The conference room was filled with quiet chatter, the usually boisterous arguments nonexistent. There were slow movements, everyone careful and afraid of what others might think of their actions. However, it wasn't as bad as the first meeting involving the monster. At least, that's what Yao saw.
The People's Republic of China was calmly sitting in his chair across from the Italian Republic (the Northern half, not the Southern) and he stared down at his clasped hands. They were a pale white and dry, so much so that he had to use moisturizer to stop the bleeding. It wasn't like his economy was getting worse, no, it was just that his drinking of water had decreased by a significant amount. His drinking of tea had decreased as well, which didn't show any side effects to the other nations.
Yao knew though.
Yao knew that they noticed the changes. His mannerisms for one had become rather diverse. One moment he would be sad, another he would be happily hysterical. Then there were those times. Those scary times when he would become devoid of emotion of any kind. It usually happened when he was so annoyed that it got to the point where he just stared at the offender (or offending object) until they (or it) got uncomfortable.
The only ones who didn't were Alfred and Feliciano, America and Northern Italy respectively. Over the months ever since the time Yao had had his first opium withdrawal (he shudders every time he thinks about it), the three had grown close and the other two had gotten used to his constant mood swings. They had also gotten used to the insomnia that came with his addiction. The three of them would usually sit together in the kitchen of whoever's house they were at and eat Feliciano's special pasta (he never did tell them what the special ingredient was, though the two had their suspicions) late into the night. All they did was talk. And their discussions always made Yao smile.
They replaced the discussions that Yao would have with his siblings before they all left him and for that, Yao was grateful. He wasn't entirely alone anymore.
That's why he agreed to Alfred's plans of World Domination (With a capital W and a capital D). He had totally convinced himself that he didn't need his siblings or Russia or any of them anymore. He had Feli and Al, and that was all he wanted.
Yao gave Feliciano a smile when the Italian sent him a questioning look.
"Alright everyone," Germany called, "Get in your seats! This World Conference will now commence!"
"The first order of business," he then said, "global warmi-"
"Why is it that we always start with global warming?" Everyone turned to England. The green-eyed Brit shrugged.
"I mean," he continued, "Why can't we start with a more stranger topic?"
"Like what," France asked.
"Like the fact that America is calling all of his people back home," the English man explained. Yao's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He shared a glance with Feliciano, who was clearly thinking along the same lines as he.
"So, they finally noticed."
The others had fallen silent. Many had begun nodding in agreement.
The USA's actions had been a huge uproar, many Americans who were visiting countries all over the world getting onto planes or ships and making their way back to their homeland. Customs was overrun by frantic men and women who wouldn't explain why they were returning. All they would say was that "America told us to." It had most of them worried.
But not Yao. He was sure Feliciano felt the same. The Chinese nation was just glad that Alfred decided to have his people hurry home with such chaos; it covered up both his people's and Feli's people's own departures.
"That is a fair point," Germany mused, leaning back in his chair and tapping his chin.
"What do you think we should do then?" The Brit leaned forwards, looking around at all the others in the room.
"We can't let this continue!"
"'We can't let'? What do you mean by that," Russia asked, "He is his own nation after all."
"I'm saying that we need to stop whatever it is he's doing," England huffed, "If anything, it'll be trouble for the rest of us, I'm sure!"
"What if he isn't actually doing anything?" Both Yao and Feliciano glanced at Canada out of the corner of their eyes. The others simply ignored the nation like usual.
"China, Italy," Germany turned to look at them, "Have you seen America lately?"
"Yes."
"No, we haven't," Italy said quietly. At this, England snarled, France placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from standing.
"I really doubt you're telling the truth," he hissed. Yao's eyes flashed and he glared at the younger nation.
"Then what would we tell," the Chinese man asked, his voice practically dripping with malice. Many of the other nations shifted in their seats, clearly uncomfortable.
"Lies," England replied. At this, the others noticed that the atmosphere of the room seemed to get about several degrees colder. Yao's glare intensified, his hands balling into fists as he stared at the Brit. Feliciano frowned, leaning back into his chair. The Chinese nation slowly stood from his seat, resting his hands on the table in front of him as he peered over to the English man.
"You accuse us of lying," Yao asked, voice deathly quiet.
"I wouldn't be surprised," England replied, glaring, "You two and America have gotten rather close, after all."
"If I lied," Yao whispered, "Then I have every right to. Just like you lied to me." He sat back down in his chair, brown eyes flashing dangerously.
"Expect any English citizens in China to be sent back home," he hissed, "I can't tolerate my country to be contaminated by your swine anymore."
"You can't do that," England snarled.
"I can, and I will aru," Yao replied, his voice raising. Germany let out a cough and both nations looked over to him.
"Let's get back on topic, please." With that said, the German ignored the glares that were piercing into his skull as he turned to Canada and Mexico.
"Have either of you seen America?"
"The last time I saw him was several months ago, before he stopped appearing in society," Mexico said. Canada nodded in agreement.
"He came and apologized to us," the Canadian explained. At this, France raised an eyebrow.
"Apologize for what?" The usually ignored nation blushed, grip on Kumajiro tightening.
"For how he yelled at Canada," Mexico replied, "and for 'anything else that I did wrong '." At this, England snorted.
"I bet China and Italy know why," he muttered. Yao let out a feral snarl, standing from his chair. Feliciano sent the Chinese man a look before turning to England.
"You better watch yourself England," he said, "You're walking on rather fragile ground there." The Brit whipped over to look at the Italian.
"Now am I," the English man asked, "I don't suppose you would tell me how light to tread? But of course, you wouldn't know, now would you? Useless Italy!" Germany and France leapt out of their chair.
"That's far enough England," Germany yelled.
"Of course you would defend him," England rolled his eyes, "You always do!"
"This has gone far enough!" Yao quickly jumped onto the table and leapt at the Brit, knocking him out of his chair. The Chinese then proceeded to punch him, his fists moving rapidly and in quick succession. England had begun to fight back, landing a few good punches but still couldn't throw off the smaller man.
One after another, nation after nation, stood from their chairs. Germany, France, and Feliciano ran over and pried the Asian off the Brit with great effort. Feliciano dragged Yao off to the side as Germany and France struggled to hold England from going after the nation of China.
"LET GO OF ME," the Brit yelled, "LET ME AT HIM! LET ME AT HIM!"
Meanwhile, in the corner of the room, Feliciano was gripping Yao by the shoulders.
"Yao, calm down," he said quietly.
"Calm down? Calm down?! No way! He called you useless," Yao ranted, "You're not useless, Feli! I won't stand having them insult you like this anymore!"
"It's okay," Feliciano replied. He smiled at the older nation.
"It's okay because they'll pay. They will all pay." At this, Yao slowly calmed down. A crazy grin appeared on his face and he gave a nod. Feliciano was glad that he had positioned them so that his friend was facing away from the others.
"Yeah…. Yeah they will, won't they aru?" The two shared a quiet chuckle.