Chapter 4

A/N: Holy crapola! I'm updating really quick! ..yeah, that's because I don't have much to do, and school holidays are usually boring.

Japan's POV

"I am you." he responded, adding an evil chuckle at the end. "Though I'm not as worthless and weak as you."

"N-Nani? [What] I-I'm not weak! I-"

"Sure, sure. I don't have time for your little speeches. Listen, I guess I can make an exception, and thank you for finally awakening me. Though it took you long enough."

"W-What do you mean? I have no idea what you're talking about! I-I don't know you-"

"You don't? Please, you know me all too well. I'm you, remember? Oh, but I don't use that pathetic name 'Kiku'. I'm Kuro. Make sure it gets through your thick skull."

"K-Kuro...? What exactly do you want, then..?"

"How rude. Not that I care. You're the one that called me, what do you want? It's up to you.. Actually, I changed my mind. You have to let me take over. I mean, with a weak mind like yours, you're never going to teach that bastard a lesson. Alfred, was it?" I flinched back, shocked at how much he knew.

"H-How do you know all that!?" I asked, gaining more curious as we conversed.

"I would love to use that 'I am you' trick again, but I'm afraid you wouldn't like me telling fibs. I took over long enough earlier to know exactly how you feel."

"Took over? What do you mean..?" Kuro sighed.

"You really are stupid.. okay, so, I'll put it simply for a newbie like you. I am your 2P. I'm pretty much the other side of you that you refuse to show. The feelings you hide and push aside. Everyone has one, it's just up to them to awaken them. Most of the time though, it doesn't happen on purpose. Anyway, so you pretty much brought me to life yesterday, when you found out about that... China guy's situation. When I take over, I completely control your body, and you just sit back and watch. So pretty much, at-"

"Okay wait, that's enough." I interrupted. I didn't want to seem even more inferior to this guy, so I figured I could put things together on my own. I compared the information I just received with the knowledge I already had.

'So, when he takes over he completely controls me..? There must of been a time I couldn't control myself.. Wait.. the desk slamming? I guess I wasn't losing any energy at all, and couldn't really tell if I was being controlled because I wasn't moving much before that. And my eyes..!' I glanced up at Kuro to confirm my theory. He indeed had deep red eyes, like the colour I assumed I had when I felt the rage building up. I nodded my head, deducing that as the moment he 'took over'.

"The desk slamming, right? It must have been then." I asked, with my hand cupping my chin. His smirk only grew bigger.

"Heh. I guess you're not that stupid after all. I'll give you that. Now, do me a favour. It felt good to finally get out there and do something, didn't it? Everyone listened intently- including that Yong Soo guy, which as you know is quite the feat. Now I ask of you- let me take over- Release me! Let me control Japan for you. You won't regret it. What do you say?" he offered, sticking his hand out. Amazingly, his hand pushed through the glass liek it was a liquid somehow defying gravity. As he lured me closer, his grin grew wider and his firm stance faltered a little. It sounded great. It sounded perfect. Almost, too good to be free.. If anime has taught me anything, it's that equivalent exchange is a necessary part of life.

"...what's the catch?" I questioned, eyeing him with my head at a slight angle.

"The catch? My, would you really suspect me of such a dirty trick?" He pushed his hand further out of the glass, his whole body following behind. I stared at it, full with doubt, but reached for it anyway. Just as our hands were about to touch, I froze, quickly reconsidering my decision.

'He's my... 2P isn't he? My left over negative feelings.. if this is true, then that means he's full of lies, tricks and whatever else I despise.. I can't trust some like that! What am I doing? It's up to myself to achieve things!'

Kuro stared down at my stationary hand in confusion. I glanced up at him, our eyes meeting, and for once, not sending a chill down my spine. 'Maybe I was wrong...'

"Of course you would suspect me." he blurted out of no where. His smile returned. "You should."

Suddenly, Kuro grasped my hand, and pulled me into the mirror with intense force. At the same time, he used the momentum to pull himself into the real world. He turned around to face me again, laughing.

"Maybe you really are as stupid as I first thought! Ahaha!" he teased. My head got angry, and I felt my fists clench together, but unlike at the eariler meeting, no burning feeling was felt anywhere. 'What..? I thought maybe... it would.. come back...?' I heard my 2P's laughter echo louder.

"You're forgetting I'm what makes up your negative feelings, you dumbass. No random evil force will come and help you defeat me, 'coz that force is me!" He examined his surroundings, pulling a face of disgust. "Gee, this place looks way too happy and full of hope than I would of imagined. Well, I'm not you and I don't waste time, so I'm gonna go off and explore this mess of a house. Sayonara, baka Kiku-san. [Goodbye, stupid Kiku]" With a final wave of his hand, Kuro walked off and disappeared out of sight. In a hurry, I quickly raced towards the glass of the mirror, smashing my hands against it. Unlike earlier, it was solid glass.

"Damn you! C-Come back here, right now! Kuso! Daikirai na![Dammit, I hate you]" I lowered my arms as they began to lose energy. I looked down at the floor in defeat. I turned around, and slid down the glass until I was sitting. I pulled my knees close to my body and wrapped my arms around them, keeping them in place. Finally, I rested my head between them as a million thoughts scattered around my head. As if today had been a rollercoaster of a day already..

. . .

"Oi, don't get too comfortable yet, you pest. You're infecting that room already." I heard a deep voice call behind me, and pounding of glass. I turned my head as far as I could, and after realising it was Kuro, I stoof up and turned to face him.

"What is it now?" I asked as harshly as possible. He lifted one of his arms in defense, while the other one held a small phone.

"Hey, it started buzzing, okay? I didn't want to 'intimidate your little baby friends too much' so I came back. Here, take it." Kuro effortlessly pushing his hand with the phone through the glass again, creating ripples around it. I blinked in disbelief before hesitantly taking my phone and answering it.

"M-Moshi moshi, K-Kiku speaking." I stuttered, curious as to who 'Blocked' was, and why they were calling.

"Oh, about time. It's Elizaveta. I'd like to thank you for what you did at the meeting today firstly, but there is some important news I hear you really need to know." I sighed in relief. Thank god, it wasn't something too worrying. I glanced up at Kuro to see what he was doing, but he was distracted by all of the anime merchandise in my room to even care.

"Hai, [Yes] go on."

"I'm not sure you should sound so hopeful, Kiku. It's actually bad on your half, I think. I don't know exactly what drove him, but Ivan has already organised a group and has already broken China's tough security behind your back. He says he's on his way to Yao's house immediately, and doesn't want anyone outside the group to get involved." I sat in complete silence. This just added to the stress I was already feeling. "...um... hello..?" Elizaveta called. Her high voice snapped me back to reality.

"U-Uh, yes, I'm still here!.. I'm just... I can't believe it..."

"I'm sorry you had to hear this.. really. I just thought it would be better to tell you now than for you to find out later.." As the Hungarian continued, I thought about all of the posibilities.

'Kuso! [Dammit] Of all things to happen... of all people! It had to be him, didn't it? The only reason I brought it up earlier was because I wanted some assistance.. back-up.. not for someone else to do it all for me! Why can't I just be there for Yao-san when he needs it the most? Even if I do fly over to Beijing, I'm sure Ivan will crush me to pieces as soon as he sees me. If only-'

"Why worry? You can always cowardly surrender and I'll do it for you. As long as I get my dose of blood, screaming and torture I'll be content." Kuro interrupted, completely driving my thoughts elsewhere.

'It would be nice to have Kuro fight for me but even if he manages to hold off Ivan, it would be impossible for him to look after Yao-san, even for the slightest bit. I don't think I would be able to gain my body back either...' At that moment, it hit me.

"Hold on for a second, Elizaveta-san." I ordered, covering the microphone on the mobile with my hand, and placing it lower. "Kuro, what do I have to do to regain control over my body?" I asked eagerly. He grinned.

"You thinking of doing something, smart guy? It'll take a lot more than words to persuade me to give up being in control, Kiku-san." he teased, crossing his arms in front of his chest. My plans completely shattered. "Though if I get tired of your weak world I might consider it. Depends on how much blood shed I get to do. And how satisfied I am." he added. My plan suddenly reformed with this new information. I had it! Finally, a way to show how much I can do. I removed my hand from my phone, freeing the microphone, and put it back up against my ear.

"Elizaveta-san? Are you there?"

"Kiku? O-Oh, yes, what is it?"

"I've come up with a plan. If there was a 30% chance of success, would you try it with me?"

"30%!? Kiku, that's really low you know-"

"It's better than 0%. Plus, the harder you work, the greater the percentage gets. I know you won't fail me.. right? Come on, this is for the best of Yao-san."

"..eh... alright then. Just because I know he doesn't like Ivan, and I'm rooting for you instead! This isn't dangerous, right?" I paused.

"... no guarantees."

"Kiku!"

"G-Gomennasai! I-I just really don't want Yao-san to fall into the wrong hands!.."

"... hahaha.. of course you don't. That's a special 'friendship' you have there!"

"W-What's that supposed to mean!?"

"Don't worry about it. Just let me hear this not-so-trustworthy plan of yours."

"Eto.. [Umm] okay.."

A/N: Not the best ending I've had, but it'll do. Oh yeah, have you noticed what I'm doing with the chapter names? They all have whatever number chapter it is in the title for convenience. E.g, the first chapter is The firstdays it began, second chapter is The Second It Struck..(Hey,it sounds cool too and it suits the chapters!) Haha, haah...

Don't hesitate to leave feedback and criticism, especially with my Japanese and Chinese. It helps me out a lot and improves future chapters.

Ja, mata!