A/N: This is a songfic..
Note: Not historically accurate though there are historic references. References may not be in order.
Thanks for the reviews, follows, favs guys. I do appreciate them even if I do not mention it in every chapter or send you a message.

Disclaimer: Lyrics not owned by me

present
song lyrics
past

Japan sighed and piled up the paperwork he had been working on. It was related to the last World Meeting which although had not been extremely productive had resulted in a few nations coming up with helpful ideas.

His mind wandered back to China, who had not been very involved, like usual, but had offered to help with mass production if the need arose.

It had been a while since he had talked to him; the two greeting each other with a polite smile if necessary. He was reluctant to admit it but he still missed the older nation.

Japan considered calling China, but was hesitant. It was no secret that China usually avoided him.

With a final decisiveness he dialled China's number. He could always make up some excuse about political issues if he needed to, he was pretty good at it if he did say so himself.

Ring.

Japan anxiously fidgeted about. He could not help but remember a multitude of memories.

Now and then I think of when we were together
Like when you said you felt so happy you could die

"Aiyah! This is so cute aru!" exclaimed Yao as he gazed in awe at the mechanical doll Kiku had just made. He continued to envelope an embarrassed and awkward Kiku into a hug, "I'm so glad you're my brother aru! My little Ju Hua!"

Told myself that you were right for me
But felt so lonely in your company

Kiku was working on his Hiragana when a loud noise made him jump and mess up one of his letters. "Aniki!" yelled Yong Soo glomping the Chinese as soon as Yao entered. Yao laughed and hugged him back. Kiku frowned in annoyance. He would really appreciate it if they at least tried to stay quiet. He thought of the day when Yao had brought his 'little brother'. He wished that he hadn't really. Yao didn't seem to care about him as much after Yong Soo came. Maybe he could just leave soon..
What was he thinking?! So rude of him.. They were his brothers.. right? And Yao had done nothing other than be kind to him since the beginning..

But that was love and it's an ache I still remember.

It was decided. He would leave as soon as possible. He was strong enough to take care of himself. He didn't need to be China's little brother. He didn't need China to protect him. As of now he had yet to inform Yao about it though. He made his way towards his room. As he passed Yao's he glanced inside. Papers and documents were scattered around. Yao was fast asleep on the mat, in what seemed to be a very uncomfortable position, clutching another sheet of paper in his hand. He had dark circles under his eyes. Kiku sighed and began to collect the numerous papers, arranging them in a pile. He then placed a pillow under Yao's head and then proceeded to drape a blanket around him. Yao was often very tired these days. Japan himself had gotten many new siblings recently including Hong Kong and Taiwan. Kiku hesitated, then kissed Yao on the forehead. "Goodbye gege," he mumbled.

You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness
Like resignation to the end, always the end
So when we found that we could not make sense
Well you said that we would still be friends
But I'll admit that I was glad it was over

Yao nodded stiffly. He wasn't surprised though. He'd seen it coming. Japan stood at the door with all his belongings. Yao hesitated, but decided to try one last time. "Are you sure aru?"
"Hai."
"Ok.. well visit us often!" said Yao with a fake smile and forced cheerfulness.
Japan nodded. He then turned around and started walking away. He could feel Yao watching him until he was a speck in the distance.
Kiku breathed a sigh of relief. He was so glad to be out of that house. He didn't even completely understand why he felt that way. It's not like they were mean to him. He did get into fights with Yong Soo often, but… he felt suffocated there. Even the littlest of things his brother would do would annoy him to no end.
And every smile from Yao that was not for him felt like a stab in the gut.
But an annoying voice in his head kept reminding him, 'you'll miss Yao and you know it.'

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing

Their visits to each other's houses had overtime become increasingly infrequent, especially since Japan had started hanging out with the Westerns. The current one had been organised by their bosses.
China smiled and nodded occasionally. Mainly during the times when Japan paused between his rant on how westernization had helped him a great deal and how Yao should try it too, to ask if he was still listening.
"Yao-san, did you register a single word I said?" Japan finally snapped.
Yao nodded. "But I have a question – why? Why did you become like the people who gave us so much trouble? Was your own culture not good enough for you?"
"So you actually weren't listening to a word I said."
Yao smiled sadly. "You haven't changed that much actually. You're still that over-ambitious child."
Kiku stormed out of the room.

And I don't even need your love

Still a child was he?
Well he was a child that would be able to bring down the world's oldest nation.
There were other ways to make China realise the benefits of westernization after all..

But you treat me like a stranger and it feels so rough.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki had only been some time ago and Japan was still very weak.
Countries such as Japan, China, the Soviet Union, England and America were required to get together to discuss important matters. The group wasn't exactly on friendly terms with each other though.
Japan took his place next to China.
Relations between them had been terrible recently, and indeed, Japan regretted many of his early decisions though he probably wouldn't have admitted this to anyone. He had even taken Yong Soo from Yao and treated both of them awfully. He felt guilty; a feeling he had not had for quite some time, and he didn't like it.
But Yao had always cared about him no matter what he had done and had always forgiven him in the end, so this time wouldn't be different… right?
Yao was probably worried when he heard about the bombings.. He would probably be relieved to see him.
Yao would probably be sympathetic towards him, and maybe their relations could be improved..
Maybe some good could come out of the horrible affair after all..
"Hello Yao-san.."
Cold, blank golden eyes stared back at him.
"What?"

No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

Ivan?! Yao was in an alliance with Ivan?!
If there was one person Kiku loathed it was Ivan.
Though it was no secret that Ivan was after China for some time, but he still couldn't believe that Yao preferred Ivan over his former brother..
At times like these Kiku felt completely alone.

I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

"Gomenasai!" cried Kiku desperately, "I'm sorry!"
He fell on to his knees at Yao's feet, a storm raging inside him.
Tears streamed down his cheeks; tears of grief, pain, of finally surrendering his pride and ego to make one last grasp at something he truly cared about and which he had probably already lost. Tears of someone who had stopped rationalizing his past actions and had accepted their brutality.
"I'll do anything! Punish me however you want, just.."
Kiku's voice reduced to a whisper.
"please don't hate me.. gege"

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Yao flinched and backed away, as if recoiling in disgust at any contact from Japan.

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Yao smiled sadistically at Kiku.
"You murdered your gege a long time back Ju Hua."

Ring.

Yao glanced at his phone. Japan? That was strange. The island nation didn't attempt to communicate with him often and vice versa.
Contrary to popular belief, he did not absolutely detest Kiku but he had not completely forgiven him either.
And he didn't really feel like talking to Japan at the moment. He was having a pretty bad day anyway.
He considered ignoring it. If it was a very important issue, Japan could always contact his boss.

Yao shuddered. Japan always brought up so many awful memories.

Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done

Yao lay sobbing on the floor of the cellar where Kiku had dumped him.
Blood still seeped out from the gash in his back and dyed his garments crimson.
"It's all my fault aru.." cried Yao, "I was probably an awful brother and this is my punishment."

But I don't wanna live that way
Reading into every word you say

Americahad gone all out with his birthday, having a huge party with bars and casinos and what not, even though he was still too young to drink legally. It also seemed that he had invited every country he could think of, which was a much larger number than most would give him credit for.
Yao had reluctantly gone as well, being persuaded by his boss as it was in his best interest to 'maintain good relations with a global superpower.' Yao huffed. More like global idiot.
He stood awkwardly by a wall, not knowing what to do.
"Ah, Yao-san!" exclaimed Japan on spotting him in the corner. He had been wandering about the place after having wished Alfred and having given him his present.
"Could I interest you in having a drink with me?" he asked awkwardly.
Yao hesitated then nodded.
"You look nice, by the way.." said Japan with an embarrassed cough, a light shade of pink tinging his cheeks.
Yao had opted to wear a traditional Chinese outfit rather than his regular uniform.
"Xie xie," said Yao, flashing Kiku a faked smile.

You said that you could let it go
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know

A while later Yao found himself next to a drunk and blubbering Kiku.
"Yao-san.. I'm sorry.. Please don't hate me.. I'm sorry.." said Kiku between hiccups and sobs.
Yao awkwardly patted his back, wondering what the hell he was supposed to do. He knew this would end badly. He was much better at calming children anyway.
"Yao-san.. I love you," mumbled Kiku.
Yao sighed and rubbed his temples.
He then got up and smiled sadly at Kiku. "I'm sorry.."
He then left to return home.
It was Alfred's party, he could take care of Kiku. Yao just hoped that Alfred hadn't gotten wasted as well.

But you didn't have to cut me off
Make out like it never happened and that we were nothing

Another world meeting. Another day in which Yao would barely glance at him.

And I don't even need your love

He had made great advancements in technology, his products were known for their quality, he was still one of the superpowers.
So why did he feel so low just because Yao didn't wish him on his birthday?

But you treat me like a stranger and it feels so rough.

So you guys are coming right? Yao asked all the other Asian nations, except for Japan. Meanwhile, Kiku was seated at another table, pretending to pay no attention to the group. The Asian nations nervously looked at each other.
"Of course!" exclaimed Yong Soo finally. The others nodded.
Yao grinned.
Kiku turned his attention back to his bento box.
After a while, he caught sight of Yao walking towards him. Kiku smiled. Maybe he'd be invited this year after all. He still remembered the Chinese New Years back then. All the food that Yao made, the superstitious decorations, even Hong's fireworks. It was tradition to invite family on that day.
Yao threw a casual "Oh hi Japan," in his direction as he breezed past.
..Or maybe not.

No you didn't have to stoop so low
Have your friends collect your records and then change your number

"So you are planning a surprise party for Yao-san's birthday?"
Yong Soo nodded.
"Where?"
Yong Soo looked about nervously, then grinned suddenly as if he had just had an idea. "At Yao's place."
"..Can I come?"
"If you want to.."

Kiku arrived at Yao's house at the designated time.
It was surprisingly quiet.
He knocked on the door a couple of times. Upon there being no answer, he tried the handle. It was open.
"Yao-san?" he called out. The only reply he got was silence. The house was empty.
Kiku then called Taiwan.
"What? We are already at gege's house..? You're not at gege's old house are you?"

Kiku sighed. No one had bothered to tell him of Yao's new address. Not even Yao himself.
The only things that remained in this one apart from emptiness were echoes from the past.

I guess that I don't need that though
Now you're just somebody that I used to know

It was a world meeting break. Kiku summoned enough courage and approached Yao, who was currently having a cup of tea.
"Yao-san?"
"Hmmm?"
"Have you completely, honestly forgiven me?"
"No I haven't.."
"Do you think you ever will be able to?"

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

"…No"

Now you're just somebody that I used to know

Beep.
'We are getting a busy tone on this number. Please try again later.'