Chapter 1

"Yo Soo!" I called out to the Korean boy in white and purple robes. His short brown haired head turned around as he found the source of the voice.

A bright smile formed around his face as his cheeks went red—his flyaway curl on the right side of his head was so round, you could imagine a smiley face in there. "Tai!" the happy Korean boy waved, smiling with an egg bread in one hand. "'Morning, da-ze."

"'Morning, Yo Soo," I said, knocking into his free arm—clutching to his shoulder along with a lot of fabric. "Have you seen Li? I didn't see him early this morning and I'm a bit worried."

"Hmm?" he munched on his egg bread and gulped, "I just passed by him in the hall a few moments ago. He seemed to be in a hurry—I think oppa came back. That must be the reason why he was in such a hurry."

"Really?" my heart raced at the thought of my older brother. "Gege's back already?" excitement rushed my veins—it's been a while since I've seen my older brother.

"I was heading towards where I assumed he would be when Li brushed by me in a hurry," he shook me off and grabbed my hand instead. "Come on, we'll go together." I followed him without a moment's hesitation. His cool hand reassured mine on this warm spring morning—Yong Soo could be a good little brother at times.

We walked down a long hallway before turning around and stepping over a mini, wooden doorstep—our brother has taught us that it was bad luck to step on these wooden steps because they were the portal of luck that allows us to go from place to place in peace…or something like that. I wasn't really listening to big brother China when he told us the legend. Nonetheless, I loved my brother and his stories. I just have a bad memory.

When we entered a grand room which was the living room close to the backyard, there were three boys in the room: one unknown boy sitting in the lap of my older brother, Wang Yao (also known as China), and my little brother, Wang Li (also known as Hong Kong) on the floor playing with a panda nearly the same size as him. The unknown boy with short black hair that seemed to have been chopped very even frequently to keep it's unique appearance. I would say he was a new country.

"Gege," I said, in respect as I walked up in front of Yong Soo—I didn't want to let go of his hand, so I used my skirt to hide our linked hands. "Welcome back. I see you have brought a gift for Li," my eyes traveled to the blushing boy as he played around with the panda's claw, "and that you have also brought back a new friend. May I ask what his name is?"

He looked up from the book he was showing to the child and smiled at me and Yong Soo. "Yup, aru. I'm back. I've brought back a new friend as well as a new family member. This is Nihon, aru—his name is Honda Kiku. He's your older brother."

Yong Soo couldn't stand that statement. "How is that possible? You just found him! I am clearly older than that newborn country!" I didn't say anything—the boy was quiet at the objection. I was confused—was it just me, or did he seem to be mature?

"Nihon," Yao said, turning his gaze to the boy in his lap who equally returned it by looking upward. "That boy in the purple and white robes is your younger brother, Im Yong Soo. The girl in the pink and gold next to him is the second youngest, Wang Mei. Li is the youngest out of the three." He returned his attention to Yong Soo and I. "He may seem younger than you three, but he's been living in the bamboo forest for a long time. He is going to be growing quick now with this family and peace. Please treat your new brother kind and respectfully."

I took a step back and squeezed Yong Soo's hand tighter—the Korean boy seemed to glower less as he stopped his hateful glare. "Yes, oppa," he said turning away to his left.

"Okay, Gege, if you say so," I answered in respect after. I wanted to talk to someone—the awkwardness found in the air displeased me. I tugged on Yong Soo's sleeve and led him to the front of the book they were reading. The boy as big as me in Yao's lap—his dark brown, blank eyes wandered up the page to look at me and Yong Soo (who took my left side again). Li got up and ran around Yong Soo and hugged my legs—my right hand held his right shoulder protectively close to me. "Greetings, Nihon," I said as I turned my gaze to the floor as well as inclining my head down a bit. "Have you eaten?"

He stared at me with blank eyes before answering, "No."

"What would you like to eat?" I pestered on, straightening my back—my manners of greeting people taking control of me.

"Umm… pork steam bun," he said a bit timidly as his cheeks grew a bit pink.

Where would I get that…? I wondered as I let go of Yong Soo's hand. It had been a great comfort. "Hmm, I'm sorry to say that I do not know what that is, but I do know how to make a ham and corn bun. Would you like to try it? Now that I look at the clock, it is nearing lunch time and I still have not eaten breakfast. I shall make it for us all if you are all hungry." I hoisted up young Li in my arms—he was growing big and soon I would no longer be able to do this.

"Okay, aru, that would be appreciated," Yao said, closing the book and settling it down on a table beside him. "One for each of us—actually, I don't think Li could finish his own."

"Hmm, that's alright," I said, rocking the small child gently in my arms. "I guess I'll finish his when he's too full." Li extended a hand out for the panda to the right of the chair which Yao sat in. The black and white panda stared at it's new owner with a confused expression as if to ask "should I go or stay?" I walked towards the panda and bent down; Li's extended hand brushed the panda's head and ruffled the top. The panda blinked and I got up—I needed to cook for five people in thirty minutes before they go starving mad.

The panda blinked and held a sad expression in it's eyes—it doesn't want to be away from it's owner. I bent down and picked up the panda with my right arm, hanging opposite of Li (I swear, my arms will break). "Well then, I'll head off to the kitchen now." I turned away from the three eldest boys of the family and head back from the hallway Yong Soo and I had just traveled. "Is it uncomfortable for you?" I asked as I speed walked to the kitchen making the ride for the two in my arms bumpy.

Li shook his head while staring up at me—my eyes placed on the road ahead so that I wouldn't bump into anything. I smiled softly as I said, "That's good. Did you come up with a name for Mr. Panda here?" I didn't want to bore Li—the sole reason why I brought him with me was because I thought he would want to watch me cook; I would always find him sneaking around the kitchen door whenever I was in the kitchen.

"…Xiao Chun," he said holding the paw of the panda. The panda yawned and Li started playing by calling out to the panda with the new name to get it used to the name. I walked silently towards the kitchen, listening to my brother's excited voice call out to his new friend.

Thanks for reading. I blanked out on the title but the rest was alright ... maybe ... Please review and tell me anime/manga that you would like me to write fanfics for. By the way, I'm not sure if I should continue this or not. Please review if you want more.

~Yui Lathens~