Author's Notes: Thanks to everyone who's left a review for this story and added it to their watch and favorites lists! I've replied to everyone who's signed in to the best of my abilities. The fact that it's receiving love warms my heart.
I'm taking out the America x Canada pairing to this story. Given where it's going and the kind of pasts I'm giving both, for either one of them to be in a relationship of any kind just wouldn't work or be as believable as I'd like it. So no America x Canada. For those of you who want to see it, I do apologize, but it really isn't something I can make them do with each other for this story.
08/17/2013 - Took out the note on the poll since it's long closed. Some minor editing done to include hints of business economics. As stated at the end of last chapter's author's notes, not all factories in the U.S. are owned by U.S. corporations. Plus, I needed to edit to truly cover those debts to both China and Japan. You may ask how it's being done. You'll find out when America's chapter finally appears.
Four weeks later . . . (November 2021)
"And in international news, the entire world was stunned today when the U.S. government announced it was shutting down the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C. and their five consulates in New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Houston, sending all Chinese officials and their staff back to their home country. Rumor has it that all of the U.S. embassies in China have been shut down as well, but Chinese officials have refused to say. Trade between the two nations has come to a standstill, but there still is no official word as to why this is taking place . . ."
Japan listened as the reporter spoke about the relations between China and America or the lack thereof. No one from either government had commented as to why the two were no longer in communications and trading with each other or why it had ceased in the first place. Neither had asked other nations to intercede, either, and it had the rest of the world watching with baited breath as to what would happen next. All the world knew was that America had shut down all of his embassies in China and was now doing the same in the U.S.
"He's such an ass! I can't believe he's doing this! Ai yah!"
He winced at his older brother's shout of irritation and indignation. Japan didn't necessarily like it when others shouted in his presence, preferring a tranquil and serene environment as much as possible. It was a habit he'd tried curbing in America as much as he possibly could when the younger nation used to visit him, and he was of the mind to treat China the same way he'd treated America in such instances – a newspaper fan to the back of the head only once worked wonders on the younger nation. Before he'd gone into isolation, America knew how far he could push Japan with his boisterousness. America was not necessarily the slow learner everyone believed him to be.
Japan also didn't hold the same precise opinion of America as his older brother. Oh, he saw what the rest of the world did in the blond nation – young, impetuous and filled with insane ideas; a bit of a wild card, but it was also part of America's charm. He saw the world in ways no one else did – he hadn't lost that wonder of his surroundings, and he still believed that anything was possible. Once he set his mind to do something, he let nothing deter him, even when others said it couldn't be done. He'd accomplished much in such a short amount of time. Most nations couldn't make that claim. Japan glanced at his older brother.
China had propped himself against a wall, his arms buried within the sleeves of his traditional dress shirt. His panda rested on the floor next to him, and a scowl marred the older country's face. He knew from that expression his brother wasn't happy and that he was confused. America's actions baffled not only the rest of the world but China as well.
"Is that why you came here?" Japan inquired, shutting of the television. "To carr America-san an ass?"
"He's up to something," China muttered. "He's up to something. I just know it."
"You make it sound sinister," he commented, his tone light.
"He's paid off his debt to me," China snapped. "He overpaid, in fact, and left without a word. He bought back his companies from my businesses and shut down the factories in my lands for his companies. How is that not up to something?!"
Japan sighed and shook his head. His older brother could be such a drama queen sometimes.
"Did you even see him when he was there?"
"No . ." China pouted a little.
"So you didn't even offer him any hospitarity when he was there."
"No . . ." Now his brother tried to shrink within the confines of his shirt.
"And that means you don't know what Amerika is pranning on doing, do you?"
At that, China didn't move. He didn't speak.
"I thought you wanted Amerika to pay off his debt to you," Japan said. "You said as much at the rast conference he attended. Don't terr me you didn't mean it."
"I did mean it!" China snapped. "I just . . . I just didn't expect him to pay everything back. His economy has been bad for years. I've heard the rumors. I've heard that his Wall Street hasn't been doing much trading. I'm sure you have, too. I was expecting him to beg me to help him out, not to be paid back everything with interest."
"So why don't you carr him and tark to him?"
"I don't want to talk to him," China grumbled.
"But you want to know what's going on with him, don't you?" Japan pressed.
"I want him to just disappear."
"Why?"
"Because I hate him! And I hate the fact that you don't hate him!"
"You have no reason to hate him," Japan said.
"But I do hate him," China said. "I hate how he always wants to visit areas that are restricted to tourists. I hate that he's always telling me what to do and how to treat my people. He's still a young country. What does he know?"
Japan said nothing to that. What his older brother spoke of was petty, insignificant even. China had never once faced America's true wrath. He had. He knew just how capable and how intelligent the younger nation truly was. America simply hid behind a mask of happiness, bubbliness, and hyperactivity because it was what others expected of him. Japan folded his hands in his lap, the memories of the atom bombs dropping on Hiroshima and Nagasaki still fresh in his memories. The burn scars had never faded from his body. He still felt the loss of all those lives from those attacks. There were times, late at night, when his mind reeled from the effects of the radiation poisoning. If anyone in this world had reason to hate America, it was Japan and it was for the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
But then, it stood to reason that America had reason to hate Japan as well. He'd pulled the young nation into World War II, something he'd been trying to avoid for as long as he could. In his short years as a nation, America, Alfred, had experienced everything other nations spent hundreds of years learning and trying to get right. Japan thought of one of his first meetings with the younger nation, shortly after Custer had made his final stand.
"What was he rike?"
"Huh?" America's blue eyes blinked, confused. Japan fidgeted in his seat, thanks to a small tremor of excitement.
"Generar Custer . . . what was he rike?"
"Oh . . ." For a moment, the young nation's expression was troubled and uncertain. Japan knew that most of America's people thought the General to be a hero, that the Indians living there respected the man so much that they hadn't mutilated his body in battle, and he was curious as to what the embodiment thought of such a great person. He thought America would be proud of such a man, but, upon seeing his expression, he wasn't so sure.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked. "Have I offended you?"
"No . . ." America shook his head. "It's just that . . . I wouldn't exactly call Custer a hero."
"You wourdn't?"
"No . . ."
"Why . . .?"
"Because it isn't exactly heroic to murder defenseless women and children and call it a battle," came the bitter reply.
"Surery the Indians he fought respected him," Japan said. He felt confused. Hadn't Custer done what America had wanted him to do?
"No." America shook his head. "They didn't respect him. Not at all."
"I don't understand," Japan murmured. "I heard about his farr . . . I heard they cut off an ear and a finger. Isn't that a sign of respect?"
"It's their way of saying he's a poor listener and a thief," the younger nation replied. "He didn't respect them . . . he didn't listen . . . He wasn't exactly a very bright man. His soldiers were more feared than he was."
'Is that how you felt in those days, America? When your people dropped those bombs and killed my children?' Japan thought. He still felt the phantom pains from Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 'More like a villain than a hero? I never asked you . . .'
He barely remembered the meetings between his boss, America, and his boss in the days that followed. His mind had felt cloudy and feather-light, but he remembered America, remembered Alfred. He hadn't been smiling. Too much had happened, too much had changed, and Japan knew he'd done something to sever his friendship with the younger nation. The attack on Pearl Harbor had come from out of nowhere, all because Japan and his boss had signed an agreement with Germany and his new boss. The attacks – Pearl Harbor, Hiroshima, Nagasaki – they'd changed the way he and America interacted with each other. The younger nation dismantled his army but vowed protection. Japan didn't think the disbanding of his army and the vows of protection were so much because America felt protective of him but wary, concerned, and mistrustful. Neither could have what they'd had before the war, but they certainly tried to forge better relations afterwards. It took them some time, but their people managed the transition better than anticipated. When the earthquake and tsunami struck in 2011, Alfred and his people were the first to lend a hand, bringing in anything the island nation required. There were shadows in America's eyes then, just as there had been shadows in his eyes after dropping the bombs.
In thinking of the past, Japan knew, felt he had more reason to hate America than his older brother. A part of him still did, but he also knew that the past was the past. The younger nation had been repentant for the damage caused by his atom bombs, seeing firsthand the damage and after effects of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and he'd done everything he could to help Japan recover and rebuild. He still remained repentant over those attacks. It was the only time Japan had seen America cry.
"He is planning something," China said. Japan tilted his head. "And it isn't the suicide Canada and Mexico mentioned."
"And how can you be so sure?"
"Because they never mentioned him closing down any of his embassies or sending ambassadors home. That's why. There is something off about all of this, and I don't like it."
"I stirr think you shourd carr him."
"He hasn't spoken to anyone in years!" China snapped. "He's accepted no phone calls and he's not sent any. Do you really think he'll answer after all this time?"
"Then go there," Japan answered.
"How?" China said, sneering. "All commercial flights to and from the U.S. have been cancelled. The only flights heading into the country are the ones where his people are returning, if they haven't already."
"What?"
"You didn't know?" China shook his head. "It's just happened in the last few days. All Americans abroad have returned home . . . or so the news reports are saying."
"Arr frights cancered?" Japan felt as if he'd been sucker-punched. He knew that many of his businessmen and women were frustrated because they couldn't reach their American contacts, and government officials were starting to express concern from the lack of communications from the U.S. officials. The embassies were quiet, and Japan's attempts to call the younger nation went unanswered. Was China right? Was America planning to declare war? China was correct on at least one thing. The younger nation shutting down his embassies and ceasing trade with other nations wasn't how Canada and Mexico described things to them. Japan glanced at his older brother and narrowed his eyes.
"What's he done?" Japan asked.
"What do you mean?"
"There is a reason why you're angry," Japan said, rising to his feet. "There's reason why you're here. What's he done to rire you up rike this?"
China turned his head away. Ironically, he looked out the same window America had when Japan asked about Custer, but the island nation chose to say nothing about it. Instead, he narrowed his eyes.
"Yao . . ."
"Why should I say anything more?" the older nation muttered. "You . . . you will just take his side on this anyway. You always agree with him and his insane ideas. You don't care who you hurt when you do . . . Ai yah . . ."
"Don't pretend you know how I think," Japan growled. He started to say more. He wanted to say more, and he'd risen to his feet in order to make sure his older brother heard his words.
In those moments, two things happened that prevented Japan from speaking his mind. The first was his cell phone ringing. He glanced at it, noting it was his boss. Glaring at his brother, he answered.
"Moshi, moshi . . ."
"Moshi, moshi, Kiku," his boss said. "I've just spoken with the Amerikan ambassador, and he's requesting a meeting with you and myserf."
"A meeting? After days of not contacting us?" Japan said. At this, China finished his tea and rose to his feet.
"I will talk to you later," he murmured. "Thank you for the tea, Kiku. I've enjoyed your hospitality."
The second thing to happen was watching Yao as he walked out the door while Japan's boss continued speaking. Overwhelmed and confused by the older nation's behavior, Kiku could only watch as he stepped out and disappear into his car while his boss continued to speak.
"Hai . . . a meeting but not with him specificarry. There is a deregation that's newry arrived from Amerika . . ."
"I'd heard arr frights were cancered . . ."
"Werr, yes . . . arr frights are cancered . . . This is a speciar deregation from Amerika . . ."
"I'rr be there. When and where do they wish to meet?"
xxX-Dark-Intentions-Xxx
"You stupid idiot! How the hell can you mistake Canada for me? We might look alike but we're nothing alike! Nothing! Only an idiot would make that kind of mistake! If you ever so much as lay a hand on him again, I will make you regret it."
Getting to the Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku ward at the appointed time to meet with the American delegation proved to be more difficult in reality. With the Shich-Go-San around the corner, many of the local shrines were preparing for the young visitors, and the streets, as always, were quite crowded as people commuted to and from work. Many were also out and about for the sake of being outside and to enjoy the nightlife of Tokyo.
The drive there frustrated Japan. He didn't know what the American delegation wanted with this meeting, but he knew that America himself was amongst the delegation. He'd felt it the moment the younger nation stepped off the plane. There was something else, too, he'd noticed, an immense level of wrongness. He couldn't place what it was or why it was even there. The sensation left him feeling anxious and vulnerable. Japan hadn't felt such an overwhelming feeling helplessness in a long time, not since the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the air raids of Tokyo. In his mind, he saw America.
"This is so cool!" the younger nation crowed before laughing. They were at the top of the tallest tower in the country, and America was more than impressed. He was absolutely elated, and Japan couldn't help but wonder how the bubbly, blue-eyed blond would react to seeing the world's tallest roller coaster, which was also in his lands.
"Can you tell me how to make friends with whales?"
"I don't understand . . . Can you tell me why? Why did you decide to attack me like that? I thought we were friends."
"Kiku, I'm so sorry . . . I shouldn't have . . . I didn't . . . I'm so sorry . . ."
"You want me gone? You hate me that much? Fine. Consider me gone. You won't ever see me again."
'It's just my imagination,' he told himself. Still, the wrongness didn't stop him from trying to drive a little faster than what he normally would.
He reached the government building as the sun started to set. The first thing Japan, Kiku, noticed was the number of government cars lining the streets. One car stood out amongst the others, the miniature American flags flapping in a light breeze. Several uniformed officers stood guard and waved to Japan in acknowledgement as he ran to the building, flashing his government I.D. in the process.
By the time he reached the designated meeting area, Japan realized that America wasn't among the delegation, as he'd originally believed. He wanted to see the younger nation, to talk to him, and to simply . . . he didn't know. The entire drive from his home to Shinjuku ward, he remembered all of the times he'd seen America displaying a wide array of emotions, including the anger and hurt from when the younger nation was last seen at a world conference. It was the first time since the end of World War II where Japan felt his anger and frustration with the younger nation reaching a boiling point. He'd still reeled from the effects of the earthquake and tsunami as well as the feelings of nausea from one of the country's nuclear power plants reaching critical and the wariness of his people towards his government on top of economic troubles. He didn't want to acknowledge that the younger nation was dealing with his own troubles. Like everyone else there, he just wanted to blame someone for his problems. Despite their friendship, America had made the perfect target, and Japan wanted to apologize for not speaking up in the younger nation's defense. It wasn't just America's fault the global economy suffered. Everyone played a part, and some things, like earthquakes and wild fires, were just beyond their control. Japan stepped into the room, and everyone assembled glanced at him. He didn't fail to notice four very large, silver briefcases attached by handcuffs on the Americans. The briefcases themselves were almost large enough to become carry-on luggage.
"Gomen-nasai," he said, bowing. "I hope I am not rate . . ."
The American delegates – three women and two men – bowed in return. One of the women smiled, a friendly gesture, but Japan couldn't help feeling there was something off and wrong with it. She was the only one without a briefcase attached to her wrist.
"No need to apologize, Honda-san," she said. "You're right on time. Shall we get started?"
"Of course," Japan's boss said. He gestured to the table, where they had tea waiting. The Americans each took a seat as did the Japanese officials in attendance. Everyone moved but Japan. When he didn't sit at the table with them, all eyes landed on him, and Japan, Kiku, felt each set of eyes boring into him.
"Honda-san?" the woman inquired. "Is there something wrong?"
"Iie," he said, shaking his head, but he still didn't move. "Forgive me for being rude, but I thought there wourd be another person here for this. Where is Amerika-san?"
"Oh . . ." the woman's smile disappeared. In fact, her face as well as the faces of the other Americans, displayed no emotions whatsoever as she continued, "America is unable to attend due to illness. He stayed behind at the embassy in order to rest."
"Then why did he fry here in the first prace?" Already, Japan knew he was being rude, but he couldn't stop himself from asking the question. It was ask the question of why Alfred chose to journey there in the first place or call the woman a liar. Tensions between America and China were already on the rocks for who knew what reason. The last thing Japan wanted to do was add to the mix by starting a fight with the country who provided him with military protection.
"Japan!" his boss hissed, scandalized. The woman held up her hand.
"It's quite all right," she said, her fake (that's all Japan could think of to describe the emotion in her actions) smile back in place. "We do understand that it's been some time since our nation's embodiment has ventured to other countries. Japan-san's curiosity is only natural."
"O-of course," his boss stammered, laughing a bit nervously. "This is true. I must admit, I am arso curious . . ."
"America was feeling fine when he boarded the plane," she said. "It was simply something he ate along the way. It just isn't agreeing with him. That's all. If you'd like, I can let him know you asked."
'He arready knows I've asked,' Japan thought, but he couldn't dispute what the woman told him. 'It's why you're rying for him . . .'
He couldn't call her out on the lie, either. He had no proof other than a gut feeling that America was avoiding him for some reason, and China's words echoed around in his mind.
"He's up to something. I just know it."
"If you wourd, prease," Japan said, finally moving towards the table. Already, he decided he planned on visiting the American at his embassy. He wasn't about to let the younger nation leave without at least saying hello and talking with him.
"Of course," the woman replied. "Shall we begin?"
xxX-Dark-Intentions-Xxx
By the time the meeting with the delegation ended, Japan's eyes burned from exhaustion, and his thoughts tumbled around in confusion. He tried to latch onto the first thing that could make sense to him, and that was what the briefcases contained.
America had paid back his debt. Just as he had with China, he'd not only paid off his debt to Japan but overpaid. There were more brief cases filled with yen than what he originally had seen upon his arrival. As with China, throughout the years since he was last seen, America and his government had been making sluggish payments of the minimum. Despite best efforts to boost the younger nation's economy, things remained slow and uncertain. Japan had seen a decrease in his usual exports to America – games, manga, and anime for translation, computer hardware, cars – over the years, and it was curious as to how the younger nation could afford to pay everything back. It was even more baffling as to how he could do so on the heels of paying off China. Had America raided Fort Knox?
Then there were the issues of defense and energy as well as business contracts. In the delegate's hands were papers, stating that Japan could form his own military once more and that, before the month ended, ships would arrive to help update and improve efficiency of the island nation's nuclear power plants. In the meantime, the U.S. military stationed in Japan would be training his people on how to fight and how to fly jet fighters. It would be a long process, but one, the delegate assured Japan and his boss, would be worth in the long run. Japan kept quiet as the delegation handed over the money (in yen; not American dollars) and the written agreements on what roles the two nations would play in the next several months. There were no requests for more money, and there were no requests for aid in a potential declaration of war. If China was correct and America did plan on declaring war against the Communist nation, then why wasn't the younger nation asking for aid of some kind? The meeting continued for four hours as each point in the agreements was discussed, agreed to, discussed, and agreed to for a second time. Japan and his boss wanted to be sure they were hearing and reading everything correctly, that it wasn't some kind of a prank or trap. The entire time he sat through the meeting, Japan couldn't shake the feeling of wrongness over the whole situation. In truth, while he was happy that America had paid off his debt, he didn't want all of the extras that were coming with the final payment. While he admitted to himself it would be nice to have his own army again, he didn't like where the current situation with America was heading, what it was ultimately going to cost Kiku in the end, and it was more than what the island nation wanted to pay.
'There is onry one way to find out what is going on with him.'
Japan started to steer his car towards the American embassy. The younger nation remained in his country, and he believed that the blond nation wouldn't leave so soon after arriving, not if he'd eaten something that made him sick, a story of which Japan didn't truly buy the premise. He knew America was avoiding him. He just didn't know why, and he intended to find out. Unlike China, he wasn't going to do nothing while a good friend and an ally slipped away from him.
It took him longer than he would have liked it to for him to reach the embassy, thanks to the number of cars and pedestrians on the street. When Japan pulled in front, he noticed right away that the building was quiet. Deathly quiet. There were no guards at the gates, the gates themselves were open, and the lights were off. There were no cars parked in front of the building, nothing to even indicate the place had been occupied mere hours earlier. Heading into the building, he found that the staff was gone. The only items that remained were the furniture and linens. There was no food in the pantries and no papers in the offices. Japan could only stare in shock and befuddlement, and he remained that way, even as he sensed America leaving, the plane already in flight. Finally, as he gazed around, wandering from room to room, China's words floated back to him.
"Because they never mentioned him closing down any of his embassies or sending ambassadors home. That's why. There is something off about all of this, and I don't like it."
'Crosing down his embassies . . . sending ambassadors home . . . he's done this to China and now he's doing it to me . . .'
The realization hit Japan like a punch to the stomach, and he dropped to his knees. In anguish, he stared at the vacant rooms. There was so much happening, events kicking into motion that Canada and Mexico never mentioned, just as China had told him. Was his older brother correct?
Was America going to declare war? Japan was no longer sure what to believe.
The scene regarding General Custer was inspired by the movie, The Last Samurai with Tom Cruise. The Last Samurai, I've heard, is based on a true story about an American soldier who goes to Japan and is taken captive by a rebellion leader. If you've watched this movie, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't - WATCH IT. I won't say it's Tom Cruise at his finest, but, hey, it's got some Japanese history in it. What's not to love about that?
General Custer was, in fact, quite the idiot. (Sorry, Custer fans.) How he managed to become a General is beyond me - he was the bottom of his graduating class at West Point, and he'd done so horribly on his work there, that he almost failed out of West Point. The Native Americans he fought against didn't respect him as a leader or as a warrior. According to my U.S./Native American history teacher (one in the same, different semesters at college), the cutting off of his pinky finger was the sign of a thief in their culture, and they also cut off his ear so that, when he saw them again in the afterlife, he'd be sure to listen to them. The hacking of the U.S. soldiers was done so that, again, in the afterlife, the soldiers couldn't rise up and fight them.
Given his intelligence, Custer probably more accurately died at the very beginning at the Battle of Little Bighorn rather than at the end. Again, he wasn't a very bright man. I think America would know when one of his most "prominent" generals has passed away and exactly when, too. That's why I have him saying Custer was among the first to die, not the last.
Jim Bridger, for those of you who haven't taken any Native American history classes, is an actual historical figure. Johnny Horton sings a song about him called Jim Bridger. In the song, Jim warns Custer about fighting the Sioux nation, tells Custer to treat them fair and square. It also goes on to say that Custer didn't listen to Bridger and, because he didn't listen, at Little Bighorn, he died.
As for why Alfred wouldn't be so enthused about Custer, one of Custer's so-called victories included the slaughter of a village where there were no warriors to protect the women, children, and elderly. Since this was before both World Wars, Korea, and Vietnam, I do believe Alfred would find the act of riding into an unprepared, defenseless village to be an act of cowardice and one that would nauseate him. It wouldn't jibe with his hero persona because heroes don't slay innocent people for no reason.
Moving onward.
Everyone knows about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Air raids were done on Tokyo as well just before Japan surrendered. According to my book on Tokyo (a city guide), a U.S. commander estimated that they'd killed around 100,000 civilians in Tokyo at that time. The U.S. and Japan, since the end of World War II, have a long-standing love/hate relationship. The U.S. also helped to rebuild Japan after that.
Everyone also knows about the earthquake and tsunami as well as potential nuclear disaster from March 2011. (If you don't, where have you been?)
I'm winging it on the exports from Japan to the U.S. I'm sure there's more, but the ones I could think of right off the top of my head are the ones listed in the story.
Moshi, moshi - how one answers the phone in Japan.
Hai - yes
Iie - no
San - Mr. or Mister or Ms.
Gomen-nasai - apology
This chapter is definitely longer than China's, but Japan is easier to write. (Sorry, China fans. I tried!)
If you see that I didn't mention something here but it's in the chapter, please let me know so I can fix it. Thanks! And yes, if you find where I've made a grammatical or spelling mistake, you can tell me about that, too. Just make sure you include where you found it so I can fix it. Otherwise, I'll just ignore those remarks. Not because I'm being a diva, but because I don't always see where my mistakes are and it's more than helpful for people to high-light the areas in their comments. Believe it or not, I do appreciate someone pointing that stuff out to me and where it's located so I can fix it.
Some quick edits for this chapter and chapter two . . . I feel like there is some confusion as to when this story is taking place. I've added the month and year so everyone will know when this is taking place. Sorry for the confusion.