A/N: Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait (Been on vacation enjoying being away and wanted to refresh my writing by reading and also watching plenty of anime lately!) Anyhoo I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please leave a review, comment, or suggestion like/hate? I love all the critiques! :)
Ch7- *Normal p.o.v.~
Ivan woke up a bit earlier than Anya did. Her little blonde almost white head of hair barely showing underneath the covers. 'I need to call big Sestra Ukraine. I can't take care of her even if I've done fine so far.' he doubted himself with the Baltic's always fearing he would hurt them. Which he can't blame them for. He HAS taken his anger out on them a few times, mainly Lithuania as he takes it upon himself to recieve Latvias punishments. Russia wouldn't lay a hand on a child, unless it was a spank on the bottom for doing something bad. He got up and walked towards his drawers to get a clean set of clothes and took a shower.
When he came out of the bathroom he was fresh with the morning air, it was cool, but not cold in his room. Just the way he liked it, he liked warmth, but not America's blazing heated weather. He saw the girl was missing from his bed. "Anya?" He called as he put his feet in his slippers and looked in the hallway. He heard some noise coming from the kitchen of rustling.
Sweep~ Sweep~
'What's that sound?' he thought curious. He saw in surprise Anya dressed in his yellow Usa-Chan apron (A gag gift from Japan with the suggestion of Prussia calling him snow bunny behind his back.) It was big on her though dragging on the floor as she held the broom that was taller than her sweeping some dirt into the dustpan with difficulty. She saw him standing there watching her, her light blue orbes brightening "Mr. Ivan! Goodmorning."
He smiled at her reaction making him feel delighted that she liked him enough to not be scared of him. "Good morning little one.~ You had me worried when you suddenly gone missing." Anya put the broom against the wall that was to her side and twiddled her thumbs.
"I'm sorry." She pouted quietly worried she'd done something wrong. "I wanted to surprise you by helping clean up."
Ivan couldn't help, but pat her head. She looked up with wide eyes expecting something else. "It's alright little one. I won't ever punish you for just wanting to help out with the cleaning." She smiled and hugged me sqeezing me quite tightly. "My you're quite strong for one so small." He commented, making her laugh. He thought, 'That's the most heart-warming sound to me.'
*Ivan's P.O.V.*
Anya let go and put the broom back in the cleaning closet, where it was. She hung up the apron on it's hook by throwing it up in the air perfectly not needing my assistance. I told her, "I'm going to call moi big sestra Katyusha. I'll make you breakfast in a minute, da?"
"Da!" She replied. I smiled before going into the closest phone in the hallway. I dialed Katyusha's phone number and heard it ring before she answered.
"Hello?" She answered as if she has barely gotten up.
"Sestra? It's me." I answered and I heard a "Oh!" And a few ruffling as if she was hurrying something. I sighed, she probably thought it was about the gas bill. "Sestra... Calm down I just need your help with something." Wow... I sounded quite desperate the way I said that.
"... Vanya, you need my help?" I heard shock overcome her. "Whatever is it for?" She didn't mean to sound rude for it was true, he hardly ever called her unless it was for her to pay up. I felt a stab of guilt for that.
I gathered my breath, "You see, I found a lost child wondering around after the meeting yesterday. Her name is Anya and since I havent gotten a call from the police, they still havent found her mother. So, I'm taking care of her and I need your help." I waited a minute for Katyusha to process the information.
"I'll be over right away than! I'm always happy to help out my baby brother." She said warmly before hanging up to pack her stuff and catch the soonest flight. I walked back to the kitchen feeling better and less stress over the fact I didn't have to take care of Anya by myself. I heard a very loud growl noise coming from said girl.
Anya's face flushed embarresment, "My stomach." She pointed out the obvious not even bothering to lie and say it was the cat. I chuckled into my hand.
"Somebody's hungry. Okay, I shall make breakfast." I announced and Anya took it upon herself to get a step stool to get the plates to help set the table. "Thank you for your help, Anya."
She jitterred with excitement at that, "It's no problem Mr. Ivan! I love helping out." I patted her head and felt her hair was a bit greasy.
"Maybe after eating we should give you a bath, da?" I saw her eyes widen in fear.
"A bath? No!" She hid behind a chair. 'Uh oh, she's one of those kids that fight to not take a bath.' I thought to my own how he had been so difficult with Katyusha. 'I'm sorry sestra... Seems I'll be recieving a taste of my own medicine.' I fear how much Anya would fight or hide and I would have to find her.
I set out the breakfast, "Yes, a bath. But, eating breakfast comes first in starting the day." I told her as she sat down on the chair she hid behind. Anya said, "Thank you for breakfast." before digging into her food. 'I've got to work on her manners a bit more it seems.' But she seemed to enjoy her food so much I didn't mention it. I found it cute for her age, for example, I didn't find it cute with America gorging himself because he's not a child anymore so he shouldn't act like one. I frowned thinking of the blasted American dubbed "hero". I shook my head of unpleasant thoughts to another set of unpleasant ones. Like Anya's dream of Anastasia's death. She knew what happened for certain what the people of his country only guessed and hoped she lived despite the revolution giving birth to the soviet union. The nation born from Red... I ate the last of my pancake as did Anya. She saw the look in my eyes which I tried to hide by closing them and doing my signature smile.
"Now, it's bath time, da?" Keeping my voice light. The baltics knew when my voice got this is to not argue with ANYTHING. I saw Anya nod giving up knowing I would catch her anyway. "Da..." she bummingly said sensing I wasn't in the mood. She walked behind me towards the bathroom.
I needed to keep myself in check when it came to my thoughts. "I'm sorry da? But, a bath is so one can smell nice and be healthy. I'll prepare the tub, while you undress in the room for privacy heres a towel to cover yourself on your way in." Amazing how this small child can get me to apologize to her, as it stands I NEVER apologize to other people.
Anya grinned, "Can it be a bubble bath?" I nodded before she happily took the towel into the room connected to the bathroom. I set the bath with the bubbles using the shampoo. I didn't have bubble bath soap. Mental note that I need to get some from the store next time.
I called out, "Your bath is ready." She walked in with the towel wrapped around her whole body with her ankles barely showing. 'She's so tiny.' I chuckled at her, while she scowled playfully. "What's so funny Mr. Ivan?"
"I was just noticing how small you are." I told her truthfully. I looked away as I grabbed the towel from her shoulders as she hopped quickly underneath the bubbles in the bath for cover. "Is it okay for me to help you wash your hair?" I finally turned my head around as she had a pouting look on her face. "What's that look for?"
"I'm not small, I'm fun-sized." She flicked a bit of water at me getting my cheek a little wet. She grinned then at that small challenge. While it was my turn to do a pout.
"I already took a shower this morning Anya. No need to make me take another one." I snickered as she giggled at the small joke.
"Okay, Mr. Ivan I forgive you. And Da, you may help me wash my hair." I gathered the soap in my hands thinking of the way big Sestra Ukraine always did with me, to make sure nothing got in my eyes. I ordered, "Bend your head back." She obliged as I got some water to wash the soap out. Than the conditioner and we were done.
"Would you like to stay in the bath a little longer to relax and play?" I asked. She nodded as she dove underneath the water as if she were swimming in a small pool. "Careful not to open your eyes underneath the water or else it'll hurt your eyes. Don't swallow the water either." She came back up and smiled.
"Yes, Mr. Ivan." I went to the livin room to sit down and turn on the tv. I hardly ever used it for I worked all the time. Which reminds me, it's a good thing my boss didn't call about a meeting.I heard a knock at the door and bouncing drums. 'It must be Ukraine.' I got up and opened the door revealing herself plus a few bags with her.
"Privjet, big Setra!" I hugged her surprising her once again. 'I guess I don't do as many nice things as I used to do when I was young...' I thought saddened by my behavior.
Ukraine smiled and hugged back to me though. "Privjet little Vanya. How have you been?"
"Just fine, but as you know I am keeping a child and need your help..." I pouted.
She giggled, "Of course, I even brought a couple of outfits for her. I don't know her size, but I hope these fit." Reavealing a few shopping bags with socks, dresses, shirts, and pants.
I looked them over and imagined them on Anya. "Da, these should fit. If not right now she'll grow into them." I felt very grateful for her help than. I would have just had her wear my shirts as a dress if not for Ukraine. "Spasiba."(Thank you.)
"Mr. Ivan!" I heard Anya yell from the bathroom. Ukraine and I walked to her as she still remained in the water.
"Is something wrong little one?" She shook her head.
"No, I want to get out of the bath now, but the towel is too far for me to reach." She pointed towards the towel which was by the counter. Ukraine laughed at the situation.
"Oh, she's adorable!" She commented as big Sestra got the towel and held up hiding the girl from my sight. "Now you can hop out of the tub, while I wrap the towel around you so 'Mr. Ivan' cant peek."
I growled underneath my breath, "As if I would do that, big Sestra. I am not like France." She didn't seem to hear me though as she was talking to the girl.
"I am Mr. Ivan's big sestra Katyusha, but you can call me Aunt Katya." Katyusha always loved kids no matter what.
Anya held the towel around her feeling awkward meeting someone in a bathroom. "I'm Anya. I like staying with Mr. Ivan." Her face was flushed from her nice bath. I felt warm at what she said. No one else thought so living with me. I thought then, what if the police found her Mama? I would be rather sad. I feel selfish for wanting her to stay. I continued to stare at the two girls as they chatted about trivial things. I felt happy at the moment, so I'll enjoy it while it lasts.
A/N: Finally! I'm guessing you're all saying. xD I have been soooo busy and I'm always exhausted by the time I get home. So forgive me! The next story I'll definitely be working on is the boy is mine. I apologize once again and thank you for your patience!