[A/n: thank you for your patience! I've been having a rough time this past year. I just started college too so I'm stressed about that. But, I finally updated! Yay! Thanks again! Love y'all <3]

~~~

Dawn breaks silently, bringing a gentle warmth and pleasant light to the small room containing the three of us.

I yawn and stretch out my limbs. When I don't come into contact with Hisoka's hot body, I realize he's left the bed already.

Sitting upright, I notice that Hisoka's already showered and dressed for the day. He's standing at the mirror, applying his makeup. He he notices me staring, his lips tilt upwards.

Quickly, my eyes dart to the side. Hisoka can be intimidating sometimes.

I'm still in my clothes from yesterday, so I slowly stand and grab my backpack.

"Ohayo gozaimasu," I greet, my voice sounding small as I stifle another yawn.

"Ohayo, puppy~"

His eyes follow me as I slink past him and I try not to notice.

I enter the bathroom, quickly completing my routine. My stomach is already rumbling, so I'm in a rush.

Breakfast is calling my name!

Once I'm done and back in the main room, I finally comprehend that Gittarackur is gone.

"Gitta sure gets up early, huh?"

"Most people like him do," Hisoka explains, finished with his makeup.

I give his face a once over, "Have I said that I like your makeup?"

"You may have mentioned it."

"Well, I love it!"

He smirks, stretching his hand out to pat my head, "Thanks."

My face heats up when he doesn't retract his hand, fingers threading through my hair before gently stroking my puppy ears.

"So soft~"

Practically on fire, I am quick to change the subject and move away from his large hand.

"Let's get some breakfast! I'm starving!"

Backpack slung over my shoulder, I rush out of the room and towards the cafeteria.

I still feel phantom touches, unable to get his actions out of my mind.

The scent of pancakes and bacon hang heavy in the air, helping distract me from my thoughts.

"Mmm," my mouth opens automatically, drool pooling around my tongue.

I waste no time, dashing to the food and grabbing all the stuff I can fit on my plate as well as a coffee.

Hisoka is already seated alongside Gittarackur.

So that's where he's been!

My meal is already half gone by the time I sit across from them.

"Ohayo gozaimasu," I smile at Gitta through a mouthful of syrupy pancake.

His head tilts a bit to the side and to my surprise he greets me back.

"Ohayo."

My smile widens into a grin and I shovel another forkful into my mouth before washing it done with coffee. Hisoka grabs a piece of bacon, licking his fingers clean after he eats it.

Just as the last of my food is devoured, a voice begins speaking from the intercom.

"I apologize for the delay. The airship will soon arrive at its destination."

My ears perk at the news.

"We're almost there! I wonder what the next test will be?"

"Something intense, no doubt," Hisoka's eyes glint.

I raise an eyebrow, "Are you sure? The first two weren't that bad. Maybe this'll be straightforward too."

He smirks like he knows I'm wrong.

I mean, I've been wrong before so I guess I'd better not have any expectations.

Dropping off my dishes, I sprint towards the exit of the blimp as our altitude decreases. The two guys I've been hanging around are no doubt close by, but I lost them in the crowd.

Once everyone is out of the blimp and standing on a very tall tower, I realize that I'm situated next to Gon and his friends.

"Where are we?"

"There's nothing here."

A few people grumble.

Can't these guys just shut up and wait for instructions? Is it really that hard for them?!

"Ahem," Beans clears his throat to get our attention. "Everyone, the Third Phase of the exam will begin here at the top of Trick Tower."

"Trick Tower?" Someone echoes.

"To pass this phase, you must reach the tower's base alive. The time limit is seventy-two hours. With that, the Third Phase will now begin."

The green guy smiles brightly, "I wish you all luck!"

"Arigato!" My tail swishes to the side rapidly.

Beans is just too cute!

I wave to the blimp as it flies away a low chuckle to my left alerting me of Hisoka's presence.

"Oh, hi Hiso-kun!"

"Hello~"

I was about to say something when I notice a man begin to climb down the tower. Gon and company are standing right there watching him in awe.

Curious, I focus on their reactions seeing how I can't see the climber.

An odd whooshing sound fills the air, causing my hair to stand on end.

The hell is that?

Suddenly, a bunch of disturbing red creatures fly by and attack the climbing man. He screams as everyone looks on in shock.

The beasts have wings, four arms, gaping mouths and giant teeth.

I watch them fly past with a growl, my tail fluffed up in a defensive way.

I hope those things leave me the hell alone.

"Daijoubu," Hisoka grins down at me.

Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms, "I just think they're creepy. I'm not scared."

"Sure."

"Anyways, there must be a trap door somewhere," I say, walking a few steps. "Oh, it sounds hollow here."

I step on the tile again, yelping as it flips.

Wincing as I land in a heap on the cold floor of a surprisingly well-lit room, I scrunch my nose in distaste.

I didn't even say goodbye. Plus I landed on my backpack, which wasn't the most comfortable experience.

Springing to my feet, I walk to a plaque on the brick wall.

'The two who drop in this chamber must find their way down together.'

I reread it a few times.

The two, huh?

I wonder who I'll be stuck with.

I don't have to ponder it for long though, as a soft thud announces the arrival of someone. Turning to greet them, a grin instantly form on my face.

"Hiso-kun!"

"Puppy," he acknowledges, already by my side as he reads the plaque.

"I'm glad it was you! I was scared I'd be stuck with Tonpa or someone," I make a face of disgust as a door opens to the side of the plaque.

His melodious chuckle rewards my comment as he starts walking.

"Let's go."

~

After walking through a long passage way for an hour, I find myself getting bored.

"Isn't there supposed to be some action? So far all we've done is walk," I pout.

"Aw, puppy are you tired?" Hisoka asks sarcastically.

I scoff, "Tired of walking maybe. Honestly, this isn't challenging at all."

Ahead of me, the candles illuminate a doorway. Instantly on edge, I dash ahead of my clown companion and peer into a large room occupied with what appears to be convicts.

There are twenty of them in total. Ranging from big builds to scrawny ones and each of them is staring at us with amused glints in their eyes.

"Now we're talking," I beam.

'You must defeat each of the convicts in order to pass,' a voice announces.

'This is a fight to the death. If a convict succeeds in stopping you from reaching the base, their prison sentence will be reduced.'

Exchanging a glance with Hisoka, I nod.

"So, you take the ten on the right and I'll take the ten on the left," I say, stretching my arms as I take off my backpack.

I open it and firmly grasp my hatchet as I toss the pack to the floor by the wall.

"Who's first?" I ask, loosening my shoulders as I swing my weapon in a bored manner.

A large hulk of a man steps forward, sneering down at me.

"Do you know why I'm here?" He asks idly.

"Cause you're a bad person?"

"Ha! Because I've killed fifty people and raped countless little girls like you."

His attempt at intimidation doesn't faze me.

"Good to know!"

He is stunned by my chipper voice.

"Now I can get some vengeance for those poor souls," my eyes lose their usual shine, replaced with dullness. "Revenge is the only gift I can offer them."

Without warning, I dart forward, deftly swiping my small and trusty hatchet.

The criminal's head falls to the ground with a thud, blood splattering the surrounding area.

Hisoka watches with an admiring gaze as I focus on slaying the people in front of me.

A few put up a bit of a fight.

I take a few punches and one major kick to the stomach, but the enemy is not prepared to handle my speed and weapon.

Of course, the careful use of my Nen is also a big help. Being an Enhancer sure has its perks!

Soon enough, no one is left standing.

I wipe the gore from my blade using one of the convict's shirt, "Aw shoot."

I frown, stepping over headless bodies, "I forgot to save you some."

"It's alright. I was quite enjoying the show~" Hisoka grins, petting my head as I walk past him. "Your Nen is impressive."

I grab my backpack and tuck my weapon into its holder which I then put on. We resume walking as the door opens.

"Ah, so you do know about Nen. Your Zetsu must be really good," I compliment him.

"As is yours, little pup. You're certainly going to blossom into a worthy opponent~"

My face heats up at the praise, "I have a long ways to go before I could even dream of fighting you, Hiso-kun."

"That may be true, but I can be patient," his yellow eyes pierce mine as he smiles.