Chapter 10
Sasha had made it to the front gate of the Zoldyck estate. She hid behind a tree as she watched three people talk to the gatekeeper. There was a kid with green hair, a blonde, and a taller man with a blue suit. Sasha didn't recognize them but remembered Nyoka telling her about her new friends.
"Hm?" Sasha hummed as she watched the green-haired boy try to scale the wall.
"He's an idiot. Mike will just eat him up," Sasha whispered to herself. A few minutes of talking between the four and Sasha became bored. She had to get to Killua. She watched as the gatekeeper went to open the gate.
"This is my chance. Mike's memorized my scent so I won't be considered an intruder," Sasha said before slipping through the door with the others. She went undetected. She hid behind another tree, pausing so she would stay unnoticed. She watched as Mike was summoned. The beast sat down.
"Good boy," Sasha said softly as she turned to walk away.
"How long will you be staying here?" the gatekeeper asked.
"Until we see Killua!" the green-haired boy said. Sasha stopped.
'Could they be...?' she turned back to them.
"We're not leaving a second before!" the boy exclaimed. The gatekeeper laughed.
"Okay, follow me," he said. Sasha smiled.
"Will do," she said quietly as she followed the group. She thought that if she could follow the boy, she would get to Killua faster. Plus, she might not have to encounter any other Zoldyck family members. Killua was the only one she approved of. Well, for Nyoka, anyway.
"This ought to be fun," she said. She had followed the four all the way to a building. The blonde stayed outside so she could just listen. She crouched down and watched through the window. She noticed Seaquant and felt disgusted. The man was always trying to hit on her. She sighed as she hid behind a tree, noticing him leave for his shift. After he was gone, she continued spying.
A Few Days Later...
"They opened it?" Sasha raised her eyebrows in shock. The three strangers had managed to open the gate! She smiled.
'It's time...'
"Strong-willed? Stupidly determined?" Sasha said as she walked out of the forest. Everyone turned to her. Seaquant smiled as he puffed his cigarette.
"Who's she?" the green-haired boy asked.
"No clue," the blonde said.
"Who cares, she's cute," the brunette said.
"Yup! Totally!" Sasha grinned. She pointed to the green-haired boy.
"You're Nyoka's friends!" she received some confused looks. The green-haired boy's face lit up.
"You know Nyoka?! Where is she?" he asked.
"She's kind of busy right now," Sasha said.
"Well, I'm going to get Killua! Then we'll get him to tell us where to find Nyoka," the green-haired boy said. Sasha nodded.
"I need to find him, anyway," she said.
"I'm Gon. This is Kurapika and Leorio," the boy said. They smiled.
"Miss Sasha," Seaquant said as he walked over to her. The three male's eyes lit up.
"Sasha...?" Gon recognized the name.
"So she's Nyoka's sister," Kurapika said.
"That's Nyoka's sister? No way! They're so different," Leorio's jaw dropped at the blonde before him.
"When are we ever gonna go on a date?" Seaquant asked. Sasha flicked him in the forehead, sending him flying.
"Now I see the resemblance," Leorio began sweating.
"Message sent and it better be received," Sasha snapped to Seaquant as he got up and hid in his station.
"Anyways, I'm gonna be traveling with you guys up to the mansion. Get to know my sister's friends," Sasha winked. Gon nodded.
-X-
Sasha had watched the poor boy get beaten around all day. She knew the servant responsible. She was like Nyoka in a way. Cold and distant on the outside but soft on the inside. Sure, she had known Killua longer, but their relationship was platonic and strictly just as employee and employer. Sasha figured Nyoka was jealous of her. Her sister wasn't that type but sometimes showed a different side when it came to Killua.
"Canary, is this really necessary?" Sasha asked.
"I was told to keep trespassers out. You, however, are always welcomed in, Miss Sasha," the servant said.
"I have a feeling they wouldn't want me to unless they could go along," Sasha sighed as she closed her eyes. Gon nodded to her.
"I'd like to hurry this up though," she said as she stood up from her sitting position on the ground. Gon kept walking up to Canary then getting thrown back.
"Killua's in there, most likely being strung up by his family. Nyoka's back at home, slowly deteriorating. That's two people who are suffering just because you won't let these people cross a line," Sasha said as she walked up to Canary, standing right in front of her. Canary's eyes twitched as Gon walked up once more, standing behind Sasha.
"I just want to see my friend!" he yelled as he punched part of the stone gate between them. He had broken it. Canary faltered.
"I see it in Nyoka too," Sasha said. Canary looked up at her with wide eyes.
"That change that happens when Killua is mentioned. You care about him, right?" Sasha asked. Canary nodded. Sasha smiled and put her hand on her head.
"Then let them pass. They care about him, too," she said.
"Please...Please help Master Killua," Canary cried. Suddenly, she saw something out of the corner of her eye. She wasn't fast enough and watched as Canary fell. She was shot. Sasha looked to where the bullet came from.
"What was that servant babbling about?" Killua's mother, Kikyo.
"Kikyo..." Sasha narrowed her eyes.
"She made it sound like we're being mean to Killua," Kikyo said. Sasha clicked her tongue.
"I have a feeling she wasn't making it up, Witch," she mumbled.
"Hello, Sasha," Kikyo said. Her attention was turned to Gon.
"You must be Gon. Illumi told me all about you," she said, making Sasha flinch at the name.
"Bug-eyed freak," she thought.
"Killua's aware that you've been on the premises for some time now. I have a message from Killua that he asked me to relay to you," Kikyo said. Sasha had a feeling that whatever was about to come out of the lady's mouth would be complete bullshit.
"'Thank you for coming. I'm happy you did but I can't see you right now. I'm sorry,'" Kikyo repeated Killua's 'message'. Sasha bared her teeth.
"You better not have hurt him! For your sake and for my sister's..." she said. Kikyo ignored her.
"I'm sorry how rude of me. I am Killua's mother, you see, and this is Kalluto," she mentioned the girl next to her. Sasha had heard of her from Nyoka but had never actually come in contact with her.
"Why can't Killua come to see us? Where is he?" Gon asked.
"In Solitary Confinement," Kikyo answered. Sasha shook her head as she heard gasps behind her.
"It's almost creepy how alike you and my father's minds are..." she said.
"Before he ran away from home, Killua stabbed his brother and me," Kikyo said.
'All Sasha did was leave a strongly worded note...' Sasha almost laughed.
"That's what he told us," Kurapika said.
"And then, because he had regretted what he had done, our Killua returned to us and entered Solitary Confinement voluntarily. In any case, we don't know when he will choose to leave," Kikyo said. The circular light on her headset flashed.
"What?! What is happening?! What are you doing father?!" she yelled, causing Sasha to worry.
"Uh...Witch?" she raised an eyebrow.
"No! Why must father be this way?!" Kikyo shouted before regaining her composure. Sasha was creeped out.
"I'm afraid something has come up. Farewell," the lady said before turning and running off with her daughter.
"Wait!" Gon yelled, stopping Kikyo. She turned around.
"It's just that we'll be staying in town for a little while. Please let Killua know," Gon said. Kikyo hesitated.
"Very well. I will tell him," Kikyo said before she continued on. Sasha turned back to the others, just to make sure Canary was still alive. She was hanging on.
"Who are all of you?" Kalluto asked. She had stayed behind.
"I'm Nyoka Evan's sister, Sasha Evan's," Sasha answered.
"We're all friends with Killua," Gon said. Kalluto stared at him.
"You're his...friends?" she said quietly before being yelled at by her mother.
"Coming! Sorry mother," she said as she ran off. Sasha sighed.
"It goes without saying, but these people really creep me out. I bet they were lying about Killua not wanting to see us," Leorio said.
"You picked up on that too, huh?" Sasha asked. Leorio nodded.
'He might not be as dumb as I thought he was,' Sasha thought.
"Gon, we can't go back there yet. I think we should tail those two," he said.
'Nevermind...'
"These are professionally trained assassins. They'll pick you up in an instant," Sasha said.
"If we go follow them, I'm worried it might mean a whole lot of trouble for her later on," Gon looked to Canary. Suddenly, the girl awoke.
"I will take you to the Butlers Quarters...There's a phone that connects directly...to the mansion," she said. Sasha held her as she got up.
"If Master Zeno answers it, he might..." she held her head and looked like she was about to be sick.
"Who's Master Zeno?" Gon asked.
"Killua's Grandfather..." Sasha narrowed her eyes.
Later Into The Night...
After Canary had gained the strength to walk, the group moved towards the Butler's Quarters. When they made it to the building, Sasha sighed in relief.
"Welcome," said one of the five butlers who was stationed outside the door. The group of visitors had been invited inside. Sasha walked in and sat in a chair, slightly uneasy.
"We have been informed by the lady of the house that, from now on, you are to be treated as official guests," Gotoh, one of the butlers, had said after Gon was patched up. The group was served tea and given couches to sit on. Sasha got her own chair for there was not enough room on the couch. She was sitting on the edge of her seat.
'I'm so close, Nyoka!' she thought.
"Look, thanks for the hospitality but we really just came here to see Killua. So can you take us to him? Like, now?" Leorio asked.
"Yeah, I don't want to be rude, but I'd like this to be a short visit," Sasha said.
"That won't be necessary," Gotoh said. The three on the couch gasped.
"Master Killua is on his way this very minute," Gotoh said. Sasha sighed.
"Thank the Gods," she said as she smiled to herself.
"Really?!" Gon stood up hastily, grinning.
"That's right. So please, be patient," Gotoh said.
"That's great news, huh, Gon?" Leorio smiled.
"Yup!" Gon said. Gotoh adjusted his glasses.
"Now then, it would be tedious to just sit and wait. I propose we pass the time with a game," he said. Sasha leaned back in her chair, putting her arm on the back and crossing her legs.
"A game you say?" Kurapika asked. Gotoh pulled out a gold coin, holding it up for the group to see. He flicked it up with his thumb, then caught it in one of his hands.
"Now then, which hand is it in?" he asked.
"The left," the four said.
"That is correct," Gotoh said, opening his hand to reveal the gold coin. Now, I'll move more quickly this time," he said before throwing the coin once again. He caught it slightly faster.
"Now, which hand?" he asked. Gon smiled.
"It's the left again," he said. Gotoh smiled and the butler next to him clapped.
"How marvelous. I shall have to try harder this time," he said. He repeated the trick. This time, he moved his hands around at a much quicker speed. Sasha narrowed her eyes.
"Now, which hand?" Gotoh asked. The group was silent except for Leorio.
"You see, I've known Master Killua his entire life and I care for him as I would my own son," he tightened his fists so hard that Sasha could see his veins.
"In all honesty, I despise you for attempting to take him away," he said. The room had gained a tense atmosphere.
"Now, which hand...Answer," Gotoh narrowed his eyes.
"The left," Kurapika said. Sasha knew which hand but had not wanted to interfere. She wanted to test the three just as much as Gotoh. The butler opened his left hand to reveal a smooshed coin.
"The lady's voice was barely a whisper...Her son is leaving and it's breaking her heart."
'He's talking about the Witch...'
"I can't forgive you," Gotoh said.
"Before Master Killua arrives, I shall test each of you with my own methods," the butlers around the room became armed, holding out sharp weapons such as swords and axes.
"Sasha, help us out!" Leorio said in a slightly hushed voice. Sasha smiled slyly as she snapped her fingers.
"I'd like to see them tested, as well. If they say they're friends with my sister, then I want to make sure they'll be able to take care of her," she said. She looked at Gotoh.
"You're more than welcome to jeopardize my life, as I will also be participating," she said. Gotoh nodded and two swords were put to her neck. The butler behind Canary drew a sword to her neck.
"Canary!" Gon looked at her.
"This is her punishment for defying orders and bringing you here," Gotoh said.
"Allow me to explain the rules. If you answer incorrectly, you are out. Should you all be disqualified, which is quite possible, then I shall tell master Killua that you left and that he will never get to see any of you again," he explained.
"Killua-" "Silence," he interrupted Gon. Sasha smiled.
"I'd watch it, kid. Our lives are on the line here," she said with a gleam in her eye.
"You're one sinister, chick, you know?" Leorio said. Sasha giggled.
"It's just a test, old man," she said.
"Answer my question, I will not ask again," Gotoh said. Once again, he threw the coin, caught it, and asked which hand. His hands had moved so fast that they were sizzling.
"Time is of the essence. You only have three seconds," he said. He ordered for Canary's throat to be slit if three seconds had passed and there was no answer.
"Hold on! I pick the left hand!" Leorio answered, clearly panicking.
"I pick right," Gon said.
"Yes, me too," Kurapika said.
"Right," Sasha nodded. Gotoh opened his hands. The coin was in the right hand.
"One had been disqualified," he said before repeating his trick.
Flip. Clap. Grab.
"Now, which one?" he asked. Kurapika and Gon looked at each other. They nodded.
"I choose the right hand," Kurapika said.
"And I pick the left," Gon said. Sasha narrowed her eyes.
"I say left," she said.
"It was in my left hand," Gotoh said. Gon and Kurapika looked over to Sasha and she winked. Gotoh threw the coin up and then-
"Wait," Gon said. Sasha raised an eyebrow.
"What is it? If you're trying to buy time, I will kill one of you," Gotoh said.
"Leorio, let me see your knife," Gon said. Leorio got out his pocket knife and Gon put it to his eye. He slashed it once then used medical tape to put his eye up.
'Reducing the swelling? Not bad, kid,' Sasha giggled to herself.
"There! Much better. I can see now," Gon said.
"Okay, I'm ready," he put his hands on the table and leaned forward. Sasha sat up.
Flip. Clap. Grab.
"Which hand?" Gotoh asked.
"The left," Gon and Sasha said in unison.
"Good," Gotoh said as he opened his hand to show the coin in his left. He stood up. Two other butlers joined in. This time, the coin trick was performed with all three housekeep. Gon and Sasha watched closely.
"Which one of us has the coin?"