Chapter 10: Tears

Aliara crumpled to the floor, Killua fled, and the room erupted in chaos.

Tears welling up in his eyes, Killua tore out the large door and didn't look back, his mind running at a million miles an hour, then stopping, then trying to restart. He could hear Illumi's taunting voice in his head. "You're not cut out for friends." And he hated it, but Illumi was right.

He was nothing but a cold, heartless killer. He couldn't have friends, because he'd kill them, just like he had done to Aliara.

The worst part was, he didn't realize exactly what he had done until he saw all the blood she was covered in. Blood never unnerved him, because he'd seen it many times. He'd killed many times. So why was this time so different?

It was because he had finally made a friend. And this was what happened.

Killua remembered her squatting down next to him, arguing that she and Gon were already his friends. He'd wanted so desperately to believe that. She had hugged him, and even though her hands were cold, his body was filled with a warmth he had never felt. But his blood lust was already running, desperate to just... kill something.

He had aimed for Bodoro.

Aliara had tried to help Bodoro, but taken the hit instead.

Killua ran to the only place he could go, tears leaking from his eyes and making tracks down his cheeks.

Home.

Kurapika and Leorio were the first ones to reach the raven-haired child. Kurapika knelt down. "Aliara! Aliara!" he looked up, his face panicked but composed at the same time. "She's unconscious."

"Infirmary," the chairman said immediately. "She was hit in the shoulder, not the chest, so she won't die. Unless it's from blood loss."

"Killua-" Leorio started, glancing at the door.

Netero shook his head. "We'll discuss that later. Right now, we need to see if we can save her life."

"I'm- I'm training to be a doctor," Leorio said frantically, grabbing his black and red suitcase. "I can help."

Kurapika was already pressing a ripped part of cloth from Aliara's t-shirt to her shoulder, but it was already soaked in blood. "Can we risk moving her?" the blond asked through gritted teeth.

Leorio pulled some more cloth and bandages out from his case. "We have to slow the bleeding first. Then, we can move her."

Kurapika and Leorio moved together as if they had been a team for years instead of weeks. Bodoro was in shock, observing with a blank expression on his face, occasionally glancing at the door, almost as if he was expecting Killua to come back, and then gingerly touching his chest. Hisoka was frowning. Illumi almost had a smug expression on his face, the 'I told you so' kind of face. Menchi frowned. "We should contact her family. It's probably best if she's put in their care as soon as possible."

The chairman nodded. He motioned to the group of tuxedo-wearing men that were waiting for orders, and they bustled out the doors. "Of course. Does anyone know her last name, or family?"

The silence that followed settled a load of shock on Leorio's and Kurapika's shoulders. Nobody had any clue who she was?

"Maybe we can ask Gon when he wakes up," Pokkle murmured, staring at the pool of blood on the floor.

Hisoka hummed softly, starting intently at the ceiling. "I believe she's a Lorvell."

"A Lorvell?" Kurapika gasped.

Leorio's jaw dropped. "No way!"

Menchi's eyebrows shot up. "That explains why I recognized her! Her family's famous."

"And rich," Leorio said, a strange sound forming in the back of his throat.

The chairman stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, that's what I thought too. The Lorvells are one of the richest families in the land, with plenty of heirs. I've met her mother. They do share the same eyes."

"A Lorvell," Kurapika repeated, clenching crimson cloth down on Aliara's wound.

"She's rich," Leorio breathed. "She's got more money than she knows what to do with. Lives in mansions, wears expensive clothing, eats expensive food..."

"It explains how she knew what sushi was," Kurapika said thoughtfully, changing the soaked cloth for a new one as several men came down with a stretcher for Aliara. "And how she said she's tried dream eggs before."

The puzzle pieces all lined up. Kurapika and Leorio wordlessly shifted the small girl onto the stretcher and followed the men carrying it to the infirmary, leaving the rest of the contestants in the room.

But one puzzle piece didn't want to fit.

"It doesn't make sense," Kurapika said in frustration.

Leorio raised his eyebrows. "What doesn't?"

"She doesn't dress like she's rich," he said quietly, "she's wearing jeans and a t-shirt with an old backpack."

"So?"

"And remember when we came out of Trick Tower and her shirt was covered in blood? Not her own... but she didn't change out of it. She didn't bring any other change of clothes."

"You think she's a runaway?" Leorio asked loudly.

Kurapika nodded. "It's a hunch."

But it was a hunch that made sense.

Aliara blinked the bright light away until her eyes adjusted. She tried to sit up, but the flaming pain in her left shoulder made her fall back down. Where was she? What happened?

It all came back to her. Killua, Bodoro. She squeezed her eyes shut and let her head fall back against a fluffy pillow. She would not cry. She would not cry. She would never let anyone see her cry. Killua didn't mean to, she knew. He was in blood lust mode, she kept telling herself. I got in the way. That's my fault.

Where was she?

It was a large, large room. The furniture was scarce, only a huge white bed that she was currently occupying, a night stand next to her left, and two small chairs in the corner of the room. There was one door on the opposite side of the chairs. The room had tall, white walls, and Aliara felt her stomach slowly sinking as she realized where she was. She was at home. Her... Her mansion.

Ugh. This was the last place she wanted to be right now.

Aliara managed to sit up, wincing from her aching shoulder. She was in a white nightgown that had the left sleeve cut away, and her left shoulder was wrapped in bandages that circled down to her bicep.

Frowning, she started unraveling them.

The white bandages now a heap on the bed, Aliara stared at her shoulder in shock. There was a long scar, from near the base of her neck down across her shoulder that was a good ten centimeters long. The cut stung, obviously, but it looked clean and not infected. How long have I been out? Who cleaned my wound?

Wait.

Where the hell were her shoes? And her wristwatch?

Aliara almost jumped out of bed. Scanning the room quickly, she realized that her backpack, custom shoes, and wristwatch were nowhere to be found. Aliara felt like crying. Those were her favorite things in the whole world, her escape, and it had been taken away from her. Just another thing taken from her by her family. Her freedom, her life, and now her shoes.

The door in the corner of the room creaked open. "Oh, good," said a tall woman with long blonde hair and sparkly blue eyes as she pushed a grey trolley into the room. She was in a white nurse coat and had a matching hat. "You're awake, miss."

"How long have I been out?" she rasped, surprised at how dry her throat was.

The doctor hummed and started pulling some bottles off from her cart. "Three days now."

Aliara's head spun. Three days?

"Your mother hired me as soon as she heard you were injured, Lady Aliara," the lady said quietly, extending her hand out to Aliara and giving her two small purple pills. "To ensure that you recovered as soon as possible."

"Where are my shoes?" she demanded.

The nurse lady bowed. "Your mother instructed everything you owned to be put away for you later."

Oh, she knew what that meant. Aliara didn't reply and stared at the pills in her hand. "I'm not going to poison you, Lady Aliara."

"Don't call me that," she replied evenly, swallowing the tiny pills.

"How should I address you, then?"

Aliara thought for a moment. "Just Aliara. Unless my mother's around."

Her nurse smiled warmly. "If that is your wish." She bowed, and Aliara's cheeks flushed. She hated this, other people acting inferior towards her just because of her family and household. It always made her uncomfortable. I'm beginning to remember why I ran away. "La- Aliara, why did you remove your bandages?"

She snapped back to reality. "Oh, they were uncomfortable." She swung her arm around in a circle, ignoring the flaming pain that raced up her arm. "I feel fine." The nurse didn't reply, instead started writing on a small clipboard. "Excuse me," Aliara interrupted, thinking, "what's your name?"

The blonde looked up from her writing in surprise. "My name is Fiona."

"Thank you, Fiona," Aliara mumbled, feeling darkness creeping up on her, "for taking care of me." Her cheeks flushed.

Fiona beamed. "It is my pleasure, Aliara."

The blonde nurse left and Aliara succumbed to sleep once more.

Four weeks.

About four weeks had passed, and she had been put under house arrest. A month since she last saw Gon and Killua, Kurapika and Leorio, and it was driving her insane. She was not allowed to leave. Not allowed to do anything outside of the house. A month that went to recovering and dying of boredom because all the house staff refused to let her do anything exciting.

She never got to see her mother until she received an 'invitation', and it was for dinner.

Aliara had been eating in her large recovery room, by herself, but sometimes in the company of Fiona, her nurse that had been her only company for those long four weeks. When she was finally allowed out for dinner, of course, she had to dress like she was trying to make an effort. Fiona helped her ease into a black sleeveless dress that her mother had specifically picked out for her.

She finally saw her siblings again, all dressed up in tuxedos and dresses.

Aliara entered the dining room a few minutes after six, late. The huge room was as polished and gleaming as she had remembered, with polished marble floors, matching pillars, and a huge crystal chandelier. The dining table was long, and covered in a white and gold table cloth, while large family portraits adorned the walls. Her family was seated at the table. She hated calling them that- family.

They all watched her as she sat down. Aliara steeled her gaze and sat herself down.

"You're late."

Her mother, elegantly dressed in a deep purple robe, had her blonde hair pulled up into a large fancy bun on her head. She had expensive gold jewelry on her neck and wrists, and make up so well done that others would be jealous.

"I forgot that I had to dress nicely," Aliara said back, gritting her teeth. Her younger sister, who was sitting next to her, sucked in a deep breath. That was not how she was supposed to address her mother.

Her mother narrowed her eyes. "We will address the matter of your absence later."

"Fine," Aliara snapped, crossing her arms over her chest.

"I do hope you remember your manners," her mother scowled. Her mother, Adrianna Lorvell, had a pretty face but a completely opposite personality. "And that you remember how to address me."

Aliara ignored her.

"Your siblings," Adrianna continued, pursing her lips, "have missed you."

No, they haven't. That's a lie.

Her oldest sibling, Kuro, a black-haired boy with a cruel face, glowered at her. "We've installed new security systems since you... left."

Aliara's second oldest sibling, Yuno, snickered. His ginger hair was still spiky and messy, just as he liked it. Aliara's gaze swept the table. Iyami, her older sister, smiled softly at her before averting her gaze. Her brother Fukinoro, who was only a year older than her but incredibly cold and emotionless, held a poker face, no matter how long she stared at him.

Kuro, Yuno, Iyami, Fukinoro. And out of all four, Iyami, the girl, was the only one that acknowledged her as part of the family, before and after she ran away.

"I missed you."

Aliara looked up in surprise, then almost smiled. It was her brother, who had the same father as her, yet was a year younger. They looked nearly identical, with thin black hair and emerald eyes. His name was Ano, and he was bold and got angry really easily, just like she did. Ano was one of her favorite siblings, and it honestly wasn't hard to choose a favorite out of this lot.

"Thank you, Ano," she said, smiling at her 11 year-old brother. He smiled back. He was incredibly mature for his age.

Her youngest brother, seven years old and full of spunk, spoke next. "I didn't miss you," he snapped loudly, folding his arms across his chest. "Because when you were gone Kuro and Yuno spent more time teaching me because you weren't here to be picked on."

Aliara's cheeks tinged pink, and she bit her tongue. To her surprise, her mother smiled at him. "Yes, Libro, and your skills have vastly improved."

She struggled to control her temper.

The last one was her little sister. Nine years old and the kindest soul alive, Kirika was incredibly precious and couldn't hurt a fly. "I missed you," she mumbled quietly, and even though she was sitting directly beside Aliara, she had a hard time hearing her. The raven-haired girl patted her hand on Kirika's leg, and the tiny girl smiled.

Dinner was quiet, but the tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife. Instead of waiting for her mother to excuse her, Aliara excused herself and left for her recovery room, which was thankfully not too far from the dining hall.

On her way, she passed a family tree.

Aliara stared up at it, frowning. At the top was her mother, Adrianna Lorvell, and she didn't recognize the frame, so the family tree must've been rather new. Her siblings all branched off underneath.

Kuro. 19. His name and age was listed, with a picture underneath. Aliara frowned as she recalled her sibling's twisted personality. Black hair, maniac grin. Felt pride in humiliating people and teasing them.

Yuno. 18. Ginger hair, followed around Kuro like a puppy dog. He wasn't very strong individually. Stupid.

Iyami. 16. Brown hair and blue eyes, always quiet but deathly terrifying.

Fukinoro. 13. Her eyes fell upon his poker face and stone cold brown eyes. Silent.

Aliara. 12. She saw her own picture and glared at it, skipping it.

Ano, 11. The bold, kind yet angry child who kept Aliara sane in all her life living in this hell hole.

Kirika, 9, petite and blonde, sweetest person alive.

Libro, 7, spunky, reckless, and above all, stupid.

She glared angrily at the family tree, hating it, hating almost every person on it. Iyami, Kirika, and Ano were fine. But she detested her family, hated them all, and wanted to run away again. She stomped back to her recovery room, where Fiona was making her bed. "How did your dinner go?"

"Swimmingly," Aliara snapped back sarcastically. "Do you have a marker?"

Adrianna Lorvell frowned as she passed the family tree that the staff had put up a week ago.

Aliara's face was crossed off with a large black X.

She pursed her lips and continued to her daughter's room.

"I am NOT your daughter."

"You are," Aliara's mother snapped, "and you have to accept that."

"No," Aliara repeated, "I am NOT your daughter."

They had been arguing for five minutes now. Fiona was gone. Adrianna had arrived to explain the punishments and consequences revolving around her 'departure' but Aliara had refused to listen. The black-haired girl hated everything her mother said, the way she spoke, the expression she had, the way her hair was done up, the way her lip curled as she sneered. Everything.

"Where're my shoes?" she snapped next, glaring at her mother.

Adrianna scoffed. "Those pathetic things? I-"

"They're not pathetic!" Aliara screeched immediately, stomping her foot down. "I worked for a while on those!"

"You can make better use of your time-"

"But I like building things," Aliara cried, frustrated. "I love putting things together, breaking them again, fixing them again and adding more and more on! I love the finished products and I love the process! Why the hell can't I-"

Her mother narrowed her eyes. "Leave the creation to the servants."

"Where are my shoes?" Aliara said angrily. "And my backpack? And my wristwatch?"

"None of your concern!"

Aliara screamed, frustrated, and turned away from her mother. "As soon as my shoulder is completely healed," she snapped, "I'm leaving. I want nothing to do with this family."

"You are not leaving," her mother yelled angrily, leaning in to get in Aliara's face. "Because I will not allow you to tarnish the family name and reveal all our secrets like you tried to do when you escaped!"

Aliara stood up from her bed. "You think that's what I was trying to do?! How selfish are you? I avoided my name like plague, I did everything to make sure nobody knew of my last name. I want nothing to do with you or this family."

"Then why did the chairman of the Hunter Society return you here?" her mother demanded, pointing at Aliara as she screamed. "He knew your last name! You have told people of this family's skills! You-"

"I DIDN'T!" Aliara screeched loudly, her hands flying up by her head. "The stupid 'rich family that's actually assassins' secret is still a secret!"

"And we will keep it that way," Adrianna insisted, stomping her foot down on the ground and almost cracking her heel. "Your training will not go to waste, and you do not need a stupid hunter's license. Why would you go for one in the first place?"

Aliara's face was beet red and she felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. "I wanted to leave," she cried, "and I wanted to go places without having to use family money! I want to go places that you can't follow me!" Her voice cracked. "I don't want to be part of this family. The family where you go around pleasing men and bearing their children so you can marry those children off to other rich families and get access to their fortunes. You use your kids by training them as assassins and forcing them on missions just to get yourself more cash. You care about nothing but money, money, and more money, and I want nothing to do with your stupid plans!"

Aliara's mother's face screwed up with rage. "You are my daughter! You don't have a choice! You will stay here for the rest of your life and do exactly as I say!"

"I-"

"I've got a rich business man with a son that's lined up to take you as his bride in the next few years," her mother continued, breathing heavily, "and you will not have a choice in the matter. You will stay here and no longer be allowed to train and participate in missions like your siblings."

"I don't want to stay here!" Aliara screamed. "I'm stronger than I was when I left. I'm leaving, and there's nothing you can do about it!"

"You will stay," her mother promised, "you will present yourself in a suitable manner for visitors and for the staff, and you will not be training any longer. That is an order."

"To hell with your orders!" Aliara shouted angrily, her temper at its limit. Her mother tried to grab her wrist and she broke away, vaulting over her bed. "I'm done with you and this family! Go away!"

"Aliara-"

"GO AWAY!"

"You-"

"I hate you," Aliara sobbed, clutching her shoulder. She refused to let the tears come. "I hate you and this family. GO. AWAY."

And her mother finally left. Only after she left did Aliara allow herself to fall onto her stupid white bed and the stupid white pillow and cry, letting all her built up frustration and anger lose in the form of tears. Fiona didn't return, and Aliara didn't want her to. She cried, wishing for Killua or Gon, or anyone- just not her family.

Suddenly, Killua's accidental injury to her shoulder seemed so minor. Aliara didn't care about that anymore. She just wanted to see him again.

I do not expect anyone to remember the sibling's names. It's a lot at once, I know, but I just wanted to get their names out there in case they appear later in the story.

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