"He who speaks has no knowledge, and he who has knowledge does not speak."
"Silence makes irritation grow."
- Japanese proverbs, sources unknown
In many respects, Tokyo, Japan was very similar to New York if you took the time to notice how. During the night, the massive buildings were always alit with various ads, TV trailers, and had cars streaking through the roads that left a trail of light behind them like glow sticks. The streets were always filled with noise and excitement as the young and old thoroughly enjoyed what the night scene had to offer.
Street vendors prepared delicious, Japanese treats like mitarashi dango and takoyaki as the scents of the local food wafted throughout the crowds of eager citizens and tourists.
However, within the chaotic mess of talk and excitement, there was a silent figure in a much quieter side of it all who was taking a moment to breathe in the beauty of both the lively, and tranquil areas of the beautiful city.
His shadow was cast against the shoji screens which were ajar just slightly beside him, and appeared just as mysterious as his personality while he held his cup of matcha tea gently, but unwaveringly. The Hanami were in their rare, but absolutely breathtaking bloom as thousands upon thousands of light pinkish blossoms decorated the delicate branches of the trees. They were like gentle spirits, swaying peacefully underneath the mild, blue moonlight by the oncoming, chilling breeze.
The man himself, relied on the tea to maintain his own warmth as he sat up and tucked his yukata closer to his slim body. He was an average looking Japanese man with misty, brown eyes and short, midnight black hair that was cut to appear very clean, and practical in appearance.
"Such a relaxing night . . . " the calm character said with a small smile, pleasantly surprised that it had found its way onto his face. These days, he rarely ever found himself ever having one with so many conflicts around the world that he had to deal with. Sometimes, it was good to get away from it all when he could, and just enjoy what his lands had to offer him.
Since he had gotten all of his work out of the way for the week, he had decided to take a vacation to his capital as a way to unwind, and get a chance to see the Hanami blossoming. So with permission, he had arranged to stay privately inside the Shinjuku Gyoen, within the teahouse there where no one could bother him. It was much quieter there than staying in a hotel, with only had the sounds of the wind brushing against the sakura, while the birds drank from the pond there, that would lull him to sleep.
Japan yawned slightly as he decided to call it a night, and began to gather up the materials from the calligraphy he had been doing previously. He was glad to see that his characters were improving by the day and hadn't seemed to worsen, even after the long expanse of time it had taken for him to resume them once again.
He let out a long breath of relief as he stepped back into the old teahouse with his tabi socks keeping his feet warm from the rather chilling, March weather. The floorboards creaked below him, but seemed to awaken whispers from underneath them as they rose and hissed in his ears.
No . . . he was just imagining things . . .
He paused and looked over at the countertop where he had set his phone down. It was glowing brightly with his boss' name on the top, and vibrating rapidly.
Japan blinked and slowly brought it up to his ear. "Ah, moshimoshi?" he paused and listened closely to his boss' words. "Hai, I—"
He faltered and pressed the phone even nearer to him as he shut his eyes to concentrate even more to what he was being asked of. "Is . . . that so?" he asked. "Th-They need me to take care of that by that soon . . . n-no i-it's not a problem at all. I'll be back by tomorrow . . . hai, domo arigato gozaimasu."
Japan sighed as he shut off his phone and made his way over to the sink. He'd had hoped to have the week off, but his presence was apparently needed back at headquarters, despite what they had promised him. Oh well, it was his job after all. And if it's what they required from him, then he had no reason to argue.
The slightly exasperated country turned away to resign himself to bed when suddenly, the whispers returned and began to grow even louder. They were all saying his name, over and over again . . .
The typically mild nation immediately drew the katane he always carried beside his waist, and narrowed his eyes as he scanned the seemingly empty room carefully. "Nan desu ka?" he asked slowly.
The teahouse immediately turned quiet at his firm words as he rose an eyebrow and faced the doorway. Everything was eerily silent now, even outside as he watched for any signs of activity, with only the moon illuminating everything in its soft glow. The blade of Japan's katane seemed to gleam wickedly in the moonlight as he gazed at the shoji screens, then moved his vision gradually back to his blade as he relaxed a little.
There was nothing there. It was just his imagination . . .
Japan sighed and lowered his head as he stared back at himself in his blade to reflect on just how foolish he probably looked after that incident . . .
Striking scarlet pupils shined back at him with a grin behind crimson touched raven black hair. "Konbanwa, Japan!" his reflection chuckled darkly, his tone mocking and unforgiving.
Japan jumped away in shock as his katane slipped from his hand, and spliced open his palm as it travelled to the floor. He cried out as he knelt over and held it in complete agony, but bit down on his lip to muffle his screaming as he rushed over to the sink to wash it out. It stung badly underneath the water, but it just had to be done to prevent it from getting any worse.
2P-Japan chuckled again as he watched his 1P's anguish in sadistic enjoyment. "Daijobu desuka, Japan?" he asked with a sardonic pout.
The polite Japanese man nodded with a cringe as he busied himself by bandaging his wound. How was his 2P-self here? It shouldn't be possible! He was supposed to be back in his world, not here in the teahouse! The only person who knew about his 2P version was Japan, and he deliberately kept it secret from the rest of the countries to risk burdening them with the knowledge of his blunt, disrespectful, counterpart!
Unlike Japan, his parallel character was reckless, never held his usually offensive opinions to himself, and constantly had his voice raised to ensure that everything he said was always heard.
"I'm fine . . . " Japan answered softly as he finished covering up his cut. "Now, why are you here visiting me, Nihon-kun?"
"Watching you kneel over like a beaten housewife from what I saw with that conversation with your boss." 2P-Japan smirked and knocked against his side of the blade as if he were tapping on the other side of a window. "Tell that decaying old bastard that you don't give a fuck about what he needs you for, and that you deserve a vacation after all of the shit you've had to deal with these past few months!"
"I am not going to disrespect my boss, Nihon-kun." Japan replied simply as he knelt down to retrieve his sword. "My country calls for my assistance, I respond just as swiftly."
"Come on Japan, stand up for yourself just this once instead of backing down!" 2P-Japan urged.
"But that would not be the honorable thing to do, Nihon-kun." Japan said with a cool look as he gazed down ever calmly at the figure so sharp in speech, much like his weapon of choice. "I received a night to see the sakura, I'm satisfied."
"Yes, because staring at a bunch of flowers is so entertaining." His 2P-self said sarcastically with an irritated roll of his eyes. "It really gets me pissed sometimes of how much of a pushover you are, Japan. I mean, you hardly ever freaking say anything to anyone!"
"Well, that's because I enjoy to ponder my words." Japan explained calmly as he decided to seat himself by his katane. Even though it wasn't particularly pleasant to be in the company of his counterpart, that didn't mean that he was not at least able to be hospitable to him. "However, I apologize that it bothers you."
"So you should stop doing it!" 2P-Japan growled, but then broke out into a smirk. "Come on, there's got to be moments when you want to tell those stupid countries off! They're so freaking loud and obnoxious, and you're so used to being in quiet places all of the time, there has to have been a moment where you just wanted to let them know just what you think about all of them!"
Japan frowned and gazed at his smug reflection with a small sigh as he shook his head slowly. "I could never do that to any of the countries like you do, Nihon-kun. It would be disgraceful to my country."
"Oh, here we go again about being disgraceful." 2P-Japan scoffed as he watched his mirror image stare down at the floorboards modestly. "Come on, you don't even say anything about those assholes when they aren't even around! How is it going to hurt anyone? You can't just keep agreeing with people! You need to say anything and everything that you want! You're Japan, one of the greatest nations in the world! Demand some things for once in your life! Don't you remember when you dreamed of separating yourself from China, and becoming stronger? What ever happened to that drive?"
The discreet man closed his eyes as he listened closely to the winds rustling outside of the teahouse, and creating tiny waves that lapped against the side of the pond. "I became that country to protect my land, values, and culture from being destroyed by the Western powers." He responded gently. "In turn, I have become friends with many of them, and wish to try and understand their ways as a result."
"So just like that, you've given up and let them run all over you like a tatami mat?" His second player equivalent chuckled. "Don't be a coward, speak up!"
"Gomenasai, Nihon-kun." Japan apologized, though finding it extremely hard in his heart to be sincere to his 2P self as he bowed his head down humbly.
"Don't be sorry, actually do something!" 2P-Japan pressed on with a persistent look glowing in his flaming scarlet eyes as he goaded the nervous nation. He opened up his palm and reached his hand out with a wicked grin. "Come on Japan, make an alliance with me."
"N-No, I-I'm sorry, I can't." Japan apologized as he rose back up to his feet quickly. "I-I should go to bed now . . . "
"Japan, you're being dishonorable by not saying what you and the people of your country want!" 2P-Japan scowled with an increasing smirk as he reached out even further towards him. "Don't let the Western countries win! Make an alliance with me!"
"No." Japan said even firmer as he positioned himself defensively like a martial artist preparing for battle. He didn't trust his 2P self, and definitely wouldn't start doing so tonight. "I-I can say wh-what I want to if I need to. B-But I don't need you telling me how to offend other people!"
His devious counterpart's face was void of any malicious delight now, with only deep irritation and resentfulness displayed across his face. He growled heavily as he lifted up one, quivering fist that was gripped so tightly, you could see the veins running down it. "Japan, make a fucking alliance with me!" he yelled. "Stop being so annoying and just do it you little prick!"
"Mr. Germany, and Italy have been far too kind to me. I'm not going to push them away!" Japan refused as sweat poured down his forehead. Now his voice was raised, and he didn't particularly like hearing it ringing in his ears when his own 2P counterpart was already doing a good job of that. "G-G-Go! N-Now, please!"
"Do you really want to make me your enemy, Japan?" the deceitful mirror image seethed. "I'd be smart and take this alliance now, because you are in for shit if you refuse."
No, he couldn't listen to this anymore. Japan grabbed the katane and shoved it back into the sheath around his waist with finality as his chest heaved from the weight of his emotions. The weary man held his face and shook it slowly in disappointment towards himself for not doing that sooner. How could he have let his 2P self lead him on like that? He knew where he stood. And he definitely knew that aimlessly offending the nations he had grown to admire was going to ruin so many good relations he had presently.
So why were his words still bothering him?
Maybe it was that secretly, even unbeknownst to the well-mannered country, that he wished he could speak as freely as 2P-Japan did. As close as he was to many of the other nations, some of their customs he still just couldn't quite understand.
However, he was still standing resolutely next to his principles, and wouldn't let his 2P self try and tempt him again. He needed to concentrate on present and future matters at the moment . . .
If only you were here to help me, Germany-san. Japan thought to himself with a small smile that couldn't be helped as he thought of his old friend. He slipped off his slippers and curled up in a ball as he closed his eyes softly. Or you Italy-kun, you'd probably tell me to eat more to become happier . . .
The country smiled even more, and found himself getting lulled off peacefully into the night as he and the rest of the Axis all joined together to celebrate once again, in his fondest of memories.
2P-Japan rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but smirk to himself with a laugh as he made his way down to the dining room. Italia was going to hate hearing that none of them had made any progress in getting their 1P selves to oblige.
Both 2P-Italy and 2P-Germany were gathered together in his dining room, with the strict Italian commanding the lethargic German to move his ass and wake up, with only a muffled excuse as an only response.
Ah, some things would never change.
"Stop being such a control freak, Italia. It's not going to get you anywhere." 2P-Japan chuckled at 2P-Italy, who opened his flick blade with a death glare as a silent warning to the aggravating, island nation. "I seriously can't believe you're not used to Doitsu's useless antics already. I'd wonder why you chose to alliance with him if I wasn't already used to this kind of shitty leadership from you. Leader-shit, if you will."
"Shut up! The both of you!" 2P-Italy scowled as he directed his blade right next to the obnoxiously loud country's throat. He was glowering at both of the intolerable Axis members, and had to pause to rub his temples from a tremendous headache that had already been agitated thanks to his idiot of a 1P version.
"Italy . . . get me a beer . . . " 2P-Germany groaned as he moved ever slightly to scratch his posterior lazily and go back to sleeping sprawled over the table. Talking to his 1P had been far too exhausting to leave any energy to do anything else this week. Though, he had the sinking feeling that 2P-Italy would force him to anyway, like he always did . . .
"Absolutely not! We're here to work!" the harsh, Italian nation growled as he slammed his fist down onto the German's bottom, which was starting to jot out uncomfortably close to his face. "Get up you poor excuse for a country, before I decide to make a new type of pasta sauce!"
2P-Germany blushed and moaned happily as he wiggled around, then turned slowly to stare at 2P-Italy seductively. "Mmm, you do it so much rougher than Roma~" he purred.
2P-Italy reddened and with one quick movement, shoved 2P-Germany off of the table and clenched his fists by his sides in quivering rage. "I thought that I made it specifically clear that you're to never bring his name up during our meetings, or especially when I'm around!" he yelled furiously, his face contorted with utter fury as he gripped his flick blade against the German's heart.
2P-Japan laughed and pinched the angered Italian's cheek teasingly, who then decided to promptly break his wrist in the process. "You seem to be in a crappier mood than usual, Italia." He chuckled with a mocking look. "Why? Is it because the Allies are actually scaring you?"
"No, it's because I have to deal with two idiotas who apparently can't get any work done without me telling them what to do!" 2P-Italy growled as he grabbed 2P-Germany by the collar of his tank top with seemingly impossible strength for the tiny country, and threw him into a chair roughly. "Japan, sit up!" he barked.
"Yeah, yeah. Quit screaming, you're making my ears bleed . . . " 2P-Japan muttered as he straightened up in his chair.
2P-Italy took a moment to breathe and gave the two countries another serious look. "Good, now that we're all organized, we can actually get some business done. Now then, Japan, any luck with your 1P self?"
2P-Japan scoffed and rolled his eyes. "I had just as much luck with him, as you do getting laid." He spat in immense annoyance. "He's too worried about being 'honorable' and shit."
2P-Italy sighed, but folded his hands together with his bright pink eyes narrowed in deep concentration. "It seems to me that we're going to have to resort to phase two as I had suspected." He mused, and then looked over at 2P-Germany. "Germany, is your brother ready? We need to move before the Allies do."
2P-Germany murmured a muffled 'ja' in response before falling asleep again.
"Good. We cannot allow the Allies to conquer that world." 2P-Italy concluded decisively.
"Isn't that what we're trying to do?" 2P-Japan chuckled.
"Well, we certainly can't leave that world in the weak hands of our 1P neighbors." 2P-Italy stated in a cold, but also nonchalant tone of voice as he examined his knife casually. "They'll all be eliminated soon enough . . . "
Just then, a few anxious footsteps resonated behind the group, but they didn't even bother to acknowledge them as 2P-Italy continued to play with his flick blade. "Si?" he asked.
"S-So sorry t-to b-bother you Mr. I-Italy." stuttered a shaking figure that was hidden within the shadows of Japan's house whose silhouette was the only thing you could make out. "B-B-But th-the A-Allies are on the m-move . . . "
2P-Italy nodded slowly as he pointed his knife downwards. "I see. Very well, you may go now." He replied with his voice chilling the already antsy messenger to the bone. "And work on that stutter immediately. I won't tolerate it. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes sir . . . " the person gasped, then hung their head in shame. "I'm sorry! I didn't mean to stutter again! It won't happen again sir, I promise!"
"Fine. If you do . . . well, you know what'll happen." 2P-Italy slammed his knife into the table with finality as the figure squeaked and hurried off. "It seems as if we'll have to move our plans forward then . . . "
Alrighty, all done with chapter three! Hope you all enjoyed it! Special thanks to "Thatwolfbutler" who is my one and only reviewer so far! I hope you enjoy this, it was fun to write a chapter full of my personal culture! ^^