First off, thank you for everyone who sent me those nice reviews/follows/faves! I sort of anticipated getting ignored for the first few chapters since I, myself, have a habit of setting the filter for the longer stories. I just wanted you guys to know it really meant a lot to me and was my motivation to forcing myself through my writer's block, speaking of which...

I am so sorry this took so long! In retrospect, once a week seemed pretty ambitious, but I was in the honeymoon stage with this story. Then finals and essays hit me, and then I lost my flash drive with this story saved on it forcing me to start from scratch, and then I got writer's block... but you probably don't care about any of that. :)

So my sister pointed out that I don't use most of the fandom names for some of the characters and some people might get confused, so this is a quick master list of all the characters so far. I'll probably post it to my profile as well.

Alfred F. Jones- America

Arthur Kirkland- England

Francis Bonnefoy- France

(these were the obvious ones)

Abel Jansen- Netherlands

Magnus Densen- Denmark

Lukas Bondevik- Norway

(and now from this chapter...)

Sakura Honda- nyo!Japan

Yao Wang- China

Kiku Honda- Japan

I don't own any of the characters from Hetalia.

Chapter 1- The Princess of Gallapan

The island nation of Gallapan was a paradise to most. The serene and humble villages were surrounded by rich flora and fauna that made for an abundance of food, medicinal herbs, and fuel. For hundreds of years, the nation had managed to isolate itself from the wars and conquests of the world. It was far enough out of the way of the southern trade routes that it was not even on the map for most of its history. Tucked away in the gulf of Dianam, many did not even realize it was independent from its sister country. Eager to prove their worth, they finally explored the world, and what they found was not to their liking.

Other countries were not as welcoming. Other countries were more interested in colonies than coalitions. So Gallapan returned to its period of splendid isolation. They fortified their walls, making it clear to foreigners that they wished to be left alone. Unfortunately, for the peaceful Gallapan, that method would not work forever. It was a different era. The northern empires were not as oblivious as they once were. The natural resources of Gallapan were tempting the hunger in the beasts of industrial expansion. Things were certainly about to change for the island. No one, not even the emperor himself, was aware of how much though.

"Sakura-hime? Sakura-hime!"

The young ebony haired beauty suddenly snapped to attention as her warm fawn eyes met the irked amber eyes of her teacher.

"Pay attention to the lesson." He demanded.

"Hai, Yao-sensei." She returned bowing in apology.

"Now I was talking about the Triple Threat." He began. "The three great empires: Breterlands, Frespa, and Russiane created a lasting alliance out of seemingly bad blood. Frespa was perhaps the oldest of the three. However, fourteen years ago, Breterlands raged a terrible naval war that bent Frespa to the will of the younger empire. Russiane was about to make an alliance with Milota when Breterlands once again interfered crushing Milota exactly nine years ago from today. Now what was so terrible about the Breterlands conquering of Milota?"

"They murdered the people of that country." Sakura stated emotionlessly.

Yao nodded with sharp look. "Breterlands is a ruthless force on its own. However, teamed up with Frespa and Russiane and it only spells one thing: world domination. Now, let's get into the specifics of each of these battles…"

Yao continued to rant about the Triple Threat and what effects it could have for them on Gallapan, but Sakura had once again tuned him out. She knew these lessons were necessary for the princess of Gallapan to know. It was just so hard to concentrate though, when it was a beautiful day outside and her teacher continued to preach the same boring things to her.

"Sakura-hime." Yao sighed.

"Hai Sensei?" She questioned tilting her head innocently.

"How do you expect to be an effective ruler when you are not even aware of the dangers around you?" He determined.

"But Yao-sensei, knowing there is a tiger in the grass will not make me anymore prepared to defend myself against it." Sakura pointed out cheekily.

Yao glared at her a long moment before shaking his head.

"Clearly you have mastered the art of avoidance."

"Tou-sama rivals Yao-sensei's teaching abilities." Sakura smiled.

Yao grunted. "And what would your tou-sama do to get you to pay attention right now?"

"He would tell me about the Conquering Hero and its captain." She jumped at the opportunity.

"Aiyah! Not this pirate story again!" Yao complained.

Sakura was unrelenting though as she blinked her pleading fawn eyes at him. He tried to resist, but just as he always did, he gave into her silent torture.

"Fine! But only because it pertains to today's lesson." He reluctantly agreed. "Recite what you already know. Repeating myself gives me a headache."

Sakura had to refrain from pointing out that he repeated himself all of the time as she did what she was told finally finding a subject interesting to her.

"Five years ago, sightings of a black ship by the name of Conquering Hero began to appear. It is said to be commanded by a ruthless captain known only as the Dark Avenger. Supposedly, he is not a man but a ghost driven by revenge which is why no one has been able to catch him yet. He only attacks Breterlands' ships and ports and has been spotted frequently at Anordica. It is also rumored that he hunts for the one who killed his one true love, his lost lady."

Yao snorted at the last part. "It's probably just a wives tale and nothing more."

"So you don't believe in the Dark Avenger or the Conquering Hero?" She questioned slightly disappointed.

"Here is what I do believe." He answered pointing to the map before him. "Breterlands has certainly been the target of what appears to be piracy. Even their allies have been the object of larceny far before this so called Dark Avenger. However, ghost captains are a waste of time. Whoever it is knows Breterlands' trade routes well which is why he has been able to avoid getting caught for this long. Honestly though, I wouldn't put it past Breterlands to have orchestrated the whole thing themselves."

"What do you mean Yao-sensei?" Sakura asked curiously.

Yao beamed clearly pleased with the fact that he was able to get her interested in something remotely related to his lesson.

"Breterlands' methods…are immoral to say the least. While their king, Alistair Kirkland, lies on his death bed, their prince, Arthur Kirkland, has built an empire seemingly out of nothing, He is intelligent, he is ruthless, and he is cunning. When he had the Lady Liberty under his control, he was invincible. However, after the vicious attack on Milota, the crew along with her captain, Alfred F. Jones, were sentenced to death. Nevertheless, Kirkland has the last piece he needs: fear. What's to stop him from gaining the world?"

Sakura listened curiously, especially to Yao's saddened tone by the end, but she couldn't help but doubt anyone being that underhanded. She didn't want to voice this opinion though. For one thing, Yao would go on a long winded rant that she would have to sit through. For another, she knew that Breterlands was seen in an unfavorable light, and there had to be some reason behind that. Whether it was the prince or the captain he mentioned.

Yao somehow managed to turn the subject back to Breterlands' recent conquests, and Sakura lost interest again. She began to daydream about being aboard the Conquering Hero along with its brokenhearted ghost captain. Now her father raised her with the mindset of a warrior which meant that honor was always placed first. To be yearning after a pirate should have clashed with this philosophy, but it was the name of the ship that drew her to the story in the first place. Could a pirate that calls its vessel a hero really be that bad?

"You're making me an old man." Yao complained as he rubbed at his eyes in irritation.

Sakura gave him a sheepish smile realizing she had been caught daydreaming again. He gave her a long hard look before taking a seat at his desk with a soft sigh.

"Go." He ordered.

"Sensei?" Sakura questioned already in the process of getting up.

"Go! I have no patience for teaching disrespectful princesses." He grumbled.

Sakura fought not to smile knowing he didn't really mean it, but if she actually did show off her gloating expression, he would not hesitate to go back on his word. She bowed before him in apology.

"I will try better next time Sensei."

He grunted his doubt, and she took his lack of response as the affirmation she needed. With quick happy steps, she made her way outside breathing in the fresh air with relief. The entire compound they lived in was made up of several individual buildings wrapped in a semi-circle at the base of their grand mountain, while simultaneously overlooking the ocean and Great Wall to the east. Being over a kilometer in diameter, the center of the compound was situated in a geological depression, and that's where Sakura's favorite part of her home sat: the imperial garden.

Set in the center was the lone proud cherry blossom that was seen from any angle of the compound. To the north of the garden, the mountain stream fed its water into a beautiful waterfall that Sakura loved to visit at night when the moonlight would bounce off the rapid waters to give it the appearance of glowing. To the south sat a simple, elegant koi pond. To the west, the forest trees blended into their compound giving it the added protection from enemies and the perfect spot to watch the panthers stalk in the night.

However, Sakura's favorite spot was towards the east of the compound. Of course she loved how the emperor's throne room had the perfect vantage point to overlook the wall and see the ocean, but she liked the private flower garden in front of the emperor's study. It was always the most unusual and exotic assortment of plants, and it always held what was quickly becoming her favorite: tulips. With spring at their doorstep, all of the garden was bustling with activity to bring the flowers back from winter's sleep. To Sakura, this meant that her favorite gardener was probably tending to her beloved tulips, so with a bounce in her step she made her way to the east side of the compound.

While there were pathways in place to walk around the garden, Sakura found it faster to go straight through the center. Having lived there for the entirety of her eighteen years, she was very familiar with every shortcut, hiding place, and secret the garden had to offer her. Not fully grown, the plants began to tickle her hands and legs causing her to giggle. The few workers around her looked up in surprise at the sound before smiling at her and going back to their work after a soft bow.

When she finally emerged from the plants' hold, she was disappointed to see the blonde caretaker wasn't where she expected him to be. Ever since they had found him washed up on their shores seven years ago, Abel had cared for the emperor's gardens as repayment for sparing his life. All Sakura truly knew about his past was that he had once lived in Breterlands with his sister, and he used to be a naval captain. The specifics as for how he ended up on their island was either lost to the trauma of the event or something she would never be able to get him to open up about. In spite of this mystery, he was a loyal servant and dear friend to the princess.

She inspected the flowers to see the colorful buds of the Breterlands native having just recently been planted which meant Abel had to be somewhere nearby. Sakura looked around hoping she would be able to pick out the giant amongst the rest of the servants. However, he was nowhere in the vicinity of her range. Frowning slightly, she hastened towards the servants' quarters worried that he might have suddenly become ill. She became frustrated when she turned up empty again, and anyone she talked to claimed to have not seen Abel since that morning.

She quickly backtracked to the garden checking all of their usual spots. She trekked down to the cherry blossom, she visited the bright fish of the koi pond, and she crossed the stream using the broken tree in the forest. Never once did she catch even a hint of her friend. Upset and irritated at wasting her time on the gardener, she returned to her starting point silently debating on her next move when a deep, muffled voice carried to her. She perked up looking around but was unable to see the owner.

"Abel-kun?" She questioned still irked that she couldn't find him.

She didn't hear anything for a second when his distinctive accented voice floated down to her once more. She looked up from where she stood towards the emperor's study, furrowing her eyebrows when she could vaguely make out his shape from the open window. The study was forbidden to any but the emperor and those the emperor allowed. What was Abel doing there?

For all her lack of a motherly presence, Sakura had truly been raised as any respectful and obedient princess should. However, her father had also deemed it appropriate that she learn the basic arts of ninjutsu and samurai swordsmanship with the understanding that it was to be used for self-defense purposes alone. However, in the hands of the young, curious princess, it made for many confrontational instances mostly at the expense of Yao or her handmaiden, Mei. In this situation, it allowed for a quick, easy eavesdrop as she crept up the path and inched herself before the sliding door to the study. She evened her breath to make nigh a sound fearful of what her father would do if he caught her as she pressed her ear against the wood. The first voice to reach her surprised her having left his company not even half an hour ago.

"They have been blind to us for so long, why now?" Yao complained.

"He's had a colony on Dianam for decades. He may have been biding his time, but I doubt he was ever ignorant of your existence." Abel gruffly responded.

"Could it be a bluff?" The emperor asked with a tone that commanded attention.

"I don't know the monarchy well, but from what I do know, he's not the kind to make bluffs."

Sakura's attention was fully captivated now. Even though she hadn't a clue as to what they were talking about, she was quickly gathering that something was going on that had the emperor concerned and Abel was brought in as a consultant. She didn't know whether to be anxious at the brewing storm or swept away by the idea of learning more about Abel's past.

"Kiku-sama, surely there is another way…"

"I wish there was Yao-dono." Sakura heard her father sigh.

She felt pity for the older man as he sounded weary and strained.

"The fact of the matter is there are no allies we can make that would be willing to take on the Triple Threat for us. Sakura-hime has been prepared for this day, and just because it is not what we would prefer doesn't make it any less important."

The princess felt herself tense in shock at the sound of her name. She knew what he had been preparing her to do, but what has happened to suddenly bring this on? Her cheerful demeanor was quickly diminished at the prospect of what she suspected she would soon be asked to do. She stared down at the ground as she fought to get her emotions under control and listen to the last of the conversation.

"When should we tell her?" Abel grunted sounding even grumpier than usual.

"Now would be the perfect time." Kiku declared. "Sakura-hime, you may stop eavesdropping now."

Sakura flinched wondering what she had done to give herself away, but not too surprised considering who her father was. Slowly, her cheeks burning in shame, she knelt down and opened the door before bowing low in respect.

"Please forgive me Tou-sama for disrespecting you and your guests." She mumbled embarrassed.

Kiku was a man many did not expect especially when you consider this being the man who almost single-handedly saved Gallapan from the invasion of Krana nearly twenty-five years ago. He was rather short even by Gallapan standards with an eternally youthful face. His facial features were rather bland with a short nose and muddy eyes. However, he held himself with the pride and fairness you would expect from a seasoned warrior and faithful emperor.

"Enter Sakura-hime. We will discuss your punishment later for both poor manners and poor technique." The emperor declared with a spark of good nature in his eyes.

Sakura hid her smile as she watched Yao-sensei roll his eyes muttering under his breath about where she picks up her bad habits from. The study was made up of two different levels. The lower level was usually for meetings and where the emperor took his tea. The upper level was cornered under the window, and where the emperor would hold his Shogi matches. Currently, he sat across from Abel challenging the taller man to his favorite game. As dictated by custom and etiquette, Sakura took her place on one of the lower level cushions next to her sensei looking up at the game with interest. Kiku returned his attention to the game as Abel moved one of his pieces shooting her a small smile past the pipe in his mouth.

"Sakura-hime." The emperor addressed as he retaliated.

"Hai, Tou-sama?" She responded.

"The most dreaded and anticipated day of a young robin's life is the day it leaves the nest. The mother will praise the nestling throughout its adolescence on how it will be able to fly on that day despite not knowing the outcome. Likewise, the nestling grows up believing that it will be able to fly while still retaining the fear of failure. When that day finally comes, predators gather around the tree to increase the chance of failure. Even though both the mother and the nestling are afraid, the mother will still push her baby out of the nest because that it what is necessary for it to do. I believe that is checkmate, Abel-kun."

Sakura forced herself to ignore the bewildered expression on the blonde's face as she thought over her father's advice.

"Tou-sama, what happens to the robin?" She pressed worry gnawing at her heart much like she imagined the baby bird felt.

He regarded her carefully before responding. "The nestling tumbles the first few feet out of the nest and is then faced with a choice. It can either continue falling straight into the jungle cat's mouth, or it can spread its wings and remember that it can fly. It is important to reflect on the fact that we always have choices."

Sakura nodded refusing to state the truth of this choice. When your survival is on the line, it's not much of a choice at all. However, she understood the point her father was trying to make and while she was still trying to come to terms with it, she knew what her answer must be. She bowed low in respect before speaking.

"Nothing would make me prouder than to fulfill my duty as a princess of Gallapan. How might I soar for you today, Kiku-sama?"

Though his face beamed at her answer, his eyes didn't carry the same twinkle confusing Sakura as to what she had done wrong.

"Sakura-hime, as you are well aware, your eighteenth birthday has come and passed making you eligible to any lord that comes to court you. The Prince of Breterlands, Arthur Kirkland, and his congregation will be here in six days, and has asked to stay with us for the next three months after to fully bestow his allegiance to you. I ask that you devote yourself to the wellbeing of this union for Gallapan."

Sakura couldn't meet him in the eye anymore. Six days. That was the time limit set upon her remaining moments of freedom. She was finding it difficult to breathe as the earlier hold on her heart tightened dramatically. It seemed as though Father Time decided this was the instant to freeze the very sand he worked with as nobody moved or spoke for an exceedingly drawn out period. Finally, Sakura nodded her understanding, bowing her head to allow her long locks to shield her eyes.

"It would be my great honor, Kiku-sama."

She thought maybe she heard a hesitation to his voice when he finally decided to dismiss her.

"Very well. If you will return to your room, I will have the seamstresses alerted for your fitting."

Sakura bowed once more before slowly getting up to leave. Her legs felt like lead as she caught Yao's look of pity and Abel's barely contained frustration. She didn't bother looking at her father a final time for she knew what she would find. Just like the mother bird, he would be both anxiously and proudly awaiting her flight. Sakura only wished her ascent would take her far away from here.

Sakura was unaware of how slowly she was moving until she felt a large familiar figure guiding her off the path and into a hidden corner between two buildings out of the view of prying eyes. Her fists bunched up Abel's tunic as he wrapped her into his warm embrace uncaring that two salty stains were forming on his chest.

"Sakura-chan, I promise you that I will stop at nothing to make you happy. No matter what happens, I'll be there."

She didn't answer him. She didn't have to. Just like the baby robin was led to assume it would always fly, so was she fed an empty belief.

I just feel the need to apologize again and add that setting sucks! It took me FOREVER to write the garden scene! I hope you guys enjoyed it though now that the plot is thickening. Please leave me more reviews, I like reading them!