Nihao, aru! Thanks for reading Chapter 2. As always, I hope you will review after reading and please favorite. (I like to know when I'm pleasing someone with my stories c: ) Although readerxcharacter is not always read, I hope this story will make you want to read more. This story is based on information from Noriko Matthews and from me as well. I'm sorry if my timing is wrong (when Hong Kong is taken by England) but I did not learn of this in my classes yet (I'm not sure I will ever) so if you were to correct me, I wouldn't mind. I like new information.

I'm also sorry if you did not understand this chapter: the reason is that I was not really thinking well. I'm not sure where I should drag the story and lead it into romance, but please continue to read.

Enjoy, aru! C:

Chapter 2

The two Korean siblings ate in silence. Jong So didn't really look at his food—he was too busy reading work papers. Lan stared boringly at her bowl, she put pieces in her mouth while occasionally flicking her attention up at her brother. He paid no attention to her whatsoever—he was too absorbed in his work papers that he had not finished before.

Once Lan finished, she stood up, "Thanks for the meal…." Dropping it in the sink and properly washing the bowl, she exited the kitchen. How much longer until he left…? She was sure that it would be in two days…that was the day she would be alone—abandoned, and left in the house. Walking up the stairs, she stumbled into her room before knocking down face first onto her bed. Her dulled eyes stared at the plain wall which flashed with bright colors from the television she had forgotten to turn off earlier.

Whenever Korea left for a meeting, she would remember when she had been left alone for three months under the control of [mostly] Russia and China. After her meaningless and unthoughtful try to escape, she was shut in and could not leave the room. She would be delivered all her needs and only let out to use the bathroom down the hall. She took fugitive in a hall of no windows and was observed very carefully—and thanks to China, she was guarded by familiar soldiers she had seen around the house before.

Although this had comforted her a bit, she was still worried. China had barely visited her—most likely because of Russia's orders, but still, she was lonely. Whenever China had visited though, he tried to cheer her up with gifts and presents from back home. Of course, they cheered her up, but also spread doubt and tension through her. He had enough time to go back home, but not visit me? Yao-oppa…I'm lonely and scared…. she had always thought whenever he visited.

Two months later, she began to understand the pattern of his visits. He was only allowed to visit once every two weeks. And being the kindhearted oppa, he tried to give her familiar items to cheer her up and comfort her. Yao-oppa was her small light until one month later when she was saved by the UN forces and US forces. While they pushed back the Russians and Chinese, China had stayed behind with all his war equip on. Lan was bawling her eyes out when she saw China leave her—she didn't want him to go for good. He just smiled and patted her head.

"We'll meet again, aru," he promised, "After this war, we'll go back to living together and being a family, aru." Then he gave a shaky laugh, "Although I don't know how long that would last, but I'm sure we'll have our share of peaceful moments once more, aru. See you again, aru." He brushed away her bangs, kissed her forehead, and waved—leaving the door open as light shined through the room. She looked bewildered; where did this unusual light come from? But then she remembered the rocky movement from last night, and her mouth formed an "o". China had moved her in the middle of night because he knew of the invasion.

Lan bit her lip as she held back a sob—they were going back to the old days, right? She didn't want Yao to leave her alone. As she huddled in a small ball of thoughts on the soft bed, she felt a shadow loom over her. There were a couple of shouts and then she was scooped up into a couple of strong arms. "Lan Mei!" the familiar voice of her older brother breathed in her ear. He never really said her full name—it was usually just Lan. She opened her eyes and found her eyes peeking at a dark green military outfit that matched Yao.

"I'm sorry it took so long," he whispered gently, separating from the embrace. She just realized that she was trembling with small tears at the corner of her eyes—she no longer cried so hard. "Mianhae, Lan!" he whispered taking her into an embrace again. This time, he moved his arms around and picked her up—her bottom seated on his arm and his other arm held her back. Her arms encircled his neck as her check pressed on top of his shoulder—she felt safe and drowsy in his arms and she felt that she no longer needed to sleep in fear and caution.

When she awoke again, she found herself back at home with Mei and Jong So surrounding her. She wondered where her other brothers were… where Nihon-oppa and Kaoru was. Her drowsy eyes half opened and then slid back closed as she didn't want to think about it.

When she woke up once more, Jong So had awoken her. Mei had made them supper (yes, that late in the evening) and the news was spread across the table. Kaoru was kidnapped by England a little while after the Russians and Chinese decided to help North Korea defeat South Korea. Jong So and Mei knew Yao's reason for helping North Korea: "It couldn't be helped," Jong So said with care, "We have to listen to our boss's orders no matter what. Their words our our paths in life."

Lan answered calmly, picking a small cut of broccoli, "I don't blame him at all."

Soon after, Jong So took his shower, leaving Mei and Lan to wash the dishes. "You know, he tried very hard to save you. He couldn't convince America-san and England-san to help you in the beginning—they were wary from war against Germany, their troops were diminished from the war. But even after the world meeting held two days after your kidnap, he kept sending letters of persuasion to both parties asking for their help. We're very sorry it took three months, Lan," her voice held regret.

Lan smiled as she dried her dishes, "It's alright. I'm very happy now that I'm back safe and sound. But Yao-oppa made a promise to me; he better come back and fulfill that promise!"

Mei smiled and laughed softly, "He made pretty big promises, I must agree, but please allow him to slide. He has made enormous amounts of promises—I'm surprised that Jong So could get in contact with England-san when Yao's letters didn't stir the man." Her hands trembled in the sink, "We all want Kaoru back… and if he prolongs Kaoru's arrival, then I will end up joining the war as well." Her eyes weren't staring at the dishes anymore, but staring at a determined future.

Lan took the plate in Mei's hands that seemed to be enduring the wrath of the Taiwanese lady. "Calm down, Mei. Kaoru will return—he must, he's our younger brother."

Mei let out a quiet sigh before picking up another plate with a smile, "Of course."

When [present] Lan opened her eyes halfway, she felt something comfortable and soft underneath her head. Her hand reached up and felt the squishy comfort of her pillow. She hefted her body up on her arms and felt the covers drip down. The television was shut and her stacks where pushed to the wall where they were usually placed. Her game controller in it's original place on the television stand and the windows slightly opened for fresh air to enter while the curtains were open on once side where it didn't flash at her face to surprise her in the morning.

Lan sat up and immediately leaned on the wall beside her—tugging the top of her hair. It was dry and silky, no hint of washing it last night. "He really didn't have to," she muttered to herself, smiling at her hands. Jong So had gone out of his way to fix up her sleeping posture, clean up her room the way she liked, and fix her window from freezing her at night yet allow warm sunshine rays in when the sun rises later in the morning. He had done all of that yet he had to finish the work for the conference—such a loving brother, her brother was truly.

"I'll…visit my capital again," she said, looking up from her hands. Strands of her side bangs blocked her vision, but she could still see perfectly through her right eye. "It's been a while since the last time."