"M-Mabuhay!" stuttered a young girl. "Kamusta ka?~"
"Aru~!" cheered the old man "Nihon, this is a friend of mine. I just call her MA-I but call her anyway you like, aru!"
"Mushi-Mushi watashiwa Nihon des, yuroshkun onegaite .." he greeted back shortly "Ettou.. What should I name you?."
"P-Pangalan?!" she was red all over. Was she sick? Or..
"Don't worry MA-I, aru" comforted the old man while pushing him in front of the girl. "I think he has a perfect name for you! Go on, aru~"
"N-Nani!?"
"R-Really po?!" she exclaimed. She took him by his little fingers and led him to the shores. "You have one for me po?
He blushed really hard and nodded slowly as to not excite the girl much. "H-Hai.."
"What is po then?~"
"Pearl of the Orient Seas.."
"Piri-tan.." Japan stared at the nearby window.
He ignored that England was once more strangling France to death and Russia bullying the Baltics.
"You've been quiet lately, Kiku.." whispered Greece as he stroked his new stray cat. The furry little brown kitten was purring against his lap.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked. "Kiku? Kiku?"
"Hmm?" said Japan absentmindedly. "Gomenesai, I was thinking about someone.."
"Someone?" echoed Greece. "Like who?"
Japan immediately blushed and he shifted his chair uncomfortably.
"I-It is nobody! Umm- I was r-remembering..-err worrying...Ettou!"
"WAAH! You're red like a tomato!" commented Italy. He grinned like an idiot and waved his arms in the air.
"A-Am not!"
"Ano nangyari kay Japan?" said a familiar voice. Kiku turned around to see a startled Philippines who was shielding herself with an organizer from England's scone tantrums.
"Ciao Mariella~!" smiled Italy. "Japan is blushing!"
"Well, that's something you don't see everyday po~" agreed Philippines."Usually, you'd only nod or smiled po! This is great news!"
"So Japan, who is it then~?" intrigued Italy.
"B-Both of you have the wrong idea!"
"Mrow~" answered Greece's cat.
"Apu-Apu!" cried MA-I quickly grab the young man's arm and faced him with her best smile. His tanned- face was strongly-built for war but his eyes gleamed with childish joy. He patted her head and smiled widely.
"Kamusta ka munti?!" he smirked. "And it's Lapu-Lapu. Aren't you suppose to be studying with the babaylans?"
"How are you?!" asked MA-I, ignoring his questions . "How was the barter?! Was Ate Indonesia strict with you?! Is the weather fine on little Juan's place? Did tiyo China called you? Do you want to eat? Have you seen Pepe lately? Did Juan send you an-"
"HOLD IT! HOLD IT!" laughed Lapu-Lapu. He lifted MA-I up from the ground and pinched her nose. "You're so noisy! You might wake up the sleeping diwatas!
"No I won't!" she tugged on Lapu-Lapu's red bandana. She stared at the small anthill beside the nipa hut.
A faint green light surrounded the base of the anthill. MA-I just needed to squint a bit to see a little lady with a white dress curling herself to sleep. She was wearing a light heavenly dress with her wings drifting to sleep as well. Her blue eyes and sweet face were smiling towards hers.
"See!" MA-I pointed. "The diwata doesn't mind it all~"
"Ha?! What are you babbling about again MA-I?" asked Lapu-Lapu while facing the direction where MA-I was looking."All I see is a ratty- one hundred year old raja with freakin huge nose an-"
"Do you want me to cut your throat?" growled Datu Puti as he pulled out his newly sharpened bolo.
Lapu-Lapu gulped and smiled at the threat. "Some Lumbanog before I die then!"
"Ehh! But you just got here!" whined MA-I still focused on the green diwata smiling on them. Lapu-Lapu patted her head and gave her another boost lift.
Datu Puti sighed and returned his bolo to its sheath. "You still have some nerve to back alive from that trip" he commented while putting out his hand.
"Heck yeah old man!" he shook Datu Puti's hand while still holding MA-I."I still have news about that"
"I see.." Datu Puti's face darkened and he put his hand against his chin. He saw MA-I concerned face and then smiled again. "I suppose you still have a room for a celebration?"
"And still have a life to spare for a feast!" he pointed to his stomach. "Oh and MA-I I have some of the mangoes your Kuya gave me."
"SALAMAT!" MA-I ran out of Lapu-Lapu's arms and held his hand.
"AND I BROUGHT SOME NIYOGS FOR THE WINE!" yelled Lapu-Lapu while walking away back to the farms. He stared back at Datu Puti who was thinking deeply. And his grey eyes were deeply troubled.
"You coming old man?!"
Datu Puti regained his smile and waved back to MA-I and Lapu-Lapu. "Be there soon. MA-I don't go to mischief!"
"OPO!" MA-I smiled. She turned once more to see the small diwata streched her arms.
"(Ika'y maghanda..) Be ready.." yawned the diwata. "(Marami pa ang darating na pag-subok sa iyong buhay..) More challenges are coming your life..."
"I understand.." whispered MA-I gripping Lapu-Lapu's hand. "Thanks little fairy.."
"Hm?" wondered Lapu-Lapu aloud.
"N-Nothing!" blushed MA-I and whispered to the diwata one last time "Thanks for not getting angry with me disturbing you, diwata"
The diwata nodded to MA-I with the acknowledgement.
"(Ika'y aking bibigyan ng permisyo upang gambaliin ako. Sapagkat di araw-araw nakikita ko, ang perlas ng Silangan) You are given permission to disturb my slumber, for not every day shall I see the Pearl of the Orient sea." whispered the diwata as she disappeared within the anthill.
WAAH! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT CAME OUT SO PERFECTLY!
England: Hmm.. I'd like to see more of Piri-tan's creatures if you don't mind in the next chapters..
NO PROBLEM! -gleams evily-
~Reviews are requested~