"Brother"

It is snowing outside of the lodge even though it is suppose to be summer now. Then again, this is the Northern Region which means snow all year round. Still, that is the least of my concern. What bothers me more right now is the fact that I have to be babysitting a kid. Sure she wasn't just any kid but to be asking me to do it…

I'm a damn SOLDIER for Goddess' sake! A FIRST CLASS SOLDIER nonetheless!

I suddenly feel a violent urge to kill the person in charge of my current mission. Lazard Deusericus. Never have I ever felt this feeling of wanting to kill someone so badly before. Except for those rare occasions during the frontlines but those impulses were reasonable. Even that man doesn't put this much fuel in my blood. I let out a heavy sigh through my nose. I can only imagine what Angeal would say when I get back…

As I continue to grumble in my mind I feel my coat being tugged from somewhere behind me. I turn to see no one behind me until I remember the one tugging my coat was short. A pair of huge beady emeralds stares up at me. Those eyes look ready to pop out of their sockets anytime that it is a wonder they haven't yet.

Pulling out my winning smile, I kneel down so I can see the kid without her having to tilt back her head. "Do you need something?" I ask as politely as I could which in my current mood isn't much. The words still came out a bit too sharp since the kid practically flinches back a little.

Way to go, Genesis… you just had to scare the kid.

I guess I must have shown my annoyance because the kid was now concern for me instead. She has both her hands clasp in front of her and an apologetic face when she say, "Umm… am I disturbing you…?" Gods her voice is soft, so soft that if it weren't for my trained ears I wouldn't have caught a word at all.

"Not at all. Why would you say that?" I reply with a slight tilt of my head.

"I… I just thought you… were lonely by yourself…" She drops her head slightly, stealing glances at me every now and then.

I couldn't help it then. I just had to laugh but I held it back so it came out as mere chuckles. To be worried by a kid I am suppose to look after as my 'mission'. My pride is hurt…

The kid looks at me with more concern now, probably thinking she must have said something wrong. But I brush it off with a wave of my hand and ruffle the brown mess which is her hair. It is a little unkempt with strands poking out here and there. What little light that manages to get in from the window behind me made her hair glow giving it a softer shade. Now that I look at her closely the kid is somewhat adorable if it weren't for her pale complexion.

Has she been kept indoors too much? It doesn't look like she's gone out before.

"I am touched that you should be worried about me but I am fine. Just a little bored maybe." It's not just a little but I am extremely bored to death!

The girl gives a short nod, her mood perking up then and a shy smile tugging on her petite lips. Does she really understand what I meant? I thought to myself. Well, apparently she does seeing what she says next is not what I had expected.

"I'm… bored too so let's… play something," the kid says, her grin getting wider.

Ah, she's still struggling with her language. "What do you suggest then?"

"Umm…" She is clearly at a loss for words as she tried to think of something up. She has one index finger on her chin, her mouth slightly parted as she looks around the house for something to play with. When she couldn't come up with anything she shrugs her shoulders. "I don't… know what to play."

Great… Even I don't know what to play with her. I try to think of what Angeal and I used to play when we were younger. Sword practice, hanging from the trees, reading, more sword practice… I look at the kid standing in front of me again. She looks so fragile with all bones and no meat; I'm having doubts of teaching her sword skills…

"Hmm, for starters I guess, what do you normally do when you are bored?"

"Sing!" the kid replies with a glee.

"Ho? Then why don't you sing for me."

Her eyes gleam with excitement and joy then. "Really? Okay!"

I sit down more comfortably on the floor with my back against the wall as I wait for her to sing. With a deep inhale through her nose she opens her mouth and the song began. It is not a song I have heard of or even the language she uses. In that moment I thought the Goddess is the one standing in front of me singing this heavenly song. Her voice is like the tinkering of wind chimes. I can't help but get emotionally swept away and be drowned by my childhood memories.

I feel at peace, forgetting all my troubles in this moment of serenity. But it did not last long as the professor just has to make his presence in the room. The man clears his throat to get our attention. I get up and dust my coat before giving the man my full attention.

"I was wondering what you were both up to as to not show up for lunch," the man states. From the corner of my eye I see a grandfather clock ticking the hours away. It is already near dinner time. The day passed by so quickly that I don't even notice it.

The girl makes her way to the professor who takes her hand in his larger ones. The professor clears his throat again when he say, "I trust you had an enjoyable day." It was more of a statement than a question.

"My apologies but it seems I forgot about the time. And yes I did so enjoy her company."

The man made a sound of approval before leaving the room with his daughter. At the door, the kid turns around and looks at me questioningly.

"Are you coming… brother?"

The professor and I are taken aback at her question. Brother? Does she see me that way? I can't help but feel a swell of pride and something like happiness inside of me. Never in my life did anyone look up to me like that. Is this what it feels like to have a younger sibling?

"Yes, I'm coming."

I follow them out of the room and into the hallway. As we go down the stairs and enter the dining room, I feel a smile stretch itself on my face and for once it is a genuine smile.