Okay! The next chapters for the second round to be up and running. I've been getting favored for a few days now, so that's always a good sign and, like before, I've done a few changes, but not too dramatic, most of it is the same with some added details in regards to Fern-Lui's personality and thoughts. To be honest I'm liking how this time went. Well, that's all I have to say for now.

Enjoy everyone.

Chapter 7: Time with Nihon-ojisan

"Ve~!" She awed as she saw the large building that the convention was being held in and the amount of people that was going into it.

"You didn't expect a rarge crowd?" Japan said, wearing what looked like a Naruto ninja elite outfit.

She shook her head, wearing, ironically, a red hood with a small cape, a faded country, dress with lots of ruffles under the skirt, long white stockings, and polished black shoes. Her dog ears were decorated with ribbons and flowers around her hair, and her tail stuck out from the split in the dress and thanks to the ruffles, wasn't showing her underwear, and the large white bow from the apron drew the eye away from the ruffles as well.

'So cute!' He thought, happy with how he and Hungary designed the dress, and the weather wasn't cold. Though, he was a bit down that Hungary wasn't able to join them, due to her boss calling her for the entire week. But on the bright side he gets to have the girl to himself.

Once inside though, he couldn't help but giggle at how surprised the girl was at all the activity going on.

"Wow…" She managed to say as her eyes sparkled. "This is so amazing Ojisan!" She said, careful not to use Japan's name out in public.

He was amused by this as he grabbed her by the hand. "Come, we'rr start with the artist's alley."

"What's that?"

"You'rr see..." He said with a smile as the girl looked around pointing and asking about some things they passed by.

0o0o0o0

For the first two hours were just looking around and gathered free stuff from the stalls that were for the fans. Speaking of fans, Japan noticed that she liked xxxHolic as she got an autographed poster of the time witch and a Monokai plush.

When they stopped for something to eat, he told her to wait seeing that she was tired from walking and went in line to get them something to eat. When he looked back to see if she was still there, panic set in when he didn't see her. He got out of line and went to where he told her to wait and saw that their stuff hasn't been touched. 'Where courd she be?' He thought as he looked around and asked a few people if they had seen the girl.

0o0o0o0

After an half an hour, he started to think of the worst case scenario. 'This isn't good! I have to find her somehow.' He thought when the speakers were turned on for the karaoke event. He knew his people loved to sing, him included, even if most of them were not that good. But the voice he heard on the speakers was, without mistake, the girl singing Luka Luka Night Fever.

He rushed to where the event was being held and he found her, singing and dancing as if she owned it, and she was drawing in a crowd. 'She's safe, thank goodness.' He thought as she finished the song and bowed, looked around and blue eyes met brown and smiled.

"Ojisan!" She called out as she ran up to Japan and hugged his leg. "I needed to go and when I came back I couldn't find you or the stuff! I was so scared!" She said as she did look like she was going to cry.

"Ah, do not worry, but you shourd've tord me you needed to go, but I'm grad you are oaky."

"I knew if I performed at least one song, you'd come."

Japan smiled as he patted her head. "What a smart one you are."

She smiled as she wiped away any tears that tried to come down.

"Come, we better find someprace to eat, now that we're back together."

"Hai!" She said as she held Japan's hand as they made their way through the crowd.

They spent the next couple of hours before both headed back to his house, where they shared a bath.

0o0o0o0

"Today was so much fun!" She said with a towel wrapped around her in the bath they were in. "Can we do it again tomorrow?"

"Of course, I got a pass to spend a few days there." Japan said, a content amused smile graced his usual calm face.

"Yay!" She cheered, creating a few splashes to come up, causing Japan to chuckle at the very Italy-like cheerfulness.

"Come here, I stirr have to wash your hair." He said as she went up and sat on his lap, back facing him.

"Nihon-ojisan..."

"Hai?"

"Doumo arigatou gozaimasu."

He blinked before smiling and continued to wash her hair. "喜びは、すべて私のものです" (1).

Unknown to Japan, the girl didn't look that happy, but guilty. She closed her eyes to keep the tears in as she let the other wash her hair. 'His hands are just as gentle as Obasan's.' She thought as she remembered being in the same situation, but only she is happy and a woman calmly told her tales told to her as a child or sing songs to her that have a different range to what mood the woman is in, and all in her native tongue. A stray tear came through the closed eyes, but it mingled with the other droplets from the bath as she lifted her head up to let the other have more access to her scalp.

"Everything okay, Rui-chan?" He asked, sensing a sad atmosphere.

"Hai. Just remembering something."

"Ah, I see..." He said, knowing better to pry answers from the girl before she was ready.

0o0o0o0

The next day they were back, this time the girl is in a western folklore country dress and him as a vocaloid, and this time Fern-Lui seemed to be a hit as everyone wanted to take a picture with her. Japan was highly amused by this, but he still kept his eye on her as she was his responsibility for the week. When asked to come up to do karaoke, she asked Japan to join her and they did a duet.

After their second venture came to a close, Japan called up Germany to update on the second day of the convention.

Back in Germany's house, he was finishing paper work while Italy was being quiet in the living room working on a painting. Prussia would usually lay around the house or go out to see France, at least making sure he didn't go to Japan's house to take his new little awesomely adorable niece away.

But otherwise it was overly quiet, something the house wasn't used to having after so much activity coming in and out for the past decades.

So when Germany got an update about his newly adopted daughter, he was happy to know that she is safe and enjoying her time in Japan's house. Even Italy would get to talk to Japan and his adopted daughter and then Prussia would want in, which Germany switched to speaker phone so that everyone can talk at the same time. This also reminded him that he had to thank America for the new phone, which he didn't realize that he was going to need one with a speaker phone until now.

0o0o0o0

It then turned to day three of the convention and Fern-Lui was still amazed by the convention as she played some of the games there, with Japan's help, and enjoyed the cosplaying show.

The fourth day wasn't a convention day, instead she, Pouchi-kun, and Japan walked around the town, seeing the daily life of Japan's people and stopped by the temple to pray.

Then they found a deserted park, she immediately went to the swings. Japan found this endearing as she got onto one of the swings and pushed herself as he sat on the swing next to hers, his dog sitting obediently next to him. He did grew some concern when she kept getting higher and higher until she started to take it easy and soon started to go at a comfortable height as she laughed, enjoying the sensation of it all.

When she stopped swinging they continued their walk until they walked passed a baseball field when she looked up at Japan. "Nihon-ojisan."

"Hai?"

"You know I was reading xxxHolic, right?"

"Hai."

"Well… there's one chapter that I'm not entirely sure about."

"And what's that?"

"It was the chapter where the woman tried to stay away from the computer because it took her away from her family, but it's what makes her feel at ease. When she failed to get away from the computer, the time witch came by with a bat, but she wrote the name of a famous katana and it didn't smash the computer but cut it in half."

Japan blinked as he smiled. "Werr… it's no strange matter that when naming a person or thing, it gives it a purpose and or empowers it with its abirity to that of the beings choosing." He said as they stopped by a bench. "Do you know what your name means?"

She nodded. "I do. Fernanda in German means bold, daring, while Luigia in Italian means famous warrior."

He nodded. "Very strong names for a young girr."

"Vati said that he picked that name because it's the opposite of his personality. He's not daring to do things when he's alone, but when Mamma is around he's done things he'd never think of doing. And Mamma picked my other name because she always looks up to Vati for some kind of strength when she's too afraid or doesn't think she's strong enough."

"And do you see the power those names they have given you?"

"I'm like Vati when it comes to not being afraid of a lot of things, but I'm mostly like Mamma because I can do those things, most of the time without a second thought. Sometimes I don't even think about it, I just do."

He nodded. "It's rare to find a name that best suits them because they're either just born and that new rife has yet to revear his or her personarity, or an object that no one has seen before."

"But what I don't understand is how a bat is able to cut like a katana."

He smiled. "Because, by naming a bat after a katana, she has given the bat the abirity similar to the sword."

"Still a bit confusing, but I guess I'll accept it."

He smiled as he stood up. "Is that arr you need to ask?"

"There's another thing…" She said as she looked unsure, the first for the nation.

"Rui-chan? Is something the matter?"

"Well… I asked Onkel Preußen about how the people have treated the nations in the past. He said that you were treated no differently than the people when you walk in civilian areas. But now you're treated like a government secret, ever since the aftermath of World War II."

Japan sat back down on the bench. "It's true… We fought arongside those who were fighting in our honor, but because we're nations we cannot die rike a normal person would. You can say there was some hostirity for those who find that unfair. So we were praced into hiding and onry come out to see how our peopre are from observation arone. We cannot tark to our own peopre in these modern times in fear that if they ask for our name, we just inconviniced them…"

"That sounds hurtful. It's not like you choose to not die, it just happened like that."

He smiled softly as he petted her head. "That is true, most of us don't even know the reason why we're born this way, but we do know that as rong as our people are werr, then that's arr that matters to us."

She smiled. "Because your people are like your kids, a lot of them."

He giggled. "Hai, that is one way of seeing things."

She then looked curious. "But what if you were given a name? Would it give the effect like the bat? Would a nation feel human when given a human name?"

Japan blinked as he thought about it. "I don't know. No one thought about it. Even then, what kind of name can you carr a nation?"

"That does sound hard, even though you've been on this earth for so long."

He smiled once more. "Hai, it does."

She got off the bench and smiled at him. "Let's get some hot chocolate!"

He blinked before laughing a little. "I do suppose the weather carrs for it." He said as he got up and both walked back to his house.

0o0o0o0

Back in Germany's house, it seems that everyone was getting back to their usual routine, but the house was still awkwardly quiet, even for Germany who had been asking for it for some time. The deafening silence was then broken by the sound of the telephone ringing at his desk.

'Finally!' He thought as he pressed the speaker button. "Deutschland Residenz."

"Vati Deutschland! It's Fern-Lui." Said the happy voice of the young girl.

"Hallo. How are things there?"

"We took an easy day today."

"And no one questioned you?"

"Nope, you'd be surprised how many like to dress up. I easily blend right in, except for the blond hair and blue eye thing. But other than that, no problems."

He chuckled as Italy came in and looked happy to hear the girl's voice.

"Ve! Fern-Lui?"

"Sì, Mamma Italia."

"How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, how about you?"

"Ve~ It's not the same without you here." Italy whined. "I miss our art time together. Papa Germania misses you a lot too, so does Zio Prussia. Even the dogs and cats and Prussia's bird miss you, they wouldn't leave your room most of the time."

"Well I only got a few days left, so just hang in there."

"Ve~ Yes sir!" Italy said with his silly salute, making the German shake his head.

The girl just laughed, which eased the two nations from their previous silent oddity. "Well, I'll talk to you again soon."

"Stay out of trouble." Germany said.

"Ja! Later!" She said as the sound of the phone disconnect was heard.

Germany turned off the speaker and looked at Italy, who was looking at him, both smiling before laughing.

Soon the silent house was filled with sounds once more as the dogs came into the study and causing a small chaotic episode, but Germany didn't mind this time.

0o0o0o0

After dinner, Germany took a shower and was thinking about what he had finished through the few days and how to better plan when the girl stays with another nation's home for a certain period. 'This isn't bad, but we could do better.' He thought as he thought about what to do tomorrow when an idea came to his mind. "Scheiße!"

Italy, who was about to enter the bathroom, heard that and started to apologize.

"Italy?" Germany called out from the bathroom as he finished up his shower. He quickly dressed and went out to see that Italy was still apologizing. "Italy! I'm not mad at you!" He said.

"You're not?"

"No, I just remembered that Christmas is coming up." He said calmly, scratching his head feeling embarrassed on forgetting his favorite holiday

"Ve! That's right!"

"And we still haven't gotten Fern-Lui anything." He said, scratching his head embarrassed that he nearly forgot his favorite holiday in the year.

"Ve! We better get her something tomorrow! Oh! I also have to get Romano, Spain, Japan, and everyone else gifts!"

Germany sighed, knowing the Italian will panic like this as he placed a hand on Italy's head. "Calm down, Italy, we still got time before Christmas. And while we're looking for what to get her, we can also find something for the other nations, though I don't think your brother would want anything from me."

"Ve~ Our first Christmas with our daughter. To think that a bit over a month ago, we were just doing our usual thing as nations, but now I feel a bit like how a mortal feels with a loving family." Italy said with such a calm and serious tone that it slightly shocked the German. "It feels so different, but in a good way. Do you feel that way, Germany?"

Germany blushed lightly. "I haven't really thought about that, but now that you've mentioned it… Ever since we brought her in, everything seemed to change. I'm still trying to wrap my head around being a father no matter how many times I'm reminded that I am. Although it is a temporary thing, I have to admit that it's something special." He then seemed thoughtful.

"What's wrong Germany?"

"I was just thinking about Bruder. I was thinking if he felt like this when he found me."

"Eh? Found you?"

"Oh, well, it's nothing important."

"No, no, I wanna know! You never really did tell me about your childhood."

"Well… I really don't remember much about it." Germany said as he looked to the side. "In fact I can't really remember as far as seeing Prussia at the bed side and just told me that he's my Bruder. Everything else is just a blank."

"What happened?"

He shrugged. "Bruder said that I was in a war."

"A… war…?"

"Like I said, I don't remember much about it, and I never bothered to figure it out."

"Why?"

He shrugged. "I figured it wouldn't be any different. But I knew one thing."

"What's that?"

"That I had to be stronger…"

"Stronger?"

"At first I didn't know why, but when I learned that Prussia would disappear... Including Prussia, I used to have four older brothers, now only Prussia is left and the one who's been with me the longest. I decided that I was going to be stronger so that he wouldn't disappear like they did." He chuckled. "Bruder may be a pain in the ass most times, but he's still mein Bruder. I don't know what I would've done without him." He looked to see that Italy was close to tears. "Hey, don't cry."

"But that was so sweet of you. You care about Prussia so much like that." He said as the stubborn tears finally rolled down.

"Italy…" He said as he used his thumb to wipe away the tears.

Unknown to the two, Prussia was eavesdropping and smiled. 'Oh yeah, I raised an awesome Bruder. But not as awesome as me.' He thought as he heard the two talk some more as he headed out to the door. "Well! Because I'm the awesome Onkel, I'm going to get my niece the most awesome gift that only her awesome Onkel can get her!" He said as he marched out of the door. "And if the shops are closed I'll just go to France! He always lets me stay." He laughed as his little bird fluttered besides him.

0o0o0o0

Soon Japan and Fern-Lui headed up to Germany's house, their week was up and Fern-Lui was back to normal. No dog ears or tail was present as they went up to the door and Japan rang the doorbell. The girl was wearing a Monokai hat, which she was playing with the ears a bit before the door opened to reveal Italy, who immediately hugged the girl as the dogs crowded around them, making Japan giggle at such an adorable sight.

"Germany! Fern-Lui and Japan are back!" Italy called out as he mentioned Japan in and set the girl down.

Fern-Lui was attacked by slobbery licks before she headed to the tall German who bent down and she ran up to him with a hug. "Vati Deutschland!"

"Willkommenes Heim, Fern-Lui." He said as he lifted her up and looked to see Japan and joined in as they caught up with everything before Japan excused himself and, with one last hug from the girl, made his way back home.

"Ve~ I wish he's spend the night with us at least, but I guess he has a lot of work to do once he gets back." Italy said.

"Especially after that convention week." Germany said.

"Ve~ Vati Deutschland…"

"Hm?"

"On our way here I saw Berlin looked really pretty, and there was a lot of people there. Is there an event going on?"

Germany blinked. "You've never been to a Christmas Market?"

"That was a Christmas Market?" She said, her eyes wide.

"There's a few." Germany said, slightly surprised that the girl never seen a Christmas Market. "Have you never been to one?"

She shook her head. "I've always heard about them from Vati, but I never got a chance to see them."

'Just where did her parents live?' He thought as he saw the time. "I don't have any work tomorrow…" He said as he looked at the two and smiled. "How about we have a Christmas Market run tomorrow."

"Really!" She said, eyes wide and seemed excited.

"Ve~ The Christmas Markets are truly the prettiest markets in the world." Italy said with a smile. "It's Germany's favorite place to go at this time of the year."

"Is it that amazing?"

"Ve~ I'm sometimes envious of Germany for that."

"Ve! Really?"

Germany blushed as he scratched his head. "I think I'll make dinner tonight." He said as he headed back inside.

"Ve~ Okay Germany! We'll be in the living room." Italy said as he and the girl were in the living room, sketch books at ready as Fern-Lui drew out everything from memory.

0o0o0o0

After dinner was done, Prussia came in and was greeted with an armful of the girl as he messed her hair, which she just laughed as he tried to tickle her.

"Guess what, Onkel Preußen!"

"Oh! Don't let your awesome Onkel guess."

She giggled. "We're going to the Christmas Market tomorrow."

"You are?"

"Yeah! I've never been to one, and Mamma Italia says it's so amazing that he's jealous of Vati Deutschland for that."

Prussia laughed. "Well of course! It's like you're in a fairy tale when you first step into it. But at night is when the market really shows its beauty."

She smiled and giggled. "I'm too excited to sleep now! I want it to be tomorrow now!"

"Looks like I'm gonna have to tickle you until you go to bed."

"Nein!" She said as she laughed at being tickled. "Okay! Okay! I'll go to bed!"

Prussia let her go as she went up to the bathroom to brush her teeth and head off to bed.

"You make a good uncle, Prussia, ve." Italy said with a smile.

"I just miss messing with the kid." He said as he tried to act like a bad ass.

"Sure." Germany said as he saw Italy go up the stairs, no doubt going to tell her a story. "I got some left overs if you like."

"I'll just have a beer."

"How many have you had today?"

"You're out, aren't you? Otherwise you wouldn't be asking me that."

"Nein. I got some, but you kept stealing mine for this past week."

"You hid your best ones again. Give your awesome brother a break."

"I'll treat you to one when we head out tomorrow."

"Who said I was going?"

"Do you have plans tomorrow?"

Prussia looked away and pouted, a sure sign that it was a no. "How did I raise such an unawesome Bruder?" Germany just stared at him before he couldn't take it anymore. "Okay! I'll go! Quit staring at me like I just got sent to the slammer and you had to cough up a lot of dough to get me out."

"That happened once and you should know that."

Prussia did remember, and that was the day he learned that his brother can torment him if he ever did that again. "Ja…"

"Did you get a gift for her the other day? I noticed that you just suddenly left when I was checking on you."

"You really got this dad thing down a bit much, you know."

"I've been doing that a lot even before she came into this house." He said.

Prussia sighed. "Yeah, I got her something." He said as he smirked. "Something totally awesome from the awesome me."

Germany nodded. "Okay, you don't have to go then."

"Eh? Why?"

"Well, Italy and I went to the Christmas Market the other day, but we ended up getting some of the other nations, but not hers because we have no idea what she would like." He admitted as he patted his brother's shoulder. "But since you already got a gift for her, you can stay here and clean that pig stye you call a room."

"It's not that bad!"

"You got three month old pizza under your bed. Be glad that I'm kind enough to not mention that to Italy, because I know you love his cooking just as much."

Prussia couldn't comment on that.

"Well, Gute Nacht Bruder." He said as he went upstairs, leaving his brother standing dumbfounded.

'Verdammt! Now I have to find a different gift for her!' He thought as he felt the gloom over him. 'Verdamm…'

Translations:

(1) The pleasure is all mine - Japanese