Yao had stayed crouched and now as Hughes spoke to him he took a breath and stood as tall as he could before bravely stating.

"Do it here, I don't want to delay the meeting anymore." He felt brave but he also did it so it could be a sort of apology to America. With that done he then went to the butlers lap and tossed himself over it. "I'm ready."

Hughes's eyes widened and he watched as the child valiantly hoist himself over the man's lap. Nodding and resting a hand on the child's back, he spoke to him softly.

"There's a good lad...now this will just be quick and then we will carry on with the meeting."

Hughes held out his hand, and it came down, striking the boy's already sore little backside. He gave the boy five extremely hard smacks. One after the other, getting finished as quickly as he started. Japan watched, wanting to jump in and take the child away, but he just stood watching his big brother, and his punishment. France not having any say in anything actually put his hands to his own backside, and stepped back. China wanted to show them all he was still China and tried very hard not to cry but he couldn't help whimpering and sniffling before letting out a choked sob at the fourth and fifth swat. Once it was done Yao slid down his legs feeling a little wobbly and he wiped his eyes quickly.

"T-Thank you Hughes for your diligence, we-we can get on now." He hiccupped and had to rub at his eyes. Hughes looked down at the boy, and planted a hand on the child's head. He then looked around the room, and nodded at the nations.

"Yes well...let that be a lesson little one." He looked over to England, and spoke up. "I shall fetch the refreshments Master Kirkland...and..." He looked back over to the sniffling nation in the corner, and called out. "Master Alfred, you may remove yourself from the corner, and go sit down." America looked over to the butler, and nodded his head, wiping trace tears from his eyes. Seeing as everything was slightly back to normal, the butler left the room, and went towards the kitchen. England watched as China and America walked to their chairs, and sat down.

"Ahem...alright then, now that everything has hopefully settled down, might we get down to business?"

Waving a little to Hughes as he left, China then crawled to up to his chair and gently sat down trying to keep a strong face. He then nodded to England and hoped that if anything the others at the meeting could say they had an interesting time.

England smiled at China, and the meeting droned on. Occasionally France would say something ridiculous, and America would rant on about his being the Hero, and how his nation was supreme, but the only one not talking was Japan. Seeing as his brother was just punished, he wanted to know more about why China was small. Looking over to the boy with his big brown eyes, he spoke softly, as the child was sitting next to him.

"Big brother...um...I mean...um Wang...why are you small? Did you do this to yourself?"

China paid as good attention as he could but after a while his small body was feeling sleepy. He was starting to nod off when Japan whispered to him. He looked over and tried to speak quietly back.

"Well no of course not. Like I said, I was bringing England tea, and patted his shoulder, I got shot across the room with magic and woke up small. He tried to fix it, but the magic hurt. I told him it was ok if I was small for a while. I'm really alright." China said. "Don't worry about your older brother, I can take care of myself."

Japan looked around the room, and saw that America, England, and France were talking to one another. He then turned back to the boy, responding to his little tone.

"Take care of yourself? I am not sure how much I believe of that little brother...I mean from what I have seen, you are nothing but a misbehaved little nation in need of nothing more than chastisement. I mean, I learned a lot from you. Perhaps you should take a moment to remember what you would have done if I had been in the same situation. You seem to have forgotten a lot." China let his brow wrinkle in thought.

"You worry to much Nihon, I haven't forgot a thing I know who I am. I am China." He smiled feeling that was the best answer for everything, but in truth he was worried. Was he slowly losing his old memories? Was he becoming something else? "I am the same." He said not so confidently now nibbling at one finger in distress at what Japan was telling him.

Scoffing, Japan put his hands crossed over his chest and looked to the little nation.

"Hmpph, this coming from a miniature nation who doesn't even look like he wants to change back, and rule his vast land. Tell me "little" brother, how do you plan to get anything done if you are only four foot tall?" He had started to raise his voice, alerting the attention of England who raised an eyebrow.

"Um...Japan, chap? What's going on between you two? China, are you...is everything alright?" China felt backed into a corner and he didn't know how to explain to his little brother that he was enjoying the comfort that he needed it for just a little.

"Its just the magic is complicated!" He mumbled to Japan before nodding at England trying to keep the situation under control.

Japan wanted an answer, and his brother was hiding something. Standing up with a slightly irritated look on his face, he pushed back his chair, and looked to all the nations, especially little China.

"I am done with this meeting. I can not live like this, and have evil things going on." He pointed at England. "You did this to my brother, and you are going to fix it." He then walked away from the table and headed towards the door, but not without looking right at Wang. "You...you contact me when all this is in order...I would very much like to have my big brother back!" Japan turned and left the room in a huff. England just stared at the little nation.

It was the most horrible feeling about as bad as when Japan had attacked him those many years ago. China didn't know what to say and curled up in his seat tugging his legs up to his chest.

"But its not his fault!" He mumbled quietly. England scoffed and nodded his head, agreeing.

"Uh, yes, yes...I mean, we all understand China. I mean it is up to you on what is going on, and well...I rather like you as you are...little chap." He laughed nervously, and looked over at France, who smiled, and then at America who was still slightly sore at Hughes, and did not like China right now. Hughes soon came back in with tea, and something under a silver cased platter. He was smiling at China, and cleared his throat.

"Young Master...your dumplings...are finished..." He opened the cover, and released the sweet smell from the creations. Winking his eye, he looked to the boy. "I told you I had hidden secrets."

The arrival of the dumplings made China feel better and he only wished Japan had stayed to have some.

"Thank you Hughes." He smiled more but still couldn't help the worry that gnawed at his insides. Was Japan right? Was he making the wrong choice, or was it wrong to want a child hood? Hughes smiled down at the boy.

"Your welcome little one, go ahead and enjoy." Hughes then looked over to England, and walked over to him, pushing the trolley. He spoke softly to his butler, and the two exchanged glances at the boy, who looked deeply troubled. France and America just waited.

The dumplings were good and comforted China's hurt feelings, and he had hoped maybe Japan would come back and not be so angry. He looked up noticing England and Hughes talking. He hoped Hughes could make everything better, he always could. Yao was sure the butler had some magical powers of his own, the way he could handle people.

France and America gave each other the eye, and then stood up, seeing as this was a prime opportune moment to leave.

"Uh, Britain...bro? We are going to get going, it seems like you have some issues to resolve, and well...um..." He sorely rubbed at his backside while looking down after glancing at Hughes. "I need to get home, do something...you know, maybe video games...not sure." He walked to the door, looking back at France.

"Uh, Oui, I need to go do Arthur. I 'ave much to do...we shall get together soon no?" The two nations quickly left, leaving the meeting room with just Hughes, England, and little China.

"Oh bother...what are we going to do now?" Said England.

"Maybe, maybe next time it would be better if I didn't attend. I think they don't feel comfortable talking around me."

China mumbled slowly sliding out of his seat taking a dumpling with him. This had not gone as well as he had hoped, and he was not in the mood to stay in that moment. The best place to be was some place warm, like the kitchen. China loved his kitchen at home, and any kitchen right now would be comforting. Hughes looked at the boy, and then back at England. Nodding his head Arthur got up and looked back to his butler.

"Hughes, why don't you see about cleaning up the room, and I will see about Master Yao." He walked over to the boy before he left, and knelt down. "Do you want anything China...I mean...is there anything I can do? I am so sorry so many things are not going well for you."

"It's fine Arthur. I'm China and I'm fine. I'm strong." He said but there was no strength to the words. He was just saying them holding on to his dumpling. "I just, I just wish Japan…well he never has been too happy with me before, but…" He looked at Arthur. "Am I wrong some how? Am I not behaving?"

"Well China, maybe he is a little annoyed, I mean you and I have not exactly had the best relationship in a long while, and well I would like to think of us as friends...I don't know, perhaps that will change when you return to your normal size." He looked into the boy's almond eyes. "IF you still wanted to change. You are not in the wrong, and you are behaving properly...but behaving in his eyes. I really don't know chap. Whether large or small, each nation is responsible...eh..." He scratched his head. "Maybe not so much America, but you get what I am saying." He reached out a hand, and grazed the boy's cheek. He then took the boy's arm, and gently pulled him into an embrace. Tightly hugging the child, he spoke once more. "I do not oppose of what you do and what you refrain from. You are most welcome here, and if that improves our relationship, then so be it."

"It is good to hear you say that." China said softly resting in England's arms, a strange place to be, but as he sat there before and England had so casually but with true care, brushed his hand against his cheek.

It was probably the most true love he had ever felt from England or anyone really. Most countries were kind enough, some tolerated him, and Japan, well he had always some strained relations, but no one ever truly showed him love for no good reason, except for Hughes probably. This was different, Hughes was not a country exactly. England was a country and was treating him in such a nice way. Yao sighed because this was why he wanted to stay small longer, to create better relations. Yes, this was a good way to put it, but in truth he wanted some times like this, with countries that would never normally show him affection like this.

England smiled and held the boy. He then released the child and stood up. Hughes was now finished with the room, and still early in the evening with not much to do, Arthur spoke up again.

"So uh...what shall the lot of us do?" England looked to the boy, and feeling a little better now, China looked up at the adult nation and grinned.

"We can strip down to our shorts and take a walk by the river and when we get really hot we can stick our feet in!"

China did this a lot on hot summer nights at his home, everyone would come out at night and stand on the bridges and cool down as the winds pulled some relief from the weather off the rivers edge. Hearing the child talk about the river made England grin. He nodded his head, and responded to the child.

"Ah yes, and I know of such a place where we can go to. It is up and over the hill past the mansion gate. I used to take walks there myself when America was little. Come little one...let's go." He held out a hand, but then quickly looked down to what he was wearing, and frowned slightly. "Oh...um China...I do not wish to wear my suit, was thinking a pair of trouser shorts and a t shirt...and I know you didn't like the clothing last time, but perhaps a pair of Alfred's old knickerbockers and a shirt? I would hate to see your dashing outfit get ruined."

"No!" China almost shouted clutching his garment, and then smiled removing it and stripping down to the loin cloth he wore. "I can go like this." He smiled and gave England a thumbs up. In his culture this was perfectly acceptable, especially for small children on hot summer evenings. Looking up at England still grinning he tugged at the Countries clothing. "Why don't you strip down too?"

"Ah, okay a loincloth works little one." He saw that the boy was comfortable. Then looking at his own clothing, he nodded and smiled. "Well then, it would be silly for me to go and change. Okay then!" England removed his jacket, and trousers pulling them off. He was left in nothing but his undergarments which were just a pair of white underpants, and a beige light shirt. He put his hands on his waist. "I feel much better. Come, let's go and get outside before the day ends. I know we will have a most pleasant time!" He held out a hand, and looked down to the boy, but then remembered something. "Oh, perhaps we should have Hughes supply us with some water, and maybe a little something to nibble while we are out and about?"

"Can't he just come along with us?" China asked, shocked that England had gone along with his suggestion, some times Yao just liked to suggest things to see if Arthur would do them, though he did think it was fine to go out this way, he just had not thought stuffy Mr. England would do it. "Hughes is hot and sticky too I bet, and he could come along, butlers are allowed to do that right?"

England had not thought to invite Hughes just because the man was busy with other household things. Shaking his head slightly, he spoke to the child.

"Well...I can ask little one, I mean there is nothing wrong with that correct?" Standing in the foyer, he walked over to the servant bells and rang them making them chime loudly. Within a matter of moments, Hughes strolled down the hall. He approached England and China, and smirked a little at their appearances, having the large and small nation dressed in nothing but almost skins.

"Yes my lord? What can I do for you and Master China?"

"Yes Hughes, Wang and I were going to take a nice little jaunt outside, over the hills you know, and well, he suggested that I be a nice chap, and ask if you would like to accompany us?" The man waited. Hughes smiled down to China, and then looked over to England.

"Well now...I am not sure. I have much to do today my lord, and little one...I must prepare for tonight's supper. There is still laundering to accomplish. Why don't you have a nice time with Mister Arthur?"

"Are you sure?" China asked. He liked Hughes quite a lot and wanted to be sure the butler was not just being polite. He stood there and held his hands together and was feeling uncertain. He knew that Arthur and himself would enjoy it out , but he some times felt Arthur was not always polite to the butler as he should be.

The butler walked over to the boy and pat him on the head. Standing by his side, he then responded.

"Yes little one, I am most sure. Go on and have a lovely time with Master Arthur. When you return I shall have a delightful and surprising cuisine for yourself and my Master. It will be most wonderful." He went to walk away, but heard England clear his throat. Looking back. "Yes my Lord?"

"Thank you Hughes, you are free to change your mind at any time. Just please, before you go, can you bring us some containers for some water?" The butler smiled, and nodded his head.

"I will do even better." He walked back into the main door and in a matter of moments came back out with a basket. "I did the liberty of preparing a outside feast for the both of you. Included is some of the dumplings, fresh fruit, some scones for you my Master. Also little one, I was able to make some lovely mango pudding. There are also canteens of water, and a tea set. I included your green tea, and Master Arthur's Earl Grey. Please...have a wonderful time."

"Lovely Hughes...you take care of me and China so well." China just looked at the butler and was in awe.

"H-how?" China stammered his eyes got larger and he shivered in shock. Hughes was truly, truly amazing, and besides that he was just too amazing and though Yao was curious why or how this was. Somehow knowing seemed to ruin the magic behind it and so he just swallowed his shock and went over to the butler. "Thank you!" He said grabbing the butler's legs and hugging them tightly. The butler really was so wonderful and had been taking such care of him making him mind, it made him feel so good.

The butler reached down and brought the boy into his arms. He gave the child a kiss on the forehead, and then giving him a loving hug, then set the child back on his feet. He winked at the boy, and then went to leave, but not before saying a few last words.

"A butler does not truly divulge certain things about his acts. If I were to say such things, then the good lord might strike me down...and I can not have that little one." Once again he held his chest and bowed. "By command, I live to serve." He got back up, and walked...keeping his back to the boy and England, he continued talking. "You come back safe little one...no mischief, and mind Master Arthur!" England watched the man, and then looked down while grabbing the woven basket.

"I'll be good Hughes." He said softly.

"Shall we Yao?" Said England, and China looked over to Arthur and nodded.

"Yes I'm ready!" He still didn't like leaving Hughes behind, nor could he make full sense of what the butler had just said, but he trusted that this was just some secret he should not ask about. Taking Arthur's hand he nodded and smiled a little glad he had this time to be small. To be free from the pressures of an adult and simply take time to be loved, properly in a way he never quite had.

Taking the child's hand, England nodded and the two walked beyond the gate to the mansion and up and over the path. It lead to a portion of the woods where there lie a gentle stream. The stream ran into different parts of Europe. Some areas were already owned by other nations, and then some were unclaimed land. Arthur knew the surroundings and wanted to make sure he did not run into anyone not worth mentioning. As the two walked, England found a small clearing with flowers, and it was right by a flowing portion of the water. The bubbling noise of the stream was pleasant, and England set the basket down. He reached inside, and saw that Hughes had packed a blanket.

"Lovely chap Hughes is. Come little one, we'll stop here for a little while, and spread the blanket out. Come help me if you would?"

The area felt cooler too. The grasses were tall, and the air was sweet as it mingled with the sounds of the stream. Some how it felt so good like the spirits of the ancestors were there making pleasant conversations with the earth and or magical beings. China stood looking at it all and smiled softly taking in as big a breath as his little lungs took in.

"Eh, oh yes." China nodded and taking the corners of the blanket into his small fists scrunched up bending until he was almost squatting down on the ground and then tried to jump up and get a puff of air under the quilt, feeling the excitement of the moment he let go and tried to run under the blanket looking up at it with a thrill. Shaking his head, England laughed to the child.

"Oh little one, whatever are you doing?" England could not help but enjoy the time spent.

"Its fun." China smiled with a laugh before coming out from under the quilt and then toppled back and sat down on his bum. The land was very beautiful, something he just never really appreciated as an adult, he had always preferred his own country, and still did, but this was very nice.

Sure it would have been lovely if Hughes had indeed come along with them, but somehow he was a little relived it was just the two. He knew the child had acquired a close knit relationship with the man, and he knew the boy respected the man, even after the punishments he witnessed were administered. Arthur could not help it, Hughes was a very gentle man, and he was blessed to have him in his life. He sat down, and leaned over to the basket, taking some of the items out.

"What would you like? Are you thirsty? Hungry? Do you wish to maybe just enjoy the nature? Do you want to talk about anything?"

"Uh, well I..." The sudden rush of attention and questions made Yao feel on the spot. He didn't know what to say. "Well..." He ran a chubby hand up and through his long silky hair trying to think.

England waited for the boy, but seeing as he was focused on so many different things, perhaps this was not the correct time to question the boy. Arthur turned to the basket and opened it, getting out the water containers, and then took out some scones for himself, and the left over dumplings. He set them down, and then reaching in for the mango pudding. Handing it to the boy with a spoon, he smiled.

"Maybe some of Hughes' pudding? Perhaps...?" He took a bite of his blueberry scone, and washed it down with some water. He wanted to build a little fire so he could prepare tea for the two of them.

"Alright, that seems good." China smiled finding the choice had been settled and he took the cup handed him and smiled at himself in the spoon. "England, is this place magic, can you see spirits here?" He asked suddenly feeling sure there were some here it just felt like it was. He wished that maybe he too could see things like England did, but was also glad he didn't too, some times it was troublesome to see things or so it seemed for England.

Taking a sip of his beverage, and then taking in everything that the boy had said, Arthur was quiet for a moment. He looked around, and while he could not see spirits around this area, he did recall a time when he visited Japan, and saw youkai in his hot spring bath. He looked to the boy, and nodded.

"Well...I suppose there is no reason in hiding anything from you. But yes...I do see certain things. Maybe not around here, but I have seen them within the halls of my mansion, and well..." He hated to bring up Honda, because of the little outbreak, but what could he do, they were talking. "I saw some when I visited your brother once. But he denied the existence. I don't know, perhaps he was being non believing, or just supposing I was a crack pot twit. Not sure..." England did not bring up flying mint bunny...he wasn't sure what the child would say, or believe.

"Yes." China said a little more subdued. "He, he just gets too busy to notice things some times. I really think, oh well…I don't know…" He sighed and took a spoon full of his treat before looking around. "I wish you had spirits here, like dragon spirits, they are fun. I can seem them sometimes if I'm very still and quiet and meditate a while." China explained. "Sometimes I see the ghosts of my people's ancestors too. Sometimes I will talk with Mulan, she is kind, she saved me you know." Yao prattled a little more relaxed than before.

"I am not sure there aren't spirits out here little one...perhaps there are late at night, but I have never been out here in the wee hours. I mean, I suppose if they are indeed home to this area, they make themselves scarce."