-Begin A/N -

*deep breath* Um…Hi there! *dodges tomatoes* No, wait! I can explain my absence for the last…*calculates* um…more than a year and a half *looks down guiltily*

First things first. I would like to take a moment to apologize for not updating. It's been an awful year and half for me (and a bit of a depressing one). Believe me; out of all the things going on in my life, fan fiction was far from my thoughts. And I'll admit, I was avoiding it too. I don't want to give you my sob-story, but I was being so use to being a disappointment and disappointed I sorta gave up on the whole writing business. I was actually planning on deleting the story, but then I started to reread some of the reviews and realized if I am such a big disappointment in real life, I could at least not disappoint my supporting fans.

Sorry and thanks all of you guys and supporting this story and reviewing! ^_^ I love you all!~ *hug*

(SKIP IF YOU WANT) Second thing: Since it has been…a year and a half I would like to summarize all that's happened so far:

China loves Russia and wants Russia to love him back. The only problem is that Russia is in love with someone else, America. Russia is completely oblivious to the fact that China loves him and thinks they are just good friends. During an Allies Meeting, America gets mad at Russia over a trivial thing and breaks up with him and as it turns out, was only using Russia to get England to notice him. Russia is hurt and China takes the opportunity to get closer to Russia. Russia continually brings him closer and pushes him away, afraid to love him back yet bringing him flowers, being nice, etc. During the next World Meeting, Belarus knows about China and decides to get Russia for herself but Russia tells her he loves China. Belarus, furious by this, goes to the World Meeting before Russia and 'punishes' China. Russia sees him and after the meeting, explains to China that he is confused and lost, he did all those nice things out of pity, and feels nothing for him. China, heartbroken, goes home and to find the destruction of his kitchen.

That sounded so crappy _|||/orz, I'm sorry, I really suck at summaries. Sorry!

And now, the next chapter *dundundun* Hope you guys enjoy it!

-End A/N-

China's POV

"I'll deal with you guys later aru," I snarled menacingly before leaving the wreck –which once was my beautiful kitchen. They flinched, heads bowed, not one daring yo look up at me. I slammed the door loudly.

I admit I was playing it up aru. But at the same time, it takes a lot for my family to quake in fear by even me making eye contact with them. I chuckled to myself.

I walked down the busy street speculating all the shops and stores. Some people bowed, others nodded respectively at me. I faked smiles and greeted them back though my head was aching at the new problem my family created. Should I just buy dinner? How do I fix the kitchen? Who do I call? What would happen if I couldn't get dinner? What if they burn the whole house down when I get back? What if-

I groaned, stopping, and rubbed my forehead. Tonight's dinner. That's what I should worry about for now. And tomorrow call architects to rebuild my kitchen from scratch.

I walked into the nearby market to get vegetables to stir fry but then realized I had no stove. I guess I could just get food to go at some restaurant that caters aru. I walked into one that looked plausible though it was overcrowded and busy. There were a few benches scattered around and I sat down on one, deciding to wait it out a while until it cleared up more.

I felt myself tremble. And right after I talked to Russia too. Couldn't they be a little more understanding? They saw what went on in the world meeting and with Russia and even after all this aru…I wrapped arms tightly around my waist, feeling a mixture of sadness and anger.

They were so getting it when I went back home. Korea especially. How could they destroy the kitchen of all places?! The kitchen aru! In a family as large as ours with even bigger appetites haven't they realized the importance of the kitchen? The kitchen was the most important room of the whole damn house! Maybe a wok could be salvaged aru… I wonder if they burned all my knives-

"Hello China," A woman greeted me. I didn't look up.

"Go away aru," I muttered, rubbing my forehead.

"Excuse me," The woman replied sharply. I looked up.

"Oh, Belarus aru!" I jumped up slightly. This day could not get any worse, could it aru?

"Yea," Her eyes narrowed. I flinched as she sat down next to me.

"How did you find me here aru?" I asked, looking around the crowded street.

"Your family told me," She said, leaning back against the bench, glaring at every passerby that looked at us.

"Really, aru?" I replied casually.

"Of course not! I stalked you," She rolled her eyes, like it was the most obviously normal thing in the world. Then again, she was Russia's sister aru. I shuddered involuntarily.

"Oh…" I frowned, looking away.

"I wanted to talk to you," She said seriously, "Privately,"

"I was just about to get dinner for my family aru, why don't we talk inside?" I asked, gesturing towards the restaurant. The crowd had thinned a fair amount. She shrugged and stood up, walking inside.

"Table for two aru," I told the hostess. She eyed Belarus for a moment before nodding.

"Your server will arrive shortly," She said, handing us the menus before helping other people. Belarus opened the menu.

"So what did you want to talk about aru?" I asked anxiously.

"I'm starving," She noted, examining the menu, "and thirsty," She muttered

"Why don't you try a soup aru?" I asked nonchalantly, seeing she wasn't going to 'talk' for anytime soon.

"I'll get wonton soup then," She put the menu down. I read the catering menu and for my family and beef noodle soup for me now.

After our food was served and the waitress left Belarus picked up a spoon and started eating.

"Eat," She ordered.

"I'm not hungry aru," I looked away. She glared at me and I picked up my spoon as well.

She drank some water and cleared her throat. "Let me tell you about my day," She said. I frowned confused, "So this morning, I decided to marry my brother today," She started off nonchalantly.

I froze but continued eating.

"I wanted him to forget about you, forget about America," She said, her eyes getting dark, "I could tell he still loved America, and I hated to see him hurt. And you…I thought you were going to be exactly the same, and I could never allow my brother to get hurt ever again. So marrying him today seemed like what was best for him and me. He didn't love me, I was well aware of that. There was no way he could get hurt. I would never hurt him. It would work out perfectly," She explained with her twisted logic.

I felt my stomach twist uneasily, not feeling hungry anymore, "Maybe after a while he would learn to love me…" She stared off, seeming distant.

"R-really aru?" I asked faintly.

"Yes, I was trying to explain this to him," She said. Her eyes started to water, "But then he said he loved you," She snarled angrily, her fists clenched. I gasped startled as the glass soup spoon she was holding broke in half.

"Oops," She muttered, examining her palm for any cuts. I handed her my spoon wordlessly and picked up chopsticks instead, "Thanks,"

"Loves me aru?" I asked weakly. I knew it was stupid, but my heart fluttered when she said that.

Russia loves me aru. That sounded so right, so perfect.

"I was outraged. Hadn't he learned from America?" She said, trembling, "You had to be punished. It was unfair. I wanted to scare you so much you would be afraid to love him," She grinned slightly. I flinched.

"B-but then…" Her voice trailed off and became smaller. She suddenly looked sad and vulnerable. She looked normal.

"I realized that…you two….were perfect for each other. As much as I didn't want to admit it, it was true," She blinked, "All the faults I found in America; too needy, too afraid, too childish, too fake," She gritted her teeth, "And his food was so tasteless," She took a sip of her soup before closing her eyes and inhaled a deep breath, "But I couldn't find anything like that I you; you could take care of him, be there, be real for him. What he needs,"

"So as much as it pains me," She said in a lighter tone, grinning suddenly, "It would hurt me more if I didn't bother trying to help you rather than to wallow in self pity," I put down my chopsticks.

"You don't have to aru," I said in a low voice, staring at my lap.

"This isn't the time to be humble and modest, China," She said.

"It's pointless aru," I muttered.

"What?" She asked.

"There's no point, B-Belarus aru," I said in a louder voice, "I told you he feels nothing for me, why can't we leave it at that? I'll wallow in self pity aru. Besides, time fixes all wounds aru."

She looked at me bored, "So you are going to betray me like that?" She challenged, "Time can fix wounds but they can make them worse. Even if they heal you can't forget. A memory can't be fixed and a memory can't change," She twisted my words.

"..."

"Think of it this way, I want to help my Nii-san, not you,"

I didn't respond and sighed, allowing my shoulders to haunch.

"Good soup by the way," She added, "I didn't know your food was this good,"

"Xie Xie aru," I halfheartedly smiled.

A/N *sweatdrop* Sorry, I'm not Chinese so I don't really know much about the food. Thank goodness for Google! :'D

Again, readers, I apologize for my absence and would thank you all individually if I could. But I'm back and will be with another chapter, as fast as I can! Please Review!