Defend That Nation- Hamburger Justice


Earlier that day…

'That. Was. Awesome! We've never gone through a meeting that fast. Only the hero could've made such a feat possible.'

As if on cue, the self praising thought was proceeded by an unnaturally sparkly yet impressive and cocky grin. Any dignity from the heroic pose that accompanied the smile was lost when the certain American broke out into his instantly recognizable laugh, which bordered on giggles at the moment. But even the frankly disturbed looks he gained from the busy crowd around him could not bring down his soaring spirits. It was not just his questionable mannerisms that perplexed those who passed him in the streets. He did not blend in at all with the other frantic businessmen running around. As the young man walked he discarded a neatly pressed suit jacket in favor of his bomber one, untucking his white shirt and loosening the tie around his neck before just shoving it in a red backpack slung lazily over his shoulder. And then as a final touch, he slipped on a pair of black gloves. Not because his hands were cold, no. They just looked really cool, and in the space of a block or two what was once appeared to be a promising young entrepreneur transformed into a delinquent. And this delinquent had one mission in mind.

"God I'm hungry! It's gotta be noon at least, and that means I haven't eaten since this morning. Man! I can't believe they banned burgers from World Submits. Those jerks…" America complained, holding a hand over his stomach to emphasize the growl it emitted. Disappointment was added to his steadily increasing hunger as it seemed there was not a single burger joint in the midst of all the swanky restaurants. Though in hindsight it was to be expected, what cooperate head would want to make deals in a greasy burger shack anyway? And no, this American's opinion is not allowed to be a part of that statistic.

Eventually the nation decided to go down unknown streets on random guesswork in hope his luck would just lead him to his desired destination. Wherever it was. Though with each corner America turned he was met with an inkling of defeat. He must have seen dozens of French and Italian restaurants alone on his so far fruitless journey. It seemed that the pallet of every other nation could have been satisfied. And the further along he went, the more lost he became. Then America came to a point where he seriously considered forgoing hamburgers altogether in favor of pizza or the like. That is until his attention was caught by a surprisingly familiar alley way.

"I totally know where this is!" America exclaimed. He jumped down onto his hands and knees to get a better look at the scattered trash sprinkled on the ground. A knowing smile curled onto his face that uttered only a confident snicker. America pushed himself up with the least bit of effort and made a sharp turn that brought him to face another familiar location, the burger shack from his last albeit forced visit to Japan. The American glanced over at the lonely can which he could still perfectly picture Canada cowering in and nodded at it as a form of thanks. Though, this somber façade was overcome by a giddy childish smile as he began sprinting to the borderline seedy establishment. To America however it might as well been the gates to heaven, and the aching growls coming from his stomach were joined by flits of excited butterflies. Upon energetically pushing the glass door with more force than intended America was struck with an unexpected and annoying obstacle he had not foreseen, a line. With no other option available, this disgruntled American joined the line and began his anxious wait.

America tapped his foot incessantly and checked his watch God knows how many times. He even went so far as to stand on the tip of his toes despite being tall enough to see over the other costumers' heads. Then this unnecessary vantage point let America catch the sight of something else that was familiar to him, or rather someone. Two people in fact. Although they were quite a few spots ahead of him, and it was only their backs he saw. But America knew. How could he forget? After all they were the two who kidnapped-

"My hamburger!" America shouted the perplexingly random sentence fragment at the blue haired teenager and Cat character, though the latter was unseen by the rest of the bewildered customers. It only took a second for Ikuto Tsukiyomi and Yoru to turn around, recognize the American and break out into a nervous sweat before just running out of the restaurant. Filled with the intense desire for what he thought of as "justice" and the start of adrenaline pumping through his veins from the prospect of a chase, America followed the pair in pursuit. A few curious bystanders made a quick sprint to the door in order to find out the resolution of the conflict but were disappointed to see that the young man and foreigner had disappeared into the dark alley. Within the concealing shadows it only took one brief sideways glance from Ikuto for Yoru to boast a mischievous grin and slyly snicker, "Try and keep up. Character change"

Ping!

America hardly took notice of the newly perked cat ears or swishing tail Ikuto now sported. A confident smile slowly eased onto his face in light of the challenge, and he swore to himself not to lose. A tall, chain-linked fence stood deep into the alley and served as the first obstacle for the runners. With the help of his Character change, Ikuto effortlessly leapt over the fence and struck a perfect landing nonchalantly. He and Yoru glanced over their shoulders expecting to find America, at the most struggling to climb over. However their expectations were shattered as their gazes met with the nation halfway up the fence with one jump and speedily trekking to the top. Each chain link America slipped a foot into served as a rung to push himself from, and in no time at all he was being propelled off the top rail with a strong push as if it were a springboard. Landing with a succession of rolls and coming out of those in a fast run, America gave out a hearty laugh at the accomplishment.

While Yoru flew alongside his owner with his mouth hung open in amazement, Ikuto held his head down to hide an annoyed twitch at the American's success. Though, this grimace did not last long as he spotted a fire escape near a high wall that helped him regain his shortly lost edge. Ikuto, with a dark smile etched onto his face, purposely passed the ladder that usually served as entrance onto the fire escape and instead bounded into the air and over the guardrail. From there he continued to run up the zigzagging staircases of the fire escape. America, who had been on the back of Ikuto's heels, cursed aloud as he overshot the hanging ladder but luckily was able to turn around sharply and jump onto the lowest platform of the fire escape. He caught a hold of the guardrail's posts and pulled himself over to follow Ikuto. Adding rage at an underhanded trick such as that to what fueled the nation's run, resulted in a quick recovery of the ground America had lost.

Only a few stories above his pursuer at this point, which kept decreasing as America jumped over each set of stairs, Ikuto hopped off of the fire escape and onto the adjacent high wall. Though Ikuto's hope of the American missing the jump he himself had just made was in vain as America was soon running behind him atop the narrow ledge. With each tap of a footstep Ikuto prayed that America would lose his balance and fall, ending at this point an exhausting chase. But America was steadfast in his footing and began to catch up with him once again. In a last ditch effort to throw the American off again, Ikuto suddenly shot off of the wall and landed firmly on the dusty ground. Though he waited a second too long to continue running, as America had thrown himself off the wall and into the air. With gravity to take care of the rest, he landed on Ikuto and immediately afterwards regained his senses from the fall in order to pin down his "criminal".

Ping. Then with that sound the character change was undone.

"Sorry Ikuto" Yoru mumbled guiltily as the Cat character laid beside his owner, equally tired from the run. Instead of the incriminating scowl Yoru had anticipated on receiving from Ikuto, he was surprised and somewhat sad to find that the boy only shook his head somberly. While in the midst of his own panting America forced a few winded chuckles that were not taken well by his small company. Yoru attempted to compose himself with a swipe of a paw wiping across his face before floating up to eyelevel with America. The small cat glared at the nation with as much spite as he could covey through his round, golden eyes. Bearing his teeth and with a hiss to his words Yoru growled, "I'm not scared of you, stupid America. If you want your revenge against Ikuto, you're going to have to go through me first!"

"What're you talking about?" America asked, confused. The genuine simplicity which he spoke with relaxed the pricked hairs Yoru had in his tense stance for a moment, before returning along with a wave of anger at the American's blatant stupidity. America stood up, and though he was no longer holding Ikuto down he kept a tight grip on his collar as he dragged him up. Ikuto did not struggle against the hold as he was interested that America apparently had no intention for, what he considered a well deserved revenge. Yoru, losing any intimidation he had, angrily stormed through the air and childishly shouted, "Then why the hell were you chasing us to begin with?"

"Well. One, you ran so it was unavoidable that I'd follow you, especially after you challenged me like that. And two…" America began to explain, holding a figure up to emphasis his first point before bringing up a second to point out his next one.

"You owe me a burger, and I've come to collect!"

Ikuto and Yoru starred at America expecting more, but when the nation did not offer another reason they became even more confused. Surely no one would go through all that trouble for a hamburger, well no one but America because he had on only the most serious of faces after his explanation. There was no mistaking it, the nation gave no signs that he was kidding in the slightest. In fact his expression became graver as a thunderous growl gurgled from his stomach, America even let out a vague whimper as he patted it in the hopes of calming its cry. Ikuto looked at the young man curiously and hesitated before he asked, "So that's all you want, right? A burger"

"Well, duh! C'mon. Don't you even remember? I was all small and had worked my butt off to scrounge enough money to get a burger, and you took it. Ha! Can't believe you forgot" America enthusiastically retold suppressing a laugh he could not help but let loose at the end of his tale. Ikuto was able to hide his oddly vexed amazement more well than Yoru, whose mouth was left gapping open and eyebrows were held as high as they could go. The Cat character closed his eyes tightly and furrowed his brow before he bellowed a shout loud enough to even sting the ear drums of the much larger people present, "WHAT?"

"Ow. Hey man that was lou-"America began to complain drawing his hand from a rumbling stomach to an aching head before he was abruptly interrupted.

"Are you stupid or something? Ikuto and I are the ones who…" Yoru's grating yelled weakened into a hoarse whisper by the end of his sentence. Then his tensely perched ears drooped down, and he hung his sleek tail low in guilt at the memory. This graveness was more prominent on Ikuto's face as he averted his eyes away from America and gritted his teeth with a frown. America looked curiously as the sight, a trickle of sympathy pulsed through him. But another force swelled up inside the nation and erupted in a stark that soon became uncontrollable. Yoru simply bobbed in the air and was only able to blink blankly at the doubled-over American. Ikuto turned a set of eyes with a confused anger flickering in those blue orbs toward America, who was at this point desperately gasping for breath. Once America eagerly heaved in a couple satisfying breaths he cleared his throat, coughing back invasive laughter and happily explained, "Relax. I know you two aren't the villains. We did that transformation-thing, and even though I was all messed up I could tell what you were really like."

Ikuto sighed, a sense of relief washed over him, but he managed to play the gentle breath off as a slightly annoyed huff. America smiled and knowing and reassuring grin as he let go of his hold on Ikuto's collar, leaving a defined wrinkle from the exceptional strength the small grip had. Only Yoru had the vantage point to notice this detail and secretly snickered at it before a light rustle of the boy's hair covered the back of his collar. This coverage was not needed since shortly after America hooked his arm around Ikuto's neck and merrily led him back to the burger restaurant at a light jog due to the increasing severity of American's hunger pains. Yoru followed, gliding behind the pair and failing in his attempt to conceal his smirked chuckles.

Ikuto could only dart an irritated glare between the snickering Guardian Character and America, who boasted a very jovial laugh. Immediately they reached the brick wall where not that long ago their chase was staged. Ikuto was grateful when America unhooked the arm he had friendly around his neck, as the nation was oblivious to his own strength. Rubbing the back of his neck, Ikuto suppressed his instinct to wince in pain and instead watched America leap on top of the wall in a single bound. Yoru tooted an impressed whistle at the feat, before turning toward his owner in anticipation for permission to enact a Character Change. Ikuto casually waved to his character as a sign approving the suggestion, while still deeply massaging his neck muscles. Meanwhile America was crouching atop the wall's ledge, and as he waited the young nation noticed that Ikuto was still tending to his aching neck. And it did not even this particularly dense country to figure out what the cause was. America smiled an awkward grin that soon ceased under the pressure of his guilt and he nervously chuckled before the American admitted, "Sorry bud. I sometimes forget that I gotta be extra careful around humans."

Ping!

With the Character Change activated and a quick flick of the familiar cat ears and tail, Ikuto effortlessly hopped far into the air and lightly landed next to America with barely a tap to be heard. Still standing upright; the teen hardly gave notice of America or his previous comment before he abruptly mentioned in a cynical tone, "You shouldn't get too chummy with a black cat like me, who brings misfortune wherever he goes."

After the eerily vague message was delivered; Ikuto jumped from atop the wall, bounded off a railing along the fire escape and fell stylishly onto the ground. Leaving Yoru to merely float after him and America to awkwardly take in what Ikuto had said. Unable to conjure any other response besides scratching his head as he blinked his eyes curiously, America simply stepped off the ledge and stuck the landing with a loud thud. Upon slowly rising up to stand the small cloud of dust, flying up when the nation had fallen, gently settled back down. When he was fully upright America flicked the specks of dirt that had stuck to his jacket, then he fluffed the bomber jacket while holding his head slightly towards the ground. After, America hooked his eyes onto Ikuto, who had turned to begin the walk to the restaurant, and flashed a daring grin before calling out the teenager's name in a resolute voice. With his attention caught, Ikuto turned around almost annoyed by the added sidetrack while Yoru descended onto his shoulder. Though his brief irk dissolved and was replaced by intrigued when he saw a restless gleam shine in the nation's expansive blue eyes. Then America brightened up with an optimistic and yet goofy smile as he continued to speak, "Well I'm a pretty lucky guy so there shouldn't be too much to worry about."

Though he said this in an honestly peppy tone there was still, somehow a challenging stance to how the nation spoke as if he wanted to test his luck. Ikuto breathed out a calm chuckle as America lightly jogged to catch up with him, laughing along the way. Yoru sat, puzzled by Ikuto's generally friendly attitude towards the foreigner. The Cat character eventually shrugged his ponderings away. Yoru leisurely rode on Ikuto's shoulder, sprawled out in a relaxed pose, as his owner and the nation walked. Ikuto absentmindedly and with a bemused grin listened to America talk incessantly about his hunger as well as a number of other topics that went unaccounted by the unengaged teenager.

The three continued like this for a while, passing the fire escape Ikuto and America ran on earlier. When the trio arrived at the chain-linked fence, America ceased his babble with a mildly annoyed frown to replace the chattering mouth as he walked up to the fence, dragging his feet. He grabbed onto a link and prepared to heave himself up when the nation caught Ikuto in the corner of his eye shifting some wooden crates aside by the edge of the fence, exposing a large hole. America let go of his grip on the fence and his annoyance took on a twist of excited amazement at the reveal of a simpler route. However he was still irked by the previous concealment of such a path. His disapproval was made known by the American furrowing his brow into a somewhat childish pout as he walked on over and said, "Why didn't you just go through here before? It would've made catching you a whole lot easier."

"Isn't that the point of running away? To use any means necessary to outrun anyone chasing you." Yoru replied slowly, trying to find out if the nation was seriously asking a question with a blatantly obvious answer. As the Guardian Character sadly expected, America had no fluctuations in his voice or manner to suggest sarcasm. Ikuto had quickly grown to accept America's bluntness at this point and shrugged as he slipped through the decently sized hole, followed closely behind by America. And before either of them knew it they had stepped out of the shadowy alleyway and onto the sunny street, where the shade was overcome by the bright light of the day. Ikuto flinched and drew his hand up above his eyes to prevent them from being completely overwhelmed by the sudden sunlight. Yoru did not have to make any conscious effort to protect himself from the blinding light. The large pupils of his cat eyes only waned slightly as he lounged in the cover his owner's head and neck provided. America seemed even more chipper upon entering the sunbathed street. With his eyes closed shut he walked in marching bounds to their destination.

Ikuto strode alongside the nation trying to push persistent questions about the nation's curiously perfect navigation abilities out of his head. Luckily for him, or not, any previous thoughts occupying his mind vanished as his concentration was broken by the giggles from a pack of girls ogling at him. Ikuto then stepped past America and grabbed a hold onto the handle of the establishment's front door and pulled open its glass surface. A chilled breeze greeted them, which Ikuto hardly noticed. Yoru on the other hand grumpily curled into a ball as the cold welcomingly embraced him when he entered. America paid no attention to the pleasant air conditioning; eyeing the line or lack thereof intensely, petrified with a mixture of elatedness and suspicion at such perfect luck and timing. His mistrust was soon overpowered by the joyous relief swelling up inside of him as he dashed to the cash register, startling the poor cashier.

"Hello Miss, could I have the biggest burger you have? I'm really hungry!" America overzealously asked, almost shouting his order and nearly giving the already frightened young lady a heart attack. Then as if on cue America's stomach issued another tremendous roaring gurgle, emphasizing the desperation on his face. Ikuto silently slipped in from behind America, his abrupt appearance did not help the jumpy cashier either as she twitched with surprise upon noticing him. Yoru only cracked a peak through the corner of his eye to survey the antics and quietly snicker before returning to his catnap. Ikuto breathed a short and stifled sigh as America apologetically reviewed his order with the cashier. When she was finally able to piece together what the American had wanted the young lady hesitantly turned to Ikuto; who simply replied to the unasked question in a slightly disinterested tone, "I'll have what he's having."

The cashier fumbled a little as she prepared their order and unwillingly accepted the change; but American soon strolled out of the restaurant with a burger in hand and Ikuto in tow, friendly saying goodbye and waving as he left. It was at this moment Ikuto felt a surge of regret swell up inside of him as he eyed his own burger. Because, frankly, the thing was grossly large and he had a hard time believing that anyone, even America could consume it. That is until his gaze drifted to the American; who over animatedly opened his mouth to chomp down on the hamburger and happily munched on his first bite, savoring every ounce of flavor.

Yoru's cat ears perked up as the tempting scent wafted over to him, and his head poked up from the tight ball he held himself in. Then the rest of Yoru rose, and the cat character yawned as he took a laborious amount of time to stretch what seemed to be every single part of his body. Ikuto finally peeled away the brightly colored wrappings concealing his food and gently nudged the burger towards Yoru, offering him the first bite. Yoru cheerfully meowed in response and began nibbling on the hamburger. As Yoru continued to eat; America abruptly turned to take a quick peek at the restaurant, then he looked back at Ikuto with a light forlornness hanging on his features and mumbled sadly "That girl was the same person who waited on me before. I can't believe she didn't recognize me."

"Did that happen when you were a Guardia Character?" Yoru asked after he loudly gulped down the food in his mouth. America nodded cluelessly, to which Yoru face palmed his forehead without another word. This left America even more puzzled than before as he cocked his head sideways, confused. After Ikuto took a bite out of his burger; hiding his own frustration with the American, he informed in a cool tone that barely quivered with his suppressed annoyance "People can't see Guardian Characters unless they have one themselves."

With a quick snap following the brief explanation; America exclaimed in a voice of realization that almost sounded embarrassed at his own incompetence, "Oh! No wonder my boss has been acting like I'm crazy every time I talk about 'em."

"You actually tried to tell other people about Guardian Characters?" Yoru yelled, steadily becoming more irked with the American's carelessness. Ikuto then tapped Yoru on the head semi-playfully, breaking the cat character's concentration on his stream of anger. America though, not sensing any of this continued talking.

"Well… yeah! Just looking at you little guys gives me this hopeful feeling, you know? Like you're seeing all the dreams and potential people have." America said this with such an emotional sobriety that Ikuto and Yoru could hardly believe it, at first. Then Ikuto, who had been continuously munching on his food, breathed a short chuckle. Before either America or Yoru had time to react; Ikuto said lightly impressed with a twist of snark, "So you can be serious."

America erupted in laughter which spread to Yoru, who shrugged off any of his own more berating remarks and joined in. Then and there Ikuto decided he enjoyed this jovial America instead of the more serious one, even if he was a little more high-maintenance. The three kept walking as they ate, Ikuto shockingly finishing before America, not really paying attention to where they went. That was the case until they arrived at the entrance of the large city park. The moment the three entered the shaded shelter of the canopy and Yoru purred delightfully, America shortly and suddenly said "We're being followed."

Firstly perplexed at the abrupt notification but sure enough; when he slyly peaked over his shoulder, Ikuto spotted a couple of conspicuously inconspicuous goons. Yoru's pupils contracted into thin slivers, and he let out a small hiss at the sight of them. Ikuto narrowed his blue eyes as he and America continued their afternoon stroll, nonchalantly quickening their pace. Once they had a good distance from their pursuers Ikuto mumbled, "Those are defiantly some of Easter's thugs."

"But what're they doing here? The old man hasn't even made a peep since that incident." Yoru contemplated. Ikuto instinctively crushed the empty burger wrappings as his Guardian Character mentioned the Director. Then America inched closer to Ikuto as shot fast glances behind him, before slipping a torn corner of his wrapper he had just written on. Ikuto lifted the scrap up to find a series of numbers scribbled on it. America was quick to combat his company's unvoiced questions.

"It's my number. We're splitting up as soon as we make this sharp turn ahead. Go find your friends with the characters, I'll handle the other nations. We'll reconvene later."

"You make it sound easy. How are you so sure that something won't go terribly wrong?" Ikuto asked, with doubts that the Guardians would believe a word he said let alone join him in a confrontation floating in his mind.

"Because, I'm the hero!' America declared loudly and confidently as he placed an encouraging hand on Ikuto's shoulder. Yoru leapt into the air with a mischievous grin plastered on his face as he snickered with glee. Before he turned and beamed up at Ikuto, then the teenager finally succumbed to the enthusiasm and formed a smile in the corner of his mouth. Their speedy steps brought them closer to the turn with each hasty tap. In no time they were there and once the backs of their heels fell onto the path in front of them America and Ikuto dashed off in different directions.

Neither checked for a while to see if they had successfully thrown their stalkers off track but as each slowed to a stomping trot, they sighed in relief through their panting as none of Easter's agents could be found. America was then became so busy trying to remember the way back to the hotel where most of the nations were staying at that he narrowly passed England talking to two of the girls from last time.

'Man, what luck. This is awesome!' The nation thought excitedly before rushing over to the small group assembled. Though, as he made his way over America swore that an odd yell which faintly echoed sounded fairly familiar. The shout was obscured not only by its distance but also by the surrounding sounds, but he unsurely made the statement out to be…

"You're lucky I don't have my frying pan with me!"


A/N: Look I finally finished chapter two! I can't wait for the anxious crowd of my loyal readers to- *notices empty place where "loyal readers" once were* Hmm... Maybe taking almost half a year to write a chapter does have adverse effects. I'll make a note. Joking aside, I'm really sorry. REALLY sorry! I promise to do better. It's not like I've picked up a few obsessions like Minecraft and Sims 3 and spend my time playing games or gallivant around my college campus instead of working on my stories... No. Of course not.

And now if you excuse me I have blocks to punch-

I mean sims to manage-

I mean...Peace~! -The totally focused, MagnifiedSun