The Exception that Proves the Rule

SO sorry for taking so long in updating this story my peeps. Computer screen died and had to get it fixed with all WIP chapters in it, also life is a motivation-killing-female dog.

Warnings: Historical inaccuracy which are taken mostly for artistic liberties and laziness. Most probable grammar/spelling mistakes.

Chapter 7: Endings

October 8, 1958

It had been long since the small harbor got to leave the house and set foot to mingle with his people. To see first-hand the exchanges between the natives and the foreigners was what he needed to distract his mind from other worrying matters such as the increasing hostility between China and Britain.

The only thing he was ordered to do was to stay close to the two guards that Britain sent with him and his current governor; Sir John Bowring who was currently speaking with some merchants as Hong Kong sat on top of a crate watching a group of children playing a strange game, perhaps one introduced to them by the traders.

He was focused on observing how the game was played when Sir Bowring called for him.

"There is one matter to attend to at the docks, then we shall head back or would there be anything you wish to do?" Hong Kong looked at him and then shook his head.

"No." He uttered and climbed off the crate to take the man's hand walking towards the loading docks.

One word sentences were the most he would provide for anyone and sometimes not even that was the case anymore. He spoke English only to Bowring and when reading out loud to Bowring's children but only if he knew for certain nobody else was to hear him. He was improving at a fast rate. Not that anyone he cared to know saw.

Britain himself was no longer present much; tending to a more important matter somewhere else, Hong Kong though was always alert in case He or another Country came. That's why he noticed the special presence when they reached the docks but before he could spot China, the commotion began and he was soon being carried away from the area as Sir Bowring and guards that were nearby headed towards the epitome of the struggle. He struggled on the guard's arms to get a glance back over the man's shoulders and see the imperial guard in front of a trading ship.

The Arrow incident as the event became to be known as became the tip off in the hostility between the Chinese and English. Hong Kong would listen to the discussion between Bowring and the Representatives of China; Britain was still away and so, China personally stayed out of the dealings as well. The small harbor was uncertain whether that was such a great idea. Humans were truly impulsive and stubborn.

"Piracy? Hah!" Sir Bowring puffed as he entered the room Hong Kong was currently hiding in. "The Arrow was most certainly flying the British flag, it is against the treaty of-" He stopped as he spotted him. "Leon."

He used the name assigned to Hong Kong by the British children that had befriended him enough to get his human name; China had explained that in some occasions, hiding one's nature was best and so a human name was chosen. The children of course could not properly pronounce it and so made the closest relation they could, naming him Leon. He did not mind. Only China and Macau had ever called him by his real name and that that was something he preferred to keep unchanged.

"I did not see you there." The man continued and turned to leave.

"They might not have either." He stood up and Bowring turned to look at him.

"Pardon?"

"The flag." Hong Kong gripped the sides of his robe as he spoke. "The men might not have seen it and made a mistake. Mistakes happen." He stiffened when his head was touched and patted.

"Indeed they do except-" That bloody exception. "Twelve men are not captured and robbed of their freedom by mistake." A soft push on his chin and the conversation was over. "You will be accompanying me tomorrow. Sleep well. Good night."

Hong Kong just nodded knowing well that asking where they would go would be pointless. He went to his room and snuggled against his stuffed panda bear before closing his eyes and falling asleep.

The next morning outing was confusing for Hong Kong. They had taken no guards but a few of the representatives and were stopping very close to the border between the Harbor and the mainland. This was definitely not something Britain would have agreed to and it made the child wonder if it was even allowed. His eyes saw the Imperial guard and the carriage came to a stop in front of it.

"Come." Bowring stepped out and offered a hand which he cautiously took and stepped out. They walked all the way to invisible border and stopped to wait.

Hong Kong unconsciously squeezed the man's hand as the carriage in front of them was dismounted. A royal representative stepped out and then to Hong Kong's surprise China. They walked and stopped on their side, so close but Hong Kong felt China was still so very far.

"I apologize if my letter was not clear." Bowring began after hostile greetings.

"It was very much clear, Sir Bowring." The Imperial said courtly. "Your people have simply lost all our sincere trust, I fear."

"Perhaps we need to spend more time speaking. No solution will be reached unless we do so." Bowring ignored the last comment and the other remained in place.

"You spoke of a deal in the letter. If you wish to get some civility from us, prove that you are a man of your word, as you people say." China finally spoke and Hong Kong was finally given a glance at.

"Ah yes, indeed I wrote that did I not?" The Gorvernor agreed and turned to Hong Kong. "Tea?" He inquired making the child confused.

Hong Kong sat on his heels and gripped the hem of his robe as China sat across from him preparing tea for them both. The silence was making him more nervous than he was already.

"How many?" He flinched at the question and looked at the unreadable face of China. They definitely had much more resemblance then.

"Two, please." The stoic face was gone and for a fraction of a moment, anger flashed in the golden pools before they closed and China proceeded to place two spoons of honey into the cup of tea. Hong Kong realized then that he had responded to a question asked in English. A test and he failed it.

"You have grown." Chinese this time and Hong Kong could only nod as they both took their tea. "What else have you learned?"

Hong Kong hesitated in answering but he had not seen China in so long, had not spoken to him and spoken his mind in so much time that the fact China was really looking at him this time, he went on and told his dear Gege everything that happened to him since their time living together. He kept his feelings of recently to himself though.

He did speak about his governors, of the panda bear he now slept with (China had looked away at that) and about the changes he saw in his people. He told him stories that England had given him and how much he loved them because of how different they were.

"Being different is certainly his thing." China had murmured and Hong Kong pretended he had not heard.

The sunset gave way to the end of their reunion and as Sir Bowring came for him to head back home, Hong Kong forwent all formalities and hugged China.

"Wuo Ai Ni." He buried his face on the familiar chest as he was hugged tightly.

"Wo hui yi zhi pei zhe ni."

Hong Kong climbed on his seat to wave at China and as the cart was retreating he saw China bend forward holding his stomach. He pressed his hands on the back window seeing some of the guards crowd around the older Nation.

"The motherland will understand this decision." Sir Bowring spoke making Hong Kong look at him before back at the direction of the guards now hiding China from view. The moment they arrived back at the house, Hong Kong ran out of the cart and into the house.

"Hong Kong?" He ignored Britain who stepped out of his made shift study and ran to his Hall. He slid the doors closed and sat down on the floor wrapping his arms around his legs and bringing them against his chest.

"What happened, Hong Kong? Are you okay? Where have you been?" The Brit asked from outside the sliding doors and turned to the governor when no reply came.

"Explain."

-To be Continued-

Am I being evil? Sorry. Going to have to end this chapter here. The Second Opium War begins next chapter. *cue dramatic music*

Translation from Chinese (Correct me if I'm wrong):

Wuo Ai Ni= I love you.

Wo hui yi zhi pei zhe ni= I'll always be here for you

Sensing some serious complains on all artistic liberties taken in this chapter…..Reviews are reviews though so fire away. Some nice reviews would be good too though. Don't burn me alive please.

See ya soon (I hope)