Disclaimer: I own nothing

Translations: Xie Xie = Chinese for 'thank you'


Canada was, not surprisingly, silent as he fidgeted nervously. He swallowed nothing as his blue-violet eyes were trained on one thing (person) rather intently, and he was sure that his normally pale face was a complete red as he desperately waited for the other nation's response.

"I love it – aru!" China hugged the Hello Kitty plushie adoringly, allowing Canada to sigh in a great relief. The blond Canadian wasn't exactly sure how China would react in receiving a gift from him, but he was glad that Yao seemed to like it so much, "Xie Xie." Yao murmured, quickly pocketing the book he was previously reading, just so Canada could not see what it was about.

"I.. um, I just saw it in a store when I was with Australia and thought of you and just bought it...!" Canada panicked in embarrassment, flushing even more when he sounded much like an awkward suitor, "I-I guess you can think of it as a gift because our relations are improving... and stuff."

China smiled, his amber-like eyes were grateful as he stared at the slightly taller man. He allowed the panda on his shoulder to crawl into Canada's embrace, who immediately cooed over it and becoming a little more confident as he relaxed slightly.

Kumajirou was sulking near his feet, though Canada didn't notice it. The polar bear glared fiercely up at the panda (who, like that damn koala, seemed to give him a rather smug look), who was cuddling in his master's chest. The white bear really now did regret giving Matthew this idea in the first place...

Perhaps he should just take out Greece's cat now...?

Canada handed back China the panda, checking his watch quickly, "I have to go... but I'm glad that you like it so much!" Matthew stated in relief, giving Yao a wave goodbye as he left for the music room. He needed to check to see if his piano lessons with Austria were still going on.

China quickly took out the book he was reading before – amber-like eyes read the contents of the hentai doujinshi rather eagerly. In the majority of the times, Japan's porn simply shocked him – but this was something he could read.

Canada, apparently, in Japan's eyes, was an uke character...


Matthew huffed to get his breath back, blinking his blue-violet eyes as he noticed that Austria and Hungary were already in the music room, obviously waiting for him. "I'm sorry!" The blond Canadian apologised for his lateness (even though he wasn't really late).

"It is no problem." Austria stated in a very aristocratic way, moving over on the piano seat to let Canada sit. Hungary squealed again in the background, snapping pictures at random.

"Do you remember any of the lines?" Roderich asked, it had been a few days since he had actually taught Canada any of the music. The blond Canadian stuck out his tongue in concentration as he played the lines he memorised – slowly, but quite well.

"You are progressing very well." Roderich encouraged, moving to teach Matthew the next line. He winced slightly as his bullet wound he had received from Switzerland burned in pain.

"Ah – we don't have to do this!" Canada said in worry as he noticed Austria's wincing, "I've heard from Belgium that you were shot by Switzerland." The Canadian stated, and Austria's cheeks burned a light red since he didn't think the news would spread.

"Don't worry," Roderich coughed lightly, though stopped as blood seeped through the bandage around his upper arm. The Austrian sighed, "Perhaps we should postpone this lesson." He said, though he really did want to teach Canada how to play the whole song.

"It's okay." Canada smiled sweetly, and Hungary's camera was flashing like crazy by this point, "I don't mind waiting." The blond Canadian stood up, eagerly reaching for his pocket for the black book as Austria and Hungary slowly left the room; the former looking slightly disappointed.

Canada flipped open the book, raising his eyebrows at the next nations featured.

Nation # 9 Egypt ~ Francis' notes...

Special kinks/turn on's – (The Egyptian loves his pyramids) – Egypt does talk about his pyramids quite fondly. – I did manage to seduce Egypt, though that was a looong time ago. Egypt simply reminds me of that dreaded Suez Crisis which, in turn, reminds me of Matthieu. While I simply adore mon shy Matthieu – I certainly do not complain when Matthieu gets serious. It makes me shiver in delight when I think of Matthieu during the World Wars...

Canada shut the book, sighing. He remembered Egypt quite well – he did protect Egypt from England, France, and Israel for a while during the Suez Crisis. So, perhaps Egypt remembered him as well?

He doubted it though...

One thing that he remembered about Egypt was that he didn't speak much (Canada could barely even remember what his voice even sounded like). The blond Canadian walked out of the room to find the other nation, and it took a while.

Egypt was alone in the cafe, though a few of Greece's cats was lurking around the darkly-tanned nation. Canada swallowed roughly, unsure of how to approach Egypt and what to even say to him. How in the hell was he going to bring up pyramids?

'I guess I could just say that I want to go on a vacation to Egypt.' Matthew thought, slowly going over to the vending machine that was near Egypt's table. He bought himself another bag of chips and Egypt didn't seem to notice his presence, even if a few of the cats did.

Kumajirou growled loudly, threatening the approaching felines, startling them and making them run back to Egypt. The other nation seemed to finally notice Canada, who was simply standing in front of the vending machine still. Golden-amber eyes were dull until they sparked with a bit of recognition.

The Egyptian nodded his head in acknowledgment towards Canada, who only gave a weak smile back in response. Kumajirou was still growling at the few cats, even as he was picked by Matthew, who finally approaching Egypt's table very slowly.

Canada bit his lip, trying to get confident enough to just spill what he needed to say. "Do– do you recommend seeing your pyramids? I-I mean for a vacation?" Matthew knew his face was red because he felt his cheeks burn hotly at the rather out of the blue statement.

Egypt blinked slowly at the blond Canadian, and then gave an almost unnoticeable smile, "Yes," Gupta stated in a very quiet, but calm voice. Matthew had to strain his ears to even hear him (Egypt's voice was even quieter than his own). "My pyramids are very beautiful to look at."

"I-I thought so...!" Canada managed to get out, not sitting down to the table simply because he wasn't sure on how Egypt would react to him. Their relations were not that much to begin with, "I – would you mind telling me about them?" Matthew stuttered lightly, surprised as Egypt invited him to sit at the table.

"The pyramids were built in a very short time, and they were originally tombs for Pharoahs' after their death," Egypt stated, his voice was almost monotone, but Canada could almost hear a tinge of pride in Gupta's voice. "They were also to symbolise a Pharoah's legacy to the people after they had died."

Canada listened very intently as he listened to Egypt recite the history of his landmarks in great detail, enthralling Matthew with the legends and myths and tales, "Oh... I'm Canada." Matthew stated after a few moments of silence.

"I know." Egypt stated calmly, taking a sip of his drink. Matthew simply stared at the darkly-tanned nation, surprised that he would know.

"Eh – how do you know?" Canada asked after another moment of silence, shocked that Egypt would even remember him.

"You are much quieter than America," Gupta stated with a neutral tone, and Matthew winced because he knew that Egypt probably didn't think too highly of America, just like some other Middle-Eastern nations (who relations with America were very strained). "And you did help me during the Suez Crisis. I was grateful for that." Egypt stated, and Canada was shocked, yet still a bit happy that Gupta recognised him.

"I-it's not a problem...!" Matthew smiled a bit, "Do you mind telling me more about your country?" He asked, leaning back to listen intently to Egypt's words.

And Canada really should've expected it – America seemed to pop out of nowhere to stare suspiciously at Egypt, "Don't listen to him, Mattie." America shook his blond head in amusement, causing Egypt to halt in his history lesson. Gupta merely stared at America with a rather impassive and neutral gaze, though he didn't anything out loud, "Everyone knows that the aliens built the pyramids!"

"Alfred!" Matthew cried out in shock at the slightly offensive comment. He glanced over to Egypt, who didn't look fazed by the declaration, "Don't say such things!" He tried to scold, though Alfred wouldn't have it.

"I mean, how else would they be built so quickly, and way back then?" America smirked, "Cuz Tony told me so." The American stated, completely lying through his teeth. Why the hell was Canada even talking to Egpyt?! They weren't particularly close, and Canada didn't really even need to talk to him in the first place.

"Tony, Alfred?" Canada twitched a bit, thinking to America's rather strange companion that lived at his house. That alien was just weird, "You don't have to be rude!" Matthew huffed, and stopped and blinked when Egypt spoke up.

"It's fine, Canada." Gupta stated quietly, turning back to one of the few cats that surrounded him. He wasn't offended by America's statement because America wasn't too important to him and he was very childish.

"But..." Canada said weakly, blinking when America grabbed his arm – pulling the Canadian to his feet. "Alfred, what are you doing?!" Matthew huffed, frowning with irritation as Alfred merely stole his potato chips away from him.

"Here, I'll even call Tony so he can explain about the pyramids and stuff." America stated, whipping out his cell phone. Canada sighed, protesting and shaking his blond head. The only thing he had ever heard Tony even speak when he was insulting England.

Canada didn't notice it as America dragged him away, but Egypt's mouth rose in a ghost of a smile as his golden-amber eyes followed Matthew as he left the room.

Not long after, Kumajirou padded out after his master, a smug look to his furry face as an injured cat lay on the ground as it mewled pathetically.

No cat was going to steal his Canada away.