The bright September sun shone down on all those gathered. A crisp breeze stirred up the scent of sweet grass. With not a cloud in sight, the sky was an endless expanse of blue. Kurapika closed his eyes. He could see heading off with his father to the forest on a day like this. As he hunted for deer Kurapika would capture insects, hoping to frighten his mother when they returned home.

Kurapika opened his eyes to see Neon standing before him, smiling.

She wore a stunning emerald green sarafan, trimmed with brown, styled after the Mother Earth. A small wreath of flowers encircled her wavy blue hair. Kurapika was dressed in a sky-blue knee length tabard trimmed with cloudy gray. As from Kurta tradition, brides were like Mother Earth, nurturing and the source of life, while the groom protected the family like the overarching sky.

After the spray paint incident, Neon made good on her offer to replace Kurapika's ruined tabards. Kurapika took the opportunity to make outfits for him and Neon as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Beyond Neon stood her attendants and Melody. Kurapika met Eliza's gaze. She nodded slightly, then cast her eyes to the ground. She explained her resentment of Kurapika stemmed from Squala's death. However, Eliza agreed to try to move on for Neon's sake.

Brows furrowed, Neon brushed her fingertips above Kurapika's left eye. A healing pink cut throbbed beneath her fingers. "You didn't have Alluka heal it." she whispered, not wanting to interrupt the religious man's sermon.

Kurapika smiled faintly. "One scar should remain. As a reminder."

Neon retracted her hand. Her blue eyes misted over in memory. "Last night in the storehouse, you didn't stab me, but yourself. Why?"

Swallowing, Kurapika lowered his gaze. "I was hearing—had been conjuring the bodies of my family. They taunted me into activating my Scarlet Eyes. When my eyes turn red, I lose all sense of reason. I… I stabbed myself to get them to stop." He threaded his fingers with Neon's fingers. "Because no matter how betrayed I felt, the thought of losing another person I loved hurt more."

Blushing, Neon smiled. Tears pricked the corners of her eyes.

"Do you, Neon Nostrade, take Kurapika to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"And do you, Kurapika, take Neon Nostrade, to be your lawfully wedded wife?"

Kurapika stared into the endless depth of Neon's eyes. "I do."

"You may now kiss the bride."

Neon flung herself at Kurapika. Laughing, Kurapika braced himself, caught her, and joined his lips to hers.

Their family, friends, the bodyguards, and the servants erupted into cheers.

After Kurapika's proposal, the servants worked throughout the night to prepare everything. They removed all decorations from the main lobby to the cobblestoned center the hedge maze as per the couple's request. Silver and gold drapes lined the bushes. Potted flowers acted as centers for the tables in the back. Servants rushed back and forth from the kitchen, carrying away dirty dishes to the kitchen and restocking the food.

Initially such a small space was never considered. However, with the Yorknew Auction opening today, all of Neon's clients had left. In their haste, no one cared to stay for the funeral of Neon's presumed death. Their absence suited Kurapika and Neon just as well. Both would rather only have their family and close friends attend their wedding.

"Hey, hey!" Leorio poked an elbow into Kurapika's side. "Where are you two lovebirds going after this?"

Neon, who sat beside him, leaned over Kurapika and grinned. "The Alpine Trail. It's one of the places Mama painted but never went. Plus, once we cross it, I've heard there's some good private beaches!"

Killua whistled. Behind him, Alluka was twirling around, enjoying her new dress. "Aw," Gon muttered. "I was hoping you'd come to Whale Island with me."

Kurapika sipped the last of his punch and set it on the table. "Perhaps one day. But there's a retired teacher rumored to collects body parts living somewhere on the trail. It's possible he may have a pair of Scarlet Eyes."

The men's eyes flickered to Neon. Kurapika had shared with them Neon's secret: writing unrequested predictions and recovering body parts to return them to their owners. It appeared they still required time to digest the thought.

"The real question is," continued Kurapika, staring down into his glass, "what to do upon returning home. Currently Neon is presumed dead, but I don't believe I could keep such a secret forever. Eventually everyone will know she is alive. Protecting her will be hard. But the public knows of my Kurta heritage and my Scarlet Eyes. Hopefully that will make any enemies think twice before targeting her." Kurapika ran a hand through his blond bangs. "In the meantime, with Neon not selling predictions, there's no income to speak of."

Neon waved a hand. "I haven't sworn off predicting for good. Just wanna do it at my initiative. Plus, if it means we can save more body parts, then I'm all for it."

Someone stepped up from behind to refill Kurapika's glass. "And when that times come, we will still be here to protect you, Lady Neon."

"Melody!" Neon smiled, turning around in the Adirondack chair. "Thanks for playing beautiful flute music we danced to. It was so uplifting and fun! Did you compose it?"

Melody chuckled. "I don't know if you're aware, milady, but my Nen is hearing the music of people's hearts, their emotions. I merely played the symphony I heard from both of you."

"T-Thanks, Melody," Kurapika blushed.

"I don't hear any thanks for my haiku recital!" Basho, his face red from drinking, staggered over to Kurapika and slung an arm around his chair. "There were literary masterpieces."

"Hardly," Linssen muttered under his breath. "But Melody is correct. I have no intentions of stopping being a bodyguard, even if that means protecting others on the side to make ends meet."

"It's not going to be that bad," Neon assured. "I'm a great poker player, remember? If need be, I can win a fortune through gambling."

Kurapika snapped his fingers. "That's it!" Everyone stared at Kurapika. "If we formed some sort of bodyguard association then Neon's old clients can hire bodyguards from us. We'll be making money and keeping tabs on suspicious people at the same time."

Linssen held his chin. "Many of the bodyguards we hired for yesterday's dance were quite capable. In addition, there are other Hunters I know who are looking for a job. Plus, if we use Neon's gambling to finance the project… This might just work."

Kurapika grinned. He happened to glance to his right. Amidst everyone's cheers, Neon solemnly gazed out into the distance to Salvestro. He sat in the corner of the maze by himself, head down.

Kurapika laid a hand on her shoulder. Neon jumped. When Kurapika nodded, Neon flashed a smile and stood. Kurapika watched her head towards him.

Neon slowed her steps. Her brown ballet slippers barely made any noise against the cobblestones. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her silk sarafan. To think ever since the spray paint incident that Kurapika had been planning these outfits for their wedding. And after seeing Kurapika's past with her own eyes, she couldn't refuse dressing in the tribe's traditional garb for their marriage.

Before her, Salvestro scrolled through the news on his phone, bottle green eyes lifeless. Neon sucked a breath, smelling the honeysuckles. "I'm glad to see you've stayed."

Salvestro glanced up between his wavy cinnamon bangs. "Neon, my flow—Neon." Swallowing, he pocketed his phone, stood, and straightened his military jacket. "Congratulations are in order."

"Thank you."

After a moment, Salvestro whispered, "I do hope you will be happy. You do understand that is what I desired most of all, yes?"

When Neon closed her eyes, she could see the scars lining Salvestro's arms. How he didn't flinch as he cut himself over and over. She shuddered. "I had no idea that Mayor Acerbi kept you from contacting me these past five years, that he threatened to kill me if you had. If I had known… If we found a way to be together…!"

Salvestro pulled on his falconry gloves. "It only would have made matters more difficult for both of us." He closed his eyes. "You would realize how horrifying my father was and fear your own. I would have watched you grow up, not into noblewoman, but a frivolous young woman given her to whims." He gazed past Neon's shoulder. "But he has the strength to see past illusions. To face them."

Neon turned around. Leorio and Basho held up jugs of beer. Her attendants giggled over glasses of wine. Killua danced with Alluka. In the middle of it all Kurapika laughed.

"He sees you as you truly are."

Neon smiled, tears in her eyes.

Salvestro stepped alongside her. "And though it hurts to confess this, he will take better care of you than I ever could have. And such will have to be enough."

Something buzzed. Sighing, Salvestro glanced at his ringing phone. He shut it off.

"Something wrong in Roffet City?"

Salvestro looked at his reflection in the black phone screen. "Father… Father died last night. The cabinet is a mess with his vice president in charge. Winning the election against him will be as easy as breathing." Salvestro sighed. "I suppose this highlights how meaningless my actions were."

Neon gripped Salvestro's arm. "I'm so sorry."

"If nothing else, we couldn't have stolen the body parts from the Yorknew Auction without your Nen."

The pair looked up to see Kurapika strolling towards them, his sky-blue tabard billowing behind him. "So you haven't give up your plans on becoming a politician."

Salvestro crossed his arms. "I still fail to see the significance in recovering body parts of the dead. However, if you wish for my help in this endeavor, I can only do so as mayor."

Kurapika reached for his waist, where his bokken normally rested. "As a Blacklist Hunter, I have half a mind to arrest you. But I have no evidence of crimes you've committed in Roffet. And stealing from the Yorknew Auction was my idea."

"Kurapika," pleaded Neon.

"Even so…" Kurapika covered his mouth with a hand and studied the politician. "What would your first act as mayor be?"

Salvestro raised a brow. "My father's drug rings affect every aspect of law enforcement from the police to judges. As such, I must reclaim control. If I secretly create a website where people could buy drugs and have it shipped to their address, a lot of violence will be avoided. In addition, I will know who is buying such contraband and observe them for any further wrongdoing."

Salvestro bowed his head. "It is not what a 'better, honest person' would do. However, such criminality will always exist. Rather than fruitlessly try to extinguish it, I consider minimizing its effects to the better path."

"So you'll be returning to Roffet," Neon began, taking Salvestro's hand. "But this time, you won't be alone." She took Kurapika's hand with her free one. "You have us. Three friends, working together to fulfill a promise."

"To master our nightmares," avowed Salvestro.

Neon nodded, eyes flashing. "To break the chains holding us down,"

Kurapika closed his eyes, a smile forming on his lips. "And live a future of our choosing."

A high-pitched shrieking startled them. Falchion descend into the wedding cake, spraying them. The bird snatched up a rib before taking off.

"Falchion!" Salvestro cried, flabbergasted. "You scarafaggio!"

Neon laughed. She grabbed a fistful of cake then turned, grinning.

Exhaling, Kurapika studying himself for damage. His tabard was covered in icing. After hours of designing it—ruined in a moment. He glanced up. Flinched. He raised a hand and stepped back. "No. Don't. Don't!"

"Food fight!" Neon screamed, flinging cake.

Kurapika ducked behind a table, avoiding a bowl of fruit. Squeals, smashing glass, and the splattering of food filled the air. Hunched over, Kurapika slunk forward behind cover, hunting for his target. He peered past a corner. There!

Having run out of cake, Neon threw cupcake missiles at anything that moved. She flinched when Salvestro doused her with punch. Giggled, she grounded two cupcakes into his face. Salvestro stumbled backwards, wiping at his eyes.

Kurapika braced himself, then pounced. He tackled Neon to the ground. They fell out of sight behind a table.

The table's shade momentarily blocked the sun's rays. The raucous laughter faded into the background. Kurapika could feel the sunbaked warmth from the cobblestones.

Kurapika gazed down upon his bride. Her sky-blue eyes sparkled with light. Dobs of white icing were sprinkled across her face. A blush bloomed across her ivory skin.

"You know," Kurapika whispered. "A month ago, I thought marrying a crazy, selfish, and willful person like you was an impossible mission." He tucked a strand of hair with icing behind her ear. She giggled at his touch. "And thirty days later, you are still the same crazy, selfish, willful person."

Neon quirked her head to the side. "So what changed?"

"Nothing." Kurapika ducked his head and closed his eyes.

Something cold and stringy was smashed into his face. Coughing, Kurapika sat up, brushing his face. A plate of spaghetti clattered to the ground.

Grinning madly, Neon ran away, her blue hair trailing after her. Kurapika rubbed sauce off his cheek, his eyes trained on her fleeing form. He never lost her from sight.

Laughing, Kurapika raced after her.

I can hardly believe it, but I finally finished this. I hoped you enjoyed it! I can't thank you enough for sticking with it until the end.

Midway through writing this, I was struck my inspiration. I ended up heavily editing/rewriting the entire beginning and middle. It's much shorter, with four less chapters. I changed things like having the Nostrade manor being attacked instead of the mall and added fun, fluffy scenes like Neon and Kurapika spray painting each other in the mansion. I did my best to improve the writing quality as well. But because the chapters don't line up with this version, I think reposting the edited version is better than changing the chapters of this fic. I'll be posting a chapter of the new version every week. I don't expect any of my current readers to reread it. But if you did add this fic as a favorite (thank you!) and you decide one day to reread your favorite fics again, something that I do with my favorites, I encourage you to read the better version.

As always, any questions, thoughts, or critiques, review or PM me. Thank you, thank you!