Soul: And I'm back... I went to Comic-Con over the weekend... Four days of madness and being dressed like England. It's rather scary how well I passed for a guy. Anyway, for all those whom guessed who this way, well now you'll see if you were right.

Disclaimer: ...


Bring Her Home

France knelt on the ground, his fingers intertwined in his lap. He shivered slightly even in the warmth if the day. His eyes travels slowly up to a spot ten feet in front of him.

May 30th, his beloved warrior was burned. France could suddenly smell the fire; heard the screams start up again. He whimpered a little, covering his ears.

"I'm sorry." He said quietly. France let his hands fall back into his lap, palms up. His tears were caught in a small pool in the curve of his hand.

He close his hand around the salty water in his hand. Pressing his hands together, his prayed silently to the girl who gave everything for him.

The sun marched across the sky as people left him alone, assuming he was praying to the saint because of the day. They didn't know that their country came to this spot every year since that day in 1431.

France looked up again. The sky had turned a deep gold. He stood up and took a few steps forward. Pulling his thin jacket tighter, France looked around the square, imagining the people, the priests.

"What would you have done these past few decades?" He asked out loud. His heart's pace quickened briefly. France put a hand to his chest, sighing.

He closed his eyes, his hand still over his heart, his face tilting to the sky. His hand dropped to his side.

"One life is all we have and we live it as we believe in living it. But to sacrifice what you are and to live without belief, that is a fate more terrible than dying *." A voice said. France froze, his blood draining from his face. He knew those words.

He looked around, turning around as he did so. A person was on one knee behind him, a brown hoodie jacket handing their face. France's heart beat quicken for a moment again.

"One life is all you are granted. Use your time wisely, for it is limited. Sacrifices should be made as a last resort, not as the only option." France replied, using the same words he had said all those years ago to that very reasoning. The figure looked up.

"My fatherland, it is for you I would give everything." The female voice said. France swallowed hard, not believing what he was hearing.

"Return to me, I cannot loose to one who would make their only option that last resort." He replied, his voice cracking slightly.

"Return to you, I will. We shall have victory." The girl said. France felt tears run down his face.

"Impossible." He said, his throat tightening. The girl stood up.

"I have return, my fatherland. Victory we obtained, but not after many struggles and hardship." The girl said. France moved close to the girl, his tears carving tracks steadily down his face.

With trembling hands, France reached up and gentle pushed back the brown hood. That short cut, beautiful eyes and determined face were a ghost from the past.

"Impossible." He said with a small sob stopping in his throat. He licked his lips then said, "My child you have return and have made me proud."

Jeanne smile sweetly.

"How?" France said, his trembling hand resting on Jeanne's cheek, "I watched you die. I was there when the ashes were scattered."

"The land decided I was needed. I awoke weeks later, my body restore or reborn, I know not how." Jeanne said, placing her hand on France's.

France kissed Jeanne's forehead. He smiled at her and wrapped his arms around the warrior. France rested his chin on Jeanne's head, rocking her slightly and he tried to find something to say.

"Who are you now if not my saint?" He finally asked. Jeanne looked up at him. She place a finger over his heart.

"I'll never loose you again." France whispered, burying his face in her hair. Jeanne tightened her hug in response.

France's shoulder's shook in silent sobs. Jeanne rubbed his back, smiling the entire time.

"My city, I will protect you as you protected me in days of old." France whispered, his arms adjusting as he spoke. The old fashion speech made a part of France laugh, but it made the moment real. It wasn't going to vanish, fade away like a dream.

"As long as Paris stands, I shall stand by your side." Jeanne said. France laughed out loud, spinning Jeanne around.

"I love you, my child, from the moment you were born until the moment we fade." France said, kissing Jeanne's face again.

"I love you father, I always have." She replied, her smile still there.


Soul: I tired to get all historical facts correct! I spent a good five hours researching to be sure it was all right and a bag of peanuts. And yes, I know there is actually a 'Jeanne' character in the anime. But they don't really elaborate that much on her so it gives me plenty of wiggle room.

*: Actual quote from Jeanne d'Arc. I hope I'm not tracked down by French Secret Survive and forced to smell stinky cheese for this.

The title: A play on the song 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables, which I don't own *cries*

The chapter titles most mostly be song lyrics or titles, because I listen music on repeat will I write. If you have any suggestions, let me know and I'll look up the song. Oh and even if I gave you the song lyrics/title I was using, most would not give a clue as to who was next *evil grin*