Disclaimer: If Axis Powers Hetalia were mine, I wouldn't need to write fanfics. If any of these songs were mine, I wouldn't be writing fanfics.

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Minimal fluff 09!

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Of Seamen and Landlubbers

He had done it. After years of studies and sacrifices and hardships, he had finally finished his schooling. Then years of battles and determination after that, he had finally risen up to the title of Admiral of the high seas. It was his job, nay his mission in life, to patrol the oceans and rid them of evildoers. Today was his first day on the job, the first day of his admiral-ness, and visions of fighting pirates and thick tentacled octopi floated through his head and…

"Watch out world, 'cause the hero America is here!"

Granted, only his crew and a few startled birds flying overhead could hear him over the rush of water under his feet, but America didn't care. He had effing done it, now everyone would acknowledge him as the preserver of justice on these rough seas, the beacon of light that would bring hope and peace to the children! He thought he struck quite the heroic pose standing at the bow, pointing his finger to the horizon. His crew of the Hero U.S, having heard this all before, continued on their duties. One brave soul, Luthiania, stepped forward after emerging from his look-out spot.

"Excuse me, Admiral, sir."

"Call me America, Luthiania." After all, heroes can afford to be modest as well. Staring down with his glasses glinting with the sun and the salty spray, America struck the most courageous smile he could, while Luthiania looked up at him with indifference.

"Er…America, sir, a ship's been spotted."

"Perfect! Is it in trouble? Do we have our first job?" Luthiania was contemplating telling America that he didn't have a hearing problem and the zealous admiral didn't have to yell everything. "Or…is it a pirate ship? Will we have our first fight on the seas? Get the cannons ready!"

"Um…there's no need for that yet, sir…at least, I don't think so yet…"

"What do you mean? Explain." America leapt down from the platform and started striding across the deck to his quarters. Luthiania followed behind at a respectful distance, although he could also be standing further away from America's enthusiasm, either way. The other crew members greeted their captain with a nod as they went about their jobs.

"Well…it seems to be an unmarked ship. There's a flag flying over it but it doesn't mean anything so I assume it was a crest. It's too far to really tell, sir. But it's coming toward us at a decent pace, so I assumed you might want to know. It doesn't seem hostile but you never know."

Reaching his room, America threw open the door and revealed a room of red, white, and blue patriotic memorabilia. Rushing to his desk, he started sorting through the pile of books, papers, plates, and other junk he left cluttered around. He had told the crew that his room was off limits (he had said with his power as admiral), so although the rest of the ship was kept clean by the deckhands, his room remained the lone pigsty. Luthiania stood at the doorway, watching amusedly.

"So…it's not a pirate ship?"

"Again, I think it will be clear when they come closer. But they haven't raised any flags for halt, and it's coming from the east. It might be a cargo ship."

"It might be?" America questioned, knocking over a stack of books that looked unread.

"Like I said before, it's too far to tell. I've never seen anything like it before."

The thought of a ghost ship sent shivers down America's back. What an exciting first day on the job! Finally wrapping his fingers around the slender looking glass his principle had given him on his graduation day, America held it up and started toward the deck again. "I'm going to check this out, Lithuania! Never fear!"

Sighing to himself, Lithuania followed America as the blonde captain rushed onto deck and spotted a group of the crew members standing and staring out at the ocean. "Admiral!" one tiny deckhand, Sealand, called. "There's a ship coming our way!"

"That was fast!" Lithuania said worriedly, more to himself than to America. America, on the other hand, clapped him on the shoulder and rushed forward. "It shouldn't be anything serious," he assured. "Let me look!"

Aiming his telescope out at sea, he spotted the black ship, surging forward in the water, sending white, foamy spray in its trail. It was a strangely colorless boat, with only black to adorn its sides. There was someone standing at the bow, almost in the same fashion that he had only a few moments before. America couldn't make out the details, but it was a lanky figure, probably a few inches shorter than him with a mess of dirty blonde hair. There were a few crew members behind said person and they all seemed to pointing at his ship. America scanned the rest of the ship…sturdy frame…then the telescope aimed at the flag that Lithuania had mentioned.

Uh-oh, trouble. It was a black rectangular cloth with a crudely drawn skull and crossbones.

"Pirate ship!" America gasped loudly, causing a tremor of unease through the crew next to him. Sealand mimicked his loud intake of breath and clutched at Lithuania, who put one arm around the small boy protectively.

"What should we do?" a voice shouted. "Ready for battle?"

"Hmm…" America scanned the boat again. It seemed to be in a hurry and expressed no interest in the ship it was nearing. By now they were a good ten miles or so away and hadn't raised any warnings or flags. America put the looking glass and turned to his crew. "Well, it doesn't seem like it wants to board, but we must be careful! Someone steer the ship forward! It's coming at an alarming pace!"

At once, motion set the boat on fire, with crew members scurrying to do their jobs. Lithuania stood at the ready with Sealand clutching at his side as America kept watch on the advancing ship. "America, sir…what should we do?"

"Well…I would say we attack it and bring those pirates down, but you say you haven't seen it before and you have good knowledge on all famous pirate ships. And technically, we would be bullying them since they haven't done anything wrong…" America trailed off thoughtfully. "A hero won't pick on someone who hasn't done anything wrong, no matter what they seem to be."

"America…" Sealand whined. "What if they attack us?"

"Then we attack back! Are the gunners below deck at the ready?"

Sealand went to check and ran back breathlessly. "They're waiting for a sign, America!"

"Good." The ship started forward as steam engine propelled them forward. However, although they were surging forward, it was obvious that they wouldn't be fast enough because the other ship was gaining and fast.

"America…!" Lithuania called, almost losing voice and leaving out the respectable 'sir'. "We're going to crash…!"

America grimaced as he turned to his crew. "Can't we go faster?"

"Sorry!" someone called. "This is as fast as we can get it to go at the moment!"

"Dammit!" America punched the side of his ship. How could the other captain of the ship lose control of his own vessel and not put up a word of warning…or…

Realization dawned on America as he stared out at the black ship, now a mere few miles away. The ship wasn't much larger than the Hero U.S, but if they collided, it meant sure death for both crews. The character at the stern was still standing there, staring out at the boat without so much as a sign of anxiety. Glaring at the person, as if the latter could see him, America ground out the explanation. "They're playing chicken," he spat.

"Eh?!" Sealand ran to the side and stared out at the ship. "Can we steer away fast enough?"

"Yes, America, sir, I think we could avoid them if…"

"No." America looked stoic before a smile started sliding across his face. "If this is how they want to play, we'll play with them. This ship isn't going to back down. We've got the crest of the Allies so they know who we are."

"But America, sir…!"

"The question, Sealand, is if they can steer away fast enough." America leaned against the side and smirked. Perhaps it was stubborn men's pride, but he was going to show this pirate ship that an Ally ship couldn't be bullied around. Maybe the other ship would let the crash collision happen, but America was willing to bet it wasn't going to happen. After all, no smart pirate would let all their loot go to waste at the bottom of the ocean.

Almost, as if to prove that point, the ship started to swerve to the left. The crew of Hero U.S shouted in relief as the black ship started to change directions. However, it was close enough for America to catch sight of the character from the stern, the blonde young man who was now glaring at him with blazing green eyes. The pirate was dressed rather nicely with a black hat adorned with frills. America didn't know pirates liked frills.

"You bloody git!" America could hear him call with a strange accent. "You'll regret not moving!" To add a physical punch, the ship finished its turn of almost ninety degrees and sent a wave crashing into the Hero U.S, which rocked unsteadily for a few moments before continuing along. The black ship seemed to speed away and America could almost feel the curses hitting his back from the green eyed pirate.

"We win," America said shortly as Sealand cheered. "Because, of course, we're heroes."

--

If looks could kill, that stupid glasses blonde wanker would be dead as a doorknob.

"England, are you okay?"

"Does it look like I am? Leave me alone!" England crossed the deck, his green eyes still icy from the encounter. "Stupid Allies ship…thinking they can run this ocean when they know we work along these routes…"

"England, I don't think that Allies ship is a usual. It might be new."

"Damn right it's new, you idiot." England stormed past his two co-captains, who followed at their own pace as the angry captain stormed to his quarters. "If I ever see that four-eyes again, I swear I'm going to kill him dead." Taking off his hat, England threw it at one of his followers, who caught the lace-decorated hat and placed it on the hook outside England's room.

"Don't just stand there!" England turned to the two as he reached for the doorknob. "Make sure we don't have any more idiots in our path or we won't be as generous to them this time. I knew we should have just blasted that thing to smithereens." Still muttering to himself, England slammed the door behind him.

--

Although America hadn't shown it, he had almost had a heart attack until the pirate ship pulled away. Resting on top of his bed which was covered with his clothes, America decided he would just have to find some way to get back the years he had just lost.

"America, sir!" Lithuania was pounding at his door again. "There's another ship!"

"Another one?" America yelped, jumping to his feet and opening the door. Lithuania, who was already growing worry lines despite his young age, was frantically gesturing to the west. "It's coming at us!"

"Is it the same pirate ship?"

"It's not a pirate ship. It's got a Balkan flag."

Breathing a sigh of relief, America let himself breathe easy. "Well…Balkans aren't any danger…"

"It's pulling up close to us!" Lithuania seemed beside himself in panic, his dark red-brown hair flying across his face.

"Alright, alright! If you're so worried about it, have Sealand throw up the flag to board them."

When America finally reemerged after cooling himself down from the second threat (he was thinking he was getting enough of the admiral life), the Balkan ship had pulled alongside the Hero U.S and planks were being put across the two ships. The other ship's crew was standing at their own end, as if waiting for something. America realized he had been the one to send up the flag and beckoned for Lithuania to follow him across. When he reached the Balkan ship, a man pushed through to the front of the crowd.

"Ah! Hola, amigo!" The dark haired man came forward cheerfully with his arms spread out wide in a peaceful gesture. He wore a red silk cape across his shoulders and he looked like a matador that America had seen pictures of in his textbooks. The only thing missing was a rabid bull charging at them. Stepping back cautiously, America extended a hand out. "Hello, Admiral America at your service. Who are you?"

Not seemingly insulted at this brash way of introduction, the man only grinned wider. "You must be a new face on these seas! Some call me Captain Antonia, but people mostly call me Spain! I was surprised you wanted to board our ship, are you having any sort of trouble?"

"So you're not here to wreck havoc?"

"Of course not! Why would we want to?" Spain looked worried for a moment. "Did you have some sort of trouble?"

"Well…not really…" Seeing no danger, America became friendly again. "We just had a run in with some pirates, that's all. But we're fine."

"You look fine," Spain said with a grin. "But could you keep this meeting short? We must be on our way."

"Ah? And where are you going?"

Spain looked to the horizon with a determined expression. "I, my dear America, am out to save a princess in a tower."

There was a silence on deck in which Spain's crew seemed embarrassed and Lithuania wondered if America would burst out laughing. However, America only proved to look even more impressed.

"That's extremely heroic of you, Spain."

"Gracias. So we will be on our way, yes?"

"Of course, of course…" As America made his way to the planks, he cast a look behind him at the majestic Balkan ship. It was nicely furnished and looked pretty pricey, not to mention the cannons poking out of the sides seemed well kept. It would be a formidable force.

"Say, Spain," America said, whipping around and changing direction so he was walking toward the retreating captain. "What say we whip up an alliance? I'm a new admiral for the Allies and it would be a pleasure to work along side of you. What do you say? I'm a champion of justice."

Spain turned with a blank look but America kept his expectant smile. After a second, Spain burst out laughing.

"I would think," Spain said, through his chuckles, "that a champion of justice would go well with the country of passion? I don't know you quite well yet, America, but you seem like a nice fellow." America opened his mouth to offer to write up an agreement right then and there, but Spain wasn't finished. "However, if you interfere with any of my business or happen to screw up any of my missions, please know that that will not be taken lightly and we will attack you."

"Likewise, Spain, likewise." America glanced back at Lithuania, who was staring at him expectantly at the plank. "We've all got to look out for our own backs first."

"Big words from someone who wants to form an alliance!" Spain declared. "Alright, let's sign this thing and be on our way. Who will write it for us?"

"Lithuania will. He's quite impartial to everything." America beckoned Lithuania over. "He's only a mercenary I hired, so I don't think he'll care much about either side."

"Splendid. Let's wrap this up, America. I think we both have much to do."

--

Turkey couldn't have put up a screen on the only window, couldn't he? Cheap bastard. Sneezing again, Romano wondered who on earth could be talking about him behind his back. Perhaps it was Turkey himself who had trapped him in this jail, or The Tower. Honestly, this wasn't Rapunzel or any sort of storybook fairy tale, but here he was, sitting on the floor to his one window jail. He still had everything he needed to survive except freedom; Turkey had made sure of that.

Then again, Turkey did like his tales of a thousand and one nights, so perhaps this Tower was the reason after all that. Romano sighed angrily to himself as he walked over to the window. The sandy, grassy landscape under him was not soft enough to jump to and he didn't think he knew the area well enough to know where to go should he have escaped.

Stupid Turkey and his flying carpet.

"Dammit," Romano muttered, drawing out the word. Life had not been good to him lately. In fact, it hadn't been since birth. Being one out of a set of twins, his grandfather Rome had decided that for the sake of their wellbeing and security, they would be separated at birth and live out their respective lives as girls so the question of the male twin heirs of the land would disappear into mystery. Surely no assassin would think that a woman was really one of the male heirs in question. But honestly, sending his twin out to live in a village and keeping him cooped up in dresses and the palace was too much.

Then Turkey kidnapped him, thinking him to be a high lady-in-waiting and held him there for ransom. And his homeland had deserted him. Or at least, had run when Turkey came at them when they tried to rescue him at first.

Useless idiots. Picking at a loose thread on his frock, Romano mused over telling Turkey that he was a male (maybe then that masked pervert would stop coming on to him), but it would probably cause too much trouble and hassle and he was being fed alright (yes, he had pasta! Turkey wasn't entirely heartless after all). And at least he would be away from the creepy suitor that Rome had been keen to marry him off to; that pervert jerk Spain. For a moment, Romano wondered if it had been Spain who had been thinking about him, and a terrifying thought shot through his mind: what if Spain was coming for him? Oh, that would give him nightmares! He wanted to be saved, but not by Spain…

He was probably imagining it. After all, Spain was not nearly the man he made himself out to be. Right?

To be continued

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Note: My attempt at a Hetalia multi-fic…the brainchild of my working imagination after I posed my drawing of Pirate England…but don't fear! Even if this beginning seemed bland, I have some twists! I'm not sure if I can execute them, with my scant knowledge of boats and other sea lingo. Please review so I know how I'm doing…please.