punkish furball – Salutations, all! X3

Words to Ponder:

Thank you Kokuei Kyoushu, Sin of the Fallen, Lorelei evans, naruke3176, KeiGinya, AnimeFANforeverMORE, kakashixangela, Minako the Dragon Maiden of DW, Deathstarling556, cadaverific-jellyfish, xxoikilluoxx, The Path of Supreme Conquest, exalgon, HerTormentedHeart, Aloever, Reibuki Shihaisha, Applejax XD, Aquarius Otter, BakerTennant'sTardis, Silversun XD, starmienight, Alice Sakurai (2x), R.M, Tokito, Killing perfection's lover (5x), and kagomefan59 for reviewing! ^.^

Sorry this latest installment took so long to complete, but, they are many more updates of this fiction and others to come. Works that are also recently updated are Floral Romance, an Ouran High/InuYasha crossover; Just a Little Kiss, TMNT/InuYasha crossover; and Turtle Bites, a TMNT/InuYasha crossover. (There is clearly a theme with my writing. :P)

Happy New Year, everyone! XD

Installment 18: Speak Low if You Speak Love

Kiku grinned at Kagome across the kotatsu as she continued to play with Tama while he casually sipped his tea. Every so often, Kagome would look up and smile at him before she turned her attention back to Tama, not willing to break the comfortable silence that settled between them. For the first time in a long time, Kiku was content. He subsequently cringed when he heard the doorbell echo throughout his home.

'I should have known this feeling would not last long,' he thought, dismayed.

Before he could stand, Kagome did so and dropped Tama in his lap as she headed for the exit.

"I'll go get it," she told him over her shoulder, "Watch Tama while I'm gone."

"Are you sure?" Japan asked.

"Positive."

Kagome left the back room and approached the front door, quickly assessing today's visitors. She quickly recognized China among them along with two other countries didn't recognize. As far as she could tell, the three of them all shared some degree of relation.

'Well, it's never a bad time to make new friends.'

With that in mind, Kagome stepped into the genkan and opened the door. Before she knew it, she was tackled to the floor by a pretty girl with long brown hair adorned with bright pink flowers.

"You're so cute!" she exclaimed, "Sensei told us you would be!"

"Aiyah!" China shouted, wildly flailing his hands, "Get off of her!"

She grinned devious and cried, "Don't want to!"

Kagome stiffened when the girl nuzzled her cheek into her bosom, sighing in contentment. China groaned and grabbed her by the collar of her qipao, lifting her in the air with ease. She huffed as he set her back on her feet and straightened her top. China rolled his eyes then reached out his hand to help Kagome up.

"I'm sorry about that, Kagome-chan. This isn't how I expected this visit to begin, aru," he amended.

"It's alright," she said as she stood from the floor, "No harm done."

She peeked over China's shoulders to see the other person who accompanied him. He was a boy with choppy brown hair and thick eyebrows reminiscent of England's, a typical uninterested teen wearing an unreadable countenance.

"Allow me to introduce myself," she said and politely bowed, "My name is Higurashi Kagome."

The girl squealed and clapped her hands together. "Cute and well-mannered!"

"She's just a normal girl," the boy interjected, "There's no need for you to react this way."

China smacked him on the back of the head for the offhand comment.

"Stop being so rude and introduce yourself!" he scolded and glanced in the girl's direction.

"You too," he added.

"Of course, sensei," the girl said, "My name is Taiwan, but, if you're more comfortable calling me by my human name, it's Xiao Mei."

"Pleased to meet you," Kagome cheerfully replied. So far, Taiwan was the only female country she's met. To quote America, she was beginning to suspect the whole world was one big sausage fest.

As soon as she finished speaking, the boy inclined his head. "Hong Kong. I am also called Li Xiao Chun."

"Nice to meet you too," she said, returning the gesture, "I can see Yao has been telling a little bit about me." China became rigid when he heard Kagome say his name without the suffix, growing flush with embarrassment.

Taiwan smirked as his reaction and stated, "Sensei has actually been rather tightlipped about the details of your relationship. Hong Kong and I only found out about you after we saw a package from you on his doorstep."

"Yes," Yao added, still blushing, "After I received your gift, I wanted to thank you in person."

He grinned. "However, I did have a feeling you were up to something when I saw you the other day."

"I suspected you found me out, but I'm glad you kept your suspicions quiet," Kagome said with a shrug. She reached out and fingered the fringe of the scarf tied around his neck, extremely pleased to see Yao wearing it.

"But you don't need to repay me for something like that. I made it because I care about you."

"And I you," Yao retorted. He handed Kagome a small package wrapped in plain brown paper he kept hidden behind his back.

"This is for you," he explained, "I didn't make it, but I think you'll like it."

"Of course I will!" Kagome exclaimed, "I just didn't expect you to get me anything in return." She threw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. Behind them, Taiwan leaned toward Hong Kong, placing her lips by his ear.

"They're definitely lovers!" she whispered excitedly, "That's not the kind of reaction you see between old friends."

"If that's true, then why is she staying here with Japan?" Hong Kong countered, "It seems more likely that she would be his lover, assuming she's in that type of relationship at all."

"You're right," she replied, "I need to get more information before I can make a definite conclusion."

"Do whatever you want. I'm not involved."

"You can't expect me to believe you're not interested!" Taiwan asserted, not believing Hong Kong's admission for a second, "I mean, just how old of a friend of theirs could a girl barely in her twenties be?"

"Like I said. I do not want to be involved," Hong Kong reiterated, refusing to press the issue further.

"Oh, you are cheeky! But I don't buy your aloof act. There must be something you find interesting about her."

Hong Kong thoughtfully hummed as he turned to China and Kagome who just ended their embrace.

"What are you two whispering about?" Yao asked, suspicious.

"Yao, let's not pry into their business," Kagome insisted with a smile and suggested, "Why don't we all go to the back? Kiku and I were having tea, and I'd love for you all to join us."

"We'd love too!" Taiwan exclaimed, "What about you, Hong Kong?"

Instead of answering the question, Hong Kong suddenly stated, "I suppose she's not exactly normal. And, if I had to pick something about her that interested me, I rather like these." He reached out and grabbed Kagome's breasts, startling her as he gave each one a tight squeeze.

"Firm, perky, and surprisingly symmetrical," he continued, "Very nice size too."

"Aiyah!" China and Taiwan screamed in unison, far too shocked to do or say anything else.

"Get your hands off of me!" Kagome demanded, fighting the urge to strike the personified region.

This was the scene that Japan and Tama walked in on.

-O0o0O-

Hong Kong sat at the kotatsu between Taiwan and China with his head turned to the wall, avoiding eye contact and hiding the glowing handprint on his left cheek.

"You have no right to pout after what you did!" China asserted, "I'm extremely disappointed in you!"

"Don't worry about it," Kagome interrupted the impending lecture as she poured fresh cups of tea for everyone present.

"However," she began, looking at Hong Kong with an overly cheery expression, "I would not like a repeat of that incident, or I won't be so forgiving." The male territory discretely cringed but remained his cool.

"Whatever."

"Well, I'm sure we've heard enough of that!" Taiwan said, "Kagome-chan, why don't you open your gift from sensei? He was so secretive about it, and I'm dying to know what he got you!"

"Oh! I suppose with all the excitement I forgot about it," Kagome uttered.

"Here you are," Japan said as he placed the package on the table in front of her. He too was curious about its contents especially after seeing a Chinese flag inspired scarf around Yao's neck. He still didn't remove it despite the warmth that radiated throughout his home.

Kagome nodded and took the package, quickly removing the paper and opening the box it covered. Inside was revealed a beautiful, black lacquer box adorned in red lotus flowers and petals. She gingerly took it from the packaging and held it near eye level. Upon closer inspection, she realized the detail on each and every petal, stem, and leaf was exquisite.

"It's gorgeous!" she softly whispered, looking up at China gratefully.

Across the table, Yao beamed. "I knew you'd like it, aru! Open and look inside. It's a jewelry box."

Kagome nodded as she placed the box on the table and lifted the lid. The setup inside was simple with three main compartments and several other specialized places for trinkets all lined in red velvet.

"Thank you so much! I love it," she stated.

Taiwan giggled and pointed to the lavish gift. "I think someone else does to."

Kagome looked down to see Tama's furry, little body squished inside the jewelry box with his paws hanging over the edge. She shrugged when he glanced at her and mewed.

"If he fits, he sits."

-O0o0O-

punkish furball – I wonder what other grateful countries will bring? Until next time, TCB! ^.~

(edited 01.08.2014)