Who Gets Him? 3

For a moment, Russia's fun was halted.  For a moment, America's anger vanished.  Everyone looked to the new speaker with complete and utter shock.  Not because the person had been foolish enough to interrupt America and Russia in the middle of their delicate conversation.  Not because the person had been crazy enough to take a side in the rising argument.  No, while all of that was amazing, the reason for the shock was the person, himself.  No one in the room thought that they would ever hear those words, put together in that exact order, coming out of that speaker's mouth.  They couldn't believe it.  Even America was struck dumbfounded by that sentence, and who had said it.      
All eyes in the room were now on England.

*************************************************************************************

Now, England had never actually been what you would call a "sympathetic" nation to his enemies.  At that very moment, for example, England couldn't care less about what was going to happen to Germany or his brother.  Germany had been England's enemy for a long time, and the grudge England bore against the younger nation would not soon go away.  And as for Prussia, England blamed the X nation's imperialistic ideals for Germany's deeds.  That was why he had pushed so hard for Prussia to be permanently dissolved.  As far as he was concerned, the German brothers were getting what they deserved.  

But Japan…  

England had been good friends with Japan, once too.  Deep down, he still considered the other island nation a friend.  He didn't really want to see Japan suffer.  After all, Japan had agreed to be England's allay at a time in history when it seemed like no one else would.  England realized that this was a good opportunity to return the favor.       

"W-What are you all looking at?" England stammered under the weight of all the eyes
looking at him.  "I-I happen to think America's proposal is quite a noble endeavor."  This statement was met with even more shocked looks.  England decided to tone it down a little.  "G-Granted, it could stand to be brought down to earth a bit, but I believe the lad is on the right track….  In fact," England paused to take a few steps over to America (he had stood up, himself, when he first voiced his opinion) and place a hand on the younger man's shoulder.  "I would very much like to offer my assistance to this cause!" he proclaimed boldly.  Turning to America, he added, "That is, if it is alright with you?"

America was still gaping at England.  The poor guy was so used to England making snide comments about him, putting down everything he said in meetings, rejecting all of his ideas, and criticizing all of his crazy plans, that it seemed the sudden reversal had shocked him into a stupor.  They might have been fellow Allies, but America and England still quarreled over nearly every little detail in meetings.  The matters were usually resolved, but it normally took a long time.  This might have been the first time that England had agreed with America right off the bat!  America's first attempt to answer England only further showed how stunned he was:    

"…W-Wha?"  

England bowed his head and sighed.

"Did you not say that anyone who wanted anything to do with Japan would have to come to you, first?" England gently nudged.  He strained to keep his voice calm, but at the same time he was trying to send signals to America to snap out of it.

I am sticking my neck out for you, you git!

England mentally berated.

This is no time for your brain to go on the blink!

America slowly began to come out of his shock.  He tried to remember: did he say something like that?  …Y-Yes.  Yes, of course he did!  Yeah!  Still a little shaken, America gave England a nod.

"Well, I am asking permission to aid you in your occupation," England reminded.  "You would still be in charge of course, but would like to help you in any way I can."  No matter how much England wanted to help Japan, England had to admit that his plate was already full with other business of war.  Still, he was willing to give any type of aid to America that he could provide.  "If I may?" he asked one more time.

America's ability to use his mouth returned just in time. "Y-Yeah…s-sure…SURE!"

"Excuse me, Britanets," a stern voice from the other end of the table interjected, "but I do not believe anything has been decided yet."

America instantly turned back to face Russia; his anger was returning as he remembered where he had last left off with the man.  "You know what?" he snapped.  "You can—"

England quickly stuffed America's half-eaten burger in his open mouth before he could say anything more.  

"Y-Yes," he stammered; trying to keep his cool under Russia's hidden warning glare.  "A-Actually I was j-just about to call for a vote."

America yanked the burger out of his mouth about this time, but did not neglect to chew and swallow the bite that his teeth had cut off.  He didn't want to waste it.  Like always, however, America did not let a full mouth keep him from speaking his mind.  He openly griped at England for interrupting him and for trying to choke him with his own snack.  Fortunately, no one could understand him.

"I have stated how I feel on the matter," England spoke over America's protests; trying also to ignore the crumbs flying at him.  "France, what do you think of all this?"  

America grudgingly decided to stop talking.  He saw that England was turning to France for his input.  America forced himself to swallow before looking to France, too.  

The Frenchmen looked like he might retreat out of the room at any moment.  (He most likely would have, if he had dared to look at Russia)  France compulsively looked back and forth between America and England.  The younger of the two looked a mix of expectant and slightly worried.  It was as if America was hoping and expecting France to be on his side, but he was not sure.  England, on the other hand, was sending France a piercing glare.  France could almost hear England's silent threat: "You'd best say 'yes,' frog!"   

France swallowed and considered his options (or lack thereof).  Finally, with a heavy sigh, he shrugged and gave in.  "Why not let the boy have his fun?" he mumbled.  "As long as I keep a share of Germany, it is alright with me."

"Very good, then," England approved.  "And China, what is your opinion?"

This was going to be more difficult.  China appeared awfully nervous.  Both America and England were giving him threatening looks.  Unlike France, China actually stole a quick peek at up at the face of the intimidating nation next to him.  Russia did not look threatening, but he did not have to.  

The Asian nation battled inside himself.  He didn't want to get on America's bad side, but then again, America didn't live right next door to him!  In a way, China did feel some form of loyalty to Russia.  They were getting along better; being allies in the war, and all.  They had been through a lot together.  They had both suffered the biggest loss of human lives to the war.  Not to mention the fact that China was still furious with Japan!

But….  

China could still remember when Japan was young.  China had practically raised him.  He would always think of Japan as a little brother of sorts, even if Japan always denied that they were related.  He was ashamed that Japan had turned out the way he had.  Long before this second Word War had started, Japan was already fighting bloody battles against China.  The younger island had started these attacks on his former caretaker all in the name of "becoming stronger."  It all made China sick to his stomach with grief.  He was hurt beyond words that Japan had betrayed him in so many ways.  Sometimes, the old nation would wonder if he was the one to blame for it.  Had he done something wrong?  Had he made a mistake in Japan's upbringing?  

There were times that China was so angry at Japan for what he was doing to his people that he wanted Japan to pay for it with the blood of his own!  Then, sometimes he just wanted to hug Japan; crying as he held him close, and tell him that he could forgive anything Japan had done if only he would just go back to the way he used to be.  And sometimes, China wondered if he should be the one punished, instead.  His own tender feelings for his little brother, and the feelings of hatred that his people had for one of their mortal enemies kept China in constant turmoil with himself.  Although China was a nation used to inner turmoil and power struggles, it had all been weighing down on him, lately.  It was getting to the point that China was starting to worry he would soon crack under the pressure.  He had always thought he was too strong to be brought down like that.  Recently though, he was becoming fearful that he might end up in a mental state similar to Russia's if things did not change for the better soon.           

If China could have spoken what was on his mind, he would have offered to take up the occupation of Japan, himself.  Sadly, he did not think that would be possible.  Fighting America and Russia for it would be too difficult.  He was not sure what his bosses would think, either.  And even if he did somehow manage to get control of Japan, he knew that his bitter people would most likely show no mercy to Kiku!  

China glanced back at England and America.  Honestly, China had a strong dislike for England (thanks to the Opium War and all that good stuff).  China considered America, next.  He did not know America as well.  Hadn't America been a colony of England's once?  But on the other hand, hadn't America rebelled against England?  Did that mean America was different from England?  If he was, was it a good "different?"  China did remember having good trades with America.  However, he also recalled that America had not always treated his Chinese immigrants very well.  China was suspicious of America at best.  He was not sure if he could trust America with his little brother.  

After careful thought, China realized that he did not have a good choice either way.  America seemed to most likely be the lesser of two evils.  China knew that if America was being honest; this might be the best chance Japan would have to mend his relationship with the Chinese and the rest of the world.  Russia certainly would not give Japan that chance.  If Russia got a hold of Japan, Japan might as well not be Japan anymore.  He would "become one" with Russia.  China shuddered.  No matter how much bad blood was between him and Japan, in his heart of hearts, he did not want to see his little brother taken by the Soviet Union.          

"Ayah," China moaned, wearily.  It looked to him like he could only hope that America would take good care of Japan.  Maybe someday China would be able to see his brother again at a time when all the hate between their peoples had died out.  Maybe one day they could have a fresh start.  

"Is everything alright, comrade?"

China took a deep breath.  He looked up at Russia apologetically.  "You do have a large amount of territory, already," he reasoned.

"Kitai?" Russia asked in surprise.  He had obviously been expecting China to side with him.

China looked away and fidgeted in his seat. "E-Even if I voted for you now, we would still be out-numbered," he added in hopes that Russia would understand.

But Russia did not understand.  He frowned down at China.  He tried to protest against China's implied decision.  China would not have any of it.  Before Russia could get out a valid argument, China stopped him.

"Ivan," he looked Russia in the eye and spoke more seriously, "it's not worth it."

Russia grew quiet.  He and China stared at each other for a few more moments until Russia relented.  He turned from China and stared resentfully at his lap.  China sighed again.  He looked at England and gave nod to communicate his approval.  England gave a brief nod back.    

"Any further discussion?" England then asked.  

No one said anything.  Russia's face had darkened considerably.  His fists were tight now, and he was mumbling something incoherent to himself, but otherwise, he made no move to prolong the inevitable meeting with further discussion.  

"Then we should bring it to a proper vote," England announced; thankful that the Russian seemed to be cooperating.  "All in favor of handing sole control of the island nation of Japan over to the United States of America?"

America's hand shot up, along with England's.  France's and China's hands were right behind.

"All opposed?"

Russia didn't even bother.

"Well," England breathed out with relief, "that's that, then."

*************************************************************************************

After the vote, England wisely suggested they end the meeting for the time being.  They would have to iron out the details of the decision later.  America was not looking forward to that.  Great.  More meetings.  And just when he thought he would be done with all that by today!  But it would be worth it to America if he could keep Russia's giant, greedy, communist, bear-paws off of Japan.

Everyone was gathering up their things to leave.  America was almost finished.  England had already left.  Amazingly, he had gathered his effects faster than everyone else and left in a rush.  America had not even gotten a chance to speak to him before he had gone.  He figured England had done it to avoid him.  America had to smile.  He knew he would have to thank England later for his help in the meeting.  England had probably been attempting to dodge the awkwardness of all that by exiting early.  

France and China also seemed in a hurry to get out, but they hadn't left, yet.  All of a sudden, Russia, who had been sulking until now, rose from his seat and walked briskly towards the door.  France practically had to jump out of Russia's path to escape being plowed over.  China looked on, concerned as Russia neared America.  America heard the chair scratch against the floor, the pounding footsteps, France's squeal, and he knew what was coming.

America looked up from his collected belongings, ready for a fight.  However, Russia only smiled at him like nothing had happened between them.  He continued walking and brushed right past America.

"Good luck with Yiponiya, comrade!" he called over his shoulder, as he neared the door.

France and China let loose the breaths they had been holding.  It seemed like Russia was going to leave the matter be for the moment.  But just before Russia left, he halted in the doorway.  He turned to give America one last cheerful word of parting.

"But I have to wonder, will he want your help?  After what he did to you…and after what you did to him?"

America scowled and got ready to fire some kind of insult back at Russia, but something stopped him.  Carefully, he lowered his raised fist and considered Russia's words.  For some reason, that issue hadn't yet occurred to America.  Yes, he had a desire to help Japan turn things around for the better while he was in charge of him, but would Japan want his help?  Would Japan be willing to cooperate with him?  Would Japan ever be interested in being friends again, after all that had happened in the last few years?  In the back of his mind, America must have automatically assumed that everything would turn out great on it's on.  Now, thanks to Russia's statement, he was starting to realize that he might have a very long road ahead of him.   

"I don't know," America said softly.  "But he's going to get it.  Whether he likes it or not."

Russia put on another fake smile before walking out the door.  "Good luck, then," America heard his voice echoing in the hall.  "Do not forget, if he gives you any trouble, I will be happy to take him off your hands!"