Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia
Italics mean the past. Normal words mean the present. Hope this clears things up. It means the same for the previous chapter.
There are 2 ways in which you can read this chapter
1. read it as it is
2. read all the italics first, then read the normal
Enjoy~
"I want my freedom, China-san." Those words echoed through Yao's ears. It was stuck in his mind, even though Kiku had said those words years ago, they would never leave him, unlike Kiku. Yao dusted his military uniform and tried to get rid of invisible wrinkles. How long has this uniform been sitting in his closet, waiting for its chance to see the sunlight? Much too long.
His uniform was olive green, perfect for camouflage. How long has it been since Yao tried it on? He wondered when was the last time he put it on and went into war...
"I want my freedom, China-san" Kiku says, his eyebrows point downward, indicating just how serious he was. Yao could not process these foreign words. Why would Kiku say this? why would he want to leave? didn't Kiku know just how much he meant to Yao?
"Why aru?" Yao could barely mumble.
"I'm not a child anymore. I want to be my own nation. I want independence" Kiku's face remains indifferent.
"No...NO DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE ON YOUR OWN ARU?" Yao was shouting now, and trying so hard to hold back his tears. They threatened fiercely to come pouring out. No, not now, please, not now, Yao pleaded with his own tears.
"I have made up my mind and I am ready to face any consequences. I want to live on my own." Kiku says again, not even a hint of sadness crosses his face.
Yao was speechless.
Yao checks his uniform one more time before exchanging it with his chang shan. He looks into an old mirror in his room the moment he was done changing. It still fit him pretty well. Had it not shrunk in centuries? It clearly didn't. It was perfect. No wrinkles, no fading. A bushy green uniform, showing off Yao's face and raven black hair perfectly.
The golden stars shine against the blood red arm sash. They are arranged in a cresent shape, surrounding the biggest star. If the arm sash ever fell off of Yao's uniform, it would mean that Yao was dead, for good, even after four thousand years of living. He pinned it tightly to his sleeve.
That morning, Yao stood in the doorway. He looked like his beloved panda. He had dark circles under his eyes and his face looked paler than usual. He wore a pale yellow chang shan this time.
Kiku was standing at the gateway. He wore the same pale face Yao wore, but without the dark circles. Kiku's face was expressionless. It was unreadable, not even to Yao. No, it said one word: Sayanora.
The two men stood still, solemn. Neither saying a word. All words had been exchanged last night, no matter how much or how little. Now, dealthly silence filled Yao's front yard.
Kiku wore a black uniform with gold buttons running down the middle. There were golden frills on his shoulders. He held his sheathed katana tightly in his fist. The background of the sheath was black and decorated with golden dragons. The katana hidden in its sheath shined brilliantly under the sun.
That morning, Yao saw Kiku leave his house, without a word. He left, as silent and as swiftly as the wind. A few tears left Yao's eyes and streamed down his face. Then, he disappeared into the depths of his house.
Yao took his swords out from their sheaths. They were a little tainted with someone else's blood. Yao took a cloth and some water to shine the cresent swords. He wanted to let them regain their former glory. At least that was what they deserved before going into relentless war.
The swords were still very sharp. Halfway through cleaning them, the swords sliced through his cloth. Once they were shining, Yao swung the swords a few times through the air, testing his swiftness. He went outside and tested it on a wooden pole he found sticking out of the ground.
The pole sliced cleanly in half. Yao was still swift and talented even after so many years. That was good, he definetely needed that talent right now.
Every night, Yao would put a chair outside his house and play his erhu under the shining moon. He played a tune that would put Kiku to sleep when he was very little. When Kiku had trouble sleeping, or when there was a thunderstorm, Yao would whip this instrument out and play the familiar tune to Kiku.
It works all the time and usually instantly, and even as Kiku was growing up, the tune still calmed him down when he was stressed. His normally emotionless face would show happiness for half a minute when Yao hummed the tune.
Tonight, it has been a week since Kiku had left, allowing Yao to start this habit. At first, it was hard to play it for no one in particular, and it reminded him of Kiku too much. Still, he played on. Every night, the tune got louder and Yao felt less emotion as he played. Yao didn't know why he would play it every night. It was like a strong force wanted him to do this for no rhyme or reason. He easily complied.
His neighbours enjoyed the sound of his soothing erhu. It had the same effect as it did for Kiku. They would see the silouhette of a chinese man sitting in a chair, playing the delicate wooden instrument under the spotlight of the moon. Every night, without fail. And sometimes, a smile would spring out of no where on his face at certain parts of the tune.
Yao tied the bandages on his ankles tightly. They were part of his military uniform. He slipped his slender feet into his black shoes. He tied his hair one last time, tighter than ever.
He straightened his uniform one more time, making sure that everything was perfect. He slipped his sheathed cresent swords at his belt, allowing it to hold them.
White snow started to fall from the sky, getting heavier with every passing minute. Yao's eyes held only one emotion: anger. He was ready. Yao was ready for war against Japan.
Wang Yao was ready to face Honda Kiku, head on.
"What aru? Japan wants to go into war with us?" Yao asks, he needed to clarify what his superior had just said. The words were unexpected. His superior nodded his head furiously.
So Kiku wants to take my people now? This could not happen. Kiku had already taken Yao's heart and soul. There was no way he was going to allow Kiku to take China. Yao was determined to protect his country until the end, no matter the consequences.
A/N: Inspiration for this chapter: China's character song, Aiyaa four thousand years.
If you haven't heard it yet, I highly reccomend it aru~
Gahh this chapter is shorter than usual OAO
Summary for people who are very confused: Kiku has left Yao. A few years after he left, Yao finds out that Kiku wants to take over china. Yao will not let this happen, even if Kiku is his little brother, and Yao is ready to face all the consequences.