Oh geez! It's been waaay too long since I last updated this. Sorry!

~!~

The personified country of England paced restlessly back in forth in his study. He had been doing that so often recently, that now, where he continuously walked, there was a small area of his carpet becoming worn. He looked over to his wooden desk and leaned against it with a sigh. He had more work than usual to do lately, including finishing up the building plans for Kagome's home in her own country/continent of Antarctica. There were often times when he forgot she was supposed to be living somewhere else, and it felt right having her live with him. Unfortunately, he soon realized he wouldn't be able to hold onto her forever. Much like America, she would want to become more independent. He honestly did fear for that day.

But, he supposed he had a better chance of her staying with him more anyway, since she didn't exactly have people living in Antarctica, nor was there a form of government down there. The only people that usually traveled and stayed for a while were scientists or others interested in the icy land that didn't plan on living there.

Looking at a clock on his wall, he realized it was getting quite late, he would be late to a meeting with France soon…damned frog. He'd been so busy lately he hadn't the chance to really spend some quality time alone with Kagome and it was starting to annoy him. The time he really saw her now was when she was in the company of another nation. Was it too much to ask for some alone time with her? Speaking of other nations, England turned his glance over to a poorly painted portrait of himself and America, when Alfred was but a child. He didn't know why he still kept the silly looking thing. The painter clearly had the artistic ability of a fish. He wondered about Alfred…he hadn't seen him in quite some time, which had become odd since he usually visited often to say hi to Kagome.

Kagome…

Arthur sighed again and wandered over to his office closet, not entirely sure of what he was doing himself. He placed his hand on the knob and was startled by a sudden attack around his waist and he fell to the floor with a grunt. He coughed and looked up at the weight resting on top of him.

"Hey Arthur!" Kagome smiled cheerfully, her eyes twinkling in amusement.

"K-Kagome." He wheezed out in response and he heard a smooth chuckle come from the other side of the room that made his hair stand on end and his lips drew back in an impressive snarl. He knew that laugh anywhere….

"France…" Arthur growled, reminding himself of the objects he had yet to burn in his office closet. In one motion, Arthur moved Kagome off of his person and came to stand in front of the other nation. He took his pointer finger and repeatedly jabbed into the French man's chest.

"You…you…you…"

France laughed loudly and flicked England's forehead. "Yes! It is me! The one and only France!"

"Why are you here?" England spluttered and looked down when he saw Kagome wrap her arm around his and lean onto him.

"I invited him! Francis said he would teach me how to make more dishes today! Oh~ and he promised he would take me shopping today, and that I get to see Seychelles-I like her." Kagome smiled sweetly at him. It seemed almost as if she knew that when she blinked up at him with her blue eyes slightly wider than normal, giving her a more innocent look, that he would be okay with almost anything she had to say. Almost being the key word.

He sniffed lightly and looked away. "I thought we were going to meet in your home today! I was just about to leave!"

France hummed lightly before he smirked and grabbed Kagome's free arm, pulling her away from England's grip and into his own awaiting arms. "Ah, well mon chaton here invited me, and how can I say no to such a beauty?" He leaned over, not having to go too far since Kagome had grown, and he nuzzled her cheek, earning a giggle from her, and an annoyed scoff from England.

England was quick to steal her back into his own arms, and France rolled his eyes, deciding to stroll around the room, running his slender fingers over pictures and other objects in the office as though he had never seen them before. His smirk still on his face, he wandered, uncharacteristically silent until he reached the closet door. England narrowed his eyes and was ready to dart over and push him away from the closet. He would never live it down if France found out what he had (temporarily, he swore) hidden in the small space, in an unassuming white garbage bag.

France cocked an eyebrow, noticing his fellow country's tension. "Ah, I have always wondered what you kept in here…extra paper? Or old books? Maybe even…" France threw open the door with a triumphant laugh before England could tackle him to the floor.

France's laughter paused as he stared curiously into the dark space. England could feel heat flood to his face as he grabbed Kagome and pushed her behind him, not exactly wanting her to see what was in there.

He was going to dispose of them today! Really. He just….couldn't find the time between work and such.

France leaned in closer and the room's occupants listened to the rustling of a bag. France couldn't help the look of surprise that came over his face, before a smirk slithered its way onto his pale lips. Very slowly, the nation backed out of the closet and he seemed to have something in his hands. Something black…and very, very lacey. "Why, England! I always knew you were a…how should I say… closet perv, but this, this is an excellent find indeed!" His laughter echoed through the room, and Kagome kept trying, with difficulty, to peer over England's shoulders to see what was going on.

"Closet perv?" Kagome repeated and looked up at England. She cocked her head to the side and leaned her chin on his shoulder, her eyes wide. "Is it true Arthur?"

England couldn't remember a time that he had been more mortified in his long life. He was sure his whole body was blushing a fierce red and as he glanced between Kagome and France, he shook his head quickly. "N-no! I swear! I was going to get rid of them! She shouldn't be wearing those in the first place you bloody frog! You were the one that got them for her! You are the real pervert!" he huffed and crossed his arms, still looking very embarrassed.

"Were you really going to throw these out? They cost me a good deal! Or perhaps you were saving them for her for when the rose bud blooms into a full rose?" France sighed happily as he made gestures in the air resembling a woman's curves. "I do know that she would look exceptionally delicious in black lace! Or, if you're into those things like Germany, black leather or spandex, hmm?"

If it was possible, England's face grew redder and he placed his hands over his face, trying to hide his embarrassment, and perhaps get rid of the images France had so gladly painted for him in his mind. Black lace…he shook his head back and forth and he felt a soft touch on his shoulder.

"What do you guys keep talking about? I'm lost." Kagome huffed as she patted England's shoulder and she looked at France curiously. France smirked and moved closer to her, holding up a set of lacey underwear and a matching bra England had took away from her a few weeks ago, threatening to throw them out. She had thought he had destroyed them already! She smiled and grabbed the bra from France's hand. She held it up to her body and turned to England. "Thanks for saving these for me! I really like them."

England couldn't help but fall to the floor, landing on his face as he groaned. Kagome blinked and looked over at France. "Is he okay?"

France slung his arm around Kagome's waist and laughed, a twinkle in his eyes. "He'll be fine! Now, come with me, mon chaton, I believe we have cooking lessons to get to. Ah~ how could I forget? I also brought you a cute maid apron that will look adorable on you! You must try it on for me. Perhaps you should try on these bras and other undergarments for me, to make sure they still fit you." France looked back as he escorted Kagome out of the room, and winked at England.

M-maid apron? Trying on the bras?

England weakly lifted his head and his eye twitched in annoyance. Like hell he was going to let the dirty frog touch Kagome any further. He scrambled up and dashed out the door to find them. "GET BACK HERE YOU FRENCH BASTARD!"

~!~

England couldn't help but sulk as he watched France stand behind Kagome and place his hands over hers to help her cut the vegetables the right way. Whenever he got too close to her, England would let out a soft snarl of 'Don't even think about it!' or even just a plain old 'France…' would remind the other nation to back up and keep his distance, although France would always wink at England and chuckle knowingly.

If he had things his way, he would've kicked the frog to the curb, but at Kagome's insistence, he stayed to give her cooking lessons. He huffed in annoyance, his gaze filled with jealousy and a protectiveness he didn't bother to conceal.

Hearing a distinctive whistling, England glanced towards the entrance of his kitchen and watched as America strolled in casually, with a bag full of fries in his hand. America looked over and gave a friendly slap on the back to England. England groaned in pain and patted his back absently. "Hey Iggy! Long time no see!" he grabbed a fry and popped it into his mouth, looking around the tense atmosphere of the room.

"Woah! Frenchie's here too?" America chuckled to himself and watched as Kagome spun out of France's arms and she ran over to him.

"Hi Alfred!" she grinned and swiped a fry from his bag right before he held it above her so she couldn't get any. France tsked. "Now now, save your appetite for real food. Not that American garbage." He hummed lightly and returned to making whatever food it was he decided on making.

America rolled his eyes and then looked down at Kagome. "Well, what'dya know? Little Kago here grew! You're still pretty short though!" he snickered and patted her head.

Kagome huffed. "I'm not short! Why haven't you been around lately?" she accused, a pout on her lips.

America chuckled and placed his fast food bag on a nearby counter. "What? You missed me?" he teased lightly and gave the smaller nation a bear-hug.

Kagome gasped for air and when he put her down she flipped her hair over her shoulder and walked over to England. "Miss you? Never." Although the words sounded serious there was amusement in her eyes.

England stood up and left the room abruptly, startling Kagome. "A-arthur! Where are you going?"

He gave no response as he slammed the door shut behind him with such force that the walls shook for a moment. Kagome gulped and looked up at the other nations who moved to stand behind her with grins on their faces. "Did I do something wrong?"

France pushed his knife into America's hands as he dramatically moved his hands to cup her face and make her look up at him. "No, of course not. He's just-"

"Moody." America supplied with a smirk. "Give him a few, and he'll cool off and return in time for dinner! In the mean time we can play some video games or something."

France chuckled. "Yes, with him gone, we can get in some quality time together, no?"

Kagome slipped out of his grasp with a small smile and watched as America elbowed the other man in the stomach. "Thank you for offering to entertain me, but I think I'll go talk to Arthur."

The two males shrugged. "Just don't do anything I wouldn't do." France winked and America couldn't help but laugh. "Dude, not cool."

Kagome sighed, not always understanding their silent male conversations, as she walked out the room and began her search for England. "Arthur?" she called out softly. She checked his office, but he wasn't in there, so she jogged across the hall, her bare feet relishing in the warmth that the plush carpet offered, and pushed open the door to England's room.

It was dark and she had to squint to see him lying on his large bed. "Arthur?" she called again in an even softer tone as she made her way towards him. She got close enough to see he was lying on his stomach and his face was turned in the other direction. She carefully placed her hands on the mattress and pushed herself onto it, crawling over to him. "Are you okay?" she leaned over and let her head rest on his back.

He sighed and turned his head so she could see his eyes looking back at her. "I'm fine." He mumbled into his pillow and closed his eyes again when she glided her hand across his back in gentle patterns.

"You sure?" she frowned at him, knowing there was something he wasn't mentioning. She knew more than she let on. She was growing up and able to understand more things now. She could admit to herself she was a sheltered teenager, not really knowing too much about civilians and what other teenagers did since she never had to interact with normal humans, but she caught onto things pretty quickly and didn't let it show. She was truthfully embarrassed earlier when she found England had her undergarments hiding in his office closet, but she just let it slide and made it seem as though she hadn't even given it much thought.

"Positive." He answered with a bit of annoyance in his tone and Kagome frowned, leaning her entire body against his.

"I think you're lying…" she murmured and she watched as he once again opened his bright eyes and looked at her with something she couldn't decipher.

"I want them gone." He huffed and childishly rolled over onto his side so she couldn't see his face. Kagome knew who he was talking about.

"Why? I thought we were having fun together?"

"I…haven't gotten to see you lately." He started lamely and scratched his head sheepishly.

Kagome's eyes widened, suddenly understanding. She smiled brightly at him and wrapped her arms around his waist, and nuzzled his shoulder. "I see! You want some daddy-daughter time with me!"

Fuck.

England growled in frustration and then sighed, looking at her with an expression of exasperation. "Yeah. Sure, something like that."

He was just dad-zoned.

But, that's how he felt right? She was like a daughter to him…right? And so it shouldn't have bothered him so much when she said that, but…it did. Was it possible he wanted to be something else to her? Something way more intimate? He shook his head in confusion and watched as she crawled over to him and pulled blankets over the both of them and turned on his telly. She leaned into his arms and he gladly pulled her closer to him, lying his head in the crook of her neck.

"What about Francis and Alfred?" England couldn't help but question.

Kagome shrugged. "Oh, they can survive a night without me."

England nodded, not even bothering to comment, and instead enjoyed the simple peace and quiet he could have with her snuggled in his arms for a while. He would just have to think of ways to get Kagome to see him as more than just family. Yes, that would be his new mission.