Back from Miami, land of sun, fun, and chickens. How's it going people?

Random person: *throws a brick at my head* WE WANT AN UPDATE SO SHUT IT!

. . . o.o Yes sir.

o-8-o-8-o

Sealand silently picked at the lock on Japan's door. He said with a grin as it opened, "You'd think Japan would have a better lock but he has this old-fashioned one. Way too easy!"

America said with awe, "Amazing, you can open locks?"

Sealand bragged, "Yeah, I learned it from reading a book! I can pick almost any lock!"

Latvia commented quietly, "That's not exactly something admirable."

Sealand and America ignored him as they slowly opened the door. It let out a small creak but made no noise afterwards. America asked, "Is Japan gone?"

Sealand replied, "I'm not quite sure, so be quiet."

They nodded as they entered Japan's home. It was a traditional-styled Japanese house. There were sliding doors, wooden floors, beautiful scrolls hanging up on walls, and a table with cushions around it in the center of the room.

America said, "Uwah, so this is a Japanese house! It's beautiful." He was about to walk deeper in when Latvia stopped him. He asked, "Hm?"

Latvia said, "Let's take off our shoes. We'll make less noise that way."

Sealand said, "Good call." The three took off their shoes and put them on a straw mat in the front of the room.

America gingerly walked in, trying to be as quiet as possible. He slowly slid one of the doors open to reveal another room. It was more spacious than the first and had swords hanging on the wall. The door on the other end of the room was open, revealing a backyard with a cherry blossom tree in full bloom and a pond. A bamboo tube was filled with running water. After a few minutes, it tipped over and poured out. Once it was emptied, it rose back up and repeated the cycle.

America said, his eyes sparkling, "The flowers here are beautiful." He smiled, "It's so peaceful and pretty here."

Sealand had opened another door in a room next to the one Latvia and America were in. He called to them, "Check it out, it's a hot springs!"

They went over to take a look. Peeping from the door, they saw a rather large area covered in steam. It was hard to see, but they could make out a large hot spring, and a fence around the area. Possibly, there was also another hot springs. It was too hard to tell though.

Sealand asked, "Hey, you guys wanna try it?"

Latvia said in a hushed voice, "B-but wouldn't that be wrong to use someone's bath without permission?"

Sealand waved his hand, "He'll never find out! Besides, how often do you get a chance like this?"

America said, "I agree, I want to try it out!"

Sealand grinned, "See, America wants to do it!"

Latvia sighed, "Alright . . ."

o.o.o

The three of them had looked around Japan's house and grabbed all the necessary bath items. Soap, shampoo, towels, and best of all . . . all put neatly into a bucket. They had towels wrapped around their waists. They had put their clothes away securely in one of the cubbies. Sealand said, "Let's jump it!"

Latvia said, shocked, "That's dangerous!"

Sealand said, "It's pretty deep, Raivis! We'll be fine, right America?"

America nodded, "Mm!"

Latvia sighed again. Why were they so reckless?

The two crouched. Sealand said, "On the count of three. One, two, THREE!"

They jumped into the hot springs, causing a huge splash. The water soaked Latvia who was standing to the side.

Sealand popped out from under the surface, followed by America. He said, content, "Ahhh, this is the best!" He waved to Latvia, "Come on!"

Lativa hesitantly stepped into the water. He let out a small pleasant gasp when he realized how comfortable the water was. He gracefully slipped into it and waddled over to Sealand and America. He smiled, "It's really nice."

America said, "This is so cool! I bet we can swim in it!"

Sealand nodded, "Totally!" He asked, "Wanna have a competition? Whoever can swim to the opposite side of the hot springs and back win!"

America nodded, "Sounds fun!"

Latvia said, "This isn't a pool you know . . ." As usual, they didn't listen.

Sealand said, "Latvia, you'll be the judge!"

Latvia was about to protest when Sealand shouted, "On your mark, get set, GOO!!"

The two sped off, leaving a soaked Latvia in their wake.

o.o.o

America smiled cheekily as he watched a struggling Sealand try to catch up to him, "What's wrong, Sealand? You look tired, he-he."

Sealand glared, tears in his eyes, "Shaddup! This is nothing!"

America laughed as he swam a little further. However, he bumped into something solid but soft. He blinked, "Huh?" He lifted up his head to see an Asian man holding out a sword. The man only a towel around his waist and a calm but deadly look in his eyes. America shrieked, "Gaaaah!!!"

Sealand had resurfaced and asked, "What's going—OH CRAP, IT'S JAPAN!"

The stranger, Japan, demanded, "Who are you people and what are you doing in my home?!"

Sealand yelled, "Run for it!"

America barely comprehended the fact that his body was moving on its own and that he was swiftly swimming away from Japan.

Japan shouted, "あなたは離れていません (anata wa hanare te I mase n)!" (1) He leaped upwards and aimed his sword above his head.

America realized Japan was intending to slice him in half, so he quickly backed away from the range of the sword as Japan fell. A wave of water was created, slamming America against a rock. He let out a gasp of pain. Just as he was about to recover, a sword was pointed at him right between his eyes.

Japan glared, "I'll repeat, who are . . . you?" Japan blinked. He had not been able to see the boy clearly through the steam but now that he looked closely, he saw how closely the boy resembled a certain world power. But it couldn't be . . ?

Blue eyes sparkling from tears, the child begged, "P-please don't hurt me or my friends. I apologize for entering your house without permission, but we meant no harm."

"Hey, get away from him!"

Japan turned his head, "What?" He saw two more children, one whose face was familiar. He lowered his sword, "Is that you, Sealand-san?"

Sealand shouted, "Yeah, and let go of America!"

Japan's eyes widened as he turned back to America, "It really is you, America-kun."

America questioned, "Huh, do you know me?"

Japan bowed as he sheathed his sword, "Yes, I am quite close to you in the present time. I apologize for my behavior earlier."

America waved his hand, "A-ah, it's ok. We did barge in, I suppose."

Japan's lips quirked upwards slightly, "You're lucky I was not Switzerland-san or you would be full of bullet holes."

America paled, 'Eek, looks like I should stay away from this person.' He thought, 'Ah, but I'm supposed to be a hero to Sealand and Latvia. I can't be afraid of anything. I have to live up to their standards.' America sighed, 'But can I really do it?'

o.o.o

England had come home to an empty house. Obviously, his first reaction was to prepare himself for war against France and once he regained America, strengthen the defense around his house even more. The bastard must have seduced some of his fairies while England was gone and spirited away America!

England thought, 'Don't worry, I'm coming for you! Please be safe and have your virginity intact!'

Just as he was about the open the door to charge into France's house with his rifles, the door opened to reveal Japan and three boys: Sealand, Latvia, but most importantly, America.

England dropped his rifles as he ran to pull America into an embrace, "Alfred, you're safe!!" He pulled back, "Are you ok? Did France do anything to you?!"

America blinked, "What are you talking about?"

Japan cleared his throat, "Ahem, I am sorry to interrupt, England-san, but none of that sort happened."

England looked up to see Japan. He then stood up, tensed, "J-Japan, what happened?" His heart pounded wildly, 'Oh shit, Japan knows, doesn't he . . ?!'

Japan said, "I found these three playing around in my house. I assumed you'd be worried so I brought them back here."

England glared at the trio, especially Sealand, "Sealand, Latvia, how the hell did you two get into my house?! Why did you decide to break and enter Japan's house?!"

Sealand said, "I need to know my enemy's base inside and out! I will become a great nation that you will bow down to! Ahahahaha!"

Latvia shook, "I-I apologize. I should have been a better role model."

England sighed, there was no helping those two children. However . . . He turned to America, "Alfred, you should have known better! What did I tell you about leaving the house?! It's way to dangerous to go outside!"

America lowered his head, "S-sorry . . . But I was so lonely before Sealand and Latvia visited. I never get to spend any time with you, so I was so sad . . ." He began to start crying, "I just needed to get out of the house. It's so empty and suffocating in there. I really am sorry." He looked up with tears in his shimmering eyes, "P-please don't be mad. It's not Latvia or Sealand's fault, so don't be mad at them. But punish me if you want to."

England said, kneeling down, "A-Alfred, I didn't know you felt that way . . ." He frowned, "I'm sorry . . . I'm just so worried about you. If any of the countries found out about you, they would try to take advantage of you." He hugged America tightly, surprising the small colony. England tightened his hug, "I don't know what I would do if I lost you again . . ."

America felt something wet, "England . . . Are you crying?"

". . . No."

America smiled with a giggle, "You're such a foogie." America pulled back to look at a teary-eyed England, "I can take care of myself, England. I'm quite confident in my physical strength."

England faintly recalled when America was swinging around a bull around when he finally took control of America.

"Besides," America bumped his forehead against England's, "I'll never leave you England. Even if I get captured, I'll come back to you. Even if I'm the one leaving, I'll still return without fail." He smiled, "So don't worry, ok? I'll never fully leave you."

England said, "Al . . . fred." He smiled, "You are really too mature for your age."

America giggled, "Eh-hee."

Meanwhile, the three stood there, witnessing the bond between America and England shine. Sealand laughed, "Those two are really too cheesy." No one missed the underlying, touched tone Sealand had.

Latvia smiled softly.

Japan smiled, "How touching. I never knew America-kun could be so mature in a situation like this."

England froze. He slowly turned his head, ". . . You know?"

Japan replied, "はい (Hai), England-san. Though I am not sure how this happened."

England groaned, "It's complicated. The bottom line is that America is going to stay like this for a while until he reverts back to normal."

Japan tilted his head, "How long will it take?"

England shook his head, "I'm not quite sure . . . It could last a few more days or even a year. All I know is that everything will go back to normal eventually." He glanced at Japan with a hint of fear and distrust, ". . . Do you plan to conquer America?"

Japan shook his head, "I have no intentions of that sort. America-kun is one of my best friends, and I would not so easily exploit him." He said with a blush, "Though I am quite tempted to take him home and dress him up." He looked at America closely, "His moe factors are off the charts, and I never expected to say that about America-kun."

America blinked, "Moe-ay?"

Japan felt an irresistible urge to kidnap the younger nation, and he wasn't even a shota-con (3). He straightened up in an attempt to chase away his impure thoughts. He turned to England, "If you don't mind, I could occasionally look over America when you are busy."

England asked, all his fears alleviated, "Really? That would be great."

Japan smiled, "It is no problem. I, too, wish for America's full recovery." He glanced at a clock and exclaimed, "Ah, it's gotten late! I have to go back." He bowed, "Well, I will see you later. 別れ (wakare)." And with that, he departed silently.

Sealand asked, "Can we visit America whenever?"

America asked with puppy-dog eyes, "Pleaaaase?"

England sighed, "Fine. But not tomorrow, I'm spending the day with America."

Sealand pouted, "Fiiiine." He said, "Latvia, let's go before Russia finds out you left."

Latvia let out a small squeak as he turned pale, "I-I forgot all about Russia!!!" Distraught, Latvia ran out of the house, "I have to go!"

Sealand yelled, "Wait for me!" He turned to America, "See yah later, America."

America nodded, "Yea, see you later!"

Finally, it was just England and America. Silence passed awkwardly. Suddenly, it was interrupted by America's stomach growling. Flushing, America rubbed the back of his head, "Ah-hee . . ."

England's eyes softened as he laughed, "Let's eat."

America nodded with a bright smile, "Ok!"

o-8-o-8-o

1 – あなたは離れていません (anata wa hanarete I mase n) – You're not getting away!

2 – はい (hai) – Yes

3 – Just in case you don't know, a shota-con is someone who is into younger boys.

4 – 別れ(wakare) – Farewell.