Hetalia

Tri-Stars

Three ordinary girls somehow get transported into the anime world of Hetalia, where they're somehow called "Elements". More importantly, everyone around them is crazy, there's a lot of really hot/perverted guys, it's only 1942, and a meteor is coming to "end" World War II...and the world!

CHAPTER NINE

Rainy Day Man

"Japan-Sama, I am very, very sorry that you got in trouble with your boss because I was stupid enough to reveal my powers to save our lives, but just so you know, I think your boss is a complete baka and I say that with the utmost respect!"

Emma sighed, and straightened up from her bow, looking at the steamy bathroom mirror. No, that speech would probably not do. She adjusted her towel, and then used her forearm to wipe some steam off the mirror.

She jumped, when she saw Prussia's reflection in the mirror behind hers. "Prussia, wh-what are you...?!" She blinked.

Prussia smirked. "Kesesese...that's another awesome conversation I overheard...like the one you had with Gilbirds back at the hot spring...kesesese..."

Emma stared at him for a moment, trying to figure out just what he was saying. She remembered going out to the garden, and talking to a flock of Gilbirds, about...

"You heard me say what I saw in the lake?" Emma asked flatly.

Prussia nodded, still smirking. "So, we're schicksal, are we? You want to merge our vital regions, ja?"

Emma leapt at his throat, knocking him to the ground. "You idiot, how many of you heard that?!"

"All of us, kesesese!"

"Oh My God!"

Down the hall, as Kiki cleared up the breakfast dishes, Germany calmly sipped some of his Boss Coffee. "Anozer peaceful day, ja?" Vhy haven't ve been able to get rid of zese idiots yet?

"Mmm." Japan nodded, seeming unnerved. maybe because he was in trouble with his boss, or maybe because he had a feeling that something bad was about to happen...

Emma was in the process of throttling Prussia when something very interesting happened...well, actually, Prussia made it happen, by grabbing Emma's towel.

Since she was kneeling on top of him with her hands wrapped around his neck, there was nothing to stop the towel from sliding down partway to reveal her chest.

Emma froze.

Prussia got a nosebleed, which was only made worse by Emma punching him in the face.

"Jerk, pervert!" She cried, unawares of the footsteps approaching. "Lecher! I could never get married now!"

"So what?" Romano said from the doorway. "No one's interested in seeing your chest!"

"Is everything arright...?" Japan came into the hallway from the kitchen and saw what Romano was looking at.

His face turned red.

Emma's face turned red, too, and she screamed: "NOOOOOO!" She grabbed her towel and dashed into her room, slamming the door shut behind her. She burst into tears.

Down the hall, Germany sighed, and set down his coffee cup, but a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up, to see the housekeeper, Kiki, shaking her head at him.

"Iie." She said, in a soft and quiet, but firm, voice. She pointed to herself the way Japanese people do. "I go."

Kiki said nothing about Emma's four layers of clothing, as they walked to the convenience store together. They spoke only a little bit, mostly in Japanese, and Kiki sensed that Emma was feeling upset, so she decided to tell her a secret after they had gotten something to drink from the store.

As they sat on a bench and drunk their juice (in Japan, juice was used to describe a variety of different, non-alcoholic drinks), Kiki told Emma the story of how she had come to trust Japan. She had worked for him for many, many years, but had only recently given him her full trust.

The reason was because he had saved her from a man that was raping her.

Emma listened in complete and utter shock, silently sipping on her drink as she realised that Kiki was pregnant, and that this was not ideal for a Japanese woman...or, for any woman, at that!

Kiki said that she knew that Japan's allies could be a handful at times, but that she trusted his judgement, and that she had been observing the way they all acted around Emma. She believed that they would do anything for Emma, and she was happy to see such devotion during these difficult times. She was counting on Emma to take care of them for her, when she went back to her hometown to have her baby soon. After learning what Kiki's hometown was, Emma mused that Rin and Aki were from there, as well. Kiki told Emma a little bit about the Nagasaki Prefecture, and Emma was happy to listen.

Kiki then asked Emma what she thought of what she'd seen of Japan (the place) so far and Emma answered, without hesitation: "I love Japan."

Kiki's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, and then she smiled, not saying anything.

They finished the rest of their drinks in silence and, by that stage, it had started to rain. Not heavily, but lightly, and the sun was still shining, providing a beautiful setting as the two girls stood under a bus shelter and waited for it to stop, but that turned out to be unnecessary.

Spain, Romano, Italy, Prussia, Germany and Japan had come looking for them, and they had umbrellas as well. But, first, they all stood in a line in front of the two girls, and Japan said, bowing formally to Emma: "Gomen'nasai, Emma-San." He didn't have to say what for.

Emma stood up, and bowed back. "Watashi mo gomen'nasai, Japan-Sama. For...for getting you in trouble with your boss..."

"Ja, you shouldn't worry about that!" Prussia stated. "It was awesome! But..." Germany shot him a fierce look. "I'm sorry, for what I did...yeah, it was...unawesome of me..." He gave Germany a Look, which the blonde-haired nation pretended not to see.

Spain nudged Romano. The Italian rolled his hazel eyes, but said: "Yeah, Emma, umm...mi dispiace...that you have such a flat chest, cagna!"

"Why you little!" Emma lunged out into the rain at him, grabbing his umbrella and chasing him across the street with it. "I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way, idiota!" She snapped the umbrella in, giving it a sword-like appearance.

"Gyaa, save me, this cagna's completely pazzo!" Romano complained, shielding himself from the angry Australian's attacks.

"I will save you, fratello!" Italy offered, running after them and using his own umbrella like a sword, which didn't end so well since he was easily as scared as his brother was. Both of them ran and hid behind Spain, who used his umbrella as a shield, but then Prussia leapt to Emma's aid and got Romano by surprise.

Germany, Japan and Kiki watched them.

"Zey are completely verrückt." Germany sighed. "On a cellular level..."

Japan silently agreed, but he realised that this was better than them fighting. He watched Prussia take on the Italy brothers, and then turned to see Emma duel Spain with umbrella-swords. Water droplets shimmered off of her reddish-brown hair, and her golden eyes were alight with a rare mischief.

She was laughing, one of the few times that she did so, and seemed completely and totally relaxed. She had shed a few of her layers, giving them to Kiki to hold, and was now wearing a simple white, knee-length yukata.

"Japan-Sama..." Kiki spoke up quietly from his right. "Kanojo wa jibun no kuni o aishite iru koto o watashi no itta...watashi wa kanojo no kokoro no subete o kanojo ga sō shinjite iru...watashi wa kanojo ga sore kamo shirenai to omou..."

(A/N - translation: She told me that she loves your country...I believe she does so with all of her heart...I think she could be it...)...

Japan was shocked. He mentally tried to process what his house-keeper - and confidant - was telling him. Could it be true?

Japan closed his eyes briefly, and then opened them when he heard Emma exclaimed: "Ah, kirei!"

She was pointing at the sky, to where a double-rainbow had formed due to the combination of the rain and the sun. Japan had to admit that it was, but also that there was something even better than the band of colours that stretched across his capital...

On the walk back home, it was raining only lightly, which didn't seem to bother Italy and, when he stole his brother's umbrella, Romano chased him down the street. Germany and Spain sighed, and hurried after them. Kiki generously carried all of Emma's spare clothing for her, and Prussia, in a gesture of unbelievable good-will, carried an umbrella over her head for her.

Because Emma was no longer allowed to carry an umbrella ("so, ve are in agreement zat she vill not be allowed near vun ever again.") she shared one with Japan, which was a bit embarrassing for them both but, at the same time, Japan seemed to be a little bit more relaxed at the same time.

Emma had read somewhere that the Japanese were traditionally shy of physical intimacy in public (so then, why were there so many hentai animes out there?) but that, when under an umbrella, couples could share a more intimate closeness than would normally be allowed.

As soon as Emma thought this, she blushed. She and Japan weren't a couple! A couple of otakus, yes, and maybe a couple of shorties, but certainly not a couple-couple!

Emma gulped and, just then, Japan said: "You are enjoying your stay here, ne?"

Emma nodded. "Hai...I don't feel like a hostage anymore, anyway..." Dammit, why did I just say that?!

Japan didn't seem offended. "Werr, none of us consider you to be a hostage anymore...you rike it here, in Tokyo?" He suddenly gazed intently at her, and she found herself nodding, again.

"Umm, I do..." She muttered, and fiddled with her yukata, which was now soaked. "I actually...umm...how should I say this...?" She looked down at the ground. "I want to see more of J...of your country...of this country...it's culture, it's people, it's landmarks, it's...it's everything!" She exclaimed, a bit too loudly, and covered her mouth with embarrassment. "Oh, well, you know what I mean..." She laughed nervously from behind her fingers. I'm such an idiot!

Japan's usually sombre eyes now held a sparkle to them that didn't seem normal. He stopped, and turned to face Emma, smiling slightly. "I am very, very grad to hear that, Emma-San..."

"R-really, Japan-Sama?" Emma blinked.

Japan reached up, and gently took her hand away from her mouth. "Hai. I also want to ask you two things, Emma-San."

"Hmm?" She couldn't help but stare at him, her face blushing now, as she realised how close the two of them were standing.

"Prease, courd you not be so formar with me." Japan said firmly.

Emma blinked for a moment and then realised, with a start, that he wanted her to stop calling him Japan-Sama! So, then, was...Japan-San, okay? Or, Japan-Kun...? Should she stick with the safety of -San, or just try her luck with -Kun and hope that she didn't insult him? What if...?

"And, arso..." Japan looked her in the eye. "May I kiss you?"

Whatever had happened, Emma had not been expecting him to say that to her. In fact, she'd been so wrapped up in what she was thinking, that she almost hadn't heard him but, now, as the rain fell outside the umbrella around them, she realised what he wanted.

He wanted to kiss her! To put his lips on hers, and...well...do something...Emma didn't know, because she'd never kissed anybody before!

In a private space in the back of her mind, in an alternate universe where time seemed to stop, Chibi-Emmas began to voice their opinions. The romantic version of her screamed yes. The shy version of her freaked out. The tiny Christian version of her screamed no. The polite version of her said that it would be disrespectful to say no. The logical version of her began to weigh out the pros and cons. Emma was immensely glad that Hentai-Emma was being kept in a cage under lock and key until it was the wedding night (if that ever happened).

Back in the real (?) world, Emma was still staring at Japan and, after two seconds, she smiled slightly, and said: "H-hai, J-Japan...-Kun..."

Japan's eyes did light up then, but only for a second, because both of them then closed their eyes, and Japan leaned towards her.

Emma felt it when Japan's lips touched her own. It was the softest feeling in the world, like being brushed with a feather from an angel's wing. And, yet, it set off a range of emotions within her, enough to shut up all of her inner-selves and set her heart into a wild beat.

All fear she'd ever had of experiencing her first kiss flew away in an instant, as she kept her mouth slightly parted, because something in her senses was telling her to do this! It only seemed natural, to keep her lips soft and, as Japan's free hand lightly touched her face, before cupping the side of it in the palm, Emma realised, for the first time, that she and Japan were a lot alike.

Obvious similarities (like height and television show preferences) aside...they were both shy and could often be called prudish (in fact, Emma's parents had stated that she was on many occasions although, the way her Mum talked, everybody was having sex...). They both preferred things to be quiet but, if the situation called for it, then they both seemed to be able to interpret the mood of things. They were both analytical, and had both been reclusive for a very long time (in their own standards). Japan had been kept isolated from the rest of the world, and Emma had withdrawn from society after being bullied. Japan often suffered from culture shock, and Emma was not very wise to the ways of the world just yet.

They had their differences too, of course. Japan never got angry, but Emma was stubborn and had a temper. Japan didn't yell, but Emma could be quite vocal and high-pitched when she wanted to be. Japan was more mature than Emma, and Emma had a lot to learn about life.

And, in conclusion, they were so perfect for each other, it was a wonder they hadn't been allowed to meet sooner...

Kiki had stopped, and was watching the two lovers from a distance, a small smile on her face. Germany was standing on the opposite side of the road, looking bewildered, but feeling strangely happy for the two of them.

Prussia suddenly came out of nowhere, startling Emma and Japan out of their kiss. He grabbed the umbrella off of Japan and tossed it to Spain. He then took Emma by the shoulders, kissed her quickly and full-on, before splashing Japan with water from a nearby puddle, and running off again.

"Kesesesese...steal my mädchen, will you?!"

Japan was frozen to the spot, hit mouth open slightly in shock.

Emma, meanwhile, was about ready to pass out, from just receiving two kisses in under one minute!

I-I don't believe that this is happening! This is the most...the most...the most awesome day EVER!

That night, they were celebrating Kiki's last night with them, before she returned to her hometown. They ate a fabulous meal, and then Germany brought out the beer.

Emma had to remind herself to be responsible, although toasting with their beer in boots, just like in the ending credits to Hetalia, was kind of exciting.

Still, she made sure she only had one bottle (boot) of beer, and she noticed that pretty much everybody else did the same.

Except for the Italy brothers, who fell asleep halfway through their first ones and Kiki, who was drinking water (of course).

Germany, who seemed to be able to hold his beer, and Spain, who was the same, carried the brothers to their room, and then returned to continue drinking and talking.

Prussia was completely out of it about halfway through his sixth beer, however. Luckily, Germany was keeping a close eye on him, to make sure that his brother didn't do anything sleazy towards Emma.

Emma had seemed pretty cool about the kiss, but this was the first time that she had ever seen Prussia drunk. She seemed fascinated and, when asked by Spain about it, stated that she'd seen her sister way worse.

The topic somehow turned to Emma's family, and she opened up about them a bit more, partway through her second beer.

"My parents are pretty cool, sometimes." Emma shrugged. "I mean, they used to make all sorts of rules and tell me that I couldn't go anywhere or do anything. They wouldn't let me use a computer or anything, and they took all my money off of me, so that I had to be completely dependent on them. I never got to go shopping by myself."

"It sounds like they were muy estricto." Spain commented.

Emma shrugged. "Nah. They just said that they made so many mistakes with my sister, that they weren't going to do it again. They said that they're my parents, and can punish me in any way that they like..."

"How did zey punish you?" Germany wanted to know.

Emma fiddled with the obi of her kimono (everyone had gotten dressed up for the dinner). "Wellll...they would take my stuff off me, like my manga and my music...and, one time, they locked me out of my room for a couple of months...I wasn't allowed to have any books or drawing stuff or watch TV or go anywhere...i had minimal clothing, and it was winter, so I was freezing with just a mattress and two blankets...I nearly went stir crazy, and tried to break the lock..." She chuckled in an embarrassed kind of way. "Crazy, right?"

Germany and Japan exchanged a glance. "Nein." Germany shook his head. "It's not crazy at all."

"Emma..." Spain ventured. "Did they ever...hit you...?"

Emma's eyes widened slightly, and she took a big sip of her beer. Everyone's eyes were on her. She said, slowly: "I don't like cooking or cleaning or doing any kind of housework, and...when it comes to getting a job, I get so scared at interviews that I never got any of the jobs...my parents say I don't try...they say I'm lazy and useless...they call me retarded..." She lowered her eyes, which had filled with tears. "Mum's worse than Dad...she'll just keep going, until she finally gets too upset and throws me out of the house, even if it's night-time...with Dad, he'll let it all out in one short, but powerful, burst..." Her hand had gone up to the left side of her face, and she looked like she was remembering a horrible memory.

"That's lächerlich!" Prussia suddenly shouted, startling everybody. "No eltern should ever strike their own child, it's completely and fucking unawesome!" Everybody was staring at him. He slammed his fist down onto the table. "I swear to Gott, if you were mein mädchen, you'd be protected day and night by the awesome me, and I'd fucking mord anyone that tried to hurt you!"

"Bruder..." Germany began.

"Ja..." Prussia nodded, and stormed out of the house, muttering profanities about abusive parents and protecting 'his' girl. He needed some time to cool off and, for once, he accepted that.

Germany thought that, maybe, Emma was a good influence on his older brother...

Emma sighed. "It's nice of him to say that, but...I really want to be able to stand up for myself, even if it's only a little bit. I don't want to be weak! I want to be strong, like you guys!" She indicated the nations that were still present. "I want to be able to protect people, as well, but I can't do that because I'm just too weak!" The tears spilled over. "I wanna be strong, like you..." She whispered.

She didn't see the glance that Germany and Spain exchanged but, just then, Japan said: "I wirr teach you."

Emma looked up, and found him looking at her calmly. "Huh?"

"Serf defense." Japan elaborated. "Martiar arts."

"I wanted to learn once before, but Mum and Dad wouldn't let me...plus, I hate sports." Emma pointed out. Gah, don't convince him to change his mind!

"I berieve you wirr be quite capabre." Japan replied evenly.

Emma found herself nodding. "H-hai...when do we start?"

"How about tomorrow?" Japan suggested.

"Tomorrow's...fine with me." Emma nodded. "I'd better get to bed then, if I'm going to be getting up early." She stood up. "Goodnight, minna."

Everybody else said goodnight to her as well, and then Emma went down the hallway.

Halfway to her room, she met Prussia, whom had calmed down quite a bit, but he was still drunk. Taking advantage of this, Emma said to him: "Say, Prussia, I've been meaning to ask you something..."

"Was, Bunny?" Prussia slurred, leaning heavily on the wall.

Bunny?!

"I was wondering something..." Emma began. "You see...ever since you asked me to become your capital, I was wondering what would be in it for you if I - or somebody else - ever did...?"

Prussia smirked, swaying slightly. "That's easy, kesesese. I'd become unsterblich...even more awesomely than I am now...so would you, too, for that mutter...awesome, ja?" He took a step towards her, and then fell flat on his face, passed out from being too drunk. He was going to be in Hang-Over-City tomorrow...

Emma sighed, and then called for Germany to come and shift his unconscious brother.

"Hey, Mr. Germany?"

"Ja?" Germany had Prussia slung carelessly over one shoulder.

"What does unsterblich mean?" Emma wanted to know.

Germany considered her for a moment, before replying: "I believe zat ze English term for it is 'immortal'."

"Oh..." Emma nodded. "So...aren't you guys all immortal?"

"To an extent." Germany told her. "Something big vould kill us, zere's no doubt about zat...vhy?" He glanced suspiciously at her.

"Oh, just curious..." Emma shrugged.

"You know, I am curious about somezing, too," Germany regarded her carefully. "You say you're from a different vorld zat is ze same as zis vun, yet you are in ze future..."

"Yes...?" Emma had a feeling she knew what was coming.

"Vich side vins Vorld Var Two?" Germany asked her.

Prussia stirred on Germany's shoulder, and Japan and Spain appeared in the doorway to the hallway.

Emma was silently panicking, and then she replied: "Well...we're all friends in the end, which is all that really matters...there's not long to go, now, and that's all I'm saying about that..."

"Just tell us how it ends, mi amor." Spain said.

Emma shrugged. "Well, it comes down to..." She froze suddenly, and her gaze traveled over to Japan, horrified. "This conversation is OVER!" She declared loudly, running into her room and slamming the door shut.

Once inside, she ran over to her futon without bothering to take off her slippers. She threw herself down onto the mattress, and sobbed silently into her pillow...

Over the next seven days, Emma tried to push the imminent end of the war out of her mind. She instead focused on her lessons with Japan, which were going surprisingly well. She called him Sensei, and he was deeply impressed by her capabilities, but of course he didn't tell her that. He was still feeling shy around her and, yet, part of him wanted to kiss her again.

Prussia, upon finding out that Japan was teaching Emma martial arts, complained that Japan was (unawesomely) stealing Emma from him, and what could he (awesomely) teach her?

Emma suggested that he teach her German, and so he did. Spain got involved too, by teaching her Spanish.

With three lessons going on at once, Emma didn't have time to panic, that is until Japan got a call from his boss, and told them that they were being deployed immediately.

When Emma found out where, all she could say was: "What...?"