"What a long weird day", was the last thing Kanoa said as she flopped down on her new bed.
Her new room was very well decorated with blue and gold walls, various Chinese artwork on her walls and dresser, and a bed that looked more like a playhouse for a kid. The bed appeared to look like a giant wooden box with one opening that allowed a person to enter it. Inside were silken sheets and pillows that were soft as a cloud and as colorful as a rainbow. The wood work on the bed was incredible. So much detail had been carved into the designs that covered it. The vines, leaves, and flowers that were engraved into the mahogany wood looked almost too real to have been carved by human hands.
Kanoa's new room was one of the few things about the day that was almost normal. Normal, since she had set foot on Chinese soil nothing had been normal. It had taken her the better part of a hour to get China to release her from his death hug. They had spent hours in the market place where China would search through each item he wanted for dinner, but would not simply take what he needed. Oh no, he had to make sure it was the right size, shape, smell, texture, and price. Dear Goddess, the nation had spent much time arguing with vendors over the price of their goods.
"Food is food and he shouldn't make such a big deal out of it", she thought burying her head deeper into the silky pillow.
After the market, China had brought her to several clothing shops where she was measured, poked, prodded, and forced into several different outfits. After three hours of this torture, they finally left with four outfits that China approved of. Kanoa had to admit that the clothes were beautiful, but she never wanted to go shopping with China again. She would rather have gone on a shopping spree with California during one of her Hollywood Hyper Spells. She would much rather have dealt with sister's endless chatting about boy bands than to have to listen to China and the shop keeper chatting away in Chinese about what clothes she should wear and why certain colors and styles didn't fit her. A girl's self-esteem can take a real hit when both people agree that a certain color or style would make her look fat or unattractive.
After that nightmare was over, they FINALLY got to China's house where she was met with an unexplainable silence. Only moments ago they had been surrounded by people and the constant noise of the market. Now it was dead silent. Not so much as a peep was made as they entered China's home. He had quickly shown her to her room and left to prepare dinner. He claimed he was determined to show her what true food was and not the garbage Westerners eat. Kanoa was insulted, but he had left before she could even think of a come-back.
Kanoa snuggled down into her new pillows, taking in their smell. The flight had been so long and they had been out in town so long that she was exhausted. She had been far too tired to unpack her clothes and treasures. She only found enough strength of will to pull Keoni from the suitcase and into her arms. As uncomfortable with her current arrangement as she was, jet lag was still an evil thing. That along with the Chinese Market had been pure hell. She was far too tired to keep her eyes open and she was soon asleep with Keoni held tightly against her chest.
After having his fan girl moment, China was more than a little embarrassed with himself. He was much better than that. He was not some silly school girl from one of Japan's manga, but there was just something about cute things that made him lose his mind. It was a wonder no one had used this knowledge against him...or had they? America had given Hawaii up with out so much as lifting a finger in protest. He had been angry, that much was certain, but he had not acted on it. Why?
China knew America for being rash and fool hearty. He would jump head first into danger without any forethought as to what would await him or how he would fight against it. He was a young nation whose only redeeming qualities seemed to be his determination, enthusiasm, and since of justice.
Admittedly, China thought many of America's ideals were foolish and childish at best, but he had seen a new side of him at the meeting. He had seen America as a father who was losing something precious to him. Thinking back to the look on America's face, he felt a familiar pain in his own chest. He remembered all too well the pain of losing a child. Be it from having them taken away or them leaving.
He recalled the pain he had felt when Japan had broken away from him, he still had the scar on his back. He also remembered when England had taken Hong Kong away from him, but thankfully Hong Kong had not been gone for too long. He was safe at home once more in China's house. The only odd thing was that Hong Kong had become unusually quiet since he had returned home. Something China had tried to talk to him about, but he just seemed to not care either way. While his siblings still visited from time to time, the only one who had come back and stayed with China had been Hong Kong. The others rarely came around anymore and when they did it was usually on business.
"Yáo gē", came a familiar voice from behind the Asian Nation.
"Ah, there you are Xiang", China said without stopping his hands as they cut up the vegetables, "Where were you? I told you we would be bringing her today."
China knew he did not have to tell him who 'her' was. They had been discussing her place in China's home for over a month. Hong Kong had not been very enthusiastic about having an American state living with them. Then again, he was not very enthusiastic about anything. Ever since he had lived with England he had come to the conclusion that all Westerners were selfish and hateful people. England's blunt disregard at having respect for Xiang's Chinese heritage had been proof enough of that. The Englishman had done his best to break Xiang of his Chinese teachings and accept English customs as his own, but Hong Kong had adamantly refused those lessons to the point that England gave up and returned him to China's custody.
"Dinner will be ready soon. Could you go get Hawaii, aru?", China asked as he continued to stir up the food in the wok.
Xiang didn't even bother answering as he left the room. He knew that he wouldn't be able to avoid the island state forever, even though he didn't really care if he saw her or not. He knew she would be staying with them for however long it took America to pay back his debt. That is, if he ever paid it back. With how neck-deep that Westerner was, he'd be lucky to pay back a fifteenth of the debt within the next two hundred years.
Hawaii had been placed in the guest wing and would stay there for however long she lived with them. China would not place her in the family wing as it was meant for family only. Hawaii may be a Chinese Territory, but she was not family. She could never be family, not in Xiang's eyes. She was only a temporary addition to the house and would sooner or later be sent back to that daft nation from whence she came. Like an unwanted rug she would be returned to the nation once they had been given all the money they were due.
Hong Kong did not even bother to knock as he opened the door to find that nothing in the room had been touched. Two suitcases sat open in the floor, but were still fully packed. Hawaii was no where in sight, at least until he drew closer to the bed.
There she lay with a stuffed dolphin clutched tightly to her chest. Her dark skin a shocking contrast to the sky blue and gold of the pillows she laid upon. She was wearing a light pink tank top and a pair or tan shorts that just barely came down to mid-thigh. Her long black hair was laid carelessly across the pillows in a mess of ebony threads that were all scattered about. Her face is what caught him off guard.
Xiang had been used to Westerners looking like Westerners. Like England, France, and even Italy. He had seen what these people looked like and this girl did not look like them at all. Her skin was darker than most westerners and her face was like that of an Asian decent. The curve of her face, the slant of her eyes, the defining features that could only be gained through having Asian ancestry; this girl was the state of that silly western nation?
Shocked as he was, he did not rule out that he could be mistaken. He needed a closer look to determine if this girl really did share his people's features. He could not see her face properly from the edge of the bed, so he climbed up beside her and leaned in closer to her face, only leaving a few inches between them as he studied her face. Asleep, her features were relaxed and easy to see without being affected by expressions. Unfortunately, Hong Kong did not get to observe her long.
Kanoa had been lost in the dark oblivion of sleep and desired to stay there. Yet, for what ever reason, she began to wake up. Little by little she began to wake up until she grew aware of the sound of footsteps drawing near her. The foot falls were definitely softer than her father's, so who could be in her room? Perhaps one of her siblings had come to visit? They all had a key to her house just as she had a key to theirs. It would not surprise her if it was California trying to get the drop on her while she was asleep. If she did try anything Kanoa was more than ready to slug her one.
The foot falls stopped and a still silence fell over the room like a ten pound blanket. Kanoa hoped that which ever sibling it was that had come to visit would see that she was asleep and leave, so that she could go back to sleep. Sadly, the sound of the person's breathing and the lack of foot steps leaving made it obvious they were not leaving. Deciding to ignore which ever one of her siblings had come to visit, Kanoa tried to go back to sleep.
"Today is a good day to sleep", she thought, "My pillow is amazingly comfortable today, so I don't think I'll leave it."
Foot steps drew her from her musings, but these foot steps were not leaving, no they were drawing closer. It had to be one of her more mischievous siblings whom wanted to play a trick on her. Oh she'd give them a trick if they tried anything, a five-fingered trick right to the face. She listened as the steps stopped just at the edge of her bed and the feeling of someone climbing into her bed made her nearly open her eyes to see who it was. However, she wanted to see if they would try anything or if they were just going to lay down and sleep beside her.
It wasn't unusual for the American siblings to crawl into each others beds when they were visiting one another. She was used to her southeastern siblings crawling into her bed when they visited, especially Alabama. Sleepy Sweet Home Alabama whom was older than Hawaii, but was more of an over grown kid than an adult. She had trouble sleeping alone, so it wasn't unusual for her to be found in anyone's room but her own. Hawaii laid there trying to figure out which of her siblings was in her bed, but that thought went away when who ever it was got so close to her face she could feel their breath.
None of her siblings ever got that close to her face. While they were okay with hugs and kisses on the cheek, those things were for when they were awake and only meant in a family way. Who ever this person was, they most definitely were not one of her siblings. Once this thought was triggered in her mind she quickly opened her eyes only to be met with a pair of dark brown Asian eyes staring back at her no more than a few inches away. How does she react to this? The same way every woman, no matter their nationality, would react.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!", she screamed and punched the person so hard they flew to the other side of the room.
Xiang had no idea what happened. One moment he was leaning over the girl to examine her face then the next he was on the other side of the room with an intense pain in his cheek and the back of his head from hitting the wall. His ears were ringing with how loud the girl had screamed and it make his head hurt all the more. When he finally pieced it together, he turned an icy glare at the girl that was now standing beside her bed holding her stuffed dolphin up like a weapon.
"Who are you? How did you get into my house?", Hawaii said before looking around the room, "Wait..."
It all came back to her in a split second. She wasn't in her island home, no she was in China. The Asian sitting on the floor looking pissed as hell must have been one of China's siblings or children depending on how the Nation viewed them. While Hawaii was remembering where she was, Xiang was doing some thinking as well. Some of it he decided to voice.
"What is your problem? Do you make it a habit to hit people when you first wake up?", he growled out as he stood up, still rubbing his sore cheek.
Normally, Hawaii was a gentle soul with very few problems. Laid back, calm, caring, and completely carefree. Yet after everything that had happened, her nerves were already fried. Now she had this Asian guy come into her new room, climb into bed with her for what ever reason, invade her personal space, and then have the audacity to ask what her problem was? Every girl has her limit...he just pushed her passed it.
"What's my problem?", she barked out angrily, "What kind of question is that? You climbed into a bed I was sleeping in and got right in my face! What did you think was gonna happen? A kiss? Think again! I don't know what kind of bullshit that was, but where I'm from you don't climb into other people's beds when they are sleeping! Least of all a perfect stranger, who is a girl!"
Xiang was a little surprised at the ferocity the girl before he was showing. Then again, he probably should not have been so surprised to see such boldness and violence from one of America's states...well, former states. As he stood he took in her form from head to toe. She was not much taller than he was and she was much skinnier than he was. Of course he could tell that she had a fair bit of muscle judging from the pain in his cheek and how far he had flown. Hong Kong could see plainly now that the girl did share his people's likeness. The only true difference was her mannerisms and attitude. She was far too bold and violent, something Hong Kong was not used to dealing with, but his old British blood was urging him to strike back. Strike he did.
"It's no wonder you were the one to be sold off", he said in a voice laced with icy hatred, "I can't say I blame America for giving you up so easily. Who would want such a spoiled brat?"
Hawaii stared back at this person is shock. Who was he to call her a brat? What did he know of her father or of her situation? She did not know him and he did not know her, but by the time she was finished with him he would never forget her.
"Pa'a ka waha! You don't know what you're talking about!", she growled out as she dove at him ready to punch him.
Hong Kong's martial arts training kicked in as he dodged her punch and went to kick her, but was shocked to find she had blocked his kick. Just what all did this girl know? He could see she was angry and that made it much easier for him to pull information from her. An angered person would allow themselves to be swallowed up by their rage and that alone would loosen their tongues. He would learn about this girl from her own mouth and pay her back for that punch in the face.
"Oh I do not? I know that America was so neck deep in debt he took the easiest way out. He sold you off like cheap rice", Xiang stated as he dodged another of her punches and jumped away as she preformed an excellent round house kick.
"You...you... Kanapapiki!", she cried out as she continued to throw punches and kicks at him, but he dodged them all.
Hong Kong was impressed that this girl knew a fair amount of attacks, but, before he could test her defensive moves, China chose that moment to enter the room.
"Shénme zài shìjiè shàng shì zěnme huí shì zài zhèlǐ, aru?", China cried out seeing the two of them fighting.
"She struck first, I was only returning the favor", Hong Kong stated as if he had done nothing wrong.
"Lolo! You deserved it! You were the one crawling into my bed like some creeper!", Hawaii snapped getting ready to strike at him again, only for her wrist to be caught in China's hold.
"Hawaii, I do not know what all happened here, but I do know that, while you are in my house, you will not fight, understand aru?", China said sternly, only releasing her wrist after she had nodded her understanding. China nodded his approval before saying, "Now dinner is ready and I expect the two of you to behave for the remainder of the day."
Hawaii was infuriated, but knew that she could not go against China while she resided under his roof and was held under his custody. She had no other choice, but to do as he said. That didn't mean she had to like it though. She glared at the floor as China led her to the wash room so that she could wash up for dinner. Hawaii only nodded her head, still glaring at the floor as she entered the wash room.
No sooner had the door closed did China round on Hong Kong. He looked very disappointed and annoyed. He knew that Xiang had an attitude problem from his time living with England, but he had hoped the province would behave during their current guest's stay. He now saw that he had hoped too much. Hong Kong would always be Hong Kong and he would always be rude and spiteful to others no matter who they were.
"I don't care what your excuse is, aru", China said sternly, leaving no room for argument, "I know Hawaii will take some getting used to, but while she is here I expect you to treat her with respect. She has already endured being separated from her home and family, something you, more than anyone, should know. I do not want to hear of anymore problems, do I make myself clear, aru?"
Hong Kong's face remained emotionless and passive. He knew what it felt like to be torn away from your home and forced to live with someone whose entire life style as different from his own. He knew it better than anyone. Hawaii was now going through the same thing as him, but while he had fought back with silence and quiet refusal to cooperate, she fought back with harsh words and actions. They were the same, but then they were different. China's view of it did not change Hong Kong's opinion of the state, but for his brother he would try. He nodded and went on ahead to the dinning room to calm down and wait for the nation and state to join him.
Well Hell Fire and Save Matches! Looks like Hong Kong and Hawaii are both out for blood, but luckily China is the one pulling the strings in this household. What will happen next? Find out next chapter! REVIEWS ARE APPRECIATED!
Translations! (if wrong, blame translator)
Pa'a ka waha - Shut up (literally 'shut your mouth')
Kanapapiki - son of a bitch
Shénme zài shìjiè shàng shì zěnme huí shì zài zhèlǐ - What in the world is going on here?
Shénme zài shìjiè shàng shì zěnme huí shì zài zhèlǐ
lolo- crazy/stupid
