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!

Author's Notes: I just realised, as I wrote this, that there's a slight sexual reference in the italics part, but don't let that put you off!

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Chinese Love Story

Indonesia - also known as Dutch East Indies, but that was debatable in this world - handed the drink to the random female tourist. "I made special drink for you today, Rhonda."

"Oh, wow!" She chirped, looking thrilled at the attention that she was getting.

"You look so hot today." Indonesia went on, much to the girl's delight. "Like a sunrise."

"Oh, you're naughty!" The girl laughed playfully, but sipped happily on her drink. "Thank you, Wayan."

Indonesia smiled at her, and then walked back across the sands to his friend, whom was visiting before heading back home to probably be given another assignment somewhere. "What?" Indonesia stopped, when he saw the look he was being given.

"Are all you West-Asian fellas like that?" New Zealand wanted to know, crossing his arms.

Malaysia, who was also there, shook his head. He was more serious than Indonesia, but secretly treated woman pretty much the same. They were standing together on the beach in Jimbaran Bay, on a typical warm and balmy day in Bali. The war hadn't really reached Bali...well, it hadn't reached there at all. Why people were still holidaying here during World War Two, nobody knew, but Indonesia wasn't about to complain. He loved tourists, especially pretty girls. He was harmless, however, unlike, say, the Bad Touch Trio...

New Zealand rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. There were vultures circling the day I met you two, I should've taken that as an omen!"

"Those were bluebirds!" Indonesia and Malaysia said in unison.

New Zealand's sheep, Shawn, was sulking. He'd been sweating buckets upon arriving on the tropical island, so New Zealand had given him a haircut, and now Shawn resembled one of France's poodles. Shawn was embarrassed, and was hiding out under a deck chair.

That is, until the white sheep raised his face to the sea, and sniffed the air a few times, picking up hints of something foreign, including...gun-powder? Gun-powder on a girl's hair? And blood...

Shawn scurried out from under the deck-chair, and bounded down the small sandy slope, past his surprised owner and the two Asian nations.

New Zealand called out to Shawn, but the sheep didn't stop, so New Zealand hurried after his pet, and Indonesia and Malaysia hurried after him.

They ran past beach-side restaurants and tourists and dogs, until they reached a small area of the bay that was hidden by rocks, so you wouldn't have known it was there unless, say, you were following a curious sheep.

Said sheep was now baa-ing loudly, and pawing at the wet sand where the waves crashed gently and calmly around the unconscious figure of a person. The three nations present were momentarily shocked, and then they sprung into action.

Indonesia ran back to alert the hotel staff of the nearby resort that there was an injured person. New Zealand and Malaysia hurried over to the girl, and carefully examined her before gently turning her over onto her back. She was young, maybe in her twenties, with dark red hair matted by the sea, and her eyes were closed. She was breathing, however, which was the main thing.

Malaysia looked around, and saw various pieces of metal, from a war ship by the looks of the metal's appearance.

New Zealand, however, was staring at the mysterious woman, and then he looked up at Malaysia, his eyes wide.

"Umm, excuse me!" The blonde-haired New Zealand man said, sounding shocked. "But...is this...one of us?!"

Malaysia was too stunned to reply, as rescuers arrived on the scene, because he was wondering the same thing...

She was grabbed roughly by the arm, and her shoulder painfully struck the side of the door.

"You're worthless!" Her Mother yelled at her. "If you weren't so fucking lazy, then you would have a job by now! You useless bitch! Get out of my sight, Emma!"

The two best friends sat together in front of the computer screen, researching martial arts schools in Perth.

"We should tell Mayling what we've found." Krystal suggested, getting out her phone. "Then, the three of us can learn self-defense together, right, Emma?"

She was cringing under her cooking teacher's gaze. She wasn't good at cooking, and she had a lot of washing up to do. That was all they ever seemed to let her do. But, her Father was picking her up today, and they had to be home very soon to be there when the bus would bring her intellectually handicapped Aunty home from work, so she told her teacher this.

Mrs. Wiffen shouted: "Oh, just do what you have to do, Emma!"

She smiled as she sat tall in the saddle of they grey Arabian mare. Today was a very important day for her - today, she was going to be allowed to canter, for the very first time by herself. It was an exciting prospect.

"Just remember to sit back, and to keep applying pressure with your calves." The Scottish female named Max smiled up at her. "You're very capable, and you can do this, Emma."

She was starting to wish that she'd never agreed to go to the hospital to visit her cousin's overweight but very mean girlfriend Rickie-Lee, and their new baby daughter. As soon as the newborn was passed to her, she felt a surge of panic. What was she supposed to do? She'd never held a newborn like this before! As if sensing her panic, the baby began to cry.

"It looks like she's gonna drop her." Rickie-Lee stated loudly. "Just give her back, Emma..."

The Japanese man was lying over her, his expression visible only in the candlelight, but that was enough. Their hearts were beating in-synch...their breathing was simultaneous. But, there was a nagging doubt...why had he chosen her? What was so special about her?

As if reading her thoughts, the Japanese man reached out and ran a cool hand from her temple, down the side of her face, across her throat, down the centre of her bare chest, and then he placed one hand over her heart.

"I love you." He said, his voice heavy with emotion. "You are beautiful, and smart, and funny, and kind, and a great comfort to me in these times." He removed his hand, and kissed where it had just been, making the girl beneath him blush furiously. "Never forget, that you are mine, Emma..."

Emma...yes...that was her name, but...who was she? Where was she? What was happening...? Why did things look different...?

Who am I?

Emma came to slowly, not really aware of anything as she woke up after countless days adrift, and unconscious. The first thing she became aware of was of the cool clothe on her head, and of the air-conditioning. The bed she was lying on was comfortable to the extreme, and sheeted in white.

Emma blinked slowly, and then focused her eyes, before looking around her. There was something...familiar about this room, about its style and its furnishings, but what was it? Where was it?

Emma began to breathe normally, just as the door opened, making her jump.

A young woman with slightly dark skin, slanted eyes and long black hair entered the room. She wore a Baro't Saya (not that Emma knew what one was), and had flowers in her hair. In her hands was a tray, with breakfast on it.

"Oh, you are awake." She smiled calmly, coming into the room. "How are you feeling?"

Emma stared at her for a moment, feeling slightly strange, like she shouldn't be talking to this woman. Why was that? Why shouldn't she be talking to her? Deciding to throw this all aside, she replied: "Umm...okay...I think...where...?"

"Jimbaran Bay, Bali." The woman replied, still smiling, as she sat the tray down on the bedside table.

"Ba-li...?" Emma repeated. The name sounded familiar. Had she been here before?

The woman nodded. "Yes, that's right. Who are you?"

Good question. She'd been asking herself that for...well...awhile now. Since she'd woken up, and maybe in her dreams. Staring down at the bedsheets, she replied: "Umm...Emma...?"

The woman's dark eyes flickered over to her, before she nodded again, and smiled at Emma. "Well, I'm Maria. I'll be back to check on you later, okay, Emma?" She put a hand to Emma's forehead, and then muttered something about changing the clothe over.

Emma nodded, and watched the woman leave with the clothe, feeling like this woman should not be calling her Emma, but something else...plus, why had she felt strange when Maria had touched her forehead?

Out in the hallway, New Zealand was waiting anxiously along with Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Well?" The blonde-haired Oceania nation asked.

Philippines turned to them. "Well, not much. Her name is Emma, but I think that's all she can really remember. She may have amnesia."

"And...?" Malaysia hinted.

Philippines sighed. "Well, she's not a country. However, she may have been a human that just recently became either a capital or a link. I doubt she even remembers her own country..."

The others nodded. It was alarming, however, to think that somebody's capital or link (a link was a known landmark or natural creation that linked two countries together) was lying in a bed, not knowing what she was.

"So, what can we do?" New Zealand wondered.

Malaysia shrugged. "At the moment, not much. She doesn't look Japanese...Filly, did she sound German or Italian or...?" He was slightly on guard. This girl could be a spy.

But, Philippines was shaking her head. "No...her accent sounds more...I do not know, but I doubt she is an enemy. And, even if she is, she does not remember anything, so..."

"So, this could be a good opportunity." New Zealand said slowly. Behind him, Shawn peeked out towards the half-open door, and then quietly nosed his way into the room. Nobody noticed.

"A good opportunity to get revenge on Japan." Malaysia said flatly.

"Malay!" New Zealand, ever the kind one, was appalled, although he secretly agreed. "We don't know if she has anything to do with the Axis Powers! She doesn't even know if she has anything to do with them!"

"Good point." Indonesia clasped his hands and bowed his head, smiling.

Philippines rolled her eyes. "Yes. And, because of that, you have to be nice to her!" She pointed at Indonesia. "That means no flirting!" She pointed at Malaysia. "No trying to convert her to anything!" She pointed at New Zealand, who flinched. "And you! No...uh, no..."

A random hotel worker suddenly popped up out of nowhere. "Ms. Maria, there's a call for you on line five."

"I'll be right there." Philippines replied, and hurried down the hallway, her white sandals clacking.

"Hey, what about his guidelines?!" Indonesia protested, pointing to New Zealand.

Philippines sighed, and came back, putting a hand on New Zealand's shoulder. "Okay, listen, think of something that you do, and it's really annoying, okay? You got it?"

New Zealand nodded. "Yeah."

"Well, no that!"

New Zealand, Malaysia and Indonesia walked cautiously into the room, and all three of them nearly had heart attacks. The bed was empty! An open window was the only clue they had, its curtain billowing gently in the breeze.

Well, that and Shawn, who was standing to attention by the window.

"Shawn, which way did she go?!" New Zealand cried.

Shawn gave him a Look that clearly said: What am I, Lassie? But, since he did know where the girl had gone, he led the nations straight to her.

Emma walked along the beach, feeling the water lapping up against her bare ankles, and wondering why this seemed familiar. She'd definitely been here before, but...it had looked different. Why, though?

She was not wearing her robes anymore. Somebody - probably Maria - had changed her clothes so that she was wearing a billowy knee-length pink dress. Emma recalled that somebody she knew liked the colour pink, and would probably have been walking along the beach in a pink dress, too, but who was it?

As she walked, she subconsciously retraced her steps back to where she had washed up. Tourists splashed around in the water, and a few locals smiled at her and called to her that she was pretty. Emma just smiled back. It sounded like they said that all the time around here and, sure enough, they said it to the next girl they saw. Everything was friendly and laid back, here. In Jimbaran Bay...yes, that name sounded familiar...

A dog ran down the beach, barking, and wove around her ankles, his tail wagging.

Emma laughed, holding out her hands as the dog jumped up and managed to lick the palm of her bare left hand, before dashing off down the beach. His owner, a boy of about ten, sprinted after him, yelling: "Wayan! Berhenti!"

Emma smiled, and continued on her way, until she reached the sheltered part of the bay where she had washed up. She stood there, frowning at the metallic wreckage, before kneeling down and placing a hand on a big piece of cold, grey metal.

She closed her eyes, and remembered being on the ocean, on a boat...a ship...there were others...men...but...

Emma opened her eyes, and put her hands on the damp sand, feeling something small buried beneath the grains. She pulled it out, and looked at the gold ring, with the coloured stones. It was hers - it fit perfectly onto the ring finger of her left hand - but it had not been given to her by that special somebody. But, the man that had given it to her was special, just not...her special somebody...

Wait, she had a special somebody? Yes...but, who?

Emma stood up, and stared out at the sea, feeling something, but not sure what it was.

Just then, she heard a voice call her name, and turned, to see three men running towards her, and...a sheep? The sheep bounded up to her, bleating, and put its front hooves up on her thigh, so she automatically patted it. It had a funny haircut, which made her smile.

The three men that were now standing before her looked relieved to see her, as she picked up the sheep (it was a small-ish sheep, but not really a lamb).

Emma smiled politely. "Do I know you gentlemen?"

The blonde-haired man, whose hair-style was similar to that of a sheep's horns, smiled, and stepped forwards. "No, but we found you on the beach. We're friends of Maria's. I'm Wirimu. From New Zealand."

"Hello." Emma smiled.

The two other men were Asian. One nodded calmly to her, and said: "My name is Wuji. We were all very worried about you, Miss."

"Don't worry about Malaysia...n guy over there, Emma." The other Asian guy spoke up. "He's a bit strict."

Strict? Emma thought. I knew somebody that was strict...he was taller, though...who was he?

Wuji rolled his eyes. "Wayan..." He began.

Emma stifled a giggle.

"What?" New Zealand glanced at her.

"A local boy was looking for a dog named Wayan." Emma explained, as the sheep in her arms nuzzled her neck. "Is this your sheep, Wirimu?"

He nodded. "Yes. His name is Shawn...don't look at me that way!" Wirimu exclaimed, as Shawn glared at him. "You were perspiring, Shawn!"

Emma laughed.

"So, you don't remember anything?" Wirimu (A/N - since we know he's New Zealand, Wayan is Indonesia and Malaysia is Wuji, we'll be using their nation names from now on) asked tentatively, as they walked back to the hotel, with Malaysia and Indonesia still arguing.

Emma shook her head slowly. "No...I was...on a boat..." She focused her attention on Shawn, who was sniffing at a big red crab that was doing martial arts moves in a threatening way. "There were people there...one was very special to me, but that's all I can recall..." She touched her left hand to her temple, the dog of not remembering feeling strange.

"What about that ring?" New Zealand wanted to know, gesturing to it. "Did...that special somebody give you that?"

Emma shook her head, more firmly this time. "No. Somebody else gave me this...is that weird?"

New Zealand paused, and then shook his head. "No...in this day and age, it's a welcome comfort."

"A welcome comfort?" Emma blinked. "Is something happening?"

"You...could say that..." New Zealand averted his gaze, remembering how Philippines had said not to upset Emma. Hearing about a world war might do that, so New Zealand kept that piece of information to himself. "So, do you want to...stay here? Wayan said you can stay...with him, if you want...seeing as how you've had a rough ride, and all..."

Emma nodded, twisting the ring on her finger. "Yeah...you know, I think I've been here before, but...I can't remember when. Maybe being here will help me remember and...I'd like that." She smiled.

New Zealand smiled back at her. "Yeah. She'll be right, mate." He said confidently, patting her shoulder.

"Hmm." Emma agreed, as the crab nipped Shawn's nose, Malaysia won his argument with Indonesia, and the local boy continued to chase his dog up and down the beach.

"Where is she?!"

Mayling sighed, as Krystal stormed into the room, shouting. Ranger whimpered, and put his paws over his nose as he hid under the table near Canada's feet, and America winced, knowing that the anger was directed at him.

For months now, they had been searching for Emma, but to no avail. Krystal was slowly losing her patience, and today she had snapped. She stormed up to America.

"This is all your fault!" The tanned girl screamed, half angry and half upset. "My best friend is missing, because YOU had to torpedo the ship that she was on! What are you gonna do about it?!" She grabbed America's shoulders and shook him.

"Whoa, no touchie, dudette," America cried. "We'll find her..."

"That's what you said five months ago!" Krystal accused him. "What are you all doing to end this war?! Is Emma still in Japan, or not?!"

"We have not been able to find anything, on any of them." China was consulting some notes. Mayling sat next to him, not saying much. She'd been spending an awful lot of time with China lately but, because of their worries with the war and with Emma, nobody had really noticed, except maybe France, who was tuned to that sort of thing. "The Axis Powers seems to have disappeared since England defeated Germany and Italy in October in Egypt, and we lost track of Italy after they retreated across Libya to the eastern border of Tunisia, and Germany after Russia began his counterattack."

Krystal nodded. She remembered that. The men she had seen on Seychelles, the blonde-haired Germany and the slightly wimpy Italy, had faced England at El Alamein. Krystal had been there, and Germany and Italy had acted like they'd never met her. Germany was vicious, and his troops were as scary as Krystal had always imagined them to be. Luckily, England and his troops had overwhelmed them, forcing the two members of the Axis Powers into a chaotic retreat. Krystal had been injured - she'd been shot at, and England had pushed her out of the way, but not before a bullet had grazed her forehead, which may or may not have caused England to snap, and go all out to push the Axis Powers back. He'd been furious. Maybe because he thought Krystal was actually shot and killed, which seemed a tad dramatic in Krystal's eyes.

A month later, however, Germany had left Tunisia, due to the Allies pursuing him, and had ended up breaking France's legs, and effectively settling his troops in southern France. Germany himself had escaped, but Russia was counterattacking as they spoke.

It was difficult and messy and they all just wanted it to end, but there were so many conflicting factors.

"We don't know if Emma is with Japan." Mayling said slowly, tapping the side of her pen on the stack of papers in front of her. "Therefore, we can't do much about that until we're sure."

"Why?" Krystal looked at America. "What are you going to do?"

America and Australia exchanged a look. "Well..." Australia began, but Krystal suddenly guessed what they were about to say.

She gasped. "No, you're not supposed to do that until..."

Mayling dived across the table, tackling Krystal and covering the girl's mouth with her hand. "Don't listen to her, she just likes the sound of her own voice!" She told the Allies, before glaring at her best friend. "Ix-nay on the elling-tay!"

"Whom are you calling elling-tay?" Russia asked pleasantly, coming into the room.

"Russia, you are back!" China exclaimed, shrinking slightly in his chair.

"Umm, are those...blood-stains, on your jacket?" England looked a little bit pale.

"Why yes, yes they are." Russia was still smiling, as he sat down beside Canada, who cringed.

"What happened, mate?" Australia wanted to know.

"Yes, well, my soldiers have the German forces in retreat." Russia explained, and everybody gasped. So suddenly?! "Is good news, da?"

"Yes, it's...very good news, mon ami." France said, from where he was sitting with his broken legs up on two cushions on a chair. He was sitting in a wheelchair. He felt like an invalid, but at least pretty girls were more likely to fawn over him now.

Good news? Mayling was horrified. This wasn't supposed to happen until 1944! Is this how the manga was supposed to go? I should have read it!

"Okay, dudes, listen up!" America stood up, grinning. "We need to find out if our righteous buddy Emma is still the Axis Powers' prisoner, so we need somebody to totally find out! Anybody that can help us reach our enemies on their own level, raise their hand!"

Who'd be stupid enough to agree to that? Mayling rolled her eyes, just as Krystal narrowed hers.

GNACK!

"Owch!" Mayling yelped, jumping back, and throwing her suddenly stinging hand up. "Krystal bit me!" She cried.

"Ah-ha, there's a raised hand!" America declared, and Mayling gasped. "Thanks, dudette! Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated! Ha-ha-ha!"

Mayling and Krystal exchanged a glance.

"Let's kill him." Krystal suggested.

"With a rusty scalpel." Mayling agreed, and the two girls stood up.

America paled. "No touchie?"

Mayling walked across the tarmac, towards the plane that would take her to where she had to go. She didn't know how it had happened but, somehow, it had been arranged that Japan would meet her there - no strings attached, of course. Of course, Mayling was nervous - she didn't trust Japan at this time, none of them did.

Sighing, Mayling hoisted her backpack up, and prepared to board the plane but, just then, she heard somebody yelling to her.

She turned, and saw America sprinting towards her (of course, he had managed to escape from the angry Mayling and Krystal by hiding behind Australia, though he'd been laughing obnoxiously the whole time, and had claimed to not be scared at all).

"Dudette, wait up!" America reached her, and clapped a hand on her shoulder, nearly making her fall over. "We're not sending you alone, somebody's got to come with you!"

"It's not you, is it?"

"No," a new voice said, and Mayling's heart fluttered suddenly. "I will be going with you, aru." China was wearing a backpack, and smiling at Mayling, although he looked a little stressed - his eyes were guarded.

"Sounds good." Mayling smiled back at him. If China was coming, then she would feel a little less nervous about meeting with the enemy.

America, of course, chose to be his usual obnoxious self, and state something he shouldn't. "Holy Fourth Of July weenie roast! China, dude, you so have the hots for Mayling, don't you!"

Mayling waited until the plane had taken off before causing a mini earthquake on the island.

They were flying over Africa, heading to somewhere in Europe. When Mayling had asked, China had just stated that she would understand when they got there. He seemed to be avoiding her, and she wasn't sure why. It didn't bother her very much...but, it bothered her a bit.

She just wasn't sure why, until she sat down somewhere over the South Sudan, and thought about it.

She and China had clicked. They'd connected, and there was no doubt about it. He had complimented her, and he always took her side in an argument. She, in turn, enjoyed cooking with him, and got the others off his back when they gave him a hard time about things.

In short, she liked him. A lot.

Holy God, I'm starting to sound like Emma... Mayling realised, rolling her eyes as she stared out at the darkness. The plane they were on - one of China's personal planes - was pretty big, so Mayling was alone in the cargo hold, since she'd needed some time to think.

Absentmindedly, she began to rifle through some random crates and stuff, and was surprised when she came across a box labelled Important. What could be so important that it was in the cargo hold of China's private jet?

Feeling like a thief, Mayling eagerly opened the box, and dug through it. Inside, on top of some red silk, she found a big old book, that immediately caught her interest. Mayling loved old things and, as of late, had become a bit of a history lover.

She opened up the reddish-brown book, and inside the hollow pages she discovered a very large scroll. Curiously, she opened up the scroll.

It was long.

Very long.

It stretched the entire length of the cargo hold.

But, once Mayling started reading, she couldn't stop. Because, this scroll was telling her the history of China.

Of Yao.

China's history, as told through the eyes of the nation itself, was more violent and bloody than Mayling could've imagined, but it was also beautiful and sweet. She found herself crying at some stages, and had to lean back to avoid blotting the ink with her tears. She'd had no idea...none at all...

At the end of the scroll, Mayling discovered something interesting. China appeared to have added to the history recently.

"I think I may have found my Capital..." Mayling read aloud, slowly, not aware that she was being watched. She knelt beside the scroll, pondering those words. "Capital...?"

"Shì." A voice from behind her said, and Mayling jumped. Up in the air, she didn't have the luxury of feeling the footsteps of people, Toph Bei Fong-style. She looked up, to see China looking at her. His expression was unreadable. "A Capital is...well, for me, it's..."

"Beijing." Mayling said automatically.

China nodded. "Yes. It is...difficult to explain, though, so why don't I do it over dinner, aru?" He suggested.

Mayling nodded. "Yes. It would be interesting to know..."

China looked thoughtful, as Mayling reached for the scroll. "Ah, wait, aru, I will do that!" He knelt down, and grabbed her wrists. Mayling froze. "Umm, Mayling...could I...ask a favour of you?"

Mayling glanced at him. "Depends on whether or not you let go of my wrists."

China smiled, and let go of her wrists. "That box over there...could you take it, and wear the outfit that's in there?" He asked her.

Mayling stared at him. "Why?"

China gave her a pleading look. "Please? You would look so cute in it!"

"...That's what I was afraid of..."

China was a master of swift costume changes, and had managed to get into a traditional Chinese robe after rolling up his diary, by the time Mayling made her appearance.

She was wearing a red and black traditional Chinese robe for women, and had tied her hair up in a traditional-style taught to her by her Mother. She seemed uncomfortable and, when asked why, her only mumbled reply was: "I'm a Buddhist."

They sat down, and begun to eat the meal that the cooks onboard had cooked for them. The meal was almost over by the time Mayling dared to ask: "So, what's a Capital? And, why did you write that you think you've found...Beijing?"

China cough, and looked uncomfortable. "Ah, yes, well...a Capital...you know how I'm the personification of China, just like the others are personifications of their countries?" Mayling nodded silently. "Well, there are also two...variations, of these things, aru. One is a Link - this includes the Isle Of Man that links England and the Ireland Twins, or the English Channel which links England and..."

"France..." Mayling said slowly, clasping her hands. "I see...why am I suddenly thinking of Krystal?"

"Because she's got Irish blood-lines, is close to both England and France, and a Link doesn't have to be in a relationship with their countries, unlike a Capital." China explained.

Mayling stared at him. "So...what? A Capital can be a person too?" A sudden thought struck her. "Who's Beijing?!"

China glanced at her, blushing ever-so-slightly. "Well, you see...a Capital has a very deep and close relationship with their country, aru. They are together for all Yǒnghéng and are recognized throughout the world. To ask a human to become your Capital is very sacred..."

Mayling blinked, and her mind seemed to click. "So then...what are you...?"

"I'm saying..." China looked up at her, his light brown eyes shimmering. "Mayling...become my Capital, Qǐng?"

Oh my God. Mayling thought. What should she say?! What should she do?! She had a sudden feeling that she wasn't the only one to go through this.

She also had a feeling that she knew what she had to say and, judging by their clothes, what she would need to do after she said what she had to say.

She was ready. She would do it. She wanted to stand by China, and make him stronger. She wanted to be with him, always. They hadn't kissed yet, since both of them seemed to be traditionalists...but, that was all about to change.

"Yes."

Back on the island, Krystal glared at her pancake (she looked more like she wanted to kill it).

Canada sat next to her, looking invisible. Kumajirou had maple syrup on his nose.

Australia sat on Krystal's other side, involved in a Star Wars-style duel with America - with their forks. They did the sound effects themselves.

England sat across the table from America, arguing with France about...something. What, Krystal knew not, but it seemed unimportant.

And Russia, well, he just sat there, smiling his creepy smile.

Krystal, meanwhile, was growing more and more irritated, and seemed likely to snap at somebody (or, a lot of somebodies) and perhaps Canada noticed this, because he spoke up tentatively: "Umm, maybe we should watch a movie or something, eh...?"

Just then, America succeeded in jabbing Australia in the heart (well, not really) with his fork, and declared himself the winner, adding: "Hey, let's watch a movie, dudes!"

"Grrrr..." Krystal ground her teeth together.

America looked surprised. "Hey, dudette, you sound just like that blue-haired American Mum," (Mom?). "From the eighties!"

"I'm an Australian, Alfred, and this is 1942." Krystal said darkly.

"Yeah, yeah, same thing." America stood up. "Okay, who's up for a scary movie?"

Krystal's eyes widened. "No!" She hated scary movies!

America was unfazed. "Okay then, how about a super hero movie?"

"No!" Everybody else shouted.

Krystal stood up, placing her hands flat on the table firmly. "Okay, I am going to choose the movie! You will all follow!" She snapped her fingers at England, who was currently in the midst of throttling France. "You! Leave the Frenchie alone! Come with me!" And, England obeyed, much to everybody's shock, except for Russia.

He just continued to smile, as he followed everybody into the theatre room (you couldn't really call it a rec room, it had a popcorn dispenser, for crying out loud!).

Russia thought: That devushka is very strong, da? I may make her become one with me...

Krystal suddenly lashed out, grabbing America by the ear and yelling something about him reminding her of her brother. If Canada hadn't pulled her off of his brother, then she would have probably summoned up a snowstorm.

Hmm... Thought Russia.

New Zealand, meanwhile, was on a plane, heading towards the island where most of the Allies were. He wanted to see his good friends, again...

The movie Krystal chose was Breakfast At Tiffany's. How it was here, in the 1940's, she knew not, but she had learned long ago not to question the weird and strange things about this world.

Ranger had joined them, and curled up on the floor by Krystal and Australia's feet, and gone to sleep. America had said that he wouldn't like the movie but, by the middle of it, he was asking Krystal and England all sorts of questions, much to their annoyance.

Krystal thought that England and France were watching her whenever they thought she wasn't looking, but she was too engrossed with the film to worry. It was one of her favourites.

She most certainly did not think of England and France as anything more than, well, them. She was amused by their antics, however, but she wished they wouldn't fight so much. She wished they worked together more, as a team...

Towards the end of the movie, however, when France tried to put his arm across Krystal's shoulder, she glared at him, and he instantly backed down.

After that, they just watched anything that came on, and all you could hear was:

"Hey, this will show us how to make our own bandaids, mates!"

"What the Bloody Hell?!"

...

"Voy a limpiar el suelo con usted!"

"Ooh, pro-wrestling from Mexico - you know, down there, it's a real sport."

...

"Hey, why are Russians always bad guys, da?"

"...Nobody answer that..."

...

"Oh, cool, this where Jaws eats the boat, dudes!"

"Change the channel!"

...

"This is where they form the flying V, eh!"

"Stop telling us what happens!"

...

And, so on and so forth, until France nudged England. He nodded, to where Krystal had fallen asleep on the couch next to him.

England nodded. "I'll take her to her room."

"Non, I will take her!" France protested.

"You bloody frog, you're not going to do that!"

"Why should you get to decide what I can and can't do?!"

Two waves of water suddenly arced up from the cups of water they'd had by the couch, and iced shut the mouths of England and France.

Australia took this as his cue to pick up the still sleeping Krystal, and carry her out of the room, past a stunned England and France, and past America and Canada, who were staring in shock at the screen where somebody that looked an awful lot like their very own Russia was going all Mafia on some guy.

America nudged his brother. "Do you think they really filmed this in Brookland?"

"I don't know! I don't think it's important! I think we're watching a snuff film, eh!"

"Da."

When the plane touched down, Mayling was a completely different person. She was a Capital - Beijing, to be exact.

She felt powerful, and confident, and assured, but maybe that was because she had just found out where they were.

"Welcome!" A very friendly young teenager chirped. She wore a pink dress, and though she appeared to be very weak-looking, she was smiling. "Welcome to Switzerland! He's very glad to accommodate you!"

Mayling glanced past the girl, and noticed a man in a green military uniform, glaring at her. That must be Switzerland, but then...who's this?

China answered her question. "Mayling, this is Liechtenstein." He stood very close to Mayling, making sure that their arms were touching. They were wearing similar military uniforms too, just like Liechtenstein and Switzerland. "Lily," China smiled at the little blonde-haired girl. "It's good to see you are doing well, aru. Please, meet my Capital, Beijing."

Switzerland's eyes nearly bugged out of his head, and he just about dropped the rifle that he was holding, as he hurried over to them, and Liechtenstein clapped her hands together, looking thrilled. "Oh, congratulations!" She said, in her quiet whisper.

"Just call me Mayling." The Malaysian girl said, blushing. "Please."

Liechtenstein nodded, and Switzerland spoke up. "Okay, Japan's waiting for you at the cafe. Hurry up, already." He turned and marched out of the airport, followed by Liechtenstein, and by Mayling and China.

"Is he always like that?" Mayling wanted to know.

China nodded. "Shì. You will get used to him, and he can be very convenient, because he is neutral."

"Mainly because it seems he'd shoot us if we tried anything." Mayling whispered, and the two of them tried not to laugh as they followed Switzerland to his car which, thankfully, he was not Flintstoning to save on fuel.

They drove to the cafe, with Switzerland scowling and Liechtenstein pointing out various landmarks.

They arrived at the cafe, which was named Cafe Blumen, ironically.

Mayling wasn't sure how she was feeling about seeing Japan again, after finding out about the scar on China's back, and how he had gotten it. She had learned that Japan had a darker side, and it made her worry for Emma even more. Meanwhile, China was worried about Japan, and Mayling completely understood why.

Japan was waiting for them at the cafe, like Switzerland had said he would be. He wore his typical white naval uniform, and usual stoic expression.

Mayling noticed that Japan was twisting his hand in a similar way to what Emma did, and mentioned this to China through their mind-link.

China nodded silently, before putting on a smile and greeting Japan, who nodded his head back to them. He glanced between his former mentor and Mayling, but didn't say anything.

They sat down, and everyone ordered drinks and food, although things seemed a little tense, that is until Mayling decided to just start talking and, once she started, she didn't stop.

"Japan," she started, and he glanced up at her. "I have to ask you...okay, so there's not going to be another season of Fruits Basket! Why not?! You need to get a hold of those animators and tell them to make a season two! I want to see Rin, and we all know that Akito is a girl, but those that haven't read the manga don't! They still think she's a guy!

And another thing..."

Emma walked down the street, along with Philippines and Indonesia. She froze, suddenly, and turned sheet white.

"Emma?" The two Asian nations cried in alarm, reaching out to her. They caught her under the arms, as she leaned over into the garden, and threw up, much to her horror.

"Stay with her, I will go get some things!" Philippines said briskly, and dashed across the street to a pharmacy. Talking to herself, she zipped around the store. "I'll take one of these, and one of these, and one of those!" She rushed her purchases to the check-out counter.

Meanwhile, outside, Emma was sitting on a stone bench, looking utterly miserable despite the fact that Indonesia was calm, and patting her on the back.

Philippines returned, and draped a cool clothe around Emma's neck, before handing her a bottle of water. Emma had been feeling sick as of late, and they were used to this. They were also very, very worried about her, but Philippines had an idea.

"Come, we should head back." Philippines said, hailing a taksi.

One pulled up, but there was a problem - the driver couldn't get the air-conditioning to work,

"We should not have bought these cars from Germany." The driver said, apologetically, knowing that a poor young girl was sick, and in the hot Bali heat, she needed cold air.

"Germany?" Emma perked up slightly. "Well, if it's a German car, then the answer of how to turn on the air-conditioning will be logical, firm, and punctual!" And, just then, the air-conditioning came on. "Did I do that?!" A warm glow was settling in her chest and stomach, and she wondered if it had anything to do with her strange red necklace. It was shaped like a star, and it was hers - that much was for certain.

"China-San." Japan stood up, looking straight at the brown-haired nation. "Tell me why you are really here."

China and Mayling exchanged a glance, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein both exchanged a worried look.

"Japan..." China began, and then faltered. He looked helplessly at Mayling, who stood up.

"Japan." She said firmly. "Answer me this, or so help me, I will give you the same scar you gave my nation!" Her eyes were blazing, but Japan did not back down, and stood his ground. Mayling continued with: "Where. Is. Emma?"

Japan stared at her for a moment, his face unreadable, and then a quick flicker of...panic? That was all they got, and then he was stoic again. "...I don't know..." Japan replied, before turning and walking swiftly out of the restaurant.

"He doesn't know..." Mayling murmured, sitting back down. "She's not with him. Now what?"

China didn't know the answer.

"Okay, any news?" America was asking.

"I have news, da." Russia said, smiling calmly. "Germany and Italy have surrendered."

Everyone froze, and then turned to where Russia was gesturing, and through the door walked...Germany and Italy.

Everyone was shocked.

Germany seemed uncomfortable, but Italy was smiling slightly. "Ciao, everybody, ve..." He greeted them.

"H-Hello..." Krystal replied.

"Don't talk to him, love!" England hissed. He glared at Germany and Italy. "Why are you here? Where is Japan?"

Italy's smile faded, and Germany looked even more uncomfortable. "Ja, vell...Japan has decided to...continue his campaign...vizout us, as ve have decided to surrender...my boss is...well...he is gone, so...ja...ve vant to...uh..."

"We want to be your friends, ve!" Italy's smile was back. "And then, after Japan surrenders, then we can all be friends, just like bella said!"

"Bella?" Somebody said.

Italy nodded. "Si - Emma! She's our bella donna!"

Australia and America exchanged a glance.

Meanwhile, New Zealand was musing, and then he suddenly said: "Hey, fellas...I met a girl called Emma...when I was visiting Bali..."

Australia pounced on him. "What did she look like?! Tell me, tell me, tell me, mate!"

New Zealand looked a little bit shocked at his very good friend's actions, but just responded with: "Well, she was short...dark red hair...hazel eyes...scar on her throat...kind of shy..."

Australia sat back, and everybody else was quiet, as the Oceanic nation muttered: "It's her...she's okay...she's not with Japan..." He ran a hand through his dark brown hair.

"Si, and we were so worried about her!" Italy wailed. "When we were hit with the torpedo..."

America stood up swiftly. "That doesn't matter now!" A strange gleam was in his eye, and a strangely, deathly chill filled the air. "Dudes, I hate to say it, but I have to do it...I'm gonna be the hero, and end this war!"

Everybody stared at him, before Canada dared to ask: "And...how will you do that, eh?"

America took a deep breath, not wanting to do this, but knowing that he had to. He let the breath out slowly, and said: "Atomic Bombs."

"Here." Philippines pressed something into Emma's hands.

"What's this, Maria?" Emma asked, staring at the object.

Philippines whispered something into Emma's ear, and Emma's hazel eyes widened. She began to protest, but Philippines just shoved her into the bathroom, and shut the door, holding onto the door-handle to disallow the red-headed girl to leave, until she had done what she had to do.

Philippines waited for five minutes, and then knocked lightly on the door. "Emma? Are you okay?"

"...Can you come in here, please?"

Philippines pushed the door open, and came into the bathroom. She shut the door, and saw Emma sitting on the floor, staring at the tiny white stick in her hands.

Philippines was calm. "Let me see." She held out her hand, and Emma wordlessly handed the stick to her.

Philippines held it at the dry end, and looked at the damp end.

The little cross was there, and it was pink.

Emma's face, in comparison, was pale, as she just sat there on the floor. Philippines knelt down gently beside her, and put her arms around her. "Congratulations, Emma." The Asian nation whispered. "You're going to have a baby..."