A/N: Hey again everyone! Thanks to everyone reading this story, especially those of you who "favorite-ed" it. Thanks for reviewing as well! Sorry for the late update. I had some last minute homework to do, but that's all taken care of. :D All the usual stuff, blahdy-blah-blah, review, blah, blah, blah. Warning: contains Greece! ^^ (if only momentarily) [Oh, have any of you see the Paint It White movie for Hetalia? I recommend it! Also, being a huge Doitsu fan, when I got to about 40 minutes in, I geeked out! He's all alone on an island, covered in scuff marks and all vulnerable, on the brink of death… ah! Just wonderful! But I'm weird like that.]

Japan sighed.

Germany had been gone for five days now.

He missed Germany, he thought as he shook white sheets, hanging them on the clothesline out back. He missed Germany's silent, brooding nature, the way he dug his fingers through his hair when he was worried. He missed the way Germany looked sleeping, so innocent and carefree, his arms reaching for Japan. He missed the way Germany adjusted his glasses when he was reading, looking so stern and inquisitive. But most of all, he missed Germany's smile, the usually harried expression wiping away as the corners of his mouth lifted, his eyes shining like he knew secret joke.

Japan sighed again, then rebuked himself mentally. Baka! Germany was busy doing his duty as a country, and here was he was, moping about like a child! He should be preparing for Germany's return, making the house nice and clean so his lover could relax. Germany always looked stressed out when he returned, sometimes going so far as to refuse to make eye contact with Japan for a time, like he was… guilty.

GAH! screamed Japan internally, his grasp on the clothespins faltering as he suddenly remembered what he had struggled to forget. Germany's expression as he left plagued him. It was not just guilt over having to leave; it was much more than that. Why did Germany look at him guiltily whenever they kissed or hugged or even after they made love? Japan shook the sheets furiously. Why, why, why? Japan bit his lower lip, tears threatening to spill. It was so frustrating!

BZZT .BZZT. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT.

Japan looked down, his phone vibrating in his pocket. Could it be? Ger-

Japan sighed again as he looked at the caller ID. He wiped his eyes. Not Germany.

"Moshi moshi Girisha-san. "

"… Geia sas, Iaponia," replied Greece in his usual slow manner.

"Um… how are you today?"

"… I'm fine."

"Ah… I too am doing well."

"…" A long pause.

"Eh, Girisha-san?"

"…yes?"

"Why did you call me?"

"…oh…yes…I wanted to tell you something… but I forgot… I think it was important…"

"Oh. Well, can you call me back when you remember? Sumimasen, but I'm busy right now." Japan felt very bad about ending the conversation, if you could call it that, with Greece, but he did have things to do today. He could not spend hours talking about cats today, no matter how kawaii they were or how pleasant Greece was.

"… I understand… Oh…yes. Are you still coming over next week?"

"I believe so, yes."

"…okay. I will … call you when I… remember what I wanted to say… Antio."

"Hai. Sayonara."

Click.

Japan smiled a little, cheered up by his brief chat with Greece. He was so light hearted, it was refreshing. He bent down and picked up his now empty wooden bucket. Whites were done, next came the dark clothing.

As Japan inspected each article of clothing for stains, he came across one of Germany's jackets. A dark blue, this jacket had a tight collar, embroidered by gold thread. Black leather accents on the pockets and the sleeves made the piece, giving it an appearance of tough elegance. Just like Germany, thought Japan. He sniffed the jacket, Germany's scent filling his nostrils. Perfect. Japan hugged the jacket and stood in the laundry room for a while, forgetting the time, forgetting that he had other things to do. Instead he asked the jacket what he wanted to ask Germany. Why do look at me with sad eyes? Why do you look at me like you are hurting me? Why do you look so guilty? As Japan hugged the jacket tighter, his hand brushed past a pocket, which crinkled.

Nani?

Japan reached in and pulled out a note, a white sheet, folded up into eighths. Japan glanced around, though he was alone, to check for any people spying. It was his turn to feel guilty now. He began to unfold the paper, but paused. He shouldn't, couldn't read Germany's notes. They trusted each other. Sighing yet again, Japan began to fold up the note, planning to return it to Germany later, when he heard a tapping on the door. Hastily, he dropped the jacket, stuffing the note into his pants' pocket. He brushed himself clean of imaginary dust and walked quickly to the door. Before he slid it open, he wiped his face of the concern and confusion that was surely written across his brow. He slid open the door.

"Ni hao, aru." It was China, standing at the door, without his panda, for once. His hands were curled into fists and rested on his hips. His ponytail swayed slightly in the breeze.

"Hajimemashite Chugoko-san?" replied Japan hesitantly, albeit politely. He had been getting some bad vibes from China recently. No doubt he was still upset about the Nanking incident. Though he had profusely apologized for his incredibly dishonorable actions, China had not forgiven him completely. Japan understood; he felt similarly about America, though he had expected some type of retaliation after his own actions at Pearl Harbor.

"I am fine, aru. Thank you for asking. Is Germany-xiangsheng here today?"

"Eh, no. He had to leave on a business trip. He has been gone for about five days now. I expect he will return soon. Would you like to come in? I was just about to make lunch." That was a lie. Japan had barely eaten anything in the past few days, didn't plan to eat for the rest of the day and had only had a cup of yogurt for breakfast. Stress, he supposed. After Germany returns, chuckled Japan inwardly, I will eat like America-san and become a fat old man.

"Buyao xie xie. Please give me a call when Deguo returns, aru. I need to speak with him," China said with a smile.

"I can take a mes-"

"No, no, it's a personal matter. Zaijian!" With that, China flounced off, whistling.

That was strange, thought Japan. For some reason, he felt uneasy.

Filtered moonlight kissed Japan's face as he lie in bed, thinking, worrying, unable to sleep. He wore a blue and silver kimono, the pattern of the moon and stars trailing from Japan's exposed chest to his still hands. He rolled over in bed, irritated with himself again. Germany would be fine. He would come home soon, and then they could enjoy each other's company again. Japan sighed. The empty spot in his bed seemed very cold, made him feel lonely.

Japan tensed. He heard the front door slide open, and then heavy footsteps, evenly measured, with a distinct click. Japan slid out of his bed soundlessly, hands stretching towards the katana he had in his room. Grabbing it, he made his way to the sliding door of his room, drawing the sword noiselessly. The footsteps approached, then stopped. The person set something heavy down. Japan could hear breathing, hushed and maybe a little sad. The person was right outside the room.

Suuu. The door slid open, a gloved hand pushing the bamboo shaft.

"If you are a thief, I will not forgive you," whispered Japan solemnly, holding the sharp edge of his sword to a pale, tight neck. The intruder was very tall.

"But you stole something from me…"whispered the voice. The intruder moved their gloved hand to the tip of the sword, pushing down gently. Japan tensed, confused. This voice… so familiar. "You stole my heart."

Germany.

Japan blushed, dropping his sword and hugging the tall blonde man, laughing. What a ridiculous statement! Germany's twinkling blue eyes locked into his own brown eyes. Oh how he had missed that smile!

"I missed you Mein Liebe, " Germany said, leaning down to kiss Japan. "I hope you did not suffer too much without me."

Japan simply beamed, all his worries evaporating.

"Welcome home."

The note lay forgotten, absent mindedly used as a bookmark for a novel Japan had been reading.

Glossary:

Baka: idiot

Moshi moshi Girisha-san: Hello (on the phone), Greece-san

Geia sas, Iaponia: Hello, Japan

Kawaii: (Japan and Germany! XD) cute

Antio: Good bye

Hai: yes

Sayonara: Good bye

Nani: what

Ni hao: Hello

Hajimemashite Chugoko-san: How do you do, China-san

Xiangsheng- basically –san but in Chinese.

Buyao xiexie- no thank you

Deguo- Germany

Zaijian- Bye