The Phone Call

"Hello. You have reached Honda Kiku. Please leave a message and I will endeavor to return your message as soon as possible."

"Kiku. It's Alfred. … At first, when you attacked Pearl Harbour, I wanted you to suffer like I did. Burn like I was burning. I mean, I understand. We were biased, helping England and France more, but still. I just didn't want to fight, y'know?"

"But Kiku, I need you to burn like you made me burn. And that scares me. My people hate you, Kiku. And they come first. But what's about to happen shouldn't have to happen. If you give up now, I won't have to use it on you.

"But Kiku, I will use it if you say no. Even though we've been friends since you came out of isolation, I will. Kiku. You know me, my people, know that I never can give in, so please. "

"But Kiku, even though we were friends, you attacked Pearl Harbor. I kinda don't want you to say no. Know my pain and all that. On one hand, I win the war and don't hurt you, which is good, but then you don't know what you did to me, which is bad. Or you don't and I hurt you like you hurt me, good, but then I hurt you, so bad. Either way I'll be a bit happy and a bit sad. So Kiku, what's it gonna be?"

Japan was now worried for his country. America sounded strange, cold and distant. And that was never good. What was he talking about, it? Did he develop a new weapon? As soon as that thought formed, Japan realized. The Manhattan Project. It had to be finished. Which meant that… America had just threatened to use it. He raced around his house, trying to get to his information on America and the Project. But then the phone rang again. He picked it up, knowing who it was, but didn't say a word.

"Kiku. You didn't call me back. I know, I know. I only gave you a couple of hours. But Kiku, I'm impressed. My team says you know probably know what I was implying. Spies and stuff like that. Speaking of spies, I'm not really in a good place, so get them out, ok? But Kiku, you didn't give in. For what it's worth, I'm sorry. But part of me isn't. Part of me hates you Kiku. It's whispering 'I'll teach you not to mess with my people Japan.' So I'm as sorry. Alfred is sorry to Kiku. But America hates Japan. And in the end, I'm America first. My loyalty and my allegiance lie with my people." Then he hung up.

He was cold. America's voice was so cold. It was arctic, and filled hatred so strong it burned. It burned all over him. He was screaming along with his people.

'Know my pain.' America's voice whispered in his ear. He had promised and delivered. He hadn't wanted to do this, but he did. Japan had hurt his people and America could not let that stand. Some part of him, the part not burning understood. But he couldn't think past the pain.