A/N: I actually wrote this quite a while ago, so please excuse me if the style seems different. '

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Thirteen: Talks of the Future and Departure

"Do you get everything now, Mei?" The man glanced at the political book in Mei's lap. She sighed and dropped her head, wishing that politics didn't have to be something required for nations to learn. What a bother!

"I suppose I do." Mei closed the book with a snap. "I'm going to miss you, Yao."

They both knew what she was talking about; her trip back to her homeland. But this old man had been with her for almost her entire life as her loving father-figure and mentor. She didn't want to leave him just like that, all alone in the empty cottage after her departure.

He patted her shoulder. "I'll miss you too, when you're gone." Yao chuckled. "After you leave, who will make those delicious fried noodles for me, aru?"

Mei smiled sadly back at him. She has always had a gift for cooking and to this day, Mei's fried noodles remained his favorite dish. But though her relationship with food was great, her relationship with humans her age was not.

In fact, she could say that she almost never got along with the normal humans in the village; they didn't want an immortal girl around, mocking them with her eternal youth forever. For as long as she could remember, she was shunned by the gossipy teenage girls and even their mothers, always whispering secrets in hushed voices and glaring at her. No, they did not want her to be with them. She would be young when they are old and dead, and still be young when their children are old and dead. Mei did her shopping in the market almost discreetly every time, to avoid the sharp tongues of the village girls. It was something that was always in the back of her mind, and she needed to get it off her chest before she leaves.

She smiled sadly to herself, recalling something from years ago. "Yao, do you remember that time with the village kids, when they ask me why I grow up so slowly?"

"What about it?"

"It's just that," she looked down. "I've been around this age for a long time..."

"You're worried about growing up?" he asked, feeling surprised. He never knew Mei had such insecurities about her physical growth.

"Well, it's more like I'm worried that even though I've been around for more than a few hundred years, to the people I'll be governing, I'm still just a minor, a teenager," Mei confessed. Getting along with her new boss probably wouldn't be a problem; it was something all the other countries, including Yao, dealt with. But what about the people…? She didn't want to be treated like how she was treated in the village.

"Hmm." Yao reached into his mind, raking for something from his four thousand year old memories that might help the girl's situation.

"When I was your age…" he trailed off. What had gone on while he was that old?

"When I was around Kiku's age…" he began again, but paused. Yao could remember practically nothing when he was about two thousand either.

"Ai yah, well, my point is that, of course it will not be easily," Yao finally said. "Being a nation is a burden only given to a few special chosen ones. You will get used to it as the years pass. Believe me, they're going to fly by like the wind, aru.

"China is a tumultuous country, even today. The struggles for power, bloodshed, and the same mistakes over and over again every era; they make me who I am, Mei. I hope certainly that Taiwan will not be as chaotic as me, but only the future can tell, aru."

Yao rubbed Mei's shoulder in a fatherly manner. "But don't worry too much, Mei. Just…don't be too impulsive. Think. Always think before you do anything, okay? Remember, you have always been first to act, second to think. It will not serve you well in the long term, aru. But you'll discover who you are, and how you fit in this world very soon. For better or for worse."

Mei closed her eyes and leaned against him. "Thank you, Yao."

In the breezy month of March, the cottage was bustling with different activities as Mei prepared to take charge of Taiwan, and a ship for Kiku has at last been arranged for him to continue his quest.

The boy sat on his small mattress in the attic, staring at the dust particles floating in the air, lighted up by the sun shining through the tiny window. Outside, under the plum trees, he caught the sight of a brunette head. Mei…

He wished that they didn't have to separate ways to soon. He was definitely going to miss having her cheer around. That happy smile always on her face that would always tempt him to smile as well would be gone before long.

He had at last secured a decent ship with a respectable crew to continue his quest, with Yao's help. Months ago he would've gladly hopped on board and bade this country farewell, but now, Kiku realized that he didn't want to leave. Not yet.

Remembering the night under the stars, he was certain of one thing: Xiao Mei was one person he never wanted to leave. Looking at the figure in the trees below, he set his mind on a solution and descended from the attic.

The plum blossoms outside Yao's house had all turned into fresh green leaves. Mei sat with her traveling pack outside the house, feeling the gentle winds and moist spring air caressing her face and she quietly listened to the birds' chirping songs. The silk flower that Xiang had given her was fastened on the side of her head, the petals shimmering in the sunshine.

The changes came fast. After this week, nothing will ever be the same. She would be managing her own country, without Yao's guidance, for the first time in her entire life. And Kiku would be gone, too. He would continue his quest, just like he had always wanted to. Yao would stay here, tending the new colt.

Everyone will be different now, for the better, Mei tried to convince herself. Isn't that how it should be? Shouldn't I be…happy?

But she was not happy. Or even eager. Of course, Mei would be able to see her homeland after years in China, but a dark cloud of gloom hung over her.

I'll never see Kiku ever again…

She brooded in the thoughts of the future. How can it be that only a while before she was looking forward excitedly to this day? Then the boy had showed up, and changed her heart in some unknown way. Besides, what if I'm not ready? She fretted and did not notice Kiku coming up from behind her.

"Hey."

She looked up to see Kiku's face showing signs of concern for her. "Hey," she replied weakly. I'll never see him again after today. "So, I suppose this is farewell?"

"No."

"Huh?" She blinked. "B-But I thought your ship got here, and…"

"Things can be delayed." He smiled, which is something he rarely did. "I'll accompany you to Taiwan first."

"What? W-Why?"

He shrugged and looked away so she wouldn't see his face growing pink. "I thought it would be hard for you on the trip. I-I remember how it was when I first started to run Japan."

"Oh. I see." Mei cast her eyes out to the dock. A large yacht-like white ship for Kiku and a smaller steamboat for her were waiting in the rolling waves. So we are parting ways after today. Just as I'd suspected...

But she forced a smile on her face and said, "Thanks, Kiku!" she threw her arms around his neck. But what about after that? The anxious little voice in her mind asked.

"Y-You're welcome," the boy stuttered and unwrapped her arms around him as Mei grinned at him.

"Mei! Kiku!" Yao's voice called from within the cottage. "The transportation is here!"

"Yao." Kiku greeted the man. "Please delay my departure for a couple of hours."

"Oh?" Yao raised his eyebrow. "And why might that be, aru?"

Kiku swallowed. "I would like to, um, accompany Mei for her trip back to her country. She is worried about running Taiwan."

"Is that so," Yao mused. "I suppose I understand, somewhat. All right; I'll call for a postponement."

On the small steamboat that they boarded, the only passengers were Mei, Kiku, and a tiny crew of about half a dozen men.

They sat at the bow, watching the green land of China get smaller and smaller until it was just a sliver at the horizon, then completely gone.

The normally upbeat Mei sat quietly, her shoulders down and staring at her hands. She snapped her eyes open and shut, hoping to keep away to imminent tears. But one single tear slid down her cheek despite her efforts.

Kiku watched her, not knowing what to do. Eventually he put a hand on her shoulder gently, saying, "The reason you're crying is not because you don't want to run your country, right?"

"No," Mei shook her head and wiped her face violently with the sleeve of her quipao. "I'm sorry. You could already be sailing away to see the world, but instead you're sitting here, watching me cry." Her cheeks burned with shame. The last moments together with her friend is spent awkwardly, with her face red and blotchy with tears. She must have looked like quite an ugly sight.

"You know, Mei," Kiku began quietly. "We'll see each other again."

"Not likely. Not likely at all." She spat out the words bitterly.

"But not impossible. I'll come visit you. I'm sure you'll be a good leader."

"Thank you, Kiku." She smiled at him. Kiku felt his heartbeat quicken at the sight. He remembered his own thoughts that day at the dock. She's not beautiful. But she is really pretty in a cute way, like how a tree blossom is pretty, but not the way a rose is.

"Land ho!" A cry from the crow's nest made everyone look up. They hurried to the front of the boat and spotted far in the distance green land, rising and sloping.

Mei's shoulders slumped again. The voyage was over and it would be years, maybe even centuries, before she would be able to see Kiku or Yao again.

Kiku glanced down at the girl next to him, who was trying to remove all evidence of tears from her face. He wished that he could offer her more comfort, but he had no idea how and could only watch helplessly as she rubbed her eyes and sniffled, trying to hide it.

Suddenly the boy knew that he had to do something to make her feel better, at least a little -consciously and hoping she wouldn't pull away, he circled an arm around Mei.

Kiku felt his face turn a faint shade of red but he ignored it and put the other arm around her as well, pulling her to his chest slowly and gently.

"Kiku…" The girl looked up at him, her face surprised and a little embarrassed too. Nevertheless, she leaned into him. The feeling of being held by Kiku was very unfamiliar but not at all unpleasant. Mei didn't know whether to be glad that the usually introverted person was letting her into his personal space or to be heartbroken that it was happening on the last day they'll ever see each other.

But in his strong arms, she felt warm and safe. Her tears wetted the starch whiteness of his shirt, but she barely noticed as she felt the sobs in her chest weaken.

Mei realized that she could hear his heart, and it was beating wildly, like the drum of an opera dancer. Kiku placed his chin on the top of her head lightly, feeling his eyes watering. He could promise to visit her, but he had no say in how long it would be until their next meeting after today…

She sighed, shuddering. The tears made her shoulders shake violently. Kiku held her closer and wrapped his arms around her tighter.

"It's okay, Mei." He whispered hoarsely, knowing that he must not let her see how close he was to shedding tears. "I'll really miss you, but you'll be all right."

"I hope so," she gulped, her eyes filling with water and the sobs returned. "I will try my best." She clutched his shirt and held her head against his chest. "Take care of yourself, Kiku," Mei whispered.

"I will," he vowed to her. He held his breath, and it was just enough to keep back the tears that threatened to slip from his eyes.

A shout came from the crew at the other end of the ship. "Taiwan-san! Japan-san! We're ready to dock!"

The ship neared the shores. At the beach, a crowd of Taiwanese citizens had gathered to welcome their dear Taiwan-san back to her land. Their shouts reached the ship as Mei pulled out of Kiku's embrace.

She left the ship with an expression of happiness on her face but inside, she was hurting. She wished that she didn't have to leave Yao and Kiku quite so soon. She wished she didn't have the responsibility of a nation.

She wished all the things she would never have.