The Past and the Present: Nichu Hetalia JapanxChina

The Child in the Bamboo Forest

In a bamboo forest, far away from civilization, a new country was born...

~

"Ni hao! I'm China-aru! You must be a new country-aru! What is your name-aru?"

I smiled and held out my hand, curious.

The boy looked away, refusing to take it. "Hello, China-where-the-sun-sets. I am Japan. I come from the land of the Rising Sun. Pleased to meet you." He sounded as enthusiastic as a dead fish.

"Well, that wasn't very nice-aru!" I grimaced inwardly.

"If you need any help, don't hesitate to call me-aru! Pleased to meet you-aru!" I tried again.

"Yeah. Sure." Japan's quiet, arrogant but guarded voice replied, with the same amount of emotion as the first.

"Let's go home-aru."

I grabbed the young boy's hand and dragged him with me, chattering as I went. "So, this is a bamboo forest-aru. Have you seen bamboo before-aru? It's what pandas eat..."

Japan didn't speak a word, but one could see his eyes, full of curiosity and excitement as he surveyed his surroundings. I, happy that I found a companion, didn't notice.

He was strange.

~

"Are you ok, China, da?" Someone gently touched my arm. Although gently would be an understatement. It felt as if someone poked my arm real hard. Maybe with a pickaxe.

I spun around. Russia, who looked like he was resting earlier, was wide awake. He poked me once again with sharp point of the steel tool he always brought with him. "Are you ok, da?" He repeated.

"Ah! Yes...of course-aru..." I must have been staring into space for a long time as most of the countries had left already. Russia and I were the only ones still in our seats.

A shiver crept up my spine. How long was he watching me space out?

"Then what were you looking at, da?" His voice full of innocence, something unusual for him.

I blinked. A tear made its way to my eye. I wiped it quickly, and pushed back my chair with more force than required. 

As I made my way towards the door, I paused, pondering on Russia's question for a few seconds before settling on a vague answer.

"Phantoms of the past..."

(I kinda copied the plot in the anime...ok, ok, call me a cheating dirtbag. I copied the plot. Well, at least I added 'aru's behind every of China's sentences, I was considering omitting it cuz it didn't show in the english dub. Um...so wanna hear a joke? *I don't care if you don't, I'm just gonna tell it anyways.* What is China's favorite car? Lemme give you a clue...its a '_ _ _- aru' TNT out ;)