Spy Guy: Here's chapter two. :D This fic is so much fun, you don't even know. I'm attempting to keep angst out of this as much as possible...but, a little bit is going to sneak in every so often. :D It's just to move the story along, and give it some semblance of a plot.

Thanks for the reviews. :D I hope you enjoy.

Chapter 2: Surplus

He only had a few more things left to pack.

When it came to trips, Kiku was always meticulous. He had to have everything folded just so; undergarments at the bottom, dress shirts at the top. His toiletries were in a separate case, organized so he knew, for sure, that everything was there. Alfred always teased him about how picky he was, but such jibes didn't mean much from a man who forgot to bring flashlights and escape ropes when exploring a cave. That was why, whenever the two of them went on an adventure…It was Kiku who always got the supplies.

Kit, his loyal ninetails, was sleeping at the foot of his bed, curled up in a tight ball, her muzzle resting gracefully on dainty paws. Kiku had already packed her bag the night before. Brushes, shampoo, bottles of water, more brushes and some bows, in case she felt like being pretty. All it needed was the gourmet pokemon food that Feliciano made. He was supposed to be coming around to deliver some soon.

Almost on cue, there came a knock on the door. After folding one last dress shirt, Kiku smiled softly, making his way to the front door, to let his friend inside.

"Japan!" The younger man cried, his face lit up with boundless excitement. Kiku simply continued to smile his same, soft smile, keeping the door only halfway open, so Feliciano couldn't run in and give him a hug, or worse: a kiss on the cheek. However, the older man relaxed when he saw the huge bag of pokemon food cradled in the Italian's arms. With a few murmured greetings, Kiku pulled the door open, helping the younger man maneuver the bag inside. It was incredibly heavy, and Kiku found his back straining against the weight. He was getting too old to be doing such heavy lifting, and he would later have to move it to his kitchen himself.

"You brought so much." Kiku said, catching his breath. "I only needed a little."

"Oh, there's more!" Feliciano replied, ginning broadly. "Ludwig's bringing in the rest."

"More?" Kiku asked, his face paling. The first bag was enough. Surely there couldn't be more. Where would he put it? His house was so small…

Outside, Ludwig had finally managed to heft three of the bags onto his shoulders, and was attempting to make his way to Kiku's front door. Why had Italy insisted on experimenting with a dozen new food flavors all at the same time? That meant that there was an insane surplus of pokemon food at Italy's house, and Ludwig's house, and now, at Kiku's house. Soon, it would probably spread even further. There was just SO MUCH of it.

"I should have never left him alone." Ludwig grumbled beneath his breath.

Of course, Feliciano was one of the area's top pokemon chefs, creating fancy foods for picky eaters. He just…tended to let his creativity get away from him. He wasn't so bad when his brother was around…but when he was alone…this happened.

"Really, Italy, I don't need so much."

Kiku was feeling terribly overwhelmed, wringing his hands nervously as the bags were piled before him Maybe he could give some to Heracles. Surely a pokemon breeder would have more use for it than himself. But, how could he get it there? He could ask Ludwig…but what if Feliciano found out? He didn't want to insult the young man by giving away his gifts.

"Veee…That's all of it." Itay sighed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Now you're ready for your trip.

"Oh…thank you." The older man replied, bowing respectfully. "Yes…I do suppose I can go now."

"You're going to Sinnoh right?" Ludwig asked.

"Yes. Albert and I are taking a ship to the western islands. You know him…he's alway looking for adventure."

"The western islands?" Feliciano asked, fear creeping into his voice. "Isn't that where all those people have been found in comas? Why would you go there?"

"It is a dangerous area, Kiku." Germany continued, clearing his throat. "There's a lot of ancient lore about those islands over there. And, we all know that Alfred's not one to think things through. He could get into some trouble."

"That's why I'm going with him." Japan replied, his smile returning. "That young man needs someone to look after him. There's no telling what trouble he could get into alone."

***

"Oh yes. I'm definitely a hero!" Alfred cried, kneeling down to Peter's level. "And I have eight badges to prove it. Do you want to see?"

"Show me!"

"Yes, Alfred. Do show off those tin buttons of yours." Arthur grumbled, narrowing his eyes. "The boy will be impressed by anything."

England was in a fowl mood, one that was growing worse with each passing minute. The floor was littered in biscuit crumbs, spilt tea, and chunks of leather. His snubble, now content with having eaten its master's shoes, was sleeping peacefully at his feet, snoring loudly. Sealand's spheal was bouncing on the couch cushions, burbling to itself, while Alfred showed off to Peter, revealing the badges he kept pinned inside his jacket.

"One for every gym." The man announced happily. "Did you know that in Johto, there's a gym leader who uses ghost pokemon?"

"There's one here now too!" Peter replied. "That's the kind of pokemon Matthew uses!"

"Wait, who? My brother Matty? Using ghost types?" The American chuckled. "I remember when he wouldn't sleep without a nightlight, and now he's using ghost pokemon? I can't believe it."

"It's true! It really is!"

Peter had never met anyone like Alfred. Not only was he a pokemon master, he was the CHAMPION of the JHOTO League. To him, Jhoto was like…BIG. He had always thought Arthur and Matthew were important, because they were gym leaders, but, now, he had met a man who who had beaten eight gym leaders, and the elite four, and the reining champion.

Alfred was larger than life.

"Well, I'm just going to have to go over there and see for myself!" The man said, gracefully standing to full height.

"Yes. Yes you will." Arthur replied, immediately sensing an opportunity to rid himself of the menace terrorizing his house. "I'm sure he'd love to see you. To visit me and not him would be terribly rude."

"It's decided then! I'm going to have to visit the gym!"

"Can I go too? Please?" Peter begged, jumping up and down.

Suddenly, things were looking much brighter. Arthur could kill two birds with one stone and get rid of both Alfred and Peter…though, eventually the latter would have to return. But, to have a few hours to himself to tidy up his suffering home—that was all he really needed. Some peace and quiet.

"Of course, Sealand. Just make sure to take your jacket. And don't get your shoes dirty. And wear your hat."

"Oh, sod off." Peter spat, leaving the elder man speechless and his face flushed from embarrassment.

***

Toris really didn't mind watching Alfred's house for him.

While he was kind of a slob, Alfred was good company, and had an unwavering love of pokemon. Being around someone like that was refreshing after all his years hanging with Ivan's crew. It was good to get back on the straight and narrow, and just enjoy the company of his marill. He also liked being with Alfred's wailmer, and they would all spend hours playing in the surf together.

There was a pile of dishes stacked on the counter, just as there always were. Toris was dutifully cleaning them in the sink, his hands immersed in scalding hot water. Marill was helping him dry, and was also carefully stacking them in the drainer. There were a few occasions where the mouse pokemon accidentally dropped one on the floor, but Toris just ignored it, and continued. He knew where Alfred bought his plates, and he was sure he could afford a few of them, even as poor as he was…

Alfred was such a cheapskate.

Whenever cleaned Alfred's house, there was always a series of pans and plates coated in thick grease. This time was no different. Lithuania had to scour them with a sponge repeatedly in order to remove all the grime. Soap coated his arms up to his elbows, but still he plodded onward, attempting to do his best to clean his host's dishes.

It was then that the doorbell rang, and he was forced to grab a towel and dry his pruny hands.

"I'll be right there!" Toris called as the visitor began ringing the bell repeatedly. Who could it be? He didn't really know any of Alfred's neighbors. What would he say to them? Would he be able to help them out?

When he opened the door, he realized that none of that even mattered. All he could do was stare at the figure before him, his face paling at the sight.

The visitor was a fair-haired man, dressed in thick winter clothes, his strange purple eyes glinting in the bright sunlight. In one hand he held a rusted faucet pipe, the other, a pokeball. He was smiling broadly.

"I-Ivan?" Toris gasped, taking a cautious step back. Ivan was the last person he wanted to see. He had tried to get as far away from that man as possible…but now…

"You missed me, da? I know that Russia missed you."

…It had all been for nothing…

Spy Guy: See? There' a little bit of the angst I'm so well known for. I promise, there's going to be a pokemon battle in the next chapter. Promise. XD Right now, I'm just practicing how well I can get people in and out of doors. It's really hard to write people going through doors. For me at least. XD so hard. I can never find the right words.

Thanks for reading. Please leave a review. :D