~Chapter 1~

Countries are born in the earth and then raised or ruled by other countries. Countries are not human they are merely a personification of land. Their country is their name and body and their Capitol is their heart. Countries live forever but they are not immortal. They can receive injuries just like humans, but they can only die if their capital is destroyed or their land is taken completely.

"Hey look Iggy! Japan came to see us after all"!

"America! You're not being a gentleman! Act proper when we have a guest"!

"But Iggy"!

America sulked as Sir Britain fixed his suit. He cleared his throat and welcomed his guest "Welcome Japan to the country of Great Britain".

Japan walked in with pride, but on the inside he was nothing but shaking nerves. Great Britain was close to ruling almost two thirds of the world and he has agreed to form an alliance with Japan and offer him protection in exchange for the use of his military and naval ships.

"I'm very pleased to be welcomed into such a country".

Japan smiled and shook Britain's hand. America leaped between them and shouted "And I'm AMERICA"!

"Ehh"?

Japan was startled by this young boy dressed nicely in a suit like Britain, but his fancy image was ruined by a cowboy hat that was resting on his head.

America was much younger than Japan, and he was small too. He only came up to Japan's waist. It made Japan happy to see a country that isn't taller than him.

America was grinning happily with a large smile on his face, but then his mouth got small suddenly. He looked at Japan's small round face and shouted carelessly "Wow! Look Iggy it's another female country"!

"America"!

Japan flustered with annoyance and humiliation and replied "I'm a man"!

"Huh? But your eyes are so feminine and you're so small and pretty".

America got closer to Japan's face and observed him closer. He gazed happily into Japan's black eyes and had a look on his face as if he were enlightened. He took both of Japan's hands into his and said sincerely "One day I will make you my wife".

Japan's response was silence along with a look of utter confusion. America just smiled, and eventually he raised one of Japan's hands to his lips and softly kissed it. "Ehh?! This is too much! Please we only just met"!

Britain pulled him away and firmly told him "Alright that's enough America"!

Japan held his hands together trying not to look too disturbed. Britain bowed down and apologized "Japan I'm sorry. You'll have to excuse him for his rude behavior. He's just an idiotic boy".

"Hey! I am not an idiot"!

"Yeah right".

"I am not"!

Even though Japan was always disturbed by these western cultures, he couldn't help but laugh at the sight of these two. They were a big brother and a little brother having a ridicules squabble. "*giggle*".

Britain and America both stopped at the surprise of Japan laughing. They both turned and looked at him with a look of confusion. Britain asked "Japan? Why are you laughing"?

"Oh? Sorry I did not mean to laugh aloud".

"If it's my brother I would be happy to remove him from your presence".

"Oh! No no it is quit alright. Your petty squabbling just reminded me of something".

Once Japan finished his sentence his smile vanished and turned into a flat line with his eyes furrowed and his gaze off in the distance. America and Britain's little argument reminded him of a man and a boy he had found in a thick green bamboo forest. They would often eat meat dumplings and gaze up at a full moon. This man would teach the boy about honor, culture, and war.

Japan was lost in thought and almost seemed a bit bothered. America and Britain looked at each other with concerned expressions. Than Britain walked up and placed his hand on Japan's left shoulder and stated "Do not worry Japan. Set your mind at ease. For whether you sign the documents or not you are always welcome here".

Such welcoming words with a gentle smile made Japan feel warmth he had not felt in a while. Britain's words and America's energetic, but strange welcome was like a song. A song that whistled a lovely tune just like a flute being played up on top of a mountain. It makes high enchanting sounds as it echoes down below to all the village folk.

These neighboring countries; no, these men had surely captured his heart and trust.

Japan gave a warm smile to them with glassy eyes. America blushes at the sight if his cute face and Britain cleared his throat and fixed his tie. "Oh Japan allow my servants to escort you to your room. You can sign the documents there if you are willing to comply".

"I'll escort him"!

"No"!

"Aww".

Britain shoved America head first out the door as he said very gentleman like to Japan "Farewell. I shall see you off in the morning".

"Oyasumi nasai (good night)".

When Japan was escorted out of the room Britain whacked America on the head and said "you cannot be so rude to our guests".

"Aw come on Iggy"!

"~sigh America why must you be so hyper? You drive me insane with your loud mouth and recklessness".

"Because it seems to make you the happiest when I'm smiling and laughing. Plus your funny"!

Britain didn't say anything he just smiled at America's innocence. He reached down to pat little America's head.

"Maybe you're not as much as a wanker as I thought".

"I never was"!

"Haha! Why don't you organize some of those papers for me"?

"Okay"!

America dashed over to the big pile of loose papers and envelopes and leaped into them as if they were a pile of fall raked leaves. Britain face palmed himself for making such a stupid mistake of letting America do such a job.

Eventually America calmed down and just sloppily, but quietly scooped up the papers and put them into smaller piles. All the papers looked insignificant to little America, but a big stack of letters caught his attention.

"Hey Iggy? What do you want me to do with these letters"?

"Depends who are they from"? Asked Britain without looking over at him and he held them carefully in his arms.

America struggled to hold one up to his line of sight so he could read it, but when he got a clear view of the address he spoke not knowing the meaning of the name. "It's...? It's from Russia".

~Chapter 2~

Japan was escorted down the hall and to the left where he encountered a British style bedroom. Once the servants left he leaped onto the bed and rolled around in the soft sheets and hurried his face in feather pillows. "Haha I quit like this country. This alliance seems to be in my favor".

He spread himself out on the bed and giggled happily until a noise silenced him. To his left there as a window decorated with an iron like cage that you could easily open. He stood up cautiously from his bed and walked towards the unknown sound. He slowly opened the caged frame trying hard to not let the hinges creak and peered outside.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary except the wind the blew through his black silky hair seemed rather ominous and it went by. He peered farther over the edge looking down at the stone pavement. He was eventually convinced that there was nothing wrong until something furry swiped the back of his neck. He slowly turned around as a feminine voice above said "Kiku"?

"Ahh-"!?

"Shh".

Japan was gazing up at a shadowy figure above him walking vertically on the wall. Her face was half concealed by a mask. If you look at her she would be on ominous figure with her dark clothing, but her shape was human like, but the only that would make her stand out was her black ears and tail. She had one finger pinned to Japan's lips keeping him from yelling. She said in a rather serious voice "Kiku don't be alarmed or else I'll be spotted".

"Lone? Why are you scaling Sir Britain's castle"?

"I had to find you. I couldn't leave you unprotected in a foreign land".

"Sigh~ I can take care of myself. Come in quickly before they find you". Japan came away from the window to let her in. She scurried inside with her waving tail behind her as Japan quickly closed the iron window.

"This countries customs are unknown to me and I don't like it".

"Calm down Lone. This should be a good new experience for Japan. It's not good if our country is just that small lonely island. We need to make alliances".

"I understand that very well Kiku, but... I do not trust such a strange country".

Japan walked over to a desk lit only by candle light with documents spread neatly on it and a small cup filled with black ink and a feather pen in the top right hand corner. He sighed looking down at them and eventually sat down.

"Kiku"?

Lone gazed at him with a worried expression, and Japan never looked back at her and he commanded her "Listen Lone... This is very important so I need you to keep a low profile. You must stay in your dog form the entire time we're here, and you must not call me Kiku".

"Understood".

Lone responded with no questions asked and no hesitation in her voice as she got down on all fours and morphed herself into a large dog. She trotted over and laid right beside Japan's feet as he signed the documents. It took him until midnight to finish them all. They weren't hard to sign. He just signed his name a few times and it was done, but when he had to sign his name for the last time; that's when the decision became difficult.

Japan had made his decision. He was going to become allies with Britain. He quickly dipped the pen in ink and was about to sign, but Lone laid her paw on Japan's wrist. "Kiku- I mean Japan are you sure about this? Think about what you are doing. Remember the last time we had an alliance with another country"?

"Of course I do"!

Lone backed down from Japan's sudden outburst. He took a deep breath and apologized. He leaned his tired head on the arm of his chair and watched the fire of the lit candle flicker in the wind. The wax candle was almost completely burned down to the wick and for sure he knew it would go out. He looked down at Lone's concerned expression and raised his hand to move his slender fingers through Lone's fur.

"Of course I remember what happened. How can I forget? For years that unwanted memory has haunted me from expanding my ways, but... I".

Japan's husky voice began to crack and tears began to flow from his eyes as he begged Lone "But I'm tired Lone! So very very tired. I don't... I don't want to be alone anymore".

"If that is your decision than I am with you every step of the way".

"Thank you, Lone".

Japan wiped his face, but the tears began to flow again as he signed his name for the last time. He then knelt down and patted Lone's head and Lone came closer to his face and licked away his salty tears. "Your tired Japan. Go to sleep. I'll sleep on the floor next to you".

"Alright I suppose".

Japan walked slowly with slightly weary eyes. He pulled back the sheets and crawled onto the bed. He laid his head down on the soft fluffy pillow and sighed as he laid there exhausted. He flared out his arms letting them hang off the side of the bed. Lone never leaped in the bed to lay with Japan like she always did. She obediently laid bed side the bed on the floor.

Japan stares off into space as the candle light glistened in his glossy eyes. He dragged his left arm over stroking the top of Lone's head. Never making eye contact Japan asked "Lone"?

"Yes"?

"Do you think I'm qualified to be a country"?

"I can see no one else to have such a part in this world".

"I just can't stop thinking about it..."

Lone didn't reply to Japan. She stood up and hung off the side of the bed connecting her paw to Japan's small soft hand and stated with great sincerity "I know you second guess yourself especially in this kind of situation and I can say I do not know what is the best choice for your sake, but... what I do know is that you are the personification of the land of the rising sun".

"Lone".

"You justify honor and strike pride in the hearts and minds of your people and you always will because you are a country, but even though its difficult you will never forget your origin... Kiku".

Japan held Lone's paw gently and smiled at her uplifting words. He stroked it with his thumb and replied "Thank you Lone... I think I can fall asleep now".

"Good".

Lone curled up back on the floor. Japan pulled over the covers and closed his eyes. He felt uncomfortable, stretched and turned to the other side only to see a loud America laying in his bed next to him.

"Hey"!

"Wahhhh"!?

Japan jumped and fell off the bed landing on Lone. She growled at the intruder as America lunged over the side of the bed and shouted "Hey Japan! Wow! It's a doggy"!

"Grrrr"!

"He's so big and fluffy"!

America was smiling like an idiot as Lone lunged at him and threatened to tear off his face. Although America's naive excitement never ceased. He grabbed her with both arms and gave her what he called a big American bear hug.

To defend herself she shoved her paw in his face and accidentally shouted, distracted by anger, "You American idiot! I'm a wolf"!

"..."

The whole room was silent from shock. Although America's smile came right back when he shouted "He talks too! That's so flipping awesome"!

"AMERICA"!

Britain came storming in with his veins pulsing out and his hands in fists. He was menacing, but America just smiled and said "Oh hey Iggy! Look this dog can talk"!

"America you can't go sneaking into our guest's beds"!

"But I wanted to cuddle with Japan".

Britain's angered expression died down and suddenly it became a shy flustered one. His sutured with his words as he suggested "T-then... w-why don't you cuddle with me... America"?

"No way! You hold me too much and it gets hot! Plus you snore, and your eyebrows scare me at night"!

America bluntly complained as Britain went in sat in a depressed corner. America kept blabbering as he pulled Japan up on the bed and hugged him tightly "Japan looks like he'd be a good cuddle buddy! He's so small and cute"!

Japan was being squished tightly as America rubbed his cheek against his. His voice sounded only like a whisper compared to Americas "Please... stop touching me".

"Hey Japan where did you get your talking dog? I wanna get one just like him". America asked completely missing Japan's request.

"For the last time! I'm a wolf and I'm female"!

Lone was still in dog form glaring at America with her crimson eyes. Japan managed to squeeze past America's grip and said "Lone. Don't speak".

"I think that's a little late for that Ki-Japan".

"Oh yeah? Japan who's Kiku? I heard you and your dog friend talking about him"?

"Wolf"!

Japan froze not knowing what to say. He looked at Lone nervously and said "Lone... It's not that big a deal. I mean it's okay if we tell them right"?

"Not yet. I suggest we wait".

America and Britain looked at both of them confused. America eventually asked "What do you have to wait for"?

"What's the matter Japan? Is there something bothering you? You can tell us anything, but only if you want", Britain said calmly and concerning.

Japan became embarrassed and decided to say "Um... Kiku is... it's...".

Both Britain and America were silently waiting for his answer extremely curious to hear such a secret. Japan took a deep breath and then looked towards them trying to smile and be cool about it "Well it's my name".

"What like a human name"!?

"Y-yeah...", Japan nervously replying to America's question. He feared that they would wonder why a country would have a human name. America and Britain both looked a little shaken by the fact and Japan expected the worst, but the only that happened was America shouting excitedly, "That is the greatest idea! Why didn't we think of that Iggy!? I want a name too"!

Japan sighed with relief and smiled with great joy. He was so happy to see America taking it the good way, but Britain was a little different. Britain was crossing his arms and gazing over at him questionably. Britain calmly asked, "Japan why would you, a country, have a human name"?

"..."

Japan looked back down silently not knowing how to reply, but he didn't need to. America jumped up and down on the bed shouting "Oh who cares!? We look like humans so why not have human names!? I think it would be fun! I would call myself Peter- No John- No Alfred! Yeah Alfred"!

He eventually jumped and landed on the bed making a big thump and asked "Iggy! What would your name be"!?

Britain became flustered and then tried to act as if it wasn't relevant "I guess I would name myself... Arthur. After our great king".

"Aw you're so dull Iggy"!

"I am not! You little wanker"!

Lone became frustrated with and howled throughout the room. Everyone quickly covered their ears the moment they heard her howl. Whatever was fragile like glass broke to pieces. Britain waved his fist and yelled "What the Hell was that for-"!?

"Do it again! Again"! America cheered.

Lone stomped with her paws and shouted "Listen you have learned a very dangerous secret. You must not announce Kiku's human name to anyone and you must not speak of me either"!

"Calm down Lone. If this is Mr. Britain's and young America's reaction to my name?", Japan's face brightened at the thought and Lone had seen something that she hasn't seen in a long time. Japan's cheeks flustered and with a wide smile said happily, "then I think I wouldn't mind if others knew that I have a human name".

Lone began to think deeply on Japan's suggestion, and the more she thought about it the more she began to let it go. Maybe it was for the best to just let loose. Allow someone to step into her little Japan's world.

"Hey Iggy! Watch this!", America jumped high on the bed, bounced of the springs in the mattress, and unintentionally flipped backwards off the side of the bed, "Ow"!

"America! You little wanker"!

"America are you okay!?", Japan hung himself over the side with England next to him to see America head first and legs in the air. Japan would have expected him to cry and complain just like any little kid would, but America and Britain just laughed.

"Haha! Yeah I'm fine! That was awesome! I wanna go again"!

"Sigh~ you may not be a wanker now, but you sure will doing that a couple of times".

Letting loose meant allowing Japan to connect and a let his heart connect with others. Seeing Japan for the first in such a long time made Lone shimmer inside and believe for a little while that this decision was in her little Kiku's best interests. Japan that day created a bond with a tea loving, big browed Brit and an idiotic, reckless, unpredictable American; and he felt like the happiest country in the world. Although if such a bond were to be broken by betrayal, confusion, and jealousy; Kiku's open heart wouldn't be broken, but certainly be damaged.

~To Be Continued...