House of Cards ch 8

Pairing: Ivan x Yao from the Hetalia Series. AU
Summary: All's fair in love and war…especially so if the one you desire stands on the other side of the battlefield.

Chapter 8: The End and the Beginning

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In the small, barely furnished room, Mei idly sat on the bed, swinging her legs to and fro. For a long while, she sat there quietly, watching Yao pen letters after letters to acquaintances and friends. She found it odd that he had so much to say to so many people. Her impression of her uncle was a man who closed himself off from the world; a reclusive man with very few friends. But something in him changed and now….

"So what will you do?" She broke the silence, unable to contain her restlessness.

Without turning to face her, Yao continued writing; the scratch of the feather pen slow and methodic. "I'm heading to the Far Eastern Empire. It's time I go back home."

"You are home! This is your home and has been so for years!" Mei jumped to her feet, anger mixing with confusion and hurt churned inside her. "Why? Why after all these years are you going back now?" She demanded, stomping her foot like she did when she was a little girl.

Yao's hand stilled. Slowly, he turned to look at her; his face distant but kind. "Come here, Mei," he beckoned to her with his hand.

Mei hesitated, but could not disobey the man she saw as a father figure. Like all those years ago when she cried herself to sleep, she laid her head on his lap. "Mei," Soothingly he petted her head softly explaining with unending patience, "You are the most precious thing to me. No matter what happens, no matter where I am, you'll always be my 千金寶貝*. Don't ever doubt that."

"I just don't understand." Wrinkling his pristine pants with her fisted hands, she buried her head into his lap. "Why do you have to leave?"

Yao grew quiet; her question harder to answer than he anticipated. After awhile, he tentatively said, "When I was held captive by the Diamonds…I realized some things. For the longest time, it was unbearable for me to speak about my past. I was too afraid and unable to let go. When my brother died in front of my eyes, when my sister sacrificed herself to save me….The pain was too much. I stopped feeling. I didn't care if the Diamonds killed me because inside I was already dead." He smiled sadly down at her. "I realized I needed to stop being a coward and move forward. That's why I need to go back, Mei. Please understand."

"But did you need to relinquish your title?" She stubbornly asked, "You didn't have to give your Mark back to Arthur. Just go finish your business and come back."

"You know that I can't take the Mark with me. What would happen to you or Arthur if no Jack was here to protect either of you? I'd be leaving you both vulnerable."

Mei sniffed, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I can't help, but worry over you. Without the powers of a Jack to protect you, you could die out there. You're a regular person now."

His hand sifting gently through her silky hair, Yao softly sighed, "Yes…I'm finally a normal human being."

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The sun barely rose from the horizon when Mei woke up to send Yao off.

"You packed so little," she said. Throughout their last day together, Yao more or less settled her anxieties, but she still wasn't convinced that his decision was a wise choice.

"It's easier if I travel light. Everything else I can barter or buy along the way."

Mei bit back biting words, knowing by this time she couldn't sway Yao with anything she said. Instead she asked, "When will you be back?"

Shifting his bag to his other arm, he replied, "I'm not sure."

"Not…sure?" Surprised by his answer, her voice grew suspicious. "Let me ask again. Will you come back?"

This time he did not reply; his face becoming expressionless as stone. Silently, he stared at her and she stared back; a silent conversation spoken with their eyes.

"You won't answer that will you?" Mei said at last.

Yao shook his head. "I don't know. I can't give you an answer when I don't know it myself. I might never come back, Mei. I'm sorry."

Mei nodded her head like she understood. "I see…."

Yao dug into his pockets and handed her a letter. "Before I go, can you deliver this for me?"

Mei took the letter and frowned at the name written in bold, gold ink. Appalled that Yao would send anything to that person, she opened her mouth to ask, but stopped when Yao shook his head. Taking the hand she held the letter with, Yao wrapped his hands above hers. "It's my last request to you," he said, "Promise me you'll send it as soon as possible."

Although not an ounce of plea was heard in his voice, Mei could somehow sense his desperation. "Fine," she agreed grudgingly, discontent written clearly on her face, "I'll do it, but do not expect anything more."

"That's more than enough." Yao smiled in thanks and enveloped her with one last hug.  

Mei stood by the castle gate as her uncle left for his long journey East. She dutifully watched his figure become smaller and smaller before it disappeared among the crowd.

Turning on her heels, she marched to the nearest soldier and thrust the letter unceremoniously against his chest. "Saddle the fastest horse and stop for nothing," she ordered, "No matter what, make sure you hand deliver the letter to the Ace of Diamond."

TBC in the epilogue