People milled around the dark haired nation and he took the moment to pause and watch them as they passed. Normally when upset, Japan was more likely to remain at home and beneath a blanket than be outside, but something pulled him to see his citizens. Everyone was busy and looking to reach their destinations quickly, sparing him little more than a glance as they passed and disappeared with the crowds.

Things had been changing ever since he joined the Western nations and even more so now. Everything he loved and had worked so hard to protect was here just before him, but doubts were beginning to creep into his thoughts. Maybe he hadn't done enough?

Italy's demands were growing expectantly higher and a rift seemed to have formed after his attempt to convince them that Prussia had been kidnapped. Once they had been friends, however now it felt more like they were co-workers. Or possibly more accurately would be like employer and employee. As much as spending with America on the same side once again, the dynamics were different and so would their relationship. He was going to have to do what Italy needed of him.

He looked once more to those here with him and sighed. Closing his eyes, he uttered a small and barely audible prayer. If more change was needed, he wished he would be able to find a way to do so.

It was the silence that got to him first. Moments ago there had been noise of the crowds, but now there was nothing. Dark brown eyes opened and widened as he took everything in. The people were still there, but were frozen in the midst of their activities.

Pop.

Normally something that quiet would have gone unnoticed, but it sounded louder with sudden stillness. He turned, seeing the British angel standing just before him and began to question Western sanity. This was the same person who visited him and spent half his time running around chasing voices only he could hear. He found it best to simply let England believe in whatever he wished.

"I am Britannia Angel!" England announced with a little more grandeur than was likely needed. Japan nodded a bit to go along with it. "And I am here to grant you a wish!"

"A wish, England?" Japan repeated slowly. "Does it matter what sort of wish?"

"Britannia Angel and no, it can be anything." The thickly browed angel struck a dignified pose that was missed entirely by the other nation.

"Oh, sumimasen Britannia Angel." Japan gave a short bow and made a mental note to see if he could ask America's opinion of this strange behaviour later. Perhaps this was some sort of tradition he didn't know of? "Shall I make my wish now?"

"Yes, if you are ready." The blonde began his needed preparations, pulling out a wand that had Japan pause to be intrigued with how it had been done.

"Then I will tell you my wish." He sighed and took a moment to glance at the crowd around him. He needed to figure how that was done after whatever was happening now with England. "I have had a wish for a while now to be able to get along with everyone now that I have joined the rest of the world. I thought that I had been able to do so, but now it seems they have changed." His eyes focused away as he spoke, careful to avoid looking at the angel as best he could. "Perhaps my wish now is that I am able to change to meet their needs."

He would have questioned the other's words about how he would take care of it had he not blacked out shortly after it was spoken.

A man walking down the street noticed someone lying on the ground and ran over to help. Dark red eyes blinked slowly as they opened and cast a momentary glance to his surroundings before getting to his feet. The man thought it fairly rude that no pleasantries were spoken out of the stranger, especially after he had received aid from another. The only thing said was how the odd man grimaced and noted how boring things were there before turning and heading towards the capital.

Something felt off and it had England worried. Normally he wouldn't be making trips with so much going on, but he need to make sure he had an ally he could trust. The journey to China's place was long, but the necessity made him overlook the discomfort from traveling.

China didn't seem to agree with his urgency.

First it took what felt like ages for China to even answer his door, something that wore through England's patience and quickly made him more irritable than usual. When China's head finally stuck his head out he needed a moment to register what he was seeing.

China's hair lay in a short jagged mess surround his face, the longest bottom edges barely brushing against his jaw and appearing as though someone had simply taken a knife to his ponytail without taking much care with it. His brown eyes appeared dull and glassy and it took a few seconds for them to find and focus on his visitor. "England?" he slurred, leaning against the door frame. "Why are you here?"

The initial shock wore off and already the Brit was glaring. "Why? If you answered any of your messages I wouldn't have to make this trip all the way here, you twit!"

"Oh…" China scratched his head, "I might have seen something… Remind me what they were?"

"About our need to regroup and strategize?"

"With what?"

England ground his teeth together. "Are you going to help?"

The other nation snorted. "Do it yourself."

"Listen here," England seethed, "Like it or not, we are in this together. Things have been going downhill lately, but we can still pull this back together. If one of us goes out, the other will too. We need to not give up now! Are you going to help or not?!"

China's eyes had glazed over and it wasn't until England cleared his throat in an irritated fashion that the brunette blinked and asked him, "What?"

England went home that day feeling less settled about the situation and more pissed off than usual.

AN: An update? So soon? What...?