A/N: I love my reviewers! Especially you, NekoChibitalia- your review made me so happy! :D The story continues here. Perspectives switch again. Japan's is going on at the same time as Germany's. A slightly longer chapter for you all now too. Yay! I made Hong Kong basically China's personal bodyguard. Hope no one thinks that's too weird. Anyone else geeking out about E3? 8D MineCraft is on the Xbox now! :D
Itai-itai-itai-itai-it-ahhhhh. Japan let out a sigh as he settled into a soft cushion on the tatami floor mat. Gardening was very enjoyable, but in truth, stooping down for hours on end was hard on Japan's back. Sometimes, he envied the youthful exuberance of some of the nations, like America. But then, he wouldn't have the wisdom he had accrued over the centuries.
No, thought Japan, pushing his sweat soaked hair from his eyes, no; the gain of youth is not worth the loss of wisdom. Japan stretched, enjoying the slight burn that resonated through the length of his arms. He then reached over to the nearby table and grabbed a heavy, ancient tome, one of Greece's books, and set it on his lap. This book was very entertaining, describing the ways of Greece's gods and goddesses, who seemed very human for powerful deities. Cracking open the worn volume, Japan found his place, slightly more than halfway through, marked by a folded up piece of paper. Hmm. It looked familiar, but he couldn't remember what it was. Curious, Japan opened up the note and found an address written. China's handwriting. Perhaps it was where Germany was set to meet China. Though he felt a bit perturbed about the whole thing, Japan decided to ignore it for now, and focus instead on his book. He had to return it soon, after all, and he would not allow his nation's reputation for punctuality to be sullied.
"Say it, aru!"
"…"
"I thought you wanted to see that idiot brother of yours, aru."
"… Please... please hit me again…" Germany mumbled.
"Like you mean it, aru!" China let annoyance start to seep into his voice. He hit his own hand with the riding crop, a soft slapping noise echoing through the room.
"Please hit me again, master," said Germany through gritted teeth.
China smirked. "As you wish, aru."
Crack!
"More, aru?"
"…Yes." Germany tightened his eyes as he waited for the next hit. How much more humiliating could this get?
Crack!
Germany's chains rattled above him as he winced from the blow. He tensed, waiting for another hit. Instead, he suddenly felt small, warm hands on his abdomen. He flinched but managed to keep from kicking away the small man. That would only make it worse.
China's hands moved slowly up Germany's stomach, working their way up to his chest. He reached for the Iron Cross that hung below Germany's collarbone.
"No. Don't touch it," said Germany hoarsely. "You can do whatever else you want, just don't touch that. Please."
"Fine, aru." He sounded disappointed.
China suddenly let go of Germany, and reached into an interior pocket in his own robe. He pulled out a small silver key and unlocked the chains that held Germany's arms up. With a great clatter, the chains fell, slapping against the metal pole. Germany groaned quietly as his arms went to his sides. He began to rub his newly released wrists, which had begun to chafe from the iron manacles, when he felt China grab his shoulders and steer him to the bed, pushing him into a half lying position, Germany's bent elbows supporting him. Not this… thought Germany as China began to move his mouth along Germany's collarbone, being very careful not to touch the pendant on Germany's neck- sadistic though he may be, China was a man of his word. Germany strained his neck, turning his chin up and leaning away from China as best as he could. He couldn't outright resist and push China away (it would mean more trouble for him), but he wasn't about to make it easy. China moved one hand slowly down Germany's defined stomach, and carefully un-buttoned Germany's pants (which he had allowed him to keep on earlier) but looking up at a wall clock, he noticed that it was getting late. Sighing, he removed his hand from Germany's waistband and instead, grabbed his chin, kissing his neck and bit, sucking slowly as Germany winced, his hands uselessly curling into fists at his side.
"Aiyah, I won't get to finish having fun with you today, aru. But," said China in a sultry voice, fingering the red mark he had made. "This will remind you that you belong to me, aru." Germany shivered involuntarily with the touch. China rolled off the bed, reached down to pick something up and threw some garments at Germany. China untied his messy ponytail and ran his fingers through the long brown strands. Swiftly, he put it up again, a few strands escaping from the yellow tie and framing his face. "Now, get your clothes on, aru. I suppose you can see your brother now, aru."
By the time Japan noticed that he was hungry, it was well past lunch. In fact, it was about time to start preparing dinner. The book Greece had lent him was so enthralling, he had forgotten about everything else entirely. In fact, for a moment, he wondered why Germany was so quiet today. Ah, I forgot, thought Japan. He's meeting China today. With a slight groan (apparently, sitting cross-legged on a cushion for hours on end tends to stiffen one's body), Japan stood up and carefully set the book on the table it had earlier rested on. He leaned back, his bones cracking. Straightening up, Japan walked over to the kitchen. Well, he thought, I should make food for more than what the two of us usually eat. Germany was likely to have forgotten to get some kind of sustenance while he was out, and would surely return absolutely ravenous.
Opening a large cabinet, Japan began pulling out various ingredients. A typical Japanese meal would do, he thought. Ichiju-sansai- one soup, three sides. Miso for the soup of course and gohan- or maybe udon? Japan pondered. His grumbling stomach interrupted his train of thought. Oh yes, he thought. I must have something to eat. Japan walked over to the basket of fruit in the breakfast nook and removed an orange. Not much of a meal, but it would do until dinner time.
As he peeled the orange, Japan thought about Germany. He had appeared apprehensive when Japan told him that China wanted to talk to him, and that had worried him. Combined with Germany's mannerisms recently, the whole ordeal was near maddening. Again, he returned to his usual worry: why did Germany always look so guilty, even afraid of Japan at some points? Germany was keeping some kind of secret from him, that Japan knew, but was it really so dark that he didn't think he could confide in Japan? Nibbling on a piece of orange, juice dripping from his fingers, Japan tried to ignore the negative, nagging voice in his head. It's okay. I trust him. And I'm sure he trusts me. After a few more moments of brooding, Japan walked back to the kitchen and discarded the orange peel, washing his hands at sink afterwards. He tied a bandana around his head to keep his hair back and an apron to keep his clothes immaculate. Brandishing a long sharp knife, he began to ready dinner.
Germany walked behind China through a dimly lit corridor, stone walls trapping cold air inside. The coolness felt good on his clothed back, which still stung from the treatment China had given him earlier. Hong Kong stood at his side, portraying no emotion. However, Germany could sense that any wrong move on his part would mean a knife to the throat. For some reason, though, the youth looked tense.
"Don't worry, Hong Kong… the next section is well lit, aru," called China over his shoulder as he unlocked a heavy wooden door.
"Whatever," muttered the boy, the first time Germany had ever heard him speak. However, he visibly relaxed as they crossed into the lit room. So he was afraid of the dark, mused Germany. At least he disguised his phobias better than America.
"Here you go," said China, gesturing to a small door. "In that room, you will find your brother, aru. You get 15 minutes with him, aru. After that, Hong Kong will escort you out, aru." Turning to Hong Kong, China instructed the boy, giving him hushed orders in Cantonese. Hong Kong answered curtly, then turned to unlock the door with a key China had deposited in his hand. China looked at Germany and smiled, reaching up to brush the bite mark he had left. He laughed as Germany immediately flinched from his touch. "I'll call when I want you again, aru." He told Germany as he trounced off into a side door. Germany glared at the door that China had escaped through. The bastard…
Hong Kong coughed quietly, and Germany turned. Right, he was about to see his brother for the first time in months. Preparing himself for whatever harm China and his minions had inflicted on his brother, Germany nodded appreciatively to Hong Kong, who ignored him, then opened the door. A thin, ragged figure lied on a cot, back facing the door. Their white hair glinted in the light.
"Go away," said the person, their voice quiet, angry.
"Nein."
The figure stiffened. "W-West?"
"Ja."
With a bit of a struggle, the figure turned and sat up. "What are you doing here?"
"Trying to save you, you dumkoff." Germany said, walking over. Gently, he hugged his brother, a few tears streaming down his cheek. "What did you get yourself into?"
A/N: And Prussia makes his first appearance! :D Yay! Next chapter will be up soon too, maybe by Thursday, if I work quickly.
Oh, yeah, glossary:
Ichiju-sansai- one soup, three sides.
Miso- a type of soup made with fermented bean paste
gohan- white rice
udon- a thick noodle that sometimes substitutes for rice in Japanese cuisine.
Nein- no
Ja- yes
Dumkoff- idiot
