Disclaimer: I do not own the anime, characters, maybe settings and a lot of other stuff that may be mentioned.
Ayumi Kudou: I'm glad you survived the hurricane. I do pray that their souls will rest in peace. There is no way that countries can forget about debts and such. Oh and it is spelled 'politics'. Anyway, If we forgot about all those things, our lives would not be in order and could be seperated by different ideas. Examples are in the US. Without laws and the government, the republican and democratic states would probably be at war or would seperate from the country and we would no longer be unified and there will be in chaos. Sorry, my politic-side is showing.
Guest (Tj99joy): I'm glad you really like my story. Out of curiosity, why do you ship them? It's amazing that there is another VietxNor shipper on here and I feel all happy and excited now. I would like to see a story with Viet-chan and Nor-kun other than myself and other harem stories like Why Her? If you do write it, please send a link to me! This rare shipping should be known by all! ^_^ I think I have a pairing for all the females but not two males each.
"Jiejie! You're home!" cried the Taiwanese girl as she ran up to Viet and hugged her. The Vietnamese woman hugged her back, glad to feel the warmth and friendliness of her family and home once again.
"Now, why would I die?" Viet asked. Mei giggled and let go of her older sister. Viet's brothers ran up to her and Mei a few minutes after. They began to talk to her rapidly and simultaneously that she was starting to get a headache. Well, at least she knew that they cared for her.
Seeing her stress, Kiku quieted everyone down. He then said to Viet, "Nee-chan, we're glad you are back safely. How do you feel?"
She gave a small smile. "Besides the headache that all of you have given me with your talking, I am doing well. I'm glad to be home with all of you again." She looked around and noticed that a ceratin Chinese was missing. "Where is Yao?" she asked.
"Like, he said that he needed to get some errands done and he wanted us to bring you home. He like said that he wouldn't have time to meet you here," explained Hong. Viet nodded her head in understanding.
"So, Noona, who is this guy you like?" asked Yong Soo excitedly.
"That's right! Who do you like Jiejie?" added Mei. Viet rubbed her fingers in circles on the sides of her head.
"It's not like that. I just remembered something that someone had said to me and I blushed. Even if I told you, we probably wouldn't meet again so I wouldn't worry about it if I were you," replied Viet, somewhat feeling guilty for lying to her siblings. Most of the time she told the truth unless it was something really personal and important. She believed that the situation she was in was something like that.
A falcon gave a loud screech. Viet looked up and slowly bringing up her right arm to her side. The falcon swooped down and flapped its wings, landing on her arm. The siblings looked at the majestic bird in awe with its glistening white and red feathers. "Haru, meet my family," said Viet somewhat excitedly.
Haru shuffled his feathers and with his telepathy, he told only Viet, "They are all safe for now. Keep an eye on them. The Seraphim can be anywhere now." Viet gave a small nod that the falcon could feel as her arm moved with the movement of her head but no one else could find it suspicious. The Vietnamese woman's siblings gathered closer to her to admire the falcon and pet it.
"How did you find him?" asked Hyung Soo as he scratched the birds chest. Haru made a low purr from its throat to signal his satisfaction with the Korean's petting.
"It's more like he found me. It was while I was in Seychelles that he was flying and saved me from a wild animal. After that he started to follow me and we became friends," replied Viet. Inside, she smiled, finding it amazing that she was telling something not to far from the truth. She hated lying.
Mei gawked at the bird's soft feathers as she gently touched them like a child who was afraid to break something if he or she touched it. "He's beautiful Jiejie. Ooh, this is so cool. Let's hurry home to show teacher!" exclaimed the Taiwanese.
"Last one to the train carries all of Noona's belongings into the house!" cried Yong Soo.
"You're on!" Mei accepted the challenge without hesitation. Kiku's and Hyung Soo's faces became dark and felt that the situation was ridiculous but knew that the younger siblings were serious and so they joined Hong, Mei, and Yong Soo for the race. Thai stood next to Viet and picked up the rest of her belongings, not caring if he was last.
"Thank you, Thai," said Viet with a sigh.
Thai chuckled. "I see no problems with doing this for my older sister." Viet gave another small smiled then walked in the direction her younger siblings were running through. People passed by Viet and Thai with smiling faces. Some were yelling and boasting about their food being the best or their items and materials were made out of the most expensive material in the world. Others were browsing shops, eating, laughing, and playing. The Vietnamese woman's eyes closed and heard the music of the languages that she could understand and the talking and laughing that lightened up the mood of the city.
Now in the country of China, Viet felt almost at home. She remembered this particular part of town except with less technology and more traditional clothing. Otherwise the shops, signs and building all looked the same. Viet wanted this to last, this town, this life, to never end. She wanted to protect and hold the people and places she cared most for, close to her. Where would she be without them? A week ago on the video meeting with her older brother, she saw the darkened eyes of her siblings as they were worried for her and now she saw them happy with their lives and the people around them. She needed to live to protect them and maybe stop the war as well without getting them killed.
The train station came into view and Yong Soo was cheering and jumping up and down. Kiku on the other hand had his hands on his knees and gave a look of defeat on him. The rest were panting but looked relieved to not be last in this race.
Viet sighed. "When will you all grow up?" she asked. She shook her head even though she wanted them to keep their childishness.
"Never! Now let's go to teacher's house!" yelled Mei triumphantly. Why did she feel triumphant? Viet would never know.
Time lapse...
"You're safe aru!" cried Yao as he squeezed Viet into his arms, almost choking her. Hong pulled Yao's ponytail to annoy him and save Viet from the lack of air.
"I'm fine Yao. You saw me a week ago on the video meeting so how can I no be okay?" Viet said.
"But Viet aru!"
"Like, teacher, be quiet. You're like annoying," complained Hong. Yao pouted but suddenly ran into the kitchen.
Viet and the rest of the siblings followed into the kitchen which contained a large counter in the center where spices, herbs, meat and other ingredients were set up on the table. Woks, skillets and pots were hung and lined up on one wall along with laddles and different cooking utensils of various sizes. On the island (counter in the middle of the kitchen) were several different Chinese dishes along with pork buns and roasted duck. Twenty or so spring rolls were also made and wrapped in plastic wrapping to keep it from stickng to each other. Viet's mouth began to water as she saw many different dishes that she grew up with.
"Help me set up the table and we can eat aru!" said Yao excitedly. Everyone helped set up the plates, bowls and chopsticks on the table along with the main dishes and side dishes spread across the long wooden table bringing a delicious aroma traveling through the room. Once the table was set, all the siblings sat and thanked for the meal, soon devouring the food in front of them. As they ate, Viet told her story of Seychelles and how she 'saw' Lukas on the island faking the faces of disgust as she described her story. Haru perched on the edge of an empty chair between Hyung Soo and Mei who fed him small pieces of meat every once in a while which he ate contently.
"Wah, that was delicious da ze," said the satisfied Yong Soo as he rubbed his stomach indicating that he was full. The siblings started to clean up the dining room as they put left over food away and washed the dishes.
Afterwards, they sat outside in the garden to enjoy the scenery. "What are you going to do now Yao?" asked Viet suddenly. "We can't just sit here knowing that there are bombs at the border line of Europe or Asia. Either we let those little explosions hold of the war for who knows how long or we take action. I don't know how you plan on doing it but you need to do somethig."
Yao looked at the pond with blank eyes, thinking. "I don't know what to do. Let's just hope for a miracle," the Chinese said blankly. And a miracle you shall have, hissed a voice in Yao's head. He smiled to himself and faced Viet. "Do not worry little sister, we shall get that miracle and maybe save us all." His confidence surprised Viet as he seemed to be hoping for a miracle. What was he talking? Viet did not understand what he was believing but did not question him, learning that he was stubborn once he believed in something.
Her eyes narrowed as she saw a butterfly land on a pink lotus that stood tall above the other flowers of the pond. "I've been thinking about this war," said Viet cautiously. "I've come to doubt the purpose of fighting again. After being in Seychelles, there was a large array of people from different cultures there. All were at peace. No there were no Asians, mostly Africans and Europeans but they had their disputes and they had solved them after a long period of time. Yes some of them still held to the past but over time they forgave each other and lived at peace. Can we try to settle something with them with a treaty? Can we try to settle something?!" Viet started to feel her blood boil as she knew she had to raise her voice so that she can be taken seriously as well as let her feelings out.
Her siblings were quiet, realizing that this was going to be an argument that they might have to stop soon. "Nee-chan, let's talk about this another time, okay?"
"No! I will not let this slide and be avoided. You all knew that this has been pricking at me for a long time. If I don't let this out now what will happen in the future?"
"What do you suppose we do then aru?!" questioned Yao back harshly. The two stared at each other with fire burning in there eyes. Haru was on a branch of a cherry blosson tree not to far away, far enough so that he could be unnotticed but can still hear the conversation. "It is not like we have not tried that before. I want to make a peaceful and comfortable life for all of us in the future aru. To do that we must eliminate the white devils!" His voice became louder and more commanding.
Viet didn't flinch nor did she back away from her older brother's comment. "We tried years ago. Even if there were still fome fighting between the two countries then maybe we can try to solve all of this together. No, I won't be a pacifist on this but I will not allow so much lives be killed from both continents just to dominate the other and become known as barbarians! We can make this happen, even if it means by using force."
"Did you get this idea for being away for so long aru? You should relax and try to come back to your senses aru," Yao said, trying to make his tone softer. This angered Viet and she marched to Yao and punched him in the face.
"I was able to make friends with them Yao! It might not be possible for everyone but if everyone tried, then we can do it. There will be fights, deaths, yelling, and screaming but I'll deal with it just to bring peace where both worlds can survive. You don't even understand why this all came to be! I believe that there is more to history than what we learned that we need to find out and make sure that both our world and the Europeans' world can live at peace once more." The golden orbs of he Vietnamese woman began to be filled wih tears, blurring her vision. Her cheeks felt hot with sorrow and anger. She didn't want to see so many of the people she cared about die anymore. She saw the past and promised to herself and her ancestor that she would bring peace to this war.
Yao felt a power within him starting to boil inside of him but he used his energy to try and stop it from hurting Viet and to not let his younger siblings see the true him. "How do you know I don't understand aru?" Yao said in a low tone. "I have seen destruction upon our villages and cities, seeing more die than you all have seen combined. Do not tell me that I do not understand aru!" He panted trying to control his anger. "Listen to me as your brother and commander who wants the best for you and our counrties! Why is it that you feel this way toward out enemies aru?!"
"I'm sorry Yao," Viet said softly. All the eyes of the sibling widened as she said that but the real shock came from what she said next. "I can't answer you that question. I've changed after travelling so much and I can't see things the way they once were anymore. I can't say that I like everyone in Europe but I've met a few who I have earned their trust as they have earned mine. If this is the way it has to be, I will have my boss make Vietnam neutral from the war and communication with any participants of this bloodbath shall be erased. I will get going now."
With that Viet turned and left to go into the house and gather her belongings. She hurried to the next train station to get on her way back to Vietnam, her home. Yao stared at her in disbelief while the rest try to bring back Viet before she could leave but were too late.
It seems that the Fire Guardian has made her move, said the voice in Yao's head with disgust. "It seems that she has aru..."
Another time lapse...
Viet sat on her bed, thinking of what she had done. Haru was on the chair at her desk, staring at her. "Did you feel that power coming from Yao?" asked Viet absentmindedly.
"I'm glad you noticed. Yes, I had since the beginning but it was faint at first. Once the both of you started arguing, it became more apparent that it was coming from your brother. He looks familiar though..." said Haru.
"Was it the right choice to make? I did all this without thinking it through. My boss always tried to understand my reasonings and sometimes he would disagree even if he understood. He seemed very understanding today and even said that this would be the right thing to do for our country. Was that suspicious?" Viet was confused.
Haru shuffled his feathers and hoped onto the bed next to Viet, careful not to rip the bed sheets with his talons. "I did not sense the Seraphim around us or in him at all. I believe that he truly understood for that is what I saw child. He might change some of the rules you originally thought of but that is to make relationships easier."
Viet sighed, unsure of what the bird said. "Many will probably be angry at this, especially opposing nations who are very into the war. It also makes the Europeans feel more triumphant knowing that another power is out of there way from stopping them..." Haru was silent for a long while. Viet reached into her pocket to find the box with the pair of earrings Lukas gave her. She took the box out and opened it to see the glimmering star-like earrings in the moonlight of her home. Viet smiled to herself, remembering the Norwegian's warmth as they sat next to each other on Monica's boat before the beast attack.
She remembered the first time she saw him. She detested him just because he was European. Her first impression of him when she woke up on Seychelles was that he was rude, emotionless, and mysterious. He always seemed to be talking to someone else but no one was there and he would be quiet at times and just stare into space. She remembered when she sang the lullaby that Yao had taught her as she stood on the roof of Michelle's house and then they both chuckled at her voice cracking and her embarrassment when she saw him. He wasn't the emotionless man that she saw after that. He then saved her when a beast shot that dark ball at her and how he was kind enough to save someone even though they were enemies at the time. Memories filled her and nostalgia spread throughout her body.
Haru stared at the earrings and Viet for a long time, intrigued by his partners behaviour. "Would you like to talk to him?" Haru asked. Viet was startled and almost dropped the box with the pair of earrings.
"What?"
"You know what I mean child." Viet was silent. "I can communicate with Hydra and she will be more than happy for the both of you to talk to each other. We might need to know the other's progress in getting the orbs."
The Vietnamese woman smiled slightly, barely noticeable in the dark room with only the moon's light shining through the window. "If that is the case then that will be fine. You are full of surprises Haru," Viet said.
Haru chuckled. "Expect more to come in the future along with some more training. We shall head out tomorrow if you do not mind."
"Not at all."
"Good. This will take a while little one," explained Haru. He flapped his burgandy wings and flew to the middle of the room where his eyes began to glow. A red encrypted circle covered him and in the mirror across the room, an image appeared. Viet saw a bright room with many Western designs that were different from the ones that she lived with as a child in Francis' house.
The room put her in awe as she saw a matching colored room of different tints and shades of blue and teal. The bed post was a dark colored wood that gleamed in the sunlight and the window was open, allowing the breeze to make to curtains flow in the room. The door open for a professionally dressed man with light blonde hair and dull blue eyes. He looked to his left to see his window open and walked towards it to close it. When he turned around, his eyes widened to see the sight in his mirror.
"Viet?" he questioned, unsure if he was hallucinating.
A hiss came from near the mirror. Hydra appeared and looked at the other side and chuckled as she hissed. "My my, what a change in time I sssee Haru," said the snake rather cheerfully.
"We needed to see if you have made any progress with the orb," explained Haru calmly. He looked at Lukas and greeted the Norwegian. "It is nice to see you again Lukas, Water Guardian."
"Likewise Haru... It is also nice to see you again Viet," said Lukas shyly. A small blush appeared on his face making Viet giggle. The sight of such a face on Viet surprised Lukas but he smiled in return to her laughter which shocked her, seeing that that was the first time she had seen him smile so genuinely.
"I'm glad to see you again Lukas." Her smile became sadder and the Norwegian began to worry. "I have news to tell you as well..."
Lukas waited patiently as Viet was hesitant to share something she wanted to tell him. "What is it?" he finally asked, hoping she wasn't as nervous as before.
"Well, Vietnam has claimed to be a neutral country for who-knows-how-long. I had a fight with my older brother on our ideas about the war and it finally reached the point where I'm willing to no longer be a part of this. Well, not directly anyway. I still need to help you to stop this war." There was silence. Lukas didn't know what to say to that. She was now neutral and to get her involved only met to discuss about things and net let her fight.
"What do you intend to do now?" Lukas asked. Viet thought for a moment and looked down at her toes.
She looked back up and replied, "I'm going to find the orb ot the Fire Bird and find a way to start making the two continents realize that this whole war has been a set up since the beginning. The Seraphim are starting to rise again and we need to stop them. Tomorrow Haru and I will go to retrieve the orb. We won't see each other for a while after that but we'll see each other again. I swear on that."
Lukas nodded in understand then placed his palm agains the mirror. Viet place her hand against his. They stared into each others eyes trying to read the other's feelings. Their trance was broken by a calling from a distance from where Lukas was.
"Lukas! Sorry to barge in like this but I need to talk to you!" called a familiar voice. Lukas grunted at the man's voice and backed away from the mirror.
He sighed and took in Viet's face and figure one last time before talking. "Matthias seems to be calling. I can't risk letting you get seen so I'll have to go."
"I see," Viet said with disappointment in her voice. Lukas looked at her again and turned his head away.
"If anything, I do care for you Viet. Maybe to the point where I just want us to be together alone..." Viet blushed at this statement but gave a small smile.
"I feel the same way Lukas." There eyes met and soon they said their farewells as Matthias called for a second time, threatening Lukas that he would barge into his room. The image on the mirror faded and Viet stared at it with excitement pumping in her chest. She didn't love him but she admired Lukas for being there when he could. She held the box with the earrings close to her.
"Maybe we'll be together one day together Lukas. Maybe one day..."
The next morning came and Viet was dressed for a long jouney that was to be done on foot. Haru was perched on her shoulder as she stood on a mountain, several miles from the nearest village.
"Here we go," Viet said, a little nervous about her next adventure.
"Ready, little one?" asked Haru.
She nodded her head and answered, "As ready as I'll ever be." She hikes down the path Haru directed her to go on towards a cove where the orb is said to be found. Little did Viet know that Yao watched her leave from a distance.
"Hurry and search for the orb. If you have to, let her find it for you," commanded Yao to a shadow that took no shape of any of its surroundings. It hurried across the mountain, following the scent of the Vietnamese woman as she walked to the location of the orb.
Omake
Me: Wahaha! Don't think I forgot about Yao and his shadow when I gave a cliffhanger of it in one of the earlier chapters. More dark things will be headed Lukas' and Viet's way. The Seraphim already know who they are so now, they are on the move. Now for the random fact of this chapter!
Iceland: Since 1971, Vietnam and Norway has had a political relationship. This year is their 41st anniversary of their friendship with each other which isn't that bad.
Me: Yep, Nor-kun helps Viet-chan find ways to protect her from natural disasters and he sends her improved fishing equipment which she needs to fish with for her economy. They also have something to do with oil but I forgot that part.
Iceland: Do you have licorice?
Me: Not today Ice-chan.
Iceland: Why are you calling me that? I'm not a child anymore.
Me: It's not as bad as you being called lillebror by Nor-kun right? So let me call you Ice-chan otherwise I'll bother you and have Nor-kun make you say Strorbror or Big Brother or anything along those lines.
Iceland: Fine...
Me: Well that's it for today! Oh and this is proof that VietnamxNorway is a legit pairing.
Iceland: Don't forget to review telling your comments, concerns and so on to Admin.
