The soft breeze hit Mahpari's face as she was pushed lightly on the swing, her older brother standing behind her. Rays from the sun cast a nice, vibrant glow onto the two siblings. Mahpari's laughter filled Durbe's ears, making him smile with glee upon seeing his younger sister happy.

Mahpari turned around and started at Durbe, her gentle, smokey-gray eyes shimmering with glee as they peered into his more mature, caring and delicate ones. "Nii-san," she began. "I'm glad we can be together for a little while again."

A soft chuckle escaped from Durbe. He knelt down and placed a hand on Mahpari's shoulder, a loving smile crossing his lips. "So am I, Mahpari," he said.

The two siblings stared at one another for a time. Finally, Mahpari stood, then latched onto her brother in an affectionate hug.

For the past five years, Durbe had been busy at war as a traveling soldier. Mahpari had been left with one of her older brother's closest friends, Mizael, and he returned home right on the dot. Mahpari had been overjoyed to see her brother for the first time, considering the fact she was only an infant when he had first been called into action.

And now, for two years, they had been reunited at last.

Mahpari finally pried herself away, a large and happy smile gracing the features of her face. She giggled when Durbe ruffled her hair, which was similar to his in every way. The only difference, however, was she had orange tips on the cat-like spikes of her hair, and the same kind of orange at the very bottom of it.

A few birds passed over the two of them, their tweets echoing throughout their ears as they stared up at them. One of them, a Blue-Winged Glider, landed right next to Mahpari. It chirped at her, with its delicate hazel eyes staring into her smokey-gray ones.

"How cute," went Mahpari. She slowly placed her finger on the ground, allowing the Blue-Winged Glider to hop on top of it. Durbe laughed when it chirped at him as well.

Soon, the Blue-Winged Glider was gone, joining its fellow birds in the orange-painted sky. Mahpari smiled, then froze for a moment when she felt something on top of her hand. When she looked down, she was surprised to find that the hand on top of her's belonged to Durbe.

"Nii-san?"

"I just want you to know I'll always be here for you, Mahpari, even if I'm not physically right next to you."

This touched Mahpari's weak and frail heart. She smiled, then tightened hr rip slightly on Durbe's hand. "I know. Thank you, nii-san."

Durbe only nodded. He then stood up, his hand still grasped around Mahpari's, and began to walk away. Mahpari stood and trailed after him before her hand could be taken away from her older brother's, following right behind him as they continued down the hill, back towards their house.

XxXxXxXx

The front door of the two-story house opened slowly. Durbe turned the lights to the left side of their living room, then stepped inside. Mahpari followed shortly after, closing the door as softly as it had been opened, then walked over and sat down on the couch.

The tearing of an envelope could be heard from the kitchen. Mahpari wasn't even able to get up before she heard her older brother's gasp of shock and fear. Quickly, she raced over to him, trying to see the paper that he clutched in his hands.

"Nii-san!" Mahpari exclaimed, her eyes curious and anxious to see the paper. "What is it? What has you so freaked out?"

Durbe said nothing at first. Finally, he set the paper down, his eyes closed in what appeared to be a mixture of sorrow and anger. Mahpari blinked, then put her hands on his shoulders.

"Mahpari," Durbe whispered in an almost inaudible tone, "there's no easy way to say this, but..."

Mahpari was growing uneasy. "What? Say what? Nii-san, please tell me. You know I hate suspense."

Another wave of silence hit them. Durbe turned around and knelt on one knee again, staring directly into Mahpari's eyes. "I have to go back to the military. They are requesting that I go back because they are lacking soldiers. This time, I don't have a choice."

Neither of them moved for some time. But Mahpari could feel the tears welling in her eyes anyway. This was...horrible! How could it be happening?

I must be having a nightmare, Mahpari thought.

But the firm look on Durbe's face convinced her it was the total opposite of a nightmare.

It was reality, whether she wanted to believe it or not.

"N-No, it can't be true," Mahpari chocked. "It can't be!"

"I'm so sorry, sis. But it is."

"But that's not fair! We've only been together for two years! They can't just take you away again!"

Durbe looked down shamefully. "I know it doesn't seem right. But there is an upside to this."

"What upside?" Mahpari questioned. She sniffled, then blinked after Durbe wiped her tears away.

"I'm only going to be gone for one more year. We'll be together quicker than you think." Durbe wiped away the rest of Mahpari's tears before kissing her on the forehead and pulling her into an affectionate hug. "I'll return. I promise." He gave a soft smile, then stood to get ready for his departure. "I'll return to you, my little moon fairy."

Mahpari sat there, motionless. Finally, she looked up, then smiled and nodded. "Okay. Be careful."

The older of the two nodded, then walked away. Mahpari watched him, staring at him with concern-filled smokey-gray eyes. "Please be careful," she muttered to herself as she watched him go. "Please be careful."