I woke up with my brother, Matthew, not in his bed. Not that that wasn't normal, he being in his bed and all, but still it felt wrong. Usually, he wakes up, makes his bed, and then goes to breakfast; but now his bed was unkempt. His blankets were tossed into the corner, his pillows were missing their covers, even his stuffed bear—which he takes everywhere with him—was on the floor. Grabbing his Kumajirro, I ran out to the living room. By the front door, England was sitting with the head between his legs.

"Oni-Chan, where's Canada?" I asked, finally noticing the tears coming down his cheeks.

His head popped up. He slowly stood, dusted himself off, and wiped off the tears. "He's gone, Alfred. France left, and he took him."

"What! He's coming back, right? Matt forgot Kumajirro!" This was a shock: why would he leave? Was it my fault?

England looked serious. "Canada's coming back, don't worry. I'll make him if I have to."

It was a bloody fight. Just as I thought we'd get him back, France would he get his lawyers on it. Many nights I'd wait for England to get back with news, only to learn he'd be out working late. As I'd fall sleep I'd think, "He's gonna make it! Then we'd laugh again, and I can find his Kumajirro again!"

"How dare you! This was your fight, not mine," I yelled. "No way I'm gonna pay for it." It had been a while since Matthew came back, but now England was low on cash. He was now making ME pay for it. "I already helped you fight it, wasn't THAT enough? Testimony for you case should be enough."

England frowned, "Yes, it should, but now everyone has to pitch in. Matthew is…"

"Screw Matthew! We work our asses off, and you NEVER visit us. NOW you want money?"

"Yes, you are my little brother, you need to help me." I was so furious, so angry. I fumed for a few minutes before answering.

"I'm leaving; I'm going to become emancipated."

"WHAT!" he said, now red in the face "Oh-no, no way are you leaving."

"I don't care. Good-bye, stranger."

That was the last time I looked at the house the same way again. The fight emancipation was on…

Walking down the gilded hallway, I stood tall. I had no way to know if he would accept. Opening the huge palace doors, I took a breath. Now was my chance. "France, how are you?" He smiled but did not respond. "I know you heard about my recent trial for emancipation."

"Yes, I did. It has caused quite a stir here," he said coolly.

I gulped, "Yes, well, I need your help. I am thiscloseto losing the case. I need some help. I'm hoping you could help by testifying against him."

He thought about. I thought I saw the cogs in his head turning. Finally, he spoke, "Let me talk to my boss about it. Until then, I think you should take a walk around town."

"Fine, I hope you come to the right decision." I turned around and left.

The next day…

"So what decision did you come to?" I asked, a little nervous.

"We believe that," he smiled, "yes, I'll testify against him. I see that this humiliating in a way, but I think the old man needs his ass kicked"

The battle was easier. With France's guidance and aid, I won. I actually WON! I felt so happy. Now the day of my emancipation, July 4th is a day of celebration in my home. Yet life isn't so easy.

1812:

Matthew came in secret. I don't think he was ever this angry before in his life. "Mattie, what's wrong?"

"How dare you! How dare you go against our Oni-Chan! He LOVED you, brother. LOVED YOU! Yet you left him because, why? Because you didn't want to pay some cheap tax?"

I frowned "Whoa, wait, you think that tax was SMALL? He didn't even ask; he just took. No way I was gonna take that anymore."

"Yeah and then what? You ask FRANCE for help? You know him, he's well… not right. You know what you did to him? You made him fight HIMSELF! You know how messed up that is?"

"No, I don't, so shut up ok. You know how much in debt I am? No you don't, because you sucked up to him."

"Yeah, and I survived. Now he's gonna come after you." He said, his face softening. He seemed like he was about to cry. "He told me to, to…" He sobbed and fell to the floor.

"To what, kill me?" I asked. I then saw the knife on the floor next to him. I felt a pain in my gut. It was true. Oh God… "Uh...Mattie?"

"WHAT?" He yelled between tears.

"I think I need to show you something." I walked to my bedroom and under my bed. Under it, I drew a small wooden box. Going back to him, I said, "Mattie, remember when you left with France and left everything, even Kumajirro?"

He frowned in confusion, still crying. "Yeah, how could I forget? What does this have to do anything?"

"Well, I kept him, I kept Kumajirro. When you were gone, I put him in a box so as to keep him safe. Then when I left, I took with me. I know I should have given him to you, but I kept him as a reminder of the love I had for you. I hope by seeing him, you'll remember of the love you had for me."

I gave him the box. He opened it and smiled. His cries were no longer of pain, but of joy. "Kuma-kumajirrro? You're still here? I thought he burned you." He hugged the sawdust bear. I felt a pain in my heart as he smiled. "Thank you for him, I needed him. However, this doesn't change it. I can't take him, at least not yet. Maybe when things cool down, maybe then" With that, he gave me the bear and left.

How was it? I hope you guys like it. Should I finish? I think of adding an ending, but I don't know. Tell me PLEASE!