The photo in the background is Annya's new outfit! She picked it before the flight.

\\Annya (POV)\\

I was dozing off as I watched the amazing view from the window. It was dark now so I could see cities and countries because of their lights.

Gon who sat in front of me, in the opposite side of the table was staring out, emotionless.

I closed my eyes as a memory of Killua appeared in my mind. His white, soft, messy hair, blue like the sky eyes and fair white skin. The same yellow skateboard that he always carries around, and the clothes he wears.

"I come from a family of assassins," I heard his voice in my head. "And my family? They've got real high hopes for me. I can't stand it..."

I frowned as I nuzzled to my arms on the table. Killua...

I heard a crunch as I opened my eyes to see Leorio and Kurapika back with food.

"So what's the deal with the long faces you two?" Leorio asked carrying some fries, while Kurapika next to him hand drinks for us.

"By tomorrow, we will be in Pidocia!" Kurapika smiled. I smiled back lazily at him. All this travelling was making me tired. Then again my head fallen on my hands as I rested.

"I'll see Killua soon..." I smiled before Gon put his jacket around my shoulders and I fallen into the dream world.

...

"Whoa!" I stretched my head, almost hoping off the train window.

We now arrived at the Pidocia region and where heading for the Kukuroo mountain on a orange train. Well exactly we were going to a town, from where we are gonna leave to the mountain.

"I can almost see it," Leorio smiled. "So that is where the assassins base is? Looks kinda creepy doesn't it?"

I watched the red big mountain with dark mist surrounding it's top. I guess it really was scary. It would certainly explain from where Killua got his dark vibes.

"It does..." Kurapika agreed. "Once we arrive, we should gather information."

"Okay," Leorio nodded.

As we took off we arrived at a little town, surrounded by mountains. Then walked up to a elder woman who was selling some food to ask a few questions.

"Kukuroo mountain. You want to take the scenic mountain bus to over there," she said pointing at a few busses. "It only runs once a day, but you'll have a guide to show you around."

We thanked her and hoped in the bus for our journey. I sat on my own seat, with no one next to me. Watching the beautiful view of nature reminded me of home. I wonder how is mom and dad doing... I thought bringing my palm to my chin. Not that I really care, actually.

"I'd like to thank all of you for choosing Lamentation tutors!" Said our guide, a pretty woman with light orange hair and green eyes. "It's an honour to have you here," she said giving us a bow. "Now, get ready! Because we're making our way up to Kukuroo mountain! Home to the Zoldych family of assassins!" She said as I glanced at her.

So that is Killua's last name? Killua Zoldych?

Kurapika and Leorio seem to be whispering about something. I followed their eye sight to see two suspicious guys with weapons. From the looks of it, their anything but tourists.

"Ok everyone! If you all look out your window to your right, you'll see Kukuroo mountain! Where the Zoldych family lives!" She said as I shot my head at Gon's and Kurapika's window, since I sat in the left side.

I quickly jumped to them and looked over their window. Then pressed my palm to the glass as I almost gripped on it. I could understand from where Killua got his scary bloodlust. That mountain looks abandoned...

"...it's 3722 meters high and it's surrounded by forest," the woman continued. "The Zoldych estate is known to be somewhere on the mountain. Although no one has actually seen it," she said. No surprise. "The Zoldych family consists of 10 members. Mother and father, 5 siblings, grand parents and grand grand father! All of whom are assassins," she said. Killua has quite a big family. While I only have my mother and father. Geez I'm getting jealous... "Alright! Now hold on till we get a little closer to the mountain!"

I calmly sawing my hands on the windowsill. Watching the view as I felt sad and lonely suddenly. Seems like he brought me addiction to always be around him...

Kurapika and Gon seemed to notice my long face, as Gon smiled at me and Kurapika patted my head. I chuckled at their actions and smiled at the mountain. Just a little longer. Killua wait for us...

———

"Ahh..." I blinked, my eyes big.

We stood in front of big gates, dragons statues on top of them. There was a big long wall after them. And I was somewhere between excitement and surprise. This is...

"Whatcha look at that..." Leorio mumbled.

"This is the front gate, of the Zoldych estate!" The woman - our guide said as I stared at the big mountain far away. "No one who entered has returned alive," she said. "Which is ear the nickname for this gate - the door of Hades! To enter, you have to go through the door by the security checkpoint! But, beyond that is private property so this is as far as we could go!"

"Hold on!" Leorio shouted. "This is the front gate?! But the mountain is all the way over there!" I nodded in agreement.

"That's right! The Zoldych family owns Kukuroo mountain, every inch of it!" She said exclaimed.

"Killua's family is really rich aren't they..." I face palmed.

"Not to mention all of the surrounding land!" The woman added.

"So what your telling me is that this is their front yard?" Leorio struggled to obtain the information.

"Pretty much of it," I smiled.

"Miss tour-guide?" Gon asked.

"Yes?" The woman asked tilting her head smiling.

"What do we have to do to get inside?" Gon got straight to the point.

"Oh dear... you were paying attention, right?" She asked her eye brow twitching.

"Yeah, but you didn't say..." Gon said but was interrupted.

"If you go inside you'll never come out again!" She yelled, as Gon hid behind me.

"Crazy lady..." he mumbled. "How come you Annya are the only girl so calm!" He whispered as I smiled at him.

"It's a assassins hideout..." the guide said trying to get back to her cheerful self.

"It's a fake," the same suspicions guy said with his friend beside him.

"A family of assassins no ones ever seen?" Said the other one.

"If we could just snap a picture of them, we could get a 100M for reward," the first one said.

"Are you kidding me! Dammit! I should have taken a picture of Killua!" Leorio shouted in despair.

"Ehh..." Me, Gon and Kurapika hummed.

"They probably relay on a guard to protect them," said the first guy. "I bet the truth is a whole way less interesting!"

I glared at him. That man doesn't know anything. From what I learned from Killua is that everything that seems normal with him is way deeper.

The two walked towards a little cab and banged the door open. The guard inside seem to freak out.

The second man grabbed the guard by the collar. "Open up the gate!" The man shouted.

"Ah, I'm afraid I can't!" The guard yelled in frustration. He seemed scared and terrified. "The master of the house would not approve of such thing!"

"Don't worry about that," the first guy said. "You should do it since we're gonna kill your master anyways."

The guard hesitated before sighting. He handed out a key to the dark wooden door. The second guy smirked mischievously and grabbed it while letting go of the guard as he fallen down on the ground.

I gasped running to him, helping him sit up. Gon joining soon after.

"Are you ok?" Gon asked while I looked with worry at him. I sensed something was off about him, but I didn't pay attention.

"Yes, thank you..." he said bowing his head slightly at the two of us. "I'll be alright.

I looked over from him to the 2 men unlocking the door. They walked in as the door closed.

"Oh darn, the Master hates it when Mike snacks between meals..." he said as I frowned at him.

"Mike?" I mumbled.

"Who..." Gon didn't get to finish, since he was cut off by screaming. I stared at the door as it slowly opened.

Then two skeletons where thrown out by a huge hand. I almost backed away of the surprise. They both crumbled on the ground and turned into broke pieces.

Our guide screamed and ran off with other tourists to the bus.

"Well dammit," the guard sight. "Mike is only supposed to eat designedly times..." he said as I looked over to the huge hand who disappeared soon after. That's Mike?

"Mike!" Shouted the guard. "Don't blame those extra pounds on me!"

"What was... that thing..." Kurapika exclaimed as he stood with Leorio behind us.

"If I'm right then he's Killua's puppy," I said pointing at the door.

"Aha, a terrifying puppy," Leorio grumbled.

The guard looked at me surprised by then shook his head as I stared blankly. What was that just now?

"Hey! You guys!" I heard our guide yelling. "What are you doing?! Time to get back on the bus!"

"Oh! Go ahead without us," Gon said standing up as I nodded.

"Yeah we have some things to do here!" I beamed. "So we're staying!"

The woman looked at us as if we were crazy. The guard also looked at me and Gon in a surprise. I helped him up and smiled sweetly.

...

"I see," said the guard passing us tea. "So your young master Killua's friends."

The sun now was setting as we sat in the guard cab, drinking some tea. It's weird hearing the 'young master Killua' thing but I guess it's just how he's called.

"Happy to hear it," the man smiled. "I worked here for the past 20 years, and to the best of my recollection, you 4 are the first who ever came to visit."

"Really..." I said drinking my tea. He must've been lonely...

"Now I probably shouldn't be telling you these things of how I work here," the guard said sitting in a chair. "But this place is pretty lonely I have to say. No one ever really visits."

"Just how I thought," I mumbled.

"Well, except those types," said the guard ponting at a garbage can with the skeletons. "We get our fair share of those!" He laughed. "But a family of assassins is bound to be unusual, guess that's the price they have to pay," he said as I narrowed my head to the ground.

"Oh well, anyways I'm so glad your here!" He said. "Thank you for coming."

"Don't mention it," Leorio said waving his hand.

"However," the guard's voice became lower. "That doesn't mean I'm gonna be able to let in you inside."

I frowned, holding back my groan.

"You saw it earlier, didn't you? How huge the beast's arm was?" He asked, recalling it. "That arm belongs to Mike, it's the Zoldychs watchdog. It only obeys to family and attacks everyone else!" He said as I again looked at him in the eye. "As a matter of fact, it's still following the order his master gave him it 10 years ago. To kill every single intruder who tries to get inside."

I nodded. This dog is pretty dangerous isn't he?

"I guess he isn't following it technically, because he keeps eating them!" He said with a lighter tone. "But, like I was saying I can't let you in. I wouldn't want friends of young Master Killua being stripped out of their skeletons!" He said laughing at the end.

"Question," Kurapika said. "How is it that your safe here?"

"Hm?" The guard hummed.

"It's just, you can go inside. And if you were never allowed to go in, it's unlikely that you would be given a key."

"Hmph, that's very perceptive," he said smiling. "But the truth is your only about half right. See, I don't need a key to get inside. This key was specially made for intruders only."

"There's a key for intruders?" I asked with a surprised face.

"Almost all of them go, right for the front gate. About 90%. I couldn't begin to tell you why tho. If I don't open the gate for them every time without fail, they try to break it down. Their real troublemakers these types. That's why we had it a lock door aside. Works pretty well," he said. "They just take the key from the poor helpless security guard, and then Mike eats them, it's as simple as that."

"So what you mean is that..." I looked at him with wide eyes.

"That's it!" Kurapika shouted also realising it.

"As you just realised I'm not a security guard," he smiled. "I'm just the janitor who cleans up after Mike."

"So the front gate isn't actually locked after all!" Kurapika yelled. I nodded.

"Exactly," said the the man.

"What?!" Leorio exclaimed looking back at the gate.

———

It was already dark, as we stood in front of the huge gate. Leorio was stretching in front of them, getting ready to open up.

He pressed his hands as he tried to push it open. His face got red by the efforts. Does this gate weight something?

Leorio eventually gave up as he kept inhaling and exhaling, tiredly.

"I pushed it pull but it won't budge!" Leorio said waving his tired hands. "Are you sure the gate isn't locked?!"

"I'm afraid your just not strong enough," said the elder man.

"Shut up!" Leorio groaned. "I was giving it, everything I got!"

The man took off his grey jacket as he walked up to the gate. "Step back and watch."

He stopped right before the gate. "This gate is know a the testing gate. Because anyone who's not strong enough to open it..." he crossed his arms making an X. Then took them off, being surrounded by his strong aura. "...is not worthy of entering the Zoldych estate."

He then pressed his hands to the gate and pushed it with amazing strength. And the gate actually opened. I let out a gasp watching it.

He trembled while holding it, until he let go and the huge gate closed.

"So you can see that the door closes automatically," he said as me and the boys watched in awe. "So you'll want to slip inside, as soon as it opens. Oh and you won't need to worry about Mike," he said. "He has strict orders not to attack anyone who enters by the testing gate," he washed off his swept with a happy sight. "The older I get, the tougher this seems to be... but they'll fire me if I can't open the gate, so I need to stay fit."

"Your kinda old though don't you want to retire?.." I mumbled so quietly that no one heard me.

"And I should mention," he continued. "The first doors weigh 2 tons each."

"What?!" Leorio exclaimed. We all stared at him in surprise. "Your really not suppose to be able to... wait what did you say? Did you say the first doors?!"

"Yeah," the old man smiled. "Take a look. There are 7 doors in all. And keep in mind that the each door is twice as heavy as the doors before it."

"TWICE?!" Leorio shouted.

"The more force you put into it, the more doors you will open," said the man. "Gotta be pretty strong to get through all of them. Incidentally, when young master Killua returned to the estate, he opened 3 of them! Just like that."

"Wha... that's so amazing!" I said my eyes sparkling. "I never knew he was so strong!"

That was half lie. I knew Killua was strong, way stronger than me. And it was amazing. But still it was shocking how he literally pushed open these gates...

"3?! That like... 12 tons!" Gon shouted.

"Gon..." I mumbled.

"It's 16 tons..." Kurapika continued my sentence. Gon laughed as a small blush creeped his cheeks, of embarrassment.

"Starting to get it now?" Asked the elder man. "This is what it takes only to get through the door! They live in a completely different world..."

"Hmph..." Gon grumbled. "I don't like this..." he turned to the man. "May I borrow the key?"

I stared at Gon my face white as a ghost.

"Gon! Are you out of your mind!" I said grabbing his shoulders.

"I didn't come all of this way to be tested," Gon shook his head. "I came so I could see my friend."

I froze letting go of Gon. It feels like... if I forgot. That I have to rescue Killua. Am I really that selfish? I have been missing him, badly, walking, running, but not once stood by his side. Not once have I said that he matters more than some thing. Am I really a good friend? Or am I... am I just an extra who isn't with his friendship?

I lowered my head, not listening to the guys who were talking everything out. Memories flashed through my eyes again as I trembled. Those memories were of me and Killua. How he told me about his family, how we laughed together and even how we met.

"Isn't that boring?"

"...I'm Killua..."

"...Annya!.."

But then another memory flashed due my eyes.

"I want... to be friends with Annya..."

I shot my head as the same warm feeling came back to me. He wanted to be friends with him. And I said that he already was my friend. Because... I want to be friends with him. I want to stand by his side, talk about things, laugh together and be carried by him. Those things just already happened. Nothing will change my mind now.

I don't want to be friends with him. Because I already am. We both are.

I finally snapped out of my thoughts to catch up with the conversation.

"Annya!" Leorio kept waving in front of my face.

"Huh?!" I said shooting my head. "Oh, sorry! I spaced out..."

"It's nothing!" Gon said. He wasn't cheerful but he seemed glad that I snapped out. "We are going to that mister's cab to call someone."

"Oh, okay!" I said. We all walked towards the door of the cabin. I watched as the old man pressed some buttons of an old phone and began calling.

"Hello? This is Zebro! Sorry to call, it's just that 4 of master Killua's friends are here, and they would really much like to see him," said the elder. Someone answered but I couldn't hear what they were talking about. "Yes... yes I'm sorry... of course! Yes, I understand!" He said to the phone. "Yes, yes! I'm so very sorry to disturb you!" He said before hanging up.

Zebro sight. "Yeah, I figured I would get yelled at..."

"You called up to the house?" I asked, surprised as we walked in the little cab.

"For us?" Gon continued my sentence.

"No, I was speaking with the Zoldych family's butler. All communication with the mansion has to go through the butler first," Zebro answered.

"Damn, Killua has it expensive," I frowned.

"Well, it is not easy to reach the family members," the old man answered.

Gon walked up to the phone as I followed him. "Could you get him on the phone again? I'd..."

"We would like to talk about with him this time," I interfered as Gon glanced at me. He gave me a quick smile before he again turned to Zebro.

"Yes, please!"

"Well, I suppose, I could," Zebro said. "But I guarantee your not going to enjoy it."

He again pressed the buttons as I watched. Gon pressed the old phone to his ear as I leaned over, to hear it.

"You've reached the butlers courters," said a voice. The person speaking seem to be a bored man.

"My name is Gon, and I'm one of Killua's friends," he said as he gave the phone to me.

"I'm Annya, Killua's friend as well!" I said into the phone. Gon then took it back to his ear.

"Is Killua there? Can we speak with him?" Gon asked.

It was silent for a moment. Me and Gon waited calmly.

"Master Killua does not have friends."

And then he hung up. My aura darkened. Gon didn't say anything as he typed the same number again, and pressed the telephone to his ear.

"You've reached the butler's courters," I heard the same man say. Gon inhaled and exhaled before he angrily screamed at the old fashion phone.

"HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW THAT, HUH?!" Gon yelled in the phone.

"YEAH, PUT KILLUA ON THE PHONE!" I shouted with Gon.

Silence. Both Kurapika and Leorio looked freaked out as they stumbled away.

"I believe you said your names where Gon and Annya?" Said the voice.

"Yeah," Gon answered.

"Let us pretend that master Killua does have friends named Annya and Gon. There is no proof that you are them."

"There is!" I shouted to the phone. "Killua's favourite sweet! It's chocolate!" I shouted pointing my finger at the ceiling.

"That's not proof," said the voice. I desperately fallen on the ground.

"Put him on the phone, he'll recognise me!" Gon said.

"By your voice? That is no guarantee," he said as I heard Gon's voice from the phone. My eyes widened. "That was a simple recording. But there are many other ways to mimic someone's voice. Next you'll say he'll recognise you by sight. There aren't as many methods by which you could perfectly replicate someone's appearance, but it isn't impossible," he said as I stood silently. "Or perhaps you are Gon and Annya, but someone has covered you to approach master Killua for some sinister motive," the butler continued.

"As long as that threaten exists, I cannot let you meet with him." He calmly said. "The Zoldych family has the assassination business. They have their enemies of course. And it is the butlers responsibility to guard them from those enemies. Apologies. You'll have to leave."

This time when the butler hanged up, Gon put back the phone to its cassette. He then turned around and walked out of the cab. Me following him soon after.

"Hey!" Leorio exclaimed. "Wait you two!"

Gon had a thick mark on his face. He looked angry and annoyed. And you wouldn't see him like this at all times.

"...he's really pissed isn't he?.." I heard Leorio's voice.

"...seems like Annya shares the same energy with him too..." Kurapika sight.

"Gon your going to climb the wall aren't you?" I sheepishly smiled. Everyone heard me as they rushed to us.

Gon was already with his fishing robe ready to climb as I stood next to him watching him.

"Gon! Wait!" Leorio shouted.

"It's okay, you 3 can wait here," he said as now a thick mark appeared on my forehead.

"Don't be stupid," I hissed at him. "I came here all the way from Hunters Exam to find Killua and bring him back. So if you think you can just go off like that your wrong!"

"Annya,-" Gon tried.

"Na-ah. If I hear about you doing everything again I'll cut off your fishing robe," I said firmly. "We have to do this together! Find a way to to beat this door so we could all see Killua!" I said as Gon stared at me surprised. "Remember? It's your own words."

He kept quiet.

Zebro stared at us in awe. Kurapika and Leorio also were surprised by my words.

"You know," said Zebro. "I decided to accompany you through the door."

Me and Gon both looked at him in shock.

"Mike knows me well enough to recognise me. And it's possible he might not attack if he sees I'm with you. Thought I'm almost a 100% certain that he'll just kill us all," he said as I looked down.

Gon jumped down since he was climbing to look Zebro in the eye. "I can't let you do that. I don't want to cause any trouble for you," Gon said.

"Too late. I'm coming. I'll get trouble even if I stayed," he answered. "If I led master Killua's friends to their deaths I'd never be able to look him in the eye again," Zebro said. "If you die, well. Then I'll die along side you."

I gazed at the old man with passion. "Thank you... mister Zebro," I smiled. "Your really helping us out. Even if he haven't done anything for you."

"Being master Killua's friends is enough for me to help you," Zebro answered. "Don't mention it."

Gon looked down as he got back his robe from the edge of the wall. "I understand sir." He said bowing his head. "I guess I didn't stop to think about your situation," he said. Then turned to me. "And yours... Annya," he mumbled. I smiled and hugged him.

"It's alright Gon," I chuckled leaning back and petting his head. "At least you listened. To which I'm glad."

He nodded smiling.

"You like animals don't you Gon?" Zebro asked.

Gon raised his eye brows in surprise. "Yeah!" He smiled.

"I thought you might. And did you grow up playing in the country side?"

"Yeah!" Gon confirmed again. "How did you know that?"

"Alright," said Zebro. "In just a moment, I'm gonna open the testing gate again. I want you to see Mike with your own eyes."

———

We stood in the dark forest as I heard heavy steps from afar.

"This place is very unique," I said looking around. "But are you sure it's fine for us to be here?"

Zebro smiled. "Well of course. You did went through the testing gate, after all." I nodded. "Mike!" Shouted Zebro. "Come here!"

Suddenly we heard a groan. It wasn't loud but it seemed to be coming from a huge animal.

The groaning became louder with those same heavy steps. As a huge animal walked to us.

I lost my voice as I looked at it. My eyes widened as I grasped my hand.

It was a huge purple dog whit big purple eyes. He was at least 10 meters tall as I stepped away. Those eyes looked so human. But not human at the same time. As I gazed at his eyes as I couldn't take my eyes off them.

The huge then laid down on the ground watching us.

"He's so..." I struggled with words. "Mysterious..." I said looking at him. Gon also looked terrified. While Leorio and Kurapika were almost trembling with fear.

"Gon," Zebro asked. "Do you understand? This is a hunting beast. A highly trained one at that. It's like no animal you've ever encountered in the wild. No, not by a long shot. You believed you could communicate with him, until you looked at him in his eyes, right?" He asked.

Gon broke a sweat.

"As we speak, Mike is memorising the appearances and sense of these new humans. There isn't anything else on his mind at the moment. He's just like a machine. So Gon. Do you think you can fight him?"

Gon shook his head intensively. "I'd be too scared! I never wanna fight him!" He trembled.

Zebro smiled, as he seemed to be thinking of something. "How long will you be staying here?" He asked.

"Until we see Killua!" Gon exclaimed before me.

"We're not leaving a second before!" I said smiling.

"Alright then. Follow me," he said turning around as I flinched but looked determined and followed him.

If I want to find Killua. Then I'll have to do whatever it takes. Because without him, I'm not going anywhere.

The guys followed with me as we walked.

Me and Gon made a promise there, when he wanted to clim the wall. That no matter what we will stick together and bring Killua back. Together that is.

...

WOAH. This was a lot- like literally my fingers are hurting help me-

Anyways thank you for reading this chapter! I hope you have voted because you know what happens next if you didn't :)

Alrighty! Stay healthy, stay awesome and go outside! It's good for your health, believe me^^

Thank you again! Bye!