Disclaimer: I don't own Hetalia and as much as I may love it, I never will.

This is not an April Fool's joke! It really is a new chapter! ;D

"Normal speech"

'Thought speech'

Flashback

Chapter 4

The fresh scent of spring onions wafted though the air. The soft sounds of pots and pans being clanged together made the smell even more tempting. A loud grumble suddenly broke though the quiet of the room.

Ivan blushed even though there wasn't anyone in the room with him. The beautiful angel, whom he now knew was called Yao, was cooking breakfast for him. She was cooking. For him.

He blushed even more. Why in the world would such a heavenly being do something so menial for someone as undeserving as him? She should have servants upon servant waiting at her every beck and call. Just then, Yao entered the room holding a tray of things.

"Ivan先生, I think it was time for you to eat some more solid foods. So, I made some rice porridge for you. I added in some eggs and ground meat with some spring onions for flavor. It's light enough that you should be able to keep it down. And not only do they taste good, they are also good for you." A kind smile alighted Yao's face.

Ivan smiled. Yao was very enthusiastic in her caring for Ivan. Yao had insisted on being responsible for everything concerning Ivan. The only outside help she had was when she consulted a doctor that had briefly visited to take a look at Ivan.

Yao changed all of Ivan's bandages herself. She even gathered and ground all of the plants to make the herbal remedies for Ivan. Often times, Ivan woke to hear Yao softly humming beside him as she ground the bitter herbs into a powder or paste. Making them into a poultice, she carefully applied it generously to all of Ivan's injuries.

In particular, she paid special attention to the deep shoulder wound; that was the most serious and would likely take the longest to mend. Every day, Yao would gently slather the poultice over Ivan's wounds and then meticulously wrap fresh bandages over each one.

"After you finish eating, I have some willowbark tea for you. No, don't make that face." Yao said amused at the slight grimace that Ivan showed with the wrinkling of his nose.

"I know that it is very bitter but it will keep your fever down and away as well as help with any headaches." Gently chiding him, Yao set the tray on the side table before helping Ivan sit up. Propping him up with another pillow, Yao sat down on the side of the bed and picked up the bowl of rice porridge. She deftly spooned up a bit and held it out for Ivan to eat.

Ivan blushed again but obediently opened his mouth and ate. After his disastrous first attempt at eating a bowl of broth by himself, Yao had taken to spoon feeding him. His shoulder wound was on his dominant arm and thus hindered him in many things; including the most simplest of tasks such as feeding himself.

However, Ivan couldn't find it in himself to be too bothered by this turn of events that led to this. It had led him to this beautiful creature- no angel- named Yao hadn't it?

It was just too bad that Yao was a human. As much as he wanted to disbelieve it, Yao seemed to be completely human.

Despite her loveliness and her occasional bright attire, Yao acted and looked human. She did all the mundane things that normal humans did. She was treated with some deference when she was among the other villagers but Ivan assumed it due to her probably being the daughter of the chief or leader.

Still, he wished that she wasn't human. That she really was an angel. Or at least another country like him. That way, he wouldn't have to see her affected by the sands of time. He didn't think he would be able to survive watching her wither away and then die. Even if she rejected him, he would still watch over her. From the moment he had set eyes on her, he had felt the tugging of a heart he hadn't known he still possessed.

"Is something wrong?" Yao's soft melodic voice broke though his musings. Lost within his thoughts, Ivan had begun to frown at the possibility of losing Yao.

'Look at me, I haven't even tried and already I'm thinking that she'll reject me.' Ivan sighed and smiled back at her.

"I am fine. I was just thinking about some unpleasant thoughts. This food tastes quite nice. What did you say it was called? Rice porridge?" Ivan quickly tried to reassure Yao. Yao just nodded with a small smile and continued spooning the delicious rice porridge for Ivan.

Luckily for him, he and Yao both spoke English (which to his distaste was becoming a universally known language.) In this case, he was somewhat glad that its influence had spread to the far reaches of countries as distant as China. He had learned upon awakening that he was in the country of China.

He and his boss had been communicating with China for some time now. He knew that they were also Communist now. However, he hadn't met China face to face yet. His boss was going to arrange a meeting with the other male, also named Yao, when Ivan had been challenged by Alfred or America.

Now he wondered if he would chance upon meeting China somewhere during his stay. It was unlikely however, seeing as China was quite a large country. The odds of coming face to face with him were infinitesimal.

Finally finished with the rice porridge, Ivan watched as Yao set aside the bowl. Carefully, he lifted the teapot and poured the steaming tea into the cup next to it. She held the cup to Ivan's lips, watching as he drank down every drop. Satisfied that Ivan wasn't faking it, Yao patted him on the head and set everything on the tray.

Getting up, she turned to leave. Spurred on with a sudden urge, Ivan held out a hand and caught Yao's sleeve.

With a slight puzzled look, Yao turned around. Ivan suddenly wasn't sure about this but kept on.

"Umm.. 谢谢?" Ivan stammered out. It was unlike him to be so unsure but he had been watching everyone around him and he was reasonably sure that he had said thank you in Chinese. He was just about to apologise when a beautiful smile bloomed on Yao's face. Ivan's breath caught and he could only stare.

"不用谢!" With that, Yao left with a blushing bright red Ivan staring after the other.

To be continued…

Chinese translations:

Ivan先生: Mr. Ivan

谢谢: Thank you

不用谢: (Literally) "No need for thanks" but it just means "you're welcome"

Hi everyone! I pranked my dear Osaka and Alien26 by saying that I had updated today. However, this is now true since I have updated before Midnight. Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this! I know it's a little short but I wrote it all today in-between a LOT of things going around.

Review for me and Mr. Bunny! They really help me update faster!

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