Yao blinked as he tried to sit up. The world around him spinning, and him not feeling like himself at all. China had been serving England now because of the Opium Wars and it was his punishment.
He had come down to the dungeons where he suspected England to be simply because he was no where else in the mansion. It was near tea time and China had come with the tray as requested, and was not going to leave until England had taken his tea, but no amount of tapping on the English man's shoulder seemed to pull him from this strange state.
"Mister England? Mister England…I have your tea." He sighed and waited, but something was still making Arthur stay quiet. He was deep in thought.
Then came the bright swirling light and Yao had felt his body flung back slamming into the ground knocking the air from his lungs. He breathed deeply, and whined slightly. The next thing he heard or saw was England hovering over him.
"Aiya!" He started to complain further then paused something about the pitch of his own voice seemed not quite right. England blinked his eyes at the display in front of him. What was supposed to be the adult nation of China, was now a little boy, looking very much like Yao. He wasn't entirely sure, but hearing the little voice, it couldn't be anyone else.
"Yao...is that really you? What...what on earth happened to you? Oh my word, you must have been...you came into contact with my black magic." He stared at the child and crossed his arms. Oh what a perfect dilemma. Now what was he going to do? The boy glared at the nation and crossed his arms over his little chest.
"Well of course it is me!" Yao started to fuss and realized how even more child like he sounded which made him clap his hands over his mouth. He then looked down at his body, "You English and your magic. Ugh, Chinese magic is better," He started to hear his voice gurgle with the terribly embarrassing sounds of a child like sob. This was not how he had planned to spend the rest of his afternoon, "You will fix it yes?" China asked his large almond eyes staring up at England while he played with the end of his pony tail nervously.
England stood looking down at the rambunctious little boy. Normally China as an adult nation was calm and collected, and kept a smooth demeanor about himself, but the boy who looked no more than five years old was smiling. Arthur was not sure how to handle this situation.
"Um...listen China...I know how to handle my magic...don't be bad mouthing what I do in my mansion...and another thing." England stopped talking. He was forgetting he was addressing a small child, rather than grown nation. "Erm...sorry Yao...well...I have to look through my books and see exactly what we are going to do to get you back to normal. Until then...would you like some tea? Biscuits? Let's get out of here, and go to the dining room shall we?"
"Hmm yes...okay." The little Yao nodded not at all feeling comfortable like this, but nothing a good cup of green tea couldn't settle. Carefully China got to his feet-though they were much shorter than before he found it was not so much trouble to adjust to the difference. "How soon can you fix me?"
He found himself asking Arthur as he gripped his now oversized cloths tight to his chest, realizing that he had been sitting and so didn't notice quite yet that they would do him little good in this size. Smiling, he extended his hand out to the boy, and China took it. While they walked, Arthur noticed that the child's clothing were spilling over him, and nothing fit right.
"Before we get you some tea, it looks like you could use a change of clothing. Let's go to America's room and see if I still have any of his clothing that you can wear from when he was little."
They walked up the stairs, and towards Alfred's old room. The trip up the fine polished wood steps was very cumbersome and China battled between holding the trailing cloths and trying not to trip by gripping Arthur's hand, or rather arm. Walking inside, Arthur approached the wardrobe and looked through. China's clothing were very different from what America wore back in the day. He picked out a pair of knickerbockers, and a white button up shirt, along with a little brown vest.
"Ah here we are...come now, we must get you dressed, can't wear those clothing you have on now, much too big." He now looked at the offered outfit and going past his better judgment turned his nose up at it.
"I am not going to wear something so silly." He just couldn't believe England would actually even think he would dress his own body in such a brash style. England looked down at the child with a stern glance. He did not appreciate the boy's tone. Clearing his throat, he tapped his foot, and repeated his question.
"You very well can not go around wearing over sized clothing, and risk tripping, falling, and hurting yourself. Now, if you are not happy with the outfit I have presented to you, perhaps maybe a night shirt? I have very little options for you Yao, and I do not have the time nor patience for this."
He held the first outfit in one hand, and the white night shirt in the other. Waiting for an answer. China pursed his little lips balling his small hands. He felt like he was being cheated and that England was just trying to embarrass him into choosing. He debated going naked but had strong doubts about that going well and so begrudgingly snatched the white night shirt and then grabbed for the knickers deciding putting the two separate outfits together he could manage something a little familiar to himself.
"Can I have a needle and thread at least?" Yao tried to ask , not sounding too demanding, but his little voice was still drenched with irritation. Having the two separate items out of his hands, England looked at the child strangely. A five year old child asking for a needle and thread, this was absolutely ludicrous, and he simply shook his head in refusal.
"China...I am not about to hand you over a thread and needle. Needles are dangerous, and you are risking poking yourself. You will choose between the two, or I shall have to take other measures about properly dressing you...meaning, either you choose one outfit or...I give your bottom a smacking, and then you choose the outfit." He crossed his arms over his chest. "What say you?"
"Aiya!" China yelped clutching the cloths to this bum and tip toed backwards a few steps pouting largely and shaking his head his bangs flopping into his eyes. "I can use a needle! I do it all the time and I just want to make these cloths better!" He persisted on his quest, knowing that England would give in if he understood how good Yao was at sewing and surly being in a little body would not hinder that ability any.
Shaking his head again as if that would ward of the evil thoughts of being spanked by the nasty Englishmen Yao stood on his toes wriggling in place impatient to have this moment of uncertainty over with. While the child spoke in reason, and England knew that as an adult there were many fine qualities that the boy as an adult was talented in, he just could not agree with letting a needle into the hands of a five year old. It was wrong, and incredibly endangering. What if the pin pointed object fell to the ground and he stepped on it, impaling it through his foot. Shuddering, Arthur did not wanted to think of it. Holding true to his first response, he shook his head again.
"Absolutely not...now put the clothing on, do as I say, and then come with me down to the dining room. Tea time will commence in a short while."
"You are SO mean! Just because I'm Chinese and lost the opium war, doesn't give you the right to tell me what to wear!"
China whined and stomped his chubby foot flailing the cloths in his arms up and down against the floor. He was not at all handling this situation to well and certainly if he had of been a full adult he would have been very embarrassed of his own self, but he was not. He was simply concerned with wearing something that he wanted to wear. Some how it felt very important to him.
Standing looking down at the child, England was quite shocked and appalled by China's behavior. He was used to cheeky behavior, having raised America, but that was then, and the only way Alfred would have been corrected was being dealt with an extremely firm hand. He responded to the boy in a calm tone.
"China...I will assume you are meaning I am being unfair, but I stand by my decision. And, MY decision has nothing to do with your nationality, its just a manner of you simply being too small." He bent down and picked up the clothing the boy had threw to the ground. "You have no choice now. Put on the nightshirt, and come with me."
Sniffing once and still pouting as hard as he could China couldn't hold back the urge to kick the cloths and grumble in Cantonese. This was all Arthur's fault anyways. Though he wanted to think that England was actually meaning what he said, Yao still didn't know for sure if he was being treated like any other chibi would or if the Brit was picking on him. Huffing a little he squatted to pick up the night shirt and yanked at the buttons on the front not really caring if he got them undone or not.
England stood by watching. At least the child was being still about it. America would have thrown a right fit. He could tell the child was not happy, but he was firm in his actions, and waited. The boy slowly dawdled and took his time. This slightly annoyed Arthur, but he continued to watch. As Yao put on the night shirt, he noticed the child was having some difficulties. Kneeling down, England looked compassionate to ask if he needed assistance.
"Might I help you young chap?" The dark eyes looked up and he seemed to struggle with accepting this offer or not. Yao almost shouted out that he could do it he didn't need help but the more he tried on his own the more the buttons seemed to wedge tighter into the fold of material, forcing Yao to give up and shove the garment at Arthur.
"I could have done it," He mumbled looking away as his chubby cheeks were burning with hurt pride. This form was not fitting such a distinguished country as China was. Giving the boy a slight smirk, England composed himself and reached down. The night shirt was placed over his head, before the buttons were unfastened. Once this was done, he turned the boy around, and fastened the clasps. Turning Yao to face him, Arthur sighed...he had a moment, and missed little Alfred...but only for a moment.
"Now little one...it doesn't hurt to ask, and it doesn't make you any less of a nation. I know you very well could have done it, but I simply helped you." The cloths had a funny smell, something like cedar chips and river water.
It was strange and he couldn't help wondering if that was the smell America always carried with him. Sighing a little China studied the larger hand offered to him and inched over before finally take hold of it. England smiled.
"Come, take my hand, I will have Hughes make you some green tea, I believe we have some, and then we will figure on changing you back to your right old self." England held his hand out, gazing at the child while waiting.
"Do you have any dumplings?" He finally spoke up hugging closer to Arthur, not wishing to admit that he really was startled being so small. China had enemies and besides that China knew that it was the tendency of bigger nations to bully ones that looked smaller. He had been victim and oppressor in the past, and right he didn't very much appreciate this feeling again at all.
Holding the small hand within his, England pondered the question. Dumplings...what on earth were dumplings? He stammered in his response, and with the two walking, down the hall, they approached the stairwell and proceeded to walk down the steps.
"Um...dumplings...uh, I am not sure of what those are lad. I can see what Hughes can prepare for you. If not, then I suggest you try something we have here. There are many fine dishes."
England seemed very proud and sure of himself. Had he known that America told the other nations that Britain's cuisine was horrible, he might have whacked the nation over the head, but Arthur never had the chance to hear that. The two walked down the steps, and approached the dining area. Hughes met them both, and stood by the table ready to wait on both, his Master, and the young little guest.
"Ah Master Kirkland...and Master Wang...please have a seat. I am preparing some tea and..." Hughes was cut off by England.
"Hughes...be a gem and instead of the Earl Grey, please see if there is any Green Tea. Our young little China prefers it to English tea." He smiled down at the boy.
It felt just as distressing as having been told to wear the foreign cloths, but to be told that there would be no dumplings. Wang wanted to flop to the floor and have a fit. He had only been repaying England lately because of that damnable opium. There had been no reason to stay and chat or have a meal. So things had go on and Yao had not noticed or cared if England knew of the things he was accustomed to. The urge to sniffle and cry was also tempting but he could not do that, he was still china even if his body was not the right size. Pulling away from his thoughts at the sounds of the 'adults' talking Wang nodded fervently at the servant Hughes and gave his foot a stomp to emphasize his desire for the tea and then feeling confident enough released England's hand and reached to give the servant a firm yank to the trousers.
"And dumplings? Do you know how to make them…do you have them? England does not" Yao stated a little fury escaping as he pointed to Arthur. Hughes looked down at the boy, and then back towards Arthur. He then put his hands to his knees, talking down to the small little nation.
"Little Master...I apologize, I no not of your traditional dishes...I can try and learn if you really desire this so called dumplings...is there anything else you would wish for me to conjure?"
England stood watching the conversation between the two. While he did appreciate everything that his butler did for him, and his guests, he did not want the man to heed to a mere five year old. If it couldn't be done, China was going to have to settle on whatever was available. he would have to make haste and see about changing the nation back to his original form, but it would take time as black magic was not something to rush. Finally feeling like someone was actually listening to what he wanted Yao nodded his head firmly and persistently started to pat the butler hand as if to emphasize what he was about to say.
"Yes, yes please make it. Learn very quickly and learn perfectly and then learn how to make other dishes from my home, I can teach you!"
Wang started to speak faster and more broken English than he meant as the idea of having a little of his home here to comfort him was very appealing. Hughes took the boy's hand, and was about to go to the kitchen, but England cleared his throat and stood with a sternness about him.
"Hughes...now this is simply nonsense." He looked to the boy with condescending eyes. "Young man...in my home if there is not something that appeals to you, then you very well could go without dinner. America had been told of this when he was little, and I have no qualms about treating it any differently with you."
England walked to the table and stood by it. He was not pleased that the child was going to run his butler ragged into preparing something. Yao felt his face flush with anger and he stood with his hands once more into tiny fists staring England down- he wasn't asking for to much what was wrong with asking the butler since he after all offered to make more than what Yao had first asked. He was about to say so too when Hughes stepped forward, a sudden feeling like safety rushed over Wang and he instinctively wrapped his arms round the pant leg of Hughes and held on there tightly nodding here and there to express his agreement to what the butler was saying on his behalf. Hughes stepped in to protest, which usually never happened.
"Um, sir, if I may...I really do not have a problem fixing something for the child. It would be my pleasure to see that he is satisfied, after all, he is a guest." He smiled down to the boy, and China felt a little better.
"Yes…I am a guest" China chimed in finally feeling a little braver, but England did not like to be undermined in his own mansion. He looked to the butler, and then back down to the boy who was holding onto Hughes' legs firmly. Crossing his arms over his chest, he then responded.
"Hughes...you may be dismissed. Bring in the green tea for Young Master Yao, and see about preparing some chicken soup." He gazed at the child. "I assume that chicken soup is not at all terrible, and you may like that Yao?"
Hughes looking slightly defeated, but having no choice, released himself from the child's grip. He bowed down to Arthur, and then gave the boy a sad smile. He exited the room, and walked towards the kitchen. England saw the sour look on the boys face, and spoke to him.
"Yao...please don't be offended by the choices I am making. Now please have a seat...dinner will come along shortly, and we will have tea momentarily."
Yao tried to hang on tightly like a leach to Hughes but felt his small hands being prided away from his ally in this venture for home. for a while he stood not facing Arthur or the direction Hughes went but some where in the middle just staring angrily at a wall. the wall had done nothing but the wall could not scold or give mean looks back so China stared at it giving into the angry pout and stuck out his bottom lip. He heard stupid England and his stupid words , what good ever came from eating chicken in soup the way England ate it. cutting his eyes towards the adult , the boy tried to look as menacing as possible.
"I will just have just the tea thank you." He added the polite phrase to be a better person than Arthur. "And I will have it in the kitchen with Hughes," He abruptly decided and turned to march his small self after the butler and see about getting his way. He was not used to being thwarted in this manner.
Standing still looking at the boy, and then watching Hughes walk down towards the kitchen, England has a semi-smile turned on his face. The boy, nothing more than a child was trying to pull something off. More than sure something was about to happen, and England would be forced to take action, he stood firm, and raised an eyebrow. He then walked over to the boy, took him by the shoulders, and walked the boy to the wall and stood him facing the corner.
"No...I believe for your little cheeky attitude, an appropriate place for you to be...at least as of right now, is to turn to the corner, until I can figure a more appropriate way to deal with your sassy tongue. You are not grown up anymore Yao...you are just a child, and a small one at that." Kneeling down he spoke again. "I am not trying to be unfair, but children to me are to be seen and almost never heard. You keep up with that little tyrant like attitude, and you will find yourself over my knee in a matter of seconds. Twenty minutes you will stay." England turned back around and walked to the table. Hughes came walking back in with the tea tray, and looked hopelessly at the boy, and then back to his Master.
Anger, there was so much anger in such a little body. China felt his small self swept over to a corner. A corner! It was beyond humiliation. He did not care what England was saying, because he was China! He might indeed be small but he was the great Wang Yao! Still the threat of being put over that Arthur's knee was a balance on the other end that made Yao uneasy, not certain if the man would do it. Yet now having his face in a corner a dusty one too made Wang wish to spit at the mans shoes.
"'Ni zhe hun dan , gen wo gun !'," He swore under his breath in mandarin and kicked the wall and then punched it too for good measure. This was of course a very naughty word used by the boy.
England looked over to Hughes as he heard a slight clatter of the tea tray being placed slightly harder than one would expect. England had slightly heard what the boy said, but did not understand it. He looked over to the doting butler, and saw that the kettle had leaked some water. Cocking his head slightly, England strolled over to Hughes.
"Hughes...old chap...have any sort of recollection on what that child just uttered? Judging from his tone, it would appear nothing too nice."
He smiled at the servant, because he knew when Hughes was in his younger days, he spent quite the time in China, visiting and learning some culture. The man did not say a word, but looked at the elder nation.
"Oh sir...I...I haven't a clue what Young Master might have said, its not really clear and..."
"Hughes...tell me what he said..." The butler was interrupted by an angry and afraid China. The boy whirled round, frightened to be tattled on, and stamped his foot pointing at Hughes.
"'She me dou bu yao shuo!'" Now quite aware from the adults conversation that the butler could understand him he was sure this would be the best way to save his butt. Though China was tempted to go on and mouth off in English to Arthur and tell him what he had said, but he was just not entirely convinced that the Englishmen was bluffing about giving him punishment.
Sensing that the child was somewhat frightened, England gave his butler a more stern glare. Breathing out, Hughes looked to the little nation and mouthed a sorry as whatever command he was given from England, he had to follow. He leaned into England's ear, holding a hand, and whispering the words. The boy watched...and England's eyes widened.