'So this was it, huh?' Yao lifted his arm to the setting sun nonchalantly. He could already see his fingertips sort of fade away. The flag of his people remained as solid as ever, adding a splash of crimson across his otherwise white hospital bed. 'How ironic',he mused, 'that Japan was right from the moment I found him... I was the setting sun after all...' China chuckled to himself humorlessly. He couldn't find it in himself to care much about this current situation.
"Kiku. Mei. Yong Soo. Leon... My children, siblings, and students..." China's unwavering voice was devoid of any sort of distress. "Come here."
The entirety of Asia rushed forward at his beckoning. The normally childish and energetic Korea had tired bag under his eyes that seemed to reveal his true age. Japan, who always seemed stoic and silent, had some very loud and panicked things to say.
"This is impossible! You're China! You've lived through 5000 years! Y-you just can't! I haven't even apologized properly for everything... I.." Japan sunk to his knees, pleading for something that could not be done. "Please, this can't be happening.. I'll find a way!" He began screeching down at the tile floor. "Pain and hate were supposed to disappear before you did, remember!? If I can't.. I'll find a way to die, too! I'll.. I'll" Fat, salty tears rolled down from his eyes. He hid his face in shame, choking on the lump forming in his throat as he realized it was futile. "I am so so so sorry.. Duìbùqǐ ,wǒ cuòle,qǐng yuánliàng,wǒ búshì gùyì de (I'm sorry, I've wronged you, please forgive me, it wasn't on purpose)... makoto ni moushiwake gozaimasen.. sorry.. sorry..."
China sighed. "I've told you again and again, you've apologized enough. I was never mad at you." He rose to his feet unsteadily and knelt down next to his first little brother's bowed figure. "So, the land of the rising sun. Live on." He tried to lift Kiku's chin, but his hand went right through. He sighed. "Look at me." Kiku, with trembling lips, obliged and looked up. "Good. The sun is setting," Yao's hands had disappeared completely, "but a new sun will rise." His arms were gone. "Japan, the land of the rising sun, I've always-" China was gone.
Japan gawked in denial. "...no." He threw his arms around where a scarred, skinny torso should have been. "No, no no no NO!" He stared at that spot, trying to discern something that wasn't there. His fingers found the red flag and clutched at it desperately. "Wo yao mama...(I want mommy...)" He stayed like that for a while, thinking to himself that this wasn't real, that he was being comforted by a figure clad in crimson and being offered tasty treats to go with his tea. Night had fallen. It didn't look like the sun was going to rise any time soon.
