Chapter 9

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A/N: I might be adding songs or videos I like here. You don't need to listen to them, of course, but you can if you'd like to.

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"Alright, let's start."

I stayed in my place for a while, trying to come up with a good strategy. My thoughts were interrupted when he ran towards me. He was too fast for me to react. He slashed my shoulder. My shoulder immediately started to bleed.

"Ow... You're gonna pay!" I shouted as I ran towards him. I made him think I was going to push him when all I did was disappear. He was looking for me. I was right above him. My wings were unfolded. 'Looks like this one's a tough one. I can't underestimate him.'

I went behind him. I was about to stab his arm, but he noticed me and jumped behind. We both ran towards each other, ready to attack each other with everything we got. I was about to slice his arm when he jumped behind me. I turned around. He used his dagger to cut my right wing. I screamed in pain.

"Aiko!" All my 'friends' shouted. 'Shit. I can't use my right wing anymore. Damn you, bastard!' I was very angry. I sprinted towards the man at a speed I never knew I had. I cut him all over. When I finally calmed down a little, he was covered in blood and cuts. I turned my sneakers into roller-skates so that I can be faster than him. I dashed towards him. Dero simply stepped out of the way. I stopped myself just in time. I was on the edge. 'Oh no-'

"Aiko! Behind you!" They all said, but they were too late. Dero already pushed me off.

I closed my eyes as I fell out of the arena. 'I... fell. Am I going to die? I'm so weak. I couldn't even achieve my goal. It's way too early for me to die.' I heard a loud 'splash'. After that, my vision turned black.

Gon's POV:

"Aiko!" I screamed as I went to the edge of the surface we were on. I watched as she fell until I couldn't see her anymore. I heard a far-off 'splash'.

'No... way... Aiko...' I just couldn't believe it. Tears streamed down my cheeks. Not just me, everyone else was crying too.

"Aiko... Aiko! If you can hear me down there, listen carefully: If you... don't... fly back up here... I will... I will hate you!" I managed to shout in between my sniffing. That is, if she can hear me. There was a cold hand placed on my shoulder. I looked up. Killua gave me an expression I've never seen on him before.

Tears filled his eyes as he told me, "She can't hear you, Gon. Aiko's... dead."

"No, she isn't! she can't die! She's strong! I... I heard a splash! It was faint, but I heard it! If there's water down there, she might have a chance!" Killua shook his head.

"Killua... no! I know she'll make it!"

Killua's POV:

I looked down. My bangs were shading my face. I tried to believe Gon, but I couldn't. I just watched as Aiko fell. I didn't even try to help her, and I know that if I just tried, I could have. Why? I kinda wished I could make friends with her. Having Gon here makes things a tiny bit better but, still...

"Gon, Killua's right." Kurapika said. I looked up. His eyes were a shade of red I've never seen before. Gon still couldn't believe me.

"You think we want to believe this too?! You think we're just happy about what happened to her?! Can't you see that we don't want to believe it either?!" I yelled as I couldn't hold my tears back. I realized what I was doing. "Sorry, Gon. I just mean that we'll overcome this together."

Kurapika's POV:

I knew my eyes were scarlet. Everything was bright red. I could barely see a thing. I was wondering if what Gon said was true or not. I should have more faith than her, but... I already know. Her wings were always the one thing protecting her, and now, they can't even help her. Memories of the time we spent years ago flashed in my mind. I remember how I first met her and Shio. Wait. What will Shio do if he ever found out? He'd be shattered! They were best friends! Now I lost not only Pairo, but Aiko as well! Why does this have to happen? I was now crying. I went to the corner and buried my head into my hands.

Leorio's POV:

I saw how everyone else was low-spirited. I can't really judge. Our precious friend just fell to what could be her death. I tried to help.

"Well, at least we still have a chance to pass the Hunter Exam... Come on, Killua! You can beat the last prisoner!" Yikes. Not the right time. Gon smiled at me while tears were dripping down his face. Killua shot me a death glare. Kurapika ignored me.

"Killua, Leorio's right. You have to win your match. Aiko wouldn't want to come back and see that we failed, would she? She'd tell us to continue, so we have to. Let's win this for Aiko!" Gon said. He wiped his tears. Killua glared at him then finally gave in.

"You're right. Thanks, Gon." Killua thanked him.

"Hey! Kurapika! You hear that? Come on!" I tried to cheer him up. He ignored me. I went to talk to him. 'He must be sad. I'd be too. I know how he feels.'

"Kurapika?" He didn't respond. "I know you're really sad right now, but-"

"Sad? Do you even know anything?" He was clearly angry.

"Hey! Don't interrupt me." I shouted. 

"I know, believe me. I've also lost my friend, but I just made it a step to my goal. I'm not saying Aiko you should use Aiko as a step. I just mean that you have to reach your goal. You have to do it for all of your friends." I said calmly.

"Yes... You're right... I'm really sorry Leorio." He smiled and got up.

"Come on! Killua, you better win your match!" I half ordered as he walked into the arena. 'I'm the greatest! Hehe.'

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A/N: I bet you didn't expect that! I wonder how Aiko will make it out... She can't use her right wing anymore. What will she do?

Reminder: I do not own Hunter x Hunter or, again, any of its characters.

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