It was raining really hard; I didn't know the sky could get this dark before. I couldn't hear a single sound. Other than the sound of the harsh rain, my panicked breathing, my footsteps and the footsteps of the man I have been trying to escape for almost half an hour now. All the houses I ve passed suddenly closed their lights and locked their doors. I was starting to think, no cross that, I did think that it was because of the man who was chasing me. This is how it all started. I just went out for a while to get some ice cream. All of the sudden this guy in a scarf and has a Russian accent forced me to follow him and when I refused the once clear and sunny skies became dark and gloomy, next second later I was being chased by this mad man! As I was losing hope, I saw the only house that didn't shut me out. I ran towards it using the last of my strength. The man was keeping his pace with me but staying a few steps away, as if to bring suspense.

"H-help!" I yelled between breaths. I yelled even louder

"Help me! Please!"

I was at the door of the house. I knocked as hard as I could.

"Please let me in! Please I'm begging you!"

I was crying in desperation now. I faced the man; he had this evil smile on his face.

"That was fun, now come quietly." he said with a sly smile on his face.

I screamed a bloodcurdling scream. Then I felt a warm hand grab my shoulder from behind me and pulled me into the house. As soon as I shut and locked the door I was now facing, I fell on my knees and covered my face with my hands and cried like I never cried before. The tears came down on my face as hard as the rain was falling. Then I heard a voice. Unlike the Russian mans voice, this one was warm and welcoming. I felt a hand hesitantly touch my shoulder. I removed my hands covering my swollen face and faced the one who has saved me. And to my surprise it was the person I have been hearing about since I got here. It was Japan-sama or as the natives here called him, Kiku-san.

"A-are you alright?" he asked. I tackled him with a hug and started to cry on his chest, his heartbeat comforting me

"Nee. Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he kept asking me these questions again and again. But I couldn't answer. Though I wasn't crying because I was frightened or threatened by him, no, I was crying out of relief that I was with someone I could trust, even though I have just met him.

He helped me get up and led me to his living room, and he told me to sit me on the couch. He left for a second and came back with some tea. He calmly waited for me to calm down before I told him what happened.

"This man following you, must have been Russia-san. I knew he was here, but I thought he already left."

"Russia? Isn't he one of the allies? Why would he follow me! And wait! He was not following me! He was chasing me!"

I started to take irregular deep breathes and I knew I looked like I was about to cry again, I felt my eyes heating up and tearing. I saw Kiku-san starting to panic so I calmed down.

"I'm sorry for bothering you like this. But your house was the only place left I had hope for. I mean, all the houses that I passed suddenly closed their lights and locked their doors. And from what I have observed that is still too early!" I said,

"Almost everybody is afraid of Russia-san. I can t really explain why." he said almost as if he has been saying it all this time.

"I better leave. I hate being a bother." I started to get up,

"Umm.. Wait! You seem tired and I could tell if someone is a foreigner. I haven t seen you around. And it wouldn't be nice of me if I didn't offer you to stay after such a rough night. Really it's alright for you to stay" his face became pink and he smiled at me and I just couldn't refuse. He handed me new clothes and led me into an empty room. He told me that he would get my luggage because I promised that I ll somehow repay him for this night