Authors note: Hey everybody!

Well... I havent seen this done yet (but that means nothing because I never use LiveJournal, which seems to be where an awful lot of APH fanfiction is posted). So, guess what? I thought I'd do it. For fun, you know. Dont hurt me.

I do not own Hetalia/Nekotalia. Nuh uh -shakes head-

Enjoy!

However much they fight

Chapter one

"When something is missing in your life, it usually turns out to be someone." ~Robert Brault

It was dark in the alleyway. The tall, greyish buildings were illuminated only by a single streetlamp that flickered dully in the middle of the street, casting light onto the crude graffiti that covered the walls. A pigeon rummaged through a pile of bin bags. Other than that, all was still, and the night washed over the place in waves. Somewhere, a dog barked, and suddenly, something moved. A cat was hurrying through the shadows, its tail low, its eyes flashing a brilliant green. Its ears flopped over its face like that of a puppy as it waked with its head down, its body language screaming fear and hostility at anybody who might pass by. It reached the end of the street and stopped at the corner. Its tail lashed around its feet.

Out of the darkness stepped another cat, then another, then another, until six cats now stood with the first one. The first cat sat down to wash itself almost self-consciously, licking carefully between each of its toes with a tiny pink tongue. One of the other cats stepped towards it. It was a large cat- not fat, but fluffy, its long white fur bright in the darkness, its tail curled behind it like a peacock feather. Its whiskers twitched with mirth as it began to speak.

"You know, being stylishly late is one thing, but this is just ridiculous, no? As our leader, I would expect you to arrive at least roughly on time, unless of course you were preoccupied with other matters?"

"Ha ha, very amusing," snapped the first cat. "You know, Francis, there is a time and a place for, erm, mating jokes, but now is not that time, and I would appreciate it if idiots like you could keep their mouths shut. Or die. Preferably the latter, actually."

Francis looked as if he was about to retaliate, but he merely dipped his head and glared at the first cat as a large grey tom came hurrying over.

"Are you sure about this, Arthur? Ivan's is one of the strongest gangs in the city. If we lose this battle, we are risking total eradication. There is still time to reconsider and rescue him another time." he said quietly. Arthur flicked his tail irritably at him.

"Don't be stupid. I appreciate what you are saying, but this has gone too far. Those bastards have one of our finest fighters. We need him back, and we are most certainly going to get him back whether you like it or not, Ludwig. We cant afford to lose anyone else. We already lost Gilbert... I dont want anybody else to die, not anymore.'

Ludwig looked at him, and then nodded stiffly.

"I thought you might say that. Very well. Just... make sure you're careful."

Arthur snorted and stretched. Understanding that the conversation was over, Ludwig turned his gaze to the next street, squinting into the darkness. Arthurs fur prickled. There was a definite sense of danger in the air now, and all seven cats seemed suddenly tense.

"We're being watched," muttered a black and white tom. There was a single tuft of fur sticking out from the top of his head, and it bobbed a little as he spoke, giving away his nervous gulp. The she-cat beside him growled in agreement. Arthur hissed angrily at them, and they fell silent immediately.

And that was when the first attacker leapt out of the shadows.

Alfred rolled over onto his back, already bored. His owner, a young Japanese man called Kiku, had gone to work, leaving his cats in front of a glowing box which seemed to be full of fish. After establishing that there was no way into the box, however, Alfred had found himself losing interest, and now merely watched lazily as his friend Feliciano patted at the fish. The latter was still convinced that there was a way to get into the box, and seemed to think that if he kept swiping at it then perhaps it would open. Maybe he was right. Alfred couldnt be bothered to care.

"I'm bored," he complained loudly, his tail swishing across the tatami-covered floor. Feliciano turned to him, surprise and worry written all over his face.

"Whyyyy? This is fun, right? Right?" he mewed. Alfred sighed.

"No, it isnt. I mean, yeah, but a hero like me needs... more adventure, you know? I mean, every day's the same! We wake up, we eat, we play, we nap, we wake up again, we eat some more and then we sleep again. Dont you ever want something... more?"

Feliciano blinked slowly and tilted his head to one side, confused. Alfred was about to open his mouth to try and explain when-

"Alfred, Feliciano! Are you two still, like, watching those fish? I, like, dont get it at all. Totally bor-ing."

Alfred rolled over onto his stomach, glad that somebody understood how he felt, and also slightly amused by the new cats appearance. His fur was a yellowish colour, and his eyes were bright green, but these were traits that Alfred was used to. No- it was the large pink bow adoring the cats tail that made him smile. Kiku obviously understood the odd little cat perfectly.

"You too?" exclaimed Feliciano in dismay. Alfred laughed.

"Obviously. Coz Feliks is way more awesome and heroic than you could ever be!"

Feliks giggled, but Feliciano looked a little upset. His ears drooped and he hung his head, tail swishing between his legs.

"Aw, come on. I was only kidding!" whined Alfred, and Feliciano brightened instantly.

"Well, if you two don't want to play this, the lets play something else!" he mewed enthusiastically.

"Totally," said Feliks, equally enthusiastically, "Like, lets play grooming parlours!"

"Ve... can't we just eat pasta?"

"You know we, cant, like, eat that stuff, Feli."

"B-but its so yummy!"

"It's totally bad for us! We either play grooming parlours or we could, like, go find some of the others and ask them."

"I dont know... I feel sleepy..."

"Like, what does Alfred think? Alfred?"

Alfred, who had been staring out of the window the entire time they had been talking, now turned back to them, an odd expression in his gaze. His deep blue eyes reflected the sunlight dazzlingly for a second, making him look ridiculously clich, and this somehow seemed to fit him. Feliciano shivered, and Feliks looked almost excited.

"I want to go outside," he said simply.

...And thats it for chapter one. (Extremely, unreasonably, ridiculously) Short, yes. Hopefully(?) the next one will be (much, much) longer, but I felt it needed to end there, so it ends there. Maybe you should consider it a sort of... prologue? I dont know. Anyway, please review! Please...

~Dark Mouse