Gon after I had purposely hurt him during our battle? Because Gon understood, was willing to forgive me for my errs, and still wanted to help me as a friend.

Illumi's dark, thick nen hit my light, pastel-colored green nen with murderous intent, but I focused on keeping mine focused on the front of my body, like a shield.

"Ahem", Netero coughed. I jumped, having lost focus, my nen diminished to its regular size. "Is everyone finished? Gon is absolutely correct. You must decide for yourselves if you're worthy of passing. You may complain of the results but we are not changing our minds. Killua has been disqualified and the rest of you have passed the exam".

Netero's words left an acerbic taste in my mouth.

"Avi", Gon whispered so only I can hear, "It's fine, you can sit down."

My eyes took note of Gon's tense body posture that was directed at Illumi. Right. Like I'd move now.

Beans stepped forward. "Okay, now I shall continue the orientation. The cards I've passed out earlier are your Hunter's Licenses. This card allows you..."

The rest of Beans' orientation faded out as I locked my eyes on Illumi, who still had not sat down. Illumi coldly glared at me with dislike then slowly, he purposefully directed his gaze toward Kurapika. He had seen Kurapika and I act...close...and Illumi wanted me to keep quiet about his nen abilities, specifically the way he could hypnotize somebody. I had no doubts this is what happened to Killua. But Illumi would definitely kill Kurapika, then me, if I ever said a word...that much I knew.

I glanced at the Kurta and decided 'No, that's not a chance I'm willing to take', I thought to myself.

"Kukuroo Mountain, Illumi said", I muttered to myself, "What a stupid name. It sounds kind of like cuckoo-clock."

I stopped.

"Avi?" Kurapika questioned.

I sent him a small smile and easily lied," I forgot something. I'll catch up with you guys later."

Gon and Leorio shrugged and walked on, but Kurapika paused.

"You...forgetting something? Avi, lying is never a good idea."

I narrowed my eyes. "Want to tell me what Hisoka said to you, Kurapika? We're partners now, both working toward finding the scarlet eyes. If one of us hides information, then the other will be inclined to hide information as well."

Kurapika huffed and threw a conceding hand into the air. "See you, Avi".

I smirked, but a part of me still was curious about what Hisoka said to Kurapika.

Speaking of Hisoka...I crept toward him and Illumi, covered by shadows.

"That display of nen was impressive", Illumi told me without turning around.

I froze. "Even though you now know one-fiftieth of hand-to-hand combat techniques that I currently know, you still challenged me to protect a boy".

"I know what you're capable of", I slowly said to Illumi,"I know you can kill me, but if you would have wanted to kill me, you would have not allowed Gon to break your arm or even live after he had done so. Maybe I should go tell Netero and everyone else about your nen techniques."

Illumi chuckled and I jumped. "You and the Kurta were becoming very...close is the word, I suppose. It would be a shame if something happened to ruin that delicate relationship."

I gritted my teeth angrily and stonily stared at the ground. "I understand. But one day, I will be strong enough to protect everyone from people like you". I pointed at Illumi.

"Perhaps your sister someday?" Hisoka questioned with an obviously fake-innocent sounding voice.

I whirled towards him, emotions dominating my logic. "How do you know about Sabie?" I loudly asked.

Hisoka smiled. "What groups are powerful enough to break into a wealthy merchant family's home? One of the mafia dons, yes, but did you ever wonder what groups your family worked with? Perhaps...what groups your family betrayed."

I stared at Hisoka in annoyance. "There are a lot of those. Stop playing mind games with me, Hisoka".

Hisoka's smile made me nervous. "Your sister is currently the butterfly tangled in the spider's web".

I snorted. "Even spiders can be killed by certain things."

Hisoka smiled n amusement at me and turned around. "Keep practicing your abilities to mask your nen and identify others. Seek new instructors and remember your old lessons. One day you will be a fine opponent."

Illumi advanced toward me, "Give away my secret and I will be most displeased. Your friends, then you, will feel my wrath."

My hand shook, but I tried to mask it. Illumi's aura was so dark, so near, so scary.

"Now run along", Illumi mocked emotionlessly. Hisoka was gone. What did he know about my sister?

I backed up and speed-walked to where I was supposed to meet Leorio, Gon, and Kurapika to leave to find Killua.