Kuondo stared out at the glittering landscape of city lights and stars. Usually, they fascinated him to look at, but for the past three days, all of that seemed trivial. He felt like thinking fondly of anything would immediately send him back to remembering Pirro, his friend that he couldn't protect.

His friend whose eyes hadn't opened in three days.

Even briefly thinking of that was an emotional landmine waiting to be tread on.

"Nii-chan?"

Kuondo nearly jumped as his thoughts were broken by a soft voice behind him.

He turned to see Aliya, his younger sister by eight and a half years, tentatively peering through the doorway.

Kuondo cocked his head. "What's up?"

Aliya shuffled into the room almost nervously. "Are you mad? Mama said you're acting strange and not talking to anybody."

Kuondo opened his arms, inviting her to come sit on his lap. Her face lit up and she trotted over, struggling into the bed. "Yeah, I guess I am a little mad."

Aliya rested her head on his chest. "Who are you mad at?" She looked up at him with worried blue eyes that made his heart melt. "Are you mad at me?"

Kuondo's gaze softened as he stroked her raven hair. "No, Alli, never at you."

She relaxed, obviously relieved. "Then who?"

Kuondo hesitated, but decided to be truthful. "I guess I'm mad at myself."

Aliya looked at him as if it was the strangest thing she'd ever heard him say. "Why?"

"Pirro got hurt a few days ago, and it's all my fault…"

Aliya wrapped her little arms around him, hugging him tightly. "You shouldn't be mad at yourself, Nii-chan, 'cause nobody else is. Mama and Papa aren't, and I'm not, and your friends aren't!" She gazed up at him again with bright blue eyes. "And even if everyone else was, I'd still think you're the best big brother ever!"

Kuondo smiled down at her, subconsciously holding back tears. He hugged her back and closed his eyes. "Thanks, Aliya, I needed to hear that."

Aliya nodded. "Pirro-nii's gonna be okay, I know it." She smiled hopefully. "Can I sleep with you, Nii-chan?"

"Of course."

Aliya beamed, curling up next to him. "I love you, Nii-chan." She said sleepily.

Kuondo , for the first time in three days, smiled a genuine, loving smile. "I love you too, Aliya. Goodnight."

Kuondo would've thought Aliya's words wouldn't have done much, but he soon found that they meant the world to him. After all, the truth comes from the mouths of the innocent.

Stroking Aliya's raven hair again, Kuondo soon drifted off into a much-needed and restful sleep.

"That was Kurapika."

"What did he say?"

"He said that the color's returned to Pirro's face, and his heartbeat's back to normal."

"Wow, really? Should I go tell Kuondo?"

"No, not yet. Let him sleep."

(Woo, a fluffy and very short chapter! XD Anyway, I have a question for you guys! Who do you think taught the boys Nen, and who do you think Kuondo and Aliya's mother is? The answers will be revealed next chapter! :) )