My second one-shot, this time about England and America's time as brothers. Like 'Lost Brothers' it takes place in present times. I feel that I'm probably better at writing one shots than I am at writing full length stories; they require less commitment.

Arthur = normal font 'normal font' = thoughts

Alfred = bold font 'bold font' = thoughts

Both (thoughts) = 'underlined'

Just a voice = underlined

It was July 4th. Arthur gazed sadly into the fire. Not even relaxing with a book in his favorite armchair could cheer him up on this day. Every year was a painful reminder of the events from more than two hundred years ago.

Alfred gazed happily at his pile of presents. All the nations had come to see him and congratulate him on making it through another year. All except for one…

I'm not a child anymore, nor am I your brother.

The words were like a thousand needles stabbing at his heart. Every waking moment of his life they were there, constantly reminding him of his greatest loss.

He had forced himself to forget the past. He hadn't succeeded. His own heartless words haunted his dreams night after night.

I want freedom after all.

So many of Arthur's colonies had declared independence; so why did this one cause him such grief?

He had pointed a musket at Arthur. Would he have fired it? Sometimes he did. The blood would squirt in every direction, and Alfred would wake up with tears on his face.

Can I call you nii-san?

Alfred had been more than just a colony; he had been Arthur's brother.

Arthur had seemed so big then, so big and caring, kind and protecting; Alfred couldn't have wished for more.

You're here and that's all that counts.

He had made Arthur feel important, made him feel wanted. Here was someone who actually cared about him, someone who needed him.

Where would he be without Arthur's help?

Don't leave me all alone in this big house!

Where had he gone wrong? What could he have done to stay with Alfred longer?

Alfred remember clinging to Arthur's jacket, begging him to stay longer.

Is this what you call delicious?

Even the little things Alfred did had made Arthur smile. No, that was wrong. It was the little things in particular that had made him feel like he could jump up and fly with the birds, supported only by the happiness his heart held.

Arthur had taken care of him despite his own struggles. There had always been food on the table and water in the cup when Alfred saw him.

Nii-san

The words he had heard so long ago.

The words he had whispered so long ago.

Nii-san

The fire was burning low.

The sun was sinking into the treetops.

Nii-san

How could one word say so much?

Nii-san, I love you.

Words whispered by a little boy.

'While I held him in my arms,'

'under the endless sky.'

I love you soooooooo much Nii-san.

Forever connected by such small words.

'I was foolish not to realize,'

'that such things don't last.'

'I wanted to hold you forever.'

'I wanted to be with you nii-san.'

'But in the end,'

'it was impossible.'

Nii-san.

A voice, faded through age, coming back through a memory.

'After all the hatred we've shared, and all the times we fought, I'm surprised to find…'

'Even though I may shout and say rude things, please realize…'

'That I still love you.'

Love of brothers. War of love. Brothers of war.

Please review.