Chapter 9: The Real Family

A family is like a salad bowl: each one is different, but it is great when all are together- IndraniFOREVER

The great oak door opened with a creek and the gush of warm food smell and a bright light hit Aoi's face as she was blown away with the things she saw. The place was simple yet gorgeously dressed in neutral shades with minimalistic features and the occasional blush coloured lights brought the best out of the gold and white. Aoi had a really pleasant feeling of a Bride-to-be blushing at the sight of her fiancée.

'It's beautiful...' Aoi complemented and hold onto Kite's hand a little tighter.

Aoi's was having a nerve wreck because, apart from the visible long tables the room was packed with people, and what puzzled her most, that from her inner intuition, she felt that everyone was critical and cynical in their own way.

'Are you nervous?' Kite asked.

'A bit...' Aoi said, adjusting her black and white Lanvin dress. The heels were pinching on her feet.

'Don't worry... let's start from this side...' Kite pointed at left and proceeded to a short woman wearing light blue dress with a mass of green hair 'Auntie...' Kite bowed 'this is Aoi-chan, Knov-san's daughter... Aoi... this is Aunt Cheadle' the woman had a very blunt nose, yet her smile was pretty.

'Hello, Aoi-san, nice to meet you...'

'But ba-san, Where is Uncle?' Kite asked.

'Oh... he might be with Pokkle again, talking about the sponsorship at the next World cup.' Cheadle said smiling 'you better excuse my husband's taciturnity Aoi-chan if you meet him... '

'it's okay aun- I mean Cheadle-san, I think it is least of my worries, besides, I am myself sometimes unsociable too... now then, excuse us.' Aoi said with an inside frown, like who tells about some person's anti-social attitude at the first meeting, yet, she moved on with Kite at the front.

'Cheadle-san and our Uncle Nana are very different from each other. Cheadle-san is a curator in National museum and Uncle is one of the boards of directors of our own company.' Kite said 'Guess you didn't know about our company didn't you?'

'No... nobody told anything about that.' Aoi said dumbfounded, seriously, all this time, they kept a secret from her... But again, who was taking care of the company, when everyone was established on their own! May be it was the Board of Directors. But Aoi was curious... What exactly the Matsuhashi Company do?

'Ah... Aunt Cluck...' Kite hugged and kissed a blue haired bitch-faced woman who single handedly patted Kite at the back while carrying a flute of Champagne on her other hand. She was dressed in a long shimmery silk blue dress with decorative French-style feathers in her hair.

'Kaito...' her affectionate tone did not really reach her blue eyes 'how nice- oya... is she the new one?' she asked, taking a sip of the champagne.

'Yes Cluck-san... I am Aoi Isabel Tanaka... nice to meet-'

'Skip the formalities please, we're already family... oh...Nana-san, Pokkle... come here... ' she called a middle-aged diamond jawed man with goatee and a maroon suit clad Pokkle. 'Aoi-chan, you already met Cluck-san... ' Pokkle's warm tone relaxed Aoi in the midst of stranger; Pokkle had this odd calming effect in him, which contrasted with Kite's soft formality 'This man... ' Pokkle pointed at the man next to him 'Is our Uncle Nana... he and Cluck-san are Brother and Sister-in-law... Cluck-san is a Publicist and manages our company's publicity.'

'And she still can't find a husband...' Nana made a playful comment. 'Wear high heels tomorrow Clue-chan... to catch the bouquet...' Nana took up a salmon sushi from the Japanese buffet section and poured it in the mouth.

'How rude... as if I have time enough to get married after working my ass off managing the traffics of you Director's road.' Cluck put down her flute and took an elegant bite of a French Scallop, 'Kaito... Your uncle is an Ox brain...' Cluck said with warmth of tone, despite her face 'my sister must have had an impaired vision to set an eye on you...'

Nana's expression softened, 'oh, Clue-chan... stop being such a rusty hen... we know how much the company owes to you for going things smoothly.'

'Speaking of the company...' another voice drifted from the side 'Isn't it about time that Chrollo starts to take a little bit responsibility... oh god!' the owner of the voice came into light 'I am sorry, but I could not help but to cut in, it's a rare occasion where the whole family gathers up.' A very dark tall woman with billowing black locks slithered in, wearing a long black satin gown.

'Ah... don't be so mean Geru' Nana said 'You know very well what the old man said about the Business, and we are waiting for the young ones to take over.' Geru looked away 'hmph... But with Brother's death and-' Geru was almost about to say 'Palm's marriage', but she swallowed the word immediately, 'ah... let bygones be bygones... It's so nice to see you little girl' and without notice she drifted away.

'What was that?' Cluck crinkled her nose 'and what's with that outfit? Is somebody dead?' noticing Kite and Aoi she suddenly apologises and slips away with Nana, leaving Kite and Aoi, with Pokkle who was nibbling on cabbage rolls.

'Well...' Kite shrugged 'what's a wedding without a little family drama?'

'Who was that... the last lady?' Aoi asked, looking at the buffet.

'Aunt Geru...' Pokkle slipped in 'don't mind her... she had always been a buzzkill... ' Pokkle said 'she is our father's elder sister, and Uncle Nana is after my father...' Pokkle took a pork chop 'whenever we try to have fun, she always becomes the wet blanket... Damn snake woman...'

Kite carefully looked at Aoi and led her away.

'Eh... what to say, they are crazy workaholics, my aunt and uncle' Kite pleasantly said, but suddenly his expression darkened 'things are hard for them after Dad's death... Running the company.' Aoi just could smile back at him, but inside, her instinct told that it was some another story.

But suddenly with a jerk, Aoi had to stop because someone was clamping Kite's eyes tightly from the back and the fingers were neatly manicured and painted black with crystal embellishments at the tip.

'Guess who...' the owner of the hands purred from behind, and jumped at the front.

'Au! Will you please, .go...' Kite struggled and the person pouted, which reminded Aoi of a kitten. She was wearing half-trousers and costly embellished blue dress shirt and her hair was set in a silver-Karlie-Kloss-like messy bob, and on top of that she was wearing cat-eared headband that Tiffany of SNSD wore in 'I GOT A BOY' music video, or Taylor Swift at the end of 22 video.

'Eh... You got no jams Kaito... you used to be fun~~' she said and suddenly as if Aoi just popped out of thin air, she jumped on the floor...

'Oh My... Kaito's new petto! Hiyah... you must be Aoi-chan! I know all about you...' she extended her hand 'Atashi wa... Pitou! Actually my full name is Felina Neferpitou, but it's so tacky~ so call me Pitou instead... Just Pitou...' she vigorously shook Aoi's hand.

'Hai... Pitou' Aoi made it out with high effort.

'Pitou is my...'

'Student, apprentice, girlfriend, Ex... and then I became fly on his nose...' Pitou said with a crooked cat-like smile, 'be careful with this man... He gives real bad heartbreaks... Have fun, bye!' Pitou left like a storm.

'Kite-san...' Aoi turned back and a group of people was standing there, a girl with tousled purple hair and vivid pink skater dress was accompanied by a girl with Milky white hair and frosty blue heavy-lidded eyes and beside him stood a guy with black hair, who had strange red eyes which was shadowed purple under the eyes... Aoi suspected that the guy was wearing a little bit makeup.

'Oh... you guys are here!' Kite said 'meet my colleagues... Spinner Claw' he pointed at the purple haired girl who waved back, 'Komugi Tsuabuki' the white haired girl bowed, and she was wearing a small cream lace dress 'and Han Meru-em' the last guy curtly bowed. 'Spinner is our visual graphic artist, Komugi studies Aesthesis and Meru-em Gothic art and Surrealism' Kite pointed at Aoi 'this is my sister Aoi.' Aoi bowed back.

'Oh... nice to meet you...' Spinner replied and looked at Kite 'we'll have to hurry, assignments' due tomorrow, where is Palm-san?' she asked and Kite pointed 'okay, see yah... It was nice meeting you too Aoi!'

'Beanie-san...' Milluki came in fast pace, wearing neat gray tweed suit, 'Maman is looking for you... don't worry, and I'll keep Aoi Company.'

'You look good Milluki-san... You should dress up more' Aoi complemented him as Kite left and Milluki became a brilliant shade of neon pink and smiled at her. 'I didn't know... ah, my life is simple anyway...' he smiled in a way which reminded Aoi of Haru Yoshida from the film 'My little monster' she saw with Menchi on her 14th birthday, and suddenly the impeccable scene of Haru getting naked for Shizuku in front of the class made her blush as she remembered her first encounter with Milluki.

'How many people you've met?' he asked.

'A couple...' Aoi replied as they both picked up fried Chorizo from buffet table 'Aunt Cheadle, Cluck and Geru, Uncle Nana and couple of-'

Suddenly they broke off seeing Omokage and long haired woman conversing and Omokage was touching all over and the girl didn't seem to mind.

'Who is she?' Aoi asked, a little bit flustered.

'Momo-nii's girlfriend, Amane...' Milluki said with mild disapproval 'she had been home for couple of times, she's quite snobby.' Milluki continued 'She is the "Face" of Momo-nii's company... let's not disturb them-'

But things were otherwise.

'Oya... Who's this exquisite beauty?' a false posh voice called her 'OK, is this the famous Aoi?' blue-gray eyes with smoky eye makeup scrutinised her and then elaborately she flicked her hair 'K... You have a fine choice in women... And now you just proved it-'

'Gomen Amane-san, Aoi-chan is busy, she has a lot of people to meet... I am sure we'll catch up later!' Milluki tactfully lead her away.

'Phew... thankyou Milluki-san' Aoi gratefully said 'I am not used to talk with people like them.'

Milluki only smiled at them.

'Hiyah... Aoi-chan' Hisoka greeted them and with him stood Illumi, Chrollo and Leorio, respectively in Burgandy, Black and Navy blue embellished suits and with Leorio stood a voluptuous woman with short blond bob wearing a plunge neck puce jumpsuit giving a 60% view of her cleavage that made Aoi uneasy.

'Hi... I am Pakunoda, I am your brother Leorio's colleague from ENT department' despite her appearance Aoi appreciated her to-the-point generosity. 'Nice to meet you.'

'Me too, Pakunoda-san.'

'You go at Minami high right?' Pakunoda asked 'Is Kurama-sensei still there?'

'Yes... he's the principal now.'

'Asso? That's good... um how are things here with the guys?' Pakunoda asked, offering Aoi a garlic snail. 'A little hectic and adventurous, but fun.' Aoi diplomatically answered.

Pakunoda observed her face with a little concern 'hectic, adventurous and fun?' she paused 'can imagine why... it is always hectic at the emergency room with Leorio around, so much that the whole hospital feels it...' she said 'but seeing you as a family member, I kind of envy him'

Aoi shyly smiled, and Pakunoda spaced out.

'Oh, you're Milluki right? What you're doing right now?'

'I am studying majors in micro technology in Imperials ...'

'Oh... well, I will meet with Palm-san now,' Pakunoda raised a small packet in her hand, 'see you tomorrow at the ceremony.' She left with grace.

Suddenly Aoi looked at the watch, 'its six already, why aren't they here yet?'

'Who are you talking about?' Milluki asked 'Knov-san is here hours ago... Speaking of which, shouldn't you meet with Maman and Knov-san, later when people start to come it will be harder to-'

'Yes, but I'll meet daddy with them-' Aoi was already preoccupied with the phone 'excuse me for a minute...' clamping her phone with the ears, she stormed outside the hall.

'How long will you take, it's nerve-wreaking in here' Aoi whispered.

'Do you think I am late on purpose for my best-friend's father's rehearsal dinner? ' the voice blared from the receiver 'we are stuck in a bad traffic, and ... It's been fifteen minutes near downtown... oh-oh... we're clear... being there in ten... Hang in there okay?'

Suddenly all the people in the hall drifted to the side, and so was Aoi and Milluki. Two black clad hunky men with black sunglasses, and they proceeded in a sort as if the President himself was walking down the room, but what Aoi saw was even more surprising.

Internationally famous opera singer Kikyo Zoldyck was walking inside with her husband High Lieutenant Silva Zoldyck.

Aoi was pushed aside at the room and then she saw the familiar faces she saw on the billboards and newspapers, on television and on internet. There was a sleek tall porcelain woman with black and sleek tight super-high bun and the impeccably chic forever present square shades accompanied by high maintained glossy red lips; her evil queen look was completed with a Charles James black-white-red draped 46 vintage gown, and super blingy diamond-pearl choker. Her spouse was hunky and muscular and with cascading silver locks grazing over his shoulders framing the angular face and icy blue eyes, he looked like one of the Greek gods in Aoi's storybook from the past; when Aoi first read about Hades, she imagined him to look like Silva Zoldyck, only with darker hair.

When they were in and finally the humdrum was cleared, somebody slapped at Aoi's back, and she turned around, and finally she saw her best friend and her forever nerdy cousin buddies.

'What did I miss?' Menchi asked, and Aoi noted she was wearing a very short body-con black lace dress, that gave a perfect view of her d-cups.

'Nothing much….. Couple of rich people, Kikyo Zoldyck and her hubby.' Aoi said flatly, 'honestly now, it's starting to get a little annoying….'

'That is the most unforgiving speech you have given since Wing left….' Menchi smirked and looked at her guy friends 'Well, I am proud that you are opening up'

'Anyway…. Let me introduce you to the rest of my brothers' Aoi led Menchi, Wing and Zushi to the Champagne bar; lining her brothers up, Aoi introduced her friends with her brothers and vice versa.

'My my…..' Hisoka commented with his usual chime 'aren't you a dark beauty….?'

'Yes I am thank you….. ' Menchi answered with polite sternness, after knowing all about their intentions about Aoi, it was not exactly a sweet meeting, but when Menchi's eyes fell on Feitan, her expression changed from stern politeness to curiosity. Aoi could tell that Menchi found something, because with the range of Menchi's intuitive mind, she is almost never wrong about analysing human character.

Another thing Aoi noticed was Milluki's baffled expression meeting Menchi. Only gurgling noise came out of his mouth when she shook hands and greeted him; grossed out Menchi moved on, but Milluki's eyes did not move on off her.

'Is your brother a perv?' Menchi said 'didn't seem like one when he came to school…. Pretty gentlemanly he seemed then…. And now' Menchi tore up a tissue paper 'his eyes doesn't seem to move off my ass….'

'Speaking of ass Chi-chan…..' Aoi beckoned Menchi towards her 'he is the one I first saw naked….'

'Really?' Menchi said with a slight amazement 'He looks nothing like the hidden Dorian Gray you are leading me to believe….' She took a brief look at the back and there Milluki was, taking a sip of cocktail, 'or may be….. It's the dorky clothes….' Menchi waved at him and he dropped his glasses in an effort to wave at her.

'He's cute though' Aoi said 'I think he likes you….. He's a little shy around girls' Aoi reassured while eying Milluki, Wing and Zushi at the same time 'so if you want things to be forward… I think you should be the one to push him….' Aoi smiled 'gosh…. Sometimes he seems like a little baby…'

'Who are you? Mother superior?' Menchi laughed at her and went forward to talk with him, and Aoi did not miss Wing's slightly annoyed expression.

'What?' Aoi said 'she wanted to talk with my brother…..' she said and Wing's eyes softened up.

There is still lot to tell about the Rehearsal dinner and the Wedding, and we still didn't talk about Kikyou, daddy and mummy yet…. Best part is yet to come… so keep up….. R&R&R