Disease

By: Aubrie1234

Dear Readers, this is my first Hetalia fic, so I hope I'm doing well. I've watched some of the anime in Axis Powers, one or two webcomics, and MANY fanfictions. So, tell me if I'm not doing something right. Also, if you have flames, I WILL IGNORE THEM.

Dear Alfred,

I won't be able to come to the World Meeting this time, if any time soon. Lately, I've been feeling somewhat sick, though the rest of my country hasn't. I can't really explain what's going on, but I'm going to be frank and say it: I'm scared. I don't think this has happened before, except for maybe during the Black Death, but I don't know... Anyway, because of this, I'm locking down my house from everyone, even you and Kuma. Also, in case he might get sick, I sent him to you. Could you please take care of him? Hopefully, I'll get better soon.

Your brother, Matthew

America frowned as he reread the letter, rubbing Kumajiro's head. The polar bear had come that morning, scraping at the door while America was having breakfast, the note tied around Kuma's neck gently, with a thin string. The date was at least a day old, meaning that Canada had sent Kumajiro on his own, with no transportation, from the woods around Ottawa to one of America's homes in New York, right on the border. That made no sense. America knew his brother wouldn't do such a thing to the bear he loved so much; but the letter was in Canada's handwriting, so it couldn't be a forgery (unless it was an impossibly good one, which he greatly doubted). That marked out kidnapping, but Canada could have been forced to make the message, still leading to him being in danger.

However, if his brother truly was sick, then maybe he had a fever that made him force Kuma to leave. But then how was he supposed to take care of himself? America had no idea if he should just go and keep an eye on Canada, if he hadn't been kidnapped, or just stay home. He looked down at Kumajiro, who was sprawled across his lap.

"Kuma, was Mattie okay? Did he have a fever?" The polar bear opened his eyes and shook his head.

"He tired, but worried." the polar bear answered, "No fever, never seemed sick." This confused America.

"Was he held by someone against his will? The other nations, maybe? Was he kidnapped?" Kuma glared at him and America got the message.

"But then, what was wrong?" Kumajiro shrugged. Now thoroughly worried, America stuffed the letter in his pocket and continued to hold the polar bear as he stood.

"Kuma, you're coming with me to see Canada." America walked outside, picking up his car and house keys along the way.

"Who?" He ignored the question, as he had heard it several times before. Being as they were going in America's car now, the time should at least take a few hours at the most, depending on traffic. Canada's house was a little past Ottawa, nestled deep into the woods around it, so as to not attract attention. Though, unfortunately, it wasn't like his brother got all that noticed anyway...

"Why doesn't anyone know about him?" America growled out as he started the car, backing it out of the driveway before rolling forward, "Of course I do, along with England, France, his friends, and you, Kuma. Just, why? No one notices him, and if they do, they usually mistake him for me. And then there's the name forgetting. No, Kuma, I don't include you in that because you do it all the time and it's routine. I just wish the others remembered." Kumajiro was buckled into the passenger seat, and he only looked up at America.

"Food?" he asked, where America gave a small smile and patted the polar bear on the head.

"Yeah, we'll get you some food, but after we find out what's going on with Mattie."

The secluded cabin where Canada called home seemed completely deserted, and the eerie part was how there was absolutely no noise at all. No birds chirping, no bushes shaking, nothing in the sky... America found it frightening and held the polar bear closer to his chest as he exited the car, suddenly feeling like Canada; using his bear friend as a comforter, even when Kumajiro never remember his name.

"Was his home like this before you left?" America asked, voice no bigger than a whisper, affected by the mood of the area. Kumajiro had been growling the second they had gotten there.

"No." Kuma growled firmly. Eyes narrowing in concern, America slowly walked up to the front door, testing the knob with a free hand. His surprise at finding the door unlocked quickly turned into anxious worry and he rushed in, only to be stopped at the state of the cabin.

"Oh man..." America breathed as Kuma's growling intensified. The place was wrecked, furniture turned over and bashed, many things on the floor that were smashed, and much of the cloth on the furniture and curtains were shredded. Almost like an instinct, America felt he knew what to look for, heading right to the living room. Embedded in the couch, along with much of the other furniture and such, were very stiff pine needles. They looked normal except for the base, where they suddenly turned a honey-yellow, like America's and Canada's hair. Trapped under some of the needles was a piece of cloth. Upon closer inspection, America determined it to be clothing, and what worried him even more was that it was white, with a slight picture of a red maple leaf. That was one of Canada's favorite hoodies, which he always wore whenever going out to a hockey game.

Now America really knew that something was wrong. Canada would have gone ballistic if he had known that his favorite hockey hoodie had been destroyed. But, just where was he? What had happened to the northern nation? Kuma suddenly struggled out of his arms and began to sniff the area. Seemingly finding a scent, the polar bear rushed off, out of the house. America followed, pulling out his phone and speed-dialing England.

"Bloody git! I swear, if this is you again, frog-"

"England, it's me."

"Do you have any idea what time it is over here, America?!" The ex-colony gave a smile.

"I can imagine." The smile dropped as he went serious again, "Anyway, there's a big problem over here, in Canada."

"What problem?"

"I got a letter from Canada sent a day ago, saying he was sick, so I came to see if he was okay." America paused, "His place looked like a tornado had gone through it, and you know how neat he is! I'm following Kumajiro now, leading me who-knows-where because of a scent he picked up."

"...I don't quite see why you're calling me. Why not that frog?" America sighed.

"Because, like France, you took care of him as much as you took care of me." The superpower could practically feel the wince as England was reminded of how he took care of America, before the Revolution...

"Fine, you've made your point. Do you want me to call- ugh- France?"

"Yeah, along with Russia, Japan, China, the German and Italy brothers, and Spain. I get the feeling that we're gonna need all the help we can get."

"I'll get them, don't worry, though they are going to kill you if you had me wake them up."

"Not Italy, though." England sighed.

"No, never him..."

"Anyway, bye!" America cut the connection as Kumajiro stopped, looking around and sniffing. However, when he found nothing, he began to whimper. America gently picked up the bear, stroking his fur.

"You smelled Canada, didn't you?" Kuma only gave a small sniffle, "Hey, don't worry. We'll find him, I promise." America was trying to be reassuring, but wasn't even convincing himself. How could he when his brother was sick and missing? What was he even sick with, anyway? If only America had more info. Well, at least it would be easier once-

Kuma was suddenly thrown from his arms as something tackled him from behind, forcing him to the ground. It grasped his wrists and pinned his legs with sharp claws, and was extremely heavy, even for America. He struggled to free himself, but he couldn't. How heavy was that thing if it could pin him down, one of the nations with super strength? Kumajiro, after getting his bearings, only stared at whatever was holding him down. It was like the bear couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Nation..." America flinched at the word. Not just from the loudness, as the thing's mouth must have been close to his ears, but it knew he was a nation, and it could talk. This was bad. And yet, the voice sounded somewhat familiar...

"Nation!" This time, the thing said it louder, more forcefully. America flinched, but kept quiet. There was a growl, and then the weight was lifted off as the thing let go of him. Quickly, America turned his head, only to catch the thing's tail as it dove into the bushes. The tail was long and thin, a dark green color, tipped with a large, red arrow. He just wondered how it could have been so heavy as to pin him down so easily. But, could that thing have kidnapped his brother? Most likely, as it could talk and knew about nations.

But, just what was that thing, and why would it have kidnapped Canada if it had? He was startled as Kumajiro's tongue touched his face, licking him. He looked down to see that the bear had finally come over and had his paws on America's chest, stretching up to lick his face.

"Matt!" the bear said, then looked to where the thing had gone, "Matt..." This confused America a little. Was Kumajiro saying that the thing was Canada? It would explain how it could talk and knowing that nations, but there was no way-

America was once again startled out of his thoughts as his phone began to ring. Checking, he was surprised to see a private number. Wondering faintly if it was from his or Canada's boss, he answered.

"Hello?"

"You're playing a dangerous game, you know." Mindful of his super strength, America gripped the phone tighter. It was an electronic voice, that much he could tell. But, what did it want, and what did it mean by 'game'?

"Finding my brother isn't a game."

"To me, it is. Canada, or preferably, Matthew, is much more valuable right now than you think, America. Or, should I call you Alfred?" America was once again surprised at how the person knew both his brother's human and nation names, not to mention his own.

"How do you even know that? And if you even touch one hair-"

"Relax, he isn't with me. As for your names, you may never find out. However, I do wager a bit of a contest."

"What contest?"

"If you find Canada first and manage to keep him, then you win. If I find him first and keep him, however...You may never see your brother again."

"What do you mean by 'find and keep him'?!"

"Oh, you'll see. Also, you're free game as well if something happens to you." That made America's demeanor change from angry to confused and slightly scared.

"If you're threatening me-"

"I'm not the one threatening you. Your brother is." America's hand shook slightly, though he wasn't quite sure if it was from fear or anger.

"He would never hurt me, ever!"

"Not if he knew it was you, which he doesn't." Now America was going back to being just plain angry.

"Stop playing games with me. If you know where my brother is, tell me right now or I'll-"

"Where would the fun be if I did that? Also, like you, if something happens to the other nations, they're free game."

"Free game for what?"

"Finding and keeping them, like Canada." The phone seemed to squeak and crack as America held it tighter.

"You're not hunting any of my friends, and I'll find my brother before you do! Challenge accepted." America snarled the last part, eyes blazing.

"I hope you don't forget the rules..." Swiftly, the line was cut, and America finally crushed the phone to pieces, not caring that his hand got cut in the process.

"That guy is SO going down!" America quickly stood and stomped back to the cabin, Kumajiro following a least 10 steps behind, so as to not get caught in America's anger.

Okay, finished! Read and Review!