Taiwan raced upstairs into her new room; she looked around and slammed the door behind her with her cheeks blushing wildly. She had actually kissed Kiku? And he liked it? She didn't really know. But all she knew was that she had kissed Kiku and she felt really good about it, she hadn't seen her brother in such a while that she felt so stubborn in confronting him. But when she decided that Kiku was a nice guy, she … kissed him?

She smiled giddily and skipped around her room, whilst Kiku was still frozen and blushing he let out a small squeak as if surprised by Meimei's sign of affection. He liked it and he wasn't sure if she REALLY liked him, but if she had the courage to do something like that then … she did like him. Maybe even love him. Kiku smiled and went upstairs pausing behind Meimei's door, sighing heavily he knocked. He froze,

"Who is it?" Meimei said giggling,

"Uhm … um … Kiku, Meimei" he replied, it felt weird saying her name, but he had to get used to it.

"Come in, Kiku" she said, he took the handle and pushed it to walk in. He found Meimei sitting on the edge of the bed facing the window, with her back toward Kiku. Just staring out the window at the blue sky and the Japanese birds that sat on the windowsill,

"Hello, Meimei" he said bravely, she didn't look behind she buried her head in between her legs as if embarrassed. "What's wrong, Meimei?" he asked sitting next to her, immediately she looked up and threw her arms around Kiku taking him by sudden surprise. As she did she pressed her soft lips on his, Kiku looked shocked and let out a muffled moan. But after a few seconds he quite enjoyed it and let his arms embrace young Meimei, they kissed for a while and hours seemed to pass by before they finally let go,

"Surprised?" Meimei asked breathless,

"Certainly, again?" Kiku asked, Meimei giggled as she sat up on her bed stating at her new lover,

"I love you, Kiku" she said as Kiku crept next to her, she smiled in glee as he kissed her on the cheek,

"I love you too, Meimei" she hugged him romantically as he placed his hand on her shoulder, accidentally pulling down the sleeve on her red dress. Meimei let go and looked at her sleeve exposing her white bra strap, she smiled at Kiku who just looked frozen, "I'm so sorry, Meimei. I didn't mean to-"

"Shush, Kiku. It's okay, I don't mind if you have a soft spot for me"

"I'm glad"

Meimei kissed Kiku on the lips, but passionately Kiku was brave enough to slip his tongue into Meimei's mouth, Kiku could tell Meimei was smiling while he did so. As he fell back onto the bed, Meimei was half on half off Kiku so he could clearly see that Meimei was slowly taking off her red dress. Kiku had never seen a naked woman before, and he didn't really have any experience in bed. How was he going to do this sort of thing with Meimei?

The kiss ended and Kiku examined Meimei's beautifully constructed body, he touched her cheek and Meimei pulled the covers over them both as they both let away their troubles with the night of lovemaking and dreams.

The night kept going with them both kissing and passionately making love to one another, then as the streaks of light came through it was morning. But when morning finally showed its light they were both asleep cuddled up next to each other after their own night, breathing softly they were still embraced.

Kiku opened his brown eyes and squinted at the sunlight, but smiled as he sat up and saw the beautiful woman next to him. He laid his hand of her cheek as he lay down again; sleepily Meimei opened her eyes and saw her lover in front of her. She smiled and placed her hand on his, Kiku felt more confident now and braver than he was before.

"Morning, Kiku" Meimei said, the hint of tiredness still in her tone. She turned and looked up at the ceiling feeling happy about what she and Kiku still had even though they weren't technically related; she loved him with all her life. Kiku leaned over the bed to pick up his clothes and slipped them on; Meimei yawned and picked up her silk gown to put it on. They walked hand in hand down the stairs and drank tea in the kitchen, they were too nervous to talk and the Japanese custom in Kiku's house was to drink and eat in silence.

Meimei put her tea down and took a napkin to wipe her mouth she walked past Kiku, pecking a kiss on his cheek blushing. He smiled and kissed her back, both of them blushing like they had just met. Meimei got dressed into her blue flowing dress; it was plain except for the festive bow tied around her waist. Because Kiku and she were going to America's house for a ball, it would last all day and all night so Meimei had to look beautiful. She took her blue flower hairpin and examined it, it was the pin that Yao had got for her 15th Birthday and she had taken great care of it in the last 4 years. She stuck it in her hair and then she twirled and watched her dress do the same.

"Perfect" she said to herself, Kiku walked into her room with his black tux on. He was holding a small wooden box, Meimei looked confused.

"Here" he handed the box to Meimei and she opened it, her jaw dropped as inside was a real blue sapphire. She turned to Kiku and he stood closer, "This gem has been in my family for generations, though small in size it still has its purpose" Kiku took the gem out and only then Meimei realised that it was a ring, he placed it on her fourth finger and she was frozen in excitement,

"Kiku, thank you" Meimei managed to say, he smiled and held both her hands,

"Meimei" she looked up, "I know that we obviously love each other, I know that I love you and I know that we have both surrendered each other's hearts to one another" she nodded, "Now will you …" he gulped, "…Marry me?" she smiled and hugged Kiku. He didn't know it that was a pity hug or a real one, he froze and wrapped his arms around her waist and he knew his answer when they both kissed. When Meimei released, she smiled again and replied,

"Yes, Kiku. I will" and they both kissed again.

After that they both had to set off, both in one car they rode to the airport to the private airplane. As Yao was poor because he had to feed all his siblings he could not afford to take Meimei and the others abroad, plus Yao was very protective of the small nations. Especially Viet and Taiwan, the act of females was very prejudice.

They boarded the jet and within three hours they arrived in America, things between Alfred and Japan had been a bit shaky since the bombing in WWII. It had only between three months since then, but Japan was a very forgiving person and decided to patch things up with a ball unknowingly accepting that he would have Meimei back then.

He led Meimei out the jet and they linked arms all the way to the staircase. Because the jet landing area was on top of the ballroom and there was a small staircase that led down to the top floor of Alfred's mansion, it was a very big foyer. They signed in at the desk because Alfred was very conscience of who entered his mansion; the receptionist flipped through sheets of guests and shook his head,

"I'm sorry but I can't see you on the list" Matthew said to Kiku,

"Alfred personally invited us, how are we not on the list?"

"I'll go see Mr Jones" Matthew left the desk and peered through the curtain and sure enough, Alfrdd came through and flipped through the sheets he pointed to a part of the list and hit Matthew of the head, "OW!" and then Alfred left, eyeing Kiku as he did,

"You may pass" Matthew said, "but wait. Who is this woman?" he pointed to Meimei,

"This is Taiwan, under my rule" Kiku replied, he smiled at Meimei,

"Oh, you may pass then. Nice to meet you Meimei" Matthew said to her,

"Same to you Matthew" and with that they passed through the curtain into the ballroom, Meimei gasped, "Gosh, it's big Kiku"

"Indeed" Kiku sighed, probably got this from the money of the government after he bombed me, Kiku thought,

They saw Alfred talking to Arthur and France, America laughed and saw the two standing there. He bid the two men farewell and walked to the couple,

"Hello, Kiku. Long time no see" he said,

"Hello, Alfred" Kiku replied, shaking hands. Alfred looked at Meimei who was lost in looking around, realising that she was the only woman there,

"Who's this then?" he took Meimei's hand and kissed it, looking up at her, "Your sister?"

"Um…" The kissing of his lover's hand annoyed him, "She's my lover" he held her hand,

"Ah . . . you have done well. She's purely beautiful, see you later tonight Kiku. Your room is number 214" Alfred turned to Meimei, "And mine is 219 if you need me" he winked and he walked away. Meimei turned to Kiku,

"Did he just hit on me?" she asked Kiku,

"I think so" Kiku nodded, "But you are mine right?" he asked,

"Of course"

Then the bell rang and the sound of the receptionist stopped everybody,

"COULD EVERYBODY PLEASE GO TO THEIR ROOMS TO GET READY, THE NIGHT BALL STARTS IN THREE HOURS. REPEAT THREE HOURS THANK YOU!" Then the click of the microphone stopped and everybody formally went to their rooms to change.