Switzerland sat alone in the middle of his garden, what used to be his favorite stone bench held him above the ground. The bench was not what it used to be, his place where he would find solace, where he had held long conversations with the sister he had never shown enough affection for…now it clung to nothing more than empty memories almost like a gravestone. If he closed his eyes and listened hard enough he could almost hear the sound of her tinkling laugh, of the honey sweet tone her voice carried, he could almost imagine that she was not gone.
A deep sigh brushed passed his lips, he nudged his rifle that rested in the grass with his foot. He slowly slumped down to rest his head in his hands. Worry and grief washed over him, beckoning tears to his eyes. The space next to him was empty, the more he thought about…the harder the tears threatened to spill.
Tall, green hedges surrounded him on two sides. They were trimmed to absolute perfection, the leaves a deep, healthy green. A forest lie on another side, it grew thick and wild. Trees placed close to one another as if they were afraid to be alone. Damp vegetation grew under them. Tall, reaching for what little sunlight they could find under the thick canopy of leaves. Behind him lay a small path that lead to the empty house that he could now call his own. A blue sky shone above, a few puffy clouds drifted across the sky, blocking out the sun. The temperature immediately dropped and sent a shiver up Vash's spine.
That is when he heard the sound of rustling leaves coming from the forest. His body reacted before his mind. The familiar weight of the rifle on his shoulder processed before he realized what was happening. His finger lightly pressed against the trigger. His eyes narrowed, mentally preparing himself for the shots. He waited.
A laugh rang out. It dripped with a slow, lethal, sweet like venomous honey. "Now, now, Mr. Switzerland. You would not shoot me would you?" The heavily accented voice paused as if it expected an answer. Soon, however, she thought against it. A woman stepped from the tree line. Blonde hair tumbled down around her waist meeting the blue and white striped ribbon tied around her dress. "Especially if we share a common goal." A smile, no, not a smile, the grin of a snake spread over her lips, her blue eyes shone with an evil giddy joy unlike anything he had ever seen before.
Vash held his rifle tight, not even daring to lower it. Although, he thought of firing right there on the spot…mild curiosity picked at him. He felt it tugging at his jacket like a small child, it whined and demanded his attention. "Explain why you are here and you may leave without a bullet in your back."
She clucked her tongue and raised her hands into a position of surrender. "Now, now, Mr. Switzerland. Would you really shoot your sister-in-law?"
The shot rang out over the hills. Birds that had been resting in the nearby tress sprang away in terror. The bullet smashed into the tree closest to Belarus. Wood splinters flew into her hair, all over her dress in a dizzying array.
A shadow developed over them as another cloud passed in front of the sun. A cold glare from the female nation seemed to bend the temperature under her will. Vash fought to keep himself calm; it was only the cloud that caused the cool air, not her piercing blue stare. That was something that she and her brother shared, the same evil aura.
"Look," Her voice was hard, all enjoyment gone. "You hate my brother and I hate your sister. You would do anything to get her back and I am desperate to have my brother returned to me." Her reptilian smile returned. "I present an offer that you cannot refuse." She ran a pale hand down the bark of the tree that had lay victim to Switzerland's bullet.
Vash could almost see the gruesome thoughts churning behind blue eyes. His rifle remained raised. "What is your offer, Belarus?" He knew that he should have shot her right then.
"Please, call me Natalia. Such formalities from a man that is technically of relation." Her smile was wicked; the words caused a shiver of hatred to push through his body.
He knew that she was only going to cause unnecessary trouble. Why was he not shooting her? He had never been so hesitant before. Usually, he was fearless, shooting anything, anyone that dare cross his border…the only thing more terrifying than a nonviolent Switzerland was the face that Belarus knew that she had Vash. She knew that he would not shoot her that he wanted to hear more. "What is your offer?"
Belarus sighed. "You really know how to take the enjoyment out of things." She pouted, throwing him sad eyes. After a moment, realizing that her expression would not make what she wanted come faster, she continued. "How are you with ropes?"
"Excuse me?"
"How about some kidnap, Switzy?"
Long into the night, their conversation continued. They sat along a wide wooden dining table, candles scattered around provided a dim, eerie light. Papers were being passed between them.
Switzerland's servants stood outside the grand doors waiting for orders. They looked around at each other wearily, all far too tired to be in their right minds.
The two nations talked in hushed tones as to not be overheard. Vash did not trust his servants; he did not trust Natalia, but his plan…. It was foolproof, perfect. Details were working themselves out as they talked through several different scenarios.
Finally, Vash took a deep drink from his tea and sighed in finality, satisfied. "Miss Belarus," He stuck out his hand. "You have yourself a deal."
She shook his hand enthusiastically. Quickly, she stood and collected her papers. Diagrams, pictures, written word, hours of word sat before her. She smiled at her stack of paper with pride and determination. "I will see you in two days time." Laughter jumped from her lips. Big brother will be mine again….
"Indeed, I will." He also stood, waiting to accompany her to the door. His beloved rifle hat sat on the table next to him throughout this entire ordeal. He stroked the weapon lovingly before slipping the strap over his shoulders, never leaving the possession unattended.
Belarus nodded towards him and they headed for the front hall. Servants scattered as he threw open the doors and he, not so kindly, ushered the people off. The two nations walked in silence, even as the front door was pulled open, Belarus disappeared out into the glare of midnight.
With a deep sigh he set off for his room, rounding the large staircase, trudging down long, highly decorated halls. His room was hidden off in the right wing of the mansion, far from prying eyes and curious ears.
The house was empty…large, grandiose, and empty. He and the girl he had called his little sister filled the house with life, but with her spirit gone everything had died. There is an expression, you do not know what you have until it is gone. Then again, she was not truly "gone." Not in the literal sense, more of the "in spirit" type. She had moved long ago, away from the one man who had taken her in from her darkest of days. Instead, she had married; she had started a family with one of the most feared nations in the world.
The sweet little girl he had always known…long blond braids draped down her back, her large, innocent green eyes…. She was not a child anymore. She had grown in the years they had spent together and this surprised him, Vash had expected her to remain young like the other nations of Latvia and Sealand. She was no longer the little girl who followed him around, who cut her hair to copy his, who clung to his every word…. She was her own person, capable of decisions…even if he did not approve.
For a long time, Switzerland just sat on the windowsill that held a large section of glass, most of the wall had been replaced by an enormous picture window. Rolling hills and forests stretched across his land, but he stared at the moon. Bright gray splashed over him while his thoughts lead him to other places. For the first time in months he let himself go. He let the sobs come over him, tears spill from his eyes; he let the pain wash through him.
"I'm coming." Whispering to the moon, he placed a hand against the glass, the tears still clouding his vision. "I'm coming, Lili."
