Chapter Fifteen
There were voices in the back room, which made sense. The American usually had his allies come early to chat before meetings. Yet…
"I thought you said-," Russia fumbled over the words, "-would just be him here yet!" he hissed to the smaller country who stood beside him, ignoring the grammatical errors in his fury.
"Relax," Japan sighed, shaking his head in disbelief, "you aren't scared of him or anything, right?"
Russia scowled, "of course not!"
"Then you shouldn't have any problems talking to him," Japan retaliated, "come on, he isn't that bad." The black haired personification pushed the door open with his toe, causing Russia to jump back, trying to hide from the people who were already there. Muttering that it was, in fact, that bad between him and the American, and it had been that way for decades.
"Oh hello Kiku!" America grined, standing up and nearly knocking over his cup of coffee, which Canada gracefully caught before it spilled (though this went mostly unnoticed), "We were waiting on you!"
"Yes, I'm sorry about that," Japan smiled apologetically before turning back around to face Russia, who had pressed his back against the wall behind them, hiding the best he could. "Someone was slowing me up," he added with a small smirk.
Alfred's eyes widened when he saw the Russian, something close to fear visible for only a second. "I-Ivan!" he stuttered, "I didn't- I didn't know you were…" his voice faltered as he stared in confusion at Japan, "coming so soon..."
Russia smiled darkly behind his scarf, it felt better to know that he wasn't the only one who didn't exactly want this meeting, though it just made him more annoyed by Japan's persistence. It was good if the small man had not told America why they were meeting, but not telling him that Russia was even coming was a bit far.
He swept into the room then, choosing a seat next to Canada, who made himself visible with a cough right in the nick of time.
Behind him, Russia could hear America softly complaining to Japan, something about 'the audacity of' and 'in this situation'. Such useless words. If Russia had wanted to show up early he would have anyway, no matter who had tried to keep him back. This time it so happened that Japan wanted him there, so at least the American had acknowledged that.
Breaking into his thoughts, Canada cleared his throat quietly, getting Russia's attention only because of their close proximity. "If you don't mind me asking," he sounded tentative, "why are you here early?"
"That…" Russia paused, had Japan told them nothing? Or did Canada just want to make conversation?
"That doesn't concern you," he finally added, accent thick as he lowered his chin into the scarf that surrounded his throat, "and I won't be telling you."
Canada's mouth twitched ever so slightly, his purple eyes narrowing in a barely noticeable way behind his wire rimmed glasses. He looked… angry?
"Is that so." He hummed, folding his hands in his lap but not breaking eye contact. The two stared unwaveringly into each other's eyes for a few seconds until Russia sighed, realizing that it was pointless arguing with someone who would not care if he reacted badly.
"Kiku may tell you," Russia said, turning his gaze and leaning back in his chair, crossing his coat-clad arms across his chest.
Canada's demeanor immediately changed, his posture softening and his expression lifting noticeably. "That's okay," he smiled, "I'm sure he will... if they ever stop arguing,"
Russia raised an eyebrow, but Canada answered before he could even ask the question. "Alfred and Japan," he provided, stating it as if it was obvious, which it of course was. "If we don't start whatever we were going to soon Germany or someone is probably gonna walk in and start the meeting for us, you know?"
Russia nodded, pondering his words, though he declined the casual offer for a maple candy that came next. What an odd world this was. He was still heavily against both of the North American twins but here he was, talking to them about someone he actually cared about.
Wait. 'Cared about'?
No no no, he thought to himself, shaking his head and tapping his forehead with his palm, you can't be thinking that way. You can't start to care about Yao, that's- Wait. 'Yao'? Using human names when he wasn't directly speaking to the personification?! God, whose side was he on?! His own or...
Japan's voice cut his internal debate short. It seemed he had finally stopped the argument with America and was now seated next to England, who had apparently been sitting there silently through the whole argument. (Russia had failed to notice him when he had walked it, which was a bit embarrassing now that it was clear he was there.) "Hello everyone," Japan greeted them, "I'm sorry for how late we were-"
"You weren't late," America cut in, "we don't mind!"
Japan smiled awkwardly, "A-ah, yes, of course Alfred. Anyway-"
"What are you here to tell us?" America chirped, interrupting again and seemingly seeing nothing wrong with it. Japan swallowed, it was clear to everyone but the American that he had been just about to answer that question. "What?" the blond teen frowned, "is something wrong?"
"You bloody git," England hissed, furiously turning towards the young country, "shut up and listen to him!"
America seemed like he was about to protest but Canada met his eyes and shook his head, effectively shutting him up. Japan smiled in an awkward gesture of thanks before turning back to the general room and addressing the three of them again.
"We are here to discuss some, uh," he made eye contact with Russia, unsure how to continue. When Russia did not respond, though the three blond nations in the room all turned to stare at him, Japan stuttered into speech again, "suspicions, we have about a certain ally of Russia's…"
Making sure that there was no more he was immediately going to say, Canada spoke up tentatively, "wouldn't it be rude to talk behind their back?" he politely inquired.
"Uh…" Japan tutted, "Yes and no, this is to help him," he made eye contact with Russia, "Right?"
Put on the spot, Russia blushed, though he didn't know why. Forcing a lie and scowling at them, he tried to beat down the blood that rushed to his face quickly, "Yes, it is for his sake,"
"May I ask who?" England sighed, "We don't have all day,"
Japan nodded, "true," he turned to Russia, "Ivan would you mind explaining? I don't fully understand what is going on,"
No matter what amount of truth was in that statement, Russia growled, it had been Japan's idea to talk to them today, and stating it in that order made it seem like it had been his own. However, he didn't want to make a big deal out of it so he crossed his arms tighter.
"We have some ideas about what's been happening to Yao,"
When no one immediately rescinded this idea his mind automatically went to the worst places. What if they got the wrong idea? That he was some sort of creepy stalker (which he kind of was) or if, even worse, he actually cared about the Asain country. Again with the goddamn human names, he thought, of course people are going to think things like that when you use those!
But to his relief, England nodded, "I was wondering that too," the Brit confided, "to be quite honest with you all I was curious,"
Curious. So maybe Russia could pretend that he was only curious as well?
'Pretend'? The act that he was keeping up was that he cared, not that he was curious, he was pretending to care, not pretending to be curious! What in the world was going on?
"I was too," Canada sighed, "but I was more worried than not, it's hard seeing people suffer, even if I'm supposed to hate them…"
"Dude, that was such a Canadian to say," America laughed, "'hard to see people suffer' my ass! Aren't you the one who burned down The White House?"
It was clearly a joke but Canada immediately flushed bright red, "Alfred I've already apologized for that! I'm sorry!"
"It was me as well," England argured, "but I'm not sorry for it," ignoring the half amused sounds of protest that the American uttered, he turned to Russia. "Get on with it, explain what you think, I don't want to be stuck talking to you for a long time,"
"Wow, straight to the point much?" Russia smirked before continuing, "We have some ideas about why he has been acting strange, I've been working on finding all of this out for myself,"
America rolled his eyes, a strange blush on his face as he made eye contact with the Russian, "Obviously, Kiku told us that much, we don't need you to repeat that."
Russia raised an eyebrow but Japan violently shook his head at him, urging the two not to fight, it would use up more valuable time that they didn't really have. So the white haired personification chose to not engage, instead shaking his own head in disbelif, "Just listen Alfred, you do not need to interrupt,"
America's lip twitched but he stayed quiet, England shooting him an angry look as if to say 'yeah Alfred, we don't have time for your crap' in the most British accent he could muster. Canada, on the other hand, looked engaged in the conversation, his violet eyes still trained on Russia's. Perhaps it was the bond of being a severely cold nation? Whatever the case, Russia did appreciate the Canadian's politeness, as it was a very needed break from his twin brother's chaotic personality.
"So," Russia said, careful to not make a big deal out of it, since it wasn't, "it probably has to do with kids, but I'm not sure how,"
"Ahhh... okay," Canada sighed, sounding relieved, "That's manageable! I was thinking it was going to be something bad, why do you think this?"
Russia frowned, unsure of what to say. He had proof, he knew what had happened. The thing was that he didn't think the rest of them would understand it, or the sinking feeling he got. But after all, of course they wouldn't, he had...
But the personification shook his head, clearing it. There was no way he was going to think about that now. No.
So instead of truthfully answering the polite teen, Russia made a quick excuse, "I don't want to disclose this information, I don't know if I can trust you all, pointedly America of course,"
Japan stiffened slightly, sending an angry glance in his direction.
But he had been expecting some sort of reaction from the American, not Japan. Yet when he glanced over at him it was as if the young nation hadn't even heard Russia insulting his trustworthiness. He was concentrating on something, his head bent over slightly, causing the gleam of the light to reflect off and hide his eyes from view. That was most definitely not a regular American activity.
Following Russia's confused gaze, England turned to his left, staring at the larger nation. "Mate," he groaned, "stop doing that and get back into the conversation, he insulted you for Pete's sake!"
Hearing this, America seemed to snap out of whatever haze he was in, a goofy grin spreading across his face as if it had never left. "He did?" the teen laughed, a threatening air to his voice, "why is that?"
England didn't answer, leaving America looking confused, "What?" he started, but Canada cut him off, rolling his eyes.
"Just listen to what Russia and Kiku have to say, and don't go daydreaming again,"
It seemed as though he was about to protest for a second but he thought better of it and sat back in his chair, "Sure, but I think y'all," he gestured to the three others, "should ask Arthur what he knows about children in this fashion, he seems to be hiding something,"
Everyone turned to England, who raised his hands in defense, "I have no idea what he is talking about, and I'm not hiding any information purposefully, but," he turned and made a face at the American, who was smirking evilly, "if he could tell me what I seem to be hiding that would be highly appreciated."
"It has to do with… magic? Or something?" America said, all signs of aggression fading from his face. When England only looked more confused he shrugged, "You mentioned it a few years ago, end of World War II, right?"
When nothing seemed to connect in his eyes, America shook his head, "Maybe it wasn't magic? To be fair you weren't very clear, it was from your pirate days I believe?"
Finally recognition seemed to hit the opposite nation's green eyes, "Ah! Yes, I could tell them about that," the Englishman looked embarrassed, probably due to being so clueless to something he himself had told the younger blond. Biting his lip, the slight blush on his cheeks making his awkward expression ever more prevalent.
Japan smiled lightly, "It's alright, what is it that you have told him?"
England nodded, muttering a 'thank you Kiku' under his breath before looking up again. "Obviously this is a worst-case-scenario correct?"
"Correct," Japan acknowledged.
"Right," England furrowed his brow, pulling his bushy eyebrows close, "there are many possible outcomes from something as wide as 'kids' with absolutely no context,"
Russia felt a hint of hostility in the statement but he chose to ignore it, pulling his arms up onto the tabletop. (In doing so he nearly hit Canada who had almost faded out of his mind, but that wasn't relevant to the conversation so he neither acknowledged nor apologized for it.)
Now that he was visible again, Russia noticed an air of discomfort wafting off of the Canadian. Following his gaze, Russia looked up at the clock that sat on the wall directly beside the proudly centered American flag. It was getting very close to the official starting time for the general meeting. If they weren't careful this discussion would have to be continued, which was something the tall country was sure none of them wanted.
Clearing his throat, careful not to sound too disrespectful and hold up the conversation with more fighting, Russia interrupted the green-eyed personification. "If you don't mind," he sighed, "we barely have any time left. So…" he made eye contact with the man he was addressing and narrowed his eyes, "get to the point,"
For a moment it looked as if his attempt to be kind had failed. England's nostrils flared, he started to say something but then… "You're right," he sighed, deflating, "there is no point in arguing, I'll skip the description,"
With the sound of the apology finishing in the background, Canada patted Russia on the back, smiling warmly as if to thank him for cutting the rant short. Russia nodded back, it was definitely just a common courtesy to stop the Englishman's seemingly endless speeches, or it should have been one in the very least.
"You know how females can… become pregnant?" England explained, complete seriousness in his voice.
"Well, obviously we know that dude, get to the point," America laughed.
The opposite personification shot him an angry glare, "This part of my explanation is necessary, remember that they have not heard it before my dear Alfred,"
"Fair enough," was the teen's response as he sat back in his seat, "But talk faster please, I've just been hanging out in New York and ya'll are unbearable,"
Stopping him before another pointless argument was started, Japan reached across the table and put a hand on England's chest, distracting him from the remark. "Please continue explaining, we do not have much more time here alone,"
So with a nod, the explanation continued, this time going un-interrupted, "We all know about that fact, but what if I told you with a little tinkering it's possible for a guy to do the same? What if, with a bit of… ah, fooling around, should I say, it isn't all that difficult to do?"
He paused here, so Japan took the opportunity to voice a question, "I've never seen it in either, so is this in humans or nations?"
Seemingly unsure how to answer without coming off as rude, England shifted his weight, "It's in nations, but I'm sure that it could happen in humans, I just would not recommend it for…" he swallowed, "personal reasons, clearly,"
Russia felt a sinking sensation in his stomach, was this for real? Was it possible that this had happened to China? If so, why had he not known?
"I don't think it can happen naturally," England said quickly, "so it would have to do with some type of reality change, like a spell or something,"
They all thought about this for a moment, except for America, who was leaning back in his chair with one for on the table. Not paying attention and playing with the zipper on his jacket. Russia's mind was racing. If this had happened, which they were not sure of, could it have been on purpose? But why would anyone purposefully…
Jumpscaring everyone, Canada gasped, "A potion! It could be a potion"
"Good lord Matthew! Don't do that!" England exclaimed, hand on his chest from the shock.
"Sorry," Canada apologized, briefly patting his former caretaker on the head before rushing on, hurriedly explaining what he had meant. "He likes doing medicines and stuff right?" Japan nodded, confirming this.
"Okay so," Canada looked around, "aren't some mixtures of stuff supposed to have effects on bodily systems?"
England made a face, "Yes, in real medicine, but nothing that intense. What do you mean?"
Canada started to explain but America interrupted him, "You mean in folklore right?" He grinned crazily, "not real life,"
"Exactly!" Canada nodded furiously, "and different mythologies along with that, perhaps he has more knowledge on that then we do?"
"It makes sense," Japan mussed, "and I'm sure he does, in the past there were a lot of medical documents that we do not have, like all of the ones that were burned in the library of Alexandra and by one of his bosses. He probably took inspiration if this is the case,"
England nodded slowly, "Yes, a potion could be a possibility based on what I have read…"
Russia tilted his head curiously, "You have read about this specifically?"
"Ah- no, not specifically," England blushed, "But in the sorcery books I read in my free time there are mentions," he seemed to think about this response carefully before once again speaking, as if editing his words further, "well, there are some basic descriptions in a few chapters but I don't have enough knowledge on potions to create basic transformation magic, let alone something like this,"
Another silence, but just as Canada opened his mouth, as if to say something else and add to the conversation, the door opened. In walked France, his hair tied back with a plaid ribbon. (Russia really hoped that that wasn't supposed to look good, because if it was he had officially lost faith in the French man's fashion sense.)
He paused, one hand still on the doorknob and the other intertwined with the wavy blond hair that didn't back it into the ponytail. His violet-blue eyes swept over the faces in the room, almost picking up on a sort of guilt in each of their expressions.
"Did I…" he asked tentatively, "walk in on something?"
"No," England sighed, "no you didn't, come on sit down,"
Russia looked around the room too. It seemed as though their discussion had been ended right as they were getting somewhere. America was leaned back in his chair again, looking bored once more. England was having a quiet fight with France over the comfy chair he had claimed before anyone else had gotten there. Canada was taping his fingers, eyes trained hare on the wood of the table top.
Japan sighed, looking over at Russia exhaustedly, "well," he tried to smile, "we kind of got somewhere…"
"Yes," Russia frowned, "If this is even the right path to take, how do we know this is even close to the truth?" He tried his best to keep the emotion out of his voice but a little bit of real worry still crept in.
Japan's face softened, "Don't worry," he said, "if it's not true than we have less to worry about in the form of his well-being."
Russia knew this was true. But he just couldn't seem to shake the creeping, weight like feeling that it was far from un-true.
A/N This chapter was trash but the story is rolling and it's about to get more exciting. :D Does every Sunday for updates sound good?
