Questions and Snow Demons

England paced in the room endlessly.

His brother was mocking him and making a fool of him. He saw that cocky, sadistic grin. It was a common facial expression for Scotland. It also usually meant something bad was going to happen, usually to the poor Englishman.

His brother was born a wild animal and grew into a fighter and a warrior. His country had only begun experiencing it first proper peace within itself in many millennia. Civil wars used to be common and he was constantly fighting with England and the other brothers.

Violence was natural for him.

The blonde began thinking that maybe he should just let his brother go.

Russia had been right. The brothers only fight. Maybe he would be happier if they no longer talked….

Then why did he demand that England gave him a reason? Did he secretly wish to stay?

That seemed unlikely…

Scotland had been acting a lot kinder in the last couple of years since he got his own parliament again in 1999 though. He thought that their relationship was beginning to change for the better after that. Sometimes the redhead had an outburst but it was rare now.

Under century ago was much, much worst. Scotland was nearly always moody or sadistic and he took every opportunity to beat up England as violently as possible. It had been a brutal time before 1999, Scotland was frustrated at his lack of freedom and he took it out on the blonde making the blonde try and restrict Scotland even more. It was a bad cycle.

Nowadays, he seemed more content and satisfied. But was that enough to keep his brother in the UK?

England frowned. He doubted it for some reason.

England thought more.

If that arrogant, heartless smirk was the Scotsman's most usual expression then an angry frown was his second. He got angry at strange things. Being called 'Scotch', people making fun of his kilt, being completely sober….

Little things like that.

One big reason though, may be that he does not like the fact that his own people have, generally, to leave Scotland to find work and/or seek promotion. (A/N at end + a boast)

England scowled at the excuse.

Maybe he could point out that his Scottish educational system would fall?

Would he accept that?

Maybe?

He texted it to Scotland. A reply came back instantly.

'Nee.'

He texted another reason. 'More of your people will be forced to emigrate.'

'Nee'

'Are you going to accept any of my reasons?'

'Aye but only if they are gud enuff'

He glared at nothing in particular.

Stupid Scotland!

Maybe he should just let Russia take him! That way he wouldn't have to deal with that bloody wanker! Bloody red head!

…

No matter how much he thought that…

He just couldn't…

For some strange reason, he could just not let his brother go like this…

Why?

They hated each other….

Right?...

He should be happy that Scotland is possibly leaving forever…

So why did he feel so crappy about it?...

Elsewhere with the others

Russia saw that Scotland was fed up with the poor excuses that England kept texting. They were all impersonal, country and political related things apparently.

He watched his red head slid the phone back into his pocket before turning and asking him if there was anywhere he wanted to go anywhere in particular. His red haired pet was so thoughtful and kind to him.

It seemed that France had picked his capital city as a good place to stay the night. Scotland looked happy that France had done this. Sometimes the blonde was a surprisingly very good friend.

To Russia's annoyance though, France refused to go drinking with the tall man in the end but he said he would agree to go somewhere public. (Where murdering one French man would be hard) Russia didn't know any attractions in Scotland though so he had no idea where he could go so the others discussed possibilities.

He watched the two converse intimately. He felt a twang of intense jealously directed at the unwitting Frenchman and was suddenly wishing he could just end the blonde's annoying life bloodily.

Someone soon mentioned Edinburgh castle and so they found themselves inside the famous castle.

They had gotten in for free, despite some difficulties when France was recognised as an active molester that had been kicked out repeatedly before, and now they were trooping around the ancient castle.

Russia was fascinated by the size and sights. The strange position of the aged castle built in 1130 in the middle of a busy, modern city on top of an extinct volcano was interesting and beautiful.

Scotland briefly explained the history and answered any questions on it, offering more information and detail than the tour guides.

France looked happy to be in the castle as well, though he was nearly kicked out when an attempted flirt ended badly. About 12:45 though, someone interrupted Russia's peaceful day with his potential pet red head (plus France, though Russia was plotting of how to get rid of him.) with a low gentle laugh.

The trio looked up at the height of a huge 50ft stone wall. Standing on top of it was a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair, inhumanly pale and translucent skin and red lips wearing a white kimono. She held a white paper umbrella, shielding her from the sun. She waved at them slightly.

"Konnichiwa."

She smiled a little at them, appearing rather meek and mild. Iain glared at her while the other two stared at her with their mouths agape at her beauty. France drooled slightly.

She stepped off the wall and drifted to the ground like she was snow. She didn't seem to even touch the ground, like she had no feet. She gave a short bow to them. She turned to Russia, only 1 inch shorter than him.

"It is nice to meet you again."

"Again?" The tall man had no recollection of ever meeting such a strange, enticing women.

"Yesterday while I was taking shelter in Scotland-san's home. Did you already forget my touch?" Her voice expressed a small sadness.

She stroked a hand along his arm and shots of frostiness burst into him. His eyes widened as he recognised it as the grip of the mysterious being that grabbed his shoulder the day before. The ice disappeared and he blinked as he realised that Scotland was holding her hand away from Russia.

"Oyuki, I allow sanctuary tae visiting creatures from other countries but only if they dinnae threaten meh friends and family."

Ice had travelled up his arm to his elbow, coating the dark blue hoodie he now wore with thick frost, still moving up to his shoulder. He hissed a little at the cold as it reached his vulnerable neck and his jugular vein. He threw her hand away from him and the ice melted away instantly, leaving the fabric damp.

Oyuki looked around herself suddenly as if seeing other people there. She frowned slightly as she saw dozens of other invisible fae and mythical creatures appear to watch the potential fight or defend Scotland. She tilted her head down politely, letting her long white hair fall forward.

"I apologise, Russia-san."

"You know who I am, da?"

"Hai. My species favour the domains of General Winter. I am a Yuki-onna, a Japanese snow demon." She gave another slight bow. "I travelled from Japan-san to Canada-san and decided to travel across the salty waters to this side of the world, visiting the snowy countries of this latitude." She glanced at the glaring red head and nodded at him in acknowledgement.

"Imagine my surprise though when I found a warm, wet country in the North though. I thought it would be covered in ice like Canada-san and Russia-san." She sounded truly surprised.

France rolled his eyes subtly. Scotland's weather could be warm in May and June but generally it was just in turmoil. If the weather got any more erratic, he would fear for his friend.

Scotland shrugged. "I haffa withstanding agreement with tha General courtesy tae meh mother."

Russia blinked in surprise. He knew that Moscow was on the same latitude with central Scotland but never questioned the lack of cold. It seemed obvious now.

Oyuki just hummed slightly, her beauty was still astounding. "With General Winter-sama? I understand then." She smiled more even though Scotland was still choosing to glare at her. "I'll be leaving now. I might visit you soon Russia-san."

She disappeared in a sudden flurry of snow, covering the men in white. Russia was watching Scotland who sighed huffily and crossed his arms. The white looked beautiful in his scarlet hair, highlighting how bright the red is. It melted surprisingly very slowly, gradually darkening it to the colour of deep blood.

France panicked though, distracting him from the disappearance of the gorgeous, tall woman.

"L'Ecosse! My hair! My clothes!"

"Yer bonnie France so wheesht." Scotland said with a sigh.

"Scotland."

"Aye?"

"Is what that ghost say was true? You have a deal with General Winter, da?"

"It is moor meh mother's deal than mine. I just inherited it."

"What is the deal?"

"Confidential but I can say that General Winter canne pass ova meh lands but neva live here." Scotland looked over Russia's entire height. "So ye believe in spirits and ghosts but nae fairies?"

"Da." Scotland gave a short laugh.

"Funny fer someone who was almost taken by two in tha last 24 hours."

"Hmmm?"

"Oyuki, though that was obvious and ye think she's a ghost, and Sorcha. She's a water nymph - a wraith of tha water. I think though she would be known as a rusalka in yer area though." Russia tilted his head to the side.

"Fish women?" Scotland shrugged. France glanced at Scotland.

"Are tu talking about mermaids, L'Ecosse?"

"Sorta. They live in rivers and fresh water and appear completely human though. You know – without tha tail.". France looked puzzled.

"Then why do they 'ave tails in paintings?"

"That's in tha sea. Tha ones that live in the sea have tails like fish."

"Vraiment?"

"Aye."

Russia giggled suddenly. The two turned and stared at him. Russia couldn't help it. The two had sounded so serious while talking about mere fairy tales.

"You two believe in mermaids, da?"

"Aye."

"Non."

France grinned and wrapped his arm around Scotland's shoulder in a too friendly way. He quickly removed it though after a tense smile from Russia.

"L'Ecosse 'as only believed in ze fairiez. Ohonhonhonhon. Tu would think 'e was un enfant."

"I'm aulder than ye, ye smart erse."

"Superstitious old monsieur." He said teasingly. Scotland laughed in reply.

"Cocky brat."

France opened his mouth to say another playful insult when a huge boom went off. The three spun around the see a small trail of smoke disperse in the breeze. Russia stared at it, surprised and confused, but with a wide creepy smile.

"A cannon,da?"

(A/N - Scots are traditionally better educated than the English and so are in demand out of Scotland plus the Scottish accent is highly valued in the stock market due to the fact that 80% of people are more likely to trust you if you have a Scottish accent. Strange huh? Also historically many Scots, like the Irish, had to emigrate to find work. Luckily, many of emigrants went to Canada though so Scotland and the partially visible blonde are surprisingly close.

On another note about Scotland having a better educational system, I did very well in my exams. I got a B in Higher English, Maths, Art, Chemistry and a A in Graph Com. My school got the best Hgher results in the Highlands.

Scotland is very interested in fairy tales and knows loads about them. He already knows almost everything about his country's fairy tales so studies other countries. France sometimes takes an interest when it includes women though.

His home already hosts a dozen of fae who live in his castle so he doesn't mind if some from other countries stay as well. They usually move on after a while. There is only one rule – Do not touch Scotland or his friends and family. Normal humans are okay though.

Most fae and mythical creatures are harmful to normal humans but it is in their nature to be. Scotland doesn't penalise them for being themselves. He dislikes them killings or hurting normal humans but won't act to stop it. He knows it sounds cruel and heartless but he couldn't stop them all anyway. He just lets them be and protects those close to him.)