Chapter Text
Asa curiously stared at the large house in front of him. They had walked quite the distance from the Testing Gate to reach this building. The duration of the walk was spent in silence, everyone pondering their own thoughts about Killua's birthplace. Asa himself had some questions he wanted answered, but his main focus was on his surroundings. He liked the vast forest that surrounded them on all angles despite the fact that this place is extremely dangerous.
It was night by the time they came to a stop in front of the house that appeared to have three floors. Or, at least, two floors and an attic. The house itself seemed wooden, however, the double doors him and the others were standing in front of seemed to be made out of metal along with the wooden planks. That caught his attention the most and he was sure that Kurapika noticed it too.
"Here are the servants' quarters." The elder announced after allowing Asa and his friends to get a good look at the building. "It's getting late. So you can stay here tonight." The elderly man placed a hand on one of the doors and pushed it open with ease. Asa did not fail to notice the dark marks on the wooden floor inside the house. There was no doubt in his mind that the door was very heavy to cause drag marks on the floor.
"Please come in."
Asa pressed his index finer against his rose choker in an absent, comfort-seeking gesture before following his comrades into the cozy looking building. He let his red gaze go about the room as he stepped across the wooden floor. Everything seemed normal, but the vampire knew that to be false. He highly doubted anything on these grounds could be considered 'normal.' He already had a fair idea of what to expect with that large gate and the...guard dog.
"Hey, I'm back!"
Asa briefly glanced back at the elder, Zebro, before looking towards the wooden stairs nearby. An unfriendly looking man wearing what happened to be a furred coat was stepping down the stairs while smoking a cigarette. The man's hardened gaze swiftly passed over Asa and the others before settling on the still smiling Zebro standing near the door.
"Oh, you rarely bring guests."
"This is Seaquant," Zebro introduced the other when it became clear that said man wasn't going to do the honor himself. "He works with me here."
"Good evening!" Gon happily greeted.
Asa narrowed his red eyes when the man merely huffed before stepping off the staircase and continued to walk. "If you managed to win over Zebro, you must be special." There was almost a sneer in the unfriendly man's words. No, there is no almost. The sneer was totally dripping like venom from each uttered word.
Asa decided that he didn't like Seaquant.
"Well, make yourselves at home. Though it won't be easy here." And with those words he disappeared through an open doorway straight across the room from the stairs. Asa rolled his eyes at the man before turning towards his friends and Zebro.
"Can we get something to drink?" Asa asked the elder. "All that walking made us all thirsty."
Okay, that was both a lie and the truth. Asa is thirsty, yes, but not for whatever drink Zebro would serve them. His preferred drink was pumping through the veins of all present humans. He asked for the sake of his friends who are not like him and needed refreshments even if none of them broke a sweat during the hike.
"Of course, of course," Zebro nodded and gestured to the doorway Seaquant disappeared through. "Please wait in the living room while I get some tea."
Asa watched as the elder shuffled off to a different part of the house, most likely the kitchen, before turning towards the others. "Should we trust them?" He questioned quite bluntly and quietly. He had made sure to wait till he was sure that both residents of the house were out of earshot, but there was no telling if their senses are heightened or not.
"...I believe we can," the blonde Kurta slowly nodded. "At least for now. But we shouldn't allow our guards to fall during our stay here."
"Yeah, I get what you're going at," the aspiring doctor grimaced. "Don't know when they'll turn on us and all."
"I think they're nice!" Gon grinned. "Zebro's helping us meet with Killua!"
"That is true," Kurapika acknowledged. "Nonetheless, we should proceed with caution."
"Alright," Asa nodded at the blonde's suggestion. Zebro and Seaquant are both servants to Killua's family. They'd have to obey orders from the head of the family and if the head wanted them out of Killua's life...
...Well, Asa can at least confidently say they won't go down without a fight.
The four of them entered the living room and Asa immediately noticed Seaquant leaning against the wall close by. They exchanged looks before Asa and the others settled down on the benches facing the wooden table in the middle of the room. When Zebro came in with a teapot and a tray of teacups Asa scooted over with Gon to make room for the elder.
"You want to see young Killua?" Zebro asked to clarify as he poured them all cups of steaming tea. Asa noticed how the teapot thudded against the wooden table when Zebro put it down. The metal teapot must weigh quite a lot for it to make such a sound. In fact, everything in this house seemed to be heavy. He wondered why that is.
"That's a riot!" Seaquant gave a sharp bark of laughter before any of them could answer. Asa shot the unfriendly man a glare at his attitude. Was it really so hard to believe that they came to see their friend? Killua may have grown up as an assassin, but he isn't as cruel as his brother. The staff here should know that Killua is different from his brother and doesn't deserve such a lonely life.
"Sorry. But we're dead serious." Leorio shared Asa's frustration with how he scowled at the older man. Kurapika also nodded his agreement while still holding a calm position by having his hands folded neatly in his lap. Asa sneaked a peek at his spiky-haired friend but his head was turned so he couldn't see Gon's expression. Though Gon did appear to be relaxed like he wasn't in potential enemy territory.
"Then let me give you a warning: Give up, and go home."
"What was that?!" Leorio growled as he shifted slightly to face Seaquant.
"We are not going to give up and leave without seeing Killua!" Asa slammed his teacup down on the table with enough force to send the hot liquid swishing. The tea felt scorching against his pale skin, but that wasn't his main focus. He refused to give up without letting Killua know that he's still very much alive. He couldn't stand his friend feeling guilty for 'killing' him anymore than he already did.
Asa needs to say he's sorry to Killua.
And for that to happen, they had to meet face-to-face.
"Zebro told you about the Testing Gate, right boy?" Seaquant's glare landed on Asa who happily returned it. "That should give you an idea of what this place is like. You should just give up and go crying home to your mommy and daddy." The man's tone became more mocking towards the end and Asa was sorely tempted to just pounce on this irritating human.
"We understand that it won't be easy." Gon piped up as he rested his free hand over Asa's fisted ones. The vampire shot his friend a look before allowing himself to relax under the other's touch. He could see that Gon was as determined as him which gave him peace of mind. Seaquant's words won't sway him or his friends at all.
"But we're not leaving. Not until we see Killua!"
Asa's lips curved upward at Gon's stubborn words and drew his wet hands away. Seaquant seemed surprised by the spiky-haired boy's response with how his eyebrows lifted. Leorio and Kurapika exchanged warm smiles while Zebro looked pleased. The elder probably thought he chose well in allowing the four of them into the servants' quarters.
"Asa," Leorio went into doctor-mode. "Let me see your hands."
"I'm fine."
"Don't argue brat."
Asa pouted but slipped past Gon to hop off the bench. He shuffled over to Leorio and sat next to him while holding out his hands for the taller male to inspect. The tea didn't burn his hands that badly so Asa expected for this to be a quick and easy check-up. Usually he was more concerned around people with medical knowledge, but Leorio knew he's a vampire so his worries were lessened. He wouldn't have to think of how to excuse his sickly skin color and non beating heart.
"When Killua was in trouble, I wasn't there for him." Gon clenched his free hand into a fist. "If I had been there... I could have stopped Killua!"
Asa flinched. Unlike Gon, who was unconscious at the time, he was there. He had tried to stop Killua from succumbing to his brother's influence and failed. He had probably scarred his friend with how he took what would've been a fatal blow for humans. Killua knew he's a vampire, but injuring someone you cared about to that extent would scar just about anyone.
He also felt a bit selfish for wanting Killua to care that much about him. They only knew each other for a short while, but Asa can honestly call Killua his friend. It has been so very long since he last interacted with someone who looked to be his physical age and so he was drawn towards Killua for being the first one to talk to him out of his new group of friends.
"Killua is my...our close friend!" Gon locked gazes with a surprised Asa. He almost felt like crying when he saw no anger or judgement in the other's eyes. Just steely determination to get their mutual friend out of this place.
A large hand settled on his head causing Asa to glance up at Leorio with even more surprise. The aspiring doctor grinned at him before ruffling his dark purple locks. "Hey!" Asa yelped as he swatted at the hand messing with his hair.
"We don't blame you," Leorio's gaze turned more serious and he looked back at Kurapika.
"We all know you care about Killua," Kurapika warmly smiled with such soft eyes. "You didn't plan on that happening, but that is the past now. You can make it up to Killua by letting him know that you're alive and that no permanent harm was done."
....Asa really felt like crying.
"A-Are you crying?!" Leorio's eyes comically widened.
"No!" Asa immidieately denied as he wiped his teary eyes. That didn't seem to convince none of his friends.
"No need to be so shy brat!" Leorio laughed as he drew Asa forward to be between him and Kurapika.
"Everyone needs to cry once in a while," Kurapika wrapped an arm around the flustered vampire who tried to get away.
"I'm not cryi-oof!" Asa yelped when Gon suddenly glomped him out of nowhere. Wasn't he just sitting over there a second ago?! He was almost impressed by how fast Gon can be, but he was also embarrassed at being caught almost crying.
"I got you Asa! Cry all you want!"
"I'm not crying!"
xxxxx
Asa frowned a bit as he fingered the fifty kilogram vest he wore. It really did weigh quite a lot and Asa had sort of struggled when he first put it on. But nothing like how Leorio had struggled. Poor man. It was funny watching Leorio fall down to his knees the second after putting on weighted vest and how Zebro had to open the door so he could use the bathroom. He knew that Leorio will be fine with a little time though so he couldn't laugh at him forever.
After that whole ordeal, they were shown to rooms. Leorio and Kurapika had already went to bed leaving just him and Gon awake. They had spent the rest of the day training by practicing picking up items in the house so it was no wonder Leorio and Kurapika were exhausted. However, the two had also insisted that Gon take it easy because of his broken arm so he wasn't as tired as them.
Now Asa watched as Gon trained outside in the dark to prepare for the Testing Gate. He had no problem with what Gon's doing so he let the boy be. He understood his determination to get to Killua and therefore wouldn't interfere with the spiky-haired boy's training. They both wanted to get to their friend no matter what. But he did stay to watch him in case his broken arm caused a problem or something.
And the night breeze felt great on his moonlight-kissed skin.
"Asa."
Asa looked up when his name was suddenly called. "Yeah?" He asked as Gon jogged over to where he was sitting in front of a tree. Gon had earlier taken off his green jacket so Asa could see the layer of sweat coating his skin. He felt proud that his friend is working so hard without complaining even once. It just reminded him of how different Gon is compared with other spoiled humans in the world.
"I still owe you dinner." Gon sat down in front of him expectantly. At first, the vampire was confused by the other's words. Then it dawned of him. Asa had won that race during the First Phrase of the Hunter Exam and the loser had to buy dinner. Though that didn't work for him since all he could consume is...blood...
"Do you mean...?" Asa hesitantly looked at Gon's exposed throat. Seeing bare skin and the slightest glimpse of veins underneath made his mouth feel as dry as a desert. He did need blood, but he was hesitant to accept Gon's offer. He only accepted Hisoka's because he didn't like the man and he was desperate. But-
"We're friends, right?" Gon leaned in closer after noticing Asa's hesitation. "And friends help each other."
...Asa couldn't argue with that. Not after having drank Killua's blood before. He guessed that it wouldn't be fair if he denied Gon's offer only to go back around and nibble on Killua instead. They are friends, after all. He should just suck it up and drink from Gon. Who knows, maybe he'll be as tasty as Killua had been.
"It'll hurt," Asa warned as he shifted closer to Gon. He gripped both of his friend's shoulders and leaned towards his unmarked neck. He could practically hear the blood humming in the other's veins and it made his mouth water. As much as he wanted to just ravish Gon he made a conscious effort to take it slow and sweet by licking the skin before him.
Asa gently bit down on Gon's offered neck and...
...immediately recoiled with a surprised grimace.
"Eh? What's wrong?" Gon asked in confusion. However, Asa wasn't listening to his friend and instead slowly licked his lips of lingering blood. He just about gagged at the taste of the other's blood and regretfully wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
Gon tasted sweet which wasn't all that surprising, but he tasted too sweet. So sweet that he was nearly afraid that his fangs would rot at the incredibly sweet and innocent taste of the island boy in front of him. There was also another taste to the other's blood that he couldn't quite place. It tasted sort of...earthy somehow. Gon's blood reminded him of innocence connected with childhoods and the stubbornness of nature refusing to die out.
How strange.
"You taste so sweet," Asa gave his friend an apologetic smile. "Sorry, but I can't drink your blood."
"It's okay," Gon shrugged but gave Asa a concerned glance. "Will you be okay?"
Asa smiled in reassurance as his gaze drifted up to the night sky.
"Yeah...I will be..."
xxxxx
Days passed by with everyone training their hardest. The weights slowly increased as they got more accustomed to what they wore. Asa's weights, of course, were heavier than what the other three wore because of his status as a vampire. Zebro somehow knew and just kindly smiled at him as he increased the young vampire's weights. He had felt relieved at seeing yet another human accept his status as an undead.
Asa was glad that Gon never looked concern every time he declined drinks or some food. Kurapika and Leorio looked concerned during the start, but after Asa explained his situation they backed off. Though he didn't explain it entirely. He had just said he couldn't eat human food and left it at that. Kurapika, the observant one of the duo, gave him an understanding look before smiling and walking off.
Asa had felt a pang of painful familiarity when he saw that smile.
Now, they are all standing in front of the Testing Gate once more. Kurapika and Leorio stepped up first since Asa could already open a gate by himself. He has already 'passed' the test so his training was just to increase his strength and encourage his friends. Though he really didn't need to encourage them since he had faith in their ability to open the gate very soon. All that training was already starting to pay off.
Who knows, maybe they'll open it today.
"Hey, why don't you try removing those vests today?" Zebro suggested much to Kurapika and Leorio's happiness.
"Oh? Music to my ears!" Leorio didn't even hesitate to shed his vest and drop it to the ground. Asa chuckled when the vest made a dent in the earth followed by Kurapika's vest. Asa decided to follow their examples and took off his vest too. He instantly felt so much lighter and cheerfully dropped the vest to the ground. The crater it left was at least double the size of the other one which made him wince.
"Yours was really heavy," Gon, who's standing next to him, noted. Asa grimaced and nodded. It's hard to believe he was carrying around that weight all this time. He may be a vampire but it's not like he goes around carrying heavy things like this.
"Let's do this Kurapika!" Leorio widely grinned at the blonde who smiled confidently in return. Asa could see that the duo are feeling a lot more confident in their strength now that the weights are off. All of that training must have helped, after all. Asa, too, felt confident that his human friends will finally open the gate today. Confident that they'll come one step closer to getting to Killua and taking him away from his family's madness.
Asa eagerly watched as the two firmly placed their hands on the gate. "One, two, three!" Kurapika and Leorio counted in unison before pushing all of their strength into their hands. He could see their feet digging into the ground and felt a wave of pride when he saw that neither human were giving ground to the force.
"...They're doing it!" Asa grinned when he saw the gate start to open a little. The grin soon fell when the gate refused to open up any more. However, his friends weren't going to give up so easily. They continued to push and push at the stubborn gate with sweat dripping down their foreheads and teeth clenched in determination.
He slowly turned his red gaze onto Gon and took note of the steely look of determination in his own eyes. He swiftly looked towards Zebro who gave Asa a slight nod. Smiling, he turned back towards the island boy and asked, "How's your arm?"
Gon's amber eyes lit up.
Soon, Gon's weights and cloth bandage were on the ground and the boy was walking towards the gate. Even if Gon is now fully healed, Asa still carefully watched as Gon got between a surprised Kurapika and Leorio and put his hands on the gate. He didn't want his friend getting even more hurt if his arm proved to be frailer than before. That'd really suck.
"Why are you using your left arm?" Leorio worriedly hissed. Ah, leave it to the doc to ask something like that.
"He's fine, old man!" Asa teasingly called out. "Gon wants to help get to Killua too!"
"Brat!" Leorio yelled back at the vampire boy. But he didn't protest Gon being there anymore and Kurapika just breathlessly chuckled at the whole scene. The three pushed against the gate even more and they became joyous when the gate started to open even more.
Asa shrieked in joy and victory when his human friends managed to open the gate. He bolted forward to his three friends and threw himself on top of Gon who fell forward onto the ground. "You guys did it!" He laughed as he ruffled Gon's spiky hair. He continued to giggle as the tan boy squirmed enough underneath him to sit up and mess up his own hair in return.
Their gleeful laughter became contigous with how Leorio and Kurapika soon joined them in their victory at conquering the gate.
xxxxx
"Follow the path, and head for the mountain. The mansion should be somewhere up there."
Asa curiously looked up towards the mountain and tried to see if he could see any large structures. No luck. He turned back towards the old man who was graciously giving them directions. They had spent yesterday celebrating being able to open one of the gates with Zebro cooking up a feast and Leorio somehow finding some bottles of alcohol. The aspiring doctor was the first one to pass out and Kurapika then hid away the alcohol before Gon could try it.
Now, they're standing outside the house and getting ready to leave for Killua's family's mansion. Asa didn't know how he felt exactly about going to a place where a bunch of assassins lived but he did know he wasn't going to leave without Killua. He'll fight Killua's whole family if he has to! Especially that bastard brother of his.
"I'm ashamed to admit that even though I've worked here for twenty years, I've never been up the mountain. Sorry that I couldn't be any help." Zebro apologetically smiled.
"You've been very helpful regardless of that," Kurapika dipped his head in thanks.
"You've both been very helpful!" Gon assured.
"Tch, you better come back alive. I'll hate it if all that training went to waste because you were stupid enough to get killed." Seaquant scoffed.
Asa just grinned at this because he knows that meant that the man really did care about them. He's just too tough to show it. "Don't worry," he teased. "We'll be sure to drop by and bother you again."
Seaquant rolled his eyes at the dark purple-haired boy.
"Alright! Let's be on our way!" Leorio grinned and waved goodbye. He and Kurapika started to walk down the path but Asa and Gon had one last thing to do. Zebro gave a surprised noise when both he and Gon threw themselves at the old man for a hug. "Thank you!" They chorused before moving on to hug Seaquant.
Asa laughed at the red coloring Seaquant's cheeks at their sudden action before sprinting off with Gon to where Leorio and Kurapika awaited them. Asa slowed down once he reached the duo and started to walk for the dense forest as Gon gave Zebro and Seaquant one last wave goodbye.
The thick trees and shadows may look pretty ominous but that didn't make Asa turn away. They're one step closer to Killua and he certainly won't turn his back on his friend, especially with the three humans with him and giving support to each other. In fact, this sort of reminds him of a book he once read a long, long time ago.
It made Asa laugh when he thought of them as knights riding to rescue the princess from the evil dragon's lair.
It totally fits the situation.