Whew! Sorry it took so long for me to update today. The amount of homework they're distributing to us here is simply ridiculous *eye roll* how does a severely overworked student cope!
But at least I took some time to upload now :) So! Without further ado, this is chapter 3. As usual, feel free to tell me what you think in the reviews section- or not; that's okay, since we junior aspiring authors all have our own homework pile to combat.
Happy reading!
Chapter 3
...
Japan.
He can no longer see, so I'm taking charge of him for now.
Perhaps it was how the riots that raged on my front door came to sudden halt, now that the populace had found better things to do and were so busy taking care of their new acquaintances from their neighbouring country, that I am in a better mood. Strange to say, it was as if they've taken pity on Japan's recently acquired disability and decided to spare his remaining senses of their unruly screeching.
Perhaps it was how beautiful and warm the day had become; how good the sun felt as it beamed upon our heads, now that spring had begun to take over from the gloomy winter days. That could also be a reason for my happiness.
But what definitely was the reason was simply having Japan with me. Having him holding onto my arm nervously again. Having him bask under the sun with me once more as we took the train to Beijing.
It was as if Japan had never even left in the first place. Still my brother, still a child.
Outside the train screeched to a halt, heralding our arrival at the capital. Japan sprang up from his seat just as the carriage doors parted with a hiss.
'Ch- China, are we here?" Japan asked, fumbling nervously for my hand, "China? Where are you?- "
"Calm down Japan, I'm right here", I assured, slinging an arm over his shoulders protectively, "we've arrived. Come- let's alight the train."
We stepped off the train together and onto the concrete platform. Perched on a bench nearby was a boy I immediately recognized to be one of my municipalities, the startling crimson of his shirt contrasting greatly with the dull of the cap perched atop his head, making him stand out amongst the bustling crowd gathered at the train station platform. He was humming to himself as he swung his legs back and forth underneath the bench.
I waved to the boy to get his attention. His eyes landed on me and, with a grin and a hop off the bench, he bounded towards us, his brown plait flying behind him.
"China- gege! I'm so glad you could come and visit today!" The boy cheered, hopping from one foot to the other ecstatically.
"I'm happy to be here as well Beijing", I returned, "and look who I brought along with me today."
"Oh, it's Japan- gege!" Japan- gege, I've heard of your circumstances and…" His voice trailed away as he averted his attention to Japan, who smiled in response to his recognition, but did not seem to be smiling quite towards his direction. "China- gege? W- what's wrong with Japan- gege?"
"Japan- gege can't see you Beijing", I explained.
"Oh… I- is this because of… Oh Japan- gege, I'm terribly sorry for your loss", Beijing obliged, placing a hand affectionately atop Japan's forearm.
"Japan?" I began when Japan frowned in confusion at the gesture, "do you remember Beijing? One of my municipalities? He's here to see us today."
"Ah, so this is Beijing I am touching", Japan beamed, caressing the hand hidden beneath an oversized crimson sleeve, "It's been some time since I've paid you a visit, hasn't it? You only reached to my knee then… Oh, how I wish I could see how much you've grown. Do not be sorry Beijing, for I am fine, I really am."
"I wish you could see too Japan- gege", Beijing sighed, before releasing Japan and forcing a smile on his face, "but let's not be sad; I want this visit to be a happy one for you Japan- gege! Saitama had decided to spend the day helping Shanghai, but I have Chiba and Gunma with me presently. I expect you'd want to meet them?"
"That would be lovely, thank you", Japan nodded.
"Great!" Beijing cheered, taking hold of one of Japan's hands, whilst I guided his other with the hand that wasn't already over his shoulders, "they're at the shelter- follow me!"
The 'shelter', as it turned out, was no mere frugally- constructed tent piled with a disarray of mattresses and cardboard boxes, as I am ashamed to admit was the first thing that came into mind when the word escaped Beijing's mouth.
It wasn't even close to that.
The shelter took up two hotels and a whole hospital floor, as well as Beijing's house situated nearby. Stealing a glance at Japan as we were told this, I saw a grin on his face that can only be described as a look of pure gratitude.
I felt very proud of my charge; his sense of shelter had very much improved since the warring times.
Upon entry into one of the hotels, I saw that the lobby was a mess of armchairs and cushions, as well as blankets and matts strewn in various places and coffee tables piled high with teacups and jars of refreshments.
And the people.
Never in my life could I imagine being greeted by a sight warmer than the view that I laid eyes upon that day; the smiling faces of the young and elderly, men and women, Chinese and Japanese, as they indulged in conversations and the children tagged each other in and out of the maze of recliners.
"China, I can hear so many happy voices here… So many happy voices…" Japan breathed, "please tell me- how are my people doing? How are they?"
"Just as you said", I beamed, "your people are happy."
"Ah… So it must be", he nodded, "thank you Beijing, thank you for all you have done for them."
"I'm just happy that you are Japan- gege", Beijing grinned, "wait here with China- gege. I'm going to go find China- ah, there he is! Excuse me for a moment, I'll be back soon!"
I watched my charge dart into the crowd with a smile on my face, before I felt hands scramble for my back. Turning around, I met Japan's murky eyes squeezed shut, his fingers having found their target were digging furiously into my shoulder blades.
"Japan? What are you doing?"
"I- I've changed my mind China. I don't think I want Chiba- kun to s-s-see me like this", Japan shook his head, "it'll make him upset a-and- "
"Japan", I sighed, gently removing his hands from my shoulders, "it's going to be okay, you'll see- "
"Eh? But why would anyone here want to see me? B- Beijing- san, can't you at least tell me who it is? …"
"You'll find out for yourself very soon!" Beijing cheered, dragging behind him a boy that appeared to be a few years younger than he was, with deep chocolate orbs (orbs that were an exact replica of Japan's before… Before it…) and tousled chestnut- coloured hair.
At the sound of the newcomer's voice, Japan's nails sunk deep into my hand. I patted his hands quickly in reassurance.
"Beijing- kun, can't you just at least slow down and- Ah, it's China- san! I- it's been a while China- san. Your country still grows to be more splendid everyday", Chiba complimented with a bow. However, as he was raising his head from the gesture, he caught sight of the familiar pale fingers on my shoulder and grinned, "… Onii- chan? Onii- chan, is that you?
"… Ah! It is onii- chan! I'm so happy; onii- chan is here with us! Gunma- chan will surely be glad as well! Onii- chan! …
"Onii- chan?"
Gently, I pushed Japan forward, his eyes still shut as his hands gripped at my sleeves desperately.
Before him, Chiba's face fell as he took a hesitant step forward, "… China- san? What… Wha- what is the matter with my onii- chan? Why does he not want to see me? Did I.. Did I upset him somehow?"
Japan clenched his teeth in a vain attempt to contain his tears. Beijing, watching this scene unfold beside me, stared at the two in confusion before turning to me for an explanation. I signaled for him to wait.
With one hand still firmly entwined in Japan's, I bent down until I was at eye level with China and placed my free hand atop his shoulder, "Chiba, there's something I need to tell you. It… It won't be pleasant."
The boy gulped, before rubbing his eyes quickly with the back of his hand and nodding.
With a sigh, I proceeded, "China, I'm sure you know about the accident at that power plant?"
"Yes I do."
"Well… Japan was there during the accident and…"
"Did onii- chan get hurt?"
I looked up in surprise. China lowered his gaze to the floor, but underneath the curtain of his fringe I could still see the tears that trickled down his cheeks. I nodded slowly.
"Onii- chan got hurt during the accident. Onii- chan survived because he is a nation personification.
"But…
"Onii- chan got hurt, right?" The prefecture sniffed, "and onii- chan tried to hide it because he didn't want me to cry."
"We- we're all sorry, we really are", Beijing tried to oblige, patting the prefecture's back.
Chiba noticed this awkwardness and a faint smile graced his lips, "Thank you Beijing- san", he beamed.
Wiping the tears that had collected at the corners of his eyes away, Chiba took Japan's other hand and held it to his chest, "Onii- chan?"
"Chiba- kun, i-is that you?" Japan gasped, stroking the boy's head, "Chiba- kun, I- I'm so sorry Chiba- kun. Please don't cry- "
"Don't worry onii- chan, I'm not crying", Chiba grinned, "I'm happy you could come and visit us today."
"… And I'm happy I could come and visit you too", Japan beamed, "Chiba- kun… Where's Gunma- chan? Is she here with you presently?"
"Unfortunately not. She's gone out with some children to get treats for them", Chiba explained with a hearty chuckle, "you know how Gunma- chan is. Don't worry onii- chan, when she gets here, I'll explain everything."
"Our Gunma- chan", Japan sighs, albeit laughing himself, "Thank you Chiba- kun."
Just then the double doors that make up the hotel's entryway was burst open, giving way for a group of giggling children to pour into the lobby. Leading the merry party was a girl that radiated an air of zeal, her dark pigtails bouncing to and fro as she herded the children inside.
She had the same pair of eyes Japan used to have too.
"Gunma- chan!" Chiba cried, waving his arms in his sister's direction, "Gunma- chan, come quickly!"
Gunma averted her attention from her childish companions, pouting at Chiba in exasperation for calling her away from her momentary business. However, the pout immediately dissolved to make way for an astonished gape when her eyes fell on me, before they moved on settled onto Japan.
"Onii- chan?" She squeaked, "… Onii- chan? Onii- chan!"
The girl wasted no time in pushing her brother aside (much to the latter's chagrin), throwing her little figure at Japan with a squeal.
"Onii- chan! Onii- chan! It's me! It's your Gunma- chan, it's me!" She cried, rubbing her cheeks against Japan's coat.
"A- ah! Gunma- chan!" Japan chuckled, staggering slightly under the force of the prefecture's embrace, "… You're just as lively as ever, my Gunma- chan."
"Gunma- chan, careful! Can't you see that onii- chan nearly fell?" Chiba scolded, trying in vain (for Gunma stuck to Japan so desperately like flypaper) to pry his sister off Japan.
"Chiba- kun, let go! You've already had your turn with onii- chan!" Gunma protested.
"Gunma- chan, it's not about that!" Chiba countered before sighing, "… Look Gunma- chan. We have to be more careful with onii-chan from now on; it will be a difficult situation if you make him fall because… I-it's because-"
"- Shut up Chiba- kun! Just shut up!" Gunma screamed (earning a couple of stares from a group of conversing women seated nearby), lifting her head off of Japan's coat to scowl at her brother, "I know Chiba- kun. You think I can't see it for myself? I know!"
Japan moved a hand to stroke Gunma's head, his broken eyes staring ahead. Chiba gaped at his sisters' glowering orbs.
"N- now don't bring it up anymore unless it's absolutely necessary; we want onii- chan to be happy during his visit", Gunma pouted, "sheesh Chiba- kun, you're always looking at the downside of things! Chiba- kun's a crybaby!"
"I am not!" Chiba retorted, his face flushing slightly.
"Oh really? The last time I went to visit your place it rained every single day because you were crying every single day!"
"It only rained because the last time you came it was mid- summer; besides, I didn't cry the whole time you were there or otherwise!"
"Did too."
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!- "
"Um, why don't we al go sit down and treat China- gege and Japan- gege to tea?" Beijing interfered, placing himself between the squabbling prefectures and leading them away by the shoulder, before beckoning me to follow him.
I nodded and placed my own hand on Japan's shoulder, "Now that wasn't too bad, was it?" I beamed, guiding him around the obstacles of furniture and people.
Japan shook his head, a small smile gracing his lips, "No.. No it wasn't."
Gunma took a sip from her cup and squealed, her feet kicking cheerily underneath her oversized recliner.
"Ah, so this is China- san's tea! It tastes marvelous!" She cheered, "just like onii- chan once told us!"
Japan smiled sheepishly and squeezed my hand. I squeezed his back, glad that he couldn't see my scarlet cheeks.
"I agree", Chiba nodded, whiffing the aroma of tea leaves in his cup, "Although I must ask why must you be so loud Gunma- Oww!"- as one of his sisters' flailing Mary Jane's collided with his shin- "Watch it!"
"Chiba- kun, how else is onii- chan going to know how happy I am unless I express it in any other means I have with me?" Gunma argued, impervious to the true meaning of Chiba's anguished shout, "right China- san? Beijing- kun?"
"What a generous and well- meaning young lady you are", I chuckled, "but I am very certain your onii- chan knows how happy you are already."
"Oh! Well, in that case…" Gunma took another sip of tea, this time sufficing herself with a simple, pleased sigh.
Chiba took this opportunity to exhale as well, rubbing his ears in relief.
"Yes- I can see that you are both very happy", Japan smiled (earning a grin from Gunma- the latter earning a look of exasperation from her brother), "So how are things doing for the two of you? Is Tokyo- kun well?"
"We are all coping just fine now onii- chan, so do not worry about us anymore", Chiba assured, "our people are safe here, and Beijing- kun has been very kind."
"Ah, it's nothing really", Beijing waved the compliment away, "we are neighbours, and neighbours help one another."
"You've certainly helped us now", Gunma quipped, "and for that we must thank you deeply once more- and to China- san as well!"
"Yes, China- san too", Chiba nodded.
I smiled at these two children; how Japan had taught them their manners well. Beside me Japan grinned proudly.
"Oh! A- and Tokyo- kun is doing considerably well too onii- chan, so you need not worry about him either", Chiba added.
"Though you'd be surprised by how much he changed when the lights went out onii- chan. That's Tokyo- kun", Gunma shook her head, taking another sip from her cup and exhaling loudly ("You can stop that now", piped Chiba), "one minute he's traipsing around Kanto getting bruises on his face, and the next he's bossing us around with candles spilling out of his pockets! He's no older than any of us are either, but no one wanted to walk around in the dark so we let him have his way just this once. Still, the first night he made Kanagawa- kun mad- oh! And Chiba- kun cried- "
"No I didn't!"
"Yes, whatever", Gunma finished.
"Ah, I see", Japan nodded, "yes, I can understand that Tokyo- kun can be quite a handful at times. But give him a chance, for Tokyo- kun has proven himself to be very capable when the circumstances calls on him to be."
"That is true- to be honest, it actually didn't bother me very much that Tokyo- kun took charge", Chiba admitted, "that boy's strong for his age… It must take a lot of courage to meddle with power plants in the dark. We told him to wait until you came back before making any important decisions, but he still wanted to try all the same- and he's doing a rather good job of it, truth be told! The other night he almost had Tochigi- kun's house fixed too! At this rate Tokyo- kun says he thinks he can get the power back in time for Hanami- "
"… Hanami!"
Note; Beijing here is an OC I made. Before I started this story, I browsed around for some ideas from existing OC's and found that a lot of people thought Beijing should've been a girl. Well- I actually thought 'Beijing' sounded somewhat male but... Well, I suppose it varies from person to person, so I'm sorry if you thought Beijing should've been female :D OC POWAAAH!
Oh! And Chiba and Gunma's designs aren't made by me; if you can take a look at .net, there's a page that shows you that Himaruya Hidekaz-san actually made designs for some of Japan's prefectures. He made 5 for the Kanto region, and as much as I wanted to stuff all 5 into the story personally, in the end I had to choose the 3 youngest-looking to save from the blackout so- ta-dah! Only their personalities are made up.
For those who aren't familiar with the term 'Hanami', it will be elaborated on the next chapter so don't fret!
Now where were we?... Oh yes- homework -_-
-Plumeria hi