Disclaimer: I don't own HunterXHunter. I am not making profit off of this story.

A/N: Here is April's chapter! (: As always, thank you so much to my lovely reviewers! I'd just like to remind you all that should you make an anonymous review, I will not be able to give a reply, should you have any questions.

The only time you ever have too much fuel is when you're on fire.

XXX

Kurapica sighed. "On top of the Leorio's loss, we'll have to pay 50 hours. We've only got around 12 hours left."

"Speaking of which…" I turned on the spot and promptly flicked Leorio in the ear as hard as I could. With the amount of time I spent snapping my fingers, I was certain my fingers were stronger than most other's.

True to my expectations, Leorio yelped, but didn't protest, as he seemed to realize he deserved that.

"Well, guess I'll just have to win quickly," Killua answered in response to Kurapica's statement, shrugging. He took a look at Leorio's horrified expression and scowled. "Why are you making a face like that?"

"Damn, now that I've lost we won't be able to go on!" Leorio cried. "Sorry guys!"

I burst out laughing as Killua glowered. He took an aggressive step forward, but Gon held him back. "Gon, he's seriously starting to irritate me!" Killua complained.

Gon smiled uncertainly as Killua leaned over menacingly. "Yes, but…"

"Man, he's giving up on me even before we've seen my opponent!" Killua grumbled. "Unless he gives me a hard question that needs mental calculations, I should be fine!"

"Ah, that's true—maybe we still have a small chance," Leorio allowed.

Kurapica and I bemoaned Leorio's tactlessness together, shaking our heads in unison.

I glanced at the door as Killua's opponent became visible.

Immediately, Gon gulped, and Leorio recoiled.

"You guys know him?" I asked, surprised. I peered at the man. True, he did seem stronger than the other opponents, but it wasn't like he was a monster or anything. He looked just like an ordinary man, albeit one with…bulging muscles…and a cold stare… I bit my bottom lip. Okay, maybe he's kind of creepy, I admitted in my head. But it's not like he's a nen user or anything.

"No," Gon replied, shivering. "He just feels scary."

"Killua," Leorio said, eyes wide, "just forget about the victory. No matter what, don't fight against him!"

"So you do know him! Well, out with it!" I demanded.

"That's…Jones the Cutter! The greatest murderer in all of Zaban's history!" Leorio exclaimed. "He rips people apart with his bare hands! He has killed at least 146 people!"

I frowned, taking another glance at Jones, who was flexing his arms and clenching his fingers in anticipation. "…The greatest murderer, huh?" I murmured. What an oxymoron, I thought. Truth be told, I wouldn't want to fight him.

Across the room, Jones placed his hand casually on the wall beside him and crushed it with his fingers. When he opened his fist, only very small particles remained. A perturbed expression crept up my face. "It's been a long time," the criminal said, "since I last touched human flesh."

"You don't have to fight against such a monster," Leorio assured Killua. "After all, this exam takes place yearly—eh?"

Killua was already walking towards the opponent. "How will we fight?" he asked nonchalantly.

"Fight?" Jones questioned as they met in the middle of the platform. "I don't think you understand. This is going to be a one-sided murder. I don't care about the exam or the amnesty. All I want is to touch flesh… Even if you just cry and scream, that will be enough for me."

I bit my lip, rubbing my thumb against my middle finger anxiously. I was perfectly prepared to forfeit Killua's match if it meant preventing his death. However, I was simply too far away to put up a shield with my nen. There was a limit on how far I could push my nen, so there was no way I'd be able to reach Killua. Even the prospect of passing the exam wasn't enough to keep my worry at bay.

However, Killua seemed indifferent to Jones's threats. "Okay," he said pleasantly. "You think dying is better than losing, don't you?"

"Yes," Jones agreed, "and you, you're gonna—"

Before Jones could finish the sentence, Killua was on the other side of the platform, Jones's heart grasped in his hand.

I blinked, mouth open in a small circle. Killua was a lot faster than I'd expected. In fact, he was probably even quicker than me, someone who was about five years older than him. And he hadn't used nen at all. As I watched, Jones's shirt began to stain a dark red. How had Killua done it? How could he be so casual about murder? He was still an eleven-year-old boy, right?

Jones slowly turned, even as he began to die. "G-give it back!" He stumbled towards Killua desperately, eyes fixated on his heart.

Killua sneered and crushed the heart immediately. With a groan, Jones collapsed to the floor, dead. Altogether, the match hadn't lasted a minute. "There, 3 to 2," Killua called to the rest of the criminals. "I suppose we can go now, can't we?"

"Y-yes," one of the criminals we hadn't faced in a match replied. "You've won fairly. Passing through here, you'll arrive at a small room. You have to spend 50 hours in there, for the time you lost in the last match."

"That's fine," Killua said. "But tell me, aren't you a bit frustrated for not having fought? Don't you wanna play with me?"

I could feel the tension in the air as the criminal sweated. "…No," the man responded, breathing heavily.

"Ah, that's too bad," Killua sighed, and made his way back towards us.

Beside me, Leorio was frozen in shock. "He…what the heck was that?"

"Ah, true—you don't know!" Gon exclaimed. "Killua's a Zaoldyeck!"

"What?" Leorio gasped. "That elite assassin's family?"

"Man, even I've heard of them!" I said, eyes wide. No wonder Killua hadn't seemed worried at all. Or Gon, for that matter. What kind of life has Killua led up until now? I wondered as Killua reached us.

"Well, shall we go?" he asked, looking entirely too unconcerned.

We entered the waiting-room, and the door locked behind us. "You'll have to spend the next 50 hours in this room. Wait until the door opens," an announcement came. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were many books in the room, as well as a TV. There was even a tea set. There were couches as well, so that we could sleep.

As I glanced around the room, Kurapica spoke. "Killua, what technique did you use just now?"

"Ah, I can't really call it a technique," Killua replied. "I only took his heart out. But…" Killua lifted a hand. As we watched, the nails sharpened into hardened points. "I made a small modification to make it easier."

That's so freaky! I cried in my head, though I couldn't help but be fascinated. That was a neat trick, especially considering that it wasn't nen-based at all.

"Even a murderer stays an amateur, no matter how many people he kills," Killua explained, shrugging. "I'm an ex-professional. Still, my parents are much more skilled than me. If they had been the ones fighting, the wound wouldn't have even bled." I absorbed this information slowly. What frightening parents.

"…Ah, good thing you're on our side!" Leorio said loudly, slapping Killua on the back.

Killua fell over with a thud. "Why, you—!" Killua growled, grabbing a book off the shelf behind him and pitching it towards Leorio. Leorio yelped, throwing himself out of the way. He grabbed another book off the shelf and hurled it at Killua.

"H-hey!" Kurapica protested, cringing at the misuse of the books. "Don't waste your energy!"

As the boys tumbled, I turned to Gon. "Hey, play rock-paper-scissors with me," I challenged, remembering his earlier claim of being good at the game. I wanted to see if it was true.

"Sure!" Gon agreed enthusiastically, holding out his fist.

Thirty games later, I had an astounding record of thirty straight losses. By now, the other boys had settled down to watch me get decimated.

"Unbelievable," Leorio muttered. "Thirty straight wins? With no ties? This is a little impossible, even for Gon!"

"My turn next!" Killua declared, and I elbowed him. He doubled over with a grunt.

"No way—I'm not satisfied losing like this!" I snapped. Then, I turned to Gon. "Again! Rock, paper—"

Killua huffed and shoved me to the side, sending me sprawling off the couch I was sitting on. I leapt up, outraged, as Killua took my seat.

"Rock! Paper! Scissors! Rock! Paper! Scissors!"

Though I was still irritated at being ousted from my seat, I felt smug satisfaction at seeing Killua lose game after game. Instead of going through with my original plan to steal my spot back, I took a seat beside Kurapica, who was captivated by Gon's winning streak. He seemed to be mumbling mathematical calculations under his breath. Suddenly, he pinched his mouth together, a pained expression making its way on his face. Then, he began anew, repeating the same calculations as though he would receive a different answer.

"Don't think about it too much," I told him, patting his shoulder sympathetically. "It might fry your brain."

"There must be a trick," Kurapica decided. He rested his elbows on his knees and leaned forward. "It's next to impossible. Gon's nearing fifty straight wins with no ties. There is less than a 0.01 percent chance of this occurring naturally, even considering personal inclinations and nuances."

"You think Gon's capable of deception?" I asked doubtfully, resting my arms on my knees and leaning forward. "Just look at him—is that the face of a cheater?" Together, Kurapica and I watched as Gon happily flailed his fist about, grin splitting across his face.

"Well, no," Kurapica admitted. He sighed, shaking his head. "You're right; I should stop thinking about this."

"You do tend to overthink a lot of things, don't you?" Leorio asked, sidling over to us. He threw an arm around Kurapica's shoulder, but it was immediately tossed off.

Kurapica frowned. "I wouldn't say that," he protested then coughed, attempting to change the subject. "By the way, Leorio, your loss back there—"

Leorio threw his hands up in exasperation, cutting Kurapica off. "I knew you were going to bring it up! I'm sorry, alright? I know I was wrong," Leorio grumbled, folding his arms and leaning backward. He glared challengingly, daring us to contradict him. Kurapica folded his arms, seeming perfectly willing to do so.

"W-well, everything turned out alright in the end, so it's fine," I said hastily, trying to stem the impending argument. "Anyway, we should probably use these fifty hours to get some rest. I mean, we might not be able to afterwards."

"…That's true," Kurapica said, reluctantly forgoing the argument, "but somehow I don't feel comfortable lowering my guard in this room." He glanced around and pointed out the unhidden cameras. "We're being constantly monitored."

"I don't think anyone would be able to sneak up on all five of us at once," I pointed out, though I could fully understand Kurapica's hesitancy. I, too, couldn't feel entirely relaxed while stuck in a small, enclosed space, possibly surrounded by enemies.

Leorio shrugged, getting up and stretching his legs. "Eh, it's not like we can stay awake for fifty hours, anyway. It's been a long day, so I'm going to get some sleep now." He ambled over towards a couch on the far end of the room, as far away as possible from the noise that Killua and Gon were making. "Wake me up or something if you get tired. I'll keep watch, if you want." Leorio plopped on the piece of furniture and proceeded to fall asleep.

"It has been a long day," I agreed, pursing my lips in thought. I envied Leorio, who seemed to be entirely unconcerned with his surrounding environment.

"Long week," Kurapica corrected. "It's rather difficult to believe it's only been a few days." He glanced at Gon, who was cheerfully nearing his hundredth win. "Well, I suppose it's been easier for some of us."

Just as I turned to glance at the two younger boys, Killua shoved Gon off the couch, causing him to land on the floor with a yelp. "I'm bored!" Killua complained, easily dodging Gon's attempt at revenge. "It's no fun if I keep losing! Honestly, how many games has it been? What kind of monster are you?"

"Maybe you'd win a game if you rested properly," I suggested, crossing my arms. Like Kurapica had said, this week had been tough on all of us. It would be prudent to get rest while we could.

"Hah, I don't need to sleep to win!" Killua snapped, bristling. "Gon, back me up!"

I raised an eyebrow. I was almost completely certain that I'd had a bedtime when I'd been eleven. Right on cue, Gon yawned, though he attempted to stifle it behind his fist. Killua shot a betrayed look at him, and Gon smiled sheepishly.

"Sleeping's boring," Killua objected petulantly, figuring he was on his own at this point. I eyed him critically. Though Gon's Aunt Mito had probably regulated Gon's bedtime, I wasn't sure who would have thought to order Killua to bed. Especially since his family of assassins probably weren't overly concerned with getting a full night's worth of sleep.

I placed my hands on my hips. "Healthy boys need lots of sleep," I lectured, and Killua grumbled.

"I'm not sleepy," he protested. "I should sleep when I feel like sleeping!"

I nudged Kurapica, who seemed rather amused by our bickering. "You say something, too!" I commanded, and he put on his best solemn face.

"Killua," he intoned ominously. "You won't grow tall if you don't sleep. I'm sure you don't wish to remain this height for the rest of your life."

Killua glanced between Kurapica and me, and then back at Gon, who was rubbing his eyes. "Geez, you're such a pair of old geezers," he sulked, picking at the corner of his shirt. He grabbed Gon by the collar and dragged him to a couch. "Fine, we're sleeping early so I can wake up ready to beat you!" Killua notified Gon. Killua stuck his tongue at me and fell backwards with a huff. Gon happily plopped on the other end of the couch, which immediately snapped the other boy back into focus. "What are you doing?" Killua demanded, leaping back to his feet.

Gon glanced up in surprise. "I thought we were sleeping," he replied, bewildered.

I snickered as Killua floundered, seeming at a sudden loss of words. "Not—not together," Killua exclaimed in a horrified tone. Kurapica politely covered his mouth with his hand as he struggled not to laugh.

Gon frowned. "But you're the one who brought me over h—"

"That's not the point!" Killua all but squawked.

"There aren't enough couches for all of us to have one, so of course the two smallest people should share," I told Killua. I smiled sinisterly. "Besides, I don't see what you're feeling so uncomfortable about. Until a couple years ago, my brother and I shared a room."

"I bet you didn't sleep in the same bed," Killua retorted, resolutely not looking at Gon's confused expression.

"Well, no," I admitted. "But I still don't see what the problem is. The couch should be big enough as long as you both stay on your own half. Don't tell me you're afraid!"

Killua scowled at the suggestion and shook his head vehemently to deny it. "…I've just… I've never shared a bed before," he said, sounding kind of…embarrassed.

"Think of it as a sleepover," I suggested brightly.

Killua looked floored. "A sleepover…?" He glanced at Gon, who was still sitting up sleepily on his half of the couch. "I've never had one of those, either," Killua mumbled then crawled back on the couch. "…But I guess this is fine."

Inwardly, I was a little concerned. What kind of child has never had a sleepover? I wondered. I glanced at Kurapica to see he was wearing the same troubled expression.

Sweeping my gaze about the room, I observed Leorio sprawled over his couch, already deeply asleep, and Killua and Gon curled up on the same couch. Though I doubted Killua was actually sleeping (since no assassin worth his salt would let his guard down in a room full of people), the sight still allayed some of my worries. I gave a half smile. Although the five of us had only known each other for a week or so, it felt like much longer. It was a crushing feeling to realize we would all be going separate ways after the exam, as though I'd soon be freely relinquishing half my limbs.

I sat down heavily on one of the two remaining free couches, still wide-awake, and after a small amount of hesitation, Kurapica joined me. We sat together in comfortable silence until we heard the other boys' breaths even out. After I decided they were all sleeping, even Killua, I turned to Kurapica.

"So, what are you planning on doing once we finish the exam?" I asked quietly, kicking off my shoes and crossing my legs.

Startled, Kurapica blinked, clearly not expecting this line of questioning. "When we finish…"

"Surely you're aiming to pass this year," I prompted. "So I'd like to know what you'll be doing afterwards, if that's alright. It's just that…well…," I trailed off, hugging my knees against my chest. "I guess it's just a little hard to believe we're all going to be splitting up soon."

Kurapica smiled wryly. "Arella, we're hardly through with the exams. We'll have more time together."

"I…yeah, that's true," I acknowledged, "but I still want to know."

Kurapica closed his eyes and leaned backwards. "I'll most likely get a job," he informed me. "Since I intend to hunt the Spiders, I'll need resources to fall back upon. Probably with someone of large influence. Someone with the means of acquiring scarce information."

"A job, huh?" I muttered, mulling over the idea in my head. "It's almost like you're an adult."

"Yes, well, I'm seventeen now, so I suppose I should act it," Kurapica replied, sounding somewhat amused. "And you?"

"Huh?" I asked. "I'm still sixteen."

"What?" Kurapica sat up and glanced at me, looking confused. "No, I meant, what are you planning on doing once the exams are over?"

I blushed at my misunderstanding. "Oh, well, you know I took the exam for the money, right? I think I'm going to sell my license."

"What?" Kurapica yelped loudly, leaping to his feet. Almost immediately, he clapped his hands over his mouth and glanced with trepidation at the sleeping figures of Gon, Killua, and Leorio. When none of the boys so much as twitched, he sank back down on the couch and faced me with wide eyes. "Why would you do that?" he hissed.

I was somewhat perplexed at his disbelief. Hadn't I already discussed my need for money? "Like Leorio said back in the elevator before the first exam, if you sell a hunter license, you'd get enough money for seven lives. I'll admit I don't need that much money, but I do need quite a bit. Hospital treatment doesn't come cheap."

Kurapica seemed to be straining to articulate his thoughts, if the way he was opening and closing his mouth repeatedly was any indication. Open, close. Open, close. "You…should get a job instead," he said finally. "It will take longer, but it will be worth it in the long run. Obtaining a hunter license is a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence that you may never be able to repeat."

"I'm not doing it for me," I replied. "My brother needs help more than I need a license."

Kurapica shook his head. "I'm not disputing that. I'm merely pointing out that you could easily get higher profile jobs than most normal people with the acquisition of a hunter license, which would bring you more than enough money anyway. Just having a license could prove to be beneficial in the future." He looked at me imploringly.

"Is…this really that important to you?" I asked, wondering why he was so adamant that I keep my license instead of selling it.

Kurapica sighed. "I just don't feel like anyone who would buy your license would be deserving of it. Since you've worked this much to get it, why don't you use it?"

I laughed. "Hey, now, let's not get carried away. We still have a few more rounds before the end of the exam."

"Surely you're aiming to pass this year," Kurapica quoted jokingly, parroting my words from before.

I cracked a smile, which quickly morphed into a yawn. Stretching, I leaned backwards and sank into the couch. "It's getting pretty late, huh?" I remarked, glancing around the room. There weren't any clocks or even any windows for us to tell time by daylight.

"I would imagine so," Kurapica agreed. He glanced at me with a slightly concerned expression. "You don't have to stay up on my behalf."

"I'll stay up with you so you don't feel lonely," I teased.

"That won't be necessary," Kurapica responded immediately, holding up a hand.

I laughed and muttered under my breath, "Oooh, shut down."

"Pardon?"

Humming, I bobbed my head sideways. "Nothing important. Wake me up in three hours and I'll switch with you so you can get sleep," I offered, knowing Kurapica would probably attempt to stay up the whole fifty hours if he could.

Kurapica looked a little startled at my blatant acceptance of his refusal, though we both knew he had been making an attempt at humor. I wondered if I'd made a mistake in deciding to get some sleep, if I'd furthered the distance between him and me. Perhaps he'd actually wanted me to stay up with him so that he could have someone to talk to. But his expression shifted into faint gratitude, and he nodded almost imperceptibly (though that could've just been me and my lack of sleep affecting my vision). "I'll wake you up when I feel tired," Kurapica assured me.

I curled up sideways on the couch and shut my eyes. My last conscious thought was that 'when I feel tired' probably wouldn't translate into three hours (knowing Kurapica, he'd probably deny feelings of tiredness for hours and hours and hours), but as I opened my mouth to complain, sleep overtook me.