A/U: Because of all the completely fabulous reviews I've been getting, I gift my readers with ANOTHER delicious chapter so soon as this. The best one so far I think. Sorry if I leave you all wanting more. But it's your feedback that helps motivates me! I forced the last two chapters, but after everything I've read, I was overflowing with ideas! C: Thanks again to everybody! I love you all.

*Tsundere (I hope I spelled it right lol) is a Japanese term. I'll describe it as best i can. It's when a character is very unfriendly and brief with or even hostile with people before opening up to reveal a loving more gentle side.

*Also, side noteing this. I don't own the title "Captain America" I only used it as a joke here.

Japan X America

Of Questionable Character

Chapter 6

Standing awkwardly in front of Kiku's house, the pair dared to meet eyes for a what seemed like only a moment, but in actuality, was a few minutes. They both blushed lightly and laughed as Kiku fumbled with sliding open his door.

"You don't keep it locked?" asked the blonde.

"No. I have no need. And ..there is no lock." he said.

"Well, that's not safe."

"I know. But I've never had any problems with theft before."

"Yeah, but what if someone came in the middle of the night and tried to molest you or something?" America jested. Japan gave his friend a look and laughed as he stepped inside. "Where do you come up with this stuff?"

Alfred smiled a bit sheepishly following him in. "Hey, it could happen."

"Yeah right. I'll believe it when I see it."

"Ahh, well you never know. Just don't come crying to me when France creeps in one night and steals you up. Because I'll just say ' I told you so.' " he slipped his jacket off and hung it up.

"What? You wouldn't come rescue me?" Japan scoffed, hands on his hips. America laughed and said,

"Of course I would! Because I'm-" Kiku cut him off saying,

"The Hero. Yes, yes we know, Captain America." He smiled and Alfred was taken back for a moment. He blushed lightly and laughed,

"Ha ha, yeah. He-" He was again cut off.

"Hey, do you want something to drink or anything?" The tall blonde shook his head as he watched Japan disappear into the kitchen. 'Damn. I've never seen this side of you before, Kiku. I really like it.' he thought to himself. ' Why isn't he like this more often? So easy to talk with; he's even making jokes. I wonder if- ' Even his thoughts were cut off when the smaller man walked back into the room. America quickly leaned against the wall in a panicky motion, trying to look cool and not like he was standing there like an idiot the whole time Kiku was gone. Which he was.

Japan noticed and laughed. "You're awful flinchy tonight. Come sit on the couch with me." he said. Damn, why was it that Alfred was baffled every time he spoke tonight? His attitude was just so much more.. friendly than usual. So open and relaxed. He wondered if he was ever this way around anyone else.

Sitting together seemed cute at first, but the awful monster of recurring awkward silence seemed to be closing in on them once again. It was like a disease that followed them around. They wouldn't look at each other for a while, and Kiku nearly jumped when America suddenly put his arm around his shoulder. "You know, you seem.. different tonight." the blonde said with ease.

"Oh, really?:" The American nodded. "How so?"

"Ooh, that's a tough one. Well, it's like..." he began to say, but anything after that was unheard by Japan. His own panicking thoughts drowned out the blonde's lovely voice. ' AII, why did he do that with his arm? When did we get this close? I definitely wasn't this close to him a minute ago, was I? How long have I been staring at him? Has he noticed? Crap, wait, he's talking to me. And I have no idea what he's saying. CRAP. Wait, when did his eyes get so blue? '

"Kiku, are you listening to me?" he suddenly asked.

"What? Yes, of course." he lied. America raised an eyebrow at him.

"Really? You seem... distracted."

"Hm. I was just thinking."

"And what were you thinking?" The blonde asked leaning forward with great curiosity,

' Crap.' Japan thought. He kept his cool expression though. He took a moment to think about what to say. " Your hair." came the late response accompanied by his hand ruffling the top of Alfred's head.

"My...what?" he said confused.

' CRAP, THAT SOUNDED SO MUCH BETTER IN MY HEAD.' he panicked slightly, shoulders tense. "I- uhh," He suddenly sprung up from the couch, startling his friend. "I'm going to get something to eat,do you want anything?Berightback!" the words came out much too fast to sound like a reasonable excuse to leave. But he left before he could read the blonde's expression.

He staggered into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. He put his hand to his forehead, feeling very hot and stupid. His cheeks burned with his embarrassment and shame. He repeatedly banged his head lightly against the cabinet doors. "What. Was. I. Think. Ing." he grumbled. "Stupid. Stupid. Stu-"

"Going a little hard on yourself there?" came the slightly louder than necessary comment from the blonde standing in the doorway. Japan jumped at his voice and felt the heat in his face intensify.

"Geez, and you called me flinchy tonight." He walked over and stroked the other's red cheek gently. "Don't worry, it was cute." he said laughing. Kiku took a step back reproachfully. He didn't like people invading his personal space, even if he secretly did want them too sometimes.

"Don't be so melodramatic. Gosh." America took another step closer, causing Japan to back into the fridge. "What's wrong?" he said concerned.

"Nothing, I just..." he looked away and swore, "Damnit."

"Kiku-" he reached for him but he pulled away.

"I can't stand what you always do to me." he took a few steps towards the door. Alfred followed, determined to make his move.

"What do you mean?" he said carefully.

"You- You just-" he sighed. "Whenever I'm with you, I loose my cool and act strangely. I don't like that." America cautiously moved closer still.

"Why not?" he said. Japan eyed him closely and paused before answering.

"Because.. Because I like being in control of my emotions.. and when I'm with you.. I don't know what to feel.." he said slowly. Alfred stood right in front of him now. He lifted the shorter man's chin with his fist to meet his eyes.

"Well maybe that's a good thing." he said quietly. Japan gave him a confused expression.

"Huh?"

"You don't always have to think everything through. Sometimes.. you just feel." he said barley above a whisper. They're faces were nose to nose. When had that happened?

They gazed into each other's eyes, and for a moment, Kiku didn't know where he was. He blinked and suddenly found a pair of soft lips pressed to his. This time, he made sure he kissed back. Closing his eyes, he felt Alfred's arm snake around his waist and pull\ them closer. He allowed his arms to wrap around the America's neck and kissed him passionately. He was so lost in the moment. Lost was really the perfect word for it. No sense of time or space or anything else around him. Only his Alfred with him.

Kiku was really adorable, America thought. He held him as close as possible, never wanting to let go. He had a secret devilish desire though. Wanting to coax some sort of noise from the smaller man, he bit down on his lower lip ever so gently. He heard a barley audible whimper. He grinned. Suddenly Japan pushed them apart, panting ever so slightly after pulling away. They both took a step back and looked at each other for a moment. Kiku touched his finger tips to his lips as he had the first time, in disbelief. When America smiled at him, he said,

"I think you should leave."

"What? Are you su-"

"Yes. I am. Please go." he started towards the door already, not looking back at the blonde calling his name. He was grabbed from behind, but pulled away with ease.

"Kiku-" Japan whipped back and glared at him. The door was opened and America stepped outside immediately. "I-" His jacket was thrown at him.

"I want to tell you..." he sighed.

"What?"

"I don't know what I want to tell you. I just thought I should say something..." Japan looked at him feeling guilty. He stepped forward, grabbed Alfred's shirt, and pulled him down for a quick kiss. The last thing he saw before slamming the door was his friend's smiling face, mouthing, "Goodbye."

Once he was sure America was gone, he threw himself onto the couch and groaned. "Why do I feel as though I've just made a horrible mistake?" he mumbled into a pillow. "And why do I really want to do it again?" Wait, hadn't he already asked himself that question the other night? If so, why was there still no answer?

Alfred slammed the car door closed, not in anger, but in excitement. He squealed loudly and kicked his feet around in the confined space, making the whole car shake with his movements. "Yes. Yes. Yes!" he squeaked out, giggling and grinning like a maniac. He sighed and wondered if Kiku felt the same kind of joy he was. ' Of course he must. I mean, how could anyone not be so excited after a kiss like that? ' he thought.

The dark haired man lie on his couch, eating shrimp flavored cup ramen. He really didn't need the outrageous sodium based snack right now, but he was hoping it would take his mind off the recent events that took place in his kitchen. It didn't.

He sighed and gave up trying to forget. Instead he let his mind wander. He was so careful not to do this too often. It always depressed him in some way. So he usually liked to keep himself busy. But who could concentrate on anything with that damn American lurking around in his head?

He liked him. He definitely liked him now. He couldn't deny it anymore. He couldn't particularly say why either. He just.. loved being with him. He acted so *tsundere to everyone else. What made Alfred so special? Was it his cute sunshiny smile that could light up the world on a dark stormy day? Was it his playful attitude towards life and his careless disposition? Or was it the way he made Japan laugh and loosen up so easily? Maybe it had something to do with those big crystal blue eyes that screamed of a child-like innocence. Or how those same eyes could glow with such devious intentions hidden behind them? There was hardly a question as too whether or not his feelings were genuine or fake anymore. He could feel it in his presence.

Still, something was bothering him still. He couldn't put his finger on it, and decided to call up France again. (Although he knew the man could offer no decent advice, he really just wanted someone to tell all this too. Francis already knew half of it, so it would be a waste of time to call anyone else.)

"I only have one question for you, Kiku. Do you regret asking him to leave?"

"No. But... I wish he had come back. That he was still here with me."

"Oh hon hon hon hon." he laughed. "Sounds to me like you have got it bad for Mr. America." Japan sighed and covered his face with his hands. It was official. Someone, check his head to make sure he wasn't loosing his mind. This was all too unexpected.

"Thank you again, Francis. Yes, yes I'll figure something out. … No, I'm not going to sleep with him. ….No, I am not going to sleep with you. Goodbye." he hung up before the Frenchman could finish speaking. Honestly, does that man have any decency what-so-ever?

He lie on his floor mat wide awake, once again facing another seemingly sleepless night filled with thoughts of his American boyfriend. Time passed so slowly without him; so quickly with him. It just wasn't fair, he thought. Suddenly he felt the soft fluffy mystery cat brush up against him. He held it close and listened as it's soft purring lulled him to sleep. ' I wonder what kind of adventures await me tomorrow. ' he thought before drifting into a particularly pleasant dream about his favorite American boy.