CHAPTER 1

As night drew near, the clouds thundered above. The wind began to pick up and add to the smell of fresh rain coming in. The sky was stormy and cloudy, and from the looks of it rain would soon be falling. A car sped through the countryside. Out here houses were separated by large plots of land, and the nearest neighbor was close to 5 miles away. The car came to halt outside of a steel gate. A man reached out of his black car and pressed the numbers into the digital pad placed slightly hidden in shrubbery. With a confirmation click the gate swung open. The car sped through as it made its way to the manor.

The manor sat quite a distance from the security gate. Its trees that had once been in full bloom were now bare and leaning. Those trees still bearing leaves lost them as the wind pressed harder. The manor itself was large. Sitting high on the back hills, it was a two story house with an attic and a basement. The number of rooms and guestrooms gauged how many people had previously been raised in the manor. However, it had now gone through its time. Most of the paint, that had once been a bright vivid color, was dull and peeling to reveal earthy brown brick. The woodwork was beginning to moss over as the plants around it began to consume the wall. The iron entry way was now rusted from constant raining, and its windows fogged no matter how many times they were cleaned. Yes, this manor was old, but it was also convenient, because tonight a party was to be held at this falling manor; a dinner party.

The man, whom we had mentioned previously, reached the top of the hill, his car grinding to a screech. He was already behind schedule, and if the party was to go off without a hitch, he needed to make sure everything was spotless. He reached the top and quickly got out of the car. His blonde hair pulled back to match the professional stern look on his face. In his hand was a crumpled bag, his coat and his hat. He paced around the car then approached the front door. At the sound of barking, the blonde man pulled the bag open and retreated two large bones. The bones still had remnants of meat on them; the man threw them at the dogs. The dogs busied themselves with their new treat as their master walked past them and unhooked their chains from the wall. The dogs knew better then to wander off. Without another word he walked through the front door and into the house. He took off his coat and placed it on the coat rack after closing the door behind him. In the distance he could hear the faintest sound of music.

Sighing he walked through the main hall past the dining room, which he only quickly observed to make sure it was as proper as he needed to be. The sound of music however reminded him of where he was going. Moving quickly he opened the door to find a man standing in the room.

The room was covered with books, as it every well should have been because the plaque outside the door read library. Other than the mountainous amount of books, papers were piled on the desk and in a neat fashion. The room itself was quite clean, after all the blonde man had made to clean it that morning, but the other man in the room seemed to still be polishing. This man was shorter than the blonde. His skin was a dark tone along with his combed hair, minus the odd curl that protruded from his left side. Although they were both wearing identical butler uniforms, this man's tie was incredibly loose.

The music that had been heard through the main hall was now boomingly loud and obviously coming from the room they were both standing in. The blonde man quickly made his was across the room and switched off the music. The darker haired man looked up from his cleaning.

"Is everything ready?" he asked evenly, reaching over to straighten out the other's tie.

"Yeah, Lud- I mean Germany!" the man said laughing lightly at the mistake.

The man he called Germany, nodded. "Remember to follow the instructions I told you…. Italy," he added the last part almost as a second thought. Who knew calling each other these aliases would sound so strange. But this was a necessary step to the evening.

After the Italy man reassured that he understood what to do, Germany gave another curt nod and left the room. As soon as he was gone, Italy loosened his tie.

Knowing he had other pressing matters to attend to, Germany quickly made his way to the kitchen where the sound of knives being sharpened could be heard. The kitchen was the newest part of the house, but it was still worn from time. Some of the tiles could be found missing and small cracks could be seen on the far wall, but other than that the kitchen was fully functional and well lit. The only thing off-putting was the sounding of humming as the scraping of metal continued.

Germany entered only to find a platinum blonde wearing an apron over a simple blue dress. Her back was facing toward the door due to the fact that she had been chopping on the marble island in the middle of the kitchen. Her hair was tied back with a white bow and if she wasn't so scary, most people would find her quite adorable. She stopped sharpening as she heard Germany enter.

"Is everything alright, Ms. N-, I mean, Ms. Belarus," Germany quickly corrected as the girl and quickly turned around almost cutting Germany in the throat. She stared at him before lowering the knife.

"Dinner will be ready at 7:30," she said plainly. Then, as though nothing had happened, she went back to cooking.

Germany inwardly sighed before leaving to busy himself elsewhere.

A man reached out his hand and clasped onto the bell handle and pulled vigorously. He shivered slightly at the cold wind and rang a second time. He was wearing a pinstriped suit and his hair had been barely combed because one strand stood out. His glasses fogged as he breathed into his hands. He was about to walk away and sit in his car and wait when he heard the sound of growling he saw two German shepherds watching him. He audibly gulped. Just when he was sure was going to be dog food the front door opened.

"Good evening," Germany said evenly.

The man looked confused at the sight of a butler. "Uh… good evening, dude. I'm not sure if I'm at the—"

"Yes, you indeed sir," Germany said moving to the side to let the man in, "You are expected this evening. "Please come in. May I take your coat?"

The man nodded as he glanced around the room. "Yeah, thanks dude."

"I believe you are Mr. America?" Germany inquired as he took the coat.

"What? No, that's not my name it's A—"

Germany raised his hand to silence him. "Please sir, I suggest you do as my employer has asked and only use your alias while present in this manor, tonight."

America looked at him confused but shrugged it off. "Alright then, who are you?" he said casually as the butler led him through the house.

"You may call me Germany for this evening sir," he said.

They both walked through the house to find Italy pouring wine into glasses. He had not left the library, so when America entered he was amazed the amount of books in the room. Germany didn't pay him any mind as he instructed Italy. "Italy, will you attend to Mr. America, and see that he is comfortable." Germany gave Italy a look before leaving and closing the door behind him.

America piped up, "Hey Ger—" but when he looked there was no door. Only a book case. Feeling the case he was completely stunned. Italy could help but laugh behind his hands, as America made a spectacle of trying to figure out the door's witchcraft.

Just as Germany entered the main hall, the bell rang signaling another arrival. When he opened the door he was greeted with a small man. His eyes very even and his hair cut similar to a very short bob. The man looked up at Germany.

"Do come in sir," Germany said repeating the same gesture he had done to America, "You are expected."

The man paused. "Do you know who I am?" the man asked, his voice revealing no suspicion.

"Only that you are to be known as Japan," Germany said, "May I take your coat?"

"Yes," the man said stepping into the house, "It said the same in the letter. Would you happen to know why that is?"

Germany could only shake his head and lead Japan to the others. As they entered the room, America had still been standing by the door. It swung open, smacking him in the forehead. Italy, who had been handing him a drink, almost busted out in laughter, but at the sight of Germany he knew better.

"Japan, this is Italy, the housekeeper," Germany said nodding to Italy.

Italy smiled. "Caio! Good to see you again," he said cheerfully.

Japan's eyes widened only a fraction. Germany looked between them. "Do you two know each other?"

"Well we…"

"No," Japan interrupted firmly. This seemed to shock Italy and Japan could do nothing but awkwardly walk away.

America came from behind the door, rubbing his head in pain. He noticed Japan. "Yo," he said with a big smile.

Japan only nodded awkwardly, "Hello."

Frustrated and cold, a British man kicked the side of his car. His large eyebrows were furrowed in anger at his broken down car. So there he stood, on a dirt road in the cold, cursing at his car with vigor. That's when he noticed a car driving up, its lights almost blinding him. The car drove past him, stopped and reared back.

"Need a lift, mon cher?" a voice called out from the car.

"I don't need your bloody help, you twat," the British man spat back.

"Are you sure? It is 5 miles to a 'ouse in both directions…"

With anger coursing through his veins, the British man had an inner argument before climbing in the car and slamming the door as hard as he could.

The French man in the driver seat winched at the treatment of his car. "You will 'ave to tell me where you are going," he said as he started to drive.

"I'm already late for a dinner," the British man said coldly but he was mostly talking to himself.

"Me too."

The Brit eyed him quietly and without another word fished a white paper out of his pocket. "I'm going to Gaia Manor…"

"'Zat is where I am going…" the Frenchman reached over and took the paper, at which the British man glared at him for. "Yes… I got a letter just like 'zis," he said after scanning the paper. He handed it back to the British man who snatched it away. They drove in silence as they both thought about was going on.

"And this is Mr. China," Germany said introducing a man with a tied back ponytail in a beige suit. He was lean and looked around the room with brown wondering eyes.

"'sup, dude," said America, drinking the alcohol Italy had poured him a second time.

"Hello," Japan said curtly before giving a small bow.

"Italy," Germany said breaking the immediate silence that followed the introductions, "Can you go and check to see if dinner will be ready for when the rest of the guests arrive?"

"Ve?" Italy said looking from his drink pouring, "Okay, Germany." He put the wine down by the desk and quickly left the room. Before, anybody could say anything, the doorbell rang and, Germany excused himself to answer it.

Outside the door stood a tall man, his large overcoat only made him appear larger. His scarf was tightly wrapped around his neck and tucked inside his coat. When Germany opened the door the man turned around. He had been smiling at the dogs that seemed to whimper away at the sight. "Hallo," he said, the small smile still on his face. "Am I at the right address?"

"Yes, and you must be, Mr. Russia," Germany moved to the side, "Please come in. You are expected."

The rain had picked up and now it was falling in buckets. Both the British man and the Frenchman had gotten lost. The Brit held open a large map as he continually argued with the driver on which way to go. After about half an hour, the British man pointed.

"Turn right here," He demanded. "The house is just up this drive."

Reluctantly the Frenchman turned the car and caught a glimpse of the looming house. They stared at it for a moment before driving up the pathway. They reached the house and parked the car. Both of them jumped out, huddled in their own coats and ran for the door. The way it was raining they were still soaked when they reached the door.

"You stupid arse, why don't you have an umbrella in that bloody car," the British man began to complain, but before he could speak any further, the front door opened.

Germany glanced between them in mild shock. "England. France. I had not known you two were acquainted."

"We aren't," the British man said bitterly slapping away the hand from his rear. He scowled before entering the house, followed by the Frenchman, who didn't nothing but laugh it off.

CHAPTER END

I hope you guys will like this. I've been showing it around and I haven't even decided on an ending. I will eventually put up options to who you think did it but for now the ending is unwritten, but thank you for reading and if you want to suggest anything please tell me.

That is all for now (UuU )