Chapter Nine

He was wrong.

America did in fact get up at two in the morning, and he sure as heck cooked a giant breakfast for them to eat before Japan got on the bus to the airport.

God there was so much food.

That morning Japan was greeted with a loud and happy announcement of, 'would you like orange juice or instant coffee? The orange juice is kind of warm though, I sort of left it on the counter overnight.'

Even before responding with a surprised and stuttery, "C-coffee please-" a cup had been shoved into his hands and he was being pushed down in a folding chair.

He had hurriedly devoured a waffle and a few oily breakfast sausages before excusing himself and standing up, apologizing but saying that he had to go.

While rushing out the door, Japan said goodbye to his friend, who was still happily chowing down on the bacon that the Japanese nation hadn't been able to finish.

How he ate so much food on a daily basis and still managed to stay fit always perplexed many of the other nations, England and Japan the most of all. He knew there was exercise involved, and quite possibly marathons occasionally since that seemed to be a part of his culture in some states, but it was still always rather shocking.

On the plane he had time to plan out his visit to his former caretaker, as he would be taking a plane from Tokyo to Beijing a day after he landed in his home country. After he visited his self-proclaimed-brother he would travel back, hopefully having comforted him a bit, or at least confirming that he had gotten better since the meeting.

While the sky brightened around the plane the people near him spoke to each other in various languages, many whispering or trying to get a bit of a nap on their way through the time zones. The woman beside him snored softly, her dark brown hair curled softy around her face. Since they were leaving at around four AM and the time it would be when they finished their flight would be around six thirty two AM Japan didn't blame her at all.

He did, however, grimace at the thought of the long flight. Even if the times seemed to convey only a few hours, everyone on the plane was painfully aware of the near fourteen they would have to spend cramped in the small space until they were set free once again and set foot onto the linoleum floors of the Japanese airport that waited for them.

But what was really on Japan's mind was not the slow-burning anxiety that his brain was instead replacing with his regular fear of flying oversea. Usually in war he was in the naval forces and rarely used planes himself. Perhaps it was the inherent terror from the honor driven tactics of his people in World War II.

He shuddered, pulling himself together. He had to stay calm throughout this flight, no one could detect any sort of weakness from him, a nation, in such a public place. Though he doubted that any of the mostly American and Japanese people around him would personally find a way to hurt him through it he had to be careful. Being such a personification meant that he had to always question who he trusted, even if he felt as though he knew their intentions.

Never letting anyone let on to your full emotions or the reasons behind them was crucial for survival. Even if the past had been far worse it was still a cutthroat place in the modern world.

Bringing himself back to Earth, or rather to air, he gently shook his head, chuckling at his own irrational fears. In order to combat his anxieties he softly slipped a book from his carry-on, apologizing as he accidentally bumped the arm of the woman who sat next to him.

A good thirteen hours or reading, politely chatting, and napping later, he found himself sluggishly padding down the walkway between the plane and his home airport. The floor creaked beneath the passengers and their suitcases. Although it felt nice to be back he knew that he would soon be leaving for another day and another two plane rides on his own accord.

He hadn't admitted to his boss the reason behind his travel, only saying that he wanted to try to improve relations and would not get in any fights that would make the already tense atmosphere worse between the high-strung personalities and opposite governments of the East Asian nations. He knew of the lack of awareness in his personal life within his government and sometimes took advantage of it for various reasons.

One of these reasons was family, another being his still well maintained friendship with the rest of the former Axis powers. But one thing he certainly did not use it for was to see Russia.

So of course it was surprising when he saw that very man near the doors to the streets of Tokyo. He noticeably jumped, and the sound of his luggage thumping against the tiled floor caught the Russian's attention. They stared at each other for a moment before Russia glanced away for a second, looking briefly at a booklet that rested in his right hand.

Getting over his initial shock, Japan closed his mouth, which he had not realized had been open, and took a few curious steps toward the other personification. Conversation was not ideal, but he knew his government would appreciate it if he at least found out what his recently decided ally was doing without his government in Tokyo unannounced.

Looking down and the shorter man from his booklet Russia feigned a surprised, delighted smile, "Привет япония," he greeted him.

Japan bowed ever so slightly, "こんにちはロシア," he muttered back before straighten again and looking up into the Russian's light violet eyes, "What brings you here?"

Smiling sweetly again, Russia closed his eyes, "Why is that of your interest?"

Frowning softly, Japan blinked his tired eyes, "I was just curious, and it is strange to find you in my country, especially in such a coincidence as his one."

The Russian nodded, "Reasonable."

A silence stretched between them, filled only by the bumbling and soft talking of the people around them. Coughing in order to rekindle the already thin conversation, Japan tilted his head to the side, "would you mind telling me?"

Lips curling into a sneer, Russia's eyes darkened, "I would mind, but will tell you if you do not really trust me."

His ruff accent stung Japan's ears as he nodded quickly, "I do trust you Russia, but I still want you to to provide me with an answer,"

Twisting into another cruel smirk, Russia's expression got darker, "I will tell you."

The two nations talked as Russia slowly led Japan out of the door onto the sidewalk. Telling him that he was taking a flight to Moscow from the Japanese capital Russia explained to the shorter man that he had been to China's house, not confiding the details or the direct reason that he had visited their fellow personification. Japan had admitted that he was planning to visit him as well.

Russia laughed bitterly. "You aren't going to find out anything."

Questioning his words, Japan blinked, "What do you mean?"

Turning and looking up at the sun that sat slightly to the side in the sky Russia explained, "He isn't going to explain his actions at the meeting."

Japan's brow furrowed, their accents clashing horribly as he tried to understand the Russian, "Is he okay?"

Russia raised his eyebrows as the East Asian man, "He's better, but I think I scared him."

Scoffing under his breath Japan sighed miserably, "Scared him?"

Waving his hand as if it was nothing, the Russian rolled his eyes, "as I said, he didn't give any information on what influenced his personality switch. I think he is doing better."

Tilting his head back in exhaustion Japan scrunched his eyes shut, "Well that doesn't make me feel better at all."

Eyes glinting, Russia smirked at him, "Are you worried?"

"Are you not?"

Russia shrugged, sliping a slight lie into the conversation, "Of course I am," he purred, "but you are not his ally."

When Japan's eyes snapped open he knew he had hit the right nerve. "But I do care," Japan said, desperately placing a hand over his heart, "I may near-hate him but I have also known him for a very, very long time."

Smiling again, Russia nodded, placing a hand on his semi-ally's shoulder in what was supposed to be a comforting gesture, "I have also known him for awhile, perhaps we could see what we can do."

Brow furrowing, Japan frowned, "what?"

"We work together!" Declared Russia happily, laughing internally at the gullibility of the older man. But yet maybe with two nations working to find the secret Russia would get his answer.

After all, the chase was always the best part!