A/N: My first try at a GerIta fanfic. Will include USUK (with slight FACE moments), and Spamano. Possible PrussiaxJapan and RuChuu. Requests may be acknowledged.

Return

(noun) the act of bringing something or someone back to their previous place, owner or condition.

He still couldn't believe that it Italy who saved him – them all.

Germany sighed as he sat by the bedside of a still sleeping Italy Veneciano. It had been three days since their escape from the mansion and everyone got out safe, if not lacking a few senses. He didn't know that he had been a key to unlocking the very power that Italy had used to go back in time, but it was only until his brother had a talk with him that he finally realized what had been tugging at his heart for quite a long time. And to think that Italy, the same one who runs away from almost every battle, can't even tie his own shoelaces and eats and sleeps for almost half-his life time, was the one who rescued him and the rest of his fellow nations. Italy, his Italy.

Brushing away a few bristles of short, brown locks, he prayed that Italy would open his eyes, "Please come back?" he begged.

It was then that several beeps told him that someone was trying to reach him through his mobile phone.

"This is Germany. Ah, Japan…" It wasn't unusual that he was checking in, "Yes, I'm watching him closely… Not yet, I'm afraid… Oh, this weekend? I hope he does… Yeah, his heart's started beating already… Of course, I'll keep you posted."

"…Don't lose hope, Germany. We're all praying for him."

"… Yes, thank you." Germany felt tears prickling his eyes, "I'll give you a call once he wakes."

Setting down his phone, Germany turned to Italy once again, in hopes that his voice would have stirred him, but the young Italian only slumbered on.

If only I had known sooner.

~O~

They lay Feliciano on one bed, and Arthur sat on the one right next to it. It almost seemed like all their hopes were draining. The Mansion was eating them all, bit by bit, and now it had almost claimed two of their friends.

"I know you're crying you wanker, cut it out!" Arthur, otherwise known as England, ordered as he heard the sobs of two of his old kin, "I'm not dead yet."

"I'm sorry England," America cried out, standing by his bedside, "I shouldn't have been so stubborn-"

"It's not your fault, I'm sorry." The Brit cut him off, miserably, "I was impulsive, with a thirst to prove you wrong. I should have kept calm. And because my magic wasn't enough, they took my sight away to compensate for the power that I used…"

"So… England is blind, and Italy's heart has stopped," Russia started, "My, we've had quite a few casualties, huh?"

"Yeah," Prussia continued on, "But Italy was the only one who can go back in time… And also England, wasn't it?"

"Yes," replied America, "But now that his magic is next to zero, we can't really count on that… I mean, even if he would pay with his life, it' still wouldn't be enough." And I really don't want him to try that.

For a few moments, they all just stared, all those who could, anyway: Russia, America, China, Japan, Germany, Canada and France. England breathed heavily, and Italy lay motionless among them.

"It makes me wonder," began Germany, "If Italy is like this… Won't Romano-?"

"His brother has Spain with him, West," Prussia piped up, "I'm sure he'll take good care of Romano. As of now, we're in a deadlock, aren't we?"

"But what shall we do first?" demanded Germany, most unsure, "Spain and Romano? Getting Italy's heart to start beating? Or, is it to get out of here?"

"Getting out would be quite nice," China muttered, but he shook his head, "However, we really don't have anywhere to go-aru. There are those things in here, and also outside, where everybody else is."

"If we can get some help, that would be good," France began, speaking above the silence, "Preferably someone skilled with magic, someone who isn't here. Russia-" the tall man turned to him, "You're able to make calls, right?"

"Yes," replied Russia, pulling out his mobile phone, "But who exactly are we calling?"

"… Norway has magic, doesn't he, England?" asked America, turning to his once-older brother.

The Englishman nodded, "Yes, but with the Scandinavian nations fighting down in the gardens too, I highly doubt that we can contact him and ask him to lend his powers, and he can't really help me since he never had that much of a connection with me," America was about to open his mouth again but England knew what he was thinking, "We can't rely on Sealand, he is much too young for this. If we want to save Spain and Romano, we need one person who shares a strong bond with, at least, one of them. Italy would have been the best bet to save his brother, but…" he trailed off, biting his lip, "… I'm sorry."

"Hey." And America lightly gave him a pat on the head, endearingly ruffling his hair, "We'll find a way."

Unbeknownst to everyone else, England grew a deep shade of red.

"Ano…" Japan started, making the rest of them turn to him, "This may not be the best time to reminisce, but… America-san, it might be the best time now to contact her."

America suddenly withdrew his hand from England's head, "Do you mean who I think you mean?"

Russia, China, France and Germany exchanged nervous glances, "Would you like to enlighten us?" Germany demanded.

"For about three hundred years, Spain kept only one girl by his side, especially once Romano began to grow up finely, and I saved her from her from his heavy hands like the hero I am!" America chuckled, "It was when Japan-"

"The fact is," pressed Japan, not wanting to discuss it, "Since she was very close to Spain, she could be able to help us."

The other nations just gaped at them but England racked his brains before he finally realized who they were talking about.

"This is Philippines, isn't it?"

America and Japan nodded.

"… Actually, that may be a good idea." The other nations turned to the currently blind man in their presence, "I spent a few years with her before Spain drove me out… In that time, she managed to unlock the secrets of her land, thus being able to transform into some sort of Woodland Fairy from a mountain in her place… She knows magic."

"Excellent," Germany started, turning to Japan, "Can you-?"

"No," the young Asian immediately turned down the question, "We don't have quite a good history, I'm afraid, which is why I believe America would be best suited to call her…"

Japan and America exchanged nervous glances before the younger nation nodded, "Russia, I have her num-"

"Italy?"

All eyes suddenly reverted back to Japan, who had gone rigid. "Italy? Italy! No, Italy!"

"Japan!" Germany suddenly shouted, grabbing the smaller man by the shoulders, "What's wrong, Japan?!"

China pushed him away and turned to one of his sons, "Japan?" but the young Asian's eyes had gone blank, "Hey, don't kid around like this now-aru!"

But he remained still, horror painting his face: eyebrows furrowed, mouth gaping and tears threatening to fall from his eyes. All of a sudden, the other members of their alliance took steps back.

"Wh-what does this mean?" France asked, adamantly terrified.

"It means," began Prussia, eyes seeking his brother, "That our enemy is getting stronger."

France drew a deep breath and pulled young Canada into the, "Come. We'll bring them some refreshments. I'm sure we have something here to make everyone calm down and feel better,"

"America," started England, biting his lower lip, "You can take Russia and make that call now, before we end up in a more terrible state."

The American was about to open his mouth to voice his concern over the Englishman, but he thought better of it and swallowed his words for the moment, "All right. Russia?"

"Yes, I'll come with you." And they both headed towards their meeting table.

Prussia had a determined look upon his face as he watched his brother gaze tenderly upon the sleeping form of Feliciano Vargas. He knew what his brother was thinking, and it was probably about time that he was told the truth.

"Hey China, you can take care of Japan, right?" China was startled by the question, seeing as it was the first time Prussia had conversed with him directly, but he nodded, "I need to talk to my brother… Hey West?" Germany finally looked up at him, "C'mere. There's something we need to talk about."

Curious, albeit a bit taken by surprise, Germany followed his brother and walked straight into the bathroom. Upon getting there, Prussia leaned on the divider and sighed, "Really? Nothing about anything Italy has said rang a bell to you, or even brought up any kind of memories?"

Germany looked confused, "… What are you talking about?"

Again, the albino man sighed, "How much do you care about Ita-chan?"

If surprised by the question, Germany didn't show it, but his face certainly grew to a light shade of pink, "We-we're very good friends, of course I'm very concerned about him."

"You love Ita-chan, don't you?"

With this statement, Germany was taken aback, "Now what the hell are you talking about, brother?"

"You've loved Italy since before you became the Axis Powers, even when you were kids, you've always loved him," Prussia pointed out, "And now, more than ever, we need that, West, we need your love for him!"

"I don't understand what you're talking about!" Germany rebutted, heading for the door, but Prussia overrode him.

"You were Ita-chan's first love."

He stopped in his tracks and turned very slowly, "… What did you just say?"

"You used to live in Austria's house, Italy was there. You were in love with each other," Prussia said it so smoothly and matter-of-factly that it terrified Germany.

"How would you know something like that?" the blond demanded, turning to meet his brother's crimson eyes.

"West… we need to talk."

A/N: Please and thank you for reading and the reviews!