Disclaimer: Anything related to Hetalia has nothing to do with me, this is mere fanfiction. There's a bit of history reference, genderbend Asian countries, usage of human names, possible OOC-ness, so if you find it offensive, please DO NOT read, thank you.

A/N: Some pairings are more historical, while some are more human characters. Those with numbers at the back will be explained at the bottom. Just to let you know. Writer has been very busy, so please forgive writer for the(very) slow update.

The mystery of the Geisha.

It keeps men like me guessing.

A world where men pay for company, and love is nothing more than a dream.

It's strange, and I don't even know why, reader.

Like my British caretaker and my Russian friend, I too, had a lover from the exotic East.

This is my story, as told from Alfred.F. Jones himself.

About the Geisha named Ayame(1).

We cheered, it was a happy event.

No more fighting, the war was over. (2)

A new land was under our power.(3)

I took no time in seeing the land of the rising sun.

As I got down, I see a whole new world.

The cherry blossoms fell into my feet, Mount Fuji standing high, it was like I entered a dream world.

Eating street snacks, buying little good luck charms for our loved ones back home, and drinking the best sake.

I had my fun with buddies, you could say that.

Women were always easily available.

I don't blame them, times were hard. (4)

I always had my fun.

But why do I feel so lost?

An invitation to a tea ceremony?

Strange, I don't get invitations much.

Being the curious American I was, I went along.

There were so many customs, I had a hard time keeping up.

Then, the women came.

The painted face of white and red lips, alongside with elaborated designs on the kimono, it was too fake for my liking.

I politely pushed them away, didn't want to be rude.

But one stayed on my side.

That one, was Ayame.

She did had a painted face and all, but for some reason, she looked more simpler than the rest.

But for some reason, her eyes outshone her other features.

"Sir, do you speak English?"

I was a little startled.

"I do, how did you learn?"

"Clients. I hear so often that I could speak a little."

"I see."

And that was it.

It was strange how we met.

There was small talk, but other than that, not much.

But the two of us just liked each other company.

No conversation was needed.

She politely excused herself, for she was asked to perform, for a little bit of entertainment.

I could have sworn, that I saw cherry blossom petals move according towards her graceful movements.

I been looking forward towards events that she might come.

I wish to see her again.

Why? I don't even know.

I finally meet Ayame again, and soon we became really close.

I know who she really is, a simple girl hidden in elaborate kimonos and white mask.

Learning Japanese had been fun, I wonder was she too, having fun when I thought her English?

She knows what I've always wanted her to do.

I did not have to ask.

Always, she will just pick up her fan and dance.

I would always be memorized by her movements.

When her hips swayed, and her hands showing milky skin, I would always be left breathless.

Why would the sakura petals be swaying according to her movements every time she dance?

I don't really know.

But there's only one thing that I hate about her.

I really hate it when she has to serve other men, putting on her mask.

It was hiding her from what I thought was her real 'self'.

One time, a drunken client of hers almost demanded more from her.

Thank God that I was there.

Even she forgave the man, I still cannot really forgive that man.

You might be thinking, why would I bother so much about a geisha?

Truth is, I, myself, is looking for the answer.

I've stayed for too long now.

The years passed.

This land is free, I have to go (5)

But, I just can't leave Ayame behind.

I also want to let her know, that I love her.

Even if she doesn't return my love, I just wish we remain friends.

"Ayame?"

"Hmmm?"

"I- I can't stay here anymore, I..."

"Have to leave?"

"How...?"

"Most of the American soldiers are leaving, and my country is already free from your country's power."

Silence fills our presence.

Approaching her was hard, but it was now or never.

Lifting her chin, she looked at me with dark eyes asking me not to leave.

"Ayame, I-I love you."

I then kissed her, gently at first.

Slowly it became passionate, and soon, we just looked into each others eyes, searching for answers.

But it went crazy, and soon in my chambers, the rustle of fabric from our clothes was heard from being removed slowly as the kisses went on through out the night.

I looked at her sleeping nude figure.

She still haven't gave me an answer.

Does she love me? Or it was all her service of being a Geisha, and I was 'special'?

I now saw her dark orbs now look at me sleepily.

She smiled.

"Good Morning."

I smiled back.

"Ayame, you still haven't given me an answer."

"Towards what?"

"My feelings for you."

The smile wiped out from her face.

She tried not to look at me, but I really want to know.

"Do you?"

"I-I don't know, Alfred-san. I'm confused."

"About what?"

She gently raised herself up, looking at me shyly.

"I feel so much freedom when I am with you, Alfred-san. It was like a bird being released from it's cage. But I was taught not to love, yet..."

I raised myself up and gently kissed her forehead.

"Ayame, please, for this once, ignore your geisha self and answer me, through the Ayame I know."

You love him. You love him all this while...

Her eyes looked at mines with tears of happiness.

"Then... my heart tells me to respond with yours."

Her hands then wrapped itself on my neck, while we kissed in the first rays of the morning sun.

That moment on, our hearts now became one.

Leaving was hard, but I have to, right?

I wish I could brought Ayame to the States, but she prefers her homeland.

After all, a geisha can only be half a wife, so, no point in asking her hand in marriage.

"I will be back."

"I know you will, Alfred-san. I hope good luck will come your way."

I felt something pressed against my hand and saw a brightly coloured Omamori.(6)

"T-thank you, Ayame. I too, have something to give you."

I took out a hair clip, with a purple iris attached.

Fixing it in her raven hair, it really did suit her.

"Thank you, Alfred-san."

Then the plane conductor saying that it was the final call to anyone who wants to go back to the Sates.

"I guess it's time."

"So it is."

"Will you wait for me?"

"Of course I'll wait."

I approached her for a kiss, but she stopped me.

"We're in public..."

"Doesn't matter."

We just did a light one, as she was rather hesitant.

"Goodbye, Sayonara, Ayame."

"Sayonara, Alfred-san."

When the plane left, I felt like as if I have to come back to reality, leaving the dream world behind.

I have served in many wars now, during the cold war period.

I wanted to return to Japan, but the wars delayed me so.

Now, with the collapse of the Soviet Union, the wars have ended.

But I was scared to go back.(7)

Time flew, and I manage to set foot on Japanese soil during the late 1990's.

I frantically was looking for her, but some how, all traces of her was missing.

I almost gave up, till then...

"You're late."

I looked up, and smiled, recognizing that voice.

"I know, but I have returned."

Her geisha days were a far cry already.

I now see a modern woman with realism, rather than a geisha bound to tradition.

A soft kiss was shared, and I finally found back my little Japanese doll again.

1- I wanted to use Kiku at first, but I didn't want confusion, so I use the name 'Ayame' instead, meaning 'iris'

2- Japan initially surrendered to the Allies on August 14, 1945, when the Japanese government notified the Allies that it had accepted the Potsdam Declaration (source: Wikipedia)

3- At the end of the Second World War, Japan was occupied by the Allied Powers, led by the United States with contributions from Australia, India, the United Kingdom and New Zealand (source:Wikipedia)

4- Post-war Japan was chaotic. The air raids on urban centers left millions displaced and food shortages, created by bad harvests and the demands of the war, worsened when the importation of food from Korea, Taiwan, and China ceased. Alcohol and drug abuse became major problems. Deep exhaustion, declining morale and despair was so widespread that it was termed the "kyodatsu condition." Inflation was rampant and many people turned to the black market in order to buy even the most basic goods. Prostitution also increased considerably. (source:Wikipedia)

5-The Treaty of Peace with Japan (commonly known as the Treaty of San Francisco or San Francisco Peace Treaty), between the Allied Powers and Japan, was officially signed by 49 nations on September 8, 1951 in San Francisco, California. It came into force on April 28, 1952.(source:Wikipedia)

6-Omamori meaning honorable protector.Usually made of cloth and encloses papers or pieces of wood with prayers written on them which are supposed to bring good luck to the bearer on particular occasions, tasks or ordeals. Omamori are also used to ward off bad luck and are often spotted on bags, hung on cellphone straps, in cars, etc. for safety in travel. Many omamori are specific in design to the location they were made. (source:Wikipedia)

7- Japan-United States relations were more uncertain in the early 1990s than at any time since World War II. Each society continued to see the other as its main ally in Asia and the Pacific. Certain developments in the late 1980s damaged bilateral relations. Nevertheless, public opinion surveys continued to reveal that substantial majorities of Japanese and Americans believed that the bilateral relationship was vital to both countries.(source:Wikipedia)