"It's no big deal, da? It's just for one night."

"I really don't see why I have to do it. She's your sister! You're the one who promised her a date." I was beginning to shake. I was so nervous. She was going to kill me.

"I only promised her a date. I didn't say it was going to be with me. Plus how could you resist my cute little sister!" Russia gave me one of his deceiving smiles. He slipped the panda head over his own. "Now, I'll be keeping an eye on you, so don't do anything stupid, da?"

Belarus had been waiting for Russia for a while now. Her face was bright with anticipation. She looked all around the restaurant for her big brother. She still had her signature bow in her hair, but today was different. She had on a sexy looking Chinese dress. This was going to be so awkward. I tried to put on a smile as I made my way over to her table. As she saw me, her bright face got darker. She searched for a knife at the table, but she had to settle for chopsticks. I was suddenly grateful that this was a Chinese restaurant.

"Why the fuck are you here? I don't want anything to do with you, Lithuania! Where the hell is my big brother. He promised…" She didn't want me to see her weakness, but I could see the tears in her eyes.

"Mr. Russia regrets to inform you that he will not be joining you tonight, because he has important business ventures."

"Why does he always do this to me? I thought this year would be different. I'm all grown up, aren't I?" she said. Her hand gently unclenched the chopsticks. I don't think Russia's problem with her had so much to do with her age. More of how scary she was and the fact that she was his sister. She may be cute, but she was so damn scary.

"He said if you were good tonight, he'd let you have another present," I said as I sat down across from her.

She wiped the invisible tears from her eyes. "A present? From big brother? What it is it? I want it." She reached for me, but not in a god way.

"He..he said you have to be good first. I'll give it to you after dinner."

Just then, China came over with a plat of dumplings we could share. He was followed by a familiar giant panda. "I hope you enjoy your stay here. Please enjoy, aru!" He said with a smile. He walked away, closely followed by the panda. Belarus gave them a death glare.

"China this. China that. China is all brother talks about anymore. How he wants China to become one with mother Russia, da? I would love to become one with him, but he won't even consider me. Eat those dumplings fast. I want this night over with already."

I sort of felt sorry for. I contemplated as I ate one of the dumplings. She loved him so much, but he blatantly avoided her. I sort of admired her determination.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. I had gotten a text from Poland. What had he gotten himself into this time? I gave an apologetic glance towards Belarus.

It's like been along time. How have you been with Russia? I've been great, but I like really need your help right now. It's a total emergency. You should like drop everything right now and meet me at my house. Don't keep me waiting to long? Love Poland the powerful.

It probably not an emergency, but it would be bad news if I didn't go to see him soon. That idiot would probably go and get himself partitioned again. He was a bit too carefree to be left alone for too long. If I were going to do anything, I would have to do it quickly.

I grabbed Belarus' neck and pulled her face down to mine. Her reflexes were fast. She had stabbed my hand that was still on the table with one of the chopsticks.

"Just pretend I'm telling you something funny," I whispered insistently in her ear, despite the pain.

"Ha ha! What the hell do you think you're doing?" she whispered back. I could hear the malice seeping through her voice.

"Your present is right here." I let go of her neck and pulled out the white silvery bow from my pocket. She kept her face close to me, to stunned by my actions to move.

"You see that panda over there by China," I motioned subtly with my head. "Your brother is inside that panda costume. Happy birthday!" I said. I slid away before she could direct any of her anger toward me. She took her old ribbon out and put in the new one. Revealed inside the old ribbon was a tiny concealed knife. She ran toward the panda and slashed at him, revealing the man underneath.

"Aiyah! What have you done to panda? Russia why are you here?"

"Big brother…."

"Belarus! China! It' not what you think…"

I slipped out of the Chinatown in Moscow and made my way over to Warsaw.

"There you are! I like almost died over here waiting for you," Poland said when he saw me. He was sitting backwards on his pony. There was obviously nothing wrong with him apart him being Poland. For a guy he had the weirdest taste. He had on a long light pink tunic with magenta. He looked like a girl. The more disturbing fact was that he actually looked good in it.

"What do you want now?" I asked. That's when I noticed two very large, very pink, very matching backpacks.

"Aren't you so lucky! I look so badass today and I'll you had to do was go on a quest with me. It'll be like in the old days!"Badass was probably not the word to describe him.

"Wait, a quest? What exactly are you looking for?"

"That's a secret! So are you in or not?"

I sighed. Sometimes Poland seemed like he was more trouble than he was worth. "I won't agree until you tell me what we are looking for."

"Alright, I'll tell you. I'm looking for a tomato box."

Poland had thought of some really stupid ideas, but this was probably the worst one yet.

"Why don't you go ask Romano or Spain? They know a whole lot more about tomato boxes than I do."

"This tomato box is special. You have to come with me! I heard Germany had found it a while ago." Poland stood on his pony and jumped onto me, throwing me to the ground. He locked his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist. "I won't let go until you agree to come with me."

His blonde hair flopped into my face. It was soft and flowing like a girl's. His slender arms held me closer. His slender body had just a slight hint of curve. It was almost like a girl was embracing me. Almost. I could feel his package pressed up against my abs. Total mood killer. Everything may have started out okay between us, but then we took an awkward turn, just like this. I wasn't quite sure what was going on. I couldn't tell if it was awkward because he was a girlish guy or the fact that I actually didn't mind it like this. I guess it was better for me just to give in. I doubt Poland could handle Germany on his own anyway.

"Alright, I'll go. Just get off of me already!" I said breaking his grip from my neck.

"Yay! I knew you couldn't resist me for long. We should like totally get going!"

"Poland, it's already dark outside. We can't start tonight. Look, I'll meet up with you again tomorrow, and we'll start our quest bright and early in the morning."

"Nope! Wrong answer! Part of the quest is like the experience, you know? We're going to camp together. It'll be like having a sleepover everyday!"

All Poland had was a tiny pink tent for us to share. As soon as it was put up, Poland sprawled out inside and fell asleep. There was hardly any room left for me. I was smooshed up against the side of the tent. I turned my back toward Poland, and tried to get some sleep. In his sleep, Poland came up and hugged me from behind. His lips were at the base of my neck, and he was softly muttering something into my skin. Even if I could move from the corner I didn't think I would. Oh God, why me?