A/N Here is another chapter! I hope everyone enjoys it. And as always, thank you for feedback. It means a lot to me and really helps motivate me to write! Again, thanks and enjoy

Almost a year had passed since Yuri last saw Victor, on the day he left. A lot changed in a year for the town of Hasetsu, along with the people living their. Girls started to wear skirts and dresses while men started to wear pants. Homes and stores were also being more modernized and commercial.

Yuri stood at his mirror and sighed a little. He had gotten rid of many of his old Kimonos, leaving only a few that were for festivals and ceremonies. He left only one that was worn as everyday clothing. His plan was to wear it only when he saw Victor again.

The thought of Victor made Yuri more depressed. He missed Victor greatly and wanted the war to end so he could see him again. It was too difficult for Yuri to stay positive, he couldn't help but have negative about Victor coming back.

"Please... come back soon." Yuri whispered as he looked at himself. He knew he looked a little different without his Kimono. Anyone could look and tell how thin he was now.

One day, Mari was out getting the mail for then hot springs. She looked threw the letters and soon bit her lip as she saw one letter addressed to Yuri. She knew the other was having a tough time already and she didn't want to make things worse by bringing bad news.

Yuri sat at the table in the hot springs, staring at his food. He was starting to not have much of an appetite at all anymore. Mari walked in hesitantly and saw Yuri at the table. She sighed and soon sat across from him with the mail.

"You know... you should eat more." Mari started off, trying to be casual. "You're getting very thin." She told him.

Yuri looked up at Mari and sighed. "What is it Mari?" He asked her. "You haven't commented on my eating habits before."

"I haven't been able to tell before." Mari said and furrowed her brow. "Come on I am worried about you." Mari said to him. "You have been very distant lately." She said and sighed. "I know it's about Victor..."

Yuri swallowed hard as he heard Victor's name. "Don't say that... it's not that." He said and sighed. "Just tell me what you need. Don't talk about Victor."

Mari looked down at the letters and sighed. She took them and hid them under her leg. "I just... wanted to know what you wanted for dinner." She said, disappointed in herself. "Please tell me something you'll eat."

Yuri looked at Mari and shrugged. "I don't know... just rice is fine." He said and soon out down his chopsticks. He didn't feel hungry. "I'm going to walk the beach a little. I'll be back later." He said and soon left the hot springs. He wanted to clear his head from his bad thoughts.

Mari looked down and sighed once Yuri left. "I'll tell him later..." she said softly and picked up the letter. "He... can't know now" she said and stood up. She went to the kitchen and left the letters on the counter. She would show Yuri later that night. For now, she to go out and run errands for the hot springs with her mother.

Mari and her mother arrived back at the hot springs late that day. She carried a bunch of food and placed it onto the table. "Yuri, we're back." She called out, receiving no answer. She then went to put the food away and noticed Yuri's letter missing from the pile. "Oh no..." she said softly and looked at her mom. "I'll be back." She said worriedly and then ran to Yuri's room.

Mari slowly approached Yuri's door and could already hear the other sobbing. Her heart broke for her brother.

"Yuri... can I come in?" Mari asked as she knocked on the door. She still received no response, but could hear Yuri got quieter. "Yuri. Please let me in." She said again and went to open the door. It was left unlocked and she went in to see Yuri.

Yuri was sitting on the floor in the corner, holding the letter unopened in his hand. He looked up at Mari, tears running down his cheeks. "I-It's Victor..." he choked out softly.

"Yuri... you don't know that." Mari said as she went to Yuri, but he shook his head. She sat down next to him and put an arm around him. "Yuri... you don't know that this is about Victor. It could be someone else." She said, trying to make Yuri feel better, but in her heart she also thought it was about Victor.

"I know it's him... no one else would send something here. No one." Yuri said and held the letter shakily.

"Let me open it Yuri," Mari said and took the letter from him. Yuri looked down, continuing to sob, as Mari opened the letter. She read it and bit her lip.

Mari soon finished and sighed a little. "Yuri... this is about Victor." She said and Yuri gasped a little. He couldn't handle it. "Wait Yuri... he isn't dead." She added and Yuri looked up at her.

"H-He's not?" Yuri asked softly. "Then... what is it?" He asked and looked at the letter.

"Let me read it for you." Mari said as she looked at the letter. "Dear Yuri, I hope I don't worry you with this letter. I know that seeing it addressed to you might be scary, but I promise that I'm alive." Mari started off and Yuri listened intently. "I'm coming back, even though the war hasn't ended. I can't give many details, but I was injured. Because of that I can no longer fight. Although the injury wasn't good, I'm very relived to be coming back to you. I miss you very much. I want to see your smiling face again. Please smile for me when I come back. I'll be there in a couple of days once I'm discharged from the hospital. That's all I can say, but I'll be back soon. Love, Victor." She finished and looked at Yuri.

Yuri looked at the letter and had a small smile on his face. "He's coming back." He whispered softly and smiled more. Mari missed his smile.

"Yes Yuri... he is coming back." She said, relived that Yuri wasn't upset anymore. "But he said he was injured. You don't know how severe it is."

Yuri looked at Mari and shook his head. "It's okay... I just want Victor back." He told her. "I want to see him again."

Mari looked at Yuri and nodded slowly. "He said in a couple of days after he's discharged, and this was written three days ago. He should be here soon." She told him.

Yuri nodded again and stood up. "Then I have to get everything ready!" He said excitedly. "Victor will be here any day now!" He said and quickly started cleaning up his room.

Mari smiled softly as she watched her brother. She was happy to see him so lively and happy again.

A few more days past, and it was finally the day that Victor arrived back in Japan.

Yuri had woken up early each morning and late each night before then, waiting for him to come back.

Finally, around lunch time, Victor had arrived back and walked alone to the hot springs. Yuri was serving guests and did not notice at first that Victor was there.

Victor smiled as he saw the other busily going around and soon walked behind him. "Yuri~" he said and smiled. He missed the other very much.

Yuri smiled brightly at the familiar voice. "Victor!" He said and turned around to look at the other. As he did, his smile slowly faded. "V-Victor?"

A/N What do you think happened to victor? Tell me what you think! And please leave feedback! I hope everyone liked the chapter, although short. Trust me, a lot will be address in the next chapter!