Ah, the third chapter! Unfortunately, not much action will be happening... yet! Next chapter I will start focusing on Shizuka's past, as the exam will be over. Alright, enjoy chapter three of Words and Watercolors!

~~~Chapter Three~~~

I sit up and look around. I am not familiar with this area. I try not to panic, and try to remember how I got here. I have a horrible headache and I can't recollect a thing.

I rinse my hands in the cold water and wash my face. My hair is a little tangled, so I comb it with my fingers. I sigh. Where am I?

"So you're awake?"

I turn around. How did he manage to surprise me?

"Basically you blacked out and stuff, so I dragged you to this river and splashed some water on you. But when that didn't do crap, I kinda left you there and went to find food," Killua explains, sitting down next to me.

Wait a second. He... He dragged me?

I pinch and twist his left cheek. It leaves a bright red mark.

"Ow! What's that for?" he yells. I roll my eyes. I only wish to be away from him, away from everyone.

"By the way, we have a few hours to get back to the landing site," Killua tells me.

A few hours!? I was out that long!?

"Can you stand?" he asks. Of course I can stand!

But as my legs wobble and I have more sharp pains in my head, I fall back to the ground. It is hopeless. I do not understand what happened.

"Well, gosh, Shizuka-"

That! That is what it is! I use all my strength to stand and point at him. He keeps calling me that.

"W-What?" Killua gives me a confused look. That name... It hurts to hear it. I do not know why, but he needs to stop calling me it.

"O...Okay? Anyways, we need to go now, or we won't make it." He grabs my hand and starts pulling me, but I resist. He totally just blew me off!

"You wanna fail? Start moving!" he snaps. I stick my tongue out at him, and he gives an annoyed look.

"Fine then!" Killua lets go of my hand and walks past me. I cross my arms. I have won.

My victory does not last long, as he picks me up and throws me over his shoulder.

"This is so gross, picking up a girl. You owe me," he says. I hit his back and kick my feet, but he does not do anything. Are you kidding me!?

I gave up after a while of struggling. We walked for a while until we reached the landing site. Killua finally put me down, thank heavens!

"And now, we wait," he sighs, falling onto his back and closing his eyes. "You're heavy."

I pinch his cheeks again. For now I suppose I am stuck with him.

There are already other applicants here. We exchange nods and looks, but nothing else.

"Killua!" a boy calls, running at full speed. Killua gets to his feet.

"There you are, Gon!" Killua says, joyfully. I sit awkwardly, watching them laugh. Two more come up behind the boy, a blonde teenager and a man in a suit.

"Oh, yeah. This is Shizuka." Killua gestures towards me. That name...

I stand up and pat my dress down.

"I'm Gon! Hello!" the boy chirps, and waves. I smile at him. He is much nicer than Killua.

"I am Kurapika. Nice to meet you," the taller, blonde one says. He is more reserved. I like him better.

"Oi! Name's Leorio!" the man grins. He is... okay.

"Ne, Killua, how did you meet her?" Gon asks.

"Well... Actually, I don't remember!" Killua snickers. How... How vulgar! Not that I care, though.

"Poor girl..." Leorio sighs. I smile, as Killua argues.

We are now on our way to the final phase. For a few minutes I watch the all the small little houses and such roll by, until an announcement is made.

We... We have to do interviews!?

After a while of waiting, my number is called. I have no idea how I am going to do this.

"Please have a seat," the chairman says. I am very nervous. I did not even notice I was shaking.

"It's quite alright, I realize you are a selective mute. We do observe our applicants," Netero tells me. I let out a breath I did not realize I was holding.

"I've prepared paper and a pencil for you. I'm only asking a few question, is all."

He slides the paper and writing utensil forward. A little unsual, but I am happy and relieved.

"First, why do you want to become a Hunter?"

I jot my answer down and pass the paper forward.

I wanted to leave home. And I figured it would be easy.

He hands it back once he is done reading.

"Who interests you most of the eight remaining applicants?"

I have not really been watching any of them. Probably 99.

"And lastly, whom would you least like to fight right now?"

I do not really care.

Netero chuckles a little, and folds the paper and sticks it in his robe sleeve. "You may go."

I nod, and leave. I have no clue what the last phase will be. The questions were sure interesting. I hope it does not involve killing Killua. I do not mind fighting him, but I would rather not kill him. Not yet, at least.

3 days later I figure out exactly what I will have to be doing.

Alright, it was a little bit longer. Hopefully interesting, as well. As I said, I'll be focusing more on Shizuka's past so you can learn more about her. I figured I would tell you guys later what she will be doing after the exam... I'll leave you to guess until the next chapter. I'm actually not sure how long I will do this... If it's until the Chimera Ant arc, or what. But that seems way to long. Let me know! :) Thank you so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following! It means a lot!