Chapter 10: Real Family (part 2)

I reached out my hands into the pure white, accumulating light like in my memories from that day
So that I don't lose them; I send my feelings, entrusted to words, to you

- Hikari No Kioku: Angelo (from the 2nd Ending theme of 'Letter Bee')

'Well….. While Menchi talks with you brother,' Wing said 'I am gonna take a sip to another fruit sorbet….'

'Okay, have fun….' She waved him and leaned on the tables.

'Excuse me…..' a smooth voice called her 'can you tell me where I can find Knov Tanaka?'

Aoi turned at the back, and saw a dark man with spiky black hair and Hazel eyes. He had an apprehensive and easy-going charm about him; Aoi looked straight into his eyes and smiled 'sure…. I will take you to him.'

'Thank you,' he replied and smiled almost boyishly for a man in late thirties 'are you his relative or his fiancée's?' he asked curiously, to which Aoi smiled amusedly 'no, I am mean yes…. I am his daughter….. Aoi'

'Oh… You are Knov-san's daughter?' he said with a surprised expression 'how come I didn't recognise you! Your father praises you highly among his colleagues…. ' he said and blocked her path 'um… you must know me….. I am Ging Freecs….'

Aoi smiled widely 'oh….. So you are Ging-san! Father told me so much about you and your archaeological inventions….. Congratulations again on the discovery of the mummy!' Aoi shook hands with him

'Thank you…. And don't mind me asking, how's your new family?'

To this question Aoi hesitated to answer in front of Ging's penetratingly honest eyes, which even rivals Gon's. But since he was almost a family due to her father's frequent mentions of him, she was bound to give an answer. Aoi wondered for quite some time now of the reason, which continuously hindered her from answering this simple question.

'They are… fun and caring…..' Aoi said hesitantly and was relieved to see her long-yearned bespectacled father attending to the guests accompanied by Palm, who was dressed in pink and silver. 'Well, here you are….. Papa, Ging-san was looking for you…..'

Meeting Ging, Knov opened his arms and hugged him; Palm gave him air kisses on his cheeks and then he became busy with the other guests.

'Aoi-chan…' Palm finally hugged her and gave her a quick kiss on the check, while her lips did not touch Aoi's skin, she looked at her graciously and smiled 'you are looking so pretty tonight….. Is that a Lanvin dress?'

'Yes, Palm-san… I believe it was Chrollo-san who picked it for me.' She smiled.

'Eh? Lolo did that?' Palm was surprised 'my my, and I thought he was a misogynist….. Always on his way to lecture me why he shouldn't mingle with the fairer sex….. ' Palm looked at Chrollo who was standing at the distant and yanked him to her side, who was flustered in his black D&G suit and Aoi almost sensually blushed how good he looked with those manly ear-piercings; 'see him Aoi-chan? My Lolo has always been so resentful….. Lolo, are you lot good with Aoi?'

'Of course maman… How can you even say that to us?' Aoi almost chuckled how Palm treated her eldest like a five-year-old when he is supposed to be one of the most celebrated young researchers in Literature, catching her eye, Chrollo's mouth was curved in a way when a wilful guy succeeds to make the most-popular-girl-in-school laugh at his jokes but when Aoi halted stop, he cleared his throat.

'Anyway maman, did you introduce Aoi to the rest of our relatives? I bet you forgot that part!' he ejaculated and pushed her forward 'Aoi, this is our Grandpa, Isaac Netero Matsuhashi, currently the President of Hunter Association….'

Suddenly it flashed into Aoi's mind that the world famous Hunter Association was actually the part of Matsuhashi Franchise; that Hunter association within which Aoi's father worked. Being a Hunter is an extremely hard and dangerous job perhaps that was what caused Mr. Matsuhashi's sudden demise, but something did not strike Aoi's mind, marrying her father, Palm-san, the widow of the late CEO Mr. Matsuhashi is actually losing credibility, because her father was still a third-class, and the CEO and his family and successors, at least, have to be Second class with three Michelin stars.

Then, Palm-san must truly be in love with Aoi's father, to risk her position like that. What she doubted all along was a little unrealistic: she was a little comfortable.

'….. He personally approved our marriage' someone with a reliable voice replied, perhaps her father 'Aoi….. Aoi-chan, are you listening' Knov pushed his daughter.

'Yes yes….. I cannot believe I am meeting such a famous person who will be my Grandpa soon' Aoi bowed to Netero, who mysteriously smiled.

'Ah, Knov! Your daughter is such a deary….. I like her vibe.' Netero replied.

'Of course, if you knew how to use the vibes you liked… Speaking of baloney…..' another old voice sounded from the back, and Aoi was astonished to see an old man who looked scarily like Pai Mei from 'Kill Bill: Vol-2', from his white Taoist beard, cross gray eyes that felt razor sharp to his vivid blue silk suit, he looked like assassin got old.

'Ah… Never so sociable are you Zeno' Netero addressed to him 'you should be rejoicing that your daughter and MY daughter-in-law is getting married off so soon….. Everyone knows you are not the finest of sociable person, but at least you can pretend to be one…..' Netero smirked

'puh! As if I am going to engage myself in small talk and waste my time in hideous tailcoat' Zeno turned his face 'Never forget Hunter association owes the Zoldyck Corporation a fortune for the Chimera Ant crisis…..' Zeno snarled comically.

'You just can't stand your daughter was married to our family…' Netero replied. Aoi feared that they have crossed the taboo subject, but the rest seemed to enjoy their quarrel. 'Never mind them two….' Palm whispered in Aoi's ears 'they always cross words, my father-in-law and dad, but they are so fond of each other that they are inseparable.' Aoi saw from Chrollo to Knov, everyone was amused by their quarrel.

''To-san, yamete….. Mo ee kaara…..' Palm grabbed Zeno's shoulder and stopped him 'you didn't even say hi to my new daughter….. Hora, she had been watching you two acting like clowns…..'

Zeno straightened up and looked straight at Aoi without blinking; his eyes were very intimidating and empowered, she had hard time believing that those were an old person's eye….

'Hmm….. Aoi-chan deska….. Well ganbatte…' and Zeno left slowly.

'Well, my father is not a very people person….. You should excuse him for that….' Palm apologised and Aoi politely declined; unlike some other people, Aoi believed that when people should feel talking they should talk and when they don't feel like it, no matter how rude it seemed. She herself was taciturn and didn't like to open up and socialise sometimes for her introverted nature and Aoi could thoroughly relate to Zeno grandpa because these kinds of social events always made her insides churn.

'Testing, testing….. one, two, three…..' a serious voice came from the side of the long pink partition from the opposite of the oak door, standing right-angled against the long table, which Aoi somehow missed out, and with the voice the pink partition slowly was drawn upwards to reveal a very sparkling stage, upon which Kurapika was standing on the spotlight, and tapping the microphone, while some shadowy movement was going on which Aoi suspected was props and instruments being carried around.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, today we have gathered round for our mother's joyful union with Knov Tanaka-san. On the eve of their wedding, we….. The Matsuhashi brothers have prepared a small piece of ensemble as a tribute to all the guests and the would-be couple….'

Kurapika turned promptly towards the brothers and a slow applause followed when spotlight extended to reveal a grand piano, but to Aoi's great surprise, on the other side of the grand piano sat two tall and dark men; Leorio and Chrollo, they both had viola in their hand and when the spotlight moved a little bit more, Aoi gasped audibly to see Milluki, struggling with a huge cello.

'To the lovely couple, with the violence of our animated congratulations,' Aoi never quit got the hyperbole of Kurapika's tone; of course it matched well with his all classical aesthetic taste but somehow it sounded out of place as he tried too hard on the rhetoric, 'We present you Marriage d' Amour by Chopin….'

Kurapika turned towards the piano and opened the hood gracefully; tapping twice on the wooden surface, the old tune after which he grabbed Aoi in an embrace, started to play.

Aoi had no words for Kurapika's piano, as if his pink desires were oozing through the melodies which he played, completely immersed and divulged he looked as if he was drugged. Aoi felt scared almost how the tune was affecting her, she felt her nipples painful and poking out, she had Goosebumps all over, and her heart felt as if she had run miles. She looked at Chrollo, majestic yet meticulous, he played in the harmony and swayed with the tune in such a way as if he was caressing his lover, every neck movement, every sway of the violin baton told that this was the song he was singing to his beloved, as if painfully 'why can't you love me…. ' Aoi has seen this kind of pain in his eyes when Milluki came in the school; his pain was similar to Wing's when Menchi rejected him. Where Kurapika was fierce and sultry, Chrollo's melancholic approach harmonised perfectly….

Like a lover in pain, for loving too much and knowing the pain to be the only destiny.

When she looked at Milluki, he came as pure and innocent, like a baby touched with love, the glow in his face was so dewy and perfect that it almost made Aoi tear up, where on the other hand Leorio looked strong, protective and fatherly; awkward yet full of warmth, she was reminded of the man who came on her door knocking when she overslept, the man who treated her when she was sick which contrasted with Milluki's clumsy, childish, cute attempts to help her…. He was as naked in his matter of feelings as he appeared before Aoi for the very first time.

She never knew love has these many faces….

Before she could realise a thing, the performance was over, everyone was clapping so hard but Aoi's body did not move an inch; what they have done to her? If too much food was offered to a poor girl, she would eat a little and waste a lot because she I not used to such a huge portion: please….please…. Aoi thought, please don't pour so much into me, I am not worth it… the society will not accept, you'll be hurt…. Very, very hurt and if that happen I will not be able to forgive myself.

Kurapika stood up with his brothers and bowed, each of their eyes was twinkling one way and Aoi knew where.

The curtain fell on a very special way, as if someone waved their red cloak, and like it fell as if the cloak went rewind in a video player, and revealed red cloaked Hisoka, and the audience 'oohed' as Kurapika and the brothers vanished like magic, with another wave of his cloak appeared Blue cloaked Illumi, who waved his cloak in Hisoka's mirrored direction and everyone 'aahed' as a set of fantastical mechanism appeared, like that from Disney movies.

The next actions of the brothers looked like part of a movie. Kite came out in Merlin's costume and pulled a leaver while a greenish fire ignited in the background. Omokage started to stir the cauldron sitting over the fire in a witch's costume, and with a 'boom' Pokkle jumped out in an elf costume from the cauldron and started to hammer the nearby black stony pile. From that stony pile another elf came out, which comically was Feitan, with whose vigorous shaking the tree, a cute brown squirrel fell down from the tree and a furry white rabbit came out from the hole below. With the Squirrel Gon and Rabbit Killua entry, the Tree, which was Shalnark shook into life and they all came at the front.

The next moment they opened their mouth, Aoi felt like with a huge miracle, the room was alit in silver rays, like perfect synced orchestra, they sang in harmony

nagareboshi kirari kimi wa yume no naka
chigau asu sagasu kyou no michishirube
isshun no hikari kono omoi yo todoke
kimi no tame ni dekiru koto mitsukeru no sa
sora no kanata made
tabi ni dekakeyou

(Sparkle, shooting star, you are in my dreams
Its guidance of today will lead us to a different tomorrow
One instant of light, please convey these feelings,
I'll find things I can do for your sake
Far into the distance
Let's go on a journey)

The crowd broke into roar of applause as Knov and Palm kissed each other.

…..

(Next day: Wedding ceremony)

Aoi was dressed in the Backless pink chiffon Valentino gown Milluki had picked for her. Her hair was set up in a high bun and Menchi was pinning Baby's Breath in her up-do; while Wing and Zushi sat near Aoi's desk, fidgeting all over.

'You are dressing up and Menchi's helping you…. Is there any reason for us to stay here?' Wing said anxiously, and Zushi nodded.

Menchi inhaled deeply and stretched strapless, draped bright yellow dress clad body of her to the fullest extend and as if she locked antlers with Wing, she growled 'First of all, we were sick and tired of you guys standing outside the door banging in every ten seconds, hollering rudely and not to mention it distracted me so much that I wanted to throw you off the stairs that instance' she flew back to Aoi, and this time sat in front of her, as Aoi adjusted her hair into pinned bobbed curls.

'Besides, it isn't like we were changing clothes….' Aoi negotiated, 'we were half done on the makeup and only the hair was left.' She said 'and I would have invited you in sooner or later, for it was a bit awkward….. With Palm-san dressing up in Omokage-san's room and everyone being busy dressing up, and I really don't want to come across Feitan-san with a bad mood this morning….' Adding the hairspray in the hair of Menchi, she dusted of her hands 'there….. You now successfully look like a Gatsby Flapper girl….'

'Really?' Menchi checked herself in the Mirror, and added her slim crystal boho headband 'yeah… that's about right….'

'Okay…. Are we done now? Cuz it's almost ten….' Wing hurried to the door and opened it wide.

'Whoa…. Hold your horses dude…. What's with that tie…?' Menchi grabbed Wing's striped silver-n-blue tie and tried to fix it, while Aoi applied that extra highlighter on the Cupid's bow….

'Excuse me…. Are you guys ready Knov-san called us….. ' it was Milluki in a black suit and craspedia boutonniere that breathed all out, and seeing Menchi and Wing, he kind of halted stop, 'ow… Um, I didn't realise I was interrupting…. Um, it would be… um really better' Aoi could sense his anxiety as he was talking, it was really similar to the day when Aoi came across Omokage and him and he was flustered when Omokage made fun of him; Aoi saw a red signal there… oh dear…

'Milluki-san,' Aoi stepped in 'we will be there shortly…. And how do I look in this dress?' Perhaps with her encouraging tone Milluki lit up a little and smiled in approval when he saw Aoi in the dress he picked for her, 'Do I look too pale in that?' Aoi could feel Menchi's gazing heat from the back.

'No…. no, you look nice, you look nice' Milluki breathed, 'Um… please try to be there in twenty, okay…. The Limo is already here, and it's a one-and-half hour drive….' Milluki escaped with all his might, while Aoi and Zushi stared at Menchi and Wing

'WHAT?' they said in unison.

'Nothing….. ' Aoi smiled and closed the door of her room.

…..

Exactly on 11:30 the limousine reached the huge 500 year old St. Helena's Cathedral. Chrollo mentioned it once that every wedding in the Matsuhashi family has being hold in this cathedral for centuries, so it is Palm-san's second time coming here. The arrangements were minimalistic like yesterday, with small roses, wispy decorations. Aoi heard once that if before the wedding, someone close to the bride passes away; the wedding will be less elaborate. The Gothic Chapel and the grimness reminded Aoi to a single night when the brothers argued about the theme of wedding.

So it really will be a Feitan-ish wedding here….

The car where Aoi and brothers were arrived before the bride's, Knov was supposedly in the Cathedral already, and a little later, Palm descended with her Bride-matrons; Cheadle and Cluck, from the back seat descended Kikyo Zoldyck, all dressed in white flowing tulle dress, except Kikyo, who was in red dress: everyone carried vivid teal-black and white bouquet, and then Aoi saw Palm, as if she was the last one to descend, wearing long-lacy and minimalistic shimmered black wedding gown, with Hispanic black veil and crown underneath it, carrying surprisingly romantic white rose-pearl-and-crystal bouquet. As is Aoi heard Kikyo whispering in Palm's ears

'How many times do I be your maid-of-honour... I hope this is the last one'

Aoi startled at Palm's expression, which was both of hurt and indifference as if she did not care, and then after they moved on, Chrollo came at the front to beckon at Aoi, 'C'mon, lets get it moving….' And he cleared his throat, and pointed at his chest to his purple spider-mum boutonniere, 'does this look okay with my tie' Aoi looked at his purple silk tie…

'Yes, kind of…. They are the same color…I guess' she said

'Alright flower girl, are you ready?' Shalnark slipped in with his mauve button mum Boutonniere and handed her a red box 'these are the rings, and….' He passed her the flower basket, filled with white rose petals 'and these are the flowers….' Shalnark looked at Menchi and smiled and pretended Wing and Zushi weren't there and followed with Chrollo.

'Remember Aoi-chan' Kurapika warned her 'you will enter before the first verse of 'Bridal March' starts, and then maman will follow…. You have the basket?' he looked carefully and Aoi noticed the vivid red Cockscomb and goji berry boutonniere which fearfully reminded of his passion of the eyes. 'Yes, Kurapika-san, I am set…. Do you have the score ready…?'

'Yes…. I am playing the Wagner's piece on this…. Oops…. Gotta instruct the other guys…. Gotta go…' he made an escape quickly, followed by the rest of the brothers. Aoi noticed everyone was wearing the same black suit with white dress shirt, but with different ties that matched with their boutonnieres; Hisoka in Lady's eardrops Fuchsia, Illumi in Blue vanda orchid, Leorio in turquoise puya, Kite and Omokage in respectively Jasmine and Marsh marigold. Pokkle flaunted his favourite mock orange blossom and bright amber marigold and Gon wore green succulent one but what caught Aoi's eye was Killua's and Feitan's.

Feitan wore an ominous looking dark globe thistle and Killua's black suit shined with the small blue dots of forget-me-nots.

'C'mon Aoi….. hurry up…' Menchi called

'yeah…'

….

The ceremony was going on as Aoi stood beside the bride and groom. She almost had a bird's eye view of the hall. Chrollo was the only one beside Knov as the best man, and Groomsmen were only Ging. She tried to read Kikyo Zoldyck, but couldn't: she seemed cold and distant, Cluck and Cheadle was tensed…. The wedding guests weren't smiling at all… Aoi's heart dropped like a stone in her stomach, but she carried on. With a flash the wedding was over and everyone stood up to clap. It was nearly the time for the bride and groom to dance.

Aoi hurried through the aisle as everyone did for the bouquet throw; she wasn't even excited to catch it, she was willing to escape the crowd, but as she was doing it, she was caught in the crowd and her sleeve was caught in someone's suit, as both of them struggled to come out.

'Damn it…. ' the man drawled and Aoi realised she was stuck with none other but Feitan, she noticed by the arch of his fine brows, and it was a single thread that has entangled itself with Feitan's thistle thorns. Draggled by the tug-of-war with the flower and thread they were outside the church, Feitan was tugging and pulling it in the various ways, but it wouldn't budge.

'Here, let me do it for you….' Aoi scrolled herself in a waltz-like fashion and with her free hand, without looking at Feitan's face, she softly pulled her sleeve out of the flower, but accidentally, the blue thorny globe detached itself from his lapel and fell on the ground.

'You see what you did there?' Feitan huffed 'that is why I don't entrust women with anything… they mess everything up.'

Aoi was hurt, but unlike the first time, she didn't let her guard down. Quickly picking up the flower, she blocked his path as he was already turned to move inside and grabbed his lapel smoothly with a firm grip.

'First of all, I did not mess it up' she raised the flower at his face 'secondly, it's 'trust women with anything' not 'entrust', you got that wrong' Aoi slightly pouted and shoved the flower in its former place 'and thirdly… I don't know whose fault is it… but badmouthing woman and proving yourself as a misogynist such exultingly is not a manly thing, but a cowardice…' Aoi looked at his serpentine eyes straight; all the rebellious attitude she felt against the brothers for treating her like a doll was coming out at him 'you are lucky that you have a mother and such a huge family that cares for you…. Unlike me, who had been forever alone and sad….I had enough of your impudence!'

Feitan was incredulous, he never heard something out of her, or any woman she came across, that was the place of his distinct pride, but now, she had blown it.

'Fair bit of talk inside you isn't it? After you tasted the Mastuhashi's luxury….. Don't I know why is your father marrying our mother? Eh! For a third class hunter to marry the widow of his late CEO is like having the kingdom and the princess together-'

Before Aoi could turn and reply, she heard a crunch of skin against skin and to her surprise, she saw a mass of tousled alabaster hair contrasting with the humble blue forget-me-nots.

'Don't you ever speak to her like that Dumpling-nii-san, or I will beat you to pulp!'

With Killua's action people started to gather round them and Aoi was in odd position. Chrollo rushed in and so did the next three elder brothers. Chrollo grabbed Killua by the wrist and jerked him.

'Killu? What is going on here?' he asked vigorously. Menchi crept in behind Aoi and whispered what was going on; Killua however looked panicked and rebellious as he clumped his mouth, not willing to answer his brother, Chrollo shook his arm again.

'Coco-kun, answer me?' Chrollo rebuked him again, and Killua shot him cold and fierce glares at his elder brother

Aoi could see that the quarrel of the brothers can really worsen up in the present situation, so she made up her mind to step in-

'-let it go, lolo-nii…. Killu and I had a little misunderstanding…' Feitan sauntered towards Chrollo and Killua and smoothly detached them. Aoi was aghast! He was a totally different person just moments ago, and now, he's acting like a responsible adult and then he brushed Killua's coat gently, his next words sounded oddly poetic and prophetic

'What's a wedding without a little drama?'

Menchi could feel Aoi's spine was rising up and the backbones looked bonier than usual; she was cold and intimidated. She couldn't blame Aoi, everyone are afraid of what they don't understand, especially if it is a complex human being, the effort to understand is like a gamble, either you win everything at sight or you lose everything.

'Aoi-chan….' Menchi dragged her along aside in a quiet place, 'let's get outta here!'

….

'What the hell happened there?' Menchi slammed the washroom door behind her and stood firm and tight against it, while Aoi stood in front of the mirror, supporting herself against the sink. 'Where the hell do you live Aoi?' Menchi said aghast.

'shh…. Chi-chan!' Aoi shrieked in a low harsh tone 'then can hear you!'

'Hear me? Hear….. Aoi-chan, I always pitied your living alone…. You can't even imagine how happy I was when you said you had thirteen brothers, I grew up in a huge family with lot of male cousins, and you know that!' Menchi moved alongside her best friend and grabbed her arm 'Aoi-chan….. if there is something bothering you, you can always talk to me…. You said they tried to harass you, right? Well…. It's too late for… god-forbid!... the separation, but…. If you are uncomfortable, you can choose the hostel facility of the school and-'

'Chi-chan' Aoi grabbed her friend's shoulder 'you know my father is a third rank official and Palm-san is a Michelin star Hunter plus widow of the CEO?' as she nodded Aoi gulped 'only this morning, Feitan-san made it clear that my father was simply greedy and I am like him too….'

Menchi grinded her teeth and her clutch were dangerously growing tighter 'that sad bastard….. '

'and that moment Killua hit his brother in front of me-'

Menchi was speechless.

'-don't you realise what situation I am in right now?' Aoi said 'I am caught right in between the Brothers' Conflict…. And Menchi, if I escape now…. If I don't clear things up, fair and square, not only me, but my father will also be in grave problem…. Do you read me?'

Menchi bowed down her head 'yeah…. I guess….'

'So right now…. No matter what, I have to get through this okay…. I cannot let the brothers falling for me…. So tell me, are you with me?'

'till this end….'

Aoi and Menchi smirked together confidently.

….

After their mom and dad left for honeymoon, the chapel soon grew more desolate and lonely. The whole day passed like a flash. As Aoi walked at the backward of the chapel as everyone was packing up, she looked at the sky; the purple of evening was already spreading from the west. In the grey light of the dusk, the graveyard of the chapel looked eerie and haunted, even the echoes of the pebbles beneath Aoi's feet can ten times louder than usual….

This was the place, where traditionally every Matsuhashi is buried.

Aoi entered the graveyard and saw Killua who stood at the midst of the tombstones, eclipsed behind the shadow of a bowing cypress branch. His black couture suit glistened in the residual light. He seemed so remote and distant. Aoi saw him bowing over a magnificent looking marble tomb, and his lips were quivering, as if the slight summer breeze carried his words to Aoi's ears

'Ba-chan…. I am not well…. They expect me to surpass oyaji, but I don't know I can do these things anymore…. Ba-chan, why did you have to die so soon…. Jiji is still alive… I have grown more lonely and sad…. I will be sixteen in two months and I have to go for the Hunter Exam…. Will all my brothers failing, how am I supposed to succeed…. I am no good with anything…. Ba-chan… what will happen to me?'

Now everything was coming together, all seemed to have sense now.

He was expected to succeed the Hunter association with after death of his father; with all his 'talented' brothers failing the test, he is scared and retreating…. That was the reason everyone was asking her how was she with them.

And then there was his mother's marriage.

She wasn't doing anything to release his burdens.

A light music resonated from somewhere, Aoi recognised that one... It was 'Lilium'

Unknowingly a tear leaked from her left eye.