Hello! This is my first story on . Please give it a try, and review truthfully so I can correct my mistakes. This is also AU, and the countries are human. There might be historical inaccuracy for this, so please forgive me ^^;

For those of you who don't know:
Japan-Kiku Honda

China: Yao Wang

And for Taiwan, I've given her the human name Mei Li.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Axis Powers: Hetalia belongs to Hidakez Himaruya

Kiku Honda slid open the old wooden door. It revealed the miniature garden he kept so well over the years. In this time of winter, snow topped the arched bridge and the gnarled, bare branches of the Cherry Blossom trees. As dark brown eyes moved to the pile of white gathered at the base of the tree, he sighed.

There laid a single pink flower.

It reminded him of her-like a delicate, little flower who once stood in his garden.

She had been there, years ago.

She was there, smiling and feeding the koi fish in his pond.

It was a memory of a beginning. A beginning of realizing what life really was-not for himself, but meant for the others.

December 24, 1942

Kiku Honda had a reason to be proud of himself. Within the few short months following his entry, he had become a praised soldier. He shot up the ranks and gained medals. He fought bravely for his country and for his honor.

He left his brother-the very one who took him in and raised him, and gave a roof over his head-to die. Back in China.

No. He wouldn't look back at that. That was the past. The past was something that was made to be learned from and forgotten. Kiku learned that not everyone could live up to one's expectations. Yao had stood there, gritting his teeth, narrowing his eyes, gun in hand, pointed towards the very thing he had created.

Kiku could only look down with scorn as his brother's face slowly crumpled into shock, dropping the gun and collapsing to the ground.
Without a word, Kiku pointed his own gun and shot him right in the head.

Sipping his tea, he listened to the walls of his home creak as the fierce gusts of wind blew. Winter wasn't exactly his favorite season. Slowly, he rose from his seat on the floor and calmly walked towards his room. Sleep always seemed like a good idea, especially since it was his break.

A sound broke through his thoughts of relaxing in his warm, soft futon. It was a quiet sound, like a mouse scurrying against the wood. Frowning he turned and scrutinized the hallway. Nothing could escape the senses of a soldier!
Seeing as everything was in perfect order, he shook his head and pushed the door to the side. Perhaps his mind was lacking energy.

The sound came again, only louder. Kiku realized it was a knock on the door. Rubbing his face, he swiftly dashed to the entranceway. Surely it was a fellow Japanese who had lost his or her way in the storm. He knew that it was a citizen's obligation to aid his fellow countryman when in need. But-he gripped the katana that lay next to the doorway tightly in his hand-if it was an enemy, he would show no mercy.
What did they expect? He was a soldier of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Instead, he opened the door to a heap of pink silk shivering at the snow covered wood. A girl?
Kneeling, Kiku met her eyes.

Golden.
"Are you alright?" He questioned gently in his native language. The girl said nothing, not pausing from her shivering. She carefully raised her head, but still refusing to meet Kiku's eyes.

The girl was young, perhaps a few years his junior. Her snow-white skin was perhaps too pale from its natural shade, an effect from the blizzard's chill. Her long brown hair was frozen, strand by strand stiff from the wetness of the snow. The light pink kimono with Cherry Blossom print wasn't efficient to keep the bitter coldness of winter away, as it was made of silk.

He removed his own coat, placing it lightly above her trembling form.

"Come inside, you'll freeze if you stay out here for too long." For the first time, she met his eyes. Golden orbs froze in shock, colorless lips opening as if to say a word.

Kiku smiled softly, hoping that whatever unfamiliar and negative thoughts that played in the girl's mind would melt away. He only meant to show kindness, not to lure her in to rob or anything.

The two knelt as the blizzard grew stronger and stronger, until finally Kiku's patience wore off and he grabbed hold of her ice cold hand, perhaps a bit too roughly. She gasped as he pulled her towards the door and slammed it firmly behind him.

"I..I-" His mouth opened in shock as he realized that he had grasped her hand with too much force and he released it abruptly. Rubbing her wrist with her opposite hand, she stared at the floor.
"I'm sorry. That was rude of me." Biting his lip, Kiku clenched his hands as he quickly forced his feet to the kitchen.
"I will prepare hot tea and new clothing. Please, make yourself comfortable." Although he had meant to speak with a straightforward manner, the words came out unstable.
He slowed his pace, wanting to hear an answer from the girl.
A few minutes of silence passed and he surrendered, pushing the door to the right.

"Thank you."
Kiku stopped. The voice was quiet, almost breathless. Yet it was sweet, like a songbird's.
Barely tilting his head, he saw the girl standing right where he left her, looking hopefully in his direction. Her arms hung loosely at her sides, feet firmly planted to the floor.

A tiny smile of happiness glowing from her face.

So what do you think of it? I hope it wasn't too bad...

Thank you for reading and please review! Have a good day!