Lost Scene
"What is that, aru?"
China could not help his curiousity. It seemed like a normal bell, after all, but Japan seemed rather protective of it from where it hung.
"The bell of Miidera," Japan responded tonelessly. China was certain the bell had more of a tone than Japan and decided to go find out.
Walking towards it finally got a rise out of him.
"You must not touch it!" the smaller man stopped in front of him.
"Why not, aru?" China questioned.
"It should not be touched by any not of my people's hands," Japan responded coolly. "It rings out a clear sound once a day. If you wish to hear it, please come then."
"What happens if someone else rings it, aru?" China sighed. This country was so picky!
"Such an action would pollute and dull the metal, as well as bring calamity upon me," Japan responded immediately. China tried not to be offended, but his irritation rose quickly. Another country he would understand, but his touch defiling?
"That's stupid!" he retorted. He stared at him. Japan's face did not change. China sighed. "Fine then, aru. I won't touch the bell."
At least, China decided not to try when Japan was around.
"I'll make it sound, aru," China smirked, climbing up to the belfry. "And it will be grateful for it!"
The bronze bell stayed still, suspended in the air. China touched it.
The bronze he touched shrank leaving a whole where it once was smooth. The polish vanished.
The next night, Japan stabbed him.
The original legend was that a woman could not strike the bell, for the bell would rot and calamity would fall upon Japan. A vain, irreverent woman decided the bronze bell would make an excellent mirror to make up her face and hair with and went to Miidera for the sole purpose of sounding it. And it dulled and such. Sexist, yes. But I focused on the irreverent part and placed it as different people for this story so it would fit.