Why'd you have to scare me like that," Jasper complained as the white haired assassin blinked at him. When he got no answer, he looked a little closer, noticing the tightness along with the slight puffy red rimming the other boy's eyes. Lips were pursed enough to pale them and the fingers that had curled around the door were just as white as they clenched on the solid wood.

He looks like he just woke up from a nightmare, Harry commented softly.

Jasper could definitely see it but he wasn't sure exactly how to deal with it. After another second of awkward silence with Killua just staring at him, Jasper huffed. "Well, are you just gonna stand there like an idiot?"

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

Killua's voice was as rough as his hair was messy but it still made relief curl happily in Jasper's loose limbs. "You obviously. Come in and sit down on the bed or something. I was just stretching."

The assassin did, slinking into the room like a wary cat, the door clicking closed softly behind him. Jasper tracked his friend's progress across the room, definitely noticing how his path curved around Jasper himself. Well, there went his idea of exploring. This… whatever this was needed to be handled.

Do something else while you talk to him. Push ups or something.

Jasper frowned briefly. What exactly was that supposed to do?

Do you trust me, Jasper?

He hummed the affirmative watching Killua settle on the bed he never slept in last night. The white haired boy dragged his legs into a crossed position, picking at the hem of his black sleeping shorts. His white tank top was wrinkled and became more so as the boy slouched even as his blue eyes stayed locked on Jasper's form.

Then just start doing something else until he talks, okay?

That was easy enough to do even if he still didn't get why. So he started an easy but more interesting routine that Menchi had shown him during their training at the guard house. Hopping up onto his hands he shifted his weight, slowly bringing his feet into the air. When he was straight, his toes pointing at the ceiling, he counted a round of ten push ups before stopping and holding his position with his arms bent at a ninety degree angle. When he could feel a slight burn, he pushed up and allowed his legs to spread apart, scissoring them side to side then front and back a few times. After that he fell into a backbend, holding the pose for fifteen breaths before using his core to slowly stand back up. Then he did it again and again and again, slower each time until sweat was starting to form on his brow and his breaths were coming a bit faster.

When he was about to start an entirely different routine Killua finally spoke. "Why did you come here?"

"Hah?" Taken off guard by the question, he stumbled a bit before swinging around and facing the bed.

"Why did you come after me? Gon, I can sort of understand. He's… he's different. But you didn't even know me when you decided to come here."

"And how'd you know that?"

Blue eyes stared at him, half lidded and dull. "Gon told me. We talked last night. He… he told me what happened after, how you somehow got healed, how you started remembering. You decided… without even knowing me, me the person who'd almost killed you, to come… save me. I don't get it."

Be careful what you say, Harry cautioned in a near whisper, his worry settling like a small stone in Jasper's belly.

Jasper frowned, running his hand through his damp hair and scratching at the scar above his ear. With the warning from Harry he was now unsure how to go about this. After a wonderful night of memories he held more than a slight fondness for Killua so that made it harder to think back on how he felt in that hospital room a few weeks ago. Why had he wanted to come again? He'd woken up and Gon was there telling him stories…

Oh! That's right.

"Honestly," he started quietly, tilting his head back to stare at the ceiling, trying to grasp the memories. It wasn't like when he'd first woken, disoriented and confused. No, they were just slightly blurry memories that weren't nearly as important as his most recent discoveries. "In the beginning it was curiosity. Gon talked of you. When I was told you almost killed me I was slightly wary but… I didn't know you. Gon liked you and said your family wasn't treating you well. I liked Gon. So I just… agreed to come along. Then we were on our way and I thought about it more."

He rocked on his heels, crossing his arms in front of his chest as he glanced over at Killua who was still watching him intently. "I wanted to know, you know? Why did you attack me if you were my friend? Being told about it isn't the same as knowing. So, I bugged Harry and he helped me see the memory. You… looked so sad. Your eyes were just… Well, I definitely had to come after that," he finished with a huff.

Jasper watched the assassin's chest expand and expand before the breath left him in a rush. With furrowed brows, and fidgeting hands Killua leaned forward even more until his hair fell forward to cover his eyes.

"You're so stupid." It was hardly a whisper and if it wasn't so quiet in here in the first place he never would have heard it.

"Oi!"

He didn't get to feel offense for very long because he was startled into a half defensive pose when Killua sat bolt upright. "I didn't really get to meet Harry before. I bet he has a bunch of embarrassing stories about you!"

He squawked but despite expecting Harry to laugh and agree in his head, the teen was quiet.

"Absolutely not! You're never going to meet him!"

"Never say never, Nutty," Killua hummed, his body wriggling in place. He flopped sideways, kicking out his legs and resting his upper body on his right arm. His grin was reminiscent of a cat that caught a bird, all teeth and pride.

"I'll say never if I want! And will you please stop calling me that? I am not a nut!"

Despite the argument, he felt as if something was lighter now. It should have been a good thing but Harry's silence seemed ominous. Without his headmate saying anything, though, he wouldn't be able to figure out what was wrong. Instead, he focused on the now plopping down onto the carpet to keep himself from getting closer to Killua and scaring him off.

"Mmmm no! You still haven't won our bet," Killua retorted gleefully.

"Bet?"

He didn't remember seeing anything last night about a bet… or had he? Was it one of those fragments maybe?

Killua's smile got wider and Jasper grunted in disgust. The other boy was definitely going to hold this over his head. He fell backwards, throwing his arms and legs out like a star as he stared up at the ceiling.

"I'll remember one day," he threatened lightly.

"I look forward to it." Killua sounded way too smug, as if Jasper would definitely never remember.

He grunted again but couldn't really find any words as a wave of exhaustion swept over him. He abruptly remembered that he'd 'stayed up' all night because they were in an assassin den and he hadn't felt safe doing so. Now that someone he liked and mostly trusted was here, he just wanted to take a nap. He felt a slight regret that not sleeping had probably been a mistake but what was done was done.

The sun was definitely up now, the light outside the window was a dusky pink, streaming in and lighting up the cream colored walls

"Hey Killua. Where's Gon?"

"Still sleeping."

"Oh. Why'd you come over here then?"

"I… I needed to see you."

Need. Not wanted.

Maybe his nightmare was about you.

That would make a lot of sense. He was surprised that the white haired boy had admitted it, though.

Don't say anything about it.

Why shouldn't he?

It would be embarrassing. Just don't. Trust me.

"Hey Nutty. Tell me about those family members you said would like me?"

He blinked, his eyes not opening as fast as he'd like, the lids feeling like little leaden weights. Distracted from Harry, he turned his stare over to the bed. "You mean Uncle Lin, Uncle Al, and Mom?"

"Yeah. That's what you said yesterday."

"Hm." He closed his eyes in thought (and maybe because it was easier than keeping them open). Most of what he had said had been rambling but he had meant it that he thought Killua would get along with those three. Mom would get along with all of them really because she was just kind and open-hearted like that but Uncle Lin and Al… "Well, Uncle Lin is really quiet. He's a great listener and he always knows what to say to make people feel better. I think you would get along because of that. You're also really smart, Killua, so he could talk to you about a lot of things. I think he'd really enjoy that.

"Same with Uncle Al. I don't think there was ever a question I asked him that he didn't know the answer to. He wouldn't care that you're a kid, he'd talk to you like you're important…

"And Mom. Mom is great! She's really sweet and she'd love you no matter what just because we were friends. But she's also a great listener and she takes the time to… to do the little things," Jasper trailed off. He really missed the feeling of fingers carding through his hair. He couldn't even remember what it felt like, just that it had always been relaxing. Every time he'd get upset she'd be there to soothe him."

"Like what?"

He startled, eyes blinking open to the early dawn light. It probably wasn't supposed to burn like that. "Huh?"

Jasper could hear the shifting of sheets and he glanced over at Killua again, taking in his new position. The boy hadn't moved too much, just shifting over onto his back so his head hung over the side of the bed, Killua's blue eyes watching him from upside down.

"What kind of little things?"

"Oh, um… She would always comfort me if I got upset. She knew I liked meat so she'd give me a little extra off her plate. She didn't like Mimi but she'd still help me feed her. Just… little things I dunno."

Killua sniffed. "Who the heck is Mimi?"

"Oh! She was the family pet spider," Jasper snorted. "Daddy was fascinated with her but not many other people liked her because she was venomous or something. I think she was a sweetheart and watching her eat was really cool, if slow."

"You had a pet spider!?" Killua's jaw had dropped and his eyes seemed to practically sparkle. He flipped himself upwards kicking his feet up behind him, hands clasping under his chin so his elbows supported him. "What was that like?"

Seeing the new energy boosting his friend, Jasper couldn't help but smile in joy (and maybe a little relief) as he started to explain her eating habits and how he found her. Killua had a surprising amount of questions but Jasper honestly didn't mind because this version of the boy was so much better than the dull quiet thing that had creeped into his bedroom this morning.

So it was that Gon found them lounging in Jasper's room discussing other unique pets. Jasper had mostly only known about Mimi so Killua had taken over explaining the habits and pros and cons of owning different types of spiders. They had just drifted into other possible pets in the insect category when Killua paused, eyes flashing to the door. Jasper looked up from his starfish position just in time to see Gon poke his head in.

"Oh! There you guys are! When I woke up Killua was gone," Gon said as he cheerfully made his way into the room.

"Ah. Sorry Gon. I didn't wanna bug you," Killua apologized, pulling himself up so he could plop heavily into a sitting position.

"I wouldn't have been bothered," was the simple reply.

"I liked the company," Jasper hummed. "You got him last night so I got him this morning."

Killua's face turned a bit pink and he spluttered.

"That's fair." Gon was nodding as he plopped on the floor as well, smooshing his feet together with his hands.

"Don't agree with him!"

Killua's outrage was funny to watch especially when it even got a quiet chuckle out of Harry.

Only moments later there was a knock at the door that had all three of them turning their attention towards it. Jasper was still slightly tense but with Killua and Gon in here with him it didn't seem nearly as bad as earlier that he was in a murder manor. Canary poked her head in and seeing them all awake, she gave a nod.

"Young Master, I have breakfast."

"Oh, thanks Canary," Killua hummed, tossing his legs over the side of the bed so he could slide to the floor. He still didn't get closer to either Gon or Jasper but to see him coming down into their 'space' seemed like a victory.

Canary gave him a quick flash of a smile, eyes skipping over Jasper to nod at Gon. He blinked at her in confusion. Had… he done something to make her uncomfortable? He would have thought she'd be that way with Gon considering she smacked him around so harshly yesterday. It hadn't been easy for Jasper to watch so he would have understood if Canary couldn't look at his green clad friend… but to avoid Jasper?

A second butler entered the room, followed by another and another. Each of them looked exactly like the last with their pressed suits and identical faces. The three identical male blondes each gave a short bow over the covered trays they held in their hands before walking forward to settle them on the floor in front of each of them. They gave another short bow before leaving silently. Canary lingered only a second longer, her eyes finally settling on Jasper with something glimmering in her dark eyes.

She was gone before he could even try to figure it out.

Gon immediately tossed off the lid on his and started digging into the bowl of oatmeal. Jasper was quick to follow looking over the meal. He had a bowl of oatmeal as well, though it seemed to be a lesser amount than Gon's. Instead he had an extra side of fruit to make up for it. It looked similar to the breakfast Menchi had been making so he started the arduous task of shoving it all down his throat as quickly as possible.

When he finished he eyed the spoon on his tray contemplatively.

Don't you dare.

His lips twitched but he set it back on the tray and instead turned to picking at the fraying sleeves while Gon and Killua finished up. Killua was a meticulous eater, just as clean and efficient as he had been at dinner but Gon was messy and quick, smearing fruit juice over his cheeks in his enthusiasm to devour his food.

"Pah! So good," Gon exclaimed patting his belly as he leaned back on one arm. "You have some amazing chefs Killua!"

"It was just oatmeal," the assassin scoffed.

"Yea but the food last night was amazing too! Too bad you can't taste it, Jas."

He shrugged, not really worried about it. He couldn't really remember what food tasted like so it wasn't as if it was a big deal. He picked harder at a thread sticking out. "It's fine."

"Wait… you can't taste anything?"

His fingers paused as he stared at Killua who was staring at him with furrowed brows. Jasper thought he had talked to Gon but maybe the boy had just forgotten to mention it?

"Harry's power is based on sacrifice. He gave up our ability to taste to heal me." The words were out of his mouth before he really thought about it but Killua's reaction made him regret his rather blunt delivery. His hands were clenched on his thighs, scars standing out starkly against the paper white skin, and his shoulders flinched inwards briefly. But it was really the eyes that got to him. Killua's blue eyes, for just a moment, looked just as sad as that day before it was gone. "Ah. Sorry. I thought… someone had already told you."

"No. It's fine."

"It's not-"

"It's fine!"

Stop. Let him have his pride.

What? But-

Gon stepped in quickly, his bright voice not sounding any different. "I forgot, honestly! But it's not so bad. There's a time limit, right?"

Startled and not expecting an actual question while he was reeling from Killua and Harry, he took a moment to respond. "Oh, um. Yeah. A year, I think. But it's not like it's a bother. I don't really remember what food tastes like so…"

He started fiddling with his sleeves again, unsure what to say and do. He wanted to ask so many things and reassure his friend but Harry had made it clear to let Killua have his space. If Jasper wouldn't like people prying then he shouldn't do it himself. So, he was trying to distract himself from saying something else he would regret when the thread he'd been picking out unraveled far too quickly. He stuck it in his mouth trying to bite it off before he made it worse but he didn't pin it right between his fingers while he was pulling with his teeth and it unraveled it more. He stared at it, slightly betrayed.

"Ragamuffin…"

He whipped his head up with a glare. "What was that, Whitey!?"

Killua twitched, eyes narrowing. "Your clothes are falling to pieces. Unacceptable. Gon, grab him and follow me. We're going to get Kalluto."

Gon snorted, his foot kicking out and rattling his tray as he pushed himself up and lunged at Jasper. With a yelp, he dived sideways knocking his own tray over.

Five minutes later he was pouting, stuck over Gon's shoulder like a heavy sack.

"So, why are we looking for your brother," Jasper asked, drumming his finger against Gon's back as they wandered through the hallways.

"You need better clothes and he has to come with us anyway," Killua grumbled, turning down another hallway.

By now, Jasper was well and truly lost. They'd entered some dungeon level a turn or two ago and he completely lost track of where they could possibly be in the mansion. And Gon's shoulder was bony, making this whole ride more uncomfortable the longer it lasted.

"Okay… but why are we tracking him down?"

It still made no sense! And there was someone following them which made this whole situation very embarrassing. He didn't mind if it was just his friends but for someone from Killua's family to see him, butler or otherwise, just made him feel less than adequate after he pronounced he was going to steal Killua away. It made him feel rather exposed and he wished he had something he could tug down over his face even though they weren't doing anything noteworthy.

"Because."

"That's not an answer," he groaned.

Jasper would, unfortunately, never get his answer because they found Kalluto on the next hallway turn. The very pretty younger boy blinked at them. Jasper thumped Gon on the back demanding to be put down as soon as the other boy stopped. When he was dropped, he straightened out, fixing his clothes and turned to face the stoic faced little boy.

Jasper immediately flushed.

Gon jumped forward to happily introduce himself. "Hi! We didn't get to talk before! My name is Gon and I think it'll be fun to have you come with us!"

Killua snorted but didn't intervene even when Kalluto took a partial step back, his hands tucking into his long long sleeves. Jasper decided that he should give his name again as well. Anything to play off the heat of his cheeks. He just needed to keep his tone even and pretend nothing was happening.

"Hi. I'm Jasper."

Nailed it.

"Hello," Kalluto started slowly, his eyes narrowing as he took in the three of them. His voice was surprisingly lower than Killua's and somehow it still fit the pretty image he presented with his black outfit trailing pink blossoms near the bottom. The middle piece was a pale pink to match the flowers with a darker purple cloth piece behind it. It was the same style as dress from yesterday but Jasper couldn't recognize it. He'd never seen anything like it but he could definitely appreciate how it looked on the younger boy. "Why are you here big brother? I thought I would be meeting you on the way out."

"Nutty over here needs clothes."

When Kalluto's painted pink lips pursed into a frown without speaking, Killua sighed and rolled his shoulders. "I'm not gonna ask Mom. If I see her anytime soon I'll kill her. You're the best person to go to for clothes, okay? And if… if you're coming with us anyway I figured it would be… bonding. Or something. I don't know."

Now the red on Killua's cheeks looked like it could match Jasper's and Kalluto had his own flush to match it.

"Bonding? Ah… right. Follow me," Kalluto mumbled in an almost dazed manner.

"Do you know what just happened?" Jasper whispered to Gon the moment the two were far enough away that they shouldn't hear him.

Gon shook his head, amber eyes watching the two brothers curiously.

"Where the hell have you guys been!?"

Leorio was stomping over to them like a bull as soon as the group of three entered the entrance hall. Jasper, halfway dazed from the last hour and with arms full of more clothes than he'd probably ever owned in his life, froze. There was a flash of someone else, tall- dark- stay away-

Jasper!

He jumped in place, blinking the sudden black spots in his vision away.

You're okay. It's just Leorio.

He sucked in a deep breath, then another. It was just Leorio. The older teen was scolding Killua who had a petulantly stubborn look on his face with his hands shoved in his pockets. Gon was laughing, rubbing the back of his head as he kicked his shoe against the marble flooring. Seriously… the whole entrance hall was made of white marble with black veins. That wasn't even mentioning the dark shimmering pillars that looked just like the ones in the dining room sans monsters. The carpet was a rich red, so dark that at night it probably looked like a giant pool of blood or something.

The Zoldycks had way too much money.

"Why did you freeze?"

He cocked his head towards Kalluto who had stayed by his side. Outside of the darkened dungeon floors, Jasper had noticed that Kalluto's eyes were a soft pink that looked almost like fresh gum on the sidewalk. In his room when he'd gone on a spree digging through his closets- yes, multiples because why not apparently- the excited sparkle had brightened them to a color he'd once seen on a flower in a book. Now in the light of the day Kalluto's eyes almost glowed, reflecting the sunlight like beads of dew on a fresh pink rose.

"Freezing up like an idiot will get you killed."

He flinched, knocked from his admiration at the disdainful note in the other boy's voice.

"Maybe if you weren't so pretty I wouldn't freeze up," Jasper scoffed out in response, mind still half circling around the boy's eyes.

"Wha- That has nothing to do with-!"

Seemingly at a loss for words, Kalluto spun around and stomped off with cheeks flushed once again.

"What did you say to him," an amused voice questioned. Kurapika was making his way over while Leorio was still raging about them disappearing for hours.

"I called him pretty again," Jasper admitted easily.

The blonde's lips twitched in the corner. Instead of commenting further, he gestured to the pile of clothes Jasper was clutching. "Well, what's all this?"

"Killua was determined to get me clothes so he tracked down his younger brother. Kalluto gave me all of these," he hefted it up a bit helplessly. "Said he wasn't allowed to wear most of it anyway so it didn't matter."

"Hm. He seems like a sweet kid."

"Does he? He forced all these on me and I have no idea what to do with them. That's not very nice in my book."

Kurapika chuckled. "Well, we're still waiting on Menchi so I'm sure we can get a backpack or something for you."

Waiting on Menchi? "Where is she?"

"Trading recipes."

Oh. Right. His suffering with those stupid vests was never going to end! He groaned audibly, shifting his feet already dreading the training.

Getting stronger is never a bad thing. Your noodle arms need work.

"Shut up, Harry."

In short order, Jasper had already been given something that looked like a bag that could be thrown over his shoulder, across his chest so it would settle on his hip by another butler. This one looked older and more severe with a pair of glasses perched on his nose. The clothes had been packed in neat rolls, stuffing the bag almost full with Kurapika's help.

As a distraction, the same butler who'd handed him the bag had started a game of 'find the coin' to keep everyone occupied. Leorio was the first to lose, Kurapika was the second. Kalluto ended up being the third to guess wrong when another butler- standing on the other side of the room- ended up with the coin. He dropped out with pursed lips that looked suspiciously like a huffy pout.

Gon ended up failing next when the severe butler ended up not having it at all. Jasper called him out for using a common trick that he himself was good at, saying it was in his sleeve. Killua agreed and ended up crowing their victory when a smile crossed the butler's face and he dropped the coin into his hand from his sleeve.

Before another round could be started- a whining Gon still saying that trick had been unfair- Menchi sauntered into the entrance Hall, Zeno following her with a small smile. Jasper could easily make out the rolling bag she was dragging behind her. He groaned softly again, knowing exactly what was in that bag.

"Well, everyone! Looks like we're all set. Let's go," the teal haired woman announced happily.

AN: Wow! I made it to 100k words! Holy moly! I hadn't realized exactly how far I'd gotten! I absolutely couldn't have done it without all of you! Thank you so much for all the time you've put into giving me reviews because they honestly do motivate me. Even for those of you who just read without saying a word, I appreciate you because you keep coming back and enjoying my story! And I got put into a collection! Which made my day~

Now, I feel terrible saying this after all the above hype but with the school semester starting I might have to slow down on posting chapters. I don't want to so I'm going to try to keep up the weekly schedule but it might have to move to two weeks depending on how busy I get. I hope this isn't too disappointing! *nervous bow*

Q&A: Shonna C- Hi! Hello! Welcome to my comments~! Thanks so much for stopping by! I'm glad you liked the file! It definitely had some juicy information ;) Harry will not willingly tell Jasper how he exists with him, that's all I'll say on that matter. And, yes! Chrollo's son! Kurapika is definitely going to be conflicted.

Tetractys- I love that you think that! They just have to be careful it doesn't tip in the other direction. It's hard having someone else share your head! You can't avoid working things out with them eventually.

Drakality- I'm curious! Who did you think he was going to be related to? As for the meeting with the Phantom Troupe... Well, that's spoilers but I'll give you a hint! It happens before York New technically ;)

Harry can take the strain onto himself to ease if for Jasper. Not that it's perfect or a good long term solution. It works for them for now. I'm glad you like the file!

KrixLight- Harry's temper is legendary lmao! Kalluto is definitely male. He's very insecure about it actually.

Jasper is viewing safer memories now! Jasper isn't the only missing child ;

Gabriel- Ah! Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy as the story unfolds!