[China cracks a smile.]

Well, then I'm glad I won't be treated with hostility by you, aru.

[He rearranges his sitting position so he can rest his back against the bed's headrest.]

I guess I can't really hide everything now thanks to that dream, huh?

I don't remember seeing some other people I know in my dream either, aru. Perhaps it is only a coincidence? Or maybe because I was floating around in some other place?

As did I, aru.

[He pauses for a moment before speaking.]

What was going through your head during those times?

Well, those were some old nightmares of my own, aru. Except, most of them really did happen.

[There's a longer pause this time.]

Like that man...

I think beings like me know that better than anyone else, aru. One thing probably won't change, though, and that is the fact that we Nations are easily swayed by our people's desires.

...That is why I did nothing then, aru. They told me that he had tried to abandon me and I believed them.

However... [China cuts in right at the end.] I think I still believe them today, aru.

[His tone has changed.]

Though, the punishment may have been harsh, it was how things worked in my country at the time, aru.

Of course, things are different in the present day, but military discipline can still be harsh, surely you know that, Edward.

I may be the embodiment of China, but that does not mean I had it easy, aru.

Of course not, aru. However, I plan on fulfilling that role until my very last breath.

... Hey, Edward, do you want to know something else that I found out in my dream?

In some points, not at the time when you were with me, but when I was alone... I felt this rage, aru.

Such deep anger and blood lust, I've never felt something so strong. Lucky for me that I was able to keep in under control and not bring harm to others, aru.

They say everyone has a dark side to them, so sometimes we speculate that every Nation does too. That dark side is supposedly the part of us that shows most in times of war, it keeps us from going crazy when seeing all the carnage and it makes us excited for battle, aru. Perhaps that rage I felt was the dark side trying to take over?

[This was all just theories, but it still disturbed him thinking about it. At the second part, however, a puzzled look crosses China's face.]

Why would I kill you in my dream? I don't kill for fun, aru. [He's a bit offended at that and it can be heard in his tone.]

[He shakes his head.] It is alright, Edward.

I understand, aru. This wouldn't be the first time people has such feelings toward me.