This is a sequel to mine and RubyKurosaki's fic Huiyi, so it might be advisable to read that first. It's perhaps not necessary though. Much thanks to RubyKurosaki and dragora-kun for co-authoring and to Alix Cohen for beta-ing this at such short notice! This takes place some time after Huiyi.


A solid few taps echoed from the door, the rain outside was pouring down and the only thing that had interrupted its steady pats was a large red umbrella. Frowning, China looked up at the sound of knocking. Grumbling to himself about late night visitors, he walked over to the door, opening it a crack to see who was there. His eyes widened in shock. Russia stood there, that calm unnerving aura thick around him and the usual cold smile on his face. A few droplets that had managed to catch him dripped off his hair as he calmly waited. China just stared, a few moments passed before he shook himself and opened the door properly "R-Russia aru? Why are you here so late..."

"China! Long-time no see, old friend" he said still smiling. But he stayed in the doorway, "It's a little wet out here, mind if I come in?" he asked looking directly at China, those eyes never changed whether he was talking to a friend or killing an enemy.

China shivered, he really wanted nothing more than to leave Russia out there in the rain...but he knew that if he did he would regret it. Sighing, he stepped aside to let Russia in "Of course aru, I couldn't leave you out in the cold."

Russia's heavy boots made low thumping noises as he entered China's house. He put down his umbrella and shook it out on the doorstep before placing it to the side, more than aware where things went. He left on his coat and scarf however, as he usually did. He walked on through to the living room and sat down, not asking of course. He'd been given permission to enter, that was enough, but he seemed less then angry, which meant nothing when it came to him. "How have you been?" he asked.

China followed, wincing at the footsteps. But he wouldn't be scared aru! He was China! The oldest surviving nation and a global superpower! He wouldn't be scared of Russia! "F-fine aru" Damn stuttering. He cleared his throat "Fine aru. And yourself?" he walked over to the drinks cabinet, taking the vodka that he hadn't thrown out. He hardly needed to ask what Russia would drink.

Russia relaxed into the seat and with the same smile took the vodka from china "Thanks, I was sent here by my boss though, this visit is not just for fun" he said nodding to himself, as if telling himself that. "I have not been doing so well actually... That is why I am here."

"Oh really aru? You are after a loan too?" You and most of the western world, what am I, a piggy bank? China thought to himself, pouring himself a cup of green tea.

Russia shook his head "I have lived without financial support for a long time, no. What I need... is a friend" he said setting the vodka bottle down on the side table.

China froze with his back to Russia. A...friend? Alarm bells began to sound in his head. Breathing deeply, he turned to face the larger man "A friend aru? I don't quite understand what you mean Russia. You and I haven't been close for years."

Russia had the same smile "Maybe not, but that does not mean we cannot be friends again, it was just a... misunderstanding." he said nodding and shutting his eyes for a moment.

Me seeing you beat someone to a pulp, then keeping me hostage was a misunderstanding? China thought, but kept his thoughts to himself. Nations did go mad from time to time, right? "Right...I suppose so aru..."

"I mean I can forgive you, so don't beat yourself up" he said opening his eyes with an innocent smile. He lifted up the vodka bottle and took a large gulp from it; luckily it took more than that to get him drunk.

China nearly choked "F-forgive me aru? For what?" he coughed, trying not to spill his tea.

"For leaving of course, that wasn't very nice. I got lonely" he said matter-of-factly.

"You had the others aru, I didn't leave you alone." China pointed out, although he already knew what Russia meant.

Russia blinked "But you're more important to me than the others, you know that" he said getting up.

China shrank back subconsciously "I suppose aru...but we have to follow our governments, you know that. And our friendship was hindering, not helping me aru..."

"But that's why I'm here, we can help you, we can get your money back from those that have borrowed it" he said moving closer to China standing over the man, although he wasn't intentionally trying to threaten, he was still too close for comfort.

"I don't need you to do that, I'm more than capable of collecting my own debts aru..." China muttered; annoyed at the way Russia still seemed to assume he was defenceless. Louder, he said "I would rather you didn't help me with that aru...I still need their custom."

"Then what is it you want? I am here to ask for treaty again" he said putting a hand on China's shoulder.

It was gentle, but it was too reminiscent of earlier times, China had to force himself to stay calm "That is...all you want aru? Friendship?" He hoped Russia didn't want what they'd had before. He couldn't do that again.

"Of course my friend, the friendship we had before is all I want and now my boss wants me to make a friend, I knew you would do it da?" he said "I can still help you though, I mean those who take advantage of you I can take care of, like that stupid American. I hear he's been around lately" he said still with the same expression.

"I don't mind America being around aru," China avoided Russia's gaze "Besides, he's useful to sell stuff to aru," he lied.

Russia looked at China tilting his head "Useful? The American? Well, I suppose he does have money" he said, letting go of China's shoulder and tapping his lip. "Well no matter, with us friends again you can come and stay more, da?" he said shutting his eyes and relaxing.

China shivered. He had never liked Russia's house even when they had been close "I guess so aru...how are the others?" He hadn't kept in touch with the others in the Soviet Union since he'd left, which he had always regretted.

"The others? They are happy da." he said nodding. He didn't say much else about them, they were the reason for Russia's situation, and they'd been lucky to be alive after China left. "I know! You should come and see tomorrow. Be fun to catch up" he said moving away from China back to the bottle of vodka.

China breathed a sigh of relief "Ahh, I'd like to aru, but I am quite busy in the near future...it may have to wait a while?"

"What is so busy? There is no war" he said drinking some more vodka.

"I have business aru...North is being troublesome again, and I have to make sure I'm not overtaken by anyone after I worked so hard to pull ahead. Not to mention Tibet is kicking up a fuss as well aru," China sighed. Peacetime really wasn't very peaceful at all.

"North...North...Korea?" he asked gulping down more vodka, vaguely remembering the long haired young boy.

China nodded "You remember him aru? We don't see much of him anymore though..."

"Oh yes I do, he was such a nice boy" he said smiling widely. "But he is causing you trouble? What is he doing?"

China shrugged "Just the usual, aru. Upsetting South who runs to me and then I have to comfort them both" he sighed "Its tiring, aru."

"I can sort it if you like" he said swigging the vodka again, half the bottle nearly gone.

China shuddered "I don't need you to sort things for me aru." Especially not the way I know you'll do it, he thought, keeping his eye on the level of the bottle. How much did Ivan need to become drunk? To become violent?

"Ah don't be like that, we're friends! I will only talk to him, we have understanding, da?" he said putting the bottle down, he didn't seem to be affected yet.

"Hmm" Like you 'talked' to Vietnam after she yelled at me? Like you 'talked' to Yong Soo after he groped me? "An understanding aru?"

"Da, I helped him remember, our talk will be easy, he likes me" he said laughing softly. "You should let me help you more China, you will end up all alone if you keep avoiding me" he said gulping a few more times from the bottle.

China looked away "I have my siblings aru...and other friends..." he shifted uncomfortably "And you know I don't like depending on people too heavily aru"

"I am not asking you to depend on me, just ask for help when you need it da? I am just being your friend" he said swigging from the bottle again 3 quarters of it gone, but he was moving towards the front door.

Noticing with relief where Russia appeared to be headed, China followed him, trying not to appear too eager "I appreciate that Russia aru, but I can handle this myself. I promise that I'll ask for help if I need it, ok aru?"

Russia smiled and picked up his umbrella "It is ok, everything is sorted now. My boss will be happy" he said opening the door to the rainy outside. "Do take care"

China nodded, trying to disguise his pleasure that the Russian was leaving "Yes, you too aru. I'll get my boss to get in touch."

Russia nodded "And do think about my offer about tomorrow, if you happen to get a free moment" he said smiling and turning he began to trek through the rain, the night still young.

China forced a smile "I will aru!" If only to think of a better excuse to avoid it than North causing trouble. He really didn't want him collaborating with Russia.


Hopefully this will be as well recieved as Huiyi! Don't worry, America will be appearing later (can't keep the hero out!)

Please review and let me know what you think!