In this chapter America tries to find help but instead finds insight into himself and a solution to the battle he finds raging within himself, with a little help from japan.

Disclaimer: I do not own Hetalia or any of its characters. :)


Who would help? America wondered. For he had always been the hero always the one who wanted to help other people. He had never wanted to depend on anyone, not even England. The revolutionary war had proven that. He had always told everyone that he could solve his own problems and theirs too. He had refused help at all costs, only joining other alliances in order to help others.

Now he was going to join another alliance. But this time he was the one in trouble, he was the one that needed a hero. But who?

'who is America's superman?'

Japan was in his kitchen making stir fry because Germany and Italy were coming over. Even though WW2 had been over for a long time they were still friends. And japan was still secretly trying to get Germany and Italy together. He was still thinking about Germany and Italy when his doorbell rang. Japan jumped, he had not expected them for another two hours! Japan ran to the door, still feeling guilty for the thoughts he had been thinking. He opened the door to find, not Germany and Italy, but a sobbing America.

"Japan!" America wailed. As he threw himself forward onto the oriental rug.

Japan seemed stunned to see a sobbing American in his foyer. For once he did not mind his oriental rug. He stood there watching America thinking "What do I do?".

"WHY?!" America managed to sob out in between increasingly frequent hiccups.

" oh Konichiwa America-san" japan said uncertainly. "can I help you with anything"

America dragged his head up off the rug and looked at japan his eyes red and puffy. "What do I do japan?" he said hiccuping. "I don't know what to do." hiccup "grandpa Rome said my country." hiccup. "is going to fall apart".

A startled japan just stared, not knowing what to say to the shocking statement. Finally japan managed to recover enough of his grace to say "what?". Nice language skills japan, he thought to himself.

" I had a dream and Rome told me my country is going to collapse" America sniffled. His crying was finally dying down. His sobs subsiding. He had to control himself. He had to get his emotions in check. He had allowed himself to break down again, but no more. He would not lose control again. He could not afford it. It wouldn't do him or anyone else any good. He had learned that last time.

As this was going on in America's head japan sat by and watched. In doing so he noticed slight, almost imperceptible changes in the man before him. The tears that stopped falling and dried on his cheeks, his breathing returned to normal, he sat up straighter, his head came up,and his face set set with conviction, laced with stubbornness and determination. Almost as if he had been fighting a battle within himself and the fight had finally ended. To japan it looked like common sense, strength, and reason had won out.

"Japan?" America asked confusedly.

Japan realized that he was still staring at the nation sitting on the floor. " I'm sorry America-san I was thinking about something" he said shaking his head to clear the scattered thoughts from his mind.

"How can I help" he asked.

"I'm sorry I broke down" America said slowly " I don't know how to ask this japan or even who to ask, which is why I came to you japan. We have always been friends and you were always really smart. I guess what I'm trying to say is I need your help. I don't know where else to turn."

"What do you need help with?" Japan asked "and how can I help?"

"Everyone knows my economy is failing, it's no secret, I haven't exactly been hiding it but I have been hiding myself. I was ignoring the fact I need help, that I can't be my own hero. I need your help to get out of this mess."

" America you are right you need help but I don't think I'm the one who can give you what you need." Japan tried to explain the situation to America he had to choose his words carefully. " My own economy is still very fragile and more than that I think you need more than economic support you also need someone who can help you emotionally. I am your friend America but I think you need someone who can be more than that."

America winced, he had been afraid of this. Afraid no one would want to help him. "NO!" the voice in his head screamed "No you will not be afraid, you will not give up"

" I understand Japan" America said softly "What should I do? Who do you think I should ask?"

Japan thought for a moment his shipping instincts battling for supremacy over his need to help his friend. He wanted so desperately to just make the ideal America pairing but he had to think of what was best for his friend. Putting aside thoughts of how cute America and Canada would be together, he thought of who would be emotionally right for him.

After a long while he finally said slowly "You want someone you know you can trust. I would go to someone you have know a long time first before trying to ask anyone else."

"Thank you Japan, you know I have always respected you and I want you to know how much of a help you have been to me".

Japan sensed that America was holding something back. His body language, his eyes, even the way he talked showed signs of reservation. He knew that America had locked away apart of himself to prevent hurting himself or others. Japan just hoped it wouldn't hurt his chances at success instead.

As Japan watched America walk proudly out his front door, he thought to himself "It is going to take someone very special to bring America back to his usual self."