Then

A heavy silence seemed to fill the room as the two men stared at each other; the commander who stood in front of them bowed briefly and stepped out of the tent as the German sunk slowly into his chair, the smaller Japanese man just standing there with his widened gaze resting on the German. "Feliciano is…" Kiku started to whisper out, his hand resting his removed cap on the bench as a loud commotion caused the two to immediately look to the door of the tent. A red-headed Italian stormed into the room, eyes ablaze and being held back by a brown-haired Spaniard as he jabbed a fierce finger in the general direction of the German, unable to speak because of his anger.

"What is the meaning of this Ludwig?" the Spaniard instead exclaimed, Antonio's grip tight on the Italian as Ludwig stood up slowly with his eyes refusing to meet the Italians. Before Antonio could react the angered man broke free, taking a decorative vase that had been left on a tiny stand next to the door and hitting Ludwig across the head with it. The shattering and an abrupt gasp filled the room but Ludwig stood perfectly still, his eyes staring firmly at the Italians feet as his chest was hit multiple times by curled, angry fists. "YOU FUCKING POTATO LOVING BASTARD! WHERE IS FELICIANO?! I CAN'T FEEL HIS NATIONAL PRESENCE ANYMORE!"

Ludwig lifted his gaze and Kiku stepped forward, using the sheath of his sword to push the Italian away. "Violence will not help us solve the mystery of his disappearance Lovino." His voice no matter how soft, however, couldn't calm the violent outbursts Lovino had for the German.

"Like fucking hell it will! It's all your fault, Ludwig! Feliciano didn't want to take part in this fucking war and yet he did it for you!" Lovino cried out, his voice seeming to get quieter and quieter, anger rolling off him in waves as tears started to form in his eyes. "He didn't want this… now he's gone..."

"Lovi we don't know that… maybe the allies have him?" Antonio stepped forward to grab the Italians arm once more but was aggressively shoved away, Lovino shaking in anger as he turned and glared at Antonio. "YOU don't UNDERSTAND! I-I can't feel him…" He stared at his shaking hands, a few tears slipping down his face as he felt three sets of eyes staring into him. "We're brothers, we can feel each other's souls. We've always been able to do it, that's how we've always been able to make sure the other was okay... I've looked everywhere, stretched my outreach as far as it would go. You heard the officer, you heard…" He fell to his knees, pressing his hands to his chest as a shaking sob scored through him once more. "He's gone…"

"We just have to have hope-" Kiku began, lowering his sheath and faintly flinching as Lovino let out another wail in anguish.

"There is no hope! The hope died with him on that battlefield!"

Ludwig suddenly stood and walked around Lovino; the three other men in the room with him glancing up in surprise, Kiku even letting out a silent call to the German as he left the tent and walked through the camp. He passed many soldiers, a mass of them had moved closer to the tent upon hearing the yelling from inside but at that moment Ludwig didn't care.
He didn't stop until he found himself in a quiet space, a small patch of green covered with clovers and softness. He removed his cap, falling to his knees slowly and covering his face with his hands as a sob left his lips. His other hand grasped the black cross hanging from around his neck, ripping it off the front of his uniform and whispering softly a prayer as another louder sound of anguish came from him. His fist, which grasped the cross, flung to the group and was soon starting to sting in pain from the piece of metal now impaled into his palm. His forehead came down and pressed against the ground, another angered cry coming from him as he cursed everything, everyone, even Feliciano himself for disappearing. Ludwig's anger, however, was soon washed away by harsh sobs and flowing tears as he collapsed into the clovers, hand letting go of the bloody cross who settled in the clovers beside him carefully.

Feliciano was gone...

Now

"You know, if they could not have us meet on the days all the students are moving in, that would be great. I mean, look at how many college freshmen there are outside! It's like a zoo out there!" The exasperated sigh of Alfred Jones exclaimed from one of the large windows of the meeting hall, some of the others had glanced up at the sound of his complaints and a few others approached to join him as they watched cars fill up the parking lots, college freshmen spilling out of cars with boxes and bags of their personal belongings.

Years had passed by and the building where the nationalities of the world did their famed business meetings, World Tower, was now surrounded by a modern-day college campus. The dorm buildings seemed to stalk up along the building, making days like this where people were moving in even more problematic for them.

"I don't mind, look at all the beautiful children down there, hoping to become well-educated and have a future! What a dream!" Francis exclaimed from his place next to the window, putting a hand on his heart as a touching gesture and smiling. "I wish I could be in college again, that was such a wild time! Ah, sweet memories-"

"I have my doubts about you going to college Francis." it was Arthur who responded next, glaring at Francis as he approached the window and took a look inside, his eyes squinting slightly to stare at the crowded parking lot. "If my car is robbed like last year I will have some strong words for the dean of this school!"

"Can we PLEASE get back to this meeting!" A gruff voice yelled over the bickering nations, Ludwig standing up and slamming a single fist on the table as the room quieted down slightly. His eyes focused on Kiku, the man calmly sitting beside Lovino and Antonio as they stared towards him in anticipation, his eyes then moved out towards the window and Alfred's voice struck up once more like an annoying car commercial. "Listen dude, I can't work on an empty stomach Ludwig! Can we please break for lunch? I'd like to get down to World Grille before the rest of the kids down there do!"

World Grille was a popular lunch destination for the countries; even Ludwig himself enjoyed some of the food they served every once in a while and judging by the missing lunch pail that usually sat beside him, Alfred knew Ludwig's only weakness at that moment.

"Fine. But please, don't patronize the incoming students." Ludwig announced with a sigh, fingers pinching his temple as the other nations stood and quietly discussed as they headed towards the doors. Kiku approached Ludwig, placing a hand on his arm and giving him a faint smile of encouragement. "Lets go as well, I can tell how hungry you are. I'm sure they'll have something good, I'm hoping they didn't get rid of the sushi after that incident last year…" He made a faint face which caused Ludwig to snort slightly in amusement, grabbing a few things from the table and pocketing his phone as he followed Kiku into the emptying hallway. Photos along the walls depicted many familiar faces to Ludwig and Kiku, the great Roman empire, Macedonia, Persia, Native America, Feliciano…

Feliciano's portrait caused Ludwig to slow to a stop, Kiku stopping a couple feet away and turning to face him with a faint frown on his face. "I thought you were getting over him Ludwig, it's been nearly nineteen years…"
"You cannot entirely forget someone like Feliciano Kiku, I thought you of all people would understand that. It's been hard, did you see how exhausted Lovino looked today? Running things for the entire country has been quite difficult for him." Ludwig seemed to ramble slightly, his gaze shifting towards Kiku as a calming hand was placed on his broad shoulder.

"Ludwig, you need to let him go. You'll spend the rest of your life an emotional wreck if you don't. Come, I'll pay for your lunch today." The smaller male tugged on Ludwig's arm as his gaze settled back on the portrait of Feliciano, eyes almost getting misty as he ran the back of his hand over the front of his face. "You're right, thank you Kiku. Let's go…

I just need to forget about him."

"I can't believe you convinced us to do that History seminar with you Rose, we missed the entire end of our summer!" The sound of her roommate's voice pulled Rosaline back from her daydream, her eyes turning and focusing on the skinny, short-haired Japanese girl beside her as another groan came from the girl on her other side. "Yeah Rose, the fact that you moved here is amaz- GHK! They got my order wrong again! I just wanted sweet potato fries! Not regular!" The girl started to complain, the blonde haired German girl putting a hand to her hip and looking at Rose who just faintly smiled as a response.

"Just tell them Monika and hurry up! We're going to be late for our seminar if you don't, it's one of our last ones and you know how Doctor Armand will feel if we're late again!" The other girl responded and Rosaline lightly nudged her friend's shoulder to calm her. "Saki relax, I'll take the fall this time okay? You know Doctor Armand loves me, we'll get off the hook without any trouble!" She gave them both a bright smile and took her plate of food once it was handed off to her, "I'll go find us a table! Don't kill each other while I'm gone!" Rosaline winked at her friends and quickly spun around, the grilled cheese and soup on her plate nearly covering her as she nearly stepped into a tall, buff man in a black suit. She recovered her plate without a spill, glancing up at the blonde-haired, blue-eyed male and gave him the richest smile she could muster with her exhausted expression. "Oh, sono così dispiaciuto* sir, I didn't see you there!" She cheerfully told the man above her, her laugh wavering slightly at the hard look she got from him. A smaller Japanese man came from behind him holding a plate of sushi, he looked between the two and gave Rosaline an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry about him, he's in a mood today."

"Oh no, don't worry sir! Please have a wonderful day, both of you!" She ducked around the taller man, moving her way to the register as the man's eyes followed her. She heard the two whispering behind her and simply shrugged as she brushed her auburn hair back behind her shoulder, letting the smile remain present on her face as she settled into a red chair.

She wasn't going to let some strange men bother her perfect day.

Kiku immediately nudged Ludwig back to focus once the girl was out of their sight, giving him a quizzical look as the German was brought immediately back to his senses. "What was that about Ludwig?"

"That girl who almost ran into me… doesn't she look familiar?" Ludwig murmured as both eyes glanced at the girl, her laugh could be heard from across the room as her two friends joined her at the table. Kiku seemed to stand there momentarily puzzled, shaking his head faintly and glancing towards Ludwig. "I don't understand what you mean…" he trailed off as his eyes lingered over to Lovino and Antonio, the two were just a few tables away from the girls. The uncanny resemblance between the girl and Lovino was striking, almost too striking to be a coincidence for the two for them. Kiku grew silent and Ludwig watched as the man turned, making his way over to the table with Antonio and Lovino, in turn, leaving the German to his own vices.

Ludwig closed his eyes briefly while rubbing his temple, he must have been just imagining things due to hunger. How could this girl resemble his Feliciano so much? It was near impossible, sure she had the same colored hair, the same laugh, the seemingly same nationality…

A pit was rising in his stomach as he took his food and walked over to his place at the table, his eyes never leaving the girl across the room. Antonio and Kiku got quiet as he sat down, both watching Ludwig as he sat with his food. Lovino, on the other hand, had an anxious look across his features which he brushed off once questioned by Antonio. "I-I just don't feel right… there's just this pit forming in my stomach. Must be this damned food."

"We all feel it, right?" Ludwig quietly asked as the other two nodded their heads, with one turn of his head he noticed that other nations were shifting almost uncomfortably in their seats as well. Even Alfred who was halfway into a large burger sat it down, looking almost sick. The only ones not reacting were the three students in the center of the room. He soon noticed, however, that Lovino seemed to be affected more to this feeling, the Italian soon laying his head on the table and closing his eyes tightly. One by one the other nations surrounding them left, food half eaten and anxious looks on their faces as they headed back towards the World Tower.

Ludwig was one of the last ones, standing up and picking up his tray as a shot of long auburn hair was pulled past him by two giggling girls.

"Let's go Rosaline! We're going to be late!" One of the girls exclaimed as the red-head he had bumped into earlier, Rosaline, turned back and with soft brown eyes gave him a sideways glance.. The look caused Ludwig to freeze, it was such a familiar look to him, the softness of the eyes, the warmness of the smile….

He shook his head and threw his uneaten food in the trash, he felt as sick as Lovino did now. He just wanted to go to his apartment and curl up in a tight ball with his German shepherds, to lay in the depressing self-loathing he had grown accustomed to since Feliciano had disappeared. His hand dug deep into his pockets and he brushed his hair back with the other as the feeling started to fade. No, he couldn't let his emotions take over again, he had to go back and lead this meeting.

Just a couple more hours, then he could go home.

"I didn't like the way that man was looking at you Rosaline." Saki was the first to speak as the three made their way towards their academic building, Monika who was on the other side wrapping her arms around Rosaline's arm in a tight, protective manner. "I agree with Saki, he was kind of creepy."

"He looked tired, he was one of the guys who come from the World Tower I think." She pointed a finger towards the building, suddenly frowning as she slowly stopped to a halt, the other two following in suit. "What is that building even for? I know students aren't allowed there but…"

"It's just office buildings I heard from the RA, but it's still fairly strange," Monika whispered as Saki shook her head and leaned against Rosaline lightly, nearly burying her head into her shoulders. "I heard it was the administration for the school."

"We should go explore!" Rosaline announced, taking a few steps ahead of the others and turning around. "I know that we have class but you've heard Doctor Armand talk about that building, not even he knows what's in there!"

"Rosaline, babe, listen to yourself! It's not even the beginning of our freshman year and you want to break into a building?!" Monika walked forward and tried to put a hand on Rosaline's shoulder but was immediately brushed away by the red-head whose eyes were mostly focused on the building.

"I know we might get into trouble but… I feel like we should go there guys, there's like this feeling in my gut that says we should!"

"You said that about the roller coaster at Coney island that one time and ended up sick for an hour Rose," Saki commented in a flat tone, sighing out heavily as she felt Rosaline's gaze on her. No one could say no to Rosaline, especially when she gave the look. The look of pure sorrow, the look that could make a grown man bend to her will, Monika called it Rosaline's superpower but Saki thought of it as a curse. After a few more moments Saki lifted her hands in defeat, a groan escaping her as she walked towards Rosaline. "Monika you know I can't say no to her…"

"Come on guys! There's something special in this building!" Rosaline chirped, her arms reaching out and each hand clasping the returning hand of one of her hands. Her eyes shone as she stared up at the building and a large smile came across her features.

"Ladies, this is my destiny, I can feel it!"

*I'm so sorry

Hello friends and welcome to the new and improved revamp of Sweet Little Italian! Here is sort of an introduction on who will be mentioned throughout the series and this will eventually lead us into chapter one!

If you enjoyed this part please feel free to like, review, follow and share! I love you hear from you all!

Hasta La Pasta!

-Daisy