sᴏ ғᴏʀ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴡᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴘᴏɪɴᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ'ᴍ ɴᴏᴛ ɪɴ ᴀɴʏ ᴡᴀʏ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ ᴏᴘ, ɪ'ᴍ ᴊᴜsᴛ ʜᴀᴠɪɴɢ ʜᴇʀ ᴜsᴇ ʜᴇʀ sᴘᴇᴇᴅ; ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴘʀɪsᴏɴᴇʀ, ᴛᴏ ᴛʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇ.

ᴀs ɪ ʜᴀᴠᴇ sᴀɪᴅ ʙᴇғᴏʀᴇ, sʜᴇ's ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ғᴀsᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴀɴ ɢᴏɴ ɴᴏᴡ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪs ʜᴏᴡ sʜᴇ ɪs ɢᴏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴘʟᴀʏ ʜᴇʀ ᴄᴀʀᴅs.

ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ ʜᴀs ǫᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴏғ ᴀ ᴘᴀɪɴ ᴛᴏʟᴇʀᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛs ᴛᴏ ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴀsᴛ ᴡʜɪᴄʜ ᴡɪʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴇxᴘʟᴀɪɴᴇᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ sᴛᴏʀʏ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ'ᴍ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ ғᴏʀ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴜʏs ᴛᴏ sᴇᴇ ᴀ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ɴᴇᴡ sɪᴅᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴠᴀʟᴇɴᴛɪɴᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ sʜᴇ ɪs ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴇxᴘʀᴇss.

ʟᴇᴛ's ᴊᴜsᴛ sᴀʏ ᴡʜᴇɴ sʜᴇ ɢᴇᴛs ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ, sʜᴇ ɢᴇᴛs.... ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴋɴᴏᴡs ǫᴜɪᴛᴇ ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴏғ ᴍɪɴᴅ ɢᴀᴍᴇs.

ɴᴏᴡ, ɪ'ᴍ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴀs ʙᴇsᴛ ᴀs ɪ ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴜᴘ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴄᴇ, ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ's ᴀ ʙɪᴛ ᴅɪғғɪᴄᴜʟᴛ ғᴏʀ ᴍᴇ sɪɴᴄᴇ ɪ'ᴍ ᴜsᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀɪᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙɪᴛᴛᴇʀ, ᴄᴏʟᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ-ᴏғғ ᴄʜᴀʀᴀᴄᴛᴇʀs; sɪᴍɪʟᴀʀ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟᴜᴀ's ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ, sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ's ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ'ᴍ ᴜsᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ.

ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪsᴇ ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ʜᴀʀᴅᴇʀ ᴛᴏ ᴋᴇᴇᴘ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴛ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀ ɪɴ ᴄʜᴇᴄᴋ sᴏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ ɪs ᴏᴘᴘᴏsɪᴛᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟᴜᴀ's, sɪɴᴄᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴘʟᴀɴɴɪɴɢ ғʀᴏᴍ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴɴɪɴɢ.

ғᴏʀ ʜᴇʀ ɪɴɴᴏᴄᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ɴɪᴄᴇʟʏ ʙʟᴇɴᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜɪs ᴄʟᴏsᴇᴅ ᴏғғ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀ.

ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴡᴏʀʀʏ, ᴛʜɪs ɪs ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴍɪsʜᴀᴘ ɪɴ ʜᴇʀ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴᴀʟɪᴛʏ ᴀɴᴅ ɪᴛ ᴡɪʟʟ ɢᴇᴛ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ʙᴇᴛᴛᴇʀ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ғᴜᴛᴜʀᴇ, ɪ ᴘʀᴏᴍɪsᴇ.

ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ ғɪɢʜᴛ sᴄᴇɴᴇ ɪs ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ᴍᴇʜ, ᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ'ᴍ ʜᴀᴠɪɴɢ ᴀ ʜᴀʀᴅ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ʟᴀᴛᴇʟʏ ᴀɴᴅ ᴡʜᴇɴ ɪ'ᴍ ʟᴏᴡ ᴏɴ ᴍᴏᴛɪᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ɪ ᴍᴀᴋᴇ ᴀᴡғᴜʟ ғɪɢʜᴛ sᴄᴇɴᴇs 😓

ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴀᴛᴛᴀᴄᴋ ᴍᴇ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛs.

ʟᴏᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʟʟ ❤︎

ꕥ

ꕥ

After Kurapika's match with Hanzo, it was Valentine's turn, causing her to pass off her beloved bird to Kurapika and made sure to let him know that if anything happened to him, he'd be hearing about it from her, while the blonde boy had calmly reassured her that nothing would happen. Standing before Hanzo, Valentine's anger from Gon's match hadn't resided and she stepped forward, putting a decent distance between them.

With her hands held behind her back, she stared at the ninja before her and her once bright eyes darkened.

'Sorry kid, but I won't hold back',Hanzo spoke up before the match had begun.

Realizing that these were the same words he had uttered to Gon, Kurapika and Leorio couldn't help but worry for the small Angel that was their friend.

'Not this again..',Leorio mumbled, worriedly biting on his nail.

Watching the two, Kurapika silently prayed that the young girl would be okay for he didn't want to see her get hurt and if she did, nothing would be able to hold him back.

Smiling cheekily at the older man, Valentine eerily tilted her head.

"That's alright",She spoke up confidently,"I don't mind"

A different referee served the match and raised his hand in the air as he spoke.

'Alright, it's time to start'

Putting himself in an offense position, Hanzo watched as the girl in front of him didn't even bother and stood completely still, staying in her current position.

'Begin!'

Shooting forward, Hanzo grabbed the girl's face in his hand and harshly shoved her into the ground.

'Don't try and get all cocky, you saw how that played out for your little friend'

A feral grin spread on the girl's lips as her eyes darkened and she harshly grabbed the man's wrist, her fist connecting with his throat.

Wincing slightly, he slightly stumbled back and hadn't expected her to have much strength; if any.

Fixing her blonde locks, Valentine pushed a piece of hair out of her face and innocently tilted her head.

"I'm going to be honest with you, mister. You may be stronger and have a lot more skill than I do",Valentine admitted, the eerie look in her eyes returning once again,"But I'm faster. So, don't think that I'll surrender quickly"

A vein angrily popped out of Hanzo's forehead and seemed to appear before the girl, gripping her hair as he tried to bring her face towards his knee.

Before his knee could make contact, a slight ringing filled his ears and the girl in his hands had disappeared, causing Hanzo to falter in his posture, his eyes looking around for the girl.

A powerful kick slammed into the back of his neck, causing the man to gag; caught off guard.

Recovering quicker than she had anticipated, a hard blow landed as his fist connected with her stomach, sending the blonde back by the force of his punch, her body sliding against the floor.

Shaking her head, she barely had time to react as a harsh grip tangled within her hair before a crack echoed as a solid hit smashed against her cheek.

Leorio and Kurpika winced before the former shouted out in protest and sickness.

Observing the scene before him, Killua's eyes were blank and his face was emotionless, but his thoughts said otherwise.

"You idiot. Why aren't you fighting back?"

Another audible hit filled the air as his foot harshly connected with her chest and sent Valentine skidding back once more, before she slowly looked up; her face still full of light as blood steadily fell from her nose.

Standing to her feet, the girl seemed unaffected as she wiped the blood from her nose and gazed down at it, tilting her head at the small droplet of blood coating her finger.

A low hum left her lips and she slowly looked up, her golden gaze locking onto the ninja.

"All of that for the tiniest drop of blood?"

The sound of hitting repeatedly echoed throughout the room once more and the blonde wouldn't give up, that much was clear.

She was angry about what had happened with Gon and she wouldn't stop until she had dealed some damage to the man.

Mentally or physically.

𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗻.

For the boy she considered her best friend.

For the boy she thought of as her 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.

Soon, silence filled the air and Hanzo gripped the girl's shirt, angrily pulling her towards his face.

'Why don't you just surrender already, damnit?!'

A devious grin twisted onto the girl's lips and a crazed looked filled the innocent girl's eyes, before roughly slamming her head against his.

Letting go of the girl, Hanzo let her drop to her feet and he stumbled back a few steps, holding his hand to his head as he winced.

Quickly shooting forward, Valentine sent her foot into the man's gut and he gagged, being caught completely off guard.

Watching in perturbation, everyone watched as Valentine stood her ground and her soft voice traveled to their ears.

"You're not going to get anywhere if you're going to try and beat me into submission",Valentine cutely giggled and smiled brightly, not bothered by the blood dripping from her nose,"Cause you see, I'm quite used to certain levels of pain"

Everyone was puzzled by the girl's statement, a few examiners and applicants couldn't help but be curious.

Looking at one another, Killua, Leorio and Kurapika were all wondering the same thing.

What had this young and bright girl gone through for her to be used to pain?

'What do you mean by that?',Hanzo questioned, already getting frustrated with the girl.

Humming lightly, Valentine intertwined her hands together and smiled.

"I learned it from my grandfather, of course",Valentine mischievously answered.

A shocked silence filled the air and Hanzo stared at the girl, wondering just who was this child.

"So, I can do this for quite a few hours and the worst that could happen is that I'd die from blood loss",Valentine countered, her innocence returning once more as all devious acts that had once been displayed, disappeared,"And we wouldn't want that"

Gulping harshly, Hanzo felt the heat that brewed behind the sun's innocent rays of light and felt chills run down his spine at the look of a rage-filled protectiveness that settled within her innocent eyes.

Valentine Nitsune was a rose with thorns and if you weren't careful, you would get pricked.

A pause of silence hung in the air, before the ninja turned towards the referee and let out a sigh of exasperation.

'I lose this one as well'

Once again becoming a ray of sunshine, Valentine giggled loudly and slowly shook her head.

"I was just teasing you for what you did to Gon, I should thank my grandfather for teaching me playful manipulation",Valentine gleefully cheered, playfully sticking out her tongue.

'What the hell... she was teasing him and manipulating him? But, she was just beaten down!',Leorio shouted, his eyes wide in disbelief.

'Yes, but she used that manipulation to play with his self-confidence and used that to her advantage',Kurapika explained, still facing the two.

Mentally agreeing with the teen, Killua couldn't help but frown at the girl's injuries.

"But still, it was a dangerous tactic and I doubt that she was completely sure if it would work"

ꕥ

After quickly coming back from the infirmary, Valentine arrived just as Killua prepared himself for his match with Guttaracker. With many of her cuts and bruises; surprisingly, gone, she gave the boy a bright smile and wished him luck.

Nodding back in response; after mentally making sure she was alright as he quickly swept his gaze over her, he stood in front of the older male, the two holding each other's gaze.

'Begin!'

The younger boy stepped forward, cautiously making his way towards the pin headed man.

Guttaracker did nothing but observe the pale boy as he stalked closer and smiled slightly.

'It's been a while, Kil'

Halting his movements, Killua gazed up at the man in puzzlement and watched as Guttaracker began to pull pins from his head, his face changing structure and the hair atop of his head grew in length; resembling that of a midnight black sky.

Gasping in horror, Killua's body trembled in fear and Valentine perked up, growing worried which caused Zeus to nuzzle into the girl's neck, trying to bring her comfort.

'Big brother?'

Eyes widening slightly, Valentine thought back to the time he had talked about his family and she observed his older brother; shivers running down her spine.

Hearing his breath quicken, Valentine's concern grew and she looked towards Killua, watching as sweat slowly fell down his face.

'Hey',The male greeted casually, his onyx eyes were as empty as an abyss,'I heard that you cut up mom and Milluki'

'I guess',Killua responded awkwardly, shoving his hands into his pockets.

'Mom was crying',Guttaracker said, expressionlessly tilting his head to the side.

'Of course she was! Anyone would cry if their son did that to them',Leorio mumbled under his breath.

'Tears of joy'

Overwhelmed with surprise, Leorio fell over and was struck into a dumbstruck state.

'She was so proud to see that you've grown up. But she was concerned about you leaving home, so she asked me to check up on you',He continued to speak,'What a coincidence. I didn't know that you wanted to become a Hunter, though I need a license for my next job'

Looking down at his shoes, Killua pursed his lips.

'I don't really want to become a Hunter',Killua stated, muttering under his breath,'I just felt like taking the exam'

'I see. That's a relief. I have some advice for you, you're not cut out to be a Hunter. You were always born to be killer'

Pursing her lips in anger, golden eyes were locked onto the fight and Valentine saw the melancholic look in Killua's electric blue eyes.

She hated it.

It wasn't true.

'You're a puppet of darkness, without a single passion. You don't want anything and you don't wish for anything',Guttaracker coldly spat at him,'As one who lives in bitter darkness, the only thing you feel is pleasure when people die. That's how father and I raised you. What will you accomplish if you become a Hunter?'

Staying silent for a moment, Killua moved his fingers slightly to stretch them; but did nothing more and stayed calm; nonetheless, in spite of the fear that was beating away at his soul.

'See? There's nothing you really want'

'That's not true! Everyone wants something.. even I do. There's something that I really want!',Killua shouted.

Something about his tone, stirred something within Valentine's chest and her breath shook as she felt her eyes begin to water, feeling bad for her snowy-haired friend.

'Tell me what it is that you want',Guttaracker asked.

Blinking up at him, Killua looked back down once more and was hesitant to speak.

'What's wrong? There's nothing you really want is there?'

'That's not it!',Killua exclaimed, a brooding expression on his face and he looked down, his head bowed down towards the ground,'I want to be friend's with Valentine and Gon'

Looking further down towards the ground, Killua kept his head down and his words were quiet but strong.

'I'm sick of killing people',Killua quietly stated,'I just want to be friends with Valentine and Gon, and live a normal life'

With her heart squeezing in her chest, Valentine felt sympathy for the boy she had already begun to see as a friend and felt tears stinging the edge of her eyes.

'That's impossible, you are incapable of making friends. You're only concerns when you meet a person, is whether you should kill them or not. That's how you were trained'

Clenching her hands, Valentine's nails furiously dug into the palms of her hands and she felt as the skin slowly began to break.

'You just don't know how to classify Gon or Valentine because of their radiant personalities. You don't actually want to be friends with them'

'You're wrong'

'If you stay with them, one day you'll end up wanting to kill them. You'll get the urge to see if you can kill them or not, because you have the heart of a killer',The black haired Zoldyck spat.

"Stop talking"

A soft tone with underlying anger traveled throughout the room and caught a few people off guard, causing them to turn towards the bright and lively girl as her bright eyes narrowed at Guttaracker.

"You have no right to say that to him",Valentine spoke up, defending Killua.

Stepping forward, Leorio was stopped from walking any further by the two referees.

'Killua, I don't give a damn if he's your brother. He's a worthless piece of crap, don't listen to him! Just beat the crap out of him like usual and win! You want to be friends with Valentine and Gon? Are you stupid?'

The teen pointed a finger towards the boy, feeling annoyed.

'You guys are already friends!'

Jolting back, memories of all of the times Valentine called him a friend flashed through Killua's mind.

"I wanted to say, thank you"

Sending the blonde a side glance, Killua was surprised by her abrupt words and was quite confused by them as well.

'What for?',He asked as he rested his hands behind his head nonchalantly and tried playing it off.

"For becoming my friend and for looking out for me",Valentine stated, her golden eyes shinning brightly as she smiled.

"Well then, I'm glad to be your first friend, Killua",Valentine stated and brightly smiled, a light giggle breaking past her lips.

"You're my friend, Killua, and I know that you'd never intentionally hurt me. So tell me, why should I be scared of you?"

Snapping him out of his thoughts, Valentine spoke up with her eyes gleaming and a bright smile on her lips.

"I've already told you, you're my friend, Killua!",Valentine exclaimed, happily,"And Gon's too! Don't think any less of yourself"

Lips parting in surprise, eyes as colorful as a sapphire and as warm as a summer's heat locked onto gentle eyes that were the color of the sun and as calming as the ocean's tide, and Killua couldn't help the shock that filled his body at her words, his heart strangely began to beat a bit quicker.

Why?

'Really?',Killua questioned, his voice just barely above a whisper but everyone had heard it.

Staring at the blonde girl, Guttaracker's dark and emotionless eyes watched her and he tilted his head.

'Oh. Really?'

'Hell yeah, idiot!',Leorio shouted in response.

Nodding firmly, Valentine's soft and angelic features seemed to glisten in the light and if you looked closely enough, it was as if a halo had appeared above the girl's head and stars sparkled within her eyes.

Bringing a hand to his chin, Guttaracker pondered for a moment.

'That's no good, they already consider Kil a friend',The man hummed lightly and then perked up as an idea came into his mind, pointing a finger upwards,'Okay then, I'll just kill them both'

A horrified expression morphed onto Killua, Leorio and Kurapika's faces and the three of them let out gasps.

'Assassins have no use for friends',Guttaracker spoke, holding pins in his hands,'They'll only slow you down'

Trembling, Killua hung his head down and Valentine glanced towards him, her hands shaking as her body screamed at her to comfort her friend, but if she tried to do that, she'd be 'interfering' with the match.

Turning around, raven black eyes locked onto the young blonde's form and innocent eyes widened slightly, fear starting to blossom within her chest as his dark gaze locked onto her.

Like a wolf preying on a lamb.

'I'll start with you then'

Multiple applicants surrounded the girl and Kurapika protectively stood in front of Valentine, his hand pushing her behind him as his body shielded the young girl from Guttaracker's view.

'We won't let you proceed',Kurapika spoke up, his tone strong and unwavering.

Walking closer, he stopped a short distance away and studied all of the applicants that protectively shielded the girl.

'This won't do, I need a Hunter license to do my job. But if I kill them, I'll fail and Kil will pass automatically',The older Zoldyck pointed a finger upwards once more,'Oh no, the same thing will happen if I kill Valentine or Gon'

Tilting his head towards his raised finger, Guttaracker's monotoned voice echoed through the room.

'I know! I'll just pass the exam and then kill them'

An ominous air surrounded the man once more and he turned towards Killua, watching as the young boy trembled from his words.

'Bastard!',Leorio angrily exclaimed.

With his eyes boring into his brother's skull, he watched as his younger brother trembled.

'Give up, Kil. You don't deserve friends'

Looking up at his brother in shock, Killua watched as he reached out a pale hand towards him.

'If you think you can beat me, go ahead. Though you know you can't. If you move, I'll assume the battle has begun. If my hand touches you, I'll assume the battle has begun. But..',He chuckled dryly and a wicked smile was plastered on his face,'If you surrender.. I get to kill your friends'

The growing aura around Guttaracker was more than Killua could handle and when his hand was just mere inches from his forehead, he muttered the same words he had said in his previous matches.

'You win, Illumi. I.. give up'

Grinning, Illumi pat Killua on the head.

'Oh, good. And by the way, I was just joking. I was never going to kill them'

Not even flinching, Killua could only stare at the ground.

'You'll betray them both one day and when that day comes, you'll come running back'

Making an almost inaudible sound; a small choking-like sound, as if he were holding back tears, the silverette hurriedly ran out of the large door; and Valentine barely noticed the way his eyes began to hollow out and darken as he began to leave.

Nobody knew what to do and they only stood there in shock.

Only one person moved.

"Killua!"

Rushing towards the doors he had bursted through, Valentine's small feet quickly carried her across the floor and small pants broke past her lips.

"Killua, stop!",Valentine begged, her small fingers clenching around a fraction of his sleeve and it caused the silverette to stop in place.

It was almost as if he had a slowed reaction time and he simply stood there, staring lifelessly at the ground.

'You're a problem and a liability. Now, go away',Killua said monotonously, but there was an icy tone within his voice and he pulled his sleeve from her grasp, his elognated nails skimmed her cheek; drawing blood.

Feeling a small sting, the blonde gently touched the small wound, before she shook her head and ignored it for the time being.

There were things more important than a small wound.

Stepping in front of him, Valentine's heart stammered within her chest as a multitude of emotions crashed through her system and her thoughts flashed to her parents.

The situation was so similar.

'I said that you're a problem, now move before I kill you',Killua snapped, walking around her and began to walk away.

Feeling water begin to pool within the labyrinth of golden magma that were her eyes, Valentine pursed her lips and opened her lips to speak, hearing as a small squeak escaped at first before she finally found her voice and shakily spoke up.

"Please don't leave me. I don't want to be alone again.."

Her voice was soft, almost fragile, as if it and her heart would break any minute. Perhaps Valentine's heart had already been broken once before.

Momentarily freezing in place, Killua stood still and his chest rose and fell with each breath, before slowly, he began to walk away.

"Killua",Valentine called out, her voice cracking with emotion as they seemed ready to burst out of her at any moment.

But even as she called his name, Killua didn't turn back and only continued to walk away.

Until he was gone completely.

Hot tears streamed down her face and Valentine squeezed her eyelids shut in the hope that her tears would stop. Her choppy breathing and watery eyes remained for quite some time, and she slowly fell to her knees as she sat there; unmoving, small sobs breaking through her lips.