The conference room was perfect. Someone had gone in and decorated it to honor China for the ceremony. The room nearly took Japan's breath away. Taiwan and England were the only people in the room and they looked up when Japan came in.
Taiwan rushed over to hug him. "It's so nice to see you!"
"It's only been a week," Japan answered, laughing.
"Yes, but last week I was still a little...out of it. And now that I'm fully back to my senses I can fully appreciate having you here."
"Well, it's nice to see you, too, Taiwan," he said.
England looked up from his cup of tea and lifted his eyebrows. "I know you are new at the mentoring business, Japan, but mentors usually bring their students with them to the presentation ceremony."
Taiwan looked around the room. "You forgot the baby?" she asked, shocked.
"No!" Japan laughed. "Of course not. Greece is with him. Why would I forget the baby?"
"It's happened," England shrugged. "Have you told the Italy Brothers that you've been given a student?"
Japan clenched his jaw. "No, but I happened to assume they would figure it out today."
"I see," England stood up and buttoned his jacket. "Everyone will be arriving soon." He rushed out of the room, leaving Japan to stare curiously at Taiwan.
"What's wrong with him?" Japan asked her.
"Stay in contact with the Italy Brothers. It would be horrible if they went missing again. He thinks you shouldn't be losing your contacts, especially since you made this one so easily." Taiwan hugged him. "I may not be your teacher anymore, but take this advice. Invite the Italies to live with you. They'll be useful."
"My house...it isn't...there's no room for all of us," Japan sputtered.
Taiwan shrugged. "There's room at China's house," she said before leaving the room.
The ceremony should've started a half an hour ago. Everyone was gathered in the conference room, but they couldn't start because the Italy brothers had not shown up.
England was standing at the front of the room with Taiwan standing against the wall behind him. He signaled to Japan that they would wait for ten more minutes, but then they would have to start.
Japan paced nervously in the hallway. Greece was leaning against the wall, holding the baby in his arms and watching Japan with his eyes. "Pacing won't make them come, you know."
"I know, but...England was right. I should've told them that the Introduction was for my student. They would've been here on time."
Greece smiled. "I think that they may have still been late," he chuckled.
England came to stand in the doorway. "They're here. Let's get started."
Japan looked around them. "They're here?" he asked. "How did they get in without walking past us?"
"I don't know," England shook his head. "Veneziano thought it would be more fun to use the window."
England stepped aside and let Japan and Greece walk into the conference room. They stood together at the front and smiled proudly at the group in front of them. The Italy brothers stood at the front of the crowd. Veneziano's eyes were wide and England subtly motioned for them to stand next to Taiwan.
"Welcome, everyone," England began. "It was only twenty-two years ago that we were standing here for Japan and Greece's ceremonies. Usually we don't allow such young Nations to become mentors, but we can all agree that these nations have shown their responsibility."
Japan zoned out as England continued his speech and wondered vaguely if his ceremony had been this boring. England had told him that there was problems near the end when China had realized Russia had not made an appearance. China had been angry...And China. The ox figurine turned into China this morning, but he didn't offer any advice today. China only smiled at him as if he were proud.
Japan snapped back to reality when England walked toward them and gently took the baby from Greece. He whispered some words to the baby and pulled out a small vial of red paint from his pocket which he opened and made a small mark on the baby's forehead. Whispering a few more words, he pulled another vial from his pocket and sprinkled something that glittered over the mark. When he was finished, looked up at Japan and Greece and smiled.
He turned away from them and faced the Nations in front him. England took a few steps forward, motioning for Japan and Greece to stand directly behind him on either side. He shifted the baby so all of the nations could see his face.
Hong Kong took this opportunity to open the windows to let the sunshine and the air filter through the room. It illuminated everyone's faces and allowed England to see the faces of the people around the room and for everyone to take a long look at the baby.
"Today all of the nations of the world have gathered together to see this baby presented," England said, saying the ceremonial words. "By appearing today, you have acknowledged that this baby is one of us and will be recognized as such from here on out." England looked around the room, reading the faces of the people around him. Everyone nodded to show that they understood the rules of the ceremony. "This baby will grow up to be a powerful nation and until then, he will be watched and tutored by Japan and Greece. Any objections?"
Japan held his breath. In the past week, he had grown to love the young baby that had been placed in his care and he couldn't stand the thought of him being taken away. He stared into the faces of the people around the room. Most of the nations looked bored, only a fair few looked truly interested. Towards the back of the room, Japan made eye contact with a pair of eyes that looked ready to kill. He looked away quickly.
"The decision stands," England said when no one objected. "Then may I present to you, America!" England lifted baby America over his head and everyone standing in front of England looked up at the baby and then began to bow. The baby giggled loudly, apparently enjoying being the star of the show as row by row everyone bowed to him. England brought the baby down to cradle in his arms once more. "You all saw that the baby received my blessing when I took him from Greece's arms, and now all of you will give him your blessing as well."
England turned to face Japan and Greece, both of whom looked panicked. England smiled as he remembered that they had never been to an introduction ceremony before. "Don't worry," he told them. "The blessing can be anything, and it can vary depending on who we are blessing."
Japan looked down at America and thought frantically. Greece had gained his composure, he had come prepared. He whispered something to the baby and pulled out what looked like kitten fur and rubbed it on the side of America's face, causing him to giggle again. Japan only placed his hand on America's cheek and leaning in close he whispered, "From here on out I will be your ox. I will care for you and help you grow stronger until the day when you surpass me and become stronger than me."
As England walked around the room, Japan pulled Greece over to Veneziano and Romano. Quietly he invited the three of them to live in China's house with him.
"This is great, Romano!" Veneziano told his brother in the hallway after the ceremony was over. He started slightly when he noticed that Romano looked uncharacteristically enthusiastic.
"It is great," Romano smiled. "And you know who's going to raise the little guy?"
"Umm, Japan and Greece?"
"Sure, sure," Romano rolled his eyes. "But do you know who is going to teach him the important stuff? It's going to be just like old times!"
"Romano! You did care!" Veneziano hugged his brother tightly. Suddenly, there was a loud noise from inside the conference room. "What's that?" he asked.
Romano listened intently. "Japan is arguing with England."
A.N.
Useless back story fact that may or may not pertain to the story: Between the time where Russia was defeated and Japan was reintroduced as a country, two years had passed. England had allowed Japan that much time to get reacquainted with his land, fix up China's home, and get all of the other Asian countries situated in their homes. It was a lot of work for a brand new nation.
And there you have it. America is the new Nation. And as much as I like the idea of reincarnating China (And therefore Russia) I found that a little creepy. China raises Japan and then Japan raises China. Creepy. Good idea though.
Guess the second nation? And the second nation's teacher?
This was almost put off until tomorrow, but I'm glad I got it done. I hope you all will enjoy this new story.
Please review.
P.S. Also, for those who are keeping track, my Macbeth parody will be started tomorrow. Right now I am writing it in a notebook so I can work on it at school (because I have a copy of Macbeth) and this will be worked on at home where the script is on my computer. Follow me on twitter to stay updated! BookwormKaoru is the name!