The little nation was a little standoffish, but eventually hugged him, he felt his tiny self start to sniffle and he buried his face into England's shoulder.

"I promise I will not be too much trouble." He hiccupped a little, and was glad Hughes had stayed close by, it was an overwhelming relief to hear them both say it was alright, and was sure that if the curse couldn't be fixed he would be happy this size forever. England held a hand to the side of China's cheek and stroked it, smiling. He was happy that the child was happy.

"Now, now poppet...you can't promise that you won't be too much trouble, because what's the fun of having a normal childhood without a little bit of mischievousness?" He hugged the child tightly, and kissed him on the forehead. Releasing him he stood back up and walked to his pile of dough.

Hughes stuffed more of the dough with meat, and set them lined up on a plate. He then got a deep pot for water, and put it on the burner. Looking to the boy, he cleared his throat.

"Alright then lad...what's next? The water is set for a boil."

For a moment China stared dumbly at England, had he guessed it with out Yao saying it out right, that he Wang Yao the great china, simply wanted a real childhood? Was that maybe why the curse was on him, was it a childhood curse, that would not let you grow until you had gotten that kind of experience? China of course had no idea but he started to wonder if maybe, England had done this for him, on purpose. Smiling Yao decided he didn't care, and whatever the reason for this, he was glad.

"Huh, oh yes." China turned to Hughes and marched over to the boiling pot. "You have a double boiler yes, you need that on top, the dumplings must be steamed." Yao explained and tried to reach up at the boiling pot himself.

England had nothing but smiles for the boy and continued with his dough and the filling of the dumplings, he had not noticed that Yao needed an additional pot for boiling. His focus was entirely on so many other things now, along with the dumpling preparations. With the child muttering that he needed a double boiler, Hughes had his back turned and was washing the vegetables. Once he was done, he turned to face the boy and gasped as the boy reached for the boiling pot of water. Had he not reacted so quickly the child may have scalded himself.

"No! Master Wang...don't touch, you'll get an awful burn." Hughes ran over to the boy, and with parental instant grabbed hold of the child and held him closely, breathing deeply.

England heard this and walked over, but stopped and his eyes widened as Hughes quickly delivered three sound smacks to the little nation's backside. It all had happened so fast and China hadn't really thought about his actions being harmful to his small self . So when the hard swats fell fast against his bottom as he was held close to Hughes, he did not have time to hold back a sound and let out several undignified cries and squirmed.

"Ahh! Ahh! Oww!" He cried and then clung to Hughes arm shaking his eyelashes damp with some intrepid tears. "Why…why…did you…do that?" He stammered still feeling very shocked by the fast action of the butler, at the same time he felt very scared at the sudden raising of voices and being jerked back that he could already feel tears of shame coming to his eyes. Hughes cleared his throat, and responded.

"Little Master...that was very, very dangerous. I did not mean to get angry, but you almost hurt yourself to an awful degree. You need to understand the consequences of your size and the actions that will take place. You are a little nation, thus grabbing the pot, you should have known better. I am sorry little one. Perhaps those swats will give you a better understanding of what should not be touched. Do not let me catch you trying something like that again."

He gave the child an extremely worried look and as much as Hughes hated to chastise the boy, he felt he had no choice. The child's actions just now were inexcusable. He knelt down while pulling the boy close.

"There, there poppet." He took a cloth to the boys face and dried some tears.

He couldn't seem to stop sniffling the tears felt thick and sticky and he just couldn't' seem to hold them back. HE knew Hughes and England were not mad or angry, but it had just shook him up quite a bit, and China felt almost guilty for having tried to do something like that.

"I…I wasn't trying to do something dangerous." He hiccupped and tried to help rub away his tears but he had little success and so was grateful Hughes had a the little cloth.

Wiping away the tears, Hughes kept the child close to him, and embraced him tightly, now kneeling, and holding the boy on one knee. England stood by, slightly aghast at having Hughes spank the little nation. He chimed up.

"Uh Hughes...do you think that was really necessary?" Said the nation as he looked down at his butler, but he was then quickly silenced by a glare. The butler spoke up in reply.

"Master Arthur, forgive my tongue, but it was no different than when you were a little nipper. You did the very same thing when I created a fire in the parlor...you reached into the kindling, knowing it was hot, and burned your little hands. A firm smacking was given to your bottom too." He hushed the child and looked back at him. "Little one...if something is hot, then you need to stay away. Little hands will surly get burned. I know you weren't trying to do anything dangerous, but you are not at your adult size anymore, so things are going to be dangerous now. Here now, blow your little nose into the cloth."

Taking in large breaths China nodded his head hiccupping a little and gratefully blowing his nose in the offered handkerchief. He had no idea Hughes would even be capable of such an act, it nearly felt like a betrayal, but some how it didn't. He had the oddest feeling of not wanting to leave the butlers embrace.

"I…I just didn't think it would be an-any different." He tried to speak calmly. Hughes proceeded to get up, but he picked up the boy into his arms, and held him tightly. He swayed back and fourth, and just shook his head slightly.

"Young Master...you confided in me and Master Kirkland that you wished to stay as a child. With that, you need to remember that you can not do everything you were able to do. You are not the same nation as before." He held a finger under the boy's chin, and lifted it up. "Unless...unless you are having second thoughts? Are you still happy this way?"

"I'm still happy, I..I just forgot I was small, I still want to be your boy." China said his voice whining a little as if he were hiding his embarrassment.

England watched the two, and a soft smile formed on his face. He then looked to the clock, and saw that it was seven-fifteen. He slightly panicked.

"Oh no! We...we have roughly forty-five minutes...what are we going to do? I need to get changed, and...and...the dumplings. Hughes...Yao, what are we going to do now?" England's sudden out burst broke the moment caused the boy to smirk, and look up at the nation.

"Arthur calm yourself breath!" Yao shouted waving a little hand at him, "The dumplings can be steamed in time and you just need to set the table or get dressed or something like that, and then we can both greet the others as they arrive!" Yao huffed, he didn't see any reason to be panicking.

Hughes smiled down at the child and his little comment. Still holding Yao, and looking over at England now, he smirked at the little outburst, and China's response to the panic stricken Arthur. While embracing the child more tightly, he responded.

"Master...why don't you go ahead and get dressed and ready, while the little one and myself prepare the dumplings. Its quite fine...we are capable of getting everything ready."

"But...but Hughes...I...the preparations, and the meeting room. The food...oh the beverages...I..."

"Master Kirkland...really now...its quite under control. Really, as Master China stated...calm your breath." He knelt down, and set the boy on the floor, and stood back up to height and held a hand on England's shoulder. "Go on now...please my Lord."

"Eh…but Hughes…I…" He was still breathing heavily, and looked around the room in a panic.

Feeling he had to take matters into his own hands and seeing as everyone gave him swats when he was needing them China once on his feet stomped over to Arthur pulled his sleeve back and gave the adult as firm a swat as he could muster.

"Listen to your Butler!" He said loudly trying to build his courage back from the last bout of tears he had just endured. That and he was not very sure what was really allowed of him as a child, but there was no better way to find out than to do things.

England had to take a double take and really just wonder if what had happened...really just happened. The little nation stood back waiting, and England gasped slightly. Not at the swat because coming from an eight year old, it had not hurt, but he looked slightly bewildered.

"Uh...excuse me young man...just what do you think you are doing? How dare you and..." He was quickly silenced when Hughes walked over to him, and gave him a firm stare. And for a second China was sure he was going to be punished for this, but it just seemed the only way to handle England, but maybe children were not allowed that privilege. Hughes spoke up.

"If you will my Lord...please see yourself up to your quarters now and get yourself dressed. I am entirely sure we can handle this...unless..." He smiled back down to China. "Unless you would like to have me treat you with the same treatment...only with the "good ole' slipper?" He hid a smirk. England quickly covered his backside, and inched away from both China and the butler.

"Oh...um...no Hughes...I can manage...thank you." He quickly turned around and headed to the stairwell and went to his room. Hughes looked down and winked at China.

"Good show young chap." Looking to the dumplings. "Shall we?"

As soon as Hughes spoke up though Yao quickly took two steps nearer the butler, it seemed a good precaution, and watched and smiled and held back giggles and made sure England fully left the kitchen before he bust into laughter and had to hold his sides.

"Yes, I'm ready to finish steaming the dumplings." He managed to say between laughter. Hughes nodded and walked over to a lower cupboard and opened it pulling out the pot that would be used as a double boiler. He then took it over to the stove and spoke with a calm tone to the child. He still had more to tell the child.

"Young Master, it is important to remember that all the nations were once small...and it does take a firm hand to control such actions when one acts up. But..." He smirked down. "You of course know that already." Taking the pot, he set it down, and turned on the gas. The vegetables were ready, and he grabbed up China, letting the boy sit on the counter's edge, while watching him carefully. "Okay now...what shall be done about the greens?"

"Of course Hughes." China grinned and then almost let out a giggly laugh as he was hoisted up and set on the counter. Smiling Yao swung his legs and watched the butler carefully in case he needed direction. "Veggies hmm…I like mine steamed. We can do that." Yao suggested sense they already were going to be steaming the dumplings.

"That is perfectly fine, allow me to take care of that little one." Hughes said as he took from the pile of already stuffed dumplings and added some to the pot. When he was finished, he looked over to the boy. "Alright my lad, go ahead and add the greens." He smiled and then had a look of wonder on his face. "I wonder if Master Arthur is having a breakdown of some sort. He did seem awfully nervous."

China felt very at ease when he was cooking and happily added the veggies one small handful at a time. He nodded at Hughes when the butler spoke of England having a hard time. He was going to suggest that Arthur get a real spanking , but held back his comment.

Meanwhile back in England's room, the nation was putting on airs because he had no idea what to wear. He walked to his wardrobe and opened the doors. Looking inside, he glanced, and then something struck his fancy. Reaching in he pulled out a beige suit with a black button up shirt, and a matching beige tie. He was giddy because now he could be ready. Getting dressed in a flash, he quickly ran down the steps with at least ten minutes to spare. Looking into the kitchen he saw Hughes and China still cooking.

"Er...Hughes...China, I believe we are almost..." England stopped as he listened and heard loud chimes ringing. It was the front door, and the first nation had arrived. "Oh...they are here!"

Little China himself suddenly sounded alarmed and the front door rang. It was at that moment China realized he felt a nervous too, and so to cover it up he shouted loudly.

"I'll get it!" and pushed himself off the counter with both hands letting the hand full of green peas go flying as he tried to race for the door.

Hughes smiled down at the boy who got up and ran to the door. But he made sure to watching the boy with caution as he jumped down from the counter, he had to make sure the boy did not hurt himself.

"Oh, Master Yao...wait...please wait for me to assist you...the other nations...they...they aren't going to know its you." Hughes ran down the hall after the boy, as well as England who up until this point was behaving extra skittish.

Arriving at the door, England caught his breath, and held the boy back by his shoulders. He wheezed slightly, having not chased a child in the house since America set the parlor carpets on fire, and Arthur chased him down the hall with his slipper. He looked down with a slight annoyance on his face, since this was his mansion, he had to make the child aware.

"Yao...hold off for a moment...I will answer the door, stay by my side alright little one?" China didn't really want to wait he wanted to get this thing over with so he could quit feeling on edge about how the others would react, but sighed and let England get the door being he could probably open it easier.

England turned the handle. Once it was opened, he was not surprised at all on the nation that was standing before him. Loud and obnoxious, the nation walked in.

"BRITAIN! Hey broseph! Sooooo good to see you!" America walked in, chest bumping Arthur causing the man, to slightly groan, and then coughing. Alfred then looked over to Hughes, and smiled. "Hello old man...what's going on there...how are...OUCH!" America suddenly rubbed the side of his arm as he was forcibly punched by England.

"You will do well to mind your manners America...Hughes will not be referred to as "old man", and um...please say hello to the other nation that is with us." England pointed down, and had America look down to little China. Adjusting his glasses, Alfred smiled.

"YAO? Hey...what happened to you? How are ya?" America said while patting the little China on the head.

Yao had suspected the country would have treated him normally accept for the patting on the head. Irritated China kicked Alfred in the shins.

"Yes its me you lazy American! And don't pat me on the head I'm still older than you just because I'm shrunk doesn't mean I'm not!"

England had to hold his sides at this, because after all, it was only America and the nation was undoubtedly the biggest nuisance. Meanwhile America yelled out and with slight tears in his eyes, he grabbed hold of the awful spot where the boy had kicked and fell to the ground.

"OUUUUUUUUCH! Ugh, ouch, ouch!" America looked up at the miniature nation and gritted his teeth, and breathing out. He looked up at England, but since his own brother wasn't doing anything, he went to get up and grab at the child. "Why you little brat! What the hell? I only asked what happened to you!"

He stood up, slightly trying to hold himself up. Hughes on the other hand did not find this amusing. He looked to England, and then to America. Clearing his throat, he swiftly took China by the hand, and lead him back through the hallway, and down towards the kitchen. Arriving back inside, Hughes knelt down and gave the boy a firm glare.

"Young Master...that was not very nice. I know that Master Alfred is not particularly a quiet nation, but in no way did he deserve what just happened to him just now. You had best straighten up little one, or you will find yourself over my knee."

For a moment Yao was glad for Hughes rescue and smirked as the butler led him away feeling he had escaped whatever it was America was going to do to him, but the feeling was not long lasting as Hughes spoke sternly with him, he couldn't help but try to avert his eyes he did not like when the butler was not pleased with his behavior. He adjusted the boy's clothing, and then stood up.

"Please little one...I don't mean to be upset with you, but you know better than that. I need to grab the dumplings...why don't you go back out to the foyer, and apologize to America."

"But…he was being rude first! I don't want to apologize what if he tries to pat my head again!" He whined. Sighing again, Hughes had not wanted confrontation because the relationship between the two was a good one. He turned away from the stove and looked at the boy with somewhat compassion. He put his hands to his hips, and spoke.

"Master China...come now, do not be unfair. You are a little nation, and in the ways of some actions, a pat on the head is not the worst thing in the world. Now then...what you should have asked him was to kindly refrain from patting your head, or that you do not like that sort of treatment. Kicking Master Alfred's shins...well that was downright naughty. If you want to be treated with respect, then you mustn't act like a spoiled little brat."

He walked back to the boy, and took him by the shoulders, pushing him gently out the door.

"I will take care of the dumplings...you go now and apologize to him at once." England and America were down the hall still talking. Since then, with both of them by the door, France had arrived as well as Japan.

"Y-yesss." China sighed as Hughes pushed him out. He nearly wanted to stomp all the way back but refrained, thinking that the Hughes had a point, and that he must not act spoiled so he could still have the respect he wished. Seeing now the other countries he felt shyer about apologizing and thought he might skip it until later.

America and England looked over at the little nation of China, and saw the small little pout on his face. England went to talk, but America beat him to it. He stepped in.

"Soooo...do you have something to say to me little Yao?" As soon as America said the boy's name, Japan suddenly looked over with wide eyes, as well as France. Both nations were very bewildered. Honda walked towards the boy, and knelt down.

"Big brother? Is that you?" Frowning even more with the way snotty America expected him to apologize like that China had half a mind to kick him again, only now Japan was kneeling in front of him making it harder to think on say he was sorry.

"Eh- yes. Yes it is me little brother, I'm just smaller." He said trying to puff out his small chest.

America smirked slightly as Japan questioned the boy. He went to intervene when England held him back, giving the nation a deathly stare, and shaking his head. Japan looked up at the two, and then back at his brother.

"But...smaller? How did you get to be smaller? Did you get mixed up with Mister England's magic?" He raised an eyebrow to the boy, because though the nation was his elder, he still felt like the child needed to explain himself. Feeling more awkward than before China squirmed under all the bigger countries eyes.

"I didn't do it on purpose!" he said holding back from snapping at his younger brother "I was just coming to give England his tea and his magic made me small." Still not understanding, Honda looked over at England and stood up.

"What does he mean England? Why are you doing magic in front of my big brother...um...little bro...brother?" England looked at the nation with a bewildered expression, he looked down to the boy, and then back at China.

"Uh...wait...just wait a moment. He was the one that came down to my secret quarters. I hadn't meant for this to happen, I actually tried to change him back, and well...it worked for the most part. He was five years old, and now he is eight. I mean...come now Yao...you tell your brother you wanted to stay like this."

Japan watched the nervous England jabber on, and then the nation looked down with a raised eyebrow at the boy.

"Is this true?" Japan raised an eyebrow and looked to his brother.

This was not what Yao had expected of England, yes he wanted to stay small for a while, but he didn't want everyone especially Japan to know this. His cheeks flushed angrily and he suddenly started shouting in Cantonese, mostly curse words. He was just too upset to think clearly of what this might lead to but he was not about to admit willingly to the other nations that he wanted to stay small and cared for. The nations looked at one another, and then at each other. America scratched his head, and then looked to England.

"What the hell? What did he say bro? And...um Japan...did you know what that little runt just said?" Japan seemed a little offended. He cleared his throat, and with a patient smile, he nodded his head only slightly.

"I recognized a little words...and from the tone, I only assume they are not kind words and..." Japan was cut off by a more stern voice.

"I understood everything that was said..." The nations all turned their heads down the foyer, and saw Hughes standing with his arms crossed, and a very disappointing look upon his face. "Master Yao...if you would come over to me...right now...I'd like a word." The butler stood staring straight into the boy's eyes, and did not take his sight off him.