To Lay To Rest The Ones You Love

The dice had been cast.

The blow had stuck and even if it didn't kill him right away, Rome would never recover from it. The empire had slowly grown weaker and weaker while Germania had watched from the shadows, wishing and yet not that the other would collapse.

And finally, he did.

It was slow and drawn out, yet when he died it was while taking a nap. Germania wanted to laugh at the irony of his passing.

It was poetic, almost. Germania cheered his victory over his long-time enemy, while mourning the loss of an old-time friend. Rome was an honorable opponent; one whom should be remembered and his culture persevered in respect.

Which was why he was here.

"Ve~ Germania?"

The voice was soft and solemn sounding, high-pitched in a feminine way that had Germania closing his eyes in pleasure as it reached his sensitive ears even as his body flinched away from the source. Rome had left something behind. Something forever precious to him in a way Germania had a hard time grasping.

Well, two something, really. Unfortunately, the other one was in Spanish hands. Only one child was within his reach. And reach he shall.

"Italien."

"Ve?"

The small not-quite-a-nation stiffened, shifting away some from the Germanic empire. Germania smiled grimly. At least the child wasn't stupid- he obviously knew the older nation was here for something…

Or someone.

"Italien." He repeated again instead of answering. Chibitalia shivered, shaking as the German stood up from where he was kneeling, in front of where Rome lay, and walked toward the other. Germania was pleased with the small ones actions.

So he wasn't naÔve to danger. That was good.

"You will come with me, ja? Italien." Chibitalia shivered again although whether from being frightened of him or of sadness for his Grandpa, Germania knew not. The child was staring past him, eyes for once wide open and focused cloudy on his grandfathers' prone form.

"E-Entschuldigung? (Excuse me?)"

"If you want to live," patiently began Germania, "You will come with me."

"Bu-but… what about Grandpa Rome?" Sorrowfully asked Chibitalia, who moved his eyes back to his grandfather.

"I will take care of him. How did he wish to be put to rest?"

Little Italy blinked. "Ah… like that of Julius Caesar, Germania."

"And so he vill be."

And that was that. The auburn haired child nodded, curl bobbing with his head. Germania glanced around for things he could use in the funeral. He spotted a lit torch stuck on the wall, and nodded his head to it. Italy, reading the command, trotted over to fetch it. In the mean time, Germania gathered lose woods scattered throughout the room, obviously there to use on a cold night. When Chibitalia reached back to the empire, he had already placed timber around the cold body of his grandfather in a simple and orderly way. Biting his lips, Italy glanced up at the Germanic empire. The blond empire just continued to stare down at Rome.

"Vell?" He asked, gesturing to him. "I am sure that he vould vant his grandchild to do the honors of laying him to rest." Ever since he mentioned a funeral, Chibitalia noticed, the others' accent continued to thicken where before it had been almost non-existent. At any other time, Chibitalia would probably be giggling along with Grandpa Rome…

The torch was thrown from small hands, and Romes' body began to slowly burn.

The Germanic Tribes and small Italian watched the body burn in a respectful silence. Soon, though, the fire and fumes spread more than Germania was comfortable with and so he turned to leave.

"Italien." He commanded. Italy hesitated, glancing from Germania to Rome and back again. The German sighed quietly when he noticed tears in the younger eyes. When he didn't move for a while, the green-eyed male silently scooped up the tiny child and held him to his chest as he walked out of the door and then out of the house.

He walked Italy right out of his life with Grandpa Rome.

Chibitalia closed his eyes tightly, the smell of burning flesh and timber causing him great discomfort. For relief, he turned his face to the empires' chest and snuggled into it. Germania paused and glanced down at Chibitalia, who was quickly falling asleep. He shifted the young one for a better hold and ended up cradling the auburn child in a way he had seen Rome hold Italy many times before.

"Vatti…" Italy mumbled sorrowfully, before sleep claimed his tired thoughts and sight.

Germania now held authority over little Italy. But soon, he too should be laid to rest.

This story explains how Chibitalia ends up in Germanic hold after Empire Rome died. Next chapter will have some GermaniaxItaly bonding and some more angst, along with a bit of ItalyxHRE and ItalyxFrance. Next chapter is also the last chapter. This story is the prequel for another about Chibitalia and his relationships with other countries as he grows up into Italy. Hope you enjoy.

I don't own Hetalia- Axis Powers.

Review please.

Yours Truly,

Broken