Killua promises to help Scarlet, only if she trusts him for help.

"How much of this have you read?"

"Enough to know, that you're about to make a mistake…" Killua argued, his voice controlled, mellowed out. He could see it in her eyes, she was about to make the worst decision of her life. There was no guarantee that 'A' was going to let Stefan go…

Not when they wants Scarlet…

He had to be the reasonable one in this situation, even if his earlier actions were unreasonable, "Listen, you can't think to go in there alone. 'A', wants you. How do you plan on getting Stefan out there alive… you need a way to-"

"My life for his… Clearly, this person has a grudge against me, or should I say, my father. Considering his dead, I'm the only way they'll be able to get their revenge on. I can get Stefan out, you just need to contact Vastorie and-"

"Not possible, for many reasons. Vastorie has shut off all contact from us."

"Why…?"

"His family… His reasoning is because of who is targeting us right now, as we speak. I'm not talking about 'A', I'm talking about the person's aura you just removed. The sooner we get this done, the sooner we can leave. You'll be able to get into contact with Vastorie, but we won't. So, I'll help you, and you'll help us. From what I can tell so far, Vastorie has contacts everywhere, so he should be able to pull some strings for all of us. Once we save Stefan, you make a call, and ask him to get us tickets out of here as soon as possible…"

"WHO, exactly did I just help save Daniel from…?"

"His full name… is Victor Tempest. He is Vastorie's father, and the very reason why we are in this mess."

"Wait, hold on… why is Vastorie's father threatening you? Why does he intend to hurt his grandson?"

"We don't know the full story… but Nathaniel believes you'll be able to help us."

"How exactly…? I've never heard of Victor Tempest until now…"

Killua calmed his nerves down; they should be getting out of here as soon as possible. But to get her on their side… he needs to get her to trust him. Looking up, he made sure to keep the woman's attention, "You know a side of Vastorie we aren't aware of; if you are the daughter of Baron Hinrick Von Delkofer… I am well aquatinted of your family's past. My father took on many contacts from your father, as his go-to assassin. I was never assigned to kill one of his targets… considering I was around two when he died… but if I was older, I would've had to assassinate someone for your father…"

"Who, exactly is your father…?"

"Silva… Zoldyck…" When the woman's eyes widened, Killua stated his full name "My full name is Killua Zoldyck…"

"Is Daniel aware of this…?"

"Yes…"

"And his ok with this…?"

Killua paused, closing his eyes to think about how Daniel feels about his past. The boy wished he could undo all of his sufferings, but it just wasn't feasible. Relaying all that information to Scarlet right now just isn't possible, not with their current time limit. They have less than two hours for Scarlet's meeting deadline…'

Basic information is all he can provide right now, "Yes…"

Scarlet held the boy's gaze, thinking the situation over. He couldn't say much, not while her son was in danger, "I understand…" He could see the click in her eyes, the mutual agreement between them coming into play. She was going to agree to a deal, hopefully, one he likes, "You would have gotten training in that, correct?"

"You would be correct…"

"You save Stefan, and I'll kill 'A'…"

"Wait, what? Shouldn't it be the other way around?"

"The fact you're with Daniel and was willing to go as far to risk your life to save him proves that you were pushed into that role. You may be willing to kill 'A', but I won't let you stain your hands, just because you're willing to do so…"

Scarlet held out her hand for Killua, "You save Stefan, and I'll kill them… deal?"

Killua uncrossed his arms, an exaggerated sigh escaping his lips as he took her hand "Deal… I'll keep my presence hidden, keep them talking until I find an opening to save your son. I just need a split second." Electricity sparked between the boy's fingertips, the woman's eyes widening at the reveal, "as long as they don't have Nen users on their side that can detect me, I'll be able to stun them long enough to rip Stefan out of their grip… and I can do it all without hurting him."

The woman nodded at the information being provided to her, "If you help me save my son… I'll get us all out of here." With a shake, the deal was made, Killua's smile widening. Now all he needs to do is make sure Alluka and Daniel remain here. The last thing he needs is for them to drop themselves into danger.

He should have more than enough aura to get in at least one thunderbolt in, as long as they remain unwise of his presence.

Killua kneeled before his sister and Daniel, his hands reaching out to hug Alluka close, "I know I've asked a lot from you tonight, but I just need your help one last time…" Killua reached out with one hand to touch Daniel's forehead, noticing the boy's temperature had gone down significantly.

He might be out for a while, but at least now, he won't have to worry about losing his boyfriend. He was safe and hopefully, too weak to move… to try to save him from this situation, "Look after Daniel while I'm gone, I'll be back as soon as I can." A warm smile graced his lips, the hand that was once on Daniel's head, now reached out to touch, to pull back Alluka's hair. With a press of his lips, Alluka giggled at the affection she adored so much.

It seems Killua no longer cared that someone else was in the room.

Daniel kept pushing Killua to be free to show his emotions, and while that was making her really jealous now, her brother is still giving her attention as well. Her brother was kissing her forehead, not Daniel's "I'll continue to look after him, big brother. I don't want my big brother to lose his reason to smile everyday…"

Killua felt his cheeks heat up; why was his sister tormenting him in front of Scarlet? He just wants to make sure they are safe, that's all… Sure he risked his life to save Daniel, but that was hardly a reason for her to be cheesy. He just wanted to save Daniel… he would've done the same for Gon… or any of his friends.

They mean as much to him as Daniel… Alright, he was secretly lying to himself, just a little. Daniel did mean a lot to him, but that was because he grew on him. Yes, he was in love with Daniel… but at the same time, there was absolutely no reason to bring that up now…

He is a teen with normal feelings and infatuations… not an overly obsessive teen watching their sempai from the shadows while brandishing a knife. Totally not like that…

As Killua pulled back his hand, Alluka's smile remained. He promises to make it up to her, to spend more time with his sister once they've escaped the Kakin Kingdom.

She has done a lot for him, and he has been neglecting her happiness for a while now. His reasoning was mainly because he spent way too much time trying to track Scarlet down. Drawing his attention back to the woman, her smile gave away her hidden agenda.

Clearly, she had something to say to him…

Unfortunately for her, she'll not get the satisfaction of a response, "We should leave now…"

"~"

The roads were quiet, the footsteps between the two unmatched. Killua's were as silent as his words, unspoken. Scarlet would've have been scared if it weren't for what had happened earlier.

His words and actions were gentle, showing compassion, care and concern for those closest to him. While he may act like he has a cold exterior, Alluka and Daniel seem to bring out this other side to Killua.

He was a killer with compassion…

Was it hard to come to term with…? Sure, but she's seen this happen before, a similar situation a long time ago. Twelve years… maybe less since she saw those dark eyes looking down on her.

Not out of anger, rage… or hatred, but out of pity. Vastorie was his name, but his husband… now that's where she could see the compassion come from. Is Daniel like Nathaniel…?

"Hey?!" Killua's voice snapped her out of her thoughts, the woman forced to give him her undivided attention, "Spit it out…"

"What…?"

"What you wanted to say earlier…" Killua paused briefly, his eyes darting to the horizon, the sky as dark as a cave "you wanted to know why I'm like this?"

"How about I instead tell you something else…"

Silence fell between the two, Killua forced to gauge between idle talk, and silence for the next half an hour. They had to set a pace the two could move while conserving as much as their remaining strength. There was absolutely no point reaching the mark in less than 10 minutes if they were going to be too weak to fight. So he chose to engage in conversation, forced into a topic he was unsure where it would lead to, "go ahead…"

"Before your request, there was another… involving two boys. One, full of malicious aura, a seething hatred spewing forth like an active volcano; he was a Hunter, and the other was supposed to be a requester… but I turned them down."

"Oh…? What happened…?"

"He cried, begging, pleading with me to help save him… There was no one around the boy, as close as this one… but they couldn't use Nen. There was nothing I could do at the time…"

Wait a second… this sounds familiar…

"The Hunter was practically at death's door, but he held on as if he was waiting for someone. Everyone there kept alluding to two others, but unless they were there I-"

"Couldn't do anything…" Killua laughed; he felt like he knew who the story was alluding to. There was no way of denying it, he knew, who exactly was Scarlet's last request, "Gon Freecss…"

"You know him?"

"Know him…? He's my best friend of almost two years. Those two boys they were talking about, it was Daniel and myself."

"It's a small world…"

Killua laughed once more, "definitely…"

"In that case, you may have been the only one in that situation, who had a chance at saving him…"

"Me…?" Killua waved the compliment away, his heated cheeks almost giving about his past affection for the boy in question. "I couldn't save him…"

"It would be a similar scenario, just you would have had to help Gon, fight himself… his inner struggles."

Killua completely dismissed the topic, not wanting to be reminded that if he were there, he would've had a chance to save Gon personally. But the outcome he pursued was even better, he got to be with his sister and Daniel… to convince his butlers that Daniel was there for him as a person, not a tool who he hoped to gain his trust with… to ultimately use his power for Daniel's own gains, "Gon's fine by the way…"

"I heard…"

There was a sweet silence that overcame the two, Killua speaking up once more, "what's the moral of the story?"

"Moral…? There really isn't any… It's just… being in a position where you have the means to help save someone, but the conditions in order to save said person aren't met… well, it can eat at you. It has… or a long time with me."

"Your childhood…?"

"Yes, and-"

"Save it for Daniel…"

"Huh, why…?"

"Look, I'm not trying to be an asshole. Originally we were going to meet you, and Daniel was going to ask for your connection with his father's history. He wanted to learn the truth about Vastorie, so there's no point telling me… I'm just here for the rollercoaster ride."

"That's a weird way of putting it."

"Well," Killua frowned slightly, "I've had a long few weeks."

"Why don't you talk to me about it, we have time to kill…"

"I rather not…" Killua looked away, closing his mind from the emotions that wanted to be released. He isn't repeating that part of his life again. He can look forward now without needing to worry about it any longer…

Daniel is safe, Alluka will be safe, and now they need to tie up loose ends with 'A', save Stefan and be on their way. There is actually something he could ask, "Why do you visit a lot of orphanages and homeless people?"

"Why, you don't like dealing with those who've been left for dead by society…?"

"I'm a Zoldyck… Not only do we wipe our ass with money, as long as we get paid, my family doesn't care who they kill…"

"Really…?" Scarlet asked in disbelief, Killua's dry tone almost made seem like truthful sarcasm. But considering his family had contracts from her father, he would've have paid out of the ass to keep them on his good books.

"That was a joke…"

"A brutally honest joke at that…"

Killua let out a huff of annoyance, yes his family had no boundaries when it came to their job, but it wasn't brutally honest, it was a fact. They do not care or value life enough to consider the opposite, to build a bridge that would possibly benefit them more, "Money isn't everything…"

"Well, as the saying goes, it's easier to cry in a Mercedes than it is on a bicycle…"

Killua broke out into laughter, Scarlet's expression softening from the tune of the boy's voice, "I did it out of sympathy. Ever since… well, ever since I met Nathaniel, he kinda brought me up like this. He was one of my main benefactors, going as far as to visit us from time to time. I wanted to give back after everything that was done for me… I wanted to make up for those who've had everything taken away from them… even if my father had nothing to do with their current position…"

Killua hummed at the information, acknowledging the fact that she grew up in a similar environment to him, treated like a tool to keep her papa happy. Although, he feels like there is something else she's leaving out, and that information will help Daniel understand a little more about his father.

"Actually, now that I think about it… I'm sure I met Daniel when he was younger, although, now looking back at it, he kinda does look like his father."

"Really, I told you his name… and showed him to you? It took you to see him again, to believe me?!"

"No, what I mean is he really does look like his father. Uncanny in appearance, but judging by your opinion, he acts nothing like him."

"So… What?" Killua quizzed, an eyebrow being raised. What exactly has he given away?

"So, Vastorie and Zaikaria invoke this sort of rage, yet Daniel and Nathaniel's name doesn't."

"So…?"

"You deeply care about those two. Considering Daniel doesn't act like Vastorie or Zaikaria, it means his personality would lean more towards Nathaniel's, caring… nurturing…"

Killua didn't like this, being inspected, to find a reason for why he chooses who he sides with. She was analysing Daniel, just so she could find out why he was so close to that boy and one of his fathers. Does he idolize Nathaniel? Sure… he couldn't exactly deny it.

When the shit hits the fan, that man was the only one standing by, offering help when he could. Even to this day, he was at Killua's beck and call. Without the information sent to them by Nathaniel, they wouldn't have been able to link anything.

He was their guide… their unyielding mentor.

However, Killua suspects that isn't what Scarlet wants to hear… she has this undeniable undertone, a question lingering that she has yet to reveal. She is thinking, that Killua will ask himself for her. She wanted to see exactly, how discerning he could be…

"You want to know if I'll choose Daniel's family over my own… even when I'm disgusted with Zaikaria's and Vastorie's treatment not only towards me but how they disregard each other's feelings, for their own… Don't you?"

Scarlet frowned at the question. Not only, had the boy had figured out what she secretly wished to know… he turned the question back on her. She half expected it, but what surprised her even more, was Killua did answer her lingering question, "I would choose Daniel's family over my own…"

The boy ran one hand through his hair, settling on his neck with an apparent blush. He would choose another family over his own, for selfish reasons; reasons if he was questioned years ago, he would actively deny. Experience is a serious game changer.

If it weren't for this eye-opening adventure, he would've never come to this conclusion. His family wants obedience at all costs, while he wants freedom…

However, he would never say that out loud, so instead, he offered something else. A reason, he found could end all topics, "He not only accepted me for who I am, going as far to request I stay with his son, knowing the danger his child would be in… he also…" Killua's eyes met Scarlet's, "He accepted my sister…"

Scarlet hummed, even without the full picture, she understood the boy's situation. He considers loved ones more important than simplistic dreams…

He cherishes the adventure, not the end destination. Killua wants to get back on his adventure with Daniel, but first… he promised to help her save Stefan. Assassin or not, he didn't live out his life like he was trained to do, but rather… Using his own skills forced upon him, he wants to find a better way to live out his own life…

Daniel isn't his stepping stone…

He is a part of this boy's life, and from the sounds of things, Zaikaria and maybe even Vastorie wanted to snuff this change in the boy's life out. Whether they deemed the relationship as a threat to Daniel's life or not, something has changed if Zaikaria told Killua about her, instead of forcefully bringing Daniel to her…

She gave up on her overprotective nature, to let Killua save her brother from this change. However, she still doesn't know if given the news about how weak her brother had become before Scarlet met him, would still relinquish her brother's protection over to Killua…?

Something tells her that's a hard no, but she doesn't know the whole picture yet. She only knows that Daniel trusts Killua, just not why… She'll have to ask the boy personally when she can.

For now, they have an end goal, and it was less than 5 minutes away now.

"~"

Killua snuck in from a broken window, carefully avoiding the possibility of making any form of noise. He curled toward the floor, eyes scanning the darkness for any type of guard. There were no voices to be heard, just an eerie silence that screamed danger…

Maybe he shouldn't have allowed Scarlet walk through the front door. There was no time to ponder their mistakes, he had to move now, to get as high as possible, to hope that wherever 'A' is standing right now, it would be on the lower floor… and not the higher ground. It's harder to hit someone from their blind spot when they are at your eye level than it is to do it from above them.

Killua quickly crossed the room, pressing his body against the wall. His head tilted around the corner, hoping that he'll find stairs soon. Another hallway… damn… crossing the pathway, he continued on his journey, hoping that he finds a way up soon.

"~"

Scarlet pushed the front door entrance open, expecting to see her son alive and well. She doesn't know what kind of person 'A' will be. He could be a monster, one that has already pierced Stefan's skin, damaging his body to the point he'll now forever have scars.

She hopes that isn't the case, but she had this undeniable churning in the pit of her stomach. Hopefully, this ends well, and everyone involved can walk away from the situation still alive… including herself.

She trusts Killua, enough to know he won't make a mistake here…

But herself, not so much; Stefan means the world to her. A world she still wishes to improve… where they are out of danger. The door swung open with ease, her shoes clacking against the forsaken hallways. It marked the location of her movements. She would've been quieter, but doing so may have increased the chances of her son being in danger.

She heard the voice as if eyes had been following her the moment she stepped into the building, a voice charming… controlled to suit a personality that didn't seem fit for the situation.

"Ahh… you finally came. I was wondering if you even cared about the child's life."

"Let Stefan go… you want me, I'm here… so the child doesn't serve a purpose anymore."

"Mommy, don't come here. The bad man-"

"Silence!" there was an ear defending sound, the walls echoing the noise of a child being slapped. The man held none of his strength back. However, given the circumstances, she's more worried about the man being able to use Nen, rather than leaving a mark at this point.

Not because she doesn't care about her child's wellbeing, she does. She was just more worried about running into the room. She doesn't know how the person will react to seeing her coming toward them. They may slit Stefan's throat… or worse, baptise him. The last thing she needs is her son to be scarred beyond healing.

"I'm surprised, mommy hasn't run in yet… do you not care for the child's safety."

"What's stopping you from slitting Stefan's throat as soon as I find you?"

"I could do it either way if you like-"

"No! I'm coming…" Scarlet picked up the pace; she hoped that Killua would be in position before she gets there, "Don't hurt him anymore."

"Good…" the man hummed at the plea, the sound of sobbing forcing the woman to quicken her pace. Please be there to save him…

"~"

Killua quietly paced himself along the walls, hunched forward so his figure doesn't get noticed. From the sound of things, there was only one other person here, the voice belonging to Stefan's captor.

It didn't sound like any man he has heard his father deal with. The voice, also sounded younger… like it belonged to someone a little younger than Scarlet. Maybe it was another victim in a similar situation to her. Why they wanted to lash out at Scarlet, he had no idea… but the sooner he finds a spot to target them, the better.

Killua came to a small viewpoint, one that provided a spot to hide out from, as well as view the enemy. He couldn't see their face, but from this angle, he should be able to still hit them.

The man spoke once more, "Scarlet… we're waiting out in the open. It can't take that long to find us…"

"What about guards…? This place is awfully quiet…"

"I don't need guards to protect me…"

When the woman round a corner, she could see why, red flecks of aura curled around one of man's hands, his face distorted by his hood. He didn't want people to know what he looks like, but the fact he had no henchman by his side was a warning sign to her.

Whatever he did to the lock, it was linked to the aura that wavered around his hand.

"Let the boy go… I'm here."

"Not yet…" The man held up a hand, curling it along her son's sobbing hair, his actions not matching his guarded figure. He would snap Stefan's neck within a heartbeat, unable to feel afraid to the woman's reaction afterwards…

"Unlike you… I came here without a need for help. I specifically asked for you to be alone…"

Scarlet held her features, hiding the truth well. She just needed to get him talking about other things, other than his belief of Killua's existence, "I came alone just like you asked, why are you stalking us…?"

"You knew…?" The man asked in disbelief, his hand resting against Stefan's cheek, "yet you never thought to show yourself to me. I've been following you for a reason, hoping to believe we could work together… you and I."

"I don't even know you…"

The man's fingers slipped under her son's jaw, digging his fingers into the boy's neck. Gasping for air, the boy pleaded once more "Runaway, mommy!"

"Hush!" Releasing his grip, his fingers instead rested against the boy's shoulder, "Tell your friend to come out of hiding…"

"I'm alone!"

"I can use En. I sensed both of you, the moment you were in my line of sight… either you get them to come out of hiding, or…" The fingers twitched, flames consuming his hand. The boy whimpered under his grasp, crying out loud as Scarlet held out her hand.

Killua made his move, not even waiting a moment to access the situation. Curling out his hand, electricity danced along his fingertips, being directed into his palm to collect. He had one shot, and he was about to waste it. Even if he were to show himself, that wouldn't stop them from hurting Stefan now, so rather than stunning the man, he instead flung it between Stefan and the man.

He let go of the boy, creating distance between himself and the child, his hood falling down to reveal his features.

Scarlet was frozen at the reveal, unable to believe her eyes. She thought he was dead, burned alive from her inaction to save him. Yet, the only mark that remained of that incident was the single-blind eye, and the charred burn mark now covering the surrounding area.

With a smile, he spoke, "It's been a while, oneesan…"

"A… Adam?"