Scarlet meets Akshasamat for the first time. Sparks fly as Akshasamat slowly learns the sad cold truth. He isn't the only one who is in love with Zaikaria…

It's time I bring a blast from the past back. This is more of a chapter that occurred in the past, involving what occurred between them.

Enjoy :)

A/N: Sorry for the delay

Zaikaria swung her arms around her old friend, pulling the childhood friend into a warm embrace. It's been so long since they last talked in person, Scarlet having to go into hiding thanks to her past. But she never once missed a text, the two often gossiping about how life has thrown curve balls at them.

"It's been so long!" Scarlet hummed into her childhood crushes neck. She still smells like raspberries… and a hint of seawater now? It was so strange, that the first thing she learned about Akshasamat is that he most likely takes salt baths, possibly due to his what kind of creature-hybrid he was, at least from what she learned from Killua.

Akshasamat was supposed to be a type of snake.

Hopefully, he hasn't deflowered her childhood princess too. She doesn't know if she could handle her best-friend, her crush sleeping with another species. It's all new to her…

"Aunty Zai!" Zaikaria was forced to pull away, taking Stefan into her welcoming arms. Stefan buried his face in her shoulder, giggling as she swung him around.

He loved the attention he was receiving, like riding a carousel, an affectionate ride of warmth. Everyone he has met from the Darkscryer family has all held him the same, even Daniel.

The last time Zaikaria saw this boy, he was a toddler, roughly around the age of two, "You've gotten bigger!"

"I'm seven now aunty Zai…"

"Oh no," with a single finger being pressed against his nose, she teased the boy "Soon you're going to be a big boy! Stealing hearts like your charming mother…"

Scarlet ran an awkward hand along her neck, hiding how she truly felt about the casual affirmation. If only Zaikaria realised how much she meant to her…

If only the woman had the guts to admit her harboured feelings for the woman smiling at her son, holding the boy as if it was her own. A part of her believed the way she treated her child, Stephan wouldn't complain. He'd be happy to have two mommies that would carry him everywhere.

Not a single complaint… Stephan has always liked Zaikaria.

With everything Killua has said about the situation, it was starting to make sense. Not once did the woman react to her internal feelings, still holding up Stephan without batting an eye. How it could've taken her so long to realise that Zaikaria can't actually read how much she loves her. How much she has fantasied about holding the woman's hands, wanting to kiss her damn first love under the sunset…

She knew it was a cliché dream, but those feelings never relented, because honestly… Zaikaria was the first and only person she felt she could confide in. Coming here was a bad idea…

Zaikaria shifted her attention, finding Scarlet's sudden quietness a little unnerving. Looking her friend up and down, she took note of how tense her friend was acting. It not every day you survive an attack, which is the only thing she knows about right now. "So, I heard about the attack? How have you and Stephan been?"

"We're surviving…" She looked at her son for confirmation; he was looking away. It was still way too fresh. Not only that, he misses the kind, gentle boy, the one who protected him from his uncle, her brother, "It's kind of a long story I do not wish to bring up with Stephan. It's still too fresh."

Stephan looked down; Zaikaria gave the boy a quick bounce in her arms, offering a gentle smile which she knew was bound to cheek the boy if he looked up "Its ok. I know you're strong like you mom. You'll always be her little prince, the one she loves dearly. She'd protect or save you no matter what happens…"

Talk about being swept off my feet… The woman thought as he held her gaze on Zaikaria. She should definitely stop idolising the woman, to talk about what had transpired with what happened between everyone involved with the mission to protect Stephan, "Alright," Scarlet took her son out of Zaikaria's arms. Offering her son a huge smile that would hopefully comfort the boy "She's right, Stephan. However, I didn't do it alone. We had help…"

"Help…?" Zaikaria quirked an eyebrow at the news; she assumed Scarlet did it all alone. She was strong, a powerful individual that proved constantly, that she was a survivor.

"It seems your future brother-in-law…"

"Ugh!" Zaikaria scoffed at the cheeky tone Scarlet used, "don't remind me! He's not even… good, for Daniel! Moody, always complaining… a conniving little cat, honestly…"

"He called you a cow…"

"See what I mean?!"

Scarlet rolled her eyes; someone was being oblivious as always, "Alright, why don't you hunt down Grandpa Nathaniel. He'll take you out to play with Daemon! Remember, looks are deceiving…"

"Ok mum!" With a quick kiss to her cheek, let placed her son down, Stefan running off to find Nathaniel.

"If you see a snake, no matter how big, don't freak out! He's a friend!"

So the rumour is true…

"I wish all kids were as good as yours…" She sighed, a hand combing through her hair.

Scarlet crossed her arms, looking her crush up and down as she smiled. She chose to ignore to praise, instead focusing on what they should be talking about "You're wrong about Killua. He is really kind hearted."

"Till you learn about his kill count…"

"Well, his kill count was pretty useful, considering the circumstances I was just put in. But before I say anything about that, I want to point out something. Killua and Daniel have complete faith in each other. Alluka loves your brother just as much as her own… and to top it off, even when he learned about the consequences if he were to fail to save Daniel, he was willing to throw it all away just to save your brother. So yes, I see him as kind-hearted…"

Zaikaria sighed, "I know… it's just… the first time I saw Killua, he was covered in Daniel's blood."

Scarlet held her hand out to the chair, wanting to sit down for this obviously long conversation they were about to have "Well, if he did hurt Daniel back then, he isn't capable of doing that now. He refused to let me help carry Daniel. Not only that, he made sure the boy was always held in a position that benefitted his partner. So, you… might be the unreasonable one in this situation."

The woman pouted at the accusation.

Scarlet chuckling as she held up her hands in defence, "That being said, Killua helped me a lot. He was really worried about his partner, but given the situation with Stephan being held hostage, he stepped up his game. Offering to help end A's life."

"Who exactly was A…?"

Scarlet sighed, her gaze diverted away to the woman. She still couldn't believe her eyes when it came to Stephan's abduction "It was none other…" Scarlet shifted her position, looking directly into Zaikaria's eyes as she spoke, "than Adam Von Delkofer…"

The woman's eyes widened at the news.

This whole time, Scarlet's brother was alive. Zaikaria had heard her friend spent many nights alone, crying out for her long lost younger brother… thinking that he had died in the house fire all those years ago. But instead, he was still around, living a false life like his sister.

"My brother was willing to take my son's life."

"~"

As Scarlet explained the events of that day, she sipped on some tea that was prepared for her from time to time. She had Zaikaria ears, the woman listening carefully to her every word, barely adding any input or interrupting the flow of the scene being presented.

Her tears once more fell as she was forced to repeat what happened to Adam. What he did was wrong, but it was still her brother… one she wished she could've saved if given a different circumstance. To her, her little brother meant the world.

Seeing that scarred figure, this man holding her child, threatening to take the boy's life… that wasn't Adam anymore, it was someone twisted; who shared her brother's name but not the kind, intelligent, joyful child that could turn any frown upside down.

Burying him would have eased her suffering; it would've allowed her to put her brother rest, at least the side of him she cherished. But that wasn't an option at the time…

As her story reached its resolution, Zaikaria's expression became unreadable. When she was like this, she was more focused on questions lingering in her mind. At least, that was what always happened when she was this quiet by the end, "I see…"

"We departed, Daniel and Killua heading to the school, and we, Stephan and I, were sent here… at least until Vastorie comes up with a plan. So, we're bunk buddies until then…"

"So you removed the second needle from Killua, correct?"

Scarlet pouted, "That was half a story ago…"

"I know… I know… but did Killua say anything, about his childhood?" She was curious, to whether or not Killua remember what happened during the time Daniel was out cold. If that boy really had genuine feelings for her brother, the guilt feedback would crush him…

Especially, if he has truly changed since then; unless there is something mentally wrong with Killua, it should hurt him, knowing that he was the one to have caused Daniel's wounds…

But she was the only one that thought this. Everyone else doesn't believe that's how it transpired. The guilt is going to backfire on her… and the only thing she'll be able to do is apologise, and somehow make it up to her brother and the partner who got the brunt of her accusations.

"He doesn't remember, at least not right now. It takes time before you can start to remember things. Unless, he has superb memory, then he lied to my face…" The woman was about to open her mouth, but Scarlet already sensed it coming a mile away, "which would never happen anyways. Give Killua time, he'll remember. You're just being a helicopter mom with Daniel, which is why he probably doesn't confide in you, not that your mind reading ability doesn't already invade that privacy."

"It's not like I can shut out someone's thoughts entirely…"

"Apparently you can," Scarlet quipped, earning a confused look from Zaikaria, "He's possibly tall, scaly, and has a Mohawk from what I hear."

"Ahh… So Daniel told you."

"Nope, Killua. Daniel was out cold… It took me by surprise really. You never seemed like the type who would… date."

"Apparently, he has had a huge crush on me for a while. It never ping my radar." She has been so used to being able to mentally read people's private thoughts, that, the thought of seeing this fond expression being directed at her, flew over the top of her head.

Scarlet frowned at the news; all this time, she been paranoid, worried that one day Zaikaria, the over protective sister, her crush would bring up her feelings to put them to rest. The inevitable "I don't see you in that way". But she was never able to read those kinds of thoughts, to never possibly read any form "romantic" feelings one for her, maybe even borderline thoughts, like sexual attraction.

How many more people flew under her radar, or is this a special privilege only given to those who had genuine thoughts about her? "I don't understand." Scarlet paused, her eyes meeting Zaikaria's "was there ever a time where… someone had nasty thoughts about you?"

"Hmm…" Zaikaria paused, rubbing a hand under her chin as she thought about it. She doesn't know if the man had sexual desires, maybe a hard-on for fights. But when it comes to sexual feelings… maybe he doesn't have any feelings for her, "Maybe Hisoka… but he calls anyone a treat, including Daniel…"

"Who's Hisoka?"

"A nut-job we met during the Hunter's exam. Although, I was insanely jealous how easily that man was able to run in high heels." The comment earned her a chuckle, but she still unsure as to why Scarlet was asking about this now. Was it because Killua mentioned she was dating Akamut "Why…?"

"Oh, no reason in peculiar…" The youngest of the two chided, her best smile being offered in replacement to what she was truly feeling, jealousy. Someone had beaten her to the punch.

She shifted slightly in her seat, hiding her pain from the one she cares for, "So, where is mister secretive hiding?" Scarlet wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, a wicked smile now showing.

Zaikaria turned around, calling out for her partner to reveal himself "Akssshasssamat?"

There was a loud audible groan, followed by the hissing of a rather large sounding snake, "Why mussst you call my name-?" He rounded the corner, surprised by a calm lady sitting in a chair, glaring at him as though he had just murdered her family.

As Zaikaria was turning around to face her friend, the woman's features shifted into a soft, sincere smile "This is Akamut. My partner… ignore the scales and all, he is technically human."

"You don't say…" Scarlet stood up, walking over to greet the man properly. Once her back was facing Zaikaria, her expression morphed into something resembling true terror, a creature from a Junji Ito manga, "Nice to finally meet you…"

He was half expecting the woman's eyes to start bleeding inky black pus, insects along with black sludge oozing out of her orifices, her skin to rot… tendrils or anything, to burst from her body and rip him to shreds, or a grim reaper to take his soul away. Something that proves she was a real monster staring at him.

Akamut swallowed the thick dread curling up his throat, gaze unable to connect with this woman's eyes. She was freaking him out, in an unnatural, dominating, power move kind of way. Why was she trying to dominate him, to make him appear weaker?

"This is Scarlet Sutton…" Zaikaria stated, unaware of what her friend was currently doing to her partner.

The creature offered a hand to Akshasamat.

He took hold of it, giving it a firm shake. Then her expression ceased, turning back to her friend, "He's not a man of many words, huh?"

"You just caught him off guard, he's easily embarrassed."

No, ssshe'sss freaking me out now! Ssshe's acting like a monssster…He didn't realise his mistake, until he noticed his partner frowning. He'd forgotten that Zaikaria can read minds.

"You shouldn't think about her that way. She is kind and caring, a real mother hen."

Scarlet turned back around, facing the Chimera Ant.

Akamut was half expecting her to return to her earlier expression. But he instead was shocked, seeing her blush of all things. Was she… He ceased he thought, remembered the one key problem. Zaikaria was still reading his mind. He didn't know the boundaries of where she could, and couldn't read his mind anymore.

He knows it has to deal with romance, anything that revolves around that topic involving specifically her. Switching tactics, he twisted his head, facing her while she was embarrassed "Ssso, how did you two meet…?"

Scarlet offered a grin, "It's a very long… brutal story. Not something I can really part with…"

Zaikaria offered a nod, it's true in a sense, but after her childhood ordeal, she could start with just the meeting.

She was about to open her mouth, but then she heard her dad's voice called out from afar, stuck in the backyard with Daemon and Stephan, "Ah Zai… can you come here for a second. Watch Daemon and Stephan. Daemon got a little excited… knocked over the fence. You know the drill…"

Zaikaria rolled her eyes, "You two play nice… I'll… just help out Nathan. He has a lot on his mind."

When the woman left, Akamut was blunt, straight to the point of his suspicions "You're in love with Zai too. I thought I wasss the only one…"

"Well, yeah…" the woman blurted out, turning her head to look over the towards the corridor, "You better treat her damn right! Like a damn queen! I'll murder you in your sleep, if you make her cry…"

Akamut shot her a glare, "I've been nothing but nice to her! I care for her… put her feeling ahead of my own. I know that ssshe never wanted to date, and now I can see I wasssn't the only one who thought that. But I think there'sss a barrier to her ability…"

"Well, daa…" she recoiled in pretend shock, not that she was any better when it came to this matter. Except for her, there's clear obvious line; Zaikaria might not have any standards, willing to date those her circumvent her ability to read their mind when it comes to feelings. She shifted her weight, nothing the creature in the eyes, "I'm going to be truthful… I have feelings for her, but I'm not about to ask her if she's into chicks as well. I fell for her because of my situation. She was the first one I opened up to… and I'm not about to open up to you. Not because I don't trust you, it's because you need to earn my trust. We just met…"

"Really…" He hissed, still glaring at Zaikaria's friend "how many people know about your passst?"

"In the entire world… Five…? Nathaniel and Vastorie, because they were involved; Zaikaria, because I felt I could trust her, being the daughter of the two. Also, Killua and Daniel… Killua, again because he proved himself twice, Daniel because I saw this… bond of trust he had with Killua."

"I know… it'sss ssso ssstrange how thossse two jussst… click?"

"They have faith in each other…" Scarlet huffed out proudly, a sincere smile being offered "A bit of love and compassion for one another. At least, from how I gauged the two; I know Zaikaria doesn't trust Killua…"

Akamut slid into the argument, he knew something she didn't "Zai believesss that Killua hurt Daniel in the passst when they were children. Daniel knowsss it'sss Killua'sss brother, Illumi that hurt him. Ssshe's just waiting on validation from Killua… Not that I believe that Zaikaria would believe him."

"Well…" She already knew this, considering Killua discussed that with her; she wasn't sure why Akamut was so proud, "I removed that mental blockade for Killua, and, he also proved himself by saving Daniel. I relayed all the information of what happened with them to Zai, now all we need to do is watch the memory come back on its own."

Akshasamat burst into laughter, how easily it was to connect with the woman after she was staring at him like she was death's incarnate. But she was actually kind, it's only her feelings he's really worried about. If Zaikaria was to learn about her feelings, he felt like the two of them would be a better match.

Scarlet frowned, why did he look like he was scheming? What exactly was he planning behind her back?

The snake-chimera turned a little, fingers being out stretched like he was about to hug her, "I dare you to a woo off… first one who getsss to-"

"No!" Scarlet screamed out, surprising the both of them in the process. She twisted her head to look away, embarrassed for yelling at the poor guy. He doesn't know her, how much she wants to be with Zaikaria, but she doesn't want to play with Zaikaria's feelings…

Akshasamat's expression softened, "I know that look… It'sss the sssame one I had when Daniel "out" me. He wasss the one who pointed out I had feelingsss for her. And now knowing you do too… I honestly want to give you a chance. Realissstically ssspeaking… look at me. I'm genetically half animal, and thinking about ssspending my life with her… when I don't know where my own place in this world isss right now… Well, it'sss hard. I do have genuine feelingsss for Zaikaria… but looking a back on the sssituation, I don't know if I could be that perssson for her…"

"And you think I could…" Scarlet frowned; they both don't know what kind of game they're playing with Zai. They don't know if this is a fling either of them could outlive. She'd jump at the chance to spend an eternity with Zaikaria, but not at the detriment of other's feelings.

"I want you to at least ssstate your feelingsss to her… Don't hide it like I did. It'sss very… relieving once you admit it."

"What if she rejects me… or you for that matter?"

"I don't know… I kinda feel… I don't know. I jussst trussst you for sssome reassson. It'sss weird, I guessss… Maybe, because you didn't ssscream when you sssaw me?"

"I was mentally prepared by Killua. It's still shocking… but not as bad as I thought." Scarlet shoved her hands into her pockets, walking over to see how her child is going. She stopped at the entryway to the kitchen, looking back behind her with a smile "Oh, Akamut… I do trust you a tiny bit now. But don't expect me to steal your girl anytime soon… I find that as a dick move, especially, when they just stated how they'd preferred it if I was their partner's partner."

"Underssstood…" He watched her leave, a small smile creeping along his features. He wondered how Zaikaria would react to him feeling this way.

I legit forgot Stefan's age… and I can't find if I did mention it. Welp, his seven now…

Let me know if you want me hook Scarlet and Zaikaria up, it's more of an afterthought. But honestly, I don't mind who Zaikaria ends up with. I'll portray their relationship as a growing process…

Whenever I remember that she exists…