The breeze ruffled through Germany's hair as he waited for Italy and Japan to get there so they could get on with training. Where are those idiots? I understand Italy being late, but Japan? Not this late. Germany looked around himself. He was on a hill that was surrounded by long prairie grass and rolling hills. It was a relaxing place. He felt a wave of exhaustion hit him. He didn't sleep last night, he was busy, and in fact he hadn't slept well in quite awhile. How long have I been waiting? They were supposed to be here by 8 o'clock this morning… He looked at his watch. Noon! Its noon! They are four hours late! What could have possible have happened to them? Germany felt another wave of exhaustion hit him. I…I…think I'm going to lay down and close my eyes for a bit while I wait…for them. Germany's eyes slipped closed and he fell into a deep sleep.

Japan and Italy arrived around a half hour later.

"Mr. Germany?" Japan questioned over Germany's resting body.

"I think Germanys asleep! It's about time too! He was getting grumpy!" Italy said in his usual cheerful and ditzy way.

"Yes I have been noticing Mr. Germany has been grumpy lately." Japan said mostly to himself "I also noticed he seems to be falling asleep in the middle of conferences lately and he has dark bags under his eyes…. I wonder is something wrong with Germany?"

Italy gasped and looked down at his sleeping friend. Germany did have deep bags under his eyes and if you were paying close attention you would notice he was slightly twitching, just barely. Whenever Italy came over to Germany's house lately Germany has been up. He doesn't seem to sleep at all at night. Now that Italy thought about it Germany has been kind of distant from them lately. He seems to be avoiding them unless it was training or a world conference. During those Germany usually is the one to stop all the bickering and petty fighting, but lately he seems to barley even speak during the meetings and has a hard time staying awake. As soon as the meeting is over Germany leaves he barely even says goodbye to them. That terrified Italy, What if Germany is starting to hate us! Does this mean we can't be friends anymore!?

"Germany! Please don't stop being our friend!" Italy had grabbed Germany's shoulders and shook him. Germany's eyes flew open instantly and he lunged forward at Italy and pinned him on the ground. For a split second Germany had a mix of blind rage and terror in his eyes. Realization came to Germany's face and quickly masked it but Japan and Italy both caught it. Germany quickly stood up and regained his composure. He simply stated "You're late."

"Yes sorry about that we got caught up by Romano, he wanted talk to Italy about…. Stuff." Japan said with an uncomfortable look on his face.

"Germany!" Italy randomly hugged him "Please stay our friend! We didn't mean to upset you!"

"Upset? Wha…" Germany looked at Italy with a very confused look "Stop being your friend? Who gave you guys that stupid idea? Was it Brittan again? I told you before you are my friends, and plan on keeping it that way, now let's gets on with training, we are already behind schedule as it is!"

Germany turned away from them and sighed. Japan frowned at Germany's back. Something's defiantly wrong with him, he looked terrified when Italy woke him up. "Mr. Germany? Are you ok? You seem troubled." He smiled as politely as he could in an effort to gain his trust.

"Eh?" Germany turned and looked at them. Italy looked concerned and Japan looked… well unreadable as always. Alright Germany you must not worry Italy you need to show no sign of weakness around them. "Me? I'm fine Japan just stayed up a little late working on battle plans." Good lie "It's starting to catch up with me." He smiled, but it was a slightly nervous one. The corner of his eye was twitching slightly and he looked a bit like he wanted to bolt. "Since you guys are so late we will not be having training today I will see you tomorrow." Without waiting for a response from either of them Germany left.

"Japan! I think we need to ask the others for help! Maybe they will know what to do!" Italy said in a worried tone.

"Yes, we should. Let's invite them to my place since it's more isolated and Germany is less likely to come my way." Japan turned away from Italy, thinking about how this was going to work.

"Okay!" Italy said now back to more of his ditzy self and ran off to find others. I wonder if Romano will help…

Germany got home and slammed the door behind him. That was close. Germany walked into his own room and shut the door. He walked over to the closet and searched for his handkerchief. He moved clothes aside and in the back of the closet was an old push broom. Germany suddenly felt that sharp pain he was starting become familiar with. No not again! I do not need to be blanking out again I….. and Germany collapsed on the floor.