Showdown x On The x Airship
Time x To x Relax
Shortly after the Second Phase ended, we all boarded the airship to get to the Third Phase. Netero had us all gathered in a small room at the front of the blimp where we all circled around him as he spoke.
"Allow me to introduce myself to the forty-two remaining applicants," he started and the remaining number actually surprised me a bit. I mean, we started with a little over 400 people and there were only 42 remaining applicants? That's weird to think about. I didn't think so many would have failed already and it honestly made me glad that I was one of the people to make it this far. "I am Netero, Chairman of this year's Hunter Exam Selection Committee."
"I am his secretary, Beans," the short man with an odd shaped head spoke up from next to him, and I nodded, fully understanding why he was named the way he was. His head was literally shaped like the candy Jelly Beans, and I couldn't help my chuckle at how cute that was.
"Originally, I'd planned to make my appearance during the exam's final phase, but as I'm already here," he started to explain as we all just stared at him, the room completely silent as we waited for him to keep talking. "I'm loving this tension in the air! So I think I'll stick around for the rest of the trip."
"We are scheduled to arrive at our destination tomorrow morning, at 8 AM. You'll find dinner waiting in the dining hall," Bean said and at the sound of the work dinner, my stomach grumbled which reminded me that I hadn't been able to snatch Killua's egg before he ate it all, "You are also welcome to get some rest. In other words, you're free to do as you please until you are contacted."
"Okay, Gon! Let's explore the airship!" Killua cheered as he turned in mine and Gon's direction before fully looking at me and letting out a sigh, "I suppose you can come to."
I stuck my tongue out at him but smiled anyway, hearing the teasing tone in his voice and Gon jumped up, "Yeah!" With his cheer we all turned and made our way out of the room and began to explore the airship but after hearing me complain a few too many times, Killua led us back towards the kitchen where we snuck in and started grabbing food. I easily grabbed two chicken drumsticks and bit into one so I still had a hand free where I also managed to grab one of their prepared sandwiches before we were finally spotted by the cooks.
"Hey, there! Kids! Stay out of the kitchen! Go eat in the dining hall!" he yelled at us as we ran from the room, grins on our faces as we let out chuckles and I quickly finished the drumstick that was still sticking in my mouth, throwing the bone in a trashcan as we passed by.
"Wow, awesome!" Killua gushed as we were walking down a hallway, my second drumstick completely demolished and now I just had the sandwich which was wrapped in a type of foil to keep it fresh.
"Hmm? What is it?" Gon asked as he turned his attention to Killua who was now looking out one of the windows and we both made our way to join him.
Gon let out a gasp while I just stared down at the sparkling lights, "Woah! It's like the ground is covered in jewels!"
"Yeah!" Killua and I cheered, a grin on both of our faces as we continued to stare out of the window. Seeing the lights from this high up made me feel nervous but also free. Nervous due to the height but I knew we were safe so it was easier to push past that. At the same time, the feeling of flying really made me feel free and I loved it. I almost wanted to just stay here.
It was quiet between the three of us for a little bit but that was quickly broken when Gon spoke up, "Hey, I was wondering… Where are your mom and dad?" I flinched at the topic he decided to bring up and looked at him to see he was looking at the both of us and I sighed.
"My parents," I paused and leaned my head on my hand, turning my attention back out the window and gave a soft smile, "are at home with my sister."
"Hmm… They're alive," Killua shrugged, "Probably."
"Probably?" I blinked at him but he kept his eyes focused on the window.
"What do they do?" Gon questioned.
"Um," I paused, still blinking at Killua, the confusion and concern for what he meant overwhelmed me at that moment, "They work at a cafe. I mean, my mom does. My father's a, uh, a contractor - builds houses and such."
Gon nodded and Killua spoke up next, "They're assassins."
I let out a yelp while Gon simply blinked and tilted his head, "Huh? Both of them?"
"That sounds scary," I whimpered and then blinked in realization, whipping my head in his direction, "Then that means… dude, that's awesome but also terrifying. Please, don't ever kill me, I'm too young to die." I immediately started to regret ever messing around with him, I mean, seriously he could've killed me at literally any point just because he was done with me.
"That's your first reaction?" Killua started laughing, "You guys really are a riot!"
"Huh?" Gon and I blinked at him in surprise and confusion.
"You're the first person who's ever responded seriously," Killua said to Gon and then turned to me, "and you're hilarious!"
"Well, you're telling the truth, right?" Gon asked with a serious tone but underlined with genuine confusion.
"What makes you think that?" Killua asked, stopping his laughter as he stared at Gon, his eyes wide.
"You haven't lied to us so far, right?" I smiled at him, not feeling scared of him at all. I know, he's this cold-blooded killer but he didn't seem to want to end our existence, if anything he seemed to enjoy being around us. THerefore, I felt no need to be scared of him. Though the fact that his parents were the same, I worried about ever doing him wrong or doing anything to upset them.
"It's just a hunch," Gon shrugged.
"That's weird," Killua sighed, "People only like me because they can't ever tell whether I'm serious." He gave a pause as he turned his attention back to the window but I couldn't tell if he was looking at himself or down at the sea of lights as I studied his expression. It was sort of blank, like he didn't want you to be able to read his emotions, yet in his eyes you could see he desired something, but I didn't know what.
"I'm from a family of assassins. So they're all assassins and my family has really high hopes for me," he groaned, "but I can't stand it. Who wants to have their life planned out for them? When I told them I wanted to decide my own future, they all snapped!" He laughed a little at the end and continued, "My mother had tears streaming down her face, as she told me I have the potential to be a top assassin. Horrible parents, right?" He scoffed and gave a small, fake smile, "It's natural their kid would go bad. We ended up fighting." I gulped; I could only imagine how that turned out considering he was here.
"So I stabbed my mother in the face, my brother in the side, and ran away from home," he said it all so carefree that it made a tingle go up my spine. I'd never killed someone before, nor have I had to hurt someone before, so this wasn't something I was super comfortable with. "I'm sure they're out for blood now. But if they find me, I'll send them packing. When I become a Hunter, I'll start by capturing my family. I'm sure they're worth some hefty bounties." I went to say something when there was suddenly a heavy feeling in the air and a violent shiver ran down my spine; something or someone was around the corner and they wanted us dead. Killua whipped his head to look behind me, a weird look on his face as I stiffened, pure fear coursing through my veins.
Steps came from behind and the person spoke before I could pull my eyes from Killua who had turned around to stare the culprit down, "Something wrong?"
Gon jumped and turned around, "Ah, Netero, did you see anyone coming from that side?" I snapped back into full focus as the fear had finally faded.
"No," Netero shook his head and continued to smile at us as I turned my attention from Killua to the old man.
"You're pretty fast for an old man," Killua mentioned, his eyes narrowing into a glare as Gon looked between the two and I kept my eyes on the Chairman.
"That little trick? I barely moved," Netero shrugged it off as if it were nothing yet confirmed my suspicions. He had been the one who had released that feeling just a few moments ago.
"What do you want?" Killua questioned, "You don't have to do anything until the last phase, right?"
"No need to be so unkind," Netero said, the smile still on his face as if nothing we could say or do would bother him, "I got bored, and was looking for some companions."
"So you came to creep on three kids?" it came out of my mouth faster than I could even think and I stiffened as he looked at me but kept my face blank so he couldn't read me as easily but based on his chuckle, he easily saw through it.
"By the way, I meant to ask the three of you, any thoughts on your first attempt at the Hunter Examination?"
Gon grinned with a nod, "Uh-huh! It's fun! And there haven't been any of the written exams I was dreading."
I laughed at Gon's honestly, "I think it's okay, didn't realize how many times I would be close to dying but," I smiled slightly as I looked at the two boys who stood to the side of me, "I've made some good friends while here so I'm glad to have come!"
Killua rolled his eyes at me before shrugging, "I'm disappointed, I expected the exam to be far more difficult. I assume the next phase will be more interesting?"
"Says the assassin," I muttered and Killua kicked his legs back, easily hitting me on my shin. I jumped and quickly began to rub the now sore spot, my eyes watering at the pain and used my free hand to punch him lightly in the back, not that reacted but it was in retaliation.
"Well, now, I wouldn't know about that," Netero said and Killua sighed before he turned and began to walk away from the old man.
"Let's go, guys!" I turned to follow Killua as he called out to us but stopped when Netero called out.
"Now wait just a moment. Would you care to play a game with me?" I jumped behind Killua with a yelp.
"You pervy old man!" I yelled and pointed at Netero from over the white haired boys shoulder.
"He didn't even say anything perverted. You're the pervert for thinking that way," Killua huffed and I gasped in fake disbelief.
"How dare you? I am not!" Killua simply shook his head at me without answering me as Gon had asked Netero what game which had caught both of our attention again.
"If you're able to defeat me, I shall let you be Hunters!" Netero proposed and I blinked in surprise, sure I looked like an owl.
"Really? I'll play!" Gon cheered, excited at the idea of easily becoming a Hunter but I wasn't too sure and I think Killua could tell as he glanced back at me from over his shoulder.
"Nishinoya?" Killua asked, already deciding he's going because Gon is - which was obvious as he took a few steps towards Gon before waiting for me as Gon and Netero both stared at me.
"I think I'm okay," I said as I stared at my feet.
"Are you sure?" Gon asked and I looked at him and nodded.
"Yeah, I mean," I paused and looked up at the ceiling with a hand on my chin, "I feel like if I do it this way, there's no way I would win and even if I somehow do it'll feel as if I didn't become a Hunter the right way and like I don't deserve it. Ya know?" I said as I looked back down to the two boys with a smile. They blinked at me before smiling and nodding. "So I'm going to go wash up and get some rest before the next exam. Unlike some creatures here," I glanced at Killua as I said this, "I need some rest in order to continue to the next one."
"See you at the next exam then," Gon said with a grin and Killua simply huffed before they both walked away. I groaned as I stretched my back before turning and walking in the opposite direction from the others, finding my way back toward the front of the ship again where I easily found an unoccupied room. I slid the door open and turned the lights completely on.
It was a small room with only two beds and another door to the right which I assumed led to the bathroom. In the left back corner of the room there was a small round table with two chairs on either side, a vase filled with flowers sat in the middle of the table's platform. The lights were built up into the ceiling which was nice, it meant I wouldn't be able to hit my head on the low ceiling. I opened the door that sat to the right of the entrance to show that it was indeed a bathroom equipped with a toilet and a sink with a decent sized mirror that sat above it. To the right of the sink sat a rack that held a towel and some washcloths to which I grinned.
"Oh yes," I cheered as I grabbed a wash cloth so I could wash up a bit and as I turned to the mirror, my appearance caught my eye. My usually bluish silver hair appeared more blue due to the dust and grime of the Hunter's Exam, along with some dirt spots on my otherwise flawless pale skin. I blinked at the realization that I was nearly as pale as Killua and chuckled slightly. "Guess we're both forgetting to sit in the sun at times," I muttered and wet the cloth in the sink before me and leaned closer to the mirror where I used my reflection to get the dirt and grime off my neck first before moving up to my face. As I wiped down my forehead and around my eyes, my hair fell in front of my eyes. I stared into my own golden hues as I sighed, pinching the short strands of hair that had fallen with my pointer and thumb.
I sighed and pushed it to the side and ran my hand down my face with a groan, "That's not gonna last much longer." I looked down at my clothes and grimaced, who knew clothes could get so dirty so quick. "No wonder my clothes get washed so often," I hummed. It was a simple outfit made of some pelts, well the jacket and the skirt-type thing over my pants were, the skirt thing was attached to a tan fabric that was a longer length so it could be tied to keep the pelt in place. Under the open jacket I wore a white tank top matched with black lightweight sweatpants that were stuffed into my brown boots that had black fabric wrapped around it from my ankle to the top of the boot along with the arm wraps that covered my wrists. They appeared to be just pelt but it had some metal within it to keep myself from getting hurt too badly should I need to block an attack.
I patted my clothes down to the best of my abilities to clean it up and left the bathroom, making my way to the far bed with quick steps, turning the lights off on my way. "Sleep," I groaned as I plopped onto the soft mattress. I grabbed one of the many pillows that were at the head of the bed and pulled it closer to me and hugged it to my chest as I curled into a ball, quickly falling into a deep sleep, oblivious to the world.
We had been at it for a few hours by now and yet we were getting absolutely nowhere! I was starting to get annoyed when Netero suggested we work together and I jumped up at him with a scowl as Gon joined with a grin. How he was still excited confused me but it also annoyed me. We haven't gotten the old man to use his other hand let alone his foot! There's no reason to be excited. I should have gotten that stupid ball already!
We both flew at the old man multiple times but just kept dodging us and we bumped into each other, hitting our heads together, "Ow!"
Netero laughed and Gon turned and launched himself at the old man as I stood back to try and calm myself before continuing and Netero spoke as Gon got closer, "Your attacks are getting boring." Netero leaned his head back slightly to avoid Gon's kick but he took his boot off as he kicked which extended his reach and allowed him to land the hit, making Netero drop the ball in surprise and pain. Seeing the opening, I jumped in behind him and kicked the old fart in his back, knocking him away from us and the ball.
"A chance!" I cheered as I quickly bounced back off the floor and stretched my arms out towards the ball but even as the old man was falling, he reached his leg back.
"I think not," and with a kick, the ball was now out of my reach and he used the momentum to flip onto his feet and jump toward the ball while I landed on my own feet with a scowl. He's really starting to tick me off. Gon took the chance to kick his other boot and boosted the ball further away from Netero and with a slight smirk, I jumped forward and past the old man as he mumbled something but my focus was more on the ball so I couldn't hear what he had said.
"It's mine!" Gon and I yelled as we stretched ourselves out with grins on our faces. This was it. We were actually gonna make it! Or at least I thought we were going to when suddenly the old man pushed past us and knocked us out of the way as he grabbed the ball. You've gotta be kidding me! I scowled, absolutely livid now. There's absolutely no way we could do this because he's just toying with us and I hate it!
He stood there on one foot with a smirk on his face and the ball in his hand, "I commend you on your efforts." I looked over at where he had stood previously to see a smoking hole in the shape of his foot.
"You're amazing, Mr. Netero! Really amazing!" Gon cheered and I tsked as I stood from my spot.
"Forget it," I said as I sighed through my nose, "I give up. I lose!" I turned away from the annoying elder and made my way to my shirt as Gon let out a quiet, 'huh'.
"Why? We still have time. And just now, we came really close," Gon said as he stood and pointed at the clock hanging on the wall.
I picked up my shirt and threw it over my shirt as I looked at him, "Jeez. You really have no clue, do you? The old man had barely used his right hand and his left leg."
"What?" Gon jumped slightly in surprise as he dropped his hand.
"But we're still powerless against him," I continued as I closed my eyes, my face scrunched in anger. "We could chase him around for a year, and never take the ball from him."
"Oh, you figured it out? And here, I thought I'd fooled you," Netero said while Gon blinked at him owlishly.
"So that's what he was doing," Gon said and I laughed sarcastically.
"You really know how to piss me off, old man," I said and turned to leave, "Let's go, Gon!"
"Oh, I'm gonna play a little longer."
"Huh?!" I shouted as I ran back into the room, "Didn't you hear what I said?! It's useless! You won't be able to get the ball from him!"
"Yeah! I don't care about the ball," Gon grinned and I gawked at him in surprise. Seriously, I can't read this boy at all! "We've only used up half of the time limit. I'm gonna make Mr. Netero use his right hand before the time runs out!"
I blinked at him in surprise, either he's an idiot or hopelessly optimistic, "I see… Yeah, I got it. Good luck." I turned away from the boy who continued to stare at me and with a wave of my hand, I left the room with departing words, "I'm getting some sleep."
Shortly after departing from the room, I took my undershirt off as well in hopes that it would help me cool down but it didn't seem to be helping. Damn it! Now I'm in a bad mood. I continued walking, not noticing the two guys walking towards me until I accidentally bumped into one but I seriously wasn't in a caring mood so I didn't bother stopping or even saying anything over my shoulder. Well, I guess there's nothing for it.
"Hey," one called out but I continued on my way, "Wait up, kid." Their footsteps started coming towards me as I continued my leisure walk.
"You bump into us, and then ignore us?" the other asked.
Their pace increased as they let out a yell, "Bastard!" I stopped as they reached me and they reached out to me. They were easily within range and as their hands were mere centimeters above my shoulders, I whipped my hand back with my nails sharpened and the spray of blood fell around the hallway yet not a single drop hit me and I continued my walk, lowering my hand as I went. If I hadn't stopped then, I'd have ended up killing that old man to get the ball.
As I continued to walk towards the front of the ship, my rage began to simmer down and the passing thought of where Nishinoya could have gone passed through my mind at some point. This led to me making my way to the front of the ship in hopes of him being the idiot I think him to be and have him asleep in the middle of the room where we had the meeting with Netero in the beginning of the trip yet when I reached the room, I was surprisingly disappointed to see he wasn't and neither were the older boys who had joined Gon during the first few exams. I hummed in thought before making my way towards some of the rooms and started to peek within the confines of each room to see if he had been there. Next stop would be the cafe if I couldn't find him here.
After searching the first 10 rooms I began to think he just wasn't in a room but when I hit the 13th room, I noticed a small ball laying on top of the sheets with fur-rimmed clothes and knew I had found him. He was letting out small, quiet snores as he tightly hugged the pillow, each breath blowing a strand of hair out of his face only to fall right back to where he had been. Upon closer inspection I noticed he had drool coming from his mouth as he murmured incoherent words before falling silent again. I chuckled at the sleeping boy and jumped onto the other bed, taking the time we had left on the airship to get some rest much like Nishinoya had done.
"Loser," the sudden word scared the daylights out of me and I jumped, whipping my head in the sleeping boy's direction as I thought he had woken up but he was clearly still sleeping as he buried his head further into the pillow he was hugging. I snorted at the fact that he was still trying to insult me even when sleeping before settling down in the bed I had claimed as my own and shut my eyes, falling into a light yet restful sleep.
4209 words
I personally love the 1999 version of this because of Killua's nonchalant attitude toward the night sky while flying and casually mentioning that he has a private blimp like it was the most normal thing in the world cause for him it is but for others not so much.