Hey, guys! -gets glared at-

I am so incredibly sorry for not updating for almost… a month and half? Well, I was in Taiwan for three weeks with NO computer access. Then a case of writer's block, and guess what? I find out I have allergies to mosquito bites. My arms and leg (and face) were swollen like you wouldn't believe. So I had to stop for a few days.

But enough of my rambling. Here's the story you've been waiting for. It's a bit choppy and runs through really fast, but I hope you'll like it…

Oh, and by the way, Japan's boss is a fictional character. I made him up just to add some conflict to the story and he has nothing to do with real life or politics or whatever.

Reviews would be great! (just sayin'…)

Today was just one of those days that Japan wished he had never come out of isolation. The temptation of playing with those cute, little, furry kittens, had somehow overpowered his willpower to remain inside his room, and, years later, he wondered if it was worth those kittens in the end. Thinking of it on the bright side though, coming out of isolation had brought modernization and an economic boost into his land (not to mention his current standing among the other nations), but with modernization came a steady rise in people, and with more people came an ever-increasing list of demands. And as a nation with over 127 million people, he couldn't help but wish (from time to time) that he had chosen to stay in his room and let someone else play with the kittens.

Japan sighed as he picked up another stack of papers to sign. It wasn't the overload of work that initially bothered him. It was more of the people who worked with him that usually got on his nerves… mainly, his boss. Not that he didn't like him; in fact, Japan greatly respected him for his hard-working attitude (much like Japan himself) and ability to make sound decisions. But sometimes (or more accurately, most of the time), his boss would take work a little bit too seriously and wind up become a very, very irritable man. Any arguments with him were hopeless; he always ended up winning. And besides, who could argue with him? After all, he was this country's leader and Japan had no choice but to work alongside with him.

Japan ran a hand through his black hair and closed his dark eyes, deciding to rest for a minute. He had just returned from another harrowing day at work and could use a cup of tea to calm down and relax. Although tired, he still continued to work on the documents given to him, hoping to get ahead and therefore saving himself from the pain of having someone, particularly his boss, breathing down his neck tomorrow.

Shuddering at the thought of it, Japan decided that a cup of hot tea would help him settle down and concentrate on his work. He was just about to get up when a certain piece of paper on his desk caught his attention. Picking it up, he recognized it as one of the letters he had found placed in his mailbox when he returned home. After taking them inside, however, he had set them aside and hadn't bothered to look at them at all after beginning to work.

He turned the white envelope over and read his name in small but neat handwriting. Somehow the writing on the back struck him strangely familiar and he stared at it for a while, wondering if it was from one of the smaller nations that no one really knew about, until realization smacked him the face.

Japan stared at the white envelope, not daring to open it less even believing it was there. She had responded, though her answer had yet to be revealed and Japan didn't want to get his hopes up. But, he thought happily, it's a start. The first step into mending the broken relationship he had long wished to repair, ever since the day she left.

He carefully opened the envelope and took the folded paper out. Settling himself back down in his chair, he read through its contents slowly, hardly believing what he was reading.

She had amazingly agreed to his idea. Agreed to the man who had brought her only misery and pain the short time they lived together. He was surprised that she had easily forgiven him… or maybe she hadn't and was only trying to be tactful by quickly agreeing. In other words, Japan had no idea why she had written back, but he didn't care. As long as he had the chance to see her, he would take it, no matter what.

And then, he mentally smacked himself on the head. Sure, she had agreed. But what about (Japan sighed) his boss? That would be a problem. As work-centered and short-tempered as he was, it was highly unlikely that his boss would let him go.

Japan grimaced. He couldn't refuse to her answer, especially with the unspoken fact that she might not have willingly accepted his idea. But then he'd have to face his boss, something that Japan would have liked not to do despite the fact that he worked with him every single day.

Japan was still lost in thought and battling over his options when Pochi, his white dog, came running into his room and nudged him in the leg. Japan jumped a little at the sudden contact and looked down. Laughing softly, he reached over and scooped the tiny dog onto his lap.

"Pochi, you won't believe it," Japan said, fingers absentmindedly petting the dog's fur. Pochi's eyes looked silently up at Japan's face at the sound of his name, tongue hanging out and panting. "She answered. Taiwan really answered."

Japan placed the letter on top of the pile of documents he had begun to work on. Closing his eyes again, he tried to recall the memories of Taiwan, looking for images that would help him remember her face, those warm brown eyes, the flowers that she wore in her hair... She had been a child then and the memories that resurfaced in his mind were that of when she was young. And then, all too quickly, came that fateful day. The image of her walking away, without even glancing back, was still fresh on his mind… He had never seen her since.

He was jerked back into reality when he felt something warm and wet licking his face. Smiling down at his dog, Japan picked him up and set him on the ground. He grabbed the letter, folded it, and placed it in his pocket, treasuring the words that had been written to him.

In his mind, he had already decided. He wanted to see her again, to see that smiling face that had always cheered him up through the toughest of times. He still cared and worried for her (as he had once been her older brother),but this affection he felt was different. Perhaps it was because of the years of separation that made them feel like strangers. Or maybe because she was no longer the child he had seen playing in his house and was instead a grown nation. He couldn't decide what the right answer was, nor did he try to.

However, although his mind was made up, reality had it differently. He still had to face his boss and hoped that he wouldn't take it too personally. And even if his boss refused, he would have to stand his ground and ask again. After all, who could give up an opportunity to meet a long-lost friend (not sibling anymore, Japan thought) of his?

Japan stood up and walked out of his room, beckoning for Pochi to follow him. "Come, Pochi. I'll give you something to eat in the kitchen."

And make that hot cup of tea that would definitely calm his racing mind while he was at it.

The next day was almost the same, the general atmosphere feeling a lot calmer than the day before. Of course, that couldn't be said for poor Japan. He was practically shaking with nervousness (and a bit from excitement) at the thought of asking his boss about the "reunion."

It wasn't until the end of the day that Japan finally found the chance to confront his boss. As the people who worked at the government office filed out, Japan got up and walked in the opposite direction, towards the big, mahogany doors that led to the office of the Prime Minister.

Standing outside the doors, Japan could hear the sound of papers rustling and the occasional clearing of a throat. He paused a minute and took a deep breath to calm himself down before finally summoning up the courage to knock.

"Come in," came the gruff reply. Japan gulped and slowly turned the brass handle, opening the door into a room almost as grand as the rooms in his house.

The interior of the room was finely ornate, with a mixture of objects of Japanese culture. There were traditional, handwritten Japanese scrolls hanging down the walls, and portraits of all the past prime ministers that had worked with Japan. Japan smiled sadly a little at some of them and, for a few, he regarded with a cold stare. He knew all them and what they had contributed to his country, but his boss didn't need to know about that.

Japan, however, did not look at the rest of the objects in the room. His focus instead was on the figure seated on a cushioned, black chair behind a dark-colored desk, documents and envelopes covering every inch of the shiny surface.

The man, Japan's boss, raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Hello, Honda-san. I wasn't expecting you. As you can see, I have a few more documents to sign…"

A few more? Japan thought, slightly amused.

"… Before I can return home today. But anyway, what can I do for you?"

"Well, sir, I received a letter yesterday from my si—friend that I haven't seen for almost fifty—fifteen years." Japan silently hoped that his boss would overlook his mistakes (none of the world leaders knew that their closest assistant and advisors were the nations themselves).

"Fifteen years, eh? That is a long time to be separated… How old are you again, Honda-san?"

"One thou—um, thirty-three years old." Japan could feel sweat building on his brow. I have to be more careful…

His boss gave him an appraising look. "Hmph. And you still look as young as ever. But no matter. What is it about your friend that you need to tell me about?"

"I-in her letter, she invited me to visit her home in Taiwan on the last day of this year, and I was wondering…"

"If I would let you go," his boss finished. His brows knotted into a slight frown so that Japan couldn't tell if his boss was irritated at the request or that he was just deciding whether or not to agree.

An awkward silence filled the room, and Japan tried his best not to look too uncomfortable.

His boss was the first to break the silence. And break it he did… with unsatisfying news. "Honda-san, I'm sorry to say this, but I can't let you off on that day…"

Japan, despite his nervousness, immediately protested. "But, sir, she is my-!"

"Friend. Yes, I know, I know," the man impatiently interrupted. He gave Japan a stern look. "Friend or not, Honda-san, I can't afford to lose you, even if it is just a day. You're my closest advisor and I doubt I can trust anyone else with your job. And besides, you always seem to know what the people like best..."

Because I am the country itself, Japan thought. Groaning inwardly, he decided to change tactics, knowing that it would be hopeless if he didn't.

Japan shifted his feet and said, "Sir, there's something I haven't told you."

"Oh, really? Well, you better tell me now before I send you away."

"My friend is not just my friend," Japan said, feeling even more uncomfortable with each said word. "She's also my… sister." The last word came out rather reluctantly. Was it really right to call her his sister?

"She's your sister? Interesting. I always thought you were an only child."

Japan's face reddened. "The point is, sir, I have to see her. Being separated for so long… has been difficult. The last time I saw her, we were angry at each other. And when she left, I didn't get the chance to say that I was sorry and that… I loved her."

Neither of them said a word after Japan finished. While Japan looked sadly down, his boss stared intently at the petite man that worked as his assistant, trying to look past those age-old eyes. When they finally looked at each other, faces both impassive (Japan wondered how many times his own expressionless face had made Taiwan angry), an understanding passed between them.

"What is the name of your sister, Honda-san?" he asked gently. Japan nearly jumped in surprise. His boss was rarely seen like this, talking almost quietly that he couldn't hear him.

"Her name is… Mei-chan. I called her a friend earlier because I felt more like a stranger than a brother."

His boss nodded knowingly. Another silence ensued, and his boss was, once again, the first to break it. "Honda-san, I hate to say this, but…"

Japan interrupted. "Sir, I'll do anything. I… I owe it to her."

His boss stared at Japan again, this time with a grin slowly forming on his face (much to Japan's shock; his boss never smiled). "You really should have let me finish. As I was saying before you interrupted, Honda-san, I hate to this, but… you win. I'll let you go. Are you happy now? And don't even think I'll let you off this easily the next time!"

It was a dream. It had to be a dream. Taiwan sends him a letter back, inviting him to come over, and now his boss is actually letting him go! Japan resisted the urge to pinch himself in the arm.

He must have stood there looking stupid (his mouth was hanging half-open) because his boss laughed hard, telling him tactlessly how silly he looked and that if he didn't leave now, he'd change his mind.

At this, Japan stood straight up and bowed, as was the Japanese custom. "Thank you so much, sir. I don't know how I'll repay you…"

"Just get out, Honda-san," his boss snorted, though his voice was not harsh.

Japan tried hard not to run to the door and book a flight to Taiwan's place. So instead he bowed again and walked slowly towards the door. His hand was just on the handle when a soft and unexpected voice said, "She's not your real sister, is she?"

The nation turned around to see the Prime Minister looking with that same knowing expression and smile. Japan sighed; there was no use in lying. "No, she's not. We're not blood-related, but I think of her as my sister since, in our childhood, we lived and grew up together in the same house." But that is history now. Perhaps, with this visit, he can heal the wounds of the past.

"Well, I'll see you soon, then. Have fun on your trip." And, then, his boss did something that nearly shocked Japan into a stupor. He winked.

Japan left with a disconcerting feeling that his boss knew a little bit more about his feelings than Japan would have liked him to know.

Inside the office, his boss closed his eyes and chuckled. "About time you finally asked me. If I had known you liked her beforehand, I would have let you gone. After all, that was what happened with me and my wife, though my father was a bit more… restrictive."

Shrugging the memory away, the Prime Minister began his work again, not before looking at a picture of his wife and two kids set on the small table next to his desk and deciding that he'd take them all on a trip… on the last day of this year.

A/N:

Wow. This chapter is long. Much longer than I thought.

Oh, yeah, and I made some changes in the first chapter, but they're not too drastic or anything. The only main thing that's different is that I changed the time from 8 to 10, since I really don't have any ideas on what they can do in the morning…

Thanks to all who alerted/reviewed/favorited (is that even a word?) my story!