Author's Note: I am very sorry about the delay in this, my internet has been horrible ever since I got back from my trip to Seattle, and I couldn't even open emails until today.

Let's hope updating this works.

Also, does anyone know if I have to change the rating for implied cat-matings?

... I can explain, I swear- actually, just read and you'll know.

Disclaimer(Dark Side of the Moon): I do not own these Hetalia Characters, but in my mind Kiku is basically married to twenty people. Don't ask.


Kiku settled down on one of the overly-plush couches with Pochi in his lap. "Ah, hello there, Pochi-kun…" he greeted, scratching him behind his ears. "Do you know where Tama-kun has been?" The dog was silent of course, just wagging his tail as he enjoyed his owner's attention.

Sighing, Japan shifted slightly, trying to get in a position he was comfortable with as his thoughts started drifting. He hadn't seen his cat almost all day, but he figured it was normal; Tama liked to explore; he was probably looking around the house. "Maybe Ivan-chan has seen him?" he frowned slightly. He hadn't seen the Russian for even longer.

"Ah… He is probably still mad…" Kiku shook his head, pausing his petting. Pochi looked up at his owner in confusion. "Oh, Pochi-kun, I just don't see why he'd be so mad about England-san… ki… kissing me…" His cheeks lit up; he did know why. It was more like he refused to believe it. Kiku toyed with one of Pochi's front paws. "He is… incredibly stubborn. It's frustrating!" Why would his host be avoiding him? He didn't outright deny the other's (not-really-but-kind-of) confession.

"Ah! No! There was nothing to deny- Russia-chan doesn't like me. I'm just his friend. Just. His. Friend. He is probably upset that I wasn't talking with him on the car ride to his house. I'm sure that he realizes I didn't like Arthur-san's kiss. No- he doesn't even need to realize it. He isn't even interested. Why am I making such a big deal out of this?" Japan let out a long sigh, pulling Pochi into his arms and burying his face into the fluffy white fur. "I don't like him. I don't. Not… Not like that." Each time he mentally argued that point it seemed to get weaker.

Japan was usually so certain of his feelings; being so frazzled was concerning to him. Perhaps he should consider an outside opinion? China was always willing to help (for a small price if it was more than just advice). Luckily, he only needed advice. But, how should he phrase it?

"China-san, hello. Theoretically, if someone kisses person A, and person B gets mad and confesses, is it normal for person A to be confused about their own feelings for person B?

"… Would that work? It sounds perfectly fine… and if he asks I will say I am creating a new anime." He sent his message and waited for a response. He sighed when one didn't come, but he got up to go to the kitchen. Ivan had told him he had free reign of the house and the food, but he hadn't really used that privilege much other than to make food.

Kiku heard a hissing noise as he entered the room and his eyes widened, his feet walking himself out very quickly.

He found Tama.

And apparently Tama was a little too fond of Sunny… and vise versa.

Kiku shuddered, going back to the couch and distracting himself with a book on the coffee table. He understood basic Russian, and was trying his best to focus on translating a sentence in his head, but the cats in the other room were getting a bit too noisy for him to focus.

Did you know that animals reflect their owners?

He flushed as he remembered those words. Closing the book, Kiku was about to go up to his room to put the final touches on the mittens when he spotted the Russian.

Ivan looked nervous for a moment before he gave a quick smile. "Hello, comrade. I am sorry for being bad host, but my boss gave me a lot of paperwork." A loud howl came from the kitchen, and both men flinched.

"What are they doing in there?" Russia asked in surprise, moving to open the door.

Embarrassed, Japan spoke up without thinking it through. "Ah, don't go in there- they-" and he watched in horror as Ivan threw the door open.

"Oh, they are wrestling."

Kiku took a deep breath. "… Yes, they are…" No, they really weren't.

The Russian closed the door and moved closer to the other slowly. "Are you still mad at me?"

"A little bit." He sighed. Of course he would bring this up now. "I just want you to understand that I'm not always going to be able to drop everything to come visit you. I have my own life."

The taller man frowned, but nodded. "Da, I understand that, so I have only done it when I am… nervous… I do not trust-"

"Why? Because he kissed me? I don't see what that has to do with your grudge towards England-san." Japan stood his ground when Russia stepped closer, expecting the argument to get even worse.


Ivan crouched down in front of him so they were eye-level. He slowly brought a hand up- without a glove on, Kiku noted in surprise- and cupped Japan's face. Kiku turned a dark red, but kept his expression the same. "I am mad because I wanted to kiss you first." Ivan felt his heart wanting to burst out of his chest- oh wait. He pressed a barely-there kiss to his friend's forehead before quickly going upstairs before blood showed through his clothes from where his heart had burst out from.

He got out the bandages he kept in his room for whenever this happened and started taking off his clothes to treat himself, sitting down on the foot of his bed. At least it had been happening less and less over the years. He was surprised when he heard a knock at his doorframe, turning his head to look over at his red-faced guest, who quickly paled when he saw the mess.

"Are you all right?" he asked, moving into the room to help him clean it. He frowned faintly when he remembered a time this had happened at a meeting. "Does… it hurt?"

"Hm? Oh, no. It just happens sometimes." The Russian grimaced. "I wish it had better timing…" He watched as Kiku wrapped his wound shut, a little surprised he hadn't been yelled at.

As Kiku finished, he lightly grabbed his chin and tilted his head up to look him in the face. "Kiku… I… Well…"

"You… are sure you don't just feel friendship?"

"Da… But if you don't want to, I am happy with you still being my friend." Ivan fidgeted on the bed, pulling his hand back.

Japan let out a small breath he was holding. "I… do not really know how I feel about this, but… I gave England-san one date, so… you get one date. Set a time, date, what it is, but it will have to wait for a while. My boss is going to fax over paperwork I've missed due to this little trip."

"You're giving me a chance?" Ivan blinked, staring at him in complete bewilderment. He was certain the other would ignore his feelings. He felt his cheeks heat up, and he smiled. "All right, comrade; then I will have to make the best of this date!"


AWWW MY BABIES ARE GROWING UP SO FAST I JUST-/SHOT

Okay, so hopefully I will be able to update on time again (since I've promised monthly and today is a month from the last update (GUYS I'M ACTUALLY ON SCHEDULE WITH THIS STORY IT IS A MIRACLE!)), but I will not be able to promise anything if my internet is anything like it was earlier this week... *shudders*

R&R! Maybe leave some suggestions for their date...? Oho~

~Dark Side of the Moon