A/N: Sorry for taking so long to update! I didn't forget about this fic, I swear! Anyway, from here on out, it will be based more on historical facts and focus more on China than previous chapters. I'm also working on the next chapter... so yeah.

China was truely alone again for the first time in what felt like forever. All of his friends, every country he had grown up with, was gone. It wasn't that China didn't love his people, but for him, as soon as he talked to them and got to know them, then they were gone, while he kept on living forever.

His country had however, gotten better. He had a new family of bosses running it, and things really weren't as bad as they had been.

But still, China was lonely. Though he would never admit it, he was jealous of the European countries and their "families". China had never really had a chance to explore countries close to his own because his people were always at war with either each other, or them. But it's a time of peace now, thought China. He was not afraid.

So China went with some of his traders to a land not far from his own. He had heard many stories about Korea. Their bosses had been at war a hundred years ago or so, but he had never met the country himself.

"Have you ever met Korea?," China asked the head trader, a strong young man who was about the same physical age as him.

"Only once. My grandfather had talked to him once or twice before the war, though. When they met, Korea was a very strong young boy, only about 5 or 6. By the time I met him, he was a little older, looking about 8 or 9, but he doesn't seem as strong as my grandfather described him. He likes making beautiful pottery and growing rice. In some ways, I think that you two are a lot alike."

"Did you bring us more iron?," asked one of the people. China guessed that they had arrived.

"Yes, of course," said the trader, "And I was wondering if I could speak with Korea?"

"Korea went to visit one of his friends a few days ago, but he should be coming back soon-," one of the villagers said, but before he could finish, a young boy walked over towards him and motioned for him to be quiet.

"Somebody came all this way to visit me! Who is it?," the boy said joyfully.

"I did," said China, "My name is China. I'm a country, just like you. I've heard so much about you, and it's nice to finally meet you." Korea's eyes grew wide with wonder.

"China! I thought I'd never get to meet you! Some of my people met you and told me how you're just like me, even more than Japan! "

China was curious. He had heard of Japan as well, of course, but he didn't know that Korea and Japan knew each other.

"Is Japan about your age? I haven't him yet. Can you give me some idea of what he looks like?," asked China. Korea nodded, smiling brightly.

"Japan's older than me, but he looks younger. He's kind of shy though, and I don't think he likes anyone very much."

"Well, if he's older than you, than it must have been hard on him... being the only nation, all by himself for so long..," China said, pondering.

"Was it hard on you? Y'know, being all by yourself and everything?," Korea asked. China didn't answer.

"Korea," began China, "Would you like to come visit my house for a little while. I would love to teach you about my culture, and learn about your's."

"Of course I would! Hey, do you think we could invite Japan to come along as well?," asked Korea, "The three of us could be like brothers!" China was a little surprised at Korea's choice of words, and, though he would never admit it, he liked the idea of having siblings.

"Sure. We can be a family," China said. And I'll protect you three, no matter what, he thought to himself.