Divergence – chapter 10

26June: C: quite a few foreshadowing here and there, can you find them all? O:

"… So how does th' b'k looks l'ke?" Sweden asked as they reached the library doors.

Pushing the door open, Japan replied, "It's leather bound. Midnight blue. I don't think any books in the library are leather bound; so just look out for any book spine that's made of leather and doesn't have any letters or markings inscribed on it."

Sweden nodded. They split up and went to each far end of the library, this way they could cover more area and save some time.

Sweden grunted. Sweden didn't quite understood how the book worked, despite Japan's long explanation. But he knew people shouldn't be in the other dimension for more than an hour, as Japan had said. He hadn't mentioned what would happen if they did otherwise, and he hoped Iceland and Norway were doing well. Oh, and not to forget the others…

I hope they're okay… Japan thought worriedly as he scanned the rows and rows of books piled up neatly on the shelves. It's been way more than one hour, two days and counting. Oh Prussia, why didn't you listen to me! You've not only gotten yourselves, but other people into this mess you created. Waaah! My book and my pen! Please be safe. I'm coming to get you!

As Japan finished the last of the books on this side of the shelf, he heard some soft and quick pen-on-paper sounds from behind him. The pen was rather smooth, meeting no friction on the surface it was used on, just like his own self-made pens. The paper made crisp flaps, before the scribbling started again. It reminded him of the book, where the paper was of high quality, being from trees grown on mountain highlands.

Japan gasped. For a moment he thought it might be his book and pen, but he quickly dismissed the idea. He was probably just too worried and paranoid. But… it wouldn't hurt to take a quick check, would it? Slowly, he rotated his head.

The oblong table for six was occupied by only one person. He sat at the corner furthest from Japan and closest to the wall, and had his hood over his head that shadowed his eyes, making it hard for Japan to discern who it was, yet there was a niggling feeling at the back of his head telling him that he knew the person.

No doubt the scribbling and flapping of paper came from him. The person was writing madly on the paper, inspiration seeming to flow into him as he scribbled on endlessly. Japan thought his eyes were playing tricks on him when he thought he saw a sadistic smirk on the person's face, as though he was satisfied with whatever cruel thing he was writing.

When Japan turned away to go over to the other side of the shelf, the pen reflected light into his eyes. He froze. That was no ordinary pen the person was using. Nowadays everyone was using pens with a plastic covering. This… the pen was definitely made of metal, being able to reflect light like that. Metal. His nib pen was made from metal casing too. Could it be...?

The bell rang, signalling the end of the curriculum for senior students. The paper flapped again, this time louder and with a solid thud, and chairs scraped against the floor. As Japan whirled around to clarify his doubts, he only met empty seats. The person had left, really swiftly too. Students passed by Japan as they came over to take the empty table. He spun around in the direction of the library doors. There!

If this was an action movie and Japan was a ninja, he would have leapt over chairs and tables, run on people's shoulders and be at the doors in a jiffy. But sadly he was not. Besides, there were too many students rushing into the library, coming from the nearest classrooms. Hustling and jostling past them, he finally made it to the library's doors. But of course, the person was already gone.

Japan sighed in despair. Perhaps his senses were playing tricks on him. Perhaps it was just his paranoia. But there was still a slight chance that that person might really have the book and the pen in his hands. Plus, he really seemed awfully familiar. Japan had had a glimpse of his silhouette as the person left, and he knew he had seen that back before.

Japan sighed again. Feeling mentally drained, he unceremoniously slumped down on the nearest empty seat, earning several startled looks from the students occupying the table.

His mouth formed a small 'O' as something caught Sweden's attention. 'The World of the Fae with Feather Wings' read the title. It seemed like a book Norway would read. Curiosity tugged at his fingers and he let it guide them towards the book. The brown cover had wavy golden curls that swirled gracefully at the edges of the book. There were unique shapes imprinted into the cover, with sprinkles of glitter around it. He found it odd that there wasn't any name of the author on the cover. He flipped past the first few pages, finding it all blank, no title, acknowledgement, or the author's name anywhere. Sweden shrugged, and continued flipping the weird blank pages until the title came out on a page in swirly letters. Flipping to the next page, he read, getting absorbed into the book the moment he set his eyes on the first inky word.

Japan had laid his head on his crossed arms for a while now, watching amusedly as a cool wave from the air-conditioner overhead sweep the little hairs on his arm. He twirled his raven black hair as he had always saw Poland does with his own blonde strands, wondering why it felt oddly fun in a way. It was a pity his hair was short though; his hair wouldn't go more than twice round his fingers. Maybe he should let it grow long like Poland's shoulder length hair... He wondered how he would look…

JAPAN! What are you musing on and on about?! Exactly that are you doing?! Furiously shaking his head, Japan bolted up ramrod straight. He grinded his teeth and facepalmed himself, what's wrong with me? If he didn't had everyone looking at him, he'd have punched himself. No time to waste! Biting hard on his lower lip, he turned and headed in a direction where he guessed Sweden would be.

He did not have to venture far as said person emerged from between two bookshelves, face blocked by a brown book. Sweden walked obliviously past Japan and sat down at the seat closest to the shelves.

Slowly, Japan turned his head towards Sweden, and stared at him for a while.

"Sweden?! What are you doing?" Japan tried to contain his agitation through gnashed teeth.

Sweden slowly craned his head to nod at Japan, acknowledging him, then turned back to the book, as though he had not seen a flushed Japanese staring at him questioningly.

"Sweden..!" Japan exclaimed in hushed tones. Well, he was guilty of sweeping the problem at hand under the carpet himself just moments ago, so he couldn't blame Sweden if he had lost some of his senses being worried about Iceland and Norway. "I deeply apologise if I'm a little naggy here, but we're kinda in a rush for time…!"

Sweden turned his head again, then stared seemingly through Japan, mind wondering far away. Japan arched an eyebrow and waved his hands, but he did not seem to see anything.

"Ah." Sweden suddenly said.

Japan's eyebrow disappeared into his bangs.

"Oh. Hi J'p'n."

Japan stared bug-eyed at him.

"J'p'n? Wh't's wr'ng?"

He rubbed his eyes. Strange… I must be seeing things. "… Uh… Nothing…"

The awkward silence and awkward staring was interrupted timely by a phone's buzzing vibration.

Fumbling with his pocket for a while, Sweden finally got his vibrating phone out and answered the call. "Hm, h'llo?" He listened to the other line for a while before getting up and giving a nod to Japan. "I g'tta go. F'nn's look'ng fer m'."

"Oh um, ok… sure…" Japan replied, not knowing what to say.

"D'n't w'rry, we'll f'nd 'e b''k 'n 'e p'n, 'n g't 'em b'ck. (Don't worry, we'll find the book and the pen, and get them back)." Sweden patted on Japan's shoulder to assure him, and headed towards the doors.

Japan stared after his back, not knowing what to do anymore, feeling utterly lost.

Sweden walked past the library's doors, no one – not even he – aware that he had taken a library book with him.

Calling for some reviews since the rebirth of this fic! O: