Taken (historical, violent)

Yeosin had somehow made it through the gates. Oddly, something felt off. Why did Kiku just let her leave? She spun around, scanning the area. Her paranoia was causing her to tense up, which aggravated her injuries. She would have to tend to them before going anywhere else, but she didn't have any supplies. Frowning, she doubled back to the guard house. There were supplies she could use there. She packed a bag with bandages, a large loaf of bread and some dried meats and fish. Sneaking back out, she ran until she reached a secluded area in the nearby forest. Checking to make sure no one else was around, she untied her hanbok, letting it fall around her waist as she knelt on the ground. Pulling out the bandages, she proceeded to tightly wrap her upper stomach and chest. She hissed as the bandages brushed against the still fresh brand. Around and around the white cloth went, slowly covering up that horrid mark. Finished, she retied her hanbok and picked up her bag. It was time to find her children. A rustling alerted her to someone's presence. Silbeo. He sauntered over to her, licking her hand.

"It is good that you made it out, Silbeo. Come, we must find my children. You know their scents well. Track them," she ordered, stroking his head.

They both took off, running through the woods. Still, Yeosin could not shake the sense that someone was following her...

Kiku made sure he had supplies himself when she went back to the guard house. He didn't want to be caught with nothing and have to go back mid-way through following her. It was simple enough. She had doubled back in the first place, so he had time to do so and still keep an eye on her.

When she stripped down to bandage herself, a part of him cringed with shame looking at her. His instincts wanted to look away from her desperately, but cold hard logic told him to not keep his eyes off of her for too long.

And then it seemed that wolf of hers had followed her here. If anything, he was more concerned about that animal doing something than he was about the female nation he was following. After all, the wolf was in much better shape than her, and had detered him before.

But he still continued to follow, as silently and invisibly as possible.

Every now and then, Yeosin noticed that Silbeo would stop and look off into the woods with a sharp eye. So he felt it too? That feeling as though they were being followed. Yeosin dislike the feeling, but there wasn't much she could do about it. After all, even if someone were following her, she was in no condition to fight them. Sighing, she continued to follow Silbeo. They should have found her children by now. After all, they did not have that much of a head start. So where were they? Could it be they did not even make it out of the palace? Either way, it was getting late. They would need to stop soon.

"Silbeo. That is enough for today. Let us find a place to camp for the night," Yeosin patted the wolf's head.

They managed to find a good camping spot near a river. She and Silbeo bathed together, washing the grime of the day off. After they were done, Yeosin wrapped her chest with a fresh bandage, washing out the old one in the stream water. Finally, she ate a little and fell asleep, curled up against Silbeo for warmth. She should have remembered a cloak. Shivering slightly, she drifted off into a troubled sleep.

Kiku watched her sleep for a bit. What should he do? If he didn't get some rest himself, he might find himself wary and not able to keep up as he had. It might not be a problem if he was just dealing with the injured woman, but with the wolf it was more troublesome.

But falling asleep presented the danger of taking his eyes off of her. It also presented a completely different danger in that he might not wake up the same. That would be more troublesome than anything...

He had an awareness of what he was. He was a mental creation. A void. And yet he was also himself.

...And he knew there was a possibility of waking up...different.

In the end, he decided to rest and sort-of sleep, with one eye open. Not fully losing consciousness. It was a compromise that would greatly reduce his dangers.

And it wouldn't be so bad. After all...in a way, his consciousness already slept. It was just his body that needed rest, and he didn't need to sleep completely for that.

Just this would be fine. Until she woke.

Yeosin felt something wet on her face. Cracking one eye open, she groaned in protest, feeling more exhausted than when she went to sleep. Silbeo was gently nudging her with his nose. Now that she was awake, he licked her face, cleaning off the trail of tears that had left dried tracks down her cheeks. She hadn't even realized she had been crying in her sleep. Rolling onto her back, she stared up at the sky. The sun was still asleep.

She had never been particularly involved in Kiku's upbringing, but she had watched him grow and did care about him. When her land had been divided into three kingdoms, one kingdom was allied with Japan. All in all, though, there was never that much interaction between the two. Is that why it hurt so much? She had been a hermit before all of this, so it wasn't as if she had hurt him first. She didn't know what to do.

Shifting uncomfortably, she rolled onto her side. Her back burned. She hoped it wasn't getting infected. Removing the upper portion of her hanbok, Yeosin unbound her bandages. There was a small bit of blood on white cloth. She felt Silbeo move behind her, licking the wound.

"Don't, Silbeo. It's dirty. I will go wash it in a moment," she whispered.

What was she going to do? As long as Kiku didn't do anything else to her, she would be okay...hopefully. But deep down, she had a nagging feeling.

Her hermit self wasn't strong enough to deal with much more.

Kiku's half-conscious self noticed movement between the woman and wolf and both of his eyes opened completely. It seemed his plan had more-or-less worked. He hadn't lost her. He had gotten some rest. And he was still him.

As he watched her he wondered how long she would keep this up. How long she would keep going. Where she was going.

He wondered if they would have another night like this, or if she would reach her destination before then.

He moved his neck and then his other limbs, working out any stiffness.

And he readied himself for the day.

Sighing, Yeosin gathered her belongings after a quick rinse and rewrap of her back and chest. She and Silbeo set off, munching on the food the brought as they walked. Yeosin was still a bit sluggish. Silbeo was alert and ready for anything. She envied his stamina.

"What now, Silbeo? I am not entirely sure where the twins will have taken the children. Do you think we will find them soon?" she murmured to her companion.

Silbeo let out a short bark.

"You know, maybe it's best to forget about finding them for now. It would provide more safety, would it not? Instead, I should spend some time among my people."

Silbeo snorted.

"That well may be, Silbeo, but there is nothing quite like spending time with them to understand their feelings."

Determined to better acquaint herself with the people in the area and see in person what Japan was doing to her land and country, Yeosin quickly headed for the nearest town. She would live among them for a time, biding her time until she was ready to strike.

Silbeo seemed to huff in slight annoyance.

"I know it may take years, but there is nothing else I can do for now. I will just have to wait, but I certainly won't be idle. The seeds of rebellion must be planted early and be given time to grow and be nurtured before they can fully bloom. Wait and see, Honda Kiku. One day, you will regret ever forcing my doors open."

Silbeo howled in agreement.

Kiku heard some talking ahead as he silently followed the woman and wolf. But he was too far to quite hear what was being said. But the urge to come closer to hear was outweighed by not wanting to be caught following. So he stayed his distance.

It was unfortunate, though, as her talk might have given him a clue as to some of his questions. But it wasn't worth being discovered.

He watched her expression. It seemed that she hadn't given up, at least.

The wolf howled.

He wondered what that meant.

---

I was thinking that her going to a village like that might be a good idea for that time skip, maybe, unless you had other plans. But we need to get there first, regardless.

I'll send you a PM.

After another day of walking, Yeosin finally reached the town. The first order of business was to find lodging. She wasn't sure how long that would take considering she wanted Silbeo to stay with her if at all possible. It took a few tries, but she found that there was a mask maker who was willing to house her. It seemed he used to have a daughter who would help him with his mask making, but she was gone now. He refused to say what happened, but it was clear he was upset. Provided she was willing to help him with his masks, he would teach her if need be, and help cook, she was free to lodge with him. His fondness of animals combined with Silbeo's good nature convinced him to allow the wolf to stay. He was surprised to find, however, that she had no other clothes with her. As such, he allowed her to use his daughter's old clothes.

Yeosin quickly settled into her new home. Each day he would wake her, breakfast already on the table. After eating, he would open his shop while she tidied up. Then, she would bring him a light mid-day meal and help him with his work. After a few hours, she would leave to prepare an evening meal. Occasionally, Silbeo would be let loose to hunt, bringing back a rabbit or two as his own thanks to the mask maker. Gradually, the people of the town became acquainted with her, and Yeosin's strong desire to protect them from her younger brother grew.

It was by accident that he saw it. She had been asleep at the time. The usual bandages that covered her chest were removed to allow the injury to breathe in some fresh air. Lying on her stomach, her upper back was exposed. It was getting cooler at night, so the man had brought an extra blanket to place over the young woman. His hands froze as his eyes landed on her spine. Only part of the brand was exposed, but he understood. He did not need to read the Japanese to know someone had done this to her. Covering her quickly, he left the room, glaring at the fire in the main room.

"Japanese dogs..."

It seemed like she was staying in this village. She didn't meet with the boys. She wasn't doing anything that peaked his interest. It was dull. He would have thought it a waste to have followed her, but at least he knew where she was.

Since it didn't seem like she was going anywhere anytime soon, he decided to leave. He would send one of his spies to keep an eye on the place and not get involved.

That, afterall, was all that he had wanted. The knowledge of where she was and an eye on her. That's all he needed.

So he left and concentrated on other areas.

~

February, 1919

It was interesting to be back in Asia when the Peace Conference in France had not yet concluded. And furthermore, his delagations' two proposals had yet to recieve final decisions. Although, Arthur, Francis and Feliciano had already made agreements with him on the issue of Shandong. It was just...Yao...

But he shouldn't dwell on that. There was also the racial equality clause for the proposed League of Nations. He hoped that would push through as well.

For now, he was back in Asia. For some reason, the military officer accompaning him didn't want him to visit Korea. He had wondered why. Now he could see some obvious looks of hate directed toward him. Others less obvious that he was noticing as well. He started wondering if the people treating him nicely were merely faking it.

He scolded himself for thinking such a horrible thing about others, but he couldn't help it.

And the officer was trying to keep his eyes elsewhere, he could tell, but he couldn't help seeing some things that made him suddenly feel that it was oddly appropriate that he was wearing the colour of death.

"Captain?" Kiku inquired without saying what he was inquiring about.

"Nippon-sama?" the officer hestitantly responded.

Kiku suddenly ran off in the direction of a village center, and the officer followed, calling out, "Nippon-sama!" and then paling, realizing his mistake, as they were suddenly the center of all attention.

---

Sorry this was so long to read. But I wanted to set it up this way.

I used the white text only because I'm generally black!Kiku in this, so there's a difference. Obviously, I usually don't change my font color, but that doesn't mean anything on a regular basis. Heh.

White is the color of death in Japan, rather than black. I find that too wonderfully ironic to resist.

The Peace Conference mentioned, is, of course, the one after WWI, that resulted in the Treaty of Versailles and the set up of the League of Nations.

Shandong is a territory in China that was granted to Germany in 1897. Japan seized it during WWI as an ally of Britain. Private agreements were made with Britain, France and Italy agreeing that the territory would go to Japan. Obviously, China disagreed with this notion.

The racial equality clause read as follows: "The equality of nations being a basic principle of the League of Nations, the High Contracting Parties agree to accord as soon as possible to all alien nationals of states, members of the League, equal and just treatment in every respect making no distinction, either in law or in fact, on account of their race or nationality." It was proposed by Japan on February 13, 1919. Ironic, yes? By the way, when it came down to vote, it won a majority but was overturned regardless.

God, I'm sorry this is so much to read. orz

Life with the old man, Hwajae-nim, was peaceful. Not long after she had begun living with him, he discovered her secret burden. His anger multiplied when he listened to her story. Word spread like wildfire. Someone had hurt the young woman living with Hwajae. It was the Japanese, they whispered. As time passed, the town grew to love Yeosin, and their hatred of the Japanese increased. Like smoldering embers, they waited for the right moment to flare to life. Soon, the Japanese would be sorry.

February 1919

Yeosin laughed as she walked through the market. People called out, greeting the young woman and her wolf. She had grown fond of the villagers. Of course, she had not forgotten her goal. Soon, they would be ready for action. Until then, she was content to live in peace. She had stopped to speak with a local shopkeeper when a commotion seemed to explode out of nowhere.

"Nippon-sama!"

She froze. Turning to search the crowd, she spotted who she was looking for.

"Honda Kiku?" she whispered.

---

Sorry this sucks. I wasn't sure if Kiku is back in the same town or what was supposed to happen.

Kiku was trying to ignore the officer for now. He would make up for his rudeness after he figured out what was happening here. He suddenly felt like he was in the dark about a lot of things, and didn't enjoy this feeling. And he remembered being offered the job of supervising the work here, and he didn't remember turning it down, but he also didn't remember doing anything here...it was strange and he was going to try to find out what happened.

But then a voice saying his name stopped him in his tracks, even though it was so quiet, he didn't even know how he heard. "Yeo-" he started to say, when the Captain actually bumping into him from behind, startled by his sudden stop, interrupted him.

And he noticed he was being stared at. By practically everyone. And the feeling their stares gave him was not at all a nice one...

He searched for the face that the voice belonged to among them.

---

Sorry if I confused you! And yes, it was, because the purpose is for them to meet again. Sorry again for not being clear!

It didn't suck though. Mine was just...well...I'd been writing it in my head for a few days...and I should have explained more to you. And I know you have a lot of studying to do and such...and...I'll shut up now, I'm sorry.

Yeosin felt someone grab her from behind. It was the shopkeeper’s son. He started to drag her before changing his mind, scooping her up and running for dear life. The crowd parted to let them pass before closing the gap and swallowing them up. Yeosin wasn’t sure what to say at first. Then her senses came to her and she began to protest.

“I will not put you down, nor will I stop running, Yeosin-nim,” the young man said.

True to his word, he carried her all the way back to the Hwajae-nim’s shop. The old man was in the middle of carving a new mask when they burst in. He took one look at the shocked expression on Yeosin’s face and the angered one on the young man’s before pulling them inside and locking the door. The young man gently placed Yeosin on a nearby stool. Silbeo was by her side in an instant, eyes glinting in the dim light.

“A stray dog has appeared,” the young man scowled while looking out the window of the shop.

“Honda Kiku is not a stray,” Yeosin whispered from her perch.

“Honda…Kiku?” Hwajae’s gaze hardened.

Yeosin refused to meet his eyes.

“I see. Then we must begin to prepare. If he is the one they sent to supervise the work here, then the time to strike will come soon enough,” Hwajae spat.

“Who is this man, Hwajae-nim?” the young man didn’t understand. All he knew was that the villagers had been told to make sure no Japanese man came near Yeosin for reasons left unsaid.

Hwajae glowered, cupping Yeosin’s face in his hands and kneeling down before her. For a moment, he looked aged beyond his years, and sadness washed over him. That sadness glazed over, hatred taking its place.

“He is the dog that dared to bite the Empress…”

---

Surprise! I know I said I'd be absent, but I needed a break from studying. Though, from here on, I'll stick to my posted absence.

I've decided that the old man is going to know about the country personifications. I haven't thought of a reason why, but he does. It just makes things easier. Otherwise, I feel people wouldn't listen to Yeosin's calls for an uprising.

Kiku spotted her just as she was lifted and carried away. He was about to go after her when the officer caught him by the wrist. Kiku turned to the man and warned, "You should not overstep your bounds, Captain."

When he turned again, Yeosin was gone.

The officer bowed to him. "My apologies, Nippon-sama. But I thought it best that Satsuei be left alone. I also apologize for the commotion I have inadvertantly caused. Perhaps you would like to leave this place?" The last question was spoken with a tinge of desperate hope.

Kiku barely registered the end remarks. "...Satsuei?" he questioned for a moment. And then remembered hearing that Yeosin had been given such a name, despite her people not being allowed to take anything but Korean names. It had seemed almost nice when he heard it, but...the meaning...

He had a growing feeling at the pit of his stomach. It wasn't good. Perhaps he shouldn't have critisized Arthur quite so much about his doings in India without looking at what he himself was doing more closely.

---

It was a surprise! Heh. And that's fine.

To be clear, the officer with Kiku is a Naval Captain. Which would be the equivalent of an Army Colonel.

Also, some more random referrance to the Anglo-Japanese alliance. They both disapproved of each other's doings in India and Korea respectively. ...Not a whole lot of inward thinking going on there...

Yeosin felt strange. The young man who had carried her left after a muttered conversation with Hwajae. She couldn't help but feel like something was off about Kiku. That glint in his eyes had been absent today. He seemed...lost, like he didn't quite understand why the people in town were glaring daggers at him. Surely he wasn't that ignorant? He had to remember what happened.

"Doesn't he know what his people have been doing to mine? Everything is unfair. Silbeo..." Yeosin sighed, stroking the wolf's soft fur to calm herself.

"Yeosin," Hwajae's voice cut through her musings.

"I'm going to call another meeting tonight. We should finish up the declaration. I think we should make copies of it to read in other towns and cities too," Hwajae suggested.

"Of course. We will discuss this more tonight. We should move soon," Yeosin said.

"When? If that man is here, things will be hard to pull off..."

"We don't want a riot. We should choose a more secluded, private place. Also, we should find someone who will help us air our grievances using the newspapers and radios. It will help us gain support from the people," Yeosin suggested.

"Of course, Yeosin-nim. Tonight, we will finalize our plans. If we aim for mid-March, that gives us a little more than a month."

"No. We aim for March 1st," Yeosin said.

"March 1st? Hm...Samil. If that is what you wish," Hwajae's eyebrows raised.

Yeosin was eager for March 1st to come around, but she couldn't help but feel uneasy. There was a good chance something would go wrong. Her intention was not to start a riot, but not everything goes according to plan in most cases. She absentmindedly stroked Silbeo, a dull burn overtaking her body, like a fever. Her people were growing restless. The rejection of the invaders was growing stronger by the day.

Silbeo let out another howl. Yes, Yeosin thought, storm clouds were forming. The question was which side would weather the storm and which side would be crushed by it?

---

Sorry this post is extra late! I keep trying to Google info and accidentally pull Google up in the tab I'm trying to write this post in. I've lost my posts twice already, on two separate evenings. Argh!! ┴─┴ ︵╰（'□′╰） So, I apologize for the lateness. I got a little frustrated (Just dropped the f-bomb quite loudly. I'll probably be getting questions about that in the morning...). I also keep falling asleep at my keyboard. *FAILS* The post isn't much, but I'm trying to set stuff up. I'm also sorry the end is cheesy cliche. I couldn't think of another metaphor. *fails again*

References to the name of the movement, Samil. Literally means "three-one" or March 1st in Korean.

Yeosin's idea about the radio and news is actually what the nationalists did. They aired their complaints before the formal declaration so the Japanese people would hear them.

The nationalists had to switch locations because they didn't want a riot, but the declaration was read in a few different places besides Seoul.

The people of the village were starting to go back to their business. After all, they couldn't spend their whole day just standing there, they had things to do. They were keeping wary eyes on the two men with Japanese naval uniforms on, however.

Kiku was thinking.

"We should come back another day, perhaps, when you have...sorted yourself out," the officer told him seriously.

Kiku looked up at him. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.

"...Just perhaps that now isn't the best time," the officer responded. "We have attracted enough attention already, haven't we, Nippon-sama?"

Kiku thought for a moment. "...I don't know," he finally answered, quietly.

---

...I don't know. Did you want to talk to Kiku while he's like this, or do you want to move on?

"I would like to see a copy of the declaration when you are finished composing it. Other than that, I have no more requests," Yeosin said.

"Of course, Yeosin-nim," Hwajae bowed and left to gather the rest of the leaders of their group.

"What am I going to do, Silbeo?" Yeosin asked the wolf beside her, as though he could make her troubles disappear with a howl.

...

February 1919--Village of Jeam-ri

"Jeonsa-hyung! Jeonsa-hyung!" Im Haneul, Yeosin's Northern son yelled happily, beckoning the young guard to come closer.

"Oppa! Come look at what we've made!" a cute girl about Haneul's age cried in joy.

Jeonsa sauntered over at a leisurely pace. He couldn't help but smile. When Yeosin had given him an order to protect her son, he couldn't figure out where to go at first. Then he remembered his family and the village he grew up in. Deciding to kill two birds with one stone, he returned to the village of Jeam-ri.

His mother, still only 30 years of age, had born a baby girl. She was sweet as could be, quickly growing attached to her older brother. He would have to remember to tell Nambu they had a younger sister and that their young mother was doing well. The woman, however, was preparing to travel. Her own mother and father were in poor health, so she planned to visit them one last time. She would depart on the 28th day of the month. Each night he promised his worried mother that he would protect his baby sister and their family.

"No matter what, I will not let harm befall you," Jeonsa swore, not knowing that promise would later break him.

Miles and miles away, Nambu sat peacefully watching over his charge, Yong Soo, unaware of the travel plans of his mother and the existence of his sister.

---

I don't really have a preference. If you'd like them to meet, that's fine. I'm really sorry I keep writing about two completely made up characters, but I'm trying to tie in the whole "one of my guards completely wants to rip out your guts" bit that I haphazardly threw into the other thread. I just thought it'd be more interesting than having everything happen to Yeosin directly. Also, this way, we can avoid any scenes we are uncomfortable with RP-ing because I can just allude to it while still giving it a more personal air.

The only reference I made won't come in to play until March 1st actually happens. I will just say that village where Jeonsa is living, Jeam-ri, is important.

Just for clarification, Jeonsa and Nambu are about 14.

"You don't know?" the Captain repeated, seriously.

"No," Kiku said, even quieter than before. "I don't know...I...Actually....I need to speak with her, if only for a moment."

"How do you intend to find her now?" he was asked.

"Well, I could ask around, however people don't seem to be very fond, it might cause more of a commotion..."

"Right, you wouldn't want to - "

"...So I thought I might just ask you."

The Captain paled, not expecting that answer. Not expecting to be read right through.

"I...can't garantee that she'll be there," he explained, not trying to lie at the moment.

"It's at least a start," Kiku responded.

---

Yeah...I thought about it awhile, and I think I really want them to meet, at least briefly. It's going to bug me otherwise.

Basically, they've been quietly tracking her movements, so he probably has a list of places she might be.

Oh, and the characters you speak of? Don't worry, I get it.

And sorry for the fail post.

Yeosin sat quietly for a moment longer before heading into the house. Unsure of what to do, she set about cleaning. She wondered how long it would take for Hwajae to gather the other leaders and meet. They wouldn't meet here, of course. It was too risky. They always rotated between the homes of the other members. It was just easier that way. Yeosin wasn't stupid. She knew the Japanese were watching her, keeping tabs on her movements and places she typically visited. She had done her best, though, to make it look like Hwajae was just a kindly old man letting her stay with him.

Pausing in her cleaning, she thought back to the incident earlier. Part of her wanted to run to Kiku and demand he just leave her be, but another part of her wanted to hurt him. She was surprised. She thought he would have tried to chase after her, but she supposed he didn't really care. After all, he had said something once about just needing to know where she was, nothing more. So why was he here, then?

"That dog lied. He really does want something, don't you think, Silbeo?" Yeosin growled. "But what exactly does he want after all this time?"

Yeosin whirled around when the door suddenly burst open. Standing there was a Japanese officer and Honda Kiku. Yeosin wasn't sure what to do. Her face was blank, but her mind was raging in anger.

"You would know, Honda-nim. It is not as though you have not had your mutts following my every movement," she scowled. "And you! Knock next time. It is rude to enter a home without doing so first. Were you not taught any manners, dog?"

Sighing, Yeosin turned to face the fire pit. What did he want? Could he not just leave her alone? She stroked the wood of an unfinished mask sitting on the table nearby. How much easier would this be if she could just put on a mask, another persona for situations like these? Would the betrayal hurt as much? Then, only part of her, a separate part, would have to feel the pain of this occupation. The other could be free. She shook her head. That was nonsense. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, she gritted her teeth.

"What do you want, Honda Kiku?"

Yeosin almost smiled at the unpleasant look Kiku shot the officer. Almost. It was like looking at the old Kiku, the Kiku from before this damned occupation. Suddenly, she wanted to cry. She wanted to beg him to just leave her be, because if there was ever a time when Kiku might listen, it would be now. But then she remembered, and her expression darkened.

Satsuei...

A branding hiss that echoed in her mind. This boy might look innocent now, but Yeosin knew better. In fact, if he didn't remember what had transpired, then it just made this revenge sweeter. Let her rip apart his happy little delusion and show him what kind of monster he really is, the monster she knew still lurked somewhere within.

"You wanted to speak to me, Honda-nim? And what, pray tell, would we speak of?" Yeosin's lips curled up in a cracked smiled. "Shall we speak of my children? I haven't seen my children in years because I don't want you or your men to be able to get anywhere near them. Shall we speak of my palace, which you so arrogantly took over? You even had the nerve to burn my history books. But that is not what I would like to talk about. No, Honda Kiku, what I would like to talk about is this..."

Yeosin turned so they had a good view of her back before stripping off the top of her hanbok, unwrapping the bandages, and showing Kiku exactly what he had done to her.

"This, Honda Kiku is what you have done to me. You have branded me like an animal. I wonder why, though, you didn't greet me by using my name? Did you forget, Honda-nim, what name you burnt into my skin all those years ago?" she snarled.

Bathed in the reddish-orange light of the fire pit, the raised scar stretched angrily from the base of her neck to her mid-back.

"Satsuei," she spat.

At first he was merely taken aback. Those things sounded horrible, although he didn't do them personally, people he was responsible for did.

But then he saw it. And she explained. And he paled. And his mind reeled. "Me? But I...I...couldn't have...I...don't...." he sputtered out, and he started feeling hazy and dizziness swept over him.

The officer caught him as he fell. "Passed out," the Captain announced and gave a small smirk. "I think I'd actually like to thank you, Satsuei. He was getting troublesome in this state. And thus, I will leave you now as a favour."

He picked the prone nation up into his arms and carried him toward the door. "Goodbye for now," he called over his shoulder. "The next time you see Nippon-sama, he will probably not be so favourable towards you. Have a nice day."

---

And if you don't stop him or react in a way that causes more interaction, the next narration line would be: 'And with that, he left' but I wanted to give you a chance to react genuinely, before deciding that he got out of there.

The Captain, as is probably pretty clear by now, is not a nice person. He's one of black!Kiku's right hand men, and keeps an eye on him when he's in his 'normal' state.

btw, the reason that Kiku passed out from the information is tied to my headcanon concerning why black!Kiku exists. It's a bit complicated. It's kind of like a mental defense mechinism. But anyway, I might explain it more sometime.

Yeosin reached to grabbed him when he began to fall but pulled back. She watched as the officer picked him up. She almost felt sorry for the boy because she was beginning to understand that Kiku was not entirely himself. In this state. Part of her wanted to scream. Her anger had gotten the best of her, and now it looked like she lost her one chance to talk to Kiku without interference from outside or inside sources.

She sneered at the officer. Yeosin did not like that man. She wanted him dead. That infuriating smirk and his rude demeanor grated on her every nerve. Next to her, Silbeo growled. He wanted her to stop them. Stop them? Even if she managed to stop the officer, what would she do with an unconscious Kiku? She could brand him back, but what purpose would that serve? She could stab him where it would hurt him most, but Yeosin wouldn't stoop so low as to hurt another country when they couldn't even defend themselves. She could keep him as a hostage and force the government of Japan to listen to her, but she knew better. Sighing inwardly, she watched as her last chance to rectify the giant mess Kiku had gotten them into headed for the door. Silbeo growled, annoyed.

"I know, Silbeo, I know. Just wait. The clock is already ticking away, and March 1st will be here before you know it. Just a little more..." Yeosin absentmindedly stroked Silbeo's head.