Disclaimer: You know what I'm going to say/write/ type...

ON WITH THE STORY!


Next morning, the sun came out from behind the fog and light sleet that has plagued the area for the last few days, and finally the hard, unbreakable ice melted enough for it to be able to take 5 steps without hurting your bottom (or breaking your spine).

Back in the World Hotel, Yao's body, for some reason, was refusing to wake. Though his mind told him he had important last minute Christmas shopping to do, he wanted to stay in the land of bliss for a tiny bit more…

Ah, he had not felt so relaxed since…

…since, the last time he had an orgasm…

"Aiya!" he shrieked, eyes wide with horror.

Hurriedly, he scrambled to sit up and threw the cover away with an indignant yell. When he saw what was expected, he felt the blood drain from his face in pure embarrassment.

"Bath, bath, bath, aru," he chanted hysterically, making a bee-line straight to the bathroom, only grabbing a change of clothes before slamming the door, face bright crimson.

Oh, I hope no one has placed a hidden camera in my room, aru…

XXXX

"4000 years old and having wet dreams, aru… what kind of a nation am I?" Yao mumbled, disbelieved as he tossed the bed sheets into the laundry basket right beside the door. "For goodness sake…" He shook his head, ponytail swashing from side to side. The full day of shopping that loomed over him was not a pleasant prospect, but it has to be done.

Silently, someone crept into the room.

Seconds later, warm hands slid around his waist. "Yao-yao had a wet dream, da?" The thick Russian accent informed Yao exactly who it is.

"Aiya, Ivan, don't sneak up on me, aru! You know I have a bad heart-" Yao jumped and immediately tried to change the subject. Though not really annoyed (this happened a lot), Yao jabbed a finger into the taller man's chest.

Ivan frowned. "I just wanted to surprise my sunflower," he said, violet eyes shining playfully. He shifted towards the laundry basket slightly.

Yao jabbed again, making Ivan whine. "I have no time for this, aru. Make yourself useful, Ivan. Help me- hey! What are you doing, aru! Put that DOWN!"

"Oh, evidence!" exclaimed Russia, holding the fabric up. "What can I say, yao-yao? Were you dreaming about me?"

"I said, PUT IT DOWN! Aiya!" Yao was so frustrated he was almost screaming.

"Okay," Ivan beamed, but not putting it down. "Answer the question, da?"

"Yes, yes! NOW, put it down, aru!" he lied.

"Da!" Finally, Ivan did and Yao could breathe again.

Face red, China aimed a light kick at Ivan's shins, before returning to cleaning the room. It didn't seemed to bother the Russian man- he just skipped towards a chair and sat himself down, happy to watch Yao. Then, he noticed something.

"Yao…" Ivan suddenly spoke up, voice a bit sad.

Yao looked up, surprised. "Yes, Yiwan, aru? What's wrong?"

Eyes downcast, Ivan pointed to the vase, sitting on the window still. "Look..."

And Yao did. The sunflower Ivan gave him yesterday has wilted but the rose was still standing there, petals blood-red, as if taunting Russia.

"Oh, aru…" he stepped forward to have a closer look. "我真对不起, Ivan…"

"…who gave you that rose?" Ivan came up next to him and picked up the brown, lifeless sunflower, face emotionless.

Yao lay a hand on his arm, giving him a comforting smile. "I'm not sure, but I think it's Opium's, aru. Are you alright? We can always buy a new flower… after all flowers don't live very long, aru."

Anger sprinted though Ivan's icy violent eyes. "Da…"

Murder.

"Kolkolkol."

XXXX

Coat that goes down to his knees, colourful mittens, woolen panda hat, scarf, shoes with fluffy fluff inside… Yao mentally clicked off his list as he strolled down the corridor, all dressed up for the cold outside.

"Yao-san!"

His footsteps creased as he spun on his heels to face the Japanese man. "Kiku?" he asked, puzzled. "What's wrong, aru?"

Kiku skidded to a stop in front of him, barely panting from all that running. "Konnichiwa, Oni-san," the raven-haired man bowed politely. "I-I have heard about your… vampire predicament from Taiwan-chan, and I have something that can- I believe, will help you greatly."

Yao's amber eyes widened. "Oh, really, aru? What is it?" He leaned forward curiously. "Let me see, aru…"

Nodding once, Kiku rummaged slightly in his pocket and brought out a sliver bracelet. "Here," he held it out and Yao picked it up with his thumb and index finger, scrutinizing it.

He wiggled it in the air. "I don't understand, aru. How is going to help, aru?" he asked, deflated.

"A-ha, Yao-san," Kiku's normally dull eyes had a sudden glimmer as he explained. "This mere bracelet is made out of pure, 100 percent sliver, which, as you know is harmful to vampires. And for extra protection, I have dripped in the holiest springs around the world. By wearing this, vampires cannot touch you. Though, they can still make physical contract if they are in their human form."

"Really, aru?" Yao's eyes widen in awe. He didn't even notice when his panda hat slide forward to cover his eyes. "Wow!"

Kiku nodded, clearly rather pleased with Yao's reaction. "Hai."

Without warning, Yao leapt onto Kiku and gave him a huge hug, beaming. "Aw! You're such a good little brother, aru!"

Stiff with discomfort, Japan give a manly yelp before pulling the elder nation off him. "Yao-san, you are over reacting… And, I am not your brother."

Yao frowned, a little hurt. "How could you say that, aru, Kiku-di? You just called me 'Oni-san' not two minutes ago, aru," he pointed out, pouting. "Anyway, thanks for the bracelet, Kiku… it's great! 再见!"

Minutes after Yao had left, Kiku, standing at the same spot, whispered, "さようなら."

XXXX

Humming a song, Yao admired the Christmas lights on buildings and how the snow seems to make the busiest time of year just that more calm. Poking a pile of snow with his shoe empty-mindedly, he exhaled and stared at the patterns it made.

"Aru, it's so peaceful…" he sighed, sticking his mittens deeper into his coat pocket. "Pity everyone is too busy, aru…"

"I totally agree, Yao."

Going into defense mode, Yao almost kicked the man behind him in-between the legs. As he realized who it was, he lowered his arms and turned his head away, blushing. How could he face Arthur after that horrible dream?

"Aren't you going to greet me?" Arthur asked warmly, handing Yao a foam cup full of hot chocolate.

"Ni hao, Opium," Yao rolled his eyes, shifting his bags of Christmas presents. "What a gentleman you are, ahen. Why are you here? Are you following me?"

Arthur held his hands up, looking scandalous. "Oh no! I am not a stalker! A vampire I may be, but definitively not a stalker!"

"Yeah right, ahen," Yao raised an eyebrow, blowing the top of his drink before sipping it carefully.

As both of them, sitting on a bench in the park, finished their hot chocolates, Arthur suddenly stood up and shifted anxiously from foot to foot. "Look, Yao… I'm really sorry about using mind control on Hong yesterday-"

Yao held up a hand. "No, ahen, you have to say that to Hong, not me."

"Yes, yes," Arthur nodded, lips thin. "I feel so guilty though."

"Don't worry, Opium," Yao gave him an understanding smile. "Hong will forgive you, aru, I'm sure. He's a mature boy now."

"You don't know half of his maturity… " Arthur murmured to himself, thinking back at the magazines he once found under Hong's bed, but Yao heard.

"What?"

"Nothing!" Arthur coughed. The vampire inside his mind smirked, but didn't cause any trouble- he was just pleased to be near his 'mate'.

"About this vampire… mate thingie, ahen," Yao started saying. Arthur's head snapped up instantly. "I'm not sure it will work… I'm not the kind of person who just leaves someone just like that." He snapped his fingers, but it didn't work because he was wearing mittens. "But, I'm willing to try, ahen…"

"That's enough!" Arthur exclaimed, new hope alighting in his heart. "I-"

"Shh… don't make me change my mind, Opium. I know this mate thing is very important to you, and I won't wish it on anyone to stay lonely when they don't have to, ahen."

"I-"

"Shh, ahen."

So, both blushing, the two nations watched children build snowmen in peaceful silence.


As the review replies are getting a bit long, I have decided to reply to you all as a group. :P Thanks to: , PandaTeaLovers,Iggychu (and friend), Rice Aroma, citrine sunflower, The-Wicked-Girls88 (Lilli), kitter!

I really hope you guys like this chapter. I spent ages writing it and it has important plot impact. The suggestions and advice about smut writing will definitely be read over and over again the next time I write those kinds of things~ ;)

I'm a big fan of Hasegawa's stories, so, yeah, I'll reread them, Iggychu.

Ivan, a vampire? A physical connection between Iggy and Yao? Wait and see~

COOKIES! C IS FOR COOKIES!

Review! (School's starting, so chapters will be updated more slowly. Sorry!)