A/N; Damn. It's been almost a month. I think. That's what happens to your sense of time when you studying constantly. Sorry for not posting. I finally got some time to edit the chapter. It's probably crappy. But the school year is almost over and when I finish my four finals and my two regents, I'll have chapter 12 posted and the 13th on the way. Don't worry and please enjoy. Lots of translations at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia. It's God's cruel joke on my life.
After the unusual meeting with Germany and Italy, Kiku returned home to start planning. It was clear that the girl, Ludwig had been informed about, was the exact girl he had been ordered to rescue. Before he had left, Feliciano caught him at the doorway and explained that Austria currently had the girl in his possession, so there was only one way to go about this – steal the child from the Austrian. He knew exactly where the European's place was; Japan often hung out with Hungary during these unproductive meetings.
He woke up early for his mission the next day; it seemed 'once a ninja, always a ninja'. Kiku decided to dress normally in order not to attract any attention. A pair of washed out skinny jeans, white tennis shoes and plain white and blue striped, long-sleeve t-shirt later, he was out the door, heading for Austria's loft.
As his light green scarf fluttered erratically in the frosty, post winter breeze, he thought about how he'd go about getting the child. Originally, he was just going to abduct her, but Hungary was almost as skilled as he in sensing a disturbance, so he just decided to go in while they slept. Good thing he woke up early.
MWH
Five o' clock morning sunlight slowly streamed into Julie's temporary room through the crack under the door, lighting the space, but not by that much. It gave the wall a glow, kind of like when the sun is about to rise but can't be seen because the curtains are drawn.
She took a deep breath and rolled over to snuggle back into the messy sheets. Julie always slept relatively well, but if she went to bed early, she'd wake up early. Of course, normally, she'd just be lazy and try to sleep more although her body would be against it. But something today was giving her butterflies in her stomach, as though she was just waiting for a certain, irritated Austrian to burst through the door and tell her to 'get up this instant'. When no such thing happened, she sighed and decided she might as well get up. With this feeling in my stomach, there's no way I'll be able to sleep. She rolled off the bed and fell on the floor and after a few lazy seconds, she proceeded to push herself up off the ground. Stumbling to the closet, she gripped her head due to poor circulation. The light-headedness went away though, and she stood back up to get dressed.
The room was quite small, but it was cozy. There was carpeting and the bed was one of those beds for little ten year olds. But it didn't matter anyway; she already curled up in her sleep. Although - she did have a bad habit of kicking or slapping anything near her while she slept. What surprised her was the closet. It looked small but in reality it was quite big. Julie started looking through the many hangers for something comfortable to wear. Her brows furrowed. There was nothing but dresses. Isn't there anything that doesn't have frills at the end?
Behind the hangers she found a single shelf with clothes folded on it. There was a bit of dust coating the garments, but nothing that would stop her from seeing what they were. Blowing the dust away, she sneezed a few times and took the items off the shelf. Julie held them up and they slowly unfolded to reveal a pair of pants. The pair was dark navy blue with a wide top hem, fastened by three ivory buttons. She squealed at the sight of the vintage pants and placed them neatly on her bed to see the next apparel. What came next were a few pairs of stockings, an old silk shirt – white of course, a corset, and a sash, along with some socks. Julie looked a the corset; "Why would someone need this? This thing can kill you. Or make your insides burst out…." She shrugged and tossed it back onto the bed.
Other than the closet and the bed that was now littered with dusty clothing, the only other thing in the room was a small dresser that had a lamp on it. It stood next to the light blue curtains that were embroidered with little depictions of blue violets. Julie ran over to it and began pulling drawers open like there wasn't going to be a tomorrow. All she found in the first drawer was what she liked to call 'grammy pants', but the next two drawers were a bit more promising. The second drawer had socks like Hungary had given her the day before while the last drawer contained shorts made of soft fabrics like rayon and cotton.
The brunette looked at all her choices and decided to replicate an outfit that she had in her own closet and adored to death. She sighed and realized that her underwear was of course in need of change – but not in that way! The girl shed them and her wrinkled nightgown, leaving her in the nude. After a little rummaging, a suitable pair of 'undies' was found and Julie changed into the pink-lemonade colored garment. Then came a pair of cream tinted stockings and Prussian blue cotton pair of shorts. Taking the dress shirt, she tucked it into her shorts that she buttoned up after. At last, a pair of fresh, frilly socks came on and she jumped up from the bed feeling new.
She giggled at the way it looked cute in the reflection of the window. Once she cleaned up the room, she left her confinements and explored the Austrian's loft. There wasn't much left to see - same old, same old. The entry simply contained an end table and a potted palm. The living room had modern-looking couches done in soft, off-white colored suede with a fireplace under a small plasma screen T.V. There was a glass coffee table with those feet on the bottom that looked like a lion's claws holding on to an orb on top of a Persian rug. She slowly strolled past the high-tech kitchen with its marble countertops and stainless steel appliances that sat next to hanging bowls of fruits and set of knives. Julie peeked into the piano room and quickly closed the doors. There was nothing there anyway: just a single ebony piano in a nicely furnished space. What she hadn't seen was the balcony; it had such a wide view that there were five glass doors and she couldn't stop gaping. She opened one but hastily closed it when the cold February air hit her face.
Farther down was a double door, which looked like a study inside. Next to it was a good-sized folding door. She slowly opened the door and saw the sweetest thing since she got there. In a ridiculously oversized canopy bed, Austria was asleep – one arm around Hungary who was pulled close to him and snuggling to his chest. Julie gave a little, inaudible 'aww' and shut the door. On the other side of the hallway was a big bathroom that connected into the hallway where her bathroom was.
While she was looking through the pantry, a small knock came from the front door and she wondered who would be here this early in the morning. The girl ran to the door and opened it to find a casually dressed Japanese man.
NXT
Japan reached the building where the loft resided in. The culture shock was dull. Everything was modern from the lobby to the elevator. He had already seen this in several of America's and Canada's apartments. He took the elevator to the 9th floor and slowly walked down the extensive hallway to Austria's door.
Kiku found loft 67 and quietly contemplated whether he should ring the bell or not. In the end he decided to lightly knock on the door. A few minutes later he heard a pair of feet running up to the door and the doorway opened up. The girl who stood in front of him matched everyone's description so far; brunette hair – slightly curled on the bottom with the famous blonde streak that everyone seemed to remember. She had a round face – but not fat – with large cheeks and pleated eyebrows that sat right above wide, brown eyes. The funny thing was that he had to look up to face her since she was just a bit taller than him. She looked surprised.
"Japan?" she almost whispered.
The Asian bowed. "こんにちは、ジュリーさん。Igirisu-san toruld me furind you and buuring you back to him."
A smile slowly spread itself onto Julie's face. "England knew where I was staying! Are we going to see him?"
She started to lightly jump from foot to foot as if she was doing jumping jacks. Japan looked a bit uncomfortable but pushed it away and tried to put a natural smile on. "はい。 Nao, sharlu we go?"
That's where the girl gave a look of distress. She looked around as though something was coming for her. "Yes, but I should leave a note. I don't want Mr. Edelstein to think I ran away."
Julie ran back inside, got a pen and paper, and started to write a note out in fast cursive. Then she ran to the kitchen and grabbed a plastic bag. Kiku looked at her inquisitively. She ran through a pair of doors and disappeared but came back just a quickly with the bag now filled and tied. Hastily stuffed her feet into a pair of black boots that came up to her ankles with a rim of faux fur, Julie looked up at him and gave a little jump.
"Okay. I'm ready to go."
Japan nodded his head. "Whart abrout a coat?"
Julie looked around and then said; "I don't really have one. I think I left it with France and the others when Mr. Edelstein found me."
He frowned slightly and then thought of something. Kiku took off his scarf and wrapped around the girl's neck. She gave him a worried look. "Won't you be cold?"
He shook his head. "いや、そうでもない。"
She tilted her head. "What does that mean?"
Japan didn't answer but instead started to walk away down toward the elevator and motioned for her to follow. She quickly closed the door and scuttled to catch up to him. The ends of the scarf followed her as she ran and when she finally got to the elevator where he was standing she was already out of breath. The two stepped into the elevator and said nothing but enjoyed each other's company and the rare silence. He watched her from the corner of his eyes as they got out. She ran up to the entrance and opened the doors only to be greeted by the cold air.
"Oh. Yah." She said with an unimpressed look to no one in particular.
Kiku smiled weakly. "It is verry cold in Nuew Yourk during Feburary, ね？"
She smiled back at him. "Unfortunately."
They decided to brave the elements and went out into the chilling New England air. Julie shook a little bit but when Japan asked her if she was cold, she simply replied; 'I'm alright.' He didn't question it any further and the two began walking side by side. There was no conversation during the walk but it was alright. Kiku started to relax when he caught her staring at him. She quickly noticed and turned her head away.
"Whatsu wrong?" he questioned.
She shook her head 'no' vigorously. "Nothing."
He started at her wide-eyed but went back to thinking. She mumbled something that caught his attention but he didn't quite understand what she said.
"すみません。 Carn you repeatu that?"
Again she said; 'It's nothing', and they continued their walk in an awkward silence.
LTR
Along this whole trip, Julie learned two things – one; it gets god damn cold in New York. Two; walking in this stupid weather can be considered a form of cruel and unusual punishment. It was 9 am when she left, which meant it was probably about 11 now. Japan tapped her on her shoulder and pointed to Firstständerhaus styledhouse just two blocks away from where they were. They crossed – jaywalked – across the street and ran up to the front porch of the house just to get inside and warm themselves. Japan rung the doorbell, which kind of sounded like drums and someone yelling; 'Italien! Holen Sie sich zurück! Ich beantworte die Tür!' As they waited, Julie looked up at Kiku.
"This isn't where England's staying, you know." she said.
He nodded. "はい。私は知っている。"
She didn't understand everything he said, only the 'yes'. But, still. He hadn't told whose house this was. "So whose house is th-" Just as she asked, the front door flung open to reveal an ecstatic Italian.
MWH
He slowly woke up to the sound of Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major. Pushing the satin sheets back without disturbing Hungary, Austria swung his legs over the side of the bed and quietly got out of the bed. He turned off the alarm clock, then walked over to the French styled windows to part the curtains - just enough to allow sunlight to pass.
It was a nice morning for such awful weather and today he had a lot of things to get to. First he would have to discuss with Germany what to do with the girl. Wipe her memories? They would have to give it some thought. Roderich dressed himself with his usual deep blue suit pants, white dress shirt and jabot. The reason he didn't put his suit jacket was because he thought that if a human girl was staying with him, he should loosen up a bit. Most people would say that it's impossible for him to relax, but then again, they really didn't know him all that well. He went to the bathroom to brush his hair – carefully avoiding Mariazell, then going through the door into the hallway connected by it. Austria knocked on the girl's door twice but there was no answer so he decided to go in. He had to admit, the room was incredibly clean but – there was no girl!
"Vhere did zhat Mädchen go!" he yelled at no one in particular.
On the other of the side of the loft, Hungary woke up to her ex-spouse screaming. She jump out of bed and ran out of the room in her nightgown to find the Austrian pacing the living room. He looked up at her with a face contorted in anger and worry.
"She's gone. She's gone. After all v'e have done für her!"
Hungary waved her hands. "Calm down. I'm sure there must be a logical explanation."
Austria started at her appalled. "Logical explanation! Vhat could possibly explain zhis!"
Elizabeta caught sight of a little paper on the end table in the entry area. She walked over to it and picked it up. Relieved she sighed; "See? Look, she left a note. She probably just went to the lobby to explore or walk in the garden out back."
Hungary handed him the paper. The two skimmed over the note together.
Dear Mr. Edelstein and Mrs. Hedervary,
It was nice staying with you guys, but I really want to see England. Japan came over and now we're going to see England and America. Maybe I'll see you at a Conference if England allows me. I'll ask him. Thank you for all you guys have done for me!
- Julie L
Ps: Austria's apple strudel is really~ good.
The two stared at the letter. Hungary put a hand over her mouth. Austria shook his head in disbelief.
"Gott, nein. Nein."
Translations;
[こんにちは、ジュリーさん。] Good Afternoon, Miss Julie.
[はい。] Yes.
[いや、そうでもない。] No, not really.
[...ね?] ...right?
[すみません。] Sorry.
[Firstständerhaus] Ridge post house. A Germanic house that originated during the 15th century in the Baden area of Germany. A/N; You can look it up in Wiki. (Which I don't own. Never know what they can sue you for.)
[はい。私は知っている。] Yes. I know.
[Mädchen] Girl
[Gott, nein. Nein.] God, no. No.
Oooh. Drama. There's not as many translations as I thought there would be. Please review. Reviews make me feel happy. Also, thanks to everyone who put favorite/alert for this story. The poll is still up so vote please! It should be on top of my profile. If not, just leave a comment on who you want paired.
Merçi!