Hetalian Protectors

Surprise?

At the end of ten minutes, I was in Scarlett's group with China, and the other South Asian countries like Hong Kong.

Kyoko had England, America, France, Sealand, and Canada, plus the Nordics.

Luna had Romano, Italy, Germany, Spain, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Arwen had Prussia, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Hungry, Greece, and Turkey.

Aridan had Russia, the Three Baltic Nations, Poland, Belarus, and Ukraine.

Is it just me or do I sense a pattern here?

*****

Scarlett's POV: After announcing the groups we had chosen, the girls and I separated, going off to gather our new housemates. We decided that we would gather everyone then head straight out. The less time we spent here, the better. I walked over to where Kiku was already talking with Wang Yao and the others in my group. Kiku looked up and our gazes connected. China followed his stare and his mouth snapped shut.

I didn't even mention it as I finally stepped into their little group, "Hey, are you guys ready to go?" They looked at each other and nodded. I gave them a thrilled smile, "I have a feeling that you'll feel right at home where we're going!" They gave each other uncertain looks but before they could say anything I whipped around.

Kyoko was chatting non-nonchalantly with Peter and Alfred, while Francis and Arthur stood off to the side. Luna was practically pacing as she waited for the signal and Aridan was having what seemed to be a staring contest with Natalia as she stood protectively in front of Ivan, who looked as if he was more than willing to be anywhere else right at that moment. Arwen was holding what seemed to be a pleasant conversation with Gilbert and she was having quite the time arguing about what was more "awesome," Gilbert himself or Gilbird.

Feeling sorry that I had to cut their time short I whisled to get their attention. We laughed hard at the deadly serious faces on our new friend's faces as we walked away from our groups and met in the middle, where we got in a circle and locked hands. "Five countries, One earth." We enveloped each other in a great hug and giggled.

As we pulled apart we wished each other luck and parted ways, heading back the way we came. We each only looked back once, at the same time. We knew what we had to do. We told ourselves it was for their sake, but it was probably for ours as well. We had a mission to complete. This was only the beginning.

When we had reached our individual sets of countries we turned back around. I felt Kiku's eyes on me as I called out to Arwen and the others, "Keep 'em safe, ya' hear?"

They responded without hesitation, even though everyone could feel the burning desire off of Kyoko to come and strangle me for my use of grammar. "Always."

Kyoko raised her hands over her head and a bright green light began to filter from her palms. In seconds that same glow filled the room and everything dissolved until it was only the South Asian countries, Kiku, and myself, floating through an endless expanse of light green space.

*Time skip*

Kiku and the others kept their distance from me as we drifted through this space and while it did bother me, I tried not to let it show. I could hear them talking in low voices behind me, some sentences even being spoken in Chinese and Japanese. Sadly for them, I could still understand them. I'm younger than them, not stupider! I didn't want them to feel bad though, so I kept my mouth shut, even though I doubt they would feel bad in the first place. Why should they? I mean, I'm just a strange girl that they just met for the first time, so why should they care? I kept my eyes facing forwards so that they couldn't see the conflict in my eyes. There's no reason why they should care for me.

A sudden jerk pulled me from my inner thoughts. I looked around to see that we seemed to be speeding up, and I admit that my slight depression was soon overcome with plain childish excitement. I spun around and raced forward, grabbing Kiku's hand. He looked at me in shock, but I didn't resister it in my anticipation for what was coming up. "Hurry! All of you! Close your eyes!"

"What? Why-"

I cut Wang Yao off. "Please! It's a surprise!!" They gave each other hesitant looks before allowing their eyes to slip shut. It was now that I realized that I was holding Kiku's hand. I felt a sort of mortification fall over me, but I didn't let go. In fact, now that his eye's were closed, I finally let my gaze rack over his body.

He was a good six inches taller than me and his hair was the darkest shade of black I had ever seen. His eyes had wrinkles between them as he braced himself for whatever my "surprise" was. His face otherwise looked soft, and I had to fight myself from reaching up and caressing his cheek. I made my eyes drift down, over his arms which I had always expected to look weak, but which actually looked thin but firm, muscles clearly visible as they tightened and loosened. He was wearing a fancy American buisness suit, but he had taken off the jacket for it back at the white room before we left. Now it hung from his right arm, the one who's hand I was not holding. He had rolled his sleeves up to his shoulders revealing his pearly skin underneath. I let out an inaudible sigh. God... I really have a problem don't I?

Just then another jerk passed over us and all of us stumbled forward. As color flooded back over us, my foot caught something and I tripped backwards, Kiku crashing down on top of me as I yanked him by the hand. I hit the floor hard, my head smacking into a wooden floor, causing my eyes to clench shut as sharp pain ripped through my skull. I heard something smack into the ground next to my head, making me jump slightly. Right into something that felt suspiciously warm and firm. Oh my God... No... I bit down on my lower lip and, rather shyly, peeked out from under my eyelids. What I saw made them snap open. Right in front of me, just inches away, Kiku's face seemed to hover. I saw a red tint overcome his face, and I could feel a tint of my own fall over my face as well. He didn't move though, and I made no attempt to shove him off. We stayed like that for what seemed like hours, but what could've only been seconds.

When suddenly, "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING, ARU?! EVERYONE COVER YOUR EYES, ARU!!"

I sighed, just as a gasp sounded from above me. It was Wang Jia Long. "Japan... Look..." Kiku dragged his eyes away from me and turned his eyes up to what laid in front of us. I knew what they'd see. A large Japanese kotatsu followed by multiple futons spread across the floor, and similar cultural decor to that of Kiku's. The room was warm, comfortably so, and the soft sound of running water filled my ears. I watched as Kiku's mouth dropped open in shock.

I let out a cautious, timid laugh, "Surprise?"