Flower of Venom

Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. 'Nuff said.

China has always been skilled at manipulation. You would not think so if you met him. He seems like a childish Nation, obsessed with food, money and all things cute. But Japan knows better.

He was raised by the man after all. He was the first, had known him longer and (arguably) better, than anyone else. Yao used everything in his arsenal to his advantage, buildings so many different facades even he himself wasn't sure which was real. Kiku had never quite managed to catch up with China in that respect. Maybe it was just because he was older than Kiku, had seen the highest and lowest points of being a Nation too many times to count and was simply naturally skilled. You don't survive, get back up and prosper for so long on luck alone after all.

Japan watched China contemplatively from across the table. His hair was loose and flowing, framing his face and making him look sweet, innocent, positively breathtaking, even more feminine than usual. Deceiving appearances indeed, the Japanese mused. He was not paying attention, instead conversing with Russia. His chair had been pulled away from the Russian and he flinched every time Ivan got too close, or his gaze lingered too long. However his general demeanour was warm, friendly even. His fear of Russia was clear, but he seemed to be trying.

That's what any other Nation would think.

'Japan!'

Japan jumps violently, whipping his head around to see who was talking to him.

'G-gomenasai Germany-san. I was not paying attention. What is that you said?'

'I was just asking what you were thinking so hard about.'

Japan briefly pondered lying, but, curious to know if his friend would come to the same conclusions as he did, ultimately decided against it.

'Germany-san, what do you know about China?' he asked.

Germany's brows furrowed at the abrupt change of topic, but he answered the questions.

'Well, China is a skilled fighter, an excellent chef and can be very childish,' he began.

'I cannot dispute the first two, but the last one is not true. At least, not the extent China-san leads everyone to believe.'

'What do you mean?' Germany asked, eyebrow raised.

'Look at his current conversation. He is not letting Russia anywhere near him, and acts afraid, but at the same time, he is warm, almost friendly. China is over four thousand years old. He has seen it all. Do you really think he'd be this afraid of someone who used to barely come up to his waist? Even if Russia can be highly unsettling, he does not let something as small as that stop him for long, because he has seen Nations like Russia rise and fall, while he survived.'

'How are you so sure?' Germany demands.

Japan's lips curve into the hint of a smile. His tone not quite mocking or dry, but something close, he said:

'Because I know China.'