Sorry Guys I don't have internet for a while.. hope this makes up for it.

Now for some insane updating...

The Beginning of Something

Japan leaned back in the chair, basking in the hot Arizona sun. After a few days of living with the Hardgrave's, he was starting to heal. However, there were still bandages on his arms and chest.

"Lady get back here!"

Japan opened his eyes and saw Eva running after he dog, a yellow lab, who was trying to escape a bath. The dog had the hose in her mouth that was spurting water everywhere.

Japan suppressed a laugh as Eva wrenched the hose away from the dog, getting drenched in water. He couldn't help but think about the last few days.

Eva was the only one he actually felt comfortable with. She took care of him, and seemed to understand him more than anyone else he had ever met, which was saying a lot. Her siblings were wary of him and they avoided him whenever possible. He got along well with her parents, although they didn't really talk much. Japan was never one for talking.

Eva, giving up on bathing the uncooperative dog, came and sat in the chair next to him, rubbing her face with a towel. Japan found himself staring at her and realizing this, forced himself to look away. Although he had to admit that he was attracted to her.

"Don't think like that," he scolded himself.

"So, Kiku," Eva said.

Japan flinched slightly at the use of his human name and looked at her.

'How old are you?" she asked.

'Well, that's a new question," he thought. He looked away and stared off into the middle distance, thinking about what to tell her.

"Why do you want to know?" he finally asked. He thought he saw her blush.

"No reason," she said.

He stared at her, intrigued by her reaction to him. She blushed and looked away. He continued staring at her, although he wasn't quite sure why.

She glanced at him, still blushing.

"Why are you staring at me?" she asked him.

He felt his face heat up and he turned away.

"No reason," he said softly.

They sat there for a moment, the awkward silence becoming a wall between them. Japan was filled with a sudden desire to break that wall.

Suddenly, Eva began to cough, which slowly turned into a coughing fit.

"Eva are you okay?" Japan asked. He reached out automatically and grabbed her arm.

Eva coughed one more time before leaning back against the chair.

"I'm fine," she said weakly.

Japan didn't believe her so he pressed his hand against her forehead. He didn't even need a thermometer.

"You have a fever," he told her, his expression serious.

"Do not," she protested. She started couching again.

"You need to go inside," he said firmly.

"Yes, Mother," she said sarcastically but she let him help her to her feet. She lost her footing on the first step and fell back against Japan's chest.

Now Japan has serious personal space issues and under normal circumstances, would have pushed her away immediately. However, in his heart, whether he knew it or not, Eva meant something to him. This caused him to allow her to lean against him.

"Thanks," she mumbled as she stood back up. He felt a sudden burst of disappointment.

"No problem," he said.

Once he was certain that she was safe in bed he went into the living room with the intention of watching some television. However, everything just reminded him of Eva. He turned it off in frustration and laid face down on the couch, ignoring the pain in his arms and chest as they protested. He buried his face in a pillow, trying to block out images of Eva's smiling face that were threatening to overwhelm him.

When did this happen? He thought. When did I begin to care for her like this?

He gave a small snort of laughter.

Then again, when did I ever feel anything like this before?

Out loud he whispered, "What's wrong with me?" into the pillow that couldn't answer back.

He stayed like that for a long time until the pain in his arms and chest forced him onto his back.

"What's with you?"

Japan opened his eyes and turned to stare at Ed, Eva's little brother. They had very similar features, same eyes, blonde hair, and look about them. He looked away.

"Nothing," he said dully.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever you say," he said in a disinterested tone.

"Don't take this the wrong way but don't you have homework or something?" Japan asked curiously.

"It's summer break," Ed said this like it should be obvious.

"You don't have summer homework?" asked Japan.

"Not usually," Ed said, his tone of voice suggesting that he was getting bored.

Sensing this Japan didn't respond. He closed his eyes and after a minute or so Ed left. He opened his eyes again and stared at the ceiling, Eva creeping back into his mind again. He found himself fighting with emotions he didn't recognize, or understand.

"Hey are you awake Kiku?" Emily, the family's middle child, poked her head into the room.

"Yeah," Japan suppressed his irritation. After all he was relying on this family for a while.

She hesitated before asking, "Can I ask you something?"

He sat up, leaning on his elbows despite the pain of doing so.

"Ask me anything," he told her.

To Japan she looked nervous. Suddenly she blurted out, "Do you like my sister?"

Japan, shocked by the unexpected question, blushed in spite of himself and looked away.

"What would make you think that?" he asked.

"Just the way you act around her, that's all," Emily smiled at him.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," he said, confused.

Emily gave him a knowing smile and Japan stared at her with a blank expression as she walked out of the room.