Chapter two: Of Cups of Soup and Sorry

Japan wakes from sleep unwillingly.

*What a strange and wonderful dream...*

He sits up, the cloth from earlier falling from its place atop his head.

*England-san was so kind to let me spend the night...*

A knocking at the door makes Japan jump, "Oh! Hai!" he squeaks.

England comes in carrying a tray with tea and a bowl of steaming broth.

"How are you this morning? Better I hope." He asks, sitting the tray on the bedside table.

"Oh yes," Japan says quietly, "I feel much better, there is no longer a koto drum in my head." He gives England a small smile.

England turns to the tray to hide his no red face. Filling a cup he hands it to Japan who takes it with both hands.

"Arigatou."

Taking a sip of the tea, Japan asks, "What type of tea is this England-san?"

England looks at the tea-pot, "Earl Grey I'm fairly sure."

"It's very good."

"It's my favorite. Do you drink tea at your house?" England asks.

"Oh hai, though it is only green tea. My Boss closed off trade for a couple hundred years. It's all we have."

England cocks his head, "Why did your Boss close off trade?"

Japan closes his eyes, "He was frightened about Western culture destroying our way of life."

Pouring himself a cup of tea England laughs to himself, *look at us, bonding over tea.*

"So Japan, why were you walking to your house so late at night?"

Finishing his tea and sitting the cup on the table Japan turns to England, "My Boss opened trade up a couple weeks ago, and I've been out looking for trading partners."

"Who all did you ask?"

"Italy, but after learning that I do not have pasta he refused. America said 'I dunno, gotta ask my Boss, but I'm a hero so maybe,' whatever that means. I was too nervous to ask Russia or Germany. Those are the only countries I met so far."

Japan looks down, England has an idea.

"I'll be a trading partner if you like," he smiles at Japan.

Japan's head shoots up. "Nani? You would be my trading partner?"

England laughs, "Sure, every country needs a partner."

Japan blushes, "Um, Arigatou England-san. This means a lot to me."

England rubs the back of his neck, "It's no problem Japan, and it would be an honor." He looks at the bowl sitting on the tray, "Oh, this is yours, some soup to help you feel better."

He hands the bowl to Japan who takes it and drinks it slowly.

Japan sighs, "It is very good England-san."

*He likes my soup!* England thinks to himself.

Japan finishes the soup, holding the bowl in his lap he says, "I think it best that I leave now, my Boss must be thinking that I have been captured," he frowns then sets the bowl on the tray.

England can just barely contain his disappointment, he feigns a smile, though it does not reach his eyes, "Oh, I guess you do have to leave. I'll walk you home if you like."

Japan blushes again, "You don't have to do that, I'm fine really. Do not trouble yourself over me."

England rests his hand on Japan's shoulder, "I insist. What kind of friend, or country, would I be if I let you go off by alone when your still net well," he smiles and picks up the tray, walking to the door he says, "I had you kimono cleaned, it's handing on the hook in the bathroom."

England leaves the room.

Japan stares at the empty space England was just filling. *Arigatou…friend* He smiles and gets out of the bed, entering the bathroom to change.

England drops the tray of dishes in the kitchen then walks into the hallway. Sitting on the floor and resting his head on the wall he sighs, closing his eyes.

"You like his don't you?" a small voice sings.

England doesn't bother opening his eyes, "go away Tink I'm not in the mood right now. I'm quite sure that Captain Hook would like some of your 'dust' right now, if you're 'big' enough that is."

The fairy that only England can see flies away with a "humph!"

*Is she right though, do I like Japan? In a way that's different from just a business partner or a friend?* he opens his eyes when he hears the sound of light footsteps coming down the stairs, looking over England sees Japan looking at him with concern.

"Oh England-san are you feeling well? Why are you sitting on the floor?" Japan asks as he comes to a stop in front of England.

England stands quickly clearing his throat, "It's nothing, just thinking. I'm fine I promise." He laughs nervously.

Japan cocks his head to the right and smiles sweetly at England whose face turns a slight shade of pink,

"That's good. It would be bad if you got ill right after me."

England smiles back, "That would be quite unfortunate wouldn't it?"

He and Japan walk to the door, England opens it and lets Japan exit first.

"Which way is your place?" He asks Japan.

Japan points to the east, "That way, though it may take a couple days to reach it since we must go through Russia and China's territory," he turns to England, "you are positive you want to came with me?"

"Yes, I have been meaning to get away from my place for ages anyhow."

~further along during the travel to Japan's place. ~

"Heay ~ 3 Iggy!" a country wearing a blue suit comes running up to England and Japan. He has shoulder length wavy blonde hair and bright blue eyes, he waves a rose above his head as he comes to a stop.

"Gyaah, go away Frog!" England yells as the other country tousles his hair.

"Awe do not be that way," the country pouts comically.

"WANKER!" England bats the hand away, "Leave France!"

France crosses his arms and sniffs his rose. He looks down and notices Japan who has taken the position of cowering on the ground and covering his head with his arms. A twinkle appears in Frances eyes as he asks England, "Oh ho ho! Who's this England, a friend of yours?"

England blushes. *France you rose bastard…*

"Yes and what of it? What business is it of yours if Japan and I are friends?"

Japan looks up at the mention of his name. Standing slowly he hides behind England.

France sighs, "Ahh! How sweet is she? So shy and innocent ~ 3" He lays his hand on his heart in faux exasperation.

Japan lowers his head, *I am not a she…*

England's mouth falls open in a wide 'o'.

"France…Japan is…a…MAN!"

France leans closer to see Japan better, "Oh my, I see he is a he. He is quite *uke-ish* isn't he?"

England glares at France. He grabs Japans hand and starts walking away quickly.

He whispers back to Japan, "do not look back, do not make eye contact, just…keep…walking."

Japan fallows after England, holding tight to his hand as they walk.

"England-san, what is 'uke-ish'?" He asks.

*Why did France-san call me a girl? Do I look like a girl?*

England trips over his feet when he hears Japans question. Japan runs into his back with an "oomph".

"Uh uke-ish?" England blushes as brightly as Frances rose, "uke-ish is…when a man has a certain quality. Some would call it 'femininity' I for one would rather refer to it as… grace."

He turns around to face Japan.

Japan thinks it over, he was rather short and slender, and he assumed some people would think him a girl at first glance.

"France-san called me a uke because I look like a girl?"

"Look Japan France is a pervert. I would not suggest going around him alone." England warns.

Japan smiles, "Okay England-san. I promise."

The two continue to walk, the sun rising high above their head, they stop at an Italian diner.

"Bonjorno, would you like some pasta?" Italy greets them, his curl bouncing as he nods his head up and down.

"Oi, is it that potato eating bastard again?" his brother Romano (South Italy) asks as he comes to stand beside his brother.

"No you see. It's Japan and England!" Italy smiles wide, turning to Japan he asks, "why are you two traveling together, I didn't know you were friends?"

Japan steps forward," England-san is helping me return home. I was not feeling well recently and he thought it best I do not travel alone." He gives Italy a small bow.

Italy frowns," You're not feeling well? Then you should eat pasta!"

He and Romano run off to the kitchen, leaving Japan and England to find a booth in the back of the diner to sit in. They take their seats across from each other.

"So how do you know Italy Japan?" England asks. He leans forward and rests his chin in his palm.

Japan clears his throat, "Italy-san, Germany-san and I were once part of a group called 'Axis'."

England cocks his head, "Axis? What were you trying to do?"

"Germany-san wanted power; he wanted to be like Italy-sans grandfather Rome. I was helping him for a time."

"Are you taking about Grandpa Rome?" Italy comes back carrying two plates piled high with noodles and red sauce.

"I was just telling England-san about Axis," Japan takes a bite of pasta.

"Oh that was fun, I made everybody white flags!" Italy laughs. He returns to the back of his shop leaving England and Japan alone.

England turns back to Japan, "I think I remember that. I was part of the Allies with China, Russia, America and France I think."

*It was also the first time I saw you…*

"Wasn't America-san the leader?" Japan asks.

"Oh goodness no! He was just a stupid, big-headed, burger eating git!" England laughs.

Japan laughs quietly. *He's very humorous.*

The two finish their meal; England pays Romano as they get up to leave.

Italy pulls Japan off to the side, "Japan… do you have a crush on England?"

Japans face turns pink, "Uh, no of course not. We are a business partner that is all."

He laughs nervously and hurries after England.

As Italy watches after his friend a thought strikes him, *Japan likes someone. Never before, even in Axis, has he ever talked as much, so openly and freely…pasta!"

~ End Chapter 3~