Author's Note: Alright... This'll be the last chapter for a while, so I hope you all enjoy it!
Disclaimer (Dark Side of the Moon): If I owned Hetalia, there would be so many things going on that it'd be hard to keep up with the program.
"What are you doing?" Kuro hissed at him.
"Excuse me," Kiku began once he regained his composure. "Are you certain of this?" Kiku asked the demon in front of him, somewhat glad that he didn't stutter.
The Kappa bowed his head. "Hai… Tensions are already going out of control; a revolt could break out at any given moment."
"I… I see," Kiku sipped on his sake once again.
The Kappa gazed at him, silently begging for permission to continue. Kiku caught the not-so-subtle hint, and put his glass down to be filled once more by the Onion Spirit. "Please, I'd like to hear more on the matter."
He could hear Kuro saying something like, "Good, good… now here comes his request."
Before he could ask Kuro what he meant, the Kappa started to speak. "If we are to prevent the revolts, we need to take action," the beast went to the floor in a deep bow, setting an alarm off in Kiku's head- this was going to be huge.
"Please, Master Country, come back with us to Japan. We need you back home, where you belong."
Kiku stumbled into the owlrey, where Luna and he decided to meet earlier that day, holding onto the wall for support. "I had too much sake…" he groaned softly. "Luna-chan? Are you here?" he called out, trying his best not to slur his words.
"Kiku!" said blonde came out from the shadows of the room. "Thank goodness you're here! It's almost curfew! A few more minutes and I'd have owled the others," she scolded, patting him on the back. When he stumbled at her touch, she panicked slightly. "A-Are you okay? They didn't do anything to you did they?"
"Calm down, Luna-chan," he slurred. "I'm fine, really; I just had a little too much sake… It's been a long day, I need to rest." Kiku touched his friend's arm, something he'd usually refrain from doing when sober. "Good night, my friend- we'll discuss this in the morning."
"B-But, what happened to Chikako?" Luna questioned. "Why isn't she helping you get around the castle? You can barely walk straight; I hope that no one saw you stumbling through the school."
"No one saw, trust me," Kiku said. "I'm not that drunk… And Chikako-san's with Kappa, probably talking the night away."
At this, Luna chuckled lightly. "You mean, gossiping about her dear 'Master Kiku' and his strange new acquaintances," she teased.
Kiku grimaced. "As much as I'd love to say you're wrong… I'm afraid you've got me there."
"I know," Luna smiled, and then sighed. "Here, I'll help you get to your dorm."
"Thanks," Kiku agreed, knowing that it would be better than him trying alone. He pulled his arm up and the slightly taller girl dragged it over her shoulder. "What're we going to tell my roommates?"
"Oh, I'm sure I can think of something…" Luna stated dreamily. "Many people think I'm crazy already, so I believe a crazy excuse is in order…"
"You're talking about your creatures, aren't you?" Kiku chuckled as they slowly made their way down to the Gryffindor commons.
Luna raised a sly eyebrow, "How'd you like to be the victim of a Smegg bite?"
Kiku just stared. "… A what?"
"A Smegg- in other words, a small creature whose bite causes symptoms similar to being drunk," the blonde answered.
"… You just made that up, didn't you?" Kiku asked, slurring all the while.
"Uh-huh," Luna nodded. "But I think it will be convincing enough…" she paused just outside of the Gryffindor commons to pull him up onto her shoulder a bit more. "Here we go."
Kiku said the password to the Fat Lady and, mumbling something about finding a new glass goblet to break with her 'amazing singing talent', she let them in. The commons was less crowded than usual, which was a good thing for Kiku and Luna. Of course, several of the people in there gave them strange looks, but didn't ask about it.
"Honda! Lovegood! Come here!" two familiar voices ordered.
When the two didn't come over to where the Weasley twins said, the redheads decided to come to them. "Honda," they whined. "It's rude to ignore your friends."
"I… sorry…" Kiku slurred.
Fred and George looked at each other, then at Kiku and back again. "Honda…" Fred began.
"Are you drunk?" George finished bluntly.
Kiku just stared at them, letting Luna answer for him. "Oh, no, don't be silly. He's just been bitten by a Smegg."
"A what?" Fred asked.
Kiku nodded, still a little loopy. "I know, right?" He quickly turned to Luna, "I think I can manage on my own from here."
Luna pouted. "Are you sure?"
"… I think so," Kiku said. Luna sighed and nodded, walking out of the room. As soon as the door closed, Kiku turned back to the twins and told them, "I'm going to retire now."
Fred and George smiled. "Ohoho, Honda, just wait a bit. Did you take the path that we showed you?"
"Ah, hai," Kiku bowed, "by the way, thank you for the map."
"So what were you doing in there anyway?" Fred inquired curiously. When Kiku didn't answer, he tried again. "Honda?"
"Ah, sorry, Fred-san, George-san, but could we talk in the morning?" Kiku asked. "The Smegg bite…"
"Sure, sure," George agreed. "But we're expecting one hell of an answer tomorrow!"
Kiku merely nodded as he walked away. He stumbled into his dorm room, ignoring the questioning looks from his fellow first years; went up to his bed, not bothering to change; and fell asleep, expecting a hangover in the morning.
The pounding sensation in his head was the first thing that he noticed when he woke up; Kuro's voice being the second.
"How pathetic. You really can't hold your liquor, now can you?"
Kiku groaned gently. "If you're inside of my head, why aren't you feeling the hangover?"
"Oh, I am," Kuro hissed. "I'm just more discreet about it." Kuro's voice stopped, and, for a moment, Kiku thought that he was gone. "So, what're you going to do about the demon's request?"
Japan's mind wandered back to his conversation with the Kappa.
"I-I can't," Japan insisted.
The beast in front of him glared. "But if you don't come, war will break out among the yōkai, and our home will be thrown into chaos."
"I have business to attend to here," Kiku explained.
"What business could possibly be more important than this?" Kappa asked disbelievingly.
"Why do you think I came here in the first place, Kappa?" Japan argued as calmly as he could. "I have my reasons, just as any other person does," he added, not wanting to explain the real reason (Kuro) he was at Hogwarts.
The demon frowned. "Excuse me my bluntness, Master Japan, but I believe that you have forgotten that you are not human. You hold greater responsibilities, not just your own, but those of the beings of your land."
"I am aware," Kiku countered. "I hope you aren't suggesting that what I did is against the good of my country…"
Green scales glistened as the beast shook. "N-No! I was merely saying that-"
"I understand completely," Japan interrupted. "But do you?" At the yōkai's silence, he continued. "I am doing what I believe is best for the people of Japan; I am trying to save them from something that will absolutely devastate not just them, but the world."
"Oh, you flatter me," Kuro commented, shattering Kiku's concentration.
"Quiet."
"I will respect Master Country's wishes, but, please, think about this." The Kappa watched as the Onion spirit poured them more sake, alerting Kiku that, somehow, they both managed to finish their glasses during their conversation. "I believe that this war will also be quite devastating, but…" he trailed off.
Japan waited for him to speak, eyebrows furrowed as he took another sip of the alcoholic beverage. Finally, the beast began again, "but… whatever you decide, your servants and allies will follow you until the end."
He paused to swallow some of his drink, giving an awkward, forced smile, "And when you make your decision, please bring some cucumbers."
Soon enough, Japan snapped back to the present. "I… need to think about it."
Kuro smirked. "I say go back to Japan."
"Of course you would say that- that way, it'd be easier for you to gain control," Kiku rolled his eyes mentally as he grabbed today's clothing.
"I wouldn't have to be such a pain if you'd just let me have control," Kuro argued.
"You'd be a pain even if you were in charge."
Kuro was seething in rage. "Don't try me. You never know when I might surprise you," he hissed, voice dripping in venom. "Let's not forget who you're talking to. Besides, if it weren't for your little mind tricks, I would already have what I want." With the dark threat lingering in his mind, Kuro vanished into the shadows, leaving Kiku alone for now.
Kiku shivered at Kuro's words and tried to think about something else. He already knew that without his current Occlumency lessons Kuro'd probably be in control by now- it didn't comfort him to think about what would've happened had he not come.
Sighing, he headed to the washroom to get ready for the day.
Bang. Bang bang BA-BANG!
The gun's bullets pierced cleanly through the air, but didn't hit their mark.
"Good, it seems that you're comfortable with it… Now aim for the center of the target," Kiku instructed Luna, receiving a nod of acknowledgment. The duo had set off for the room of requirements after a rushed excuse at breakfast, and Luna was finally being taught how to use the gun Lukas gave her.
Bang bang… Bang.
Three fresh bullet holes showed on the target, all were close together- a good group in fact, they were barely half an inch apart from one another- but they were still off center.
"Luna-chan… what eye are you using when you aim?" Kiku asked, thinking that he might know the problem.
"I'm looking at it with my right eye, why?" Luna questioned curiously.
"Sometimes people who are right handed are actually left-eyed," Kiku explained. "Try with your left- it might be a little bit more difficult, but it might help."
Luna sighed and closed her right eye, peering down the top of the gun with her left and aligning the gun with the center of the target.
Bang… She stopped, repeating what she did slowly so as to not make any mistakes. Bang. Once more, quicker than the last. Bang. Bang bang. When the magazine ran out, she pointed the tip of the gun to the ground and away from her and Kiku.
"I can already see that that was much better," the Asian commented, walking up to the target where new bullet holes pierced through the middle area of the circular target. Two of the bullets managed to get into the very center. "Good job," he congratulated. "You've got a good eye and steady aim. Are you sure you haven't shot a gun before?" he teased lightly.
Luna smiled and shook her head, glad that she could do it. "Nope. I don't think that even my dad knows what a gun is."
Kiku looked at her, unblinking. "I do not believe that is good; guns are powerful things, most people know to avoid them, but do wizards? Even if they can use magic to defend themselves, guns can still do great harm… I'll have to discuss this with Arthur-kun later," he decided, finally giving Luna a small smile.
Luna put the empty gun into her magical sack, happy about her progress. "We'll practice again soon, right?"
"Hai," Kiku nodded. "We still have a lot to work on."
Luna looked at the hole-filled target, deep in thought. "Say, Kiku, what did the Kappa have to say?"
Immediately Kiku's somewhat good mood dampened. "Ah…" he sighed, running a hand through his hair, ruffling it. "Apparently my acceptance of magic has caused the slumbering demons to awaken. These demons have been asleep for a long time, and, when they woke up, they were not very happy about the changes. Now none of the species know who is in charge and they are on the brink of war unless I do something about it- and about what exactly that something is, I am clueless."
"That… was a mouthful," Luna said, the only thing she could think of at the moment. "But, what are you going to do about it?"
"… I'm not… certain," he admitted. "I have a month to decide on whether or not I will have to return to Japan, thanks to Kappa's patience, but, until I have a chance to think about it, I cannot do anything."
The Japanese groaned, looking to the other. "I'm sorry for dragging you into such a mess… I can understand if you're angry…"
Luna looked at him like he was crazy. "Kiku! Why would you say such a thing? If you're in this much trouble, I'm glad to help you. I bet you'd do the same with any of your friends, so why not give me a chance?"
Luna gave him a hug despite his personal space issues. "Go think about what you need to do, and whatever you decide, I'll help the best I can."
Kiku stopped struggling in the friendly hug. "A-Arigato, Luna-chan," he said, finally returning the hug.
And... Best friend fluff! Yayz!
I feel kind of bad; I end this with bestie fluff, but I end PanDa with a cliffy... Eh... Whatever.
R&R
~Dark Side of the Moon
